Chapter Text
Lord Garmadon sat upon his throne as his Skulkin generals prattled onto him about pointless business of the living world. As long as his primary mission was completed in a timely fashion, he didn’t care what the rest of them did.
“The students have taken to evil doing quickly. Here I have a list of all the potential children that will bring your army glory!” Another one talked about some… school? He took the paper, raising an eyebrow towards the Skulkin at the envelope instead of a normal scroll. “Ah, s-sorry sir. The brat probably put that there, he thought he was your son, as if the great dark lord would have time to entertain a snot nosed-” the Skulkin stuttered out, trying to salvage the situation.
“Quiet,” Garmadon quickly silenced him, taking the letter in his hands. Garmadon hurried out the door while trying to keep his dignified image intact. “All of you are dismissed. Frederick come back in an hour!” he commanded.
“My name is Patrick,” Frederick says.
“Whatever.” Garmadon slammed the door behind him and went to his study. He looked at the letter in his shaking hands. Could it truly be his son? Why would he want anything to do with him? He took a deep breath and opened it.
To: Lord Garmadon
From: Lloyd Garmadon
Hello Father! It is I Lloyd Garmadon, your son! Headmaster Torus told me stuff about you like how your super Powerful and the Destroyer of Realms. Im going to be just like you and rule the world and have a bunch of minions that do everything for me! Im actually basically a ruler here at school right now with how Popular I am. I know the most about the school since Ive been here since I was 4, so Im a Master of the place! I know All the hiding spots and shortcuts to class. None of the big kids even try to come after me anymore beacuse Im so sneaky. Dont worry Im gonna get really Strong and Powerful like you and put them in their place! And maybe then I can help and stay with you I ll be a strong Warrior and destroy all your Enemys!!
Garmadon grasped at the sheet, running his fingers along the messy handwriting. His son wants to talk to him! He wants to be like him! Wait, that's not a good thing. Honestly there were a lot of concerning things with this letter. First and foremost, his sons dream of following in his father’s footsteps. Misako would kill him if he let their son succumb to evil. But then again, it would be nice to have somebody around him. Being evil was extremely lonely, the Skulkin were too boneheaded (ha) to be good company.
Speaking of Misako, why wasn’t she with Lloyd? He was certain that children do not start school until they are at least 6. He flipped the envelope to see the stamp of Darkley’s School for Bad Boys. That doesn’t sound very promising. A quick look through Frederick’s old reports shows that that was an accurate assessment. The school was horrible. Why would Misako ever put their child through that? He knows that he left them enough money that they couldn’t be struggling that much, unless… she couldn’t choose what happened to Lloyd. Garmadon dispelled that thought immediately, he would not waste time worrying about his wife. Even if she had… met her demise (which she hadn’t, she couldn’t have), Lloyd would have been under the care of his brother who would have been even quicker to put out the notions of evil. And there was no way that Wu could be gone, he was much too stubborn for death.
His worry continued with the last line. ‘I’ll be a strong warrior for you,’ what an innocent phrase to bring back so many unpleasant memories. How many times had he told his father that when he was left to his own devices while Wu got specially trained. How many times did his own son feel as alone and abandoned as he had? Garmadon knew he was not a good person, the venom coursing through his vein was a constant reminder of that, but he could try to at least be a half decent father.
And so, he began to write.
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The Skulkin had taken over Darkley’s School for Bad Boys over a month ago. The school had definitely changed under their control, not that Lloyd was complaining. They encouraged all of the naughty behavior that the school used to try and snuff out. Sure that meant that the older students didn't have to sneak around to beat him up (not that the teacher’s would have done anything anyways) but it was better than the suffocating rules and punishments for so much as breathing in an ‘evil’ way.
In Lloyd’s opinion, the best part is the new respect he got. Now the name Garmadon wasn’t something that would give teachers a reason to dish out punishments, but a sign of respect with his peers. All of the old lessons have gone down the drain. Now Darkley’s hierarchy is about who’s the meanest and causes the most trouble for anyone trying to mess with them. Lloyd was practically guaranteed to succeed, he has the blood of the evilest person ever and all of his old teachers would tell him about how much trouble he is.
Lloyd had heard one of the Skulkin teachers (though he is more like a guard, all he does is glare at them and make sure no one leaves the class) talking about “order from Lord Garmadon”. That was his dad! That means that there is a way to contact him. Lloyd could tell him about all the stuff he was doing so that Lord Garmadon knows that his son is working hard to fill his shoes.
He snuck the letter into the Skulkin’s bag with super sneaky skills. Lloyd knew that someone as important as Lord Garmadon was probably really busy and didn’t expect a letter. It was a status update, whyt would a general have to reply? But Lloyd still hoped, no matter how hard he tried to stop himself, that his father was reading his letter and preparing a letter to him. That maybe there was someone out there that cared for him and prayed for him to be okay.
He could barely stop himself from crying in the middle of class when the Skulkin gave him a letter signed by his father.
Dear son,
I have gotten your letter and I must say it is quite impressive. I enjoy hearing about you and your accomplishments. From what I can tell you are clever and determined in your goal to be a destroyer such as myself. I would be honored to conquer all of Ninjago with you at my side, however I find that destruction is a dreary life to lead. There is nothing wrong with choosing to live in peace and kindness, your mother had always enjoyed it. Though I would regret never being able to join you, I will be proud of you no matter what life you choose to follow.
I am concerned about your comment of being at school since you were four. I was under the impression that you have been living with Misako, your mother, or even your uncle, Wu. I apologize for not being able to be there for you if they are not. From what I have heard, Darkley’s is not a very prestigious school. I hope you are well taken care of and getting an adequate education there, but if anyone happens to be giving you a hard time you are more than welcome to reference my reputation to the offenders. News travels like a snail on a dirt road in the Underworld so I would be grateful if you told me what you know of the situation.
As I mentioned before, I enjoy hearing from you. It is quite lonely here in the Underworld so I hope that we can continue being penpals. Hopefully one day when I escape from this place, I can meet you in person and take you out to the park or any other things that children enjoy these days.
Sincerely,
Lord Garmadon, Destroyer of Realms, Eldest Son of the First Spinjitzu Master, Father of Lloyd Garmadon