Chapter 111

Heroes POV

Noah and N stood frozen in horror, their minds reeling from the sudden turn of events. The lab, once a beacon of hope, had transformed into a nightmarish battleground in mere seconds. Debris littered the floor, dust hung thick in the air, and the acrid smell of destruction filled their nostrils.

"How the hell did it come to this?" Noah muttered, his voice barely audible over the sound of crumbling concrete.

N shook his head, eyes darting around the room, assessing the situation. "I don't know, but we're in deep shit now."

The Shadowy Being's sudden appearance had caught them completely off guard. It hadn't physically interacted with them since the incident at the supermall, and even the Four Generals had kept their distance. Now, as they faced their enemies, a chilling realization dawned on them – this had all been part of a meticulously crafted plan to ensure they couldn't create a cure.

N tensed, his fists clenching as he faced the intruders. The muscles in his jaw tightened, and when he spoke, his voice was low and dangerous, a protective edge cutting through his words. "Stay the fuck away from him," he growled, positioning himself between Noah and the Shadowy Being.

The Shadowy Being turned its attention to N, tilting its head in a mockery of curiosity. When it spoke, its voice was like oil on water – smooth, yet unsettling. "Ah, the future self. How noble of you to try and change things. But you, of all people, should know... some fates are written in stone."

Noah's mind raced, fear and confusion warring within him. His eyes darted around the room, taking in the destruction, the fallen forms of their allies, and finally landing on the vial of the cure. It lay there, tantalizingly close yet impossibly out of reach, mocking him with its proximity.

"What do you want?" Noah managed to ask, his voice hoarse with dust and terror. He tried to sound defiant, but the tremor in his words betrayed his fear.

The Shadowy Being leaned in close, its presence cold and oppressive. Noah could feel the chill emanating from it, seeping into his bones and making his infected flesh crawl. "Why, I want you, Noah," it purred, its voice a sinister caress. "You and your remarkable Creation ability. It's time you fulfilled your true purpose."

One of the Four Generals stepped forward, his metallic voice grating as he spoke. "The infection has nearly run its course. Soon, he'll be one of us." The General's eyes glowed with an otherworldly light, fixed on Noah with an intensity that made his skin crawl.

Despite the fear coursing through him, Noah felt a surge of defiance. He could feel the rot spreading through his body, but he wasn't about to give in without a fight. "Never," he spat, mustering all the venom he could. "I'll never join you, you twisted freaks."

The Shadowy Being's laughter was like ice cracking, sending shivers down Noah's spine. "Oh, my dear Noah. You don't have a choice. Your transformation is inevitable. But first..." It gestured to the Four Generals, its movement fluid and unnaturally graceful. "Dispose of the others. They're no longer needed."

As the Generals advanced towards N, Noah struggled against his bonds with renewed desperation. Panic clawed at his throat as he reached for his Creation ability, trying to manifest something, anything that could help. But the infection seemed to twist his efforts, the energy sputtering and dying before it could take form. It was like trying to grasp smoke – the more he reached for it, the more it slipped away.

N backed away, his eyes darting between the approaching Generals and Noah's trapped form. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he realized the gravity of their situation. "Noah, listen to me," he called out, his voice urgent and strained. "Whatever happens, don't give in. Fight it with everything you've got. The future – hell, all of reality – depends on it!"

The Shadowy Being waved a dismissive hand, its patience wearing thin. "Enough of this tedious banter. It's time to leave. We have much to discuss, Noah, about your role in the new world order."

As the Four Generals engaged N in combat, their powers clashing in a spectacular display of light and energy, the Shadowy Being reached out toward Noah. Its touch was like ice, seeping into his very being. Noah felt himself being pulled, not just physically, but on some deeper, metaphysical level. It was as if the very fabric of his existence was being unraveled and rewoven.

The last thing Noah saw before darkness engulfed him was N fighting desperately against overwhelming odds, and the cure lying just out of reach on the debris-strewn floor. As consciousness slipped away, Noah clung to one final, desperate thought: he had to resist, had to fight the infection and the Shadowy Being's influence. The fate of not just his world, but all realities, hung in the balance.

N stared in horror as he watched his younger self stand up almost immediately, brushing the debris off effortlessly despite being pinned moments ago. A cold dread settled in the pit of his stomach as Noah turned to face him. N knew something was wrong the second their eyes met. Noah's eyes were dead and empty, devoid of the spark that had always defined him. It was as if the essence of Noah had been hollowed out, leaving behind nothing but a shell.

"No," N whispered, his voice barely audible. "This can't be happening."

The Shadowy Being took a couple of steps forward, its movements fluid and predatory. It scooped up the vial of the cure as if it were a mere trinket, twirling it between its fingers with casual disdain. "I'm surprised you managed to make a cure, but again..." Its gaze shifted to N, who was still holding his own against the Generals, though outmatched. "You have a very good destiny."

It patted Noah on the head, the gesture almost paternal if it wasn't so chilling. Then, it issued a command that made N's blood run cold. "Go kill your future self before coming back here so I can kill you."

N frowned at the Shadowy Being, his mind racing to find a way out of this nightmare. He turned his attention back to Noah, who was now focused on him with a chilling intensity. The look in Noah's eyes was that of a predator sizing up its prey, and N knew that the battle ahead would be unlike anything he had faced before.

"This is going to be both annoying and stressful," N muttered to himself, his eyes darting around the room. Everyone here was an enemy now, and he needed to find a way to get out of this situation with both him and Noah alive if they wanted any chance of saving the future.

As the Shadowy Being's influence tightened its grip on Noah, N steeled himself for what was to come. He knew that the battle ahead would test not only his strength but also his resolve. The weight of multiple realities pressed down on his shoulders, threatening to crush him. But he couldn't afford to fail. The future – not just his own, but countless others – depended on it.

"Alright, Noah," N said, shifting into a fighting stance. "Let's dance. And I promise you, I'm going to knock some sense back into that thick skull of yours, even if I have to beat it in."

As Noah lunged forward, his movements unnaturally fast and precise, N prepared himself for the fight of his life. The fate of all realities hung in the balance, and he was determined to fight for it, no matter the cost. The battle that would determine the future of everything was about to begin.

N and Noah faced each other in the debris-strewn lab, the air thick with tension. Noah, under the Shadowy Being's influence, moved with an eerie, unnatural grace, his eyes devoid of the warmth they once held. N could see the rot spreading across Noah's body, the infection twisting his features into something almost unrecognizable.

"Noah, you have to fight it!" N pleaded, dodging a swift jab. "This isn't who you are!"

But Noah's response was a guttural growl, his movements swift and relentless. N ducked and weaved, avoiding Noah's attacks with practiced precision. He couldn't bring himself to strike back, knowing that harming Noah could jeopardize the future they were fighting to save.

The Shadowy Being watched from the shadows, its presence a constant reminder of the stakes. It seemed almost amused by the struggle as if relishing the conflict between the two.

N knew he had to end this without hurting Noah. "Shadowy Being!" he called out, narrowly avoiding a powerful kick. "I want to make a deal!"

The Shadowy Being's attention shifted to N, its form rippling with interest. "A deal?" it echoed, its voice smooth and mocking. "What could you possibly offer me?"

N took a deep breath, knowing this was their only chance. "Leave Noah alone. Let him go, and I'll leave this Dream Coma. You can have him all to yourself, without my interference."

The Shadowy Being considered the offer, its eyes narrowing. "And why would I want that?"

"Because I'm the wild card," N replied, his voice steady despite the fear coursing through him. "I'm from a future you haven't seen. As long as I'm here, there's a chance your plans could be disrupted. Let me go, and Noah stays trapped here, under your influence."

A tense silence followed the only sound of the labored breathing of both combatants. Finally, the Shadowy Being let out a low, chilling laugh. "Very well. I accept your terms. You may leave this Dream Coma, but Noah remains."

With those words, Noah's assault faltered. He stumbled backward, clutching his head as if trying to shake off a fog. The otherworldly glow in his eyes flickered and died, replaced by confusion and pain. He collapsed to the ground, his body wracked with tremors as the infection's hold on him weakened.

N rushed to Noah's side, kneeling beside his younger self. "Noah? Can you hear me?"

Noah's eyes fluttered open, unfocused and filled with pain. He tried to speak, but no words came out. His body was a mess of decay and mutation, barely clinging to life.

"I'm sorry," N said softly, his voice choking with emotion. "I have to go now. But don't give up. Keep fighting. The future depends on it."

As N stood to face the Shadowy Being, he felt a pulling sensation, as if he was being drawn away from the Dream Coma. The last thing he saw was Noah lying on the ground, confusion and fear etched across his face.

Noah lay on the cold, debris-strewn floor, unable to move. His mind was foggy, the events of the past few minutes a blur of confusion and pain. He could feel the infection still coursing through his body, the rot spreading with each passing second.

As he watched N fade away, returning to the real world, Noah realized the gravity of his situation. He was trapped here, in this nightmare realm, with no way out unless the Shadowy Being allowed it.

The Shadowy Being loomed over him, its form rippling with dark energy. "Welcome to your new reality, Noah," it said, its voice dripping with malice. "I hope you enjoy your stay."

Noah tried to speak, to defy the entity, but no words came. His body refused to respond, leaving him helpless and immobile. As consciousness threatened to slip away once more, Noah's thoughts turned to the future. What would become of him now? Was he doomed to remain here, a prisoner in his mind?

Despite everything, a small part of Noah clung to hope – hope that somehow, someway, he could still find a way to escape and save the future. But for now, he was at the mercy of the Shadowy Being, trapped in a Dream Coma with no clear way out.

…

Lloyd POV

I stared at Noah's rotting body, a visceral reminder of how dire his situation had become. The stench was putrid, so overwhelming that it was a wonder he was still breathing at all. Black veins spider-webbed across his skin, pulsing with otherworldly energy that both repulsed and fascinated me. His once vibrant eyes were now sunken and glassy, barely registering the world around him.

My gaze shifted to our mother, Misako, who was weeping inconsolably while Sensei Wu tried to comfort her. It seemed as though Noah didn't have much time left. The sight of her grief stirred something within me, but it wasn't sympathy.

Annoyance bubbled up, threatening to overflow. Did she even care when I was cast aside? Considering how heartless she was, abandoning me and choosing Noah over me when I sought her out at nine years old, I wouldn't be surprised. Yet, seeing her weep for Noah filled me with disgust. Where was this motherly love when I needed it?

Even the gang looked depressed, which struck me as strange. Kai, the hotheaded fire ninja, stood with his fists clenched, barely containing his anger. Nya, usually so composed, had tears streaming down her face. Cole, the strong and steady earth ninja, looked lost and helpless. Jay, typically a bundle of nervous energy, was unnaturally still, his eyes fixed on Noah's decaying form.

Why would they care about someone who had turned his back on them? Noah was the one who abandoned them, yet they acted as if it were the other way around. I couldn't help but roll my eyes; I couldn't believe I had lost to these imbeciles in another timeline.

Still, I wondered who had put Noah in this state. Deep down, I suspected it was that entity that had warned me of the prophecy. It must have it out for Noah to leave him like this. Once again, I found myself annoyed, but not at my biological mother this time.

How dare that entity take my prey? I had been planning on killing Noah myself, but how could I when he was already at death's door? I looked away from him; at least now I could do whatever I wanted without him interfering. Not that he could do much in the first place.

Before I could dwell on it any longer, Victor entered the room, looking more exhausted than the last time I saw him. Dark circles rimmed his eyes, and his usually impeccable suit was wrinkled and stained. He was accompanied by Mister Glasses and his father, both wearing expressions of grim determination. The old man glanced in my direction and frowned, to which I responded with a smile that didn't reach my eyes.

"Do you have a cure?" Misako asked, standing up with a face streaked with tears, her voice tinged with desperate hope. "Is there any way to save my baby boy?"

Victor's expression was grim as he shook his head, his voice heavy with defeat. "No matter how much I've looked into it, there is no cure." His nose scrunched up in distaste as he continued, "We have no other choice but to put him down."

The room fell into a heavy silence, the weight of Victor's words crushing whatever hope remained. Nya muttered, "What...?" her voice barely above a whisper.

I couldn't hold back a laugh, the sound harsh and jarring in the somber atmosphere. "Damn, they made our boy here dirty. But again, I'm not surprised."

My laughter echoed in the room, a stark contrast to the grief surrounding me. As I looked around, I realized that despite the chaos and my conflicted feelings, the situation was far from resolved. Noah lay there, teetering on the brink, and the future remains uncertain.

The tension in the room was palpable as we gathered around Noah's rotting body. Kai stepped forward, his eyes blazing with anger as he confronted me. "How can you just stand there?" he snapped, his voice rising. "Your brother is dying, and you don't even care!"

I rolled my eyes, a smirk playing on my lips. "Why should I? He's part of the reason I was abandoned and mistreated by everyone in Ninjago. Or did you all forget that?"

Nya's fists clenched, her voice trembling with rage. "That doesn't justify this, Lloyd! Noah's your family, regardless of what happened in the past."

"Family?" I scoffed, bitterness creeping into my tone. "Where was this 'family' when everyone in Ninjago treated me like dirt because of my father? Where was Noah then?"

Cole stepped forward, his expression a mix of disgust and disbelief. "This isn't about the past, Lloyd. This is about doing the right thing now."

"The right thing?" I laughed, the sound echoing coldly in the room. "Like how it was 'right' for everyone to judge me for being Garmadon's son? Give me a break."

Jay, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, finally spoke up. "I can't believe what I'm hearing. You're going to let Noah die without even trying to help?"

I narrowed my eyes dangerously, feeling the darkness within me surge. "Let him die? I'd finish the job myself if he wasn't already at death's door. It's not my fault someone else got to him first."

Misako, who had been silently observing, finally intervened. "Lloyd, please," she pleaded, her voice breaking. "This is your brother. Your twin. How can you turn your back on him like this?"

For a moment, something flickered in my eyes—a hint of the person I used to be. But it was gone as quickly as it appeared, replaced by cold indifference. "The same way all of you turned your backs on me when I needed you most."

Sensei Wu stepped forward, his wise eyes filled with sorrow. "Lloyd, this path you've chosen... it will only lead to more pain and suffering. For you and others. There is still time to turn back, to choose a different way."

My laugh was bitter and hollow, echoing off the walls. "Pain and suffering are all I've ever known, old man. Why should I care about anyone else's? You talk about choice, but where was my choice when I was cast out, feared, and hated for something I couldn't control?"

As I turned to leave, Kai's voice stopped me, filled with a mixture of anger and desperation. "If you walk out that door, Lloyd, don't ever come back. You'll be no better than the people who mistreated you."

I paused at the threshold, a cruel smile playing on my lips. "I'm already better than them. At least I'm honest about my hatred. I don't hide behind false morality or empty promises of family."

With those final words, I shrugged and walked away, the door closing behind me with a sense of finality. As I remained in the building, I found a quiet dorm room down the hall, a place to collect my thoughts away from the chaos.

I sank into a worn chair, the weight of the world pressing down on my shoulders. The confrontation with the others replayed in my mind. Their anger and disappointment were palpable, but I felt no remorse. I had made my choice, and I would not waver.

The silence of the room enveloped me, a stark contrast to the turmoil I had just left behind. I closed my eyes, allowing the darkness to wash over me. It was comforting in a way, a reminder of the power I sought. I had a mission, a destiny to fulfill, and Noah's fate was no longer my concern.

But as I sat there, I couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't over. The entity that had warned me of the prophecy was still out there, and I had a feeling our paths would cross again soon. Whatever the future held, I was determined to face it on my terms, no matter the cost.

With one last deep breath, I opened my eyes, steeling myself for what lay ahead. I had chosen my path, and I would embrace it fully. The shadows whispered promises of power and revenge, and I was ready to listen.