Taking Control. (a Ninjago fanfic)

Chapter 14- Dawn of the untainted

Z A N E

The familiar shape of the Bounty's hull finally appeared through the haze of falling snow.

I was just ahead of everyone, leading them through the landscape. The snow was clouding everyone's vision, and only I could see now. We were all exhausted, cold, and worried. Well, I was only one of those things. I'm a nindroid after all. I was so, so worried.

The snow was coming down in thick snow flakes, and dusk was settling in, shrouding the area in darkness.

"PIXAL, DO YOU COPY?" I yelled into the mic attached to my mask, trying to listen through the wind howling in my ears.

I looked back at Kai, who was shivering and white as a sheet. He needed urgent medical attention. Immediately. It was a miracle he was still alive at this point.

"Zane? What's wrong?" Pixals voice crackled through the intercom.

"No time to explain." I replied, picking up my pace. "Just send the bounty to our location and lower it to the floor. And- and get a stretcher ready."

"Ok..." she replied, her voice filled with worry and uncertainty.

She didn't ask anymore questions, thankfully. I loved her for that.

After about 5 mins of waiting, the ship came into view, landing softly on the snow covered floor. The deck lit up with lanterns and shouts as Pixal saw them coming. I felt a surge of relief.

"Hang on, Kai," I whispered as we crossed the last stretch. "We're almost there."

Wu, Pixal and me worked in a flurry of motion, clearing space and gathering medical supplies. Nya knelt beside Kai, brushing his damp hair away from his forehead as she murmured reassuringly, "We're here now. You're safe."

His eyes fluttered, and grew wide with fear as he looked around wildly, but his gaze met hers, softening immediately. A weak but grateful smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as he relaxed.

"Knew... you'd find me," he whispered, his voice barely audible.

Lloyd squeezed Kai's hand, his own face pale. "We're all here. We've got you, Kai."

"Why were you even there?" Pixal questioned, staring at me with confusion and frustration.

I tilted my head. "What do you mean? Wu sent us there."

The elder turned to face me, an alarmed look on his face. "No, I didn't." He replied slowly.

Oh, no.

I should've seen this coming.

Master, I'm so stupid-

The mechanic must've hacked into the intercom system and somehow managed to sound exactly like Wu.

I was tricked.

It was all my fault..

"It's fine. It doesn't matter right now." Nya interrupted, looking down at her brother with worry.

As they worked to tend to his wounds, a tense silence fell over them, the gravity of the situation settling in. Lloyd finally broke the silence, his voice quiet but resolute. "We have to talk about what he said out there... about Jay."

I stiffened, my hands stilling for a moment as I took a deep breath. I didn't want to talk about it. I didn't want to believe it. I didn't want to imagine the idea of Jay, JAY, one of my best friends, my family- hurting Kai, nearly killing him-

But the look in Kai's eyes when he'd warned us, the sheer fear in his voice, was undeniable.

"How did it happen?" Lloyd continued, his voice thick with worry. "How did he... how is he back?"