The Reign of the Oni

Chapter Seven - In Which Harumi Has a Family Reunion

Harumi's POV:

I sat behind a pair of bushes, surveying the road in front of me. The binoculars were sweaty in my hands. I'm not nervous, I kept telling myself. Why would I be nervous? There was nothing to be nervous about. I would rescue my father from the transport truck and then help him back to his throne on top of Ninjago City. Easy.

Ronin sat panting beside me. You would think a bounty hunter would be more in shape. Then again, he had retired to the easiest of jobs before I roped him into my mess. I thought back to the day I had first found Ronin. Living in a hovel, surrounded by clutter. The spoils of his last job had clearly not been enough to sustain him. It was hard to convince him to join me, but he had taken a liking to me. He told me he saw himself in me. That's why he had tried so hard to change my mind before finally giving in.

"What time is the truck supposed to arrive?" Ronin asked, glancing down at his watch.

"Three."

"On the dot?"

I sighed. "How should I know?"

"If it's on the dot-" he continued, glancing back at his watch, "-then we've only got a few minutes."

I tensed and brought the binoculars closer to my face. This was it. In just a few minutes, I would be reunited with my father. Then together we would bring the Ninja back down to their level. I would make the people of Ninjago see how pathetic the Ninja they idolized really were. They would not be able to protect the city from the coming darkness. Only Emperor Garmadon was capable of that. And soon, everyone would see.

Ronin turned to me as we heard the sounds of an engine in the distance. I set down the pair of binoculars upon seeing the transport. I sat up in a squat, my hands and feet on the ground, ready to pounce.

"Wait until the doors are open," I whispered to Ronin.

A stout man climbed out of the truck and walked over to the back. He fished a key out of his pocket and started unlocking the double doors. I bit the inside of my cheek, trying to contain my excitement. My heart pounded in my chest as the man started to open the doors.

Then his head snapped, as well as Ronin and my own, to the deafening sound of dozens of engines. The man started walking away from the truck and towards the noise. I saw an opportunity open right in front of me.

I pushed off with my feet and ran towards the truck. I was inside before the man knew what was happening. I closed the doors and looked around for something to jam them. A hand offered me a pipe, and I took it and shoved it in between the handles. I turned, inspecting the person who had offered me the pipe. I smiled, my eyes lighting up.

Garmadon's brow furrowed. "Harumi?" he asked. I nodded, tears welling in my eyes. "I thought you were dead."

"I survived. Then once I heard of your arrest, I spent every second trying to get back to Ninjago City and planning your extraction."

Emperor Garmadon continued to stare at me in disbelief. Before I could try to explain, something banged against the doors. I turned and spread out my arms in an attempt to shield my father. But when the doors opened, I cocked my head upon seeing a familiar face.

Ultra Violet gasped. Then she rushed at me, locking me in a vise-like hug. "I knew you weren't dead," she whispered.

I leaned into her hug, wrapping my arms around her. I had missed my best friend more than I was willing to admit. It felt so good to be back with everyone I loved.

Ronin popped his head through the door. "This is very sweet and all, but we should save the sentimental reunions until after Emperor Garmadon is somewhere safe."

I nodded, turning to help my father out of the truck. He was weaker than before. He almost toppled over after walking just a few steps away from the truck. After asking for permission, a few of Violet's men grabbed him and assisted him onto a bike. I could kick myself for how unprepared I was. Did I really expect him to walk all the way to Ninjago City?

I heard a confused voice behind me. I turned and saw the man who was driving the truck. He rubbed his head while standing up from the ground. When he saw that the truck was empty, he started to break out in a cold sweat. He whimpered, looking all around. Then he finally noticed our group standing before him. He looked even more petrified than before, if that was possible.

I turned to Violet. "Can I trust one of your men to take care of him?"

She cracked a wicked smile. "I'll make sure of it."

I followed Violet over to her bike and hopped onto the bike. I held onto her waist as she led the way back to Ninjago City. Violet tried to explain what had happened to the Sons of Garmadon since my father had been imprisoned and I had "gone missing", as she said. They had been reduced to a wearhouse, and most of the former members were still in prison, but their numbers had grown. It sounded like every young adult male in the city suburbs had joined. But why wouldn't they? The people in the suburbs knew first hand how corrupt the system was. They knew what had to be changed, and they were willing to make that change, no matter the cost.

I smiled as Violet continued to boast about their accomplishments. The Ninja had tried to stop us, but they had failed. All they had done was set us back a bit. And the best part was that they still thought they had won. They were probably up in their little Monastery right now, thinking they were safe. Thinking they had seen the last of the Sons of Garmadon.

But the Sons of Garmadon had survived, even without me or my father. There was no doubt in my mind that we would prevail.

And once my father was once again on top, I would personally insure the deaths of every last Ninja.