Author's note: I started writing these one-shots a little before I started writing The Outcast's Tournament and thought I'd post it on here. If you're new to the Outcast series, I'd suggest reading The Outcast (book 1) first (: Otherwise things might not make sense.
Chapters are set as random short stories in no particular order and as an ongoing collection that I will update infrequently. At the beginning of each chapter I'll include how old Lloyd is (:
Lloyd is five.
A twig snapped outside. Lloyd's eyes opened, startled by the noise, but he soon closed them again. He shivered, hugging himself tighter. The cold floor of the cave seeped into his bones, not helping at all. At least the storm had let up… He shuddered. He'd never been outside in a thunderstorm before. It had been scary, especially the loud booms of the thunder and the crack of the lightning.
It had been three days since they'd moved to this cave. Lloyd still didn't really understand why. He missed the other kid. He missed their home. He missed the yummy food they had there. He especially missed his bed. And the warmth.
He also missed how his parents were before. Now, they were always on high alert, anxious, startling easily. They were never relaxed. Lloyd wasn't sure why. And his uncle…well, Lloyd wasn't really sure what was wrong with him, either. He knew he was hurt, but he hadn't woken up yet. Lloyd was worried.
There was another snap of a twig outside. Leaves rustled.
Lloyd lifted his head up, glancing outside. Nervously, he eyed the darkness, seeing some branches swaying in the wind. He didn't like the dark. It was scary.
He sat up, yawning, then shivered again, hugging his knees to his chest. He stared out at the darkness, wondering what kinds of monsters lurked out there.
Something suddenly flashed.
Lloyd stiffened, eyes widening. What was that…? It couldn't have been his imagination…right?
After a few tense seconds, Lloyd relaxed again. Glumly, he realized he was turning into his parents. There was nothing out there, he was sure of it. He'd be fine. His father always told him that monsters didn't exist, and that he was safe.
At least, that's what he'd said at home. Now…it seemed as if his parents didn't notice him. They were too busy worrying about Wu, and sending nervous glances outside.
There was another rustle outside. Lloyd squinted, starring out into the dark.
Something flashed again, light neon lemon in color—eyes.
Lloyd gasped, startled, and leaped to his feet. He quickly turned to his mother, who'd been laying next to him. He shook her shoulder frantically. "Mom! Mom, something's out there!"
She blinked her eyes open groggily. "What, honey?"
Lloyd pointed outside. "I saw something! Eyes! Something's watching us!"
Misako was immediately awake and up, shaking Lloyd's father. "Garmadon, wake up! Something's outside!"
He too was immediately on his feet, alert. "Where?" he demanded.
Lloyd pointed outside. "Out there! I saw eyes!"
Garmadon cautiously neared the cave entrance.
They all waited for a few minutes in silence, hardly daring to breath. Lloyd could feel his parents' fear. At home, they would have assured him nothing was there—that he was safe. But not now. Now, they acted as if something really was there, something that could come out and hurt them.
"Dad…?" Lloyd whimpered, confused and scared.
Garmadon quietly shushed him, holding up his hand in a gesture to wait.
Lloyd frowned, feeling tears start in his eyes. Why were they acting like this? Why did they have to move? Why were they here?
There was suddenly a blur hurtling at Lloyd's dad, faster than anyone could react. It slammed into him, knocking him over and causing the thing and him to go crashing to the floor.
Misako yelped and Lloyd screamed.
The thing, now identifiable, looked to be human. He held a dagger, which he tried to impale Garmadon's face with.
He didn't get far. There was suddenly a purple glow of…something. It shot out at the attacker, blasting him clean out of the cave.
Lloyd gaped.
Garmadon scrambled to his feet, a horrified look on his now-pale face.
Misako was staring at him in what looked like shock.
Garmadon stumbled back a little, swallowing.
"What was that?" Lloyd asked.
He didn't get an answer. Two more people appeared in the entrance, both holding swords.
Garmadon narrowed his eyes at them. "What do you want?"
"This cave is ours, now!" one of them said.
"What? But we were here first!" Lloyd argued.
The one sneered, his stare piercing through his very soul. "In the Outcast, it doesn't matter who got there first. It just matters who survives."
Lloyd swallowed, backing up behind his mother.
The person grinned, an evil glint in their eyes. "Yes, go hide behind your mother, coward!"
Garmadon lunged at him.
He stumbled back in surprise, trying to turn his sword's point at him, but Garmadon was already slamming him to the floor.
"Don't you dare call my son a coward," he hissed.
The other one lunged at Garmadon then, trying to impale him in the back, but Garmadon leapt out of the way. The sword barely missed the one Lloyd's father had pinned down. The person stumbled forward in surprise.
The one stood up hurriedly, and the other growled.
"This cave…is ours. Leave now, or die," the one threatened.
Garmadon narrowed his eyes at him, getting into a defensive stance. "We're not leaving."
"Garmadon…" Misako warned, nervously glancing between him and the others.
The one lunged at him, but Garmadon side-stepped him, sending him crashing to the floor. The other lunged at him as well, but he was evaded. A fight started, blows being traded back and forth. Most often Garmadon seemed to be winning.
Until he wasn't.
More people arrived, about ten, and they all pounced on Lloyd's father.
Misako gasped quietly, backing away, and gripped Lloyd's hand, her other hand over her mouth in horror.
Garmadon desperately tried to fight them off, now looking alarmed, but he was quickly being overwhelmed. The battle quickly turned volatile, Garmadon moving much faster than Lloyd had ever seen, and the other people trying to keep up and land a hit—but they had numbers on their side.
Garmadon gasped as he was punched in the face, someone finally managing to land a hit, and he crashed to the ground. They were all on him immediately, blades glinting, sharp and deadly.
Lloyd heard a strangled sound come from his mother, like a sob.
A golden whirl suddenly zipped past them, aimed right at the people attacking Garmadon. It rammed into them, hard, sucking in about three of them before they were chucked out.
They all scrambled away from it, confused and surprised, the golden light from the small tornado reflecting in their wide, terrified eyes.
The golden tornado suddenly spun to a stop, revealing Lloyd's uncle, Wu. He collapsed, face looking pale and exhausted.
Garmadon scrambled to his feet, barely managing to catch him. Lloyd's father was bleeding in multiple places, the blood seeping through his clothing, turning them a dark red.
Misako hurried over, but Wu had managed to stand again, looking a bit dizzy. Once Misako had reached them, Garmadon turned back to the people who'd attacked them.
They were moving in again, blades raised.
Lloyd stumbled back in fear.
They suddenly attacked again, aiming for Garmadon, Wu, and Misako this time. Misako hurriedly tried to move back, and Wu and Garmadon immediately blocked them, defending her. The battle restarted, Wu and Garmadon now fighting them.
Misako hurried over to Lloyd, taking his hand. She bit her lip, anxiously watching them for a few seconds, before she suddenly started tugging Lloyd forward.
Lloyd's eyes widened in surprise, and he struggled for a moment, wondering why they were heading towards the fight.
Misako pulled him around the fight, keeping close to the cave wall, trying to sneak past them. But she didn't go unnoticed.
Someone—one of the people who'd been attacking Garmadon and Wu— blocked her path. He smirked, thinking that they were trapped. "Where do you think you're going? We told you to leave, and you didn't, so now you're all going to pay the price."
Misako backed away, putting Lloyd between her and the man. "You wouldn't harm a child?" she asked, horror in her voice.
Lloyd trembled, squeezing his mother's hand tightly.
He grinned. "Yes, yes I would. This is the Outcast. Only the strong survive. And that usually doesn't mean children." He took a step towards them.
Misako narrowed her eyes. "If you hurt him…" The threatening growl in her voice spoke volumes.
The man didn't look scared in the least. He took out a dagger.
Lloyd swallowed anxiously, eyeing the sharp blade.
The man suddenly lunged at Lloyd's mother, and Lloyd covered his face with his arm with a terrified yelp.
But the attack didn't come. The man suddenly grunted in surprise, and Lloyd looked up, seeing that he'd been thrown against the wall. He now lay on the ground, groaning.
Wu turned to them, having been the one to save them. He had a worn out look on his face, and he looked ready to collapse again. "Get Lloyd out of here, Misako!"
Misako swallowed, nodding. She dragged Lloyd out, glancing back one more time. "When we're gone, both of you, run as fast as you can!"
Wu nodded, then turned back to help his brother, who was doing poorly against the others.
Misako then tugged Lloyd away, into the thick forest. As they ran, the sound of fighting faded. They didn't stop for a while, and when they finally did, it was because Lloyd couldn't go any further.
Misako pulled him into some thick foliage, making sure they were both hidden. Both of their breaths came in sharp gasps, and they sat there panting.
After a few minutes, when Lloyd had caught his breath, he murmured, "Is Uncle Wu and Dad going to be okay…?"
Misako swallowed, pulling him closer.
He looked up at her, surprised to see tears in her eyes. "Mom?"
She blinked rapidly a few times, then replied, "They'll be fine, honey…"
Lloyd frowned. She didn't seem sure… He suddenly realized that she was terrified. And that made him terrified. "Who were those people? And why did they want to hurt us…? We didn't do anything to them! And we were at that cave first! It's not fair!"
Misako looked down. "I know, Lloyd…" She bit her lip for a moment, hesitating. "Those people…they were half breeds."
Lloyd's eyes widened. "Like us?"
She nodded mutely.
"But then why did they want to hurt us? We're like them…aren't we?"
Misako bit her lip again. "Lloyd… we are like them…they just don't realize that…"
Lloyd frowned. "But why?"
Misako shook her head, not answering him.
It had been two hours now. Two hours. Misako had a horrible feeling that she knew what had happened.
She bit her lip to keep from sobbing. She didn't want to wake Lloyd, and especially not worry him more than he already was.
She glanced down at him, seeing his peaceful, sleeping face. She felt more tears coming. How would they survive? Especially without… Her throat closed up and she unconsciously pulled Lloyd closer to her. She didn't know how—how would they…? She felt another sob coming and she bit her lip harder. Tears started to leak down her face, and she quickly put a hand over her mouth to muffle her sobs.
Lloyd didn't even understand what had happened. Or what was happening… He had no idea, no idea of what was going on, no idea what the Outcast even was, no idea why they'd been kicked out…no idea why they had to live here now…
No idea that his father and uncle were gone.
At that last thought she couldn't stop the sob that escaped her. Tears now leaked freely down her face and she tried to muffle herself as much as she could—they didn't need to be attacked again.
She sat there like that for a while. She wasn't sure how long it was. But her sobs didn't stop. The grief wouldn't leave her… She couldn't keep the thought out of her head. Her husband was gone. And Wu. She'd known both of them for years…and now they were dead.
An hour later, she heard rustling. Her head immediately snapped up, instantly alert.
And then she heard a quiet murmur.
"Just a little further," someone said, so softly it was barely audible.
She gasped, a hand to her mouth. It couldn't be…she'd been so sure… She scrambled to her feet, hearing a soft, mumbled complaint from Lloyd.
She stumbled away from the brush they'd been hidden in.
Garmadon and Wu looked up in surprise. Wu had one of his arms slung over Garmadon's shoulders, and he looked extremely worn out and fatigued.
Misako put a hand to mouth in shock, a sharp gasp escaping her. And then she flung her arms around Garmadon's neck, one arm around Wu as well. She sobbed, tightening her grip. "I thought—I thought you were—"
Garmadon hugged her back, one arm still keeping Wu up. He swallowed. "We wouldn't die on you…"
Misako just hugged him tighter, not replying.
Garmadon suddenly realized someone was missing. He stiffened. "Wait, where's Lloyd?"
"He's here," she told him. "He's asleep."
"Dad?"
Garmadon chuckled. "Not anymore, he's not," he informed her. "Hello, son," Garmadon greeted Lloyd, who stood by the foliage they'd been behind.
Lloyd yawned sleepily, then walked over to them. "What took you so long?"
"It just took a while to find you, that's all," Garmadon told him.
Lloyd nodded, blinking tiredly. "Oh…"
Garmadon then grimaced, glancing at Wu, who looked ready to fall asleep himself. "Er, Misako? I think I should let Wu rest…"
Misako immediately, though hesitantly, let go of him, trying to hide her tear-streaked face from Lloyd, who was now looking at her in concern.
"Are you okay?" he asked her.
She nodded, giving him a reassuring smile. "I'm fine, Lloyd."
Lloyd frowned. "Then why are you crying?"
Garmadon practically dragged Wu over to Lloyd before nudging his son, urging him to move. "Come on, now. We should all get some rest."
Lloyd's eyes suddenly widened. "What about Draggo?"
Garmadon frowned. "Ah…" He glanced at Misako, wincing.
Misako frowned as well, immediately knowing what had happened. She did notice, however, that he had managed to get the two backpacks, somehow.
Lloyd glanced between the both of them, confused.
"Er, Lloyd…" Garmadon hesitated.
Lloyd looked at him. "Where's Draggo?" he repeated, eyes now looking worried.
"Well…he's, uh…" Garmadon glanced away. "…I didn't have time to grab him…"
Lloyd gaped at him, a hurt, confused, betrayed look on his face. "What?" he squeaked.
"I'm so sorry, son, I—"
"Did those people take him?" Lloyd asked, voice rising and eyes glassy. "I can't sleep without him!" Lloyd's lip trembled, and he looked ready to cry.
Garmadon winced again. He glanced at Misako.
She frowned, walking over to them, and gave Lloyd a sympathetic look. "Lloyd, I'm sure we can find something else that you can sleep with…"
Lloyd pouted. "You can't just replace him!" he whimpered.
"Oh, Lloyd…" Misako knelt next to him, pulling him into a hug.
Lloyd hugged her back, a sob escaping him as he mourned Draggo.
Garmadon still had a guilty, regretful look on his face. He turned, dragging Wu over to where Misako and Lloyd had been hiding, and set him down to rest. He realized that he'd passed out—or fallen asleep—at some point during those few minutes. He walked back over to Misako and Lloyd.
Misako was gently rubbing Lloyd's back as he sobbed, trying in vain to reassure him that it would be alright. She looked ready to cry herself.
Garmadon glanced around warily. Lloyd wasn't exactly quiet—not that he blamed him—but he didn't want to get attacked again. "Misako, is there some way you can quiet him…?"
Misako gave him a look. "I don't think so… Unless you can get Draggo for him."
Garmadon frowned. "No, I don't think so…but I don't want anything else coming after us…"
Misako got a worried look on her face, glancing around apprehensively. She bit her lip. "Come on, Lloyd," she urged him, standing up.
Lloyd tried to tighten his grip on her, but was forced to let go. Tears still ran freely down his face. "But what about Draggo?" he whimpered.
Garmadon came over and picked him up, and Lloyd reluctantly held on to his neck. "We'll figure something out," Garmadon tried to reassure him.
Lloyd frowned. "But I want Draggo!" he wailed.
"Shh, honey, it'll be alright," Misako told him.
Garmadon turned, bringing Lloyd over by Wu, where he set him down. "Try to sleep, son."
"But I can't!" Lloyd wailed.
Misako knelt next to him again. "Lloyd, tomorrow we'll see what we can do, okay?"
Lloyd whimpered. "But how am I supposed to sleep?"
Misako frowned, looking unsure. "Maybe…" She glanced around. "Maybe you could sleep with something else for tonight, and pretend it's Draggo?"
Lloyd pouted. "That won't work! I want the real Draggo!"
Misako sighed, giving Garmadon a helpless look.
This is going to be a long night… Garmadon thought wearily.
It took two hours for Lloyd to finally fall asleep. Garmadon and Misako were relieved. Five minutes ago, he had finally nodded off for good.
Misako turned to look at Garmadon. "About earlier…"
Garmadon glanced at her. "When, earlier?"
"I knew you had elemental power of some sort, but I thought you'd said you'd vowed to never use it again?"
Garmadon frowned, then looked away. "I did…" He winced. "I don't know what happened…it just suddenly…came out."
Misako frowned. "And I'm assuming that's not normal…?"
Garmadon shook his head, looking back at her. "No, not that I know of…though sometimes it can happen, if a life-threatening situation happens…"
Misako nodded. "That makes sense, then, I suppose…" She glanced away. "Although…now that we're going to live in the Outcast, maybe it's not such a bad thing to use it?" She looked back at him.
Garmadon frowned, then shook his head. "No. I can't use it again."
"Why not?"
"Because it…" He looked away. "…Because it can have…affects…"
"Affects? Like what?"
Garmadon didn't answer her for a moment. "It's just…not a good idea to use it…"
Misako frowned, but decided to refrain from questioning him further.
"We should get some sleep," Garmadon told her.
She nodded, then sighed, suddenly feeling exhausted. "Garmadon, how are we going to survive here…?"
"We'll manage."
She shook her head. "I don't know how we're going to do that…the both of you—all of us, actually—could've died from that attack. And that was only the first one. How many others are there going to be? What kind of a world—a life—is Lloyd going to know? What is this going to do to him…?"
Garmadon frowned, having no answer for her.