Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

In the kingdom of Ninjago, protecting the royals who were adorned with silk green and painted faces, had always been the highest priority. With enemies lurking in the dark, the safety of their existence was bleak, leading to many of their ancestors dying in cold blood, knowing that these enemies wanted to take over Ninjago.

Forever.

For centuries, loyal soldiers had put out their bravery at the front lines, fighting until their limbs departed from their bodies, had died in the hands of these said enemies, all those precious lives lost so that the royals would be safe from harm.

But then…

A great wise man started his own mercenary company: Iron Loyalty. With the help of his sons, Garmadon and Wu, they were able to turn the tides. The royals would hire their service, which led to many soldier’s lives being saved and the enemies’ lives being lost by using the skills they had honed for years. 

After he passed away from old age, his sons took the helm. Being the only two members of the group, they couldn’t live up to their father’s glory anymore. The enemies kept leaving them with more severe injuries than before.

Then it all shattered. 

During an assassination attempt, Garmadon was weakened and kidnapped by the enemy, sending him to a land no one could reach. Wu had tried for many years to contact him, but nothing returned to the seashore. 

Now with only Wu left, is there any use for the group?

Wu shut down the mercenary group. 

While the enemy Ashborn, rose again.

-  Twelve years later - 

At the middle of the stage, stood a man with his face wrinkled like an old tree. His deep purple Kimono clung to his figure and his voice was a smooth bass, giving your heart vibrations just by listening to the first few words. 

“In the deep end, where everything rots~” His voice carried across the hall like a gold leaf plucked out of the prince statue.

“He stayed true to the light~” Hundreds listened in, like this was a voice they would never hear from elsewhere.

“In this hour, at this moment~” Across the stage, at the corner of the hall, stood a man in his 40s letting out a puff of smoke as he eyed the singer.

“No one can save him~” As the last line was sung, the whole room applauded, some standing and some whistling, it was once in a lifetime opportunity to see Medhal come out to the public and sing to the crowd.

Or as Wu likes to call him, the Overlord.

The leader of the Ashborn, the same leader who orchestrated attacks on the royals for the last seventy years, the same leader who chose to be a famous singer to hide his dirty work. He doesn’t fight anymore due to his age, but he is still a large figurehead and knows the ins and outs of how to start a war.

A dangerous man indeed. 

Wu stubbed his cigarette into a nearby tray as he walked away from his corner, taking a secret exit to avoid the crowd. Even though Wu had given up on being a merc, he still sometimes kept an eye on the Overlord from time to time. 

He knows he doesn’t have to, considering mercs only work for money and nothing else, anyone is an enemy to him as long as he gets money into his pockets.

If they are an enemy today, with a handful of gold, they can be a friend tomorrow.

“SOMEBODY! PLEASE! HELP ME!” A woman’s scream rang out through the crowd. Her clothes were ragged with the mix of coal and blood. She stood alone with a lantern in her hand, clearly her status being a commoner. 

“Look at how dirty her clothes are.” 

“How dare she walk on our path?”

“Somebody call the guards. Get rid of her.”

One of the nobles walked forward, slapping the woman’s face with her fan, immediately throwing it away in disgust. “That fan is more worth than your entire life and I plan on burning it.”

“Please! My brother was just taken away! I need someone to save him!”

Brother…

Wu froze.

His memories flooded into his head… his brother… was bloodied until he couldn’t open his eyes, his lips split and his knees crushed. Dragged away by his hair. Tossed into a box like garbage. 

Wu turned around and started to walk away. ‘I am a merc, I only work for the money.’

“He is all I have!”

“Go to hell peasant!”

Before the crown could do anything else to her, she suddenly felt someone grab her arm and yank her out of the crowd. She stumbled around, her legs barely keeping up with the man who was pulling her away. 

Wu.

“Tell me his name and how he looks like and which direction they went.” Wu said sternly as he made sure they were far away from the crowd. 

“I–I– His name is Jose, he is very tall and has black hair with black eyes, he was wearing a red top—”

“That’s good enough for me,” Wu said as but his mask up. “I will come back here with him—”

“Oh gosh— I really—” Before she could finish her sentence, he was already gone. 

Wu crouched behind the thick trunk of a tree on the edge of the massive estate that was part of a famous criminal’s mansion, Pythor P. Chumsworth. Not only is this man the Overlord’s second in command, but also famously known for owning slaves.

‘So this is how he is getting those slaves? Kidnapping the villagers from their families and then taking away their right to see the outside world.’ Wu thought as he darted past the trees, reaching the back of the mansion within seconds. He jumped and caught a low balcony ledge.

‘I do feel bad for them, but it’s not my job. It never was and never will be.’ As he kept jumping from windows to windows, he tried to find the description of the man, he could be anywhere, locked up anywhere or—

Be currently beaten up by Pythor. 

Yeah, that’s him.

Behind the window, Pythor stood over Jose, whose wrists were tied above his head, forcing him to his knees. His red shirt was soaked with blood, torn across the back. His black hair clung to his sweat-slicked face.

Pythor paced slowly, a silver cane tapping against the stone floor. “You peasants always scream the same way. It’s boring,” he drawled, lifting the cane.

Wu didn’t wait.

He smashed through the window.

Glass rained onto the floor as Pythor turned around. Before he could speak, Wu punched him on his jaw, sending him into a table that shattered beneath him.

Jose blinked blearily, barely conscious. “Who—”

“Quiet,” Wu said, kneeling down and cutting the ropes with his knife. “You're safe now. He pulled Jose to his feet, half-carrying him.

Pythor groaned as he got up from the broken table, wiping the blood off his lip with the back of his hands. He chuckled low. “Wu of Iron Loyalty, I thought you gave up that life of yours.”

Wu’s eyes narrowed. “Well, it comes to catch up with you once in a while.” Wu took out his sword, slashing it close to Pythor’s neck. 

But Pythor quick, he spotted an opening and jumped right on the other man, slamming him to the floor as he took out his pocket knife. It was too close to his eyes. “Obvious, isn’t it? You haven’t fought in a long time.”

Too close.

He needs a distraction, very quick, he needs—

CLANK!

Noises of steel falling onto the stone floor echoed across the hallways, both Pythor and Wu froze, turning their heads towards the sound, seeing two teenagers standing wide-eyed with heavy sacks on their back.

Oh… they are robbers.

“THE SMITHS ARE STEALING AGAIN!” Pythor yelled loud enough for the guards to hear.

‘Again? They do this often?’ Wu raised a brow. ‘Never mind that, this is a good enough distraction.’

The second Pythor’s attention slipped, Wu twisted out from beneath him. He continued spinning as he took out his second sword, the white blades making it look like a tornado, he was fast, really fast. 

As soon as he stopped spinning, he elbowed Pythor in the ribs, then jabbed the hilt of his knife into the back of his neck. He then grabbed his hair and slammed him into the wall.

Jose stared, slack-jawed. “You’re Wu from Iron Loyalty…”

Wu turned back to him, tightening his mask. “Let’s leave this place..”

The two teenagers bolted through the alleyways, turning back and seeing that the guards were on their trail.

“Nya! We need a new route!”

“I know, Kai!” Nya snapped. “You will have to give me a minute to think!”

“Within a minute we will get caught by those hunky dudes!”

They turned sharply to their left, only to be met by a solid rock. 

“Dead end. Perfect.” Kai groaned. “We should climb it!” He said as he looked up. 

“The wall is too smooth to climb.” Nya pointed out.

“Ugh!” Kai grunted as he took out his sword. “I will not accept this as fate, Nya. Let’s fight them.”

“Are you insane!?”

“We have no other—”

Just then, the wall shifted with a heavy rumble. A hidden panel slid open. Revealing a man standing with a lantern in his hand. “You two! Come with me!”

“Wait… you are—”

“No time,” He turned “Inside. Now.”

Kai and Nya exchanged a look before darting behind the man, they had no other choice. The wall slid shut, completely cutting out all the noises from the outside. 

“Uh… what is this cave?’ Kai asked, looking around.

“Me and my family had built many underground passages that lead us to our base.” The man replied.

“You are… Wu of Iron Loyalty right?” Nya asked, squinting her eyes.

Wu let a second pass before he answered. “Yes.”

Kai let out a whistle. “Ah, that’s a classic story. The father and his two sons working for the royals.”

“We don’t specifically work for the royals, we work for anyone who gives us better pay.”

“Yeah, dumbass,” Nya muttered to Kai. “Mom and Dad already told this to us.”

“Your parents?” Wu slowed. “It’s not normal for everyone to know about us.”

“They said that you used to buy the weapons from them.” Nya’s said gently.

Wu’s eyes softened. “Right, you are the Smiths… Ray and Maya… I remember. They were loyal. Brave. Refused to bow to the Ashborn.”

“They paid for it,” Kai muttered, jaw tight.

“I’m sorry,” Wu said quietly.

“It’s alright,” Nya replied, though her voice wavered. “We live off what we can.”

Wu studied them a moment, then resumed walking. “You both have been stealing from Pythor?” 

“Yeah… we don’t really make much money out of weaponry nowadays…” Nya said, looking at her brother whose eyes were glued on the floor.

After a stretch of silence, Nya spoke again. “You know… when we were kids, Iron Loyalty was the name. Everyone knew it. You were like mercs who took on impossible missions and always came back. People said you never lost.”

Wu chuckled bitterly. “People exaggerate.”

“Maybe,” Nya said, smiling faintly. “But it gave folks hope. My mom said when Iron Loyalty rode through town, even the worst crooks went silent. That’s the kind of story that stays.”

Wu finally stopped in his tracks, opening an old wooden door at the end of the tunnel. Behind it laid an open spaced monastery, the walls looked like they were never cleaned in years the ground was filled with fallen leaves, no one to clear it out. 

Nya stepped in. “…This was your base?”

Wu looked around slowly. “What’s left of it.”

Kai wandered to a cracked crest on the wall. “Why… did the Iron Loyalty shut down?”

Wu didn’t answer right away. When he finally spoke, it was barely above a whisper. “Because without my brother… Iron Loyalty cannot be run by one man.”

He took a breath. “Not to mention, I have earned enough gold to live till I am a hundred… But that’s not the only thing that defines what being a merc is about. Do you know what the first rule of a mercenary is?”

Both Nya and Kai shook their heads.

“It is to trust no one except your own team. My team was my brother and my father… they are no more.”

There was a long pause.

“Then why not get a new team?” Kai suggested.

Wu turned around in shock, like the suggestion offended him… “It is not as easy as you think—”

“We could be your first new recruits!” Nya said excitedly. “Oh! I always dreamed of being part of the Iron Loyalty.”

“Maybe you don’t need the coin, but you could hire people like us who do need them,” Kai said smirking.

Wu stared at the two of them… young, reckless, clearly untrained… but not without potential.

Not without fire.

Maybe this wasn’t such a bad idea.

Maybe… this was a chance to continue his brother’s dream.

To carry on his father’s legacy.

To make Iron Loyalty live again.

Chapter Text

Wu sat in his chair, sipping his tea as he watched both Kai and Nya spar across the obstacle course. Nya stabbed with her spear, her movements were like water, fluid and adaptable, while her brother who deflected her attack with his sword moved like fire, unpredictable, untamed and very impossible to ignore. 

'Even as siblings, they fight like polar opposites.’ Wu thought.

⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪ 

“Come on, Wu!” A younger Garmadon sprinted down the main town’s cobbled roads.

“Father said not to come here without telling him!” Wu called out, struggling to keep up with his older brother. 

“Where is the fun in that?” Garmadon laughed, jumping over a stack of crates. “Everything is predictable in the obstacle course! We did that shit a million times!”

“Don’t swear!”

“What I am trying to say is—we need to change our scenery to learn something new!”

⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪

‘Something new…’ Wu thought as he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a letter. “Both of you, stop your training.”

Nya and Kai immediately stopped, jogging over. 

“What happened?” Kai asked, wiping sweat from his forehead.

“I got a letter from Mrs. Gordon,” Wu replied as he opened the letter.

“The aristocrat?” Kai raised a brow.

“Yes.”

“Those rich people, huh? I never liked them.” Nya replied as she folded her arms. “Acting like they are doing charity just by breathing near us.”

Wu chuckled. “The Gordons are different. They are kind and never let the money get to their heads. They conduct real charities for the less fortunate.” 

“That… seems nice,” Nya replied.

“So, what’s the letter about?” Kai asked as he tried to take a peak, “Is it our first mission?”

“Dear Wu,” Wu read out. “I have heard from the servants that the Iron Loyalty is back in business. I am so glad that you finally decided to take your … the a-word out of your seat. Now the reason why I am sending this letter is that recently me and my husband has been hearing some strange noises in the night and I can assure is not… the s-word—”

“Stop censoring it!” Nya yelled. “We both know what ass and sex is!”

“Language!” Wu yelled. “I will read how I want to read.” He insisted, flustered. “We believe that it’s some robbers who are trying to steal us, would be great. The payment would be fifty gold coins.”

“FIFTY!” Both siblings shouted. 

“That’s enough to live for a year on bread!” Kai added.

“Alright, students.” Wu kept the letter back into his pocket. “Your first earnings will happen tomorrow if we take out whoever could be robbing them.”

“Isn’t this pay a bit too high for catching a thief?” Nya asked.

“I am sure it’s Libber Gordan being… well, Libber. She loves giving extra coins when she is bored.” Wu mused. “She is also an old friend of mine, this might sound surprising but whenever we needed more than three people in some specific jobs, she was one of the first people we would call.”

“But she is an aristocrat? Why would she need that money?” Nya asked.

“She doesn’t do it for the coins, she did it for the fun of it, considering that her life isn’t that great being stuck inside the mansion, so in the night she would come out to fight with us.”

“She already sounds cool,” Kai said.

“Let’s not mention this in front of her husband or son, they don’t know about what she used to do.”

“Yes sir!” Both Nya and Kai saluted, which made Wu chuckle softly into his tea.

The Gordon Estate sits at the edge of town in a wide, open field surrounded by flowering trees and a white fence, it’s the kind of place that looks like it belongs in a fairytale. The mansion itself is made of sandstone, with ivy climbing up the walls and wisteria hanging from the balconies in lilac blooms.

The windows are tall and arched, letting in the bright warm sunlight. Flower boxes filled with lavender and marigolds line every window, and there is a cobblestone path to the front door.

“This is pretty…” Nya said as she walked along with the other two to the entrance.

The front entrance opened into a wide, high-ceiling foyer painted in soft creams and blues. The floor is smooth wood, always clean, and the walls are lined with family portraits, but unlike most aristocratic homes, these faces smile. 

Nya noticed the boy in between his parents first, his brown curls fitted perfectly with his freckled face… wait she is staring a bit too much into it. 

“Welcome!” Libber beamed, bouncing with excitement. “I so, so happy that you came, Wu!” She pulled him into a warm hug, but immediately let him go when she noticed the two teenagers standing awkwardly behind him. “And it looks like you got busy! You should have invited me for your wedding!”

“What?” Wu lifted an eyebrow, glancing back at Kai and Nya before snapping his gaze back at her. “Wait—they are NOT my kids!” 

“Really?” Libber narrowed her eyes. “Then why do they look so much like you?”

“They do NOT look like me,” Wu huffed, “you need to stop trying to pull my leg.”

“Come on dad, don’t be like that.” Kai smirked at Wu, getting a glare back.

Libber gasped dramatically. “Ohhh, now I get it, it was a one-night stand!”

“IT WAS NOT!”

“She walked away, huh?”

“THERE IS NO SHE IN THIS!”

“He? No that doesn’t make sense.” Libber grinned and patted his back. “It’s okay Wu, we don’t judge.”

“Libber,” a calm voice interrupted. Cliff walked into the foyer, a knowing smile on his face. “You have to stop teasing him.” 

Wu gave a sigh of relief. “Thank the heavens. Cliff, it’s been a while.” 

“It has,” Cliff said, offering a handshake. “Let’s discuss the matter at hand before my wife gets too creative.”

“Hey!” Libber pouted.

“Come on,” Cliff gestured towards the hallway. “Let’s head to the sitting room.”

Four of them followed Cliff to a room that was cosy, with plush armchairs, embroidered cushions, and shelves full of books, some on etiquette, many on nunchucks training, and a suspicious number about wilderness survival. 

Libber flopped into her armchair with grace as Cliff sat beside her with a quite sigh and crossed his legs.

“I assume Libber gave you the gist of the issue,” Cliff said, leaning forward.

“Just the part about the… noises…” Nya snickered at Wu’s uncomfortability. “You will have to be more specific.”

“Well, it started two weeks ago. First, it was just creaking, then footsteps, then clashes.”

“From inside the house?” Kai asked, tilting his head.

Cliff nodded grimly. “Yes. And every time we checked, there was no one. The guards are baffled. I have even upped the patrols.”

“What’s strange is that it always happens near the old west wing.”

‘The old west wing.’ Wu thought. ‘That’s where Libber stored her weapons.’ 

“That’s the old weapon vault,” Cliff said. “The vaults are still sealed, but something is sniffing around them.”

Wu kept his hand on his chin. “Are you saying someone is breaking in… to steal weapons?”

“A working theory. The vault is secured with a complicated puzzle, and this person had somehow found a way to undo it.”

In the middle of their chatter, the heavy wooden doors opened wide, letting in the boy from the painting. He stepped into the room, his expression shifted into confusion as he took in the additional three people.

‘That’s him…’ Nya thought, eyes widening. ‘How is he capable of looking better than the painting?’

“Jay deary!” Libber sang, waving her son to come over. “You remember Wu, right?”

“No, I don’t,” Jay replied bluntly as he sat beside his mother. 

“He changed your clothes when you were just a year old!” 

Both Jay and Cliff turned to stare at her in deadpan silence while the other two teens just smiled wide, knowing this was something they would use against Wu.

Wu cleared his throat. “As you were saying… the puzzle…”

“The puzzle?” Jay raised an eyebrow. “Don’t tell me you actually hired them to find that guy.”

“It’s leaving us paranoid, Jay,” Cliff replied.

“Both my parents are drama queens.” Jay gave Wu a long-suffering look. “They used to be theatre students so you could guess what type of stories they come up with.”

“But if this is worrying them, it would be best to check it out and make sure of it rather than just not believing it is not there,” Kai said.

“I am telling you, it’s a waste of time.” Jay sighed, leaning back in his seat.

“And you heard nothing?” Nya asked.

“Nope.”

“We are still doing this.” Kai got up from his seat with determination. “We will patrol tonight. No one breaks into this place while Iron Loyalty is back!”

“Looks like we are ghost hunting,” Nya grinned as she stood beside him.

Libber clapped her hands. “Perfect! I will have your rooms prepared!”

As the owl’s started hooting, so did the night come. The family slept soundly, except for the Iron Loyalty who prowled around the manor, their eyes wide with caution.

Nya walked towards a window that showed the west wing, nothing suspicious was going on… it was quiet.

Too quiet.

Nya felt goosebumps as the air suddenly shifted, something was happening. Without making any sound, she jumped out of the window and crept towards the west wing, spear gripped tight in her hands.

Then she saw him, a figure dart by quickly, ‘That must be him! The robber!’ She step forward, ready to chase him, but froze. ‘But what if I can’t defeat the robber on my own? Then it’s better to get Sir Wu and Kai…’

She turned around and again, stopped. ‘ But what if by the time I bring them both here, the perp has already left…’

She gritted her teeth. ‘At least if I catch him, I can make enough noise to call everyone in.’ With that conclusion, she ran behind him. 

From behind the wall, she observed the intruder: red-tinted glasses that hid his eyes, a worn leather mask hiding the rest of his face. A brown Mao covered his hair, and he wore a blue gi that seemed a size too big.

He knelt before the puzzle, unlocking it with practised ease, like he had been doing this for a while.

“Amazing as always—” Before he could complete his sentence, Nya jumped on him, pinning his neck down with the haft of her spear.

“How dare you disturb the nice people here!?” She hissed, pressing in further, but he held the spear and twisted it, throwing her off balance which resulted in her falling onto the armour stand, clattering it around.

The masked figure didn’t waste a second, he reached into his gi and pulled out what looked like smoke pellets.

“Oh, no you don’t!” Nya got up and threw her spear forward like a javelin, not to hit him, but to knock the pellets from his hand.

Direct hit.

The small pouch fell to the ground, scattering across the tiles, and the masked intruder stumbled back in surprise. Nya charged, tackling him down. They both tumbled through the doorway he had just unlocked.

She pinned his arms down, straddling his chest with her knees. “Who are you?!” she shouted. “Talk!”

“Nope.”

“Fine.” Her hand went to his leather mask, fingers curling into the edge. “Let’s see that smug face.”

“No—wait—”

Too late.

She ripped the mask off.

There, blinking up at her, glasses askew and hair tousled under his crooked Mao cap... was Jay .

Nya froze. “You—?!”

Jay winced. “Heyyy… So, uh. This is awkward.”

“YOU’RE the masked thief?!”

“I’m not a thief!” he protested, flailing slightly. “I mean, not in a criminal way! I was trying to—uh—”

“You were breaking into your own manor!” Nya got up, pulling Jay with her.

“I was testing the security!” he huffed. “You know, seeing if I could get past it without anyone noticing. I didn’t think you'd actually tackle me!”

“You could’ve told someone!”

Jay looked away sheepishly. “Okay, so uh… you probably know this, my mom used to work with Iron Loyalty.”

“Uh-huh…” Nya replied, a bow raised.

“So imagine having a son who just sits around. My dad isn’t aware of her past so I know for sure that she wouldn’t allow me to train… so I decided to train on my own.” 

“So your idea of training is by… sneaking around?” Nya asked, her arms crossing.

“And nunchucks,” Jay added with a smug grin as he pulled out his weapon.

Nya rolled her eyes. “And what exactly are you hoping to gain from this? You are still stuck here.”

Jay’s expression softened. “A sense of self,” he said, his eyes meeting her gray metallic eyes. “I just… I want to be more than the kid in the manor, you know?”

Nya blinked, caught off guard. ‘Woah… he is—’ 

From the outside, Wu’s voice rang out. “Is everything alright?”

“Yeah!” Nya called back. She gave Jay a knowing look. “False alarm.”

Kai appeared behind Wu, panting. “Did we miss the fight?!”

Jay dusted off his gi and tossed Nya’s spear back to her. “Kinda. But don’t worry, I’ve got great stage presence.”

Kai narrowed his eyes. “Wait a minute… Of course it was you.”

Wu sighed. “Let’s discuss this tomorrow morning with Cliff and Libber.”

Jay groaned. “Yay. Family meeting.”

“WHAT!” Cliff shouted loud enough for his voice to echo back in the sitting hall. “IT WAS YOU!?”

Jay stood awkwardly in front of his parents, while the Iron Loyalty were behind him.

“Dear… maybe we should all calm—” Libber was cut off by Cliff’s raising a hand in front of her face.

“This is no calm matter, honey. He is doing all this dangerous stunts! Isn’t the whole point of being an aristocrat to not… die?” Cliff asked, to which Libber nodded slowly, not sure if she should defend her son or not.

“Look, Dad, it’s really boring to be here all. The. Time.” Jay said, exasperated. “I am a teen with my teen-related needs!”

“We give you everything you want!”

“Except fun!” Jay shot back. “You were never the son of an aristocrat so you don’t know what it feels like. Not to mention you are a famous actor, you have your fun days.”

Cliff blinked, offended. “Your mom was an aristocrat at your age, but she survived!”

“Or did she?” Jay dramatically turned to Libber, who immediately flinched.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Cliff asked, looking at his wife.

Libber looked like a cornered cat, she was shivering from the pressure, she looked at Wu who nodded in assurance. “I USED TO SNEAK OUT OF THE HOUSE AND FIGHT WITH IRON LOYALTY!”

“WHAT!?”

“I BROKE BONES!”

“WHAT!?”

“I HAVE—”

“You don’t have to go into that much detail, Libber,” Wu said. His voice grounded her.

Libber shut her mouth, glancing nervously at her husband. ‘Oh… he is going to be so mad… oh no…’

But instead, she saw him… saddened, leaving her confused.

“Is… staying here… making you feel trapped?” He asked, his voice quiter. “Is there anything I could do to not make you feel like that?”

Libber stared at him, heart suddenly full. He took her hand, and she was reminded all over again why she’d left the battlefield for the stage lights.

“No!” She yelled, gripping his hand.. “I only joined the Iron Loyalty while my parents were alive. I didn’t realize how dull the estate was until I met you . You were the excitement. You were the life I chose. That’s when I left them.”

“Believe me.” Wu chuckled. “She used to ditch us in a ditch just to watch your performances.”

Cliff blinked, eyes glassy. “You… you really liked my acting that much?”

Libber nodded with a soft smile. “I loved it.” She then kissed his cheek. “And if our son feels like he need something new, we will give it to him… maybe he will find someone more exciting than this.”

Jay crossed his arms. “Okay, you two being sweet is kind of making my rebellion pointless.”

“But if you have to train… I can’t help,” Libber said with regret in her voice. “I still have my lady duties to attend to.”

“Then perhaps I could,” Wu said, stepping forward. “He shows true potential, Libber. He got instincts.”

“Wait—” Kai blinked. “You want him to join the Iron Loyalty?”

Wu nodded.

Cliff immediately stepped in. “We can’t do that. We can’t let the country find out that an aristocrat is a merc.” 

“I could keep my identity hidden,” Jay offered, crossing his arms confidently. “Like I did last night.” 

“Ooh!” Libber’s eyes lit up. “I did that too! My name was Blue Lightning! You should totally use it!”

“Uh… no.” Jay winced. “That sounds childish, I am going to go with Rogue.”

“That actually sounds… cool,” Nya said with a smile, making him blush a little.

Wu extended his hand. “Well then, Rogue… welcome to Iron Loyalty.”

Jay took it, a slow grin spreading across his face as the others looked on, a little proud, a little exasperated, but definitely ready.

Chapter Text

The smell of warm pork and honey filled the Iron Loyalty’s modest dining table that was set in the open area of their base. Kai took a large bite from his sandwich, crumbs clinging to his grin. “We gotta thank your mom for this.” He said, mouthful. “It’s delicious.”

“Well, she told me to bring food whenever I come here for training. Said it was important for our growing bodies.” Jay smiled as he took a bite, clearly proud.

At the head of the table, Wu sipped quietly from his glass, letting the cold water chase the flavours down. He wasn’t truly listening. The chatter faded around him, replaced by memories—

⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪

They were just teens.

“I wonder when Father will be back.” Wu said, sitting on the edge of the tiled rooftop beside his brother. “We haven’t used our dining table in a while.”

“You know how he is,” Garmadon said, licking his candy which was supposed to be his dessert. “Won’t let us come for dangerous missions.”

“But I am starting to miss him…”

“Ha!” Garmadon let out a barking laugh. “Imagine he just died! How would you handle that?”

Wu flinched. “Brother!”

“What?” Garmadon laughed even more. “And what would you do if I am gone too?”

Wu looked at him for a moment, then his eyes to the table below. “I will stop sitting here to eat with you and finally sit at the table.”

⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪

Back in the present, Wu ignored the noises and looked at the roof, the place he used to have lunch has been empty since his brother was gone.

“You do NOT just mix the pork with the honey.” Jay suddenly shouted loud enough to bring Wu back. “That’s offensive to the dead pig!”

“Watch me,” Kai replied, grinning as he drizzled honey onto the meat.

Nya chuckled and walked over to Wu, placing a cup beside him. The steam curled up gently from the rim, white tea.

“You alright, sir Wu?” Nya asked, concern in her voice. “You seem out of it.”

“Nothing to worry about,” Wu said, accepting the tea.

Before she could press further, the bell rang, it was loud, sharp and sudden. Everyone turned. Jay was already up, practically leaping over his seat.

“I got it!” he called, jogging to the main gate. He pulled it open with a cheerful, “Hello—”

Then he froze.

Standing on the other side was a woman cloaked in black, her long amber hair tied into a messy bun beneath her hood. Her pale skin caught in the light… very familiar.

“Princess Vania!?” Jay exclaimed, gathering everyone’s attention. 

“Why in Ninjago is the Princess of the West here?” Kai blurted but got elbowed by Nya.

Wu rose from his seat, he was very calm, despite the environment“Princess Vania, what do we owe the honour of your visit?” Wu asked, stepping forward.

“Is it okay if I come in?” Vania asked.

“Of course…” Wu looked back, seeing that the food is still unfinished. “But I do have to warn you, we are not in our neatest form as we are still having our meal.”

“Wonderful!” Vania stepped inside gleefully. “I will have lunch with you guys too.”

Everyone was shocked to see the princess of the west sit down in their commoner’s worn-out wooden chair and take an enormous bite of the pork sandwich. 

“So…” Wu sat opposite to her, everyone following him. “What brings you here, princess?”

“I heard the Iron Loyalty is back in business,” Vania said as she finished her bite and wiped her mouth.

“Of course we are.” Kai puffed out his chest. “We do any commissions.”

“That’s good to know,” she said, without missing a beat. “I have someone on my list for you to murder…”

Silence.

Jay coughed. “Wait—what!?”

“I would have never imagined the sweet princess Vania would have anyone to murder.” Nya chuckled. “Who is it?”

“King of the west, Vangelis.”

Another moment of silence.

“YOUR FATHER!?” A collective shout from everyone except Wu shouted.

“But why? He is your father!” Jay stood up.

“Yes, but he has no love for me left,” Vania replied coldly. “Recently, I went with him to one of his mining ports, to see who all we were collaborating with to find the rare ores, but then I realized we weren’t collaborating… we were having slaves work for us.”

Everyone stared, horror creeping in like frost.

“So, I have been secretly in contact with one of them and we came up with a plan. If my father dies, then I would be the ruler of the West, which would mean I have the right to free the slaves.”

Wu’s eyes studied her quietly, unreadable.

“Princess Vania,” he called out, his voice calm. “I hope you know what you are doing, if you change your mind last minute, things will not go the way you want them to. I know you hate him, but he is still your father.”

“Does that matter to you?” Vania said, which actually shocked everyone, no one really spoke to Wu in that way, she noticed the reaction and immediately tried to cover herself up. “What I meant was, mercenaries don’t usually care about sides, you are all about the pay… so does the morality for my commission matter?”

“You are right,” Wu got up from his seat. “I am not in any position to question your commission.” 

“Then…” she looked up at him. “Does that mean you accept it?”

Wu nodded. “Yes.”

“Looks like we will be travelling to the West!” Jay said, putting his arm over both Nya and Kai.

The journey to the West began at sunrise.

The Iron Loyalty rode through rolling meadows, their horses stirring the dewy grass. Jay, in his newly stitched dark cloak, adjusted the hood over his face. The name "Rogue" still felt strange on his tongue, but there was a strange sense of becoming.

Nya slowed her horse down so that she would be at the same speed as her brother. “Kai…” She whispered loud enough for him to hear.

“What?” He muttered, eyes still on the road.

“Is it just me… but don’t you think that Jay looks…”

“Horrendous? Heck yeah.” Kai replied immediately. 

“No! I meant cute.”

“Cute?” Kai blinked. Then squinted at Jay. Then back at Nya. Then back at Jay again. “Next time cut those bangs longer so it covers your eyes from giving those stupid opinions.”

“Kai!” Nya’s voice echoed a bit too loudly, which grabbed everyone’s attention.

“Umm…” Vania turned her head. “It would be great if we don’t make any loud noises, we don’t want them to be alerted.”

“Sorry…” Nya mumbled.

Vania rode in front with Wu. She wore travel leathers instead of her usual silks.

"We’ll be taking the east route," she said, consulting the map strapped to her saddle. "No patrols this way. My father doesn’t trust the mountains, too many accidents."

"Convenient for us," Wu murmured.

“Kai, I am being serious,” Nya whispered again. 

“You actually find him cute?”

“Yes.” 

“Give me a second.” Kai murmured as he rode his horse even slower to reach Jay. “Rogue.”

“What is it, Kai?” Rogue asked.

“If you think about doing anything to my sister, you won’t see the day or the night… ever again.”

“What…”

Nya, whose face is fully flushed slowed her horse to reach Jay. “What did my brother tell you!?”

“He threatened me!” Jay whispered-yelled.

“Kai!”

“I am just looking out for my little sis!”

"You said there’s someone helping you? A contact inside the mines?" Wu asked Vania.

Vania nodded. "His name is Geo. He’s smart, resourceful. He’s been sneaking me records, proof of what’s happening underground. He said he’ll meet us by the Old camp."

“Alright…” Wu said, looking forward. “Iron Loyalty, this is your first mission far away, there might be some fear in you, but do not be afraid, as your sir, I will protect you three with my life.”

He got no reply back.

That’s unsettling.

“Iron… Loyalty…” Wu looked back and was very confused by what he saw.

All three of them were at least a mile away because they kept slowing down the horse to talk to each other. Kai and Nya were trying to throw small blades at each other (might be a sibling thing). And Jay was in the middle of all this, hoping to not die.

Vania chuckled at the scene.

“It’s going to take years to train then in stealth…” Wu muttered to himself.

By nightfall, they reached the outskirts of the west. The mountains loomed, jagged and dark against the stars. Smoke rose from the mining valleys beyond. They made camp beneath the pines.

As they ate in silence, Vania stared into the fire. "He used to be kind, my father. But something changed. The last few years... he's only ever cared about gold. Power."

Wu tossed another branch into the flames. "Power doesn’t corrupt on its own. It just reveals what was already inside."

A crack of a twig snapped everyone’s attention toward the trees. Jay stood first, his hand on his nunchucks.

A figure emerged slowly, a man with dirty yellow hair tied into a braid, his face and hands covered in tribal tattoos. Princess Vania?"

Vania rose to her feet. "Geo. Thank the heavens."

Geo looked over the group, his amber eyes sharp despite his exhaustion. "You’ll have to move fast. The King’s grown paranoid about his daughter missing. He’s tripled the guards in the mines. And... he knows someone’s been leaking documents."

"Then we’re out of time," Wu said.

Geo pulled out a small parchment from his coat. "He’s moving to the mines tomorrow morning. He doesn’t do that unless he’s planning something drastic. If you’re going to act, do it then."

Vania took the parchment, hands trembling slightly. For a second, her eyes met Wu’s. "There is no turning back..."

“Princess Vania…” Nya kept her hand on Vania’s shoulders.

“It’s better if I return to the castle now. If I was also in the mines with you, then it would be suspicious and my father would figure out that I was part of the plan.”

“And the best place to take someone out would be the mines. You will have our help.” Geo said.

“Then let us all continue our journey,” Wu said, tapping the fire out with his foot. 

Tomorrow, they would kill a king.

The winding road eventually bled into rougher ground. Dust thickened the air, and the sky above the western mountains turned grey. 

“We’re here,” Geo said quietly.

Before them stood the mines, maws in the side of the mountain. Wooden scaffolding crawled up the rock, and torchlight flickered across rusted chains and the glint of ore carts. The atmosphere was heavy.

Jay dismounted first, his boots crunching against the gravel. “This place feels like a villain’s lair,” he muttered. “Ten outta ten would not live here.”

“No one does,” Geo replied. “They’re kept underground.”

Kai frowned. “Slaves?”

He nodded grimly. “Miners, officially. But they’re not paid, not fed properly, and if anyone tries to leave, Vangelis makes an example of them.”

Nya gripped her spear tighter. “So… where do we start?”

Geo looked around and pointed to a side tunnel, narrower and less guarded. “That way. It leads to the old storage caverns. One of my contacts is waiting there, he’ll tell us when Vangelis visits next.”

As they made their way toward the passage, Wu dropped back beside Jay. “This is where it begins,” he said under his breath. “The real work. You still with us, Rogue?”

Jay looked ahead to the dark tunnel, then glanced briefly at Nya. She offered him a small nod.

“Yeah,” he said. “Let’s do this.”

They stepped into the mine, and the light behind them faded. The cool, damp air clung to their skin. Echoes bounced off the walls, footsteps, distant hammering, the clink of chains.

“So… Geo, what exactly is your position here?” Kai asked as he was scanning the passage.

“I am a slave… but I disguise myself as an official so that I can leave the cave without questioning and get help.”

“Wait… you sneak out on purpose?” Jay blinked. “That’s… insanely brave. And insanely dumb.”

Geo chuckled softly. “In the beginning, me and my family didn’t have courage to even speak about escaping. But when Cole came, he told us this plan and helped us overcome the fear of getting caught.”

“Cole?” Wu raised a brow. “Do you know his full name?” 

“Yes, it’s Cole Brookestone,” Geo replied. “Do you know him?”

“I never met him, but I have met his mother,” Wu said, thoughtfully. “She was also like Libber, would come in to help the Iron Loyalty… but how did Cole end up being a slave? If I remember right, they are middle class.”

Geo nodded. “He made himself look like one of us so that he would end up with us. I told him not to and that he could live a wonderful life outside, but he refused and came here to help us.”

They stopped in front of a wooden door. “This is where we stay,” Geo said as he knocked on the door twice.

“What’s the password?” A voice came from the inside.

‘That’s a child’s voice…’ Nya’s heart clenched.

“Separated we are lost, together we are found,” Geo said to which the door flung open.

“Geo!” Two kids ran up and hugged him tightly with wide grins. “You were out longer than we thought!”

“Fritz! Spitz!” Geo chuckled as he ruffled their hair. “I did get some help.” 

The team stepped into the room, a modest cavern carved into the rock, lit with a few lanterns. Blankets were laid across stone beds, crates of stolen supplies stacked in the corners. It was both shelter and prison.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows. He was tall, broader than anyone in the room, his silhouette almost blocking out the lanternlight. Black hair brushed his shoulders, damp with sweat and dust. 

“Who are they?” he asked, voice calm but firm.

“It’s the Iron Loyalty, they are going to help us.”

“And you are?” Jay raised an eyebrow.

“Cole.” He said with a smile. “I have heard of your team from my mother but… didn’t know it had these many members.”

“We are reforming,” Wu replied. “Instead of making them substitutes, I have made them official members.”

“That’s good news.” Cole replied with a soft smile. “There are five of us, two are children and is crippled.” He pointed a middle aged woman who had a stick tied to her leg, to keep it straight. “Me and Geo cannot fight them off on our own. So we need help.”

Wu stepped forward. “Your mother was brave. Seems like you inherited that.”

“I didn’t come here to be brave,” Cole said, moving to pour water into a tin cup. “I came here to make sure kids stop dying for someone else’s gold.”

There was a silence. Everyone understood it.

“You came just in time,” he added, looking over his shoulder. “Vangelis is arriving at dawn for his inspection.”

Kai stiffened, his jaw tense. “So we should not strike at that time, considering there will be guards around.”

“No.” Cole shook his head. “We are attacking at their strongest time.”

“Why?” Nya asked, clearly not comfortable with the plan. “It’ll be suicide if we attack by then.”

Cole looked each of them in the eye, measuring, testing. “You’re mercenaries. I thought you were trained for the worst.”

“We are, but—”

“I want to prove a point to that king, no matter how much army he brings, we will take them down.”

“Is that so?” Suddenly the door collapsed to the ground and stood there was Vangelis, his smile sending shivers down everyone’s spine. 

Cole looked each of them in the eye, sharp and steady. Measuring. Testing. “You’re mercenaries. Trained for the worst, aren’t you?”

“We are,” Kai said, a little defensively, “but—”

“I want to make a statement to that king,” Cole interrupted, stepping forward. “No matter how many guards he drags in here, no matter how many swords he points at us… we’ll tear his army down and bury his legacy with it.”

Silence followed his words.

And then— boom.

The wooden door behind them splintered apart with a crash.

Dust clouded the air. Everyone turned, weapons half-raised. But it was too late.

Standing there, framed by the crumbling doorway, was King Vangelis himself. Clad in obsidian armour streaked with gold. “Is that so?” he said, his voice calm.

Cole didn’t move.

Neither did Wu.

Because behind Vangelis… came the sound of dozens of boots.

Chapter Text

The king stepped forward, boots crunching over shattered wood. “Aren’t we going a bit too far with the theatrics this time, Geo?” he said, eyes landing on him. “It was quite obvious that you were planning something as soon as my daughter went missing for a few days.” 

Wu looked around, “Where is Vania?” 

“She is grounded,” Vangelis replied. “Children who disobey their fathers have to get punished, am I right?”

Rogue leaned toward Cole, whispering, “Am I the only one who feels like there is more to that?”

“It’s not just you,” Cole replied in whispers. “I am pretty sure he imprisoned her.” 

“Your plan was very clever,” Vangelis went on, now addressing Cole. “Infiltration. Morale-boosting speeches. Hidden codes and passwords.” He paused. “But if you want to inspire a rebellion, you might want to check if your walls have ears.”

A tremble ran through the cave.

Then Wu stepped forward. Calm. Hands clasped behind him. “What now, King Vangelis?” he asked. “Will you slaughter your own slaves in cold blood?”

Vangelis smiled wider. “Of course.” He gestured and the guards flooded in. 

“Attack!” Wu yelled which made the three sprint towards the guards.

Nya leapt first, spinning her spear quick, striking the first soldier in the chest and knocking him off his feet. Kai dashed forward, dual blades flashing as he deflected one strike and drove his sword into a second guard’s shoulder. Rogue spun into action beside them, his nunchucks crackling as he whipped them around to disarm two incoming soldiers with a loud crack.

Behind them, Cole grabbed Bonzle and helped her to her feet. “Bonzle, we’ll draw them away. You and the kids, go!”

Bonzle nodded grimly. “Stay alive.”

The two children looped their arms under hers and began helping her toward a narrow back tunnel carved into the rock.

“Come on,” Geo muttered, picking up a large chunk of stone. “Let’s give them something to remember.”

Cole grinned and clapped him on the shoulder. “Let’s teach these soldiers what real hell is like.”

He charged into the crowd, driving a fist into the nearest soldier’s faceplate, denting it. Geo threw his rock, striking another in the knee, and bringing him down.

Meanwhile, Nya twirled her spear and shouted, “Rogue, cover the left flank!”

“I’m TRYING!” Rogue yelled, ducking a blade.

Wu fought with calm, pointed movements, striking pressure points, redirecting attacks, and knocking weapons from the hands of the enemy. His expression never changed. Every moment he made looked like had already did this a million times.

Which is a possibility.

“Hold the line!” he called. 

Kai, Nya, and Rogue tightened the formation. Cole fought his way over to them, his knuckles bruised, breathing hard.

“This won’t last!” Nya shouted. “They have the numbers!”

Three of the soldiers jumped on Cole, trying to drag him away from the others, but he didn’t budge. His feet were planted on the ground, arms flexed against their grip. 

The Iron Loyalty tried to help him, but another set of soldiers started to attack them, cutting them off. 

Out of nowhere, a soldier pulled Cole's dirt-smudged shirt instead of his arm, tearing the front of. 

Well… everyone went silent.

Because apparently, under the ragged shirt of a so-called “slave,” was a perfect eight-pack. The shirt hid too much. Too much to the point that even the soldiers were stunned. 

“…Who the hell’s been sneaking you full meals?” Rogue asked faintly.

Geo let out a long, exhausted sigh. “Could you not stare at my boyfriend and please win this fight.”

“Your WHAT—” Nya turned, wide-eyed, only to catch a fist right across her face.

“HEY!” Kai snarled, driving his sword through the chest plate of the soldier who hit her. “You don’t get to hit my sister and live.”

Geo took another rock, throwing it at one of the stunned guards square in the temple. The man collapsed like a sack of potatoes. He grabbed the last jagged stone and smashed it into the helmet of another, knocking him out cold and peeling him off Cole.

“Here,” Geo said, yanking off his own coat and throwing it at Cole’s chest. “Put this on. We can’t afford for everyone on the battlefield to lose their minds.”

“Right.” Cole slipped it on quickly. “Thanks.”

Silence.

“Or maybe we should use your abs as a distraction and take them down—”

“No.” Cole deadpanned, which made them both chuckle.

Rogue swung his nunchucks, knocking out a soldier. “Aw, so cute of you both, continue your flirting, it’s not like we are losing this battle.”

“Really?” Cole smirked.

“NO!”

“I am kidding.” Cole laughed even more. 

But his laugh got cut off when the chaos of the battle increased even more. 

The Iron Loyalty fought in close quarters. One of Kai’s arms was now useless as one of the soldiers cracked it. Nya had been cornered, using her spear to stop them from coming any forward. Wu was the only one who was holding himself up, but he couldn’t do that forever. 

From corner of his eyes, he saw someone pull Geo’s hair and smash him against the wall. His yell echoed off the stone walls, blending with the sound of steel.

Cole was done waiting.

‘The soldiers will keep coming, no matter what, six of us cannot take them all down.’ Cole looked at Vangelis across the battlefield. ‘We will have to take out the source, then only can we win this.’

He shoved off a soldier who just ran up to him, now blood on his fists, and eyes burning with rage. Vangelis’ eyes locked onto him, stood watching like a snake, smug, untouched.

‘I will kill him! For what he did to my family!’ Cole Sprinted through crowd, dodging swords, ducking under swinging axes, shouldering soldiers out of his path like they were paper. Vangelis finally caught up with what was going on, but he was too late.

Cole was on him .

He tackled the king with force, slamming him to the ground hard. The air was knocked out of Vangelis’s lungs. Before he could recover, Cole hauled him up by the collar and punched him , the blow was strong enough to crack the man's lip open.

Vangelis tried to fight back, clawing at Cole’s face with his rings, but Cole grabbed his wrist mid-swing and twisted it with a snap. The king howled.

“This is for every kid you chained,” Cole growled.

Another punch.

“This is for every family you starved.”

And another.

“And this—” He lifted him by the throat and slammed him against a pillar “—is for Vania.”

Vangelis coughed blood. “You think… this changes anything? You will never gain anything! Maybe you have given them freedom, but what will you gain.”

“You are right, I won’t gain anything out of this,” Cole said, breathing hard. “But I am not doing this for myself, I am doing this for others! Because I had promised someone that I would stand up against tyrants like you! Always!”

He grabbed Vangelis's dagger from his belt and drove it straight through his chest.

Vangelis’s mouth opened and no words came out, just a strangled breath.

The guards remained frozen in horror. Their king, the one who ruled through fear was slumped at Cole’s feet, eyes wide, unmoving.

Wu stepped forward slowly, eyes on the body. “It’s done.”

Kai let out a long exhale. “Holy—okay, that just happened.”

Jay stared. “That was… I really did not expect us to win like that…”

Geo walked over, still catching his breath, blood streaked across his cheek. He looked at Cole, silent for a moment. Then he nodded and said, “You did it.”

Cole’s chest rose and fell. He didn’t speak. He just turned, pulled Geo into a rough, exhausted hug, and whispered, “No, we did it.”

Vania sat inside the prison cell, drawing a human figure on the ground with the dust she had collected, at least her father could have given her a bed, this was the worst punishment. 

Her thoughts were broken when she heard footsteps. She stiffened, ready for another round of mocking from the guards.

But then few serious looking people dressed in white and gold entered, they were too silent… wait is she getting executed?

The main man with a big fancy hat bowed his head slightly.

“Queen Vania…”

She narrowed her eyes. “Why are you calling me that?”

“There has been… a...” He cleared his throat. “King Vangelis has fallen. The Iron Loyalty led a the fight, supported by your allies inside the mines.”

Vania didn’t move. Her face blank.

Behind the officials, Wu, Nya, Kai, Rogue, Cole, and Geo appeared. Cole’s gaze met hers with the faintest nod.

The official stepped aside.

“We are here to escort you to the throne room. As his heir… the crown is now yours.”

The words hit her like a slow, breaking wave. She rose slowly. Her voice cracked when she asked, “He’s really dead?”

Cole stepped forward. “Yes, you don’t have to worry anymore now, you can free everyone, free yourself.”

Her eyes met Geo’s. Then Wu’s.

She stood straighter. Her cuffs were removed. Her bruised wrists fell to her sides like dead weight.

And then, she lifted her chin. “Take me to the throne room.”

As she walked past them, she paused beside Wu.

“I thought it’d feel better,” she whispered.

“It will,” Wu said, “let time pass by.”

She gave a big bright smile.

The golden sun dipped low over the towers of the Western Kingdom, casting shadows over the city. Streamers of white and gold fluttered in the wind. Laughter rang in the streets. Music played from every corner, the deep rumble of drums, the sweet tune of flutes.

For three days, the city had been in celebration.

Under Queen Vania’s rule, the mines were shut down, the slaves were released with dignity, and the kingdom repaid their suffering. 

And the Iron Loyalty? They had become the west Kingdom’s strongest allies.

Now, on the final night of the festival, the group gathered on the balcony overlooking the festivities. The sky above was filled with floating lanterns, tiny orbs of light drifting up like stars.

Cole leaned back against the stone railing, arms crossed but relaxed. Geo sat beside him, a flower crown perched on his head.

“So,” Wu began casually, holding a warm cup of spiced tea, “What now for your family?”

Cole exchanged a glance with Geo, then shrugged. “We’re thinking of settling in the main city. Maybe find jobs, live a quieter life for once.”

“Hmmm…” Wu hummed thoughtfully, a knowing smile pulling at the corner of his mouth.

“Oh my gods,” Jay whispered dramatically, elbowing Kai, “He’s about to do it.”

“He’s so going to do it,” Kai smirked.

“Do what?” Geo asked, raising an eyebrow.

Wu took a long sip of his tea before setting it down and stepping forward. “Cole... You’ve proven yourselves as more than capable.”

Cole tilted his head, wary but curious.

Wu continued, “Have you ever considered working for the Iron Loyalty? Not as temporary allies, but as true members of our team.”

Cole blinked. “Are you serious?”

“You’d have the freedom to take commissions, fight if you want, rest if you need. We share what we earn, and we stand by each other like…”

Family… the word went missing on his tongue, Nya took notice of this and immediately stepped in.

“We have way more food than a normal fighting squad should. You won’t go hungry.”

“Also,” Jay added, “We have board game night.”

“He’s in,” Geo blurted immediately, eyes sparkling. “I mean, Cole… you always talked about wanting to do something adventurous. This could be it.”

Cole smiled. He looked at Wu, then at the team who had fought beside him a few days ago.

“…You’re serious about this?” he asked one last time.

Wu nodded. “More than you know.”

Cole reached out a hand, and Wu clasped it firmly.

“Then I’m in.”

Below them, fireworks bloomed in the night sky, explosions of colour lighting up the city that had been saved.

Rain tapped softly against the high-arched windows. The room was lit only by a single overhead bulb and a chessboard sat between two men.

Cyrus Borg moved his white pawn forward. “It’s a bit tragic, isn’t it, Overlord?” he said, voice calm but laced with mockery. “You lost the King of the West, one of your key financiers for Ashborn.”

Across the board, the Overlord sat unmoving for a moment, then pushed a black pawn forward. “A setback,” he murmured. “But I’ll find other routes.”

“Oh, I’m sure. Maybe you’ll ask Pythor to host another—what was it— ‘Dress to Kill’ fashion fundraiser?”

The Overlord didn’t look up. “No.”

“Or perhaps Morro can finally finish college. Get a job and earn for you, maybe?”

The Overlord gave a long-suffering sigh. “Do you have a reason for being here, Borg, or are you just here to mock me into submission?”

“I do.” Borg smiled thinly. “In fact, I brought you a… gift.”

“I’m not buying another round of overpriced prototype firearms.”

“It’s not that.” Borg tilted his head toward the exit. “Come in.”

The heavy doors open. Two figures stepped in, silently.

They walked like they were mechanical. The girl hadsilver hair tied into a tight bun, emerald green eyes and a violet tattoo across her cheek. The boy, with white hair and a vertical black mark trailing from his jawline, stood beside her like a mirror, both still as statues.

Emotionless.

Flawless.

“Meet Zane Julian,” Borg gestured to the boy, “and my daughter, Pixal Borg. I trained them since birth. Infiltration. Combat. Psychological conditioning. They've seen things that would shatter ordinary minds.”

The Overlord’s eyes narrowed. “So… you are offering me traumatized children in fancy coats.”

“No,” Borg corrected. “Weapons. You want Wu and his little band of Iron Loyalists gone? These two have killed hundreds. And here’s the deal,” He leaned back with a grin. “They’ve never failed a mission.”

The Overlord finally looked up from the board.

“And if they do?”

“They know the consequences of failure,” Borg said simply. “And they will not fail.”

The two assassins bowed in perfect sync, like chess pieces falling off the board.

The Overlord tapped a finger on the edge of his rook.

“…Very well,” he murmured. “Let’s see if your knights can take out my enemies' king.”

Chapter Text

Pixal was seated at her desk, checking the bowstring tension when Zane slipped into the room, a book tucked under his arm.

“Pixal,” he began quietly, “I have a plan to take down the Iron Loyalty.”

She glanced up at him. “Explain.”

“I’ll distract them with my shuriken. You’ll pick them off with your arrows.”

Pixal nodded once, slipping five arrows into her quiver.

“Only five?” Zane asked.

“There are five of them,” she replied matter-of-factly.

“There’s a chance you’ll miss.”

“You are overthinking,” Pixal replied, already moving toward the door. “That’s what makes you hesitate.”

And with that, she was gone.

At dawn, Wu was busy preparing his latest training drill. The Iron Loyalty stood in a wobbly line before him as he assembled a wooden wheel with a lever.

“What is this supposed to do?” Kai asked, eyeing the contraption skeptically.

“You’re going to learn one of my father’s greatest techniques,” Wu answered calmly. “Spinjitzu.”

“Isn’t that the spinning thing with swords?” Cole asked.

Wu picked up two silver practice blades, one at shoulder height and the other tucked behind him. “Yes. It shields you and frees up your legs. Watch.”

He spun into a blur of silver before slowing to a halt without even a wobble. “Very effective in close combat.” Wu nodded toward the wheel. “Any volunteers?”

Jay’s hand shot up. “Me!”

“Great. Step up.”

Jay grabbed the rail as Wu pulled the lever. The wheel whirled faster and faster until—
“WAIT—” Thud. Jay hit the wall and fell on his head.

“Failed,” Wu pronounced with a dry smile. “Next?”

“You okay, Jay?” Nya asked as she handed him a cup of tea.

Jay tried to take it but missed entirely. “If I close my eyes… I might roll right off the monastery,” he groaned.

“I think my stomach is still spinning,” Kai muttered from the grass.

“Ugh, I’ll never do that again,” Cole said before losing his fight with his nausea, into a bucket.

“You boys really can’t hold it together,” Nya teased as Wu called her name.

“Got to go,” she added breezily. “Try not to stink up the place!”

As she disappeared into the monastery, Kai muttered, “Easy for you to say,” then flopped backward again.

Zane pressed himself into the shadow of a nearby wall, eyes locked on his targets. Pixal was perched up on a balcony, bow at the ready.

He flashed a quick signal with his hands. They seem to be dizzy.

Pixal’s eyes glinted as she signed back: Perfect chance to take them down.

⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪ 

“Again!” The woman barked as her iron rod hit Zane’s palm, making him yell in pain. A single tear traced its way down his soft cheek.

“You need to aim for the head,” she snapped.

The whole room was dark, black painted walls with red splash art. Bound across the room was a prisoner, hands trembling and body bleeding.

“Please,” the man begged. “I have a family!”

“More reason to kill him,” she replied flatly.

Zane inhaled before he looked at the woman. “But—”

“Family is just a social construct,” Borg agreed as he rolled into the room, his slicked back hair matched his pristine black suit.

“Sir!” Zane snapped into a salute.

“People have children just to use them,” Borg continued. “That’s all this is. Don’t you think that’s selfish?”

Zane felt his heart hammer against his ribs. Then, as the man wept and pleaded, he steadied his breath and let the shuriken fly.

A clean, fatal strike.

“Only twelve,” Borg purred with a smile. “And you’re already making progress.”

⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪ 

‘If I fail this mission,’ Zane thought grimly as he crouched for his throw, ‘Pixal and I will pay for it. And I can’t let that happen. Never again.’ He forced himself to focus.

“Heyyyyy…” Jay’s voice carried up from the courtyard. “This tea actually helps. I’m not barfing anymore!”

“Let me try—” Cole tried to get the cup from Jay, but the other pulled it away. “Give it!”

“I don’t want your vomit stink on my cup!” Jay yelled back.

“As if your’s don’t stink!” Cole tried to grab it again.

“I can’t believe you both are fighting over a cup of tea! We have more cups!” Kai exasperated.

And with an intake of breath, Zane flicked his wrist.

The shuriken sliced the air between Cole and Jay, humming past their shoulders.

“What was that?!” Cole shouted, spinning around.

Jay’s eyes widened as an arrow zipped toward his chest. Instinct kicked in; he twisted away just in time.

“Damn it!” Pixal swore under her breath. Zane glanced at Pixal, brow furrowed.

‘You hesitated,’ he signed quickly, his hands sharp and accusing. ‘I can’t fail. But I can’t let her get hurt either.’

From the balcony, Pixal loosed another arrow.

This time it sliced across Jay’s sleeve, drawing a shallow cut and making him yelp. “Hey! Someone really is trying to kill us!”

“Move!” Cole grabbed him by the collar and yanked him out of the arrow’s path. Kai spun to his feet, and swords were already drawn. Jay wiped his mouth and took out his nunchucks. 

“Looks like training's over,” Kai said as his eyes scanned the rooftops. “We have company.”

Before Zane could throw his second shuriken, someone kicked on his back, sending him rolling through the roof and straight into the training ground, covering his head before it hit the stone floor.

“Who the hell are you!?” Kai yelled, pointing his sword in Zane’s direction.

Zane looked up with his ice-cold blue eyes, taking a shuriken from his pocket and throwing it at Kai, but Jay came just in time to flick it away using his nunchucks. 

Pixal observed the place where Zane fell off, there was no way he slipped and fell, he is too well trained for that… but then there was no one there.

“Hey, you woman.” A female voice rang behind her. Pixal turned around to meet sea-blue eyes. “Why did you try to assassinate my friend?”

Pixal notched another arrow and let it fly. Nya dropped low into a sprint, the arrow slicing past her cheek as she closed the distance. With a yell, Nya leapt up onto the ledge and drove a boot into Pixal’s side. The force sent Pixal tumbling off the roof with a gasp.

She hit the ground hard, the impact knocking the breath from her lungs.

Before Pixal could scramble up, Nya already dropped from the balcony and swung her spear down, its wooden handle pressing tight against Pixal’s throat.

“Not so fast,” Nya hissed, leaning in as Pixal struggled beneath her.

“Um guys…” Cole said, staring at Nya fighting. “Shouldn’t we help her too?”

“We got bigger problems back here!” Kai yelled trying to fight Zane off. 

“Me and Kai will fight the pale guy off, you help Nya.” Cole instructed before running towards Kai, using his scythe to create a space between Zane and Kai.

Before Jay could even reach Nya, Pixal kicked her off, making Nya fall unto Jay which in turn caused them both to fall on the ground.

“Nya! Are you okay?” Jay asked, very concerned.

‘I AM ON HIS LAP–’

“Oh yes,” Nya quickly got up. “I am very much okay—” From her peripheral vision, she saw Pixal running towards her, a sword up in the air. Nya used her spear to make a blockade between them. “Jay! We need a plan!”

"You are asking ME for a plan?"

“Hey, dude, I know you are very angry at us and you want to kill us.” Cole began, trying to use a conversation to distract Zane from actually killing Kai. “But could we know why?”

“Because you are Iron Loyalty. And we kill the Iron Loyalty.” Zane replied, finally pushing Kai off.

“That’s stupid,” Kai groaned as he got up. “We joined Iron Loyalty recently and did nothing against you.”

“You infiltrated Pythor’s mansion, and then you killed King Vangelis, one of the core members of Ashborn.”

“He did.” Kai pointed at Cole who clearly got offended by the accusation. “So basically, you are only killing us because someone told you to?”

“We call that, being a pussy.” Cole smirked as he helped Kai. "You can't make decisions of your own."

“What?”

“At least you are dating that chick while you live this miserable life of killing others.” Kai blazed, clearly proud of his conclusion.

“I am not dating Pixal.”

Silence.

“You clearly have a thing for her,” Kai said as he inched closer to Zane. “You have a crush on her, don’t you?”

“Oho, someone’s in love.” Cole teased, taking another step forward. “We are men, we can understand your feelings.”

“I am not…” More than anything, Zane was confused, perplexed. First off, why are there two random teenagers forcing him to admit something he isn't very sure of? And why is it working? He looked at Pixal, who was fighting Nya and Jay off, her eyes glowing under the sun and her hair flowing in the most serene way possible.

Did he always have a thing for her?

“I think we broke him,” Cole whispered to Kai, who nodded in return.

‘I am not supposed to feel emotions, I am not supposed to feel this.’ Zane’s heart started to beat faster by the second. ‘Borg won’t let me… won’t let us. We have already failed this mission, and if we return home now… we might not come back alive.’

‘I want Pixal alive. I want Pixal to be by my side. I want Pixal to…’

'It's unfair... we will never get what we want... I will never...' Tears started to trail down his cheek, causing Kai and Cole to glance at each other. “Uh, you okay?” Cole asked worriedly. 

“I am not supposed to feel like this,” Zane muttered under his breath. “This is wrong…”

“It’s not,” Cole stated, his voice firm. “You have feelings and you are allowed to express them. Whatever the Ashborn has taught you is wrong, inhuman.”

“But then why do I feel angry? What am I so angry about?”

“Because you were treated unfairly,” Kai said, his voice affirmative. “And you should feel angry about it, you should feel angry about everything that had happened.”

Pixal used her bow, the arrow slashing against Nya's cheek. She spotted Zane, talking to Kai and Cole and looking very... vulnerable. She had never seen him express an emotion like this before, never seen his face twist like that. Something was wrong. “Zane!” She yelled. “They are trying to manipulate you!”

Zane broke out of his thoughts as he looked at his colleague. “Pixal, we need to stop.”

Pixal stopped fighting, surprising the other two. She lowered her weapon and charged at Zane, her face filled with complete rage. “Stop fighting!? Do you not compute how stupid that is?”

“They have done nothing to us.” Zane replied. “We are only fulfilling orders.”

“Which my father gave!” Pixal yelled. “And you know what happens when we go back and he finds out we disobeyed him?”

“Then I guess I am never coming back.”

That one sentence broke something in her, she forgot how to breath, how to reply, and how to react. She had never expected Zane to say those words so casually. No… It’s her greatest enemy at the play now, clutching her heart right now. Emotions. “Zane,” she called, her voice sharp like an order, “no hesitations.”

He glanced at her, fists clenching. “I can’t hesitate. I know. But… why do my hands feel so heavy?”

“You have killed many people before! How is this any different?” Pixal asked, a part of her knew that answer, but she wanted Zane to be stupid about it. Very stupid about it.

“Because they are just like us.” Zane aired, his eyes filling up again. “I don’t want to do what Borg tells me to do… I want to do what I wish to do…” His hand stretched out to Pixal. “With you.”

Emotions… they are indeed your greatest enemy.

Pixal took a deep breath before she had her poker face out. “Relearn where your loyalties lie, Zane Julian. I don’t want to be associated with someone who can’t decide who he is.” She avowed, pulling smoke bombs out of her pockets.

“Pixal, wait—”

She threw them onto the ground, creating an ominous smoke that wrapped everyone on the field, leaving fits of coughing in the air. Zane flanked his air around to get a clear look, but felt disappointed as Pixal was nowhere to be seen.

And just for an instant, Zane felt the weight of every shuriken he’d ever thrown. Every order he’d followed. Every scream he’d ignored.

He covered his face, clearly not wanting anyone to see him like this.

“Uh… pale guy, you good?” Jay asked, concern etched in his voice.

“Clearly not,” Zane turned around to face the rest of the team. “I just turned against a group I worked for ever since I was five. I have just put myself in danger, and I have no other place to be! Does that sound good to you?”

“Uh…”

“No…”

“Nope…”

“And you two!” He pointed his shuriken at Cole and Kai. “You two manipulated me to leave my partner.”

“Hey! It’s not our fault you have a crush on your partner!” Kai yelled. 

“Enough.” Wu said calmly as he entered the field, making Zane drop his shuriken and stare at the older man in shock. 

“You are the legendary… Sir Wu.”

Wu chuckled as he walked towards Zane. “I get that sometimes. But you do realise you won’t gain anything by lashing out at my students.”

Zane thought for a moment before he nodded.

“Oh wow, he just agreed to Sir Wu quickly,” Jay said, folding his hands.

“Sir Wu is a very powerful man; he has all my respect, while you five… You still have to gain it.”

“Am I the only one who is starting to hate him?” Nya asked the group.

“We all are.”

Wu just sighed and looked back at Zane “If you are worried about where you can stay, the monastery is always open to you…”

“You don't understand. They will come for me. They will kill me. I am not safe anywhere."

"You don't have to worry about that, my team will always be by your side." Wu rubbed the other's back in soothing circles, calming him down. “And I want you to feel like you belong here… with them.”

“That’s a difficult task.” Zane deadpanned at the group. “I was never taught to communicate with anyone but my partner. And with the way I am showcase my emotions, it’s not what other people want.”

“You are self-aware, and that’s a good start.”

“But how will I feel like I belong here?” Zane compassed his arm around the monastery. “How can someone like me ever belong… anywhere?”

“How about you join the Iron Loyalty first?”

Chapter Text

“Hot steamed momos coming right up!” Cole grinned as he brought in the bamboo basket and set it on the dining table. “Now that Zane’s my cooking buddy, everything’s faster.”

“And better!” Jay added, stuffing a momo into his mouth, only to instantly spit it out. “HOT! HOT!”

“Hey, don’t insult my cooking,” Cole said, sitting down beside him. “You should try Geo’s cooking. It’s horrible… though he is improving.”

Zane entered just then, carrying a pot so massive it could probably fit a grown man. Everyone stared at it in stunned silence.

“Why is it so big?” Kai whispered.

“I present to you,” Zane announced, “fried rice. It has balanced carbohydrates, protein, fat, fibre, vitamins, and minerals. Ideal for everyone's dietary needs.”

“Thanks, Zane,” Nya said with a smile. “You really do cook a lot.”

“Yes. Mr. Borg taught me to live independently, so I have learned to cook every known dish in existence.”

Everyone fell silent. The kind of silence where you can hear everyone collectively thinking, Okay, that’s insane.

Cole cleared his throat. “Uh… Sir Wu, can I ask you something?”

“What is it, Cole?”

“Well, I was… literally under a rock for a while, so I don’t know much about the Ashborn. Thought it’d be nice to get a full picture.”

Wu exchanged a look with Zane, then nodded slowly. “I suppose it’s time you all knew… As you know,” Wu began, “we’re mercenaries. No loyalties, just coin. But the Ashborn… they aren’t like us. They want power, domination, to take over Ninjago and plunge it into chaos.”

“But why?” Kai asked.

Wu sipped his tea before answering. “Power. Everyone wants it, you, me, even the neighbour’s kid. But there’s a limit to how much power a person should have. And he… he wants to cross it.”

“Perhaps we could explain together,” Zane offered. “You speak from history. I’ll speak from current intel.”

“Agreed.” Wu nodded. “The Ashborn Council has eight members. First — the Overlord, their leader.”

“He’s old now,” Zane said, “and currently choosing an heir.”

“Then there’s Pythor P. Chumsworth, his most loyal henchman.”

“So he’s the heir?” Cole asked, arms crossed.

“He’s too old for that,” Wu replied. “You want an heir? Pick someone young. Someone moldable.”

“Pythor is rich,” Zane added. “He owns most of the oil in the South.”

“And as slippery as a snake,” Wu said dryly. “Next is Chen. His noodle business funds a personal torture chamber.”

“Charming,” Kai muttered.

“Then Kalmaar,” Zane continued. “Prince of the Merlopians. He’s been trying to overthrow his father and declare himself a dictator.”

“I heard that failed… again,” Wu added with a smirk.

“Aspheera,” Zane said, which made Wu’s expression shift.

“I know her,” Wu said quietly. Everyone turned to him. “She was once my friend. An honorary member of the Iron Loyalty. But Ashborn offered her more.”

“Oof. Classic betrayal,” Jay whispered, giving Cole a look.

“Nadakhan,” Zane went on. “Famous pirate. Uses his ship to smuggle people from Ninjago to the Dark Island. Most of the people who had gone into his ship had never come back.”

“Is there anyone else?” Nya asked.

“Yes. Morro. A master of stealth. Handles their… dirtier tasks.” Zane hesitated, looking at Wu. Wu gave a slow nod. “Morro is… Sir Wu’s adopted son.”

“YOU HAD A SON?!” everyone yelled, except Zane.

“Yes,” Wu said. “I found him as an orphan and raised him. Trained him with the Iron Loyalty. But it wasn’t enough. He needed more for his potential. Something darker.”

“So he chose Ashborn,” Jay said, finishing the thought.

Wu gave a small, sad smile. “I do have a glimmer of hope that he will return, after all, he still hasn’t changed his last name.” The mood went soft for a second. Then suddenly, “That’s all the main members,” Wu said. “Now—”

“There’s one more,” Zane cut in.

Wu blinked. “Overlord, Pythor, Morro, Chen, Nadakhan, Aspheera, Kalmaar… You mean Vangelis? He’s gone. He doesn’t matter anymore.”

“Not him,” Zane said. “I’m talking about Hara.”

“Hara?” Wu raised a brow. “Who?”

“He’s a child,” Zane explained. “Taken in by the Overlord. Trained in secret to become the next… Overlord.”

Everyone stared in stunned silence.

“A child?” Cole finally said. “He’s training a kid to take his place? How low can this guy go?”

“Why haven’t I heard of this?” Wu asked, his brows furrowed as he turned to Zane.

“It’s been a long time since you dealt directly with the Ashborn,” Zane replied calmly. “A lot has changed. I’ve only met the kid once, and even then, he was a menace. They call him their ‘distraction point,’ sometimes even their sacrificial pawn.”

“But… he’s a kid ,” Nya exclaimed, rising from her seat. “How can they involve someone so young?”

“You’re right,” Zane said softly. “But in the Ashborn’s eyes, potential matters more than morality. And this kid? He’s already sworn to wipe out the Iron Loyalty.”

A heavy silence fell over the table. The warmth of lunch was forgotten, replaced with the chill of uneasy thoughts. Wu looked into his tea, as though hoping for answers in its ripples. “Finish your food,” he said quietly. “Then back to the field. Six hours of drills.”

But just before anyone could move, Cole’s voice cut through the silence. “What happened to your brother, Sir Wu?”

Everyone froze.

It was the question that had lingered in the air for weeks. Everyone feared asking a question so deep and painful. Wu looked up slowly. There was no anger in his expression. Just grief… aged and settled into the corners of his eyes. “…He was taken,” Wu said after a pause. “By Nadakhan. To the Dark Island. And he never came back.”

⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪

Rain lashed the cliffs in silver streaks. Thunder rolled overhead like a war drum, and lightning tore the sky apart in jagged lines. Wu stood on a stone, his golden staff clashing against Chen’s blade.

“You’re losing your grip, Wu,” Chen grunted as he spun low, trying to sweep Wu’s legs.

“You’re losing your soul,” Wu countered, deflecting the blade and shoving him back with a forceful palm. “Where is my brother, and what have you done with him?!”

“Oh, he is fine,” Chen gave a wicked smile. “He just wants to be an Ashborn—”

“You have poisoned his mind!”

“Why would you think that now?” Chen said as he used his blade to strike Wu on his side.. “We only showed him the truth!”

Then suddenly— BOOM .

A flash of smoke erupted behind Chen. From it stepped Nadakhan, grinning with his usual cruel charm. “Forgive the interruption, gents. But we need to leave, the ship is about to sail, Chen.”

Wu moved instantly, lunging forward, but Chen used chains to drag Wu back, tying him completely. “It’s a business matter, you can’t come with us.”

“Chen!” Wu yelled. “You tell me where my brother is—” Wu’s words caught in his throat as the smoke completely evaporated into the air, revealing an unconscious man on Nadakhan’s arm. 

“ GARMADON! ” Wu shouted, his voice drowned in the rain. 

From head to toe, he was bleeding, his face was bluish-black, and his arms were twisted inhumanly. Hid legs were scraped with metal pipes as still was plunged out of it. It was obvious that everyone from Ashborn ganged up on him to take him down miserably. 

“Wu—” was the last thing Garmadon said before disappearing into the shadows with the other two.

The chains loosened as Wu rushed forward, slashing through the dissipating smoke with his staff, but he wasn’t there anymore.

All that remained was silence… and the rain.

⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪

Back in the present, no one said a word. Wu looked down at his tea again, but his mind was still on that cliff. And in the quiet, he finally added, “Let that be a warning. The Ashborn don’t just take your lives. They take your purpose.”

“You lost one of your best subjects to the Iron Loyalty.” The Overlord moved his pawn forward without looking up. “I thought Zane Julian was loyal to you.”

Cyrus Borg leaned back in his wheelchair, chuckling as he shifted another piece. “Well, when your options are candy or eighteen years of torture, which one would you pick?”

“If you teach the child that candy is poison, they’ll choose torture,” the Overlord responded flatly.

“But if you let the child taste the candy just once, they’ll never look back,” Borg said with a grin.

The Overlord paused for a moment, then slowly moved his bishop. “So why did you let him taste it, Borg?”

“You think I had a choice?” Borg muttered. “He slipped past me the moment he saw a crack in the cage.”

The Overlord responded by nudging his queen across the board. “Checkmate.” He sat back with a sigh. “It was foolish not to go with them.”

“Right, because rolling a wheelchair through a roof makes for the perfect action scene,” Borg snorted. “Do you know how impossible it is to get to a rooftop without ramps?”

The Overlord merely stared at him, unimpressed.

Suddenly, the door flew open, crashing into the wall.

“OVERLORD!” A loud voice rang out as a blonde child with too-bright green eyes stormed into the room, fists clenched and vibrating with excitement.

The Overlord exhaled deeply, already regretting everything. “Lloyd,” he said, voice clipped, “I thought you were still in training.”

“I am , but I’m ready. Give me my mission!” Lloyd declared, practically bouncing in place.

Trailing behind him was Morro, arms crossed and very much over this situation. “There’s only so much you can lock him in one room,” he muttered. “He broke three windows trying to escape this morning.”

Borg turned his head slightly. “Still bitter about the past, Morro?”

“You failed a mission,” Morro said, narrowing his eyes. “In Ashborn, that means exile.”

“I’m too valuable for exile,” Borg smirked. “Overlord couldn’t run this operation without my tech.”

“OVERLORD!” Lloyd yelled again, stomping over to the chess table and slamming his palms onto it. “Give. Me. My. Mission!”

“I told you already,” Overlord said, voice dropping lower, “you’re not ready.”

“Yes, I am! I’ve trained, I’ve read all the war logs, I even beat Morro in a—”

“You tried to beat me,” Morro corrected, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

“I CAN FIGHT!” Lloyd suddenly yelled, twisting around and attempting to punch Morro. The other easily caught his wrist and pinned it behind his back with one hand.

“OW—HEY! LET GO! LET ME GO! I WANT A MISSION!”

The Overlord slammed his palm on the table. “Enough!”

Everyone froze. Lloyd’s mouth was still half-open.

“You are not ready,” the Overlord said slowly, voice like ice. “And if you scream in my presence again, I will make sure your next training chamber has no doors or windows.”

Lloyd gritted his teeth, tears threatening to sting his eyes.

The Overlord then changed his gaze silently toward Morro, just one look. Morro understood immediately. With an arm around Lloyd’s shoulders, he began dragging him toward the exit. “Come on, let’s go throw knives at the practice dummies again.”

“I hate practice dummies!” Lloyd shouted, squirming in his grip. “They don’t fight back!”

“That’s the point , genius.”

Borg chuckled from behind the chessboard. “Kids these days. So loud.”

“I am not a kid,” Morro muttered as he closed the door behind them, muffling Lloyd’s next round of complaints.

The Overlord rubbed his temples in silence.

“…So.” Borg leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Why him , Overlord? Why is Lloyd your chosen heir?”

“Because he’s special.”

Borg scoffed. “That’s not an answer. You plucked him off the streets as a baby, and suddenly he’s your golden boy? Meanwhile, I’ve been at your side for years, doing your dirty work, no ‘special’ treatment there. You never even let him touch the danger you throw the rest of us into.”

The Overlord’s gaze didn’t flinch. “He’s not just some lost orphan.”

“Then what is he?”

“He’s Garmadon’s son.”

Borg blinked, stunned into silence.

“He is our key,” the Overlord continued, voice low. “Our sword pointed at Wu’s throat. That boy is more than blood, he’s a leverage, legacy, and a living reminder of the man the Iron Loyalty lost.”

Borg fell back in his seat at that, the smugness fading slightly from his face. “…You’re kidding.”

“I never kid,” the Overlord replied flatly, staring at the chessboard like it no longer mattered.

Borg blinked, then slowly leaned forward again, studying him. “You’re telling me that brat who is screaming and flailing is Garmadon’s blood? How did you even find him?”

“He was left in a basket near Nadakhan’s ship.” Overlord’s fingers steepled under his chin. “The message on it was meant for Wu. But Pythor intercepted it.”

Borg exhaled a slow laugh. “You are cruel .”

“I am strategic,” the Overlord replied.

“Did you finish your homework?” Morro asked, arms crossed as he leaned against the balcony railing.

Lloyd didn’t even turn to look at him. “Why do you care?” he mumbled, sucking on a neon green lollipop.

“Because I’m your legal guardian and I’d rather not have your teachers calling me again ,” Morro said flatly.

Lloyd gazed out over the city. The sun was dipping low, painting everything gold. Down below, kids his age were running home, laughing, shouting… boring. They’d never know how awesome it was to be part of Ashborn.

“My history teacher died,” he said casually.

“What?!” Morro straightened. “How!?”

“I killed him.” Lloyd finally turned, lollipop stick bobbing from his mouth as if he’d just mentioned the weather. “He was a spy. Found out who I really was. So… I took care of it.”

Morro stared, completely still.

“Don’t worry!” Lloyd added quickly, grinning. “I buried him somewhere really remote. Like, no-one-is-finding-him level remote.”

Morro blinked. Once. Twice.

He needed a moment. But no… he had to say something .

“Lloyd… what the actual fuck!?”