James: Hey everyone, it is time for an update. So we know that we left you all in a cliffhanger, love doing that by the way, and now we're here with more of Unknown. Uh... Mel, anything to add? I got nothing else to say.
Mel: one thing. There is a small bit in here where I talk about the history of the yin and yang legend. It is a parody, because the real story is a little too bloody, violent and confusing then I wanted to put in here. But enjoy it, and the rest of the story all the same! :)
Chapter 22: Losing Oneself.
*with Lucas*
Lucas: *walks quietly down the hall*
Smith: You! Did you take care of what they needed?
Lucas: *gulps slightly and replies* Yes sir!
Smith: Good. Now you and another go get yang for more training.
Lucas: Sir! *walks down the hall and comes across another goon* Smith wants us to get yang. He said I would retrieve him while you stand guard at the door incase he tries to escape.
Goon: Alright, let's go. *leads the way to James' cell, which Lucas was glad for*
*with James*
James: I can't give in... For Melody's sake... But it's so hard to resist... it's calling me. Telling me to give in... It sounds like a good idea... I'm so tired... No! I must stay strong... For Melody. Her name, imagining her face, her sweet singing voice, her laughter... It's the only thing keeping me strong. I must think of her Mel, my Viv Twin, life twin. M-my other half. My Mel.
*With Lucas*
Lucas: *is taken to James' cell stood in front of an iron door* Wait right here. I'll get Yang.
Goon: *huffed* Whatever. *and opened the door*
Lucas: *walks in to let out a silent gasp to see James restrained and gagged and felt his powers turning fuzzy and the disguise disappeared. Luckily he walked past the guard before he noticed him and ran to James, whispering* James, are you alright? *and removed the gag*
James: Lucas, it's you. How did you escape? Is my sister alright?
Lucas: She's fine. But she's worried for you.
James: Why?
Lucas: We believe you're turning to the dark side based from your powers and anger. The more you use it, the more it consumes you.
James: That explains the voice in my head then.
Lucas: *saw his eyes were red and grew worried for him* You're fighting it aren't you?
James: *nods head* It wants me to use my anger so I can release it.
Lucas: Keep fighting it. Let's get you out of here. *and began to unstrap James*
James: You never told me how you escaped.
Lucas: *finishes unstrapping his arms* I used my powers to disguise myself to find you and now I can't use them.
James: The walls are lined with something that can neutralize my powers and even yours.
Lucas: But we still have to get you out of here. There's a guard outside and...
Smith: What is going on here?
Lucas: *turns to see Smith with two goons by his side*
Smith: Trying release Yang are we? *turns to the goons* Get him!
Goons: Sir! *and charged at Lucas with nightsticks*
Lucas: *blocked the first strike and twisted the first goons wrist and disarmed him on his weapon and caught. And whacked him across the head into unconsciousness* I can probably get used to this. *blocks the other goon's weapon and sent a powerful kick to his chest*
Smith: My my. You're an interesting one. I need more guards!
*four more goons appeared and surrounded Lucas*
Lucas: *blocked their attacks and sent some of his own, but was caught off guard and took a punch to the face and fell to the floor*
James: Lucas!
Lucas: *tried to get up, but the goons grabbed his arms and pulled him up and struggled to break free*
Smith: Take him and Yang to the training room. This one shall be interesting.
Lucas: *was dragged away while the remaining goons unstrapped James and dragged both away to the training room* What are they going to do? Mel is going to be upset if they found out I was captured.
*With everyone else at the same time*
Cole: *jaw drops* Did you just...
Dawn: Close your mouth Cole, it'll catch flies.
Cole: *closes mouth* B-but... I don't get it...
Mel: *laughs at the two siblings* It's called a CRUSH, Cole. Maybe you've heard of it?
Cole: Yea but... Lucas!?
Dawn: Don't judge me! What's wrong with it, Cole!? Are you saying you don't like the idea of it being Lucas?
Cole: N-no... it's just... you're my little sister. I don't want you to get hurt.
Dawn: *hugs him* It's Lucas Cole, he WON'T hurt me.
Cole: B-but... I don't want you to grow up.
Nya: It's got to happen sometime. Just like with Kai, he had to give me a chance to be a woman.
Dawn: And even if I do grow up Cole, I'll always be you're baby sister.
Cole: *smiles, and strokes her hair* I know, and I love you.
Mel & Nya: Aww!
Jay & Kai: TOO SAPPY!
Cole & Dawn: *glares at boys* BE QUIET!
*With James and Lucas*
James and Lucas: *both were dragged away as Lucas' plan failed and both were in trouble. They were thrown into a room and the door slammed shut behind them*
James: *gets to his feet and helped Lucas up* Lucas, are you alright?
Lucas: Yeah I am. It's not the first time to take a punch to the jaw. But where are we?
*The lights buzzed over them and illuminated the room James fought the androids*
Strange: You are the target that Yang must fight against.
James: *glares at him as he's in the office watching over them and stood in the center* I will not fight against my friends. You can't make me! *screams in pain as the bracelet conducted electricity through his body and slumped to the floor*
Lucas: James! *and ran to him*
Strange: Oh but we can. If you don't do as you're ordered, then we'll have to move to drastic measures.
Lucas: *knelt down to his knees and tried to remove the bracelet*
James: *breathing heavily and glared at Lucas, thinking* Give in...I can't...But he'll harm your sister...He won't...But he will...Lies...Use your anger, let it consume you and unleash me...Never...Fine, but they'll harm your sister if you don't...They will never! *gets up and threw a punch at Lucas' abdomen*
Lucas: *fell to his knees while clutching his stomach and gasped to breath* James, don't give in!
James: *eyes started glowing red and black with the black ebony flames engulfing his hands* He's busy at the moment. *shakes his head and his eyes stopped glowing* Lucas, I'm sorry. *eyes start glowing back* Quiet you.
Lucas: *stood back and realized what was happening. James is fighting against it and is losing* James, please stop. You can win. Melody wants you back.
James: *screams at him and charges at him*
Lucas: *stood in a defense and waited for James to attack first. James threw a punch at Lucas and he blocked it by using his forearm and used the heel of his free hand and pushed against James' chest*
James: *growled at him and charged back at Lucas and jumped to kick him*
Lucas: *crosses both arms to deflect the kick and grabbed both legs and swung him around and threw him across the room*
James: *landed on both feet and pointed his flaming hands in front of him and sent a stream of fire to hit Lucas*
Lucas: *had two small orbs of water appear in his palms and brought them up to create a shield of water to protect him. And after James stopped sending the fire, Lucas pushed the water and James and charged at him to stop fighting against his friend*
Both: *continued to fight in close combat as one didn't want to fight while the other wanted to destroy him*
James: *blocked Lucas' arms and grabbed both of them and twisted them*
Lucas: *screamed in pain and saw the hatred in the red eyes and felt pain as James' head collided with his nose and punch back. He slid on the floor and hit his back against the wall. He felt blood gushing down from his nose and looked at James as he drew closer* Please James, don't. Think of your sister.
James: *loomed over him and held a black fireball in his palm* Night night. *the flame disappeared and slammed his fist at Lucas' face to render him unconscious. He looked at Lucas and felt the anger die off and didn't hear the voice controlling him* Lucas, I'm sorry.
Strange: Very impressive. Take them away. Send the ninja back to his cell and show them not to ever escape again.
*goons appeared and grabbed James' arms while some picked Lucas up and carried him back to Melody and the others*
James: Lucas! I'm sorry! *and tears ran down his cheeks as he didn't do it on purpose and was dragged away to his cell. He didn't struggle as they strapped him back and gagged and blindfolded him and was closed off from the world and cried until he fell asleep*
*With everyone else*
Mel: I hope Lucas is alright... it wouldn't turn out well if he got captured.
Kai: That's for sure. But he's smart, I'm sure he's fi- *is cut off by the door swinging open to reveal a goon holding Lucas*
Dawn: *gasp* Lucas! What happened!
Cole and Zane: *take him and lay him down on the bed while the goons took their comrade back from their cell*
Jay: He's out cold!
Kai: Look at his injuries!
Dawn: M-mel... can you do anything?
Mel: Let me see. *looks at Lucas, places her hands on his chest and thinks of healing. Her hands begin to glow and slowly the bruises on Lucas' face, the burns, and the clearly broken arm disapear. Melody gasps from the effort*
Nya: *steadys Melody* Careful there, that used a lot of your energy.
Mel: *stands up straighter* Thanks, but I'm fine.
Dawn: W-what could have happened?
Cole: *places a comforting hand on her sister* We'll have to wait until he wakes up to find out.
Dawn: *nods head, stroking Lucas' hair gently* it'll all be okay Lucas, don't you worry.
*With James, in his dream*
James: I saw myself, standing over someone. I couldn't see who it was, but I could see what I was doing. My hands were on fire, and I was clearly ready to finish whoever it was off... then the scene shifted. I could see who it was. It was Melody, burned, hurt and with a pleading look in her eyes.
Mel: James... please... don't! *sees the hatred in his eyes, and knows it's hopeless as he brings his burning hands closer and closer to her* No matter what you do James, know that I will always love you.
James: Sees himself hit Melody in the chest. Tries to call out, stop him, but has no voice. She was gone. *wakes up scared and was crying with joy as it was a dream, but despair that in his dream that his sister was gone*
Voice in his head: What is wrong? Don't you love the power?
James: I do not. You hurt my friend and can't let that happen to my sister.
Voice: It wasn't I who harmed him. It was you.
James: I couldn't have. You controlled my body.
Voice: I controlled you, yes. But you kept resisting and made it difficult.
James: You harmed my friend! I didn't do a thing!
Voice: It was your body that fought! Your powers that harmed him! You were the one who harmed him. Your anger blinded you and you won.
James: Leave me alone!
Voice: You cannot force me to! I am part of you! I'm helping you unleash your anger and fall to darkness.
James: I do not wish to fall to the dark side. You can't make me!
Voice: And I can. Face it. I'm part of you and you're part of me.
James: Who are you?
Voice: I am your inner self. I am your anger and Inner Yin locked away and am trying to escape.
James: I will not let you escape. I will not let you harm my sister and friends.
Voice: You can't. I'll break free and cause destruction in my path. And you won't be able to save yourself. Or your sister and friends. Good night, James. *and the voice was gone*
James: My inner self? This is weird. I need to keep resisting and won't let...I'll call him Rage...escape. I won't let my anger harm my sister and friends and won't give in. I hope Lucas is doing alright.
*with everyone else*
Lloyd: *wakes up* W*cough*-hat's going on? *sees Lucas* Lucas! What happened!?
Mel: We don't really know, Lloyd. Lucas had a plan to break us out of here by using his mist to disguise himself as a goon and went to look for James. Besides that, we're just waiting for him to wake up.
Lloyd: *looks worriedly at his cousin* Lucas... Please come back for me. I need you.
Lucas: *groans, but other than that stays the same*
Dawn: Don't worry little one, he'll be alright. Your cousin is strong.
Lloyd: I know, but I'm still scared...
Mel: Hey, how are you feeling pipsqueak?
Lloyd: Fine. Why?
Mel: *looks at Dawn* You mean you don't remember what happened last night?
Lloyd: Not really... What happened?
Mel: You puked again, three times to be precise.
Lloyd: Well I'm feeling good right now.
Mel: *feels his forehead* Well your fever is gone... We'll just have to wait and see, Lloyd.
Lloyd: Alright. *strokes his cousin's hair* Please wake up soon, Lucas...
Cole: Don't worry Lloyd. He'll wake up. We know you care for him and he cares for you, but time will tell when he wakes up. He was beaten badly and we don't know from what, but he's here with you.
Lloyd: I hope he wakes up. I can't imagine him gone again.
Everyone: *sees the depressed kid and felt pity for him. Hears a beep sound come from Zane and looked at him*
Zane: *opens his panel and smiled* I'm in.
Kai: Great! Now see what they want with James and Melody?
Zane: *presses on the keypad and a blue light poured out of the other side and shined on the wall like a projector and showed newspaper clippings, documents, and files. Zane moves the cursor over to a file named 'Yin and Yang' and clicked on it. The file opened and showed a picture of James and Melody with side notes of them and the Yin and Yang symbol*
Jay: What is going on here? Who is this Strange that has James locked away and calls him Yang?
Zane: Hugo Strange was once an masters degree in engineering from MIT and worked for the government as a weapon's specialist in defense. But when the government found out that he was selling plans and weapons to the Russian KGB, they had to disclose him on his latest research on using religious beliefs and science combined. His research has lead him that the two whose possess the powers of Yin and Yang can create a portal to rip through the fabric of space.
Kai: So that's why they have Melody and James here. They're making them use their powers to create his portal and cause destruction to this world.
Cole: Also explains how they're able to possess powers. But why have them separated?
Dawn: Because Yin and Yang are the balance of good and evil and both can unleash their powers from anger. Mel hates it when they hurt her brother. And James hates it when they harm his sister.
Kai: But what about the flames? If James is Yang, why does he have black flames when Yang is white, while Mel is Yin and has white flames?
Dawn: The small dot on the symbol makes them possess a part of the other. James is the dark side, while Mel is the light. Mel can heal people, while James harms them. Like what he did to Jake in the past and Smith when he threatened Melody.
Mel: My brother is on the dark side. No. He won't do that. I know him better. He's my brother and would never harm people. He just fights to defend me.
Nya: He'll save him, Mel. But we have to wait for Lucas to wake up and explain to us what happened to him.
Dawn: Mel, can I ask you what you know of the Yin and Yang?
Mel: Hm? Oh a pretty good amount. See in sixth grade, we had to do a project on early cultural beliefs. We could have a partner, so naturally it was James and I and the project we picked from the list was Yin and Yang. We thought it was cool since we were twins to research something that had two 'sides' so to speak.
Cole: So what are some of the things you do know?
Mel: Let's see... in the myth, the original Yin and Yang were actually two people. Yin was the princess of the night and the moon, and Yang was the prince of the day and the sun. The two were young and still with their families, but one day the two met and instantly fell in love. Their families were horrified because since they were opposites they would never be as one. The two were forbidden from seeing one another. But as true love is, they kept meeting in secret. They found out that even though they were opposites, they also 'contained' piece of the other within them. One day when they met, the two families followed each of them and discovered what was going on. In the fight, both Yin and Yang died. The gods took pity on the young couple, and transformed their spirits into the god and goddess of balance and the ruler of each respected thing, the moon and the sun. That's basically what I know of the Yin and Yang.
Lloyd: Sounds like a mushy love story.
Mel: *laughs lightly* It kind of is pipsqueak, but if you think about it, it's really sweet.
Nya: That's really a interesting story. How's Lucas doing?
Mel: *looks over at him* Doesn-
Lucas: *groans and eyes flutter open* W-where am I?
Dawn: Lucas! You're alright! *hugs him gently, in case he's still sore*
Lucas: *looks at himself to see he's all healed* Thank you Melody for healing me.
Mel: Of course, but... what happened to get you like this?
Lucas: *sighs* You're not going to like to hear this...
Everyone: *looks at Lucas with wondering faces and hoped he explains it soon*
Lucas: James attacked me.
Mel: *gasped* He would never do this. My brother would never harm his friends.
Lucas: But that's the thing. He wasn't fighting me on purpose. He was being controlled to fight.
Dawn: What do you mean?
Lucas: He's changing.
Mel: What?
Lucas: He's changing. It's consuming him and he can't control himself. When we were thrown in the training room, they told James to fight me and he refused to. But suddenly he starts attacking me and couldn't control himself.
Kai: Who was controlling him?
Lucas: Himself.
Jay: Alright, you're confusing me. What exactly do you mean by that?
Lucas: When we were fighting, there two people in him. Himself and something else. One minute he's there, the next gone. He's fighting against himself to save himself from darkness and is losing.
Dawn: His anger must be changing him and whatever is controlling him to harm wants to escape. Besides his two-faces, how else did you know he's changing?
Lucas: That's the creepy part. His eyes are no longer hazel, but blood red.
Dawn: Oh-no. He's losing quicker.
Mel: We got save him before he hurts himself.
Kai: We will. But we can't escape again. They know about Lucas' powers and if we attempt the same trick, they'll know about us.
Mel: What are we going to do? We can't sit here and let him change.
Cole: I don't know. But I guess we try to get some rest and think of something.
*later that night, in Mel's dream*
Mel: I saw him standing there, my twin. I was happy and ran to him, he was safe. When I got over there and went to hug him, I saw he was different. I looked into his eyes and saw that they were blood red, merciless and cold. He turned to me, and looked me in the face. What he said was worse than dying.
Dream James: You are no longer my sister. You are just in my way. Good bye.
Mel: W-what? James... *starts crying as James raises his fist, burning black*
James: So long.
Mel: *Everything went dark and wakes up screaming*
*With James*
James: *screaming through his gag as volts of electricity coursed through his body to wake him up*
Strange: Good morning, Yang. I'm sure you slept fine today.
James: *glares at him through his blindfold* Not much of a wake up call. And no I didn't sleep fine. I dreamt that I harmed my sister again and she was crying. I don't want to see my sister cry. Not even in my dreams.
Strange: Unstrap him and bring him to training.
*two goons walked over to James and undid the straps, blindfold, and gag*
Strange: Let's see how you'll do in target practice today.
James: You'll never get away with this.
Strange: Oh but I have. I have captured the Yin and Yang and shall use the power to create my portal to control the world. But if wish you to struggle and not cooperate today, then we'll have to move to drastic measures to convince you. Mainly your sister.
James: *thought about his sister and couldn't imagined her injured and sighed* I'll cooperate under two conditions.
Strange: And what may they be?
James: I get to see my sister for ten minutes every time I train and they better have food so they don't starve to death.
Strange: You really care for your sister and friends. I'll have arrangements made. Now you keep your bargain.
James: *didn't struggle as the goons finished unstrapping him and escorted him to training* Hope she's safe and Lucas is alright.
*with everyone else*
Lucas: *bolts awake at the sound of screaming, looks and sees Melody, screaming in terror* Mel, what's wrong?! Are you okay?
Mel: I-it was a dream... But it was so real...
Lucas: *smiles sympathetically* What happened?
Nya: *had woken as well and started rubbing Mel's shoulders comfortingly* It might help if you tell us.
Mel: A-alright... I saw James, so naturally I ran for him. When I got there h-his eyes were red, like you said Lucas. H-he told me... *sobs lightly* he told me I wasn't his sister anymore. Then he raised his fist and...
Dawn: Oh Mel, you'll know that'll never happen. James will fight this. The one thing he'll never let happen is you get hurt.
Mel: *takes a deep breath, calming down* I know, but I'm scared for James. He's my brother, my Viv Twin.
Jay: Your what?
Mel: *laughs lightly* You've never heard us use that saying before have you?
Zane: No, that is a new one to me.
Mel: It's a nickname our mother gave to us when we were little. Viv is a Latin root meaning life.
Kai: So she called you life twins? What does that mean?
Mel: That we were each other's life. Always together and dependent on one another.
Dawn: That's so sweet.
Mel: *smiles sadly* But now... I just don't know anymore.
*With James*
James: *stands in the center of the room while Strange and Smith were observing him* You better keep your promise or I'm going after you.
Strange: Don't worry. They'll taken under our care. Now begin.
James: *saw the androids walking towards him and summoned his black flames* Target practice. Easy. *drew a hand back to create a sphere of fire, but stopped as something was happening. One of the androids began to change and showed his sister* No. They want me to fight my sister. *looks at the other androids and saw them change into his friends* Keep it together, James. They're not real. They're robots, and he's messing with you.
Strange: Attack!
James: *sent a fireball at a robot of Zane and made a direct hit to the chest and charged at Kai. He jumped and sent a stream of fire as he swung his leg across his chest and watched him fall. He ducked as Jay was throwing objects at him and sent a fireball to his legs and watched him fall. He stood in front of Dawn and Cole and sent a flamethrower of his fire and made contact to the two siblings of robots. He saw Lucas was at the far right and sent another fireball at him and it curved to hit Lucas in the head. He saw Nya charging at him and sent a fireball to her and watched her fall. Then there was Lloyd. He stopped for a moment and couldn't hit him.
Rage in his head: Looks like someone needs some help.
James: Go away!
Rage: You can't force me. But I can force you.
James: *felt his body growing hot and couldn't feel his body and watched himself move* No! *holds out hand in front of Lloyd's face and sent a fiery fist through it*
Rage: That's better. Now only one left.
James: No! *watches as his sister charge at him and he sent a punch to her chest and watched her fall to her knees*
Fake Mel: Please James, don't.
James: *holds a black flaming fist up made it go through her robotic heart*
Rage: Much better now. See ya later.
James: *felt he had his mind and body back and watched his robotic sister fall to the floor and the hologram revealed the robotic body and looked at Strange* I've done my part. Now let me see my sister.
Strange: We kept our promise. Take him to his sibling.
*two goons entered and grabbed James' arms and escorted him to his sister and friends*
James: I can't believe it. I'm losing myself. This...can't be happening. I... I don't know what to do. Mel?
Mel: hey, calm down, it'll be alright. Remember, (sorry, this has been removed do to spoiler alerts! (: )
Lloyd: and everything was so cool!
Kai: *smirks* looks like someone's feeling better
Lloyd: What? It's not the first time I had a stomach from candy and Dawn helped me before.
Lucas: And this is why we always try to hide the candy.
Cole: So nothing like this happens again.
Mel: ya, we don't want you sick in our studio again. Now... Opinions about our newest couple?
Dawn and Lucas: *blush deeply* we're not a couple!
Dawn: ya, all I have is a crush and a kiss!
Mel: either way, opinions?
Cole: Treat my baby sister right or I'm coming after you. Got it?
Lucas: Whatever. You're my friend and brother so you can trust me.
Lloyd: Gross. I better not get cooties.
Nya: oh come on now, the great powerful green ninja can't be afraid of cooties!
Lloyd: I-I'm not afraid, they're just gross!
Dawn: let's find out, shall we? *kisses her hand and blows it at Lloyd*
Lloyd: *screams and starts running circles around the studio while screaming* getthemoffgetthemoffgetthemoff!
Lucas: *laughs* Oh my cousin. So is there something else we're forgetting now? I keep forgetting all the time.
Jay: You're not the only one.
James: Oh that's right. The review responses. Mel?
Mel: oh that's right... Let's see.. First we have..
NinjaMelissa: thanks for reviewing on our story! Do you have a nickname we can use as well? As for James ending up like Garmadon.. We sure hope not, but you'll have to wait and see as the story goes on! :)
James: Then we have...
Shadow: That's cool you see yourself as a philosopher and for my powers, I have part of the Yin so my powers are black.
Dawn: let's see.. Next is..
Ninjagosbiggestfan: you're Mel and James's sister, right? Glad you were surprised by the whole evil James thing, we were too! I'm sure James will hear your words of encouragement and fight against Rage the best he can. Yes, I finally kisses Lucas, our feelings are reviled, and unfortunely it comes with a butt load of teasing from the guys. Thanks for the complement, but were not really together...
Cole, who's next?
Cole: Good thing you're not together. I don't want you hurt. Anyway...
Anonymous1201: First off, we don't know what's wrong with Lloyd. He's jus sick and we've seen it before on the Bounty, but not like this. So we're not sure. And now we know about the Yin and Yang symbol. Even Sensei wouldn't make sense to us on how it means.
James: And I think that's everything. Mel?
Mel: yep, not as many as normal. But hey, every review makes us happy, right guys?
All: ya!
Mel: who wants to hear about this weeks poll results?
Lloyd: I don't! I don't want to see cooties flying around. *hides behind Cole and Kai*
Mel: well, they're the exact same as last week. 4 votes Dewdrop, 3 FlowerStorm, 2 Life, and 1 StormyDawn. And, for all of our nonmember readers who can't vote on my poll, just send your vote here! The choices are Dewdrop shipping, FlowerStorm shipping, Life shipping, StormyDawn shipping, Weather shipping, Rainbow shipping, and MorningFog shipping! Every vote counts!
Nya: oo.. I like Dewdrop or FlowerStorm... It sounds pretty.
Lucas: *blushes at Dawn on the names*
Lloyd: What did I just say? I didn't want to know. Now cooties are gonna be everywhere.
James: cooties can't come from poll results Lloyd, you'll be fine. All the cooties Dawn blew at you are gone too. They've faded away.
Lloyd: are you sure?
Jay: positive short stuff.
Lloyd: O-okay.
James: So are we done here now?
Mel: does anyone else have anything to say? Or should we go on with the truth or dare game we were playing?
Zane: Nope. I do believe that's everything.
Jay: Yep. I got nothing else in mind.
James: Alright then. I think we're done. Well...have a wonderful weekend and we'll see you all next time.
All: bye!
Rage: That's right... Say goodbye. But soon...I shall be free. *evilly laughs in the shadows*