In the End (A Ninjago Fanfiction- ORIGINAL)

Chapter 3

"So it's settled, then- we make for the Caves of Despair," Ash said.

The second group had decided to take refuge in the labyrinthine caves, hoping to evade the Akrohai there. Neuro, however, was uneasy about the move.

He had relayed Skylor's findings to the group, so that they too were aware of what the Akrohai really were. Yet something in him warned that they were playing right into a trap.

"Neuro, stop worrying," Camille chided, noticing his clear unease. "We'll make it- we always have before. And we'll find a way to get the others back."

"I certainly hope so," Lloyd murmured, staring at the floor. Though normally more optimistic, he was starting to feel as if they'd been backed into a corner.

Psychological warfare, Neuro thought. Brutal... and all too effective.

The Akrohai might not have infected them, but it was clear that they had found other ways to get into the team members' minds. Already, several members were starting to feel hopeless- not just Lloyd. Even Neuro could feel himself growing more agitated and desperate as time went on.

Suddenly Shade gave a gasp. "Down! Down!" he whispered. Several Akrohai-infected were passing by. Overhead, Tox was circling on her dragon.

"We need to get out of here," Ash murmured as they ducked behind a sand dune, "There's no cover! If they spot us, we're done for!"

"If they spot us, we'll have to split up again," Neuro corrected. "Only Tox has a dragon- that means that if we take to the air, she's the only one who could hunt us down. We'd at least have a chance..."

"Yes, but they'd be whittling down our numbers! We won't be able to evade them for long!" Lloyd protested, "And if they keep catching us elementals, soon they'll be too strong for us to beat no matter what!"

"Guys, quiet!" Camille warned sharply. The Akrohai had begun to move in their direction.

"Run- run- run!" Lloyd gasped, leaping up and staggering back. The Akrohai, who had indeed guessed at their position, spotted him immediately and gave chase with a chorus of shouts. The others leapt up, summoning their elemental dragons, and took to the air. There was a screech as Tox's dragon dove at them.

"Split up!" Neuro yelled, "She can only track one of us!"

The fivesome took off in different directions. Tox locked onto Lloyd, tracking with him. He urged his dragon faster, but Tox and her mount came on with uncanny speed, hot on his tail.

He spurred his dragon into a steep stoop, diving toward the desert floor and pulling up at the last second. Tox's dragon balked at this, and he gained a little ground, but it was only a few minutes before his pursuit gained it back. Her dragon slashed at his from behind, throwing his beast's balance. The dragon of power lurched sideways, and Lloyd clung desperately to its back as they went sideways. Tox's dragon vanished suddenly, and there was a thump as she landed on the back of Lloyd's.

Lloyd quickly got to his feet, standing as well. He knew the instant they touched he'd be infected, but he could at least hold her off as long as he could. Before Tox could reach him, however, there was a roar from above. Ash dove straight down toward them with his dragon, not even slowing as he approached. Tox froze, whirling to face him.

"Get the others out of here!" Ash shouted in the brief moment when he was close. His dragon vanished from beneath him and he slammed at full speed into Tox, sending both of them catapulting from the creature's back. With the extra weight and danger gone, Lloyd's dragon regained itself, breaking its fall and soaring upwards again just before it crashed into the ground.