Heroes POV
As the Stone Warriors closed in, surrounding the ninja and leaving them with little room to maneuver, a sense of regret washed over them. They couldn't help but dwell on the words of their Sensei, a voice of wisdom they had chosen to ignore in their impulsive pursuit of Zane's falcon. Kai's frustration bubbled to the surface as he stared at the unmoving falcon cradled in Zane's hands.
"I hope getting that damn Falcon was worth having our cover blown," he spat out bitterly. "How are we getting out of this one?"
Zane's gaze shifted to the falcon, a conflicted expression clouding his features. While his friends may not fully understand the significance of the bird to him, he couldn't deny the recklessness of his actions. "I'm truly sorry, my friends," he confessed, his tone heavy with remorse. "I will figure out a way for us to get away."
Before they could formulate a plan, a chilling voice cut through the tense air. Lord Garmadon emerged from his tent, his demeanor oozing with satisfaction at the sight of the trapped ninja. Beside him stood a Stone Warrior of imposing stature, a silent sentinel ready to carry out his master's bidding.
"I didn't think that you were stupid enough to trespass into my camp," Lord Garmadon remarked with a disdainful frown. "But again, I'm not surprised."
Cole's urgency snapped the group into action as he grabbed Zane's shoulder, his voice tinged with desperation. "We need to leave! What are you waiting for, a red carpet?"
With a collective leap, they launched themselves onto the heads of the Stone Warriors, using them as makeshift stepping stones in their frantic bid for escape. But their efforts were met with a furious outburst from Lord Garmadon, who hurled his chair in a fit of rage, his command echoing across the camp. "They're getting away!" he bellowed, his voice reverberating with fury. "Go after them!"
General Kozu wasted no time in relaying the order to the Stone Army, who thundered after the fleeing ninjas with relentless determination. The ninja sprinted towards the exit, their hearts pounding in their chests as the heavy footsteps of the pursuing Stone Warriors echoed ominously behind them. As they raced through the camp, the weight of their disobedience hung heavy in the air. Kai's voice broke through the chaos, a somber reminder of their Sensei's sage advice.
"Remember what Sensei Wu said about staying out of sight?" he called out, his tone laced with regret.
Cole nodded in agreement, his own regret evident in his expression. "Yeah, that was good advice," he conceded.
Jay sighed deeply, his frustration palpable as he glanced back over his shoulder. "Why didn't we listen to him?" he lamented.
Zane's voice joined in, his tone heavy with remorse. "Why don't we ever listen to him?" he mused aloud, his words echoing with the weight of their disobedience.
…
Villian POV
Lord Garmadon stood amidst the remnants of his thwarted plans, his gaze fixed on the retreating forms of the ninjas disappearing into the thick canopy of the forest. It was a bitter pill to swallow, watching his enemies slip through his fingers once again, their escape like a taunting reminder of his own failures. A lump formed in his throat, a visceral reminder of the frustration and disgust simmering within him.
Suddenly, a hand rested on his shoulder, the unexpected touch jolting him from his brooding reverie. Lord Garmadon whirled around violently, his muscles tensed and ready for battle, only to find himself face to face with a blonde boy who bore a striking resemblance to Noah, albeit with piercing green eyes that bore a striking intensity.
"Are you the chosen one?" Lord Garmadon spat bitterly, his voice thick with resentment. "Coming here alone isn't the wisest move."
The boy remained unfazed by his father's hostility, his expression calm and composed. "I know that, father," he replied evenly, his voice devoid of emotion. "But I am not here to fight."
The mention of the word "father" caused Lord Garmadon to flinch, a surge of conflicting emotions washing over him. This was the same boy who had once freed him from the Realm of Madness, who had bestowed upon him the Golden Weapon that had fueled his quest for power. Yet, it was also the same boy who had stood in his way, who had thwarted his plans to rewrite history. Betrayal burned within him like a festering wound, his own flesh and blood turning against him with unsettling ease.
"Why did you stop my plan from erasing the ninjas from history?" Lord Garmadon demanded, his voice tinged with frustration. The boy's gaze met his own, unwavering and resolute.
"I still need them for something important," he explained calmly, his tone betraying no hint of remorse. "I thought I told you so. Please forgive me, father, but I couldn't have allowed you to do that."
Lord Garmadon pushed aside the strange sensation that gnawed at the edges of his consciousness, refusing to dwell on the implications of his son's words. He barely knew the boy—why should he hesitate because of some title? "It is very foolish for you to come here without any form of backup," Lord Garmadon declared, his voice laced with a dangerous edge. With a swift motion, he seized a nearby Stone Warrior spear, his grip tightening around its shaft. "That is going to be the cause of your downfall."
But before he could make a move, his son unleashed a blast of destructive energy, sending Lord Garmadon hurtling towards the pit of Dark Matter. Panic surged through him as he struggled to regain his footing, the once-green eyes of his son now blazing with a menacing crimson glow. For the first time in a long while, Lord Garmadon felt a flicker of fear ignite within him, a primal instinct that he thought long extinguished.
"I told you that I wasn't here to fight," his son declared, annoyance evident in his tone. "I was planning on working with you side by side to destroy the ninjas. But destiny has other plans, so I am going to kill you and continue with my plan."
As the Dark Matter surged forth, filling the containers around them, his son offered him a fleeting smile—a smile that sent a shiver down Lord Garmadon's spine. It was a smile tinged with a hint of mockery, a silent acknowledgment of the impending confrontation that loomed between them.
With a sense of foreboding, Lord Garmadon realized that this was not a mere farewell—it was a prelude to their inevitable clash, a battle that would determine the fate of Ninjago itself. As his son extended a hand to help him up, Lord Garmadon hesitated, his mind swirling with conflicting emotions. Was this truly the end, or was it just the beginning of a much darker chapter in their shared history?
"The next time we meet, let us kill each other," his son declared, his words ringing with finality and grim resolve. As he stared at the containers filled to the brim with Dark Matter, Lord Garmadon couldn't shake the unsettling realization that he truly didn't understand his own child—a realization that filled him with a sense of unease and foreboding that lingered long after his son's departure.
"You have such a strange son," The Overlord floated over to him, his voice dripping with malevolence. "But be careful of his cunningness because one of you are going to die."
"I already know that," Lord Garmadon grumbled in response to the Overlord's caution. "When it comes to killing him, let me handle it." With a heavy heart and a mind filled with uncertainty, Lord Garmadon vowed to confront his son, to unravel the mysteries that shrouded their relationship, no matter the cost.
…
Lloyd POV
Guarding the ship was a tedious task, the minutes stretching into hours as I stood watch over the Destiny Bounty, anticipation coiling tightly within me. I knew that action would soon come, heralded by the return of the ninjas. As expected, their figures emerged from the depths of the forest, sprinting towards the ship with a sense of urgency that set my nerves on edge. It was clear they hadn't heeded my warnings, nor those of Sensei Wu.
With a heavy sigh, I pushed open the door to Noah's room, expecting to find him and the others there. Sure enough, Sensei Wu and Misako stood vigil beside Noah's bed, their expressions etched with worry. Noah lay motionless, a pale figure amidst the dimly lit room, his breaths shallow and barely perceptible. My heart sank at the sight of him—alive, yet seemingly trapped within the confines of his own mind.
"What did you do to him?" Misako's voice cut through the air like a blade, her eyes ablaze with accusation. "What did you do to Noah?"
Sensei Wu stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. "Stop it, Misako," he admonished gently. "Lloyd is not responsible for this."
I frowned at the accusation, a surge of frustration bubbling within me. "I don't like Noah, considering you abandoned me and kept him out of some irrational fear," I retorted. "But if you think I'm responsible for this, then you're sorely mistaken. If I wanted Noah harmed, he'd be beyond saving."
The room fell silent, the tension thickening in the air like a suffocating blanket. With a final glance at Noah, I turned to leave, offering them a parting reassurance. "Give Noah some time. If I know him, he'll wake up sooner or later," I said before exiting the room.
Outside, I found Nya leaning against the wall, her expression unreadable. I couldn't bring myself to care about her judgment, not when there were more pressing matters at hand. I made my way back onto the deck, where Dr. Julien was busy tinkering with the mechanical Falcon. The others bombarded Zane with questions, their curiosity palpable in the air.
"Are you telling me that the Falcon was never alive?" Kai's voice rang out, his frustration evident.
Cole intervened before Kai could continue his interrogation. "When did you find out?" he inquired, his brow furrowed in concern.
Zane hesitated before revealing the truth. "I found out the day I received a message from an unknown number," he confessed.
As Zane spoke, I couldn't help but fiddle with my fingers nervously. I had orchestrated this entire scenario, dispatching Stitchface to confront each of them while I created a copy of my father for Noah. It had its benefits, but I couldn't shake the feeling of unease at the secrets unraveling before me.
"I have something to tell you all," Zane continued, his tone troubled. "But that's not the only thing I discovered."
A hush fell over the group as Zane removed a portion of his face, revealing his mechanical features. Gasps of astonishment rippled through the air, but I remained unmoved. I had known about Zane's true nature for some time, having learned it during our past confrontations. With a sense of finality, I clapped my hands, breaking the silence.
"That's the spirit, Zane. You've finally shed your burden," I declared, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry about a thing. We'll always consider you our brother."
Jay's voice cut through the air, tinged with frustration. "You knew this whole time?" he demanded, his expression incredulous. "How long have you known he was a robot?"
"He's a cyborg," I corrected him, irritation creeping into my voice. "I'm a psychic, remember? I've known for a while, but I didn't say anything so Zane could tell you himself."
Sensei Wu emerged from the Bounty, his gaze fixed on Zane with understanding. "I knew you were different from the rest," he said softly. "But don't worry, Zane. You're still our brother, no matter what." The reassurance seemed to comfort Zane, his features softening with gratitude. Kai handed Sensei Wu the medallion, prompting him to notice the sweat glistening on their brows. Concern flickered in his eyes as he addressed them.
"Did something happen?" Sensei Wu inquired, his voice laced with worry.
"I've got a better question—why are you running?" I interjected, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.
Zane explained the situation, his words heavy with urgency. "Prepare for battle. We've got company."
"We were spotted by the Stone Warriors," Jay added, shooting a pointed glance at Zane.
"By one? Two?" Sensei Wu pressed, his concern mounting.
Kai rubbed the back of his neck, his expression grim. "How about all of them?"
I leveled a pointed look at Sensei Wu, my frustration simmering beneath the surface. "I told you they wouldn't listen," I remarked dryly, my tone tinged with exasperation.
Sensei Wu sighed, a tacit acknowledgment of my foresight. Misako stepped out of the Bounty, her gaze scanning the group. "Did you at least find the Temple of Light?" she inquired.
The group nodded eagerly, a glimmer of triumph in their eyes. Kai took the lead, explaining their discovery. "It's at the top of the mountain. I hope those vehicles are ready because we could sure use them now."
Dr. Julien glanced at the Earth Driller, a sense of determination evident in his gaze. "Guess you're gonna have to figure this baby out on the fly," he remarked.
Nya chimed in, her voice filled with determination. "We've also packed another surprise in the back. Perhaps it can be of use."
With a quick peck on Jay's cheek, she sparked a playful response from him. "Another Nya surprise?"
I wasted no time in boarding the Earth Driller, urgency coursing through my veins. Glancing back at Sensei Wu and Misako, I offered them a final piece of advice. "Make sure to keep Noah close to you. Something tells me you'll need it."
With that, the Earth Driller roared to life, hurtling towards our next destination. As we embarked on our journey, I couldn't shake the feeling that Fate had already woven its threads, binding us to a destiny that was both inevitable and uncertain.
…
Heroes POV
Noah's heart hammered in his chest as he surveyed the scene of destruction before him. The once-familiar surroundings were now reduced to rubble, a grim testament to the chaos that had unfolded. Confusion clouded his mind—what had transpired here? Where were his friends? Dream Lloyd moved cautiously beside him, his eyes scanning the devastation for any signs of life. But there was none to be found, only the eerie silence of desolation hung heavy in the air.
"Something chaotic has happened here," Dream Lloyd explained, his voice tinged with gravity. "They even overthrew your friends."
Noah's fists clenched so tightly that his nails dug into his palms, drawing blood. His friends, his comrades, were nowhere to be seen. Had they fallen victim to the shadowy being that had wrought this destruction? A comforting hand on his shoulder jolted him out of his reverie. Dream Lloyd's gesture was meant to reassure, but Noah couldn't shake the unease gnawing at him. Despite the facade of sympathy, there was something unsettling about Dream Lloyd's gaze, devoid of genuine concern. "We need to get out of here now and inform the teachers of Elemental Alliance Academy," Dream Lloyd suggested, his tone urgent. "There's nothing we can do here."
Noah met Dream Lloyd's gaze, almost gasping at the emptiness he saw reflected back. The facade of comfort shattered, replaced by a cold indifference that sent a shiver down Noah's spine. Something wasn't right—this wasn't the Dream Lloyd he knew.
"I'm not going with you," Noah declared, his voice firm with resolve. "I need to find my friends."
Dream Lloyd's facade crumbled, replaced by simmering rage. "You're really going to search for your dead friends without knowing anything about your opponent?" he spat, his grip tightening on Noah's collar. "Do you want Ninjago to be destroyed without us having a fighting chance?"
Pushing Dream Lloyd away, Noah stood his ground. "You don't know anything about that shadowy bastard," he retorted. "There's no fighting chance, but I need to find my friends' bodies."
Turning away, Noah sprinted towards the wreckage, determination fueling his every step. But before he could make any progress, a massive shadowy hand emerged from a nearby building, seizing Dream Lloyd and dragging him away. Frozen in shock, Noah watched as the hand reached for him next, prepared to snatch him up. But before it could, someone else intervened, pushing him out of harm's way.
"What the fuck are you doing?" came a familiar voice—Kai's voice, but twisted and warped. Noah's eyes widened in disbelief as Dream Kai stood before him, bloodied and battered. "Let's get out of here," Dream Kai urged, grabbing Noah's hand and pulling him away from the looming threat. Together, they fled, their only goal to escape the nightmare unfolding around them.