Ninjago: Amplified - [A Ninjago Fanfiction]

[49] - Intervention

Zeoff stared blankly at the screens before his vision, watching clusters of dots advance throughout the vacant world.

It had been a bit longer than a month since he'd awakened.

Since then, Hikaru had forced him to continue fueling his efforts. For three weeks, Zeoff resided in Metalonia (or, at least, what was left of it), assisting in the making of a massive aircraft.

The aircraft was much like Hikaru's underground stronghold, including a command center, medical and containment sectors, a mess hall, and even a defense system-- all of which would be used to carry out the oni's final plans.

Many days prior, Zeoff had used the aircraft's tracking feature to locate a structure deep within Hiroshi's Labyrinth. As the former elemental piloted the aircraft towards the unknown location, Hikaru had discussed their next task with a group of his best scientists in the very same room. Zeoff heard the oni mention something about an artifact, and how Manticore's own would likely target it next.

Although Zeoff had little knowledge of the artifact's power, he was certain that the oni would use it as an opportunity to collect Manticore's allies.

And, from there...

He'd find the final key, and the world would be reduced into nothing but rubble.

As the week went on, Zeoff remained stationed at the aircraft, positioned a long ways from Hiroshi's Labyrinth. Hikaru's scientists worked diligently from the opposing side of the command center, whispering something about droids and weaponry.

At that point, Zeoff honestly wanted nothing more than to evacuate the ship, leaving Hikaru without an experienced pilot.

But he refused to be a coward any longer.

Hikaru had seized Zeoff within his never-ending web of deceit. The oni forced him to do things that went against the former elemental's previous morals. Hell, he made cold-blooded murder sound more favorable than resistance.

Manticore would likely suffer the same, inescapable fate.

Unless if Zeoff could do something about it.

He'd accepted his death long ago, yet that didn't mean that there weren't people out there, still suffering at the oni's hand. Somewhere out in the world, there were those clinging onto hope-- innocent locals who wanted nothing more than to live a peaceful life, who deserved none of what was coming to them.

As long as Manticore was kept far from Hikaru's clutches, the world would not fall.

And Zeoff would do whatever it took to ensure that outcome.

Even if it meant risking it all.

Zeoff's focus shifted back to the task at hand, piloting the aircraft towards Hikaru's location. The oni had sent out a signal from nearly halfway across Ninjago, which perplexed the former elemental greatly. An hour ago, Zeoff had watched Hikaru's position shift from western Ninjago to the high north-- a journey that took two hours worth of traveling, even from the aircraft. How could Hikaru have halved that time using nothing but a stolen marine vessel?

Zeoff didn't get a clear answer until the oni met them at the landed aircraft's loading dock thirty minutes later, dragging two unconscious figures with him.

Hikaru passed Manticore and her ally over to the soldiers at Zeoff's side, ordering the two to be contained immediately. The former elemental swallowed down his growing pit of anger, plastering an empty expression along his features as the oni advanced towards him.

"Shall I set course for the stronghold, my Lord?" Zeoff inquired. Hikaru halted a foot before him, examining him as if searching for any sign of rebellion.

"Set course for the Sea of Sand." Hikaru corrected coldly. "Manticore's own will be there soon enough."

Zeoff said nothing, nodding his head in compliance. The oni turned away, advancing down the opposing hall.

The former elemental closed the aircraft's hatch door, clenching his fists as the opening hissed shut.

Zeoff made his way slowly down the corridor, entering the barren command center. The former elemental returned to his station at the center of the room, reaching for the aircraft controls...

His hand hovered just a few inches away from the directory panel, his eyes catching on a row of buttons to his left.

Without thinking twice, Zeoff activated one of them. A cluster of shapes erupted onto one of the station's screens, displaying live footage of the rooms throughout the aircraft.

The former elemental took note of their prisoners' location, his eyes narrowing.

Zeoff knew well what was about to happen next.

When Manticore and her ally awoke in their prison, it would only be a matter of time before Hikaru faced them again.

He'd kill Manticore's ally, leaving her with no choice but to unlock her true potential in a feeble attempt to save her loved one.

And, then...

The oni would destroy Manticore's remaining allies with her own powers-- and the young woman wouldn't be able to do anything but watch.

But Zeoff wouldn't allow Hikaru the opportunity.

Not any longer.

The former elemental reached a hand into his robe pocket, his fingers tracing over the stolen firearm in his possession.

When the time came, Zeoff would be ready for his intervention.