Chapter Text
I was never really that good at making friends.
Not only was I kind of shy, but it just never seemed like I had an ideal opportunity to try and talk to other kids. Nobody was really too eager to try and connect with me, either. The few friends I did make ended up leaving soon afterward.
But today, as I was about to discover, friends can appear even in the unlikeliest of places.
Jamonakai Village. My home for as long as I could remember---at least, it was the closest thing I had to a home. I’d never really had a home home, because I was an orphan. I’d lived in the village’s orphanage my whole life. I was ten years old, but had never been lucky enough to be adopted. But no big deal; it was nothing to be sorry about. It was just an unfortunate fact of my life.
Today began like any other. As soon as the orphanage’s supervisors said us older kids could leave after breakfast, I was the first one out the door. There weren’t many of us living in the rather small orphanage, but the small building still felt cramped to me sometimes. I took advantage of as much outside time as I could; sometimes I even snuck out at night to stargaze in the plaza. I’d never been caught doing it; somehow, I was just too sneaky. At least that was one good thing going in my life.
Anyway, back to the story. While the other kids grouped together to play games in the orphanage’s grassy courtyard, I beelined for the village itself, just a really short walk down the stone path. I gratefully inhaled the fresh air, soothed by the cold mountain air mixed with the sweet scent of flowers. Something good was going to happen today; I had this feeling that told me so.
Once I arrived inside the village, I slowed down to a stroll. A few people waved at me in greeting as I passed by, recognising the kind, raven-haired orphan girl that never failed to wander their streets. The mountain air was extra frosty today, but I didn’t mind; I was wearing my usual purple hoodie over a light yellow t-shirt, as well as jeans, so I wasn't going to get cold.
I thought to myself, trying to decide what to do on such a nice day as this. I neared the main plaza, when a troubled shout broke the peaceful atmosphere.
“Get me down from here!”
My head jolted upward, and I was shocked at what I saw. There was a boy, around my age it seemed, hanging from the top of a store building! “What the heck?” I exclaimed quietly, baffled by the sight.
The boy wore a black hoodie with a green 5 imprinted on it, and white marks that resembled the ribs of a skeleton that looked like they’d been painted on. The poor boy was hanging by the back of said hoodie, struggling to try and free himself. Who would do such an awful thing to him?! My good heart demanded I help him immediately, and so I ran over to stand beneath him. “Hey!” I shouted up to him, gaining his attention. “Need some help?”
The boy nodded, seeming almost embarrassed. “You mean...you’re gonna help me?”
“That’s what I just said, isn’t it?” I told him, smiling in reassurance. Heading over to the side of the building, I found a few wooden crates that were stacked perfectly, creating a way to the roof. I swiftly climbed up them, arriving up on the roof in no time. I went over to the boy, grabbing his hand and then gently prying his hood off the corner it was stuck on. Using all my strength, I hauled him to safety onto the roof.
“T-Thanks,” he told me once he was safe, giving me a small smile from beneath his hood.
I nodded, smiling brightly at him. “Sure thing! I wasn’t just gonna leave you up there.” My expression then turned sour as I asked, “Who did that to you, anyway? That’s just plain cruel.”
“The stupid ninja put me up there!” the boy grumbled, his expression also turning sour. “All I wanted was some candy, but they just had to come in and ruin my fun!”
“The ninja?” I echoed curiously. I had heard of Ninjago’s resident ninja before. I’d never seen them in person, but I had heard of their good deeds and how they’d fought against skeletons and Lord Garmadon. One of the caretakers at the orphanage was very adamant that we were updated about exciting recent events. They made good bedtime stories, at least. “Why would ninja hang you from a building if all you wanted was candy?”
The boy crossed his arms. “Okay, maybe I was demanding it from everyone and threatening to release the Serpentine on them,” he admitted in a huff. “But I was getting what I wanted before those stupid ninja showed up!”
Demanding candy? Threatening to release the Serpentine? Okay, I guess he’s a troublemaker of some sort.
“Maybe if I had actually released the Serpentine, I would’ve gotten away with it,” he pointed out, frowning.
I made a face. “Uh, I wouldn’t recommend that…” Weren’t the Serpentine just a myth anyway?
“Whatever,” he said, shrugging. He turned around and started making his way down off the shop’s roof, and I followed him. “They’ll soon learn to fear me!”
Fear him? Who was this kid? “Why do you want people to fear you?” I asked as we reached the ground.
He turned to me with a smirk. “Because I’m Lloyd Garmadon, son of Lord Garmadon! I’m the future dark ruler!” He emphasized his point with an evil laugh.
Wait, what? This guy was the son of Lord Garmadon?! I didn’t even know he had a son. Still, despite the sinister nature of Lloyd’s words, his proclamation was more...adorable than scary. Okay, so the boy isn’t really evil. Mischievous and a troublemaker, yes. But evil? I don’t think so. In addition to being sneaky, I was also really good at reading people. I supposed that made two good things going for me?
“Well, nice to meet you, Lloyd,” I replied to his dramatic introduction, smiling warmly despite his dark promises. “I’m Aurora.”
Lloyd nodded at me. “Thanks again for getting me down from there.” He turned and started walking away, out of the alley. “Well, see you around.”
It was weird, but I was almost...sad to see him go. I’d known Lloyd Garmadon for only five minutes, but for some reason I wanted to be his friend. Something was drawing me to him… I had no idea what was urging me to stay with him, to not let him just walk away and never see him again. There was this strange feeling in my gut, and the farther away Lloyd walked, the stronger it became.
Well, one thing I’d learned early on in life was to always trust your gut.
My legs acted before my mind came to the decision. “Wait up!” I called after Lloyd. I caught up with him after he rounded the corner of the shop. He turned around to face me again, confusion on his face. “Want some company?”
He made a half confused, half surprised face. “You...want to come with me?”
I nodded, smiling in excitement. “Sure! I’m bored of this place, anyway.” I then looked down at my feet for a moment. “Besides...no one should be alone, you know?” I knew the feeling all too well. Perhaps with Lloyd, I would finally find a friend who wouldn’t go away in the end?
Lloyd grinned at my words. “Well...okay!” he agreed, seeming excited at the thought of not being alone. “You can help me get my revenge on the ninja!”
I inwardly cringed. Okay...not what I had in mind, but… How much harm could this boy do? His idea of evil was stealing candy. Besides, the thought of having a friend again outweighed the potential trouble he could cause.
And so was the beginning of an incredible adventure, the likes of which I could never have dreamed of. I certainly had no idea of what lied before us back then, innocent as I was. But destiny works in mysterious ways. I would forever look back on that day and be glad that I decided to go with the son of Lord Garmadon on what would turn out to be a perilous journey.
The fate of Ninjago would depend on it, after all.