"Gooood morning, Lloyd. It's time for spring cleaning," announced Koko brightly, flinging open the curtains to her son's room. 

    The teenager grumbled and squinted against the light streaming into his room, turning over in his bed and pulling the sheets over his head.

    "Come on, sleepyhead. The sooner we get started, the sooner we'll get finished," coaxed Koko, poking at him with an amused laugh. "I made waffles."

    With a melodramatic groan, Lloyd pried himself from the comfort of his bed. The promise of his mom's waffles were too strong to resist. But after wolfing down breakfast, he failed to be a sneaky enough Ninja to escape back to his room. His mother quickly shoved a duster and a broom into each of his hands, planted a loving kiss on his cheek, and pointed to the closet. "Start in there."

    As he rifled through the boxes from the closet, Lloyd curiously pulled out a quiver half full of arrows. Underneath was a small book and some dark dusty clothes.

    "Hey, mom," called Lloyd. "What's this stuff?"

    His mom peaked her head around the corner, peering into the box he held up. Her face went through an interesting assortment of emotions: embarrassed, fond, longing, and almost haunted all at the same time.

    "Oh this old thing." She pulled the outfit out, shaking off the dust and sending the book flying. "It's my old Lady Iron Dragon armor. I should've gotten rid of this years ago."

    Lloyd's eyes went wide as he stared at the armor, glancing between it and his mother. Although he had seen a picture of her in it, it was still hard to think of her as such a revered warrior, especially when she stood before him, clad in baggy pajamas with pink polka dots and her hair thrown up in a messy bun. "No! It's awesome."

    Koko shook her head and dropped the armor back into the box. She chuckled, "Nah, I'm not Lady Iron Dragon anymore. I'm something even better." At Lloyd's questioning expression, she pulled him into a hug, proudly declaring, "I'm the mother of the best son in the world who just happens to be the legendary Green Ninja."

    "Mom," groaned Lloyd, playfully shaking off his mother's affections.

    Koko looked down at the box, appearing thoughtful. "If you don't want to throw it out, maybe one of your friends could find a use for it. Nya maybe?"

    "Oh, she'll love it," assured Lloyd, knowing just how big a fan girl his friend was for Lady Iron Dragon. Crazy how that lady turned out to be his mom.

    He nudged the old discarded book with his broom. "What about this?"

    Koko's near ever-present smile faded as she recognized it. She waved her son off. "That is definitely trash. Don't worry about saving it."

    She pulled out three empty boxes, scribbling on the sides of them with marker. "Donate. Trash. Keep."

    She tossed the book in the trash box. 

    Her bright smile restored, she told her son. "If you don't know where to sort something, just leave it out. I'll help you once I'm done with the bedrooms."

    Once she had left, Lloyd retrieved the battered book and tucked it into his hoodie, promising himself to read it later. His mom's odd reaction stirred his interest too much. However, when he delved into the little book later that night, he was completely overwhelmed by the words jotted down in his mother's familiar scrawl. He could practically see the events play out in his mind's eye and his heart ached for her.

~~~~~~

    "I know, Lloyd. I know," hushed Koko as the creaky rowboat drifted into the harbor of Ninjago City. The baby hadn't stopped wailing since they had left Garmadon, as if he knew they wouldn't be seeing his father again.

    In hindsight, she probably could've done with better planning as she took stock of her supplies: a small amount of money, a change of clothes, and some snacks. But the moment she resolved that Lloyd deserved a better life than a conquering warlord, she had left lest her resolve give out. It had been one of the most difficult decisions, to walk away from her husband.

    This could all change in an instant. She could return, apologize, and she and Garm could live happily together, but that wasn't the life she wanted for her son. Destruction and ruins. She cast aside the warring and her high status to be a mother, to make a life for her son, a normal life, which was hard enough entering a large city with next to no possessions.

    Then, the media caught wind of her and her son. They spun nasty stories about them, and any reputable job opportunity vanished in an instant. Even the charity organizations weren't exactly charitable the moment they realized just who they were helping.

    With the meager funds she had and by taking up odd jobs until she was fired when they found out who she was, Koko just barely managed to put food on the table and rent an apartment. It was a drafty, moldy room with a single twin bed, but a shelter nonetheless.  She was certain the crummy landlord had tripled the rent for this hovel just because it was her.

    The moment she stepped through the threshold of their new abode, conflicting emotions struck her. Relief that they finally had a place to live and grief that she couldn't provide more.

    Koko spent many a day and night scouring the slums of the city for any work, scrubbing dishes, restocking the shelves of a grimy convenience store, cleaning homes, being a waitress at seedy bars, anything to make money.

    The glares, the nasty comments, and cruel behavior from complete strangers weighed on her as she tried to make a life for her son. It was a wonder she even had the strength to function most days as she fell into a grueling semblance of a routine. Work, work, Lloyd, work, sleep, bills, work. 

    For the most part, her efforts to simply survive staved off the despair. However, when she would come back in the quiet early hours of the morning, the heavy thoughts would berate her. The world felt too big, too indomitable, and though she had once been a warrior, able to endure much pain, she often felt dwarfed by the hardships. There were times when she did fail to make ends meet, and her mind scolded her all the more. But it was fine. As long as Lloyd's needs were met, she could do without.

    She wasn't doing enough. She wanted to give her son so much more and she was failing as a mother. When the thoughts got too intense, she would simply settle beside the bed where her baby slept and just watched with gentle, tired eyes. As much as she wanted to give up, she wouldn't and he was why she wouldn't. 

    When Lloyd would stir awake, it was time to down a watery cup of coffee and take him to daycare. His happy baby babbles and toothy smiles as she got him ready for daycare kept her going throughout the day.

    Oh how she wished she had the time to care for him properly instead of placing him in a daycare that just barely tolerated his presence. The only reason they allowed him to stay was that they liked her desperation and could charge her outrageously for their services. It wasn't like Lloyd was even that much trouble. They just saw him as a threat because of his father.

    Oh Garm. For a time it seemed his grief had halted his attacks on the city, but when they started up again, he probably didn't realize how much more difficult he made life for his ex-wife and son. Each assault reignited the citizens hatred towards them and Koko's employers were more likely to chase her out, taking out their anger on the closest scapegoat possible.

    In battle, she had faced violence, she could face it here now. Except there, she could fight back. Here, though her fists were weapons of their own, she could not fight back. The law was not on her side. 

    Just once, she let her fighting instincts take over when the patrons of a bar cornered her as their bitterness for Garmadon's attack that day turned vicious. A bar fight ensued that was broken up by the police. She had thought she'd been in the right, self-defense, but she'd spent most of that night in a cold cell and released with a hefty fine, which only added to her bills that needed paying.

    She learned that should she fight back and lash out, she would only turn the city's sentiments further against her and her son. She couldn't afford that. Lloyd should not have to pay for the actions of both his parents.

    Yet, he still did pay for it all the same.  

    "Please, he needs help," begged Koko to the apathetic doctor.

    The man in the white coat crossed his arms. "No, last time your husband came through here, he specifically targeted this hospital. Do you know how many shifts I had to pull to get this place back on its feet? I'm not helping his demon spawn."

    "Lloyd is not his father and he is not a demon spawn," snapped Koko. "He's a child."

    Now, she was partially grateful that her toddler was in a fever induced haze so he could not pick up on the open hostility. The doctor tried to close the door on them, but she stuck her foot out. "Wait. Please. All the other hospitals have kicked us out. We just–"

    The "doctor" had the nerve to laugh in her face. "Then they have good sense. Now. Buh-bye."

    He slammed the door shut.

    Koko resisted the urge to scream and kick the door in. Instead, she adjusted her hold on Lloyd, hating how warm he felt and the rattling coughs that wracked his body.

    Just as she was about to walked by the front desk, a shout stopped her, "Wait!"

    A woman in a white coat with long dark hair strode toward her. 

    Koko warily turned so that she was between Lloyd and this new doctor should she begin spewing hatred towards them.

    The doctor snapped to the front desk. "Fit her into my schedule."

    The stunned receptionist tried to argue, "But Dr. Maya, that's–"

    "I know who they are," snapped Dr. Maya. "I don't care."

    Koko swore she had stares in her eyes as she looked at this angelic woman. She couldn't put enough gratitude into her voice as she settled into the exam room with the doctor. "Thank you."

    Dr. Maya shook her head sadly as she began looking over the ailing boy, easily diagnosing pneumonia and prescribing the proper medication. "No thanks necessary. Everyone should have access to care, regardless of background. Besides, I have two of my own that are about his age." She looked over at the relieved yet obviously anxious and exhausted woman. "One mother to another, you're doing good."

    That one act of kindness was enough to keep Koko going as the years seemed to fly by. Before she knew it, she was tearfully dropping him off for his first day of school. He looked so sweet, waving to her in his dinosaur hoodie. For a while, school seemed to be the best thing that ever happened to Lloyd. They were at such a young age that making friends came easily. 

    Unfortunately, that soon came to an end when parents were unhappily made aware that their children shared a classroom with the son of Lord Garmadon. They whispered words of poison to their kids, telling them to avoid that boy at all costs. 

    Lloyd came home in tears, not understanding why his so-called friends had decided to shun him. "I don' get it. I was nice," he cried, burying his face in her shirt.

    Koko held him in her arms as they cuddled on the couch, a pained expression on her face. If only he knew how often she dealt with the same hostility, but she couldn't dump that on him. Instead, she nudged him so that he was looking at her.

    "And you keep being the nice, bright boy I know you are," she encouraged, earning one of those little smiles she loved to see on his face.

    Yet, school kept getting harder and harder. Middle school was the worst as Lloyd obviously wanted so badly to impress the others, but they hated him and had no filter. She hated to see the doubt and shame that lurked beneath his emerald irises.

    As Lloyd poked at his dinner, he asked, "Mom, do you regret me?"

    Koko looked up from her stack of bills, shocked, "No! No, no, no. Never. Not in a million years. What makes you think that?"

    Tears sprang into his eyes. "Chen. He said that you'd put me up for adoption but no one would want me 'cause I'm evil and stupid and ugly and then I'll be alone forever."

    Koko wasn't one to support child abuse in any way, shape, or form, but man, did she want to discipline that kid so bad. For now though, she focused on comforting her son. She had many regrets but Lloyd was most certainly not one of them. She walked over to where he was seated and knelt so she was eye level with him, placing her hands on his shoulders. 

    "I am not going anywhere and neither are you, little man. You're stuck with me forever." She hugged him and kissed his cheek. "I love you so, so much. You're a good, brilliant, beautiful kid, Lloyd. Don't let anyone make you think different."

    Most often, she would make sure to express to Lloyd how much she loved him, both verbally and through action.

    For the most part, Lloyd wasn't a difficult child though he certainly had his moments. He didn't ask for much very often, so when he begged to go on a field trip to the aquarium, she had wanted to say yes, especially since it would be his birthday. But why a trip to the aquarium cost that much, she had no idea. In the moment, she had tried to gently turn him down. He pouted at her, claiming she didn't love him. That had definitely stung.

    He continued to sulk up until the day of the field trip. As the teacher lined them up, asking for their permission slips. Lloyd reached into his bag to, prepared to hand back the unfilled sheet, surprised to find it filled out and the money in the envelope. A little sticky note was attached to the top, "Happy Birthday. I love you!" Lloyd almost broke out crying right then and there.

    Unbeknownst to him, Koko collapsed into bed, bone-weary from all the extra odd jobs she had pulled, but happy nonetheless. She knew it wasn't much, but it was all she had to give. Lloyd's massive hug and smile when he got back made it worthwhile. Poor kid was a mess as he profusely apologized for being rude. He was such a kindhearted boy. People just refused to look past his bloodline. 

    Koko still struggled to make ends meet, but, step by step, painstakingly slowly she scraped together enough money to afford an apartment for them outside the slums of Ninjago City. The cost was so worth it to watch Lloyd excitedly explore their new  place and take in the view.  She once again reminded herself that this was what she worked her butt off for, to see him happy, safe, and loved. He had as close to a normal life as she could offer.

    Then she found out, from Garmadon of all people, that Lloyd was actually the Green Ninja, protector of the city. Her heart dropped just as it swelled with pride. He was a fine warrior, but he shouldn't have to be. She gave up that lifestyle so that he would never have to pick up a sword. He shouldn't have to be a hero, trying to prove his goodness. She already knew he was his own person, separate from the evil actions of his father. But all the same, she was proud of him and proud that she got to be his mother, loving him from day one.

~~~~~~

    Lloyd took in a shuddering breath, and he could withhold the tears no longer. All this time, and he had no idea. Life sucked as the son of the Lord Garmadon, but to listen to his mom write out her struggles and emotions made him realize it was equally as awful trying to make a living as the ex-wife of Garmadon.

    At times, his mother's effervescent attitude grated on him. He used to question why she was so peppy all the time. Now he had to ask, 'How often was that forced? How often had she plastered a smile on her face just to bring brightness to him?'

    His father's words echoed in his mind. 'Luh-Lloyd. Your mom was the best. She expected the best of me, and only ever wanted the best for you.'

    He was so caught up in his thoughts that he didn't hear his mom knocking on his door. She poked her head in and began to gently remind him, "Lloyd, time for lights— Lloyd?"

    Her voice turned concerned as she caught sight of his tear stained face. Lloyd held out his arms towards her like when he was much younger and in need of comfort. Koko was at his side in an instant. "What's wrong?" 

    She caught sight of the open book in his lap. There was a hint of reproach in her tone. "Lloyd, I told you to throw this out earlier."

    "I got curious," sniffled Lloyd. "You really went through all that?"

    Koko sighed, closing the journal for him. "When I told you earlier today that being your mother was way better than being Lady Iron Dragon, I meant it."

    "But you gave up so much," said Lloyd tearfully.

    "For something so much better. I got to see you grow up, Lloyd," replied the former warrior lovingly as she cupped his face in her own. "I got to care for you, love you." 

    She teared up. "I wish I could've done better. Walking away from Garm, I knew there would be moments that I'd miss and spaces I couldn't fill. And raising you, I realized I'd come up short a billion different ways... and I did...and I will. But that doesn't change how much I love you. I wouldn't trade any of my time as your mother for anything in the entire realm."

    She flipped through the pages of her journal, showing the text to her son.

    I'm writing this as a reminder to my future self. 'We can do this, for Lloyd.'

    She turned to the final page.

    To my past self, 'We made it.'