"Skylor." Kai calls, as everyone gets ready to move. She comes to his side.
"What's wrong?" She asks. Kai is shaking more violently than earlier, his breathing fast and short.
"I want you to go somewhere safe." Tears begin to fall. "Promise me, that you won't try to fight, or help us from here on out." He begs.
"Why? I thought you wanted me by your side here?" Skylor asks, a little frustrated at the turn of events.
"I don't want to lose you." He sobs. "If things keep going as they are, it's not just one of us who dies."
"I'm not leaving you." She defies, and Kai smiles sadly.
"I know. That's why I hope you will one day understand, and forgive me." Kai explains. Before Skylor can question his words, she falls unconscious, with Kai catching her, a dart poking out of her back, where a ghostly figure moves closer.
"You know that she is going to be angry about this." Vex's familiar voice warns.
"I'd rather he be alive to be angry, than dead." Kai admits. Vex sighs, before nodding in understanding.
"I'll take her to the forge. She'll awaken once everything is over… and for what it's worth, I am truly sorry that you have to go through this." Vex admits softly.
"I know." Kai assures.
As the ninja return to New Ninjago City, they are surrounded by bored, crazed citizens, until Cyrus pushes through everyone in his old wheelchair.
"You finally made it." He exclaims, before sighing. "Don't mind them. Boredom does crazy things." He looks behind them, noticing someone. "Pixal! Amazing, you're powered!"
"Uh, you need to stay in character, Mr. Borg. This is no fun if we're not all committed." The mailman complains.
"I'll have you all committed if you don't leave us at once." Cyrus demands, his threat working well as the citizens depart. He turns to Pixal again. "Pixal, how are you powered?"
"Zane gave me half of his power source." She explains.
"Thank you, Zane." Cyrus thanks earnestly. "I am greatly indebted." He then sighs. "Unfortunately, the Hard Drive that held the digital imprint of the Overlord was stolen. Until we find it, you won't be able to erase him with your Techno-Blades."
"We've already had a run in with the culprit. A Serpentine with white scales. Pixal said she could analyse it while we go speak to the other Serpentine." Kai explains.
"Be careful. I lost some prototypes as well, so he may be armed with them." Cyrus warns.
"We'll be fine." Jay brushes the warning off as he descends into the sewers.
"I'll keep an eye out." Kai assures, before moving to whisper to Cyrus, who nods in understanding.
"I can do that for you. It's the least i can help for what you are doing for us." Cyrus assures.
"Thank you." Kai thanks, before following the others down. Pixal follows Cyrus, off to help fix a few things for the people, while everyone does what they need to. As Jay and Cole decide to argue and fight again, Kai is forced to catch Nya with his Null powers, stopping her from hitting the ground, and gently releasing her. She sighs in frustration, before sending a thumbs up to Kai, who bashes both their heads. "Quit your fighting." He demands.
Once they all are down, they follow the old trails to where the Stone Army had first been released, finding an open doorway.
"Seems the seal has been broken." Zane notes obviously. A whistle catches their attention, and they come face to face with Skales, who complains immediately.
"Not you again."
"Skales. I had a feeling you were behind this." Cole declares, only for Kai to stop him.
"He's not behind it." He admits, looking to Skales. "I freed the Serpentine some time ago. Made a deal, that as long as they left the people of Ninjago alone, and didn't try to harm them, they were free to roam about. I know all too well what it's like to be trapped."
"It's true. And we are eternally grateful for you releasing us, Fire-starter. But why have you come? And brought the others?" Skales asks.
"I assume you know about the whole fiasco above with technology right now?" Kai assumes.
"Somewhat. I don't fully understand why or how it happened." Skales answers.
"The Overlord is back. He clung onto the technology, as a virus, that can control everything. The problem is, that a Serpentine stole the Hard Drive that contained him." Kai elaborates.
"Dad?" A young voice calls out, and Skales moves to the young Serpentine, as his wife tries to usher him away.
"Stay inside, Skales Jr." She tries to order, but Skales gestures for them to stop, as moves to their side.
"You have a son?" Jay asks incredulously.
"We've been busy since you left us." Skales admits. "And we'd prefer to keep it that way."
"Is this about the Golden Master? Is he gonna hurt us?" Jr. Asks, snuggling into his father.
"It's just a story, son." Skales sighs.
"Golden Master? Are you talking about Lloyd?" Zane questions.
"Like you, we have our own legends. But in ours, our roles are reversed." Skales states.
"What legend?" Nya wonders aloud.
"They have a right to know. If we truly wish to start anew, with a better relationship to the city dwellers, this would be the first step." Skales' wife urges.
"I know." Skales admits. "And if what Kai says about the Overlord is true, they would benefit from hearing it." He ushers them inside explaining what has happened since they last saw the Serpentine. Explaining how they have begun to change, be better. How they are keeping out of events that involve those on the surface. An elder Serpentine meets with them as they sit down.
"Hello, hatchlings, and camouflaged land dwellers. Do you seek to learn about the Curse of the Golden Master?" Jay excitedly affirms. "Watch closely." His venom interacts with the fire, creating a film. "When the First Spinjitzu Master created Ninjago, deep in the ground, he created the Serpentine. Since the first dawn, our elders knew of the Curse of The Golden Master. When he, who had powers equal to the First Spinjitzu Master, would rise and usher in the last of the setting suns. With no equal adversary, his power will go unmatched. His destructive rule will change the face of the world. And he will not stop until every man, woman, and Serpentine, are enslaved under his control."
"Is he referring to Lloyd?" Zane wonders aloud, but Kai gestures for him to wait, and to listen.
"The Serpentine tried to warn the land dwellers, but they would not listen. They thought we were the enemy, though we were only trying to prevent the prophecy of the Golden Master's terrible reign. After the Great Devourer failed to scare the non-believers below ground, it is we, who retreated beneath the soil, promising never to return, even now, as the end is inevitable." The Elder finishes. As they move away, the talk among themselves, while Kai walks with Skales.
"It's not Lloyd that the prophecy warns of, is it?" Kai asks knowingly. Skales sighs.
"I don't believe it is. With what you have explained to me, I fear it is the Overlord that it speaks of. How he gains those powers, I do not know." He notes. The cave shudders, and a guard appears.
"WE'RE UNDER ATTACK! PROTECT THE YOUNG!" He shouts, urging the other Serpentine to hide away the hatchlings.
"Go, protect your family. We'll do what we can." Kai assures, joining up with the ninja. "Guys! Protect the Serpentine!" He orders, as everyone becomes battle ready. As they fight for others, they begin to detach the power packs of the Nindroids, causing them to power down and become harmless. All but one, who grabs onto Zane.
"Foolish Nindroid. You are helping the wrong side!" The Overlord begins to speak through one of the downed Nindroids.
"Not if we have anything to say about it." Zane declares, only for the Overlord to laugh, as the others stand nearby, listening in.
"Oh, but I've already won. This was simply a diversion so that I could get the Golden Ninja!" He cackles, until Zane simply cuts away to power cord. Skales then approaches.
"The boy has too much power. I fear that the curse is upon us." He warns.
"The dawn of the End of Times is near." The Elder agrees.
"You sure you can't help us?" Nya asks.
"I'm sorry. We swore never to return to the surface unless in need of supplies." Skales apologizes. "But I believe I know your mystery person."
"Who?" The ninja asks.
"Pythor." Skales and Kai answer in unison.
"You knew?" Cole asks Kai.
"I had my suspicions, but I wasn't certain. Besides, if Wu survived being devoured, who's to say he didn't return either." Kai answers.