Chapter 2

The morning breeze washes over a small town. The sun reaches over the mountains shining directly at it. At this time is when the townsfolk of Ignisia wake from their peaceful slumber and get to work. Everyone does something over the day: the women start preparing breakfast and wash clothing, the men start to head off to work on the fields or their own personal jobs not before they kiss their wives goodbye, and the children help their mothers or play outside.

"Tag! You're it!"

"Oh I'm gonna get you back!"

Two children in particular are playing the basic game of cat and mouse or tag. One of the boys was a spiky- haired brunette. He wears dirty shorts, a faded red shirt and new and squeaky clean red shoes. His parents bought them not too long ago and they were his prized possession because it was also his favorite color. The other boy had frizzy, messy hair and wore dirty shorts as well and a grey shirt including wore out grey shoes.

"Haha. You can't get me Jake!" The boy in grey, Jake, was about to tag his friend until he tripped on what seemed like a brick and being directly behind his red friend, pushed him down into the dirt.

"KAI!" Jake steadies himself and quickly gets beside his friend. Kai was flat on his stomach and used his hands by his sides to gradually lift himself up. Groaning he got into a sitting position with a little 'ow'. But then Jake noticed Kai on a verge of tears staring behind him. Now this confused little Jack. As younger villagers, the kids fall or get hurt when playing so it's become a sort of immune to it. Even so, the frizzy haired child knew that his friend never liked showing weakness to others.

So Jack was confused.

Before he could ask 'what's wrong?', he followed Kai's eyes as they kept staring behind him. As he did so, he realised what was making the spiky-haired boy upset. His most prized possession was ruined. His previous bright red sneakers were now torn and dirty. He looked back at Kai to see that the dam of tears broke. Almost immediately Jake pulled Kai into a comforting hug. He waited until the silent sobs were replaced by small sniffles when he decided to break apart. That's when he remembered something and faced his friend. "Hey Kai. Do you know what could make this better?"

He shook his head 'no'.

"I'll be right back," Jake said excitedly as he disappeared into his home. Moments later ran out holding something behind his back. Kai watched in confusion as his friend sat back down next to him. To his amazement, Jake pulled out two bracelets from behind him. One of them was red with a black outline of a dragon. The other was grey instead of red and had a black outline of a tiger. Jake motioned Kai to stretch out his arm which he did. The scruffy haired boy scooted closer and attached the red bracelet around Kai's right wrist, he did the same to himself but on the left.

"My grandfather made me these two bracelets. They are one of a kind and they are made of special leather that won't mess up anything! He told me to 'give it to someone I trust and will never forget. It has to be someone who I trust with my life and the same to me. When given, the bracelets will glow to their corresponding colors and that is when it is known that they have a strong bond." Jake explained this looking at Kai directly in the eye as he continued." That's why I'm giving one to you Kai. Your my best friend and I trust you with my life and I hope you feel the same."

"I do Jake but how do we know if we were bonded?" Kai asked curiously. Jake thought for a moment then raised his finger, his signature move when he came up with an idea.

"What if we fist- bump and see if that works?" Both boys nodded and did it according to plan. Once their fist touched, a powerful glow started imitating from the bracelets. Each boy started getting a strange feeling from it, too preoccupied to notice that their colors from the bracelets started slowly going up into the owner's body. Once the glowing ceased, they stared at each other in fascination and amazement.

" Did you feel that?" Jake asked first.

"Yeah! Did you feel that?" Kai followed.

"Yup."

"That was so cool!" They said in unison. They stood up and started playing again. With knowledge of the new discovery and forgot of the replaced value possession of Kai's.

Kai's P.O.V.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

I woke up to the sound of the alarm clock. Gorgilly, I sat up from my shared bunk bed to see the clock flashing 10:00 am. Slowly I shifted back down into the comforter and closed my eyes wanting dream- land to come back again... Until my mind processed what I read on the clock. 10 am?! I'm gonna be late for training! I thought snapping my eyes open and jumping off of bed. Dizzy from getting up too quickly, I stood still trying to gather my thoughts. Quickly I did spinjitzu to change my red striped pajamas into my red ninja gi. Once everything was in order (like my hair had enough gel and was spiked to perfection), I rushed out of the room already forming an apology for sensei Wu and the rest of the ninja. Once I opened the door that lead to the Bounty's upper deck, I started blurting out my apology.

"I'm sorry I am late sensei, I didn't keep track of the time and- " I was cut off by my realization that no one was listening to my rambling. Confused, I walked back into the control room and checked if there was anyone. Nothing. Well this is weird. I continued my search calling out to sensei, my friends and my sister throughout the ancient flying ship but found came up empty handed. When I reached back into mine and the others shared room, I found that there was a note laid on the cabinet right next to the evil alarm clock. Grabbing it, I read it to myself outloud.

"'I didn't want to wake you Kai. You seemed to have had a pleasant dream but just to let you know that I took the rest out to help me with my chores. We'll be back around noon. -Wu'. Well I guess I'm home alone," I concluded. Making my way over to the dining room, I grabbed a bowl of cereal and milk from the kitchen. Man, I really wish I hadn't overslept. I skipped Zane's cooking- bummer, I thought grimly, but at least I don't have to be stuck shopping. Ha, suckers. Finishing my thought and cereal, I put my bowl in the sink to prepare for washing. As I reached out to grab the sponge, my sleeve of the ninja gi pulled up revealing a shiny red bracelet with a black dragon outline on it. I sighed in content as I thought about my dream. I wonder if Jake still has his bracelet. I wonder where he is now. Does he still live in Ignisia? I wonder if he remembers me. When I finished that last thought, I paused with a small frown creeping on my face. Why am I wondering so much? It's not my style really. I should ask sensei Wu if I could have a couple days off since there hasn't been much bad guy trouble so I could find out what happened to my best friend. Liking the idea, I nodded to myself and started washing my dishes. Once I was finished I headed out to the upper deck and was met with the nice cool breeze of the ocean (since the bounty was one hover mode).

"Well since the rest aren't here at least I should do something productive, like a great student Wu has," I declared to myself outloud. With a push from a button, a training course suddenly appeared from the floor occupying the previous empty space. I headed towards the punching back and started punching. After 20 minutes of that, I switched to fighting robotic dummies with my sword. After a few more training courses and exercises, I was sweating and out of breath. Making my way over to tip of the Bounty, I sat on the dragon's head watching the ocean in front of me. After a couple of seconds, I started losing myself in my thoughts. That dream. It's more like a memory from a long time ago. I guess Jake's grandfather was right; the bracelets last everywhere and it still won't be damaged. I really want to see where my best friend is at. It's almost bugging me. I've had that dream for the third time in the row! Should I be taking it as a sign? Maybe. Maybe not. Hopefully sensei will let me take those few days off... I thought to myself, touching my bracelet subconsciously. Apparently I had been thinking for quite some time because I heard dragons' wings flapping behind me and landed on the deck soon six pairs of footsteps landing on the hardwood floor with a thump! and make their way towards me. I heard voices but I paid no mind to them. I was only me and my thoughts consuming me.

"Are you alright Kai?" I jumped about a foot in the air, startled by the touch the person gave me. I quickly turned my head to see sensei Wu and the rest of the ninja (including my sister) watching me worriedly. I turned back to Wu and looked back at him in confusion. "What?"

"I asked if you were alright."

"Um yeah. You just scared me a bit. " I looked back towards the ocean, trying to pick up from my thoughts. Sensei must have noticed my preoccupied look because he sat down next to me on the dragon's head.

"Is something troubling you Kai? Your mind seems to be cluttered in thoughts. Mind filling me in?" He asked me. Calm and comforting vibe timing from him and I slowly nodded.

"I actually wanted to ask yo-" I was cut off by the crime alarm. My fellow ninja quickly rushing into the control room with me and Wu following in pursuit. We skidded to a stop when Nya pulled up the surveillance system of a bank and began explaining the situation.

"It looks like armed men are breaking into Kriterium Prison. According to the police scanner, there are about four guards held hostage and two others k-killed," she paused. The samurai was watching the expressions of each and every one of us and concluded. We were all shocked. We never dealt with killings before- sure we handled snakes, an evil warlord, a cult, and other basic crimes but we never handeld murder.

"Well it doesn't matter. We still have to rescue the people and stop the attackers. We know what to do and how to do it," Lloyd spoke, breaking the silence among us. We all nodded in agreement to our leader. He then turned to my sister. "Nya, take us to the prison as fast as you can."

"We'll be there in five minutes!" She told us then faced the controls of the Bounty. We arrived there moments later to hear screams echo across the desert area. Our hairs sticking on end to hear that blood- curdling scream.

"I hope they are alright," I heard Jay mumble behind me. I turned to face him. "They will be alright since we are here now. Although there are prisons inside, they are still people. " He nodded, satisfied with my answer.

"Kai's right. We are here to relieve them from their misery," Zane agreed.

"Be careful of my ninja. You may not know what lye's in that prison," Wu reminded us. We all nodded and headed to the top deck. I turned around to see my sister following behind us in her samurai X gear but I put my hand out to stop her. She looked at me in confusion so I explained myself. "This is too dangerous little sis. I can't have you come with us, I'm sorry but you have to understand." To my surprise and relief she nodded.

"Be safe brother," she told me. I nodded and started walking towards the edge of the Bounty, seeing that my brothers were waiting for me and put our hoods on. In one leap, spinjitzu to the top of the prison and crouched down, not wanting to be seen.

"Alright. There seems to be hostages in courtyard A where the prisoners are being held. I spotted 3 armed guards surrounding the perimeter inside the prison. If we split up we could cover more ground and see if there are any more armed guys. Jay and Cole, you will be going through courtyard B and C. Zane and Kai you will be attacking courtyard A while I scout the front entrance. After we get into positions, you will tell me what you see and I'll then give you the signal when to attack. Got it?" We all nodded and soon went to our respected areas.

No ones P.O.V

Unbeknownst to the ninja, one of the guards spotted them and aimed a silenced sniper towards the green ninja. He shot a small mind control bug to their leader and quickly hid. Lloyd instinctively shot his hand up towards his neck and gripping it. He put his hand down to examine if there was no blood.

"Stupid bug," he muttered slightly annoyed then went towards his postion. One team at a time, they made their way to their destination as well as keeping a watchful eye out for any guards. Fortunately for them there weren't any.

"We reached courtyard A. Kai and I have not encountered any more guards," the titanium ninja report first.

"Me and Jay haven't found anything either. We'll meet you guys in courtyard A," the ninja of earth came in through the radio next.

"All right copy. Wait until my signal, I too haven't come across anything. I'm on my way," Lloyd ordered. Once all the ninja were together, they came out of the shadows to face the attackers.

"Not so fast!" Kai yelled his (made fun of by the rest of his fellow ninja) catchphrase in a determined voice. Everyone in the room, including the prisoners and hostages, looked at him in confusion. The master of lighting was the one that spoke first.

"Seriously Kai? Is that your first line to every bag guy we meet?" Jay asked incredulously.

"What? I don't see you trying!" Kai retorted a bit offended by the comment.

"Guys! Can you two quit your bickering! Can't you see were in the middle of something here?" Cole scolded.

"Let the guards go and no one gets hurt," Lloyd tried to reason. Unfortunately for them, the guards did not listen and pointed their gun to a guard who was now shaking immensely.

"Wait don-" Before Zane could finish his sentence, the guard shot the guard to fall limp on the floor, now creating a bubble of blood around his head. The ninja could only stare in shock as the same guard shot the other two guards then ran off with a prisoner.

Everyone in the room was frozen.

Coming out of his state of shock, he ran out to follow the murder. Once he caught up to him, the man stopped and dropped the prisoner on the ground who was shivering in fear. The man turned to face the fire ninja with a sinister grin stretched on his face.

"Well come and get me if you want him back," he told Kai motioning towards the prisoner. The red clad ninja needed no other information and in one swift motion, he pulled out his sword and charged at the man. He swung the weapon first but the man doged to the right and punched him in the stomach. Luckily, Kai doged that and kicked the enemy in the face which stunned him for a few seconds. The fire ninja took advantage of those seconds and punched him in the gut which he doubled over in pain. For one last hit, he kicked the man into the ground and walked towards the prisoner to see if he was okay.

"Watch out!" The prisoner suddenly yelled and pointed behind Kai. Turning around, he was met with a punch to the face by a fist. Falling on the ground, Kai let go of his sword by the sudden impact. Picking himself up, he faced his attacker who was now holding the sword.

"Well it's been fun Kai, but my time is up. I have already fulfilled my mission. And just so you know, the name Chuck," he told Kai. And to the fire ninja's horror, right then and there, he wished he could not have experienced.

Chuck stabbed himself with the sword.

He stabbed himself with Kai's sword.

Although his mind was still paralized, Kai yanked the sword that was wedged the Chuck's chest from his now limp body. He turned to the prisoner who was now shakley standing and ran off towards courtyard A. Kai was about to follow until he saw the shocked faces belonging to his team. How much did they see? Kai thought to himself. He was about to repeat his thoughts out loud but Lloyd spoke first.

"What did you do?" Lloyd soak in horror. That's until he realised that the faces of his teammates converted to fear. He was about to respond but was again cut off by Lloyd. "You and I need to have a little chat when we get back to the Bounty."

After summoning their dragons, they made their way to the ship they called 'home' in silence. Jay, Cole, and Zane were all exchanging nervous and fearful looks with each other as Lloyd positioned his dragon in the front with an irritated look on his face and Kai was in the back with a concentrated look. Once they landed on the deck, they called their elemental dragons off and went inside with Nya and sensei Wu to greet them.

"I see that you have completed your mission. Well done my students," their sensei congratulated them. His response was silent, so he tried again. "I know that you completed your task but what bothers you?" Nervous glances were given towards Kai as he stares at the ground. Lloyd, on the other hand, stomped over to the controls and typed in some things then turned towards Kai and dragged him by the arm, disappearing to the upper deck.

Zane's P.O.V. (During the argument)

"I would like to know what happened. Why were you looking at Kai like that? and why was Lloyd so upset?" Sensei Wu questioned, concern and confusion laced in his voice.

"I wish we didn't go to that mission," Jay said grimly as he walked out of the control room. Cole was silent and soon followed him out. All that was left were me and Pixal.

"What happened Zane? You must tell me," Wu pleaded with Nya nodded with the same amount of concern. I opened his mouth to answer but Pixel interrupted me.

"Zane wait. We may not know what entirely happens. I'm going to review your visual data and replay it to you. Tell me what you see," Pixel told me as she activated something to replay what say earlier. Through my eyes, I see that we were walking in from the corner door and saw Kai with a shocked, frozen expression and slowly walked to the fallen corpse and yank his sword out of the body's ribs. Then Lloyd was heard,'What did you do?' I gasped. "Kai was shocked! If he did kill that man, he wouldn't have been shocked!" I realized out loud.

"Kai did what?" Nya asked fearfully then passed out. I looked towards Wu to have a contemplated expression, I sense that he was debating on what to do.

"What do you mean Zane?" He asked finally. I took a deep breath then realized that I need Jay and Cole with me to share my discovery.

"Jay:Cole! I have important news!" They immediately came in.

"What's so important Zane?" Cole asked first.

"Yeah, what?" Jay asked but was smacked in the back of the head by Cole as an answer. "Ow!"

"Well I discovered something. Sensei, when we entered and searched the prison, there were only three guards: two were shot dead by one of their own and he carried a prisoner hostage out towards courtyard B and C. Kai was the only one to go after him, as we were all stunned. After we freed all of the hostages, we followed where Kai and the criminal ran off to. As when we reached the doorway of courtyard C, we watched Kai walk over to a fallen corpse and pull his sword clean out of his body," I explained to sensei Wu about what happened. He and the ninja of earth and lightning looked down in despair, so I continued," But, I analyzed and reviewed my recording of the event and concluded that Kai was shocked and fearful when he pulled the sword out. So I conclude that Kai may not have killed that man, but rather the criminal somehow grabbed a hold of Kai's sword, most likely from a battle, and ended his own life." Their heads shot up when I first said 'But' in my explanation.

"So this means Kai's not a murder!" Jay exclaimed with Cole following in pursuit.

"Of course he's not. He's a ninja and would do no such thing."

Sensei Wu stayed silent but had a relieved expression to replace his lack of words. But then our happiness was shot out of the sky when we heard someone yell. More like Kai yelled.

"I QUIT!"

It was so loud, that it silenced everyone on the ship even the birds. Nya had managed to wake up by the loud noise but we paid no attention to her. All at once, we sprinted to the upper deck to see why Kai yelled what he yelled. Once we arrived, I only spotted Lloyd near the balcony of the ship and I saw something jump off his neck a scurry away. Before it got too far, I ran up to it and crushed it. I turned to see Lloyd looking around in confusion and Jay peering over the rail. What he said next startled me.

"Lloyd? What did you do to Kai?"

To be continued...