▬promise of particles▬lloyd x FEM!reader▬

Rise and- Shit, We're Out of Time :160:

"What if we did this drill together?" Nya asked, looking to Egalt. "You say Rising Dragon technique is about finding the harmony in everything. So that extends to finding harmony with each other, right?"

Kai looked wearily at her, still calming down from his flare up (literally.. he got so mad he almost lost his own hair on fire..?). "What?!"

Humming, Egalt agreed with what she said.

Grabbing Kai's shoulder, she grinned. "So let my brother and I try this together."

Watching from the top of the steps, you bounced your leg up and down, trying to figure out a solution. To what? You weren't sure. Too many problems to single them out.

"This is unprecedented, but I do not see any problem with it." Egalt grumbled, shaking his head. "Though, it will most likely end in failure."

You watched as they walked to the center, giggling and playfully pushing each other.. It reminded you of Gio, how he'd shove you away from the ice cream machine after you spent too long teasing which flavor you'd get. How he'd laugh when you dabbed whipped cream on his nose.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Sora said, sitting beside you. Her hair was slicked back with sweat, just coming back from training.

Egalt shouted for them to begin.

Watching them twirl, you sighed. "Before the Merge, I had a brother. My mom and his dad weren't.. the best. Actually.. his dad, Louis worked for the Crystal King. I... never figured that out, he went into hiding. But Gio, he was born the same year my dad died. I didn't know he existed until after Nya turned into the Sea, when I went to go live with my mom." Pausing you looked up at her. "Sorry, I just started rambling. There's a lo-"

She pressed her lips together, nodding. "A lot going on. I know. But it looked like you needed to talk to someone, so I'm listening. Keep going."

"He didn't really understand what was happening after the Overlord was defeated, why his dad suddenly vanished. One of the staff in their penthouse, Dillon, eventually was promoted to a babysitter. He'd take him out, let him experience the world unsheltered. I got to know him better, I got letters and went out for ice cream with him. I guess I actually started to feel like we were family after a bit." You smiled softly, the corners of your lips falling after a moment.
"Then the Merge happened, and so much stuff was going wrong and was changed. I hadn't thought about him at all until the Phantasm Cave -the one with our greatest fears- and.. I don't know.. I can't believe I just... forgot about him. He's probably what- 11.. 12 now? If.. you know.. he's still out there."

Sora put her hand over your's, offering you a smile. "Yeah, that's a lot. But you're caring, funny, and super badass. I bet he's out there, still kicking around and knowing he has an awesome older sister who is saving the world... I- I know it's not my place, but you are too hard on yourself, you feel like it's just your responsibility once Lloyd is out of commission, but you have all of us to lean on. Please, just let us help."

Scoffing, you raised a brow. "Not your place? Nothing's in place anymore kid, stop acting like I'm going to bite you. I may be big talk, but I swear, my bite is not as strong as my bite. I'm a mess."

Kai and Nya weaved around boulders, swinging around each other in a rhythmic order. One would spin out, then back in the center, then the other would spin out and back in.

"Good thing messes can be fixed." Sora smirked, lunging for a hug.

You squeezed her back, continuing to watch the siblings spin.

Then Kai shouted.

Nya slid to a stop, eyes wide as she too watched Kai.

His tight-knit tornado opened up, red swirls surrounding him. Translucent wings formed from his back, a similarly colored dragon skull donning his face. Kai shot up, zooming in a circle around the clearing, before launching himself to the ground with a shockwave.

You realized a minute too late that you were running down the steps, throwing your arms around Kai and Nya. "You did it!"

It was like a switch had been flicked.

Rising Dragon was possible. You could stop Ras from letting the Forbidden Five out. You could save the world. You could stop Lloyd's visions.

This could fix everything.

"You are now officially a Third Fang Ninja, Kai." Rontu announced, her head hovering above you.

Pulling back from Kai, you couldn't help but bounce a bit in excitement.

Egalt hummed, looking impressed for once. "When you first arrived, I was skeptical. But I suppose I'm old and tired. I had no inspiration, though it is clear I misjudged you. You have given this dragon hope once more. Rising Dragon Technique will be passed on."

Sora, Arin and Riyu crowded around as well, cheering. You could actually do this.

This was possib-

Shouting.

Lloyd.

He was shouting. He was awake.

Pulling back from the group, you ran back up the steps from the clearing, three at a time. Running to the Bounty, you almost slipped on the ladder. Once on the deck, you hurried down into the hull.

Lloyd was already stumbling through the halls, pulling at his hair. He tripped hitting his head against the wall. He was muttering something incoherent.

Grabbing hold of him, you held him up, letting him find his footing again. "Lloyd- Lloyd it's okay. You're in the Plume, we're at the Training Grounds still, Kai learned Rising Dragon. We are going to be okay."

He whimpered, raising his fist to hit it into his forehead. You caught it before he did though.

"Lloyd, Lloyd. Calm down. You're okay." You said softly, holding him to your chest. Your heartbeat was too fast for him to breathe too, but you hoped it would ground him.

With a shake of his head, he trembled, letting his hands fall from his head. "No- no.. it's here- it's started.."

Lloyd grabbed your hand, pulling you back into the deck of the ship. He froze at the top of the steps, jaw falling slack.

You looked up at the sky, throat running dry.

The Blood Moon.

It was here.

"Come on!" You said, pulling Lloyd behind you. Hurrying off onto solid ground, you ran over to the rest of the team, looking at the Dragon Masters.

They were also staring at the red moon. The sky had turned a sickening pink hue.

Turning to Rontu, you shook. "You need to teach us Dragon Rising. Now. We don't have time to waste."

She.. shook her head. "I'm sorry. We cannot. We though we would have more time. The Blood Moon is also a bane for us."

"May the Source Dragons be on your side." Egalt said, some sadness reaching his emotionless gaze.

They both raised their heads, turning grey- no. Turning to stone.

You were out of time.

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