Chapter 9: Escape from the beast

Garmadon's POV

Blast the creature with Oni magic, but it dodges and pins me done.

"Ninja-GO!" Wu shouts, using Spinjitzu and knocking it into a tree. It's weird body hits the tree, making a audible splash. It gets up, shakes it's head and leaps at Wu.

"Don't even think about it!" I scream, blasting it in the face. It staggers back on all fours before swishing it's tail side to side with impatience.

"What the hell even are you?" I ask, getting up. The creature just stands there, before staring evilly at me. It opens its mouth in a rasping breath, before closing it once again.

"Garm, Wu, what do we do? Do we run?"

"Patience Misako. I believe it is waiting for us to strike."

"Brother, I suggest we go. That thing…I can sense it's power. It is definitely the power source that Zane was talking about."

"Can you sense anything else?" I stare at it as it flicks its mane.

"I think…I thinks it an Oni. Or at least, somewhat Oni. This realm…do you think that-"

"If that is true then we must warn the ninja and get out of here. Now." I nod and step back slowly.

"We aren't trying to harm you. Now leave us be. I am an Oni too, I am like you. Now please, let us go." I try to reason. The creature stands up on its hind legs before shrieking once again and charges at us.

"That's it!" I send a blast of Oni magic at a decaying tree and it tumbles on the creature, trapping it. It screams and lashes it's tail furiously, clawing at the wood.

"Well, that was easy." Misako questions.

"Don't jinx us! We're still not out of the forest…" I whisper.

"The trees…" Wu comments, watching them carefully. The branches of the tree slowly come back up, sprouting new leaves. The remaining bark slowly crumble off and new bark grows. The tree glows it's normal hue and everything is as it was.

"Wait." I point to the tree where the creature was thrown. It's inky black skin still clings to the tree and Wu looks down at his hands.

"It's…it's so cold. I can't… I can't feel my-"

He stutters, before falling onto the floor.

"Wu!" I scream in panic, catching my younger brother. I flip his body over and feel his pulse.

"Thank the FSM." I sigh.

"We need to get back, now." Misako urges.

"Agreed." I put Wu over my shoulder. "Do you have anything that could contain-"

"Never leave home without it. My equipment I mean." She says, pulling out a storage bag. "I doubt this will hold it though."

"Be careful." I warn. She takes out a trowel and starts scraping at the liquid. Surprisingly, the bag actually holds up, and the trowel is fine.

"I don't understand…" I question, "Whatever, let's just get back to the Dragon Cruiser, we can't waste anymore time." Misako nods and puts the bag into her pocket, before running out of the forest beside me. The Dragon Cruiser was a much smaller version of the Land Bounty, only being able to fit up to 4 people in total. Not only that, but it resembled more of Cole's Rock cycle from what I had seen in the blueprints displayed around the monastery. PIXAL was usually more organised, but from what I had seen yesterday she had become more lazy if that was even possible.

"There!" Misako cheers, pointing to the Dragon Cruiser.

I gentle place Wu into the passenger seat and tie in his seat belt before lifting Misako in through the hatch in the roof.

"What a crappy design!" Misako growls.

"Get the engine started, I'll be on the roof."

I stand up to leave before Misako grabs my hand.

"Be careful." She says tearfully. I nod and climb out the roof. I get on my two feet before spotting the creature running towards us. The rumble of the Dragon Cruiser echoes through my body.

"Go!" I scream. "It's right behind us!" The Dragon Cruiser starts moving with a worrying grunt and starts speeding out the forest.

"Zane!" I half-shout through my earpiece. "Zane are you there? Anyone? We need back up! Wu is badly hurt! I repeat, Wu is badly hurt!"

No response.

I growl and turn around, realising the creature is right on our tail.

"Speed up! Its getting closer!"

"This is the fastest it can go! What do we do?"

"Help driving. I'll buy you some time."

"Wait, what are you-" I jump off the Dragon Cruiser and roll onto the dirt.

"Get away from my family you filthy monster!" I scream. The creature shrieks even louder and tries to leap onto me.

"Oh crap." I mumble, blasting it with Oni magic. "What the hell are you? What else are you? Oni? Are you my father's failed creation? Are you…are you the Overlords creation?" The creature hisses at the name and makes another move at me.

"What are you?!" I scream, losing my patience. The creature grabs me with its inky black claws and throws me across the path. I promised Lloyd I wouldn't do this again but…

I go into Oni form. It's the only way to save my family. Or what's left. The creature, looks at me with fear in its eyes and runs away on all fours. I send out a few blasts just to make sure it's gone and transform back. A lingering sense of regret fills my chest and I run out the forest, guilt eating at my heart.