Lloyd POV
As I navigated the labyrinthine shelves of the school library, a sense of determination fueled my quest to unearth knowledge that could aid me in my ongoing battle against the enigmatic Abyssal Devourer. The baby dragon, now perched invisibly on my shoulder, served as a silent companion on my journey, its presence a reassuring reminder of the bond we shared.
My attention was drawn to Liam, who was engrossed in a mountain of files and books, a testament to his unwavering commitment to his internship with his father. Despite the bustling activity around him, Liam appeared lost in thought, his brow furrowed in concentration as he pored over the plethora of documents before him. With a determined stride, I made my way toward him, the gentle rustle of pages mingling with the soft shuffle of my footsteps.
Seating myself beside him, I braced myself for his reaction, knowing full well that he was deeply engrossed in his work and might not appreciate the interruption. As the chair scraped against the carpeted floor, Liam's gaze flickered up, his expression clouded with annoyance at the intrusion. It was evident that he harbored a desire for solitude, a sentiment I could empathize with given the gravity of our current circumstances.
"Noah, I understand that one of your friends passed away but please don't bother me with it," he said bluntly as he looked back at the file.
Suppressing a smirk at Liam's obliviousness, I decided to reveal my identity. "I'm not Noah but his twin brother Lloyd Garmadon," I introduced myself, trying to lighten the mood. "I heard that you were a genius but how come you didn't know that?" Glancing at the files surrounding him, I picked one up with a photo of a young boy. "I guess you are too busy to notice or even care about the matter."
"I recognize that boy," I began reaching out for the file, recalling the encounter at the cafe. "His name's Nelson, or his mother calls him, Little Nelson." But before I could inquire further, Liam abruptly snatched the file back, frustration evident in his expression. Glancing at the numerous files surrounding us, each depicting different children, a sinking feeling settled in. I reached for a file nearby, hoping to learn more about the situation.
"That's quite a substantial number," I remarked, my gaze shifting anxiously between the photos. "Are these children… missing?" I inquired tentatively, hoping my assumption was incorrect.
Liam's expression hardened as he responded curtly, "Yes. Now, Lloyd, could you please leave me alone so I can focus on solving this case?"
I couldn't just let go, especially knowing what I did. This wasn't just a coincidence; it echoed events from my past life. I recalled that Liam and the police were unable to crack the case back then, and those kids were never found. Normally, I wouldn't bother, but it felt unsettling that these children, who had barely begun their lives, would vanish without a trace. Plus, I had some unfinished business with whoever was responsible.
"Why don't I lend a hand on this case?" I offered, hoping to be of assistance. "Looks like you could use some help."
Liam studied me intently, realizing the nuances between Noah and me. Perhaps our separate upbringing contributed to our distinct personalities, unlike other twins who often act as a unified unit. He closed the file weary, lacking proper sleep for the past few days, leaving him drained and lacking the energy for additional tasks.
"What's your ability?" he inquired, seeking to assess my capabilities. "I need to know what you bring to the table."
Understanding his intent, I responded, "Energy Manipulation."
Liam shook his head, dismissing my offer. "Your ability is useful in combat, and that pretty much sums it up."
"I don't need my ability for this case," I insisted. "I just have to rely on my intellect, and let's just say, I'm pretty sharp."
Liam regarded me skeptically. His ability is super intelligent, yet he struggled to crack cases like this. He needed assistance, but why consider partnering with Noah's twin? Noah thrived in the company of his friends but faltered when alone, riddled with insecurities and self-doubt. While he knew little about Lloyd, being Noah's twin implied a flaw in one way or another.
"How will you help me?" Liam inquired. "What can you do to aid in solving this case?"
I grinned. "Let's just say it's not your typical kidnapping scenario. These abductions are part of a larger scheme. Think about it- they're taking kids without demanding ransom or causing harm. There has to be a motive."
"What's your point?" Liam pressed. "You're stating the obvious. If this is connected to something bigger, then who's behind the kidnappings?"
I glanced back at the files. "Or what?"
…
Liam swiftly briefed me on the case, detailing the unsetting disappearances of children across Ninjago. It was a perplexing mystery- kids vanishing into thin air without leaving a single trace behind. The tally of missing kids had reached a staggering 64 within just two weeks. Despite Liam's extraordinary intelligence, there seemed to be no plausible explanation for how the abductions were carried out or why the kidnapper left no discernible clues.
"Are you certain you're dealing with a human perpetrator?" I questioned. "It could be a creature or something."
"Why would a creature have any interest in kidnapping children?" Liam retorted, his irritation evident. "And how could such a creature even exist?"
"I don't know, maybe to consume them?" My tone was laced with sarcasm. "Think about it, Liam. It's highly improbable that a single person or even a group could abduct 64 children without leaving a trace. Dragons, serpentine, and even the Overlord exist in this world. If those entities are real, then it's plausible that a child-kidnapping monster could also be out there."
Liam fell silent, his usual inclination toward realism momentarily eclipsed by Lloyd's compelling argument. While Liam typically leaned toward the rational side of reality, he couldn't dismiss Lloyd's point entirely. After all, legendary beasts, mythical creatures, and otherworldly beings did exist in their world, albeit largely unseen by human eyes due to their aversion to mankind. However, even if they were indeed dealing with a creature, the question remained: How could they possibly confront and thwart it? Liam stole a glance at Lloyd, who was diligently sifting through the files with an intensity that set him apart from Noah, opening up a new perspective for Liam in the process.
"Then how are we going to prove those theories of yours?" Liam asked skeptically. "If there is a child-kidnapping monster, how are we going to stop it?"
I was taken aback by Liam's quick acceptance of my ideas, grateful that my past life's knowledge was proving useful. However, acknowledging the existence of such a creature was one thing; figuring out how to deal with it was another challenge entirely. As I rose from my seat, the baby dragon slumbering on my shoulder, I realized I needed to find a temporary caretaker for the creature. Melony seemed like the perfect candidate, someone who would care for it attentively and wouldn't feel lonely with its company.
"Where are you going?" Liam inquired, rising to his feet as well. "Didn't you say you were going to help me with the case?"
"Of course, I am," I affirmed. "I'm just heading to the police station to together some information. Are you coming along or not?"