Villains POV
Noah found himself perched on the edge of the school roof, his legs dangling over the precipice. The morning breeze ruffled his hair, carrying with it the scent of autumn leaves and distant smoke. He ignored the cold that seeped through his uniform, his mind preoccupied with recent events that had shaken his carefully constructed world.
How on earth had that random kid managed to block his attack? The question burned in his mind, refusing to be silenced. The guy had simply grabbed it, disguising the assault effortlessly, as if swatting away a harmless fly. No one could do that, except for... Noah shook the thought from his head violently, his hand subconsciously rising to trace the jagged scar that ran across his face. The raised tissue felt rough under his fingertips, a constant reminder of his past. He would never forget how he got it, nor the harsh lesson it had taught him about power and weakness.
The memory of that fateful day flashed through his mind - the day he had challenged his father, believing himself to be invincible. The searing pain of defeat, the humiliation, and the permanent mark left on his face - all served as a constant reminder of his hubris. Since then, Noah had vowed never to underestimate an opponent again, never to let his guard down. And yet, this newcomer, this Abaddon, had managed to do the impossible.
The memory of the incident in the dining hall replayed in his mind for the hundredth time. He was not only shocked by how the kid had stopped his attack but also infuriated that it had gotten him in trouble with the headmaster. Noah had worked tirelessly for a year to gain the man's favor, carefully cultivating an image of the perfect student, only for it to evaporate in seconds. Now he was back at the bottom, all his efforts wasted. The thought made his blood boil.
He remembered the countless nights spent studying, the missions he had volunteered for, and the rivals he had eliminated - all to climb the ranks and secure his position as the headmaster's favorite. And now, because of one encounter, it had all crumbled to dust. The injustice of it all made him clench his fists so tightly that his nails dug into his palms, drawing blood.
But what bothered him most, what truly unsettled him to his core, was why that guy sort of looked like him. It was as if the newcomer was an exact copy, a mirror image with just a few alterations. The same facial structure, the same build, even the same way of carrying himself. The only differences were the newcomer's black hair and those unsettling mismatched eyes. Hell, the guy even had one red eye, just like... Noah pushed that thought away too, unwilling to confront the implications.
The resemblance was uncanny, almost supernatural. It brought back memories of old legends he had heard whispered in the darkest corners of the school - tales of doppelgangers and alternate realities. But Noah had always dismissed such stories as nonsense. Now, faced with living proof, he found himself questioning everything he thought he knew.
Noah had been stunned when he first saw him in the training room, the sense of déjà vu so strong it had nearly knocked him off his feet. He had planned on convincing the headmaster to give him that student's file, to uncover the mystery of this doppelganger. But now that plan was in ruins, shattered like so many others.
His anger rose to new heights as he remembered the guy's smirk, that infuriating expression of confidence and amusement. How dare he act so chummy with him? As if they were equals, as if he had any right to stand on the same level as Noah. What was his name again? It started with an 'A' and sounded strange, almost biblical. Abaddon? Yes, that was it. A name that tasted like ash in Noah's mouth.
The name itself seemed to carry a weight, an ominous significance that Noah couldn't quite place. Abaddon - the destroyer. Was it mere coincidence, or was there something more to this newcomer's presence?
Noah only truly hated a handful of people in this world, his list carefully curated over years of betrayals and disappointments. But it seemed Abaddon had somehow made that list in record time, shooting straight to the top with a single encounter. Noah was already planning, his mind working overtime to devise ways of eliminating this threat. He would kill him when he got the chance, special student or not. In this school for villains, such actions were not just allowed but encouraged.
He began to formulate plans, each more intricate and deadly than the last. Perhaps he could arrange an "accident" during a training exercise, or manipulate one of the other students into doing his dirty work. The possibilities were endless, and Noah relished the challenge.
The sudden beeping of his phone cut through his dark musings, indicating it was time to go. Even though he had just returned from a grueling mission, his body still aching from the ordeal, he was ready to head out again. Anything to distract him from the turmoil in his mind, to prove to himself and others that he was still the top dog in this cutthroat world.
Noah stood up in one fluid motion, balancing precariously on the edge of the roof. He took a deep breath, letting the cool air fill his lungs, steadying himself for what was to come. Then, without hesitation, he leaped from the roof, his body arcing gracefully through the air before landing with catlike grace on the ground below.
As he straightened up, dusting off his uniform, his mind was set on the task ahead. He had a mission to complete, another chance to prove his worth to the headmaster and regain his lost status. And perhaps, if he was lucky, he'd have the opportunity to add another body to his growing list of victims. A predatory smile spread across his face at the thought.
He made his way to the school gates, his stride purposeful and determined. Students parted before him, their faces a mix of fear and awe. Noah reveled in their reactions, drawing strength from their trepidation. He was Noah, the prodigy, the ruthless villain-in-training who had clawed his way to the top. And no upstart newcomer was going to take that away from him.
As he approached the black car waiting for him, Noah's resolve hardened. This mission wasn't just about completing an objective or impressing the headmaster. It was about reclaiming his position, about reminding everyone - including himself - why he was the best.
Let Abaddon have his moment of triumph, Noah thought as he slid into the driver's seat. In the end, it would make his downfall all the sweeter. And Noah would be there to watch him fall, to be the one to push him over the edge. After all, in this world of villains and monsters, there could only be one at the top. And Noah was determined that it would be him, no matter the cost.
As the engine roared to life, Noah allowed himself one last glance at the school building. Somewhere in there, Abaddon was preparing for their joint mission. Little did he know that this mission might very well be his last. With a grim smile, Noah pulled away from the curb, his mind already racing with possibilities. The Shadowlands awaited, and with them, the chance to eliminate his rival once and for all.
…
Lloyd POV
"You've certainly caught my father's attention," Mister Glasses remarked, adjusting his spectacles with a deliberate motion. The light glinted off the lenses, momentarily obscuring his calculating eyes. "I thought you said you were going to stay low, find the weapons, and go? This seems like quite the opposite of laying low."
I looked up from the mission file spread across my lap, sighing heavily. The weight of recent events pressed down on me, a constant reminder of how quickly plans can unravel in this twisted version of Ninjago. "That was the plan until I made a miscalculation," I admitted, running a hand through my hair.
I reached for the textbook Jay had returned to me earlier, its pages now dog-eared and worn from frequent consultation. The book had become a lifeline of sorts, a connection to my world and a guide in this unfamiliar one. "I realized the ninjas didn't have the Dark Artifacts. So I asked them to retrieve them instead."
I flipped through the pages, showing Mister Glasses the detailed illustrations of the artifacts. The images seemed to shimmer with an otherworldly power, even on paper. "Everything was going great until Noah ruined it. Besides," I added, a hint of defensiveness creeping into my voice, "he tried to blow me up first. I'm not in the wrong here."
Mister Glasses leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled beneath his chin. The gesture reminded me so much of his counterpart in my world that for a moment, I felt a pang of homesickness. "You're correct on that point," he conceded after a moment's consideration. "But I'm certain you were warned by several people not to agitate him. Yet you did just that."
His eyes narrowed slightly, a mix of concern and curiosity in his gaze. "I advise you to watch your back during the mission. Noah has a... knack for making students disappear on assignments. And not in a good way."
The implication hung heavy in the air between us. I suppressed a shudder, remembering the cold fury in Noah's eyes. It was a look I'd never seen on Noah's face, and it chilled me to the bone. "Why am I not surprised?" I muttered, more to myself than to Mister Glasses.
Shaking off the ominous feeling, I held up the mission file. "So, can you explain how my uncle owns land here? That's not something I expected to see."
Mister Glasses quickly scanned the file, his eyes darting across the pages with practiced efficiency. "Ah, I'd forgotten your world is the opposite, so things like this don't exist there." He stood up, walking to a wall where an intricate map of Ninjago hung.
The map was a tapestry of colors and symbols, each representing different territories and allegiances. It was a stark reminder of how different this world was from mine. In my Ninjago, the land was united under peace. Here, it was divided among villains.
"Villains here have territories," he explained, his finger tracing the boundaries on the map. "My father's territory is this school and the surrounding land." His hand moved to a different area, colored a deep, foreboding black. "Lord Wu's land is here. This is the Shadowland."
I approached the map, studying it closely. The Shadowland seemed to pulse with an otherworldly darkness, even on paper. It reminded me of the stories of the Cursed Realm from my world, but somehow even more sinister.
"Within it lies an artifact on a mountain," Mister Glasses continued. "The problem is, whoever enters the mountain vanishes. That's why we planned to send Noah and the ninjas to retrieve it, but you've changed the situation. Now you must go with Noah."
He returned to his desk and sat down, the leather chair creaking slightly under his weight. "If Noah doesn't kill you, whatever's in the mountain might. It's not a mission for the faint of heart."
I glanced back at the file, a growing sense of unease settling in my stomach. "May I know what this artifact is? It seems like a pretty crucial piece of information."
"Why do you care?" Mister Glasses asked genuine puzzlement in his voice. "You just need to retrieve it while the ninjas get the Dark Artifacts. The less you know, the better, in my opinion."
I frowned, lying down on the couch in his office. The leather was cool against my skin, a stark contrast to the heat of frustration building inside me. "I believe I have the right to know, considering I'm risking my life to bring it back. Knowledge is power, after all. Isn't that something villains believe in?"
Mister Glasses seemed to consider this for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Of course," he replied, a hint of respect in his tone. "You already know, considering you used it against me to gain entry to this school. Or at least, you used the concept of it."
"The Phantom Protocol?" I responded, confusion evident in my voice. "What does that have to do with the artifact? I thought that was just a bluff I came up with."
"It has everything to do with it," Mister Glasses explained, leaning forward in his chair. His voice took on a hushed, almost reverent tone. "I don't know about your world, but here's our plan: The Phantom Protocol is an ancient, clandestine initiative created by a coalition of powerful villains seeking to harness forbidden knowledge and dark magic."
He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "The ultimate goal is to acquire and control the 'Artifact of Shadows,' a legendary relic rumored to reside in the Shadowland. This Artifact can grant immense power, manipulate reality, and even allow its possessor to traverse the boundaries between life and death."
I blinked a few times, processing this information. The implications were staggering, far beyond anything I had imagined when I first mentioned the Phantom Protocol as a bluff. "Well," I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper, "that is quite different from my world indeed. In my reality, it was just a name my Mister Glasses said in a conversation."
Mister Glasses nodded a grim smile on his face. "And that, Abaddon, is why you must be extremely careful on this mission. The Artifact of Shadows is not something to be trifled with. Its power could reshape our world... or destroy it entirely."
As I lay there on the couch, staring at the ceiling, I couldn't help but wonder what I had gotten myself into. The mission, Noah, the Artifact of Shadows – it all seemed so much bigger than me. But I knew I had no choice but to see it through. After all, in this world of villains and dark magic, backing down wasn't an option. I just hoped I was ready for whatever challenges lay ahead in the Shadowland.
I stood up slowly, stretching my limbs after the long, intense briefing. My muscles protested, stiff from sitting for so long, a reminder of the physical challenges that lay ahead. The weight of the mission settled on my shoulders as I realized it was time to leave. The room suddenly felt smaller, the air thicker with unspoken tension.
I turned to give Mister Glasses one last look, my voice dropping to a low, serious tone. "After the ninjas get the weapons, take them and put them in a secure vault," I instructed, my eyes locked with his to convey the importance of this task. "Tell them they can use them after graduation." I glanced at the textbook lying on his desk, its pages filled with secrets and power. A plan began to form in my mind, intricate and dangerous. "After all," I added with a hint of a smirk, "I don't want them getting too attached when I have to steal them later."
Mister Glasses held my gaze for a moment before giving me a slow, deliberate nod of confirmation. That simple gesture eased some of the tension coiled within me. It had been a long time since I had someone I could rely on to do a job, someone who understood the delicate nature of my position in this twisted world. The feeling was both comforting and unsettling, a reminder of how much had changed since I arrived here.
But now, I had a more pressing task ahead - retrieving the Artifact of Shadows. As I contemplated the mission, a part of me wondered if I could take the artifact for myself. The thought sent a thrill of excitement and fear down my spine. Such a powerful relic would be better in the hands of someone who could use it to its fullest potential, someone with vision and purpose. These small-minded villains, with their petty schemes and no goal beyond simple evil, didn't deserve such power. In my hands, perhaps it could be a tool for real change, a way to reshape this dark world... or even find my way back home.
I shook off these dangerous thoughts as I headed out of the room, my footsteps echoing in the empty hallway. The school building seemed different now, charged with an energy I couldn't quite define. Every shadow held secrets, every corner concealed potential threats. I pushed open the heavy doors and stepped out into the crisp air, blinking as my eyes adjusted to the bright sunlight.
There, waiting by a sleek black car that seemed to absorb the light around it, was Noah. His lean figure was tense, arms crossed over his chest in a defensive posture. As he spotted me, his expression soured further, lips curling into a sneer of disgust. The hostility radiating off him was almost palpable, a wave of negative energy that made the air between us crackle with tension.
Something deep inside me stirred as our eyes met across the courtyard. It was more than just apprehension or excitement - it was a premonition, a certainty that this trip would be far from boring. The stakes were higher than ever, and Noah was an unpredictable variable in an already dangerous equation.
As I approached the car, each step measured and deliberate, I steeled myself for the journey ahead. The Shadowlands awaited, a realm of mystery and danger that few had explored and even fewer had returned from. And beyond that lay our ultimate goal - the Artifact of Shadows, a prize that could change everything. The power to manipulate reality itself, to transcend the boundaries between life and death... it was almost too much to comprehend.
Noah's red eyes narrowed as I drew closer, his hand twitching slightly as if resisting the urge to attack me right there. I kept my face neutral, refusing to show any sign of weakness or fear. This uneasy alliance would be a test of wills as much as a test of our abilities.
"Let's get this over with," Noah growled, yanking open the car door with unnecessary force.
I nodded silently, sliding into the passenger seat. The leather was cool against my skin, a stark contrast to the heat of tension filling the vehicle. As Noah started the engine, its low purr seeming to match the dangerous energy surrounding us, I couldn't shake the feeling that we were embarking on something monumental.
Whatever happened on this mission, I knew it would be a turning point. For better or worse, nothing would be the same after this. The school, the Shadowlands, the Artifact - all of it felt like pieces of a grand puzzle I was only beginning to understand. As we pulled away from the school, leaving behind the relative safety of familiar grounds, I steeled my resolve.
I was ready for whatever challenges lay ahead. After all, in a world of villains and dark powers, adaptability was key to survival. And survive I would, no matter the cost. The game had changed, and I intended to emerge victorious, not just for myself, but for the sake of both worlds - the one I came from and the one I found myself in now. The road ahead was fraught with danger, but also with possibility. And as we sped towards the Shadowlands, I couldn't help but feel a thrill of anticipation. This was it - the moment everything changed. And I was ready for it.