Lloyd's P.O.V.:

The bounty had just arrived at the samurai X cave. The rest of the ninja were following us in their vehicles and just arrived as well. I helped my father off the ship and when we hit the ground I was met with the biggest hug from my girlfriend.

"Lloyd!" She shouted.

"Kira." I smiled and hugged her back.

"I'm so happy you're safe. Are you ok?"

"I'm alright, but my dad got hurt." I said pointing to his leg. "Can you help him please?"

"I'll see what I can do." Kira nodded and walked over to my father.

"Are Skylor and Seliel back yet?" Kai asked.

"No, they're out getting leads on the new ninja." Kira said.

"Ninja!" Pixal came running out of the building.

"Pixal, what is wrong?" Zane asked.

"We've gotten reports of crystal warriors on the rice fields east of Ninjago City." She said.

"We're on it." Jay said.

"Wait Zane, there's something we need to talk about." I frowned. "It's about Echo."

"You found him?" He asked.

"Yes, but he's... not the same." I frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"Let's go inside and talk." I said.

"The rest of you, go. I will catch up later." Zane said.

The rest of the ninja left for the rice fields while Zane and I went inside. As part of the new improvements, Pixal and Nya turned the east wing into a living area and kitchen, and the west wing into a small sleeping quarters. It wasn't ideal, but it was better than nothing. I didn't want to break the news to Zane, but he deserves to know the truth.

"What happened to my brother?" He asked me.

"Harumi. She kidnapped him and reprogrammed him back into Mr. E... or he's called Mr. F now."

"Oh." He said.

"I tried my best to get through to him and for a second I thought he was going to help me escape, but I couldn't get him to snap out of it." I explained. "I'm so sorry."

"So he is trapped in the temple and reprogrammed into Mr. E again?"

"Yeah."

"I need to come up with a plan." He said.

"It's ok, I already have an idea." I said. "Remember how you turned off your emotion chip? Maybe we can turn on his and then if he sees you, he'll turn back to normal."

"Are you sure that will work?" Zane asked.

"It's the best plan I can come up with." I said.

"We have to get to that temple." Zane said. "I'll take my jet and fly up there."

"What? Zane, you can't." I held him back. "Harumi and the Overlord, they'll see you coming ten miles away."

"Wait, the Overlord?"

"Yes, he's returned." I frowned. "My father and I tried to prevent it, but Harumi outsmarted us. Now that he got crystallized, it'll be harder to get to him."

"That makes sense."

"I know that's not the news you wanted to hear, but I thought you deserved to know." I frowned.

Zane just stared off into space without saying a word. I forgot he still couldn't feel things cause his emotion meter was still off. I could tell this was eating him up inside.

"You know Zane, maybe you should turn your emotions on again." I suggested.

"I do not see a purpose for that action." He said.

"I know you don't want to because you'll feel sad about your brother, but sometimes sadness is a good thing. It's healthy to get the bad emotions out to make room for better ones, but if you keep them bottled up, you'll eventually explode."

"Why would I detonate from my hiding my negative emotions?" He asked.

"Just think about it, ok?"

Zane nodded and walked back outside. I guess he needed some time to think about what I said.

Then Kira came into the room. She was carrying a carton of noodles and her first aid kit.

"Hey Kira." I said.

"Hi, I thought you might be hungry so I brought you some leftovers from lunch." She showed me the noodles.

"Thanks, I'm starving." I took the noodles. "How's my father?"

"He's still in pain but he's doing better. He'll be ok in a few days." She said. "He told me all about what happened."

"So, he told you Harumi was back?"

"Yeah, it must've been terrible for you." She frowned. "Are you hurting anywhere?"

"Just a few cuts and scrapes from trekking through the jungle. Nothing to worry about." I yawned.

"Here, let me look you over just to be safe."

I nodded and she looked me over while I was eating. All of a sudden my headache started again.

"Ow!" I screamed as I held my head.

"Are you ok?" Kira asked.

"Yeah, Harumi injected something into me and I've been getting these bad headaches ever since."

"Here let me heal you." She said.

I nodded and let her try to heal me, but after five minutes she looked so tired and honestly I didn't feel any better. I told her to stop and she looked pretty tired.

"Kira are you ok?" I asked.

"Yeah." She said catching her breath. "Feeling better?"

"Honestly not that much." I frowned.

"I'll go make you some healing tea. That should help with the pain." Kira said.

"Thanks." I smiled.

Kira walked away and went to the back room to make the tea. I was going to bring up the whole Harumi thing, but a part of me didn't want to know, and I definitely didn't want to start any arguments especially since she was being so nice.

A few minutes later she came back with the tea. She sat down with me.

"So did you talk to Zane about Echo?" She asked.

"I did." I nodded. "He took it well, maybe a little too well. I'm worried about him. If he keeps his emotion meter off, he'll eventually get to a point where he won't know who he is anymore.

"He has been pretty distant lately." Kira frowned.

"I just hope he comes to his senses." I frowned and yawned.

"Why don't you go get some rest? I'll wake you when the ninja come back." Kira said.

"Yeah, that sounds nice." I yawned. "It's been so long since I had a good nap in an actual bed."

"Sweet dreams." She kissed my cheek.

I walked back to the sleeping quarters and instantly passed out in the first bed I saw. I just hoped everything would work itself out.

Pixal's P.O.V.:

I was in the hangar bay at the command desk guiding the ninja through their mission.

"Ninja, do get too close to the temple." I told them. "I'm detecting strange energy readings that will disable your vehicles."

"Copy that." Kai said through the communicators.

"Attention team, if possible, I would like to examine a fragment of one of those vehicles." I told them.

"What for?" Jay asked.

"I believe the crystals may have energy absorption properties. If I could examine one, I might be able to devise a form of shielding and offensive capabilities." I said.

"Oh Ok. No problem." Jay said.

"Pixal?" Zane walked into the room.

"Hi Zane, how did the talk with Lloyd go?" I asked.

"He said my brother was turned back into Mr. E. and he's on the council." He said.

"Well, at least we know where he is now, right?"

"I fail to see how that is comforting under these circumstances."

"What I mean is it's a lead and we're getting closer to finding him." I said.

"Pixal, may I ask you something?"

"Of course Zane. What is it?" I said.

"Do you think it would be more efficient for me to turn my emotion meter back on?" He asked.

"Do you feel ready?"

"I do not know. I want to feel things again, but I do not want to feel sad about my brother."

"I was a blank slate before you gave me half your heart. And now that I feel things, I never want to go back. I feel like I have humanity with my emotions, the good and the bad."

"I see now." He said. "Thank you Pixal."

"Of course Zane." I smiled.

I honestly missed the Zane I used to know. I know he is going through a lot right now, but I miss the good times we used to share. He used to be so romantic and happy, and occasionally sassy and hilarious. It just seemed like without his emotions he's lost that part of himself.

He opened his hatch and put his hand on his emotion meter. He hesitated as he was about to turn it on and he looked at me.

"It is your decision, but I will be here for you whatever you decide." I said holding his hand.

He took a deep breath and turned his emotion meter on. He immediately dropped to his knees and hugged me as he broke down in tears. I stayed right by his side and hugged him. After a few minutes he stood up and dried his tears.

"I apologize you had to witness that." Zane frowned.

"That is alright. Do not apologize." I smiled. "We all feel sad sometimes."

"Thank you for being here Pixal." He smiled. "I love you."

"I love you too." I hugged him.

"Pixal! Pixal come in. I'm kind of in a tight spot here." I heard Cole say over the coms.

"Cole, what happened?" I asked.

"As soon as I got close to the temple my engine blew." Cole explained. "I'm a sitting duck out here."

"We can't get to him. There's too many on the ground." Kai said.

"Any time now Zane." Cole yelled.

"Hang on Cole, I will be there in approximately 3 minutes and 51 seconds." Zane said.

"Be careful Zane." I said. "If you get too close to the temple, your jet's battery will drain instantly."

"Understood. I will use caution." Zane nodded and jumped in his jet.

I opened the hatch to the outside and Zane flew out in his jet. I was glad his emotions were back, but hopefully they wouldn't get in the way of his overall mission.

Garmadon's P.O.V.:

I was walking around the Samurai X cave looking for Lloyd. I walked into the sleeping quarters and saw him lying on a cot.

"Wake up!" I yelled in his ear.

"Ahh!" He screamed and fell out of the cot onto the floor.

"Get up. Time to train." I said.

"What?"

"Did you forget about our deal?" I asked. "You agreed to learn the Oni form in exchange for me helping you escape."

"Oh right." Lloyd sighed. "Are you sure you're up for that? I mean you're still injured and the others aren't back yet..."

"You are making excuses." I said.

"No I'm not, I just don't feel up to it right now. Can't I just learn it tomorrow?"

"Never put off till tomorrow what can be done today." I said.

"Ugh, fine." He sighed. "Let's just get this over with so we can defeat the overlord once and for all and be done with all this nonsense."

Before I could say anything he walked back into the hangar bay. He needed to unlock the anger inside him before it was too late, and there's no one he's more angry at than me.

Zane's P.O.V.:

I was in my jet flying to the ninja's aid. I was trying not to think of what became of my brother, but it still haunted my mind. However, Pixal helped me realize that my humanity is important to me and my emotions are a big part of that. I would much rather feel sad than feel nothing at all. I see that now.

I arrived at the rice fields and saw Cole stuck in his car. The others were trying to get the crystal warriors off of him. I shot my lasers at the warriors, but they kept getting back up. Eventually we all had to retreat.

I was able to clear the way for Jay to attach a tow cable to Cole's car so he could tow it back to base. I looked up at the temple and my brother standing on the edge looking out at the battle. He looked just like the day I met him when he was evil, but he had a new crystal armor. He seemed corrupted by them.

"Zane! Stay focused!" Kai said over the coms.

I looked back where I was going and readjusted my plane so I didn't crash into the cliff. I took one last look at my brother.

"Don't worry my brother, I will come back for you."

"Come on Zane, we gotta go." Jay said.

"I'm right behind you." I said.

I followed the rest of the ninja back to the Samurai X cave. Once we got there, we saw Lloyd training with his father. He looked frustrated to say the least.

"No no no, you're doing it all wrong." Garmadon said to him. "Try again."

"Dad, I've tried this a hundred times already!" Lloyd said angrily. "This stupid routine has nothing to do with Oni form anyway."

"It has everything to do with Oni form. The problem is you. You are resisting it."

"Of course I am! I've tried my hardest every day not to be like you! I can't just all of a sudden change my..."

"Lloyd, your hands are purple!" Kai yelled.

He suddenly looked at his hands in fear and began shaking them.

"No, don't stop. Keep going. Let your anger fuel you." Garmadon said.

"No! I can't!" He panicked and stopped his powers.

"Do not fight it Lloyd, you must control it." Garmadon said.

"I... I'm sorry." He caught his breath. "Let's go again, I'm ready this time."

"Clearly you are not as ready as I thought." Garmadon said.

"I told you I was tired! You know, after being kidnapped and tortured for a week."

"Fine, you have five minutes. Then back to training." Garmadon said.

Garmadon walked into the other room and Lloyd stared at us. He looked embarrassed.

"What was that about?" Cole asked.

"Oh uh... nothing. Just a side effect from being surrounded by that much vengestone for that long, that's all." Lloyd said as he yawned. "Anyway, I'm going to take a break."

Lloyd walked into the other room and Kira followed him.

I saw Kai helping Cole out of his vehicle and Nya started to repair it.

"Oh Pixal, I managed to get you a crystal." Jay said opening the trunk.

"Thank you Jay. Now I can work on upgrading your vehicles to withstand the temple's effects." Pixal said. "Do you want to help me Zane?"

"Oh, sure." I agreed.

We wrapped the crystal in a towel and we took it to the lab to learn about it. I helped Pixal to examine the crystal and she came up with some upgrades to combat the temple's powers. I was helping her fix Cole's vehicle, but I was so unfocused because I couldn't stop thinking about what my brother was going through.

"Zane, pass me the torque wrench please." Pixal said.

I completely ignored her and thought about my brother.

"Zane?"

"Oh, here." I said handing her the wrench she asked for. "I apologize Pixal, my efficiency has decreased since I reactivated my emotion meter. Should I deactivate it again so we can finish this task more rapidly?"

"The choice has always been yours Zane, but I for one, like you better like this." Pixal smiled.

"Thank you Pixal." I smiled and kissed her hand. "I like being like this as well."

"I'm glad." Pixal said relieved. "Now let's get this done."

We continued repairing and upgrading the vehicles. I was glad I turned my emotions back on because even if I feel bad sometimes, Lloyd was correct about the good ones outweighing the bad.

Kira's P.O.V.:

I walked into the kitchen and saw Lloyd sitting down at the table. He looked tired and unfocused and he was holding his head.

"Hey Lloyd, how are you feeling?" I asked him.

"Ok I guess, I just wish I could master the Oni form already and get this thing over with." He sighed.

"You're getting closer, you just have to keep trying." Kira said.

"But I'm so afraid." He panicked. "What if I lose control and end up hurting someone I care about? What will my friends think of me? I'm the leader, they have to trust me."

"And they always do, but lying to them probably won't help." I said, giving him a cup of healing tea.

"Yeah, you're probably right." He sighed. "I'm just worried if they see me like that, they'll never look at me the same way again."

"Lloyd, these are your best friends, basically your family. If anyone would understand, it'd be them."

"You're right. Thanks Kira." He said sipping the tea I made for him. He held his head again. "Ugh!"

"Still got that headache?" I asked.

"It won't go away!" He complained. "It's like whatever Harumi did to me is making my head scream from the inside out and no matter what I do I can't stop it."

"Do you want me to try to heal it again?" I asked.

"No, whatever it is it doesn't work with your powers, remember?"

"Oh right." I remembered. "Sorry."

"It's ok, thanks anyway." He took another sip of tea. "Speaking of Harumi, there was something she said that still doesn't sit right with me."

"And what's that?"

"Well, it's the weirdest thing. Harumi said that you were the one that healed her and saved her life."

"Do you... believe her?" I asked nervously.

"Well, it does make sense how she knew about your powers." Lloyd frowned. "Did you go back and save her?"

"I... I thought I was doing the right thing." I frowned and looked away
from him. "I'm so sorry Lloyd."

"I'm not mad at you for saving her life, as ninja we save everyone no matter what. I just wanna know why you didn't tell me." He said.

"I was worried about what you would say." She frowned.

"But you could've warned me. I spent all this time moving on and I realized I didn't have to. Do you know what that was like?"

"I was going to tell you, but I couldn't find the right time." I frowned. "And then with all the fire snakes and the never realm, the time we got trapped in that video game, our adventure to Shintaro, the island of the keepers and our battle with the Merlopians, I guess I forgot to mention it."

"That's not exactly something you forget to mention." Lloyd yelled.

"What did you want me to do? Just let someone loose their life?!"

"Of course not, but you could've called the police or took her to a hospital or something. You didn't have to let her walk off scott free."

"Did you forget she and your father had complete control over the police department and all the prison cells were taken up by the townspeople and our friends?" I defended.

"That doesn't change the fact that you didn't tell me. If I had known she was alive she could've been put behind bars a long time ago, she would've never gotten the vengestone, and we wouldn't be in this mess right now!"

Lloyd was getting really angry and I saw his eyes glowing a purple color. I looked at his hands and they were the same. I backed away from him.

"Lloyd, you need to calm down." I said calmly. "You're right, I should've told you. I'm sorry."

He didn't say anything, but I saw him aiming his purple flaming hand at me. He blasted a beam at me, but luckily I managed to duck out of the way. I looked back at the wall which was completely scorched. The other ninja must've heard the commotion because they came running in the room. Garmadon, Pixal and Wu came in too.

I caught my breath and looked back at Lloyd. He shook his head and powers died down. He saw the scorched wall and started hyperventilating.

"D...did I do that?" He looked at me.

"Lloyd it's ok, it's my fault. I should've told you." I frowned.

I tried to place my hand on his shoulder, but he slapped my hand away.

"No! Stay away from me!" He yelled. "I don't wanna lose control and hurt you."

"You didn't. I'm fine, see?" I said.

"No, it's not safe for anyone, not as long as I'm here." Lloyd frowned. "I... I have to get out of here."

"Where will you go?" Kai frowned.

"It's better if you guys don't know. I don't want to hurt anyone else." Lloyd said, grabbing his bags. Then he turned to me. "Kira, I'm sorry about this, but you're not safe around me. Maybe you can find someone who'll treat you better than I will."

"Lloyd wait, don't..."

"I'm sorry Kira, it's the way it has to be." He frowned.

He jumped in his mech and took off flying in it. I couldn't believe he would just abandon everything we worked so hard for.

"Garmadon, go catch up with him." Wu said.

Garmadon turned into the Oni and flew off to follow Lloyd. I sat down and caught my breath. Hopefully Lloyd would be alright.