Flames of the Past #5: Lost Souls (Ninjago Fanfiction)

Chapter 1

"The Overlord has a daughter?" Kai asked for the millionth time.

Lloyd huffed in frustration, folding his arms across his chest. "Yes, how many times do I have to say it?" he retorted.

Kai stared down at him. "Why haven't you told us that before?"

"Why does everyone keep asking me that?" Lloyd snapped back.

"Because when one of our enemies has a kid, we need to know in case they're a threat," Cole broke in. "How many times has a villain's kid risen to power after their death?"

Lloyd whipped around to glare at him. "Oh, so you're saying just because a kid's father is a villain it automatically makes them one, too?" he snarled.

Cole winced and the rest of the team grew uncomfortable.

"That's not what we meant," Kai intervened, resting a hand on Lloyd's shoulder. "We just mean that... not every kid can unlearn what they grew up in."

Lloyd pulled away from his brother. "Chelsea isn't like the Overlord at all," he claimed. "Years ago, she ran away from Baddie Bend just to get away from him and start a better life. And in the end, she helped me defeat him. So I think it's safe to say she's one of the good guys."

The ninja exchanged looks as Wu came to stand beside his nephew. "Lloyd is the only one to have met this Chelsea," he reminded them. "I think it is best to trust his judgement."

"Of course," Zane replied, and the other ninja nodded in agreement.

The team was gathered on the Bounty's deck. It had only been an hour or two since they took off from Trynia; King Alec had rejected the evidence of Kai's innocence and threatened to kill Princess Skylor if the team didn't leave immediately. They had, and were now on their way to the town of Lost Rock, where they hoped to find an explanation to Lloyd's reactivated Baddie marking.

"So... what's she like?" Jay asked Lloyd, leaning against the railing.

Lloyd shrugged, scratching his head. "Um... she's blonde," he offered. "Purple eyes?"

"Not what she looks like," Jay interrupted. "Like, her character."

Lloyd's brows knotted together as he wondered why Jay was asking stupid questions. "I don't know, she's... weird," he stammered.

"I don't think that matters," Cole jumped to Lloyd's rescue. "All that matters is if she can tell us what the heck is going on with Lloyd's marking."

At the mention of it, Lloyd drew off his glove and observed his glowing marking. "I thought it would stop hurting after we caught Clouse," he admitted. "But it's no different." He clenched his fist, wincing. "If Chelsea doesn't have an explanation, no one will."

Kai nodded to Wu. "And what about Sensei Garmadon's ally?" he asked. "Weren't we supposed to go to Fervendale to find him?"

Wu rubbed his beard. "Now that the Sons of Darkness' leader has been captured, I doubt the gang will make any more moves, at least for a while," he said. "I believe that mission can be put on hold, and we should focus on healing what's hurting my nephew."

Lloyd blinked at him before looking at the ground, embarrassed. Kai ruffled the green ninja's hair. "I agree," he smirked. "Having that thing on your wrist can't be comfortable."

Just barely, Lloyd glanced across the circle at Nya. She smiled at him, and he gave a small smile back. It felt good to know they cared about him.

The green ninja gazed over the side of the Bounty. "We've still got a long way to go," he told them.