Ninjago:Rising

CHAPTER SIX

The lab was buzzing with nervous energy as they prepared to test their powers. Jay's lab was like something out of a science fiction movie, filled with advanced technology and equipment that his parents, who were incredibly wealthy, had probably never expected to be used for this. Jay had rigged up a series of chambers to test their abilities safely—or as safely as possible when dealing with elemental powers.

Jay was at his console, eyes darting over the screens as he calibrated the system. "Alright, everyone, we're going to take this one step at a time. Kai, you're up first."

Kai flashed a confident grin as he stepped up to the middle chamber, which was reinforced with heat-resistant materials. "Ready when you are," he said, slipping inside. The heavy glass door sealed shut with a hiss, locking him in.

The group gathered behind the thick observation window, watching Kai through the glass. Jay tapped a few keys, and the screens filled with various readings—temperature, energy output, you name it.

"Okay, Kai," Jay's voice crackled over the intercom. "Let's start small. Give us a little flame."

Kai nodded, focusing. He held out his hand, and a small flame flickered to life in his palm. The monitors showed an immediate spike in temperature, but nothing too extreme.

"That's good," Zane said, nodding approvingly. "But we're going to need more data."

Taking that as his cue, Kai increased the intensity of the flame. It grew larger, turning into a roaring fireball that engulfed his entire arm. The temperature gauge climbed steadily, and the chamber's heat sensors began flashing red.

"Kai, that's hot enough," Jay called, a hint of concern in his voice. "Let's not push it too far—"

But Kai was lost in the moment. His body erupted in flames, the fire swirling around him like a living entity. The temperature in the chamber soared, and alarms started blaring as the sensors detected a critical spike.

"Kai, stop!" Lloyd shouted, pounding on the glass. "You're going to burn the place down!"

But Kai seemed oblivious to their shouts. He stood there, eyes closed, seemingly in a trance, the flames intensifying around him. The heat was so intense that the reinforced glass began to glow, and they could see the metal bands starting to warp.

"Kai, shut it down!" Jay yelled into the intercom, frantically working the controls to activate the emergency cooling systems.

The rest of them started shouting and banging on the glass, desperate to get Kai's attention. But it was Nya who sprang into action. She grabbed a fire hose from the wall, her expression determined.

Without a second thought, Nya aimed the hose at the chamber and twisted the valve. A powerful jet of water blasted out, shooting through a specially designed port in the chamber wall and soaking Kai from head to toe.

The effect was immediate. The flames around Kai sputtered and hissed as the water doused them, steam filling the chamber in a thick cloud. Kai stumbled back, blinking in surprise as the fire was abruptly snuffed out.

The alarms ceased, and the temperature gauge quickly dropped back to safe levels. Kai stood there, dripping wet and looking slightly dazed but otherwise unharmed. He shook his head, as if waking from a deep sleep.

Jay hit the release button, and the chamber door hissed open. Kai stepped out, his clothes soaked and his expression sheepish. "Thanks, Nya," he muttered, running a hand through his wet hair. "I guess I got a little carried away."

"No kidding," Nya said, lowering the hose with a wry smile. "Just remember, fire and water don't mix."

Kai chuckled, though he still looked a bit shaken. "I'll try to keep that in mind."