Small Treasure Chapter 3

Chapter 3

(Zane's POV)

I must say over the last two weeks Faustus has been able to fit into our family quite nicely however, Kai is still expressing his irrational hatred for the LaPerm.

Sigh, unfortunately it was beginning to affect our team unity and closeness as brothers.  Each of us has taken turns to talk to Kai about his personal vendetta against the Felis silvestris catus species; we even approached him all together, but to no avail.

However, I sense there is more to Kai's story than he is letting on for when I recall my discussion with him I was able to see beyond the flames of his standoffish attitude and into the depths of his fiery amber gaze.

What I saw within his molten lava pools fills me with deep concern for my younger brother's psyche.

Why he will not unburden himself and tell us his tale I cannot fathom, we would not think any less of him whatever it may be.  It would only serve to strengthen our bond not tear us further apart, but Kai's stubbornness and pride gets in the way far too often.

I am afraid to think what would become of our family if this situation is not rectified soon…

Hmm, I am almost at my limit.

I retreat from my quiet world of white and open my eyes to survey the underwater world around me.

A hammerhead shark swims to me no doubt wondering about my unnatural presence in its domain.

In response I calmly reach out and stroke the mammal's dorsal fin and let my fingers pass over its gills.

I am merely visiting my aquatic friend; I do not intend to stay…

He seems to accept my gesture of friendliness and swims away while I unfold my legs from the lotus position and propel myself towards the surface.

My face breaks the exterior of the water and I inhale the precious oxygen my system yearned for.

Once I am back aboard the Destiny's Bounty, I notice that Kai is in the middle of training Lloyd the more moderate ways of CQC (Close Quarters Combat).

I am glad he is still willing to help us train Lloyd in preparation for his inevitable confrontation with his father Garmadon.

"Hah-hah fists of fury, no one can stop me now!!" Lloyd gloated while punching and kicking Kai's slightly lowered and outstretched hand his other behind his back.

"Don't taunt your opponent Lloyd," Kai reprimanded sternly while blocking and deflecting each of Lloyd's attacks effortlessly, "remember you can learn a lot from them just by observing their stance even during the midst of battle, like this!!"

With that statement Kai caught Lloyd's next punch and using the green ninja's own momentum against him caused his body to spin uncontrollably and land in a heap at the fire ninja's feet.

"Oof!!"

"Countering is a basic fundamental in direct combat that only a few can master.  I don't use it much myself because I'm more of a offensive fighter, but Jay is near flawless in that skill since his speed is no joke, so ask him if you wish to learn more," Kai concluded while looking down at the winded young boy.

Lloyd sat up and rubbed the back of his head with a wince.

"Yeah, okay countering huh? I'll ask Jay when I train with him later on about it.  Are we done Kai?" Lloyd asks while getting to his feet and looking up at one of his teachers.

Kai crosses his arms and the infamous smirk comes across his face.

"Yeah, we're done little Yoshi just remember what you learned from me today," Kai replies with light mirth.

"Gah!! Would you stop calling me that, I don't look like a green dinosaur!!" Lloyd shouted angrily.

"Ya kinda do actually, all you're missing is a tail and a saddle on your back," Kai says while giving Lloyd a once over.

"Pssh, whatever…" Lloyd grumbled.

Just then the door to the ship's interior opens and Nya steps out followed by a rambunctious Faustus.

Kai's expression immediately darkens as his eyes fall upon the little LaPerm.

"I'll see you guys later," he mumbles half-heartedly and takes his leave through the open door.

Nya's eyes follow her brother's retreating back with worry and sadness, but Lloyd takes little notice and instead begins to play with the jubilant young cat.

I make my way over to the three and my gaze lingers on the reddish-cream colored feline.

Faustus' recovery had been swift and sure with him growing stronger and more active with each passing day.  The injury sustained to his left flank all, but healed and Jay and I even returned to Dr. Bluestar's clinic to get him a check up a few days ago just to be sure.  But, instead of Dr. Bluestar we met with one of her Veterinary Technicians named Rusty Fireheart, a young man with short ginger flame-colored hair and piercing green eyes.  He gave Faustus his check-up and reported that he was indeed in great health and his stitches had dissolved without any complications.  He was impressed by the care we gave Faustus and promised to report the good news to Dr. Bluestar as soon as she returned from her Seminar.

I stop beside Nya and begin to address her.

"Nya, there must be more to the triggering of Kai's detestable behavior towards cats besides the occurrence of that one incident.  I sense you may know something that will enlighten us more about this matter," I say to her gently as I take in her profile.

The warm breeze of the afternoon wind caresses us and Nya's short black hair tousles slightly as she bows her head in contemplation.

"I, I have been sworn to secrecy to never mention Pandora again," Nya starts quietly, "I can't betray my brother's trust."

"Pandora?" I say with surprise.

My curiosity is piqued by Nya's statement; I must get her to indulge me with her secret for it may help us with Kai's dilemma.

"Nya," I begin softly, "do you not think that a rift is forming between us and Kai because of Faustus.  If we knew the root of the problem, it would only serve to benefit Kai, so we could better understand and possibly help him."

Nya lifts her head and turns to me, her eyes were clouded with concern and hope for her brother.

She then takes a deep breath and by that one action I knew I had reached her with my logic.

"When Kai and I were children, Kai one day came home with a white female LaPerm.  She was emaciated and barely breathing and our parents helped him stabilize her.  Once she was stable and opened her eyes, we were all shocked and mortified to see she had only one, which was a stunning light shade of blue, but despite her grizzly appearance Kai wanted to help her and practically begged our parents if he could keep her.  Our parents put up no resistance to the matter and Kai was overjoyed, I helped my brother of course in nursing her back to health, but Kai did most of the work.  Soon the two became inseparable; wherever Kai went the she-cat would follow."

"I see, but how did Kai come up with the name Pandora?" I inquire, absorbed by the story.

I soft smile graced Nya's features and she replied.

"Our father crafted a beautiful Pandora charm bracelet for her as a collar.  He said, "It seemed only fitting if she wore it to symbolize her resilience and strong spirit." So, Kai decided to name her after the bracelet, Pandora."

Nya's smile dissipated and sorrow took over her features.

"Months later one morning we could not find Pandora.  She didn't return home like she usually did when we let her out at night, so Kai and I decided to go look for her.  We searched for hours around our village until we heard the wailing and screeching of angry cats.  Kai and I rushed to the source of the disturbing ruckus and found Pandora engaged in a fight with eight other cats.  I was rooted to the spot by fear, but Kai grabbed a stick and ran to help Pandora.  After he had chased them away Pandora collapsed from her injuries, so Kai had to pick her up and carry her back home with me close behind.  Our parents tried their best to save Pandora, but she died shortly after from the wounds she sustained by the other cats."

"I assume there was not a Veterinarian in your village," I say sadly.

Nya shakes her head negative and tears glisten in her soft chocolate eyes as she shakily continued.

"I never seen my brother shed tears the way he did that night, he loved Pandora more than any of us and wanted to hunt down the cats that attacked her.  He would have to if our father didn't stop him, I still don't understand why those cats murdered Pandora since she was such a nice feline much like Faustus actually."

Nya turned her attention to Lloyd and Faustus and I followed her gaze.

Lloyd was scratching Faustus behind the ears and Faustus was in his lap purring contently.

"Kai's anger and hatred of cats soon manifested shortly afterwards, well all cats except LaPerms.  I think seeing Faustus however is too painful for him and brings back the memories of Pandora."

Nya voice stills for a moment, but soon she turns her attention back to me and I focus on her as well.

"Zane, Kai still has Pandora's bracelet.  I believe he keeps it with him at all times and adds one charm to it every year on the anniversary of her death to tribute her."

My eyes widen at this and I feel compelled to ask Nya.

"When is the anniversary of Pandora's death?"

Nya's eyes lowers and she answers quietly.

"Today…"

I close my eyes as my emotional framework goes out to my brother in compassion and understanding.

I open them again and place my hand on Nya's shoulder.

"Thank you Nya for telling me about Pandora, Kai will not find out about this, but I need to inform Jay and Cole, so that we may plan a course of action," I say resolutely.

The raven-haired young woman wipes her tears and gives me optimistic smile.

"I know you guys will help."

I remove my hand and exit to the ship's interior, my destination, the game room.

(Jay's POV)

"Man, I forgot how freakin' hard this game was!!" I shouted in frustration while my eyes took in the continue screen.

Cole and I had decided to play a retro style game that we both used to play when we were kids.

"If you would stop flying so fast and be a little bit more patient, we would've been passed this stage," Cole pointed out arguably.

"Whatever man, you're doing just as bad as I am!!" I countered heatedly.

"At least I get the farthest, you just fly into spikes!!"

"The only reason you get far is because I start it off all the time since I'm Diddy!!"

"What are you talking about that has nothing to do with it, you die as soon as Squawks starts carrying us!! You don't even get to the checkpoint!!"

"Well neither does you, so let's go again!!" I yelled and maneuvered Diddy Kong to jump on the box that contained his trusty green parrot Squawks.

I began piloting the green bird carefully, but quickly through the spiked-vine maze with stupid spiked hornets and a crap ton of Captain K. Rool's goons.

"I hate that the whole damn stage is like this and it get's worst the farther we get," I mumbled angrily while dodging another one of those annoying bee things.

"Oh my god man would you slow down!!  I swear if this is the way you pilot your Storm Fighter then I'm surprised you haven't crashed yet and geez would it kill you to shoot a coconut!!? You have the ability to do that for a reason!!"

"Would you let me fly the way I want to!!? I'm trying to concentrate here!!" I snapped back harshly and narrowly escaped a cannon ball that was shot by one of the fat goons.

I could see the spinning star barrel that would mark our checkpoint…

Just a little further…

"Got it!!" I exclaim happily.

"Alright, now tag me!!" Cole demanded excitedly.

"What for?" I question while stopping Diddy and looking at the black ninja.

"Because I can finish the stage, trust me!!"

"Sigh, fine," I agreed reluctantly and hit the tag button.

We watched the animation where Dixie Kong kicks Diddy in the butt and makes him go behind her.

"I think the clap tag with Donkey Kong was better," Cole comments thoughtfully while making Dixie sprint and leap onto vines.

"Yeah, me too."

Cole was doing pretty well for once, he expertly maneuvered Dixie across the horizontal vines and timed his jumps perfectly to dodge cannon fire and eliminate enemies.  He pressed the Y button to initiate her spinning ponytail attack and eliminated three beetles consecutively.

"Hah!! Eat that suckwads!!" Cole shouted triumphantly.

Cole then made Dixie jump off a cliff and hit the box containing good ol' Squawks again.

Damn it!! I should have made him tag me first!!

I let loose a long sigh of exasperation as I watch Cole take his time and stop and shoot coconuts at EVERY SINGLE bee, wasp, crocodile, and bird that appeared on the screen as he maneuvered Squawks along.  Even the red hornets he couldn't kill, he'd shoot at them anyway.

"See Cole, this is why you die because you try to kill every single enemy you come across!!  Stop shooting the damn coconuts and fly faster, I'm sick of looking at this stage!!  I'm surprised you haven't died yet!!"

"Because I know what I'm doing, now watch and learn amateur!!"

I watched in stunned silence as Cole flew Squawks cunningly around the circle of red bees and dispatched the headless floating things that marked the last stretch of the stage.

Squawks vanished in a puff of smoke, but left a 1up balloon behind, so Cole grabbed that and ended the stage by jumping on the target and getting us another 1up balloon as a reward.  Dixie got out her blue and white electric guitar and rocked the house in celebration of their victory.

"Game, Set, and Match bro," Cole stated smugly looking at me.

"Yeah and it only took us three days!!" I replied joyously while giving my brother a high-five.

"Jay, Cole I need to speak with you two about Kai, it is quite urgent."

Zane's voice sounds from behind us and Cole and I turn around to see our nindroid brother standing in the doorway.

Noticing his serious expression we leave the game on the stage select screen and stand up to go meet with Zane by the door.

"What's wrong Zane?" I asked once we stopped in front of him.

"Did Kai do something?" Cole asked as well with a frown.

Zane motions for us to step back and we oblige, he then shuts the door behind him and faces us once more.

"Nya has informed me of the real reason why Kai hates cats," he began sadly.

"Huh?" Cole and I say in unison.

When Zane had finished telling us his tale of Kai's past with Pandora, I could feel my heart go out for my sword-wielding brother and judging by the expression on Cole's face, he felt the same way.

"Wow, I never thought he had a legitimate reason for his cold behavior towards Faustus," Cole says sullenly.

I nod in agreement.

"The question now is what to do?" Zane questions turning his hazel gaze to Cole.

I look over at our leader and strategist as his brow furrows in contemplation.

"The Bruins game comes on in half an hour," he began suddenly, "Kai should show up shortly to channel surf before the games starts."

Zane and I look at each other confusedly.

"And?" I ask the Ninja of Earth.

"Faustus is a curious cat and since he's never been in this room, we'll just happen to leave the door open and he'll just wander in," Cole says easily.

"Whoa Cole, are you suggesting an intervention between those two because that has "disaster" written all over it," I counter worriedly.

"If Nya's story has any merit then we know for a fact that Kai would NEVER harm Faustus," Cole retorts back strongly.

"I sincerely doubt Nya would lie to me, especially about something like this," Zane comments steadily.

"Yeah, you're right she wouldn't, so what then?" I ask turning back to the black-garbed tactician.

"We watch and wait, see what develops," Cole ends while crossing his arms.

Sounds like a plausible plan but…

"I want to watch the game too Cole," Zane says reading my thoughts.

"Yeah, the Bruins are playing against my Tampa Bay Lightning and I want to watch the blowout," I respond ecstatically getting out my big foam finger and my small Tampa Bay Flag.

"Blowout?" Zane asks with a cocked eyebrow, "I believe you are forgetting we have a home field advantage this game not to mention we are one of the most successful teams in the league, three of the past four years we have won the Northeast division and we are only two years removed from our last Stanley Cup," Zane recites with a dominant smile.

"Hey!!" I shout, pointing my big foam finger in his face, "I don't give a frog's fat ass about any of that, the point is we Bolts have Steven Stamkos and we're going to mop the floor with—"

"Guys, guys!!" Cole interrupts loudly, "Let's focus on the real issue here; we're going to watch the game just not in the traditional sense."

Cole looks up at the ceiling panels and my mind clicks on what we're going to do.

It's ninja time!!