~....Not The Same....~

Chapter 1

Garmadon laughed victoriously, picking Misako up by her waist and spinning her around. She screamed with joy, her hair falling into her face. He put her down, and they embraced.

" We won.." He breathed, a smile spread across his face. " Ninjago is finally safe from the Serpentine threat..."

" It seems too unreal..." Misako said, casting her gaze around the rejoicing village. " I guess I just got so used to the war that I cannot remember peace..."

" Remember it." Garmadon said, scanning the village. " I'll be back in a few moments...." He mumbled, leaving without another word. Misako smiled, twirling her braided hair around her finger. Something was special about Garmadon. She didn't know what it was, but it was there. Anyone who knew him would know what she meant. She felt a tap on her shoulder, and Wu gave her a small smile.

" Hello, Misako." He said calmly. She gave him a timid smile, and it soon disappeared.

" You...Saw that, didn't you?" She asked. He nodded, trying to hide his sadness. She sighed, guilt consuming her. Both Wu and Garmadon had taken a liking to her, and she hadn't decided who to choose. The brothers had made a truce, to not fight over the matter, no matter who she chose.

" I'm sorry, Wu...We were just celebrating the recent victory.." She tried to explain. He nodded, as if it didn't matter.

" It's fine...If I were in his shoes, I'd want to celebrate as well." He shrugged.

" But we won the war!" She cried, a smile spread across her lips. " Come celebrate with everyone!" Wu was about to tell her that he'd be happy to go, but he paused. He couldn't. He was exhausted, and he had business to finish.

" I'll have to pass for now...But, Garmadon and I are available later if you want to get some tea?" He offered. She nodded.

" Sure...Sounds nice." She replied. " I hope I didn't drive a wedge between you and your brother for earlier..."

" Oh, that? It's no big deal...I gotta go.." He said, running off towards the townhall, his Father's staff in hand.

****

Wu ran into the town hall, nearly running his brother over as he stumbled on the final stair. He tripped, and slammed into his brother, knocking him off-balance, and Wu laying sprawled on the floor. Garmadon quickly righted himself, and yanked his brother to his feet.

" Seriously, brother...Act proper." Garmadon hissed. " We are meeting with the other Elemental Masters to decide the fate of the Anacondrai, and of their helpers-Chen and Clouse." He looked over his shoulder into the room, and glared at Clouse, who gave him a smug look in return.

" Sorry, I was running late, had no other choice-"

" Excuse me, gentlemen...." The town's elder, Mystake, said. She looked between the brothers, and sighed. " We are beginning in a few moments, if you could be bothered to grow up..." She hissed. The brothers nodded, and she walked away, mumbling to herself. Garmadon shook his head in disgust.

" Yeesh, we have to try to pick a fair punishment with her at our side? Gosh, why don't we just dismiss us all, and-" Wu began.

" Shut it, brother." Garmadon snapped. " There is no punishment suitable for any of them, not even death. They have taken the lives of many, destroyed countless villages, and-"

" Alright, alright...." Wu sighed, cutting off his brother. " When do we begin?"

" Now."

***