#drs4

In a world of pain and Destiny forcing his hand, Lloyd cherishes small, happy moments.

He’s long learned that he can’t take peace for granted. They never know when the next villain will arise or what challenges lay ahead. So, in between fights, he loves to relax and enjoy those precious moments of peace.

Since the Merge, it’s been hard. There’s always loss at the back of his mind, constantly telling him that he can’t stop to rest, not when there’s still missing Ninja out somewhere in the merged lands. It was easier when he reunited with most of them, but there was always one more to go.

Until now.

Jay’s back, and he has his memories again.

The entire family is together for the first time in years. No one is missing and they’ve even picked up a few kids along the way.

It’s not entirely peaceful—Ras is still out there and the Source Dragons are still mad at him—but there’s no background nagging to find his missing siblings.

He cherishes this as he stands in the courtyard of the Monastery. Pixal and Zane paint together. Kai trains Wyldfyre and the teen yells in excitement as she blasts targets with fire. Arin is with his parents. Cole is with the Finders. Jay and Nya whisper to themselves over to the side. Frak and Sora and Riyu are all together as well.

Everyone’s here.

He’s confused when someone knocks on the door. Curiosity wins over his caution as he peers around Mr. Frohicky, who opened the gates for the newcomers.

A man and a woman, both wearing Imperium’s old black and gold uniforms, smile awkwardly.

Lloyd hears a sharp inhale. He glances at the source and discovers Sora stone-still and stiff, wide eyes staring at the couple. Lloyd immediately puts his guard up.

“Mom? Dad?”

Her birth parents.

A lot happens in Lloyd’s mind within the next seconds. He recalls Sora’s stories of how her parents were never satisfied with their daughter; how her efforts were never enough. How they abandoned her as soon as she realized what was really happening in Imperium. The way she had approached him one night, shaken and teary-eyed, and told him that she didn’t like her parents and wished she wasn’t their daughter. He had told her that she doesn’t have to like them, she can choose her family. He remembers the way she looked at him with complete trust in a way that no one’s looked at him before.

Sora doesn’t like her parents.

Her parents are cruel.

Not. On. My. Watch.

Lloyd firmly plants himself between the Imperians and Sora, already in a defensive position. A low growl escapes from deep in his throat. Maybe a few days ago, he would’ve been surprised, but not anymore. Not after the Rite of Unrooting. He doesn’t question the dragon trait.

Sora’s parents give him a matching uneasy and distasteful expression. Lloyd doesn’t care.

“Go away,” he demands. “You’re not welcome here.”

His siblings come to stand by his side. They’ve caught on just because of Lloyd’s sudden reaction. They create a defensive wall in front of Sora’s parents.

“We just—”

“No,” Lloyd growls. He glares at the mother. “Leave now.”

He feels a gentle tug on his wrist. He glances to the side where Sora gives him a conflicted look. “Lloyd, it’s o-okay,” she whispers.

Lloyd softens his expression and turns fully to his kid, taking her hands in his own. “No, Sora, it’s not. They’ve hurt you and I won’t stand for it.”

He doesn’t know what to think of the amazed and awed stare she gives him.

“Go inside,” he urges. “We’ll handle this.”

Sora nods and gives her parents one last look as she scurries indoors, followed by Frak and Arin.

Lloyd turns back to her parents. They look mad that their daughter left.