It takes two
Chapter 27
What a wild ride (lets never do it again)
PrincePacman47: Aw! Thank you! I'm so glad you've enjoyed this story, it means a lot since this is my first fanfic. And I will be writing a second story taking place in season 12, but once again, that will be explained in the A/N at the end of this chapter.
Gosh guys, this is it. This is the last chapter of It takes two...thanks and plans for what will happen when this is over will be in the A/N at the end of this chapter, the A/N is...kinda long, but please read through it to know the plans for the future. But for now I just want to say thank you to everyone whose taken the time to read this, and I hope you all enjoy the final chapter of It takes two.
The waiting room in the hospital is quiet (Save for the rain's soft pitter-patter), and cold. But that's fine, really. Quiet is just what Lloyd needs right now. Although he could do without the cold.
Lloyd sighs, pulling his knees to his chest and resting his head, it's been a crazy couple of hours. His brothers arrived at Borg Tower not long after they got his message, and resisting the urge to gawk at them because holy heck they're alive! Lloyd told them to get Liv to a hospital, and that's what they did. And the minute they flew off on their admittedly cool dregons, he just knew she was going to be okay. Even if it took a while.
Lloyd smiles as Kai takes a seat next to him, a styrofoam cup in his hands. "Hey." He says, taking a sip of what Lloyd can only assume is the watery hospital coffee.
"Hey." Lloyd says, turning his head to look at Kai. "What a crazy couple of weeks, huh?"
"Pff, tell me about it." Kai laughs, shaking his head. "What happened with you guys?"
The blond sighs again, sitting up. "Oh nothing, had to hide all over the city to avoid the SoGs, teamed up with the other elemental masters, Harumi swapped sides, broke into Borg Tower, and then the temple of resurrection." He says, smiling at all the memories from the last few weeks. He shifts in his seat, his gaze lingering on Harumi where she's asleep in the chair next to him. He's surprised Kai hasn't said anything yet. "What about you guys? How was your vacation to the first realm?"
"It was not a vacation!" Kai scoffs. Lloyd shushes him, gesturing to the rest of their team scattered around the waiting room sleeping. "It was not a vacation…" Kai whispers. "We were running all over the first realm, got captured by these weird people who hunt dragons, used as bait to lure said dragons, and then ran around some more looking for some dragon armour for Wu."
"I dunno…" Lloyd humms, resting his head in his lap. "Sounds more relaxing than being stuck in a war torn city being hunted by crazy bikers and a psychopath dad who possessed your sister."
Kai gives an awkward huffing sort of laugh, taking another sip of coffee. "We'll have to exchange stories sometime." He says, eyeing Liv's hospital room.
Lloyd nods, enjoying the calm of the waiting room. "I really missed you guys…" He says, softly.
"We missed you, too." Kai sighs, wrapping an arm around Lloyd's shoulders. "We had no idea what happened to you and Nya after we got stuck in the first realm...I was really worried about you, green machine. You really scared us all for a moment.."
Lloyd looks away, chewing his lip. "I guess I never apologized for running off like that.." He sighs, his gaze drifting over to his sisters' hospital room, listening to the soft beep of the monitor. Sure running off to face her alone was...probably not the best idea, but if he was given a chance to redo that moment in his life, he wouldn't change a thing.
"It's fine, you did what you had to do." Kai shrugs, finishing off his watery coffee. "But if you ever almost get yourself killed again-"
Lloyd swats his shoulder, laughing. "Don't worry, Kai. I'll be sure to give you a heads-up next time I decide to run off on potentially life-threatening solo missions."
Kai stifles a laugh, ruffling Lloyds hair. "You better not, or I'll sic your sister on you."
"You wouldn't!" Lloyd gasps, worming his way out of Kai's grip, fixing his hair.
"I would, don't test me." Kai laughs, placing the styrofoam cup on the small table next to them.
The two fall into silence, Lloyd leans on Kai's shoulder and the brunette squeezes his shoulder. Lloyd sighs, looking around at his friends. Most of which he thought he'd never see again. The rest of his team is pretty much dead to the world, they'd all crashed not long after they were finished crying over each other. Even Zane and Pixal were out cold. His mom and Wu stayed with the rest of the Resistance, locking up the rest of the Sons of Garmadon.
It's surreal, seeing his brothers when he's convinced himself he'd never see them again, when he watched the colossus crush them… They might not be perfectly fine, the bags under their eyes have bags, and their gi's are torn and dirty, but they seem okay for the most part. Lloyd's just happy they're here. And not dead. Although he's never going to let them live this down, he can already imagine it.
"Hey, Cole. You wouldn't mind if I skipped training today? Oh, no? That's okay...remember the time you guys disappear for almost a month? Leaving me and Nya to fend for ourselves against a giant stone monster and an evil biker gang out to kill us?"
Of course he might consider letting them off the hook if they let him ride Firstborne...it's been awhile since he rode a real dragon. A loud snore pulls Lloyd from his thoughts, and he tilts his head to look at Kai. The blond smiles, watching Kai's chest rise and fall in one gentle motion. Good, he thinks. He looks like he hasn't gotten a good night's rest in days. He probably hasn't, none of them have.
Lloyd would go to sleep, too. But he's over his need for some quiet time, and the silence is eating at him. He can still feel the weight of the blade in his hands, the motion as he slices it through his sister...the doctors told him that she was going to be okay, that Liv was going to make a full recovery, and that the only evidence of the wound would be the scar it left behind...but something tells him that it's not that simple...Lloyd needs to see Liv walking and smiling to be sure that she's really okay...but right now she's asleep, hadn't woken up since the surgery. Good, she needs the rest, too.
Although Liv told him not to feel guilty, Lloyd can't help but feel that way. He did exactly what he swore not to, and it's only because of Harumi that destiny was changed. He'll have to thank her for coming. It's crazy, really. How the slightest detail can change a person's life...
The blond turns to look at Harumi, careful not to jostle Kai's arm resting on his shoulder. He runs a hand absentmindedly through her hair, fingering the pale strands. It's funny to think that when this all started, he didn't even though he had a sister. Now Lloyd can't imagine how he ever lived without her.
Liv, and Harumi…
Harumi is strange to him, they went from friends, to enemies, to partners, to friends, and now...what are they? He wasn't lying earlier when he said that he forgives her, he's had a lot of time to think about it. About her...and about them. And Lloyd wants to leave the past behind, he wants to start over with her...but does she want the same? Sure they were apart of the Resistance, they sparred together, they've talked and had some arguments, but has she forgiven him? Has Harumi forgiven him for what happened to her parents?
Does she want to be more than friends?
Lloyd doesn't know, he'll have to...ask her. Maybe the guys can help him out? What would happen next? That's the true question. Because while Lloyd hates to admit it, Harumi killed the emperor and empress of Ninjago. She was responsible for their deaths and the destruction of the palace...the public isn't just going to let that go…
The soft beat of the monitor fills the waiting room, and Lloyd grunts as he stands, gently slipping out from under Kai's arm and untangling his fingers from Harumi's white hair. His feet tap quietly on the marble floor, silently walking towards the window peering into Liv's hospital room. His eyes wander over to the clock sitting on the wall. 5:23a.m. Visiting hours ended a while ago, but there was no way he and his friends were going to leave, so they crashed in the waiting room across from Liv's room in still soaking wet gi's. Which probably wasn't the best idea, but it's not like they've got anywhere to go, the bounty was crushed after all.
Lloyd stares through the window peering into Liv's hospital room, watching the slow rise and fall of her chest, listening to the steady beep of the monitor. She looks so calm, way more relaxed than he's ever seen her.
The early shift will be coming soon, and visiting hours don't resume until nine o'clock. However, Lloyd is a highly trained ninja, and he recently snuck into Borg Tower, which is located in the center of the city and was guarded by crazy bikers and stole (Is it really stealing if you took it from a thief?) The two most guarded items in said tower, so he can sneak into a hospital room no problem.
He looks back and fourth down the hall before heading towards the door. His hand hesitates on the knob, fingers grazing the cold metal. Lloyd sighs, pushing down the last couple of hours and tugging the door open.
The room is dark, save for the gentle light emitted from the monitor. He pulls up the chair from the wall, pulling it up to Liv's bed. Lloyd swallows the lump in his throat, eyeing the I.V. tube run down her arm and disappear into her hand. A small blood bag sits next to the I.V, slowly dripping down another tube. The hospital sheet covers up the bandages around Liv's waist.
Lloyd's fingers graze Liv's hand hesitantly before he takes it in his, making sure to keep his touch as gentle as possible. She stirs a bit before settling, letting out a long sigh. He considers talking to her with their twin telepathy, but decides against it. She needs the rest.
"Hope you're doing alright in there." He says, softly. "The guys are back, and they're really excited to see you awake. Especially Jay." The rain slows down a bit, and the sky slowly shifts to a lighter shade of blue as the sun begins to rise. "I'm going to try and work things out with Harumi, too."
A particular loud yawn escapes him, and Lloyd clamps a hand over his mouth, glancing around the room. "I know you probably want me to go to sleep, huh?" The beep of the monitor is the only answer he gets. "I'll see you in the morning then…" Lloyd sighs, standing up and stretching. "Bye, sis." He tip-toes from the room, closing the door quietly and turning around, only to run into one of the early shift workers.
"Oh, uh, hi..?" Lloyd says, shifting awkwardly at being caught.
"Visiting hours aren't until nine." The employee says, folding his arms.
"I-I know, It's just...she's my sister, and I, um…" Lloyd sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. "Wanted to see her."
The employee smiles, his expression softening. "Don't worry about it, I'll let it slide this once." He says, patting Lloyd's shoulder.
The blond cracks a smile as the employee heads down the hall and into another patient's room. Lloyd walks back to the waiting room, sparing the clock on the wall a glance. 5:49a.m. He settles back into his seat between Harumi and Kai, pulling his knee's back up to his chest and resting his head. Harumi's head tilts to the side, leaning on his shoulder.
Lloyd smiles, shifting a bit before sighing in content. He slowly wraps his arm around her, letting the soft beep of machines lull him to sleep.
Gentle light peaks through the windows of the waiting room. Soft voices filter through Harumi's head, and she sighs, blinking tiredly. "Aw, aren't they so cute?" Someone coo's, followed by muffled laughter.
The white haired girl sighs, about to sit up when movement at her side stops her. Harumi shifts to look at Lloyd, knees pulled to his chest and snoring softly. She realizes with a start that her head is resting on his shoulder, and his arm is wrapped around her.
"Well, well, well, look who's finally up." Nya says, smiling at Harumi.
"Mmm." Harumi humms, warmth floods her cheeks as she sits up, stretching out her legs. "What's up…?"
"Oh nothing much, just waiting for you two to get up." Nya says, her hands entwined with Jay's. "Visiting hours started a few hours ago, we were waiting for you."
Harumi nods, rubbing sleep from her eyes. "Oh, uh sorry." She says, eyeing the clock on the wall. 11:38a.m. She rubs her eyes again, slipping out from under Lloyd's arm and walking over to the small coffee table. Grabbing one of the styrofoam cups and pouring herself a some coffee. The waiting room is oddly quiet as she pours her coffee, ripping open a pack of sugar and dumping it into her cup.
She takes a sip of the coffee, wincing at the watery taste. Hospital coffee was never that good. Harumi takes another sip anyways, letting the drink wake her up. "Okay, um, let's go see Liv." That seems to break the spell over the group, and they all sit up, racing towards the door. Kai hangs back as the others head towards Liv's room. He shakes Lloyd's shoulder, and the blond shoots up.
"What's going on?" Lloyd asks, sitting up and stretching.
Laughter echoes from Liv's room, and Kai jerks his thumb at the door. "They're finally letting us see her, so get your butt up and come on!" The fire ninja says, dragging Lloyd to his feet.
"Oh...oh!" Lloyd perks up, already looking more awake.
Kai smiles, patting Lloyd's shoulder as the two walk towards Liv's hospital room. Harumi chuckles, taking another sip of watery coffee and following the two. She feels weird with the ninja back. She wonders what they think of her...after all, they didn't really end on good terms.
"Aw, aren't they so cute?"
Harumi's cheeks heat at the memory. Her, and Lloyd? Cute? She sighs, leaning against the wall. Sure Lloyd said he forgave her, but did he really forgive her, or was that just something he said in the moment? What would the others think? Harumi wants to try and patch up her relationship with Lloyd, she wants to try and be more than friends. She'll have to talk to him sometime.
Laughter filters through Liv's hospital room, and Harumi smiles as she pushes open the door. The ninja are all gathered around Liv's hospital bed, smiling brighter than the sun. The blond girl looks exhausted, no doubt from her time in her mind prison, but she smiles just as brightly as Jay clings to her, looking like he's on the verge of tears. The blond girl hugs the blue ninja tightly, whispering something into his ear. Lloyd sits in a chair next to her bed, Zane and Pixal sitting in two chairs near the window, talking and laughing. Kai and Nya sit at the end of the bed, Cole in a chair next to Lloyd.
"Harumi!" Liv says in delight, shaking out of Jay's grip and waving the white haired girl over.
Harumi sort of freezes, slowly shuffling over towards Liv. Nya grabs her arm as she walks past, whispering hastily. "Me and Pixal talked with the guys this morning, they forgive you." She says, low enough for only her to hear.
"Thanks, Nya." Harumi whispers back.
"No problem." The water ninja says, smiling as she pushes Harumi forwards.
Harumi smiles, the grin only growing as she approaches Liv. The blond girl grins, grunting as she sits up to pull Harumi into a hug. "It's so good to see you!" Liv says, pulling back to look the white haired girl over. "I really missed you."
Harumi smiles at her friend. "I missed you too." She says. "How are you doing? Are you okay?"
Liv's smile falters as she shifts, her hand straying to her side. "Yeah, I'm doing okay." She sighs, staring out the window. "Can't wait to get out of here, though."
"You've been in here less than a day." Cole interjects. He gets a hospital pillow to the face for his troubles.
"Shut up, Cole." Liv huffs, folding her arms. "Weren't you guys dead like...a day ago?"
"Yeah, well, It didn't stick." Kai says, yelping as Nya shoves him.
Harumi laughs, leaning against the wall next to Jay. "Okay, okay, you guys need to spill." Nya exhales on the end of a giggle. "What happened while you were in the first realm?"
She gets four simultaneous groans for an answer. The hospital room explodes with laughter, Liv clutching her side as she cackles. Harumi leans back on the wall as the ninja begin telling them about their time in the realm of Oni and Dragons. "Okay, so we woke up on this beach right…"
"How much longer do I have to stay here?"
"You can go at the end of the week, it's a stab wound. And the blade was very rigid. We have to make sure that no pieces of the knife broke off."
Liv sighs, dramatically flopping back on her hospital bed. Lloyd winces as she immediately doubles over, clutching her side. Harumi and Lloyd get up from their seats near the window while the doctor tsks.
"You're going to tear the stiches…" The doctor chastises, shaking her head.
"Please listen to her, Liv. If you tear the stitches then you'll have to stay longer." Lloyd sighs, placing a hand on Liv's shoulder.
"Yeah, save us all another heart attack and don't tear the stitches." Harumi says, and Liv huffs.
"You guys are supposed to be on my side." Liv says, glaring at the two. The doctor laughs, patting her back.
"Listen to them, they've got the right idea." She says, checking Liv's stitches before wrapping a fresh roll of bandages around her waist. Lloyd winces at the rigid scar. "You're all welcome to stay as long as you need, and we're working on getting you all access passes."
"You mean no more visiting hours?" Lloyd asks, sitting next to Liv on her bed.
"Yes, no more visiting hours. You can see your sister whenever you'd like." The doctor says, smiling as Lloyd grins, wrapping an arm around Liv. "Well, if there's anything you need, just press that button over there and I'll be right with you." And with that, she walks away, smiling at the three teens before closing the door to fill in the other ninja in the waiting room.
Liv sighs as the doctor leaves, rubbing the bandage around her waist. "Does it hurt?" Lloyd asks, softly.
"Huh? What, no…" Liv says, absentmindedly wrapping her arms protectively around her waist. Lloyd looks away, guilt flashing in his eyes. Harumi looks between the two, running a hand through her hair. "Hey, stop it." The blond girl sighs. "I told you not to feel guilty because it wasn't your fault, Lloyd. So stop looking like that."
"Liv, you don't understand…" Lloyd sighs, digging his palms into his eyes. "I stabbed you...I stabbed my sister…"
Liv is quiet, pushing back the memory of Borg Tower...the pure panic when she couldn't get out of her own head. The way her father cackled in her head as he battled Lloyd...the acceptance she felt when he twisted that blade away from her father. Then the sorrow in Lloyd's eyes and the pain that flared in her side. The pain that still lingers in her side. The voice that still rings in her head, even though Nya assured her over and over that the ritual was completed. It's trauma, Liv knows that. But of course she's not going to tell anyone that. It'll only freak them out, and it's not him. It's not her father in her head anymore. It's just her. And the scars he left...
She doesn't blame Lloyd, though. She has no right to blame him, after all, it was all her choices that led to that moment. It was all her fault, and she hates that Lloyd and the others had to pay for it. She doesn't even blame Harumi, even though it was her that put the idea in Liv's head. Liv still chose to go along with it.
"I almost killed you when we brought back dad. And in Kryptarium." Liv says, quietly.
"Liv-"
"Do you blame me for that?" Liv continues, glaring at the wall. "Do you blame me for all the stupid shit I did? For hiding from you...betraying you...hurting you, fighting you..."
"Liv that's not the same, you were forced-" Lloyd begins, placing a hand on Liv's shoulder.
The blond girl whirls on him, throwing his arm off her. "I was forced to betray you? I was forced to resurrect dad? I was forced to spend the better part of my life in hiding because I was a coward?!"
Harumi flinches as Liv yells. The blond girl stands up, walking towards the window. Staring out at the city. "If you can forgive me for all that horrible stuff I did - whether I was under the influence of dad or not - then you can forgive yourself too, Lloyd." Liv sighs, her gaze fixed on Ninjago city. "Same goes for you, Harumi. I forgive both of you, now you need to forgive yourselves."
Lloyd and Harumi look at each other. "And for FSMs sake forgive each other and kiss already." Liv adds, smirking out the window as Lloyd chucks a pillow at her. She easily avoids it, obviously.
"That's not funny, Liv." Harumi laughs, shaking her head.
"Oh? I know it's not, but that's what makes it funnier." Liv retorts, she grins as she turns away from the window. "And I specifically remember you talking about how sweet and funny and how you'd be so lucky to end up with him." This time Harumi chucks a pillow at her, and Liv's not so lucky as it smacks her in the face.
Harumi's cheeks flush as she remembers when she told Liv that. When they were looking for the last Oni temple... "Oh? So i'm funny huh?" Lloyd smirks, and Liv laughs, while Harumi's cheeks just darken.
"I take it back…" Harumi says, rolling her eyes fondly.
"I'm sweet, huh?"
"Oh fsm I take it back!"
The three double over with laughter, Liv leaning against the rails on her hospital bed. "What else do you think, Harumi." Lloyd says between breaths, wiping a tear from his eyes.
"I think you're both jerks." Harumi says, trying to cover up her laughter with a scoff.
"I know there's a compliment in there somewhere and I'll take it!" Lloyd almost shouts, shaking with barely restrained laughter.
"You jerk."
"There it is!"
Liv falls on the floor, full out cackling. Lloyd and Harumi burst into a fit of laughter at the sight. The three of them soon succumb to their laughter, each giggle only fueling the fire of their joy. The pain in her side has nothing to do with her stab wound, and more with the fact that she's currently dying of laughter. Liv can't remember the last time she laughed this hard, especially with Lloyd and Harumi.
She's glad, though. Liv's grateful for every moment she has with them - with all of them. She's going to make it up to the city, she's going to make sure Harumi and Lloyd go on that first real date (Because they will make it up to each other, so help her, Liv knows those two were made for one another, they just don't know it yet, or maybe they do and are just too shy or whatever). She's going to make sure every day is like this one, not stuck in a hospital because she got stabbed, no. Laughter and blissful joy and smiles and jokes and teasing...that's how Liv wants to live her life, that's what she wants the rest of her life to be like. She knows it's asking for a lot, they are ninja after all, trouble is always waiting around the corner...but Liv doesn't care. She's spent too long thinking about the 'what if's' and 'maybe's.' She's spent too long limiting and fearing herself and her powers. She's taking her life into her own hands, she's going to live it to the fullest, and she's going to make everyday count. Live in the moment and leave the past where it belongs.
Something warm floods her as she closes her eyes, the warmth bubbles up in her chest, sparking lightly in her hands. The warmth spreads throughout her soul, touching all the darkness of her mind and heart and unlocking something inside her. When she opens her eyes, she's greeted with the sight of light purple sparks dancing in her hands. Lloyd smiles at her, and Liv smiles back, playing with the sparks in her hands.
Her father was wrong, after all. Lloyd wasn't the one who held her back. It was him, and the fear that he put inside of her. Because her powers aren't bad, they're not something to fear. They can be beautiful, and good. Her father was wrong, beauty can be born anywhere...even in darkness.
Harumi's laughter slows down, if only the slightest as she stands up, leaning against the wall and wiping her eyes. "I don't know If I should kiss you, or shove you off a bridge." She laughs, the room goes silent, and Liv slowly gets up from the floor to sit on her hospital bed, grinning. Harumi's sentence seems to register to her, and the white haired girl sputters while Lloyd stares at her, wide eyed, then-
"...Can I pick?"
Liv sits up straight at that, and Harumi turns to face Lloyd. The blond runs a hand through his hair, his cheeks flushed. Liv looks between the two, watching to see if either of them will make a move. For a moment, the room is silent, Lloyd and Harumi just staring at each other.
Lloyd looks to her, and Liv nods towards Harumi. You have to make the first move. He nods, taking a slow step forward. When Harumi doesn't say anything, he takes another step. Liv's smart enough not to intervene with this, but the suspense is eating at her.
Lloyd and Harumi are close, their noses almost brushing. "Do you forgive me?" Harumi says, softly. Her eyes bouncing around Lloyd's face, searching for an answer in his scarlet eyes.
"I do." Lloyd chuckles, and Harumi smiles. "Do you forgive me?"
"I do."
Liv's smile is so wide it hurts, Lloyd leans in, and Harumi all but melts into him. Their lips dance back and forth to a song that only plays for them, Harumi wraps her arms around Lloyd's neck, and his hands snake around her waist, pulling her closer. Green sparks shimmer around the two, glistening in the sunlight that filters through the window.
When the two pull apart, Lloyds cheeks are as red as Kai's gi. Harumi laughs, pulling him into a hug. Liv smiles, glad that they finally had that first kiss. Even if it did take a little prompting. Now if she can just set up a date...
The blond girl claps, cheering and cooing the two. Lloyd and Harumi pull away from each other, both glaring at her.
"You jerk." Lloyd says, though he's smiling.
"I'll take that as a compliment." Liv smirks, throwing his words back at him.
"You're both disasters." Harumi sighs, shaking her head.
"Since when are we not?" Liv retorts, standing up and walking towards the door.
"Speak for yourself…" Lloyd mumbles, and Harumi and Liv both pointedly look at him. The blond relents, throwing up his hands and following Harumi and Liv out the door.
Harumi reaches for his hand, and he takes it. Their fingers entwined as they walk down the hall, Liv smirking behind them. The ninja are spread out around the waiting room, they smile when the three of them come into view.
"Just another week and you're free to go, huh?" Jay says, getting up from his seat next to Nya and throwing an arm around Livs shoulder. "Excited?"
"Very." Liv sighs, staring longingly out the window. She eyes the group of Ninja sitting in the waiting room, and frowns. "You know you guys don't have to stay here, right? I do have an apartment."
"Just wanna make sure you're okay, that's all." Jay says, tugging her into a seat.
"But we might just take you up on that offer." Cole huffs, leaning back in his chair. Liv smiles before nodding towards Harumi and Lloyd, sitting next to each other.
Cole's eyes widen, but he keeps his mouth shut. No one says anything about the pair, yet. Liv knows darn well that the guys will pester Lloyd later, same with Nya. The group laughs and talks, just enjoying each other's company as the hours tick by.
Liv eventually convinces the others to go and stay at her apartment. But they'll have to go find a way to get in without the key because apparently that thing is long gone. Got lost during their crazy adventure. But they're ninjas, surely if Lloyd can break into Borg tower while it was overrun with deranged bikers, they can break into an apartment.
Of course, Lloyd's not going to leave Liv alone. He just got her back. Plus, he's sure the others can finish their plan without him, and Harumi went with the others, too. To see how the others would react around her without Lloyd, hopefully Nya and Pixal keep them in line if things go south.
Liv and Lloyd sit together on her hospital bed, the sounds of the TV nothing but background noise. "So…" Lloyd starts, turning to look at Liv. "Did you unlock it?"
Liv smiles, holding out her hand. Light purple sparks dance around her fingers, forming a miniature, lavender dragon. Lloyd holds out his own hand. And a small emerald dragon joins Liv's light purple one. He takes notice that her powers are lighter than before, a lighter shade of purple than before.
"I see you got your powers back, too." Liv says, smiling at the sight of emerald in Lloyd's eyes.
"Yeah…" Lloyd breathes, letting the small dragon dissipate. "How'd you unlock it? Your true potential?"
Liv takes a breath, blowing it out slowly as she gathers her thoughts. "I just...realized that all the things I did in my life, it had something to do with dad. One way or another, he always had some sort of power over me. Manipulating me..." Liv says, her gaze distant. "And then I just...let him go. I let the past go." She pauses, turning to face her twin. "What about you? How'd you get your powers back?"
"Harumi, I think…" he says, slowly. "I'm not really sure, I just...felt like I was missing something, I thought it was the guys, or you, then I realized it was her."
"That's so sappy and adorable." Liv smiles, wrapping an arm around Lloyd.
The blond shoved her playfully. "I'm glad you're okay." He says, and Liv sighs, leaning her head on his shoulder. Their light mood tampered.
"Mmm. Me too." She says, closing her eyes. Lloyd smiles at her, squeezing his twin's shoulder. Liv wraps her arms around her waist, and Lloyd sighs, shifting a bit before settling.
The sounds of the TV filter and out of his head, slowly becoming softer and softer. Soon the two are asleep, the only sounds in the room being the late night commercials and the beep of the monitor.
Lloyd's especially excited when the end of the week rolled around. He even seems more excited than Liv.
Liv all but ran from the hospital the minute they gave the all clear, sprinting from the building and over to Lloyd, who was waiting just outside the doors. "You ready to go?" He says, throwing an arm around Liv's shoulder.
"Absolutely," Liv breathes, waving to the hospital as she and Lloyd walk down the street towards her apartment. She looks over at Lloyd, taking notice of the wide smile plastered to his face. "What's got you so happy?"
Lloyd looks at her, his smiling seeming to grow. "You'll see." Is all he says.
Liv sighs as she walks, looking around the city. It looks much better than it did a week ago, people shuffle through the streets, talking with other citizens or helping out with fixing up the city. She's glad that Ninjago city is getting back on its feet, and hopefully one day, this will just be another obstacle they've overcome.
The walk to her apartment is silent, not that Liv minds. The sounds of the city are enough to fill the quiet. Lloyd's smile only seems to grow as they approach her apartment complex, and Liv sighs.
She hasn't been to her apartment since this all started, she didn't even have her key. Lloyd pushes open the door to the lobby, following after her up the stairs and towards her apartment. Liv takes the steps two at a time, smiling as she approaches the second floor. They stop in front of the door where it all started. The numbers 2287 bolted into it.
Faint music echoes from just beyond the wall, and Liv turns around to look at Lloyd, who motions for her to open the door. Liv huffs, knocking on the door. Which is weird, because it's her house. But nevertheless, she did lose the key.
"Surprise!"
Liv screams as the door swings open, and Lloyd laughs, dragging her inside. Liv gapes as she enters her apartment, her mother, Wu, Skylor, Ronin, The ninja, Harumi, Mystake, the elemental masters, all standing in her small apartment.
So this is why Lloyd was so happy.
Liv looks around, her smiling growing as she looks from face to face. "Guys, what the heck?" She laughs stepping farther into her home.
"You just got out of the hospital, right?" Zane says, his hand entwined with Pixals.
"We're throwing you a party!" Jay shouts, poking his head out among the crowd.
Liv smiles, a hand over her mouth. "Guys," She says, leaning back on Lloyd. "You didn't have to do all this for me-"
"Nonsense." Mystake says, pushing her way towards Liv. "You helped save Ninjago, it's only fitting we celebrate."
Liv smiles, and the elderly woman pats her shoulder. "And the real parties on the roof!" Kai huffs, already dragging Skylor towards the door.
"Wait, what's on the roof-?" Liv's question falls on death ears as Lloyd covers her eyes, leading her out of the apartment and up a set of stairs.
She can hear the others laughing and talking somewhere behind her as she stumbles up the stairs. Lloyd keeps his hands firmly over her eyes, and Liv huffs as her foot catches on a step. Lloyd laughs, tugging her up the stairs.
They stop all of a sudden, probably at the door to the roof. The creak of metal echoes in the hall as cold air nips at her cheeks. Lloyd laughs, uncovering Liv's eyes. The blond girl blinks, her eyes adjusting to the light as she stares.
"This is the real party." Lloyd says, the smile in his voice as he gestures around the roof.
Liv can only stare, the roof looks amazing! Four picnic tables spread out, a canopy over a large table with food and drinks, a welcome back banner attached to that. A bean bag toss is set up in the corner along with a speaker system. With lavender and green streamers and table toppers to top it off.
Lloyd smiles as Liv turns around. Without warning she launches herself at him, her arms wrapped tightly around him in a fierce hug. Lloyd clings back to her, burying his head in her shoulder.
"This is amazing…" She whispers.
"It's what you deserve." Lloyd says, pulling away to wrap an arm around her shoulder. "Now come on, wanna kick Kai's butt in bean bag toss?"
Liv smiles, as Lloyd drags her all over. Introducing her to the elemental masters. They drag Kai and Nya away from Jay and Skylor, claiming that they have to prove who the superior sibling duo is. which, in hindsight, got way too competitive when the other elemental masters started choosing sides and placing bets.
But hey, they really did have to prove who was the superior sibling duo.
The ninja and elemental masters all sat together at one of the picnic tables, the setting sun painting the sky a brilliant array of reds and oranges. Liv smiles, watching the others laugh and talk.
Lloyd and her won the bean bag toss, obviously. Kai's still shooting her dirty looks, but oh well. He'll just have to get better, then.
A tap on her shoulder pulls Liv away from the conversation, and she turns to smile at her mother. "Do you mind if I borrow them for a second?" Misako asks, gesturing towards her kids.
"No go ahead," Nya says, shooing the twins away. "Be back soon, there's ice cream coming out in a bit."
Lloyd and Liv get up from the table, following Misako towards the edge of the roof overlooking the streets below. "What's up, mom?" Lloyd says, an arm over Liv's shoulders.
Misako hesitates, fiddling with her long greying hair. "I...you kids have grown so much…" She starts, looking at her two kids. Liv and Lloyd walk up next to her, hugging their mother tightly. "All I wanted was for you two to be happy, but I made it worse by separating you." Tears soak the twins' clothes as Misako hugs them.
Liv tightens her grip around Misako, burying her head in her shoulder. She's not going to say her mother is wrong, per say. Because maybe this all could've been avoided if she hadn't separated them, but at the same time, look at how much she gained?
She gained Harumi, one of her best friends. She finally got over her past with her father, she finally let him go and accepted herself and unlocked her true potential.
In a way, these past few months, her mother separating her and Lloyd, might've been the best thing that happened to her. It made Liv who she is today, it's made her strong and passionate. It's helped her see past the masks that people wear, to read between the lines and see what others don't. To see the best in people.
"It's alright, mom." Lloyd says, softly. "We weren't ever going to be a happy family with dad."
Liv smothers a coughing sort of laugh, while Misako pulls away to turn a scolding look on Lloyd before shaking her head and pulling her twins back into a hug. "But I still should've never separated you two, I-"
Liv shakes her head, pulling away from Misako. "Mom, listen to me," She says, firmly. "Everything that's happened to us, has happened for a reason. And whether we like those reasons or not, it doesn't matter." She looks at her twin and mother, taking their hands. "Everything that's happened has made us strong, every wall meant to stop us, we rose above. Everything destiny threw at us, we threw it right back." Lloyd smiles at her, and her mother's eyes shine with tears of pride. "Because we are strong. Our destinies demanded us to walk through hell, and we walked as if we owned the place."
Liv sighs, squeezing Misako and Lloyd's hands tighter. "Point being," She says, blowing hair out of her face. "Why does it matter as long as we're together now? We've got everything we could ask for right here. And I for one, am ready to let the past die, so we can live."
Lloyd nods, and Misako wipes tears from her eyes. She grabs three drinks from the refreshments table, filling them up one by one with lemonade. She hands them to her twins, smiling. "To letting the past die, so we can live." Misako says, holding up her cup.
The twins laugh, holding up their own drinks. "Here here!" Liv chuckles as the three clink their drinks together.
While the Garmadon family may never be totally happy, or totally together, that's okay. They don't need to be. Liv has everything she could ever want right here on this roof. Her brothers. Her sister. Her friends. Her uncle. Her mother. Her twin. They are all she wants, and they're all she needs. She's done looking for a family like them in other people, in her father...she's never going to get it. And that's okay.
Harumi walks up to the three, smiling softly. "I'll leave you guys alone." Misako says, walking back over towards Wu and Ronin.
Lloyd smiles at Harumi, and the white haired girl takes his hand in hers. "What happens now?" She asks, looking up at Lloyd.
The two blonds look at each other, Lloyd downing the rest of his drink. "Honestly, Rumi, I dunno…" He sighs, squeezing Harumi's hand.
"I'm fine as long as we're not planning on going on another wild ride, maybe take a break from saving the city for the tenth time." Liv laughs, taking a sip of her drink.
"A break sounds good." Harumi sighs, leaning on Lloyd's left shoulder. "But knowing your luck, you'll probably be fighting another big bad within the next week."
"Shh! You're gonna jinx it!" Liv says, slapping Harumi playfully on the shoulder.
The three of them laugh, falling quiet after a while. Liv sighs, leaning on Lloyd's right shoulder. The blond huffs, looking down at Lv. "I'm not a pillow." He says, trying to sound annoyed, but the smile is in his voice.
"You are now." Liv retorts, making a point of burying her head in his shoulder.
"No, I'm not."
"Shhh, just accept your fate, pillow ninja." Harumi interjets, smiling at Lloyd's indignant sputter.
He eventually relents, accepting his fate as the pillow ninja. The three of them are quiet, staring out over Ninjago city. Liv smiles as the sun dips lower, turning the reds to dark blues. The lights in homes and buildings that weren't destroyed flicker to life, and the smile on Liv's face only grows as she imagines the family that lives inside each and every structure. She doesn't know what the future holds, she doesn't know what else Destiny will throw at them, and she has no idea what's going to happen next.
But as long as her family's by her side, well, she doesn't really care.
That's it everyone! We've finally reached the end! I can't express how fun it was to write this story, and how much I loved seeing everyone's reviews and support. I want to thank each and everyone who took the time to read this story, it truly means the world to me. But, don't be sad because it's over, be happy because it happened.
A special thanks to PrincePacman47, for your continued reviews and support. I smile everytime I see your reviews, and like I said, your suggestions have been taken into account. And the scene with Misako apologizing to her twins was inspired by you and the review you left for chapter 20. Go check out PrincePacman's three part story, The tournament of elements! It's amazing!
Quick p.s. before I get into the plans for what happens next, Liv's powers turning a lighter shade of purple (from a dark violet to a light lavender), represents the acceptance of her powers, and her realizing that they can be beautiful and good instead of dark and destructive.
Now, I have decided that this story will actually continue in part two of this adventure: Play to win!
Because most of you guys want more of the Garmadon twins. The second part of their adventure will take place in season 12, and just to make things clear, season 10 and 11 did not happen, I repeat, seasons 10 and 11 did not happen! Play to win will focus mainly on Jay and Liv.
And lastly, I will be doing three (3) chapters of epilogue. Which will include: a further in depth explanation on what happened to Garmadon and Nya helping Liv cope, Harumi facing justice for destroying the palace and causing the death of the emperor and empress, and a moment between Liv and Jay that will set the stage for Play to win.
Guys...I really am grateful for all the support I've gotten for this fic. So thank you, all of you. And if you all liked this story, check out my other fanfic called A package deal!
Thank you all again, and until next time,
GreenGirl~