Chapter Text
Breaking News!
Good morning, Ninjago!
The question this entire city has asked for years: Who is the Green Ninja really? Who’s hiding under the mask?
Well, fear not! That question has been answered! (If you somehow haven’t heard…) The Green Ninja is none other than—
Lloyd Garmadon!
That’s right! Lord Garmadon’s son is the Green Ninja. What a twist! The son of the person who tries to destroy our city claims to save it!
But does he really?
Look at this footage, folks. Lloyd Garmadon is attacking our beloved city. See how he laughs at our pain? Enjoys our destruction? Comes back for more damage? He’s no longer hiding under his mask. His true colors show!
Now look at this. He’s hiding! Pretending that wasn’t him. But we can see it clear as day. Lloyd Garmadon…the Green Ninja…
He’s the bad guy.
So watch your backs out there! Now, not only do we have to look out for Garmadon’s army, but this parasite roaming around freely in our city. Don’t go outside alone! And don’t go out after dark! Watch your kids carefully, all you parents out there. You don’t want them to go missing…or be swayed to joining the bad guys.
After all…if the city’s hero can, who’s to say they won’t be next?
But don’t just take our word for it! Let’s hear from some of our viewers. You, ma’am, what do you think of the Green Ninja’s identity as Lloyd Garmadon?
He’s a traitor! Thinking he could get away with hiding who he really is right in front of us—ugh!
Thank you, miss! And you, sir?
He was just a Ninja to gain our confidence and trust. He’s sick in the heart.
What about you, kiddo? What’s your name?
My name’s Tommy. I—I don’t know…
Hmm. You’re his mother, yes?
Yeah.
You better watch your son, ma’am. He sounds like he could be supporting the Green Ninja now.
…I’m sure it’s a misunderstanding. Good day.
Ahem…you there! Kiddo in red! What’s your thoughts of the Green Ninja’s identity as—
Don’t talk to me.
Wow, what a fiery response! Remember, kid, don’t let the darkness take you. Anyway, back to the interviews! Ah…excuse me sir! Yes. What do you think about Lloyd Garmadon?
He was undermining the city’s defense so he could conquer us! He even dyed his hair blond to trick us, hiding that evil black! Thankfully, the other Ninja fought him back. We’d be goners if it wasn’t for them. Let’s just hope they’re not on Garmadon’s side, too.
Thanks! That’s what we think, too. Well, that concludes the on-street interviews for today. Thanks for tuning in, folks, and stay safe! Remember, there’s a fifty percent chance of a Garmadon-Garmadon attack today, so watch your backs! Back to you in the studio.
***
Kai was livid.
As he stormed away from the TV crew on the street, he barely managed to keep his clothes and hair from smoking. The things those people were saying…how could they be so blind?! Sure, they hated Lloyd just for being Lloyd, but did they forget how he stopped Garmadon’s attacks every single time? How he risked life and limb for their miserable lives? How he’d get himself injured for them, and they just turned their backs?!
Lloyd deserved better.
He always does.
Instead, he’s been forced to hide in the shadows. Each step outside was like walking on a minefield. One misstep and—bam! That was it. He was hopelessly outnumbered, even with the Ninja fighting for him. Five elementals plus their wickedly skilled leader and his uncle was nothing compared to the sheer amount of people living in the city. Not to mention the police force…and the standing army they could call in from other towns (not that it was very big…but guns hurt. Lloyd knew that a little too well).
That man had said he hoped the other Ninja weren’t on Garmadon’s side. They weren’t…they’d never, not even after he’d helped against Morro. But they weren’t against Lloyd, either. How long until the people learned that? How long until they became exposed…and all their lives would come crashing down? There would be no safe place in the entire realm for any of them.
Kai hadn’t gotten much sleep in the last few days, too stressed and furious to get proper rest. Now it was catching up to him. His anger begged to be free. He wanted to burn everything he could see.
But…that would just prove their arguments, wouldn’t it?
He growled under his breath as he leaped from building to building, back to the warehouse. His patrol had caused nothing but headache and misery.
He paused when a spot of black and green on the beach caught his attention.
His course changed and he sat down next to his unmasked brother, respecting his space. He’d been very sensitive to any kind of contact after…everything.
They sat in silence for a while, enjoying the breeze and smell of the ocean. A small black speedboat bobbed lazily in front of them, which seemed random to be out on the beach without a tether to a dock.
“You know,” Kai said eventually, his tone gentle and quiet, “someone’s gonna see you eventually. You should come back with me.”
Lloyd stood, his motions slow but deliberate, eyes pinned on the horizon. On Garmadon’s volcano. “I’m not hiding anymore.”
Kai sighed. “Look, I don’t like it either, but—”
“No.” Lloyd turned to glare at him, and Kai stumbled back in alarm. Lloyd’s eyes practically glowed with fury. And it was aimed at him. He’d never been the target for Lloyd’s death glares. He did not like it at all. “I’m done, Kai. I’m done hiding. I’m done cowering.”
A cold, bitter feeling swept over Kai. “Lloyd…what are you talking about?” He tried to shove down the horror dawning on him.
Lloyd’s lips curled into a snarl, not even remotely human. Kai took another step back, and Lloyd watched with barely-contained satisfaction. Kai knew him well enough to see it, and it made him nauseous. This wasn’t him. “You know exactly what I’m talking about, Kai,” he spat. “All the hate just because of my dad. All the fear because of Morro. It wasn’t me, none of it was me, but they didn’t know that. They’re too stupid to realize.” Kai flinched. As much as Lloyd hated the city, he never called them stupid. “So I’m done trying to be something they refuse to see me as.”
He stepped towards the surf.
Suddenly the speedboat made sense.
Kai was frozen in place, his heart screaming at him to stop his brother but his mind numb with terror. For the first time in a long time…he realized just how dangerous his leader really was. If he wanted to kill someone, even a Ninja, he could.
Before it had never bothered Kai. Sure, Lloyd was a demon with his sword, but he was the most gentle and kind person he’d met. He only used those skills in battle against the Ninja’s enemies.
Now, at the receiving end of Lloyd’s unbridled fury, Kai had never felt more powerless.
“Lloyd, please…” Kai whispered. He was out of ideas. He didn’t know how to calm his brother down, not enough to see reason. Lloyd was pretty stubborn like that. “Don’t do this.”
“The city wants a villain, Kai,” Lloyd replied with a mocking laugh. No humor glittered in his eyes. “Who am I to deny them? Why should I keep lying to myself that I’m really a good person?”
Kai’s vision blurred, but he didn’t bother trying to clear it. “You’re my little brother,” he rasped. He was trembling, but from what, he didn’t know. He knew Lloyd had been bitter about everyone sans the Ninja and Wu turning on him, but not like this. This kind of fury that carved deep into his mind, plaguing him in pessimism and darkness. He’d always managed to push past the hatred in school with a smile and a laugh. Kai knew it wouldn’t be easy for him…but this! He was…he was actually turning on them!
And he really believed that he was a bad person…?
Lloyd simply glared at him. “You don’t want to be my brother,” he hissed. His hand fished out his phone and dropped it into the water. Kai didn’t pay attention.
“Yes, I do.” Sudden anger swept over the Fire Ninja and he furiously wiped his eyes dry. He stalked towards Lloyd, who watched with a warning in his gaze. “I do, Lloyd. You’re the nicest person I’ve ever met. I would stand by you through anything. I want to be your brother.”
Lloyd backed away before Kai could grab his wrist. Ocean water lapped at their ankles, but he didn’t notice. “If you know what’s good for you, don’t follow me,” the Green Ninja snapped.
And all of Kai’s fire drained away. Lloyd didn’t care. He didn’t want to be his brother. And…there was nothing Kai could say to that. He couldn’t force anything on his brothe—on his friend.
Lloyd sent him one last glower before stepping onto the speedboat and revving the engine, spraying water everywhere. Kai stumbled back but tripped in the wet sand, falling backwards hard onto his arms. He didn’t register the water on his clothes. Lloyd didn’t even look back as the speedboat shot towards Garmadon’s volcano.
And…he was gone.