Ninjago: The Tribes AU

"Going home"

Lloyd woke up to the sound of an explosion, frantically looking around, only to see he was in a burning tree house. He quickly lunged toward the door and jumped out; falling a solid 20 feet and crashing into the ground. He winced as he stood back up and looked around. He already had an idea of what was going on, and it was confirmed when he realized where he was. The Wind Tribe village.

The night of the attack...

Lloyd turned around just in time to witness a black haired woman run toward a hut. However, a smoky purple tendril shot out from the ground and wrapped around her; lifting her up. A tall, pale man with long black hair and a red outfit stepped from the shadows. His hands and eyes glowing an evil purple. He tossed the woman ground as he stood by her; keeping the tendril tight around her so she couldn't get up. The man looked like his soul had been corrupted to the point where he no longer felt empathy for what he was about to do. Without a single word or hesitation, he conjured a second shadowy vine that shot forward and tore right through her heart. The woman let out a scream, then went limp. The man showed no emotion as his eyes met with a hut; beginning to walk towards it. Lloyd followed after him, only to be met with a terrifying scene. The man was surrounded by the evil magic purple vines as he stared at a child frozen in fear in the corner. Morro... Lloyd held his breath and couldn't help but look away as the spell lunged forward. A giant ruckus rang out; like a tornado storm was raging in the room. Then, the high-pitched shriek and sound of flesh tearing filled the room. Lloyd opened his eyes, and time had skipped. Most of the fires were out, and everything was silent. Lloyd knelt down beside the little master of wind; laying in a pool of drying blood. No more than 6 years old, with only a pair of ripped pants and a shark tooth necklace. Lloyd touched his shoulder with a sigh. It was cold. Everything around him felt cold and dark. Not a sound was made in the somber, dismal atmosphere. The ash covered every surface and hung around like a cloudy fog in the air, making the world seem drained of life and color. Lloyd sat in silence, thinking about how awful the Fire Tribe was for their actions. Suddenly, the ghostly figure appeared next to him. It hung its head and looked deep in thought. "He is truly awful. Isn't he?"

The green ninja turned turned to the spirit. "He?"

"That man you just saw. People might blame the tribes leader for their actions, but truthfully, they only serve as distractions."

Before Lloyd could question what he meant, the world spun around to reveal a new scene. The beach. A few members of the Wind Tribe were crowded around a little Morro. He still appeared dead, but he had no more wounds. Out of nowhere, he took a deep breath. His desperate gasp sounded was like he had just taken a breath after weeks of being trapped under water. Tears streamed down his face as he latched onto the woman that was holding his freezing body. He looked absolutely terrified. Lloyd couldn't blame him, that experience must have been traumatizing at the least... He couldn't imagine it. Dying... it must have been horrible.

"True evil lives and grows behind the scenes, taking control by any means. Using the power of manipulation on an innocent mind, it renders everyone who sees the actions blind. He treats him like a marionette, making him do unspeakable things, but such a plan has invisible strings. Not even the puppet knows that he's being played. You must free him, but he won't be so easily swayed."

The green ninja stared deep into the ghost's eyes. "Who are you?" His voice was stern, yet genuinely curious. The apparition floated in silence; studying Lloyd back. It looked away, almost ashamed, then disappeared.
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"Not even the puppet knows that he's being played. You must free him free him, but he won't be so easily swayed...?" Repeated Lloyd silently. "What do you mean? Who are you?..."