Hi! So, I hope you've been enjoying this fanfic so far, because here's another chapter. I finally finished the rough drafts of the final chapters and the epilogue, so all I need to do is edit and upload. Anyway, Chapter 3 takes place from Kai's POV. I can't say if there's more coming, but if you've seen my posts on the Ninjago wiki, you'll know. ;) Have a nice day!
I slip in and out of consciousness, struggling to rejoin the living, like a weak swimmer battling the rapids of a raging river. Sometimes I last only a few seconds before slipping under again. Sometimes it, though rarely, lasts a few minutes. One time, I was awake enough to see I have been placed in a Vengestone cell, somewhere deep in the Overlord's crystal temple. Through the bars, the halls are lined with those hideous, glowing purple crystals that are starting to make me sick whenever I look at them too long. As soon as I realized this, my eyes closed and the darkness whisked me away.
Nya laughs as she leans over, pulling a scrap of paper out of my hair.
"Drawing again?" Lloyd asks, sitting down next to us.
"Maybe," I admit. The truth is, I had been sick for the past week, and as usual, Nya insisted I not train until I recovered. And like usual, I drew to pass the time, since for some reason, video games are always less appealing when I'm sick. This time, I drew pictures of the Skull Sorcerer, Cole having defeated him about a month ago. Even though he's evil, I kind of like how creepy and awesome his bad-guy outfit looked and I wanted to see how it would turn out. It looked better than I thought it would, but I spent all night working on it and fell asleep. I guess some paper must have gotten in my hair. I yawn loudly.
"Guess all night, too," Nya (correctly) guesses.
"What'd you work on?" Lloyd asks.
"Last night? Or all week?" I reply.
They say, "Both."
I sigh. Why do my little siblings have to be so nosy? Especially with my drawings? "Last night it was the Skull Sorcerer."
"Why him?"
"Because I thought his style was kinda cool, OK? Am I allowed to think villains' outfits are cool?" I retort. "And anyway, you were the one who wanted to know."
"That's true," Nya says, giggling at my outburst, which only makes me even more mad.
"And all week?" Lloyd prompts, unable to be deterred from learning everything he can about my drawing ventures, the prying little ninja.
"Mostly doodles," I answer, trying to be elusive and hoping they don't notice.
They do.
Of course.
"OOOHH! It's something embarrassing!" Nya teases, "I'm going to go find it!"
"Don't you dare!" I shoot back, getting up at the same time as her.
I start to head to my room to bar entrance for Nya, unsuspecting, when Lloyd grabs my legs, causing me to trip. I land with an oof and struggle to kick him off my legs. Instead of losing his grip, he scrambles up and sits on my back.
"Get off of me!" I shout, thrashing around.
"Hurry, Nya! I can't hold him forever!"
"You're pinning me! Not holding me! If you're going to do this, at least use the right words!" I protest.
"That's what you're mad about right now?" Nya asks incredulously.
"Nya!" Lloyd reminds her as I almost manage to knock him off. He grips my gi harder, fingernails digging into my skin.
"Right! Sorry!" She dashes into the Monastery, and Lloyd loosens his hold.
I stop fighting, knowing she'll find it eventually. The rocks of the steps carved into the side of the mountain the Monastery sits on dig into my torso, though luckily they aren't sharp. The air is still but cool, bearing the scent of autumn; dead leaves crunch under Lloyd's knees as he shifts his weight, before releasing me altogether, sitting next to me.
"Should've just answered," Lloyd tells me, "You know us better than that."
I sigh, sitting up. "For some reason, I keep doing this to myself."
"If it makes you feel any better, so do I," Lloyd offers.
"Perhaps we can help each other," a voice says, during one of my few moments of consciousness. It sounds familiar, demanding attention. Attention I can't really give.
I try to open my eyes to put a face to the voice, but I can't.
"I need to see the boy before I agree to your deal," another replies. Another familiar voice, although much more vague than the other one.
"Are you two seriously playing video games?" Nya demands as she passes by with a basket of folded clothes. "We were just trapped in one!"
"Yeah, well, it's not like it just happened, and it's not like Unagami was the most recent villain we've faced," Lloyd replies, shrugging as he makes his avatar dodge an attack and reengage his adversary.
You kinda pick up the most random words when you hang around Zane.
"Yeah, and besides, once he got past his anger with Dyer, he's a nice guy," I add, joining Lloyd in his struggle to drive back a hardy Red Visor boss.
"Yeah, well, you're kinda missing the roses," Nya tells us, walking out of the TV room.
"Of doing laundry?" Lloyd calls after her.
We burst into laughter and the water bottle in front of us erupts, spraying us with water.
"The Oni do not wish to… face the Ninja directly so soon after our defeat," the second voice says. It's familiar, but I can't quite place it. Where have I heard that voice before? It must have happened a while ago… but when? Before my brain can supply an answer, I am dragged back into unconsciousness.
It was after we thought Zane was gone forever. I'm not proud of the months after; I'm not proud of what I turned to to avoid the grief. I may have not been the best of friends with Zane, but he's my brother; I loved him, and I thought he was gone. Even during those months, I knew I should try to do better, to be better, but it didn't change the fact that I was doing nothing. At least I was using my skills. That was what I told myself.
Then, one day, while I was taking a break, a voice criticizes me for my choices.
"You know, you shouldn't drink too much juice. It's filled with more sugar than you realize."
I turned to him, not recognizing his voice at first, prepared to get into some heated argument. Instead, I saw Lloyd, and biting back what I was planning to say, I said, "Oh, it's you."
"I wish I could say that I didn't expect you to waste your talents here, but…–" Lloyd trailed off and sighed.
"At least I'm using it," I replied.
"Yeah, well, where's the honor in beating low-level thugs?" Lloyd challenged. He turned away, hands on his hips, and surveyed the building. "Ha, you've sunk lower than I thought you would. Gotta give you credit for that."
"Is there a point to this?" I snapped.
"Yes, the team needs you," Lloyd told me.
I laughed, "The 'team' fell apart the day Zane died. Maybe if I'd been the one…–"
"Yeah, first you should've been the Green Ninja, now this? When are you going to stop thinking about yourself?"
"At least this time it isn't about glory," I retorted, "And if that's the case, Lloyd, then the world would be rid of one more selfish person."
"What ever happened to 'ninja never quit'? Whatever happened to the ninja who didn't lose hope when the rest of us did? How come you lost your fire? Zane would've wanted you to carry on protecting Ninjago City since he can't. So, why aren't you?" Lloyd demanded.
I bit my lip.
"They're not going to come easily," a voice warns.
I turned away. Why can't Lloyd give me some more time? I needed more time. I planned to come back, with my head hanging, but sometimes you need to be alone to sort stuff out. I couldn't see why Lloyd thought that was selfish, even if the decision was purely for my emotional health.
Ninja never quit. I figured it was time to live up to that. I turned around to tell Lloyd that I'd come with him, but he was gone. In his place, a box from a noodle house sat. I picked it up, examining it. Chen's Noodle House.
"I have learned since our last encounter," another voice, one I haven't heard in years almost, says. At first, I do not recognize it because this language seems to be easier than it had been the first time, but as I remember the gravelly, guttural voice that sounds like a perpetual growl, I realize with a jolt, the Omega.
I stay still, rigid against the rough, stone ground, peeking through half-closed eyelids at the hall that my cell faces. I can make out shadows, almost humanoid, though only barely. I can't tell which is which, having never seen the Overlord's new form, and the Omega seems to have shifted into another shape. But that's the Omega's voice.
I shift slightly, trying not to let the two villains that I've regained consciousness, trying to hear what they're saying. Out of the corner of my eye, about where the shadows of the Overlord and Omega fall, I see another cell. A speck of green contrasts the dark colors. Lloyd. I shift again, trying to see some sign that he's alive, but at this distance, it's hard to tell if the rise and fall of his chest is actually happening or if it is a figment of my imagination playing on my hopes.
He better be OK.
"His Oni side is growing stronger," the Omega says, his figure striding up to Lloyd's cell.
I can see his figure, a lot more humanoid than it had been the first time I had seen him, though with my eyes barely open, I can't make out any features. The same is true for the Overlord as he joins the Omega, observing my inert little brother. My fists clench as I struggle to keep myself from jumping up and directing a jet of fire in their direction. They aren't allowed to talk about him like that. They aren't allowed to see him this helpless, this defenseless.
"After you have upheld your end of the bargain," the Overlord reminds, growling.
The Omega turns, eyeing the Overlord. "You are lucky the Oni do not want this realm. It's far too… troublesome."
"Soon it will not have those troubles, but you will have to face me, should you ever decide to go against your decision. For now, let us be allies."
"For now, until we part ways. After that, I cannot promise assistance with Elemental Masters," the Omega says, "We can do with a hybrid. I accept your deal."
"Excellent," the Overlord replies. He stalks over to my cells, swinging the door open. He roughly grabs my arm, dragging me to my feet. "Up," he says.
Despite placing me on my feet, he still yanks me along as he rejoins the Omega.
"You did not hear anything that you weren't meant to," the Omega says, "It doesn't matter if you know our plan. It will be inevitable."
"Oh, yeah?" I challenge, even if challenging an overpowered, atavistic villain, let alone two isn't the wisest thing to do.
"Kai, don't," Lloyd says. I spin to face him, trying to pull my arm out of the Overlord's vicelike grip. Lloyd weakly stands up, using the bars of the Vengestone cell to keep himself standing.
"Listen to your green leader," the Overlord advises, "He has finally learned that I am this realm's superior, and you would do well to learn that, too. Although," he pauses, a smile flickering on his twisted lion-like face, "I suppose you won't have much of an option."
Those words are like throwing ice cold water on a flickering, barely living fire, and I struggle harder to pull free, the Overlord's rocky grip raking my arms. The Overlord's grip tightens, causing me to stop my attempts and still myself. His evil grin spreads into a beam, contorting his already hideous face. I keep my face as far away from his, not wanting his multitude of tusks and his two sets of lower fangs to scar it. I mean, I'm sure I can pull off the scarred look, but I don't want to push my luck in the good-looks department.
Assuming I get out of here. Assuming we get out of here, because honestly? I don't think I can handle losing Lloyd, even if he's still technically alive. Morro's possession was one of the hardest times of my life, but at least then I knew there might be some chance to get him back. But corruption? From an Oni?
Wait… Lloyd's part Oni, and I've seen him sorta channel his Oni powers. Vengestone may negate elemental powers, but not Oni powers. If Lloyd knew what they were planning on doing, maybe he could channel his Oni to save himself. Then, at least one of us can warn the others that the Omega is back, and has teamed up with the Overlord.
"Lloyd!" I try to warn, "They're going to corrupt you!" I try to shout more but the Overlord slaps a hand over my mouth.
"Enough!" the Overlord snaps. He turns to Lloyd, face gloating and eyes glowing smugly, ignoring my thrashing as if I am nothing more than an annoying fly. "Watch as I corrupt your friends, and know that it will be he that will bring the downfall of the Ninja."
"They'll be able to tell if he's been corrupted!" Lloyd shouts back, unable to contain himself.
"That is where I come in," the Omega says, stepping into the light. His form is a lot different from what it had been last time. Last time he looked like a brute, with bulging muscles, broad shoulders, and his overall size. He kinda looked like a bull last time, especially with his horns, albeit twisted and more elaborate than any cow. This time, however, he looks sleek and lithe. His form is smaller and looks more suited to speed and agility than strength. He is still muscular, but this body seems to prefer fast and accurate movements. Fast and accurate results.
His horns aren't nearly as elaborate or huge, either. Instead, they curl gracefully inward, like a ram's, with glowing purple jewels inexplicably inset at frequent intervals. His exposed skin is decorated with tattoos of scales, glowing against his dark skin. The Overlord may boast of the lion's brute strength, but the Omega radiates the lioness. Especially with his eyes, glowing yellow in the middle, edged with purple.
"Let's begin," the Overlord says, his annoyance dissolving as the idea of corrupting me replaces the memory of my defiance.
He shoves me to the ground, sending me scrambling to get back onto my feet. I glance in the direction of the hall, the only source of natural light, but before I can even consider making a mad dash for it, he sticks out a clawed hand, grabbing my shoulder. I freeze, feeling the cold, sharp claws dig in.
Power flows into me. Not power for me, power against me. I close my eyes, shaking as I resist its lure. I had thought being infected, corrupted, would hurt. I had thought it would be over quickly, like it had been with the crystal zombies roaming the streets, roaming Ninjago in general. No, that wasn't the Overlord's plan. He wants me to give in, to let him take control. And the power, flowing and zapping like currents of electricity, is his offer. All I need to do is lay bare my will and let him tap into it.
Ninja never quit.
The Overlord lets me fall to my knees. My head hangs, my breathing heavy, as I squeeze my eyes shut as if it would expel the darkness now coursing through my veins.
"Kai!" Lloyd cries, probably not for the first time. I wouldn't know; it's hard to hear. His voice had sounded strained as if he had pushed it to its limit.
I want to reply but it's hard enough for me to draw enough oxygen into my lungs. I only have enough to supply my brain with enough air to keep from giving in, to keep resisting. But the power is so, so much stronger. How can I hope to get it out of my system? How can I hope to win against its pull, its corruption?
Ninja never quit.
For a moment, I almost drive it back, the words my motivation, my cause, my will.
Almost.
For a moment, I was winning.
Ninja never quit.
I collapse entirely, sprawled against the mix of Vengestone, granite, and crystal floor. The edges of my vision are sprayed in black spots, growing, shrinking, multiplying. Every breath hurts, every one a fight. I don't have any more energy to give to the fight, to the resistance. The power gives one final surge, and my eyes roll up, and my last thought is I'm sorry, Lloyd.
THE OMEGA? WHAT'S HE DOING THERE? AND KAI! Will Kai make it? Will Lloyd save them all? How are they going to make it out of this? Read more to find out!
On less serious matters, I've had this headcanon that Kai is an awesome drawer. I first featured it in a one-shot called "I'm Fine" which I will be posting ASAP. Again, I usually post my fanfics first on the Ninjago wiki, but I'm working on posting them all here.
Until Chapter 4, my friends! Sivi, out. :) -