Lloyd POV
I stared at the ground as many questions formed in my head, but one kept on repeating: Should I kill him? How does he know that I'm from the future? No one can know that. But if I killed him, then I'd be on the most wanted list. Should I attack him now or wait for the right time?
"Why do you keep on thinking of trying to kill me?" Mister Glasses asked, his usual nonchalant smile plastered on his face. "I'm just pointing it out, but let me ask you a question. How did you come back to the past?"
I looked at Mister Glasses, baffled by how he knew what I was planning on doing. It didn't seem like he was planning on threatening me. "I don't know," I confessed. "I died, but before I passed away, I heard a voice asking me if I wanted to go back in time. I agreed because I didn't have much of a choice."
Mister Glasses' smile grew larger as he nodded. He looked satisfied with the answer, but that only made me start to wonder more. "Mister Glasses, how did you know that I was from the future? Nobody knows that so how could someone who is not close to me find out?"
Mister Glasses' smile faltered as he looked at me from head to toe. He knew something that I didn't, and I had a feeling that if I didn't get the answers, my life was going to be in danger.
"Do you think that knowing how I Know is going to satisfy your curiosity?" he asked in a serious tone.
"Well, of course, I need to make sure that I don't die again because this is my last chance to change the world," I answered. "If you are going to cause me danger, then I have the right to eliminate you."
Mister Glasses laughed, and that made me more pissed off. "I see, then let me answer your question. Did you know that there is more to the world than you realize?"
He paused, his expression turning more contemplative. "Some people are blessed with out-of-this-world abilities, and some may have more than others. You could say that my mother was one of those people." His smile faltered as he looked away from me. "She was a psychic, and sometimes she got glimpses of the future. People from all over the world would come to meet her because of her ability. But, of course, her destiny thought otherwise because she passed away when I was sixteen years old."
He paused again, gathering his thoughts before continuing. "Before she passed away, she told me that a person from the future was coming back to the past and that they were going to change everyone's destiny. She asked me to help that person if I ever met them. That was her last vision and request before she died. I never wanted to be part of my dad's school, but I did so that I might get the opportunity to meet that one person. I spent the last eight years looking for you. And now we are face to face. Does that answer your questions?"
I unclenched my fist, realizing he must be referring to the woman in the photo. I knew something was weird when I first saw that woman in the photo. I stared at him, processing what he had just revealed. It was a lot to take in, and it raised even more questions. But at least now I understood why he seemed to know so much about me.
"So, your mother saw me in a vision?" I asked, trying to piece everything together.
Mister Glasses nodded. "Yes. She didn't give me many details, but she was certain that you would come back and that you would need guidance. She believed you could change the course of history."
I leaned back in my seat, trying to absorb the weight of his words. "And you just decided to dedicate your life to finding me and helping me?"
He shrugged. "It wasn't easy, but I believed in my mother's vision. Besides, it's not like I had anything better to do. This school was my only lead, and being here allowed me to watch over the students and wait for your arrival."
"Are you also a dual-ability user?" I asked. That was the only explanation I had for Mister Glasses being able to predict what I was planning on doing.
Mister Glasses looked surprised before bursting out laughing. "You are smart, once again figuring out my ability."
I narrowed my eyes, trying to guess if he was mocking me or genuinely impressed. "So, what exactly are your abilities?"
He leaned back, still chuckling. "You already know my first ability, Force. It's also my father's ability."
I nodded, recalling how formidable his father had been. Fighting someone with the ability to levitate objects, manipulate minds, and foresee events would be no small challenge. "And your second ability?"
His expression grew more serious. "The second is foresight. That comes from my mother, but I don't need to know what you're planning. I can sense your intentions almost as clearly as if you spoke them aloud."
I just nodded, it looked like I shouldn't get on his bad side, but it got me wondering. If Mister Glasses' mother foresaw my return to the past, doesn't that mean someone else knows of my existence? If they know, they might look for me. I should be glad that I met Mister Glasses first.
I looked at my scarred palms. I always clenched my fists a bit too hard, and that was a bad habit. Finally, I looked up to see Mister Glasses waiting for my response.
"I've got a favor to ask. Would you be kind enough to accept it?" I asked, shoving my hands into my uniform pockets. "If you want, I will repay you with a wish."
A grin that I didn't like formed on Mister Glasses' face. "Really? Anything?"
"Anything reasonable,'' I quickly answered. "I will repay you with anything reasonable."
Mister Glasses nodded before asking, "And what is this deal?"
"If anyone wants to harm or take me away, you must do everything in your power to protect me," I request. Mister Glasses seemed to have a lot of power on his side, so as long as I was friends with him, I might be safe.
"Of course," Mister Glasses said rather quickly. "As long as you keep me entertained."
I tilted my head before sticking my hand out. That was not a hard request. "Deal."
He accepted it, shaking my hand firmly. "I'm glad that we are on the same side."
…
Heroes POV
Noah stared at the monument they had built for his uncle, taking in its surface and the craved words that tried to encapsulate the man he had been. The monument was simple but elegant, a fitting tribute hastily constructed by those who had respect for his uncle. As he looked at it, he couldn't help but feel a profound sadness. His uncle had left this world too early, his potential and wisdom cut short by circumstances Noah wished he could change.
He looked down at the ground, tracing patterns in the dirt with a stick, his thoughts a whirlwind of grief and confusion. Sitting on the cliff's edge, Noah felt the weight of his uncle had been more than a relative; he had been a mentor, a guide, the only one who truly cared about him. He had spent countless hours helping Noah improve, pushing him to be better, to strive for greatness. Now, all that remained were memories and the cold reality that his uncle was gone, never to be seen again.
The wind rustled through the trees, a gentle reminder of the world that continued to move forward despite Noah's loss. He sighed deeply, feeling the ache in his chest intensified. Whether he lived or died, his uncle wouldn't be waiting for him in the Departed Realm. The thought was almost unbearable. He had always taken comfort in the idea of the afterlife, a place where he could reunite with loved ones. But now, even that solace was stripped away.
He glanced back at the monument, its presence both a comfort and a torment. It stood as a testament to his uncle's impact on the world, but it also highlighted the void left behind. Noah wished he could hear his uncle's voice one more time, receive one more piece of advice, one more word of encouragement. But those wishes were as futile as hoping to turn back time.
Noah finally looked away from the monument, the weight of his emotions pressing down on him like a physical burden. He stood up slowly, dusting himself off as he glanced over at Kai, who was engrossed in a conversation with Skylor. They seemed to hit it off well, their laughter and easy rapport only adding fuel to the fire simmering within Noah.
A sudden rush of rage flowed through him, the kind of rage that shimmered dangerously, threatening to explode at any moment. His thoughts raced back to the confrontation in the chamber, where Kai had finally voiced his disgust. Normally, Noah would appreciate Kai's honesty, but the way it was delivered- sharp and cutting- had left a deep wound. Kai's disgust wasn't something that Noah could easily brush off, especially since it had seemed genuine, something Kai had harbored for a long time.
Kai had apologized profusely afterward, insisting it was all part of a plan to deceive Master Chen. But Noah couldn't find it in his heart to forgive him. The betrayal cut too deep. How could he forgive Kai, who had made him feel so miserable?
As Noah stood there, lost in his turbulent thoughts, Zane approached him, his mechanical eyes reflecting a semblance of empathy. "Noah, are you okay?" Zane asked his voice a blend of concern and mechanical precision. "I know that you might feel sad about Sensei Garmadon, but think about him leaving so that the people of Ninjago could see another day."
Noah couldn't help but frown at Zane. The Nindroids' attempt at comfort, though well-meaning, felt hollow. "Yeah," Noah replied, his voice tinged with bitterness. "It's not like we had many options, so who am I to complain."
Zane tilted his head slightly, studying Noah. "It's natural to feel conflicted, Noah. But remember, Sensei Garmadon made his choice knowing it was for the greater good. His sacrifice wasn't in vain."
Noah looked at the machine before him, his stomach churning with unease. Zane's mechanical eyes, usually so calm and steady, now seemed to radiate pity. Noah hated it. He hated the idea that people pitied him, that they saw him as someone to feel sorry for. His blood boiled as he walked past Zane without a second glance.
"Leave me alone," Noah snapped, his voice cold and unyielding. "I am not interested in your hollow assurances."
"Noah… please stop and think about everything that has happened so far!" Zane pleaded, his voice a mix of urgency and concern as he followed closely behind. "Everything happens for a reason, even right now there is a reason for this!"
Noah stepped abruptly, causing Zane to almost bump into him. He turned around, his eyes blazing with a mixture of anger and pain. "So, are you saying that I am suffering for a reason?" he demanded, his voice rising. "That all this pain, all this loss, is supposed to mean something?"
Zane hesitated, the words caught in his throat. "I believe… that even in suffering, there is purpose. That it can lead to growth, to strength."
Noah laughed bitterly, the sound harsh and devoid of humor. "Growth? Strength? Do you think this makes me stronger? Losing my uncle, being betrayed by someone I thought was a friend… you think that makes me stronger?" His voice cracked with the weight of his anger and despair, each word a sharp, painful reminder of the traumas he had endured.
Zane shut his mouth, realizing he was treading on thin ice. Noah was mentally unstable, a ticking time bomb of emotions after the tumultuous events of the past few months. The presence of Lloyd and his malevolent alter ego, Abaddon, had only exacerbated the situation. The relentless losses to Lloyd had driven Noah to the brink of madness. The memory of Lloyd's attempt on their lives was a fresh, festering wound that compounded their current predicament.
Zane curses inwardly, blaming Kai for stirring Noah's volatile emotions in such a precarious moment. He shifted his gaze from Kai to his hand, a reminder of his identity crisis. As a newer version of Zane, he doubted Noah would heed his words, especially now.
"Noah, maybe this suffering is a test for you to endure so that you can reach out for greatness," Zane explained as softly as possible, trying to inject some calm into the tense atmosphere. "You should know that the path to greatness is full of difficulties but in the end, it is worth it. Even if you suffer today, there will be a reward for you in the future."
Noah's eyes bore into Zane, a mixture of rage and hopelessness swirling within them. "What if there is no reward in the end? What if I suffer for nothing, huh? What is the point of walking down a path with no guaranteed chance of getting to the end? Sometimes it's not worth it." His voice was low, yet it echoed with the profound uncertainty and pain he felt.
Zane struggled to find the right words, recognizing the depths of Noah's anguish. The weight of their shared history, the betrayals, and the relentless battles had taken a toll on all of them, but especially on Noah. Zane knew that offering platitudes wouldn't be enough to soothe his friend's tormented soul.
Zane reached out, trying to comfort his old friend, hoping to break through the barrier of pain and anger that surrounded Noah. However, Noah reacted violently, smacking Zane away with a force that made Zane recoil. "Know your place, machine. Who the fuck lied to you, saying you can walk around wearing the dead's faces?"
Zane was taken aback by Noah's sudden and cutting remark. He could feel the weight of Noah's words pressing down on him, the accusation stinging more than any physical blow. "Lloyd told me my purpose. He told me why I was created," Zane responded, his voice subdued but firm.
Noah scoffed, the sound dripping with bitterness and contempt, sending shivers down anyone's spine who heard it. "And you decided to listen to the person who killed the original? Do you know how painful it is to look at you? Get out of my face before I assemble you."
Zane froze on the spot, unsure of what to do. Before anyone could react, Kai came out of nowhere and punched Noah in the face. Jay and Cole rushed over to stop the situation from escalating. Jay grabbed Kai, trying to prevent him from doing any more damage.
"Noah, you sure know how to piss me off," Kai grumbled, his veins bulging with rage. "This is why I refer Lloyd over you."
Noah stopped rubbing his face, disbelief flashing in his eyes. Did he just hear Kai say he preferred Lloyd over him? His entire face turned red as anger quickly consumed him. His vision blurred with fury as he clenched his fists. "Did you forget that Lloyd tried to kill us?!" he shouted, moving toward Kai. "He doesn't care about anyone except himself! The only time he helps people is when it benefits him! He abandoned us, taking Elijah and his sister! He always leaves when we need him! Now two people we care about are gone because of him!"
Cole grabbed Noah and lifted him off the ground, trying to calm him down. "It doesn't matter if Lloyd was there or not, it wouldn't change the result!" Cole shouted, attempting to get through to Noah. "There is no point in blaming Lloyd; it doesn't change what just happened."
Jay stepped forward, his expression stern. "Noah, why are you so selfish?" Everything went silent, the only sound the soft rustle of the breeze. "Why are you acting like we aren't suffering as well? Do you only think of yourself? Do you know how we felt when we lost Zane?! We knew him longer than you and now he is gone! He was our brother, Noah!"
Noah's face was covered with a mixture of rage and hurt. He opened his mouth to retort, but the weight of Jay's words struck him hard. He stopped and stared at the ground. Except for Zane, who looked hurt, everyone else was visibly angry at him. He couldn't help but grind his teeth. Why did everyone make it look like he was the bad guy?
He looked at his hand before conjuring a baseball bat and bashing it into Cole's side, forcing him to drop him. "What the hell!" Cole shouted, rubbing his side. "What on earth did you do that for?"
"Because you wouldn't put me down bastard," Noah stood up from the floor, dusting himself once again. "I am tired of dealing with you people," he said, making the baseball bat dissipate as he started to walk away. "You know, I think Kai was right about one thing. I am not fit to be your leader, so I'm just going to go and leave."
"Leave?! What makes you think you can just walk away from this?!" Kai shouted, attempting to jump at Noah again. "You can't just walk away like nothing happened!"
Noah stopped in his tracks but didn't turn around; he couldn't face them like this. "You're right, but I can pretend it never happened." His voice was cold, almost detached as if he had already made up his mind.
Jay, still holding Kai back, looked at Noah with a mix of frustration and desperation. "Noah running away won't solve anything! We need you here, with us. We need to figure this out together."
Noah's shoulders tensed, the conflict within him evident. He wanted to leave, to escape the pain and the accusations. But a part of him knew Jay was right. Yet, he felt so lost and betrayed that he didn't see a way forward with them.
Cole, still wincing from the hit, tried to catch his breath. "We all need to cool off. This fighting isn't helping anyone," he said, his voice strained but sincere. "Leaving now won't change what happened. It'll make things worse."
Noah closed his eyes, feeling the weight of their words. He wanted to believe them, but the pain was too raw, too overwhelming. "You don't understand," he muttered. "You never will."
He started to walk away, ignoring Kai's curses and shouts to come back. The echoes of Kai's anger faded behind him, leaving Noah with an eerie silence. It felt like it had taken him only minutes to become utterly friendless. He couldn't help but feel hollow inside as if he had nothing left. It was hilarious, he thought bitterly, because he truly didn't have anything left. A chuckle escaped his lips, a dry, humorless sound, as he continued his solitary march away from the canyon. What was he going to do with his life now?
The group watched Noah's retreating figure, his silhouette growing smaller against the vast expanse of the canyon. The atmosphere was thick with tension and unspoken words. Cole turned to Kai, who was still visibly angry. "What made you decide to tell Noah the truth?" he asked, breaking the silence.
Kai's face was still flushed with frustration. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. "I suddenly remembered what a certain stranger once told me at the park. He said that it's better to show my emotions than to let them consume me instead." He ran a hand through his hair, a gesture of exasperation and reflection. "I wonder what he is doing now."