3rd Person POV

9 : 3 5 A M

Lloyd and Nya went to the local library to start the hunt for a job. "So, library...you like books?"

"They're...interesting..." Lloyd admitted, as they approached the front desk. Nya placed her hands on the counter, "Hi."

The librarian looked up and smiled, "Can I help you two?"

Nya nudged Lloyd, who blinked and cleared his throat. "I'm looking for a job. Do you have any open spaces?"

"Hmm..." she stared at her computer screen before shaking her head, "Unfortunately we have no openings for a job, I'm afraid." Lloyd stepped back, "Of course. Sorry to trouble you."

They left the library and Lloyd pointed out a small convenience store. He pushed the door open and they made their way to the till, where again, they got the same response.

This went on and on for all the places they checked out: Traffic guard, blacksmith, carer, waiter, everything.

At long last they came across a street with fancy houses. "What about Estate Agent? I can negotiate pretty well...and all I have to do is persuade people to buy the house...right?"

"That's true-"

"Well then let's go!" he grabbed Nya's arm and pulled her along to the Estate Building. They entered and Lloyd rushed up to the desk, "Do you guys have an opening for a job?"

"As a matter of fact, yes." The two silently fist-bumped, "Can I have your first and last name, and details?"

"Sure, my name is Lloyd Garmadon-"

"Sorry, did you say...Lloyd Garmadon?" 

"Y-Yeah..."

"Hang on..." he typed something into his computer and his face was filled with a frown, "It seems you are not applicable for a job. You've been blacklisted."

The blonde frowned, "By who?"

"Legally, I cannot say-"

Nya slammed her hand down on the counter, "Answer the question!"

The man's face grew stiff, "I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to leave." Nya glared at him, before they left the building and roamed down the street.

"Great. I've been blacklisted and I can't find a job! I just wanted to help my Mom out. Who would've done this?"

They boarded a bus, "Let's ask Zane and Pixal." The bus drove off.

1 0 : 0 2 A M

"Hmm...I can hack into it." Zane tells the two. Pixal typed something in, "Look, it turns out you were blacklisted today at 9:01 sharp. Where were you at that time?"

"On my way to the diner after...after Chen offered me a job and I refused!"

"Then he's the prime suspect in this. Our suspicions will be confirmed in 3...2...1..."

Blacklist Report

Forename: Lloyd

Surname: Garmadon

Age: 18

Height:  5'9

Appearance: Blonde, green eyes.

Complaint Lodged By: Amoren Chen

"I knew it. He's obviously doing this so I'd do his bidding." Lloyd snarled, clenching his fists. He stared out of the window, a glare etched on his face, "Can you undo it?"

Pixal shook her head, "Sadly, no. Borg created the system, only he knows how to do this." 

"Damn it. I'm not falling for it. Not if it's the last thing I do-" I was cut off by my phone ringing, "Hey, Mom-"

"They've just fired me from my job."

"W-What?"

"I'm sorry. Something about a blacklist..."

Lloyd gestured for Zane to search for his mother's name. And there it was.

Blacklist Report

Forename: Misako

Surname: Garmadon

Age: 56

Height: 5'5

Appearance: Grey hair, green eyes.

Complaint Lodged By: Amoren Chen

"Look, I-I'll try and fix this-"

"There's no point. Look, I'll take up some farming, sell some stuff. Just to steady us. I think it's best if you lived full time with your father-"

"I'm not leaving you, Mom! Look, I'm going to get to the bottom of this. Just...give me some time. I love you."

"Love you too, son." The line ended, and Lloyd looked up at the three, "What do we do?"

Skylor's POV

9 : 1 8 P M

I storm into my dad's office, "We need to talk."

Dad laughed, "Oh! It's been a while since we've had a conversation without one of us snapping at the other. Looks like today's not the day, either!"

"I want out. And not just me. Kai too. We're done with doing your business."

He looked at me as if I'd gone insane, "Sorry, dear, you both are in too deep. There's no getting out. You have your whole life set for you. After you inherit the business, we'll fix you up with a man worthy of you, not that porcupine bastard-"

"Kai is not a bastard!" I snap, slamming my hand down on his desk.

"Sorry, daughter. Everyone in the Chen bloodline is set to inherit the business. It's a family thing."

I straighten up, "Then I guess we're not family anymore then."

As I walk out the door, I can hear Chen's shouts for me to come back and apologise. I simply turn around and flip him off, before breaking off into a run.

You have no idea how much I've wanted to do that!

Nya's POV

After finally heading home, I see Kai sitting on the rundown couch. Once I come in he jumps up, "Hey!"

"Hey! You not asleep yet?"

He shook his head, "No, I wanted to give you something..."

"What is it?"

"So...I know how your birthday's next week, so..." he held out a small parcel wrapped in newspaper and I gently took it, "What is it?"

He grinned excitedly, "Open it!"

I do, and the minute I see what's inside I wrap it back up again, "Kai! How much did this cost?"

"Not a dime. I made them myself."

I smile softly, "Thank you."

"Don't worry about it. I want to be reassured with the fact that my baby sister's safe out there." I hug him tightly.

Inside the newspaper were a pair of brass knuckles. I slip them on, perfect fit!

"It's perfect!" I breathe, "Thank you!"

He hugged me again, "No problem."

The front door suddenly opened and Mom and Dad walked in, "What are you two still doing up so late?"

I held out the brass knuckles, and Dad took my hand, examining them closely.

"You made these?" he asked Kai, who nodded proudly.

"It's beautiful! So...perfectly crafted!" he grins, "I've taught you well, son!"

Mom hugs us both, "I'm assuming this is an early gift?"

"You know it!"

"It's perfect! Now, how I'd love to sit and chat, we really need to get going for bed. Night, you two!"

"Night!"

"Night!"

I shut the door of my room and stare at the brass knuckles. A smile lifts on my face.

Lloyd's POV

I ended up staying overnight at Borg's tower with Zane and Pixal. Suddenly the telephone rang and Zane picked it up, "Borg Industries, can we help you...yes, he's right here." He covered the speaker, "It's for you, Lloyd."

Frowning, I take the phone, "Hello?"

"You really think you're smart, hmm? Yes, I blacklisted you and your mother, and if you don't walk out those doors in the next five seconds, all of your friends and their families will be blacklisted in 5...4...3..."

Dropping the phone, I rush to the elevator and push the button for the ground floor. My own phone starts buzzing. 

"Oopise, Lloyd. Didn't make it out the doors in time! As we speak, all of your friends are getting added to the list. You really think you can outsmart me?"

"All I did was turn down a job!"

"And do you know what happens to people who say no to me? Their lives become hell! You said no to me, so enjoy the rest of your life! Too-da-loo!"

So, long story short, I'm trying to shorten this down, so next chapter will be the plot, then the attempt and then the Epilogue....I wanna make this short and straight to the point. So...yea!

Love, Ali <3