This chapter is not as long as 2 and 3, but I think it is a fairly important part of the story.

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In other news, I need to shut up! I hope you guys are enjoying the story.

Reformation

Chapter IV. Discoveries.

Morro came here expecting to be attacked or shunned, but instead the ninja welcomed and embraced him. After a few long minutes of silent confusion, Morro finally found the strength to speak.

"Why are you all hugging me, after everything?" he asked.

Wu was the one to respond with, "For the same reason you have made yourself solid so that we can."

"We forgive you, and we trust you. We're not afraid of you now," continued Lloyd.

"Just like you have to trust us to be solid so we can touch you," added Cole.

"I do trust you," said Morro. "And I thank you for trusting me and forgiving me. I am so sorry for all I have put you through."

"It's okay, Morro," replied Kai. "The only thing you should be apologizing for now is saying you're sorry so much after we already forgave you."

At that the ninja, Wu, and Misako shared a short laugh. Morro did not laugh, but the group counted it a victory that he cracked a small smile.

When the group hug broke up, Morro gently grabbed Lloyd's shoulder.

"Lloyd," he said. "I need to speak with you, in private, for a moment."

"Okay, I'll be back guys," said Lloyd addressing the others.

"Very well," replied Sensei Wu. "I think, considering this mornings events, we will forgo today's sunrise exercises in favor of celebrating this miracle."

All the ninja shouted for joy at Wu's proclamation. Kai was the happiest, running back into the house at the speed of light, going on about making his morning social media post earlier than usual and getting even more likes than usual.

"Some people just don't know when to calm down," remarked Jay.

Cole gave him a look and said, "Jay, just don't."

"Let us go prepare breakfast brothers, before Cole and Jay make a mess of our new yard," said Zane.

When the others had gone into the house, Morro and Lloyd remained in the yard.

"Lloyd-"

"Morro... don't apologize again. I promise I'm not mad at you and I promise we all forgive you completely, a hundred times over."

"Thank you Lloyd, but I wasn't going to apologize again. I had something a bit more interesting to say."

"Oh, well what is it?"

"It's about how I got here, and... who I met on the way."

"Who did you..." Lloyd trailed off, then gasped as his eyes near reached the size of oranges. "You met my father... he's alive?"

"Yes, Lloyd. When I woke up in the Cursed Realm, I went straight to the Mount of Anguish to speak with him. He was right in the chains I reserved for him..."

Lloyd looked confused, so Morro explained. "I reserved those chains for Lord Garmadon because he was the one who banished me."

"Oh... wait, did you say Lord Garmadon?"

"Yes, isn't your father King of the Underworld, and wasn't he raiding New Ninjago City when he was defeated and banished?"

"Um... my father never invaded New Ninjago city. I saved him before the upgrade."

"Saved him? From what?"

"The Overlord possessed my father and used his body to fight me. So when I defeated the Overlord, it freed my father from the possession and the venom of the Great Devourer. That's what made him evil."

Morro was speechless. Lloyd had just answered every question he had thought to ask from the moment he saw Garmadon in Prison Mountain. Morro was no longer confused about Garmadon's change in character. He knew now that he had been lied to from the very moment he first appeared in the Cursed Realm.

"The Preeminent lied to me... I should have known. I've been such a fool. I'm sorry..."

"Morro... stop saying sorry. You don't have to be sorry; now we know it's not even your fault! You were manipulated. Lied to. Used."

"I know... thank you."

"You're welcome, Morro. Now, is there any way we can rescue my father?"

"Maybe. We only need a way in. There's a djinn in a cell near your father who will teleport us out. I want to get him out too; he's a good person and only wants to help people. He deserves a lot better than the Cursed Realm."

"Well, I think I know how we can get there. If you've already got us a ride out of there, all we need is a big pot of Traveler's Tea."

"Sensei still keeps that stuff?"

"Yep. And I will never again make fun of him for it."

Both of them (yes, including Morro!) laughed at this.

"Hey, a laugh," remarked Lloyd.

"Oh please, I barely chuckled."

Lloyd only laughed harder.

"Whatever you say Morro."

Lloyd was still laughing and Morro started to laugh more as well.

"Hey any laugh is a good laugh and a victory in my book."

"Yeah, yeah. Just don't get used to it."

Their laughter finally died down, and they started into the house.

As he opened the door, Lloyd asked, "Hey Morro, when's the last time you laughed? Like, really sincerely laughed?"

After a moment of thought, Morro found the right answer.

"The last time I had a family."