Hey everyone! I'm sorry it's been a while again. School's back and it's really been hectic for me. I actually just finished this chapter while attending a party! Without further ado, here's chapter 5! :)

The next day, as expected, the press was hot on Lloyd's trail, desperate to get a scoop on what went down last night. Although the police provided decent information regarding the incident, the reporters were more interested in knowing Lloyd's connection with his so-called "date" as some have come to call it. Dareth found this a huge boost to their publicity and sought to make a story out of it even if it didn't stick to the truth. However, Lloyd immediately called him and told him not to do anything like that, because he knew Lyn would also suffer the consequences. Dareth, not wanting to miss the opportunity for a good scoop, arranged Lloyd to be a special guest of a talk show instead. The talk show host bombarded Lloyd with all sorts of questions, ranging from who's the mystery girl to what kind of girls did Lloyd like. The green ninja did his best to answer the questions while keeping his cool and at the same time leaving Lyn's identity anonymous. In the end, the talk show host didn't get much out of him, much to Lloyd's relief. After that, the excitement slowly died down and the Green Ninja was granted his peace and quiet.

One Saturday afternoon, after training was over, Lloyd plopped into his bed to relax. He then looked at his phone. No messages. Again. It's been about two weeks since the Business Gala and neither Lloyd or Lyn had spoken to each other since. Should he text her? Maybe she was busy. But it was a text, so she can answer it later.

Hey, Lyn. I hope you're doing okay, despite the commotion.

He put his phone away and waited. After five minutes, his phone buzzed. He immediately looked to see who it was, and sure enough, it was her.

Hey. I'm doing okay. You would not believe the hounding Caroline has been doing to get me to spill on you.

Oh, yeah?

Yeah

Hmmm, hey are you busy right now?

No, why?

Wanna hang out?

Sure. Where do you wanna meet?

Lloyd thought for a moment. Let's see. Doomsday Comix? His reason behind this was that he wanted to see if the new issue of Starfarer was still in stock. So he sincerely hoped Lyn knew where that was, and that it didn't sound like a stupid suggestion. His phone buzzed again.

Sure. Let's meet in an hour. See you there.

Lloyd briskly changed from his ninja gi to his signature shirt and jeans. He took his trusty fedora from his closet and left the room. Lloyd slowly made his way to the deck. He was about to leap

off the edge when he heard voices behind him.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Where do you think you're going?" Jay told him. Lloyd rolled his eyes and turned to see the rest of the ninja looking at him with disapproving eyes.

"You're not sneaking out again, are you?" Cole said.

"And here I thought we established the meaning of trusting one another," Kai added. Zane didn't say anything. He just looked at Lloyd with a monotone face, but Lloyd could feel a tint of sadness in his eyes. Lloyd sighed.

"Alright, alright. I'm going out to meet Lyn."

"Oh, I'm sure," Kai said sarcastically.

"What bothers us Lloyd," Zane finally said. "Is that we already discussed how trust is important to all of us, and you still continue to breach our trust with what you're doing."

"Yeah," Jay added. "What happened to the Lloyd who put the needs of the team above his own?" Lloyd hung his head. They were right. He was never like this before. He always focused on his training, his destiny, his team. But now someone new came into the picture. Someone who was outside all of that. His he finally had a chance to experience a normal life, and it never felt better. No responsibilities, not thinking about the weight of the world on his shoulders, and the joy of having friends. Sure he had his brothers, but they all had lives prior their ninja careers. All he knew was Darkley's Boarding School for Bad Boys, then them. Lyn was someone who bridged him back to the world he never really got to experience. Lloyd slumped back to the floor, his hands on his head.

"I'm so sorry everyone. I didn't mean for things to get this bad. But Lyn's a good person. She's the only friend I have outside all of this." He gestured around the ship and his friends. "It's not that I don't enjoy hanging out with you guys, but Lyn's someone who I can relate to in the outside world." His brothers looked at each other. There was silence between the five of them. It was then broken with a sigh.

"Alright, Lloyd," Kai said. "I get what you mean. I know you've been pressured all your life. I guess you deserve some time off for yourself." Lloyd looked up.

"Really?"

"Really," Cole told him. "I know what it's like to have to meet so much expectations. A little breather never hurt anyone."

"Just make sure not to neglect your responsibilities," Zane added. "There must always be a balance between desire and duty."

Lloyd smiled and felt his heart swell with you and relief. He then tackled his teammates with a hug. "Thanks, guys." The rest of the ninja returned the gesture.

"Anytime, Lloyd," Jay said as they pulled away. "Just make sure that we get to meet this Lyn too."

"Oh, yeah. That too!" Kai said with a smirk.

"Guys!" Lloyd retorted resulting in a chuckle from the four of them.

"We're kidding, okay?" Cole replied. "But seriously, bring her around some time. We'd love to meet her."

"Have a good time!" they called to him as he prepared to leave once more. Lloyd jumped off the deck and was off.

"Er, should we follow him?"

"JAY!"

"I'm kidding!"

Lloyd landed at a secluded alleyway in Ninjago City and walked the rest of the way to avoid attention. The door's bell jingled as he entered. There were some kids here and there looking at some comic books and others were admiring toys, costume and other products. The blonde boy looked around for Lyn but she was nowhere in sight. He decided to look for the latest issue of Starfarer comics while waiting. He walked up to the counter where a big man in a pony tail and beard was reading.

"Hey, Mother Doomsday." The man diverted his eyes from his reading material and looked at his customer. He squinted his eyes for a moment before finally breaking into a smile.

"Well, well. If it isn't L-" Lloyd put a finger to his lips.

"Uh, my favorite customer," Rufus MacAllister put his book down and leaned on the counter. "What can I do for you this fine day?"

"Well, for starters, do you still have stock of the latest issue of Starfarer?"

"Well you're in luck this time, LG," Rufus told him as he reached behind the counter to pull out said merchandise. "There's still a few copies left. Here." Lloyd thanked the man and paid for his purchase.

"Hey," Rufus told him. "I've got a small reading area at the back. Been planning to expand it so customers can come back for more comic books if they want to. Wanna check it out?"

"Sure." Rufus lead Lloyd to a back room. When he opened the door, Lloyd was greeted with a wooden tiled floor. There were couches here and there with coffee tables and some knick knack shelves hanging on the walls. Lloyd whistled. "Cool."

"Make yourself at home," Rufus told him. "I might open this to the public next month. Tell me what you think of it."

"I will," Lloyd replied. The older man closed the door behind him as Lloyd sat a comfortable bean bag and opened his comic book.

"Oh, Fritz Donnegan. It's been a long time since we've crossed paths. Now, let's find out what happened to the imperial sludge." Suddenly, his phone buzzed. He immediately fished for it in his pocket. His eyes went wide when he saw Lyn's name the screen. He immediately opened the text to read it.

Hey. Where are you? I'm at Doomsday Comix but I don't see you anywhere.

LLoyd scrambled to his feet and went out of the secret room. His eyes scanned the scene, hoping to catch a glimpse of the brunette, wishing that she didn't think that he stood her up. As he looked around, he couldn't see her anywhere either. He decided to call.

"Hey. I'm here at the comic aisles. Where are you exactly?"

"Look to your left."

Lloyd looked to his side and saw a boy with a maroon cap standing at the end of the aisle looking at him. He was wearing a loose grey sweatshirt and jeans. The blonde furrowed his brow puzzled. The boy then approached him and waved.

"Oh, I didn't recognize you for a minute," Lloyd told Lyn as she closed the distance between them.

"I'll take that as a compliment," Lyn said whilst trying to deepen her voice.

"Why are you disguising yourself again?"

"Just in case I get chased by the press. Or Caroline. Or Vince." She shuddered at the last part. Lloyd chuckled.

"Okay, okay. So, have you been here before?"

Lyn sighed. "Yeah. I used to come here when I was a kid. My older cousins would show me a lot of comic books to read." That caught the Green Ninja's attention.

"Really? What comics do you read?" Lyn pursed her lips in thought.

"Hmmm. Well, my cousins used to lend me Private Eye Comics and War Between the Skies. And I've been quite curious about Fritz Donnegan, but I haven't started reading his series yet."

"You haven't read Fritz Donnegan?!" Lloyd said in a slightly high volume. Lyn held up her hands.

"Calm down, okay? I haven't really read any comics since my cousins moved away, along with their comic book collection. I tried coming back here to buy my own but school and judgmental people keep stopping me."

"Oh. Anyways, why don't you pick something you like? Mother Doomsday's got a place at the back to read."

Lyn nodded and scoured the shelves. The girl's eyes lit up as she saw her favorite reads as a child pop up here and there. She looked like a typical girl during a midnight sale. Lloyd watched her happily as Lyn's arms were loaded with comics.

"Hey slow down," Lloyd laughingly told the brunette. "These guys aren't going anywhere. Well, unless you're looking for a latest issue." Lyn looked at him with a determined face.

"I don't know how long I have until I get back here again. And I've missed this during my childhood. I'm here now and I'm going to read these comics till my eyes bleed! Capish?"

"Yes, Ma'am," Lloyd replied with his hands up signaling surrender. Lyn continued with her hunt until she was satisfied with her loot. She then proceeded to the counter where Lloyd joined her to introduce her to Rufus.

"A friend of yours?" Rufus casually asked. Lloyd nodded.

"Lyn, meet Rufus MacAllister, aka Mother Doomsday," Lyn shook Rufus' hand.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. MacAllister." Rufus flashed a smile.

"Please, call me Rufus. Or Mother Doomsday, whichever you prefer."

"Is it okay if Lyn and I hang out at the back?" Lloyd asked the man.

"No problem, go right ahead." Rufus gestured to the back.

"Thank you very much, Mother Doomsday," Lyn proceeded to the room and Lloyd followed her, but not before receiving a tap on his shoulder. Rufus then whispered to him.

"Lloyd, I know you're a good boy and all, and I'm sure Lyn is a nice girl. But please, no funny business while in there, alright?" Lloyd froze at the statement. His face started to turn red as he looked down trying to cover his eyes with his fedora, but immediately mustered up the courage to face the store owner.

"Don't worry Mother Doomsday. Lyn and I are just friends." Rufus nodded before letting Lloyd off. The blonde entered the room and found Lyn sitting comfortably on a purple bean bag chair, already reading.

"Hey, what kept you?" she asked.

"Nothing really. Rufus and I just chatted a bit." Lyn shrugged and resumed reading. Lloyd made himself comfortable and opened his own comic book.

'Alright. Let's do this.'

Sorry this chapter feels kinda short, but I'll do better in the next chapter. Thank you once again for your reviews! Looking forward for more! As for Titanium Knight, I might have the next chapter out in the middle of December, or at least before Christmas. I just don't have enough time to get it done. But it will be out by next month.

Until next time! ~ SnowflakeShard