Yakunan sighed softly as he gazed down at his hands, balling them into fists. "I have to get him back…" he said softly, his voice almost a whisper as he closed his eyes and allowed his power to surface.

"And you will." Garmadon's voice was firm, reassuring.

"He's angry and scared," Yakunan murmured to himself. "I need to find a way to make him trust me again."

"Xenudah's emotionally fragile. He wants you back, but the evil is clouding his judgment for him to see that. You simply need to find a way to talk to him," said Garmadon as he rested a hand on Yakunan's shoulder.

"I hope you're right, Garmadon. I really hope you're right."

Yakunan leered down at his hands. "It was so close. The doors were open… I thought I had a chance…"

"It's well within your reach."

"I want to get him back, but I don't know what to do. How do I get him back? How do I do this?" He glanced up, and he could see that the others were concerned. "I have to fix it. I have to take action."

"Is there something we can help you with?"

"I just need to talk to him. I need to get him to trust me."

"If we can provide you with any means by which to understand Xenudah, we will, but ultimately, it's going to be your decision on how to approach him."

"Thank you, Garmadon."

"Thank you," said Yakunan. "All of you." He shifted his gaze to his left.

"Speaking of approaching Xenudah," Garmadon said. "What exactly are you going to say to him?"

Yakunan's eyes widened at the question. "I don't know. I don't know what to say… How does one make contact with someone who is already a dark being? He's completely full of evil! He won't open up to me!"

"We'll figure out something," Nya said. "You're strong. I know you can do this. We'll figure out a plan that will work. You just need to be yourself. Be strong. Be confident. We'll do the rest."

"I don't know about confidence after…after everything that's happened…"

"Like I said before, you haven't given up. You're still fighting. That gives you confidence. Don't worry about that. You're a hero. You do what heroes do. Confidence will build, and you'll know what to say."

"I hope you're right, Nya. I just want my son back," Yakunan said, his eyes becoming wet again. "Thank you...so very much…" He sighed sadly, letting his eyes fall shut, thinking about his child.

"I know you miss him, Yakunan…" Garmadon sighed. "But Xenudah isn't to blame. The oni corrupted him and he gave into the darkness. We'll get him back"

"I hope so, Garmadon. I hope so..."

"He's so lost right now. He needs to see that you still care about him. That you still want him."

"I understand…" he gave a soft, sad smile, reminiscing the moments he shared with Xenudah, one in particular coming to mind.

Yakunan gazed down at his precious little boy, holding him so close to his chest. "Oh Xenudah..." he said to himself, "What a beautiful little boy you are!"

"Daddy?" the baby asked from his arms, staring up at his father with a curious look on his cherubic face. Yakunan paused for a moment and then pulled his son in even closer, laying another kiss on his head. As he released him from his lasting hold, and brought down his short arms to where Xenudah's hands rested, he watched his tiny hands close over his father's index finger. With his finger slightly bent, the baby held his father's finger tightly within his small grasp, studying it with his gorgeous deep indigo eyes.

"This is daddy's finger," Yakunan said gently, tapping his fingertip on the baby's right palm. He smiled again as his boy looked at his finger curiously, tugging slightly at it with the other one. A soft giggle escaped his lips as he ran his hand lightly over his soft cheeks. Xenudah looked up again, eyes wide in innocent wonder. "Oh, Xenu..." he said to his baby son, tears coming to his eyes, "You're already growing up so fast! How I wish you could stay this small forever!"

Xenudah noticed the tears in his father's eyes, and laid against Yakunan's chest. "Sleepy..." he murmured.

"Yes, I know you are sleepy, my boy!" Yakunan smiled, picking up a soft blanket from a nearby mat, and leaned back against the cave wall. Lovingly, he gazed at his sleeping child, watching his chest breathing up and down steadily, his smooth brow furrowed slightly as he snored quietly. "In my heart you will always stay this perfect…"

Xenudah stirred slightly and let out a slight whimper from his sleep, shifting to a more comfortable position.

Yakunan tenderly kissed his forehead, "Goodnight, my sweet little boy. I love you..." And with that, he drifted off into a peaceful sleep, his little boy murmuring quietly in his arms.

Yakunan awoke to a sound he did not recognize. At first, he thought it may have been his imagination, but with another sound, he wasn't so sure. He rubbed his eyes and sat up against the cool side wall of the cave, holding his breath. Xenudah sat up, still fast asleep. The sounds were coming from outside. Then, his heart jumped as blood-curdling screams filled the air. The villagers! He looked down at his baby boy, still peacefully sleeping.

Terrified, he ran towards the entrance of the cave, throwing the woven flap aside. As he emerged out of the cave, the full moon shone brightly, casting the clearing into a pale silvery light. He gazed around at his people in dismay. Some were running in separate directions, others were immobile on the ground. All were covered in trickles of blood and were being held down by what appeared to be– 'That can't be…'

His thoughts were cut short with the appearance of the towering creature before him. Its leathery wings were spread wide, flapping furiously, and its oily gray-scaled skin glinted brilliantly in the moonlight. Long, slender legs carried it through the air, and arms so long that they dragged on the ground, each hand with three stubby fingers.

"Oh, goodness no... That dragon must've followed us…" Yakunan muttered, grasping his baby's hand gently in his. He was cut off from his musings by the subtle crackle of flames that emerged from the dragon's long, wide mouth, the heat from it warming his skin from a distance. He looked around at the people in despair.

"No…" he said to himself.

The dragon let out another crackle, the hissing of the fires increasing. A wave of heat spread across the clearing, causing Yakunan to shield his eyes. "Careful!" he screamed. "Save yourselves!"

The villagers began to run about the clearing, seeking the shelter offered by the nearby hills and trees. The dragon let out another call.

"Don't go," Yakunan shouted. "You only have to make it to the caves! I'll deal with the dragon!"

A great wail erupted from the dragon, the flame shooting higher into the sky. Yakunan's eyes widened as he saw the creature dive towards the fleeing villagers. Yakunan watched helplessly, feeling as though he were the last man of some great battle as he prepared to die fighting off the unrelenting enemies. The dragon picked up speed as it drew closer, and dived relentlessly.

The ground shook with the sound of the dragon's landing. Its scorching hot fires covered the clearing. One of the villagers in their path screamed in terror as the dragon reached him and engulfed him in flames. Yakunan felt unease clutch at his vitals. He closed his eyes and fell to his knees. The male dragon swooped over his form, its tail passing right over it, grazing Xenudah's back.

"No," Yakunan whispered hopelessly. "Oh, no. Xenu, please don't leave me..." He held his child close to his body, rocking him gently side to side. Hoping everything would be all right.

"Please, Xenu. Do not leave me... I need you here..." He said quietly. As if on cue, the dragon circled back. Yakunan slowly opened his eyes as the dragon roared over him. This time, turning to face the village and holding out his free arm. In his hand, a large, glowing ball of magic was glowing, getting larger by the second. It grew to the size of his chest.

A look of determination sparked in his eyes as he slowly rose to his feet. He watched the dragon circle back for another pass, edging closer to him.

Tears streamed down his face, occasionally being illuminated by the increasing amount of brightly glowing magic. He breathed in deeply, allowing the ball to follow his motions, and looked at his little boy. He lowered his eyes, eyes glowing with feelings of determination as he walked closer towards the dragon. The ball of magic glowed brightly enough to make his dark eyes sparkle.

"This will have to do," he mumbled, the tears still flowing down his face. He raised his head, his hair falling into his eyes. He launched the energy ball, filled with a crackling deadly sound.

The ball slammed into the dragon. At first it seemed as if nothing had happened, but then it erupted in a flash of light. Now feeling slightly safer, he pulled Xenudah up and hugged him.

"I won't leave you…" he cooed, his voice soft, yet fragile and so loving. "I'm not going to let you go ever again..." He kissed Xenudah on the forehead, holding him firmly in place, running one of his hands through his hair as he watched Hikari take care of the villagers.

"I promise, Xenudah... For as long as I live, I'll never let you go..."