"And you're certain that Prime returned?" A technician inside of the massive hangar bay for mechs asked one of the staff.
"He returned, but Invictus wasn't with him," The repairman responded, tapping away at a small pad in his hands, "He's likely in his quarters. Do you have business with him?"
"Something akin to that," The technician bowed his head, "Thank you."
The repairman blinked a few times, but then just went about his tasks. The technician stepped along inside of the facility, looking towards the six empty racks, knowing only one of them should have been filled. Red lights showed the racks that weren't ready to receive the mechs that he knew no longer existed.
The trip through the rather industrial and barren hallways of the compound was silent, only broken by the lack of the sound of footfalls on the floor. A simple wave of the man's hand caused the secured doors to open up. He moved past massive offices no longer in use, war rooms with no war to be planned in them, training rooms with no one that needed them anymore, and far, far more. The walk that he took eventually brought him into a room with six doors, with only one of them lit up. When the man arrived, he inhaled and then let a trickle of magic fall from his body, revealing the lack of footsteps as a massive tail, slithering across the ground.
"Prime?" Ophiod reached out, pressing a button to open the door, "We need to talk…"
The room that Ophiod expected would be tidy, immaculately clean, and relatively empty. Instead, the entire room was half destroyed. The bed covers had been ripped off and strewn about. The jumpsuits, normally hung up inside of the closet, had been ripped down from their hangers and strewn about. The entire contents of the closet had been emptied out, spilled over. The door to the connected bathroom was ajar, but from that Ophiod could tell that the soaps and such had been tipped over and spilled over the floor.
"Prime..?" Ophiod asked, somewhat skeptically as he entered.
"Ophiod!" The bathroom door opened up, revealing Prime. His jumpsuit was gone, replaced instead by what looked to be a dirtied white maintenance shirt and pants, "What brings you here?"
"...You were not at the base," Ophiod informed him, "I wanted to speak with you."
"Sure, sure, not here, though," Prime shook his head, stepping out of the room after a moment, "Come on, let's go somewhere we can talk."
Ophiod didn't say anything at first. Prime simply stepped out of the destroyed room, guiding Ophiod away from the door rather quickly. Ophiod only had time to glance back at the destroyed room for a moment before he was guided along the way. With his disguise still on, Prime led him off until the two had arrived at a stairwell. The security cameras, no longer watching them, allowed for Ophiod to follow Prime with his magic lowered, letting him focus on using his tail to awkwardly descend the stairs. Prime led the two of them along the stairs until they had descended into what felt as though they were deep, deep underground.
Prime led the two even deeper into the facility. The dust and sparse lighting of the hallway that Ophiod was guided down made him wonder what exactly the purpose of this place was. A quick scan of the signs revealed that this appeared to be some sort of shelter in the event of danger. Finally, Prime led them into a door that opened into a massive space, one that was currently mostly empty. Equipment of all sorts was arranged all around the place, but with disconnected wires, few lights, and a massive gap where marks had been scraped into the floor, Ophiod wasn't sure what the point of this place was.
"There, nobody will find us here," Prime moved to hop up onto a small table in front of a board. Before Ophiod turned, Prime pulled a few blueprints down form the table, "Now, what did you want to talk about?"
"...The last battle," Ophiod lowered his head, "I left before I could speak to you. I…"
Ophiod trailed off. The moment he mentioned the battle, Prime's smile had fallen. Ophiod felt a sudden wave of anger emanating from Prime, despite the fact that he hadn't even moved. Just losing his smile felt as though a weight had pressed down hard into the serpent.
"...You had your, partner, to take care of," Prime shook his head, "It's fine! You had to deal with him."
"Yes, but, you failed to contact me after that," Ophiod shook his head, "I… I left Skales with my mother. She, she'll be able to reverse whatever… whatever that scroll did…." Ophiod felt his chest tightening, "I.. I'm hiding from them right now, I suppose. I can't… I can't show my face to my mother. Not after… not after all of that. I…" Ophiod trailed off.
"I… I am sorry," Ophiod gulped, "This staff, the power, it is… it is incredible, but… but I hurt him, Prime. I cannot bring myself to fathom it now, and yet I must carry it with me. I needed to speak to one that would understand its power while I… while I lament over my foolishness in using it."
"Well, whatever it did, you were incredible," Prime grimaced, "You were really strong out there, Ophiod. I'm… I'm impressed you were able to… able to stop him."
"I suppose," Ophiod frowned, "But I am worried for you. You, saw the smoke as well, yes?"
"Yeah… yeah I saw something," Prime gripped his arm, "Or more like I felt it again."
"I… I wished to talk about that," Ophiod frowned, "I… I do not know what Oni was thinking, but it… it was because of that smoke that I hurt Mage. I caused it all to happen. What, what was he thinking?"
"He was just doing his job," Prime exhaled, "And he reminded us why we're really out there, fighting like that."
"Yes, this much I am aware of," Ophiod looked up at Prime, "But it is still my own actions that perpetuated that attack, and he did that without us thinking. If he is willing to hurt us to fulfill his goals with the Twins…"
"The Twins?" Prime narrowed his gaze, "This… this is about so much more than the Twins now, Ophiod. You saw him, didn't you?"
Prime leapt down from the table, the look in his eyes hardening. Ophiod watched as his fist crumpled up a page. The page shriveled up onto the floor, the letters 'KOTA' splayed across the small sliver that was still visible. Prime turned away form the table and began to pace around the room, his expression growing distant.
"Our enemies… they are helping him," Prime shook his head, "Him. You had to have seen it. I knew it from the start, but now… now he's shown it. Deep down, no matter what's happened, he's the Overlord. He's the embodiment of darkness, evil, vile incarnate! And yet… and yet they fought alongside him. They'll still fight alongside him. He's shown his true colors and we… we have to be the ones to stop him."
"Over only lost control because Mage was… hurt," Ophiod inhaled, his fist trembling, "I wasn't… I wasn't able to stop them. Again. Again and again all I have done is allow them to persist. But to say that Over was the only one that caused that incident was-"
Prime reached out and grabbed hold of Ophiod's shoulders. Ophiod found his words silenced, and in turn, his attention fully drawn into the grasp of Prime's thrall. The eyes that looked down at him were intense, powerful, filled with too many things for him to fully grasp. Prime's hand dug deep into his scales, holding him firm enough Ophiod wondered how much magic it would take to break his grasp.
"Ophiod… you haven't fought like have, you haven't…" Prime inhaled, a small chuckle falling from his lips, "You haven't seen just how hard it is to lose people. You almost lost Skales. It doesn't matter who fired the first shot, who started it. It only matters that… that you make sure the one that finishes it. You can't go and blame yourself. You have to focus on taking down the one that made this all happen. Do you hear me? Do you understand, Ophiod?"
Prime hissed out, "I've been through war. I've lived a life where I didn't know if every day I woke up I'd have to fight for my life or get to spend it with… with them. I'm telling you this as your friend, as your… as your best friend right now," Prime growled out, "Over… must be destroyed. Kill him. Rip his form every single world he's touched. And if someone tries to stop you, you treat them the same way, you hear me?"
The first feeling in Ophiod's gut was one of denial, of confusion and shock at Prime's words. And for a long moment, he found himself opening his lips to stop him. And then, the image of Skales, laying there on the ground, gasping for air to keep moving hit him. A wave of guilt hit him. A guilt that made Ophiod's body go cold. A gripping icy claw that made his breath falter. Ophiod had hurt Skales because he'd had to use the scroll. He'd had to use its power… because of...because of him.
"I… I see what you mean, Prime…" Ophiod inhaled, "Yes, I believe I do. I know what you are trying to tell me."
"Good… good, good, good," Prime let go of him, "I'm just looking out for you, Ophiod. Skales lived this time, but take it from me… you might not get lucky again. I don't want what happened to me, to happen to you. Got it?"
"Yes, Prime, I understand," Ophiod gripped his fist, "I… I will make sure that I remember that…" Ophiod lowered his head, "Over, must pay for what he has done to Skales."
"Exactly," Prime laughed, "Exactly. You're understanding now. Good…." Prime shook his head, "Have the Twins contacted you yet?"
"No, no they have not," Ophiod frowned, "I assume that they must have shown those interlopers the Iron Demise, then."
"Oh, they did… and that means they won't dare make any move right now," Prime smirked, "It means… it means we're free to rest right now. But soon, they're sure to try something. And when they do, we'll have to be there to stop them. Everything is about to get complicated, Ophiod…" Prime laughed, "In other words… I think we're getting close to the end of all of this."
Ophiod inhaled, "If that is the case, then we must be ready. I'll make sure that when the time comes that I'm ready to defeat them, just like you will be," Ophiod's eyes sparked to life with magic, "I'll make sure I'm ready to make sure they will never defy us again."
Prime smiled gently at him, "You don't have to put on an act for me right now. I know you're worried about Skales. Please… go to him, Ophiod. Don't… don't waste your chance."
Ophiod, hearing that, slowly let the mock anger fade from his shoulders. Instead, he seemed to slump forward, completely limp as he did. The two men shared a small look to one another, a look of mutual understanding, before the Viper slithered his way off, and in turn, hiding the guilt that he still carried in his shoulders and the fear of what he now had in his hands.
Above the waters of Stiix, a portal opened up. The deep gray skies and sea spray meant that those that saw it would quickly forget about it, living out the remainder of their lives in this backwater ocean city. Thus, none would be privy to the emergence of a ghost and a single shard of valuable, glowing golden sword as the two touched down on the docks of the city.
Why are we here? The sword asked Monty as he got his bearings, You weren't particularly clear about it.
"We're going to get some things here," Monty nodded, "And I'm checking in on Ronin. Figured he'd go and try to do something stupid if I didn't get in his way."
Well, I suppose that it will be some time before I am completed again, The sword responded to Monty, Then let us be on our way, before your allies miss you.
"I got the perfect excuse of being allowed to be gone for you," Monty shrugged, "Nothing I have to worry about."
And, what of traveling in worlds after we have witnessed that… behemoth?
"Well, if we run into it here or there, it makes no difference. So we don't have to worry," Monty groaned out, "So… might as well do what I want while I have the chance."
The sword was silent as Monty looked around. He'd appeared towards the front of Stiix, rather than where Ronin's shop and that makeshift house was. He scoffed at Harumi's shoddy coordinates and put his hands down in his ghostly pockets of his armor, walking across the massive boardwalks and into the city.
Thankfully, Stiix never changed, financial ruin or neglect not even making a dent in their attitude. Which was good for Monty, since it meant everyone there knew not to mess with him. Given that Monty also had his two massive hand cannons strapped to his hips, everyone there knew doubly not to mess with them. Ronin was the sharpshooter, but Monty was deadly at every other range. Meaning those who leaned up from their drinks or boxes to see where he was going only looked back down and sighed as they went back to their work.
"So… Sanctuary," Monty asked the sword as he rounded a massive ramshackle market stall, the gruff man inside grumbling at him, "Tell me more about it."
Ah, yes, I did say I would unlock my power to you, The sword paused in thought, Sanctuary is the ability that those who have proven themselves worthy to wield me are given access to. It is different for every user. I have had three in the past, the original and two others that came to claim me. Sanctuary was never the same for them, but always had the same effect.
"Victory, yeah I get that much," Monty sighed, "Go on, tell me more."
Sanctuary is the ability to control one's fate, by seeing into that which would disturb it, The sword explained to him, My first master was able to see the outcome of every action that he could take, and decide which action to take. The second was able to take hold of fate and shatter it. And the third…. The third only achieved a partial sanctuary, essentially part of the power that you can use now.
Monty shrugged, thinking on that topic for a minute as he rounded a small cluster of men ganging up on a sailor. Monty walked on past it for a moment, only for one of the men to turn and hold up a knife at him. Monty gave him a long glance, then moved past him. As they turned back to harassing the sailor for something or another, Monty sighed and pressed his left foot down. A gust of wind shot up under the board, causing the other end to launch up and throw one man into the air. Monty rounded the corner as the man came down and landed on the rest of his goons. The sailor ran off before they could recover.
"Cool, so being able to change the future, got it," Monty rolled his eyes, "Pretty standard. But pretty powerful. Seems like something that's good to use. Why can't I use it now?"
Because I can't just give you power, that is something you have to draw out, The sword responded as the shadow of an overhanging balcony covered it, And that is something that takes time and training.
"Don't have the first, don't care for the second," Monty shrugged, "Find another way."
I don't know any other ways. I can't say that we will achieve perfect Sanctuary, but even an imperfect form would be enough for what you want, The sword countered, You want to win battles, yes? Then listen to me, and I will help you win every battle. That is my promise to you.
"Well then make sure you keep that promise," Monty yawned, putting his hands behind his head to prop it up, "I'll get Ronin in on this then. He'd love to come at me with an aeroblade or something. Not that I'd be against that either."
Neither of the two continued their conversation. Monty rounded a few more corners, then emerged to the boardwalks that led out to Ronin's shop, right on the edge of Stiix. The shop was the same damp, smelly and shady place that he'd always called home. He saw nothing on the outside that looked out of place, sans the fact the waves had managed to reach up towards the bottom of the pier. Monty just rolled his eyes and strolled along his way. He took a moment to look at the makeshift house across from the shop that the others had stayed in. That moment felt so far away now, even if it was only a few weeks ago. Time had become so malleable when he wasn't conforming to just one time stream. Still, he only cared for the creaking door into the shop itself.
"Yo! Ronin!" Monty called out, looking around the room as he did, "I got something for you. Come out here before I shoot something!"
When Monty took the room in, he paused. The entire shop, was empty. The walls and floor were completely intact and clean, which was what stood out the most. He could see the walls. All of the random junk and weapons Ronin had for sale were completely gone. The counter had nothing on it. Monty looked around the room, searching for something. Anything.
"...Huh," Monty frowned, "That's not right. That's not right at all."
I do not know much about your friend, but this place seems abandoned, The sword responded, Are you certain this is your home?
"Yeah, I know where I live," Monty got down on his knees, reaching out to grip the floorboards. He pulled it up, expecting to see a safe under the floorboards. Instead, he found nothing. In fact, there wasn't anything under the floorboards at all. There was nothing there.
Monty stood up again, this time silent. He checked behind the counter, expecting to find Ronin's hidden guns. Nothing. He looked behind the walls, seeing a lack of anything valuable. He couldn't find anything at all. He soon found his way into the hallway that led back to the rooms.
Monty's own room was still half torn up from the fight with Wu and his ninjas, with only the slapdash repairs present. The cape wardrobe was still there, and Monty checked to see his capes were still there. His hidden guns were still all around the room as well, replaced after that fight. Even his bed was still there.
What are you looking for? The sword asked him.
"If this place was robbed, there'd be more damages," Monty frowned, "And if someone did rob this place, they only robbed the front room. But there's no way they'd have been able to carry that safe. So… something happened here…"
That was when Monty made his way to Ronin's room. The moment he arrived, he saw straight into it through the broken door. Calmly, Monty pushed the door open and stepped inside. The entire room was completely destroyed. Several holes had been ripped out of the wall across from the door, causing the ocean breeze to filter into the room. Ronin's bed was completely destroyed. All of the furniture was either destroyed or had massive chunks taken out of it. There were slash marks all throughout the floors and through the broken chunks of wood, telling Monty that there was some battle that had taken place here.
"Someone attacked the shop…" Monty looked across the slashes, "...Nobody in Stiix uses swords like this. At least, nobody that'd want Ronin dead. This is the only room that has any damage to it…."
Perhaps one of the others came to attack? The sword offered.
"If Prime had come here, this building wouldn't be standing," Monty shook his head, "And Ophiod doesn't seem like the type to do this… if it was any of them, it'd have to be Oni. But… why would he come and attack this place?"
I do not know, my only guess would be his obsession with me… but I do not see how attacking Ronin would help him procure me, The sword paused, Surely he would know you would not respond to kidnapping.
"Ronin and I have procedures about this," Monty used wind to lift up the broken bed and check for evidence, "If one of us is kidnapped, we don't go after each other. We track them and lay a trap for them instead. That whole 'give me the treasure or she dies' bit won't work on us."
Monty threw the broken bed aside. In turn, he saw that a small trapdoor had been opened up. He looked down, seeing the entrance into the storage closet, and more importantly, to the trapdoor below that led to where they stored REX underwater. Only that trap door wasn't open.
"...It looks like someone ambushed Ronin and he tried to escape…" Monty paused, "Doesn't explain why the shop was empty though. Or the safe was gone. It couldn't just be robbers, they'd have tried searching my room too. People in Stiix know to hide things under the floorboards."
Monty leapt down through the trapdoor. He landed amongst the various bits of clutter in the storage closet. He got down on his knees, then lowered his head through the trapdoor in the closet. He was several feet above the ocean. When he looked down, he expected to see nothing. Instead, he saw a shadow under the waves. A shadow of REX.
"...He didn't take REX," Monty pulled his head back up from the floor, "...Okay. So, someone attacked him and he got out without using REX. But for some reason he took the safe and emptied out the store and…" Monty shook his head, "This doesn't make any sense!"
I concur, The sword agreed, Perhaps we should search for him ourselves?
Monty exited the closet and walked out through the main shop out onto the pier. He raised his hands to his mouth, then blew out the simple three notes. His wind carried the whistle down into the waves. After a moment, the water under the shop lit up, and from it, REX slowly emerged from the waves. Water cascaded off of its sides, the armor along its sides retracting to show the cargo hold. Inside of it was none other than the safe, and nothing else. As soon as Monty saw that, his eyes narrowed.
"...Yeah," Monty walked over to the opening cockpit of REX, hoping inside and down into the chair, "Let's." With a tip of his shoulders, Monty phased into a possessed REX. A few moments later, and the two turned, flying off into the distance of Ninjago.
"Mhm," Garmadon nodded his head.
"...Mhm?" Lulloyd blinked, leaning forward, "A-After all that I just told you, t-the only response you have is… mhm?!"
"Yes, son, Mhm!" Garmadon grunted, "As in, 'Mhm, I'm trying to figure out the situation that I was just told and I have a lot of things on my mind right now so you should let your father figure out how to properly respond, Mhm!'"
"Oh… uh, sorry, dad," Lulloyd looked away.
"Don't be," Garmadon gripped his warlord staff, standing up with it, "I only learned that one from your mother."
Lulloyd stood up alongside his father, following him out of the small room inside of the volcano. The moment the two exited the small tea room, they were met with a catwalk over a massive vehicle bay. All around them, machines were being repaired and outfitted for battle. Shark Army staff were running about in every direction to try to chase them, some even leaping up to cling to them as they were carried on conveyor belts. More than one of them fell into the ocean water below and frantically swam towards the nearest ladder.
"What's, all this?" Lulloyd asked.
"Well, ever since that last skirmish, I've given the order for my forces to bulk up!" Garmadon grinned, "Like, we're getting all of the forces. All of them."
"Uh… right," Lulloyd blinked, "Is, there a reason?"
"Son, a standing army is always something worth having," Garmadon grinned, "Even if you don't intend to use it. Being able to throw countless waves of soldiers at your enemy, watching as their defenses crumble when they thought you were helpless, oh it's the best feeling out there."
"I, kinda get that feeling when I ace a test?" Lulloyd smiled back.
"Nowhere near the same, but I'll pretend they are," Garmadon put his arm around Lulloyd, "Oh, that reminds me, your mother said you've missed basically this entire school thing. You didn't hear it from me, but you might be getting homeschooled over the summer."
"Yeah… I kinda wish I was in school sometimes," Lulloyd grimaced, "Though, sometimes I forget that I even am…. heh."
"School's a new thing, wasn't around when I was there. Pssht, like, if I wanted to learn math, I learned real math, the math that requires you learn it quickly or you fall!" Garmadon laughed, "Maybe I should teach you some of that stuff too, eh?"
"Uh… maybe let's just keep our lessons to, the warlord stuff!" Lulloyd raised his hands, "I-I mean I don't want to spread you thin! I-I mean, I want your entire fatherly lessons on that stuff, y-you know?"
"Hrmm… that's a good point, that's good. I'll remember that," Garmadon sagely lowered his head, "See, you're already advancing your advisory skills!" Lulloyd blinked, choosing to laugh at that line. Garmadon, seeing that, gave a bit of an awkward laugh himself. Garmadon's piercing cackle and Lulloyd's awkward chirps filled the space, drawing the attention of some of the staff.
"HEY!" Garmadon suddenly gripped the railing, leaning over and pointing his staff at one of the ships, "Don't think I don't see you putting that fin on backwards!" The technician rotated his body to see the fins on the hammerhead dropships on backwards, "If I find ONE of my warships incorrectly built, I'll use YOU in the next one!" The man quickly scampered up in terror, rushing to try to replace it. His foot slipped, sending him falling off into the water below.
"Ugh, be very careful who you hire, Lulloyd, quality always comes down to the smallest pieces of the siege machine," Garmadon turned to Lulloyd, "And uh… you're, alright son, right?"
"Alright?" Lulloyd blinked, "Like… what do you mean?"
"I mean…" Garmadon held his hands up, "Last time you came back with some massive story like that, you were a little…" Garmadon rotated his hands, "You know, all… emotionally compromised! And… as your father and commander, you shouldn't, if you are feeling those things, I'm here to-"
"I'm… okay this time, dad," Lulloyd reached out and gently took hold of his father's lower shoulders, "I… I'm not gonna lie and say that I'm not… r-really scared but… b-but I know my enemy this time and… I can take it now. I-I won't break down again. I'm… I'm going to be strong this time," Lulloyd smiled at him, "And… knowing I have you, helps me do that."
"Oh… oh! Oh, good, good," Garmadon grumbled out, turning his head away with a sheepish glance, "Heh, just as well! You can rely on your old man to come and help you with these things. You can always rely on me, General Number Son!" Garmadon grinned. Lulloyd rolled his eyes, but continued to smile at his father.
"That, being said and all," Lulloyd lowered his hands, "I-I'm not sure how we're supposed to do, anything against this thing." Lulloyd sighed, "I-It is… really scary, dad."
"Fear is natural, son," Garmadon stepped forward to gently nudge Lulloyd along the catwalk, "Anyone who tells you they don't feel fear, they're just stupid. Really dumb and stupid. Fear is what makes you able to respond to danger the way you do. I mean, look at how you've channeled your fear into how you fight!"
"Uh… yeah… wait, were you doing all that stuff on purpose?" Lulloyd blinked.
"Point is, you make sure you hold onto that fear, but you don't let it make you stop fighting," Garmadon continued, "Make sure you don't forget that. Fight with it, not against it. Once you do, not even those cheater Twins can stop you… except for all those times before, but we don't talk about that."
"Yeah, uhm, thanks dad," Lulloyd smiled, "So, uhm, I kinda wanted to tell the others I was alright and… kinda explain the situation since it does, concern them?"
"Huh? Oh, right, right. The ninja… oh, your partner isn't here right now," Garmadon shook his head, "Something about a play date she had to make it too. Told her that if you stopped by I'd-"
"Here," Lulloyd produced four letter tiles, each one with a red seal on them, "I uhm… w-wrote her letters? When I had the time, I mean. I uhm, meant to send them to you guys but since… since I actually am here, I want you to uhm, make sure she gets them. Okay..?"
"I'll make sure she does," Garmadon took them, "Nothing beats a good letter. Especially being read among the flames of war. But then they burn up before you can read them! Haha!" Seeing Lulloyd wasn't laughing at his joke, Garmadon frowned, "Uh… I'll handle these."
Lulloyd reached a ladder and gripped it, sliding down it and landing firmly on the next catwalk. Garmadon followed after him, the two making their way off into a hallway. Soon enough, they had traveled down that hallway as well, landing themselves in the middle of a large door with massive black bricks and letters inscribed in trans neon-orange spelling out "G & M." Lulloyd looked over at his father, who just grinned at him. From behind the door were noises of exertion.
When Garmadon opened one of the doors, making a sound more like moving a mountain, the two stepped inside of the master bedroom. The room was more like some sort of temple than an actual bedroom, with the bed itself on the far end of the room raised up past several steps with lava studs flowing through rivets down the stairs and pooling into a small arena. The walls were lined with swords, pictures and various knick knacks that Lulloyd couldn't make out. Over the bed was a massive brick-built depiction of Lady Iron Dragon herself, a katana held up against her head, and above that Garmadon's visage that loomed over the ceiling. The bed had a few normal looking nightstands beside it, illuminating it in soft yellow light.
In the middle of the small arena was none other than Coco, holding two katanas out to her sides with several 2x5 pillars stacked together in a thick set of rows. Coco grunted and launched herself forward, shouting as he slashed her body as fast as she could. The source of Lulloyd's natural speed cut away at the pillars over and over again, blurring the lines of Coco's body. When she finally leapt away, the pillars first turned to 1x2 bricks, then shattered apart. Coco then smirked and walked forward to casually build them. It was only when she saw the light of the hallway reflecting on one of them that she turned to see them and gasped.
"Lloyd!" Coco dropped her weapons and raced over, wrapping her arms around her son. Lulloyd smiled warmly, reaching out to slowly wrap his arms around her in turn.
"Hey mom, hey," Lulloyd held onto her, "I'm… I came to say that I was okay and… a-and to check on your guys."
"Us? We've been worried about you!" Coco gasped out, holding Lulloyd at arm's length, "Your father was worried sick! I was worried sick!"
"I came home the first moment I could," Lulloyd grimaced, "I uhm… it's been… rough. I-I uhm. See…"
"We can go over the details later, right now I want to make sure you're really okay!" Coco sighed out, "Sorry, sorry, I don't mean to crowd you, I just…. Oh you're back!" Coco hugged him all over again, "Mhmh! Sorry, you're gonna have to deal with your mom tonight."
"I was looking forward to it," Lulloyd smiled, "And… e-everything is okay here?"
"Nothing out of the ordinary that I can see," Coco blinked, "Why?"
"It's… uhm, nothing, I wanted to be sure that… nevermind," Lulloyd rotated his head, "Let's… let's just get to catch up a little, guys."
Coco nodded, "I'll go make snacks! You too, Garmy, family time!"
"You know I can never say no to anything you make, my dear war dragon," Garmadon smirked.
Lulloyd let that comment go, instead letting himself get dragged off to go and spend time with his parents. The three made their way deeper into the volcano, for a brief moment escaping the fear of their new enemy to indulge in the family that the three had worked together to create.
"Is… is what you are saying true, Lloyd?" Master Wu asked with a concerned tone.
"Yes, Master," Lloyd lowered his head, "The Twins… they were using Prime and Ophiod as a distraction this entire time. They… they tricked us, again."
Master Wu lowered his cup of tea, suddenly having no stomach to drink. Lloyd knew that he didn't need to even have a picture to prove what he was saying. Just the fear in his tone todl Wu all he had to know. The older man tried to find the words to comfort his student, but at the moment he had none. None that wouldn't come off as meaningless fluff to his student.
"I… I knew it," Master Wu raised his head, "I took some time to look into the Spirit Smoke after you departed, Lloyd. I… I saw a grave danger that was beyond anything that we had ever faced. I had hoped that, perhaps, it was a lie. Yet-"
"The Spirit Smoke doesn't lie, I remember the ninja telling me that," Lloyd shook his head, "The ninja said you used it when I unleashed Slithera, right? If it could tell that…"
"Lloyd," Master Wu looked up, trying to find the words to say. After a moment, though, he couldn't figure out what to tell him.
"...Master Wu…" Lloyd gripped his robes, "I… I failed you. I said that I would stop them. We had a plan. We… we were going to bring them to us and… and then it all went wrong. Oni used the smoke and we started seeing horrible things, and Ophiod stabbed Mage, and then… and then Over…" Lloyd took a deep breath, "We even managed to get the Twins to us but… but they had already finished the Iron Demise. We… we lost before we even had a chance to fight them."
"I… I don't know what to say, Lloyd," Master Wu closed his eyes, "It is my own grievous error there that let them run free. If I had been more prudent in ensuring they never could return from the Time Vortex, they wouldn't have had that chance to create that thing. If it is as monstrous as you say…"
"Then we've already lost," Lloyd shuddered, "The Twins… they've won."
"That's not true!"
Lloyd and Wu both perked up, just in time to see the sliding door to the meditation room slide open. Kai and Jay both tumbled out from behind it, having pressed up against it. Behind them stood Cole, Nya and Zane. Lloyd turned around to face them even as Kai pushed himself upright using Jay's squirming face.
"Kai?" Wu blinked, "Were you listening?"
"Yeah, and we can't give up yet!" Kai pressed even harder on Jay, "Yeah, you did let them escape, Master, but that doesn't matter!"
"Owh! Get off get off get off!" Jay spat, throwing Kai off with a shove of his body. Kai tumbled onto the floor as Jay hopped upright, "Uh… yeah, what Kai said!"
"We haven't lost yet!" Cole punched his fists together, "Even, though we haven't done much."
"I agree," Nya stepped forward, "Lloyd, just because this looks bleak, it doesn't mean that the Twins have won."
"We have faced them before and won, even after a supposed defeat," Zane informed them, "And therefore, we can do it again."
"But… but you guys didn't see it!" Lloyd stood up, "The Iron Demise is… it's huge. The Iron Doom is piloting it! The thing is so huge they have to use the Iron Doom to even control it!"
"So?" Cole grinned, "The bigger they are, the harder they fall!"
"Yeah!" Kai pumped his fist up from the ground, "We stopped them before, let's do it again!"
"But… but how?" Lloyd gripped his fists, "How do we stop something like that? We can't even beat the guys they've been using to keep us busy."
"That just means you have to try something else!" Jay nodded, "That's what we always do, right? We come up with new plans whenever one fails!"
"My pupils," Wu took his staff and pressed it into the floor, "Are you all committed to helping Lloyd with his quest?"
"Of course we are!" Kai hopped up to his feet, "When have we ever not been up for helping Lloyd?"
"We are prepared to do anything in order to help Lloyd," Zane nodded, "We have always been willing to, and now is no exception."
"You name it, we'll do it," Nya affirmed, taking Lloyd's hand, "Ninjago is our home too. And even if we don't really understand everyone else you've been fighting with, they all care about their homes just like you do. We're all ready to fight for our homes, whatever it takes."
"You guys…" Lloyd shook his head, "I-I… I'm sorry, I'm just… I'm a little shaken up right now."
"Don't worry about it, buddy," Jay reached out and leaned on Lloyd's shoulder, "We're a team, remember? You haven't been around your new friends so long you forgot that already, have you?"
"What? No!" Lloyd blinked, "I would never forget about you guys!"
"Then let us lend you our strength, whatever it may be," Zane informed him.
Lloyd looked around. Cole and Kai quickly joined the others, circling Lloyd with their support. Lloyd felt a well of emotion run up through his throat, a burst of relief after a terrifying encounter. And through it, he found himself gaining his confidence again. He raised his fist and gripped it with a small smile slowly gracing his lips.
"Then… then we can't give up just yet!" Lloyd nodded, "We'll find a way to fight those Twins, no matter what!"
"My students," Master Wu stepped forward, placing his hand on Lloyd's shoulder, "Seeing this reminds me of why I chose to become a teacher in the first place. You are truly the finest examples of ninja I have ever seen. Lloyd, know that you have my support all the same. Even when the light is at its bleakest, we will stand to fight for it."
"Yes, Master!" Lloyd nodded, "We have to stand together for it."
"Then I task you with completing what you set out to do, Lloyd," Wu reached forward and gripped Lloyd's shoulder, "If you are to fight, you must gather your allies. Go back to your friends. You must rally them behind your strength, and lead them to victory," Wu nodded, "And when you have need of us, we will be here for you."
"I will, Master," Lloyd nodded, then turned to look at his friends, "If things don't work out in the Time Tribe, I'll bring everyone here. I can count on your guys for that, yes?"
"You got it," Jay nodded, "Uh… what Time Tribe?"
"One of the tribes that the one who called himself Mage comes from," Zane pointed out, "He mentioned it the last time he was here."
"Oh, right," Jay rubbed his neck, "Sorry, there's just so much to keep straight!"
"Trust me, there is," Lloyd looked down to his watch, "I'm going to go check on the others then. I'll be back guys, I promise."
"Don't keep us waiting forever!" Nya nodded, "We want to fight with you guys, not just on the sidelines!"
"Once we can make a plan, I'll be sure that you guys are apart of it," Lloyd informed them, "And… Master Wu?"
"Yes, Lloyd?" Wu asked him.
"Thank you," Lloyd smiled, "For not thinking that I… I failed."
"You did not fail, Lloyd, I let my emotions get the best of me for a moment," Wu closed his eyes, "You have never failed me, Lloyd. It is why, even if this threat is great, I have faith that you will find a way to overcome it. And we will lend our strength to whatever plan you decide upon."
"Thanks, guys," Lloyd smiled, "Well… before I go, do you guys have anything to eat? The Time Tribe doesn't really have, modern day cooking."
"You tell us more about the Time Tribe and we'll make dinner," Kai pointed at himself, "I've been meaning to try out a new recipe!"
"Yeah, Kai is actually a really good cook," Jay nodded, "He started cooking once we moved into the Monastery again and it's been sweet!"
"Hey! I cooked for Nya for years before Wu found us and Zane started doing it!" Kai protested, "Don't count me out that easily!"
"Then get cooking so we can eat!" Nya nodded, "Lloyd's friends can wait a minute for him to get back. It's time he spends some time with us again."
As the others filtered out of the room, Lloyd paused. Wu, seeing this, stopped. Lloyd reached down slowly towards his hip, his hand pausing as he did. He looked towards Wu for another moment, then he nodded his head.
"We will be there in a moment!" Wu called to the ninja, then turned back to Wu, "What is it, Lloyd?"
"Master… I haven't had a chance to even think about this yet, but…" Lloyd paused, "When, Monty fought Oni, he stole something from him. Something that… Monty insisted that I keep."
Lloyd pulled something out of his robes. As soon as Wu saw it, his gaze hardened. Lloyd held the Mask of Hatred in his hands. The deep purple on its surface shone up at the two of them, a deep ocean of emotions and history that neither of them could deny.
"And, what do you plan to do with this, Lloyd?" Wu asked quietly.
"I don't know, but, I don't want the others to… to know," Lloyd gripped the mask, "I know what this thing is. Mystake she… she wanted me that it's made of dark magic. If I use this then… then…" Lloyd inhaled again, "Master, even if the others are optimistic, the team I have is falling apart. We have been for awhile. Now… now we have to fight something like that. What happens if… I have to put this on?"
"I assume you show me this knowing full well what I would say," Wu asked, and after Lloyd nodded he reached out to put his hand on the young boy's shoulder, "Lloyd, there are times where even the righteous are forced to do things they do not agree with. But you must ask yourself if the time you think to use it is indeed one of last resort."
"You, aren't telling me to just destroy it?" Lloyd blinked.
"I have used things that are far more corrupt than that mask," Wu shook his head, "I used something that was far worse on a friend that I… that I led down the path she took. Yet at the time I could see no recourse…" Wu raised his head, "I know that you have a pure heart, Lloyd. Know that however you chose to use that mask, even if you decide to destroy it the moment you leave for your fight again, I have faith you will do so justly."
"T...Thank you, Master," Lloyd smiled, tucking the mask back under his robes, "I… I think we should go and join the others now."
Wu had no protests. The two absconded to the game room while Zane left with Kai to start prepping the kitchen. Even if the looming darkness of a world-ending threat was bearing down on Lloyd, for the first time in a long time, he felt a breath of fresh air that left him feel as though, for even just this one moment, there was hope.
"Mage," Krux' knocked on Mage's door, "You should come with me."
A moment later, Mage opened the door. The boy had traded out his golden robes, once more, for the black and gray colored robes of the Time Tribe. They were cut to lay close to his frame, tightened down to his hips and accentuating his form. He wore several small sashes across his body, sporting the colors of both of the rulers of the tribe.
"Why?" Mage groaned out, "I was trying to rest from training."
"Because he's waking up," Krux' frowned, "Your friend."
Mage's eyes widened, then hardened. A moment later, he followed Krux' as he guided him through the halls of the palace. An urgency gripped Mage, as though if he didn't get to the room faster enough, he would lose his chance. Krux' hurried along, but for a far different reason. The two walked through the palace of the Time Tribe quickly, passing guards that looked at them with stoic gazes, not knowing what both were feeling with the news they were given.
The two soon arrived at the door that led to the room Over lay within. There were several guards at the entrance, and Mage gave Krux' a small glare. Krux' didn't acknowledge it, instead pointing towards the door and nodding to Mage.
"If he goes berserk again, then it is up to you to subdue him," Krux' sighed, "But, from the looks of it, he is himself."
Mage didn't bother with another word. Instead, he stepped forward into the room. He looked back at Krux', then closed the door. He kept his eyes shut for a long moment, then reached behind him and shut the door.
The room was as barren as when he'd first found it. Standing beside the bed was Over. The man's hair was unkempt and stuck to the back of his head, but the rest of his body was normal. The same simple carapace that he always had. The same arms. The same eyes, purple and without pupils, all of it not a single thing out of place. Even now, his posture was impeccable as he stood up and turned to look at him.
"Mage…?" Over blinked in shock, "You survived?"
"Yeah, I did," Mage gripped his fists, "...It looks like you're finally awake."