Thanks to all of you, who read the story, voted and commented. It's nice to know, that you like this story so much. I will do my best, to update often enough.
When Lloyd arrived back at the monastery, he was honestly surprised, that he wasn't attacked on the way. Then again, they were probably waiting for him to come to them. They didn't need to attack. Everything was happening on it's own.
He parked his motorcycle and helped Harumi climb down, even though she could've done it on her own. Seriously, she could fight, so why not climb down a motorcycle?
As he entered the monastery, Harumi trailing behind him, he thought about how to tell the others about her, but he didn't have the time to think about it, seeing as everyone was standing in the yard.
"What is she doing here?" Kai hissed.
Lloyd groaned. Just perfect.
"She is here to help us, remember?" Lloyd rolled his eyes.
"Lloyd, you were supposed to get the flower, not bring her here" his father reminded him.
Yes, originally, Lloyd hadn't planned to bring her with him, but she wanted to make things right again. At least she claimed that she wanted to. But deep inside, Lloyd felt uneasy with her. It wouldn't be the first time she tried to get out of bad situations.
"Guys, give her a chance" Lloyd pleaded. He was in her position many years ago, and she deserved the same. Even if she had done worse than him. If you looked closer at the situation, you could see that it was Lloyd's fault.
If he hadn't freed the serpentine, then the great devourer never would've been freed, and Harumi's parents would still be alive. She wouldn't have been evil, but his father would still be dead too. It was really complicated.
"I know that I have done many regrettable things, and it may be hard to believe me, but I do regret them. None of you are to blame for what happened to my parents. If anyone is to blame then the serpentine, but not you. I truly am sorry" Harumi said.
To everyone, it seemed like the beginning of Harumi pouring her heart out. Giving them a real image of what she was feeling. Her eyes showed remorse, as she was looking at everyone. She avoided Garmadon's gaze, looking at the ground instead.
She was definitely not going to look at the one that she admired. That she gave a kingdom to rule. She had given up everything so he could have anything he wanted but failed.
"Yeah, no, I don't believe her one bit" Cole meant.
"Neither do I. She tried to kill us" Jay exclaimed. The others agreed.
"Come on. I was in the same situation, remember? And you took me in without hesitation" Lloyd said.
"That was different" Zane said.
"How was that different?" the blond asked.
"You didn't really try to kill us" Nya offered the perfect answer. She was right. He had never tried to kill them. He had only tried to prove himself.
"At least give her a chance. If she does something, we can always bring her back to the prison" Lloyd suggested.
The others looked at each other and nodded. Lloyd sighed in relieve. At least one thing was going as planned.
Lloyd turned to Harumi. "So, where is the flower?" he asked.
Harumi reached into her Kimono and pulled out a purple flower. Without hesitation she gave it to the green ninja. For a rare and special flower, it looked like a normal lower from the shop or from the garden.
"So what do we do with it? How does it work?" Jay asked.
"We make a tea out of it. The person, that drinks the tea will be transported to the departed realm, at least the spirit, while the body remains here" Wu explained.
All of them went into the kitchen of the old monastery, preparing everything for the tea. While the water was starting to boil, Wu put the petals of the flower into a cup.
The ninja were still suspicious of Harumi. It didn't make sense. Why would Harumi suddenly help them without hesitation? She wanted them dead, all of them. And now she was helping Lloyd, helping all of them to get help.
Kai was sure, she was planning something. Something bad. She was not the kind of person that would just turn the personality to help someone. No, she was a manipulator. She manipulated those she needed into helping her. Whatever she was planning, Kai swore he would keep an eye on her.
Wu set the teacup down in front of his nephew. Lloyd looked up in surprise.
"You want me to go?" he asked shocked. Wu just nodded.
"Why me?" Lloyd leaned his head to the side.
"You will know when the time is right. Just know that you are both more alike than you know" Garmadon said.
Lloyd sighed. Knowing in time seemed to be so far away. But he nodded and brought the cup to his lips.
"Wait" everyone turned to Cole. "Is this such a good idea? We don't know what Morro will do when he sees Lloyd or what he is capable of in the departed realm."
"Lloyd can't be hurt in the departed realm and I saw Morro change just at the last moment" Wu argued.
"We don't have the time to wait. We need to act. You need to trust us" Misako begged.
For a few moments it was silent. Everyone looked at each other and Harumi was tempted to drink the tea herself. It would be perfect, actually. She could find that Morro and convince him to help bring out Lloyd's oni side.
Convincing people was easy for her and by the sound of it, he was bad before, which made it easier. But if he was really reformed, it could make everything worse. She would have to come back and tell them some excuse why he didn't come with her.
This was going to be harder than expected. But she was determent. "I'll go" she announced, breaking the silence.
Everyone looked at her.
"I do not know, if this is a good idea" Zane hesitated.
"Why not?" she pouted.
"None of us know what you will really do there. Sorry but I don't trust you enough to do this" Kai crossed his arms.
Lloyd sighed. He had enough of this. Bringing the cup back to his lips, he swallowed the tea, all at once. Strangely enough he didn't feel anything. The other were still fighting over, who would go, they didn't notice that the decision was already made. Only when Lloyd fell over, they stopped to look around.
"Sometimes I really hate him" Kai muttered. Harumi cursed under her breath.
When Lloyd woke up, he heard birds singing. Slowly he opened his eyes to see a blue sky. The sun was shining, no clouds to be seen.
The blond sat up and looked around. He was on top of a hill, grass covering the whole area. Light wind was brushing past him, ruffling his hair lightly.
It was so peaceful. Lloyd forgot his headache had even been there. His eyes closed slightly, enjoying the peace.
He wished he could stay, stay where it was peaceful. He wasn't needed here, he could do what he wanted. There was no danger, no one who needed him to safe them, to help him. It had been so long since he felt so relaxed.
"A bit young to die, aren't you?" a voice asked.
Lloyd spun around to see someone else with him. He stood up.
"Didn't think it would be that easy to find you" in front of him was Morro, but he didn't look like a ghost, he looked human.
The spirit shrugged. "It's not rare for me to be here, you on the other hand….. what are you even doing here? You don't look dead" the former ghost concluded.
Lloyd leaned his head to the side. What was he doing here? He couldn't remember.
"I don't remember" Lloyd turned around to stare at the distance. It was a nice view.
Morro' eyes widened, and he gripped the blond by the shoulders, spinning him around and shaking him.
"Wake up and remember!" he yelled
Lloyd just blinked, eyes half lidded.
"Shit!" Morro cursed. This was the reason no living being was supposed to come here. They lose themselves in the peace and forget their problems. They forget why they came. And with all the problems Lloyd had, it wasn't a surprise he lost himself too.
But if he came here, looking for him he wanted something. So he had to wake him up. Remember him what he wanted.
"Lloyd listen" Morro gripped his shoulders tighter and the blond turned his gaze back to him.
"Concentrate and remember! You came here for a reason, you wanted to find me, and you are alive, not dead. What do you need!" the former ghost was getting desperate.
"What I need" the blond repeated. He shook his head, eyes focusing again.
"There we go" Morro breathed, letting the other's shoulders go.
"Wow, that was crazy" Lloyd laughed. It was the weirdest experience.
"No time to think about that. Now what do you need" Morro repeated.
"Long story. But seems like Sensei was right. You really did change" Lloyd was honestly surprised that Morro shook him out of the trance, instead of just leaving him.
"Now is not the right time to talk about what an asshole I was" Moro rolled his eyes. "Right now, I don't know how long it will take for you to forget again, so hurry."
"Oh yeah. To keep it short: We were attacked by oni and they marked me. They want me to be evil and rule. So I need my golden power back and some help in general. Sensei thinks you can help" the blond explained, pulling down his uniform.
The moon symbol above his heart was clearly seem. "Shit, it got bigger" Lloyd muttered.
Morro's eyes widened, when he saw the symbol. He had heard of the oni, long before he died. They were there long ago and now they were back? Claiming Lloyd as their leader? Not good.
"How long has it been?" he asked.
Lloyd thought for a second. What had his father said?
"About two or three days" he answered.
"And when was the last time you fed?"
"How do you-"
"Just answer" Morro grumbled.
"This morning" Lloyd said. And he really didn't like thinking about it. Yet, he was constantly reminded
"Good. I'll come with you. I know what to do" he said.
"And how do we get back?" Lloyd asked.
"Just give me your hand" Morro reached put his hand, hoping the other would trust him enough for this.
With a little hesitation, Lloyd reached out too, connecting their hands. With a flash of white light, both faded away from the departed realm.
Whatever Sensei knew about Morro was something helpful. Lloyd wasn't sure how this adventure would go, but he would do everything to prevent himself to become a full-blooded oni. He would never allow himself to be like these things.
Being evil just wasn't who he was.
He swore to do anything to keep his family safe.
Anything.
So this is the next chapter of the story. It has been a few days since I updated but I still do. Please comment and leave some suggestions if you want. Maybe you have some ideas I could use in the next chapters. There are always good ideas the readers have.