Lego Ninjago: Invasion

Chapter 2

The mountain loomed, like an imposing presence upon the plains. A set of stairs leading up, spiralling round it as they climbed, coming up to a small, narrow point, tip poking above the clouds. Resting upon the tip, built upon a flat base, was the Monastery of Spinjitzu. Rebuilt to serve the Ninja. The Monastery was where the Ninja would've had their last stand against the Oni.

Now it was home to Master Wu, Master Lloyd and his mother, Misako. The red and black architecture stood out against the grey, blue and white of the sky and mountain. The gold sculptures standing tall. The wind wasn't as plentiful as it was far below. But it didn't bother the Master of Fire. He stood tall, leaning against a bag of things, waiting for Wu and Misako to join him.

"Peace is lovely, isn't it Kai?" Lloyd asked, coming to a stop next to the Master of Fire. The air blowing by in a soft, weak breeze. "Indeed Lloyd. But peace won't last." Kai replied. His amber eyes shifting towards the clouds before them. His gaze observing as they floated freely throughout the skies. "When you think like that Kai, peace won't last. Enjoy it while you can." Kai blinked, his eyes shifting slightly.

"I will do my best, I just have this gut feeling that somethings coming, and we won't know anything about them." Lloyd raised an eyebrow in interest. His thoughts drifting away to what these them could be. He knew it wouldn't be the Oni, they had already been defeated. "Them?" He asked softly, his voice barely above a whisper. Kai heard him clearly. "I had a dream, I saw a being made of fire. Behind him, a scorched land of magma and dead trees." Lloyd blinked, unsure how to proceed. He knew that dreams were often made from the mind, from your imagination. But on the rare case, they could show you a glimpse of the future.

Any further need to investigate was halted by the arrival of Master Wu and Misako. "Let us begin our journey Kai." Kai gave a small nod towards Wu, his eyes slowly leaving Lloyd. "Well finish this later." He said. Lloyd blinked, his mind wondering how Kai had talked to him without moving his mouth. After several seconds, he decided to let it be. Deciding that he'd ask about it with him in private. "Ok." He responded. Kai gave a small nod. Confirming that he'd heard him.

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Garmadon slowly came to a stop. His eyes falling over the small valley before him. His eyes sweeping for a potential way in. 'The Valley of Spined Death.' He thought to himself grimly. 'No one who has entered it has ever returned.' With a blink, Garmadon began to climb down the cliff face. His four arms making it easy to move about. Dropping off at the bottom, he scanned the surrounding area for any potential threats.

When he'd confirmed that it was safe, he began to walk. Keeping his ears and eyes alert for anyone or anything that might pose a threat to him. He had walked for several miles before he glanced up. The dusk sky marking the end of the day. Sweeping the area, Garmadon narrowed his eyes as he eyed several foot prints. They were human in shape. But they were deeper, the mud had been forced apart. Trampled like many people had marched through here.

Garmadon quickly touched the prints, his eyes widening slightly. They were fresh. 'They've been through here. My prize isn't far ahead.' He thought. He quickly swept over the tracks. He noticed that they were like boots. Armoured, heavy metal. Like an invading or scout force had been through. He thought back to the beings he fought before, where he met that female Oni with yellow eyes. He was burning with questions. This was a mystery that he needed to solve fast.

Turning slightly, Garmadon quickly leaned against a tree, using the darkness to conceal himself from any hunters that may stalk the jungle. He could sense something large moving about. He knew where it was headed, towards the force that had marched through before. He noted that they seemed to avoid him. Was it his power? His Oni heritage? Or his control over Destruction that made them stray away from him.

Hearing screams, Garmadon quickly moved. His eyes narrowed as he walked down the path. The sound of fast-moving creatures, armour being crushed and popping growing louder as he approached. He knew that something was up. Entering the clearing, he noticed the fallen bodies of the force he was following. He quickly shifted over the bodies, his eyes scanning each for the parchment. Upon finding no sign of the parchment or the one who carried it. Garmadon turned his attention towards the wounds caused by the hunters.

He noticed large spikes, easily as large as a car, buried deep into the soldiers. Several had been sliced in half cleanly. The cuts showing no sign of resistance to what was used. He quickly noted the size of the foot prints left in the hunters wake. Three claws marked which direction they headed in. The size of them clicked something in Garmadons head. 'Razorback Wraiths. Hunters of the night. Stated to be as large as a two-story building. Claws sharp enough to slice through the toughest material.'

He had seen the legends. A troop of Stone Warriors had been cut down by these beasts. Causing the valley to gain its name. He felt a pair of eyes observe him. His mind already ticking, telling him to get out. With a grin, Garmadon ran, sprinting down the path as he glanced behind him every now and then. Waiting for whatever it was to pursue him.