A/n- Working knowledge of the earlier chapter "Of Missing Years..." recommended since this one occurs simultaneously(ish).
Unanswered Ninjago question #341 (and #342) How did Misako find Wu between seasons 7 and 8? And then how did the SoG find them?
Will we get a canon answer? Probably not! So enjoy the speculation...
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"Come on Wu, give me something." Misako rubbed her temples trying to stave off the pounding behind them. The papers in front of her remained, irritatingly, silent.
The fight with the Time Twins on the Iron Doom had been months ago and still she had no leads on where her brother in law was- or when. Stupid time travel. Yet Wu usually had contingency plans. There had to be a hint somewhere.
Letting out a grunt, Misako pushed her chair back and left the cluttered table. It had been several years since a search had felt this personal and Misako had forgotten the encompassing worry that came with one. Worry that differed even from watching her son and his friends- brothers in arms- put themselves on the line again and again. At least then she could help from the sidelines but here... here her attempts to help were useless. Again.
A soft chime interrupted her mini pity party. She looked to see her phone lighting up. Caller ID showed a picture of Maya. 'Why is she calling at this hour?' As far as she knew the Smiths were staying at Yang's Temple. Had something happened? Biting back a new spike of worry, Misako answered the phone.
"Hello?"
"Misako, sorry to call so late. I would have sent a text but I still find it easier to call."
The tightness in Misako's chest lessened and a sad smile tugged at Misako's lips. "No worries. I find myself in the latter category myself. How are things at the temple?"
"Everything's fine here, sorry if my call worried you, it's just... Well, Ray and I have been talking. We'd practically given up hope of seeing our kids again thanks to Krux. Yet they managed to find us. These last few months have been more than any of us could have imagined after being apart for so long." Maya paused and Misako remained silent. She could hear a 'but' statement coming. "The Airjitzu temple is beautiful, but Ray and I have been in one place for too long. We aren't much use here, as retired masters whose children have far surpassed them. There's elsewhere we can be useful- such as helping in the search for Wu."
Well, this entire conversation was surprising. "Maya, not that I wouldn't appreciate others helping, but are you sure?"
"We've already discussed it with the kids. None of us are thrilled to be separated, but this time we'll only be a phone call away. I- I don't know exactly Ray's feelings, but I need to get out again. If for no other reason than the knowledge that I- that I can. Krux..." Maya broke off with a sigh. "Let's just say those were dark years."
"I'm sorry Maya." While Misako had never been particularly close with the other members of the Elemental Alliance, the disappearances of many stalwart masters had been a grief Misako shared with her husband and brother-in-law. Their lot in life had been a hard one. Even by elemental master standards.
"Me too, but that won't change what's happened. What's left now is for us to make the best of the time we've now been given."
That resonated with Misako, her own sordid choices- especially where Lloyd was concerned- came to mind. "If that's what you would like I would appreciate your help." Misako's voice cracked.
Maya didn't comment on it. "We've told the kids we'll leave at the end of the week. What would you like for us to do?"
'Good question.' Taking a deep breath Misako attempted to organize her thoughts. "First we should meet in person. I'm not sure how secure the phones are anymore."
"Where should we meet?"
Misako surveyed her motel room. Jaumanakai didn't have much to offer in the way of lodging, and even fewer options for a somewhat clandestine meeting. "I'll come back to the temple. There I can go over what I've been doing and regather supplies." 'And spend some time with Lloyd.' A pang of guilt hit Misako. It had been too long since the last time she'd physically seen her son rather than sending him a letter or call.
"Sounds good. We'll see you then."
"Until then."
Misako ended the call and set her phone back on the table. A framed photo of her, Wu and Garmadon in the hospital right after Lloyd had been born, sat just behind the stacks of papers. A constant reminder of what she was fighting for. Her family.
"We'll find you Wu. One way or another I promise you."
Two days later found Misako at her most recent home sitting with (almost all of) those she called family. "I started by simply going from town to town looking for Wu. I didn't want to ask questions because too many people would love to take advantage of the fact he's missing. That hasn't worked out so far, so I started going through scrolls again hoping there would be a clue as to what might have happened to Wu. So far that hasn't really helped either." Misako glanced around the table, the disappointed faces of the ninja and Smiths' reflecting her own feelings.
"So what you're saying is all we're left with is random guess work?" Lloyd asked, his shoulders drooping.
Misako's heart ached at the sight of her son. Dark circles were prominent under his eyes and there was a haggard air about him. Yes her son had been prophesied to be the Green Ninja and destined to be the ninjas' leader, but he was only (technically) sixteen. And though she knew the others would be at his side constantly encouraging him, he shouldn't have to take on the role of leader. Not yet anyway. However the Tomorrow's Tea incident showed how much destiny cared about Lloyd's age.
"To an extent, yes that's what I'm working with." A collective groan rose from the ninja. Misako pursed her lips, the last thing they needed was to lose hope. "But that doesn't mean Wu didn't know what he was doing-" She caught an incredulous look that passed between Kai and Nya, "-and he has, or he will, figure out a way to let us know where he is."
"Krux and Acronix were traveling to the future when Wu knocked us and the Reversal Blade off the Iron Doom." Kai crossed his arms. "For all we know he's years and years ahead of us."
"I really hate time travel." Cole muttered.
"It's not all bad." The vehemence in Jay's statement made everyone pause and look his way. He flushed seeing all the eyes on him but didn't offer a further explanation.
Misako cleared her throat. "Kai does have a point. From where we stand Wu might not have come out of the time stream yet."
"So what's the point in looking for him? Wherever he shows up, won't he be able to find us?"
An uncomfortable silence descended with Kai's question.
"It's possible." Maya spoke for the first time. "But it's also possible Wu won't be in any condition to find us, or he could be deposited in a remote location without any way to return home. From what you two told us," She gestured to her children, "Krux and Acronix dealt harsh blows to Wu right before he revived. I don't know how much of a difference it will make but I owe it to him as his friend, and out of thanks for how he has taken all of you under his wing, to do what I can to bring him home."
Ray slid his hand over Maya's and gave it a squeeze.
Lloyd's gaze slid back to Misako, a plea in them that she couldn't quite identify. Either way the same conviction she'd had several months ago was still there, stronger than ever. "I have to keep looking. He shouldn't be out there by himself."
At that Misako could see the resignation come over Lloyd. He nodded to her and looked to Ray and Maya. "Thank you for being willing to join Mom on her search." His voice dropped slightly. "I hope you're successful." Lloyd pushed back his chair and hurried out of the room.
Kai moved but Nya gently grabbed his arm. She shook her head. Grumbling incoherently Kai settled back in his chair. That didn't stop his frequent glances toward the door Lloyd had left from.
Though she agreed with Nya that Lloyd needed his space, Misako felt a flare of gratitude seeing- once again- the red ninja's care for her son. It helped, slightly, the fact she was leaving him behind. "I believe it'd be best to start out as quickly as possible."
"After your phone call with Maya we gathered our things. We're ready for when you make the call." Ray inclined his head to a small stack of bags along the wall.
A small smile tugged at Misako. Even after almost two decades some things never changed. "First thing in the morning we'll set out."
Ray and Maya nodded while Kai and Nya both frowned but didn't protest. Their parents still noticed.
"We'll be back." Maya reached across the table and grasped Nya's hand. "We have phones and we'll call as often as we can."
"At least weekly." Kai's voice was gruff.
"At least." Ray looked both his children in the eye. "After losing so much time, I don't plan on letting something like distance keep me from my kids."
A lump rose in Misako's throat. If only she hadn't chosen to stay away from her only son, despite the two of them having a healthy relationship now. She still had missed out on so much of his life. Quickly she excused herself before the old guilt could reappear in the form of tears.
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Two and a Half Months Later
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It had been almost a year. A year! And still nothing. Frustrated tears pricked at Misako's eyes but she shook her head. Just because it had been so long didn't mean she was giving up. Misako let out a long breath. 'One day at a time.' It might not be so discouraging if they had anything to go on, but either Wu still hadn't exited the time stream or something had happened to the point he couldn't leave a hint.
There was always the possibility Wu never came back.
Misako's stomach churned at the thought. After the trauma Lloyd had suffered through the years, she didn't want him to lose the one family member who'd actually been around for him the longest. He didn't deserve to have yet another loss thrown upon him.
It did not help that a group of ruffians were making waves as a new crime syndicate. A gang calling themselves the Sons of Garmadon. The name made Misako's blood boil. Lloyd was the true Son of Garmadon. The embodiment of Garmadon's hopes and dreams. His love and his passion. All the so called 'Sons' had to offer was the destruction and violence that had come from the evil of the Devourer.
There were rumors floating around of what the Sons of Garmadon had as an end goal. Misako prayed they would stay that- rumors. She didn't think she, or Lloyd, could emotionally cope if some of the plans came to fruition.
And so Misako had been doing what she did best; research. Research that was taking her further into her husband's family history in a way she had never been before. It only added to her anxieties of what could go wrong if the Sons of Garmadon weren't stopped.
Misako closed her eyes for a moment. She must have dozed off because she found herself half leaning half laying on the table top. Groaning she sat upright, her back protesting the movement. She rubbed her eyes and looked at the table.
The top paper was a bit crumpled from laying on it, but all in all it looked fine. The sheet contained a detailed report of what Kai and Nya saw during their battle with the Time Twins. Misko hoped for a new angle, a detail she had missed. Something to give the lead she'd been looking for.
...Krux and Acronix had us down when Sensei jumped out the main window. We couldn't see what he was doing but suddenly the Iron Doom started spinning like crazy. Sensei came back inside, knocking the twins down. We asked him what and why he'd done whatever it was he'd done.
He responded "You'll know when you arrive."
Sensei then tossed us the Reversal Blade and said he "was putting off to tomorrow what couldn't be done today." And he pushed us out of the time stream...
Misako knew well enough what happened next. Her gaze snagged on "the Reversal Blade." She'd read it so many times but the words sparked a theory. 'What if...' It might be too much to hope but if Wu had yanked out the Reversal Blade and it let off a charge...
"He might be young." Misako gasped aloud.
Kai had been able to heal Ray with a short burst from the blade, but undoubtedly Wu had gotten a much greater blow. Maybe the reason they couldn't find him was the fact he was too young to find them.
"Have to- have to call Maya." They'd gone to search Stiix in a 'divide and cover more ground' approach.
But now she needed to meet with them.
Maya answered on the second ring. "Misako?"
Misako winced at the sleep-heavy voice. "Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you but something just struck me that is of the utmost importance."
"Yes?" Maya sounded much more awake now.
"I-" Misako paused. "I need to tell you in person. Can you meet me at the Library of Domu? Tomorrow?"
"We'll be there."
"Thank you. I- I'll see you then."
Misako didn't sleep much that night.
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The sky had barely begun to turn gray when Misako set out from her motel. The trip to Domu took several hours but it blinked by as Misako's thoughts whirled.
To her surprise the Smith's were already there when she arrived. Then again, Stiix was the closest city to the library. The three were shown to a private alcove and left alone. As soon as the door shut behind the monks Misako withdrew the report from her bag. Her hands shook as she placed it on the table before the couple.
"I'm afraid I don't know why you want us to look at this again." Ray slid the paper to Maya with a slight grimace.
"The Reversal Blade." Misako tapped the words. "Wu was hit hard with the power of the Reversal Blade." She was met with blank stares. "If the Forward Blade caused both you and Wu to age prematurely-"
Maya's eyes lit up. "Too much exposure to the Reversal Blade might have made Wu younger!"
Ray sucked in a sharp breath as Misako nodded. "My thoughts exactly. Which might be why we haven't found him yet."
"Which makes things that much more complicated."
"Exactly." Misako leaned back in her chair. "It's possible he's too young to remember us, or physically unable to come find us."
"So now we have to start looking for kids that match Wu's description. Just when you think things can't get any weirder." Ray muttered.
"This could be the piece I was missing for so long. Knowing this we might actually find him."
"So what do you want Ray and I to do now?"
"We keep searching like we have been, but now check orphanages, foster care, blond kids with stories that don't make sense."
It wasn't lost on her how this, to a degree, was paralleling Lloyd's childhood. Maybe the pompous turds in the Cloud Kingdom were running out of ideas. Or destiny was getting lazy.
"We'll find him." A new certainty came into Maya's voice.
Before Misako could respond her phone chimed. A text from Lloyd, which wasn't in itself uncommon, but all he'd written was love you, miss you.
Misako frowned. Not that she didn't feel the same and they hadn't sent similar texts in the past but why would... She looked at the date and froze. It had been so easy to get caught up in her work again she hadn't been paying attention to the passage of time.
Something must have shown on her face because both Ray and Maya leaned forward with pinched expressions.
"Misako is everything okay-?"
Misako jolted slightly. "What? Oh, yes. Uh, if you'll excuse me I need- I need to call Lloyd."
A look passed between Ray and Maya before Maya nodded. "Of course. Take all the time you need."
Lloyd's number was dialed even before Misako stood from her chair. He answered immediately.
"Mom? Sorry I didn't mean-"
"Don't you dare apologize young man." But her tone was weak. "If anything I'm sorry I didn't call you earlier."
"I didn't want to interrupt I just, ya'know-"
This time Misako allowed a few tears to trickle down her face. "I know. I miss him too."
"Hard to believe it's been three years."
"Yeah."
Lloyd took a shuddery breath. "I know it was the right thing, but part of me still wonders if there wasn't another way..." His voice trailed off.
"Honey you can't do that to yourself. This is what he wanted and in true fashion he saved Ninjago in doing it."
"Doesn't make it any easier." Lloyd said bitterly.
"I know. I know."
There wasn't much more to say to each other but neither wanted to get off the phone. After a couple minutes an alarm sounded on Lloyd's side.
He sighed. "Gotta go. Love you Mom."
"Love you too."
Once she hung up she stayed where she was for another minute to get her composure. She returned to the Smiths to see them looking over maps of Ninjago.
"I-" Misako's voice cracked and she cleared her throat. "I have some stops I need to make before resuming my portion of the search. I'll work my way back toward Jumanakai. Cell service is spotty along the route I need to take so I can't promise I'll be able to be in contact for the next week or so."
"Maya and I will finish up at Stiix then head inland."
"We'll find him Misako. We will."
With a watery smile Misako gave a quiet, "Thank you," and packed up her scrolls. "Stay safe friends."
"You too." Maya wrapped her in a hug and Ray clasped her shoulder.
"See you as soon as I can"
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Instead of heading directly toward Jumanakai, Misako set out on a different trajectory.
The Corridor of Elders was most definitely not on the way, but today it didn't matter. This leg of the journey seemed to go much slower than the morning's. Eventually the looming canyon came into view. Misako parked her car at the base of the cliffs. She stepped out into the sun and took a deep breath.
Not many people traveled this way so the only sounds came from the chirping of the birds and bugs. A soft wind tugged at her hair.
Stairs led to the canyon's flat top. Misako took them slowly, wishing Lloyd was with her. The last time they'd been here left a sour taste in Misako's mouth. Pythor's attacks had been a cowardly, but effective, maneuver that had her fearing- again- for her son's life. 'Why is it always something?' She had so few memories of peaceful times with her family.
Speaking of...
Garmadon's monument depicted him with a peaceful smile on his face. He appeared relaxed, hopeful even. A small marker had been placed in the dirt above his carving. Misako traced it delicately. It was the closest thing she had to a tombstone.
His demons were many, but love was greater.
Fitting. Misako believed Garmadon would approve. Wherever he was. She didn't even know if he'd truly crossed over to the Departed Realm. With the Preeminent destroyed she hoped he was at peace now. Despite possible technicalities, Misako had gone from ex to widow in too short a span of time.
Tears poured down her face again and Misako collapsed against the post. 'I had some idea of what I was getting into when I fell in love with you, but there are days I curse destiny's plan for our family. I miss you so much. Lloyd misses you. I know you chose to trade yourself for Chen's Anacondrai, but I can't help but be angry at you for that choice. After being alone for so long we were a family. But you wouldn't truly be the man I fell in love with if you had made any other choice.'
Slowly her sobs stilled. Misako wiped the tears away and brushed the dirt from her clothes. She looked around and found the sun to be hanging low in the Western sky. It was time to continue on her quest. Her hand lingered on Garmadon's inscription.
"Until next time, my love."
Misako took a step away when thunder cracked in the sky. A bright flash followed. Misako stumbled backward, blinded. Her eyes smarted and it took several seconds for the spots in her vision to fade. Before they did an odd mewling sound came from somewhere near her feet.
'What-?' She didn't trust herself not to step on whatever it was.
When her vision finally returned, her knees went weak again. An infant lay at her feet, swimming in a torn white shirt that had definitely not been made for a baby.
"I- it can't be!"
Golden eyes stared solemnly up into her own. The baby made the noise again and Misako shook herself. She had little doubt on the identity of the child. Carefully she picked him up and swaddled him in the excess fold of the shirt.
"Only your family. How do you get yourself into these situations?" Fresh tears sprang to her eyes and she planted a kiss on the baby's forehead.
"Come on, Wu, we're heading home."
"I don't think so."
Misako gasped and whirled around. A woman with a sharp blak ponytail and a white painted face stood far too close for comfort. Three men in leather and with their faces also painted were close behind. All four bore a patch with a red imprint of her husband's face. Sons of Garmadon.
Misako felt her heart rate spike. The plateau literally was flat for miles across. How had she not seen or heard anyone sneak up on her?
"Who are you and what do you want?"
"Oh don't worry sweetheart. We'll have plenty of time to get acquainted." The woman let out a stream of high pitched giggles.
Misako winced at the onslaught and Wu started crying. Her eyes darted between the four figures and to the two hundred foot drop behind her.
"I wouldn't, lady. It would be such a shame to upset the child."
Where had that sai come from? Misako could have sworn the woman didn't have it a second ago. But there was no denying the threatening way it was pointed at Wu, or the fact the men's guns were now pointed at her. A sick feeling sunk in her gut. They had her effectively cornered.
"Why are you here in the middle of nowhere?" She tried asking again.
The woman smiled mirthlessly. "Soul ties. We suspected the brother might show up somewhere of importance in his or the great lord's life. And we," She twirled her sai to each of the men and finally herself, "just happened to be the lucky placement."
In a sick way that made sense- and made Misako's blood boil that she hadn't thought of it herself. A hard shove to her shoulders made her stumble.
"Less stalling, more walking."
As the woman prodded Misako toward the far side of the canyon, all she could do was pray Lloyd wasn't about to lose all his blood family members in one fell swoop.