Querencia

S2 E3: Double Trouble*

The dojo was filled with quiet chatter, everyone giving Lloyd quiet to concentrate on lighting the lightbulb in his hands. Just like Jay had instructed him to do, using his memory of the Nunchucks of Lightning. It was a lesson in control after the fiasco that had happened on the Bounty with the pirates. They all hoped giving him the building blocks of control over lightning would make it so he wouldn’t lose control over his element again. 

Jay was watching over him closely, “Focus, Lloyd. Control the power inside you. When you feel a surge welling up, harness it.”

“Enough lecturing, Jay,” [M/n] said, sighing. “Lecturing won’t help him, just as it did not help you. Deep breaths, παιδι, focus. Feel the lightning, don’t just think about it. Take that feeling and direct it to your palms. For now, let it happen. We’ll focus on controlling the output later. Now try.”

“I understand. Focus.” 

“Come on, Lloyd, you can do it,” Jay encouraged, leaning closer as the bulb glowed. It lasted for two long seconds, the ninja all leaning closer, before Lloyd pushed too much lightning into it and it shattered in his hands. Lloyd flinched at the sound, yanking his hands back towards his chest as glass shards fell around his feet. “Aargh! Stupid light bulb! You're putting too much pressure on me. Let me have one more try."

“Sorry, Lloyd. Looks like that was the last bulb,” Kai realized, holding up the empty box. 

Cole handed over the broom to Lloyd, who scowled, “Clean up, Lloyd. We'll continue training tomorrow." 

“You did good, Lloyd. Control does not come in a day,” [M/n] murmured, taking the broom from him. “Go, I’ll clean it up.” He began to sweep up the glass as Lloyd headed towards the corner where the punching bag was, beginning to beat on it. 

“What am I doing wrong, Sensei? I can’t seem to teach him how to control lightning. And that was my element! Even [M/n] did better,” Jay complained, throwing his hands up. Everyone looked Lloyd’s way, watching as he hit the bag hard enough to send it swinging up before it came back down and knocked him over. 

“You dare defy the Green Ninja?!” [M/n] had to look away to hide a smile, sweeping up the rest of the glass shards. 

“Patience, Jay. Sometimes, the greatest opponent we face is ourselves, and that's especially true of Lloyd. Remember where he came from. He's the son of Lord Garmadon. Chaos and destruction will give way to balance and creation. It's just going to take time,” Sensei soothed. “[M/n] has an easier time due to their connection. Lloyd has been closer to him since he boarded the Bounty, and he listens to [M/n] more than the rest of you, as children are wont to do.”

The door to the dojo swung inwards, Nya pushing her way in wearing a new Ao Dai. It was pale pink with darker pink petals and sequins. She was carrying a new letter. “Hey guys.”

“Hey, Nya,” Everyone chorused, waving. Jay practically had hearts in his eyes when he saw the new dress. 

“Hey, Jay. Uh, wanna come by the autobody shop later?" Nya asked, brushing her hair back. 

“The autobody shop?" 

"Yeah. I got a part-time job. Thought I could fix up the Ultra Sonic Raider in my off time. Maybe if you come over, I can show you what I've been working on.” 

“Uhmm, sure, heh," Jay agreed, blushing. He noticed the letter in her hand, quickly directing everyone’s attention to it as Kai glared at him. “Uh, what you got there?”

“Oh, um, this letter came for Lloyd. Here, [M/n]." Nya held out the letter for [M/n] to take. 

“It's from Darkley's," [M/n] stated, reading the address before he ripped it open. “The Darkly’s School for Good Boys, actually. They changed their name.” He scoffed, completely disbelieving that the school would ever change. Not after what they’d done to Lloyd.