#and leaving misako to look after lloyd by herself

[mairitess]

ebbs and flows pt. 2 // jaya

a/n: i wrote this bc i got back into ninjago and i needed to write something for them bc i'm not caught up enough to be able to read the current fics + also on ao3 in caps

words: 1.5k, part one here

tags: angst, fluff, post-skybound, post s10 ninjago: masters of spinjitzu, jaya, no beta we die like kings, they r so traumatized after nadakhan, minor violence mentions from skybound, kiss kiss rated t just in case

preview:

she might’ve missed it, if she weren’t so keyed up already. “you’re my yang, nya.”

the ninjas returned to the temple absolutely beaten. they’d defeated the latest ninjago city menace, but it took more effort than usual. their entire way home, jay was tapping his foot incessantly.

“can you stop that?” cole said, irritated. “you sound like a walking time bomb.”

jay started to apologize. “i’m sorry! i can’t help it. i’m…”

“nervous? anxious? stressed?” the suggestions came in a popcorn chorus from zane, pixal, and kai.

jay put his head in his hands. “yes,” he sighed, defeated.

cole put his hand on his best friend’s shoulder. “what happened…?” to you and nya?

“i have no idea.”

everyone was quiet until they got to the temple. they knew jay was doing his best, and they knew how stubborn and guarded nya could be, too — much like her brother. when they landed, jay filed out last, worry troubling his stomach.

“you got it, jay,” lloyd said, clapping jay on the shoulder. “it’ll be okay.” he turned from jay to look at cole, also unsure. they’d known nya had been different recently, as much as she tried to hide it. but they didn’t know what they could do, especially if jay wasn’t able to fix it.

with heavy heart and steps, jay made his way to nya’s room in the early morning hours. misako and wu were standing just outside her door, making jay even more nervous. he rushed over.

“what happened? is she okay? where is she?” he couldn’t keep his voice down, his lightning energy rushing into his veins again.

“she’s fine,” misako said, placing her hands on his shoulders. “she’s okay. but…” she trailed off, as nya’s door started to open.

it was the first time she’d really looked at him in weeks, and jay’s heart dropped as he saw her bloodshot eyes and dark circles. as much as he was exhausted from their fight in the city, she had been draining for far longer.

“hi, jay.”

—

he followed her into her room, gently closing the door behind them. when she sat on the edge of her bed, he sat a foot away, careful to keep some distance. he didn’t want to make things worse.

“i missed you,” he said, unable to keep it in. “i miss you. i love you. i…” jay suddenly felt too loud, too brash, and worried he’d scare her away again.

“i love you too,” nya replied, tears brimming again. “and i think i’m ready to tell you what happened — or, what’s been happening, and i’ve been so worried to tell you before because i’m scared you’ll hate me and want to leave me but i love you and if that’s how i make you feel then i just want you to be happy and safe and secure and i’m scared when i tell you this you’ll —“ nya cut herself off, too scared to speak into reality one of her biggest fears. “you make me feel more special and confident and myself than anyone i’ve ever known,” she whispered. “and i’m scared you’ll throw me away when i tell you.”

sometimes, even when jay wasn’t talking, nya could still hear the lightning coursing through him. this time, she couldn’t. she was scared to break the silence. she needed to know if he even wanted to hear what she had to say.

and she might’ve missed it, if she weren’t so keyed up already. the quietest he’s ever been, the most hesitant yet gentle and kind.

“you’re my yang, nya. nothing you could say could ever change that.”

jay knew nya well enough to know she was struggling with not feeling like she was doing their relationship “right”. a perfectionist through and through, as soon as things started to dissolve, so did she. but jay needed her the way the moon needs the tides, the skies reaching for the waters beneath. she knew ebbs and flows, but so did he, because he yearned for her throughout.

nya told him of her nightmares, and how she thought she was dying that day. she drew in a deep breath, before she told him that his hold felt the same way. she thought she was angry he wasn’t upset like she was. she wasn’t angry anymore.

he was quiet, processing, until he asked, “do you really think i’m not upset like you?” nya stilled.

“all our friends died. i had just seen you in a wedding dress, and you were about to marry someone else, even if not by choice. and then you started to die in my arms, by a tactical choice i made. it would’ve been all my fault, if you…” he paused. “you’re the love of my life, nya. and i held you as i cried because i don’t know what life there is without you.

“i made my last wish holding you. and everything was good again when we went back and you took my hand. i know that right now my touch feels like… death, but i need you to know that to me, touching you gave us a new chance at life.”

nya was stunned; all she could do was sit there, his words ringing over and over again in her head.

“i love you, nya. i just… need some time to think about it, too. okay?” jay said, standing up. he smiled, but it was small and somber. nya couldn’t help feeling like she’d hurt him, that she’d thought so little of his actions. she nodded, and it wasn’t until her door closed again that she was able to mumble, “i love you.”

—

nya didn’t leave her room all day. she was feeling better, but she didn’t want to step out. kai brought her dinner and they sat side by side as she ate.

“how’s jay?” she asked, and kai shrugged. “he’s been in his room ever since we got back. so i don’t know. but it was a pretty bad fight, so maybe he’s just resting. though normally he’d rest by playing some video games,” kai joked, nudging nya lightly with his shoulder. she quieted again, looking down at her food.

“i think i messed up,” nya said, swirling her spoon in her congee.

“i don’t think you could with jay, sis. he loves you.”

“i know. but that doesn’t mean… that doesn’t mean things will always be okay.”

“sure. but it also doesn’t mean you two can’t be okay, either.” kai paused. “uh, let me say that again. you guys will get through it. that’s what love is. love is about getting through things together, not keeping things perfect all the time.”

nya smiled, genuinely, for the first time in awhile. “when did you get to be wu number two?”

kai laughed. “probably when i realized how much you and jay love each other.”

nya understood it was time to stop fighting the flow. it took the master of water long enough.

—

it was just after 10, and nya needed to see jay. but as soon as she opened her door, there he was, hand poised to knock. he jumped back. “gosh, nya! you’re quiet.”

they stood in her doorway, just looking at each other, not quite sure what to do next. they started speaking over each other in a flurry.

“nya—“

“jay, i—“

nya laughed, and jay could feel everything start to lighten. “come in.”

they lay down on nya’s bed next to each other, closer than they’d been in weeks past.

“i’m sorry, jay,” nya mumbled, drawing circles with her finger into her pillowcase.

“no, i’m sorry, nya. i shouldn’t have left the way i did earlier.”

“it’s okay.” jay raised an eyebrow and nya nodded. “i promise. i’ve… been thinking about it longer than you have. it’s only fair.”

he smiled, and nya kept looking between the freckles across his face and his brilliant blue eyes. how could she have ever been so afraid of what he would say?

“so…” she started. “what now?”

“i don’t want to rush you into anything,” jay said. “i love holding you, and you know how much that means to me, but we don’t have to touch or anything until you’re ready. but i do think it could help,” he offered.

nya shook her head as he talked. “you could never rush me. and i want to fix things. so maybe… we start here?”

she gently grabbed his hand, and placed it on the side of her face, holding him there. nya nudged closer to jay until they were a breath apart. she tilted her head up and gazed at him, waiting.

“i missed you,” nya said, and jay met her halfway, their lips melding into each other where they belonged. softly, first, then as nya grew more incessant, jay matched her, and it was like breathing and drowning in confessions of love all at once.

jay was careful not to move his hand from her cheek, but as they kissed, she moved his hand down to her back, and he pulled her ever closer. nya broke their kiss first to breathe.

“i missed you too,” jay said, one arm behind her back, the other under her neck, cradling the back of her head. they laid there for hours, and just as nya was starting to doze off, jay asked, “nya… what do want me to do if you have another nightmare again?”

she thought about it before, but wasn’t sure what would work until they tried. “just don’t let go,” she mumbled into his chest, and he held her tighter.

[ninjago-x-lmk]

I just realized that my explanation as to why Lloyd doesn’t remember Misako makes sense if she left before Garmadon first…

Garmadon was already facing evil at least before Lloyd was even born (Because Misako herself doesn’t look old yet.) So the venom was slowly effecting him in due time.

However, it is shown that even under the influence of the venom, Garmadon from Seasons 1-2 still loved Lloyd and Misako dearly…and even hesitated to harm them. In fact, Garmadon clearly states that he didn’t want Lloyd to follow his footsteps.

The only reason he began his plan to ‘Shape the world into his image’ is because Misako left, seemingly without explanation (Hell even Wu didn’t know why she left) as seen in Season 2 near the finale, Garmadon makes a note of his anguish towards his family not being able to be by his side…

“Destiny took my family away from me! The only way for us to be together, is to turn everything into my image!”

This single line alone shows us Garmadon’s motivations and why he wanted to turn the world into his image, he wants his family by his side (Probably not Wu) then he makes the rash decision to start the launch and infect Ninjago with a gas that turns them evil.

I would like to think the same thing occurred when Misako left, after discovering Lloyd was the Green Ninja, if she was the one that left first, it would explain why Garmadon started his plan then, saddened by Misako’s disappearance or leaving him and Lloyd he collects the Golden Weapons so that his one wish could be fulfilled.

[neteyammeowmeow]

HII kai headcanons if you have any??? i’d love to hear what u think about him

OFCC THANK YOUU

I headcanon Kai to be Japanese, Malay/Indo (Maya is Japanese/Indo, but Ray is Malay). He looks more Indo-Malay though, Nya's the one that takes more of her mom's genes.

He has BLUE eyes, a contrast to his sister, who has red. No further reason whatsoever to this, just a funny design detail. Another I'd like to bring up is that I actually believe that he'd have short, tied up hair! I don't see him with his canon version, but I'd get to drawing that one day.

This kind of, diverges from canon, but I believe that Nya was kind of the more outgoing sibling compared to Kai. He was always focused as a child, and he wanted to be trustable and determined, he also wishes to keep going and be strong for his little sister - who was unfortunately clumsy, but she always seemed to wander around places. Once they grew up, they became the vice versa of who they were, as Kai gradually felt like he was able to become more laidback with his friends, and family, it was Nya's turn to push herself to face the world.

Um... A bit of a sudden transition, but his favorite food is specifically seafood fried rice, but the funny part is that he actually can't handle spicy food that well (completely ironic due to his SEAsian side)... Jay made fun of him one time like, "Why would you go around saying you're the master of fire, but you can't even take hot stuff?"

Kai's habit is that he likes to snap his fingers and spark fire, he does this when he's bored or subconciously. There's something satisfying with being able to do it.

His body temperature is warmer than the average, this becomes even more prevalent when he's stressed, or angry. Though when he's excited, he also gets the same reaction. But in general, it's always been odd, and it becomes an unfortunate cause when he's sick, because the Ninja find it difficult whether to differentiate if it's just him, or he actually has a fever. But on winter days, everyone just snuggles around him because he's just that warm.

Kai's hands are scorched and burnt, but they are old scars due to his clumsiness when he was still trying to master his element. His hands are also littered with scars due to his experiences blacksmithing.

I actually, REALLY love the fact that Kai blacksmiths, it's something that's barely brought up. I reckon if he were to visit weapon shops or equipments, he'd start judging them off the bat.

Actually, there should he more emphasis on the fact that Kai blacksmiths, he has so much knowledge upon tools and weapons... He must definitely take part in the creation of most of the Ninja's weapons, and maybe he also helps Pixal as she builds certain weaponry too, despite the fact that he knows, she probably knows many things already. Likewise, Pixal is always happy to hear Kai's pieces of knowledge, whether Kai knows it or not, his experiences are naturally not "accessible information" she can just find anywhere, listening to him talk about his trials and errors- they are priceless.

He's a weapon collector too! After a mission is finished, sometimes he'd bring himself a souvenir or two (obviously, they're weapons). He likes to study blades, or the things his foes have used, and he tries to understand their works to be able to improve his own. He doesn't hoard them, but there are times where he finds out he's out of storage to store his findings, so he just piles them up, but he doesn't leave them unorganized for too long because he knows it'll affect the quality.

Have I mentioned that I personally think Kai has adhd, like both him and Nya. In a way. Yeah.

AND... Since u know Neteyammeowmeow habits... Deepseaenergy mentioned! When Benthomaar wanted to ask for blessings from Lloyd's family, the ones he first approached aside from Misako- were Nya and Kai, who were both startled by his actions. Benthomaar brought up how it was Lloyd's words that made him believe they were a genuine part of his family- Benthomaar said that, he understood the significance of how important it truly was to have a sense of belonging, and acceptance, though the start was a rocky journey. There was so much more, but of course at the end of his words, it was unforgettable to remember the confusion upon Benthomaar's expression amidst Nya's amusement, as she comforted an incredibly touched Kai.

THE END...

[akariarda]

Will you ever stop breaking my heart ,all over and over again...

(LAST)EPISODE 13

ep12 Garmadon is recovering and everything seems fine, but they have one more problem to solve ..

Look at the end of the work for the author's notes

"Where am I?" Sensei Garmadon asked when he opened his eyes.

The room was airy and dark... and smelled like a pharmacy. It seemed familiar.

"In the monastery of Spinjitzu," Misako said from somewhere he couldn't see. "Wu brought you here."

"Wu?" Sensei Garmadon asked happily. "He's alive..."

"I'll tell you about it later," Misako laughed and ran her hand through his hair. "But first, how are you feeling?"

Sensei Garmadon thought for a moment before saying, "I'm okay... just bruised."

"I know," Misako smiled at him.

'Sh's still so beautiful ,' Sensei Garmadon thought to himself.

"..but you'll heal in a week. It's a miracle you survived."

"And then?" Sensei Garmadon interrupted.

"What do you mean 'and then'?" Misako looked at him confused. "Everything can go back to how it was before."

When Sensei Garmadon heard that, he made a sour face.

"What's wrong?" Misako gently asked, kneeling beside his bed.

"Don't you want me to leave?"Sensei Garmadon quietly asked.

"Of course not," Misako moved his hair aside to kiss him on the forehead. "We love you."

'Here we go again,' Misako thought to herself. They had many similar conversations when Garmadon first became Sensei.

She had a feeling this time would be even worse.

"Even after everything?" Sensei Garmadon sadly asked, gently touching the bruises on her arm that were visible due to rolled-up sleeves.

He didn't want to think about all the harm he had done to her, Lloyd, Wu, the ninja, and others.

"I've hurt all of you so many times," Sensei Garmadon whispered.

"But you wasn't who you are now." Misako desperately tried to convince him.

She wanted to convince him so badly .

"If you say so," Sensei Garmadon forced a smile. Misako frowned but didn't want to dwell on it. Not now.

"Just know that we love you, and I have already forgiven you," Misako said, smiling warmly after such a day.

"I'm sure the others will too soon if they haven't already."

'Not everyone is like you, my Misako... that's why even Lloyd looks up to you.' He first thought, then added,

'With what I deserved them all, with what I deserved love..'

"Garmadon?" Misako called him back from his thoughts.

"Yes?" Sensei Garmadon looked at her curiously. She seemed... thoughtful.

"You mentioned someone coming. Someone who will destroy Ninjago,"

Sensei Garmadon's face paled. It was so important, that's why he agreed to live again...

"Did I upset you...?" Misako asked carefully.

"Misako," Garmadon said, shocked, squeezing her hand.

"It's so important, so dangerous. And I can't remember. It's like they erased that part of my memory when I turned good again... I'm sorry, Misako," Sensei Garmadon sadly said, closing his eyes. He just wanted...

~~~~~~

"How was the celebration ?" Sensei Garmadon asked Lloyd when he came back.

"Fine..." Lloyd awkwardly smiled and scratched his head.

It wasn't fine. He was thinking about what awaits them in the future. Since his dad couldn't remember, probably no one knew.

"I see you're already up," Lloyd tried to keep a cheerful spirit.

"Yes..." Sensei Garmadon smiled tiredly. "I have to..."

"Have you remembered anything, brother?" Master Wu asked as he entered the room, followed by stern Kai and Misako.

"No..." Sensei Garmadon sighed and disappointedly put the book down. "It's like that part of my memory has just disappeared."

"It will be okay, brother," Wu put his hand on Sensei Garmadon's shoulder.

"No offense," Kai started. It didn't seem like he wasn't going to offend.

"If we can even believe Garmadon," Lloyd sharply looked at him."Referring to the evil Garmadon,"Kai corrected himself.

"That's what I was wondering as well," Lloyd shrugged. "Father swears..."

"So true, Lloyd," Sensei Garmadon sighed tiredly. "The danger is real and big, believe it or not."

With those words, he gave Kai a sharp look.

He knew he had every right to be angry, but Sensei Garmadon didn't like it when people opposed him, especially when something this important was involved.

"It would be best to rest now," Misako put her hand on his forearm. "You shouldn't have gotten out of bed yet.

"We'll continue looking elsewhere." Master Wu understood it as a sign and motioned for Kai to follow him.

"Just rest, brother," it was nice to hear thar word."Don't worry," Misako said, smiling. "Everything will be fine. We've overcome many evils before, and we can do it from now on too."

"Everything will be fine, and you won't leave us again," Lloyd added to his mother's words.

"But Kai is right." Sensei Garmadon lowered his head. "You shouldn't believe me..."

"How many times have we told you that we do not see you as the same person when you are evil ,"

Misako asked and leaned her head on his shoulder.

"We don't blame you for what you did when you weren't in control." Lloyd added.

'Maybe it's not all bad...' Sensei Garmadon smiled to himself. They will defeat whatever danger is coming.

They still need to work on their relationships a bit, but they're doing well. And Lloyd, Misako, and Wu, as well as most of the ninja, seemed happy that he was there.

Misako, Lloyd, and Wu especially seemed happy.

"Rest, Dad," Lloyd waved to his parents. "I'll go help Master Wu and Kai."

"Misako?" Sensei Garmadon asked after Lloyd left. Misako nodded slightly as a sign of listening to him.

"Can I go to your room with you? I don't want to be alone again..." Sensei Garmadon awkwardly said.

He missed her so much, even though she stayed up at night checking on him.

He missed having her always by his side.

"Of course..." Misako said after a moment of thought. "Are you sure I won't bother you while you're recovering?"

"one hundred percent sure," Sensei Garmadon was thrilled.

~~~~~~

"Here, are these all your things?" Misako asked Sensei Garmadon.

"Yes, I couldn't bring them from Cursed realm," he said."

"I have some of your things; I just need to wash them," Misako thought.

"You kept all my things all this time?" Garmadon was surprised.

And happy, although a little sad. She probably missed him all this time...

"Can I ask you something?" He asked playfully after she finished folding the few clothes they found.

"Of course," Misako said, entertained.

"Do you mind if I kiss you?"

"Not really," Misako playfully replied.

Sensei Garmadon felt her hand resting on his forearm.

He gently grabbed her chin to lean down and kiss her. He had missed it so much...

Her warm breath and sweet lips...

"You know," Sensei Garmadon whispered in her ear. "I've wanted to do this for so long."

"I know," Misako smiled at him. "I love you."

"I love you too," Sensei Garmadon smiled brightly at her. "But, I don't deserve..."

Misako closed the door and kissed him again to quiet him. Hopefully, everything will be okay.

'And it will be,' she thought while wrapping her arms around his neck.

'Just let Garmadon remember soon...' She decided not to think about it now.

It was best to just enjoy the moments.

"I really love you," Garmadon repeated while kissing her neck.

Everything will be fine.

It has to.

NOTES

I planned to finish this work with Lloyd as well, but it still started with Gadrmadon and Misako, let it end like that.

Thank you if you read this and don't forget to leave a comment and say what you think (information about the sequel is coming soon)

[ninjamelissajulien]

Notes about Kalypso (Kali) and Genesis <3 UwU

Kalypso/Kali: [pronouns she/her]

she is the middle child to Katherine Hallson, inventor and friend to Cyrus (they went to the same Uni together)

Full name is Kalypso Grace Hallson

She was created/first activated about a year after Genesis "disappeared"- never meant to replace, but to help fill a hole in Katherine's heart

Kalypso's roles included getting Katherine's medicine, groceries, sewing, general repairs, and caregiver tendencies.

How Kalypso was separated from Katherine: while Kalypso was out getting groceries, Katherine went to her warehouse to work on her latest inventions. During this time, due to faulty wiring, a fire broke out and Katherine suffered minor smoke inhalation. Kalypso returned to the apartment, only to find that her mother was gone. Knowing the only other place she would've gone to was the warehouse, Kalypso made her way there, only to find it engulfed in flames.

She rushed inside to search for her mother, but Katherine had already been taken away in an ambulance. As she tried to escape, part of the warehouse collapsed on top of her, separating her left arm from her shoulder and damaging her right leg. During the collapse, her head struck the ground- causing damage to her neural chip. Heavily damaged and quickly losing power, Kalypso narrowly escaped and took refuge in a nearby alleyway after attempting to make her way home.

Some time later, Nya and Jay had been shopping in Ninjago City when Nya saw sparks within the alley and found Kalypso unresponsive. The pair brought her to the Bounty and spent several weeks working on repairing her, with the help of the other Ninja. When Kalypso awoke, the first eyes she saw were Zane's.

Kalypso has adopted a motherly role/caretaker toward the Ninja. She is their advocate for rest, maintaining a sense of education (each Ninja is at their own level), and their medic.

Kalypso joins the team between episodes 3-4 of Season 1

Nya is her best friend and ultimate confidant, with Kai as her secondary.

When Lloyd is first brought on-board, Kalypso couldn't help but feel sorry for him. All she could see was a starving ten-year-old child who needed love and care and took it upon herself to be his caregiver. Eventually, before Misako re-entered the picture, Kalypso offered to be Lloyd's adoptive parent since Garmadon wasn't available to raise him, Misako was non-existent, and Wu wasn't Lloyd's legal guardian. Lloyd calls Kalypso "momma/mama" and Misako "mom"

Zane and Kalypso were love at first sight, though they were very shy about their crushes. The pair love to cook together, and they dance when no one is looking. Cole has caught them once or twice, but has never said anything. Kalypso's cooking rivals Zane's, but she prefers baking desserts to Zane's meals.

Kalypso nearly always wears dresses. She hates feeling constricted/confined (which is why all of her dresses are sleeveless)

Kalypso's fears coincide with the Ninjas' elements. Drowning/the deep ocean, fire (trauma related), being struck by lightning (short-circuiting), heights (it took her a long time to get used to the Bounty flying), and blizzards/being stranded in a snowstorm (her body was not designed for intense cold temperatures). She also does not like tight spaces and squids (Seabound was her nightmare come to life)

Speaking of Seabound: during the flood, Kalypso couldn't sleep and heard Nya leave the room. She followed behind, knowing exactly what Nya was planning on doing. As Kali met Nya on the rooftop, Nya told her that she couldn't talk her out of it. "You're my best friend, you and I both know I could never do that. That doesn't mean you should do this alone." Kalypso was in the water, holding Nya's hands, when Nya embraced/merged with the ocean. Because of this, part of the energy of the Sea intercepted Kalypso and remained dormant until the element of water decided to find a new Master since Nya was in the ocean.

When Kalypso was revealed to be the new water elemental, she hid her powers out of fear of rejection and fear of hatred. She was scared that Kai and Jay would see her as trying to replace Nya, and eventually ran away from the monastery. Only Pixal knew where she went.

Kalypso married Zane after the season 2 finale. She always dreamed of starting a family with him once he retired from being a ninja

in S3, both Zane and Kalypso are immediately head-over-heels for Pixal at first sight. The trio eventually form a little polycule with marriage years later.

When Pixal and Zane are sold to Chen by Ronin (shadow of ronin), Kalypso is notified by Pixal's SOS and goes to save her herself (not knowing that Zane was taken as well). Kali rescues Pixal first, keeping her neural chip in her head (as Zane later does) and lets Pixal have control of her body. When this happens, Kali's eyes are green rather than blue. Until Pixal designs her own body, she and Kali share hers. This helps acts as a cover for when Pix adopts the Samurai X persona.

Kalypso keeps a memory backup of Zane, Pixal, and her own neural drives in case of any incidents.

Genesis: [pronouns she/they]

Genesis is the firstborn to Katherine. They were originally designed to be an assistant as well as the first child

When Genesis was first designed, she was originally meant to be straight-forward, not questioning, following orders, etc. Yet, not long after she was activated, she began to develop her own sense of consciousness and curiosity.

Katherine began to notice that Genesis was making her own decisions, taking time and going into new directions. This made Katherine believe that Genesis was defective and needed to be fixed- not realizing that Genesis was becoming her own person. When Genesis heard this, she became fearful for their life and ran away during a thunderstorm so Katherine couldn't find them

Genesis lived on the streets during the first season

During the Great Devourer attack, Genesis was trying to seek shelter away from the collapsing buildings when she found a shell shocked Harumi moments after her parents' deaths. Genesis protected Harumi and brought her to a nearby aid tent. Though Harumi was mute from trauma, she wouldn't let go of Genesis' hand.

Genesis became Harumi's voice and her protector.

Genesis - Harumi as Kalypso - Lloyd

During the formation of the Sons of Garmadon, Genesis would be the one to set up the meetings; they were the pseudo-quiet one, building up the real quiet one's reputation. Genesis was the game changer, doing whatever it took to bring Harumi the happiness she needed.

Genesis loves spice. She rivals Kai in spice tolerance, at one point challenging him- it had to be called off after four bottles of Ninjago's Hottest Hot Sauce was emptied.

Genesis has high respect for Skylor- seeing the power that Skylor holds and the control she possesses was intriguing to say the least.

Genesis despises the Emperor and Empress, at least equal to or more than her hatred for Kalypso. Seeing how the Emperor and Empress only wanted Harumi for publicity rather than love filled their heart with unresolvable anger.

Genesis rides her motorcycle without a license. She loves to take Harumi on long rides through the city- much to the dismay of the royal family

Both:

Genesis despises Kalypso. They see Kalypso as the "Golden Child" that could do no wrong. They see Kalypso as having everything Genesis ever desired- especially their mother's love. Kalypso loves her sister, no matter what.

The first time Kalypso meets Genesis, Kali doesn't realize that Gen is her sister. Gen was seen as the Jade Knight, standing protectively at Harumi's side.

Genesis is meant to be Kalypso's opposite. Genesis' color scheme is based on shades of reds while Kalypso's is blue. Kalypso is gentler, not a big fighter, would rather be off to the side waiting to help rather than in the midst of battle. Genesis is willing to do whatever it takes, even if it means killing someone. Kalypso has knee-length hair, never wanting to cut it- Genesis chopped her hair off after she fled from Katherine.

Although during Hunted, Kali was part of the resistance with Lloyd, Misako, Pixal, Skylor, and Nya. Kali would be sneaking through the rubble left behind by the colossus/the SOG and assisting/giving aid to any victims caught in the crossfire. Because of this, Kali was the first on the scene when the building with Harumi collapsed.

Kali brought the severly-injured Harumi to safety and did her best to heal her wounds, fix stitches, apply medicine, until Genesis could find her. Genesis was terrified that Harumi was dead, but when she saw that Kali was risking everything to save her, she couldn't help but be shocked at the gesture. "Why?" Genesis asked as Harumi rested. "After everything... Why?" Kalypso paused, her hand frozen above her first aid bag. "She's as much of a victim as anyone else. I couldn't leave her to die. It's not right." Genesis and Harumi vanished afterward, with Kalypso keeping their current location and identities a secret.

When Kali becomes the new water elemental, she runs away to two places. The first place she leaves to is Genesis and Harumi's home in a far distant and remote village. She arrives and asks Genesis for help in learning how to be a real fighter. Genesis agrees to train her, as long as no one ever knows that Gen or Harumi were still alive.

Since Harumi never died in Hunted, she was not the conduit for the Crystal King. Instead, during the battle of Ninjago City, she and Genesis came to assist Kali and the Ninja.

It takes time for Genesis to see Kali as their sister. Kali does her best to keep distance and maintain space, but is always willing to do anything for her sister. Once Genesis is in a better relationship with Kali, they become a "ride-or-die". If anyone threatens Kali, Gen is willing to kill for her.

It takes years, even with Kalypso's gentle nudging, for Genesis to meet Katherine face to face. They feared the same rejection, or hatred, or dismissal- only to be fully embraced and welcomed back into the family.

Note: Kali and Gen are in a family of 3 sisters, with Penelope being the youngest (both in appearance and age). Penny/Penelope are always with Katherine, in an age-like appearance of approx 10 years old. Kalypso was built to look about mid 20's, with Genesis in later 20's.

Lloyd is scared to call Genesis "Aunt". He'd rather fight the Overlord for a third time than Say "Aunt Genesis". Similarly, Harumi never wants to say "Aunt Kalypso"

[wildwitche]

Soooo my attitude to the relationship between Garmadon and Misako in the series!

As we were shown, and the way I understood it, we can come to the conclusion that: in the past, Misako was in love with two brothers, and it was very difficult to choose whom to give her heart to, but one day Wu decides to send a letter with a beautiful confession. Chen - Garm's former master intercepts the letter and decides to tell him what his brother wants to do and pushes him to change him signature and send the letter on his own behalf. He does so, Misako receives the letter, immediately realizes that Garmadon is the same, and chooses him. As a result, she becomes his girlfriend, marries him, and gives birth to his son Lloyd. However, there is still poison in Garm's body, and after a while he turns completely to the dark side, disappears, etc.

Misako learns that her son is a green ninja, and does everything to stop the fate in which her son must kill his own father. Therefore, she not only runs away from the monastery and takes the child, but also sends him to a boarding school, that is, she leaves her child, in fact abandons it, and gives all of herself in the search to somehow save and return her husband

After all this, the first thing we see in the present is how stupidly Misako and Lloyd met each other after a long separation (but this is a separate topic for which you need to allocate time)

As the adventures continue, Lloyd defeats Garmadon and essentially turns him back. And the next picture we see is how Misako, who LEFT EVERYTHING, even HER CHILD, reacts to her husband's return (answer: NOTHING! she just: "oh, hello, dear, I'm so glad to see you" - it looked like she didn't see him at all a couple of weeks !!!) I understand that the directors did not want to spend a lot of time on the scenes where you need to show the emotions of the characters, but they could have shown it much better, and this is not what we saw!!

After that, we finally see the normal life of Garmadon, etc. Next comes the season where the ninjas go to the tournament and Gramadon is with them, as he knows who is creating all this. Also in the same season, we learn about the letter and why it happened. And then comes the moment when Chen reveals the truth. What should we see when Wu and Misako find out the truth? Well, probably her brother's anger (what we saw was a kind of parody and nothing more), Misako's anger at her husband's lies and in general the way he acted, at least at least some emotions (although maybe she wasn't very angry at him, because she didn't love him only because of this letter, and therefore she can only be angry that he did so badly with his brother, but this moment can easily be covered by the following events)

And precisely when he decides to sacrifice himself. Wu and Misako realize that there is no other way, so they accept Garmadon's choice. He disappears and that's it, he's gone. Lloyd cannot forgive this, he got his father back not so long ago, and less than half a year has passed since he disappeared forever. What is his wife doing at this moment, who, I emphasize again, did so much to get him back - nothing. She just mentions him, says that he is a hero and that's all....it's all stupid and goes on to flirt with Wu

And after all that, I'm supposed to believe that Misako really wanted to save her husband, that she didn't just leave Lloyd?? Phew, guys, it's just some kind of soap opera. Show me at least one woman who would do so much that, as a result, she would forget about everything and go to someone else. This letter is so absurd that if it wasn't there, nothing would have changed, because according to what the directors showed us, she would have left him anyway and gone to Wu (that's why this letter annoys me so much in their relationship)

From one point of view, I understand that sometimes to choose what we need, we need a push, and the letter could be said to be this very element. But don't you mean to tell me that you will choose your partner just because of some stupid letter? if you do not like a person, even if he/she writes 100 letters, it does not guarantee that you will choose him/her right away. The filmmakers showed us that this letter is the only reason why they were together at all (AND IT'S SO ANNOYING AT THE END!! DAMN WHAT THE FUCK). Then their relationship is built on lies and nothing more, but THEN WHY ARE WE TOLD ABOUT HOW MISAKO HAS SUFFERED ALL THESE YEARS!??? AAAAAAAAAAA??? WHY!?

If this was not in the plot, then it would still be possible to understand that all this happened only through a letter (but I repeat, are you ready to marry a person and give birth to a child for the sake of some piece of paper? Hmmm, I think not, it’s not logical)

Therefore, it is reasonable to call their relationship only through a letter in the series, it is not possible, because every moment of Misako's life covers what they wanted to show us as the truth. She could not choose him through a letter and then look for a way out to save him. The directors are so lazy that they did not show us any real emotions and feelings between them. Not the real emotions between Lloyd and Misako after being apart for a long time, not between Misako and Garmadon when he became normal, not how she was upset by his sacrifice, nothing

It's terrible, because it makes you think that Misako was terrible not only as a mother, but also as a wife

this is my opinion on their relationship and how it was shown to us, and honestly I'm ready to write and prove all time that Misako isn't the worst character. Yes, she is not perfect, but there is no reason to hate her. Because precisely because of the laziness of the directors and the inability to combine two things into one, Misako looks like a simply terrible character. At one moment she is shown like this, and at another it is called the opposite, and when all this is combined it looks like a complete absurdity

all this story with the letter, the directors could show us much better and make an intrigue. But they just needed an excuse to show why Misako chose him, and show how Wu and she will find out the truth and thats all. This moment when they learn the truth is so stupid. Less than 5 minutes were allotted for it. And the question arises, and why did you show it to us, it didn't change anything. NOTHING. If we hadn't been told anything about her leaving the Lloyd to find a way to get her husband back, I would probably have thought of her as a bad character like everyone else

[thepeanutbutterwizard]

Venomous Teachings au: the ‘Greenes’

Alright, now we’re talking about Misako, Lloyd, and Mystake!

These aren’t entirely to scale; Mystake in her Oni form is at least ten feet tall. Once I get every main character drawn I’ll do a to-scale height chart.

But anyway, time to go in-depth about this weird little family, who could have a long-form fic entirely to themselves.

Misako was just a few days away from giving birth when Garmadon got called up by Wu. Wu was frantic, claiming that the Skulkin, who shouldn’t be able to leave the Underworld, were attacking the Monastery.

Both Misako and Garmadon were actually suspicious that Wu was setting a trap. They both had noticed that Wu had taken a sharp decline around the time the couple had announced their pregnancy. But, despite his own misgivings and Misako not wanting him to go alone, Garmadon heads to the Monastery after dropping Misako off at Mystake’s tea shop.

Two days later, Misako gives birth without Garmadon present. And a day after that, the first one of the Skulkin Raids takes place. Ninjago City and the Imperial Palace are attacked by an army of Skulkin, lead by a masked figure claiming to be the ‘Dark Lord Garmadon’.

Misako comes to the conclusion that Wu had fully succumbed to the Great Devourers Venom, killed Garmadon, and now he was using Garmadons name for some plot.

With Mystakes help, Misako takes Lloyd and goes into hiding. The two spend ten years constantly moving around, using several different last names, and Misako going by ‘Missy’. The only real constant in their lives, aside from each other, is Mystake. Thanks to her being a millennia's old Oni, Mystake is easily able to keep in touch without jeopardizing their safety.

Lloyd has no idea who his father is. Misako planned on telling him once he got older, but until the plot catches up to them, Lloyd just thinks his father was killed when he was a baby. He has no idea that he and his mom are on the run; moving so often is just normal for him

It’s also a really good thing Mystake’s able to keep in touch, since Lloyd is, well, a weird little kid

The Red Ninja hoodie is official Ninja merch. Misako didn’t buy it. The hoodie on his Human form looks like a Great White Shark when you pull the hood up, and his shoes light up. both were birthday presents from Mystake. His Dragon form is only on two legs for size comparison.

Lloyd starts shapeshifting pretty much from birth. He looked like a normal human baby at first, but as soon as Mystake held him (she helped deliver him in her shop) he unconsciously shifted to his Oni form, which leads to Mystake telling Misako the truth about herself and the FSM family.

He fluctuates fairly randomly between his Oni, Human, and Dragon forms, but at different points of his life he has trends. As a baby, he was almost exclusively Human or Dragon; human bc Misako is a human and Dragon bc of something having to do with Misakos backstory that I’ll get to in a bit. He only shifts into an Oni when Mystake is around.

Once he gets to toddler age tho, Lloyd is almost never Human. Both Dragon and Oni are able to run around from a much younger age than humans, so Lloyd is unconsciously shifting into forms that make it easier to get into things and satisfy his own curiosity.

After getting a bit older, Lloyd shifts between his three forms fairly equally, and Mystake starts teaching him how to shift on purpose, and how to shapeshift into other animals, and eventually people. By the time Lloyd enters the plot, he’s ten, mostly able to control his form changes, and he can shapeshift fairly well.

Fully grown Oni are supposed to have big ole’ manes; Garmadon didn’t have one bc he is severely malnourished from being stuck in the Underworld, but his will grow in eventually.

I always thought Mystake was one of the Oni Warlords that the Masks came from in cannon, so I’m making that a thing for VT.

I have so much lore for the Oni, but that’ll be a post for another day. Right now, I’m going to go into the off the rails backstory I came up for for Misako

Misako was born to a wealthy family in the upper echelon of Ninjagan society, a part of the Clan IronDragon. They’re an old clan of mystic warriors, who rose to such high standing thanks to the IronDragon technique, which is where they got their name from.

The IronDragon technique is a way to boost ones combat prowess via enchanted tattoos. The tattos seal a Spirit to the person its on, the ‘Host’, allowing the Host to use the Spirit as a tool

When the Spirit is in use, it lifts out of the tattoo itself, leaving the ink behind. It becomes a translucent energy construct, and can be used for attack and defense. The Spirits are sapient, but simple; they’re capable of basic communication and speech, and also capable of learning and growth.

But part of the training the Host’s go through involves being able to mentally overpower the Spirit and force them into a dormant ‘sleep’ state, which they’re supposed to do whenever not using the Spirit. This keeps the Spirit from being able to learn and grow. When active, the Spirit communicates with their Host telepathically, but aren’t capable of verbal communication with anyone else.

The Spirit can be anything, but the clan has been using dragons almost exclusively since the technique was created, hence the name IronDragon. Magic naturally extends life, so any IronDragon deemed worthy to receive a Spirit has a lifespan longer than a normal humans, hence Misako looking younger than in cannon.

Eventually I’ll do a more detailed drawing of what exactly Misakos tattoos look like, but for now just imagine this lineart style

With this kind of coloring

In these areas

Most worthy Clan members only receive one, but Misako has two.

Misako is the daughter of the head of the clan, the current Lord IronDragon. She is his only child, but not for lack of trying. The Clan is extremely old-fashioned; its expected for boys to train from birth and earn their Spirits, but highly unusual for a girl to even be considered, let alone trained. In order to keep the leadership position in his family, Misako’s father trained her, pushing her hard.

Most people don’t get their Spirit until they’re around 17

Misako got hers when she was only 13.

Despite this, Misako was still only expected to be a trophy wife, a way to help the Clan. She knew this, and she hated it. So Misako rebelled in little ways; she befriended her Spirits instead of suppressing them, even helping them pick out names (still trying to figure out their names). She secretly studied history and archeology, sneaking out to the Museum on multiple locations.

When she was 16, her parents told her they had picked out a suitable husband for her from another wealthy family. The 17 year old son of the Von Haust’s, Clouse.

((Yes, that Clouse. According to Twitter, his full name is Clouse Von Haust.))

Misako figured that she and Clouse would be forced into marriage; their parents had been forcing the two to be ‘friends’ since they were young. But she hadn’t expected it to be so soon! She gets into a massive fight with her parents, and ends up running away that night.

She took a bunch of her fancy jewelry with her, selling it and using the money to start a new life. She took on a new last name, Montgomery, enrolled in college, claiming to be 18 in order to get in, getting a PhD in archeology.

Eventually, Misako meets the Spinjitzu Brothers, and the rest is history.

My inbox is open to any and all questions!

[senseiwu]

Wu helps look after Lloyd when he can, to take some stress off Misako. Totally doesn't have anything to do with him feeling guilty about Garmadon's banishment nooooo

[fluffyk97]

Random Headcannons cause why not-

Kai, Lloyd, and Jay should never be left alone unsupervised. Something will catch on fire, or blow up.

Lloyd and Jay always sit in the strangest positions out of everyone on the team.

Lloyd and Cole are the residential 3 am snack thieves.

Jay definitely has ADHD, so it causes him to forget to take care of himself a lot.

Cole always takes away Jay's phone at night so he actually goes to sleep and not stay up browsing on it.

Zane has set timers for Jay to help and remind him to eat.

Zane also dedicates said timer for Lloyd because sometimes Lloyd doesn't have the energy to even want to leave his bed.

Kai and Nya both have "how to adopt someone as your younger sibling legally" in their search history.

When Ray and Maya were rescued and set back to normal life, they definitely heard about it while catching up with their kids and have offered to adopt Lloyd for them. They ended up against it because they don't want to risk any drama with Misako.

Lloyd is an honorary Smith family member.

Lloyd still has small habits from Darkley's. The ninja definitely have helped him grow out of it over the years, but fear of being vulnerable around others still hangs on him.

Lloyd feels comfortable around all the ninja, but Kai and Nya are the ones he's closest too.

Kai and Nya were the first to discover that Lloyd can purr.

Lloyd didn't even know he was purring because he was fast asleep between the two of them. He felt super embarrassed when they told him afterwards.

Cole is basically everyone's personal pillow, and they all fall asleep easily on him.

Cole wakes up scared he's still a ghost and is about to fade away sometimes.

Cole usually wakes up Jay or Kai for their elemental powers to help him remember he's still there. Jay for his little unintentional shocks to remind him he has a body. Kai for his natural high temperature and warmth from how cold he always felt as a ghost.

Lloyd sometimes freezes up when he gets too close to Zane's ice, or touches it. He hates it that he does.

Zane often thinks how guilty he feels for his time as the Ice Emperor, but keeps it hidden to not worry anyone.

Pixal has looked into trying to set up therapists for everyone. She has even tried researching to download Data to try and be a therapist for everyone herself, but its hard to keep it constant.

Jay and Lloyd are the shortest in the team. They hate being reminded of it.

Only brightside of being small for Jay is being carried a lot, but he won't admit it.

Jay sometimes gets random deep thoughts and keeps up at least one ninja with him to talk about it. Cole or Lloyd are his go-tos.

After Seabound, Kai ended up signing up for secret swimming lessons. He goes to a beach to practice on his own in the ocean outside of said lessons.

A lot of the time, Kai ends up sitting on the beach and trying to talk to it like he's talking to Nya. Jay joins him sometimes.

[justanotherfangirlst]

Who wants some Ninjago angst?

@ezlikessharks I thought that this would take more time, but um, it just kinda happened. lol I started it so that I would have some idea of where to go and I blinked and had not one, but two versions of this story. So the first version is above the keep reading line. The second one, if anyone is interested is the same, but with my OC Daniella added to it because she is Lloyd’s twin sister. And Misako abandoned her too. 

Anyway, I hope you enjoy it! 

Based on this post

                 Misako walked down the halls in search of her husband. After Lloyd and Garmadon had come back from a walk outside, Garmadon made himself scarce. Misako wondered what the two had talked about that had upset him. She walked past his study, then backtracked when she realized the dark figure on the balcony was his.

               Standing in the doorway, she knocked on the open door. He turned to see who was at the door, before huffing and turning back around without a word. Misako frowned at his action but moved to stand next to him none the less.

“You’re unusually quiet,” she observed, staring out into the setting sun.

“I have no words,” he replied shortly.

“No words? What is bothering you my dear? Did someone say something to you in the village?” she asked, looking towards the village nearby.

“It is what our son said to me.”

“What did he say to you that upset you so much?”

“That you left him,” he replied before turning and walking to the other side of the room. Misako blinked as she played the sentence over in her head, trying to process what significance it held.

“Why does that upset you? It was for his own good. Darkly’s was the safest place I could think of.”

“So instead of raising our son, you decided to drop him off on someone else’s door step while you whisked away to go adventuring with your little club?” Garmadon asked, turning back to face his wife.

“I was trying to find a way to prevent the Final Battle. So that you would stay safe, and that Lloyd wouldn’t have to fight you!”

“Oh, so now you know prophecies so well that you knew he would be the one to face me when he was still in diapers?”

“I knew it was a possibility. Besides, Wu found him and took him in,” Misako answered, crossing her arms.

“After he was sent away from the, quote, “safest place” for not being evil enough. After he released the Serpentine and nearly was killed by Pythor. Do I need to mention the Great Devourer?” Garmadon asked, his voice steadily rising.

“How was I supposed to know that would happen?” Misako asked, her voice shaking.

“It could have been prevented if you had just stayed!”

“Oh, you’re one to talk. You were in the Realm of Madness way before I sent him to boarding school.”

“You think I wanted to be away from my family? I am not proud of the things I did, but I had the venom of the Great Devourer running through my veins, I had no choice. I was banished to the Realm of Madness for things that I could not control. You had control of your fate! You could have stayed! What was so important that you had to abandon our only son?” Garmadon countered.

               Misako gasped as Garmadon’s voice raised to a yell. She had not seen him this mad in a very long time. He was breathing heavily as he let out his anger. She took a step back as he tried to calm himself. Misako looked down to the ground as she tried to come up with a reason to have left Lloyd at Darkly’s. She had told herself that it had been for his own good, that it was better this way. But what if she was wrong?

“I’m sorry,” she apologized, looking at her husband in defeat.

“It’s not me you should be apologizing to,” Garmadon replied in a soft voice.

               Misako watched, speechless, as her husband turned and walked out of the room. Leaving Misako to think about what she had done to her family.

               Misako walked down the halls in search of her husband. After Lloyd and Garmadon had come back from a walk outside, Garmadon made himself scarce. Misako wondered what the two had talked about that had upset him. She walked past his study, then backtracked when she realized the dark figure on the balcony was his.

               Standing in the doorway, she knocked on the open door. He turned to see who was at the door, before huffing and turning back around without a word. Misako frowned at his action but moved to stand next to him none the less.

“You’re unusually quiet,” she observed, staring out into the setting sun.

“I have no words,” he replied shortly.

“No words? What is bothering you my dear? Did someone say something to you in the village?” she asked, looking towards the village nearby.

“It is what our son said to me.”

“What did he say to you that upset you so much?”

“That you left them,” he replied before turning and walking to the other side of the room. Misako blinked as she played the sentence over in her head, trying to process what significance it held.

“Why does that upset you? It was for his own good. Darkly’s was the safest place I could think of. And Daniella needed the guidance that only your brother could give.”

“So instead of raising our children, you decided to drop them off on someone else’s door step while you whisked away to go adventuring with your little club?” Garmadon asked, turning back to face his wife.

“I was trying to find a way to prevent the Final Battle. So that you would stay safe, and that the twins wouldn’t have to fight you!”

“Oh, so now you know prophecies so well that you knew they would be the one to face me when they  was still in diapers?”

“I knew it was a possibility. Besides, Wu found him and took him in. He looked after Daniella like she was his own,” Misako answered, crossing her arms.

“After he was sent away from the, quote, “safest place” for not being evil enough. After he released the Serpentine and nearly was killed by Pythor. Do I need to mention the Great Devourer? And as for Daniella. That sweet, innocent child was left without a mother to scare away the monsters. Yes, she needed Wu for guidance, but she needed her mother to protect her from the world. A world that is constantly trying to snuff her out because she is different,” Garmadon asked, his voice steadily rising.

“How was I supposed to know that would happen?” Misako asked, her voice shaking.

“It could have been prevented if you had just stayed!”

“Oh, you’re one to talk. You were in the Realm of Madness way before I sent Lloyd to boarding school. And we talked about taking Daniella to Wu anyway.”

“You think I wanted to be away from my family? I am not proud of the things I did, but I had the venom of the Great Devourer running through my veins, I had no choice. I was banished to the Realm of Madness for things that I could not control. You had control of your fate! You could have stayed! You could have raised them with Wu! Kept the twins together! What was so important that you had to separate the twins? What was so important that you had to abandon our only children?” Garmadon countered.

               Misako gasped as Garmadon’s voice raised to a yell. She had not seen him this mad in a very long time. He was breathing heavily as he let out his anger. She took a step back as he tried to calm himself. Misako looked down to the ground as she tried to come up with a reason to have left Lloyd at Darkly’s, why she had left Daniella with Wu. She had told herself that it had been for their own good, that it was better this way. But what if she was wrong?

“I’m sorry,” she apologized, looking at her husband in defeat.

“It’s not me you should be apologizing to,” Garmadon replied in a soft voice.

               Misako watched, speechless, as her husband turned and walked out of the room. Leaving Misako to think about what she had done to her family.

[vortexbeyondthestars]

decided to post some of my ideas for a ninjago/atla au besties. tell me whatcha think

under read more cus its kinda long lmao

some background first…

here, the first spinjitzu master is smth that doesn’t actually exist in avatar bc i couldn’t for the life of me figure out what to make him so now he’s like… he’s basically the child of all the original benders: the badgermoles, the sky bison, the dragons, and the moon spirit combined. he was born of their powers, and he was the first avatar, kinda like this au’s version of raava i guess?? so this au’s version of vaatu is the overlord, and like in ninjago, they have this never-ending rivalry. and the overlord is an avatar, too, but more of a dark one. it only cares about corruption and evil.

the first bending master, as he’s called in this au, manages to banish the overlord into the spirit realm, but he knew that one day, it would return. so he creates a land called ninjago and fills it with people of all kinds, each corner of the world having one type of bending. he gave the humans bending, but only one type for each person.

he didn’t want a repeat of the overlord.

so then he has two sons: wu and garmadon. he hemmed and hawed over what elements to give to them, but eventually he chose. wu gets airbending, the element of life and serene and calm. garmadon gets firebending, rough and harsh and the element of destruction. his fire is violet and incredibly hot.

everything goes fine, and the first bending master manages to keep balance of the world as its avatar. except the overlord does indeed return.

garmadon gets corrupted by its spirit and is bitten by the great devourer. he becomes obsessed with power and wanted to be the avatar more than anything in life. he believes that his father was holding his powers back because he didn’t trust him. and he believes that his father was going to hand over his power to wu after he died. and he couldn’t have that.

wu notices his downward spiral and suggests that he take a trip to visit the mortals. maybe that would help him realize that there is reason for their father being the only avatar in the world.

so garmadon goes down into the mortal plane. and meets fire lord chen and his second in command clouse.

fire lord chen is quite interested in an old legend of what is called the serpentine: ancient tribes of snake people said to have been born from the hatred and despair of the overlord, led by the toughest and the greatest, the great devourer. chen wants to bring these serpentine back, and at first garmadon agrees to help him, if only to get revenge on his father.

but he snaps out of it, because he realizes that its the great devourer’s fault in the first place that he’s like this. he betrays chen and clouse and warns wu of their plan, but without telling him whose plan it is. together, the brothers manage to gather together an alliance of the greatest bending masters in the world. garmadon wants their father to help, but wu gives some unfortunate news.

the first bending master is near his deathbed. he is very, very ill, and he is thousands of years old at this point. he wants rest.

so, naturally, garmadon is conflicted about this. he’s ecstatic bc he thinks that he can gain the powers of the avatar once his father passes, but also he’s sad, because, well, thats still his dad after all.

but anyway, the bending alliance manages to defeat the serpentine and seal them away in the spirit realm, like the first bending master had done to the overlord. this… turns out to be a bad idea.

fire lord chen and clouse both manage to shift the blame away from them, and since garmy was the only one who knew they caused the plan, he lets it happen. because he still is a bit evil.

something happens that gives him hope, though: he meets misako, who might be the love of his life. (also in this au that weird love triangle shit don’t happen) they get married, and for a while, garmadon seems perfectly sane. but.

the first bending master dies.

lloyd is born almost right after.

no one makes the connection, though, thankfully, but it is enough for garmadon to lose whatever sanity he had left. he completely goes insane.

he races back to their family monastery believing that he can and will gain the powers of the avatar, somehow, but he doesn’t. and that is too much for him to take. all of this… all of this… waiting… for nothing?

garmadon stares at himself in the mirror. he looks down at his hand, at the bite mark blemishing his skin, and grabs a ceremonial knife. he laughs to himself and places his hand on the mirror, slowly raising his knife towards it… he thinks he can stop all this pain in one easy swoop.

garmadon, sneering at himself: maybe… maybe this will fix it… if i just cut off the damn thing…

first bending master, in the mirror: i would not recommend it, son.

garmadon, face falling: why are you here?

first bending master: i came to speak with you. and to try and help you.

garmadon, snarling: don’t pretend like you care about me! i know what you really think. you think i’m a monster.

first bending master: i think you’re conflicted. the part of you that wants to be the avatar so badly you are willing to kill for it… that part of you clashes with the real you. the one that wants everyone you care about to be safe. your brother, your friends, your wife… your son.

garmadon: *laughs and turns around* why should i care about them, father? they don’t care about me! not my brother, not my wife, not my so-called friends, and certainly not you! the only one who does care about me is my son, and thats only because he doesn’t know any better. he’ll leave one day too.

first bending master, solemnly: you are wrong. i do care about you. i always did. i love you, garmadon. i do.

garmadon shakes, his hand gripping the knife tighter. his mouths trembles, and eventually turns into a scowl. he whirls around to face the mirror and slams his knife into it, shattering it into pieces.

he gets worse from there on. he begins to attack people left and right, villages and cities, even going so far as to consider breaking the serpentine free. he doesn’t get that far, though, because his brother interrupts him.

wu is very concerned, bc, well, garmy was a bit weird but never straight up insane like he is now. so he heads over to his family’s old monastery. there, he finds garmadon, seething and stewing. garmadon doesn’t take his arrival well.

garmadon: ugh! for once, can’t you just leave me alone?!

wu: no, i cannot. this isn’t you, brother! you must snap out of it!

garmadon: this is me! this has been me for my entire life, wu! i can’t change it now, and i can’t even be the avatar. what’s the point?

wu: the point is that father trusted us to take care of ninjago once he passed on. we have a duty.

garmadon: father was a fool, and father was selfish! i am remaking the world in my own image, an image that won’t let anyone have the kind of power that he did, except for those who are worthy!

wu: that’s crazy! you can’t just pick and choose who gets to be the most powerful bender in the world!

garmadon: isn’t that what father did, though, when he died? who is the new avatar, wu?! tell me!!

wu: i don’t know. and neither will you, if you keep this up.

garmadon: *laughs* are you threatening me?

wu: i am.

garmadon: fine. you want to take control of ninjago over me? fine. fine. fine. i challenge you to an agni kai! the battle that was always meant to be.

wu: very well.

garmadon: for the record… i’m sorry it had to end this way, brother.

wu, sadly: no. you aren’t.

cue final agni kai type fight, light vs darkness. fire vs air. obviously, wu wins, and manages to chain garmadon up so he can’t attack anymore. garmadon then has a complete psychotic breakdown like azula, complete with the spitting fire and sobbing hysterically while wu watches sadly.

wu banishes garmadon to the spirit realm, because he doesn’t think there’s anything else he can do.

ninjago is saved.

or so he thinks.

see, chen and clouse are still around. as are the serpentine, biding their time in the spirit realm. they meet garmy and decide that they should work together. garmadon, so torn up by hatred and despair, agrees to help them, if he gets to destroy his brother.

meanwhile, everything is going good.

lloyd is the avatar, obviously, but he’s only like. thirteen when he finds out. he’s an airbender avatar and lived with koko (bc its my au and i get to pick the mom i use) in one of the air temples (idk which one tho). he’s raised believing that he’s just a random kid who happens to serve the avatar, kinda like kyoshi.

that avatar he believes he serves is none other than morro, the adopted son of airbender sage wu. morro is four years older than lloyd, and he was just revealed to be the airbending avatar. morro, of course, is thrilled. but he also gets an incredibly big ego over it, believing that he is better than other people bc he is the avatar. the reason he was thought to be the avatar was because he appeared to waterbend at one point, but it is later revealed to have been simple airbending that pushed the water.

but morro doesn’t realize or know this until its too late. and when he does… its a shitshow.

basically, lloyd and morro are sent to meet with fire lord chen and his daughter skylor, along with wu, koko, and some of the other air sages. skylor is a chi blocker, an incredibly talented one who has mastered all of the different bending fighting styles even tho she herself is a nonbender.

ok so clouse is obviously there. he recognizes lloyd via koko and is fucking pissed. he’s like my ex-boyfriend rival’s son is here?? what the hell?? so he keeps a close on eye on lloyd bc he doesn’t like him. morro, meanwhile, is treated like a king at the palace bc chen wants to get into the avatar’s good graces.

and uh. well, as it turns out, morro isn’t the avatar…

they’re attacked by the serpentine, bitter at the bending masters for having locked them underground. morro is excellent at fighting, but lloyd has more adrenaline.

and lloyd firebends.

cue shock and horror and anger from all sides.

wu is the most horrified of all. the son of his brother… the man he banished… is the avatar?

so yeah thats the background AT LEAST. i dont really know what happens after that but lloyd runs away or something. i will write more i promise!!!

[prime-pulse]

Mayhaps some more Uncle Clouse content if you want? Or maybe the Snake Fam finding out about Skylor’s powers?

I can NEVER say no to writing some snake family content !!

"You're getting slower." Clouse remarked as he set down a bucket of fish— which he and Garmadon had caught from the nearby river for dinner that night— on the kitchen island, wringing the river water out of his hair onto the floor.

"Being kept up all night by a four year old," Garmadon yawned as he followed Clouse into the kitchen, stretching his arms above his head, "Will do that to you, you know."

"More like a lack of training." Clouse remarked, rolling his eyes and beginning to get straight to work on washing and preparing the fish from the bucket. Garmadon offered a light snicker, walking toward the counter to begin setting up the cutting boards and knives the two would need.

Things had died down in the last few years, nobody in the Garmadon or Chen family's backs since a few months after Lloyd had been born. It had been nice to live quietly, and relatively comfortably, in the middle of nowhere— no bustling big city and no nosy neighbors to pry in on dark magic use or one of the household member's hands becoming more Oni-like by the day; nobody to criticize the patriarch's nonsensical traps around the house or to send building-code violations to the city about them all. The only real struggle was dealing with two growing children who were getting more and more antsy about being cooped up in the monastery day after day.

"Ohh, salmon!" A tiny voice remarked, followed by the sound of quick steps into the kitchen. Garmadon turned his attention to see Skylor peering up at the bucket of fish on the island, a grin on his face.

"And plenty of it, too." He proudly remarked, stabbing his knife into the cutting board before walking over to Skylor, hoisting her up in his arms so she could get a better look at the fish, "You want to help your Uncle Clouse wash them?" He remarked, earning a scoff from Clouse as he dropped one of the fish into the sink.

"No, he says I can’t clean the gills right. I’m better at helping de-bone." Skylor said after a moment of thought, studying the fish in the bucket, "It's more fun to do that, anyway! Fish are covered in— slime and stuff!"

"Mucus." Clouse corrected as he began to scrub away at the mucus on the salmon in his hands.

"Yeah, slime." Garmadon nodded with a grin, Skylor giggling to herself as Clouse turned around, holding the salmon by the tail with his eyebrow raised.

"Slime and mucus are two vastly different things," He said with a sneer, "Slime is slippery, and usually only produced by things like algae or plants--" He continued as he slapped the fish down onto his cutting board, Skylor and Garmadon exchanging amused looks, "Mucus, on the other hand, is sticky, and usually produced to keep skin moisturized where it usually wouldn’t be—"

Skylor raised her hand, Garmadon then nodding to her with a serious expression, "Skylor has a question."

"But fish are... In the water all the time, so are frogs, why would they need to be covered in slime?"

"Mucus, my dear," Clouse corrected again as he drew his knife, beginning to prepare the fish, "You know how your fingers get pruned when you’re in the water too long, and you’re itchy afterward? Water is wet, but it takes the moisture from your skin if you’re in it too long. We don’t make mucus all over our bodies, so we have things like... Lotion, and moisturizer. To help."

"You read a lot." Garmadon remarked after a moment, Skylor snorting and covering her mouth as she giggled. Clouse only turned to glare at Garmadon before returning to the fish.

"Someone here ought to. You would all be lost without me." He hummed, Garmadon mimicking him behind his back, much to the amusement of Skylor.

"Lost, but having fun!" Garmadon quipped with a charming smile, "Like calling mucus slime, how it ought to be called."

At this point Skylor broke out into laughter, Clouse driving his knife into the cutting board before turning around to begin lecturing Garmadon on the difference between slime and mucus in detail, which only caused Skylor to begin laughing even harder.

But suddenly, Garmadon felt something cold— /very/ cold, a familiar cold in his arms. Before he could glance down, the bucket containing the rest of the fish— the metal bucket— shattered like glass all over the island, leaving behind thin purple smoke and a cold aura. And just like that, the laughter and conversation stopped, and the cold disappeared from what was being held in Garmadon's arms.

Clouse's first instinct was to look to Garmadon, but Garmadon cut him off before he could speak. "That wasn't me. I’d know if that was me. Id be able to—" He shook his head before looking down at Skylor, who looked more bewildered than the both of them. She was flexing her tiny hands in confusion— before she began to look fearful, turning her head to look between the others for answers.

"... I... I see." Was all Clouse said after a moment, quickly scanning both Skylor and Garmadon to see if any of the metal had hit them. After confirming they were clear, he nodded, looking... A bit dazed, if anything. "I'll go get Master Chen— and Misako." He said after another moment, shaking his hands as if they had water on them before ducking out of the room.

"What... Did I do that? Was that...?" Skylor began, Garmadon shuffling away from the metal... Shards on the ground and island.

"We... I..." Garmadon searched for words, but found he had none. "Your father can... Do you remember what your father said about me, me and your mother, being elementals?"

"... Kind'of...?"

"How we told you about your mom's power? How she could copy anyone’s power she touched?" Garmadon looked toward her, a bit lost on what to do. He’d never had to give a child a serious talk before, he was still new to the whole 'dad' thing himself. He felt awkward.

"Can... Can I do that?"

Before Garmadon could answer, the sound of Chen yammering excitedly filled the hall outside the kitchen, followed by his own quick footsteps and Clouse's worried muttering.

"... We're about to find out for sure. Assuming that I didn’t do that on accident."

[akariarda]

Return of the enemy(Ninjago fan season between season4 and 5 with Sensei G.)

Episode 1-The return

Episode 2-Surprises

Our heroes encounter many surprises on their way. Not all of them are very pleasant.

"What do you think, is Wu okay?" Misako asked Garmadon as they walked along the docks.

"I hope so," Garmadon sighed.

"And are you okay?" Misako gently asked him. "All this with Chen.."

"I'll survive," Garmadon snapped at her. "Now we just need to get rid of him once and for all."

"If that's possible," Misako muttered to herself.

They walked in silence for a long time.

"I'm sorry we're not going anywhere after all," Garmadon sighed.

"Me too," Misako agreed. "Where did you want to go?"

"That's a surprise," Garmadon smiled at her.

"Oh come on," Misako encouraged him. "You know I hate surprises."

"I know you don't hate them, you're just afraid you won't react well to them."

"You know me well," Misako smiled back, though deep down she was still worried.

It was a good way for both of them to get their minds off the situation.

"And psst!" She put a finger to her lips and pointed towards the docks. "Someone is there."

"Who..." Garmadon asked but then immediately recognized the face and voice.

"Oh, isn't that Sensei Garmadon," the voice taunted. "And surely that's Misako, nice to meet you."

"Clouse!" Garmadon hissed and started to move forward as if to attack, but Misako grabbed his hand.

"You? How? I will.."

"I don't think now is the time to throw threats, Garmadon," Clouse continued in a mocking tone. "You're not in a position to do so."

"And I also think that fighting is not the best solution right now," Misako said, pulling Garmadon's hand again.

"But..." he started, then stopped when he looked around.

They were surrounded by Chen's soldiers, there were at least a dozen of them, no, more than a dozen, three dozen?

"At least they're not Anacondrai anymore," Misako offered poor consolation.

~~~With the ninja:~~~

"We need to come up with a plan," Zane said when the ninjas stopped in front of the noodle house with their vehicles.

"I agree," Cole replied. "We shouldn't underestimate Kai if we fall into a trap with him."

"But we can't just leave him," Lloyd complained.

"No one said we would abandon him."Jay patted Lloyd on the shoulder.

"I know he's your best friend, he's family to all of us, but that doesn't change the fact that we need a plan."Cole insisted

"But Chen said we have to all go," Lloyd lamented.

"Maybe I have a plan," Jay smiled.

~~~With the Kai and Skylor:~~~

"What do you want from us, father?!"

Skylor yelled as she and Kai were forcefully dragged through secret hallways by soldiers.

"And what did you mean by saying we are useful?"

"Stop!" Chen raised his hand as they halted in front of the dungeons.

"This is your new residence, fear not, there is also space for your friends when they enter my castle."

"They're not that dumb!" Kai objected. "They'll find a way to deal with you." "

They may not be dumb, but they are loyal," Chen sighed, feigning sympathy. "And that's just as good as being dumb."

"You still haven't answered me, father," Sklor interjected. "What do you want from us?"

"If you want to steal all the elemental powers again, I'm afraid it won't be so easy for you this time," Kai sneered.

"Don't worry, this time I have completely different plans," Chen looked at them, for the first time appearing serious.

"No matter what is it, you will not succeed!" Skylor shouted at him.

"We'll see about that," Chen motioned to his soldiers to take Kai and Skylor to the dungeons.

~~~With the ninja:~~~~

"No, no, and no!" Lloyd shouted. "That is out of the question."

"I agree with Lloyd, we can't put innocent people in danger,"

Cole said, pulling out his weapon. "We will fight."

"I don't like it either, but my sensors tell me we have no choice," Zane sighed.

"We won't send just anyone, but someone with the necessary skills."

"But it's still too risky," Lloyd groaned. "What if something goes wrong..."

"That's what Kai would do," Jay entered the noodle house. "So the majority wins."

"No..." Cole and Lloyd shouted at the same time, but they couldn't respond Jay from going into the Noodle House.

"Who wants to go on a ninja mission?!"

Soon, a considerable number of people gathered around them.

"Everyone, calm down," Lloyd shouted, and everyone fell silent.

"It will be very dangerous and risky. Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Those who are sure and think they are capable, stand on my right side!" Jay shouted, and a few people stood on his right side, while the others dispersed.

"Hello, fellas!" Dareth stepped forward. "Going on another mission with the brown ninja?"

"Oh no," Cole groaned.

"People, you need to be aware of what's happening. We are fighting Chen."

Lloyd interrupted again. "He wants us all to come to the backyard of this building.Jay's plan is for you to pretend to be us until we find a way into Chen's tunnels."

"It will be very dangerous, can you handle it?" Cole added.

After a few mumbles, people dispersed, leaving only Dareth and one man in his thirties with a bandage on his forehead and black hair streaked with gray. He was tall and slender.

"So, the two of you go with Dareth... And sorry, who are you?" Lloyd asked.

"Sorry for not introducing myself earlier. I am Sangfugol. I usually play the harp somewhere else, but I have a mission here."

"What kind of mission and where are you from?" Jay asked, confused.

"And why are you telling us this now?" Zane inquired.

"Because it concerns all of you," Sangfugol looked at Lloyd. "But enough about that, I just want to say that I am a friend."

"Alright then, I suppose we continue with the plan," Lloyd, who seemed uncomfortable, said.

"Which two will go with Dareth and Sangfugol?"

"rock, paper, clamp?"Cole suggested.

"It's not like we have any other choice," Lloyd sighed.

"No!" Jay exclaimed. "I wanted to go!"

"So, it's Cole, Dareth, Sangolfun, and me," Lloyd repeated. "Zane and Cole, you stay behind and follow us later."

"Affirmative," Zane confirmed.

"Now, who will play whom?" Jay asked, looking at Sangolfun and Dareth.

"None of them really resemble any of us..."

~~~With Misako and Garmadon:~~~

"How did you know we would be here?" Garmadon angrily asked Clouse, who was smiling in front of them.

"Everything in due time, Garmadon. It is best for you to come with us," Clouse replied.

"Never," Garmadon said.

"I believe we don't really have a choice," Misako said, pointing to more soldiers disembarking from the ship.

"Oh yes, how could I forget to mention that?" Clouse gloated. "If you cause any trouble, she gets hurt, and vice versa. Now let my soldiers escort you to our ship."

"You'll get yours, you..." Garmadon pushed away a soldier who approached him. "I'd rather die than go into your captivity."

"Such a shame," Clouse sighed. "But like I said before, you won't die. Throw her into the sea."

"No!" Garmadon shouted, and the soldiers stopped trying to pull Misako away.

"Leave her alone, coward. This is between us."

"I'm afraid this is much more than just between us, Garmadon,"

Clouse began walking towards the ship, and Garmadon and Misako were finally allowed to be taken with them.

"Furthermore, I'm afraid your wife plays a significant role in all of this."

"Which one?" Misako asked.

"I'm afraid I can't speak of it just yet," Clouse pretended to sigh. "But I am certain that my master won't spare any words when I deliver you to him."

They let themselves be tied to a pole. Garmadon could no longer feel anger, all that was left was exhaustion.

He felt Misako testing how tightly their hands were tied on the other side.

At least she didn't give up.At least they were together, even though they couldn't see each other, he could at least feel her hand and hear her breathing.

He grabbed her hand and squeezed it before letting go again. More for his own comfort than hers.

She didn't know what kind of person Chen was.

"So, we're going to Chen," Misako said. "Great."

"You'll like it even less when you get there," Clouse gloated. "Especially your husband."

"You still haven't told us how you knew where to find us," Garmadon said indifferently. "And where is my brother?"

From his expression, they could conclude that Clouse failed to capture Wu. He didn't know he would be there. He only knew about them.

"Wu and the ninjas will come after you again," Misako told him just as indifferently.

"Not if your son and his friends stumble into a trap," Clouse replied.

"They'll figure it out," Garmadon responded.

"We'll see about that," Clouse's mood clearly improved. "And what about your samurai, isn't her name Mya?"

"Nya, you idiot," Garmadon told him.

"Oh, right, Nya, of course. Watch this now."

Misako and Garmadon gasped when they saw the image that appeared on the screen.

"No, I need..." Nya was speaking on the screen while talking to someone.

"How?" Misako asked in disbelief.

"I think I know," Garmadon said, recalling the empty box he received that morning.

"Anyway," Clouse interrupted the recording. "Soon our army will capture your precious little monastery and capture the samurai."

With those words, he left the room where Garmadon and Misako were standing.

"Quick!" Misako said when everyone left. "We won't be alone for long."

"You don't think we can escape, do you?" Garmadon asked in disbelief.

"No," Misako admitted. "But I think we can try to send a message to Nya to flee."

"How?"

"If we can hear her..."

"You mean she might somehow be able to hear us," Garmadon slowly began to understand.

"There must be a button..." Misako looked towards the panel.

"Maybe the one with something drawn on it?" Garmadon suggested.

"I think so, but how do I get to it?" Misako tried to free herself but without success.

"We need to throw something at it," she mumbled.

"Wait here," Garmadon said as he grabbed a nearby box with his feet.

"It's not like I'm going anywhere" Misako replied.

With a few swings, he managed to launch the box and hit the right button.

"You did it!" Misako exclaimed.

"Shh, Misako, be quiet," Garmadon said, unable to hide his smile.

"Nya, if you can hear us," Misako said, "run away from the monastery. Clouse has captured us, he's listening you."

"Go to Mystake's tea shop," Garmadon added.

"She..." he began, but stopped when he noticed someone approaching.

"What's going on here?" Clouse angrily asked, fortunately not appearing to know anything,but even they didn't know if it worked.

~~~With the Nya:~~~

"Where can I find them?" Nya talked to herself while trying to figure out a way to contact the other elemental masters.

She dialed a number, but before she could start speaking, someone interrupted her.

"This doesn't make sense." Angrily, she hung up the phone, but then heard some whispering.

"Misako?"

"....hear us," Misako said, "run away from the monastery. Clouse has captured us, he's listening to you."

"Go to Mystake's tea shop," Garmadon's voice said. "She..." he began, but stopped.

"What's going on here?" A voice. She assumed it was Clouse's.

She bent down a few times, trying to locate where the voice was coming from.

"There you are," she said and caught a mechanical spider.

"Now you're mine!" she said and turned it off. She didn't want to completely shut it down in case she might need it later.

After some hesitation, she turned the spider back on.

"Obviously, the best solution now is to go get the other ninjas," she said and turned off the spider again.

"Quickly," she told herself because she didn't know how long she would be alone.

She picked up some scrolls she had found earlier and considered them relevant to the situation.

She put on her samurai X suit and flew towards Mystake's tea shop.

"I'm here," she said and stepped inside uncertainly.

"Hello!" she shouted at the entrance. "I am Nya, and I..."

"Welcome, Nya, master of water," an older voice interrupted her. Mystake turned towards her.

"Master of what?"

"I was expecting..."

Mystake started but had to stop when she saw Nya faint.

[razzle-zazzle]

Five times others noticed something off about Cole + one time it was explained

3083 Words; Coleverlord

Something was wrong with her son.

Lilly couldn’t pinpoint the exact moment she realized it, but something had changed since that disaster of a boating trip. Cole had been more quiet, lately, had been listless and almost eerily pensive at times.

Lilly didn’t like it. It was unnerving.

They never should have gone. It was supposed to be a fun outing for the three of them, a four-hour tour off the west coast alongside some other passengers.

It ended up being a ten-day stay on an uncharted island. It ended up being Lilly in charge of a group of people not quite accustomed to wilderness survival as they waited for rescue to stumble upon them. It ended up being exhausting, and draining, and the exact opposite of a fun outing.

And then they’d finally been found, and finally arrived home—

And now something was wrong with Cole.

It wasn’t what one would expect in this situation, either. Cole wasn’t sick, wasn’t running a fever, nor was he injured—no, it was none of that.

But there had been a drastic change in his behavior, and Lilly didn’t like it. It felt like there was something in her home, something that never should have been let in but had come in anyway, and that something was pitter-patting down the halls with steps eerily similar to her son but just so slightly off.

“Mama?”

Lilly jumped at her son's voice, caught off guard. She was in the kitchen getting herself water and trying to sort through this awful feeling she had. Her seven year old son was standing in the doorway, hand gripping the frame.

Despite the moonlight streaming in through the window onto his face—or maybe because of it—he didn’t seem quite real. Something about the way Cole was holding himself was just… off.

“Yeah?” Lilly shifted uncomfortably under her son’s stare. Something was definitely wrong with this child. Just him standing there in the doorway had the hairs on the back of her neck standing up.

Cole took a step forward. “Had a bad dream.” He murmured.

Lilly set her water on the counter and crossed the kitchen, wrapping her arms around her son despite her instincts telling her to be wary. “Oh, baby, it’s okay,” she lifted him up, bracing him against her hip to hold him more easily. “Do you wanna tell me about it?”

Cole buried his face in Lilly’s shoulder. “Don’t remember.” He mumbled.

Lilly hated that her first instinct here was to set Cole back down again. Hated that, for all that her son was right here and seeking comfort, part of her was convinced it wasn’t him.

Cole was still clinging to her, though, so she returned to the counter to finish her water, holding him close the entire time.

She’d have to tell Wu about all of this, about this unsettled feeling she had, but—

That could wait until the morning.

+=+=+=+=+

Cole had a really weird presence.

Jay didn’t really mind that Cole could sometimes be a little… off. Cole was Cole. Besides, Zane was also weird, but he was no less their brother; the same applied to Cole.

But for how sweet Cole could be, there was still something… unsettling about him. Something that had Jay’s arms erupt into goosebumps whenever Cole was around. And that was after several months of knowing the guy—when they’d first met, Jay couldn’t even look at Cole without his stomach tying up in knots.

It probably wasn’t really anything to worry about, but Jay couldn’t help but wonder why Cole had such disconcerting vibes. And it wasn’t the same as Zane’s uncanniness, because at least when Zane acted uncanny it didn’t put Jay on edge the way Cole sometimes did.

Jay knew Cole… or maybe he only thought he knew Cole. He was probably just being paranoid, but he couldn’t help but wonder sometimes.

He really hoped he was just being paranoid.

+=+=+=+=+

Cole was certainly… odd.

But that was fine. Zane was odd, too. They were both a little odd, but their family still loved them for it.

Sure, Cole’s tendency to occasionally stare westward was unusual, but Cole was Cole. It was when Zane started keeping track of it that things got… interesting.

As they traveled around searching for the Fang Blades, Zane noticed that Cole didn’t stare exactly westward. Rather, it seemed that the angle changed depending on the latitude, as though Cole was looking towards a certain location in particular rather than just out west in general.

So Zane conducted an experiment. Whenever he noticed Cole zoning out to stare west, he tracked the location and angle as best as he could.

Zane collected this data over the course of several days. When he was finally satisfied and had the free time to do so, he found himself a map, a ruler, a marker, and a compass.

It was time to record the data.

“Hey, Zane,” Jay greeted as he came into the room, “Watcha doing?”

“Recording data.” Zane responded, another crisp line appearing under his steady hand.

Jay came over to look at the map over Zane’s shoulder. “Kinda looks like you’re just drawing lines on a map, buddy.”

“That is what I am doing, yes.” Zane drew another line, extending it out until it intersected with the first. Since Jay was still watching, Zane elaborated, “I am marking down the directions of Cole’s… ‘trances’, as it were.”

Jay hummed consideringly. “Looks like they all converge at a certain point.”

Zane nodded. “Yes, it seems they do.” He added the final line, then capped the marker and set it and the ruler aside to survey his work.

Ten lines, crisp and neat, from ten different starting positions. Ten lines that all converged on the same point off the west coast.

There was nothing at those coordinates other than ocean, at least, there was nothing on the map. It was very puzzling.

“Wait.” Jay pointed at a small island just a few degrees north of the intersection. “What’s that?”

It was the only charted island for miles. Small, nondescript, and uninhabited. But it was also the closest thing to the intersection, and probably their best bet for answers outside of directly asking Cole.

“I’ll have to look into it.” Zane made a mental note to do just that as he stood up and began to fold the map.

Jay grabbed everything else. “Here, I’ll help.”

Zane nodded. “Thank you.”

+=+=+=+=+

Nya liked to think she was good at noticing the little details.

And she was! Whether it be the small details of her mech’s innards or the little things her brother did when he was stressed, Nya was really good at noticing small details.

Which was probably why she had noticed so many odd things about Cole. To be fair, a lot of things Cole did or said were just plain odd—and there was nothing wrong with that—but there were some things he did that just… felt off, sometimes.

So yeah. Nya noticed the small things, paid close attention to the boys and their habits and their moods. Paid attention to the small details of their faces, like the way Jay’d stick out his tongue when he was concentrating, or how Zane’s brow would furrow when he was deep in thought; how Kai’s eyes crinkled when he smiled—

And how Cole’s eyes seemingly changed color every so often, for seemingly no reason. How that dusty, tawny brown that looked so much like the sunbaked earth around the shop could suddenly shift into a deep violet. How sometimes it almost looked like his eyes were glowing in certain lighting. How it definitely wasn’t a trick of the light, no, his eyes definitely changed color.

Which was probably not normal.

Then again, their sensei was technically part dragon and had slitted pupils, so maybe Cole’s magical color-changing eyes weren’t that out there.

It was just a little unnerving, to look at Cole expecting those gentle eyes and see foreboding violet. Almost like there was something else there, something lurking behind those eyes. Something that shouldn’t be trusted.

But Nya didn’t like to think that way about Cole, so she just noted that his eyes changed color sometimes and moved on with her day.

She had more important things to stress about.

+=+=+=+=+

Kai didn’t like this.

There were a lot of things about this island that Kai didn’t like, but the way Cole had been acting since it rose was most definitely on the top of the list.

Cole was always pretty weird. And that was fine! What was unsettling was that he was acting differently from how he usually did.

First, they sail out to this random little island in the middle of the ocean because Garmadon somehow managed to get himself marooned out here, and was demanding they come and pick him up. Then, Cole disappears into the jungle with Jay and they trigger something that makes the island rise, revealing it to be some big evil mega island from Misako’s old texts. It didn’t help that Cole didn’t seem at all bothered by this.

Ever since then, Misako and Wu and Garmadon had been furiously discussing whether to stay and explore or leave immediately, and Kai was pretty sure Misako still had her weird grudge against Cole because he’d overheard her calling him a “problem” again, so Kai was staying away from that argument.

And so the ninja were cautiously poking around the edges of the jungle after having moved the Bounty back out to the new coast, and Cole—

He wasn’t acting like Cole.

He’d been muttering, too quiet to make out any of the words, and he’d go silent if you came closer. He stared into the jungle a lot, sometimes zoning out so bad that not even Jay’s bad jokes could snap him out of it.

All in all, Kai was very unnerved. And an unnerved Kai was an angry one, snapping at anyone who came near.

His stress levels weren’t helped by the fact that last he’d seen Cole, he and Lloyd had been wandering into the jungle. Kai had followed, but he’d lost track of them what seemed like hours ago.

So now the whole group was on an island Misako didn’t want to be anywhere near, Cole was acting like he was possessed and had disappeared with Lloyd for unknown reasons, and Kai was lost in the jungle.

“Amazing! Incredible!” Kai kicked at the dirt at his feet, “Oh, this is just perfect!” He had no idea how to get back. Great. Fucking wonderful.

The jungle had no response for his tantrum, just a few faint bird calls and wind rustling the leaves.

Kai huffed. He wasn’t going to be finding Cole and Lloyd anytime soon, so he should probably try to get back to the beach and tell everyone else what he knew. Of course, being lost would put a damper on it, but Kai was reasonably sure he could figure out where he was.

He looked at the trees surrounding him.

He just needed a little more height.

+=+=+=+=+

Lloyd was pretty sure they were lost.

When he voiced this concern, however, Cole just replied with a chipper “oh no, we’re definitely getting closer!” that wasn’t reassuring in the least. So Lloyd continued to trudge through the jungle after Cole, hoping he’d at least get an explanation for why Cole felt the need to drag him along to… wherever they were heading.

Another leaf smacked Lloyd in the face. “Are you certain we’re not lost?” He asked once more. “Because I’m pretty sure I’ve seen the same tree more than four times already.”

Cole didn’t say anything, just took Lloyd’s hand to help him up a small ledge. They continued their little trek, the jungle slowly thinning out and becoming a mountain.

“It’s just up here.” Cole said. He’d been unusually quiet up until this point.

Lloyd looked up at the rock face that Cole was suggesting he climb and groaned. But Cole was already ascending, so Lloyd swallowed his complaints and got to climbing. It was strenuous and sweaty and exhausting and if Cole was only dragging him up here to show him a killer view or some shit then Lloyd was going to scream, but he’d let himself be led out this far so he was going to climb all the way to the top, dammit.

Gasping and aching in ways that shouldn’t be possible, Lloyd hauled himself up onto the top, flopping over onto his back to catch his breath. Why did killer views have to be so hard to get to?

Cole was already moving, striding towards whatever he’d wanted to show Lloyd. Lloyd blearily turned his head towards Cole, not prepared to see anything in particular—

Oh.

That was definitely… something.

A big metal… thing sat proudly atop the stone, with a whole bunch of gears and rings and big metal balls on the end of rods like some mad scientist’s evil machine or something.

Lloyd pushed himself up into a sitting position while Cole approached the metal abomination. “Am I gonna get an explanation, or… ?”

Cole stopped, still facing towards the Big Metal Thing. “It’s the Celestial Clock.” He said quietly. “It’s supposed to count down to the final battle.” Now that he said it, Lloyd could see something that looked vaguely clock-like near the center of the rings.

Lloyd frowned. “It doesn’t seem to be doing a whole lot of counting down.” Which was a relief. Lloyd would like the final battle to maybe just not happen, please and thanks.

“Yeah.” Cole stepped forwards, tracing his hand gently along one of the rings as he moved towards the center of it. “Because it hasn’t been activated yet.” He stopped at the center and put his hands on a helmet Lloyd hadn’t noticed before. “But if you remove the Helmet of Shadows…”

Lloyd stood up very fast. “Uh, Cole, what—”

“Do you trust me?” Cole’s voice cut through the air like a knife. Lloyd stopped where he stood.

“Lloyd.” Cole still didn’t turn around, “Do you trust me?”

“I—” What was the right answer here? What was Lloyd supposed to do?

“Yeah, I—I trust you.”

Cole picked up the helmet and stepped back, his back still to Lloyd. With a grind and a groan, the clock started moving. “Then you won’t worry about this.”

“But the final battle—”

“Isn’t happening.” Cole snarled. “The clock is going to run down and nothing will happen because there isn’t going to be a final battle. We are not fighting.”

Lloyd took a step back. Okay, this was definitely starting to cross the line into Not Okay. “Cole?”

All the tenseness in Cole’s shoulders dissolved. “I’m sorry.” He murmured. “You’re not talking to Cole right now.”

At that, Cole—or rather, Not-Cole?—turned around, helmet still cradled in his hands. His eyes were a brilliant, glowing violet—no iris, no pupil, just pure, deep violet that had Lloyd’s instincts screaming at him to flee from.

Immediately, Lloyd assumed a defensive stance. “What are you? What did you do to Cole?” He demanded, green lighting in his hands.

Not-Cole laughed, an eerie, broken sound. “Relax, Lloyd, I don’t intend to hurt you.” It took a step forward, but stopped when Lloyd stepped back. “Or did you not hear me when I declared that there would be no final battle?”

“You better start explaining,” Lloyd snarled, “Right now.”

Not-Cole nodded. “That is why I brought you up here, yes.” He sat down, helmet still in his lap, and gestured for Lloyd to do the same.

Lloyd dropped the stance, but stayed standing.

Not-Cole sighed. “Alright, let’s start with an introduction. I am the being known as the Overlord. I came about not long after the First Master created Ninjago, as a counterbalance to his light and order.”

Lloyd processed this, turning it over in his head. “Okay.”

The Overlord nodded, then continued. “The First Master and I engaged in a battle for control of Ninjago. What was going to be a stalemate turned in my favor when I created the Stone Army, so the First Master split Ninjago in half and sunk my half, leaving me bound to it.” It traced Cole’s hands along the edges of the helmet, gaze fixed on Lloyd.

Lloyd frowned. “So, what, you possessed Cole when we got here? Is that it?”

It chuckled. “You’re correct, but your timing is off. My vessel first arrived on this island years and years ago, when a freak stroke of luck resulted in a ship washing up here.” Cole—no, the Overlord—sighed wistfully. “I wanted off this island. My vessel was sympathetic enough to let me in.”

Lloyd tensed. “So you’ve been controlling Cole for years, then.”

“No.” Cole said, eyes suddenly back to their normal brown. “We share this body.”

“Cole.” Lloyd put his hands on Cole’s shoulders. “Are you really, truly okay with this?”

Cole nodded, sincerity in his eyes. “Made It promise not to fight you.” He muttered.

And then his eyes were violet, though not the fully obvious, solid violet of moments before. Just the irises.

“There won’t be a final battle.” It said, “That clock will count down to nothing.” It stood up, still holding the helmet. “And nothing will happen.”

Lloyd walked over, standing beside It. “How can you be so sure?”

“My vessel was never supposed to end up on this island. I was never supposed to leave it. And look at us now, sharing a single body.” It strode forwards, Cole’s arms spreading out to the sides in an sweeping gesture as It stared out into the landscape below them. “Destiny has been defied once.” It turned towards Lloyd, extending a hand. “So why bow to such a shitty destiny if you don’t have to? Why submit yourself to a fight none of us want when it’s not even necessary?”

It gestured towards the clock, which was still ticking down. “Just wait. Nothing will happen when the clock hits zero, because there won’t be a final battle. Destiny has no power over us.”

Lloyd watched the clock tick down for a moment, processing what the Overlord was telling him. Could he really trust it?

But then he remembered his father telling him that he was proud of Lloyd, as well as all the things his dad tried in order to stop the prophecy from coming true.

“Alright.” Lloyd made his decision.

“Let’s defy destiny.”

[juniaships]

Odelloyd (Yodel shipping)

Since @minecraftninjerkid expressed interest I wrote a particularly long post about Odette and Lloyd Garmadon's relationship. It's basically set in my AU of the while Ninjago canon. It's pretty angsty in some parts, and honestly I love this couple because it's a story of two individuals who learn to trust and like TALK with each other and work out their issues together! Plus I feel like if Lloyd needed another love interest within canon it should be someone who can match his energy, a strong young lady who works side by side with him!

Harumi is still the princess but now she has a LADY IN WAITING!! YAYAY

Mostly because she needed a morality pet in some way but also a foil to show if Harumi hadn't been so consumed by personal demons

Odette was a homeless orphan living on the streets with her sister; often stealing from food carts to feed themselves

One night Odette made the mistake of stealing from one of the SOG and they catch her and bring her to their base

Instead of being mad Harumi was impressed by her thieving skills and decided to recruit her. Odette didn't want to at first but then she had second thoughts thinking the extra money could help her and baby sis

So Harumi brings her back and manages to convince the Emperor and Empress to hire Odette as a lady in waiting & decoy if Harumi needed to sneak out to do her business Odette is So instead of it being Harumi it's Odette who stays and befriends the ninja

Odette had NO IDEA her friend plotted to blow up the palace - with her still inside - not great thinking there o' Quiet One

She also had no idea how AWESOME Lloyd is on a motorcycle: "Sweet moves grasshopper!"

They stop at several places gathering clues on the location on the final mask leaving a lot of time for Lloyd and odette to bond; for the first time in forever Odette starts to enjoy life again

The Ninja take Odette in and decide to search for the final mask. Odette does what she can to help out (and find info) getting close to them and my OCs

Lloyd even buys her a gift: a lotus shaped hairpin to replace the one she lost in the palace fight

The jungle incident happens; Lloyd and Odette separates for a while and she comes across the real princess who had stalked the group the whole time undercover

But she's afraid that her big secret might come out everywhere she goes she's often looking over her shoulder

Odette starts to really enjoy the Ninja's company and all her perceived notions about them fade; but she still had to find Harumi to try to talk her out of her plot

Odette meets up with Lloyd inside the caves and they look for the final mask. Finally they see it and Lloyd grabs it, happy that they found the masks before the gang did but notices Odette isn't feeling the same

She's tells Harumi that they're all making a HUGE mistake with the Masks; Harumi of course refuses and orders her to stick to the plan or else

He asks her what's wrong and that's when Odette becomes hysterical and begs Lloyd to destroy the mask or run

Lloyd doesn't know whay she's talking about and tries to calm her down suddenly they hear some sarcastic clapping and in steps in Harumi. Dressed in full Royal Garb

Lloyd is confused and doesn't understand looking back and forth between the newly revealed Princess and the one next to him

Harumi reveals that she is - was - the real princess and that Odette was acting as her decoy to spy on the ninja. She hadn't count on Lloyd catching feelings for Odette which made it all the more sweeter

Odette pleas with Lloyd claiming that while she was ordered to spy, her feelings for him and his friends were genuine. Lloyd coldly brushes he brushes her off and calls her a liar and demands Harumi why she planned all this. The Princess explains that the Ninja failed to save her family from the Great Devourer & that it was Lloyd himself who unleashed such monster on the city killing her parents and several civilians

Harumi also revealed that she had the Emperor and Empress assassinated as punishment for their inaction during that event, and subsequent failure in treating her like a person. "They didn't want a daughter they wanted a Princess."

Harumi takes out her knife and begins attacking Lloyd; Odette watches helplessly as they fight and in the ensuing chaos Harumi knicks Lloyd and orders Odette to return to their group

The Ninja wait by the docks and discovers Odette and the real princess together. They're shocked to see two Princesses; the real Harumi admits her plan knowing they wouldn't last for long to do anything to stop her. An Angry Kai yells at Odette for selling them out

Then the monster attack happens because it is drawn to the mask's essence; Lloyd saves Odette from being crushed, she tries to use the brief chance to explain but he still brush her off

The SOG board their ship and leaves; Odette wallows in guilt Harumi snarky asks her if she really thinks the Ninja are her friends. Odette shakes her head no and looks out the window praying for them to be alright

Back at the city the SOG takes Misako (and Cole's gf Rhenée) hostage to draw Lloyd out. Odette is no longer in her casual clothes but in SOG attire; at the ritual she pretends to be clumsy hoping to stall the ritual long enough

Rhenée asks Odette if she's willing to risk her soul for the terrible actions of other, hoping that Odette can make the right choice. This makes her think about her placement in the SOG

Suddenly the ninja crashes the party just in time and battles the gang. Odette frees Rhenee and Misako and allows herself to be apprehended

Outside she's sitting in the police van when Lloyd walks by and she begs him to hear her out. He wants to listen but is furious with her for betraying them and cuts her off

The ninja head to a bar to celebrate their victory; Lloyd has an honest talk with his mother about Harumi and vows to never trust again. Rhenée says that while Odette lied to them she notices that she's very different from the rest of the SOG

At the jailhouse Odette is sobbing at having lost everything - her friends, her life, and maybe even her sister. She takes out the lotus pin and is about to throw it way when she hears some commotion outside. Apparently the ritual brought back a monster. Fearing for her sister's safety she uses the pin to unlock her cell and sneaks out

Lloyd is too occupied with protecting Baby Wu to fight off Harumi; before she knocks him off Odette arrives & saves him and the baby

In the chaos the Monster arrives and tries to crush them all, Odette gives Lloyd enough time to escape but she falls to her supposed death in the process

Once the battle is over the four original ninjas are nowhere to be seen and are presumed dead

They find out Odette disappeared also, and believe her to he dead too

Harumi and her gang express joy at their enemies demise; and the gang no longer recognize Odette as their own seeing her as a traitor. Deep down Harumi feels a tiny bit pain over the loss of her only real friend but quickly sets that aside to prepare one last scheme

Lloyd grieves Odette's loss regretting they never had the chance to really TALK about what happened between them.

Unknown to everyone, the ninja and Odette were transported to the First Realm

Seasons 9&10 ramps up the angst

Cole is the first one who demands to hear her explanation. Odette explains her backstory and says whole none of it justifies her lies she has now become aware of her actions and is willing to help the ninja FOR REAL FOR REAL

The ninja do NOT want Odette anywhere near them after her betrayal and for a while shuns her.

Zane is the second one; his relationship with former merc Jetta he understands a bit what it's like to choose bad things for survive

Jay and Kai takes the longest: Jay because he's paranoid that Odette may just be evil and insane as Harumi; Kai because he is very protective of Lloyd (who he sees as a younger brother, and even had begun to saw Odette as another sister) and furious that she'd hurt him and their whole team like that

This leads to a series of trials for Odette to prove that she's willing to atone; she actually finds the last dragon's nest and vows to protect it

Meanwhile in Ninjago the city started an underground resistance led by Lloyd and Nya; Lloyd took in Odette's sister to take care of her now that she is gone

Odette and the Ninja finds a way out of the first realm and arrives with their new dragons. Odette splits off to confront Harumi and sees her on top of a building...which is about to fall much to her horror

Lloyd witnesses the scene and shouts Odette's name; the building collapses and he sinks to his knees in fear

Everyone watches with baited breath and cheers as they see both girls and the dragon coming out of the smoke alive

Lloyd and Odette apologize to each other then go off with their friends to fight off the Oni invasion

Once everything is over & Harumi decides to turn a new leaf and surrenders, everyone gathers at the monastery to celebrate. Wu invites Odette and her sister a permanent home with them

After s10 they don't get back together that quickly. Lloyd still has trust issues as in canon and Odette feels like shit believing herself to tbe the cause. Lloyd says it's not her fault, he's simply fed up with random villains coming at him for the crime of being the Chosen One.™

Odette isn't exactly let off easy by the public; there's multiple conspiracies about her and stuff and some aren't exatly forgiving her for working with a group that killed the royal family and destroyed the city. In order to redeem herself in the eyes of the public Odette starts training to become a real Ninja, doing little side missions to help people even something as simple as helping little old ladies use an escalator. Lloyd supports her every step of the way, using his popularity "and natural charisma" to dispel any rumors about her.

[tourettic-brookstone]

My Ninjago Lgbt Headcannons

They're practically all mini fanfics, but who cares? Lol

Lloyd: From a young age, Lloyd knew he wasn't a girl. Dresses never felt right, and pink didn't flatter him. Everytime he heard his name, he would slightly frown at it. He despised being grouped with the girls and made an effort to avoid them all in all. He would rather roll around in the mud then be forced into another game of House.

Lloyd's mother was not happy with this. She wanted a baby girl she could raise into a fine woman. When Lloyd told her how he felt one day, she screamed at him and told him he would always be a girl.

In her rage, she decided to drop him off at Darkly's in order to try and sway him from his "boyish tendencies."

The school almost didn't except him, but they let him join out of what little respect they had.

Misako's plan to turn Lloyd back into her little girl backfired heavily when the boys at Darkly's actually helped Lloyd transition and pass as a boy as much as possible. Though they claim they only wanted to help so they could have another evil mastermind around, they all genuinely felt for Lloyd as they all were abandoned by their parents.

When Lloyd joined the ninja, Wu was surprised to see his niece had turned into his nephew. Accepting Lloyd for who he was, he never made the ninja aware of the Green Ninja's transition.

His father was also kind and accepting of Lloyd's identity. When Garmadon saw his child for the first time in forever, he was shocked to see it was no longer his daughter, but his son.

Garmadon immediately understood, and made an effort to validate his son all times possible. Lloyd was forever grateful for this.

Later in years, though, Lloyd was comfortable enough with everyone to tell them the truth. They were all supportive, and although some didn't understand, cough cough Jay cough cough, they did their best to treat him the same as always and even help further his transition.

Kai: During his time on Chen's island, Kai had the biggest crush on Skylor. He knew from the very start it wouldn't fully work out, but he couldn't help the yearning he felt for her.

He was now facing that same issue in the coffee shop. He held his hot cup close to him and tried not to make it obvious he was staring. He took another sip and looked up with his head down, gazing at the most gorgeous man he ever laid eyes on. Even his own ego couldn't compare.

Kai quickly averted his gaze when the man glanced at him. Kai felt his face heat up. He swished his coffee before downing another gulp and set the cup down.

With wobbly legs, he stood and made his way over to where the man sat at his own table.

"Hey-hey there," Kai stuttered. The man looked up from his coffee to Kai, who wore an awkward grin.

"Hi. Can I help you?" The man asked.

"Yeah, yeah, actually. I've lost my number and was wondering if I could have yours." Kai internally grimaced and nearly groaned on the outside. Oh that was so corny, he thought. What if he doesn't even like men?

The man smiled and took an unused napkin and pen from his pocket and wrote something down. Kai almost quite literally squealed when he was handed the paper.

"You're Kai, right? The Master of Fire?" The man asked.

"The one and only," Kai said. He slicked back his hair and gave the man another awkward toothy grin.

"Well, I'm Jason. It was nice to meet you." Jason stood from his seat and gave Kai a smile as he paid for his coffee. He left the star struck ninja to himself and left the coffee shop. Before completely exiting, Jason turned back and gave Kai a wink and walked away.

With a face as red as his gi, Kai looked down at the napkin. On it was Jason's phone number and a bucket drawn winky face next to it.

"Yes!" Kai exclaimed. Everyone in the shop turned to look at him surprised. As if Kai couldn't get anymore embarrassed, he ducked his head down and nearly bolted out the door.

Cole: Ever since he was a child, his father made him dance and perform dangerous acts that many professionals couldn't succeed. Cole was often trained alone in his father's home, but occasionally they would take lessons at the village's small dance school.

There, children of all ages and genders strived to perfect their skills of dance and work harder to be the best. His father would often help instruct the students along side the more permanent teachers.

The students were grouped by gender and were taught by certain teachers at certain times. When his father was the current teacher, he made an effort to throw upon his son the more rigourous and challenging dances. This caused Cole to become more distant from the other students. They all felt he was trying to make them inferior to him and avoided him. He was always too tired in his free time to chat and hang out, anyways. And even if he was properly rested, his father would make him continue training.

One day his father grew ill and had to stay in bed for a few days. He, of course, wanted Cole to continue training and sent him off to the dance school.

The other teachers were a lot nicer and less harsh than his father. Therefore, after the day's lessons, Cole felt a lot more energetic then usual.

Taking a long swing of water from his bottle, Cole heard someone shuffle up to him.

Gasping for air after his drink, Cole looked up at a boy roughly his age. He was twiddling his thumbs and looking at his feet in embarrasment.

"H-hi. I'm Zach," the boy said. His eyes darted from his feet to Cole's water bottle, to Cole's face, and back to his feet.

"Uh, I'm Cole."

The boy hummed and shuffled on his feet a little. Cole felt the air turn stiff and awkward. He pursed his lips and waited for Zach to say something else.

"Would you like to sit down?" Cole asked. He was sitting on the floor next to the wall, and it was honestly not very comfortable, but he didn't know what to say.

The boy said nothing as he slowly made his way to the floor and sat uncomfortably close to Cole.

"So are you new here? I don't think I've ever seen you before," Cole said. Zach nodded his head.

"I moved here about two days ago. My mother wanted me to get out of the city and meet some new friends. Everyone here seems a little mean, though. But not you. You seem nice," he mumbled the last part.

"Oh, well, thank you? I guess," Cole chuckled. He felt a little weird as he stared at the boys face. "So what made you decide to start dancing lessons?"

"Well, my dad wanted me to find a hobby, and nothing I've thought about interested me. Except for dancing. He doesn't like that, though. He says it's too girly." Zach made a face at the mention of his father. It for some reason made Cole just as mad. "What about you?"

"Dude, nothing about dance is girly. It's so hard and tiring. You gotta choreograph every move to the music perfectly and not screw up. You also gotta be on time with everything and look good while doing it. You can't overstep anything. You can't get in anyone else's way. You can't do a lot of other things, and it's so hard sometimes. If you can pull off a dance routine perfectly, you're practically a god." Cole finished his rant with a huff of air and looked at Zach exasperated.

"Well, I guess you're a god then," Zach muttered.

"What'd you say?" Cole asked. Zach's face blushed a light pink and Cole felt his heart flutter. He thought he was a god?

"Zach, honey, it's time to go." A woman's voice called from the entrance door and Zach stood to leave.

"It was nice meeting you, Cole," he said. Zach smiled at him and waved before heading off towards his mother.

"Y-yeah. You-you, too," he stuttered. He watched as Zach left and picked up his water bottle again. He felt his heart beating fast, as if he was performing another horrid dance routine for his father.

Could he possibly have caught feelings for a boy he just met? Cole didn't know, and Cole didn't care.

Maybe dance class wouldn't be as bad anymore.

Skylor: You would think running a noodle shop that belonged to your evil father who secretly stole the powers of innocent people to turn him and his followers into powerful snakes and take over Ninjago would be easy, right? Well kind of.

Skylor had lived around noodles for the majority of her life and knew the ropes around running a shop. The only downside was the customers.

"I ordered a large ramen bowl with no noodles!" A woman around her fifties was practically harrasing Skylor at the register.

"Ma'am you're aware ramen is noodles, correct?" Skylor deadpanned at the old woman.

"Why can't you just give me what I want?"

"One large bowl of flavored water coming right up," Skylors sighed and rang the order up.

The woman scowled and stormed off mumbling about calling corporate. Jokes on her, Skylor was corporate.

"Rough day?" Skylor heard someone say. She turned and saw a woman her age slurping up some noodles.

"That's a little bit of an understatement there," Skylor chuckled.

"Oh, I get it. I used to work in customer service, too. It's like some people never went to school."

"Tell me about it," Skylor said, rolling her eyes. She rested her head on her hand and leaned over the counter towards the woman.

The woman took another bite of noodles before clearing her throat.

"I'm Anne," she said.

"Skylor."

"How long have you been working here?"

"I actually run this place. And that's been about a few years? I took over after my father passed away."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," Anne frowned.

"Well, you know. He wasn't the greatest of people," Skylor chuckled.

"Yeah, no way he could compare to you," Anne said.

"Excuse me?" Skylor smirked with a raised eyebrow.

"You heard me," Anne mirrored Skylor's smirk and took another bite.

They shared a couple laughs before the front doors were slammed open.

"Skylor! I'm gonna need a buttload of your freshest Puffy Potstickers!" Darreth huffed. His face was red and sweaty as if he just ran a marathon.

"Looks like duty calls," Anne joked. Skylor hummed and drew herself up from the counter to make Darreth's order.

Skylor heard scribbles coming from Anne's general direction. She turned back towards her and was met with a slip of paper being handed to her.

"In case you wanna complain about some customers," Anne smiled. Skylor returned the smile and took the slip of paper to put it in her pocket.

And there was an upside to the job.