So this One-Shot is based off March of the Oni. I got inspired by the beautiful sunrise I see every morning. This one-shot is kinda like an apology to everyone for me being away for so long and for not updating like a sane person :( So sorry about that! Also, I've been writing a story about Garmadon and Misako. It was originally supposed to be a "following canon" story, but I kinda don't want to go through the whole serpentine wars thing. But I kinda do at the same time. So I need advice for two things: 1) Do I post this fanfic anytime soon? Like should I finish my other ones and then post it? 2) Should it somewhat "follow canon" or should I make it an AU?
Please tell me in the comments! Thank you so much! Enjoy!
Lloyd sat atop on one of the not-totally-crushed buildings in Ninjago City. It was relatively close to where the Destiny's Bounty was parked, which meant the ninja could keep an eye on Lloyd.
Which also meant Lloyd wanted to bang his head against a concrete slab even harder than usual.
He sighed before crossing his legs, placing his head into his hands. He couldn't get a break from those fruit colored ninja. Could he? Well he couldn't get a break from anything, really.
"Hey my emo little bro." Kai said as he patted Lloyd on the back. "What'cha up to?"
Lloyd glanced at Kai before shurugging, clinging his sweatshirt tightly. "Nothing." He mumbled.
Kai chuckled before sitting right beside Lloyd, looking into his eyes. He could see the lack of sleep, the black and blue bags under them. His expression shifted to concerned. "Is there something you wanna talk about?"
"No."
"Really? Nothing at all?"
"No. Can you just leave me be?"
"Lloyd..." Kai said as he stared into the horizon. The sky was a mezomorizing shade of gold and orange, the silver clouds passing by with the light breeze. The buildings cast shadows, each of them stretching over Ninjago City. He sighed deeply. "Look...I know a lot has happened over the past few weeks...but you need to move past it. To get that weight off your chest."
Lloyd's head snapped towards Kai's. His eyebrows furrowed into an irritated knot. "The last few weeks? This—this torture has been happening my whole life, Kai! My mom left me at a stupid boarding school, I never saw my father, and when I did, it was to fight him! Over and over and over again!" He breathed heavily before breaking into sobs, his eyes stinging with tears. He pulled his legs aganist his chest, burying his head into them.
Kai pulled Lloyd closer, flowing his fingers through his blonde locks.
Lloyd's head rested on his chest, the tears soaking Kai's baggy red t-shirt. "I can't anymore, Kai..." He sniffled, rubbing his tears away weakly.
"Shhhhhh...it's okay..." Kai inhaled deeply. Boy this is gonna be tough, he thought. "Life is like...a candle that someone ignites on fire. It starts off strong and firm, and as soon as the flame touches it, it begins melting and shaping into however it chooses."
Lloyd met Kai's eyes and at that moment, Kai could see the child in Lloyd. The innocent, vulnerable and lost child they'd found years ago.
"And..." Kai countinued, shaking the constant nag of nostalgia now overtaking him. "Sometimes we don't have control on how the candle turns out."
"I...don't like how my candle turned out."
"Your candle isn't done melting yet, Lloyd. You have a lot of wax before it's completely gone. Keep shaping your life, taking advantage of every moment."
Lloyd glanced at the floor for a second. "I'm almost out of wax..."
"Lloyd Montgomery Garmadon." Kai said filrmly. "You are the most amazing, selfless, kind, coragoueos, and loving person I know. But you know what you are most of all?"
Lloyd shook his head slowly, taken aback by Kai's new tone.
"You're a warrior."
Lloyd raised his eyebrow.
"Yes I know you're an actual warrior," Kai shoved off Lloyd's literal take on the word. "I mean you're a person that no matter how dark the end of the tunnel seems, you keep persevering with your torch that is as bright as the blazing sun right until the end."
"When did you get so inspirational?" Lloyd asked sarcastically.
"There's a smile. Yes." Kai fist pumped in the air.
"Thank you Kai. You...you really helped." Lloyd whispered. He twirled his hair around his finger nervously before sighing. "I believe I owe you an apology. For, you know, being a jerk..."
"It's fine little bro." Kai punched Lloyd's shoulder lightly. "We all say things we regeret."
"Do you think...I'll ever get my dad back?"
The question hit Kai like a 10-ton bus. He didn't know how to answer. It was a sensitive topic, obviously. And it was even more sensitive when talking about it with Lloyd. He inhaled then exhaled. "Lloyd...you're father loves you. Four arms and all. I saw the way he looked at you when battling the Oni. He cares. In his own, freaky, black-heart way." Kai smiled brightly.
Lloyd giggled. "Thanks."
There goes my little brother. Kai thought. "If the real version of him comes back is... a complicated topic."
Lloyd shrugged lightly. "I guess you're right. I just really miss him."
Kai sighed. "I missed my dad too. But I realized I had Nya. The one person still with me. And I swore to protect that."
"So what you're saying is...I shouldn't dwell on my dad being gone, I should just be thankful for what I already have?"
"No." Kai shook his head lightly. "What I'm saying is, remember your loved ones, but protect and be thankful for the ones you still have."
Lloyd smiled so brightly Kai wondered why he was giving advice in the first place. "You're right. I need to remember my father, but make sure I don't lose you guys either." He hugged Kai tightly and Kai hugged back.
"Now, how about we go have some ice cream. I know the best place for neapolitan." Kai suggested.
"Can I put candy on the top of mine?" Lloyd asked innocently.
Kai laughed, ruffling Lloyd's hair roughly. "Sure little brother. Sure."