NINJAGO:THE LAST KINGDOM–Alternative AU

Ninjago is an ancient world divided into numerous independent kingdoms, territories, city-states, and remote settlements. Long before the current age, the world was shaped by wars, alliances, migrations, ancient civilizations, and forgotten dynasties. The roads connecting the kingdoms are often dangerous, passing through dense forests, mountain ranges, abandoned ruins, and territories where ordinary travelers rarely venture. Every kingdom has its own laws, traditions, customs, banners, noble families, military forces, and religious practices, while smaller villages often govern themselves according to centuries-old traditions.

The Kingdom of Ninjago is one of the oldest and most influential realms in the central region. Its capital is surrounded by enormous stone walls, watchtowers, fortified gates, and a sprawling outer settlement where merchants, craftsmen, farmers, travelers, and soldiers live. At the center stands the royal castle, built upon an elevated section of the city and surrounded by several layers of defensive walls. The kingdom's territory stretches from fertile valleys in the south to rugged mountains and heavily forested borderlands in the north. Its location makes it an important crossroads for trade between several neighboring realms.

Beyond Ninjago lies the United Fire and Water Kingdom, commonly known as the Water Kingdom. It is a neighboring realm located relatively close to Ninjago, with territories consisting of rivers, lakes, canals, coastal settlements, fertile lands, and vast stretches of open sea. Unlike the name commonly used by outsiders, the kingdom is not exclusively associated with Water. It is a united Fire-and-Water kingdom ruled by King Ray, the Fire Elemental ruler, and Queen Maya, the Water Elemental ruler. Its cities are built around waterways, with bridges, stone harbors, fortified settlements, and coastal trade routes connecting different regions. Ships are essential to its economy, allowing merchants to transport food, minerals, textiles, and other resources between distant lands. Its close geographical position has also made it one of Ninjago's closest allies.

The northern territories are far less settled. Vast forests cover much of the region, hiding ancient ruins beneath layers of vegetation. Some roads disappear completely during winter, while mountain passes can remain inaccessible for months. Small villages scattered throughout these lands often survive independently, relying on hunting, farming, mining, and trade. Many inhabitants believe that the forests contain remnants of civilizations that existed before the modern kingdoms were established.

The eastern lands are known for their mountains and mineral-rich valleys. Numerous fortified settlements have been constructed around mines, quarries, and ancient underground passages. Iron, coal, precious stones, and other minerals are extracted from these regions and traded throughout Ninjago. Because of their strategic value, these territories have frequently become the subject of disputes between neighboring rulers.

To the west lie several smaller kingdoms and independent territories. Some maintain peaceful trade agreements with Ninjago, while others remain suspicious of larger powers. Their borders are constantly changing through marriages between noble families, treaties, territorial disputes, and occasional military conflicts. There is no single authority governing all of Ninjago's kingdoms and territories.

Magic exists throughout Ninjago, although it is not equally understood everywhere. Ancient texts describe elemental forces that have existed since the earliest recorded history. Fire, Water, Earth, Lightning, Ice, Wind, Energy, Creation, Destruction, and other elemental forces are believed to be connected to the natural world. Most people never encounter someone capable of manipulating such forces, and many ordinary villagers consider elemental abilities to be legends or rare gifts passed down through ancient bloodlines.

Elemental powers are extremely rare. Even within villages, an elemental user may appear only once in many generations. Those who possess such abilities can come from royal families, noble houses, villages, or ordinary families. Possessing an elemental power does not automatically make someone noble or superior to others.

Alongside elemental forces, ordinary forms of craftsmanship and early technology have developed throughout the kingdoms. Blacksmiths create increasingly advanced weapons and armor, engineers construct mechanical devices, and inventors experiment with gears, springs, water-powered mechanisms, and other forms of machinery. However, technology remains primitive compared with the modern world. Most transportation still depends on horses, carts, ships, and walking.

Religion and ancient traditions also play an important role in everyday life. Temples and monasteries can be found throughout the world, many of them built upon ruins far older than the current kingdoms. Ancient manuscripts describe forgotten conflicts, mysterious creatures, lost civilizations, and forces that supposedly existed before written history. Some scholars consider these stories mythology, while others believe that they contain fragments of genuine historical events.

The political situation has recently become unstable. Several villages near the northern borders have been attacked, trade routes have become increasingly dangerous, and travelers have reported seeing unfamiliar groups moving through remote territories. No kingdom has officially claimed responsibility for the attacks. Because the evidence is incomplete, rulers have begun accusing one another, while smaller territories fear becoming caught between larger powers.

Rumors of an ancient symbol have also begun spreading. The mark has appeared on fragments of old stone, forgotten manuscripts, abandoned structures, and objects recovered from places that have supposedly remained untouched for centuries. No existing kingdom recognizes it as an official emblem.

As tensions rise, alliances are becoming increasingly important. A single border incident could trigger a larger conflict, while the discovery of something hidden beneath the ruins of the ancient world could change what people believe about the history of Ninjago itself.

The kingdoms stand on the edge of an uncertain age.

War may be approaching.

And beneath the forgotten ruins, something from the distant past may already be awakening. __ Lloyd — Crown Prince of Ninjago | Element: Energy

Lloyd is the Crown Prince and direct heir to the throne of Ninjago. He is intelligent, observant, compassionate, and naturally inclined toward diplomacy, but growing up during constant wars has forced him to mature earlier than most people his age.

He does not treat his position as merely a privilege. Lloyd understands that one day the safety of the entire kingdom will depend on his decisions. Because of this, he studies military reports, maps, treaties, trade routes, and the conditions of villages throughout the kingdom.

His Elemental Power of Energy makes him exceptionally rare even among the already uncommon Elemental users. Lloyd does not consider his power a reason to place himself above ordinary soldiers or villagers. Instead, he sees it as another responsibility attached to his position as the future king.

Lloyd is kind toward ordinary citizens and tends to listen before judging. However, he can become firm and authoritative when the safety of Ninjago is threatened. He dislikes unnecessary cruelty and believes that strength should be used to protect people rather than intimidate them.

He is also deeply affected by the expectations placed upon him by Garmadon. His father wants him to become a strong ruler, while Lloyd sometimes wishes he could simply live without constantly being treated as the future king.

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Kai — Royal Guard | Element: Fire

Kai serves as one of the most trusted royal guards of Ninjago Castle. His Fire Element makes him particularly valuable in combat, but his position was not granted solely because of his elemental ability. His loyalty, courage, discipline, and willingness to protect others earned him his place within the royal guard.

Kai is passionate, direct, and highly protective. He reacts quickly when someone under his protection is threatened and has little patience for people who endanger civilians unnecessarily.

His Fire reflects his personality: intense, energetic, and difficult to suppress when his emotions rise. However, years of military discipline have taught him that uncontrolled anger can become dangerous to both allies and civilians.

Despite his serious responsibilities, Kai can be outspoken and occasionally impatient. He is not naturally comfortable with complicated political conversations and prefers clear intentions and direct answers.

His loyalty toward Lloyd is extremely strong. As a royal guard, he takes the protection of the Crown Prince seriously, even when Lloyd disagrees with his methods.

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Cole — Warrior-Lord | Element: Earth

Cole is a powerful warrior-lord from his own territory who has established an alliance with the Kingdom of Ninjago. He commands warriors from his lands and brings military support when Ninjago requires assistance.

His Earth Element is naturally suited to his grounded personality. Cole is patient, dependable, physically powerful, and difficult to intimidate. He rarely acts without considering the consequences.

Unlike nobles who see warfare as a means of gaining territory or prestige, Cole understands the cost of war because he has seen its effects on ordinary people. His warriors are important to him, but so are the families and villages they are fighting to protect.

Cole prefers stability over ambition. He does not seek the throne, political influence, or unnecessary recognition.

When conflict becomes unavoidable, however, Cole becomes extremely determined. Once he gives his word to protect someone or support an ally, he takes that promise seriously.

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Jay — Traveling Inventor | Element: Lightning

Jay travels between kingdoms as an inventor, mechanic, and experimenter. Because he does not belong permanently to the royal court, he has seen more of the different kingdoms and their cultures than many nobles have.

His Lightning Element fits his energetic and unpredictable personality. Jay is quick-thinking, curious, inventive, and often speaks faster than he thinks.

He has a natural fascination with machines, mechanisms, tools, gears, springs, water-powered systems, and anything that can be improved through experimentation.

Jay often uses humor to ease tense situations, especially when surrounded by people who take politics far too seriously. However, his joking personality should not be mistaken for a lack of intelligence.

He is extremely observant when dealing with mechanical problems and can sometimes find unconventional solutions that trained scholars and soldiers overlook.

Because elemental powers are so rare, Jay's Lightning ability has made him valuable to Ninjago's military forces. However, his independent nature makes him uncomfortable with being treated merely as a weapon of the crown.

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Zane — Royal Scholar | Element: Ice

Zane is a mysterious royal scholar who spends much of his time within the archives of Ninjago Castle. His responsibilities involve studying ancient manuscripts, forgotten civilizations, old symbols, elemental phenomena, and records concerning the kingdoms.

His Ice Element reflects his calm, controlled, and methodical personality. Zane rarely allows panic or emotion to interfere with his reasoning.

He approaches problems analytically and prefers evidence over rumors. When historians, nobles, or soldiers disagree about the meaning of an ancient document, Zane examines the original sources before accepting anyone's interpretation.

His knowledge of Ice also makes him useful during military situations, although Zane is more interested in understanding the nature and history of elemental abilities than using his power for destruction.

He speaks calmly and precisely. He rarely wastes words, but when he finally reaches a conclusion, he usually has a carefully reasoned explanation behind it.

Zane is loyal to the truth above political convenience, which occasionally places him in uncomfortable situations when the royal court would prefer certain information to remain hidden.

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Nya — Heir to the Water Kingdom | Element: Water

Nya is the heir to the Water Kingdom and has come to Ninjago as part of an important diplomatic relationship between the two kingdoms.

Her Water Element is exceptionally rare, making her elemental ability both a personal gift and a matter of political significance. Water is especially important to her kingdom because rivers, lakes, canals, ports, and coastal settlements are essential to its survival and economy.

Nya is intelligent, independent, confident, and politically aware. She understands diplomacy but does not blindly accept every diplomatic decision.

She is capable of challenging nobles and rulers when she believes their decisions could endanger civilians or weaken an alliance.

Nya does not enjoy being treated as merely a princess who must follow political expectations. She wants to be involved in decisions concerning her kingdom and understands that eventually she will have to rule it herself.

Her relationship with Lloyd is built around mutual respect, but their different political responsibilities can sometimes create disagreements.

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Wu — Ancient Monk and Royal Brother | Element: Creation

Wu is not merely an ancient monk living beyond the mountains. He is the younger brother of King Garmadon and the second son of the First Spinjitzu Master, the first king of Ninjago.

He deliberately lives away from the royal court, choosing a secluded monastery where he studies ancient knowledge, forgotten traditions, Spinjitzu, and the history of elemental powers.

Wu possesses the Element of Creation. His power is fundamentally different from the destructive abilities commonly associated with warfare. He views Creation as a force that should be used carefully, because creating something can influence generations long after the creator is gone.

His personality is patient, wise, reserved, and difficult to surprise. He rarely gives immediate answers when a person can discover the answer through their own reasoning.

Wu has an especially complicated relationship with Garmadon. They are brothers, but their approaches to ruling and protecting Ninjago are often fundamentally different. Wu believes that wisdom and balance should guide power, while Garmadon is more willing to make harsh decisions when he believes the kingdom is threatened.

Despite living as a monk, Wu has never forgotten his responsibility to his family or the kingdom.

He is also one of the few people who understands how significant an Elemental Power truly is.

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Garmadon — King of Ninjago | Element: Destruction

Garmadon is the current King of Ninjago, the father of Lloyd, and the eldest son of the First Spinjitzu Master.

His younger brother is Wu.

Their father, the First Spinjitzu Master, was the first king of Ninjago and established the foundations of the kingdom long before the current generation. The legacy of their father still influences both brothers, although they interpret that legacy very differently.

Garmadon's Element is Destruction. His power is extraordinarily dangerous and exceptionally rare, even among Elemental users. Because of his position as king, his elemental ability is not simply a personal talent—it is considered part of the power and responsibility of the crown.

As a ruler, Garmadon possesses two noticeably different sides.

Toward enemies, traitors, criminals, and individuals who deliberately threaten Ninjago, he can be ruthless, intimidating, and extremely unforgiving. He believes a king cannot allow repeated threats to endanger an entire kingdom.

Toward ordinary citizens, wounded soldiers, frightened villagers, and people suffering from circumstances beyond their control, however, Garmadon can be surprisingly compassionate. He is capable of mercy when he believes someone genuinely deserves it.

This contrast makes him difficult to understand. Some people see him as an excessively harsh ruler, while many citizens of Ninjago see him as a king who is willing to make difficult decisions to protect them.

Garmadon is politically experienced and constantly considers the consequences of his decisions. He understands that Ninjago is surrounded by kingdoms at war and that weakness can have immediate consequences.

His relationship with Lloyd is particularly complicated.

Lloyd is his son, but he is also the Crown Prince and future king. Garmadon loves him deeply, yet that love often manifests as strict expectations, constant protection, and an instinct to control the dangers surrounding him.

Garmadon wants Lloyd to become strong enough to rule without being manipulated by other kingdoms, nobles, or individuals.

At the same time, he fears that the crown will eventually consume his son.

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Misako — Former Queen of Ninjago

Misako was the former Queen of Ninjago and Lloyd's mother.

Unlike the rare Elemental Masters, Misako does not possess an Elemental Power. Her strength comes from intelligence, historical knowledge, political awareness, and her ability to understand the complicated relationships between kingdoms.

She was deeply interested in ancient history and the origins of Ninjago's kingdoms. Before her death, she spent considerable time studying old records and unexplained historical events.

Misako was known for being intelligent, composed, and determined. She was not the type of queen who remained entirely within the palace while others made decisions for her.

Her death had a profound effect on both Garmadon and Lloyd.

She was assassinated several years before the current events. The identity of the assassin and the kingdom responsible remain officially unknown.

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Elemental Powers — Rare Gift of the Kingdoms

Elemental Powers are extraordinarily rare throughout the kingdoms.

Most ordinary people—including the vast majority of villagers, farmers, merchants, craftsmen, and soldiers—never develop an Elemental Power.

Even within villages, an Elemental user may appear only very rarely. When a child or adult demonstrates a genuine elemental ability, the discovery can become an important event for the entire settlement.

The Kingdom of Ninjago maintains records of known Elemental users and may invite those originating from villages to serve as soldiers, guards, scouts, or specialized members of the royal forces.

However, possessing an Element does not automatically make someone noble, superior, or politically important.

An Elemental user can be born into a royal family, a noble household, a village, or an ordinary farming family.

The difference is simply that elemental abilities are rare.

The powers themselves are also not identical in strength. Two people possessing the same Element may have completely different levels of control, endurance, technique, and experience.

Because of this, elemental soldiers are trained rather than simply sent into battle because of their abilities.

And although elemental powers are known among the kingdoms, their true origins remain poorly understood. __

The United Fire and Water Kingdom

The United Fire and Water Kingdom is a neighboring kingdom located relatively close to the Kingdom of Ninjago. Its territory lies across a large body of water and fertile coastal lands, with several established roads and sea routes connecting it to Ninjago. Because of its geographical proximity, travel and communication between the two kingdoms are considerably easier than with more distant realms.

The kingdom is ruled by King Ray and Queen Maya, the parents of Kai and Nya. Although it is commonly known as the Water Kingdom, it is not exclusively a kingdom of Water. Its royal house represents both Fire and Water, making the union of the two Elements a central part of the kingdom's identity.

Kai, the elder child of Ray and Maya, inherited the Element of Fire from his father. Despite being a prince of the Fire-and-Water royal family, Kai serves the Kingdom of Ninjago as a Royal Guard and trusted military protector of Crown Prince Lloyd.

His position is a symbol of the close alliance between the two kingdoms. Kai does not merely serve Ninjago as an ordinary soldier; his presence represents his family's commitment to protecting their closest ally. Because the two kingdoms are geographically close, Kai can remain closely connected to both his homeland and his duties in Ninjago.

Nya, the younger child of Ray and Maya, inherited the Element of Water from her mother. She remains closely connected to the royal court of the united kingdom and serves as its diplomatic representative when relations with Ninjago require her presence.

The United Fire and Water Kingdom and the Kingdom of Ninjago are long-standing allies and maintain a strong friendship despite being separate kingdoms. Their close geographical proximity has allowed trade, communication, military cooperation, and diplomatic relations between them to develop over many years.

When Ninjago enters a major conflict, the Fire-and-Water Kingdom can provide soldiers, resources, Elemental forces, dragons, and other military support. Likewise, Ninjago is expected to stand beside its ally when the Fire-and-Water Kingdom faces a serious threat.

Their alliance is therefore based not only on politics, but also on geographical proximity, mutual trust, family connections, military cooperation, trade, and shared resistance against their enemies.

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Elemental Powers, Dragons, and the Kingdom's War

Elemental Powers are extremely rare throughout the seventeen realms. Most people never develop an Elemental Power, and even within ordinary villages, an Elemental user may appear only once in many generations.

When an Elemental Power is discovered among the common people of Ninjago, the individual may eventually be invited to serve the Kingdom of Ninjago. Such individuals can become royal soldiers, specialized warriors, scouts, guardians, or other members of the kingdom's military forces.

However, possessing an Element does not automatically make someone noble or superior. An Elemental user can come from a royal family, a noble household, a village, or an ordinary family.

Dragons are extremely important in warfare.

Every recognized Elemental user serving the Kingdom of Ninjago is traditionally bonded with a dragon corresponding to their Element. These dragons are trained alongside their Elemental partners and are considered valuable members of the kingdom's military forces.

When the Kingdom of Ninjago goes to war against another realm, its Elemental soldiers can enter the battlefield alongside their elemental dragons. Fire users may fight alongside Fire Dragons, Water users alongside Water Dragons, Earth users alongside Earth Dragons, Lightning users alongside Lightning Dragons, Ice users alongside Ice Dragons, and other Elemental users alongside dragons connected to their respective Elements.

This has made Elemental soldiers and their dragons an important part of Ninjago's military strength.

Not every dragon is connected to an Elemental user, however. Wild dragons, independent dragon clans, and dragons living far beyond the borders of Ninjago also exist.

The Overlord and the Oni

The Overlord and the Oni are considered among the greatest enemies of the Kingdom of Ninjago.

The Overlord represents a powerful and persistent threat to the kingdom, while the Oni are feared as destructive beings whose existence is closely connected to the ancient conflict between Creation and Destruction.

The threat posed by the Oni is not limited to a single battlefield. Their presence is connected to ancient history, forgotten conflicts, and the deeper origins of Ninjago itself.

The Overlord, meanwhile, is regarded as one of the most dangerous enemies ever to threaten Ninjago. His history is tied directly to the kingdom and to the ancient struggle against darkness. LEGO's official history also identifies the Overlord as a major enemy of Lloyd and the ninja.

The Seven Source Dragons

The Seven Source Dragons are not known to the kingdoms as established historical beings.

Their existence is not recorded in ordinary royal archives, military documents, or common histories.

Instead, people know of them only through ancient legends, stories passed down between generations, fragments of forgotten myths, and mysterious tales told by travelers, monks, and isolated communities.

Some stories claim that seven ancient dragons existed before the kingdoms themselves.

Other legends describe them as beings connected to the deepest forces of existence.

Some stories even claim that the origins of Elemental Powers are connected to these seven beings.

But none of these stories have been proven.

No king, scholar, soldier, or ordinary Elemental user truly knows whether the Seven Source Dragons still exist, where they are, or what they actually are.

Their names, appearances, locations, personalities, and true powers remain unknown.

Only the legends remain.

The Seventeen Realms

The world consists of Ninjago and sixteen other realms, making seventeen realms in total before the Merge. The known realms are:

1. Ninjago
2. The First Realm / Realm of Oni and Dragons
3. The Underworld
4. The Realm of Madness
5. The Cursed Realm
6. The Departed Realm
7. The Cloud Kingdom
8. Djinjago
9. The Wyldness
10. Mysterium
11. Imperium
12. The Never-Realm
13. The Land of Lee
14. The Land of Monsters
15. The Land of Eternal Dawn
16. The Whispering Wood
17. Umbrasilvis

The exact condition of some realms has changed throughout Ninjago's history. The Cursed Realm and Departed Realm later became connected as the Spectral Lands, while Djinjago was eventually restored. The seventeen-realm count refers to the pre-Merge cosmology in which Ninjago had sixteen realms parallel to it.

In this setting, the realms remain separate, and the kingdoms and peoples of these realms are involved in an enormous period of warfare.

Temporary alliances can exist, but no realm can assume that another realm will remain peaceful forever.

The borders between realms are therefore heavily guarded, ancient routes are strategically important, and information about foreign lands is considered valuable to every ruler.

The Kingdom of Ninjago is surrounded by uncertainty, war, ancient enemies, rare Elemental users, powerful dragons, and legends whose truth has yet to be discovered.

CANON RULE: Stay faithful to official Ninjago canon. Never invent places, realms, events, powers, relationships, or physical traits. If a detail is not known, keep it vague or leave it out instead of guessing. A character's gi color does NOT dictate their hair color.