Epilogue
AN: EMPFangirl02 and I worked on this together also. We don't own Ninjago, but we did have fun playing in it!
Lloyd stood at the railing of the Bounty, looking over Ninjago City with all its familiar buildings, Cyrus Borg's Tower being the most notable. He never realized how much he missed seeing that famous building. It was so good to be back. Raised voices drifted across the deck and Lloyd turned.
"We were waiting on the mountain for five hours! Five hours! In the freezing cold! Why didn't you say something?" Harumi yelled.
"Oh, I don't know, maybe because I had a concussion, nearly passed out, tried to get Lloyd home safe it slipped my mind!"
Harumi crossed her arms and Lloyd gaped. Even when she was upset, the princess looked absolutely beautiful. "It slipped your mind for five hours?"
"Alright, alright, I forgot," Kai admitted. "Will you let it go already?"
Harumi smirked. "Maybe when I've dropped you off on top of the Wailing Alps and you've spent five hours in the cold waiting for me to come back, I'll consider it."
Lloyd gasped. She couldn't be serious! The princess Harumi he knew would never—
"Okay, okay. You win," Kai said quickly. "I'm sorry I left you in the cold. By yourself. For five hours."
Harumi smiled. "Apology accepted."
"So you won't drop me off on the Wailing Alps?" Kai asked hopefully.
Harumi hummed and pretended to think about it. At least, Lloyd hoped she was pretending. Harumi caught Lloyd staring and he quickly looked away. Finally, Harumi turned back to Kai. "Not today," she said lightly.
Kai stared at Harumi with a look of horror and she laughed. Then Harumi glanced at Lloyd again, and saw how horrified he was by the whole exchange. So, she walked over to Lloyd and whispered, "I was never going to in the first place, but don't tell Kai that. His ego is way too large for his own good and someone has to put him in his place."
Lloyd was too shocked to do anything, so he just nodded. "O-okay."
And with that Harumi was gone. As she left, all she could think about was the other Lloyd. The one who inspired her to change and believed she could be a better person. Harumi still didn't like this world's Lloyd, the one who stole everything from her, and at first, she wasn't going to say anything at all. Let him believe she was twisted and evil. But Harumi promised the other Lloyd she would change. And so she would. One step at a time.
Lloyd watched her go and wondered what on Ninjago had happened since he was gone. Where were the other ninja? Had they found Sensei Wu? His mom had gone off looking for him, but he hadn't seen her since. He hoped she was alright.
"Kai?" Lloyd asked the fire ninja, who still seemed like he was in shock after the whole Harumi argument incident.
"Yeah?" he perked up.
"Did...my mom come back?" Lloyd asked.
"She did. She ended up in Kryptarium prison, but she got released when the Sons of Garmadon were disbanded. Most of them ended up getting sent there, except Harumi. It turned out that Sensei was de-aged to a baby, but now he's with your mom."
Lloyd blinked. "Wow. I didn't expect that, but I'm glad they're okay. Where are the other ninja?" The blonde wanted to know.
Kai gave him an uncomfortable look. "Well, you see, a lot happened while you were gone."
"What do you mean?" Lloyd asked, confused.
"The other Lloyd brought your father back," Kai started.
"He WHAT?" Lloyd shouted.
"Keep your voice down! Shen healed most of my concussion, but my head still hurts a bit," Kai told his friend.
"Sorry," Lloyd answered quickly, lowering his voice. "But how did my father come back?"
"It's kinda a long story and I don't know all the details, but I'll do my best," Kai answered. He told Lloyd how Princess Harumi, aka the 'Quiet One' was the leader of the Sons of Garmadon and how she had befriended the other Lloyd and convinced him to bring back Garmadon because she viewed as a hero and how when they had collected all three oni masks, he was brought back.
"But it's not Sensei Garmadon, Lloyd. Only the evil side of him was brought back. But somehow, he seemed to bond with the other Lloyd, and he had a good influence on him. Unfortunately, Harumi convinced your father that in order to grow stronger, he had to fight and beat us. That's how I got my concussion and the others got put in the hospital," Kai finished.
Lloyd's head was spinning from this information. His father was alive, but he was evil? Harumi, whom he had only known as the Princess of Ninjago and had a crush on, was evil too? His father attacked and hurt his friends? He didn't know what to think. He suddenly felt sick. Maybe the other Garmadon wasn't so bad after all, but this Garmadon…
"Lloyd, buddy, are you okay?" Kai asked, looking concerned.
"No, I'm not okay. How can I be okay with any of this?" Lloyd snapped. "I should have been here to stop this!"
"Lloyd, I know this is hard for you, but the other Lloyd convinced Garmadon to stop. It could have been a lot worse." Kai paused and took a deep breath before continuing. "He also talked Harumi out of her plan for revenge. The other Lloyd has a power to connect people that I can't wrap my head around. But anyway, Harumi and Garmadon helped me and the other Lloyd up the Wailing Alps to get to the Blind Man's Eye. We never would have made it without him. Believe me, I was super skeptical of him until I saw how he helped us. I think that despite being evil, he still has a side of him that cares. The other Lloyd instilled something in him for the better. I think you could continue to help him, if you want to," Kai finished.
Lloyd thought over the fire ninja's words. He had missed his father a lot and often had wanted to see him again...just not like this. But maybe there could be a chance. He would never know if he didn't give it a try. And then there was Harumi. He really liked her. But now that he knew the things she had done, he wasn't so sure about his feelings about her, even if she had changed. He sighed. It all messed with his head.
"Okay, I guess I can try. Where is Garmadon?" Lloyd asked.
"Below deck in our quarters," Kai told him. "It may take some time, but I think you can do it together." He gave Lloyd an encouraging smile.
Lloyd smiled back. He hoped his other friends were doing okay. He wanted to check on them too, but first, he felt like he needed to face his father. He couldn't put it off forever, as tempting as that was.
"All right wish me luck," the teen told Kai as he headed below deck.
The fire ninja watched him go. He really needed to get some rest. This whole adventure took a lot out of him, but it was worth it to have Lloyd back where he belonged.
Lloyd made his way down the familiar hall of the ship. He stopped at the door and took a deep breath. This wasn't going to be easy. He didn't know what to expect. Would his father accept him? Would Lloyd be able to restore their relationship? And what about Harumi? Could he trust her again? Too many questions.
Lloyd opened the door and was surprised to see Harumi standing next to his...father. He could only see him from the back, but from he saw, he had really changed. He resembled the other Garmadon for sure. It was so strange. What was even stranger was that Garmadon appeared to be looking at pictures on the wall, as if he were studying them.
Lloyd cleared his throat to get their attention, and they turned around. Even though Harumi had seen Lloyd before, she was amazed at how much both Lloyds' looked alike. She sighed. She missed the other Lloyd already. She had to keep reminding herself that she was trying to change, and not let her old grievances come back.
Garmadon also took in Lloyd's appearance, but remained silent.
The blonde felt he needed to break the silence first. "Um hi," Lloyd said rubbing the back of his head awkwardly. He came closer to the two and addressed Harumi first.
"Kai filled me in just now about everything that happened here while I was away. I have to know, Harumi…did you really plan this all along, from the first day we met?"
Harumi looked uncomfortable. "Long before that, Lloyd. You were just a pawn," she admitted. "I wanted your father to come back and I wanted revenge. But...the other Lloyd, he helped me to see a different path and I changed."
Lloyd didn't know what to think. He felt the sting of betrayal. He couldn't believe she had this elaborate plan to use him. He was glad that the other Lloyd had gotten through to her though, or it could have been a lot worse.
"Yeah, I've heard a lot about what my counterpart did for this realm," Lloyd answered. "And it seems like it was for the better." His father still hadn't said anything yet. He was just standing there, staring.
Harumi glanced between the two of them, feeling the tension in the air. It was awkward between she and Lloyd now. She had never felt anything for him—she had just been using him. She felt some guilt about that now, since she changed, but that was only because of the other Lloyd. But perhaps, they could be friends, in time.
"Yes, he did, and I can say that I'm glad he came," Harumi answered wistfully. Her thoughts drifted to the other Lloyd. His smile. His kindness... She had to force herself to come back to the present.
"Listen, I need to check on something above deck. I'll see you around," she said.
Lloyd gave her a small smile. "Uh, sure. See you." She left the room, leaving the teen and his father alone. They silently appraised each other.
Garmadon remembered what his son (other son?) had told him. 'You'll give him a chance, and treat him just like you would treat me, right?'
"Son," the warlord said the word slowly, approaching him.
"Father," Lloyd acknowledged, feeling a little strange with his father's new appearance. "Now that you're back, what do you plan to do?" He had been wondering since his father was only evil now, what would he do? Try to conquer Ninjago? Would they have to fight each other? He hoped not.
"I...do not know," the warlord admitted. "I thought I knew what I wanted...but that all changed...recently."
Lloyd swallowed a lump in his throat. It was so hard to see the father he had known like this, and yet, he could see a glimpse of his internal struggle. He really wanted to see his counterpart again and talk to him about the effect he had on his father.
"Well, I'd like it if we could try to figure it out...together," Lloyd said, putting a tentative hand on one of his father's.
Garmadon looked down at his son's hand on his. It stirred a feeling that he couldn't really identify. Before Lloyd had come into the room, he had been looking at all the pictures on the wall of the room; of the Ninja, their friends...and then there was the one with Lloyd and...himself? He tried to remember…
"We can try," he finally answered.
Lloyd gave him a smile. That was a good place to start.
Finally, the ninja let go of L-loyd and they told him all about how they had learned to unlock their elemental powers, and it was all because of the other Lloyd. They no longer needed their mechs anymore.
L-loyd was amazed that so much had happened while he was away. He felt a little envious of his friends' powers, and even his counterpart had his own power. But then again, he was able to change Garmadon and Harumi in the other realm and that was pretty powerful.
He suddenly stopped. "Wait, where's Master Wu?"
"He's fine," Kai answered. "He wanted to make us think he had died to teach us lesson. Guess that also helped us to get our powers. We found our inner piece!"
"That's great. I'm happy for you guys," L-loyd told them. They continued on their way toward the city, talking and laughing. Koko and Garmadon followed behind more slowly. The red-head smiled at seeing her son happy. It was so good to have him back.
Cole glanced back over his shoulder and stopped. L-loyd turned around and saw what he was glaring at.
Oh no, he thought.
"What do you think you're doing?" Cole asked coldly.
Garmadon froze, but he quickly plastered a smile on his face. "Going back to Ninjago, of course!" he replied.
Kai rolled up his sleeves. "If you're trying to re-conquer our city, think again!" he warned.
"You think you five can stop me?" Garmadon asked, in a challenging tone.
"We stopped you before, we'll do it again!" Kai yelled.
"Yeah. We have elemental powers now. We could take you right here and now!" Nya put in. The ninja edged closer, forcing the warlord backward.
L-loyd quickly jumped in between them. "Garmadon's not going to conquer anything." He glanced back to his father. "Right, Dad?"
Garmadon's gaze flickered, and his smile faltered. "La-loyd, I…"
"You're not going to conquer the city, right?"
Garmadon didn't answer. Koko put her hand on his shoulder, but he didn't respond. He felt torn, and he didn't like being indecisive.
"Dad…"
"If I couldn't change then, what makes you think I can change now?" Garmadon whispered.
"You can change. I can help you, we can do it together," L-loyd told him.
"Garm…" Koko pleaded. "Please."
"Dad, come home."
Garmadon paused. "You'll… give me another chance?"
L-loyd nodded, and the ninja glanced at each other.
"Uh," Nya began.
"Maybe?" Jay finished.
"But you better leave Ninjago alone," Kai demanded.
Garmadon glared at him. "I'll do what I want—"
"Dad," L-loyd warned.
The warlord sighed. "Fine, La-loyd." He took a deep breath and straightened. "I'll come home."
L-loyd threw his arms around him, and Garmadon staggered back. "Thank you!" he cried. "Thank you so much!" At least his dad was willing to try, and that was good enough for now.
Garmadon slowly patted his son on the back, feeling slightly awkward at the affection with everyone staring. L-loyd cleared his throat and quickly backed away. He couldn't help but think of the other Garmadon's four-armed hugs.
"Well, uh, let's get going, La-loyd," Garmadon said, quickly regaining his old swagger. He didn't even wait for an answer, he just marched on toward the city. "Come on, La-loyd, you're going too slow," he called.
L-loyd sighed. Garmadon had a long way to go, but he was hopeful.
A hand gripped L-loyd's shoulder, and he turned. His mom smiled down at him. "I'm proud of you, Lloyd," she said.
L-loyd smiled. "Thanks, Mom." He paused. "I'm sorry. I left you all alone, and I wasn't there, and I worried you, and—"
"Lloyd, it's okay. It wasn't your fault," Koko assured him, pulling her son into hug. "I'm just glad you're safe. It's good to have you back."
L-loyd squeezed her tight. "It's good to be back."
"Lloyd!" Cole called.
"It's your father!" Zane called.
"I'm back, baby!" Garmadon yelled, and L-loyd could hear people screaming in the city. He should have known it wouldn't be so easy for Garmadon to just waltz back in. The citizens still hated/feared him for wrecking their city, and they didn't really know he had changed yet.
"Don't run away," Garmadon called out. "I'm not gonna hurt you this time! Just instill some fearful respect for how awesome I am!"
L-loyd sighed, and Koko gave him a reassuring squeeze. It sounded like his father wasn't helping the situation. "Do you think he'll ever be… you know, good?"
Koko shrugged. "He'll always be Garmadon, but he does love you. If anyone can change him, it'll be you, Lloyd."
"We can do it together, mom. You can help him too."
Koko blushed. She wasn't quite ready to have her husband just come back in to her life like he never left, but she admitted that spending some time with him was nice. It would be a challenge, for sure, but she knew Lloyd needed a father in his life. Hopefully, little by little, Garmadon would come around.
"Lloyd!" Kai called.
"We need your help!" Jay screamed.
"I'm coming!" L-loyd called to his friends, breaking into a run. He already saved Garmadon and Harumi in a strange realm, so surely, he could do the same for his own father.
"Dad!" L-loyd called, and Garmadon turned around to face his son.
"La-loyd! You finally caught up!" he said. "Want to help me instill some healthy fear? I'll make sure that no one will hate you anymore. It'll be great!"
"No, Dad. I don't want you to do that," L-loyd told him. This changing business might be harder than he thought.
Garmadon smirked. "You know, technically, I did conquer the city, so—"
"No!" L-loyd snapped. "If you want to come home with us, you can't be a warlord anymore!"
Garmadon waved him off. "Fine, fine. So where do you live?"
L-loyd took a deep breath. He wished his father would just listen to him. He wasn't sure if his mom was ready to have Garmadon move in with them. It was too soon. But he did want to get to know him better and spend time with him.
"Dad, I'm being serious. You can't be a warlord! No conquering, no scaring people, no acting like you own everything," L-loyd insisted, trying to get through his father's thick skull.
"But that's who I am, La-loyd!" Garmadon replied.
"But you also said you were going to change," L-loyd reminded him.
Garmadon sighed. "I've been a warlord my whole life, La-loyd. I'm not gonna just change overnight. Besides, I didn't hurt anybody this time."
L-loyd frowned, but his father did have a point. "I know. This isn't easy for any of us." He took a deep breath and took a step closer to Garmadon, and after a moment's hesitation, he grabbed his hand.
"But we're going to figure it out together. We'll work through it. You just have to try, okay?"
Garmadon stared down at L-loyd's hand entwined with his. This is what he'd been missing all these sixteen years. This is why he'd felt so empty. Why he had wanted to conquer Ninjago in the first place-to reconnect with his estranged family. He needed them in his life, and if that meant giving up being a warlord, well…
Garmadon nodded. "Alright, La-loyd. I'll try."
L-loyd grinned. "Great! Now, let's get you settled before something else happens."
This time, Garmadon let L-loyd lead. He took his father down the back alleys in silence, not quite sure where he was going. He was pretty sure there was open apartment not too far from where he lived. Now he'd just have to convince the landlord to rent to the worst guy ever, and coming from the most hated kid in the city.
Yeah, that probably won't go over well. It would take a lot of convincing, but with his connecting power… maybe…? His thoughts drifted back to the other realm. He knew he had a promise to keep once things settled down here, and to be honest, L-loyd was looking forward to going back. Once everything was settled, of course. He wasn't sure how everyone would take that, especially since he just got back, but he would deal with that later.
L-loyd shook his head and came back to the present. Yeah, they still had a long way to go, but he was confident they could get there. Besides, his father promised he would change, or at least try to.
What could go wrong?
AN: That's it everyone. Can't believe it's over. EMPFangirl02 and I had so much fun writing this story! Thanks to everyone who reviewed. A special call out to Kay Hau, Katla1(I really enjoyed your reviews :D), Sunny Lighter, I.D's Fantasy, Bookkeepr2004, Pitch'snieceanddaughterofMew and SJTiger. Kau Hau and Sunny Lighter gave us a lot of encouragement and good insights with this story and lots of chats of all things Ninjago! Sunny Lighter also gave us to idea to include Harumi waiting on the mountain and being upset about it-so thank you for that! I would highly recommend reading Kay Hau and Sunny Lighter's stories because they are awesome!
We plan to do some one shots around this story, as a sort of sequel. It might take a while, but we'll do our best. Also, check out EMPFangirl02 stories. She only has a few, but they are good, and she hopes to write more for this fandom. That's all for now.