The Walks of Life

Chapter One

"Has anyone seen Natalie anywhere?" Haden asked, poking his head into the training room.

"Nope," Luke and Connor said at the same time.

"Connor, your voice cracked," Haden said laughing.

"Shut up!" He said with annoyance. "I can't help it."

"It's still funny though," Haden said smirking. He left the room before Connor could retort.

"You look like a lost puppy dog," Sensei Garmadon said as Haden walked by him.

"I'm looking for Natalie, Grandpa. Have you seen her?"

"Not since this morning," Garmadon said. "Any news on Veronica?"

Haden's face fell and he shook his head. Garmadon placed a hand on Haden's shoulder understandingly.

"I don't understand," Haden said sadly.

"I'll tell you a story," his grandfather said. "When you grandmother and I were just married, she did the same thing to me."

"Huh?" Haden asked incredulously.

"She disappeared and no one knew why," Garmadon said. "It broke my heart. But you know what?"

"What?"

"She came back," Garmadon said. "I have no doubt that if Veronica truly loves you, she will come back."

Garmadon turned and walked away leaving a confused Haden. Lloyd was standing in the next room and had heard everything.

"Dad, you know that Veronica doesn't love him," Lloyd admonished. "They are barely old enough to understand the word."

"I know, but I'm fairly certain that he thinks he loves her," Garmadon shrugged. "It's true either way. She won't come back if she doesn't love him."

"I suppose that's true," Lloyd nodded. "She is way too immature for love right now."

"You never liked the fact that Haden liked her, did you?" Garmadon stated more than asked.

"Nope. She always seemed to care more about the moment than the person," Lloyd said.

"I feel like Haden has a lot to learn about that," Garmadon asserted.

"I agree. But he is going to think he is ready. He looks at Natalie and Scales and automatically assumes his relationship can be like theirs even though it's not," Lloyd explained.

"Each child is different," Garmadon adviced. "Don't underestimate him, but don't overestimate him."

"I hate balancing acts," Lloyd grumbled.

"It's life," Garmadon smiled. He ruffled Lloyd's hair.

"Dad!" Lloyd shouted. "Come on! I'm too old for that!"

"You're never too old for that," Garmadon laughed.

********************************

Veronica walked briskly through the cold streets of Stix. She was there to meet a friend. She kept a watchful eye. She knew that Ronin lived in Stix

"Veronica!" A voice whispered from the shadows of an alley. "Over here."

Veronica sighed with relief and hurried over to her friend.

"You're a sight for sore eyes," she smiled.

"I heard you were in a bit of trouble," her friend said. She had a slight British accent.