~~ CHAPTER NINE ~~

Lord Garmadon was being suspiciously quiet today. Hadn't even put in an appearance, whereas usually he prowled his volcano, insisting on overseeing training and building and even research himself.

His generals breathed a collective sigh of relief, even as they knew this peace couldn't possibly last. Of course, those assigned to patrol the volcano immediately began slacking, and the scientists and interns in the labs were flat out celebrating a day of no short-tempered boss breathing down their necks and demanding updates.

So nobody paid attention to the two low-ranking generals hanging out in a quiet corner, drinking coffee and just chatting.

"The kid's alive. Garmadon all but announced it last night with those stupid posts," mumbled one, eyes glancing around to make sure they were alone as she hid her lips' movement with the coffee mug.

"This is crazy, 65," groaned the other, not bothering to hide. Everyone else was gossiping about the same thing, and it was less suspicious on cameras if one of them was open. "The Green Ninja is Lloyd Garmadon? Who'd a thunk it? And here we thought it was some random hero that got shot, had probably gone up in flames or even disintegrated instantly. Should be dead! What do you think happened?"

"I've got a hunch, 88," murmured General 65. "I think we've got a hybrid."

General 88 choked on his coffee, and even had to set aside his mug as he coughed and spluttered for a minute.

General 65's eyes glanced up and down the halls. She had a reputation for being paranoid, which worked well in their favor for their meetings.

"What the Cursed Realm?!" choked out General 65. "That's insane! Is that even possible?"

"It fits the facts. He got hit, dead on, and he didn't die. He is Garmadon's son, so the First Spinjitzu Master's grandson by blood. Plus Garmadon taking the day off today, and the fact he was in such a good mood last night. He should've been livid and sulky over finding out he's been fighting his child for years now - not bragging about it. Plus," she grinned. "In that post, he was carrying his sleeping son on his back. And at an odd angle that would be perfect to hide wings or horns."

"If you're right... this changes everything. Oh, FSM, the kid's what, 15?!"

"A hatchling," whispered General 65 in obvious delight. "A confused and desperate hatchling, seeking out his own kind, terrified of humans and unable to communicate. Of course he latched onto Garmadon, the closest he can get. And here we thought yesterday was a failure."

"And I thought I'd be stuck working for his lordship another few decades," General 88 laughed. "So whatcha wanna do?"

"Garmadon can't stay with the kid 24/7. He'll have to come out tomorrow for the weekly meeting with Generals 1 through 10 tomorrow afternoon, if not sooner. The Ninja will probably have to go home to their parents too. So we should only have to deal with Lady Irondragon, who won't know what's going on until we're long gone."

~~ ! Go Ninja Go ! ~~

Mistaké had told me to go play with my friends while she talked to my uncle and parents. I found them in a huge room with a ginormous tv screen and entire ceiling height shelves packed with DVDs. Who'd have thought my father was so into movies?

"He'll be okay, Jay! Stop freaking out!" shouted Nya, sounding like she'd been repeating herself for a while.

That didn't sound good at all. I knocked on the open door to get their attention. From the slightly guilty looks on their faces, they'd been talking about me.

I sighed and entered the room. Without thinking, I plopped myself next to Kai and leaned against his shoulder.

Kai was extra warm. It was nice. I could go to sleep again, right here. I yawned and made myself comfortable.

But my friends were upset, so now wasn't a good time for sleeping.

"You can ask," I said, a little slowly to make sure I formed the words right.

There was a long silence. I could feel them watching me.

"How much do you actually remember?" asked Kai softly. "Because you still don't seem quite... you."

I frowned slightly. "It's... weird. Like, I know, but things feel... secondhand? Or, maybe, a long time ago? But it's getting better. I'm not scared of you guys anymore."

"You were scared of us?" asked Jay. "Really? 'Cause with the fangs and claws and all, it really looked like we should be scared of you!"

I nodded. "Back then, at the lake? I was terrified. Kept thinking, can't let them see me, gotta run, gotta hide, but I couldn't and it was driving me nuts."

"Maybe Dragon and Oni kids don't get out much?" asked Nya, smiling slightly to let me know the comment was half a joke.

But it wasn't really something to laugh about. I looked away. "I'm pretty sure it's more because you guys are Human. That's why I could calm down around just Zane. I'm past it now, but something about Human just... I don't know. It scared me."

Cole nodded. "Sensei did say something about maybe part of that was a sort of programming by that beam thing. Do we still make you uncomfortable?"

I shook my head. "Nah." I decided not to mention that they all still smelled Human to me, except of course Zane, and it wasn't that appealing a scent. I was getting used to it, though. Even beginning to differentiate between them.

Kai, for example, always had a bit of a burnt, musty smell about him. I nuzzled closer, thinking more about that nap.

"Can I pet your head?" blurted out Kai. "I, I mean, Mistaké does all the time and -!"

I chuckled and nodded. "Feels good," I mumbled. After a moment, I felt his hesitant hands stroke my horns and comb through my hair. My purring kicked up, deep in my chest.

"How well can you control your wings?" asked Zane. "Do you think you'll be able to fly?"

I shrugged slightly. "Dunno. They do stuff on their own a lot." Like now, they were sort of drooping instead of folded neatly. I yawned. I think Nya asked another question, but I was gone.

~~ ! Go Ninja Go ! ~~

"We must assume they already know," warned Mistaké darkly. "They will come for him."

Koko hugged herself, deep frown of worry on her face. "How do we protect him?"

Mistaké sighed and took a seat at the kitchen island. "Normally, I would say it's impossible. To just let them have him. But allowing the Oni to own a hybrid is handing over the greatest weapon in the known realms."

"And condemning my son to a life of slavery," growled Garmadon, not liking Mistaké's tone.

Which was rather silly, as it was obvious she was as taken with hybrid Lloyd as any of them, maybe even more so. Since she actually seemed to prefer this version of her best friend's grandchild.

"We will stop at nothing to protect Lloyd," stated Wu. "But we must know what to prepare for, brother."

"My statement had nothing to do with not caring for Lloyd, but all to do with just how powerful the Oni are. Tell me, Garmadon, have you figured out how I infiltrated your lair?"

From his sputtering, the answer was obvious. Nope.

Mistaké sighed and examined her nails. Before their eyes, her skin darkened, eyes reddened, nails turned to claws and teeth to fangs. Within a few seconds, a full Oni sat in her place.

Garmadon roared and lunged, only held back by Wu.

"Really?" she asked dismissively. "I'd thought it was obvious. I as good as declared myself of the First Realm, and I am certainly no Dragon. I am a full Oni. And thus..."

Her form shifted again, and this time a perfect copy of Koko sat in the Oni's place.

"I can transform."

At least Mistaké's voice remained the same, otherwise this would have been so confusing. As it is, Garmadon whipped his head back and forth between his estranged wife and his father's ancient BFF.

"I had thought as much," softly murmured Wu. "But that gives us a much bigger problem."

"What?!" demanded Garmadon.

"If Oni can shapeshift, they could already be in the city. And we would have no idea."

Mistaké shrugged and changed back to her normal false Human form. After thousands of years, she felt more comfortable under this particular mask than her own natural face.

"Not entirely true. I can tell the difference, and certainly Lloyd can as well. However, that works in reverse as well. We can't disguise him, or me, from them. Worse yet, his hatchling instincts will drive him right into their arms if he catches their scent."

Garmadon frowned. "Well, better get my scientists on that one. One scanner for Oni spies coming up!"

Wu and Koko exchanged surprised looks. "That's... actually a good idea," commented Koko, looking impressed.

Garmadon beamed at her praise. "And they can probably use me for testing, since you said I'm mostly Oni too, right?" he went on.

"It is too bad you cannot shapeshift as well," commented Wu.

"Of course he can," interrupted Mistaké. "At his maturity, he should be able to pick up shapeshifting in no time. Go talk to your scientists, Garmadon, then come back for your first lesson."

Wu and Koko looked appropriately horrified at that sort of ability in Garmadon's hands, but they kept their thoughts to themselves.

"In the meantime, I'll fetch our hatchling. I did promise him tea lessons."

~~ ! Go Ninja Go ! ~~

Author's Notes: Hope everyone enjoyed! Anyone else a little afraid of what chaos Garmadon could cause with shapeshifting? And Lloyd falling asleep on Kai's shoulder is my favorite scene - so cute! Oh, and can't forget that we got an idea what the Oni are up to - what do you guys think?

This chapter marks the end of part one. There will be a hopefully brief hiatus while I finish up part two, or at least mostly finish. I am focusing on My Dad is Bad, however, so it could be a while. I may also put up a few chapters of other WIPs (Writing-In-Progress, plural). Check out my profile to see what I'm working on! Alternatively, feel free to PM me.

Special thanks to Sunny Lighter for beta-reading!