Hello readers! I am your average friendly fanfiction writer who thought she'd try her hand at romance. Specifically, a Lloyd romance since that boy is lonely. And, since who better to pair him with than someone who is technically an official character who doesn't have a background yet!
So here ya go: LloydXClaire. Hope it's worth it!
(Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters. Only my plot) (Another disclaimer: Sorry if it's good in the beginning and then gets worse. I've been busy reconstructing the first part of the story to better fit with my new outline)
Claire's POV
It's strange how destiny decides to work. One minute I was the greatest person in the world. And the next... I lost everything.
Following is the strangeness of betrayal. I was my master's favorite person in the world. I blinked for a fraction of a second... and then I was replaced.
It's strange how life works. One moment I'm strolling through the village that took me in. And the next... it's in flames.
I regret a lot of things in my life. Perhaps leaving my one true home and the only father I've known. Now, looking at the growing flames, I can only regret how I wasn't ready. I could have saved so many people.
They didn't deserve this. They lived a happy life. They gave me a home after I was rejected. I was a lonely, lost, little girl... and they gave me a home. And to repay their kindness is the destruction of their homes. And lives.
Some monsters decided they weren't done with me, and this is what they do.
The flames dance along the wooden houses of the once Jamaniki village, in a taunting image. Had I known this would happen, I would have never tried to curse them with a presence I knew would end them.
I'm homeless now. There is no one who wants me. What else is there to do? Except...
There is one person who I know can help me. The only problem is... will he want to help?
Days on the Bounty were becoming rather sunny, as certain individuals liked to put it. Lloyd agreed to an extent, however, was constantly reminded that even on sunny days, storms could settle.
Did it matter that there was hardly any crime to occupy the ninja? Apparently not. It was Saturday, and still, someone insisted that six in the morning was a good time to improve "the mind".
Yeah right.
"Focus Lloyd!"
He sighed in deep frustration, wondering as a side thought what his friends were up to. Probably something better than this headache of a task.
"I am! It's just not working!"
It became the Sensei's turn to sigh.
"Smoke visions require your complete attention. Now... look deeper my pupil."
His eyelids closed even tighter as he tried harder to receive a vision. Lloyd didn't exactly know what he was supposed to see... but he assumed pitch black wasn't it.
"Maybe nothing's going on today," He said, apologetically. "Or maybe I'm not cut out for this."
"Hmmm."
Lloyd inconspicuously crossed his fingers, hoping that maybe Wu would give in. He loved the man, honestly, and his job as the Green Ninja was everything to him... but would it kill to have a little fun with everyone else?
"We will see how your performance improves at a different time, then."
It was not particularly wise to cheer in front of Wu, so Lloyd respectively bowed, noting the man's nod of appreciation, before rushing out the door with a surge of longing. Least to say, Lloyd Garmadon didn't like missing out on any action. And upon nearing the deck, it was obvious he was indeed missing out on some action.
"I'll go easy on you Nya, I promise." He heard someone laugh. The obnoxious tone indicated that Jay was sparring with Nya. He hurried along, grinning wildly as his friends watching form the side waved him over.
"Hope I didn't miss the good stuff," he whispered, observing the lighthearted tenseness of the two lovers.
"Nah. You're just in time. My bets are on Nya," Kai answered.
"You really don't need to do that Jay. As you know, I can take care of myself," Nya said in response to the blue ninja's offer.
Jay smothered a nervous chuckle.
"Alright. If you two can quit it, we can start."
Jay and Nya nodded, and Cole stepped in between them, holding up a hand. Both warriors gripped their weapons tightly, staring the other down with the intensity of an actual fight.
"Three, Two, One... Ninja-"
"GO!" The said in unison
As soon as the Master of earth brought his hand down, they started running at each other, ruthlessly. Jay jumped first and tried to land a kick on Nya, but luckily for her, she ducked and dodges it. Despite this, Jay nailed the landing and spun right around to continue the fight.
Nya swiftly tried her own hand at kicking her opponent but faced the consequences as her foot was caught. He then tried to punch her stomach, but she caught the Lightning Master's fist and flipped him onto the ground. She adjusted her position above him and attempted to strike him while he recovered, but the Blue Ninja rolled out of the way just in time.
It was at this point that Nya decided to play her dirty trick.
Water from the ocean sprayed the entire team, as a small wave directed itself towards Jay. He slipped trying to get up, and huffed.
"Really, Nya?!"
He moved to electrocute her, however, unfortunately, failed to notice that he was in a massive puddle. Long story short... he electrocuted himself. Quite the embarrassing defeat, Lloyd thought, cringing.
"Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! OW!" yelled the Master of Lightning.
"I win!" She happily exclaimed
Lloyd grinned from the distance. "Don't get too full of yourself, Nya. I call the next fight!"
"Oh. Lloyd, I didn't know you were here," the Water Ninja smiled
The others turned their attention to him as well. "So, what was your special training?" Kai asked, obviously a little jealous.
"Yeah! Where you been?" Jay questions as well.
Lloyd sighed, wishing he could tell them that it was practically a joke. A boring, long joke. "Sensei wanted me to read a smoke vision. I wasn't good at it though."
He looked at all of their doubtful gazes. Yeah, the blonde definitely knew it was hard for them to grasp the concept of the Green Ninja not being good at something. Lately, all Lloyd had been told was that he was an overachiever.
"Huh. I thought only old people could do tha- ow Zane!"
"That is rude Jay," Zane said, after elbowing Jay in the ribs.
Right in time to avoid Jay's inconsiderate comment, Wu arrived, holding his staff with ease. Or unease.
"Hey, Wu! You should have seen it! I beat Jay in a fight!" Nya bragged, but side hugging her boyfriend nonetheless.
"Only after you cheated!"
"There is no cheating in a battle... only advantages. So I won fair and square."
Jay let out a huff but gave up none the less. After all, it was hard for jay to resist a hug from Nya.
Lloyd studied his uncle further, as the morning light revealed more of his features. It had become a bit of a resting look, that worry. Perhaps it was just him... but Lloyd could sense something deeper to the old man's weariness this time.
"Is something wrong uncle?" He asked, being the first of the team to notice something off about the Sensei.
"I'm afraid yes, my students. It has come to my attention that I will have to leave for a while. Hopefully not too long..."
"LEAVE!?" They all shouted in unison. What could possibly be that important?
"I have to... collect something..."
"What something?!"
"Is someone in trouble?" Cole questioned.
"I... do not know. But the visions do not lie."
"Something exciting is happening, you mean?" Jay asked, having the nerve to smile. Zane elbowed him again.
It was weird that Wu wanted to tackle the task alone. And without telling them exactly where he was going or what he was doing? Lloyd had worried countless times about what he'd do without Wu. What if something terrible happened to him and the Ninja couldn't find him?
But... of course... he was a good student. If anyone were to obey Wu and let him leave in peace... it was Lloyd.
"We understand, Sensei," Lloyd spoke for the team, even knowing that they wished their master would stay.
And then several conversations and hours later... it was settled. Wu would leave at nightfall.
Claire hated the rain. Forget everything else that had ever caused her the amount of distress she was in right now. Rain was just the worse.
And rather cliché too.
She was cold. Wet. Hungry. Alone. Lost. But, of course, she had to keep going. Claire had to find him. And she wasn't trained to give up easily.
Currently, Claire was stuck in the mountain pass trying to find another village to rest at. The young girl supposed she could find a cave or something else, but, so far... nothing had revealed itself. All she could see was the darkness of the storm clouds. Not even stars were visible to keep her company.
All she wanted was some company.
And for the rain to stop. If it were one of the other, maybe the rain wouldn't be so bad if Claire wasn't constantly reminded that she had no friends nor allies. And whoever it was who wanted her dead could easily find her out in the open like this, without anyone to defend her.
First Spinjitzu master... she was probably going to die before ever finding Wu. Was Claire really this pathetic?
Claire gave up on finding any civilization at this point. She needed any form of shelter she could take right now.
Knowing her fire wouldn't work too well in the situation, Claire searched deeper inside of herself until she located her Silver element. It had been so long since the girl had used this part of her, making the glow from her hand feel so familiar yet unfamiliar.
The rain continued to pour, however, now she could see. Thankfully upon inspecting the rocks near her, Claire identified a big enough hole to conceal her for the night. And she ran towards it, desperate for a warm and dry environment. It was rather cramped in the tiny area, but it was better than the rain, so Claire decided to stay for a night.
After a few failed attempts at lighting a fire, the girl was soon laying down next to the heat, with her damp ginger hair sprawled across the dirt of the floor. Sleep had never come easily for her, and the girl assumed after her village's recent attack, it would be even harder for her to rest. She was wrong. A few moments of silence was all it took for her to peacefully doze off.
Wu regretted the decision to go alone as soon as the rain started. At first, he wanted to go back and try again later... but what Sensei would he be then? Besides... she needed his help.
It had happened after Lloyd left his room. He was about to put away his smoke vision materials when suddenly the smoke had started up again. What he saw was terrible. Jamaniki was up in flames, with panicked civilians trying to escape. And then he saw her... mourning the unfortunate lives that were lost.
Wu had no idea what had made her leave all those years ago. He thought she was excited about the prophecy of the ninja team that would be joining their small family. She even helped him scout his pupils out. Then one day young Claire up and left his life, giving no clue of where to find her.
At first, he thought it was Morro all over again. But Claire had never been upset about the Green Ninja. She already knew what she was destined for. Maybe this was his chance to ask her what he did wrong... maybe make it up to her somehow.
It was clear that from the vision that Claire- that little girl he had taken in during her youth- needed help. He was prepared to offer up his home to her once again. He originally thought that he'd train the ninja with her help. That they'd get to know each other better. But when she left... he hadn't worked up the courage to tell the ninja about Claire. What would the ninja think if he brought Claire home? Would they welcome her as one of their own... or reject her? Wu certainly would have a long speech ahead of him.
Of course, they would demand answers. Who is she? Why have you never told us about her? Why does she have powers? Why is she here? The list went on and on in his head. But, in time the truth would be revealed. He only hoped.
The man stopped, feeling the presence of someone he hadn't for a long time. A cave, buried deep within the side of the mountain that it was nearly impossible to see, was within his line of vision. Something told him that she was there. And sure enough, as his weakened form climbed through the narrow entrance... there she was. A young girl with the same color of ginger hair lying peacefully next to the glow of a fire.
The sight of her shocked Wu.
When the man last saw the young girl, she had been 11, a few months younger than Lloyd. That was one week before he went to recruit Jay, Cole, and Zane. Now she was a teenage girl. About 18 years old he predicted.
He sighed. If Claire agreed to come... that meant more teenage drama. He was too old for this.