Chapter by: LillaSmolBean
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Song: "On your/my own" from Sofia the first.
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Curled in a ball, Cloud whimpered. This is bad, really really bad. She had been captured by the oni while sneaking out of the bounty one night and dragged a friend, rather acquaintance, along with her. They hadn't expected this to ever happen that same night and why hadn't they gone for Harumi and the resistance instead?

Not like she wanted them to, of course, anything to keep her precious family sake. Even if it meant her being locked up in their places—Cloud holds that thought. Her ears twitched at the sound of footsteps coming up onto the roof-topped throne room. What, was it lunchtime already?

She gave a weary glance over to Nix who was laying down a few inches away from her before pushing her paws off the ground to stand up. Whatever slop or soup the oni will give them, she wasn't eating it. However, her next guesses evaporated into a fit of smoke as there were not two oni guards but three of them, pushing a group of people up the stairs.

Group of people in coloured attires, wait a second.

Cloud recognizes them. She wags her tail and rushes over to one corner of the cage. Nix yawns and raises a brow at what could have possibly made the puppy so excited and happy all of a sudden. "Uh, may I need to remind you where we are?" He questioned, being nice enough to be willing to give her such a reminder in the first place, even if it killed his own spirits.
But, Cloud shook her head and continued to wag her tail.

"Hey, that's my family!" She claimed, accompanying a bark as she noticed the oni forcing them to enter the cage right beside theirs. "Guys!" She smiled, calling out to the resistance, hoping they'd hear her. She called their names, all except from Lloyd, she still didn't know if she should trust someone like him. Nix rolled his eyes, letting her continue screaming her lungs out.

Entering the cage, the first to react was the water ninja. She sat down by the corner and instantly turned her head to face the other cage, spotting the Pomeranian and the Husky. "Wait, that's Cloud, right? It looks exactly like her." She pointed out to the rest of the resistance.
The fire ninja squinted his eyes, taking a closer look.

His eyes widened, but it was in fact true, it really was Cloud. Unless, his mind was playing tricks on him again. He hasn't been played for such a long time now, the only time where he was when Skylor...Kai shook his head, no, he couldn't think about it now. "That's impossible. Cloud can't speak, she's a dog." He pointed out.

Cloud gave a happy bark, nodding at Kai's concerns. "I'm not sure how it happened either!" She chimed, taking a pause to think about what else to say. "I think it was the brown tea that spilled on me a few days back, found the exact thing in an alleyway though!" She added. The elderly lady, who was now sitting beside Skylor and in between the earth ninja, tilted her head in surprise. "Brown tea?" She asked.

The white pomeranian nodded and jumped around the cage a little. "Yes! I saw it in the alleyway and now it's so much easier to talk to you all!" She exclaimed, gasping at the sight of more of her precious family entering the cage, she could see all of them now, talk to them, even. She particularly nudged Nix to stand up and wake up from his nap when Ultra Violet, Mr. E and Killow entered. She gave a greeting bark at them.

The husky raised a brow at the sight of them, so that meant that Cloud really wasn't lying. He gave a questionable look when Ultra Violet snickered and waved at Cloud, she held one of the bars with one hand. "Yo Cloud, heya!" The ex-general called out, rather happy to see more of her allies here. Even if they were all stuck in a cage now. A happy reunion.

Cloud nodded and jumped once more. "Killow, Ultra Violet, hi!" She called back, happy to finally be able to speak with her family and being heard. Nix chuckled lightly and returned to lay back down on the cage, sighing. Unlike Cloud, he didn't have a family, he didn't have anyone to smile at. Even if he's smiled at Cloud for time to time but that's because, she was just...so impulsive and funny.. really sassy though. He narrowed his eyes.

"You really weren't kidding when you said there was a grey-skinned woman and big guy in your family, huh?" He gave a bitter laugh. Cloud calmed down for a second and glanced over to Nix, "Well that's ten points to Cloud for proving the truth, hah!" She playfully jabbed In his face before noticing the look in his eyes, a lonely look.
Her smile instantly dropped. She moved closer to Nix and stood in front of him, her tail almost touching his.

"Hey, Nix, you alright?" She inquired, wanting to know if she could help the Husky in any way. The Husky simply nodded, dismissing her in the process, he sighed and glanced at the buildings as high as the borg tower. A pitiful sight, here they lay, as the oni's prisoners.
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The green ninja stared off in the distance, wondering where everything had gone all wrong, why was all of this happening to them? Could it be the oni wanted to get back at his father? They attacked the resistance because they knew he was here? He heard Kai sigh from behind him, in fact, everyone's moods all died down a few minutes after finding Cloud.

But where was his father? He was here with them, to sit in these cages and rot.
Wherever he was, Lloyd hopes that he will come back and save them all and...he was snapped out of his thoughts upon hearing the white-furred puppy speak once more from the other cage. "Where's Harumi? I thought she'd be with you." Cloud wondered. He winces and brings his knees closer to his chest, he didn't want to think about that.

Mistaké was the one who responded in the place of the resistance. "Harumi has been missing for days. I sensed something was wrong because I'm part oni. I'm guessing Garmadon did as well." She started off, earning the attention of the green ninja. That was concerning, even if he wasn't supposed to care for Harumi anymore, she betrayed him and everyone else. But he just couldn't forget about her safety and existence. He couldn't pretend anymore.

"So you're telling me that Harumi wasn't there all along?" He retorted, surprised that Cloud gave him narrowed eyes instead of agreeing with him. What was up with that puppy? Did she held a grudge against him before he despised her owner for a short period of time? Mistaké nodded sadly, she knew she needed to spill the truth to the puppy. "There was a clone in her place." She stated simply.

Cloud growled and walked away from the edge of the cage, circling Nix unintentionally. "How is that possible? Why a clone, how did they do that?" She sulked, rethinking back on the possible interactions her and that clone must have had. Dammit, why did this have to happen? Mistaké lowered her head, feeling sorry for the pet's reaction. It was a harsh reality really.

"Oni magic. It can be quite powerful and dangerous if left in the wrong hands." She stated once again, not going into further detail.
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Nix grew tired of hearing Cloud pace back and forth beside him that he growled and pushed her away. "Would you cut it out?! I know you're angry but we have bigger problems to handle than find where your precious owner is." He snapped, having enough of the purse dog's constant whining.

Cloud growled, recovering from the push and approached Nix. "Did I detect sarcasm in 'precious'? Let me spill it out for you street dog," she paused and pounced on the dog, actions speak louder than words ever could. Nix whimpered and used a paw to shove her cheek away.

"You wouldn't understand, you never would! Because for one, you don't have an owner and with that attitude, you never will!" She raged, not bothering to play nice anymore. Nix has been so...inconsiderate lately, she tried to get through to him and this is how he repays her? She was finished with his constant drama and desires to be a loner and sulk whenever she was happy and not alone.

Oh, he felt alone.

But it was too late, the puppy allowed her anger to get through to her and she jabbed him on the neck, bringing her canines to chomp on the husky's cheek.
Nix allowed her to do so and only when blood seeped out did he cry out in pain and completely kicked her off of him.

He stumbled back and hit his back against the bars, bringing a paw to cover his cheek. He glared at Cloud, not allowing such feelings of weakness from what she said affect him.

It did hurt him that she said that though, it stung, actually. The constant reminder that he'll always be alone, it wasn't fair.

"Argh! I can't do this anymore!" A scream coming from the green ninja stopped the two dogs for a second from yelling down each other's throats. He curled into a ball and brought his two hands to cover his ears, he couldn't continue to listen to their barks of anger any longer.

Cloud sighed, understanding the message and backed off from Nix, not even acknowledging the injury she has inflicted on him. She shook off any sweat from dripping down her cheeks and approached the edge of the cage once again to speak to her family. "Anyways, forgetting him, do you know where Harumi could be, any information about that?" She asked.

Nya shook her head and gave a rundown of what had occurred during her absence.
"But she hadn't returned ever since, there was always something skeptical about that Collin boy, don't you think? All of this happened ever since he came and befriended Harumi." She pointed out, earning a few nods from Cole, Jay and Lloyd, with his ears still plugged.

Cloud growled for possibly the umpteenth time today. She shook her head fixed her head to the ground to stare at the bottom of the cage. "She never did return after looking for Collin, to save him. Dammit." She muttered, cursing for the very first time. She had always wondered why Garmadon and Lloyd had done it. Oh but it felt good to do so. "I should have known better.."
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In another room within Borg tower, a pained scream was heard through the walls. Two people remained inside, one strapped to a little machine and a oni, strong and mighty. The prisoner, a girl with long untidy white hair yelped as another shock entered her body. She recoiled, her fists slammed the machine she was attached to.

"Zackery, I will end you f-for this...I-I swear." She breathed through gritted teeth. Zackery, the oni was with her, simply laughed at her out of mockery.

"Oh Rumi, Rumi Rumi, you know it breaks my heart so that I need to do this to you." He raises the voltage even more, earning a muffled groan from the prisoner of his. He gave a big smile as he waited for her to recover before raising a brow. "Well? Tell me."

Harumi shook her head. She tried to break free from these ties, no luck, she was weak. She couldn't break free, not on her own like this. "Question me all y-you'd like but I won't say anything.." she insisted, resisting the urge to cry out in frustration. How many hours has it been since the same question has been thrown at her and how many times did she respond with the same answer? She refuses.

Zackery, growing even more irritated with her resistance, slammed a fist into the wall. "Tell me!! What is the ninjas' weakness?!" He screamed, backing away from the wall and lunged over in her direction. He stopped directly in front of her, his horns might've scraped the machine with how close he was.

Harumi inched her head away from him as best as she could in her state. "I'll never tell you, keep dreaming, Zackery.." she spat hatefully. She surprised herself with how long she was able to resist his attacks and his machine. Even if she yelled out in pain and prayed to the FSM that this would all be over, she could feel her small form soon growing accustomed to the pain.

Zackery clenched his fists. He took a deep breath, understanding her words. But, he wouldn't give in that easily, he was the one in control here. "Why?!" He yelled, colliding his fist with the machine behind Harumi, leaving a dent on its side.

"I will never tell you! So don't waste your time on me. I would never betray them, my loving family, they did everything for me! Nothing will change my opinions, even if they betray me, I know they always have a reason and it has to do with my own good." She whimpered then brought her eyes to glare at the oni. "They're my family, I can't just sell them out!!" She used every ounce of her strength to retort.

"You truly are way too loyal, Harumi Jade. Not feeling any anger for what happened to you a few weeks ago?" He questioned, cooling his temper down for a second and stepped away from her. Noticing her face contort from determination to twisted fear in just matters of seconds charmed him. Ah yes, it seems that he regained control.
Now, he needs to keep it that way.

Harumi shook her head, not even hiding the fact that she was growing pale. Her eyes tightly shut and her breathing accelerated. He was right, he was right. Why was she ever so loyal to everyone? She felt her arguments slowly break away.
"That's not...they didn't mean it, they didn't know the real story back there.." she defended. Zackery merely shook his head.

"Let's talk about Lloyd, shall we?" He suggested with a little smile. A topic that he was certain would make Harumi shift in her spot. So, he was right, she shook her head, as if to tell him that she didn't want to hear it. "Lloyd didn't know either, he had every right to be mad at-" she was interrupted by a laugh from the oni.

"Again, you're too loyal. Still gonna be kind to that family of yours after Lloyd ruined you? Accused you of a fault that you didn't commit?" He asked. Harumi nodded, trying to break free from the machine once again. She gave a quiet whimper as she formed her words, "Of course, of course I will.." she inhaled sharply. Zackery rolled his eyes. Unbelievable.

"Even to this extent, I believe you are truly cast under a spell, brainwashed. You really don't want to betray them, a little revenge after what they did to you?" He tried to tempt her, come on, if he managed to make her open up about her real feelings, he could insert a bit of rage within that small shattered heart of hers.

The princess exhaled and once again shook her head, she said earlier that she forgave her family for what they did to her. Really, what happened with Garmadon wasn't Lloyd's fault, it was hers. She shouldn't have done that, shouldn't have grown close to that man, knowing he was the father of another. It was her fault.

Understanding that she simply won't give in, Zackery narrowed his eyes, glaring at Harumi and facepalmed. How stubborn.
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"You've always had a friend or two," he sighed, beginning to pace back and fourth as he sung through her pained screams. "someone to lend a hand." He stared up at the ceiling, the angry look he previously had falling without another notice.

He let out another sigh and turned his head back down from glancing at the ceiling and locked his gaze at the roughened up princess. "When times are tough you look to them," he told her, smiling slightly. Amusement filling his cold and harsh lips for the first time today.

"To get out of a jam." He snickered, admitting her the truth of her nature. He had always found it difficult to believe that
a grief-sicken child could be forgiven so easily, to learn to be so loving and consider the idea of new allies. Perhaps it was another facade of hers and he anticipating when she'll pounce and betray the resistance for power and protection.

"But now, no matter where you turn, there's no one here but you." He listed the facts before glaring at Harumi with a friendly smile for a second. "Come on, when did Lloyd show you he cares throughout this whole week, hm?" He teased, laughing afterwards.

"You're all alone, your greatest fear has finally come true!"

Harumi whimpered, tightly shutting her eyes before shaking her head at the oni. No, she couldn't listen to him. She'll break free and she'll be the one saving Lloyd. That's how it will go. "Just because I'm by myself does not mean I will fold." She retorted with a hiss as she lowered her head down and noticed ropes attached around her stomach, wrists and legs. "I don't need help to battle you, I just need to be bold." She spat.

Zackery yawned and increased the voltage of the machine for just a few more seconds, he grinned as he watched her lips quiver and she let out a whimper. "Spare me your heroic speech, we both know you are wrong." He insisted for her theatrics to stop. He has heard them over and over again, he has grown tired of them.

Harumi raised a brow at him before attempting to lunge at him, in hopes of loosening up the ropes. "I'm not afraid to stand alone." She reminded the oni, who only laughed once more and even came closer to her for just a second.

"My dear, you won't be standing long." His sharp teeth were beaded as he pretended to bring himself closer to tear off the skin of her cheeks.

The princess hissed at the oni and backed away from him as much as she could, even if the only thing she could do was cock her head away from his lips. She couldn't block out his words though and she hated them. Zackery hummed to himself and figured that she couldn't possibly break free on her own. "You're on your own, can't run away." He reminded as a small tease.

"You've met your match this very day."

"I'm on my own but won't give in." She mimicked his same old annoying tone except she added new words in his mouth, ones filled with hope and bravery. "I'll get back up to fight again."

"Right right right right right, please don't make me laugh, Harumi." Zackery requested, lowering the voltage as his little machine has proven to be useless. She still kept talking even when being shocked. Sure, she paused once and a while to let out a pained screech, but that's all it was. What was protecting her?

"The good in you is fading fast and when it's gone you're mine as last." She promised

"But like the sun, I'll rise once more!"

"Until night falls and wins the war!"

Zackery and Harumi glared at one another, signalling the other that their answer was wrong compared to theirs given. Really, there was no right answer for an unpredictable war like this.
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"There's a bond you'll never know, a power you can't feel." She told the oni quietly for a second before lowering her head to stare at the rocky grounds. "The love you give comes back to you and makes you strong as steel." She said that out, a little bitterly. She had been played, she knew it. The only one who she truly loved was none other than the green ninja, but was she too late..?

"If I remember those I love, I keep them close to heart. My love will shine from deep within and chase away the dark!" She raised a hand, the limb recoiling back to the machine as the rope was still keeping her bound prisoner. She needed to try again, to never give up!

The oni stiffened at her claim, not entirely believing it. "My darkness can not be denied, your little light won't last." He spat, reminding her how the story really goes. She was simply a tragedy read to happen over and over again. "I'll show you where real power lies." He had an idea in mind. Surely, Harumi underestimated him at this point.

"One final wicked blast!" He held a hand up, showing off a mist of purple, dark magic that oni were specialists in. One that could easily intoxicate a mortal.

Harumi didn't even show any sign of weakness, not even one little screech. She didn't seem affected by his threat. The torture had long burned her skins and scarred her mind, a little blow to the stomach using dark magic didn't compare. "You tried your worst to keep me down. But I'm still standing tall."

Zackery gasped, "How can this be happening?" He dropped the remote control that was built for the machine at the sight of the ropes beginning to rip around her stomach.

"Because I stand for one and all." She flung the ropes previously attached to her arms and legs away from her, managing to rip right through them.

"I'm on my own, I found the light to see me through the darkest night!" Harumi yelled, kicking the machine behind her after being able to break free and stepped forward, showing no signs that she was limping.

"Oh stop being so pathetic." He muttered, clenching his fists and backing away from the white haired princess. "You're just a girl, this cannot be!" He raged, not understanding how she had the strength to go on.

"I'm more than that, Zackery!" She corrected, shaking her head once more as she approached closer to the oni. "But you can't see. I may be young and on my own." She took into delight on the fact that for once, she may have weirded out, maybe even scared off an oni. Zackery was terrified of her and she loved the feeling. Even if she knew it wasn't entirely right.

"But I can feel how much I've grown." She smiles to herself for a second. This was it, her revenge to stopping the oni once and for all, if she was able to escape from Zackery then that means that she can return back to her friends...! She can finally be free from all of this and this war!
That's why, she needed to have faith. Even after all she's been through.

The oni watched her with wide eyes and growled, bringing a clenched fist up in the air. He needed to harm her, regain his power in his territory. "My will is strong, my heart is true!" She chimed then stopped to widen her own eyes at the sight of Zackery getting ready to cause a blow. She needed to counter it.

"My love will be..." the oni hissed, noticing that she had caught on to his secret attack.

Harumi extends her knuckle to strike a punch, narrowing her eyes at the enemy. "The end..."

Zackery roars, "Of..."

Their fists collided, "You!"

A scream echoed through the hallways as both individuals didn't come out of the attack unarmed.

Ears perking up, Cloud woke up in an instant. Her breathing accelerated as she frantically searched nearby for the cause of the sound, it startled her.
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A/N: Woah, that may have been quite a long chapter but hey, that was definitely worth it! I enjoyed writing every single part of it and I hope you enjoyed reading it as well! A new arc is close to ending and what do the oni have planned this time? Any ideas, we'd love to hear them for sure! I'll cut my note short, hope everyone's doing well now that school started, it's been a royal pain lately! I'll see you guys next chapter, cya cya!^^