In case you haven't read Tales of the Previous Generation, Horatio was the Master of Ice before Zane. Also, I apologize in advance for how long this is. I needed to wrap up everything in the movieverse in this chapter so I could use the last chapter to wrap up the showverse storyline.
Lou sighed as he looked out the window of his office. He could see the harbor in the distance and the park was across the street. It was a quiet Tuesday at work and he was having trouble focusing. As he watched the park, there were flashes of light in the air. A moment later, a portal appeared. Six people stepped out and the portal closed behind them. Lou stood up. It sort of looked like Cole and his friends from this distance but it was hard to tell. He grabbed his cane.
"I'm taking my break," Lou said as he passed his boss. He didn't want to get his hopes up. It had been a week since the alt-ninja had returned to their homeworld. Wu had managed to drag Lou to the Bounty along with all the other parents the first two days, but after that Lou insisted on going to work until the ninja returned. If they returned.
It took five minutes for Lou to get to the park. A small crowd had formed. Lou stopped when he saw Cole. The six ninja were busy talking with each other. Cole looked up.
"Dad?" Cole asked.
Lou took a step closer. Cole ran over. Lou hugged his son with his free arm.
"Do you know where the rest of our parents are?" Lloyd asked.
"No," Lou said.
"I guess we should head over to the Bounty and let Uncle Wu know we're back."
The others agreed and started heading towards the harbor. Lou grabbed Cole's shoulder.
"Where do you think you're going?" Lou asked.
"With them," Cole said.
"No. You and I are going home. We have a lot to talk about."
"Don't you have work or something?"
"I can take the rest of the day off. You can't get out of this."
Cole sighed and walked away with his dad.
Lloyd looked around. Not much had changed in the week he had been gone. The warehouse and mechs were still destroyed from the earthquake, Garmadon's former volcano lair was still just a mound, and Wu was nowhere in sight.
"The earthquake did that?" Jay pointed to the warehouse.
"Yeah. I wasn't exaggerating when I said it was big," Lloyd said.
"I guess we'll have to rebuild the mechs," Nya said as they walked up the gangplank.
"Maybe. Uncle Wu? Are you here?" Lloyd called. As he started to head up to Wu's room, he heard the door to the lower living quarters open. He turned and saw Ray and Maya step out.
"Mom? Dad?" Kai asked. Nya gasped.
"Are those really my babies?" Maya asked.
"It's been such a long time," Ray said as the four of them hugged.
Lloyd saw movement out of the corner of his eye and turned to see Wu coming down the stairs.
"Master Wu!" Jay, Nya, Zane, and Kai said.
"Hello, my students. Where is Cole?" Wu asked.
"We ran into his dad and they went home," Lloyd explained. He rejoined his teammates on the main deck.
"I see. Speaking of parents, Zane, I suggest you stay here tonight."
"Is it because of Dr. Julien?" Zane asked.
"Yes. I need to call him, as well as Kai and Nya's foster parents. Lloyd, Jay, I suggest the two of you return to your homes. I'm sure your parents will be happy to see you," Wu said.
"Are you alright, sweetie? You didn't get hurt over there? Nothing's broken? The other Jay broke his spine you know. Poor thing will probably be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life," Edna said. She looked him over despite Jay trying to stop her.
"Edna, let the boy speak," Ed said.
"No, he's fine, Mystaké healed him. And I'm fine too, but…" Jay stopped and looked at his parents.
"What is it, son?" Ed asked.
"Am I really adopted?"
"Yes," Edna said.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Jay asked. He sat down on the couch next to his dad.
"You were just a baby, and we didn't want you to feel like you were unwanted. The other Jay helped us find your birth parents and we've been communicating with them. They're really nice. They'd love to meet you, if you want to meet them."
"We'll tell you anything you want to know," Ed said.
"Why did they give me up?"
"They didn't. You were taken from them, though we didn't know that at the time. I was doing my rounds and found a baby in a dumpster. I reported it to the police, but they weren't much help. Edna took one look at you and that was that."
Lloyd unlocked the apartment door and stepped inside.
"Mom?"
"Lloyd?" Koko called from the kitchen. She ran out and hugged him.
"Hi, Mom."
"When did you get back?" Koko said as she kissed his cheek.
"About an hour ago. We went to the Bounty first."
"And all of your friends are back?"
"Yes. Everyone is in their own world again."
"That's good. Everything is back to normal."
"Just about," Lloyd said. He forced a smile.
"What's wrong?" Koko led Lloyd over to the couch.
"I mean, I'm going to miss those guys, you know? We've been through a lot together."
"I know, but they belong in their own world, and you belong in this world."
"I know. I met the other me. He's only two years older than me, but he's so much better at being the Green Ninja. The other ninja will follow him anywhere. I don't think I could get my friends to follow me like that," Lloyd continued.
"He's been doing it longer than you and they trust him. Give it time. You'll get there." Koko stroked his hair.
"I guess. Oh, and the other Garmadon, Mystaké turned him good while I was over there."
"Oh?"
"Yeah. It was weird, seeing him so… normal," Lloyd said.
"Normal? What do you mean?"
"He was a normal person. Two arms, regular skin, no thirst for power, I mean he was still a little rough around the edges but he didn't mean any harm."
"Huh. I've never seen him like that."
"And apparently that wasn't the first time he's been turned good. If I had known she was going to do that, I would've asked her to help my dad. But she's back in the other Ninjago and now it's too late," Lloyd sighed.
"It's okay, sweetheart." Koko kissed his forehead.
"You're what?" Cole asked. He crossed his arms.
"Dating," Lou said.
"Why?"
"Because I like this woman. I think you'll like her too. You'll meet her Friday when she comes over for dinner."
"This Friday?"
"Yes."
"I just got back!"
"I know, but a lot has happened while you were gone."
"I expected that, but dating?"
"Yes."
"Hmph."
"Cole," Lou said as he sat on the couch next to his son.
"What?"
"I know this is a big change, all I'm asking is you give her a chance."
"Why? So she can replace Mom?"
"No one is replacing your mother. It's been three years since she died, and she wouldn't want us to be sad forever. Believe me, no one could ever replace your mother."
"Did the other Cole tell you about his mother?"
"Yes, and I'm sorry for him. But that's a different Morgan. Your mother was a wonderful person and I'm grateful for the time I had with her, but it's time for us to move on."
"What's her name?"
"Anna."
"You created me?" Zane asked. He was sitting in a tiny studio apartment in the bad part of Ninjago City.
"Yes," Dr. Julien said.
"You are not in my memory banks."
"It's possible that witch erased your data when she stole you from me. May I examine you?"
Zane nodded.
Dr. Julien opened up a panel in Zane's chest.
"Aha! I think I found your problem. She turned off your memory switch!"
"Memory switch?" Zane asked.
"Yep. Luckily that's not a critical system. "
"I did not know that was there."
"You didn't, eh? I'm not surprised. She was always bad at telling people things. We were coworkers, you know. She got jealous of my success, so she stole you and had me locked in that lighthouse. I guess she figured I would die of hunger, but there were a lot of fish around that little island. Kraken never could scare them all off. Though if I never see another fish dinner again I'll be happy. Let's see, what else did she turn off?"
Dr. Julien flipped the memory switch into the "on" position. Immediately, memories rushed through Zane's mind. He remembered Dr. Julien when he was a young man. He remembered Dr. Julien teaching him life skills like cooking and sewing. He remembered someone stealing him in the night. He remembered seeing Dr. Julien unconscious on the floor of a strange building. He remembered being strapped to a table while Monica opened his chest panel.
"Father," Zane said.
"Good. You remember," Dr. Julien said.
"I can't believe I forgot you."
"It's okay. It wasn't your fault. And we're together again. That's all that matters."
Maya stared at the social worker. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Surely this woman was insane.
"But they're our children," Maya said.
"I understand, Mrs. Smithers, I really do. But the two of you have been missing for so long. Before we can give custody of Kai and Nya back to you, you both need to prove that you will be able to provide for them," Mei said.
"I tried to contact my old boss, but he died a few years ago. I'm also looking at making sure all of my certifications are up to date. After that, I should be able to get a job rather easily. Unless locksmithing has suddenly become irrelevant since we were taken," Ray said.
"I wouldn't know. In addition to the job, you would also need a place to stay and a refurbished pirate ship is not the answer."
"So we aren't allowed to be with our own children?" Maya asked.
"I didn't say that. We can certainly set up visitation rights in the meantime, and we can discuss-"
"Visitation rights? They're my children!"
"Mrs. Smithers, please calm down," Mei said.
"No! You're trying to tell me that because some lunatic kidnapped us thirteen years ago we can't live with our children! I haven't seen them since they were two! Two!"
"Maya, take a breather," Ray said.
"No! We both need jobs now, plus an apartment, and if rent in Ninjago City was insane thirteen years ago, I don't even want to know what it is now. And I don't want to take them away from their friends if we don't have to. I just want my children back!"
"There are federal programs you can apply for until you're back on your feet. But the matter of Kai and Nya living with you before then is not up for debate. They are to remain with Kristie and Mike until further notice," Mei said.
"What are these programs?" Ray asked before Maya could say anything.
Mei handed him some pamphlets.
"I'm not your enemy. My job is to help families in need. I want to reunite you with your children, I really do. But right now that's not in the best interest of this family," Mei explained.
"Is he coming?" The guard huffed and crossed his arms.
"I'm sure he's on his way," Koko said.
Lloyd stared at the ground and bounced his leg. There was a knot in his stomach. Fifteen minutes later, Wu finally showed up.
"This way. He didn't say what he wanted, beyond seeing the three of you." The guard led them through the prison.
Lloyd took his mom's hand. He hadn't wanted to hold his mom's hand since he was about seven years old, but as they walked, he felt he needed it. The other prisoners jeered at them as they passed. They walked through most of the prison and went down the steps that led to the isolation rooms. There were two more guards standing outside one of the rooms. One of them unlocked the door when they approached. Inside, an old man was chained to a table. Lloyd gasped, but Koko didn't recognize him.
"Garmadon?" Wu asked.
"Hello, Wu, Koko, L-Loyd,."
"Garmadon?" Koko asked.
"Yes. It is I, Lord Garmadon."
"What happened?" Lloyd asked.
"I don't know. I was sitting in my cell, minding my own business, when it felt like my insides were on fire. I blacked out, but when I came to, I looked like this."
"How?" Wu asked.
"Mystaké," Lloyd whispered.
"What?" Garmadon asked.
"Mystaké. She gave the other Garmadon something to drink and he turned good. I guess it affected you too."
"It's been a long time since I've seen you like this," Wu said.
"I've never seen you like this. How do you feel?" Koko asked.
"I feel good. I really do, I feel good. I don't have any desire to take over Ninjago anymore. I mean, I don't expect them to release me, after everything I've done. But maybe I can get out in a few years on good behavior," Garmadon said.
Jay sighed as he stared at the clock. Their first day back at school could have been better. Instead of attending their normal classes, the six of them were sitting in the front office. They had already been there for an hour and a half. Ed, Edna, Koko, Monica, and Kristie were all there. Zane sat as far away from Monica as he could. Two guidance counselors were also there.
"Well, I guess Mr. Bur… Cole's dad is not joining us," Vice Principal Abbot said.
"I told you that an hour ago," Cole said with too much attitude. Vice Principal Abbot ripped the headphones off of his head.
"Let's get started. You six have no idea how much trouble you're in. Ditching classes and sneaking off to fight Garmadon on a near-daily basis for the past two years. That alone is worthy of suspension, possibly expulsion. And now, five of you have missed so much school this year that you will have to repeat it, if we let you back in."
"What?! No!" Kai yelled.
"I don't think what they did is worthy of expulsion," Koko said.
"Oh, no. I agree what they did was serious and deserving of punishment, but expulsion seems a bit much," Kristie said.
"Can we make up the work we missed?" Zane asked.
"I don't even know why you're here. You don't need to go to school, you're a robot," Vice Principal Abbot said.
"Nindroid," Jay whispered.
"It was her idea." Zane pointed at Monica, who looked away.
"And no. You won't have time to make up all of your assignments before school lets out for the summer," Vice Principal Abbot continued.
"But do they have to be held back? I don't want to delay their graduation," Edna said.
"What if they started on their missed work now and attended summer school? That should give them sufficient time to catch up, right?" Kristie asked.
"Summer school?" Kai asked.
"We would have to discuss that with their teachers," Vice Principal Abbot said, looking at the guidance counselors.
"And, just to clarify, you're not talking about Lloyd, right? Because he only missed a week," Koko said.
"He's actually missed more than a week, when you add up all of the Garmadon attacks, but, no, he's not in any danger of failing the school year."
"Okay."
"We don't really have to go to summer school, do we?" Jay asked.
"Actions have consequences," Vice Principal Abbot said.
"I thought things would get better once I got my friends back. But it seems like the world is out to get us," Lloyd said.
"Life isn't always easy, L-loyd. I mean, look at me. I used to command the greatest sea-army in the world, and now, I'm in here," Garmadon said.
"But you changed."
"Yes, thanks to some magician in another world."
"Oni."
"What?"
"Oni. Mystaké was an Oni, not a magician."
"I'm going to pretend I know what that is. My point is, it was not my choice to change. I didn't even know it was possible for me to change," Garmadon said.
"Anyone can change," Lloyd said.
"Yes. And everyone has changed at some point. You certainly have."
"Yeah, I'm not seven anymore."
"That's not what I'm talking about. Would you have come in here a few months ago?"
"I guess not."
"See? Change. Everyone changes, and some people don't like what they see. Give it time, L-loyd. Things might turn around."
Kai blinked when he opened the doors and stepped into the sunlight. His back was still sore from sitting at a desk all day.
"I thought today would never end," Nya said.
"You and me both. I hate this," Kai said.
"Hey, try actually having to go to our regular classes. You're lucky you weren't here when the other ninja blew our secret. It was brutal," Lloyd said.
"But why do we have to stay an extra hour after school?" Jay asked.
Before anyone could answer, Zane jumped out from behind the wall at the bottom of the steps, scaring them.
"Zane? What are you doing here? You're not a student here anymore," Kai asked.
"I know, but I missed my friends. Perhaps we could do a social activity together?" Zane asked.
"Can't. Dad wants me home as soon as school is out," Cole said.
"Oh. Then, I guess the five of us will-"
"I can't either," Jay said.
"Yeah, we're supposed to get back as well," Kai said.
"Oh. Then perhaps this weekend we can do an activity?" Zane asked.
"I don't know. I'm supposed to meet my birth parents on Saturday. I might be free on Sunday, but I need to check with my parents," Jay said.
"Kristie is letting us spend Saturday with our parents," Nya said.
"Cole?" Zane asked.
"I'd have to ask my dad, but he's probably going to say no," Cole said.
"Lloyd?"
"Sorry. I'm still grounded," Lloyd said.
"Oh. Then perhaps next weekend?" Zane asked with disappointment in his robotic voice.
"I don't think so."
Lloyd looked around at his friends. The lunch table was different without Zane. Still, they had to make the most of the half-hour before his friends had to return to the in-school suspension room for the rest of the day. Nya, Jay, and Kai were talking about a movie they had wanted to see in theaters but missed. Cole was quiet all throughout lunch. There were two kinds of quiet with Cole, good and bad, and Lloyd suspected this was the bad kind of quiet, especially since he hadn't seen Cole actually eat anything.
"What's eating you, Cole?" Lloyd asked.
"It's Friday," Cole mumbled. He pushed his food around on his lunch tray.
"Finally! We get a break from this place," Kai said.
"You don't seem excited about that," Lloyd said.
"While we were gone, my dad started dating someone. She's supposed to come over tonight so I can meet her," Cole said. He pushed his tray away and put his head down on the table.
Lloyd looked at his friends. None of them knew what to say either. They had never seen Cole this upset before and they didn't really know what to do. He motioned for one of them to say something.
"I don't care what the other Cole said, I don't want a stepmother," Cole continued.
"You don't know that they're going to get married," Nya said.
"Really? Because Dad said her name was Anna, and that was the name of Other Cole's step-mom."
Lloyd looked away. He wished there was a way to contact Alt-Cole to ask him to please speak to Cole.
The bell rang and all the students in the cafeteria stood up. Lloyd gathered up his trash, then he grabbed Cole's trash when Cole didn't move.
"It'll be okay, Cole. And you can call me, or any of us, if you need to talk," Lloyd said.
Cole shrugged and stood up. He followed everyone down the hall until they got to the point where they had to split up.
"I guess I'll see you guys Monday," Lloyd said.
"Yeah," Kai said.
"Bye, Lloyd," Nya said.
"Bye." Lloyd gave a small smile to his friends before he headed to his history class.
That's my property!" Monica screamed at the judge.
"You stole it from me!" Dr. Julien yelled back.
"You can't prove that!"
"You had me locked in a lighthouse!"
"You can't prove that either!"
"Enough!" The judge banged his gavel several times until the two quieted down.
Zane shifted in his seat. He wished he could have stayed home, except he didn't know where his home was anymore. He hadn't returned to the DiNapoli household since he returned home, and except for the meeting at school, he had successfully avoided Monica and Horatio. Except now they were in small claims court arguing over who owned him.
"If the two of you are going to insist on behaving like children, then I suggest we reconvene at a later time." The judge looked at both of them before he banged his gavel and left the room.
"Way to go. You scared off the judge," Monica said.
"Me? You're completely in the wrong. You stole Zane and had me locked away like a prisoner!" Dr. Julien said while his lawyer tried to pull him away.
"I think you're remembering things wrong. I created Zane! He was my idea! Mine! And you just disappeared for no reason!"
"It wasn't for no reason!"
Zane looked around. No one was paying attention to him. Everyone was too busy trying to keep Monica and Dr. Julien from killing each other. Zane stood up and walked out of the room.
Jay stared out the window of the car. He and his parents had been on the road for over an hour. They were far away from Ninjago City in a wealthy suburb. He certainly would've gone to a different school. As Ed pulled off the highway, Jay wondered what it would have been like to grow up in this town. He certainly would've gone to a different school. Maybe he would have gone to a fancy private school. Forty minutes later, they pulled up to a gate. Ed reached out the window to push a button.
"Walker family is here," Ed said into the speaker.
The gate buzzed and opened. Ed slowly drove up the long driveway until they were in front of the mansion. When Cliff and Libby opened the front door, Jay got a knot in his stomach.
"Are you okay, sweetie?" Edna asked.
"Um… Are those them?" Jay asked. Even though his parents had told him the names of his birth parents, he hadn't put together that his birth father was the Cliff Gordon.
"Yes. That's Cliff and Libby."
Jay gulped. A million scenarios raced through his mind. What if he didn't like them? What if they didn't like him? What if they did all like each other, then what? Was he supposed to move in with them? Would he still live with his parents? Would the four of them have shared custody over him?
"Jay, are you getting out?" Ed asked.
Jay hadn't noticed his parents had gotten out of the car. He nodded and undid his seatbelt. He took a deep breath before he opened the door.
"Jay?" Libby asked.
Jay nodded. Libby walked over and embraced him. Jay didn't know how to feel. The hug was warm and comforting. He looked up at Libby. Her eyes were kind. Maybe everything would be okay after all.
Lloyd was worried when he hadn't heard from Cole by Sunday. He knew Cole wasn't much of a talker, but he texted a lot. A quick message in their group chat confirmed no one had heard from him since they left school on Friday. After asking their parents, everyone agreed to meet up at the park so Lloyd could show everyone where Cole lived. Zane was excited to see all of his friends again.
"How come you know where he lives?" Kai asked.
"I had to take the other Cole here. Did you know he's a Burtchenelli?"
"Cole? A Burtchenelli?" Nya asked.
"That's not what the yearbook says," Zane said.
"Then the yearbook is wrong. I don't know why he doesn't go by Burtchenelli, but the other Cole confirmed it," Lloyd said.
Lloyd led the group to an apartment building in downtown Ninjago City. It wasn't the grandest place, but it was still way more than what any of their parents could afford.
"Are you sure we're in the right place?" Nya asked.
"Yep. They're on the ground floor. This way." Lloyd led them down a hall and stopped at a door that was almost at the end. Lloyd knocked on the door. Lou whipped it open and glared at them.
"Is Cole here?" Lloyd asked as he stepped back.
"He's busy," Lou spat.
"Oh. Do you know when he'll be free? We haven't heard from him in a few days and we were wondering what he was doing."
Cole appeared behind his dad.
"Dad, please?" Cole said.
"Fine. I'll be on the balcony. You have until I'm done." Lou grabbed a pack of cigarettes.
"I thought your girlfriend didn't want you to smoke."
"Do you want to see your friends or not?" Lou went out onto the balcony and closed the sliding glass door behind him. He sat so he could still see inside and glared at Cole's friends.
"Rough morning?" Jay asked.
"No, he's always grumpy, though trying to quit smoking isn't helping. What are you guys doing here?" Cole asked.
"We wanted to make sure you were alive. We hadn't heard from you all weekend," Kai said.
"Dad took my phone. He says I can only have it when I'm at school."
"Why?"
"So I can call him once after school detention is over and he can make sure I'm home alone. He doesn't trust me at all right now." Cole plopped down on the couch.
"My parents are just glad I'm back," Jay said.
"Our parents don't know how to feel," Nya said as she sat down next to Cole.
"Dr. Julien is suing Mom-nica," Zane said. He was still getting used to calling Monica and Horatio by their names and not Mom and Dad.
"I've technically been grounded for a while now, but Mom's not enforcing it at all," Lloyd said.
"Is your dad just going to stare at us the entire time?" Kai asked.
Cole got up and closed the blinds most of the way. Lou moved his chair so he could still see into the apartment. Cole tried to go to the kitchen, but Lou used his cane to pound on the glass door until Cole opened it.
"Stay in the living room," Lou said.
"Whatever." Cole closed the door. He sat on the couch and crossed his arms.
Lloyd stared at his friend. Cole had two kinds of silence: the good kind and the bad kind. Right now was the bad kind of silence.
"So, how did meeting your dad's girlfriend go?" Lloyd asked.
Cole shrugged.
"You can tell us," Nya said.
"I… I liked her, and I hate that I liked her."
"We have good news," Maya said.
"You do?" Kai asked.
"I looked up my old boss. He died six years ago, and-" Ray started.
"How is that good news?" Nya interrupted.
"Let me finish. His old partner is still running the shop and he agreed to rehire me. He's even going to pay to make sure my certifications are up to date."
"So we're one step closer to regaining custody of you," Maya said.
"It's dumb that we can't move in with you," Nya said.
"I know."
"We have to obey the law," Ray said.
"Wait, your old shop wasn't in Ninjago City," Kai said.
"No, but-"
"So we're going to have to move? How are we supposed to be ninja if we're not in Ninjago City? What about our friends?"
"Kai, you'll still be able to see your friends-" Maya started.
"How?"
"The shop is in a suburb of Ninjago City. We don't want to make you two switch schools when you're two years away from graduating. If we can find an affordable apartment in Ninjago City then I can commute to work and you won't have to change schools," Ray said.
"We're hoping to move over the summer," Maya added.
Cole shook his head as he stared at his calculator. Technically, he wasn't supposed to be using a calculator at all for these math problems, but Mrs. Langly, the teacher assigned to babysit them that day, was not a math teacher and had grown tired of constantly trying to and failing to help Cole understand the problems and told him to just use a calculator. He sighed and put his book and calculator away and pulled out his history book.
"Cole, you're supposed to be working on math right now," Mrs. Langly said.
Cole glared at her.
"It has to be turned in by the end of the day."
Cole nodded. He would get Jay to help him during lunch.
The bell rang and students filled the hallway. Cole sighed. It was time for his gym class, but the school had decided to simply pass them for gym class so they could stay in their in-school suspension all day. The same was true for Cole's kickboxing class, Jay and Nya's shop class, and Kai's photography class.
Lunch could not come soon enough. Cole grabbed his bag and practically ran out of the room. Lloyd caught up to them in the hallway.
"Let me see your math work," Jay said as they walked to the cafeteria.
"I don't know how they expect me to do this if no one is going to bother to actually teach it to me," Cole said as he handed Jay his textbook.
"At least they aren't making us dissect a fetal pig," Kai said.
Cole shrugged as he joined Kai, Nya, and Lloyd in the lunch line. Jay always packed a lunch so it was his job to save their table.
"I didn't even bother with that. I knew no one was going to want to team up with me so I just took the alternative assignment and spent the period in the library," Lloyd said.
"I would've teamed up with you," Nya said.
"I know, but you five are the only ones in this entire school who don't hate me."
"Ugh," Kai said as the lunch lady handed him a tray with tuna surprise and steamed carrots.
"Don't they know no one eats this stuff?" Cole said as he took his tray.
"They save the good stuff for the seniors," Nya said. She didn't even bother taking the tray and just grabbed an apple and a cookie from the a la carte section next to the register.
"So in two years, we'll get actual food for lunch?" Lloyd asked. He knew none of the a la carte items would fill him up, especially when the school limited everyone to two items, so he threw a banana and an ice cream sandwich onto his tray.
"Cole, your homework makes no sense," Jay said when they made it back to the table.
"So it's not just me?" Cole asked as he sat down across from Jay.
"No."
"I swear they're making our work harder than normal on purpose," Nya said.
"I wouldn't mind switching to how school is done in the other Ninjago," Lloyd said.
"How's that?"
"It sounded to me like all school is private and if you can't afford to go then you don't go. None of them had very much formal education."
"Interesting," Kai said.
"Yeah, I don't understand how you're supposed to do this without a calculator. This is, like, super advanced math problems," Jay said.
"I'm definitely not taking advanced math. Okay. I'll see if I can have Zane look it over." Cole took his textbook back from Jay.
Lloyd sighed as he flipped through the channels on the television.
"Why don't you go help your uncle?" Koko suggested as she slipped her shoes on.
"I don't like going down there by myself," Lloyd said.
"Why not?"
"Because it reminds me how everyone is in summer school and I'm not."
"What about Zane?"
"He's still caught up in the Dr. Julien-Monica thing," Lloyd said.
"You need to go outside. Even if it's just to take out the garbage."
Lloyd groaned as he gathered all the trash in the apartment.
"Thank you. I'll be home at six." Koko closed the door behind her.
Lloyd finished checking all the trash cans and grabbed his key on his way out. When he made it to the dumpster, he started to open up the lid when it was ripped from his hand.
"Lloyd!" Wu yelled as he jumped out of the dumpster.
"Ah! Wu? What are you doing here?" Lloyd asked.
"Waiting for you."
"In the dumpster? How did you even know I was going to bring the trash out today?"
"Your mother has a routine. Now, why haven't you been coming to training?"
"What training?"
"Your ninja training."
"Because there's no point? I mean, ever since Garmadon was defeated, there hasn't been any need for the Secret Ninja Force. Plus, over half the team is stuck in summer school," Lloyd said.
"I will make sure they come to training after they are let out for the day. You and Zane will come all day every day."
"Again, what's the point? My dad's in jail," Lloyd said.
"There will always be a need for a ninja. Your dad may no longer be a threat to Ninjago but other threats will arise. You must be ready for them."
"Other threats? Like what?"
"I've been monitoring some suspicious gang activity. We must be prepared for anything."
One week. That was all the time Jay, Nya, Kai, and Cole had between the end of summer school and the beginning of their junior year. Everyone was busy that week. Jay spent the week with his birth parents, and Kai and Nya moved into an apartment with their parents two blocks away from the school. Cole, Zane, and Lloyd were stuck training with Wu on the Bounty every day.
When the school year started, Zane spent his days with Dr. Julien while the others were in school. He joined them at the Bounty every day at four for training. The school did a good job at keeping the five ninja separated during the day. The only overlap in schedules was Jay and Nya's advanced shop class and that was only because there was only class time available. Lloyd was especially grateful the school had all the juniors eat lunch at the same time. The teachers were glad that they were finally able to teach all day without the fear of getting interrupted.
They often wondered what the team in the other Ninjago was up to, but they agreed not to let the fact that their world was a copy get in the way of their lives.
As time went on, the people of Ninjago City slowly forgot their hatred towards Lloyd. The Secret Ninja Force continued to protect the city as best they could. Their spinjitzu got better every day and soon all six of them had unlocked their elemental powers. They had so much fun in high school that before they knew it, graduation was upon them. Without discussing it, they all collectively agreed to attend Ninjago City Community College after high school. Jay, Cole, Loyd, and Zane all decided to rent a townhouse together near the campus while Kai and Nya decided to stay at home.
While everyone else prepared for college, Cole had to spend that summer helping his dad plan a wedding and get the apartment ready to sell. Lou and Anna had decided to wait until after Cole graduated high school before getting married, and Lou was going to move onto the military base after the wedding. Cole had everything moved into the townhouse a week before the wedding.
The number of threats to Ninjago City decreased during their college years. Which was all well and good since everyone's attention started to drift. Kai was studying at Mr. Chen's Noodle House one day when he met the owner's daughter. The two instantly hit it off and were in a relationship by the end of the month. Jay and Nya started spending more time alone together. It wasn't a surprise to anyone when they got engaged. One of Cole's professors had assigned some group work and that's how he met Nikki. They grew closer over time.
Lloyd got the shock of a lifetime his senior year of college: Garmadon made parole. He skipped classes the day he was released and went to the prison with his mom and uncle. They waited for the former warlord to walk out.
Garmadon hadn't aged well in prison. He was extremely skinny and his white hair was starting to fall out. There were more wrinkles on his face than actual face. Even though he was only a hundred and seventy-four years old, he looked closer to a thousand years old. Lloyd was almost afraid to touch him for fear of hurting him, but Garmadon wrapped his son and ex-wife in a hug.
"How do you feel?" Wu asked.
"This day has been a long time coming. I'm tired and I just want to spend the rest of my life with my family by my side," Garmadon said.
And that's exactly what he did.