Legacy of Darkness: The Ninjago Rebirth

The ninja stood on the edge of the Lost City of Ouroboros, its ancient, jagged spires jutting into the murky sky like the teeth of some colossal beast. The wind howled eerily through the ruins, whipping dust and debris around them as they faced the unimaginable terror lurking beneath the city's cracked and fractured ground.

Behind them, Master Wu stood firm in the heart of the city, unwavering even as Pythor hissed defiantly beside him. The sinister serpent's slithering form glistened in the dim, ominous light, and the tension hung thick in the air.

Wu: "You must do everything in your power to stop the Great Devourer. Go, ninja! Go!"

Wu's voice carried a mix of resolute determination and paternal concern, his words echoing through the desolate expanse of Ouroboros.

Pythor spat venomously. "You cannot hope to contain it, old man!"

Wu met Pythor's eyes, unwavering. "Perhaps, but I will face this fate with honor."

As the words left Wu's lips, the earth trembled violently. The ground cracked open beneath them, and the colossal maw of the Great Devourer emerged, jagged and glistening with dark, otherworldly ichor. The serpent's cavernous throat swallowed both Wu and Pythor whole in one horrifying gulp. The ninja could only watch in stunned silence as their sensei and enemy alike vanished beneath the monstrous jaws.

Kai: "Sensei!"

Jay: "No!"

The massive, writhing form of the Devourer swung its head toward the ninja with terrifying speed. Its gaping maw, lined with serrated teeth large enough to cleave through stone, zeroed in on them.

Jay's voice cracked with panic. "Oh! Uh... maybe if we stand perfectly still... it won't notice us!"

Kai scoffed. "Run, Jay! RUN!"

Jay's feet tangled in loose rubble as he scrambled after the others. "Wait! Wait for me!"

Before Jay could be consumed by his own clumsiness, a strong hand seized his wrist and yanked him to his feet. Jinx, a dark silhouette against the chaos, helped Jay back on track with effortless strength.

Jinx: "Try to keep up, Jay. We don't have time to wait for your ego to catch up."

Jay, panting: "I... I'm trying, okay?"

In the distance, the thunderous vibrations of the Devourer's massive body shaking the ground could already be felt. Nya's voice cut through the growing cacophony.

Nya: "Fire up the engines! I said fire up the engines!"

Lloyd: "There's no wind. And we only have reserved fuel!"

The ninja skidded to a stop, breaths ragged, and turned to look at Jinx. The wind elemental stood tall, eyes glowing faintly as he exhaled deeply, clearly burdened by the task at hand. Jinx's shoulders tensed as he summoned every ounce of his power.

With a crackling hiss, dark wind spiraled around Jinx, gusting violently as the Destiny's Bounty trembled beneath them. Jinx raised both hands high above his head, pushing the wind to its limit. The ship lurched forward with renewed speed, slicing through the desolation of Ouroboros.

Jay, clutching the rail, glared back at the closing nightmare. "Uh, hate to tell you this, but objects in the mirror are closer than they appear!"

Nya: "Working on it! Blasters—full power!"

Jinx, sweat beading on his forehead, grit his teeth. "Yeah, and I haven't practiced on something this big with my wind. I'm at my limit!"

The wind around Jinx wavered, flaring unpredictably, but the ninja could see the effort etched across his face.

Kai: "Whoo-hoo! Take that, you stupid snake!"

Jay laughed nervously. "Uh... I think it heard you."

Kai ignored the warning as the ground beneath the Devourer's massive form cracked further, its jaws snapping shut behind them.

Kai: "Nya, we gotta go faster! That thing's gaining on us!"

Nya's hands trembled as she adjusted the controls. "We're going as fast as we can! I'll try to make it to Scattered Canyon!"

Zane, voice cold and analytical: "Probability of us making it that far is less than eight percent."

Nya: "Never tell me the odds!"

Cole: "It's coming in for another attack—port side!"

Lloyd: "We're losing speed! We'll drop to the ground pretty soon!"

Jinx's expression twisted, sweat now pouring down his face. He clenched his fists tighter, summoning every last vestige of his wind powers. The Bounty shivered violently but held steady. The crew could see Jinx's struggle etched in every trembling muscle, his dark mist swirling erratically as his strength waned.

Nya: "Throw everything overboard!"

All: "What?"

Nya's voice was unwavering. "We need to lose some weight—it's too much for Jinx!"

Cole: "You've gotta be kidding!"

Jay, wide-eyed, glanced at Jinx, who looked torn but resolute.

Jinx: "If we're going to make it... I have no choice."

Without another word, the team began tossing equipment and supplies overboard, cargo clattering into the abyss below. Jinx redoubled his effort, wind howling furiously as the Destiny's Bounty surged forward.

Jay clung to the railing, heart thundering in his chest.

Jay: "C'mon, Jinx! You can do this! We believe in you!"

Jinx, sweat streaming down his face, managed a grim smile. "Thanks, Jay... but keep running. That thing isn't giving up."

The Devourer's hideous form loomed closer, its jaws snapping hungrily. The ninja fought with every fiber of their being, each second a battle against certain doom, driven by trust, skill, and the unbreakable bond they shared.Nya, voice taut and sharp over the chaos: "Fire up the engines! I said—fire up the engines!"

The Destiny's Bounty groaned as its engines strained against the rocky terrain. Lloyd twisted the throttle, sweat pouring down his face as the engines whined under the pressure.

Lloyd: "There's no wind. We're on reserve fuel!"

Panic tinged Lloyd's words, but the ninja knew there was no other choice. The Devourer was gaining.

The group's gaze shifted to Jinx, who stood behind the Bounty's controls. His dark mist writhed around him as he clenched his fists and took a deep breath. Jinx raised both arms skyward.

The wind responded.

A subtle breeze stirred at first, whispering faintly around the ninja and the ship. Jinx focused, veins bulging beneath his skin as the wind swirled stronger. The Bounty trembled but gained precious inches against the Devourer's horrific advance.

Jay, voice shaky but trying to sound braver than he felt: "Uh, hate to tell you this, but objects in the mirror are closer than they appear."

Nya, teeth clenched, hands flying over the control panel: "Working on it! Blasters on full!"

Jay glanced at Jinx. Dark mist clung to the wind user like a living shadow, and sweat gleamed on his brow. It was clear—Jinx was struggling.

Jinx, voice strained: "Yeah, well, I haven't practiced on something this big with my wind... I'm at my limit!"

Jay could see it—the muscles trembling beneath Jinx's clothes, the sweat glistening on his face, the mist flickering as Jinx fought against exhaustion and raw power.

Kai, trying to keep the team's spirits high: "Woo-hoo! Take that, you stupid snake!"

Jay, voice cracking: "Uh... I think it heard you."

The Devourer lashed its massive head violently. The earth shook, debris flying as the creature roared, its hunger raw and unmistakable.

Kai: "Nya, we need more speed! That thing's gaining!"

Nya, voice tight: "I'm pushing it! I'll aim for Scattered Canyon!"

Zane, his voice eerily calm: "Probability of us reaching Scattered Canyon is less than eight percent."

Nya, fire in her voice: "Never tell me the odds!"

Jay's heart pounded as he glanced at Jinx, who was visibly at the breaking point. Jinx's hands trembled as he adjusted the wind's pressure, forcing the Bounty to maintain its perilous speed.

Cole: "It's coming for us again—port side!"

The Great Devourer lunged once more, its jagged teeth mere meters behind them.

Lloyd, voice grim: "We're losing speed! We'll drop to the ground soon!"

The Bounty shuddered violently, wheels skidding against the rocky terrain. Jay watched Jinx, whose whole body quivered from the effort, yet he refused to let go of control.

Nya, voice firm: "Throw everything overboard! We need to lose weight!"

All (in disbelief): "What?!"

Nya: "It's too much for Jinx. We need every advantage we can get!"

For a heartbeat, time hung in the air. The ninja, knowing their lives hung by a thread, frantically grabbed equipment, supplies, and unnecessary cargo—anything to lighten the load.

Jinx, sweat mixing with mist on his skin, allowed the wind to surge once more, pushing the Bounty forward, the Devourer's jaws snapping just behind them. Jinx's resolve burned through exhaustion, keeping the wind steady as the ninja prayed they would survive the nightmare chase.

The Destiny's Bounty groaned under the immense strain as the Great Devourer's massive jaws clamped down on the rear engine. The ground trembled beneath the ninja, and the canyon walls echoed with the deafening roar of the monstrous serpent. The air was thick with dust and the acrid scent of burning fuel.

Lloyd's voice rang out, sharp and urgent.

"Port side!"

Panic surged through the team as they scrambled to lighten the load. Cargo crates, barrels of supplies, weapons, and even a massive industrial fridge—the kind large enough to store supplies for a small army—were heaved overboard. Metal clanged and supplies crashed against the canyon walls as the ninja fought against the serpent's advance.

For a moment, the Bounty surged forward, engines straining under the reduced weight. Relief flickered briefly in their hearts.

But the Devourer was undeterred. With horrifying ease, its cavernous maw engulfed the debris. The fridge disappeared whole—doors, insulation, frozen contents and all—followed by crates, barrels, and every scrap of discarded equipment. The serpent's form swelled grotesquely, scales stretching and bulging, muscle rippling beneath thick armor-like hide.

Jay, voice quivering with panic, shouted over the roar:

"Man, he sure is hungry! Does anyone else think the Devourer looks bigger than it did before?"

His words hung in the air, echoing the dreadful realization that the serpent wasn't just a monster—it was a force of nature, ever-growing, ever-consuming.

Jinx's eyes snapped open, voice cutting through the panic like a blade:

"You idiots! It's called the Great Devourer—it grows with everything it eats!"

The wind around Jinx twisted violently as he struggled against exhaustion. His body trembled under the strain of holding the Bounty together, the dark mist writhing around him like living shadows.

Nya, sweat streaming down her face as she fought to maintain control, yelled:

"Phew! We've made it to Scattered Canyons. Hold on!"

Nya pushed the engines beyond their limits, her fingers white-knuckled around the controls. The Bounty creaked and groaned, but it surged forward, canyon walls flashing by in a blur.

Cole, glancing back with tense relief:

"Ah, we lost him!"

A spark of hope ignited, but the serpent's wrath wasn't so easily quenched. With a savage roar, it lunged, its gaping jaws tearing away the Bounty's rear engine.

Nya, voice rising in terror:

"Abandon ship!"

Zane, voice calm but resolute, as he prepared to leap from the doomed vessel:

"Goodbye, old friend."

The ninja abandoned the Bounty without hesitation, scrambling over the sides and clambering onto the canyon's jagged ridges. The engines shrieked one last time before the Devourer consumed the entire ship in a single, horrifying gulp.

All, voices a chorus of despair:

"No!"

Cole, groaning as he stumbled to steady himself:

"Unh... it's gone."

The serpent writhed violently, its monstrous form rippling and expanding as it digested the Bounty's metal and machinery.

Kai, wiping sweat from his brow, trying to inject humor into the nightmare:

"Oh man... that was too intense. All that action makes you so thirsty."

The ninja were out of breath, but the threat loomed larger than exhaustion.

Zane, voice clipped, focused:

"There's no time to rest. We need to warn the others before it grows any larger."

Jay, panic thick in his voice:

"Bigger? Bigger!? That thing—" He faltered, breath hitching. "It crushed our entire ship... with one big bite! We need to save as many people as we can. Uh, uh... We'll find refuge. Somewhere safe to hide. Ooh! The Serpentine Tombs! Yeah! They're underground. Sure, we'll be without sunlight for months, but they're perfect!"

Jay's frantic words tumbled over each other, frantic and jittery. His arms flailed as if physically wrestling with the nightmare chasing them. His voice trembled as the panic clawed at the edges of his mind.

Jinx, ever watchful, saw the panic spiral in Jay's voice and motion. Without a word, he closed the gap between them. His dark mist swirled fiercely as he reached Jay, grabbing him by the shoulders and pulling him close in a firm, unyielding embrace.

The wind still around them for a heartbeat as Jinx's grip tightened.

Jinx, voice steady despite the wind's howl:

"Calm down, Jay. We'll make it. I promise."

Jay's frantic breathing slowed. The panic ebbed from his limbs as Jinx's reassurance rooted him in place. Jay clung to the brief flicker of hope like a lifeline.

Unnoticed by Jay, one of the ninja cast a sidelong glance his way. For a fleeting moment, Jay caught it—the subtle arch of an eyebrow, the narrowed eye—a classic stink eye.

Jay blinked, heart skipping a beat. He brushed it off, clutching Jinx's wind-shrouded embrace tighter, grateful for the support but unaware of the silent judgment.

The team regrouped at the entrance to the Serpentine Tombs. The cavernous maw of the Great Devourer echoed behind them—a rolling growl that shook the very earth beneath their feet.

The nightmare was far from over.

Cole took a deep breath, his fists clenched at his sides. His voice was low but firm.

"And what? Just give up?"

Jay, still pacing, ran a shaky hand through his messy hair. His voice cracked with frustration.

"You know as well as I do, we have no chance at stopping that thing! That... that thing just ate our entire ship like it was a snack! Do you seriously think we can fight something that keeps growing with everything it devours?"

Kai's eyes flared with determination as he stepped between them, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade.

"Hey, stop it! Listen to yourselves! Is this what Sensei Wu would have wanted? Us turning on each other? Running and hiding? Giving up?"

His words struck like a slap. A heavy silence followed, and they all exchanged looks of guilt. Wu's absence was a wound they didn't know how to heal.

Lloyd, standing a little apart from the others, clenched his fists at his sides. His voice was quiet, but the weight of his grief was undeniable.

"But... he's not here anymore."

The words stung. The reminder of their master's fate sent a fresh wave of sorrow washing over them.

Kai exhaled sharply, but his expression remained resolute.

"But his teachings live on. Sensei once told me it's not the size of the ninja in a fight, it's the size of the fight in the ninja. We've been training for this moment. We've survived skeleton armies, outrun serpents, and conquered every challenge thrown at us. We can't just give up now. A ninja never admits defeat."

Jinx crossed his arms, his usual smirk softened just a little.

"For once, Kai, you actually said something wise."

Zane, ever the voice of logic, furrowed his brows.

"But how do we destroy a snake of that magnitude? Our weapons are useless, and we have no way to stop its growth."

Jay groaned, rubbing his temples.

"Yeah, it's not like we have an extra Sacred Flute lying around to charm it. Or wait, haha, how about one of our awesome dragons? Oh, right—they abandoned us. Or, hey, what about our Golden Weapons? Oh wait, those will do nothing against a snake that size!"

His voice grew more frantic with each word until he threw his arms up.

"Oh, we are so hooped!"

Cole sighed, shaking his head.

"Jay's right. We would need a weapon so big—"

Kai's eyes suddenly lit up with realization.

"Or an idea that's even bigger!" He clapped a hand on Jay's shoulder, grinning. "Jay, you're a genius!"

Jay blinked.

"I... I am? I mean, yeah, of course I am! But, uh... what exactly am I being a genius about?"

Jinx snorted.

"There's nothing for you to guess, Jay, since there's nothing but hot air up there."

Kai rolled his eyes.

"There's no time for your snarks, Jinx! I've got a plan. I'll explain on the way!"

Jay pointed at him.

"Wha—Where are we going?"

Kai smirked, determination burning in his eyes.

"We're going to destroy that snake once and for all."

Inside the Fangpyre Tomb, the atmosphere was thick with tension and regret. The Serpentine leaders stood in a haphazard circle, their tails twitching with unease. The dim torchlight flickered against the damp stone walls as they hissed at one another, their fear barely restrained.

Fangtom lashed his twin heads in frustration, his voices overlapping as he snapped,

"Why did we listen to Pythor? Unleashing the Great Devourer was a horrible idea! It's all your fault!"

Skales, his hood flaring slightly, crossed his arms with a defensive scoff.

"How was I supposed to know he was mad?"

Fangtom's red eyes gleamed with fury.

"You were his right-hand man! You should have known better! Now the Devourer will eat us all!"

A thunderous BOOM echoed from outside, shaking the ground beneath them. The Serpentine froze as a deep, guttural roar split the air. Dust rained from the ceiling. Their forked tongues flicked out, tasting the ominous presence growing closer.

The Great Devourer was near.

A massive shadow loomed over the tomb's entrance. Then—

CRASH!

The enormous, scaly head of the Devourer slammed against the tomb's threshold, its glowing, soulless eyes staring into their very souls.

Panic erupted.

"Run!" someone screeched.

The Serpentine scrambled, slithering and pushing each other in their desperate attempt to escape.

Skales shoved a soldier aside.

"Out of my way, coward!"

Fangtom, not missing a beat, shoved Skales right back.

"You're the coward!"

With a deafening thud, the massive stone doors of the tomb slammed shut just as the Great Devourer lunged, barely missing them. The entire tomb trembled as the serpent thundered past, leaving behind only a suffocating silence.

Meanwhile, far from the chaos, the ninja raced across the desolate landscape in the remains of their battle-worn vehicle. The destination? Ed & Edna's Scrap N Junk.

As they rolled up to the yard, the sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows over the mountains of discarded metal and rusting junk. The place was eerily empty.

Cole wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead, surveying their surroundings. He gave an approving nod.

"Good thinking, Kai. If the Devourer loves to consume, this place is basically a full-on buffet."

Jay leaned forward on the railing, his eyes scanning the familiar junkyard. He sighed.

"Looks like my parents are gone."

Kai waved a dismissive hand.

"Good. Better for us—less people in danger."

With that, he plopped a blueprint onto a nearby worktable, smoothing it out with his palms.

Jay's eyes widened as he took in the intricate design.

"Whoa... this is so awesome."

Jinx, who had been unusually quiet, leaned over and arched a brow. His voice was dry and dripping with skepticism.

"Are we just going to ignore the fact that Kai somehow has a blueprint for this?"

The group paused.

A collective silence fell over them as they all slowly turned to look at Kai.

Kai blinked, hesitating for a split second before crossing his arms.

"It's called being prepared."

Jinx narrowed his eyes.

"Oh yeah? Prepared like you were when you set the Bounty on fire that one time?"

Kai scowled.

"That was one time!"*

Jay snickered.

"Actually, it was twice."

Jinx smirked.

"Yeah, I'm starting to think you just like setting things on fire, dude."

Kai groaned, throwing his hands in the air.

"Can we focus? We have a giant, city-destroying snake to stop!"

Jay crossed his arms but grinned.

"Fine, but just so we're clear—I am keeping count of your accidental arson record."

Jinx smirked as they gathered around the blueprint, ready to put their insane plan into action.

Kai turned to Zane, urgency in his voice.

"Zane, do you still have a recording of the Sacred Flute in your memory bank?"

Zane blinked, his mechanical mind processing the request.

"It might have been damaged earlier, but I have its exact tone recorded and ready for playback."

Without hesitation, he activated his internal systems, and a soft, haunting melody began to play—a digital recreation of the Sacred Flute's enchanted sound. The tune resonated through the air, sending an eerie chill down their spines.

Kai exhaled in relief.

"Good. That should help slow the Devourer down. And with all these spare parts lying around, we can build this beast of a machine."

He gestured towards the blueprint sprawled across a makeshift table—a sketch of a massive, multi-terrain assault vehicle, something powerful enough to give them an edge against the enormous serpent.

"But," Kai continued, glancing at the others, "we're going to need our biggest Tornado of Creation yet. This is going to be dangerous, and we can't have anyone else around when we do it."

As if on cue, the sound of whistling cut through the tension.

The ninja turned just in time to see the Postman strolling into the junkyard, casually flipping through letters.

Cole groaned.

"Ugh. What's he doing here?"

Without wasting time, he and Kai sprinted toward him.

The Postman barely had time to register their presence before he jumped back with a startled yelp.

"Aah! You ninja are always sneaking around, giving people heart attacks! You're too quiet!"

Jinx crossed his arms and smirked.

"Kinda in the job description."

Kai put up his hands in an attempt to calm the panicked mailman.

"Sorry, we didn't mean to scare you. But you need to leave. Now."

The Postman scoffed, straightening his cap.

"Well, now, I too have a job to do, and that's delivering the mail, which I fully intend to do."

He pulled out a small stack of envelopes, handing one to Jay, who accepted it with a sigh.

"Look, dude, my parents aren't even here," Jay said, gesturing around the empty scrapyard. "You really should be on your way."

The Postman squinted.

"Them too? Let me guess—are they at the Take Back Ninjago rally?"

Jay tilted his head.

"The Take Back Ninjago rally?"

The Postman blinked in surprise.

"You guys haven't heard? Everyone's gathering in the city for a rally to raise awareness about all the Serpentine problems lately. It's all over the news."

Lloyd's eyes widened.

"Whoa, would you look at that? You guys are inspirational."

The Postman rubbed his chin in thought, then snapped his fingers.

"You know what? You guys are right. Wherever you are, trouble is always around the corner, so I think I'll just—"

His voice trailed off as he noticed the ninja slowly shifting into defensive stances, their gazes locked onto something behind him.

Confused, the Postman turned—just in time to see a shadow loom over the junkyard.

A deep, guttural hiss rumbled through the air.

The Great Devourer was here.

The Postman's eyes bulged, his jaw working soundlessly before he let out a strangled shriek.

"S-S-SNAKE!"

Without another word, he leapt into a trash can, slamming the lid over himself with a loud clang.

Kai clenched his fists.

"Hey! It's now or never, guys! Ninja, go!"

The team sprang into action.

Kai was first, summoning a roaring vortex of fire that danced in the air like a blazing inferno.

"Fire!"

Cole followed, stomping his foot into the ground as jagged earth erupted around him, feeding into the swirling energy.

"Earth!"

Jay leapt forward, sparks crackling along his fingertips before he unleashed a burst of lightning, sending it spiraling into the growing tornado.

"Lightning!"

Zane completed the cycle, his breath steady as a flurry of ice swirled into the mix, frost trailing behind him.

"Ice!"

The elements collided, twisting together in a massive Tornado of Creation. The winds howled, whipping through the junkyard, pulling in scraps, gears, and broken machinery. Metal twisted and fused, reshaping before their very eyes.

From within the storm, a massive, battle-ready Ultra Sonic Raider emerged—gleaming and ready for war.

Jinx watched the spectacle unfold, arms crossed as he let out a dramatic sigh.

"Kinda feel left out, you know what I mean, Lloyd?"

Lloyd, standing beside him, nodded.

"Yeah."

Jinx glanced around the junkyard, his eyes scanning the scattered remains of forgotten toys, old tools, and rusting equipment. Then, his gaze landed on something.

A worn-out dragon toy, its wings tattered, sitting atop a discarded saw blade.

An idea sparked in his mind.

A smirk curled at his lips, but he said nothing.

"Guess I'll wait till this mess is over."

For now, the battle had only just begun.

The Ultra Sonic Raider thundered across the battlefield, its massive wheels grinding over debris as the Great Devourer loomed before them.

Kai's grip on the controls tightened. "Zane, now!"

Zane immediately played the recording of the Sacred Flute, the eerie melody echoing through the scrapyard. But just as the sound reached the serpent, the monstrous beast coiled its massive body and dodged the invisible force, the melody missing its mark entirely.

Cole's eyes widened in exasperation. "Zane, what was that?! This isn't target practice! You're supposed to hit him, not give him a haircut!"

Zane shot him an unimpressed glance. "May I remind you that we just magically whipped up this heap of junk?"

Kai cursed under his breath. "Well, I hope one of us created a reverse feature because… reverse!"

Cole smirked. "How's this for reverse?"

With a swift motion, he spun the Ultra Sonic Raider, its powerful wheels skidding against the ground as they repositioned for another shot.

Zane's sharp eyes scanned the battlefield. "I need your help holding it in place."

Jay grinned, his hands flying over the controls. "How about this?"

With a loud clank, the grapple hook shot from the top of the raider, latching onto the Devourer's thick scales. The monstrous snake hissed, thrashing against the steel cables, but they held—at least for now.

Kai's heart pounded. "Before it gets away! Now, Zane, now! Take the shot!"

Zane narrowed his eyes. "Charm your way out of this."

He triggered the recording again, and this time, the full force of the flute's melody struck the Devourer. The massive snake shuddered, its movements growing sluggish as the power of the enchanted sound took effect.

Cole pumped his fist. "It's working!"

Kai's eyes locked onto something—just beneath the beast's head, at the base of its throat, a faint glowing green mark pulsed like a heartbeat.

A weak spot.

"It's got a weak spot!" Kai shouted, pointing towards it.

Cole frowned. "What?"

"On its forehead—"

But before he could finish, the Devourer's massive tail lashed out, slamming into Zane's cockpit with bone-crushing force.

"Zane!" they all yelled in unison as their teammate's section of the raider sparked violently.

The Devourer reared back, its massive jaws opening wide, fangs glistening as it lunged toward them.

Then, without warning—

A dark energy blast shot across the battlefield, slamming into the snake's side.

The Great Devourer screeched in agony, its body writhing from the impact. But unlike the flute's effect, this was different. The creature didn't just recoil—it shrieked, its entire form shuddering as if something deep within it had been disturbed.

Then, it grew.

Not by much, just a fraction—but enough for them to notice.

For a brief, tense moment, the Devourer's glowing yellow eyes locked onto a single figure standing apart from the group.

Jinx.

A deep, heavy silence fell as the two stared at each other, neither moving, neither blinking.

A staring contest between a godlike snake and a shadowed enigma.

And then—something unexpected.

The Devourer's eyes flickered with fear.

And then, with a guttural hiss, it turned away. Without another moment's hesitation, it slithered off, disappearing into the distance.

Jay swallowed hard. "Uhh… what the hell was that?"

Cole shook his head in disbelief. "It almost looked like Jinx's power scared it?"

Lloyd's mind was already racing, piecing together the puzzle. "Maybe… maybe they're connected. The Devourer's venom is what made my dad turn evil in the first place, right? And Jinx's darkness makes him more evil the longer he uses it…"

His voice trailed off as the realization sank in.

"So there's some kind of connection between them."

A heavy silence settled over the ninja as they slowly turned to stare at Jinx.

For all their bravado, none of them could deny the truth.

Jinx was stronger than all of them. He reminded them of it every chance he got.

And if the same darkness that had twisted Lord Garmadon existed inside Jinx…

If he ever truly lost himself to it…

There would be nothing they could do to stop him.

Jinx, completely unfazed, stretched his arms behind his head.

"Eh. I just directed the evil towards morality. Since it's already so low, I don't get affected anymore."

Kai, still tense, let out a shaky breath. "Okay. Let's put a pin in that. But we're gonna have a talk later, Jinx."

Jinx smirked. "Whatever floats your boat."

The battlefield was a cacophony of chaos—metal screeched against concrete, flames licked the edges of shattered buildings, and the air crackled with the crackle of lightning and the hiss of fire. The ninja stood scattered across the debris-strewn streets, their faces streaked with sweat and soot, the distant echoes of panicked screams filling the air. Amidst the clamor, Cole wiped a thin film of sweat from his brow, voice cutting through the chaos.

"Is everybody okay?"

The question hung in the air, tension thick as smoke. Lloyd scanned the wreckage with eyes wide, voice trembling with urgency.

"Where's Zane?"

From the mangled wreckage of the Ultra Sonic Raider's cockpit, movement stirred. The twisted remnants of metal groaned under the weight of destruction. Slowly, Zane emerged.

His left side—completely obliterated—exposed the intricate network of gleaming robotic machinery beneath synthetic skin. Pistons hissed, gears whirred, and servos clicked as Zane's inner workings shimmered under the smog-choked sky. His single mechanical eye flared red, spinning briefly before stabilizing.

"Right here," Zane said in his characteristically calm and measured tone, brushing debris from his shoulder with precision. "That was close."

Kai exhaled, voice rough. "Too close."

Jay collapsed to his knees, arms flung wide in frustration. "Perfect! That was a total failure!"

Kai's eyes narrowed. "Not total. Did you guys see the forehead? It has a weak spot."

Jay scoffed, standing with exaggerated defiance, voice rising into an absurd crescendo. "Oh, great! Let me write that down! 'Giant snake has tiny, itty-bitty weak spot.' That'll be—" Jay threw his hands into the air, voice cracking under the strain. "TOTALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO GET AT BECAUSE THE THING IS TOO RIDICULOUSLY HUGE TO DO ANYTHING TO STOP IT!!!!"

A brief pause settled over the group.

Nya crossed her arms, voice cool and clipped. "Are you done?"

Jay inhaled deeply, shoulders slumping. "Yes."

Nya's expression darkened as her hand gestured toward the distant skyline. "Because things just got worse. Look."

Time slowed as every ninja's gaze locked on the horizon. The Great Devourer—a sinuous nightmare of glistening scales and jagged teeth—was no longer tangled in combat. Its massive body coiled with horrifying grace, steadily heading toward the heart of Ninjago City.

Zane's voice was clipped, mechanical yet laced with grim resolve. "It's heading toward Ninjago City."

Jay's voice trembled with panic. "That's where my parents are."

Cole's fists clenched, knuckles white. "So is everybody else."

Kai's jaw tightened, voice grim. "If it consumes the biggest city in all of Ninjago... there will be no stopping it."

Despite the encroaching nightmare, citizens rallied in defiance, their voices a rhythmic chant in stark contrast to the imminent terror.

"Hey, hey, what do we say? We want snakes to slither away! Hey, hey, what do we say? We want snakes to slither away!"

The crowd's chant reverberated against buildings, a fragile thread of hope amid destruction.

In the heart of the city's transit system, operators sat in front of flickering monitors, sipping lukewarm coffee, unaware of the apocalypse on its way.

"Huh. That's strange," the first operator noted, adjusting his headset. "The system shows a train entering the city on Track 9."

The second operator blinked, brow furrowed. "Uh... we don't have any trains scheduled on Track 9."

A heavy pause. The first operator's voice wavered. "Well... something big is coming."

Suddenly, alarms shrieked. Panic surged through the corridors as a shrill metallic groan announced the arrival of catastrophe.

Jay skidded to a halt, heart hammering in his chest, vision narrowing. "Mom?! Dad?!"

Ed and Edna struggled with their decrepit jalopy near a nearby intersection, Ed frantically twisting the key.

"Oh, boy. Oh, gosh. Oh, golly. Oh, gosh!"

Above them, the Devourer reared its colossal head, shadow blotting out the sun. Massive jaws gaped wide, saliva dripping like acid.

Jay's panic surged. "Leave my parents alone!"

Electricity crackled through his limbs, tendrils of lightning arcing toward the beast.

"LIGHTNING!"

Jay's bolt struck the Devourer's side with a blinding blue flash, but the beast was relentless, muscles rippling under thick, armored scales.

Kai roared, flames licking his hands. "FIRE!"

Kai's fiery assault seared the beast's flesh, steam hissing as scales blackened. Still, the Devourer advanced.

Amid the chaos, a news van careened to a halt. The reporter scrambled from the vehicle, microphone in hand.

"Are you getting this?"

"Roll camera!" the cameraman barked.

Cole grabbed the van's rear, muscles bulging. "Mind if I borrow this?"

With a Herculean effort, Cole flung the van at the Devourer's undulating body, but the monster scarcely hesitated.

"Go, ninja, go!" the reporter's voice cracked, blending panic with awe.

Zane recalibrated, voice mechanical but steady. "ICE!"

A chilling blast coated the Devourer's flank, frosting scales and momentarily slowing its advance.

Jay, voice shaky, quipped. "Uh, I think we only made it mad."

Amid the disaster, the unshakable Lord Garmadon entered Mystake's Tea Shop, a looming specter of malevolence. His four arms flexed as he stepped to the counter.

"Traveler's Tea," he ordered, voice oozing dark confidence.

Mystake, accustomed to Garmadon's treachery but unwilling to show it, scoffed. "Only a fool requests Traveler's Tea."

Her back still to him, but as she turned and locked eyes with the Dark Lord, the sharp edges of defiance softened.

"But you are not a fool... Let me get some from the back."The ninja lay scattered, disoriented and battered. The Devourer surged toward the city center.

Suddenly, a thunderous roar filled the air as the Samurai Mech hurtled from above, plunging a lightpost into the Devourer's gaping maw, halting its advance.

Jay collapsed, breath ragged. "Samurai to the rescue. Again."

Lloyd grimaced. "Its breath smells worse than Cole's chili."

"Hey!" Cole shot back, affronted.

Nya, trapped in the melee, cried out. "I can't! I'm stuck!"

A deafening roar echoed again. The Ultra Dragon swooped down, ripping Nya and Lloyd free from the jaws of death.

Cole's face lit up. "Rocky! Our dragons are back!"

Zane analyzed the scene. "Dragons undergo metamorphosis upon reaching adulthood. They have found their True Potential."

The dragons rallied the ninja, but the Devourer, enraged beyond reckoning, lashed out again—downing the Ultra Dragon and casting despair over the battlefield.

The ninja were pushed to their breaking point.

"NOOOOOOOO!"

The ninja's unified cry tore through the chaos like a blade, a mixture of anguish, frustration, and despair.

Cole's fists clenched, trembling, voice hoarse. "No!"

Nya, her face streaked with sweat and soot, her hands trembling, looked toward the carnage. "What now?"

Lloyd barely registered her question. His eyes were locked on the unfolding nightmare before him, and when he turned, dread lanced through him like a dagger. Standing at the edge of the devastation, cloaked in shadows and malevolence, was Lord Garmadon—his four arms crossed, his grin twisted with dark satisfaction.

Lloyd's voice cracked under the weight of disbelief. "You... came back?"

Garmadon's eyes gleamed with cold, merciless resolve. "Of course. Give me the weapons. I am the only one who can handle the power of all four weapons at once. It's the only way to defeat the Devourer."

Jay staggered back, wide-eyed, his voice shaky. "Uh, I thought we were supposed to do everything in our power not to let him possess the weapons."

Lloyd's hands trembled at his sides. The thought of Garmadon gaining ultimate power churned his stomach.

Zane, voice unnervingly calm amidst the chaos, interjected. "I've run every possible scenario through my systems. This is the only viable course of action."

The words hung in the air, heavy and suffocating.

Garmadon stepped closer, voice low and insidious. "Give me the weapons."

Zane glanced at Kai, a brief flicker of hesitation in his mechanical eye.

"Kai?"

Kai's fists clenched at his sides. He stared at the Devourer's writhing mass, the smoke and ash choking the horizon, and grit his teeth. There was no room for argument—no other choice.

Kai spat words like molten steel. "Quit your yammering and just do it."

Kai threw the Sword of Fire, its blade gleaming red-hot as it spun through the air toward Garmadon.

"When you get the chance, the weak spot is near its forehead," Kai added grimly.

One by one, the ninja relinquished their weapons—powerful artifacts born of elemental mastery and trust. Jay hesitated, panic creeping into his veins. His fingers trembled as he grasped the Nunchucks of Lightning.

"Uh, I don't think this needs to be said, but... we're gonna need these back," Jay stammered, voice wavering between sarcasm and genuine dread.

Garmadon laughed—a cold, hollow sound that sent a chill down every ninja's spine. His grin twisted grotesquely, dark armor catching the flickering flames.

"I'll do my part," Garmadon assured them, voice dripping with dark amusement. "You just keep it in one place."

With a laugh edged in malice, Garmadon vanished into the chaos, sprinting toward the Devourer with terrifying confidence.

Amid the chaos, Jinx stood apart, watching the scene unfold with a mixture of detached curiosity and quiet apprehension. The air around him felt heavier, thick with the scent of ozone, ash, and despair.

"Yeah... I've got a bad feeling about this," Jinx murmured to himself, voice barely audible over the destruction. "But I'm curious how this plays out..."

His crimson eyes flickered briefly toward Garmadon's retreating form. The Dark Lord would never hesitate to betray them. Jinx's pulse quickened—not from fear but from the thrill of watching the inevitable unraveling.

"At least I didn't give him my sword," Jinx added with a dry, bitter edge.

Jinx's hand drifted toward the katana strapped to his waist. The blade hung silent and gleaming against the backdrop of ruin. For a fleeting moment, Jinx considered the weapon's sharp edge—its potential.

He hadn't used it much, Jinx thought, eyes narrowing. Probably because I never had to rely on it. Unlike them...

He adjusted the katana's strap, fingers brushing its hilt as the distant clash of elemental forces and monstrous roars filled the air. Whatever happened next, Jinx knew better than anyone—power, trust, and betrayal would collide with devastating force.

The Devourer's monstrous form loomed over the city, its scaly hide glistening with venom and ash. Its massive jaws gaped wide, rows of serrated teeth glinting like jagged shards of glass. The beast thrashed violently, its colossal tail lashing out and tearing through buildings with ruthless force. The city trembled beneath its weight, but the ninja stood firm, hearts steeled by determination.

Jay's voice cracked through the chaos, tinged with panic and frustration. "Stays in one spot? Stays in one spot!? How are we supposed to do that?!"

Kai grit his teeth, face flushed with adrenaline. "Don't forget—we're ninja!" His voice carried the unshakable resolve of a warrior. "Come on, you overgrown worm! Take the bait. Come and get me! Whoa!"

Kai darted through the shattered streets, weaving between rubble and flaming wreckage, dodging the Devourer's thrashing tail and snapping jaws. The beast reared toward him, but Kai pressed on, relentless. His agility and speed carried him through the labyrinthine cityscape, up narrow alleys and over collapsed overpasses, until he reached Cole.

"Nice run. Now I'll take it from here! Whoo-hoo!"

Cole's voice thundered over the cacophony. With boundless energy, the Earth ninja vaulted over crumbled buildings and barriers, heading straight for a construction site. Steel girders twisted in the smoke-filled air, and concrete pillars crumbled under the strain of the Devourer's rampage.

The Devourer, its massive bulk careening after Kai, arrived at the construction site only to find Jay waiting for it.

"Looking for me?" Jay called out, feigning bravado.

The beast lunged, jaws wide, teeth gleaming with menace. Jay leapt into action, eyes wide with panic but muscles primed by instinct. He plummeted down an elevator shaft, twisting mid-air as the Devourer closed the gap. Sparks flew as metal grates tore free from the walls.

Jay activated his True Potential. With crackling arcs of lightning enveloping him, he rocketed upward through the shaft, the Devourer in relentless pursuit. Its jaws snapped mere inches behind him as Jay ascended to the skyscraper's upper floors.

Panting and electrified, Jay landed on the roof.

"What took you so long?" Zane's mechanical voice cut through the tension, cool and unruffled.

Jay wiped sweat from his brow. "Save the humor, Zane. Now's not the time!"

"Instead of a fire escape," Zane suggested calmly, "how about an ice escape?"

Jay glanced at the ice slide forming before them, Zane's precision in the heat of battle unparalleled. Without hesitation, they leapt, the ice gleaming like glass beneath them as they soared off its end.

The Devourer, mouth agape, surged forward, jaws threatening to engulf them.

"No, no!" Jay shouted, heart in his throat.

A furious gust of wind roared through the city, throwing the Devourer backward. From the shadows, a tendril of darkness, writhing and sinister, ensnared the beast, keeping it from obliterating the cityscape.

"You think it's working?" Jay shouted, adrenaline coursing through every fiber of his being.

"We're about to find out!" Kai replied, voice resolute.

Working with precision born of years of training, the ninja maneuvered the Devourer into a deadly trap. Shadow chains erupted from the tendrils, wrapping around the creature's gargantuan body. The beast thrashed and roared, biting its own tail in agony.

Amid the devastation, Jinx stood at the edge of the battle, his crimson eyes narrowing as he observed the scene. His tone, unsettlingly casual, cut through the tension.

"You know... it kinda looks cute."

Cole, eyes wide with disbelief, shook his head. "We did it! Now, where's Garmadon? He's not gonna hold on much longer."

Lloyd's voice trembled with dread as his gaze scanned the sky. "Look!"

Above them, the sky was consumed by dark, swirling clouds. Atop a distant skyscraper, Lord Garmadon stood silhouetted against the tempestuous sky, arms raised in defiance.

"Dad!" Lloyd's cry rang out, raw and desperate.

Garmadon's voice echoed across the city, dark and thunderous. "You are the reason evil runs through my blood. You bit me once. Now, feel what it's like to be bitten back!"

Garmadon unleashed a surge of violet energy, crackling and writhing like living lightning. Without hesitation, the Dark Lord leapt toward the Devourer, his malevolent laughter ripping through the chaos.

"Vengeance will be mine!"

Garmadon collided with the beast in a cataclysmic explosion. The Devourer's colossal form convulsed violently before shattering into twisted shards of scale and bone. As its venom seeped through the city, panic rippled briefly through the citizens, but the ninja's unwavering presence reassured them.

The crowd erupted in cheers as the night's horror finally ended.

"He did it!" Jay shouted, voice hoarse with relief.

Cole clapped Jay on the back, voice resolute. "No, we did it!"

Meanwhile, deep within the Serpentine tomb, the air was thick with unease.

"Is that cheering?" Skalidor's hiss sliced through the damp silence.

"The Great Devourer must have been destroyed," Fangtom stated, eyes wide with a mixture of relief and dread.

"Someone has to lead now," Skales said grimly, shifting the weight of responsibility onto themselves.

Back on the battlefield, the ninja regrouped near Ed and Edna.

Edna's eyes lit up. "Ooh, our little ninja!"

Cole grinned, kneeling beside the battered Ultra Dragon. "Hey, there you are, you big lug. It's good to have you back." Cole ran a hand affectionately over the dragon's charred scales.

Lloyd's eyes searched the crowd, panic creeping into his voice. "I don't see my dad."

"He should be around here somewhere," Kai offered uncertainly.

Zane processed the situation instantly. "Your analysis is incorrect. He is not here."

Cole scowled, frustration evident. "Then our Golden Weapons are gone, too. Well, isn't that convenient?"

Jinx stepped closer, voice steady and unnervingly calm. "It shouldn't matter. You just have to be strong enough to get them back."

Nya's eyes caught a faint trail in the debris—deep impressions in cracked pavement. "Look, his footsteps."

Kai glanced at Lloyd. "I have a feeling you'll see your father again soon."

Lloyd's voice trembled. "I know... but that's what I'm afraid of."

Jinx placed a reassuring hand on Lloyd's shoulder, the touch firm yet oddly comforting. Lloyd glanced at Jinx, appreciating the small gesture amid the chaos.

Cole's voice rang out, cutting through the haze. "Ah, Sensei Wu!"

Nya gasped. "Wow!"

Jay laughed, relief bubbling over. "Ha! Would you look at that! He survived!"

Wu's serene presence brought calm. "I can't tell you how glad I am to see you." He retrieved his teapot, sipping thoughtfully. "The Devourer left a bad taste in my mouth. Ah... much better. And still hot."

Jinx raised an eyebrow. "Can I get some?"

"Sure, my pupil. You've earned it."

Wu handed Jinx a cup, and for a moment, amidst the ash and ruin, they savored the peace.

Lloyd stood among his comrades, chest heaving from exertion, eyes locked on Sensei Wu. His voice trembled with a mixture of exhaustion and dread.

"It's good to have you back, Uncle. But... my father—he left. And he took the Golden Weapons."

A silence hung in the air, heavy and suffocating. Wu's expression was calm, his eyes gentle but sharp beneath his wide-brimmed hat. He regarded Lloyd with a quiet pride.

"Ah, very true," Wu said thoughtfully, voice steady and reassuring. "The ability of the weapon is indeed great, but it is the ability to better oneself that makes one truly limitless."

The words hung in the air like a beacon. Jay, always quick with a quip, couldn't help but jump in.

"I couldn't have said it any better myself!" His grin was wide, attempting to slice through the tension like lightning through storm clouds.

Kai clapped a hand on Lloyd's shoulder, eyes fierce yet filled with warmth. "Besides, we've got what matters most: you."

Wu's eyes glimmered with pride as he looked over his pupils—these young warriors who had faced death and emerged victorious.

"The pupils have become the masters," Wu stated, voice filled with quiet authority.

Lloyd swallowed hard, the weight of his father's betrayal pressing down on him. His voice was barely a whisper, edged with uncertainty.

"Am I really... going to have to fight my father one day?"

The question hung heavy in the air. Wu looked at Lloyd with steady eyes. There was sorrow in his gaze, but also resolve.

"One day. But today... today we take pride in knowing Ninjago is safe. For now. Tomorrow, you will train. You will prepare for that day." Wu's voice was resolute. "Good will finally stand against evil, and the final outcome will be decided for all of time."

Kai stepped closer, voice firm and reassuring. "Uh, but don't worry. We'll teach you everything we know."

Jay, nodding emphatically, added, "And make sure you're ready for that fight—whatever it takes!"

Cole, arms crossed, glanced at the others, voice strong and unwavering. "Because as we all know... good will always stand up to evil."

Zane, ever logical and precise, gave a nod of agreement. "And ninja will always stand for what is right."

A chorus of cheers erupted from the ninja as the tension of battle gave way to celebration. In the heart of devastation, there was hope, and the ninja reveled in the moment.

"Go, ninja, go!"

Laughter mingled with the sounds of rebuilding, with the city's heartbeat steady beneath the flames and ruins.

But as the celebration swirled around him, Jinx's keen eyes caught movement out of the corner of his vision. Sharp and precise, his instincts kicked in. Without hesitation, Jinx slipped away from the jubilant crowd, slipping down a narrow alley shadowed by debris and smoke.

There, coiled beneath the cracked pavement and discarded rubble, was a small dark green snake. Its scales shimmered with an eerie iridescence, glistening like wet obsidian under the flickering light of distant fires. The serpent's eyes, sharp and unnervingly intelligent, locked onto Jinx's crimson gaze.

Without a second thought, Jinx crouched and extended a gloved hand, lifting the snake with the care of a master.

The snake's tongue flicked out, tasting the air between them, but it made no move to escape. Instead, the creature and Jinx locked eyes—two predators sizing each other up.

Jinx's voice, calm but laced with a hint of curiosity, broke the silence.

"Why, hello there."

The snake twitched its body, coiling tightly around Jinx's gloved fingers, its eyes never wavering. A shiver of unease crawled down Jinx's spine, but his expression remained unflinching.

In the midst of celebration and relief, the quiet arrival of this small, dark green snake felt like a storm's whisper before the sky tears open once more.