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He'd always known it was an option.
He'd always prayed it would never go so far.
Kai knew he had a temper. He knew, regardless of his hopes, the chances were high something like this would happen. A villain would cross and line and he'd cross it to meet them, to right the wrong. He was impulsive, he knew, and his fire loved to consume.
Vengeance was a bitter, fulfilling fuel.
This came at him when he least expected it, not that these kinds of things were ever anticipated.
Even with Harumi gone and Garmadon MIA, the Sons of Garmadon still existed. They didn't really classify for the big leagues anymore, taking to collecting 'protection' money, petty bank robbery, peddling street drugs, etcetera, etcetera, typical gang stuff.
This was supposed to be a routine patrol.
It was just Kai and Lloyd, filling the air between them with meaningless chatter as they raced across the rooftops of downtown Ninjago. They opted to run this evening because of the good weather and the need for an invigorating run. Out of the norm, but a nice change of pace.
Then there was the lady.
She was getting robbed, screaming in panic as one SOG yanked on her purse and the other held a knife to her throat.
By the time the two ninja dropped to the scene, the purse snatchers were getting away, darting into an alley with their stolen goods.
The ninja didn't even wait for the woman to point in the right direction.
One cursory glance said she'd be fine, if a bit shaken, and in a moment, they'd have her purse back to her, anyway.
They were in hot pursuit, Kai skidding on the turn into the alley while Lloyd used his momentum to do a back flip off the opposing building before changing direction. He was agile as a cat, and though his mouth was hidden by his mask, Kai could see the smile in Lloyd's eyes.
That's when everything went sideways.
The shadows began to move, silhouettes of one, two, over a dozen gang members stepped forward into the meager light.
Kai and Lloyd skidded to a stop as another half dozen came into the alley behind them.
A trap. Painfully obviously so.
They could have escaped. They could have scaled the nearby fire escape or flipped back over the new arrivals and out of the dead end alley.
But they never felt like they needed to. These were just SOG goons. Either ninja could take them on in their sleep.
Then one of the biggest guys Kai has ever seen, easily seven foot tall and nearly as wide, steps into the opening of the alley, grinning maliciously, despite the ridiculous gap in his teeth, no doubt a tooth lost from a lucky hit.
And this wasn't Killow, either. Where did the gangs find these big dudes?
Lloyd's gaze cut to Kai. By some miracle, or insanity, their gazes met, their eyes straying for a heartbeat from the increasing danger around them.
"You take the small fries, I'll take the big guy?" He joked.
"In your dreams," Kai had scoffed. "Big guys mine, and so are half of the little guys."
"Oh, that's how it's gonna be?"
"Aw, come on, Lloyd, don't get snarky. I'm just saying I can take out these guys faster than you."
Lloyd's eyes narrowed at the challenge.
"You're on."
And they were.
Like two tense fighting dogs suddenly colliding in frenzied fury, Lloyd and Kai jumped as one, to the left and to the right, tearing through the goons in record time. The goons might have been surprised, they might have been ready for it. Kai wasn't sure.
There was only adrenaline and blades and fists colliding with soft, vulnerable flesh. Twisting, dodging, spinning and kicking. There was one target incapacitated, the next in his sights and his natural aggressive fighting style unleashed on their unfortunate soul. They couldn't touch him, they were painfully out matched.
Kai was aware Lloyd was nearby, fighting just as hard, doing just as well. But mostly, his entire attention had focused, zeroing in on the fight at hand, relishing the chance to wipe the floor with some bad guys.
In the chaos, he never noticed that every man he took down was replaced by another.
There were more of them, pouring into the alley, climbing over their comrades to take on the ninja.
Kai didn't know.
He didn't know until it was too late.
The scream broke him out of his tunnel vision. The bone chilling cry wasn't much more of a surprised, pain filled gasp, but knowing who it came from -he'd recognize that voice anywhere- caused him to freeze.
He spun, his blood rushing in his ears, or maybe it was the crackle of his flames as they lashed out, sending his attackers sprawling or singing them severely. Over the crowd of enthusiastic attackers, his gaze was immediately drawn to one above the rest, far taller than any other. He was sneering at something trapped in his meaty fist, held at arms length and eye level-
Lloyd.
The Green Ninja was fighting with everything he had against the fist locked around his throat. His weapons were long gone, his hands clawing at the hand, at the arm, struggling to loosen the grip. His feet kicked wildly for purchase even as his face began to fade from red to purple.
Everything around Kai froze, slowing down to the tenth of a second. Even his heart stopped it's steady rhythm, his lungs shutting down. His entire world disappeared, all of his focused zeroed in on the boy fighting for his life. The Saviour of Ninjago. His leader.
His little brother.
And something inside of him just…
Broke.
Everything washed red.
He couldn't remember much, when asked later. There was heat. Their were screams. Their were the sounds of snapping bones, locking blades, roaring flames.
Everything blurred.
All of a sudden, he was behind the big guy, staring at his back.
Now, Kai remembers this part vividly.
Not that he would ever share it with anyone.
This was his nightmare and his alone.
At the time, all he could think was, this is the man who dared touch my brother. This is the fool who laughs at my littles brothers pain. This is the condemned who crossed the line. He broke the rules. It's going to cost him.
Then Kai was moving. His katana up, arcing viciously, streaks of crimson beading in it's wake. It was an extension of Kai, a tool merely doing as it master bade it.
And it's master demanded destruction.
Within the next couple of heartbeats, Lloyd was writhing on the ground, coughing and gasping for precious air.
Kai, though…
He was standing above the gangster, his own chest heaving like he'd run a marathon. His katana was tipped down with a loose hand, pointing towards the earth.
Slowly, with no more enemies to fight (the smart ones fled before the display of desimating rage) an eery stillness fell over the alley, combining with the heavy metallic scent of battle and… and…
Slowly, Kai came back to himself.
The fury that held firm during the fight faded, and it left a kind hearted, fierce big brother behind. He was supposed to be a role model.
His gaze found the unseeing pair of dull eyes of the man he'd just slain.
He was supposed to feel remorse for his actions. Disgust and regret for a needless kill. He was supposed to be upset. He'd freaking killed someone. A monster, sure, but another living being, a man who once was a boy, a man who probably had family, parents, siblings, maybe even a wife and family of his own. And even if the guy didn't, it didn't matter. The man had a life.
Kai had no right to take it.
He knew that.
Just like he knew, as he looked down upon the man's body, he didn't care. If anything, he was satisfied.
What did that say for Kai?
He…
He wasn't really sure.
He'd always known this was a possibility.
He'd always prayed it would never go so far.
He had a temper. He knew something like this would happen. One of his friends or family would be in danger. Kai would, at that moment, likely have a chance to take the threat down, to bring them to justice.
That wasn't how this game worked, though. This is one line Kai would not tolerate anyone crossing. He'd cross it right back, right or wrong, good or evil. He was impulsive, he knew, and his fire loved to consume.
And it burned brilliantly in defense of his family. It would incinerate any threat that dared to toe the line.
Kai didn't really know, but he could guess what the implications of all this meant. Maybe some might think he was a monster or barbaric or cruel or unjust.
Honestly?
He didn't care.
He might be a monster bound for hell with demons dogging his heels, but he would accept eternal damnation anytime. Everytime.
So long as his family was safe.
A tormented groan drew him back to the present. Shaking of his Revere, he sent the dead man one more scathing glare.
Kai stepped over the corpse, quickly crossing to Lloyd, who still struggled to breathe.
"Hey, kid, you okay?"
Lloyd didn't say anything, still hacking, but he waved Kai off dismissively. Kai offered him a gentle smile.
"Okay, stupid question. Do you think you can walk out of here?"
The coughs faded as Lloyd fought for shallow breaths, his gaze roving dizzily until his eyes finally trailed to Kai.
"You dizzy?" Kai asked, frowning.
Lloyd wavered where he sat, his body answering for him before he had the chance. Kai's hands found his shoulders, steadying him.
"Hang on, bud. I'm gonna get you up and message Zane. He and Nya will have you right as rain in no time."
Kai slung one of the Green Ninja's arms over his shoulder and together, they got Lloyd to his feet. Lloyd leaned heavily into Kai's side, his gasps whistling around his swollen lip.
That was when Kai noticed the bruising.
Lloyd's mask was gone, likely torn away in the fight, and he was sporting a real shiner, on top of a gnarly split lip and a puffy, swollen cheek.
It looked like the big guy got a few hits in before deciding to strangle his brother. And judging by the way Lloyd favored his side, his face wasn't the only victim.
Kai felt his rage flash red hot again, only to fizzle out. The man would never touch Lloyd again.
He'd paid the ultimate due.
Kai just regretted he hadn't dragged it out longer. A swift death was too good for the likes of him.
Heh, maybe it's not so bad Kai was bound for hell after all.
It would give him another chance to beat this guy's face into the ground.
"Come on," Kai ushered, guiding them out of the alley, breaking away from his thoughts. "Let's get you home."
"W-wai'," Lloyd hesitated, trying to turn, trying to look back. "Wha… Wha' abou'..."
Kai shook his head, urging his brother onward.
"Don't worry about it, Lloyd. There all taken care of."
"The poliss?"
Kai sighed.
"Yeah. The police'll take care of them."
With that, Kai focused on putting one foot in front of the other and taking his little brother home, leaving the evidence of his inner demons far behind.