Hey everybody, here's the next chapter where we learn even more about what Zuko is and what he's planning We also learn where Kai went and what's going through his head right now, okay if I keep going on I'm gonna end up spoiling the whole chapter, so lets just move on with the story.

Jade: Yeah, Kai's gonna go through a lot during the next few chapters :( Ikr? I cried so hard when Jiraiya died D''': And I listen to halloween song no matter what time of the year it is too, they're awesome! :D

Lee2: I never said I was the biggest fan, if you read my profile you'll see that it says that I MIGHT NOT be the biggest fan, but I'm still a pretty big fan of Ninjago.

Lya200: He does one of the things you said ;) (Btw, you don't have to keep trying to guess what happens if you don't want to)

Dark river 22: In case you weren't aware, Ninjago is coming back later on this year, so this is pretty much old news :/ And the reason for why Zuko targeted the people Cole knew first is because since Zuko was Cole's nightmare it only made sense for why Zuko would try to make Cole's life miserable.

Chapter 9

What lurks within

(Kai's pov)

I was running as fast as my legs could carry me. I didn't care where I was going, just as long as it was far away from the bounty and my friends. Sensei knew it was me, he knows I almost killed Cole, Jay, Nya, and Zane. I'm never going back, I can't go back, if I do I'll just end up killing everyone. No, I just have to keep running and never look back.

After I ran for what felt like a long time, I suddenly realized something. I have nowhere to go now, no one to help me, no one to talk to, and no idea how to turn back to normal, I'm all alone. After realizing I had no idea what to do now, I stopped and took a look around. It was nighttime, so it was kinda hard to see I was in what looked like the middle of nowhere, their was nothing but dirt and some patches of thin grass, theirs also a few bushes, but nothing looked familiar.

I have no idea where I am, I don't even know where I should go next, but I can't go back to the bounty. I guess all I can do is keep walking and hope I find something soon. After a little while, I came across what looked like broken glass, feeling curious, I walked up to it and stared back at my own face. I still had the same deformed snake-like head, my face was covered in red scales, the only thing that was familiar were my eyes.

I shrank back in horror and disgust at my reflection, I just can't believe what I've become. No one but Sensei was able to recognize me, I can't even recognize myself. I'm not gonna lie, I was scared. Scared of the monster that I was becoming, scared that I couldn't fix this, and scared of the fact that I was alone.

I was also exhausted from all the running I've been doing, maybe I should get some sleep. First I'd better find shelter just in case Zuko's looking for me. I started walking again, after what felt like a long time I was so tired that I felt like I could barely stand. I was about to collapse from exhaustion when I suddenly came across a giant boulder, I immediately noticed that their was a hole big enough for me to crawl through.

I quickly went inside and blocked the entrance with a bunch of small rocks that were lying around. After I was done, I walked to the center of my shelter and laid down on the floor. I let out a deep sigh, closed my eyes, and went into a deep sleep. (Dream is in italics)

I slowly opened my eyes and looked around to see that I was in what looked like my dads blacksmith shop. Wait a minute, is it my dads blacksmith shop? And if it is, how did I get here? I started to get up, when I suddenly noticed my hands, they actually looked normal. They weren't red and scaly with black claws, they were just normal hands you'd see on a person.

I quickly sat up and touched my face, I didn't feel any scales, just normal everyday skin. I was also able to stand on my own two feet again and have a look around. I walked around a bit and noticed that everything looked exactly the same, the same pictures were hanging up on the walls, the same equipment, pretty much every little detail was right.

This is really weird, how did I even get here? And why am I suddenly back to normal? I decided to keep looking around, I walked down the hallway towards Nya and I's bedroom. After I walked through the door I saw something that shocked and confused me. Lying in the center of the bed me and Nya shared was what looked like Zuko, except that it was red instead of black.

That's when "Zuko" opened his mouth and spoke in a voice that sounded just like me, "Hey Kai."

Wait a minute, why does he sound like me!? Why is he red!? Why is he even here!?

I guess "Zuko" must have noticed that I was confused, so he said, "Shouldn't you already recognize me Kai? After all, this is what you look like now."

That's when realization suddenly hit me like a ton of bricks, that wasn't Zuko...it was me. No, that wasn't just me, it was the monster that I was becoming. The evil inside me.

"But, how is that even possible? When I fell asleep I was inside a boulder, so how did I even get here?", I asked, confused.

"That's an easy one Kai, were inside your mind, I brought you here.", The evil me said simply.

"But why? Why did you bring me here if I've already turned into what you are?"

Evil me started getting up as he said, "Because you haven't completely given in yet Kai, that's the reason you weren't able to finish your friends when you had the chance."

"The reason I wasn't able to kill them was because they're not just my friends, they're my family and I'd never try to kill them or anyone else!", I protested.

He just stared at me until he finally said, "I know you were close to giving in after the transformation Kai, I was in total control." A wave of anger crossed over evil me's face, "Until that meddling Sensei had to come and ruin everything! I almost had you, all I had to do was have you kill that worthless nindroid!"

"NO! You'll never be able to make me hurt my friends! Your nothing but a voice in my head, that's all you'll ever be! You have no power over me!", I protested, sounding angry.

"HOW DARE YOU!", He snarled while lunging at me.

Evil me pinned me down on my back, grabbed my head, and pressed it against his face against mine. "I can make you do whatever I want you to Kai!"

I felt trickles of blood starting to run down my face from the evil version of me's claws as he continued on, sounding furious, "Because this is who you are Kai, so you might as well just accept it!"

That's when I kicked him in the stomach, using my free legs, sending him flying against the wall. I quickly got up and ran, hoping I'd be able to make it outside. After I ran into the main room and was shocked at what I saw. Everything outside of the blacksmith shop looked like nothing but a dead wasteland, their were dead trees everywhere, all the houses looked run-down and ready to collapse everything looked black, even the dirt and sky looked black.

It's just like when the overlord had taken over Ninjago city, the only thing that looked normal was the blacksmith shop. How did this happen? Everything looked fine when I first got here, I don't understand what caused this.

"See what' I'm trying to tell you Kai? Theirs nothing left, nothing except the evil that's corrupted you."

I turned and saw evil me standing right behind me.

"What do you mean? Why does everything look so dead?", I asked, confused.

"Your mind is being corrupted more and more as we speak, somehow this place is the only part of your mind that hasn't already been taken over.", he explained to me.

I get it now, my mind is almost fully taken over by the evil that's going through my body right now, and my memories of Nya and I's old home is the only thing that's keeping me in control. I started backing out of the door and ran through the wasteland known as my mind.

While I ran I could hear the voice of the evil me all around, "You can't escape me Kai, you'll have to give in eventually, somehow or another you'll give in."

Suddenly, the ground started shaking, I had no idea what was going on. That's when I felt the ground opening up under my feet, I tried hanging on to the side, but the earthquake was too strong. I started falling, falling into the cold dark ground, evil laughter surrounded me, and everything went black.

I woke up gasping for breath, I was scared out of my wits. That wasn't just any dream, the evil inside of me is trying to take me over, to make me give in. No, I'll never give in, I WONT give in!

I was snapped out of my thoughts when I heard a voice above me, "Did you have pleasant dreams Kai?"

I quickly turned my head and saw that Zuko was standing over me.

Surprised, I jumped a bit and asked frantically, "How were you able to get in here!?"

Zuko just smirked and said, "Do you honestly think a few stones will be able to stop me?"

I looked at the hole and saw that all the rocks were scattered across the floor again.

"Now Kai, I believe that both of us have some business to arrange this night."

Furious, I snapped my head towards him and shouted, "You think that I want to work with you after turning me into this!?"

"Your the one who did this to me, I might never be able to change back, but that doesn't mean I should let you live!", I shouted before lunging at Zuko.

I was able to pin Zuko down on the floor, I was about to tear his throat out when all of a sudden my head started hurting. I started crying out in pain, the pain was unbearable, I was got off Zuko and leaned down on the floor.

I think you should listen to him Kai, or else I'll have to use force, and we both know what happened last time.

I knew he was right, if I tried to kill Zuko the evil inside me would make me lose control again, I had no choice but to listen to Zuko and try to find a way out of this.

"Alright Zuko, I'll do what you say.", I said with a growl.

"Good choice Kai.", Zuko said with an evil grin.

"So, what do you want me to do?", I asked.

"Just follow me.", he ordered.

I obediently followed Zuko out of the entrance and into the night.

(Nya's pov)

I couldn't believe any of this, my brother was turning into a monster and we don't even know where he went.

I guess Jay could tell I was anxious because he wrapped his arm around me and said, "Nya don't worry, we'll be able to help Kai."

I looked into his eyes and said, "But what if we can't find Kai? We don't even know how to change him back, what if he turns before we can find him?"

"Nya, you brother is the most loyal person I know. He'd never try to betray us without a fight.", Jay reassured me with a smile.

I couldn't help but smile, Jay's always the one who tries to cheer me up, that's one of the reasons I love him so much.

"As much as I'd hate to interrupt you two, I think Nya has a good point, we don't know if we can even change Kai back.", Cole pointed out.

"You are right Cole, luckily I have exactly what we need. It is an herb that I had Kai fetch for me the day before he left, it is called angelfire. This herb can dispel any known amount of dark matter from someones body, it can only work once it's pounded up into powder.", Sensei told us.

"But we must hurry, because once the transformation is complete Kai will be completely under Zuko's command. I fear that Zuko might know about the dark crystal.", Misako warned us.

"What is the dark crystal?", Zane asked.

"It's a crystal that the overlord made to produce many amounts of dark matter at one time, but after the overlord was defeated someone dug it up and placed it on display at the Ninjago city museum. If Zuko gets his hands on it, he will be able to create a whole army of nightmares.", Misako explained.

So that's what Zuko's using Kai for, he wants Kai to help him break into the museum so he can create an army and take over Ninjago. If Zuko succeeds, then all of Ninjago will be put in jeopardy. Oh Kai, I hope that Zuko hasn't found you.

So, it turns out that the dark matter inside of Kai is growing stronger and we know what Zuko's entire plan is. But will the others be able to find him in time? Will Kai give in to the evil? And where's Zuko taking him? We shall see when the next chapter comes out ;)