"Nggh..." Lloyd's first thoughts were regarding the stabs of boiling pain in his arm and side. Why did this surprise him? Well he knew full well when an injury had just been tended too, and Garmadon had done the bare minimum before hand... meaning something had changed.

"You're awake!"

Lloyd ground his teeth against the pain as he took a breath and tried to sit up. His vision was blurry still, but he could certainly tell by the bright splashes of color that this wasn't Garmadon's basement.

"Sorta..." Lloyd breathed, blinking quickly to get his focus back.

A brown head of hair entered his narrowed vision field from the right, kneeling cautiously next to him with arms outstretched. "You should probably uh... lay back down. Someone really did a number on you."

"I gotta... I gotta help... Chen's out."

Lloyd couldn't remember if Sensei Garmadon had mentioned it, or if it was an impression from the mental link; but somehow Lloyd knew.

"He's got... got my friends." Dareth grimly watched as the blood drained from Lloyd's face as his strength gave out.

"I know." Lloyd thankfully realized that the speaker had caught him, easing his fall and Straightening out his bad arm. "The others'll save them though."

Lloyd's vision cleared. He had already figured out that he was speaking to Dareth, but now he could see the brown Ninja's face. It was a weight off his chest to see a friendly face... to know he was safe.

"I mean..." Dareth rubbed the back of his head. "I wish I was out with 'em... but someone has to keep an eye on you." The brown ninja chuckled, but regretted saying anything at all when he caught Lloyd shooting a guilty look at the ceiling.

"I mean, not that I mind! It's an important job after all."

"I'm slowing you down." Lloyd muttered. It seemed he was a master at being inconvenient these days.

"What? Come on little ninja; you didn't do anything. The guy who hurt you... he's the one we can blame" Dareth patted Lloyd's good arm reassuringly.

The wounded green ninja lay there for a long moment before closing his eyes. His friends needed help. Last time they had faced Chen, it had taken a whole lot of them to bring him down... and even then there had been a casualty... Lloyd squeezed his eyes shut even more tightly, turning his frown into a grimace at the memory. This wasn't just about saving his friends. No, now it was about honoring the sacrifice his father had once made. If Chen remained free, everything would be in vain; and only the first spinjitzu master himself would be able to stop Lloyd from doing just that.

"I gotta help them stop Chen."

"No! What you need to do is sleep! Those injuries won't heal themselves you know... Okay yes they will. But not if you keep re-injuring yourself."

"Dareth." Lloyd growled. "My brothers

wouldn't just lie here uselessly if this were me. I'm going out there... with or without your help."

Dareth froze at that... could he legally sedate a minor with sleeping pills? Probably not... What about ropes. He could just tie him up. No ninja's were escape artists right? What if Lloyd got himself killed. That was likely, meaning Dareth would have to tag along... Meaning he could help too. He couldn't stop Lloyd right?

"Alright...What do you want me to do?"

Lloyd smiled devilishly, not yet seeing a very concerned looking Sensei Garmadon lurking nearby.

Alright. Sorry for the short chapter. I've really been stuck at this transition point. I have an epic finale planned. And you haven't seen the last of Garmadon (obviously) either. So stay tuned.

Watcher321: Yup they definetly want to get in on the action.

Jade: Thanks! And Maybe or maybe not. No spoilers!