Too late you see

That you've been taken in

For you see now the enemies

That you thought were your kin

Kai shook his head. The dizziness was finally beginning to clear, and he could think straight again. But questions had begun to swirl through his mind, making him feel just as sick and giddy as before. Why were Jay and Cole acting so suspicious? Were they hiding something? Why did they appear to want him and Zane out of the way? And what had caused the sudden dizzy spell that had made him consent to their plan?

It was all so confusing now. One moment he had felt fine, and then, just as he had been about to protest, a wave of sickness had swept through his mind, jumbling his thoughts and making him feel like he was about to pass out. He could almost have sworn that he'd heard a voice whisper, "No. You must relax, and allow them to lead you now." It had almost sent him to sleep, but something had stopped him.

Still, it had confused him long enough to keep him from saying what he really thought, and it was making him nervous. It reminded him somehow of the way Darkness had almost succeeded in hypnotizing him several months earlier, and he didn't like it...

He realized he'd outpaced Zane, and turned to see a dark-robed figure sneaking up on his friend from behind.

"Zane! Behind you!" he shouted, as the figure reached for Zane.

Zane whirled, drawing his Shurikens as he did, and dodged out of the way of a blast of purple light. Kai drew his Sword and dashed into the fray.

It took him only moments to realize that they were on the losing end of the battle. Though they had him outnumbered, the cloaked man fought with the strength of ten, and it took all they had to stay ahead of him.

An accident was inevitable, and several seconds later Zane collapsed as one of the purple beams of light struck him full in the chest. Kai had no time to worry about him, however, as the man turned and began to advance.

"Surrender," he hissed, extending his arms in front of him.

Kai raised his Sword. "Make me," he challenged.

The shadows around him began to rise off the ground, forming a misty vortex around him. Kai tried to use Spinjitzu, but the mist refused to clear, and he sensed that the cloaked stranger's power was stronger than his own.

I can't give up, he thought, holding his breath to keep from inhaling the mist. I have to keep fighting...

The mist closed in tighter and tighter around him until he thought his lungs were about to burst. When he could hold his breath no longer he braced himself, coughing and spluttering for air. Immediately dizziness gripped him, and he knew it was over. He'd lost.

No, he thought as he sank to the pavement, it's not "game over" yet. If I survive this, I will finish it, and I will win. And that's a promise.

He could feel lethargy creeping up, threatening to lure him into complacency. He tried to resist, but weakened as he was he could hardly fight. Drowsiness swept over him, and he slipped into a deep sleep.