1. The Dark Side of Destiny: Beginnings

Chapter 13 - How to be a Team

Garmadon stood on the outskirts of a small village in eastern Ninjago. He had the Scythe of Quakes strapped to his back, and his toddler son in his arms. He kissed Lloyd on the top of his little blond head. It was still a long way to the Caves of Despair, where Garmadon planned to travel alone to hide the golden scythe. And even then, he didn't know how long it would be before he found the guardian. It could be a while before he saw his family again.

"Now, you be good for your mother," Garmadon instructed.

Lloyd grinned. "No!" That was becoming one of his favorite words lately.

Garmadon looked at him as seriously as he could manage. "No? Why you little –" Lloyd squealed as his father held him tight and began tickling him all over. Lloyd squirmed and laughed, but was powerless against his father.

When Garmadon finally relented, Lloyd reached up in an attempt to tickle him back, but only managed to scratch his neck. Garmadon pretended to cringe in response. "Oh no you don't!" he said as he passed the boy back to his mother. Ruffling his hair, he added, "I'll see you soon, Lloyd."

"Where you going?"

Garmadon sighed. He and Misako had already tried multiple times to explain in as simple of terms as they could, but of course Lloyd couldn't grasp the whole situation yet. "I won't be far. And I won't be gone too long."

"Good luck," Misako said, but he could see that she was troubled.

"I'll be back soon," he said, trying to soothe her.

"I know. It's just that we don't know how much time we have left. Who knows when Wu could come back? I just hope that if we can get the weapons out of his reach, then maybe . . ." and Garmadon could found his own fears reflected in her eyes.

"I know you're scared for our son," he said, cupping her cheek in his hand. "I am, too. But we can't waste the precious time that have on worrying. Lloyd is safe right now, and that's what matters most. We'll prepare him as best we can, but we'll have to let him face his destiny on his own. Whether that's battling his crazed uncle or protecting the weapons. He'll be alright, Koko, you'll see." Garmadon pulled her closer for a hug.

"I want to believe you," was all she said.

Garmadon smiled in spite of himself. "With any luck, I'll be back in just a few days."

"We'll be here," she said and returned his smile with one of her own that he felt could sustain him for a lifetime.

As he began to walk away, he turned back to wave. Misako and Lloyd waved enthusiastically back. When he got a little farther, he turned back to wave again. But soon, they were out of sight and he found himself on the outskirts of the village. Before much longer, even that had faded away behind him.

Legends about the Caves of Despair told of a beast that made its home there. The caves had once been used by the nearby town for mining, but the appearance of this beast had driven away everyone in the area. Now it was abandoned, declared cursed. People avoided it at all costs. It was the perfect place to hide something you didn't want people looking for.

Of course, Garmadon knew the truth behind the legends. He planned on using the beast to help him with his mission. This was the best plan that he and Misako had could come up with. He just hoped it would work.

It was about a day's walk from the village to the caves. Garmadon trekked through the forest, carrying nothing but a pack of supplies and his father's staff. The path to the mines was still well worn, so he needed only to follow it. His mind was plagued with the weight of his mission. What if something went wrong? But he breathed in deeply and allowed the sounds of the forest to soothe him.