A/n- Small arc coming at you of pre S1 again, this time waaaaaaay pre S1 with some Garmadon/Misako meeting and relationship building (and expounding on other Garmadon relationships - not romantic) before Garmadon went full Darth Vadar (and before Lloyd was in the picture).

Part of this stems from the end of Ch 24, Precious Moments of Garmadon explaining how he met Misako, but this can be understood without (re)reading the chapter

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Misako absentmindedly slapped at a mosquito buzzing in her ear. After so many weeks in the jungle it had become as common as breathing. The tent she stood under helped block the blazing sun, but it did nothing for the stifling humidity permeating Hiroshi's Labyrinth. Misako looked up at the walls of vegetation surrounding the clearing then back down at her map. Everything looked the same and she began to wonder if she was on a fool's errand. Her former (since she'd graduated last year) college dean had found the map when sorting through some bins and had given it to Misako to translate. After deciphering the text, Misako concluded the map led to a jewel within the heart of Hiroshi's Labyrinth.

Six weeks of fruitless searching seemed to be saying otherwise. Her team, six others who were also recent graduates, were beginning to think so too. And getting more vocal about it.

Misako bit back a groan. Archeology wasn't for the impatient, but still. . . After slicing around in the jungle for almost two months it would be nice to have a clue it wasn't a fool's errand. It didn't seem like a good omen if her first search post college turned out to be a flop.

"Anything new?"

Misako looked up to see Jackson, who'd graduated the year before Misako, walking toward her. Something in his face immediately set Misako on edge.

"Not that I can tell. We're not coming across any of our previous trail markers but I can't shake the feeling we've been here before."

"Misako. . ." He drew her name out.

"You know it can take months of searching when the entire world is your sandbox."

Jackson gave a soft amused snort. That had been a favorite phrase of one of the archaeology professors. "Maybe, but even you have to admit we have nothing to show besides gallons of blood donated to the local mosquitoes. It's not just that though. Even before coming in you know there's been more and more reports of Serpentine attacks. The Labyrinth would be prime real estate for some of the tribes and I can't shake the feeling we're tempting fate."

That gave Misako pause. Sure archeology focused on using logic and research, but a lot more depended on instinct than any textbook would be willing to admit. Instinct that went beyond where to search for an artifact.

"Okay. I see your point. But we can't just up and leave now. It'll take a couple days to break camp. Since we've come so deep in the jungle it will take time to make our way out anyway. So how about in two days, if we haven't found anything indicative we'll head back to the city?"

Jackson considered it for a moment. "I'll check with the others but we should be fine with making that work."

Sighing as Jackson walked back to the other tents, Misako tried to ignore the stab of regret and anger. The group had done its best (she'd honestly been surprised no one had come outright and said this was fruitless before today). And sometimes legends simply were that. Legends.

That still didn't make it any easier that night when she began to pack her belongings. The hours crawled by, her mind too awhirl with ideas of where else she could have looked or what else she might have done wrong. Eventually Misako realized she could make out shapes in her tent. Sighing, she dressed and went to stoke the fire.

Light filtered through the trees, chasing away the lingering night time chill. Though Misako itched to start out into the jungle with her waning time, common sense reminded her that going alone was not a smart choice. The sun had just broken the tree line when the others began to emerge from their tents. Veronica gave an inarticulate grunt of acknowledgement while beelining for the coffee pot over the fire. Shelly and Terri soon made their appearance. Misako was about ready to shake the boys awake when they finally stumbled out of their tents nearly a half hour later. Jackson looked marginally more awake than Todd and Mike.

Stuffing down her irritation, Misako waited until everyone snagged their breakfast before getting everyone's attention. "I know for a post grad expedition this hasn't gone the way we hoped but I'm glad we've been able to do it together. It looks like Hiroshi's Labyrinth bested us this time, but I'm willing to keep up for the next couple days while we break camp. Does anyone want to go with me?"

An awkward silence held the air. Misako bit back a sigh. She wasn't that bad of a trailblazer.

Finally Jackson shrugged. "I'm game."

"Thanks. We'll head out deeper while the rest of you start to break camp?" General murmurs of agreement met Misako's words. "Let's get a move on then."

Too slowly for Misako's taste, Jackson pulled on his pack and together the two headed into the trees. They didn't bother with chit chat, energy saving for the trek. Trees and foliage led to more trees. Birds warbled and bugs hummed a loud cacophony around them. They continued on, finally stopping at midday to eat.

Jackson picked at his sandwich. "We should probably make our way back. I, for one, do not want to be caught out here at night."

Misako had to admit defeat. "I know. Thanks for taking one last look with me. If nothing else at least we've mapped out more of the Labyrinth than anyone else has."

"Hear, hear." Jackson raised his water bottle in mock toast.

Rolling her eyes, Misako stifled that smile that wanted to break out at Jackson's antics. The disappointment of not finding Hiroshi's Jewel helped school her features.

"I-" Jackson drew out the word, "will be right back." He jerked his hand toward a cluster of trees just off the path.

Deciding to take care of her needs as well, Misako walked for a minute in the opposite direction. After taking care of her business she was about to head back to the path when the birds suddenly stopped singing around her. On high alert Misako dug through her pack for a machete and concussion grenade. Though large animals lived within the jungle most had been shy of human contact. Whatever silenced the birds couldn't be a good thing.

Misako listened carefully, debating on calling out to Jackson, but smothered the impulse. She didn't know what was out there or where it was. The last thing she needed was to call attention to herself. Listening intently, Misako waited.

There!

Crashing and clanging filtered through the trees. Faintly but growing closer with each second.

Misako's pulse quickened. She debated her options. Taking a deep breath, Misako searched for a suitable hiding place, rather than make a lot of noise running away. A tree to her right had a particularly notable clump of undergrowth. Misako rushed over, forcing her way under the branches.

Moments later figures barreled into the clearing. Five giant Anacondrai. Misako bit back a gasp/scream. Of course she knew about the escalating conflict with the Serpentine, but she never expected to be possible collateral damage. Holding her breath she forced herself to stay frozen. The Anacondrai were fighting someone, but Misako's crouched angle didn't allow her to see who. For all she knew it was a Serpentine from another tribe. Maybe they'd move on and she could grab Jackson and run back to the group.

An Anacondrai lashed out with his sword at his opponent. A cry rang out in the clearing. A very human cry. Misako's already rapid pulse spiked higher. Whoever the person was, they were severely outnumbered and very likely injured. They wouldn't last much longer against such an onslaught.

"The Ssserpentine will rule!" One of the Anacondrai shouted.

"Not if I. . . have anything to say about. . . it!" A man's voice, winded but determined, replied.

Misako gripped the concussion grenade in her hand. Reports were coming out that the Serpentine were sensitive to noise, though exactly what noises wasn't exactly agreed upon by news sites. Throwing the grenade would mean showing her hand, literally, to her presence. It also could disorient the other person and cause more harm to them.

Another cry rose above the sounds of fighting. Misako took a deep breath. If she didn't do anything that other person could die. She wasn't going to let that happen if she could help it. Before she could talk herself out of it, Misako rose out of the underbrush, pulled the pin, and chucked the grenade at the Serpentine. In the same instant Misako turned her back to the fight, pulling her hands tight over her ears.

BOOM!

The earth shook with a concussive blast that left a high pitched ringing in Misako's ears. She shook her head, trying to clear the noise and force her eyes to focus. The threat wasn't over yet. Purple splotches grouped together across the clearing. Misako's eyes cleared enough to see the Serpentine holding their own ears- or where Misako assumed their ears were- mouths open in what had to be wailing. Though, the sound didn't penetrate the tinnitus in Misako's ears.

A flash of purple came near the Serpentine. Misako panicked thinking more Anacondrai reinforcements had found them. Instead the purple solidified into a tornado-like shape. Blinking dumbly, Misako could only watch as the tornado ran into the Serpentine. The force sent the snakes flying, literally, over the trees.

The tornado disappeared, leaving a dark haired man standing in the clearing. He stood with his back to Misako, watching the Anacondrai grow smaller in the distance. Taking a shuddery breath that Misako could see from across the clearing, he took one step. . . then promptly collapsed on all fours.

"Hey!" Misako started to run toward him but whatever fatigue he had disappeared as he whipped around to face her, purple energy glowing in his hands.

Scrambling to a stop, Misako raised her hands. "Woah it's okay! I'm not Serpentine!" The man stood staring at her, breathing hard. "I'm not going to hurt you," Misako would have laughed at those words any other time since the man just turned into a literal tornado, "I just wanted to stun the Serpentine to help you!"

The words must have registered because the purple energy winked out. Once again the man slumped to the ground. Misako sprinted forward, catching him before his head hit the ground. A deep groan rose from the man.

"Are you injured?"

Misako gently lowered him the rest of the way to the ground and frantically looked for any obvious wounds. Blood flecked his skin, and there was a worryingly dark patch, growing larger on his left side. His breathing echoed harshly in her ears in a way that made her wonder if his ribs were broken.

The man shook his head. "Nothing- nothing that won't- won't heal soon on it's- on its own."

Well that wasn't weirdly cryptic at all, but if he didn't think he was going to drop dead anytime soon Misako would have to take his word on it.

He looked up at Misako and she stifled a gasp at his ruby red eyes. Misako might live under a rock, in both the figurative and literal aspects, but she knew how to put pieces together. Right now they connected in her mind with almost an audible click.

"You're one of the sons of the Spinjitzu Master." She immediately flushed at realizing she said that out loud. "Sorry. I didn't mean-"

"It's okay." He broke off with a wheeze that took several seconds to pass. "Guilty as. . . charged. I'm Garmadon." He gave her what was probably an attempt at a winning smile, but the hunched over, gasping breaths undercut it. "What's your. . . name Ms. . . ?"

"Misako."

"Misako. Nice. . . to meet you. I'm-" he broke off with a cough, "I'm sorry to get. . . blood on you."

Looking down, Misako realized she did indeed have blood staining her shirt where she'd caught Garmadon. She waved away his concern. "You sure it's not anything that needs to be looked at?"

"No. I. . . I heal quickly." Garmadon rested his head on the ground. "I just need. . . need a minute."

"I'm not sure how much time we have." Misako frowned in thought. "Those Serpentine know we're out here, but my team doesn't know the Serpentine are out here."

"Team?"

Sighing, Misako nodded. "Myself and six others. Speaking of which!" Misako jumped up, looking around. "My colleague and I were out here when we separated. Then you came crashing in."

"I didn't see anyone during our fight so your colleague shouldn't be at any risk from the Serpentine."

"Still. . . JACKSON!" Misako shouted into the trees. For a long minute there was silence. "JACKSON!"

A faint, "Here!" came from nearby.

Misako's knees went weak with relief. "Good. He's okay. And it will be helpful to have Jackson to get you back to camp. We're still a way's out but you can rest there. We've also got a sat phone you can use to call someone if you need. Which. . . what are you doing way out here in the jungle?"

Grimacing, Garmadon forced himself to a sitting position. His face paled for a moment but he didn't tip back over. "Following a lead on Serpentine movements. As you can see they were definitely moving." Misako snorted. "My brother and I came out here hoping to gain some ground in the growing skirmish. We also separated on the way in to cover more ground. Though you do have me curious what your team is doing in the Labyrinth. . ."

The earlier feelings of failure swelled in Misako but she ignored them. If nothing else she was in the right spot at the right time to help one of the sons of the Spinjitzu Master. That certainly had to make up for not finding the jewel.

"We're trying to map out Hiroshi's Labyrinth to find the legendary jewel. Didn't turn out the way we hoped. It's been almost two months with little to no progress so we're actually in the process of breaking camp. So you came at a good time."

Garmadon huffed a laugh. Misako had to admit his breathing did already sound better than it had a few minutes earlier. A small pang of jealousy hit Misako, that would be a great gift on the archaeological field since it wasn't the most safe of profession. Mentally face palming herself at the thought Misako scolded, 'He's basically a demigod. Of course he's going to have powers beyond the elements'

Misako's thoughts were thankfully broken by Jackson stumbling into the clearing.

"THERE you are! I got worried when I heard fighting-" Jackson broke off, catching sight of Garmadon, "who is this?"

"Garmadon, this is Jackson. Jackson, Garmadon."

Jackson stared at Garmadon for a minute before shrugging. "Alright then, why not? I assume we're hightailing it back to base and out of this forsaken jungle?"

"Sounds good to me." Misako looked at Garmadon. "Are you able to stand?"

"Yes. . . probably."

Jackson shook his head. "Nope, no probablys." He knelt at Garmadon's right side. "I got this side, Misako you got that one."

Together they helped Garmadon get to his feet. His legs buckled, but the combined presence of Misako and Jackson kept him upright.

"Easy, easy. We got you." Misako assured him.

Huffing a self deprecating laugh, Garmadon nodded. "Thanks. Usually I can take the Serpentine, especially if Wu is there too, but the Anacondrai are a different breed."

"Hey, we all need to lean on others sometimes."

Garmadon shot a glance at Misako, almost as if he didn't actually believe her words. She meant what she said though.

Instead she gently tugged the group back the way she and Jackson had come. "Let's go. We're burning daylight."

Slowly the trio began the trek back to the camp. As they went Garmadon needed his human crutches less and less until he was walking unsteadily on his own feet. Misako kept a wary eye on him, but he did seem to continue to grow more sure footed as they went.

After what felt like an eternity later, but with the sun's position couldn't have been more than two hours, the group broke into the camp clearing. Most of the work tents had been disassembled and trunks were neatly stacked ready for loading into the trucks. To Misako's surprise a blond haired man she didn't recognize stood with her teammates.

He looked up, the first to spot their approach. "Brother!"

'Ah, this must be Wu then.' Misako eased out of the way of the brothers' reunion.

Veronica joined Misako and Jackson. "We were finishing up all the nonessentials when Wu popped up out of nowhere. Glad you guys found him because I thought we were all about to be rounded up for a search party. For both him and you honestly. With the Serpentine on the move out here I am definitely ready to get back to civilization."

While Misako didn't completely agree, she didn't argue the point. Instead she hummed in acknowledgement. After a minute Wu and Garmadon joined them.

"Thank you for coming to my brother's aid. Quite heroically from the sounds of it."

Despite herself Misako felt her face flush. It hadn't felt very heroic in the moment. "I was in the right place at the right time."

Garmadon shook his head. "Not everyone would have done what you did." He smiled sheepishly, "Or stayed after initially being thought of as a threat."

"I do appreciate not being blasted with purple energy. That would have put a bit of a damper on the day."

An amused laugh came from Wu mingling with a groan from Garmadon.

"Sorry again."

"No harm done." Misako smiled and met Garmadon's eyes. Their color still jarred her, but she supposed they did give Garmadon a roguish look. Misako froze. Why had she thought that?

"Well, we should be going. Unfortunately there are other Serpentine leads we need to look into."

Misako blinked at Wu's words. A slight stab of disappointment hit her. These were brothers of legend after all. She had so many scientific questions she wanted to ask, although she wasn't sure if that would come off too rude.

"Are you sure? It will be dark soon and we're still deep in the jungle. You won't make it far on foot before night falls."

Garmadon flashed a sly grin, "Who said we'd be on foot?"

Next to him Wu fell into a stance, stepping into a kata. As he moved gold light shone from his hands, building and solidifying in the clearing. Several seconds later a literal dragon manifested in their midst. Yelps and rapid backpedaling came from the archeological team. For the second time that day, Misako stifled her own cry of surprise.

"Yeah, okay." She squeaked. Not her finest moment, but studying the magical, unexplored, and unknown didn't quite prepare one to see it happen before their eyes.

"It was wonderful to meet you Misako. I hope our paths cross again." With a final parting smile, Garmadon followed Wu onto the dragon's back.

They took off in a flurry of gold. Everyone stood, watching them disappear on the horizon.

"Sooooooo," Veronica smirked at Misako. "They seemed nice."

Misako rolled her eyes. "It was just because I was at the right place at the right time. Nothing more."

"Uh, huh."

Huffing in annoyance, Misako stalked past her teams' continued smirks to her own tent. Garmadon was probably just being polite since she had helped him out. Although, if she were being honest with herself, Misako also wouldn't mind if their paths crossed again. Purely for scientific reasons. Of course.