Written by: dxganronpa

"You're gone. Long gone, Scarlett. Your friends tried, but they failed. And now, you're where you truly belong."

Scarlett shook her head, unable to tell who the voice in her head was. But when she looked down at herself, changed in a completely different attire, she felt confusion take over.

And then it all hit her.

The last thing she remembered was leaving Kai, but not as herself. At this point in time, she couldn't tell who she was anymore.

A mirror stood in front of her, where she saw herself. A white button-up with a black skirt, and she donned black heeled boots. Not something I'd wear casually, but I dig it.

Her eyes were purple, which kind of shocked her a bit. What she found more confusing was that she knew exactly where she was and why—but found no will to escape.

Instead, curiosity peaked within her. Scarlett turned around, seeing the door, and walked out, the clacking of her heels on the ground soothing her a bit.

"Scarlett," a smooth voice called out to her.

The dark-haired teen was hesitant to turn at first. That voice, she recognized it. It was the one that was constantly in her head, the one she could never put a finger on. But hearing it right behind her, she was a little afraid to see who it was.

But once she did, she found that she was faced with a tall woman, the Shadow Queen herself. The resemblance she had to Scarlett was unmistakable, and when she smiled, it was like looking in a mirror.

Scarlett froze, her eyes widening. "You... there's no way..."

The queen held out her arms, smiling warmly. "Welcome home, my daughter."

Although hesitant, Scarlett slowly walked into her arms, letting out a shaky breath. "You were dead... and you look different... is it really...?"

"It's been a long time, dear... things have changed me for the better. And now, the same has happened to you." The queen rubbed the teen's back, feeling relief wash over her—after so many years, she could finally be with her daughter.

"I- I don't understand..." Scarlett shook her head, although she didn't dare let go of her mother. "How did this all happen...? The prophecy said that..."

"You poor thing. Brainwashed by those fools." The queen pulled away from the embrace, now taking a hold of her hands. "Whatever prophecy they have laid out for you... it was all a lie. This is where you truly belong, ruling Ninjago by my side."

It doesn't sound right, Scarlett told herself. My friends, they all... this was a situation I wasn't expecting.

But she felt her mind drifting. Away from the Ninja and closer to where she was standing right now. It was a familiar feeling, like home.

She had no idea what the hell had gotten into her.

"Come with me," the queen told her, holding out her hand. "Let me show you the real truth. Your destiny."

Scarlett's mind was going back and forth. One side was telling her to stop and run away, to go back to her friends back at the Bounty. They were who she really needed... Mia, her best friend, and Kai... god, she already missed that guy. He must be worried sick.

But the other side was itching to accept her mother's invitation. The one person who she's missed for so long, the one she and her brother thought were dead... wouldn't Red be surprised? If only he were there right now.

Scarlett let out a deep breath she didn't know she was holding and took the queen's hand, following her into the dim hallway.

From that point on, there was absolutely no going back.

* * *

Red stood on deck, resting his elbows on the rail. The Bounty couldn't move any faster, but he felt like the longer they waited, the worse things would get.

"Nice place to think, huh?"

He turned around to see Kai walking up next to him, resting his arms on the rail as well. "Sorry, you just looked lost in thoughts."

"Well... you are not wrong." Red sighed, shaking his head. "What exactly happened when you were with my sister?"

"When my watch started beeping, we tried coming back to the Bounty as quick as possible. But the shadow, it... it got to her. And had I known I could get rid of it, I swear, I would've done what Lloyd did in a heartbeat," Kai explained with a frown. "But we'll get her back. We have to have faith."

Red turned his head to actually face him, showing a small smile. "After all these years, she has finally found people who care about her. I must thank all of you."

"No need. She's... she's really something special." The fire ninja then crossed his arms, letting out a small huff. "She does play hard to get though, not gonna lie."

This made the other chuckle. "A word of advice... with her, do not try so hard. A simple I love you will do. If I know my sister, she is very rejecting of her feelings. Best case, she feels the same as you do."

Kai took his words into consideration. Sure, she was on his mind constantly, but was it really love he felt?

It shocked him how her brother knew this and he didn't.

But Red then felt something. His head began to spin and he let out a groan, holding it, and his hands began to glow a dark purple.

"Whoa, Red." Kai looked to his left and was immediately at his side, grabbing him by the arm before he fell. "What's going on?"

"I... I am not sure," he answered weakly. At first, Kai didn't know if a shadow was controlling him, too—when his eyes opened, they were purple. But Red shook his head, sensing his concern. "It is not a shadow, I am still in full control of my body... it is my power."

"Your dark magic? It's... it's consuming you!" Kai's eyes widened, seeing as he was now having a dark-colored aura around him and his hands were engulfed in purple flames. "Red, we need to get help. I- I'll go get the others!"

As quick as he could, Kai ran back below deck in pursuit of the others. Red held onto the railing with one hand, shutting his eyes tightly.

Something is wrong... who could be causing this?

* * *

"Mom, what are you doing?" Scarlett asked, seeing the queen holding her hands out in front of her, the shadow's element forming in between her fingers.

"Hmm, it doesn't seem to be working..." The queen sighed but never ceased her focus. "Your brother seems to be fighting me off. If only I could take control of his powers... such a shame... we could have all been together again, but he seems to be stuck on the other side."

Many shadows then arrived, looking up at their leader and her daughter. One spoke up, "All the preparations are ready, my queen."

"Good, good... I guess we'll leave your poor brother alone, for now..." She let her hands rest at her sides, turning to face Scarlett, "Although I'm sure whatever he's trying to fight off is still in him..."

"Is he hurt?" the teen asked, her tone holding concern.

But her question was left unanswered as the queen now faced her army of shadows that had piled into the large room—and there were plenty more where that came from. "My loyal shadows... the time has come. Now that I have my daughter ruling at my side... nothing will stop us from taking over Ninjago!"

The shadows cheered loudly at her words, finally glad to be able to do what they had originally planned since the beginning—to take over to the city and make it into their own image.

And the Ninja couldn't do anything to stop them.

The queen looked to Scarlett once more, smiling softly. "Let us rule this damned city together, my child. No one will be able to stop us... your power is already growing inside you, and you will inevitably discover your true potential. Allow me to help you on that journey."

Scarlett couldn't help but smile, nodding to her mother. "Thank you... I'm glad we can be together again."

The two held hands, holding them up high. This made the shadows cheer more, as the Ninja of the Dragon Flame was finally in their possession.

But Scarlett's head began to spin a bit and she turned away for a few seconds. Although she couldn't see for herself, her eyes flashed back to their dark brown color.

This isn't me. I have to get back to my friends...!

She hissed, her head hurting now. The queen finally noticed and frowned, knowing what was going on.

"Fight it, Scarlett... fight that urge. Your past is gone. You only have the future to look forward to, and that future is here."

The teen let out a small whimper, closing her eyes. "It... it hurts... everything keeps coming back to me..."

"Shh..." The queen brought her into her arms, rubbing her back gently. "It's okay. This will not be the first time it happens. But with every time, you will learn to control it."

"Control it..." Scarlett repeated to herself, taking deep breaths. Her mother's consoling made it much easier, and eventually, her eyes opened again, purple once more.

"There you go. Just like that." The queen smiled softly, letting out a small sigh of relief. "You need your rest, dear. The shadows know who to follow, who their leaders are. Whatever you command, they will do."

"That... sounds nice..." Scarlett closed her eyes, but this time, she was slowly falling asleep. Once completely knocked out, her mother looked to one of the shadows.

"Take her to her room," she told him. "Once she awakens, we will go through with the plan."

"What about the ninja, my queen?" the shadow asked, taking the teen in his arms. "And Brooklyn, for the matter?"

"Those ninja have nothing on what we have—although Miss Mia does worry me a little... she's unable to combat us all at once. And I'm sure seeing her close friend, unable to bring her back... let's just say that that would be a big distraction."

The shadow laughed along with his queen, knowing well what they have to do. He then brought Scarlett to her quarters, which was very close to where the queen resided.

"So, you're finally in our hands, Dragonfire," he spoke, even though she was far from awake. He placed her on the bed, staring down at her. "And here some of us thought Brooklyn would be the one to take. She's much stronger physically, that's for sure... but you have the stronger mindset."

Scarlett scrunched her face up a bit in her sleep, soon relaxing. It was like she could hear every word the shadow was saying, but couldn't wake up to respond.

"Brooklyn lets her temper get the best of her. It distracts her when she really needs it. But you... you were nowhere near a fighter before those Ninja. I guess we should thank them for giving you a boost—and you even unlocked your elemental power.

"Don't worry, Dragonfire... we won't touch your friend. She's all yours to defeat. You seem like you would make a good leader to us. In case our queen falls in battle... which I hope never happens... but in the case it does, you're our next hope. You have our protection."

He then laughed, feeling the battle would be won easily. He finally left her to sleep peacefully, exiting the room.

Scarlett turned her head a bit, sleep still overtaking her. But her mind was wide awake, and it seemed to have opposite thoughts.

I can't hurt my friends, or Mia for the matter... god, I have to bring myself back!

But with what has happened so far, there was no going back—all it took was one trigger and she would be gone for good.