Moon was watching while hidden among some bushes, taking advantage of the fact that her ninja uniform was purple, allowing her to blend more easily into the shadows. She watched Stone Warriors approaching in a vehicle, and one of them took a look around with a spyglass.
He seemed to speak in some unknown language, but... Moon understood what he said.
All clear, no signs of the enemies.
That honestly frightened her. After what had happened before, she hadn't felt confident ever since.
Moon left her hiding place and went back to the ninjas once the Stone Warriors had left.
"The whole island is infested with the Stone Army. I searched the entire area, and if we're not careful, we'll be caught within seconds," she stated after removing her ninja mask.
"Good thing we know how to hide!" Jay said while stabbing a palm leaf into the ground.
"Who wants to hide when we can fight?! I'm tired of sticking our heads in the sand!" Zane kept working like a machine "I want to fight those guys!"
"But Cole, they don't have any apparent weakness... aside from the aura part... It's not wise to start a fight we can't finish," Zane explained.
Sensei Wu stepped out of the Bounty.
"That is why we must find the Temple of Light," he declared to the Ninjas.
Everyone went inside the Bounty to discuss their plans.
Misako opened a scroll that had a kind of diamond shape drawn on it, and at each point of the diamond were the symbols of the elements: lightning, earth, fire, and ice. In the center, a Chinese dragon and a tiger, each marked with a symbol representing their element: energy and aura, respectively.
"The scrolls say that there is a hidden temple on the island. If we find it, it will grant the ninjas their pure elemental powers, which will destroy the Indestructible Army," Misako explained.
Cole got excited, and Moon frowned.
(Then the name shouldn't be 'indestructible,' but rather 'hard to destroy') Names and their long nomenclature full of meanings...
"So you're saying we can fight?! Oohoo! I'm thrilled!" Cole cheered at the thought of being able to fight again.
"And for you two — Lloyd, my son, and Moon — it says here: 'For once, the Green Ninja will find the instrument of peace and use it, knowing the power of the Ultimate Spinjitzu Master. The Master of Aura, meanwhile, will accept the arduous task of Guardian, thus finding balance for the grand power passed down by her predecessor,'" Misako read.
"Ultimate Spinjitzu Master?" Lloyd asked, confused.
"It means you'll be able to summon the power of the Golden Dragon, an ancient fighting style practiced only by the First Spinjitzu Master. However, I couldn't find anything about the power passed down by your predecessor. Do you know what it means, Moon?" Misako asked the Purple Ninja.
"I'm afraid I don't know for sure. He— he never told me anything like that," she hesitated.
Even so, the ninjas were still shocked by the information revealed.
"Hahaha! You guys jealous of us?" Lloyd asked with a smug grin.
"Hold on a second. This sounds way too good to be true. Okay, what's the catch?" Kai asked, refusing to believe it.
"The catch is... the Temple of Light could be anywhere on the island, and all we have is this," Sensei Wu showed them a golden medallion.
"A medallion," Zane's father took it "It's like a compass. When the three holes line up, the medallion will reveal where the temple is hidden."
When Moon looked at the medallion, she couldn't help but feel it was extremely familiar. On one side, a carved dragon; on the other, a tiger. She had a brief glimpse of a memory long forgotten.
A baby's giggle echoed, and tiny hands crawled across the floor. It was Moon's point of view as a baby. Suddenly, she saw a shiny object on top of a small table; she stood up and struggled to reach it.
When she finally grabbed it, she fell on her butt, but didn't care. Moon just stared at the shining medallion in awe.
"Moon?" She turned toward the voice.
It was a tall, young, strong, very handsome man. He had a few scars on his face. His clothes resembled medieval nobility, leaning more toward a knight's attire — a good outfit for battle.
"Oh Moon, what did you find there?" His voice radiated calm, and his expression was serene "Ah, you found the medallion."
He picked her up with gloved hands and held her in his arms. Moon showed him the medallion with a smile.
"One day you'll see how special this is. Even if you can't understand all the meaning behind it..." The man sighed tiredly, then sniffed the air and made a disgusted face "I think it's time for a change," Aaron said with a small laugh.
The memory ended with a baby's laughter echoing.
(How can someone fake being genuine so well?) Moon wondered, feeling strangely touched by the memory.
(So the medallion once belonged to him.)
"...Moon... Moon! Are you listening?" She looked at Jay and saw everyone staring at her.
She imagined she had probably spaced out for a few moments.
"Yes. I heard everything very clearly: Zane's father read a lot in his free time, Zane saying 'what are we waiting for?,' stopping Lloyd from going ahead so he wouldn't rush the Final Battle, Jay mocking Lloyd with 'Jealous?,' Zane's father asking for help in the workshop and—"
Jay cut her off.
"Okay, okay. We get it, you multitask," Jay said, not wanting to hear more of her rambling about what had just happened.
"And remember. Garmadon does not know you are on the island, so try to remain quiet," Sensei Wu warned.
"Oh, don't worry Sensei. Have you ever seen us stray from the plan even once?" Jay asked sarcastically.
"NINJA—"
The ninjas were about to shout, but Wu stopped them.
"Quieter! Do you want to get caught?!" Wu scolded.
"...Gooo!" they whispered.
Moon watched silently, knowing full well she would be the one doing most of the work to keep them hidden.
o0o0o
"Am I the only one who thinks it's a bad idea to stay this exposed?" Moon whispered.
"This is certainly the one place Lord Garmadon wouldn't expect us to be," Zane whispered back.
"It looks like they're building something, but what could it be?" Kai wondered.
"Can you all be quiet? We still need to figure out what the medallion will say," Cole whispered, taking the medallion.
"Let me see," Zane said, taking it from Cole.
"Hey, don't play around with that," Moon warned.
"Hm. Nothing matches..." Zane observed, and then saw something —"I found something!"
"What?! The Temple of Light?!" Jay asked, grabbing the medallion.
"No! Look," Zane pointed.
"Your Falcon! I thought it was shot down and lost forever," Kai mentioned.
"Not if I can get it back!" Zane stood up, but Moon pulled him down.
"Are you being stupid? If you do that, they'll see you," Moon warned, gripping his wrist.
"Exactly! You're going off-plan!" Cole agreed.
"If I were any of you, I'd do it too but I have to retrieve my friend," Zane insisted.
Moon tightened her grip.
"Then let me go," Moon said, surprising Zane "I'm the fastest among us, and I can get in and out without being seen much more easily."
"You'd really do that, Moon?" he asked, stunned.
"Yes. You're my friend, and your Falcon is my friend too. I would never leave a friend behind," she declared, taking his place.
"But won't they sense your presence? Last time that Stone Warrior followed you—" Zane recalled.
"No. He only realized I was the Master of Aura, but he didn't sense my presence," Moon corrected.
When she left, Jay realized something.
"Hey. Isn't this the first time she's called one of us a friend?" he pointed out.
"Yeah... Wait, wasn't Zane the first one she started calling by name instead of title?" They stared at each other, then at Zane.
The White Ninja ignored them, too focused on watching Moon slip through unnoticed.
The Purple Ninja moved almost like a dancer, her movements so precise and smooth that she seemed to glide through shadows like a snake.
She hid behind a rock to avoid being seen by some patrolling soldiers. When she reached the small tent where the Falcon's body was, she lost her chance to grab it — several Stone Warriors gathered and began talking.
Moon started feeling a strong headache as multiple voices echoed inside her mind, as if she had a translator inside her brain... translating everything at once — painfully.
Time passed until the Stone Warriors finally left. Moon took the chance, grabbed the Falcon's body, and was about to escape when she suddenly fell to her knees, dropping the Falcon and clutching her head.
The ninjas panicked at the sight.
Hohoho. How I wish I could finally meet you, Master of Aura. You have no idea the honor you have granted me today.
Moon couldn't identify the source of the voice, and it definitely wasn't the Stone Warriors. The voice had an inhuman tone and seemed to echo directly inside her mind.
Oh? My presence in your mind hurts you, Master of Aura? You wonder what I am, but not who. How intriguing... That man, hmm, Aaron, your dear master, asked himself the same question.
Moon clenched her teeth at the mention of his name.
By now the Stone Warriors had detected her presence, and Lord Garmadon was on his way. The ninjas could no longer stay still.
Hatred? You hate him? How strange. In my time everyone loved and respected him — though some feared him, of course. I thought you'd be like her... but truthfully, you resemble me more.
Moon was suddenly lifted from the ground by someone incredibly strong. Everything spun; she felt weak and couldn't tell who held her.
It seems your little friends need you. You know... we could join forces. Since we both hate Aaron! We could take revenge on that coward — he fled and abandoned you in the darkness, left you to rot for a thousand years!
Confusion flooded her mind, mixing with everything else she felt. Moon couldn't think straight.
Poor thing, you didn't even know how many years had passed since that darkness. What a shame. I could tell you the truth of what happened, show you the vision, and you could judge with your own eyes... Oh? You reject it? You must understand hard times are coming — I am not the only enemy out there. There are worse things.
Moon heard Garmadon commanding the Stone Warriors to attack.
We should ally. Garmadon is not the best to stand beside — too foolish, still has drops of kindness left.
The voice laughed mockingly at Garmadon.
But you? You could be the best, the strongest, the most feared, the most respected! You could be him! NO— better than him! Yes... I know. Besides your hatred, deep down you envy him. You wanted that power, craved it. Think, child, think... Think of all we could conquer together.
Moon fought to drive him out of her mind. She managed to stand and retreated with the ninjas until they were cornered.
"The gate! They're closing it!" Jay warned, tense.
She had an idea and grabbed one of the spears, throwing it and hitting the lever to stop them from escaping.
"What are we waiting for?! Go!" She ran forward, and the ninjas followed.
"Moon! Are you okay?! What was that back there?!" Kai asked, worried, but she ignored him.
Ignoring me? Foolish child. You know I'm the only one who can help you — who can show you the truth of what happened that day. We can avenge him! I know how tempted you are... but your morals will never allow it. How long will you be a slave to those ninjas? You're always the one making everything work — your talent shouldn't be wasted...
Moon stayed behind as the ninjas slipped through the gate after pushing the Stone Warriors back.
"Moon! What are you waiting for?!" Kai turned and his eyes widened.
She wore a very calm expression, with a slight smile. The Purple Ninja removed the spear from the lever and the gate began closing rapidly. Kai saw everything in slow motion.
"Go," she said before everything shut completely.
"Kai! We have to go!" Cole pulled him.
"No! We have to save her! Moon stayed behind!" Kai struggled.
"I know! But we can't do anything if we're captured too!" Cole gritted his teeth, convincing Kai to leave.
Moon inhaled deeply. When she turned, several blades were pointed at her face.
"It seems a certain deserter student has reappeared after so long," Lord Garmadon mocked.
Her gaze and expression turned serious.
"I didn't desert," she dared to speak. "I only served and obeyed you as my master because I was in your debt for freeing me. But once that debt was repaid, there was no reason to continue as your pupil." She smirked.
A Stone Warrior pressed a blade to her neck.
"Look at that. A sharp tongue. Your time with those idiotic ninjas changed you, didn't it?" She stayed silent.
"Well! What are you waiting for?! Take her to the cell!"
A Stone Warrior nudged her forward, and Moon walked with dignity.
Her eyes widened when she saw where her cell would be. A tiny room, with no windows or anything — once closed, everything would be engulfed in darkness, with only a small barred opening on the door letting light through.
Her posture faltered, and Lord Garmadon pretended not to notice.
"Lock her up," he ordered, turning away.
Moon was thrown inside with force. When she turned around, Garmadon caught a glimpse of deep fear in her eyes — the same fear of a trauma. He ignored it and felt better once the door was shut.
Moon sat in the corner with her knees pulled to her chest, arms wrapped tightly around her legs. She had a look of terror.
That time... that endless time in the deep darkness with only herself. Trapped in the scary black void.
"Ag-Again... N-No..." she whispered in rising panic.
Again, those flashes — the screams, the sounds of battle...
"To the southern flank!" Moon shouted as she ran.
She ran on her toes to move faster, then did a forward flip, dodging a sphere of electricity. She charged aura into her palm and threw it at the enemy.
Dust everywhere, countless people and strange creatures fighting. A great war was happening.
She remembered the chaos vividly — the fear, the cries for help.
"Where is Sensei Aaron?! We need him here— AH!"
She grunted in pain.
Someone attacked her with dust and struck her eyes. They stung sharply and she shut them tight, but that didn't stop her from fighting — she used aura to see. Her armor was damaged, and a piece broke off.
She heard noise behind her and sensed Aaron's powerful aura. Moon ran toward him.
"Sensei Aaron! Finally!" She smiled when she saw him. "Sensei? What happened?"
She was confused when she heard the flapping of wings and sensed the aura of a huge bird — large enough to ride.
"Sensei Aaron! Don't go! We must protect the Heart of the Jungle, the Realm!" she exclaimed, distressed and confused.
"Moon... forgive me, but... from this day on, I am no longer a hero of the Realm, much less a ninja. I will betray the Kingdom and flee, and you cannot stop me anymore," Aaron said in a dark tone, then threw his staff.
"Sensei!" a bright voice filled the area.
"Farewell, my dear student."
She gasped at the memories. Next, she found herself trapped in a dark void. She understood that Aaron had sealed her inside his staff — just as she had once done to that storm.
Panic? Bad memories, I imagine. Haha, your expression is hilarious!
Everything quieted when she heard that voice.
Ohh, stopped already? Are you afraid of the dark, child? Well, children fearing the dark is natural — a very useful instinct. What? Not fear of darkness, but fear of the unknown? Doesn't matter. Tell me — if you accept my offer, you'll get out of this tight and dark place.
"Haha. Do you really think I'll accept? Take all your evil and rot in Tartarus!" she snarled angrily.
...As you wish, Moon. I gave you the chance to join willingly, but what a shame... Using force will lower your potential.
Moon frowned, confused — then her eyes widened...
The ninjas reached the Temple of Light, but the Stone Warriors were on their tail.
"We need to hurry! Every minute Moon is in more danger!" Kai was anxious; he hated having left her behind.
"Yeah, but we can only do something once we get our elemental powers," Cole said, biting his lower lip.
Zane felt the worst of all — it was his fault, he was the reason she got left behind and captured.
"Listen. Moon is the strongest of us! I want to rescue her too, but we have to trust her..." Lloyd looked down, then at the walls. "We'll only be able to do anything once you all get your elemental powers... We will rescue her," Lloyd declared firmly.
They saw that each wall had a drawing made by someone — images of the future, and now they were reflecting what was happening at that moment. From when they obtained the Golden Weapons, to the defeat of the Great Devourer — and now... the last wall was extremely worn — perhaps the first one ever made. The ninjas could barely make anything out of it, but there were faint traces of white, blue, black, red, green, and purple paint.
Lloyd looked down and remembered his mother's words: "For once the Green Ninja will find the instrument of peace and use it, knowing the power of the Ultimate Spinjitzu Master."
"The bell! It's an instrument!" Lloyd pointed upward. "Are you ready for this?!"
"Go for it!" Cole shouted, excited.
Lloyd ran to the pillar to gain momentum and kicked the bell with all his strength. The Stone Warriors heard it and looked toward the Temple of Light. A light shone from the bell, illuminating the Green Ninja.
A beam shot into a crystal, bouncing from one to another until hitting each pillar. The ninjas were energized by the light. Their outfits changed, and they received golden swords glowing with their elemental powers. Lloyd floated at the center as the swords spun around him with shimmering blades.
"Guys! Channel your powers!" Kai ordered.
The Elemental Ninjas unleashed their powers toward Lloyd, who was recharged and unlocked the power of the Golden Dragon. Lloyd fell to the ground as he absorbed the power.
"Lloyd!" Kai exclaimed.
"Let's get them!" Lloyd stood up, ignoring the pain.
This time, the ninjas had the advantage. Their attacks hit and damaged the Stone Warriors. Once they finished their display of power, it was Lloyd's turn.
"My turn," the Green Ninja declared.
He charged energy in his hands, and the Golden Dragon — made of pure golden energy — appeared, destroying the Stone Warriors. From afar, Sensei Wu, Zane's father, Nya, and Misako watched the appearance of the Golden Dragon, accompanied by beams of fire, ice, earth, and lightning.
"Let's rescue Moon!" Lloyd exclaimed.
o0o0o
"Seems your indestructible army isn't as strong as it appeared to be," Lord Garmadon said.
The ninjas may be growing stronger... but so are we.
Declared the dark entity.
As if on cue, a figure stepped out of the shadows. Her attire was no longer the same: the fabrics over her torso, neck, and left sleeve and gloves were black; the other arm and wrappings were purple; there were silver details along the clothing. On the back, a stylized face resembling a tiger.
The sunset light illuminated her face: glowing red lifeless eyes, white hair with a purple streak, serene expression. It was Moon — yet not Moon.
Lord Garmadon looked somewhat surprised but tried to maintain composure before the dark entity.
When the celestial clock strikes zero, the ultimate weapon will be complete — and then nothing the ninjas do will stop you from remaking Ninjago in your image!
Each tick of the clock felt like agonizing anticipation.
_TO BE CONTINUED_