In the heart of Ninjago City, where shadows clung to the walls like secrets, there lived a young man named Lloyd Garmadon. Unlike his boisterous friends—the Ninjas—Lloyd was quiet, introspective. His eyes held a depth that spoke of hidden pain, and his steps were light, as if he feared disturbing the fragile balance of his world.
The Ninjas, led by their sensei, Master Wu, fought tirelessly against evil. They battled monstrous creatures, thwarted dark plots, and saved the city time and again. But Lloyd remained on the sidelines, watching, always watching.
Harumi, the enigmatic girl with a tragic past, had once been the quiet one. But she had found her voice, her purpose. She became the Quiet One, a villain who manipulated events from the shadows. Her betrayal cut deep, especially for Lloyd.
And then there was Lord Garmadon, Lloyd’s father—the ultimate villain turned reluctant hero. Lord Garmadon sought redemption, his past sins haunting him like ghosts. He trained alongside the Ninjas, honing his powers for good. But he didn’t know the truth—the truth that would shatter Lloyd’s fragile world.
One fateful night, as the moon hung low, Lloyd followed the Ninjas. He trailed them through the twisting alleys, his heart pounding. They whispered of a secret mission, a final confrontation with the Quiet One. Lloyd’s pulse quickened. Perhaps this was his chance—to prove himself, to step out of the shadows.
But what he witnessed shattered his soul.
The Ninjas surrounded Harumi, their blades drawn. She pleaded for mercy, her eyes wide with fear. And then, with a swift stroke, Kai—the Red Ninja—struck her down. Harumi fell, her lifeblood staining the cobblestones. The others watched, their faces cold, their loyalty unwavering.
Lloyd stumbled backward, tears blurring his vision. He had loved Harumi, had believed in her redemption. But the Ninjas had betrayed her, betrayed him. And now, they would come for him too.
He fled, his footsteps echoing through the empty streets. He sought solace in the only place he knew—the monastery atop the hill. There, he found Lord Garmadon, meditating in the moonlight.
“Father,” Lloyd whispered, his voice breaking. “They killed her. The Ninjas. They killed Harumi.”
Lord Garmadon’s eyes widened. “No,” he said. “It can’t be.”
“But it is,” Lloyd said. “And they’ll come for me next. I’m the last of the Oni bloodline—the last hope for redemption.”
Lord Garmadon embraced his son. “We’ll face them together,” he vowed. “I’ll protect you.”
But the Ninjas arrived, their faces grim. They accused Lloyd of treachery, of siding with the Quiet One. Lloyd denied it, but they wouldn’t listen. Their blades flashed, and Lord Garmadon stepped between them, shielding his son.
“Run, Lloyd,” he whispered. “Find your own path. Seek redemption.”
And so, Lloyd fled once more, leaving behind the only family he had. The city burned, consumed by the Ninjas’ wrath. Lord Garmadon fought alongside them, seeking forgiveness for his past sins.
But Lloyd wandered the wilderness, haunted by Harumi’s dying gaze. He became a ghost, a whisper in the wind. And as the years passed, he embraced the darkness—the Oni’s power that surged within him.
The city forgot him, but Lloyd never forgot the betrayal. He watched from the shadows, waiting for the day when he would return. When he would become the ultimate villain—the one who would make the Ninjas pay.
And in the monastery, Lord Garmadon prayed for his lost son, seeking redemption for them both.
Note: This story is a work of fiction, inspired by the Ninjago universe. Any resemblance to actual events or characters is purely coincidental.
Fin~
