So I guess I'm updating once a week now.

Review replies:

Aurro: Oh come on, I even proofread that chapter. :/ Sorry I missed it. Also, thank you, and I hope you have a good time too!

KitKat: He's a bit confused.

Ebony: It's not the Preeminent. Well, indirectly, it kinda is.

MNM: I know dude and I'm sorry. I just need to get this story over with because it's dragging on and on. I'll probably write the actual scene in a oneshot, that's what those are for after all.

Marblebird: Ayyy birthday buddies!

"We can't trust Kai anymore." Kai A's head jerked up at the sound of his name, looking around in surprise. "Not since he became a ghost."

"But I'm a ghost, and you trust me." Kai followed the voices around the corner, hanging back so he wasn't spotted.

"That's different. You weren't turned by the Preeminent." It was Jay and Cole – his Jay and Cole, speaking in hushed voices as they stood in the narrow hallway. "He's… he's different." Jay whispered, lowering his voice further. "I've seen the way he looks at us. He's changed. I see murder in his eyes."

"You're right." Cole agreed. "But what are we going to do? We can't let him know we're onto him, but what if he attacks us?"

"I don't know. I'll talk to Lloyd about it, maybe we can catch him by surprise and we can lock him up before he gets the chance." Cole nodded, and the two turned and walked off down the hall. Kai could only stare after them, too stunned to speak. His… his own brothers… didn't trust him? He didn't want to hurt them, he was the same Kai! Why did they think of him like that? He wanted to storm after them, demand to know what was going on, but he couldn't… couldn't move, his feet were frozen to the ground. All he could do was wonder.

Why?

Kai walked across the bridge leading out of Stiix, eyes narrowed and hands clenched tight into fists. What he had told Lloyd was true, he had no love for the Preeminent. But maybe he would be more welcome with her than with those who claimed to be his family.

He didn't understand why, but almost all of his former allies had turned against him. After overhearing that conversation, he had begun to notice everything that confirmed what he had been told – that he was no longer trusted. He saw the fake smiles, the forced laughter, the way they looked at him. Even his own mother looked at him with contempt, because of what he was. The only one who didn't hate him – or hid it better – was Lloyd. Not even his Lloyd, but the one from the other world.

That's why he deserved the apology for what Kai was about to do.

The fire ninja kept walking until he walked in the shadow of the Preeminent, feeling her eyes and thousands of others upon him. He must be close enough now for her to read his mind.

"Indeed you are." Kai jumped at the voice, stopping and looking up in surprise. The Preeminent had halted her approach, and her subjects no longer swarmed around here.

"Then you know why I'm here." He said loudly, staring up at her.

"I do. Your family has turned against you." A tentacle slithered over to him, and he stepped away, uneasy. "But I never abandon those who are loyal to me."

"Then I want to join you!" Kai stepped closer, straightening up. "But I have one condition."

"You want me to spare the green ninja." Of course, she already knew.

"…yes. He's the only one who still trusts me." And by doing this, he was betraying that trust. He really owed him.

"Very well. I will spare Lloyd." Kai let out a breath of relief. "But he will have to live under my rule regardless when I stamp out the resistance."

"Maybe he'll join you too when he realizes there's no point." He knew that was impossible, though, even as he said it. Lloyd would never, ever stop fighting for what he thought was right.

"Perhaps. Now come." The tentacle wrapped around him gently, and he was lifted up, up, up, until he was level with the Preeminent's huge eye. "Tell my Queen exactly how the ninja plan to defend their last stand." Even higher he rose, until he was placed on top of the orb that made up most of the Preeminent's body. When he was released, he struggled a bit to find his footing, then looked around in search of the Preeminent's 'Queen'.

It didn't take long to find the ghost woman, watching from about ten feet away with a delicate crown balanced on top of her head and a satisfied smirk on her face.

Reena.

TheDarknessReturn

The Preeminent's progress was off.

While, according to the Zanes, she was moving at the same speed that she had been the previous night, she was about two miles farther away than she should be. That could only mean that she must have stopped during the night, but none of those on watch last night had reported seeing her do so. Then again, she moved so slowly and was so big that it was hard to see her progress.

After all, Lloyd mused, watching through the window as a soft rain fell on Stiix, it didn't make much difference. All it meant was that she would arrive a bit later, and light was no issue as she and all her subjects glowed. Still, it seemed odd. She didn't need to stop and rest, did she? Morro 2 said she didn't, he would probably know. So why…?

It was probably pointless for him to be mulling over it like this, the real reason was probably something stupid like half the ghost army fell into a hole and had to take time getting out. With the ghosts, who could tell?

The base had been very quiet all day, and the city in general. It felt like everyone was holding their breath in preparation for the Preeminent's arrival, as if it would keep her from hurting them. As if it would keep her away.

The only one who was obviously not holding his breath was Morro 2.

It was becoming increasingly clear how much Morro hated this plan. He had come out of his room for breakfast, but was too restless to eat and ended up pacing up and down the halls instead. Finally, he had retreated back to his room, Nicole following him back - probably so she could try to calm him down. Lloyd hadn't seen either of them since.

Now was as good a time as ever to check on them, since all Lloyd was doing was staring out the window and contemplating life. Straightening up, the blond headed back towards his room, passing many of the others along the way. Most of them were just sitting around, some quietly talking but most just sitting around and thinking. Holding their breath.

When Lloyd arrived at his room, he knocked quietly on the door, and was answered by a call,

"Come in," from Nicole. Slowly, carefully, he opened the door – he couldn't bring himself to break the stillness that lay over the monastery. As soon as he caught sight of Morro, his heart sank. His friend was lying in bed, curled up in a miserable ball.

"Are you okay?" He asked softly, immediately berating himself for asking such a pointless question.

"Not really." A female voice answered for him, and Lloyd glanced to his right to see Nicole sitting against the wall. "He's… really scared. I think the Preeminent is affecting him somehow, this… seems worse than normal scared." Lloyd frowned. Could she still affect him, even though he was human now? Did she still have some hold on his soul?

"Hey," He started, heading over to Morro and sitting down on the edge of the bed. "How are you feeling?" The wind master didn't answer, and Lloyd touched his shoulder, frowning when he flinched at his touch. "Can you hear me?" Morro took a deep breath, then let it out.

"Yeah."

"Can you sit up and talk to me?" Morro shook his head. "Why not?" The former king paused, then answered,

"Don't want to-" His voice cracked, and he coughed to try to cover it up. "Don't want to talk."

"Why not?" Lloyd knew he was on the verge of crying, and was trying to hide it, but it wouldn't do him any good.

"I just don't. Go away." Morro curled up a little bit more, hiding his face in his hands. Lloyd sighed, He didn't sound like he was going to give up without a fight.

"Okay." He let go of him. "I'm leaving." Standing up, he turned and started to leave the room – stopping short when he heard a shuddering sob. So much for that. Turning back, Lloyd climbed onto the bed next to him, lying down and wrapping his arms around him. "It's okay to cry." He murmured as Morro pressed his hands to his face. Nicole shuffled to her feet, fiddling with her earring as she started to leave the room.

"I'll let you do your thing." She whispered before fleeing. As soon as she was gone, Morro stopped trying to hold his tears back and just cried.

"I'm scared." He choked out through his tears. "I know- I know the wh-whole plan d-depends on her c-coming here, but I j-just want her to g-go away, I d-don't w-wanna have to see her e-ever again…" He let out another sob. "Sh-she wanted me killed, she t-tried to have me killed, what if- what if I'm their primary target, what if they-" A hiccup cut him off and Lloyd took the opportunity to gently put a hand over his mouth.

"We're not gonna let her get to you, okay? I promise." Morro pushed his hand away.

"Y-you're the green ninja." He protested. "Y-you have to p-protect the people. You c-can't spend your time protecting me."

"You're one of the people, aren't you? And it won't be just me. Do you think Nicole's going to leave your side if she thinks there's even the slightest chance you'd be in danger? And your double and Indigo care about you too, they'll watch out for you. And Morro-" Lloyd waited until he was sure he was listening to continue. "If you want, we can bring you somewhere safe. We have the Realm Crystal, we could bring you to another Realm until the battle's over." Morro shook his head quickly.

"The s-safest place I can think of is next to you."

"Okay." Lloyd smiled, hugging him tighter. "Then that's where you'll stay. I won't let her hurt you, I promise." Morro sniffled.

"Okay…"

"Do you wanna stay here and rest? Or do you wanna get up?"

"I don't want to get up looking like a wreck…"

"Will you come with me to the bathroom so I can help you clean up?" Morro nodded, sitting up and rubbing his sleeve across his face. Lloyd helped him to his feet, then out of the room and down the hall to the bathroom where he helped him wash his face. Once he looked more presentable, the two rejoined the others in their fascinating activity of sitting around and waiting for something to happen.

It was going to be a long day.

raise your hand if you agree that reena is a heck

~FFF

P.S. I know only like 1 of my regular reviews has seen the greatest showman, but if any of y'all are interested I wrote a fic for it