The sun peeked over the horizon, slowly letting light into the bridge in streams. Kai raised a hand, blocking the blinding white from his vision as he focused on the screen. He clicked the video footage, watching intently.

Time to get some answers.

Lloyd entered the footage, looking both ways before starting across the street. Garmadon followed him, holding tightly onto the grocery bags and wincing.

Heh. Kai laughed a little. What a wimp. He scowled, shaking his head. Focus, Kai. Sheesh. This is for Lloyd.

He watched closely, noting the traffic of cars on the main road rushing past. He wasn't sure which way this car had come from that had hit Garmadon. Lloyd hadn't said. And neither had Garmadon. Really, they had very little information on what had happened.

Which was why he was doing this.

Had Garmadon really pushed Lloyd out of the way? He frowned.

There was the sudden screech of wheels.

Kai's eyes narrowed.

Garmadon looked at the car, his eye widening. Lloyd started to turn his head, probably hearing the car, but it was hurtling towards him at a rapid speed.

Did they driver not notice the green ninja at all? Kai felt his blood boil in anger.

Garmadon abruptly dropped the grocery bags he was holding, lunging for Lloyd. He shoved him as hard as he could, sending the green ninja crashing to the concrete street—but clear out of the way of impact.

The car instead rammed into Garmadon. His head and shoulder hit the windshield hard, causing it to crack and break. Then he lay still, out cold. Blood started to drip into the car from a wound on his head, and Kai noticed the dents in the hood and bumper of the car.

Ouch. Kai frowned. So he had pushed him…

Lloyd scrambled to his feet, pale, with a look of shock on his face. Then his brother froze, staring at Garmadon in horror.

Wait, there was movement in the car. Kai's eyes narrowed, trying to get his brother's heartbroken face out of his mind.

A figure stepped out, clothed head to toe in black. They shook some glass from their clothes, glancing at Garmadon, and then bolted away from the scene. Kai saw Lloyd watch numbly.

That was suspicious… Maybe they would bolt if it was an accident, but that car was speeding.

Kai studied the figure, noting the black outfit. He couldn't identify who it was, not with the hood and visor covering their face. But the fact they were dressed so concealed…

Wait.

He growled, sudden anger boiling in his gut.

That jerk had tried to murder his brother. His innocent, little brother. Why?! For what?! He started to pace, seething, fists clenched.

He glanced at the screen, seeing the rest of what happened unfold. The ambulance, Lloyd leaving with Garmadon. Police put up caution tape and started an investigation.

Kai shook his head. He needed answers.

He rewound the footage, watching it again. He paid extra attention to the car and figure this time, though it was hard not to watch his brother's face.

The car was a sleek black, an old sports car. Why someone would crash a cool car into someone was a mystery, though. Why someone would crash a car into anyone was a mystery in and of itself. But they'd obviously been aiming for Lloyd.

The figure was unrecognizable, no matter how hard he tried to figure out their identity. It was definitely a male, but that was all he could gather.

Kai huffed in frustration. Now what?

He debated going off by himself to find this jerk. To find out what had happened and what he thought he was trying to accomplish by attempted murder of his brother.

But Nya would think that was stupid. Not that he cared what she thought…but Lloyd would also think that would be stupid. And so would Master Wu.

Ugh.

Wu, the ninja, and Kai watched the video footage. The sound had been muted, and Nya had put a blindfold over Lloyd at Wu's suggestion, since he thought it would be bad for his nephew to see it again.

Which Kai agreed with.

Lloyd had reluctantly agreed as well, a look of nervous anxiety and pain on his face.

Kai watched his friends' and Master's faces, gauging their reactions to the video.

Nya and Jay were wincing, Jay hiding behind Nya. Zane had a blank look on, though he could make out concern in his eyes. Cole frowned deeply at it. Master Wu clutched his staff tightly, expression tight and pain in his eyes.

He wondered if it had been a good idea to show them all. Though he was now very glad they'd covered Lloyd's eyes.

"Hey, is it done yet?" Lloyd crossed his arms, shifting nervously.

"Hold on, it's almost done," Kai said over his shoulder.

Lloyd bit his lip. "Do I have to be blindfolded the entire time?"

"Nope, just hold on."

He sighed.

When the video footage had played through to the ambulance, Kai backed it up again, zooming in on the figure running away. He made sure to leave out any footage of Garmadon and Lloyd. "Okay, you can look now."

Lloyd immediately slipped off his blindfold, eyes narrowing at the figure. "Who's that?"

"I don't know. That's why I showed you guys." Kai gestured to the screen. "What do you think?"

Lloyd walked closer, studying the figure. He frowned. "Yeah, I remember seeing him…he ran away after the car—" He cut himself off, swallowing.

Kai nodded. "Yeah. And that guy tried to kill you."

"Murder?" Cole blinked. "Why would someone want to murder Lloyd?"

"He has a lot of enemies, remember," Zane said. "It is possible."

"Yes…" Wu looked at Lloyd. "They're familiarly dressed."

Lloyd frowned. "Yeah…"

"Familiar?" Kai rose an eyebrow.

"Yes." Wu nodded. "The clothing is very similar to some people Garmadon…had a run-in with."

Kai narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "What does that mean?"

Wu looked at Lloyd. "Maybe we should discuss this."

Lloyd bit his lip. "Okay…"

Now that was even more suspicious. Kai crossed his arms. They were both keeping secrets, obviously. Hmph.

Wu left the bridge, Lloyd following him.

Kai watched them leave, eyes narrowed. It had to be about Garmadon. Something they didn't want him to know. Well…two could play at this game.

He still thought Garmadon was suspicious.

I'm going to question him. Find out what really happened, and what he knows.

Wu went down to the lower deck, pausing in the hall to face him.

Lloyd frowned, mind reeling at the new information and what had happened to Garmadon.

"Whoever that was, they're dressed very similarly to those people who were beating up your father." Wu clutched his staff, frowning deeply.

He stared at the floor. "Yeah…you don't think it's one of them, do you? And even so, why would they be after me?"

"I don't know. But perhaps Garmadon knows."

"You think he actually knows what's going on?"

"I'm not sure, but it's worth asking. I don't think he'd tell me even if he knew, though."

Even with my life at stake. Go figure. Lloyd bit his lip.

Wu put a hand on his shoulder. "Do not worry, nephew. I'll ask Garmadon. And either way, we won't let whoever this is hurt you, alright? You have many people looking out for you. Including your father."

His stomach twisted uneasily.

Wu headed back for the deck.

Lloyd reluctantly followed. Why would someone want him dead?

Back on the bridge, his friends tried to figure out who the person could be. His uncle stayed silent, staring at the figure.

"What about Harumi?" Nya asked.

Lloyd winced, arms crossed as he stared at the floor. A stab of pain went through him at her name. Why did she have to haunt him, even after—

"She is in Kryptarium prison," Zane said.

"The Overlord?" Cole guessed.

"He was defeated. I do not believe he would return so soon. Or be dressed like this figure is."

"What about Mr. E?"

"We have not seen him since Emperor Garmadon's reign over the city."

"What about Aspheera…?"

"She is also in Kryptarium prison."

"Morro?"

"Departed Realm."

"Ugh." Kai rolled his eyes. "This is pointless."

"We just need to make a list of Lloyd's enemies." Nya dug around a pile of junk on one console, then walked back over with a notebook.

Lloyd frowned.

"Well, there's Morro, Harumi, and Garmadon. Those are the main ones," Kai said.

"Garmadon is not Lloyd's enemy," Wu suddenly said, narrowing his eyes at Kai. He had finally said something after remaining silent throughout the conversation.

"We don't know that."

"I know that. Drop it."

Kai scowled, but didn't say anything at Wu's hard glare.

"What about Pythor?" Cole said. "He'd do something like this."

Nya shook her head. "But Pythor has a long neck, and this person was definitely not a serpentine."

"Chen?"

"Chen's dead." Nya rolled her eyes, sighing.

"Someone in the Sons of Garmadon?" Cole shrugged.

"That is a possibility, though I doubt it," Zane said.

Kai perked up a little. "Maybe…"

"Jay? You've been awfully quiet…what do you think?" Nya looked at the blue ninja.

Jay stuttered a bit, blinking. He had been staring at Nya a moment ago. "Oh, uh…I don't know…"

She rose an eyebrow. "Were you even listening?"

"Yeah…" Jay smiled sheepishly. "Sorry. I think Harumi, an SOG member, or Mr. E are the best guesses. Or this is some new guy." He shrugged.

"But Harumi is in Kryptarium prison, and Mr. E has not been seen since Emperor Garmadon's reign." Zane sounded exasperated.

Jay shrugged. "You asked for my opinion."

"Well, if it is someone new, who could it be?" Nya frowned.

Kai looked at Wu, eyes narrowed suspiciously. "You don't have any more old enemies wanting revenge or something, do you?"

Wu frowned. "Of course I do. When you've lived as long as I have, you make plenty of enemies. However, that does not add to or shorten the list. Besides, I don't believe any of them would be after Lloyd, and most wouldn't know he exists. And, most are dead."

Kai sighed.

"I will get P.I.X.A.L. on it," Zane said. "She may be able to decipher something from the image that we cannot."

Wu nodded.

"Good idea, Zane." Cole patted him on the back.

Lloyd bit his lip, looking back at the figure in the image. Who are you…? And why do you want me dead?

Misako frowned. "And you think he knows something?"

Wu nodded. "Possibly. But I'm not sure. I'm going to ask him."

She nodded, looking at the door to Garmadon's room worriedly. "But if these people were after Garmadon, why would they try to kill Lloyd?"

"I don't know."

"Hmm…"

Wu opened the door, walking back into the room. He saw Garmadon still laying on the bed, petting the dog. He walked over to him. "Garmadon? I would like to talk to you about something…"

Garmadon stiffened uncomfortably.

Misako stood beside Wu.

"Remember that car?" Wu watched him closely. He was still concerned about his memory.

"Yes…" Garmadon bit his lip, avoiding his gaze.

"I was wondering if you knew anything about it?"

"No."

"Do you know if someone may want to hurt Lloyd?"

"…No."

Wu frowned at the way he'd hesitated. "Do you know if Lloyd is in danger?"

"No."

Wu took out his phone, struggling with it for a few minutes. "Hold on, I'm going to show you something."

Garmadon looked at him.

Misako reached over Wu's shoulder, tapping a few buttons and finding the photo he wanted.

Wu nodded in thanks. He really hated technology… He flipped the phone around, showing it to Garmadon. "Do you recognize this person?"

He saw Garmadon's eyebrows raise for a second. Then his brother shook his head. "No."

Wu frowned. "He is the one that tried to hit Lloyd. We discovered this 'accident' was intentional. Do you know anything about it?"

"No." His brother looked away, stroking the dog again.

"He looks like those people who were beating you that one day. When Lloyd and I found you."

Garmadon frowned. "It's probably just coincidence."

"I doubt that…" Wu looked at Misako.

Misako shook her head, glancing at him, before looking back at Garmadon.

Wu sighed. He must know something… He looked back at his brother. "Alright, then…but if you know anything, please be sure to tell us. This is important. Lloyd may be in danger."

Garmadon bit his lip.

Kai watched Master Wu and Misako head down the hall, talking quietly. He stayed out of sight, behind the corner, until they'd left. When he was sure they were gone, he walked to the door to Garmadon's room.

He needed answers.

A nurse or two roamed the halls, but otherwise it was empty and silent. It was about ten o'clock, so that made sense.

Kai slipped the door open, then entered quietly. He shut it behind himself, looking at Garmadon. He lay on the bed, the black dog next to him. Kai hadn't been in here yet, and neither had the ninja. Wu hadn't wanted them to "startle" Garmadon.

He rolled his eyes. Yeah, right… He walked over, eyeing the former "Emperor" of Ninjago. More like dictator and monster.

Garmadon seemed to be asleep, but the dog rose its head, watching him. It wagged its tail a little, sniffing at him curiously.

"Garmadon." Kai crossed his arms. When he didn't move, Kai said louder, "Garmadon."

Garmadon shifted a little.

Kai huffed. Good riddance. He shook his shoulder.

Garmadon snapped awake with a quiet gasp, then saw him. His eye widened, and he jerked away, flinching. "I didn't do anything, I promise I didn't hurt him!"

That's suspicious. Kai's eyes narrowed. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"I…uh…"

He huffed again. "Anyway. I have some questions."

Garmadon swallowed nervously.

Good. You'd better be nervous. "What do you know about that car, huh? Who was the guy who ran away?"

"I…" Garmadon stroked Ochre.

"Well?"

"Nothing…I don't know anything."

"You don't know who it was?"

"No."

"Why was the guy after Lloyd?"

"…I don't know."

Kai narrowed his eyes. "Mm-hmm…"

He shifted uncomfortably, looking away.

Kai bit his lip for a moment. "Why did you save Lloyd's life?"

Garmadon froze, frowning. "I…" Then he looked him in the eye, gaze narrowed slightly. "I know you don't want me to touch him or anything…and I'm sorry I had to. But what do you want? An apology?"

Kai blinked. "Finally dropping the act, huh?"

Garmadon looked away, the moment of defiance gone.

He rolled his eyes. "No, I don't want an 'apology'. I just want to know why you did it."

He shrugged.

Kai huffed. "What? You did it for no reason?"

"I have a reason."

"Then what is it?"

There was silence.

Kai stepped closer. "Hey. I don't want you hurting Lloyd. If this is a part of some twisted game—"

Garmadon glared at him. "It isn't. It just happened, okay? I saved his life. What did you expect me to do? Let him get hit?"

"No. But why didn't you let him get hit? Or are you trying to manipulate him again?"

"Again—" Garmadon cut himself off, jaw clenched. He looked away. "No. I didn't want him to get hit. Happy?"

Kai watched him suspiciously. "Why not?"

"Because."

"Because why?"

"He's my son!"

Kai blinked.

"Will you please leave me alone?"

He watched him, something twisting in his gut. He kept trying to ignore it, ever since the accident. But…could Garmadon actually be…good? He frowned.

Garmadon kept his gaze down, petting the dog's face.

Kai studied him, really studied him, for the first time since he'd gotten here. His old enemy looked worn and beaten down. His hair was unkempt, face scarred, posture submissive and anxious. Not aggressive or threatening. He bit his lip.

No.

No, he wouldn't let Lloyd be hurt again. Garmadon had been "good" after the Final Battle, too. But he'd died, gotten resurrected, and then turned on them.

Lloyd was better off without him. He would just get hurt again.

Kai swallowed, then walked away. He paused by the door, staring at the floor. "…Thanks. For saving his life." He left, not staying to hear Garmadon's response.