Ninjago: The Cursed Crystal King (4)

Chapter 54: Gathering an army

Garmadon and Lloyd traversed the dark corridors, overgrown with glowing crystals, of the sewers beneath the city. They were looking for Serpentine and to ask them to help them in the coming war for the realm's freedom.

However, when they arrived at the familiar library there was no one there, and the place was trashed and overgrown with crystals. Garmadon and Lloyd, as usual, began teasing each other, to annoy one and other.

Meanwhile, Nya and Jay made it over the harbour to send a rescue signal to Benthomar, who was now the Merlopian's King, to come to aid of the war.

Nya, after Jay's supportive words, did her best, to tame the wild ocean waters and send the signal.

You could feel the great tension in the air, caused by the impending doom. Everything in the paws of Darkness and his army to come to their aid.

Skylor and Kai looked around for the enemy army. When it was clear they started to run to the  warehouse. Cole followed them, carrying the large body of the fallen Saber.

Master Wu opened the door for them and smiled with relief. However, after a moment he noticed their embittered looks and cheeks wet with tears.

- What happened? - he asked worriedly.

Kai just looked at him and glanced over his shoulder at Cole walking with his head down, carrying Saber's body.

- Oh no... Saber. -  said a shocked Wu, walking closer to Cole.

- What...? What happened to him? Who did this to him?

- Mr. F and the Mechanic. They attacked us and... he got shot. - Cole said quietly.

Wu sighed heavily and stroked the dead lion's mane. Cole entered the warehouse and walked towards the crates. He placed his body on the wood and adjusted his outfit.

The Ninjago people, rescued by the League of Heroes, looked at the ninjas, who had arrived and looked at them with concern. The children, hidden behind their parents looked out from behind them and curiously came closer, as the ninjas left to fetch the rest of the League of Heroes members.

Nelson gasped and ran over to the lion. He took a closer look and ran his hand over it's wounds, before looking at it's muzzle. His eyes glazed over and he glanced at Antonia behind him. 

- What... did he...? - He asked uncertainly, looking at Master Wu, who nodded bitterly na went for a sheet, to cover the body.

- What monsters... criminals! - he shouted furiously in a breaking voice.

The boy still remembered perfectly, when he was ten years old, the ninjas would come to the hospital to visit sick children. Saber was there with them for comfort and to divert the children's bad thoughts from the pain, by stroking and playing with him.

Kai, Skylor and Cole returned with the rest of their friends. All confused, they followed and gasped, when they saw their friend lying lifeless on a crate.