Darkness from Within #5: Uneasy Trust (A Ninjago Fanfiction)

Chapter 29

The sharpening of a sword was the first thing Cole heard as he woke from unconsciousness. Breathing heavily, he looked up to see Lloyd sitting at the edge of his bed, sharpening his sword with long, squeaky clinks.

"I tried to warn you," Lloyd murmured. "I tried to make you stop. But you didn't listen."

Cole tried to move before realizing Lloyd had tied his hands together and against his desk leg. He struggled to break free as he felt a sudden boldness awaken inside of him. "You'll never get away with this," he hissed. "Not when I tell everyone why you're really here!"

Lloyd rose to his feet and crossed his arms. "Oh, yeah? With what evidence?" he challenged.

Cole grunted as he continued to try and break free. "That Sword is enough proof for them all to believe!"

Lloyd's strange calmness didn't waver as he walked over to his mirror. "Too bad there'll be one less ninja around to hear you," he said smoothly.

Cole furrowed his eyebrows, giving up on getting loose. "What are you talking about?" he questioned.

Lloyd chuckled as he slipped on his gloves. "I told you there'd be consequences if you tried anything," he went on. "And digging through my bag to find evidence that I'm not on your side definitely falls into that category."

Cole's breath quickened as Lloyd stalked closer to him. The green ninja drew his hand along his sword's blade. "It's time I pay a visit to my best friend."

Cole's eyes widened in realization. "No," he breathed. "No!" he screeched louder. "Kai! N—"

His words were cut off into muffles as Lloyd knelt down and wrapped a cloth around the black ninja's mouth. Cole struggled violently to break free, eyes wild with panic.

Lloyd drew up again, staring down at him intensely. "It's time I teach you where you stand," he growled. "What happens when you oppose me." Then he chuckled again and walked backward toward the door. "Oh, and don't worry, I'll say goodbye to your mentor for you." He opened the door. "Since by the time you get out of here, it'll be too late."

Then he slammed the door shut.

No! Cole struggled wildly, but his weak body did no good and the ropes didn't budge. Giving up, he lowered his head and closed his eyes, grief swelling inside of him. This is all my fault, he thought. I'll never see Kai again, and it's all my fault. A tear ran down Cole's cheek as he sat there, utterly helpless. He sobbed quietly to himself as he realized all the pain he had taken, all the suffering he had been through to protect Kai had been useless—because he made one mistake, and now his brother would be gone.

* * *

Lloyd cracked his knuckles, energy fizzing inside of him. Finally, he thought. Some action! He peered around the corner and found Kai pacing the floor, the elemental sword latched onto his back. Lloyd grinned menacingly. Showtime.

Straightening up, he stepped out of the shadows and headed toward Kai.

The red ninja froze, hearing his footsteps, and whirled around, muscles tensing. Lloyd halted, raising an eyebrow, and Kai blinked, relaxing again. "Oh, it's just you," he murmured.

"Listen, Kai," Lloyd began as he came closer, "if you want to protect your elemental sword, this way is pointless."

Kai tilted his head. "What do you mean?"

"You know I've lived with the Baddies," Lloyd went on. "So you know I know how they think. And right here, in the monastery, is the first place they'd look."