That afternoon was the weirdest of my life. I started yesterday with no one, and within two days I had not just two friends, but five. Five friends that I was starting to think would actually stick with me. That, maybe, weren't anything like everyone else.

Jay, Cole, and Zane had every opportunity, as well as every reason, to avoid me. If they wanted to be polite, they could easily have just been nice in mech club. I would've been more than happy with that. They certainly had never spoken to me before – though I now had reason to believe that had nothing to do with me personally. More to do with them… doing exactly what I'd been doing. Keeping their heads down and not getting involved.

I saw their resigned faces when people whispered that they'd seen it coming. That we were all freaks and weirdos and belonged together. I hadn't realized there was a reason the three members of the mech club hung out so far in the back that I'd never really noticed them before. They were outcasts too. That was why they could accept Kai, Nya, and even me so readily.

Jay is a classic nerd. Alarmingly intelligent, socially inept, can't keep his mouth shut to save his life, and his unusual voice and freckles don't help. I figured out he has some anxiety problems within minutes, and probably some other stuff too – but he bravely presses on straight through them. When someone in the hallway commented nastily on his voice, he just continued speaking, only louder!

Cole's the classic lone wolf, and seems to have the most history with Jay. It was his hand that settled on Jay's shoulder to calm him when the boy was visibly bouncing with nerves. It was him that shook his head when I opened my mouth to ask about 'the scarf'. And it seemed to be him that took the lead in the club, organizing everything, for all that Jay was supposedly president. You'd think he should be in the 'cool' crowd, or at least respected and left alone, but his association with Jay seemed to tank any street cred.

That, or it could be the classical I heard when he took off his earphones. Huh. I really thought that would be hard rock or metal or something explicit. Another time he was humming along to opera, and I'm pretty sure that was the theme song to a children's cartoon when he sat next to me during class. There was some rock, jazz, and pop in there too. He seriously listens to EVERY genre. He really doesn't care.

And the two of them were only accepted by a robot. That said a lot. It also said a lot that they so easily accepted the robot right back. Though, it was so unfair to think of Zane as just a robot. I wonder if there's a better term I could use.

Zane helped me clean graffiti off my locker after school. And I realized his, only a few lockers down, had some too – insults about not being human, about not belonging there. Words so familiar to me, being aimed at someone else. I tried to apologize, and he casually informed me that the graffiti had been going on long before today. How much had I missed by trying so hard to hide? I had been so sure it was the world against me. Just me.

And, of course, Kai and Nya. The first two to ever take my side. That had latched onto me from basically first sighting and showed no signs of letting go. Kai just rolled his eyes as he flipped through the hate mail in his locker next to mine. Then he and Nya started comparing hate notes, laughing at the poor grammar and shrugging off the more hurtful insults. They tossed all the letters in the trash where they belonged, and then used another twin pincer movement to trap me in a hug right in the hallway in front of everyone. They've also started addressing me as "little bro" – when I asked about it, Nya simply stuck out her tongue and Kai casually mentioned I was now officially adopted.

Which makes no sense. But feels ever so good to hear.

All the lockers around mine had been clear (as always), with the exception of Zane's, the third down on my left. When Jay realized this after school, he happily announced "Lucky!" and immediately claimed the one next to mine. Kai and Nya had moved in to the two on my right that morning, and Cole moved in between Jay and Zane without saying a word.

They couldn't have made a more public statement of support if they tried.

~~ ! Go Ninja Go ! ~~

Cole, Zane, and Jay were eager to see one of Garmadon's shark mechs up close, so immediately after school the whole gang walked to the cove to see Lloyd off.

Along the way, the conversation had shifted from mechs and expanded to include movies and video games. They all loved action/adventure, especially with ninja and superhero themes. Nya and Kai liked fantasy, Cole enjoyed musicals, Jay adored sci-fi, and Zane was quite eager to discuss animation.

Somehow Lloyd ended up mentioning that his dad and he had comedy movie night every Friday and inviting his new friends.

As soon as the words left his mouth he froze in horror, expressive green eyes wide in shock.

"Oh, so that's why Garmadon never attacks on a Friday," said Cole thoughtfully. "Sure, sounds cool."

"Like, at the volcano?" asked Jay, a little nervously. "Is, is it safe? I mean, with the lava and everything?"

Nya playfully slapped the back of Jay's head. "Of course it's safe! Count me and Kai in, little bro!"

"Can we all take the shark mech, little bro?" asked Kai eagerly. "That would be so cool!"

"Wait, you're actually thinking about it?" asked Lloyd, still not over his shock at his own daring.

"No takesies-backsies!" Zane spoke firmly, and where on Ninjago did he learn that phrase? "It would be quite enlightening to visit the volcano! And I would love a movie night with my friends."

Lloyd's face brightened in a way that made the others feel slightly sick. Because no one should be so excited about such a casual admission of friendship. But too soon the gleam turned into a worried frown.

"But, but won't your parents...?"

Cole waved off his objections casually. "Let us handle that, green bean." And poor Lloyd really wasn't sure what to make of having an actual nickname. Could be worse – earlier Cole had threatened him with 'sweet pea' if he didn't like 'green bean'. "You just make sure you've got the movie and lots of snacks. Cake, if you have it."

"Cole, you can't just go around asking for cake everywhere!" argued Jay. "Lloyd, you don't have to get him cake unless you want to!"

"Why not?" protested Cole. "I'm sure Garmadon enjoys cake as much as I do."

Lloyd was terribly confused and relieved at the same time at how his new friends all used Garmadon's name so casually. It threw him off. Garmadon was a name used to scare children, to be whispered in warning and or screamed in terror. He'd become so used to people, when they absolutely had to talk to him (like teachers), always saying 'your father', as if pretending Lloyd's father and Lord Garmadon were two separate people.

"No one enjoys cake as much as you do," chuckled Zane. "I've found baking one for you to be the easiest way to gain your approval and favor."

"Ooh, does that mean you'll bring the cake Friday, Zane? Your cakes are always amazing!" exclaimed Cole, showing the most emotion Lloyd had seen yet.

"I can do that," agreed Zane easily.

"I'll bring candy!" shouted Jay eagerly, all earlier worries evaporated. "Do you think chocolate will melt?"

"Candy!" Lloyd let out with a little squeal, getting him analyzing looks all around. He blushed, but couldn't hide the sparkle in his eyes that had appeared at the word.

"My, have we just discovered the secret weakness of Lloyd Garmadon?" teased Nya, remembering her mom's story of Lloyd's childhood antics.

"I, I can't really deny that," he admitted, trying a smile.

"Hmm, maybe we should all bring candy? Except Zane, since he's got the cake?" Kai suggested, mock-casually.

Lloyd's green eyes got even bigger and sparklier at the thought.

They had arrived at Lloyd's cove, and with a cheer Cole, Zane, and Jay converged on the shark mech. Much like Kai and Nya yesterday, they ran all around, literally climbing up and down to examine everything they could. Taking out notebooks for sketches and their phones for photos.

After maybe twenty minutes, Zane stepped back with a regretful, "It is now 5pm. I unfortunately have a prior arrangement. My thanks and see you later, Lloyd."

"Ah, man!" complained Jay. "I gotta go! Bye, Lloyd! Your dad's shark mech is awesome!"

Cole nodded. "Me too. See ya tomorrow, green bean." He casually ruffled Lloyd's hair before turning on his heel, already replacing his headphones and tuning out the world.

"Yeah, our parents are expecting us. Bye, Lloyd!" "See you tomorrow, little bro!" called out Nya and Kai, waving as Lloyd climbed up into the large cockpit of the shark mech.

He waved goodbye with the largest smile he'd ever had.

~~ ! Go Ninja Go ! ~~

"Hey, La-loyd! How was school! Did you learn a lot about being evil today!" greeted my dad as I stepped off the elevator onto our living floor.

I couldn't hide the smile on my face if I wanted to. "I made more friends! They want to come over Friday for a movie!"

"More minions!" cheered Dad. "Wonderful! The course of evil advances!"

Sometimes I wonder if my dad has some sort of normal to evil filter in his hearing that translates whatever I say into something like that.

"It's gonna be awesome! They're gonna bring cake and candy and I'm gonna have snacks and we can use the theatre room and I can show them Green Dragon and it's gonna be so much fun!"

"Well done, son! Truly villainous, buying their loyalty with favors and bribes!"

Wait, what? My stomach took a dive.

Honestly, it hadn't occurred to me until this moment. Was I bribing them to be my friends? Or, or maybe they were just buddying up to me to, to get something? To see Garmadon's mechs? Maybe they actually wanted to see the volcano, not hang out with me? Maybe they figured out Garmadon was filthy stinking rich?

No, no. Surely not. They wouldn't endure the mocking and shunning of their classmates just for... Would they? Was it all an act?

No, no, no. Kai and Nya stood by me with unquenchable ferocity and unfathomable depth, like no one else ever had. Jay seemed flighty at first, but burned bright and sure once he decided on something. Zane kept his cool no matter what was going on, and Cole was as steady and unyielding as a rock. Maybe it had only been a day, but nothing tests someone like going through public shaming together. If they were gonna back down, they would have already.

I won't doubt them, not any more. I'm going to trust in my new friends!

I grabbed a plate and served myself some chili from the giant pot on the stove. Why my dad always cooks for a dozen, I'll never know, but there's always plenty of food in our kitchen.

Dinner in hand, I took a seat across from my overly cheerful father, who was saying something about ordering pizza for my sleepover (and how did having friends/minions over automatically become a sleepover?). I didn't have the heart to interrupt, so I let him drone on for a bit. He likes hearing himself talk, and secretly I found the sound of his voice relaxing. Maybe it had to do with all the bedtime stories.

My dad's smartphone rang. Without looking at the number, he jabbed the accept button. He always keeps it on speaker with the volume all the way up.

"Yeah, Garmadon here. Who wants what?" He didn't even bother to look up from his food. Didn't even bother to swallow before speaking, but then he is evil and bad table manners were certainly nothing new.

"Garmadon?" asked a beautiful voice that sent chills down my back for some reason.

His spoon fell to the table with a clatter, his red eyes going wide as he turned to stare at the face smiling awkwardly up at him through the video chat.

"Koko?" he whispered, sounding... broken. I haven't heard him sound like that since that time I woke up in the hospital.

My eyes flew to his phone's screen, staring desperately at the woman there. A beautiful middle aged redhead, her thick hair swept back in a loose bun. I only knew what she looked like from photos. I was too young when she left to really remember her. And she's definitely changed since those pictures of Dad's were taken. No armor, for one.

She's alive. Huh. I had no idea how to feel about that.

Koko obviously couldn't see me, and in a second I couldn't see her as my dad snatched up the phone to hold it close in trembling hands.

"Are you okay? Are you here? Are you coming back?" rambled my dad, still sounding soft and choked and rough.

"No, Garm. It's about Lloyd. I need to-"

Dad, Lord Garmadon, suddenly stiffened. "You can't have him."

I wasn't sure whether to feel elated or fearful or what. My dad would never give me up, and despite everything there was comfort in that knowledge, but maybe my mom wanted me after all? I'd always wondered that maybe…

"No, it's not about that."

Oh. That figures. She continued.

"The prophecy, Garmadon. I found it! The scroll of the Green Ninja!"

Green Ninja? There's no Green Ninja. My heart sunk even lower. My mom calls my dad for the first time in twelve years, not to ask about the son she abandoned, but to chat about something that doesn't exist.

She really doesn't care. Not about me. My high from earlier was effectively extinguished.

Dad actually scowled, glanced over at me, and then clicked off the speaker and video chat buttons. For the first time I can remember, Lord Garmadon held the phone to his ear the normal way.

"What does that have to do with anything?" he asked, sounding tense and suddenly angry.

I couldn't hear any reply, but my dad visibly bristled at whatever my... Koko was saying.

"I refuse to believe that."

"No. Absolutely not."

"I don't care what Wu thinks. He's a butt."

The shadows around dad were getting darker, a sure sign of a dangerously worsening mood. Anyone other than me would be terrified – but my dad has never hurt me and I fully believe he never will.

"Damn your prophecy, woman!"

The next thing she said set him off. The electric lights in the room exploded, leaving only the glow of lava outside the room's windows and my dad's fiery eyes as illumination.

"Do you not even care, Koko! You left him! You left us!"

His glowing eyes fell on me possessively and he stalked around the table. His lower two arms took my shoulders while his free upper left arm cradled my head.

"No!" he roared next. "I don't want to hear your excuses and about some stupid prophecy! If you want to fight destiny, you should have stayed! You should have come back! You would come back NOW!"

He smashed the phone in one bare hand, flung the remains at a wall, and suddenly all four arms were around me tightly and Dad was on his knees crying.

I can't be sure of much of anything in my life. But I know, I know, that my dad loves me to the core of his being.

"I love you, Dad," I whispered, hugging him tightly back. "And I'm never leaving you."

It seemed to be exactly what he needed to hear.