S E L C O U T H. || Ninjago

11. All of Nothing.

—NYA: "THE VENOMARI'S RIGHT. By the time we cast sail clear across the other side of Ninjago, Pythor will have already beat us to the last Fangblade."

—Jay: "Oh, come on, guys. This is the last one. We gotta get it. We gotta think of something."

—Cole: "Hmm..."

—Lloyd: "Hey."

—Kai: "Huh?"

—Lloyd: "All we have to do is just get one Fangblade to stop him. What if we take back the other three? Pythor wouldn't risk having them all on him. He's probably hidden them somewhere while he goes for the fourth."

I pat his head and he smiles proudly.

—Cole: "It's so simple."

—Kai: "Huh, why didn't I think of that?"

—Jay: "It can't be that easy."

—Zane: "Easy? My algorithms suggest taking the other three would be far more dangerous. Pythor would undoubtedly have them protected by his top generals."

—Kai: "Ha, finally. I don't have to hold back."

[...]

The Ninja were preparing to go. Cole looked at me.

—Cole: "Ya comin'?"

I shook my head.

—Me: "I will sit this one out."

He shrugs.

—Cole: "If ya say so."

[...]

I enter the computer room with Lloyd and we see Garmadon. Lloyd gasps when the computer announces it's transferring of files.

—Lloyd: "You're... stealing?! Dad, my friends are risking their lives to save Ninjago, and you go behind their backs to gain an advantage?!"

—Garmadon: "I'm sorry, but I can't help it. Ever since the Devourer bit me, evil runs through my blood."

—Lloyd: "You left me for so long. Where did you go?"

—Garmadon: "Son, there are places in this world void of any good. Dark places."

—Lloyd: "Is that where Sensei found you?"

—Garmadon: "You know how I've always wanted those Golden Weapons, well, this place allowed me the power to possess them."

—Lloyd: "But why didn't you take me with you?"

—Garmadon: "Every boy has a choice to grow up to be whoever they want to be. But I never had that choice. Because I was bitten, evil runs through my veins. But you still have a choice. You don't need to be like me, Lloyd. Your uncle has a plan for you, and even though it may be to stop me one day, we have to follow our own destiny. And after I help the ninja stop Pythor, I'll need to leave again."

My eyes soften at his response.

—Lloyd: "Then why don't you just leave now!?"

—Garmadon: "Lloyd—"

—Lloyd: "No, really! Go back to whatever evil place you came from."

—Nya: "All right, Operation Stealth was a total bust. We're gonna need reinforcements. Anyone there?"

Nya's voice is heard. Garmadon tried to reaching the computer but Lloyd stops him.

—Lloyd: "We don't want your help, and we don't need you here. Maybe it would've been better if you hadn't come at all."