Chapter Text
4 Months Ago…
‘Damn it, here we go again…’
The Legendary Green Ninja was no stranger to being captured; it was a recurring plot point in his life story. Even as a kid, he couldn’t escape it, from snake people to his now-found family.
But that was then, done, gone in the past. Now he had to figure out exactly what had happened. He instinctively rubbed the side of his neck with his shoulder; it ached and stung, though he couldn’t remember why. His wrists and ankles throbbed from the tension of his restraints, his mouth heavy with the gag over it, his eyes blind behind a blindfold. His brain struggled to piece together the events that had put him here.
“Hello? Who’s there? Mr Frohicky?” Lloyd called out into the empty halls of the Monastery, filled only with crooked picture frames and broken glass. He had arrived only a few short moments ago, rushing to the building after receiving a distress call from someone he believed to be the assistant keeper of the Monastery. When no one answered his question, he drew his sword, gifted to him by his uncle before the merge. He didn’t know who or what was there, but they now knew he was, and it unnerved him. The golden sword reflected off the single light, flickering on and off from above.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, he heard a muffled cry from behind him. He flipped around immediately to see what made the sound, only to be greeted with nothing but a slightly ajar door to the living room. Light crept out of the crack between the wall, illuminating the side of the hallway, revealing slash marks that penetrated the wooden surface, leaving splinters sticking out in a uniform direction.
Feeling the weight of the scene, Lloyd’s chest tightened. He feared for Mr Frohick and his safety. ‘Where was he? What happened?’ He knew he needed to find the older frogman, fast. So, with sword in hand, he inched towards the lit room, hoping to see what was going on
‘How did I get here?’ His mind was still hazy, but he got the gist of it. He most likely was knocked out as soon as he made it in. Or maybe before? After? ‘Does it really matter?’ No, no it didn’t. He still got kidnapped, finding out when he did wouldn’t change that fact.
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“Finally, I was starting to think you couldn’t handle something so important, Rapton, but I guess you’ve proved me wrong this time.”
“Relax, Empress, the mission went off without a hitch. I nabbed the ninja while the Claws of Imperium distracted the others. Who knew tasers would be so useful when kidnapping?”
“Most people, Rapton. Now leave. I’d like to speak with the Green Ninja alone.”
‘Sh#t, what does she want?’
“Uhgg, fine.”
“But before you go, take off his blindfold and remove the tape. It shouldn’t be that hard for you to do,” she sighed. “And go get LaRow for me, tell her her newest ‘project’ has arrived.”
‘Project? Is she talking about me? Why me though?’ His mind rummaged through ways of escape. ‘I could attempt to break these cuffs with my elemental powers. It's uncharted territory for me then; I’ve barely seen the inside of this place.'
With a quick, stinging rip and a tug, the Green Ninja could see again. In front of him was an oversized throne, made for the ruler of Imperium. ‘Hump, acts like a monarch to me… Or dictator? I don’t know, I never ended up asking Zane when he taught me.’ Looking up revealed the face of the ruler, Empress Beatrix. Her face showed annoyance with a hint of pride. She towered over him from above, glaring at the sight.
“So, did you bring me here just to stare down at me? Or are you actually going to get out of your throne made of lies and suffering?”
“You have no right to be talking right now, ninja. Not after you stole all my dragons to use for yourself!”
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‘Ugh, I hate how she just bosses everyone around like we’re her mindless slaves. Why did I even come here… Right, hunting. Not like we do much of that anymore.’
Rapton hated working for Beatrix, and she hated him back. But he didn’t care, actually; he found it amusing. Whenever he could make something go wrong, he would, just to spite her. Hunting dragons was the only thing he took seriously, which is why the Empress put up with him and his shenanigans. But now that he was no longer tasked with capturing them, Beatrix was losing all faith in him, and he was losing faith in her too. She had become obsessed with the Ninja, planning ways to get them back for freeing all the dragons. She lost all care about the energy crisis in Imperium. The Claws now used to distract the Ninja and to kidnap, what a disgrace on their legacy as the highest honor in the Imperium army.
So lost in thought, he almost missed the door for the Advanced Systems Lab. He shook his head to try to clear his head. What was he there for? ‘Right, Beatrix wants LaRow to pick the new project, whatever that means… Probably something stupid like another hologram device.’
“Heyyyy, LaRow! Beatrix says your ‘new project’ is here. She wants you to go and get it. Better not keep her waiting for too long, she’s in an ‘excellent’ mood right now.”
“Sigh, Rapton, how many times have both the Empress and I told you to call us Empress Beatrix and Dr LaRow. It’s honestly quite rude not to use the titles that we worked so very hard to earn. You really need to start being more respectful, or the tiger is going to be your roommate.”
“Ok, ok, sheesh, I get it, L-uh, Dr LaRow.”
“You'd better, now, I’m off to collect my assignment.”
‘What is going on?’ “What is it anyway? Another hologram? Photac maybe?” He knew he wasn’t allowed to ask questions about LaRow’s ‘projects’, BUT Beatrix had told him that it was here, so in theory, he was a part of this one.
“Rapton, you know as well as I that you are not supposed to dabble in these types of affairs. I have no idea why the Empress even told you it was here. She’s lucky you don’t have enough brain cells to figure out what is happening here. If I were you, I’d keep my mouth shut and forget anything she told you about this, or else she’ll find a way to make you…”
“OK, ok, my bad. I just thought since she told me that it was here, I thought I was included, guess not.”
“Go, I’m sure the other Claws need you right now. Plus, I’m closing the lab for the night, so you either get out or you can spend the night on the floor.”
“I get it! I guess, see you tomorrow, Dr LaRow.”