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“Dammit!” Kai growled as he stormed away, the small girl with dark hair and wide eyes looking at him confused as he did.
She clung to the towel he wrapped around her after saving her from almost drowning. She suppose he has to go… While she made her way back to her village, Kai was getting as far away as possible. He slipped up yet again. He knew she would make him think of her but he couldn’t leave her to die, despite his bad lungs. He may be many things but he wouldn’t watch a child die. He’d rather die trying. He scratched at his arms, a habit he’s carried along with him these past 7 years. His arms were covered in surface scars from the bad habit. He quickly approached his hidden bike in the nearby swampland then swung himself on, a bag of necessities strapped onto the back. His head jolted up at a low, barely audible hum before he retreated further into the swampland, sharp brown eyes looking around. He spotted something white approaching, a vehicle it seemed. A familiar figure was on the back, glowing blue eyes scanning the area. Zane.
Zane used the scanner Nya programmed into his systems to search the swampland for Kai. It was pure luck when Nya sensed him near by, just the next village over. They had just stopped a few bandits from attacking the village after visiting in hopes of finding Kai there. They rarely get a hit in a city after all. It was always remote areas. Cue them dropping in just to see the bandits about to attack and taking care of them in a few minutes. They had tried not to be upset with their hopes being dashed but it’s just the state of things. For over 7 years now they have been chasing Kai down, never seeing more than a glimpse of his back, never getting more than a few feet away from him. For a ninja (they refused to refer to him as anything less than a ninja) who seemed to think he wasn’t good enough, he certainly was professional at hide and seek. They could go entire months without a single hit and as soon as a few minutes. Even then, he always gets away. This was their chance. They’ve never been this close to a hit before. They decided to fan out, surround the area and move in.
They had to get him here and now or else their future chases look even more faded than it already did. Zane stopped his Glacier Cruiser then hopped off, moving towards the strange form he spotted, ready to freeze if necessary. He held his breath then batted the large leaf aside, blinking at the abandoned motorcycle. He looked it over then spotted something. It was a kunai, one only they as ninja possessed, attached to the handle of the bike. This was Kai’s bike then. Once a ninja, always a ninja. They may not know if he had his elemental powers though. Lloyd had given up his golden powers but they all saw the fire rush out of the temple that day. There was a 50% chance it went to him but there was also a 50% chance it went to someone else. Zane switched to thermal reading. He had been seated on it recently. Which meant he was still in Zane’s area. He looked around and spotted footsteps disappearing into the swamp itself and frowned. That way was too obvious and they’ve fell for that trick enough times as is.
“I’ve spotted his bike but no signs of him yet.” Zane reported into the comms.
“Don’t let him trick you. He’s crafty.” Nya reminded him.
“I’m pretty sure he knows by now.” Jay pointed out and Zane focused on picking the right path to follow.
He blinked, hearing his Glacier Cruiser rev. By the time he got back to the road, his vehicle was already far ahead, a familiar figure on the back.
“This is why these things have GPS.” Zane says before running after the vehicle. “Guys, I have him heading eastbound on my ride.” He informed the others.
“On our way.” Cole responded as Zane continued the chase on foot.
Kai dropped down from the tree he was in moments later, landing on his feet.
“Well, there goes my good suit.” He says, adjusting his bike then took a look at it. “Nice try Zane.” He says, removing the tracker on the wheel, wondering when he even put it there.
He then made his way as far away as possible, thinking of which village to revisit. Maybe he would visit a smaller scale city, maybe drop by their parent’s old shop. Who knows? He rubbed at his chin, feeling the light stubble there. Maybe get a shave while he was at it… He sighed as he kept his eyes on the unpaved road. He left that live behind a long time ago and it was the best decision he ever made. They’re all heroes. They saved Ninjago countless of times. They would have never been able to do it with him there. He even heard Lloyd became the Green Ninja, became Ninjago’s treasured savior. He even glimpsed him on tv once or twice. He got big abnormally quick but he did it. He took down Garmadon and the overlord. He had purpose. He was strong. His throat itched near painfully. Shit.
He pulled over and collapsed to his knees and hands, coughing heavily as he gripped his chest tightly. Shitshitshit! He coughed even harder, nothing but smoke escaping his lungs, taking away his ability to breathe. His eyes burned from the smoke leaving his mouth and nose. Shit! His vision was going spotty as he wheezed. His hands gave out from under him, leaving him to collapse into the vegetation. His chest /burned/ so bad. His vision wavered as smoke kept leaving his lungs. He knew better to think about these things yet still he… His vision faded to black.
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When Kai came to, it was to the feeling of his chest hurting him. He was breathing heavily but not as harshly as he always did after an episode. Apparently six years of this odd sickness wasn’t enough to teach him to keep his eyes ahead of him, not behind. He blinked his eyes open slowly and peered around. It appeared as if he was in some kind of cottage. He sat up slowly, grunting as his chest ached with the slow, careful movement to do so. Where was he? He heard footsteps approach and was immediately wary. A woman stepped in then, having tall, wavy black hair, wearing a sort of blue battle kimono. Strange.
“You’re awake. That’s good.” She says as she walked over.
“Who are you?” He asked, looking her over.
“You can say… I’m a friend.” She says with a secret smile. “I found you on the outskirts of the village. You seemed to be having difficulty breathing. My husband had that same problem so I thought I would help you recover.” She says, gesturing to a tank next the the bed and Kai blinked, realising that there were tubes attached that reached into his nose.
“I wouldn’t do that.” She says once he reached up to take it out. “Your lungs are heavily damaged with smoke. You’ll need to keep it in for a while until they can recover.” She told him then walked over with the glass of water she held.
“Here. Drink it slow.” She offered and Kai was hesitant but he took it, taking slow sips.
“I can’t stick around.” He says once the glass was empty.
“That’s fine. We just have to make sure your lungs heal up nice before you go. No use of going when you’ve lost your breath after a few steps.” She says, taking the cup and standing. “Get some rest. I’ll have something for you to eat soon.” She says, offering him a kind smile before going.
Kai watched her go with a frown. Something was oddly familiar about her. He gently laid down again, his ever present exhaustion reappearing. Just a moment of shut eye wouldn’t hurt, right?
‘Maybe next time, you can do it right.’
I’m trying to! Please let me prove that to you!
'Perhaps it is best you do not reach your True Potential, or else someone could get hurt.’
I- I wouldn’t hurt anyone! I just wanted to be useful! I just wanted to do something!
A scream came and Kai whipped around to see Nya on the ground.
'Nya!’ He rushed over even through it took 10 steps to make one.
He dropped to his knees next to her as she sobbed quietly.
'Nya! Are you alright?!’ He asked her worriedly, hands trembling as he hovered over her.
'No!’ She yelled as she looked up at him, half of her face burnt.
Kai woke up with a yell on his tongue as well as thick smoke. He coughed heavily, ignoring the hand on his back, guiding him to lay on his side.
“Clear your mind and try to take deep breaths.” The woman from earlier told him, rubbing his back in soothing motions as he struggled to do anything but hacking his lungs up.
It burns! He couldn’t breathe! Was he going to die like this?
“Listen to me Kai. It burns, I know it does and it’s hard to breathe. Focus on that alone.” She urged and Kai was too out of it not to listen.
His eyes burned and watered, just like his mouth, his lungs feeling as it they were about to explode. But the longer he focused on the suffocation and the burning, there more it ebbed away. Soon he was wheezing weakly, the smoke dying down completely but his lungs and eyes still burned as he tried not to pass out, spots dancing in front of his eyes.
“That’s it. Just keep breathing.” She urged and Kai nodded dumbly, limp against the bed.
It took almost half an hour for the shock to leave and for his body to calm itself down- but once it did, he frowned.
“Wait.” Kai says then tried to get up.
“No, you shouldn’t get up as yet. You’re-”
“I don’t give a damn. I have a question for you.” Kai says, narrowing his gaze and sitting up anyway, grunting as he did. “How do you know my name?” He asked and she looked surprised then guilty.
“You’re working with the ninja, aren’t you.” Kai says in realization, wondering how long it will take for them to get here and how far he could go in the condition he was in.
“Answer the question.” He says, cutting her off, all out glaring at her now.
“Yes. But it is for your own good son. If things continue this way-”
“Son?!” Kai says shocked, flinching away from her and looking her over.
That’s why she looked so familiar! But- But-
“Please Kai. If you let this continue like this, your powers will kill you.” Maya whispered to him, holding onto his hand.
Kai didn’t know what to think. What to say. It was all too much. He looked to her, looking hurt.
“Where did you and dad go?” He whispered and Maya knew the question was coming but it didn’t make it any heavier on impact.
“We didn’t leave you two alone by choice. I’m not sure how much you’ve heard about the time twins Acronix and Krux but Krux took us away. Your friends saved us, Nya saved us.” She whispered and Kai’s eyes flashed amber as he gripped his head, knowing that Nya could see him now.
'Kai!’ Her voice echoed in his head.
He ignored Nya and looked back to his mother as she continued.
“We’ve been helping you search for them ever since. It was bad luck how I ended up finding you. But I’m glad you did. This was much worse than when your father had it.” She whispered, worried.
“Dad had it too?” He whispered and she nodded.
“For a short while, yes. Your elemental powers act according to your mentality. If your state of mind is toxic then your powers will also be toxic. To you. Please let us all sit down and talk about this. Your negative feelings you hold against yourself, towards the others are hurting you.” She pleads and Kai frowned.
“It’s not like I have a choice. I can’t go anywhere in this condition. Talking…” He swallows uncomfortably. “Hurts almost as badly as breathing.” He whispered.
“It’s for your own good and if you choose to not be apart of the ninja then they promised to stop chasing you.” She told him and Kai only nodded.
He knew this day would come. He just hoped he could have kept running for a moment longer. He just doesn’t understand why they wanted him still. They were successful as is. In absolutely no time, he could hear the familiar ship touchdown.
“Kai?!” Kai winced then looked up at Nya who looked back at him with eyes filled with tears.
“Hey… Sis…” He says with a sheepish grin and she launched herself at him, making him grunt in pain.
“Oh! Sorry.” She says, pulling back before snuffling, the tears pouring down her cheeks. “It’s just… It’s been so long! I was beginning to think…” She coughed then and Jay was immediately by her side.
“Hey, take it easy. Don’t work yourself up.” He says soothingly and she struggled to catch her breath, while Kai looked at her in horror.
“You weren’t the only one suffering Kai.” He looked up at the male that walked in, guessing he was his father. “Did you think Nya would be happy without her brother?” He says to him softly and Kai frowned, really thinking she would be.
“How could you think that you idiot!” She yelled at him breathlessly then took a deep breath. “It’s my fault all of this happened. It’s my fault you left. If I hadn’t been so weak then and not gotten myself kidnapped-”
“No, I should have protected you. None of this was your fault. If I had been a better brother-”
“What are you talking about?!” She says cutting him off this time. “You were the best big brother I could ever ask for! It was why I wanted to be like you, to be a ninja. I knew I couldn’t be so I became the samurai instead so I could protect myself and you!” She panted afterwards before coughing up water.
“Ny-ya.” He coughed out, wanting to reach out to her but their mother was holding him back.
“Keep going. The only way to make this stop is to work out all your issues.” Ray insisted, going to his daughter’s side.
“You shouldn’t have to protect me. If I were stronger, if I wasn’t so weak, you wouldn’t need to. If I could do things right I-” He cut himself off to cough, smoke starting up in his lungs again. “I could have purpose! I could be of use! I just-” He wheezed, the smoke getting thicker.
“I just wanted to help. I thought becoming the Green Ninja would give me purpose again! That I could-” He cut himself off to cough heavily, lungs burning. “I could finally do things right!” He wheezed out, and Maya turned up his oxygen.
“Kai…” Nya took a moment to take a huge gulp of air. “Your only flaw was that you gave yourself too little credit. You were… You made mistakes but it made you you and it worked out for you.” She says, slowly catching her breath.
“Nya is right.” Kai’s breath hitched as his old Sensei walked in, the others behind him. “The blame falls on me.” Wu says, lifting his head to look at his former student.
“I still have much to learn as a Sensei but my gravest mistake was letting things come as far as they did.” Wu says as Kai outright stared.
“It may hurt but you still need to breathe Kai.” Maya says, snapping him out of it and he took a deep- painful- breath.
“I was wrong.” Wu says, cutting him of, surprising Kai. “Had I not let my own emotions blind me, I would have seen the impact of my words while there was time to fix it.. He slipped off his hat.
"It was my misdeeds that has drove you away from your family, from your place among us. And for that, I apologize.” He says, bowing before Kai.
“But- but I…” He stuttered.
“But what?” Maya asked, giving his shoulder a squeeze.
Kai opened and closed his mouth several times.
“It… This all feels too good to be true…” Kai says, looking down at his lap with a frown.
“Yeah well you better believe it!” Jay says angrily, despite the others trying to shut him up. “I can’t believe you thought you weren’t any good! News flash: you’ve kept us on a wild goose chase for 7 years. 7 YEARS!” Kai blinked owlishly at Jay.
“Well he isn’t wrong. I mean, that takes skills. If I had the power to disappear like you do I’d be the ultimate ninja.” Lloyd says with a smirk.
“But you… You’re already…-”
“I wish. We all know being a ninja is being all sneaky and secretive and stuff. You’ve got that in spades! You’re the real ninja here.” Lloyd says with a smile.
“It would be nice if you trained us in your ways.” Zane says with a shrug.
“You’ve managed to completely Eva every single trap we could think of for 7 years. As a Nindroid, I find that highly impressive.” Pixal agrees though Kai didn’t know who she was.
“Face it buddy, you’re the best one of all of us here. And we missed yah. I can’t work out with Jay because he’s too weak and Nya puts me to shame. Plus, I miss your horrible taste in music.” Cole says and just like that, the others began listing things off that they missed about him.
Could he really have been wrong this entire time? Could he really… Have a place here. He found himself smiling as his heart warmed pleasantly, the feeling spreading all over. The others watched in awe as he began to glow and float, no doubt unlocking his true potential after so long. Once he slowly lowered to his feet, he was wearing the fire version of the gi they wore, blinking at his hand that was on fire. He looked on bashfully as they all clapped and cheered for him before flipping his hood back with a smile.
“See? Even destiny wants you to be a Ninja. So, what do you say?” Nya asked him, reaching a hand out to him.
He looked down at her hand then his own. Taking her hand would mean becoming a ninja again and leave his life of doing odd jobs and running behind. It… Doesn’t sound as bad as he thought. He took her hand and she beamed up at him.
“Now let’s go get you cleaned up trash man.” She says and he huffed but let her drag him outside towards the Bounty.
Wu, Maya and Ray watched the others excitedly trail behind them.
“You know things will be much harder than just him agreeing to be a Ninja again, right?” Ray says to his old friend who nodded.
“I know, friend. This time, I’ll be the one to do things right.” Wu says before walking out as well, both parents following behind him.
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(Idk if it’s because I’ve been distracted while writing this but it feels rushed. I may rewrite it because of that. Also guys if you ever want to hit me up I’m gonna be on the Ninjago City Server pretty often from now on. Anyway, I hope this wasn’t too bad!)
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