Author's Note/Disclaimer: Still don't own Ninjago.

So… sticking the two most closed off characters together and trying to get them to talk is hard. This chapter feels a little different from the others due to that, at least in my opinion. I dunno. I tried. Forgot to mention that this takes place after All Of Nothing.

Chapter Six: Lloyd

The party, after going on for a couple hours, was now winding down. Wu had already gone to bed earlier after telling the others not to stay up too late. Everyone was cleaning up before going to bed. They would need their sleep for the big day tomorrow.

Zane was tucking in chairs when he found Lloyd, passed out under the table. He had thought the boy had wandered off to bed a while ago, but it seemed that wasn't the case. Getting down on his hands and knees, he carefully extricated the boy, trying not to wake him. Standing, he cradled Lloyd to his chest. The boy stirred and mumbled something, but didn't wake.

Kai peered over. "So that's where the little runt got off to. Want me to take him?"

Zane shook his head. "No, it's okay. I've got him."

Kai nodded and went back to what he'd been doing as Zane left the bridge, heading for Lloyd's bedroom. He paused for a moment before heading below deck and glanced to the sky. It was a bit difficult to tell, since it was already dark out, but the clouds seemed threatening. It looked like they were flying into some rain.

He felt a drop spatter against his face and hurried downstairs. As he reached Lloyd's bedroom, a bolt of lightning split the sky. The room was lit up bright as day for a brief second. Moments later, thunder boomed in response. Zane felt Lloyd start in his arms, awakened by the noise.

As far as Zane knew, Lloyd wasn't afraid of thunderstorms, so his reaction was surprising. Lloyd dug his hands into Zane's gi, burying his face in his shoulder, trembling and trying not to cry. Zane didn't know what to do. He awkwardly patted Lloyd on the back until the boy calmed down.

"I'm sorry," sniffled Lloyd, wiping at his nose.

Zane set him down on his bed before replying. "It's okay. Are you all right?"

"Yeah, I think so…" Lloyd was silent for a moment. When he spoke again, he wouldn't meet Zane's eyes, looking anywhere but at the ninja. "Could you maybe… go get my dad for me?"

Zane blinked. "Um, Lord Garmadon left earlier. Have you forgotten?" he replied, not unkindly.

"No. I just thought maybe…" Lloyd trailed off, frowning. "Oh, I don't know what I thought!"

"I will take a guess. You were hoping I would go out, find him and bring him home to you."

"Yeah, kinda, I guess," replied Lloyd. His expression became cross. "It's not fair! Why do I have to fight my dad? Why can't you and the others do it?"

Zane sat down next to Lloyd and placed a hand on the boy's shoulder. "I wish we could take the responsibility from you, but that's not how destiny works. Sons and fathers shouldn't have to fight each other, but I don't think we have much say in the matter."

"You'll help me, though, right?"

Zane smiled. "Of course. No matter what else happens, you won't be alone in this battle."

"Thanks, Zane."

The two were interrupted when Zane's falcon suddenly swooped into the room. Zane held out his arm for the bird to land on, his expression confused. Usually, the falcon avoided flying below deck, it being too cramped for much manoeuvring. Whatever had brought it here must be important.

Landing, the falcon started to squawk urgently, dancing nervously about on Zane's arm. Zane raised an eyebrow and patted the falcon to try to calm it down. It fixed him with a look of irritation, but stopped shuffling.

"What's the matter, Zane?" asked Lloyd.

"I don't know," Zane replied. "I have never seen him so agitated before." He turned to the falcon. "What seems to be the problem, my friend?"

The falcon let out a screech and flew back out the door.

"I think he wants you to follow him," said Lloyd. "Can I come, too?" The boy looked up at Zane, an eager expression on his face, as though he thought this could be some kind of adventure.

Zane was unsure. He didn't know what the falcon had found, but at the same time, Lloyd was the Green Ninja, destined to defeat Lord Garmadon. In the end, he nodded. "All right, but stay close. We don't know what we're dealing with."

The falcon flew back into the room with an angry cry. Zane and Lloyd quickly followed as it left once more. It led them on a merry chase around the Bounty for several minutes, growing more and more irate as they found nothing. Eventually, Zane stopped and held out his arm, whistling to it. The robot bird landed on his arm, but it wasn't happy about it. It practically paced up and down Zane's arm, snapping its beak angrily.

"I'm sorry, friend, but I don't understand what it is you wish to show us," Zane told it.

The falcon stopped pacing and glared at Zane for a moment. Then it nipped at his ear and flew away, presumably to go calm down somewhere by itself. Zane rubbed at his ear as he watched the falcon leave, an injured look on his face.

"Why do you let him do that to you?" Lloyd asked. "You should better train your pet."

Zane blinked at Lloyd. "He is not my pet. He is family."

"Family? What do you mean? It's just a robot bird."

Zane didn't believe Lloyd meant any harm by what he said, but it still stung. Lloyd noticed Zane's reaction and realised that what he'd said had been unintentionally hurtful.

"I'm sorry, Zane. I didn't mean it like that," he said.

"It's all right." Zane was silent for a moment, thinking about how best to phrase what he wanted to say next. "The falcon and I are connected by bonds beyond those of master and pet. We were constructed by similar means by the same person. In a way, we are brothers." Zane paused, looking sheepish. "Though sometimes, I admit, I forget that myself and still refer to him as 'my' falcon. He nips me a lot."

Lloyd chuckled and then followed it up with a yawn. "I think I understand," he replied. "I also think I should probably get to bed now."

Zane smiled. "Most likely. I, too, should probably get some sleep."

With that, the two left the storage room they'd ended up in and headed off to their respective beds. Once they were gone, a figure shimmered and appeared from thin air.

"I thought those two would never leave," grumbled Pythor, and he went about his business, setting up for his plan.