Wolves Of Secrets

Family Ties

Tonight, the school's large gymnasium was packed to the brim with teachers, students, and all their families. It was the school's art exhibition night at Ninjago High School, and the theme was Families in the 21st Century. All kinds of different artworks by students and their perspectives about their families were on display for all to see and admire. Everyone was there. Even Kai and Nya's parents had returned from their business trip for the event.

As soon as they had gotten back Kai and Nya talked to them about Morro and at first, they wanted the lone wolf gone.

Thankfully, their children managed to convince them to give him a chance. The Smith family was stood beside an exhibit Kai and Nya had made explaining their ancestors' legacy as blacksmiths that helped make the city what it was today. Ray Smith had charcoal black spikey hair with a mustache and a small beard and bright amber eyes. He wore a red long-sleeved shirt with dark grey pants and large black boots. Maya Smith had long, dark brown hair that went down to her waist and stunning aqua blue eyes.

She wore a cyan-blue blouse top with midnight blue jeans and matching high heels.

The Garmaddon family exhibit explained how their ancestors first arrived and settled down in the land that would later become Ninjago, technically making them the founders of the city. Zane stood beside his father as the scientist rambled on about his experiments and inventions. Dr. Julien was must older than any of the other parents there. To the unknown, that might have mistaken him for Zane's grandfather. He had bushy snowy white hair, an aged face, and hazel eyes behind a pair of thick glasses.

He wore a white lab coat jacket with smart black pants and shoes.

Jay and his parents' exhibit told people how their junkyard was started and why it was an important part of society. Cole presented his exhibit that showed his father's dancing career from start to now and his mother's life before she passed. The only problem was that the Brookstone teenager was all alone in the crowded gymnasium. His father had yet to show up.

"Your dad not coming?" Kai asked when he noticed Lou's absence.

"He promised to make it this time, no emergencies, no distractions, just me and my dad," Cole said with a bright, hopeful smile. Cole wasn't the only one who was alone, however, Morro's foster parents had yet to make an appearance, but he didn't really care if they came or not, he'd only been living with them for a couple of weeks at the most. Morro's exhibit consisted of beautifully detailed drawings of life in care. What few people knew before tonight was that Morro Ren was an extremely talented artist.

As he was putting the final touches on his own exhibit, Harumi and her cheerleaders walked over to him with large grins on their faces.

They arrived just as Morro was hanging up a detailed sketch of an abandoned child sitting in a dark corner.

"What's that got to do with families?" Harumi asked in slight disgust.

"That's just spooky and weird." One of the cheerleaders added in a similar tone. With a face of thunder, Morro angrily turned it around to the blank side and roughly scribbled a quick picture of a happy stick figure family under a smiling sun.

"Is that 'normal' enough for you?" He snarled and the group of girls scurried away. Seeing all of this, Lloyd excused himself and went to comfort the lone wolf.

"You're not actually going to listen to them, are you?" He asked.

"Why not? You lot do." He snapped, much to Lloyd's confusion. "Pretending to be something you not; you're just like them, shallow and fake." He growled before storming off, leaving Lloyd alone by the abandoned exhibit. Before the blonde teen could react, however, the principal suddenly climbed onto the stand and called for everyone's attention.