The scene opens on a dismal, green-tinged land, the Departed Realm. A mist hovers above the ground. Large trees form a forest of sorts, their roots jutting out of the ground like the tentacles of a massive sea monster. A few spirits drift through the trees. Some sit on the tree roots, appearing lost in thought. One such ghost, Morro is sitting in a cross-legged position, his eyes closed, and hands clasped together as if in prayer.
All of a sudden, an earthquake shakes the realm. Ghosts yell and begin to run or vanish. Morro wakes, looking around in confusion.
The ground ruptures beneath him, revealing a sky bright with flaring colors. Morro attempts to run but is sucked into the void.
Morro tumbles through space.
He lands in a bright field of grass. The sky is blue and speckled with fluffy clouds and a few hovering islands, suspended in midair.
A golden dragon with a beard of black spikes sniffs at Morro, suspicion in its slitted yellow eyes.
First Spinjitzu Master (FSM): Easy, Aurelius.
The dragon dips his head at the FSM and backs away from Morro. Morro’s jaw drops, starstruck. He hastily kneels.
FSM (amused): Forgive me, Morro, but there was a time not long ago when I thought you would only kneel to the Preeminent.
Morro (stammers): Yes… Yes, sir.
FSM: You may rise.
Morro stands with a worried expression on his face.
Morro: I swear I didn’t come here on purpose. There was this earthquake and–
FSM: Of course. Nonetheless, I am glad that The Coalescence sent you here.
Morro: Why?
FSM: There is a sinister plot happening in the mortal realm. An old enemy seeks to attain a great power and in doing so threatens the whole world. (He shakes his head) Krux is messing with a magic that even I wouldn’t dare touch.
Morro: What?
FSM: The power to suck the lifeforce from anything. This power, The Bane of Shiian, killed one of the ancient spirits and so the others hid it away… Unfortunately, Krux has acquired it and it is only a matter of time before he attempts to use it against an incredibly powerful creature and steal her power.
Morro: And if he does, the world will end?
FSM (nods): Yes. There is a great chance that activating the Bane of Shiian can suck out the lifeforce of the entire realm, and with The Coalescence, this means that it will consume that of all the realms. Everything will be obliterated. That is why I need someone’s help to stop it…
Morro: Me?
FSM: Yes. You have proven yourself to be capable of great compassion and sacrifice. I have not forgotten how you helped the ninja a few years ago.
Morro: That was nothing. And, as I have thought about it, I may have done many wrong things in my life…
FSM: That may be so, but this is a chance to make up for those wrongs. To redeem yourself. And if you do this, perhaps you can join me here.
Morro (shocked): Really?
FSM: Yes. My plan is that someday, perhaps everyone can join me here. But they are not ready now and will not be for some time. But perhaps you will be if you do this.
Morro: How can I help?
FSM: You will go deep into the Forgotten Desert. There, you will find a samurai traveling with her rather sick inventor. They would certainly be willing to help you. There you may also encounter Acronix, Krux’s brother. Be wary of him for I know not where his heart lies. You will travel to Oasis, a small town, gather allies, learn about Krux’s fortress, break into it, and stop him from activating the Bane of Shiian, otherwise the universe is lost.
Morro: And if I do this, I can join you here?
FSM (nods): Yes.
Morro thinks in silence for a few moments and inhales.
Morro: I’ll do it.
FSM: Good.
The FSM approaches Morro and holds his hand above Morro’s forearm. A golden mark appears on Morro’s translucent skin, that of a dragon’s head haloed by the sun.
FSM: This is my mark. It will reveal you to my allies and gain their trust. Bear it well.
Morro: I will do my best.
The scene transitions to the dungeons. Morro has just finished telling his story to Acronix, Garmadon, Ronin, Fugi-Dove, and Ultra Violet who share his cell.
Acronix: Why didn’t you tell us earlier, Morro?!?
Morro (hangs his head): When the First Spinjitzu Master gave me this mission, I felt so important. Like I was finally chosen for something. I wanted to keep it secret because it was my secret. I felt like if I told someone, it would all disappear. Just like the green ninja role did for me when Wu brought me in front of the golden weapons. Naught but a dream.
Garmadon: You have made a foolish mistake and now we’re stuck down here because of it.
Ronin: Hey, lighten up. It’s not all his fault.
Ultra Violet: Who cares whose fault it is! That doesn’t change the fact that we’re trapped in this dirty pit. Uggghhh.
Acronix: And Pixal is gone…
The team sits in a saddened silence.
Fugi-Dove (wails): Oh, Pixal! Whyyyy did she have to die!?! Now, I’ll never get to see the Pixane wedding or become godfather to their children!!!
Fugi-Dove sobs and blows his nose in his prison uniform.
Ultra Violet (to Fugi-Dove): You are a psychopath.
Ronin: Nah. He’s just a hardcore shipper.
Acronix: Pixane? What’s that?
Ronin: Out of respect to Pixal’s memory, I will never tell you.
Morro: How are we going to get out of here?
Garmadon cradles Fun Guy and brings him to his face.
Garmadon: Oh, Fun Guy. We may be trapped but at least we’re together.
Morro: Garmadon! Wait! Didn’t you say in your shop that Fun Guy can explode when touched with fire??
Garmadon: Yes. I did say that. (He smiles at Fun Guy and rubs his cap).
Ronin: Buddy, you may not like this, but that mushroom could be our ticket out of here.
Garmadon: No! I refuse!
Morro: Garmadon, if we don’t get out of here, innocent people are going to die. I think Fun Guy would gladly give his life to save theirs.
Garmadon: You’re right.
Garmadon holds out Fun Guy and ignites his fist. Tears fall from his eyes.
Garmadon (to Fun Guy): You will be missed.
Fugi-Dove (dramatically): No! Don’t do that!
Fugi-Dove rummages in his prison uniform and withdraws a golden hand grenade.
Ronin: My annual investor gift? But Fugi-Dove, that’s a fake!
Fugi-Dove: Oh, Ronin. It's not fake. It's real. (He releases the pin) FOR PIXANE!
Fugi-Dove throws the grenade at the bars. It clatters to the floor.
Ultra Violet: Well, that was dis–
The grenade detonates, shattering the bars.
Ultra Violet (shocked): …
Ronin: What the…?
Thundering footsteps echo from nearby. A few guards had heard the explosion.
Fugi-Dove: Quick! We must fly!
The team bolts through the shattered bars and races down the dungeon corridor.
They come to a fork: two tunnels in different directions.
Ultra Violet: Which way?
Acronix (points to the left): This one!!!
Garmadon: And how exactly do you know?
Acronix (shrugs): It’s my brother’s favorite direction.
Ultra Violet (snorts): I didn’t know someone could have a favorite direction.
Fugi-Dove: What? (Coos) Everyone has a favorite direction!
Ultra Violet: And what’s yours? Backwards?
Fugi-Dove: That’s not a direction, silly! “Right” obviously is the only right direction.
Acronix (gleeful): That’s what I always said! But Krux always insisted that a pun was no way to make a “proper” decision.
Fugi-Dove (coos): He’s wrong! And we’re right!
Fugi-Dove and Acronix perform their secret handshake.
Morro shakes his head.
Ronin: Oh, brother.
The team sprints down the left tunnel.
The tunnel begins to slope downwards, taking the team further and further below ground. A light appears at the tunnel’s end.
Garmadon: What’s that?
The team approaches the exit slowly. A large platform rises from the center of a massive arena lined with rows of seats. On that platform, a thin structure bears the Bane of Shiian which sits in a pool of shadow directly next to a beam of sunlight shining from a large hole in the ceiling.
A group of bandits force the chained fire source dragon into the arena with bizarre metal contraptions. She growls in fury.
Morro (points): There’s Krux!
Krux stands on a stepladder beside the structure supporting the ruby. He polishes it lovingly with a silk towel.
Acronix: Eeeeeuuugh. And I thought Morro was the only one who simped for ancient artifacts.
Morro (seethes): Acronix. For the last time, you made me kiss it.
Acronix (grins): Yeah, but I didn’t make you enjoy it.
Ultra Violet (hisses): Shut your traps! Do you want them to find us?
Bandit #1: Oh, you don’t have to worry about that, renegade.
A team of bandits and guards fill the corridor behind them, pointing their weapons.
Bandit #2: Surrender or perish!
The team glances at each other. Grins form on their faces.
Garmadon (igniting his fist): I think not.
Morro (looking at the team): Let them have it!!!
The renegades charge at the guards and the bandits in slow motion.
The screen cuts to black. A triumphant outro plays. The credits roll.
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Links to the previous episodes can be found on the Ninjago: Renegades page of the Ninjago Fanon Wiki.
Thanks for reading!
