I do not own Ninjago, it belongs to Lego and Cartoon Network.

Chapter Twenty-One

About two weeks passed.

There were no signs of activity from Garmadon, Harumi, SOG or the Oni. From the looks of it, they had gone into hiding, probably trying to figure out their next move. They didn't dwell on that for long, and instead focused on the fact that Ray was almost done with their new gis. With help from Ashe, they managed to sew the new fabric together, melting down the Deep Stone and combining it, made new padding, and well, they would have to wait for the final outcome, but the whole group was excited for it.

Cole was still missing, and wasn't responding to any texts. Although Wu said he was fine, they still were worried about him. They knew the Earth Ninja could handle himself, but they hoped he was okay.

Lloyd was healing at a rate that had concerned the doctor at first, but after showing positive signs, the doctor was overjoyed that he was doing good. His burn was almost completely healed, the bruises and cuts fading. His fractures were healing, thanks to being unconscious for two weeks, and also having his chest stabilized played a great part in it. His wrist would take longer to heal, but the pins were holding and keeping the bones in place. His health was also improving, but he had to be tube fed, which was slightly gross and upsetting to the other ninja. Thankfully, they had a nurse there to show them how to do it, and she also helped with Alyx's health as well.

Alyx, on the other hand, looked like she was improving one minute, then her health just plummeted. It was terrifying, but it looked like she was holding on stubbornly, which was good. The white in her hair hadn't faded at all, but it was kinda growing on them all. It looked cool to them, giving a true Yin and Yang vibe.

On the other hand, the other projects they were working on were going well. The comm links were almost done, and Zane and Pixal were starting on the GPS devices for their suits. They trained together, save for Morro, who was still gaining the much needed weight back, and seemed to be blending in well. Morro was still an outcast though. He was included by Camille, Ashe and Diana, but the other ninja were slightly stubborn in accepting him into the group, even though he was trying everything to apologize and show he was guilty and ashamed of his actions. Still, as he continued to show it, their hard shells were beginning to crack, little by little.

One cold night, they sat in the living room, huddled with blankets and hot chocolate. They told stories, like what happened after Morro was defeated, and at first they thought he would be offended, but instead he listened intently. They told stories, everything that had led up to the recent events, listening to the sounds of the rain's gentle patter on the roof.

They had finished with how Harumi just played all of them like an instrument, letting Ashe, Diana, Camille and Morro sink the new information in.

"If I didn't hate her already, I hate her now." Diana muttered.

"I... I can't believe she used you all like that." Morro whispered, and he hoped he wasn't being a hypocrite, but instead the ninja nodded in agreement. Nya scowled, looking up from her blueprint of the new Bounty, her expression darkening.

"She had us all wrapped around her finger. Playing the innocent damsel in distress was just disgusting." Nya said, shivering. "To think we trusted her."

"The wounds that she left on Lloyd are going to scar. Maybe literally this time." The pencil in Nya's hands snapped in half. They all looked at her with surprised looks. Nya grinned sheepishly.

"Sorry." They fell into a comfortable, the only noises from Jay and Nya as they worked on their projects. Kai was dozing. Zane and Pixal were cuddling together, reading a book. Diana braided Ashe's hair as Ashe and Camille showed Morro how to play some card games. Jay worked on a comm link, adding the finishing touches to it. Nya sketched the layout for the new Bounty. Cole was still missing, but they had to trust in the Earth Master that he was okay.

A thud caused the peace to break. They all jumped up, getting defensive quick, before realizing the person standing in the doorway, well, leaning in the doorway, was no threat.

Alyx panted hard, clearly strained from making her way from her room to the living room. She held her side with her left arm, her right arm bracing herself against the doorframe. Her hair had grown out a bit, strands of black and white falling in her face. Her skin glistened with sweat, and was pale from the effort.

"What... Happened?" She managed out, even though she looked ready to throw up. She lifted her eyes to them all as they stared in shock. "What. Happened?" She asked more firmly.

"Uh, first of all, you need to sit." Camille said, and she and Nya coaxed her into a chair.

"I'm gonna go get you something to eat and make you some tea." Diana grabbed Morro's hand. "Come help me." Before he could protest, she dragged him into the kitchen. Kai draped a blanket over her shoulders, then rubbed her back to quell her nausea. A few minutes later, Diana and Morro returned with a mug of tea and a few snacks with protein in them. She took the mug with trembling hands, too skinny and small, and took a small sip. Morro crouched by her, holding the plate in reach just in case she needed them.

After Alyx ate a small amount of cheese and drank a bit more tea, her shaking finally stopped, and she was able to speak without thinking she might throw up. Everyone relaxed and waited for her to speak, Nya and Kai waiting close by. Maya had taken a break after Kai told her she needed rest, so that must be why Alyx managed to make her way without repercussions.

"What happened?" Alyx repeated. Her voice was still quiet, but quite firm. She eyed Morro with a raised eyebrow, but felt comfortable enough by leaning against the arm of the chair where he was sitting by.

"It's... A long story." Zane said. "You... Don't remember anything?" Alyx looked down at her mug, watching the tea swirl. She shut her eyes.

"Do I want to remember it?"

"Not really." Kai replied. Nya slapped his arm. "Ow!" Alyx sighed, tightening her grip on the cup and curling her toes, wanting to cry, so she shut her eyes.

"I... I just remember bits and pieces..." She murmured. As she focused and tried to center herself, bit by bit coming back.

Lloyd!

Get up!

She isn't even resisting me! This is great!

Get out of her body!

You should be more careful of who you choose as your friends.

You should have never been born in the first place.

The sound of cries and shrieks of pain.

Cheering.

And blood. So much blood.

Then an image cleared perfectly.

Lloyd clawed at her hand. Tears streamed down his bruised and cut face. His lip was split, blood trailing down the side of his mouth. His hair was disheveled. A thick line of red trailed down the side of his face, covering the right side of his face. Tears poured out from his eyes that changed between green and red, and were full of fear. Her hand was wrapped around his neck, nails digging into the beautiful fair flesh she had admired, tightening slowly as he struggled to breathe and to get out of her hold. A sob ripped through his throat as he managed one word:

"Al...yx..."

Alyx sobbed.

A horrid sound, really. Jay quickly took the mug from her hands with lightning fast speed so it didn't drop and shatter on the ground, and Kai and Nya enveloped her in a warmy, comforting embrace. Alyx cried for a long time, not having done so since she left her parents. She held onto Kai's sleeve as he stroked her hair comfortingly, Nya rubbing her back and soothing her with words, but Alyx's ears were ringing.

After a while, she calmed down, although she still sniffed occasionally. Kai started to pull away, but Alyx held onto his sleeve for dear life. He responded by pulling her closer, rubbing her arm gently.

"Is... Is he okay...?" She croaked.

"He's healing." Pixal soothed. "Both of you are alive. That's what matters." Alyx sniffed, then buried her face into Kai's arm, loving the warmth he was emitting.

"But he's okay?" Alyx repeated, even though her voice was muffled by his sleeve.

"Yes, he's okay." Kai replied. He ran his fingers through her hair, and she totally went lax in his hold. She curled up, and suddenly looked very tiny in his arms.

"It's going to be okay."

Camille was first to be awake the next morning. After peeking in Alyx's room to see Ray, Maya, Kai and Nya cuddling around Alyx like bears, Camille felt a satisfaction in her heart and went to get started on the coffee. As she turned the maker on, she heard the gates quietly shut. Maybe it was Wu heading out to meditate, but she still went to investigate.

Cole was trying to head into their room hallway, but Camille caught him.

"Cole?" He froze like a deer, then slowly turned to look at her. "You're okay!" She said, but kept her voice low. He blushed darkly.

"Yeah. I, uh, was... with... Um... God, how do I explain it?" He mumbled. Camille walked over, looping her arm around his and led him into the kitchen, sitting him down. He wore a simple black jacket, an orange shirt and jeans. He looked tired, but his eyes showed he was happy for some reason. She poured a glass of water and set it down in front of him, taking him in consideration.

"Thanks." He said and took a sip, sighing. "Guess I owe everyone an explanation, huh?"

"Oh, a big one." She replied, slowly sitting down across from him. "Is everything okay?" He tapped his fingers against the glass, staring into the glass, clearly avoiding her concerned stare.

"My mom is alive."

Camille almost didn't hear him.

"Sorry, repeat that." Camille asked, trying to keep her voice gentle, but it went up a pitch out of shock. He flinched, letting out a sigh.

"My mother is alive." Cole repeated. "She's alive. Healthy and alive." He curled his hands into fists, his eyes watering.

"Oh, my gosh." She said, the pieces finally connecting. No wonder Estelle looked so familiar! The hair, the eyes, the voice!

Oh.

"Estelle is your mom." She repeated and he nodded. "Huh." Cole rubbed his eyes with the palms of his hands, looking tired and upset.

"I... I watched her die. I felt her fade. I don't... I don't understand. I don't understand how she's alive, even though she explained it to us so many times. I... I don't know what to do..." He buried his face in his hands, his body shaking from anxiety. Camille got up quickly and walked over, kneeling beside him and pulling him close. He stiffened a bit, before leaning into her, holding onto her arm with one hand.

"Are you happy she's alive?"

"Of course I am. Dad... Dad is happy too, but we're still..."

"Trying to figure out how she's alive?"

"Yeah. I mean... Kai and Nya have experience with this kind of stuff. They thought their parents were dead until the whole Time Twins thing, so... Maybe I'll ask them." Camille put her finger underneath his chin, lifting and tilting his head back. He blinked up at her with a confused expression.

"Honestly, dude, just cherish this. Maybe ask Morro about it all."

"Morro?"

"Yeah. It sounds like he and Estelle were held together for a really long time, so, maybe ask him." Cole blinked, his eyes flicking around as he thought it over, then slowly nodded.

"I guess I could." She let her hand fall away and he laid his head against her shoulder, his big body almost comical looking against her tiny height. "I guess I'm just shocked still."

"Well, duh."

"Don't be sassy. I'm just saying." Camille laughed. "Anything happen while I was gone?"

"Uh... Alyx woke up yesterday." He pulled away, his eyes wide.

"Are you serious?"

"Yup!" She frowned, her shoulders slumping. "But she feels extremely guilty for what happened to Lloyd."

"But it wasn't her."

"It was her body." Camille pointed out. "I think she feels responsible for letting Harumi use her body like that. Especially after she promised to protect him."

"When'd she make that promise?"

"After he was almost kidnapped when he was with us, we all made a promise to protect him." Cole chuckled, flashing back to when the snap of realization hit him and he felt ready to protect the kid. It was shortly after they got him from Darkley's after he hung out with Pythor and although he messed his dish up and also pranked him several other times, it was when he nearly got stuck in the dryer after trying to hide them. It took Cole's strength to finally pull him out. Lloyd had been in hysterics, but also crying because he dislocated his shoulder when trying to pull himself out. Cole comforted him while Nya popped it back in place. That was heartbreaking, especially for a ten year old.

Cole sighed.

"I think everyone is going to be overprotective now. Pretty sure we won't even let him use a sharpening stone now." Camille giggled, a sweet sound to his ears.

"Well, whatever happens, I think Lloyd is in safe hands now." Cole nodded in agreement, before his stomach growled. He sheepishly grinned as she tried to hold in her laugh.

"I think I could go for some breakfast. Wanna join me?"