Noah looked at the clear sky as he felt bubbles of joy surge within him. "The final battle is over and good wins," he thought to himself, unable to contain his elation. "I never thought I'd get to see this day." Everyone who had been corrupted was back to normal, and the golden dragon landed on the ground and disappeared. Despite never thinking he would miss Lloyd, Noah found himself feeling a sense of nostalgia for their adventures together.
"Noah!" His friends and family shouted as they ran towards him, enveloping him in hugs and laughter. "Your plan worked," Jay laughed. "I really thought we were goners."
As they reveled in their victory, Cole joined in with a hearty remark, "Well, it's going to take more than that to get rid of us." His words echoed the resilience of their team, reminding everyone of their unwavering determination.
Making way for Sensei Wu and Misako to approach, Noah's friends created a path for the proud parents to embrace their son. The warmth and comfort of their hugs enveloped Noah, providing solace amidst the aftermath of battle.
"You were brilliant, son," his mother praised, holding him tightly. Her words carried a blend of admiration and relief, expressing the gratitude of a mother for her son's courage and leadership.
Sensei Wu released Noah from his embrace but not before placing a hand on his shoulder. "Because of you, Ninjago was saved. Because of you, there will be a tomorrow," he affirmed, his voice resonating with pride and reassurance.
Noah's smile faltered slightly, a pang of uncertainty clouding his thoughts. It felt strange to bask in the praise when it was Lloyd who had ultimately saved Ninjago, not him. However, he had made a promise to Lloyd to take his place, and he intended to uphold it.
"Speaking of which," Kai interjected, shifting the focus to the future, "if the Overlord should ever decide to show his face again around here, we'll be ready." His words carried a sense of readiness and determination, reflecting the resolve of the team to defend Ninjago against any future threats.
"And next time, we'll be a little more humble," Cole added.
"And a little wiser," Zane chuckled.
"And with better catchphrases," Jay joked, prompting laughter from the group.
As his friends laughed, Noah found himself lost in thought. His mother noticed and gently touched his shoulder to comfort him. "We will all miss Garmadon," she assured.
Noah nodded, understanding that some would miss Garmadon when he was once good, though he didn't share the sentiment. Suddenly, something emerged from the rocks behind them, causing them to get into a fighting stance. It was an elderly man who appeared as confused as the others.
"Sensei Wu? Misako? What... what happened?" the man asked, his confusion evident.
Misako looked shocked. "Garmadon? Is it really you?"
The entire group was dumbfounded to see Lord Garmadon, once the cruelest evil man in Ninjago, standing before them looking relatively normal. Misako hesitated for a moment before embracing the man she once loved. Lord Garmadon looked around, searching for someone.
"Where is Lloyd? Why is he not among you?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern.
The mood shifted abruptly. Sensei Wu placed a hand on his brother's shoulder, a look of sorrow crossing his face. "I'm sorry, brother, but we lost him on the Dark Island. He is not with us anymore."
Lord Garmadon appeared shocked and saddened by the news. His only child was gone, taken by fate. Unable to bear the heavy atmosphere, Noah stepped forward, separating his father and uncle.
"Lloyd is not dead," Noah revealed, the words feeling strange as they left his mouth. "He is alive and healthy."
"How?" Kai asked, his expression one of disbelief. "We couldn't find him when the Overlord blasted him into the jungle."
Noah looked at his friends' shocked faces. "I don't know, but I didn't defeat the Overlord," he admitted, feeling the weight of guilt settle upon him. "Lloyd did."
"Explain," his father prompted, stroking his beard in thought.
Noah hesitated before admitting, "I couldn't recreate the power of the Ultimate Spinjitzu Master." The bitterness of his failure lingered in his mouth. "The Overlord tried to kill me, but Lloyd appeared, saved me, and defeated the Overlord single-handedly." He glanced at the golden gi, feeling unworthy of wearing it.
"Where is he now?" Kai asked, scanning the area in search of the missing boy. "Why did he disappear?"
"Because he said he never wanted to be the chosen one," Noah revealed, the joy and happiness dissipating as he spoke. "He told me to take the credit and left."
The atmosphere shifted as the truth was revealed. Lloyd had disappeared once again, leaving without saying a single goodbye. But somehow, they all knew it wouldn't be the last they saw of Lloyd.
...
Lloyd POV
As I walked away from the remnants of the crater where the Overlord's fortress once stood, my golden dragon touched down gracefully, and Noah's friends surrounded him, cheering for his victory over the Overlord. Despite their jubilant celebration, I noticed the unease in Noah's expression. He wore guilt like a heavy cloak, burdened by the weight of taking credit for my triumph. It was a testament to his moral compass, his innate righteousness shining through even in the midst of triumph.
Turning away from the scene, a smile tugged at the corners of my lips. Everything was unfolding just as I had planned. Freed from the shackles of destiny, I reveled in the liberation of no longer bearing the burden of being the chosen one. With a sense of freedom coursing through my veins, I reached into one of the robe's pockets and retrieved my phone.
Dialing a familiar number, I brought the device to my ear, anticipating the voice on the other end. "Eugene, I'm back," I announced. "How are things going for you?"
Amidst the faint background chatter, Eugene's voice sounded intrigued. "Things have been well on this side, Leader," he responded. "May I know where you've been all this time?"
I chuckled softly, amused by Eugene's unwavering curiosity. "I just helped save Ninjago, but that's beside the point," I replied cryptically.
"Of course not," Eugene agreed, his tone indicating his understanding of my elusive nature. "What's next for you?"
Glancing at the people dispersing to their homes, I pondered my next move. "I'm going to recruit Pluto into the Outcast," I revealed. "But before that, I'm going to enroll in that school."
...
Heroes POV
Pluto stood amidst the bustling hallways of EAA, relieved that Noah and his comrades had successfully saved the city from the clutches of darkness. The weight of his responsibilities as a civilian organizer felt heavy on his shoulders, and he relished the chance to finally take a moment to himself. As he stretched his stiff muscles, memories of a conversation with Eugene resurfaced, echoing in his mind.
...
Flashback
"Well, I guess this is farewell, Pluto," Eugene remarked with a wistful smile. "It was nice seeing you again."
Pluto returned the smile with effort, his fatigue evident after hours of non-stop work. Jacob wheeled Eugene's wheelchair towards the school's exit, prompting one last glance from Eugene.
"You're going to meet Abaddon sooner than you think," Eugene's parting words lingered in Pluto's mind as they departed.
...
Back to the Present
Pluto's thoughts returned to the present as he approached his dorm room, dreading the inevitable questions from Melony about his whereabouts. As he swung the door open, his annoyance flared upon seeing a figure inside, holding the dragon egg that belonged to Abaddon.
"What are you doing here?" Pluto's voice carried a note of anger as he reclaimed the egg, placing it back on his desk. "Didn't anyone teach you not to touch other people's stuff, Noah?"
The boy grinned, his green eyes contrasting starkly with Noah's familiar yellow. Pluto's confusion deepened. Did Noah have a twin or some other doppelganger?
"Do you like my face that much, Pluto?" The boy's words only added to Pluto's bewilderment. "It's been a while since you've seen me."
Pluto's grip tightened on the dragon egg, his gaze fixed on the boy before him. "Who are you?"
"Didn't Eugene tell you I was coming?" The boy's puzzled expression mirrored Pluto's confusion. "Though I may look different, I'm still the same person."
Realization dawned on Pluto. "Abaddon... is that you?"
"Yeah, Pluto, it's been a while," Lloyd, formerly known as Abaddon, confirmed with a smile. "Things have been complicated on my end."
Pluto cared little for the details of Abaddon's transformation or the revelation of his true name. All that mattered was that his first friend was back, safe and sound.
"What happened?" Pluto's curiosity bubbled forth. "And when did you become the leader of a whole gang?"
Lloyd chuckled, a sense of nostalgia washing over him. "That's a long story, my friend, and I've got plenty of time to tell you all about it."