(REWRITE) The 17th Realm, The Maniac Trilogy - Book 1

Chapter 9 - The First Son of Garmadon

LLOYD'S POV

As soon as I passed out I seemed to be falling towards the ground forever. Once my back collided with the floor, my surroundings suddenly grew colder, darker and emptier. I thought I was dead.

Maybe confronting 'Sic' wasn't a good idea. I just hope I distracted him enough for us to escape. I felt a pair of arms wrap around me and run so I think that's a good sign.

But then I felt even colder. As if I was completely wrapped in snow.

I gasped for air and stood up. I was surrounded by complete darkness. There were hints of red and purple around me, and I was alone.

"Don't worry, big shot. I'll watch over you from now on..."

"Kai?" I said, turning my head to where Kai's voice came from.

"Hey, nobody messes up my hair..." I heard... myself?

My younger self.

Yeah...

I turned around and saw a Jay in the distance. When he was young. He was sitting in front of a mirror.

"I'm a ninja and you are wearing makeup," younger me teased.

I chuckled to myself, but I couldn't help but be confused. A few other nice memories appeared. They were mostly from the times when there were no villains around. I wish we could have more time like that sometimes. I miss the moments where all of us spend time together, but I guess we're just growing apart.

I was startled by another memory, but not an entirely pleasant one. It's one of those choices I wish I never made.

I was stubborn, and I was stupid, and I almost got myself killed.

"I'm not in the mood to talk. This ends now."

"You're the quiet one?"

"You wouldn't hurt me, your son..."

"Plants don't count! Plants aren't people! They don't have feelings! It doesn't care that you abandoned it..."

I closed my eyes and took deep breaths, attempting to find the calm inside of me, when I suddenly heard that same horrifying sound we heard before the Bounty crashed; a screech, scream and bang mixed together.

Out of instinct, I tucked my ears and shut my eyes tighter, waiting for the sound to die out. Once it did, I was welcomed with a familiar voice.

"Hello, Lloyd..."

I jumped back, a little startled. It was my father. My first thought was to attack, but then I remembered that he was on our side which brought me short-lived relief.

After inspecting his face properly, I was taken aback. He had his four arms again, an ugly smirk and purple eyes. I knew something wasn't right.

"What happened to you? You... You changed..."

He raised an eyebrow and stepped closer. "Don't you remember? People don't change... They only reveal who they truly are!"

His hands grew purple flames and a set of black smoky vines shot in my direction. I stepped back as I tried to dodge them, but I tripped over a vine from the cloud. It suddenly pulled my leg and before I knew it I was upside down.

I looked my father in the eyes. "What do you want from me?!"

He smirked as the vine grabbed my arm and left me hanging the right way up this time.

"What do you want from me?"

"I take pleasure in the suffering of others."

I tried to break free. "Even your own SON?!!" I yelled.