Chapter Text
Kai Smith never liked being alone. That was never his thing in the first place.
Sure, some people think they work more efficiently when left to themselves, but him? He was never that type of guy. Never once did he intend to spend the rest of his life without anyone by his side, be it friend or family. Countless times, he had already lost them, but there was always a way to bring them back.
Growing up, the Master of Fire had learned to despise being lonely. Ever since their parents had mysteriously disappeared without a trace, he had taken it upon himself to raise his younger sister, Nya. Because of this, he had not only considered her his sister, but also the first friend he ever had.
To him, being around others filled him with a purpose. If that weren’t the case, dullness would dominate his entire life. If no one were around, he always wondered, who could he turn to for solace? Who’d be there to guide him? Who were the ones that he was supposed to protect?
That last question had forever been etched into Kai’s mind. However, he may be somewhat of an attention seeker at times, but his intention is more than one would normally think.
Kai had always compared the feeling of loneliness to a flame sitting amid an everlasting night, its light fading as it was slowly being consumed by the darkness surrounding it. Despite how many times his friends and sister occasionally avoided him due to his explosive nature that fit his elemental affinity, they had always reassured him that the day that he would wind up all alone with no one to turn to would never come as long as they were there by his side.
But one Friday afternoon, he noticed something was off.
Everyone had suddenly felt distant from him, as though the distance between them had become worlds away. Kai had never anticipated such an occurrence, yet he couldn’t help but think that something was amiss.
The other five felt out of reach, not to mention that even Nya had barely talked to him, and so did Lloyd.
As much as he wanted to put an end to this sudden spell of silence, he was still unsure whether to confront them and find out the reason why the distance between them had unexpectedly widened.
It had stayed like this even when the sun rose the next day.
Barely anyone bothered to talk to him as they had breakfast. Kai could see them in a conversation he probably had no involvement in. To make matters worse, after they ate, the others quickly headed off to do their things, all of which, of course, did not include him.
Just as his sister was about to head to her room, Kai knew he could not miss the opportunity to ask her about a movie they had watched the day before yesterday.
When he did bring the said movie up to her, however, all that Nya told him was, “Sorry, bro, maybe another time? Jay and I are heading out to the city today.” Kai couldn’t help but roll his eyes at her answer. After all, who else would his sister be spending time with if not him or her Yin?
“Don’t you guys do that, like, every other week?” he asked deadpannedly.
The Master of Water mockingly gasped. “Uhm, no! It’s our monthiversary today!”
That’s when Kai remembered that it had already been a year and five months since Jay had officially become his brother-in-law.
“So… you guys don’t wanna hold, like, a celebration or something?”
“You know Jay likes to keep it simple but memorable, right?”
Letting out a glum sigh, he told his sister, “Alright, I guess… You two have fun with your little get-together. At least, promise me we’ll finish it sometime, yeah?”
“Don’t worry, once we get back home, I’ll make sure we will. If we have the time, that is, and…” Nya’s words came to a pause when she noticed her brother gazing aimlessly at nothing. “Kai, are you okay?” she now wondered.
Scrambling for an answer, he sheepishly replied, “Who, me? Heh, of course, I am! Why would I not be? I’m perfectly fine…!”
Nya rolled her eyes. “Sure you are,” she chuckled, before saying, “Anyways, gotta go! Bye!” as she darted to her room.
“Bye, sis,” he waved back weakly.
Passing by the meditation room, where Lloyd was busy meditating with Master Wu, Kai made his way to the living room, where, unsurprisingly, Cole was on the couch, playing Lava Zombie. That’s when Kai suddenly remembered something. Right, I should probably ask him about our Fist2Face II rematch.
“Say, Cole,” he called out as he sat beside the Earth Ninja, “what about our rematch, huh?”
“Dude, can’t you see I’m trying to get a new high score?” Cole asked back in a tone that nearly matched Kai’s.
“What do you mean? I thought you got the last one,” the Fire Ninja confusedly pointed out.
“Not anymore.”
Kai was still not convinced by Cole’s words until he noticed the screen. The high score was different, much higher than Cole’s previous record. With this realization, he now knew who had dethroned the Earth Ninja as Lava Zombie King.
“Lemme guess, Jay?”
“Yep,” the Master of Earth replied nonchalantly, emphasizing the “p” with a pop.
“So I guess we’re not doing it now–”
Kai’s request was interrupted by a sudden shriek that came out of Cole’s mouth as his character lost some health. “Well, isn’t it obvious? I’m trying to focus here, you know!” he shot back.
With that request gone awry, Kai left the living room just as he heard Cole screaming. Though it was barely incomprehensible, he could hear the Earth Ninja ranting upon getting a game over, something that Kai was infamous for.
Maybe that was a little on me, the Master of Fire blamed himself.
The moment he hid away in the comfort of his bedroom, he let out a sigh as he jumped headfirst onto his bed. There must be something I can do… Lying around is boring! he silently complained.
Still, something felt off, and he could feel it. No one was vacant at that time. Running down the list of things his friends, sister, and even his girlfriend were up to, Kai was now left with a realization.
For the time being, he was alone. The very situation he had always disliked.
His state of loneliness struck a pang of sorrow in him.
It wasn’t long before his mind began to conjure voices inside his head. The voices of his lingering thoughts on why he was missing out on what the others were doing, never even bothering to check up on him.
They’re slowly forgetting me, aren’t they…? No. No way. I’m one of them! That’s impossible… right?
While most of them conveyed the doubt and insecurity that was now flooding his mind, a sinister voice felt like it was mocking him as if it had taken advantage of his solitude.
The others are doing whatever shit they’re up to, huh? Don’t you think they’re seriously talking trash about you behind your back?
Kai slightly recoiled at that thought. “No… Not that…”
As much as he wanted it to end, it kept on tormenting him, its derisive words never ceasing.
Just admit it, Kai. You’re weak, and you don’t want them to see you like this. Who knows? Maybe soon enough, they’ll eventually leave you for how pathetic you are!
“Shut up…” he muttered as he covered his ears.
Haven’t you seen it yet? Everyone’s slowly gonna let you rot–
“For the sake of the First Spinjitzu Master, just SHUT THE FUCK UP!” he yelled, which, to his surprise, paused the thoughts burrowing their way across his mind, yet it wasn’t enough to stop the fear that lingered within. Luckily, no one heard him shout. That is, until someone knocked on his door.
“Kai?” Lloyd’s muffled voice was heard from the other side. “You good? I heard you yell, so I decided to check on you.”
Not wanting his little brother to know of his apparent predicament, the Master of Fire denied, “Uhm, y-yeah! I’m fine! Just felt a bit… frustrated for a moment.”
“Alright, just tell any of us if you need help, yeah?”
Lloyd’s voice, though reassuring, was still not enough to pacify the ever-growing fear in his mind.
Looking back on his thoughts, Kai began to wonder why the others unexpectedly felt so far away from him.
Was it because he got mad so easily, like how a fire would run rampant, destroying everything in its path?
Or was it because of how selfish he might seem?
Maybe it was how his words cut like knives; sharp and cold all the same…
...or could it be how he had always indulged in his ego more than the rest of them ever did?
The truth was, he did not know at all.
His train of thought still lasted even when the shadow of night had blotted out the sun’s glow. Just as he thought, everyone was still doing their things without him. Jay and Cole were busy playing video games, with Nya watching them. Kai didn’t bother asking her about the movie they were supposed to finish, seeing that his sister was having fun herself without him in the picture.
Sighing, he stayed in his room, lost in his somber thoughts, until he drifted off to the comfort of sleep.