Chapter Text
- Come on, stupid snake, where are you? – Jay hissed impatiently, fidgeting on the branch. – It should be here by now, right?
- Quiet, Jay, you’re making too much noise, – Cole snapped sharply, his eyes fixed on the trail at the foot of the monastery. – We don’t know what time of day Master Wu and Garmadon will decide to clash with their katanas.
- Still! Imagine how lucky we are—we’re in the past, right before Garmadon started turning evil! – Jay’s enthusiasm practically crackled in the air.
- Jay, you…
- Shut up! – Nia raised her voice at both of them and, after receiving mumbled "sorrys" from her friend and boyfriend, sighed. – Guys, this is too important of a mission. We can’t risk being spotted by the young brothers. And especially not draw attention to ourselves!
The forest fell silent as everyone got lost in their thoughts. Some pondered the future, others the past. Someone imagined a world untouched by Garmadon’s influence and the future consequences for Ninjago (Jay)—it was truly inspiring. But not for everyone.
Lloyd sat on a neighboring branch with Nya, lost in deeper reflections.
They were being too careless about this. Master Wu would never allow them to interfere with past events. And neither would Lloyd, knowing how dangerous it was.
After all, neither he nor the others had any idea what might happen. What if another villain rose instead? Or if there was no need to assemble a team of ninjas to fight evil? Villains wouldn’t just disappear, even if Garmadon never turned to darkness. And would there even be a need for the "Green Ninja"? Would this "Green Ninja" even… exist?
- Movement spotted, – Zane said quietly, pointing toward the monastery. The katana, just as Wu had once told them, flew over the massive walls. – The snake should appear any moment now and bite the boy. Stay alert.
Lloyd was tired. So tired of this cruel and merciless world. He carried too much responsibility, not to mention the burden of being the Chosen One. He could’ve ordered the ninja to retreat, to find a way back home. But deep down… the little boy in him wanted to see his father again. Not the one who had accidentally sent them into this moment in the middle of battle. Not the shadow resurrected by Harumi. But his dad—the wise, kind man with whom he had spent far too little time.
A familiar hand touched his shoulder. Kai had suddenly appeared beside the Green Ninja, though he’d been hovering near Cole earlier. He gave Lloyd a reassuring pat on the back, as if saying, *Whatever happens, we’re with you.* It warmed his heart, but did nothing to ease the growing dread.
A flash of lightning burned his eyes—Jay had spotted the creature, and it was instantly reduced to ashes. Too easy. Too impossible. And terrifyingly, horrifyingly wrong. His body began to tremble.
The ninja noticed young Garmadon running to retrieve his brother’s katana.
- Dude, he looks so much like Lloyd, doesn’t he? – Jay cooed, trying to stay as quiet as possible.
- Yeah, a mini-version! Just with different hair color, – Nya agreed, raising her voice slightly once the boy was out of sight. – Lloyd, did you see… Lloyd?
Breathing became difficult, as if his lungs had shrunk to an impossibly tiny size. Pain flared in his chest, his heart pounding violently. Lloyd’s hands shook as he tried to steady himself, but he lost his balance and nearly fell. Kai was there—he caught the boy before he hit the ground, but Lloyd only felt worse. Everything blurred. The voices of Nya and the others calling his name sounded distant, panicked. He needed to rest. Just close his eyes, take a breath… Calm down. The sounds faded, but a distant call still tugged at the edges of his consciousness.
******
- Lloyd…oyd…LLOYD! – His father’s voice rang out, startling him awake. Instead of Kai’s grip, he felt the softness of a mattress beneath him. Wait. His father? – Lloyd, wake up, it’s just a dream!
Just a dream?.. No, that couldn’t be… Impossible. How did he end up here? Lloyd’s gaze snapped to the man, and his breath hitched—
- Dad?..
- You scared me, Lloyd. – Garmadon crouched beside the bed, meeting his son’s eyes. – Did you have a nightmare?
Lloyd didn’t answer immediately. His mind raced, sifting through fragmented memories, trying to piece together what had happened. Had he returned? Was this the end? Had it really been that simple—just destroy the snake, and reality rewrote itself?
- I’ll get you some water. – Garmadon stood and left, leaving Lloyd alone with his thoughts.
Lloyd scanned the room. No photos with friends, no old blade gifted by the ninja for his birthday. The walls were bare, as if no one truly lived here.
Garmadon returned with a glass of water and handed it to him.
- Drink. It’ll help. Whatever scared you must’ve been intense.
Lloyd took the glass mechanically—then froze. His hands… They looked younger. Smooth, unscarred, no calluses from years of wielding a katana. And… shorter?
Smaller.
- Tea… – he whispered, realizing. In this reality, he hadn’t drunk "Tomorrow’s Tea." He hadn’t grown taller. Stronger. He hadn’t become the Green Ninja.
He looked up at his father. The man watched him with genuine concern, no trace of darkness in his eyes. The real one. Alive. The father Lloyd had lost so long ago.
- I… Thanks for the water. You’re right, it was just a dream. – Lloyd forced a laugh, mentally scolding himself. – Where are the others?
It really was too quiet. Nothing like the usual chaos of the monastery.
- You mean Wu? – Garmadon tilted his head. – He and Misako went to his tea shop, "Depth of Wisdom." New shipment from some partners today.
- Oh… Why didn’t you go with them? – Garmadon not joining his brother and mom? Weird. Then again, maybe Lloyd’s mind had conjured up too many strange details.
- I thought it’d be a good chance to spend time with you, kiddo. – His father smiled. – But first—training!
- Again?.. – The whine slipped out before Lloyd could stop it. He never whined. Did he?
- Come on, Lloyd! Youngest one here, yet lazier than anyone. – Garmadon chuckled and finally left the room.
Well. At least Garmadon had a sense of humor.