Alright, so after a little consideration I realized how screwed up my timeline actually is since Lloyd is supposed to be "rescued" from the whole tree house mess, but I had it happen sooner, so... Anyway, we'll pretend that all happened already if you're confused *facepalms* I feel like an idiot. Despite some glaring timing issues, I hope you enjoy this new chapter :) From here on out, things are really going to start changing so buckle up and enjoy the ride!

- Fell_and_Fallen -

Oh, and I am also the proud composer of the little lullaby in this chapter. Everything else belongs to their original owners.

Thank you for reading :)

"How is he?" I ask Sensei as he exits the guest room. I can hear the muffled sounds of the ninja training above my head, but all my attention is fixed on the door in front of me.

"He's doing well," Sensei nods. "I told him the story of how my brother became the way he is, and he took it nicely."

"What do you mean?" I ask. "I don't mean any offense, but from what I've heard Lord Garmadon is just a naturally evil guy."

"He wasn't always that way," Sensei shakes his head. His voice is sobering, and I almost regret asking. "He was bitten by a snake- a very powerful one known as the Great Devourer. Its venom corrupted Garmadon's soul and turned him into the man he is today."

"Really?"

Sensei nods. "That is why I am so troubled by the snakes' awakening." He lets out a sigh. "For now all we can do is wait. If you'd like to speak with Lloyd you may, though it's almost time for all of us to go to bed."

"I won't take long," I say as he nods and retreats to his room. I pause a second to collect my thoughts before I take a deep breath, knock, and enter Lloyd's room.

Lloyd looks up as I enter, his pale blonde hair nearly white in the lantern light. He's snuggled up in thick blankets and at least a dozen pillows. With all his coverings, he seems much smaller than he actually is.

"Hey, kiddo," I greet him as the door clicks shut behind me. "How are you?"

"Good," he answers with a wide yawn. "I'm tired."

"You should be," I smile and take a seat at the edge of his bed. "You've had a long day of terrorizing people." I pause for a second. "Sensei told you about your father?"

"Yeah," Lloyd picks at the corner of his blanket and doesn't meet my eyes. "It's a little hard to believe that my dad was a good guy once."

"I'm sure he still is deep down."

"But how am I supposed to be lord of evil if my dad's good?" he shakes his head. "It wouldn't feel right."

"I know what it's like to want to be like your dad," I say. I reach into the collar of my shirt and tug out the necklace that rattles against my sternum. I clutch the flat golden sun between my fingers and hold it up to the light, entranced for a second by the colors that fly across its surface. "This used to be his." I laugh softly as I let it fall back to my chest. "I wanted it so bad as a kid. I used to put it on and pretend I was just like him."

I shake my head a little. "I always wanted to be as strong and fast and perfect as my dad was. He was absolutely everything a kid could ask for, and I dreamed of the day I would be half the person he was. After he and I got separated I felt like it was the end of the world."

"Did your dad leave you too?"

There's a lot of hurt in Lloyd's voice, and it takes me a second to answer. "You could say that." A humorless smile tugs at the corner of my mouth. "Except most of it was my fault."

"How?"

"I'm, um, kind of different than everyone else," I start to explain, thinking how best to describe myself. I raise my hand and let a few flames curl between my fingers. Lloyd stares, wide-eyed, as I stifle them and put my hand back in my lap. "And one day my difference ended up hurting a lot of people. My dad and I were separated, and I haven't seen him since."

I look down at my hands, which seem to glow in the pops of light from the lantern. "Like you, I kind of ran away from everything. I was afraid and alone, and all I could think of was becoming what my dad wanted me to be. So I buried my secret and pretended it never happened. I spent every waking moment searching for him and I eventually ended up making a promise with the wrong kind of people. I was so desperate to find my father I agreed to help this guy, Hale, destroy the ninja."

"But you didn't," Lloyd says.

"I almost did," I shake my head. "But while I was here, I realized that even though I missed my father an awful lot, I still had a life to live. One day I was alone and the next I realized I was surrounded by the greatest friends I've ever had. Your uncle taught me that I didn't need to be afraid of losing my dad, that in the end you're the one who decides who you're going to be."

I look up into Lloyd's dark eyes. "My father is alive, and I know I'll find him one day. But in the meantime, I'm learning to control my power and use it in a way I could never have imagined just a few months ago. You and I are the same, kiddo. I think you need to realize, too, that your life doesn't revolve around your dad. That you can become something more."

"I never really thought of it like that," Lloyd says in a soft voice. He bites his lip a little. "You know, you're really nice to me, Ash. Most people hardly ever talk to me."

"Well you and I have a lot in common, kiddo," I smile. "Both of us want to be like our dads, and both of us are a little misunderstood. I mean, I lived in the middle of the woods for four years."

"Seriously?"

"Seriously," I say as I start to get up. "Now you should get some sleep or else you won't have enough energy to eat breakfast. It's Zane's breakfast day, and I'll be the first to warn you that you want to fill up before dinner."

"Why?" he asks with another drowsy yawn.

"Because tomorrow's Cole's dinner day, and as much as I'm going to try and keep it edible, I won't make any promises," I say. I ruffle Lloyd's hair and give him a last smile before I start to leave.

"Ash, wait."

I turn back around. "Yes?"

"C-Can you tell me a story, or something before bed?" he asks. "It's the only way I can sleep in a different place."

"Sure," I make my way back to the bed. "I don't know any good stories, but I do know a lullaby my dad used to sing me when I was scared."

"I-I'm not scared," Lloyd shakes his head. "I'm just…"

"You don't have to lie to me, kiddo," I smile as I sit back on the bed. "Everyone gets scared. I'm sure even your dad gets scared."

He shakes his head again. "Garmadons are never scared of anything. We face danger and laugh." He lets out a theatrical laugh. I give him a pointed look.

"You want me to help you or not?"

He sobers and lies back in bed. "Yes, please."

"I thought so," I grin as I retake my seat. "But if I sing it for you, you have to promise not to tell the others I did, okay?"

"Why?"

"Because it's personal and I hate the attention," I narrow my eyes at him. "So you have to promise you won't tell anyone, okay? If there's anyone on this ship you should be terrified of, it's me. Got that?"

Lloyd laughs a little. "Alright," he agrees before he lies back comfortably on his pillows.

"Okay then," I settle myself down. "Here goes."

I take a deep breath and start.

"The Sun falls cold, The Moon grows frost

The Light fades from the sky

The Wind breathes a prayer for the lost summer air

But now the Cold reigns high

On pale white wings the Snowbird flies

Proclaiming its praise to the Ice

White rain falls to the Earth from above

To dust its soft white wings

So close your eyes and listen to

That Snowbird's frozen song

Hear that call as the seasons change

And know I'm always here."

I look down at Lloyd, who's already fast asleep and snoring softly in his pillows. A smile warms my face as I stare down at his sleeping shape. It's hard to believe he's the son of someone so terrible, and I wonder what Lord Garmadon was like before he turned. I shake the thoughts aside and pull Lloyd's blankets closer to his chin, watching him for just a second longer before I get up and leave the room.

As I make my way across the ship toward my own room, I run into Cole.

"Oh, hey Ash," he greets me a little awkwardly. "You completely missed training."

"I know," I say. "I was just talking to Lloyd."

"About what?"

"Just making sure he was okay," I answer. "This whole business with his dad is a lot for a kid like him to take in." I shake my head. "I don't know, whenever I look at him it's like I'm looking in a mirror to the past, when I was confused and lonely."

"What you went through was tough, but you have us now and we're always here for you if you need us." He smiles.

"And that's why I'm happy," I smile back. "I mean, minus the whole me-trying-to-kill-you thing."

Cole laughs. "By the way, Ash, what was that song about?" he asks. "No offense, but I don't see why you would know a song about ice."

I cringe. "You heard?"

"Lloyd's room is right under our feet, and the ship isn't soundproof," he holds back another laugh. "We all heard you."

My face flushes and I bite my lip. "I can't believe it."

"Hey, no one here is judging you, Ash," he smiles. "It wasn't half bad. I mean, you're looking at the guy who can't sing to save his life."

I laugh. "Alright, alright," I shake my head. "Just as long as we never talk about any of this ever again, you hear?"

He narrows his eyes. "Only if you tell me about the song."

I punch him in the arm hard enough to make him flinch. "You're lucky I like you," I shake my head. "When I was a kid, I was almost constantly on fire. It was even worse when I was a baby. My dad said my mom used to sing the song to help me cool down for the night, to forget the warmth and hopefully not set our house on fire in my sleep. After she died, he kept the tradition going." I close my eyes a little and revel in the old memories. "Whenever he sang it to me, I could remember what it was like to be cold. But it also reminded me that no matter where I go, he'll always be with me. Even if I'm alone."

I shake my head again. "I'm sorry. I really didn't mean for that to sound so depressing."

"No, I understand," Cole's face turns serious. "We'll find him, Ash. No matter what Hale said. You'll see your dad again."

I smile softly up at him. "I know."

"So… are we still on for cooking dinner tomorrow?" he asks, lighting up again. "I have this amazing pork and avocado soup recipe I've been wanting to try, but I'll need some help perfecting it."

I struggle to keep a pleasant smile. "Of course we are, Cole. I'm sure dinner's going to be… delicious."