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robobirdie · 1 year

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Chapter 39: A Dark Encounter

The hatch led into a cellar where the serpentine had created a tunnel in the one wall. They closed the hatch behind them locking it and took the ninja down the tunnel. It led into a large cavern filled with strange glowing mushrooms, plants and mineral structures which the ninja recognised from the museum in Balmora as having come from the place known as Blackreach in the Lost Realm. There were many of the serpentine from both Ninjago and the Lost Realm there along with more of these Mire-lions which they had read the serpentine in the Lost realm liked to keep as pets, like scaly four eyed croc dogs. The Kaguars they had been using had been put in a crudely made pen and fed some vegetation and fungi in this cavern. The cavern held several Scimitar Structures which looked to be in bad shape with partially collapsed roofs, crumbling walls and damaged pipes but the serpentine were fine with using them for shelter reinforcing areas with wood and scraps of metal. Oddly there were no signs of Scimitar Constructs anywhere near the ruins not even remains of scimitar constructs indicating either these places had been abandoned long ago or something had happened to the constructs before the serpentine arrived. The serpentine had small fires spread around for serpentine to shelter near.

“We had been wandering up there for some time till these foreign serpentine found us and brought us here. We had intended to leave our young and injured at Ouroborus to keep them safe but when we got there the place was crawling with these horrid monsters from other realms. We were left no choice but to keep wandering in hopes to find safety somewhere but everywhere we went we found nothing but monsters, corruption and nightmares. If it wasn’t for these serpentine from a sister realm who showed us this safe haven beneath the ground we likely would have fallen victim to those things up there,” Skales explained as the group took the ninja to a large fire they seemed to have positioned in the center of their little settlement.

“You’re lucky that strange half metal creature found us or those things would have gotten you. Please come sit down,” Skales invited them over to the fire as he went over to his son who was sitting by the fire with a few other young serpentine.

“Thank you I guess,” Cole mentioned as they sat down and Zane inquired, “These are Scimitar ruins. Where are the constructs that call them home?”

“There were none, according to the foreign serpentine these ruins are from a small ancient settlement that was abandoned long ago and no constructs were left making them safe for us to shelter in,” Skales explained and Lloyd inquired, “What are you guys doing all the way out here? We thought you might try to wait it out beneath Ninjago City?”

“Haven’t you seen it out there? Nowhere is safe especially that place!” Skales regaled.

“We’ve been in a different realm for a while we just got back,” Kai mentioned.

“You’ve missed a lot then. You do not want to see what the city has become. A strange giant tower of near impenetrable white stone surrounded by walls in rings of this stone around it sit at the heart of the capital with everything beneath it even our home has been fused with strange stone and metal structures dominated by crazed droids and metal contraptions that attack everything they see. Strange beasts and monsters along with these monstrous beings with burning skin patrol what remains of the city and the surrounding areas corrupting everything they see and touch while that demon Dagon resides as ruler over it all with his pet a monster of a dragon the living extinction known as Nidgrumndir which patrols the area for his master destroying anything that wishes to challenge this demon. The place has come to look like something from a nightmare; we barely escaped. These beings we thought were you were there. They’re working for that thing. They tried to tear us apart acting like savages and using their powers for dark purposes. We barely made it out of the city. Sadly most of us were not very fortunate, those monstrous beings got many of us and turned them into their slaves,” Skales explained and Skales jr cried as Skales tried to comfort him, “they got mother.”

“Everywhere you go things are in turmoil and being corrupted. Monsters of all kinds some more nightmarish than others and those burning skinned Ashers roam about everywhere taking over wherever they go,” Skales stated.

“Well hopefully we can stop it. We found something that can put an end to all this, we’re just going to need some help to reach that demon,” Lloyd explained and a deep gruff voice stated, “then you better hurry before the melds energies consume everything and turn us all into soul shriven like many of the others.” A strange serpentine they didn’t recognise came slithering up to the fire. He resembled a short necked python and his scales looked to have once been a greyish color but had paled to an off white. His eyes were clouded and white indicating he was blind. On his shoulders rested a species of winged snake from the Lost Realm known as an Ashen Hist-Python, he held a simple staff and a large Mire-lion hung by his side like a seeing eye dog.

“Who are you?” Cole inquired as the serpentine came to rest across from them at the fire.

“I was once the leader of my people the Ash-pyres. We lived peacefully in the wastes until the Ashers got involved. They spouted lies to my tribe and the other tribes of the serpentine in my world. They told us if we didn’t take out the common folk then they would turn on us and destroy us. The other tribes were fooled driven by the fear the Ashers spouted and started the reptilian wars. My people did not listen. We saw through their lies and so became a threat to the Ashers. Those beings could not have that. They captured all my people. Because of the war no one cared and no one came to our aid. Those monsters did terrible things to us things to nightmarish to regale. We slaved for them for many years till I was the last one. Years under the energy of their corruption blinded me and paled my scales. I thought I would perish there but then an attack by the Black Stag gave me the chance to escape and be free. His metal folk rescued me and several others and took us to safety. After so many years under the Ashers cruelty I can no longer remember my name. Everyone just calls me Pale-snake,” the serpentine replied. His story was sad and they all felt bad for him, all the serpentine seemed to give him a great deal of respect.

“You’re the one DJ talked about, the one they rescued,” Jay commented.

“DJ, I remember that highly talkative metal hyena man; it is from him I take my name in honour for the freedom they gave me,” Pale-snake expressed stroking his Hist-Python.

“What do you mean we have to hurry?” Cole inquired.

“Because as the breach nears completion its energies of corruption get stronger, things have already fallen to its corruption. You have likely seen it. The changes it has done to all forms of life and the world. Soul Shriven is what we call all beings that have been affected. These beings live in such a tortured state they wish they were dead. In time they will be destroyed as the melded realm that demon has made sinks into the void and becomes consumed by the void. Your powers slow the corruptions hold on you but once the breach is complete your powers will not save you and you will not get the peaceful end of the soul shriven. Because of your powers by the will of the void you will become one with it; monsters of its being to serve it as it sees fit. There will be no way to reverse or undo all that has been done. The world will be over and it will be up to the will of the void to decide if and when the world will be reborn but when it is nothing will be the same,” Pale-snake noted pointing at them. They were confused. They looked at themselves to see what he was talking about but couldn’t see anything. Looking at the serpentine around them they noted most had started to develop grey patches to their skin and parts of their clothes had paled as well. Misako was also starting to show signs of the breaches energies but the ninja showed no signs. What he was saying did not make them feel good.

“We got what we need though to stop all this. We’re going to get some of our friends then we’re going to take the fight back to Dagon and stop all this,” Lloyd proclaimed.

“I would not take too long. The Void Breach is nearing completion. When Dagons corruption is complete there will be no hope. Because you have tried to go against him he will punish you severely. He will turn you into his monsters to serve him and suffer for all of time; demons of darkness and destruction,” Pale-snake expressed as Pelagius came crawling up to them to rest by the fire. Pale-snakes words were unnerving to the ninja and struck at their confidence.

“The daemons are gone, turned to ash,” Pelagius proclaimed and Pale-snake expressed, “Good.”

“It shouldn’t take us long to get the others, when we find them will you come with us and help us defeat Dagon? If what others are saying is true we’re probably going to need it,” Cole asked and the serpentine looked worried. For about a minute no one talked and it seemed the serpentine were not going to offer aid.

“We lost many just trying to get out of the city,” Skales noted sounding like he was going to refuse to offer aid holding his son close to himself.

“I might not be able to see anymore but I will offer what I can, as for the others I cannot speak for them. It is a decision they must make themselves,” Pale-snake expressed.

“Will you help us?” Kai asked Skales who looked worried. All the serpentine looked scared.

“We will have to talk it over, what you are asking is such a dangerous proposition. You haven’t been there; you haven’t seen what is waiting there, what those things have done. The darkness, the nightmares, the monsters, the chains… it’s worse than a living nightmare,” Skales replied and they had a sinking feeling the serpentine were going to back out and let them face the threat alone.

“Dagon has created a fortress around his throne where he delegates to his loyal Asher servants and deals out his cruelty upon all he and his servants desire. It will be no easy feat to reach him let alone deal with him. Why do you not get some rest you will need it, head for your friends and family tomorrow, we saved your Kagaurs for you to make travel easier. Get who you can to help. Let the others discuss what they need to, I am sure they will do the right thing. I will meet you at the city when you need it,” Pale-snake expressed before leaving, his Mire-lion following him.

When they had left in the morning the serpentine had not come to a decision. It was clear the attempt to escape the city as it was controlled by Dagon and his minions had scarred them all. The ninja followed Pale-snakes advice leaving to find the others. They only hoped that he was right and the serpentine came to the right decision before it was too late. From what they had heard and seen they were in for a serious fight ahead and they could all feel they had not fully recovered from breaking the Blight curse. They kept going though; they were running out of time before it would be too late to fix things so they did not wish to waste any time. It took them nearly all day to get close to where they were headed. As they got there they quickly became aware that things looked and felt off more than everywhere else they had been.

The area had become woodier looking like dry brush land with lots of cedars, junipers and yellowed tall grasses. Where the Caves of Despair once sat looked to have had a Scimitar ruin fused to the same spot. The same darkness to the environment affecting everywhere else was present here. The clouds in the sky however seemed to be more tinted and crossed with the strange veins than usual and if it wasn’t for the light fixtures on, in and around the ruins along with some glowing flora it would have been too dark for them to properly see anything. Pelagius stopped them before they got too close to the area sensing something and wanting to get a better look. He wanted to keep them safe in case there was something wrong. The ninja had to agree with him something felt bad about the area. It reminded them of what it felt like to be in the wastes and they didn’t want to get caught in a trap. They were not going to take any unnecessary risks; not now. The ninja got off the Kagaurs and came to huddle close together by a large wall of the Scimitar ruin for shelter as Pelagius went to investigate. The wall was part of what looked to have once been a watch tower. Another watch tower was several feet away from them. It looked like the towers bordered what had once been a gate or entrance for the ruins but the structure was mainly gone leaving the ruins of the towers behind. Foliage, debris and soil had built up on the ruins adding to its abandoned look. The ninja all felt cold and nervous as they looked around not daring to venture off. The place seemed oddly quite. Only a faint wind through the foliage along with the rumbling of distant thunder could be heard both of which sounded muffled.

“I don’t like the feeling here,” Nya noted and Cole added, “yha, why would they take refuge here with these feelings in the air. You okay Zane?” Zane was looking over the ruins around them looking very worried.

“Not used to being affected by the cold like this?” Kai teased.

“A little but it is more than that. This is a Scymr ruin, I am able to sense any construct nearby. There are some, all of them are giving readings that best match with the emotion of fear. A few are communicating to me. They tell me I should leave if I want to be safe,” Zane replied getting anxious.

“Why are they telling you that?” Lloyd inquired as Jay was alerted to what sounded like rocks falling down a hillside before some debris fell off the wall above them onto his shoulder. Looking up he was shocked to see a Mire-lion looking down at him snarling. More Mire-lions then rushed out of the brush and ruins around them to corner them against the wall. A few of the Mire-lions looked to have been corrupted by the Planes energy while the rest were normal. The creatures looked ready to attack. As the Mire-lions appeared the Kagaurs took off afraid of the predators who seemed highly focussed on the ninja and ignored their potential prey.

“Not these things,” Kai moaned remembering his tussle with the one outside Balmora.

“They’re just animals, we can take them. We just have to scare them off that shouldn’t take much effort,” Lloyd commented before someone expressed, “good you found them.” The Hyenoids Razak and Ed came out of the brush nearby giving some of the Mire-lions pets as they cautiously approached the ninja. As they approached the Mire-lions relaxed like obedient dogs.

“You two?! Here to take us back to your masters? What have you done with our family and friends?” Kai challenged.

“It is not what it seems. We are on your side. We in truth serve Sheoth not Dagon. Sorry about forgetting to tell you that the last we met but things were rushed then, they are still rushed now really,” Razak pleaded quietly keeping his voice low. The two seemed very anxious.

“Why should we trust you?” Cole questioned and Razak pleaded, “We showed you what to do, we gave you freedom. We tried to keep the others safe, we are sorry really. We lost contact with our sister a while back. She was giving us inside information of Asher and necromancer plans and movements so we could help navigate them away from danger. We lost her signal; it is not even showing up anymore. They probably terminated her.” The hyenoids seemed to be showing a great deal of emotion and seemed deeply upset over the possible loss of their sister. While most of the ninja were questioning how true these emotions possibly were Zane had no doubt the hyenoids were being true and felt for them but he was confused over what to do. Cole seemed to be the only other one thinking the hyenoids were being true and not trying to trick them. After their time with the hyenoids in Holamaya Cole had come to become less judging towards these robotic beings at first glance seeing they were not just machines. The others however seemed hesitant to trust the two droids.

“What are you talking about?” Lloyd inquired hesitant to trust the two droids and Razak begged, “Sheoth sent us to be the prisoners of those you left behind so we could help them. Over a week ago though we lost contact with our sister who stayed behind with the necromancers to relay information for us then the Ashers attacked. They got everyone. The constructs helped us escape their attack so we could warn you before it is too late. You have to get out of here; the Ashers have set a trap to get you.” A commotion from nearby caught their attention. It sounded like Pelagius was in a fight. They could hear his attacks and him cursing and yelling in the Scimitar language. Zane was the only one who understood what he was saying but the others wouldn’t let him explain too focused on questioning the hyenoids. Pelagius was mad at Ashers for being present at the sight, for harming some of his fellow constructs and for their missing loved ones.

“Why should we trust you?” Kai questioned getting riled up by Pelagius’ fighting. The sound of the fighting was riling the others up. Cole felt riled up by the sound of the fighting but he was trying to remain calm to think reasonably about the situation. He could see Zane was starting to get anxious from the others not listening to him and the others were too riled up to think reasonably about the situation. Even the Mire-lions seemed to start getting anxious.

“Please we are just trying to help,” Razak pleaded getting more anxious.

“Do you know where they took everyone?” Cole inquired trying to stay calm and Razak croaked, “we do not know. Please…” The Mire-lions suddenly took off and the hyenoids began looking around frantically. The ninja along with Razak and Ed then felt an unseen and dark force wrap around their wrists pulling their hands behind themselves before pushing them onto their knees. They tried their hardest to fight this force but were getting nowhere.

“This energy…” Nya began and Cole finished, “it’s the same as in the Under-city when we were almost turned into Ash Slaves!” They were all terrified as they looked around for what was holding them. Ashers began to creep up to them out of the shadows from all around. They were very pleased with themselves. An Asher Sorcerer was among them holding its one hand towards them as it cast the spell that was restraining them. The Ashers began laughing at the ninja as they put cuffs of cursed stone on their wrists. The ninja continued to try and fight but the cursed stone prevented them from using their powers and the spell the sorcerer was using made it too hard for them to even just equip their weapons.

“We tried to warn you,” Razak groined looking at the floor as he, Ed and Misako were pulled aside and tied together with chains. Both the hyenoids looked defeated while Misako was worried. The ninja tried to fight back but it was of little use and finally gave in seeing they were doing nothing but wasting energy and hurting themselves. They knelt down as an Asher stood behind each of them holding them down feeling lost, heartbroken and defeated.

“So predictable those like you are; let your compassion lead you straight into a trap. Had to come for your loved ones to make sure they were safe, afraid to leave them to their fate,” the one Asher boasted as the sorcerer stopped its spell.

“What did you do to them? Where did you take them?” Lloyd demanded feeling broken.

“Oh don’t worry you’ll get to see them one last time before you meet your fate. Endus has a special treat for you six,” the Asher proclaimed.

The ninja were taken to Kryptarium prison along with the Hyenoids, Misako and Pelagius who had been taken out by the Ashers despite how hard he had tried fighting. The area around Kryptarium while still a desert had darkened; the sand and rock had greyed and dark often large and sharp rocks that were tainted with void energies were thrust up from the ground in many places. Dead looking shrubs or grasses and even a few dead bleached and bark-less trees could be seen every now and then. Dark off colored storm clouds covered the sky with unnatural colored lightening striking the ground in some areas now and then. In some areas sulphuric pools had formed staining the darkened ground around them with sulphur and dark corrupted plants and fungi grew near these pools or on the dead foliage. The Bounty had been parked outside the prison leaning on its one side against a large ridge made of the corrupted stones and was chained down. Void tainted Skeevers were crawling over it squabbling for scraps the Ashers were throwing on it for the creatures enjoying their fighting while Corpse-birds perched on the rigging and masts swooping down every now and then to grab some of the snacks or even one of the Skeevers to feed on. The ninja were disgusted with how the Ashers were treating the Bounty. The Ashers had turned Kryptarium into a fortress to contain prisoners. Above it a chunk of darkened land with dead vegetation floated high above the tower held in place by dark anchors which were lodged in the prisons outer walls and the ground outside; their chains attracting lighting every now and then. Dark vines like the ones they had seen in the tunnel leading to the Ashers stronghold grew up the walls and the blood grass grew on the grounds outside. The prisoners who were normally there were still there but were now joined by innocent people who were not originally prisoners; people from Ninjago, Knighton and the Lost Realm were all locked up in the prison. Some of the people in the prison looked to have come from realms outside Ninjago, Knighton and the Lost Realm revealing the great extent Dagons reach was getting. Even creatures, Scimitar Constructs and robots had been locked up. The Ashers didn’t seem to care who was stuck with who. They put regular folk in with prisoners; creatures and constructs in with people who were often scared by their non human roommates who were equally not happy to be sharing quarters with humans. The Ashers just seemed to like shoving the wrong kinds of beings together to create discomfort and trouble. The cells were filled far more than they should have been. Most of those in the cells showed signs of tainting and even full corruption by the voids energies and many of the people were dressed in ragged robes. Everyone in the cells looked upset and for many when they saw the ninja had been captured it seemed to worsen their moods making them feel hopeless and defeated. Ashers, their bone constructs, Vulcaroths, Necromancers who were showing signs that they were being turned into Ashers and other beings and monsters aligned with the Ashers were guarding the place and terrorizing the prisoners while monsters like Vesparilions, Serpent Flies and corrupted creatures like meld mutated Venom-fangs and Skeevers were hanging around in various places occasionally attacking or harassing prisoners some of the demons even feeding off the prisoners. People who had already turned into the mindless husks of the soul shriven were wandering around outside the cells slowly toiling for the Ashers oblivious to everything around them.

“What have you done to these people?” Lloyd inquired as the ninja were dragged through the place. The ninja were terribly upset, felt defeated and disturbed by what they were seeing and felt utterly hopeless. They had come so far getting what they needed and breaking a deadly curse now it was all for nothing. The Ashers had stripped them of their weapons, personal items and clothes the moment they were taken into the prison and put them in worn pale rags. They had cuffs on both their wrists and ankles made of cursed stone so they could not use their powers and it felt like the cuffs might also have been enchanted to drain their strength and energy giving them less of a will to fight. They would need a miracle to save them now.

“They will become the Soul Shriven, slaves for our use and pleasure. Many thought they could escape, hide from or fight us. Now they will see what their stubbornness and beliefs will get them,” the necromancer Onca who was leading them boasted. By her looks it appeared she was turning into an Asher.

“What are you going to do to us?” Jay shuddered. They were all shaking from a mix of fear and the unnatural cold of the environment. As they walked through the cells they scanned them looking for friends and family. They were dreading what these beings had done to their loved ones.

“We are going to make you regret all you have done. Razak and Ed will be terminated and scrapped like we did to their sister the betraying scum they are. As for the rest of you we will put you through great torment as you serve our lord as demons of the void,” Onca proclaimed as they shoved a terrified and deeply upset Razak and Ed into a random cell with a family from Knighton before taking the rest of them to a cell block that was not as full as the others. In those cells were their friends and families. All looked defeated, had been put into rags and most showed signs of the soul shriven effect the meld was creating. Skylor, Wu, and Nya and Kais parents, Coles father, Seliel, Pixal and Jays parents also wore venge stone cuffs. When they saw the ninja the realisation that all hope was lost hit them and they were clearly upset. The cells were bare, not even blankets to keep warm with and the bars of them had been made with venge stone to further block anyone’s powers. The Ashers were clearly not taking any risks with anyone.

“Don’t worry; we’ll let you all have something nice before your torment. Enjoy the company of your loved ones for one more night. Tomorrow Endus will make you all pay,” Onca boasted as they were thrown into the cells with their loved ones. Kai, Nya and Jay were thrown into a cell that held both their parents and Skylor. Zane and Cole were put into a cell with Pixal, the robotic Raven, Coles father, Seliel and her father. Lloyd and Misako were thrown into a cell with Wu where they were joined by Pelagius who had been muzzled and had a cursed stone collar put on. Pelagius came to lay curled up next to Wu clearly upset with his failure. When they were thrown into the cells the ninja wasted no time in rushing over to give their loved ones a hug and seek their comfort.

“We tried to fight them but there was too many of them,” Pixal explained as she and Zane hugged and Zane comforted, “so did we but they got the upper hand.”

“I should have told you before we left how much you meant to me. In that realm I was so worried I wouldn’t get the chance to. I love you,” Cole expressed as he hugged Seliel feeling like he didn’t want to let her go. He had worried the whole time they were gone that he wouldn’t get to tell her how he felt. Now that they were together he wanted to make sure he said what he wanted to say before it was too late.

“I had a feeling you did, it’s nice to hear you say it,” Seliel responded hugging him back.

“I’m sorry uncle, we tried. We had what we needed and we were coming to get you but they ambushed us; maybe if we weren’t weak from breaking the curse…” Lloyd started to explain to Wu trying to fight back tears as the feeling of defeat overwhelmed him while his mother comforted him.

“At least you tried; it would seem it was not meant to be. The forces of darkness were too much this time… did you say breaking the curse?” Wu expressed trying to comfort his nephew.

“What curse? Are talking of this Blight curse?” Skylor wondered as she and Kai sat next to each other holding hands while Seliel commented, “it was so strange many of us had caught it then suddenly around a week ago it just disappeared; we’ve been thinking it was some trick by these foul Ashers.”

“Oh yha you wouldn’t know. Yha turned out this daemon known as the Black Stag who was really some mutated into a void monster emperor of a dead race named Nerevar who was actually cursed by these Ashers and the Oni was the reason for the curse,” Jay blurted. Confused but interested to hear more Wu inquired, “Black Stag? You mean this daemon of the wastes we have been told of?”

“In ways he was a daemon but that is because of what the Ashers did to him. They turned him into a being of darkness and cursed him and the realm when he refused to obey them,” Zane explained as he and Pixal sat together the Raven coming to sit on their laps.

“We had to use this stone that makes light by feeding off your energy to show him the light and reveal his true name to him to break the curse,” Cole added as he and Seliel came to sit next to their fathers holding each other’s hands. Cole didn’t want to let her go.

“Yha that nearly killed us, I guess it’s better than what the alternative was,” Kai added.

“What was that?” Jays father Ed inquired and Nya responded with, “to be turned into daemons for these monsters service by succumbing to the Blights curse.”

“What?!” Wu was surprised to hear of this fact. They all were surprised by it having not heard of it before.

“The Blight had a special effect on elemental masters to give the Ashers more power for their forces. For an elemental master when they succumbed to the Blight the condition would turn them into a daemon who would obey only the Ashers doing their every bidding. Similarly if they felt you were worthy enough you could also be turned into an Ash Ghoul by the curse. The Nexo Knight Aaron was having that happen before the Stag reversed part of the curse to give him more time during the attack in Balmora,” Misako explained.

“Were you guys cursed by this Blight as well?” Ray inquired and Jay began to ramble, “Yha those Ashers cursed us when they attacked us in the wastes. The Stag saved us but the Ashers still got to curse us, well the rest of us. They had cursed Zane when we first showed up in the town of Balmora but energies from this weird and a bit creepy fence plus this strange stone the head of the town guard gave us helped slow his curse down for a while. We didn’t realise he was cursed till we were in this cursed city when he started to show the markings we thought he had just been acting weird from the Stag. He was still further ahead than the rest of us though as we were trapped in this so called evil city which actually was quite pleasant despite the title of Forbidden City though yha its ruler the demon Stag was very nasty. His droid servants were actually quite nice though some were kinda scary. Zane was lucky; we all still had some time but he was inches away from going psycho attack nuts and starting to turn into a monster from the final stages before we stopped the curse…”

“We got past all that only to fail,” Lloyd moaned.

“At least we have each other now,” Nya expressed as she sat next to Jay holding hands while they sat next to their parents.

“Sounds like you guys went through a lot in this Lost Realm,” Coles father Lou expressed and Maya added, “we were worried for you all.”

“Yha there was a lot going on. The Stag, the people in this town most of which originally hated us, all these strange creatures and droids, our allies the Nexo Knights, the Ashers who wanted to turn us into monsters to serve them every chance they got…” Cole testified. Everyone had come to sit so they faced each other despite being locked up in different cells so they could talk to and see each other.

Since they had little else to do and everyone was curious the ninja began to regale to the others the events that had occurred to them in the Lost Realm while the others listened and asked questions. When their story was done the others regaled to them what had occurred after they left. They talked till late in the night. Regaling all they had gone through brought them some comfort and made them feel better. They continued to talk telling their stories till real late in the night. Even though they all dreaded what was going to came at some point they all managed to fall asleep dreading what the next day was to hold. None of them got a good night’s sleep.

In the morning the ninja were dragged into the center of the prison and forced to kneel in front of a platform that had been put around the central tower in the main cell block which though still standing had chunks broken out of it and dark vines like the ones they had seen in the tunnel leading to the Ashers stronghold growing up it. Their friends and family were brought out with them to watch before they were to be turned into soul shriven. Pelagius, the Raven and the hyenoids Razak and Ed were brought out as well. Everyone in the cells around them were watching worried; even most of the original prisoners who were still in the prison looked to be worried for the ninja as well. Many of them didn’t wish to join or live in a world dominated by these Ashers or their master. Around the outer wall of the room were various torture devices and some people and creatures that the Ashers had stuck in stockades or tied to posts for torture. Standing on the platform by the center of the area was an Asher Sorcerer who they guessed was this dreaded Dagoth Endus, said to be the most ancient, powerful and cruellest of the Ashers. He defiantly looked more ragged, worn and dark than the sorcerers they had seen before. Onca stood next to him and many Ashers had gathered around on the ground and walk ways to watch and cheer on Endus. An elephant sized Ash Crawler crouched next to the central tower.

“So this is it? What kind of dark twisted things do you think they will do to us?” Jay fretted as they were dragged out and forced to kneel in front of Endus.

“I don’t know and I don’t want to think about it… it would take a miracle to save us now,” Lloyd mumbled depressed by their failure. Ashers stood behind each of them holding a venge stone dagger to their backs to make sure they didn’t try anything. With a raise of his hand Endus silenced everyone around them before Onca addressed the crowd.

“These foul dragons thought they could deny our master and threaten his life now they will pay the price for their treachery. They will face decades of torture as they are turned into daemons to serve his majesty,” Onca declared and the Ashers cheered. Everyone else was deeply upset. While Onca talked and the Ashers cheered Cole thought he saw one of the Ancestor Wing creatures flying around the tower before it flew over to land on the outer wall near the Ash Crawler who showed no sign of seeing the creature. The creature kind of looked like the one he had seen in the vault but he brushed it off thinking it was just shadows playing tricks on him. He doubted one of those little creatures would be hanging around here.

As the crowd quieted down a muffled commotion could be heard elsewhere in the prison. Some of the Ashers laughed stating things like, “sounds like the fights are starting early today” and “sounds like the daily torments are off to a good start” as they laughed.

“Sounds like things are off to a good start today; why don’t we get started,” Onca boasted to Endus who didn’t show any emotion, at least none they could recognise from its horrid and grotesque face. Endus began to chant out a spell. The ninja just stared at the ground feeling to ashamed and down to look at anyone else while their friends and family could only hopelessly watch wanting to do something to stop what was going to happen but knowing there was nothing that could be done. While beginning the spell Endus suddenly paused for a second getting distracted by a sudden change in behaviour of some of the inmates. The creatures, droids and constructs which just seconds earlier had been cowering in their cells were now going nuts aggressively throwing themselves into and attacking the bars of their cells as if trying to break them scaring the people who shared their cells. Even hardened criminals were scared. Pelagius and the Raven seemed affected by the behaviour of the others. Pelagius was anxiously looking around as if expecting to be attacked while the Raven cawed and kept trying to bite and peck at the one restraining it trying to break free. Even the Ash Crawler seemed affected as it looked over the cells at the strange behaviour looking to be nervous.

“Never mind them; stupid things probably are just upset that they’ve lost. They cannot stop us now no matter how hard they try,” Onca declared not caring about the strange behaviours. Endus didn’t seem convinced by her words hesitating before continuing. He seemed to ponder over what was going on for a second. He started back up and as he continued his spell the sky started turning a blood red as he went on. Glowing Asher symbols appeared beneath and in a circle around the ninja as the clouds above them began to circle over them. The ninja began to feel strange. They started to get light headed and things looked blurry. They were feeling a strange tingling in their extremities as parts of their skin started to darken. As the ceremony went on the creatures and constructs seemed to be getting more worked up and some cell bars were starting to break out of place worrying some of the Ashers who started to wonder if they should do something. Pelagius abruptly turned aggressive like the others and managed to break free of those holding the chains clipped to his collar breaking the chains. He rushed up the tower to perch atop it a dark smoke coming from the seams between flesh and metal. Endus stopped the ritual getting distracted by Pelagius’s behaviour. As he stopped the ninja felt whatever he had been doing to them cease and the darkened patches on their skin receded. Everyone looked at Pelagius who roared at Endus then reared up with his wings out and tail curved up in a threat display. He had developed a dragon aspect but unlike his normal icy one this one was dark and sinister looking. The Ashers were unnerved by Pelagius’s appearance, even Endus and the Crawler seemed affected though Endus seemed curious instead of fearful. Everyone else was confused and a little unnerved. What was driving everything crazy?

“Okay maybe something’s not right,” Onca mumbled sounding a little worried before what sounded like something being rammed into the concrete wall closest to where the Ash Crawler stood began to be heard. The spot was where Cole had seen the Ancestor Wing which was now nowhere to be seen had landed. It sounded like something big was on the other side of the wall. The Ash Crawler was clearly disturbed by the events and was starting to cower by the tower as cracks started to appear in the wall. Slowly with every hit the cracks grew before chunks of the wall were sent flying as a large hole was smashed through it. Debris was flung some distance into the yard as a dark fog that brought a chill to the environment started rolling out from the hole into the yard. The fog was cold and had an eerie feeling to it. There appeared to be nothing but darkness on the other side. After a few seconds a pair of glowing blood red eyes appeared in the darkness before a creature they recognised from the Lost Realm slowly stalked out of the darkness its eyes burning bright, its teeth bared and glistening in the light and snarling with drool hanging from its jaws. It was a Fear! One of the realms most dreaded creatures. The creature let out a roar as it entered the yard and seemed to instantly become focused on the Crawler which looked unsure of how to react. Everyone was scared unsure what to do not wanting to catch the Fears attention.

“A Fear! I thought they were extinct,” Onca moaned slowly starting to back away from her place next to Endus who seemed confused more than scared. The ninja were confused and scared over what was going on wondering if they should risk an escape attempt. The Ashers holding them however were not backing down, they looked confused not scared, and still held the daggers to the ninjas backs. The Fear roared at the Crawler before rushing at it and getting into a fight with it. From the start it didn’t look like the fight was going in the Crawlers favour. It was getting tossed about and slammed into the ground and walls as the Fear gripped the creature by its neck with its massive jaws and scythe clawed hands. The Crawlers tongue couldn’t pierce the Fears hide while the Fears jaws could grip the crawler with some serious force and prevented the Crawler from being able to properly move in the fight. By this time some creatures and constructs had managed to escape their cells smashing out the bars and threatened the Ashers closest to them. Onca and a couple of the Ashers on the ground tried to escape the chaos but a group of hyenoids one of which looked to have been one of the Stags Samurai and some nindroids led by a Venom-fang fabricant jumped down from the second row to cut them off and encircle them.

“You are not going anywhere you foul Deadric spawn,” the samurai hyenoid growled at the group. They attempted to break away from the group but the droids were quicker than the group and managed to de-arm them turning their weapons against them. Being defeated the group surrendered. By now the Fear managed to clamp its jaws over the Crawlers head with its forepaws helping hold the head in place. The skin around where the Fears teeth sunk into the Crawlers skin oddly seemed to be developing a frost, it made no sense. Fear did not poses elemental powers so what was causing the frost to develop. The Crawler attempted to paw itself free before a deep cracking noise caused it to suddenly stop and disintegrate into ash and burned bones. The Fear dropped the skull which was coated with a dark ice, crushed into several pieces and had puncture marks through the bones where the Fears teeth had sunk into it. The pieces were cracked and deformed from the strength of the Fears bite. The Fear now looked at Endus snarling. Endus seemed to pick up on something no one else had as he stared into the Fears eyes.

“This is no Fear,” Endus proclaimed in a dark unnerving voice before throwing a spell at the creature as it started to charge at him. The spell hit the creature which burst into a dark misty mass that just hung in the air where the creature had been.

“You’ll let the ninja go if you know what is good for you,” a familiar voice proclaimed giving the ninja a warm feeling. When they looked back they were surprised yet elated to see Clay holding from behind his blade to the throat of one of the Ashers that was holding them in place while Aaron shot the others with his icy bolts. Axl, Lance and Macy were freeing their friends and family from the Ashers nearby. The knights were dressed in ninja like attire while using their shields and the special weapons they had been given to take out the Ashers. Clay took out the Asher before he and Aaron helped the ninja up and helped take off the cuffs.

“Boy are we glad to see you,” Lloyd proclaimed getting a warm feeling of hope and Clay proclaimed, “same to you. We’re here to rescue you.”

“Nice getups,” Kai stated and Aaron boasted, “We couldn’t let these bruisers know we were coming; it’s a lot stealthier to sneak in here wearing these than our usual attire.”

“I’m guessing you found who you needed?” Jay inquired as the knights freed them and their loved ones and they came together.

“Yha we got lucky Sheoth had brought our friends and family to be protected by the son of this Dragon Master in the Dragon Guards temple till we could come for them. After we got them someone got the sense you were in danger so we hurried here. Looks like we made it just in time,” Macy explained as they looked at the dark mass which Endus had come close to inspect.

“Endus, I should have guessed it would be you here. Dagon would have never trusted anyone else with this task. You have always been his right hand, a deeply loyal servant to the Oni. It was you who set in motion the reptilian wars. What lies did you and your foul allies fill those snakes’ heads with? It was you who sent the assassin after Mystara. You sent the Crawler after the ninja and cursed them. You showed Dagon how to start the Plane Meld. What other dark deeds have you done that many do not know of,” the Stags voice boomed seeming to come from everywhere before a dark arm reached out of the mass and grabbed Endus by the neck to lift him off the ground. The ninja had a feeling who that was from. Their feelings were confirmed as the mist cleared into the form of the Stag in his Stag headed man form holding a spear in his left hand, a cap draped over his shoulders and holding Endus who was squirming to be let go clearly terrified in his right hand. Despite what they had gone through with him they were happy to see him. The Ashers were terrified and many of the people were spooked by his presence still seeing him as an entity of evil.

“So you thought you had won did you not. Thought you could make everything go your way. I think it is time you spawn of the Oni learn you cannot get everything to go your way. I finally have you rate where I want you Endus. There is no escaping this time demon,” the Stag growled as Endus squirmed and seemed to be uttering something in the Ashers language.

“Plea all you want I will show you no mercy. You have never showed anyone else mercy. You have spread nothing but darkness, evil and hate since your spawning you deserve no mercy,” the Stag growled back to Endus who was starting to have a dark ice grow on parts of his skin as he continued to plead with the Stag.

“You are right, you did make me. It is your dark magic that created me and Dagon but do not think that means I have any cares for you. I never asked to become this, to be a demon but you gave me no choice so I will do the same to you. Actions have consequences, remember what you sow Endus because you have to eventually reap it. Remember this Endus as you plead for mercy you made me into this darkness now you will face the consequences of your actions. I may be on the side of light but do not think for one second that I am like them. I will not spare those who do not deserve it,” the Stag proclaimed before tightening his grip on Endus crushing his neck and sending cold dark energy through him causing him to burst into a frosted cloud of dark ash. The Stag then focused his attention to the necromancers and Ashers the constructs had cornered. He cast a spell at them which seemed to suck some sort of energy from them. The Ashers burst into ash while the Necromancers fell down unconscious as the Stag finished his spell the corruption Dagon had placed on them gone. He then turned to the ninja and knights.

“Come let us get out of this cursed place,” he commanded.

“It’s surprising how glad we are to see you,” Cole remarked as the Stag began to lead them out of the prison and Lloyd mentioned, “what about everyone they’ve taken prisoner?”

“Leave them. It is safer for most of them to stay here. The best thing you can do for them all is destroy Dagon. For now the Scimitar Constructs and other robotic denizens will keep this place in order and safe. It will be a while before the Ashers brave coming here,” the Stag explained as they headed out. As they made their way out of the prison the ninja, their friends and family, the knights and the Stag took out any Asher, their monsters or necromancer they came across aiding the many beasts and robotics that had freed themselves and were attacking the enemies causing chaos and destruction throughout the prison while the people largely fled trying to find a safe place to shelter from the fighting. Those that were brave enough were joining the beasts and constructs taking up anything they could to fight back the monsters and free others. The Stag would suck the corruption from any of the necromancers they came across leaving them unconscious but alive and free of Dagons corruption.

“When they come to the realisation of what has been going on and what they were becoming will hit them. Most will be horrified with the truth,” the Stag noted as he drew the corruption out of them.

“Is it just you guys here?” Cole inquired as they moved through the prison stopping only to free friends, family, allies, any elemental master or anyone they felt would be able to aid them in the fight to come from Ninjago, Knighton, the Lost Realm and other realms that they could find. They were going to need their help to infiltrate Dagons fortress.

“Somewhat, Robin and Ava are managing the Fortrex outside and helping Merlok and Jestro who are keeping the way out clear with some of our relatives. We also brought something special,” Clay explained as they exited the prison. Many of the Ashers and their allied monsters who had been on guard outside had already been taken out and a few were left trying to get onto the Fortrex where Jestro, Robin who was using his Black Knight mech and Robo-bill Merlok were trying to keep them away joined by a few of the knights relatives including Macys mother and father, Axl’s parents, Lances younger sister and Clays younger brother. They were outnumbered but trying their hardest. The Ashers had summoned some burning skeletons and had some of their dark monster allies fighting with them trying to get into the ship.

“You made it out that’s good, we could really use your help,” Jestro’s voice came through the communicators the knights wore as they exited the prison.

“Is that ship over there yours? It looks like a really cool ship, reminds me of that Strider vehicle. Do you think you could let me study it?” Robin asked through the communicator.

“Later, we have our mission to complete first. Let’s first work on getting out of here,” Clay told them before Kai asked, “what about our stuff like our clothes and weapons? What about the secret weapon?”

“Don’t worry before we started the attack we had some of the small nimble constructs like the Robo-bills and Serpetons collect them and sneak them onto the Fortrex for you,” Macy explained as they headed towards the Fortrex.

“What about the Bounty?” Nya wondered and the Stag declared, “do not worry water dragon we will not forget your ship. Knights get your kin to board your vehicle and start the retreat we will take the dragons sky ship to get us and those we’ve rescued out of here.” As he spoke he used a spell to break all the chains off the ship which scared the creatures roosting and hanging around it away. The moment the Ashers realized the ninja had escaped they turned their attention from the Fortrex to the ninja giving those defending it a chance to get aboard and start their retreat. The Ashers and their allies abandoned the ship and started to head towards their group who prepped themselves to put up a defence.

“Wait,” the Stag spoke holding his arm out to stop them looking up at something.

“Why we could probably take them,” Lloyd objected as they came to a stop before the sound of something large and metallic landing on the walls of the prison caught everyone’s attention.

“We need not waste our energy on them, let him deal with them,” the Stag proclaimed as they looked up to see a Scimitar Dragon perched atop the prisons walls.

“Is that…” Zane began before Aaron cut him off to explain, “yha Cyber bro Vahlok the Scimitar Dragon. Kiki sent him to help us.” The Ashers were staring up at the robotic dragon slowly backing away nervous as it looked at them. A deep voice came from the dragon as it spoke a few words in the Scimitar tongue at the Ashers its eyes changing from green to an icy blue color before it sprayed a frosty breath over the Ashers turning them to dust. It aided by Pelagius held back and kept the focus of the Ashers and their allies while their group made their escape to the Bounty. Once everyone was on board they wasted no time in getting the Bounty up and following the Fortrex. It didn’t take Vahlok and Pelagius long to finish off the Ashers and monsters. They stayed on guard waiting till they got moving. Once moving Vahlok followed the ship; Pelagius at his side.

“Let’s get going we have realms to save,” Kai exclaimed as they headed for Ninjago City.

To find previous and later chapters look here: https://robobirdie.tumblr.com/archive

You can also find a copy of the story written here https://archiveofourown.org/works/34894561/chapters/86888878 and here https://www.wattpad.com/1087355671-ninjago-the-oni-scrolls-foreword-important-info You can also find images pertaining to the story here: https://www.deviantart.com/nerdy-hyena/gallery/72478681/story-project

#ninjago #ninjago zane #ninjago cole #ninjago nya #ninjago jay #ninjago kai #ninjago lloyd #nexo knights #elderscrolls

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