Alternate Miracle

Chapter 19 - The Truth

"Your 1000 years. OLD?!" Lloyd's mouth dropped open in pure shock.

"Mhm. Sadly, it means like all people I am coming to the end of my life, but I'm glad I've made it worth my while." She shrugged.

"So you got this inhumane job working here." He raised his voice angrily.

"You don't understand-"

"Do not say that to me."

"I- Alright then... but I never got this job by choice. For the last 50 or so years, I've never left this building. Because I was a subject here ages ago, they didn't want me ratting on them... before the procedure was done."

"...What procedure?" Lloyd had a hint of terror in his voice. He shuffled nervously on his bed.

"You know your injury?"

"What?"

"Your injury." She pointed to his twitching arm. "You were training and you got cut? By that blue boy?"

"Uh... yeah? I think you know what I'm about to say but- how do you know that?"

"This whole wing of the lab is dedicated to you, Lloyd." She grabbed a chair and sat down facing him. "Your injury? Someone was there. You told your earth friend that you were worried? Someone was there. That little fight with that fire person? Someone was there. They were always watching."

"Mm yes, because that's not fucking creepy." He raised his eyebrow.

"It's their job. They were just fulfilling the orders The Doctor gave them. You've seen firsthand and personal what he can do if someone defies him." She nodded with her head towards Lloyd's leg. "They don't really have a choice. Your job is doing what your Master tells you to do isn't it? Training and saving the city. I believe his name is Wu, am I correct?"

Lloyd nodded. "And how do you know Master Wu then?"

"Well, I don't know him, I mean I do, but it's between him and The Doctor. They have a bit of conflict and it goes wayyyy back."

"Oh of course it does." Lloyd rolled his eyes. "So it's beef between Master Wu and some guy a while back, and It's me that's caught in the middle? Sounds familiar." He sighed.

"By the way, your last name is Garmadon too?" Lloyd asked. "How are you related to me then?"

"Well I don't know, how and why are you in the Garmadon Family?" She questioned him back.

"Something I ask myself everyday" He mumbled.

"Sorry what?"

"Nothing. I'm-" He paused, like the taste of the words was bitter coming out his mouth.

"...The Son of Garmadon." He finally brought himself to say those words.

"I'm the First Spinjitzu Master's sister. Sooo you would be..." She closed her eyes in deep thought. "This may sound weird, but I think I'm your great-aunt, which makes you my nephew?

(Google had to help me with that one and idk if it's right or not I'm just going with it)

"Oh. That is weird so I'm not gonna think about that" He shook his head.
"But I still don't get what they want with me- and you- or rather, not want with you all those years ago? What's so special about me they didn't want from you?"

"And I don't get why your blonde when both your parents are brunettes, but I didn't mention it, so we are going to skip that question." She said sharply, like she was offended. But she looked rather... Scared??

"Please tell me" He begged. "If you don't know that's fine, but it really seems like you know and I'd rather be prepared for what's coming to me."

She sighed, got up, walked around his bed and stopped, looking out the window down on the street below. Lloyd hadn't even noticed there was a window.

"You see this apocalypse Lloyd Garmadon?"

"Was that rhetorical? Because I can-"

"This-" She waved her hand near the glass. "-This came from me."

"What?! You did this?" Getting up for the first time in about 2 hours, he finally swung his legs around and stood up. He was not putting pressure on his right leg though.

He realised he was still in those dirty hospital clothes and embarrassed, he promptly sat back down.

Leanne started talking again. "I did not do this on purpose of course. They took the power from me and made this monster with it. How it got released to the world I do not know as it was supposed to stay confidential." She was choosing her words carefully, letting them roll on her tongue before spitting them out.

"I was born with dragon power. My brother was the one with the 50/50 split. But I was 100% dragon. They want power, Lloyd. They want corruption. They want-... they want oni."

"But you didn't have any."

"Exactly."

"Ohhh! That's why you weren't 'the right kind of person' and they didn't want your power!"

"Well, they did take my power, but not in the way they will take yours. So I was left powerless, weak and most importantly, vulnerable. They locked me up here and I became a scientist. This 'inhumane' job was not chosen." She bit her lip and tried not to cry.

"Oh... I'm so sorry..." He bit his lip now, feeling guilty he had yelled at her earlier. "But um, it's taken 50+ years for it to finally spread to Ninjago City, why has it taken that long?"

"They've had to test it. Once they realised I didn't have the right kind of power, they thought they'd use it as a tester before- the real deal."

"...Me."

"Yeah..."

"Also, who were they testing it on? If your number 1 and I'm number 2, how were they testing it?"

"Horrible things. Animals. Rats mostly, but still sickening to see it used on cats and dogs too. Then they finally got it right and said they were making a cure. It's all lies. All excuses, cover stories to mask what actual horrors they were doing here."

"When does my 'procedure' happen?" He made air quotes with his fingers. He took a deep breath.

"Well, it was set to happen a couple hours ago, but luckily, you bought you and your friends some time by being in here. But they'd better hurry because if your awake, it really can't be that long. I'm sorry."

He exhaled sharply. If the others didn't come get him soon-

He closed his eyes. Tears fought to get out. "It's like an execution date. It's kinda scary isn't it?... knowing your going to die. My life- it could-" He couldn't bring himself to say it. "It could end soon." Eyes still closed, he stared at the ceiling, and the tears started to fall.

"If you ever meet him, will you tell my Father I love him? Let him know I couldn't have asked for a better Dad." Lloyd whispered, his voice cracking.

Footsteps sound outside, and the door swung open.

"We are ready."
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Hii! I managed to get 1157 words in and I love it :3

It's a late night one today sorry :(

Lmk what you think bc I think it needs 2 more chapters but that means it's ending soon :( but it's okay! Bc maybe then I can start working on power swap :)

I'm not gonna yap bc I really have to go bed I'm rly tired (I literally sacrificed my sleep for this chapter I hope you guys are happy lmao 🥲)

Ik I'm forgetting something but I can't think rn sooo

Cya xxx