ninjago imagines

powers come with a price | lloyd g.

Set after S10

TW: Inujries, Flashbacks

After accidentally injuring Kai in a accident of losing control of his powers, Lloyd leaves the monastery. He doesn't want to hurt anyone else. 

• • •

Lloyd still remembered his first proper training vividly. Not so much as the actual work, but what had happened afterwards. Sensei Wu grabbed his shoulders as he left, motioning for him to stay. The others trailed out uncertainly, the door closing behind them with a sharp thud.

"What is it, Master Wu?"

"I... It is a difficult topic. If you could give up your powers, would you?" 

Thrown by the sudden question, Lloyd gaped at him for a second."Uh, no."

"Why not?"

"We-el," Lloyd considered for a second, wondering if 'it's really cool' was a good reason. "It's gonna help me defeat my dad, right? And save Ninjago City!" 

"What if we find a way to defeat your father before that?" The sensei pressed, but Lloyd still shook his head. "There might be more threats after that, right? I should be able to help!" He said seriously, wide eyes shining with eagerness. 

"Powers come with a price, Lloyd." His uncle said softly, staring at him for a moment. He didn't look like he was looking at the ninja, though. He looked lost in his dreams, far away, a hint of sadness lingered in his small smile. "Nevermind. It is only a old man's thoughts."

"Oh." Lloyd fingered the edge of his too-large gi for a second, unsure of how to respond to that.

"Go ahead, catch up with the team." He urged the small teen, and Lloyd nodded at him, sprinting out the door. He hesitated by the wooden frame way for a second, watching his sensei return to meditating, before turning to sprint after his teammates. 

He didn't think about it for a long while after that.

• • •

But years later, Lloyd thought he might know what the price of his powers was.

It was having to fight his loved ones. Going on mission after mission, the weight of the world balanced on his shoulders. It was losing people, losing friends, living on the edge, for weeks and months, and onto years, now. It meant not being able to trust anyone. 

When he finally shakes himself out of his thoughts, its early morning, and he's late for training. 

His brothers are already sparring with each other, and Nya is in the corner fiddling with a weapon. 

"Hey, Lloyd, you're late!" Jay announces to the room, like he doesn't already know. The ninja rolls his eyes at them, covering a yawn. 

"Hey, Skylor is coming over later." Cole adds, and he nods, picking up a sword.

"Yeah, Kai got all googly-eyed on the phone with her." Nya says from her corner, earning a deathly glare from the fire ninja. 

"Speaking of which, have you had any crushes recently—" 

"Yeah, no, not really looking for love. Not after Harumi." Lloyd answered dryly, and the room filled with thick silence, everyone turning to look at him. He suddenly wished he hadn't said anything. 

"Sorry, Lloyd. I forgot. You okay?" Kai says, and he nods faintly, "I'm fine."

"Are you sure? It's fine to not be okay, you know." The fire ninja presses on, and Lloyd bites his lip is annoyance.