Xenudah soon reached the lakes of Dark Matter. The bubbly, cosmic-like substance seemed to calm his nerves, yet it also seemed to empower him. He gazed down at the pooling matter, shutting his eyes while hovering his hands over it while activating a dark purple energy.
He needed to become stronger if he wanted to have any chance of taking Lloyd down.

Xenudah started to hover over the pool, the Dark Matter swirling around him like a tornado, changing his appearance completely.

He now had four arms, and was now wearing a set of practically indestructible armor made from the dark matter itself, the same kind the Stone Army used when his father formed them.

He then descended, more powerful than ever.

"Father," Xenudah vowed. "I'll avenge you... I promise... Lloyd will never get away with what he has done... No one will... I'll make sure he perishes for his actions..." He sighed softly. "Otōsan... I miss you... I want you back...the real you... I won't stop trying... I shall never give up... I refuse to let my efforts go to waste..."

"AGH!" Lloyd felt a sharpness in his side, collapsing to his knees. Something within him was triggering a response. One that was excruciating and painful.

"Lloyd!" Garmadon rushed over immediately, cradling his boy against himself as he knelt beside him. "Oh my goodness... What happened?"

"It hurts!" Lloyd screamed, tightening his hold on his father. "IT HURTS SO MUUUUUCH! DAAADDYYYY!"

"Oh Lloyd... Ohhhh..." Garmadon cooed, his voice soft and gentle like a breeze. The destruction elemental ran his fingers through Lloyd's soft, blonde hair and rocked him in an attempt to console him. "My child...I'm here... I will always remain a part of you..."

"Daddy..." Lloyd whimpered. He curled up tighter against his father, trembling still. "Something's happening... Something's changing..."

"I fear the worst is yet to come..." Garmadon's face fell, sighing softly.

"Xenu..." Yakunan murmured, shutting his eyes to prevent tears from escaping. "He is shifting the balance of the light and darkness. And Lloyd, only you can save him."

Lloyd shivered, overwhelmed, even at an older age. "Please don't leave me." His voice was soft as he buried his face deeper into his father's chest and cried even more.

"My little boy..." Garmadon whispered, tears brimming his purple eyes. It hurt to see his son like that, but that didn't matter. Lloyd was distressed and he needed to help him. "I've got you now... You're gonna be okay, Son... I promise you..."

Kymika entered the room, her hair half up, and she knelt beside the three of them. "You guys okay there?"

Yakunan gazed softly at his granddaughter, shaking his head. "Xenudah's powers have grown, causing Lloyd to be deeply affected. It has shifted the balance, quite possibly causing unrest in the land...and I fear it could get worse."

Lloyd sighed, tightening his hold on his father, his soft emerald eyes shining, due to his fragile state. He found it quite difficult to restrain the tears from escaping further.

Kymika sighed at the Chosen One, empathizing. She knew what it felt like to be so helpless. It hurt for them both, and she knew that he didn't deserve to deal with such hardships. Even if he was still older, some things would never really change. In fact, Lloyd was still so very much a child at heart. It was extremely difficult for him right now; the pressure was just becoming so much for him to bear all at once. As she continued to observe, Lloyd's father seemed to be holding his son in such a fragile way, like his child would soon collapse if he were to let go. In a way, it really was like that. Lloyd and his father had grown so close and the thought of losing one another always seemed to pain them.

"Lloyd...hold onto me..."

Kymika smiled softly at the compassion between the parent and child. "Awwhh..." she cooed, glancing back at her grandfather who was smiling as well.

The two of them left to give Lloyd and his father some time alone.

"I'll never let go of you... Ever..."

Lloyd cried out again and nestled deeper into his father's chest. "I love you...don't leave me...please, Father...please don't go... PLEASE DON'T GO!"

Garmadon rocked his son back and forth while whispering in his ears, "Of course I won't... I'll never... I just don't want to..."

Those words finally calmed Lloyd down. He allowed his tears to cease, relaxing into his father's tender hold. "I'm glad you're here..."

"I'm glad you're okay..."