"Wu, would you please calm down. I told you it's only a matter of time. He'll be his old self by tomorrow. Uh, nearly his old self, I mean," said, the First Spinjitzu Master, trying to calm his son as the latter was pacing back and forth, mumbling to himself.

"Calm down?! How can I calm down? My own brother threatened me," Wu said, waving his hands all over the place for dramatic effect.

The First Spinjitzu Master rolled his eyes. "Oh for Firstbourne's sake, he did not threaten you. He just told you to call him Garmadon."

"He did more than that. He glared at me. Like this," Wu said, widening his eyes and glaring at his father.

The First Spinjitzu Master raised an eyebrow, looking unamused.

"I'm not looking intimidating, am I?" Wu asked. He widened his eyes even more. One could see the tiny blood vessels in the whites.

"This is how he looked at me. His eyes said it all like if I call him anything but Garmadon, I would be obliterated on the spot," Wu said, eyes watering.

"Okay, that's enough! You'll hurt your eyes," his father said, getting up and sliding open the door of the dojo to look outside while Wu kept blinking his eyes to get them back into focus.

"Speaking of your brother, where is he?"

Wu peeked out as well. "He said that he was having trouble restraining himself from punching me whenever he looked at my face so he went to the back to feed Taki."

Upon hearing this, the First Spinjitzu Master sarcastically looked up to the sky and muttered, "Have mercy."
Wu gave a sad little smile. "At least he's trying not to hurt me. That's a good thing, right?" he asked, hopefully looking at his father.

The First Spinjitzu Master smiled, putting a hand on his son's shoulder.
"Of course. But if you really want to patch things up with him, you might as well apologize."
He gave Wu a little push towards the stables.

Wu hesitated for a second before shaking it off. He gulped. "O-okay. Just apologize. You can do this. Not that hard," he gave himself a little pep-talk.

With fragile confidence, he tiptoed all the way to the horse stables. He trod even more cautiously when Garmadon came into view. His back was turned as he rubbed Taki's side lovingly with his bandaged hand while the pony ate her apples.

Wu had the sudden urge to turn around and run away screaming but he ignored it. Instead he carried on, feeling like a hunter trying to corner a rather vicious prey.

The said "prey" sensed someone behind him. Without turning around he asked, "What do you want?"
Wu stopped dead in his tracks and cringed. He straightened up and cleared his throat.

"Oh! I, um, came here to check on Yané, is all," he said, trying his best to act nonchalant.
Garmadon scoffed. "Liar."
Wu went red in the face. "I really did come here to check on him."

"You're lying," Garmadon said sing-songly. "You lie too much to get out of trouble, Wu. It's because you don't want a single grain of dirt on your spotless record of being everyone's perfect little angel. For example, if you'd just told Father that you lost the katana, I wouldn't have got hurt. But you didn't. You thought Father would get mad at you. You stalled because you knew, being the foolish big brother that I am, I would go get it for you. You wanted to beat me and you succeeded."

This hit Wu straight in the heart. Is this what his brother really thought of him?
"Stop it! Why would I even do that? I love you!" Wu said, eyes becoming wet. He cursed himself as he realized that Garmadon could easily sense the break in his voice. He regained his composure.

"I actually came here to apologize. I didn't mean for any of this to happen. I was so scared when I found you unconscious. You know I care about you. I wasn't even able to sleep last night because of guilt. I could hear you calling out in your sleep and I knew you were in so much pain. I was so upset, I cried myself to sleep. I'm sorry, brother. I really am. I'll do anything for you. Just don't be mad at me, alright?" Wu said and looked away, not wanting Garmadon to see the tears that had started falling down his face.

Wu's apology had definitely tugged at Garmadon's heart strings. He would have to be a real monster to not accept it. Besides, it wasn't entirely Wu's fault.

Garmadon finally turned around to see his brother furiously wiping away his tears. He thought about what he would do all day if he continued to be mad at him. No adventures. No laughs. No stories. No pranking Father.

"You're .... forgiven," the brunet muttered.

Wu paused. Did he hear correctly? Garmadon forgave him? Just like that?
"I am?" he asked just to make sure to which Garmadon nodded.
The blonde smiled widely. "Thank you," he said, already feeling better.

"I'm sorry too," Garmadon said suddenly, earning a confused look from Wu.
"I'm sorry I yelled at you yesterday. I'm sorry I scared you at breakfast today and for calling you a liar. I don't know what's wrong with me. I've been acting weird."

Garmadon gently pulled at the brown strands of Taki's mane while Wu bit his lip, waiting for more.

"I even told Father that I hate him," Garmadon continued. "After you ran out of the room, I accused him of not being there for me. But I know that's not the truth. The two of you will always be there for me, I know it. So, will you forgive me as I've forgiven you?" he finished, looking at Wu hopefully.

During this, Wu had started crying again. He couldn't help it.
"Of course I forgive you," he sobbed.
With that, he rushed forward and gave his brother a big hug. Garmadon made no delays to hug him back.

Wu still felt a little guilty, though. Garmadon didn't know what was inside him or what was about to befall him. He didn't know he was going to play the Overlord's part in the Final Battle.
I'm sure it'll all be okay, Wu comforted himself.

"Do I still have to call you Garmadon?" he inquired, not breaking the hug. "It sounds weird calling you that. Father doesn't like it either."

"Hmm," Garmadon hummed in thought. After a few seconds, he replied, "Yes, you do have to call me that. I just don't like Montgomery. It makes me sound old."

They both giggled into each other's shoulders. They continued to embrace while their father watched them from the window, smiling to himself.
_______________________________________

".... the prince took hold of the hand of the princess and looked at her sleeping form. She's beautiful, he thought. He slowly bent forward and placed a gentle kiss on her lips-"

"Ew! Ugh, Father! Of all the books in the library, you chose this one for tonight?" Garmadon asked, interrupting Wu. They were reading The Sleeping Beauty and it was the blonde's turn to read.
Garmadon had been complaining about the story's "gross-osity" ever since the evil fairy laid a curse on the princess whose only hope to be broken was by a true love's kiss.

"I think it's lovely and romantic," Wu sighed, clutching the book to his chest.
Garmadon rolled his eyes.
"Well, I think it's garbage. How was the prince her true love when she never even spoke to him?"

Wu wasn't done with defending this story yet. "The prince loved her the moment he saw her. So true love happened."

"But only for the prince! The poor princess doesn't even know who's invading her personal space like a complete idiot with little knowledge on manners. Besides, you can't fall in love just by looking at someone," the brunet stated, folding his arms.

"It's called love at first sight, Mont- I mean, Garmadon," Wu shot back, still trying to make his point clear.
His older brother made a sound of disgust. "I will never like a girl. They are sissy and gross and stupid and they shriek a lot."

Wu smiled mischievously at him.
"Oh, don't be silly. Everyone falls for someone at least once in their life. Then they get married, start a family-"

Garmadon gave a mirthless laugh.
"Married? Ew! That's never gonna happen to this guy," he said, pointing at himself with his thumb. "I will stay alone and happy like Father."

The First Spinjitzu Master smiled, shaking his head. "Sometimes the choices we avoid are the ones that hold all the answers."

Wu closed the book and shifted close to his father. "Can true love really lift curses?"

"Isn't that what I told you yesterday? Love is a very powerful thing. It can cure any cursed heart. Or poisoned for that matter," his father replied, looking at Garmadon.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" the brunet asked, confused.
The First Spinjitzu Master quickly changed the subject.
"Oh, no reason. Why don't the two of you get ready for bed? I'll come and tuck you in."
They both got up, gave a small bow and left for their respective rooms.

. . .

Wu was just about to lay down when he heard Garmadon calling him. He went there to find him wrestling with the sheets, trying to lay them down straight.

"Ugh! They feel too heavy and my arms are aching. Come help me these darn things."

Wu quickly came forward to help. He was afraid his brother would burst if the sheets continued to be stubborn. He should know. He would get pretty frustrated when his sheets were being a bother as well. They managed to get the job done in a minute's time (before Garmadon completely flipped out).

"Thanks, Wu," he said, smiling.
The blonde returned it. "You're welcome."
He was about to leave when Garmadon stopped him.

"Wu, I was wondering."

"Yes?"

"We never got to check out that farmhouse yesterday or even today. Why don't we go there tomorrow?"

Wu was about to say "yes" but he quickly remembered his father's warning. He had prohibited them, especially Garmadon, to not go to far off places. Only where he would find it suitable. Wu had to shove aside his temptation for his brother's sake.

"I'm sorry, Mont- uh, Garmadon, we can't," he said, cursing himself for almost saying his brother's first name aloud.

Garmadon looked confused.
"Huh? But why? You were the one who was all excited about going there."
Wu fidgeted with his fingers nervously. "I was but then you got bit."

"What does that have to do with any of this?"

"Father said not to go anywhere as far as that. Just stay close to the monastery."

Garmadon shook his head. "Well, it's not like I'm paralyzed by the bite that I'm unable to walk or go out."

Wu peeked out into the corridor from where he was standing in the doorway.
What do I say, Father?

"But Father said-"

"Do you have to do everything Father says?" the older asked, rolling his eyes.

"Yes. I mean, why wouldn't I?" Wu asked, furrowing his eyebrows.

"Because he's making no sense. Not letting me go out because of a little bite? Who ever heard of a thing like that?"

Wu couldn't believe his ears. Was his brother really not going to care about what his father said?
"Don't say that. Just because I'm your brother and always have to be on your side doesn't mean I have to disobey Father?"

"Excuse me? Are you arguing with me because of that overprotective fool?"

Wu lost it. "What do you mean overprotective fool?! He's our father! A parent! He's supposed to be overprotective!"

"He's just a silly old man. What does he know? He's become stupid with age," Garmadon said casually, not knowing that he touched a nerve.

Wu couldn't take it anymore. He loved his brother more than anything. But if someone insulted his father in front of him, he would have to put his foot down. Even if it meant opposing his other half.

"Montgomery, be quiet!" Wu gasped and slapped his hand over his mouth.

Garmadon's head shot up. He clenched his fists and gritted his teeth, glaring at his brother.
"What did you call me?" he asked quietly.

Wu backed away. "N-nothing."

Garmadon's eyes took no time in changing colour. "You called me by that insult you all say is my name! I told you not to call me that!"

Hot, blinding rage took over him. He did something he would never have wanted to do and Wu didn't see it coming. Garmadon's fist went flying through the air and collided with Wu's face causing the latter to utter a cry of pain and fall back.
He placed a hand on his nose and saw blood. He looked at the red liquid on his palm before slowly lifting his fearful eyes to meet Garmadon's.

The other's eyes widened in shock. What had he done? Why was he acting like this? What was wrong with him? He ran towards his little brother and knelt beside him. Wu shuffled away, scared.

Garmadon looked at his brother in disbelief. Blood was oozing from his nose and dripping onto his white pyjamas.
"I'm sorry, Wu. I-I don't know what came over me," he said in a shaky voice.

"What is going on?"

They both turned to look at their father who was walking down the hall towards them. Garmadon looked scared. "It w-was an accident. I'm sorry."

The First Spinjitzu Master stopped in his tracks when he saw the blood on Wu's face. He turned to Garmadon.
"What have you done? This has gone too far."

The brunet looked like he was at the verge of bursting into tears.
"I don't know what's wrong with me. I never meant to hurt him. I just got so angry."

"Go wait for me in my room. I'll be there shortly," his father ordered.

He helped Wu to his feet and took him to his room.
He cleaned him up with cold water and laid him on the bed, face up, to stop the bleeding.

"Are you okay?" he asked, running a hand through Wu's blonde hair.

"I'm fine. Please, don't scold him. I was the one who made him angry," Wu replied, looking exhausted.
"I told him that you had not allowed us to go anywhere. He wouldn't listen."

The First Spinjitzu Master looked at his son sadly. "Then I think it's time he knows the truth."

Wu's eyes widened.
"You're going to tell him now? Tonight?"

"I'm afraid I have to. It's the only way he'll cooperate."

Wu didn't want to know how his brother would react. Will it break his heart? Will he be so mad that he'll run away from home?

"Try to get some sleep. Goodnight," his father said, kissing his forehead. He blew out the candles and left the room, closing the door behind him.

Wu turned to face the window. The stars were out. A cool breeze blew, hitting Wu's face. He closed his eyes and fell asleep, listening to the lullaby of the wind.
_______________________________________

Garmadon was pacing back and forth in his father's room. Would his father be mad at him? Should he go check if Wu was okay? Should he apologize? No. He better not. His father was not even going to let him see Wu after this, let alone talk to him.

He was having that headache again. He gritted his teeth and rubbed his temples. Beads of sweat started to form on his forehead. He sat down on the bed, stood up, walked around the room and sat down again. He was getting more and more restless.

"Calm down," he told himself. "Get it together."

Suddenly the candles all went out at the same time. Garmadon gasped. Was there a wind? No. The window was closed. He sat there in darkness. The silence was so deathly it made him feel like he had gone deaf.
Father, hurry up.

He saw a faint purple glow coming from behind him. He turned around and saw that the candle on the dresser had relighted but the flame was purple. The candle on the window sill also started glowing purple. So did all the other candles.
The whole room was now bathed in that hellish purple light.

He heard something. A faint whisper. Was it real? Or was it in his head? Garmadon gulped, his throat dry.

"Don't be afraid, Garmadon."

The brunet let out a frightened cry and looked around the room to locate the source of the sound. There was no one.

"You can't find me. But soon you will."

"Who- who are you?" Garmadon managed to ask.

"I'm someone long forgotten by the world. But if you were to say my name in front of them, they will all cower in fear. But you don't have to be afraid."

"Why not?"

"Because you are my chosen one. I will help you achieve things most people die for. Power. Respect. I'll make you the supreme ruler of Ninjago."

"I don't want that."

"Of course you do. Everyone does."

"But I don't. I have everything I've ever wanted. Or needed."

"That is what they want you to think. Your father and brother don't love you. They just act that way. They despise you. Everyone will do the same from now on. That is when you will turn to me for help. I'll make sure your so-called family doesn't get in the way."

This was followed by an evil, raspy laughter. Garmadon clutched his hair in his hands and closed his eyes, shaking his head.

"No! Get out of here! Leave me alone!" he yelled. He opened his eyes again. The candles were back to normal. His heart was racing. What was that? Had he imagined it all?

Just then, his father came into the room. Garmadon dashed forward and hugged him.

"Oh dear, whatever is the matter. You're shaking," the First Spinjitzu Master said as his son collided with him.

"F-Father, there was s-someone in the room," Garmadon whispered fearfully, afraid that the voice might hear him.

His father knelt down to get level with him. "Who?" he asked.

"I d-don't know. But it t-talked to me. It s-said that you h-hate me. And everyone will hate m-me. It said that it will k-kill you a-and Wu."

The First Spinjitzu Master hugged his son, calming him down. "My son, I have something important to tell you," he said sadly. "That voice you heard was none other than the Overlord."

"Who's the Overlord?" Garmadon asked, sniffing.

The First Spinjitzu Master led him towards the bed and sat him down.

"Let's begin from the start."
_______________________________________

Wu woke up to the sound of yelling. He tried to block out the shouts by stuffing his head under the pillow but that meant pressing his nose on the mattress which still hurt a lot. He sighed and threw off the blanket, grumbling.

It was still night. He had only been asleep for an hour and had woken up to- wait. We're those Garmadon's shouts?
They were muffled at first but then they got louder and clearer like he had stepped out of the room.

"WU!!"

The blonde was awake now. Sensing trouble, he got up and backed away into a corner as his brother's footsteps grew louder. He could hear his father calling after him.

The sliding doors to his room slid open violently. There stood Garmadon, his face tear-stained and hair disheveled, fixing Wu with a murderous glare.

Wu was now completely pressed against the wall, hoping to phase through it so he could escape. But the wall remained solid and trapped him with this demon that was no longer his brother.

Garmadon took a step into the room. "You! You did this! You put the snake there!" He made a run towards Wu.
"You knew it was there!"

Before Garmadon could beat the living daylights out of him, the First Spinjitzu Master wrapped his arms around the brunet's waist and yanked him back, holding him tight.

"No! Let go of me! You've ruined my life!" he screamed, struggling against his father's hold. "He was right! You hate me! You only think about yourself!"

Wu frantically shook his head. "That's not true. I love you and I'll help you get through this."

Garmadon stopped struggling.
"Liar! You're all lying! He will come and destroy you all!"

Wu started crying. He had lost count of the number of times he had shed tears that day but he'd also never had to deal with such circumstances. He clasped his hands together.
"Garmadon, please, forgive me," he sobbed.

"I curse you! No happiness shall ever come to you! I will never forgive you! Never!"

He started wailing into his father's chest who picked him up and carried him out of the room, saying comforting words.

Wu had never felt so alone and scared the way he did that night. He had torn his brother's soul apart. His heart, Wu thought, was now broken beyond repair. This would have to be his life from now on. His kingdom, which he thought was always going to stand, had finally fallen. He would have to suffer the way his brother was now suffering. Together. Him and his broken, scarred, dark other half.