Lloyd wandered around the courtyard, watching as Borg and Pixal made the final adjustments to the portal.

"And you're certain it's not going to break again?" Lloyd asked.

"I made sure to upgrade the fuzes and wiring and adjusted the power so it should short circuit," Borg replied. "We should be able to get all of you home, and get the ninja back from your world too."

"We're going home?" Zane asked, seeming disappointed.

"Looks like it," Lloyd replied.

Zane sighed.

"Hey, if their Zane is anything as they describe, I bet you're returning to freedom," Lloyd assured. "And you and your father can live happily in Ninjago City or wherever you choose."

"I believe you are right," Zane replied, still disappointed. "That is not what is disappointing."

"Then what's wrong?"

"I'm going to miss you and the others," Zane replied. "We have all become friends. I have never had a friend before."

"I'm sure that won't change," Lloyd assured. "We'll find each other somehow, and we can hang out regularly too."

"Are you sure?" Zane asked.

"Positive," Lloyd grinned.

"Whoa, check that out!" Jay grinned, running into the courtyard.

"Hey, no touching!" Pixal warned.

Cole grabbed the back of Jay's shirt, pulling him away from the portal.

"I know you're excited, but that's exactly how we got stuck here last time," Cole warned Jay.

"But cool science stuff," Jay groaned.

"How about you geek about your science stuff from a distance," Lloyd suggested, annoyed.

"Fine," Jay moaned, walking off.

Cole chuckled, watching him wander off.

"Seems like you guys had a good time with his parents," Lloyd commented.

"Not just his," Cole smiled. "I got to meet my dad. He seems like a great guy."

"That is great news," Zane smiled.

Cole nodded. "Kinda makes me want to meet him when we get home, too. Not like that will happen anytime soon."

"Because of your mom?" Lloyd asked, receiving a nod. "I'm sure you can work something out."

"I hope so," Cole replied. "It'd be nice, but I don't see it happening."

"Why not?" Zane asked.

"My mom took me away from him when I was little," Cole replied. "I don't know much other than there's a reason she took him away."

"Which is?" Lloyd queried.

"No idea," Cole shrugged. "She never really gave a clear answer. Just there's a reason she didn't want me around him."

"Kai!" Jay grinned, running over to the door as the siblings walked in.

"Hey, Jay," Kai grinned, hugging his best friend.

Nya looked at the machine in the middle of the courtyard and smiled. "Are we finally going home?"

"I think so," Lloyd nodded. "If they can get it up and running, we must go home."

"Not if, Lloyd," Borg corrected. "When we get it up."

"So we're going home!" Nya grinned.

Kai and Jay laughed, thrilled to finally go back to their world. They seemed to celebrate until Jay and Cole looked at each other.

Both their expressions fell.

"You're going back to Shintaro, aren't you," Jay asked.

Cole nodded, "probably."

Everyone around them stopped, the realization that Cole would most likely go back to Shintaro.

"It's not fair," Jay cried. "You can't leave."

"I know, I don't want to either," Cole sighed.

"We can't stay here, though," Kai replied. "Even if we want to."

"Hey," Cole hummed, taking Jay's hand. "We'll find a way, right?"

"How?" Jay asked. "Shintaro is so far, and no one has ever left Ninjago to Shintaro."

"My mom did," Cole replied. "I'm sure we can figure it out."

Jay nodded.

"Are you all ready to go home?"

The group looked up as Sensei Wu walked out, joining them.

"For the most part," Lloyd sighed. "We're just saying goodbyes."

"What for?" Wu asked.

"Because we are going back to our lives," Jay replied. "We don't live near each other."

"On the contrary," Wu smiled. "Destiny had brought you together in this world. You six were meant to be friends, to live your lives intertwined with each other, even if you didn't know it."

"For real?" Jay's eyes lit up.

"I believe you will find yourselves in each other's lives beyond this," Wu nodded. "Even back in your world."

Everyone turned, watching as Borg's machine whirled to life. A large portal opened before them, different shades of blue whirling around as the portal took shape.

"All set," Borg smiled, wheeling over to the group. "You are free to return to your world when ready."

The group stared at the portal, yet no one moved. They all looked at each other, exchanging looks.

The fear was still there.

They worry they won't see each other again.

"So, is this it?" Cole asked.

"I guess so," Kai sighed.

"Here's to hoping we see each other soon, right?" Jay offered a smile.

"To think, so much of this would have never happened had we not been pulled through this portal in the first place," Nya chuckled.

"Yeah, Jay and Cole would have never met," Kai laughed. "The two love birds would still be lonely."

"At least you're still a dork," Jay teased, shoving Kai, who laughed again.

"You've still changed, though," Lloyd commented to Kai. "You and Nya are starting to get along again."

"You've opened up so much these last few days," Nya nudged her brother. "I've seen you smile here more than ever."

"Yeah, this has been fun," Kai chuckled. "Too bad it's over."
"It does not have to be," Zane commented. "We can all still reunite in our world. It may not be easy, but I think it is possible."

"Zane's right," Lloyd nodded. "We'll find each other and stay in touch."

"For sure," Cole nodded. "I'm going to miss you guys, though."

"Same here," Kai smiled.

"Here's to new beginnings," Nya smiled.

"To new beginnings," Lloyd nodded, taking her hand.

"Together?" Zane smiled, offering his hand, which Lloyd gratefully took.

The group held hands, looking up at the portal before them. They shared one final smile with each other..

Then, they closed their eyes and stepped through.

Kai opened his eyes, staring at the sky. He was lying on the ground, watching the cloud above him. He sat up, looking around in confusion.

Still at the Monastery?

The others were around him, seeming just as confused and disoriented.

"Why are we still at the monastery?" Nya asked.

"Did it not work?" Kai suggested.

"Where's the portal then?" Cole asked, slowly getting to his feet. "If it didn't work, wouldn't the portal be here? And Pixal, Borg and Sensei Wu?"

"Is everyone alright? What was that loud bang?"

The group looked up as Garmadon ran out of the monastery, frightened and confused parents following them.

"Dad?" Lloyd's eyes lit up.

"Lloyd?" Garmadon questioned.

Lloyd ran to his dad, pulling him into a hug.

"So, it did work?" Jay asked, helping Cole to his feet.

"Kai! Nya!" Maya cried, running to her children.

Both children stood in confusion as their mother pulled them into a hug.

"I'm confused," Kai muttered, stiff as his mom hugged him. "Did we get sent to another world?"

"Maybe?" Nya replied, looking at the mom.

"I was so worried," Maya hummed. "Are you two ok? Are you hurt?"

"I am so confused," Kai mumbled.

"Same here," Nya agreed.
"Mom! Dad!" Jay cried, running to his mom and dad as they left the monastery.

"Jay!" Lynn grinned.

"Our bluebird is home," Cliff smiled.
"Dad," Jay laughed, hugging his parents, "you know I don't like that nickname."

"I know," Cliff chuckled, playing with Jay's hair. "I'm just so happy to see you home in one piece."

Zane and Cole watched everyone else reuniting with their families, talking with their parents as they tried to understand what happened.

"Zane?"

Zane turned, seeing Dr Julien approaching him.

"Father!" Zane grinned, running over.

"Look at you," Dr Julien cried. "You're all fixed up. And your voice box works perfectly."

"Pixal fixed me up," Zane smiled.

"Who's Pixal?"

"She's another android in the other world, she'd amazing and-"

Cole watched, smiling. Only his smile faltered, and he looked around for his mother. She was nowhere in sight. Kai and Nya were with their parents, seeming confused but having a heartfelt moment. Lloyd was talking about what he saw in the other world with his parents. Zane showed Dr. Julien the repairs and upgrades Pixal had given him in the other world. Jay was rambling on to his parents about anything and everything.

Yet Cole was on his own. He was here, not in Shintaro. He should be happy, right? He gets to stay with his friends.

But his family was in Shintaro. His mother, Vania, Vangelis, everything he knew was up there. Not here.

"That's Cole," Jay's voice echoed in his ears.

Cole looked over, seeing another man next to Jay.

He looked familiar.

Just like-

"Dad?"

The world slowed as everyone turned, looking at Cole as he stared at his father.

"Is it you?" Cole uttered.

"Hi, Cole," Lou smiled.

Cole just stood in shock, his mind racing. Should he hug him? Should he run in the other direction? Why was his dad here? Where was his mom? Why did none of this make sense to him?

"I get it," Lou sighed. "It's ok if you don't want to see me."

"No, that's not it," Cole blurted out. "I just- I'm just-"

Cole stepped towards his dad, frozen for a moment. Then tears welled in his eyes as he raced forward, hugging his dad.

"I didn't think I'd ever get to meet you," Cole mumbled.

Lou smiled, holding his son close. After a moment, Cole pulled away.

"What about mom?" Cole asked, looking around. "Is she here?"

"I'm sorry, Cole," Garmadon spoke up. "Your mom passed away while you were away."

Cole's heart stopped, his breath catching in his throat.

"No," he stammered out.

"I'm sorry, Cole," Garmadon sighed.

Not that the sensei could bring himself to tell Cole the truth about his mom.

"Vangelis said you are welcome to return if you'd like," Garmadon added. "Whenever you're ready."

"Yes, I-" Cole stopped.

He turned, seeing the hurt look on his father's face. His gaze shifted, seeing the disappointment on Jay's face as his friend tried to avoid eye contact.

"I'd like to go," Cole sighed, turning back to Garmadon. "Just, not yet."

Jay looked up, confused and hopeful.

"I want to stay here for a while," Cole continued. "Spend some time with my new friends, and maybe get to know my dad too."

Lou smiled as Cole turned, hugging him again.

"I'll let Vangelis know," Garmadon smiled. "I'll make sure you can reach him if you decide to go visit."

"Thanks," Cole smiled as he pulled away from his dad.

Cole turned just in time for Jay to tackle him in a hug.

"So you're staying!?" Jay cried, holding onto Cole for dear life.

"Yeah, I'll stay," Cole chuckled.

"I want in on this hug, too!" Kai cried, running over and jumping on top of the two.

Nya laughed, chasing her brother. Lloyd jumped in, hugging the group. Everyone laughed as they tried to sit up, smiling at each other.

They were home.

And they got to stay together.

No one could have asked for a better ending.

Back in Ninjago, the ninja toppled through the portal and landed in a heap on the floor. They all groaned in pain as they looked around.

"So much for watching the cloud and relaxing for a while," Kai groaned.

Nya turned to her brother, "You alright? How's your shoulder?"

"Hurts a little, but it'll be fine," Kai shrugged her off.

"Wait, are we back home?" Lloyd asked, sitting up.

The ninja looked around, realizing they were back in their world before celebrating.

They were finally home.

Everything was back to normal.

"Borg, do us a favour," Lloyd asked.

"Sure," Borg nodded.

"Destroy that thing."