Partners In Crime

Chapter 52: Return of Del

"Strange, the moon was red all night," Aria laughs as she opened the doors to the terrace. "Tonight, it's back to normal."

"Regardless I don't think there's anyone who hasn't seen the news," Lloyd says as he sat on the couch watching the news, covering the events of last night.

Aria turns away from the terrace and makes her way over to Lloyd who was staring aimlessly at the tv. Aria wrapped her arms around him from behind while leaning over the couch.

"What's the matter my love?" Aria asks.

"Things felt.. rushed." Lloyd replies, not taking his eyes off the tv. "I didn't wish for you to regain your memories yet, it felt too soon."

"But it's amazing," Aria says as she released him and walked around the couch "for so long I felt that I was a child who knew nothing." She turned to face him "Aren't you happy you remember? You can finally piece all your facts together that you spent so long trying to figure out."

"Yes, but I feel that our time together may be short." Lloyd admits, still not wanting to look away from the tv.

Aria walks around the couch and plops herself on Lloyd's lap, wrapping her arms around his neck "Look at me Lloydie."

Lloyd sighs before moving his head to look at her "What?"

"Stop being so pouty, you're the one who wanted to find the lamp." Aria says

"Yes, because I had a dream about Nadakhan." Lloyd tells her "He was trying to break free from being in that lamp because he missed his love. It made me think about everything we've been through."

"And?" Aria asks

Lloyd sighs "I couldn't imagine myself living this second life if you weren't around to experience it with me. I started to think about me regaining my memories in dreams, but you were completely oblivious to it. Destiny told that Nadakhan was the key to us returning, so I decided it was time."

"Yes, and we're still together." Aria says as she puts her forehead against his "We'll do everything in our power to remain together."

"Forever," Lloyd agrees as he closes his eyes. "Like we promised all those years ago."

Aria kisses him before getting on her feet and heading up the stairs. Lloyd smiles as he looks back to the tv.

"The ninja claim that everything is under control and the decedents of Del have nothing to fear, for they will protect us," Gale Gossip reports "but citizens can't help but wonder what that means for all of Ninjago."

"You have no idea," Lloyd mutters before shutting off the tv.

-

"Please your highness,"

"We beg for you to take us back!"

Lloyd was protectively in front of Aria as they stood in front of at least 30 people in black cloaks at the boarder of the Del.

"Why should we believe you?" Lloyd asks "If you truly have been awaiting our return all these years, why haven't you been inside Del?"

"It's been destroyed since the rebels decided to take your lives," the man in front claims "without the safety of the barrier our parents would've scum to the royal army of Ninjago."

"Without your protection they were sitting ducks," another adds.

"Many of the Deltorian's have turned their back on you, but we remained your loyal followers." the man gets on his knees "Our parents have always taught us that your world is law, we believed you would rise again."

"Please forgive us!"

The army of people all followed lead and got on their knees in front of Lloyd and Aria. Aria put her hand atop of Lloyd's sword and he put it back in his sheath.

"Stand up," Aria commands.

The people began scrambling to their feet, but kept their heads down in front of her.

"Hm," Lloyd says

"Rule number 13," the man in front states "never raise your ahead to the Princess."

"You are right," Aria smiles "very well."

Aria whispers to Lloyd before turning and heading back to the palace. Lloyd turns to the crowd of people.

"Princess Aria agrees to welcome you back," Lloyd addresses the crowd "if you show even a sign of betrayal, we will not hesitate to end your life as we wish. We refuse to make the same mistake twice."

"You have our word, sir Lloyd." the man in front puts his hand over his chest.

"Go get settled," Lloyd smirks before turning around and began heading back to the palace.

The barrier crackled before disappearing, allowing the returned-new descendants of Del into the domain. Lloyd entered the palace to see Aria standing in the middle of the hall, staring at the portrait of the two of them. Lloyd came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"What is my princess thinking about?" Lloyd asks.

"That my parent's wish is coming true," Aria replies "Our Kingdom is returning."

"I told you there were still people who worshiped you," Lloyd smiles "the cold blooded Tyrant who protects the Tree of Life."

"There are still people in this world who believe my word is law," Aria turned her head to look at Lloyd with a look in her eye "we just have to remind the others."

Lloyd went around her and took her hand, taking a knee in front of her before placing a kiss on the back of her hand "As you wish."

-

"This isn't good," Wu says as he returned from his spirit smoke.

Wu walks out into the courtyard to see the ninja preparing for the next day.

"I know you all are preparing the the Day of the Departed, but I have some news." Wu announces.

"What's wrong?" Reika asks.

"The Kingdom of Del," Wu sighs "Has reappeared."

"What?!" Kai questions.

"I thought it was a place we were unable to reach because of the barrier around it?" Zane approaches him "What changed?"

"Del had hypothetically disappeared from the world because it's inhabitants left," Wu tells them "only after a descendant of Del that had become an archeologist, find it, did we know it existed. I'm afraid, the people who still believed Aria to be their ruler, has also convinced their descendants that it was true. They have rejoined the Del Kingdom, and now it is back, like the lost city of Ouroboros appearing."

"So.. Ninjago has to acknowledge Del as a neighboring City now?" Cole questions.

"A neighboring country," Wu corrects. "A Kingdom even. As ninja we take the safety of the people first and foremost, but if our disputes with Aria become more hostile in the future as they were in the past. We could be seeing the third great war."

"Oh great, a mythical kingdom returns after many years of disappearing with it's dead tyrant," Kai sighs "you know what this means."

"We're not just fucked," Reika says "We're royally fucked."