Yass! Two chapters in one! Btw I drew a picture of O'Neil and it looks BOSS! :D
Review Replies: (I LOVE ALL OF YOU!)
Jens: Ridiculous? Bah, that's nonsense. I'm the most ridiculous person out there. And for Lloyd? I can't say. ;}
TheAmberShadow: The lab Pythor revived the Overlord in episode 29, The Blackout. Freaky how I remember that. :P
GLACIER3: Really? I've seen numerous fanfics where Zane is evil. I could direct you to some if you'd like. And the evil is for sure coming up. ;}
Rosa: Thank you! And I can relate. I have to write an essay about my dog's death. :/
S3: Not that far, but I'm not putting the song in. Though I do have to say you have a nice taste in music. :)
KillerWhale: Don't be sorry! We all have everyday lives! And thanks! I've been trying to improve a lot lately. And The Resistance isn't added in yet, so you don't have to worry about it. ;)
NinjagoMLP: Poor Lloyd? That doesn't even begin to cover it, lol. :) And thanks! Hopefully I'll cya this chapter too! :D
"C'mon! We need to move!"
Chaos. Absolute utter chaos. Gunfire, lasers, and madness.
"Just wait a sec!" The elemental master of technology called over his shoulder, before busying himself with the task of deconstructing the nindroid and stone warrior vehicles. So far it had been quite easy breaking into the hangar and decommissioning the guards, but now the Overlord had heard word of their presence, and was surely to show his ugly face.
With a crackle of electricity, he tore off another plate of metal, exposing an array of frayed and charred wires. Perfect. A few more tweaks, and the device would set itself to self-destruct.
"Ess! We we're leaving! With or without you! So get your stinking butt over here!" The mistress of moon yelled over the maelstrom of blaring sirens and shouts. Panic shone in her features as she worked her way toward her diabolical younger brother, leaping over a piece of gnarled steel or shards of glass every now and then. From the looks of it, the ceiling was about to cave in, and she didn't want to be there to witness the aftermath. Well, if she was even alive for that matter. This would be her third wish in twenty-four hours, and she had to make it wisely. Extremely so, otherwise the results could be catastrophic.
"Ess! Get over here you brat!"
The redhead rolled his eyes. "Make me! I'm getting my revenge! Nobody kidnaps me without facing my wrath!" With those words, he resumed in his destruction, programming a 5 minute countdown for the anticipated explosion soon to follow.
"Ess! I'm not saying it again! Get your ass over here!" Jade's patience was running on low, indignation biting at her nerves. It was now or never if they wanted to leave here unharmed. Speaking of Ess, either way he was going to leave this place with a injury of some extent.
"Annnddd- Done! Let's bounce!" Her younger sibling announced, slamming the panel of the Destructoid back in place, before vaulting over the side of the war-machine. Sliding vertically, he impacted the floor below, his landing barely audible. Smug, he kissed his fist, then raised it above his head, waving it slowly. "Five minutes!"
His sister skidded to a halt just in front of him. "Good, because we're leaving." She said, hefting the master of technology over her shoulder. But when she turned to head down the path she had just paved, it was already blocked by new debris. They were trapped!
"Going somewhere?" A raspy voice came from behind them, and Jade went still. Crap. He was here.
Suddenly an idea popped into her head. Once that was just crazy enough to work. She spun around, readjusting her grip on her brother. "Nope. But you are." Smiling slyly, she inched forward, as if a predator enclosing on their prey, but then stopped abruptly. "Righhht about... Now!"
Before the Overlord had time to react, Jade swung her brother around, tossing him in his direction. Arcing downward, Ess flailed his limbs, screaming along the way, until he made contact with the creature of darkness, knocking him onto the ground with a thud. Now was her chance!
Next, she shot like a bullet toward the dark lord, then soared through the air with a ballerina's grace. "Move!" She shouted, alerting her brother of her next action just in the nick of time. Quickly, he rolled out of the way, and she struck- but her foot passed directly through him, as if he were intangible.
"Nice try." The master of darkness chuckled, materializing into the corner of her vision. "I do admire your perseverance. I could have used it to my advantage. Such a shame you fell in love with that sad excuse of a ninja."
Jade gnashed her teeth. "Such a shame you decided to show your atrocious face! Your should get a mask to cover it up!" But her insult flew straight over his head.
He snorted. "Then I'd be a ninja. They wear masks," he laughed a brief moment more, wiping fake tears from the edges of his eyes. "Though I believe I'm starting to see a pattern with you. You seem to like masks."
More teeth grinding. It was becoming rather tricky to harbor her anger, especially with the Overlord in the room. The ravaging emotion was beginning to split her in two, despite her efforts to remain as one.
"Jade! Snap out of it! He's stalling us!" Ess's wild blue eyes met her own, reminding her of her true objective. Escaping this hellhole.
"Stalling? I believe I'm stalling now." Nindroids stepped out of his shadow, restraining a kicking young girl between them. She squirmed in their arms, fighting with all her might to gain freedom. Unfortunately, they were far too strong, and it just wasn't going to work.
The mistress of moon's eyes widened at the sight. As horror consumed her, all she could do was stare. Ana... They found her...
"I told you to leave!" A strained shout pierced the air, followed by a large burst of light. The light zapped the Overlord from behind, sending him to his knees. Another surge flared, taking out the other two robots at his side, but left the blonde girl that stood between them unscathed. Billows of smoke rose, obscuring Jade's eyesight. Vision hindered, she squinted to see.
When the smoke finally parted, there stood the green ninja, blood oozing from a gash slicing his right eyebrow. Despite the only visible wound, he appeared unharmed.
Shaking herself from a trance, she raced up to him. "Where'd you get that?" She asked, slowing at his side. Ess stopped beside her.
"Let's just say popsicle thought it'd be wise to drag me out of the tank and torture me for intellect." Lloyd worked his jaw, head bobbing to his own words. "Knowing him, he was aiming for my eye with that ice shard, but luckily I escaped when I did. You seemed to be in a hitch yourself, so it's good I arrived."
"Jade! Ess!" The three turned to see a little girl running up to them, coughing due to the polluted air. The energy master and the moon mistress both exchanged a glance.
"Grab her and go." The blonde stated, emerald eyes certain and sure. "I'll buy you guys enough time to escape," with those commands, he summoned a ball of energy in his right palm, positioning his arm in the direction the Overlord was last seen. "If he knows where the Golden Armor is, we can't let him get his hands on it. At any costs. Ninjago can't withstand another one of his attacks."
Jade stepped forward, demeanor resolute. "I'm not leaving you behind."
"And I'm not letting you die. Go!" He urged, the ball growing in diameter and encasing his entire forearm. "For the sake of Ninjago, warn the other ninja!" Finally, the light reached his shoulder, and with a grunt, he hurled it into the cloud of uncertainty. Hopefully it would hone in on its target. And if it didn't, at least it provided a distraction.
Ambivalent, the green-eyed girl glanced around, weighing her options. Save her siblings, or her ally? In her heart, she knew Lloyd was right. She had to save them. Even if he hadn't told her to, she would have came to the decision eventually. Family before friends. Always.
Sprinting toward her sister, she clasped her wrist, then drew her nearer. Nobody was separating them now, or ever again. Never. Ess soon joined them, and she used her final wish. In a blast of vibrant color, they vanished, leaving behind the scene of a destroyed and burned automotive graveyard. Teleportation was one of her riskiest wishes yet, but it was essential in their safe getaway. No more endangering the lives of others. Or more importantly; her family. She couldn't afford to lose any more in her life. Without her siblings' stability, she'd certainly fall into the abyss of insanity, never to resurface or return again. Once again; that wasn't an option.
Jade went rigid, jolting upright. Blinking the darkness from her eyes, she took in her surroundings, before a wave of dizziness overtook her, casting her back into the blackness of her subconsciousness. But she didn't want to crash yet.
Fighting to retain awareness, she peered down, and when noticing her siblings tucked securely under her arms, visibly relaxed. Now she could drift.
NinjaChief547
When the mistress of moon eventually came too, she did not expect to find herself in a warm bed, the covers pulled up to her chin. Instead of wearing her usual catsuit, she had on silky, loose pajamas, of a faint pink hue. Bleh. She hated pink. Her favorite color was green.
Pushing back the mound of blankets, Jade swung her feet over the edge of the mattress, but froze when she noticed how pale her legs were. Geez. She definitely needed to add tanning to her to-do list.
"Oh. You're awake."
Jade leveled her chin at the rueful voice. Kind, yet sad at the same time. It belonged to a female, and her features matched her voice down to the point. An older woman possessing gray hair with a prominent white streak twisted into a braid stood at the foot of the bed, a tray of steaming tea in hand. Her friendly hazel eyes were inviting, a massive improvement since the many glares she received out on the streets and from those a part of the Darkness Alliance.
"Here." The woman made a few cautious movements, extending a teacup just within her reach. "I found you outside on my way home from the Ninjago City Museum, practically chilled to the bone. I'm surprised you didn't wake when my husband and I transferred you here."
Jade eyed the cup with skepticism. What was in it? Who were these- Wait a minute. She knew the woman. But from where?
Finally accepting the cup, she lifted it to get a closer look, staring down into its contents.
"If you're thinking it's poisoned, you're highly mistaken," the woman chuckled lightly. "As for introductions. It appears you do not know me, and the same applies for me, so I suggest we become acquainted with each other. Does that sound good?"
The dark-haired girl nodded her agreement , though her eyes still remained glued to the liquid swirling in the teacup below. Something told her the woman's words were true, but her dubiety was long from resolved.
"I am Misako Garmadon, wife of Montgomery Garmadon - better known as the former dark lord - and mother of the green ninja, Lloyd Garmadon. I am a historian and the Ninjago City History Museum, and I have been for almost two decades. Does that brief description ring a bell?"
Jade's head bobbed once more, letting her words sink in. But when they finally did, shook her head in disbelief. This woman was Lloyd's mother? What are the odds?
"And you are?" Misako prompted, a brow lifted.
This time the moon mistress didn't hesitate. "Jayden Millicent."
"Jayden Millicent?" she repeated, lips pressed into a thin line. "I don't believe I've heard that name before. Perhaps my husband has."
"It's fine. You don't have to. Really." The dark-haired girl insisted, pushing herself off the bed. "I'll just be letting myself out. Sorry to inconvenience you." But when she attempted to stand, her knees gave out, and she crumpled to the floor, spilling her tea onto a rug.
"Oh dear, let me help you!" The historian rushed to her aid, dropping to her knees beside her. Taking her hand in her own, she said, "You are in no condition to go out on your own, Jayden. I'm afraid you must stay here until you are able to walk."
"It's Jade," The mistress of moon gritted out, rubbing her temples. "And I'm fine. Though I do have one question: Where are my siblings? One an annoying teenage boy with red hair - a couple years younger than me - the other a little girl with blonde hair. You seen them?"
"Ah, yes I have. They are resting in the other room. The young lad awoke a few minutes earlier than you, so Garmadon went to calm him down. Do not worry; they are perfectly fine." The elder reassured, helping the teen back onto the mattress.
Nodding, Jade catalogued her surroundings, taking in the room around her. It was a large bedroom, Japanese stylized with a traditional sliding door to one side - mahogany boards crisscrossing a translucent paper background - and there was also one large window, allowing afternoon sunlight to pour through it. On the opposite side of the room there wasn't much, except for a wall-length rack stowing various bo staffs in different types of wood and colors. And directly across from the canopied bed was a hearth, crackling flames coming alive from within the fireplace. The sweet smell of heather hung in the air, refreshing and crisp, and she inhaled it deep gulps. She could definitely get used to this.
"So how did you end up outside in the middle of the night?" The grey-haired woman asked, bending to pick up the shattered remains of ceramic.
Middle of the night?! How long had she been out?! Was Lloyd okay?! Did the Overlord launch his attack? She swallowed the lump in her throat. "Middle of the night?" she squeaked, cringing at the high decibel of her voice.
"Yes. You seemed quite spent, so we just figured you passed out. But when we spotted the younger ones huddled around you, we didn't know what to expect," Misako explained, meticulously placing the shards in her palm to avoid any pricks. "Let's say we were just as surprised to see you out there, as you were when you first came to."
"So how long have I been out?" The anxiousness in her voice caused the older woman to glance up at her, before resuming in the painstaking task.
"About a day, give or take. Why? Is there somewhere important you needed to be?"
"The Overlord was planning to attack Ninjago City today," she blurted, eyes as wide as saucers. Her hands began to tremble, so she balled them into fists. "I need to warn the ninja. He knows where the Golden Armor is."
"He does?" Misako dropped the ceramic pieces out of shock, spinning around to face the moon mistress. But the worst of her fears were confirmed when she met Jade's petrified gaze. So it was true.
"Yes," Jade affirmed with a curt nod, building up her courage. She couldn't mope around just because of some big bad guy. "In fact, your son told me. He's in the dark lord's possession, and he bought me enough time in order to escape safely with my siblings." She wilted at the last sentence, but forced herself to keep her head raised. No more pitying herself. This wasn't just about her. It was about the fate of Ninjago.
"My son? You know of his location?" Sensei Garmadon approached the two, empty-handed. His usual staff was lying on the floor a couple feet behind, presumably him ditching it during the span of her weighty disclosure.
"Yes," she said again, now able to stand on her own. "He's on the Dark Island, but not for long. The Overlord is behind his disappearance, and next on his agenda is an assault on Ninjago City. He planned on deploying it today, but my brother and I delayed the process by wrecking most of their tanks," she swallowed, before continuing. "He's also planning to steal the Golden Armor. It's stashed somewhere within the city."
"And how do you know this?" Garmadon's eyes narrowed considerably. "How do I know you're not setting up a trap? The Overlord can be quite crafty in his deceitful ways. Heck, if I was still evil, it would be something I'd try myself."
She struggled for words. "I-I- Look," she sighed, sinking back down onto the bed. "In Ninjago City, I have to support my younger siblings alone because we're orphans, and the Overlord offered me a job. A job with pay I couldn't pass up. But when he approached me at the time, he appeared just like any other man, not a being of darkness."
Garmadon contemplated her words with a hand held to his chin, remaining silent. Jade choose this moment to speak again.
"You're thinking the man was O'Neil, right?" She prompted, arching a brow. She desperately needed answers. The sooner the better.
The old man paused his pondering, glanced down at his wife, then faced the teen and said, "Yes. I'm almost positive. O'Neil was my father's friend, once upon a time..." he released a despondent breath, eyes losing their gleam.
"Your father? As in the First Spinjitzu Master? The creator of the land?"
"Yes," Garmadon said again. "They used to be the best of friends. When I was young, I had met O'Neil, a couple of years or so before his ultimate corruption. I don't remember the encounter, for I was so little, but I do know I have been within his presence. Or should I say, his human presence."
"You've met O'Neil?" Misako uttered in a small voice. "You told me you haven't."
"I know, I know," her husband pinched the bridge of his nose between a forefinger and thumb. "I wasn't being entirely honest, and I apologize for it. I just thought it might...help to prevent further conflict."
"Conflict?"
"Can I go see my siblings?" Jade raised her voice, uncomfortable sitting in the middle of a family affair. She needn't be here at a moment like this.
"Ah, yes. Of course," Misako rose to her feet, looping her arm though the younger girl's and escorting her to the doorway. "I'll show you to their room."
"Alright, but-"
"Misako, I need to talk with you after this," Garmadon announced, though the women kept moving. "Misako-"
Slamming the door shut, the older female rushed Jade to her siblings' room, before hurrying off into another section of the monastery. Her long, gray braid swung behind her, eventually disappearing as she rounded a corner. That was...odd.
Strange, Jade thought, but shrugged it off. Ess and Ana were her top priority now, not some elderly lady's whereabouts. As silently as possible, she slid open the bedroom door, then slipped into the room. But her entrance didn't go unknown, as Ess' clear blue eyes brightened when he saw her.
"Jade! You're okay!"
Noticing the lump on the bed next to him, she shushed him with a finger to her lips. "Shh! Don't wake her!" She scolded, tiptoeing over to the bedside. When she finally arrived, she pulled her brother into an tight embrace. No matter how much he would deny missing her, she knew that he did. Proof of it being him returning the favor, his arms eventually wrapping around her.
"It's good to see you're alive, instead of dead in a ditch somewhere," Ess remarked, and Jade immediately backed away and punched him in the arm.
"Do you have to ruin every single moment?"
"Yep," he replied with a cheeky smile. "It's my job to be the irritating younger brother. C'mon. Just say it. You'd be devastated if something happened to me."
"Yeah, because then I wouldn't have anyone to pick on, now would I?" She crossed her arms, and the redhead snorted.
"That sounds about right. But you'd still have Ana," he signaled over his shoulder at the sleeping blonde, who was curled up into a ball. "She can be pretty annoying at times too."
"But not as," The moon mistress bopped his nose once, before her arms returned to their folded status.
Suddenly, a radio on the nightstand right next to them went off, causing them to both jump and for Ana to awaken with a yawn.
"What happened?" The little girl began to yawn again, but her older siblings ignored her. Was there something going on in the city? Had the Overlord actually went forth with his plans of attack?
"Hello? Can anyone here me? Are there any ninja there?" A calm, feminine voice came through the receiver, and all three held their breath.
"I repeat, can anyone hear me? Please. It's very urgent," the voice gained a pleading edge, and the moon mistress couldn't avoid breathing any longer. She had to say something.
"Yes. I can hear you, loud and clear," she answered, advancing toward the radio.
"Good. But may I ask whom I'm speaking with?" The voice asked in a monotone.
"You may not know me, but I'm staying at the Garmadon monastery as a temporary occupant," Jade explained, rubbing the back of her perspiring neck. "My name is Jayden Millicent. Jade for short. Now who are you?"
"My name is P.I.X.A.L, the Primary Interactive X-ternal Assistant Lifeform, but of course P.I.X.A.L for short. And if you wouldn't mind, Jade, I need you to get ahold of the ninja and relay them this message, ASAP."
"Sure thing. What is it?" Anticipation crept down her spine, though she somehow maintained a cool composure. What did P.I.X.A.L need to tell the ninja?
There was a lengthy pause. Finally, P.I.X.A.L replied, "...Zane is alive, but he's been turned evil by the Overlord. I fear there is no safe way of reverting him back to normal. He is highly dangerous, and I've viewed his thoughts," the sadness in her voice was beginning to break Jade's heart. Just from her tone, she could tell the nindroid was very dear to her. "He plans to wear the Golden Armor himself, but he doesn't realize that he can't. Being his power source is upgraded and is over one-hundred times the mass of his previous counterpart, when there is an explosion, not if; the entire city will be destroyed. Please tell the ninja. There are still ways we can prevent this."
The dark-haired teen turned to her younger sibling's for their wordless input. She needed to see their facial expressions. While her brother Ess looked genuinely surprised, her sister Ana looked confused.
After a moment of prolonged silence, she turned back to the radio. "I'll try."
Here's P.I.X.A.L for those of you that have been wondering! Thought I'd add her in right here, for some reason. Guess I'll have to work out a few plot kinks later then. :| So what did you think? And what's Lloyd doing again? But for now, NinjaChief547...
OUT!
(Btw have any of you read the Everlife series? It's fairly new and only the first two books are out; Firstlife and Lifeblood. If you haven't heard of these books, I HIGHLY recommend you check them out. They've helped me conquer my writer's block numerous times.)