Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

His sister was… dead.

She fuses with the sea and loses her identity to protect them.

Kai never agreed to this plan, even now with everyone else safe, he couldn’t accept this solution. Nya, his little sister he raised since she was 3, is gone forever.

His tight throat didn’t let him scream his loss. Every sound around the ninja seemed blurry and his eyes were fixing the water in front of them. It hurts so bad, yet, Kai feels nothing. The flame of rage, anger, fear, denial, extinguished, leaving only a cold feeling of acceptance. She’s gone. No need to cry for her. It would have happened anyway.

Right? Who would believe this bullshit?

Quickly, they return to the monastery in a dead silence. The fire ninja could feel eyes on him and Jay, after all they were the closest to her but he ignored them, just for today, he wished nothing more than closing his eyes and being left in peace.

The entire week passed in a flash for him. The funeral ceremony, even though sober, regrouped a lot of people, all coming to mourn a person they didn’t know but who saved them. The speech of sensei Wu almost sounds fake to him, while Jay barely finishes his text without falling into tears. At least Ray and Maya didn’t dare to talk as their “parents”. Sure they have leave to protect Nya and him but he wasn’t able to stop this vicious hate toward them.

They weren’t the one reassuring Nya after thinking she was the reason for their departure.

They didn’t have to steal to make sure her baby sister had every necessity while starving himself.

How can they came here, claiming a title they put on his shoulders when he was fucking 5!?

Kai is the only parent of the dead girl.

And now he is in front of all those people, in the exact same position that Zane’s funerals. 

Another text, more personal this time, but still distant in a certain way. He never cries during his speech, his voice almost monochord yet having all the weight of his loss. Pushing himself to talk a little longer while he tastes ashes in his mouth.

They light every lantern before sending them into the sky. Just like that, his only family rests in eternal peace.

Life keeps going. Everyone starts to move on, except Jay.

The master of Fire couldn’t blame him, losing his lover must be hard and will definitely change a man. Even himself has changed. No more screams or narcissism. His fire turned into ember.

Each of their friends try to talk to them, for comforting the blue ninja or thinking he neglects his health. Even if the intention was nice, Kai did start to feel tired of their worried look. Especially Lloyd’s after the conversation they got.

It was a sunny day at the monastery, perfect for a visit. It’s been weeks since the master of Fire came here, plus a little exercise couldn’t be bad for him.

He was welcomed by Misako, then let alone to walk inside empty corridors.

It’s there that Lloyd finds him and invites him, forcing him to take tea with him.

They talk about nonsense like old times. Kai takes news about the other ninjas since he couldn’t see them often. It was a relief to hear they were all doing great, even Jay who started therapy.

• And what about you Kai?
  
  
• Nothing really interesting. Working as forgeron, like when I was younger.

A heavy silence followed his declaration. And for a few minutes, Lloyd fixes him with this sceptical look saying “you’re serious?”.

• I’m worried for you Kai…

The red ninja didn’t interrupt him, curious about this weird concern.

• Each time I see you, you’re getting paler. It's getting worse and you’re acting like it was completely fine! Even Ray and Maya ask mom if it’s normal. Be honest with me, are you sick? Did something happen to you? 

At a certain point, the green ninja grabs his shoulders, forcing the forgeron to look him in the eyes. Sure the oldest was more calm than before, however his fire never disappeared. The simple idea of it was an insult, especially from someone who’s supposed to know him well.

Plus, bringing his “parents” is like adding fuel to his anger. Lloyd is a nice kid, his care about his health really touched him but Kai wasn’t made of glass for the FSM's sake!

• Lloyd. I’m fine, don't worry. I’m not sick, I'm not gonna die soon. I work most of the time inside, losing some skin colour is normal, I swear.

This day, his adoptive brother didn't seem to buy his lie but he didn’t push any further.

They don’t talk about this anymore, however, the blond starts to watch him more often, taking news and coming for surprise visits.  

It was a silent agreement, the green ninja make sure Kai doesn’t mess with his health and in exchange, the rest of their crazy family never know about this.

Sure, it didn’t avoid every intrusive question because no one was blind and the red ninja was really pale. But most of them never came and that was more than enough.

Nevertheless, the story really starts getting old 3 months after Nya's death and slowly, tensions appear inside the team, especially between Jay and Kai. 

The inventor couldn’t keep his bloody comments, always criticising his behaviour. No matter how hard the others try to stop him, when they were only the two of them it gets back. The Master of Fire tries to stay patient, keeping in mind how grief can transform people. Honestly, his anger faded away long ago, leaving only patience and resignation.

Even now at the training ground and in front of everyone, Kai could’t find in his heart an amber of anger for the man who he saw as a brother.

• Why are you so calm?! Say something! You’re looking at everyone like if we were an old thing not worth your damn attention!

To his peripheral vision, he vaguely witnesses the rest of the ninja looking at them, ready to stop a fight they are certain will happen. Who could blame them? The heavy atmosphere with Jay’s movements and screams getting closer to hit Kai or making him deaf.

• You know what? I’m certain we would be better if you weren’t there!

Wow, that was… Strangely honest? Did the blue ninja think this for so long? 

Gasps could be heard, quickly followed by screams and denials about Jay’s words.

Even if coming out thanks to anger, this statement should hurt him. Doubt or at least a feeling of offence would normally be rushing into his veins. But despite what the inventor says, the master of Fire only sees this scene behind a sort of smoke screen, where everything is blurry, far away and grey.

It didn’t take long for him to understand what this feeling was. How could he forget, when it was exactly like Nya’s death? For him, Jay just died. His future brother in law vanished, leaving only a pale copy of himself. Bland, vengeful, pathetic. 

Maybe he is right…
Kai should need to leave.

• Perhaps you have a point, some distance can’t hurt either of us. So I'll go for a few months and we can see how it went.

Without waiting for an answer from anyone, Kai turns back and walks toward corridors to reach the bag he brought for the week. He just needs to return to the forge for some food and other stuff he could need during his trip.

But before he could pass the door, a hand grabbed his right arm, making him turn to see Lloyd. The blond looked like he ran for his dear life and the fear inside his eyes couldn’t be more intense.

• No one thinks you should leave! Jay crossed the line on this. Can you stay and let us all talk about that?
  
  
• …
  
  
• Please Kai. I know you’re angry, but it’s important you forgive…
  
  
• No.
  
  

Before the green ninja could argue with his friend, he looked at Kai’s face and froze.

The lack of emotion painting in front of him was out of place, yet real. The man who was his parental figure since he lived with the ninja resembled a statue of ice.

• Let Jay calm down a little. I will go for a few months. Only after that, we could start talking about today.

With no more argument, the door shut leaving Lloyd alone accompanied by shock and a deep feeling of loss.

It didn’t take very long to convince his parents to look on the forge for a moment while he’s away.

Once this concern was resolved, the red ninja was free to travel the entire island.

He revisited some places like the Echo Canyon with the corridor of elders, the caves of Despair or the forest of Tranquility, reviving some memories, not all of them were pleasant…

Yet, they are part of who he is today, of all the things he achieved and failed, lessons he learned, scars he got.

An entire month had passed since his departure when Kai finally arrived in front of the Fire Temple. At first glance, the volcano didn’t change and the old doors embedded in rock were sturdy as ever.

Getting inside couldn’t be easier and as quickly as he entered, the young man closed the doors behind him. The temple’s interior was rustic and familiar, while lava kept a comfortable temperature.

It’s been a while since Kai felt a vague sensation of warmth, especially after this…

Shaking the memory out of his mind, the ninja gets closer to the Sword of Fire.

It was so weird. One of the weapons created by the First Spinjitzu Master and when fuse with the three others give an absurd amount of power along with the capacity to modify reality into whatever desires its wielder. Now a less powerful version, created by his own hands.

Don’t get the wrong idea, Kai did not fail to forge them. He made them weaker by choice or to be more precise, he took the “wishing” ability from the fusion. But the Mega Weapon still has more firepower than anything else.

Taking a deep breath, the ninja rolled up his right sleeve, looking at his burned arm. All the skin was covered with scars, he’s honestly not sure if something healthy remains. His eyes turned to the silent sword with a mocking smirk.

• You and the others did quite a show on my body… Yet I'm still alive, carrying your cursed power because I was sturdy enough to resist your strongest blow.

The forgeron tries to fit this power inside various objects. All shattering in less than a minute.

Nothing was powerful enough to bear the FMS’s fragment. It couldn’t be more frustrating. So many people suffered from the race to obtain the Golden Weapons.

If only Kai was able to take this with him and run away he…

He can… Put it inside his body…

He can! And with that, no one would be able to fuck up reality!

Yeah. It sounded perfect.

However, using his own body as a vessel for something far greater had… a cost.

Even with good intentions, the four weapons didn’t agree to let go of a part of themself. They fight and when they couldn’t keep which was theirs, the fragment tries to kill its new owner from the inside.

His dear Fire burned his right arm, hand to shoulder, not leaving a single spot.

The free Lightning strikes him in the back, damaging all his sensitive nerves. Maybe it was meant to paralyse him, however it ended up saving him from so much pain.

Earth, the element of stability, breaks every bone in his body. Even now, Kai doesn't know how he managed to continue like nothing happened in front of everyone.

Finally, the opposite of his power, Ice. What a twisted irony… An eternal hypothermia, trying to freeze him to death. If he wasn’t master of Fire, he would be frozen meat by now.

It has been months since the transfer, no one including Wu noticed the change.

During this period, the red ninja notices how his body tries to adapt and miserably fails. The way he’s unable to fully heal from his broken bones, the burn that never really cicatrizing.

He quickly understands he was cursed to push this shattered body to its limits until his element gets overpowered by the ice in his vein or dies of any other thing he can’t properly heal in his state.

Kai didn’t give up, instead, he fought, making his flames stronger, repelling the sensation of cold now always under his skin. That’s the reason why he is here today.

If he has to die because of the weapon he was proud to wield, he can at least give his messed up feelings and will to it, it’s fair game.

• I never really understand why you were created with this power. Why the First Spinjitzu master could see how much pain you’ll bring. So many people were obsessed with the idea of using you, ready to hurt any person in the way.
  Back there, I was proud of being your wielder… But when I rethink every moment you impact, I finally see how much problem you bring! Garmadon who kidnapped my sister for getting this stupid card and forced me to obtain you!  How Lloys, who as a CHILD, was designated by you to fight his father! THIS ASSHOLE OF OVERLORD AND ZANE’S DEATH! HOW MANY OTHERS WE DIDN’T KNOW PERISH BY YOUR POWER?!

The sword in front of him was unresponsive as ever. It’s so frustrating! No matter how he tries, he can’t have an answer for his questions. Oh, how he’d love to see the FMS in person to ask him what he was thinking when he created those abominations.

• I did wish to have never seen you in my life. But I know what the true problem is. Becoming the red ninja. It was an honour to help people with the guys, now it’s a weight to carry. The team is like a family… Yet the way they look at me hurts so bad. Am I so untrustworthy?
  I just want to stop. Being able to live a normal teen life instead of fighting… Someone who told me “you have done enough, you can stop and rest”, a family… I don’t want to feel alone…

Kai doesn’t know when he fell on his knees nor the moment tears start falling on the ground before evaporating. Guess he was more tired than he thought…

A heavy sigh left his lips, maybe a little nap was needed. Plus it was really warm here, surely he can sleep and enjoy a decent temperature for once…

Yeah…

Just a little moment of rest…

…

BEEEEEEP

The sudden sound makes the master of Fire literally jump on his feet before he can attack the unknown danger, he stops moving, shocked by what he was seeing. His bag falls on the ground as he rushes at the edge of what seems to be a building.

Without any explanations he wasn’t in the temple of Fire but Ninjago?

However, the town seems… Different. New apartments were at places he doesn’t remember and the park at the distance was definitely not there when he last visited.

For FSM’s sake, where the hell is he?

Chapter Text

Finding a place to stay wasn’t a real challenge for Kai, especially when entire streets were abandoned. Something about a warlord attacking Ninjago almost every week, making apartments close to the sea inhabitable. Good for him, he was able to choose somewhere where electricity and current water still work with three rooms, the ninja just needed to stay careful to avoid using light in the middle of the night.

For his provisions… They exist, it’s already good. Most of the markets were closed when he arrived here, so Kai didn’t have the time to see if the money he had was valid. Stealing isn’t a problem but it can bring attention to him, which means he needs to live on the food he brings and find a little job fast to stabilise his situation.

The next problem was his identity. Even in this unknown place, the master of Fire wasn’t willing to give his true name. Especially if it can be used against him. It takes a certain time before he settles on something, “Kintsugi Blaze”. Blaze was obvious, as for the first name, Kintsugi is an ancient practice where you repair an object, most of the time a vase, with liquid gold. It symbolises the beauty of adversity and the capacity to rebuild. The red ninja finds the word fitting for himself, after all those events during his life. Plus his body has metaphorically been broken then held together thanks to his stubbornness and the FMS power.

And finally his body.

Yes Kintsugi, he really needed to get used to his new name, was still dying. However it wasn’t his biggest concern, the problem was his age. Before what ever happened, the master of Fire was around 25 but now he looks way too young, if he was right, he is 17 or close enough.

A part of his muscles went missing, thankfully he still can perform his ninja tricks but the scars of his fights remain. It almost looks ridiculous by their amount, only his throat seems intact, if not concerning for any person with good sense. Personally, Kintsugi was just surprised by the number, he never thought he was injured so much… 

But who cares? He doesn't feel pain anymore, he can get injured without getting annoyed, a perfect win-win situation in his opinion. 

Now he just needs to rest. It was enough surprises for a day.

Tomorrow he’ll have a big recognition to do.

Yeah… Tomorrow.

The awakening was… calm.

Everything around him was so silent.

No more neighbours preparing themself to sell their product nor the team fighting for the first pancake of the morning. Now it was just the sound of waves in the distance and cracking board.

Preparing himself for the day didn’t take too long, plus most of his clothes were sweaters, hoodies or shirts with long sleeves and pants. Honestly, he couldn’t wear anything shorter or thinner, outside is too cold for him, we’re mid-summer .

The master of Fire finally chose a grey hoodie with red edges, a black pants and hiking shoes.

Once he was certain he had hidden his stuff. He walked toward the center of Ninjago, first checking if his money was worth something, thanks FMS it was the exact same money this town uses. 

With this big concern out of mind, the red ninja, is he still the red ninja?, starts wandering in the different streets, curious to know the town a little more, even if he plans a night visit and with a small hope to find a job offer on a showcase. 

It took the morning and a part of the afternoon before he could find something.

It was a coffee shop named “Spooky Break”, from the outside, the place seemed perfect for studying or taking some time for yourself, the inside was mostly orange, chocolate and black. It gives some Halloween vibes, clearly out of season, but somehow recomforting.

Maybe it can work.

Taking a deep breath, Kintsugi pushed the door and entered inside.

• Hello? I’m here to ask about the job off…er…

Words stay in his mouth, just like when you see a ghost.

And who could blame him?

In front of him was a man not older than 22, green eyes with black and dark green hair long enough to be styled in a bun, who looked exactly like an undead master of Wind…

Morro was in a shitty mood, it’s been a month since the last worker who was with him got fired for serious misconduct, he never liked the guy anyway. However it’s also been a month and his employer couldn’t find someone! Don’t get him wrong, his boss is a woman he deeply respects and he knows she can’t predict the future but working with ten-ish different persons each more incompetent than the last did make him irritable. Miss Diaz was also tired of the melody and decided to work with him for at least another month to let them calm down from these horrible job interviews.

So when he heard a voice behind him asking for this cursed job offer, the face he made was certainly the reason who stopped the guy from continuing.

The master of Wind takes a deep breath before insulting the newcomer, instead he looks at him taking time to cool off. The person in front of him seems to be younger, maybe 16, hair down hiding his right eyes, pale skin. Does this guy see the sun? But the most important or shocking was the big hoodie on him, for his grandpa’s sake they’re mid-Summer! How can he be cold!? It reminded him of his cousin’s friend who put his hand in boiling water to check the temperature. Great moment for his heart and his big brother instinct, it ends up with him making a conference about safety no matter if you're the master of the said element.

Her boss who’s also heard the reason for his presence looked at the two boys and Morro knew that look… He stared at her in a silent conversation.

“No”

“Please, just one more, you need someone and I can’t be always here”

“No”

“Come on! I’ll do it without you”

“I interview him and if I don’t feel it, he’s out”

“Fine”

Letting a deep sight leave him, the young adult accepts his defeat while Miss Diaz smiles and gets close to the adolescent asking him to sit on one of the sofas and wait for her employee to come.

As a responsible being, he put on his “serious” face and sat in front of the guy and started this painful conversation.

• Name’s Morro Wu, can you give me your name, your age and tell me if you had previous experience in a coffee shop or similar?

The teens look at him with a face he couldn’t put a name on. The master of Wind knows he is quite scary and unfriendly but he doesn't bite…

• Kintsugi Blaze… I’m 17, I don’t have professional experience, it’s strictly personal. 

Great, it talks! 

17? Huh, guess he wasn’t far from the truth.

Morro takes the time to look at the boy a second time. His right eye was hidden with long hair, it can become problematic…. As for his level… Well, guess he needs to see himself.

He quickly searches in his pockets before handing a green hair clip, usually he keeps it for his cousin who seems foreign to brushes, but Lloyd didn’t need to know he lent it to someone else. He’s certain the entire baby/ninja team will bury him under gossip if they discover this.

And his adoptive father will never leave him in peace.

• Let’s see how you do then. Use this for your hair, I don’t want them to fall into a coffee. 

The younger took it and put his hair out of his face, letting the scar on his right eye in full view. The master of Wind had to admit it was quite shocking, even the ninja didn’t have injuries like this. But Kintsugi seems used to it… Maybe an old accident? It also seems superficial with his view unaffected.

They head behind the counter where Morro explains how some machines work before asking the other a simple latte with art. For someone who’s a beginner, he was doing pretty good, not perfect as expected, but better than some of these idiots who try to sell themself.

• Here. Sorry I only know this one.

Looking at the cup, the oldest was welcomed with a nice drawn bear, shame he needed to taste it. Taking a sip of the drink, he felt a little of the tension in his shoulders washed away, it was a tasty latte without bitterness in it.

Practical test, he passed. Let’s see if he has some knowledge.

• What's Pu-erh tea?
  
  
• Fermented leaf, they got a amount of caffeine close to black tea or half a cup of coffee.
  
  
• Talking about coffee. What is the ratio of a milk coffee?
  
  
• It’s 50/50.
  
  
• If an adult asks you for alcohol, what’s your answer? Yes the man is a legal adult no need to ask him for his paper.
  
  
• … Coffee shops don’t serve these things; it's the same for drugs. Plus I'm a minor, I don’t think I’m allowed to sell you this.

Wow, he’s not dumb either. On his grandpa's name, will his uncle stop attacking Ninjago City now? Ok, maybe he’s overreacting, but understand, it’s rare someone got everything right. Morro had to admit his defeat, he’ll work with the new guy until it goes wrong once more.

At this point it’s just a pattern. Letting a sigh leave his mouth he looks at the boy who’s staring at him like he’s waiting for a death sentence.

• You pass. Congrats you got the job… You’ll start next monday in five days.

Kintsugi almost starts to glow of happiness before unclipping what’s holding his hair in place. He quickly walks toward the master of Wind and puts it in his hand. Giving his thanks to him for being able to temporarily use it and wishing him to have a nice day.
However, just before he passes the door, Morro remembers something.

• A final question! If I ask you a coffee as dark as my soul. What would you give me?

His new co-worker looked him in the eyes, clearly confused by the question. Seems he doesn’t know the joke. But Wu’s son didn’t have time to tell him it was just a silly question.

• I think… I’ll serve you hot chocolate. Or a glass of milk if you don’t want something too sweet.

He leaves just after, letting Morro just look at the door completely mute.

• Pff… A glass of milk or a hot chocolate! He’s the first one choosing these options for you Mo’.

Miss Diaz who was listening to the entire interview finally came back and she seems to be having a pretty good laugh and struggling to finish her sentence.

• If it works. I think you’ll be the most weird yet perfect duo ever!
  
  
• …

Noticing the silence, the lady turned to him, sobered to face him.

• Is everything alright?
  
  
• … Yeah. I must have seen things. Nothing to worry about.
  
  
• If you say so. Let’s get ready for the wave of students.

The master of Wind nodded at his boss, looking at his green hair clip while rethinking what he saw… He could swear on his power that the right hand of Katsugi was completely burned when he returned it to him.

Just what in the world happened to him?

Lloyd starts regretting returning home alone.

 “ Nothing will happen to me guys. It is a walk of only ten minutes. “ He says to them. Now the teen is between a wall and an unfriendly individual.

• Can w-we just ta-alk?

The guy didn’t seem interested as he pulled a knife out of his pocket. It was a nice blade, the handle covered with a variety of flowers. However his aggressor notices his stare on the weapon.

• Beautiful knife isn’t it? It is my father’s.  

Oh no… The green ninja knows how it’ll end…

• Or it was his before he get put in a coma after the last attack of your fucking father!

As he says these words, he grabs his neck with a hand while the other one puts the knife close to his eyes. Honestly, the blond was terrorised, no matter how people hate him no one ever try to actively kill him neither torture him. He tries to remove the hand of his throat but the lack of fresh air already affects him, leaving him unable to even resonate with the person about his actions. Funny to think he’ll probably listen to him if he was in his costume…

No it’s not amusing! It’s so unfair! Lloyd was just an average teen, he never agreed with the thing inside the body of his so-called father. Yet everyone outside of his family treats him as a danger for the city! He wants to live! He wants to be treated like a HUMAN! HE WANTS PEOPLE GET THEIR SHIT TOGETHER AND UNDERSTAND HE IS DIFFERENT FROM GARMADON!
Tears start rolling on his cheeks and his view gets blurry. Is it really the day he's gonna die?

Help…

Please…

He’s scared…

But no one would protect him in any way…

Maybe it’s better to die now? He only regrets not telling the others how much he loves them…

…

…

Perhaps the red grim reaper behind his killer could agree to give them a message…

Chapter Text

…

Huh?

Is he dead?

Opening his eyes slowly, Lloyd starts regaining sense of himself. Noticing he’s in fact very alive, laying on what seems the rooftop of a building in the middle of the city from the sounds of cars even if the sky is full of stars.

• You’re finally awake.

Sitting at his right was a stranger wearing a red gi with a ninja hood hiding his face from him. The fabric seems to be getting old just like if it was used regularly. 

Was he the person who saved him?
Looking at the eye hole of his supposed saviour, Lloyd was able to see his pale skin and a scar passing through his entire right eye but most importantly, the worry and care in these very eyes. This person must be really concerned about his safety.

A block of stone started forming inside his stomach. 

Does he know he is the son of Lord Garmadon? 

• He.. ar.. Y..u ok?

If not, how will he react? 

• Yo.. ne..d ..o b..ea..h ..i..h m…!

Will he regret his actions and kill him on the spot? 

• ll..yd!

Or maybe he wants to get closer to his father.

• LLOYD!

Hands on his shoulders force him to look into the eyes of the unknown ninja. It is only at this moment he feels his erratic breath, a sign of a panic attack.

How pathetic of him… Plus it seems he knows who he is…

However the guy didn’t let him continue his self-bashing. Instead he slowly takes one of the green ninja’s hands and places it on his chest. Lloyds could feel it going up and down in a more calm rhythm than his and the feeling of a beating heart was almost relaxing.

• I need you to follow my breath.

It takes ages for the blond boy to calm down but the other one never rushes him, taking time instead to make sure he’ll not panic again. When it was all over, the ninja let his hand go and took a step back. Is it how things will turn? Lloyd telling him he doesn’t have a link with his father and the other disappointed to have done something useless?

• Sooo… You know who I am?
  
  
• … The guy who attacks you was pretty clear about his motive.

Oh… 

But wait. If he knew why did he keep helping him?

• Honestly people have no shame. Attacking a teen just because of a relative. What a poor excuse.

Wow. It was an honest answer here. Seeing the red figure leaving, Lloyd takes a deep breath before shouting at the guy.

• Thanks! For saving me…
  
  
• Any sane person with a brainsell would have helped you.
  
  
• I’m pretty sure they’ll just watch me from a distance…

Oh shit the stranger looked at him weirdly. He must have heard his last phrase. With the cold vibes he’s getting from him it was something he really mustn't have said. The guy turns back and rushes at him, he’s sure it won't be pleasant. Closing his eyes to prepare himself for the impact, the blond didn’t expect it would never come. Instead, he was wrapped in a hug, like these certified big brother embraces who could give a feeling of safety no matter where. 

Only his mom and Kai would do those. It was weird to be hugged by someone he did not know, but not unwelcome.

• If you need help again. Just scream my name and I’ll be there for you, ok?

As quickly as the hug came, he started stepping back, ready to disappear in the night.

• Wait! I don’t have your name!
  
  
• … Call me Shogun.

And with that, Shogun jumped the edge of the building. Lloyd did run to try to see him, but at the moment he looked at the street below, nobody was there.

It was the last thing that confirmed how well trained this person was. The green ninja couldn’t be more eager to talk about him with his team. Speaking of the devil, his phone starts ringing, a kick look before answering permits the boy to prepare himself for the upcoming screams by not putting the phone close to his ear.

• LLOYD! WHY ARE YOU AT THE TOP OF A BUILDING?

The blond loves Nya but when she’s worried it can sometimes be a little too much…

Wait a second.

• How do you know where I am?

In his apartment, Kintsugi couldn’t do anything more than sit in the dark, letting everything finally go out.

It was supposed to be a day for recognition and what did he get?

Somehow a master of Wind who was alive. At the moment he almost screams his confusion. Plus, he’ll start working with Morro next monday in a coffee shop. But hey! At least he has a job and this version of the ghost seems decent.

Then, as “Shogun”, it was still weird to reuse this name , when he thought nothing extraordinary would happen because you know, it’s his very first night. He bump into a perfect clone of his little brother who was about to be torture by what he supposed to be an other teen for the sound of the voice.

The moment Lloyd’s copy was almost injured by the blade, his big brother instinct immediately kicked in and he just moved on auto pilot. Seemed the blond unconscious on the floor, his breath almost nonexistent making him drown under too much adrenaline. 

He tried to give some sense to the other guy as Shogun, but it didn’t work. This guy was certain of his behalf. Not hesitating a second to justify his actions as something for the better interest of the population. What a joke, if Kintsugi had asked him what’s mean “for the greater good” he’s certain the teen would have given him a bunch of bullshit.

Punching him until he begged for mercy and giving him the same amount of pain he wanted to cause by twisting his arm like a pretzel, was tempting. But it’s too much trouble for his future self… 

So he just knocks him out, throwing the knife away and leaving the unconscious person on the ground while leaving with the blond. 

• He’s Lloyd Garmadon, the son of the warlord who always attacks the town…

Now at his place, repeating the very sentence supposed to make him understand why it was “normal” to attack Lloyd, he feels sick.

Having a perfect copy of one of his team’s enemies was a ridiculous strike of luck but two, technically three, identical people he knowed, it’s called a divine intervention or “something is wrong, open your eyes”.

Is he in another universe? 

Laughs start shaking his body. Him? In a brand new universe? Alone . It’s way too silly! He already met Lloyd and Morro. But heh! He faces a lot of things as a ninja, it’s just another of these crazy adventures, he’s fine. He’s not. How can he!? He has no one, there is surely an other Kai here. What could be his purpose if someone already exists for it.

He is useless… An anomaly barely alive who can’t let himself die. He’s not fine, he needs help, anyone who’s willing to be with him even for a minute. Please. Please. PLEASE! HE’S SCARED.

• Everything is fine… I can deal with this…

Slowly, he grabs each insecurity, self-hated thought and fear, squeezes them into this old little ball, then throws it away in his mind. In the deepest part of his head where he can forget about it and act like everything was fucking perfect. It's just a delay.

With everything settled, he takes a deep breath while laying on the bed. Tomorrow it’s thursday… First thing to do will be to return to the scene. Maybe continuing mapping the town…

The sun only starts rising when Kintsugi gets ready for the day.

Just reusing the clothes he wore yesterday made the whole process way faster. The last thing he needed was his bag. It was a normal black school bag he “found”, far more discreet than his hiking bag. Inside, the vigilant just put a notebook, a pen, something to eat and a bottle of water. He already takes notes for some places he wants to visit. Now it’s just a matter of being left in peace by the universe.

Who is he kidding? Of course something would go wrong!

It began when he returned to the place where he saved Lloyd. At first glance, nothing weird, the weapon he threw away was at the exact same place as yesterday. Without hesitation, he grabbed it for a better look. It was really a beautiful blade, the work is clearly neat… It would be a shame to leave it on the ground. Since the owner doesn't pick it, no one will blame him for doing so, right?

With a new close-range weapon in his pocket, Kintsugi felt a little more safe and was ready to start his day. However, something green appeared at the border of his vision. When he turned his head to see this familiar colour, he was great with Lloyd getting inside the bus, a face more fitting for a funeral.  

He felt a twinge of regret, seeing an alternative version of his brother forced to go somewhere he didn't seem to be willing to go. Maybe if he watches over him for a day… Just to be sure he didn’t get hurt again.

This is how he ends up running for a quarter of an hour after a vehicle, finally arriving at the school. No one really noticed him at first. But when the bell started ringing and the crowd of students began entering rooms, the Fire master was left alone in the corridors… Not really subtle.

Two minutes didn’t pass before he got spotted by an adult who started rushing at him, scolding him for trying to skip class, guess he really looks like a student. 

Unfortunately, he couldn’t explain his peculiar situation before she tried to grab him to send him into the principal's office. Of course, like any person in danger, Kintsugi did the first logical thing. Running away from the problem. But oh boy, the demon behind him was fast.

And it’s how, after one of the hardest runs of his life, he ends up in a room full of teens, where no teacher is actually present. No one really looked at him and strangely Kintsugi was more than fine with this. He rushed to the only free desk next to a guy with brownish curly hair focused on drawing something.

Quickly after, a second bell rings and a teacher, thanks FMS not the crazy old lady, enters the class with an impressive amount of paper.

• Morning class. Last time we did a quick exam and I know you’re exhausted. But! We can't delay. So… today you have these exercises.

The entire room starts filling with complaints. At a point where even the teacher seems to be tired of their shit, but Kintsugi could see the eyes of his neighbour glowing with what appeared to be interest.

• Alright! Alright! You’re allowed to work as a pair! Go get a partner and one of you will take your papers.

In an instant, every student starts moving, getting someone to work with. Except for him and the other boy… The majority of the teens were still standing, it was a perfect opportunity to get out of this class, plus the teacher looking for him was surely busy with other kids.

And yet… His eyes turn to look at the boy on his left. He looked… Uncomfortable, even miserable if he can use stronger terms. Counting the number wasn’t really hard even with his limited education and with him included, they were a number pair of students. Then, why were two groups of three formed? Was it normal? His instincts scream a big no and they are rarely wrong.
It was actually 8:15. Maybe staying a little longer won't be a problem.

• Excuse me?

The teen almost jumps out of his skin when the ninja calls him. He’s shy for sure.

• I was wondering if you would agree to team up with me. Everyone else already has a partener…
  
  
• You… Are y-you sure? They’re i-is other people you can work with…

Kintsugi almost rolled his eyes at the question. Of course he’s sure! Over-wise, he wouldn’t have asked. More seriously, this situation feel fuck up and there is no way he close his eyes. Usually people are happy when someone asks to work with them, why does the boy seem so confused? 

• I’m certain. I prefer working with you and you can’t convince me to work with someone else than you. I let you push our desks together and I’ll go get the packets. Thanks!

A little smile started printing on the face of the teen while he got the work to do. Look far better compared to his anxious look in his opinion. However the nice thought quickly vanishes when his eyes turn to the papers.

In front of him were equations? Maths? Why they’re is letters everywhere?!

The master of Fire didn’t get the time to panic before he heard a paper turn next to him. The boy already finished the first sheet. Just. HOW?

After finishing the fourth paper, the kid finally catches the fact that he didn’t follow and turns to see his pale face.

• Are you ok? Am I going to fast for you?
  
  
• No! No you’re not… It’s just… You’re really smart.

The boy looked at him, surprised, almost choked by the comment. Did he never get compliments from someone else? Maybe he takes his words as an insult!

• I mean… You already finished the fourth page! Everyone struggles against the second. I personally can’t understand a single exercise… I’m seriously wondering if it wouldn’t be better for you to work alone. At least I won’t slow you down…
  
  
• No! It-It’s not a problem. You… You are the first person who wants to work with me…

Wow…

If his big brother instinct didn’t kick in before, now they are fully on. In the name of the First Master this kid needs help and emotional support.

• I can help you.

The proposition takes the master of Fire out of his head.

The other one seems honest in his offer. He really is a nice teen.

• You’re sure? I repeat myself but I’m gonna slow you down.
  
  
• C-Certain. It’s the least I c-can do. Let’s st-start with the first o-one.

And man did the kid help him. He had the patience of the world just to decompose every problem for explaining the exercises to Kintsugi. Even if everyone else already did their worksheet, the teen never seems bothered to lose free time.

If the ninja was honest, doing this with someone willing to explain to him what everything meant was a very pleasant experience. Shame he couldn’t do this again but for his only day in school, it will be a good memory.

When the bell rings once more, announcing the end of the lesson, every student quickly leaves the class, surely rushing for a little break. Kintsugi walks with the other boy to the door. However, before they separate in the sea of teens he stops the other one.

• Thanks again for your help. I couldn’t do anything without you.
  
  
• I-It’s nothing…
  
  
• I notice that I didn’t get your name.
  
  
• I’m Jay. Jay W-Walker…

oh.

Oh…
The Fire master feels a stone falling in his stomach and water gets pouring in his lungs.

Of all the people in this world… Why does he need to be his ex-future-brother-in-law…

Chapter Text

Looking more closely at the teen, he could see the similarities.

The colour of his hair, almost orange, this intelligence that makes him think about a lot of things and yet distract him. How could he have been so blind?

But he is so different as well…

So shy and unwilling to talk to others.

Kintsugi knows he’s in a different universe, yet it’s almost heartbreaking to see this version of his brother repressed.

• I-Is everything o-okay?

Oops. He may have stared at him a little bit too long. Seeing Jay almost afraid of his reaction makes him worried. Is he expecting him to react in a certain way after earring his name? He shouldn’t be worried about others' reaction toward him, he’s just a kid!

• Y-yeah. Sorry, I space out. Name’s Kintsugi Blaze. Have a nice day!

The ninja didn’t wait for an answer before diving into the crowd. Like a coward, unable to face his problem.

Dear FSM he wasn’t expecting to bump into an alternative version of someone he knew this soon. But he acts normally for a student… Right?

The master of Fire passed the next few periods searching for Lloyd and did fail miserably.

However he met once more the teacher and boy was she angry at him. 

After some ridiculous close calls, is she able to see everything in this damn place!? He managed to hide on the roof for a lunch break well deserved.

Good thing he takes with him a cereal bar…

• Hello.

He almost choked himself with his lunch before turning his head so fast that a worrying sound of cracking bones came from his neck. Meanwhile, his right arm was almost ready to send a fireball to the intruder before stopping everything when he saw the adolescent raising his hands.

• Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.

Oh thanks to the First Master, he's just a kid…

• Again, my deepest apologies. Actually, I am here to threaten you.

Threaten h-... Wait, WHAT?

Taking a second look at the teen, his platinum hair, almost white, was cut across the top and cut close to the scalp on the sides of his head in an almost too perfect way. Most of the clothes were in different shades of blue to underline the white parts of the outfits. But what caught his attention the most was the face of the guy. His eyes were a little too blue, his smile almost mechanical, just like one of these weird yellow faces the old Jay used to send them or a robot. 

If Zane could create a child it would be him!

…

Oh, come on!

Something must have shown on his face, because Zane of this universe in front of him looked somehow ready to push his body off of the roof. 

• Jay is a very important person to me and my friends. I will not let someone like you get close to him in order to hurt him. I am Zane Julien, I advise you to remember and fear this name for the fact that I will be the cause of your demise.

The ninja was in complete disbelief. He didn’t say a word, yet this version of his brother was considered him as a threat. Sure he was a stranger to the robot, is he still a robot? However, being seen as a danger wasn’t normal… Something must have happened.

But it is a worry for another time. Now, Kintsugi needs to de-escalate the situation.

• Wow, hold on a second. I don’t want to hurt your friend. I saw he was alone, I talked to him and he helped me with the exercises. Nothing else happened!

The boy doesn’t look really convinced by his explanations, but the atmosphere was less tense and just for that, the master of Fire counted it as a win. A moment passes in an awkward silence before the face of Zane gets painted with a sadic and cruel smile.

• You do not seem to be lying. Fine I will trust your good intentions but I do not trust you Kintsugi Blaze. And I will be the first one to hide your body if I have doubts about you. 

Okay, there is definitely a story behind this…

But he can work with this. He didn’t get attacked and that was a good start. Was it?  

The ninja turns back to eating his cereal bar, still feeling the stare in his back. In the name of the first master it can’t be more unpleasant!

• Don’t you have friends to return and eat with?
  
  
• … I just want to make sure you understand your situation and evaluate your reaction for proper counter measures.

A laugh started in his throat with the comment.

The old Zane did give some straight answers like this but man! Even the nindroid did give up the habit over time. This version of the white ninja is for sure not used to “normal human habits”.

• You know that your behaviour is really weird?

Somehow, the comment supposed to be just a little taunt makes the face of Zane colder, almost ready to insult or punch him whatever would be the most painful for the ninja.

• There is nothing weird about me. I am perfectly human. Your comment could not be less accurate.

Kintsugi didn’t expect the harsh response. Nor the emotionless voice and dead look. 

Right. This kid wasn’t his brother and wouldn’t be able to understand his words. He surely takes these as an insult. 

• You remind me of a friend, who had difficulties understanding double senses in phrases. He got a pretty bad case of amnesia and had weird habits that neither I nor the others were able to understand when we met…
  And when we told him that some of his actions were odd, he always freaked out, thinking we criticised him. Thanks to the first master, we were able to properly talk and reassure him we were more than fine with him being himself.

He wondered how the master of Ice now. Maybe he’s worried about him, as if , or perhaps he is with Pixal doing some couple stuff… Zane really changed over the years, becoming someone with a good heart and head on his shoulders…

He did not look behind him to see if the teen was listening to him, he couldn't bear to see the face of Zane.

• One day he found out who he was. He was… Terrified, certain that it will erase the person he was and that we will abandon him. Take some time to make sure he understands he was still the same person we learned to know and appreciate. But finally he managed to accept it and he became a stronger person…

Looking at the courtyard below, he couldn't focus on a point, lost in memories. 

• No one in this world is normal. Every action, opinion or choice you make will seem weird to some people. Normality is just one of these concepts no one can really grasp and instead twist to make it feat their definition of the thing… “ Because no one can be you, you need to be true to yourself. ” It was the most important lesson he ever taught me…

Yeah his old family is was a crazy mess, but they are were honest on who they are were . Even if their words and actions still hurt deep inside.

Something was off with this person.

That was the first thought of Zane when Jay sent a text about a guy named Kintsugi who teamed up with him. Everyone else in the group was also sceptical. So it was only normal that he did some research on the newcomer. Especially after this girl… 

Hacking the entire system of the town was a piece of cake, but finding any information about this guy was another set of sleeves. Nothing, there was nothing on Kintsugi Blaze. No school record, no social media, no medical record. The only thing he got was camera’s footage of him walking in the street and going inside some shop.

One of them was where Morro, who’s Lloyd's cousin, worked, just one more thing to worry about.

If he had to pick a theory, it would be a robot sended by Garmadon to spy on their green friend, in order to convert him to the dark side.  

That is the reason he proposed himself to talk, interrogate Kintsugi. 

His reactions didn’t help his case either.

Most of the time he was unresponsive to his advice threats , plus his commentaries and the few facial expressions he gave him didn’t make him less suspicious.

Something was up with him and Zane Julien will make him spill out his true motive by any means.

However, before he came to more dramatic measures since he categorised the new teen as someone just like this bitch. his father would reset his system if he knows how he called these who hurt his family

He starts a monologue like those villains in every game. It was tempting to just ignore it, but his attention was dragged by the mention of Kintsugi’s friend.

The story has a lot of similarities with his background and some points were touching his feelings a little bit too much. But he understands the main point. For the other one on the rooftop, Zane was just himself and it was fine, his comments were just taunts. Perhaps he takes him for the person he mentioned.

Yet the robot could feel a deeper meaning behind these words and it was just frustrating to not be able to know what it was!

He wants answers, the guy seems to know everything about his secret and who he is.

• THERE YOU ARE!

But it would have to wait for another time.

• GET DOWN HERE YOU DELINQUENT!

In front of him, Kintsugi quickly finishes what seems to be his lunch before picking his bag, ready to run away.

• I have to go. Let’s meet again Crystal !

And just like that the guy almost vanished in front of the robot.

Leaving him even more concerned. What was the deal with this person?

During the entire afternoon, Zane tries to solve this problem that was Kintsugi Blaze in no avail. At the end of the day, he had to admit his defeat and start walking toward Nya. The girl was crouching near her motorcycle, unlocking the vehicle to leave the place. However, she turns around when noticing her friend getting closer to her.

• So… How did the meeting go?
  
  
• …It was… An interesting conversation.

The Water Ninja must have noticed his lack of therms and evasive response because her eyes get this darker colour, promising pain to the recipient of her anger.

• What did he do?
  
  
• He did nothing to harm me. I just… I am not able to understand his motive.

He received a sceptical look from his friend as she stood up to look closer at him, making sure he wasn’t telling a lie. She seems satisfied by what she found even if her face didn’t completely give up her worried expression.

• He must be really tough if you aren't able to understand him. Heh. Give me and Kai more reasons to have a little talk with this Kintsugi.
  
  
• Good luck.
  
  
• Tell that to the guy.

She smirks at the idea before installing herself on the motorcycle. Nya gives him a little wave as a goodbye before taking the road, leaving him alone once more.

Well, time to go home.

RING RING

Huh? Who would call him at this moment?

Kai and Cole were busy because they were on survey duty at their place and ready to rush if any Garmalarm starts. Nya just starts driving home, his father never calls him at this hour and Lloyd is actually at the principal's office because of an incident and it was his turn to get him after whatever stupid accusation gets thrown to his friend.

Looking at his phone Zane was surprised to see it was Lloyd who was calling him. 

He quickly answered and put the phone close to his ear.

• Hello Lloyd.
  
  
• Zane, I need your help.

With the number of times Lloyd had to sit in front of the principal’s office, the blonde is almost certain there is now a chair with his name on it. At this point, he can even say he knows the number of tiles composing the floor, which chair is the better to sit on and the stories behind every impact on the principal’s office’s door.

As usual, the secretary was doing something at her desk, completely unfazed to see him seated here one more time. After all, it was a well known fact. If you don’t behave well, you’ll have to sit with Lloyd Garmadon.

It was… exhausting for him. At least once a week or more, he will be called, accused of something and most of the time punished because the person who wants to put him in trouble did prepare evidence he can’t deny. Sometimes, the green ninja thought about giving up and taking revenge. Just to make sure those who try to hurt him and his friends understand how dead wrong they were about how much pain he can bring.

The only thing keeping his sanity in check was his family. On his grandfather’s name, he honestly doesn't know what he would do without them… Surely the same things that his father did.

However, it was not the time to think about mass murder. Now, Lloyd needs to stay focused and ready to argue against every bullshit sent toward him. What he didn’t expect was the door opening violently revealing a furious Mrs.Yamamoto who pushed someone with more force than necessary. Yet the person seems completely fine, he didn’t even need to catch himself.

• Now. You stay here until the principal decides what to do with you young man.

She didn’t wait for an answer before slamming the door, leaving two teenagers and a secretary in the room. The newcomer just shrugged before sitting one chair away from the blond like it was a normal day for him. 

An awkward silence stayed between them and Lloyd could only look at the other guy.

He seems sporty from how his running shoes look, however it was the only normal thing about him. The right eye was completely covered by his hair, his pale skin gave him a junky look, is this guy taking drugs? Finally his entire body was covered with clothes. Who hides his entire skin with a warm hoodie in mid Summer!?

Honestly, the green ninja was assuming that this person was doing shady business or was taking some weird stuff. He heard some rumours, but being in the same room as someone like him is terrifying.

Lost in his thought, Lloyd takes a little time to notice a small movement next to him. It was when he raised his head that he made direct eye contact with the other person, he seemed uncomfortable, maybe he noticed his glare, oh no...

• Um… Hi. I’m Kintsugi. What’s your name and why are you here?

It takes a few seconds for the blonde to understand the sentence. First the guy didn’t get angry at him or told him something weird. Second… Is he the guy Jay teamed up with?! In his grandfather’s name how did the master of Lightning not pass out!

• I-I’m Ll-oyd… If I remember well. Someone said I stole something. I don't know what that is.
  
  
• I’ll assume you don’t take the stuff in question.

Wait a second. Does he believe him? For real?

• And what about you?

The guy blushes a little, brushing his hair and avoids eye contact with him. No matter what he did it must be pretty serious. Suddenly he kinda regretted his question…

• Well… I was in the halls during class and that teacher caught me… The funny part is that I’m not going here… I just got in and instead of explaining the situation I just ran away like I was fleeing an oni.

He let out a little giggle with his last words, as if it was an inner joke only he could understand. But the blonde was just stunned. His whole situation was beyond absurdity, he could help but laugh a little at the story. But Lloyd quickly sober up when he sees the face of Kintsugi. The guy looked pretty sad and almost tired.

• I can’t act like I’m impatient to talk with the principal. What am I supposed to say? “Sorry your teacher grabbed me after I pretended to be a student for a day. But hey. Do you mind if I’m allowed to come back?” Man… I just found a job but returning to school after all these years was a really nice experience…

He doesn't know what to answer to that… Not that he has the time.

• Lloyd Garmadon

Great.

Getting up, the blonde gives a quick look at the other teen before turning his head to the office. His eyes immediately catch the older person inside, surely the senior student who accused him this time.

The principal sat at his desk, his face carrying signs of fatigue. Clearly tired of the same old talk.

• Lloyd. Mr.White claims you stole one of his belongings. Do you know what it is?

The green ninja shakes his head. Clearly he didn’t steal anything from this guy and he isn’t in a mood to play Nadakhan. The adult turns his head toward the other person. Lloyd can almost feel his smirk, it seems everything was going as he planned.

• Mr.White
  
  
• It was my father’s knife. The handle is graved with various colourful flowers. I put it in my locker this morning and when I checked it at the end of the day, it was missing.

Lloyd didn’t even hear the end of the explanation as cold sweat rolled in his back. He remembers a blade like this… The person who tried to kill him last night had one just like the description. Is he… next to his aggressor? He's gonna vomit or scream for whatever comes first. He needs to go, he isn’t safe, is he gonna get attacked again? no, no ,No, NO NO NO!

• Sorry to interrupt like this but I think I can help.

At the door was Kintsugi, a polite smile on his face and somehow he gave off the vibe of a parent, ready to talk at another adult after their kid got unjustly blamed for something.

• And who are you?
  
  
• Kintsugi Blaze, mister.

He gets closer to the desk, searching in his left pocket an object before putting it in front of all of them. It was a knife with flowers, the one used to harm him. How did he get it?

• Is it yours? I found it this morning in the street and didn’t have the time to return home to keep it safe. Would have been a shame to let it get stolen or damaged. Weird place to lose it, no?

In just one sentence, he destroys the accusation of his aggressor and by the face of White, he seems to understand it as well, forcing himself to acquiesce, his face looking like he ate an entire lemon.

• Well that resolves this issue… Mr.White, Lloyd, you may go.

The dumbass didn’t wait before leaving, mumbling about how everything was ruined. As for Lloyd, he could believe he didn’t have any problem. He wasn’t able to entirely restrain the smile on his face.

• As for you.

The story of Kintsugi flashed in his head. He couldn’t leave him like that, especially after how he helped him. With a determined expression, the blonde grabs his phone and presses the call button on Zane’s contact.

Thanks everything over them, his friend answered.

• Hello Lloyd.
  
  
• Zane I need your help.
  
  
• What is your request?
  
  
• You know the guy Jay’s talk about this morning?
  
  
• Yes. I met him during the launch period.
  
  
• I don’t have time to explain, just know he did help me out. I need you to register him as a student with a part time job.

For a few seconds, the green ninja didn’t get any response. He almost called his friend to see if he was okay.

• Done. Kintsugi Blaze, sophomore who asks for a schedule management for his part time job. Homeschooled his entire life, the rest is corrupted and needs to be input once more.

Blessed is Zane who doesn't ask about morality and agrees to hack any system when they ask him an urgent favour. Lloyd was almost tempted to ask him if any camera got the other teen this morning, but he heard some movement in the office and the voice getting closer.

• Thanks Zane, you're a life saviour. I have to go.

He just got the time to hang up before Kintsugi got out of the room with a certain amount of paper in his arms, clearly confused by how everything went. 

• My apologies Mr.Blaze. I wasn’t aware of the arrival of a new transferred student. I will inform Mrs.Yamamoto of the reason for your wandering. One of our students will give you a tour tomorrow, as for the documents. You are asked to fulfil them in the shortest time possible. Have a good evening.

The guy returned the polite salutation before turning to look Lloyd straight in the eyes. Before smiling like he received a wonderful present. He quickly covered the distance between them before messing his hair with a discreet laugh. He looks around them to make sure no one will be able to listen to their conversation.

• I don’t know what kind of magic you’ve done, but thanks. It really means a lot…
  
  
• You did save me from some troubles too.

Usually, he gets punished, because he is always guilty. Having someone who just helped him because it was the right thing to do… It’s a relief. Yes he has his friends but meeting someone who doesn't judge him and is ready to get him out of an accusation at their first encounter. Pretty new thing. He feels ashamed for the assumption he made toward the guy.

For a moment, they walk in silence, Kintsugi always one step behind the blonde, like a shadow. Until they get to the main entrance where the new student stops and turns toward Lloyd.

• See you tomorrow Emerald?
  
  
• See you tomorrow.

The blonde smiled with his answer, happy to find a new nice guy. Maybe he could join their group. He has a pretty good feeling about that. However the moment he opened his eyes, the guy had disappeared. Just like a ghost or a ninja and what was this nickname?

At least everything ended well and for once, he is excited to go to school the next day.

Chapter Text

Usually when you ask students what their favourite day of the week was, Saturday and Sunday excluded, they mostly answered Friday. Because, as you probably guessed, it’s the last day before the weekend.

This morning if you had asked Kintsugi, he would have also told you Friday. However, it was more for the fact that it was his first true day of school then because it was the last day of working. After all, he never really stops working.

But right now, in front of a teen who gave him some really bad vibes, the Master of Fire was starting to doubt that today was going to be a good day for him.

The guy was wearing a blue T-shirt with the school emblem and brown pants, which was... an interesting choice but quite fitting with his classic slick back haircut. And if it was just a question of style, Kintsugi wouldn’t have said a thing, after all he used to wear traditional ninja clothes which, last time he checked, wasn’t the best example of fashion.

HOWEVER. The moment the guy started speaking, it was like a whole bucket of ice water was poured on him.  

• You must be the new student the principal was talking about. Lucky for you, I’m your designated guide for the tour of our superb school. Name’s Chen, head cheerleader. It’s a pleasure to meet you.

It was like the oxygen in his lungs had just vanished with how Kintsugi was struggling to breathe now. A drop of sweat rolled down his back, and if his skin could be any paler, he would be as white as paper. It can’t be right? The person in front of him was not that man. But the way they acted, their voices, they look too similar for it to be a coincidence… Is Kintsugi cursed to make the same mistakes and end up in the plan of another Chen?

This younger version of the businessman didn’t seem to notice his silence as something problematic, instead he turned and started to walk, certain Kintsugi would follow. It was a perfect opportunity to eliminate a threat . Shaking his head to remove any negative thoughts, the Fire Master starts to move, always making sure to keep a yard or two behind his guide. 

Perhaps it wouldn't be a terrible mistake to listen to a student not a dangerous individual ready to commit genocide for his introduction of the school. What could possibly go wrong with a simple tour?

Nya thinks of herself as someone able to contain their impulses.

She’s able to remain calm and focused against any opponents who try to taunt her, at least when she’s the Cyan ninja. Those who dare to hurt her family when she’s Nya Smith face a painful verbal and/or physical beating.

So yeah. Nya can stay perfectly calm. Especially when she sees the new guy following that bastard like a perfectly loyal dog. Yesterday, Zane and Lloyd were talking about a new guy who seemed shy but really nice toward them. She immediately suspected something was up.

And, like anytime her instincts kicked in, the girl needed to confirm it. Skipping class wasn’t an issue, especially robotics. Zane had agreed to help her out with her friendly and absolutely nonviolent meeting with this Kintsugi.

Shame her brother wasn’t in her class this morning, since he made her promise to do this with him. But when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. 

And when the leg-spreading whore went to the toilet, it’s too perfect for her to just let the opportunity pass. She cuts across the distance between them in a matter of seconds, forcing the guy back til he’s pressed between her and the wall.

Now that she looks at him properly, Nya notices how weak the guy is. Smaller than her, pale and covered with loose clothes to probably hide his stick-like body. She smirks, it will be a piece of cake to knock some sense into him.

• Listen here. I don’t know what you’re playing at, but hurt MY friends and I’ll make you beg me for mercy until not a single tear remains in your body. Understand?

The girl watches satisfied, as the guy tries desperately to reply, his entire body shaking of terror. Yeah, this Kintsugi is just a weakling who needs to be warned about how dangerous it is to mess with the wrong person.

Certain of her successful attempt, Nya walks away to return to her class. Once in another corridor, she pulls out her phone to send a text to Zane, thanking him for the help and confirming that the warning was properly sent. 

Unlike what other people think of her, the ninja does not enjoy being aggressive toward every person close to her family. However Nya is ready to do anything in order to protect those she loves. 

And with a little bit of luck, the new guy will back off like everyone else…

FSM, she hates doing such things.

Kintsugi was supposed to be mentally prepared for an awful day.

However now that he is trying to keep himself up with the wall, his entire mind’s a mess.

The beginning of the tour was okay. 

Sure, having flashbacks with some strangely familiar faces and the not so interesting presentation of Chen did put his nerves under a certain tension. It was a relief when he got a break while the cheerleader was doing his business. It was Kintsugi’s mistake to let his guard down at the very moment he was alone. Because in what seemed to be a second, he was between a wall and a person who rudely pushed him.

As a 25 year old man, the Master of Fire knows how to not explode as the face of someone, plus he is the adult, he should be mature in front of kids.

Kintsugi raises his head, ready to ask the person to back off or he would have to make them. However, words get stuck in his throat. In front of him was a girl, taller than him with a black ponytail, clothes worthy of a punk and a furious look on her face. 

It was her face… His beloved sister, his only family who joins the sea and leaves him with this painful hole in his heart. Nya…

The Fire Master barely registers what this version of Nya tells him. His lungs are burning, yet he’s never felt this cold. In an instant, it’s over. She walks away, leaving him alone once more . His heart stops racing and his body seems unfrozen.

• Are you alright? You look like you saw a ghost.

For the FSM's sake! Is everybody on a mission to kill him with a heart attack!?

The ninja quickly turns towards Chen, who completely ignores his glare to start moving to their next part of the tour. However, Kintsugi needs answers now.

• Wait. I want to ask you something.

The fake happy face the cheerleader shows to the ninja almost makes him wince. This guy really knows how to get under his skin.

• So you can talk! What wonderful news. Go on, what’s the matter?
  
  
• What’s the deal with Lloyd Garmadon and his friends?

And just like that, Chen’s expression turns into disgust. Almost as if the idea of talking about the blond makes him sick. He quickly cuts the distance between them before putting his hand on his shoulder.

• Those guys are a group of weirdos who follow Garmadon’s son like a new generation of criminals.
  Lloyd, obviously the worst and leader of the band. He’ll certainly follow his daddy’s steps. Then you have Jay, a coward who calls himself a genius. He's not much of a threat so don't worry about him. You also have Zane and Nya. Both psycho if you want my opinion.
  The first one is a perfect weirdo straight from a horror movie with the way he looks at you and the girl? Advice, if you see her. Run. Everyone knows she’s hyper violent, the only reason she’s not expelled is because every teacher here is terrified to taste her anger.
  Cole is just a jerk who thinks he’s better than anyone else. Finally… Are you okay? You look really pale. Maybe we should head to the nurse’s office.

Kintsugi’s about to vomit. Of course he looks like shit! Who wouldn’t after learning that the people you know are considered future criminals!? Even if they’re not his old family, he can’t imagine them like this…

• Yeah, I’m not feeling well… Gonna see the nurse; I know the way. Thanks for the tour and tips.

The ninja is ready for a mad run anywhere far from this teen, but the grim smile on the cheerleader’s face stops him, nothing good will come from his next sentence.

• It must be really tough for you. Listen, you seem to be a really nice person who needs some help to feel welcome. My friends and I are gonna do something fun after school on the rooftop. If you’re well enough, don't hesitate to join us.

He can only nod in a fake agreement, not trusting his voice to not break in the middle of what he wants to say. What would have probably pushed Chen to follow him. Without waiting for the other to leave, Kintsugi starts rushing as far away as his body is able to.

However, his legs quickly fail, letting him crash on the ground, leaving his body shaking while trying to move. Every breath is like knives into his lungs and the Fire Master is even able to see some haze each time he breathes out. Everything around him feels so cold now… Is he already at his limits? His Fire finally gave up and let the Ice win? He really is weak after all…

• Hey! Are you ok!?

In an instant, Kintsugi is in a really warm embrace, his body pressed against something firm and yet comfortable, it takes him a little moment to understand that he’s on someone's lap. 

• Men, you’re freezing and we’re mid-Summer! You’re lucky I have a higher body temperature than the average person.

This voice…
Slowly, Kintsugi turns his eyes toward the face of the guy who saved him from hypothermia.

Brown hair styled to look like a flame, eyes that could be amber with the right light and a scar cutting the left eyebrow.

There is no way he is on his alternative version’s lap, receiving a hug to raise his body temperature.

…

…

Oh shit.

Chapter Text

When Kai read in the chat that his sister was going to confront the new guy, he immediately had a bad feeling. It’s not like he doesn't trust Nya to defend herself, but he knew she can be a little much sometime. It was the reason why he was wandering in the corridor, hoping to find the poor dude before the girl.

And find him he did, or at least someone identical to the description he has. On the floor on the verge of the First Master knows what.
The only sure thing was that he was having trouble and as a decent human plus a ninja, the Fire Master couldn’t close his eyes on this. It was a matter of seconds to rush to the other person and get him closer to find the problem.
Even with a hoodie preventing skin contact, the Red Ninja could feel how cold Kintsugi was. He didn’t want to think about the haze coming out of his mouth and those almost blue lips. 
Without hesitation, Kai put the freezing guy on his lap to embrace him, making sure to slowly raise his temperature with his power to be a perfect blanket. He even made a comment to get the attention of the other one. It was definitely not for avoiding the idea of arriving a minute later…

It took a few minutes for Kintsugi to calm down and get back to a normal body temperature. When Kai was certain the person in his arms was no longer in danger, he studied the new student more attentively. 
His pale skin made him look sick, however, the ninja could feel muscles under those clothes; this guy was doing his share of sport and could probably carry him without a lot of issue.

• Are you feeling well enough to stand up?

Kai only received a nod before the guy started to stand up and stepped back to let him get on his two feet. The ninja quickly looked at his phone to see how much time was left before the end of the period before turning his eyes to Kintsugi. He can’t let him go alone to the nurse office, especially if he’s susceptible to another crisis of whatever happened.

• Do you mind if I lead you to the nurse? 

His question only received a sceptical and tired look. 
Wow. This guy must be really distrustful toward everyone. Or he had a pretty bad day so far. With the thing he saw, Kai was ready to believe anything at this point.

• I know we just met but I can’t leave you alone after that. Plus I don’t think you…
  
  
• Are intimate with the school yet. You’re right. So can you please lead the way?

How… How did he guess his words?

It was surprisingly easy… but who is he to complain? 
He gave the new student a nice smile before turning his back to go to Miss Rose. The old lady was really nice toward everybody, the Red Ninja stopped counting the number of times she healed Lloyd after he got cornered by a group… When he fails to protect his family…

…

…

Minutes of walking and they didn’t say a word. It was getting uncomfortable for Kai, especially when he could feel eyes on him but every time he turned to look at the only person here, Kintsugi was looking at something else without a sign of turning his head to avoid his gaze.

He can talk to civilians during attacks, surely he can begin a normal conversation with a new person.

• Are you ok to tell me what’s happened? I mean… Your body temperature was really low. Is it normal?
  
  
• It’s normal… My body doesn't have the ability to regulate temperature correctly. Which means that I’m always freezing.

Wait, how did he survive if he had this condition since childhood?

• You know, if you’re curious, you can just ask instead of giving me that look. My family was full of blacksmiths, I lived with furnaces my entire life, so it was usually not a bother. But you’re right I wouldn’t be here if it was as strong as you witnessed earlier… Guess stress did me no good…
  
  
• Stress?
  
  
• It’s a really long story. Keypoints are, It’s my first day so the headmaster assigned someone to give me a tour, and even though I got a bad feeling with them I didn’t want to judge them at first glance. But then a girl threatened me to never get near her friends ever again, only for me to learn she’s part of a group of pseudo-villains because one of them is the son of an actual warlord who attacks the city.
  It’s just ridiculous! Is every school this extreme with bad management who let students single out scapegoats and blame them for everything? Am I expected to pick one of those sides and mindlessly stick with it?!

That’s a lot of thoughts out of the bag…
But they were not really difficult to reorganise for the full story.
Kintsugi arrived this morning for his first day, and Chen got the task to show him the school. Knowing Nya, she must have seen them together and made an assumption, then threatened the new student to never get close to Jay and Lloyd when the cheerleader wasn’t there. Finally Chen or someone else explained to him the situation between the entire school and their group. It was too much for him, and he got a panic attack that worsened because of his condition.
Sheesh, call that a normal first day… No wonder he got so upset at the situation. If it’s really his first ever day in a public establishment the poor guy will need serious therapy after this mess. 
And the ninja will need a talk with his sister. After avoiding another panic attack.

• Hey! Take a deep breath, you just got better, there is no need to put this kind of stress on yourself. 

It takes a moment before Kai is certain the guy won’t have a new crisis. He looked at the nurse office’s door, taking a second to think of what to say before dropping him off for a medical check up.

• To answer your question: this kind of discrimination against the group I’m part of is common here. You just got really unlucky on your first day to get paired with Chen, then have Nya see you. I can’t excuse my sister’s actions, and I can only apologise for whatever she told you.

Honestly, the ninja was expecting a more violent reaction from the new guy. Especially after learning the girl who shouted at him without reason was his sister. Instead he looks at Kai with those big brown eyes, like he tells Kintsugi something wonderful. He was ready to ask what’s wrong before getting stopped by a hand held out.

• I wasn’t expecting excuses. You don’t have to take the blame for others' actions. But thank you, for at least listening to a total stranger and being kind toward me. Even if I don’t want to pick a side, it would be nice to get to know each other. If it’s okay with you.

The ninja was speechless, the person in front of him was willing to be friends with him. One of the people you should avoid if you don’t want your social life to be a nightmare. A smile was tugs at his lips at the idea, of course he would agree!

• WHOOOOOOOOOO

Ice fell into his stomach; the Garmalarm. Of all times it had to go off now?!

Kai started to run away to help the team, regret weighing in his gut, but paused when he looked at Kintsugi. The guy was watching the closest alarm with a confused look on his face. Does he not know what the alarm means? On the First Master’s name he needs to go somewhere safe until they stop the attack! The Fire master grasped the new student’s shoulder to get his attention.

• I need you to go inside with the nurse and to NOT come out until I come back. She’ll explain everything to you, but I have to go, stay safe. Remember don’t leave the nurse’s office for anything. 

• Wait a second. Kai!

And with that, he started running toward the closest exit to join the rest of the ninjas. They have robots to beat. But… how did Kintsugi get his name?

What just happened?

Less than one minute ago, his alternative self was talking to him, and then he ran away as if an alien invasion was about to happen! And what is that noise?
He didn’t get to process before a crowd of students rushed outside classes, screaming about Garmadon attacks and that they were gonna die or they need to find a place to hide. The chaos was overwhelming, he needed to get out quickly.
In a matter of seconds, Kintsugi spotted some emergency stairs and rushed to the roof to see what was happening.

Hundreds… perhaps thousands of aquatic-themed robots were in the streets, wreaking havoc. Just like the war against the oni army…

The Fire Master could feel the Ice slowly infiltrating his veins ready to rip him apart at any sign of weakness. He can’t let it win! Slapping his cheeks to get himself together, the ninja threw his concerns in the back of his mind and started looking for another roof to jump on. He was too far from his place, however he could get closer and help civilians to evacuate.
In one move he covered his hair and eyes with his hood before starting a mad dash for his jumps.

Parkour was just second nature after all those years, he was almost grateful for Wu’s training and these years of fight. In the distance he could see someone covered in black swinging a scythe to repel a group of jellyfish robots. If he had to guess: Cole’s counterpart. Perhaps he should offer his help… You’re dangerous for everyone, Kai! I can’t trust you if you pull out stuff like this!

It was only thanks to his good reflexes that Kintsugi was able to dodge the swing intended for him. Seems like one of the robots made it on the roof he was on...
However it was different from the rest. Where the small fries looked similar in a lot of aspects like they were just out of a manufacturer, the robot in front of him almost seemed handmade with its design close to a rock or perhaps a shell.
As a decent blacksmith, the Fire Master could easily notice the good quality of the metal used for the body as well as how well made his weapon is. The blade of the guandao couldn’t be more sharp, perfectly proportionate with a beautiful handle that didn't have so many decorations it was unusable. Yet the weapon almost seemed… too small for his opponent. 

• What are you doing here?! Roofs are for ninjas! Not that matters... You avoid my dear Yuèlóng, which makes you a worthy opponent against us! Prepare yourself, citizen!

Oh for the FSM's sake! What is wrong with those pieces of junk?! Do all of them have a personality like this one?
Kintsugi didn’t have the time to say anything before the robot sprinted at him, swinging its weapon with precision and speed, no doubt it knew how to wield it even with its self-important stature. It wouldn’t be a lie for the ninja to say it was a really good battle. Every movement could be part of a twisted dance between the two opponents, the armed one as the lead and him as the partner who contorts his body in more and more complex positions, yet still breathtaking.
A truly beautiful scene filled with details for the most expert eyes. Whether it be the footwork of the human, always ready to leave the ground to avoid the kiss of the blade, or the speed of the robot, matching his prey’s without leaving him a second to breathe. Never too far, too close or too hasty, taking his sweet time, learning the limits of this soft body under his gaze.   

How they both enjoyed the way Kintsugi seems near Yuèlóng at every moment, avoiding its touch at the last centimetre, almost begging to be harmed, able to feel the sharp blade cutting his flesh, leaving an indelible mark for this unhealthy yet addictive collection. Perhaps it was the warmth, slowly rising, the general of Garmadon’s army could feel the change, almost enough to make its metal malleable, its circuits desperately trying to not overheat. It should have stopped, it needed to end this battle, retreat and go back, but it couldn’t. His mind was so focused on this fight, how it was the first time he was experiencing such joy and pleasure. A little more! Just another instant of this burning passion between the two of them. As for the elemental Master… he could feel his Fire rushing in every part of him, ready to devour his foe in a last passionate moment. How long had it been since the last time he had such a desire for a fight? Every second was a delight, a rare treat making him hungry for more, more of this sweet sensation that made his entire body numb and his mind at peace…

A perfect moment only witnessed by them with no one to interrupt their pleasure.

What a shame, a cruel thing to do to destroy this paradise.
In an instant, a single movement, a tornado of fire replaced the human, snatching the guandao out of the general’s hand. And before it could even understand his loss, the robot’s body fell back, its dear Yuèlóng lodge just under its neck where the head of the smaller body was and its opponent sat on the robot’s chest, trying to get some air in his lungs. 

• H-How…?
  
  
• Your weapon… too small… For your stature… And your design, a pearl oyster’s.

A hand slowly reaches out to the place a heart should be if the robot was human, a soft pressure, a tender caress. The eyes of the general were looking at the face of his killer, the face of a person who isn’t an adult, yet someone with more experience than he should have. What a bitter realisation on the verge of its death… But he couldn’t really find the will to complain. After all, his last fight was all it dreamed of.

• Take Yuèlóng wi-ith you… May she witness w-wonders like to-today in your h…and…s..

Under him, his enemy died, leaving the ninja alone, his desire for a good fight not fully extinguished but with a beautiful weapon to continue this crazy journey. He looks one last time at the general, silently saying farewell before stepping back to join the alternative version of his leader.

Swinging his scythe to destroy the robots who were getting too close to him, Cole started feeling exhausted. It was almost like each time he destroyed a robot, two came to replace it, leaving him no time to call for backup. At this rate, he would get flooded by the number.
In the edge of his vision, the ninja could see a kid, hiding behind an electric pole he was nearing as he stepped back to counter attacks. Unfortunately, he wasn’t the only one to spot the child, because a second later one of Gamadon’s soldiers rushed forward, weapon in hand, too far from his reach. 
He can’t fail. He has to protect them, it’s his role and duty!

• Sorry to interrupt!

The ninja couldn’t believe his eyes. Between the kid and the robot was a man holding what seems to be a spear, piercing through the metal like it was butter. Everyone froze, only able to watch the blade pulled back, leaving the body falling to the ground. The newcomer turned to the closest robot. Even with a piece of cloth covering the lower part of his face, it wasn’t hard to imagine a crazy smile twisting his lips.

• Who’s next?

Garmadon’s soldiers looked at each other. However they didn’t get the time to move before a tornado of flame swallowed all of them, leaving only pieces of junk on the ground.
Cole was in pure shock. For the First Master’s sake, who is this guy!? And what did he just do?

• Huh… That was fast… I leave you the rest, Black!

With just this comment, the person who helped the Earth Master started running and jumping to climb the nearest roof, getting out of the ninja's sight in a matter of seconds.
What just happened!? How did this random guy just pop up out of nowhere and act like he knows him? Was it someone in the team who couldn’t change? No. The only one who could use that weapon is Nya and the voice was clearly masculine. Plus the power he used against the robots was so different from what he knew; to be honest, it was like looking at a bigger version of Spinjitzu…

• Mister? Are the robots gone?

The Black ninja gets out of his thoughts at the kid’s question. It wasn’t the time to get worried about the new vigilante. Right now, he needs to move to a safer place with the little boy. Cole nods in answer before gently leading the child somewhere else. He sure has a lot to discuss with the others after today…

Kintsugi was dashing back to the school as fast as he could.

After he came back to the rooftop where he fought the big robot, to take the bag he left there when Cole was in trouble, the ninja was calmly putting away his new weapon and his school stuff when he froze. His eyes slowly turned to the bag, as he took a second to remember what happened before the alarm. Well… Fuck!
That’s why the Fire Master was running toward the school. Without his school supplies because he was in too much of a hurry to think about the details. If his counterpart discovered he’d never stayed with the nurse, there was a high chance he’d get suspicious. Kintsugi couldn’t let this happen; he needed to keep an eye on the ninja team and find a way to be friends with them. Perhaps it’s also because he wants to have someone else in this chaos.

He quickly arrived at his destination and as he rushed in the corridors to find the nurse's office, quite easily if he did say so himself. Probably because everyone stepped aside from him, afraid of the impact. The ninja was almost at the stairs; he just needed to go up a floor, and he should arrive! 
It was only at the last moment that he saw Lloyd, surrounded by a group of students, preventing him from escaping them. They seemed like they were waiting for something to happen…
A shiver went down his spine as an echo of Chen’s words passed in his mind. The scene felt like a slow motion as Kintsugi’s eyes found an unidentified object falling over the son of Garmadon. With a quick reflexion, the ninja didn’t stop his dash, his loud steps made everyone jump back, leaving only Lloyd in the way. Kintsugi could only close his eyes, bracing himself from what was about to happen. Trying to ignore the shock and fear in the teen’s eyes he’s about to harm.

It didn’t last long, barely enough to register the impact toward the blond or the bucket. However, it wasn’t the same for the stuff slowly leaking into his hair and hoodie, infiltrating the tissue to embrace his skin. The ninja could feel every eye on him, murmurs and gasp filling the hall.
Carefully, he raised his hand and wiped the substance on his face before opening his eyes.
Everything was red. Just like blood. The blood he could- no, will, pour because he’s too weak to resist. A monster ready to…

• Blaze is everything…alright…?

It’s weird… Chen, who just arrived, seems so silent now… He almost looks like he’s afraid of what’s in front of him. What? Did he see a murder? This vicious snake should be shocked for something he surely already did himself. Kintsugi almost asks him what’s wrong before stopping himself. In front of him was a teenager. Not a businessman who was ready to do anything to become an Anacondrai… They’re just kids, who think bullying is the right thing to do.
Perhaps he can’t beat them but teaching them a lesson is still on the table.
The Master of Fire starts smiling, forcing his cheeks so hard that they’ll be numb tomorrow. He also let a part of his power out, just enough to make his eyes glowing with an ember that could be mistaken as madness. He takes a sick pleasure in watching the majority take a step back.

• You’re asking if I'm okay? What a funny question. I never thought you and your friends would welcome a new student with a blood bath. Is it a tradition? Or is it just because you got bored and decided to find a new toy?

All the audience was pale at the accusation, and what confidence was left in the cheerleader left his body. The ninja just needed them to flee…
He makes an annoyed expression while looking at his hoodie before sighing, removing the uncomfortable clothing and leaving everyone staring at his defined silhouette, letting them realise the situation and make their own assumptions.

• Perhaps you should leave… I think you’ve done more than enough.

They seemed to understand the warning undertone, because they quickly ran away from him and Lloyd. Speaking of which. He turned toward the remaining teen who was still on the floor, looking at him as if he was trying to read his thoughts. Kintsugi takes a deep breath and softens his facial expression before offering his left hand to help the boy up. The blond stiffened when he saw the red paint dripping, making the Fire Master realise that he should clean himself a little before touching someone else.

• Sorry. I forgot I’m still covered in paint, and sorry for making you fall earlier. Are you hurt anywhere?

As he looked at the alternative version of his little brother shaking his head to reply, he wiped the annoying stuff on his pants, before holding out his hand once more. This time Lloyd grabbed it and with little movement, the older man pulled him to his feet, hiding his surprise at how light the blond was. 

• Are you okay? You didn’t answer before.
  
  
• I’m fine… What about you? You’re covered with paint. Do you need help removing it?

Kintsugi smiled at how nice this version of his brother was. It’s a shame no one except his friends and family are the only ones to understand this… 

• No thanks. I don’t live that far. Go home before someone else decides to cause you trouble. We could see each other Monday?

Lloyd looks at him, hesitating, then just nods with a wobbly smile before walking in the opposite direction of the group, toward an emergency exit.
Now he just needs to return to the apartment without being mistaken for a mass murderer.

Oh joy…

Now that he thinks about his day, it’s the first time he has used Spinjitzu in this world… Hope that didn’t bring too much attention.

Next to an inanimate robot on a roof, golden sparks start appearing, slowly gathering to form a small ember. A future flame that will grow bigger to finally burn the weed that parasites this world.

Chapter Text

Morro was refilling the coffee machine with water when the front door opened. A quick look behind was enough for him to recognize his new co-worker. The Wind Master almost succeeds in forgetting his future unpleasant shift, but life's a bitch and he needed to face this hell as a decent person to at least avoid complaints about his behaviour. 

• Good afternoon… How was your week-end?

It’s not like he cared. However the puzzled face of Kintsugi created a spark of curiosity. At least enough to make him completely turn around to look at the boy for hearing his answer and see if he wasn’t telling shit.

• It was… Eventful. I met an old man who’s actually my neighbour. He was something for sure. Ah! But he is really nice and even offered me some tea!

Raising an eyebrow, Morro was looking at his co-worker, who started to panic, afraid to say something that could be rude in the back of this man. He was in disbelief by how sweet and puppy-like the teen was toward a person he just talked with once.

Though he doesn't care about this nonsense. The shift starts in thirty minutes and they need to prepare everything before customers arrive. 

• I’m sure the guy doesn't care. Now, hurry up! You have to do your part!
  
  
• Right, of course.

And just like that, Kintsugi, who did look relieved to not explain everything, passed in front of the Wind Master in full speed to put his stuff in the back and wear an apron. What was this guy’s deal?

Once in the backroom without Morro’s eyes on him. Kintsugi let a sign of relief out of his chest, he honestly couldn’t believe that the other male didn't find him suspicious with the nonsense he just vomited. What a great ninja he is…

But there was no way on the First Master’s name that he tell someone about Garmadon been his fucking neighbour!

Everything started last Saturday at the very dawn. He decided to do some exercises at the beach near his place to keep his shape. Perhaps to also mourn his dead sister , it was the moment where the proverbial fan got hit. During the third or fourth round? A loud sound of something breaking out of the surface of the water happened, making the teen adult look for the origin. It’s where he makes eye contact with a robot that was still half submerged…

The silence lasted two seconds before the Fire Master jumped at the poor sentinel who asked nothing and started disassembling it to make sure it doesn't call something else. Or it was what Kintsugi was hoping before a cough stopped him in his movements, making him look in front of him to see dozens of machines witnessing the murder of their camarade. Behind this army was a huge flying boat with on its board the origin of the sound which froze him, a perfect clone of Garmadon in his oni form. Thanks to the Elements, the villain started speaking before the tension got thick enough to be cut by a knife.

• So… I give you the choice. Follow me without resistance or my soldiers will make you. 

The ninja didn’t take a second before nodding. 

Yes he could have destroyed all the robots with a good Spinjitzu but it wouldn’t be a good plan in the long run. First, he already used it against Garmadon’s army, so the guy was probably aware of a new Master in the town. If the old man succeeds at making the connection between him and the attack of Friday, Kintsugi could give up the idea of peace and would ultimately end up explaining the truth about his situation. Second, the Fire Master doesn't really knew how the Spinjitzu worked here, nor the mastery of Lloyd’s father. 

The entire trip was made in the most awkward silence he ever had to endure. The ninja could feel everything (one?) staring at him to be sure he didn’t make a surprise attack and Garmadon’s eyes sparkled like he had found a new toy, gave him shivers. 

When they finally arrived at the base, the teen was conducted forced into a room with a pool of lava near what seemed to be a traditional set-up for tea. It didn’t take a genius to understand that it was the villain's idea, perhaps to intimidate him. Joke on him, he was a Fire Master plus, he actually craved warmth, so he gladly took the seat of the guest, the nearest of the melted rocks and waited for the man who “invited” him.

It was unexpectedly quick, not more than five minutes before Garmadon got into the room properly dressed like a traditional lord, leaving the armour for a green and black hanfu with golden broderies illustrating two well-detailed dragons. The status difference was clearly present to make sure the ninja understood his position in the meeting. He was a poor little thing who got the unimaginable honour to be looked at by a person like Garmadon… It could be worse.

The ceremony started in complete silence. Next to them, Kintsugi could see a robot preparing the tea in the most traditional style. Every movement was delicate but at the same time mechanical, the mix gave the ninja a feeling of uncomfort because everything feels wrong while looking fine.

• Who are you to stop this quickly my soldier?

• I demand you pardon? 

The oldest man looked pissed for an instant but in a blink of an eye he returned to a more sober expression of indifference. 

• There is no civilian who would not run from my army except the ninjas. However they are brats who are quite dependent on their powers. You, on the other hand, only used martial arts. I will repeat my question one last time. Who are you to be able to stop my soldier in less than a minute?

The consequences of remaining silent were heavy in the air and the tension was increasing at every instant. It was only a question of seconds before something, most likely violent, happened. The servant was trembling in fear next to their master after pouring the liquid, surely expecting to be caught in the fire between the two men but they noticed the stare they received from the newcomer, something that was clearly saying they needed to leave or else… 

The robot quickly bowed before walking to the door, letting the two Elemental Masters look at each other for an additional five seconds before the ninja sighed and turned his eyes toward the lava.

• Name’s Kintsugi. I arrived a week or so ago. I heared about an overlord who frequently attacks the town with robots. I saw your soldier and acted accordingly.
  
  
• You want me to believe that you are just a newcomer who was not really aware of the town situation? Sure. May I also assume that you are highly trained? Perhaps a military formation? Which is weird because you seem young, not even in your 20 if I have to guess. 

The oldest man took a moment to analyse the appearance of his guest, the boy was covered head to toe, the only part of skin visible was his neck and half of his face. Something was clearly off. However, Garmadon couldn’t deny the level of martial art possessed by Kintsugi, he sure would be a nice addition for his army, especially after the loss of one of his best generals in the last attack.

• You are quite skilled, but you still looked a little hesitant in your movements. I have an offer for you, Kintsugi. Something I don’t propose to everyone. What if I train you? I have a lot of experience in different fighting styles, with or without weapons. It would be easy to turn you into a strong master.
  
  
• I…

He ended up agreeing to this proposition for some reasons and now they will train every or so saturday. 

However, it wasn’t the moment to think about it.

Right now, Kintsugi needed to prepare for the shift with him the ghost… The ninja put on the apron in a few seconds, leaving his bag next to what seemed Morro’s before going back to the bar to help where he could.

Nothing major happened for his first time and just for that, the Fire Master couldn’t be more grateful. Sure he could feel eyes on him during those four or five hours and sometimes memories were lurking a little bit too close for the comfort at the sensation of being watched. But it was easily doable. For how long? 

Another good thing was the look of defeat becoming more present on the Wind Master’s face at every passing hour, forcing him to admit that the “teen” was not a terrible person to work with.  The duo was about to prepare themself for the cleaning hour when the bell at the front door rang, making them turn around to look at the new customer.

• Uhh… Morro, can I have an iced coffee plea…se?

In front of Kintsugi was a girl with black hair stilled in a ponytail, a black leather jacket and a motorcycle helmet under her arm. A girl he remembered as the one who threatened him last week and the alternative version of his beloved dead sister. She seemed to also remember him since her eyes got wider with her jaw falling on the ground. Thanks to the First Master, the oldest of the three catched the rising tension and quickly pushed the Fire Master in the storage room, mumbling some nonsense about a lack of sugar before closing the door to his co-worker face. He then returned to the counter to prepare the order.

• Sooo? How does this guy pisses you off?
  
  
• Curious?
  
  
• You’ll get my eternal gratitude if you give me something to work with for making this guy quit.

The girl looked at Lloyd’s cousin. Most of the time, the ninjas couldn’t figure out what was his deal. They all know he was the Wind Master and technically part of the group. However, he always refused to fight Garmadon’s army or even using his powers under the pretext that he preferred a calmer life. Yet he was always ready to beat any person who tried to hurt one of them, while acting like their big brother and almost nursing them.

For Nya, Morro was just annoying as fuck… But someone you could count on. 

• It’s... complicated. Kai demanded that I do nothing against him. He was really pissed last week, we even fought…

• Wanna share?

The Water Master looked at the door where Kintsugi was surely standing behind, waiting for her to leave the counter.

Even thinking of this guy was enough to make her remembered the talk of last week. 

After the attack of Friday, she directly returned home, only to see Kai waiting for her on a couch, arms crossed and with an expression of disappointment on his face. He didn’t say a thing. Instead he pointed to a sofa, silently demanding that she sits here. Nya was clueless about her brother's behaviour, perhaps he wanted to talk about some moves she did today that may have been a little dangerous. So she took place, ready to stand for herself against her sometimes overprotective sibling.

• Listen Kai, if it's about today's attack…

• It's not the thing I want to talk about with you.

What?

The girl looked in shock at Kai. Her brother rarely interrupts someone, always standing to let everyone speak their mind before arguing. The only times he does that is when he's furious…

• I know what you did this morning with the new student.

He can’t be serious! Her brother really wants to talk about Chen’s new toy? Rage started to flow in her veins as she looked at the unchanged expression of Kai. She did the correct thing! If she didn’t put a limit now, this guy would hurt her family at any sign of trust!

• There is nothing to say about this bastard’s new sidekick!
  
  
• Kintsugi isn’t in Chen’s group, you just attacked a new student during his first day!
  
  
• Oh. So you talked with this weakling and what!? He looked so pitiful that you believed his little story of him being a victim!? Zane can confirm the fact that he is with Chen and that is the reason why I make sure he never does something to us. But guess he needs more than a friendly talk to understand.
  
  
• You’ll do nothing to him Nya. No beating nor “talk” or anything that could harm him.
  
  
• You can’t be serious!

The look she got at her reaction to this offence was enough to understand that her brother was more than serious about this coward. She was furious. The person who always standed by her side goes against her because of a stranger with puppy eyes, there couldn’t be a worse treason than this.

• Fine! I won't interact with your poor little sheep! But don’t be sad when he’ll hurt you like what this bitch did to Lloyd! 

With that she stormed out of the room to avoid getting contaminated by the stupidity of the Fire Master.

Let’s say the week-end wasn’t peaceful for the Smith siblings. And now, the very problem was three metres away from her! She could easily make him pay . The young woman takes a deep breath to calm herself before taking her drink while quickly paying. Nya didn’t need a fight with her brother… For now.

• Nah… Let’s just say it’s more of a bad feeling. Nothing concrete yet. See you soon Morro.

She left the shop and at the moment that the front door closed, Kintsugi got out of the storage with the sugar, a broom and a mop in a water bucket. He holded out the last one to the Wind Master with an emotionless face.

• If I’m not mistaken, she was the last one before we closed. 

Lloyd’s cousin only nodded when he took the bucket before starting to clean the counter, giving the new employee enough time to clean the floor with the broom. They worked in a tense silence. On one side it was what Morro wanted because he hated useless chat, on the other hand, the oldest could feel eyes piercing his back, judging his every move. But each time he turned, the other guy was just doing his job without caring about Morro’s business. It was a relief when they finally finished everything, leaving them at the door that the Wind Master was closing.

Looking at the side, he could see the teen waiting for him…

• You know you can leave while I’m closing the door.
  
  
• I know.

A little silence hovered between them before Morro lost it first. What was this guy doing in his grandpa’s name!?

• Why are you standing here like an idiot? Don’t you have a place to return?
  
  
• I have one. But I thought I should tell you I heard your entire conversation with this girl and saw you looking at me while we were cleaning.
  
  
• And? A problem with that?
  
  
• None. I honestly don’t care about her point of view on me or your weird desire to get me fired. As long as neither of you get in my way, I have nothing to complain about.
  
  
• Is that a threat?
  
  
• It’s a warning.

He didn’t notice at first, but they got closer to each other, so close that their noses could almost touch. And even if Kintsugi was inches smaller than him, his posture with the flame in his eyes completely erased the advantage the Wind Master could have possessed with his height. In front of him wasn't a stupid teen, it was more like another adult, who saw his fair share of shit.

However, in a blink of an eye, the youngest was a step away from him, a polite smile on his face as he looked calmly at Morro like nothing ever happened. 

• Have a nice evening Morro. See you tomorrow.

And he was left alone. Wondering to himself what just happened. Perhaps Nya’s feelings really pointed to something. 

Chapter Text

It was already the next Saturday and Kintsugi was alone on the beach, watching the sun slowly rising in the distance. Garmadon ordered him to wait here until someone came to take him to his base. For him, the arrival of his robot would be “loud enough for an old person to notice”. However, the ninja was already there for ten minutes and no one showed up. Honestly, it was starting to look like the warlord went back on his promise. 

Well it wasn’t unexpected, but it would have been easier for the Fire Master to have proper training and a better grasp on the situation. Guess he’ll have to search for information the old way.

But at the moment he started to stand in order to return to his apartment, movement started on the water’s surface, quickly followed by a robot emerging from there. This machine was designed as a white shark, like the one he fought on the rooftop, it seemed handcrafted with a particular attention to details. Even reparations were redesigned as scars without compromising the entire structure. The battle axe was clearly created for this sole robot and its sharpness was undeniable no matter its more used state compared to Yuèlóng. Was this guy as strong as the one he fought on the roof? He couldn’t wait to test…

• HEY YOU ! ARE YOU MY LORD’S NEW STUDENT? YOU LOOK LIKE A SMALL FRY! HAHAHA!!

However, the tone used by the robot made him sober up and glare at it with annoyance. If every member of Garmadon’s army treated him like this, the warlord would soon have a shortage of soldiers. Unfortunately, the ninja needed this training… He’ll just have to endure this pain in the ass. They stayed in silence for a few more seconds before the shark-like robot stepped aside, showing a weird vehicle, and demanded that Kintsugi get inside. Once both of them were in place, a bubble completely engulfed them, they slowly sank to the bottom of the ocean, travelling to the submerged volcano that was also Garmadon’s base.

Like last time, the teen was put in the room with lava, asked to sit and wait patiently for his master's arrival. And just like last week, Lloyd's father entered in the next five minutes, dressed in a detailed but practical dress. The adult took a moment to look at him before clicking his tongue with an annoyed expression.

• Take off your stupid hoodie. I don’t need you to pass out from the temperature during our lessons.

By the dirty look of his new master, the Fire Master could tell he wouldn’t give up on this point. So he did not try to resist and stripped off his top, leaving him with only his tight tank top with his scarred arms at the view of Garmadon. If the adult noticed the fucked up state of his body, he was polite enough to not raise his thoughts. 

• I see you’re in good shape, it is a decent start. For now you will train in clothes that are not too loose to avoid unnecessary discomfort. Today I will only test your abilities. Any weapon you already wield?
  
  
• I used a sword and have wielded a stick and spear on rare occasions.
  
  
• Very well. Go take place at the start of the course and wait for my signal.

The overlord quickly designated where the start was supposed to be before walking toward a weapon holder. Kintsugi could just distinguish some stuff while walking to where he was expected to go. The course looked very familiar and it took him a moment to remember why. When he did, nostalgia rushed inside of him, who would have thought the Fire Master was about to redo the first course Sensei Wu made him do in order to make him become a ninja. Irony at its finest…

• Go!

At that moment, his body reacted instantly, passing the first obstacle at an impressive speed. Even if he hadn't trained in one of these for a certain time now, the ease Kintsugi was feeling at every exercise was undeniable, it was refreshing to witness the presence of his old abilities. The bell at the end got smashed and with that, the parkour was over, leaving the teen looking around, noticing only now that Garmadon was missing. A chill passed on his back as he tried to find the adult.

• It was a good time, shame you lost track of me…

It was by sheer luck that the ninja didn’t jump at the voice behind him. How was the overlord able to get behind him without him feeling his presence? The Fire Master could feel shame and doubt, slowly flooding his thoughts. Was he this bad that he couldn’t even notice when someone was getting behind him?

• However, you noticed my absence and stayed wary of your environment instead of just standing with weak points everywhere. Being sensitive enough to your surroundings is just a question of practice with your body. Take notice of every signal it sends you instead of ignoring it. Now take this sword, we are about to spar.

Wasn’t that what he did? Paying attention to every little thing his skin could feel? He really felt nothing a minute ago and it never failed him before. Did he have to do this after the incident ? Or did he unconsciously rely on his teammates? Guess he’ll need to do some tests… 

He examined the sword given to him. A fine training blade, not overused yet, no fancy details nor specific modification to be adapted to its wielder. A sharp, potentially deadly weapon… Nothing out of the ordinary. As he approached Garmadon, Kintsugi was able to take note of the only blade he was using. Perhaps confusion showed on his face because his “master” raised an eyebrow.

• I need to test your skills properly. It would be useless if I use four weapons against you, like I often do against those ninjas. Get in position.

Once in the ring, they looked at each other, waiting for the adversary to make the first move. Finally, it was the Fire Master who tried a frontal attack, targeting the side where Garmadon wasn’t holding his blade. As expected, he got easily repelled and forced to take multiple steps back before being pushed into a defensive position when the overlord started charging at him with the strength of a bull.

The oldest man was ruthless, targeting every spot susceptible to making the teen lose his balance or the grip of his weapon. Though he couldn’t feel any cut yet, Kintsugi was already starting to feel his body slowing down. After all, his endurance was trained for quick fights, not something that was over time. It was only a matter of time before he couldn’t keep up anymore against the overlord.

Not more than five minutes later, his left leg failed to move, making the teen fall on the ground, the blade of Garmadon was at his throat, forcing the ninja to look at the displeased, almost worried expression of his opponent. Now that he was paying attention, everything was strangely blurry and a strong metallic smell was attacking his nose.

• Did you not notice?
  
  
• Wha…

But before he could finish his question, a strong dizziness made him stop. The strength he had to keep his head up to look at Garmadon left him, making him completely extended on the floor. While his vision was turning black, he could only see the overlord screaming something with his hands reaching him. And was the floor this red when they started training?

When he opened his eyes, Kintsugi could barely see a thing. The entire room seemed to be in the dark and smelled strangely like lavender… It took him a moment to understand that he was lying in a bed that wasn’t his. He needed to leave somewhere safer before…

• It would not be wise even to sit, you lost quite a lot of blood.

At his left, on a chair, was Garmadon. He was still in the clothes he had during the fight. Yet every sleeve seemed to be tainted by coagulated blood. Confused by the statement of the overlord, the ninja forced his left arm to be in front of his face, witnessing that most of the body part was wrapped in bandages.

• The rest is no better. According to my servant, you will have to rest for a moment to regain the entirety of your blood.

A silence passed. Kintsugi could say that Lloyd’s father expected him to say something or at least explain what happened. However, the ninja only nodded at the instruction. What could he say after all? That perhaps he overestimated the state of his body and didn't know he lost his sense to that extent?

• Were you aware of your pain asymbolia?
  
  
• My what?
  
  
• Father, give me patience… Your incapacity to feel pain. Did you know that you can’t feel a single thing at the point you are unable to feel a blood loss?

It was honestly a surprise.
Yes the Fire Master knew that he lost at least a part of his sense of touch after that Lightning struck him at full power. But he wasn’t aware that it was this severe…

• I… I noticed that I couldn’t feel things that I touched most of the time. I thought it wasn’t important since I still can feel some stuff and…
  
  
• You can’t feel a thing.

The interruption was brutal, forcing the ninja to look at the oldest person in the room. Garmadon was closer than before and one of his arms was stretched toward him, with his hand on his shoulder where he couldn’t feel it. He… he couldn’t… There was nothing! No it’s just the stress. He could feel it! He could!... he needed to…

• It must be your memory that compensated for the lack of sensation, making you think that it was only partial and not complete. However it will cause problems since you are unable to tell your limits.
  
  
• So… it’s over?
  
  
• No. We will keep everything as it was. It would cause too many problems if we change a thing.

Garmadon wasn’t wrong. If he expelled the teen, he could let the ninjas know where he was. On the other hand, if Kintsugi got imprisoned here, it would be just a matter of days before his disappearance got reported and eventually brought the team on his tail. The overlord could only keep an eye on the ninja for now on and if he was convincing enough, recruiting him. It was a clever decision, Kintsugi could admit as much but it didn’t wash away the unpleasant feeling of being trapped in a bad situation.

• One of my robots will check if you get injured before and after our training. I don’t need my student to be a broken mess. It will be all for today, be at the beach next sunday at the same hour.

With that, Garmadon left the room, letting Kintsugi sit in the bed, and stare at the door full in confusion. Not long after, a robot escorted him to the port where he was sent at the surface by the same vehicle of earlier. It was only once he was home that the Fire Master noticed something weird about him. In addition to being patched up, his clothes were completely different from what he was wearing this morning. Instead of the grey tracksuit was a white tangzhuang with purples details and pants of the same colour. Guess he won’t get his stuff back before the next weekend. What a strange morning… And why did the old man make the effort to change them instead of leaving him with his bloody clothes?

The next week passed without a problem, no attacks or students verbally aggressive towards him, even if some of them looked at him weirdly , it was already Thursday and Kintsugi was optimistic of having another normal day. How naive of him.

To his defence, the morning has nothing out of the ordinary with the maths teacher making at least half of the class falling asleep. After this purge and a quick nonexistent meal, the ninja got to an empty room to study a little while waiting for Mr. Walker's metallurgic lesson. It was one of the options proposed for his diploma and on the First Master’s name did he not think twice before choosing this. Sure they weren’t forging big stuff but working on small objects with details was extremely relaxing. The Fire Master only got to one lesson and he was already so grateful for this break.

Even thinking of his next class was doing wonders for his morale. At a point where he didn’t notice when someone got closer to him.

• Excuse me?

Raising his head from his exercise paper, Kintsugi was face to face with Lloyd. The blond seemed uncomfortable under his gaze, not really staying in place and looking at anything except the Fire Master. However, the ninja could understand. Last time they met, he harshly pushed the green bean and the next second, he confronted those who made the prank. In his situation it’s quite hard to guess if the person was mean to him because he is Garmadon’s son and got some karma or if it was a sort of performance to defend him.

• Do you need something? Or is it about last Friday?

Judging by the look of surprise he received, the Fire Master assumed it was the last one. This kid was too easy to read. Where was his little brother who had some spine? Not here, never here.

• Listen. I won’t apologise for that. Nor will I do it toward those who planned to cover you with paint. You seem smart but being submissive toward everyone will lead to nothing. You saw it yourself, they will keep hurting you and your loved ones until some day, no one will be there to defend you from the worst.
  
  
• Are you suggesting that I hurt others?! I am not Garmadon!
  
  
• Do you know the difference between your father and you? It’s simple. He is strong, and everyone knows that. It is the reason why no one tries to attack him except the ninjas. On the contrary, everyone knows you don’t defend yourself. Which makes you an easier target to let out this fear and frustration. That's what I’m suggesting. Grow a spine and defend your butt! It’s no one’s job except yours to make idiots understand that children aren’t clones of their parents.

With that, Kintsugi tied up his stuff before rushing at the door to avoid any answer the Green Ninja could give him. Yes he sounded rough at best and comparing the teen to his morally debatable father was clearly not the most delicate way to approach the problem. However, it needed to be said. The Fire Master knew the counterparts of his family ?  were ninjas, that they have the strength to at least be left in peace. Yet they did nothing! He could understand the secret identity shenanigans but it did not excuse Lloyd being a doormat. 

Great. Now his good mood was ruined. With a little bit of luck the blond will keep that for him and Kintsugi would be able to suffer no repercussions from this. At least he won’t have to think about this mess with Jay’s father.

In the team, Zane Julien was viewed as the smartest member, who was able to take all the data available to come up with a plan resulting in one of the best, if not the best, outcomes. However, for his family, moral compass and laws were at best vague concepts.

So it was without surprise a matter of time before he started to spy on the new student with every security system he could enter in. And in the First Master’s name what he found was beyond suspicious. First, for some unknown reasons, Kintsugi only appeared a week and a half ago. However, with his excuse of being new to town, the Ice Master couldn’t really confront him. The second and more incriminating fact was that he rarely appeared on camera, at a point that even with his best efforts, Zane was unable to follow him after school, except when he was at Spooky Break. And even in the school it was a pain to find him. Speaking of lack of presence, this teen doesn’t have a single social media account. Who at this age can possibly live without something like that?! Was he even human?

With all that odd behaviour, the White ninja started emitting the hypothesis that they could be in front of a new robot of Garmadon, built to look like a “normal” teenager. It would explain why it missed some common habits, since it should be the beta version sent to see how it would integrate. 

But it was pure speculation and before acting accordingly he would need the green light of everyone, since kidnapping was still illegal.

From now on, Zane would accumulate as much evidence as he could find and when he finally got the approval of the team, he would make sure this enemy of theirs no longer got in the way.

Actually he has two interesting pieces of footage.

One was from last Friday evening in which Kintsugi rushed to Lloyd's location and helped the other intellectually disabled teens to harass their leader. No need to doubt the satisfaction it was for the Ice Master to see the new guy covered in paint. However, the rest of the video didn’t fit the beginning. With well placed words Kintsugi made everyone leave and once no one was watching, he helped Lloyd to get on his feet, almost as if he wanted to be on his good side…

Which led to the footage number two from the past hour. It was in an empty room on the first floor. Here Kintsugi was reading some papers when his little brother went to talk to him. The conversation was short but some elements were clearly suspicious. To the invitation to harm others to the comparison with Garmadon, it was too personal in so many wrong ways. 

What should he do? Nya, who shared his worries, was actually fighting with Kai on the matter and the White Ninja didn’t want to add oil to the fire. Jay and Lloyd surely had mixed opinions about the new student with their past interactions with him. Wu and Koko were out of the question. It left only Cole. Perhaps their support pillar could give him good advice on where he should search next.

Midnight had already passed and it was at this moment that Garmadon thought it would be a wonderful idea to attack the city. Cole was starting to wish they could do the same kindness toward the overlord by making a racket in his base once they found it. 

Unfortunately it wasn’t today and right now he had to stop the bunch of robots who were trying to destroy buildings, and by the number it would take him hours at best ... Thanks to the First Master, none of the ninjas had an exam this Monday.

According to Zane and Nya’s information, the group already contained the majority of the foe. This sole knowledge was perhaps the reason for what happened next. Certain that things could only calm, the Earth Master slowed down, letting fatigue infiltrate his body. And it was at this very moment that an explosion happened. Turning his head to find the source of the sound, he witnessed an entire building dangerously leaning while he could hear screams inside of it.

The Black Ninja could only rely on his reflexes to use his powers in order to stabilise the structure. However, by doing so, he got himself in a situation where his movements were limited in order to remain focused enough. Leaving him as an easy target for the remaining soldiers. In the corner of his left eye, Cole saw some of them getting closer with their weapons, ready to attack him. And in the next second no robot was here. Instead, a single person with a sort of spear had their back turned toward him with scraps of metal at his feet. 

• We meet again Black Ninja. Need a hand?

That voice! It was the guy from last week!

• You again?! You can’t just fight every robot and hope for the best!
  
  
• We don’t have time for calling your teammates if it’s what you’re implying. Plus my power can’t stabilise the building like yours, so you focus on keeping everything in place while I clean the ground with those worthless fighters.

The Earth Master could only watch every soldier getting torn apart by this flame-like tornado and feeling the warmth emitted by this Spinjitzu. Not more than a minute later, they were only the two of them, civilians were almost all out of the compromised building. Just like last time, the vigilantes start walking away, surely to avoid unnecessary attention. 

• Wait! What’s your name?

The look he received for a moment could easily be understood as “you’re serious?” but the guy quickly sighed while turning toward him.

• Name’s Shogun! Hope we’ll never have to see each other again!

With that, the new hero ran away like one of those comics Lloyd loved so much. Cole would have a lot of things to ask Sensei Wu about the Spinjitzu, however that’s for later. He needed to stop the fire that risked spreading.

Yet, no one noticed how the flames were close to the colour of the purest gold. Burning with an unnatural vigour…

“W..er. .r. y.u t…ef?”

Chapter Text

A month already passed and Kintsugi could unwillingly admit that he somewhat adapted to this universe. Everyday looked like the previous one and the feeling of being in danger faded away, even with Garmadon’s frequent attacks. It should be around this time that his family should notice he didn’t return… Did they even notice?

Sure it wasn’t his home did he have one anymore?, not everything was bad! His alternative self and he were good friends, he could go to school and enjoy most of his time he never tried after they left them when he was five. He has a stable job even if Morro was sometimes an ass, and he trained almost like how he did as a ninja, everything was going great so far. Well…great until his body eventually failed to survive.

But right now, the ninja was in the library of the school with Kai. His friend proposed to study for the history exam for the next week, and even if history wasn’t his worst subject, it never killed someone to prepare a little more.

They were at it for at least two hours. Personally, Kintsugi thought both of them knew more than enough of the lesson to succeed; he was about to end the session before noticing that the other teen was staring at him.

• A problem?
  
  
• Not at all! I… I was just thinking that… We never do anything together after school, and we have known each other for a month now.

He wasn’t wrong… With his busy schedule, the Fire Master barely got time for doing anything else. And with who anyway?

• And you have something in mind?
  
  
• Yes! What about climbing? Plus I want you to meet a good friend of mine. I’m sure you’ll get along really well. Are you available next Sunday?

A grim crossed his face. He was already planning a patrol as Shogun, sure he could postpone this easily. It would also be assuming that Garmadon wouldn’t hurt him too badly next Saturday, since the old man won’t change his course plan at the last minute. Speaking of him…

• I’m sorry. I already promised my old neighbour to help him install his new microwave and get rid of the old one. And knowing the man, he will keep me for tea after that. Why not Sunday of next week?

Kai quickly agreed on his proposition, giving him an hour and a place to meet before excusing himself to go for his next class. The guy seemed so…happy. Guess he’s still a teen after all. And he hopefully doesn't have to live what Kintsugi has to go through.

It was a routine at this point. Every Saturday, the ninja would dress in his “uniform” and wait at the beach until one of Garmadon’s generals came to pick him up. Sometimes the face changes, mostly because the previous robot got destroyed by the ninjas or his persona.

However, instead of being given a weapon like every previous time. The Fire Master got asked to sit in front of a go board with a pouch of stones on each side. But he didn’t get more time to think of it before Lloyd’s father entered the room.

• Punctual as usual. Take a seat. I assumed you knew how to play Go.

The teen nodded while sitting, since the student already knew the rules, the game began once they were in place. The duo played for hours, resulting with Garmadon having the bigger number of wins. With a little smile, the old man asked his servant to prepare some tea and take away the game board. 

Once installed with tea, the adult looked at his student, his eyes having a strange glow.

• Do you know why I made us play this game as your lesson?
  
  
• If I had to guess, I would say that all this was for learning how to choose my battles. However, there is something that I don’t understand. Am I allowed to share my thoughts?

A single nod was enough to make the ninja continue.

• Other possibilities more similar to the functioning of your army exist. The one I see more fit would be chess. Simple pawns are your soldiers and generals could easily be represented by those special pieces. Ignoring some minor rules, this game is more fitting for an exercise like I presumed. Which leads me to what I can’t understand. Why choose Go?

• Interesting reasoning. You’re not completely wrong on the subject of today. But you still missed the detail and this is the very reason why I picked such a game. You see, chess has a flaw. You can only take, move and replace your pieces.
  I want you to imagine the city as a Go board, white pieces are the ninja force and black pieces are my army. Every battle consists of placing your people at a tactical position to destroy the enemy. And both sides are allowed to add more strength if they see fit.

His arguments were more than valid and the comparison with Garmadon’s situation was easy to see with this exemple. But something was… weird in his formulation.

• And why do you create such battles in the first place?
  
  
• I beg your pardon?
  
  
• There is a saying. “Losing the battle but not the war.” If you are willing to lose battles one after the other it means it is worth it. So I am asking. What is your great goal that justifies all this?
  
  

The ninja could see the face of Garmadon slowly turning to a metaphorical red as his eyes got filled with anger and frustration. There was no need to be a genius to see the argument coming at a train speed, yet Kintsugi didn’t back off, nor fall on his knees to beg for his master's forgiveness. Instead he was standing under this furious gaze. The Fire Master won’t continue this arrangement if he stays in the dark concerning the motivation of this man. If he has to destroy every robot or join the ninja force and reveal his persona, so be it.

• You dare question my plans?!
  
  
• YES! I can’t understand why anyone, would willingly locked themself in a fucking underwater volcano, while plotting to invade the city nearby when they could live there as a normal citizen! Especially if this someone has a FAMILY!

It was a low blow on his part and honestly, he didn’t plan to let it out. Welp, even if he was technically more than 25, he still acted like a hormonal teen. Nonetheless, the shock and confusion on Garmadon’s face was priceless at the moment.

• I know you have at least a son. Did it not cross your mind that you would ruin his life?
  
  
• How could I ruin anything?! I wasn’t even there to begin with! 

Was this bastard father joking with him?

This time it was Kintsugi, who got filled with rage at the words. He could feel warmth gathering in his palms, threatening to make his hands on fire in the minute. How long has it been since he felt this heat for the last time?

• Is the concept of reputation soo new for your dusty ass to know?! Your actions have an impact on him! He. Is. Shamed for even existing! You are destroying everything that could matter to you and after nothing remains? What then?! Are you gonna self-destroy with habits more toxic than the previous one?
  
  
• How could you even grasp this topic? I am the Master of Destruction, those actions are the very reflections of my being.
  
  
• I’m not an elemental master like you. However I doubt every Master of Creation would fuck and get an army of children. Or is every Lightning Master addicted to technology while, if they exist, Nature Masters can’t bear the view of a computer? Perhaps Master of Fire are only crazy people who will burn themselves to achieve their goals? May I continue these stupid examples or is it enough to demonstrate how irrelevant and fragile your excuse is?
  Maybe you have some impulses from your powers, but you are a grown man; you should get a grip on yourself! 

Ironically, he was actually an elemental master, and he followed the very caricature he made of Fire Masters. In front of him, Lloyd’s father seemed to have frozen, probably trying to erase the picture of his brother having any form of sexual relation. It was clearly no use to try calling him…

• I will take my leave and would like to inform you that a friend of mine invited me to meet one of his acquaintances next Saturday, so any bruises could potentially be spotted. Have a nice week, Master.

With a superficial bow, the teen walked to the door in order to return home. But at the door, he stopped for a moment, looking at Garmadon. Perhaps a last push wouldn’t hurt.

• You should find a real reason for doing this or stop immediately before you truly destroy what you hold dear.

Since he arrived in this universe, Kintsugi was paying attention to never appear at the same place every time each week. To the point he even went patrol at random days to make sure he was truly untraceable. However, the incident of last Sunday stayed in his mind at all times, making him visit the place every day when he had the chance.

Today was no exception. After stopping two thieves and helping a grandma return safely to her apartment, the ninja travelled across rooftops to arrive at the building site.

Once every resident got evacuated and the surrounding area cleared from any life, the Black Ninja let his power die, causing the building to crash in a controlled zone. Throughout the whole week, the town got rid of rubble. In the light of the street lamps, things seemed to go smoothly. Yet, the vigilante knew it would take months before the habitants returned to a normal existence. Garmadon would never wait this long…

• You know, if you stay here you will be viewed as one of us by Garmadon.

Turning his eyes to the newcomer, the Fire Master was met with a ninja mostly dressed in black with cyan details. Plus the feminine voice. There was no doubt that Nya, the Cyan Ninja, was in front of him.

• Besides the potential wrath of the warlord, does it bother you or your teammates?
  
  
• … We are more concerned about your safety. You’re still a civilian, even if you seem to wield an element like us.

She stayed silent a little longer after her answer before closing up the distance between them and sitting next to him. At this very moment she looked like a calm person, ready to talk and hear the person next to her. Knowing how she acted toward him when they were both students kinda washed out the facade she tried to give. Kintsugi could only wonder if it was because she was in her ninja persona or he wasn’t close to her family that the Water Mistress acted polite toward him.

• Black is a guarantor of you. He says you have helped him twice already.
  
  
• And what do the rest of you think of me?
  
  
• Neutral at worst. You protect the city, and for now it’s enough. Although we are curious about your abilities, especially your Spinjitzu.

A smile appeared behind Kintsugi’s face at the not so subtle question. The difference between their techniques was quite noticeable, the Fire Master wondered if the Wu of this world got curious about this. But that was a question for another time. 

• I’m afraid it’s one of those things I cannot share. It was a pleasure to finally talk to you, however I need to move. Hope we won't meet again with a Garmadon attack!

He didn’t wait before jumping off of the roof in order to finish his patrol, leaving the Cyan Ninja alone, looking at his back as he runned away.

So that was Shogun.

Nya wasn’t expecting to encounter him where the last battle happened. Their conversion was mostly useless, but it was a start.

Plus it wasn’t like the guy was about to let her get close enough to put a tracker on him. Sensei Wu trained them until they collapsed. She could tell that the vigilante who was next to her was highly trained and clearly suspicious of her every move.

Even if Cole only said good things about him, she can’t blindly trust someone that well trained. Especially after the talk they had during the last meet up.

It was Wednesday, and everyone was in the base.

Jay was probably doing his homework, Cole, Kai and Lloyd were talking about something, while she was planning with Zane the next thing they could invent to slow down Garmadon.

• Ninjas, time for report.

At the call, the team took place in front of their teacher. Each one of them started explaining what happened in their point of view during the last attack, until it was the Earth Master’s turn.

• You remember the guy I talked about in a previous attack? The one with this weird tornado. He appeared at the moment when the building collapsed. He protected me from the soldiers while I was busy stabilising the structure. 

Everyone showed a certain degree of surprise at the news. It wasn’t the first time that this vigilante appeared, the first time strangely being during Lloyd’s aggression , but encounters with him were rare at best even for civilians.

Master Wu stroked his beard while looking into the void, probably thinking of something, before returning his attention to Cole.

• Did he use this movement you described last time?
  
  
• Yes.
  
  
• Can you describe any particular sensation? Perhaps it would help me to find the element of this new elemental master.

At the demand, the Black ninja seemed to hesitate. Opening his mouth to close it after being unable to find his words. Everyone noticed him looking multiple times at Kai.

• It felt like…being next to a campfire. Really warm, yet dangerous if I put my hand inside.

The implications were clear and everyone in the room looked at the Red Ninja who was shaking his head to state it wasn’t his doing.

• I was with Lloyd during the attack. Besides, I can’t do a tornado like Cole described. Sensei, is it possible that another person can wield one of our elements?

The old man seemed puzzled by this mystery. It was only after a minute of silence that he suddenly walked toward his parchment room to come back with a pretty old document.

• I was able to find you by retracing your family tree. And with all my research, I discovered many things. One of them was that no matter what, there can’t be two masters of the same element at a moment. 

Kai was definitely the Fire Master, they all saw him using his flame on multiple occasions. So who what was Shogun?

• Kintsugi. Could you stay a little longer please?

The ninja just finished cleaning his board when Mr. Walker asked him to stay. Since the first time they met, the old man insisted on being called by his first name “Ed”, everyone except the ninja complied, to the teacher's despair. However it shouldn’t be a reason for keeping him after the class and he didn’t do anything that would go against ant school rule.

Once every student left the room, the adult showed him one of the big bean pillows, silently asking him to sit there. He did as he was told, watching Jay’s father go into an adjacent room, probably for getting something if the ninja was interpreting the sounds correctly.

Ed came back with two filled mugs, he even gave one to him before sitting in front of the teen.

• I made you hot chocolate, I thought you would like it.

Kintsugi was confused. Why did a teacher give him a treat at the end of the day? They aren’t close either… Staring at the drink for a moment, the Fire Master finally brought himself to take a sip. It was far too sweet. He could almost feel the sugar going through his throat, taking care to completely cover the inside of his month. The sensation couldn’t be more uncomfortable and yet…it reminded him of his little brother’s love for candies…

Nostalgia flowed through his mind for an instant. Memories of time they spent together where things were more simple. Where they were all innocent and alive.

• Are you feeling well?

Mr. Walker’s voice made him refocus on the moment. The adult seemed worried; he even got closer to him in order to check him. With a deep breath, the ninja calmed himself, forcing a polite smile and hoping he looked fine. As if he could be…

• Yes, Professor. Sorry, I zoned out. May I know the reason why you wanted me to stay?

Ed stared at him, searching for something before sighing.

• I saw how good you were during my class and how passionate you looked about the subject. However…since this week, you’ve looked unsettled. Your work was really poor, and you seemed frustrated each time something didn't go well. You have something in mind that clearly bothers you. Do you want to talk about it?

What was he supposed to answer? 

He kept thinking about his talk with Garmadon. Kintsugi didn’t regret any of his words. Nevertheless, the ninja was now in an anxious cycle, questioning his decision. He willingly destroyed a part of stability he got in this universe while gaining a spot on the warlord’s enemies list. Perhaps he should have brought the matter up in a more subtle way. Take more time to make him change his point of view. How could he screw everything up this badly?!

• Eh! No need to make that face young man. If you’re not comfortable talking about it, I won’t force you. I’m your teacher; I’m here to help you learn and if needed, give you somewhere to feel safe. 

Oh… He spaced out again… How pathetic of him…

Swallowing the lump in his throat, his eyes went between his cup and Mr. Walker. It’s not like it mattered anymore…

• It’s stupid, really. My neighbour and I got into a big argument about some of his life choices I find beyond stupid and toxic. I left while he was in shock and now I have no idea of how he took everything. But it’s not like I cared, I mean, we didn’t know each other for long.
  
  
• I would disagree. You seem to really care about this person. Especially if you had the courage to try discussing his bad habits. Did it occur to you that, perhaps, he wouldn’t hate you for what you said?
  
  
• How? I literally told him that he was a brainless bastard for not even trying to be a good parent for his child before running away like a coward! I knew it was low, yet I screamed at his face without shame nor thinking of…
  
  
• And why?
  
  
• What?
  
  
• Why did you talk about his family if you were aware of how he would feel? I’m sure you won't just say stuff like this if you don't have a reason.

A reason?

For snapping at Garmadon about his lack of good sense?

The ninja could argue that it was only out of concern for the man or lying about being tired of his nonsense. However he already knew the truth behind his actions.

• I… I can’t understand how he could give up on his family so easily. I would… Kill, to see them another time. Even for just a proper goodbye… How could he not understand that only regret will come after losing them?
  
  

A box of tissue was put in front of him. Making the Fire Master look at the teacher in confusion. Why would he need that?

• You probably want to wipe your tears.

Rubbing his hand against one of his cheeks, the ninja could see traces of water. Fully witnessing once more the proof of his curse was perhaps too much at the moment, making him only able to hear his muffled cries as his vision got blurry and trembling. 

It took him a moment to register his head being laid on a shoulder and the voice of Ed, softly whispering to him to take deep breaths and how it was fine to cry for someone we mourn. Just for a moment, he wished to stay in this embrace he couldn’t feel. Pretending that there were no responsibilities on his shoulders.

Chapter Text

Seated on the sand while looking at the sunset, Kintsugi couldn’t stop thinking of the last Saturday with the overlord. No matter how unpleasant it was, he could admit that he had some regrets concerning his words. Plus the endless shivers due to his emotions didn’t give him time to properly rest for the week, leaving him with dark circles under his eyes.

It was stupid! Why did he even bother waiting for the old man!? They only knew each other for a month, technically 5 days , they weren’t that close!

Before the ninja could fall into hysteria, the usual sound of a robot coming at the surface made him turn his head so quickly that his neck cracked.

Completely unaware of the worries in the teen’s mind, the general showed him the vehicle to get to the base with an emotionless face.

Kintsugi didn’t wait before rushing to sit in a place. Perhaps he cared a little more than what he thought.

Nothing new happened during the quick travel and like any previous session he got put in the room where Garmadon and he trained.

However, this time he wasn’t the first inside. Seated in front of a tea-pot with two cups was Lloyd’s father. The old man seemed as tired as him, his hair was barely brushed and his clothes looked more like luxurious pyjamas. Even in this state, the warlord quickly noticed him and made a sign to come closer to take place in front of him.

The silence at the table was heavy, no one seemed ready to start the discussion. They both preferred drinking the tea in front of them while looking at anything other than what was in front of them.

To tell the truth, the ninja was starting to regret getting here in the first place. He couldn’t face his actions of the last week and the fact that Garmadon didn’t say a thing about the incident since he got here almost drowned him in guilt…

• How is he doing…?

The question was mumbling so the Fire Master could barely hear. Did he really say what he thought he said?

• Can you repeat that?
  
  
• … My… Lloyd. How is he doing?

The teen was speechless. In a really good way. He never expected the man to even try to care about his son. But he didn’t allow his hopes to go up too fast. After all it could be just a brief moment of lucidity from Garmadon. Just like the version of his universe .

Taking a deep breath to chase those thoughts away, Kintsugi carefully searched for anything in his “master” expression that could betray him. However, when he found nothing, the ninja took a deep breath and started telling a sort of informal report.

It was almost amusing to see the most dangerous person of the city hanging on his words for every detail he could give about Lloyd. Asking questions one after the other under the excuse of “trying to better understand the teen to properly recruit him” that neither of them really believed. The hours passed in a flash and soon enough the teen needed to go home. But not without the promise to continue his story about his son’s friends.

Cole was waiting in front of the usual place he goes for climbing, questioning every decision that led him here. Last week, Kai asked him if he would be up for a session with him and his friend.

To be fair, the Earth Master perfectly knew he was talking about the new student. The team has heard enough fight between the Smith siblings . Even Zane approached him to get his point of view with what he found out about Kintsugi. Yet he agreed to “officially” meet the guy under the pretext of getting his own opinion about the newcomer…

• Cole!

His reflections were interrupted by Kai’s call. The Red Ninja quickly approached him. Behind him was a person, who he assumed to be Kintsugi.  He took a moment to look at the guy. However it was hard to see anything. Every clothes were loose enough to hide his body shape, yet not too big to get in the way of climbing.

• Kintsugi, meet my friend Cole. Cole, this is Kinstugi.
  
  
• It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. Kai always talks about your amazing music and how strong you are.
  
  
• Those aren’t the only things I said! You make me look terrible!
  
  

The Earth Master was left watching his friend acting like an overdramatic teen who would never be able to heal from the terrible blow to his reputation. The scene was silly, but honestly it felt nice to see Kai being less tense. Maybe Cole was the emotional support of the team, however the Red Ninja was always the one putting himself into danger to protect them. Especially with the tension created by his friendship with the new student…

He was a little bitter against Kintsugi for making the mood of the team so low, but not enough to not properly give him a chance.

Clearing his throat to gain their attention, the Black Ninja put a polite smile on his face while stretching his hand toward Kai’s friend for a handshake.

• It’s a pleasure to meet you too. Hope we’ll get along.

He didn’t get an answer immediately, instead, the guy looked at his hand with a puzzled face before forcing himself into a forced smile and entering in contact with the ninja. It took everything from Cole to not shiver nor look at what was between his fingers. The skin felt dry and bumpy, yet squishy in a way that only human flesh could have been… Fortunately, the Earth Master regained composure before the exchange could become awkward and invited the two others to change inside and start the climbing session.

After proper explanation and set up, the trio chose a relatively easy wall for starters. The only reason for this decision was the inexperience of Kintsugi, who was designated to be the first one to climb in order for Cole to evaluate his abilities. Which left the two old friends kinda alone for a proper talk.

• So…how did you meet?
  
  
• Really Cole? Can you be more obvious?
  
  
• Eh! I'm just trying to learn his backstory. It’s not a crime. Watch out, the rope isn’t tense, it could be dangerous.
  
  
• Shit! How can he be so fast?!

The Earth Master cracked a smile at his friend who was cursing while pulling the rope as fast as he could to catch his delay. In his defence, you don’t expect a beginner to climb at such speed.

• Soo?
  
  
• It was during his first day. He got a bad panic attack, and I helped him. Nothing more.

Honestly, there seemed to be more behind this, but the look given by Kai stopped further investigation on this topic.

• Guys! I’m all the way up; what’s next!?

Seriously, how can this guy be this fast?

Shaking his head in disbelief, Cole took a deep breath to give him proper instruction on how to properly position yourself for getting down. As expected, the new guy quickly caught up and was on the ground in no time, leaving the duo of ninja surrounding him.

• How could you lie to me! We’re friends, yet you never told me you did climbing before!!!

That’s Kai and his dramatic self…

The reaction of Kintsugi was just to ignore him. Which was a wise choice in Cole’s opinion. However the look he received made his eyebrow raise.

• Don’t look at me for answers, you are also his friend, and he’s a drama queen all the time. But seriously, you’re way too good at this for a beginner. Be honest, it wasn’t your first time.

He blushed while looking at everything except the two elemental masters.

• Well…I have climbed before. But it was ages ago and without equipment so not really high.

An unpleasant silence crossed the group before the Earth Master clapped in his hands to grab their attention.

• Let’s try something harder then! What about a 5.12a?
  
  
• But what about you? I just climb, it’s supposed to be one of your turns.
  
  
• Nah I’m fine. I never was really good at this. If you can offer a challenge to this mountain filled with testosterone, I gladly give you my turn.

With that said, Kai’s friend couldn’t argue anymore and got dragged to the wall in question.

Like the first one, the Fire Master was in charge of the rope and Cole observed everything. He had to admit that Kintsugi was pretty good at this, but something kept bothering him with each passing second.

• What’s wrong with his right hand?
  
  
• I can’t tell you everything…It’s really personal to him.
  
  
• Did he tell you everything?
  
  
• No. Just that it was part of the accident that brought him here. I didn’t push further…

Right now, the subject of the discussion was somewhere at the middle of the climb, completely unaware of what the duo was doing. The Earth Master took a moment to look at his friend’s expression before returning his attention toward Kintsugi. 

• Penny for your thoughts, Kai?
  
  
• It’s stupid, really. But when he talked about this “accident”…He seemed fully aware of what would happen to him. Like… like he was the cause of this…

The implications were clear and didn’t sound nice at all. 

What if this guy tries something again? And Kai gets involved or even worse ?

• You should…
  
  
• No.
  
  
• What…But Kai! He…
  
  
• It’s only a theory. There is no evidence of anything. Heck, he could have gotten this from rushing in a burning house to help someone! I won’t blame him without knowing the full truth. You trust me…right?

A shiver shakes Cole at the question. It sounded so weak, completely different from the always confident Red Ninja. He knew Nya was still arguing with him and doubting his judgement, but witnessing the fear of not being trusted hurt more than what the Earth Master could imagine.

• I believe in your judgement. But if he tries anything, you’ll call me for help, okay?
  
  
• I promise. Now let’s enjoy our time together.

Not long after, Kai’s friend called them to get down after arriving at the end of the wall.

The rest of the afternoon was pretty pleasant. Cole and Kintsugi mostly duel on various climbing walls while the Fire Master was the arbiter. It ultimately ended up with the Black Ninja claiming victory even if it was harder for him to get the win this time.

Sure the guy seemed nice. However, Cole still had too many questions to even consider trusting him.

Another shift started for Morro as he was greeting customers and taking their orders. At this point he was counting days for his contract to end. Don’t get him wrong, Mrs. Diaz was a really nice boss, even working with Kintsugi was bearable after a month. However, some clients' behaviours made him wish he was already a doctor and didn't have to work here . 

The sound of the bell was enough to get him out of his thoughts as he turned to “politely” welcome the new customer. Only to face a teen looking like the stereotypical leader of the popular kids. He took a second to prepare himself mentally before starting the usual small talk.

• Welcome. What can I serve you?
  
  
• Uhh whatever. Just a hot dark coffee with three shots of espresso, exactly half a cup of almond milk, no sugar at all. I need to pay attention to my body after all. Some whip cream, but just enough for it to not melt, nothing more.

There was no way Morro would stay patient if this guy talked to him with that “you’re not worth my breath” look of his. He just gave him the price, took the money and showed him a place to sit.

• Please don’t plan a murder, we have nowhere to hide the body.

The sudden comment made the Wind Master choke in a laugh at his coworker’s demand. However he quickly turned toward Kintsugi to get an explanation about this bloody idea.

• Come on. Your face was the embodiment of “I will punch this bitch”. If it’s that much of a pain to serve him, I can do it for you.

After looking at the teen for a moment to see if he’ll retract, Morro growled a thanks before handing him the stupidly long order.

They continue working in silence, only with conversations of their customers as a background sound. And for a moment the med-student felt like it could be a nice day…

• You should have seen the freak’s face after that! I showed him that he’ll never be welcomed here.

...if it wasn’t for the same teen with his phone call. Seriously, it was beyond annoying to hear him “speaking” to his friend about intimidating a poor kid. The Wind Master looked at Kintsugi to see where he was with his damn order. Thanks to his grandfather, his co-worker was about to put the cream on and it would be ready to go.

• Yeah! Garmadon’s son doesn't deserve to stay here. The faster we kick him out, the better, trust me.

Morro frozen. The person being bullied was his own cousin? Someone he almost considered as his little brother. Anger rushed in his blood and it took every ounce of will in his body to not go to the guy and break his nose with a well deserved fist. For years, Lloyd talked about how people hate him for his father. Crying on his shoulder while the Wind Master could only try to comfort him. It was hard sometimes, always heartbreaking and leaving the oldest one filled with rage towards those who were willing to do so much harm to an innocent. He was also bitter toward himself for being this useless.

• Here’s your hot coffee. Enjoy.

Next to the bully was Kintsugi putting down the cup with a really cheerful smile. However the guy didn’t wait for a thanks before he started walking to the counter, his smile getting more tense at each step. But nothing else happened. His co-worker just politely smiled at him before starting organising glasses and boxes.

• AAAAHHHHH!

Or it was what Morro would have thought if not for the scream of pure agony coming from the bitch who just got his coffee. He just got the time to turn toward the sound before being faced with a very angry customer, holding his cup far too close to his face.

• What is this shit!?
  
  
• Uhh… A coffee? The one you ordered.
  
  
• Do you think I’m dumb!?
  
  
• Listen. I can’t help you if you yell at me without telling me what the actual problem is.

The guy went silent for a little moment before taking a deep breath while mumbling about his “incompetence”. Once again, he stretched his cup toward Morro like it was the answer to everything. An awkward moment later with a really annoyed look, he took the content in his hand.

If it wasn’t for his habit of hiding his expression, the Wind Master would have jumped of surprise at the temperature of the coffee. Thanks to the Dragons it wasn’t boiling but it didn’t change the fact it was clearly hotter than whatever they usually served…
He didn’t have time to find an answer before Morro felt a gentle tap on his shoulder from Kintsugi.

• Morro? Is there a problem with the coffee?
  
  
• A “problem”? Your co-worker can’t make a simple order! My drink is too hot; I burned myself with it!
  
  
• That’s weird… You see. I’m the one who got your order, and the temperature was exactly the same as for the rest of our customers. Yet, you are the only one complaining. Tell me Cheng, do you suffer from hyperesthesia? I’m not a med student, soo perhaps your tongue is just too dry after talking so much with your “friend”.

The look on the bully's face was priceless. Between how paler he got with the glimpse of fear and recognition in his eyes, it took merely three seconds before he ran out of the store.

• For the record. I usually serve hot coffee only for those who need to “warm” up their tongue.

Kintsugi’s comment was the last push to make the oldest one burst into laughter. His shaking was almost enough to spill the coffee all over the counter but he managed to stay relatively steady. After taking a deep breath and finally stopping himself before breaking a rib, the Wind Master noticed the lack of reaction from the other boy. However, when he turned toward the teen, he was met with a surprised and flustered face. The way he looked at him almost made him blush before he cracked a little giggle to wave it off.

• You’re good?

The reaction didn’t wait. At his question Kintsugi seemed to snap out of whatever got in his mind while he started panicking to find his words. Eventually, he got hold of himself

• I’M FINE! S-Sorry it’s just… It’s the first time I heard you laugh… You looked great…
  
  
• What did you mumble?
  
  
• Nothing! Oh, a table needs cleaning! Bye!

And he was gone.

Well, his job could be really annoying, but sometimes it was worth it.

Wednesday arrived without a hiccup at the horizon. And Kintsugi couldn’t be more relieved.

After strangely panicking at Morro’s laugh and asking himself if they become friends with Lloyd’s kidnapper. No. The guy he works with isn’t a ghost, nor the Wind Master he fought. And his little brother Lloyd is not in this universe. He needed to get it together...

Perhaps an unexpected event would be what he needed to flee his thoughts.

• WHY WON’T YOU LISTEN?!
  
  
• BECAUSE WHAT YOU’RE SAYING IS INSANE!

Brilliant narrative intervention from the First Master or any divine power.

The teen almost turned back to flee this obvious fight before a glimpse of recognition crossed his mind. Because he knew these voices…

As silently as possible, he got closer in order to confirm his suspicions. Without surprise, his worries were true with his counterpart and his sister fighting each other regardless of where they were standing.

It was a pity to witness a fight like this. Especially if they were similar to his universe. After all, they only had each other during their childhood…

• Kai, this guy isn’t normal. You need to cut ties with him before he hurts you. Please.
  
  
• On what evidence?! You can’t just ask me to leave a friend because you didn’t like him at first glance! Why won’t you try to get to know him first?
  
  

There was silence at Kai’s accusations and from where the ninja was, he could see the teenage girl looking at his sibling with a mix of shock and disbelief. Probably unable to understand the fact that they couldn’t even compromise on this topic, like they usually did when they couldn’t agree on something.

Yet it didn’t take long before her eyes burned with what seemed to be anger and bitterness.

• Your “friend”? Do you even hear yourself!? You’ve only known this guy for a month at most! Yet you claim to be closer with this guy than with us, your FAMILY!
  
  
• That’s not…
  
  
• SHUT UP! I’m DONE with your excuses! You don’t want to stay with us “brother”? Fine! I don’t want you around me or the others if it is for stabbing them in the back!

She doesn’t wait for a reply before quickly walking away from the boy. Leaving Kintsugi the twisted honour to watch the Fire Master of his universe slowly lose it. The scene left a bitter taste in the false teen’s mouth; after all, he was the origin of all this mess by simply existing. And looking at the kid curled up, desperately trying to repress his cries, was only adding guilt to his heart.

Yet he forced himself to step away from the wall he was leaning on. Because right now Kai needed someone to rely on. Like he desperately wished to have.

Plus the unnatural heat coming from nowhere made him move faster in order to avoid any unnecessary fire damage and unwanted questions that neither need in this already messy situation.

He can't breathe! It was like he was underwater.

And it hurts. IT HURTS! IT HURTS! IT HURTS! IT HURTS! IT HURTS! IT HURTS! IT HURTS! IT HURTS!

Air. He needed air! Just a little to not faint. To not extinguish.

Kai could barely see his hands with his eyes full of tears, yet he could feel them when they got around his neck and between his jaws, instinctively trying to keep his mouth open while biting his fingers to blood or strangling himself.

Being in this position felt like ages but the Fire Master couldn’t resolve himself to move. Every muscle in his body was numb to this point. The only comfort was the increasing heat around his body, like when he put himself on fire.

• T…. .o. ..u .. ..e… K…

What?

It was inaudible. But before he could do anything, hands gently grabbed his wrists, slowly forcing him to put his hands on his chest. Somewhere he couldn’t hurt…

He can’t stay like this! He needed those! He was supposed to…

• Shhhh.. .re..h .ai.

On his back, a sudden weight got placed, reminding the ninja of one of Mr. Walker’s special blankets. It wasn’t heavy enough to be uncomfortable but what was needed to make him focused a little more on his surroundings.

• Y.ur’. doin. grea..

Assuming there was someone else, they stayed like this a little more. Listening to Kai’s breathing, slowly calming down. Finally when he finally calmed down, the teen turned around to see who was the nice person who helped him, only to be faced with his friend and subject of his fight with Nya.

He didn’t have time to panic once more before feeling his hands being pressed, making him look at a very concerned Kintsugi.

• Other students may arrive soon. Let’s go somewhere a little more private, and we’ll talk there if you want.

Kai could only nod. Leating the other teen walking them to an isolated part of the building.

The little trip barely registers in the ninja’s mind. It was only when they sat on the ground that he forced himself to look around. The numerous booksheels made it quite obvious they were in the library. Instead he turned toward Kintsugi, who was staring at him.

• How…?
  
  
• I was there…and I heard your fight with your sister…

Great.

It couldn't be worse. Nya already gave him a rough time, and now he’s gonna lose someone else because they’ll legitimately fear for their safety…

• And I want to apologise for the position you’re being put in for being my friend. It’s probably too early, but do you want to talk about it?
  
  
• I…I genuinely thought that you were about to leave because of my mess.
  
  
• While becoming the worst trash on earth? Sorry, but I won’t run away from the first problem. I’m your friend, at least if you still want that. And I don’t give up on those I care about.

It was probably the serious look with Kintsugi’s declaration or maybe the stress finally getting down that made the Fire Master chuckle. Silently at first before getting louder, shaking his entire body.

The librarian will probably kick them out in the next five minutes for all the racket but it felt great to let out all this tension and fear, in order to keep just the reassurance of being right in his opinion and having a person to rely on.

Chapter Text

Time flew like crazy in Kintsugi’s eyes. More than three months have already passed with him in this universe, yet nothing came to bite his ass and no one came after his disappearance.   Regardless of what didn't arrive, the ninja could confidently say that he had plenty of things to occupy his time. 

First, his studies. It goes… Unexpectedly well with his situation. It also helped a lot to be on good terms with Jay, Cole and Lloyd. At least enough to have them willing to help when it got too hard for him.

Speaking of the ninja team, it was already a little more messed up. 

Depending on who Kintsugi was at the moment, their behaviour toward him was sometimes really awkward. The green, black and blue ninjas were the same toward his two personas. Not hostile but far from being good friends. Sure they have worked quite well together during some Garmadon’s attacks or some homeworks on different subjects, but it was there that their relationship ended.  Same thing applied for Zane. However, this time, the Ice Master was adamant about hating him or at least making their interactions as painful and frustrating as possible. Sometimes, Kintsugi was dreaming of punching his face, regardless of the consequences if he was also a Nindroid.

Yet the most awkward were the Smith siblings, who have both different but opposite interactions with him as Shogun and Kintsugi. Nya still treated him like trash when they were civilians, especially after the big fight she got with Kai two months ago. However, as the Blue Ninja and Shogun they were almost stuck to the hip. It began as sparring partners, never at the ninja base, to finally grow into something close to a somewhat sibling-like relationship.

As for Kai… Well… Their friendship only became stronger as time passed. That said… The same applies for the tension between him and the Red Ninja.  After each training session with the team, Kintsugi could feel the silent anger slowly building in the teen. Waiting to be unleashed in a torrent of flames. It didn’t matter how much he tried to at least speak to him, it was like talking to a wall. He wanted to believe the others, reassuring him that their teammate just needed some time, but he already knew it wasn’t true… After all, he was quite literally the same.

But thinking of this mess would only give him a headache. Instead, he could focus on more cheerful moments during those months, like Morro and Garmadon. After putting memories of their alternative counterparts aside, they were actually quite decent people.

Starting with Morro, he and Kintsugi continue to work together at the Spooky Cafe, roasting some annoying clients and becoming quite the duo. It was exhilarating to have someone around your true age, having fun and talking nonsense for hours while cleaning. The teen couldn’t stop his heart from beating faster each time it was only the two of them.

As for Lloyd’s father. The Fire Master was ready to admit his mistake about his distrust toward the Overlord’s determination. At first, it was terrible, Kintsugi could still clearly remember every bump they had to cross up until this point. But as time went by, the teen found himself coming more often to pay a visit to Garmadon. It arrived to the point that a robot waited for him almost every afternoon.

Everything began with a serious discussion on what to do now regarding his son, they settled on a letter system where the “student” would have to deliver in Lloyd’s looker or anywhere only accessible to the blonde. It was the first heated debate between them on the matter because the adult wanted everyone to know his actions. It took a bunch of hours, some broken tea cups, a physical fight or two and some robots sent to be torn into scrap, before they finally calmed down and concluded this matter in a more civil way. Ending up with Kintsugi winning the argument by insinuating how negatively it would impact Lloyd and therefore ruining Garmadon’s efforts.

Passing this cap, it became surprisingly much easier to influence the Overlord.  Actually, it was the man himself who often came asking him for his opinion regardless of how cold he could be with his answers. The vigilante’s mind immediately goes to the first letter Garmadon ever wrote. It goes approximately like this.

Son,

I, Lord Garmadon, Master of Destruction and future ruler of Ninjago, wish to send you a formal invitation to join my army.

As my own flesh and blood, I am more than certain of your capacity as a soon to be general and right hand. Of course, this opportunity and the expectation I have toward you could be overwhelming. 

I will give you a week to settle any unfinished business. 

Please, prepare your belongings and wait next Saturday morning so I can pick you up.

Cordially, your father.

Kintsugi genuinely cringes after reading this. 

So after gently telling Garmadon that this letter was not pretty good. They spend the next hours rewriting something more fitting for a parent trying to properly connect with his child without ulterior motives. In the long term. It’s still in work… Now, the Overlord mostly wrote about some of his harmless inventions or asked questions about his son's days. Regardless of the lack of direct answer, Kintsugi always makes sure to describe Lloyd’s reaction to every letter. It helped a lot that the Green Ninja seemed less and less tense at each delivery.

Of course, the blonde has no idea of who was putting his father’s letter in his locker and Garmadon has the good sense to only mention him as his “consultant”. He was more of a therapist at this point…

In summary, a pretty stable start for a future father-son relationship.

And as much as he wanted to deny it. Kinstugi also got some a lot of help from the old man after their session. Whenever the teen did feel stressed, anxious, unsure of his worth, Garmadon somehow felt it and always sat him in front of a cup of tea, ready to listen on what bothered him. Of course, the Fire Master couldn’t talk about everything, especially his home universe or anything related to the Ninja team, but it wasn’t necessary. Never once was he forced to explain himself. The Overlord let him express his sorrow, a shoulder ready for him to cry on.

Fortunately, it wasn’t always a painful topic aborted around tea, like the one of today.

You see, Morro was about to leave his job to start his internship for his med studies and the teen really needed help to find a proper goodbye gift for his friend. Yeah they were just good friends after all this time. It was taking so much of his thought that he couldn’t pay attention to the fucking sword he was supposed to parry for his training. Thanks for Gamadon’s reflexes to stop before any accident.

After getting scolded for his carelessness and checked by a med-bot to make sure he didn’t get injured, Garmadon forced him to sit and to “explain what in the First Master’s name was so important”. Some explanation of the situation later, the Master of Destruction only looked at him, one of his eyes twitching.

“You almost got yourself killed because you were thinking of what to offer to your loved one…” He made a dramatic pose, fixing his gaze into Kintsugi. “That is what you are telling me?” His voice raised from disbelief.

“Well… When you put it that way…” Kintsugi didn’t get time to continue before getting abruptly interrupted by Garmadon.

“How else, pre tell. Could I formulate this differently?!” It didn’t take a genius to notice that the Overlord was really pissed. Yet instead of screaming more, which could have been highly expected with this absurd situation. He sat down, putting his face between two of his hands and taking deep breaths for a few minutes.

Kintsugi could get a glimpse of a red iris, fixing him behind those obsidian fingers. It took another bunch of minutes before the oldest fixed his position to properly look at his student.

“What were your ideas so far?” His voice was so calm compared to a few minutes ago that the teen almost missed the question.

“Pardon?” He thought that Garmadon would have ended the training and asked him to leave for the day before giving in to the desire to throw a teapot at his student. But this sudden curiosity toward a completely random subject surprised him.

“It clearly bothers you, enough to be dangerous to yourself.” The discreet reprimand wasn’t lost to the ninja who could only blush a little. “I will be damned for letting my student be this clumsy. I may not know your “friend” but I still can give you ideas and give you some of my thoughts.”

Wow… 

The teen was speechless, it was really considerate of him. 

Maybe his amazement showed on his face because Garmadon burst into laughter. It wasn’t his “Overlord/evil” and stereotypical laugh. No, it was a natural and contagious one. The kind that came from the guts, that propagated to others, making you shake while crying with a smile. And it was the very first one Kintsugi ever heard from in a long time. It made him smile, it made him happy, it made him laugh and relax.  Euphoria took the best of him, washing his worries for a moment, forgetting everything. 

They eventually calm down after what seems like hours, letting a nice silence take place between them.

“What about a handmade gift?” Finally the adult proposed while brushing back his hair to look more composed. Confusion must have crossed Kintsugi’s face because the Overlord quickly continued his explanation. “You talk a lot about this blacksmithing practice class with Mr. Walker. You seem to know what you are talking about and like that kind of work.”

“Well, I grew up in a forge… But is it a good idea? I’m not really good.” It wasn’t a bad assumption from his mentor. However, he never forged anything as delicate as a gift. His last and most impressive work was that …

“Kid. Stop devaluing yourself like this. You’re doing great”

“For combat old men. Forging something requires more than just betting hot iron. I don’t have what it takes to put together something as small and refined as some sort of jewellery." Let’s face it. He doesn't have those qualities nor the talent to create something.

In the end, his hands and flames were only meant to fight and hurt others.

“You are pretty patient when you write letters with me for Lloyd.”

What?

Looking up, when did he look at the ground? Kintsugi fell on the gaze of those bloody eyes. The Overlord was looking at him while sipping some tea, absolutely unfazed by his words.

“I saw you at every training, meticulously applying every advice I gave you. You are always calm and with good thinking at your work. From some of your stories, I would have killed some customers of yours while you only put them at their place.” Garmadon took another slow sip, like he was waiting a little for his words to penetrate. “You are able to focus too. Like every time you did when you had homework to finish while I yelled at my soldiers. For me it looks like you have all the qualities required to create something for that friend of yours. I do not know who from your past you are comparing yourself to Kintsugi. But I think it is time to stop.”

A heavier silence fell between them.

It was… Almost frightening to witness how well the Overlord knows him, not even Mr. Walker has seen his insecurities. But at the time, hearing how well regarded he was by this man filled him with relief and joy. Almost like when your parents told you how proud they are…

Time flew really fast, to the point it was already Tuesday.  After some many sketches for different accessories he could create, Kintsugi finally settled on a hair clip big enough to catch all Morro’s hair, but he wasn’t sure about the design yet. Somehow, nothing seemed good enough, it arrived to the point where papers were scattered around all the room, almost covering the floor. So before spontaneously combust, the vigilante puts everything down to go for a patrol.

Getting fresh air was great to clear his head and after half an hour, Kintsugi could feel his muscles becoming less tense. Since the moment he started, nothing really big happened. Just one or two aggression he was able to stop rather quickly. It was a welcome change from Garmadon’s “random” attacks. The Fire Master even saw at a distance the ninja group, but he didn’t take the time to properly greet them. Plus they don’t seem to have noticed him, so it wasn’t necessary to give them a scare.

In summary, a peaceful night to enjoy the noises of the city.

Until he spotted thick smoke in the distance. Shogun didn’t hesitate before rushing toward the scene, jumping from roof to roof at full speed. In the corner of his eye, he could observe how the traffic seemed completely stopped while pedestrians were all pointing in the direction he was heading to.

What welcomed him left him speechless.  Fire. An ocean of flame, devouring the building at an alarming speed. The firefighters on the ground looked powerless in front of the neverending blaze. Shogun quickly went down the roof to help where he could.

This mess already lasted for an hour or two at the time, the vigilant took a second to look around him. At some point, the ninja team arrived and also tried to help with their power to extinguish the fire to no avail. Something or someone seemed to be controlling the situation and wasn’t willing to stop…

A sudden heated discussion made Shogun’s head toward the sound, making him watch what appeared to be a mother who lost her child during the evacuation. “Please! My daughter is still inside! I have to go get her!” She looked desperate but the firefighters didn’t move, forcing her to move back. “Ma’am, you would just put yourself in danger. We cannot let you go.” Turning his head toward his counterpart, he was met with a puzzled expression. It seems that Kai heard the woman and was thinking of dropping everything to go help her. He couldn’t let that happen.

He quickly approached the group before speaking high enough to get the woman’s attention. “What’s her name and where do you think she is?” He got almost worried for the mother with how fast she turned her head toward him and almost ready himself to stop her mid-sentence if she started bombarding him with information. Fortunately, she seemed to notice his stiffness and took it upon herself to calm a little.

“Her name is Emily, a little five years old girl in a green pyjamas. We live on the fourth floor.” Shogun nodded his head, preparing himself for a mad dash in this compromise building before a hand on his shoulder prevented him from walking further.

“Are you sure you’ll be fine Shogun? I’m able to go too.”

As expected, his counterpart was worried. Regardless of their tense relationship because of their shared element, the Red Ninja was still genuinely concerned for his safety and proposed to put himself in danger. Talk about tasting your own medicine… However, Kintsugi couldn’t let his friend go inside.

“Red, you are needed here. Between us, you are the only one able to avoid the fire from spreading. I don’t have a quarter of this control. So please, stay here. I’m gonna get the child and be back in an instant.” Sometimes, truth is more effective than a lie, and for the reluctant look he got from Kai it seemed to be just enough to convince him. It almost made him smile before he got out of the ninja grip to run toward the flames.

The heat was barely a problem. Actually, the temperature was just a little too hot for him. But in comparison with the never ending cold gnawing his veins, it was a welcomed change. However, the constant bright light and walls of fire were annoying to deal with, making everything looking the same. 

Fortunately, the vigilant was able to recognise the staircase, even if it was completely impracticable. Or at least for someone who can’t use the Airjitzu. Regardless of his rusty technique, Shogun got to the fourth floor without a sweat.  And it was where the easy part ended. Now, it was just a sea of flame and noises of everything around him turning to ashes. Finding a child with just his senses in those conditions was clearly out of the table. Yet, using his powers to find someone was a first…

Taking a deep breath, Kintsugi let his muscles relax and close his eyes. All of what was about to happen was a question of control and precision. To feel the element he controls and to let it show him where it hadn't settled yet. In a child chamber. Suddenly, the connection got violently cut, forcing the Fire Master to jolt due to the shock that passed through his spine. But he didn’t take time to think about it, after all, he knew where the little girl was. He quickly starts a mad dash toward the corridors to find the room before it gets too late.

It felt like hours before he reached the place he saw. But once in front of the door, the ninja didn’t skip a heartbeat before breaking down the door.

There she was, still in her green pyjamas, sitting on the floor with red eyes probably due to the smoke that started entering her room, now staring at him. A wave of relief washed over him but they didn’t have much time before the flames made the building too fragile to stand. Kintsugi approached little Emily as quickly as he could to not scare her before kneeling in front of the child.

“Hey there little one. Are you okay?” A nod followed by a sniffle. It was only a matter of seconds before the child started crying, not that the vigilant could blame her in the situation. However, he couldn’t afford the time to fully stop her tears. Instead, he gently took the child in his arms, securing her so she wouldn’t make his movements too difficult.

“Your mom is really worried for ya, so we’re going for a quick… parkour to get back at her. Sounds nice, right?” First Master, was he terrible at this but at least the girl seems willing to be carried, which was all Shogun asked for. He quickly approached the door in order to backtrack his way.

THIEF

When the ceiling of the corridor crashed in front of them in a blazing glory. Emily was screaming while he stepped back before the flame could harm the girl. The Fire Master raised the arm that wasn’t holding the child and focused to create a way between the flames only to be greeted by a violent headache and the sound of an unsettling chuckle.
Slowly, like animated by a will, the fire spread toward them, forcing Kintsugi to back toward the window, a hand in his back as he touched the looker that held it shut, unlocking and fully opening it. The fire strangely stopped for a moment, like it was observing what was about to happen.

“Emily, I want you to hold as tight as you can.” As he was asking this, Shogun made sure that the little girl's face was fully buried in his chest to not witness him sitting at the window, a leg already in the void. It didn’t take long before she obeyed, not without crying a little.

“Mister… I’m scared…” He never liked when people cry, because it made him feel useless. When people cry, it’s often because they lose something or are scared. It means that as a ninja he failed to protect them. In the corner of his vision, the Fire Master could see flames getting closer, still at an abnormally slow paste. The voice he could swear earring earlier getting clearer with every inch of the room turned into an inferno. It was deliberate, someone was behind this.

“I know and that’s okay because you’re with a ninja. Ninja never gives up and with enough training we can even fly.” Like it understood his intention, the fire suddenly rushed towards the window, ready to turn them into ashes. It was however too slow to reach them as Shogun fell into the void with a smirk hidden behind his mask.

He barely registered Emily’s scream, too focused on the burst of flame that tried to follow them outside and the strange scream of rage coming from the said fire. But as the bright light disappeared in the air, leaving them alone, he did start moving to create his Airjitzu, slowing down their fall until they landed on the ground.

For a second everything around was silent, then a wave of people rushed towards them. Mostly paramedics, who wanted to check on the child and ninjas who had finished their part asking about what he just did. It was a lot too much for Kintugi, he barely put the little girl into someone else’s arms before trying to walk away. The adrenaline was settling down and he could already like an axe was splitting his head in two. He barely managed two steps before his legs gave up, it would have been an embarrassing moment for Shogun if an arm didn’t catch him up before he kissed the floor.

“You’re good man?” worried the Red Ninja while getting him back up. It made Kintsugi smile a little. Regardless of how tense the relationship between their vigilant personas was, Kai would still care about him. His counterpart really was someone good unlike him .

“I push a little too much… But I’ll survive. I just need some rest.” The lie almost burned his throat but what could he say instead? Admitting that his head felt split in two, his veins filled with ice and this heavy tiredness crushing his body wasn’t something he could just put on the event of tonight. He could feel his body slowly getting worse and by using his powers tonight, it seems that he got a step closer to his tomb…