Author's note: Here's book 2 of The Outcast! Unfortunately I've only written up to chapter 15, since I got burnout during the summer, but I'm hoping to get back into a writing schedule soon. If you're new to The Outcast series, this second book may not make sense. I would suggest reading book 1 first, The Outcast (:

Home.

Lloyd smiled a little, realizing he would be living here now. The monastery stood before them, just how they'd left it. He hoped they could actually stay here—permanently, no more moving around and running.

Garmadon opened the door after a moment, and they all walked in.

Lloyd took in the familiar scent, the welcoming sight. It was a little dusty, and leaves blew around. It still looked like a fight had taken place, and Lloyd realized it hadn't been that long ago since Morro had barged in and tried to kill him. He swallowed nervously.

The all paused in the courtyard, and Garmadon kicked some leaves. "We'll need to clean it up again…"

Misako sighed, nodding. "Yes…"

Lloyd didn't want to clean, but for some reason he couldn't care at the moment.

Finally, I have a home.

Cole slowed, nearing his home. Was his mother's death really orchestrated by the Emperor? Had it...not actually been the half breeds? He shook his head, reaching the door.

He hesitated for a moment, then opened it. Cole stepped into his home, looking around—

"Cole! Where have you been?!" His father was suddenly in front of him.

He blinked. "Uh…just…"

"Why would you help a half breed?! You could have been killed!" Lou scolded.

Cole stood straighter, suddenly feeling defensive. "I had to. He's my friend."

His father shook his head, looking exasperated. "Cole…you know how dangerous they are."

"I do, but—"

His father suddenly hugged him. "I was worried sick…please don't do that again."

Cole bit his lip. Guilt came over him. But also… "I can't stay away from him. He's still my friend."

Lou let go, staring him in the eyes. "Cole…" His tone held warning. "I don't want you near him."

"I'm sorry, Dad…but he's my friend."

"You leave in a week."

"I…what?"

"For Marty Oppenheimer's. Remember?"

Cole frowned. "What? A week?"
"Yes. You should pack up."

Cole grit his teeth. I come home, and all he thinks about is dancing? He should have expected as much… "Fine." He stomped off to his room.

The director of the orphanage, the head nanny, slammed the door shut.

Zane frowned, looking back. The place he'd lived at for the past…three years, he believed, had just shut him out. He was alone, and on his own.

He sighed, thinking back to when he'd come. Thinking he still had a place to stay. He realized school was the least of his worries.

Zane walked towards the orphanage. How would he pay for school the next year? It was probably a minuscule thing to ponder, considering everything that had happened, including where his father was, but it was still important.

He sighed. He hoped Lloyd was alright, and his friends. He hoped they had all arrived home safely.

He reached the orphanage a few minutes later, walking through the gate and up to the door. He opened it, then went inside—

"I was wondering when you'd be back."
He paused, looking at one of the nannies that worked at the orphanage. She was the head of it, the one in charge. He'd known her his whole—well, a lot of his life, since he'd discovered his missing memories.

He nodded to her respectfully, keeping his eyes to the floor. "Yes. Hello. I apologize for my absence. It will not happen again."

She scowled. "You're right. It won't. We all know what you are—a nindroid. You're illegal, you know that?"

Zane frowned. "I see."

"Get out."

He looked at her. "I…what about my things?"

"What things?" She scoffed.

"I have items I own here."

"You don't own anything, nindroid. Now get out."

"Ma'am?" A teenage boy came over, around sixteen. He'd been the one who'd asked if he wanted to watch the execution about a week or so ago.

She glared at him. "What is it?"

"I can help him get his things. If you wouldn't mind. He's my roommate—er, was."

She shook her head, then walked off. "Whatever. Who runs this place?" She laughed harshly. "Obviously not me. Do what you want. But I want him out in an hour."

Zane nodded to him, mouthing, "Thank you."

He nodded back.

Zane blinked out of the memory, then headed for the gate. He still wondered where his father was. If he was alright…

He shook his head, trying to focus on the now. He would have to find a new place to live… Zane swallowed uneasily. He could not tell the others, though. He could not become a burden.

They had their own worries.

"Jay!"

He was immediately engulfed in an enthusiastic hug by his mother—he'd only just stepped through the door.

"Where have you been, son?" Ed asked. "We heard you were helping a half breed."

"We were so worried!" His mother, Edna, released him. "Who is the half breed? Do we know him? Does he go to your school? How did you meet?"

Jay laughed nervously. "Uh…I'll answer questions later… Kinda tired, you know?" He yawned, stretching dramatically, and hoped his parents would get the gist. "You know, running for my life and everything…?" He decided not to tell them about the Emperor. What he and his friends had done—or, helped do.

He was a disappointment enough already.

Edna gasped. "Oh, yes! You must be exhausted! Are you hungry? Did you get all your vegetables every day? Did you pack any clothes? I always have to remind you to pack extra pairs of—"

"Uhh…" Jay swallowed, then bolted to his room. He'd rather avoid the interrogation, thank you very much.

Thankfully, his parents let him be. Thank goodness.

Jay sighed, entering his tiny room. He sat on the bed, then immediately flopped down. "Man, I missed home…" He bit his lip, remembering recent events.

The Emperor was dead. A new Emperor was throned.

And his friends were apart of it. Did…that make them traitors? Murderers? Liars and thieves? The former Emperor said it did.

Jay felt a pit of guilt form in his stomach. But also…he had questions. Questions that may never be answered now.

What had really happened to his parents—his real parents? Had they been killed by half breeds?

Or had the Emperor murdered them?

P.I.X.A.L. entered the room, now on the top floor of Borg Tower. She felt anxiety flutter through her—she hadn't seen her father in years.

Cyrus Borg was at his desk, as usual. Engrossed in whatever contraption he was designing this time.

She stood there awkwardly, unsure what she should do. So she watched him silently.

Finally, after a few minutes, she approached him. "Mr. Borg…?" She was suddenly reluctant to call him "father". She wasn't sure why… She guessed it was probably the anxiety. After all, she had not seen him in years. What would he think of her?

Cyrus looked up at her, then squinted. "P.I.X.A.L…?"

She smiled a little, uncertainly. Her mask she'd been using for years suddenly failed her, the emotions flickering onto her face before her processors could stop it.

He stared at her for a moment. Then his eyes widened. "P.I.X.A.L.?!"

She nodded, shifting her weight. "Yes. Hello…father."

He gaped, then wheeled over to her. "P.I.X.A.L., is that really you? How…?"

P.I.X.A.L. smiled. "I…was released. Although rescued would be the more appropriate term."

"Rescued?"

She nodded.

"Come down here." He gestured towards himself.

She hesitated, then did so.

He immediately hugged her. "I'm so glad to see you."

She found herself hugging him back, all anxiety vanishing. "So am I… I missed you, father."

He hugged her tighter. "I must meet your rescuer. Who was it?"

"A friend… His name is Zane."

Kai and Nya approached the blacksmith shop. They both slowed, stopping in front of it.

There was silence for a while. The shop loomed in front of them, dark and cold. The forge hadn't been lit in days.

"What do you think happened to them…?" Kai was the first to speak.

"I don't know, Kai…" Nya shook her head. "I just feel like we have more questions than answers now."

"Yeah…even more questions than before."

She nodded.

"Do you ever just feel…empty?"

Nya looked at him. "I suppose so. Why?"

"Our parents…I…just feel empty. Since the day they disappeared."

She frowned. "Oh…"

"Do you?"

She shrugged.

"Huh."

There was silence again. The village stood silently to their right, no one around. The air was quiet, just the gentle rustle of leaves in the wind. A few birds sang.

"Nya…what do you think the prophecy means?"

"I don't know."

"It said an elemental would defeat some 'Dark Lord'. Who do you think it is?"

"I don't know…we'll figure it out, though."

Kai nodded. "Yeah…" Could the elemental…be me? The thought was random…but stuck in his head.

Maybe he would defeat the Dark Lord.

"How are the preparations coming for my tournament?"

"Well. Everything is almost ready, Master." The man bowed to him respectfully.

"Good, good." He grinned. This was going to be delightfully exhilarating. "Make sure I have lots of popcorn."

"Of course, Master."

"I'll prepare the invitations soon."