The Hand of Time (Ninjago AU)

Chapter 11

Major character death ahead. It may get a bit sad.

Acronix woke the next morning his hand draped over the inventor who'd passed out and was now fast asleep.

"I'll let you rest for now. Try some shit like that again and you'll see my full wrath." Acronix struggled slightly to get himself over Cyrus as his legs shook.

His feet hit the floor below and he had to stumble to the wall beside him to keep himself upright.

"Fuck." He muttered to himself. "Don't worry, you'll have your power back soon enough. Then we'll stop acclimating to this whole 'being normal' thing."

Borg lay there, 'asleep'. As soon as Acronix left, he let out a loud trembled breath. He hadn't actually slept at all, maybe dozed for all of 18 minutes, but had instantly snapped back when Acronix adjusted himself.

He could only lay there, partially unclothed and still wet from sweat. His chair was too far out of reach as well as his shattered dignity. He'd wait until Acronix came back and put him to work again.

Acronix walked toward his quarters slowing his pace as he got closer. How was he moving farther from Krux? Shouldn't he be tending to that child or something?

A vermillion was making their beds and looked up at its master.

"Where is Krux?" Acronix asked.

'Taking the kid to his father.' It replied mentally.

"Why?"

'He said, 'big things are planned for today' but it didn't feel malicious like it did yesterday.'

"That's what I was scared of. That little thing made him break." Acronix growled. "Thank you for your help."

'I live to serve my Masters.' It replied before he left.

"Masters. After today, I think there may be one master." He mumbled as he stormed through the dome.

Looking over the Iron Doom, little progress had been made since last night. Some vermillion were disconnecting pieces and sitting them aside. Krux hadn't even told him he was taking it apart. He furrowed his brows and listened closely to his brothers thoughts. It was hard with all the vermillion conversation going on, but eventually he found out it.

'I hear you. This has all gone too far.' "I understand you were all taken from your children and daily lives. It was for a plan I'd been formulating the last few decades. But I'm not exactly sure what I want now."

"What changed your mind?" Brendan asked.

"Johnson?" Krux called out gently.

Johnson looked up and over to the man he'd been avoiding looking at. "What?"

Krux stepped down off the table he'd climbed up on and motioned for the vermillion to hand him the child.

"Krux?" Brendan spoke softly.

The elder only walked over to Johnson and handed the child back to him. Johnson took his baby and held him close. "Oh thank the First!" He placed kisses on the small childs head. The baby giggled at the soft touches.

"I guess my brother was right about something Brendan." Krux turned to the kid.

Brendan smiled as his breathing faltered. "You have gone soft."

Krux chuckled and nodded.

"What of the others with children?" Johnson stood.

"Children or not. They're all free to go. As I said, this has gone too far. Times changed and I changed with them. I'm sure in time Acronix can change too." Krux smiled.