Querencia

S2 E5: Child's Play

Warning(s):
- Talk of Injured Children
- Gore
- Fear

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With the Bounty back in their possession ‐ thanks to Lloyd and [M/n], and the dragons – Lloyd's training had picked up with the fear of Lord Garmadon winning looming over them like a spector. During a short break, Lloyd found himself peering over the railing, watching a group of kids play some game with a ball below. [M/n] joined him, resting a hand on the back of his neck, and began gently rubbing his thumb up and down in a soothing motion. 

"Lloyd?" Kai called, frowning when neither reacted to him. "Lloyd! Break's over! Concentrate!"

The boy turned, scowl marring his features, but did not leave his protectors side, instead leaning closer to him for warmth. 

"Now that the Bounty is in our possession again, we can train you more effectively. But you'll have to focus. One more time," Zane instructed gently. 

"But-" [M/n] tapped him on the head, stopping him. 

"This is the last time. Than we can go rest, μικρός πολεμιστής," [M/n] murmured. Sighing, Lloyd reluctantly made his way to the center of the deck, trudging along. (little warrior)

Settling into his basic stance, he prepared himself.

Kai charged first, throwing a punch that Lloyd caught and used to gain momentum into a hip throw. The red ninja grunted as he was slammed violently into the ground.

Zane and Jay came from above in unison, hoping to throw Lloyd off.

"Ninja Go!" Lloyd's spinjitzu had improved since the pirates had invaded and both were caught in the tornado to be flung back out. Stopping, he yawned eyes sliding closed. A mistake.

Cole hit him from behind, kicking him several feet across the deck as he yelped. [M/n] was quick to rush towards him, worried the hit had done some damage. Checking him over, he found no cuts or scrapes but he could see new bruises already joining the ones from the race that had begun turning yellow. 

"That was fun," Lloyd grumbled, wincing when he felt [M/n] gently touch his skin with cold fingers. "Are we done?"

"Yes."

"Oh, come on. You're better than this. What's on your mind?" Jay asked, stretching his arms over his head.

"Well...The latest issue of Starfarer just came in at Doomsday Comix and it's a limited run, so if I don't go out and get it, it's going to sell out," Lloyd began, getting excited. "Last they left off, intergalactic rogue Fritz Donnegan was surrounded by the Imperial Sludge, and if I don't find out if he gets out alright, I think I might have my own doomsday."

"The fate of Ninjago rests on your shoulders. As the Green Ninja, you have-" Kai grunted as he was grabbed and dragged backwards by [M/n], until they had some semblence of privacy. 

"Do not put that on him. He is 12 years old. There is enough responsibilty on his shoulders, pushing this is wrong. You will make him a self sacrificing martyr and I will not let that happen. You are teaching him to fight, not to be a savior."

Kai's shoulders dropped, scrubbing at his face in frustration, "I get that, but how else are we supposed to teach him? He's going to have to fight his father. He needs to be trained."

"Then train him without the constant reminders of his responsibilities and what could happen if we fail."

[M/n] turned, effectively ending the conversation. He found Lloyd back at the railing but Nya came out before he could join him.