Xenudah never left his spot in Garmadon's old tent from when he was still evil. Despite being corrupted, and five years after his encounter with Yakunan, he still had some love for his father. He just couldn't believe what he had done... The words replayed in his mind again:
"I don't want to be anywhere near you. You're not my father anymore."
Otōsan... I'm so sorry... I want you back... Xenudah fell to his knees, curled up into a ball for self-protection... I'll finish what you started... I'll destroy the Chosen One... I'll get you back for real this time...
His eyes furrowed, fury coursing through his soul and driving him now. "Lloyd Montgomery Garmadon, you'll never get away with the pain you have caused me. I swear on my life."
With a soft growl, he stood up with renewed motivation, determined to take down Lloyd once and for all.
Nothing would stand in his way.
Back at the Royal Palace of Secrets, the ninja had just concluded their training outside. But Kai wasn't acting like himself.
"Where's Lloyd?" the fire ninja asked, his voice slightly high pitched in concern. "I haven't seen him or his father anywhere for the past couple years. "I'm scared... Something might've happened to them... I don't wanna lose him..."
"We all don't, Kai..." Nya sighed, kneeling beside her brother while wrapping an arm gently around him. "He's like our little brother... I promise we'll find him...:"
"But what if we don't...?" Kai curled up into a ball with his face in his knees.
"I found him!" Harumi exclaimed, her eyes lighting up as she jumped up and down in a hyperactive way.
"Wait what?!" Kai exclaimed, his eyes widening as his face slightly warmed up.
"I found someone who knows his whereabouts," explained the princess of Ninjago.
She turned to a young teenage girl. Her black, banged hair fell a few inches below her shoulder, though was tied up into a high ponytail. "Hi, I'm Kymika Ishire Akurai."
"Akurai? As in...the Overlord's family?" Kai's natural red-orange orbs widened in utter shock.
Kymika sighed softly and nodded in response, her soft purple eyes gazing down to the floor. My father is Yakunan's son... I'm his granddaughter..."
"YOU'RE HIS WHAT?!" exclaimed the fire ninja. His eyes burned in worry and fear for his brother in arms. If what this girl was saying is true then–
"Sadly, yes..."
"WHERE IS HE?! AND WHERE IS LLOYD?!"
"My grandfather is with him and Garmadon."
"ARE YOU INSANE?! HOW COULD YOU LET THIS HAPPEN?!" Kai shoved Kymika against the wall, threatening to hurt her.
"ENOUGH!" The voice belonged to Garmadon who had entered, with a now seventeen year old Lloyd, and Yakunan as well. His tone was stern and commanding, silencing everyone in the courtyard, his eyes illuminating for a moment due to the intensity of his tone and frustration. He spoke once more, his voice now soft, the glow fading. "I'm sorry...but Kymika is right. Yakunan is her grandfather, and has now been purified. Lloyd's powers allowed for that to happen," he explained.
"But–" Kai tried to intervene, but Yakunan wasn't having any of it.
"No more. My son, Xenudah, is corrupted still. Not to mention, he disowned me just five days ago, and I want him back." The once-former lord of darkness was trying his absolute hardest to suppress his tears. The memory of his son's harsh, accusatory words still haunted him to this day.
Silence fell amongst the group as Yakunan tried to recollect himself, but the memories would not subside.
"I only want to make up for the pain I have caused in my life. I hurt you all so severely. None of it can be undone. I only wish to right the wrongs I have committed." Yakunan's voice was soft and solemn, paralleling the emotions he was feeling.
"I'm so sorry, Grandpa..." Kymika whispered, walking up and then wrapping her arms around him. She laid her head against his shoulder for support.
"It is just so difficult... I do not want to have to fight him..." Yakunan lamented, pulling away from Kymi. "Why must destiny be so cruel? WHY MUST I BE THE ONE TO SUFFER?!"
"I'm so sorry..." Kymika repeated, still so soft.
"Leave me...I just...need some time alone, okay?" Yakunan sighed softly, willing himself to calm down now.
"As you wish, Grandfather..."
With those words, the elder of the two left to his own room to have a moment to himself.
