Darkness from Within #5: Uneasy Trust (A Ninjago Fanfiction)

Chapter 4

"Wrench," Nya called, reaching her hand out.

Jay dug through the box of tools until he spotted the wrench. He handed it to Nya and she disappeared under the Bounty again.

"It's really coming along," he commented, looking over the half-built frame.

"Yeah," Nya murmured, reaching her hand out again. "Pliers."

Jay gave her the tool and put the wrench back. A question nagged at him as he sat there—the question that must've been nagging everyone right then. "Nya," he began, "do you think it was a good idea to let Lloyd into our home?"

Nya stopped in her work for a moment. "It was what we had to do," she murmured.

"I know," Jay sighed. "But Lloyd just seems so... different."

Nya heaved herself upward until they were sitting side by side. "He's definitely different," she agreed. "He's tougher... meaner..."

"Like a Baddie," Jay finished for her.

Nya raised her shoulders. "Well, it's what we should've expected," she said. "I'm sure after he spends some time here, his old self will come back."

"I hope," Jay muttered.

A rumble suddenly echoed through the floors. Jay and Nya looked up in surprise before Jay got to his feet. "I'll go check it out," he told her.

"Okay."

Jay left the garage and headed through the monastery. A flash of light from above caught his eye, and he, suspicious, started up the stairs. He followed the sound through the halls and rounded a corner.

Lloyd was standing there, an energy ball forming between his hands. Jay jerked in surprise and rushed over to him.

"Lloyd!" he called.

Lloyd whipped around in alarm and the energy ball shot toward him. The blue ninja ducked and it exploded the wall behind him. He straightened up again, eyes round.

"What are you doing?" he exclaimed.

Lloyd blinked innocently. "Practicing my powers," he said casually.

"Inside?" Jay blurted out. "You're gonna get someone killed!"

Lloyd looked down at his hands. "That dangerous, huh?" he murmured.

Jay's gaze softened. "I didn't mean it like that," he stammered. He tried to lay his hand on Lloyd's shoulder, but the green ninja turned away.

"No, I understand," Lloyd muttered. "My powers are deadly—and so am I."

Jay scoffed softly. "Lloyd..."

But Lloyd was already racing down the hall.

Jay facepalmed. How could I say a thing like that? he wondered. Now I made Lloyd feel ten times worse than he already did.

* * *

Lloyd slammed his bedroom door and slumped against the wall, arms crossed. Frustration nagged at him. Jay thinks it's dangerous to use my powers inside the monastery? he thought. He snorted. If he thinks that's dangerous, he doesn't know what dangerous is.

He slid down until he was sitting. He looked down at his hands, hoping he had overreacted enough to make it seem like Jay had actually hurt his feelings. If I'm so dangerous, why'd you let me into your house? he challenged the ninja. Not as bright as you thought you were, huh?

Lloyd allowed a spark to form between his fingers. It felt like forever since he could freely use his powers, and the power inside his veins was screaming for freedom. I tried, he thought. But of course, someone had to ruin my fun.