Ok so this is another split chapter and yes, the Alex plot concludes in the second half. I actually got a lot of DMs telling me not to kill him off. I love that you guys are so attached to my OC's. 😂 Enjoy!

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Garmadon's P.O.V.:

I was over at the monastery with my brother. We had been coming over a lot to help Misako with Ryder and Ashley while Lloyd and Kira were still recovering from what happened. They had been getting better, but they still had a ways to go before they were fully recovered.

Aside from Lloyd and Kira being injured, I was actually enjoying all the time I got to spend with Lloyd and my grandkids. It was really nice to have the opportunity to make up for all the time I missed.

Lloyd couldn't stop talking about how excited he was about our father-son day we were planning. It was like he was a kid again, and I couldn't wait either. It had been so long since we spent any time together, especially since I was disappeared all those years ago.

I saw Lloyd slowly coming down the stairs in the living room. He had been limping a lot lately because of his fractured ribs.

"Need some help son?" I asked.

"No thanks Dad, I'm good." He said as he continued his careful walk down the stairs. "Besides, Kira said I should start doing stuff like this on my own."

After a few minutes he finally made it to the bottom of the stairs. He was clinching his side and took a second to rest.

"Are you feeling better today?" I asked.

"Yeah, I'm alright." Lloyd dismissed. "Are the kids and Kira up yet?"

"The kids are still sleeping. Kira was up earlier but she went to take a shower."

"Ok, where are Mom and Wu?"

"Your mom was tired so we gave her the day off. Wu stayed home to clean our apartment."

"Oh, so it's just you today?"

"Yes, is that a problem?" I asked.

"No no, it's just that you've never watched them by yourself before. I love them but they can be a handful if you don't know how to handle them."

"I think I know what I'm doing." I said.

"I'm sorry Dad, it's not that I don't trust you, it's just ever since Ryder ran away and all that stuff about Akamu coming after Ashley, I can't help but worry about them." Lloyd sighed. "I wish there was some way to take my mind off things."

"Well you and Kira hadn't had a date in a while, how about you two get out of the house and go see a movie?" I gave him some money.

"That sounds great, but are you sure you can handle the kids by yourself?"

"Of course, go enjoy yourselves."

"What's going on?" Kira asked as she walked in on us. She was fully dressed and her hair was still wet.

"How are you feeling Kira?" Lloyd asked her.

"A lot better now. My cold is gone and my knee feels a lot better." She smiled. "What were you guys talking about?"

"Well my dad offered to watch the kids so we could go see a movie if you're up for it." Lloyd explained.

"That sounds great but are you sure you can handle things here?" Kira asked me.

"Absolutely, you guys deserve this." I insisted.

"What do you think?" Lloyd looked at Kira.

"Well, it would be nice to get out of the house, for a few hours at least." She thought about it. "Alright."

"Great. Have fun." I said.

"I'll call us a cab so we don't have to drive or form your dragon." Kira said taking out her phone.

"Good idea." Lloyd agreed. Then he gave me a hug. "Thanks Dad."

"Of course son." I smiled.

"We'll only be a few hours, are you sure you can handle them for that long?" Kira asked.

"Of course, you guys go have fun." I told her.

"It'll be fine Kira." Lloyd assured her. "My dad's been good with them so far."

"Well, ok but if there's any trouble be sure to call me or Lloyd." Kira said.

"I promise, I won't let anything to happen to them." I assured her.

"Thank you." Kira smiled.

"Let's go Kira." Lloyd said.

"Alright, good luck." Kira said.

They left and got in their cab that was waiting outside. A few minutes later, Ryder and Ashley came downstairs.

"Morning Grandpa Garmy." Ashley rubbed her eyes.

"Good morning Ashley." I said. "Morning Ryder."

"Wait, where are my mom and dad?" Ryder asked.

"Your parents went to a movie so it's just you guys and me today." I smiled.

Ryder and Ashley looked at each other. I don't think they were too thrilled about me staying with them all by myself.

"How about some breakfast?" I asked as a way to break the silence.

"Do you know how to make pancakes?" Ryder asked.

"It shouldn't be too hard to figure out." I said.

I attempted to make Ryder pancakes by following the instructions on the box, but in the end it turned out to be a giant glob of burnt goo. I ended up taking them out for breakfast instead.

Ryder's P.O.V.:

We walked into Pancake House and as we were about to take our seats, I noticed someone familiar sitting at a booth with another man. She noticed me and put her hoodie up.

"Ashley." I got her attention. "I need you to distract Grandpa for a few minutes."

"On it!" She exclaimed and ran ahead to catch up with Grandpa. I went over to confront the person.

"Maizy?" I questioned as I walked towards her booth.

"Ryder please, I don't want any trouble." She said not looking at me.

"The only reason I'm not attacking you right now is because I don't want to make a scene in front of my little sister. You have some nerve coming around here again after what your father did to my parents."

"Oh so you're Ryder?" The man questioned.

"And who are you? Another one of Harumi's relatives?" I crossed my arms.

"Ryder, this is my uncle Zach on my mother's side." Maizy said. "He's the only reason your parents escaped when they did. If they hadn't, my father would have gone through with his plan."

"What was his plan?" I asked.

"That's a long story." Her uncle sighed.

He explained to me all about how he wanted Ashley to awaken Maizy's mother and how he was constantly helping my parents when they were captured. I didn't want to believe him, but I had to.

"So what happens now? Are you still a part of the VKA?" I asked Maizy.

"They won't exactly allow me to quit." She sighed. "I'll find a way to get out of it eventually, but for now there's nothing I can do."

"Maizy you can't just continue to help them." I said.

"I know that, but there's no way to get out of it." She sighed. "I'm sorry Ryder, I wish I never joined in the first place."

I didn't want to believe her, but my dad always told the best way to defeat your enemy is to make them your friend. Maybe she was actually telling the truth. If she really does want to be a good person, then I can use this to my advantage.

"I won't turn you in on one condition." I bargained. "You have to keep me updated on all of the VKA's whereabouts and plans. And no tricks or I'll turn you in. Understand?"

"Ok fine." She agreed.

"Maizy, are you sure about this?" Her uncle asked.

"Yes." She nodded. "I if this is what it will take to prove that I want to be a good person, then I will do my best."

"I'll talk to you later." I said as I left the table. I hoped I did what was best for my team and didn't just open up a can of worms.

"...C, B, A." Ashley finished. "See Grandpa Garmy, I told you I could say the whole alphabet backwards."

"Very impressive Ashley." My grandpa laughed. He turned and noticed me. "Ryder where have you been?"

"Just getting to the bottom of things." I said.

"What do you mean by that?" He asked.

"Uhh... I..." I was about to come up with an excuse, then our waitress came. "Oh look, food's here."

"I want a real answer when we get home. Understand?" He said.

"Yes sir." I sighed.

I really hope Maizy would be able to keep her promise. I know my father said to be careful around her, but maybe he was wrong. Maybe she actually did want to change and be on our side.

Cass's P.O.V.:

The news about Alex was really bothering me. I didn't want to go on without him. I had to find a way to fix him before it was too late.

I was at my place in my father's lab researching and testing for a way to fix Alex. So far I hadn't had any luck, but I had to keep going.

"Cass?"

I turned around to see my father. I suddenly realized it was way passed midnight and I was supposed to be in sleep mode five hours ago.

"Oh sorry father, I didn't realize how late it was." I apologized.

"What are you doing up?" He asked.

"Well, Alex has a problem and I really need to fix it before it is too late."

"What kind of problem?"

"He has a crack in his power source." I frowned. "It gives him horrible glitches and he can't use his powers or it will get bigger."

"But ice is one of the elements of creation. Without an ice ninja the other ninja will be weaker."

"He knows that, that is why he wants to transfer his powers over to me." I sighed.

"If it's as bad as you say, I'm afraid he wouldn't survive that."

"I know that, that is why I need to find a fix before it comes to that." I sighed. "But so far I've found nothing."

"Here Cass, let me help." My father offered.

"Why? I thought you didn't like anything or anyone related to Borg Industries."

"I don't, but I've seen the way this boy cares for you." He smiled. "Ever since you've started seeing him your emotional circuits have been advancing at rapid pace. In all the years I've known you I've never seen you express yourself like the way you do around him. I'd hate to admit it, but he's actually been a very good influence on you."

"Thank you." I smiled.

From that moment on, my father and I worked all night to find a cure for Alex, but by morning we still hadn't found anything. My systems were feeling a little run down after not going into sleep mode all night, but I would stay up all week if I had to to find a cure for Alex. I can't give up on him.

"Maybe we should take a break." My father suggested. I could tell he was exhausted too.

"You can if you want. I think I'll try a few more experiments first." I said.

"Cass, you've been up all night. You need to rest your systems."

"I don't want to waste time because time is the one thing Alex doesn't have."

"I understand that Cass, but you need to rest. Just for a few hours then we can get back to it, ok?"

"Fine, I need to check on Alex anyway." I said.

I walked to my room and took out my phone. I decided to text Alex and see how he was doing.

————{{{Cass's Phone}}}————

Cass: Hello Alex.

Alex: Hello Cass.

C: Are you feeling
any better today?

A: I glitched last night but
since then I've been fine.

C: Have your parents
found any way to fix
you yet?

A: No, but they
are not giving up.

C: Well my dad and I have
been looking all night. We
haven't found anything yet
but we are not going to stop
until we do.

A: I told you that you didn't
need to waste your time. I
have accepted my fait.

C: Well I would feel terrible
about myself if I didn't at
least try.

A: I know, and while I
appreciate that, I do not
want to be a bother.

C: You are not a bother, you are my boyfriend. I love you and
I am more than happy to help.

A: Thank you Cass.

C: You are welcome. 🙂

A: Are you still
coming over later?

C: Of course I am.

A: Good. I have something
I want to give to you.

C: What is it?

A: You will see. See you later.

C: Ok, see you.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

That conversation made me uneasy. What was Alex planning to give me? If it was what I think it is, then I was afraid that it could compromise Alex's safety and I was worried I wouldn't be able to handle that responsibility.

Later that day, I went to visit Alex at his house. He and I were in the living room while his parents were busy in the lab looking for a way to fix him.

"Cass, I need to give you something, but before I do I want to tell you that I love you and I want you to be happy." He took my hands.

"Alex please don't do this." I begged. "We can find another way."

"I am getting worse by the hour, it is only a matter of time before I shut down anyway." He sighed. "I know that you will make the perfect replacement for me."

"Replacement? Alex I..."

"Please. Someone has to do it, and I want it to be you."

"Alex, please think about this."

"I have." He smiled. "I'll miss you Cass. Just remember that a part of me will always be a part of you."

He grabbed me by the hands and gave me one last kiss. Then he started to use his powers and I felt them being inserted into me. I kept yelling and telling him to stop, but it was no use.

Once the transfer was completed, I was feeling incredibly weak, but I could tell Alex felt even worse.

"G-goodbye Cass." He gave me one last smile. "I-I love y-you."

He dropped to knees and the light went out in his eyes. I broke down in tears that I didn't know I had and laid on top of his exoskeleton. Before I passed out I heard footsteps entering the room.

>>>>>>•••<<<<<<

I woke up and I was on the couch. I looked to see Alex still on the floor, both of his parents were tending to him.

"Alex! Is he...?"

"He's still here, but not for much longer." Mr. Zane frowned. "The crack is almost fully grown and his vital systems won't last much longer."

"I'm afraid there's nothing we can do." Mrs. Pixal frowned.

"He transferred his powers to me." I frowned. "I tried to tell him not to, but he would not listen to me."

"It's not your fault Cass." Zane frowned.

I got up from the couch and ran to Alex on the floor. I couldn't stop thinking about the last words that he said to me.

"Just remember that a part of me will always be a part of you."

The words echoed in my head. They were like some kind of message telling me to do something. Then it hit me.

"Wait, I have an idea!" I yelled.

I ran up to Alex and took his neural drive out of him and inserted it into my processor. I closed my eyes and then an image of Alex appeared inside of me.

"Cass! You are a genius!" Alex screamed. He seemed happy. "I cannot believe I never thought of this."

"Can he hear you?" Mr. Zane asked.

"Yes." I smiled. "Yes he's ok!"

Alex's parents' frowns turned into smiles of relief. They both wrapped me in hugs.

"Thank you." Mrs. Pixal smiled. "You saved his life."

"Well, he saved mine first." I laughed.

"Tell Alex he won't have to be in there forever." Mr. Zane said. "Now that he's safely out of his exoskeleton, we have more time to find a way to properly fix his power source. Plus it should be much easier to repair now."

"Did you get that Alex?" I asked him.

"Yep." He smiled. "And until I'm back in my body, I can train you how to use my powers from here."

"Do you really think I can handle your powers?" I asked.

"I entrusted you with them for a reason Cass. I know you won't let me down."

"Then I'll do my best." I nodded.

"And I'll be here to help you too." Mr. Zane offered.

"Are you sure? I don't want to be a distraction." I said.

"It's the least I can do after all you've done for Alex." He smiled.

"And while you're training, I can continue to work on repairing Alex's power source." Mrs. Pixal said. "He'll be back in his old body soon enough."

"Thanks Mom." Alex smiled.

"He says thank you." I translated.

Now that Alex was inside of me, not only would that keep him safe but also give us more time to figure out a way to fix him. I know he didn't want me to save him, but I had too. I couldn't imagine going on without him.

After I was done there, I went back home to my father and explained everything. He had only met Alex once or twice, but he wasn't too fond of him.

"So he's implanted into your neural drive?" He questioned.

"Yes, I know what you're going to say Dad and if you don't want me to stay here then I can..."

"Cass, you don't have to worry." He smiled. "You both can stay here as long as you need."

"Tell him I said thanks." Alex said.

"Alex and I appreciate that." I smiled. "Thank you father."

"Of course." He smiled.

"I hope you don't mind, but I'll be spending a lot more time over there. They need to teach me to control my new power and I'm sure Alex wants to see his parents."

"I understand." He nodded.

I went into sleep mode that night happy that everyone was ok. I know I wasn't a ninja yet, but it felt good being a hero.