They won, okay? They embarrassed me in front of everyone, looking at my stuff and touching me without flinching and talking to me as if I was a normal kid! Obviously that was all some sort of setup that just had to lead to crushing me in front of everyone.

I choose retreat. I'm already evil, so what if I'm a coward too? Every day is already a nightmare without people pretending to be nice to me! Even on the slightest chance they were sincerely friendly, they'll never stick around. No one ever sticks around.

So why are they chasing me?!

Do they want to beat me up? It's been a while since I had a serious beating. The last time I got the crap beaten out of me, well, my dad almost razed the hospital to the ground. He would've torn apart whoever did that to me too, but I pretended I couldn't remember what had happened. No one has been brave enough since.

It might have helped that the Secret Ninja Force publicly condemned attacking me. Mainly because it made my dad much more difficult to deal with. I guess when he gets genuinely angry he's like four times as powerful? Apparently that night was the closest he's ever come to conquering Ninjago City. And he didn't even use a mech. Something about taking out the Fire and Water Ninjas with his bare hands? I never did get the whole story.

Well, that whole mess, plus I've been deliberately avoiding anywhere I could get trapped. As long as I stay in public, where every eye is always on me, no one can jump me. Sure, every eye is glaring in hatred, but even the citizens of Ninjago City won't cheer a hero attacking a villain who hasn't actually done anything yet. I hope.

And they're still on my tail!

Why are they so fast?! And are they - crap! They're using a pincer movement! I officially hate twins!

~~ ! Go Ninja Go ! ~~

"Gotcha!" cried out Nya, taking a flying leap at Lloyd just as the kid dodged Kai. She crashed into the boy, and together they tumbled to the grass in front of the school. Kai leapt on top of them.

"Please!" cried out Lloyd. "I'm sorry! Don't hurt me!"

"Why would we hurt you?" asked Nya, bewildered as she rolled off Lloyd and pulled Kai off so the boy could sit up.

"Because my dad is evil? Because everyone says I'm evil too? Because you want to be heroes or something?!"

"Yeah, we wanna be heroes," said Kai casually, then quickly grabbed Lloyd's arm before the boy could bolt again. "But heroes don't attack kids - no matter who their parents are."

"And they don't listen to stupid gossip!" announced Nya. She took Lloyd's sleeve. "We aren't bullies, Lloyd. And we've got pretty good twin-tuition -"

"Which is totally screaming you're not a bad guy," finished Kai. He made himself comfortable on the grass. "Can I see your dragon, again?"

"Me too! Maybe I can find some ideas for Samurai X!"

Not sure what to say or do, and still somewhat suspicious since things like friends and trust just didn't happen to Lloyd, the son of Garmadon slowly handed over his notepad. Obviously expecting it to be shredded or something.

Instead the twins started squealing over his designs for Green Dragon, and even flipping pages and exclaiming over some of his other drawings and designs. After looking at a few, Nya actually flipped open her own mech design journal to show Lloyd some of her ideas - and wow! Her Samurai X design was awesome! And so were her designs for a water skimmer, though she was struggling on the waterproofing. He had some ideas for that.

Before they knew it, half the school day had blown by talking about mech designs and the lunch bell was ringing.

Nya and Kai exchanged glances. "Is it true you come to the city on a shark mech before taking the bus?" asked Nya.

"Um, yeah?"

"Well, seeing as we already ditched half a day of school - show us?" asked Kai, eagerly.

And, well, how could he say no to that?

~~ ! Go Ninja Go ! ~~

"Hey, La-loyd! My boy! How was your day! As dark and dreary as you hoped! Did you learn a lot about backstabbing and hatred!"

Yes, my dad pretty much always talks in all exclamation points. Even if something is a question.

Usually my reply is an exhausted, "Yeah, Dad. Whatever."

Today, I hesitated. Because... "Today was... weird. But nice."

Garmadon wasn't really paying attention to my answer, as usual, and he just continued rambling as he examined whatever was on his tablet.

"That's wonderful! Keep up the great work and you'll be the best at being bad in no time! Dinner's in the fridge! I've gotta put in a few hours trying to conquer Ninjago City - but I'll be sure to be back in time to tuck you in and read you the story of the slaughter of Ouroborus! Because I'm an awesome dad like that!"

Ugh, I hate that story. But whatever. "Yeah, dad, whatever you say. Can I have friends over?"

Whoops. That wasn't supposed to slip out. Not yet, if ever. Really getting ahead of myself there, thinking Kai and Nya might want to visit the volcano.

That actually froze my dad in the doorway, one of his four hands on the doorknob. He looked up from his tablet and actually stared at me.

Crap! Villains don't have friends! He's going to be so disappoin-

"You... have your first minions?" An actual question? In a soft, hopeful tone of voice?

"Min- what?" I mumbled, confused. "No, I just met some kids that are like really into mechs and they really liked your shark mech and I was thinking maybe showing them my workshop or I dunno I'm probably being stupid and -"

"Yes!"

"What?"

"Yes! I've never been so proud! You've brainwashed your first minions and got them all starry eyed with your evil genius! Of course you may bring them over to see their future after they swear everlasting allegiance to the future dark lord!"

Oh. Well, okay. I'll take what I can get. Even if Nya and Kai don't work out, maybe I can use this approval for the future? Maybe? I'm actually feeling kind of... optimistic?

I felt a small, awkward smile twitch at my lips.

"Thanks, Dad."

"Anyway! Great job! Love you! Wish your very old but devastatingly handsome father luck!"

And he was gone. Off to... work?

Whatever. It's not like he'll win.

~~ ! Go Ninja Go ! ~~

That night, as Kai and Nya settled into their seats for dinner, Nya couldn't help but speak up.

"Lloyd Garmadon is nothing like everyone says he is."

Their mom just smiled. "Of course he isn't."

Both teens set down their chopsticks at her phrasing.

"Wait. Mom, do you know him?" asked Kai. "Like, personally?"

"We both do," replied their father. "Though it must be, oh, seven or eight years at least since he was a brat in a skeleton costume releasing Serpentine from their ancient prisons - to build treehouses and steal candy! Hahaha! Do you remember, dear?"

"Oh, he was adorable!" agreed their mother. "Tiny slip of a thing, trying so hard to follow his father's footsteps and just so... so very bad at it. Do you remember his 'evil laugh'? So cute!"

"I considered adopting him for a while," added their father thoughtfully. "But really it would've just been kidnapping, since Garmadon would never have agreed. And Master Wu was quite insistent that Lloyd needed to go home. Apparently he's the only thing keeping his father the slightest bit sane. If still evil."

Kai and Nya literally had their mouths hanging open. Seriously, what?!

Their mom set one hand on Nya's and the other on Kai's. "I'm so proud of you kids for seeing past public opinion. That will be important to your future as Ninja. Lloyd is a very important person to keeping all of Ninjago safe, and he deserves a few good friends."

"Oh!" exclaimed their father with a hearty laugh. "And I almost forgot! Master Wu would like to begin your ninja training tomorrow after school."

WHAT?!