"Kai," a voice whispered.
Kai's eyes flew open. He didn't recognize the voice and became alert. He looked around, finding himself floating in space.
"Kai," the voice called mockingly.
"Who's there?" Kai asked.
"Kai!"
Now that was a familiar voice. One he knew very well. He looked around until he saw Lloyd. A green orb surrounded him, trapping him.
"Lloyd!" Kai cried.
Kai propelled himself, hitting the side of the orb. Kai and Lloyd hands laid on top of each other, the wall of the orb between them.
"What happened?" Kai asked. "Are you Ok?"
"I'm fine Kai," Lloyd smiled.
"What is this place?" Kai asked, looking around.
"It's the space between realms," Lloyd replied.
"How does Jay have access to it?" Kai asked, confused.
"It's not Jay who can access it," Lloyd said. "Its his brother, Alex. He locked my spirit in here, replacing it with one that will work for him. Then he trapped me in here so I couldn't escape. Really, there's no way to escape from this place."
"So the Lloyd out there," Kai started, then paused.
"Isn't me," Lloyd shook his head. "Isn't right here. See."
Lloyd created a ball of energy in his hands, and smiled. Kai smiled back, happy for the kids ability to keep his hopes up.
"Do you know what they want with me?" Kai asked.
"All I know is that they wanted me on their side," Lloyd sighed. "I don't know what they want with you, though. Nor why your in here."
Kai looked at Lloyd.
"Is Cole, Ok?" Lloyd asked, trying to change the subject off him.
"As far as I know," Kai said. "Then again, I haven't seen him in a couple days."
"And everyone else?" Lloyd asked.
"All still fighting the good fight," Kai smiled.
Lloyd smiled back, then Kai started fading. He looked at his hands, panicked.
"What's happening?" Kai cried.
"He's bringing you back to Ninjago," Lloyd said, sounding just as panicked as Kai. "Please be careful, Kai."
Kai nodded as he disappeared from Lloyd sight completely. He woke, finding himself in a cage. Kai's arms were tied to the bars, which were made of venge stone. He looked around, panic rushing through him. He looked around, a faint light shining into the room the cage was in.
"Do you think he's awake yet?" a voice asked from outside the room.
"He can go see," Lloyd's replied.
Kai was shocked when he heard Lloyd's voice. He heard footsteps getting closer to him, then the lights came on. Kai watched Lloyd walk into the room with a girl at his side.
"Hello, Kai," the girl said.
"Its about time you woke up," Lloyd scowled, his voice sounding slightly deeper than before.
"What do you want from me?" Kai asked.
"Well, Captain hasn't given us orders on what he's doing with you yet. You'll just have to wait," Lloyd smirked.
Kai gulped, trying to move. Then he found me couldn't move at all. Not even a finger.
"Why can't I move?" Kai asked, slightly scared.
"I injected a serum into you," Mai said. "It'll stop you from moving for a little while. It's not hurting you so don't worry."
"Not hurting me!" Kai cried. "I can't move!"
"Lloyd, go tell Capt. that Kai's awake," Mai said.
Lloyd nodded, slipping out of the room. Mai looked to Kai, worry spread across her face.
"What are you waiting for?" Kai spat. "A chance to laugh at me?".
"I'm honestly sorry about all this," Mai told him. "If I knew you would or could be hurt be this, I never would have volunteered to help."
Kai was about to ask what she meant, but Mai turned and walked out the door, leaving Kai alone to his thoughts.
Ali walked outside, pausing mid step as she spotted Zane looking out over the edge of the island. She walked up to him, placing a hand on his metal shoulder and snapping him out of a trance.
"Oh, Ali," he smiled. He turned looking back out. "I didn't hear you coming."
Ali followed Zane gaze, seeing the falcon swooping and soaring in the sky. She turned back to Zane, seeing him watching in silence.
"What's on your mind, snowy?" Ali asked, smirking.
Zane shook his head and sighed. Ali looked at him confused, then he turned to her.
"I worry for our brothers," Zane told her. "I have yet to tell Dash of this, but I saw Nicki and Roy with Jay."
"I see," Ali said.
"I cannot bare to see her anymore hurt," Zane said, back to watching the falcon. "First she lost Cole, then she was hurt and lost Lloyd and now Cole is gone again. I worry for her in her emotional state."
"We all do," Ali sighed. "But there isn't much we can do to help. She will not talk to anyone. She's locked herself in her room and will only talk to Nya when she brings food."
"It's very worry some," Zane replied.
Ali nodded. She watched Zane stare off into the distance at the flacon. He had gone almost completely silent after they had lost Kai. The whole team was slowly falling apart and all Ali could do was watch at this point. She didn't know what to say. Cole was the one good with making speeches to help and Lloyd always managed to encourage people to help them when needed. She wasn't the best at either of those. She didn't know if what she would say would even work. She didn't want to say something and end up pulling the team further apart.
"Ali, are you feeling alright?" Zane asked. "I mean, you being with child and all. I just want you to put your health first."
"I'm fine," Ali smiled. "I know my limits. It's the reason I volunteered to stay here when you guys left."
Zane nodded. Ali was almost three months pregnant with her first child.
"I know it's early, but have you and Lloyd started talking about names?" Zane asked.
"Sort of," Ali shrugged. "We have decided on a name if it's a girl. Ella Lydia Garmadon is what we'll go with. We are stuck between two for the boy though. Either Allen Xavier Garmadon or William Alexander Garmadon."
"William seems like a nice name," Zane smiled.
"You think so?" Ali asked.
"Yes," Zane nodded. "I met a boy named William not too long ago. He was so sweet."
"Ok, I still want to speak with Lloyd about it," Ali said.
"By all means, go ahead," Zane said. "Once he is home, we can do just that," Zane smiled.
Ali nodded. She turned to walk back inside, when Zane grabbed her wrist.
"Ali," he said softly.
Ali turned, looking at him.
"I just want you to know," Zane said.
He stopped, watching the falcon. His bright, icy blue eyes staring into Ali's brown ones. Ali glanced down at her wrist.
"Know what?" Ali asked, realizing he had yet to tell her.
Zane shook his head, turning away.
"Know what, Zane," Ali said. "Tell me."
Zane looked down at the ground, clearly afraid to say what he wanted to. What he knew he needed to.
"Zane!" Ali shouted, outraged at the white ninja's silence. "Tell me what I need to know!"
Zane looked back up to Ali, clearly hiding something.
"Zane, just spit it out!" Ali cried.
"Enough," a voice said.
Ali froze, every muscle in her body tensed up. She didn't have to look behind her to know who was there.
"He isn't suppose to tell you," the voice continued. "I am."
Ali closed her eyes, refusing to look at the person behind her. Refusing to speak to the person behind her.
"Cole's missing."