Interlude: Waking Up (Lloyd's POV)

Everything felt foggy. There was this, thing, taking up Lloyd's entire body. What started out as a harmless chill, had taken up every part of him until there was nothing left. He could feel it moving his body, using his voice, but he couldn't control it. Lloyd could only watch as it drove his friends away, leaving him all alone.

"It's not me!" he wanted to scream. But he couldn't. Lloyd was completely helpless.

Give it up, Green Wizard, the mist mocked. I'm in control now, and there's nothing you can do.

Lloyd was starting to believe the voice was right. The weeks passed, and he felt more distant than ever. It was like living in a dream, well, more like a nightmare. He could hardly make out the world around him. Everything was just one big blur.

So when Garmadon dropped in front of Lloyd, he didn't get his hopes up. It was probably just a figment of his imagination. He had nothing else to do these days but think and dream.

His father opened his mouth, but Lloyd couldn't make out the words. It was like he was underwater, drowning in a thick green mist.

"I don't need saving, and I'm not going anywhere with you," it mocked, using Lloyd's voice. He cringed. He was going to push Garmadon away. Again. First his friends, and now his father. He was completely alone. The mist crossed Lloyd's arms and shoved past Garmadon.

But suddenly he stopped moving. The mist shuddered, and suddenly Lloyd could see. Like really, truly see. His father was right in front of him, his face firm, but his eyes full of concern. His four arms had latched onto Lloyd's body, not letting him leave. Not letting him be alone. His mouth moved again, but this time Lloyd could make out some of the words.

"I'm…going…save…you…"

Shock flooded his brain. He must be dreaming. The mist always got its way some way or another. It had won his body, his mind, and his life. This couldn't be happening. There was nothing his father could do anyways. Lloyd was a prisoner in his own body, unable to fight back.

"Let go of—" the mist tried to shout, but Garmadon covered his mouth, and picked him up. Lloyd cheered silently. Even if it was a just a dream, it felt good to see the mist lose. But then it turned inward towards him.

Don't you dare! This is just a temporary setback, it growled as Garmadon cradled Lloyd's body against his chest. Lloyd tried to laugh, but the mist smothered him till he couldn't even think straight. Cold flooded Lloyd's senses, taking over his last bit of consciousness. Then, everything went black.

—

Voices. Coming from far away. Talking about…him? Lloyd commanded his body to make a noise, to grab their attention, but nothing happened. He sighed mentally. At least he could hear. Sort of. Everyone still sounded like they were underwater, but maybe the mist was losing control. Or maybe this was just another dream after the mist finally decided to let him go.

"—help Lloyd," someone was saying.

"Don't worry, I got this," another replied… Dad? Had he been rescued? It was all real?

"I'm coming for you, L-loyd," Garmadon whispered. A spark flared in Lloyd's soul. It was real.

Of course it was real, dummy, the mist taunted. But they can't help you now. I have total control of your body.

Lloyd didn't care. He was going to be free. His father was going to find a way to get rid of the mist once and for all. Hope burned in his chest.

"Legilimens!"

NO! the mist screamed, and it fled, rushing to block Garmadon's spell. For the first time in a long, long time, Lloyd didn't feel smothered. It was like he could breathe again. With the mist gone, he wasn't cold anymore. He could hear each one of his friends' worried voices with perfect clarity. He could see his father bent over with intense concentration, and… Lloyd took a deep breath.

"Move!" Lloyd commanded. His finger twitched. Yes! He couldn't believe it! Then, his lip began to curl upwards. Lloyd was smiling! Amazing! His dad did it! He was free! He could move his own body.

No, no, no! The mist screamed again. Then, just as quick as it left, the cold came crashing down, freezing his limbs. Lloyd wanted to cry, but his body wouldn't respond. As soon as he got his freedom it was taken away. The mist stole everything.

"Don't give up, L-loyd! I'm coming!" Garmadon shouted. Lloyd started. His dad was here? But…

The mist hissed in agitation. It was losing control. Either Garmadon would get rid of it or Lloyd would regain his bodily functions again. Lloyd tried to call back, but the mist covered him. Oh, no you don't.

Lloyd struggled, but he couldn't move, and it was getting so, so hard to think.

That's right. You're nothing.

Nothing. The word echoed in Lloyd's mind, and his heart sank. The mist was right. Lloyd couldn't do anything. The chill had taken over his entire body and Lloyd hadn't even put up a fight. That night in the graveyard, he couldn't stop the Overlord from stealing his powers, or from killing Cedric. And if it hadn't been for his friends, he would have never survived any of the tasks. He hadn't even been able to rescue his own father; Kai had to go with him and Zane conjured the Patronus that saved Lloyd's life. He really was nothing.

The mist drifted toward Garmadon, its job done. Now all that was left was to drive the wizard out of what was rightfully his. Lloyd didn't even notice it was gone.

"Lloyd, fight back."

Kai? Lloyd wished he could tell his friend that he couldn't. That he was trapped with no way out.

"You can do it, buddy." Jay's normally loud voice sounded quiet, like he was miles away. It took a moment to realize this wasn't the mist's doing, but Jay was actually choked up.

He cares, Lloyd thought.

And one by one each of Lloyd's friends murmured their encouragement.

"Come back to us."

"We miss you."

"Show that ghost who's boss!"

They all do, Lloyd amended. They wanted him back. After all his mistakes, after he was so useless…they still wanted to be his friend. Lloyd steeled his mind and reached out with all his might. This time, he wasn't going to let them down.

"DAD!" he cried with his mind. "I'm here! Help me!"

"L-loyd!"

Lloyd looked up, and a black streak broke through the green fog. Suddenly, Lloyd gasped, and the graveyard materialized around him. His body burned. No, no, no! Not again! Golden light poured from Lloyd…then the scene changed.

Lloyd was bent over Cedric's body. Guilt racked the young boy. If only he had just grabbed that cup in the first place, but no. Lloyd decided to be noble instead. If he had known…The memory continued. Lloyd dodged a killing curse and dragged himself forward. He reached for a gravestone, and time seemed to slow down.

The weak stone crumbed in his grasp, but he managed to drag his body a few feet. He glanced at the name on the tomb.

"Sorry, Morro," he whispered. A chill set into Lloyd's bones from head to toe, so strong he actually shivered, but Lloyd ignored it threw out his arms and pulled his body forward.

It suddenly dawned on Lloyd that the mist in his body was actually Morro. The person's grave he had destroyed. He hadn't meant to, it just kind of happened. The graveyard faded away until all Lloyd could see was black.

"Morro!" he called. "Why are you doing this?"

So, you finally figured it out, little wizard? Sorry, but I can't answer any questions. I'm a little busy at the moment.

Lloyd's body tightened and he felt himself sit up. "You're not going to get away with this!" Lloyd cried, but Morro only laughed. Lloyd's feet planted on the ground.

"Don't worry, L-loyd. I'll stop him, but you gotta help me. Clear your mind, block out your emotions," Garmadon instructed. Easier said then done, but Lloyd took a deep breath and tried quiet his turbulent thoughts. Lloyd could almost feel his dad's smile.

No! What are you doing? Stop it!

Lloyd ignored him, and tried to think of the things that calmed him down. Dumplings, lunchtime in the library, Kai promising they would get through this, and…the hug Garmadon had given him. Even with mist inside his body, his dad's four arms made him feel safe, like nothing could hurt him.

A shudder rolled through Lloyd, and the room faded away, but this time, Lloyd guessed they were inside Morro's head.

—

A small boy with a green streak in his hair was pouring over books in the library. A younger Master Wu walked up behind him.

"What are you reading, Morro?"

The child beamed. "A book of spells! I'm going to be the best wizard ever!"

Wu smiled. "Indeed. You have great potential. If you continue to train, I have no doubt you will achieve greatness."

—

Stop it! The mist begged.

Jay's smile, Zane's cooking, the blanket that his mom gave him before she left, Lloyd thought stubbornly. He refused to let Morro get to him. The scene switched.

—

The boy was in another class. While most of the other students were falling asleep, Morro was sitting up straight, taking eager notes with his pen.

"The Green Wizard is destined to save us all from the threat of the Overlord," a teacher Lloyd didn't recognize said. "He will have the powers of the Gold Wizard, who defeated him a few years ago."

Morro's eyes gleamed, and when the bell rang he sprinted straight to the library. He checked out any book relating to the Green Wizard, and that night, he ran into Master Wu's office.

"Master!" Morro called, slamming the door open. "I've been reading…"

"Have you now?" Wu smiled brightly at the boy.

"Do you think I could be the Green Wizard?" he asked.

"It's possible, Morro."

"Yay! I'm going to go train!"

—

Lloyd swallowed and dread filled his heart. He knew how this story was going to end. Wu told him that he was the Green Wizard, and the Overlord had stolen Golden Power from him. Lloyd couldn't help it. He felt bad for Morro. He was so young, so eager, and Wu fed his dreams.

Yes, the mist hissed. Wu told me I could be the Green Wizard, but he lied! He told me I was special, but he was wrong.

"I'm sorry," Lloyd told him, and he really meant it. "But why possess me? I didn't do anything to you."

You're the Green Wizard. I will have your powers, no matter what!

Cold tightened in Lloyd's chest, squeezing the life out of him. Lloyd wanted to shiver, but he couldn't move, and the feeling just kept getting worse. Morro was regaining control.

"L-loyd, you have to clear your mind! Concentrate!" Garmadon called. Lloyd could feel his dad struggling with the mist, but panic made it hard to think. What if he couldn't gain control? What would Morro do with his powers? What if he never saw his friends again?

"Breathe, L-loyd!"

Lloyd tried, but he couldn't. Morro made it impossible to do anything. He couldn't even squeeze his own eyes shut.

"L-loyd!"

"I'm trying!" Lloyd answered. Calm down. Calm down. Warm hugs, Wu's tea…Ugg! The cold was still there; it's not working. Calm down! Lloyd scolded himself. Eating cake with Cole, laughing with his friends, getting tucked in at night, walking up to see the Monastery at the top of the Mountain…

—

Morro was older now, probably in his seventh year. He had lost the bubbling energy he had as a child, and now walked with a confident swagger. He had an arrogant smirk on his face, and he held his wand loosely in his hand.

"Master," he called. "I'm ready for that lesson you promised."

"Yes, Morro," Wu sighed. The pride had faded from his voice, and age was beginning to show in his face.

"To become the Green Wizard, you must summon green energy. To do this, clear your mind, and find the source of your true power."

"How, Master?" Morro pressed.

Wu stifled another sigh, and tried to explain again. "Focus. Imagine your mind is a pond, and your thoughts are the ripples. Still the pond, Morro."

Morro closed his eyes.

"Breathe in through your nose, and out through your mouth."

Morro did as he was told.

"Relax."

Morro let all the tension in his body melt away. His wand clattered to the floor.

"Now, look deep into the pond. There resides your elemental power. Draw it out in its purest form."

Morro furrowed his brow in concentration. He drew his hands together and they began to glow. Wu watched with quietly, sipping his tea, but after the last ten attempts, he learned not to expect anything.

Morro exhaled, snapping his eyes open, and his hands burst into flames. Morro glared at them, like it was their fault he hadn't succeeded. "Why? Why isn't it working? I did everything you asked—"

Wu set down his cup. "Morro, you are a talented wizard, one of the best I have ever taught."

Morro tensed at his teacher's tone. "But?" he prompted.

"But you are not destined to be the Green Wizard. I'm sorry."

Morro's mouth dropped. "What?"

"Your talents lie elsewhere, Morro. It's time to move on."

Morro just shook his head. "No. You're wrong. I'll train twice as hard, I'll—"

"Enough!" Wu snapped, jumping to his feet. "Move on, Morro. You are not the Green Wizard, and you never will be. It isn't your destiny."

Morro growled. "I won't accept it. I'll show you. I'll make my own destiny!" He snatched his wand and stormed from the room.

—

"Give up, Morro!" Garmadon yelled. "You've lost."

Never! he shouted back.

Lloyd tried to tune them out. He had to stay calm. He thought of his uncle's words. His mind is a pond. His thoughts are the ripples. His mind faded to black once more.

—

Morro ran into a graveyard. He followed every wisp; every rumor of the Overlord's presence, and it all led him here. This was the place the foul monster originated and where the Gold Wizard had finally defeated him, and where Morro was going to crush any remnant of him once and for all.

"Come out, Overlord!" Morro shouted, drawing his wand. "I'm here to destroy you!"

A cackle reverberated around the graveyard, and Morro spun on his heels looking for the source.

"And who are you?" A raspy voice hissed.

"I'm Morro, the greatest wizard alive, and I'm going to destroy you!"

"So you say," the voice replied. "But what makes you think you can defeat me, the embodiment of pure evil? You're nobody, and not even Wu believes in you."

Morro blinked, but he quickly resumed his search for the Overlord. "How did you—"

"Know?" The Overlord interrupted. "I know everything. I can see inside your mind, Morro, and I see you are weak, a little orphan playing at being the Green Wizard. But I know your deepest thoughts, and you know the truth, don't you? You're nothing. You have no power."

"You're lying!" Morro yelled, but his voice shook.

"Really? Then show me your green power!" The Overlord challenged.

Morro closed his eyes and tried to concentrate, but nothing happened.

"Show me!"

Veins burst in Morro's head, and energy whirled and receded around him, but no green energy came forth. At last, Morro collapsed onto his knees.

"Finish him," the Overlord commanded. Stone statues around the graveyard burst to life and marched toward the broken man. Morro opened his eyes and tried to fight back, but it was too late. The stone warriors couldn't be stopped. Morro's body crumpled to the ground, and all that was left was a green mist, lingering around a crumbled gravestone.

—

I've hung on to life all these years, the mist said. I'm not giving up now.

"But we want the same thing," Lloyd argued, finally breaking out of his concentration. The mist had shrunk now, a little more and he would be plunged out of Lloyd's body for good. "We both want to stop the Overlord, right?"

"L-loyd, what are you doing?" Garmadon asked.

Lloyd ignored him. In all the memories, Lloyd had realized that Morro wasn't a bad person. He was bitter and angry, but underneath it all, he just wanted to prove he could do something. And although Morro had completely violated Lloyd's body, he kinda felt bad for the ghost. He couldn't let his dad totally destroy Morro, not yet.

I want to be the Green Wizard, he spat.

"You wanted to be strong," Lloyd corrected. "And you wanted Wu to accept you. I get that. I was ignored most of my life. But now the Overlord is back, and we need to stop him. And I can't do that if you're in my body."

You can't stop the Overlord, you're just a child.

"And you're a ghost," Lloyd countered. "And yes, I'm a child, but I also have my friends, and my dad, and together, we'll stop the Overlord."

Morro laughed. You think your little bands of misfits can stop that monster? You're more foolish than I thought.

"You can help us too," Lloyd added. "I saw your memories. You're a powerful wizard. We could use your help. But have to let go of me. Please, Morro."

The ghost laughed, but the malice behind it dissipated. Being saved by my enemy, he said. Ironic isn't it?

"We're not enemies. You don't want the Overlord to rule Ninjago, do you? You died trying to stop him, so help me stop him now."

The mist fell silent. Garmadon watched his son intently, the spell allowing him to feel his desire to save the ghost. He remembered how Lloyd had saved him, and decided to let his son give Morro a second chance.

You're right about one thing, the mist admitted at last, I don't want the Overlord ruling Ninjago, and I've been inside your head. Morro took a shuddering breath. Garmadon had done a lot of damage to him, and his form was disappearing.

You're a decent kid, weak, mind you, but you have a good heart. A lot better than mine. Morro sighed. But it's too late for me. You can only save someone who wants to be saved.

The mist vanished, and Lloyd suddenly could see and feel everything again, but instead of feeling joyful, all Lloyd could think about is how he failed to help Morro.

"No, L-loyd," Garmadon said to his son. "You helped him to let go, and you gave him a second chance. That counts for more than you realize."

Lloyd nodded, but he still couldn't help feeling guilty. Garmadon sighed, and ended the spell; leaving his son alone in his mind. He thought about Morro for a long time, and hoped that wherever he was, that the ghost had found peace. He took a deep breath and decided he would worry about him later, for now he more important things to deal with.

AN: Hope you enjoyed the Lloyd interlude chapter! Thanks to NaninaDaPanda and JBomb217 for being faithful reviewers! You are the best! Reviews are always welcome! Thanks for reading and see you next week!