Outbreak: Ninjago's Dark Dawn

Chapter 18: The Ultimate Price

The dawn of a new day had come, but its light carried with it the weight of impending loss. The sky over Ninjago City was veiled with smoke, remnants of destruction still rising into the air. The streets lay in ruins, silent except for the occasional shuffle of debris. Yet, in the heart of the city, a secret was about to unfold—one that would change everything.

Lloyd and Garmadon stood side by side, their faces set with grim determination. This was the day. The day Lloyd would give up everything to save Ninjago. The others were still sleeping, unaware of the monumental sacrifice their leader was about to make. Garmadon had tried to change Lloyd's mind, but he had failed. And now, despite the agony in his heart, he would help his son in this final act.

As they walked through the broken streets toward the center of the city, Garmadon could barely contain his emotions. Every step felt like a nail being driven into his soul. He had always feared losing Lloyd, but now it was becoming a reality. The ritual they were about to perform was ancient, powerful—capable of wiping out the parasitic plague that had ravaged their world. But at what cost?

Lloyd knew what was coming. He knew his existence was about to end. But he carried no regret in his heart. His friends had fought for Ninjago time and time again. Now, it was his turn to save them, even if it meant he would never return. He would die so that they could live. And in the end, that was all that mattered to him.

They arrived at the ritual site—a crumbling plaza where a massive stone slab stood in the center, etched with ancient symbols of power. It was here that the ritual would take place. Garmadon silently prepared the markings, tracing them with trembling hands. His heart screamed against what was about to happen, but he knew there was no turning back. This was the only way.

"Are you ready?" Garmadon asked, his voice rough with grief.

Lloyd nodded, though his face showed a somber resolve. "I'm ready. Let's end this."

As Garmadon began the incantation, the wind around them picked up, swirling dust and ash in spirals around their feet. Lloyd stepped into the center of the ritual circle, his eyes closing as he braced himself for what was to come.

With each word Garmadon uttered, the air became heavier, filled with an unnatural energy that crackled through the space. The symbols on the stone slab began to glow, brightening as the ritual gained power. Slowly, Lloyd felt his body begin to change—an overwhelming surge of energy built up inside him, raw and untamed.

Suddenly, the power burst from him like a wave, a golden light radiating from his core, washing over the entire city. His eyes glowed a bright, otherworldly green as his essence began to flow outward, feeding the ritual. Lloyd could feel his very being being pulled away, bit by bit, as the energy within him was drained to fuel the magic.

His mind grew hazy, his thoughts scattered, but through it all, one thing remained clear—he was saving them. He was saving his friends, his family, his home. He would give everything to see them live.

But even as the light inside him flickered and began to fade, Lloyd couldn't help but feel the sadness creep in. His time in this world was short, far too short. He wouldn't get to see them again, wouldn't be there to laugh with Kai, to argue with Jay, to protect Nya, or share another quiet moment with Zane. He wouldn't live to rebuild Ninjago or see the sun rise over a city reborn.

But that was okay. This was how it had to be.

As the ritual neared its climax, the energy surrounding Lloyd became blinding, a torrent of pure elemental power surging out of him and spreading across the city like wildfire. The plague, the zombies, the parasitic force that had plagued Ninjago for so long—it was being eradicated, burned away by Lloyd's sacrifice. The world was being saved.

But Lloyd... was disappearing.

He could feel his body slipping, his soul being pulled into the ether. The connection to the physical world was fading fast, and with one final breath, he whispered, "Thank you... all of you."

Then, silence.

The ritual ended. The power dissipated, and with it, Lloyd's form collapsed to the ground, lifeless. The light that had once shone so brightly within him was gone. Ninjago had been saved, but Lloyd Garmadon—the son, the friend, the hero—was no more.

Garmadon stood there, frozen in place, his hands still raised as if to catch the last remnants of his son's energy. But it was too late. Lloyd was gone. He had given everything to save the world, and in return, the world had taken him.

Tears streamed down Garmadon's face, something he had not allowed himself in years. His son—his only child—had done what he had never been able to do. Lloyd had been the true savior of Ninjago, the true hero. And now, Garmadon was left alone, burdened by the knowledge that he had helped his son die.

"Lloyd..." he whispered, falling to his knees beside the empty, motionless body.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Back at the bunker, the ninjas stirred. The sound of a distant explosion rattled the building, waking them from their restless sleep. Jay shot up first, rubbing his eyes in confusion. "What the—?"

Kai and Nya were next, their eyes darting around the room. "Where's Lloyd?" Nya asked, panic creeping into her voice.

"Something's not right," Zane suddenly spoke, sitting upright in his bed. His usually calm demeanor was replaced by a look of deep concern. "I feel... something powerful. Something's changed."

Cole, still weak but awake, slowly turned to the others. "We need to find him... now."

The group scrambled to their feet, rushing outside. The sky above the city still flickered with the remnants of the energy Lloyd had unleashed. The once-roaming hordes of zombies had disappeared—gone without a trace. But the ominous silence that followed left an unsettling feeling in their chests.

When they finally found Garmadon, he was standing alone, the weight of the world visible in his defeated posture. And at his feet... was Lloyd.

"No..." Kai whispered, his voice breaking as he rushed forward. "Lloyd!"

The others followed, horror and disbelief washing over them as they saw their leader—Lloyd, their friend—lying still, his face peaceful but lifeless.

"What... what happened?" Jay choked out, his voice trembling.

Garmadon didn't answer right away. His eyes were empty, filled with grief and regret, unable to meet their gaze. But he knew they deserved the truth, no matter how much it hurt.

"He sacrificed himself," Garmadon finally said, his voice barely audible. "To save all of you. To save Ninjago. He... he gave everything."

The weight of those words hit the ninjas like a tidal wave. Zane fell to his knees, unable to process the enormity of what had happened. Kai turned away, his fists clenched tightly as he tried to contain his anger, his sorrow. Nya cried out, leaning on Jay for support as the reality of Lloyd's death sank in.

Lloyd had saved them all—but he had paid the ultimate price.