Lloyd stared, his jaw dropping as his brain tried to process the sight in front of him.
Garmadon stood there in a pink tutu that barely fit around his waist, his usual ominous expression comically offset by a mop of blonde curls cascading from a cheap wig. To top it all off, his lips were smeared with bright red lipstick that looked like it had been applied by a toddler.
Misako, looking like she was doing her best not to burst into laughter, gestured towards her husband. “Your father,” she began, voice trembling with suppressed amusement, “has decided he wants to try ballet. He’s auditioning for the Ninjago Community Theatre’s Swan Lake revival.”
Lloyd blinked. “Dad… What—? Why—?”
Garmadon raised his chin proudly, his arms adopting a wobbly ballerina pose. “The dark lord of destruction must evolve, Lloyd. One cannot simply rule through fear alone. Art, grace, finesse! These are the qualities that will make me unstoppable!”
Misako whispered to Lloyd, “He lost a bet with Wu.”
Lloyd groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose. “So this is Wu’s doing?”
“Indeed!” Garmadon interjected, attempting a pirouette. He promptly wobbled, nearly falling over, but managed to recover by flailing dramatically. “But mark my words, Lloyd—I will master the art of ballet and prove my superiority!”
Misako leaned in again. “He also watched Black Swan last night and got... inspired.”
Lloyd gave her a look. “Why didn’t you stop him?”
“Do you think I could stop him?” Misako replied, gesturing at Garmadon, who was now practicing a series of awkward pliés. “Besides, it’s been entertaining.”
Garmadon turned to Lloyd, his expression serious, despite the absurd ensemble. “I need your help, son. You must accompany me to the studio. I require a dance partner of equal skill and stature!”
“Skill and stature?” Lloyd repeated, aghast. “Dad, I don’t do ballet!”
“Neither do I,” Garmadon said with a shrug, “but we must start somewhere. Now grab a tutu. The audition is in three hours.”
Lloyd buried his face in his hands. “This is not my life right now.”
“Your father has already picked one out for you,” Misako added helpfully, pulling out a green tutu with sparkly sequins.
“Nope.” Lloyd stood and began backing away. “I’m drawing the line here. Not happening.”
“Lloyd, if you truly love your family, you will do this,” Garmadon said, his voice melodramatic as he struck a pose that looked more like a yoga stretch. “We shall dance as father and son!”
“Nope, nope, nope!” Lloyd turned and made a beeline for the door. “You’re on your own, Dad. Good luck with Swan Lake!”
Misako’s laughter echoed behind him as Garmadon called out, “Lloyd! Get back here and embrace your destiny!”
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