The Ones That Got Away [Complete]

Where There's Darkness...

This is a bit of a filler chapter to lead into the next part of this story.

Where There's Darkness

Later that afternoon, Lloyd found himself seated once again on one of the small sofas in the Smiths' sitting room, squished between Skylor and PIXAL. His mother had taken the armchair, while Maya, Ray and their daughter were huddled together on the other sofa. Each of them was holding a cup of calming Sereni-Tea in their hands.

They had just watched the news, which had mainly consisted of a very distraught Gayle reading out lists with names of 'enemies of the Emperor' – and most of them friends of the Ninja – that were now either wanted, had been arrested or killed.

"He was right." Nya said in a quiet voice. "We have to get back to Ninjago City."

Although he had been trying to convince his teammates of exactly this ever since they had left, Lloyd knew that the Water Ninja was not talking about him.

Just over a week ago – although it felt like an eternity – Jay had objected to the Ninja abandoning the capital, while the Green Ninja's own mind had been occupied with something – or someone – else. All that had mattered to him back then was to keep Rumi safe.

As if The Quiet One had ever needed anyone's protection.

"We need to do it for them." Nya emphasised.

Having talked to her father had not made her less upset – if anything she looked worse than before - but one thing had dramatically changed in her. Her chocolate brown eyes, that were now still glistening with tears, were now also glowing again with determination.

This image made the young man's thoughts turn to a pair of very determined emerald green eyes – the most beautiful eyes in the most beautiful face he had ever seen. But unfortunately, the eyes and face belonged to one of the most dangerous persons Ninjago had ever encountered.

It is said that that the eyes are the mirror of one's soul.

If this is true, how had Lloyd missed seeing the madness in Harumi's eyes? But the answer to that question was an easy one. He hadn't seen it, because he hadn't wanted to.

And that's what had brought them here into their current situation...

"I agree with Nya." Skylor was the first to respond. After finally having joined the team, she was now eager to kick some evil butts and make them pay for the loss of Kai.

"Yes. We should return to the city." PIXAL also agreed. "But we need to wait, until Lloyd has fully recovered from his injuries."

"Oh, I am fine." The Green Ninja claimed. But a not-so-gentle nudge in the ribs from either side immediately reminded him that the true reason behind the Nindroid's suggestion maybe was wasn't about him at all.

He took another look at the broken family on the other sofa. Sitting between her mother and father and absentmindedly playing with a strand of her black hair, the strong and fearless Master of Water suddenly looked like a small girl.

She reminded him of the young girl he had seen in the pictures that had been taken just after the defeat of the Skulkins and shortly before Lloyd had first met his honorary brothers and sister.

But at that time, she had still been older than Lloyd himself, so he had never realised before how young she had been back then. How young all of them had been. How young they still were. And how young his brothers would be...

Lloyd awkwardly stretched himself.

"Uhm, thinking about it, my back is still a bit sore." He stated. "I guess it won't harm to stay here for another day or two."