Please Note: The following fanfic is was written before the events of season 15 (Seabound). If anything happens in the show afterwards that contradicts this story, it should just be accepted as an alternate universe.

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Synopsis: Lilly was diagnosed with pneumoconiosis and has come to accept she’ll soon be departed, although she doesn’t plan to go without a fight. A close friend of hers comes to visit with her worries. Lilly hopes to put her, and her friend's worries to rest before her time comes.


Lilly lay in her hospital bed, staring at the ceiling. Lou had gone to take Cole to school, then was heading to work himself. Meaning it was just her and a lifeless hospital room. She looked at all the drawings Cole made all taped around the wall. They were simple child drawings, but regardless every one of them made her smile. Lilly could tell all Cole wanted was to see his mother get better, and it broke her heart knowing that wasn’t going to be the case. Pneumoconiosis or black lungs as the doctors simplified it, was something that can't be cured only treated. If she had known that inhaling coal dust was life-threatening, she would have worn breathing equipment when she visited Shintaro. Oh well, too late to change it now she thought. All she could do was fight, which luckily for her was a natural gift of hers. Too bad coal dust wasn’t just an enemy she could punch.
“Only if that was the case. (cough) (cough) (cough)” Lilly said out loud before coughing.
“Excuse me, miss Lilly. You have a visitor.” A nurse said, upon opening the door to her room.
“A visitor? Who?” Lilly asked, not expecting anyone, till after Cole was done school.

The nurse stepped out of the room to reveal a woman with blond hair standing in the doorway, holding a tray with two drinks inside.
“Hey, Lil. “The woman with blond hair said.
“Libber! What are you doing here? “Lilly asked.
“Well… I had finished the daily training quickly and figured I’d bring something to lighten up the mood!” Libber replied, holding up the tray of drinks.
“Okay, now tell me the truth. I know how Wu and Garmadon are. “
“Fine! I snuck out, but you know training isn’t much fun, especially today. I mean Garmadon and Wu were disagreeing on a training exercise anyways, so I left and…”
“You left Misako to deal with it. How nice of you.”
“Hey! It’s not my fault Misako is the only one who knows how to stop those two from fighting. She doesn’t have powers but to stop those two is a skill…”

Libber continued to speak but Lilly temporarily drowned out the noise. It’s nothing against Libber but her friend had a way of going off track, and especially in her state, she didn’t have enough energy to keep herself focused for too long.
“Oh right, the drinks! I almost forgot.” Libber said while passing a cup to Lilly.
“It’s fine, you got lost in your conversation,” Lilly said, glad to see Libber caught herself.
“I didn’t get lost in conversation… I just… just. Okay fine, I got lost in conversation.” Libber said defeated.

At this Lilly smiled. Libber found a chair and moved it beside Lilly’s bed then sat.
“So how are things going?” Libber said, staring at her sympathetically.
“I’ve been better,” Lilly said staring out the window.
“Lou told me Cole got into a fight! Did he win?” Libber asked, trying to lighten the mood.
“Libber!”
“What? I know if he got into a fight, it was for a good reason, so I want to know if he won! He’s your son, after all, I expect a lot of strength in him.”
“To be honest, I’m not sure who won. My guess is the teachers intervened, so no one won.”

Lilly took a sip of her drink only to realize it was coffee. Then put the cup down on a table beside her and spoke:
“How’s it going with you? Other than Wu and Garmadon disagreeing. How’re things with Cliff and Jay?”
“Well, Cliff’s been busy with work. He hasn’t been coming home until crazy late at night, leaving me to take care of Jay. Jay’s at daycare now if you are wondering, I won't even think to bring him to training with me. Anyways, Cliff said there have been problems with the sets, so they’ve had to reshoot several scenes, every night.” Libber said.
“Every night! It’s almost like he doesn’t want to come home.” Lilly joked. Then realized Libber's usual smile turned to a frown.
“Hey Libber, I didn’t mean it…” Lilly continued.
“No, no it’s fine,” Libber said clearing her throat.
“Libber, what’s wrong?” Lilly said, sitting herself up in her bed.

There was a small pause, then Libber spoke while staring into the lid of her cup:
"A lot’s been happening, and even if people say I’m as fast as lightning. I’m having trouble keeping up with it all.”
“I mean, with training, taking care of Jay, and worrying about you I’m… I’m just overwhelmed.” Libber continued.

Lilly said nothing but motioned for Libber to sit on her bed. Once Libber sat down, Lilly gave a side hug to comfort her. At this, Libber began to cry quietly.
“Shhh. It’s okay, Libber. It’ll be okay.” Lilly said, still hugging Libber from the side.
“I’m sorry, here I am complaining about my life. While you practically have a one-way ticket to the departed realm. Some friend I am.” Libber said, wiping her tears away.
“Libber, what friend would I be if I didn’t listen to your concerns,” Lilly said, letting go of Libber.
“That’s the thing though! All you ever do is listen and…”
“Excuse me for a second. (cough) (cough) (cough)” Lilly said, quickly turning her head away.

Libber waited for her friend to regain her breath before she continued:
“As I was saying, you listen to me all the time! Let me listen to you. Are you scared, especially with where you are?” Libber said.

Knowing Libber wasn’t taking no for an answer, Lilly stopped herself from trying to change the subject on her friend. Perhaps if she spoke about herself, then she could help Libber in some way.
“At first, I was terrified. Yet now I just feel like a fool for being so oblivious. I was so focused on unlocking the burst that I didn’t even think to consider the after-effects of being underground for long periods. I’ll be leaving my family behind because of it.” Lilly said.
“That’s not your fault though,” Libber said.
“Libber let me finish.”
“Oh sorry.”
“However, I’ve come to terms with that. I can’t change it so why worry about it? Instead, I decided to fight but live every day like it’s my last. I know I can’t win but I’m going down swinging.”
“Does it hurt knowing you’ll be leaving everyone?”
“It hurts every day, but a warrior never sheds her tears on the battlefield. (cough) (cough) (cough)”

Libber moved back to her seat beside Lilly’s bed waiting for her friend to stop coughing. When the coughing didn’t stop Libber grabbed the coffee on the table and gave it to Lilly. Lilly took a sip and the coughing slowed and eventually subsided.
“Thanks!” Lilly said still gasping for air somewhat.
“It’s alright, this isn’t the first time this happened. I know what to do if the coffee doesn’t help. “Libber said.
“Why don’t you tell me what’s bothering you? While I figure out how to breathe properly. “Lilly said turning to smile at Libber.
“Well other than knowing I’m going to lose my best friend to a stupid ore. Life at home hasn’t been fun either. Jay’s been crying all night, and Cliff honestly seems not existent.” Libber said bowing her head.
“Do you think he’s cheating on you?”
“You’re not the first person to ask me that. Misako asked me that yesterday, and to be honest I don’t know. I hope not, but he’s gone almost every night, I hardly see him so who knows.”
“If he is, I’ll punch him through a wall!” Lilly said with a smile on her face.
“Says the one who can’t walk around a corner without losing her breath.”
“Fine, we can get Wu or Garmadon to do it. Instead of punching each other, we can give them a target that deserves it.”
“Hee-hee let’s not get ahead of ourselves, he might not even be cheating. Although we should probably find targets for Wu and Garmadon. I’m starting to feel bad leaving Misako to solve it all the time.” Libber said, trying to hold back laughter.

Eventually, the two remembered all the little disagreements Wu and Garmadon had over the years and bounced off ideas of what a target could be with no success. Until a knock was heard on the other side of the door.
“One sec (cough) (cough) (cough) okay come in!” Lilly said.
“Excuse me Lilly we were wondering if you’d seen Libber. My brother and I got into a disagreement and-” Wu said.
“And someone snuck off from training.” Garmadon said annoyed.

Lilly also noticed Misako behind the two brothers. Once again, Misako saved the day.
“I told her to bring me a coffee, the ones here taste horrible. “Lilly lied.
“You could have told us, Libber. We wouldn’t have stopped you.” Wu said.
“I would have.” Garmadon said.

At this Wu elbowed his brother, causing Garmadon to glare at Wu. However, all it took was for Misako to clear her throat before the glare subsided.
“How does she do it? “Libber whispered to Lilly.
“I have no idea.” Lilly whispered back.
“What are you two whispering about?” Misako asked.
“Oh uh… nothing important.” Lilly and Libber said in unison.
“Lilly, how are you feeling? We were wondering if you wanted to come outside with us. We know you can’t leave the perimeter, but some fresh air might do you some good.” Misako asked.
“I’ve been better, but I wouldn't mind some fresh air. Could someone see about getting me a wheelchair? I don’t think I’d have enough breath to walk that far.” Lilly replied.
“I’ll get it! “Wu said, heading out the door to the room.
“Good. Gives me a break for a few seconds.” Garmadon mumbled under his breath.

At that, Lilly, and Libber both chuckled. Not even a minute before the two brothers bickered. Eventually, Wu came back with a nurse who pushed a wheelchair into the room. Then the nurse helped Lilly into the wheelchair. Once the nurse exited, Libber looked at Lilly and asked:
“You ready to go?”
“I think I am, just don’t push me down a hill. “Lilly joked.
“We’ll see! No promises. “Libber said, as she grabbed the handles to the wheelchair and rolled Lilly out of the room.

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Fun fact: This story started being typed out in a doc on November 8th, 2021 but was thought of long before that. As I've always been a fan of the mystery behind Jay's mother (or as many call her Libber).

Part 2: https://www.planetminecraft.com/blog/lego-ninjago-lilly-s-libber-part-2-lilly-and-libber/

Skins used in story:
Lilly: https://www.planetminecraft.com/skin/lego-ninjago-lilly-cole-s-mother-master-of-the-mountain-season-13-hd/
Libber: https://www.planetminecraft.com/skin/lego-ninjago-jay-s-mother-hands-of-time-season-7-hd/