RISE OF THE GUARDIANS

Part Three: The Armies of Light and Shadow

Chapter XI


The Ninja Residence; Ninjago City
Ninjago
Thursday November 1, 2018…

On a cool, windy evening at a house on the outskirts of Ninjago City, three figures waited in the front yard underneath the darkening sky for the rest of their family to return from another world.

Just as the sun was setting, the clouds above started to swirl, and a funnel lowed toward the spot where the ninja had departed for Earth back in the summer. A pillar of green light came from the funnel and connected with the ground.

Sensei Wu, Misako, and Nya grinned; they had seen this show before.

The light dissipated, the clouds cleared, and eleven figures stood in the yard.

"Honey, I'm home!" Jay shouted after a moment of silence. He ran toward the three that had stayed behind.

Nya also ran to meet Jay, and they embraced each other as tightly as they could. Likewise, Lloyd and Sensei Garmadon both rushed to embrace Misako and Sensei Wu, and Kai joined Jay in hugging Nya.

There were more hugs all around as the newcomers—Zee, Kasey, and Danny—looked on smiling at the warming scene.

After a few minutes, Wu spoke up. "I am happy you are home—and that you have accomplished your task." Wu gestured toward the Super Bolt in Mack's hand at the end of his comment.

"And I see there are some new faces to learn," Misako added.

"Maybe that's a good place to start," Mack replied. "We have a lot to catch up on."

The new elemental masters were introduced as the group went into the house, where a lovely feast of chicken and rice was waiting. They pulled up some extra chairs for the new folks and sat around the long dining room table, Sensei Wu at one head of the table and Sensei Garmadon at the other.

During dinner, Misako asked why new elemental masters had to be recruited when there were already many in our ranks.

"Well," Mack explained, "it appears that the Golden Weapons have their own sort of conscience, and some of them picked masters who were native to Earth."

"And now that you've met these new Guardians," Zane added, "there's something that you three should know—something I decided during our time in Earth."

"Go on," Wu beckoned.

As Zane described his desire to join P.I.X.A.L. in the digital world once the war was over, the three who had remained in Ninjago pledged their support of his decision, and Nya promised that she would work with Dr. Borg to make Zane's desire a reality. Zane conveyed his gratitude but also promised his undying support in their efforts against Rikayla's forces in the coming weeks.

"Your girlfriend back on Earth must be worried sick," Nya said to Mack a bit later in the conversation. "It was so hard to be away from Jay and not know if he was safe." She held and squeezed Jay's hand after the last bit.

"She understands—all my friends and family do," Mack replied. "I spent the morning with my family and the afternoon with Anna, and Kayla and Pete as well. It was much the same as before I first came into Ninjago to seek you all out."

"Before Mack left the first time," Danny added, "we all hung out and he made sure we knew why it was important to go, even though it's dangerous. Just like I had to try to explain to my little sister. I hope she understands."

"We have our duty," Mack said. "The ones who love us have theirs—worrying and praying for us until we come home."

The conversation was met with a lull.

"Oh yeah," Jay piped up several minutes later, "and Morro got a girlfriend!"

Cole smacked Jay in the shoulder. "Dude, do you ever stop talking?"

"And you already told everyone the whole story of Morro and Zee getting together when we got in the house," Kasey laughed.

"That reminds me," Zane butted in before a fight could break out. "Mack, I left my falcon behind at your family's house to watch over your folks and make sure they're safe while you're away—out of suspicion that Rikayla might know their location."

"Thank you, Zane," Mack replied.

Morro frowned. "Why would Jay bringing up mine and Zee's relationship remind you about your falcon?"

"Let me guess," Kai said before Zane could answer. "You're not gonna answer that without a lawyer?"

"That is my right, according to the fifth amendment to the United States Constitution," Zane answered matter-of-factly.

"We're not in the 'States anymore, bud," Danny pointed out.

"In that case," Zane replied, "Jay was also watching Morro and Zee's first date from a nearby tree."

"Dude!" Jay threw his hands up, exasperated.

"Next sparring match," Morro smirked. "Me and Zee vs. these two peepers."

After a hearty laugh, the group finished their dinner, cleaned up, and moved on to showing the newcomers around the house/dojo.

Preparations for the coming battle with the Queen of Darkness would begin first thing in the morning, but for the rest of the evening, the newly expanded family took a time of rest and fellowship; they had earned that.


The Shadow Palace
Realm of Madness

Upon her throne, the Queen of Darkness addressed her second-in-command Tenebris, whom she had summoned to come and speak with her. Rikayla and Tenebris were the only ones in the throne room.

"An eventful day, that is certain," Rikayla observed. "The Green Ninja finds the Super Bolt, Scio and Dubito discover some rumors about powerful ancient relics on Earth, and now… I have felt that my enemy has used his new toy to cross over back to Ninjago."

Cautiously, Tenebris replied, "I thought he learned how to block your gaze, dark one."

"Yes, he did," Rikayla could not contain a small growl. "But no one could mask the amount of power required to take nearly a dozen people across the Ethereal Divide."

"I see… they will be preparing for the battle."

Rikayla nodded. "Yes. They have twenty days—so do we. They are strong—so are we."

"Let's hope the twins' rumor chasing turns out to be fruitful, and not a waste of time."

"Indeed," the Queen of Darkness stood from her seat, "for time is not something we can waste right now."

After a moment, she continued, "Come, Tenebris, let's run some drills with the troops while we wait for the twins to bring some hopefully valuable information."


The Ninja Residence; Ninjago City
Ninjago
Friday November 2, 2018...

It was time to get back to work.

After sunrise exercises, the ninja had a light breakfast in the kitchen.

"Now that we're back in Ninjago," Mack said, "we have a few more things to do."

Wu spoke up, "I have an idea about that, if you don't mind."

"Of course not, Sensei. What were you thinking?" Mack took a bite of grits.

"Rikayla has an army, and we do not. No matter how well-prepared you all are, it's foolish to think you could get through her forces without some numbers on your own side."

Mack nodded. "That's exactly what I was thinking."

"But the battle is in less than three weeks," Zee noticed. "How are we going to come up with an army so fast?"

"Good point. Any ideas?"

"Didn't the Serpentine offer their aid when the Overlord attacked as the Golden Master?" Garmadon recalled.

"Yes," Wu confirmed, "they helped get the people underground to escape the ensuing destruction."

"The Serpentine are fierce fighters," Lloyd said. "Do you think they would fight with us against Rikayla?"

"Only one way to find out. Where are they?" Mack asked.

"They lived underground until the Golden Master's attack," Zane replied. "After that, they came out of hiding and began to live as normal citizens."

Mack nodded. "I thought I'd seen some snake people walking around the city a few times…"

"Call me paranoid," Nya said, "but I've been tracking their migration since the Golden Master incident. They're scattered throughout Ninjago now."

"All we have to do is convince the elders to gather the tribes," Cole offered. "Then we can formally ask them to fight with us."

Wu patted the ghostly Earth master on the back. "Very astute, Cole. If the elders call them to gather, they'll gather."

"I know you can convince them, Mack," Lloyd smirked at the Green Ninja. "You've been an inspiring leader for us."

Mack smiled. "Thanks, Lloyd. I'll certainly try."

"It's settled, then," Garmadon nodded firmly. "Misako and I will set to tracking down the Serpentine elders while Wu supervises your training."

"No need to track them down," Nya said. "The four elders live in their old tombs."

"Why would they want to go back there?" Kai asked.

Nya shrugged. "Maybe they want their tribes to be able to find them easily?"

"I guess," Kai replied. "And you are paranoid, sis."

"So, we know what we need to do," Mack said. "Where to first?"

"For old times' sake," Lloyd grinned sheepishly, "why don't we just follow the order they were released back when I was a little pain in the neck?"

"Man," Kai laughed. "You really were a pain, Lloyd."

"But look at you now, Golden Ninja," Cole elbowed Lloyd lightly.

"Looks like we're charting a course for the Glacier Barrens then," Nya said. "That's the first tomb Lloyd visited."

"Hmm," Wu contemplated. "If you're about to make a trip all around Ninjago visiting these tombs, you might consider taking the Destiny's Bounty instead of using your dragons since you'll need supplies for your journey."

"I agree," Mack nodded. "And it'll be easier to transport the Serpentine, if need be."

Mack continued. "Take an hour, pack up. Get ready for a long trip."


As tasks were split up among the ninja, Morro and Zee ended up with the job of making sure the Destiny's Bounty was stocked with food for the trip.

"So, what do you think of Ninjago?" Morro asked as he and Zee dismounted their dragons with several saddlebags of food in tow.

Zee thought for a moment. "Well, I don't know what I was expecting. I thought it would be like being on another planet or something, but it's basically the same as Earth."

"Yeah, that's fair," Morro replied. "Some of them are pretty out there—I told you about the Cursed Realm. There are some more weird ones too."

The couple reached the end of the dock at Ninjago City Harbor and left the bags of food with the harbormaster, who had agreed to have his crew help prepare the Bounty for the ninja's journey.

"You know," Morro said. "We can visit any realms we want now that Mack has the Super Bolt. Maybe when this war is over, you can see more of them."

Zee didn't respond, instead starting to walk back to where the energy dragons waited (one of the things the ninja had recently learned was how to sustain their dragons without being on or immediately near them).

"What's the matter?" Morro asked, following after Zee.

Again, she didn't respond. When they reached their dragons, Zee turned around, distress on her face.

"I'm starting to really worry about this battle that's coming up," she said. "What if I'm not good enough and I cause us to fail?"

"Zee," Morro pulled Zee into a hug, letting her rest her head on his chest.

"You're one of the fastest fighters out of all of us," Morro soothed. "Rikayla's goons won't even see you coming."

"I'm just scared," Zee's voice broke. "Two armies going against each other—I know people are going to die."

A tear escaped Zee's eye and immediately contacted with the ghost holding her who winced in pain.

Zee jerked away from him, but Morro didn't let her escape from his arms. "I'm sorry," Zee barely whispered.

Morro only pulled her back to him and hugged her more tightly. "We're gonna be okay, Zee. The so-called 'Queen of Darkness' thinks she's so strong, but she can't win if we stick together. I'll protect you and you'll protect me—we protect each other, and that's how we win."

The wind masters reluctantly separated and gazed into each other's eyes for a fleeting moment.

"Thanks, Morro," Zee smiled. "Come on, we've got another load to bring down here."