Morro had the sword. Morro had the sword. Lloyd had only been able to watch as his team had lost the Sword of Sanctuary. Morro's tight control over his body had kept Lloyd from breaking free even for just a moment. It made him want to scream. He knew Morro's every thought, every plan and yet he was useless. He couldn't break through the possession, couldn't help his team, couldn't stop Morro. What good was he?

You're a good host. Morro's voice trickled through to Lloyd. The ghost hadn't been one for talking, but occasionally, he'd enjoy dragging out painful memories or point out why Lloyd was a terrible fit for the Green Ninja. Weak and pathetic. Let's me do what I need to do.

Lloyd threw himself at the invisible barrier keeping his consciousness prisoner. He tried to find a weakness to pry at, but only earned a laugh from Morro. Give it up, kid. You're not going anywhere anytime soon. Lloyd withdrew back into his corner. He'd just have to wait until Morro's guard was down or otherwise distracted. He could be patient. Until then, he could rest. Save his strength.

Had he fallen asleep? Could he sleep? Lloyd wasn't sure, but there were more pressing concerns - like whatever had drawn him out of his sleep-trance-whatever. Lloyd heard Morro hiss when as their ship hit something and sent him tumbling.

"Stupid body," Morro snapped as he climbed back to his feet. Lloyd gave a little cheer, but was quickly chased back to his corner. The other ghosts glanced at Morro before turning back to watch something behind them.

Lloyd couldn't help but laugh when Morro's anger flashed through them. The ninja were giving chase. They all looked rather dazed, but they were there and quickly gaining on Morro's ship. Stubborn, reckless idiots the lot of them, but Lloyd was about ready to hug them. It was an odd feeling, having anger clashing with hope.

"Hah!" Kai yelled when the two ships drew close. "Gotcha now!"

"You really think so?" Morro asked. Lloyd tried to reach Morro's power first, but Morro simply shoved him aside. The foreign power quickly surged out, forming a powerfully gust of wind to shove the ninjas off course.

No! Lloyd's efforts to stop Morro froze at the ninjas' cries. Morro grabbed onto the railing hard enough that Lloyd winced, and watched as the ninjas' ship was sent straight toward a tree. Part of Lloyd hoped that the tree wouldn't be enough to stop their momentum. He could feel Morro roll his eyes at the hope.

Of course, that's all it was. A hope. Fear kept Lloyd stuck in his corner as he watched their ship hit the tree and practically explode. The ninja were sent flying. There, there. Morro's laugh echoed in Lloyd's head. It wasn't like they were going to get very far anyway.

Lloyd couldn't bring himself to respond. Were they hurt? Were they going to be stuck on the mountainside? Maybe Nya had been tracking them. Maybe they would be okay. He had to believe they would be okay. Desperation boiled up. With a last, desperate surge of energy, Lloyd lashed out at Morro's control.

And something cracked.

It was small, easily missed if Lloyd hadn't been spending the last few days testing every inch of the barrier keeping him from taking control. Morro hadn't given any indication that he had noticed. Lloyd fought back the sudden burst of excitement. He had a chance - a small one, but one nethertheless. If only he could keep Morro from finding it-

Morro's sudden snarl snapped Lloyd's attention back. Was there something there? He didn't see anything - there! A familiar flash of black, then white and red. An excited whoop echoed across the mountain. If Lloyd hadn't been so relieved, he would have laughed. The idiots were having fun. They were clearly okay.

Morro snarled after Zane's cheek comment, then just about screamed in frustration when he turned around to see Kai showing off. "Don't they ever quit?" Morro clearly didn't want an answer, but Lloyd couldn't help throwing in a no.

"Your ride is kinda slow, huh?" Kai called with a laugh.

Neither Lloyd or Morro was impressed when Kai immediately slammed into a tree. These idiots don't know when to stop. Lloyd let the warmth spread past the barrier, until Morro slammed their connection shut. The ghost was thoroughly distracted so Lloyd began to pick at the crack.

With his attention divided, Lloyd didn't even realize that the ninja count had dropped to one. Morro's desperate call of watch out! broke Lloyd's focus. He startled, sending a jolt through the barrier as the crack widened. Panic flared through him as a snarl reached him. He knew.

Nice try. Morro was suddenly all around him. Lloyd tried to get away from the all-encompassing awareness, but it was too late. Morro was furious. Trying to get the drop on me, huh? You didn't like what happened last time, Lloyd. Did you think this time work out any better?

Lloyd didn't have to see the smile forming on his face to know that it only promised pain. Don't worry, I'll deal with you once I take care of this menace.

Suddenly pushed front and center, Lloyd could feel the minute twitching of his fingers around the Sword of Sanctuary and the wind whipping his hair into his eyes. He could see Kai, now alone, gaining on them. Morro's help had disappeared, but that didn't help the queasy feeling that Lloyd was getting. Kai hadn't been able to defeat Morro with the help of the other ninjas, what chance did he, alone, have now that Morro had the Sword of Sanctuary? Lloyd could tell Morro had already come to the same conclusion. Kai was out of his league, but when had that ever stopped the stubborn ninja?

"You again," Morro snarled as Kai drew up alongside them.

Kai wobbled on his plank. "You say that as if it's a bad thing!" He chucked his strange weapon at Morro, who simply dodged it. The throw had upset Kai's balance on his makeshift snowboard and Morro noticed it.

A blast of wind sent Kai toppling off. Lloyd yelled when Kai disappeared from view. Morro craned his head to try and track the missing ninja. A triumphant cry startled both Morro and Lloyd and then Kai was flipping over the railing. He landed with a thud, immediately shifting into a ready stance. The curious design of his weapon gleamed in the light and for a moment, Lloyd allowed himself to hope. For as hot-headed and arrogant as Kai could be, he was fueled by determination. He would never break a promise - even one as ambitious as keeping his family safe from harm.

Morro moved first. Kai dodged back, the sword blade nicking the front of his gi. Lloyd could feel the anger, the need to prove himself - he was better than these ninja, better than destiny, he was the true Chosen One. Lloyd tried to throw himself against Morro's control, but he was battered back with no thought. Morro was focused on bringing Kai to his knees.

Kai spun around the broken mast, letting Morro's sword bite deep into the wood. "Didn't Master Wu ever teach you to not let your emotions get in the way during a fight?" Kai grinned as he ducked under an aggressive slash. "Seriously! You're leaving yourself wide open."

Lloyd wished he could reach out and strangle Kai. What was he doing, giving advice while Morro was trying to kill him? Morro snarled at Kai and lunged after him.

"Tone that back a bit, yeah?" Kai stepped out of the way of another wild attack. "Did you forget everything about fighting?"

Morro knocked Kai's weapon aside when he lashed out. "Shut up and die already!"

"I bet the only reason you can hold your own is because you somehow managed to get Lloyd's abilities," Kai laughed as he sidestepped another swing. Lloyd's desire to strange him was quickly shadowed by fear. Kai trash talked everyone he fought with, but Morro really had it out for Lloyd and this was only going to make things worse. Shut up, Kai. Please just shut up.

Morro hissed when Kai managed to draw a gash along his forearm. He tossed the sword to his other hand and then when back into the fight. The pain reached Lloyd, but only distantly. Once Morro was less distracted, he'd probably let Lloyd feel the full brunt of it.

Kai's downfall was his brief pause to look impressed. Morro's thrust caught Kai off guard. He tried to block it, but the strength behind it sent Kai's weapon flying. It skidded across the deck before slipping under the railing and falling off.

"Oh," Kai said.

Morro smiled. "Looks like both our fates are tested." He spared a glance at the sword before shrugging. "The thing is, I already know how mine will end."

Kai dove to the side as Morro advanced. He was in no hurry, oh no. Morro's confidence was back and with it, a fatal calm.

"It's really a shame. You had the most potential out of all of Master Wu's students, with the exception of myself. If little Lloyd hadn't shown up, maybe you could have been the Green Ninja."

"That ship sailed," Kai snapped. He was backing away, but there was nowhere left for him to go. Lloyd could see the temptation to throw himself overboard every time Kai glanced at the railings, but there was something else in his eyes. His back hit the wall. "You'd really fight someone unarmed?"

"Good question," Morro pretended to think it over before shrugging. "Fight? No. Kill? Yes."

Morro raised the sword and Kai threw his arms up. Lloyd had to do something. Had to save Kai. Kai couldn't die because of him.

Lloyd threw all of his strength at the barrier and surged back into control when it shattered around him. He just had to-

It was too late. Momentum kept the sword true and Kai screamed. Morro was laughing in the back of Lloyd's head and there was blood - there was blood on the sword and on his hands. Kai's blood. Kai was bleeding out and the sword was still embedded in his abdomen. Kai's blood was on his hands.

In his shock, Lloyd barely noticed Morro forcing him back. He didn't do anything when Morro yanked the sword free and Kai cried out. He couldn't do anything when Morro picked up Kai, jostling his wound and making him cry out again. He was numb when Morro tossed Kai overboard and saluted at the still form of his older brother.