Lloyd was trying to light up a lamp with his power, when it seemed it was going to work... It exploded, just like all the others.
"Stupid lamp! You're putting too much pressure on me!" - Lloyd said to Jay, who had encouraged him a while ago - "Let me try again" -.
"Oh sorry Lloyd, that was the last lamp" - Kai said pointing to the other lamp shards.
"Clean it all up. We continue training in the morning" - Cole said approaching to hand him a broom.
Lloyd grabbed the broom really angrily and went to smash it against some punching bags.
Moon watched that, worried about him.
"What am I doing wrong Sensei Wu? Why can't I help him control the power" - Jay asked upset with himself.
Lloyd ended up falling backwards during one of his attacks and pointed menacingly at the punching bag.
"Do you dare to challenge the Green Ninja?" - He asked as he went back to striking.
"Patience, Jay. Sometimes our greatest obstacles are ourselves. And that is especially true with Lloyd. Remember where he came from" - Wu placed a hand on Jay's shoulder - "He is Lord Garmadon's son. It will take some time before he embraces the light" -.
Then Nya appeared. She opened the door.
"Hey guys" - She waved at them.
"Hi, Nya" - The boys replied at the same time.
"Hi, Jay. Want to stop by the workshop later?" - She asked nervously.
"Where? The workshop?" - Jay asked.
"Yeah, I work there part-time. I'm fixing the Ultra Sonic Radar in the other shifts" - She explained - "If you come later, I can show you what I'm working on" -.
"Ah! Sure! Uh? What do you have there?" - Jay wanted to change the subject when he got nervous.
( Damn, they really like each other ) - Moon just watched in silence.
"Ah! This letter arrived for Lloyd" - Nya handed it to Sensei Wu.
"Hm. It's from Lloyd's old school" - Wu read the letter.
"The Darkley's School for Bad Boys?" - Cole asked as everyone approached.
"Ex-Bad Boys. Since we were there they changed to Darkley's School for Bad Boys and Girls" - I explained.
"Now they're nice?" - Kai was surprised.
"And apparently it's not just a boys' boarding school anymore, there are also girls" - Moon added.
"It says here there will be a ceremony" - Wu began reading.
"I love ceremonies! That means there will be cake!" - Cole punched Kai's chest with an excited smile for the cake part.
"Lloyd's change inspired everyone. They invited Lloyd to hand out the diploma of discipline and teaching" - Wu finished.
Meanwhile Lloyd broke the broom and headbutted the punching bag.
"Are you sure we're talking about the same Lloyd?" - Kai questioned.
o0o0o
Meanwhile, with Garmadon and the Serpents...
"Gather everyone. Can you hear me?" - Garmadon asked - "Very well. Let's hear ideas on how to use the Mega Weapon to destroy the ninjas. Remember: the Weapon can only create, never destroy. And I can only use it once per day, since it drains all my energy. So, no idea is a bad idea... Anyone?" -.
A serpent raised his arm and the others moved away so he had the focus.
"What if we made more piratezzz?" -.
"Get rid of him!" - Garmadon ordered.
"No, no! I was just kidding!" - And then they threw him into the sea.
And so came plenty of bad ideas Garmadon didn't like (especially the sandwich one). Then another serpent raised her hand, a female from the Fangpyre tribe with one head.
"What if we brought the ninja to our ssside?" - She suggested.
The serpents and even Garmadon looked confused at what she said, thinking she was just an idiot. She was about to be thrown into the sea, but—
"Wait, please! Let me finish, oh great Lord Garmadon!" - Garmadon raised one of his hands for the serpent to stop - "When I sssaid bring to our ssside I meant... Why not create an evil version of the ninjasss? If they get in the way, who better than themssselves to dessstroy each other?" -.
Garmadon was surprised that a serpent could have such a brilliant mind. Finally, he found someone useful.
"That's the idea I'm looking for! Right! Bring something from the ninjas" - He struck the Mega Weapon hard - "And you, come here!" -.
The other serpents went immediately to find something belonging to the ninjas. The Fangpyre was released and approached Garmadon, bowing in the process.
"You seem more useful than the rest of your kind. What's your name, serpent?" - He asked seriously.
"My name is Assshley" - She lifted her head a little so her green eyes could meet his.
"Ashley... Hm, what is your goal?" - Garmadon questioned her.
"My goal is only to ssserve you in the best way" - She answered without hesitation.
"I know that's not all, but I like it. Speak your personal goal at once" - Garmadon ordered more seriously.
"As you wish Lord Garmadon... I want to become the first female General of the Fangpyre tribe. That is my personal goal" -.
Garmadon said nothing as he finished his evil plan, deciding that having Ashley at his side would be a good servant, intelligent and useful.
"Ninjas, today I order you to finally find a partner for yourselves!" - Garmadon proclaimed before the ninjas' clothes.
Using the Mega Weapon's power, Garmadon managed to create Ninjas with glowing red eyes. Evil versions. Ashley watched all this in awe of the Mega Weapon's power.
"My lord!" - Ashley quickly went to support him before he fell to the ground.
"I created you..." - Garmadon leaned on her with no choice - "To be just like the Ninjas and loyal only to me" - Garmadon panted.
"Yes, Lord Garmadon" - The Ninjas bowed respectfully.
"Then... I order you to find and destroy the ninjas!" - Garmadon commanded.
Ashley watched in silence. If she wants to become the first Female General of her tribe, the power of the Mega Weapon is more than welcome and flattering someone like Garmadon is just the way. People like Garmadon are easily manipulated by flattery or having their egos inflated.
o0o0o
The Ninjas fly on the Ultra Dragon and Moon flies on the Mega Dragon.
"Like old times, isn't it, Sprint?" - Moon patted his side.
Sprint answered with a growl before speeding up. Flying ahead of the Ultra Dragon. Lloyd ended up making the Ultra Dragon dive in the air.
Moon just heard this before letting out a loud laugh. Surprising herself and Sprint.
"I laughed...? Or rather cackled... I think it was the first time in years" - Moon just smiled softly - "We won't let them beat us, Sprint!" -.
The dragon glanced at her before roaring and diving. Sprint landed successfully before the Ultra Dragon. The Ultra Dragon snorted and growled in response. Sprint just let out a chuckle.
The ninjas descended from the dragons.
"At least I'm getting better" - Lloyd said.
"Even so, I'll take the reins on the way back" - Cole exclaimed with furrowed brows.
"But like it or not it seemed fun" - Moon approached and removed her mask.
"Hey, you're smiling" - Cole mentioned.
"Huh?" - Moon blinked confused.
"Yeah! You're really smiling!" - Jay pointed out.
"It's the first time I see you smile" - Lloyd mentioned.
"You look prettier when you smile" - Kai mentioned.
"I have to agree with Kai. My statistics say yes and it's recorded" - Zane exclaimed.
Everyone went silent and stared at him.
"What?" - Zane was confused.
"Did I really say that? No! I meant she looks more friendly!" - Kai got nervous.
Cole stared more intensely at Kai.
Moon said nothing as she went ahead, turning her back to them.
"Moon!" - Lloyd called as he went after her.
"See what you did?!" - Cole huffed pointing at Kai.
"I didn't do anything!" - Kai defended himself.
Actually, Moon went ahead just so they wouldn't see her blushing face at what they said about her.
( Do I really look prettier when I smile? ) - She placed a hand in front of her mouth.
Sprint rolled his eyes at this attitude.
Well, they soon joined Moon and Lloyd, the latter talking with an old classmate who eventually led them to the principal's office.
On the way, Kai approached Moon and patted her shoulder.
"Sorry if that made you uncomfortable... I don't know what got into me" - Kai rubbed his neck.
"..." - Moon just stared at him - "No problem" - Was all she said before leaving.
They reached the principal's office and Moon found it strange there were no teachers or students around. But she chose to ignore it for now.
"Principal Noble!" - Bred, Lloyd's old classmate, called - "Lloyd and the ninjas are here! They're here for the ceremony!" -.
"That's why and for the cake! By the way do you know what flavor it is?" - Cole asked the guy.
"I'll talk to you soon" - Exclaimed the principal.
"I have to get back to the flowers" - He quickly left, closing the door however.
"Huh... Have any of you seen a teacher?" - Jay asked nervously.
"Indeed, their absence is very strange" - Zane agreed.
"Alright! You can come in now" - Said the principal.
Entering the office, they were greeted by a child, a student. Moon stood in fighting stance if necessary.
"Welcome, Lloyd" - Exclaimed the child.
"Gene?" - Lloyd was confused.
"And welcome to the new Darkley's School for the Worst Boys and Girls!" - With that more children appeared in uniforms: both good and bad respectively.
He cut a rope and sandbags fell on the ninjas, but Moon dodged, however the second one fell right where she was. It seems Gene counted on that. What a little brat.
The ninjas woke up surrounded by older people, the teachers.
"Thank God you're here!" - He exclaimed relieved.
"What happened? Where's Lloyd? Who are you?" - Kai asked rubbing his aching head.
"We're the teachers, we're hostages. We were trying to teach the boys and girls to be good, but they overpowered us! They're little monsters! And I never imagined even the girls would join the boys!" - Said a teacher.
"But I thought Lloyd was going to receive a diploma" - Jay was more confused.
"It was a trick to lure him and convince him to be the leader" - Exclaimed the teacher.
"What?! You mean there won't be any cake?!" - Cole was in shock.
Meanwhile, in the city.
The Evil Ninjas wearing sunglasses to hide their bright red eyes walked as if they owned the place.
"Ninjas! Thank God!" - an old lady exclaimed happily - "Can you help me get together with my dear Pebbles?" -.
DCole (Dark!Cole) and DKai (Dark!Kai) nodded to each other and placed the old lady on the branch with the cat.
"That's not what I had in mind!" -.
The DNinjas (Dark!Ninjas) created chaos all over the city.
DMoon (D!Moon) straight up stole a candy from a child who had just gotten it, she started crying and the father got furious.
"Found candy isn't stolen" - She said lifting her mask a little to take a bite.
She then kept an arrogant smile.
"We have to find the ninjas" - DKai said taking the lead.
"Who put you as leader?" - DMoon growled angrily.
"I did, now shut up" - DKai looked at her as if challenging.
A few seconds later... DMoon had her foot on top of DKai lying on the ground.
"Don't forget. I'm the strongest" - She left before leading.
The other DNinjas watched this in silence, preferring not to feel the purple DNinja's dark aura fist.
"You're back already? So? How was it?" - Wu questioned.
"It was good" - DMoon approached - "So much that we almost forgot to come back" -.
"I bet Lloyd had a blast" - Wu scratched his beard.
"Lloyd?" - DMoon was a little confused - "Of course, the boy is still there and asked me to go there. Like, just now" -.
Wu approached, suspicious.
"Interesting" - DMoon just smiled - "Ah, the Mega-Monster Amusement Park isn't a place for an old man. I'd just get in the way" - Wu narrowed his eyes.
"Mega-Monster Amusement Park? Ah, right" - DMoon looked to the side and didn't see Wu or the other DNinjas.
Then Wu appeared with the broom as a weapon.
"Lloyd is not at the park. You are not my students!" - Wu discovered the ruse.
"And you are not our master" - Exclaimed DMoon.
"Ninja, Go!" - DJay (Dark!Jay) was the first to attack with Spinjitzu.
But Wu easily struck him. Wu grabbed the trophies and hit all of them, except DMoon who caught the object.
"I don't know who you are! But you need a lesson!" -.
Suddenly DMoon sent him against the wall with a gray Aura Sphere. She was quick to grab him by the neck.
"Tell us, old man, where are they?" - She asked while squeezing.
"He'll never say" - DJay mentioned.
"Jay! You're back already?" - Nya called on the phone - "I'm waiting at the workshop. See you later!" - She hung up.
DMoon pinned Wu with shurikens through the shoulders of his clothes. Wu could only watch sadly, unable to do anything.
Zane pressed some buttons.
"Battering ram activated" - Said the digital voice.
Zane suddenly became stiff like a rock and the Ninjas... well, they used him as a battering ram to try to break the door, Moon had already tried to use aura.
"Just hope they haven't convinced Lloyd. Things can't get worse" - Kai sighed.
"Look, don't worry, I told Nya I'd meet her at the workshop. Since I'm very punctual, she'll suspect my delay" - If only he knew...
While the Ninjas tried to break the door, Moon closed her eyes and used aura to search, finding a passage.
"Found it" - Moon exclaimed.
"Found what?" - Cole blinked.
"It's a school for evil and usually those who are evil set one or two secret passages. We just need to find the key" - Moon exclaimed.
"Why didn't you do that earlier? Anyway! Let's try to find anything that could be a key like Moon said! It could literally be anything!" - Kai exclaimed.
They accidentally triggered some traps, but managed to leave the room through said passage before being crushed by the descending ceiling spikes.
They got lost in the maze, but eventually managed to get out.
When they came out, they ran into the Darks.
"What is this? Why are we staring at each other?" - Kai asked confused.
"This is quite strange for us, we'll stay here" - Said the teacher closing the passage door.
"Uh, those who can't fight, teach" - Jay shrugged.
The Darks removed their sunglasses, revealing their glowing red eyes. Moon used the Aura Eyes.
"Your auras... They're purely gray and dark... I've never seen anything like it" - She was shocked - "It seems... You're made of pure darkness" -.
"Let go of the boy! You... uh me!" - Cole pointed.
"He's no use to us anymore" - DCole released him.
"But who are you?!" - Kai asked seriously.
"Oh us?" - DMoon laughed, a threatening smile hidden under the mask - "We are your nightmares" -.
"A preliminary assessment says this is Garmadon's doing" - Zane exclaimed.
"A preliminary assessment says you will be destroyed!" - DZane (Dark!Zane) said hitting his fist against his palm.
"Ninja Go!" - Both Ninjas and DNinjas exclaimed at the same time and clashed.
After a few minutes of fighting, where neither side managed to land a decisive blow, a bunch of kids dressed as Ninjas of the same colors as the others arrived. All to confuse the DNinjas.
DMoon took advantage of this and retreated, which led Moon to run after... herself.
Moon found herself on the rooftop while chasing DMoon.
"Back here again..." - DMoon turned to Moon - "The place where you left with the Ninjas and betrayed Garmadon, the place where we met" -.
Moon stood in fighting stance.
"Oh well, yes, I still have some of your memories... Indirectly or not, I was part of you" - DMoon laughed bitterly - "Garmadon just thinks he can control me, but he's wrong!" -.
"You're breaking free from his control... That's a bit surprising" - Moon mentioned - "Especially since you were created by the Mega Weapon" -.
Suddenly DMoon charged, but Moon blocked.
"He'll never control the aura, he'll never control us!" - DMoon declared as she swung her leg in a side kick.
Moon dodged by jumping back.
"I'm alive now! I'm no longer part of you!" - She launched a gray Aura Sphere.
Moon countered with her own blue Aura Sphere. The Aura Spheres clashed and exploded.
"I know if you hit me I'll disappear! We can't coexist... But if I hit you I'll forever be me!" - DMoon charged again, with a crazier look.
"That... Will never happen!" - Moon blocked and attacked this time.
Both equally with the same strength and speed, however, DMoon faltered because of a tile. Moon was about to land the final punch, but she stopped. Looking at DMoon, she couldn't help but see herself a long time ago... Desperate and hopeless.
That's how it was, wasn't it? The look of having no choice, of having no one else, counting only on yourself in a black void.
DMoon took the chance and landed a kick to Moon's stomach. Moon's eyes widened, she expected to be erased from existence.
However, the Aura reacted again. A glow emanated from the place. DMoon watched confused and in shock.
A flash blinded them and everything was finished....
"Hey, where's Moon?" - Cole asked, not seeing her.
"And not even her other version is here!" - Zane exclaimed.
The ninjas stared at each other, worried, and were about to search, but Moon appeared with her head down. They were on alert, but sighed in relief when they saw it was Moon, after all her eyes weren't glowing.
"What a relief" - Jay breathed more calmly.
"Did you manage to destroy your copy?" - Kai asked.
"I managed to land the final blow and she disappeared in a smoke of ashes" - Moon explained.
Thus everything was resolved. The Ninjas prevailed, the problems at the school were solved, and the Ultra Sonic Radar was fixed and they could return home. The dragons kept flying.
Of course, Garmadon had hacked the Ultra Sonic Radar and sent them a message, but Lloyd fixed it using his energy, surprising everyone.
It seems that everything is going well, the Ninjas can relax a little...
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...
On the school's rooftop. The female figure in a purple outfit observes in silence. She is sitting while looking ahead.
Her eyes glow faintly red.
"The aura protected us..." - She looked at her own hands - "Garmadon no longer has control over me, definitely, and he thinks I died like the others" - She clenched her fist tightly - "I am alive and I am myself... Now and forever... I am not Moon..." - She tore the sleeves of her clothes and took off the mask - "I don't see myself as a Ninja either" - The wind blew through her white strands - "... Uhm... I think Darkness sounds like an interesting name" - "Oh yes, very well... Now I am Darkness" - Her gaze glowed more intensely as she looked at the sunset - "I wonder what awaits me in the future... See you soon, Moon~" - A sharp smile formed on her face.
_TO BE CONTINUED_