Chapter 13
Claire's POV
As soon as we're back, Lloyd and I collapse in the kitchen, worried that after all we've been through, we'll be caught. But we're not. As far as I can tell the Bounty seems deserted.
Lloyd sets the supplies we bought on the table and picks up a piece of paper.
"Looks like they're gone. Wu's getting a new supply of tea, Cole's visiting his dad, Zane went to visit Borg, and Kai, Skylor, Nya, and Jay are at Mega Monster Amusement Park. Probably for a double date or something." He explains.
"And they didn't invite us."
"Well it looks like the bounty is all ours."
I smirk. "We've got the stuff... what do you say we set it up?"
"I was thinking we do something fun before they get back."
"This will be fun."
I look out a nearby window and sigh. Dark clouds are starting to form. No doubt that rain will follow.
"It looks like the perfect weather for this prank..."
"Perfect... in a way."
He chuckles and in response, I elbow him in the ribs. "What are you laughing about?!"
"Out of all of the things to hate, rain is number one. I asked you before, but I really am curious."
The rain starts out slow at first, but after a few moments I can hear the increasing downpour.
"It's cold, wet, and uncomfortable to be in. Why wouldn't I hate it?"
Lloyd holds the kitchen door open for me as I explain. We proceed down the hallway and stop at the line on the floor that separates the wet side from the dry side.
I look to him. "What do you hate?"
He wrinkles his nose, in a very cute way might I add. "Cole's cooking. He needs some serious cooking lessons."
"That's already been established. But I think he's already had them... like I said before though, cinnamon makes it better."
"The cinnamon you said you would give me but you didn't."
"Dang it, I thought that you'd forget that."
"I will forever remember all of your promises... including that dance you owe me."
"I don't owe you anything. You asked, and like the nice person I am, I said yes."
I can see in his eyes the mischief that's starting to take over.
"What are you thinking about?" I ask, knowing that whatever it is, I won't like it.
"Only about how much you hate rain."
"Wha-?"
Before I'm able to finish, Lloyd pushes me out onto the deck. Within seconds, I'm soaked... and absolutely furious with the ninja who's doubled over in laughter.
"Lloyd!"
"That's a good look for you..." He wheezes
"It's not funny!" I yell, trying not to laugh at the situation, myself.
Lloyd continues laughing and that's when I decide some payback would be nice. He yelps as I grab his arm and pull him out into the downpour. However, I might have pulled too hard, seeing as he slips and falls.
"What'd you do that for!"
"Now we can both look good, loser."
"Oh, you messed with the wrong ninja, your majesty."
A clump of dirt forms in his hand, and I'm about to question what he's doing, but realize the combination.
Dirt and water make mud.
Lloyd throws the clump of mud at me just as I realize what's going on. Luckily for me, his aim is terrible, but it still hits my shoulder.
He starts to laugh again, and I use the moment to copy his strategy. I can't help but crack up at the fact that it hit his cheek. He wipes it off in disgust and throws another mud clump at me. Pretty soon we're in an all-out mud war. Some may call it gross, which it is, but others might find it fun... which I do.
That is until someone behind us starts to speak up.
Lloyd's POV
"Lloyd. Claire. I see that you have returned."
The sound of Wu's voice makes us both stop in our tracks and turn around. Sure enough, Wu is standing in the hallway that we were just in.
"Wu? We thought you were out..." I start.
"I got back a while ago. My main concern is where you were."
I look to Claire, who also seems to be debating whether we should tell him that we were doing something else other than gathering supplies.
"We were racing our dragons... and we got some materials." Claire explains, leaving out the part where we watched the sunset.
"Ah. I see. Well, I will be retreating to my room. I will assume that the upcoming screams will be from the others?"
"You would assume correctly." Claire states.
Claire and I wait until sensei leaves before we start giggling again.
"We should probably set this thing up." She says with a smile.
"And get cleaned." I add, gesturing towards our muddy uniforms.
"That too... now all you have to do is send the text."
She and I proceed to my room, where my phone is sitting on the our drawer.
We both smile with mischief as a message is sent to Kai, Skylor, Nya, Jay, Zane, and Cole.
Nya's POV
"What should we do next, guys."
Kai shrugs, not looking interested in anything in particular. Instead he's looking at his phone, ignoring his sister and his girlfriend.
"Hey guys?"
"Wha-?"
A buzz from my phone cuts me off. Jay and Skylor look at theirs too, reading the peculiar message from Lloyd.
'HELP'
"What do you think it means?" I ask.
Kai's confused face is now determined.
"It means our friend is in trouble. Come on."
Kai summons his elemental dragon and immediately takes off. Moments later we're all flying towards the bounty, becoming more worried with each second that goes by. Pretty soon we all get another message.
'THEY TOOK HER'
Claire. Someone took Claire.
My breathing speeds up as I try not to cry. This is all our fault. We left Claire and Lloyd alone at the Bounty. And now they're in trouble.
"They'll be okay, Nya." Jay assures me, a hint of doubt in his voice.
I try to keep his words in mind. It will be okay. Lloyd's probably exaggerating...
Or not.
We arrive at the bounty with Cole and Zane in pursuit, coming back from whatever activities they were doing.
Wasting no time, we search the bounty, checking every room, except Wu's, which is locked. It's hard when everything is pitch black, and the storm doesn't make things any easier. We find ourselves checking the bridge last.
At first sight everything would seem fine, but a flash of lightning reveals a figure on the floor. A figure in green.
Lloyd.
He lets out a moan of pain, and we all rush towards him.
To our horror, his uniform has ripped around his stomach area and is surrounded in red. Blood.
"Lloyd!" We all yell.
"Guys..." He groans, clutching his stomach.
Cole holds out a hand, shaking.
"Lloyd, what happened?"
Lloyd coughs and lies his head back. "They came for her... she's... gone. Get her... back."
"Who came for her?!"
"I-I'm sorry, guys. I failed... It was- It was an honor..."
"Sh." Kai says, gripping Lloyd's free hand. "It'll be okay, Lloyd."
"Tell Claire... I'm sorry... Tell her..." Lloyd coughs again, closing his eyes, and I can't help but bawl into Jay's shoulder. Lloyd's gone... and Claire was taken. This was all our fault.
An evil laugh distracts us from our grief, as we turn towards a figure in a black cloak. The voice is deep... and cold.
"How dare you try to kill our friend!" Kai yells in rage, drawing his sword.
"Try?... or succeed?"
Kai lets out an angry cry and charges at the figure. The figure holds up a sword just in time... holding it with only one hand. Whoever this is, is a skilled fighter... that's probably how they were able to stab Lloyd.
"Any regrets, fire ninja?"
"That I can't kill you more than once!"
Kai swings his sword again, but is once again blocked by an effortless swing.
Coming back to our senses, the rest of us come to join the fight. To our dismay, this figure is too skilled. I find myself knocked off my feet within seconds of fighting. I stand back up, sword at the ready, but no enemy.
They're gone.
"Shame really. The green one put up such a fight. I was hoping I'd get to have a little more fun"
"His name is Lloyd, you coward!" Jay screams.
"Coward? No. I am so much more. And thanks to you, I have what I came for."
"What are you going to do to Claire?" I ask, the fear leaking into my voice. It's not something I can help. This person just killed our friend... What's going to happen to Claire?
"She won't be harmed... physically."
"Not if we can help it."
"Hm. We'll see."
Suddenly everything goes completely dark... almost like they blocked the windows. Somehow I become completely scared... like this is the end for all of us. I can hear the others' screams become parallel with mine, and I can't help but believe that this will be the last sound I make.
Until a light comes on... revealing the culprits.
Okay so it's a bit of a short chapter today guys... but I really just wanted to show it to you. I feel like you've waited long enough... so there it is! Tell me what you think. I really don't know why, but while I was writing this, I was shaking. Either of fear or excitement... I have no clue. But anyways, thank you to BeDazzleDewDrops (Kendra), and MMM for reviewing. Like always, I enjoyed reading your thoughts. They always keep me going and remind me of how much you guys support the story. PEACE OUT!
Kendra: You're excited to hear... I'm excited to tell. This character might or might not get a lot of hate, but I'm eager to show you who the villain will be. I can reveal though, that it has some relevation to Ninjago and is owned by Lego, but has never been used before. BTW I read your story... and it really made my day. Tell Resi that you should keep writing :D
MMM: Well, you're about to find out! Oh the suspense XD
-Rainbowaly03