Wednesday

After school, Kai headed for the monastery, feeling determined. He wanted to train as much as he could so that he could rescue his sister. At school, he had told the teacher that Nya was sick and wasn't coming today. For some reason, he was very reluctant to tell them what had really happened.

When he arrived, none of the others were there yet. Wu was sitting on the steps in the courtyard leading into the monastery, drinking tea.

"Hello, Kai," Wu greeted him with a small nod.

"When do we start?" Kai asked impatiently.

"When the others get here," Wu replied.

"Why do we have to wait?!"

"Patience, Kai. In order to become a ninja, you must learn patience."

Kai huffed. "Whatever…"

A few minutes later, Cole, Zane, Jay, and Lloyd arrived. They all began training.

"How soon will they get here?" the Emperor asked, pacing impatiently.

"We don't know. We lost track of them in the Outcast," the Emperor's personal guard told him.

"And you're sure they're elemental masters?"

"Positive."

There was silence for a few minutes, before the guard said, "If anyone found out about this, you would be in big trouble."

"Hmph. Me? The Emperor? I don't think so. No one would dare to oppose me."

"Just be careful, Your Highness."

Just then, another guard came rushing in. He was panting, and said, "Your Highness, they are bringing the girl now. They will arrive in approximately twenty-four hours."

"What about the boy? I wanted both of them," the Emperor asked sharply.

"Um, they failed to capture the boy. Some old man came out of nowhere in this golden tornado or something… Personally, I think they're just making excuses. Golden tornado? Hmph!"

"I see… Well, either way… Gather your soldiers. We will meet the half breeds at the east palace wall," the Emperor ordered. "Take a few to escort them through the city. Make sure you are not seen!"

"Yes, sir!"

The android servant watched them silently, plotting against them in her mind. She finished polishing the floor, then stood up and hurried off. She had to tell Zane.

Zane crept along the palace wall, and then scrambled over it. On the other side, he quickly hid behind some rose bushes and waited. A few minutes later, P.I.X.A.L arrived.

"Zane?" she called softly.

Zane carefully came out of hiding. "Hello, P.I.X.A.L. I'm afraid that I have some grave news."

"So do I," P.I.X.A.L said. "You go first, but hurry."

"You remember my friend Kai I was telling you about? And his sister?"

"Yes," P.I.X.A.L replied, eyebrows now creased in concern. "What about them?"
"Kai's sister was kidnapped by half breeds. I don't know all of the details, but I do know that they took her to the Outcast."

P.I.X.A.L's eyebrows rose in surprise. "Odd. A little bit ago I overheard the Emperor talking about half breeds having kidnapped a girl, an elemental master. The half breeds are going to bring her here."

"What? Why?" Zane asked urgently.

P.I.X.A.L shook her head. "I don't know. But the Emperor is working with half breeds, even though he just executed one of their kind not that long ago."

"That is strange…"

"Zane, I heard them say that they're bringing her to the east palace wall, but before that they need to get over the wall around the city. They're most likely going to take the east wall there as well. It is right across from the Outcast. They said they would be there in twenty-four hours."

"Thank you, P.I.X.A.L. I must tell the others."

"Go, then. Goodbye, Zane."

Zane looked back at her from where he perched on the wall. "Goodbye, P.I.X.A.L." He leaped over the wall, landing softly, and then hurried away.

Cole had been asleep. Keyword, he had been asleep. He woke to his phone ringing on his nightstand. "Ugh," Cole groaned. He half sat up, still partially asleep, and then answered the call. He hadn't looked at the number, and so he had no clue who it was.

"Cole, you must meet me at the monastery right now."

"Uh, what? Zane?"

"Yes. I believe I know where Nya is."

Cole bolted up. "What?! You do?!"

"Yes. I'm calling Kai and Jay next."

"What about Lloyd?"

"…I don't know. He obviously doesn't have a phone. I am unsure on how we would contact him."

Cole sighed. "Okay. I'll meet you there."

"We must hurry, though. They should be at the wall in seven or so hours, and the Emperor's guards are waiting for them there. We must rescue her before they reach the wall."

"What? But if the Emperor's guards are there, shouldn't we let them take care of it?"

"No!" Zane snapped.

"Um, what?"

"I'm sorry, Cole, but we cannot trust the Emperor. We must save Nya before she is taken to the palace. If she is taken there, then we will never be able to rescue her."

"Oookay, then. Whatever you say, I guess. You were always the smart one…"

"Thank you, Cole. I will meet you there." Zane hung up, and Cole was left staring at his phone in confusion. Cole sighed, and then got up.

Lloyd knew that he shouldn't sneak off in the middle of the night, especially when you lived in the Outcast, but he had suddenly had this odd feeling. He needed to get to the monastery, but he wasn't sure why. Shrugging mentally, again, he started up the stairs of the monastery. Once in the courtyard, he stood looking around, wondering what had called him here. It was probably from his dragon side. Dragons were known for having excellent instincts. But why did it call him here? And now?

Zane opened the doors to the monastery, and then started in shock when he saw Lloyd standing there. Lloyd looked just as surprised to see him. "Lloyd?"

"What are you doing here?" Lloyd asked, looking confused.

"I believe I know where Nya is," Zane replied. "I already called the others here. I would have informed you, but I wasn't sure how. How did you know to come?"

Lloyd shrugged, looking a little sheepish. "I just had this odd feeling, telling me to come here, and so I did."

"Interesting." Zane cocked his head slightly at him, curious.

Just then, Cole arrived. "Lloyd? How did you know to come?"

"I'll explain later. I'm not explaining it four times," Lloyd replied.

Kai arrived next. He immediately looked at Zane. "Where is she?" He sounded desperate.

Jay arrived the next second. "You know where Nya is?!" he asked Zane.

Zane nodded. "I do." He explained what he knew, but made sure to avoid the part about P.I.X.A.L. He didn't want to reveal her. He especially didn't want to explain how he knew her in the first place, or why he met up with her every two weeks. He wanted to keep the fact that he was a nindroid a secret, too, and certainly didn't want anyone to suspect anything.

Lloyd frowned when he heard what Zane said. The Emperor is working with half breeds? Why? "Do you know where in the Outcast?"

Zane shook his head no. "I have never been to the Outcast before, and so we will have to figure out which way is which when we get there."

"Yeah, neither have the rest of us," Jay said, looking a little terrified. "I mean, who in their right mind would venture into the Outcast?"

How ironic, Lloyd thought. "We should get moving. Grab any weapons you need. We leave immediately." Lloyd had never taken charge like this before, but he knew that he was the only one who had any idea what was out there.

And, of course, Kai thought to challenge him. "Who put you in charge?"
"I did," Lloyd replied.

"Like you know any better about the Outcast!" Kai scoffed.

"Would you like to lead?" Zane asked Kai.

Kai huffed, then stormed inside to get some weapons.

"He's just worried about Nya," Cole told them. "Once she's safe, he won't be as snappy."

Lloyd nodded, feeling a little unsure.

About an hour later, they reached the east wall of the city. Lloyd was still leading, and he tossed a rope over the side with a hook on one end. The hook caught, and then the five of them scrambled up it. On the top of the wall, the others jumped down while Lloyd gathered the rope, and then he joined them.

Jay rubbed his hands together, staring out across the plain and at the thick foliage on the other side. Trees loomed up like shadows, and the forest was dark and menacing looking. "We have to go in there?"

"Yup. Those woods are the Outcast," Lloyd replied.

"I know, but… it looks so… dreary…"

Try living there… Lloyd thought glumly.

"Let's go," Kai said, already crossing the meadow.

The others followed him, and Lloyd took a moment to glance around, searching for guards, before he followed them too.

When they had crossed the meadow and had reached the trees, Lloyd cautiously walked in. He was now in the back, as he had hesitated following his friends across the meadow. Jay was in the back with him, glancing around in poorly disguised terror. Kai led the way, determined to rescue his sister.

"If we continue heading this way, then we should intercept the half breeds at some point," Zane informed them.

"Unless something else intercepts us first," Jay mumbled.

They walked in tense silence for about ten minutes before Jay said, "This is creepy."

"You're telling me!" Cole agreed. "This place needs some streetlights."

"Actually, the dark is quite handy," Lloyd said. "If we can't see very well, then our enemies can't see very well, either. We have a better chance of going by undetected."

"I agree," Zane replied.

"Why didn't I bring a flashlight?" Jay asked no one in particular.

"Because you're a scatterbrain," Cole replied helpfully.

Suddenly, Lloyd noticed where they were. They were near the quicksand he had gotten stuck in when he was a kid. His friends didn't know about the quicksand. "Hey, wait a minute!"

They all stopped, glancing back at him.

"What?" Kai asked impatiently.

"We should, uh, turn right a bit," Lloyd gestured.

Kai raised an eyebrow at him. "Why?"

Lloyd walked over to him. He saw the quicksand about a yard in front of them. The sand was covered in foliage, and so was not easily seen unless you were watching for it. Lloyd was glad that he had noticed when he had. He pointed ahead at it. "There's quicksand there."

Kai looked where he was pointing. "I don't see anything."

"That's because it's hidden," Lloyd replied.

"And how would you know that it's there, then?"

"Uh, because I'm more observant than you."

"Hmph! I think you and Jay are just wimps and want to go back. We need to continue going straight. Otherwise, we're all going to get lost in here!"

"No—" Lloyd tried to retort, but Kai had begun walking again. Straight towards the quicksand. "Wait!"

Kai ignored him.

"Hey, Kai, maybe you should listen to Lloyd," Cole told him, but it was too late.

Kai had suddenly stopped. "Uh, what is this?"

Lloyd facepalmed. "Ugh. That's the quicksand I was trying to warn you about!"
"Oh," Kai replied, sounding a bit panicked. He tried to turn around and walk back, but the mud was already up to his waist. "Um, I'm stuck."

"Obviously!" Lloyd snapped. He turned around, searching for a vine. "Don't move. You'll only sink faster."

"But if I don't move, I'll sink anyway!"

"Do as Lloyd says!" Zane snapped. "We'll find a vine to pull you out."

"Okay, but hurry," Kai replied, voice rising.

"Search for a vine or something!" Lloyd ordered. "Everyone, fan out!"

They all instantly obeyed him.

"How about this?" Cole called, holding onto a thick hanging vine.

"That will work," Lloyd answered. "Cut it down with your katana."

Cole did as told, and then carried it over to the quicksand hole. He tossed one end out to Kai, while holding tightly onto the other end. Kai grabbed it. Cole tugged, and Lloyd and Zane grabbed onto the rope and helped. Jay stood there frozen, eyes wide.

Kai's head was now the only part of him still above the sand.

"He's too stuck!" Cole said.

"Pull me out, pull me out!" Kai shouted, voice shrill, and now trying to move again.

"I said don't move!" Lloyd panicked, seeing that Kai was sinking even further. He's gonna drown!

Jay still stood off to the side, watching. He was frozen to the spot. It was like being in a nightmare, the kind where you could only watch as you stood there, not able to even move a finger. Jay's mind seemed to have stopped, and he was unable to think. He felt detached from reality.

"What do we do?!" Cole yelled, panicking like the rest of them.

Kai saw his friends trying to pull him out, but he soon saw that it was useless. I should have listened to Lloyd! Why didn't I listen?! He wondered if he would ever see Nya again. If I drown, who's going to save Nya? Who's gonna watch over her? Kai's head ducked beneath the surface of the sand, and he struggled, holding his breath. He couldn't see a thing, as he was literally drowning in mud. I never imagined I would go out this way… He hadn't gotten a good gulp of air before he went down, mostly because of his panicked yelling, and now it felt as if his chest would explode. I need air! Finally unable to hold his breath any longer, Kai gasped, and then coughed as his lungs were filled with mud.

Lloyd saw Kai's head go under, and then the rope loosened, showing that he had let go of it. "No!" Lloyd dove into the mud, intending to go after him. He heard someone call his name, but he ignored it. He would not let his friend drown. He felt the wetness of the mud instantly drench him, and felt it sucking him downwards. He felt around for Kai, and with his other hand he searched for the rope. He finally felt Kai's hand, and he gripped it tightly. His other hand then found the rope, and he gave it a tug. Kai seemed to drag him down, like a dead weight. No, not dead. He's still alive. He has to be…

Cole and the others stared in horror as Lloyd dove in after Kai.

"Is he crazy?!" Jay screeched. "They're both gonna die!" He sounded close to tears.

Cole and Zane still hung onto the rope, frozen in shock. Suddenly, they felt a tug on it.

"It's Lloyd! Pull him out!" Zane ordered.

Cole and him both pulled with all their might.

"Jay, come and help us!" Cole called.

Jay remained frozen, staring helplessly.

"JAY!"

Jay snapped out of his shock, and then dove to help. Together, the three of them managed to drag Lloyd and Kai out. Lloyd gasped for air, and then Kai coughed, spitting out a bunch of mud, and he too lay there gasping.

Lloyd sat up, and then rubbed the mud out of his eyes. He looked down at Kai, who coughed up some more mud.

"Are you guys okay?!" Cole asked, bending down to look at them.

"I'm fine," Kai mumbled weakly. He didn't try to stand, too worn out after his near-death experience.

"Me too," Lloyd replied. He stood up shakily, trying to wipe the mud off of his clothes.

Cole stood up, looking at them both in concern.

Zane bent down to examine Kai. After checking if he was breathing fine, he stood back up. "Kai will be fine. You both are very lucky."

"I'll say…" Jay mumbled.

Kai slowly sat up, wiping mud off of his face and trying to get it out of his hair. He glanced at Lloyd, who still stood next to him, and then looked down in shame. "Thanks."

Lloyd glanced at him. "You're welcome."

"I was just so worried about Nya…" Kai mumbled. "I… I didn't think…"

"I know. It's okay."

"We should get moving," Zane told them urgently. "We only have so long to find these people."

Kai nodded mutely, and stood up. He glanced at Lloyd again. "Maybe you should lead. You saw danger way before I did."

Lloyd blushed in embarrassment.

"I agree," Zane said. "I did not notice it either, and I was in the front with Kai."

"O-okay," Lloyd stuttered. "I guess…" Lloyd took the way around the quicksand, the way he usually traveled when he went to school.

The others followed him in silence.

About twenty minutes later, Lloyd slowed to a stop. Up ahead he could hear voices. He motioned for his friends to be quiet, and then crept silently towards the sound. He paused when he saw the source. Six half breeds sat around a camp fire, and Nya was tied up to a tree. She looked scared, but Lloyd saw defiance in her eyes. The fire's light cast ominous shadows around the clearing.

"Nya!" Kai hissed quietly, kneeling beside Lloyd.

"What's the plan?" Cole asked, eyes dark with hatred towards the half breeds.

Lloyd involuntarily shivered, swallowing. If Cole found out what he was, that hatred would probably be directed at him. Lloyd didn't want to think about what would happen then. He turned his focus back to the mission at hand. "I say we take them by surprise. There's five of us, six of them. If we free Nya, then it's an even match."

"But I just started my training!" Jay protested.

"So did I," Cole agreed, "but we have to rescue Nya. We have no choice."

"Well, then what are we waiting for?" Kai asked. He pulled out his sword, making a quiet metallic swishing sound, and then leapt at the half breeds before anyone could stop him.

"Seriously?!" Lloyd growled. "I thought I was leading!" Lloyd leaped out as well, pulling out his sword, and his friends followed him. They all attacked the startled half breeds, and Lloyd blasted his power at two.

Nya also looked startled at their sudden appearance.

"Ooh, how did you do that?!" Jay exclaimed, awing at Lloyd's display of power.

"Uh, I'll tell you later," Lloyd replied hastily. He swiped at one of the half breeds he had just blasted, almost slicing him.

Kai sliced one of the half breed's arms, and he howled in pain. Kai shoved him aside, and then ran over to Nya. Kai raised his sword, and then sliced through the rope that bound her. Nya quickly took the gag off of herself, and stood up. Kai then spun around to swing his katana at another half breed.

He turned back to her for a moment, handing her one of his katanas.

"Thanks," Nya said. She too swung at one of them.

"Nobody kidnaps my sister!" Kai growled, turning his ferocious gaze on another half breed. The half breed didn't stand a chance, not against Kai's anger. The half breed fled into the woods, bleeding heavily.

When Lloyd saw that Nya was free, he sighed quietly in relief. Good. Their mission was almost done. He turned—and then saw Cole. He was slicing through the half breeds with malice, eyes glinting. Lloyd swallowed uneasily, suddenly terrified of him. Seriously, if he ever found out about him… would Cole kill him? Lloyd found that he wasn't sure. Cole was still bitter about what had happened to his mother, obviously. He wanted revenge on the half breeds. Any half breeds. Lloyd knew that. He decided that from then on, he had to be very careful around him. He could not let anything slip. Lloyd anxiously turned back to the battle.

Zane swung his katana at a half breed, and then threw one of his shurikans at it. He grazed its arm, and it growled in pain but did not let up on him. The half breeds were surprisingly good at fighting, and Zane found that he had a hard time keeping up with them.

Suddenly, Zane felt something pierce his exoskeleton. He gasped in pain, yanking his arm towards himself. The half breed, seeing its chance, then plunged its sword through Zane's chest. Zane cried out in pain, his eyesight glitching, and then his muscles locked up, unable to respond to his commands. Zane felt a tremor of fear go through him. His screen went black, and he collapsed to the ground.

Lloyd had been fighting near Zane. He had just sent a half breed sprawling when he turned and saw Zane fighting another one. Lloyd had been about to go and help, when he stopped dead in his tracks, gaping. The half breed had cut Zane's arm, that was bad, but then it had literally stabbed him through his chest! Lloyd stared in shock, expecting to see blood pooling out of the wound, but instead he saw… sparks? Zane gave a shuddering gasp, and then collapsed. His odd blue glowing eyes stopped glowing, making his eyes seem dark. The half breed looked just as confused as Lloyd did. Zane's skin then shimmered a bit, looking as if it was glitching, and then it became silver—metal. Zane was a… nindroid? But… it couldn't be. Could it? Lloyd wasn't sure what he had just seen. The only reason he knew what a nindroid was was because Jay had started ranting about it one day.

Distantly, Lloyd heard the half breeds fleeing into the trees. He didn't move, too shocked.

"Wait, is that… Zane?" Cole asked, walking over and staring down at Zane's unmoving body.

"He's a nindroid?!" Jay shrieked.