Here's a short chapter for you all! I love every single one of you, and I can't wait to see what future Ninjago has in store for us!
"Are you ready, my child?" Garmadon said as he stood beside his son, the five ninja, Xenudah, Kymika, Wu, and Yakunan.
"As ready as I'll ever be." A soft smile appeared on the green ninja's face as he embraced his father momentarily. "Whatever happens, know that I love you..."
"Oh, Lloyd," Garmadon cooed, softly reassuring. "I love you too...but I'm right here... I'll always stand by your side..."
Lloyd smiled as he drew his sword and infused it with his golden powers, his eyes turning golden as well. The others did the same with their own respective elements.
"Alright then," Lloyd declared, raising his sword up. "Let's do this!"
"NINJA-GO!" all the ninja cried out in unison.
But as the group stormed through the palace gates and into the city, they were met with a horrible sight. The surrounding area was dark and eerily silent. There were purple tendrils everywhere. But worst of all, the status of the group hit them the hardest. Due to their solely human ancestry, four ninja—Kai, Jay, Nya, and Cole—were petrified by the Oni's element.
"We're too late..." Lloyd whispered, barely able to keep his tears from streaming down his reddened face. He groaned in frustration at the thought of losing his home to the darkness. "It's all my fault..."
"Son, no it isn't... It isn't your fault, my child... It never was... Just please calm down, Lloyd Ryuda..." Garmadon drew his son closer, stroking his hair.
"I-I caaaant!" Lloyd shrieked, trembling uncontrollably in his father's arms.
"I'm so sorry..." Xenudah knelt beside the Chosen One, his father, Wu, and Kymika following suit. He let his deep blue-purple eyes shut as he fell silent after apologizing.
Garmadon only whispered, holding him closer as he caressed his hair. "Shhhhh... I'm here, Lloyd..."
Lloyd just continued to wail, too overwhelmed to speak now.
"Ohhhh... My precious golden dragon..." his father cooed, cradling his hair, rocking him as he cried into his arms. Garmadon's voice was so soft and loving as he whispered sweet nothings into his son's hair, tightening his hold on him. "Just stay here... I'll never let go of you, alright? You're gonna be ok... Everything's gonna be alright... I promise... I promise you... You are going to be just fine..."
"What now?" Kymika asked, her voice soft, resonating with much concern. "What are we to do after all this chaos... I'm scared..."
"I know, my daughter..." Xenudah whispered, cradling her close as well. "Our world is always at the cusp of light and dark, constantly shifting between the two. It truly is so heartbreaking. But I am right here, and I'll never leave your side, alright? Never again..."