Chapter Text
Run boy run! This world is not made for you
Run boy run! They're trying to catch you
Run boy run! Running is a victory
Run boy run! Beauty lays behind the hills
Run boy run! The sun will be guiding you
Run boy run! They're dying to stop you
Run boy run! This race is a prophecy
Run boy run! Break out from society
Tomorrow is another day
And you won't have to hide away
You'll be a man, boy!
But for now it's time to run, it's time to run!
Run boy run! This ride is a journey to-
Run boy run! -The secret inside of you
Run boy run! This race is a prophecy
Run boy run! And disappear in the trees
Tomorrow is another day
And you won't have to hide away
You'll be a man, boy!
But for now it's time to run, it's time to run!
Tomorrow is another day
And when the night fades away
You'll be a man, boy!
But for now it's time to run, it's time to run!
Koko gasped breathlessly as she turned her sweaty face to the painfully motionless bundle resting her arms. Somewhere in the background her daughter screamed, having manged to free her little, chubby arms from the confines of her blanket. She was thrashing; reaching and stretching for her Father's face. Garmadon himself, had an particular look painted across his features as he held and stared down at his newly born daughter; it wasn't threatening, disgusted or really pleased for that matter, it was far more...content. Like a smug, spoilt child who had just gotten what he wanted after a meltdown. He'd cocked his head to the side as if examining her. His faded blue eyes skimming across her pink face, as if trying to analyse any similarities he could find.
Koko's husband hadn't been particularly interested nor involved in her pregnancy despite being the one to want children. He'd been openly pleased to learn he was having a daughter however, proud the spread the news to the rest of the Kingdom. The first Princess of the century and the first crowned Queen.
Or so he had thought...
Koko had never felt particularly comfortable with idea of children, despite being destined as the only Princess of the Shadow kingdom and the youngest of 7 brothers. It was all she good for within her own Father's eyes. Even still, the very feeling of life squirming deep inside her womb was off-putting and strange and maybe it just was the morning sickness but the constant feeling of nausea had been worst part of it all.
Or so she had thought...
"Your Majesty, you may feel better if you put him down."
The Queen turned her attention to the nurse still lingering by her bedside. The lady was gesturing patiently to the luxurious crib resting a few meters away, nothing but pure pity painted across her features. Instead of complying or replying, the Queen turned her attention back to the still motionless bundle in her arms.
The baby inside was curled up on himself. The poor boy was desperately trying to take shallow, skipped breaths; his little eyes were crinkled up and straining. His stiff, thin fingers were futility attempting to flex. As he opened his mouth in silent whines.
Her son.
"He won't survive the night Ma'am."
These were the words of the very doctor that had delivered the twins. The parasidic sentence was bouncing around her skull. The dooming sentence refusing to fade as she cuddled her fighting, struggling son; the void filled with her very much alive daughter.
She could feel the tears starting to reach her eyes, stinging and tingling her nose. Her breathing had inevitably sped up considerably, forcing her to take matching hiccupped breaths as her son who had involuntarily relaxed.
The Queen instead brought her dying baby closer into her breast and gently as she could: squeezed him. Futility trying to hold her emotions back. Even though the same nurse had been at her side for the last ten hours; watching and holding her hand while she had screamed out every curse word under the sun and thrashed through the agony. Despite all that, the compelling need to hide her tears was undeniable.
She didn't want to put him down, she wasn't ready to let go. Koko, truthfully, wanted both her babies in her arms. Not just right now, but forever. The Queen wanted to hear both her babies cry, not because she was cruel but because the sound was her only source of comfort currently; the only indication that her darlings were alright and alive. Unfortunately, only one of her children was capable of that.
Her thoughts were pulled away by her son who had made his first sound. A small pitiful whimper. The sad syllable was so sudden and quiet that the new mother had almost missed it; it was only because she had been staring so intently at him that she saw his little mouth move. The sound and movement truly made her heart ache. It was a physical pain that shot down her whole body in sharp waves of mourning. The newfound feeling of depression that had been slowly creeping up into her chest and head wasn't particularly helping either.
He'd only been apart of her life for a megre hour but she already loved him so much. She wasn't ready to let go- in any way, shape or form.
Slowly, she turned her green eyes to the nurse still waiting, her arms slightly outstretched; ready to take him away from her forever. In response and much to her shame and embarrassment, she instead harshly turned herself away, pressing her son even closer, practically hissing and snarling with her expression. An expression that could surely kill if held long enough. The poor lady straightened up, pulling her own arms back up to her chest, letting out a small squeak in surprise. Unsure of her Queen's sudden reaction. The said Queen was complexed against her attitude also. She'd moved with any thought and so suddenly it was like she was possessed, if only for a second. The reaction had almost felt like a reflex. Was this the Motherly Insincts that her court had teased her about?
"No. I want to hold him a little longer...thankyou."
She shivered out after a few seconds of silence and meditation. The nurse seemed to understand, she gave a feeble nod before scurrying off.
Koko couldn't help feeling compelled to call the women back, to apologise and thank her properly. She'd, in reality, been more than excellent from the start and Koko couldn't refrain from feeling as she understood. Like she understood her pain both physically and mentally. Although the woman was only young herself and most likely didn't have any children off her own.
"But you're only young yourself...in fact, I think she's older than you."
The Queen physically started upon hearing her own thoughts, the words were like knives, tearing at the flesh of her mind. The Monarch, so caught up in her own self pity that hadn't even noticed the escaped tears until they splashed down onto her son's face; who gave a gurgled sound of distaste. Scrambling, she shushed him gently, bouncing him up and down ever so slightly, pressing loving kisses to his temple. Now the floodgates were open there was no possible way to stop them. She choked on her own sounds and squeezed her eyes shut. Drowning in her own sorrow. She wished her daughter was also here in her arms and she wished her son would outlive her.
"Koko?"
Through the blurs she tentatively lifted her head, her face now red and splotchy and faced her husband. He had now moved to stand at the foot of bed. Their daughter was squirming and babbling loudly, blowing raspberries into the dark and somber room. Koko, Without a word merely gestured for him to come closer. With one hand- she sat their son up with caution. The King complied, moving stand at her side. He looked down at her and was that concern? No, just confusion.
"Don't you want to hold him?" She gave him her best watery smile, ever so slightly holding their son out to him. Much to her surprise he stepped back, subconsciously tightening his hold on his daughter.
"Garmadon?" She questioned quietly, she had hoped this would be the moment they could've bonded as husband and wife. This was his only chance after all...
"No. I've got her."
But their son wouldn't be around much longer...
Or so they thought...