#Kai; watching lloyd leave from the direction of an Oni sighting: hey did you see an Oni that way??? | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

aweebwrites · 5 years

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Celestial Influence 7 (pt1)

(Hnnnnn thank you for helping me out as always @thelucariosfish! Ily! Also splitting this in two so ye. Next post will be another day.)

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"How do you even have food around here?" Cole asked as he watched Zane and Garmadon work in the kitchenette the next morning, Lloyd put to sleep on his bed upstairs.

"Oni are shape-shifters and Lloyd has the power of amber, which means he also has the power of form like Nya does. We take occasional trips to Ninjago for supplies." The Oni shrugged, stirring the pancake batter with his lower hands while adding milk with an upper.

"I'm more curious how you got like this." Kai says, gesturing to his clearly Oni state with the mentality of the Garmadon they once knew.

"Yeah. Didn't those Oni masks just bring back the bad you?" Nya asked, perplexed.

"That it did." Garmadon confirmed, reaching for a small bowl of blueberries, his gray-tipped tail flicking as he did. "But power like that is never that simple. Try as the Oni- my kind- may, they cannot change the will of things. For where there is shadow, there is light, just as no matter how bright the light may be, the moment it flickers, the shadows return-"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Lessons and what not. Just tell us how Lloyd managed to bring you back!" Jay huffed impatiently from his crossed legged seat mid air.

Garmadon shot him an unimpressed look but he supposed he owes them a more direct explanation. He sighed then turned to them, setting the empty bowl aside as he stirred still, Zane quietly working on eggs and bacon.

"A soul may be one thing but it has two sides, like a coin. The good and the bad. Much like a coin, you can't part the two sides, or rather make the coin hold one side. But what you can do, is to put the coin on one side, allowing only one side to be visible and the other side hidden underneath. That's exactly what the masks did: amplified the dark half of my soul and suppressed the light half under it." He explained, making sure they were all following him. "What Lloyd did was bring back balance within my soul, turning the coin on its side so to speak. The reawakening of my Oni blood through the masks however, is irreversible. I will tell you all the very same thing I told Lloyd." He says seriously and they all unconsciously stiffened.

"I am both the Sensei and the Lord you once knew. Both sides are equal within me which means I may do and say things that makes that clear. While I have no intentions to rule Ninjago, I also have no desire to become a Sensei again." He told them, meeting all of his former students' eyes. "Right now, I'm content to simply be a father." He adds, turning away again as he focused on his batter.

The five ninja shared a look before Zane spoke up.

"... Is that why you chose not to let Sensei Wu know?" He says quietly and Garmadon's shoulders stiffened then slumped.

"I'm not the brother he once knew." He whispered solemnly.

"But you are the brother he'd be happy to have." They all looked to Lloyd as he walked down the narrow staircase.

"Lloyd!" The others called, perking up.

"Hey guy-" Was all he could get out before he was smothered in a group hug.

"Hey, we missed you bud!" Cole grinned, ruffling his hair.

"How have you been faring?" Zane asked him with a pleased smile on his face.

"I've been good!" Lloyd says with a laugh, then smiled at his friends. "I've missed you guys." He says fondly then laughed as he was pulled into another group hug.

Garmadon watched the group as they caught up then smiled a bit as he turned back to the stove. He can take over breakfast.

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"Woah! Kai has a dragon?!" Lloyd asked excitedly once Cole let it slip over breakfast.

"4 to be exact." Kai says with a grin that soon fell. "I'll have to head back soon. I'm worried, you know?" Kai says, glancing out the opened doors.

"Speaking of, I gotta check on those boneheads back in the underworld. They're pretty clumsy so let's hope that the Underworld Temple is in one piece still." Cole says, twirling his fork.

"Not to mention we have to check in on Sensei Wu." Nya reminded.

"And figure out what we're gonna do from here." Zane added.

"Yeah. It's clear we're not needed as ninja anymore but defending Ninjago is in our blood." Jay spoke up with a frown. "... But at the same time, it's been great having a break, you know?" He added, looking to his friends who shared a look.

"Jay's right. Despite everything… It's nice to just relax for a bit but at the same time, I don't want to just abandon our role of protecting Ninjago, no matter how unwanted we are." Lloyd says with a frown, poking at his egg he hadn't touched.

"We should confront Sensei with this and see if he can assist us." Zane suggested and the team gave their agreement.

"So when do we leave?" Nya asked them, twirling her fork.

"After you've all finished your meal." Garmadon says from the kitchenette and they all looked down at their half finished meal.

"You'll come with us, right dad?" Lloyd asked quietly and Garmadon looked at his son, at his large, pleading green eyes…

Then swore.

"Woah! Did Garmadon just swear?!" Jay yelled, looking at him wide eyed in surprise and delight.

"Don't listen to your dad, Lloyd." Kai says, covering his ears as he shot Garmadon a glare.

Said Oni only rolled his eyes, placing a lower hand on his hip.

"Hurry up before I change my mind," was all Garmadon said and Lloyd beamed at his dad.

The former Lord huffed lightly then turned back to the pots with a small smile. One thing hasn't changed: he'd do anything for his son.

Wu swept the Monastery yard in silence, his movements slow to reflect that he was deep in thought. It's been almost 4 months since he's lain sight on his students. While Ninjago was still in one piece, it's been a struggle to keep it that way. The other elemental masters were by no means useless but they are new to protecting all of Ninjago, and this often too. Villains old and new have stepped up to the plate, some wanting to rule, most wanting to make mischief and steal. They haven't had any real threats yet but that won't last very long. It's all a matter of time. He set aside his broom then looked over at the pillar in the middle of the training yard that held all of their symbols on the ground around it. It was an anomaly.

During once each week when the celestial occurrence happens, each of their symbols glow in turn with each. While it may have been obvious that they had been the ones to cause each, the glows only goes further to confirm that his pupils were well. He walked over to the pillar- only to be stunned by a bright flash of light. He stumbled back, rubbing his eyes to erase the white spots taking over his vision so he could see.

"Oh Sensei! Good timing!" He looked up then, his heart swelling with hope and happiness to see his students there, all grinning at him.

"Ninja…" He says in relief, a smile lighting the weary lines of his face. "I-" He cut himself off once he noticed the tall figure behind them shift.

His eyes widened once he saw his brother there, saw his red-orange eyes flicker up to him before he sighed, stepping forward, the claws on his inverted legs tapping lightly as he did. Soon, his older brother was standing before him, all but towering over his shorter frame.

"There is… Much to discuss." Garmadon spoke and Wu couldn't help but give a huff of laughter.

"That is an understatement."

"Any tips on what to do here, Sensei?" Kai asked after Lloyd explained their current situation, all of them seated for tea in the large communal space.

Wu pondered all he had just learned for a moment. They've made vast strides in control over their powers during the time they've been away but despite that, Ninjago may never accept them again as its protectors. But Ninjago did need them, that much was undeniable. He sipped his tea.

"This is indeed a… Unique situation." He began. "Ninjago will need your protection still. While the Elemental Masters and Pixal grow stronger each day, the role of Ninjago's protector will always belong to you six. Given that they have refused you all and are unlikely to willingly ask for your help… Then there is only one solution that fits all of your needs." He says, glancing at them.

"What?" Jay asked impatiently.

"Let's just say… What Ninjago doesn't know… Won't hurt them." Wu says with a barely suppressed smirk.

It took them all a second before they got what Wu was implying.

"Wait, you want us to-"

"Keep protecting Ninjago, but under the radar?" Zane finished for Nya.

"More along the lines of an occasional patrol." Garmadon corrected, all of their attention shifting to him. "From what I've seen, the other Elemental Masters are effective, despite their lessening struggle. An occasional check up to see how they're doing and give a hidden but helping hand should suffice." He says then finished off his tea.

"My brother is correct," Wu spoke up, saying the word fondly and Garmadon could barely keep the small smile off his face. "This way, not only do you each get to keep a considerable amount of your free time, you are also still involved in keeping Ninjago safe," he summarised, and the ninja pondered this.

"It shouldn't be a problem staying out of sight. At least, not for me." Kai grinned then vanished from his seat, setting his cup down. "Plus having time for my dragons still? Sign me up." He says, appearing next to Wu.

"Well, I am resigning vehicles and mechs for the other ems as is. I can drop them off in areas I know they'll see them so that could give us even more time. I mean, some peace and quiet isn't a bad thing. I'm down." Nya hummed, tapping her nails against the table.

"Yeah I'm in. I mean, the Skulkin can take care of themselves- er, mostly- but Ninjago is also under my jurisdiction." He grinned, resting his chin in his hand.

"Yeah! Though looks like I gotta get a hobby or a pet. Or just bug you guys." Jay shrugged then grinned at his teammates cheekily.

"Don't forget your promise to your parents though," Lloyd reminds him.

"Never." Jay says seriously, giving them all a bit of whiplash from his jump from playful to dead serious.

"Well… Good." Lloyd says, blinking at him then turning to his uncle. "That works then. Ninjago will always be my home and I'll always defend it but... I finally have my dad back. For good this time." They didn't miss the subtle glow in his eyes at that fact.

"I wanna enjoy it, you know?" He said, smiling at his father who returned it and ruffled his hair gently, pulling a small laugh from his lips.

"Speaking of parents. Nya, are you up for a visit to ours in a day or two?" Kai asked her and she nods.

"Yeah. It's been a while after all." She says softly, tracing the lines on her cup.

"For now," Kai says as he stepped away from their Sensei. "I have to head back to the Fire Temple," he announced, and they nodded.

"I'll come with!" Jay says, eager to meet the dragons Kai was worrying so much over.

"I think we all will. I mean, it's been a while after all." Lloyd says and a moment of silence passed as they remembered the Ultra Dragon.

"Let's go then." Cole says, breaking the silence as he stood up.

"I'll be back soon Uncle, Dad." Lloyd said as they all got up.

"I'll be here when you get back." Garmadon reassured, noting how his son's shoulders relaxed.

Lloyd nods before heading out with the others. Soon, there was a flash of light and accompanying thunder.

"... So, shall I give you a scratch behind the ear?" Wu asks, glancing down at his brother's thumping tail.

"Fuck off, Wu."

"Flare! Solaris! Spark! Heath! I'm home!" Kai called out as they all walked across the bridge over the molten lava moat below.

There was silence for a moment before Solaris and Flare rushed out, eager chitters and roars escaping them. They skittered to a stop not far away however once they noticed he had company they didn't know.

"It's alright! They're friends!" Kai laughed, walking up to them both, reaching his hands out and they both lowered their heads to them, purring as he petted them. "Where's Spark and Heath?" He asked with a small frown, noticing that they weren't coming.

That seemed to remind them of something and they began nudging him towards the temple. Immediately knowing something was wrong, he took off without explanation, leaving his friends to follow, confused and worried. He hame to a stop in the ground center of the temple, looking up at where his nest was. There, Heath sat anxiously, looking down into the next. Kai took a single leap, landing at the edge of it and gasped softly to see Spark laying there, breathing quickly, his worst fears coming through.

"Spark…" He whispered, shifting closer, hands hovering over her, not sure where to begin with trying to fix this, trying to make her better. "Heath, what happened?" Kai asked the blue dragon as his friends and Heath's siblings joined him.

Heath gave a low whine, wings pressed flat with a pained look on his face that showed he didn't know.

"Don't worry Spark, I'll-" Kai cut himself off when he touched her.

"What is it?" Nya asked, all of them watching them.

"Can we help?" Jay asked and Kai shook his head.

"No, no. It's just… She's colder than I remember,” he says with a frown before his eyes widened. "I think I know what's wrong." Kai then gathered fire in both of his hands.

He gently rested them on her body, a pulse of fire rushing over her. Spark blinked open her eyes then, a confused coo leaving her and Kai laughed.

"She had a cold is all. It happened once before with Solaris shortly after I made them. They're still growing so it's pretty easy for them to get sick. A lava bath or a faster working fire shot from me does the trick." Kai explains as Spark lifted her head, sitting up slowly as she regained her bearings.

"Feeling better girl?" He asked, reaching up to stroke her snout and she purrs, leaning into his touch.

She opened her eyes to look at him then spotted the group, a curious sound leaving her.

"They're friends. Go say hi." He encouraged her and she shuffles past him eagerly, taking a sniff at Lloyd.

"Nice to meet you." The blonde smiled as he reached up, letting her smell his hand before pressing her snout against it.

That gave the others the courage to interact with her as well as Solaris and Flare. Kai smiled at them but it fell when he turned to Heath, seeing the neutral expression he wore but seeing that he was troubled through his eyes.

"She's alright now, Heath. You did good," Kai says, reaching up to stroke the blue scales of his snout but Heath only looked more troubled.

Kai frowned, looking over his dragon, trying to figure out the source of the negativity he could feel from him. Heath wasn't usually like this. Did something else happen? He looked back at the other members of their little family, seeing them relishing under the curious attention of the other ninja then looked back at Heath. It hit Kai out of nowhere but it didn't stop him from feeling ridiculous for not realising sooner. He tasked Heath with a lot of responsibility, taking care of his siblings as he did. To have Spark come around with a cold so suddenly and for him to be as helpless to do anything about it as he was must have taken a serious toll on him. If he was in his place, of course it would bother him.

"Heath…" Kai says quietly then stood. "We'll be back in a sec, guys." He called, beckoning Heath to come with him as he floated his way towards the main chamber of the volcano the temple was attached to.

Heath hesitated, looking at Solaris as she gave the freckled brunette a lick as he laughed, looking at Flare as he purred under the expert petting of the black-clothed male and the one in white, looking lastly to Spark as she preened under the attention of all the others. They're just as powerful as their creator. They'd be safe… with that, he climbed off the high nest, following after his creator.

Kai lead him away from the others and towards the magma pool that made up the core of the volcano. He then stood at the edge, slipping his shoes off before sitting and dipping his feet in the hot material, the heat not bothering him at all. Heath padded over, sitting at the edge of the pool, his tail dipped into the material as well, his wings tucked close as he looked at the hot material bubbling before him. Kai watched him for a moment before he fixed his eyes there too, finally speaking.

"You did well. Looking after the others I mean." Kai says and Heath glanced at him, his eyes clearly showing that he didn't agree. "You did. I don't need to look to know your expression is saying otherwise," Kai huffed, and Heath only returned to watching the magma bubbles.

"Really though, Heath," Kai says, looking over to the blue dragon that refused to make eye contact. "I'm really proud of you." He shifts closer so he could reach up to pet Heath’s maw.

Heath shook his hand off however, a series of growls, hisses and grumbles pouring from him angrily but Kai understood what he was trying to say. While he couldn't speak or directly understand what they were trying to say, he did have a connection with then that exceeded language barriers, and that made him understand exactly what they were saying anyways.

"Heath," Kai deadpans, stopping the anxious blue dragon from ranting any further.

Heath finally met his creator's eyes, looking into his understanding amber eyes that flickered and morphed like the flames he commanded.

"Spark getting sick wasn't something you could have prevented. It's the will of all living things to get sick at some point. It's not your fault. It's just the will of things," Kai says gently, his touch feeling far warmer than the boiling materials his tail was dipped in. "You've done perfectly. None of you have a scratch, the temple and forest are still in one piece and you didn't leave Spark's side the whole time she was sick. But I can tell your worry, your doubts won't go away so easily." He says with a sad smile, tilting his head to the side as he continued to stroke Heath's muzzle.

"Good thing I'm practically a god. Let's see what these powers can do." Kai announces, looking down at his hands.

He then took a slow breath out, focusing on what he wanted, then willed his goals into being. Heath watched curiously as his creator began to glow, the light traveling up his hands to his face. He watched still as light began to collect in the space between his hands, glowing brighter and brighter still. Heath looked away once it became too much, only looking back once his creator sighed. In open palms, he held a white flame that danced leisurely. The flame then grew apart, creating four equally sized flames, one meant for each of the dragons he birthed from his flames.

"This should do the trick. Healing flames." Kai says then held three in one hand as he got to his feet, standing before Heath. "You'll each have this one. Just in case someone else gets sick." He says then pressed the flame into Heath's chest, watching as he glowed white for a moment, the glow soon fading to reveal Heath looking the same- aside from his claws and beginnings of his horns being white that is.

"From now on, you don't need me or the volcano to help you heal up. You can do it for each other. You don't have to feel helpless anymore," Kai says softly and Heath looked at his creator for the longest while before leaning in and rubbing his head up against his chest, a low purr escaping him, worries for the future soothed for now.

Kai only smiled and rubbed between his horn nubs.

"Come on. Let's share the love," Kai says softly, Heath lifting his head with a confirming huff, leading the way back to the others, his strides confident and protective.

Kai laughs as he dissolved into smoke, reappearing in the nest where the others were, the healing fire ready to be gifted.

"So we'll meet back up here in two days?" Cole asked asked as they all stood outside the Monastery in the courtyard.

"Yeah. Then we do first patrol." Lloyd told them and they nodded.

"Alright. Then I'm off to my parents," Jay says, taking a step back then vanishing in a flash of lightning.

"The same for us." Nya grins, gesturing to Kai before they both took off going airborne.

"I have to head back to the Underworld," Cole says, tapping his foot against the ground and Zane watched as he slowly sunk into the ground without so much as a tremble from the earth below them.

"I'll return back to the Birch Forest." Zane says then paused, his eyes glowing brighter for a moment before he blinked it away. "... I just need to make a quick detour first." He adds and Lloyd nodded at him, watching as he and the Falcon vanished into shadow.

Lloyd stood there for a second longer then yawned as he turned inside, scratching at his stomach, his new gi fading into his comfy hoodie and sweats as he did. He walked towards his father and uncle as they talked at length, interrupting by crawling into his father's arms and testing his head against his chest, dozing almost instantly, leaving both Oni and hybrid to stare at him. Garmadon only released low, barely audible purrs as he stroked his son's hair, picking back up on their conversation about the future of the ninja as their powers continue to develop. Thankfully, much slower than their initial power gain.

Wu was content to continue their discussion, eyes on Lloyd as he slept comfortably. His brother had explained how Lloyd brought him back but it made him even more aware of just how powerful he was. Soul manipulation was not an easy feat after all. In fact, only his father, Lloyd's grandfather, managed to do it without a relic and even what little he managed to do was a great struggle. It made the fact that Lloyd's power, that the ninja's power surpassed that of their father's. They had the power to reshape, to remake the entirety of Ninjago with mere thoughts if they wanted to. He supposed he should be grateful this power fell into their laps and not anyone else's.

Zane reappeared on a tiny remote island somewhere in the Endless Sea. Reclusive as it may be, Zane knew this island, had been here before. But the tower that had stood tall was in less than favourable conditions, no doubt due to the backlash if unlocking their powers. At the very least, it was still standing. Zane began walking up the stairs as his Falcon checked the perimeter, his mind going back to the brief vision he had. Usually he received visions while sleeping. Having them while awake is… Different. But it's more convenient, unable to be passed off as a dream. Though this one made him question a few things…

He stood before the wooden door, withering no doubt from exposure to seawater, no means of replacing it available. Still, he was gentle on opening it, a microscopic amount of his powers more than enough to freeze the locks to their core, a gentle push breaking them like they weren't there at all. Zane continued inside, keeping his steps light against the decaying wood, a small frown on his face. He supposes the broadening of his understanding that came with awakening their powers was responsible for his lack of a harsh reaction at what was revealed to him. He understood his father's position why he would hide something this big from him. But he also understood his father was incorrect in hiding this. If he had said something, left him a clue, perhaps he could be here sooner. Perhaps he wouldn't have to be left on his own for this long, wouldn't be forced to suffer loneliness and malfunctions. He looked up as he finally entered the main room of the tower, the slumped figure next to the table catching his eye. He walked towards them, his footsteps unheard, despite the worn floorboards, standing before the younger brother he realised he had just moments ago. He stood before him and the small rust covered bot he clutched close to him. He recognised it as the one his father left behind. Tai-D. He doesn't appear to be working anymore, either. The rust was too substantial. He watched as the bronze Nindroid's eyes flickered on, a creak sounding as he lifted his head.

He watched still as those mustard-coloured eyes widened at the sight of him. There was a straining creak as he lifted his hand towards him with difficulty.

"Y-y-you're… Y-y-you're…" Echo Zane attempted to say, his voice glitching and faltering as he suffered from lack of maintenance.

There's only so much a Nindroid can do with so little supplies after all. Zane knelt before him, a small smile on his face as he took his hand, lacing their fingers together.

"I'm sorry it took me so long to get here, brother." He says quietly as the glow of Echo's eyes flickered in and out. "Things will be alright from here on out." Zane promised him, and Echo managed a smile, even as his brother began to glow.

His vision flickered out as he started to power down. He'll be alright from now on…

Brother was here…

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When Echo awoken next, it was to an unfamiliar and very high roof. Are those stairs?... He sat up- then blinked once his joints hadn't creaked or rubbed in any way. In fact, they had never felt so smooth. He looked down at his hands… Then blinked again.

"What's… This?" He whispered, noticing the minor adjustment in his metal colour and design

It's hard not to, not when the analytics in the corners of his vision were so sharp and precise. He's never had them that updated before. His plating was never this seamless either. What happened? He blinked once he heard a familiar sound. His eyes widened once Tai-D hopped up, looking more put together than he ever has been before.

"Tai… D…" Echo whispered, eyes wide and happy.

He wasn't rusty anymore! He wasn't… He wasn't… Gone. Tai-D only gave a beep of greeting.

"I see you're awake." Echo looked to the voice as they spoke and he blinked, seeing him there.

The one he was modeled after, the one father told many tales about… The original Zane.

"It only occured to ask your consent before I gave you an update and for that, I'm sorry." Zane apologized and Echo blinked at him.

"So you really came…" Echo whispered, confusing and concerning his older brother.

Zane saw him leap at him before he actually did it but he allowed it all the same, hugging him close as Echo clung to him tightly. He rubbed his back gently as his brother shook, unphased when he began dampening his clothes with the lens cleaner that acted as tears. He's been through a lot after all. Zane closed his eyes as he held him tight. He won't ever be alone again. That's one thing he can promise.

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(Finally posted this! Ahhh! At least part of it... Anyways, I wanted to do a Nya and Kai talking wirh their parents thing but i cannot Ray or Maya so oof. I'll use Zane and Echo Zane content to make up for that. Thanks for reading!)

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