one thing's for sure, the kiss certainly isn't as spicy as the rewrite sjvkjhv

also chapter seven has been fixed!

I was going to die. Great. Peachy. That's just fucking wonderful.
"You," he seethed, jerking the Sword dangerously close to me. I hit a boulder of ice, trapping me. I gnawed on my lip agitatedly. "Lloyd doesn't stop thinking of you. He doesn't give up because of you. But I wonder what happens if his inspiration is dead?"

Morro raised the Sword. In a split second decision I made the most stupidest, boldest moves I'd ever do.

I stepped towards him as the Sword was at its peak, grabbed his cheeks and pulled his head down into a kiss.
Then I kneed him in the balls.
"Sorry, Lloyd!" I squeaked as I leapt over Morro's groaning body as he knelt, clutching his crotch. I scrambled after the others, adrenaline pumping and heart thundering. Did I really just- holy shit, I did.

I bumped into a frantic looking Kai.
"Where are the others?" I cried.
"There you are! I don't know," he shook his head as he grabbed my forearm and began dragging me down the walkway of ice. "Where's Morro?"
"I kneed him in the balls," I proudly said. Kai snorted, although wincing in phantom pain.
"Nice."
I had to admit, Morro was correct. The ninja are loud. But that played to our advantage. We followed the sounds of grunts and exclamations, our pace setback from the slippery ice. We fell over and slid into walls more times than I could count.
"I thought you said you kneed him in the balls!" Kai cried as we rounded a corner and found Morro attacking the other four ninja with the Sword of Sanctuary. They defended themselves with icicles. Huh. Improvisation.

"I did!" I replied as I slipped over and landed heavily on my thigh. I winced that's gonna bruise. "Maybe he's just really good at dealing with pain!"
"I think you underestimate the amount of pain kneeing a guy in the balls is."
"I kneed him in the balls, Kai. What else do you want me to say?"
"I-"
"And if you say something stupid, it'll be your balls kneed next."
Kai drew silent. I thrusted out a hand with a scowl. He grabbed it and helped me to my feet, the ice making it no easier.
"You're scary," he muttered. I huffed, flicking some hair out of my face.
"I'm pissed," I replied, glaring at Morro as he and Cole duelled. "You should probably do something to help them."
"Oh, yeah."

Kai glared at the battleground, glancing around to look for an advantage he could use. He grabbed my shoulder suddenly.
"Watch when they slice the icicles."
I sent him an odd look but did as asked. I turned my gaze to the fight and to my surprise, every time and icicle was sliced in half, two more would suddenly appear.
"Whoa," I mumbled in awe. "It's like a Lernaean Hydra!"
"A what?"
I rolled my eyes.
"Don't you read myths?" I asked in disbelief. He shook his head. I sighed. "It's a snake in old Ninjagoan mythology that the First Spinjitzu Master killed by using swords and fire. It was from the Dark Island and had nine heads." I watched as Morro sliced another icicle. It was quickly replaced. Did they not notice? "With every head that was sliced off, another two emerged. The First Spinjitzu Master finally defeated the monster by burning the neck stubs after he sliced them off."

"Whoa," Kai breathed. "Lloyd's granddad was lit."
I frowned. "I don't think it actually happened. It's just a myth-"
"Shh," Kai said, placing a hand over my lips as he glared at Morro. "I'm formulating a plan."
"You're a dork," I tried to say from behind his palm - ew - but it came out more like 'yuth a douth.' Kai shh'd louder, making me hold up my palms in defence.
"Sothy."

Kai then had an 'aha!' moment. I know this because he literally said 'aha!' like a fucking noob. As Morro used his wind powers to scatter the four attacking ninja, Kai leapt in after catching a flying icicle and advanced.
Y'know, I would've expected ice to break on impact, especially against a sword like the magical one in Morro's grasp. But it didn't, then I remembered; I stopped trying to wrap my head around things. So I sat back and enjoyed the show as Kai began to torment Morro and most likely get his ass handed to him for doing so.

"Come on!" mocked Kai with a sly smirk as he held his ice-lance out in front of him. "Catch me if you can!"
Morro snarled before leaping and swiping with the Sword. Kai avoided his attack just in time, making Morro slice through icicles. They immediately regenerated, encasing Morro in an icicle prison. My eyes widened. Oh, Kai's actually smart. I never would've guessed.
Morro hacked at the icicles again and again, but they only strengthened his cage. He roared in frustration, glaring daggers at us. I subconsciously stepped behind Zane.

"You can't trap me," he seethed, spitting like a riled up cat. "I'll find you ninja, just you wait, you'll see!"
I frowned. What am I, invisible? I kneed him in the bloody balls what the fuck.
"Quick, how do we get out of here?" Jay asked, bringing us to our next problem; the maze. We quickly sped away from a grumbling Morro, glancing around the ice walls scrutinisingly. Jay tripped over.
"To move forward, don't look ahead," Cole repeated, holding a hand to his chin in thought. Jay scrambled to stand before pausing.
"Don't look ahead... look below!" he announced, pointing at a crack in the ice flooring. A slither of a bright blue light was glowing from beneath the ground.
"There's light!" Kai noted. "Everyone, dig!"

We dropped to our knees and began clawing at the ice. Nya made the most progress by blasting her water at the crack and making the ice wear down. Once the hole was big enough, we shimmied through it before dropping to the ground.
Immediately I was met by the soothing sound of rushing water. I gazed at the new cavern we had found ourselves in and immediately felt almost peaceful. The light from the glowing blue stones was dim, but strong enough for us to see easily. It was a soothing vibe, especially mixed with the river cutting right through the middle of it. The ceiling was high, higher than the others, and everything was still the same stone columns. It was gorgeous.

In the direct middle of the room was a large round rock, smooth save for the multiple semi-circles of glowing blue rocks. They all seemed to bloom from the centre, which held-
"The First Spinjitzu Master," Nya breathed in awe. A few meters beyond the skeleton's head was a large rectangular stone, probably some sort of extravagant tombstone. Kai began making his way down the natural made steps, making his way towards the skeleton. We followed after him, silent with anticipation and wonder.

We stopped just before the skeleton. Kai released a breath in awe.
"It's him," he said quietly. "The First Spinjitzu Master."
In the skeleton's grasp was a large crystal, glowing and perfectly shaped. It laid against his chest like a second heart.
Zane fell to his knees, dropping his head in respect. We followed his lead, silent, until Zane spoke up once more.
"The Realm Crystal," he noted, voice hushed. He stood, taking a few tentative steps towards the skeleton before grabbing the crystal with the most care I've ever seen somebody use for anything.
Zane held it, staring at the crystal curiously as glowing white blobs floated within it. Kai frowned.
"How does it work?"

"How it works is that you'll hand over the crystal or say goodbye to your friend."
We spun around in shock, flinching in surprise. Morro was standing at the levitated entrance to the cavern, grinning wickedly from the edge of the cliff. In his malicious grasp was-
"Lloyd!" I half-shrieked at his worn and weary state. My expression darkened into a scowl as I turned my livid gaze to Morro. "You dirty son of a-"
"I'm sorry," wheezed Lloyd weakly. His gaze found mine. "I couldn't stop him."
My expression dropped into one of worry. He sounds really bad oh god oh fuck.
"So what will it be?" pressured Morro. He had a glint of accomplishment in his eyes. Either way, he wins.

"If we hand him the Crystal, he usher the reign of his master, cursing Ninjago and every realm," Zane explained, glaring at the crystal before turning his angered gaze to Morro.
"But if we don't, when has he never made good on a threat?" Cole asked, bringing up the second point. He glanced at the duo towering above us. "Look at Lloyd. He's too weak to protect himself."
"What if Nya uses her powers?" I asked, glancing at Lloyd every few seconds. There was a roll of my stomach when our eyes met again. "Morro's in ghost form. He's weak."
Nya shook her head.
"Just because he's in ghost form doesn't mean he's weak," she denied. I reluctantly slid my gaze back to her. "He's still got the Sword. He'll see it and just drop Lloyd."
"Either option totally stinks!" Jay spat. "What do you think, Kai? What do we do?"

Kai frowned before gently grabbing the Crystal from Zane. He was glaring at it, burning holes into it with his amber eyes. He was conflicted. On one hand; saving Ninjago. On the other; saving Lloyd, the boy who was practically his brother. His gaze flickered to mine for a brief second. I understood his pain.
"Looks like the decision is up to you, Kai," Morro spat. Can he just shut the fuck up for like a second? Seriously. "So chose."

Kai let out a noise of frustration, gripping at the crystal tightly. He worried his lips with his teeth, gnawing until they almost bled. Lloyd fell unconscious, the only thing that was stopping him from toppling over the edge and into the coursing, freezing water below was Morro, who was rapidly growing more pissed by the minute.
"Stop stalling!" he spat, lips pulled back into a snarl. "Give me the Realm Crystal or else!"
"We're not stalling!" Kai fired back furiously. "We're thinking!"
Kai gestured us closer with a wave of his hand. We huddled closer.

"He's totally right, I'm stalling," Kai whispered. "What are we gonna do?"
Cole groaned, sending Morro and side glare.
"Ugh, this guy really chaps my hide," Cole frowned. I sent him an odd look. "I swear when this is all over..."
Cole smashed his fist against his palm furiously. A couple of tiny stones rose around his feet.
"Our powers," Kai said in a hushed voice, grinning as he held out his palm. A tiny flicker of flame burst into life. "Now that Morro's out of Lloyd's body, they're starting to come back!"
Jay held out his fist and grunted. A tiny flicker of lightning bolted between his index and thumb. He sent us a defeated look.
"Yeah, but like Lloyd, they're weak," he explained with a frown. "We're in no position to fight back."
Kai's expression set in determination.
"Leave that to me," he said with a steeled voice. "Be ready."
For what? I was going to ask, but before I could, Morro burst.
"Times up!" he howled, dragging Lloyd's feet closer to the edge. I felt my heart stop. "You leave me no choice-"

"Wait!" Kai exclaimed, his back turned to Morro. I watched as he held the crystal with both hands and summoned his fire power, heating up the crystal to unimaginable temperatures. It began to turn a shade of orange. "We'll give you the Realm Crystal."
Kai suddenly turned on his heel and threw the Realm Crystal at Morro, who chuckled smugly and dropped Lloyd, who crumpled by his feet. Morro grabbed the crystal before yelping in pain and throwing it instinctively. The crystal landed on the stone before bounding off the cliff and slipping under water.
"The Realm Crystal!" Morro cried in rage and horror. "What have you done?!"

Before anybody could react, Lloyd leapt to his feet and kicked the Sword of Sanctuary out of Morro's grasp. Instead of retaliating by cursing or fighting him old style - fist-to-fist, Morro just ordered a strong gust of wind to make Lloyd topple off the cliff, just like the Crystal.
"Lloyd!" we cried in horror as his blonde haired head broke surface, spluttering and coughing. His eyes were wide with terror.
I don't know what ran through my head at that exact point. All I do know is that I just had to get to Lloyd. I briefly heard my name being called, but suddenly I was submerged in the frigid, cave river and I thought; fuck this was stupid.

I gasped as I reached air, shaking my hair out of my face as I frantically kicked after Lloyd. He was staring at me like I was an idiot. Or maybe he was getting hypothermia. Either way, it wasn't entirely untrue.
My hand found his and I pulled him tightly close to me. The first thing I wanted to do was to encase him in a hug and never let him go, but I thought that that might not be best when you're floating down a river that can easily freeze off your fingers and toes. Hugs can wait.
"What are you doing?" Lloyd wheezed, spitting out water that found its way into his mouth. I shrugged, teeth chattering as my limbs tried to turn to lead against my better judgement.
"Getting myself almost killed," I said before adding as an afterthought; "again."
"Again?"
"Shh, Lloyd," I shook my head, not willing to hear one of his speeches while we were floating to our deaths. "Not when we're about to die."

Lloyd went to argue but collapsed against my shoulder. His breathing was laboured. I felt my fear heighten. Shit shit shitshitshitshitshit. My hand scrambled for the edge of the river but the ice was too slippery. Panic began to settle as a heavy stone in my stomach.
"Uhh," I mumbled, glancing over at the ninja who were currently engaged in a battle with Morro. "Help!"
Lloyd's grip around my waist tightened for a second. It began to slack and my already rising levels of panic only tenfold. I couldn't stop us from floating down the river and I was fairly certain I could hear the oncoming roar of a waterfall. You've got to be fucking kidding me.

"I can't get to them!" Kai exclaimed as he leapt across the stones, running beside us. Cole was following close behind. "I can't swim!"
"You can't swim?!" Cole exclaimed incredulously. I choked and coughed violently on some water that decided to be friends with my throat. Lloyd's eyes cracked open in response. "I can't touch the water! I'm a ghost, remember! And you at least had a reflection, what happens to me?"
Lloyd's weight was to heavy for me to carry alone. He was beginning to drag me down, making me fight against the water even harder, struggling to keep both of our faces above the surface.
"They're going to drown!"

Kai groaned before stopping at the edge.
"This is crazy," he snarled to himself. "What am I doing?"
He jumped into the water.
"Take Lloyd!" I ordered when Kai rose to the surface, wide-eyed and terrified.
"But what about you?"
"Just take him!"
Lloyd was mumbling arguments but he wasn't strong enough to carry them through. I transferred Lloyd's weight onto Kai.
"Oh, come on," Cole exclaimed in disbelief as the roaring of the waterfall got louder.
"You have to grab them, Cole!" Jay called from where they were battling Morro. "Nya's been knocked out cold!
There was a hint of panic in his voice.

Cole made a reach for Kai's outstretched hand and yanked the two towards him. They stumbled out.
My hands grasped at the ice sides, finding no grip. They slid over easily, helping me lose no speed whatsoever. The roar of the waterfall was deafening. I felt the water shift.
I was going to go over.

For a split second, I accepted my fate. At least Lloyd's okay.
Then, just as my body was going to topple down to the unseen depths below, I felt a hand grab mine.
I gasped in relief and shock as I dangled, glaring at the darkness below my feet. I felt my stomach twist.
Then I glanced up and saw Lloyd's green eyes as he leant over the edge, stretching his arm down to hold my own. There was no trace of tiredness or wariness. There was determination. Strength.
Even when he was on the verge of death himself, he was strong enough to save me.
Wow. Thank gOD, I never wanted to die.

Lloyd hauled me up swiftly, making me lose my breath in surprise as I landed harshly on the ice next to him. We laid, heaving as we stared at the ceiling, our minds reeling.
"You're an idiot," Lloyd breathed.
"A stupid idiot," I agreed breathlessly. Lloyd cracked a smile. His fingers found my own.
"I thought I told you to stay away?" he asked, slightly disappointed. I turned my head to send him a look. He met my eyes.
"Lloyd, do you honestly think I'd do that?"
Lloyd shrugged.
"It was worth a shot," he said. I grinned.

"The Realm Crystal!" Cole suddenly cried from afar. Lloyd and I struggled to sit up, glancing to the side just as the Realm Crystal slipped over the edge, falling with the water.
Oh well.
Then it started to float in the air before rising.
Oh fuck.
The Realm Crystal found its way back to Morro's hand, who snickered wickedly before turning on his heel and darting our the exit.
"Everyone, run!" Cole ordered, pointing after Morro.
"No!" cried Jay as he helped walk a dazed Nya with a mighty gash to her forehead. Lloyd fell back down. I had just enough time to catch his head before it could hit against the ice.
"I'm sorry," he mumbled to the team. I frowned, wiping his soaking fringe out of his face.
"It's not your fault," I replied. His green eyes flickered to mine and my heart skipped a beat. Sure, the fight was far from over, but at lest we had Lloyd again.

"C'mon," Kai said softly before helping me to my feet. We grabbed a hand of Lloyd's each, hauling him up. He wrapped an arm around us, resting his weight evenly. "Let's go."
We began to hobble after Morro, where a slither of daylight appeared through a door-sized gap in the stone. The others were faster, leading the way over uneven stones.
"It's good to be back with my two favourite people," Lloyd said weakly, offering a tiny smile. Kai and I caught eyes and sent each other tired, relieved grins. At least the others were out of earshot.

"Your parents and Wu are waiting outside with the Bounty," I explained softly as we broke out into the surface again. I felt a weight lift from my shoulders. I missed the sun. Lloyd's grin widened at the mention of his family.
"I bet you're in heaps of trouble with them," he joked. Kai snorted.
"She's in so much shit," he replied, snickering. I pouted.
"Hey," I cried indignantly. "You guys are mean."

We rejoined the others, who were waiting at the exit - wait so there was a back entrance this whole time and we didn't have to go through all these tests whAT THE FUCK- for the three elders to pick us up. Lloyd frowned as we sat down.
"You all sacrificed so much to save me," he realised, sending his teammates a worried look. Kai grinned and shrugged, ruffling up Lloyd's damp hair with a hand.
"I promised to look after you, didn't I?"
Lloyd's frown deepened.
"But now Ninjago's gonna be cursed."
Zane stepped forward a placed a reassuring hand on Lloyd's shoulder.
"Yes, but, now we have you."
"And now, our powers are back," Jay said as he demonstrated with his lightning powers.
"As you get strong, so will we," Cole explained with a grin. "And they haven't seen us at full strength."

I smiled as the Bounty pulled up beside us. What we all needed was a hot cup of tea to get over the fact that we nearly died like seventeen times. Maybe a nap for Lloyd. He looked half-dead.
We clambered down the rock towards the Bounty with Lloyd resting all of his goddamn weight on me. As soon as he stepped onto the deck, he was engulfed in a hug from his parents. He sent me a 'help' look from over Misako's shoulder. I just grinned.

"I'm going to make a pot of tea," Zane called as he began to make his way underdeck. "Does anybody want a cup?"
Literally everybody said 'yes' in the most tired and done tone. It would be funny if I wasn't one of them.
Garmadon sent me one those disappointed because I know you know better but you still went behind our backs anyway looks and I sheepishly grinned at him.
"Hey," I squeaked. "N- nice weather we're having."
He raised his eyebrows.
"The uh, sea... smells good."
Lloyd discreetly snorted.
"This isn't working, is it?"
Garmadon shook his head.
"Not at all."

"Oh, no," claimed Lloyd, his voice very fake as he grabbed my hand and tugged me away from his parents. "I'm suddenly feeling very nauseous. Come on, Y/n."
I sent a look over my shoulder. Misako was trying to hide a smile.
"I- ooh, okay," I mumbled before disappearing down the steps with Lloyd. "Thanks."
He turned back to grin at me. His eyes were still exhausted. I frowned.
"You need to rest," I ordered as we slowly made our way down the hallway to Lloyd's old room. He shook my worry off.
"I'm fine," he replied, which was a fucking lie and I knew it. My frown deepened.
"You're not. And you need to get out of that gi."
Lloyd's grin turned into a smirk. I scowled.
"Seriously, it's been like ten minutes what the fuck."

Lloyd laughed as we entered his room, shutting the door behind us. His grin softened as his hand lifted to my cheek.
"I didn't give up," he said softly, stepping closer to me. "I didn't give up because of you."
I blinked in surprise before my cheeks heated.
"You put me on too high a pedestal," I mumbled. Lloyd's fingers tipped my head up to face his.
"I don't think you realise how incredible you are," he whispered. Then he sneezed.
"Oh, my god," I snickered as Lloyd spat a curse and hid his face with his hands. "Alright that's it, go take a shower. Warm yourself up."
"That went so well in my head," Lloyd whined. I giggled, patting his shoulder. His gi was still damp.
"I bet," I teased before stepping out from where he had me pinned against the wall. "You're very smooth. Now go take a goddamn shower, Lloyd Garmadon. You're going to get sick."

Lloyd whined before going into his closet and grabbing a spare pair of clothes. He glanced at me as he shut the closet doors.
"I'll see you soon," he said. I sat on the ground.
"Hurry up," I ordered with a frown. "And don't fall asleep in the shower."
Lloyd knitted his eyebrows together.
"I don't think-"
"You're stalling. Go."

Lloyd raised his palms in defence.
"Okay," he said, backing out of the room. "I'm going. Bye."
I rolled my eyes, a grin playing on my lips.
"Bye."

Not even twenty minutes later, we were lying on his bed, warm and dry. Lloyd was finally sleeping soundly, his head on my stomach as I playing with his freshly washed hair. That boy can wash hair speedily.
It felt like a dream. It felt unreal to have Lloyd back with me. We spent almost a week without him, but that week was so incredibly long. That week was so action packed that it felt like an eternity.
I was exhausted, too. I wanted to sleep, but I was scared that if I woke up, I'd be back at Steep Wisdom, no Lloyd, no Sword. I didn't want to lose him again.

So I stared at the ceiling as Lloyd's breathing calmed me. I could barely hear the others exuberantly explaining everything that happened to Misako, Garmadon and Wu. They better of made me sound awesome.
I threaded my fingers through Lloyd's blonde locks, enjoying the silky feeling of his hair. I dropped my gaze to his peaceful, tired, sleeping face. He had a couple of scratches and bruises here and there, but nothing a couple of bandages couldn't fix up. I was finally feeling the pains of our excursions. The bruise on my forehead and arm was the worst of them.

I sighed, leaning my head back against his pillow. Lloyd's here. Lloyd's with me.
He's okay.