It had been a year of fruitless searching and Lloyd was beginning to grow desperate. He and the others had yet to give in - their search for their Sensei would not be something to give up lightly. Or in this case, at all.

Lloyd sighed, slumping against the exterior of a shop. Another dead end. There was nothing about time loops, or fluctuations, or anything.
Everything was just - a mess.

Not to mention that he'd been so preoccupied with finding his uncle that he had all but cut communication with everybody else on his team. However, he did occasionally call Y/n when his phone was charged - that was some very little times. But the conversions were few in far between, and incredibly short. He could tell that Y/n was getting frustrated with him, and Lloyd was growing frustrated with himself.

He just didn't know what to do. He needed his uncle's wisdom. But who could he turn to now that he was still gone? He didn't have a leader to place his faith into- he is the leader. He didn't trust himself enough to have faith.
What to do?

Suppose he could still sulk around Ninjago City, stopping crime like some comic-book superhero. Like Batman. He was broody enough to be Bruce Wayne. Except he wasn't rich. And he had both of his parents. And wearing black was Cole's thing.

Lloyd sighed, perching on the edge of a rooftop and pulling off his mask, scratching his chin absentmindedly. The sun had set long ago, but the date was lost on him. There was some kind of festival being thrown in the streets below him, but for what? For who?
How long had it been since he last saw his team? Talking with Pixal in the comm didn't really count as actually being with his team. How long had it been since he was last home? He'd been scouring the streets for answers for months on end, eating fast food as infamous Lloyd Garmadon and watching from the rooftops as the Green Ninja, but nothing wielded answers. Dead ends started popping up in his nightmares.

Lloyd fell into a sigh, adjusting his legs so they dangled over the side of the building. His head pounded and his body hurt from the various uncomfortable places he'd found to nap. When was the last time he slept in a bed? Had a home-cooked meal? Checked his phone? Charged it? How long had it been dead?
He sniffed under his suit and retched.
"Ugh. I need a shower."

Lloyd stood, stretched and allowed a whimper to slip out from the multiple muscular knots he had. If he got home and was lucky, he could somehow bribe Demitri into giving him a much-needed massage. That'd be nice. After all this crushing defeat and disappointment and having the weight of the world on his shoulders, it'd be nice to relax.

Before he could go, however, something in the parading street below caught his attention.
Squinting his eyes, Lloyd leant down with a suspicious scowl. He was tired and he was hungry, but the guy in the green mask with the pair of katana strapped to his back didn't look all that friendly.
The green masked guy met up with another in a similar dark garb. The only difference in outfit choice between the chums was the newbie's colour of red.

Lloyd leapt up until he was crouching, following the two masked men with his eyes.
"Now, what are you up to?" he murmured to himself, tugging his ninja mask over his face and beginning his silent pursuit.
It wasn't long before the two were joined by the rest of their team - and Lloyd noted with mild humour that each member was colour coordinated to one of the ninja.

He followed along sneakily as the mysterious team made their way up to Borg Tower via a grappling hook. There were no surrounding buildings nearly tall enough to compete with the famous technological tower, so Lloyd was forced to swiftly climb the rope that was stationed high above the city below.
Lloyd sneaked onto the ledge that the team had disappeared onto, spotting the jagged circle that was cut through the glass. It didn't take a genius to know where they were headed.

Adrenaline began to course through Lloyd's veins. After losing Wu and forcing himself apart from his team, he only found pleasure in the justice of his ever-lasting fight against evil. His hands trembled with excitement. Tendrils of green energy began to flick out of his finger tips. He was chomping on the bit.

Right before he was going to step in and catch the wrong-doers red handed, an alarm from within began to blare loudly, making him falter in surprise. The miscalculation was enough time for the team to flood the building ledge again, intent on escaping with their prize - some kind of red mask strapped to the green guy's back.

Lloyd smirked, cracking his knuckles before sweeping into spintjizu, sweeping behind the team and making them stumble back in surprise.

"Nice masks," Lloyd grinned from under his mask, body ready and mind wanting a fight. "You could almost pass as ninja."
He squinted his gaze smugly, tempting the team forward with an inviting sweep of his fingers. He was encouraging them into a dance of danger and justice.
The team looked unsurely amongst themselves, shoving one another, while the one in green made for a getaway.

Lloyd made quick work of the remaining four, but another had gotten away and was following after his friend in green. Grunting, Lloyd leapt in hot pursuit, leaving the remaining members groaning on the ledge to be dealt with later.
Grabbing the zip line with a gloved hand, Lloyd pushed off against the building, gaining traction towards the two mysterious fellows who obviously held ill-intent.

The green villain obviously held no regard for his teammate. He swiped his sword at the cable as soon as he landed, intent on making both him and Lloyd suffer the shared fate of death.
With a growl, Lloyd tightened his grip on the cable before he too, could fall, and swung his body weight to swing him towards the flailing villain who was screaming with the frequency of a chipmunk.

He caught the falling man with ease, safely disposing of him on the ground right in the sight of some cops and sent them a little farewell salute before resuming his chase after the lead man. Lloyd caught up on lost time within seconds from the swinging cable, racing against light to catch the thief.
The main man landed on a shut-down highway, crisscrossing through roadwork signs and throwing away his green mask as he leapt onto a motorbike.

Lloyd scowled before addressing the robot voice in his head.
"Pixal! I need my car," he ordered after nudging his ear comm to activate against his shoulder.
"Your coordinates, master Lloyd?"
"Somewhere over..." Lloyd let go of the cable. "You know how to find me!"
Pixal didn't answer, but Lloyd trusted that his life was in safe hands. She was, after all, a nindroid too. And nindroids usually have a better success rate than humans, even when it came to working with them.

He free fell through the air, facing the busy concrete of a highway. It was something that he knew would scare the living daylights out of Y/n. And then end in being hit with a pillow repeatedly when he got home.
It made Lloyd crack a smile.
No, Lloyd! Focus. She's still at university anyway. Pay attention to what's happening in front of you!

The familiar rev of an engine made Lloyd's fading grin widen wickedly. Alas, the chase would only continue. He was caught midair, landing perfectly on the driver's seat of the car, which skidded to a stop so Lloyd could catch his bearings. He laughed exuberantly, loving the thrill of it all.
"I could kiss you, Pix!" he announced giddily, taking manual control of the car and revving it into gear. It sped off down the street, rivalling a fast and furious movie scene.
"I do not think Zane, nor Y/n, would approve," Pixal replied.

Lloyd snickered, shaking his head as he weaved through the minor obstacles in his way.
"It's just an expression!" he grinned. "I wouldn't actually kiss you. Besides-"
Lloyd glanced down at the small, velvet box in the cup holder. Only briefly, but all the same.
"- you know how I feel."
"Ah. I will add that to my linguistics file."

The chase continued on, and Lloyd fell into silence so he could concentrate on tailing this villain. He wouldn't get away.
"Who am I chasing?" Lloyd asked, pressing down harder on the gas.
"They are not in our database."
"Whoever they are, they're good," Lloyd begrudgingly admitted, watching as the motorbike was expertly handled through the heavy traffic flow. "I need backup."
"All of the others are on active missions throughout Ninjago," Pixal replied. "You are on your own."

Lloyd sighed.
"Of course, I am," he muttered, hauling ass along the highway to catch up. He was steadily drawing near, the meters between Lloyd and the villain rapidly shrinking. They weaved through traffic like a pair, not losing one another. Lloyd had him in his jaw and he was not going to let go.
Not even when the motorbike was pulled to the side, taking a closed-down stretch of the motorway. Lloyd followed without a second thought, taking his car over the lengthy gap of missing road and landing easily, still only a breath from the back of the villain's bike.

"You'll have to do better than that to shake me off," Lloyd smirked. It dropped in surprise when the motorbike was suddenly pressed to a sudden, jerking stop, and Lloyd was forced to take his car into a skidding halt, spinning it around until they were facing one another.

It was a standoff.
"You wanna play chicken?" Lloyd laughed shortly, revving his car. The motorbike snarled in response. "Let's play chicken."

📗📕📘📚📘📕📗

Me:
Have you heard from Lloyd?

Kai:
No

Nya:
Not since two months ago

Jay:
He's been ignoring us. I can tell.

Cole:
You can 'tell?' What, is the obvious ghosting not enough evidence?

Jay:
Shutup rockhead!!!

Naomi:
Settle down, boys

Nya:
Guys! This is serious. What if he's hurt? When was the last time you called him, Y/n?

Me:
Last week. I've tried calling since but h

Me:
He's been ignoring me.

Me:
Why is he acting like this? I get that he was super close to Wu, but even I would know that teamwork would more effective than trying to go it alone. Where's he been sleeping? Is he even eating? Oh my god, I'm starting to sound like my mother. Is he brushing his teeth?!!

Me:
Y'all I can't take this stress anymore.

Kai:
Really? We couldn't tell.

Me:
Your snark is unnecessary.

Zane:
What Lloyd is doing is not healthy.

Zane:
He must be getting three meals a day and rest for at least seven hours.

Me:
Exactly. Maybe I should come home. Talk some sense into him.

Jay:
I thought it was exam season for you tho?

Me:
I wouldn't be able to concentrate knowing that Lloyd isn't answering his phone.

Me:
Besides, Lloyd's safety is more important than some stupid exam.

Cole:
I think we all know that Lloyd would disagree.

Me:
It's a good thing he isn't answering then.

Me:
I'll be driving up in the morning.

I sighed, scrolling through last night's text conversation with a frown. It was early morning and the sun had yet to rise. I had my psych exam the next week. I had time.
All I had to do is go up to Ninjago, talk some sense into Lloyd and be back down in time for my exam. Easy!

I pressed my phone against my chest and blew a strand of hair from my face.
The price I pay for caring.

It hadn't even hit six yet, but I knew that if I wanted to be in Ninjago by a reasonable time, I'd want to leave sooner rather than later. Besides, I'll be seeing Lloyd! The motivation was super easy to come by. It was super effective.

I threw together a small backpack of essentials and grabbed my car keys from the bedside table. I eyed the vacant second half of my room with a squinted gaze, trying to spot some kind of sign of her. Of Violet. My roommate who was supposedly never enrolled and never existed in the first place. As if the first semester was just some kind of extended, elaborate prank.
Even when I asked Kravsir about the cynical girl's sudden disappearance, he didn't provide me with a satisfactory answer. He couldn't remember anything about her either.
I was going insane.

I huffed, flicking some hair over my shoulder and rubbed the silver skateboard charm that hung around my neck. It was a common quirk for me nowadays - holding the charm that Lloyd had given me for my eighteenth birthday. It helped when I felt anxious.
It doesn't matter anymore. Don't dwell on it. Pay attention to what's happening in front of me.
I locked my dorm room and headed towards the student car park.

I was a second year in uni which allowed me to have a car on campus. I didn't use it too often, as studying and my part time job in the cafe kept me from visiting anywhere during weekends, and assignments kept me from leaving during the semester breaks.
It felt almost rejuvenating that I was escaping campus life, especially at such a stressful and crucial time. You could feel the exam anxiety in the air.
But it's okay. I'd be back for my exams. I just needed to make sure that Lloyd's okay and then my conscience will be clear and I can perform my best.

The drive was long. If I was lucky, I'd get to Ninjago City by late afternoon. I really didn't want to have to stay in a motel.
It was a lonely drive with only my Spotify list to keep me company. My mind would often wander, and I'd be reminded of the last time that I spoke to Lloyd in the flesh.

"Because it should've been me."

My grip on the steering wheel tightened.
I hoped that he didn't do something stupid. Why else would he be ignoring us?
But of course, he is Lloyd. Stupid is his middle name. Well, that and Montgomery.
I inhaled through my nose. A long drive and being alone with my thoughts is okay. I can just listen to my music really loud and drown out my fears in the bass.

It usually works.

By the time I rolled into the Monastery parking lot, I was fully ready to crash. I turned off the ignition and pulled my keys out, catching a brief glance of the small Green Ninja symbol that Noami had gotten for me years ago. I put the keys in my pocket and stepped out into the winter drizzle, racing across the drive and up the stairs and into the entranceway.

I sighed, shaking off water droplets before taking off my shoes and calling out for anyone home. A few of the monks returned my call and greeted me back home. Demitri forgo being polite and instead squished me into a tight hug, which was miles better anyway.
"Hey, nerd!" he grinned largely, taking my hands and pulling me into the living room. "Why didn't you text me and tell me that you're coming!"
"You have a phone?" I asked.
"No. Why would I need a phone?"
I stared at him for a few beats.

"Anyway-" I changed the subject. "Where are the others?"
"Misako and Garmadon are out with Clara and Jisung restocking bulk groceries. They should be back any second," Demitri replied. "Lloyd is- I have no idea. It's been months."
"I know," I mumbled.
"And the other ninja are out on missions."
"Looking for Wu?"
Demitri smiled awkwardly. I sighed through my nose.
"Yeah," I murmured.

"How long are you staying?" Demitri asked excitedly, steering the topic away from our current predicament. "Forever? Please say forever. It's been so boring without you around here!"
"I wish I could, but I've still got exams in a couple of days and then I need to prep for the next semester," I smiled sadly. "Soon, though!"
Demitri groaned.
"Boooo," he moaned. "Party pooper."
"It's not exactly something I have control over, Dem."
He pulled a face. I rolled my eyes.

"Y/n?" said a shocked voice from the entrance. I glanced over just as Misako dropped a box full of bread loaves and rushed over to give me a tight hug. "I didn't know you were coming back!"
"It was a spur of the moment thing," I shrugged into the hug, grinning over her shoulder as Garmadon entered the room. His warm, wrinkled face broke into a happy smile upon noticing my presence.
"Oh, this is perfect!" Misako gushed, moving out of the hug and hoisting up the box of bread that she had dropped. "Lloyd just rang and said that he'll be home in five minutes!"

For a brief, confusing second, my blood ran cold. Lloyd was coming home already? But I hadn't thought of what to say! Our conversations over the phone wasn't anything to gush about, either.
"Did he sound okay?" I asked tentatively.
Misako's smile dropped only for a second.
"... he didn't sound great," she admitted, before quickly adding; "but he didn't sound terrible!"

I sighed, grabbing the box of bread from Misako.
"I'll have a talk with him," I murmured, following Garm to the kitchen. "I'll make him something to eat so he has to listen to me."
"You know him well," Garm chortled. Misako smiled tightly before going out to retrieve some more boxes of stock. Demitri and few others helped her.
"What good food can I make in five minutes?" I mumbled to myself.

My gaze caught the steel machine on the tabletop.

⛅️🌤☀️🌤⛅️

I was just placing a single piece of parsley on top of my masterpiece when I heard Demitri excitedly exclaiming while opening the door. A familiar soft chuckle in reply made my heart soar and hand jump. I scowled in concentration, readjusting the tiny sprout of green until it was perfectly in the middle.

"Hold on, hold on," snickered Lloyd as he approached. "I'm just going to grab something to eaT WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!"
I yelped in surprise at his loud voice, stumbling forward before catching myself on the counter and throwing my torso upright.
"Lloyd!" I gasped, freezing when wow it's literally been a year what am I going to say. How do I speak again? English???? What???????
I didn't need to say anything at all, as Lloyd's face brightened into a wide grin. He took the few strides between us in a run before scooping me into a hug.

"Y/n!" he dug his face into my neck. "I thought you had exams!"
"I do," I confessed. Lloyd pulled away. I tried not to look to much at his greasy hair or eye bags or pale skin. He tilted his head to the side.
"Then why are you here?"
"What? Can't I take a break to visit my adorably idiotic boyfriend?" I grinned, poking his cheek. "Do you want me to go back?"
"No," Lloyd hissed, pressing me tight against his chest. I giggled. Then the smell hit me.

I pushed away, falling back as I held my nose.
"Oh, god. What's that smell?"
Lloyd's grin turned sheepish.
"Me," he unapologetically replied.
"Take a shower."
"But I'm hungry," he whined. He glanced to the side where his lunch was sat. "Are those fancy toasties for me?"
"Lloyd Montgomery Garmadon take a shower right now."
"But my lunch-"
"Your lunch will be here when you get back," I declared, pushing him out of the kitchen. "When was the last time you showered?"
"Two weeks ago."

"eW LLOYD!" I shrieked, crashing away from him. "That's DISGUSTING!"
"I'm a guy!" he tried to reason.
"ThAt's NoT aN ExcUsE!" I argued.
"Fine, fine!" he conceded. "I'll take a shower."
He sulked off towards the bathroom. I sighed, leaning against the kitchen bench and shaking my head.
His lunch was cold by the time he returned sparkling clean from his monumental scrub a dub-dub, but a quick microwave fixed that. He dug in, eating faster than Sonic on an adrenaline rush.

When we were finished with lunch, Lloyd and I snuck out into the spiritual garden, immersing ourselves in the cherry blossom trees and bamboo and Buddha rock sculptures.
"So, why did you decide to come back home today?" Lloyd asked from the branch of a cherry blossom tree. I hummed, sitting with my legs against my chest on a large rock.
"I was going to talk some sense into you," I admitted. "The others kept saying that you ignore their calls. Why?"
Lloyd huffed, dropping his head to the side and glaring at the ground. Even with his messy damp hair, pale skin and eye bags he looked handsome.
"I guess I just didn't want them to tell me that we should give up," he muttered. "I didn't want to hear that they just had dead ends like me."

I dropped my chin onto my knees, staring up at him. He found my gaze again.
"Have you been sleeping?" I asked quietly.
"You sound like my mother," Lloyd grumbled, leaning back against the tree's trunk.
"I just want to know," I defended myself. "I'm worried about you."
"I'm fine," he reassured, before catching my unimpressed gaze. "Honestly! I'm fine. You don't need to worry about your ninja. I can handle myself."
"Lloyd, just the other week you cried because the supermarket ran out of sour candies."
"That's valid!" he justified. I didn't buy it.

"Why are you back?" I asked, changing the subject. Lloyd groaned, running his hands down his face.
"This team of thieves snuck into the Borg Tower and stole one of the protected ancient artefacts."
I sat up straighter, intent.
"No way! Did you catch them?"
"One's in police custody," Lloyd shrugged. "I tried to chase after their leader who had the stolen piece, but he got away. I spoke to the Master-Of-Arms from the royal court about it. His name's Hutchins. That guy's super weird - but anyway, he said that the stolen piece was one of three masks of resurrection. This one in particular being the mask of deception. I've called the others already and we're meeting at them scene with Hutchins this afternoon. We need all hands of deck for this one."

"Holy shit," I mumbled.
"Yeah," Lloyd agreed, his green eyes solemnly sliding to mine. "I have a feeling that this won't be an easy fight."