Chapter Twenty-One: Death of a Father...

Ray carefully patted down the dirt down around the plants he just planted with Forest's help. Thudding footsteps approached from behind, which Ray would have ignored if he hadn't realized that they were headed straight to him. Lifting his head up, he glanced behind him to see that it was Wu, his expression grim. "Father took a turn for the worst. We're heading to the hospital now. Anyone want to come with is welcome to."

Ray felt his heart lurch, panic flashing through him. In the short time that he's been here, FSM has been more of a father to him than his own ever had been. "I'll come." Realizing everyone was giving him confused looks, he translated what he said. "I'll come with you."

Wu nodded, relief flooding his eyes. "Thank you Ray."

...

Maya laced her fingers through Ray's, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. Wu was standing next to the window, staring blankly out of it, while Garmadon was still elsewhere. Misako wrung her hands together as she paced around the waiting room. Nin was twisting a piece of fabric, a handkerchief by the looks of things, tears glistening in her eyes.

Ray shifted slightly, turning to face the door that led to where the patients were treated as the door swung open. The doctor that exited it ignored them as he approached a worried looking young couple. Ray sighed, vaguely wondering if the saying no news is good news could be applied to this. Ray lifted his free hand up to run it through his hair, frustration flashing through him. What was taking the doctor so long!?

As if to answer his question, an elderly looking doctor entered the waiting room, his eyes latching onto Nin. "Family of FSM?"

"That would be me...and my son brought a couple of friends with." Nin stood up, gesturing to the rest of her party. "My other son isn't here yet."

Misako moved closer, worry still dancing in her eyes. "Is he alright?"

The doctor sighed, before speaking solemnly to the family members that were crowding around, along with Ray and Maya. "I am afraid that I have done everything within my power to help him. He doesn't have much more time with us anymore. Would you like to go back and say your goodbyes?"

"Yes." Nin swiped her kerchief at her eyes, tears still streaming down her cheeks.

"Right this way."

Ray took a deep breath, hanging back as the others followed the doctor. Maya rubbed her thumb along the side of his hand, before speaking up. "I believe we will stay here. We are not family and we don't want to intrude."

"Thank you." Nin came back over to give them a quick hug, sniffling back a few tears.

Ray hugged her back, feeling as if he were hugging someone that knew more about how to be a mother than what his ever had.

...

Ray stared blankly at the coffin as it lowered into the ground, feeling numb with grieve. It wasn't as if he has never seen a funeral before, he had seen plenty of those during the war back home. As the heir to the throne, he was expected to be there every time they dumped several bodies into the ground and said a few nice things about the men that had been killed in battle. Or died while in the medical tent. He lifted a hand up, wiping at the tears that streamed down his face. None of those men that he attended the group funerals for he was close to. In fact, more times than not he didn't even know their names! It's different though when it's a friend and mentor... so very different.

Maya pulled out her kerchief, dabbing it just below her eyes. "I cannot believe he is gone..."

"I know... I know..." Ray murmured softly to her.

...

Garmadon glared at Wu, fury dancing in his eyes. "Father always liked you best!"

"You are being ridiculous!" Wu retorted, his voice sharp.

Ray took a step back, ducking behind the open door, all the while crossing his fingers that they hadn't noticed him. Garmadon appeared to be getting worse far more quickly now that FSM was gone. He knew from earlier conversations that Garmadon was bit by a snake when he was younger that had a unique venom in its fangs that turns anything it bit evil. He always seemed nice, with the slightest of worse intentions mixed in there, seeing him with such little...control, was horrifying. If only...

"Ray!" Krux came skidding up to Ray, holding a worn out blade in his hand. "There you are! I was wondering if you would like to fix this for me. I know you have been working on setting up your own blacksmith shop."

Ray bit back a groan, shooting him a withering look. "What did you do to wear it out so quick? I only fixed it just last week!"

"Nothing. Honest." Krux smoothly sidestepped him. "Can you fix it? Want it in to shape before the next fight."

Ray shook his head, accepting the weapon from him. "Honestly. I can fix it. Don't go in there, Garmadon and Wu are in a fight right now."

Krux nodded, glancing into the kitchen. "I actually need to speak with Garmadon about something I need his help with..."

"What do you need his help with? Surely someone else will do? He is getting worse by the minute." Ray narrowed his eyes, puzzled by Krux's believe that he needed Garmadon's help with something.

Krux blinked, glancing over at Ray. "Nothing much. It doesn't concern you Ray. I just need his help with... a theory."

Ray frowned, but turned to leave with the weapon. It really wasn't his business if Krux felt like Garmadon was the only one that could help him with something. It was just odd... with how bad he was getting, typically they tried to avoid needing his help. Something odd was going on here...

A/N: Done! Um yeah... changed my mind. FSM is now dead, from natural causes! He was sick in the last chapter, and they mentioned in the beginning of this chapter that he took a turn for the worst. On the bright side, Krux just accidentally gave Ray the biggest clue that he can't be trusted!

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SkyTalon