Lloyd replayed the previous day in his mind. He was ecstatic that they wanted to stay with him, but something nagged at him in the back of his brain. Why were they so ready? Arin only knew him from stories but Sora showed no idea who he was, how bad were things getting down there while he was wallowing on the mountain? He needed to see for himself.

"Arin, Sora you ready?"

He had already gathered what supplies they would need in his travel backpack.

"Coming!" Arin yelled out.

He had the brightest smile across his face as he carried the smaller backpack.

"Why aren't we taking the bounty?" Sora stepped out from behind Arin with a similar backpack.

"We need to conserve fuel, and I don't want people to recognize me quite yet," he smiled, leaning down and tightening the straps on their backpacks. "If these get too heavy let me know okay?"

As they walked out Lloyd locked the monastery door. Grabbing Arin and Sora he sat them on his shoulders. As they bobbed down the stairs his mind fell back to when he was a kid and how Cole would do the same thing. A mix of sadness and fondness filled his heart as he replayed the memories in his head.

Was he this light too? Even with all their supplies this was nothing they felt like carrying a bunch of grapes if he was being honest.

"So what are the Crossroads like, what races did you see there?" He turned his attention back on the kids, laughing to himself as he saw how awestruck they were at the morning view.

"I've seen more Serpentine than usual, there's these weird lava things and rocks with blue eyes." Arin began to count on his fingers.

"I've seen these mechanical beings walking around, they never let me get close to them though," she grumbled quietly.

"Hmm Arin, I think what you saw were Lava Tides and Craglings," he thought about which mechanical beings would be widespread in Ninjago. "Sora, I think you saw Nindroids."

"Things have gotten weird haven't they." They finally reached the bottom and he sat the kids down. He stood in awe as the land had changed to lush scenery, though there was a path.

"Was this path here when you came up?"

"Yes?" Arin seemed surprised by the question.

Lloyd eyed the area suspiciously, nodding along and pushing the kids along to get out of the area quicker, it felt like something was watching him. He listened to the kids talk even chiming in with a story of his own here and there to distract himself.

"You know I rode a few dragons," he smiled.

Sora seemed encapsulated with a shine in her eyes. "Really what was it like?"

Arin piped in too. "How many!"

"Ehhh I can't remember how many," he shrugged. "Nonetheless it is exhilarating, maybe one day I can show you too."

The kids began to smile and nod talking about how amazing dragons were. Perhaps later he could experiment summoning his energy dragon.

"Though I think Oni looks pretty cool too, they're so strong!" Arin smiled. "Especially Mystake I want to be like her!"

Just as Lloyd was about to talk to him about it, the topic changed almost as quickly as it started and they began to shift between hundreds of topics. He looked into Arin's eyes there was a sharpness he had not noted before, the subtlest undertone of something he couldn't quite put his finger on.

"Oh we're here," Arin pointed.

The area was… not as distinguished as he thought it would be, it was lackluster. One-story buildings, and some food stalls. He did see signs of it being a melting pot, many species were walking the streets.

"Alright let's get some supplies." He put a straw hat on to hide his face.

He followed closely behind the kids asking them what food they liked, writing it down, what kind of clothing they liked, and writing that down. Arin seemed to enjoy the usual kind of clothing, while Sora didn't seem to know anything about clothing. As they walked he explained what was relevant, eventually just buying various types for her to try.

"Arin, Sora is that you?" a frog man was staring at them and glaring at Lloyd.

"Mr. Frohicky!" they piped up running over to them.

He held back letting them talk amongst each other until he patted their heads and sent them back. They seemed happier after seeing him, allowing Lloyd's tension to ease.

"Who was that?" he pried a little, a tang of jealousy.

"That's Mr. Frohicky!" Arin smiled.

"He organizes the shops around here along with the events," Sora examined the various clothing Lloyd had bought.

She was awestruck that there were so many options she could choose from. Smiling, they sat on a bench and he allowed them to examine the clothes they had bought. Sora pulled out a white coverall, stars in her eyes.

"What's this?' she asked.

"Oh that's a coverall, they are usually used by mechanics, and since you like technology, I figured it would be perfect for you," he smiled, holding it up to her so she can imagine wearing it.

He let the kids continue rummaging through their supplies.

"Let's see here," he mumbled, pulling out his list. "I think that's everything, do you two want anything in particular?"

Their tiny heads shook, barely paying any attention to him, his senses went haywire and he looked around. It didn't look like anyone was staring at them. Pushing the feeling down he returned to the task at hand.

"Alright we got a lot of ground to make, come on," he nodded for the kids to follow.

As they walked his mind dwelled on his siblings and friends. How he missed Kai and Nya constantly talking to him, Zane's love and how they would cook together, How Cole and Jay would help him destress and live life a little fuller. It brought aches to his heart.

"Lloyd, are you okay?" Arin's face was saddened almost as if he knew what Lloyd was thinking.

"Yeah just in my head," he gave a brief smile before faltering. "I'm thinking about my family, all the good memories we have, and what I would do if I saw them again."

Arin nodded, kicking a rock along, "I think about my mom and dad a lot too, I miss them so much," tears pricked the boy's eyes before he shook them away. "But I'm going to get bigger and stronger, then it won't matter where they are I'll find them."

"What about you Sora?" he cringed, forgetting the last time he brought up her parents.

She shook her tiny head avoiding eye contact, "They're gone."

"I'm sorry."

A twig snapped behind him and he spun around, startling the children. "Behind me," he whispered. "Show yourself I know you are following us!"

He spoke up, pulling his sword from its sheath, if things got dicey he would use his powers but for right now they were on the down low. He held his hand out ensuring that the kids stood behind him at all times.

A branch snapped to his left and as he darted to meet who was ambushing him he saw a blur of white and red pounce on him knocking him to the ground. He heard the kids scream anger flashing his eyes briefly before the beast changed forms.

"Gotten rusty I see." Akita laughed on top of him, flashing her fangs showing. Helping him up she eyed the kids almost surprised, a look flashed across her face before she fixed it.

"Akita!" He hugged her. "I can't believe it's you!"

"Who's this?" Sora was hiding behind Arin who also looked confused.

"Arin, Sora this is an old friend," he motioned that it was safe. "She helped me out a lot when we were in the Never-Realm. They showed up at the Monastery a few days ago and I took them in."

Akita nodded, a brighter look flashing across her face. Lloyd felt overjoyed that he finally saw someone he recognized. He hurried their trek trying to get to the Monastery as soon as possible.

"Sorry I forgot to ask, do you want to come with us to the Monastery?" Hope burned bright inside him and he hoped she would say yes.

"Of course, you rambled so much about it I can't help but be intrigued."

The kids stared at the two watching Lloyd fumble over himself, as they continued on their way to the monastery. Once inside the monastery, Lloyd sent them off to play while he continued talking to Akita.

"I still can't believe you're here," he poured some tea. "Is Kataru nearby?"

"No, he and the other Formlings are exploring the merged realms, in search of a new home." she fiddled with the tea.

"A new home? Did something happen?" he prepared himself for horrible news.

"A lifetime of ice and snow in a new world is rather boring," she laughed. "We wish to explore this new world."

"I'm… glad you came to explore this area." he smiled, relenting on the cup.

"Lloyd, are you okay?" her whimsical nature dropped for a few seconds. "You're skinnier than the last time I saw you, and your eyes look saddened, are the other ninja not here to help?"

"We got separated in the merge, the others are who knows where, and… it was hard on me, but when Arin and Sora showed up, it sparked something in me, and I started to take care of myself again," he spoke softly so the kids couldn't hear.

She reached out placing a hand on his, "Good, then you won't mind me staying for a little bit and making sure you do."

"Of course not, I would love to have you here." he had to physically restrain himself from jumping up in excitement. "Welcome to the monastery."