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"Did you find the answer to the riddle?"
"No, sensei. We still don’t know what the best way to defeat your enemy is."
"It is to make them your friend."
Having fully comprehended these words of wisdom and taken them to heart, the four ninja huddled together at the threshold of Lloyd's room watching him sleep peacefully. His usual pout was replaced by a content smile illuminated by the lamplight.
And as Lloyd was tucked cozily in the blankets of his new room, dreaming good dreams, it was then that they all realized that Lloyd was just a child in need of guidance. Sensei Wu hadn't instructed them then but in that moment the four of them realized that they needed to be good role models for Lloyd.
--
They started giving Lloyd affectionate nicknames.
Cole was fond of calling him "Pipsqueak" which annoyed Lloyd and got a laugh out of Kai.
Jay liked calling him "Lil' guy" while ruffling the poor kid’s hair. Lloyd often gave a pout and expressed dislike for the nickname. At first they thought it was because Lloyd didn’t like being called little, but after a short talk with Zane in hushed voices Zane revealed to the group that Lloyd had grown to dislike being called a boy but that he knew he wasn’t a girl either.
“It seems that Lloyd isn’t quite sure about his place in the gender binary, so I explained to him the different gender identities that exist in other cultures and that I myself as a nindroid am genderless.” Zane explained. “He seemed to like the idea of being without gender and felt that it is what he might identify as.”
“So Lloyd might be non-binary huh…” Jay mused with a faraway expression.
“Alright! Another fellow non-binary! I’m happy for the kid.” Cole chirped with a smile.
Everyone in the group knew that Jay was genderfluid, Cole was agender, and Zane considered himself genderless. Out of all four of them, Kai felt like the only one who couldn’t connect with Lloyd because he identified with his birth gender.
“Guess that leaves me as the odd one out then?”
“Oh shut up, Kai, this isn’t about you. Just be there for him, alright?”
“And if he wants to change his pronouns, we’ll support him.”
“Of course.”
After that, Jay settled with calling him "Tyke" instead and Lloyd was happier with that.
From then on everyone tried to be careful about how they addressed Lloyd. Until Kai slipped up.
"Be careful with the kettle. The water’s still hot, lil bro."
"What did you call me?" Lloyd asked, surprise written on his face.
At first even Kai himself was caught off guard by his own words. Blinking once, his expression softened into a warm smile as he ruffled the little one's platinum blonde hair.
"S-sorry about that. Sensei Wu said we're brothers and I'm older than you. So..." He said, flashing Lloyd an apologetic grin at the mistake. Lloyd, however, seemed to be focused on something else.
"I've never had an older brother before..." Lloyd mused while looking up at Kai with something akin to realization and awe on his face.
"Well, now you've got four older brothers!" Cole chipped in enthusiastically while pushing himself into Lloyd's field of view and Kai's personal space.
"That is correct. You are a part of the family, Lloyd. You always have been." Zane added while walking towards them, a soft smile on his face.
"And as your older brothers, we'll always have your back." Jay said with a fond tone.
Out of the four of them, Jay was the most overprotective and supportive of Lloyd, motherhenning him more than Nya ever would. Cole, being the oldest among their group, took his role as the “cool eldest brother” seriously. He was constantly trying to push Lloyd to better himself while keeping him safe. While Zane was a wise and sturdy presence, Lloyd would often consult him when he needed to understand something. Before they even knew it, Lloyd had so naturally fit into their family...and in their hearts.
"I've never had a younger brother before either." Was all Kai could say in response as a warm and comfortable feeling spread throughout his chest.
--
"Imagine what it must've been like for him. All alone, left at a boarding school." Cole pondered aloud looking quite upset.
"And a boarding school for bad boys, no less!" Jay said in distress.
"He has no mother or father." Zane added.
The five of them all had loving parents to raise them. Him and Nya had both their parents to guide them. Cole's dad raised him wanting only the best for his child. Jay's parents showered him with affection since the day he was born. While Zane had a loving father. But Lloyd, with no memory of his mother and his father in the underworld, was all alone for as long as he could remember,
"But he has us and Sensei Wu now." Kai announced with determination.
"Yeah," Jay smiled, "We're his family now."
Cole laughed and cheered in approval. Zane smiled too.
--
Since Lloyd started living with them on the Destiny's Bounty, the four of them slowly realized just how strong he was.
Strong enough to live without anyone loving him.
Strong enough to survive on his own without anyone to provide for him.
They had found out that Lloyd did not leave his boarding school but that he was kicked out.
When Jay found out he was fuming. "How could they kick him out into the streets like that?!"
"I do not understand how your school's authorities could do this to you."
"They just-- they just expected you to fend for yourself!?"
"Geez, guys, it's no big deal. I didn't like it there anyway. Their classes sucked."
Lloyd easily brushed off being an orphan and hardly let the reality of being abandoned by both his parents affect him. How Lloyd could remain so strong at such a young age was beyond them.
----
"I wanted to be just like my dad." Lloyd said with a proud and hopeful smile on his face.
The four of them sucked in a breath, they knew that Lloyd idolized his father. Even if Lord Garmadon was an evil warlord, every single one of them understood a child's need to be loved by their parent and to follow in their footsteps. It was just unfortunate that Lloyd's father was evil. Lloyd was a pretty good kid and it took a lot of hard work and effort on their part to undo the bad things he was taught in school. But if Lloyd chose to follow his father on the path of evil, there was nothing that they could do.
"But," Lloyd added. His face broke into a genuine full toothed smile. "Now I want to be just like you guys. I want to become a ninja!"
At that everyone broke into laughter, which upset Lloyd. It took a few minutes of explaining that they weren't laughing at him but laughing out of relief and pride. They were being good role models.
"Don't worry, kiddo, we're gonna teach you everything we know about being a ninja. And when you're old enough I'm sure Sensei Wu will allow you to practice with us." Cole assured him with that gruff voice of his.
“You’re going to be a great ninja, kid.” Kai said while patting Lloyd’s head. Lloyd looked up at him as if he was the coolest person in the world and it made his heart swell.
After this, everyone seemed to take their positions as role models very, very seriously. Jay would spend the most time "babysitting" Lloyd, teaching him the art of inventions and video games. Cole kept trying to keep up his cool older brother image by showing off his exercises and weightlifting skills. Zane offered his knowledge and experience whenever Lloyd’s childish curiosity came into play. Nya taught him how to steer the ship. Sensei Wu taught Lloyd about Ninjago’s history. And Kai, like the responsible older brother that he was, took him around to arcades and amusement parks. Very responsible.
“If anyone asks, just say that you’re homeschooled.” Jay said with a wink.
“We’re teaching you everything that you need to know.”
“I promise you, Lloyd, we are never sending you off to boarding school.”
Lloyd nodded in understanding.
--
Lloyd liked comics and got them hooked on some of them. He also seemed to have absorbed Jay’s love for video games. Even though he claimed to hate them, Lloyd was great and diligent with chores. So much so that he took care of all of their laundry. He knew a little bit of how to cook from Zane, was efficient at cleaning, and already had a knack for tinkering with Jay’s inventions. With their guidance Lloyd was honing his own skills while picking up all of their shared attributes. They hoped that their influence and teachings would be enough to help him grow up into a well-rounded child and prepare him for the world.
--
Lloyd was a very strong child. They never saw him cry or weep. At times he would throw a bit of a tantrum, expressing anger or frustration. But the kid never broke down into tears. Ever.
Not even after the latest near-death experience. Not even after witnessing horrors that no child should ever see. Living a life of loneliness, hunger, pain, betrayal and abuse that no child should ever live through. Kai would admit that if he were in Lloyd’s shoes at his age, he’d be running home crying to his father for comfort. But Lloyd was strong and he never broke down.
The kid was resilient. Lloyd’s track record of determination against adversity was consistent. Even when he was on the opposing side. Ridiculed by a village, Lloyd braved the cold in search of the respect he deserved and released the Hypnobrai Serpentine to do his bidding. When betrayed and ousted, he searched for revenge and took leadership of the Fangpyres. And when that too ended in betrayal he escaped to unleash the Anacondrai. While his actions were misguided, Lloyd’s character was clear: No matter what the challenge, he would pick himself up and push back.
With Sensei Wu’s guidance, this trait of Lloyd’s had become an advantage.
“Ninja never quit.” Lloyd said with a smile.
--
It was another peaceful night as the Destiny’s Bounty sailed across the evening sky.
Nya was steering the ship, although she would dock soon and retire into her own quarters. Sensei Wu was meditating in his room and wasn't to be disturbed. Cole, Kai, Zane, and Jay were climbing into their shared bunk beds in the crew’s quarters.The storage room in the lower deck was converted to Lloyd’s room, where he was sleeping peacefully.
The four ninja had worn themselves out from training all day and after brushing their teeth and chatting for a bit they fell into a comfortable silence and then into slumber.
Kai woke up with a start, his heart beating fast.
The other three had shot up from their beds as well and were shaking their heads in confusion.
“Huh? You guys too?” Jay inquired.
“What woke us up?” Cole asked, still mildly disoriented.
“I am not sure, we were not supposed to awaken for another five hours.”
Kai felt a tightness in his chest that he couldn’t explain. There was no sound or scream but he found himself worrying about Lloyd. He was the first to jump out of bed as the others followed.
Kai found himself running frantically for Lloyd’s room with Cole, Jay, and Zane at his heels. The four of them barreled into the room uninvited.
“Lloyd!”
“Is something wrong?”
“Are you hurt?”
“I sensed that you were in distress.”
All their attention was focused on a small figure curled up at the corner of the room. Though illuminated by lamplight, he had his back turned on them and kept his face hidden.
“Kai?” Lloyd’s small, broken voice echoed through the silent room. A sniffle. He was crying.
Kai approached him carefully, kneeling at the edge of the sheets with the others. They didn’t want to overwhelm and crowd him too much but needed to know if he was ok. Their tall figures cast long shadows towards him, protecting him.
“Lloyd, what’s wrong? Are you hurt?” Jay asked while stretching his arms out to the child. No doubt, he was fighting his instincts to scoop up the poor kid into his arms. Jay wanted to check him for injuries, but Lloyd’s hunched and closed off figure told him enough that he should give the kid space and wait for the little tyke to come to him first.
Lloyd turned his head slowly, facing his body towards them. There was snot dripping from his nose and he wiped it with the sleeve of his pajamas. His eyes were red and teary.
“H-had a nightmare...” Was all that he explained.
The ninja exhaled in relief, not even realizing they had been holding their breaths. Lloyd had opened up from his cocoon and huddled into Jay’s arms. Jay squeezed him tightly and Lloyd returned the hug with as much strength as his tiny body and small hands could, while letting out a shaky breath. Jay held onto Lloyd as if his will alone could protect their little brother from the nightmares and Lloyd held on to Jay like he had never been hugged before, clinging on to him for dear life.
Zane picked up on Lloyd’s need for comfort and began stroking his head in a soothing motion. Cole didn’t need coaxing, he positioned himself next to Jay and started patting and rubbing Lloyd’s back to help calm him down. Kai felt so useless not being able to do anything except being an extra presence, but he knew that with all four of them around him right now, Lloyd felt safe.
He smiled.
“Hey, it’s going to be okay. You know, I’d often have nightmares too. Whenever that would happen, Nya would sit beside me and let me tell her about my dream. And after telling her about them I wouldn’t feel so afraid anymore.”
With that bit of coaxing Lloyd loosened his death grip on Jay’s shirt and twisted his tear-stained face to look at Kai.
“It was my dad...he was trying to k-kill me. My dad w-would n-never--”
Lloyd’s voice broke into sobs and it felt like their hearts were falling apart too. It may have just been a nightmare but for Lloyd that was a horrible thing to dream of. Knowing the Lord of Darkness and witnessing the evil he was capable of, Kai wouldn’t deny the scenario as an impossibility.
It was at that night in the small space of Lloyd’s room that Kai made a vow.
With Jay holding Lloyd in his arms, Zane patting his platinum blonde hair, and Cole rubbing his back. Kai said. “Don’t worry, Lloyd. We’re here and whatever happens. We’ll protect you.”
“I promise that we won’t let anything happen to you.” Jay vowed while pulling the child closer.
“You’ve got four brothers who will always look out for you.” Cole assured him.
“Ninja promise?” Lloyd asked innocently.
“Ninja promise.” The four of them said together.
“You are never alone, Lloyd. Would you like us to stay with you for tonight?” Zane offered.
Lloyd nodded, content that he was with the ninja who could keep not only the nightmares but the real bad people away from him.
Jay leaned back into the small bed, never letting go of Lloyd. Cole followed their motion, cuddling Lloyd so that he was in between him and Jay. Zane rested beside Jay, holding Lloyd’s hand. Kai squeezed himself above their heads at the top side of the bed. It wasn’t comfortable but he could pat Lloyd’s head from this position and watch over them all.
Lloyd, having calmed down from his fright, slowly closed his eyes. Sleep slowly taking him to hopefully better dreams. The four ninja looked upon their little brother with concerned fondness, then at each other with knowing looks and nods. They would keep their promise.
“Good night, Lloyd.” Kai whispered.
Lloyd fell asleep, surrounded by his four brothers.