Wu paced anxiously back in forth in front of Cole's and Harumi's figures, muttering to himself. "C'mon. Pleeeease." He stared hard at his hands and shook them as if he could somehow activate his powers like a glow stick.

    He despairingly looked at Cole's permanently frozen face. He said quietly, "Please come back. We need a true Master like you."

    Cole, to his great bewilderment, could hear what was going on around him but had no way of connecting with everyone or his body. It was like he was floating in a soupy darkness. He technically knew what it was like to die. For a moment, he feared he had been transformed into a ghost again, but he was unable to move away from his body. He was stuck, unknowing if he was still alive or dead. From the fall, he assumed he must've been dead but hearing Wu's voice, he wasn't too certain.

    A raspy chuckle drew his attention. Now that was a ghost.

    "Mystaké?"

    The translucent being bowed with a flourish. "The one and only."

    "Am I dead?" asked Cole shakily.

    Mystaké crossed her arms and rolled her eyes. "Why does everyone assume that when I appear they're about to die? I know I'm intimidating but really? I am dead, not an omen of death. And I appear because it's clear you among the living need a shove to get your butts into gear. Stop floating around here like an amoeba! The Ninja need your steadfast strength. You didn't spend that long marinating in the smoke."

    Cole looked around at the endless darkness. "I'm stuck."

    "Ugh, I'm too impatient for this," grumbled Mystaké. "First the hard-headed queens and now I must deal with your boulder brain. Come along."

    With a strong wave of her arm, the oppressing darkness began clearing before them and pinpricks of light began breaking through Cole's vision.

    Before she started fading from sight, the ghost added with a small smile to the Master of Earth, "By the way, you were right to save those two even at the cost of your own safety. A true Master you are. Show that squirt Wu how a hero endures."

    At the same moment as Cole began to wake and the stone crumbled from his skin, Mystaké swept over to Harumi's figure and exchanged a few words with the bewildered princess before pulling her out from the dark. "Your journey is not yet over."

    Wu nearly jumped out his skin when Cole and the girl shook off the darkness and suddenly gasped for air. It wasn't him who had done that. As the bedraggled pair looked around and slowly stood, getting a bearing of their surroundings, the young teen ran at Cole. The Master of Earth winced as he returned the hug. Yep, some ribs were definitely cracked.

    From the ringing of metal against metal, Cole could tell the final battle had already begun. He shared a tired, pained look with Harumi. Stone still clung to their skin in some places. It covered Cole's legs and half of the Quiet One's face. Despite the sting from their wounds, the Master of Earth mustered up a smile as he looked at Wu and Harumi, "Well, Ninja never quit."

~~~~~~~~~~~~

    "Done!" gasped out Maya as she held aloft the final Golden Weapon, the Nunchucks of Lightning.

    Exhaustion tore through the Smiths' bodies, but they knew their adventure was far from over. The Oni had just arrived at the base of their mountain and their cloud now blotted out the sun. Their army of Dragons harried the Oni as they attempted to scale the mountain and break through the barrier of fangs, talons, and an assortment of Elements.

    Lloyd made certain to line up their strongest fighters in front of the entrance to the monastery with a mix of the remains of the Ninja, Elemental Masters, Dragon Hunters, Serpentine, and Sons of Garmadon. His heart pounded in his chest as he made out the multitude of dark shadows slowly ascending the mountain. After another argument, Nya was now the one who held the Scythe of Quakes.

    The Oni forces began leaking through the Dragons' defenses. They winced at the sight of the Golden Weapons and withdrew when the Ninja boldly stepped forward, holding their weapons aloft.

    "Hey! The Golden Weapons are working!" laughed Jay hopefully, zapping an Oni that had drawn too close. His laughter died off as the ground trembled beneath them. He glanced over at Nya. "Um, I hope that was you."

    Nya shook her head. The Scythe of Quakes wasn't responding to her as she clumsily wielded it.

    When the wide brim of the Colossus came into view, Ultra Violet glanced down over the side of the mountain, seriously questioning if it was better to jump over the edge or stay and be smashed or sliced by the giant atrocity. Boy, did the Mask of Hatred sound tempting to have right about then because since when did that stone giant wield a giant stone sword?!

    Lloyd felt like the breath had been knocked out of him. Golden Weapons or not, there was absolutely no way they would be able to bring down that hulking thing or withstand the smoke that was also slowly climbing the mountain. Ultra Dragon and his forces were putting up a mighty effort at slowing the stone giant, but once the Oni Titan and black smoke reached the monastery, the fight would be all but over.

    The Oni sensed this and began surging forward, only to be sliced through like butter with the magical weapons. For now, the Ninja and their allies were doing a decent job at holding their ground against the dark forces. However, the Ninja faltered at the sight of three familiar figures scaling the steps: the enslaved pawns of Omega. Kai and Zane especially faltered when Pixal and Skylor lashed out and attacked. Noting their hesitation to fight their friends, some Oni opted to shapeshift into the three humans causing slight confusion to break out.

    For a heart-stopping moment, Lloyd lost his footing while fighting against what he assumed was the real Shade and his wound flared up with pain. Strong, roughened hands steadied him and Garmadon kicked the Master of Shadow away. He glanced gratefully up at his father, but Garmadon wasn't looking at him. The old sensei was staring down into the Oni mass with a hard expression of raw fury and hatred.

    Omega and Opollyon came into their line of sight, appearing as horrifying as ever. The battle seemed to draw to a tense halt as the opposing sides stared down each other as if gauging the strength of the other.

    "You fight in futility," hissed Omega. Smoke flared out behind him like a dramatic, intimidating cape. "The time of endings has come. Your Realm is all but dust and ashes."

    "Wrong!" growled out Garmadon loudly. "It is you who will die here."

    Lloyd's heart dropped when his father turned his blade on himself.

    Omega's eyes widened a touch.

    "We both know your existence is tied to mine. If I die, so do you," threatened Garmadon. From the Oni's paused reaction, he knew his hunch had been correct.

    "Dad. No," breathed Lloyd quietly, tears threatening to blur his vision. He just got his real father back.

    "This might be the only option we have to cripple them," murmured the eldest son of the First Spinjitzu Master apologetically. He, as much as his son, did not want to die again, but if it would give Ninjago a fighting chance, then so be it.

    Wu suddenly appeared at his family's side and placed a hand his brother's arm to stay his blade. His eyes glowed with hope as he relayed, "It's not the only way." He pointed up to the gates of the monastery where Cole and Harumi had begun limping through the mismatched army.

    The Ninja lit up at the sight of their alive brother. Nya hurriedly shoved the Scythe of Quakes into his arms as he approached, winking at him. "It's all yours, Cole.

    Garmadon looked between Harumi and Omega, noting the similarities between her stone covered places and Omega's rotten patches. While the Ninja quickly celebrated the Earth Ninja's return, he pulled Harumi to the side and spoke lowly so that only she could hear. "You realize that if Omega dies, so will we."

    Resolution shone in the young girl's countenance. She admitted, "I was prepared to die a lot sooner. If it will atone for even half of the evil I've committed, then I can rest peacefully."

    She glanced over at Lloyd. Garmadon, who had lived for centuries, knew that expression well and was familiar with all the emotion that was packed into it.

    Before any more words could be exchanged, the Oni began swarming at the remnant army, redoubling their efforts to overthrow them.

    Lloyd shouted over to the original Ninja, "We have Cole! Do it now!"

    Kai hopped over the head of an Oni and spun into his Elemental Tornado, yelling, "Fire!"

    Jay followed suit a second later, charging up his Element. "Lightning!"

    Cole stumbled on his stiff legs but just managed to do Spinjitzu. His whirlwind was noticeably weaker than normal. They could only hope that it would be enough. "Earth!"

    Zane whipped around and spun, throwing an Oni down the cliff side. "Ice!"

    "NINJAAAA GOOOO!"

    Lloyd watched in awe as they spun into a giant Tornado of Creation. It had been a long time since they had used that powerful technique.

    While the Ninja's allies watched in reverential wonder and hope, the Oni shied back in horror from the sheer energy of it. The ones closest to the Tornado shrieked as they were instantly vaporized. Black smoke that had been swirling around the mountain and threatening to fully devour it, recoiled and dissipated, unable to withstand the power of Creation.

    Eventually, the gold colored Tornado died down and the four Ninja stood there panting. To their discouragement, only half of the Oni army had been decimated.

    Opollyon and Omega shook the dizzying effects of Creation off, standing tall and haughty. Behind them, pockmarks stood out on the Colossus's skin but it was overall intact.

    Zane's optics cleared from the blinding blast quicker than anyone else's. A broad grin broke out on his face. He tucked the Shurikens of Ice away and rushed down the steps, uncaring that the mountaintop was still a battleground. He ran towards the figure that was just getting to her feet and scooped Pixal up in his arms, spinning her around.

    Pixal tensed and froze. Her processor was still rebooting, like waking up from a nightmare. Finally, it clicked whose arms she was being held in. She breathed quietly, "Zane?"

    "I'm home," whispered Zane.

    The Samurai threw her arms tightly around her Nindroid. Emotion filled her voice as she nuzzled into him. "I knew you were alive."

    Kai was likewise having a sweet reunion with Skylor, having hurried to her side the moment his senses cleared. Amazement and disbelief shone on the Master of Amber as she stared up at the face of a man she thought she would never see again. The Fire Ninja gently hoisted her into his arms and carried her to safety.

    Gravis pulled Shade to his feet. The Master of Shadow immediately took sides with the Ninja despite his throbbing wounds. Fury at the Oni pulsed through his veins, fueling him for the fight.

    Lloyd was overjoyed at the sight of his freed friends, but with the Oni Titan bearing down on them, he had to call for his troops to retreat. "To the monastery! Fall back!"

    The Oni stalked closer as the enemies fled. The gates to the monastery were locked tight, but what good would the thick walls do against shapeshifters?

    The Ninja, Wu, Garmadon, the handful of Hunters and Elemental Masters, and the former leaders of the Sons of Garmadon were the only ones to take up post outside the gates, staring down the impending darkness.

    A thunderous roar overhead caught everyone off guard. Firstbourne sliced through the Oni's ranks with a stream of fire, making a straight sweep toward the Colossus and clawing at it with her talons. The ensuing clash between the titans shook the whole mountain.

    Out of instinct, the Hunters ducked and barely managed to stop themselves from fleeing the fight like cowardly oafs. They had to firmly remind themselves that the Dragon Mother wasn't after them for the time being.

    Opollyon and Omega cried out, incensed at the sight of that accursed beast. Now, the two kings stood at the front of their forces. They charged forward with blind rage with their army backing them. The Golden Weapons of Spinjitzu could only hold back so many of them.

    Omega specifically sought out that wretched, so-called Resistance leader. The mere boy that had dared to withstand his reign. He rammed into the Ninja's side, tossing him back a few paces. He roared, following up his strike with another. His palms glowed with power as he battered this weakling, breaking through the Ninja's pitiful attempts to fight back. For fun, the Oni assumed the form of Garmadon. He rumbled in glee, "You vile, Half-Blood, you can't fight me! Don't you know the fight is what fuels me?"

    As Lloyd struggled to his feet, he gasped. Revelation had struck him as he looked at the copy of his father's face.

    Omega's lip curled in disgust as the boy didn't appear broken or defeated when he stood. A dangerous, unnerving light was glowing on his face as the Ninja stared down the Oni.

    Lloyd firmly declared, "I can't fight you, but I can resist you."

    The Oni scoffed, brandishing his staff. The boy was blubbering nonsense. When he tried to attack, the Ninja danced out of reach. "Stay still you insolent coward and accept your fate."

    The Green Ninja simply repeated, evading another hit, "I can't fight you but I can resist you."

    He grinned with determination in his gaze. Again and again, he made the same statement, quickly thinning Omega's nonexistent patience as he dodged the blows. His voice grew stronger and stronger and more self-assured. Others around him took notice and began utilizing the same technique.

    The Oni, who hungered for violence and bloodshed, lunged frustratedly at everyone but caught nothing but empty air. They gave shrill shrieks of fury.

    The more infuriated Omega seemed to become, the more the purple fire along his limbs seemed to die out. He beat his four fists against his chest in anger.

    As Lloyd watched the Oni's power flicker out, he glanced down to find sparks dancing along his fists. Green sparks. He allowed a delighted smile to grace his face as he felt his Elemental power well up within him again. His eyes glowed and he swore an Energy Phoenix floated across his vision.

    His allies cheered at the sight of their leader and symbol of hope returning to full power.

    Omega hissed in pure revulsion and the slightest bit of fear. No! His empire could not be brought low by this mere child. He didn't stop in his attacks despite his dark powers waning fast.

    Garmadon observed as he fought from the side, instantly recognizing the fighting style his son was employing. His heart swelled with pride as he watched the Green Ninja rise again within Lloyd.

    He tag teamed with his younger brother in slowing the progress of Opollyon. Small tendrils of smoke still circled around the Oni king, obeying his commands to lash out like tiny serpents. At one point, Wu faltered on his gangly limps and the smoke struck him in the stomach throwing him back.

    Garmadon didn't have time to check on his brother, too busy dodging the repeated blows of Opollyon. The young teen lay on the steps for a moment, stunned. Then, a million different images seemed to flick through his skull, memories overwhelming him. He winced, the moment seeming to stretch on for hours when in reality it only happened in seconds.

    Jay bounded over to his side to check on him. Instead of asking how he was, the Blue Ninja let out a gasp and jumped back as the teen sat up. He shouted in elation, "Oh my Master! He just grew a mustache." Wu felt the new fuzz sprouting from under his nose and chin. Jay added, "And a goatee!"

    The light of childhood had escaped from Wu's countenance, replaced by the burden of wisdom that came with age. His voice was no longer tentative or timid as he declared, "I know what we must do."

    Jay's eyes widened comically as the older teen got to his feet and began expertly navigating the battlefield. He wiped a mock tear from his eye. "They grow up so fast."

    "Lloyd! Lloyd! You must do the Tornado of Creation," called Wu.

    "We already tried that!" yelped the Green Ninja as he narrowly avoided being skewered by Omega's horn. 

    Even with his Element returned, there was only so much he could do to hold back the Oni's forces. To his frustration and fear for the citizens, a few Oni had already slipped past their defenses and were trying to scale the monastery walls. A small brood of Lightning Dragons kept them at bay for the moment. Dareth and Ronin were also helping and putting up a valiant effort at kicking the Oni off the top of the walls.

    "But you and Nya need to join it," explained Wu, also dodging a different Oni's swinging axe.

    Zane fought his way over to the descendants of the First Spinjitzu Master, having overheard what they were saying. "But you said that if done incorrectly, the Tornado of Creation would lead to disastrous consequences!"

    "Zane, we're facing disastrous consequences anyway," pointed out Kai from afar, barely managing to block two swiping claws coming for his face. 

    "It's the only shot we have," shouted Nya as she fought back to back with Jay. Honestly, she was a little excited at the prospect of joining the giant tornado.

    "If we're gonna do it, we gotta do it now," grunted Cole, swinging his hammer. 

    The Oni were gaining ground, cornering the Ninja and their allies against the gates of the monastery. The Earth Ninja smashed in the head of one of the creatures of destruction when they got a smidge too close to Wu out of habit, forgetting their young Master wasn't completely young and helpless anymore. 

    On a different altitude, Firstbourne and the Colossus still fought. The stone giant was now controlled by no master and was hacking wildly away, dead set on destruction. 

    Faith held onto to the massive lizard with a death grip, knowing that if she was thrown from this height, it was all over for her. Begrudgingly, the Dragon Queen had to admit that the Hunter was doing decent at calling out the Oni Titan's moves, giving her enough time to dodge and fight back. The small being was also half-decent at keeping the lesser Oni away from her head as she flew.

    However, at one point, Firstbourne was half a tick too slow in banking to the left. It cost her dearly as the Oni Titan's sword clashed with the soft scales of her underbelly. The pain of the new gash that was opened muddled her senses and she careened widely downwarn, unable to regain her bearings. The Hunter on her back was barking out commands, but it was useless as they spiraled out of sight, crashing into the rocky terrain at the bottom of the mountain. Some of her children followed her down while others rushed at the Colossus, exacting their revenge for their Queen.

    Lloyd nodded to his team, noticing the disaster that was beginning to break out in the sky. They were running out of time. 

    Kai began his Fire Tornado again. "Fire!"

    "Lightning!"

    "Earth!"

    "Ice!"

    "Water!"

    Right before Lloyd could join his brothers and sister, Omega lunged at him while swinging a discarded axe that had been laying around. Lloyd managed to dodge the blow but he had been dangerously close to the edge of the mountain and lost his footing as he jumped back. He yelped, just barely grasping onto the cliff's edge to keep him from plummeting veeeeery far down. He couldn't scramble up and his injured leg protested as it scraped against the jagged rocks.

    A shiver of fear ran through him as Omega's hulking form slowly loomed over him. He struggled harder but still couldn't find enough purchase to pull himself up.

    "Lloyd!" There was a blur of white and suddenly Harumi was there, throwing her slight form into the Oni Emperor and knocking him to the side.

    In the precious few seconds they had as Omega got his bearings, she helped Lloyd clamber up. They met each other's eyes. Harumi's expression quickly shifted from relief to horror. She tackled Lloyd down, letting out a wail of pain as Omega's axe imbedded itself deeply into her back. She heard Lloyd give an angry shout but could hardly focus on much else besides the unbearable pain coursing through her body.

    Omega growled and withdrew slightly, cursing the new burst of pain that shot through him. It had been a mistake striking that girl.

    Gently as he could, the Green Ninja shifted her so she wasn't on top of him and got to his feet. Fury flared in him as he glowered at Omega through his tear-filled gaze. In a raw tone that was so low it almost didn't sound like it was coming from him, he gritted out, "You just made your last mistake."

    He joined his brothers and sister in performing their Spinjitzu, ignoring the ache in his leg. His green Tornado fused with the others in a gigantic, multicolored swirl. It was a Tornado of Creation far larger and more powerful than any formed in Ninjago's history. 

    Oni after Oni fell to its effects. Opollyon commanded every wisp of Consuming Darkness he had left at the blinding cyclone. For only a moment, the black smoke swallowed up the light before the brilliance broke through again, piercing the darkness and vanquishing it. Not an Oni was left standing atop the mountain.

    The Tornado of Creation continued down the mountain towards the Oni Titan and collided with it. Golden and violet sparks flew as the powers grappled with each other. The giant tilted sideways over the edge but not before letting loose a furious bellow and delivering a nasty right hook to its conqueror. If the Colossus were to fall, then it would follow its destructive commands to the end and take out as many as it could on its way out. 

    The giant golden whirlwind tilted over the edge as well, disappearing below the line of clouds with the Oni Titan. Dragons of all types dove after the Ninja, but had no hope of catching up to their descent. 

    The resounding silence at the top of the mountain was deafening. The only grating noise came from Garmadon as he wheezed and hacked as he peered over the edge desperately reaching out. His vision was fading around the edges. Curse that dark magic. Wu was beside him in his last moments. Tears gathered in the older teens eyes as he murmured, "Rest well brother."

    The Sons of Garmadon reverently remained quiet as they gathered around their fallen leader. Harumi's eyes had gone glassy and her chest no longer rose and fell. But for some reason, the expression on her still face could almost be read as happy or peaceful, proud even. Finally, finally she had been able to see the defeat of the evil she had wrought upon her Realm and played a helpful role in its end.

    The Tornado of Creation broke apart as the Ninja continued to plummet. Their limbs clumsily flailed but none could find the courage to summon their Elemental Dragons as the ground raced towards them. 

    Jay gripped onto Nya's hand, meeting her gaze. He gave an accepting, sorrowful smile. Nya's eyes widened. This was it. This was goodbye. She extended her other hand to her brother and before long, the entire Ninja team had joined hands. Nothing could be said. Love and respect shone in all their gazes as time seemed to slow as they reveled in their final moments together. They had done it. They had triumphed over their final foe and saved Ninjago. 

    "Ninja never quit."

    The people gathered at the top winced as they final heard the final crash, gasping as there was an explosion of radiant light that washed over all of Ninjago. It cleansed the land of every speck of Oni influence. They had won, survived. They would live to see another day, yet no one could find it in their hearts to celebrate. Their victory came with a steep price.

Man, I was going to update yesterday, but life got in the way. I hope you enjoy this chapter. I don't think I was able to proofread it as much as I would've liked, so please pardon any grammar mistakes. I just really wanted to get this out to you all. 

    "Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved." - Matthew‬ ‭24:12-13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

    "The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray." - 1 Peter‬ ‭4:7‬ ‭NIV‬‬