"What are you drawing?" Misako gently asked an infant Wu. She bent down closer to the young spinjitzu master, tilting her head to the side as she took in Wu's art piece. The baby crooned softly as he deftly swiped across the paper with a pastel crayon, kicking both of his legs out behind him.
The two of them were in Dareth's apartment complex in the midst of New Ninjago City. Wu was drawing a seemingly peculiar image that depicted a circle with three lines stacked on top of it. A sweeping curve was attached to the side of the sketch.
"What is it?" Misako pondered, halfway expecting the perceptive youth to answer her with a profound, symbolic explanation, but before the creation master could reply, a call came in from Nya.
Misako gasped as the phone rang, and she rushed to get it. Static filtered through the phone line as Misako hastened to connect to the other end. Over the buzz of white noise, a voice bled through the device.
"Misako!" Nya exclaimed on the other end of the line. Distant background noise roared behind the water ninja.
"Is my son okay?!"
"We found him."
The green ninja's mother let out a sigh of relief. Oh, thank the First Spinjitzu Master he's alright...
"But he's in really bad shape," Nya continued. "We're headed your way... But we don't know what to do... It's like... It's like his lifeforce is fading..."
"Lloyd, help!" Wu hobbled over to the older woman, carrying the picture and the crayon.
Misako gazed at the picture in realization, picking it up. "I know where to take him. Mystaké's Tea Shop." In an instant, the seemingly simplistic set of lines morphed into a clear depiction of a swooping tea kettle.
"We'll meet you there!" the water ninja shouted into the phone. "Lloyd's in delirium, I gotta go!" She then hung up, leaving nothing but desolate static to echo dejectedly through the phone line.
Heart pounding, Misako scrambled to pick up Wu, who chattered urgently as he clutched his crayon in a tiny fist.
Dareth entered the room. "Hey, what's going on?" he demanded, concerned as he took in the look of fear that was spelled out across Misako's wrinkled face.
"Lloyd's in grave danger. I'm going to the end of town." A sense of deadly calm entered Misako's voice, even as terror gripped her heart.
"I'll drive you over there." Dareth supplied helpfully, producing a jangling set of keys in his left hand.
The three of them rushed to the street level door, and they got into Dareth's car, a brown and gold SUV. Revving the engine, the honorary brown ninja hit the gas and the trio sped off down the streets.
~OwOwOwO~
Once the three of them arrived at the small tea shop, the other ninja were already there, looking anxious as they observed their seemingly comatose leader. Jay wrung his hands nervously as he stood. The older woman rolled the stretcher into the tea shop, carefully putting Lloyd down on the wooden counter.
"It's a good thing you decided to come here," Mystaké tutted sharply, eyeing Lloyd's slumped form with a critical, albeit worried gaze. "I saw the broadcast of the fight... How unfortunate. But I have just what you need: the Tea of Restoration." She rushed to the back of the shop, quickly rifling through the stock as she searched for something to help the fallen green ninja. After several seconds, she came out with a container of tea leaves and a kettle. "I'll have to steep it first," she informed the group. She took out a mesh basket and put the leaves inside, placing it into the teapot.
Misako stood beside her son; even though he was much older, he was still a child at heart. Lloyd shifted slightly on the hard countertop, and Misako ran a comforting hand through his blonde hair. "It'll be alright, hon..." she whispered. She shut her eyes tightly as she continued her quiet ministrations, remembering vividly the day of Lloyd's birth.
Misako decided right then and there that she was never going to do this again as a flash of pain arced through her spine. Gritting her teeth, she blinked against the sheen of sweat that dotted her brow.
Off to the side and completely beside himself, stood Garmadon, who had chewed his nails to small stubs. The normally fearsome red-eyed spinjitzu master was terrified for his beloved wife.
Hours blurred into nothingness as time seemed to drag on. All Misako remembered next was breathing heavily as she cradled a small, squirming bundle of joy in her arms. A faint smile played across her lips.
"Is it a boy?" Garmadon asked nervously, inching closer to his exhausted wife.
"Yes," she responded, elation evident in her voice. "You can stop worrying now."
Garmadon smiled softly as he carefully cradled his newborn son in his arms. "He's adorable...!"
Misako smiled fondly at the sight. "So," she began, clearing her throat, "what should we name him?"
"Lloyd Montgomery," her husband replied without hesitation, beaming down at his newborn son.
Misako chuckled softly. "Any particular reason why you chose that name?"
Garmadon shrugged his shoulders meekly. "I feel like it suits him," he admitted, blushing faintly. "And I've always really liked that name..."
"You're a dork," Misako shot back playfully, nudging her husband with an elbow.
"Careful!" he yelped, bringing the newly-acclaimed Lloyd Montgomery Garmadon closer to his chest. As he cast his piercing gaze back down to the innocent newborn, Garmadon allowed a shuddering breath to pass through his lips. He couldn't contain the tears any longer and let them flow freely down his cheeks. "I don't want to let you go..." he whispered lovingly.
"You're going to make me cry too..." Misako accused, hastily swiping at her own eyes. "I don't want you to let me go..."
"I'll do everything in my power to keep you both safe," Garmadon promised, moving closer to his wife and wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "I love the two of you so much." He stroked Lloyd's pale, wispy strands of new hair for a moment and quietly sobbed. He just couldn't believe it.
Misako abruptly snapped back to reality as Mystaké bustled over with a piping pot of tea in her hands. Hastily, she blinked back a stray tear as the older woman set to work preparing the hot drink for her son.
Mystaké blew on the teacup for a minute or so, until the tea was cool enough to drink. She turned to the four ninja. "You'll have to offer some of your powers to him, but they'll regenerate."
They nodded solemnly, clustering around their friend. Kai was the first to outstretch one of his gloved hands, and the others followed suit. Then Mystaké carefully poured the cup into Lloyd's mouth. Almost immediately after, the fire, ice, lightning, and earth elementals' hands lit up in their respective colors. Flashes of light brightened the small shop as tremors rocked the foundation. The powerful elements clashed and came together in sudden bursts. Almost as soon as the powerful forces had erupted within the shop, they died down and spiraled towards the motionless ninja. Lloyd's emerald green eyes fluttered open almost immediately after the energies dissipated. A quiet gasp escaped his mouth as he struggled to sit up on the wooden counter.
All at once, painful reality smacked him relentlessly across the face and Lloyd burst into quiet sobs, taking in the words Lord Garmadon had declared to him in Kryptarium Prison: 'I have no son.'
Misako was quick to near his side. "It's okay to cry..." she whispered. "You've been strong for too long now..."
"It hurts," the green ninja admitted, choking on his words as more tears tracked down his face. "He... He said that... He told me..."
"Shhh," Misako insisted, pulling her son closer to her. "You don't have to talk."
Lloyd's body trembled as sobs shook his frame. He couldn't take it anymore. "I-I want him back!"
"I know," Misako reassured him gently. She heaved a quiet sigh. "I do too."
After a few more agonizingly long minutes, Lloyd finally calmed down enough to carry on.
~OwOwOwO~
The hours that followed Lloyd's rejuvenation were just a mere blur for the energy master. He had gotten his golden powers back once again, and had used them to defeat Lord Garmadon, as well as the Colossi. Both threats were no more. However, the victory wouldn't be the same for Lloyd as it was for everyone else. He didn't see his father anywhere. Fear boiled in his gut. He didn't see Harumi either. He can't be... No, Father, don't leave... Don't leave... Not again...
Almost immediately after, a lone figure stepped out from the cloud of smoke. He sidestepped fallen debris as he carefully moved forward, eyes darting around helplessly as he searched around the wreckage with hope in his gaze. His eyes fell on the golden ninja and an aching look of cautious joy lit up in his eyes. "Lloyd?"
It was Garmadon. His face was slightly wrinkled. Gray hair fell into his deep purple eyes, which shone with relief. His extra arms had completely vanished. The man was dressed in a green, lavender purple, and black kimono with golden dragons running up the sides from the back. The creatures shimmered in the faint sunlight as Garmadon hurried towards his son. A golden belt was tied around his waist.
Lloyd was awestruck. "Father... Is it... Is it really you?"
"Yes, my son..." Garmadon replied, on the verge of tears. He hastened his steps until he was practically sprinting towards his son, remaining two arms outstretched.
"Father!" Lloyd cried. He glanced at the man for a moment, taking in his father's slightly haggard appearance before collapsing into his arms, tears streaming down his face. "I can't believe you're here... I can't believe you've changed... Everything is going to be alright now..."
"Yes, Lloyd... Yes it is..." Garmadon agreed fiercely, shutting his eyes and cooing. "I'm right here... I'm right here... Don't worry my son, you are safe now."
Lloyd slowly but surely relaxed in his father's arms, barely daring to believe the gentle words that contrasted with the sharp denial he had heard earlier. "I can't believe it..."
"Neither can I. I've missed you too much... You're here with me now... I wouldn't have it any other way..."
"A part of me didn't think I would be able to do this..." Lloyd sobbed. "I thought... For one horrible moment I thought I was going to have to kill you... That I had killed you..."
"But you did it, Lloyd. I'm here now, and I'm not going anywhere... Everything's alright... But–" A sharp sob erupted from Garmadon's chest. He cast his gaze away, too afraid to look his son in the eyes. "I'm sorry for what happened in Kryptarium... The real me would never have said anything like that. I can't forgive myself... I'm sorry for everything..."
"You won't leave me again... Will you? Please don't..." Lloyd choked out. "I don't want to live without you!"
Garmadon shook his head, hating the desperation he saw in Lloyd's peerless golden eyes. "I won't..." he promised firmly, gazing solemnly at his son. "I never wanted to leave you from the very beginning... Back when you were just a baby...I'll stay here forever now... That's a promise."
"Thank you... I love you, father..." Lloyd sobbed into Garmadon's chest. "So much..."
The thin coil of dread that often squeezed Garmadon's old heart released its cutting grip as he took in the sheer sincerity woven into his son's simple words. It beat truly as the destruction elemental strengthened his hold on Lloyd. "I love you too, my child..." Garmadon replied. "I'm glad we're together again... It has been much too long..."
"Father, never let me go...!" Lloyd cried endlessly.
"I won't. I really don't want to... You are too important to leave behind..."
Harumi watched the exchange in hesitation. Oh, how she wished her parents were revived as well, so she could share a similar experience. Her cold, corrupted heart practically shattered into a million pieces. She fell to her knees and bawled, begging for mercy. "I'm so sorry!" she cried. "Lloyd unleashed the serpentine who awakened the Devourer. That snake killed my parents!"
"He was only a child." Garmadon took in a deep breath to calm himself a little while caressing Lloyd's hair in reassurance. "He didn't know any better than to follow in the footsteps of my evil ways, which brought us nothing but pain in the end. It was because of the Devourer that I was evil in the first place."
"I-I never should've done this..." Harumi remorsefully spoke.
"Harumi, I do sincerely thank you..." Lloyd whispered through his sobs, slowly pulling away from Garmadon and walking towards her. "You've brought my father and I together once again..."
Harumi stared at the Ultimate Spinjitzu Master in utter shock. "You forgive me? Even after all the pain I caused you? I don't understand."
"Of course I forgive you... You helped give me back my father," Lloyd told her gratefully. "And now I know how we can resurrect your parents."
The former princess's eyes shone with tears. "R-Really?!"
"The same way you resurrected my father. But my powers can negate the corruption. Now everything can be alright."
Harumi breathed a sigh of relief. "I still can't believe that you want to help me," she admitted, ducking her head. A strand of pale hair fell over her eyes, the paint dripping from her tears earlier. "But I want my parents back..."
~OwOwOwO~
Back at the Temple of Resurrection, Harumi waited anxiously as Lloyd whispered in low, even tones with his father.
"I don't know if I can do this," Lloyd admitted quietly.
Garmadon gently grabbed ahold of his son's shoulder. "I'll be here for you every step of the way," he assured him, eyes glistening with unshed tears as he offered Lloyd a comforting smile.
Lloyd closed his eyes for a moment. Then he opened them. He stood in front of the pedestal. "Clotho-venge, Clotho-decer, Clotho-haiyeed! Clotho-venge, Clotho-decer, Clotho-haiyeed! Clotho-venge, Clotho-decer, Clotho-haiyeed! Clotho-venge, Clotho-decer, Clotho-haiyeed! Rip the fabric between realms! Oni, I call upon you! Connect me to... The Departed Realm!"
A few dancing gusts of wind spiraled through the temple as the last fading echoes of Lloyd's request disappeared into the air.
As the veil between worlds began to split, Harumi threw a hand over her face to shield her eyes, her other one gripping onto Lloyd's. "Mom... Dad... I need you..." she pleaded softly.
A spinning, powerful portal opened within the temple, whirling viciously as strong gusts and wispy breezes bellowed from within the connected realm. A few tense moments passed as the couple waited. Then two figures emerged from the portal.
Harumi could barely contain herself. She fell to her knees, and Lloyd sank down beside her, squeezing her hand to reassure her as the two figures walked closer to them.
"Mom...? Dad...?" the former princess whispered, hope bleeding through her words.
"We're here..." her mother replied.
Harumi began sobbing. Her parents darted forward at the sound, desperate to comfort their daughter. Her mother shushed her quietly, whispering sweet nothings as she carded her hands through Harumi's long, silky hair.
Lloyd stepped back, a soft smile on his face as he observed the heartfelt reunion. His father placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I'm so proud of you," Garmadon murmured, pulling his son in for a hug.
"N-Never leave me again... P-Please..." the energy elemental trembled in his father's arms.
"I won't," Garmadon assured him, reveling in the fact that they were both safe.
Harumi turned to face the pair, cheeks shining from the tears that had rolled down her face. "Thank you, Lloyd," she breathed. "I don't think I can ever repay you for this..."
"You don't have to," Lloyd told her simply, offering her a sincere smile. He slowly let go.
Harumi let go as well. The two of them kissed.
Garmadon looked away respectfully even as he smirked pridefully.
His son had grown up so fast, but some things would never change.
~OwOwOwO~
Ninjago City had been refurbished through the ninja using the Tornado of Creation. That night, Lloyd and his father were in the living room alone while the others visited families.
Lloyd suddenly broke into tears. The memories still remained clear in his mind.
Garmadon glanced worriedly at his son. "What is the matter?" he demanded, hastening to edge closer to Lloyd. "Why are you so upset all of a sudden?"
"It's nothing..." the green ninja muttered, turning his face away.
"It's something," his father insisted. He gently took ahold of Lloyd's chin and tilted it so that Lloyd was looking directly into his father's anguished gaze. "Tell me..." Garmadon pleaded.
"I just... I can't forget what you said to me..." Lloyd acquiesced quietly, blinking furiously as he fought back a fresh onslaught of tears.
"Lloyd Montgomery, calm down... You know I wouldn't hurt you..."
"I know, I know," Lloyd agreed, wiping his nose with his sleeve. "But I can't stop thinking about those awful memories..."
"Replace them with this," the sensei offered, taking a deep breath. "Lloyd Montgomery Garmadon, I do love you. Nothing will ever change that. You are my son, and I will always be so proud of you. You mean so much to me... What you saw earlier was not me. I would never hurt you, even if my life depended on it. Ever."
Lloyd collapsed and sobbed into his father's arms, touched deeply by his words. The dam had opened up and tears overflowed from his eyes. He couldn't take it any longer.
"Shhh, it's alright. I'm here now," Garmadon whispered soothingly while caressing his hair. "I love you unconditionally... It's been much too long..."
"Dad," Lloyd cried, burying his face in his father's side. "Never leave me..."
Garmadon grimaced as he fought to hold back his own tears. It was to no avail as several glistening teardrops fell from his eyes. "I promise you," he began seriously, "that I won't leave you again. I'm going to make up for lost time, I swear it."
Lloyd allowed a small smile to break through his tears. "Can you sleep beside me tonight?" he asked meekly.
Garmadon laughed quietly. "Of course... I'd love that..." he chuckled.
"You have no idea how long I've been waiting to ask that," Lloyd continued.
"You don't have to wait anymore," his father told him joyfully. "I'm right here, and I will never leave your side again. You'll be alright now, my child... Oh Lloyd, it has been so long and I have missed you quite dearly..."
"I've missed you too, dad..." Lloyd sobbed. "I wish you never had to leave me in the first place..."
"I know, son... I also feel that way... But don't worry... I won't let that happen again... We can start anew..." Garmadon stroked his son's hair while holding him close, planting a kiss atop his head. "Just hold onto me... Hold onto me..." the destruction elemental quietly sobbed. "I care for you too much... I'm glad we are together once again. This is yet another beginning for us as a family... You may be older, my dearest, but some things never do change. You're still such a temperamental person..."
"I know... I can't help my emotions... But people say I'm not supposed to cry..."
"That's not true, Lloyd." Garmadon shook his head adamantly. "You've been strong for too long... It isn't good to let your feelings build up so much that you can't function properly... It's okay to let them take over... You're a child at heart... It's okay to be emotional; it's okay to let them free..."
Lloyd took a deep breath, feeling hot tears roll remorselessly down his cheeks. He felt relief at his father's words, and for once, allowed himself to cry shamelessly in his father's arms.
"I love you... More than anything else in this world..." Garmadon rocked his child for a few moments, gasping at the intensity he felt himself pour into his raw, emotional words.
Lloyd smiled. "I love you too, Dad..." he admitted serenely. "I don't want our family torn apart..."
"I won't let this happen again, Lloyd..." Garmadon told his son firmly. "I've lost you too many times... I promise that I will be here for you, and that I'll never allow evil to control me ever again." He choked back a sob. "It hurt too much..."
Lloyd nodded in silent agreement, keeping himself firmly held in his father's embrace. Against his own will, a yawn escaped his lips, and the ninja blinked blearily as the last trail of tears tracked down his reddened face.
Garmadon smiled softly at his child, who struggled to stay awake. "It's okay," his father soothed. "You can sleep now... I'll be here to protect you."
Comforted by the decisive words, Lloyd finally allowed himself to slip into deep, untroubled sleep. It was the first time in a long while that his dozing was untroubled by horrible nightmares.
Garmadon held his son close as he let out a shuddering sigh with a plethora of emotions. Tears freely falling down his face, he whispered, "Yakusoku shimasu, ani mo watashitachi o mōichido wakemasen..." (I promise, nothing will separate us again...)
Zena: THIS SHOULD'VE BEEN THE FREAKING FINALE! HAGEMAN BROS U MONSTERS!
River: IKR LIKE UM YES, THE ACTUAL FINALE KILLED MAH SOUL
Zena: SAME HERE AHHHHHHHHHH! AND LLOYD CRYING AT THE END WHEN THE STINKIN COLOSSI CRUSHED THE BOUNTY! HE COULDN'T TAKE IT! GEEZ WRITERS GIVE HIS FAMILY A BREAK AND HIS FATHER AS A SENSEI FOREVER! BUT HONESTLY WE SHOULD'VE WRITTEN THE SEASON FINALE FOR REALZ!
River: Couldn't have said it better myself!
Zena: THIS ISN'T THE END WE GONNA WRITE MORE REEEEEEEE!
River: HECK YEAH WE ARE REEEEEEEEE
Zena/River: Baiiiii!