And this is the final chapter! Thanks so much for all the support you've given me while I was writing this fic! I'm gonna write a sequel called Carry On, so stay tuned for that!
–Zena Airale
Once Xenudah and his father landed, Xenudah handed Lloyd to Hikari. Then Yakunan grabbed his hand and took him to a secluded corner.
"Xenudah, naze?!" The former Overlord cried. "Dōshite watashi ni sakaraemasu ka?! Moshi watashi ga anata o ushinattanara, watashi wa watashi ga naniwoshita ka wakaranai! Anata no musume wa anata o hitsuyō to shite imasu! Watashiniha, anata ga hitsuyōdesu! Xenudah Akurai, anata wa watashitachi futari ni totte amarini mo ōku no koto o imi shi, watashi wa anata o watashi kara hikihanasu koto wa dekimasen! Soshite, anata wa sore o shitte imasu!" (Xenudah, why?! How could you disobey me?! If I lost you, I– I don't know what I would've done! Your daughter needs you! I need you! Xenudah Akurai, you mean too much to both of us and I cannot let anything tear you away from me! And you know that!)
Xenudah lowered his head guiltily, choking on a sob. "Anata wa tadashī... Dōshite watashi wa... Anata o sarunoni son'nani mōmokudatta nodeshou ka? Watashi–" (You're right... How could I have been so blind to...to leave you? I–)
"Oh, Xenudah... Anata wa watashi no ude no naka de koko de anzendesu, kodomo... Sore wa jūyōna kotodesu... Watashi wa anata ga inakute sabishīdesu..." (You're safe right here in my arms, child... That is all that matters... I've missed you so...)
"Watashi mo anata ga inakute sabishīdesu, Otōsan..." (I've missed you too, father...)
"Dad..." Kymika wrapped her arms tightly around Xenudah. "I thought I lost you..."
"I'm so sorry, little one..." whispered the son of the former Overlord. He let a soft breath escape, his voice trembling ever so slightly as he spoke. "I'm sorry for everything horrible I ever said to you... To both of you... I never meant it... I love you, Kymi...Otōsan... I love you both so much..."
A soft murmur drew the Akurais from their moment.
Lloyd's eyes fluttered open instantly, and he smiled softly at his uncle and grandfather. His gaze fell on the Akurais, to which he mouthed "thank you".
"Of course..." Xenudah mouthed back.
Father, where are you? His face fell, eyes brimming with tears. "He-he's gone, isn't he?"
"No." Lloyd gasped at Xenudah's statement. "He is still in Ninjago City."
It didn't take long before Lloyd materialized his dragon, flying back. And this time, there was no attempt to stop him.
"Garmadon?" the destruction elemental gasped at the soft voice belonging to his wife Misako
"Oh, Koko, you're safe..." Garmadon enveloped his arms around her tightly.
Their moment was quickly interrupted though. Kai, Jay, Cole, Zane, and Nya rushed over to the sensei and his significant other as well.
"Never thought we'd see the day...again!" Nya giggled softly
Garmadon also smiled, but the expression quickly faded as he loosened his grip on Misako.
Kai, concerned, reached out. Nya stopped him.
"Just give him a moment. It's a lot to take in. For all of us," explained the water elemental.
"It's Lloyd, isn't it?" Cole sighed, thinking about the moment when he lost his mother for good. That was a difficult time for the earth ninja, yet he managed to endure, stronger than ever.
As if on cue, a roar echoed in the distance as multiple dragons came into view, Lloyd's gold and green one leading the group. Garmadon's heart soared at the sight of his child.
Lloyd was quite weak as he dismounted and he stumbled while trying to reach his father, but ended up collapsing to the ground.
"Lloyd!" Garmadon rushed to his child's side, pulling him close, sobbing uncontrollably. "Oh, my child...I'm so sorry I didn't come sooner... I'm just glad you're okay now... I-I don't want to leave you... I don't want to lose you ever again..."
"D-Daddy...I'm scared..." the green ninja murmured softly, his eyes starting to overflow with tears.
"I know...I know... But it's over... It's all over...no need to worry, my little one..."
Lloyd wailed, collapsing into his father's arms His body began trembling, and it was becoming increasingly difficult to breathe. "D-Daddy...DAAAAAADDYYYYYY!"
"Lloyd Ryuda Kamiare..." Garmadon whispered, his gaze soft and loving as he pulled his son closer, lovingly running fingers through his hair. "My precious golden dragon... I'll always remain right here... Everything's going to be okay... I've got you... You're safe with me now, my dear child... I won't ever let you go... Not this time... Not this time..."
Lloyd's sobbing wouldn't let up for a second. He reared his head to the sky, trying to break out of his father's hold.
"Shhhhhhhhh... I'm here, little one...I'm not going anywhere... Everything's gonna be just fine, I promise..."
Very softly, Garmadon began to sing:
"'Sweet little light, close your eyes. Let my arms keep you safe and warm. No darkness will touch you under my watch, as I will look out for you, protect you from harm.
Oh precious child, my heart is with you today... I'm right here beside you now... Everything will be okay...
Stay with me forever... I will never let you go... I love you so much, more than you'll ever know...
Sweet little child, stay beside me always... Nothing will ever hurt you, because I love you...
Oh precious child, my heart is with you today... I'm right here beside you now... Everything will be okay...
After all, you'll forever be a part of me... Always a part of me... Always a part...of me...'"
Lloyd smiled, albeit weakly, shutting his eyes for a moment. "Thanks for looking out for me..."
"Of course..." Garmadon cooed, pressing his forehead against his son's own. "You're my son, my whole world, and I love you with every ounce of my being... I always have and always will..."
Xenudah brought his daughter and grandfather into their own little embrace.
"I can't believe it's finally over..." sighed Kymika, leaning closer into her father's arms.
"It is... And our families are free." Yakunan's eyes watered with unshed tears.
The others watched in admiration at the tightly-knit familial bonds that set all previous events into motion.
At last, it had been far too long.