Lloyd POV
Elijah followed me from a distance as we descended the dark, damp, and gloomy stairs. The air was musty, thick with the scent of mold and decay, and it felt like we had been walking for an eternity. Each step echoed ominously, amplifying the tension that hung between us.
"What makes you think my sister is down here?" Elijah asked, his voice breaking the oppressive silence.
I glanced back at him and shrugged. "I don't. I just have a good feeling that Master Chen would put her somewhere deep and secure and ensure she doesn't die."
"Excuse me?" Elijah said, quickening his pace to catch up with me. "What if she's not down here?! Then what are we going to do, huh?! How are we going to find her on this island?! You said you were going to help me find her!"
I stopped and turned to face him, my expression sharp. "I said I would help you, but what makes you think I know where she is? I joined hands with Master Chen to spare my abilities. I didn't stick around long enough for him to reveal his entire plan."
Elijah's face twisted with frustration. "So we're just wandering blindly, hoping to stumble upon her? That's your plan?"
I resumed walking, the narrow staircase seeming to go on forever. "We don't have many options, Elijah. Master Chen's lair is massive, and his men are everywhere. We have to start somewhere, and these lower levels are as good a place as any."
As I continued to walk down the seemingly endless stairs of the underground passage, I knew very well that Master Chen had a bedroom dedicated to his wife before she went missing. Since Skylor's mom was no longer around, he might as well put the room to good use. There might be a chance that Elijah's sister wasn't there, but it was better to start with something instead of nothing.
Elijah followed closely behind, his steps echoing in the damp, musty air. The descent seemed eternal, each step more oppressive than the last, but finally, we reached the bottom of the narrow hallway with just a single door at the end of it. Unlike the grimy stairs and the dimly lit corridor, the door was surprisingly clean and well-maintained. It stood out starkly, its polished wood gleaming faintly in the dim light.
"This has to be it," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
Elijah nodded, his expression tense. "Let's hope you're right."
We approached the door cautiously, every sense on high alert. I reached out and tested the handle, finding it unlocked. Slowly, I pushed the door open and stepped inside.
The room was a stark contrast to the rest of the underground passage. It was lavishly furnished, with rich tapestries adorning the walls and a plush carpet underfoot. A large bed dominated the center of the room, its intricate headboard filled with delicate patterns. It was clear that this room had been cared for meticulously.
Elijah's eyes scanned the room, landing on a figure lying on the bed. His sister. She looked fragile, her face pale and drawn, but she was alive. He rushed to her side, his relief palpable.
"Eliana," he breathed, his voice trembling with emotion. "Thank God, you're safe."
Eliana stirred, her eyes fluttering open. "Elijah?" she murmured weakly, her voice barely audible.
"It's me," he said, tears of relief streaming down his face. "We're getting you out of here."
As Elijah comforted his sister, I kept watch at the door, my mind racing with possibilities. Master Chen wouldn't have left her to unguard, which meant we needed to move quickly before anyone discovered us.
"We need to get out of here," I urged, my voice low. "Can you walk, Eliana?"
She nodded feebly, and with Elijah's help, she swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood, albeit unsteady. Elijah supported her, and we made our way back toward the stairs.
I looked back at the room once more, satisfied that things were done on my part. Just as I was about to leave, the sudden ring of the phone made me stop in my tracks. I stared at the phone ringing off the hook, the persistent sound echoing in the silence. Someone knew we were here. The phone continued to ring, clearly not Eliana. I grabbed it and placed it next to my ear.
"How can I help you?" I asked, my voice steady despite the tension in the air.
"Lloyd, I'm going to make this short and simple," Master Chen's voice crackled through the receiver. "I have your brother Noah, and I am going to kill him if you don't come to save him."
I stared at the phone in confusion. Did I hear that right? Why would he kidnap Noah and try to use him as bait? I didn't even like Noah; I hated him with all my heart. I couldn't understand where this idea came from.
"I apologize," I replied, my tone dripping with sarcasm, "But I am quite busy at the moment. You should not be worrying about me but the snake you keep by your side."
Master Chen chuckled darkly on the other end. "Oh, but I think you underestimate the bond between brothers. Even one as fractured as yours and Noah's. Are you willing to gamble with his life?"
I sighed, rubbing my temples. "Chen, your threats are getting old. If you think Noah is going to get me to come running, you're sorely mistaken. He's not my concern."
A silence hung heavy over the line, broken only by Master Chen's labored breathing. "I see. Perhaps you need a bit more convincing. Do you think you can play me, Garmadon? You think you're clever? Well, let's see how clever you are when your brother's blood is on your hands."
I clenched my fist, frustration boiling beneath the surface. Master Chen was a manipulative snake, but I couldn't let him get to me. "You think you have the upper hand, don't you? What you don't realize is that you're already playing my game."
There was a pause, and I could almost hear the wheels turning in Master Chen's head. "What do you mean?"
I smirked, though there was no joy in it. "I've been one step ahead of you this entire time. Did you think I'd let you dictate the terms? By the time you realize what's happening, it will already be too late."
Master Chen's voice took on a dangerous edge. "You're bluffing, Lloyd."
"Am I?" I replied, my voice icy. "Ask Kai how much he trusts you. Or better yet, ask yourself why you still haven't figured out who your true enemies are."
I could hear Master Chen's sharp intake of breath, a sign that my words had hit home. "This isn't over, Garmadon."
"It never is with you, Chen. But mark my words, you will regret underestimating me." I hung up the phone, feeling a strange sense of satisfaction. Master Chen was rattled, and that meant I still had the upper hand.
Elijah looked at me, concern etched on his face. "What did he say?"
"He has Noah," I said, my voice steady. "He's trying to use him as leverage to get to me."
Elijah frowned. "What are we going to do?"
"We're going to get Eliana to safety first," I replied. "Then we deal with Chen. He wants to play games, fine. But he doesn't realize I'm the one writing the rules."
We continued down the corridor, my mind already racing with plans. Master Chen thought he could manipulate me, but he was about to learn the hard way just how wrong he was.
As we started to increase our speeds, something from the corner of my eye made me stop in my tracks. I stared at the sight before me, unable to believe what I was seeing. I never thought I would see him again.
"What are you doing here?!" Elijah asked, halting behind me. "We need to leave!"
I glanced at Elijah, making a quick decision. "You go ahead of me, I need to fix something quickly."
I helped put Eliana on Elijah's back and watched them run off into the shadows. I never thought I would see such a sight again. I walked over to a blonde guy who seemed to be talking to a machine, my heart pounding in my chest.
"Come on, Zane, we need to get out of here or at least try to stop Master Chen," a familiar voice pleaded.
"Hello, Mr. Pale," I said with a smile, interrupting the conversation. "Do you know how attractive you are? And what is going on here?"
Mr. Pale looked flushed at the compliment before explaining the situation. "It looks like our good friend Zane is having an identity crisis."
I looked at the machine, recognizing it immediately. It was Zane, Noah's old friend and ally, but he seemed to be in some sort of stasis or confusion. His normally bright blue eyes dim and flickering.
"Zane," I said softly, stepping closer. "It's me, Lloyd. Can you hear me?"
Zane's head jerked slightly, and his eyes flickered more intensely. "Lloyd… Garmadon?" His voice was mechanical, but there was a hint of recognition in it.
"Yes, Zane, it's me," I said, my voice filled with a mixture of relief and urgency. "We need your help. Master Chen is up to something, and we can't stop him without you."
Zane's eyes continued to flicker as he processed the information. "Master Chen… dangerous… must… stop."
"That's right," I encourage, placing a hand on his metal shoulder. "We need you, Zane. you're more than just a machine. You're our friend."
"Mr. Pale stepped forward, his face still red but now determined. "I've been trying to get through to him, but he's stuck in some sort of loop. Maybe if we remind him of who he is, it will help."
I looked between Mr. Pale and Zane, considering the gravity of the situation. It wouldn't surprise me if this approach didn't work. The real Zane sacrificed himself, and what we had now was a machine built in his likeness. It seemed someone had planted doubts in this machine's mind, questioning its identity. I waved Mr. Pale off. "I'll deal with it. Go take care of yourself."
Mr. Pale glanced at Zane before nodding. "I hope you can get through to him."
I returned his nod before taking a seat next to Zane. "Hey, Zane, buddy, how are you?"
Zane finally looked at me properly before casting his gaze down to the ground. "Hello, Lloyd."
"Yeah, sorry if you hoping for Noah, but he's occupied at the moment," I explained, staring at the ceiling. "What's got you in this foul mood?"
Zane looked almost depressed. "Noah sort of indirectly told me that he dislikes me, thinking that I'm not his friend Zane."
"I don't blame him because he is right," I responded simply, heartlessly. "You're not the real Zane. The real Zane is dead."
Zane's eyes flickered as if processing the harsh truth. "But I possess his memories, his thoughts, his. Essence. Does that not make me him?"
I sighed, leaning back against the cold wall. "It's complicated, Zane. You have his memories, his thoughts, but you're not him. You're a creation meant to replace what we lost, and sometimes, that's hard for us to accept."
Zane seemed to slump further, the light in his eyes dimming. "So, I am nothing more than a pale imitation, a shadow of what once was."
I stared at Zane, who was trying his hardest to hide his emotions. Everyone else hadn't been honest, telling him things he wanted to hear, but I wasn't like that.
"Do you want to know your true purpose?" I asked, my voice cutting through the tension. "The reason for your existence?"
Zane looked at me with his mechanical eyes, which seemed to plead for an answer. "Why do you think I was built?"
"The real Zane is gone," I said, leaning closer and poking his chest, "But he wanted his dreams and goals to live on through you. You are supposed to continue where he left off."
Zane's eyes flickered, processing my words. There was a moment of silence as he seemed to grasp the gravity of what I was saying.
I stood up and offered him a hand, helping him to his feet. I readjusted his ninja uniform, ensuring it was perfectly in place. "So, why are you still standing here and not being with your new friends? They need you to be their foundation, so go and do your job."
Zane looked surprised by my sudden response, his face an emotional mix of relief and gratitude. I wanted him to feel that way. Even though I didn't like the real Zane due to him being one of the people who killed me, this was not Zane but a machine with sentience. The real Zane was dead. He didn't deserve to be hated or abandoned because he never asked to be made.
Zane quickly nowed down in respect and appreciation. "Thank you for clearing up my head."
"So, do you know who you are?" I asked with a small smile.
He stood up straight, his determination evident. "Yes! I am Zane, the Titanium Hero!"
"If you want to feel more human, you could get artificial skin," I commented. "It may even help ease Noah up."
Zane nodded, considering the thought. "I thank you again for helping me, but now I have to go and help my friends."
I waved it off, "Who am I to deny helping someone when they need it the most? Besides, I would want someone to do the same thing for me as well."
Zane bowed one more time before running off. As I watched him go, I felt a strange sense of accomplishment. It wasn't every day that I managed to help someone find their way, especially in the chaotic world we lived in.
I turned and started running to catch up with Elijah and Eliana. It felt good to have finished my mission, and now I could focus on getting stronger. I was glad to be done interacting with Noah and his friends. Soon, I caught up with Elijah and Eliana, lading them outside of the large manor. The bright sunlight made me squint, but as my eyes adjusted, a smile formed on my face. We still had time.
"Hey Eliana, did you ever want to fly?" I asked, my tone light and playful. "Because I am going to give you a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
"Yeah, but what does that have anything to do with the situation?" she asked, peeking from Elijah's back with a puzzled expression.
"Those men work for Master Chen, and it looks like they are planning on transporting themselves to Ninjago to take it over," I explained, pointing to the distant figures preparing for their departure. "But I don't want that to happen because I want to make this island their grave."
Elijah and Eliana stared at the large ship, the same ship that had brought us to this cursed island. It was the only vehicle capable of taking anyone off this island, so taking it out of commission was crucial. I smiled at them before activating my Energy Dragon.
"So, Eliana, I'll ask you again, do you ever want to fly?" I asked, my eyes scanning her. It was clear she had Leukemia.
I couldn't understand why Elijah hadn't asked the school to heal his sister instead of leaving her at a hospital to die. The thought puzzled me, but now wasn't the time to dwell on it. I extended a hand to help them onto the dragon. I was done with this island. Once they were securely on the dragon, I leaped up and joined them.
"Watch this," I said, pointing at the ship.
With a focused effort, I fired a large purple energy beam at the ship, splitting it in half. The explosion was spectacular, and we watched as the flames consumed it and it began to sink.
Eliana's eyes widened with a mixture of fear and awe. "Wow! That was incredible!"
Eliajh tightened his grip on his sister, looking both relieved and determined. "Thank you, Lloyd. I don't know what we would have done without you."
I leaned back onto the dragon, feeling a sense of finality. "The school will handle this from here," I said, closing my eyes. "Looks like my work here is done."
The Energy Dragon soared above the burning wreckage, carrying us away from the island. The sense of freedom and accomplishment washed over me. I had faced many challenges, but I had come out stronger, As we flew towards safety, I knew this was just the beginning of a new chapter, one where I would forge my path, free from the shadows of my past.