How in Ninjago's name did this end up turning out so wrong? They were so close to victory. Too close. But then, just like that, everything spiraled into chaos.
Yakunan collapsed to his knees, allowing a choking sob to escape his lips. "Not again...NOT AGAAAAAAIIIIN!" His head reared to the sky, his body trembling uncontrollably now.
He struggled to regain his composure, taking in a sharp breath, trying not to cry.
Garmadon, meanwhile, shut his eyes, remembering a moment from when he and Lloyd were happy together. Who knows how long the peace will last after all this chaos.
"Dada..." a one-year-old Lloyd whimpered, curling up tight around his father's leg.
Garmadon chuckled softly, prying his son off of him with care. He picked Lloyd up, pulling him tightly to his chest.
Lloyd purred, curling closer to his father, letting his breaths fall steady with his father's heartbeat.
"Oh, Lloyd..." The destruction elemental cooed. He reached up, smoothing down the flyaways with gentle hair strokes. His heart swelled with overwhelming paternal adoration. "My little boy... You're so cute... I love you far too much... I just don't want to let you go..."
Lloyd gurgled a little, causing his father to let out a choking sob of joy at just the mere sight of him.
"You're everything I wanted and more...but I'm so scared I'm going to lose you..." Garmadon shuddered at the thought. "To others... To myself... But I promise, with every ounce of my being, I'll try my hardest to stay by your side for as long as I am able."
"Lloyd Ryuda... I'm so sorry..." Garmadon finally broke down, his sobs rivaling Yakunan's own.
Why must everything be SO DIFFICULT!
Yakunan was struggling to take into account his current situation. My precious Xenudah...why must you leave my side? Yakunan shuddered softly, shutting his eyes momentarily, reminiscing the moments they shared before their lives spiraled into chaos. Oh, how he'd missed those days. Shin'ainaru...come back to me... Please, I can't lose you again... We've only been together for a little while I–
"Yakunan," interrupted Garmadon, placing a hand on the former Overlord's shoulder. "We have to go after them. If we wait too long, they probably won't stand a fighting chance."
He couldn't lose his child again, if he did then–
"You're right." Yakunan's eyes shot open, fear coursing through his mind, soul, and body. "Come on, let's get our children back."
Back in the outskirts of Ninjago City, Lloyd dismounted his dragon, as swiftly as he could, his hand closed tightly around the sword his father gave him a few years ago. He tossed it aside, all the frustration and anger building up within his soul.
He doesn't care... He doesn't want me anymore... All he does is scream at me and I just can't take it!
Before Xenudah could stop him, Lloyd rushed forward through the dark, eerie streets, his emerald eyes flashing glares at the incoming Oni legion coming from the entrance of the city itself. "You tore my friends from me!" the energy elemental screamed. "I won't let any of you get away with this!" With a growl, he allowed his eyes to shift into a blood-red color. A wave of purple energy and flames surrounded him.
When it faded away, there Lloyd stood. His skin was pitch black, he had curved horns, and sharp fangs protruding from his mouth. Black pants were tied with green fabric with armor a similar shade.
He'd turned into an Oni.
Xenudah gasped sharply at the sight, before being enveloped in indigo purple flames, transforming into a massive dragon of the same color.
The two glanced at each other and nodded.
Everything had lead them to this.
The Green Ninja and the son of the once-former Overlord rushed forward, charging at the incoming horde of Oni warriors.
"They just keep coming!" Lloyd exclaimed, punching one of the Oni in the chest with his fist, putting all his strength into each strike.
"Doesn't matter. Just keep fighting!" Xenudah was swinging his tail, knocking back a crowd, causing them to bowl into even more of them, "We'll tire them out!"
"Heck, we'll tire ourselves out if we keep fighting them at this rate!"
"We just have to hold them off till our fathers get here!"
"But dad–AGH!" One of the oni warriors slashed at Lloyd's chest with a claw, and he fell to the ground, turning back into a human once more. He clutched his body weakly, trying to keep himself from bleeding out, but he was so weak.
"LLOYD!" Xenudah unleashed an indigo and gold energy blast, knocking back the oni that was surrounding the two of them. He rushed to the Chosen One's aid, cradling him in his lap.
"X-Xenudah...Tell my father I say goodbye...and that I'm so sorry, I–..." Lloyd shuddered, his breathing becoming more and more shallow as the time passed on. His consciousness only remained at the sound of wings flapping, getting closer and closer to them.
"NO!" Garmadon cried, dismounting his dragon and rushing to his child's side. Xenudah backed away to give him and his son some space. "Lloyd Ryuda, my child...please stay with me...I can't lose you again..."
"I can't...hold on...any longer..." Lloyd croaked, his eyes unfocused, breath shallow.
"Lloyd, please... I-I'm begging you...right here, right now...d-don't leave me, little one...d-don't leave...D-DON'T LEAAAAAAAAAAAAVEEEEEEEEE!"
"I love you..." Lloyd whimpered. "I'm sorry I...I said...I didn't..."
"Oh, Lloyd..." Garmadon cooed, stroking his son's face lightly in reassurance. "I know you never meant it... You were scared...frustrated...you wanted this chaos to be over... But I just don't want to lose you..."
Lloyd softly groaned and murmured inaudibly, his body falling limp. "G-Goodbye..."
"Oh, FSM...not again... LLOYD RYYUUUUUDAAAAAA!" Garmadon clutched Lloyd's now lifeless body tight to his chest, rocking himself as his wails grew even heavier. Never in a million years did he think he would lose his child. Twice even.
"I tried, Garmadon..." Xenudah sighed, gazing down shamefully. "I tried to stop him... I'm so sorry..."
"I know...I know..." Garmadon sighed, glancing down sadly at his boy, running fingers through his hair. "You've done what you could. Take him out of this city...tell my father to revive him once more. Allow me to handle these monsters. Their time in this realm is OVER after what they did to my child!"
In a swirl of vivid purple, Garmadon morphed into his four-armed state once more with horns similar to Lloyd's own. This time, it wasn't just hate that was fueling him, but also love. He wouldn't stand by and watch his child suffer any longer.