Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"Man, so we have gone soft," Jay remarked, studying the state of his own abs like there were the most fascinating thing he's seen in months. He then compared it to Cole's, who was lying bare chest on the carpet in front of him. "I'm impressed," he said, actually sounding delighted. "There's literally zero difference." 

"But not for much longer," Kai declared, remembering the news broadcast they'd ended up watching just hours earlier. "We've found our quest." 

"And soon, our strength," Zane chimed in. Kai nodded in agreement, but suddenly felt himself frown. It felt as if...wait, why was he feeling as though he was forgetting something?

"Have you all done packing?" a voice asked, snapping him out of his thoughts. Nya looked exhausted as she entered the room, but Kai could still see the scarce bits of excitement on her face at the thought of tomorrow's adventure. "I couldn't decide between sneakers or boots."

"Actually, both are sufficient for a sand filled environment," answered Zane automatically, raised his head to look at her. "But, if it is comfort you desire, then sneakers would be the better choice."

Kai bit back a curse, making a mental note to fix his mistake. 

"Thanks," Nya smiled, and then her gaze fell on the sleeping form in front of them, only now noticing its presence. Her eyebrows knitted into a frown. "What the heck happened to him?"

"Cake," Kai replied, rubbing the back of his neck tiredly. Just then, Nya's expression suddenly darkened.

He just stared. "What's wrong?"

"Whose birthday was it last week?"

Kai blinked, his mouth hanging open as he remembered immediately. He could only watch with sympathy as his sister then made her way to the sleeping Cole, nudging him with her right foot. Like Kai had expected, Cole was far too dead to the world to awaken so said foot then chose to slam into his shoulder, jolting him up instantly.

"Wha—"

"You ate it all didn't you?" Nya hissed.

Cole looked up at her groggily, before his eyes then widened as it registered what was going on. "Listen—"

"Don't—"

"It wasn't yours, I promise!"

"You finished the second cake days ago. So the only one left in the freezer was—"

Beside him, Zane's face was the symbol of despairing exasperation, while Jay was merely watching in adoration—honestly, it was moments like this that made Kai 100% sure that his possible future brother-in-law wasn't completely sane. Nya could violently commit murder right in front of him and the Master of Lightning wouldn't even bat an eye. Kai couldn't understand why he was so surprised, really. 

"Is she always like this?" he asked dreamily. Zane let out a snort while Kai chose to gaze at the floor, knowing the answer all too well.

Kai sighed. "Growing up, we...we didn't exactly have much," he told them wearily. "Our parents were gone—so Nya's always been possessive over her things."

Jay said nothing, continuing to spectate them. Kai leaned back into the sofa, hands reaching for the remote on Zane's lap. 

"What time are we leaving?" he then asked Zane.

The nindroid pondered for a minute. "After tomorrow's breakfast would be ideal," Zane said thoughtfully. "Perhaps we could depart at 9:00 am?"

Kai nodded in satisfaction. "Sounds good to me."

"Also," Jay suddenly said, causing Zane and Kai to turn to him. "When were we planning to tell Lloyd about all this, again?"

Lloyd—

Oh.

Oh.

Kai had never smacked his forehead so hard in his entire life. Of course—that was what he'd forgotten. That was why he was so, so stupid—

A sharp gasp cut through the air, and Kai's gaze snapped up to see it had been from Nya. All the color hd drained from her face, and she stood there as though she'd just been slapped. 

"We forgot Lloyd?" she then whispered, clearly horrified. Nya's voice shook heavily. "B-but how could we have—"

Even Zane appeared ashamed, refusing to meet anyone's gaze."I..." he eventually trailed off, seeming lost for words. "I do not know." 

"What do you mean you don't know?"

Jay's eyes were wide, electric blue staring at them all like they'd just morphed into him— well, maybe they actually had, because this was something Kai had sworn he'd never do.

"Don't tell me you guys forgot our leader!" he exclaimed, aghast. 

No, it was worse, Kai thought despairingly. They'd forgotten their little brother. What kind of idiots were they? 

"We're terrible siblings," Nya moaned miserably. Kai had to second that. He was feeling every single stage of terrible right now. "FSM, we...we forgot him like sunscreen!"

"And I still haven't found mine," Cole muttered, his face buried in his hands. "Man, ever since greenie moved out with Lord G, I forgot he used to live here."

"Which should not be the case considering he visits every now and then," Zane pointed out. Cole sighed at that, admitting defeat.

"Quick, someone get a hold of him!" Nya then said urgently.

"I'm gonna text him," Kai told her quickly, wasting no time to whip out his phone. He bit back a curse as he saw the battery but then—

"Thank FSM," he breathed, his eyes wide.  "Lloyd's online!"

"Oh thank the First—"

"Is he coming?" Cole asked, bitting his lip.

Kai instantly typed out a message, seriously hoping he hadn't committed some sins in his past life. 

Then, after a while, he looked up from his phone, a weary expression on his face. "Well, that's gonna be a bit of a problem at the moment."

"8.877?"

Garmadon looked up to meet his gaze, a soft smile forming on aged lips. "That is correct. Well done, son."

Finally, Lloyd thought in relief. Just a few minutes ago, he'd seriously considered hurling his calculator at a wall. 

Math wasn't his best subject. Hell, it had never been, not even when it had somehow managed to be chucked at his face by Darkley's. And now that his finally-human-once-again-parent was trying to help him with it? Lloyd wanted to laugh.

It had been six months since that day with the Oni—six months since he'd nearly died and saw Sensei Garmadon standing over him in the place of an emotionless demon. So much and so little had happened ever since then; the first being that Garmadon had decided to find himself a new place to live, which ended up somehow being in the same area his old monastery had once stood. And that was there Lloyd was now, and actually had been for all these months. 

Though, when his father decided to remedy his barely-existent education, Lloyd was seriously beginning to regret it.

"Now, just one more and we will go eat lunch," Garmadon then said, snapping him back to reality.

Lloyd nodded at that, eager to leave as soon as possible. "Okay," he replied and squinted his eyes as he stared at the next question—curse Darkley's and their stupid teaching system. Curse him and his never focusing brain.

But then, his phone dinged beside him. 

Lloyd's gaze jerked to it in an instant, already well-aware what it meant. 

"Father?" he then called, raising his head from the dusty, old book. "Did I tell you that Kai was coming?"

Garmadon blinked, staring at him in surprise. "He is?"

Lloyd began to grimace, wondering if this would end well. "Yeah," he swallowed and set his calculator down on the table. "Around now." 

As if on cue, a knock then sounded on the door. His father and him exchanged a surprised look at the precise timing, and Lloyd swallowed hard. 

"I'll get it," he told Garmadon hastily, wasting no time to get to his feet. 

He opened the door to reveal Kai, who grinned immediately at the sight of him.

"Well, it's been a while big shot," the brunette smirked, before yanking him into a hug that made Lloyd completely certain that his friend was secretly part Constrictai. That was the only way he could describe Kai's hugs ever since day one, but it wasn't as if Lloyd could trade it for anything anyway. 

FSM, how he missed this. He missed his team.

"Kai," Lloyd managed to say, while also gasping for air. Kai seemed to take notice of that and released him at once—though, that still happened to be after he managed to mess up his hair at least twice. 

Lloyd huffed, a hand rushing to fix it. "I just combed that!" he complained, even though he knew that was a lie. Kai merely grinned unapologetically. 

"Well, were you ever planning on letting me in?" he asked playfully, gesturing to the open door. 

"Shut up." 

Lloyd then grabbed his arm, practically yanking him inside in the process. The Master of Fire gave a startled yelp, but Lloyd merely rolled his eyes. Then, once he was sure that Kai was completely inside, Lloyd slammed the door shut.

"Not so rough!" he heard Garmadon chide from inside. 

At least the living room was pretty organized, Lloyd thought, leading Kai there. His father was the main reason for that, making it as homely as possible since it was just the two of them anyway. Misako was still in the monastery with Wu, apparently having had moved on after Garmadon's banishment like Lloyd had expected. His father had taken it hard at first, but eventually managed to accept it, out of guilt after remembering the letter. 

And Lloyd just...adapted. 

"Hey Sensei G," Kai greeted cheerfully as the older man came into view. "Was I interrupting something?"

Garmadon let out a small laugh. "Nothing much. Just a small lesson with Lloyd."

"Lesson?" Kai blinked, eyeing the small mess on the coffee table in disbelief. Lloyd suddenly had the urge to bury his head into his hands, flushing. Kai then glanced at him, lifting an amused eyebrow. "You were learning math?"

"Yeah," Lloyd muttered, sitting down beside him. Can you see why I want to leave now?

To say that things hadn't been the same  since he'd gotten his father back was an understatement. 

Ever since the day following the one with the Oni, Lloyd couldn't help but notice that Garmadon had grown more... protective of him than ever before. Well, perhaps overbearing was the better word. And Lloyd knew exactly why.

He'd literally been thrown around in Kryptarium by the man. And, he'd also given him a death scare six months ago as karma. But at this point, it was ridiculous! Want to get on your dragon and visit the monastery that was literally just fifteen minutes away? Sure, but take me with you. Even alone trips to the grocery store were out of the question.

And man, Lloyd hadn't picked up a katana in ages.

"So," Kai suddenly began, scratching his head nervously as he looked at his father. Garmadon raised an eyebrow. "As we all know, it's been six months—"

"Are you dating my son?" Garmadon asked sharply. Lloyd suddenly couldn't breathe, choking on his own spit. Kai, on the other hand, looked as if someone had just gladly told him how they murdered a family.

"No—of course not!" Kai yelped, blanching in horror. The last time Lloyd had seen him like this was when a fan girl had asked them whether they were actually a thing—and Lloyd still hadn't recovered from that question. "Why would you think—"

"Good," Garmadon breathed, appearing somewhat relieved. At Kai's appalled stare, he sighed. "But even if you were asking for my blessing, Kai, it's nothing against you," he said, running a hand through his hair tiredly. "Lloyd's still too young."

Too young? What the fuck was Tomorrow's Tea and five plus years after that day for then—

"Okay, so like I said it's already been six months," Kai said quickly, seeming just as desperate as Lloyd to forget that conversation even took place. "And Wu wasn't that happy about us doing nothing for the whole time so—"

"I imagine my brother's reaction was rather...unpleasant," Garmadon said with winch. Kai nodded immediately.

"Yeah," Kai agreed, grimacing. "He chewed us out for about ten minutes or so and made us face this...electrifying chicken — Lloyd was sure he couldn't be hearing that part right —  "Then, he booby trapped the entire monastery to teach us a lesson, which only pissed us off by the way," Garmadon laughed aloud at this, and Kai carried on. "And the only way to get him to stop was to defeat him in combat and," Kai let out a cough. "Well, we failed, which is why we decided to go on a quest—"

Garmadon's brows furrowed into a frown, all humor disappearing. "Quest?" he repeated quizzically.

"To get back in shape and hoard our ninja skills," Kai quickly explained with a grin, slinging an arm around Lloyd's shoulders. The blonde's heart pounded frantically in his chest at the thought of Garmadon's answer. "And we could really use our leader so—"

"No," Garmadon said firmly. Kai blinked at him in shock, while Lloyd looked at him in despair.

"Please dad," Lloyd begged. For crying out loud, he was going to lose it if he stayed here any longer, no doubt about that. "It's been six months—"

"It's been six months of peace," Garmadon cut in, folding his arms. He shook his head. "When I was your age, I would have been overjoyed at such an opportunity."

But before either Lloyd and Kai could say anything, he rose from his seat, straightening up. "Kai, you're welcome to join us for lunch if you wish," Garmadon said, narrowing his gaze at Lloyd who glowered back. "But Lloyd stays here."

Kai glanced at him helplessly, meeting his eyes. Lloyd was sure green frustration was burning in his own. "Fine," the red ninja sighed, turning to Garmadon reluctantly. "What are you having?"

'I Solemnly Swear To Drink Coffee To Spite My Sensei' 

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : before i lose my shit or anything similar, please

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : get me out of here.

sparkplug : Um can't u just use ur dragon and sneak out?

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : sure, and my dad probably won't kill me for trying to leave right?

A splash of karma : But

A splash of karma : How is us doing it going to make it so much better again?

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : It won't but if things go wrong i could survive by saying u tried to kidnap me though.

sparkplug : what

mywife'snameiscake : you little shit. 

A splash of karma : Way to go, thanks for raising a demon Kai.

fiyahboyy : excuse me? That's garmadon's fault!

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : in NOT ur defence, i spent more time with u than my own dad tbh.

A splash of karma : Well

A splash of karma : Guess u raised a traitor too huh?

fiyahboyy : pfft he's just pissed about his FAILED escape attempt.

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : correction; a failed escape attempt YOU participated in.

fiyahboyy : correction; a FAILED escape attempt that was YOUR idea.

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : uh...didn't u suggest this?

fiyahboyy : no, u did.

Zane Julien : My memory banks state otherwise.

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : see? 

mywife'snameiscake : honestly, you don't even need memory banks to know whose it actually was.

fiyahboyy : am i really that bad?

sparkplug : Duh

mywife'snameiscake : of course.

Zane Julien : My senses tell me that Jay and Cole's answers both have a 98.84% accuracy.

fiyahboyy : and here i thought family was supposed to have ur back.

sparkplug : well, we only have yours to stab it later sooo...

fiyahboyy : fine,i just thought it would work, ok?

fiyahboyy : after all, lloyd did say Sensei G likes me the best so i assumed-

sparkplug : WHAT?

mywife'snameiscake : are you fucking kidding me?

A splash of karma : I'll believe that the day Wu finally shaves.

fiyahboyy : u better change the date then, cause Lloyd actually did say that. ;)

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : ...

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : I did.

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : nya got second place though.

A splash of karma : And KAI got first? i'm honestly insulted.

sparkplug : what about me?

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : sorry, he didn't mention you at all actually.

sparkplug : ; _ ;

mywife'snameiscake : i'll tell you what, why not you just snap?

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : snap?

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : you mean; snap as in become a villain? 

fiyahboyy : what the heck

sparkplug : dude r u ok

a splash of karma : this is your fault, kai

mywife'snameiscake : might break your old man's heart but chances are, he won't stop you if you hop on your dragon n leave.

sparkplug : mmmh...

sparkplug : sounds like it could work.

A splash of karma : That's terrible advice.

sparkplug : exactly

Zane Julien : I am afraid I have to agree. The chances it could destroy their relationship are higher than 97%.

fiyahboyy : ha! time to join the club rocky!

mywife'snameiscake : just cause it's terrible advice doesn't mean it won't work.

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : No it's just i just got him back okay? i don't wanna hurt him by running away like that.

fiyahboyy : or we could go with the kidnapping Lloyd thing...

sparkplug : and have ex Lord G hunting us down? nope nope nope. i wanna live to see my wedding, thank u.

fiyahboyy : sis, you got any other secret hideouts?

A splash of karma : That Lloyd's dad doesn't know about? (sigh) None.

mywife'snameiscake : Great.

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : or... maybe u should just go on without me.

mywife'snameiscake : you sure?

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : cole, my dad can literally SENSE my presence. Leaving without his consent is out of the question.

A splash of karma : But that's the thing, he can only sense u lloyd. he's never found u using that link alone.

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : fsm i really wish that was still the case.

fiyahboyy : but it isn't?

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : idk how to explain this but that link's getting worse. It's stronger and now...i can sense him too. And that isn't all of it.

mywife'snameiscake : since when?

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : since i got my powers back.

Zane Julien : This is a peculiar development.

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : nah, it sounds like harumi's way of saying f u from the grave to me.

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : so since even a secret hideout won't be much of a secret or help at this point, u guys should just go

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : go on without me.

A splash of karma : No. Ur coming. Family sticks together remember?

fiyahboyy : So NOW u have someone's back?

A splash of karma :Of course, he's my brother.

fiyahboyy : So what am I?

fiyahboyy : Melted chili????

A splash of karma : Close enough but still, he's my BABY brother.

fiyahboyy : Lloyd, u stole my sibling :(

A splash of karma : Like u stole my spear.

fiyahboyy : Tf

fiyahboyy : That wasn't me!

A splash of karma : Yeah SURE, and I'm engaged to Wu.

sparkplug : NYA!

mywife'snameiscake : uhhh actually

mywife'snameiscake : your spear's with me.

A splash of karma : So first my cake and now my spear?!

Zane Julien : And here I assumed we were discussing on how to bring Lloyd on our quest.

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : i'm staying remember? So...yeah...

A splash of karma : Like hell you are.

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : nya

fiyahboyy : Lloyd, ur going. Idgf if i have to drag u here from another realm or from the great devourer's belly. C'mon, what's a team without it's leader anyway?

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : Honestly

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : sometimes i think my dad hates that ngl.

mywife'snameiscake : what? That flame breath's actually right?

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : no.i meant me being the leader.

sparkplug : ...what

fiyahboyy : i'm amazed to say that doesn't make any sense.

mywife'snameiscake : yeah...like shouldn't he be proud???

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : quite simple really. he's been gone for so long, got brought back from the dead and i'm not even that teen he used to chaperone everywhere. 

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : and he even thinks this whole leadership thing is too soon smh

Zane Julien : My database states that such a reaction can be expected from parents who experienced...'slightly' similar circumstances to what Garmadon did. They cling on to whatever they can of their offspring, in order to feel as if they still have a place in their children's lives.

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : plus, he also thought i died last time, not to mention he still feels pretty shitty about what happened in Kryptarium.

sparkplug : well that explains it.

mywife'snameiscake : so what do we do?

A splash of karma : FSM, i've been asking myself that from the start.

sparkplug : is kidnapping Lloyd still on the table?

mywife'snameiscake : NO

mywife'snameiscake : wait, didn't you refuse that idea when Kai brought it up?

sparklug : views change when there don't seem to be any alternatives, a quote by Jay Walker.

fiyahboyy : hang on

fiyahboyy : i think i've got something.

A splash of karma : this better be good, Kai or I swear...

fiyahboyy : it is, i promise.

fiyahboyy : remember when we boarded that ferry to chen's island?

fiyahboyy : And sensei g showed up?

sparkplug : oh, i ain't forgetting that one any time soon.

Zane Julien : I am afraid I have no recollection of such an event.

mywife'snameiscake : thing is, you weren't even there. Neither was nya am i right?

A splash of karma : True.

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : where are we getting with this again?

fiyahboyy : patience, Master Lloyd.

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : U got me with that one, ngl. 

fiyahboyy : remember that garmadon wasn't that happy about lloyd going? but instead of just scooping him up and dragging him home like he could have, he let Lloyd go.

mywife'snameiscake : but only after coming along himself though.

fiyahboyy : exactly.

A splash of karma : Wait...u don't mean?

fiyahboyy : yup.

sparkplug : so, lloyd can only join this quest if sensei g joins too?

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : wtf

fiyahboyy : uh...you might want to invite your dad to a quest.

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : not happening.

fiyahboyy : dude...

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : NO. Like absolutely, seriously and obviously no. that's the worst idea i've ever heard in my life. I am not letting him chaperone me like a kid, please, not again.

mywife'snameiscake : on second thought

mywife'snameiscake : that might actually work.

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : WHAT?!

mywife'snameiscake : i stand corrected, Kai. You're not that bad.

A splash of karma : For once, i'm impressed.

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : not U too! 

Zane Julien : Hmmm...I have never been on a quest with Sensei Garmadon before. My senses tell me this will be an interesting experience.

A splash of karma : Ur not alone on that one Zane.

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : guys!

sparkplug : yeah, wu's fun and all but adding something different to this adventure seems...better.

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : is no one listening to me?

A splash of karma : Nope

mywife'snameiscake : bold of you to assume anyone was.

sparkplug : sorry bro.

Zane Julien : You are on your own, Lloyd.

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : demons

fiyahboyy : we stood a better chance against chen with your father than without him. Who knows? maybe we could actually use some guidance.

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : i hate u all.

fiyahboyy : so are u gonna do it?

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag has left the chat.

sparkplug : did he just...

mywife'snameiscake : darn it

A splash of karma has added Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag.

fiyahboyy : thanks sis

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag has left the chat.

sparkplug : oh come on!

A splash of karma has added Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag.

A splash of karma : Stay.

A splash of karma: i'm warning u.

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag has left the chat.

fiyahboyy : anyone else wanna kill him?

mywife'snameiscake : it's a long line.

A splash of karma : I call dibs

Zane Julien : Bring him back in. There might be something I can do to help.

A splash of karma has added Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag.

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : hey

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : i can't leave

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : u hacked me!

sparkplug : it's all for ur own good little bro

fiyahboyy : desperate times call for desperate measures.

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : says who?

fiyahboyy : some dead guy i've never heard of.

Zane Julien : I believe this quote originated from an ancient physician, known as Hippocrates. It was coined from a similar saying of his.

fiyahboyy : so like i said

fiyahboyy : some dead guy

Zane Julien : Labelling him as 'some' deceased man is offensive, especially when he is still regarded as the Father of Medicine.

a splash of karma : Guys, get back on track.

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : fuck

sparkplug : ...

mywife'snameiscake : you can't get out of this one buddy.

sparkplug : um...does this still make us terrible siblings though?

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : still?

fiyahboyy : jay!

sparkplug : geez, just because u guys forgot about him...

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : u guys WHAT?

A splash of karma has removed sparkplug from the chat.

A splash of karma : Now shall we continue?

fiyahboyy : it's now or never lloyd.

fiyahboyy : This. Ends. Now.

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : fine

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : how about this? i'll try to talk to him first.

mywife'snameiscake : but if that doesn't work...?

Zane Julien : My calculations indicate that your proposal has an even lower possibility of succeeding than the Overlord has of returning.

fiyahboyy : the overlord returning? Fsm zane, u might never know...

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : then i'll meet u in the monastery tomorrow.

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : with my usual plus one.

sparkplug : and if neither of these work?

mywife'snameiscake : hey, didn't nya just remove you

Zane Julien : I believe so.

sparkplug has left the chat

fiyahboyy : ok

fiyahboyy : who taught him how to hack again?

Chapter Text

"Father?" Lloyd asked, biting his lip nervously. Hell, it would be a literal miracle if this even worked, but considering the fact that his own father had once been bitten by the Great Devourer, and his uncle regressed to a toddler, luck that was unarguably just as garbage as the promises of Ninjago's new mayor probably ran in the family at this point. "Uh, about the quest—"

"No, Lloyd," his father sighed, not even looking up from what he was doing. They were both in the kitchen now, preparing dinner like his father suggested they do every evening. Garmadon's knife was chopping up the vegetables with envying speed. "Besides, you have lessons to complete."

Lloyd almost choked as he cracked the eggs, barely registering that he was actually using more than necessary. "On a Saturday?" he managed out incredulously.

Garmadon's brows shot up like he realized a mistake, but thankfully, before the former Dark Lord could even come up with another poor excuse of an excuse, Lloyd had rounded on him instantly.  

"You just think I can't handle myself, don't you?" he accused, feeling his face twist into a furious glare. "Dad, I'm not a ki—"

"Have you forgotten about the Tomorrow's Tea?" Garmadon cut in, raising an eyebrow at him pointedly. Lloyd could feel his frustration flare as his father's lips then curled in amusement. "How old are you without it I wonder?"

Lloyd gritted his teeth, muted anger lining his gut. "I'm already chronologically the same age I was when I fought the Overlord, and you're not letting me go on a harmless quest?" 

"Harmless is it now?" Garmadon mused, tossing something into a pot. "I believe that was the state of every one of your adventures before they became the direct opposite."

"Well I'm a ninja remember? And my team needs me."

"And I need you," Garmadon said, his voice close to a whisper. The change of tone made something heavy form in Lloyd's throat.

He swallowed heavily at that, but failed to banish the feeling. "You've had me for the past six months," Lloyd pointed out desperately. "Please, can't I just go for a few days?"

Then, Garmadon's hand came resting on his shoulder.

"The Oni invasion was just for a few days, yet look what happened in the end," his father said softly. Their eyes met for a moment, and Lloyd wondered just what was staring back at him—frustrated green or a furious red. "I almost lost you."

"But you didn't," Lloyd replied, feeling the grip on his shoulder tighten. 'I'm fine, so is everyone, so is Ninjago, and I go on missions all the time—heck, I was still doing it even back then when you were—"

Dead, he finished mournfully in his head, his stomach churning. 

"in the Departed Realm," he eventually finished aloud. However, despite that, Garmadon still flinched, seeming to catch on to the other meaning anyway. "And I've made it quite fine all these years so—"

"So, enjoy your rest," Garmadon said firmly, releasing his shoulder. Lloyd bit back a curse, and his father's hand then went up to his chin, clasping it gently. "Son," he murmured, a faint hint of desperation clouding his voice. "I do not want to lose you."

"It's a quest, dad," Lloyd reminded him pointedly, resisting the strong urge to roll his eyes. "Not an invasion or a Ninjago takeover. Geez, I'll be back once we all feel like ninja again."

Garmadon gave him a tight smile. "I had hoped to give you some normalcy," he said. "A simpler life, but safer—"

"I'll be fine, dad," Lloyd told him, growing annoyed. "Like I said, I survived the Overlord—I survived Morro—heck, even the Time Twins and look, I'm still here," he flashed his father a smile, one that he hoped was both convincing and also enough to mask his dangerously increasing irritation.  "I'll even call you every day if you want."

Garmadon remained silent.

"So can I go?" Lloyd then asked hopefully. 

The ex-dark lord merely sighed, rubbing his forehead. "How about we finish with dinner first?" he suggested.

Lloyd wanted to scream.

'The Welfare Of The Extremely Unwell Green Ninja'

fiyahboyy : u guys online?

mywife'snameiscake : duh

Zane Julien : I am available.

sparkplug : hi

sparkplug : um, i'm still welcome here right?

mywife'snameiscake : unfortunately, yes.

sparkplug : jokes on u

sparkplug : nya just added me back to the other group too!

mywife'snameiscake : (sigh) is lloyd sick?

Zane Julien : If that is the case, he must not participate in tomorrow's adventure.

fiyahboyy : fsm

fiyahboyy : oh gods, no

mywife'snameiscake : so why did u choose the only group lloyd's not in again?

fiyahboyy has added Sensei Garmadon.

mywife'snameiscake : kai?

sparkplug : dude-

fiyahboyy : :)

fiyahboyy : that's why

Kai was going to throw a party after this, wasn't he?

Lloyd dragged himself to the table, beyond miserable as he took a seat. He swallowed his pride, feeling like he was actually willingly swallowing corrosive poison...or Devourer bile...or even Cole's chilli... whatever that made him tempted to vomit the daylights out of himself these days. 

All the more reason why he hated this.

Here goes nothing, he thought, a flood of despair shooting through his veins. 

"Dad," Lloyd said just as Garmadon had started to dig into his own plate, his throat bubbling with nervousness. "Can... can we talk about the quest now?"

Garmadon looked up, letting out a small sigh. "Son—"

It was then when a soft chime filled the air, cutting Garmadon off in an instant. His father's eyes widened in surprise, before immediately trailing to the coffee table where his phone sat. Within seconds, the chime was quickly followed by another, and another and much more until Lloyd was sure this was far more than one of his usual notifications. 

"Strange," Garmadon mused, a curious look smeared on his face. "I never get messages."

He then stood up, walking over to collect the source of noise before Lloyd could expect it. His gaze instantly landed on the screen, seeming to register the sight before him. Lloyd's eyebrows plunged down the moment his father's own shot up.

"A group chat," he muttered, index finger sliding upwards. "How did they even have my number?"

"Weird," Lloyd agreed, chewing on his lip harder than ever. "Dad, can we uh talk now—"

"Wait," Garmadon frowned, but then realization dawned his eyes. "This... this is the group chat of the ninja." 

Lloyd could've sworn he'd almost choked. "What?"

"Your friends—it seems they have included me in their conversation," Garmadon said, momentarily disbelieved before he then released a collective groan. "You young people choose odd names," he complained. "Who in the sixteen realms would select 'sparkplug' to be theirs?"

sparkwha—

Lloyd didn't remember exactly when he had stood up, but all he knew was that he was now already standing beside his father, panicked fingers frantically snatching the device out of the older man's hands. 

"Apparently, they require my guidance for their quest," his father was saying as Lloyd's brain registered the words on the screen. Oh gods no...there was no way his so-called friends could be that cruel.

Lloyd's voice sounded weak, shaking like his hands were. "T-They asked you?"

Dammit, of course they—

"Indeed," Garmadon replied, seemingly deep in thought. After a while, he turned to Lloyd, appearing having considered something.

"Son," he began slowly, placing a hand on his shoulder. There was a small smile gracing his aged lips, one that for some reason made sheer dread soar through Lloyd's system. 

"How do feel about visiting the monastery tomorrow?" he asked, quirking up an eyebrow. 

Lloyd could only stare at him in shock, while Garmadon looked at him expectantly.

"Well?" Garmadon asked again, seeming amused.

Then the next thing Lloyd knew, he was shoving the phone back into his father's hand, the stunned former dark lord saying nothing as his feet then carried him to his bedroom. As soon as he was inside, desperate hands raced in alarm to rip his own device from the charger, curses he didn't even remember learning escaping his tongue without him thinking much—but Lloyd didn't care, couldn't even bring himself to care, really. All he could was just stare down at the green phone case, feeling his face morph into the iciest glare of his entire life. 

Funny, he should have expected this. His phone had been damningly silent for the past two hours, after all.

But not for much longer.

Lloyd gritted his teeth. Oh, he had a lot of things to say alright.

'I Solemnly Swear To Drink Coffee To Spite My Sensei'

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : CARE TO EXPLAIN JUST WTH IS GOING ON? 

sparkplug : uh, the kitchen almost got burned down if that's what ur asking, thanks to cole btw.

mywife'snameiscake : for fsm's sake it was just 1 time. oNe goddamn time n you're acting like i'm the worst cook in history.

sparkplug : sorry cole but u ARE the worst cook in history.

mywife'snameiscake : man, what happened to positive thinking?

Zane Julien : I assumed that you both have resolved your differences after Master Chen's tournament.

sparkplug : well that was BEFORE someone decided to put blonde dye in my shampoo last month.

mywife'snameiscake : that wasn't me!

fiyahboyy : here we go again...

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : YOU

fiyahboyy : uh...

fiyahboyy : me?

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : not only is there a weird group chat dedicated to my fucked up health, but u also added my dad?

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : and invited him before i had no choice but to do it?

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : seriously how cruel can u be

sparkplug : rip kai

fiyahboyy : c'mon, u stand a better chance getting to go on this quest with sensei g and u know it! 

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : i was trying to talk to him!

fiyahboyy : like u had it under control

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : i did!

fiyahboyy : u only delay the inevitable

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : stop quoting the omega

fiyahboyy : nah, that's an original line

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : in your dreams

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : stop stealing from Oni culture

fiyahboyy : YOU'RE TELLING ME THAT'S ONI CULTURE???

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : i just can't believe u went behind my back and did THAT of all fucked up things!

fiyahboyy : it's just been so long, buddy.

fiyahboyy : i mean, c'mon, all of us want to reconnect with an old sensei, right guys?

sparkplug : yeah

mywife'snameiscake : no kidding

Zane Julien : That is correct.

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : i hate u

fiyahboyy : u already made that pretty clear this afternoon though

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : but not clear enough, apparently

sparkplug : ouch

mywife'snameiscake : uh, sorry green machine

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : where's nya

fiyahboyy : probably still preventing the kitchen from becoming ashes.

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : fsm

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : and ur just texting?

sparkplug : actually, we're spending our last moments with cole.

sparkplug : before sensei kills him.

mywife'snameiscake : it was nice knowing you all, ninja

fiyahboyy : ur latest achievement was setting wu's beard on fire though

fiyahboyy : that's still something

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : u gotta be kidding me

mywife'snameiscake : hey, it's not my fault he was making tea while i was cooking.

sparkplug : yeah, cause there should be a warning sign everytime ur in the kitchen, dirtcloud.

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : please at least tell me u got a picture

Zane Julien : I have a recording saved in my memory banks. Perhaps I can ensure it is sent to your device as soon as possible. 

fiyahboyy : do u have the part where he was running to the gaming room swearing though 

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : he was WHAT?

sparkplug : let's just say

sparkplug : u missed a lot

sparkplug : and also, cole's got talent

mywife'snameiscake : how is setting his beard on fire a talent???

Zane Julien : I believe Jay was referring to your ability to cause Master Wu to vocally express profanity.

fiyahboyy : and here i've been trying for the past five years. Five fucking years and it's never even worked ONCE.

mywife'snameiscake : but is it weird that we're just laughing at this...at the blazing beard of our dear sensei?

mywife'snameiscake : or am i the only who is

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : ...

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : i'm a terrible nephew.

fiyahboyy : and we're terrible students

sparkplug : also, terrible siblings

fiyahboyy : JAY!

Zane Julien : I suppose slightly shortening the length of Wu's beard would not affect him negatively.

fiyahboyy : so lloyd

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : yeah?

fiyahboyy : u still coming tomorrow? even though i did the most vilest thing in all of ninjago?

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : well first of all

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : i just wanna know how this even makes sense. 

fiyahboyy : what

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : how is it that he's worried about my safety

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : but

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : he's actually allowing me to go on this quest. 

mywife'snameiscake : didn't he not allow you to go at first though? the only way he did was by letting him tag along with us. 

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : exactly.

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : so basically he doesn't want me to go rushing into danger but he's ALSO allowing me to. yeah, I know he's only doing this bcuz he's coming with us and all, but how the fuck is that supposed to keep me SAFE again? 

sparkplug : ur dad's weird

fiyahboyy : or maybe he just thinks he can protect you

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : protect ME? Oh, u mean he just thinks that I'm still some kid???

fiyahboyy : errrr...i think u should calm down

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : CALM DOWN??? 

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : HOW THE HECK DO U EXPECT ME TO

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : hey, on second thought, that might work

mywife'snameiscake : ...huh?

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : i could be calm.

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag: calm enough to be a mature leader.

fiyahboyy : what the fucking heck

sparkplug : ur making no sense :O

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : which MEANS i could show him. don't u get it? 

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : i could show him to his face that i DON'T actually need him like he thinks i do anymore.  

sparkplug : well, that makes sense, but r u okay?

Destiny'sGreenPunchingBag : yes.  

fiyahboyy : lloyd, are u SURE ur even okay???

mywife'snameiscake : considering we're leaving after breakfast, 8 sounds good. 

mywife'snameiscake : uh, lloyd? 

Zane Julien : He has become offline quite suddenly.

fiyahboyy : no shit 

sparkplug : u guys sure some other ghost didn't just possess him or something? 

A splash of karma : So

A splash of karma : Since i'm too lazy to scroll

A splash of karma : Mind if i ask what did i miss?

sparkplug : nya!

fiyahboyy : just lloyd being a bit weird, that's all. 

a splash of karma : weird?

sparkplug : errrr...we're starting to think he might have gotten possessed again

Zane Julien : That is unlikely. 

mywife'snameiscake : and by 'we' he actually means himself. 

sparkplug : don't listen to his web of lies, nya!

a splash of karma : too late for that 

A splash of karma : Oh, and sensei's looking for cole btw.

mywife'snameiscake : and here i was just getting used to being alive.

sparkplug : rip @mywife'snameiscake, tragically executed for burning off the tip of a thousand year old beard...

fiyahboyy : what a legend.

Zane Julien : My algorithms highly doubt that is the correct age of the beard, Jay.

sparkplug : so is it 2 thousand then?

A splash of karma : It's been a fun ride, cole.

fiyahboyy : guess we're down to 5 again

mywife'snameiscake : 5 ninja, saving the world without mai earth punch?

mywife'snameiscake : that'll be interesting to watch.

sparkplug : we can survive well on our own thank u.

mywife'snameiscake : i'll believe that when i see it.

fiyahboyy : guys

fiyahboyy : does...anyone else hear footsteps coming to the living room?

mywife'snameiscake : errrr

mywife'snameiscake : can you see a rice hat, a pissed off old face and a white beard by any chance?

fiyahboyy : i see all 3 of them

fiyahboyy : and a staff

mywife'snameiscake : fuck

sparkplug : ur hooped aren't u

Zane Julien : That is Master Wu, indeed.

A splash of karma : Sayonara, cole.

mywife'snameiscake : how is punishment by brain damage even legal again?

Zane Julien : There is no record that it ever was in Ninjago.

sparkplug : cole did you seriously expect SENSEI WU of all people to be a law abiding citizen? 

mywife'snameiscake : idk. Maybe?

fiyahboyy : u do realize ur talking bout the same guy that made us once train 8 hours straight 2 years ago right?

mywife'snameiscake : ...

mywife'snameiscake : i-

sparkplug : O.O

mywife'snameiscake : guess this is it, then.

Zane Julien : We will miss you, my friend.

A splash of karma : Wait

A splash of karma : He's offline

sparkplug : Cole!

sparkplug : no!

fiyahboyy : we'll serve cake at ur funeral!

sparkplug : and bury some with u!

Zane Julien : Forgive me, but is that even the proper way of burial?

A splash of karma : It isn't

fiyahboyy : but since when have we all done things the proper way

A splash of karma : Kai

fiyahboyy : what?

The rest of the night was mostly spent in silence, not as if that was anything unusual in his household. It was now late, and Garmadon found himself leaning against the doorframe of his son's bedroom, a soft smile playing on his lips. 

"Already packed?" he asked curiously, red eyes rested on his son. 

Lloyd glanced at him from where he sat on his bed, with what was unmistakeably a comic book sitting on his lap. "Pretty much," the blonde answered distractedly. 

Garmadon then stepped forward, momentarily taking in the sight of the bedroom. He felt a twinge of both relief and regret as he noticed the lack of clutter. Back at his old monastery, walking into a clean version of his son's room was almost as nearly impossible as finding his father's tomb, but now, it served as another stark reminder of how much of Lloyd's growth he'd actually missed...missed once again. 

Their family's fate was indeed a cruel thing.

"Are there any crucial essentials that I should bring?" Garmadon asked, forcefully shoving the thoughts back to where they rightfully belonged. This wasn't the time for this. "I must say your friends never quite explained where we were venturing," he commented dryly. 

"They never told you?" Lloyd blurted out, his eyebrows arched in disbelief.  And soon, Garmadon could see his jaw begin to work as a scowl seemed to come through. "Of course," his son then muttered under his breath, but Garmadon heard it nonetheless. "They were too excited about that after all."

"That?" Garmadon inquired, confused as to what he meant. However, Lloyd offered no explanation, merely burying his face in his hands. "Son?"

"The Desert of Doom," came Lloyd's highly muffled reply. He had a feeling his son's exasperated hands were going to start reaching for his hair very soon. "That's where we're going."

"Ah..." Garmadon breathed, understanding immediately dawning upon him. It turned to sheer puzzlement as quickly as it had come. So they were going to a desert then. Were the ninja genuinely that excited just for a desert? Or was it something else...

Though, why did the name sound familiar? 

"Did you pack sunscreen?"

"Yup," Lloyd answered gloomily, staring at his lap. Garmadon could feel his forehead crease in concern.

"Lloyd," he then said, carefully making sure to keep his tone gentle. "You do not need to go if you do not want to."

Immediately, Lloyd's head shot up, detaching itself from his hands like a fly would do to a wall. Garmadon had to stifle a laugh and a frown at the sudden change, his son's voice now not that far away from a dignified yelp. "Who said I didn't—"

"I was just making sure," Garmadon said, raising his arms in surrender. Lloyd sent him a dirty look, while Garmadon merely crossed his arms. However, some part of him couldn't help but sink in disappointment. Misako had given him a generous amount of grief about that before. Who was he fooling—Lloyd practically belonged there.

And goodness, they had to meet the others the next morning didn't they—

"That aside, it is late," Garmadon then told him sternly, watching as Lloyd's attention instantly launched itself onto his wristwatch. His eyes were instantly the size of saucers after registering the digits. "Get your sleep, son. We leave early tomorrow."

"Alright. Goodnight dad," Lloyd replied tightly, not even looking up from his watch. Garmadon briefly frowned as he took notice of that, but then decided not to comment.

Instead, he merely reached to ruffle his hair with a smile. "Sleep well."