Heroes POV
Noah stood in stunned silence, his gaze fixed on the figure before him—Lloyd, the unexpected visitor who bore an uncanny resemblance to him. It was a surreal moment, seeing someone who shared his features, albeit with glowing green eyes. But Noah quickly composed himself, steeling his expression against the shock.
"What are you doing here?" he demanded, his tone sharp with suspicion. "And how did you get in?"
Lloyd's smirk only widened, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes as he circled Noah. "You don't need to act maturely; I'm older than you," he retorted, his voice dripping with playful arrogance. "I snuck in while you were saying goodbye to everyone. Quite a heartwarming moment."
Noah's jaw tensed as he watched Lloyd's casual demeanor, his guard remaining firmly in place. This unexpected encounter left him unsettled, unsure of Lloyd's true intentions.
Before Noah could respond, Kai entered the room, his expression one of bewilderment as he took in the sight of two identical figures. He blinked repeatedly, as if trying to dispel an illusion.
"Am I seeing things?" Kai's voice held a note of disbelief, his confusion evident.
Lloyd approached Kai with an outstretched hand, a smirk playing on his lips. "This is very real, my good comrade," he quipped, his tone light and teasing.
Kai hesitated before tentatively accepting Lloyd's hand, his eyes narrowing in recognition. "You're that guy I met at the grocery store with the crappy attitude," he remarked, his memory jogging to their previous encounter.
Noah observed the exchange between Kai and Lloyd, a mixture of skepticism and wariness clouding his thoughts. This was the chosen one—the same individual who had once attacked them and stolen the Golden Weapons before giving them to his father, Lord Garmadon. It was difficult to reconcile this knowledge with the person standing before him.
Deciding to involve the rest of the group, Noah led Lloyd to the deck where the others were gathered. Their reactions mirrored Kai's initial disbelief upon seeing Lloyd's striking resemblance to Noah.
"Is that Lloyd?" Jay's voice held a mixture of surprise and incredulity. "He looks exactly like you, Noah."
Noah's response was curt, his frustration simmering beneath the surface. "Thank you for the reminder," he muttered through clenched teeth.
Lloyd's attention shifted to Misako, his expression darkening as he addressed her with an edge of hostility. "Hello, Mother," he growled, the tension palpable in the air. "It's been a long time."
Misako's response was measured, her gaze steady as she met Lloyd's glare. "Yes, it has," she acknowledged, her tone neutral.
Lloyd's words carried a sense of accusation, his resentment towards Misako thinly veiled beneath a façade of civility. It was clear that their relationship was fraught with unresolved issues, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.
Sensei Wu interjected, attempting to steer the conversation in a more constructive direction. "Lloyd, do you have any Elemental abilities?" he inquired, his curiosity piqued.
Lloyd's eyes sparkled with excitement as he eagerly demonstrated his newfound powers, manipulating the main four elements with practiced ease. The group watched in awe as he conjured a small energy ball, showcasing his control over his abilities.
As the others marveled at Lloyd's demonstration, Noah's suspicions only deepened. How had Lloyd known to find them? And what were his true intentions? It was a puzzle Noah was determined to solve, even as he grappled with the unsettling presence of his newfound "brother."
With a sense of foreboding hanging in the air, Noah retreated to his room, his mind buzzing with unanswered questions. This unexpected reunion had only added to the complexity of their mission, leaving Noah with a sense of unease that refused to dissipate.
…
Villains POV
Lord Garmadon stood atop a craggy cliff, his gaze fixed upon the Stone Scouts below as they diligently collected what appeared to be nothing more than mud. His expression twisted with frustration and confusion, for he could not fathom the purpose behind this seemingly trivial task. To him, every moment spent on such endeavors felt like a squandering of precious time that could be better utilized in conquering Ninjago.
"This is foolish," he muttered under his breath, shaking his head in disdain. "I have an unbeatable army at my command, yet we waste time playing in the mud?"
As if in response to his skepticism, the Overlord materialized beside him, his ominous presence casting a shadow over Garmadon. The Overlord's voice dripped with authority as he addressed Garmadon's doubts.
"What you call 'mud' is concentrated evil," the Overlord explained, his tone laden with a sinister gravity. "A Dark Matter that, with one drop, could turn a man's heart as black as night."
Garmadon regarded the Overlord with a mixture of skepticism and wariness. He resented the Overlord's cryptic manner and his reluctance to divulge the full extent of his plans. Moreover, Garmadon chafed at the Overlord's expectation that he should blindly obey without question, like a mere servant.
But the Overlord offered no further explanation, instead floating away to observe the Stone Scouts' progress. Left alone once more, Garmadon grappled with his frustration and impatience. He knew that time was of the essence, and yet he felt compelled to trust in the Overlord's vision, however enigmatic it may be.
"Have patience, Garmadon," the Overlord's words echoed in his mind. "The Celestial Clock ticks backward to doomsday and cannot be stopped. Your time will come, but we must prepare. We must build a superweapon the likes of which has never before been seen."
Despite his misgivings, Garmadon couldn't help but feel a flicker of anticipation at the prospect of wielding such power. The allure of ultimate conquest beckoned to him, igniting a spark of ambition within his darkened heart.
Turning his attention back to the Stone Scouts, Garmadon found himself nodding in reluctant agreement. If this was what it took to achieve his ultimate goal, then he would bide his time and play his part in the Overlord's grand design. After all, the promise of unrivaled power and dominion over Ninjago was a prize worth any sacrifice.
…
Lloyd POV
Kai led me through the corridors of the Destiny Bounty, his footsteps echoing softly against the metal floor. His tour was efficient, and I quickly familiarized myself with the layout of the ship. As he left me in front of my assigned room, he offered a final word of reassurance.
"This is where you're going to sleep. If you need anything, just let one of us know," Kai said before departing, leaving me alone in the doorway.
With a slight nod, I pushed the door open and stepped into the room, only to find Noah already inside. His gaze pierced through me as he closed the book he had been reading, suspicion etched on his features. It seemed fate had decided that we would be roommates, at least for the time being. I took a seat on the bed opposite him, meeting his intense stare with a calm demeanor.
"Who are you?" Lloyd's voice cut through the tension, his eyes locked on Noah as if searching for answers.
I interjected, crossing my arms defensively. "I don't know what you mean."
Noah rose from his seat, closing the distance between us with purpose. "Your story doesn't add up. How did you know you were the chosen one and that we were looking for you?"
Leaning in conspiratorially, I lowered my voice. "I'm a Psychic. I see things through my dreams."
Noah's disbelief was palpable as he took a step back. "How is that possible?"
A smile tugged at my lips as I spun my tale, weaving a convincing narrative to mask the truth of my origins. "I knew you were looking for me, so I came here. I trained at Mystake tea shop until I mastered my ability."
Noah's skepticism lingered, but I could see the seeds of doubt taking root in his mind. He challenged me to prove my alleged foresight, and I seized the opportunity to solidify my ruse. Opening the window, I gestured to the clear sky.
"A storm is coming," I declared confidently, "and things are going to get dangerous."
Noah's confusion was evident, his eyes scanning the cloudless horizon. "A storm?"
I nodded emphatically. "You should tell your crew to prepare."
Without another word, Noah rushed out of the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts. As soon as he was gone, I allowed myself a moment of amusement, chuckling at the success of my deception. But I knew I couldn't afford to let my guard down. Noah would undoubtedly share his concerns with the others, and I needed to maintain the facade of being the chosen one.
Grabbing my phone, I dialed Pluto's number, steeling myself for the conversation ahead. As his voice crackled through the line, I masked my apprehension with feigned nonchalance.
"Hey there," I greeted him casually, "heard things are getting interesting over there."
Our conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Mr. Brain, who expressed his desire to speak with me. Sensing a shift in the atmosphere, I grew uneasy, realizing that my deception was beginning to unravel.
"I don't plan on coming back," I lied smoothly, masking the turmoil roiling within me. "My eyes aren't healing, and I don't want to burden anyone."
As I ended the call and blocked Pluto's number, a wave of guilt washed over me. I had forged bonds as Abaddon, but now I was abandoning them in pursuit of my own agenda. Thunder rumbled ominously outside, a reminder of the storm I had predicted. With a sigh, I resolved to focus on the task at hand, pushing aside the memories and doubts that threatened to consume me.