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Life after the Sons of Garmadon was somehow nothing Kai had hoped for and everything he’d wanted at the same time. He had time to relax, nothing to do outside of playing video games and training endlessly. It should have been paradise- but it wasn’t. After everything he and his siblings had endured, years of fighting to protect this city that would throw them away the second someone better came along, he wasn’t going to stand idly by and wait for the newest threat to catch them off-guard. He needed to be proactive. That’s where Ronin came in.
While the mercenary wasn’t exactly happy when Kai crashed his business meeting, a generous tip brought him around to the idea of helping the Red Ninja out.
“If something comes up, I’ll give you a call. But don’t forget about payment, hothead!” He added the last part in a vaguely threatening tone, something that Kai made sure to notice.
“You’ve gone soft, Ronin! I remember when it would have cost me an arm and a leg for that deal!” The red ninja laughed, flipping the mercenary in question the bird and using Airjitzu to make an escape. First Master, the wind on his face felt so freeing- better than riding on the Bounty, that was for sure. Seasickness slash airsickness wasn’t fun.
1: Get info from Ronin about the next big threat
“One thing down, two left to go.” Kai muttered, pulling his to-do list out of his pocket. He scribbled out the first item, though between his undiagnosed dyslexia and his limited formal education, the writing was already barely legible.
“Hey, Kai? Do you have a minute?” Lloyd’s voice crackled over the comms, the wavering tone betraying that he was nervous about something.
“You know I’ve always got time for you, Lloyd.” Kai replied easily, pausing for a moment to grab a seat on a bench. Once he was comfortable, he transferred Lloyd from his comms pin to his phone. “Talk to me, bud. What’s going on?”
For a moment, Lloyd was quiet. Then, almost without warning: “How do you apologize for walking in on someone and their significant other?”
Kai almost dropped his phone. “If you’re talking about Nya, tell Jay to run for his life, because I’m going to murder him for having sex with my sister.”
“They weren’t that far in!” Lloyd’s voice cracked as he hastily corrected himself. “They were just kissing.”
“With tongue and minimal clothing?”
Silence.
”Lloyd Montgomery Smith-Garmadon, answer the goddamn question.”
“… Yes?” Lloyd eventually squeaked out, fearing the wrath of his older brother.
“That’s it, he’s dead.” Kai declared, rising from his seat like a man on a mission. As an afterthought, he made sure to add, “Oh, and Nya likes cinnamon buns. Ask Zane to help you cook some, and she’ll probably forgive you. Maybe.”
Rather than going after Jay for real, Kai jammed his phone back into his pocket, before standing up to continue his walk. Two things left to finish.
After walking for a good bit of time, Kai reached his destination. The noodle house was as busy and vibrant as ever, and when the host saw Kai, they waved the disguised ninja over with an easy smile.
“You’re in luck, Kai. The booth in the corner just opened up.”
Kai returned the smile easily, feeling himself relax at the familiar atmosphere. “Thanks, Morgan. Is Skylor working on-site today?”
Morgan gave Kai a penetrating look. “Did you finally grow a pair and come here to make things official?”
“Eh, something like that.” Kai laughed, walking over to his normal booth and sliding in.
“I’ll send the boss your way, then.” Morgan acquiesced, though not without a fond roll of their eyes.
Logically, Kai knew that it wasn’t likely for Skylor to be available soon. She was the head chef and owner of one of Ninjago City’s most popular restaurants. Still, he couldn’t stop his fingers from nervously drumming against the table. His relationship with Skylor had always been odd, and they hadn’t spoken since his return from the First Realm. What if he’d missed something extremely important?
“Cold soba with a side of teriyaki chicken.” The voice jolted Kai out of his thoughts, and he looked up from his fidgeting to meet Skylor’s eyes.
“You remembered.” He murmured, his voice soft against the lively din of the restaurant.
She smiled at him. “Of course I remembered, Kai. It’s your favorite.”
The red ninja sucked in a breath. “Thanks, Sky, but I’m not here for the food. I’m here to talk to you.”
Skylor’s eyes widened. “Is there some new threat to Ninjago that I should be worried about?”
Kai laughed nervously. “Not this time. I mostly wanted to talk because I realized there’s some shit I need to say.”
He waited for Skylor to sit down, and once she did so, he passed her a piece of chicken. To an outside observer, they would have looked like a typical young couple on a date.
“So what’s going on, Kai?” Skylor queried through a bite of chicken.
“Not much right now, with the Oni gone. I’ve just been doing a lot of thinking.” He replied, then steeled himself. “I’ve been a dick to you, Sky, and I’m sorry. If you don’t want me back, I get it. But my hope is that I’ve matured enough to be ready for us.”
Instead of the expected reaction of disgust or disbelief, Kai received a playful smile instead.
“Good. Now I can do this without feeling bad about it.” Skylor leaned forward, pecking the fire ninja on the lips.
Kai smiled, a hint of cockiness shining through. “Not even a ‘thank you’ for getting over my many commitment issues?”
Skylor laughed. “With how long you made me wait? I’d say we’re even, Kai.”
“Fine by me.” He replied, a goofy grin spread across his face. “C’mon, this soba isn’t going to finish itself.”
2: Work things out with Skylor.
There was only one item left on Kai’s list, and it was the one he’d been dreading more than any of the others. It stared him in the face, mocking him. But he wouldn’t be Kai Smith if he backed down from a challenge that easily, so he bucked up his courage and started walking towards the rural district of Ninjago City.
It took some digging, but Kai eventually found his target, meditating in a run-down old dojo. One red eye opened upon his entry.
“Ah, the infamous Red Ninja. If you’ve come to finish me off, you are certainly welcome to try.”
Kai bit his tongue to prevent an impulsive comment from slipping out. He’d planned out a whole speech, exactly what he’d say, down to the last word. Unfortunately, facing down Garmadon was easier said than done.
“Well?” The Lord of Destruction demanded impatiently, and Kai forced himself to take a deep breath.
“Teach me how to fight, and I won’t tell your brother where you are.”
Garmadon scoffed. “Blackmailing me is a foolish idea, ninja. Besides, what would I have to teach you that my brother," he spat the word like a curse, “has not already covered in your training?”
This time, Kai responded easily. No bullshit, just straight talk. Something he’d always appreciated about Sensei G. “I need you to teach me how to finish a fight.”
Garmadon’s eyes glinted. “You want me to turn you into a killer, boy?”
“Whatever it takes to keep my family safe.” Kai replied. A flame flickered to life in his hand.
Finally, Garmadon gave him a nod of acknowledgment, baring his teeth in a monstrous approximation of a smile. “Very well, then. Attack me. No element, no weapons. We begin with the basics.”
It took Kai thirty seven tries to land a hit on his former sensei. Again and again, he was driven into the hard bamboo floor of the dojo. But when he finally made contact, it was perfect. A beautiful left cross, delivered directly into Garmadon’s jaw. The blow made his teacher’s head rattle, and the sheer surprise of being slugged in the face sent Garmadon to the floor.
“That was for Lloyd.” Kai panted.
In response, Garmadon kicked him in the kneecaps, pinning the ninja to the ground.
“Never assume a fight is finished until your enemy is dead or unconscious.” The older man lectured, then stood. “Again.”
Out of seventy six rounds, Kai won five. He was bruised, dehydrated, and running on nothing but adrenaline and spite, but he didn’t care. After every round, he got back into his stance.
Garmadon gave him a look that could have been approval. “Go home, ninja, and find me tomorrow. We’ll work on your swordplay, then your fire. We’ll see if you can stand up to my training methods.”
Kai nodded, picking up his prized dao and clipping them onto his belt. “Night, Sensei.”
He walked out, and out of the corner of his eye, he thought he saw the old man smile.
3: Get Sensei G back.