Flames of the Past #8: The Cost of a Hero (Ninjago Fanfiction)

Chapter 35 (FINAL)

Uncertainty filled the air over the cliffside. Was it all over?

The jet landed and Lloyd darted out of it, rushing to Kai's side at the edge of the waterfall. He looked over it, watching the ripples of the distant water close over where Sleete had fallen. Kai's eyes searched the ocean. He didn't move or speak; he wouldn't, until he was sure it was finished. As Lloyd did the same, he felt something twinge his wrist. He pulled down his sleeve and looked at his Baddie marking, watching as it glimmered one last time, then faded back into solid black. His skin around it relaxed, and the subtle pain he hadn't even noticed faded away. He could breathe freely. The claws around his lungs retreated. His wrist, his arm, his body, felt light.

And his marking didn't glow again.

"He's gone," Lloyd breathed.

Kai looked at him, clearly still in doubt.

Lloyd smiled, showing his brother it was okay. "He's gone, Kai," he repeated.

Kai finally relaxed, and he started to laugh. Lloyd joined in and threw his arms around his brother. The cheers began from deep inside the armies and quickly spread, roping in the kingdoms, Guardians, ninja, and even the Sons of Darkness. The Dark Lord was defeated. Ninjago was saved.

Arms seized Lloyd from behind and lifted him into the air, bouncing him all over the place. "We did it, kid!" Cole laughed.

Lloyd laughed with him. "Put me down," he grinned.

Cole did, but Lloyd was quickly tackled by Chelsea, who pressed her lips against his. The team hugged each other, laughing, cheering. Skylor ran over to hug Kai. Cole raced to meet Vanessa. Jay and Nya were already holding onto each other, and Zane found Pixal in the crowd.

Wu smiled as he watched his students. Honestly, he'd wondered if this day would ever come, if he'd ever see such joy in his family again. If he'd lose one of his students... if they'd all make it out together...

His eyes drifted to the distant sky. He'd seen the last of her, drifting with the breeze, fading away forever. Emotion tightened his throat. Grief bloomed inside of him as he thought of how his oldest friend, the woman he had loved, had passed from this world. He had no doubt that right now, she was cracking jokes and poking fun with his brother, just as they had all those decades ago.

Wu's smile turned painful, and his fingers tightened around his staff. He closed his eyes as he faced the setting sun, feeling a tear slip down his cheek. "Goodbye, old friend," he murmured.

"Did you see me, Uncle Wu?" Laurie's squeak brought his attention to the little girl at his feet. She wrapped her arms around his legs. "I got the bad guy, Uncle Wu!"

Wu smiled down at her, recalling the green that had burst from her hands. "I sure did," he said.

"There you are!" Lloyd exclaimed as he rushed over. He scooped Laurie into his arms and put a hand on her cheek, gazing into her eyes. He wasn't freaking out as Wu had expected—after all, Laurie had run straight into a battlefield and could've gotten seriously hurt—, but he seemed calm and thoughtful, eyes glimmering with a wisdom Wu had never seen on him before. After another moment of silent reflection, Lloyd smiled. "You're a hero, baby."

Laurie grinned and threw her arms around his neck. "Jus like you, Daddy!"

Lloyd stranded his fingers through her curls. "Yeah," he whispered, "just like me." He locked gazes with Wu. Their eyes shared the same knowingness. Laurie's elemental power had been the only one able to break through Sleete's darkness. The only one strong enough to rid him of his Overlord form. And she was still a toddler. Her power would only grow. They knew she had a significant future ahead of her.