The Butterfly Effect (2020)

thirty one

Hozier
••• It Will Come Back •••

don't give it a hand, offer it a soul

honey, make this easy

leave it to the land, this is what it knows

honey, that's how it sleeps

•••••

Me:
Safe and sound! :D
Delivered

Mumma Bear:
Perfect! Thanks for telling me sweetie xxx
Sent 6.54pm

"I am very not safe and sound," I mumbled to myself as I shoved my phone back into my pocket.
R.E.X was flying over Jamanakai, headed towards our new destination: the actual tomb. The proper resting place of Lloyd's grandfather. I couldn't help but think we were walking towards death and I wasn't sure how I felt about that.
This was the endgame. Either we get the realm crystal before Morro does or Ninjago falls into ruin.
Either we get Lloyd back or we...

Don't.
Simply put.

My fists clenched as I stared out at the blurring landscape that slurred beneath us. There was only one answer I was willing to accept. We had to get Lloyd back.
To not would be illegal - I'm calling it now. It's a crime for Morro to keep possessing Lloyd. As is, he's been over the limit (the limit being staying as far the fuck away from him as possible) and that, I decree, is a crime punishable by more crime.

But before that, I had to deal with the repercussions of my own broken rules.

"Where is Y/n?" came Misako's voice from the speakers. Her tone was steeled. I grimaced.
"H- here," I stood, half-hiding behind Kai sheepishly. Lloyd's parents and uncle, angry at me again? It's more likely than you think.
I must hold some kind of record now.
"What were you thinking?" she snapped the famous words that I'd been far too acquainted to over the past three days or so. "We told you to stay back! And what were you five thinking? You know better than to take Y/n with you!"
"It was Kai's idea!" Cole diverted the blame. Kai sent him a betrayed look.
"Dude," he bit.
"I don't care whose idea it was," Misako shook her head. Garmadon appeared in the background, a frown etched on his face. "I'm disappointed in every one of you."
Ouch. Guilt.
That was a critical hit.

We mumbled our apologies as the airship slid underwater. Misako's eyes narrowed in scrutiny.
"Where are you?" she asked. "What happened? Why are you in Ronin's airship?"
"Oh, man," Jay bounced back, shaking his head in disbelief. "You are not going to believe this..."
As Jay rambled on about our earlier excursions, I took the chance to stare out at the water. Bubbles flung by, accompanied by fish and other sea creatures. I glanced up towards the surface. The sun's glisten was growing further and further away and I felt something unsettling rest in my gut - if this was another trap, we'd be doomed. Why are we trusting Ronin again? He's a deadbeat crook, a no-good, terrible...