Chapter Text
“Are you guys a cult?”
…
“NO!” They all screamed out simultaneously. Somehow that didn’t convince Lloyd much. He was hoping for a confused giggle and perhaps an explanation, maybe even just a simple confirmation. An exasperated yell was not helping their case at all. Mostly, it served the purpose of motivating Lloyd to stop by the police station.
One of them, the guy that looked really dumb, hurriedly added: “Our teacher is this really wise Monk who’s like centuries old, and he says you need to join us to save the world.”
Excuse him-
Were they not even going to try to pretend not to be clinically insane?
Now Llyod didn’t consider himself normal or mentally stable by any stretch of the imagination but even he would be hard pressed to trust this group.
The five have been following him for two weeks now. At first, he didn’t think anything of 1 or 2 people starting to seem familiar. That happens to everyone. What’s a couple of familiar faces. Popping up again and again and again AND AGAIN.
Also, they were just kind of mean sometimes. The first one he had met by name was Kai. Kai had more hair gel than actual Hair on his head and ego twice the size it should be. The first thing he did was question Lloyd on why he stops by the candy store so often. Now that’s just not his business and also creepy as fuck. Let a guy eat as much candy as he wants.
That was unwelcome but walking to him inside of a school -WHICH THEY THEMSELVES DID NOT ATTEND BTW - was just blatantly admitting they stalk him. WHAT THE FUCK. That’s just fucking weird right? Why? How? What? If Llyod had even a little more self-preservation instinct he would -should- have called the police at this point.
He had never been in a cult, so he doesn’t want to judge them of course. Religious freedom and all. And he truly didn’t mind doing incredibly dumb stuff -following this group definitely qualified- but this might be just a step too far even by his standards. They sounded utterly insane, and they were really fucking weird. Weren't cults technically supposed to back off once they notice someone wasn’t interested?
Kai stepped closer to Lloyd with slightly twitching eyes. Like a crazy man desperately trying to prove his own innocence. It kind of reminded Llyod of a guy he’d seen on tv yesterday, that got arrested for trafficking… For some reason them potentially being kidnappers only popped into Lloyd’s head right then. So, he took a noticeable step back.
The probable criminal waved his hands in front of him trying to articulate the situation in ways his mouth had failed. When a look of pure disgust stayed on Llyod face Kai was defeated. He looked to his friends for support. Seemingly hoping one of them had a better defense. When only silence greeted him, his arms fell and he slowly turned back. He seemingly decided he needed to keep trying to dig himself out of a hole.
After he finally steeled himself, Kai opened his mouth, but Llyod politely cut him off. “I’m going to go home now, and I would love not being followed.” Lloyd waited a second before smiling and adding on “I hope your day is as good as your recruitment strategy.” He waltzed off with an incredibly polite smile. When he turned the corner of the hallway he smiled proudly and his little dig.
Over his shoulder he could hear one of them announce: “Well that’s just rude”. Another huffed in agreement and added on: “Why did Wu have to pick the brattiest kid in ever.”
Lloyd had to hold himself back quite a lot to not bark back at the comments and mentally changed his path to include a stop at the candy store. These weirdos really had no business commenting on his habits. So what? He likes Candy. Is that a crime? Most 15-year-olds like candy. What's it to them? He should grab even more than usual just to annoy them.
What's their deal anyway? They stalk him for two weeks and then try to recruit him into a Cult while being weirdly nice to him? Well, some of them. All five of them had tried talking to him on different occasions. Some with more success than others. Though Lloyd had to admit they weren't all as annoying as Kai. Some were actually pretty ok. Sometimes it was even nice, someone speaking to him intentionally without expecting the worst.
Zane was actually incredibly polite. They first met at a library. Lloyd had seen this guy, roughly his age, in a striped navy and white sweater with a white collar. He looked incredibly well kept, especially next to all the sleep deprived students deciding if life was really worth it. Not a single strand of his platinum hair was out of place. But what really struck him was the fact he was definitely staring at Lloyd. But after a couple of minutes, he had approached Lloyd. Apparently, he had noticed Llyod struggling and wanted to offer some help. And although kind of weird, being fully honest the help was appreciated. At least Zane wasn’t very pushy. Most of their time together was spent with Llyod thinking out loud and Zane offering a nod or a few simple words to steer him in the right direction. He even offered to lend out some books for Llyod. Though he could swear he had seen Zane just stare in public, a lot. But anytime he looked back to check he was gone. Like some weird socially awkward batman or a really bad spy.
Cole was probably the chilliest. They first met at the train station. Lloyd was trying to get gummi bears out of the vending machine but no matter how he kicked or banged they wouldn’t come out. Then this really buff dude showed up, wearing a cool vintage jacket, faded jeans and headphones that were playing rock music loud enough for Lloyd to hear. And the dude just paid for them. He said: “There you go kiddo” and then just walked away. He didn’t even say anything else. Just showed up, gave him candy and dipped. Now that is a cool ass hero stalker. Every other time he’d met Cole was just in the background nodding and slurping some Cola while listening to music and occasionally insulting Jay. Honestly, he seemed really down to earth if a little less for words.
Jay was the total opposite, really unintimidating, chatty and honestly kinda pathetic. But he likes Comics, so you know what he was not that bad. The first time they met was actually at a Comic store. He was debating stealing a spiderman comic but before he could count how many workers there were or where the cameras were when Jay stopped him. He had a blue graphic tee over some white sleeves with a messenger bag filled with pins. So, he looked like the next most likely to steal something or a total loser. And he did help his own case by trying to bribe Lloyd with the comic– which would have definitely worked since Spiderman is the best Hero and anyone that disagrees is dumb and hey Lloyd isn’t gonna decline free comics. - but Jay’s card declined. So Lloyd left empty-handed minus a huge grudge against broke liars. (Does that mean he’s the homeless variety of stalkers?)
The second worst was Nya. Made sense since she was actually related to the Gel-manic hedgehog Kai. If Llyod had to guess her catch phrase, he would say "Toughen up”. Because the first time they met, she said it a whopping 8 times. EIGHT. The context makes it even more insane: Someone had just stolen his skateboard from the shop, and it was pouring outside. She confidently strolled up, with her leather jacket, black jeans, helmet in hand, slapped his back and said that it was a ‘training opportunity’. She then forced him to run all the way home. Keep in mind he lives 40 MINUTES AWAY. LLYOD HAD TO RUN FOR 40 MINUTES– ALSO, SIDE RANT, they were running down a street when she suddenly ducked into a side ally and jumped down three stories saying it was a short cut. SORRY? HOW? WHAT? HUH? He knows that he’s repeating himself but why the fuck do they know where he lives and why the fuck was this cult made of apart superhumans weirdos? - Luckly, -and weirdly enough- his bike was back a day later, and he never had to run with Nya again. And he will do everything in his power to keep it that way.
And finally, Kai.
Zane was nice if a bit odd, Cole was chill though quiet, Jay was a loser, Nya was a psycho superhuman. But Kai was… He was so. So. So utterly… ANNOYING.
He can't mind his own business. He is incredibly arrogant. He has the ego of a whale. Lloyd’s sure he whitens his teeth with industrial grade bleach because that seems to be his only personality trait. He spends more time doing his hair in the morning than he has spent listening to others his entire life. OH YEAH. Fun fact: HE CAN’T LISTEN FOR SHIT. HES EARS ARE PURE DECORATIONS. Llyod had heard the phrase “in one ear and out the other” and now he finally knew why it existed. He could have less one-sided conversations with a deaf man. Kai doesn't have a singular brain cell that isn’t devoted to he, himself and him. Llyod has been studying evolution in class, and he is truly convinced humanity is evolving backwards simply because Kai exists.
WHY THE HELL SHOULD LLYOD CARE IF KAI THINKS HE EATS TOO MUCH CANDY?
Lloyd abruptly stopped at that thought. He had long since passed the candy store. The next few seconds he had to mentally calculate if his pride allowed him to turn around. His pure annoyance and pettiness towards Kai were good arguments but social anxiety won out. Somewhere in the back of his mind he hoped that Kai wasn’t watching, so he wouldn’t get the satisfaction of Llyod not getting his well-deserved candy.
-----------------------------------------
“He didn’t stop by the candy shop! Maybe I got through to him.”
“I genuinely don’t think you're that important to him at all.”
“I mean it is a fact he didn’t go, so something happened and if he gets into slightly more ninja like routines that can’t harm. Maybe that'll make converting him easier.”
“Spoken like a true cultist."
“Hey!!”
“Do you think he has a point though? Like are we low key a cult?”
“Who would be our holy figure though? Like Wu’s old but I don’t think he’s godhood levels of old yet.”
“I mean he does have his visions, so he's not that far from an enlightened person.”
“And we go on missions to spread his word and save the world.”
“…”
“WE ARE A CULT!”
------------------------------------
Llyod stepped through the front door. The fresh smell of sandy wood, spray paint and smoke greeted him. As practiced as if this were his own room, he walked past the reception than the workshop, through the office before grabbing his skateboard and jumping out of the window.
His feet found the ground easily after the small fall. He kept up the practiced routine and sauntered up the fire escape. If he hurried a bit, he could still catch the sunset. He climbed up the next five floors until finally he’s on the roof. He quickly found his favorite ledge and jumped onto the train lines. They connected the entire city, by far the best and coolest way to get around.
Ninjago city was the biggest, most technologically advanced and busiest city in Ninjago. Silent trains passed over hundreds of passersby every second, through buildings, over malls with scenic views of the ocean and distant mountains. Between the skyscrapers air balloons and airships flew. Not to mention the criminal activity.
The city hadn’t quite shifted to its night version, but Lloyd could already see Neon signs inviting in the evening crowd underneath him. As he continued jumping from one train line to the next, he passed by the harbor. This part of town has endless canals overhung by tori gates. This was the cultural center. There were countless merchants still trying to get their last customer. Families were heading to dinner and couples strolled next to the coast. He could even see the preparations for the Lantern festival beginning.
The entire City was a perfect blend of traditions blended with modern tech. Screens, skyscrapers, water ways and temples. Llyod’s school itself was technically a temple though it wasn’t religious by any means.
Llyod had many problems with his life. He doesn’t really have a family, he’s poor, has no friends- damn he really was a loser, wasn’t he? - but God was Ninjago city not one of them. Nothing could beat the scent of fresh ramen and the sea water mixing together.
Air rushed past. It had already cooled down. He could feel the slight red tinge it was gifting his cheek and nose. He only had to jump across one more roof, one of the larger gaps. But just as practiced as any jump before he lunged forward. That was the first time the height really sunk in. Dozens of stories stretched on underneath him. Everything went quiet, the lights became distant. Lloyd felt the cool air enter his lungs. He felt his forward momentum fade. A spike of adrenaline rose in his chest. The air seemed still. There were so many people, so many lights, so much life underneath him. Then Lloyd's foot finally reached the other rooftop. A couple of steps forward and the best view emerged.
There it was: Ninjago City.
A melting pot of cultures, cuisines, languages, architecture. He stared over the water, gleaming with the sun's last rays, admiring the city anew. As he always did. The first time he found this place he was scared and alone but something about the view was comforting. Obnoxious lights blinded him anywhere he looked. The skyline was a true mess. Temples, billboards, train lines and Borg tower was definitely not helping. But Lloyd loved this. He didn’t feel lonely when he was up here. He felt so alive and so at peace. He took a deep breath in. The wind brushed his hair to the side and Lloyd finally relaxed and slowly laid down on the concrete, letting his legs dangle over the edge.
It really was very loud. Weirdly loud.
He finally made out the screams. Loud screams. Many. So many. He already saw three different plumes of smoke rising in the distance. Sirens echoed.
Serves them right.
The city deserved to be scared. No, that was dumb. He logically knew not everyone in the city was an asshole. Llyod didn’t even know a percentile of the city, they were fearing for their life and that of their loved ones. They were allowed to do so. It was not their fault they looked so pathetic in the process.
Like the kid Lloyd could go see in the street. It couldn’t even walk forward normally and it was wailing and screaming like some depressed monkey. Didn’t he know he should get to safety? Or was the thought process ‘Hey, the city’s getting attacked let me sit in the middle of a busy street’?
Llyod climbed down the building, jumping from one window ledge to another till he reached a fire escape ladder. He slid down and reached the kid after a couple irritated strides. The kid couldn’t have been that much younger than him, like 9. He should really learn how to get a grip. Lloyd couldn’t remember the last time he had cried like this, especially in public.
He kneeled to get the kids’ attention. The kid shifted, realizing someone was there but too upset to care. After a couple seconds he still didn’t meet Llyod’s eyes. Lloyd sighed himself and started in a voice far too tired to deal with a little child: “If your parents were nearby, they would have probably been evacuated to a safe area. There's a bunker very close to here, you’ll probably find them there.”
The kid stopped his dramatic huffing a bit, seemingly deciding he had gotten enough attention and finally looked up. Lloyd took the opportunity and pointed down the street. “See the temple next to the noodle place? That’s where the bunker is.” His directions were returned with pure confusion though thankfully the sniffling had now stopped entirely.
Lloyd mentally debated the ethics of ditching this kid but decided that taking him truly wasn’t that much effort. Since he was also not sure the crybaby could even understand him. He turned towards the Bunker and after a step the kid got the memo and followed. He, for some reason truly above Lloyd, also grabbed his hand. And vehemently refused to let go for the rest of their impromptu walk.
Luckily, the kid’s parents actually were in the bunker and judging by the red around their eyes they had also been crying and that only seemed too intensive as they finally saw their child again. How the heck could one family cry this much? Even the kid, who had actually shut up, started at the sight of his parents again. They must be the reason tissues are so expensive in this city. Llyod was sure they hadn’t spent more than 15 minutes apart. There was no way being that attached to their family members was normal.
-------------------------------<
When Llyod finally got back to his dorm the attack had already been over. He was held up by the ridiculously thankful mom. Seriously something was not right with that family. Some of the other Darkley boys were watching the news report. He snuck next to the only living plant in the common room behind the sofa. Although they were being loud Lloyd made sure to be quiet even though he doubted any of the boys would actually care regardless.
A black-haired woman in a suit spoke as various images from today’s attack flashed across the screen. “The Ninja stopped another one of Garmadon’s attacks. Four commercial buildings were attacked with one near center town almost entirely burning down. Smaller groups of his followers were spotted in the area mostly stealing and damaging public property. The four ninja responded immediately, with the fire Ninja single handedly evacuating 2 of the 4 buildings. The most affected areas are downtown and the port, roads in the area are estimated to be closed for another 3 hours till the damage is sufficiently repaired.”
“Ehhhhhhhhh, why does the media only ever focus on what the ninja do? OH, LOOK AT ME! I CAN SHOT FIRE. I'M SO AWESOME AND HOT!! Like they never show Garmadon or any actually cool violence.”
“RIGHT!! I want to see how the buildings explode.”
“I saw someone say that there’s a really cool clip of human limbs flying from the buildings and you could like actually see the blood flying from it.”
…
Lloyd internally regretted ever waking up that morning or more specifically that anyone else had woken up.
Between severed human limbs, an obnoxious crybaby family and cultist weirdos he’s had way too long of a day. Not to mention the fact his dad is terrorizing the city. AGAIN. -Can the dude not get a normal hobby like bingo? Or knitting or whatever else old people like? NAH LET’S BE A MASS MURDERER. I’M SURE YOUR SON WILL LOVE THAT.
GENUILEY WHY COULD NO ONE EVER LEAVE HIM ALONE. No matter what day, month, year it was always the same deal. People either hated him for reasons he couldn’t control or thought he was the biggest weirdo ever and avoided him like the plague. Even his oh so kind stalkers probably just wanted a connection to his dad. They’d get bored or angry and just leave eventually. Even the angelic ninja were just a conceited group of assholes who got lucky in life.
He never even got to enjoy his alone time on the roof. The dorm is outside of town and not nearly as tall, but it works to get away from everything. No sunset but the distant city lights had their own charm. You really wouldn’t have guessed that the city just got attacked. How can it always be so free, happy and loud? Why couldn’t he be like the city? Loved even while damaged?
OK that’s enough melodrama he had no business calling himself damaged he was fucking fine.
“Hey Lloyd”
CAN’T HE FOR ONCE BE LEFT ALONE. DOES BARD WANT TO STEAL HIS HOMEWORK AGAIN OR SOME SHIT. And why was Bard walking so quietly? He was known for sounding like a pregnant elephant on a good day. Lloyd finally decided to turn around to investigate his company.
A taller figure, far closer than Lloyd thought they would be crouched down.
“You ok?” The voice was soft, a lot softer than anything he’d heard in a long time. A gentle smile shone as Kai sat down next to him, feet also dangling over the edge.
Of course, Lloyd’s stalker would pick now of all times to show up. Just what he needed to be sent over the edge. Potentially literally.
Kai looked as if he had just run out of the house. Disheveled hair, dirty red sweatpants and a white shirt covered in dirt full of holes with scratches on his hand and a bruise beginning to form on his cheek. Stalking couldn’t possibly have been such an urgent task.
“You know it’s really weird you’re here, right?”
Kai shrunk a little. “Yeahhhhhhh, I mean this time the rest of the team doesn’t actually know I’m visiting you. I just wanted to check how you’re holding up.”
“Why? Like why do you guys insist on befriending me? Why visit me to check up on me?” Kai leaned back, resting on his arms. He sighed and rested his gaze on the horizon.
“I know we seem really weird, and frankly we are, but we're a good group. When I first met them, I couldn’t wait to be done with the others, but they’ve grown on me. And maybe they’ll grow on you too.” Ok even weirder conversion strategy: The power of friendship?
“Don’t you guys just want me because of some prophecy anyway?” No way Lloyd just said Prophecy? He sounded actually insane and why did sound genuinely curious.
Kai scrunched up his face. He paused for a long time before finally replying. “Ehh… well… yeahhh,” He gave an awkward smile but then suddenly winced. Seems the bruise was upsetting him. Why was he bruised to begin with? Has he fought someone on the way here? That would have also explained why he was scruffy.
Under Lloyd's scrutiny Kai continued seemingly set on defending his bad name. “Well that’s why we started, one of Wu’s scrolls claimed that this random little kid was the chosen one. Trust we all thought it was bull at the start too.” Chosen one? Scrolls? He had to be crazy. “You would be the one to save the city. The one to defeat his own dad. It definitely sounds crazy. I don't blame you.” He gave Lloyd a small smile. A cold breeze swept across the roof. How did Kai know who his dad was? Well it definitely sounded like he knew his dad was Garmadon. That was Lloyd most closely kept secret only Bard and the skate shop owner knew.
“Then we got to know you- “. They don’t know him. They probably only see him as Garmadon’s child. “-I saw your life and if I’m honest I feel pretty bad for you kid. You’ve had a rough time.”
“Gee thanks” This was getting better and better by the second.
Kai continued: “Well, I mean- Sorry to trauma dump- but, I didn’t really have any parents either and like I know how much that sucks and how lonely that can feel. So, I would love to give you a safe space, you know?”
Lloyd decided he hated Kai just a bit more at that moment. Why tangle this happy family in front of his face? Why would these random lunatics ever offer him a home? They were probably pedos or traffickers. Oh, look at us, we’re happy and have friends and we like living. Imagine not being like us that must be so so, sooo, bad.
A little voice in the back of his brain, a much younger version of Lloyd wanted to cry, wanted to hug Kai and put all his trust into this psycho. Kai could seem kind. He could stay. He could be nice. But no one ever was, and Kai couldn’t be different.
That moment was when Lloyd decided he had enough.
This was getting too ridiculous. Lloyd stood up so he could fully face Kai. With the quick movement wind pricked at his tears. Why was he crying? When had he started? Could he not??? He did not want to cry in front of this cultist stalker.
“No. Shut up. You’ve STALKED ME, FOR WHAT TWO WEEKS?! YOU DON’T KNOW ME. YOU KNOW JACK SHIT. DON’T GIVE ME SOME BULLSHIT ABOUT CARING FOR ME. I DON’T NEED THAT I’M FINE. I DO NOT NEED YOUR WERID CULT FAMILY. I DON’T WANT YOU. I WANT YOU TO PISS OFF.”
Lloyd’s voice cracked.
“Are you crying?”
Kai stood and reached out a hand.
Lloyd batted the hand away. “I’m fine.”
Lloyd looked down at the ground. He felt so tired. He didn’t want to see Kai’s face. He didn’t want to see anyone. But the way Kai spoke still hit him. It was so much softer, so much kinder than it had any right being. Lloyd's eyes shut. He hadn’t even noticed that his breathing was getting quicker. Why was breathing being so weird he was just able to breath without thinking about it? Why was this happening? Why was he so emotional? Why couldn’t he just calm down.
Kai took a soft step towards Lloyd.
“I’m sorry. I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you with all the stuff about being the green ninja. It’s a lot to spring onto someone. You don’t have to join if –“
“Green ninja? NINJA? YOU GOT TO BE FUCKING KIDDING ME. Chosen one, fight Garmadon, the fact I never heard you guys, your insane stamina, the cuts, the bruises. OF FUCKING COURSE. OF FUCKING COURSE YOU’RE THE NINJA. HOW COULD I BE SO DUMB.”
Lloyd was dumb so utterly dumb. His heart was beating too fast. If any of the other boys saw him now, they would make fun of him. Kai was probably judging him too. He needed to get away. Hide somewhere and never see the light of day again. Never deal with another person again.
Why the fuck was he shaking so much?
“Lloyd…”
Kai tried to reach for Lloyd’s hand, but Garmadon’s son quickly stepped back.
The saviors of the city, golden heroes, the people who he hated the most out of anyone were trying to recruit him. To make him part of their lovely little family. What a load of shit.
Of course, the universe would do this to him, of course. Why wouldn’t it? The universe knows he would never have actual friends. Lloyd was done. He walked to the door of the rooftop, pushed down on the door handle. Voice just a bit too broken, a bit too coarse. “Please leave me alone.”
He turned to see if Kai would acknowledge his words. When he met Kai’s eyes. They weren’t angry or upset or even sad. They shone with so much resolve. His stupid giddy smirk spread on his face.
“We won’t.”