It takes two
Chapter 26
Endgame
No, we will not address the title of this chapter.
PrincePacman47: Harumi is making progress towards letting go of her anger, now all we need is the confession. Actually, if all goes well, and the ninja defeat Garmadon, then there would be no March of the Oni because Garmadon, who would be in the cursed realm, is gone. And I am not bringing him back, plus he played a big role in that season so it wouldn't make sense to write it without him. What I would do instead, is I would move into season 12 with the Prime Empire. Since that season is focused on Jay, and because I want to write something for Jay and Liv. Or, I would write a few chapters of aftermath and that would be the end of this story. But we'll go into that more later. Look no further if a ridiculously long chapter is what you seek.
Champion of justice: I hope they work out, too! And the next chapter is here :)
It's cloudy.
It's cloudy, and Lloyd doesn't like it. The blond wrings his hands, pacing around the garbage depot. Nya, Karloff, and Pixal finished the vengstone handcuffs an hour ago, everyone's trained and ready, the plan is memorized. The two days Lloyd had before it was time to take back his city, and save his sister, are up.
And he feels like a ball of nerves.
It makes sense, really. His sister's life depends on their plan, and if she dies because the smallest thing goes wrong, Lloyd would never forgive himself. He considers going to Mystaké to see if she has any calming tea or something, but his grandfather showed Lloyd the future for a reason, and that reason was so he could prevent Liv's death. He can not afford to waste time drinking tea, he will not fail his sister. He can't fail Liv.
Harumi pops up at his side, placing a hand on his shoulder. She bites her lip, shifting slightly. Like she wants to tell him something. Lloyd really doesn't know how to feel about her, but he knows that sparring helped him make up his mind, if only a bit. He doesn't mind Harumi's presence as much as he did when she first joined the Resistance, and what she said to him on the roof, before the colossus found their hideout at Skylor's, gave him a lot to think about. But he can't afford to think about that right now, he can't afford any distractions. Not when he has so much on the line right now.
Lloyd takes a breath, calming himself. The blond closes his eyes, focusing hard on the green energy he can faintly feel in his chest. He attaches a message to the energy inside him, sending it out across the city with the hopes it will reach his target.
"Alright, guys!" Lloyd says once he's finished. All eyes turn to him, and the blonde takes a breath. "We're heading to the temple tonight, use the shadows to your advantage, and stay focused. Does everyone still remember their teams?"
A chorus of 'yes' answers him, and Lloyd nods. "Alright. Good luck guys."
Liv knows something big is about to happen. She doesn't know what, or when, or even if she's just imagining it or something. But she can feel it. Something is about to happen.
'Liv, meet at the temple of resurrection at midnight. Bring Garmadon.'
Well, now she's positive that something is about to happen. But at least she's already at the temple, Garmadon had been furious after Lloyd and the Resistance got away with the masks, and Liv had to take control and force him to leave Borg Tower before he threw all the poor bikers off the roof. Although, Liv still never found out why they stole the masks. No one tells her shit.
Well, at least Livs already at the temple Lloyd wants her to meet at.. And she has no doubt that this is about her supposed death...
Liv still stands by her earlier decision. She won't be the reason the entire city suffers, she's already done that once by resurrecting her father. Liv is ready to make the choice when the time comes. But, alas, Lloyd is Lloyd. And she knows he won't give up on her. He won't stop trying to save her…
But what if she wasn't supposed to be saved? What if she doesn't want to be saved?
Liv's put the city through so much pain, she's put her brother through so much pain. Her friends, her family, the ninja… They're all suffering because of her, and Liv needs to make it right. She has to. No one should pay for her mistakes except for Liv herself.
Although, staying alive and seeing her brother, knowing that she's in full control of her body, wouldn't be all that bad, either. She wants him to work things out with Harumi. Liv's not dumb, she knows that he liked her, and that she liked him. No matter what lies Harumi told herself, Liv knew she had a soft spot for the Green Ninja she forced herself to hate. They both deserve happiness, a life full of joy and love. Lloyd especially. Liv wants that for them. And she knows that they want that for her, too. But Liv doesn't deserve that kind of life…
"Ah, daughter." Garmadon's voice suddenly rings in her mind cage. "Enjoying yourself?"
'Absolutely.' Liv deadpans, rolling her eyes.
"Then you wouldn't mind telling me more about your sorry excuse for a brother's request, now would you?" He says, and Liv bangs her head on the barrier. Of course. Of course he heard Lloyds request. He's in her mind after all, he controls her body and powers. Of freaking course he heard Lloyd.
Liv doesn't answer her father, turning away. "Well, why don't we put a wedge in his plan, daughter?" Garmadon continues, and Liv scrambles to look through her stolen eyes. Watching as Garmadon leaves the temple of resurrection.
"Send Kilo, Mr. E, and Violet to the Temple. They have some visitors to attend to." Garmadon orders one of the SoGs guarding the temple. The biker nods, pulling out a walkie talkie and sharing her father's order.
Liv watches as Garmadon heads back towards Borg Tower, and Liv curses, trying to send a message to Lloyd.
"Ah, Ah, Ah." Garmadon tsks. "Can't have you ruining the surprise." He says, blocking off the connection between Liv and Lloyd. Despite this, Liv still screams for Lloyd. Desperately trying to get her message across to him.
Her father laughs, but there's no humor in it. One memory flashes in Liv's mind, but she doesn't remember it. She's at the top of Borg tower, she's with Lloyd, it's cloudy, it's dark, a dragon - a dragon? Okay, a dragon roar splits the air…
"Recognize that moment?" Garmadon humms, his voice full of malice. Liv doesn't answer him, scowling. "Oh well, you will soon."
Nightfall came faster than Lloyd would've liked, but that doesn't matter. The moon is high in the sky, shielded by grey clouds, and that means it's time. Liv should've gotten his message to bring their father to the temple, so now it's just up to him and his team. Misako, Dareth, and Mystaké stay at the depot where it's safe. Lloyd can't afford to worry about them.
The Resistance ran through the streets, sticking to the shadows and alleys. The streets were quiet, deserted. Like a ghost town, silent and eerie. The air filled with dread, masking the calm before the storm.
The water of the canal was dark and cold, but it was the only way to get into the temple walls unseens, so they'll just have to suck it up.
Skylor extends a hand towards Nya, and the raven haired girl takes it, transferring her water powers to Skylor.
"Alright, everyone gather round." Nya says, and the large group huddled together. She uses her powers to create a walkway at the bottom of the canal, and one by one the elemental masters slip into the canal's base. The water towers over them, but they stay dry.
Nya brings the water down, and Skylor helps her create a water-free dome around the group as they walk down the canal. The inky water surrounds them, but Nya and Skylor keep the water from breaching the dome.
Once they get to the temple's underwater entrance, they can see where Kai and the others entered the first time. The torn fishing net that was once blocking the path is gone, and the group all but run through it.
When they're through the hidden entrance, Nya and Skylor use the water to surround them in an odd ball, slowly lifting them towards the surface. Not a drop of water on them as they emerge just beyond the eyesight of any guards.
"Okay, this is it guys." Lloyd begins, looking around. "Everyone has their assignment. Listen to team leaders, and pay attention to the comms." The elementals nod, turning on their commlinks. "Good luck, guys. Hopefully this will all be over by sunrise."
"Same." Nya whispers, pulling the others into a group hug. She lets go, handing Lloyd the Oni masks before leading her and Pixals team away to secure the perimeter.
Lloyd watches them go before turning to face Harumi and his team of Karloff, Neuro, Skylor, and Griffin. He motions for them to wait for the signal from Nya and Pixals group that the coast is clear. The soft clash of blades and the thud of bodies tells them that Nya and Pixals team are almost done.
Lloyds hand reaches for the Oni masks stashed away in a small sack. "Use these carefully, and only as a last resort. We need them to perform the ritual, so don't lose them." He instructs, passing the Mask of deception to Skylor, vengeance to Neuro, and lastly, the mask of Hatred to Harumi.
"Don't worry, Lloyd. We won't let the masks out of our sight." Griffin reassures him, his bright red shades glinting in the moonlight that peaks through the cloudy sky.
"Were clear, go now!" Nya whisper-shouts into Lloyds hear moments later, and he and his group run towards the back of the temple.
Harumi takes the lead, running up the wooden stairs. Griffin sprints past her like a lightning bolt, and Lloyd rolls his eyes. Stupid super speed-
Harumi looks back at him as they run, their feet padding lightly on the wood (Well, except for Karloff, but they haven't run into anyone yet).
"Sorry for, y'know…" Harumi says, and Lloyd waves her off. He'd prefer not to get caught up in the past right now.
"It's fine, I forgive you, now keep moving." Lloyd says, and Harumi seems to stop for a beat before continuing to jog up the stairs.
"Almost there…" Harumi says, and they stop at the top of the stairwell, Griffin leaning on the wall waiting.
"What took you so-"
"Griffin, shut up." Skylor says, her hands on her knees as she checks her breath. Griffin just smirks, but doesn't say anything else.
Lloyd and Harumi push themselves against the large door in front of them that leads to the temple's courtyard, listening. "Someone's in there alright." Lloyd says, backing away from the door. "Karlof, can you get this door open?"
"Karloff get door open no problem!" The master of metal says, and the others shush him. Karloff pounds his fists together, and sleek, shiny metal encases him. He slams his fists into the door, sending it flying across the temples courtyard.
Lloyd and Harumi's group burst through the doorway, weapons drawn and ready. "Hands up, Garmadon!" Skylor yells, water swirling around her hands.
The shadows around the temple twist, and Lloyd's hand strays towards the vengestone handcuffs in his pocket. The shadows shift again, and Lloyd readies himself. A silhouette breaks from the shadows, and suddenly splits into three. Ultra Violet, Mr. E, and Kilo step out instead of Garmadon.
"Where's Garmadon?!" Griffin says, looking around the temple. "I thought you said he'd be here!"
"He's supposed to be!" Lloyd snaps, angling his sword at Kilo. "Where is he?"
"Wouldn't you like to know." Ultra Violet says, twirling her sai between her fingers. Eyes locking on Harumi.
"Tell us where he is, now!" Skylor demands, shooting a jet of water at the three SoGs.
"No, I don't think we will." Violet smirks, then with a yell, she charges at the Resistance. Kilo and Mr. E right behind her.
The two sides run at each other, the clashing of blades echoing in the temple. Lloyd and Harumi run at Ultra Violet, While Skylor and Griffin battle Mr. E and Karloff fight with Kilow. Neuro hangs back, not equipped to fight.
Despite being outnumbered, the three SoGs fight fiercely. They're stalling them, Lloyd knows that much. If they really wanted to stop them, then they would've sent more gangsters. They're keeping him from achieving his goal, which is to save his sister and defeat his father. Lloyd bends down, and Harumi flips over him, kicking Violet to the ground.
Across the temple, Karloff lands a solid punch to Kilow's jaw, and the grey giant crumples to the ground. Skylor and Griffin take down Mr. E, and pin him down. Neuro passes them the rope that they would've used along with the handcuffs to take down Garmadon, but the ropes will work better with the three SoGs than Lloyd's father.
Lloyd wraps the rope around the three before backing away, his sword still leveled at their throats. "You're going to tell us where Garmadon is." He says, firmly. "And you're going to do it now."
The captured Sons of Garmadon don't answer him, their eyes downcast. Stalling. "Hey!" Harumi says, pointing her dagger at Ultra Violet's neck. "He asked you a question, if I were you i'd answer it."
"We don't take orders from you, traitor!" Kilow snaps, pulling against the ropes. Harumi glares at him, her dagger glinting towards his throat. Begging for a taste of blood on it's silver blade.
Neuro pushes past the group, forcing his way in front of the three gangsters. "Let me handle this." He says, a hand on his temples as he forces his way into the SoGs minds. The thugs grunt and struggle against the ropes, trying to keep Neuro from prying secrets from their heads. Mr E eyes his companions with distaste, being the only one Neuro can't crack with his abilities due to him being a nindroid.
The master of the mind stands back, and based off the scowls on Violet and Kilows faces, he got what he came for. "Borg Tower." Neuro says. "Garmadon is at Borg tower."
Lloyd cursed, turning on his heel. Of all the places he could've gone! "Lloyd?" Skylor says, slowly. "What's wrong with Borg tower?"
"That's where I saw Liv die...he's trying to make it happen. He's trying to kill my sister." Lloyd sighs, sheathing his sword. It's all coming together, every piece that was never supposed to fall into place. The cloudy sky, Borg tower...all that's left is the Dregon roar.
The temple is quiet for a beat, trying to process the new information. This is going to derail their plans, but they've worked too hard for it to fall apart now… "Okay, new plan." Lloyd says, taping his comm and waiting for it to turn on. "You guys start the ceremony, I'm going to Borg tower."
"I'm coming with you." Harumi says, brushing her bangs out of her eyes.
"No." Lloyd says, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I need you here, you're the only one who can perform the ceremony." Harumi sighs, looking away.
"Fine." She sighs.
Lloyd's comm lets out a loud whine, and he tapps it eagerly. "Nya? Nya!" He says, waiting for a response.
"Lloyd? What's up?" Nya's voice echo's softly in the comms.
"We ran into a problem, how's everything on your end?"
"Fine, do you guys need help?"
Lloyd pauses, turning to face his team. Kilow, Violet, and Mr. E are still tied up, scowling at the group. "No, we're good." He sighs. Silence envelopes both ends, until Nya tells him to be safe and turns off her comm.
"Don't worry, Lloyd." Skylor says, placing a hand on his shoulder. "We'll send Garmadon back to the hole he came from, promise."
"Thanks guys." The blond smiles. "I'll be back with Liv once this is all over."
Skylor gives his shoulder one last squeeze before letting go, smiling at Lloyd's receding form. Harumi stares after him, listening as the wooden stairs creak under his feet. She feels weird, watching him leave. This isn't how their plan was supposed to go...Garmadon was supposed to be here. He's supposed to be handcuffed to a pole while they send him back to the departed realm. Now he's at Borg tower where he supposedly kills Liv.
Harumi doesn't like the idea of Lloyd fighting Garmadon alone...not after what happened at Kryptarium. And that was just Garmadon warming up, she would know. And besides, Lloyd had his elemental powers, he doesn't have them now. Garmadon could kill him...Lloyd could die fighting him. Liv isn't going to let that happen, she would kill herself before Garmadon laid a hand on her brother.
Someone is going to die if Lloyd goes alone…
"Paper, who has some paper or something?" Harumi says, looking at the others frantically.
"Why do you need paper?" Skylor says, rolling her eyes and unclipping the Oni mask of deception from her belt. "Come on, we've gotta do this ceremony."
Harumi sighs, turning around to face the master of the mind. "Neuro!" She says, the elemental turns, his gaze quizzical. "I need one more favor."
Lloyd all but sprints from the temple, wishing he had Griffin's super speed as he ran. Everything turned around so quickly, he's struggling to keep up. The one thought that remains in his head is Liv. How he has to save her, defeat his father, wait for his friends to get the heck out of the first realm and help him!
The colossus stands stiffly in front of Borg Tower, Lloyd doesn't even bat an eye at the thing. If his father is defeated, the stone giant will fall. Why waste time trying to take it down with their bare hands when they can take it down from the source?
Lloyd takes a breath, staring at the doors of the tower. It's eerily deserted, but Lloyd can't bring himself to care as he throws open the glass doors, sprinting towards the nearest staircase. He takes the steps two at a time, his mind racing.
So close. Just a bit longer, then his sister will be safe and this will all be behind them. Lloyd stops for a beat, staring up at the seemingly endless amount of stairs. He hopes not everything will be behind him. He would like to patch things up with Harumi, be friends, maybe.
Maybe more than friends.
Lloyd pushes that thought to the back of his mind as he groans. He's wasting time with these stairs… The blond looks up at the railing attached to each set of stairs, taking a deep breath before jumping atop one of the rails. Lloyd continues to jump from rail to rail, his arms flare with protests, but it beats taking the stairs, so he keeps going.
When he finally gets to the top, all that awaits him is a door. All he has to do is open the door. Just open that door, Lloyd. The blond tells himself. Liv is on the other side, open it!
Lloyd throws open the door, pulling out his sword and holding it out in front of him. His blade slices through nothing but air, a eerie purple light pulses around the tower, and Lloyd sucks in a short breath, letting it out slowly before walking forwards.
"Back so soon?" Garmadon's voice echoes around the tower, coming from everywhere, and yet nowhere.
Lloyd doesn't answer.
"None of you ninja are any fun…" His father continues, and Lloyd whirls around, trying to find the source of his voice.
"It's not my job to entertain you." Lloyd bites, slowly walking around the tower.
"Ah, perhaps you're right," Garmadon sighs. "I guess your sister will suffice..."
Lloyd growls, "Show yourself!" He yells, there's a soft rustling from above him, and Lloyd looks up in time to see Liv jump down from a diamond shaped spire, landing in a ball of dark energy. Lloyd's eyes focus on Liv's blood red irises that seem to glow in the dark light of Borg Tower.
The blond points his sword at her, shaky with hesitance. Garmadon looks at the blade with amusement. He takes a step closer. "Go ahead." He says, smirking. "Do it, kill me. That's what you're here to do, right? To kill the monster?"
Lloyd's hands shake, but he doesn't lower his sword. "Liv is not a monster. You-"
" I'm the monster, yes I know." Garmadon laughs, a bitter, scarring sound that sounds nothing like his sister. "Where do you think your sister got it from? She is part Oni, after all...the apple doesn't fall far from the tree."
"Liv is nothing like you!" Lloyd screams, rage in his eyes. Garmadon takes another step closer, the tip of the blade pressing into Liv's chest.
Garmadon tilts his neck, the soft crack echoing in the silence of the tower. "Do it." He says, again.
Lloyd shakes with rage, he feels like a moth drawn to a flame. Lured by the fire lit by his father. "Come on, Green Ninja...kill me. Avenge your brothers that fell to save you." Tears stream down Lloyd's face as he scowls. His brothers are not dead. They're alive. Mystake said that they're alive. They have to be. Where are they?!
"You can't do it, can you?" Garmadon taunts, taking half a step closer, he doesn't even wince as the blade punctures Liv's black gi. "Because you're weak. You don't have the will to do what you must. The ninja would be ashamed to call you their leader, their brother."
Lloyd yells, tearing the blade away from Garmadon, slicing a thin line into Liv's gi. Garmadon smiles at the fire in Lloyd's eyes. "There we go." He says, lighting his fists with dark energy, forming them into two ridged blades. "Now, we fight."
Garmadon waste no time charging at the blond, and Lloyd rolls out of the way, blocking Garmadons fierce swings. Lloyd stands up, flipping over his father, bashing his head with the hilt of his blade. Garmadon stumbles, the dark energy blades wavering.
Lloyd charges again, a hand straying to the vengestone handcuffs. He swings his sword at his father, not aiming to harm him, only disarm. Garmadon has no other intentions besides killing him, a dark energy blade clipping his side. Lloyd grunts, staggering a bit as the sharp pain of the blade registers to him.
Something flickers in Garmadons eyes as he swings his blades at Lloyd. The blond can only hope that the ceremony has started. Lloyd ducks Garmadon's blades, bending down to sweep his legs out. His father hits the concrete hard, eyes rolling back. Lloyd takes the chance to get atop him.
Garmadon yells, writhing in Lloyd's grip as he swings his two blades. Lloyd pushes the sharp stabs of pain to the back of his mind, focusing on holding Liv down as he pulls the vengestone handcuffs from his pocket, Garmadon struggles again, but Lloyd holds firm as he attempts to handcuff his father.
The loud crackle of comm static gives them both pause. "Lloyd! Lloyd, It's an ambush! We're pinned! Hurry up!" Nya's panicked voice echoes in his ear, his father wastes no time breaking from Lloyd's hold.
His eyes flashing vivid purple, Garmadon's blast of dark energy slams into Lloyd's chest. Sending him flying over the edge of Borg Tower, the vengestone handcuffs landing a few feet away. Garmadon scowls at them as he kicks them away from Lloyd.
The blond grunts, his gloved hands gripping the ledge of the tower. Garmadon smiles at the display, bending down to look Lloyd in the eyes. "You fought valiantly, I'll give you that." He says, patronizing. "Too bad your brothers aren't here to watch me finally be rid of you."
Lloyd looks down briefly, his eyes going wide as he realizes how high he is. The blond screams as Garmadon brings his foot down on his hand. Lloyd screws his eyes shut, refusing to let go of the building's edge. His plan is slowly falling apart, but this is their only shot. If they lose today, they won't get another chance, this is all they have and they have to make it work...
"Lets see how long you can endure!" Garmadon snarls, digging his heel into Lloyds hand.
"I thought it was the fight that fuels you…" Lloyd groans, tears pricking his eyes. "Is this how you fight?!"
Garmadon seems to consider this, letting his foot slide away from Lloyd's hand ever so slowly. "Well," He says, slowly. "It would be a shame to waste your blood on the filthy sidewalks." He grabs Lloyd by the collar of his gi, holding the teen to his face. "I would much rather see your blood on my blade."
Garmadon throws Lloyd across the tower, watching him roll. He can feel Liv yelling in his mind, but his hold on her is too strong, he will not let her break free. Not this time. Lloyd wisely takes up a defensive position while Garmadon attacks with deadly offensive. The bond rolls, scoping up the vengestone handcuffs.
Garmadon almost laughs, he won't be so easily defeated. Something in his mind shifts as Lloyd lands a solid kick to his chest. Garmadon's hold on Liv wavers for the briefest of seconds before he's charging Lloyd again. The effects of the ceremony finally making itself known. He needs to wrap up this fight before he loses full control. Lloyd smiles, he hopes the others can endure with him.
"This isn't what your father wanted Ninjago to be!" He says, dodging an orb of dark energy. "He left his world to make a better place!" One of the blasts hits home, sending the teen back a few feet. "He fought to restore the balance!"
"Ninjago isn't built on balance!" Garmadon yells, disgusted with the word. "It's built on power!" He says, forming his dark energy blades and charging at Lloyd. "And controlled by he who possesses it!"
Lloyd stumbles to the ground, gasping. Garmadon raises his blades, and Lloyd sets his jaw. Spinning around and drawing a long gash on his cheek. His father stumbles away, and Lloyd backs up, his sword held defensively in front of him.
Garmadon presses a hand to his cheek, looking back at red blood that stains his stolen hands. He lets out a chuckle, wiping the blood on Liv's gi. "Now that's more like it."
"You're sick!" Lloyd yells, circling his father.
"And you're pathetic!" Garmadon retorts, swinging his blades at Lloyds throat. The blond ducks, blocking the blades with his own.
Lloyd ignores the comment, pushing down on Garmadons blades, looking him dead in the eye. "No matter what you've done, or what you've become," He says, determination in his eyes. "I still believe this isn't you! You can change!" Lloyd pants, almost desperately as he eyes his father.
"People don't change!" Garmadon shouts, twisting his swords from Lloyd's grasp and kicking the blond in the chest. "They only reveal who they really are!"
Lloyd stumbles away, leaning on his sword as he falls backwards. Garmadon puts his blades together before ripping them apart, sending out a pulse of dark energy. Lloyd trips, his feet meeting open air as the pulse pushes him back. Garmadon grabs his wrist, hurling him away from the building's edge and into an air conditioning unit. The blond yells as he collided with the hard metal, his eyes closing briefly.
Garmadon brings his blades down on Lloyd, and he barely has time to put up his own sword in defense. His father swings his dagger at Lloyd fiercely, and Lloyd closes his eyes. Holding his own sword over his head, his arms shaking as each hit rattles his bones.
Suddenly, a tear in the cloudy sky opened up.
Five large dregons shoot out from the portal, soaring through the inky sky.
A dregon roar splits the silent air of a stunned city.
Garmadons lips curl into a smirk while Lloyd dissolves into panic. His father wastes no time sending one last powerful strike at Lloyd's blade. The sword flies from his hands, careening over the side of Borg Tower.
"Lloyd! The guys are back!" Nya's voice rings in his commlink as Lloyd rolls away from Garmadon's blade. If only he could feel as happy as her. But his brother's return just sentenced his sister to death.
"Nya?" Tears slip from Lloyd's eyes as Kai's voice filters through the commlink. He never thought he'd hear him again. "Where are you? Do you need help?"
Lloyd ducks the orbs of dark energy aimed at his head as Nya tells Kai that they need backup at the temple of resurrection. Zane joins the conversation, telling Nya that he's on his way. The others break away to deal with the colossus, and Lloyd's heart sinks lower and lower with every roar of their dregons.
Garmadon manages to land a hit on Lloyd while the blond is distracted. He stands over Lloyd, his dark energy daggers pointed at the boy's throat. "Cloudy sky, top of Borg tower, dragon roar…" Garmadon ticks off the three details with a step closer to Lloyd. "Seem familiar?"
Lloyd refuses to answer, his head lowered to the ground. He ignores his brothers calling his name as tears stream down his face. "Look at me." Garmadon uses one of the daggers to tilt Lloyds head up. "I want to see the light leave your eyes as I kill you."
Lloyd's eyes cloud with tears, and he looks up to face his corrupted twin. "I'm so sorry." He chokes out, grabbing one of Garmadon's blades and twisting it away from him.
Lloyd closes his eyes as he plunges the ridged blade into Liv's side.
Garmadon chokes, looking down at his own blade in his side. "W-well…" He gasps, hands straying to remove the dagger. "Well d-done…"
Lloyd rushes to catch his sister, holding her to his chest as her eyes flicker. Red to green, red to green. Purple sparks dance around her, and Lloyd screams. All his heartbreak and pain in his voice as he yells into the night.
Liv's hazy eyes look up at him, she gasps, moving to pull the blade out. Lloyd stops her, she'll stay alive longer if it stays in. "I'm so sorry." He sobs, clutching her hand.
"N-not your fault." Liv gasps, squeezing Lloyd's hand. "You-you did what I would've d-done...you did what you had to in order to save the c-city."
"The city isn't worth you." Lloyd cries, tears clouding his vision.
"One life isn't worth thousands, Lloyd." Liv says, looking him in the eye. "I did this to Ninjago, n-now I have to pay for my m-mistakes."
"It wasn't your fault-"
"Yes it was, L-Lloyd." Liv says, almost desperately. "It was all my choice, and now I'm paying for t-them."
Lloyd lets out a cry, and Liv sits up, groaning as she tries to hug him. "This was not your fault Lloyd." She cries into his shoulder. "God, do not blame yourself for this, you hear me?"
Lloyd nods, if only for her sake. Liv shudders, her hand straying for the blade again. Lloyd grabs her hands, holding them in his. "I don't want to say goodbye!" Lloyd sobs, squeezing his sister's hand tightly. She looks away from him, her eyes glassy. "Hey, no no, look at me." Lloyd gently nudged Liv, and she looks back to him, her eyes unfocused.
"I don't want to say goodbye either." Liv's voice cracks as she cries, tears running down her cheeks as she fights to stay alive. "But I'll always be with you, Lloyd. Don't ever forget that."
"I'll never forget... I promise." Lloyd whispers.
"Then I'll see you later, little brother.." Liv gasps, rain falls from the cloudy sky, slow at first, then pouring harder. Drenching the two.
"I - I'll see you soon, big sis." Lloyd says, brushing a strand of wet hair from Liv's eyes. She shudders again, blood dripping from her mouth.
"I-I love you, Lloyd."
Lloyd looks away briefly, biting his lip hard enough to draw blood.
"I love you too, Liv."
Liv's eyes close, her breathing slowing down. Lloyd continues to hold her hand, the soft pulse in her hand keeping him together as he holds his dying sister. The ground shakes as the stone colossus crumbles to the ground, and Lloyd almost laughs as Liv chokes out a "Good riddance" before Nya's voice crackles in his ear. Lloyd reluctantly pulls a hand away from Liv to answer his commlink.
"Lloyd! Where are you?! Are you okay!?" She yells at him, and Lloyd can hear Liv chuckle wetly, her chest heaving as she hangs onto life.
"I'm at Borg tower, Nya I need you too-"
Lloyd doesn't get to finish that sentence as Harumi bursts through the door, looking out of breath from running up the endless stairwell to the roof of Borg tower. "Lloyd!" She shouts, running towards him into the rain.
"Harumi…" Lloyd breaths, still clutching Liv's hand. Harumi slides to her knees next to Liv, tears in her eyes as she stares at the blade in her side.
"Oh Liv…" Harumi whispers, taking one of her hands and giving it a squeeze. Liv tries to respond, but all that comes out is a heartbreaking gasp as she shudders again. Lloyd shushes her, letting go of Liv's hand to brush wet hair from her eyes. He refuses to let Liv die alone, but they should really try and get her out of this rain. Is it even safe to move her-?
Wait...rain…
Lloyd almost jumps for joy as a smile breaks across his face, he taps his comm, ordering anybody near Borg tower to come as soon as possible. Harumi looks up at him, quizzical, her hand still squeezing Liv's.
Lloyd ignores Harumi's questions as he shoots up, running towards the edge of the tower. "Over here!" He shouts before running back towards Liv. Harumi's questions once again fall on deaf ears as he picks up Liv, telling Harumi to grab her feet. Liv groans as the movement nodges the blade, and Lloyd breaths out an apology as the silhouette of a dregon approaches the tower.
"Lloyd what the heck is going on?!" Harumi shouts at him, and Lloyd looks at her, pointedly looking at the clouds as lightning flashes in the sky, followed by the crack of thunder and pouring rain.
The cloudy sky, the top of Borg tower, the dregon roar...all parts of his vision of the future.
He never saw any rain. And Harumi definitely wasn't there, either.
Ah, I know. Y'all probably hate me for this, and I definitely had making you guys cry in mind while writing this. But at least I didn't kill Liv.
Next chapter will be the last, so thanks and plans for what will happen next will be in the A/N at the end of that chapter.
Next time: Garmadon is finally where he belongs, the ninja have returned, Liv is in the hospital and realizes what was holding her back, and this wild adventure finally comes to a close.
GreenGirl~