| XXXIV | Realm Hopping

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     "Lloyd!"

     And did he feel blessed.

     "Scar, where are you?"

     An uneven wind blew in his direction, the sand disappearing. He now had a clear sight and found her with her arm out a few yards away from him. Her head was hung low and she was taking deep breaths—this was a clear sign that she had been able to push Morro back, even if just for a little.

     Lloyd wasted no time in running toward her. When he was close, she took a small step forward and reached out further. He caught her hand, ready to let go of the sword to hold it in both of his.

     But she shook her head, raising it up slowly. "Don't do that." Ironically, she did what he wanted to, her smaller hands taking up one of his. "He's trying to leave you behind, Lloyd."

     "Don't worry, I caught on to that," he responded with a small nod. "I'm trying to beat him at his own game, but with him in your body... there's no way I'm leaving you behind."

     "You have to. There's no other option... his hold is too strong, and he'll use that to his advantage. Please..."

     Lloyd noticed the way she tightly shut her eyes, even clenching her teeth at one point. It reminded him of when he was possessed by Morro, struggling to break free. He wasn't sure if it was even possible for someone else to break the possession—only if Morro were to leave or if the victim were to force him out.

     "I believe in everyone. I believe in you," he told her, a soft tone to his voice now. "I know the others are working hard and winning out there. And if I can't beat Morro... I know you will."

     Scarlett looked up at him for a moment before a frown crossed her face. She dropped her head onto his chest, giving his hand a tight squeeze.

     He narrowed his eyes toward the sword for a single second, which he found himself glad for right after. In the reflection he saw her throwing a punch across his face and blowing him away with wind—that must've been Morro. And that means soon enough he'd be in control again.

     Her grip on his hand got even tighter. She spoke through gritted teeth, "The crystal... it's behind me...!"

      The gleam of the Realm Crystal shined in his eye when she moved her foot to the side. Scarlett's hands finally loosened on him, and he used the opportunity to grab at her wrists and pull them up, essentially pulling her up off the ground. He kicked the crystal away before letting go and allowing her back on the ground.

     "Fuck you," the angry voice of Morro seethed, attempting to throw a bit of a lousy punch. But as Lloyd saw that through the sword, he was easily able to swerve away from it and do a quick roll forward to grab the crystal as a smaller wind gust shot toward him. That was avoidable, too.

     The Green Ninja held both relics as he stared down his returning opponent. "Give it up, Morro. It's over."

     He pointed the tip of the crystal in the air, opening up a portal. Morro was quick to chase him as he jumped into it, and they were once again headed to another realm.

     They landed right next to a body of water with a few spikes on the sand. Lloyd looked out at the sea, the sun beginning to set, and for a second he began to think that they had returned to Ninjago.

     "Give me the crystal!"

     Lloyd turned around just in time to stop a sword from slicing his face in two. Morro literally had two golden swords that were each encased in a small tornado-like wind that just showed up out of the blue—it really threw him off.

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