Chapter Text
Misako got home late, as she often did.
She entered her home as quietly as she could, careful not to wake her sleeping husband and child.
As she entered the kitchen and dining area, she saw a silhouette sitting at the dining table.
"I told you not to wait up for me."
When the shadow did not reply, and she began to worry.
She reached for the light switch, discovering that it really was just Garmadon sitting there, but he was just.... staring. Staring at nothing.
"Garmadon?" She walked up to him, but he didn't react to her at all. Like he was in some sort of trance, his eyes unfocused, but fixated.
"Garmadon!" She waved her hand in front of his eyes, and he finally blinked and looked at her.
"Misako." He smiled at her like nothing was wrong.
"Are you alright?"
"Lloyd is in bed."
"Why aren't you?"
"He had me read him five picture books before he would settle down!" He laughed, shaking his head.
He wasn't listening to her. Or he wasn't hearing her. He almost seemed to be talking to himself.
Garmadon had been acting odd, he always had moments of oddity, things she couldn't quite explain. But it was rarely cause for alarm.
Now Misako was beginning to worry. His odd behavior was becoming more and more strange. On top of it all, his complexion was becoming dull and pale, like he was ill.
"Garmadon." She sat down at the dining table, facing him, "Are you feeling alright?"
She placed her hand on his forehead to check.
His eyes were more vivid, and aware of her now, and he watched her with a contemplative look.
He gave her a sad smile, took her hand off his forehead and kissed it.
"I'm fine, Misako." He placed her hand on the table.
"You worry me sometimes."
"I am sorry. But I can assure you, there is nothing to worry about."
He stood from the table.
"I'm sorry if I don't believe you." She said, standing with him, "But you look unwell."
"I feel fine."
"You don't look fine, that should say something at least."
"It will pass."
"How?! Garmadon, have you seen yourself lately? You're growing pale... There's something wrong."
He laughed softly to himself.
"Of course you would be the one to call me out." He spoke quietly.
"What is it? If you know what's wrong, please tell me." She begged.
"Let's not do this tonight." He waved her away and grabbed his kimono that was hanging on one of the chairs, "I'm going for a walk."
"At this hour?"
"I can't sleep, I need to clear my head. Please, go to bed before I get back."
"Perhaps insomnia has something to do with your condition."
"Perhaps you're right. But for now, I know a walk will cure me."
===
The monastery was always one hell of a walk. Though it was what he'd known his whole life.
Surely, the biggest downside to living in his own home was he would have to climb those godforsaken steps every time he wanted to visit his old home.
He had lied to his wife, of course. Not like it's a first. In truth, she knew very little about him, considering how happy their marriage was.
She didn't know about the snake that bit him, or the inner turmoil he'd struggled through all his life because of it. Or the things he'd done while training under Chen.
But Garmadon feared the truth might lose her, and that was something he was unwilling to risk, considering what he did to win her in the first place.
Right now Garmadon feared he was losing a battle within himself, but he was beginning to wonder if right and wrong were simply concepts mortals came up with to justify their actions. How many times he saw people do the wrong thing for the right reasons, or the right thing for the wrong reasons....
The Golden Weapons of Creation danced in his mind, like they had from the moment they came into Wu's possession.
So much power, and yet no one was using them. Such a waste.
What could he do with such power? Perhaps create a good future for Lloyd?
Contrary to his appearance, Garmadon had lived for thousands of years, he'd seen the world fall in and out of turmoil many times, and he knew for sure that there would be no guarantee, no matter how many foes he and his brother stopped, that his son would be safe in this world.
Not unless he himself were the most powerful thing in this world. With all that power he could protect his son's future.
If he took the Golden Weapons for himself, he could harness their power, he was the son of the first Spinjitzu Master, if anyone could, it would be him. And he would use that power to take over Ninjago, and no one would dare oppose him.
Garmadon had reached the Monastery of Spinjitzu, his childhood home was so familiar.
He found the room where they were displayed, positively vibrating with power.
He stood there for a moment, understanding that what he was about to do would end the battle with the venom. Thousands of years of torment ending in one night, finally losing the fight.
He couldn't imagine loving anything more than he loved Lloyd. That love drove a weakness deep inside him, something that allowed the venom to seep into the rest of his being. It justified his actions in ways he never thought he'd fall for.
Garmadon had struggled all his life with hatred, but in the end it was love that finally destroyed him.
His downfall happened that night, the moment his hand closed over the glowing golden weapons of power.