#I think that if Garmadon had never joined his brother the chances of the elemental alliance winning was VERY low

[woffles-4-waffles]

Garmadon as an Anacondrai General? A drawing of @kim2248 's cosplay! >:3

[greenygreenland]

Hope To Cling To: Zane x Reader

-requested by someone on Wattpad -I was struggling for a while but finally got this done -sorry, unedited because I’m actually really tired lol

Summary: Zane is dead after the fight with the Overlord. You search for him without help.

What was this feeling? Deep inside, you knew something was wrong, and it drew a pit further and further into your very soul. It had been days since you've seen Zane. Maybe even months. You weren't sure after all that happened after the Overlord's final defeat.

A part of you still clung to the hope that Zane was alive, wherever in Ninjago he was. Yoku never did see him die, and all that was left of him was a plate from his face.

"(Y/n)?"

You swallowed the lump in your throat and pushed back the odd feeling in your stomach. "Hi Cole." You didn't mean to soumd so offhanded, but with all rhe thoughts swirling in your mind, how couldn't you? "I'm a bit busy right now."

He leaned on the threshold and crossed his arms sullenly. "If it's Zane you're after, then I can't let you leave." You stuffed a gi into your bag and zipped it tight. "I'm not after Zane." you quietly grumbled. Cole raised a brow sceptically.

He knew what you wanted. After months of searching, you still hadn't given up on him. It was only a matter of time before finding him became your obsession, and that was simply something he couldn't allow. "You can't get past me." he stated. "Even Sensei said you should give it a rest. You have to learn to--"

"Let go?" You shouldered the bag and turned to the window. The low creaking of the Bounty offered in comfort to your running thoughts. You found it fueling your desire to leave, as if in its wooden splinters it knew you were on to something all along.

"I can't let go when there's a chance Zane's alive. If it were me, he wouldn't have given up on me."

Cole pushed off the threshold with a furious frown. "But you saw what happened! There was ice everywhere after the final battle! He may have been the Master of Ice, but even that--how can anyone survive that?"

"He's still the Master of Ice." you said through gritted teeth. "I know he's out there." Cole made his way into the room. His brows were knitted together tightly, and by the way his shoulders tensed, he was doing his best not to burst. "Where? If you know then why don't you tell us?"

"Because I have to trust my instincts! I don't know where exactly he is, but he's alive. I know it!"

"You can't trust a gut feeling like that."

"It's not your decision Cole," you retorted, turning to face him. "You may be my brother, but you won't boss me around like dad did." That hit a nerve and you knew it. The absolute look of betrayal in his darkened eyes made you fall short. His past at Marty Oppenheinmer was not something anyone brought up. It didn't matter how many times his relationship with dad mended--there was still a hole that couldn't be filled in his rock-solid heart.

You ripped open the window and met Cole's eyes one last time. "If I don't come back in five months, consider me dead." He let out a scream, made a run for it, but it was too late. You jumped out of The Bounty.

Cole watched as you flew through the air. A moment later, you opened your parachute and made a descent towards the ground. That would be the last time he saw you for a long, long time.

------

This was the last time you ever rented a cheap hotel for an overnight stay. You shouldered your backpack and pulled up your hood. The blankets, curled up into the shape of a body bag, was a nice final touch you were sure Zane would never approve of.

It served the hotel right. Your room was absolute rubbish anyway.

You made your way downstairs and nodded towards the receptionist. She took the key from you. "Thank you for booking your stay." You disappeared out of the hotel. The darkness of night made your veins pump with a newfound emotion you hadn't felt in forever: serenity.

"Zane would like this." you whisper to yourself. The trek was going to be long, but with the guidance of moonlight and stars, you didn't mind. The first few miles were fine. Then there was another three and your tired legs began to ache. This was a cycle you had endured for the past two months. Hotel hopping, living off scraps, and then making your way through back country during the dead of night.

Attention was something you'd rather not have in these trying times.

That was when the faint lights of a dojo caught your eye. You followed the light in a blind daze. The weariness of travel wasn't doing you any good, and frankly, seeking refugee wasn't a bad idea. "Maybe rest would be a good idea."

You hurried along through the grass, then up the front steps. "Hello?" You tapped on the front door. "Is anyone here?" Of course someone was here. The lights were on, the grass was groomed well, the large wheel churning through the waterfall still ran. This was a well-maintained place, there was no way anyone would just leave it.

A muffled voice came from the other side. "What would anyone want this late at night?" You knitted your brows together as it got closer. Maybe it was just you, but the voice sounded familiar. It was smooth, coiled, yet serene and rather kind despite the grumpy tone. The doors flew open and you wished you had continued your treacherous trek through the dark.

"Garmadon?"

His eyes widened. "Ah," he said rather softly. "If it isn't (Y/n), Master of (element)." There wasn't a drop of malicious intent in his voice, and that set off all your internal alarms like crazy. He isn’t evil anymore, you reminded. Even then, you weren't so keen on asking for his assistance.

He did help you and the ninja with all the nindroids though. And he also helped keep Lloyd safe from the Overlord.

"Is there anything I could help you with this?" he warmly inquired. You pursed your lips together uncertainly. Was it possible to make a run for it? No. Was it possible to disappear into the shadows and forget this ever happened? No. Was it possible to not ask for his help? Also no. A long sigh escaped your lips. "I'm in need of shelter, I've been walking all night."

Garmadon's brows raised. "All night?” He didn’t seem to like that. “And you’re all alone? Where are your friends?" You glanced at the wooden door as if it were the most interesting thing in all of Ninjago. "Oh, they're...away right now." Garmadon nodded in understanding. He looked like he wanted to say more, but with the tired look on your face, he thought better. "Come in," he kindly said. "You may stay as long as you need."

Your eyes widened. "Wait, really?" A chuckle escaped Garmadon's lips and it was everything gentle, fatherly, and kind. He wasn't the same man you once fought. That was a fact you had to drill into your mind.

Garmadon led you inside. "After all I've done to you in the past, this is the least I can do." You tried your best to smile in thanks, but it came out as a grimace. "I...thank you."

The dojo was a nice place. It reminded you of the monastery, but it it were stacked up in a three-story building. The calm of the running water outside helped to soothe your worries, even if it was briefly. You made your way up the stairs after Garmadon. There was a long hall on the second floor that stretched out for as far as you could see.

"The guest room is here." Garmadon slid open a large set of doors. Inside was a plain room with tatami mats, a futon, a nightstand tucked in the corner of the room, and a small lamp. "In the morning, I'll have breakfast ready, so you may join me if you'd like. The bathroom is down the hall to your right and yes, there is a shower there."

You didn't know how to articulate a polite string of words. It all stuck in your throat like glue. Thank you, you're very kind, you didn't need to. How were you supposed to say any of that? Garmadon was still your former enemy, the one who came for your neck and called you stupid insults like 'petty ninja' and 'insolent fool'. Now here he was. Smiling kindly.

The very thought of it was baffling.

"Thank you." you said. Garmadon nodded. "Good night, (Y/n)."

The moment you finished a quick shower, your head hit the pillow. You hadn't realised how tired you were until your eyes fluttered open and closed. "What a day."

You wondered where Zane was, or if he was safe.

"I'd better get some rest."

Had Zane gotten into trouble? It seemed to find him wherever he went.

“No, I can’t think like that,” you mumbled, tossing and turning on your futon. Zane was more than the Master of Ice, your lover, and your best friend. He was strong, intelligent, and sharp-minded. Rarely anything ever got past him. Including you.

When you offered yourself up to defeat the Overlord, Zane refused and did something he’d never done in his life. Push you away. But it was for the sake of Ninjago. What choice did that give him, or you?

Your thoughts buzzed like a restless animal to its prey. It swarmed your head until it hurt, and after sitting around in the darkness for what felt like centuries, you stood. With a shaky hand, you slid open the doors and made your way to the first floor.

The stairs refused to creak under your quiet feet. If it weren’t for the running water outside, you were sure the silence would have driven you crazy already. The open space of the first floor was a welcoming scene. In the moonlight leaking from the open window, your shoulders finally relaxed.

“Is there something wrong?”

You immediately took a battle stance. Your hands raised into fists, your feet formed a box, and you tensed. A voice deep inside screamed that you were in danger, that the final battle hadn’t ended and that nindroids were out for your blood. But then you met Garmadon’s eyes. They were kind, soft, and almost empathetic, as if he understood exactly what went on in your mind.

“Nothing’s wrong.” Your hands limply dropped to your sides. “Thank you for asking Sensei.” His brows raised. If they were any higher, they might’ve been able to fly. “I can’t say I believe that (Y/n).” You shrugged half-heartedly. “I’m just thinking is all.”

Garmadon motioned for you to follow him. “It’s high time I brew some tea. Do you have a preference?” You shook your head and he nodded. “Will chamomile do? It does wonders to calm a weary mind.”

The parlour was as traditional as Garmadon’s dojo could get. You settled around the wooden table, silently thanking the First Spinjitzu Master for chairs. If there was a low-table around, you weren’t sure you’d want to have a long chat. Your legs would go numb long before Garmadon got anything out of you.

“May I ask what you’ve been doing by yourself?” he inquired. You took a long sip of tea. “Nothing much. Just a bit of sight seeing.” That wasn’t a complete lie, but ti wasn’t completely true either. Walking across all of Ninjago for who knows how long allowed you the opportunity to meet various people, as well as see wonderful places you didn’t even know existed.

“Sight seeing?” Garmadon echoed. “I never thought you to be one for that.” You shrugged with a small smile. “Neither did I.” There was a short pause as Garmadon studied you carefully. It was as if he were taking you apart and reconstructing you like a puzzle.

“I don’t mean to be nosy,” he set his cup down, “but are you looking for someone?” You drained your cup. Garmadon graciously refilled it. “Uh, not necessarily.” you mumbled. “I’m just...”

He patiently waited for you to come up with an excuse. You weren’t sure if you could lie straight to his face like this, especially since he was offering so much to you. But then again, he did nearly kill you a couple times in the past, as well as turn Nya evil, steal the Bounty, cause trouble for Lloyd and...

You heaved in a tight breath. What if he could aid you? Garmadon was wise, as well as smart. He knew Ninjago just as well as the back of his hand. “To be completely honest,” you ran your thumb over the rim of the cup, “I’m looking for Zane. Or more like...hoping to find him.”

Garmadon didn’t look impressed. It was no secret that you and Zane had more than a simple friendship going on. He loved you like you were his life line, and you loved him back like he were the sun to your moon. A look of pain passed over Garmadon’s eyes. You wondered if he felt guilty. “How can you be so sure Zane is alive?”

“I have a feeling.” That wasn’t a lie. Every waking moment, there was a tug in your gut. It led you further and further around Ninjago like a guide. The more you traveled, the closer you knew you’d get to finding him. “Zane and I share a special bond. I can’t ignore what I know to be true.”

“And if it’s not?” Garmadon carefully offered. “If what you seek cannot be found, I don’t want to see you lose yourself.” He was speaking from experience. That wasn’t something you could easily brush off, much less blissfully ignore. You heaved in a breath and sipped your tea. “I can’t give up on Zane. If it were me, I know he wouldn’t sleep until he found me.”

“And that’s what you wish to do?”

You met his gaze with solid eyes. “Yes.” There was not an ounce of hesitation in your voice. What was this feeling deep inside? The one that churned again and made the blood roar in your ears? This time, it didn’t draw pit further and further into your gut. Instead, it made your heart flutter, and your chest blossom with hope.

Even if it was blind hope, you’d cling to it. Zane was alive. He had to be, and you’d scour every inch of Ninjago just to find him.

[graylinesspam]

Alright bitches, it's in-depth head cannon time.

Ninjago doesn't do a great job of giving us relationship development so I guess it's up to me.

Nya and Lloyd have a complicated friendship

When he first joined the ninja it was as little more than a hostage. He didn't want to be there as much as they didn't want to put up with him.

The ninja were stressed with saving the world and learning to harness their spinjitzu. They avoided Lloyd if at all possible. Wu mostly watched over him.

And it's a wonder why Lloyd was loud and rude and difficult. Convinced he'd follow in his father's footsteps and become evil. Just plain annoying. But nya saw it for what it was. Desperation for approval. She had grown up with just Kai and her foster mother to look after her.

In a lot of ways she and Kai were all each other had. They were close. Probably closer than most brothers and sisters. And he's always supported her loved her. But she was the little sister. Too small and slow to keep up with the neighborhood boys.

She remembers what it was like to muscle her way in the group. To insist and badger so they wouldn't leave her behind. To bite her tongue against her tears after being nailed in the face with a ball. You can't act weak because they won't let you stay. Trying desperately to earn her brothers respect.

It was different when they were older and they had the shop. When they really were two amateur blacksmiths trying to keep the place running. Rationing food and wrapping up burns after hours.

Then sensei came knocking and Kai had the other ninjas. A team. A brotherhood. Something good for him, a chance to grow. And she didn't have elemental powers. She was on the sidelines again. Worrying about them getting hurt, unable to help.

So she gets it. She can see it in Lloyd's eyes. It's the same kind of loneliness that had her taking apart electronics as a kid. The same loneliness that made her walk the three miles to her cave bunker every day and work on Samurai X.

So she asks for his help with stuff around the dojo and the bounty. Offers to teach him how to cook or mix tea brews. Offers him a couple of Syfy novels she owns.

He's stubborn at first. Angry and scared. But the loneliness wins out between the stress of running from the damn skulkin. He starts following her around. Her little helper. He's kinda clingy which would be adorable if it wasn't so sad. And inconvenient, she's been staying around more to look after him but she needs to get to the cave more often. Pick up some wires and circuit boards. Until she's outed and he starts helping her with that too.

And then Lloyd is announced as the green ninja and she's more than apprehensive. She's terrified. It one thing to watch her big brother come home from fighting the army of the underworld bleeding and frustrated but Lloyd is a child. And his father is the one after them.

He starts training with the other boys. Jay who she's reluctantly crushing on. He's sweet but also thoughtless and isn't exactly nice to Lloyd. Zane is rational and calm but cold and detached. Cole is ever the peacemaker but he stands with his brothers. And Kai, is jealous. Overall not a welcoming group to work with. But their responsible for him. Her included and they protect him with their lives.

And Nya is worried about him. He's so young. Until he's suddenly not. Which brings on a whole new wave of trauma. The guys treat him like he's grown mostly. Which given their mission and its deadline might be for the best. But Nya doesn't want to shock him too much with this change. She still asks for his help with things, mostly repairs to the ship at this point. Tries to make time in their hectic schedule to just talk about comics and things that aren't about the end of the world. She struggles with a balance of treating him the same and not treating him like a little kid. She's confused what to do with her big sister feelings now that he's not so little.

After Garmadon becomes himself again the team gets closer and she gets closer with all of them. They except her more since she started fighting alongside them. She's more than kai's tag along sister. Or jay's girlfriend. And she's surprised to realize that she considers them her brothers too. Not just Kai's teammates. And she's surprised at how they start to seek her out too. To help or talk or go out to eat. It's been a while since she's had such close friends, maybe never. The ninja are beginning to look like the family her and Kai never had.

She tries not to play favorites with the boys. Never one to go comparing people. But she's avoiding jay and cole for obvious reasons and Kai's having some broody issues and acting out. She's pretty much left with Zane who is great company but just not very personable especially while preoccupied by his new love interest and Lloyd whenever he visits or when she stays at Sensei Garmadon's dojo. Which is a relief after dodging her suitors for weeks.

But it isn't until Wu finally tells her about her elemental powers that she realizes just how close her and Lloyd have become. It's hard to tell when she stopped thinking if him as someone who needs to be protected and started thinking of him as someone level headed she could go to with her problems. When he was in hiding all she could think about was wanting to find him just to rant through all of the turmoil in her head. But their relationship has come full circle from her encouraging his training with his new powers to him doing the same for her.

And she realizes that Lloyd is her best friend. She falls into line behind his lead before he ever tries on the title of sensei. He's the green ninja and her best friend. One of the most level headed people she knows. When he says go by God does she go. She trusts him. Trusts his judgment.

And she's oddly proud. He's so genuinely good in everything he does and she's delighted to notice the little things she's taught him shine through. Manners and tech skills and how to speak to a lady. She had a hand in Lloyd becoming who he is. And he is good.

That's why she doesn't question it when he calls her to pixel's meeting. Heeds his urgency and follows him. She doesn't question Lloyd because he's never given her a reason to. He's never lied to her before. And she feels a little betrayed when he does. But mostly scared and angry at Harumi for changing him this way. Her best friend turns his back to her to go fight his father once again and she's not sure his pure heart will survive the battle.