Darkness from Within #1: Twisted Paths (A Ninjago Fanfiction)

Chapter 10

It had been a day since the fire occurred. The ninja were standing on the gates of the courtyard, gazing out at the blackened forest, where only a few puffs of smoke still steamed.

"That's the last of it," Wu told the others with a sigh. "The forest will be burnt for a while, but at least the fire's out."

They skidded down the roof and back onto the ground. Kai gazed around at the others: Wu, Zane, Cole, Nya, Jay... He heaved a sigh and looked at the ground.

"Kai?"

Kai looked up again as Nya walked over to him.

She frowned. "You okay?"

"It just feels weird without Lloyd, you know?" Kai murmured.

"I know what you mean," Nya agreed. But she knew her brother better than that. "But there's something else bothering you, isn't there?"

"I just..." Kai hesitated for a moment. "I could've done something!" he shouted suddenly. He gazed down at his hands. "Fire is my element. And yet, I let it get the best of Lloyd. I could've... I could've... I don't know, done something, couldn't I?"

Nya rested her hand on his shoulder. "You did all you could," she said. "Besides, it was the Overlord who did this to Lloyd. The fire only added an extra... kink."

Kai nodded. "I-I guess you're right," he sighed. "Speaking of the Overlord, what happened to that guy, anyway?"

Nya shrugged. "I don't know. We haven't seen a sign of him in a while."

"Maybe Sensei knows," Kai suggested, spotting Wu at the edge of the courtyard with Cole, Zane, and Jay. Beckoning Nya to follow him, Kai went over to join them.

"The Overlord's whereabouts are unknown," Wu said as Kai and Nya expressed their questions. "We currently don't know what he's planning, either. But we can't let our guard down. We have to be ready for anything."

The ninja nodded in understanding.

"We'll start training right away!" Cole promised.

Wu placed a hand on his shoulder. "Rest first," he told them. "The fire drained a bit out of all of us."

"We understand, Sensei," Zane responded before leading the other reluctant ninja back inside.

As they walked through the door, Jay suddenly stumbled over his leg. Cole halted and turned his head as Nya rushed over to the blue ninja, helping him back to his feet. "Are you okay?" she asked.

Jay gazed at her with a smile. "Y-yeah, I'm okay, thanks," he murmured.

"You should rest that leg," she went on.

"I will," Jay promised her.

With a brief smile, Nya turned and headed up the stairs. Jay stared after her with a wistful sigh. Raising an eyebrow, Cole gave a snort of amusement and went over to the blue ninja.

But Jay didn't notice the black ninja's presence.

"Ah-em," Cole grunted.

Jay jumped and whipped around to face him. He shook himself as he saw the gleam in Cole's eyes. "What?" he defended himself.

Cole stifled a chuckle and looked away. "Nothing," he breathed. "I just saw the way you looked at Nya."

Jay crossed his arms. "You jealous?" he challenged.

Cole's eyebrows raised. "Oh no, I am far from jealous!" he snorted. "I don't know how you deal with her—she's always following you around and taking care of you."

"Taking care of me?" Jay scoffed. "No, I take care of her!"

Cole patted the blue ninja's shoulder. "That's not what it looks like, Jay," he chortled.

Jay furrowed his eyebrows and looked away. "Well, maybe it's good to be taken care of once in a while," he muttered.

"Not me," Cole stated, straightening up. "I can take care of myself anytime."

Jay rolled his eyes. "Whatever," he scowled. "It's not like anything I say you won't argue with."

Cole chuckled. "Come on," he said, starting forward again, "let's see what the others are up to."

* * *

Nya pushed open the door to the hospital room to check on Lloyd. Pixal was by the green ninja and Nya joined them by the bed. Garmadon was sitting beside Lloyd, too. He had rarely ever left his son's side since the fire. Lloyd still hadn't moved an inch yet, and it was clear he was worried.

"The fire's put out," Nya informed them.

When Garmadon didn't reply, Pixal spoke up. "That's great," she said. "The fresh air will do Lloyd well." Then she trotted over to the other side of the room.

Garmadon bit his thumb as he watched Lloyd. "Do you think he'll ever wake up?" he murmured. "I feel like he's just getting weaker and weaker."

Nya sat beside him. "Don't worry, I'm sure he will," she reassured him. "Lloyd was always strong."

Garmadon sighed disbelievingly. "Was..." he echoed. "Until the Overlord weakened him."

Nya frowned. She wanted to comfort the sensei, but she knew there was nothing she could do to make him feel better. It will only take time, she thought.

She turned at the sound of footsteps.

"How's he doing?" Kai asked as he entered the room.

Nya walked over to her brother, who still looked exhausted from the fire. "Nothing yet," she sighed glumly.

Kai's shoulders sagged. "Let's hope he does soon."

Nya gazed at him as he stifled a groan. He rubbed his arm, where he had been burnt by the flames. Pixal had patched it up, but it was clear it was still bothering him. Nya shivered as she remembered when Kai had been completely lost in the fire and losing oxygen. She had worried for him greatly, and if it wasn't for Zane, her brother would not be here right now.

"You should rest, Kai," Nya told her brother. "You're exhausted."

Kai shook his head. "My burn is nothing," he protested, taking his hand off his injury. "Compared to what happened to Lloyd."

"Come on." Nya led him out of the room. "Although it's not as serious, it's nothing to take lightly."

He sighed in defeat. "I guess I could use some rest," he muttered reluctantly.

"I think we all could use some rest," Nya replied.