Chapter Text
Lloyd Garmadon had the unfortunate pleasure of being the son of arguably the most infamous man in the history of Ninjago.
This was, much to his annoyance, not a little known fact. Lord Garmadon was known far and wide for his deeds, spreading chaos and destruction to satisfy the evil that festered within him.
In fact, Garmadon was probably getting ready for his next strike right this moment, while Lloyd was left staring glassy-eyed at the classroom whiteboard, chin resting in his hand as the kid behind him chucked paper clips at the back of his head.
Lloyd’s hand clenched around his pencil, teeth digging into his lip as he tried to follow the teacher despite the barrage to the head, a soft growl slipping out as his shoulders pulled in. Every ounce of him wanted to lash out, to jump out of his seat and tell the kid to knock it off, but the very second he threatened to rise, the teacher turned to the class and spoke.
“Alright, now, class. Your homework problems are on the board. Once you’ve got them written down, you’re free to go.”
Thank every single god out there.
Lloyd gathered his things as fast as he could, eyes lowered as he shuffled out of the classroom and into the hall before anyone could say anything to him. He made his way down the hallway to his locker, throwing it open and shoving his notebooks into it, shoulders pulled in a defensive stance. It was just lunch. He could survive that, at least he’d be with his friends and it would be somewhat bearable.
“Yo, Lloyd!”
The blond tensed up at first but eased almost immediately as he saw a wave of brunette hair peek from behind his locker door. “Hey, Kai.”
“What up, dude? You good?” Kai beamed at him, popping open his locker and putting his books away before slamming it with much more force than necessary.
“Yeah, I… I’m good.”
Kai’s enthusiastic smile faltered, detecting the lie in Lloyd’s tone, but he decided against mentioning it. Instead, he leaned a bit closer to whisper, “By the way, dunno if you know. Master Wu wants us on the Bounty after school for some training thing.”
“Really?” Lloyd raised an eyebrow. This was the first he was hearing about it. “It’s been a while since he’s actually scheduled training for us. Do you know what it’s about?”
Kai shrugged. “Beats me. Probably to impart some lame wisdom junk on us again. You know how it is.”
Lloyd only shrugged in response, closing his locker door with a slight huff before looking up. A rumbling noise came down the hall from the opposite direction Kai did, growing stronger until Nya came whipping around the corner, revving her motorcycle down the empty halls with Cole trailing slowly on foot behind her.
“Hey, bro!” Nya beamed, stopping her bike just short of mowing the two teens over. “Check out the new paint job! It’s the Lady Iron Dragon … my hero!”
Lloyd gave a nervous smile, grateful that no one else was in the hallway. Nya’s stunts were always prone to drawing unwanted attention. “It’s… great Nya!”
“Hey, Nya!” Kai spoke from around Lloyd. “Sweet ride!”
Nya scrunched her face slightly and when she spoke her tone was a bit more disappointed. “Oh, hey… actual bro.”
Kai rolled his eyes, crossing his arms as he leaned against the locker banks and waited for the others to put their things away. “Where’s Zane and Jay?”
“They said they’d meet us there. Something something… I didn’t understand them,” Cole mumbled, fumbling to grab his headphones out and untangle them.
“Hey, uh, Cole? Do you know about the training thi–” Lloyd turned to ask the other ninja something, but he already had his headphones on, effectively blocking out the world around him. He sighed. Guess he’d just have to figure out what was going on when he got there. Brushing it from his mind, he followed his friends as they headed to the lunchroom, enjoying this moment of quiet and friendly chatter while he still could.
The lunchroom was awash with the clangor of rowdy students, all unwinding the bulk of their energy with sub-par jokes and roughing up their friends a bit. Without fail, there was always, always one table that never had anyone sitting at it. Said table had been defaced time and time again, the words “losers,” “freaks,” and other such things scratched into and written across its surface. The ninja took an odd sort of pleasure in it, though, that this table was unmistakably theirs , regardless.
After getting their lunches, they sat down around the table, which was when Kai noticed one of the other students was watching them like a hawk. He huffed slightly turning back to the others.
“Warning, jerkhead at 3 o’clock ,” he muttered. “Better ignore him.” Of course, the “jerkhead” in question didn’t make that easy. He never did.
“Hey hey, Dork Squad!”
“Oh, great,” Nya rolled her eyes. “Now we’re going to get an earful from cheer boy , here.”
“Whatever, sister,” Chen scoffed, disregarding the other ninja to focus on his favorite target. “Where’re your other two losers, Garma dork ? The freak and the nervous wreck?” He leaned against the table, glancing over each of them before his eyes fell to rest on Cole, who had since turned up the volume on his music to drown out the noise.
“What do you want, Chen?” Lloyd hissed, putting down his sandwich and giving the cheerleader a look of disdain.
“Hold on,” said Chen before reaching over and taking a firm hold on Cole’s headphones, ripping them off his head. “ Hello ~! Earth to metalhead! I’m talking to you!”
In a split second, Cole was on his feet, pure rage painted across his expression. His clenched fist immediately went to swing at the other, but Lloyd’s hand flew to Cole’s bicep and gripped tightly. The earth ninja seemed to deflate at that, Chen giving a slight laugh as he sunk back into his seat.
“Isn’t that better? Now, then, as I was saying…” Chen leaned in again over the table, both hands flat against it. “It’s a bit of a shame that– Oh, wait, nevermind. Look who decided to join the fun .”
Zane and Jay made their way over to the table, and at the sight of Chen, Jay ducked behind the nindroid. “Oh, no…” Jay mumbled. “What does he want?”
“I’m honestly a bit offended you didn’t notice! We gave your loser table a new feature!” With that, the cheerleader gave a swift kick to one of the legs of the table, prompting the whole thing to drop from under them.
Each of them immediately leapt to their feet, and Lloyd swore he saw sparks skip off Kai’s fingers. The chorus of laughter than ensued pulled pure rage from them, and Lloyd felt himself cave inwards.
“See you later, dorks!” Chen turned from them at that, his voice joining the laughter as he walked away.
As Chen left, Kai felt his flames begin to rise within him, his foot stomping on the ground and sending a small spray of orange sparks out. “That’s it! That’s it! ” The other ninja, still shaken, turned to watch him with a nervous stare. “I’m going to burn this goddamn school down I swear to the Gods!”
“Kai, come on–” Lloyd started.
“No! That’s enough! I’ve had enough of this!”
“Please, Kai–”
The fire ninja turned to the other, still fuming, but his face fell as he saw the way Lloyd was curled with his hands clasped over his ears. Cole and Nya were on either side of him, Cole with one arm wrapped around his shoulders and Nya with her hand placed on his bicep.
Kai eased ever so slightly, that was until there was a small snort from one of the other students followed by, “Look at that psycho freak! Is he finally gonna lose it?”
“Haha, maybe! I’d like to see him try!”
The temperature seemed to rise slightly as Kai’s shoulders pulled and Zane looked to Lloyd, who made a slight motion and prompted the nindroid to quickly shuffle up beside him and put his hands carefully on the fire ninja’s shoulders.
“Kai, let it go. Not now,” Zane spoke slow, gently pulling out the heat that radiated off of the other to try and neutralize his influence.
“Come on,” Lloyd muttered. “We’ve got better things to do.” At this point, the green ninja appeared to have mostly relaxed, now the most of the noise had died down, but he was still obviously in some form of distress.
“We can’t keep doing this forever…” Kai hissed, shrugging off Zane’s grasp.
“I know, I know. J-just… Not now.”
“Yeah, bro. Cool off. It wasn’t even that funny of a stunt, I don’t know what he was thinking,” Nya said with a slight huff, jamming her hands into her pockets.
“We can just… go somewhere else! Yeah, that’s… that sounds like a good idea. Way better than, uhh, any… any other outcome to this scenario…” Jay mumbled.
Kai was still visibly fuming, but he conceded. “Fine. Whatever. Sure…”
With Kai placated, Lloyd let himself deflate, thankful that the others were there to help mediate. Even though they were older than him, he was responsible for keeping the team in check, and he had no clue what he’d do if Kai started fighting people with his elemental powers in the middle of the lunchroom… or worse. From behind, Cole gave the green ninja a gentle, reassuring squeeze. “C’mon, bud. We can all eat outside today, okay?”
Lloyd released a breath he didn’t know he was even holding in. “Yeah… Yeah, okay.”
To Lloyd’s relief, the rest of the school day went by rather uneventfully. Or rather, about as eventfully as usual. “Witty” remarks from other students about how insufferable they all were, despite minding their own business. Zane getting his books knocked out of his hands, Lloyd getting shoved in the hallways. The usual stuff, really. At this point, unfortunately, they had all steeled themselves to that stuff. It was a blessing when the last bell rang, and they were finally able to leave that wretched place for the rest of the day.
Of course, that didn’t mean the end of the day’s work. Not for the green ninja.
The sound of ships coming and going from the shore and the soft lapping of the water against the dock was the only sound for quite some time as the six ninja situated themselves on the deck of the Destiny’s Bounty to await their ninja master.
“What does he even have planned for us?” Cole broke the silence. “We haven’t had training in what, months? I thought we were in peak physical condition, or whatever.”
“Cole is correct,” Zane stated. “It has been almost three months since our last proper training session.”
“Like I know what Wu wants. Dude’s harder to understand than a fortune cookie,” said Kai.
“Students.”
Each of the ninja straightened a bit more at the voice and turned as Master Wu emerged from the lower deck of the Bounty. He laughed slightly at the sudden stand to attention he was given. “Please, as you were. I’m glad you came. Sit down. We have much to discuss.”
“Oh, boy…” Jay mumbled.
They did as they were asked, however, and each other them sat cross-legged in a semicircle around their master.
“I hope you know, you are not in trouble. I’m not your parents. However, as your ninja master, I have… concerns.”
“Like what?” Nya asked.
“Yeah! We’ve been out there kicking Garmadon’s butt for how long, now? What’s the issue?” Kai cut in.
“That is the problem, Kai. You’ve been too complacent! You rely on your mechs and machines too heavily, your training has fallen to the wayside. Garmadon is becoming tired of this squabble. I fear he is mounting an attack much larger than before, and all of you have become content to do nothing but play video games instead of honing your skills.”
The six teenagers all looked to each other, each trying to decide what to say before Wu started again.
“You must be in peak condition for whatever Garmadon may throw at you. There will not always be a time when your mechs will save you, and you must be ready for that. Now, get up! Today you will be sparring. Get ready.”
“Yes, Master Wu,” they said in unison, standing up.
They went to the wall of the cabin of the Bounty, where all their weapons had been hung neatly and pulled them off, returning to the main deck and pairing up.
“This sucks…” Kai mumbled as he readied his swords across from Zane. “I expected more… wisdom junk, less scolding.”
“Perhaps it is best we take it at face value,” Zane pulled an arrow from his quiver at that, knocking it on his bowstring. “After all, it could’ve been worse.”
Each of the ninja sunk into a ready position across from each other. Kai and Zane, Nya and Jay, and Cole and Lloyd.
“Ready?” Master Wu asked from his position near the cabin. He paused, looking at each of them before nodding. “Begin.”
The wide deck of the airship became awash with the clangor of them fighting. Zane pulled back on his bow, the tip of the arrow forming frozen crystals before it was fired near Kai’s ankles. The arrow splintered into ice shards as it hit the wooden deck and crawled outwards, encasing the fire ninja’s feet in ice as he tried to charge. Grunting, he gripped the handles of his swords tighter, the blades beginning to heat to a dull orange that he swiped at the ice holding him in place and it spat as it began to sublimate.
Zane readied another arrow, shuffling back from his adversary to put a bit more distance between them, but Kai had freed himself before it could be loosed. He charged the ice ninja, swiping down overhead with both swords that soon clashed with the metal arms of his bow as it was held to defend. Zane grunted, locking his elbow as Kai swiped his blades downward, the nindroid spinning the arrow around in his off hand and moving to jab at the fire ninja’s chest while he still had his arms up.
Meanwhile, Nya spun her spear in a wide arc in front of her, calling forth a stream of water to follow it and sending it towards Jay. Jay planted his feet and blue sparks jumped from his fingers before he thrust both his hands out in front of him and sent bolts of electricity towards the water whip headed his direction. They crackled and spit as they collided, the water vaporizing off from the heat and Jay smirking as Nya’s attack didn’t even make it to him.
The water ninja huffed, readying her spear and going for a harsh jab. Jay hopped to the side, snapping out with his flail and whipping the chain around the end of her spear, trying to pull it from her grasp. Nya wasn’t having it, though, and pulled back harder in kind, causing the brunette to stumble and twist his hand harshly to try and untangle his weapon before Nya could pull him off his feet. He, of course, wasn’t fast enough, and his face hit the wood with a harsh thud. In the process of trying to pull himself up, he sent a sharp jolt of electricity through his hand that was still holding his flail connected to Nya’s spear, shocking her.
“Ow! Jay! ” she yelped.
“Sorry, Nya! No hard feelings?”
The water ninja snickered, yanking her spear back out of the tangle. “…Only because seeing you hit the deck was pretty funny.”
Lloyd had to fight hard to fend of Cole’s slow, heavy blows. Time and time again his hammer struck the deck and Lloyd swore he was about to smash right through it, but he could tell Cole was pulling his punches.
A heavy swing came down over his head, and Lloyd threw up his sword to block it, but only just barely. Cole was still much stronger, and that hammer probably weighed about as much as he did, so his sword couldn’t really do a whole lot to block it head on, instead trying to deflect or dodge entirely. Lloyd twisted his sword and hitched the flat of the blade into the joint where the head of the hammer met the handle and swung his arm outwards, sidestepping as it slid down to crash towards him.
Cole stepped to follow the trajectory of his weapon so as to not be pulled off balance before hefting the thing back up and stepping back as the green ninja went to slice across his chest.
The whole ship swayed a little bit occasionally, as fire and ice and water and lightning clashed in vibrant displays across its deck. Lloyd glanced over a few times, narrowly avoiding getting hit as he did, but his attention snapped almost completely as he heard Kai yell, “Hey, no fair!” and saw Zane, his bow on the ground, both hands gripping the blades of either of the fire ninja’s katanas before–
WHACK!
Stars sparkled through the green ninja’s eyes as Cole’s hammer, that felt like it was about ten tons just now, collided with his ribs and he was sent sprawling across the wood floor.
“Enough!” Master Wu’s voice rose above the noise of it all and silence instantly fell across them all.
“Oh, shit… Sorry, Lloyd!” Cole dropped his hammer and rushed to the younger ninja’s side, taking his hand to help him get up. “You okay, dude?”
“Yeah, I… I think I’m good,” Lloyd mumbled, rubbing where he was hit with his other hand.
Master Wu strode over, lifting a hand to place it gently on his nephew’s shoulder. “Lloyd, you are clearly distracted. A ninja who lets his mind wander leaves himself open to attack. What is troubling you?”
Lloyd tensed a little at the contact, but slowly eased, letting out a long breath. “Master Wu… It’s been… four years since you made me the green ninja and I haven’t gotten any powers yet. You keep telling me I’m supposed to be the most powerful ninja, but I… I can’t do what they do. I can’t create fire, or make a flood, or- or cause an earthquake.”
The others shifted a bit, moving closer as their faces fell to match Lloyd’s as he continued. “And no matter what I do, Garmadon keeps coming back. So maybe if there was, like… I don’t know, something I could do to unlock my powers. Some kind of trial, or a weapon, or something! Then maybe we can get rid of him for good, maybe–”
“Lloyd!” Wu snapped. Lloyd tensed, eyes darting up to meet his uncle’s gaze. It was harsh at first but soon softened after a moment. “Come with me, Lloyd. The rest of you keep training! We will return momentarily.”
The old man ushered Lloyd into the cabin of the Bounty and to his private quarters on it. “ Whaaat are we doing in here, uncle Wu?”
“Let me show you something, nephew.” On one side of the room, there was a large wooden case that Wu strode up to. He leaned his bamboo staff up against the wall, opening the latch on the case and lifting out what looked to be just a big metal tube at first. Turning around, Lloyd was able to get a better look at it and… well, it looked like a big metal tube still. It was a matte silver all over, except either end and the single button on the side was glossy. It didn’t really look like something that should’ve been kept in a locked chest.
“This, Lloyd, is the Ultimate Weapon.”
“The… Ultimate Weapon , huh? It doesn’t look very ultimate. What does it even do?”
Wu shook his head slightly, disapproving, almost. “Do not be so quick to judge. Not all power is obvious. This weapon is powerful enough to defeat even the likes of Garmadon.”
The young boy seemed to perk up at the last addition, leaning in to get a better look at the device. “What? Why are you just now showing this to me? We could’ve used this, like, ages ago, Master! We wouldn’t have to worry about Garmadon or anything else with this!”
“This is a lesson. Listen to me. The power contained within this weapon is immense and, in the wrong hands, could spell destruction for all of Ninjago.”
Lloyd almost reached for it as Wu held it out for him to inspect, though he figured he’d be reprimanded for trying. “But, in my hands–”
“Your hands are the wrong hands. Though it may have the strength to defeat your father, many would be hurt in the process.”
Wu turned back, placing the Ultimate Weapon back into its box and snapping it shut, the green ninja before him looking down at his own gloved hands. He thought he was supposed to be the most powerful ninja of all, but his hands were the wrong ones? He’s the good guy, here.
“Lloyd, you must not desire the power within you to destroy your father. Just as this weapon, using your powers the wrong way, even if it’s for the right reasons, will only lead to destruction. Do you understand?”
Lloyd let out a long, low sigh. “Yes, Master Wu.”
There was a pause as Wu grabbed his staff once more before making his way towards the door. “That is all for today. If you wish to join your friends again, you may, but you are welcome to head home.”
“Thank you, Master Wu.” Yeah, he supposed he was done for the day. Some kind of “training” this was.
Lloyd supposed he could feel lucky for that day. Garmadon didn’t attack, so at the very least the only thing that got destroyed was the table and a bit of his spirit, rather than the downtown buildings that just got rebuilt. A slightly shaky hand reached out, grabbing the knob to his apartment door and shoving it open. He pulled in a breath, put on his best smile, and lifted his head in anticipation for his mother’s greeting.
“Hey, sweetie!” Right on cue. Koko smiled wide at him, putting down the plate she was washing and drying off her hands on the nearby towel. “How was your day?”
“ Heeey , mom. It was… good. Pretty good.”
“Are you sure? It doesn’t sound like it.”
“Oh, y’know, just… There were some jerks at lunch today, but it wasn’t a big deal. I’m… I’m fine.”
Koko gave a low sigh, stepping forwards slowly to pull her son close to her chest. “What did those jerks say?”
“Just… some stuff about dad,” Lloyd mumbled as he gently hugged back. “But really, mom. It’s whatever. I didn’t listen to them.”
“Well, that’s good.” She let go of the embrace after a few moments, giving the other a gentle kiss on the cheek. “Listen, Lloyd. All that matters is that you’re genuine. You can take pleasure in knowing that you’ve probably got it better than them since they’ve had to sink as low as that.”
“Yeah… Thanks, mom.”
“Of course. Now, go get started on your homework. I’ve got to finish these dishes or else they’re never gonna get done.” Koko punctuated that with a light laugh and Lloyd couldn’t help but smile back at her before he slipped into his room and his face fell with his entire body onto his bed.
What. A. Nightmare.
It felt like every bone in his body had started to ache. He didn’t quite realize it at first, but laying here in the silence, he realized how wound up he had gotten and it was all unfurling. He almost got up to do is homework. Almost. But at that moment his mattress was too comfortable for its own good, and he couldn’t help but fall asleep like that.