The Preeminent towered above us like a tall, intimidating gross ball of hair. Like the kind you'd find in the shower drain. Except ghostly. And a transformer. Made of houses.
Yeah.
Gross.
Of course, because it's a little bitch (actually it's a big bitch but that's besides the point), it flung a house towards us. It sailed towards us through the air with a resounding roar from the Preeminent, making me take in a strangled gasp and stumble back a few steps in a panic. The house made contact against the water with a huge splash, shyly missing the boat and sending the vessel surging forward. Ronin fell against the rail while I tried to regain my balance, adrenaline levels heightened.

A little boy latched his arms around Misako, missing his mother. He dug his young face into Misako's shirt as she reassuringly rubbed the boy's shoulder.
"It's okay," Misako soothed, though I could see the fear in her eyes. "The ninja will stop it."
Garmadon glanced from the little boy to me, sharing a scared look. We both knew the odds were unfavourable.
Ice encompassed the knee of the giant-Voltron-transformer, courtesy of Zane. However, it only stalled the Preeminent for a second. I felt my stomach grow heavy. It seemed to be unstoppable.

"The water will stop it," Ronin said, fumbling with the rim of his hat. I sent him a side glance, taking note in the worried expression of his face. True to his word, however, the Preeminent let out a growl as she stomped her robot-wooden-house-shack-like-foot in the water, unable to hold it under for long.
"Yes!" Wu cheered. "She's unable to follow us to sea!"
Karma bro. Karma could suck my metaphorical dick, because right at that moment, the Preeminent pushed past the pain like a true trooper and continued on towards us. Shit.
"... I was wrong," Ronin mumbled.
"Ya think?" I whimpered.
"I thought ghosts couldn't stand the water!" Garmadon exclaimed. He clutched for Misako's hand.
"How come it's still after us?" Lloyd's mother cried. The Preeminent stomped closer and closer, causing violent disturbances in the water. I grabbed at the metal rail as the boat heavily swayed. Ronin blanched.
"Have enough ghosts at your disposal, you can pretty much do anything," Wu said gravely. Oh. Peachy.
"Oh, god," Ronin struggled, resting his forehead on the bar. "I'm going to be sick."
"Projectile vomit in the water," I offered unhelpfully. "If we're lucky, the Preeminent is a germaphobe."
"Unlikely."
"Do you think vomit gets rid of ghosts?"

Ronin sent me an odd look.
"You're weird," he grumbled, before dry heaving at another sway. I shrugged as I side stepped out of his puke range - just in case.
"I'm sleep deprived," I corrected. "I haven't had a proper night's rest in like, over a week. The whole saying 'sleep is for the weak' is a big, fat lie. I'm exhausted."
"Throw anything we don't need off the ship!" Garmadon ordered, turning to the people as the Preeminent approached and returning my attention to the problem at hand. "We need to go faster!"
"Right, Ronin, over the side you go," I joked in a panic, jerking my thumb over my shoulder. I guessed I was taking on Jay's joke-at-the-moment-in-crisis trait, though Ronin wasn't amused. He smacked the back of my head in retaliation. I yelped.
We grabbed large wooden crates full of probably important junk and chucked them overboard, leaving a trail of stuff in our wake. I grimaced. Littering. Poor environment. I feel like I've sinned.

"This Captain is a joke," Ronin growled to me before swerving his way through the bustling crowd of panicking citizens. "He's probably not even steering."
"Wai- hold on, you can't just-" I tried, scurrying after him as I squeezed through groups of people. I turned the corner just as Ronin punched the Captain in the nose, knocking him unconscious. "Dude, what the fuck."
Ronin swivelled to send me a nonchalant glare. He turned to push down on the speed lever, grabbing the dark red wooden steering wheel.
"I'm a vigilante," he shrugged. "Your boyfriend's a ninja. We do things differently."
"Yeah, no kidding," I muttered as I gingerly stepped over the slumped body of the Captain. "And he's not my boyfriend."
"Oh, my god give it a rest," Ronin said in exasperation. "You two are worse than Percy and Annabeth."
I paused.
"You read Percy Jackson?"
"I'm a vigilante, not a monster," he grumbled. "Yeah, my daughter loves the series."
I stumbled. Whot.
"You have a daughter?!" I screeched, taken aback and thoroughly shocked. Ronin flinched at my whistling tone. "And you read Percy Jackson?!"

"Can you pipe down?" Ronin hissed, shooting me a withering glare. "Now is not the time to have a panic attack."
"Thisisnotapanicattack," I heaved, heart thundering. "I have so much more respect for you now."
"Gee, thanks," Ronin grumbled sarcastically as he pumped down the speed lever, trying to coax more horsepower out of the vessel. "Can we worry about the problem at hand here? Y'know, giant ghostly wannabe tyrant? Boyfriend currently disappeared and traveling through realms with Morro?"
I hesitated.
"... right."

"Can we go any faster?" Wu asked as he, Garmadon and Misako came racing around the corner.
"It's on full power," Ronin shook his head.
"Head for that fog bank for cover!" Misako pointed to the fog settling on the ocean just a few yards ahead of us. Garmadon frowned at the unconscious captain.
"What happened to him?"
Ronin tensed.
"... he fainted."

Nya suddenly came around, shooting through the air like Iron Man as she burst strong streams of water from her hands. She landed on the ship, standing to attention with her hands on her hips.
"Hey, guys," she greeted, a little puffed.
"Show off," I snorted. Nya sent me a teasing glare. Fog began to seep amongst the boat, but from how loud the inhuman snarls sounded, I could tell the Preeminent was far too close for comfort.
"How's it going?" I asked as the remaining four ninja landed on the deck before us, looking overwhelmed. Nya shook her head.
"Not good," she muttered.
"Every time we get rid of a ghost, it just comes back a second later!" Cole exclaimed. It looked like he felt cheated.
"If we're going to destroy the Preeminent, we're going to have to do more," Wu said gravely. Isn't he just a ray of sunshine.
"Speaking of more," Ronin piped up. "We're going to need more fuel. If we turn back now we'll have just enough to get us to shore. Otherwise, if we reach Hallow's Trench, we'll be sitting ducks out there."
Hallow's Trench - that's genius! Submerge the Preeminent in water and she should disappear! Haha... I'm so smart.
"Hallow's Trench..." Kai mumbled thoughtfully. "Do you think it's deep enough to drown that thing?"
"There's one way to find out," Garmadon replied.

"Where's Lloyd when you need him?" Jay asked, crossing his arms and looking like on the verge of panicking but trying to mask his overwhelming fear.
"He's still fighting Morro," I replied, chewing on my lip in agitation. "Do you think he'll be okay?"
"He better," Ronin grumbled. "All my money is gone in an effort to keep him from dying. If he he's gone, I'm suing and asking for interest."
I was about to reply with something snarky when the ship suddenly reared up towards the sullen sky. I shrieked, grabbing onto the rail to keep me from stumbling as I heard something at the back of the boat smash. The vessel collapsed back to its rightful position, making me collapse at the foot of the rail and bonk my head.
"Oh, no!" cried Cole.
"What happened?" I asked as I stumbled to my feet, holding my throbbing forehead. Jeez. I need a break.
"The Preeminent just smashed the motor-wheel thing!" Jay exclaimed, grabbing his head. "We're stuck! We're not moving! We're going to die!"
"Get ahold of yourself!" Nya said, grabbing Jay's shoulder. "Now's not the time to let fear drive us."

Jay didn't reply (probably because he feared Nya's wrath or something I don't know. To be fair, Nya can be terrifying). Ronin stayed to steer the ship while the rest of us ran to confront the beast.
In retrospect, I probably should've been the one to stay back and steer. I couldn't even fight. By the time that thought hit me, we had already pushed through the panicking crowd and faced the impossibly close and impossibly intimidating monster.
"Oh, damn," I mumbled.
A vortex suddenly opened above the Preeminent. Out came Morro with the Realm Crystal in his grasp and a stupidly smug smirk on his face. No Lloyd.
"Oh, damn," I repeated with more emphasis.

"I did it. I finally got rid of you!" Morro said, shooketh and cheering.
"Hey!" I cried, catching his attention. "You're a dick!"
Morro scowled. I scowled back.
God, I'm a fearless idiot when there's adrenaline pumping through my veins.
"We have got to do something fast before the Preeminent destroys the boat!" Zane cried.
"We're toast!" Cole exclaimed.
"Ahhh!" Jay fell to his knees dramatically. "Tell my mum I love her!"
"Hold on, thots," Nya said as she stepped forward before pausing. "Okay, sorry I didn't mean to call you guys thots. It was a spur of the- anyway, I gotchu fam. Watch this. It's gonna be hella cool."

"Shut up and save us with your water bending!" Kai screamed.
"Hoh-kay!" Nya said as she raised her arms and summoned her water power.
"Why didn't you do this before?" I cried over the droplets of water that were whipping around haphazardly.
"I had to wait for the right moment!" Nya replied, clenching her fists as she strained. "I can only do this once!"
Nya grunted as she called upon the very depths of her soul, ordering the water to do her bidding as the boat pulled out into the ocean slowly. I peeked over the side just as a large, tsunami-like wave approached the Preeminent from behind, smashing and crashing into the back of the monster and sending her to her knees.

"Noooooo!" Morro cried in mourning, clutching the Realm Crystal to his chest and watching in horror as everything he hard worked for vanished before his eyes. Nya fell to her knees, trembling and panting and obviously drained but still snarling at the Preeminent determinedly. What a queen.
The Preeminent attempted to stand for a counter attack, but as she took a step forward, she fell straight down, almost fully submerged and flailing her tentacles. Ghosts flew around frenziedly like annoying flies in a panic.
I felt an ecstatic laughter bubble in my chest as we watched the monster slowly slink into the water unceremoniously. Morro thrusted himself up, hand a fist around the crystal and watching with disdain as he used his element to hover above the water.
"Noooo!" he wailed.

"We made it to the Trench!" Garmadon exclaimed in joy. Nya slumped against Jay, who had surprisingly immediately calmed down and was easily supporting her exhausted weight.
My hands on the rail only tightened. Great, the Preeminent was defeated. Awesome. Coolio. Where's Lloyd?
While the others cheered for the victory, my eyes scanned the sky for any sign of a vortex. Nothing. Of course, he didn't have the Realm Crystal, but I still hoped. I prayed.
"He's..." my shoulders slumped. The full weight of what happened - Lloyd's gone and in another Realm finally settled as an extraordinary heavy stone in the pit of my stomach. "... gone."

That can't be right. I refused to believe it. Lloyd couldn't be gone. The future glance - everything turned out okay! That was the only thing keeping me from having a mental breakdown. But how could Lloyd get back home without the Crystal?
A low, rumbling growl from the submerged Preeminent made me realise that during me internalization, Wu had flown out on his elemental dragon - right I forgot about his elemental dragon. A rogue tentacles swiped at him, making the dragon jerk away and for Garmadon to call out a 'be careful, brother!' in worried warning.

A second rogue tentacle shot out and wrapped like a snake around Morro's waist, making him cry out in fear. He tried to get out of the hold by using his element to keep him away from the water, but he was ever so slowly slipping towards the rippling surface of the water. He looked terrified, like he just lost everything. Despite my hatred for him, I couldn't help but feel a slither of empathy for the guy.
"Take my hand!" Wu ordered, slightly panicked as he flew his dragon beside Morro's struggling person. The said man just sneered at the sensei.
"Why?" he snarled in between struggles. I thought I could see ghostly tears trailing down his face. "So you can take the Realm Crystal and use it to find your own prized pupil?!"
"You are all my prized pupils!" Wu corrected with a strained voice. It was a struggle for him to stay strong. He outstretched his hand further. "But none of us can do this alone! You're strong, Morro, but it takes others to make us stronger! Even me!"

Morro turned to glare at the water. I found myself wanting him to just take Wu's goddamn hand already, because I was just a sucker for emotionally challenged characters, and I guessed Morro was no exception (apart from my never ending distrust and subtle dislike of him from causing Lloyd so much pain).
"Take my hand," Wu cried, louder this time, begging. "So we can be stronger together!"

"Please, Morro!"

In a moment that I would probably save in my memories for bittersweet scenes, Morro whipped out his hand and clutched onto Wu's outstretched palm as if he were a child again. H glanced down at the water before turning his head back up to Wu. His softening scowl turned into a reminiscent, dreamy smile as he seemed to accept his fate and forgive his demons.
"You can only save those who want to be saved," Morro said, softly. "Goodbye, Sensei."

With a grunt, Morro thrusted the Crystal into Wu's hand and allowed the Preeminent to slip him under the surface of the water. He steamed as his ghostly essence misted out before he disappeared into nothing.
"Morro!" Wu howled in lament, holding a hand out for his dispersed pupil. I swallowed against a sudden thickening in my throat. I was surprised at how sad I felt for Morro. Although he did terrible things, he was just a lonely boy with unresolved problems. He was no worse than anyone.
"That was..." Kai began quietly.
"Emotional," Zane finished, almost in a whisper. There was a couple of minutes of silence in respect for Wu and his passing pupil, who stared at the same spot for several beats before returning to his senses and coming back aboard.

"Let's get this ship back to shore," Misako said gently as she and Garmadon placed their hands on Wu's shoulder reassuringly. Somebody scavenged some oars miraculously, and it wasn't too long before we were on our way back to Stiix - or at least, what was the rest of it.
"Is it seriously over?" I said in a breathless mumble as Nya and I slumped against the wall of the boat's interior. "It all just... happened so suddenly."
"Yeah," she replied with a small nod and a pat on my shoulder. "It's over."
"What about Lloyd?" I asked, leaning my head back.
"Wu will get him back," Nya promised, nodding her head to the man himself as he made his way to the middle of the deck and held out the Realm Crystal. "Look, he's doing it now."

Groaning from the effort, we stumbled to our feet before hobbling over and joining the others. Wu glanced amongst us before holding the Crystal out to the sun, which was steadily emerging from behind the clouds and revealing a bright, blue sky.
A large vortex suddenly ripped across the sky above the boat, growling and swirling and generally being spooky. We held our breaths for the tedious couple of seconds before Lloyd came crashing down it, looking shaken, exhausted but relived. In his grasp was the Sword of Sanctuary.
"Lloyd!" Misako cried, plunging forward and encasing him into a tight hug. Lloyd wheezed, taken aback by the constricting grip his mother had, but still returned it anyhow. "You made it!"

"Yeah," Lloyd nodded, before pulling back and grinning at the group. "And so did you!"
"It is good to have you back," Zane said with a smile. Lloyd grinned. "You just missed-"
"Oh, I know what I missed," Lloyd said softly as he held the Sword up and stroked a hand down the glossy metal gingerly. "I caught a glimpse of what would happen next. I knew Morro had to return alone. Just 'cause I'm the Green Ninja, doesn't mean I have to save the day."
Lloyd grinned at Nya, who bashfully sent the finger guns back.
"Pew, pew," she weakly mumbled. I snorted as we shared an amused glance. "Sorry. Inside joke."
Lloyd looked confused. Amused, but confused.
"... right."

Nya and I giggled exhaustedly as the boat pulled up to a stop by the partially-destroyed docks. The traumatised citizens stumbled out, helping out each other and expressing their thanks to the ninja as they got set to salvaging what was left of their township. When asked if they needed assistance, they just gratefully smiled and shook their heads at us.
"You've already helped so much," commented a young man. "We have no way to express our full gratitude."
"Your safety is all the reward we need," Lloyd said nobly, sending the townsfolk a tired smile. There was a glint of accomplishment and pride in his green eyes.

Before I knew it, the group was clambering into the back of one of the noodle trucks while Garmadon, Wu and Misako took the cab. Lloyd stopped me and pulled me away a few paces.
"Hey," he said, flustered. He rubbed the back of his neck, running his hands through his dishevelled blonde locks.
"Hi," I breathed in reply before punching his arm.
"Ow!" he yelped, clutching his arm and sending me a confused glare. "What was that for?!"
"For scaring me!" I replied with a scowl. It quickly disappeared as I pulled him into a soft kiss.
"And what was that for?" Lloyd asked quietly. A smile played on my lips as I wrapped my arms around his neck and rested my head in the crook of his neck.
"For coming back to me in one piece."

"C'mon, loverbirds!" Kai called. "Let's go home."
We pulled back, faces flushed, happy and tired. We began to dawdle back to the truck, fingers linked.
"Check it out," Lloyd said smugly as he pulled out the Sword of Sanctuary. Up close, it was a lot more beautiful than I had initially considered. The metal was a glossy gold, inscribed with an ancient language. The handle was a light turquoise. It was actually stunning.
"It's almost as pretty as you."
My face burnt as we hoisted ourselves up into the back of the truck.
"Doof," I mumbled, embarrassed. Lloyd chuckled tiredly as we began the long journey back to Steep Wisdom.

Everybody fell asleep on the way to the tea shop, save for the adults.
I groaned as the truck pulled a stop and the back was hauled up by Cole. Everything ached. I needed a shower. My hair was greasy. I want to sleep.
Better yet, I want to e a t.
"So close to home," Lloyd mumbled as he stretched. We clambered out before swapping vehicles, trading the noodle truck for the two familiar minivans. As soon as we sat down, Lloyd's head was on my shoulder as he was already dead asleep. I softly smiled, not complaining anytime soon as I took his unspoken advice and closed my eyes.

"... hope you don't mind, but I called your mother."
Misako's voice was watery in the distance as I swam in and out of focus.
"Huh?" I mumbled, rubbing my eyes and scratching my head.
"I called your mother to pick you up from the monastery," Misako replied, voice drawling with obvious exhaustion.
"Oh... okay," I replied, going to settle back against Lloyd and fall asleep.
Wait.
My eyes snapped open.
Oh, shit.

I fumbled for my phone, pulling it out as we drove through The familiar streets of Ninjago City. Thirty-seven missed calls. I'm dead.
Oh, boy.
Noting that I really didn't want to have an argument with my mother while Lloyd slept right next to me, I shoved the phone back into my pocket and decided to deal with the mother from hell as she comes.

The drive wasn't long enough.

I sunk deeper into the seat as the smooth concrete road gave way for the gravelled driveway of the monastery. I didn't have time or energy to marvel at the beauty of the place, as my mother was already there and waiting and I honestly felt like death.
"We're home!" Garmadon cheered softly, cutting the ignition. "How much trouble are we in with your mother, Y/n?"
I whimpered at the stormy look on mum's face.
"You don't want to know, Mr. Garmadon," I replied in an intimidated, meek voice.

"Don't worry, I've got this," Misako said as she slipped out of the car and sent mum a tired but wide smile.
"M/n!" she greeted as the others left the car, too. "How are you?"
The one not to divert her rage onto other but instead just ground me, my mother was polite in return. I sighed in relief. That could've been hella awkward if she decided to blow up.
I decided to not pay attention to my impending doom, instead just focus on the small lock of blonde hair that kept getting ruffled in Lloyd's breath as he slept. He had heavy bags under his eyes and his hair was tangled like a rat's nest. Even when he looked like crap, he was still the best boy I've ever met.
I sighed, resting my forehead on his before pulling away just in time to catch a green iris as he cracked open an eye.

"Are we home?" he asked, voice cracky and raspy. I nodded.
"Yeah," I replied. "We're home."
"Good," Lloyd sighed as he began to clamber out of the car before helping me out. "I could sleep for a week."
"I think I'm grounded for a week," I grumbled, catching my mother's furious eye. I flinched. Lloyd sympathetically smiled, rubbing my shoulder before we began to make our way over to our mothers.
"... she was wonderful to have around," Misako nodded, trying to not dirty my name with my mother.Good luck. "An absolute delight. She was very helpful."
"That's very good to hear," mum said with a genuine smile. I relaxed.

"Yeah, you're grounded," she said as she turned back to me.
"Wha- Mum!" I cried.
"Uh-uh, no whining," she shook her head before shooting smiles at Lloyd and Misako. "C'mon, Y/n. Let's go home. You look exhausted. It's good to see you, Lloyd."
"Uh... yeah, likewise, Mrs. L/n."

I sent a ludicrous look to Lloyd as mum began to drag me back towards her car, who just shrugged sympathetically in return. I sighed, grudgingly realising that mum was right and I was still feeling overwhelmingly exhausted. Maybe going home wasn't too bad an idea. I felt my shoulders grow heavy and weary.
Yeah, I thought as I waved goodbye while stepping into the car.
Let's go home.