Querencia

S2 E13: Return of the Overlord

Dr. Julien was pacing in the sand before the Bounty, very obviously nervous as they approached, sand clinging to their still wet clothes. "What was that sound? The horns?"

"The Celestial Clock has reached zero. Garmadon's ultimate weapon is now operational and the Final Battle between good and evil has all but begun," Wu explained, keeping his voice calm.

"Now Lloyd must face his father," Misako added, making Lloyd flinch.

"But where's Nya?"

"She's been taken by the Overlord, but we'll get her back. At the moment, there are bigger things at stake, including all of Ninjago itself," Wu stated.

"Who cares about Ninjago? Nya was my-uh, my...you know," Jay trailed off, unsure of what his relationship with Nya was.

"And she's my sister. I know her being captured is tough, but she's tougher. Tougher than most of us. We'll see her again," Kai stated, trying to keep the tremble out of his hands. [M/n] nodded, reaching over to clasp Kai on the shoulder.

"Lloyd, your focus gives strength to invoking the power of the Golden Dragon. You cannot lose faith now. Everything rests on your shoulders," Wu stated. "It is you that must kill the Overlord, and defeat your father."

"What if I have to kill my dad? How can I do that?" Lloyd asked, trembling, and not just because of the cold.

"It is not your father you will have to kill, but the Overlord," [M/n] comforted. "You will not be alone."

"You must. It is written in the scrolls," Wu stated, ignoring [M/n].

"Remember, your father is just as scared. He will not want to kill you either," Misako added, earning a glare from [M/n].

"Then the battle will be decided by who is willing to fight and deliver the final blow," Wu continued. Even the ninja were frowning, glancing between Lloyd - who was devastated - Wu and Misako - who both ignored Lloyd's devastation to push on.

"You won't be alone. I'll be right behind you. You have my Fire."

"You have my Earth."

"And my Ice."

"And Lightning."

"You have all of me, my elements and my power."

"We're all in this together, kid," Cole added, reaching over to pat Lloyd on the back. Lloyd looked to Cole, whose brown eyes were filled with warmth and protectiveness.

"What are we waiting for then? Let's change, and get ready for a fight," Lloyd declared, and they all dispersed.

Everyone took showers, changing back into their freshly washed and dried GI's, pulling on their weapons.

[M/n] and Lloyd had chosen to change into their GI's in one of the Bounty's inner dojo's. Sensing Lloyd's strain, [M/n] reached out for him, tugging him into his space to press their foreheads together.

"We have to win, ηλιαχτίδα μου. If he tips the scales too far, everything will be destroyed."

"I know. But what if I can't?"

"I do not know how this battle will end. I cannot guarantee that we will all survive. But I will make sure you survive."

"Please, don't," Lloyd croaked, voice barely above a whisper. "I can't lose you."

"And I can't lose you, I cannot lose someone so close to me again. Unfortunately, it is only destiny who knows how this will end."

"Okay."

Everyone gathered in front of the Bounty, patiently waiting for Lloyd and [M/n] to finish readying themselves. Before they came out, Lloyd took a steadying breath, straightening his posture to come across as more calm.