Outbreak: Ninjago's Dark Dawn

Chapter 3 - A Father's Gambit

The cold air of the mountain temple wrapped around the ninja like an invisible shroud, amplifying the sense of isolation that had settled over them. The infection was spreading fast, too fast, and every second they spent in the temple felt like one closer to losing Ninjago for good. The walls, once symbols of history and resilience, now felt more like a tomb. As the night deepened, the shadows stretched longer, as if the darkness itself was infected, waiting to close in.

Kai's restlessness was palpable. He paced back and forth near the entrance, his fingers tapping nervously on the hilt of his sword. Every noise outside—the wind howling, a rock shifting—made his muscles tense, ready to spring into action.

"Hey," Nya called softly, trying to calm him. "You've been pacing for an hour. You need to rest."

Kai turned toward her, his face a mixture of concern and frustration. "I can't just sit here, Nya. It's getting worse out there. People are dying, turning into those things, and we're up here hiding in some ancient ruin? This isn't how we're supposed to fight."

Nya approached him slowly, her face etched with fatigue but her resolve firm. "I know. Believe me, I know. But running out there without a plan won't save anyone. We've faced impossible odds before. We just need to hold on a little longer."

Kai clenched his fists, a flicker of flame dancing around his fingers. "And what if we're too late? What if one of us gets infected? What if you—" His voice cracked, the weight of the fear he'd been hiding coming to the surface. "I can't lose you, Nya. I can't."

Nya's expression softened, and she reached out, placing a hand on his arm. "We're not going to lose each other, Kai. Not if we stick together."

But before either of them could say another word, a sudden noise outside made them both freeze—a rustling, followed by a faint, metallic clang. Kai's eyes narrowed, his instincts immediately kicking in. "Stay here," he muttered, though he knew Nya wouldn't listen.

The ninja quickly gathered near the temple entrance, weapons drawn, hearts racing. They had been expecting another wave of infected to find their hideout, but what stepped through the crumbling stone archway was something far more chilling.

A figure emerged from the shadows, tall and cloaked, the darkness seeming to ripple around him. The silhouette was unmistakable. The red eyes, the formidable posture, the aura of danger—it could only be one person.

Garmadon.

Lloyd's heart stopped for a moment, a sinking feeling dragging him down as he took in the sight of his father. The man he had once loved, then fought, then lost. A man who had returned from the clutches of the Oni, only to disappear once more into the shadows. But now, here he was, standing in their midst, bringing with him a sense of foreboding that rivaled even the infected.

"Father," Lloyd breathed, his voice barely above a whisper. His grip on his sword tightened.

The other ninja exchanged wary glances, unsure whether to prepare for a fight or stand down. Garmadon had always been a wildcard—an ally and an enemy, a savior and a destroyer.

"Don't call me that," Garmadon said, his voice cold and devoid of any paternal warmth. His eyes scanned the temple, taking in the ragtag group of ninja, their exhaustion, their fear. "I didn't come here for a family reunion."

Kai stepped forward, his fiery temper already flaring. "Then why are you here? Haven't we got enough to deal with without you showing up and making things worse?"

Garmadon's gaze flicked to Kai, his expression unreadable. "I'm here because your city is dying, and you are all too weak to stop it."

Lloyd's jaw clenched. "We're doing everything we can."