A/N: Bruh, I literally was so excited I got this ready to post immediately after the previous chapter so I could just slap on a review reply and post this the second I got a review. And then I immediately went to bed.
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arrowchristian: I'm so glad you like these! And I promise I will have less torture for Lloyd later in the fic. I'm definitely going through the end of season 2, but I may end up going farther as I have some plans for the later seasons. I'm definitely going to have an epilogue that takes place right after season 10.
Zane and Garmadon got there mere moments after Lloyd collapsed, not even stopping as they scooped the boy up and rushed out of harm's way.
"Now will you go?!"
Gale glared slightly, but nodded. "Come on, Vinnie, let's get a better vantage point." Just as she started to turn, she spotted the motorbike returning. "Is he okay?"
"Where's the nearest hospital?!" Garmadon snapped, cradling his boy, one hand on the freshly blood stained bandage on the kid's shoulder.
"We can take you in our news van." Vinnie piped up, gesturing with the camera to a van only a couple feet away.
For once, Gale didn't protest. Instead, she tried to report on the entire trip - holding the camera herself since Vinnie was driving. "And here we have our little hero. This extraordinary boy who allowed so many to evacuate the southern section of the city. As you can see, he's not in the best shape, and we're on our way to take him to one of the hospitals still open-"
Garmadon put a hand on the camera lense. "Get that camera out of my son's face."
"Your son?!" Gale giggled. "That's a story all on its own!"
He shot her a glare.
Gale was silent the rest of the ride.
The hospital at first was hesitant to admit anyone new - even though the damage had thus far been controlled there were still several injured. Once they saw the boy's condition they admitted him. Garmadon stayed just long enough to write Lloyd a short note before heading off to do his part of the plan.
*Not long after that*
The Great Devourer exploded, leaving a green slime (that mostly consisted of its venom) almost everywhere. The ninja were relieved to discover their mentor was somehow completely uninjured. They rushed to embrace him. "Sensei!"
"Wait, where's Garmadon?" An apprehensive Jay asked after a moment.
"Our golden weapons are gone too!" Cole exclaimed, glancing around angrily.
Kai shook his head slightly. "We'll get them back. First, let's go check on Lloyd. Who knows? Maybe Garmadon's there and not… somewhere else."
"Isn't Lloyd with the serpentine?"
"No, he kind of… tried to fight the Devourer. By himself. Did a great job, but now he's in the hospital."
Wu stared at Kai.
"Yeah… we'll explain later."
*Back at the hospital*
The first thing Lloyd noticed was the steady beeping noise, an unfamiliar noise. His heart began to race. What was that? Why was he so tired, and feeling so strange?
Why was the beeping increasing?!
He sat bolt upright, staring at the room for the first time. The room was white, cut in half by a sheet. There were wires and machines, one of which had a green line spiking with each beep, and a strange bag of clear fluid with a tube connecting it to his arm. After discovering he was alone for the most part (due to the snores coming from the figure on the other side) he allowed himself to relax slightly. The beeping started to slow down too.
Footsteps echoed outside and the door creaked open. A strange person wearing a pale blue uniform stepped in, eyes going wide at Lloyd. "You're… awake."
Panic rose in his chest as he shied away from them, glancing around for a possible escape.
They checked the machine as well as the bag, making sure both were still attached. Lloyd flinched whenever they touched him, especially when they checked his pulse while watching the machine. "You feeling up to any visitors? Your uncle's been asking." After getting no response they finally stated. "I'll let him in. Just push that button if you want him out, okay?" With that, they left.
Lloyd was alone for about ten minutes when Wu came into the room, taking the seat next to the bed. "Hey, Lloyd. How are you feeling?"
The boy just nodded.
"Mind telling me why you decided to take on the Great Devourer by yourself yesterday?"
"It- it was going to hurt people, sir. Did-" He cut his own question off.
Wu shook his head slightly. "The damage the Devourer caused was somewhat controlled, so the number of people hurt was low for such a catastrophic event."
He was quiet for a second, glancing down. "But… people were still hurt? Sir?"
A nod. "Casualties are hard to avoid in any battle, but you should focus on how many people were saved."
Lloyd nodded, still looking downward, hands clenched, heartbeat slowly increasing as his face grew hot and his eyes watered.
Wu pulled out Kai's phone and held it so Lloyd could see it. "The ninja wanted you to see this." He pushed play.
It started with scenes of him fighting the Devourer, and the view went close-up when he collapsed. It was all to clear the exact moment he lost consciousness, from the ways his eyes went from glowing green to a dull hazel, the beads of sweat streaming down his face as all his clenched muscles went limp simultaneously. After that it showed a bit of his trip to the hospital, all with some lady narrating. Then it was Garmadon launching himself onto the Devourer, killing it in a single blow. Then witness interviews.
First up was a young boy in blue. "It was awesome! I was a few blocks away, but I had a perfect view from my window!"
A man in a suit. "My wife and kids were at home, that kid held up the building long enough for them to escape."
A white-haired girl in twin braids. "If not for Garmadon and that kid, I'd be with my parents in heaven."
The interviews drawled on, each person stating how Lloyd and Garmadon had saved them.
When the video ended Wu tucked the phone back into his pocket. "That was the news this morning."
"Thank you, sir." Lloyd bowed as best he could from his seated position.
The baby gets recognition for his actions!