The Hand of Time (Ninjago AU)

Chapter 14

Kai walked back to the temple. Slightly ashamed about what he was going to do, but Acronix was right. Sure they had Cole, but he was in critical condition still fighting the restraints that held him.

He only seemed focused on Jay though. So the young inventor kept himself out in the open, looking for Zane around the city.

Kai returned, opening the doors. An hour had passed since Morro left with the blade, surely it'd be believable enough if he roughed himself up a bit to look like some sort of fight had ensued. He even cut his upper arm twice, matching the effect of the time blade Acronix held, to make it more believable.

The fire master was instantly met with his sister who grabbed him and pulled him in for a hug.

"Thank the First you're alright." She sighed.

Kai chuckled softly, wrapping his own arms around her. "You know me Nya. No matter how stupid my ideas are, I haven't died yet."

She chuckled and tightened her grip. "Morro said he almost killed his brother," her voice became more quiet. "and that he... actually killed Brendan?"

"Yeah. I hate to think what the kid did to deserve something like that."

"That said, be careful when fighting him Kai. You see what happened to Jay and Cole. Anyone who gets in his way is a target. I can only assume that's what Sander, I mean Krux, did."

Kai couldn't help the guilty feeling that stung at him. "Well hey, at least he can't find us."

Nya pulled away from the hug. "What do you mean?"

"I nabbed the watch he took." Kai pulled the device out of his pocket. "With how the TAL works, I can only assume that's how he found the deceleration blade."

"Deceleration?"

"That's what he kept calling it. His power of deceleration, that it belonged to him, that it was lost on kids like us. Even though we're physically the same age." Kai remarked.

"Did him calling you a baby hurt your feelings?" Nya teased.

"Maybe." Kai replied with a smile. "I really just found it funny. Like, if we're the same age, and I'm a baby... Acronix, my very bad sir, you are as well."

"You should say that to his face." Nya chuckled.

"I just might. I may die for it but it'll be worth the look on his face." Kai nodded. "Come on. Let's give Lloyd the news about the Borg watch."

Nya nodded and led Kai to where Lloyd had met with Morro. Morro immediately praised the watch in his hand.

"Good to see you got that from him."

"Yeah. Couldn't risk him tracking this blade and finding our home. There's no telling what he'd do." Kai replied.

"Especially not after what he's done to Wu and Cole, and who knows what he's done with Zane at this point." Lloyd stood.

"How are they holding up?" Kai asked.

"Wu, not the best, Cole, well... He's healing." Lloyd replied.

Kai nodded and sat the watch down on the table.

"What of Acronix?" Morro asked.

"He tried to convince me to join him... But after everything that happened with Chen..." Kai trailed off.

Lloyd nodded. "I get it. You don't have to keep going."

Kai silently thanked him.

"So, the blade is safe?" Nya asked.