- Art by OSiSO on Amino -

"The Green Ninja versus the Master of Crystal."

"What?" Kira gawks at Clouse, starting to tremble. "B-but our match isn't until tomorrow!"

"It's midnight, meaning it's already tomorrow," the sorcerer responds. "And you were never told when tomorrow you would be competing."

"Cut the crap! We know what you're doing, and it won't work!" Lloyd glowers at him. "We're not gonna fight each other. You can't make us!"

"Lloyd!" Garmadon grips him firmly by the shoulder and yanks him back. "Control your emotions, not the other way around!"

"But—"

"Stand down, son."

The blonde shoots a final glare at Clouse before reluctantly obeying his father. The sorcerer chuckles, looking smug as he beckons for the others to follow him. The Elemental Masters move as a group through the palace, the Ninja trailing nervously at the very back.

"Aw." Melody glances over her shoulder at them with a frown. "I can't imagine what they're feeling, having to fight the one they love..."

"I can," Lemon responds sadly. "It's not fun."

"Eh, that whole star-crossed lover act of theirs was getting annoying," Apollo grunts. "Personally, I'm glad I won't have to deal with any more of that sap after today."

"You know, you could try to have a little sympathy." Lemon scowls. "One of them has to lose."

"Yeah, and I'm counting on it. Have you forgotten this is a Tournament? The sooner one of them is out, the better for us."

Lemon huffs and shakes her head. Melody says nothing, still frowning. Still, there's a truth to Apollo's words neither one of them is willing to admit.

The group emerges outside and arrives at the Royal Gardens. Lloyd and Kira's stomachs both drop. Before them looms an enormous maze forged from rock; the thing looks endless, and the walls extend toward the sky, seeming to be miles high.

"Don't worry," Kai whispers, noticing his friends' discomfort. "We got your back."

Chen waits for them, seated high up in a booth that overlooks the maze. Garmadon murmurs good luck to his pupils before he and Clouse move to join him. "Hello, fighters!" the old master calls via megaphone. "Welcome to my favorite event: Maze Runners!"

Razhai perks up. "Hey, I've heard of that. Isn't it a book—"

"No! I made it up! Fully original!" snaps the old man. "The rules are simple. Hidden in the center of this maze is the Jadeblade. The fighter who finds it first wins!"

"What about the rest of us?" Apollo asks, crossing their arms. "Are we supposed to just stand here?"

Chen grins. "You get to help anyone you wish through the maze...or hurt them, for that matter. You're free to choose sides, I'm not a dictator!"

Kira's hands start to shake, and Lloyd swallows. Everyone else takes a moment to consider where their allegiances lie. Lemon and Melody pad over to Kira, looking sympathetic. Rain grits her teeth, conflicted, before finally moving to stand by Lloyd. Razhai follows her. Kai and Jay exchange glances, deciding to split up; Jay goes with Kira wile Kai goes with Lloyd. Apollo hesitates, scowling, before joining the midnight ninja.

"I'm only helping you 'cause I want him gone," they clarify, gesturing toward Lloyd. Kira's eyes narrow and she opens her mouth to object, but Chen's shouting again before she can say a word.

"Team One," he says, pointing to Lloyd's team, "your starting point will be at the other entrance, at the other end of the maze. Team Two, you will start here." He claps his hands. "Hurry up and get set!"

Lloyd and Kira exchange glances, but there's no time to talk as both teams take their places at their respective entrances.

"Lloyd Garmadon, Master of Energy, versus Kira Desarin, Master of Crystal!"

"On your mark..."

"Get set..."

"GO!"

The fighters charge into the maze, and the race begins.

Chen giggles, gleefully clapping his hands. "Maze Runner never fails to deliver. Did you know I hold the record with a hundred points?" he asks Garmadon. "Clouse can attest! Tell him, Clouse!"

"True story," Clouse repeats, deadpan.

"True story," Garmadon mutters. "Just like all of his far-fetched endeavors."

"There was once a time when you were quite comfortable with lying." Clouse leans in uncomfortably close. "It worked on Misako, didn't it?"

The old Sensei flinches as dark memories flood his brain. He growls and turns his back to Clouse, causing the other man to smirk.

Below them, Team Two rushes through the maze. They swerve around a bend, only to stumble upon nothing. "Ugh, dead end!" Melody huffs. "Hurry, go back!"

They scramble backward and head the opposite direction, through a section with statues lining each side. As they pass through, the statue's eyes start to glow. Lemon gasps as one fires a sizzling red laser, which narrowly misses her head.

"Statues with LASERS?!" Jay screams. "CHEN, YOU ARE ONE SICK MAN!"

Everyone shouts as they're bombarded by a flurry of lasers, leaping, ducking, and twisting to avoid them. Kira yelps as one grazes her shoulder, searing hot pain inflaming her arm. She stumbles, but Jay catches her before she can fall and keeps running. Apollo opens a portal beneath them, instantly teleporting the entire group past the statues and into a clear zone.

"Whoa." Melody blinks up at them. "Um...quick thinking. Thanks."

Apollo might've smiled, but it fades quickly. "C'mon. We need to move." Eveyone takes off, Kira wincing at her injured arm.

On the other end of the maze, Team One runs as fast as they can through the twists and turns. They reach a narrow passage, the walls lined with razor-sharp spikes; as they rush through it, the spikes fly at them. The group runs faster, ducking and dodging in a risky game of survival. Lloyd trips over his own feet in his rush, shrieking as a spike sails toward his head. Razhai snatches him up just in time, her strong arms carrying him as the group keeps going. The moment they reach a clear zone, they double over to catch their breath, panting and sweating. Lloyd utters thanks to Razhai, who nods to him.

"That was too close," wheezes Kai.

Rain takes a whiff of the air. "I can smell the others," she reports. "They're close. This way!"

She takes off, the others at her heels. They keep running until they round a corner and practically crash into Team Two. Everyone locks eyes with one another.

Apollo proceeds to lunge at Lloyd without hesitation, hands blazing with purple energy. Rain growls and starts after them, but Jay hits her with a shock wave that sends electricity rippling through her fur. The blue ninja whimpers as she snarls and turns her gaze on him, then screams as she attacks. Kai dodges as Melody sends a sound wave in his direction, while Lemon and Razhai clash in a flurry of fists, feet, and shouts.

"Go!" Lemon calls to Kira as she wrestles her opponent. "Get to the center! We'll hold 'em back!"

Kira starts, then hesitates. "Wait! Everyone stop!" she calls. "We should be fighting Chen, not each other. He's the real enemy!"

Rain growls, but her ears perk up. "What're you talking about?"

"He doesn't care about who wins. He only wants to steal our powers so he can perform some sort of spell."

"A spell?" Melody echoes as she backflips past them. "What kind of spell?"

"I don't know," Lloyd says, dodging a blast of energy from Apollo, "but we have to stay in the tournament to find out."

"You're crazy," Apollo scoffs. "You really expect us to believe that?"

"They're telling the truth!" Lemon insists. "I know."

"So why are you just now saying something?" Razhai insists. Everyone has stopped fighting at this point, opting to listen to the conversation.

"Because it's never too late to do the right thing," Lloyd tells her.

"So what do we do?"

"We finish this thing together." Kira sets her jaw. "And then we give Chen a piece of our minds."

"I like that idea!" Jay shouts. "Let's go!"

With that, the Elemental Masters take off, traversing the rest of the maze as a group. It takes a few missed turns, dead ends, and more obstacles, but they eventually find the center. The Jadeblade lies on the ground a few feet away, shimmering in the moonlight.

"We're not gonna fight for you, Chen!" Lloyd shouts. "You can't make us!"

Chen scoffs from his booth. "Are you serious? Where have you been? You've all been fighting for me this whole time!"

"Not anymore."

"I do not appreciate this little change of heart." Chen's voice grows low and dangerous. "If neither you nor Kira will win, then all of you will lose! You have ten seconds to make your choice!"

His hand hovers over the button, ready to plunge all nine fighters into the ground. Silence floods the maze. Everyone looks nervously at each other, not quite sure what to do.

Then, Kira walks forward and picks up the Jadeblade with her good arm.

"Winner!"

Lloyd's chest simultaneously tightens and relaxes. He might be losing, but Kira and the others get to stay. At least now, they'll be safe for the time being—

Kira takes a breath, grips the blade, and chucks the it across the space. It skids across the ground and lands with a clang at Lloyd's feet.

"What's this?" Chen leans forward, looking intrigued. "A new development?"

"Kira?" Lloyd stares at the blade, then at his girlfriend. "What—?"

"You heard him. It's one of us or all of us, and I didn't want it to be you," she says. "Besides...you and I both know I wouldn't have lasted in this Tournament. This is for the best."

"But—"

"Please, keep going for me." Her chestnut eyes shimmer with tears. She takes a step forward, reaching for him. "I love—"

"Alright, I'm bored!" shouts Chen. "Crystal loses!"

His hand slams down on the button, and the ground gapes beneath Kira's feet. The girl's words are cut off with a shriek as she plummets into darkness.

"KIRA!" Lloyd reaches for her, eyes burning with tears. He's almost tempted to jump in after her, but her screams have already died.

Then the trap door closes.

"Congratulations, Master of Energy," Chen says, looking less than pleased. "That is it for today. The Tournament will recommence tomorrow, once you have all rested up."

No one claps, cheers, or even smiles as they retrace their steps through the maze.
Kai sighs and shakes his head, while Jay stares at his feet. Garmadon remains stone-faced, but his eyes betray his sadness. Lloyd stumbles as he emerges, feeling sick to his stomach.

He may have won his match, but he feels like the ultimate loser.

Lip trembling end eyes watering, he turns and flees before his father, his friends, or anyone else can stop him.

——————————

Lloyd has no idea where he's going, but he runs anyway.

It wasn't supposed to happen like this. He promised Kira they wouldn't have to face one another, and when they did, he promised himself he wouldn't let her lose. He'd just gotten her back after being separated for months. Now she's gone again, and for all he knows, it could be permanent this time.

He didn't get to say that he loved her one last time, or even say goodbye.

He stumbles upon a river and sits at the bank, letting his tears fall in silence. He doesn't know how long he's been there, but by the time he comes halfway to his senses, the sun has started to rise. It's then that a soft whine reaches his ears. Lloyd looks up, sniffling. Rain stands over him in wolf form, her mismatched eyes shimmering with sympathy. She shifts back into her humanoid state, looking sad.

"Hey." Lloyd sniffs. "H-how...?"

"Did I find you?" she finishes. "I followed your scent." She gestures to the spot beside him. "Mind if I sit?"

The blonde hesitates, but quickly decides the last thing he wants to be right now is alone. He nods, and the master of animals settles down next to him. "I just wanted to say, I'm sorry your girlfriend got kicked," she says gently. "That had to be rough to watch. But hey, I'm sure we'll make it right."

Lloyd's heart twists as he stares at her. There's no way she could guarantee that. The reality of the situation is that he might never see Kira—or even Cole and Zane—ever again.

Still, though...she's trying to cheer him up. That's worth something.

He musters a smile that manages to be half-genuine. "Thank you, Rain. You're very sweet."

"Sure thing, Greenie." The wolf-eagle pauses, ears twitching. "I don't mean to sound weird, but...do you need a hug? You look like you could use one."

The Green Ninja hesitates, then nods shyly. Rain's tail wags a bit as she wraps her arms around him. "It'll be okay," she murmurs. "I promise."

They linger there for a moment longer before Lloyd pulls away, wiping his eyes. Rain gives him a smile before shifting back into wolf form and disappearing into the trees. Lloyd watches her go, feeling the tiniest bit lighter.

Maybe there is some good left in this place, scarce as it may be.

———————————

Melody heads back to her room, exhausted from a long twenty-four hours of fighting. Involuntarily, her mind wanders to the opponent she was forced to defeat, guilt stabbing at her gut. This Tournament is certainly a ruthless one, more intense than she could've imagined.

Still, she made it another day. If she keeps it up, all her dreams could come true.

Someone clears their throat, making her stiffen. The musician spins around to see Apollo standing down the hall. Her brow instantly arches. "Can I help you?"

Apollo clenches their teeth. "Look, I just wanted to say...you did pretty well out there. In your match, and in the maze."

"You're complimenting me?" Melody arches a brow. "Are you okay? Did you eat some bad noodles or something?"

Apollo rolls their eyes. "I'm serious, okay? This isn't easy for me to admit, but...I might've underestimated you. You did well out there. I've never seen a fighter as good as you. Not since me, at least."

"Yeah, well, music is more powerful than people think it is. I just want to show everyone that."

"I think you have."

Melody blinks. "Well...thank you. I guess you're not so bad yourself. You were pretty resourceful back in the maze."

"Thanks." Apollo shuffles their feet. "That's all I had to say. Guess I'll see you around, if you don't get eliminated."

"Oh, trust me." Melody smirks and places a hand on her hip. "I don't plan to."

Apollo grunts, and maybe Melody is imagining things, but the slightest hint of a grin might be playing on their lips. "Neither do I."

She stares after them as they turn and head back to their room, her lips twitching into the tiniest of smiles.

She's never noticed until now how pretty their eyes are.

———————————

Kira wishes she could fight the cultists currently manhandling her, but she realizes how little good that will do her.

Instead, she ignores how hard they're tugging on her injured arm as she's dragged through the island's passages, the same ones she'd journeyed through with her friends just days before. Her stomach churns like a whirlpool, heart racing in her chest at the thought of what awaits up ahead. Even so, she doesn't try to escape. She'd accepted things long ago, the moment she decided to lose the match.

Her fate is sealed.

This is for the best, she reminds herself. Lloyd's the most powerful here, he had to move on. A weakling like you wouldn't have lasted long, anyway.

Chanting reaches her ears as they enter Chen's cave. The cultists drag her forward, throwing her to her knees before the master himself.

"Aww, how sad," Chen coos. "Two star-crossed lovers, forced apart by fate. Shame you'll never have a happy ending."

Kira lifts her chin and glares up at the old man. "Your days are numbered," she spits. "Whatever you're planning, my friends will stop you."

"Ha! Don't be a fool. Your friends will end up like you before they dare to challenge me again."

Kira shows her teeth, but says nothing more. Her gaze travels to the Staff of Elements, taking note of the crystal inside. The staff's power must come from it, she concludes, but how she isn't sure.

"Now, don't be frightened, girl," Chen sneers. He strides toward her, eyes gleaming hungrily. "This will only hurt..."

He raises the staff, a wicked grin slithering across his face.

"...a lot."

Kira lets out an ear-splitting scream as the staff's magic strikes her. The cultists release her and she doubles over, gasping, onto the ground. Agony like she's never known grips her—she can feel the power being ripped from her body, ounce by ounce, like a layer of skin being painfully shed. Black spots dance across her vision and she shuts her eyes, tears spilling, as another guttural scream tears through her throat.

Make it stop...please, let me slip away...

Just as she's convinced she's going to die, the pain ceases. Chen sets the staff down, cackling as he absorbs his newfound power, while Kira collapses in a sweating, tortured heap.

"Take her to the factory," the old master barks as he turns away. "I'm sure those nimble hands of hers will be well-suited for work."

Kira's barely conscious as she's dragged back down the dark passageway. Never before has she felt so weak—it's as if every organ in her body has been ripped out, leaving a useless pile of flesh and bones behind. Her eyes droop as exhaustion rapidly starts to take over.

Lloyd, guys, Sensei Garmadon, she thinks as she slips into slumber. You're our only hope. Please...save us all.

In her last moments of consciousness, the kind eyes of her lover flash in her mind. One final thought makes its way through her brain before she goes under.

Be safe, my love.