Chapter 9
The Bounty was left floating above the hospital with the anchor on the roof. Dareth stayed aboard the Bounty with Jay as everyone else prepared to get Kai back. With no time to loose the ninja quickly entered the front doors. Once inside the Emergency Waiting Room, chaos erupted.
Employees and patients alike cheered and gasped when they spotted the ninja. The group of colorful ninja didn't pay them any attention. In front of them was a group of doctors and cops huddling around a patient on a stretcher.
Vinny and Kai locked eyes. It was a surreal moment when they saw each other in their own bodies. Vinny held in all of his worry and shock. Almost as if they were waiting for his que, he whispered, "That's him."
Zane made the first move. Looking serious, he walked forward. "Sorry for the interruption but on behalf of the ninja we would like Vinny to come with us."
Kai his head turned has much as he could with the next brace. He couldn't look away from Vinny in his body. It was strange to see himself standing there.
A doctor that was previously guiding the stretcher took a step in the ninja's direction. "I'm afraid we can't allow that. We would need a family member to be present to sign him out."
Kai adjusted angrily on the stretcher. "Am I not allowed to speak for myself? I'm in perfect health but you just want me to be your lab rat."
Some of the ninja relaxed slightly to hear that Kai was in good health. The doctor side glanced to Kai. "We are worried that you have brain damage from what happened with the Mechanic's machine. We would like to run a few tests."
Kai was visibly distressed and confused. "I'm sorry what? Brain damage?!" He almost laughed thinking about it.
Vinny walked forward to stand in the middle of the ninja and doctors. "Do you think I have brain damage then?" Vinny said taking a leap of faith. "I was hit by the machine too. I'm fine and if Vinny says he's fine, you have to believe him."
The doctor looked conflicted. "Perhaps we should run some tests by you too." He insisted and Vinny took a step back in shock.
The lone EMT next to Kai raise his hand and spoke quietly. "I believe that Vinny is perfectly healthy." The room shifted to watch him. The man gulped and he eyed Kai. "I was running tests in the ambulance and he's fine."
Lloyd smiled slightly, 'At least someone is on our side.'
Zane put a hand on his chest. "I truly believe that Vinny is in better hands with us. If he was mental unstable as you claimed, we could provide him the care he needs. We need him to come with because the machine the Mechanic made was built with bad intentions in mind. Vinny and Kai were hit by it and it's important for him to come with us."
The doctor put a hand to his chin and hummed. "Interesting you say that the machine made for bad intentions and that two people were hit by it. Are you saying that the two will begin to have bad intentions? One of our protectors could have bad thoughts? Villain intentions?" He raised an eyebrow and produced a small smirk.
Cole turned his hands to fists and stomped forwards. "You're twisting his words!"
"Am I now?" The doctor asked while trying to look innocent.
Zane squinted his eyes and kept his cool. "All I said was that the machine was made on bad intentions. For a doctor, you don't analyze what I say correctly. That could jeopardize your career if you aren't careful."
The doctor sighed and crossed his arms. "And how could you possibly help him better than us? What do you have that we don't?"
"Sir, this is not a competition. It's imperative that Vinny comes with us. I do not wish to put this on you but this is for the fate of Ninjago." Zane used his wild card. If the doctor didn't allow Kai to leave now, the doctor could loose his job.
He threw up his hands in frustration and as a sign of giving up. The doctor began to walk away angrily. Zane caught a glimpse of his name tag as the man sent him death glares. On the name tag was just a capital M.
A cop started to undo the cuffs on Kai's wrists. The EMT next to Kai was trying his best to get the neck brace off at the same time. Kai was overwhelmed but he couldn't take his eyes off his friends and his body.
Once the cuffs came off, they helped him sit up and the suffocating neck brace was removed. He was helped off the stretcher and he looked back to the EMT.
"Thank you... for helping me and everything. Sorry I'm not a very good patient." Kai spoke to him as cops and doctors started to retreat.
The EMT smiled, "Don't worry I've had worse. You sure you'll be alright?"
Kai nodded and turned to see his friends waiting for him. "I'll be fine. Am I really allowed to go though? That doctor was strict and kinda freaky."
The EMT smiled slightly. "You're good to go. And don't worry about him. He's always been very up tight. Don't let him get to you."
He nodded and stared to the way he left. "Something about him doesn't sit right with me though..."
"Vinny" Kai almost forgot to react to the name.
"I should go. Thank you. One day I owe you an explanation." Kai said while turning to walk to his friends.
"You know where to find me, pal. Good luck." The EMT rolled the stretcher away and Kai was left in the waiting room full of patients and the ninja.
Kai nervously approached them. His hands clinched onto his white shirt. With his head down he couldn't see them past the blue cap. Walking toward them he lifted his head and it was the best sight ever.
His family smiling to him and the illusion was shattered went he saw himself looking back. Kai stressfully rubbed his eyes and the group left in silence.
Silence was better for the situation. They couldn't have someone over hearing them. Kai awkwardly followed, he felt like a stranger.
Once abroad the Bounty, Kai give a sigh of relief and dropped to his knees. He was finally able to relax and be himself. He had his head in his hands. He contemplated crying because of all the emotions he was feeling.
Suddenly a hand was on his shoulder. Kai looked up to see himself, no Vinny. A new emotion took over, anger.
Kai pulled himself to his feet and angrily pointed to him. "You! I can't believe you didn't listen to me! I asked you to leave because it was dangerous and now look at us! What the heck are we going to do now?!"
Almost as if his energy was depleted, he gripped the railing to stead himself. Zane and Lloyd stepped forward worried for him.
"Are you alright, Kai?" The nindroid asked and Kai let go of the railing.
"No I'm not ok! I'm in a different body! I feel weak and useless without my power!"
Vinny's jaw dropped. "Y-you don't have you power?"
Kai turned to him and his eye twitched. "Of course not!"
Vinny was panicking now that he found out he had the element of fire. He shoved his hands under his arm pits, afraid he would accidentally trigger it.
Lloyd put his hands up to calm everyone. "Kai, please calm down. Vinny, just because you know you have his power now doesn't mean fire will just randomly shoot out of your hands."
Vinny slowed removed his hands. Kai closed his eyes and took deep breaths. All of the sudden he felt arms wrapped around him. He almost panicked but when he opened his eyes he saw his sister hugging him.
"I missed you." She muttered into his shoulder. All the anger left his body and he hugged back.
"I missed you too, sis."
One by one the ninja joined in hugging Kai. Vinny didn't join because he barely knew them and he would make it awkward.
When they separated Kai looked to everyone with a smile on his face. Then it changed to a frown. "Where's Jay?"
Hello! You have no idea how excited I've been to post this chapter. I got delayed though because a lot as happened in my life recently. My dog passed away and I got extremely sick and was in the hospital. I got so sick that I am deaf in one ear now. Something to do with my sinuses but its very confusing. Even my doctors are confused. I hope the wait wasn't too long and I hope you liked the chapter! Honestly this was one of my favorites to write. :)
