What if Lloyd hadn't become the green ninja when he did?

I totally forgot that I wrote this and decided to finish it 😂
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The steady ticking of the clock was the only thing that could be heard. It was like a rhythmic heartbeat that echoed off the tall ceilings of the room. The building had large, ornate windows, the clear crystal-like glass allowing the crescent moon to shine brightly, casting shadows onto the floor. They stretched across the room, bending with the many glass cases and podiums that covered the ground. Inside them were various items ranging from gemstone covered armour to mysterious amulets- all with the same protective shields.

A soft rustle broke the quiet. It could barely be heard, the clock almost overpowered it. With a barely perceptible click, one of the windows at the very top of the wall (made to be able to open and close to let air flow in) swung open with a gentle whoosh. The windows were supposed to be locked but that didn't seem to stop the dark figure from slipping in, a repelling line stopping them from crashing to the ground. Their footsteps were nearly silent, moving delicately- almost like a dancer, as they went heel-toe-heel-toe all the way across the room. The intruder looked around carefully, moving around the pedestals and displays that were in their way as they searched for something in particular.

They finally made it to the amulet case, gloved fingers sliding delicately over the smooth surface before the index finger stopped over one particular item. It was a simple emerald charm with golden embroidery, not uncommon in Ninjago- usually seen at traditional temples, but for some reason it seemed to have caught the intruder's interest. In one swift movement, they whipped out a knife, the blade pierced into the glass- cracking the glass- and they landed a firm kick to the case until it shattered into pieces. The motion was unclean and noticeable- alarms immediately going off, red lights flashing, as the figure snatched the amulet and ran to where they'd entered.

"Now Zane!"

A shuriken flew through the air, quick as a whip, and severed the line. The figure faltered for second, but kept on running, making a giant leap towards the top window. They were a little short though, fingers barely grasping the edge before it was slammed shut by someone on the outside. They fell, a clumsy landing as they rolled back to their feet only to be tackled by a flash of red.

"Get 'em Kai!" A voice rang out encouragingly as someone new came crashing through the doors. They paused to find the light switch, only to be slammed into from behind.

"Cole! Don't just block the doorway!" Someone screeched.

Kai, who was wrestling with the thief, had avoided using his katana the entire time, as well as his elemental powers. It seemed like the person was unarmed and he didn't want to risk damages. He was quickly regretting that decision when the robber kept squirming around. Their fighting style was clearly martial arts based, a little scrappier than the ninja- and perhaps less refined- but it was effective. They landed a rapid succession of blows to Kai's side, making the boy grunt in pain and releasing the hold he had on the thief's wrist. They didn't waste another moment and scrambled away. They grabbed a weapon hanging on display, one of the few that wasn't guarded by glass and launched the heavy spear straight out the bigger window that stretched from the floor to the top one he'd first entered in. It shattered instantly and they tried to run for it but Kai grabbed onto their ankle, making them topple over.

"Hey! They're trying to get away!" Cole yelled.

"Obviously!" Kai grunted from the ground, trying yank his opponent closer. The figure gripped onto the carpeted floor like a cat latches on with claws, kicking at the fire ninja with their free foot.

The earth ninja ran to join, another one in blue following, and with a quick bear-hug, Cole had the criminal caught. Jay helped Kai struggle to his feet, the fire ninja rubbed against his side and gave Cole an exasperated look. "Really? It was that easy for you?"

Zane, who had been watching from the rafters above, hopped down. He paused to help Nya scramble in and used his ice powers to temporarily seal the broken window. They both moved to join the group, carefully stepping over the broken glass.

"Not too bad for us, considering we don't do the stealthy stuff as much!" Jay pointed out when they were all together.

"You're ninja! It literally means you act in stealth." The intruder grunted, attempting to grind their heel into Cole's foot. The earth ninja yelped, only resulting in swinging the smaller person around.

Nya raised a hand, stopping them both as she stepped forward. She paused to look the person over, an unimpressed eyebrow scanning the scrawny figure. What she had thought was black was a dark green outfit, mixed with some even darker tones to create something akin to camouflage. They had a scarf that went over their mouth, similar to their own masks, and a heavy hood that covered the rest of their face. When she ducked lower to look at him, she was shocked by a flash of brilliant green in the darkness. The water ninja tilted her head curiously and turned to what they had stolen, the amulet was shockingly unharmed, only a little crushed from where it was delicately hidden in the thief's fist. Nya pried their fingers apart, and took the unremarkable charm, and before turning to it's capturer.

"You know this is where a famous collector lives, right?" Nya said, scanning the charm for anything special to it. "She has thousands of priceless artifacts, why would you choose something so... basic?"

The person crossed their arms, in a way that almost seemed petty, and didn't say anything. Cole shook them around, kind of like one would a ragdoll, to try to prompt something out of them. Still nothing.

"Hey!" Kai snapped, impatient as usual. He marched straight over to the intruder and grabbed him by the hood. "Answer us! We wouldn't be called to guard this place if it wasn't to stop you from stealing something important! You've gone for so many other things, valuable things. Weapons, gemstones, antique lamps even! Why does this matter?" He released the hood, the force of the action caused it to fall back, revealing a messy head of blonde hair,

It was a boy, a fairly young boy, around Nya's age, with a pale freckled face and the same shining eyes that she had seen before. He pushed down the scarf that covered his mouth, not even bothering to have it on anymore and scowled at Kai, staring the brunette  down with the same amount of salt he was given.

"It doesn't matter," the boy spat. "I'm just some kid trying to make money. These are ancient amulets, some of the first of their kind to be made. They may seem 'basic' but they're worth a lot more than some of this other gaudy junk."

They all wordlessly turned to Zane. The nindroid thought for a moment then shrugged. "There is truth to that."

"I can't believe they had the budget Power Rangers watching over this place. This collector must be super desperate." Blondie continued with a smug little smirk.

Kai immediately rose to the bait, which was sad considering it was set out by a snotty kid. He rolled up his sleeves, steam practically erupting from his ears. "You little-"

"Kai!" Nya scolded. "Honestly! Have some self control!"

Her brother reluctantly stopped his arms, his glare only intensifying when Blondie stuck out his tongue as soon as Nya turned away. Cole couldn't help but let out a burst of laughter at the livid expression on his friend's face.

"First spinjitzu master," Cole chuckled. "You got some sass, kid. What's your name anyway?"

The boy pouted (as if he thought that made him look tough) and turned his nose up pointedly. "I'm not telling you."

"Okay," Cole said easily, ignoring Kai's incredulous "What?" at the earth ninja's acceptance. "I'm gonna call you Green Bean then."

Jay grinned at his best friend. "Green Bean?"

"Yeah! Because he's green and skinny."

Green Bean's jaw dropped. "I an not skinny!"

"Cole is correct, you are rather underweight for your age." Zane piped up, after remaining silent for the majority of the conversation.

Green Bean looked him up and down. It seemed obvious that despite the human-like appearance Zane wore he could tell something was off. "What the heck are you?"

"A nindroid." Zane answered calmly.

"A what-what?"

"A ninja android!" Jay said excitedly. "Isn't it cool? We didn't even know until he started talking to birds and wandering around and found his dead dad-"

Kai suppressed a snort of amusement when the thief slowly stared up at the ceiling as if it would provide him answers. As much as the kid annoyed him, the attitude was a little amusing.

"What's going to happen now?" Green Bean demanded, thrashing a bit in one last desperate attempt to get free. "You can't put me in juvie. I'll just escape. The security there is crap."

"We're not going to put you in juvie." Kai grumbled. "I vote you go to Kryptarium."

The thief actually looked a little bit nervous about that but Nya stepped in before the fear could sink too far in. "We're not putting you in Kryptarium." She said, sending an exasperated look Kai's way.

"You got lucky, kid." Cole huffed. "Our Sensei wants you brought to him."

"NO." They were all taken back by the vehement screech. "I refuse! You can't make me!" In a surprisingly childish move, he let his legs collapse. Surprised, Cole moved with the motion- though he didn't let go- and Green Bean planted himself in a cross-legged sit on the ground.

Zane raised an eyebrow at the pouty kid. "That will do little good at stopping us." Green Bean's jaw clenched stubbornly and he jerked his head up to give the nindroid a steady glare. After a moment of internal debate, he raised his hand- and his middle finger with it.

That cued a series of offended gasps and horrified cries. "Woah! There was no need to get so personal." Jay exclaimed.

"You got some serious snark on you, Green Bean," Cole agreed, flicking the thief in the head. He simply scowled and hunkered down more in his seated position.

"That's it!" Kai growled, digging into his pocket for the cloth inside.

"Uh- Kai? Wasn't that for emergencies?" Jay said nervously.

"It was for if he got difficult." Kai responded, huffily. "And I wouldn't say he's being particularly easy going, would you?"

"Well-"

Kai ignored his friend in favour of pouring a small vial of liquid over the cloth and stepping towards where the thief was positioned, still held by Cole. Green eyes widened and locked onto the cloth in alarm before he started to try to scoot away.

"W-what are you doing?" Green Bean thrashed frantically when Kai got closer. "What is that?"

"Are you going to come with us peacefully?" Kai asked, hesitating a moment.

"Why would I go with someone who's hair looks like an angry porcupine?"

With a smack, Kai unceremoniously pressed the cloth over the robber's nose and mouth. The kid wiggled around and spat out insults but it wasn't long before his eyes started to droop and his flailing weakened. Cole breathed out a sigh of relief when the child finally slumped over.

"We did it!" Jay cheered excitedly.

Unfortunately, irony slapped him hard in the face when the thief suddenly sprang up, taking advantage of Cole's loosened grip, and made a run for the window. Zane reacted first, pressing a hand to the ground, and ice formed over the floor, slicking the surface beneath the blonde's feet. That didn't slow him however, he stopped his movement and used the ice to slide towards his exit. Kai let out a roar and tried to follow but he forgot about the ice and ended up slipping. Nya reached out her hands to call upon her element but was interrupted by Kai skidding across the floor and into her. The siblings went down with a crash- yelling and shouting at each other the entire time. They rolled towards where the thief was and as he zipped by them he grabbed the charm out of Nya's hands.

"HEY!" She screeched.

Green Bean made it to the window, the ice not even phasing him as he took something out of his pocket and pointed it at the blockage. A small laser shot out of it, usually used for cutting things in the criminal world like locks or even thin walls of metal. It melted the ice and with four quick swings, the thief had made a square in the frozen wall. Just as Jay slid towards him, lighting crackling in his first, the thief kicked the square, a block sliding out and making a hole just big enough for him to wiggle through. The robber glanced back, levelling his opponents with a serious stare, before blowing a raspberry and hopping out the window.

Jay let out a scream as he struggled to stop and ran into the wall, almost falling out of the hole the thief had made. The lightning fizzled out as he got his footing and peered over the edge. Green Bean could be seen below, dancing down the building using the ledges and window sills until he got to the ground. Then he faded into the shadows, ducking into an alleyway quick as a blink.

Jay slowly turned back towards the team, gripping into the edge as his feet slipped around under him. He gave a grimace as Zane helped Kai to his feet, the fire ninja muttering under his breathe the entire time.

"How mad do you think Wu will be?"

NOTE****
Originally I was going to have a bit more to it but I began writing this as if I was writing a whole book which isn't optimal for one-shots so just stopped it here.

Some might be wondering why Lloyd was around Nya's age. And to that I don't have an answer as I might continue this and I might not 😂. Y'all can make up your own theories though!

I hope you enjoyed! It's been a hot minute since I wrote a one-shot.

LuckyBugBooks 🐞