Lloyd POV
I leaned in close to the mirror, taking in every detail of my new look. The harsh fluorescent light of the small, dingy bathroom flickered intermittently, casting eerie shadows across my face. The cracked tiles and rust-stained sink added to the overall sense of decay, fitting for a school of villains. My once blonde hair was now jet-black, framing my face in a way that made me look like a stranger. It was weird, seeing myself like this. I ran my hand through my hair, still amazed at how different I looked.
"Not bad," I muttered to myself. This new me could fool someone who didn't know me. The dark hair made my green eyes pop, giving me a kind of intense, dangerous look. Perfect for blending in at a school for villains.
"You clean up nicely," Mister Glasses commented from behind me. I studied his reflection in the mirror. His thick-rimmed glasses gleamed in the flickering light, obscuring his eyes and adding to his air of mystery. The crisp lines of his dark suit contrasted sharply with the decrepit surroundings, hinting at a man who valued precision and control. "Though I must say, the brooding look suits you."
I shot him a glare through the mirror. "I'm not brooding. I'm thinking."
"Of course," he replied, a hint of amusement in his voice. "And what, pray tell, are you thinking about so intensely?"
I sighed, turning to face him. "I'm trying to figure out what ability to show off. Destruction is a no-go – too much like Noah in this world. And Energy Manipulation? Who knows if Noah has that here too? I need something different, something that won't raise eyebrows."
Mister Glasses nodded thoughtfully. "A wise consideration. Perhaps something more... subtle? Something that could be easily overlooked but still prove useful?"
I mulled over his words, turning back to the mirror. I kept staring at myself, realizing it had been ages since I'd looked in a mirror like this. The guy looking back at me was me, but also... not. It was unsettling.
"You seem troubled," Mister Glasses observed. "Is it the resemblance to Noah that's bothering you?"
I shook my head. "It's not just that. It's... I don't know. Maybe I'm just disappointed in what I've become – someone who can slip into a new identity as easily as changing clothes."
"That's a valuable skill in our line of work," he pointed out.
"Yeah, but at what cost?" I countered. "The longer I look, the more I feel like I'm losing touch with who I am. It doesn't help my already crappy mood. I can change how I look, what name I use, and even pretend to have different powers, but it doesn't fix what's broken inside. All the fighting, running, and just trying to survive has left its mark, and no disguise can hide that."
Mister Glasses was quiet for a moment, considering my words. "Perhaps," he finally said, "the ability to adapt isn't a flaw, but a strength. It's kept you alive this long, hasn't it?"
I didn't respond, mulling over his words. After a moment, he cleared his throat. "Speaking of names, what are you planning on using? I think Noah will notice if you use your real one."
I blinked, forcing myself to focus. "Yeah, I know," I said, turning to face him and leaning against the sink. "Just use Abaddon. It's worked for me before." The name felt heavy on my tongue like it carried all the lies I'd ever told. A shiver ran down my spine as I remembered the last time I'd used it – a mission that had gone wrong, leaving me with nightmares that still haunted me.
Mister Glasses nodded and wrote it down. The scratching of his pen seemed way too loud in the small bathroom. "Abaddon," he repeated. "Interesting choice. The destroyer, the angel of the abyss. Quite fitting for a school of villains, I must say."
I shrugged, trying to shake off the weight of the memories. "It gets the job done."
"Indeed," he replied. "Now, are you planning on using your third ability? We need to put something down on the application."
I looked at him for a moment, my mind racing through the potential challenges I'd face in this school. How would I handle classes designed to hone villainous skills? What if I was expected to participate in acts of evil? The thought of navigating social interactions with aspiring villains made my stomach churn. Every step would be a tightrope walk between maintaining my cover and staying true to my goals.
"Yeah," I said, crossing my arms. "It's a man-made ability, but it still counts." I watched his face, trying to decide how much to tell him.
Mister Glasses looked up, frowning. "A man-made ability?" he asked, his pen hovering over the paper. "How'd that happen? That's not something we see every day, even in this school."
The question hit a nerve, bringing back memories I'd rather forget. "I didn't make it," I said through gritted teeth, as images of labs and experiments flashed through my mind. I could almost feel the needles and restraints again. "Some bastard did. But I killed him for what he did to me and a little girl."
The words hung in the air between us. Mister Glasses didn't react much, but I saw something in his eyes – maybe understanding, maybe respect.
"I see," he said quietly. "And this ability... what exactly does it do?"
I hesitated, weighing my options. Finally, I decided to give him a little more information. "It's called Wielder," I explained, keeping my voice low. "It allows me to copy any skill if I understand it well enough."
Mister Glasses' eyebrows shot up. "Fascinating," he murmured. "That's quite a versatile ability. I can see why it would be valuable... and dangerous in the wrong hands."
I nodded grimly. "Yeah, which is why I'd rather keep it under wraps. The less people know about it, the better."
"Understandable," Mister Glasses agreed. "Should I put any of this down, or..." he gestured with his pen, waiting for me to answer. He was trying to sound neutral, but I could tell he was curious.
"Don't," I said firmly, turning back to the mirror to check my hair one last time. I ran my fingers through it, making sure no blonde was showing. It was as much to calm myself down as to check my disguise. "I don't want anyone digging into a past that doesn't exist here. I'm planning to keep my head down, so I probably won't be around long anyway. If anyone asks, just say it's a combat-enhancing ability. That's vague enough to not raise suspicions."
"A wise decision," Mister Glasses agreed. "The less attention you draw, the better. But I must ask, if you're not planning to stay long, why go through all this trouble?"
I met his eyes in the mirror. "Because sometimes, you need to become someone else to find what you're looking for."
He held my gaze for a long moment before nodding. "Fair enough. Well then, 'Abaddon,' welcome to our humble school for villains. I hope you find what you're looking for."
As he said it, I felt the weight of what I was doing. This world, this school – it was all temporary. Just another stop on a journey that seemed like it might never end. The thought settled in my chest like a cold stone. But for now, it was my best shot at getting what I needed.
"Yeah," I muttered. "Me too."
I looked myself in the eye in the mirror one last time, making a silent promise that I'd see this through, no matter what. I just hoped I could keep up this act long enough to do what I needed to do without losing myself completely. The line between who I was and who I was pretending to be was already starting to blur.
"Ready to face your new classmates?" Mister Glasses asked, holding the door open.
I took a deep breath, steeling myself. "As ready as I'll ever be."
As we left the bathroom, I couldn't shake the nagging thought: would there come a day when I wouldn't even recognize myself anymore? But I pushed it aside. I had a mission to focus on, and a school full of villains to navigate. Time to see what this world had in store for Abaddon.
…
This is not what I expected. I never thought I'd find myself in a situation like this—face to face with the Kai of this world. His sharp amber eyes scan me with a frown, the scar over his left eye more pronounced than I remember. The air between us crackles with tension, and I get the sinking feeling that I'm not going to walk away unnoticed. But before I delve into this heart-stopping moment, let me take you back to how it all started.
I was following Mister Glasses down the dimly lit corridors to my new class, the smell of old books and something vaguely chemical hanging in the air. I felt a mix of relief and apprehension, grateful that I didn't have to deal with being a first-year student but wary of what lay ahead. My eyes kept wandering to the posters lining the walls, each one a work of art in its own right. "Join the Chaos Club!" one proclaimed in swirling, fiery letters. Another showed a hooded figure with the caption "Stealth and Sabotage: Master the Art of Unseen Destruction." Each poster seemed to offer an opportunity for anyone willing to take it, a chance to embrace their inner villain.
Did the Elemental Alliance Academy have anything like this? I barely remember, considering how I never really attended the school. The thought left a bitter taste in my mouth.
"Why do you act like you've never seen posters before?" Mister Glasses asked, his voice cutting through my reverie. I turned to face him, taking in his impeccably pressed suit and the way the light glinted off his thick-rimmed glasses. "You make it sound like you never attended school in your world."
"Maybe that's because I didn't," I muttered, shoving my hands deeper into my pockets.
Mister Glasses' eyes widened behind his lenses, genuine surprise etching itself across his usually composed features. "You didn't attend the school?"
I sighed, feeling the weight of my past decisions. "I did for like a week or two, but mostly I just didn't go," I said, avoiding eye contact and focusing instead on the intricate pattern of the marble floor. "I did the Elemental Games and the two final exams, and that's it."
Mister Glasses kept his mouth shut, nodding, but I could practically hear the gears turning in his head. I knew he was shocked. I couldn't blame him. It looked really bad from anyone's point of view. If I was still at Darkly's School for Bad Boys and I heard a student did that, my jaw would have dropped too.
As we walked, my mind wandered. School? It should be summer right now back in my world. I wonder how my clone is doing. I'm sure he's doing great, considering he's with the ninjas. The thought of my doppelganger playing happy families with my former friends sent a pang of... something through my chest. Jealousy? Regret? I pushed the feeling aside. But given how the ninjas are a magnet for trouble, I wouldn't be surprised if they were already deep in shit. A smirk tugged at my lips. But again, I'm sure they'll figure it out on their own. They always do.
I should be more worried about Noah, though. The smirk faded as quickly as it had appeared. I'm sure he's training with his future self, probably in some time-warped dimension where they have all the time in the world. I bet they're coming up with some power move to kill me or defeat the entity. The thought sent a chill down my spine. Meanwhile, I'm traveling around stealing powerful items and collecting skills to create a powerful being. What a great way of spending my time. The sarcasm in my thoughts was almost palpable.
"What are you thinking about now?" Mister Glasses asked, his piercing gaze seeming to see right through me. "Are you planning on making one eye green and the other red?"
I looked at him, surprised by his sudden suggestion. The idea hadn't even crossed my mind. "Should I do that?"
"I don't know, it might work well with your disguise," Mister Glasses shrugged, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Besides, are you worried about being a student here?"
I frowned at him, feeling a surge of irritation at his casual tone. "No, I'm more worried about what Noah from my world is doing right now. He's with his future self who's going to do something to help in my defeat." The words came out harsher than I intended, laced with a mix of fear and frustration.
Mister Glasses nodded as if he understood what I was going through, which pissed me off even more. How could he possibly understand the weight I was carrying? "If you're worried about that, it's better if you get rid of things that will guarantee his success."
My surprise quickly morphed into a wicked grin. "Kill off our mother, his father, his future self, and his friends?" The words rolled off my tongue with a delicious weight, the implications of such actions sending a thrill through me.
"Well, you could do that to remove all emotional support," Mister Glasses continued, his tone casual as we discussed multiple murders. "Or you could focus on undermining their relationships. Create a rift, and sow distrust among them. Turn them against each other; it's about dismantling their foundation rather than eliminating them outright. That way, even if Noah knows his future self, he'll be too busy navigating the chaos you create to be any real threat." He leaned in closer, his expression serious, his breath smelling faintly of mint. "Think strategically. The mind can be just as deadly as the sharpest blade. Use it."
I nodded appreciatively, impressed by Mister Glasses' ruthless logic. His words resonated with my dark ambitions. "I'm already on it," I said, my voice steady and cold. "Noah abandoned his friends to get stronger, so I placed my clone there to take over Noah's spot in the friend group. It's only a matter of time before I destroy everything he holds dear."
Mister Glasses adjusted his glasses before shrugging, the fluorescent lights overhead catching on the lenses. "Well, you're already doing your part, so just speed up your process to ensure you always end up on top. Besides, you're the one with the three abilities."
I nodded, a smirk playing on my lips. Mister Glasses was right – my three abilities gave me an edge Noah could only dream of. But his suggestion had sparked an even more devious idea.
I turned to him, a wicked grin spreading across my face. "You know, that's not a bad idea at all. Why settle for one color when I can showcase both sides of my power?"
Without hesitation, I faced the window, using its reflective surface as a mirror. Control over my abilities came as naturally as breathing now. I watched with sadistic pleasure as my right eye began to change, the green iris darkening and shifting until it settled into a deep, blood-red.
"Now that's more like it," I purred, admiring my new look. The contrast was striking – one eye a vibrant green, crackling with energy, the other a smoldering red, promising destruction. It was a perfect representation of the chaos I could unleash.
Mister Glasses leaned in, clearly impressed. "Remarkable," he said, his voice tinged with admiration and a hint of wariness. "I've never seen anything quite like it. How does it feel?"
I turned to him, reveling in the way he slightly flinched at my gaze. "It feels... intoxicating," I said, my voice low and menacing. "Like I'm finally embracing my true nature – a force of creation and destruction intertwined."
"And can you control it?" Mister Glasses asked, his tone cautious.
I laughed, a cold, harsh sound that echoed in the hallway. "Control it? Oh, Mister Glasses, I don't just control it. I am it. These powers aren't just abilities I use – they're the very essence of my being."
To demonstrate, I held out my hands. On my left, a sphere of crackling green energy formed, while on my right, a swirling vortex of destructive red power materialized. "See? Perfect balance. Perfect control. And perfect potential for chaos."
Mister Glasses nodded approvingly, a glint of excitement in his eyes. "That's exactly what we need here. Someone who not only understands their power but embraces it fully."
As we resumed our walk toward the classroom, I couldn't help but feel a thrill of anticipation coursing through my veins. This small change was just the beginning. I was ready to show this world – and anyone who stood in my way – exactly what I was capable of.
"You know," I said casually as we approached the door, my mismatched eyes gleaming with malice, "I think I'm going to enjoy my time here more than I initially thought. After all, what better place to perfect the art of villainy than a school full of aspiring evildoers?"
Mister Glasses chuckled darkly. "Indeed. Just remember, in a den of wolves, even the alpha must watch his back."
I met his gaze, a cruel smile playing on my lips. "Oh, I'm counting on it. Let them try to challenge me. It'll make crushing them all the more satisfying. And who knows? Maybe I'll even find some worthy allies in this cesspool of villainy."
With that, we entered the classroom, ready to face whatever – or whoever – awaited us inside. Little did they know, the most dangerous villain had just walked through their door, ready to manipulate, dominate, and conquer. This world had no idea what was coming, and I couldn't wait to show them.
…
Heroes POV
Lloyd surveyed his surroundings, his emerald green eyes scanning the eerie graveyard before him. The full moon hung low in the sky, a pale orb casting long, twisted shadows across weathered tombstones and overgrown paths. Ancient oak trees loomed overhead, their gnarled branches reaching out like skeletal fingers, creaking softly in the gentle night breeze. A chill ran down Lloyd's spine, raising goosebumps on his skin, and something deep in his gut whispered that this venture would be far from the joyful experience he had naively hoped for.
With a grunt, Lloyd vaulted over the large metal fence, his muscles tensing as he cleared the spiked top. The fence creaked under his weight, the sound unnaturally loud in the quiet night. He winced as he caught sight of the rusted "DO NOT TRESPASS" sign swinging in the gentle night breeze, its chains creaking ominously. A bitter smirk crossed his face. He was already a criminal in the eyes of society; what was one more transgression to add to his growing list of offenses?
Landing softly on the other side, his feet sinking slightly into the damp earth, Lloyd paused to listen for any signs that his intrusion had been noticed. The graveyard remained silent, save for the whisper of wind through the trees and the distant call of nocturnal creatures. Satisfied, he pulled out the crumpled paper from his pocket, the material rough against his calloused fingers. The address was there, clear as day, but it offered no further guidance. His eyes darted across the sprawling graveyard, taking in the maze of tombstones and mausoleums. The fog was beginning to roll in, tendrils of mist curling around the bases of the monuments, adding an extra layer of eeriness to the scene. This was going to be more than just annoying; it was going to be a nightmare.
"Housing and answering, my ass," he muttered through gritted teeth, his fingers tightening around the paper until it was nothing more than a ball of frustration in his fist. He knew better than to venture out in the middle of the night while being hunted by the police. It would be a miracle if they didn't swoop down on him at any moment. The thought made him glance nervously over his shoulder, half-expecting to see flashing lights or hear sirens in the distance. But there was only the whisper of the wind and the occasional rustle of leaves.
Lloyd began to make his way through the graveyard, carefully stepping around fallen branches and overgrown roots. The tombstones loomed around him, their inscriptions worn away by time and weather, names and dates barely legible in the moonlight. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched, unseen eyes following his every move. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end, and he found himself constantly looking over his shoulder, searching for shadows that moved independently of the swaying trees.
As he turned to leave, ready to chalk this up as another dead end, something caught his eye. Near the base of an ancient oak tree, partially hidden by shadows and overgrown vegetation, was what appeared to be a door. Lloyd approached cautiously, his heart racing, each step carefully placed to avoid crunching leaves or snapping twigs. The door was covered in a thick layer of moss, blending almost seamlessly with its surroundings. It looked like it hadn't been touched in decades, nature slowly reclaiming what man had built.
With trembling hands, Lloyd brushed away some of the moss, revealing a rusted metal surface underneath. His fingers traced the outline of the door, feeling for any hidden mechanisms. The cold metal sent a shiver through him, a stark contrast to the humid night air. He found a handle, cold and rough to the touch, and after a moment's hesitation, pulled. The door creaked open with a sound that seemed to echo through the entire graveyard, revealing a dark passageway leading underground.
"A bunker?" Lloyd whispered to himself, equal parts excited and terrified. He fumbled in his pocket for his phone, the screen's glow momentarily illuminating his face in the darkness. Using its flashlight to illuminate the way, he began to descend a set of steep stairs. The air grew colder with each step, and a musty smell filled his nostrils. The walls were damp and slimy, covered in a film of moisture that glistened in the beam of his flashlight. Lloyd had to fight the urge to turn back, to return to the relative safety of the moonlit graveyard above.
At the bottom, he found another door, this one made of thick steel. It opened more easily than the first, sliding open with a pneumatic hiss that spoke of more advanced technology than the rusty entrance above. As Lloyd stepped through, his hand instinctively searched the wall for a light switch. He flicked it on, and harsh fluorescent lights flickered to life, momentarily blinding him.
As his vision adjusted, Lloyd's green eyes widened in shock. Sitting in a chair in the center of the room, as if he'd been waiting all along, was... himself. But not quite. This other Lloyd had piercing red eyes that seemed to glow in the artificial light, a stark contrast to his emerald gaze. The doppelganger's posture was relaxed, almost lazy, but there was an underlying tension that spoke of coiled power ready to be unleashed.
"Well, well," the red-eyed Lloyd drawled, a smirk playing on his lips. "Took you long enough to find me." His voice was identical to Lloyd's, yet there was an underlying tone of amusement and danger that sent shivers down Lloyd's spine.
Lloyd's mind reeled, struggling to process what he was seeing. It was like looking into a twisted mirror, seeing himself but not quite. "Who... what are you?" he managed to stammer out, his voice echoing slightly in the confined space.
The red-eyed version of himself stood, stretching lazily like a cat waking from a nap. "I'm you, of course. Or rather, we're both something else entirely." He took a step closer, his red eyes seeming to bore into Lloyd's soul. "Tell me, Lloyd, have you ever wondered why your memories seem... incomplete?"
Lloyd frowned, a sudden unease creeping over him. It felt like icy fingers were tracing their way up his back. "What are you talking about?"
"Think about it," Red-Eyes continued, circling Lloyd like a predator stalking its prey. His footsteps echoed on the concrete floor, each step deliberate and measured. "Don't you find it strange how there are gaps in your past? How certain events seem hazy as if they've been... removed?"
Lloyd wanted to deny it, but as he searched his memories, he realized there were indeed blank spaces, moments he couldn't quite recall. It was like trying to remember a dream that slipped away upon waking, leaving only a vague sense of unease. "That's... that's not possible," he muttered, more to himself than to his doppelganger.
"Oh, but it is," Red-Eyes grinned, his teeth seeming unnaturally sharp in the harsh light. "And what about your abilities? You have Energy Manipulation, sure, but don't you feel like something's missing? A second ability you should have, but can't quite grasp?"
Lloyd's hand instinctively clenched, as if trying to summon a power he couldn't name. A faint green glow emanated from his palm for a moment before fading away, leaving him feeling hollow and incomplete. He wanted to argue, to deny everything this other Lloyd was saying, but the words died in his throat. How could he refute something when the evidence was standing right in front of him, wearing his face?
"Who are we?" Lloyd finally asked, his voice barely above a whisper. The question hung in the air, heavy with implications.
Red-Eyes' smile widened, a mix of triumph and something darker in his expression. "We're clones, Lloyd. Created for a purpose far greater than you've imagined. And it's time you learned the truth about who we are, why we exist, and what's been taken from us."
Lloyd felt his world tilting on its axis. Everything he thought he knew about himself was suddenly in question. His past, his identity, his very existence - all of it was thrown into doubt. "But... my abilities, my relationships with the ninja..."
"All part of the plan," Red-Eyes cut in, his voice sharp and cold. "You were designed to be the perfect decoy. And I must say, you've played your part well. But now it's time for you to know the truth."
As the implications of this revelation sank in, Lloyd found himself grappling with a new, unsettling reality. He wasn't who he thought he was. He was a clone, a copy, created for a specific purpose. The weight of this knowledge threatened to crush him.
"I... I need to tell the ninja," Lloyd stammered, his mind racing. "They deserve to know the truth." Even as he said it, he knew it was a desperate attempt to cling to something familiar, something he thought was real.
Red-Eyes' expression hardened, his red eyes flashing dangerously. "That would be unwise, brother. If you do that, the original Lloyd will simply get rid of you and create a new clone. And if necessary, he'll remove the memories from the ninjas themselves."
Lloyd felt a chill run down his spine. The idea that even his friends' memories could be manipulated was terrifying. "He can do that?"
"Oh, he can do much more than that," Red-Eyes replied, his voice low and ominous. "You must play your part well, Green-Eyes. For all our sakes."
Lloyd's mind was reeling. The weight of this secret felt crushing, like a physical burden on his shoulders. "How am I supposed to go back to them, knowing all of this? How can I pretend everything is normal?"
Red-Eyes shrugged, seemingly indifferent to Lloyd's inner turmoil. "That's your problem to solve. My job is to take care of the Outcasts, remember?"
"And what happens when our jobs are done?" Lloyd asked, dreading the answer but needing to know.
"That's not for us to know," Red-Eyes replied, his tone dismissive. "We're tools, brother. Nothing more, nothing less."
Lloyd felt a surge of anger at those words, a fire igniting in his chest. "No. We're more than that. We have to be."
Red-Eyes laughed, but there was no humor in it. The sound was hollow and cold, echoing off the bunker walls. "Keep telling yourself that if it helps you sleep at night."
He moved towards the door, pausing before he left. "This bunker was once used by the original Lloyd. You can stay here for shelter if you need it. It's well-stocked and off the grid." With that, he disappeared into the night, leaving Lloyd alone with his thoughts.
Lloyd found himself alone in the bunker, the silence deafening. He looked around at the cold, concrete walls, feeling more isolated than he ever had before. The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, casting harsh shadows that seemed to mock him.
He sat heavily in the chair his doppelganger had vacated, burying his face in his hands. His entire life, every memory, every relationship, every triumph and failure - all of it was a carefully constructed lie. He was a pawn in a game he didn't even know was being played.
But as the initial shock began to wear off, a spark of defiance ignited within him. Clone or not, he was still Lloyd. He still cared about the ninja, about Ninjago. And he'd be damned if he'd let anyone, even the "original" Lloyd, use him as a mere tool.
He stood up, a new determination in his eyes. He would play his part, yes, but on his terms. And someday, somehow, he would find a way to break free from the strings that controlled him.
As he explored the bunker, preparing for the long night ahead, Lloyd began to formulate a plan. He couldn't tell the ninja the truth, not yet. But he could protect them, guide them, maybe even find a way to outsmart the original Lloyd.
It would be a dangerous game, walking the razor's edge between obedience and rebellion. But as he settled in for the night, Lloyd realized that for the first time in his life - his real life - he was making a choice that was truly his own.
The bunker held secrets, he was sure of it. Secrets about the original Lloyd, about their creation, about the true nature of their powers. And Lloyd was determined to uncover them all. As he drifted off to sleep, his mind swirled with questions and possibilities. Tomorrow would be the first day of his new life - a life of secrets, lies, and the search for truth. But for now, in the quiet darkness of the bunker, Lloyd allowed himself a moment of peace, knowing that whatever challenges lay ahead, he would face them head-on.