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General Kozu stood atop the entrance to the large pit of Dark Matter, staring down at his fellow Stone Warrior's below, harvesting the substance for Garmadon's 'Ultimate Weapon'. Kozu's lower set of arms crossed behind his back as he started to walk down the steps. Kozu made it to the bottom, walking around the Warrior's holding crates of the Dark Matter.
"General, why must we collect this. We listen to the Overlord, not him." A Scout had asked, gently tugging at the General's arm, staring up at him. He understood, of course. The Warrior's mean well, but were confused by the work they were asked of. Kozu let out a grunt, glancing behind him. Garmadon was staring down at him.
"Garmadon is listening to the Overlords words, we mustn't disobey." Kozu replied, pointing for the Scout to get back to work. Making it seem like he was telling them to continue. The Scout nodded, turning away from the General and heading back into the pit. Garmadon snarled at the lack luster work most of the Warrior's are doing.
"KOZU!" Garmadon called out, stomping his foot to the ground. A few pebbles and rocks fell from the area Garmadon had stomped. Kozu muttered a few things under his breath before walking back up the steps to Garmadon. Kozu grunted before speaking.
"Yes, Lord Garmadon?" The General said, crossing his top set of arms over his chest plate. The deep voice reverberating within the pit.
"Your insolent Warrior's. They aren't working! They are just standing there not bothering to work!" Garmadon snarled, throwing his arm in the direction of the non-working Warrior's. Kozu rolled his eyes, glancing in their general vicinity, they were standing over a robotic falcon on the table.
"They are working." Kozu began. "I had set them to guard the area. We feel the Ninja will be appearing soon. That falcon belongs to one of them." Garmadon get out a huff. Holding his head up, he eyed the General.
"I'm done with those...Children. And done with that tone! Just go...get them working or whatever." Garmadon shook his hands infront of Kozu, waving him away. Kozu sighed, walking towards the table of Warrior's.
"Garmadon is upset with your 'laziness'." Kozu said as he stood next to them. The Warrior's turned to Kozu and laughed. Truth be told, Kozu wanted to laugh as well. The way Garmadon thought they weren't working. Laughable.
"Laziness?! What laziness, we are protecting the island!" One snapped, responding quiet upset. Kozu placed a gentle hand on the Warrior's shoulder, comforting them in the best way he could.
"I know, I tried to explain but he shoved me off. Now tell me, any sign of the Ninja?" Kozu quickly asked, changing the subject off Garmadon. His eyes looking at the robotic falcon on the table. The Warrior's shook their head.
"Nothing yet, General. The Scouts have be pacing infront of the gates since they've been built." Kozu narrowed his eyes. his head turned towards the direction of the gates, eyes narrowing.
"Why? Are they nervous about encountering them?" Kozu asked, now looking back towards the table of Warriors. The Warrior's shook their heads again.
"No, Garmadon keeps telling then to stay at the gates when they try to switch with the Sentries. It feels he doesn't want to see them." A Swordsman said. Kozu's eyes widened then narrowed again. He let out a low growl as he turned away from the table and stormed over to Garmadon's hut. Kozu walked up the steps, standing in front of the hut's door, debating on knocking or busting it down in anger. Kozu decided against the latter, playing it calm as to not upset the "Leader". Kozu lifted up his hand and gently knocked on the bamboo door.
"Come in, I guess." Kozu cursed at the blandness of the other.
Kozu opened the door, slouching as he stepped in. He kneeled in front of Garmadon, holding his head up to look at him.
"What do you need, General?" Garamdon asked, his aditude from earlier diminished. Kozu huffed.
"I came to ask why my Scout's haven't switched with the Sentries." Kozu watched Garmadon's face contort to confusion.
"The Scouts? Are they meant to switch?" Garmadon asked, throwing his legs over the arm of his make-shift throne. Kozu blinked. The Stone General wanted to bash in the Dark Lord's head right then, but stopped.
"Yes, My Lord. They so have to switch, they tire easily since the Sentries aren't meant to stay for long periods." Kozu grimaced. He hated the stupidity this man had. Garmadon's eyes narrowed.
"I see, I would think being made of stone would allow for a lack of tiredness. Seems though, I am wrong." Garmadon laughed, throwing his head back as he did. "Tell them they can be released, then."
Kozu made a light growl, nodded, the made his way back to the door. He exited the hut, letting out a sigh. He wanted to scream at the Dark Lord, but wouldn't have been the best. Kozu walked across the bridge, heading over to the entrance of their little guarded area. Kozu hastily walked down the steps, heading over to the large gate. The Bowmen gave the Stone General a wave as he stepped closer.
"Stand tall, the General is here!" A Swordsman snapped, hitting his partner on the head. The Warriors hat had fallen off at the hit. The Scout fumbled to pick up his hat and stand back up. Kozu let out a soft chuckle.
"At ease, brothers." Kozu smiled under his stone mask, stepping closer to the gate.
"General, what brings you to the gate?" A smaller Swordsman asked, lowering his head slightly. Kozu grumbled, motioning for the Scouts to come down from their posts.
"I was told by others that the Dark Lord hasn't been allowing you switch off with the Sentries? Is that true?" Kozu watched the Warrior's step down from the gate posts, eyes going back and forth between another. Kozu kneeled down, taking each of their hands in his own. "You are free to speak, I promise."
"It is true, General. The Dark Lord hasn't been letting us." The smaller Scouts glanced off to the side, holding onto the General's hand tighter. Kozu's eyes softened.
"I do apologize for Garmadon's behavior." Kozu said, softly, pulling the Warrior's into a tight embrace. "I have spoken to him, you can take your rests. Switch with the Sentries, brothers."
The Warrior's let out shouts of excitement. They gave Kozu rushed thanks, running off to get the Sentries.
Kozu turned around and began walking back to the pit. The island began getting dark. Darker then usual. Night was apon them. Kozu stared up at the sky, watching the darkend clouds become darker. The glow from his armor shone brightly infront of him, the green filling up a small area around him. Kozu stood over by the pit once again, looking down at the small glows running around beneath him. Kozu sat himself down near the edge, shutting his eyes, and placing his four hands in his lap.
He sat still, listening to the winds, the sounds of the Warrior's walking and running around, the occasional sound of stone hitting stone. Thats made him smile lightly. And then the pleasurable sound sudden of rain beginning to fall. The sound of rain hitting his armor soothed him, he liked the calmness of the night. As it got darker, the others began stopping their work, as to not mess anything up for Garmadon's weapon. Some began heading to secluded areas to rest, while most played in the rain, throwing mud at one another. A few had taken notice of their General sitting at the edge of the pit, eyes closed, as still as the statue they once were.
They decided to join him, running up the steps and over to Kozu. Mud covered, the Warrior's sat with him, chirping with delight as they continued to play.
Kozu, lost in his calm state, did not notice the Warrior's joining in on his resting. Though his eyes opened feeling someone of a smaller stature crawl into his lap.
One of the more smaller Warrior's had sat on his legs, well more of his hands. Kozu glanced next to him, seeing a couple Swordsman leaning on his side. Finally resting after playing in the mud. The light purrs they made everything more calming.
Kozu's lower arms manuvered from under the Warrior. His left wrapping around the Swordsmen, pulling them closer to him, while his right arm resting on the ground. The calmness of the night soothed everyone, it was the less chaotic times they had. Kozu felt someone put their hands on his shoulders.
"General, why do you not rest like the others?" A Warrior had asked, leaning against Kozu's back. Kozu let out a small purr as the Warrior placed his head on Kozu's shoulder.
"What do you mean, little Warrior?" Kozu asked softly, carefully leaning his head away from the Warrior. His upper right managed to get free, allowing him to caress the warriors head.
"The others rest laying down, or on eachother, on make-shift beds, you...you just sit here. I was curious on why." The Warrior muttered, leaning into the touch as his hands messed with the General's shoulder pad. Kozu hummed, glancing at the Swordsmen and the small Warrior in his lap.
"I like to give others comfort. As everyone needs rest, everyone needs comfort. As they may not need it all the time, it is nice to know someone is there to give it." The Warrior walked infront on Kozu, also standing near the edge of the pit. Kozu looked at him worryingly. "Is something wrong?"
The Warrior let out a huff sitting down at the edge of the pit, looking down into the darkness.
"Garmadon must not understand the meaning of comfort. He had seen a Warrior cry after breaking his helmet, but told him to 'suck it up' as if it can be...fixed in a way. The rest of us held him close, finding a way to patch the missing pieces together." Kozu let out another hum as the Warrior dangled his legs over the edge, lightly kicking them back and forth. Kozu was about to speak before another voice spoke up.
"Kozu, I need to speak with you." Kozu turned his head slightly, seeing Garmadon stand behind him. All four arms behind his back. Kozu huffed, lifting the Warrior off his lap and carefully moving the Swordsmen. Kozu stood up, dusting off his armor, walking up to Garmadon.
"Yes, my Lord?" Kozu said, bowing his head slightly. Garmadon rest a hand on his hip as he looked at the General.
"Are..all of you that...'snuggly'?" Garmadon asked, motioning to the two Swordsmen now laying atop eachother. Kozu looked back to Garmadon and nodded.
"Yes, Lord Garmadon. We are. We've been together for centuries, we all have a great bond with eachother." Kozu stated, folding his upper arms over his chest. Garmadon huffed, turing to walk off. The Warrior looked to Kozu.
"May I asked what he said?" He asked, standing up, getting closer to Kozu. Kozu let out a hum, turning towards the smaller Warrior. He stepped closer to the Warrior.
"Just asked about our, 'snuggly-ness' in his words. He doesn't understand the bonds we have." The Warrior nodded, reaching out to hold onto Kozu's hand, the more reachable one. Kozu greatfully took the Warrior's hand, walking with him around the walled off area. The soft patters of the rain sounded pleasant to Kozu, listening to it bounce of his armor. The smaller Warrior clung to him tighter, holding onto his arm then just his hand.
"What troubles you, small one?" Kozu asked, stopping in his place, looking down at the Warrior. The smaller Warrior shook slightly. Kozu knelt down, placing a hand on the Warrior's shoulder.
"Nothing, really, I just..feel comforted." Kozu hummed, standing back to to continue on his walk. He stared up at the sky. The ever so dark clouds lightening. Kozu let go of the Warrior's hand.
"Go find your group, the sun should be rising." Kozu stated. The Warrior nodded, running off in the opposite direction they had been facing. Kozu began walking forward again, his arms linked behind his back. He needed to work on getting everyone back to the Dark Matter. As he walked through groups of Warrior's, he noticed something off.
The Warrior's seemed out of it. They weren't as feisty as they usually were. Kozu was concerned, as much as he wanted them to rest, the Dark Matter collection was of more importance. Kozu set the Warrior's off to work, making sure Garmadon wasn't on his heels, nagging at him about why no one has been working. The General paced back and forth at the edge of the pit, hoping Garmadon would leave so he could talk with the Warrior's, unfortunately, that was not happening anytime soon.
"Kozu, go check on the patrols or whatever, I can't stand you pacing." Garmadon grumbled as the Overlord floated back behind his head. Kozu grunted, nodding his head and heading off to the gates. Kozu watched the morning Patrol walk in through the gates.
"Have you spotten anything?" Kozu asked, walking closer to the gate. The Sentries jumped at the sudden voice. They collected their barrings and looked up at the General.
"No sign of Ninja, General." Kozu hummed, walking around the area some more. Kozu sighed, sitting down at a near by pond. He stared at the water, watching the rain ripple against the water.
"General?"
Kozu turned his head as a Warrior spoke. It was the one who was spoken to have broken their helmet. The Warrior stood close to the General, holding his hands out infront of him. Seemingly nervous.
"What is it?" Kozu asked, pulling the Sentry into his lap. The Warrior purred, leaning against the General's chestplate. He let out a tiny huff, eyes staring at their reflections in the pond.
"The Warrior's seem...frustrated. They need you, General..." The Warrior said softly, messing with Kozu's fingers. Kozu let out a hum of confusion, resting his top set of hands on the Warrior's shoulders.
"Frustrated? Elaborate." Kozu muttered, quieting his voice slightly. The Scout turned his head to look at Kozu, his small green eyes staring into the General's.
"The Dark Lord..none of them have rested, like we used too. It is agitating to them." The smaller one explained, holding onto bit of his armor. Kozu let out a huff. He knew someone was bound to mention it to him.
"I know, Little Warrior..But, it is hard to talk to everyone when Garmadon is standing there, barking orders for me to relay. They need their comfort." Kozu said, nuzzling the back of the Warrior's head. The Little Warrior smiled, purring more loudly. This was nice to Kozu, he loved being that comfort for the others. He loved hearing the soft purrs from the Stone Warrior's.
"Shall we go talk to them?" The Warrior asked, turning to look up at Kozu. The General hummed. Nodding.
Kozu stood up, holding the Scout in his lower set of arms. He walked back to the pit, hoping, just hoping Garmadon wouldn't be there. Kozu let out a sigh on relief. Garmadon was gone. Kozu set down the Warrior and walked down the steps. He saw the Warrior's trudging along, working slower than normal.
"My Warrior's, what troubles you?" Kozu said, making his words seemingly demending, just incase if Garmadon came back. The Warrior's let out a synced sigh, stopping their work to look at their General. The beady green eyes staring into Kozu's.
"We are over worked, General. We may be Stone, but we still feel. We are all exhausted." A Swordsman responded, fidgeting with his armor. Kozu gave him a worried look, walking closer to the group. He knelt down. Kozu let out a soft purr to the others, motioning for them to come closer. As the stepped forward, Kozu spoke.
"My deepest apologies, my Warrior's. Please, take a break..we don't need you breaking on us." Kozu said softly, patting the ground next to him. The group of Warrior's came and sat with him, leaning on him. All letting out sighs or huffs.
"What about the Dark Lord, General?" A Bowmen asked. Kozu let out a sigh. He couldn't care less about what he had to say about his Warrior's. Kozu was the only one who cared for their well-being for the Overlord's sake.
"That is not our current worries, I will deal with it when the time comes. For now, My Warrior's, rest." Kozu replied, leaning back on the ground, allowing the Army to lie atop him. He didn't mind the mud that soon covered him. Only caring about the soft purrs that shook the ground as the Army shut their eyes, snuggling into Kozu and eachother. Kozu lost all of his worries. The others lifted his sorrows, as he did theirs. Kozu paid no mind to the rain dropping into his eyes. They needed this.
Garmadon growled as he saw the Warrior's laying on the ground.
"This insufferable! I want my weapon to be finished!" Garmadon snarled, stomping his foot on the ground. The Overlord let out a low grumble as he floated into Garmadon's veiw.
"My Warrior's need rest." He cracked, going behind Garmadon's head. Garmadon muttered.
"They are stone. How do they need rest!?" The Overlord shushed him, taking Garmadon back to his hut. Kozu smiled under his mask hearing Garmadon walk away.
"Do you feel better, my Warrior's?" Kozu asked, propping up on his elbows. The Warrior's gave small hums of approval. They wanted to stay like this. Kozu smiled, leaning back down. Finally resting, for once.