Lloyd gets kidnapped by a mysterious man who claims to be his father’s old nemesis, and now his parents need to save him.
“He left an hour and a half ago.”
“I’ll try to contact him...”
“It’s no use, Nya. Misako and I already tried that...”
“What can we do then, Sensei G?”
“Come to the monastery so we can start looking for him.”
Lloyd tried to remove his damp hair from his face, but the moment he tried to move his arms, something stopped him.
The Green Ninja squinted his eyes to look around the dark place he was in.
The dark figure approached him.
“Hha... cough!”His throat was as dry as the desert.
Lloyd frowned. It wasn’t like he could see him.
“Well then, son of Garmadon. I’m your father’s old nemesis. I took you so I can make your father suffer for the injustice he forced upon me. No, don’t try to move, it’s pointless. Regardless, your parents will be here soon.”
“That sounds like a trap, brother.” Wu approached Garmadon.
“It’s about our son.” Misako sighed, clenching her fist. “We’ll go. No matter—”
"Yes.” Garmadon walked toward Misako. “I’ll go. In case this is a trap—”
“What?!” The archaeologist raised her brows. “There’s no way I’m staying here! I don’t care if it’s a trap or if we don’t know anything about the mysterious kidnapper, but this is my son too. And I will go.”
“In the name of my father...” Sensei Garmadon walked away from her, placing his head in his hands. “I don’t want you both to be in danger—”
“The kidnapper said he wants you both, so...” Zane placed an arm on Garmadon’s shoulder. “Falcon will follow you through the Hiroshi Labyrinth. We won’t lose you for a second.”
“Falcon is too obvious,” Misako whispered to Garmadon, eyeing the mechanical bird.
“Well, it’s easy to lose us here and... and I have a bad feeling about this.”
“I know.” His wife placed a hand on his shoulder. “I do too, but Ll—”
“No, I have a feeling that this is...” Garmadon swung an arm. “But it can’t be true!”
Misako sighed, looking at the ground. The ex-evil lord rubbed his neck during the silence that followed.
“I was harsh on you,” he gulped, “earlier.”
“You were,” Misako admitted. “But, I—”
“So, we meet again, Sensei Garmadon?”An annoying voice came from their side.
“C-Clouse!” Garmadon jumped. “What?! How?!”
“Hahahahaha.” Clouse laughed. “It’s time to—”
“Where is our son?!” Garmadon tried to jump at him, but Misako caught his shoulder.
“Look!” She pointed at the guards coming from the bushes.
“Holy...” Sensei Garmadon whispered. “We are—”
“Totally outnumbered.” Misako gulped, hiding her face against the back of his shoulder.
“That’s Misako, right? It’s—”
Misako stepped beside Garmadon.
“We came for Lloyd.” Misako glared at Clouse, lowering her eyebrows.
“I can see why you married her,” Clouse spat.
“Our. Son.” Garmadon almost roared, but his hand gently caught Misako’s. He was tense.
“Alright. I won’t tie your arms if you promise to behave.” He looked at them for a second. “Nothing? I’ll take that as understanding.”
“Lloyd?!” Misako gasped and tried to run to Lloyd, but the guard pointed his spear at her chest.
“No...” Garmadon whispered, his eyes wide as he observed his unconscious son.
“He’s been here only half a day. What have you done to him?!”Misako looked at Clouse, clenching her fists.
“What do you want?” Garmadon snarled, struggling to stay calm while watching his son fight for breath.
“This is your punishment for cheating and stealing my rightful title! My lordship!” Clouse shouted, walking toward Garmadon.
“Take that cursed lordship and get away from my family!” Garmadon shouted back, walking toward Clouse to face him, but Misako caught his shoulders.
“For Lloyd’s sake, don’t fight him,” she whispered, fearfully gazing at her half-conscious son.
“I will kill him!” Garmadon stepped out of her grasp and prepared to jump at Clouse.
“Mom? Dad?”A silent, agonized voice sighed.
All of Sensei’s energy faded, and with it all of his anger disappeared. He almost fell to his knees while hearing Misako trying to hold back her cry. The guard made sure they couldn’t run to him.
“What do you want?” Garmadon looked at Clouse.
“But not with you.” Clouse slowly smiled, and with his calmness his confidence returned. “I want the two of them to fight.”
“What?!” Sensei Garmadon’s eyes widened. “Are you insane?!”
“I’ll go.” Misako walked past Garmadon. “But Lloyd can’t.”
“No.” Garmadon trembled, pulling her to him.
“Garm—” Misako tried to break free, but Garmadon wouldn’t allow her to escape his embrace.
“This is between you and me,” Sensei Garmadon whispered. “Don’t be a coward.It’s our own fi—”
“You can’t let Lloyd fight!” Misako pleaded. “He is—he can’t—he...”
“You can go help him prepare for a fight. But just you.”
At Clouse’s words the guards moved aside and made space for Misako.
“No.” Garmadon breathed fast, pulling Misako closer to himself. “No, please.”
“Garmadon.” Misako gently placed her hands on his. “Please, I need to go to Lloyd.”
“I love you.” Garmadon pressed a kiss to her temple before letting her go.
She moved quickly, almost crying while trying to help her child. Garmadon just stared at them, biting his lips until he tasted blood in his mouth.
“They’ll fight with my little pet,” Clouse whispered into Garmadon’s ear. “My precious serpentine.”
“You!” Garmadon jumped forward, catching Clouse.
“Careful,” Clouse spat. “Or they’ll both die.”
After a moment, Garmadon released him and fell to his knees.
"Please.” Tears dropped from his eyes. “Please let them go. Kill me, but let them go.”
Before Clouse could respond, someone kicked the doors open.
“Misako! Garmadon?!” Kai yelled as he and the ninja jumped in and helped them get to the Bounty to escape.
“Just a little more water.” Misako gently poured a few drops of ice water into Lloyd’s dry mouth.
“Ahh.” Lloyd sighed, relieved by his mother’s soft touch.
“Are you feeling better?” Garmadon gently stroked his son’s hair.
“A lot.” Lloyd smiled, falling into the comfy cushions of his bed on the bounty.
“I apologize for being harsh.” Sensei took his wife’s hand after Lloyd drifted asleep. “But I was afraid to lose you both.”
“I know.” Misako walked to the other side of the bed to give him a warm embrace.
“I’m so glad that you’re both fine.” Garmadon kissed her forehead.
“I’m scared for Lloyd. What if—”
“We’ll catch Clouse. I promise. I’ll chase him to the end of the world just to make sure nothing like this happens again. You don’t need to suffer because of my past mistakes.”
“Garm...” Misako tried to protest, but Garmadon silenced her with a warm kiss.
“I’ll take care of you two. Forever,” Garmadon whispered into her ear.
Misako trembled at the feeling of his hot breath on her neck.
“Mom?” Lloyd slowly woke up. “Please... more water.”
“Here you go, sweetie. Just drink slowly.” Misako poured water into his mouth while Garmadon caught his hand.
“I’ll protect you, my little green bean. I promise. You’ll no longer suffer because of my past mistakes.”
Lloyd frowned at the nickname but still managed to smile at Garmadon.