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Lloyd hissed at the man standing before the cage he was trapped in. It was supposed to be a normal mission, but he ended up separated from the others when he went to chase down one of the perps with a bag full of stolen goods. However, when he turned the corner, he felt arms grab him from behind, and a moist cloth pressed against his mouth before he blacked out. He woke up in a warehouse room while in a cage, with an unfamiliar man standing by a table, muttering something.
He got his attention, and the man was way too giddy coming over, saying he’s never gotten to test on a hybrid.
“Test!? I’m a person, damn it!”
“Ah, but you, you are a marvel! Grandson of the First Spinjitsu Master, the combination of Oni and Dragon! It means you have the abilities that they have!”
Lloyd scowled, “I don’t know what you’re talking about, I’ve never had any powers of a dragon or an oni!”
He hated to think about his non-human heritage at times, which made him think of his evil father, who looked like he did when he first saw him again as a little boy. When the Oni attempted to take over Ninjago, when his friends were trapped in the First Realm, he hated how his eyes were red and would only turn green when he’d use his powers, and even then, they were unnaturally bright.
“That’s why I’m here,” he grinned. “You’re going to assist with my research on hybrids!”
“Yeah, right!” Lloyd went to touch the bars only to hiss and pull back, that burned!
“Like it? Vengestone, cost a pretty coin for it as a cage, but so helpful!”
Lloyd glared at the man, his teeth gritted, but stepped back when the man stepped closer to the cage. “So, how about we begin?”
He pulled out a spray can and aimed it right at him. Lloyd didn’t have the space to move, and he tried to hold his breath, but brushing against the vengestone made him hiss in pain and end up breathing in the horrible air. The sides of his vision blurred, and then he fell over.
Kai’s leg bounced as Zane and PIXAL typed away on the computer. It’s been a week since Lloyd went missing, and they still haven’t found him! The data from the cameras in the area was corrupted, and they couldn't locate the tracker stitched into his gi since the data was scrambled. He hated this! He hated not knowing where his little brother was, hated not knowing what was happening, and that he was stuck here, helpless to stop it!
Zane and PIXAL were working on narrowing the last pings of his tracker, erasing the junk data that was getting in the way, while the rest of the team was training. He couldn't concentrate on training when his baby brother could be hurt!
“I think we found it!” PIXAL exclaimed, making Kai jump to his feet and march over to the computer, inside an old warehouse near the medical district. “I’ll tell the others,” Zane stated as he left to inform the others about the new development. He wanted to run out there and get his little brother back right now! He forced himself to wait on the others; he knew he was reckless and did stupid things, but he didn’t want to risk Lloyd’s life if he tried to go at it alone and bash his way in.
“We’re coming, Lloyd.”
The Ninja stood in the warehouse, Zane and PIXAL frantically looking through notebooks and papers, Jay and Cole were keeping the scientist down, and Nya was looking around the rest of the room. Kai, on the other hand, was holding a toddler-sized Lloyd now supporting fluffy ears and tail with little numbs of horns coming out of his hair, sobbing into the Red Ninja’s chest.
“It’s okay, kiddo, it’s okay,” he bounced him gently, trying to calm him down.
“These notes are all over the place!” Zane hissed as he flipped through the pages.
Cole stepped on the man’s back, “How do we change him back!?”
The man coughed, “My research isn’t complete!”
“Fuck you!” Jay screamed, “He’s not a damn science experiment!”
“I’m downloading all the data, perhaps we can find something on the Bounty,” PIXAL stated.
“Maybe Wu has a way to turn him back,” Nya suggested, running back over, with nothing new in hand.
“Maybe,” Kai whispered before returning and whispering to the crying toddler.
Kai hummed as he continued to pace, still holding the toddler-sized Lloyd. He was no longer bawling, but he was still sniffling and gripping his shirt tight. The others talked to Wu; he didn’t want to stress the kid out any more than he already was.
He still couldn’t pry him off to check over his injuries, so he tried to calm him enough to get him to let go. He whipped his head around when he heard the door open. “So?”
“He said because of the stress, he shapeshifted to help process the trauma,” PIXAL answered.
“As a child, though?”
“He said that it may not make sense to us, but it’s to help him cope.”
“How long?”
“It could be from a few days to a few months.”
Kai held his little brother tighter. “Great…”
Kai was on the couch, changed into a pair of sweatpants and a sleep shirt, and Lloyd was asleep, his injuries tended to, and changed into clean clothes. Granted, the smallest thing they had was Lloyd’s old skeleton hoodie, which covered his feet, but at least he was warm and calm.
It was a nightmare to pry Lloyd off just so he could change into something more comfortable and soaked with tears, the transformed blond wailing even when Nya cradled and rocked him. He just threw the clothes on and rushed back, where he calmed down instantly.
He was able to get Lloyd to change into something clean before lying on the couch in the living room. Jay pulled up a kids' show to thankfully distract and lull him to sleep. Kai took a deep breath before finally resting his own eyes. Arms wrapped around his brother, he didn’t notice the blanket that had been placed over them as he fell asleep himself.
Day 1
Kai woke up to a pair of eyes watching him, one green and one red. He blinked a few times before remembering the previous day's events. Lloyd was a child with Oni horns, cat ears, and a tail. They didn’t know when he’d be back to normal, so it was for the best to take care of him as best as they could
He could see some grime in his hair and dirt under his claws. He needed a bath, but first, he needed breakfast.
It was after breakfast when it hit the fan. Zane mentioned the word ‘Bath’ and Lloyd hissed, clinging to Kai like a lifeline, while on occasion taking a scrap of food and throwing it at the Nindroid. If only the kid knew.
Lloyd squirmed in Kai’s hold as they walked towards the bathroom, trying to free himself. He wasn’t lucky enough, as he was able to jump out after Kai had locked the door. Seeing that he was trapped was when the waterworks started. Kai sighed and picked him back up. “It’s going to be okay. Nothing's going to hurt you, Bud.”
Lloyd was hiccuping sobs. “How about I bathe with you?”
He sniffled but looked up at the brunet.
“Yeah? Would that be okay? And the sooner we get you and me clean, the sooner we can get out and dry off. Does that sound okay?”
Lloyd gave a meek nod.
“Okay.”
Kai sighed as he carried Lloyd out of the bathroom, both with damp hair and clean clothes, with Lloyd’s bandages having been replaced. Lloyd had his thumb in his mouth as he lay his head on Kai’s shoulder. he saw the others dressed for the day, but in their casual clothes. “Are we going out?” Kai asked.
“It would be best to get something for Lloyd that fits and some supplies for the time being,” Zane answered. “Would you like to join?”
The Fire Ninja glanced at his little brother. It’d be good for him to get out a little and have him pick up a few things. He didn’t trust them together since all of their style tastes would clash. “Yeah, count us in.”
Lloyd hid his face when they entered the mall; he didn’t like how there were so many people.
Nya and PIXAL left to get some supplies. Cole and Jay volunteered to get their groceries, so that left Zane and Kai with Lloyd. They walked to a small clothes shop, and since Lloyd refused to let go, Kai had to search one-handed. Luckily, there was a sale going on, and Kai found a few outfits for the blond and some PJs. Kai went ahead and dressed him in a green shirt with a hood and sweatpants while Zane went to look around for a few items he wanted.
Kai decided to walk around. It was going to be another hour or so before they all went to the food court to meet up and eat, and see if there was anything that Lloyd would need. When he heard Lloyd whine, “What is it, Green Bean?”
He looked in Lloyd's direction, at the front of the shop, which had a teddy bear next to the shop's name, ‘Build-a-Bear’.
Kai had only seen the shop a few times but had never gone in. From what he could see, there were several stuffed animals and clothes you could put them in, with a weird machine in the middle that was stirring up stuffing. “Want to go there?”
Lloyd nodded. Kai smiled as he hiked the blond further onto his hip and walked inside. A woman in a red shirt and blue apron walked up to them. “Hello, do you need any help?”
“Uh, I guess? I don’t know what all this is.”
“It’s pretty easy. Follow me.”
Lloyd clutched his new green dragon plushie to his chest; it was dressed in a red gi, similar to Kai’s. The brunet carried the little drawstring bag that Lloyd picked out to carry his new plushie as well as the accessories. He had no idea that that place was as expensive as it was; he was glad, at least, that the dragon was on sale compared to the others. Despite that, he was glad Lloyd was happy.
When they got out, it was time to meet up with the others. He hadn't even started to search the food court when he heard a shout. He saw Jay waving at them, so he walked over, glancing at the bags. “Now that we’re all here, who's ready to eat?”
Lloyd was asleep when they walked in the door. His grip on his new toy was tight, so Kai could get the kid onto the couch and place a blanket over him. He stretched his back and rubbed at his neck. he was starting to get a bit sore, but he wasn’t going to say anything about it; he was Lloyd’s person for the time being, and so he was going to be there for him. He just needed a little bit of a break.
He was going to see if PIXAL had any updates on the notes from that bastard.
Day 2
No news yet. The guy wasn’t answering their questions, just rambling more about his studies. First Master, he wanted to deck his lights out. His notes were a mess, and a lot of them described the tortures he put their little brother through to force him to shapeshift.
Zane thanked PIXAL for the update before hanging up the phone. Kai was in the kitchen with the Ice Master while Lloyd was in the living room with the TV on, and Jay was there watching him. At least Lloyd seemed okay without him, but he’ll probably come and check to see where he is later. “We’ll just keep doing what we’re doing,” Kai sighed.
Zane nodded. “Yes, however, someone will have to stay with Lloyd when there is trouble.”
“I can do it.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, Lloyd trusts me the most, and it’s only until he’s back to normal.”
“If you are sure.”
The sound of a jingling bell rang in the hall, making the two look. The sound of light thumping followed it. Kai walked out of the kitchen and saw Lloyd on all fours chasing a ringing ball. He heard stifled giggling and looked at the doorway to the TV room. Jay was there, phone in hand, recording Lloyd chasing the jingling ball.
The brunet placed his hand on his hip and cleared his throat, making the freckled ninja look up. His face paled a bit, but he grinned, “Hey Kai, look, it’s just a toy, and he’s having fun. Besides, it’s adorable. How can I not!”
Kai glanced over at his little brother, and seeing him watching the ball intently before pouncing on it, his tail swaying in concentration, was pretty cute. He sighed, “Do not allow him to get hurt, and no blackmailing him with the video. Got it?”
Jay nodded. “Crystal!”
“Also, you should send it to me, too!” Kai hollered as he walked back into the kitchen, sat in a chair, and watched Zane cook, listening to Lloyd jump in the halls.
Kai stifled a yawn as he rocked Lloyd in his lap. It was sometime in the morning, too early to get up with the sky still dark and everyone else asleep. He raked a hand through tangled blond locks, quietly humming with Lloyd’s face buried in his chest.
A nightmare, it wasn’t surprising. They all had them, but Lloyd seemed to get them more. He was still just a kid, not just in his current form, losing his childhood and years of his life physically, but he was still the little scared kid who wanted a place to call home. He hated this for him; his little brother didn’t deserve any of this…
He wished he had been there when he was grabbed, that he had been a little slower in the chase, so maybe he wouldn’t have gone through what he did…
He let out a breath. Lloyd’s breathing had evened out.
He rested his own eyes closed, listening to the world around him, for anything off, before eventually passing out himself.
Day 3
Kai woke up alone.
He shot up, looking all over the bed, throwing blankets before jumping out of the bed, “Lloyd?!”
He looked in every room he passed, shouting his name before he made it to the door outside, where he saw Lloyd. No longer the size of a toddler, but still with cat ears and a tail. A gentle breeze made his blond hair sway. “Lloyd?”
The blond turned, “Morning, Kai, how’d you-oof!”
He was cut off when Kai tackled him into a hug, “Thank the First you’re okay…”
Lloyd hugged back, and they didn’t speak for a moment. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
“Same, thanks for taking care of me.”
Kai pulled away, “You remember?”
Lloyd’s face went red. “ Please don’t tell the others! They’d never let me live it down!”
The older ninja let out a chuckle as he rubbed the shorter teen’s hair, “I’d make sure that wouldn’t happen, green bean. Although you still have the ears.”
“Hopefully, I can get rid of them in a few days, Wu said My body still needs to heal.”
“Well, just know we’re all here for you if you need us, but where are the others?” Kai just realized that when he was looking for Lloyd, he hadn’t seen the others.
“There was a robbery downtown, they went to deal with that, and Wu went to get some tea.”
The brunet nodded, “Well, wanna go play some games till they get back?”
Lloyd smiled and nodded as Kai led them back into the Monastery for a relaxing morning. Kai wouldn't say anything when Lloyd fell back asleep on his shoulder, and small purrs could be heard, making the brunet smile.