Heroes POV
Sweat trickled down the back of Noah's neck, his heart pounding with adrenaline as he deftly dodged a ferocious attack from a random participant. He couldn't fathom why the atmosphere of what was supposed to be a friendly competition had devolved into something akin to a life-or-death struggle.
With a quick, instinctive movement, Noah narrowly evaded a spike aimed directly at his head. The close call left him shaken, his mind racing to comprehend the sudden aggression surrounding him. Three assailants stood before him, their eyes gleaming with determination. Noah knew they were all vying to obtain a Jadeblade, but their unprovoked assault felt entirely unwarranted.
"I believe there's been a misunderstanding," Noah began, his voice steady despite the chaos unfolding around him. "I don't possess a Jadeblade."
Noah held his hands up in a gesture of surrender, hoping to convey his innocence and dispel any notions of hostility. Despite the urgency of the situation of the situation, he took the moment to carefully observe the trio standing before him. With the aid of his night vision goggles, he could discern their features in the dimly lit maze.
Among them were two men and a woman, each bearing a distinct aura of determination. One of the men brandished the spiked weapon, suggesting that his ability might be closely tied to its use. The identities and capabilities of the other two assailants remained shrouded in mystery, prompting Noah to exercise caution in his interactions with them.
Noticing that none of his attackers possessed any means of illuminating the darkness, Noah deduced that their assault was driven by a misguided sense of urgency rather than any malicious intent.
"Really," Noah calmly shifted his gaze between his assailants. "I assure you, I don't possess a Jadeblade."
"I believe you're mistaken," the man asserted. "We're removing you in the first round."
Noah remained silent, his brows furrowing in confusion. "Pardon?"
"You fail to comprehend, you fool," the man continued. "Having you around will complicate matters in the subsequent rounds." He gestures towards Noah. "Not only are you renowned for your heroics in Ninjago, but you possess an overwhelming ability. Individuals like us wouldn't stand a chance, making it simpler to eliminate you from the outset."
Noah's eyebrows shot up in disbelief, a mix of shock and indignation coursing through him. "You've got to be kidding me," he muttered under his breath, struggling to comprehend the absurdity of the situation unfolding before him.
"So, that's your game plan, huh?" Noah retorted, his voice laced with a mixture of frustration and incredulity. "Rather than facing me head-on like true competitors, you'd prefer to eliminate the competition before it even begins. Real Classy."
He resisted the urge to let his anger get the better of him, opting instead to maintain a facade of calm resolve. Deep down, however, a simmering sense of determination began to take root within him. If they wanted a fight, Noah was more than willing to oblige.
"Don't take it to heart," the woman spoke up. "It's easier for us to take you out of the hero business altogether. What's the point of being the good guy if you don't get recognized for your hard work of one person, huh?" She pulled out what looked to be a hammer. "This is going to hurt me more than you."
"Well, maybe that's because you didn't work hard enough," a voice from the side said as a sudden energy beam blasted the man with the spike.
Noah glanced to his left, and sure enough, it was Lloyd holding a Jadeblade, with a small orb floating around him to see. Despite Noah's feelings toward Lloyd, he couldn't deny feeling relieved at his appearance. The girl and the man were shocked to see him. They glanced at Lloyd and Noah, noting the resemblance between the two. The girl's expression turned grim as she realized they had made a grave mistake.
She jumped back, trying to create the distance between her and Lloyd, but Lloyd swiftly closed the gap. She braced herself for his attack, but instead, he shoved her with unexpected force, causing her to stumble and fall into a trap, disappearing into the darkness, out of view from anyone else.
"You have to watch where you step," Lloyd said, amusement evident in his voice as he turned to deal with the second man, only to find him sprinting away. "Damn, what a scaredy-cat."
He turned to Noah, his grip on his hand aggressive, and Noah struggled to free himself. Despite their strained relationship as brothers, Noah found it unacceptable for Lloyd to try to eliminate him over mere competition.
"Here," Lloyd said abruptly, placing something cool in Noah's hand. "I can always get another one."
Noah looked down at the Jadeblade in his hand, his confusion evident as he glanced back up at Lloyd. "Why are you giving this to me?"
Lloyd met his gaze before looking at the unconscious man nearby. "Because you're my brother, that's why. I'm not going to let anyone try to take him down my brother. Only I can lay a hand on you."
Before Noah could respond, Lloyd turned away and walked off, giving him a small wave. Noah was left standing there, feeling perplexed by Lloyd's actions. He looked at the Jadeblade in his hand before turning around, knowing he needed to get out of that place as soon as possible.
…
Lloyd POV
I walked away, running my fingers through my hair in frustration. Why had I given my Jadeblade to Noah?! It was a momentary lapse, but I needed to focus on my purpose. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, reminding myself of why I was here. With a sigh, I smoothed down my hair and began to run, determined to find another Jadeblade before it was too late.
As I turned a corner, my eyes widened in disbelief as I spotted a Jadeblade lying on the ground. Was this some stroke of luck or had someone heard my silent plea? I hurried over to grab it, but my movements froze as I caught sight of Elijah standing in front of me.
"I apologize, but I am taking that," he said coldly, his eyes fixed on the Jadeblade. "You must understand."
I glanced at him, feeling annoyance bubbling up inside of me. I wanted the Jadeblade, but I wasn't eager to engage in another confrontation with this guy. The last time we fought, it was only my ability, Destruction, that saved me. But now, with Noah in the mix, I couldn't risk it.
After a moment of hesitation, I sighed and relented. "You can have it. It's not worth risking my life over a piece of metal."
Turning to leave, I felt the weight of frustration settling over me. I hated having to maintain this facade. But just as I began to walk away, a voice stopped me in my tracks. "Hey, I saw another Jadeblade earlier.
I turned to Elijah, who had picked up the Jadeblade from the floor. His demeanor was strange. As if he was withholding something from me.
"Do you know where it is?" I asked for urgency. "I need to find it, and I have a feeling time is running out."
Elijah glanced behind him, his eyes scanning the surroundings. "I saw a Jadeblade placed very high place up on one of the walls of the maze," he explained. "I considered going for it, but I wasn't keen on engaging in fights and risking a fall to my death."
His words sparked a realization in me. I knew exactly which part of the maze he was referring to. With a nod of gratitude, I replied, "Thanks for the tip."
Turning away, I felt a mix of apprehension and determination coursing through me. Could I trust Elijah's information? Well, I didn't have much choice. As I started to run, I couldn't shake the nagging doubt that lingered in the back of my mind. But for now, I had to trust in his words and hope for the best.
I arrived at the location Elijah had described, and my expression darkened at the sight before me. The wall where the Jadeblade supposedly lay was a scene of chaos and deseration. Participants clamored and fought their way up the wall, each vying for the prize with a ferocity that sent a chill down my spine. How they navigated this maze in the darkness was beyond me, but it was clear that they were driven by an intense desire to claim the Jadeblade.
Taking a step back, I hesitated. The situation seemed too volatile, too dangerous. Was it worth risking my life for a mere Jadeblade? Before I could come to a decision, Chen's voice echoed through the maze, his words cutting through the tension like a knife.
"Only one Jadeblade remains, and time is running out," he announced ominously. "Will it be yours?"
With a sense of determination coursing through me, I suppressed the urge to groan in frustration. Time was of the essence, and I couldn't afford to waste a single moment. Glancing down at my hands, I clenched them into fists, summoning all the focus I could muster. It was time to put my abilities to the test.
Without hesitation, I sprint towards the towering wall, my heart pounding in my chest. As I reached it, I leaped into the air, aiming to grab hold of any available handhold or foothold. Mid-air, my hand found purchase on the hair of a climber below me, and with a swift yank, I propelled myself upwards toward the next person in line.
The wall became a frenzied battleground, each participant fighting tooth and nail for their chance at the coveted Jadeblade. Using the climbers as makeshift rungs, I ascended with single-minded determination, the chaos below fading into the background as adrenaline surged through my veins. Amidst the shouts and cries of those around me, I remained focused on my goal, driven by an unyeilding resolve to claim victory.
As I ascended the wall with increasing speed, the tension in the air grew palpable. Suddenly, I felt a sharp sting against my cheek, and warmth trickled down my skin. Ignoring the distraction, I glanced toward my assailant, recognizing him as the same individual who had targeted Noah earlier. With narrowed eyes, I conjured a small energy ball and unleashed it, striking him squarely in the chest. As he plummeted to the ground with a sickening crunch, I turned away, unwilling to dwell on the consequences of my actions.
Pressing forward, I continued my ascent, fending off attacks from those around me with swift strikes and well-placed kicks. Every movement was fueled by a fierce determination to reach my goal. Soon, I found myself locked in a race for the last remaining Jadeblade, my opponent's identity obscured by the darkness of the labyrinth.
Despite my efforts to discern their face, the lack of light thwarted my attempts. With adrenaline coursing through my veins, I extended my hand towards the Jadeblade, only for the
round to shudder beneath me. In a sudden, devastating impact, the wall collapsed, sending shockwaves through the maze and plunging us into chaos.
As the ground rushed up to meet me, panic surged through my veins, mingled with frustration and anger. Amidst the chaos, I caught a glimpse of the familiar face responsible for the collapse of the wall: Josh, the same individual whose face I had sliced up with a nail clipper on my first day at EAA. The realization hit me like a ton of bricks. How had I forgotten about him? And why was he here, of all places? His smug smirk only fueled the fire of my fury as I plummeted past him.
Disgust churned with me as I tumbled helplessly into the darkness below. I cursed my useless ability questioning why I had bothered to learn it in the first place. In my past life, obtaining a Jadeblade had been a simple task, but now, I struggled in vain. Watching Josh ascend higher as I fell faster, I seethed with envy and frustration. If only I could fly if only I possessed a truly useful power.
Suddenly, inspiration struck like a bolt of lightning I couldn't fly, but I could still propel myself upwards. With determination burning in my chest, I focused on my hands, then directed my gaze towards the unseen ground below. Taking a deep breath, I braced myself for what was to come. It was time to take control of my destiny, no matter the cost.
With a fierce determination burning in my veins, I aimed my hand at the ground and unleashed the full force of my energy in a powerful blast. The impact sent me hurtling upwards, the rush of wind stealing my breath as I soared skyward with incredible speed. In the blink of an eye, I rocketed past Josh, my fingertips gazing at the Jadeblade as I claimed it for my own. With a triumphant smirk aimed at my erstwhile adversary, I taunt, "I guess you were too slow."
As I ascended higher and higher, leaving the chaos of the maze far below, a sense of exhilaration coursed through my veins. The darkness that had shrouded everything vegan to dissipate, revealing the breathtaking expanse of the night sky above. For a fleeting moment, I marveled at the beauty surrounding me, the twinkling stars casting a radiant glow over the world below.
However, my reverie was short-lived as the voice of Master Chen echoed through the maze below, jolting me back to reality. "You have a minute to get out of the maze," he declared sternly, his words a stark reminder of the urgency of the situation.
With a deep breath, I steeled myself for what was to come. Gripping the Jadeblade between my teeth, I focused my gaze on the distant edge of the maze, knowing that reaching it by conventional means would be a time-consuming endeavor. But I wasn't about to rely on normal methods when I had a newfound move at my disposal.
…
Heroes POV
With the tension thick in the air and the countdown ticking relentlessly, it became increasingly apparent that time was running out for anyone still trapped within the labyrinth. As the seconds dwindled to a mere ten, a sense of resignation settled over the participants, each one grappling with the harsh reality of their situation.
Among them was Lloyd, whose absence from the exit signaled that he had not managed to escape in time. Noah couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt as he glanced down at the Jadeblade clutched tightly in his hand. If it weren't for his intervention earlier, perhaps Lloyd would have had a fighting chance at making it out unscathed.
His gaze shifted towards Sensei Garmadon, whose expression was a mixture of frustration and disappointment as he directed a scowl towards Kai. As tension mounted amidst the aftermath of Kair's questionable victory, his uncle's disapproval echoed through the air like a solemn admonition,
"That is not how you win," he intoned, his voice laden with disappointment. "How could you fight with no honor?"
Kai's response was laced with defiance, his annoyance palpable as he justified his actions. "I just stole a Jadeblade from Karlof," he retorted defensively. "I did what I had to do to win! Would you rather have it than lose?"
Sensei Garmadon interjected, his tone somber as he addressed Kai's lack of integrity. "But the way you did it was so cowardly because you know that you couldn't win a head-to-head battle," he pointed out, his words cutting through the tension like a sharpened blade.
Noah couldn't help but sigh inwardly, his apprehension growing as he observed the unraveling dynamics within the group. Ever since Kai's infatuation with the red-headed girl had begun, Noah had noticed a shift in his focus, a distraction that threatened to derail their mission of finding Zane.
Meanwhile, Clouse's voice broke through the mounting tension, "It looks like time is…"
His words were abruptly halted by the sudden crash that reverberated through the surroundings with alarming intensity. The ground trembled beneath their feet, a harbinger of impending chaos that shattered the fragile calm of their surroundings. All eyes were fixed on the site of the crash, anticipation hanging thick in the air like a shroud as the smoke billowed and swirled, obscuring the figure emerging from the crater.
As the haze dissipated, revealing the familiar form of Lloyd, a collective exhale of relief swept through the onlookers. He nonchalantly extracted the Jadeblade from his mouth, a wry smirk playing on his lips as he presented it to Clouse.
"I hope I'm not too late, am I?" he quipped, his tone laced with a hint of mischief.
Clouse's response was curt and unyeilding. "I'm afraid you are," he stated flatly, his demeanor betraying no hint of approval.
A heavy silence descended upon the gathering, punctuated only by the rustle of shifting feet and the soft murmur in conversation. Lloyd's expression darkened slightly at the rebuff, his brow furrowing in mild frustration.
"But you didn't even announce it yet," he protested, his voice tingled with incredulity.
Master Chen, reclining leisurely on his sofa, chuckled indulgently at the exchange. "You're quite surprising, Lloyd," he remarked with a knowing smile. "The viewers love you."
Noah and Kai exchanged bemused glances, their confusion mirrored in each other's eyes. Viewers? What could Master Chen possibly mean by that? It seemed there was more to this tournament than met the eye, and they were about to find out. With a deft flick of his finger, Master Chen activated a hidden mechanism within his opulent sofa, summoning forth a towering screen that illuminated the room with its radiant glow.
The sudden appearance of the screen drew gasps of surprise from the assembled participants, their eyes widening as they beheld the captivating spectacle unfolding before them. On the screen, a live feed of the tournament streamed in real-time, showcasing every pulse-pounding moment with breathtaking clarity.
As the camera panned across the arena, it became apparent that the entire event was being broadcast to an audience beyond the confines of the maze. A popularity poll flashed on the screen, revealing Lloyd's unmistakable silhouette at the pinnacle, his name emblazoned in bold letters as the undisputed favorite among viewers. Master Chen's grin widened at the sight, a gleam of satisfaction twinkling in his eyes.
"I forgot to mention," he chimed in, his voice dripping with amusement, "the entire tournament is being broadcast for all to see." His words sent a ripple of astonishment through the room, mingled with a sense of realization dawning upon the participants.
"And since the fans adore you so fervently," Master Chen continued, his tone tinged with theatrical flair, "we'll graciously allow you to advance to the next round, my dear Lloyd." His proclamation was met with a chorus of murmurs and exchanged glances, as the implications of his words sank in. It seemed that fame and fortune held sway even within the hallowed halls of the Tournament of Elements.