Chapter Text
Lloyd was tired. And oh so boreddd.
Seriously, he was going to tweak out if Misako says 'too young' aand 'tired' in the same sentence.
Like, Lloyd wasn't abandoned in a private school for bad boys at 5, he most likely wasn't kicked out of said school at 11 and ending up homeless, he, didn't almost get killed in a volcano in the same year, watch his dad die after saving the city, had to be dragged along by the ninja because Lloyd's only family member that cared about him was their master, said family member didint die and leave him and the Ninja in the care of Lloyds shitty mother.
Yeah, as if. How could he at 13 been trough that much?
Even if he hadn't, what stopped him from dying his hair?
Hmm.
Oh yeah! MISAKO, HIS MOTHER, THAT DIDINT GIVE A DAMN.
Well, nobody cared about her opinion anyway, so Lloyd was fully justified in dying his hair.
Besides, he didn't have anything else to do in the tea shop -deep wisdom was it?- other than be picked on by that red ninja.
What was his problem anyway? Lloyd didn't really bother remembering his name.
Probably Kia or Keith or something like that.
And now, when all the action was happening in ninjago, he was forced to watch that sister of his -Niomi? Nyad?- train to become a water ninja.
And it was so boring.
Lloyd huffed as he watched the samurai-Ninja-whatever train by the small pond.
Misako was in front of said pond, saying something like 'you have to keep the water in the bucket', but Lloyd was certain it had a hole in it.
Absentmindetly, he twirled a piece of dyed black hair in his fingers and kicked a random stone.
If Lloyd was being honest, he didn't really know what he should do nowadays.
He didn't really have anyone he particularly liked, or even enjoyed being with.
Well that was a lie, that blabbermouth -Jane? No that's a girl's name- was kind of nice...
When he wasn't making love struck eyes at that Nyad or whatever.
Lloyd stood up from where he had sat at the porch and went inside, into his temporary -he does not want to believe he's going to stay here for a long time- and picked up his phone before laying on his bed, snuggling into the bland flowery sheets.
He scrolled absentmindedly for a bit before stumbling across something.
Something about ghosts....
In Stix.....
The post said that Stix was being haunted by ghosts now, appereantly the Ninja had also been spotted there a few days ago.
An idea flared to life in Lloyds mind.
What if he went to stix?
The more he thougth about it he agreed with the idea.
What did he have to lose? He was practically going to die of boredom in here with nothing to do, besides maybe he'd see that one ghost who appereantly possesed Keith.
His name was Morro wasn't it? He controlled wind from what Lloyd saw, and he was Wus old student?
Now, while Lloyd was only 13 -wich wasn't that young- even he could tell it wasn't just a bitterness at a teacher.
It was something deeper, a child and a father perhaps? If he added up what he knew, it made sense.
Sometimes, when Wu was still here, he'd say things like 'I knew somebody who liked this' or 'you're the age someone dear to me was when I met him', the First one was usually pointed towards anything wind related, the second one towards Lloyd when he was 11.
Morro spoke like an angry teenager, he was the elemental master of wind, and, from the reaction Misako had, someone Wu loved dearly, in a platonic way of course.
So, Lloyd was just going to stick with the father-son thing. Wich made Morro his cousin!
Wasn't that an exciting thing to hear - think?-.
With new found anticipation Lloyd got up from his bed, imeadeatly regretting the loss of the warmth.
The same way he regretted not being able to save his dad.
*
-A dark figure, covered in the snakes insides, golden weapons gleaming in the air, held by four arms, a proud smile on his face.
Garamdon opened his mouth to say something, gray cement and brick falling down, burying the only one who loved him beneath.
Lloyd watched as the Ninja dug him up, battered, bloody, limbs mangled,grip loose on the weapons, and remembered wishing Wu hadn't brought Garamdon here.
He would've still been with the snakes, but this atleast wouldn't have happened.
Lloyd remembered something warm run down his cheeks, his troath feeling raw, warm wrinkly hands wrapped around himself as he cried and screamed, feeling like he just lost a crucial part of himself.
Maybe he had, who was he without his father?-
*
Lloyd shook his head to get rid of the memory.
He shouldn't dwell on the past, what he should dwell on, however, was dying his hair.
It was already loosing it's color and if he was going to go meet his maybe cousin, we'll, he'd like to be at his best thank you very much.
And so, he stuffed his phone, clothes, a waterbottle, and anything else he really needed that was in his room into his worn backpack.
Then he went to the bathroom, well not before putting one of Kias t-shirts on.
With the image of Kias horrified expression in his minds eye as he found his ruined shirt, Lloyd began prepping the hair dye.
--------------------
Morro didn't like this 'Kai Smith' he has to possess.
He kept screaming in his mind, kept trashing whatever corner Morro locked him in his mind.
Kai was loud, Morro didn't like loud.
Morro preferred the quiet howl of the wind and the loudness of thunder to a teenagers screaming.
Who cares if Kai was technically a year older? Morro was still born years before he was.
And so, when they decided to go to their hideout in stix to think about their plan or whatever they had to do, Morro stopped possessing Kai and just put him in a cell.
Thank the First Spinjitzu Master for him being too tired to talk.
This time of peace gave him time to think as he sat upside down on a chair.
That was one good thing about being dead, there was no blood to go in your brain.
Morro had learned that the green ninja hadn't been chosen yet, that there was a kid who lived with the ninja who Kai consistently referred to as 'punk', the serpentine had been released from their tombs, the great devourer was released, Garamdon was dead, Wu was dead,some Misako was kind of an ass.....
Also people had these things called 'mobile cellphones'? Appereantly you could see almost anything in it and talk to people! And it fit into pockets!
Wasn't that cool?
Okay, but seriously, he'd like to meet the punk kid.
When Morro had watched Kais memories he'd noticed atleast-
Uhhh.
Three! Three cool things about the kid.
One, the kids hair was originally blonde but now it was black. Morro had been confused about that so he dig a bit in Kais mind and appereantly there was something called hair dye? Too bad it dosent work on dark hair it seems.
Morro frowned a bit and glanced at Kai in the cage.
His face was tired, his body slumped over, if Morro squint enough he could see the barely there rise of his chest every now and then.
He couldn't explain it, but he felt a twinge of something in his chest.
It wrapped around his heart, something akin to guilt whispered in his ear.
It was your fault he's this tired, and it's going to be your fault when Stix and all of ninjago gets taken over, It said.
Yes, it was going to be his fault. But he didn't care, he wouldn't care.
He wasn't the preeminents rigth hand ghost without a reason.
Anyways, back to his train of thougth.
Two, the kid had horns starting to grow and his eyes were Red. That meant he was atleast part oni. And, from what Kai seemed to unconsciously answer to his questioning thoughts, it was because his father was Garmadon.
Morro remembered Garamdon, somewhat.
He remembered sharp but kind smiles, movements too akward to be human, brown curly hair, red eyes, and master Wus words.
'my brother wasn't always like this' he used to say, Morro didn't care at the time and neither will he now.
Anyways.
Three, he was snarky. Especially with Kai, wich in turn made him agitated, wich was funny.
And, even if he was never going to say it out loud, they were kind of like cousins.
Morro had begrudgingly seen Wu as a father figure, Wu was Gramadons brother, Garmadon was Lloyds Dad.
Simple.
So, what was stopping him from wanting to meet his kind of cousin?
Well, mostly that he had to do the Preeminents orders.
Partly because.... Well
Morro was scared he wouldn't like him.
No! Ghosts aren't supposed to feel.
Ghosts aren't supposed to be scared or fear anything.
That didn't stop the small insecure voice in his head.
Morro floated off the chair and shook his head as he rigthed himself.
Whatever.
He passed trough the wall of Ronins shop to go outside.
It was dark, a crestal moon up in the dark sky riddled with stars.
Appereantly, something called 'light pollution' was making the stars almost none existant in the cities with more artificial light.
Or something like that, Kai hadn't exactly went to school.
Morro just stared up at the stars, hoping he'd atleast the wind like he used to.
Yes, ghosts could feel. But it was dampened, like he was out of his own body.
But that's technically what ghosts are, rigth? The soul outside of ones body.
Morro huffed, why was he even thinking such melancholic thoughts anyway?
Just as he was going to pass trough the wall inside, he heard the planks creak and he whipped his head towards the sound.
It was a child, wearing a black hoodie with something green painted on it, and dark pants, their hair was black, going over their eyes, and they had their arms in the hoodies pockets.
They were walking around the corner of a building that was atleast 3 buildings in front of Morro.
He willed himself invisible and watched as the kid walked forward.
When they were one house infront of Morro, he noticed the was they were shaking and had a backpack over one shoulder.
When they were closer again, Morro realized it was, in fact, Lloyd Garmadon and willed himself visible.
The kid was startled and looked like he had a heart attack.
Lloyds face was priceless, laughter bubbled in Morros chest as a smile grew on his face.
The other blinked his ruby eyes before a realization washes over his face.
"You're Morro!" he proclaimed.
Now it was his turn to blink before he squinted at Lloyd. "You're.. Lloyd Garmadon"
Maybe it was something in his face, or his tone, but whatever it was, it made the other laugh.
Morro could spot sharper than normal fangs, and, as Lloyds face settled into a smile, he saw Garmadon in him.
Seriously, all Lloyd needed was curly hair and a purple gi.
"How'd you know my name?" the younger asked.
Morro scoffed and crossed his arms. "Well, what do you think happens when someone possesses another?"
Lloyd blinked ".. They take control of the mind and body?"
The ghost nodded "so I can go trough Kais memories"
The oni let out an 'oh' but didn't say anything else.
Worry gnawed at Morros chest, but why? Why was he worried?
You want him to like you-
Stop.
Maybe he did, but that didn't explain why he was so worried.
He had never particularly cared if someone liked him or not, rigth?
That's a partial lie, he remembered feeling an odd squeeze somewhere in his chest after he'd heard the other children didn't like him.
But did he care? Well, not really.
Or he did? Feelings were so confusing....
The point is, Morro was worried, yes, but was anything life changing going to happen if Lloyd didn't like him? No.
Why did it feel like it?
"That's kinda cool," The other broke Morro out of his confusing thoughts, the worry easing a little.
Lloyds ruby colored eyes sparkled like a fire masters flame, curiosity was easily read across his face.
"is that only a one way thing? Like only you can read Keiths mind or can he read yours?" he asked.
Morro blinked, the metaphorical wave of relief was welcomed. Worry was not a nice emotion to feel, atleast to him.
He blinked again as he realized what Lloyd had said.
".. Keith?" he raised an eyebrow.
The oni waved his hand, like trying to wave away Morros confusion.
"The fire ninja, whatever. I forgot his name" he answered easily.
The ghost only shook his head, deciding he shouldn't question whatever that was.
"to answer your question, it can go both ways if the possesor isn't strong enough. Of course, I am not that weak that the possessee could read my thoughts" Morro said haughtily.
Lloyd laughed, and it made the ghost feel oddly... Important.
Wich was stupid, considering he is the most important in the Preeminents plans and in the prophecy.
He is important, he is going to prove destiny wrong.
-----------------------
Lloyd was slightly scared.
After he'd ran away to Stix he stayed with the ghosts, in Ronins old shop they said.
It was fun, although every time Keith was lucid enough he would glare at Lloyd.
Like damn, okay. It wasn't like he murdered Keiths parents.
The ghosts were nice, for the most part.
Ghoultar liked to eat even if he was a ghost, and he was a bit silly in Lloyds opinion.
Bansha was.. Okay. She screamed a lot. 'For fun' she said when he asked. She was also pretty, not in a romantical sense.
To be fair, Lloyd wasn't exactly sure if he'd ever had any romantical feelings for anyone. Well, that was a thougth for another day.
Soul archer was quiet, Lloyd didn't talk with him much. Not at all if he really thought about it.
Morro was fun, he told Lloyd lots of things. He told him everything he remembered about his father, said Lloyd looked a lot like him, but without curly and slightly lighter hair.
Lloyd was silently wishing the Ninja would lose, then Morro would stay and they could live like happy cousins.
And now, as he was squeezed between citizens of stix on the ferry as they left the city atop water, he hoped destiny wouldn't be so cruel on him.
The Preeminent was the entire cursed realm, Morro forgot to mention that, and Lloyd watched in slight awe as ghosts continued to spurt out of the mouth thing in the middle.
The city was painted green, lanterns, light bulbs, wooden boards, everything!
It was as horrifying as it was enchanting.
Green had always spoke to Lloyd, and this was basically one of his recurring nigthmares.
In fact, he was getting slight deja vu, although the dreams certainly went differently.
For one, he wasn't in the ferry, and for two, his body always felt older.
But back to the present.
Lloyd watched as the Preeminent made itself (herself? The ghosts had refered to the Preeminent as the queen of curses) limbs to cross the water.
It hesitated and, with his better hearing, Lloyd could hear his mom, Misako, say something about them being safe from where She was on the second floor.
The Preeminent made it's mind -it sure did want to get what it wanted in any way possible- and began putting its 'legs' in the water and walk.
Lloyd could faintly hear Misako yelling to throw unnecessary things into the water, he wasn't exactly paying attention.
What cached his attention, however, were the coloured circles hopping around the cursed realm, and the way so many ghosts were 'dying' before coming back again.
It was oh so horrifying yet so.. Mesmerizing.
For a while, Lloyd just ignored the chaos around him and instead focused on the green colours everywhere.
Anywhere from seaweed green, neon green, and pillow mint green were around the preeminent and the remains of stix.
Even the sky was slightly green.
When Lloyd focused back on the present he realized the Ninja were on the boat.
Infact, Nyan was on the deck facing the cursed realm, hands raised infront of her.
The oni noticed the water was rippling, his stomach dropped as he realized.
Nyan was going to make a big enough wave to drown the Preeminent, Morro with it.
What was he supposed to do with this information?
Haha My cousin is going to die like my dad and my uncle, hope I die soon!
Lloyd let out a breathy laugh, he was going to lose another loved one.
Destiny sure did hate him, it seemed.
Nyan raised her hands a bit higher and the quite literal tsunami/wave rose from the water.
Nyan began to glow, blue water swirling around her like a mock version of Spinjitzu.
The ghosts seemed to scream, not like Lloyd could hear it, even with his enhanced hearing, Uselessly floating away from Their mother realm as the wave crashed upon them.
Could Morro still survive?
The oni sure did hope so, he felt like he was going to go hysterical or cry if he didn't, probably both.
As the water settled he spotted a lone figure floating in the air.
Hope flooded Lloyds system immeadeatly.
He strained his eyes and focused on the ghost, and-
His heart skipped a beat- that was definetly Morros scarf thingy and his lone green streak.
Lloyd could probably cry from the relieve, but before he could the preeminent clung to his cousin as a last effort.
No-
No. Morro was going to survive, Lloyd was sure of it!
He couldn't just- just die. Not after how they bonded, not after how close they became even in that short time period.
"Someone go get the realm crystal from him with your elemental dragon!" Lloyd heard Misako screech to the Ninja, his ears hurt.
The oni turned towards the Ninja and watched as Jane looked prepared to call his dragon.
"Wait!" He chocked as he bound over to them.
His eyes stung with tears ready to fall, his troath was tight, fear was gripping his stomach so tightly it migtg aswell rip apart, but he had to say it.
"Save Morro too, please" Lloyds voice cracked on the last syllable as he clung to Janes gi desperately.
He blinked fast as not to let the tears fall as he looked pleadingly at Jane.
The mentioned ninjas face scrunched up in confusion, Lloyd unconsciously noted his gelled and straightened hair was becoming frizzy.
"I'll try..?" the lightning wielder settled one, clearly uncomfortable at a kids crying.
Lloyd let out a strangled sob, a gift from trying to hold his breath unconsuisly while crying, as he stumbled away from the Ninja.
He accidentally bumbed into Nyan who only turned him around and hugged him.
Lloyd felt the tears fall free, Nyan was warm and OhMyGodWhenHasAWomanEverHugHimSoNicely?
Different thoughts were running trough his head and he felt like he needed some space to breath.
He pushed himself away from Nyan and stumbled towards the stairs to the second level.
Lloyd didn't like the feeling of fear.
The tears still burned the onis eyes, his nose was runny and he wiped some snot on his sleeve.
The second floor of the ferry was a bit less crowded and he only had to push away like 5 people to get to the railing.
His feet hurt from standing so long , he should sit soon.
Lloyd watched as Janes elemental dragon stopped next to the blob that was Morro, who was barely able to stay afloat thanks to his wind.
They were saying something, probably. Lloyd couldn't hear it, he wished he could.
The onis heart skipped a beat, what if they were Morros final words? No that couldn't be.
He couldn't go another time not hearing his loved ones last words.
Lloyd chocked on a sob as he gulped for air.
The interaction seemed short and his heart basically burst with relief as he watched Morro shaped blob take Janes hand.
But then Morro was falling. Why was he falling?
Lloyds heart sank in to the depths of the underworld.
The tears seemed like they wouldn't be stopping for a while.
He reached desperately at the air, like somehow he was the one who controlled the wind.
Morro sank into the water.
Lloyds breath caught before he let a breathless noise.
The noise became louder and he soon realized it was laughter.
Hysterical, manical.
Lloyd threw his head back and laughed, laughed with all that he got, before he started sobbing again.
He fell on his knees on the probably dirty boards of the ferry.
He continued to sob, unconsciously he noted the fact people were staring and some were running up the stairs.
Why , why, WHY.
WHY did destiny hate him? Why did everyone he truly care about have to die? WHY DID HE HAVE TO BE SUCH A CURSE-?
It felt suffocating, the only thing even slightly grounding him, really, was the wood he felt under his ankles.
It stung, the planks were old and sticks were jutting out of them, but Lloyd slightly appreciated the feeling.
WHY Morro? Why not Ghoultar? Why not LLOYD HIMSELF?
Everyone was always dying because of HIM. Getting crushed under buildings because of HIM.
Really he should just Throw himself of the Ferry and drown!
Like Morro.
Lloyd choked on the new round of tears and cried harder.
Something touched his shoulder and the oni flinched.
He looked up sharply to see Zeith, his face was neutral, but not harsh. It was soft, sympathetic, worried, for Lloyd.
The child's eyes,somehow, filled with even more tears, he particularly lunged at the nindroid with a loud sob and wrapped himself around him.
Zeith wrapped his own arms around Lloyd. The nindroid was cold, probably because he was made of metal, duh.
He continued to sob, his breathing irregular and chocked.
In the corner of Lloyds eye he could spot a figure with gray hair trough his tears.
His enchanted hearing picked up on a sigh.
Of disappointment.
Why?
Anger butted its way into his heart and he clenched his fists.
What made him so unlovable to his own Mother?
Why was she dissapointed rigth now? Because he was expressing genuine sadness and grief towards his friends passing?
What a joke.
Why did he have to end up with Misako.
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In a museum, on the day of the departed, plastic figures come to life.....