Chereads / Second Chance for a Villain / Chapter 21 - Chapter 21

Chapter 21 - Chapter 21

Heroes POV

They stood at the precipice, overlooking the chaos that had engulfed Ninjago City. The Great Devourer loomed large, its massive form consuming everything in its path. With each passing moment, it seemed to grow larger, more voracious, more destructive. Despite the impending doom, the students of the Elemental Alliance Academy were actively engaged in assisting with the evacuation efforts.

Most were scattered across the city, each contributing in their way. Some distributed food and water to the displaced citizens, while others provided blankets and medical aid to those injured in the chaos. Everyone played a role, doing what they could to aid in the crisis.

Noah stood on the hillside, his gaze fixed on the colossal serpent writhing in the distance. A hand landed on his shoulder, and he turned to see his father, Sensei Wu, standing beside him.

"I sense your restlessness, my son," Sensei Wu remarked, his voice calm and measured. "You wish to act, yet find yourself confined here, unable to intervene."

Noah's frustration was palpable. "I just can't understand why things haven't been going our way lately."

"Fate has its designs," Sensei Wu replied cryptically. "Sometimes, all we can do is trust in its course."

With that, Sensei Wu left to assist in the relief efforts, leaving Noah to contemplate his words. Trust in fate? It seemed like a hollow comfort in the face of such devastation.

Noah's comrades soon joined him, their determination evident. Kai, ever the impulsive one, broke the silence.

"Are we just going to stand here and watch?" he asked, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Or are we going to do something about that giant snake?"

Noah glanced around, ensuring no one was eavesdropping on their conversation. "And risk getting ourselves killed or worse?"

Jay placed a reassuring hand on Noah's shoulder. "We were chosen by destiny to protect this city. Are we going to abandon our duty now?"

Cole chimed in, his voice steady and resolute. "It's time to make a choice, Noah. Are you with us or not?"

Noah hesitated, looking to Zane for guidance. The logical member of their group remained silent, his expression unreadable. Noah's gaze returned to the city below, his resolve hardening. This was his city, his home, and he refused to let it fall without a fight.

"I'm in," he declared finally. "This is our city, and we won't let anyone destroy it."

Kai grinned, his enthusiasm contagious. "That's the spirit! Let's go. Nya's getting her Samurai X mech ready."

With renewed determination, Noah and his friends set off, ready to face the colossal threat looming over Ninjago City. Whatever fate had in store for them, they were determined to face it head-on, united in their resolve to protect their home at all costs.

Lloyd POV

The hallway stretched endlessly before me, every step an agonizing ordeal. My eyes burned with a searing pain, a constant reminder of the consequences of my reckless actions. I had disobeyed Victor's orders, removing the bandages that shielded my sensitive eyes. But I had to see, had to confirm my suspicions, even if it meant risking further harm.

With faltering steps, I made my way down the dorm hallway, the dim light casting eerie shadows along the walls. Each breath was a struggle, my body protesting with every movement. But I pressed on, driven by a singular purpose.

Finally, I reached the door to the gang dorm room. My hand shook as I reached out, fingers trembling as I tried the handle. Locked. Of course, they wouldn't make it easy for me. But I was prepared for this. With practiced precision, I retrieved my lockpicks, their metallic glint a stark contrast to the dull surroundings.

Carefully, and methodically, I inserted the slender tools into the lock, my heart pounding in my chest. Every click, every movement of the tumblers, felt like an eternity. But at last, with a soft snick, the lock yielded, and the door swung open before me.

Relief flooded through me as I stepped into the dimly lit room. It was a stark contrast to the chaos outside, an oasis of calm in a world gone mad. But there was no time to savor the moment. I had come here with a purpose, and I could not afford to delay.

I scanned the room, my eyes adjusting to the dim light. The familiar surroundings brought a sense of nostalgia, memories of better times mingling with the urgency of the present. But my gaze quickly settled on the group's makeshift meeting table, where they often convened to discuss their plans and strategies.

Without hesitation, I made my way over, my footsteps echoing softly in the silence. I could feel the weight of their absence, the emptiness of the room a stark reminder of what was at stake. But I could not afford to dwell on sentimentality. I had a mission to accomplish, and time was of the essence.

Flashback

As I lay in the sterile confines of the infirmary, my mind buzzed with questions and uncertainties. The events of the past few days weighed heavily on me, each moment replaying in my mind like a relentless tide. But amidst the chaos and confusion, one thought stood out with stark clarity: I needed to find Noah.

Summoning what little strength I had left, I called out to Mister Glasses as he prepared to depart. His presence was a lifeline in this sea of uncertainty, a beacon of guidance amidst the storm.

"Wait a moment," I called out, my voice barely more than a whisper, as I reached out blindly in his direction. "Can you tell me where Noah's dorm is at?"

Mister Glasses paused, his figure silhouetted against the harsh light streaming in through the infirmary windows. There was a moment of silence, pregnant with unspoken questions and hesitant deliberation. Then, finally, came his response.

"Why would you need it for?"

His words hung in the air, laden with suspicion and curiosity. I could sense his guarded demeanor, his reluctance to divulge more than necessary. But I knew I had to tread carefully, to offer an explanation that would assuage his doubts.

"I wanted to congratulate him," I replied, my voice tinged with sincerity. "Or else he will be thinking that I have a grudge against him or something along those lines. For some reason, we've never been on good terms, so when I'm healed up, I could make things right."

There was a beat of silence, during which Mister Glasses seemed to consider my words carefully. Then, with a resigned sigh, he relented.

"It is room 203," he answered, his tone laced with a hint of exasperation. "You are quite a wonder, you know that."

With that, he turned and left the room, his footsteps echoing faintly in the sterile silence of the infirmary. As the sound faded into the distance, I was left alone once more, my mind swirling with a mixture of determination and uncertainty. But one thing was clear: I had a destination, a goal to strive for amidst the turmoil of the unknown.

Lloyd POV

I stepped into the gang's dorm room, immediately struck by the chaos that surrounded me. Clothes were strewn across the floor, empty pizza boxes littered the desk, and soda bottles scattered haphazardly amidst the clutter. How they accomplished anything in this mess was beyond me, but I didn't have time to dwell on it. I had a mission to complete.

Navigating through the clutter, I made my way to the closet and began rummaging through the chaos. Amidst the disarray, I spotted a large bag tucked away in a corner. With a sense of determination, I retrieved it and unzipped the bag, revealing the coveted Golden Weapons within. A grin spread across my face as I secured the bag, knowing that I now possessed a powerful tool to aid in my plans.

With the Golden Weapons in hand, I swiftly exited the dorm room, my mind already racing ahead to my next destination. Making my way to Mystake's Tea Shop, I donned a pair of sunglasses borrowed from Victor for some semblance of disguise. As I entered the shop, I was greeted by Mystake herself, her usual warm demeanor masking any hint of suspicion.

"One Traveler tea, please," I requested, my tone casual yet urgent.

Mystake's eyebrow quirked in confusion. "We don't have such a thing."

I slid a bag of gold across the counter, a silent offering to ensure her cooperation. Without another word, Mystake disappeared into the back, returning moments later with a teapot filled with the requested brew. With a nod of thanks, I took the teapot and quickly departed, the weight of my task pressing heavily upon me.

Returning to my bunker, a place long neglected, I poured the tea onto the floor, summoning forth a portal to the realm of Madness. As I gazed into the swirling depths of the portal, I steeled myself for what lay ahead. With a determined resolve, I leaped into the unknown, the chaotic energies of the realm enveloping me in a disorienting whirlwind.

Upon landing, I found myself face-to-face with my father, Lord Garmadon, his dark presence casting a shadow over the desolate landscape. His eyes burned with a sinister intensity as he regarded me with suspicion.

"What brings a little boy like you here?" he sneered, his voice dripping with disdain.

Ignoring his taunts, I faced him with unwavering determination, explaining my purpose and offering him the chance for revenge upon Ninjago. As he processed my words, I summoned my powers, deftly dispatching the mud monsters he conjured to thwart me.

With his acceptance secured, I floated us both to the summit of the Mountain of Madness, where a portal awaited to return us to Ninjago. Handing him the bag containing the Golden Weapons, I delivered my final instruction before leaping into the portal, ready to set my plans into motion.

As I hurtled through the portal, I knew that the wheels of fate had been set in motion. With Lord Garmadon unleashed upon Ninjago, chaos would reign, and I would be ready to seize the opportunity that awaited.

Heroes POV

They huddled behind the shelter of a nearby building, their breaths shallow with tension as they observed the colossal form of the Great Devourer looming ominously in the distance, its massive form prowling the streets in search of prey.

"How are we supposed to defeat that thing?" Cole's voice barely rose above a whisper, laden with uncertainty and apprehension.

Their predicament was dire, their minds devoid of any coherent plan of action as they faced the gargantuan serpent. None of their abilities or Nya's gadgets seemed to offer even a glimmer of hope against such a formidable adversary.

"We know there's a weak spot on its forehead," Kai interjected, his tone laced with frustration as he grasped at straws for a solution. "Maybe we can exploit that somehow."

Jay shot him a withering glare, his skepticism palpable. "That's great, Kai. What exactly do you suggest we do with that useless piece of information?"

Their conversation was abruptly cut short as the Great Devourer altered its course, its colossal form lumbering in their direction with a menacing purpose. With a shared glance of urgency, they knew it was time to move, to flee from the impending threat, until an unexpected interruption halted their retreat.

"LORD GARMADON!" Their collective voices rang out in shock and disbelief as they beheld the figure standing before them, a chilling reminder of their tumultuous past and the looming threat of chaos that now engulfed Ninjago.