Lloyd POV
"You were the one that saved Ninjago!" Pluto exclaimed, his eyes wide with astonishment. "I thought Noah did it?"
I couldn't help but chuckle at Pluto's reaction. It was understandable; finding out that a friend had single-handedly saved the entire city of Ninjago would be a shock to anyone. I settled onto my bed, relishing the familiar comfort. It felt good to be back, to resume my journey of growth without the weight of a massive reputation. The mental image of Noah being swarmed by reporters amused me internally.
"Is your eyes okay?" Pluto's question snapped me back to the present. "I heard that it was getting worse."
Glancing at Pluto, who seemed visibly uneasy, I suddenly felt a pang of guilt. I had been somewhat inconsiderate in lying about my deteriorating eyesight, concocting the story to shed my former identity as Abaddon. I hadn't considered the impact it might have on others, especially Pluto, who was always sensitive. I could imagine the loneliness he must have felt upon hearing that his only friend was going blind, never to return.
"Yeah, I dealt with it a while back," I responded, my tone sincere. "I'm sorry for lying to you. I had a feeling I'd be invited to this school, so I had to let go of Abaddon and embrace being Lloyd Garmadon. I'm sorry for leaving you behind."
Pluto's expression turned sorrowful, and I could sense his loneliness. While he may not have been bullied, the isolation must have been difficult. I knew that feeling all too well. I offered a comforting pat on his back before turning my attention to the dragon egg, a symbol of my future plans. It had been cared for meticulously, and a smile crept onto my face. Soon, it would hatch, becoming a powerful ally.
Suddenly, Melony burst into the room, her demeanor markedly happier than I had ever seen. Confusion flickered across her face as she glanced between me and Pluto.
"When is Mister Smiles coming back?" she inquired, her voice tinged with sadness.
Pluto's panic was palpable as he searched for a response. he knew the truth: "Mister Smiles" wasn't coming back. But revealing that I was Abaddon, now transformed into Lloyd Garmadon, was out of the question.
I stepped forward to intervene. "I'm right here, Melony," I spoke up, trying to mask my nerves. "How have you been? You've grown a lot since we last saw each other."
Melony regarded me with a mixture of disbelief and distrust. I understood her skepticism; after all, I looked nothing like Abaddon. But I had a plan to convince her.
"Don't play games like that," she retorted. "I don't like that."
"But I'm telling the truth. I look a little different," I explained patiently. "Remember the mask I gave you? I gave it to you because I needed to go somewhere."
Her eyes widened in surprise as she studied me, finally taking in my appearance. "What happened to your hair?" she asked. "Wasn't it black?"
"I dyed it black. This is my natural hair color," I explained, pulling at a strand of hair.
Melony ceased her questioning and threw her arms around me, catching me off guard. I returned the hug, hearing her sniffles. She hadn't changed during our time apart.
"I thought you were never going to come back," she sobbed. "I ask all the time, and they always say I have to be patient."
I tousled her soft green hair gently. "If I was never going to come back, I would have taken you with me."
A knock on the door shattered our tender moment, and I reluctantly released Melony to answer it. Standing in the doorway was Mister Glasses, his piercing gaze instantly putting me on edge. If he were to discover my true identity as Abaddon, I knew he would be furious. I extended my hand with a forced smile.
"Hello, sir. You must be Brian," I greeted him, attempting to maintain composure. "I've heard a lot of interesting things about you from Abaddon."
Mister Glasses frowned at the mention of the name, but he shook my hand nonetheless. His reaction puzzled me; was he truly angered by the mere mention of Abaddon?
He released my hand and turned his attention to Pluto. "It seems you're getting along with the new student," he remarked, his tone inscrutable.
Pluto nodded uncomfortably, clearly sensing the tension between us. As Mister Glasses handed me a paper before departing, I couldn't help but feel a knot of apprehension forming in my stomach. What was his problem?
"He's been like this ever since you…" Pluto hesitated, searching for the right words. "Since you left."
I frowned, understanding dawning upon me. Things were going to be awkward from here on out, it seemed. Glancing at the paper, I realized it was about an internship opportunity. My eyes quickly scanned the list of names until I found the one I was looking for.
"Hey, Pluto, did you give any thought to my proposal?" I inquired, hoping to change the subject.
…
Heroes POV
Noah sank into the plush chair in the crowded waiting room, his body weary from the demands of newfound fame. Who would have thought that being hailed as a hero could be so exhausting? Amidst the noise of the bustling room, a familiar notification chimed on his phone, momentarily diverting his attention. It was a message from his friends, each of them proudly posing in their teacher attire at Darkly Boarding School for Bad Boys.
A bittersweet smile tugged at Noah's lips as he gazed at the photo, longing to be with them but resigned to his current responsibilities. Saving Ninjago had its perks and drawbacks, he mused. Before he could dwell further on his thoughts, a voice interrupted him, and he glanced up to see a staff member poking their head into the room.
"Excuse me, Noah," they announced. "Your interview is scheduled to begin in five minutes."
Noah nodded in acknowledgment as the staff member retreated, leaving him to contemplate the upcoming interview. He couldn't shake the feeling of apprehension that accompanied these frequent interviews and conferences; they were just one of the many downsides to his newfound celebrity status. Now, he could empathize with Lloyd's reluctance to seek credit for their heroic deeds.
As he sat there, his gaze returned to his phone, lingering on the news of Lloyd's enrollment in EAA. Curiosity gnawed at him, wondering how his former comrade was faring in his new endeavor.
…
The teacher lounge at Darkly Boarding School for Bad Boys was a far cry from the serene dojo the gang was accustomed to. Surrounded by mischievous and unruly children, they couldn't help but feel out of place. Jay's frustration was palpable as he vented his grievances, his voice barely audible over the clamor of the rowdy students.
"Is anyone else chapped that Noah gets to be the Golden Ninja and fly around accepting awards while we're stuck here being teachers for bratty kids?" Jay grumbled, voicing the collective frustration of the group. "We helped, yet no one appreciates us."
Just then, Sensei Wu entered the room, his presence commanding immediate attention. Holding his customary cup of tea, he observed his weary students with a knowing look before addressing them.
"We are going to take a quick trip to the Dark Islands," Sensei Wu announced, setting his cup down on a nearby desk. "Lloyd said that he wants to remove the power of the Ultimate Spinjitzu Master."
Kai's reaction mirrored the shock and surprise of the others. "What?! Why would he do that?" he exclaimed, unable to comprehend Lloyd's rationale.
Sensei Wu sighed, shaking his head in response. "He said that he doesn't need it since the prophecy has already been fulfilled," he explained. "That boy is quite strange."
The sentiment was unanimous among the group; Lloyd's actions never failed to perplex them. As they pondered the implications of his decision, Nya entered the teacher lounge, her demeanor noticeably brighter than theirs. Clutching a piece of paper, she waved it excitedly in front of them, piquing their curiosity.
"Did you guys hear the news?" she exclaimed, her enthusiasm contrasting with their subdued mood.
Instantly intrigued, the gang rose to their feet, hopeful that Nya's announcement might offer them a reprieve from their teaching duties, if only for a brief moment.