A/N: Hello! I'm back with another chapter! Thank you to Kai's Girlfriend, AwesomeAuthor13 and Sketchdex for your reviews and praise and to my favourites and followers. You guys and gals rock!
Questions that need answering!
What age should the ninja be?
Disclaimer: I don't own Ninjago
Chapter 3: Dealing with the Devil
Kai's eyes fluttered open as she awoke, unconsciousness slowly abandoning her. Her mind was sluggish and in no mood to operate as of yet, the beginnings of a headache forming. Her eyes moved at the speed of a sloth, still foggy from her unplanned slumber, trying to take note of where she was. A freezing cold floor, jaggered rocks, darkness, iron bars-wait! What!? Kai's eyes flew open completely, her brain registering her surroundings as she glanced around frantically in confusion and (if she was honest) fear. Where the hell was she? Where was Nya? What had happened?
Memories of the previous evening came flooding back and she was forced to swallow her sobs. She'd broken her promise to never leave Nya last night (was it even night when she'd been capture? Kai didn't know anymore) by letting herself get kidnapped by a pack of dangerous and insane skeletons. She was in the Underworld now (Kai wasn't stupid, contrary to popular and personal belief) and Nya could be dead or severely hurt for all she knew while Kai was trapped in some stupid cell! What kind of protector/big sister was she?
Kai glared at her restraints as they bit painfully into her skin. The manacles were cutting the circulation and there was nothing she could do about it. Whoever had put these on either had no clue what they were doing or they wanted cause her harm. Kai was 100% positive it was the latter. Her glare turned to the iron bars of her cramped cell. Kai snarled in anger. She was being treated like a beast, a violent, untameable and lethal monster. Kai had been told that before on multiple occasions but the truth still hurt. The cell was no wider than her shoulders plus a few inches on either side and no higher than her head whilst standing up. Kai had been forced into a kneeling position (highly uncomfortable) where her hands had been bound at her side and the chains, no longer than a meter, attached to the bottom of the wall. If Kai could reach out from where she was chained to the frigid rock wall she'd be able to grip the glacier bars of her prison easily. Her feet were chained up too, making Kai look like a highly dangerous crook who'd be able to cause serious harm to everyone if she had so much as a free limb. While flattered, Kai didn't think they needed to take it that far.
The climate was freezing but not in the frosty way the cell and shackles were. More like dead cold. The smell of the place wasn't all that great either. The revolting stench of death and rotting corpses made her sick. Her mother had smelled-NO! Kai chided herself as she shut her brain down on that particular train of thought. It would have only made the situation worse.
Kai hung her head, her chains too constricting and her confines too cramped to even think about struggling or attempting to escape. She felt ill. Kai hadn't eaten since breakfast the previous day and even that had consisted of tea and a slice of toast. Her stomach had gone into lock down, forming an unmoveable knot in her belly. It hurt but it wasn't something Kai hadn't dealt with before. The dehydration, desert feeling in her throat, however, was new. The air was cold and dry, only succeeding to make her thirstier. Her head now pounded with a killer headache. If Kai had felt up to it and anyone had actually been around, she would have throttled someone. Kai honestly wished one thing would go right for her today.
But when had Kai ever gotten what she wanted? It was a universal rule that Kai had to live with, even if it wasn't fair. Life wasn't fair, she reflected. And in the skeleton's experience, death probably wasn't either. An icy chill washed over her and she shivered, the temperature dropping by at least 3 degrees and remaining that way. Kai closed her eyes and tried to control her body's uncontrollable shaking. She had a lot of problems falling asleep normally, her past whispering her darkest fears in her mind every time she tried to before returning her to the waking world an hour or two tops after attempting to rest and refusing to grant her admittance again that night. Kai sincerely doubted she'd even get into to the dream world down here but some form of rest was better than nothing.
"Bloody hell," she mumbled as she tried to get some shut eye. "I hate the cold."
Kai opened her eyes as the sound of bone on concrete sounded through the hallway of cells. She lifted her head, thankful that the blasted headache from before was gone. The Skeleton King from the night (she was gonna go with night) before stopped at her cell, a wicked gleam in his eyes. Kai glared straight back. His hoarse laugh was hacked brutally out of his mouth, Kai not bothering to dwell on the fact that this was technically impossible seeing as he had no vocal cords.
"Queen," Samukai rasped, a sneer in his voice. "I hope you are enjoying our…hospitality. You are in our…largest and finest room after all."
"I'd hate to see the state of yours then if this is your largest and finest. What do you do? Unjumble yourselves to fit inside?" Kai shot back, not even bothering to try and hold her tongue. She hated restraining herself anyways and Nya wasn't here to rebuke her for it. Samukai glared at her, Kai all too happy to engage in a glare off.
"You're either incredibly brave or incredibly stupid. I am in charge here!"
"I thought that honour belonged to this 'Lord Garmadon'."
Samukai glowered and smashed his daggers against the bars.
"I could kill you easily, brat!"
"You would have done that ages ago if you were," Kai countered recklessly. She had no clue what they were up to so she went with her instincts and allowed her hot head to do the rest. Samukai glared harshly at her. "Face it Four Arms, you need me."
The Skeleton King was positively fuming now and Kai knew she'd pushed it too far. She didn't care in the slightest though. Not anymore.
"So you are stupid," Samukai snarled, punching his bone fist through the bars into Kai's cheek. Kai bit back a cry of pain as instinct attempted to curl her body into a protective ball. It didn't work so well. "See? Weak and stupid!" he gloated, turning away. "However you have been summoned so…GUARDS! Pull the girl out of the cell and bring her to Lord Garmadon at once."
Four skeletons materialized at Samukai's side and Kai idly wondered why they felt the need to have four guards plus Samukai if she was as weak as they said. As weak as she was. The lock was popped open and the four skeletons barged into her cell. Kai was confused as to how they thought that was a good idea, considering the cell was barely big enough for her alone. Two grasped her arms while the other duo released her bindings, one second before they strapped another set on. Kai writhed suddenly, knocking the skeletons off before a harsh yank at her chains and a hefty thump to the back of her head ended it. The shackles around her ankles clicked open and fell away, relieving her of some pressure and pain. It didn't last long though. Kai gasped out as her arms were locked behind her viciously. She fought back a whimper at the agony, not wanting to display any more weakness before her captors. As much as Kai hated it, she was at their mercy now and they were free to do as they pleased.
She was led away slowly, resisting their holds every step of the way. Samukai eventually had enough. Without warning he spun, back handing her hard. Kai refused to cower, even when every instinct screamed at her to back away, get away from him. The Skeleton King towered over her, a rancorous snarl present. Kai swallowed, her confident front in place as it had always been. It was an unnerving mask, so real yet humanly impossible for the emotions to be truly in place. Nobody thought she was ever faking it though. After all, Kai had over a decade of practice at her masquerade. Samukai grasped her throat and lifted her off the ground, Kai's manacled hands flying up to grasp the offending limb. Hatred erupted between human and skeleton. Kai's eyes were burning with a forest of negative emotions, so dark that it was a wonder the girl held any shred of compassion or light in her heart. Inwardly Samukai chuckled. Yes, Dark Powder was a wondrous heart control.
"Watch your tongue, Queen! Lord Garmadon is not as lenient as I."
It was then that Kai knew she was screwed. Royally screwed.
Large, grand, obsidian castle doors were flung open as Samukai led the prisoner in, the figure seated on the throne of bones watching with emotionless eyes. This would be a difficult negotiation, the girl's temperament matching her father's but he needed her on his side. She was the most versatile chosen one yet the most stubborn. He would need to use all his cards on this one although he'd rather not resort to blackmail. That one backfired way too often.
"Master," the idiot Skeleton King began, bowing low. "We have brought the girl."
"Good," Lord Garmadon said sinisterly, a dark chuckle escaping him. "Leave us."
Samukai looked shocked.
"But Master-"
"Leave us!" Garmadon ordered, his voice rising with anger. He was not impressed with Samukai challenging his authority in what was now his throne room.
"Master-"
"I SAID, LEAVE!" Garmadon roared, his power releasing in a shock wave, slamming the skeletons in the room into the wall behind them, the girl unharmed. "You'd do well to remember whose house you are in Samukai. It could have…dangerous repercussions."
"Yes master," Samukai responded fearfully, hurrying out of the hall with his minions in tow, leaving Garmadon and his meant to be goddaughter alone. Alex had promised him that he'd be godfather to his first born, god damn it! He was meant to be Kyra's godfather, not Wu! Garmadon stepped off his throne and walked towards her until he stood a few meters away. The girl's eyes narrowed, distrust and wariness strong in her golden red eyes. A copy of her father indeed. This would be interesting.
Kai relied heavily on her instincts and emotions. They guided most of her decisions as she'd never been taught to use her head which was one of the main reasons Kai shoved everyone away and bolted the door. However, her instincts never failed her as they were inborn survival mechanisms and now they were telling her not to trust the man before her. Kai would listen too, as she always had.
Garmadon waved his hand in a dismissive motion causing her shackles to melt away into the shadows.
"Now that those idiots have gone, we don't need these do we?"
Kai narrowed her eyes, her instincts screaming like alarms in a robbed building.
"No, I suppose we don't. Why the hell am I here?"
Garmadon chuckled. She was going to be a handful alright.
"How did I know you were going to ask that? You are Kyra Mizuko Hearth, daughter of Alex Hearth, are you not?"
Kai couldn't hold it in, not that she usually could.
"That bastard is not my father!" she hissed furiously, her eyes blazing pools of molten lava. Garmadon looked at her surprised, his eyebrows disappearing beneath his helm.
"What do you mean? He sired you, didn't he?"
Kai glared at him, however both side knew the anger was not directed at Garmadon.
"My father never wanted a daughter!" she snarled. This was new. As far as Garmadon had seen (and he'd seen a lot, having been an uncle to her before his brother banished him. No surprise she didn't remember him though, Wu had the ability to alter memories) Alex had been delighted with his daughter. Was it possible that enthusiasm had been fake? From the certainty in Kyra's voice, Garmadon knew it was true. What that meant for Kyra however…Garmadon didn't know. "He never treated me like one either! He never loved me! He's not my father!"
Silence reigned between them as Kai seethed, emitting a raging aura of fire, a red haze surrounding her entire body. Kyra didn't notice though, which was a good sign. It meant she didn't notice the Dark Powder affecting her. Lord Garmadon gazed at her, a strange emotion twisted onto his face.
"What did he do?"
"Why the hell should I tell you?" Kai retorted heatedly, unsure as to why she'd made her original outbursts earlier. Garmadon sighed and held his hands up in defence.
"I'm going to have to tell you the Legend of Ninjago's creation to explain. Tell me, have you heard it?"
"No."
"Alright. Pay attention though, I don't wish to have to repeat myself."
"Long ago before time had a name, Ninjago was created by the first Spinjitzu Master using the Four Weapons of Spinjitzu; The Scythe of Quakes, The Nunchucks of Lightning, The Shurikens of Ice and the Sword of Fire. Weapons so powerful no one could handle all of their power at once. When he passed away, his two sons swore to protect them but the oldest was consumed by darkness and wanted to possess them. A battle between brothers broke out and the oldest was struck down and banished to the Underworld. Peace returned and the younger brother hid the weapons but knowing his older brother's relentless ambition for power, he placed a guardian to protect them and for fear of his own demise, a map for an honest man to hide."
Kai looked at him, amused as he finished his tale.
"Judging by the slightly unusual and evil appearance you've got going on plus the fact you're in the Underworld, I'm going to take a wild stab and say you're the older brother right?"
Garmadon nodded, fond amusement at her familiar antics hidden within. "You do realise you're not doing a great job at selling yourself right?"
Garmadon chuckled. "Yes, but that is the edited version. At a young age, I was bitten by the Great Devourer."
Kai paled, the terrifying tale of the creature one of the horror stories her father had sent her to bed on. She knew what its bite did and here was the living result of it. Nobody had ever survived. "My father searched for a cure during his days on earth but it was after he died we discovered the cure. The Golden Weapons together had the power to dispel the poison from my system but only before it took complete hold."
"Then why didn't you use them?" she asked. "Surely you both could have held two of them without consequences to heal you?"
"That is one of the mysteries surrounding my brother I will never know but now that the poison has taken over my body there is no hope left for me."
"So really, this entire family spat is over the Great Devourer infecting you when you were young and your brother not allowing you to cure yourself even though it was making you turn evil which then led to you growing power hungry and him banishing you to the Underworld?" Kai summed, looking to Garmadon for confirmation.
"Essentially, yes."
"Well, you're brother's an idiot," Kai decided. Garmadon smirked. Phase 1 complete. A frown appeared on her face as she seemed to connect a few dots in her head. "Does he happen to be an old man, long white beard and a red lotus emblem on his back? And did the honest man happen to be my father?"
"Yes," Garmadon said, surprised she knew. "How did you know?"
Kai scowled at the earth beneath her boots, anger and hatred towards her father and now his acquaintance simmering beneath her skin.
"He came to my home a few hours before the skeletons attacked," she began savagely. "The emblem is the same one my father wore so I knew he wasn't to be trusted. I sent him away before he could cause trouble for me and my sister. My father did enough of that while he was living with us."
"That was a wise choice," Garmadon remarked, playing the flattery/praise/approving card. "That could have ended badly for you."
Kai felt a twist of two very different emotions swirl in her chest. Nobody had ever called her wise or said she did anything smart, usually commenting on her stupidity and recklessness. However, now someone who she had every right to run in terror from was saying what nobody else had before. On the other hand, what had he done to earn her trust so she'd believe a single thing he said? Kai could admit that this looked foreboding and out of place with the Underworld, evil looking stranger, a dark palace and the typical persuasion thing and story line with two brothers, one light the other dark. Kai didn't know what to do anymore.
"However, why is him being in liege with your father all the reason you need not to trust him? Anyone else would trust anyone who was friends with their parents."
Kai glared murderously at him and Garmadon was forced to hold back a shiver. There was something…animalistic about the girl in a predator type way and it was clear that if she wanted something done, she do it herself and do it well. Now with that kind of warrior on his side…
"I've told you," she snapped hotly. "It's none of your goddamned business what that bastard did to me!"
Had it been anyone else, Garmadon would have put them in their place and forcefully pulled the information out of them. However, this was Kyra, someone whom he needed on his side. Someone who he'd fought with Wu over before his banishment. He could still remember playing with the little tyke. Garmadon shook his head to clear it. Now was not the time to dwell on the past. He had to work out the root of her hatred for her father but in the meantime…
"You want vengeance," he said after a few moments of tension filled silence. Kai's eyes narrowed. Kai wanted to make her father pay for what he did to her and her sister. She wanted him to feel every minute of tortured agony she'd experienced, all her hatred, anger and misery. She wanted him to endure her suffering and her trials so he'd know exactly how much he'd broken his eldest daughter.
Because that's what she was really, she reflected. Broken. A shattered glass castle that had been placed back together but never truly fixed. Never glued together so it could repair itself and stand tall and proud once more. It was just hollow, broken and empty now. Like her. So yes, she did want revenge.
"Yes," she said finally. "What's it to you?"
Garmadon smirked inwardly. Another phase complete. The dust was working its magic gradually, so slowly that she wouldn't notice until someone removed its affects from her. Which, if he could help it, would never happen.
"I wish to possess the Four Golden Weapons so I can end my banishment in this cursed place. I shall trick Samukai into possessing the four weapons, let him believe he will win but he will really only open the portal for me to escape this wretched realm. It is not the most pleasant of homes," he began, knowing he had her complete attention. "Your father and my brother have most likely teamed up, considering their track record, and will attempt to stop me. I am offering you a deal."
Kai's eyes narrowed in suspicion and she folded her arms, eyeing him with distrust.
"What kind of deal?" she asked slowly.
"I am proposing an alliance," Garmadon explained. "We team up to defeat my brother and your father and help each other achieve our goals."
"What are the terms?" she asked bluntly. "All of them."
Lord Garmadon smirked. Clever girl.
"I will take you on as my apprentice and teach you everything I know in the way of the ninja, including the art of Spinjitzu. I am also offering you, after it is all over, the Sword of Fire to keep and use how you wish, a shadow horse which I shall show you if you agree and last but by no means least," Garmadon said, smirking as he waved his hand. The shadows writhed and deposited a figure in the centre of the hall, between Kai and Garmadon. Kai couldn't believe it.
"Kai!" Nya cried, tackling her in a bear hug. "You're safe!"
Kai hugged her back tightly, rubbing her back soothingly as joy buzzed beneath her skin. There was another scent on Nya's clothes but Kai put it down to being in the Underworld. The place didn't smell too flash. Kai pulled away slightly, keeping one arm around Nya's shoulders as they turned to face Lord Garmadon. "You get your sister back."
Kai looked up at him, all distrust and hatred gone. The oldest son of the First Spinjitzu Master smirked malevolently inside his head. The powder that had been placed on Nya was affecting both girl's now, alongside the Dark Powder that filled the atmosphere of the Underworld.
"What's in it for you?"
"All I want is your service to me in the fight against my brother."
Kai didn't like the idea of being controlled by anyone. She hated the thought of submitting or bowing to another which was one of the main reasons she sucked at teamwork unless it was with her sister. However, she wanted to make peace with her past. It haunted her every moment of her life during the day and the night and she just wanted it all to end. It was a simple wish but nothing ever granted it. Vengeance, settling the score, seemed to be the only thing that could free her from the clutches of her never ending nightmare. Maybe then she could finally sleep, not trapped in the cage of insomnia she'd been locked in almost her entire life. Besides, something about the man seemed familiar, in a comforting way that had grown since they'd started talking, yet she never met him before. She frowned. Or had she?
"Kai?" Nya began. "You should do it. You can make dad pay for what he did to you and become stronger too. He's not lying and we can still stay together."
"As we always should," Kai breathed, inhaling her familiar scent and another dose of the powders Garmadon was using to drug the pair.
"Alright," she said. "I'll do it. On one condition."
Garmadon tilted his head.
"What more could you possibly want?"
Kai shook her head.
"It's not so much something I want. I swear to be loyal to your cause and obey your commands provided you don't double cross or cause any sort of harm to my sister and I."
Garmadon smiled, trying to keep the sinister edge away.
"That is acceptable and I agree to your terms."
"I've got no other problems," Kai replied, shrugging.
"Good. Come forward. You'll need my blessing to come in contact with the creatures of shadow."
This was a straight out lie and one that Kai would realise long before she left the Underworld but for now, the lie would do what Garmadon needed it to. Kai left Nya's side and stood before him. Lord Garmadon rested a hand on her forehead and release his power into her body.
He controlled the negative energy's flow downwards, melding into her soul. He could feel the pain, fury, hatred and heart ache that contorted her aura and he followed its dark path, almost letting go of Kyra's centre as he was viciously attacked by the onslaught of deleterious emotions. He nearly gave up, the overwhelming force almost too much before he broke through into the core of her identity. It was the polar opposite of the malevolent sea he'd come through and he knew who had drawn these emotions from the young girl. Nya. Her sister evoked feelings of love, compassion and protection from Kyra and that forged the heart of her soul. Too bad Nya would be the only person to ever experience it. Garmadon smirked coldly and clamped down, using his power to trap Kai's soul in a prison of darkness. He removed his hand from her head, his aura fleeing her body.
Kai's eyes shot open and she gazed at him expectantly. Lord Garmadon smirked at the sisters.
"Guards!"
Two skeletons appeared out of the shadows and stood to attention. "Lead my apprentice and her sister to their room in the palace. Kyra your training begins tomorrow."
"Yes…milord," Kyra replied, following the undead out of the room with her sister at her side. The doors slammed shut with a thunderous bang. Garmadon smirked wickedly and allowed himself a malicious cackle. Dark Powder, Compulsion Powder and the Heart Clamp were useful indeed. His brother had better watch out, Kyra would be more than willing to fight for him now. Evil may win the battle against Good for once seeing as how one of the heroes of destiny was now on his side.
A/N: Okay, how was it? Good? Bad? Needs work in some area? Please give me any feedback you feel I need along with any ideas you have. I am always open to suggestions for my stories. Pairings, power ideas, scene ideas, etc. I'm all open. Now I know there will be some questions about the substances and thing that Garmadon did mentioned above so I'm just gonna say Wu will tell us all about it in a few chapters but they aren't canon things. I made them up.
Questions that need Answering!
What age should the ninja be specifically?
Next chapter will be Kai's training and depth into her relationship with Nya and her stance on her comrades and boss. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and please read and review!
