Chapter Text
Lloyd hid a flinch as a paper ball hit his head roughly. He decided not to show how much it stung. He knew his father made the people of Ninjago absolutely hate him, but his father didn't even know Lloyd existed and was the unlucky recipient of all their ire.
Being unable to harm my dad, makes them want to lash out at a relative of his that's weaker than the rest. Lloyd used that excuse to cover up how much it hurt for them to laugh and mock him.
His father being a Mer made people even more suspicious. Mer's were highly dangerous on their own, and his mother had worked tirelessly to hide that Lloyd had a tail like his father.
Although, Lloyd had found his own special magic that made hiding all the easier. Early on, people found out that water reveals a mer's tail. Lloyd, discovered a strand of magic that could keep his tail tucked away in the water, and he could activate his tail whenever he wanted. His tail wasn't hidden by a glamour, as he had no experience in that, but it was hidden by magic. The magic let Lloyd swim in water with his legs, and it was basic transformation magic he attributed to his Oni side. He only used that strand for summoning and dismissing his tail.
Lloyd walked along the hallway in deep thought, so he didn't notice when his usual bully came out of his hiding spot to press Lloyd against a locker.
"What'cha up to Garmadon's Heir?" Asked his short-tempered bully. He was the only one that called him, "Garmadon's Heir" and not 'Garmadork' like his other bullies.
"It's nothing, Kai. Just going to class." Lloyd murmured. The older boy had a way of burning Lloyd without fire, and he didn't want to stick around to get another handful of first-degree burns.
"It's not nothing. Garmadon hospitalized both my parents in his last attack!" Kai growled under his breath.
Lloyd stiffened. "I'm sorry that happened. But why me?" He expected Kai to deflect the question like all the other bullies, but Kai surprised him with a brutally honest answer.
"It just feels easier to get back at Garmadon if I target his son. I don't know why, it just does." Kai growled in a quiet whisper.
Lloyd didn't know why Kai was so honest with him, but he also overheard him talking to his friends loudly about his false reasons. He lies to his friends, but is honest to me. Why?
Lloyd didn't want to think it was the only other power he inherited as a Mer, but the situation made it more and more likely. A gift few Mer had, and fewer could even use or access, was that humans felt uncontrollably safe nearby. All humans distrusted Mers and no one trusted them, but few had that ability. Lloyd just felt trustworthy and safe to every human that approached, which was probably why they were so unnerved near him. The ability was so rare, that not even most Mers knew it existed at all. Lloyd's ability seemed to work on a select few people, but he didn't know who they were. He couldn't train his power, so he couldn't stop it from flowing out of him.
"I'm sorry." Lloyd said again quietly. "I don't know why he does it...but I hope it stops."
Kai growled, but the bell blessedly rang and Kai detached from Lloyd. Lloyd let out a breath of relief as Kai moved out of sight and walked to his next class.
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Kai groaned as he looked at his reflection. No matter how hard he tried, he felt guilty for burning Lloyd. He could never seem to think of him as Garmadon's son, only seeing him as Lloyd.
He recalled Lloyd's sincere apology and yanked at his hair. Why can I never feel good about hurting him?! My parents are practically dead and he just apologizes like that changes anything!
Kai let out a frustrated huff. If I don't stop feeling this way about Lloyd's innocent face and youthful eyes...he's too young to be blamed for everything his father does. He's practically still a child! Kai slapped himself. No. Lloyd- Garmadon's son, is the enemy. Chen said so. Skylor's father wouldn't lie...would he? Kai thought about Skylor's eccentric snake-loving father. He...probably would...to someone else. I'm his daughter's boyfriend. He wouldn't lie to me.
Kai scoffed at his thoughts. Skylor would've warned him if her father lied...would she? She'd lived under her father's thumb for her entire life, so why would she rebel to point out her father's lie? Kai shook his head. No. Chen's trustworthy...right? Kai pressed his forehead into his palms. He doesn't feel like Lloyd. Lloyd feels like comfort and safety. Chen...wait. Why am I comparing Chen to Lloyd? Lloyd's an immature baby. Kai cringed at the rude thought.
No one deserves to be thought of like that. Not even Garmadon's little son. Kai sighed. I'll try to treat him better...but I can't reveal to my group what I'm doing. They'll ruin my reputation for years...
Kai shook his head as he forgot what he was thinking. He didn't notice the red flash coming from his eyes. What was I thinking? Right. Lloyd is a bad person, like his father. Chen is very kind for letting me and Nya stay with him while our house is out of commission...Lloyd? Kai was pulled from his thoughts as Lloyd walked into the bathroom. The red flickers disappeared in his presence.
Little baby Lloyd! He's so sad...I should comfort him- The flickers altered his thoughts. Lloyd. Ask what he's doing near me.
Kai frowned at Lloyd as the flickers faded from visible sight. "What are you doing in here?" Kai sneered.
Lloyd looked up and their eyes met. Kai almost fell back a step as he saw the storm in Lloyd's vivid green eyes. Lloyd's eyes widened at something and Kai looked behind him. What is it? He turned back and Lloyd was gone.
Am I imagining things? Kai rubbed his fingers over his closed eyes. I'm tired. Whatever I saw in Lloyd's eyes chased away the fogginess in my head. I wonder what I was doing before he came in...
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Lloyd was breathing heavily as he ran out of the school. It was over by then, but Lloyd was terrified. When he met Kai in the bathroom, he saw glints of red that were unnatural in his eyes. Someone was manipulating him. He was familiar with manipulation magic because his mother warned of the signs and effects of it.
Lloyd wanted to find out who was manipulating Kai. Even as a bully, Kai was honest and knew when he pushed too far. He was kind, but being manipulated could go around your morals unless they push too hard.
Lloyd shuddered at the thought of being manipulated.
He spotted Kai moving slowly as he got outside, and he quickly shuffled off to hide. He spotted his uncle approaching and swiftly left before his uncle pointed out his presence.
My uncle went to visit someone? Why? I'll speak to him later. Lloyd decided firmly. Lloyd trudged to his house past the glares of pedestrians forced to walk or take the bus. He gulped as he finally made his way to his front door.
I'll speak to Mom and then I'll go visit Uncle. I need to see what he needs. Lloyd shifted through his belongings to find a green gi on his bed with a note from Uncle Wu.
My Dear Nephew,
I give you this to wear when you visit, as I'll have others in the warehouse to train with you. Teach them what you know and I will fill in the rest. Be wary of the waters though you have removed the trigger. My brother is getting more risky by the minute.
From your uncle,
Wu.
Lloyd knew the unspoken drill in case the inspectors looked through his house again. Burn every letter and picture you have that reminds others of your relation to Garmadon and Wu.
Lloyd started the small fire and set the letter on it. He'd already memorized the words. The fire burnt out swiftly and Lloyd changed into his new gi.
He arrived an hour early to meet first-hand the new recruits.