Loss of Hope (A Ninjago Story)

Chapter 12 Cleo

I had healed pretty quickly, and was soon up onto my feet once again. All of the ninja were planning an attack to stop the ghosts and save Lloyd. "I'm coming too." I said, standing up trying to follow all of the other ninja. "Cleo, you're still injured, you can't come." Cole said, stopping me. I grabbed him, pulling him to the side, 

"You know I have to come, I'm the only person who can stop Lloyd." I hissed. He shook his head at me, "You can't come Cleo, that's final." Cole said, starting to walk back to the group. "Cole, if you don't let me come I'll tell the other ninja that you sing in the shower." I hissed in his ear, just behind him. He stiffened, "Alright." He muttered. I followed the rest of the ninja, grabbing my weapon, the double sided sword. I slung it over my shoulder, and got on the back of the motorcycle with Cole.

We drove all the way to the Caves of Despair, and hid behind a group of rocks. The entrance was swarming with ghosts, "How are we going to get in?" Jay asked, pointing to the swarm of ghosts. "Change of plans, we just have to get Cleo in." Cole said, looking at me. Kai realized why, and nodded, "All we have to do is distract those ghosts just long enough for Cleo to get in." Kai said. 

"Someone should go with her, she is still hurt you know." Zane said. "Who's going to go though?" Cole asked. "I say we roll the die." Zane said. "No way, that thing is rigged!" Kai said. Everyone started arguing, all except Jay. "Shut up! How about we just let Cleo decide?" Zane finally said. 

They all agreed, and looked at me. "Come on, Jay." I said, without any thought at all. He smiled, and followed me to a place near the door to stay out of sight. Suddenly there was a shout, "NINJA-GO!" Nya, Zane, Cole, and Kai all yell, attacking the ghosts. As all of the ghosts became distracted, Jay and I slipped through the door.

"This place is huge, how will we know where to go?" Jay asked, looking all around at the caves that were surrounding us. "It is huge, but you have me, and I know where I'm going." I said, looking all around. "This way." I said. Jay followed me through the cave system, until we came along a large doorway. "That's where I have to go." I said, about to run up to the door, but Jay stopped me, pointing to a group of ghosts that were outside the door. 

"You stay here, and I'll distract them, and you can slip in." He said. I nodded my thanks, but stopped him before he left. "Once you defeat the ghosts, get out of the caves, don't wait for me." I said. He nodded, and walked up to the ghosts, "What are you doing here, you're not allowed to be in here." One of them said. They all began chasing after Jay as I snuck up to the door.

I pulled it open, slipping inside. The whole room was empty, except for Lloyd, who was turned away from me, facing the throne. I pulled out my sword, and the orb. I knew that Lloyd had become the Cursed Realm now, and I knew I could stop him. "I'm sorry, Lloyd. I really am." I said, ready to smash the orb down onto the floor. 

"Cleo?" I heard Lloyd whisper. He turned to me, seeing what I was about to do. "No!" he shouted, drawing a sword and running up to me. I didn't have time to drop the orb, and instinctively threw up my sword to stop him. I knew I had to be completely focused to stop the ghosts, and fought against Lloyd to try and get the upper hand. Soon I was able to push Lloyd back away from me. "I'm sorry, Lloyd!" I said again, throwing the orb down to the floor. There was a bright light, as a shockwave emanated from the spot that the orb had hit.

The caves moved around me, and I knew that they had become unstable, but I couldn't move. The orb's energy had come from my strength, and now I was really weak. I could see Lloyd clutching his head in pain, before he too collapsed to the ground. I knew I had done what I had come here to do, but now I couldn't get out. I just hoped that everyone else was able to get out okay. 

I knew Cole would be mad, but this was truly worth it. Lloyd was alright. And now Ninjago would be alright. I watched the ceiling as it collapsed around me, I saw the ceiling, as a large rock was about to crash on top of me, but someone stopped it. They picked me up, carrying me out of the caves, and to safety, I looked up at them, and saw that it was Lloyd. That was the last thing I saw, before my strength gave out, and the black consumed me.

Almost done.