Hey guys! Back with chapter 19. We're nearing the end of this story, so hope you enjoy it!
The next morning, Chase decided to let everyone know of Draven. As much as he didn't want to worry the rest of the ninja, he felt that if Draven did end up overpowering Garmadon and conquering Ninjago, it would be his fault that the ninja weren't prepared.
So that morning, he got dressed and ready for school before heading into the dining room, where everyone was already enjoying fresh waffles made by Zane.
Chase took his seat at the table next to Jay and grabbed a pudding, not hungry enough for a whole waffle.
When he was sure that everyone was here, excluding Sensei Wu, he started to talk. "So, guys, on my way home from school yesterday, I ran into someone. Someone not so good" Now, I had everyone's attention.
"Who was it?" Zane asked.
"One of Garmadon's forces?" Kai added, leaning in intently.
"No, but that's what I thought he was. He was all black and very shadowy, just like how Garmadon's forces would act."
"But it wasn't one of them?" Nya asked.
Chase shook his head. "No. He was a completely different villain. But when I mentioned Garmadon, he said he'd never heard of him."
"Never heard of Garmadon?" All six ninja said at once, taken aback.
"Yeah, it was weird. And then he said he was the oldest Elemental Master of Shadow."
"So he's an elemental master, but he's evil?" Lloyd asked, putting the pieces together.
"Please, not another villain like the time twins," Nya said, exasperated.
"Anyways, he then said that his ultimate goal was to exterminate all elemental masters, past, present, and future." The ninja all gasp.
"I don't know exactly how dangerous this 'Draven' really is, but he seems like he could be a threat, and if he is, we're all in big trouble."
"You're right about that one," Cole said.
"We should be prepared for anything he might throw at us, but for now, our concern is taking Garmadon down," Zane said.
"Yeah, what Zane said," Jay chimed in. "We don't want to waste our resources preparing for an attack that may not come for a while."
"But we should still be prepared," Nya urged. "We know that Garmadon is more about brute force and a huge army, but this 'Draven' guy could have different tactics. We have to be prepared for anything."
"Yeah, Nya's right," Lloyd said.
"Well, sure, but like Jay said, we don't want to waste our resources and energy on an attack we don't even know is going to happen. We're positive that Garmadon is after us, but Draven seems like he's still learning the ropes, especially since we've never heard of him," Kai said, agreeing with Jay."
"Yeah, I'm with Kai and Jay," Cole said.
"Well, I think Lloyd and Nya have a point. Let's just be prepared, but we can focus on defeating Garmadon for now. That way, we're ready for any surprise attack Draven might launch, but we can still focus on beating Garmadon at full force," Zane suggested.
"Okay," Nya agreed. "By the way, thanks for bringing this up, Chase."
"Of course." Chase smiled. "Anytime." As much as he was happy that the ninja knew about Draven, he knew for a fact that half of the ninja didn't think much of him, and he knew that Draven would end up being more dangerous than they thought.
At least half of the ninja agreed that we should be prepared for anything. But Chase knew that Draven's tactics would be different than any bad guy the ninja had ever faced.
He brushed it off for the time being as best as he could. It was up to the ninja to defeat Draven if he ever became a serious threat. Chase was only a child who was still navigating his elemental powers, so he wouldn't be of much use.
But Draven's goal kept echoing in his mind. I seek to exterminate all elemental masters, past, present, and future!
If that was Draven's plan, then not only were the ninja in trouble, but all the elemental masters in existence were, including Chase himself.
Chase decided to ask Sensei Wu about it. After all, the old Golden elemental master might have an answer.
Chase knocked, and when he heard a "come in," he opened the door.
"Ah, Chase. You have come to see me." Wu set down his tea and beckoned the boy over to him.
"Well, yes. Sensei, I was wondering if you knew anything about someone named Draven."
"Draven, hmm…it's not ringing a bell. Why do you ask?"
"I ran into him yesterday on my way home from school. He was all black and shadowy, so I thought he was one of Garmadon's forces, but it turns out he's a completely different villain. He's the oldest Elemental Master of Shadow, and he seeks to exterminate all elemental masters, past, present, and future."
"Ah, now I think I remember him."
"Really?"
"Well, vaguely. It was a long time ago. When I used to train with some of my friends as a young boy, I remember this very little boy. He was a toddler. One of my friend's little brothers, I think. I remember my friend called him Draven. That's really all I can tell you. The past was a long time ago, and my memory has aged as well."
"Thank you, Sensei." Chase left the room, feeling like he and Draven had more in common than Chase could have ever imagined.
Draven may have started out like an ordinary boy, just like Chase. But he may have had powers that changed him, just like Chase. And as a little boy, Draven may not have known what he was capable of, just like Chase. But unlike Chase, Draven may have turned evil because of those powers.
But what Chase didn't know was if Draven chose to be evil, or if it wasn't his choice at all.
And if it wasn't his choice, maybe there was a way Chase could get through to him, to show him that he was always good, and his powers were what manipulated him into evil.
But Chase didn't know for sure if Draven was evil out of choice or not. Maybe he'd try to do some more research. Maybe Sensei Wu's scrolls had an answer.
But evil by choice or not, Draven was still dangerous. And Chase had a gut feeling that Draven would do something very unexpected.
All Chase knew was that he didn't want to find out.
Chapter 19, complete! Hope you enjoyed it. Reviews are always appreciated! Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more!
Ducky :)