The Life of Livana Garmadon

July 23rd, 2023

The Golden Mountains were extraordinarily bright.

Yes, I know that it's in the name, but it was still very bright and hot. Kai was enjoying himself, obviously, due to his elemental powers. But I was hating this. Darkness was my power and I realized now that light made me a bit more uncomfortable than I liked. It wasn't anything too bad though.

"Thinking again?" Lloyd asked, leaning against the railing of the Destiny's Bounty as I stared down into the lava, feeling impossibly humid but not able to tear my gaze away from the sloshing, golden liquid.

"Yeah..." I trailed off softly.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Lloyd said and I looked over at him before walking away from the railing. My brother followed me and I sat down in the middle of the ship, where the light was less intense.

"Just thinking about Mom. And something Dad said a long time ago." I sighed.

"What did Dad say?" Lloyd asked, sitting down next to me with one knee up, the other knee down. He put his elbow on the risen knee and rolled his neck, making it pop.

"Something about if I think Floyd's alive." I said, "I told Dad yeah and he looked a little reassured, but it was random. I'm... I dunno, maybe Dad was foreshadowing something that I can't tell."

"Should we talk to Dad?" Lloyd suggested, "Maybe you'll find some peace of mind?"

"I'll talk to him later." I said, "Has Uncle Wu found the spot to dump the crystal shards yet? I wanna be there when it happens." I wanna see the Oni's only way of coming back to Ninjago ruined. I want to see the Oni banished from here, forever.

"Nope. I insisted that the last volcano we passed was good enough, but Uncle Wu said that the lava has to be the brightest in the volcano and he got Kai to choose the mountain since he's the elemental master of fire and whatsit." Lloyd shook his head, making his blond hair fall over his eyes, "It's okay. We'll get rid of them eventually."

"Is it really a good idea to have Kai pick out the volcano?" I raised an eyebrow and Lloyd shrugged one shoulder.

"I don't know. Just go with it. Besides, it's not that big of a deal." I sighed and then Kai came running over, his hair bouncing wildly in the air. I raised an eyebrow when he rushed past me and onto the bridge, where Nya was steering the wheel.

"Stop right there!" Kai pointed at an enormous volcano, where the lava was glowing an intense golden color. Not even the fake yellow kind that passed as "gold", but pure golden. I blinked and then blinked again. The heat was extremely overwhelming and I felt a little faint. Maybe that's why Dad isn't here right now. I thought to myself.

"Are you sure you wanna do this volcano, Kai?" Jay asked.

"It's perfect for drowning darkness." Kai grinned and I couldn't help but wince. Ouch.

"Kai, that's not how you wanna phrase things..." Nya whispered, punching her brother's shoulder, her gaze darting over to me meaningfully. I pretended to ignore them and Kai looked at me and realized what he had just said.

"Oh, shoot! I'm so sorry, Liv." Kai apologized and I shrugged one shoulder.

"It's fine. No need to make a big deal out of this. Seriously." I assured Kai, "It's fine. Now, let's get rid of these crystal pieces and head back home."

Cole hauled the safe box over to us and then opened it, revealing the darkened crystal pieces. I picked one up, careful not to cut myself, and then handed it over to Uncle Wu. My uncle lifted an eyebrow, "Are you giving me the first throw?"

"Yes, Uncle Wu. You deserve it." I said and my uncle took it from my hands, putting his bamboo staff in Lloyd's hands. He wound back and then threw the crystal chunk into the volcano, where it sizzled, hissed, and then melted into the lava.

Cole handed Lloyd and I the next piece, "Here you guys go."

Lloyd grinned at me, "Just like throwing a baseball." He wound back and threw, his hair falling into his eyes and over his face. The crystal splashed into the lava, sending a few droplets flying into the air. I flinched back and then wound back to throw, when a sudden wave of nausea hit me. I stumbled and grabbed the railing, nearly falling over. Lloyd let out a yelp and then caught me, guiding me backwards, away from the railing and the lava.

"Are you feeling alright?" P.I.X.A.L asked me with concern and I nodded my head, gritting my teeth.

"I'll be okay. Pix. Let me do this." I got up, ignoring everyone's concerned gaze. I don't need sympathy right now. I wound back and then threw as hard as I could. The crystal directly plunked into the center of the volcano, not even making a splash. I shook myself, still feeling faint, and Uncle Wu put his hand on my shoulder.

"Why don't you go rest, Liv? It's for the best." I nodded at my uncle this time and walked down to the cabins, where I opened the door. I was expecting to see my dad, but he wasn't there.

"Dad?" I called, "Dad, are you in here?"

My hand bumped against a rough sheet of paper and I paused, picking up the folded piece of paper and reading the front.

-To my dearest children, Livvy and Lloyd-

I felt the ground drop from beneath me. My father... my father was gone. I ran through the hallways of the bottom of the ship, calling for my father. But he wasn't here. He's gone. I bit my lip, trying not to cry, as I opened the letter and read my dad's jagged handwriting.

"My dear Livana and Lloyd,

I'm sorry to leave you both on such terrible terms, but I'm afraid that it has to be this way. I know that if I told you I was going to leave, you two would disagree and we would never resolve this issue. The truth is, even when I am with you two... my two brilliant children... I am not at peace.

I am constantly fighting within myself, trying to keep my evil side down. Liv, I'm so sorry that I can't stay and mentor you further. But I think that this is better. You will be able to find yourself, take flight by yourself, and learn all by yourself.

I have been there for you, but it'll only last for so long, right? You know that I can't always be here. You know that I always had to go. I'm sorry to confirm that fear in the back of your head, but I have to go. I'll be back soon. You'll find me sooner or later, Liv.

And as for you, Lloyd, my dear son. I am proud of how you hold up our family. Despite the mistakes I have made in the past, you do everything for your family. I am proud of you; I love you. Take good care of your sister and your mother. Help your uncle out, alright? Keep things well done. I know you will. I have faith in you.

To my dear Misako, I leave you my heart. You were always bright, always brilliant, always loving, always beautiful. I leave you our children yet again. I'm sorry that I can't be here for you when our children save the world, but I will be back sooner or later. I love you, Misako, and I always will.

I love you all, Garmadon"

I bit back a sob. My dad loved us. He loved us so much but he had to leave. I couldn't really blame him now, could I? He needed the break and deserved it. I folded the letter and wiped away a tear that had slid down my face. It tasted salty against my lip and I put the letter back onto the table for Lloyd to read when he came down here.

I went back up to the deck, frantically erasing all traces that I had been crying, and looked over at the wheel, where Nya and Zane were starting to get the ship back to Ninjago. I looked ahead silently, not speaking to anyone.

Wherever you may be, Dad, I hope that you'll be safe. May we meet again. Soon. Soon.