Chapter 54 - Falling Through the Cracks

It wasn't long before the principal called Lloyd back into his office. The green eyed boy knew it was bound to happen eventually, since everything that occurred on his birthday was done by so many people, that it was easier to just blame it on one child.

And, of course, that one child was Lloyd.

"The principal wants you in his office?" Brad's eyebrows shot up into his hair. "Oh man. He's probably going to say something about. . . you know, the party and stuff."

"Oh man," Gene shook his head, "You're so dead."

"Aw, c'mon guys," Lloyd smirked, walking backwards to reach the door of their small room. "What's he gonna do? Breathe at me? I'm the best student Darkley's has had in a long time."

Gene rolled his eyes, crossing his arms. "Your ego is suffocating."

"Well. . . Okay then," Brad said, fidgeting a little. "Good luck,"

"I don't need luck. I'm Lloyd Garmadon!" With a chuckle, Lloyd stepped out of the room, walking towards the principal's office. When he reached it, the boy didn't stop to knock. He pushed the door open, making himself at home in the usual chair.

The principal swiveled his chair around, turning to face Lloyd. The young boy smiled, scooting forward and leaning against the desk. "You called, right?"

"Yes, I did," the principal leaned forward, studying Lloyd. "There was a bit of a commotion on your birthday, was there not?"

"Maybe," Lloyd shrugged, spinning back and forth in the chair. "But it was nothing a good villain wouldn't though. You're running a bad boy's school, sir, so of course problems like this will happen."

"I am aware of this, young Garmadon." The principal hissed, "but villains also know about a little something called respect. Respect for those with more power than you, so they won't rip you to shreds."

Lloyd scooted the chair closer. "Okay, sure. But there's a problem. Yeah, you're pretty scary, ut you can't really hurt us."

The principal's hands turned into tight fists, and he shook his head. "I'll be keeping an eye on you. . . I can't expel you for being bad. But you have a tendency to do the right thing. Step one toe out of line, Garmadon, and you're out of here."

The young boy shrugged, slipping out of the chair. "Okay. Is that all? I'm kinda hungry."

"You may leave. . . But I'll be watching."

"And then he said he'd be watching me," Lloyd shrugged, shoving another spoonful of thick oatmeal into his mouth. "I mean, boohoo. He's always watching me. He's been trying to get me out of this school since day one."

"Well, you weren't exactly the best student when you first got here so I don't blame him," Gene said. "I quite hated you myself. But you have a bit of evil in you, I mean not as much as me but, you'll get there."

"Trust me, Gene, I am there." Lloyd stuck his tongue out. "Don't forget, I'm Lloyd Garmadon. My dad is the most evil person Ninjago has ever seen! I'm destined for greatness!"

Brad rolled his eyes. "You know, I liked you better when you were good."

"What?" Lloyd turned towards his friend. "Oh come on, Brad, I was never good. I was just messing around half the time. This is who I really am: Ninjago's next nightmare!"

"I remember the museum," Brad said. "I remember when you cared enough to try and save me. But now you'd probably just laugh right along with Gene."

"I was just-"

"You were just being good. Even when we worked together to mess with the principal, you were good." Brad shook his head. "I thought making you bad would be fun. But I didn't realize it would also mean you'd be a bad friend too."

Brad's eyes shone with a bit of tears, and he shook his head. "But just forget it. You wanna be like your dad. Fine. Be like him. Alone, with nothing but his darkness to keep him company!"

With those words, Brad stormed off out of the cafeteria. Lloyd jumped up, his hands balled up into fists. "Come back here and take that back!"

Gene pulled Lloyd down, forcing him to sit back on the chair. "Oh, forget about him. . ."

With a sigh, Lloyd nodded. Brad was overreacting. Sure, Lloyd was doing all the wrong things, but for all the right reasons. And if Brad couldn't see that, if Brad couldn't support him, then he'd be far better off alone.

"Yeah. . . If I'm going to be the greatest villain, I don't need friends. . ."