In the show, it is suggested that the ninja have not seen Garmadon or been to his monastery before the events of season three, meaning that everything that happens for the rest of my story would not be possible. However, in the name of having fun, I've decided to do what I want.

I hope you enjoy! :)

Garmadon is in the kitchen when Lloyd and Kai run inside the monastery's living quarters, bent over the counter as he handles a jar of peanut butter. Kai falters, preparing to go back outside, but Lloyd instructs Kai to stay put before racing off for his fishing poles, a hurried hello to his father in his wake.

Kai stands in the foyer, a wary eye on Garmadon's back as he wonders what to do with himself in the meantime.

Though Garmadon didn't turn when they entered, he says, "Where are you boys off to this morning?"

Kai glances for the door, wondering if it's too late to step out, and replies, "Fishing."

"On the river?"

"No." The thought of being over the river makes Kai's skin crawl. "Some creek that branches off the river. Lloyd says the water's more still there."

"He's right." Garmadon turns and gives Kai a smile. "It's a runoff creek. You'll find plenty of things to catch in there."

The expression shouldn't unnerve Kai, but he glances away from the smile. It looks wrong on Garmadon's face, so different from the monstrous appearance that Kai knew while still looking just the same. The eyes are still red, and the teeth, while not the fangs of Garmadon's past, still bear an edge to them that are just noticeable enough to be off-putting.

Like he hasn't changed at all, Kai's mind supplies.

Glaring at the door, Kai replies, "Yeah."

He feels Garmadon's eyes darting over him before the man turns around, returning to his task.

"You'll have to bring back what you catch," says Garmadon, quieter, "I can make a dish out of it."

"Sure, but I don't think I'll stay that long," says Kai, glancing down the hallway to see if Lloyd will appear.

"Why not?"

"I've other things to do," says Kai, and at last, he spots Lloyd.

Fishing poles rattling, Lloyd bounds into the room with a sheepish smile.

"I couldn't find the fishing line," he explains.

"Not a problem, squirt," says Kai, "You got it, now?"

Lloyd holds up the poles proudly. "Just finished lining it. Let's go!"

Kai turns for the door, but Garmadon's voice stops any further movement.

"Hold on," he says, "I've made sandwiches for you two."

So that is what Garmadon had been doing, thinks Kai. Garmadon slides two sandwiches into a paper bag, rolling it over before handing it to Lloyd with a smile.

"You have fun," says Garmadon.

"We will!" Lloyd chirps, "Thanks, Dad!"

As they exit the monastery, Kai thinks, He does it well.

If it weren't for the knowledge that Garmadon was once Ninjago's greatest enemy, or the red eyes and too sharp teeth, one could be forgiven for thinking that Garmadon was just a kindly father looking out for his kids. A harmless, somewhat kooky old man who lives at the top of the hill.

But Kai knows better. Deep down, a part of him still hates Garmadon for his past, though he knows that he can never reveal this to his friends.

He and Lloyd fish on a fallen tree that crosses the runoff creek. Lloyd sits in the center, toes dipped in the cool waters, and Kai sits closer to the bank, one hand braced on a root for ease of mind. Their lunch rests between them, but Kai's sandwich remains uneaten.

This chapter is unusually brief for me. The next one will be longer, I promise!

Thank you for reading!