Disclaimer: I don't own Ninjago
Lloyd took a step and an arrow was shot near his foot. Lloyd looked up and saw two guards with bows looking down on him.
"Halt, intruder. State your business." One said.
"I'm the Green Ninja, I am here to help. I know about the Realm Crystal." Lloyd said.
The guards looked at each other before looking back down at Lloyd.
"We will need to discuss this with our Master-at-Arms." The second said.
More lightning continued to fill the sky. It was worse over the palace with the Realm Crystal right below it. Lloyd feared worse things would appear. Lloyd sighed.
"I don't have time for this." Lloyd whispered.
Lloyd flew in the sky and over the palace walls, taking the guards completely by surprise. Lloyd looked down and saw a village within the walls and a huge palace in the back. Lloyd looked down and saw a few people looking up at him and others near a crater. Lloyd looked in the crater and saw his Jade Blade piercing the ground. One man tried to pull them out but failed to do this. Lloyd smiled and landed on the ground. He walked through a crowd of people, trying to reach his blades. One of the guards aimed an arrow at Lloyd. He would've fired, but someone grabbed his wrist.
"Wait a minute, I want to see what happens." The man, the Master-at-Arms, said.
Lloyd slid down into the crater with a smile on his face. His Jade Blades began to glow some, something that hasn't happened since they first arrived here. Everyone now had eyes on Lloyd as he stood in front of them. Lloyd chuckled to himself slightly and bean to reach for his blades. Lloyd gripped both handles and pulled up.
The blades didn't move.
Lloyd was surprised and pulled harder, but they remained still. The blades stopped glowing. Lloyd yelled to the sky.
"Please. I have come too far." Lloyd whispered.
He pulled again, but the blades remained in the ground. Lloyd fell to his knees and dropped his head. The guard looked back at the Master-at-Arms.
"Remove him." He said sternly.
The guard fired an arrow at the back of Lloyd's head. The arrow soared through the air and pass the crowd of citizens. The arrow bounced off Lloyd's head, and he didn't even react to it. Everyone else did though. The Master-at-Arms began to climb down the walls. Another portal opened outside the walls. A Wyrm, a wingless dragon, slithered out of it. It had purple scales, a mouth full of razor sharp teeth, horns covering its head and down its spine, and black soulless eyes.
The Wyrm roared and crawled up the walls. It destroyed the tower with the guards in it and crawled inside the kingdom. Horns blared throughout the kingdom and its citizens were in a panic. They ran in all directions and the Wyrm began to chase a few of them. More guards arrived and joined the Master-at-Arms in defending the kingdom. They fired arrows, but like Lloyd, they just bounced off the Wyrm's impenetrable scales. The Wyrm roared and swung its tail, knocking a few guards into the air.
Lloyd was currently trapped in his own world. After all he went through, after all his family and Hamato said, he still couldn't lift his blades. Lloyd didn't know what to do with himself now. He clenched both fists. Lloyd was angry, and he knew just how to take out his anger.
The Wyrm stepped on the Master-at-Arms and snarled at him. Drool began to drip on his face. The Wyrm opened his mouth wider and lowered his head. The Master-at-Arms tried to get free but was surprised to see Lloyd fly up and punch the Wyrm in his face. The Wyrm stepped off the master and put all his focus into Lloyd. The Green Ninja was angry and so was the Wyrm. Lloyd yelled and flew towards the Wyrm with his nindroid sword in hand. He swung the blade at the Wyrm's face and it shattered. The Wyrm snapped its jaws at Lloyd who flew backwards to avoid them. He blasted his green energy at the monster, but its scales absorbed them. The Wyrm slapped Lloyd to the ground.
Lloyd turned over and saw another katana on the ground. He quickly grabbed it and threw it at the Wyrm's chest. The blade struck the area between two scales and the Wyrm screeched. Lloyd flew up again and forcibly removed the blade, taking a few scales off. The Wyrm roared and grabbed Lloyd with his jaws. The Wyrm tried to close his mouth, but Lloyd was pushing it up. They both struggled for a minute when suddenly the Wyrm roared again. Lloyd flew out of its mouth and watched as the Wyrm fell over dead. In the place that Lloyd removed scales, an arrow was lodged there. Lloyd looked down and saw the Master-at-Arms holding the bow. Lloyd flew down to him.
"It's time for you to meet the emperor." He said.
Lloyd looked at him and said nothing.
Two guards opened the doors to the throne room. The emperor sat in the middle with his queen and daughter on each side of him. The emperor wore green robes and light tan pants underneath, he was an older man with apparent wrinkles and gray hair. His queen wore similar robes but had a white cape with a floral pattern on it. She had white hair and wore makeup over her entire face. Their daughter was dressed the same as her mother except for a golden tiara that covered her forehead and sides of head.
"I present to you the exalted Emperor and Empress of Ninjago and their daughter, Princess Harumi." The Mater-at-Arms said.
The Master-at-Arms also wore Green and gold robes. He had a gold samurai helmet on his head as well as gold shoulder armor. He had darker gray hair and beard and an eyepatch over his right eye as well.
Lloyd looked at each of them, but his eyes widened when he saw Princess Harumi. She smiled at him and tilted her head slightly.
"Wow." Lloyd whispered.
The Master-at-Arms cleared his throat. Lloyd looked at him and then bowed at the family, realizing his mistake.
"It is an honor to finally meet you, your majesty." Lloyd said.
"And it is an honor to meet the Green Ninja. At least…that's what Hutchins said." The Emperor said.
"Do you not believe me?" Lloyd asked.
"Careful of your tone, boy." Hutchins, the Master-at-Arms said.
"It is alright, Hutchins. Apologies. We've had many people come here trying to pull those blades from the ground, all have failed." The Emperor said.
"It says only those worthy of the Green Ninja shall lift these blades." Hutchins said.
"If you are who you say you are, then you must prove it." The empress said.
"Perhaps a display of your powers would convince my parents." The princess said.
Lloyd looked at her and nodded. He floated a few feet off the ground his glowing green eyes and hands. He circled his hands around each other and created a small green dragon made from energy. The dragon flew around the Royal Family. Harumi giggled as the dragon began to play with her hair. It dispersed, and Lloyd floated to the floor again. The emperor stood up and walked to Lloyd.
"It is true. The legendary Green Ninja, the Master of Power, grandson of the First Spinjitzu Master, Lloyd Garmadon is in my palace. Welcome." The emperor knelt and took Lloyd's hand.
Lloyd stood there awkwardly.
"What do I do?" Lloyd asked.
"If you are the Green Ninja, how come you could not possess your own blades?" Hutchins asked.
Lloyd sighed as the Emperor stood up again.
"I've…become unworthy of them. I'm just trying to find my way, to get back on the right path." Lloyd explained.
"How can we help?" The emperor asked.
"It is for me to do on my own. I am here to help you. Speaking of which, the Realm Crystal has a crack on it and I can fix it. I need to see it, please." Lloyd said.
"How do you know of the crystal?" Hutchins asked.
"For god sakes, Hutchins, the man made a dragon out of energy, he can open a book." The emperor smiled.
Hutchins remained silent.
"I would like to help, Lloyd, but the Realm Crystal is sealed away behind a magic door. We have all we need to open the door but are missing one crucial factor." The emperor explained.
"What's that?" Lloyd asked.
"The sun." The emperor said as he looked out the window.
The sun had finally set on this long day and the moon had taken its place. Lightning continued to fill the sky, however.
"Without the sun to shine its light through a jewel, we cannot open the door to the tombs." The emperor said. "But we can get everything ready for tomorrow."
"Please do and your citizens, do you think there is enough room for them to stay here tonight until the Realm Crystal is repaired?" Lloyd asked.
"We shall make room." The emperor said. "Hutchins! Have the guards begin escorting our citizens inside the walls. Tell them to bring blankets and pillows to rest in here for the night. Meanwhile you and I will get the items necessary to open the doors."
"Your majesty, are you sure this wise?" Hutchins asked.
"The Green Ninja has saved this world countless times and saved yours minutes ago and you still don't trust him." The emperor said.
"I just want to make sure you and your family will be safe." Hutchins said.
"Hutchins, you've protected myself and the two most important women in my life for years. I've always felt safe around you. But now we face something stronger than ourselves with the Realm Crystal. I prayed the First Spinjitzu Master that my daughter would live long enough to rule this Kingdom one day and he has sent me his champion. If you do not trust him, please, trust me." The emperor pleaded.
Hutchins looked at Lloyd then back at his emperor.
"Of course, sire." Hutchins smiled.
Lloyd smiled as well. The emperor was a kind soul and protected his family and people well, unlike Akuma. Hutchins was superstitious, but loyal in the end. Hutchins looked at two guards in the room.
"You heard your orders, go!" He yelled.
The guards ran out and two more came in.
"You there, please tell our chefs to prepare a meal for the whole kingdom!" The emperor said to one. "You will show our guest, the Green Ninja, to his room.
These two guards nodded. One went out the door they came and another to Lloyd. They began to walk away as the Emperor and Hutchins left as well. Lloyd turned his head and saw Harumi smiling at him. She waved. Lloyd smiled and waved back.
As the night continued to pass, almost everyone was inside the palace dining halls. The chefs had indeed prepared meals for everyone, something they hadn't done before. The villagers brought blankets and pillows while the Emperor provided them all with mattresses. No one complained, no one whined, everyone was enjoying each other's company. Lloyd was in his room and had just finished showering. He used soap for the first time in months.
"I hope the princess couldn't smell me." Lloyd said as he stepped out of the shower.
The maids of the castle gave his clothing a wash and they laid for him on his bed. Lloyd dried off and looked at himself in the mirror. He wiped away the steam on the glass and looked at his chin. The stubble had finally grown into a beard. He stroked his chin and laughed.
"Hamato's right." He said.
Using his heat vision, Lloyd deflected his power off the mirror and used it to shave his face, since a regular razor wouldn't cut his hair now. Lloyd shaved all the hair off and then washed his face. Lloyd smiled when he saw his clean face. He opened the bathroom door and proceeded to get dressed. There was a light knock on his door.
"Come in." Lloyd said as he put on his black long sleeve shirt.
The door opened, and Lloyd was surprised to see Harumi there.
"Princess. I wasn't expecting you." Lloyd said.
"Would you like me to go?" She asked.
"No, no, please come in, Princess." Lloyd said.
She opened the door more and walked inside.
"I hope the room is to your liking, Green Ninja." Princess Harumi said.
"Better than sleeping on the ground. It's perfect, thank you Princess." Lloyd smiled.
"Please, call me Harumi." She said.
"Alright, Harumi. You can call me Lloyd." Lloyd said.
"As you wish, Lloyd." Harumi smiled. "You smell nice."
"Thank you. It's been a while since I've used soap." Lloyd said.
He had realized what he just said.
"I mean uh I've used soap it's just been a while since I've showered. No wait! I've bathed like yesterday but—" Lloyd startled.
Harumi laughed.
"Is this how you talk to all the princesses?"
"Sorry, not every day you meet royalty. You're my first princess actually." Lloyd said.
"I shall take that as a compliment. I know there are others out there, but father tells me that we were the first Kingdom in Ninjago, even if we don't have has much power anymore." Harumi said.
"Truth be told, not everyone in Ninjago thinks there are Kingdoms like these anymore. I was surprised when I first visited one." Lloyd said.
"Did you enjoy your visit at that one?" Harumi asked.
Lloyd thought back to it. He remembered how Akuma and him fought down below the castle.
"I would take this castle visit over the other any day." Lloyd laughed to himself.
"Another compliment. You sure do know how to make a girl feel special." Harumi blushed.
Lloyd blushed as well.
"This might be the longest conversation I've ever had with one." Lloyd said.
Both of them laughed and smiled at each other.
"Father wanted me to tell you that dinner is almost ready and that he wishes for you to eat with us tonight." Harumi said.
"I'd be honored." Lloyd bowed.
He walked closer Harumi and held his arm out.
"Shall we, Princess?" Lloyd asked with another smile.
Harumi linked her arm with his.
"Lead the way, Green Ninja." Harumi answered with a smile.
That night, Lloyd had the most fun he had ever had in the recent months. No monsters appeared for him to fight, no assassins, no nindroids. It was just an evening with dinner and new friends. Lloyd told the entire kingdom of his adventures when they asked. All were entertained by them, even Hutchins. Lloyd told them how he lost his blades and the kingdom fell silent with sadness. Lloyd then explained as long he fought with good intentions he would have his blades back in no time, even if he didn't believe himself. The kingdom cheered and went back to eating. That night, Lloyd had the best sleep in months. His family still loved him, Hamato and his grandfather provided wisdom, his friends were safe, and he made new friends. Lloyd still wondered why he couldn't lift the blades but decided to wait until after the realm crystal was fixed to ask. He slept a deep sleep that night. It was a good night.
The next morning was much worse.
Lloyd and the entire Kingdom woke up to large pounding outside. Lloyd shot his head up quickly and looked around. Suddenly, a large black hand grabbed Lloyd's head. Lloyd was able to free himself and push the hand away, but another hand came in and punched Lloyd. Lloyd crashed through the walls of the palace and then fell on the ground outside. He looked up and saw the destruction.
"The palace! The village! The people!" Lloyd yelled. "Harumi."
The monster that attacked Lloyd burst from the ground and punched Lloyd, who tried to block it, but to no affect. Lloyd was punched into a smaller building and it was destroyed upon impact. Everyone in the Kingdom watched from the "safety" of the palace.
Lloyd rested on one knee and had to catch his breath, something he rarely ever did. His pajamas he wore were ripped slightly and his head was bleeding, something he also did rarely. Blood began to drop on the ground and Lloyd touched his bleeding wound. Lloyd looked up and saw the monster stand before him.
It was colored black completely except for red eyes, wore gold vambraces, stood about eight feet tall and was covered in muscles and had four fingers and three toes. Lloyd looked at the blades in the crater and back at the monster.
"What…the hell are you?" Lloyd asked.
"What are we? Hmph. We are the true inhabitants of this world." It said in a deep voice.
"Uhm…We?" Lloyd asked.
"I believe humans called us 'Chickano'. A powerful being called the First Spinjitzu Master drove us away to another Realm. It has become over populated in Monster Realm, so we have come to take our home back. But it is infested with your kind, this we cannot allow." It said.
As he spoke more and more of his kind rose up from the ground and surrounded him and Lloyd. Lloyd looked at them all.
"We will start at this village and kill everyone here. Then spread throughout the ground to all corners. In an hour, 5% of the planet will be ours, in 12 hours, 50%, and this time tomorrow…no more humans." Another spoke.
Lloyd gasped.
"This is a battle for our survival. I hope you can understand that."
"However, this is unexpected. You have the same aura of the being that drove us away from here the first time, yet you are stronger. We have encountered no human since then whom we could not kill with our punches." The first said.
Lloyd laughed to himself. He finally knew why he couldn't lift the blades.
"Never doubt your instincts."
"Oh yeah? Same here." Lloyd said as he stood up. "It's been too long since I've come across such worthy opponents…mole people."
Their eyes widened.
"We are the true EARTHLINGS!" The first yelled as he punched Lloyd.
Lloyd slid to left elegantly to avoid the punch. With the monster's fist in the ground, Lloyd threw his own punch at the monster's stomach.
"Oof!" The beast said with the punch.
A hole exploded outside the monster's back and he fell over. His brothers were stunned.
"What?"
"Impossible!"
"How!?"
Lloyd stood there smirking at them. He finally understood it all. He was a protector of Ninjago. If he was to have this responsibility, sometimes he would have to make the hard choices. Although it pained him to take another life, Lloyd was determined to protect Ninjago and its people, no matter what he had to do.
"DIE!" Another roared.
He slammed both fists on top of Lloyd. A cloud of smoke appeared, and Lloyd punched the monster out of it. He then jumped from the smoke and landed on the head of another. Lloyd kicked himself up and broke the neck of the one he landed on. Lloyd landed on a roof and three others followed him. All three attacked Lloyd simultaneously. They punched him, but Lloyd was too quick to hit, and he avoided all the attacks. He soon found himself surrounded by all three however. The three Chickano slammed their fists on Lloyd, who covered himself with his arms. He held their fists back. Lloyd's eyes glowed green.
A wave of energy escaped Lloyd that pushed all three back. He swept kicked the monster's legs and all three were in the air. Before they fell to the ground, however, Lloyd grabbed one's legs and swung him into the others before letting go. The monsters then splattered against the palace walls. Soon after, the other monsters jumped to the roof with Lloyd.
One by one, they all ran to the Green Ninja, overpowering them, Lloyd punched and kicked all that came his away. The attacks he made would usually kill the beasts with one move, but a few needed more. As he attacked, Lloyd pajamas ripped more. A sleeve tore of first, followed by the other, until finally Lloyd was topless, revealing his muscles to the kingdom, who watched Lloyd from afar. Hutchins wanted to help, but the emperor forbade him.
More Chickano ran up to Lloyd and he used Spinjitzu. His tornado then flew up the air and the Chickano were surprised by it. Suddenly, two green energy blasts escaped the tornado and cut off the heads of the closest monsters. Lloyd stopped and flew back to the ground. A larger Chickano crashed through the roof and caught Lloyd by surprise. He punched Lloyd right out of the palace and into the volcano that rested dormant near it. The volcano exploded when Lloyd crashed into it. Fire spread throughout the land and the skies turned black. With the white lightning still there, it began to rain slightly. The remaining few hundred Chickano looked at the volcano with glad tides. The kingdom was devastated.
"Finally. It's dead." One said.
"What was that human? It was so strong?" Another exclaimed.
"Who? Me?" Lloyd asked.
Everyone gasped as they saw Lloyd step out of the volcano, unharmed.
"I'm the Green Ninja, Master of Power, Grandson of the First Spinjitzu Master, Lloyd Garmadon!" Lloyd shouted for all to hear.
A few Chickano backed up some.
"And this realm…IS PROTECTED BY ME!" Lloyd yelled and hit his chest.
"Kill him!" One ordered.
Lloyd found himself under a pile of the monsters in half a second.
"Big talk from such a little—" One said.
A green light glowed under the pile and suddenly it exploded. Lloyd rose from the ground and punched another in the head, killing it. The remaining Chickano began to fight Lloyd. They all ran out of the palace and met Lloyd near the volcano. Meanwhile, everyone in the palace began to run outside.
Lloyd continued to fight and so did the beasts. They had the numbers, but Lloyd had the power. Lloyd killed everything that came his way and didn't stop. A few times the Chickano thought they had him, but Lloyd easily proved them wrong. He punched through their chest, broke bones, and removed limbs. He thought eventually they'd surrender and he'd spare the survivors, but they never did. Ten minutes went by and Lloyd stood atop of their dead bodies, inhaling deeply as the rain poured harder, cooling him off and taking care of the fires and lava.
"I see now, grandfather. I see now." Lloyd said.
"How dare you!" A deep voice proclaimed.
Lloyd turned around to the kingdom and saw a giant Chickano climb from the ground. This one was like the others, but only much bigger, like the giant, had four arms instead of two, and four glowing red eyes.
"You've killed my children. Now watch as I make this kingdom the breeding grounds for a new generation." It said. "I will kill you, them, and everyone in this realm!"
Lloyd closed his hand tightly.
"No." Lloyd said.
The giant Chickano raised its eyebrow.
"I'm done letting innocent people die because I won't do what's necessary. If you want to kill them, fine! If you want to take over this realm, fine!" Lloyd said.
The kingdom heard his words.
"…But you'll need to kill me first." Lloyd said.
The monster laughed.
"Let us see how you fair against the Chickano King!" The Monster yelled.
The King lunged himself forward and Lloyd jumped up. As he did, the Jade Blades flew from the ground and soared through the air. They went past the Chickano King and found themselves back in Lloyd's hands! The began to glow bright green and Lloyd smiled. Lloyd made them fall from their chains.
"I am the Ultimate Spinjitzu Master." Lloyd said.
Lloyd swung his blades as the King's neck. Lloyd then landed back inside the walls of the kingdom. Everyone watched as the Chickano King's head fell off from its shoulders and fall on the ground on top his children. Lloyd stood up and swung his chains around in the air before slamming them in the round in front of him. He called the chains back and they reattached themselves to the hilt. Lloyd put his blades on his back.
Everyone had their mouths open and eyes on Lloyd. They saw firsthand how powerful he was. Lloyd looked at them all and a thought came to his mind.
'Humans. Non-elementals. They're rude, evil, and hate each other every day. I am strong. Stronger than them and the other ninjas. Why? Why do I continue to protect them?' Lloyd thought as he became angry.
A little girl ran past the crowd and quickly made herself to Lloyd. She wrapped her arms around Lloyd's leg and he about fell over. She looked up at him and smiled then went back to hugging.
"Oh yeah. That's why." Lloyd smiled.
Lloyd went to his knees and hugged the little girl back. Soon, everyone ran to Lloyd and he was surrounded by them. He picked the girl up and held her close as everyone else around him began to reach for Lloyd, wanting to touch him. A few in front did. Lloyd looked at them all then back at the raining sky. He smiled.
"Home." He whispered.
"Green Ninja! The Realm Crystal!" The emperor yelled.
Lloyd's eyes opened he put the girl down and ran back inside the kingdom. He met the emperor and his family in the dining hall.
"Where is it?" Lloyd asked.
"Deep underground, but we've ran into a problem." The emperor said.
Lightning cracked through the sky. Suddenly, a portal teared open in the sky, much bigger than the others that could be seen all over Ninjago. Lloyd, the kingdom, the Ninja, Wu and everyone in the realm looked up to see glowing purple eyes appear in the portal. Lloyd looked back at the emperor.
"How important is this floor to you?" Lloyd asked.
"What? Nothing, it is a floor." The emperor said.
Lloyd then punched a hole in the ground. He picked up the emperor and jumped inside. He floated down to the bottom and placed the emperor on the ground. There he saw two guards and Hutchins with a staff with a jewel on it in front of a giant door, also with a jewel on it.
"The sun needs to send a beam of light into the jewel here. That will then send a new type of beam into the jewel on the door which will open it. With the sun gone, we cannot open it." The emperor explained.
"You don't happen to have weather powers, do you?" Hutchins asked honestly.
"No time to find out if I do. Stand back, everyone." Lloyd said.
The emperor and guards stood behind Lloyd. Hutchins remained still holding the staff, knowing what Lloyd was going to do next. They nodded at each other. Lloyd used his heat vision to strike the jewel on the staff. Just as bright as the sun, only green, the jewel accepted the beam of light. It then created its own energy and struck the jewel on the door. The jewel glowed brighter and began to turn. Locks inside the door turned as well. Slowly, the giant door opened.
"Lloyd! Once you stop, the door will close quickly!" The emperor said.
Lloyd gave him a thumbs up. Once the door was open all the way, Lloyd stopped. The lights and beams vanished, and the door closed in an instant. The emperor sighed, and Hutchins fell over.
"It's alright, Lloyd. We will try again." The emperor said.
There was no response.
"Lloyd?"
Everyone looked around, but Lloyd was gone, already inside the tombs.
Lloyd followed a blue light. He then came upon tombs in the room. Not just his grandfather's, but all the Original Elemental Masters. The sixteen tombs all circled around the First Spinjitzu Master's. Inscribed on the tombs were the elemental symbols for each master. Floating above the Master's tomb, was the Realm Crystal. A crack was present on it and sparks escaped from it.
Lloyd walked forward and grabbed the Crystal. It reacted against his touch and began to shock Lloyd and glow brighter as well. Lloyd shielded his eyes, but slowly opened them. Once he did, he began to see all the 16 Realms at the same time. Flashes went off in his head as he saw billions upon billions of creatures in each Realm. A sight like this would've driven a normal man insane.
Lloyd turned the crystal and began to use his heat vision to seal the crack. Very slowly, the crack was being healed. The crystal, however, began to hurt more as Lloyd continued to hold it. He fought through the pain and continued to fix it. Once the crack was sealed, a wave of energy exploded from the Realm Crystal. All portals that were created from it suddenly closed. Ninjago cheered as the giant portal in the sky closed as well. A few monsters were left in Ninjago, but they would be dealt with on another day.
Lloyd laid on the ground, knocked out. Smoke rose from his body and he twitched slightly, but the realm crystal was fixed. Portals all over ninjago closed and any dead monsters were transported back to their realms as well. A final portal opened inside the cave. A green tentacle slithered out and wrapped itself around the unconscious Lloyd.
"This is not your grave…but you are welcome in it." A voice said as it pulled Lloyd through the portal.
The portal closed, separating Ninjago from the Green Ninja for a brief time. The sun peaked from the clouds and the doors opened. The emperor, Hutchins and the guards rushed inside, looking for Lloyd.
R&R