Return of Doom (Ninjago in the future)

Part 21: Creation vs. Destruction

Lloyd's whole body began glowing purple, the same color as the fire on Omega's staff, and he bent over slightly in pain. When the light faded, Lloyd stood taller, with four arms, two white horns, and a distorted face that matched the Omega's. But instead of black coloration, he was gold.

With an otherworldly snarl, Lloyd pushed back against the Omega, his hands — all four — glowing purple. The Omega actually started retreating, losing ground against Lloyd's relentless attacks. I shivered at his sudden fury, thinking it was nice to have him on our side.

Then Umber landed on the deck. Behind her, I saw a faint speck as the Monastery loomed closer. Umber stalked over to me, face twisted with hatred.

"Give me my powers!" She cried, lunging at me. I ducked, my hand using the lever for balance. But the pressure jerked it downwards, slowly the Bounty greatly.

I rolled backwards, crouching slightly as Umber charged at me again. My fists lit up orange as I met her attack head-on, my strength matching hers.

"You don't deserve these powers!" I replied furiously. "You tried to kill me twice! You hurt Summer!" I shoved her backwards and straightened. "You hurt Ben!"

"What, can't take a hit?" Umber scoffed. "You're weak."

She leaped at me and I ducked. As we fought, I began to feel a familiarity to the movements. Over the planks, I thought as I jumped over Umber's leg sweep, imagining the training course. She tried to hit my head with her staff: dodge the sword. We broke apart, operated by a few feet of empty space. Then I charged at Umber, holding my weapon in front of me. Here comes the dummy!

Then, all of a sudden, I was in my very own Spinjitzu tornado.

I smacked into Umber, sending her flying into the far wall. I stopped spinning, giddy from unlocking the ancient fighting technique. Ben, Sparky, and Summer joined me on the bridge while Zane and Oni Lloyd fought the Omega, but Ben leaned heavily on Sparky, his face pale with pain.

"Cheater," Umber grumbled, brushing herself off like nothing happened.

"Why are you doing this?" Summer demanded, angrily approaching Umber with newfound courage. I blinked, surprised by her outburst. "You never liked fighting before!"

Umber looked at her fingernails, uninterested. "My father tried to force me to become the next Master of Earth," she replied dryly. "But I didn't have the power." She lowered her hand and glared daggers at me. "Because Luna stole them."

All faces turned towards me, but I stared at Umber. "I didn't steal anything," I snapped. "They were a gift, and they saved my life."

"A gift from who?" Umber demanded, furiously approaching me until we were nose-to-nose. "The only one with earth powers before was—"

"Cole," I hissed.

Umber froze. A long moment of silence passed before she spoke. "Cole gave you his powers?" She demanded in a low, cold voice that sent chills down my spine. "That's impossible."

"Anything can happen in a dream," Ben spoke up.

"Especially if you are worthy," Sparky added.

"And when you fight for Ninjago." Summer crossed her arms.

I brandished my weapon as my friends surrounded her. "Give it up, Umber. You've lost."

She stood back, looking at the people circling around her, then to the Omega. He had Zane pinned to the mast and leaned over Lloyd, who was back in his normal form, without four arms. The Ninja struggled underneath the Oni, his eyes wide with fright. "Nah," Umber replied coolly. In one fluid motion, she jumped to the deck and stood on the railing. "You have." She leaned backwards with her arms out to her sides and fell.