Gang of Youths
••• What Can I Do If The Fire Goes Out? •••

can you still show me the way?

can you still show me a light?

'cause i was only a kid

when i fell and you left me behind, oh

•••••

TW: death(?)

I stared at the spot where Lloyd and Morro had disappeared with darting eyes, holding my breath. Dad stood next to me, eyeing the sky with his precise glare.

"Wh- where did he..?" I trailed off, panic growing in my chest. "Where did Lloyd go!"
Dad was at a loss for words. Jonesy had appeared, huffing with exertion before swearing at the sight of the preeminent.
"What the hell..." Ronin squinted his eyes and my attention fell onto the monster. Ghosts were lifting up entire houses, attaching them to the embodiment of the cursed realm. The buildings merged with the monster, more and more attaching to her tentacles. The gaping hole in the side of her kept leaking gold but was slowly beginning to close.
The buildings kept on coming, sticking to her like glue. My eyes widened as I realised what they were doing.
"They're building her a suit," I noted in a horrified voice as I grabbed at the railing with white-knuckled fists. "They're preventing her from touching the water!"

No... no, no, nononono! This wasn't what was supposed to happen! This wasn't in the plan. Where was Lloyd? Morro? The realm crystal? Where was a clear path to victory that I so desperately wished I could see?
"And Lloyd used the power I specifically told him not to," Garmadon ran a stressed hand down his face. "If he isn't careful, that could backfire badly on him and..."
'And may never see him again' hung in the air like an unspoken threat. I gulped, deciding to focus on something that could make me feel like my chest hadn't been ripped open.
"Why is he glowing?" I asked, clearing my voice to quell the shakiness. "I've never seen him do that before. A- and he was leaking gold."
Garmadon sighed, staring hard at the preeminent.
"He's using the golden dragon fighting technique. It's an ancient fighting style used by his grandfather and it only truly works if the others bequeath him their powers," he elaborated in a rolling grumble. "But since he gave up the golden ninja title, he hasn't been able to access that kind of power again. This is just a fraction of what has been left over in him."

"A fraction?" I echoed in disbelief, tearing my eyes away from our adversary to send Garmadon an astonished look. "He blew a hole right through the preeminent and this is only a fraction?"
"There is a reason why I tell him not to use it," Garmadon shook his head as he continued. "Using this reserve power leaves him exhausted for more than a week. He is no longer the golden ninja, his body simply cannot handle this type of strain. Yet he is stubborn to no bounds."
"How can he fight if his body won't let him?" Dad asked, holding onto the railing with just as tight a grip is I as he watched the rest of the team try to keep the preeminent back. His comm crackled to life and he stepped back to answer.
"Do you think he'll be okay?" I asked in a meek voice as my eyes kept jumping to the sky, just incase a vortex decided to reappear. It was Jonesy who answered, slapping my back with an exuberant grin.

"You kiddin'?" he laughed brightly, as if we weren't facing literal hell itself. "That's Lloyd Garmadon. That's the green ninja! He can handle some ghost, easy peasy."
I sent him a fluttering smile, not quite believing his words but appreciating them all the same. Although the forced smile and the hard glint in his eyes kept his encouragement and faith from being a tad genuine, he was trying, and that was all I really needed from my family.
Besides, it would only take Lloyd a few sentences before he won Jonesy over. My godfather's a total softie and Greenie's the absolute epitome of softness. A perfect storm. I wouldn't be surprised if Jonesy marched up to city hall with adoption papers in hand by the time the week was up.
But before that, he'd actually have to return.
"Thanks, Jonesy," I murmured before dropping my eyes to the blanket that sat snugly in the crook of his elbow. "What's that?"
"Huh?" he glanced down before grinning. "Oh! It's a puppy that the lightning kid gave to me before he left. I've found him to be quite calming for my poor old heart."
I blinked. "O- okay-"

The paddlesteamer was going far too slow for comfort, merrily moving along, water sloshing against the sides of the crowded boat. As if there wasn't a creature of absolute mass destruction after us.
Said creature was lifting her new legs experimentally, unsteady as a newborn deer - though not quite as cute. She placed it down and lifted the other. Horrible sounds of debris dropping and wood smashing from the movement bounced over the water and made fear pinch at the deep recesses of my very being.
"She can walk," I noted in a strained voice.
"Let's hope she can't swim," Wu said grimly.
The puppy in Jonesy's hold whined and I felt that in my soul. I too, wanted to whine, but I held it back with gritted teeth. Now wasn't the time for tears, now's the time for houses behind flung towards uS OH GOD SHE THREW A HOUSE AT US-

"Hold on!" Misako yelled just as the house crashed into the water, a whisper away from contact. It shattered upon impact and sent a wave of water hurtling against the boat. I coughed out salt water as the boat precariously rocked on the aftershocks as it surged forth.
Ronin fell against the railing beside me as he decided to reappear, brushing water from his face. Zane encompassed the knee of the preeminent in ice but it only slowed her down somewhat. I felt my heart sink. It seemed to be unstoppable.
"I should be helping them," I cursed, wiping back some dangling locks of waterlogged hair. "I feel so useless!"
"You idiot, what could you possibly do to help the ninja instead of becoming another distraction to protect!" Ronin shouted, sending me a scowl. Rage burst in my gut and I went to retaliate, but was cut off. "Look, girlie, I understand that you want to help out, but you have to be realistic! This- this thing- it's nothing like the military shit you did with dear old dad! The weird and wild stuff is the ninja's expertise, so let them handle it!"

I stubbornly glowered, glaring out the side of my eyes. Ronin sighed and placed a hand atop my head.
Face it, Y/n," he said in a voice that reminded me of my own father's. "You're inexperienced and you're weak in this field. This isn't a battle for you to fight, not yet. Even you should understand that by now."
My face fell. Ronin was right - I am in over my head. It was a miracle I'd survived this far. Falling from the bounty, on the mountain, the trap in the caves of despair. Those were all brushes with death, the tip of my toe in a pond of certain fatality.
I made out of it alive based on nothing but pure luck. How long would my luck suffice before I slipped right into death's waiting hands?
I swallowed sharply, balling my fists. I hated it when I was proved wrong. But I couldn't find an angle to argue. It was a point, nearly tied up without a single, fraying thread for me to tug onto.

"Don't worry," Ronin said, clapping a hand over my shoulder. "The water will stop it. Then all we'll need to do is focus on getting Lloyd back."
I glanced back out at the preeminent, who was trying to step into the water. It recoiled with a thundering, rolling howl of pain and it was such a haunting sound that it made me involuntarily stiffen with fear. I almost went to sag in relief, but of course, fate had other plans. Namely plans to make our lives a living hell. Because then the preeminent pushed past the pain like a true trooper and ventured forth through the water. My nails dug into my arms.
"Or I could be wrong, you know," Ronin shrugged with a pitched, panicked voice. "That could always happen."
I shot him a disgruntled glare. My heart was thundering out of rhythm.
"You don't say," I hissed.

"I thought ghosts couldn't stand the water!" Garmadon exclaimed while Jonesy ducked away, probably in search of my father who would've been talking to the troops back on shore. "How come it's still after us?"
"Have enough ghosts at your disposal, you can pretty much do anything," Wu said gravely.
The Preeminent, although slow, was still faster than the paddle steamer. It stomped closer and closer, causing violent disturbances in the water and making the boat crash within the waves. I grabbed at the rail and Ronin heaved, face going green.
"Oh, god," Ronin struggled, resting his forehead on the bar. "I'm going to be sick."
"Throw up in the water," I offered unhelpfully. "If we're lucky, the Preeminent is a germaphobe."
"Unlikely," he grunted.

"Throw anything we don't need off the ship!" Garmadon ordered, turning to the people as the Preeminent approached. "We need to go faster!"
I lifted a foot onto the railing and Ronin grabbed my waist, pulling me back down.
"Not you, you fuckin' moron," he snapped, grabbing my arm so I wouldn't stumble and fall when the ship lurched. "What the hell are you thinking?"
"Thinking?" I blinked before I laughed humourlessly. "Oh, my brain doesn't work, silly! It hasn't for the past week! And that, my good sir, is on being sleep deprived."
I was clearly taking on Jay's joke-during-a-crisis trait and Ronin wasn't amused. He smacked the back of my head in retaliation. I yelped.
We grabbed large wooden crates full of probably important things and chucked them overboard, leaving a trail of junk in our wake. I grimaced as I watched them bonk and dunk in the wake of the slow ship.
Littering. Poor environment. It feels as if I've sinned.
I hope people clean it up after this whole mess is over.

"We're still going too slow!" I whined.
"This Captain is a joke," Ronin growled under his breath 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 hell."
Ronin sent me a glare over his shoulder. He turned to push down on the speed lever, grabbing the dark red wooden steering wheel. The boat lurched forward, kicking up in speed.
"I'm a bounty hunter," he shrugged. "Your boyfriend's a ninja. Are you really that surprised that I punched him? Because I guarantee Lloyd's done that exact same move more times than I can count."
I'm aware. I was there when he fought those thugs and I had foolishly allowed myself to be thrown into the fray. Was that really only a month and a half ago? It felt like a truly different world.
"Yeah, you're right," I sighed, gingerly stepping over the unconscious captain.

"Can we go any faster?" Wu asked as he, Garmadon and Misako came from 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 over the ocean just a few yards ahead of us. Garmadon frowned at the unconscious captain.
"What happened to him?"
Ronin tensed. Our gazes caught.
"... 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 still hot on our heels.
"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.
"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..." 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 console 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.
"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. Ronin stayed to steer the ship while the rest of us ran to confront the beast. The impossibly close and impossibly intimidating beast.
"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, because that was the only way I could portray the absolutely crushed feeling in my chest now.
"I did it. I finally got rid of you!" Morro said, shocked and cheering.
"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!" Kai yelled.
"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. Cole had quickly gone inside to shield himself.
"I had to wait for the right moment!" Nya replied, clenching her fists as she strained in effort. "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 angered disbelief, clutching the Realm Crystal to his chest and watching in horror as everything he hard worked for vanished before his eyes. I had no sympathy. Suck it, bitch-baby.
Nya fell to her knees, trembling and panting and obviously drained. Jay fretted over her, body shaking from fear.
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. This was it! We're winning!

Morro threw himself up, hand a fist around the crystal and watching with disdain as he used his wind powers to hover above the water.
"Noooo!" he wailed. "We were so close!"
"We made it to the Trench!" Garmadon exclaimed in joy. Nya slumped against Jay, finally relaxing at those sweet, sweet words.
My hands on the rail only tightened as my brief flash of joy drained away. Reality set in again, hitting harder than I could take it.
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 he could make it out - maybe another fantastical fighting technique? Maybe... maybe fate just pulled a few strings..?
But my hope was naive and futile. A crushing weight settled on my chest and I felt my throat close up.
"He's..." my shoulders slumped. The realisation of what happened - Lloyd's gone and stuck in another realm finally set in. "... gone."

That can't be right. Lloyd couldn't be gone. The vision in the tomb - everything turned out okay!
We were supposed to get married. Have a kid. We were supposed to have a future together! How could it just... how could it be ripped away from me? Mercilessly, heartlessly. Just as I began to grow excited for what our lives had in store for us.
He's gone.
He's gone.
My breathing shivered as I stepped back. I bumped into a body and it was my dad, a sympathetic look in his eyes.
"Papa..." I choked out, eyes growing watery. "He's... he's gone!"
"Oh, kiddo," he murmured as I dug my face into his chest and tried desperately to keep it together. His large arms wrapped around me and I felt like a little kid again, needing comfort from my desperate trembles. "I'm so sorry."

Garmadon crying out for his brother to be careful made me peek my eyes open, vision blurry from tears. The vague shape of Wu's dragon flew in a spot above the withering beast.
A rogue tentacle shot out and wrapped like a snake around Morro's waist, making him cry out in fear. My ears were ringing and they were too far away for me to hear, so I just apathetically stared at the pair as Wu held out a hand for the ghost.
Morro turned to glare at the water.
"Take my hand," Wu cried, louder this time, begging, and I could actually hear his words. "So we can be stronger together! Please, Morro!"
Morro had paused. He said something softly as he held his old mentor's hand. The ship was silent as we all watched the exchange.

But then Morro let go and he slipped into the water, dissolving as soon as he made contact.
I dug my face into dad's chest again, not wanting to think about how heartbreaking this day had been but the images flew in front of my brain, anyway.
I didn't want to feel bad for Morro, considering the trauma he caused, but my poor heart shattered anyway. Maybe I was already fragile from Lloyd. Maybe I was a sucker for emotionally challenged characters.
Still, nobody deserved to die. Not even... not even Morro.
"It's over," my dad whispered into my hair, hands rubbing soothing circles on my back. "It's over, kiddo."
But I didn't want it to be - because that would mean things would have to go back to normal, but how could I go back to normal without Lloyd? How could Ninjago itself go back to normal without the green ninja? How would his family? It wouldn't even be a sense of normal - it would always feel like something was missing.

"We should get these people back to shore," Zane said quietly.
"Already on it," Jonesy murmured. "Troops are on their way with the remaining boats that still work."
"Is... is Lloyd Garmadon the green ninja?" asked somebody from the crowd. I stiffened - though, if Lloyd wasn't here, what difference would it make?
Misako and Garmadon shared a look. Kai sighed softly and pulled out his phone, dialling a number.
"Skylor?" he asked quietly. "We need Neuro at Stiix a-sap."
The boats came crawling towards us and despite the growing murmuring of the crowd, everything sounded deathly silent to my ears.
The next hour was a blur. We returned to the shore where the military had set up emergency first aid stations, already tending to civilians. The ninja were taken to a more private area with Garm and Misako. I was grabbed by a lady who I knew the face of but not the name. Not like I was speaking, anyway.

Wu was still out by the destroyed paddle steamer.

"If it's any consolation," dad said as he sat beside me while my head and chest were taken care of. "I take back what I said about Lloyd. And his family, I suppose."
A weak smile crawled across my lips. It didn't reach my eyes.

"Thanks, dad."