A.N: Ok, I apologize for being so inactive. Let's just say with all the crazy busy stuff going on with school, I haven't had the time to sit down and write. I won't get into it, since you guys don't want to hear all my lame excuses.

I literally had to FORCE myself to write this. It's a bit of a filler chapter. But FYI, I am going to try and update this story more often than my other ones, since in about 10 chapters I think it'll be done.

Lloyd's POV:

The sun was beginning to set as we walked back to the ship. Sand was swirling aimlessly around our shoes and the twilight began to chill the desert landscape.

Eurus was walking alongside me, his red eyes glued to the ground as if it were a lifeline. Zoe strode next to me, her hazel eyes hardened and determined as they fixated at the Bounty. Up ahead, Kai was grumbling things about stupid snakes and how they always mess things up.

Could we even trust Eurus? After all of us have been through with snakes, do we want to take the risk? Ever since he offered his help, I've been apprehensive. The thought of me being back in that cold cell again…I shuddered at the thought.

Eventually we reached the deck, where Uncle, Dad and Nya were waiting.

Uncle was hard to read, but his smoke-colored eyes seemed to be even older. "Come, it seems we have much to discuss," he said as he gestured to the Bounty.

We followed, but Dad eyed Eurus, his blood red eyes burning with an intensity I've never seen before. He pulled me closer to him, and gave Eurus a look that pulsated with hate.

Then he looked at me, ruffled my hair, and walked in as if nothing happened.

Cole stood up and fixed his gaze on Zoe. "Why did you follow them?! You were supposed to stay here where it's safe!"

Zoe sighed slightly and looked at her older brother. The ten of us were gathered at the bridge, sitting down at the table while Zane prepared dinner. "I wanted to do more than just sit around Cole. All of you have something to contribute. I don't. Besides, you guys seemed to be in a sticky situation back there huh?" She smiled faintly at this last sentence.

The ninja of earth's face looked cold and calculating, as if preparing a battle plan all over his sister's forehead. "If you wanted to help, then tell me instead of just wandering off alone." He swept his arm out towards the window, as Jay ducked to avoid getting wacked in the head.

Zoe opened her mouth to retaliate, as I thought things were about to get ugly, but Kai loudly cleared his throat. "As entertaining as this conversation is, we have bigger problems to address. Venom's awake. And he's got an army."

Uncle sighed. "Kai is right. I feared that as the solstice draws closer, Pythor will not rest until all the scrolls are in his hands. We need to act fast if we stand a chance against such a prominent threat."

Jay nodded. "But how? Venom's got all these crazy demons with him, and what do we got? Are we gonna give him Zzz-quil to make him go back to sleep for another century?!"

Cole looked at Jay funny, as Kai sighed and face-palmed. "This isn't the time for jokes Jay. This is serious."

Jay shrugged. "Hey, I'm just saying it could work. Dump an industrial sized bottle in his mouth-"

"OKAY! We get it!" Cole shouted.

Dad looked irritated as Uncle chuckled and shook his head. Suddenly I realized something.

"Wait, it's not totally hopeless. My powers killed them…I think."

Kai grimaced. "Yeah, but I get the feeling that it wasn't permanent. Wouldn't it be a little odd that the power he needs kills his army? It's a little stupid of them."

I frowned. I didn't think of that. Zoe frowned a little too, and continued fiddling with a bracelet her brother made her.

Eurus hung out in the corner of the room watching us. I turned to him. "You have any ideas? If anyone knows snake strategy, it's you."

The hypnobrai shifted slightly as everyone's eyes turned towards him. I felt bad about giving him the spotlight, but he was our best shot. Kai glared at him, as if saying, go ahead. Give it your best shot.

Eventually, Eurus took a shaky breath and said, "Fine. The next ssscroll they need is the scroll of fire. My bessst guess is that it's in the Fire Temple,"

Kai glared at my Dad at this, and Dad gave him a glare right back.

"And I alssso don't think that Pythor would want to wait. Pythor's impatient, to ssay the least. And the solstice is drawing closer each passing minute he'ss not working."

"He has a point," Jay said as he turned towards the kitchen every few moments. "Pythor could be sending out troops at any second. We're gonna need to be at the top of our game."

Just then, Zane walked in with dinner in his hands, complete with spaghetti and meatballs and some rice on the side. The statement Jay said still left a lingering presence at the table, but it was briefly forgotten as we dove into the food.

Later that night, I couldn't sleep. On top of Cole snoring like a gorilla, and Jay talking in his sleep, my mind was on what we had seen back there. I didn't want to admit it, but I was terrified. I felt like Venom's half-awake eyes were boring into my soul, reading my thoughts and analyzing my weaknesses.

I'm supposed to be the all-powerful green ninja, with no fear and can do absolutely anything, and can whip anyone's butt. But I'm not. I'm just a kid, who wants to eat candy, play video games, and wait impatiently for StarFarer comics.

I flipped over on my side, facing the wall. Jay's bed creaked above me as he muttered something about how Nya's hair was pretty.

I wasn't sure how many more times my life can be on the line, until the time comes when nobody can help me, not even my Dad.

The thing that didn't help was that I had a feeling that that time was coming all-too-soon.

In the morning, as I was rubbing my eyes and adjusting to the light in the room, the first thing I noticed was that the ninja weren't there.

Did I sleep through breakfast? I thought as I sluggishly got dressed and brushed my messy blond hair. If I did, I am so gonna kill Kai if Zane was making waffles.

I checked to make sure my bow and arrows were stashed in the corner closest to my bed, and my comics were under my mattress, and stumbled down the stairs.

Oddly, only my Uncle, Dad, Zoe and Eurus were sitting there. "Um…where are the others?" I asked. Zoe turned to face me, her curly hair whipping behind her. Her eyes blazed with ferocity I've never seen in her before. "They're out on a mission. Getting the next scroll. You didn't notice?"

She said it as if any civilized person should know this. I gulped, a little frightened by her gaze, and shook my head in reply. Dad was studying me, his expression unreadable as usual. Uncle looked troubled, his mind on other topics. "We detected movement by the serpentine very late last night. The ninja set out to investigate. However, Venom's army is leading the attack. I fear this will be a much harder battle to win."

Breakfast was eaten in awkward silence. My Dad whisked me away in the afternoon and spoke to me briefly.

"Lloyd, please promise me you won't tag along on any more missions with the ninja. Promise me that? I want to make sure that you're safe."

I frowned. "But Dad, I can help! I'm not useless. I have something to contribute! I'm not weak!" My temper was rising. I may be scared, but I didn't want other people to think I couldn't fight. I was a Garmadon. I could do anything.

At least I hope so.

Dad sighed and brushed my bangs behind my ear. "I realize that son. Believe me when I tell you this, and don't you ever forget it, you are strong. Stronger than you think. Stronger than you know. You have a pure heart, and the true courage of a ninja. I want you to be able to show that. In order for that wish to be fulfilled, I need to make sure you're safe first. This is a battle that just is too dangerous and too risky for you to be in. I don't want to lose you son. Never again. Understand?"

I digested those words. Dad looked at me with a pleading gaze, with tiredness hidden in those crimson eyes. If I have learned two things, is that Dad always has the right thing to say. And, that he has the uncanny ability to be right all the time.

"Alright. I promise," I finally said.

Dad gave a soft smile. "Good. Now, I think maybe you should talk to Zoe. She seems a bit troubled."

"Why me? Why not Cole? He is her brother after all."

"Well, I have the feeling that Cole is the reason why she is so…ah…hostile this morning. Just try it. Besides, I know you care about her Lloyd. It pains you to see her like this."

I was about to protest, but Dad gave me a knowing look, and walked back into the bridge.

My eyes turned towards Zoe's room. The door was closed, and it was silent on the other side.

Should I? I wondered. My gut was telling me to open the door and talk to her, but another side of me, the cowardly side that I hated for being there, was coaxing me to run as far away as possible from this door.

Go with your gut Kai always told me. As a ninja, trusting your instinct is your best chance. And whether you like it or not, you're a ninja.

I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and touched my hand to the knob.

Suddenly, footsteps were heard on deck, I heard Cole swearing a blue streak, and Kai grumbling about shadows being the most annoying little ***** ever.

"We're back." Jay called half-heartedly. His tone turned cheerful however next, "And I found a soccer ball!"

I felt the color drain from my skin, and my stomach drop to my feet.

My dream. It's coming true.

A.N: I am just an evil little witch aren't I? XD I'll update as soon as I can. Maybe this time next week or earlier. That's what I'll shoot for. Review please! You guys are awesome.