"Lloyd, you take Kai, Nicki and Roy," Ali said. "Zane, Jay and Nya, you're with me. Stick together. Understand."

Everyone nodded. They separated in the hallway they appeared in, which was dark, lit with torches that lined the walls with a black stones floor. A group ran in both directions. Lloyd, Kai, Nicki and Roy ran around a corner and slid to a stop. A group of Death Shadows eyed them down. They spun around, and there was another group behind them.

"Look who we've got here," someone said.

They all looked up, Nicki and Roy clung to each other, ready to protect each other if they were to attack. Kai glared and Lloyd was trying to calculate their odds of fighting their way out. From the look on his face, they were very low.

"Did you come for your friend?" a man said.

Kai was the only one looking at him. He wore a dark cloak that shimmered purple in the light. His eyes, the only thing somewhat visible under the hood, glowed a dark purple. His arms hung at his side, on his hands truly visible, and Kai wished they weren't. He grimaced, glancing at them. His hands alone seemed mangled, like a cat who lost almost all of it's fur in a brawl it nearly lost. His fingers had jagged edges, metal blades. And his skin, a dark, vibrant violet.

Kai heard Lloyd yelp, turning to watch him fall to the ground. He had at least three Death Shadows clawing at him. He covered his face the best he could to protect it. Kai spun around to find Nicki and Roy cornered against a wall. He turned to see their leader approaching him. He looked for a way out, but he was surrounded by the Death Shadows, waiting for him to try to escape.

"Try to run, and you won't see the daylight ever again," the man snapped. "And neither will your friends."

Kai looked to see Lloyd, cut and bleeding out. Kai looked to the man, his eyes begging him for mercy.

"Off," the man said.

The Death Shadows backed off Lloyd. Kai looked to the man, who nodded. Kai ran to Lloyd, who looked at Kai in pain. Lloyd winced as Kai helped him to his feet.

"I tried to get away," Lloyd whispered. "Then they jumped on me."

"I tried to warn you," the man said.

"We won't run, just don't hurt us," Kai said.

Nicki and Roy nodded, agreeing. Lloyd just stood, leaning against Kai to even stand.

"You two," the man said, pointing at Nicki and Roy. "Take greenie. He'll need your support."

Kai backed away as Nicki and Roy got on each side of Lloyd, supporting him. Then Kai turned as the man grabbed his arm. Kai held back a cry as the metal blades he had for claws dug into his arm.

"Your walking with me," he spat.

Kai gulped, being pulled forward towards the man's side. He didn't fight, seeing what the Death Shadows were capable of with the way Lloyd looked now.

"Three of my minions will escort you three to a cell," the man said. "Try to escape and they will tear you to shreds. Isn't that right, Lloyd."

Lloyd's eyes flickered with fear, seeing the man knew who he was. Lloyd glanced at Kai, who was trying to remain calm. Kai watched Lloyd limp away with Nicki and Roy, three Death Shadows around them. Then Kai looked down, seeing at least ten around him. He was jolted from his thoughts as the man pulled him down the hallway in the other direction.

"Where are you taking me?" Kai asked.

"Somewhere special," the man smirked. "Young Smith."

Kai looked at him in shock.

"How do you know who I am?" Kai asked.

"Through my old friend," the man said. "An old man who betrayed me. Someone you know all too well."
Kai looked at him, confused. Then he was pushed forwards into a room. He stumbled, trying to catch himself. The man walked in after him, closing the door. There weren't any Death Shadows with them, but someone else was in the room.

"Look who's waking from his nap," the man said, too happily.

Kai gasped, seeing him watching his every move. Kai pushed himself against the wall, terrified. He cocked his head, looking at Kai. He got up, walking over to Kai. Kai was shaking as his ghostly hand ran down the side of his face. Kai looked down at his hand as he held it.

"Who is his?" he asked.

How does he not remember me? Kai thought.

"This is an enemy," the man said.

Kai looked between his former friend and the man who brought him to the room. Kai was speechless. Not only that, he was too afraid to say anything. Then Kai jumped, looking around as a loud scream echoed.

"Kai!"
Lloyd's voice. Kai thought. He's in trouble. They must have tried to escape. No. This can't be it. He can't be dead. I would know. The man looked out the door, watching a bright light disappear and his minions turned to him confused.

"Those brats escaped!" he exclaimed, clearly irritated. "Watch him. Don't let him leave your side until I return."

Kai watched him nodded as the man left. Then he turned back to Kai.

"What is your name?" he asked.

"Kai," Kai said, feeling anxious and somewhat stupid.

"It seems like you have a predicament here, Kai," he said.

"I think so," Kai replied, glancing at the door.

He gasped, a hand around his wrist.

"You aren't leaving," he said.

Kai pulled on his arm, trying to free himself with no luck. He sighed, hoping that everyone else was safe and sound back in Ninjago.

Everyone stumbled, Nicki and Roy barely catching Lloyd. They sat him down, and he fell onto his back, lying in the dirt outside the Temple. June ran to Ali, pulling her away from the group. Mai ran to Lloyd, looking at his injuries as June glanced at them.

"What's wrong, June?" Ali whispered.

"Dash is gone," June said, trying to keep calm.

"What?!" Ali yelled in a whisper.

"You left," June explained. "Then she threw a tantrum and disappeared. We think she's back in the realm."

"The nerve she…" Ali growled. "I'm going back for her. Make sure Lloyd recovers. I'll be back soon."

June nodded as Ali disappeared in front of her. Now, she saw Tylor and Stan talking with Jay and Nya. Nicki and Roy had wandered over to Zack, who sat staring off into space under a tree. Mai and Zane were around Lloyd, who was slowly fading into unconsciousness. June rushed to his side.

"What happened to him?" she asked.

"Nicki and Roy said he got mauled by the Death Shadows," Zane said.

"He's lucky to still be alive," Mai sighed. "Quick, help me get him inside. He needs medical attention and now."

June and Zane nodded, helping to get Lloyd to his feet to get him inside. Then a gust of wind blew past them. Everyone looked up as it darkened around them. Ali appeared a couple feet from Nicki and Roy, a screaming and kicking Dash in her arms. Then, even Dash went silent, staring in horror at the person standing in the doorway to the Temple.

"What did they do to him!" Nya shouted.

"Whatever they did, I'm going to kill them!" Dash shouted.

Ali grasped Dash tightly, trying to stop her from running off again. Everyone looked at him. His robes were sleeveless, and a dark tan colour. His whole body emanated a ghostly glow, with him being a ghost yet again. The new wings on his back, pulled in around him. He looked at them all, one at a time, then his eyes laid on Ali and Dash. He took one step towards them, and everyone took a battle stance.

"Look who it is," he said. "The Master of Undead herself, Kirra."

Dash stumbled backwards, and everyone looked at her.

"Oh, I'm sorry," he said, a smirk on his face. "I forgot, you go by Dash now."

"You're not him," Dash said, shaking her head. "You can't be."

"Nor is he," Ali said. "That's not Cole, Dash."

"You are wrong," he smirked. "I'm still Cole. Just a different one."

He took off, lifting a couple feet off the ground.

"I'll be back for you later, Kirra," he said.

"That's not my name!" Dash shouted. "Stop calling me that!"
"Don't lie to yourself," he said. "You know it is, you just want to hide the dark side of you."

He lifted higher off the ground, about to take off for the time when he turned back one last time.

"Oh, and one other thing," he smirked. "You're forgetting someone. He's our hostage now, though. So just forget about rescuing him. That is, as long as you want Ninjago. As long as you want her."

He pointed at Dash. Then, he shot into the sky like a rocket, disappearing.

"Who was he talking about?" Jay asked. "He's our hostage now? Who?"

"Where's Kai?" Nya said, suddenly panicked.

"Oh no," Ali mumbled. "They have Kai."

That's all. Yeah, I'm leaving it on that. Watch for the next story in this series, A Change in the Enemy: Lost and Unseen will most likely be the name. I'm leaving it on this note, where it leaves it open to continue. I'm so excited!

I hoped you enjoyed. I'm going to finish the Nexo Knights story before I start the next story for this though. (Hopefully)

Have a Fantastic Day, everyone!