Querencia

S2 E5: Child's Play*

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

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With the Bounty finally back in their possession, and after a week of rest, Lloyd's training had picked up, the ninja now aware of just how far Lord Garmadon would go to keep Lloyd from becoming the Green Ninja. With his previous wins looming over them, the ninja had begun planning out their training sessions better than ever before.

During a short break, mid-afternoon, Lloyd found himself at the railing, peering over the side to watch a group of kids below playing some kind of game together. [M/n] took the opportunity to check over his wrist, carefully rotating it and pressing his fingers down to see if there was any pain, releasing him when he was assured. Instead of sending him back to the others to continue training, [M/n] rested a hand on his shoulder and gently squeezed.

Lloyd huffed, tugging at his training shirt. Neither noticed Kai approaching, having already called out for the young boy.

"Lloyd?" Kai sighed, irritated. "Lloyd! Break's over! You've gotta concentrate!"

The boy spared the kids one last longing look, before turning back around with a scowl, though he did not leave [M/n]'s side.

"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. "Then you can take a longer break for dinner."

"But–" [M/n] rested a hand on his head, interrupting him.

"This will be the last time," [M/n] calmly announced. "Then he gets the rest of the night off. Go ahead, Lloyd."

Lloyd sighed, reluctantly trudging his way towards the center of the deck before settling into his basic stance. He prepared himself.

Kai attacked 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 his rhythm.

"Ninja go!" Lloyd's Spinjitzu had improved since the pirates had invaded - being more stable and leaving it less likely that he would be thrown from it himself -, so both were caught inside the tornado and thrown back across the deck. When he stopped, he yawned, eyes sliding closed.

A mistake.

Cole came at him from behind, kicking him halfway across the deck before he could hold back after realizing the boy wasn't paying attention, sending the boy crashing across the deck with an alarmed cry. [M/n] was quick to go check on him, sending Cole a sharp look.

"Scuza, raggazo," Cole apologized. Lloyd was already sitting up, wincing slightly. (Sorry, kid.)

"Where does it hurt?"

Lloyd pulled up his tshirt, showing his back. [M/n] carefully pressed on the area where the kick had landed, palpating the area and waiting for a response, but Lloyd only winced slightly. "It doesn't hurt as bad as the other bruises," Lloyd admitted, glancing back.

"It doesn't look like it will be bad," [M/n] agreed. "But we can ice it to make sure."

"Can I go read now? This was fun and all, but I'm tired." Kai approached, frowning slightly. "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 more 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."