Taking Control. (a Ninjago fanfic)

Chapter 7- No mercy

L L O Y D

Breathe, Lloyd. Breathe. Don't panic. The air didn't want to come into my lungs. It's normal, don't worry. It will come. Just be patient, I tried to reassure myself.

It felt like years until my lungs accepted the oxygen, and I gasped in relief. My body ached from the impact, but I didn't have time to complain. Jay was still in there, and he could be in trouble. I stood up shakily and ran to the door, trying to pry it open with my fingers. It was sealed shut. I could use my elemental power, but it could injure Jay by the impact. It was better to not risk it.

"Guys!" I rasped, putting my mask on so I could talk through the intercom. "We need help! The mechanic- he's here! Get to the top floor as quickly as you can." Without waiting for a response, I punched the door again and again. No, this wasn't normal. Something was keeping this door shut.

Probably one of his stupid inventions, I thought to myself. I froze as the sound reached me—a low, thundering laugh, muffled as if wrapped in layers, but somehow piercing the stillness around me. It sounded close, yet far away, like it was trapped behind walls - coming from the other side of the door, clawing its way through the wood. Each chuckle was slow, ragged, forcing its way out in uneven gasps, as if someone was savoring every moment of it. It wasn't loud, just... persistent, like it knew I could hear it. My skin prickled, heart pounding in my chest as the laughter faded, leaving a silence that felt thick.I didn't dare move, barely even breathe, waiting—hoping—it wouldn't start again. A thud sounded from behind the door.

Jay was in trouble, I knew it. And I recognised that laugh. It was familiar, but I couldn't place where it was from. All I knew is that it was pure evil.

My punches quickened on the door, my moves becoming more frantic as time passed. I could hear nothing, and that was the thing that scared me.

Click.

I jumped back as I heard the door move, backing against the corridor wall and staring hopefully. "...Jay? You there?" I asked, staring uncertainly at the door that was slowly sliding open.

It finally slid all the way, and Jay stumbled through, leaning against the wall. "Jay! Thank god!" Relief swept over me like a wave. I was so worried he wasn't going to be ok. "What happened? Where's the mechanic?"

There was no response.

Jay stood there, silent and still. Something was wrong- something was terribly wrong. He wasn't.. him.
His head hung low, and I could feel this thick, heavy chill in the air. Slowly, so slowly, he began to lift his gaze toward me, and my stomach knotted in horror as I saw his eyes: they were glowing, a bright, unnatural purple that almost pulsed with darkness.

My breath caught in my throat, and I felt this raw, sharp ache in my chest. What- what happened?
My whole body felt frozen, fear and dread anchoring me to the spot. That's not Jay anymore. Something was possessing him. Something or someone.

"Jay?" I barely whisper, though I know, deep down, it's pointless. He's lost somewhere behind those glowing eyes, trapped by that darkness. And yet I can't look away. Part of me believes that if I hold on, just for a second longer, I might see a flicker of him, a sign he's still in there.

But the purple glow doesn't waver. All I see staring back is hatred, and fury.

"Who.. who are you?" I manage to utter.
But I felt like I already knew the answer. That shade of purple- it was familiar. I'd had nightmares about it for the past 2 months. It was the overlord. He'd returned.

And he'd possessed Jay.

With a surprised yelp I was held by the throat and slammed into the wall, Jays hand wrapping tightly around my throat.
I gasped in horror. This couldn't be happening. This couldn't be happening.

"Hello, Lloyd" he grinned, a look that didn't suit Jays face- it wasn't him. It twisted his features into ugly, evil forms- ruining his face.

A dark, mocking smirk that made my skin crawl. I try to remind myself that this wasn't Jay. He wouldn't do this. He wouldn't want this. "Jay, if you're in there.. don't let him control you! Fight it!"

I was smashed against the wall again, and my throat erupted in pain. I couldn't breathe. I choked, trying to gasp for air, my fingers scrabbling frantically at the lightning Ninjas arm.

I couldn't breathe, I couldn't-

Where are the others?!

I wanted to fight back, but I froze. It was still Jay, it was still his body. And I didn't want to hurt him. I could feel my face turning red, and black spots danced across my vision.

I couldn't breathe, I couldn't-
He released me, and I collapsed to the ground, gasping for air, my breaths ragged and shallow. Jay crouched down low, his purple eyes empty and cold. He grasped on my hair, forcing my head up, making me to look into his eyes. I was frozen with terror. Fear. And grief. For Jay was lost, lost in his own body, trapped, caged.

He edged closer and closer, until his mouth was right against my ear.

"You've fought, you've struggled, you've clung to hope like a dying ember in the dark." He whispered, his voice sounding foreign. This wasn't Jay. This wasn't Jay.

"But soon, each of you will fall—one by one. I will watch as the light in your eyes fade, as your strength wanes, and your spirit breaks. There will be no honor, no victory, and no mercy. When the last of you breathes your final, pitiful breath, the age of the ninja will be nothing but a forgotten legend—a mere shadow erased by the dawn of my power. And I will save you, Lloyd Montgomery Garmadon, for last. You will watch all of your friends perish. Prepare yourselves, for the end has come."