Flames of the Past #4: A Tangle of Lies (A Ninjago Fanfiction)

Chapter 17

Lloyd awoke in the monastery. He sat up in his bed, glancing around his familiar bedroom. His surroundings seemed foggy and too bright, though he blamed it on the sun blazing through his open window.

Confusion sizzled inside of him. I could've sworn I was in Trynia when I went to bed... A thrill suddenly swept through him. Had it all been just a dream?

Throwing off his covers, Lloyd hurried out of his room. He walked down the hall and headed down the staircase. The familiar chatter of the other ninja radiated from the living room, and he picked up Wu's voice inside the kitchen. Another voice answered the sensei's and made Lloyd freeze. He knew that voice!

Breath quickening, he rushed toward the kitchen and stopped again. There, seated on the barstool beside the counter, was Garmadon.

"Dad?" Lloyd croaked.

Garmadon turned toward his son, smiling. "Good morning, Lloyd," he purred.

Slowly, Lloyd moved closer. He was confused. "I thought... you died," he stuttered.

Garmadon laughed his warm laugh. "You must've had some dream last night," he commented, rising to his feet.

Lloyd blinked, then felt a smile crossing his face. It had been all a dream! Laughing himself, he darted forward and strangled his father with a hug.

"Oh!" Garmadon laughed again, returning the embrace. "Someone's in a good mood today."

Lloyd held tight to the sensei, never wanting to let go. It felt like forever since he'd been able to hug his father. He dug his face into Garmadon's chest, sinking into his arms. "I love you, Dad," he said, his voice half-muffled.

Garmadon rubbed his fingers through Lloyd's hair. "I love you, too, son," he smiled.

Lloyd finally drew away so he could look at his father's face. Thank Ninjago Garmadon had never really died.

Garmadon grabbed his mug from the counter and stepped into the kitchen, heading over to the sink. Lloyd followed close behind.

"So, what are you up to today?" the sensei asked as he began washing his dish.

Lloyd watched his father's familiar hands move around the mug. "I might take Laurie to the park," he answered.

As if his thoughts summoned her, the little girl sped into the kitchen. "Papa, Papa!" she squeaked, grabbing the sensei's leg.

Garmadon looked down at her as he dried his hands. "Hello, Laurie," he chuckled, scooping the girl into his arms. He sat her down on the counter. "What is it?"

"Look what I colored!" Kicking her legs against the cabinets, Laurie held up a sheet of paper. "It's me an you!"

Garmadon's eyes gleamed with warmth as he gazed at the sloppy drawing. "That looks just like me," he smirked.

Laurie giggled.

Lloyd smiled as he observed the two. Garmadon and Laurie had always been close, and he loved that they were. Especially since he'd been terrified to even tell his father he had a daughter back then, terrified how the sensei would react. But Garmadon had actually convinced him to earn Laurie back from the home he'd left her in, and had supported him ever since. He didn't know how he would've raised Laurie without his father.

Lloyd broke from his thoughts as he noticed how quiet it had gotten. Garmadon was staring at Laurie, but his smile had vanished. His face had darkened, and his eyes had a sort of haze over them.

"Dad?" Lloyd stepped closer to his father. "Are you okay?"

Garmadon drew a pace away from Laurie. His eyes stayed glued to the child, but he'd suddenly grown fearful. "Something's coming," he murmured.