DISCLAIMER: this story is mine a lot of other ppl had/have similar ideas and stories but this is not based on any of those thanks! Feel free to give me any advice!
Lloyd couldn't sleep.
He was too upset to sleep.
He had dreamt of Garmadon. Two of them. His sensei fighting this version of himself. Lloyd shuddered.
His mind consumed by thoughts of his father. Who even was his father?
There was Lord Garmadon, the dark possessed one. But he loved Lloyd nonetheless.
Then Sensei Garmadon, Lloyds real father figure.
Then...this monster. Who cares of nothing. Survival of the fittest. The one they were stuck with.
And somehow they were all his father. Lloyd tossed under his blanket. No. Lloyd thought bitterly. This Garmadon doesn't have a son.
Lloyd let out a small grunt of frustration. Eventually abandoning his bunk for some fresh air.
He crept through the hallway of the newest version of the monastery. Careful to be quiet when passing the others rooms.
He slowly slid the front door open, only to be slammed against wooden floors by some shadowy figure.
Startled Lloyd blinked, summoning a ball of green energy in his hands. Which dissipated after a few moments.
"Kai?"
The figure came into view. The sweatshirt recognizably Kai's. The hood was up, covering the upper half of his face.
"Lloyd." Kai pulled his hood off,. "Sorry, you scared me." he muttered. "What are you doing out here?" Now he was concerned. Staring intensely at Lloyd asking what happened?
"I could ask you the same thing." Lloyd retorted sitting up.
Kai offered his hand and Lloyd took it. "Not tired. Felt restless." He admitted.
"Well so was I. So I was going to get some fresh air, before I was tackled." Lloyd crossed his arms.
Kai let out a small laugh, "I said sorry!"
Lloyd smirked, scanning his friend. Kai was fully dressed, and despite claiming not to be tired, he had darkening bags under his eyes.
"Well, come on. Let's sit on those stairs and get that fresh air." He ruffled Lloyd's hair walking down the front stairs, towards the edge of the monastery. Humming a catchy tune.
Lloyd followed, unsure where this was going.
Kai swung the gates open, and for a while the two just sat, staring at the Ninjago sky. The cool breeze brushing their hair back.
"So what really up?" Kai asked, leaning back on his hands. He looked forward his feet resting on the stair below them. "What did you dream about now?"
Lloyd hesitated. Should I tell him?
Lloyd sighed. Yes. Yes I should.
"I dreamed about my father." Lloyd started. Kai looked at him. Go on.
"I actually dreamed of two of them."
Kai raised an eyebrow.
I lost him. Lloyd chastised himself.
"Like, one was Sensei Garmadon. The father, who was proud of me, and knew me, and just understood. And then. The other one was this version. The one that basically disowned me on live television."
Lloyd looked down. He wouldn't understand. He thought bitterly.
"I get that." Kai said, staring into the distance. "I mean I think I do. It may not be the same thing. But I understand. My father was my biggest role model. He tried to do everything with me and Nya. He's different now though."
Lloyd was slightly taken aback. Kai understood. He had similar concerns about his own father.
"I feel like I don't know him. Even though he technically is the same person." Kai's expression stayed stoic. The wind blowing is hair back, his eyes shimmering slightly in the moonlight.
Lloyd stared off with him. Gazing across the shifting valleys and roads that lead to Ninjago City. The sun slowly shining over them
"But we have this. Our team. Our brothers." Kai leaned over. Lloyd's green eyes meeting Kai's warm hazel ones. "You are the green ninja. And you know somethings are complicated and unfair." he took a breath. "But, you have us. We're your family too."
Lloyd blinked. Then started to nod before Kai pulled him into a hug.
"Does it ever get better?" Lloyd asked quietly.
Kai hummed, "So far I can't say."
Lloyd pondered on Kai's words before realizing…
"Wait, you're still having… issues?" Lloyd pulled away.
Kai shifted uncomfortably, looking down. "Well yeah… I mean." Kai cleared his throat. "So maybe they were threatened to leave us, but it was still...abandonment. They missed out on everything. It sounds selfish, but I just...can't forgive them. Even if Nya can."
Lloyd looked down too. Not even Nya knows.
"Have you like...talked to them?"
Kai hesitated, "No, but I mean what good would that do."
Both of them turned as the sun fully emerged. Spreading day to all the land.
Kai stood up, "Alright, I'm gonna wake the others." He stood up and awkwardly left.
Lloyd continued staring to the sun. I already have a family. My team. But it's not wrong to want your blood family. Right?
Lloyd sighed. At least Kai might have a chance…that he's not willing to take. Lloyd thought about his own parents. He knew the feeling. But he also knew, he would have done anything for them to be together.
He would not let Kai give up that chance.