"I don't think I've seen Ignacia this busy before."
"Really?" Garmadon hummed.
Kai shook his head, looking around. "Well, when Mom and Dad disappeared, the village died off."
"Village?" Lloyd scoffed, "This is more like a small city!"
"That's what I'm saying," Kai turned to him. "Imagine Ignacia was like this back home!"
The trio walked down the main street of Ignacia. In their world, it was quiet, desolate and eerie. Here, it was quite the opposite.
The street was lined with businesses on both sides. Smells of fresh bread and pastries, fancy perfumes, fresh-cut flowers, and spices galore wafted through the air. The streets bustled with people moving between stores, children running around playing games, and salesmen trying to get the best deals.
To Kai, it was surreal.
"Come on, we don't have much time," Garmadon hummed. "We must get what we need and return to the Monastery."
"Right," Kai nodded, wishing more than anything he could explore for a little while.
Kai followed the father-son duo towards the edge of town, watching his parents' shop appear in the distance. It was more expansive than he remembered, but if the size of the village said anything, it made sense they expanded.
As they approached, the soft clink of metal grew louder.
"Ray, honey. I think we have some visitors!" Maya's voice called.
Kai smiled, seeing his mother walking out to greet them.
"Garmadon, it's been a while," Maya smiled, offering a hand to him.
"Pleasure to see you again, Maya," Garmadon nodded, shaking her hand.
"I see Kai and Lloyd are with you, but what about Nya?" she asked.
"About that," Garmadon started.
"I see someone finally cut the mess."
Kai frowned, seeing his father's unimpressed look.
"I'm sorry?" Kai stepped back, unsure of the tone in his father's voice.
"You finally cut that mess you called hair," Ray repeated. "About time."
"What the-"
"How about we go inside and talk before anyone says something they'll regret," Garmadon interjected, glaring at Kai.
Kai closed his mouth, casting a glare back at Garmadon. He knew the senior had a better understanding of the situation. Maybe he was trying to avoid something.
"Sure," Maya hummed, suspicious. "Come on in."
The group followed her inside the shop. The trio settled onto the couch inside while Maya took the armchair beside them. Ray stood beside the door, leaning against the frame with his arms crossed.
"Is everything alright?" Maya asked, looking at Garmadon.
"Well, not quite," Garmadon sighed.
"That's an understatement," Kai mumbled.
"Watch your tongue, young man," Ray snapped, receiving looks from Kai and Lloyd.
"Excuse me?" Kai snapped back.
"I raised you better than that," Ray growled, pushing off the wall to glare at Kai. "Shut your mouth while the adults are talking."
"What is with you?" Kai snapped.
"I'm going to cut in before this goes any further," Garmadon stood. "If you haven't clued in yet, this is not your son."
"He certainly doesn't act like it," Ray huffed, crossing his arms.
"Ray, let him speak," Maya ordered.
Ray glared at her for a moment but remained silent.
"Something happened in their world, and they've been swapped with our kids," Garmadon explained. "They are from a similar world to ours, and our kids are in the world."
"That explains a lot," Ray mumbled.
"What is your deal?" Kai snapped.
"My deal?" Ray scoffed, "Some kid who looks like my son is in my house, acting above everyone else here. If you were my kid, you'd know better and would shut your mouth before I make you."
"I'm acting like I'm above everyone? You're the one talking down to me like I'm some-"
"Kai!" Garmadon snapped. "Enough!" Kai growled, glaring at the elder. "Sit down and behave. We don't have time for this if you want to save your friend."
Kai crossed his arms, throwing himself on the couch beside Lloyd.
"Hold on, are you saving someone?" Maya asked.
"Their friend is Lilly's son," Garmadon sighed. "We received word that he is in danger and needs help."
"And you think this excuse for a son can help you?" Ray scoffed. "Please, my daughter would be more useful in this mission."
Kai growled but didn't move when Lloyd touched his shoulder. Kai glanced at the blonde next to him, seeing the challenge from the team leader. Kai huffed, turning back to Garmadon.
"Nya is dealing with another situation but will join us," Garmadon commented. "Regardless, everyone is more than capable of fighting here."
"Sure," Ray rolled his eyes.
"Either way, we require some swords for the battle ahead," Garmadon continued, ignoring Ray's comment. "Maybe some other weaponry as well."
"All I have available right now are daggers, throwing stars and two sets of katanas," Ray replied.
"We've used katanas before," Lloyd chimed in. "We can use those, but we'd need at least four sets."
"That would take several hours, child," Ray shook his head. "I could have them ready for tomorrow night at the earliest."
"We can't wait that long," Lloyd replied.
"I can help, and we can probably have them ready tonight," Kai suggested, looking at Maya.
"Absolutely not," Ray snapped. "If you are anything like my sorry excuse of a son, you won't be stepping foot in my shop."
"I'm sorry," Kai stood, ignoring Lloyd's protest. "Who do you think you are?"
"I beg your pardon!"
"No, seriously, who do you think you are?" Kai snapped. "You don't know me, you don't know what I can do, and I get the feeling you don't know your own kid either."
"I know he's a sorry excuse for a blacksmith," Ray retorted.
"I'm not," Kai challenged. "I took over my parents' shop when they disappeared. I kept our village alive when people were leaving. I spent years forging weapons for myself, Lloyd, and the rest of our team so we could stop the likes of evil that you've never seen. I reforged the Golden Weapons with my own hands so we could defeat the Oni who threatened to destroy our World. Yet you, a man who hasn't met me, dare to say I'm incapable. Well, the joke's on you. I'm a better blacksmith than you'll ever be. And we don't need your help!"
Kai pushed past his father, storming to the door.
"And let me tell you something," Kai growled. "I'd rather relive my childhood with no parents over and over than have to grow up with you."
Kai slammed the door behind him, leaving the others silent. Maya quickly jumped up, watching Kai through a window with worry.
Ray turned to Garmadon with a frown.
"You better knock some sense into that kid," Ray grumbled. "I don't appreciate his attitude."
"That's what you take away from that?" Lloyd scoffed.
"I'm sorry?" Ray turned to the blonde.
"Everything he just said, and your concern is in attitude?" Lloyd repeated. "You can't possibly think that's the problem here."
"Lloyd," Garmadon warned.
"No, don't you start," Lloyd turned to his father. "You are both disgraceful."
Both men stood in shock.
"Kai and I both grew up without our parents. We both grew up believing we were abandoned. Kai raised Nya on his own while trying to keep the shop afloat. We were trained to protect Ninjago when we were still teens. We were only kids, yet we battled villains that could and would kill us. Yet you can't seem to show anyone, even someone you think you know, a single ounce of respect. Even a toddler could show more respect than you!"
Lloyd pushed past his father, glaring at Ray as he approached the door.
"Make the weapons or don't," Lloyd called over his shoulder. "We can manage without. We've done it before."
Lloyd slammed the door, shaking from the rage that overtook him. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. Kai needed his help. He looked around, spotting Kai a few feet away under a tree, looking down the hill at the busy streets below. The red ninja leaned against the tree's base, his arms crossed while staring out.
"Hey, you alright?" Lloyd asked.
Kai glanced over his shoulder, looking at the blond. He sighed, turning away again. Lloyd stepped towards him.
"I guess," Kai mumbled.
Lloyd tilted his head, wanting his friend to continue. Kai glanced at Lloyd out of the corner of his eye, then dropped his gaze with a sigh.
"I don't get it," Kai muttered. He turned to Lloyd, "He's the sweetest guy in our world. I didn't grow up with them, but that's because of Krux. Because they wanted to protect me." Kai paused, staring at the shop. He saw Maya standing in the doorway, about to approach them. He quickly turned back to Lloyd, lowering his voice. "I wouldn't be surprised if Dad broke me in this world."
Lloyd nodded, not entirely sure what to say. Was there anything he needed to say at that point?
"Are you alright, Kai?" Maya asked.
Kai cast her a glare, then turned back to the village.
"Hey now," Maya frowned. "I didn't do anything to you."
"But you sure didn't do anything to stop him," Kai muttered.
"I shouldn't have to," Maya argued. "He's your father, you should respect him."
"See, that's just it!" Kai spun around, fuming. "You all seem to think I should respect him, but where is his respect?"
"You haven't earned it. Respect him and-"
"Oh, so I have to earn his respect?" Kai laughed, rolling his eyes. "I thought respect was a two-way street. Or is that not a thing here?"
"It is, but you have to-"
"I have to what? Respect him while he disrespects me? What's the point? He clearly doesn't respect me and doesn't show compassion or empathy, yet I have to show it to him? Not gonna happen!"
"That's not how this works," Maya frowned.
"Well, I feel sorry for your kids," Kai growled. "Then again, they'll probably leave you for dead at the first chance they get." Maya stepped back, looking hurt, before Kai continued. "My parents might not have been around when I was growing up, but at least they acknowledge that and try to make up for it."
Kai spun and began walking away. Lloyd quickly ran after him, calling his name. Kai stopped at the end of the driveway, hearing Lloyd behind him. He clenched his fists, wanting to punch something, to light something on fire, to do something to let his anger out.
"Look at me."
Lloyd was suddenly in front of him, hands pushing down Kai's shoulders.
"You have every right to be mad right now."
Yeah, he did. His father is a disrespectful, abusive, narcissistic-
"But remember, they aren't your parents."
Kai didn't know if that was supposed to make him feel better. For a moment, it did. He wasn't as angry since he wouldn't have to deal with them again. But that rage was replaced when he remembered they were still someone's parents. Who could treat their kids like that? Especially when they don't see what's wrong with it.
"It doesn't bother me because they look like my parents," Kai turned to Lloyd. "It bothers me that they are someone's parents. They treat their kid like this regularly, and I get the feeling he doesn't stand up for himself."
"But is that something you can change?"
Kai paused. "I can't change. Not with everything else happening."
"Then, don't dwell on it," Lloyd affirmed. "Plus, it sounds like this version of you has his own support elsewhere. He might not have the supportive parents you have, but he might not need them."
Kai nodded, harshly exhaling as he stared at Lloyd. Both boys turned to see Garmadon walking over to them.
"Are we leaving, then?" Kai asked.
"Actually, quite the opposite," Garmadon hummed. "Ray is willing to work with you."
"Try to work with you," Ray corrected.
"Like I'd want to work with you after everything that just happened," Kai rolled his eyes.
"Well, good luck finding a blacksmith shop elsewhere," Ray turned, waving them off.
"Ray," Garmadon growled.
The father groaned and turned around to face the group. His unamused expression reflecting his annoyance with the situation.
"Kai, I know you and him won't get along, but you need to do this," Garmadon ordered. "We need the weaponry, and we have no other means to get it."
Kai groaned, "fine."
He stomped back to the stop, an equally agitated Ray following in suit. Everyone could hear the two bickering as they left to work. Maya quickly followed, hoping to ensure neither would kill the other. Although, it was obvious she wouldn't do much about it anyways.
Lloyd stepped to follow when Garmadon's ringtone echoed around them. He pulled his phone out, quickly answering it and throwing it on speaker. The younger stepped closer to listen.
"Please tell me your having better luck than we are," Garmadon grumbled.
Wu's voice answered. "Unfortunately not, brother. The master of ice is nowhere to be found."
"Is that Lloyd?" Jay's voice distantly sounded over the speaker. A faint pause, then his voice was louder. "Hey Lloyd! Everything going ok there?"
"Aside from Kai nearly killing his father, about as good as it could," Lloyd sighed.
"Kai almost killed dad again?" Nya's voice responded. "What is happening over there?"
"Too much to explain," Lloyd sighed. "How's the search going?"
"Zane was definitely here at one point," Jay answered. "But looks like it's been a while."
"A while as in before we got here? Or a few days?"
"Before we got here," Nya sighed. "Jay and I suspect he might be at the lighthouse, but no luck there either."
"So, no luck on that end," Lloyd sighed. "Well, head back to the monastery. We should be on our way back by the time you arrive."
"Gotcha," Nya confirmed. "See ya in a bit."
Lloyd shook his head as the call went dead. He looked up to see Garmadon smiling back, impressed.
"You are just full of surprises, aren't you."
"You could say that," Lloyd shrugged.
He turned, seeing Kai working in the shop, avoiding his father at all costs. Ray was making constant remarks about the way Kai did things, just trying to get under his skin again. Kai just kept his head down and focused on his work.
At least Kai could ignore him. He'd had plenty of practice ignoring people over the years.
"So, sundown and we'll be back home, ready to leave for Shintaro?"
Lloyd looked up at his dad, who nodded.
Lloyd didn't feel confident about their plan. Or, rather, lack of plan. They didn't exactly know what they would do once they were in Shintaro. All they knew is that Vania and Vangelis were reaching out, saying Cole was in danger. If Vangelis was saying it's a problem, it's a big problem.
That being said, the ninja knew nothing other that the stories they've been told. Both from this realm and their realm. Both were very different stories too, which didn't help.