You cared for her instead.

     You never noticed me.

     You died without seeing your son.

     When I bring you back you will see.

     "The Mask of Hatred," Harumi breathed, stepping towards the glowing purple flames.

     I followed her, waiting for my chance to snatch it. The white-haired girl reached into the flames, trying to grasp the mask. The flames seemed to repel her. Grunting, she tried again. I started to grimace when she didn't stop. After several attempts, Harumi paused.

     "It won't work for me," she said.

     "Only someone with Oni blood can take the mask," I replied, pushing her aside. I took a deep breath as I reached into the flames. I felt my fingers curl around the hard edges of the ancient mask. Grinning, I yanked it free of the flames. The Mask of Hatred was in my grasp at last. This mask was the last my minions had to collect. Now, I could finally bring my father back.

     The mask was plucked out of my hands before I could blink. Harumi examined it, tilting it side to side. She smiled at me. "I still don't understand how this can help bring someone back but, all I can say is, we did it. We have officially stopped the Sons of Garmadon from getting the last mask." Her beautiful features were glowing with relief. I watched the white-haired ninja, my eyes narrowing.

     This girl was one chosen out of many to be the legendary Green Ninja. She was famous for her immense power and for her heroic nature. Over the past week, I had come to realize that she wasn't only powerful, but sweet, kind, and caring. Her eyes sparkled when she laughed, she always blinked frequently when she was sad. Her voice would take on a stern tone when she fought, she twirled her hair when she was nervous. The more time I spent with her, the more I realized she was human.

     I felt myself drawn to her, like she was a little butterfly that I had to chase. The worst part of it all, was that she loved me too. Then, I remembered why I hated her. This girl had converted my father, had installed him as her sensei, she had been the one to take him away. My father stuck by her side, treating her as he would a daughter. He never came looking for me. My father ended up sacrificing himself for her ninja group, and he gave her his sensei robes when she found him in the Preeminent. Harumi was everything I wasn't, and I hated her for it. She was always loved, people did what she asked of them, no one ever left her behind.

     I would make her pay. I would take everything she valued away from her. I would break her heart like she broke mine. When I brought back my father, I would make sure he destroyed her and her friends. Then, I would finally be satisfied. Only then, would I be happy.

     I stepped towards Harumi, reaching for the mask. "Can I see it?" I asked, putting a light tone in my voice. She gently moved it out of my reach. "I just want to see it."

     She hesitated. "How did you know?"

     "Know what?" I questioned, still trying to grab a hold on the mask.

     Harumi pulled it away. "How did you know that only an Oni could take the mask?"

     "It's an Oni temple," I said, trying to find a good excuse. Inwardly, I was cursing at myself. How could I have been so stupid? "It's natural to assume that only an Oni could take it." I reached for it again. If I just got the mask back, everything would be fine.

     Harumi stepped back. "How did you know you were part Oni? Only a descendant of the First Spinjitzu Master could have Oni blood. The only descendants of the First Spinjitzu Master were Garmadon and Wu. There were no others."

     "How did you expect to take the mask if you knew you didn't have Oni blood?" I tried to steer the conversation away.

     "Master Wu fought wearing these gloves," Harumi said, holding up her hands. "I'm sure they have a bit of his blood on them; I just don't know how they didn't work. But, how can you have Oni blood? You can't be related to an Oni, can you?" She paused, blinking slowly. "I don't want to believe it," she whispered. "You're the Quiet One?"

     I forced out a laugh. "That's ridiculous. Are you even hearing yourself?"

     Harumi leaned against the stone platform, turning her back to me. "It all makes sense now. The greatest villain is the one you never knew was there in the first place. You said that."

     I walked over to her. "How can you say that? Am I really a criminal mastermind? That makes no sense. I've been with you all this time. How could I have done this? Do you realize how silly you're sounding?" I put a hand on her shoulder. She spun around, meeting my eyes. The Mask of Hatred was the only thing separating us. I started to wrap my fingers around the mask. "I-I love you."

     Harumi frowned, yanking the mask away. "Stay back," she ordered.

     "Rumi," I let pleading into my voice.

     "No," her sharp tone cut in. "You only needed me to get the mask you couldn't find."

     "I didn't need you to find the mask," I hissed. If she wasn't going to fall for my 'helpless prince' facade then there was no need to keep pretending. "I only needed you to battle through the dangers of this jungle. Had you not stolen Wu from us, there would be no need for me to act."

     Harumi paused. "The baby was Master Wu?"

     "Oh, that's right," I mocked. "You didn't know. Not everything goes to plan." I walked up behind her, grasping for the mask. "Give me the mask."

     "No, I won't let you bring back Lord Garmadon."

     My brows furrowed. "If you won't give it to me," I started, my voice becoming dangerous. With a roundhouse kick, I knocked the mask out of Harumi's hands and flipped her across the room. "Then I will take it!"

     Harumi's eyes reflected a fragile heart as she glared at me. She pulled herself to her feet, looking around for the mask. It lay a little ways from each of us. I started towards it, only to be tackled.

     "Why?" Harumi asked, pinning me down.

     I rolled over so she was beneath me. "I never asked to be a prince, just like I never asked to be forgotten. But you gifted me that."

     She lunged forward, flipping me backwards. "How did I do that?"

     "The Overlord! The aftermath of your greatest victory!" I shouted, pushing her back. "You brought my father back to the good side and made him forget I existed. You made him love you instead!" At this point, I couldn't tell who was hurting more, me or her. "Oh Harumi," my voice became sweet, "you weren't so naive to think no one was hurt by you, did you?" Harumi kicked me off of her. I stood up, letting my ire feed my venomous tone. "All those years ago he left me. His own son. After that, everyone in my life abandoned me. My mother, my teachers, my friends... I died inside the day I realized that I would never be wanted."

     Green energy surrounded her hands as she faced the mask. "Give me one reason not to say goodbye to it right now," Harumi prompted.

     "I'll give you two," I put a hand on her shoulder. "You want to see your sensei again and you love me." She paused, blinking hard. "Ah, your emotions. It's hard to think, isn't it? I felt those feelings too." I pulled a knife from my robes. My fingers grazed her cheek. Harumi leaned into my touch, every part of her wishing this wasn't really happening. But I know this is a cruel world. Not everything is bright and beautiful. "We truly are a kindred spirit." I clutched the dagger. If I cut Harumi, the one light in my life out, then I would be free of weakness. She called me to her. To the good side. To the light. I had to resist weakness. It was my only hope to see my father again. Letting out a primal scream, I plunged the dagger down.

     Harumi pulled away just in time. She tried to grab the dagger, and I tried to trip her. We fought in the dimly lit chamber, each of us trying to gain the upper hand. She was a trained warrior, but I had to get the mask, or all hope was lost. However, Harumi was able to use her spinjitzu and blast me back. To her surprise, I got to my feet quickly, dagger in hand.

      "You helped put the bug on the ship," she accused. "You caused the crash."

      "A calculated risk," I hissed. "Your friends were so close to the truth I couldn't have them stop me."

     "Feeding the poor," she continued, "acting helpless? It was all an act?"

     I laughed. "Ah yes, the damsel in distress move. You ninja really are from another time."

     "The Emperor and Empress?!"

     "They were never my parents!" I cried, pointing the dagger at Harumi. I stalked toward her, my menacing steps treading lightly. "To protect Ninjago, I had to suppress those feelings. I had to wear a mask until the time came for me to take control. I had to be smarter, stronger—"

     "You were never protecting Ninjago," Harumi seethed. "You were only after revenge."

     My nostrils flared. "Tell me Rumi, how many times has Ninjago almost fallen on your watch?" I watched her deflate, and that gave me strength. "How many times have you and your ninja failed—" I threw the dagger at her heart. Sadly for me, Harumi caught it just in time. "—and let others pay the price? You're not our protectors. You're just a bunch of kids playing dress-up." I was only feet away from her. Harumi thrust the dagger in my direction, trying to keep me back. "Ninjago is my home too. With my father by my side, we will return it to glory. Give it the leader it truly deserves."

     I ran for the mask, butHarumi intercepted me. We tangled once more. I could tell Harumi's fighting wasweaker. Her heart hurt too much. I was able to kick her back. Grinning, I turnedto where the mask was. Or, to where it should have been. With a victorioussmirk, Harumi held up the Mask of Hatred. "I guess this is goodbye," she said.Before I could say anything, she threw it off the side of the chamber. Cryingout, I jumped down after it. Oh, I would get my hands on that mask. I wouldhave my revenge. I would not fail. Nothing was stopping me now.