Lloyd slowly pulled back from his father, looking up at him with tears in his eyes, his fingers laced around his father's neck. "I know, dad…" he whispered, "I know we will…"

Garmadon smiled, his hand coming up to ruffle his son's hair. "Just remember that, Lloyd. I promise you, we'll get through anything."

Lloyd nodded slowly, looking around the room, but he kept his arm around his father's shoulder.

Garmadon closed his eyes, understanding exactly what was going through his son's mind. He said no more.

As Lloyd's focus returned to the current momentary place around him, he felt the coldness of the air, the warmth of his father's body next to him. A voice filtered into his mind, his father's voice.

"Just stay here with me... stay here..." Garmadon whispered. "I'm never letting you go…"

"Dad, will I have to...to kill you one day?" Lloyd asked, his voice on the verge of breaking. He leaned close to his father's chest, shutting his eyes, fearing for what was to come in the future. "I just don't wanna...I love you…"

"Son, I promise you... You're not alone… I-I don't want to hurt you either, no matter how… You are the light of my life… I-I never wanted to leave you to begin with…but now…" Garmadon choked on a sob, tightening his hold on his child's body, the lower set of arms wrapped around Lloyd's back, while the upper ones were carefully brushing through his hair.

"Please don't hurt me…" Lloyd softly cried, his body shivering uncontrollably.

"You know I cannot promise that," Garmadon replied brokenly. "Each and every moment, the evil within me keeps on growing stronger… I'm so scared, Lloyd Ryuda...more than you'll ever know…"

"I-I don't wanna hurt you…" the green ninja continued, murmuring into his father's chest.

"Oh, Lloyd… I'm so sorry you have been granted these hardships… I love you… I never wanted anything to hurt you. I never wanted to hurt you… You're my whole world...you were and always will be…"

Lloyd continued to murmur incomprehensibly, but his father held him closer, gently hushing as he rocked him back and forth.

"Shhhhhh… I'm here… It's okay… It's all going to be okay..."

Lloyd gazed into his father's eyes, a childlike innocence shining from unshed tears.

"I'm here, son… I'm not going everywhere…" Garmadon gently reassured.

"Dad, it hurts…" Lloyd sighed. "My life isn't gonna be normal again... I just want to be a normal kid... But I'm not..." He looked down at his hands, his body starting to tremble. "I hate feeling weak and vulnerable!" He clenched his fists tight. "It's hard to deal with-"

"Son... You're not alone. I'm here for you." Garmadon's eyes glistened, tears beginning to form in his eyes. He pulled his son close, leaning down to embrace him. "How can I help?" he whispered into his son's ear. "Anything... Just tell me how I can help."

"I just want to be a normal kid again, dad." Lloyd's voice quivered, his lips trembling. "I can't stand it anymore!" He broke into sobs, burying his face in his father's shoulder.

Tears flowed freely from Garmadon's eyes as he held his son tight. The two sat in silence, the father brushing through his son's hair as Lloyd wept and shook in his arms.

"I feel so alone..." Lloyd whimpered, sniffing back tears. "What am I supposed to do? Why did I have to be this way? Why can't I be normal? I just want to be a normal kid... But I can't... I just want everything to be the way it used to be... Why did I have to be this way?"

"We can't go back." Garmadon squeezed his son closer. "But I can still help you in some way. I'll always support you."

"Thanks, dad," Lloyd whispered, letting his eyes fall shut. "I love you."

The two embraced for a few brief moments more.