Ninjago: Illusionary
Episode 7: The Neo General
The fog begins to lift, revealing shadowy figures emerging from the gloom, closing in rapidly. The Ninja and the Paw brace themselves for what could be their final stand.
Grimfax bellows, his voice cutting through the air. "Man the defenses! They've taken our realm; they've taken our loved ones. They may destroy us, but they will never silence us!"
A thunderous roar erupts from the warriors, their resolve shaking the earth beneath them.
Jay leans toward Nya and whispers, "Is there an option where they don't destroy us?"
"No time for cold feet, Lightning Ninja," Akita snaps, her eyes fierce as she tightens her grip on her dagger. "You either die a coward... or die a hero."
Jay raises an eyebrow. "Wow, those are some super uplifting choices. Any chance I could just die of old age instead?"
Cole smirks. "Not unless you survive this first."
Jay sighs dramatically. "Great. No pressure."
Lloyd turns urgently to Zane. "Zane, can you scan the enemies?"
Zane nods, his sensors flickering as he processes the data. "Approximately seventy hostiles approaching. As for the one commanding them..." His voice falters, an unusual moment of hesitation. "It can't be..."
Nya steps closer, her voice calm yet concerned. "Zane, we've already faced another Mr. E variant, General Vex from another realm, and a giant cyclops. What isn't in the realm of possibility anymore?"
Zane's expression hardens. "It's... Cryptor."
A heavy silence falls over the group.
"Cryptor!?" Jay exclaims. "Oh, great! As if that guy wasn't enough of a pain the first time. What's next, the Overlord with a mustache?"
Harumi whirls on him, her eyes blazing. "Don't. Jinx. It."
The shadows part to reveal Cryptor, now clad in intimidating armor, his Knight Legion flanking him. His new form is more regal, less cybernetic, with a dark, royal presence. He carries a large axe, and his eyes glimmer with sadistic intent.
"Well, well, well. So you're the one who destroyed my previous incarnation," Cryptor sneers.
"Previous incarnation?" Zane asks, his voice laced with disbelief.
Cryptor chuckles darkly, his gaze cold and calculating. "Yes. My old self was brought to my knees, reduced to fragments. But thanks to her grace, the Lady of the Isle, the Nightmare Queen, I have been given a second chance. You, Zane, were the one who destroyed me before—your power and your wit. But now I have returned, more advanced than ever. As they say... 'third time's the charm.' I am now Neo General Cryptor, and your metal will be the finishing touch for my armor and axe... and my vengeance."
The Ninja and their allies stand frozen, the weight of Cryptor's words sinking in.
Zane's eyes narrow as he calculates his next move. "So, you've come back stronger than ever, thanks to your... 'Lady of the Isle.' Tell me, General, how exactly did she restore you?"
Cryptor laughs darkly, twirling the large axe in his hand with practiced ease. "The Nightmare Queen is a being of unimaginable power. Her reach extends beyond mortality, beyond distance itself. She saw the potential in me—saw the destruction I could bring with her guidance. And now, you will witness the result. You and I have a score to settle. Once and for all."
Lloyd steps forward, his sword drawn and his eyes ablaze with determination. "Not if we can help it."
Cole mutters under his breath, cracking his knuckles. "We've faced worse. And we've always come out on top."
Akita growls as she takes out her dagger, eyes locked on Cryptor. "Why not send Gashora after us? You've got the resources to crush us, yet you leave us be."
Lloyd, Kai, and Jay all turn to her, wide-eyed. "Why did you give him the idea!?"
Cryptor explains, "I would, but he is in charge of protecting coastal areas of this Isle from intruders who attempt to land on the island from sea."
Zane then leaves the Tavern and approaches Cryptor, weapons in hand.
"Zane, what are you doing?!" Jay calls out.
"Leave him," Gamradon responds. "He knows what he is doing."
"Gamradon's right." Wu replies as he pulls the ninja back into the tavern. "If what Cryptor said is true, then he'd want to settle the score."
Outside, as Zane continues his approach, Cryptor raises his axe and yells as his knights prepare to march, "This one's mine!"
The tension in the air is suffocating as Zane marches towards Cryptor, his footsteps resolute despite the storm of uncertainty brewing around him. The Ninja and their allies watch from the tavern windows, eyes wide, hearts racing. Jay, Kai, and Nya stand ready, each one preparing for what could be the beginning of an all-out battle.
Zane's gaze never leaves Cryptor, his expression cold, calculating. "You think you can defeat me so easily?" Cryptor taunts, his axe gleaming in the dim light, a reminder of the unrelenting power he now commands. "You've destroyed me once, but you'll find I've evolved. And evolution," Cryptor smirks, "always has its rewards."
"You talk too much," Zane responds, his voice a steady monotone, the chill of the Ice Ninja unmistakable. "And I've heard enough."
In a flash, Zane is upon him, his movements a blur of precision and speed. Cryptor raises his axe to strike, but Zane is faster, his body twisting to avoid the attack as he moves in for a counter.
The clash between Zane and Neo General Cryptor begins with an electrifying rush of energy as the two combatants circle each other, each waiting for the perfect opening. Cryptor's heavy armor and menacing axe give him an imposing presence, while Zane, ever the swift and agile Ice Ninja, moves like a flash of lightning — elusive, quick, and deadly.
Cryptor strikes first, swinging his massive axe down with a roar, the weapon cutting through the air with destructive force. But Zane is faster. With a graceful spin, Zane ducks under the axe's blade, his body a blur of motion as he rolls to the side, narrowly avoiding a crushing blow. His movements are precise, calculated, honed over years of rigorous training. Zane moves like the wind, his feet barely touching the ground as he darts in and out of Cryptor's reach, looking for weaknesses.
Cryptor growls in frustration, swinging again and again, but Zane is always one step ahead. Every strike from the axe meets nothing but air as Zane flows around the attack, using his speed to stay out of the general's lethal range. His ice-powered techniques leave a trail of frosty mist in his wake, and each time he gets close to Cryptor, he's like a gust of wind — too quick to catch.
"Is that all you've got, Cryptor?" Zane taunts, his voice calm, though his eyes are locked on his opponent's every move. "I expected more from someone who claims to be 'evolved.'"
Cryptor snarls, his frustration mounting. "You think you can outmaneuver me forever, Zane? I will break you!"
Zane doesn't answer. Instead, he slides under Cryptor's next wild strike, using his momentum to slide directly behind the general. In a fluid motion, Zane snaps his leg out, aiming a precise kick at Cryptor's armored wrist. The strike connects, sending a shockwave of energy through the armor, making Cryptor's grip falter.
Seizing the opportunity, Zane follows up with a series of rapid strikes — his movements a blur of precision. He slashes with his blade, aiming for gaps in Cryptor's armor. With a final, calculated twist, Zane sweeps Cryptor's legs out from under him, knocking the general off balance.
As Cryptor stumbles, Zane moves in swiftly, locking his grip around the haft of the axe. With a surge of strength and technique, Zane yanks the weapon free from Cryptor's hand, sending it spinning through the air and embedding itself in the ground a few meters away.
"Tch. Not bad... Not bad..." Cryptor responds as he pulls out a sword from a hidden compartment in his arms.
As Zane prepares to follow up on his advantage, Cryptor recovers faster than expected. With a growl, he lunges forward, slamming his fist into Zane's chest. The impact sends the Ice Ninja crashing to the ground, his breath knocked from him. Before Zane can react, Cryptor leaps onto him, pinning him beneath the weight of his heavy armor.
Zane struggles beneath him, but Cryptor's strength and the pressure of his armor leave him little room to maneuver. The cold chill of his body begins to fade, the reality of being overwhelmed setting in. Cryptor's grin widens as he raises his sword high, ready to deliver the final blow.
"You're good, Zane," Cryptor sneers, "but in the end, it's always the strong who win."
Zane grits his teeth, refusing to give in. Just as Cryptor swings the sword down, a war cry pierces the air from behind.
"NOW!"
The Paw rushes from the fog, the Ninja leading the charge. They stun the enemy with a decisive attack, followed by the rebels delivering critical blows to the forces surrounding Cryptor.
"WHAT!?" Cryptor responds, before Zane removes the sword and kicks Cryptor off him.
Cryptor takes a moment to think before realizing, "This was a trick... A double encirclement tactic! Old-fashioned, aren't we?"
"It's a classic," Zane responds. "I knew they'd take this route if I gave them the perfect situation. Now... Let's end this."
The tension is palpable as the cursed armor of the Knights falls apart, with each rebel taking them down. It's only a matter of time before Cryptor's forces are defeated.
As the battle rages on, Jay gives a quick glance to PIXAL, who stands with her usual calm, her eyes scanning the battlefield with precision. "I have to admit, PIXAL, your strategy really paid off," he says, a grin tugging at the corners of his lips. "You and Gamradon really know how to make a good plan."
PIXAL's expression softens with pride, though her voice remains neutral. "The plan is working, but there is still much to be done."
From the shadows, Harumi mutters under her breath, almost inaudible, "I also planned it too..."
Meanwhile, the Ninja spring into action, each using their elemental powers to disrupt the advancing Knight Legion. Kai summons a blazing inferno, surrounding the Knights in a circle of fire, forcing them to retreat. Nya manipulates the water around them, creating powerful waves that crash down, stunning the enemies with the force of the current. Cole pounds the earth with his fists, sending shockwaves through the ground that throw the Knights off balance. Jay unleashes bolts of lightning, striking the armored warriors with pinpoint accuracy, leaving them temporarily paralyzed.
The rebels, led by Grimfax, take full advantage of the chaos, attacking the stunned Knights with relentless precision. Their swords and daggers strike with deadly force, tearing through the enemy ranks. Grimfax bellows, his powerful voice rallying them forward, "Now, strike with all your might! For our realm! For our freedom!"
Gamradon, now fully embracing his Oni form, steps into the fray with terrifying force.
"Now, Armors of Kanju, Ashes of your bearers, feel the wrath and might of Garmadon, Son of the First Spinjitsu Master!" Garmadon announces as he begans using his destructive powers to bring destruction upon the Legion.
His Oni powers surge through him, his fists crackling with dark energy. With a mighty roar, he smashes through the enemy lines, his blows causing massive shockwaves that knock the Knights back. His body is a living weapon, his dark aura expanding outward as he tears through the opposition.
"Now, Brother, don't get too carried away," Wu chides, his voice calm but laced with concern. "After all, some of our allies are in their battle too. It is for the best you control your power."
Garmadon smirks, his eyes flickering with dark amusement as he unleashes another surge of dark energy. "Of course, I wouldn't want to start a war with an enslaved realm that is reduced to just a few out of millions," he says, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
Wu clenches his jaw, feeling the weight of Garmadon's words. "I'm serious," he replies, his voice low, but firm as he deflects a strike from a nearby Knight, sending him crashing to the ground. "We need to focus on the bigger picture here. It's not just about us or our power."
Garmadon tilts his head, the faintest smirk still lingering on his lips. "You really don't have a sense of humor, do you?" he teases, his Oni energy flaring once more as he hurls a bolt of dark energy into a group of Knights, disintegrating them in a flash.
Wu's eyes flicker with irritation, but he doesn't miss a beat as he counters Garmadon's attack with his own swift, precise strikes. "I do actually, thank you very much," Wu responds, his voice cutting through the noise of the battle. "I can show you after this battle is over."
Garmadon's eyes glint with interest, and he pauses for a moment, watching Wu expertly dismantle a cluster of Knights with minimal effort. "Intrigued..." he murmurs, his dark energy swirling around him as he moves to decimate another group of enemies.
The battle continues to intensify as the Ninja regroup with the rebels, each of them bracing for the final blow. They know this fight isn't over yet.
"We need to end this," Lloyd says, his sword glowing with energy. "We've pushed them back, but we can't stop until the Knight Legion is completely wiped out."
Zane nods. "We've done well to destabilize them. Let's finish it."
Cole cracks his knuckles and gives a sly grin. "Time to bring this down with some style."
With synchronized precision, the Ninja prepare for their final strike. Jay channels his lightning, Kai and Nya combine fire and water for a devastating elemental attack, Cole taps into the earth beneath him, ready to launch a final earth-shattering blow with Lloyd blinding some of the Knights with his energy blast. They all focus their energy together, preparing to unleash everything they've got on the last of the Knight Legion.
But before they can strike, an eerie, chilling voice fills the air, its cold whisper cutting through the chaos like a blade.
"Enough."
The sudden silence that follows the eerie voice is deafening. The clash of metal, the crackle of elemental power, the shouts of battle—all cease. Time seems to slow. The air grows thick, heavy with a palpable dread. Even the ground beneath their feet seems to vibrate with the coldness of the voice that still lingers in the atmosphere, echoing through their minds.
The rebels, the Ninja, and the remaining Knights stand frozen in place, as if some invisible force has seized them. The warriors' eyes flicker, confusion and fear clouding their thoughts, while the faint hum of distant magic pulses through the air.
The Ninja exchange uneasy glances, their bodies tense. They feel it. They know it. And experiencing this feeling once was once too many.
Even the fierce Grimfax halts, his eyes wide with shock. The rebels stop dead in their tracks, their weapons still raised, unsure of what to do next. The Knights, too, remain frozen in place, awaiting the command of their queen.
Zane's heart races, his breath hitching. His eyes dart to the palace at the top of the hill, where a golden throne that has the appearance of a peacock's fathers looms over the battlefield, its signs of royalty obvious, badazzled with red gems across the feathers in a beautiful design. A dark, twisted feeling twists in Zane's gut as he realizes something.
From afar, across the battlefield, his eyes meet the gaze of a shadowy figure standing in the high tower of the palace. He feels it—her gaze piercing his very soul.
The Nightmare Queen.
His heart plummets into his chest as he realizes the terrible truth: She has noticed them.
"Who was that?! Who spoke?" One Rebel asks, his voice cracking with uncertainty.
"Where did that come from?" Another Rebel echoes, her eyes searching the sky.
"Isn't that...?" Cole asks, his voice trailing off as he points toward the looming Red Peacock Palace, its silhouette standing stark against the darkened sky. The massive structure, perched high on the hill, seems to glow with an ominous energy—its dark spires reaching toward the heavens like claws.
The other Ninja and the Paw turn to where Cole is pointing, their eyes locking onto the palace, each one feeling a rush of dread wash over them. The air is thick with tension, as if the entire battlefield has held its breath, waiting for something worse to unfold.
Cryptor stands tall, his eyes glimmering with smugness. "It's her," he says, his voice filled with dark satisfaction. "She has spoken."
Zane's blood runs cold as his gaze locks with that of the figure on the distant hill. The realization is like a physical blow. The Nightmare Queen is watching them, and now, more than ever, the stakes have been raised.
Lloyd steps forward, trying to make sense of what's happening. "What do we do now?"
Zane shakes his head, his mind racing. He knows, deep down, that this battle is far from over. The true force behind Cryptor's return has revealed herself, and the war is about to escalate in ways they can't yet comprehend.
The Ninja exchange worried glances, their resolve tested, but in that moment, the world feels colder than ever.
And in the distance, the figure in the tower watches them still, her cold smile barely visible in the shadows.