Lloyd was sick of recovering. Kai had been "babysitting" him for a couple weeks now. Making sure he wasn't overexerting himself, making sure he was giving his concussion the time needed to heal, making sure he wasn't falling apart at the loss of his father. And while Lloyd did love the fact that Kai looked out for him and treated him like family, it had gone from endearing to annoying after about day 3. The ninja kept calling him master in training, but then the next minute had him in time out like some sort of child. So was he a master or not? Was he their leader, or just some kid that they wouldn't listen to when it wasn't convenient?
Lloyd's headache was finally gone, no more dizzy spells or sensitivities. He had been permitted to train the last few days, and it was good to feel in control of his body once more. He dances around the training course, enjoying the grace of each movement. A perfect landing finishing the set. Good, I'm ready.
Lloyd didn't expect the frown on everyone's faces when he declared he was going on patrol that evening.
"Isn't that a job for the police?" Asks Jay.
"Are you sure you're up to it?" Asks Kai.
"For what purpose?" Asks Zane.
Thank goodness for Zane, now he had a reason to ignore the other questions. "The police have noticed an increase in crime in the downtown industrial area, they have requested our assistance. Even if we don't catch anything, it's good training, and helps to promote our image to the people of Ninjago. They feel safer, knowing we are out there looking out."
Jay rolls his eyes. "Couldn't we just do a fan event, sign some things, shake some hands?"
Nya rolls her eyes. "I'd rather do night patrol than put up with fanboys." She huffs. Those two had been clashing a lot lately.
"Well, I don't see you volunteering?" Sneers Jay.
"Well, maybe I will." Declares Nya.
"I'll come too." Says Cole. "It's not like I have anything else to do." His inability to sleep was starting to become quite frustrating.
Lloyd locks eyes with Cole for a moment, then looks away guiltily. He still wasn't used to his ghostly aura. "Thanks." he manages to say with some composure. "That is probably enough people for this one, we should take turns, so everyone gets a chance to rest." And I could do with a night away from Kai.
"Well, you kids have fun!" Says Jay as he leaves the room.
Kai glares at Lloyd with concern, debating if he should argue. Nya reaches out a hand to his shoulder. "Don't worry, I'll look out for him ok?"
Kai grunts an affirmative before following Jay.
The three make their way downtown. It is a boring uneventful couple of hours waltzing around the industrial area, warehouses shut for the day.
"Maybe we should split up? Cover more ground?" Suggests Cole.
Nya yawns for what must have been the 20th time. "Yeah, splitting up could be good, when I'm around Cole I need to hold back on the water."
"Sorry." Cole mutters.
Nya shrugs. "Not your fault."
Lloyd gives a deep sigh. Of course I managed to pick the most problematic team composition… "Maybe we should have brought a 4th, then we could split into two and two. I don't like the idea of someone going off on their own."
"I don't mind." Says Cole and Nya in unison, before shooting each other a glare.
"No. No lone wolf, we stick together." Says Lloyd.
Nya lets out a disappointed sigh, resting both hands on the back of her head. "Whatever you say Master in training."
The tone rubs Lloyd the wrong way. Like she was mocking him. They obviously didn't agree, but changing his mind now would make him look weak. Dammit.
He turns around in a small huff and continues walking, hoping the other two were following.
The sound of breaking glass pulls Lloyd out of his thoughts. He turns to see the other two sprinting in the direction of the sound. Not waiting for a plan or directions. "Dammit!" He mutters and dashes after them.
They reach a brick fence around one of the lots, Cole sticks his head through the wall, then pulls it back out. "Yup, this is the one, I saw 2 guys, but there could be more inside."
"We should act while we have the element of surprise." Whispers Nya, as she examines the wall, looking for the best point to jump over.
"We should make a plan!" Whispers Lloyd.
"I'm going this way." Says Nya, continuing down the fence line to a spot with better cover.
"That's not a plan!" Hisses Lloyd. He goes to follow, but stops when Cole holds up an arm, not wanting to touch him, not wanting to know if doing so would send chills up his spine like it had with Morro.
"She knows what she's doing." Says Cole calmly. He points in the other direction. "You should jump over down there, that way we'll have them surrounded. I'll make a distraction, go!" With that Cole melts into the wall once more.
Lloyd is fuming, but at least Cole had more of a plan than Nya. He obediently goes to where Cole had indicated and nimbly jumps to the top of the wall. He doesn't have a good view of the yard, which means the intruders wouldn't have a good view of him either. He drops down the other side, and sticks to the shadows, sneaking his way to a position where he can get a better look. He can make out two black clad figures waiting by a large broken window. Cole said there could be more. He scans the rest of the yard, trying to spot where the others ended up. He thinks he catches a glimpse of dark red when there is a terrible creaking noise.
Lloyd's eyes jump to the source of the noise, a large tree in the corner of the yard is twisting in unnatural ways, creaking and glowing a faint eerie green. Right the distraction. He switches his attention back to the two guys and sees Nya already charging at one of them. Crap. He races out of his hiding spot making a beeline for the other guy. Both were transfixed on the haunted tree, and weren't expecting to be tackled to the ground by ninja. Nya got to hers first, but the other one didn't have time to react before Lloyd had him. Lloyd pulls out his sword, holding it to the guy's neck, and Nya does the same with a kunai. The men realising their situation hold up their hands meekly, allowing themselves to be cuffed. The police had been kind enough to loan them some handcuffs for the patrol.
"Huh, this is much easier than rope." Remarks Nya after cuffing hers. "Maybe we should get some of our own?"
Lloyd sighs, checking his cuffs are secure as he notices Cole walking over. Hands behind his head, not a care in the world. "Good distraction right?" He says proudly.
"I dunno," says Nya with a sing-song tone, implying she wasn't serious, "Could have used a bit more pazzaz!"
Cole punches her playfully in the shoulder. Lloyd flinches slightly, hoping Cole doesn't do the same to him.
"Now what?" Asks Nya to Lloyd.
"Oh, now you want my advice…" mumbles Lloyd. He stands facing his team, which means his back was turned to the broken window.
Nya huffs slightly at the remark. "What are you worried about, we got them! Easy peasy…" Nya's eyes go wide looking behind him.
Lloyd feels the icy chill of Cole's ghost hand grabbing his own, yanking him forward. A sword clangs on the ground where he had just been standing.
"I did mention there could be more right?" Says Cole. He looks down at Lloyd, seeing his eyes blown wide in fear. He must be spooked about almost getting sliced in half. Cole releases Lloyd's hand, and Lloyd pulls it away quickly, taking a large step away from Cole. Oh… guess I spooked him.
Lloyd shakes his head, he has no time to get caught up on Morro, there is a battle to fight. He draws his sword, and sees Nya draw her own weapons. Cole hadn't mastered the art of carrying stuff for too long yet, so wasn't carrying weapons, but he takes a fighting stance.
Their opponent however had realised they were no match for three ninja and was booking it, already halfway across the yard.
"Oh no you don't!" says Nya while she uses her powers and water from nearby puddles to trip up the last criminal.
Cole had been about to pursue, but stops when he sees the water. "I think I'll make sure there aren't any more inside." He says, turning towards the building. He shoots a worried glance at Lloyd, pausing when he reaches the window. "You ok?"
"Yeah, never better." Says Lloyd gruffly, with heavy sarcasm, pointing his sword at one of the cuffed men who had started to crawl away. He couldn't meet Cole's eyes. Cole had just been trying to help him, saved him from being sliced in half! So why was there an awful icy knot in his stomach?
"Ok, I'll be right back." Says Cole, before slipping through the window.
The sound of Nya fighting her opponent echoes through the yard. Lloyd looks over, it was obvious she didn't need assistance and was toying with them. Glee plastered on her face at someone new to spar with.
Lloyd lets out a deep sigh before pulling out his phone to call the cops. At least someone was having fun.