The Masks of Garmadon
( This Chapter was inspired by the same story that inspired Montgomery, Alizah, and Liam Garmadon, which was It Takes Two by ItsYoGreenGirl, check it out if you haven't already. )
Epilogue 1 : The Late Night
March 20th - Borg Tower
9:25 p.m.
Journal Entries : Charlie
"It's been almost a week since Lydia, Montgomery, Alizah, and Liam combined all Four of the Powers that are practically the core and center of all elemental powers in existence, and Creation stood on top, and so did Lydia, with her showing her Grandfather the light, and saving all of Ninjago City, I can honestly say that I'm happy, and while a New Threat is coming, that's easy to see, there's no reason we can't enjoy the Peace while we have it, I haven't seen Lydia though, since she said Goodbye to Firstbourne, but I made a move that night, and told her that she had stolen my heart, through her Royal Pride, or her Mischievous Masks, either way, I love her, and she feels the same way, and that's all I could ask for."
Charlie was on Borg Tower, out on the Balcony, which was near the top of Borg Tower, on the 85th Floor, which was where the "Apartment" Part of the Building was, since Lloyd and Harumi convinced Borg to do that for his Most Important Workers, and since Charlie was working and protecting the City so much, he had a three-room apartment in the Tower, which technically had five rooms, his Bedroom, the Living Room, the Bathroom, and the Balcony somehow counted as a room, because Charlie could use the TV to make a cover appear over the Balcony, there was another Bedroom in the Apartment, but it was only if one of Charlie's friends was over for the Night.
He was out on the Balcony right now, which was where he and Liam fought The Masked Men and Mr. E, after Borg fixed the hole Mr. E's goons cut through the window, and replaced it with a double sliding door.
Charlie was looking at the City, and he didn't hear much, but he saw a whole lot
Anytime be blinked he would see the City engulfed in Smoke and Flames, from his Nightmare at Fort Lexington, be would blink again to here several shots and attacks of Gunfire, from the Shore of Polastraits, and he would blink again, and it would all be gone, he saw the remaining lights in the City Buildings, and the Cars quietly driving.
There's no Flames, No Smoke, No Gunfire, No Giant Stone Monster, all that's left is the smell of Smoke, and Death... but Charlie chose to Ignore it.
He did nothing but focus on the Lights of the Remaining Buildings in the City, and he could see people on their rooftops, spending time with one another on the Late Night in the City, showing that everybody was still celebrating the freedom from Garmadon's Reign, it made him happy every time he saw them, it was another Family who made it out alive, but sadly, he couldn't say that for everybody.
He was on that same Building with Lydia, when she watched Harumi fall, and she almost died, and if she almost died, imagine how many did die... that's the one thought that stays in his head after the Reign had ended, but it doesn't seem to leave.
That's why he likes seeing the Skies Clear again, No Smoke, Fire, Rain of Depression, Giant Stone Monsters, just Clouds, Stars, The Moon, and the few Fireworks still being set off in the far ends of the City, it makes him happy that the eyes he's seeing through are indeed his.
And while it hasn't been a Full Week, the City was starting to get back to Normal, or as Normal as it would get, the Stones from the Colossus were bulldozed, the Fires were finally Extinguished, The Floods were sent to the Sea, and the Bikers were sent to The Big House, but thankfully the Big Man wasn't, Charlie actually has a good relationship with Killow, who had actually taken a job as Cole's Partner as a Security Guard at Kryptarium, which made sense to him, actually, to everybody that The Big Man could handle guarding The Big House.
Charlie still looked at the Quiet City, underneath The Starry Night Sky, and while he wishes his actions could be swept under the Rug, he knows they can't.
Charlie was still responsible for helping Lydia recover The Oni Masks after hearing The Stormed Princess's Tale, and he did let her kill Nya, only to resurrect her, and let her Resurrect Garmadon, and he can't keep saying it wasn't Lydia's Fault, when it was really both hers, and his.
When Harumi was fully healed a few days ago, and Charlie was cured of his Neck Scar ( While his Voice still remained Lower ) he didn't hear the sounds of Screaming Civilians, Earthquakes from the Colossus, Sirens from Police Cars or Fire Trucks, or Ambulances, he thought there was nobody left to save at first, or there was nobody left to fight for the City... he just Forgot... about Everything, and he knew not to make that Mistake again.
He had Gotten used to hearing all of those Sounds over the past six months, he didn't know what to do or think of himself when they finally stopped, and maybe he isn't just talking about the City, but everything he's done over the past year, trying to help others, and HE ends up hurting the people he protects in the Process, which goes to show that Morro was right in both ways, That just because your Side wins, doesn't mean Everybody on your side does, and if Somebody doesn't want to be Saved, then you can't Save them.
But that's a Topic that Charlie never wants to talk about, especially out of all people with Richard's Father, but the reason he does is because Morro has been through the most of it, especially with Brenden, Liv, and Harumi, the four of them have all walked down the Villain path before, regardless of how long, and have come back, and have suffered consequences, paid prices, and taken payback, but that's something Charlie doesn't want... especially to those he cares about, but it always ends with him digging his hands into his skull, letting his anger take control, at least it did until his Scar was cured of Darkness, but sadly, the Darkness still does lay away in his Veins, and so does his anger.
Right now, nobody can really reassure him tonight, not his Master, not his Mother, his Sister, his Best Friend, or even his best Teammate, Lloyd, Skylor, Felicia, Richard, and Liam all have their lives and their memories of this Living Nightmare too, and he can't expect them to always be there for him, the same way he can't always be there for them, but seeing the Citizens still celebrating, and the Lights of the Buildings that light up the City, are reassurance enough, not enough for him, but it's better than Screams and Sirens, and that's what he lets into his mind, and it's what puts a smile on his face.
Charlie walked back inside, and he sat on the Couch, just then, he heard a knock at the door.
It was a Sliding Door, with Frosted Glass Bars, that were diagonal and went across the middle of the door, and the door was about 8 Feet Tall, and it had a peephole in the middle, and was locked.
Charlie grabbed his Phone which was next to his Notebook and his Journal, and the Lamp on the End table next to the Couch, and it said "9:34 p.m."
Charlie : Who could be knocking at this hour?
Charlie walked over to the Balcony Sliding Door and closed it, and he went to his room and grabbed his Mace and walked towards the door.
He looked into the Peephole, as he sees somebody wearing a Yellow Sweater, that seemed to have an Old Gold Cloak on top of it, only it went down to just the end of the sweater, instead of covering the whole person, and they were wearing yellow boots, and gray sweatpants, they moved their head very quickly towards the peephole, and it slightly scared Charlie.
Charlie : Gah!
He heard a familiar Giggle, but he grabbed his mace and got into a fighting stance as he opened the door.
Charlie : Who are you?
The person giggled, and spun around as they removed their hood, and smiled at Charlie.
Charlie : Princess, why are you outside the Palace this late, you could have been kidnapped, then I would have to save you.
Princess Lydia : Really, if we were on the Rooftops, from my vantage, I would probably be the one saving you.
Charlie and Lydia shared their small laugh, and Lydia walked inside, and Charlie shut the door, and Lydia took her "Cloak" or hood, off of her sweatshirt, and hung it up on the hooks on the wall near the door.
Lydia put her bag down, and looked at Charlie.
Princess Lydia : Sorry I didn't try calling you, I didn't know if you would answer, or if you were out cold, so I came to see for myself.
Charlie snorted as he shut the door and locked it, after hearing Lydia's Reason, which probably was a reason to be fair since he did delete her number for the five months they hadn't seen each other.
Charlie : It's okay, and Nah... I haven't really slept a whole lot, since-
Princess Lydia : My Grandfather's Reign ended?
Charlie : Yea, since it was both of our faults he got out, my Dad was right about my job as a Ninja, he just looked at it the wrong way, and so did I, I waited until the worst moment to try and fix it, and you wanted your Father back, which I couldn't argue with on either side of bars.
Princess Lydia : Me neither... how's your life getting better?
Charlie : Eh, it's getting there, at least I'm not seeing many Living Nightmares through my own eyes anymore, What about you guys?
Princess Lydia : The Palace is a work in Progress, over three quarters of it is still damaged, but everybody in my Family's pitching in, but my Mommy and Daddy gave me and my brother a break, and since I told them that you haven't really had a break, they read my minds and told me I could come see you.
Charlie : You wanted to win my heart over more, didn't you?
Princess Lydia : How can I not, the Charming Spiky Hair, the Low and Mature Voice, the Will to Protect Ninjago, it's everything I want and like to see in an honorable man.
Charlie : Okay, now you're just flattering me.
Princess Lydia : True, but at least I'm not gonna be doing all of the talking, the food is.
Lydia emptied her bag out on Charlie's Counter, and he saw Lydia was definitely trying to steal his heart.
Charlie : So, how you been doing, after all of the, you know.
Princess Lydia : It's okay, My Family's been at the Monastery with my Great Uncle Wu while the Palace is still being repaired, and since The Jade Empress was crushed, and The Formlings' Kingdom and Fort Lexington are still being fixed, we needed somewhere to stay.
Charlie let the flashbacks of a few days ago come into his head, he did let his sister, cousins, and his friends stay with him for a few days, but they wouldn't shut up, no matter how much he tried to tell them to, it actually took a bit of convincing for Borg to give Charlie the apartment in Borg Tower, and if they were gonna get him evicted, he was seriously thinking of throwing them over the Balcony Railing, but one person cared about Charlie's Home.
Charlie : I could just damn my neighbors... If you want Lydia, you could stay with Me.
Princess Lydia : Really?
Charlie : Yea, I have the extra bedroom for a reason, and you were the only one caring about how much I either did for the city, or did for Borg to give me this place, I wasn't gonna let my Sister and the others take it all away from Me, just because this place still remained intact, that's why I gave them the boot, but I didn't want to do the same to you.
Lydia smiled, as she was in the kitchen of Charlie's Apartment, he may only be 7 1/2, but Charlie sure acts a whole lot more older, mature, and wiser than what anybody gives him credit for, which is another reason how he convinced Cyrus Borg to give him a place in Borg Tower.
Lydia was going through the bag of the things she brought with her from The Monastery, and she knew she was Charlie's Favorite right now.
Princess Lydia : That's nice of you Charlie, I will admit it's been noisy at the Monastery, especially with my Aunt Liv and my cousins there, mainly since she wanted to spend time with my Daddy, I can respect that, but it gets way too noisy for Me.
Charlie opened the fridge and grabbed a Glass Bottle out of it that contained Raspberry Soda.
Charlie : I hear you.
Princess Lydia : I figured since this past week as been "Celebrating" us taking back Ninjago, I don't see why we couldn't do that.
Charlie : Is that why you brought the Ice Cream, Cherries, Trail Mix, Soda, Gummy Worms, Sprinkles, and Whipped Cream?
Princess Lydia : Yea, Pretty much, to be honest Charlie... I just wanted to be with you.
Charlie : Me too.
Princess Lydia : I just left also, because I didn't want to get you in Trouble.
Charlie : It's okay, and I've known Cyrus Borg for a while now, and even met the Mayor when they were in the building for like one night, but the people are cool about it to be honest, with the "Celebrating" they just didn't expect it to keep going this long, and apparently we're the loudest of the celebrations.
Princess Lydia : Well we are kids.
Charlie : Yea, but some of us act like our Parents age when they did their time as Ninjas, others don't.
Charlie was sitting at the Island in the kitchen part of his apartment, playing with his spiky tipped red hair, and he looked at Lydia.
Charlie : I don't mind having someone's company, especially somebody who has twice the sweet tooth her Father has, but what brought you out this late anyway, Liddy?
Princess Lydia : Somebody had to make sure you weren't bored to Death on your own out here.
Charlie : Thanks, good enough for me.
Princess Lydia : Charlie.
Charlie : Yea?
Princess Lydia : What made you play the "Lone Wolf" Card and live out here in the city by yourself?
Charlie : It seemed to be more like who I was, who says the great and powerful Amber Ninja even needs a team to lead, proving they're strong enough on their own as "Lead Protector of Ninjago", but that doesn't mean I'm the only one protecting it, and the City's in the middle of it all, I just want to be in the right place, for the right time, for anything... and, when it's in Peace, it seems to be away from it all, nowhere near Madness and Mayhem.
Princess Lydia : Don't you miss your Parents and your sister?
Charlie : I do, but it seems like my Dad and my Sister don't really get the whole Amber Ninja thing, because it wasn't a thing for my Dad's time, that's why I asked my Mom if I could come out to the City, it was away from it all, and I could handle myself out here, and it's not like i'm gone forever, everybody knows where I am, and where I will be... I'm not going anywhere.
Charlie will and did admit to Lydia, it's been Quiet, and he's been Bored since the others left, though he didn't regret sending them to the door, but he's glad one came back, and Lydia did bring something to steal Charlie's heart so... what else could he say to her?
Princess Lydia : I will admit, it's nice to step away from The Dragon Armor, Golden Robes, Ninja Hood, and just sit down again.
Charlie : You miss her, don't you?
Princess Lydia : Yea, Firstbourne seeing Me as her Master was something I was surprised by, though I can at least say she deserves to go home with her own "Children".
Charlie : Nice way to put it.
Princess Lydia : Look, I just thought you and I could hang out, without the others coming and making it louder than an Amp cranked up to twenty.
Charlie : What happened to twenty-one?
Lydia laughed at what Charlie said, but not very loudly, or over dramatically, just a simple laugh, and that was fine by him.
Princess Lydia : I was trying to see if anybody else, who wasn't "Loud" could come out here, but it was kind of surprising it was only Me.
Charlie : Who'd you try?
Princess Lydia : Hazel, Richard, Alex, Clayton, Landon and Harmony, but they couldn't come.
Charlie : Did they say why?
Princess Lydia : Hazel had plans with Xavier... Shocking there, Richard was repairing the small damage to his home with Morro, since there wasn't a whole lot, and it's not like the building had to get demolished, Alex and Clayton were fixing The Formlings' Kingdom, and Landon and Harmony had plans with Nina and Kieran.
Charlie : So Fixing or Loving, like Insufferable Nags, got it.
Lydia giggled, and hit Charlie's shoulder.
Charlie : Don't tell me I'm wrong.
Princess Lydia : Okay.
Charlie : Do you ever think this is where our lives are gonna go, I mean it's not like my Mother was one of the "Famed Ninja of Ninjago", yet I'm the one leading them, and protecting the City?
Princess Lydia : Perhaps, I mean technically Montgomery's The Green Ninja, and while it seems like my destiny is more Important, I feel like that Destiny or Prophecy or whatever, is completed once the Oni are defeated... If they do come, so if that's the case, maybe after that I can get my life back.
Charlie : You mean your life from over the past six months?
Princess Lydia : Yea, I liked being in the Palace with my parents, and my brother... It felt like It was all I needed, especially since they were home schooling me for that time, I don't see why that can't continue, I just liked having a life of peace.
Charlie : I won't blame you.
Princess Lydia : I guess we could try to watch one of those "Romantic Comedies" that you keep telling Felicia you want to watch with me.
Charlie : Who told you that?!
Princess Lydia : You just did.
Charlie stood up and hit Lydia's shoulder, only for her to shove him back.
Princess Lydia : Come on Charlie, while at times your hair is, you certainly aren't that slick.
Charlie : Fair enough, while Creative, you're still a demon spawn, as if five wasn't enough... then again, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. . .
Lydia thought Charlie was talking about Montgomery, Alizah, Liam, Lloyd, and Liv, but instead of Lloyd or Liv, she pictured herself and Garmadon.
After Charlie stopped talking, Lydia gasped and she dropped the TV remote, and Charlie just realized what he said, she sat down on the couch with her hands shaking, and wrapped them around her waist, and Charlie saw.
Charlie and Lydia both knew they should be over this mess, especially with Skylor and Lloyd telling them it wasn't them who caused this whole mess, but they did release the man who caused it, which is what keeps coming back into their minds, it wasn't Lydia who caused all of that destruction, and she knows it, and she unlocked her true potential on that tower, so why she keeps seeing herself as her Grandfather, is beyond her.
Charlie stood up, and went towards the kitchen, and put his hands on the counter, thinking of what he said to Lydia.
Charlie : I know it's only been a little while, since this mess started Lydia, but do you want to talk about It?
Lydia just sat at the Island in the kitchen, and put her head down on the table.
Charlie : If you don't want to talk to me about it, you can just say so Liddy, but don't be like Lloyd and Liv and say you're okay, when you aren't.
Charlie could tell that she didn't want to talk, but it's not her fault what he wants to talk about is dark, ugly, and... cruel to her, and he knows she's trying to open more to others, especially her own family, since she almost never talks to them about her Secrets, and she's trying to not hide them, but it's hard to when she's held her own secrets her whole life.
Princess Lydia : I know I've asked my Daddy this question a million times by now, but... they all keep saying I've shown my Grandfather the light.
Charlie : Yea?
Princess Lydia : Do I lose my own, in order to do it?
Charlie : What do you Mean?
Princess Lydia : Ever since he drove away in the back of that truck, the thoughts of the Rising Smoke and Screams stay in my mind, and any time I look in the Mirror, I see myself as an Oni... as my Grandfather.
Charlie : You're nothing like your Grandfather, Lydia.
Princess Lydia : I know, but neither was my Daddy, and there's been times where he almost went down that path, and before he showed my Mommy the light, that's the path she went down, and for a brief time so did I... Twice, I don't want that to happen again, everybody in my Family except my Brother and my Grammy have gone down that path at least once, and I don't want to be next.
Charlie : If it makes you feel any better, our friends have done the same, Xavier was hacked, Eric was Brainwashed, Via, Alex, and Lucas used to serve Acronix, Landon and Harmony used to serve Pirates against The Resistance, so "News Flash!" Princess, nobody in Ninjago is Perfect, and besides, your Grandfather just went to Kryptarium a week ago.
Princess Lydia : Feels like a year.
Charlie : That's my Point, our Villains are right when they say we all have the Potential to come to the Dark Side, but we're also right when they have the Potential to come to the Right Side, and that's been Proven for several People, The Formlings, The Prime Empire Resistance, The Shintaro Kingdom, The Oni's Mercenaries, The Pirate Republic, those are all examples we, or our parents have come across in our times as Ninja, don't think you're the only one capable of such when we all are, but remember, you're also capable to reaching and staying on the Right Side.
Hearing that made Lydia feel better, and her reaction made Charlie feel better as well.
Princess Lydia : Wow.
Charlie laughed, as he continued drinking his Raspberry Soda, and Lydia saw her Ice Cream Bowl was empty.
Charlie : I think the Bowl's empty.
Just as Charlie put his soda bottle on the end table, Lydia grabbed the throw pillow and threw it at Charlie, and he fell on the ground, making Lydia burst into laughter.
Charlie : Okay, I deserve that.
Princess Lydia : Yep.
Lydia helped Charlie stand up, and they both went towards the kitchen for the Ice Cream.
Charlie : While not Chocolate, I still think you have the love for that stuff that Liv does.
Princess Lydia : It's Marble, okay.
Charlie : Okay, so half Chocolate, half Vanilla, that doesn't exactly help your case.
Princess Lydia : Be glad it's not Neapolitan, or else Alizah would be devouring it, I don't why she likes three flavors mixed together, she just does, but for me, it's vanilla and one other, not both.
Charlie : So you just switch between them.
Princess Lydia : Pretty much.
Charlie : I can't judge you for that, like if some people ate the same thing everyday, they wouldn't enjoy it anymore.
Princess Lydia : Yea... though are you sure my Light isn't fading?
Charlie : Of course not Liddy... you've shown more than just your Grandfather the light, you've shown it to Killow, Chopper, you helped my Grandfather see it, and I'm sure you'll show it to many others, so don't worry about losing your Light, or losing those close to you, and if you don't want to talk, then that's fine, if you ever want to talk, I'll be ready to listen, because you don't need to keep Secrets anymore, because you're not alone Liddy.
Lydia walked over and put her hand on Charlie's Shoulder.
Princess Lydia : Neither are you... This past Month had taught me a lesson Charlie, and while there is always the Possibility of losing one close to you, it's okay as long as you have others beside you, and I know it's difficult for anybody to think that the Oni might be back, and I can't imagine what most be going through any of our heads, but whatever happens, I'll be here.
Charlie wrapped his arms around Lydia's waist, and she did the same around Charlie's neck.
Charlie leaned forward and kissed Lydia's lips, and she returned the kiss, and the two of them finally moved past the previous month of their lives, and Lydia knew her place was by Charlie's side... she now knew, he felt the same way about her.
Princess Lydia : Charlie... I love you.
Charlie : I love you too, Liddy.
Princess Lydia : And Charlie.
Charlie : Yea?
Princess Lydia : I'll take the offer... I wanna stay with you.
Charlie : That's all I ever wanted, Liddy.
The two kissed, and not a single breeze, or chill could touch the warm love of The Amber Ninja and The Gold Princess, and Charlie knew his place as a Ninja, was in Ninjago City, beside Princess Lydia Garmadon.
Next Time on The Masks of Garmadon : Lydia visits Kryptarium Prison with Harumi and Lloyd, to see Garmadon and talk about The Oni's Rise, with hopes of stopping them, but what she also wanted to know was if it was possible to show her Grandfather the Light again, and if it was, could he show her how?
What Happens Next?
To Be Continued. . . . .