Ninjago:Rising

CHAPTER TWENTY

Lloyd and Harumi crept through the shadows surrounding the detainment facility. The air was thick with tension as they approached, the building looming ahead, bathed in cold fluorescent light. Inside, their friends—Jay, Nya, Cole, and Zane—were being held, trapped behind walls of reinforced steel and guarded by patrols. The team had fought to reach this point, and they both knew they couldn't afford any mistakes.

"We'll get them out, no matter what," Lloyd whispered, his eyes sharp with focus. Harumi nodded, her expression equally resolute. Though she no longer had her powers, her spirit was undeterred, and she held a well-sharpened staff, prepared to fight with every ounce of strength.

They reached a side door, where Lloyd worked to disable the lock, his movements precise. Just as the door clicked open, a quiet alarm sounded within. They froze, sharing a quick look. The red emergency lights blinked on, casting ominous shadows along the hallway.

"They know we're here," Harumi said, tightening her grip on her staff. "We need to move fast."

Inside the facility, Lloyd led the way down a maze of corridors. They ducked around corners, avoiding guards who were starting to sweep the area. Each turn brought them closer to the holding cells, but also closer to confrontation.

Finally, they reached the cell block, where Jay spotted them through the bars. His face lit up with hope as Lloyd quickly disabled the locks. One by one, Nya, Cole, and Zane stepped out, free at last.

"Lloyd, Harumi—you made it!" Jay exclaimed, a spark of relief mixed with determination in his eyes.

"Let's save the celebration for after we get out," Lloyd replied, eyes scanning the area as the sound of approaching guards grew louder. "They're onto us. We have to fight our way through."

The team fell into formation as a squad of guards appeared at the end of the hall. Without hesitation, they charged forward.

Jay unleashed a burst of electricity, stunning the guards and forcing them back. Nya manipulated the water from a fire suppression pipe, sending a wave crashing over them. Cole smashed his fists into the ground, creating a tremor that sent several guards stumbling. Zane, precise as ever, used sharp shards of ice to create barriers, halting the guard's advances.

Harumi moved among them, staff spinning with practiced ease. She struck out, her moves precise and deliberate. Though she no longer had her powers, she was a fierce and agile fighter, dodging and parrying blows with skill. Lloyd joined her, his energy flaring around him, sending out bursts of green that disarmed and pushed the guards back.

"We have to keep moving!" Lloyd called, leading the way as they cleared the first wave of guards. Together, they pushed forward, facing squad after squad as alarms continued to blare.

The team fought through corridors and security checkpoints, working as a cohesive unit, each member anticipating the others' moves. Harumi's sharp eyes noticed a hidden panel in one hallway, leading to a shortcut around a locked door. She motioned to it, guiding the group through the passage and cutting down their escape time.

Finally, they burst through an exit into the cold night air, just as a final line of guards blocked their way. Lloyd felt the urgency rise within him—this was their last barrier.

"Ready to give it everything we've got?" he asked, rallying the group.

Jay grinned, electricity dancing along his arms. "Just say the word!"

With one swift nod, they launched into action. Jay created a blinding arc of electricity that momentarily disoriented the guards, while Nya sent a wave of water crashing over them, knocking them to the ground. Cole and Zane moved in with calculated force, clearing a path.