On the horizon of a world of elements, a portal emerged on a rockface. From that portal, three beings walked forward. The first was a dark Emperor of a fallen kingdom. The second was a ghost of a destiny to forever go unfulfilled. The third was a girl born of a future both had yet to see. They stood against a world that made them look alien and foriegn, a world of warm colors and smooth lines, hard painted backgrounds and perhaps even a cell or two.
"Is this… truly the best plan you could come up with?" Over had returned to his four armed form, his hands behind his back as she looked down at Harumi with a downcast glare.
"Just be ready for when they get here," Harumi informed him, "And remember what I need from them."
"You have made it quite impossible to forget," Over inhaled, "You best leave now. It is far more… convincing, when there is no means for me to escape."
"Fine by me," Monty waved to Harumi, "We're leaving. I have things to do."
"Sure you do," Harumi rolled her eyes, moving to step back into the portal. Monty gave Over a look, which was reciprocated by the dark figure with a simple nod. Monty rolled his eyes at the forced elegance and then stepped into the portal, causing it to vanish out of sight. With a small sigh, Over moved to take a few steps forward into this strange world.
"It really is like those shows," Overlord exclaimed, "Do you think it operates like one as well?"
"You were the one that enjoyed those things," Overlloyd informed him, "I've tuned almost all of it out. I almost wonder what it says about you that the being born of darkness indulged in such things?"
Over stood on top of a small outcropping of rock at the top of the mountain the group had emerged from, allowing him now to overlook Dareth's 'inn' that Mage had mentioned to him. This was the world the boy came from. Within seconds of him taking his stance, a loud rush of wind blasted through the area. In front of him, the face of Invictus began to slowly rise up. The sound of the mech's boosters all but deafening. Invictus had its arms crossed and, similarly, Prime stood on the shoulder of the mech, his arms similarly crossed. He smirked down at Over as Invictus rose higher and higher until its feet were blasting propulsion right in front of Over. The force of the wind blasted several boulders behind Over down the mountain, narrowly missing plunging into Dareth's establishment.
"I thought we told you not to leave!" Prime laughed, "Have you gotten so used to being in command you're unable to take an order?"
Behind Over, the space began to distort and then split open, revealing an orange portal in which Ophiod and Skales emerged from. Skales landed behind him and held his blade backwards and up towards his back, while Ophiod simply planted his staff in the ground and let the scroll on top of it furl out. Both of them stood with a gaze that showed they were ready to fight.
"So you do have the ability to track us… I suppose it is what I wanted though," Over slowly moved to raise all four of his hands up into the air, "I wish to discuss terms of surrender."
Skales blinked in confusion upon hearing that, but refused to lighten his stance. Ophiod turned to him and shook his head, causing Skales to slowly scowl and then back off. Prime, somehow able to hear him over the roar of the jets, crouched down and then did a somersault into the air. He spun twice, then slid straight down the breastplate of the mech's armor until he'd nearly reached its torso. He reached out and gripped a slot in the armor, causing him to do a full circle against the mech's armor to halt his momentum. He dangled by his hand and let go, falling right down to the few feet of space between the cliff's edge and Over's feet, slowly leaning his body up to look more directly at Over.
"Really, now?" Prime looked lost in thought for a moment, then nodded his head, "So you've seen that Invictus is far too much for you to overcome, then. You've made the right choice. You're welcome to come aboard Invictus to discuss the matter of surrender."
"No," Ophiod frowned, "Not until he gives up his weapon."
"Why?" Over asked Ophiod flatly, "You have me outnumbered and clearly outmatched. Disarming me would put me at a disadvantage in which my position of bargaining looks even worse than it does now."
"Because we know you're planning something," Skales hissed, "Your weapon gives you power."
"I refuse to give it up," Over growled, "It is the last remaining piece that I have to tie me to my fallen world. If I give it to you, I will have no guarantee that I'll get it back."
"It's just a weapon," Ophiod scowled, "If you're a true warrior, you won't rely on it."
"Then lay down that staff," Overlord spoke out darkly, "Morsel."
There was a harsh tenseness in the air still being kicked up by Invictus' jets. Over looked to Ophiod with an unwavering fierceness, while Skales looked ready to pounce on him at any moment. The mood was broken when Prime reached up to slap his hands together and snap their attention to him.
"I trust you, Ophiod," Prime smirked, "I've seen you in battle, I know what you're capable of. I think if it came to it, the two of you would be evenly matched. With my around, it's enough to put any battle in our favor. So…"
Prime raised his hand, then gripped his fist. Invictus' eyes glowed and the mech slowly began to lower itself down until the entry to the main cockpit was right in line with the cliff. The hatch opened, showing the massive bubble inside that Prime used to pilot the machine, "...If you would, Emperor."
Over felt an anger born of both him and the Overlord flaring upon hearing that term being used by someone like Prime, yet he forced it under control. He simply nodded his head to Prime before taking a step onboard the mech. Prime followed after him. Ophiod and Skales waited a moment before Ophiod ushered Skales forward, letting them all aboard the cockpit.
Once inside, the hatch closed behind them, and a small clear glass slid up from the floor to truly seal them inside of a large glass bubble. The curved wall turned on, showing a massive panoramic display of the outside. Prime stepped forward, causing small blue rings to form around his ankles and wrists that looked similar to Harumi's watch holograms. Prime reached out and began to tap on several buttons that appeared on the glass, causing the mech to fire straight up into the sky in a massive spin. Despite the force in which they were moving, the others felt almost nothing at all. Only when the mech stopped, high enough above the clouds to make the Summit ruins a simple dot in the middle of a vast valley was anything felt by them, and even that was a simple jerk.
"Invictus, engage autopilot," Prime called out. The display on the glass dimmed until only a few buttons remained. The circles around Prime's limbs vanished as well. There was a long hissing in the floor, making Over take a simple refined step back. The floor was revealed to be made of large pentagon tiles which raised up like pillars to form four chairs, arranged in a small circle.
"Do you like it?" Prime took one of the seats, which was surprisingly comfortable and hardly felt like hard tiles at all, instead more like a sort of soft plastic, "I originally had a friend of mine instal these as a system to help insulate myself from crashes. My superiors thought I was silly for it. I can shape these into most anything I want."
"It is certainly beyond any technology that I have seen," Over placed two hands in his lap and two on the sides of the seat he took, "You have my interest into how such a thing was developed in the first place."
"It's a rather long story, one I don't think that I need to tell," Prime nodded for Ophiod and Skales to take seats, who reluctantly did, "I think the first question you might be asking is why I've allowed you inside Invictus in the first place, yes?"
"The thought has crossed my mind," Over admitted.
"The Twins are rather upset at how we engaged you in combat, so we've been ordered to allow you to come forward and offer yourselves to them if prompted," Prime explained calmly, "And indeed, it seems their strategy has worked."
"You take orders from the Twins," Over parroted.
Ophiod responded, "We were meant originally only to demonstrate our power and then offer you mercy. Prime far overdid it by chasing you. Right now, we've been told not to go and attempt to fight you."
"Such calming words to hear from those that have tried to kill me," Over responded curtly, "I wish I could say I appreciate the thought, but I do not wish to lie to my hosts."
"Ophiod and I have been talking, and I'm pretty sure that you wanna know a few things about us first before we do any sort of negotiating," Prime paused, "Am I wrong?"
"Curiosity is a rather annoying quirk in our minds," Over confirmed, "I admit, I have much of it."
"Let me answer you one first, then," Prime chuckled, "How long has it been since you last met the Twins?"
"Days," Over narrowed his gae, "For them?"
"Far longer," Ophiod informed him, "The two of us have known them for weeks combined, and each other for almost two."
"So they were able to reactivate the Iron Doom," Over growled, "I suppose they should consider it lucky it didn't kill them when they tried. Each time I used it, I felt as though it was about to tear itself apart."
"The Twins have no more interest in you, and so they've handed this task to us," Prime spoke without acknowledging Over's line, "Simply put, the commanding officers have delegated this task to us instead. As long as you don't get in their way, they have no reason to do anything that would jeopardize your existences."
"I was never given the impression that they cared for things such as morality," Over pointed out, "They chose now to simply not erase us from the playing field?"
"Perhaps you should just consider yourself lucky that you still remain," Ophiod narrowed his eyes, "From what I have heard, you're not stranger to altering time yourself."
Over once more gave Ophiod a long glare. Ophiod met it without flinching, not even a hint of tension in his body. Seeing it had no effect, Over turned back from him and looked Prime down.
"So they fear if they attempt to alter the time of a world they've already encountered, they would have an affect on themselves, then?" Over grinned, "I'm rather surprised she didn't think of that."
"Bold assumption," Prime leaned in, placing his chin on his propped up fist, "But come on, you know we can't tell you that. The commanding officers aren't that interested in you anymore."
Over mused, "What sway do they hold on us now, then? Other than a loudmouth in a bizarre machine and a pair of snakes far, far away from their home?"
"The fact that they control time to an extent altering your world would be nothing to them," Ophiod countered, "We are not just a pair of snakes. I am the Prince of the Serpentine. You are a failed Emperor. Do not forget what you have already lost."
"Hmmph," Over waved his hand, "You're right, snake. I have nothing left to lose."
"That;s true," Prime pointed out, "Which means you're the worst type of person to negotiate with."
Over sighed. Slowly, he began to open his right palm. From that palm, a small amount of Dark Matter, one that he had siphoned from his weapon moments before he gave it up. The small purple and black orb fell to the side of his chair silently, on the side facing Prime. With Prime distracted, he used his control over the substance to slowly begin moving it out of the room with a small and subtle motion of his hand.
"Let's cut the pretense here," Over leaned in, drawing attention to himself, "I'm not here to wave the white flag. I'm here to make a formal threat to you."
Skales tensed in his chair, enough so that Ophiod had to reach out and grab his wrist to make him not fly out of the chair and attack Over on the spot. Prime didn't look phased at all, while Ophiod gave him a long look that devolved into a little sigh.
"I suppose this was inevitable," Ophiod frowned, "Speak."
"You do not command my speech," Over scowled at him, "In fact, you do not command me at all. You would do well to remember that."
"And you would do well to remember where you sit," Ophiod responded coldly, his eyes beginning to glow with magic, "I can see in your eyes that you already know your power now is nothing when stacked against us."
"The Twins spent a rather long time finding recruits," Prime chuckled, leaning back against his chair, "They were certain to only go with the strongest of candidates."
"Then I will make my threat to you as clear as can be," Over placed two hands together against his chin, and around him, the very air itself seemed to darken. The lights in the room began to dim as, in its place, a dark aura flaring from Over himself took its place. An aura of pure malice and hatred began to creep and fill the air that would fell lesser men. Pupils of a slight lavender color formed in Over's normally dull purple gaze, ones that moved to focus intently down on Prime.
"If you continue to make allies with the Twins, then your lives are forfeit," Over muttered darkly, "They have taken everything from me. You will never know the sense of loss that has now been etched into my very soul. It is only by my own restraint born of years of rule I have not turned my power on you and taken you down where you stand. If your intention is to stand against me, I will treat you as I did all those that stood in the way of my Empire, and remove you. Make peace with whatever gods your worlds have now, lest I send you to the abyss before you've been given the chance."
"How very threatening," Ophiod stood up from his chair, his massive snake tail curling around his body as he did, "It is only by my own experience in ruling that I do not attack you now. Hostility is something that I will not allow to pass."
"Ruling?" Overlord's voice came from the dark lips, "What power does a snack have to me?"
"A snack?!" Skales stood up in indignation, "That is the second reference you have made to us as food. Is that meant to be an insult?"
"He looks tasty," Overlord grinned hard, "I want to taste him."
"No," Over shook his head at himself, "Not now. This is not a time for your selfish desires."
"What are you talking about?" Ophiod tensed, "This sounds like more than just an insult."
"You seem to know much about my world… but tell me, did your information tell you of why there were no Serpentine in my Empire?" Overlord asked Ophiod. When Ophiod shook his head, that grin on their shared face became one of nightmares.
"Staying locked away for hundreds of years filled me with hunger," Overlord began, his voice slowly fading into Over's own, "And with your kind locked away in tombs, they were easy to find and devour."
For a brief moment, a look of true horror passed over Skales and Ophiod's faces. It was a look that showed their imaginations were bringing forward the image of what had happened, and it sickened them. Over did not smile, his face returning to his neutral frown as before. Ophiod slithered back several feet, then opened his hand. His staff went flying into it, the scroll unfurling and burning orange at the tips as he pointed it straight towards Over. Skales drew his blade and did the same, taking his stance beside Ophiod, his hand shaking but his eyes steeled.
"Stop!" Prime stood up himself, putting his hands up in the air, "Stop! I don't want to fight today!"
"You were the one that attacked us and violated your orders to begin with," Over placed his arms behind his back, "Why do you stop us now?"
"Because we're inside of Invictus, and it's a long way back to get them repaired," Prime informed him calmly, "I'm not in the mood for having to dodge inside my own mech."
"Then tell us what you want!" Skales demanded to Over, "Tell us why you're here, really."
"I want to know everything about the two of you," Over demanded, "It was her idea for us to make this exchange of information be under the guise of a negotiation. Did you two truly believe I was going to throw myself at your feet after how you wounded me?"
"No, not at all," Prime smirked, "Let's tell him then, Ophiod. Let's let him know why we're here."
Ophiod and Skales shared a small look, one that didn't take an eye off of Over. Prime slowly stared them down, a look of a plea for trust in them. It took a long while before they slowly allowed themselves to back down, Ophiod not letting go of his staff nor Skales his blade. Over took his seat the second they backed off, casting them a rather annoyed glance as he did.
"It's pointless for me to speak after you've been given such a detailed picture of me," Over turned to Prime, "Do you have honor as a warrior?"
"I have my honor as a defender of my people," Prime nodded, "I amPrime, after all.'
"Then tell me why you are after us, and what you stand to gain by doing so," Over placed his hands to his face, "I am most interested to know my new nemeses."
"I will speak first," Ophiod slithered in front of Prime, planting his staff into the ground, "I have said this to your friends, but it bears repeating now."
"My name is Ophiod, crown prince of the Serpentine, son of the Snake Queen and heir to the throne," Ophiod placed a hand on his chest, "I am here on behalf of my people, in an arrangement with Krux and Acronix that will carry my people forward into a new age. It is by their power my eyes were opened to worlds that extended beyond my own… and it is by their power that I have been given the gift of travel within them."
"Your speech is refined yet superfluous," Over shook his head, "What is the reason that you fight against me?"
"I will not tell you that," Ophiod declared to him, "My motives are mine alone."
"Then I will have learned little," Over looked to the staff that Ophiod carried, "That staff. I have seen record of the artifact on it before, yet it alludes my memory. Tell me, what is it?"
"It is an heirloom of the time in which the First Spinjitzu Master walked Ninjago," Ophiod reached up to press his hand to the scroll, "It was... gifted to me by the Queen so that the magic by which I alter the world's shape would be further strengthened to aid me in my quest." Skales gave Ophiod a long look when he paused.
"I am sensing now that you're adding in your flourish to distract me from the fact your words are empty," Over growled, "What is it?"
"I have no reason to tell you that," Ophiod countered.
"Fine," Over looked to Skales, "You carry with you a servant, yet he does not hold the power that courses through our bodies. For what reason do you take him with you?"
"Skales is my personal knight, my protector, and my companion," Ophiod slowly reached out to grip Skales' hand with his free one, their golden bands they wore touching and shining together, "He is one of the strongest warriors the Kingdom of Ouroborus has produced. You would do well to remember that."
Over gazed at the two, namely how casually they seemed to take their hands together. For a few moments, something began to click in his head, yet he found no reason to voice it. He simply turned towards Prime and decided to levy the same question.
"Don't worry, I have a lot more to say than them," Prime smirked, not even letting Over speak, "Unless you're not done with your questions."
"I'm very much interested in you, Prime," Over frowned, "Your name is Lloyd Garmadon, yet you go by the name of Prime. What is the significance of that?"
"It's more of a callsign than a nickname," Prime turned the exterior display of the bubble cockpit, "I'm… well, was the leader of a team defending Ninjago back home. They started using Prime as a way to refer to me when issuing orders. It stuck, and now I use it as a name to identify myself with my people."
"My name is Lloyd Garmadon, but as I've said, I would prefer to be called Prime," Prime placed his hands on his hips as he stood up and leaned towards Over, "I'm the savior of Ninjago, the victor over the Overlord, and the symbol for all those that feel despair! Invictus is the light by which anyone in fear can look up and be given hope again. Whenever they fear, they need only to look to me!"
"Is that what you are?" Over scowled, "You must have good reason to be given something from the Time Twins, 'savior.'"
"Indeed I do, but like Ophiod I wish to keep that to myself, but rest assured, the reward of keeping you in line is far worth dealing with whatever trouble you intend to cause," Prime smirked, "Nothing that you say will do anything to sway me from that."
"Funny, I used to know someone that thought on a very similar train to you," Over responded.
"And let me guess, he isn't around anymore?" Prime asked, leaning away from Over.
"If you already know that, you should know what else I'm about to say," Over continued.
"I know what my ambitions are, and I know that Invictus and I are enough to defeat anything that you throw at us," Prime declared, "And with Ophiod at my side, there is nothing that even all of you working together could do to overcome us."
"So you think," Over frowned, "Is your intention to simply wait here for us to finally challenge you?"
"My intention is to do what I am ordered, and that is to keep you from interfering with the Twins," Prime grinned, "Even if you could find them, you wouldn't be able to stop them."
"I see," Over nodded, "I assume then that you and you mech and far closer than you like to let on."
"You can't fight evil without a weapon," Prime explained, "Mine is simply larger than yours… oh," Prime chuckled, "I should also make something very clear, Ophiod."
Prime stepped forward to put his face right in front of Over's own, "Just seeing you sitting inside of Invictus is making me want to destroy you where you stand. I despise every bit of your existence. When I heard you were one of the people we were chasing… heh…" Prime leaned back, "Let's just say that I have a personal motive here in making sure your filth is scrubbed from every single universe you ever dare to touch."
Before Over could respond, a small screen flashed up on the glass by Prime. Over suppressed a 'tssk' as Prime moved over and began to tap several buttons. Ophiod looked over at it, a clear mistrust brewing in his eyes that was directed right towards the man he'd almost attacked.
"Seems as though something is going on in the core," Prime sighed, "Probably nothing, but I should still check it. Ophiod, think you can keep watch on our guest until then?"
"I wouldn't call him a guest," Ophiod shook his head, "But yes. I can."
Prime smiled apologetically at them, as though simply running to get them something for a meeting, rather than leaving Over alone with an enemy. It was a clear sign of his confidence in his ally, so Over chose to see it. As Prime left, it either stated he trust Ophiod's power, or was simply not seeing Over as something worth even considering a threat to leave behind. Either explanation was an insult, just the degree to which being the confusing aspect.
"I must ask you something now that we have been given this chance," Over turned his head, "What exactly is your relationship with Prime?"
"He is nothing more than an ally that I have been paired with," Ophiod explained, "I know about as much about him as you do."
"I see, and it has been a rather long time since you have met each other?" Over paused, "The Twins must have contacted you both in the past, relative to our standing, and deployed you when your past encountered our present. A rather tricky play by them. Do you trust your superiors?"
"Do not call them that!" Skales frowned, "They're nothing more than temporary allies to us. We have no reason to follow them outside of our own goals."
"Loyalty to another is a greater motivator than something internal," Over pointed out, "Does that mean you both have no loyalty to them at all?"
"Our loyalties lie with ourselves, and they have aligned it with their own goals," Ophiod responded, "Do not think I know what you are trying to do. I am no stranger to people attempting to outmaneuver me with words. If you goal is to expose a weakness of loyalty, I suggest you pry elsewhere."
"You're far smarter than I gave you credit for," Over nodded, "You should pass that knowledge on to Skales. He would benefit from learning when to hold his tongue."
Skales all but looked ready to jump right at him. Ophiod reached out and placed his hand on Skales' shoulder, staying him. While Skales backed down again, it was still with a burning anger in his eyes. The nature of that relationship was one that Over had to simply nod his head towards and accept.
"Skales is my knight, it is not his place to be involved in discussion and politics," Ophiod explained, "I trust him with my life, and he does me. There is no reason for me to stay his tongue. In fact, you will find that applied in the right areas, it can expose one's true intentions."
Over wasn't sure what it was about that line, but he felt as though Ophiod was staring right through him. As the two locked gazes -by this point he wondered if Ophiod knew any other way to communicate his thoughts- he felt the Dark Matter he'd sent out returning to him. Feeling this, Over walked forward towards Ophiod until they were less than a foot apart.
"I sense that you are not one that deceives, nor are you one with intentions that I could say are impure," Over scowled, "Which makes you standing against me far more intolerable. You claim to act as something of justice for yourself, and yet now you will take this chance to antagonize me. You stand with those that are murderers, liars, ones that would rip apart the lives of countless people without regard for what they desire, out of some ill-gotten belief they are strong against the void. I would say that almost makes you hypocritical to the ideals you wish to present, Ophiod."
"And what does it say about your allies, to stand beside you?" Ophiod didn't miss a beat, "Someone that forced his anger upon Ninjago because of his own mistakes? You let you selfishness consume the land in darkness and turned all those that used to be your friends into bitter foes. If you think standing up to the Twins will somehow redeem someone as vile as you, then you truly are lost to your own darkness."
"I have no intention here of redemption, and if my allies think that, they are mistaken," Over placed his hands behind his back, allowing Ophiod to look upon his shining black and twisted body, "I am darkness itself. I simply will move towards light. That does not mean that I will ever embrace it."
"So it would seem," Ophiod stated, ending the conversation. The two backed away towards their seats, with Over feeling the Dark Matter he'd sent out waiting for him. When he sat down, his hands behind his back opened to let the Dark Matter and, most importantly, what he'd retrieved from the massive source of power that was the core of this mech. As soon as the piece of metal he'd ripped from it entered him, however, he felt a searing pain going through his body. His expression didn't change, but his hand felt as though he was holding an open flame. He forced the piece of metal he'd taken down inside of his body, despite the agony it was forcing on him.
"Alright!" The glass slid aside an opening for Prime to enter again, 'Looks like it was nothing. Well, nothing serious. Just a power fluctuation most likely. Now, where were we?"
"I think it's time for me to leave, actually," Over sighed, "I've learned nothing about you, as it stands, and it seems that we should keep it that way."
"I think that's for the best," Ophiod frowned, "So long as you return to that world, we won't push anymore hostilities on you."
"Yes," Over stood up once more, forcing his still searing hand to move along with the others, "That would be for the best."
"Ah, I'd hoped to ask you a bit more!" Prime shook his head, "But if you think it's time to leave, then I wouldn't be opposed to getting you off Invictus. In fact, I've been holding back from smearing you over the mountain already. So maybe it's best you leave now."
Over walked towards the exit of the cockpit. As he did, however, he turned to Ophiod and reached his hand out to place it on Ophiod's shoulder. Skales started to brim with fury while Ophiod did nothing. Over gave him a small smile, the first one that he'd given when the Overlord wasn't in control.
"Though we may be enemies, I will say I feel your conviction," Over pulled his hand back, "From one leader to another… I wish you luck in our coming battles."
That was all that Over left him with. When he pulled that hand away, he now held a stray scale taken right from the snake's shoulder by a deft application of shadow. With the metal piece still burning harshly in one hand and the scale hidden in another, he walked past them both. As soon as he had stepped out from the cockpit, he jumped down from the mech, landing firmly on the cliff below. A moment later, his four blades landed behind him, thrown by Prime.
"The same goes to you!" Prime called out, "The luck, I mean! You'll need it more than us!"
Over said nothing, instead just making his way back up the path that led to where he'd entered Mage's world from. He had no interest in seeing more of this place, and to do so would likely instigate a battle between himself, Prime and Ophiod. When he arrived at the cliff, he waited for the portal to open.
The portal did not open. Harumi had stated that she would be waiting here with a portal for him. Monty was meant to open it exactly twenty minutes after he arrived. Now, there was nothing that was opening.
"Is something wrong?" Prime's voice was echoed from Invictus' head across the rocks, "Why aren't you leaving? The longer you stay in my sight, the more I'm itching to blast you."
"Because it appears that my allies are busy," Over responded, "Give them time."
So he did. He waited. And waited. All the while, the metal he had inside his hand was burning him to the point of his arm going numb. It took more and more strength to hold it up and not look suspicious. Minutes passed by. Several of them. Then, those minutes turned to a half hour. Then an hour. All the while, Over waited, without any sort of look on his face.
"This is a trick," Ophiod stated to Prime inside the mech, "Why has he not left yet?"
"I'm not sure… I'm starting to believe you," Prime dismissed the makeshift chairs and instead moved to summon the controls of his mech, "If he doesn't leave soon, we'll attack."
Over's growing sense of confusion began to blossom into worry. Yet he did not allow that worry to take him. Instead, he waited. He waited until it had been almost an hour and forty minutes since he'd arrived. He could hear Invictus trying to move to draw one of its guns, readying it to fire at him.
Then, suddenly, the portal opened on the rockface. Out of it stepped Monty with the SoS firmly on his back, while behind him was Lulloyd, heaving hard as though he'd just rushed there. Over scowled at them as they both looked up to him, one apologetic and the other apathetic.
"Where have you been?" Over asked calmly, "These two mercenaries were about to blast me in the back for waiting too long."
"Busy," Monty waved his hand, "Let's go." Lulloyd said nothing, a guilty expression on his face.
Over nodded his head, stepping forward into the portal and leaving behind the mech and its pilots. A small trip through the void later, a feeling that he'd begun to find more tolerable now that he wasn't being ferried through it as an injured heap, he was standing in the middle of Dareth's shop. Waiting there was Harumi, pacing back and forth and tapping things into her watch as she did. When she saw the three of them there, she gasped out in shock.
"There you are!" Harumi jumped towards them, "Where were you?! We've been looking everywhere for you, Monty! We were afraid that those two had hurt you!" She looked over them, then blinked, "Lulloyd? Why are you here?"
"I uhm… I was helping Monty with… something," Lulloyd explained. Harumi blinked, then shook her head.
"Did you get what we needed?" Harumi asked. Over nodded, extending his hands. In one of hers, he dropped Ophiod's scale, and in the other the torn piece of metal.
"Monty's description of there being a core inside the machine correct… as well as it relating to your power," Over frowned, "Carrying that burned me in a way that only power derived from the source of light can. It seems your hypothesis that these two are variations of us are not inaccurate."
Harumi scanned them both with her watch, her eyes widening as she saw two different wavelengths appear, "This… is exactly what we need! I'm… you actually did it."
"Of course I did," Over scoffed, "Do not allow your own misgivings about me by your own prejudice to assume that I will fail a mission that is vital to our success. Go and figure out the use you have for these. I will explain to you what I have learned about them after I heal from the pain of carrying those."
With that, Over left the room. Harumi looked as though she'd been called out, a feeling that left her burning with shame. That shame, however, quickly was melted away as she felt memories stirring inside her. It was enough that she left the room without asking Monty where he'd been again, allowing him to sigh and cross his arms.
"You… You need to tell them about this," Lulloyd turned to Monty, "It's, not good for you to hide this."
"There's nothing to hide," Monty growled, "It doesn't concern them. And remember your favor."
"...Okay," Lulloyd groaned, "I… I don't want to do this again, okay? We could have caused them a big problem by being gone. Don't make me do this again, please?"
"Fine," Monty sighed, "Just go and do something else. I have to think about what that guy said."
Lulloyd, still looking guilty but hesitant to respond, just nodded and left the room. Monty moved and drew the SoS from his back, looking down into its gaze. His thoughts drifted to what he'd just learned about the blade and, more importantly, the implications this now held for him. He put those aside in his mind, exiting the small building and taking off with a blast of air to leave the others behind.
In Cloud Kingdom, Fennwick sat. He was in an office of ivory and gold, a small fireplace behind him casting a small glow onto the floor. His desk was once filled with scrolls for review, yet now was empty of all but his own arms. The walls were lined with shelves stacked with scrolls, all now for those that no longer needed his attention. His beautiful white robes blended perfectly into the atmosphere around him. He sat with his back to the entrance, chair turned away.
"I had figured you would come back to me soon, once I heard why those intruders had come for the sword," Fennwick spoke as someone entered, "Though, I had expected it to be under a less dire circumstance."
"So you were expecting me?" Monty asked. He stood there in his own Cloud Kingdom, the SoS in his hand. Behind him, Lulloyd entered, nervously looking around.
"Uhm… sorry about, breaking in, uhm, again," Lulloyd spoke up, "I'm uhm. I'm just here to repay a favor."
"You do not need to explain, I already know of why you are here," Fennwick explained, "Would you mind leaving us, though? And, do try not to fly your dragon through the city again. The people of our kingdom are already rattled enough as is."
Lulloyd felt ashame blossom as heat in his chest. Flying the mechdragon right from Ninjago towards the Blind Man's Eye at full speed had been a challenge, and then having to rapidly rebuilding the jets from the junkyard on it to rocket back inside the kingdom was even harder. Thankfully, according to a report he'd read, the Blind Man's Eye had remained, oddly, stationed right above the Wailing Alps. Almost, as though it was waiting for them. Slowly, Lulloyd nodded his head, backing out of the room, giving Monty a small worried look before shutting the door.
"On edge, really?" Monty scoffed, "What do a bunch of pencil pushers like you have to worry about?"
"The fact that your actions have now caused the very fabric of all universes to be distrubed," Fennwick turned his chair around, that eerie smile plastered to his lips, "All those in Cloud Kingdom are attuned to the flow of destiny. We have all felt this. The loss of one world does not just affect those inside of it, Monty."
"I'm not here to talk about that," Monty ignored Fennwick's words, "You already know why, don't you? You arrogant brats always seem to know."
"I can assure you, it is no foresight, just knowing how to guess what is coming next," Fennwick explained, "You're here about the sword, yes?"
"Yeah, it isn't working," Monty walked forward towards the desk, then plunged the sword's blade right down through the wood so close Fennwick could see his reflection, "Fix it."
"Fix it?" Fennwick blinked, "Why do you assume it is broken?"
"Because it was working fine until just a bit ago, so clearly it's broken," Monty scowled, "And you guys were protecting it. So you must know about it. Fix. It."
"There's nothing to fix," Fennwick shook his head, "For it is not broken."
"Then why isn't it working?" Monty growled, moving to pull a pistol from his armor and point it towards Fennwick, "Think about your answer really carefully."
Fennwick looked down the barrel of the gun. There wasn't much fear in his eyes, rather a look of amusement. He looked to Monty coyly before sighing.
"I remember the first time you came here," Fennwick recalled, "You had arrived with the others to seek the sword to help stop Soul Archer. He was possessing Morro at the time yes? And you had your deal with Ronin that you would protect him from Soul Archer. Our encounter was one that I will never forget. That was when you had learned about the part you played in the change that we were forced to undergo. As well as when I learned what it was like being shot."
"No, that was when you spouted some stupid stuff about my scroll and didn't let me figure out anything," Monty frowned, "You're walking on thin ice here. I shot your right leg last time, don't make me even out the scar."
"Impatience will be your vice," Fennwick shook his head, "I will tell you why your sword is not obeying your wishes, but to do so I must tell you of the blade's history. Will you allow me to do so without threatening to hurt me?"
"I figured you'd need some stupid long explination," Monty groaned out, sheathing his gu, "Make it quick. I have to get back and play ferry duty for our new guy. I'm taking time out of Harumi's plan to do this."
"Very well," Fennwick slowly stood up, gesturing to the sword, "We in Cloud Kingdom were not the ones that created that sword. In fact, while it was the First Chi Master that entrusted us with it, it was not he who created it. If you have heard that in the past, it is a lie. The sword was created after the formation of Ninjago, and by a man that wished to surpass his creator."
Monty moved to slump into a large circular chair inside of the office, letting Fennwick begin his tale in earnest. Fennwick walked around the desk and placed his hands together, letting his sleeves cover his hands and taking the seat across from Monty.
"When the First Chi Master created the life that would populate his realm, he taught to them the skills he had learned from both his upbringing and his battle with the Overlord," Fennwick began, "It was intended to simply give them a means of defense, should the forces he encountered come for those he now cared for. One of the men that he created, however, wished to challenge the First Chi Master."
"This man grew to become the greatest swordsman of all of Ninjago," Fennwick continued, "And he wished to proclaim himself the greatest swordsman of all creation. He challenged the First Chi Master, and lost. The man could not understand why he, one that had overcome all in the land, would lose to someone that none had ever seen wield a sword. This man trained for decades, working to perfect his craft. Soon, no mortal blade could touch him. No matter how intense his training, or how hard he pushed, nothing would ever break the guard of the First Chi Master."
"With this desire in his heart, this man stole the Realm Crystal and traveled to the land of the First Chi Master's birth. There, he found a mighty dragon, one that held as much resentment for the First Chi Master as the swordsman. After proving himself to the dragon, the swordsman told the dragon of his plan: to forge a blade that would allow him to surpass any attack and any guard by knowing the every move of his opponent. The dragon agreed to help him."
"That sword would become the Sword of Sanctuary," Fennwicked gestured to the blade on Monty's hip, "It was forged from the golden scales of the dragon's hide and imbued with the powers of the land. In order to complete the sword, however, the two learned of a ritual that could grant a blade power. It required a sacrifice, trapping the soul of those killed and awakening the latent power that the soul held. The dragon volunteered for this role, and thus, the ritual was completed."
"As the dragon's soul came to reside inside the blade, the swordsman realized his blade could now see the future. With this, he challenged the First Chi Master again. The battle between them is said to have been so intense, the clashing of their blades was heard from all corners of the land. The two battled to a draw, pushing both to the limits of their bodies. It was here that the First Chi Master and swordsman agreed to end their duel, both satisfied with what they had managed to achieve from one another."
"When that swordsman grew old, he entrusted the blade to the First Chi Master," Fennwick concluded, "And in doing so, asked for him to allow the will of the blade to choose its master. The First Chi Master entrusted the sword to us, and we agreed to keep it safe." Fennwick concluded his story, causing silence to fill the room.
"...Okay," Monty growled, "And what's that got to do with my sword?"
"I have just told you," Fennwick explained, "The sword is not simply a weapon, Monty. Inside of it is a soul that wills its master. The swordsman became the master of the blade, and brought its power to the fullest. You have used the blade for so long, the sword has decided you wish to become its master."
"And?" Monty scoffed.
"And," Fennwick continued his smile, "It has rejected you."
"Rejected me?" Monty held the sword up so he could see his reflection in it, "Are you lying to me?"
"You have already seen for yourself that its foresight will no longer show itself to you," Fennwick nodded, "Is that not proof enough of my tale?"
"So, this blade has got the soul of some long dead dragon in it that choses a master for the blade, and it decided I didn't make the cut?" Fennwick nodded.
"Screw that," Monty spat, "I need what this thing's power. I'm not going to let it just say no."
"You intend to force your will upon that of a blade that has lived through centuries?" Fennwick asked in surprise.
"Yeah, this thing doesn't just get to choose to have some random moment to say it doesn't like me," Monty sheathed the sword, "I'll make it like me."
"In that case," Fennwick stood up, "I believe you will have need for this."
Fennwick walked to one of the bookshelves of scrolls, searching for one in particular. He handed Monty a small and freshly rolled scroll, one that had his personal seal on it holding its pages together. Monty frowned and slowly reached out and took it. Before he could open it, Fennwick shook his head.
"If you wish to communicate with the blade, I have written the steps passed down to us Head Writers by the First Chi Master for you," Fennwick gestured to the scroll, "When you have need for it, read it."
"And you didn't just give me this to begin with, why?" Monty hissed.
"Because you must understand the blade's significance," Fennwick shook his head, "All that you have seen, all of its abilities, is merely an echo of the true potential that lies within it. Only one that the sword has declared its master will be able to use the power within it. If you wish to overcome the might of the Twins, reaching that power may be your only option."
"Sure, I'll just make this sword knock off the attitude and accept me then," Monty turned to leave. Fennwick rushed in front of him, blocking his path.
"Monty," Fennwick shook his head, "You must know that this blade is something of significant power. If you are unwilling to acknowledge its might, then it will never accept you. You must know what it is capable of!"
"I already do," Monty stepped forward, phasing through Fennwick, sword held out to his side to pass right by Fennwick's arm. Fennwick shuddered at the cold sensation it left him, but turned to speak regardless.
"Monty-" Fennwick started to speak. As soon as he did, Monty drew his pistol and fired it. The bullet was so close to Fennwick's head, he could hear it as it shot by. Fennwick stiffened up as Monty lowered the gun.
"I already heard enough from you," Monty hissed, holding up the scroll, "I got what I came for. I know how to get this sword working for me again. I don't listen to whatever stupid thing you try to tell me anymore. I'll do this dumb ritual or summoning or whatever, and then get on with this. I have universes to save."
Monty turned and left the room, the gunshot having scared Fennwick to silence. Monty threw open the door and then stepped out, using his wind to slam the door shut and make his cape flutter up behind him. Fennwick waited until Monty was gone, then he sighed.
"That is what worries me," Fennwick turned away from the door, walking back to his chair and relaxing to try to calm his nerves.
Outside the room, Lulloyd saw Monty turn down the hall and quickly begin to pace away. Lulloyd hefted up his mechdragon brick and hurried after him, looking around in case there were any guards in the way. Monty didn't give him time to catch up, forcing Lulloyd to race after him.
"Monty!" Lulloyd gasped, "What happened?"
"Nothing important," Monty spat, "Get your dragon ready, we've already wasted enough time."
"Y-Yeah, it's, actually it's already passed when we were supposed to go and get him," Lulloyd gulped, "We need to hurry back!"
"Yeah," Monty growled, "Let's go get that guy and see what Harumi has planned for us."
Back in the cockpit of Invictus, Prime piloted the mech through the skies of an unknown world. Staying in the world of the child wasn't going to do him any favors. He needed to focus. He had to clear his head. Being so near him, being so near someone that shared that power… it was enough to make every ounce of his body burn in rage. And as such, as the dull hills of hte world below rolled by him, he focused all he could on keeping his mind firm.
"Prime," Ophiod slithered up behind him, "May I speak with you?"
"Now is not a good time," Prime stated firmly, "That meeting rattled me. And I'm not used to being rattled. I rattle my enemies, not the other way around!"
"Then I'll make this brief," Ophiod frowned, "Your comment to Over… what did that mean?"
"Hrmm?" Prime turned his head to face Ophiod, "Why does it matter to you?"
"Because you already went off as a loose cannon once," Ophiod shook his head, "You can't do that again. What did you mean?"
Prime waited a long while before responding, turning to look back out of Invictus, "I won't let anyone that shares that dark power roam this world, or any world. He already made me suffer once. I'm not going to let anyone else suffer," Prime's fist gripped tightly, "But I will make sure that he suffers for what he did."
"..." Ophiod frowned, "But he isn't him. He's someone else."
"Anyone who would walk onto my mech with powers like that is all the same to me," Prime laughed, "You don't have to act like you're somehow better than me, Ophiod. You told him that you were given that scroll, right?" Prime grinned, "Do you want to tell me why Skales looked at you like that?"
Ophiod said nothing. He held onto the staff tightly, the scroll still wound up on it. After a few moments, he looked away. Prime said nothing more, indicating he was done talking. Ophiod took a moment to think of something else to say, then simply shook his head and turned around.
"Just tell me when we get there again," Ophiod frowned, "I'll… be waiting."
"Skales is in the core chamber, if that's where you were thinking of," Prime declared.
Ophiod nodded his head. He raised his staff and cut a small portal open within the wall, slithering through it to teleport into the chamber inside the mech. Prime watched it happen out of the corner of his eye, then turned back around. As Invictus flew across an unknown world, the two allies both readied themselves for what was to come, be it what it may.
Author's Note:
A bit of a slower chapter, but one I thought was necessary! Prime and Ophiod are permanent additions to the cast, ones that I'm eager to show more of! Thanks for reading the story, and as always, NINJA-GO!