Chapter Text
Wu woke early in the morning, as was his habit. He had never been one to sleep in late, unlike Garmadon. His brother usually stayed up long into the night and, because of that, tended to wake around noon—of course, there were exceptions when he got up early because of Misako, but for the most part, he slept late. Lloyd was much the same, Garmadon’s spitting image; they could never deny being related.
Wu felt unusually happy these past few years. Ever since Lloyd had been born, his brother had been happier too—at times the frustration caused by the venom surfaced, but never too strongly. Lloyd had healed Garmadon, at least in part.
Still, Wu felt that something was missing. His life didn’t feel whole, as if a piece were absent. He decided to check on the sleeping father-and-son pair and then go meditate for a while.
Just as he thought, they were still asleep, curled up among pillows and blankets. Both of them were partially in their Oni forms, making them amusingly similar to two sleeping cats. Perhaps he should research the Oni a bit more—his father hadn’t given him much explanation, and only Garmadon knew bits and pieces about it all.
Lloyd stirred in his sleep and snuggled even closer into his father’s arms. Wu chuckled softly at the sight, but it was time to have his morning tea.
By habit, he carefully balanced the hot tea and stepped out into the courtyard, sitting down on the veranda. The morning was exceptionally calm; he could even meditate out here. It had been a long time since anyone had gone outside because of Garmadon and Lloyd.”
He took a deep breath. Meditation never hurt—it benefited both body and mind. Their father had practiced it often, especially because of Garmadon, who always tended to overdo things during their adventures. Wu would never admit it out loud, but many of the worst situations had happened because of his own mistakes. Even so, Garmadon had pulled them out of the most terrible situations countless times.
Hours passed, and the sun was already high when the rattling of the outside trash bin caught his attention. At first, he thought the dogs had returned looking for food, but he was wrong. The moment he stepped closer, two small green eyes stared back at him.
The little boy was so startled that he didn’t move at all, just stared at Wu. He looked to be about Lloyd’s age—perhaps a little older.
Then, as if the boy realized the reality of the situation, he suddenly took off running. Wu froze for a moment, but managed to react just in time and grabbed the boy by the hem of his clothes. The child trembled in his arms, so Wu gently took his hand, turned him to face him, and crouched down in front of him.
“Uh… hi?” Wu said hesitantly. Now that he had stopped the boy, he didn’t know what to do. It might have been a foolish idea—maybe the child had a family waiting for him. But what if he didn’t? What if he was completely alone, without loving parents? Wu couldn’t imagine anything worse.
The boy visibly calmed down when he saw that Wu meant him no harm and now looked at him with a questioning expression. After a short pause, he spoke.
“I’m very sorry. I didn’t want to steal from you, but I haven’t found any food for two or three days, so I had no choice,” he apologized sincerely.
Wu was surprised at first. The boy was intelligent for his age, and Wu found it almost impossible that he had ever received any formal education—yet he spoke fluently, just like Lloyd.
“No, no, it’s alright! Don’t worry, I’m not angry. Is there… someone with you? Are you alone?” Wu had to ask now.
“There’s no one. I’ve been alone for a very long time,” the boy replied sadly.
“You don’t have parents?” Wu asked in shock.
“I don’t remember them, even if I did have any. My grandmother raised me, but she passed away early, and I ended up on the streets.”
Wu listened with a worried expression. Deep down, he felt he had to help this child. It was a strange feeling—he wasn’t sure how the others would react if he showed up with a child and declared that he would live here from now on as part of the family. But he made up his mind. His heart told him this was the right thing to do. Garmadon and Misako would surely accept him, and Lloyd would gain a friend. What could possibly go wrong?
“What’s your name, my boy?” Wu asked.
“Morro,” came the quiet answer.
“Well then, Morro… would you like a new home?” Wu asked the decisive question. Now it was up to Morro to decide.
“Really? Do you mean it? You don’t even know me!” Morro had never been so surprised in his life. A stranger he had just met was offering him shelter—a home, perhaps even a family.
“Why? I don’t know that myself. I’m following my heart, and it’s telling me this is the right path,” Wu said. He waited desperately for the answer, afraid of rejection.
Morro thought it over. At first glance, it seemed like a good idea—no, a great one. He wouldn’t go hungry and would have a warm place to stay. But what could he give in return for such kindness? If he had to choose right now, he would accept. Not every orphan was given such an opportunity; he considered himself lucky.
“Do you really mean it? I wouldn’t be a burden? What could I give in return?” the questions spilled out of him.
A great weight lifted from Wu’s heart. Morro seemed open to the idea—he just needed reassurance. After that, everything would be fine. They would only need to discuss it with the rest of the family.
“No, Morro… you wouldn’t be a burden. In fact, I couldn’t imagine a better day than today. I’m very glad our paths crossed. You don’t have to give anything in return—just try to fit into our small family. I have a brother whose son—my nephew—is about your age. I hope you’ll get along well. My brother’s wife, Misako, lives with us too. That’s all you really need to know.”
“I’m grateful. Thank you so much,” Morro said, then hugged Wu tightly, throwing his arms around his neck. Lloyd immediately came to Wu’s mind, and he chuckled softly.
Wu picked Morro up and headed back toward the monastery.
“Oh, and one more important thing—don’t be scared, but my brother and I aren’t exactly human. In fact, my nephew shows the non-human traits the most. We belong to an ancient race called the Oni, and dragon blood flows through our veins as well.”
Morro was startled when Wu picked him up, but he was happy that someone was finally taking care of him. Wu’s words surprised him a little, but he accepted them willingly. As long as it didn’t hurt him, he could accept anything. He was especially happy to know there would be another child his age nearby—he certainly wouldn’t be bored.
Wu closed the monastery door behind them and headed toward the nearest door across the hall, which led to the kitchen. First, he would give Morro something to eat, then a bath, and meanwhile talk to the others.
Morro found the inside of the monastery breathtaking, but the moment they stepped into the kitchen, it felt like heaven. Wu pulled out a chair and sat him down.
“I know you’re hungry. What would you like to eat? We have eggs, several kinds of ham, salami, cheese, and plenty of other things. Since your stomach wouldn’t handle heavy food well, I can give you soup too—there’s some left from yesterday.”
“The soup is fine, thank you,” came the simple answer.
“Alright,” Wu said.
He slowly reheated the soup on the stove. While they waited, a pleasant silence settled between them.
A few minutes later, a yawn echoed from the hallway. Wu’s first thought was that one of the sleepyheads had woken up. Garmadon stepped into the room, and Morro tensed for a moment, though not too noticeably.
It took Garmadon a few seconds to process the sight before him, then he looked at Wu questioningly.
“Well, dear brother, I’d like an explanation. Why do you have a small child with you?”
“This… this is hard to explain. This is Morro, and I found him outside the monastery this morning. I followed my heart, and it told me I had to help him. What would you say if he lived with us from now on?”
“That’s quite sudden, Wu! I’m barely awake enough for this—but I don’t mind. Lloyd will surely be happy to finally have someone his age.”
Then Garmadon turned to Morro.
“Well then, welcome, Morro. I’m glad to meet you. I’m Garmadon, Wu’s brother. I hope you’ll get along with my son—just be careful, he’s quite mischievous, a real little devil.”
“I’m very glad to meet you too, and thank you,” Morro replied shyly. Garmadon’s aura was a little intimidating, but he didn’t seem like a bad person. Morro was excited to meet the boy his age—what was his name again? Oh, right. Lloyd. A nice name, he thought.
“I think I’ll go talk to Misako too,” Garmadon said. “But first, pass me my morning coffee.”
“You do realize it’s almost noon?” Wu asked amusedly.
“Of course I do. Lloyd will be up soon as well, though I think he’ll sleep a few more hours after the day before yesterday. I can’t blame him.”
With that, he left the two of them, coffee mug in hand.
The soup was nearly boiling. Wu took it off the stove and poured it into a bowl.
“Enjoy your meal,” he said, handing it to Morro.
“Thank you.”
Wu watched contentedly as Morro happily devoured the soup. He finished rather quickly.
Wu picked him up again.
“Well, Morro, I think a bath is in order.”
Morro nodded in response.
While the tub was filling, Wu asked Garmadon to find some clean clothes for Morro. Lloyd had plenty of extras, so there was plenty to choose from. Garmadon returned quickly with a faded green sweater and black pants. Morro liked them—green was his favorite color, and a streak of his hair was green as well.
Soon the water reached the right temperature. Morro eagerly waited to climb in, and before Wu could even give permission, he was already getting into the tub. The water was pleasantly warm—exactly what he needed.
“Thank you, it’s really warm.”
“You’re welcome. May I wash your hair?” Wu asked.
“Sure.”
The next few minutes passed in silence. Morro soon stepped out of the bathroom clean and fresh. In his new clothes, he happily followed Wu in a direction he didn’t yet know.
Wu tried to explain which room was which. At the end of the right corridor was Lloyd’s room, but they didn’t go there so as not to wake him. Next to it was another room, which Wu considered a possible choice for Morro.
Then they headed toward Wu’s room. Misako was there as well, standing beside Garmadon. It was time to discuss things.
“Well, hello. It’s nice to meet you. Morro, right?” Misako greeted him kindly.
“I’m very glad to meet you too,” Morro said, a little nervous but trying to compose himself.
“So then, what do you think?” Wu got straight to the point.
Misako was almost the last one who needed convincing; Garmadon had agreed rather easily.
“I’m fine with it,” Garmadon confirmed. “Dear?”
Misako thought for a few minutes, then let out a relieved sigh.
“Why shouldn’t he stay? I don’t have any objections either. As my husband mentioned, we have a rather energetic son—but I think you’ll get along well.”
At that exact moment, the sound of small footsteps echoed in the hallway.
“Dad? Where are you?” Lloyd’s voice called out.
Garmadon stepped forward.
“I’m here, sleepyhead. Good morning. How did you sleep? We have a surprise for you—but first, do you still want to keep your extra limbs? This is very important.”
“Yes! I feel fine like this. Is that okay? You’re not mad at me?” Lloyd asked cautiously.
“No, of course I’m not mad. And from now on, you’ll always convince me to be like you too, won’t you?”
Lloyd just giggled.
“Of course. But what’s the surprise?”
By now, Lloyd was fully awake and looked at his father with curious eyes.
“Come, I’ll introduce you to someone,” Garmadon said.
Lloyd obediently followed him toward Wu’s room, where his mother and Wu were standing, hiding something—or someone.
“Lloyd, my son… well… this is Morro, and from now on, he’s part of our family. If you think about it, that makes him your cousin.”
Morro stepped out from behind the adults and studied Lloyd. It was strange to see a person with a tufted tail and horns, but Wu had told him they weren’t entirely human—only Misako was.
Lloyd spoke first.
“Uh… hi. I’m Lloyd.” He was just as surprised as Morro.
“Hi. I’m Morro,” came the short reply.
“Why don’t you two go get to know each other for a bit?” Misako said. “We’ll talk about a few important things in the meantime.”
She ushered the children out of the room and asked Lloyd to show Morro around.
Lloyd nodded enthusiastically and motioned for Morro to follow him. Soon they disappeared down the hallway toward Lloyd’s room.
Misako smiled and shook her head. Kids, she thought, then turned back to the two troublemaking adults to discuss the days to come.