A/N: It's Friday, Friday. Gotta update on Friday. Oh, I hate that song. I hope I'm not the only one~

Hey everyone! As you can tell its Friday and that means and update from me! This one is extra-long, 12660 words so enjoy it people.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

With opinions on the pairing, you lot have until the final chapter of this story is published to get your opinions in (if you have reasons, all the better) because that when this unofficial poll closes. I have ideas for both but I need to make the decision before I even think about starting the next season/book because her personality will be vastly different towards certain characters depending on the pairing (even though feelings won't come into play during that story). Just a heads up.

Please Read the bottom A/N if anything confuses you


Review Responses That I Didn't Reply to Via PM :


I'll just start with a huge thank you to: StoryWriter2003, Guest #2, digilover23, FanFictionDemon, Guest #4, Guest #5 and Kairocksrainbow (btw I'm all for Team Kai) for your comments and votes on the pairing. Thank you so much.

Guest #1: Here here! They're terrifying. Although I was more scared of them because I used to get those Barbie/Bratz dolls as a kid and apparently I would pick them up, start laughing and somehow manage to tear their head off with my chubby toddler hands. But yes, dolls in general are rather scary especially after you here one of those stories…*shudder*. I hate being chased too even when I know the person chasing me isn't going to actually hurt me. Haha, I pick on Jay a lot and yeah, I'm glad its not me. Wouldn't want to torture myself now would I? Trauma, meh. Depends on what you classify as trauma. A new fear of dolls, being alone in the woods at night and the subject of a long running joke between his teammates is about it really. Yup! Good luck, Kai… I always wondered that because it just seems stupid not to and yeah, basically the same thing but some people just don't make that connection, eh? I'm glad and I hope the next was as good as you hoped it would be. Thanks, I'll need it.

NeverSwimAlone: Chapter 7 Pt1-Aw, that's so sweet. Hugs for you! There were somethings I wanted to respond to in this so do bear with me. I do, everyone's opinions count, even if you're a flamer (although I generally use that as entertainment for the evening while seeing if they left a point that was worth using to improve my writing). Feel free, I enjoy talking with you . That'll clear things up for me so thank you! I like having something to call my reviewers by since I find it kind of rude and condescending to address someone as "Guest #?"

#4: I'll try to make it less painful but no guarantees. It's one of my preferred fields and is easier to write but I can try and tone it down. Eventually, there will be quite a few but Kai's good at hiding things so they won't notice how low her self-opinion is until she's caught. Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Family and others to be ensured. Oh she will be…it all kicks in next chapter and the silent volcano erupts without warning. Fire's a tricky gift after all. You'd better! XD

#5: Oh yes it sure is. Well done with that by the way. I enjoyed that idea quite a lot. Got you on the edge of your seat now did I? They should and perhaps Wu's knew leaf is coming sooner than we all originally thought. I don't know about that but thank you for being such a wonderful reviewer. They really make my day.
Chapter 7 pt2:

I'm back now! I missed you too. Yup and she has a lovely time doesn't she? I'm glad I managed to do that. They all have such unique charcateristics to balance each other out that its like; WHAT DO I DO?! Meh, makes it easy to distinguish between characters I guess. This chapter was a real test that I probably failed because I'm had more dialogue between the foursome this chapter. Oh he will, especially when it comes to her fierce independence while he tries to get her to pull her head in and work with them. That will be a major point with Kai realising where these new people stand and in the future how far she'll go for them. The true potential thing will tie in nicely with that I do think. Cole's always stubborn but Kai will never admit that he gives her a run for her money. You have Jay and Kai's connection perfect. Fire and Ice, by the rules, are never meant to get along but Kai never follows the rules. Oh yes, that must be worked out to. There's always a chance I could be in a particularly bad mood and decide that Kai will be on the dark side. There's still a chance. Oh there's a long way to go. Deception is one's greatest tool after all. That's certainly true, for someone who hates it when things get complicated (if Kai was in charge of the evil side, the way to put her master plan into action would be simply; push the button/pull the lever or something else extremely simple like clapping, not something ridiculously long) she sure does make everything complicated. You'll see. Thank you. As are you!


End of Review Responses


Disclaimer: I do not own Ninjago or Never Alone by Lady Antebellum

Oh and for an interest note, if you're wondering how Kai sounds (because a male voice isn't going to cut it) you can try Azula or Katara from Avatar. It honestly doesn't matter as long as the voice is feminie. Girls, I give you full permission to use your own voice in Kai's place if you wish. XD. That's what I'm doing anyway. Also, for Prince's appearance (Lego horses aren't going to cut it), he looks like the shadow horse Astrid gives you in Skyrim: Elder Scrolls (I think) if you choose the Dark Brotherhood as one of your pathways. If you don't know what that looks like, Pitch Black's Nightmares from Rise of the Guardians will do just fine. Just have the eyes crimson instead of gold.


Chapter 7: The Frozen Wasteland


The Underworld was really the last place Kai would recommend for vacation purposes.

Violent purple or dark blue earth made up the ground where the creatures walked, unnaturally coloured due to unknown minerals buried within and its severe lack of sunlight. The warm, yellow sky flame's rays never reached the murky, hidden depths of the Underworld. Dark, jagged stalagmites rose out of the earth and loomed over the skeletons and other citizens as they went about, the drip of liquid hitting the ground particularly noticeable near them. Kai wasn't too sure it was water but she certainly didn't want to know what it actually was if her theory proved to be correct. She preferred those thoughts to stay thoughts, thank you very much.

Stalactites hung from the ceiling, the thick rock structures swaying precariously as the Spykor made their homes amongst them. The undead spiders eroded the giant formations at the bases, slowly loosening the hold the spear head shaped rocks had on the cavern's roof. Rocks frequently free fell from above, landing on unsuspecting Skulkin warriors' heads as they went about their business. Kai had learnt to keep an eye on the sky at all times after a stalactite lost its grip and crushed several naïve skeletons beneath it. It had not been pretty and Kai knew that it would be ten times worse for Nya or her as they had flesh, blood and all those other necessities that would make it really messy.

Spykor themselves were terrifying in their own right. Eight long, lanky legs and large, flat bodies with skull designs was just the beginning of the horrifying critters. Pupil-less, glowing red eyes peered at their victims with a paralysing stare as their mouths secreted a highly toxic venom they used to induce a painful death on whatever their sticky silk had managed to ensnare. Kai enjoyed being as far away from the spider version of drop bears as possible. The spiders seemed to have a wicked sense of humour as they silently yet swiftly lowered themselves down and dropped directly behind many Underworld dwellers merely to hear them scream. They particularly enjoyed scaring the shit out of her. One had entered the castle-don't ask how, Kai didn't want to know either-and had scuttled in and gripped her leg, dragging her out of bed. Needless to say, Kai had screamed after she'd taken in the form of her attacker and had completely lain waste to it. Nya-the lucky chipmunk-had slept obliviously through it. Kai had-for once-been glad she hardly ever slept.

The Skulkin were another major issue. Brainless, raging, obedient morons they may be, when they put their empty heads to it, the skeleton elemental warriors were petrifying in their own right. They were technically unstoppable. Whenever they were dismantled in combat, the force that brought them back to life reassembled the separated bones and they were soon back in the game. It was a frightening thought if they all turned on her down here. Their revitalizing process was faster in the Underworld so it would be the same as fighting an infinite army and expecting to defeat them all. Kai wondered if it was possible to truly defeat them in the land of the living but she quickly shut her mind on the matter.

あなたはすでに死んだものを殺すことはできません。You can't kill what's already dead. Death cannot die. What never had life could not lose it. It was as simple as that. No matter how you put it, fact doesn't change. That was what scared Kai. She never showed it, carrying herself with an air of confidence and purpose, exuding an intimidating aura that made sure no one ever questioned her-except for Lord Garmadon and Samukai but they were her bosses-but really, she still felt fear. Especially when it came to the undead. Something had caused masses of bone to rebuild the skeletons of long dead people-that was really disturbing-and brought them to life. Well technically they weren't alive but they had been given some of the functions of the living. They could talk, think-although not very well-and move. They were fighters' who weren't handicapped by feelings or nerves that triggered pain. Kai feared the day when someone harnessed this power and gave their undead army a living being's intelligence. The world would be in deep trouble then.

The smell of the place didn't make anything better. Oh god, the smell! The putrid stench of rotting corpses accompanied by the familiar reek of blood was enough to make Kai loose her stomach. It made eating an absolute trial and Kai knew that would never change. Of course the Skulkin had no issues with it, they had no noses! There was no safety zone other than Nya and Kai's shared bedroom but Kai was only allowed in there after 10 o'clock and she had to be out before 5 so it was really only her 'sleep' hours that were undisturbed by the revolting smell. After being gone for a few days, Kai had forgotten how bad the stench was. Her nose was paying for it now and so would her head, when the imminent headache set in.


Kai rode through her Underworld home, sarcastically muttering to Prince about how glad she was to be back in the pleasant realm. Surprisingly, Prince agreed with her. The terrifyingly majestic creature despised most of his neighbours, something about Spykor having no sense of humour and skeletons being pains in the ass. Kai wasn't sure what to think about his opinion on Spykor, seeing as she couldn't communicate with them like he could, so she decided to judge them on her own merits. She hated them.

Skeletons stared at her in shock but quickly hurried out of the way, sensing that holding up the Apprentice of Darkness was not a good idea. They had thought the worst when she had not arrived back with them but now she was here, none of them knew what to do. She didn't have the scythe so obviously things had gone badly for her without the promised back up and there was no telling what mood she was in with her Skulkin allies. Kyra was never one to cross so they stayed well out of her way. She was a wild fire and no one would be so suicidal as to get in the way of the flames. She had her horse with her too and he was an absolute beast when not contained. So yes, avoiding the Ninja of Fire and her killer horse it was.

The large doors to the castles main hall were flung open and Kai rode in, Prince's hoof beats as silent as night against the stone floor. Lord Garmadon's head snapped up from where he'd been seated on his throne and gazed at the figure he thought he'd never see again in shock as she thundered silently into his throne room. Samukai, who had been kneeling before him, sprang to the side as the flame of the Underworld blazed through the chambers, pulling her horse to a halt where he'd once been. Inwardly, Samukai seethed. The brat was still alive! That threw all his plans over the edge and he knew that he'd be suffering worse than he originally had for his failure.

Lord Garmadon had been beyond furious when Samukai had returned before Kyra had, knowing the Skeleton King had disobeyed his orders. He had known Samukai had left Kyra to retrieve the scythe alone, at the mercy of his brother's forces and it had driven him over the edge. Samukai had never experienced such a brutal punishment for failure before and it had honestly left him in a cowering mess of bones. Who would have thought putting his apprentice in danger would enrage the King of the Underworld so much? Samukai certainly hadn't. At first he thought it was because of the possible failure of the scythe's retrieval but now he was having second thoughts.

Kai dismounted gracefully and dropped into a respectful bow on one knee. Perhaps he had betrayed her but annoyingly her loyalty still held on. She knew that until she had another good reason to leave she would remain loyal to the death, fighting for someone who'd used substances and his own power to control her. The dire wolf still needed her pack after all. Besides, even after the incident last night she didn't trust the other side one bit. They were still in allegiance with her father and anyone who believed he was a good ally was a lunatic. Anyone who sided or supported him was an enemy of her. No questions asked.

"Master, I have failed you," she began her head down and turned slightly to her left shoulder. "They have learned Spinjitzu and they have the scythe."

Kai curled in on herself slightly, knowing full well that her master was not one to take failure lightly, but she held strong. She couldn't afford to show weakness now, especially in front of both Samukai and Garmadon. However, she was dreading what was to come. She hated the dungeons.

The dungeons were rat infested caves in the ground with the door acting as the roof. They smelled a hundred times worse than the rest of the Underworld but that probably had to do with the rotting flesh of decaying corpses from the last occupant lying on the straw/stone floor. They were never cleaned out, piles of bones knocked into one corner a clear sign of that. Rats and spiders scurried across the floor of the cell, crawling over the chained up prisoner as they tormented or bit whoever was unfortunate enough to share residence with them. When Samukai had framed her for the failure of a mission, Garmadon had her tightly bound to the worst cell on offer before pouring in baby Spykor who had an absolute field day with her. While Garmadon himself had never laid a physical hand on her, Samukai wasn't against it at all and during her day in hell's hell he'd forced her to relieve over a decade of pain. She'd been a broken mess inside when Lord Garmadon had seen fit to release her but had stayed strong until she'd gotten to the safety of Prince's stable. Kai had vowed never to end up there again.

"Good."

Kai's head shot up and she stared at her master in shock. He was sporting a malicious smirk. "Then my brother was there."

Kai nodded. Samukai stepped forward, glaring harshly at her as he went to speak to their shared master. She pointedly ignored it.

"If I gather my army, we can easily ambush them and-"

"No!"

Samukai flinched and cowered beneath Lord Garmadon's furious stare. Kai internally smirked, doing a happy dance inside her head. She so wished she had a camera right now. Garmadon continued, his voice less angry.

"Let them think they're winning."

"Ah, but I, do not understand."

"Everything is going to plan," Lord Garmadon continued, ignoring Samukai's outburst. His gaze turned cold once more. "However, I do believe I ordered you, Samukai, to hold off my brother's forces so that Kyra could bring me the scythe yet you returned before her. Explain!"

"They took us by surprise, learning Spinjitzu mid-battle and Kyra had not yet struck. It is not my fault master."

"Kyra?"

"My lord, the entire skeleton army lay in wait for them after they retrieved the scythe inside the caves and there was nowhere for them to run. It must have at least been 100:1 in terms of numbers. I was waiting for the scythe to come close to my side of the cavern as they were throwing it to each other. I believed that would be the best course of action as they would have seen my red robes a mile away. Samukai called the retreat a few minutes after they learned Spinjitzu, leaving me alone. Not wanting to fail the mission, I stayed, stole the scythe and then the guardian threw my work to the dust. Prince was hit with a Life Arrow during our escape and they caught up. I was forced to forget about retrieving the scythe and remove it or I wouldn't have been able to return. I wasn't sure how I would fair against your brother and his three pupils after they had learned Spinjitzu."

"Samukai…you did not inform me of these…hiccups," Garmadon said slowly, his voice grating over the words like teeth over steel. Samukai cowered. "I think we should discuss your incompetence later. Leave!"

Samukai fled the room.

"Master…" Kai began, trailing off. Lord Garmadon lifted his head.

"Speak your mind. No harm shall come to you."

Kai was doubtful. The man had already proven to own a crooked tongue, bending the truth to his advantage without telling a straight out lie but she needed a few answers. Luckily for her, she'd been taught by the best.

"What are you planning milord?"

"Are you questioning my judgement, Kyra?" he asked, his tone deathly soft like the first signs of a lethal blizzard drifting to the ground. Kai wasn't fazed.

"Of course not, milord. I merely want to know what I can do to make your plan succeed."

Lord Garmadon nodded slowly.

"Good. As my apprentice it would not be wise to make a habit of questioning my decisions."

"I understand, master. That was not my intention."

Kai hardly ever spoke formally, much preferring slang or casual speech but her master was not one to get comfortable with.

"I am sending you after the shurikens of ice. My brother knows of you and most likely your position as my apprentice and thus will be expecting you. You will go alone. Whether you claim the shurikens for yourself or not is not important. You will then meet up with Samukai and his warriors at the Floating Ruins to fool my brother and his ninja into thinking they've won. I will meet up with you at the Fire Temple when they attempt to gain the blade."

Kai had a sinking feeling about what exactly would happen at the Fire Temple. She was well aware that Lord Garmadon could send his shadow to do his bidding and Nya was down here in his clutches. Nya could easily be used as blackmail and both of them were aware that the moment Nya was brought into the mix, Kai's mind narrowed and she focused solely on the option that would ensure Nya's safety.

"I understand. I must go and train as well as see to my sister," Kai replied, bowing low.

"Of course, you are dismissed," Garmadon said, waving his hand. "Shade, return to your stables. Your presence is no longer needed here."

"Kai?" Prince asked softly, glaring hatefully at the being on the throne. "What do you want?"

'Princess, go back. I'll come and see you once I've dealt with my sister and sparring partners. I promise. He's not in a good mood so it isn't a good idea to anger him.'

"Fine! Because you asked. Not because he ordered me to," Prince huffed. Kai smiled beneath her hood.

'Thank you. I'll see you later.'

The shade disappeared in a whirlwind of shadow and smoke. Kai turned and strode out of the room before Garmadon's voice halted her.

"Just remember our little deal, Kyra," he called. Kai stopped dead. "Nya will be remaining with me for the duration of your mission and it would be in her best interest that you remember where your loyalties lie."

Kai felt a surge of anger. He'd just questioned her loyalties and threatened Nya's safety and no one, no one, was allowed to do that without losing their life. Kai took a deep breath. Not now. She'd deal with her thoughts with Prince later.

"Of course, master. I have not forgotten," Kai replied. She walked away, slamming the heavy doors shut behind her with a phenomenal bang, leaving Garmadon to his scheming.


"Nya?" Kai called, entering the bedroom. Her sister was sitting in a dishevelled heap on the bed, her head buried in her knees. The room was a pigsty, clothes and objects strewn all over the place, broken and tarnished like an earthquake and ripped straight through it. This was so unlike her sister.

Nya wouldn't allow any room to get in this state of disrepair, no matter what. Kai couldn't even get away with leaving a glass on the counter without her sister going bonkers. Her sister tidied, re-tidied and then re-re-tidied the store every single day for no other reason than there was a chance Kai had dropped something or something else had gone missing. Kai had no idea where Nya got this concept of order from. Kai could hardly ever find anything! She'd leave something somewhere and she'd come back 10 minutes later and it would be gone so she'd have to go on a treasure hunt around the house to find whatever it was because Nya had put it in a box with all the other items that held the same description in some category or another. It drove her insane but Kai wouldn't change a thing. No matter how different they were, Nya was the order to her chaos and Kai the chaos to her order. They balanced each other out and that was what made them inseparable. Kai didn't think she'd be able to live without Nya.

"Nya?" she called again, louder this time. Nya's head raised slowly, revealing blood shot eyes with enormous dark bags beneath them, a tear soaked face mattered with short black hair and stricken with misery and hurt. Kai winced. She was the cause of it.

"K-K-Kai?" she stuttered, disbelieve in her bright blue eyes, dark with grief. Kai swallowed, her mouth dry. What had she done?

"It's me, Nya."

Nya leapt out of bed, dive tackling her sister to the floor where she was pinned beneath the weight of the hug. Kai forced herself to her feet, never letting go of her sister as she brought the girl tight to her chest. Nya buried her nose in Kai's neck, inhaling the familiar scent of fire and strawberries. She'd forgotten how lovely, comforting, that scent was. Most wouldn't enjoy the smell of fire but Nya adored it. It was the scent of her mo-sister and that was all there was to it. The strong, muscular yet not overly so frame supported her as she clung to her older sister for dear life. It was like her sister was a dream she didn't want to wake from because if she did, she'd know the loss was real.

"You're okay!" she murmured, clenching Kai's messy ponytail in her fist, a new river of tears streaming down her cheeks. "I-I-I thought-I thought-"

"Shhhh," Kai cooed, cuddling her sister closer than she was before-if that was humanely possible. "Whatever you thought, it didn't happen. I'm here now. I'm safe, you're safe. Everything is alright."

"B-but the Skulkin came back without you! They said they'd lost you to the guardian! Oh Kai, I thought you'd died!"

"And you know not even death would stop me from returning to you," Kai admonished gently, running her hand through Nya's short black hair. "I won't die while I have you to protect. You're too important to me for me to ever leave you like that. Dad may have abandoned us and mom may have involuntarily but I won't. I made you a promise and I keep my promises. No matter how stupid. I may stumble and have way too many close calls but I will return to you always."

Nya shook, soaking Kai's uniform and neck with her tears. Her feet where on the ground but Kai was the only thing keeping her upright. Kai kissed her forehead and a small smile spread onto her lips. Only one way to make things better.

"Hey, Nya," Kai said softly. Nya lifted her head to lock her teary gaze with her sister's. "You know how I promised you you'd never be alone?"

"Yes?"

Kai smiled and rubbed the back of her head.

"May the angels protect you, trouble neglect you and heaven accept you when it's time to go home. May you always have plenty, your glass never empty and know in your belly, you're never alone," Kai sang, tickling Nya's stomach, eliciting a giggle from her sister. Kai smirked as Nya buried her head into the safety of her sister.

"May your tears come from laughing, you find friends worth having. With every year passing, they mean more than gold. May you win but stay humble, smile more than grumble and know when you stumble, you're never alone."

Kai never wanted Nya to cry from sadness again. She vowed to return to her always. One day, Nya would find friends that accepted her for who she was and Kai would finally find peace, no longer worrying about her sister living a friendless life. Nya's face was the embodiment of beauty when she smiled, to Kai and many others, and she deserved to be happy, not down in the dumps. Kai would pick her up after every fall, brush her down, joke about how she was catching her sister's clumsiness and send her on her way, watching over her as she had always done.

"Never alone, never alone. I'll be in every beat of your heart when you face the unknown. Wherever you fly this isn't goodbye. My love will follow you, stay with you, baby, you're never alone," Kai continued softly, scooping Nya up in her arms and sitting on the couch. The chipmunk still clung to her desperately but she was at peace now, Kai's voice one of the only things that could heal her during her time of need. Nya knew that Kai would always be there and she knew it was selfish. She knew her sister deserved the same but it was something that she just couldn't reciprocate. She wanted her sister to stay as she always had and if Kai had it her way, she always would.

"Well, I have to be honest as much as I want it, I'm not gonna promise that cold winds won't blow. So when hard times have found you and your fears surround you, wrap my love around you, you're never alone."

Kai may lie to Nya more than she should and about matters that she shouldn't but she would never say that life was easy and that she'd never experience hardships or struggles. Kai's love for Nya was her blanket that never left. Whenever Nya needed it, she was there with an open embrace that no one else had ever experienced. A warm hearth that forged her home. No matter what happened, Kai would be there for her and Nya would never forget it.

"Never alone, never alone. I'll be in every beat of your heart when you face the unknown. Wherever you fly this isn't goodbye. My love will follow you, stay with you, baby, you're never alone."

Kai would always come back. They'd always see each other again, no matter what happened. When Kai had left for a few weeks back in Ignacia, Nya had lit a candle outside their home, partially for tradition and partially because wherever fire was, Kai was sure to follow. It was how it had always been in fact, that was what Kai had told Nya the day she'd left.

"No matter how far apart we are, know that I am always with you, in your heart."

"But I can't see you!"

"Then light a fire. Mother and Father always said I was fire so wherever fire is, so am I."

"May the angels protect you, trouble neglect you and heaven accept you when it's time to go home. So when hard times have found you and your fears surround you, wrap my love around you, you're never alone."

Kai was Nya's guardian angel, her wings Nya's shield as they protected Nya from all harm. Even though those wings were black, torn and littered with bullet holes, they never stopped sheltering her. Yes, no matter how many times Kai denied it or was seen as a she-demon, she was an angel, Nya's angel and that was the truth.

"Never alone, never alone. I'll be in every beat of your heart when you face the unknown. Wherever you fly, this isn't goodbye. My love will follow you, stay with you, baby, you're never alone. My love will follow you, stay with you, baby, you're never alone."

Kai finished her song only to have Nya wrap her arms tightly around her neck.

"Thank you, Kai."

Kai smiled warmly.

"Anytime little sis. I love you," Kai said honestly, her eyes large and shinning with the natural glow of her beautiful golden fire eyes. Nya loved them. Kai's gaze travelled around the room and her smile changed into a smirk.

"Haha, sis. I go for a few days and you forget how to clean? If I'd known it took my disappearance to end your Miss Perfect streak I would have skipped out for a couple days a long time ago."

Nya punched her sister in the chest, hard.

"Love you too, Kai. Now help me clean this mess."

"Me?! Clean?! Are you mad, woman?!"


Kai stood in Prince's stall, her packed saddle bag sitting on the floor as she brushed down his shadow pelt.* It had been a full on day of training and now she had to leave for her next mission. If the 'Good' ninja had been too stupid and ignored her warning that wasn't her problem. She had an assignment and she'd see it through. No matter what. Even if she was starting to hate the person she was honour bound to serve. Kai ticked the list off in her head.

1) He'd used two powders to control her; Dark Powder and Compulsion Powder.

Dark Powder-she'd learned-caused the victim to become darker, more evil and malicious. It poisoned, tainted, the heart giving birth to a darkness far less potent but similar to the venom that had taken hold of Lord Garmadon. The powder had been removed but Kai knew the damage had been done. She was not as pure as she had once been and there was no changing that. No matter how much she might want to.

Compulsion Powder merely made the victim far more obedient and subservient to their superior which explained her lack of defiance when it came to Lord Garmadon. She'd felt that something had been missing but she hadn't been able to place it. Now she knew and now she was pissed.

2) He'd blocked off her emotions using 'Heart Clamp'.

Okay so he'd broken one of the terms their allegiance relied on.

"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."

"That is acceptable and I agree to your terms."

He wasn't allowed to double cross or harm Nya or Kai. He'd broken that term almost as soon as he'd agreed. Heart control had to be considered a form of harm because it damaged the holder's psychological and emotional state. She'd been unable to feel anything other than negative emotions damnit! Now she could literally feel the instability it had left her with. She was weak now, vulnerable and she hated it.

3) He'd threatened Nya's safety.

Now Kai wasn't sure if he was aware of this or not but threatening Nya was a death sentence, to everybody. There was no way Kai would let any threat to Nya's safety, health etc. continue living. There was just no way. Kai had driven that point home to the villagers when a gang of both girls and boys had been targeting Nya and the leader had tried to take advantage of her. They possibly could have succeeded but Nya was smart. She knew that Kai would be close by-Kai never let her go walking around alone despite how much of an inconvenience it was-and Kai had taught her how to wield a dagger after she forged one for her on Nya's 10th birthday. That dagger never left her person. Needless to say, Kai heard the commotion-particularly Nya's banshee scream-and came over to let loose hell. Every single one of them ended up in the infirmary and the leader was in the ICU. Kai had been suspended and the case had been investigated-after which all of Kai's victims were expelled-and everyone went home having learned a valuable lesson. Endanger Nya at your own demise. Kai wouldn't rest until she felt justice had been served. That was the thing with some people who suffered from abuse. They tend to be more violent and have the notion that violence is acceptable. These are the people who close themselves off from the world and just become downright dangerous.

That was three reasons yet she was still here, still working for him, and she didn't know why.


"Lady Kyra it is an honour."

Kai turned around, the familiar gravelly voice a strange comfort.

"Kruncha, Nuckal. What are you two bone heads up to?" Kai asked, amused as she kicked herself up onto the railing of the stall so she could see them and attend to Prince's mane. The vain stallion was incessantly pestering her to get it right. Honestly her horse was the fussiest creature when it came to looks.

"Well, Kruncha and I snuck into the kitchens and found the donut stash-" Nuckal began before Kruncha back handed him across the skull.

"Quit yapping you bone head or we'll be caught!" Kruncha scolded before turning to a smirking Kai. "Lady Kyra, he's delusional-"

"I know, he's a bit of an idiot isn't he?"

"Hey!" Nuckal protested indignantly but Kai carried on.

"However if you do manage to find the donut stash Frakjaw has hidden on the top shelf of the kitchens, bring me one," she finished with a grin and a wink. She was mildly fond of them, she could admit that much. The skeletons exchanged an astonished look and high fived.

"THANK YOU, KYRA-!" Nuckal began before Kruncha thumped him again. "OW! I mean, thank you Lady Kyra," he said bowing low. Kai smirked and returned her attention to Prince.

'Should I ask them what I should do?'

"You saw the exact same scene as I did right? Can you trust them to keep their traps shut?"

Kai smiled amused.

'You know how they are. It's worth the risk though. I can't have people abusing my trust and loyalty like that.'

Prince neighed and stamped his hoof.

"I hope you know what you're doing, Kai."

'I hope so too.'

"Boys," Kai called, interrupting their squabbling match. "May I ask you something?"

"Of course!" Nuckal cheered leaning forward, the side of his earless head presented to her.

"Anything Lady Kyra," Kruncha said bowing.

"You cannot mention this conversation to anyone," Kai ground out. "Because if you do, I will dismantle you personally and use Prince's insides as a furnace to smelt your bones. Possibly make some jewellery with them. Do I make myself clear?"

"Crystal, Lady Kyra," Nuckal and Kruncha chorused as Prince glared at them, accentuating Kai's point.

"If someone promises to never harm you in exchange for your loyalty-and that is the only thing keeping you beside them and then they use their power to control your heart and mind without your knowledge, have they broken that promise?" Kai asked nonchalantly. The skeletons stared at her. Okay so maybe going to two of the dumbest skeletons was not an ideal thing to do but she honestly had no other options. She wasn't exactly sure what grounds the other skeleton generals' and lieutenants' loyalty stood on but she knew these two were loyal to her for reasons Kai couldn't fathom. She didn't need to really. She had it and they were slowly gaining hers. Before Kai could reword it in a fashion they'd probably understand, Nuckal and Kruncha exchanged a glance.

"Psychological and emotional harm is a thing," Nuckal replied, uncharacteristically serious. Kai knew that when he went serious he had a huge vocabulary. Kinda like Snowflake. "Control without consent is a form of mind harm and when emotions are controlled, well, that's harm too whether consent is given or not."

"A promise in exchange for loyalty," Kruncha growled. "If the promise is broken the loyalty should be too. An exchange isn't one sided. If he broke his promise then you should break your loyalty. That's what a skeleton does after all."

Kai offered them a small smile as she set down her brush and began gearing up Prince for the journey.

"They're smarter than we give them credit for," he said, offhandedly. "I think they've figured it out."

'Oh really,' Kai quipped back sarcastically. 'I'd never have guessed from the emphasis on 'he'.'

"No need to be like that you sassy lassie."

'There has got to be something wrong with you,' Kai thought, strapping the bags on roughly. Prince shifted under the treatment.

"No need to be like that either."

'Sorry.'

"No you're not."

'I tried. Forgive me?'

"Always."

Kai smiled fondly and rubbed his nose before leading him out of the stall. She turned to the skeletons as she went to mount.

"Thanks and remember," she warned. "Speak of this to no one."

"Aye Aye, Captain!" Nuckal cheered, saluting. Kruncha face palmed.

"No need to worry, Lady Kyra. Not a word."

"Good," Kai replied, mounting Prince. She noticed their expressions. "Alright, what is it?"

"Can we-" Nuckal began.

"Please-" Kruncha added.

"Pat Prince?" they asked in unison. Kai face palmed and then smiled fondly at them.

"Alright nit wits. You can pat him. Princess, behave," Kai warned. Prince lowered his head, grudgingly allowing the knuckle heads to pet him. Nuckal squealed and hugged his face, Kruncha rubbing his nose. Kai could barely contain her amusement at Prince's predicament.

"I hate you," he growled as he remained still until Nuckal let go. Kai smirked and saluted to the two skeletons.

'I know.'

Kai turned Prince and they galloped away, leaving the two skeletons alone in the stables. Nuckal turned to Kruncha.

"Do you think she knows that we know what she's talking about?" he asked. Kruncha shrugged. "And do you think she knows that we know we convinced her to stop being loyal to Lord Garmadon?"

Kruncha face palmed.

"You bone head."


The bitter cold seeped through her gi, chilling her to the bone. An eternal blizzard raged around her, its vicious currents threatening to knock her and Prince back. Jagged mountains of frozen water loomed out of the bleak grey sky, rising from the ice flows. It was beautiful in a deadly sort of way, the ice spears glittering with their ice blue shine. The water was dark and uninviting, the last place on earth anyone would wish to swim. Kai had no clue how it hadn't frozen over because let's be real, it had to be at least negative 30. Well, that's what Kai reckoned the temperature was. Kai could also recommend at least three other swimming locations for holiday goers that would be far more enjoyable then this one. Why anyone who wasn't a lunatic would come here was beyond her-wait. She was here. Kai blinked and sighed quietly, hating herself once more for her stupidity. Her eyes were stinging from the frigid weather and her face had frozen over. It had honestly hurt to blink. She hated the cold. To top off her pleasant day, Prince was being an annoying asshole. Again. But when was he not? She loved him dearly though, faults and all.

"I hate the cold. I really do. If I were the sun, I wouldn't allow a single cold day to ever grace this planet! I swear. What's it good for? Polar bears and artic foxes can become grizzlies and red foxes so no one will get hurt. Water can be cold because everyone loves water being cold, even me!"

"You could certainly pass as the sun," Kai mumbled, trying to use her 'internal flame' to heat herself up. Lord Garmadon had said once she'd harnessed the hearth that burned within her she'd be able to keep herself warm. Sadly she'd had no success so far. As usual. She was hopeless at everything. Well, almost everything. Keeping Princess entertained was something she could do. "And what about the penguins?"

"Penguins are overrated," Prince snorted dismissively as he cantered through the snow. He clearly couldn't keep himself warm either which reassured Kai somewhat. It meant that she wasn't alone in her failure and if she was gonna go down, Prince sure as hell was coming with her because, a) he wanted to and b) Kai was not letting him miss out. Nope, not going to happen. "And what enticed such a lovely comment from you this fine winter day. My dashing good looks?"

"No," Kai said, a smirk in her voice. "You're a big, fiery ball of gas."

"Now that hurt, Kai. Really hurt."

"Aww you poor baby. Would you like me to kiss it better?"

"You should be kissing my hooves."

"Not gonna happen buddy."

Kai turned her gaze to the distance searching through the swirling snow for some kind of clue.

"Prince, when you shadow travelled, you couldn't have gotten us any closer, could you?"

"Oi! It's not easy pinpointing the right place in a freaking frozen desert, Kai! I'll have you know that I don't exactly know where the ice castle thingy is! Lord Garmadon said Frozen Wasteland. This is the Frozen Wasteland!" Prince defended, bucking in an attempt to toss her. Kai held on with ease, long since have become one with her vicious stallion. He was brutal and a reckless ride, constantly trying to throw her at every turn but that was what made him special. There was no 'comfortable' ride when it came to him. No matter who you were, Prince made it his mission to dislodge you. He never let anyone he didn't deem worthy of the honour to ride him and anyone who managed to surprise him and try riding him would soon end up in the dirt. Perhaps Prince had become an eager to please puppy when they'd first met but that didn't mean he took it easy on Kai. It just meant that Kai was allowed on his back. Kai still had to prove she could handle him and she did, with a lot of effort. He never held back anything. Every corner was a new opportunity to send Kai crashing down to hug the earth and every run was a test to see if Kai could handle the extreme speeds at which he raced. The challenge was what drew Kai in and brought her back for more. It was why she never commanded him to stop or take it easy. She adored the constant challenge and accepted it instantly whenever the shade proposed it. It was a good thing to because he did that a lot.

"I thought you said you'd been everywhere!" Kai shot back over the howl of the frozen wind. Prince snorted out a torrent of bright hot flames, melting the snow before them with ease. Steam solidified into beautiful ice crystals almost instantly, creating an explosion of striking projectiles around his wispy legs. "That's why I hired you!"

"I'm not a GPS, Hot Head!" Prince whinnied indignantly. "And I have been everywhere. Everywhere but here!"

"Well you're useless aren't you?!" Kai announced sarcastically. She didn't mean it and Prince knew that as well as she did.

"It's not like you're helping!"

"Mr Ego admits to needing help? Damnit! I didn't get it on record!"

"I do not need help!"

"Then why did you complain about me not helping?" Kai goaded, enjoying winding the shade up. He whinnied furiously at the slight against him, despite never truly able to be angry with her.

"Because-"

Kai caught sight of something up ahead, a shadow looming out of water. It was large and out of place in the frozen channel. A boat. A sailing boat. She grinned despite herself. So they were here. Good. They hadn't ignored her warning. Well, she would follow them. They probably knew where they were going anyway, something she definitely didn't.

"Found something. Move your ass would you?"

"Alright, alright, don't get your knickers in a knot-OW! I'm moving, I'm moving."

"Good doggy," Kai cooed, rubbing his mane with her numb hand.

"…That is the most condescending tone I've ever heard. Congratulations."

"Thanks."


Kai and Prince raced along the frozen shore, the shade's hoof beats silent against the cold white snow. Kai made sure they remained decent way behind the ship out of sight of the monstrosity's inhabitants. Out of sight was, after all, out of mind. At least, that was what Lord Garmadon told her-numerous times. She wasn't hiding from them-them being the 'good' guys. She was sneaking after them. Prince liked to think otherwise.

"Princess, if you don't shut up I swear to god-" Kai began, trying to stop his endless goading.

"But that's why they don't know we're here, right?" Prince asked, completely ignoring her cue for him to stop. "You're hiding from them."

"I'm a ninja, Princess. A ninja. Stealth and sneakiness are key values, okay? It's in my job description to go about unnoticed."

"Kai, this is you we're talking about. Since when are you ever subtle or unseen?"

"You'd be surprised big mouth. Besides, just because I'm not siding with Garmadon as such anymore, doesn't mean I'm on their side. I play for Team Kyra, not Team Good or Team Evil."

"Yet you'll be helping them."

"No, I was thinking more along the lines of going-after-the weapons-for-myself-but-conveniently-leaving-them-behind-so-they-can-pick-them-up. That way I'll be a hindrance for both sides."

"Not following you."

Kai huffed out a breath, steam curling from her mask.

"Samukai is meant to retrieve the nunchucks of lighting. He won't suspect anything when his brother gets away with the shurikens but it will hinder him greatly because he's expecting me to stop at nothing until they fall into my grasp after my last failure. If I prevent the nunchucks from being brought straight to Garmadon it will scrap his original plan yet leave them open for his back-up plan. I don't understand his plan at all and I have a feeling I've forgotten quite a bit but both sides will be on equal ground in the end."

Kai sighed and rubbed Prince's mane absently as the violent horse cleared a snow pile. "I can't escape this war now that I'm six feet under but I can still choose my own path. As I've told you before, no one controls my destiny anymore. Never again."

Prince was silent as he galloped across the frozen blanket.

"I understand where you're coming from, Kai and I know why you're doing this but you will have to choose a side in the end. You're too involved in this war for you to back out now and I know you wouldn't do that anyway, especially with Nya's safety at risk."

"That's the question though," Kai pointed out as she saw their destination in the distance. Sometimes, Prince had his moments where he actually said something wise. It was those moments when Kai valued his presence and company even more. "Which side? Neither have my loyalty or trust, Prince. The side my father is on has helped me but Garmadon has my sister. What do I do?"

"Honestly, Kai? I don't know," Prince admitted as she dismounted. Kai sighed and turned to him.

"I was kinda hoping you wouldn't say that."

Prince let out a strangled cry of shock.

"Kai! What happened to you?!"

"What?! What's wrong!?" Kai asked hurriedly, scanning herself for any injury that the cold might have numbed.

"You're eyes!" he exclaimed, burying his nose in her face.

"What's wrong with them!?"

"They're blue!" he screeched, horrified. Kai laughed, her worry gone. Oh he could be such a drama queen. From the way he'd been acting, Kai had thought she'd been ruthlessly impaled by some murderous icicle spear on the journey without noticing and she was bleeding her life out onto the pure white blanket. But no, it was just her eyes.

"Oh Princess. That's something that's been happening since I was born. Some abnormality or something. Whenever I get wet or damp my eyes go blue. Mum used to say I just couldn't decide who I'd take after so I got similar eyes from both my mother and father. Father's were blood red though, unlike my goldish ones and the gold stays during the change from red to blue. She always said it was like I was fire and water in one."

Prince huffed and nuzzled her again.

"I thought you were transforming into a penguin! You'd better not leave me for those brainless, deep sea diving birds or I will drag you back and burn you alive like the rest of my victims. I won't eat you though. Penguins taste like mouldy fish served with a side of brine."

Kai laughed and hugged him tightly. Prince was adorable when he got concerned, especially when it had to do with her leaving him.

"I promise I won't leave you for the penguins," she chuckled, rubbing his forehead fondly. "I'm not even going to ask how you know what penguins taste like. I don't think I want to anyway."

"You wouldn't," he agreed pushing his head into her hand. "It involved; one hungry and stuck me and a penguin enclosure."

The mental image crossed Kai's mind and she shuddered.

"Too much information," she said weakly. Prince looked offended.

"It wasn't my fault!" he protested. "The penguin got too close!"

"Princess, enough!" Kai scolded. "I didn't say it was but I don't need to know the details. Now shoo! I'll call you when I'm ready."


Kai trudged across the white blanket, her footsteps silent on the snow. It reminded her of a snow cone, shaved ice but this one didn't have flavouring unless she was considering the coconut one which Kai absolutely hated. Nya loved it though, constantly asking her older sister how she could eat Blue Raspberry and Cotton Candy but not stomach Coconut. It was funny, now that Kai thought about it, how much money people could earn by selling shaved ice-coated in copious amounts of sugar-to children. Kai honestly wasn't sure why she was bothering with that thought out here but it was mildly entertaining and she needed a bit of cheering up. She was stuck in the coldest place in Ninjago after all for some ridiculous reason that led back to one man's uncontrollable-which admittedly was not his fault-lust for power. Her breath escaped in small puffs and it reminded Kai of a fire breathing dragon, oddly enough. She grinned to herself slightly. She might not be as different from them as legend would lead one to believe…

The ice palace reared out of its glacial surroundings, detached and regal in every way possible. It was the picture of emotionless royalty. Kai wondered absently if it was a natural formation, the ice guardian's creation or something the old man himself had cooked up-more like frozen up. Heh. Kai shook her head and hoped that there would be some relief from the biting winter chills inside as the wind wouldn't reach the chambers. Then again, there was always the fact that the ice dragon resided within and the majestic creature was probably responsible for most of the chill factor which meant it could be even colder inside. Kai shivered at the thought. Why did everything have to be so difficult? Oh well, no pain, no gain-although, Kai will admit she never saw the point of that when experiencing pain never gained her anything. The Ninja of Fire forged ahead.

Her feet hit the ice path and she smirked. Play time.


Cole, Jay and Zane made their way cautiously off the boat.

"Well, looks like Lord Garmadon and his lackeys aren't here," Jay commented. "Huh, the extra day was useful."

Sensei Wu hummed thoughtfully.

"Indeed. Beware however. Good things rarely come from your enemy without a catch. You must remain vigilant."

"I sense the catch is awaiting us," Zane spoke up.

"What makes you say that Frosty?" Cole asked, rubbing his hands together. Zane pointed his hand up the long, winding pathway to the red silhouette in the distance.

"I believe our friend is expecting us."

Sensei Wu chuckled and shook his head fondly, gesturing with his staff for his students to go to her.

"She has the same dramatics as her mother. Off you go then. Best not keep the lady waiting."


"We didn't expect to see you out here."

Kai smirked beneath her hood.

"Dusty. I didn't expect to see you lot out here either."

"Dusty?!" Cole exclaimed, offended. "My name's Cole, not Dusty."

"I'll think about using it," Kai yawned, deliberately stretching lazily to allow the cracking of bones and tension to punctuate her words. "You didn't tell me why you were here though."

"Uh, you know exactly why we're here," Jay cut in, stepping forward with his arms folded. "You even told us in your note. That was bad poetry by the way."

Kai turned to them, subtly taking a step away from them as she did so to increase the distance between them. If it came down to it, she'd need as much space as possible to either run or knock them over the edge. It was not because she was scared of what they might do. Nope not at all.

"I suppose I did," she agreed, rolling her eyes in contempt. "It wasn't meant to be a poem or a Haiku or whatever. It was meant to give you a clear message and since you're here now, it clearly worked and if it rhymed or sounded like a poem, kudos to me. Now are we going to get the shurikens or are we going to stand here and discuss poetry?" she asked, turning on her heel and striding away. The boys exchanged glances and hurried after her.

"I thought you were on Lord Garmadon's side?" Jay queried as they drew near. Kai looked back at him, annoyance flashing in her-now blue-eyes. The snow and ice had seeped through her uniform-it was terrible against the elements-and she was now damp beneath her gi which meant her eyes would be blue for a long time. There was no chance of her drying at this rate. Not that Kai minded. She preferred to have something in her appearance to honour her mother with. Sparky just didn't seem to get it.

"I specifically remember telling you this, Sparky. I don't play for them or for you, I play for Team Kyra and I do what I want."

Cole frowned.

"I also remember you telling us that you were siding with Garmadon because you were loyal to him. What changed?"

"Our allegiance was based over a simple exchange. Your sensei proved to me that he had used several…enchantments and placed a heart control on me which meant that he had broken his end of the deal. He no longer holds my loyalty."

"Your loyalty changes?" Zane asked. "Just like that?"

Kai sighed softly.

"Normally no," she admitted. "That's why I returned. However he crossed a few lines upon my return and that snapped the chain completely."

"What'd he do?"

"That's none of your business," Kai snapped, picking up the pace slightly. The message was clear; back off.

"So does that mean you're siding with us now?" Cole asked curiously. He was keeping Sensei's warning in mind but the old master had also said she would be the deciding player in this war. What she did would affect the outcome of the final battle. Nobody could blame him for wanting the girl on their side.

"No. How many times do I have to tell you? I do what I want and I choose the side that benefits me the most."

"Why are you here then?" Zane questioned as they entered the glistening hall. "What have you got to gain?"

"The shurikens. Duh."

"But how does that benefit you? You would be targeted by both sides for possession of the weapons."

Kai stopped and turned to them, her eyes locking with Zane's briefly.

"You are far smarter than you look, Snowflake-"

"Why are your eyes blue?" Jay blurted out. Everyone turned and stared at him.

"Sorry. But why?"

Kai huffed in annoyance.

"Does it matter?"

"Not really but they were golden red last time we saw you."

"They change colour when I get wet and in case you haven't noticed, I'm soaked," Kai snapped sarcastically, glaring at him. "Let's just get the shurikens, okay?"

Cole slapped his hand over Jay's mouth before he could make a comment that cost them the mission.

"Just zip it, loudmouth."


The four approached the centre of the ice cavern, heading for their target. This time, the ice dragon was embedded in the ceiling and looking downwards, it's ice blue and white scales glistening with frost. The shurikens were suspended in the air below the beast's jaws. It was a strange, mystical sight to see the power of the slumbering dragon hold the weapons with nothing more than its frosty breath. Kai had no clue how that worked so she labelled it as 'Mystical Unknowns' and tossed it into the corner of her mind to revisit later-when she was sorting through the rest of the unnecessary shit that cluttered her mind.

"The shurikens," Zane murmured standing directly beneath the golden weapons.

"Any ideas?" Jay asked. Kai rolled her eyes.

"Yes. We throw you up and you grab them. If you land on your feet, we run like hell."

"What happens if I don't land on my feet?"

"Well, that would be most unfortunate for you wouldn't it?"

Cole snorted.

"Not happening. Anyone got a better one?"

"I reckon it was a good plan," Kai commented shrugging. "We'd get the shurikens and Sparky could get hurt."

Jay folded his arms.

"You really don't like me, do you?"

Kai smirked, her eyes flashing with mischief.

"Ding dong!" she chimed in a childish, doll-like tone. Jay flinched, fear flickering in his blue eyes. Cole guffawed and Zane cocked his head, a small amused smile creeping into place.

"That's not funny!"

"You're right," Kai assured him. "It's hilarious."

Jay glared at her.

"Glad you get so much fun out of this, Kyra," he said dryly. Kai shrugged.

"Thanks Sparky."

"As I was saying," Cole said, shutting his amusement off. "Any ideas?"

"Yes," Zane said, turning to face him. "Pick me up."

"What?"

"Lift me up so I can grab the shurikens," Zane elaborated. Cole face palmed.

"Right. Sorry. One, two, three…up!" he grunted, lifting his companion above him. Kai felt impressed by the effortless feat. Sure she'd known he was strong but he didn't show a single sign of strain in lifting his friend.


AZane grasped the shurikens and Kai tensed. She knew they should have thrown Sparky… The ice ninja dropped to the ground seconds before the beast tore itself away from the ice. Its wings flew open, ice spraying off the frigid surface as the movement shattered the sheets of frozen water in a glittering cloud that somehow managed to look deadly and beautiful at the same time. A rasping roar tore itself from the throat of the enchanting, timeless beast, the sound literally rippling through the air. She dived to the side as the creature unleashed an icy blast where she'd been standing scant moments earlier, cursing herself. Why on earth did she have to be faced with the creature who embodied her element's polar opposite? Well, water also held that title but ice possibly more so. It didn't matter though, really, because she wasn't about to become water dragon breakfast was she? She was about to become ice dragon lunch. It wasn't any more appealing than the former to be honest.

She could hear the other's footsteps as they were forced to scatter, the beast focusing on her. She avoided another close call, knowing she didn't have the strength to fight the dragon head on. She could use her brain when she wanted to and now was one of those times. As the creature slashed at her with its sharp talons, the perfectly carved icy bones glinting in the light, Kai desperately hoped that they were smart enough to flee now that the beast's attention was focused on her. It wanted her, unable to sense the weapons with Zane's icy aura shrouding them so it settled for the next best thing. Unfortunately that happened to be her. She didn't want to die here but if she didn't think of something or find a way out soon she'd be scrambled Kai and breaking several promises that she'd prayed she'd always be able to keep. She wasn't even going to die protecting Nya-which admittedly had been the plan from the beginning. She darted out of the way as it lunged for her, cheering internally at its misfortune as it slammed its head into the crystalline wall. She knew from experience that it really hurt. Her celebrations were cut off as she ran into a wall of ice.

"Oww," she groaned, her hand flying to her head as she stumbled away. She just had to go and jinx herself, didn't she? Kai cursed as her vision spun, knowing all too well that this was not the condition she should be fighting in. Even though it was her fault for being stupid, she felt that Karma was being ever so slightly meaner than usual. She managed to straighten and turned to face the creature, only to release she'd boxed herself in. "Aw shit," she cursed, looking around frantically, trying to find an exit or gap to dive through. Her panic was increasing as the beast edged forward, closing in as it processed the fact that Kai had already come to terms with. It's prey-Kai-was trapped. She now understood exactly how a mouse felt when a cat boxed it in. She was a goner.

'Nya,' she thought as she backed away, her eyes still searching for a small spark of hope in the form of an exit. 'I'm sorry. I failed you.'

Kai only hoped the trio had made a break for it. It wouldn't do for them to get stuck in here. With a wall of ice on either side, Kai resigned herself to her fate. She only wished that someone would break the news to Nya.

The blast never came. Instead icy chills engulfed her and she was sent spinning away out of the blast range. Her eyes were shut but she knew that the force wouldn't harm her, even though it had the power to. Just what was going on? She slipped and landed on the floor, still in motion thanks to the snow storm that had kicked up around her. The blizzard died down and Kai released a shaky breath before opening her eyes. Snowflake stood above her, the shurikens of ice balanced in his right hand with his left outstretched to her. Kai felt annoyance surge within her which was quickly dwarfed by gratitude and confusion. She was not impressed that the trio hadn't taken their chance to escape yet she was thankfully they hadn't. That was what confused her. Why had they stayed? Snowflake had the weapons, so why didn't they scoot off while they had the chance? It was better for them if she was out from under their feet anyway. It tore her mind to pieces just thinking about it and whatever their reasons where, Kai just failed to comprehend. They owed her nothing! So why in the seven circles of hell had they not left her to die?! She'd never understand them, Kai decided. Never.

"I sensed you were in need of assistance," Zane commented. He offered her his hand. "May I?"

Kai resisted the urge to roll her eyes and took the offered hand, allowing the ninja to help her to her feet. "We need to get out of here."

Kai raised an eyebrow.

"Then why did you come back for me?" she asked as they darted across the cavern floor, trying to stay away from the dragon the ninjas of lightning and earth were distracting. "You would have gotten away with the shurikens if you'd left me there."

Zane didn't even turn to face her as they ducked under the beast's tail.

"No one is being left behind. Not even you."

Kai didn't exactly know how to respond so she shut up and followed.

Zane and Kai skidded to a halt on the slippery floors beside Cole and Jay as the duo ducked behind a pillar.

"Psst! Zane! Hot Head! What are you two doing out in the open?" Jay hissed. Cole promptly elbowed him in the mouth.

"Shut up!"

Kai ducked behind the pillar with Zane, going slightly higher then Jay but lower than Zane with Cole taking base.

"In case you didn't notice Spark Plug, we were coming to find you."

"Well do it quicker next time," Jay shot back as they watched the ice dragon trample around, waiting for the opportunity to make a break for the 'door'. Kai made sure to accidently use his head as a foot rest, relishing in the grumble her efforts received. The majestic ice beast spun suddenly, whipping its long neck around with frightening force and unleashing a freezing blast at the ninja. Zane wasn't quick enough and he was frozen solid instantly.

"Oh hell," Kai muttered, shooting both hands up to grab the Zane-pole as she dropped to the ground. Cole and Jay were smart enough to move and help her catch Zane.

"Now!" Cole yelled. The trio plus the icy pole rushed to the exit, looking like a group of grave robbers as they made their get away with the ice coffin. The dragon gave chase and made a last ditch attempt to stop them by lunging forward, its gaping jaws snapping at their heels. It was enough to send Jay stumbling, knocking Kai and Cole onto the frozen Zane as they flew through the gap.

"AHHH!" they screamed as they landed on the makeshift toboggan and were sent speeding down the hill. All Kai could see was a blur of white and blue as she attempted to help steer the 'sled' down the narrow, winding pathway towards the boat. "AHHHH!"

Cole gulped as he saw the rise up head, rapidly approaching as their toboggan picked up pace.

"Oh crap. Hold on!" he hollered back.

"To what?!" Jay screamed.

"To your pants, Spark Plug. You're not losing anything on me!" Kai snarled, her voice higher than it usually was. Cole put it down to them hurtling towards a body of freezing cold water, seeing as it was her polar opposite.

"AHHH!" they yelled as the mini iceberg flew into the air. Their flight was short lived though as the spikes of the shurikens became embedded in a fortunate wall of ice. The ice around Zane cracked open upon impact leaving him defenceless as his teammates plus one extra collapsed on top of him.


Kai didn't waste a moment in pulling herself free of the four human dog pile. She stood and shook off the ice, trying to rid her body of the uncomfortable sensation of being cold and the feeling of being in contact with someone that wasn't her sister. This concept of contact was still fairly knew and it
face now. But, thankfully, it had been Snowflake who'd saved her but that only improved things slightly. She was still furious with herself for actually needing saving.

How incompetent could she possibly be? Even after training her heart out with the Skulkin and Lord Garmadon, she'd still been unable to fend for herself. It was sickening, infuriating, to think that even after all the training she'd received from both her brutal yet skilled father and detached but thorough Garmadon she wasn't capable of holding her own and protecting herself. How could she possibly look after and protect Nya if she couldn't even save herself? The feeling was the same as the one she'd experience when her father had taught her to both combat and use the gift she'd inherited from him-Kai wasn't stupid, she knew all about the elemental war but knew better than to disclose that information. It was the reason Kai had vowed to never use it again until she'd learned how to control it from a more trustworthy teacher.* Weak. Vulnerable. Unworthy. Depression. Despair. Pathetic. Terror. Agony. Kai could go on for hours. The point was she was useless and unfit for the powers that she'd been born with if she couldn't even take care of herself. That was what it came down to after all; she wasn't good enough.

That brought to light another question though. Why did he do it? Why did he save her? Why did he come back for her when he and his teammates had a chance to escape? She had the dragon's attention, they could have let the beast finish her off and the world would be a better place. Although, she was glad he did because Nya still needed her-the effect of her last stunt on her sister was forever emblazoned in her mind but he had no reason to. She was a hindrance to their cause, an enemy whether she fought for the other side or not. They would have lost nothing and gained the ever valuable time if he hadn't come back for her so why in the seven circles of hell did he do it? Kai felt like she was repeating herself with these questions but she still didn't have an answer. Duty? No, her safety was not his responsibility. Honour? It couldn't possibly be that so which devil had possessed him and made him do it for no reason? Unless…

The boy had proven to be a naturally perceptive person from the moment she'd seen him back in the cavern four days ago-was it really that long ago? It certainly didn't feel like that to Kai. Then again, it took ages to cross Ninjago and Kai and Prince had admittedly loitered and wasted time-a couple of days-as neither had been in that much of a hurry to go to the coldest place in Ninjago, the walking heaters they were. Back to topic. Kai knew how attune he was to his surroundings and other people's body language-his sixth sense which Kai had learned about by eavesdropping helped with that-so she couldn't honestly say she'd be surprised if he'd caught her flinch. She had a feeling he'd work it out but that couldn't possibly be the reason behind her rescue…could it? Kai wasn't sure how she felt about that. She decided to deal with the problem when it punched her in the face, like she always did. It was how she survived and there was no way she was going to change anytime soon. It suited her anyway.

His actions led Kai to a cross roads that she hadn't wanted to come to yet and she was forced to make a decision. Kai didn't like being in debt, full stop. It meant she owed someone something and such matters got in the way at crucial points in time. Unless they were paid off soon after, they hung over her like the weight of the world and became a distraction that she didn't need. She did her absolute best to avoid debt, no matter the cost-that's where her lying skills came in when she had to deal with Nya-so naturally, this was a huge inconvenience to her and it throw all her plans out the window. This debt could be called in to get her to fight for them and Kai couldn't have that, especially with her father on their side.

The old man-Sensei Wu-bore the same marks as her father-so did Kai but she didn't really have a choice in the matter-which meant they had to know each other. He had to have, the timing and marks practically screaming that at her but she hadn't heard a whisper of him. She was missing something and she needed it to make her final decision. Otherwise they could all go die in a hole. Lord Garmadon and Sensei Wu were siblings and they both knew of her before this whole shit tip, of that Kai was certain. She just needed to find out how well. She had no memories of either of them so she couldn't have met them in person before. Kai groaned in her head. Unless of course there was some memory sheebaz* that Kai was unaware of-which was most likely because they had mind and heart control ones-and that had been used to wipe them from her memories. It really only inconvenienced them because Kai would trust someone she knew and liked over someone she didn't know and hated because of who they were allied with or what they stood for. Simple logic and reasoning.

It was only a possibility but there was truth to it so no matter how far-fetched it seemed, Kai wasn't going to turn a blind eye. Her decision would have a colossal impact on the tides in the war.

"No. If you were to fall the whole world would not fall with you. You're the Queen."

Kai felt she understood what the General of Fire meant, having taken the time to ask Nya how the hell you play chess and how each piece worked. She was the wild card, able to do anything on the board and the most flexible of all the players in the game. However, it seemed that in this unique chest game there was only one Queen and she had to decide which side she was going to play for-which side had the advantage. She was not the deciding piece in the war though, she suspected the two brothers held that title. Without Lord Garmadon, the other side would be in ruins with no one to continue his insane plot and without Sensei Wu there would be no one with the strength or power or wisdom to stop Lord Garmadon. Sometimes she wondered how different things would have been had she actually been a girl. Probably better, Kai reflected. Her childhood would have been a lot brighter for starters.


"-ra. Kyra. Come in Kyra. Do you read me? Hello? Is there anybody in there? Hello?" a far too happy voice chimed, a black clothed hand attached to a blue appendage being waved in her face. Kai leapt back instinctively, blinking away the daze her body had been in whilst her mind viciously worked on attacking the problem at hand. She slammed into something solid.

"Whoa! Easy there," a gruffer, deeper voice admonished as a hand grasped her shoulder to steady her. Kai's mind didn't see it that way. She shot to the side, snapping her leg out to strike the offender's knee cap harshly while giving her room to breathe and think. The fog cleared properly and she blinked again, finally taking in the scene around her.

Sparky, the one who'd been trying to get her attention, was staring at her in shock from his place on the snow a few feet away while the earthen wall she'd slammed into-*cough* Dusty *cough*-was glaring at her and flexing his injured leg. Snowflake was studying her with a calculative gaze as the old man who'd been the starting omen of this whole shenanigans held the map in his grasp, an interested glint in his eye.

"What do you want?"

Yes, Kai did mean to come off as rude. It was the perfect way to create distance because nobody likes rude people. Sparky held his hands up in defence.

"Nothing! You were just staring at the snow unresponsive and I wanted to know what was so interesting about it! It looks the exact same as every other patch of snow in this freezing place!"

Kai glared at him, annoyance burning in her ocean blue eyes.

"I was thinking Sparky. You should try it some time."

"Would you like some ice for that burn, Jay?" Dusty asked, gesturing to their surroundings. "There's plenty to spare."

"Shut up, Cole…"

Kai turned away from them, fixing her stare on the old man.

"I have a question to ask, old man."

Sensei Wu raised an eyebrow at that.

"Why?"

"I thought I was asking the question, not you."

"That's more than enough sass from you for one evening, Kyra Hearth."

Kai glared at him furiously for using her last name. She preferred her mother's maiden name, Smith, despite Hearth being nicer sounding. He'd fallen into an unplanned trap though and she was going to use it to her complete advantage.

"That's my question. How do you know me? You bear the same mark as my father does-as far as I'm aware of-and you know my last name, despite never being told it," Kai replied, her gaze level and hard. He was not going to dodge her question and she would get answers, one way or another. To her surprise, the old man sighed.

"You want to know my relationship with your father," he said, conceding. "And by extension, with you."

"Yes," Kai responded simply.

"I will tell you," he began. "But I need a few answers in return."

Sensei Wu was going to play on her field and make it his game. He knew how she worked, never doing anything for free and, for the most part, working alone. She valued her independence and freedom which meant he had to use her hatred for debts to his advantage. Kai didn't respond to him at first, her eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Or you'll be in my debt."

Technically, no she wouldn't because he'd stolen them from her so he was merely returning stolen property but he wasn't gifted with a silver tongue for nothing. He could bend the truth as well as his brother when it came down to things.

"It depends on the questions," Kai said slowly, her words dripping with caution. "Some information I am not able to disclose and others I see no real point telling. It wouldn't benefit me."

"I don't see how it would benefit me from telling you either," Sensei Wu replied easily. Kai paused and debated her next answer. She could respond with the 'you need me' line but he probably would counter that he didn't seeing he had three just as good fighters on his side.

"I don't trust those I don't know," Kai answered. "I don't know you and thus I don't trust you. However I know Garmadon."

"How about a compromise then?" Wu suggested swiftly. For an old fellow, his tongue and mind were fast. "We ask our main questions now and if you can agree to answer mine then I'll tell you what you wish to know in exchange for the answer to my question. You can ask as many questions as you like surrounding the topic but I can only ask my one."

Kai tilted her head in contemplation. She still held the advantage here-at least that's what she was telling herself-and she had a back out route if she decided she didn't want to answer his question. Prince could move awfully fast when he wanted to.

"Alright. How do you know me and my father?"

"Which side are you on?"

To the surprise of the males, Kai's eyes gained a smug, mischievous, glint to them as she nodded.

"It seems we've got a deal, old man."

"Very well. Come, we have much to discuss."


A/N: How was it? Good? Bad?

Sorry if Nya seems weak in this. She didn't do much in the original so I'm setting up her relationship with Kai and how they adapt to new situations (terribly) before we enter 'I can do things by myself' mode. Interesting twist with that, seeing as how Kai's a girl in this.

I hope you like Kai's interactions with the most reoccurring of all the skeleton characters, this will be used to explain a few events where those two just appear out of nowhere.

*Screw logic. Sensei Wu drinks tea under water. Kai is allowed to brush shadows with a horse brush. Deal with it.

*A memory for another time. Kai won't be bending until she discovers her true potential and they're all using powers and what not (I'll have to re-watch the series before I publish the next book but if they don't, well, they will. It will be different from the awesome displays they pull in Season 4.) But Kai is aware of quite a few things that Canon!Kai wasn't. Won't influence much (if any) but she will appear to sound older (and a bit wiser) about some situations because of experience. You're all welcome for the suspense note.

*Unknown words? Sorry, I'm an Aussie and we have quite a few of those. The spelling is exactly how it sounds because I don't actually know the spelling. I'm sure every culture has them but the meaning behind them can be guessed.

Word of warning: I'm completely up to date with the Movie, Know Season 1 but will have to re-watch to get all the character's lines and locations obviously, Season 2 is the same although I'm more certain of that one then Season 1, Season 3 is lacking quite a bit so I will definitely be watching that one and Season 4 is pretty much in the bag. Depending on how I do Season 4 will decide if I do Season 5 or not. If I do then I have a lot of watching to do. Fun for me though. Any one free for a Sloth-a-thon? XD. (Side note: Sorry about my numbers, I kinda assumed the first movie was considered a season but it clearly isn't so the numbers in previous A/N will have been off. Sorry about that.

Please leave your thoughts in a review and have a great day/night!