Chapter Text
Once upon a time in a kingdom lost in another world, where the air smells faintly of peppermint, the sky bluer than the deepest part of the oceans, and the grass a vibrant emerald green, a prince and his father, the king, lived in the Palace of Sweets in Ninjago. The castle rested at the top of the tallest hill, overlooking the pastel lands and sapphire rivers, dotted with evergreens and patches of forests.
The King, a man in his mid-thirties with slicked-back black hair, a thin mustache, and aged brown eyes that always seemed sorrowful, even in his joyous times, ruled over the kingdom, leading it to peaceful times. His wife, the Queen, had passed away during childbirth, leaving only one heir to the throne. The Prince, only five years old, was not ready to be the ruler of the kingdom for many more years, but the King worried that if something happened to him the kingdom wouldn't have the best ruler to lead them.
He sat down on his throne, deep in thought. Who would be his second in command? It couldn't be Captain Walker or Major Rowen, they were off on border patrol for the next several months or year. There had been minor skirmishes with other countries for the past couple of years, nothing too dangerous or worrisome, but it was better to be safe with patrollers than risk an invasion. The King bit his lip as he watched his servants and maids rush past him as they carried on with their duties, an idea coming to mind. There was one person he could trust with the golden scepter, his second-in-command, Morro Kaze. His most loyal partner for the last eight years, staying by his side without complaint. Why didn't he think of him before?
The twenty-three-year-old had snuck into the army when he was only fifteen, proving himself loyal to the king by pledging himself and following him into battle. Although Morro was injured in battle, taking a bayonet to the face, almost blinding his left eye, he refused to give up. After the battles were over, the King brought the orphan in and took him under his wing. Major Rowen didn't approve of Morro, fearing that he had ulterior ideas in mind, even to this day he still watched him out of the corner of his eye.
The King called for one of his servants, "Fetch Kaze, bring him here immediately. Tell him I have important news for him." The servant nodded and rushed off, leaving him in the silence of his own thoughts. He glanced down at the symbol of his power, a golden scepter with a large ruby on the top. The scepter had been passed down through his lineage for as long as his family had been on the throne in Ninjago, and with a simple spell can create or change anything the user sees fit. He never liked to use the scepter for personal use, he felt that the power should only be used to benefit or protect the kingdom.
A set of footsteps brought the King out of his thoughts, glancing up to see the servant returning with Morro. His black hair was neatly cut and tucked back behind his ears, his bangs covering his forehead and partially his eyebrows. Morro's hauntingly green eyes were constantly searching for something, what they were looking for the King did not know. Morro had always been a sickly pale, even after years of being in the sun before he was taken in, as well as being thinner than a peppermint stick.
Morro knelt in front of the throne, bowing his head as he asked, "You called for my presence, your majesty?"
The King stood and stepped down the two steps, holding his hand out to the younger man. As he stood, the King said, "Yes, Morro. I have been thinking about the future. I won't be around forever, and I fear that something could happen to me that leaves the throne empty. My son is not yet ready to rule for he is too young and inexperienced, he won't be ready for many more years. Until that time comes, I need someone to lead if I were to be gone."
Morro's stomach twisted in excitement, he couldn't possibly be thinking what he had been dreaming of for years. This had to be a joke, but even with the skepticism, a grin grew on his face.
"I want that person to be you, Morro. You've been learning about how to rule a kingdom for many years now, there is still much for you to learn but until the time comes that my son is ready to take the throne, you will be the one to protect and lead the land of Ninjago." The King turned and faced the younger man, "Will you accept my offer?"
Morro fell to one knee and bowed his head, "Of course, your majesty! I would happily accept your offer! I shall make you and Ninjago proud!"
Unknown to the King and Morro, the young Prince watched the pair from around one of the corners, a spark of envy glowed in his hazel-green eyes. Why didn't his father spend time with him like he did with Morro? He never got to spend time with him anymore. The Prince sulked away, deciding to play with his toys in the playroom until dinner.