In the Forest of Tranquility, some wallipers were moving around before the Ninja, P.I.X.A.L., Dragon, Chamille, Faith, Seliel and the individual move along the field in their recovered vehicles while Blake rode the scarred Grundle before stopping and it roared. "Whoa, girl." He said as he forced it to stop, scaring away the wallipers.

The individual immediately gets out and moved ahead to check their front before looking behind them while Blake forces the scarred Grundle to lie down after chaining her to a tree once the individual unlocked the cuffs and he took them off, followed by the others. "Master Yether, thank you for saving us." Dragon said. "It's great to see that you're back."

"It is an honour to be back, Master Wu." He replied as he soon turned around to them.

"You know me?"

"Of course. How could I forget my godson?"

"How did you leave the Departed Realm?" Cole asked.

"Wait, don't tell me." Jay said. "Three masks brought together and they bring you back."

"Wrong." Yether replied before holding up the staff. "This is what brought me here." He shows it to them and they were immediately surprised.

"The Staff of Vivifica." Dragon said. "How?"

"Now, this is a story that will end almost all stories and open new ones. But right now, you all look like you need some rest and healing."

------

Taking the surprisingly revived Yether's advice, Cole and Seliel were by a pond as Seliel washes her face while Cole was applying some bandages onto her wounds. "You seem to know how to patch someone up pretty good." She said.

"Zane taught me." Cole replied as he finished wrapping the bandage around Seliel's waist. "How's it now?"

"Still hurts, but I'm okay. I think I can manage this one."

"I don't mind. Having scars can be a little attractive, you know."

"You think so?"

"Yeah. Like mine for example." He pulled his hair back to show her the scar from when he was thrown into the rift during the Day of the Departed the year earlier which had completely healed, but the mark was still there.

"How did it happen?"

"Well, you won't believe this, but... I used to be a ghost."

"Really?"

"There was a temple we use to live in, it belonged to Kodakuna Yang, the creator and master of Airjitzu. When Lloyd was possessed by a ghost, who use to be the Master of Wind, and had the scroll of Airjitzu, we were told by Geoff's old business partner that we could get another one from the temple itself. We went in during the night and as we faced our fears, we met up with Master Yang himself, who gave us the scroll. By then, we had to get out before dawn, I was too late because I dropped the scroll and when I came out, I found out that I became a ghost. It was a bit of a struggle, but Geoff's mother, who was also a ghost at the time, taught me many things about a ghost's abilities, like possessing objects, going through walls and turning invisible."

"And how did you become human again?"

"About a few months later, on the Day of the Departed, Yang made everyone forget about me, so I went to confront him with the very weapon that turned him into a ghost. We fought all the way to the roof where I unlocked my Earth Punch and destroyed the weapon, freeing the students who he enslaved and they all passed through a rift that brings them back to the living. I wanted to bring Yang along, but he pushed me into the rift because one ghost had to remain behind. I was close to almost being left in the rift, but as I was able to get though, this part didn't, leaving me with the scar. Took a whole year before it sealed up. But every time I use the Earth Punch, it opens up."

"Well, I wouldn't mind you in anyway. Human or ghost."

"You think so?"

"Yeah." They soon came close and lock their lips together.

"Cole?" Jay's voice was heard, making them back away.

"Seliel?" Nya's voice was also heard as they both get up to see the married couple coming up to them. "I see you've finished patching her up."

"Yeah." Cole said.

"Well, take your new girlfriend with you to hear how Master Yether came back." Jay replied.

"Uh, how did you know we kissed?"

"You got lipstick on your lips." Jay and Nya soon walk away, chuckling, as Cole soon rubbed the lipstick off and Seliel chuckles before they go to catch up with them.

------

Several minutes later, the Ninja, P.I.X.A.L., Dragon, Chamille, Faith and Callen were seated around a campfire while Yether, who had the staff next to him but was still wearing his hood, was pouring them tea before passing them and Blake came back from feeding the Grundle some food while Kai, Jay and Zane were hiding the vehicles in some bushes before they too came up to them. After he had finished, Yether immediately sipped his tea, somehow not bothered by it still being hot before exhaling out of relief. "Still as good as before I left." He said.

"How is it possible that you're alive?" Nya asked.

"Where did you get those cool robes?" Jay asked.

"Is the Departed Realm beautiful?" Lloyd asked.

"Was my brother there?" Gewuji asked.

"Did you have many of our lost ones?" Cole asked.

"Any of my fallen people?" Faith asked.

"Some of the fallen clones of my creator?" P.I.X.A.L. asked.

"How about my mentor?" Kai asked.

"My mother?" Seliel asked.

"See anyone we knew?" Blake asked.

"Can you tell us about the staff?" Maggie asked.

"Did it help you get back?" Chamille asked.

"How did it happen?" Zane asked.

"Students, be patient, please!" Dragon called out. "Let the First Emperor tell you everything from the start and find answers to each of your questions."

"Want to hear the story of how I came to Ninjago?" Yether asked.

"Of course." They all replied.

"Well, it all started when Chongbai threw that Oni spear into your friend Geoff. And when he woke up, it was like being in the Cloud Kingdom."

------

Several Days Earlier

Somewhere in a field, all white, Geoff opens his eyes, that are back to hazel, and looks around his surroundings. "Where am I?" He asked himself. "How am I able to see again?" He then felt himself a little. He no longer had the butterfly shaped burn scar on his face, his eyebrows were straightened and his hair colour was also back to red, albeit a little darker, almost resembling brown. He soon looked at what he was wearing. They were white robes with some gold highlights. "Wait. Is this... the Departed Realm?" He soon starts to walk along the field before coming across a set of golden gates.

"In front of him were the prettiest gates he ever saw." The gates soon open up and a familiar face walked down some stairs and came between the gates to Geoff.

"Hello?" Geoff asked.

"Greetings, and welcome to the Departed Realm, Geoffrey Arcturus Sanders." The greeter replied. It was Morro, who was also wearing white robes.

Geoff became surprised. "Morro?"

"Wait, wait, wait." Jay asked.

------

Present

Everyone glared at Jay as he stood up upon hearing the name. "Morro, former Master of Wind, a ghost who possessed Lloyd a few years ago, tried to take over Ninjago with the Preeminent and told us what Master Yang done to us about forgetting Cole, greeted our friend, Geoff, at the gates to the Departed Realm?" He asked.

"He wasn't the same as at that time." Yether replied. "It was like, he returned to his normal self before his death." Jay soon sat back down and sipped his tea.

"Carry on, Master Yether." Dragon said.

"Anyway..."

------

Several Days Earlier

In the Departed Realm, Geoff was a little untrustworthy of Morro, who was greeting him, despite him smiling, but in a greeting way. "Morro wasn't threatening him. More like, he was greeting him."

"Hello, Master of Sand." He said. "Please, this way." He moves to the side and held his hand out. "Don't be shy, Geoff. We all were shy and skeptical the moment we stepped in through these gates for the first time." Geoff soon went ahead before Morro follows him and the gates close behind him.

They walk up the stairs before coming across some people, all in white robes as well, as they keep walking. "So... this is the Departed Realm?" Geoff asked.

"Yes, where all the souls of the lost rest in peace." He shows some Djinn, all wearing white robes. "When the Cursed Realm fell, so did the realm of Djinnjago. Home to the notorious pirate of the Misfortune's Keep, Nadakhan."

"They look like they're in peace with this place."

"Of course." They resume walking before coming across a wide field where a lot of departed souls, all in white robes, talking amongst themselves. "But there are some who did not accept death, and were sent into a darker side of the Departed Realm."

"Maybe because they weren't ready."

"Yes, but I believe only some."

"Well, since I'm here, I guess I accepted my death."

"The Departed Realm consisted of every person who passed on, hoping to find peace with their enemies and befriend others who fell as well." Yether said.

"Everyone who has passed on and brought to the Departed Realm, find peace and serenity among this realm." Morro said as he guides Geoff along the field. "Old enemies try to make amends." He points to over to where Chen and Heianmofa, both in white robes, talking with Arcturus, Raiden and the other fallen Anacondrai, all in white robes.

"Please, Arcturus, I beg of you to forgive me." Chen said as he had his hands together as Heianmofa sees Geoff and Morro pass by.

"Most already have."

"And there was something your friend didn't expect at all." Yether said.

A moan was heard close by, making Geoff turn around to see it was the Ultra Dragon. "Ultra." He said, heading over to him and slowly pets one of his heads.

------

Present

"Ultra?" Lloyd asked. "You mean, the Ultra Dragon?"

"Yes." Yether replied. "The same one you and your friends fought with against the Devourer. I don't know how he got there, though."

"I do." Kai said, and they all turn to him. "Iron Baron. He and the Dragon Hunters ate him, and used his bones as a throne for him."

"That heartless bastard." Cole replied.

"He was the greatest companion, I believe." Yether said. "Anyway..."

------

Several Days Earlier

Geoff backs away from Ultra Dragon, who soon spreads his wings and flies away. "So, how did you die?" Morro asked, a little curious.

"Oni spear through my chest." Geoff replied.

"Oni?" Someone called out, causing them to turn and see it was Mistaké, also wearing white robes.

"Mistaké."

"Mistaké?" Kai asked.

------

Present

Everyone immediately glared at Kai as he stood up. "That crazy tea lady, who sent half of us to the Realm of-" He was soon cut off.

"I know where you guys went to, Kai, because your friend had told me once." Yether said. "Now, no more interruptions until I'm done." Kai soon sat back down. "Anyway."

------

Several Days Earlier

"It must've been nice of your friend to see her again."

"Yes, last thing I remember, a guy named Chongbai conjured a dark spear and threw it at me." Geoff said. "Do you know him?"

"Never heard of him!" Mistaké lied.

"Oh, you should, Mistaké." Someone called out. It was James, who was also wearing white robes. "After all, you are also an Oni."

Mistaké lowers her head. "I apologise."

"It's okay, Mistaké." Geoff replied. "It is often hard to tell someone something they know or don't know."

She smiles while raising her head. "You are becoming wise, Geoff."

"I guess I am."

"Maybe we could be looking at Geoff Sanders, Master of Sand, and a true master." Morro jokingly said.

"Sand?" Someone called out as they all turned to see Kozu and some Stone Warriors come up to him. They too were in white robes. "Some of us aren't happy that you're here, Sanders."

"Kozu, this is a place of peace." James said, not looking at him. "I thought you accepted your death as Geoff has." Kozu growled before he and the warriors leave before he turned back to Geoff. "Tell me..."

"My name is Geoff."

"Thank you. So, Geoff, this Chongbai is responsible for your death?"

"He is. He is after all the artefacts of Yether."

"Master Yether?" Mistaké asked. "I have heard of him. He is an Oni, just like me. Come... come have some tea, and I'll tell you his story."

"Uh, see you guys around." Geoff walks away with Mistaké as they all look on.

------

(A/N: I know the Departed Realm seems a little different from the one in The Kaiju Protocol, but imagine there are two sides/versions of it, like heaven and hell)