The Book Of Forbidden One Shots | SLOW UPDATES

The Green Ninja

Day 3: The Pain You Give (Part 1)

In his defense, Lloyd never wanted any of this.

At first being the Green Ninja was probably the most exciting thing in the world. With all his friends wanting the title, Lloyd couldn't help but feel pride when he was revealed to be the Green Savior by the Golden Weapons. It made him ecstatic, and there were so many good and happy feelings that went through his body that he never realized how much of a burden it would actually become.

Of course, he had only been a child back then. But Lloyd would give anything to take back that moment.

That happiness lasted for a good 15 seconds of his life until he realized that it was him who had to defeat his father someday, only tearing their family further apart. His father had smiled that day too and Lloyd could feel his pride before it fell into a frown.

It broke his heart when his father left to protect him, but he knew they had no choice.

"You're leaving?" He asked, having caught his father packing up his things in the sleeping quarters of the Destiny's Bounty.

Garmadon turned around. "Now that you are safe, and the ninja have the Fang Blades, there is nothing else I am needed for." One of his arms grabbed the chest filled with his stuff, Lloyd still had to get used to it.

The boy frowned. "I need you." He wasn't ashamed of saying those words out loud. He had only been reunited with his father, before Destiny wanted to tear them apart once again.

Garmadon's eyes widened at his statement and Lloyd wanted to think that he was the first to ever say that to him. No one ever needed someone as evil as him. No one ever needed the Dark Lord. But Lloyd never saw his father like that—sure he did try to follow in his footsteps—but all he needed from him was to be the parental figure he never had.

He needed Garmadon to be his father. His guide. His shoulder to lean on.

Not his enemy.

Lloyd sighed. Things never really came easy for him. "I know you have to leave. But know this, when we meet again, I'm gonna do everything in my power to defeat you." It was a vow he would honor for the rest of his days. It was a promise he intended to keep.

Because if he defeats his father, he prayed that he would also defeat the evil that has consumed him.

"I wouldn't have it any other way." Garmadon patted his head with a sad smile on his face. He went to open the door, only to stop a few inches away from the outside. "Son, you are a good boy. Soon, you'll be a great man. Although we are now on opposite sides, I'm still very proud of you."

Lloyd sighed from the edge of the boat, using the stick in his hands to poke the water every so often to check the depth. They were trudging down a river that supposedly led to the temple of the last Oni Mask.

"A little to your left." He called to the Princess who stood behind the wheel. Harumi easily obliged, and the boat steered clear away from the rocks that he had seen. "If only you could see me now, Dad." He muttered.

Lloyd wished they chose someone else. That destiny called to another warrior and placed the responsibility on their shoulders. Then maybe he didn't have to worry about saving Ninjago every day, then maybe he would have a normal life.

Maybe I didn't have to lose my father.

He had thought about it many times. The what if's and the alternate versions of his reality where he didn't have to be the one to suffer. But none of them came close to how happy he was with the ninja. They were his family and whatever problem he had to deal with, they stood behind him every time.