Ninjago Alternate Universe: Climbing Family AU
Instead of Cole joining Master Wu first(?), Cole is actually the last to be recruited. Wu thought Cole would be the easiest to convince so saved him for last.
In that time, as Cole traveled repeatedly, he wandered across a newly left at Darkleys Lloyd, who had just run away. Cole recognized so much in himself in Lloyd, and welcomed Lloyd to tag along.
Lloyd had never been invited to join someone. His mom left him, his father left him, and none of the people at Darkleys wanted him around, but here was a random stranger holding out a hand for him to grab.
Cole taught Lloyd everything he knew, and carried him up the steeper, more dangerous mountains. They fished for their meals, and slept under the stars. Lloyd learned how to fish, and wash his own laundry, and sew/mend clothing, and start fires, and make a shelter, and even first aide.
Cole's and Lloyd's relationship fluctuated between Father/Son and Brothers.
When Wu, and subsiquently the other Ninjas, come for Cole, they're not met with the same Cole Wu was expecting. Cole was still bitter if not angry towards his father, but he was also no longer looking for an escape. Yes he still climbed to clear his head, and to escape his thoughts, but he wasn't trying to escape. He had Lloyd now, Lloyd who was his brother/son/friend. Cole liked the kid, and looking after him, it gave him a sense of purpose, and a sense of family that he hadn't felt in a long time.
Lloyd seems fascinated by the thought of Ninja's though, so Cole caves. And while Cole still has his goofy moments, he's also more responsible and acts a lot more like a mama bear over not just Lloyd, and Nya who are the obvous youngest, but after everyone else too once he realises hes the eldest besides Master Wu.
