Partners In Crime

Chapter 26: Blackout

In the Borg Industries Bowels, Lloyd and Aria had followed the mysterious person to a hideout where he entered the Overlord's hard drive into a computer.

"What is this place being powered by?" Lloyd questions "The main circuit was destroyed."

"Electro-Cobrai." the stranger replies "Though extremely rare, they're extremely useful."

"Why did you help save my father?" Aria asks "What do you have to gain from it?"

"Nothing but a small favor after returning him to power." The stranger tells her "You're still a very incisive child Aria."

Lloyd's stance chanced to slightly defensive as Aria took a step forward.

"You seem to know us," Aria says "Who are you?"

"Don't get so defensive you two," the stranger turns around and removes his hood, revealing Pythor who's scales had all turned white "you see, we were old friends."

"Pythor?!" Lloyd looks surprised "I thought you were eaten by the devourer?"

"I was," Pythor replies as he turns back to the computer.

The computer finished booting and the Overlord appeared on the screen.

"Where am I?!"

"Daddy," Aria smiles happily "You're ok."

"Of course I am," the Overlord replies "Who is this?"

"It's.. Pythor," Aria tells him "A snake Lloyd and I partnered with in our youth."

"Really?" the Overlord turns his attention to him "as you live and breath my old friend."

"Truly," Pythor says "I wouldn't be lying when I tell you I was surprised to see the princess as a child again. It brought back memories."

"Well, yes." was all the Overlord said in response

Aria and Lloyd look at each other with a curious look. More information of the thing they're not supposed to know about.

"Now, you do still want to become flesh, if I'm not mistaken?" Pythor asks

"Yes, of course, but I need the Golden Ninja." the Overlord replies

"You'll get your hands on her in time. Our power is limited, we must be wise with our next move. Ninjago is vast, the Golden Ninja could be anywhere. And still, the ninja have the only weapons that could erase you." Pythor turns around and activates Techno Wu "The old man knows everything about the ninja. All of their secrets. All of their hideouts. He will find them in no time."

"Excellent," the Overlord laughs

"Hey, shouldn't we go too?" Aria asks

"No, you two have failed enough." the Overlord replies harshly "I'd rather you stay here where you can't get into trouble."

"What?!" Lloyd and Aria question

"You heard me," the Overlord says

"That's no fair!" Aria shouts "You saw how strong-"

"You may have your powers but you fail to use them." the Overlord tells them "Until you can truly grasp what and who you are, you will never be able to defeat the ninja."

Aria growls before running into the next room, Lloyd looks at Pythor and the Overlord annoyed before going after her.

"He's still as protective as always," Pythor comments "I've noticed they have no recollection of their past."

"No they don't," the Overlord responds "but they haven't changed."

"Why are you afraid of telling them who they are?" Pythor asks "Ninjago would be theirs in a matter of time then, and you would return to power."

"I do not wish for history to repeat itself," the Overlord tells him "you were away when it happened. Our own creations turned against us and the kingdom fell."

"Why didn't they just destroy them?" Pythor questions "They had the power-"

"I'm afraid, time is a loop." the Overlord says "Garmadon does not realize in the present, but he was the cause of their downfall in the past."

"What does that-"

"Enough questioning, I do not wish to speak of the past." the Overlord says "I will not allow my child to disappear from this world once again."

"I understand," Pythor bows to him before beginning to walk away. He stopped for a second and turned to the Overlord "..but what of your other child?"

The Overlord narrowed his eyes as Lloyd caught up to Aria in the other room.

"Don't listen to him, we're plenty strong." Lloyd tells her "Your father's just-"

"He tells us to figure out who we are but he won't tell us the secret he's keeping," Aria says "It's so infuriating. It clearly has to do with us and he won't just tell us."

"That's why it's up to us to find out," Lloyd tells her as he puts a hand on her shoulder "and we will."

Aria sighs "I hope so.. we're so close. We just have to figure out what the end of the story means."

-

Lloyd and Aria met with the Overlord and Pythor after he returned from picking up Wu. They failed to stop the ninja, thankfully Wu was still under their control.

"You failed, not even you could stop them." the Overlord says irritated.

"I wasn't trying to stop them, I was luring them into a greater trap." Pythor tells him

"Mhm, and what's that?" Lloyd questions with his arms crossed.

Pythor hits a button on the monitor and they heard Garmadon and Reika's voices.

"Hiroshi's Labyrinth: miles of jungle so dense, all who enter are never found." Garmadon's voice says "We must not rest."

"Whatever you say sensei," came Reika's response "let's get lost."

"Attacking the ninja was merely a ploy to scare them into sending a warning message to the Chosen One." Pythor explains "I intercepted their SOS and now we know where the Golden Ninja is. The Falcon is now our beacon, he will lead us right to him."

"Excellent work," the Overlord laughs

"Great, good job." Aria says sarcastically before turning to walk back into the next room.

"Hold up now kids," Pythor stops them "I have a job for you."