Sorry this took so long. I was RP'ing with StrawberryBunny4341 and that was a lot of fun~
Monday1113 does not own Ninjago.
The Taste of Control
Chapter Four
Lloyd was beginning to feel overwhelmed. A large group of Serpentine, including the four generals, had made it onto the deck. They were surrounding him in a way that would make running difficult. Not to mention if Lloyd wanted to run, the ninja still were around him. Getting past them would be the first challenge, after them, the Serpentine.
He could barely hold his own in one on one combat. Four against one, plus all the Serpentine and his dad were odds that belonged in the negative percentages. It was next to impossible for him to get away by fighting.
"Dad." Lloyd started, looking up at his father. "What's going on?" Every cell in his body was screaming that now was not the time to act polite. His body was telling him to screw the odds, and to just run. Lloyd felt himself shift his stance so he'd be ready to fight.
Garmadon let out a laugh, smiling at his son genuinely. "I've won." He said simply, smiling at his son. "The ninja work for me now."
He watched his words hit his son, the confident look on the child's face falling. Lloyd shook his head the slightest bit, trying to find a way to tell his father he was mistaken. Deep inside, he could feel it though, beating himself up mentally over letting himself be lured out here. Lloyd also felt betrayed. Even if his father had orchestrated everything, and had the ninja under his command, why didn't they try to fight against him? Were their senses of judgement gone too?
Lloyd shook away his emotions. Right now, he couldn't let them cloud his judgement. 'Clear your mind. Find your exits. Stay calm.' The words from an old lesson reminded him instantly about what he had to do. His father didn't know how much time Lloyd used to spend finding hiding places, and all the little secret passages on the ship.
The child stood still, glimpsing around the deck for any possible escape routes. He was small, and he might tire a lot faster than the others would, but he could run, and while he was doing that he could shout and scream for help until someone noticed.
Garmadon could see that his son was forming a plan. It wasn't too hard. His son's body language revealed everything. Choosing to let his son learn the hard way, he watched.
Lloyd's stare flicked nervously around, trying to figure out what was going to happen now. If he didn't fight, the other would have no reason to hurt him. However, they'd probably be able to lock him up wherever they wanted to on the ship.
"Son," His father said, making Lloyd look up. "I will give you a choice. Join me now, willingly, or join me later. Either way, you will join me."
The blonde child snorted a bit. "Father, you know I could never join you." The little green ninja looked up at his father, smirking. A tornado of bright green grew around the boy as he spun. It provided a momentary distraction as he slipped under the arms of his former teammates. Running towards the side, he leaped, making sure to tuck his limbs in tightly as he rolled across the firm ground, seconds after landing.
His feet pounded on the pavement under him. The colors of the asphalt and concrete greeted him as he made it off of the grassy lot, blending together in a blur. Heart pounding against his chest, he didn't look behind him, not wanting to see if they were close or not.
A hand grabbed his arm, pulling him into an alleyway, as he passed. Panicking a little, Lloyd struggled, wrenching his arm away.
That was when he looked up at the person who had pulled him off the street. It wasn't one of the others, or any of the Serpentine. It was a woman with grey hair pulled back in a braid. As she flattened herself against the wall of the building, Lloyd did the same, catching his breath. His heart slowly stopped pounding so hard.
The two stood silently, listening for the others to run past where they were hiding. Once it was quiet, the woman walked over to Lloyd quietly. "Come with me. I'll contact Sensei Wu and let him know you're alright." She said, her voice calming. It struck something deep inside of Lloyd, almost like a voice from a good dream, or a lullaby he remembered faintly. As the woman walked away, Lloyd followed, half jogging to keep up with her fast and purposeful strides.
"How do you know my uncle?" He asked, even though he felt like he knew the answer he was about to get.
She didn't even turn around. "I've known Wu for a long time, Lloyd." Reaching into her bag, she pulled out a hat, as well as a simple red hoodie. "I also know your father." She handed him the articles of clothing. Her eyes meeting his for a second before looking forward again. "While I might not know the reason you're being chased, if your father is after you, and he's sending the ninja as well as the Serpentine, they'll be looking for you wearing your green shirt."
Lloyd quickly pulled the hoodie over his head, and pulled the hat on. He could have passed off as any kid in the city. The two walked out of the alley, making their way over towards a bus stop. Lloyd could already see the bus coming their way. Pulling out a bus pass, the woman kept her hand on Lloyd's shoulder until they were both on the bus.
Sitting in the back, Lloyd looked at her. "Who are you exactly?"
"I'm your mother, Lloyd." He nodded, knowing she was right.
"Where are we going?"
"To the museum. We can call your uncle from my office, and then we can talk more." She said, smiling down at her son for the first time in several years. "I'm sure you have questions."
"Lots." Lloyd said, looking down at his feet. Outside of the bus, buildings passed by. "But I really want to know how to get my friends back."
I was going to let Lloyd be a captive for several chapters, but decided that this should happen instead.
