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As the Crystal King Temple floats over Ninjago, the Overlord considers the survival of the Ninja and Lloyd's recent escape. He observes that Harumi still has feelings for Lloyd, which she denies, but then decides that things have worked out for the best. Had the Ninja perished, their elemental powers would have been released and might have eventually found new hosts that would have challenged him. Rather than risk this, he decides that he must corrupt the Ninja and thus gain control of their powers, and has a plan for doing this: striking at what the Ninja hold dear.
Cole, Jay, and Kai soon spot the temple for the first time as it begins raining down soldiers of the Vengestone Army upon Ninjago's countryside. The soldiers, made out of Vengestone and a mysterious crystal begin turning civilians into zombies, and the Ninja desperately attempt to counter him. Elsewhere, Wu watches Gayle Gossip's report on events with Lloyd and Nya, and Wu admits that he was aware the Overlord would eventually return. As the embodiment of evil, he would naturally have gained strength over time, but Wu had hoped his return was several generations off.
Wu then recalls several mysterious newspaper clippings he has been receiving in the mail and realizes that they record incidents that contributed to the Overlord's premature return. Hoping that the source of the clippings may be able to help them deal with the threat, they seek to find a means of locating them with no return address. They discover that the clippings are marked with newspaper delivery codes, and upon questioning Antonia and Lil' Nelson learn that the code corresponds to Vinny, Gayle Gossip's cameraman. Back out in the country, Zane discovers that the Crystal King's crystal have energy-absorbing properties that could shut down their vehicles if they get too close.
At Pixal's request, the Ninja obtain a sample of the crystal so that she can analyze it and perhaps determine a means of counteracting its negative effects. Back in Ninjago City, Lloyd and Wu visit Vinny's apartment, only to discover that he has an unexpected houseguest: Garmadon.
