Flames of the Past #5: Lost Souls (Ninjago Fanfiction)

Chapter 16

The Sons of Darkness streamed from the bushes and instantly began to attack the ninja. The ninja fought back vigorously, but because they'd been taken by surprise, their form was sloppy.

Jay grunted as he swung his nunchucks at his opponent. "How did they find us?" he called to the others.

"I don't know!" Nya gasped out. She glanced over at Kai as the red ninja blasted fire from his palms.

"Don't look at me!" he retorted. "I made sure we weren't followed!"

He gasped as he was tackled from behind. He yanked himself over and slammed his foot into his opponent's stomach. The man flew backward and Kai rolled back to his feet. He took a quick moment to scan the camp. Cole seemed to be handling most of the gang, powerfully swinging his scythe at several attackers. Near him, Lloyd was holding up much better than Kai expected, although the green ninja clearly wasn't as strong and focused as he usually was. Still, it wasn't enough to cause Kai concern.

Jay and Nya were fighting in the middle of the camp. Zane, Chelsea, and Pixal fought on the other side of the clearing, while Wu battled his section of the gang alone. Little Laurie was darting from the Bounty to see what was going on, but Misako caught her before she could get tangled in the battle. The older woman brought her granddaughter onto the Bounty.

Where's Skylor? Kai wondered frantically, looking this way and that. He finally found the princess backing up toward the Bounty, fear in her eyes. A man from the gang was advancing toward her, twirling his spear beside him.

"Hello, Princess," he sneered.

Fury boiling inside of him, Kai raced over and struck his sword at the man. The gang member fell backward, gasping, for the blade had gashed his neck. Kai grabbed his spear and stuffed it into Skylor's hands.

The princess' eyes widened in alarm. "I-I don't want this," she stammered, observing the spear's bloodstained tip.

"Take it," Kai told her. "Just in case." He nodded toward the Bounty. "Go into the lower deck and stay there. Misako should be there."

Reluctantly taking the weapon, Skylor dipped her head and climbed onto the Bounty.

Kai watched until she disappeared down the ship's stairs, then jumped back into the battle. He swung a gang member away from Nya before blasting fire at multiple surrounding opponents. Then he darted through the path he'd made. He was heading toward Lloyd, for he didn't know how long the green ninja could keep up his strength.

Lloyd's current opponent had the green ninja in a chokehold, but before Kai could rush over to help, Lloyd shot energy at the man's face and he flew backward. The green ninja staggered a bit, panting.

You good? Kai transmitted.

Lloyd glanced over at him and nodded in reply. Then all of a sudden, he hissed in pain and crumpled to his knees, holding his arm against his chest. Kai's eyes rounded. If his marking is acting up, then...

A purple mist began to surround him. Kai spun around, and was immediately thrust to the ground. He gritted his teeth as he slid across the dirt, hearing Sleete's annoying laughter above him.

"Did you think I was finished with you already, love?" Sleete grinned through the smoke.

Furrowing his eyebrows, Kai kicked his enemy off him and jumped to his feet. Sleete was in his Overlord form, with That Sword stretched beside him. Gripping his own sword, Kai rushed at him.

Sleete met his blade with his own, fighting off the red ninja. He threw the ninja sideways and shot purple at him. Kai barely rolled out of the way in time. Sleete was about to lunge at him again when he was suddenly blasted with green and flew forward. Lloyd raced to Kai's side as they turned to face their enemy, swords drawn out.