Querencia

S1 E7: Demesne

[M/n], who still couldn't be left alone because of his concussion even after two weeks, was leaning back against the wall and watching as Wu studied an old, well kept, katana pensievely.

Most of his shallower wounds had healed and were little more than scabs, but the massive head wound still worried Zane so he had been banned from anything strenous. He wasn't even allowed to summon Khêlai, in case he exhausted himself further.

Glancing over to the door, he could hear the ninja making their way towards Wu's room. "Well, every morning I do five hundred push-ups."

"Five hundred? Ha, try a thousand."

"Hahaha, I do a thousand and one."

"What is this, amateur hour? Sounds like my warm-up. Sensei, what does True Potential look like if--" Cole began, pushing open the mans door without asking for permission.

"Our apologies, Sensei. We've interrupted you," Zane interrupted, coming to a sharp stop at the sight of his Sensei. 

"I'm sorry if I've been distant lately. My mind has been elsewhere since Lloyd has gone missing. What can I help you with?" Wu asked, smiling weakly. 

"Sensei, what if we've done enough training? What if we've reached our True Potential? What if we're ready?" Cole questioned, eagerly gathering around the man. Jay nearly tripped over [M/n]'s outstretched legs, but quickly recovered.

"Hm. You might have reached peak physical condition, but you've yet to reach your inner potential. In each and every one of us, there are obstacles that hold us back. Only when you conquer that fear will your heart be free. Only then will you reach your True Potential. Only then will we have a fighting chance to stop the Serpentine from releasing the Great Devourer," Wu explained, stroking his beard.

"There's more to the Great Devourer than you've let on, isn't there, Sensei?" Zane asked, noticing the change in Wu's voice.

"I too have obstacles within my own heart. There's a story I've never told you," Wu admitted, gesturing for them all to settle in. He placed a pillow in the center of the half moon circle the five created to sit on and began. "Long ago, when I was a young boy, Garmadon and I were more than brothers. We were the best of friends-"

"Wait a minute. Now, I know you two were brothers, but really? The King of Cruelty, the Doer of Destruction, the Captain of Chaos, and you two were friends?" Jay interupted, bewildered. 

"Please, no interruptions," Wu stated, just as [M/n] leaned forward and whacked Jay upside the head, having needed a moment to move his stiff limbs. "You see, he did not always have a wicked heart. One day, I lost this very katana. Knowing our father would be mad, my brother told me to go retrieve it. But I refused. He told me not to put off what can be done today and went to get it himself. When my father found him, he was very ill, for he was bitten by a legendary snake that would grow forever as long as it consumes. A great evil had found its way into my brother's heart, for the snake's venom could turn the purest of things wicked."

Wu's face was grave and sad. It was obvious to the five that the man still blamed himself for it, even so many years later. 

Closing his eyes, Wu paused, taking a steadying breath, "The snake is the same one the Serpentine want to reawaken today. It is the snake that took my brother away from me." 

His eyes grew sharp, gold flashing beneath the blue, a reminder of his strength. 

"So the Great Devourer turned your brother into the Dark Lord?" Kai asked, frowning. 

"It was all my fault. You four have finished your training. You must now focus on stopping Pythor from collecting the Fangblades. But never lose focus on the obstacles that lie within each of your hearts that holds you back from true greatness. Unlock your True Potential," Wu stated, standing tall.