Christofern/Transcript

(At Vinny's apartment, Lloyd, Wu, and Garmadon face each other.)
Garmadon: Hmm.
Lloyd: That's all you have to say? Hmm?
Garmadon: I was expecting a pizza. I don't suppose you're delivering for Buddy's Pizza?
Wu: We are not. (He and Lloyd enter the apartment.)
Garmadon: Wipe your feet. Vinny just vacuumed.
Gayle: (On a TV.) As you can see below, the crystal army is beginning to reach the city limits, and not far behind them, the floating Crystal Island itself!
Garmadon: (He turns off the TV.) Now, what are you jabbering about?
Lloyd: What are you doing here? This makes no sense!
Wu: You've been here the whole time? In the middle of Ninjago City? Explain this, brother! Explain the newspaper clippings, and — and — and why you're here, and ... and all of it!
Garmadon: Hmm. I was hoping to avoid this conversation. But, since you're here, I may as well tell you the tale. It was after that squabble with the Omega Oni, after I saved all your lives.
Lloyd: Wait, what?
Wu: Lloyd.
(Flashbacks begin as Garmadon narrates.)
Garmadon (narrating): I didn't know what to do with myself. I was usually the one trying to conquer Ninjago, not save it. It was a ... peculiar feeling. I found myself confused. Why had I saved your lives? Did I actually care? I decided to do a little thinking. Take some ... me time. I had questions about the nature of good and evil. Heh, I knew all about evil, but little about good. And I was curious — did I have a capacity for good? Could I help people? All around me, I saw weak little humans trying their best to accomplish menial tasks. Like trimming bushes twig by twig, or trying to break ropes by pulling on them. It was madness, but I realized I was in a position to help them achieve their pointless goals.
Lloyd: Their goals aren't pointless! They were trying to —
Garmadon: (He burps.) Do you intend to continue interrupting me, or may I finish?
Wu: Finish, please.
Past Hayley: It's Garmadon!
Garmadon (narrating): I was looking for answers, but didn't know where to look. I remembered the words of a wise man. Possibly the wisest I have ever met.
Lloyd: The First Spinjitzu Master?
Garmadon (narrating): Vinny, of NGTV News.
Past Garmadon: What could possibly be more important than survival?
Past Vinny: Uh, jeez. Lots of things. Friendship, man, and-and-and love, and harmony, and trust, and truth, and courage, and you know, all the stuff that makes life worthwhile.
Garmadon (narrating): These words meant nothing to me, but I wanted to understand them. So, I came here, and Vinny of NGTV News, in his infinite wisdom, welcomed me with open arms.
(In his flashback, Vinny opens the door to see Garmadon, then immediately slams it and screams.)
Past Vinny: Why is he here? Oh, what do I do, what do I do?
Past Garmadon: Vinny of NGTV News? It is I, Garmadon.
Past Vinny: (To himself) Call the police!
Past Garmadon: I require your counsel.
Past Vinny: Counsel?
Past Garmadon: You told me once that life was about more than survival. You mentioned ... uh, a bunch of words I didn't understand, but would like to!
Garmadon (narrating): Vinny of NGTV News let me in, but on one condition.
Past Vinny: Okay, but — but you gotta promise. No violence, no destroying, and especially no fighting. I had to pay two months damage deposit for this apartment.
Past Garmadon: I swear it. (They shake on it.)
Past Vinny: So, um, what did you need help with?
Past Garmadon: I am attempting to understand the nature of goodness.
Past Vinny: G—Goodness?
Past Garmadon: Yes. I recently helped some people, and found the experience confusing. I wish to understand it better. I wish to see if there is any goodness in me.
Past Vinny: Well, gee. I — I think there's some good in all of us. And some bad, maybe.
Past Garmadon: When I was resurrected from the Cursed Realm, they only brought back the evil side. The Oni part of me.
Past Vinny: Oh, uh, well ... that can't be true, or you wouldn't be here. Right?
Past Garmadon: You are wise indeed, Vinny of NGTV News. How do we start?
Past Vinny: Start what?
Past Garmadon: Being good!
Past Vinny: Oh, wow. I ... don't know. Maybe ... uh, you should start with some small stuff, like being polite, smiling a bunch, saying good morning, or holding a door open for someone.
Past Garmadon: For whom? What door?
Past Vinny: Uh, any door. It's just something nice people do.
Past Garmadon: For how long?
Past Vinny: Until they go through.
Past Garmadon: But what if another person comes along? And then another. You could be stuck there forever.
Past Vinny: (He sighs.) Oh boy.
Garmadon (narrating): But I decided to try it. (He shapeshifts until he has only two arms.) I decided to try being "good."
Past Garmadon: (He walks through a park and sees a child on a swing.) Oh, allow me to assist you with that.
Garmadon (narrating): It was harder than you would think.
(Just then, the doorbell buzzes.)
Garmadon: Ah, it's about time. Buddy! What happened to your 20-minute guarantee?
Deliveryman: Sorry, we're booked up tonight.
Garmadon: To err is human. I forgive you. Hmm. (He "pays" the deliveryman with a camera.) Here is a generous tip to reflect my goodness. Good day! (He eats a slice of pizza.) Mm, mm. What?
Wu: I must give credit where credit is due. You've come a long way, brother.
Garmadon: Well, I admit there were times when I thought of giving up and just destroying everyone. But Vinny of NGTV News is teaching me to let go of my anger.
Wu: How?
Garmadon: Empathy comes from caring. So, he gave me something to care for.
Past Vinny: Hey, Garmadon! I brought you something!
Past Garmadon: A plant? What need have I for a plant?
Past Vinny: Well, my dad always told me empathy comes from caring, so I thought: Why not practice taking care of something? Like a plant!
Past Garmadon: What does one do with it?
Past Vinny: Just water it, put it in the sun, maybe give it a name — take care of it.
Past Garmadon: A name? Hmm. (To the plant.) What shall I call you? I know. I shall call you "Christofern." Have no fear, Christofern. You will be safe here.
Garmadon (narrating): And I kept my word. Christofern has flourished under my care.
(The flashback ends as Garmadon is spinning around with a piece of pizza, just like he did with Christofern in the flashback.)
Lloyd: Okay, stop. Just stop! Master Wu, please tell me you're not falling for this again! Because I know my father. He's never going to change.
Wu: I'm not so sure.
Lloyd: Well I am! And we didn't come here to hear about you and your pet fern! We came about the newspaper clippings.
Wu: Right. I had almost forgotten. How did you know, brother?
Garmadon: Hmm. That the Overlord would return? How could I not? I may have trouble understanding empathy, but anger and hatred are simple. I felt them growing all around me. I kept waiting for you to do something, but you never did.
Wu: Why didn't you just tell me?
Garmadon: Because I wanted to be left alone! I knew you would come looking for me again to save your lives.
Lloyd: Unbelievable! What are we doing here? We don't need his help!
Wu: I'm afraid we do, Lloyd. Our enemies outnumber us. The Overlord and Harumi have returned, and raised an—
Garmadon: Harumi?
Wu: Yes. She is back.
Garmadon: She was like a daughter to me. Smart. Ruthless. Brutal. And yet, I cannot help others until I have found myself. My true self.
Wu: Normally, I would agree. But there is also a time when one must put aside one's own needs to help the greater good.
Garmadon: I have taken a vow of nonviolence. A farewell to arms, you might say.
Lloyd: Great! Well, thanks for nothing. Enjoy your pizza! Let's get out of here, Master Wu.
(Wu and Lloyd exit the apartment. Suddenly, a crash comes from behind them, and they reenter to find Garmadon holding a damaged Christofern.)
Garmadon: Christofern! (He activates his Oni form and attacks the Vengestone Guards viciously.)
Wu: Lloyd, look! The Vengestone Warriors, they're not immune to his Oni Form. You are part Oni too. Don't you see? This could be the key to defeating them. You must embrace your Oni side.
(End of the episode. For more information, click here.)
Category:Transcript
Category:2022
Category:Crystalized