Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Fanart/Drawings of this au. ((It’s a google doc))

Table of contents

Prologue: Powers are dangerous...

Ch 1: Second thoughts.

Ch 2: Choose your weapon.

Ch 3: One's junk, another's gold.

Ch 4: Rules are... Apparently not broken?

Ch 5: Cases of Elements.

Ch 6: Prime Time, Second Chance.

Ch 7: Starting something small, one word at a time.

((Small unplanned Hiatus - I forgot what it was like being sick… It’s the worst.))

Ch 8: This is like Highschool all over again!

Ch 9: Try saying that 5 times fast!

Ch 10: Testing for the results.

HAITUS!!

Ch 11: Accidental problems are made. [TOTALLY NOT ON PURPOSE!!]

Ch 12: Well, well, well. How the turntables have turned.

Ch 13: Ah, if it isn't the consequences of my own actions.

Ch 14: Dareth and the very bad, unfortunate day.

Ch 15: Losses can't be cut when you're just too deep in.

Ch 16: The girl who fate betrays.

Ch 17: Nothing new ever comes free

Ch 18: The one time Jay's rambling has come in handy.

Ch 19: Wait... haven't I been here before?

-MINI 1 MONTH HAITUS- [Ahaha, I kinda Lied... sorry!]

Ch 20: The Resistance never quits

HAITUS TAKE 2

Ch 21: The darkening stormy skies

Ch 22: The Beginning of the End.

Ch 23: Top 10 Anime Betrayals… Number 1 will surprise you.

Ch 24: I'm in Spain but without the 'a'.

Ch 25: Oh I know you-! Wait... I *know* you.

Ch 26: The Lord of all Evil.

Ch 27: Ninja never quit.

Ch 28: Gleaming gold in the night

Ch 29: End of the Beginning.

Epilogue: But what matters is their choice.

Bonus Chapter??? - All depends on if this fic does well, I have motivation and/or someone correctly guesses what the final wordcount is. [Maybe I'll do a timeskip?? I'll start a comment thread to talk about possible bonus chapter ideas when the Epilogue is posted. (Most likely in the Epilogue comment section.)

Chapter Text

Oh, so you want to know what had happened recently? From the beginning?

Well, dare I say it, you've come to the right person.

Surely you've heard the tale of how such dangerous powers emerged right?

No? You haven't? Surprising I suppose.

Well, long before time had a name, the First Spinjitzu Master created Ninjago.

A safe haven for creatures of all. Powers of all.

But a great darkness opposed the First Spinjitzu Master, and there was a great war.

Using four golden weapons, the First Spinjitzu Master banished the evil to a distant land…

No one knows what happened to this great evil, but we do know what happened after.

When the world was just villages and small farms, the two sons of the First Spinjitzu Master appeared.

Wu and Garmadon.
Wu was said to be a peacekeeper, able to calm the most dangerous of creatures. He vanished quite soon after he first appeared. At least, until again.

His brother, Garmadon, was different. Bent on destroying or controlling Ninjago, he used a special ability to destroy thousands.

We called this 'Elemental Powers', and all who wielded them were Elemental Masters.

These Elemental Masters appeared after the disappearing of Wu.

They too, used their newfound powers on hurting others.

So, in retaliation, the public rebelled. Banishing all use of these elemental masters and imprisoning them.

However, back then, they had no knowledge of 'Vengestone ', a stone which when heated up and mixed with steel, can be very difficult to break. And with a huge amount of it, it can stop elemental powers from being used.

When it was discovered, instantly every elemental master was assigned a special containment vest. Each with a sizable amount of Vengestone  within it…

As Ninjago became more unified, with rulers and kings, new rules were all mutually agreed upon.

No elemental masters.

All elemental masters are to be captured and contained. They would pay a whole lotta money to have an elemental master caught. Thus caused rising hunters in search of elemental masters.

Oh, you wanted the recent events? 

Well, that starts with a boy.

A boy named Jay Walker…

Chapter Text

Jay Walker really regretted his choice.

He shouldn't have picked up that flier, he should've just listened to his mother and father.

Yet he didn't.

Here, he stood in front of Phoenix Jail, one of the most notorious prisons out there.

(Not including Kryptarium, where the worst of the worst go.)

But at Phoenix Jail, this is where some of the most dangerous people exist.

Elemental Masters.

There's said to be possibly millions of elemental masters, only of which a small proportion exists within those walls.

Jay sighed, staring at the tall walls and the heavy door. He straightened up, trying to pat down his mess of hair and taking a deep breathe.

Remember Jay, you are doing this for your parents. We need this money. Jay sighed, staring resolutely at the door.

He moved to knock, when it suddenly swung open.

"Oh. You must be the newcomer." A tall man stood. He had long brown hair that hung in long bangs. His green eyes appeared to be on the borderline of jade green and lime green. Small patches of either blood or mud, Jay couldn't tell, was splayed across his left cheek. He wore the typical uniform, the blue tie and cap with the jail's symbol. A white color underneath another navy blue jacket, with buttons down the middle.

"Erm… yeah." Jay nodded nervously.

"Great. I'm Michel, but you can call me Mike. I'm your tutor, or the person who shows you around and the ropes of this prison." The man, Mike, introduced himself, holding out a hand that Jay shook. "Follow me."

Jay nodded, stepping into the building. Nothing clearly out of the ordinary, he was just surrounded by (limestone or sandstone?) bricks with a ceiling that went very high up. Several overlooking balconies and outcroppings sat around the room, a total of four outcroppings. Several guards stood at each one. Several doors led off in various directions, but Mike led Jay to a door on the opposite side of the room. The door was tall and had a curve at the top. As Mike opened it, they were greeted with a hallway. Mike took off, going straight and ignoring most of the doors. Jay saw some glowing spec at the end of the hallway, and gasped at the sheer size of the room they were in next. Jail cells holding various people reached from the ground all the way to the sky. Some was empty, but others had people in them. Jay blinked, catching the eye of one of the prisoners on one of the top floors. He wore grey and white striped shirt, much like all the other masters. His eyes were a chocolate brown color, and his hair a wild black mess. He also wore a heavy vest on him, with Vengestone  weaved into the vest. It was tightly wrapped to him, with a big circle coming to about chest height and straps that went around his stomach. He also had a pair of Vengestone  bracelets with chains connected his hands together. The inmate stared at Jay with an unamused expression.

"Woah- is this where all the elemental masters are?" Jay asked Mike, running to catch up to his fast pace.

Mike simply nodded. "Each elemental master is divided into sections of how dangerous they are. The ones on ground level are the least dangerous and as the levels go up, they get more dangerous."

Jay nodded nervously. "Which prisoners am I assigned too?"
Mike hummed. "Well, typically newcomers are assigned to the less dangerous elemental masters, but since we have an excess amount of guards on the lower levels, you have been assigned some of the top dangerous."
"Wait, but isn't that a safety hazard? I mean, I have no experience whatsoever!" Jay exclaimed, waving his arms wildly.

"I didn't assign it. If you want to change positions, ask the main Chef." Mike shrugged. "Although, I doubt that he would listen or change it. He's like that sometimes."

Jay blinked, pondering on Mike's words.

"So, today, since it's your first day, you won't actually do what you signed up for. It's tradition that other, older guards, such as me, show you around. Tomorrow is when you start."
Jay nodded wordlessly.

"So, lets start with introducing you to some of your fellow guards." Mike nodded, stepping into an elevator. Jay followed, noting that there was apparently 10 floors.

"Jeez, do you really need 10 floors?" Jay wondered outloud.

"Well yeah, since there are ten levels of danger. Plus, we have no knowledge about how many elemental masters exist out there. So always better to have too many prison cells than none at all."
Jeez- this place is huge. I mean the drive over here was pretty long, and the sight of it was pretty huge... Much like Kryptarium, Phoenix prison was also pretty much in the middle of nowhere. It was one of the furthest away from New Ninjago city that you could get. Jay didn't know exactly where on a map, but he did know that it was nearby the City of Sticks. (Although, a bit further out.)

Jay was jerked out of his own musings when the elevator opened with a soft 'ping!'. Mike stepped out with Jay following close behind.

"This is the 10th floor, you had the misfortune to be assigned to the most dangerous inmates we got." Mike explained, stopping in front of a group of jail cells. A women, who appeared to be a robot of somesort, possibly from Borg industries, stood stationed between two cells. Her hair was a gleaming silver and purple markings were on her face in unique patterns. Her hair was up in a neat ponytail and her bright shamrock eyes glittered as she observed Jay and Mike. Like the other guards, she wore the typical navy outfit. She nodded to Mike as Mike came to stop.

"Hello Mike." She spoke in a female toned voice, with the barest of robot hints. Jay was amazed at how well she was built. "Is this the newcomer?"

Mike nodded. "Jay, this is Pixal. She is also a guard. Pixal, this is Jay." Mike motioned to them. Then he turned to Jay.

"Jay, these four are the most dangerous elemental masters, these are the people your tasked with." Mike motioned to the four in the cells.

In the first cell sat a man around Jay's age, with eyes the color of dirt. His hair was a crazy mess, the top resembling that of a flame. He stared at Jay with rage behind his eyes, uncontrolled rage even. He leaned against the back of his cell with his arms crossed as he observed Jay. Had Jay just see him walking around New Ninjago City, he would've assumed him to be a kind of jock. Had he also not been introduced as one of the dangerous people, Jay could see that Kai was pretty handsome. Even in his prisoner clothes.

"This is Kai, the elemental master of fire. His sister here is Nya, the elemental master of water." Mike motioned to Kai and the person, Nya, in the cell next to him. "Their cells are unique since they are siblings. We may inprison elemental masters, but we at least try to not be inhumane. Or, at least the least inhumane as we can. They have windows between them. I mean, all the cells do, but their windows are much lower down." Mike explained.

Nya sat on the lone bed in her cell. She stared at Jay with the same fireceness as Kai, maybe perhaps more. Her vest also included smaller pads around her waist. Her hair was in a messy ponytail and was black like ink. She also wore two thin pins on a stray strand of hair in a crisscross pattern. Her eyes were much like Kai's eyes, but lighter. Much more cedar than the dirt brown that Kai had. Her face too, was slightly more rounded than Kai's sharpened face. But Jay could clearly tell that they were siblings. Both their noses and chin shapes were similar, and their eye shapes were the same. (As far as Jay could tell, it's not like he's going to try to observe that detail closely… right?) But Nya had a kind of… strange vibe. A kind that made Jay want to get to know her more, which was strange.

"Next we have Lloyd Montgomery Garmadon, master of energy and has the abilities of the Oni. He is the son of Lord Garmadon, elemental master of destruction, we assume. While all the other prisoners we aren't sure what their full name is, we know Lloyds. He gets along pretty well with everyone else on level 10."

Lloyd was…

a kid??

"He's a kid?!" Jay exclaimed, turning to Mike. Mike simply nodded.

"Yes, elemental masters are all dangerous, even as kids."
"But kids are supposed to have a childhood and they're supposed to have fun! Not be trapped in a prison!" Jay felt his stomach drop in horror and pity.
Mike rubbed his temples. "All elemental masters are dangerous. No matter their age. The more we know about them, the safer society will be."

Jay frowned. Kids shouldn't be in a prison…

Besides the fact that Lloyd was younger than the others in the prison, he had fluffy blonde hair and emerald eyes. Jay could've sworn he saw a flash of purple in his eyes for a split second, but it could've been the horrible lighting in the prison. Lloyd had been sitting on his bed when Jay had arrived, but when Jay came he had stood up. Even though Lloyd was just a kid, he clearly wasn't terribly young. Clearly he was a teenager or early teen. Jay frowned when realizing that both Kai, Nya and the last person all appeared to be around their early to mid 20s. They were all still really young. But Lloyd was only 16 years old in his files!

Jay sighed. Moving to observe the last person.

To his surprise, it was the same person that he had locked eyes with when he first had entered the main prison. The person with the chocolate eyes, black hair and that interesting expression. Out of all the previous ones, he had probably the most rugged look to him. Muscles clearly shown, he had sat down on his bed, not even paying attention to Jay as Jay surveyed him. His hair was overgrown, and he had a belt of Vengestone  around his waist.

"Finally, this is Cole. The elemental master of earth. He doesn't interact much." Mike explained.

Jay frowned, catching the eye of Lloyd as he glanced over the imprisoned elemental masters.

***

Lloyd blinked, noticing a strange emotion clear on the newcomer's expression. Something he hadn't seen before. The newcomer's eyes were a brilliant blue, but Lloyd could've sworn that he saw lightning flash within his irises.

***

"Come on Jay, we still have more to show you." Mike motioned for Jay to follow. Jay nodded, and Mike crossed a bridge into the center of the prison where a big pilliar held up the ceiling.

There was a door in the pillar, and Mike opened the door. It opened to a white hallway, with two separate doors. Both doors were heavily secured and locked. Mike opened the door on the left and led Jay into some kind of master camera room. There was screens everywhere and boxes with books and other various items laid around the place. A girl, with blonde hair and grey-blue eyes sat at one of the various chairs. She straightened when Mike came in. Jay noticed several cuts on her face, one of which on her check, being covered up with a bandaid. The one on her left cheek however clearly scarred. 

"This Sarra, a fellow guard. She is in charge of most cameras, especially the cameras on the top level." Mike introduced Sarra. "Sarra, this is Jay. He's new and I'm giving him the tour."
Sarra nodded.

Then Mike moved across the room to a singular computer where he opened it up and started typing things up.

He nodded, motioning for Jay to come closer. Jay tilted his head curiously.

"Hey Mike? What again are you showing me?"

"I'm showing you clips of some of the most dangerous elemental masters, just so you can get an idea of their powers and how dangerous they are…"

"I'll play the clips now."

Jay swallowed, his eyes widening comically at the video.

Chapter Text

Title of chapter: “Choose your weapon” (sorry for the inconvenience, happy reading!)

The videos showed the elemental masters on level 10, each in a completely white room. First up it was Lloyd, he was missing his vest of Vengestone  and his eyes were a dark, glowing purple. He was enraged and clearly upset. Around him, dark purple flames danced as guards tried to calm him down and contain him. His hands glowed with the same eerie purple power.

Next was Cole, some guards were trying to contain him, but two large earth-like spikes had shot around him. His hands glowed brown. Jay did, however, notice that one of Cole's pants had a significant tear in it. Cole did not look as angry as Lloyd, but he did look quite upset. Although to Jay, he appeared tired.

Then was Nya, she stared at the guards with an insane-like expression. She had risen with water surrounded her and a small smile was on her face. Like Lloyd and Cole, some guards were trying to contain her, but she just flung water at them.

Finally it was Kai. He was much like Nya, with an insane expression on his face. Grinning at the fire that surrounded him. Unlike the others, there was no guards trying to restrain him.

"But I thought they were secured in Vengestone ?!" Jay exclaimed, shocked by what the video showed.

"They are. It's just that sometimes they need to do some tests on them and or their powers." Mike explained calmly. "That's one of the ways they learn about the subjects/prisoners' powers… So be warned."

Jay gasped quietly, he felt like he was going to throw up. He could feel the bile snaking around in his stomach.

"Well, that's the end of the main tour. If you follow me, I can get you your, well we don't actually have a name for it, but an information box and walkie-talkie. You will also need some type of weapon just in case you need to protect yourself. Like Pixal for example has a sword." Mike said, 

having started walking with Jay following close behind. They made their way all the way back to the main office, the first building that Jay had entered. As they entered, Mike lead Jay to a different door. Inside tools and weapons and literally anything a prison guard could need was hung neatly on the wall.

"Here is your choice of weapons, you will need a walkie talkie and information box." Mike informed Jay, giving Jay the walkie talkie and the information box. The walkie talkie was simple enough, being able to hang around his hip, a smaller clip sat in the a small dip in his ear where he could hear everything going on from the walkie talkie. Surprisingly it was very wireless. The information box reassembled much like a phone, showing shifts, location, information about elements and the masters and all that.

"The information is constantly updated, since we learn a lot every day."

Jay frowned at that, feeling uncomfortable at the thought of elemental masters being tested on every day.

Why did he feel a deep sense of dread at the thought of elemental masters being tested on, but why? I mean, I knew what I was signing up for… Jay did not finish his thought, when Mike suddenly had placed his hand on Jay’s shoulder.

“Don’t feel bad for them. They’re dangerous.”

Jay shivered. But experimenting on them, wouldn’t that just make them more aggressive and revengeful?

Jay turned to look at Mike, his box and walkie talkie held close to him.

“Well, that’s the end of your tour! You work tomorrow, part on site and part in the camera/computer room.” Mike shrugged. “Take your weapon and I’ll escort you out.”

Jay frowned at Mike as he left the room. Then he turned to the very dangerious wall of weapons.

There was weapons of all kinds, those modern-like tasers, the saber-like edge of the swords, all sorts of guns, even some kind of futuristic-like boomerangs. Jay frowned at the display. He took a sword and swung it once, noting how the balance was off. He knew he had no chance with the guns or boomerangs, his aim was horrible. He took a taser, and gave it a whirl, but he jerked at the small zaps of electricity. He also, strangely, felt pulled by those little zaps.

Shaking his head, he gently put the taser back, testing out and trying a whole lot of other options. But he had no luck. Either they required aim (which he did NOT have), or the weapon was off balance. Jay sighed, turning in defeat, reaching to grab a sword before something just in the corner of his eyes glittered. There, hidden in the corner, sat a pair of nunchucks. They were a pretty ordinary thing. Black leather wrapped the hilts and it’s chains were untouched by rust. Jay picked it up and could feel an instant connection. Giving it a few swipes, he could tell that it was just the right balance and every swipe, Jay felt that he could fight an army. And maybe even come out on top. 

He smiled at the nunchucks, taking the stash that held the nunchucks and putting it on him. He smiled, not noticing the small zaps of lightning emerging from each swing of the nunchucks.

Nor did he notice a small folded note within the nunchucks stash.

As Jay exited the room and saw Mike. As he approached, Mike turned to Jay with a quizical look in his eyes as he surveyed Jay.

“You picked nunchucks? I didn’t even know we had nunchucks.”

Jay shrugged. “I mean, you didn’t specifically say what weapon, just any weapon in that room. I.. I hope this is okay?”

Mike waved him off. “It should be- unless the chieftain says otherwise, but I doubt that you would meet the chieftain anyways.”

Jay frowned nervously, glancing around the room.

“Well, anyways, if you need anything, you can find me, Sarra or Pixal. There is some other guards on the higher levels, but I’ll warn you again. Be careful Walker. Those elemental masters may look young, but they are dangerous.”

Jay nodded.

Mike gestured to the door. “See you tomorrow then newbie.”

Chapter Text

Jay sighed, watching as the growing piles of junk grew larger. He drove the car into the crowded place he called home. As he parked the car, he turned off the gas. Sighing, he looked around the tall piles of junk that rose above him. The only home he ever knew, a place he loved from the very bottom of his heart.

Shaking his head, he got out of the old car, which was mostly repaired and made from junk. As he hurried inside, he breathed a sigh of relief. His old parents rested in the main living room, chilling on an old abandoned couch. 

Edna turned to Jay with that smile of hers. The one which made her full face brighten up, with her dimples clear on display and with no care in the world. The way she adjusted her glasses so that they just sat on her nose at the perfect angle.

“Jay dear! You’re back! Oh, I’ve missed you so much.”

“Ma- I wasn’t even gone that long. Besides, with my new job, I might be gone longer.” Jay complained, as his father, Ed, hugged him.

“Oh yes dear, but we worry about you. Don’t we Ed?”

“Y… Yes dear.” Ed said in his usual stutter. “We do w.. Worry about you.”

Jay smiled nervously. 

“But the place you chose to work, we.. we’re very proud of you son!” Ed exclaimed, smiling brightly at Jay.

Jay smiled back nervously. “Yeah- ha ha. Ha.” 

Edna smiled at Jay. “I’m glad that you found a nice place to work.”

Oh yeah- Jay had partially lied to them about his work place. He did say he worked at a dojo/bar combination (don’t ask him how it works, he has no clue. But somehow Dareth makes it work.) on his free days. (Which isn’t often but its sometimes) And also another, unknown place that very far out. When his parents had fretted over Jay having to do multiple jobs and always constantly somewhere, he used the excuse of ‘needing money’. He felt bad for partially lying to his parents, but he didn’t want them to worry over his safety at the prison.

“Yeah, ha ha. ha.” Jay nervously shook.

Edna nodded enthusiastically, not noticing Jay’s nervous attitude.

She pulled Jay into a bone crushing, lung zapping hug. Jay gasped for air in her hug, and when Edna pulled away, she ruffled her sons hair affectionately.

“We are very proud of you dear. In fact! It feels just like yesterday when you were tottering around in your diapers and shoving everything you could grab into your mouth. Oh you were such a cute baby!”

Jay could feel his embarrassment rise inside of him, his cheeks heated up and he awkwardly looked to the floor.

“Do you remember the time that Jay shoved a whole plug into his mouth Ed?” Edna asked.

“Yes I do dear.”
“Wait wait wait- I shoved WHAT into my mouth?!” Jay asked, the words processing a second later.

“A plug. Grabbed it right out of the outlet and shoved it into your mouth.” Edna smiled. “Gave us quite a scare! Got it out of your mouth and you were completely unfazed.”

Jay blinked at his parents, unsure what to say. Shoving a plug into your mouth right from the outlet, is not good for anyone’s health. Frowning at apparently surviving shoving a fully charged plug into ones mouth, Jay didn’t process the next thing his parents said.

Jay blinked at his parents going to their room to sleep, and Jay sat down on the couch quietly.

He sighed, shaking his head. I shouldn’t come to conclusions, I mean. So many kids have probably shoved a plug into their mouth and survived. It probably hadn’t been charged or was in use! 

Jay sighed, standing up and going into his room. There, he gently put his bag down. Inside was his guard uniform. He wasn’t going to wear that when he came home, his parents would have definitely sensed something off. Okay, maybe not sensed, but wearing a prison guard uniform would’ve definitely not fit his ‘I’m working in a bar/dojo and other mysterious place’ theme. (He claimed that he had sent out an offer, yet to receive a reply just yet.)

He sighed, tying the bag up again and shoving it under his old uncomfortable mattress. 

He laid down, staring up at the old ceiling. A bunch of patchwork-metal splayed across the ceiling. Last year, there was a type of ‘freak storm’ that everyone called it, no one knows what caused the storm or why it just suddenly appeared. But it did. And it unfortunately ruined the ceiling of Jay’s room, leaving three large gaping holes that blew in the cold air of the desert.

Closing his eyes, he dreaded the next day of work…

_______________________

Jay regretted waking up that morning. Bright light shone through the windows down onto his face. Blinking awake, Jay jerked upwards blinking wildly. He reached for something that wasn’t there and nearly fell face forward. He stopped himself from tilting forward, blinking rapidly he hopped out of bed with an unusual amount of energy, even for him. And he constantly had energy, although he used most of that energy to chat.

Getting out of bed, Jay walked into the main room where he could smell his ma cooking. His father sat on the couch, resting his head back as he watched the morning news.

“Good morning.” Jay sauntered over to table where a small plate of eggs and rice already sat. As he sat down, he started eating it.

“So, hunny. Today is your first day right?” Jay’s Ma sat down across from Jay at the very small table. Jay nodded, having too much in his mouth to answer. He swallowed before talking.

“I’m going to use the motorcycle. Is that okay?” Jay asked. Edna nodded, gently taking a bite out of her food.

Smiling gently at his parents, Jay finished up his meal. Moving and cleaning off the plate underneath a weak stream of water. Sighing, he put his plate up to dry and went to his room to grab his uniform. He grabbed a dark navy bag, one which could hang from around his neck/shoulder comfortably. He gently folded his rumpled uniform and put it inside the bag. Pausing, Jay peered at his uniform, noting the various shades of navy blue, he gently put his nunchucks and their sheath in the bag. He frowned at the lack of varying color. (except navy blue, not even just normal blue. Jay wouldn’t have minded normal blue, but navy? Really?)

He really wanted to grab one of his very few valuable prizes, an old necklace that he had made from various scraps and beads from the Junkyard. But he fought against the urge to bring it, knowing that he should have a good first impression.

As he slung the bag over his shoulder, he walked into the living room to see his parents resting on the couch watching ‘Good Morning Ninjago’, or whatever it was called. Jay didn’t watch the news, all he recognize is that annoying ‘Good Morning Ninjago’ dude speaking. Talking about the usual daily news of birthdays, holidays, etc. 

“Goodbye ma and pa! Don’t worry about me if I’m late tonight!” Jay called to his parents as he started out of the door.

Both of his parents turned and smiled.

“Goodbye hun! Have a good day!”

Good day, yeah right.

As Jay got to the motorcycle, he opened the back compartment door and shoved his bag inside it. Then he grabbed the makeshift, somewhat modified helmet, and shoved it on his head. Tightly latching the old and mostly broken straps in a tight knot. He hopped on the motorcycle and grabbed the handles and turned it on. It turned on, smoother than normal, and didn’t even let out a small hiss of gas! He kicked up the stand and turned around and went off. On the long drive to the prison, (They called it a jail, but now that Jay’s actually seen it, he would say its more of a prison) Jay thought about what could possibly happen today. His thoughts became anxious (as per usual) and he had begun overthinking, but took a deep breath. It was a tactic his friend, Dareth, had taught him back in high school. Jay always went ‘fake it and don’t make it’, but his friend Dareth knew about how this thoughts often turn to anxiety. Mostly due to his poor living conditions and, well, the tendency of others to bully him in high school. But Jay could stay strong.

After all, his momma raised a boy who wasn’t willing to throw a punch.

But maybe a kick would be better…

Oh who is he kidding, he knows he’s going to freeze up or do something embarrassing and not very smart.

Deep breath in…

Breathe out..

Jay could see the huge building coming up fast. It was particularly tall and with rounded edges. Of course, he could only see the front, but he could see the very top of the back building, or the main prison area. Tall windows sat on the front building, and as Jay slowed down, he stopped in the parking lot where a lot of expensive looking cars sat. Some were those new flying cars, something that Jay would love to be able to take apart and see how it worked. He noticed a bike rack and parked his motorcycle next to the bikes. He opened the compartment and grabbed his bag, also taking out a lock (which wasn’t necessary but his ma always drilled into his head its better to be safe than sorry) and tied the motorcycle to the rack. It probably wasn’t needed, but he really didn’t want to have to walk home. Jay made a mental note to charge his motorcycle later. He would only barely have enough to get to New Ninjago City from here.
Also it was one of the only vehicles his parents owned.

Sighing, he hefted the bag on his shoulder, walking inside the building.

Blinking, he slowly adjusted to the low light. He saw someone waving at him as soon as he stepped through the door. Blinking, he could make out the faint outline of Pixal.

“Oh hello there. Jay isn’t it? I recall seeing you come yesterday at 1:00 pm. This is your first day correct? I believe we share most of the shifts. I can also tell you are not in your uniform, do you perhaps want to be shown to the nearest bathroom or the locker room?” Pixal inquired, tilting her head ever so slightly.

Jay nodded. “There’s a locker room? I didn’t get a key for it..”

Pixal nodded. “Mike probably forgot to show you, although its not too far from where you chose your weapon.” Pixal started walking off, Jay followed her. She walked stiffly, with purpose.

Pixal opened the door, and Jay was greeted with the great wall of weapons. But instead of going straight to the wall, Pixal took a sharp right to another, more hidden, door. Opening it, Jay blinked at the various lockers.

“Choose any locker. The locker cannot have a lock on it.” Pixal gestured to the lockers.

Jay walked up, stopping on the first locker with no lock on it. It read 37. Opening the locker, he gasped at the space he honestly wasn’t expecting. Inside was a simple lock with a key jammed in it. Taking it, he opened the lock and took the key out of it.

“So, that’s your locker. Now don’t lose the key, we only have so few. Each one is specifically designed to only work on the lockers.” Pixal explained.

Jay nodded.

“Over there is the changing rooms, you better get changed. Our shift starts soon.” Pixal nodded to a pair of opened doorways. Jay could barely see the stalls in the changing rooms.

As Jay walked over, he noticed that the changing rooms only had two stalls inside. Both were quite small. But he shrugged, getting dressed quickly. 

As Jay exited the stall, he was just finishing tying up his tie. (Why would they have ties on a prison guard uniform?) Pixal still stood in the same place, looking far more agitated than before.

Jay hurried over, shoving his bag of his common clothes into the locker and shoving the lock on carelessly. He then took his motorcycle key chain and put his locker key on the ring. Shoving both of them into his pocket.

“Come on, you got your weapon, walkie talkie and informational box?” Pixal inquired. Jay nodded, showing his walkie talkie, information box and his nunchucks all tightly secured on his person.

Pixal nodded. “Come on- lets go.”

This is going to be a nightmare isn’t it..

Chapter Text

As Pixal and Jay exited the elevator, Jay checked his watch that he wore on his left arm. It was very well worn and the glass had cracks in it, but it worked and that’s all that mattered to him.

6:57. Three minutes later and they would’ve been late. As Pixal and him rushed to the cells, they slowed down.

Jay noticed that a girl with curly red hair and glimmering, almost amber colored eyes, abruptly stopped talking to one of the prisoners. She casted a wary glance at Jay, but her eyes softened slightly at Pixal. She looked vaguely familiar, as if Jay had seen a picture of her before.

“Oh hi Pix. I expected you in a less of a rush. You always seem to be calmly walking over.” The girl said, her voice reminded Jay of honey slowly dribbling down a smooth surface. It set Jay a little on edge, people with that smooth of a voice is never good in Jay’s books. They constantly want something from Jay or others, or at least in Jay’s experience.

But he had to give some doubt, it wouldn’t be fair to automatically categorize others depending on their looks or voices.

Then he would be just as bad as those serpentine haters, what were they called? Serpentine-phobic? Something like that. They didn’t like the serpentine even though serpentine and humans have been living together for decades.

“Whose this?” The girl asked, turning to look at Jay curiously.

“This is Jay, he’s a newcomer. Today’s his first full day. Jay, this is Skylor. She’s the daughter of the chieftain and also the current owner of Chen’s noodle house. If you know where that is.” Pixal explained.

That’s where it clicked. Dareth’s dojo. 

It’s right across the street from the noodle house, he complains a lot about the customers from there and the noise. Oh and also how most of the customers go to the noodle house instead of his dojo.

“Oh, of course I know where that is! It’s directly across the street from Dareth’s dojo!” Jay shook his head gently. “Dareth always complains about the noise constantly and the lights.”

Skylor shot him an apologetic glance. “Sorry bout that. It was my dad’s ideas to put the big, neon, sign to attract customers.” Skylor shook her head gently.

“Well, we’re taking over. Where’s the other person who’s supposed to help guard with you?” Pixal asked, peering around curiously.

“He had to leave early, he had to go to the… doctor I think? Something about seeing his baby cousin or something. But, good luck!” Skylor nodded to Jay and Pixal, stepping out and starting towards the elevator.

“She’s a lot different than what Dareth described her as…” Jay muttered as he turned to watch Skylor sauntered off.

Pixal chuckled. She moved to stand where Skylor was just moments before, between the cells of Kai and Nya.

Oh yeah, they were here to be guards. Guards to extremely dangerous people. Not here to chat and make friends.

Jay nervously tapped his fingers together. “Uhm, where… where do I stand, or walk or… wait how does this go?” He turned to Pixal.

Pixal sighed. “You can go stand between Lloyd’s and Cole’s cells. That’s how guards usually are posted. One between two cells.” Pixal frowned.

Jay nodded, walking over and standing between Lloyd’s and Cole’s cells. He nervously glanced around, taking in other guards who moved around the different levels. He could see other cellmates, each with similar vests of vengestone.

A long silence stretched between the guards and imprisoned masters. (Jay refused to call them prisoners. He didn’t know why he refused to not call them prisoners.) It was heavy with awkwardness and laced with tension.

“Soo, do you just. Stand here quietly?” Jay asked, unable to take the silence.

“Sometimes. Sometimes the imprisoned masters talk, but typically we just stay silent.”

Jay hummed, dreading that strange quiet again.

And lo and behold, it did reappear. That awkward silence that stretched indefinitely and made Jay trembled slightly in the quiet.

“Erm, you okay there dude?” a calm voice spoke behind Jay.

“AHH-” Jay yelped, jumping at the sudden voice behind him. Whipping his head, he was meet face to face with the elemental master of earth, Cole.

Straightening up, Jay nervously put himself back together again, taking deep breaths to calm his racing heart.

“Uhm- yep! Yep of course.” Jay nodded quickly. “Yes- everything’s just great over here! Ha ha ha, heh…” Jay nervously laughed, staring ahead.

Pixal chuckled to Jay’s right. “Your vitals are very high, you are very clearly nervous. Might I inquire why? All Cole did was ask how you were.”

Jay nervously chuckled. “Uhm yep! I’m absolutely fine. It’s just not every day that an elemental master with extremely powerful abilities just casually talk to me, oh and not to mention, this is my first day here and I’m assigned to people who are catagorized as a level 10, AKA the most dangerous people who could ever go into this prison, not to mention one of which is just a kid, and this is already nervious bec-” Jay rambled, catching himself mid-ramble. Talking at lightning speed the entire way, clearly Pixal couldn’t catch up with his rapid fire talk. Taking a deep breath in, he released it. “Yeah, I’m good.”

A laugh sounds from behind him. Glancing over his shoulder, he sees Cole chuckling.

“Uhm- sorry about… uhhh if you erm.. This is extremely awkward. I’m just going to shut up now.” Jay shut his mouth, internally promising to just shut up. He also was internally scolding himself for rambling.

Cole’s laughter only got slightly louder. “I think you’ll fit right in. No guard we’ve had has ever reacted like that.”

Jay could feel his cheeks darkening in embarrassment. “Well, erm- wait I’m supposed to be quiet… Pixal? Is there any rule about not talking with the imprisoned elemental masters?”

Pixal shook her head. “No, but as long as you don’t talk about escaping, or like. You know, illegal stuff. I mean, like escape, plans from outside sources to help, etc. But nothing about common sentences. But to be safe, the less others see of you talking to them, most likely the safer you’ll be. Oh and they also wouldn’t consider treason if the people you talked to ever escape.”

Jay sighed. “Okayyyy- good. I’m not breaking rules on only my first day.”

“Sooo, which weapon did you choose?” Cole spoke from within his cell. Jay turned to see Cole lazily sat on his bed, he rolled a small stone between his fingers. His back was against the wall and he was eyeing Jay. His brown eyes gleamed underneath the terrible prison light source.

“Erm, is that legal to talk about?” Jay eyed Pixal. 

She nodded hesitantly. “There’s nothing against it.”

“Besides, I mean we usually see what weapon people wield anyways since they are almost constantly in display.” Lloyd piped up for the first time since Jay came. Jay turned, jumping slightly at slightly aggressive green eyes glaring at him. His eyes seemed more, aggressive and scared than the full aggressiveness from Kai and Nya.

“Oh, uh. I have nunchucks.. I trained in martial arts and mainly used nunchucks when I went to Dareth’s dojo.” Jay nervously scratched the back of his neck.

“You know martial arts?” Cole spoke again, Jay resisted the urge to turn and look at Cole as he spoke.

Jay nodded, “Yeah, I’ve been learning since I was pretty young. Around 12, I think? Did, errr, did you guys ever have any jobs or skills before you were put in here?”

Cole sighed. “I used to go to a dance school until my dad turned me in. Lloyd went to that school for bad boys in the north. I don’t know about Kai and Nya, they don’t usually talk to us when guards are present. But I do know that Kai and Nya have both been here longer than me and Lloyd.”

Jay frowned. “How young were you when you were taken here?” He turned to lock eyes with the master of Earth. 

Cole shrugged. “I dunno. What year is it again?”

“Uhm-”

“Cole’s files say that he should be around 23 years old.” Pixal spoke, bring Jay’s attention back to Pixal.

“Huh, I forgot about their files..”

“I’m 23?  Huh. How old is hothead at the end?” Cole asked.

“According to their birthdate, he should be 24 now.” 

“Dangit, he is older than me.”

“And I’m proud of that boulderbrain!” Kai’s voice echoed from the otherside of Pixal. The first time he’s spoken.

“Yeah, keep telling yourself that flamehair.” Cole shot back.

Jay made eye contact with Pixal. He mouthed ‘are they always like this?’

In return, Pixal nodded minisculely.

There was no actual anger. It reminded Jay of two siblings yelling insults with no actual sparks.

He looked behind him, noting how calm Cole still was despite saying insults at Kai. He then glanced at Lloyd and noted how Lloyd just sat there, a small smile on his face at the arguing. When Lloyd noticed Jay was observing him, his expression quickly changed to a scowl.

Jay quickly averted his eyes, his eyes was drawn to the door where the elemental masters were taken to be tested.

How cruel is that? And the guards they send in to be tested on, its just.. Why do I get this feeling that something a big more ominous is going on here?

Jay sighed, his muscles burned from no use. He had to move.

“Hey, uhm.. Pixal, again. I have another question..”

“I am here to help.”

“Can guards move? Do we have breaks? Like, y’know to go to the bathroom and such?”

“Yes, guards can move around, pace even. And yes guards can use the bathroom, as long as another guard either takes over their shift or there is at least one guard nearby.” Pixal explained.

Oh thank the First Spinjitzu Master. Jay sighed, moving his joints and walking over to the rail that sat facing the interior of the prison. He stared at the various cells below. He noticed several guards, one of which clutched their arm with another holding very tightly to them, drag out a raging elemental master. He seemed to flash between metal and human, but he soon tired out. Jay assumed he must be an elemental master of metal?

“Strange that there seems to be overlap of elements? I mean, isn’t metal a sub-thing of earth? Oh for the First Spinjitzu Master’s sake this is confusing.” Jay didn’t realized he muttered out loud.

“I agree, it is quite confusing. But also it’s pretty interesting to realize just how many elemental masters exist. Plus, theres said to be possibly millions still out there that we haven’t even heard of.” Cole said. Jay jumped, not expecting a response.

Cole chuckled. “You are a very jumpy guard.”

“Well, I’ve never had to do this before!” Jay shot back, walking back over to where Pixal stood. He observed the four elemental masters. Kai glared at him with a seething rage, Nya was just as aggressive, she was also the only one to have not said a single word, Lloyd hid his face in the darkness of his cell, and Cole watched Jay curiously.

“Wait- when does this shift end?” Jay wondered.

“Yours ends at, around 11:00 at noon. Then you have another shift at 2:00 to 7:00. But that is, most likely, not guarding. Your most likely going to be working in cameras room. Your shift noted that you said your good with electronics, correct? So today is kind of the, lets see how you do. Your times will be adjusted as well, depending on how you do and what you do well in.” Pixal explained. “However I doubt that you won’t be a guard and a camera watcher. Your good with electronics, which is quite rare, so they will definitely have you in the camera room or help out with the computers. There is also a high chance of you being a guard, since there is only a small, limited amount of guards here.”
Jay nodded, looking at his watch. 9:00. Ugh.

So, the next hour was pretty quiet, Jay had started pacing back and forth while he could feel the eyes of Cole and Lloyd on him. He pretended not to notice them, but he could’ve sworn that Lloyd’s expression wasn’t aggressive as before, but curious. Cole was just as calm and laid back as before, quietly observing Jay as he paced.

“So, uhh. Pixal. Where did you live, or I guess.. Live now?” Jay asked, cringing internally at the horribly phrasing.

Pixal just smiled. “I was created by Borg. I was created to be his personal assistant, however very soon my tech become much older. Borg didn’t want to disassemble me, but he did want a more in-date assistant. I still live with Borg, but I can make my own choices and decisions. Strangely, I felt drawn to this place. So I signed up to be a guard. Have been ever since.”

Jay could sense that his eyes were sparkling and if this was some cartoon, sparkles would be surrounding him as he watched in awe. “Woahh that’s so cool! What does Pixal stand for?”

“Primary Interactive External Assistant Life-form. Borg wanted to create an AI who could fully, and truely think for themselves.” Pixal smiled, her emerald green eyes glowed slightly in the dark.

“Woahhhh.” 

“What about you Jay? I find that the name Jay is quite uncommon. I haven’t heard or learned of any Jays in New Ninjago City. And searching my database, I seemed to have no stumbled upon any Jays in Borg's computers.” Pixal stated.

“Well, I’m actually from the Sea of Sand. Although I look almost nothing like the people from the Sea of Sands. They usually have a more rugged look to them? I don't exactly know how to accurately describe it. They're darker though, much more like Cole. If not for your file, I would've assumed you were from the Sea of Sands." Jay explained, brushing his hair back.

He knew he stood out. Not only was his curly hair a big stand out, his freckles and blue eyes also. He had a much thinner frame, and didn't have as dark as a skin as either his parents or any one else he knew that lived in the Sea of Sands. He had tried to fit in before, brushing his hair and keeping it straight. Using makeup to hide his freckles and even having a 'fake' scar. (It was actually real, Jay isn't sure where he got it, but he's had it a while. In fact, it's still there, but far more healed.) He tried acting tough, confident. But it really didn't help him much. He still have a thin, short frame. One which stood out amongst the tall, tough looking neighbors.

“I’m sure you don’t fit in. I guess all the outcasts come here to ‘protect’ the public huh?” Kai mocked, scoffing at Jay. His eyes practically glowed with fire. (Pun intended! Oh for the First Spinjitzu’s Master’s sake… Jay really was terrible at making puns…)

“What-?” Jay blinked at Kai.

“Ignore him, he always mocks the guards.” Pixal explained, shaking her head as she glanced at Kai.

“Yeah, but ‘master of blabbermouth’ over there is talking too much and some of us are trying to sleep. You useless hunk of metal.” Kai shot back angrily.

“In the middle of the day..?” Jay wondered. Jay jumped as Kai’s eyes landed on him again.

“Well duh! I mean, oh gosh, we can’t see the sun in here!” Kai practically snarled.

Jay nodded quickly, nervously ducking his head and moving to get quickly out of the master of fire’s sight.

He shuffled back between Lloyd’s and Cole’s cells, Cole shot him a sympathetic glance and Lloyd didn’t look at him at all.

“Cole? Why are you being so nice?” Jay asked quietly, doing his best not to speak loudly and alert the master of fire of his voice. “All your files say you don’t interact with people very much…”

“Correction, I don’t interact with people who’ve hurt me and my friends. You’re still new, and haven’t done anything… Yet. I would much rather at least try to be nice to those who haven’t hurt us. Besides, it’s rare to find someone who will even talk to us.” Cole explained. “As long as you don’t hurt me, Lloyd, Kai or Nya, I have no problem with you. I will say, Kai, Nya and Lloyd does not think like me in this same way.”

“Oh.” Jay nervously shrunk in on himself, drawing his arm closer together. An old habit since highschool.

Silence remained for the rest of the time, he could feel the stares of Lloyd and Cole on him, but he did his best to ignore them. 

Jay didn’t know how long that silence lasted, but he recognize a familiar mop of blonde hair coming towards him.

“Jay!! Hello!” Sarra cried out, waving ethuasically.

Jay raised his hand in return.

As Sarra came, she stopped just in front of Pixal. “We’re here for the shift change! Oh! Wait, before I forget. Jay, this is Areli. She’s an all-rounder. You know how I’m a day person? She comes in whenever she’s needed.” Sarra explained.

This new person, Areli, had long curly dark auburn hair. It was a mix of Skylor’s and Jay’s hair colors. Some dashes of red hair dye also streaked her hair. She wasn’t the tallest, pretty average height compared to Pixal’s extremely tall height. She was a bit taller than Jay, but not largely taller than Jay. She had a rounded face, with equally rounded eyes. She also had rectangular black glasses which neatly sat on her nose. Her skin was an acorn-like color. Not as dark as say, Cole, but not as light as Lloyd.

She waved nervously. “Hello there.”

Pixal merely nodded to show acknowledgment. 

Jay sighed, starting the walk towards the elevator. Pixal strolled right behind him.

“Is Cole nice to you?” Jay wondered, craning his neck to look at Pixal.

Pixal nodded. “When I was first assigned here, Cole was the first person to be nice to me. Not many people here are nice, considering I’m, well, a robot. I refuse to do anything mean to them, including hitting them like it suggested on the manual.”

“It’s suggested that we hit them?!” Jay cried, shock and disgust boiling in his stomach.

Pixal nodded. “When they talk, it’s suggested, acoording to the manual, that we hit their bars to get them to quiet. If they don’t quiet, then we are supposed to beat them. No one really follows the manual, only when the head chieftain gets off his butt to inspect.” Pixal frowned in disapproval.

Jay was in shock. The head chieftain was cruel. Shaking his head, he distantly heard the ‘ping’ of the elevator arriving at the bottom floor. As Pixal and Jay exited, Jay almost ran into someone waiting for the ping. A guard was dragging a middle-aged man, with a heavy vengestone vest on. He had long, shaggy hair and an shaggy beard. Large bushy eyebrows poked from the small visiblity of his face. His hair was a dark brown, and with no light would almost appear black.

“I’M NOT GOING BACK!” He shouted in a slight accent. 

Jay watched him struggle sadly.

Their eyes met, and the captured elemental master’s eyes widened. Jay tried to convey that he wished he could help, but he couldn’t. All he could do was watch.

The last thing that Jay saw of that elemental master, was him watching Jay as the doors slowly closed. He was mouthing something, over and over.

‘The resistance never quits’

Chapter Text

Jay’s second shift wasn’t as entertaining as his first one. For the majority of the shift, it was just Jay sitting in front of a computer. Behind him, the other guard, Travis, was that his name? Was also tapping away.

He didn’t say much. He was pretty dang tall with dark skin and even darker eyes. They were very clearly brown, but they were pretty dark. He had black curly hair and the faint start of a beard. He wasn’t very talktive. All he said was a simple, ‘Good afternoon’ in a gruff voice. Then sat down and had not said a single word since.

Jay had wanted to do some research. He wanted to know more about the level 10 elemental masters. Unfortunately, he just didn’t know how to start.

He opened up the files for each of the elemental masters, carefully reading about all the contained elements and the suspected outside elements.

Elements and Levels:

Level 10 elements: Contained masters of Fire, Water, Earth, Energy (and Destruction), Suspected masters of Amber and Time, Uncontained master of Ice, Dead (suspected) master of Lightning.

Level 9 elements: Contained master of Form, Escaped masters of Mind, Gravity, Suspected master of Spirits, and Magic.

Level 8 elements: Contained master of Smoke, Escaped master of Wind, Suspected master of Fusion.

Level 7 elements: Contained master of Metal, Escaped master of Speed.

Level 6 elements: Contained masters of Nature, and Poison.

Level 5 elements: Escaped master of Light (1), Suspected masters of Green.

Level 4 elements: Contained master of Sound, and Plants, Suspected masters of Sight, and Emotion.

Level 3 elements: Contained master of Shadow, and Light (2), Suspected master of Crystal.

Level 2 elements: Contained master of Sound, Escaped master of Surprise, Suspected master of Magnetism.

Level 1 elements: Suspected master of Dust, Escaped master of Sand.

→ Suspected other unknown elements.

Jay frowned at all the various elements.

So they have suspected elemental masters to look for? How do they get the hunches for the different elemental masters powers? How did the elemental master of Lightning die and how do they know they're dead??

Clicking the arrow at the bottom, Jay blinked at the next page. Within the next page was a bunch of references to previous elemental elements. Via pictures, or information or myths. One such myth was of the fabled Nunchucks of Lightning. Which is why they had ‘suspected master of Lightning’. There was even something about how the orginal elemental master of Amber had helped in construction of the facility. 

Well, I guess that explains where they got their information and suspected elements from… Jay internally chuckled. (And outwardly, but he didn’t notice the strange glance that Travis gave him.)

Humming, he went back to scanning prisoner’s files

All the files were evenly organized, each corresponding to each element. There was also links to previous, now very much dead, elemental masters who had been imprisoned in the facility.

His eyes landed on the master of Ice’s files, opening them, Jay noticed that there was barely any information on them. But apparently, the elemental master of Ice has been seen before, but all attempts of capture have failed. A singular picture of a person with a dark brown cloak was in a small village. They was producing ice from their hands, and glowing sky-blue eyes was the only thing visible underneath the hood. Those eyes looked straight into the camera, but the person was facing away, his head just slightly tilted towards the camera’s way.

In an almost non-human sort of way…

Jay frowned, clicking out of the master of Ice’s files and browsing all the files again.

The suspected master of Lightning caught his eye next, and he opened it. There wasn’t any information on powers and abilities, but there was a very good reason for why there could be an elemental master of lightning.

Elemental master of Lightning (Dead)

Last known elemental master of Lightning was [REDACTED]. Last seen dead out in the middle of the Sea of Sand. She had a baby boy, small with curly brown hair. It is unknown if he's alive, but all evidence point to his death. Blood in his carrier, small tuffs of his brown hair, but no sign of the body. However, it's unlikely that he would have survived, as its suspected he would've been around 2 years or so. All nearby people who live on the sea of sand say they do not know who [REDACTED] is nor has seen [REDACTED]'s son. However, there could be a possibility that he is still alive.

Not many lightning elemental masters have been contained, so very little is known about them. Be very careful if you encounter an elemental master of lighting. Some have been reported to even be able to wield the power of Wind [see, 'Wind'].

Since Lightning is one of the four main elements of Creation [see, 'Creation'], it is still highly tied to the Double Elements [see, 'Double Elements']. Elements that are closely tied to the element of Creation, but not actually a part of Creation.

Danger Level: 10.

Suspected abilities: lightning beams, ability to summon and control thunderstorms and lightning blasts, above average speed, ability to climb lightning, perhaps ability to absorb lightning? High possibility to be able to stun others from touch, another (lower) possibility is the ability to wield pure Energy. Most likely immune to tasers and most stun methods, and probably immune to electricity.

Jay frowned. He was unsure how to react to that information. They just assumed that he was dead even though there was no body? It was strange. Also for some odd reason, Jay resisted the urge to type onto the profile. He didn't know what he would type, but he had that urge.

There was also a picture in the file. Two to be exact. The first one showed a middle-aged woman, with long curly blonde hair and wide eyes. She had beautiful electric blue eyes and a very sharp chin. In another picture was a young, baby boy, with light blue eyes and his hair was just barely turning brown. His skin was very close to the previous woman's skin. Not terribly dark but definitely the child has had some time outside. He had freckles all over his face, and small fluffy eyebrows. He was very small and in a baby carrier. The picture seemed to have been taken before the lightning mom and her child died. Since the kid looked at least 1 years and the file said the child would've been around 2.

In other words, to Jay the baby looked very similar. But he didn't know why.

He sighed quietly. He put his head down, realizing how much time had already passed.

Frowning, he grabbed the mouse and went back to the current elemental master files.

Man… I still gotta study the prisoner’s files before I get on the clock… Alrighty let’s see the master of Water’s files…

Jay opened up Nya’s file, blinking at the bright flash.

Huh…? She apparently has trust issues against most males in the facility, can be hostile towards them… I wonder why though…? Jay’s lips tightened as he read the elemental master of Water’s file. He hummed quietly, continueing to read her file.

Highly aggressive, expecially if you hurt or cause harm to Kai or Lloyd.
Jay hummed again quiet. It was becoming quite a bad habit of his.

She doesn't talk to guards often, and when she does, she rarely says anything good. Prefers to talk to female guards, and is much better when having females nearby. Oh, so is that why Pixal instantly went to Kai's and Nya's cells? Interesting…

***

Nya frowned, staring at the back of the guard that stood in front of her cell. She was very kind, doing her best to not make any sudden moves or much noise at all. Nya was sure Kai appreciated it. After the blabbermouth of the new guard. 

Frowning, she resisted the urge to pace. 

Sighing, she leaned her head against the wall in the back, staring around at the cell that she (unfortunately) had called home. It certainly wasn’t as great as her and Kai’s old home. Something which her memories of are very hazy and distant. 

Afterall, she was last there at... what age? 6 or 7 years old?

She couldn’t remember. Kai probably knew. He was like 10 or 12..

She wanted to ask Kai, but also didn’t want to bother him.

The other guard, a male. Nya wasn’t sure who they were.

But she didn’t like them.

They are all the same!

They paced a lot, and their hat was just slightly too big. It obscured Nya’s vision of their face.

Not that it would matter anyways.

Every male’s the same anyways. 

They always are.

They’re all the same.

Nya was so sick and fed up with it.

All she wanted was out. All she wanted was to be out of this place.

All she wanted was to see the sun again..

“Hey sis, you okay in there?” Kai’s whisper stopped Nya from her train of thoughts.

Nya nodded.

“Yeah, I just.. Hope one day, we don’t have to be in here anymore…”

***

As the shift ended, Travis said a quiet goodbye as Jay got up to leave. As the new guards came to help out in the camera room. Travis had already left and was gone by the time Jay had walked out.

Jay started the walk to the elevator, his eyes automatically going towards the level 10 elemental masters. His eyes trying to seek out Nya. But she wasn’t there.

Probably in the testing room..

Hmmm… 

As he was in the elevator, he heard a noise behind him.

Sounded a lot like… a whoosh?

Maybe Jay was just running on little sleep.

Yeah… probably.

Turning around, he saw nothing. Blinking, Jay shrugged and entered the elevator.

He entered the elevator, and the doors closed behind him.

Is it just me, or is it darker in here than normal? Jay blinked, noticing a darkness at the corner of his vision. This elevator is taking longer than normal… What is going on?

Suddenly, the doors opened and Jay rushed out. Desperate to get out of there- Hehastogetouthehastogetout-

He had rushed to his locker, fumbling a bit with the lock. But after a moment, Jay was able to open it. He grabbed his stuff, changing into his normal clothes and closing his locker, fastening the lock on it.

He blinked.
Jay had felt, for a split second, that someone was watching him.

Glancing aroud, he hurried out. Doing his best to look like he was NOT in a hurry whatsoever.

He got out of the building, he was gasping for air. His heart was frantic and he had no clue why.

Grabbing his motorcycle, he suddenly felt marginally better. Definitely not one of those days you wake up magically perfect, but better than before.

He blinked at the strange occurrence. Booting up his motorcycle, he put on his helmet and took off the lock.

Strangely, as he glanced at the charge, it was completely full.

Huh? I could’ve sworn that it was barely over a quarter when I left it… Maybe one of my co-workers charged it? But there’s no charging stations here and that would’ve meant that they would’ve had to unlock the lock to my motorcycle. Only I have the key!

Jay fretted, getting off the motorcycle and turning it off to inspect it.

It didn’t seem any different, but strangely small sparks emitted from the wheels. Jay blinked at the sparks.

Static charge? I’ve never heard or seen a vehicle that got static charge…

Frowning, Jay chalked it up to him just imagining things.

Getting on the motorcycle, Jay turned it on. Unfortunately, small sputters of smoke emitted from it.

Oh, that’s not good… Jay turned to look at the motorcycle. Not noticing anything odd, he turned the motor again. 

This time it was smooth, no sudden jerks. Jay grinned, putting his bag inside the back container. Then he was zooming off.

a sudden buzz from his pocket alerted him. He groaned, slowing his motorcycle to a slow stop and pulling out his phone.

His phone wasn’t anything in particular to look at, it was small, old and have many cracks in it. Jay never knew how he had somehow managed to find such a good phone. Although it was old, it never seemed to run out of battery. Dareth always complained about how unfair his phone, which he found in the junkyard one night, never ran out of battery. While his own ran out almost constantly.

Jay chuckled, answering the phone. “Hey ma. How’s it going?”
“Jay hunny. Where are you? We’re worried that you're okay.” His mom’s voice sounded from the other side of the phone.

Jay smiled. “No, everything’s okay with me. Did I forget to tell you that I’m eating dinner at Dareth’s?”

“You are? Oh, well hunny, give us a call on the way back will ya? Have fun at Dareth’s. He’s such a nice man. Oh, and don’t forget to eat your vegetables!”

Jay sighed heavily, a car whizzed past him at top speeds. “Yes ma. I’ll eat my vegetables.”

The call ended, and Jay got on the motorcycle again, having to restart it. He put his phone in his pocket and started off again.

Instead of the path he took to the prison this morning, he joined the main beltline. 

Towards New Ninjago City.

As he zoomed along, he questioned what the whole, blacking out thing in the elevator, was. Analyzing it, he saw that nothing was actually out of the ordinary. [It wouldn’t be until later, that Jay would realize what had caused it.]

Blinking, he thought he had heard distant laughter, but glancing around, he saw nothing, again, out of the ordinary.

***

In their cells, the four level 10 elemental masters heard a distant laughter.

It’s been more frequent, more taunting…

Lloyd frowned, it was familiar to his ears. But also vasty different.

Kai paid it no mind, angrily pacing his cell and watching the guards with a careful eye.

Nya simply stared at the wall, shivering lightly.

Cole hummed thoughtfully. That sense of dread settled over him. I have a strange feeling that the new guard has something important to him… I just can’t tell what…

Far away, deep underground. Shadows of people moved throughout the darkness. Plans were hung on the wall, the dusty shelves had many books.

Within this darkness, two glowing sky blue eyes opened.

Something’s coming.

Something big.

***

Jay grinned at the familiar sight of ‘Grand Sensei Dareth’s Mojo Dojo’. Jay knew Dareth had a big ego, and this was practically proof of that.

He parked his motorcycle, chaining it up and locking it. Tucking his helmet inside the back compartment, Jay stood up and walked inside.

Jay remembered when it was just a dojo, but since then, Dareth has had to do some changes. A small bar was set up on the far corner, and the trophies had been moved to be displayed behind the bar. Instead of the once back room, it had been destroyed for more room in the dojo. The floor was still newly polished, and the smell of food wafted through the air.

“Jay! My friend! Been a hot minute. You wanted to come and see me, the Grand Sensei Dareth?” Dareth’s voice called out to Jay.

Jay chuckled. “You’re ego is still as big as ever. Surprised you haven’t fallen over, it must be so heavy.”

Dareth let out a fake offended noise. “Excuse you, who taught you the martial arts?”

“An old hermit.” Jay muttered quietly.

“What?”

“You.”

“As I thought. Now come on, dinner’s almost ready.”

Dareth guilded Jay towards the back, where a fresh pot of… something… sat.

“I made some fried rice!” Dareth proudly showed off his work.

Jay chuckled. “Better than what I could make.”

They both sat down, enjoying their fried rice in silence.

Well, as silent as a restaurant/dojo combination could get.

Out on the floor, a few students trained. And throughout the restaurant, a few customers sat enjoying food and beverages.

“Wait, shouldn’t you be teaching them? And helping with the restraunt?” Jay asked suddenly.

“Well, usually I would be, but I got a few of my older trained students helping out. Helping in the restaurant helps with patience and such. And some wish to become a sensei like me, so they are helping with the ones on the floor.” Dareth smugly explained.

Jay shoved another spoonful of fried rice and regarded Dareth with suspicion.

“I’m serious!”

Jay swallowed. “Sure, whatever keeps you awake at night.”

Dareth chuckled quietly, reaching for more rice.

“Seriously, how do you put away so much?! Your appetite hasn’t changed since highschool.” Jay exclaimed, putting his spoon down, unable to eat more.

Darethe looked up at Jay from his third bowl. He said something, but he had food in his mouth, so Jay couldn’t understand him.

“What was that?”
Dareth swallowed. “I am a Grand Sensei Master. I am constantly doing martial arts, I need the energy.”

Jay rolled his eyes playfully.

He felt like he could simply be himself with Dareth. He didn’t have to worry about his anxiety, or constantly be nervous around others. He could show his sarcastic side, his confident side. Without having anyone try to push him back and force him into a submissive kid. 

He was just simply, Jay.

Just as Dareth was Dareth.

Speaking of Dareth, he had stood up to go over to the students on the floor, and immediately fell face forward.

Classic Dareth.

Chapter Text

Jay yawned from his post.

Skylor chuckled from his right, leaning on the wall in a not very guard-like fashion.

“You seem tired, something keep you awake at night?” Skylor asked.

“Yeah, there was a strange customer last night at Dareth’s. He wanted to talk to Dareth and I, but that took up, like, half the night.” Jay mumbled, trying to speak loud enough for Skylor to hear him over his mumbling.

Skylor blinked at Jay. “A stranger?”

Jay nodded, recalling last night.

He had went over to Dareth’s, had good fried rice. And then Dareth had fallen on his way to help his students. Jay had stayed, calling his parents that he was going to help Dareth out a little bit.

Then the doors opened harshly, and Jay had felt like his entire being was on fire. It didn’t hurt, but he felt rejuvenated. Inspired. It was like those movies, where one of the main/side characters (or villians!) make a dramatic entrance. They opened the doors of where the main characters were in with wind blowing in behind them, and a bright light shining behind them. Usually with everyone inside the place watching this dramatic entrance and all conversations stop. All you see is a black outline, and then when the person entered the light, the were either revealed to be the villain or another hero.

It didn’t happen in this case, but Jay would say it was close enough.

All conversations definitely still kept going, and there was no dramatic flash of light behind the stranger or wind blowing through the stranger’s hair. It was just a casual walk into the dojo. The stranger wore an old cloak, with sewn on patches that mismatched with the tan main color. The cloak covered the stranger’s clothes, and the stranger wore a hat fashioned from traditional bamboo. It reminded Jay of the old hermit that he used to train with. They walked in, using a stick of bamboo as a walking stick. It was taller than them even.

They looked like a person from the ancient era somehow transported to the modern world.

To say the least… they looked way out of place.

Jay blinked, jerking out of the memory of last night at someone clearing their throat in present.

Jay glanced over to Skylor who watched him carefully. Her head was tilted just slightly as to not watch him from the corner of her eyes.

“Erm, sorry. Was recalling last night..” Jay nervously scratched his neck.

Skylor chuckled, when Jay heard a commotion. Turning his head, he saw several guards hauling out a pissed off Lloyd. Small sparks of purple floated off of him. Behind Lloyd, Jay could see Kai being hauled out also. Several of the guards spotted burn wounds or injuries. Both Lloyd and Kai snapped at the guards around them. Kai even going so far to try and bite them.

As the guards opened Kai’s and Lloyd’s cells, and tried to shove Lloyd and Kai in. Kai was pushed heavily in, landing hard on the hard floor. Lloyd refused to go in.

“Hey stop it- you’re hurting him!” Jay exclaimed, noticing Lloyd’s grimace of pain.

One of the guards looked at Jay, he looked tired and bored. “They’re elemental masters. They’re dangerous. If they don’t fear us, imagine how dangerious they could be to the public.”

“Hurting them will only make them more resentful!” Jay cried, gently forcing the guard to stop trying to shove Lloyd in. Turning, he looked Lloyd in the eyes. 

The eyes of a scared child. 

The eyes of someone whose childhood was stolen from them. Who knew more than they let on.

“Hey, Lloyd? Could you please go into the… Containment?” Jay nervously tapped his fingers. “Please? I don’t want to see you in pain…”

Lloyd stared at Jay in shock. As if he couldn’t believe a guard was trying to find a way for him to not be hurt. Which probably was a first, except maybe Skylor or Pixal? Jay glanced at Skylor, who looked terrified. Looking back at Lloyd, he saw Lloyd walk into the cell with no fight. Just simply watching Jay curiously.

Jay yelped, getting shoved to the side as the first guard jammed a key and locking Lloyd’s cell. Then they turned roughly to Jay.

“You are a weak guard. You don’t show weakness to the inmates, they use weakness against you.” The guard shoved Jay to the ground, and Jay yelped in fear as he towered over him.

The guard stood like that for a few seconds, before backing away. His eyes narrowed aggressively on Jay. As he turned to the elevator, he signaled ‘I’ve got my eye on you’. Two fingers from his eye height and jabbed them towards Jay.

Jay shook nervously, his bullied trama coming back to him. He didn’t even realize he had instinctively curled in on himself. Shielding his face from any possible attack that could come.

“Hey- Jay? Are you alright?” Skylor’s voice sounded above him. Jay instictively jerked, bringing his hand up to shield himself again.

“Wait no- I swear I didn’t do it-” Jay sputtered, not seeing Skylor but someone else.

Gentle hands landed on his shoulder. “Jay- it’s okay.”

Jay thought he heard distant mumbles of ‘what did he not do?’ in the background.

He had started to not be able to breath.

Just do the routine Dareth and I practiced. Deep breath in… hold for 3, let it out. Hold for 3. just keep repeating.

Jay had rarely had a panic attack, only had it 5 times? Once when his mom had a stroke, another when his dad had gotten trapped under a pile of junk, a third during one of his typical school bullying sessions, a fourth when Dareth had gotten lost and didn’t arrive at the meeting spot for an hour, and the most recent one when Jay was trapped in a building with the fabled villain group, ‘The Sons of Garmadon’.

And he was having another one now.

Deep breaths. One. Two. Three. Release. Repeat.

He could breathe again and his heart wasn’t pounding so hard it hurt.

Opening his eyes that he didn’t know he closed he focused on his surroundings.

Jay shook his head gently, the prison facility swimming back into focus. Tears had formed in his eyes, and he gently wiped them off.

Skylor had put a gentle arm on Jay, expression worried.

Jay grinned wobblily. “I- yeah.” Standing up, he stumbled slightly. “Everything is.. fine…”

Skylor’s eyebrows furrowed as she observed Jay’s face.

“You look a little pale there, are you sure you’re okay?”

Jay nodded, although it was forced. Jay was certain he failed at hiding his fear.

“Uh- yeah! I think we should be more worried about Lloyd and Kai. And Nya and Cole, their still not out yet.” Jay glanced nervously at the testing rooms.

Skylor nodded hesitantly. Turning towards Kai, she started whispering something. But Jay didn’t pay any attention to it. Instead, he turned to look at Lloyd, who was already looking at him.

‘You okay?’ Jay signed, not trusting his voice. It was instinctively to sign in times like this, narrowly avoiding a panic attack. Then he realized that Lloyd probably doesn’t know New Ninjago Sign Language. Before he could correct and speak, Lloyd started signing back.

‘You know sign language? No one I’ve met knows sign language except my mom’s sister.’

‘Mom’s sister?’

‘Long story.’

Jay nodded carefully. ‘You still good though? You weren’t too hurt?’

‘I think I should be more worried about you, considering you were having a panic attack.’

Jay blinked at that. The words processing just a second later. 

‘Wait- you know what panic attacks look like?!’

Lloyd stared at Jay sadly, nodding his head.

‘Oh. But you’re still okay? Not to hurt?’

Lloyd nodded, still watching Jay with his emerald green eyes. Jay couldn’t see a big expression or emotion on his face, it was clearly carefully blank. But he could see a mix of emotions behind his eyes.

‘Okay. Good.’ Jay smiled, turning back to face the testing rooms.

“Jay, you should be careful.” Skylor spoke, and Jay turned his head. Skylor had finished whatever whispering she had with Kai. She was watching Jay with her strange ambered colored eyes.

Jay tilted his head, quietly motioning for Skylor to continue.

“Some of the people here, they’re cruel. To both elemental masters and people who try to stand up for them. They follow the rulebook to a T. Even changing to more, inhumane tactics. My father doesn’t like people who try to stand up for elemental masters either. They’re all sent to be tested on by the elemental masters.” Skylor explained, motioning to a pair of guards limping on one of the lower levels. “If you keep trying to help the elemental masters so.. openly, you’ll be sent to be tested on.”

Jay frowned, turning to stare at the injured pair. From his position, Jay couldn’t see much of their facial features. Only the unmistakable hat that they wore. The same one he had on.

He felt bile rise in his throat. The thought of punishing people who try to protect the elemental masters by having said masters attack them… It scared him.

Soon, Cole and Nya were being shoved into their containments, Nya being shoved a bit more forcefully. Jay reached out to help Cole, but brought his hand back at the look Skylor gave him.

As the doors were locked and shut, Jay turned to Cole worriedly.

‘Do you know sign?’ Jay signed. Cole just looked confused at the gestures. Ah, probably not.

“Are… you okay?” Jay stuttered, watching Cole sympathetically. 

Cole nodded slowly, blinking at Jay. “I feel like I should ask you that. You’re really pale and shaking…”

Jay grinned. “Psh, me? I’m fine!”

He felt like this time he was much more easily able to lie. He was excellent at lying, he just needed some time. Not so good under pressure or stress, but he was pretty good at it.

Cole seemed to take the lie, not continuing the worried thought, but Jay could see that his eyes narrowed just slightly in suspicion.

Jay turned back around, glancing over at Skylor who was gently talking with a pissed off Nya.

Jay didn’t want to go anywhere near pissed off Nya, she was scary. Her eyes twitch and he literally shakes with rage. She looks oddly beautiful, in a poisonous-plant-slowly-coming-to-kill-you-but-it-has-pretty-blue-flowers kind of way.

Plus, Jay has seen how Nya glares at most male guards, including him, when they try to talk to her.

And of course, her files say extremely aggressive and untrusting of males, can’t forget that.  

Jay sighed, turning to face the interior of the facility. Narrowing his eyes, he noticed two guards leading a girl, who looked around his age, into the testing room. Unlike all the other elemental masters, she didn’t fight or try anything. She just walked, even with a little bounce in her step. Her wavy yellow hair swished behind her as she was escorted. It was extremely long and tied in a neat braid that reached down to her lower back.

The girl had glanced up, catching the eye of Jay. And smiled, her eyes glittering with curiosity, before she was shoved into the testing room.

I think that was the most joyful person I have ever seen in this prison.. With maybe the exception of Sarra…

Jay didn’t share many shifts with Sarra and barely any with Mike, but he did see them around occasionally. Typically he had the same shifts as Skylor and Pixal. Since he mostly had day shifts, he was more likely to be with Sarra than Mike, who takes night shifts. (You do NOT want to see him with no sleep.)

At first, he didn’t seem to make many friends, with the exception of Skylor and Pixal. Mike only showed him around, and seemed kind of mean. But after Jay had gotten to know him, he was actually pretty cool. He was usually pretty grumpy, due to a lack of sleep, but he was pretty cool. Although he also had a habit of sneaking up on others and startling them, he was cool. Sarra was pretty much the opposite. She was a pretty positive person, despite what she did for a living. Jay has seen her gently reassuring the prisoners when she thinks no one is watching. When Jay shared a shift with her, she would sometimes talk about her younger twin siblings. Mike didn’t talk much about his family other than his Grandmother and Older sister.

Jay got the feeling that Mike didn’t have a deeply close relationship with some of his family.

A cough echoed in the silence on the 10th level. Jay blinked, resisting the urge to look around for whoever had coughed.

He could also feel the worried glance from Skylor, boring into his neck but he chose to ignore it. 

He felt a hand on his shoulder, and looking up, Jay met Sarra’s eyes.

Her eyebrows were furrowed in worry. “Are you okay? Skylor had told me you had a panic attack.”

Jay smiled. “Yep. I’m fine! I wouldn’t let a panic attack stop me.” Jay said with fake confidence.

Sarra frowned, not believing Jay’s confidence, but not pushing it.

“Okay. If you say so. Also, your shift is over.” Sarra explained.

Jay blinked, surprised how fast the time ticked.

As Jay hurried to the bottom floor, he glanced back at Sarra and Skylor. Both of them watched him walk away worriedly. Jay had also caught the eye of Lloyd, who was watching him from inside his prison.

Jay chose to take the stairs today, after all he needed his cardiac for the day. He didn’t have a second shift today, so he was probably going to go home, maybe shift through some piles of junk, and maybe try to make something. 

He huffed a bit on the endless amounts of flights. There was a reason why most sane people took the elevators. They were much quicker.

But Jay has also been used to extensive training. Both with Dareth (who was pretty chill and laid back) and that old Hermit who had approached him one day.

The old hermit wore a flat, bamboo hat on his head. He wore a mask that covered the lower part of his face. He also had very old style robes that he wore constantly. He was pretty harsh and strict, but also patient and caring. He also had a very tough training course at his Monastery, which was pretty lonely just outside of New Ninjago CIty. With moving parts, and mismatched with dangerous swinging clubs. Now that Jay thought about it, the stranger who had approached him when he was at Death's looked the exact same as the old hermit.

He kind of missed that old hermit. Even though he was an odd individual, Jay cherished the time he had spent with them. They had allowed Jay to open his eyes to an endless abyss of information. Things that Jay wouldn’t have seen if he had trained under anyone else.

He recalled the day he left, just after his 16th birthday. The old hermit had told him that he learned all the teachings. But had told Jay that Jay needed to ‘find his team’, and to return when he did. He tole Jay, that to find his true potiental, he needs to be true to himself. As honesty is key to Jay’s success. The old hermit also told Jay that when he found his team, to return to the Monostary. As he would teach Jay an ancient and powerful form of the ninja. Jay has puzzled over that sentence for a long time. Still, he had yet to find his ‘team’ and ‘true potential’. But now he wondered if this ‘Spinjitzu’ could be that powerful form that the hermit would teach Jay.

He blinked, recalling the conversation with the stranger.

_____

“Are you perhaps Jay?” The stranger had asked in a heavy accent. Jay couldn’t tell which part of Ninago had that particular accent, but it was familiar.

Jay nodded, watching as Dareth was talking to his students. “Yes, that’s me. And you are?”

“You can call me an old friend, or you can just call me a stranger. That does not matter. But I need to ask you something. Have you been training in the Martial arts?” The stranger asked, moving to sit across from Jay. He propped his tall bamboo stick next to him.

Jay nodded slowly, his eyes moving to closely inspect the stanger. He had golden eyes with small flecks of red that gleamed from under the hat. A long bushy beard that went down to his chest was on full display. As far as Jay could tell, the stranger was bald. He could also see hair beginning to grow from around the stranger’s chin, starting to join the already very long present beard. They also had large bushy platinum blonde eyebrows.

“Have you ever heard of the Art of Spinjitzu?” The stranger asked, lowering his voice as if he worried of others overhearing.

Jay thought for a moment. He recalled a hazy memory of the old hermit telling him about an ancient form, which he would master when the time came, as Jay left. He had never seen the old hermit again.

“I think it sounds familiar, but I am unsure that I have fully heard of it.” Jay explained, his eyes moving to meet the strangers.

The stranger hummed. It was a quiet tune, something that Jay has never heard before. “Perhaps that is for the best. But listen to me Jay, learn about the art of Spinjitzu. It is vital that you know of it’s power.”

Jay’s eyes narrowed. “Wow, very ominous and vague. Might trying to be more specific? Also, why would you, a complete stranger, care about me so much to tell me this. I’m literally a nobody from a junkyard.”

The stranger merely smiled, “this is what makes you unique Jay. As for why I’m telling you this, well, you’ll learn soon. You’ll know when the time comes. But please, do look into the art of Spinjitzu. I’m sure you’ve heard of the First Spinjitzu Master, he is a key in this puzzle. Remember the past, to look towards the future.” The stranger stood up, brushing off nothing. He grabbed his staff and started off to leave.

“Wait!” Jay cried, reaching out one hand as if to catch him. But he blinked and in a span of a mili-second, the stranger was long gone.

Instead, Dareth had rushed over, blinking on confusion at Jay. “What’s up? Why are you reaching for nothing?”

Jay blinked. “Did you not see him?”

“See who?” Dareth’s eyes roamed over the shop, landing on each individual inside for a second.

“I- nevermind.”

_____

Jay puffed, leaning against a wall in the staircase that he was in. He had only made it to the 7th floor and he was tired. He sighed, deciding to just walk the rest of the stairs down.

With Dareth, Jay didn't train as hard. Dareth is a pretty lazy person, not wanting to move or work at all. Dareth would give Jay a training course or tell Jay to do something, and Jay would. He didn’t feel the need to spectate Jay, since he already trusted Jay a whole lot. Besides, most of the time Jay trained with Dareth, they mostly spent their time sitting down and chatting.

He had also created his own version of the old training course, down to the swinging clubs and turning twisty things. Of course, all of it was scavenged from junk and random stuff Jay had found around. And wasn’t actually in the Junkyard. But it was in a, redacted location. (Jay didn’t even know where it was on a map. All he knew was that he had found a pretty secluded area.)

Jay took a deep breath, walking down a bit slower down the staircase than before.

Suddenly, he heard a noise behind him.

Jey yelped, glancing back at the noise.

He relaxed seeing who it was.

It was Travis, strangely enough. The same person who worked in the camera room.

“Hello there Jay.” Travis spoke in that gruff voice of his.

Jay smiled, saying a ‘Hello Travis’ back.

They both walked down the stairs, not many words being exchanged between them.

“So, Travis. How long have you been working here?” Jay asked, hoping to break the awkward silence he felt.

“Longer than you I guess.” Travis said with a complete deadpan tone and expression. “I’ve worked here since the big snowman incident.”

Jay blinked, not knowing if he was trying to joke or was being generally serious. “Snowman incident?”

Travis nodded. “You know, before the destruction of the west wing, elemental masters were allowed to go outside and enjoy the sunlight. One time, on Christmas, they all went out. In the end, there were way too many snowmans and a big snowball fight had happened.”

Jay didn’t know what to say. Far too flabbergasted to make a comment.

As they continued down the stairs, Jay heard shouts echoing from the 5rd floor as they passed. 

“So, I heard that you’re pretty new huh?” Travis said, when Jay and Travis had just gotten to the 3nd floor.

Jay nodded. “Pretty new, yeah.”
Travis glanced at Jay, a dark expression flicked across his features for a mili-second. “You should’ve left when you could.”

Jay jerked his head towards Travis at that. Confusion leaking and swirling around him like a flowing river. Trying to drag him down or backwards. He regarded the sudden shift in tone. From a quiet person, to like someone talking about a very bad past experience. Then suddenly back to that calm quietness from Travis. 

The more Jay had shifts with Travis, the more Jay felt like Travis knew stuff. Well, Jay knows Travis knows stuff. But like, Jay wants to figure out what Travis knew or was trying to imply.

Jay opened his mouth to question what the sudden dark mood and tone shift when Jay realized they had made it to the 1st floor.

“Well, bye Jay.” Travis waved, vanishing into the crowd of guards moving to change shifts.

Jay blinked, standing at the base of the stairs like a complete idiot, which he was, but no one needed to know. He tried to process the strangeness that was Travis, but just decided he couldn’t.

Sighing, he shook his head. Locking away the strange conversation with Travis to look at another time.

Jay went to go to his locker, opening it up and grabbing his stuff. He went to change, as per usual. As he came back to put his uniform in the bag, he felt that strange sensation of being watched again. Glancing around nervously, Jay couldn’t see anyone watching him. Actually, there was a lack of people in the locker rooms. Only around 4 or 3, not including Jay, was there. None of them was staring or even glancing at Jay.

He frowned, reaching to grab his bag again.

What is my true potential?

It was a thought Jay hasn’t had in a long time. Not since after he left the old hermit.

What is important to me?

What is my team?

Jay sighed, his eyes going to the sky.

Why was I sent away Master?

What do I need to discover?

Chapter Text

[There is fanart- I just have no clue how to include. See end notes for more detail]

 The ride home was silent, save for the rustling wind that whipped past.

Sighing, Jay saw the junkyard again. He parked his motorcycle, there hasn’t been anymore of the strange recharging incidents, and turned it off. He got off, attaching his helmet to the motorcycle. He grabbed his bag and hurried to his room to put it away.

“Hello Ma! Hello Pa!” Jay called as he ran past, hefting the bag on his shoulders. He slid it underneath his bed, and jogged out again. There he properly greeted his parents.

Or, his parents crushed him in a hug.

He yelped, gasping for breath in his parent’s death grip. “Hi mom and dad- I need air please-”

The pressure lifted, and Jay gasped for air. 

“We’ve missed you honey!” Edna cried, hugging Jay again.

“I miss you guys also. I’m sorry my work takes up a lot of time in my schedule.”

“We’re proud of you, you know that right?” Ed patted Jay.

Jay smiled gently at his parents. “You know, you work so hard. Let someone else do the work.”

Ed and Edna smiled gently at Jay. Edna even had small tears in the corners of her eyes.

Jay smiled gently at them. “Please, take a rest. You deserve a break for all of your hard work.” Jay kissed his parents on the cheek.

“Oh, we’re so proud of the responsible man you’ve become Jay.” Edna cried, smiling widely. “I’m so proud of how much you’ve matured.”

Jay smiled. “I’m going to do to my training course, is that okay with you guys? I’ll be back around…” Jay glanced at the old clock that hung from the trailer that he called home. “Two hours from now? Around 2:00? Then I can help with the junk selling if you need me.”

“Okay! Have fun hon!”

Jay smiled, reaching to grab his bright blue bike and hopping on.

His training course wasn’t far enough to lose charge, and it was close enough that Jay could bike there. So he usually did. He petaled hard, humming to himself the same song that the old hermit would play on his flute.

He arrived to the unsuspecting course. To the normal eye, it looked like any other. Rocks and sand all over. But Jay knew this place inside and out. He was trained to see the small differences, to be silent. He knew that the big rock in the center wasn’t actually a rock but was more of a secret button. He strolled over, hitting the button part and it closed down. It gave a satisfying ‘click!’ sound as the faint whirring of gears hummed beneath the ground.

The first thing that popped up was a spinning dummy with semi-sharpened sticks and pipes. It sat still, awaiting for the rest of the course to pop up.

Next came the spinning circles things. You were supposed to stand on them and stay on balance. The hermit usually had Jay go through the spinning circles as he progressed the training course.

Then was a rotating circle thing with thin sheets of metal in the forms of humans that rotated around and around. Jay didn’t know what it was called, but it was one of his least favorite ones.

Then the balancing pillars were next closely followed by a rotating thing that you were supposed to jump over the sticks that was rotated around. Then came the big swinging hunk of metal and the punching bag thing. (Spoiler, it was also metal)

Then the one with the (supposed to be slicing axes) slicing dull metal rods came up. The final one, with the rotating (even more) metal rods. It turned clockwise, but also had rotating metal rods that Jay was always told to avoid.

As the last thing popped up, everything started to move. Jay sighed, pulling off his work clothes. Revealing his hidden black ninja gi underneath. He had been given a blue one when the hermit sent him off, but he has yet to wear it. He tightened the golden bands that hung from around his waist tightly. He didn’t understand what the point of having pretty bright golden bands and outlined on his gi, since he was supposed to be able to blend in the darkness. And the gold would just stand out.

But the hermit had given to him when he first joined, so he wasn’t going to question it really.

He had thought about finally wearing the blue gi that had been given to him, but he just never felt right wearing it. It was like he was missing a part of the gi.

He shook his head, deciding to go the opposite way that he normally did. Instead of starting with the spinny people, he would go through the jumping sticks and go around. With the swinging clubs always last.

He stepped on the rotating circle thing, jumping nimbly over the rotating sticks. He missed the first spin, so he had waited until the next one. Then he hopped off, dodging between the slicing metal rods. One almost had caught him. That was unlike him, usually he was sharp and quick.

He got off first spin, hopping onto the balancing pillars. He made sure he was in the correct position, his right foot right in the center and his left just slightly above. His arms came to connect over his heart. As he hopped from one pillar to the other, he didn’t even falter. He hadn’t lost his balance on the pillars since his first time he had ran the training course. As he made past the balancing pillars, he got on the rotating-rotating metal rods. Wheaving between the metal rods as they rotated, Jay recalled his first time on the course. He had failed, quite miserably, and charged head first into the course. He had gotten hit by the people almost instantly and fell off. Now he had learned to keep an eye and observe before going in first. Even though he had memorized the course after so many tries, he still took a step back to observe what was happening before he did anything.

He ducked, narrowly avoiding the swinging metal rods and hopped off towards the poeple one. The people one you had to brute force through it or you could jump over and avoid the people from hitting you. Jay typically avoided the people, opting to hop over or climb the people to get on the ceiling. However, he also had added fake people on the ceiling to provide a bit more challenge. However, it didn’t provide much of a challenge since Jay had memorized it. (Not on purpose! He’s always been told his ADHD brain was good at making instincts become real and muscle memory.)

Jay hummed, quite cheerfully, getting off of the people spinner and ducking underneath the heavy metal hunk. He threw a punch at the other, thinner metal. Not by much, but he’s thrown so many punches at it, it’s starting to become malformed. And he could throw a punch against the metal and it didn’t hurt any more. Sometimes, when he first made it, he was scared of punching the metal. But he also would sometimes punch the metal, hard, to train himself and his strength. Hoping that maybe the hermit was watching him, and maybe, just possibly, he could return. And also, just maybe, the hermit would be proud of him. He wasn’t the best of students under the hermit. He regretted not using all his time wisely, instead he played video games.

He had really liked the hermit, he had connected with him. He had grown respect for him, and he regretted not doing his best.

He didn’t even realize he was crying. Big fat tears dripped down and fell off his chin. He kept punching the poor piece of metal, it becoming more and more malformed.

His second time around, his phone rang. Opening it up, he silences the alarm. Moving, he closed the training course. It hummed as the training things vanished again. He pulled on his work clothes again, tightening his blue shirt and getting on his bike. He started to petal off.

***

He watched as his student pummeled the piece of metal. Each strike was on point and accurate. He wasn’t doing it out of anger or emotion, his flurries were quick and concise. 

He was very proud of him. Jay had surpassed all of his expectations. Even though he was pretty lazy at first, he got his determination much later. He missed Jay, but he knew that Jay was never supposed to be alone.

Jay was supposed to have his fellow elemental masters of creation.

But the hunters had gotten to them before he could.

They had gotten the elemental master of Fire and Water, Kai and Nya, when they were very young.

The elemental masters of Earth and Energy, Cole and Lloyd, also were taken before he could’ve gotten there. He hadn’t even known that Lloyd had an elemental power.

He felt more terrible, not even knowing his nephew, Lloyd, had an elemental power. Much less energy. He had tried to help Lloyd, but he had students he had to take care of. Misako and his brother didn’t take care of Lloyd as they should’ve. He had tried his own best, but he was probaly much worse of a parent than either of them. He only discovered that Lloyd had been taken through Koko, Mistako’s sister, who was taking care of Lloyd.
He hasn’t heard from Koko since.

Even the elemental master of Ice, Zane, he hadn’t gotten to in time. Hunters had come in search of the elemental master, and he had been on the run. Constantly avoiding him as he fled.

Until one day, Zane had completely vanished off of the face of Ninjago.

All he could have saved was the elemental master of Lightning, Jay, and it was one of his biggest regrets.

He wished he had gone to the other elemental masters earlier. He wished he had acted sooner rather than later.

He wished that his brother never went to get that sword.

That he had protected Morro before the hunters had gotten to him.

He sighed, watching his lone survivor, his last remaining student petal away.

The pieces will start to fall in place. 

I hope that you’ve seen my note.

Please, protect it with your life.

You’re the only thing stopping him .

***

Jay yawned, boredly and idly playing with a ball on a stick. Basically, it was a ball tied to a stick and you’re trying to get the ball on the top of the stick. (There was a small bowl to hold the ball.) There was probably a name for it, but Jay really couldn’t care less.

He was in charge of selling the excess pieces of junk and his own creations. They needed the money, and people will buy things they think are valuable.

Currently, the usuals are just packing up and leaving. There were the usuals, which by the way, there was only 1 or 2 usuals daily. Families who lived nearby and used the repurposed junk in their own ways.
Jay waved goodbye as the usuals filtered out. Sighing, he glanced up, seeing no more customers.

Both of his parents were inside. He had convinced them to take a break from all the hard work they do. He yawned again, bringing his free hand, not the one with the ball on a stick, to cover his mouth.

“I hear you have goods?” A gruff voice spoke. Jay jumped, glancing up and meeting glowing red eyes.

“Erm, yes! This is Ed and Edna’s Junkyard. We have a bunch of stuff. Most of it is reused junk. What might I help you with?” Jay asked, averting his eyes from the stranger’s red ones.

“I’m looking for something. A map or a kind of golden weapon.”

Huh? “Like the legendary Golden Weapons of Creation? I’m afraid we don’t have any golden weapons lying around here. Nor do we have any maps. I’m very sorry sir.” Jay explained.

The stranger’s glowing red eyes narrowed. Now that Jay looked at the stranger, he was shrouded in shadows. He couldn’t tell much of the characteristics of the stranger. All Jay could tell was that the person had glowing red eyes and was extremely, maybe even abnormally, tall.

The stranger frowned. Turning around and vanishing into the darkening of the evening.

Strange…

Now that Jay thought about it, he seemed… almost familiar.

But that wasn’t his problem.

I mean, it’s not like Jay will ever see this stranger again.

right?

___

Jay was in an unfamiliar place. Blurred shapes moved all around him, each shape was blurred and undistinguishable. None of them had meaning, but Jay had thought that the blurred shapes were almost… familiar.

None of it mattered because the sky, well it wasn’t normal.

The sky was dark and stormy. Not like the usual dark, stormy skies.

But the clouds were almost a pitch black.

Blue lightning coursed through the air, and Jay felt drawn to it.

Fires burned around him.

He froze, feeling a strange presence above him.

Looking up, Jay blinked.

That’s not righ-

He tried to move, but he couldn’t.

He felt like he was trapped in his own body.

A black void with creepy black tentacles like a big angry octopus encircled Borg Tower. Something was in that darkened fog. It was smokey and let out puff

The last thing Jay saw was one of those angry tentacles swinging right for him.

___

Gasping, Jay sat up.

He was in his bed, sweat dripped down his forehead. He felt unusally hot and nervious. Glancing outside, the moon wasn’t completely full, but it was more than half. And by how high it was, it was closer to midnight.

Jay brought his hands to wipe the sweat. They were a cool comfort in his state. 

He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself.

He stood up, placing his feet steadily on the cool ground of the trailer. Standing up, he crept towards the bathroom. Now, you see, he was trained in the art of stealth. So as he crept through the house, not a single peep was made from him. He had memorized which tiles creaked and where to step as to not alert his mother and her supersonic ears. (Like seriously, she had REALLY good ears for her age!!)

He stood in the bathroom, putting his hand under the weak stream of water and splashing his face. He turned the water off, as he didn’t want to use too much. They already were so low on money. He couldn’t afford to waste much.

He let the small droplets of water trickle down his face. They kind of felt like tears as they slipped down onto his hands.

Sighing, Jay looked into the mirror, his eyes tracing his face as he stared. He looked ragged. He brought his hand up to trace the faint scar that was located over his right eyebrow. It had been slowly fading, but he could still feel the faint wound. He never knew where he got it, but he’s known he’s had it all his life. As he felt that scar, he wondered where he had gotten it. Wondered how he had gotten it.

Frowning, he shook his head, quietly closing the bathroom door by 3/4s of the way. (Not all the way, it creaks after the 5/6 of the way of being closed.. if that made any sense. Man, that sounded much better in his mind.)

He carefully crawled back to his room, ducking inside and slipping underneath the covers of his bed.

Jay felt kind of guilty, having the luxury of being able to enjoy a nice bed while elemental masters had crappy mattresses in a dirty, always bright, prison area. He wondered if they even recalled sleeping in a nice bed, having a nice place to call home.

Man, they really did have such a sad, sad life.

Jay frowned, closing his eyes as sleep darked his vision.

___

Jay was on a nightly shift, he rarely took night shifts. Usually prefering afternoons, morning and day time shifts. So it was rare when Mike and Jay are on the same shift.

Mike was very clearly sleep deprived, havinf to fight himself to stay awake. Jay had taken a nap earlier to prepare for this. A small thing that (sometimes) works.

It certainly didn’t help tonight. Jay could feel his fatigue coming. Of course, that only made him more talkative. Something of which Jay was certain Kai wasn’t terribly happy about.

 If Jay was correct, Pixal had also had to come and help out in the cam room. A rare occurrence, since Pixal usually stayed in the mornings. Something about having to charge her energy. (Would that be considered a pun? Jay wouldn’t think so, but he definitely could use it later… maybe…)

Jay had been having some small talk with the inmates. Mainly Cole. Since Nya and Kai defintely would not talk to him, Lloyd usually regarded him curiously but didn’t say much. Cole was the only one who both radiated a calmer aura and also so easily chatted with Jay.

He could ramble with no one telling him to shut up. He could talk to Cole and Cole would actually listen and not go cross-eyed in boredom. He felt like he could express his feelings and thoughts, sometimes in a big jumbled mess that first comes to his brain, although he did have to be careful. He worried about being caught by anyone who didn’t like treating elemental masters as nothing more than prisoners. 

But his hyperactive squirrel brain running on a few hours of sleep couldn’t care less.

He had learned more about Cole. Cole had talked about his mom, who he had last seen when he was 4, before she had vanished. Presumably dead. Cole also told Jay about his hatred of the food that was often delivered. Jay joked about having a try at it to see if it really did taste like bland cardboard Cole claimed it did. 

Jay yawned, bringing his hand to cover his mouth again. “You’know.” Jay slightly slurred in his tired state. “I have this scar on my right eyebrow. I have no clue how I got it. But I’ve had it since I was a child.”

Cole blinked at Jay. “Really? Is it still there?”
Jay nodded.

“That’s pretty cool. I don’t think I have any injuries from my childhood. I got a lot from careless guards, but never from my childhood. I was a very cautious child.” Cole explained.

Jay growled a bit. “I hate that guards just so carelessly hurt you guys. You’re humans too! I mean, sure I can see why they would consider they’re doing ‘good’. Because they consider you dangerous and such. But like, sharks are dangerous, but it’s not like we’re torturing them because of that.” Jay ranted quietly, some parts slurring together a bit.

Jay didn’t see how Cole reacted to it. He had been facing outwards. But Cole didn’t respond for a long time. Jay feared that he had said to much of his opinion and scared Cole off. His tired brain didn’t care, but his partly awake self did.

After a while of silence, with Jay having to poke Mike awake for the third time, Cole finally responded.

“Have you ever considered myths and legends could actually exist?”

Jay blinked, his tired brain trying to find connections between myths and what he had said previously. After… about 10 seconds he felt tapped out. So he gave up trying to find the connection, just shrugging internally and going with it.

“I mean. I think they could exist. I mean, elemental powers exist, so why wouldn’t Oni and Dragons not be able to exist? Or Dijins, Anaconda and such. I mean, the Serpentine had long been considered a myth, but now they can freely move and live among Ninjago after the great release.”
“The great release? I haven’t heard of something like that.”

“Oh yeah, that’s because it’s still pretty new. A person (or people) opened the serpentine tombs. At first they had gotten up to chaos and bad stuff. But something happened, I have no clue what, that the serpentine just stopped doing evil stuff. They live pretty peacefully all throughout Ninjago. However they are very present in New Ninjago City, living in the Sewers. There was a big peace thing, treaty? Yeah, and so basically the serpentine and humans trade items they grow and gather from the different areas. I don’t know much about it, but I have a friend who lives in the city. He talks quite a bit about some of the serpentines who come to do karate.”

“What about dragons? I’ve always thought the idea of dragons is kind of scary. Not only are they big predators, but the legends also talk about how dragons can wield elemental powers with easy grace.” Cole said after a moment that Jay suspected it was Cole digesting all that Jay said.

Jay hummed in thought.

“I believe in the myths. My dad talked about them often. He had even shown me a picture of a dragon.” Lloyd spoke up from Jay’s other side. “My dad also told me about the Oni and the Dragons. Apparently, I’m part oni and dragon. Also the First Spinjitzu Master was also half oni and half Dragon.”

Jay blinked, slowly turning his head to glance at Lloyd in surprise. That was the most that Lloyd had said to Jay, and probably the most Jay had heard Lloyd speak. Plus, that was the most Lloyd had opened up around Jay.

“Woah, really? That’s cool! Do you get, like, any physical features or abilities? Wait- I know your files talk about you having some abilities over destruction. But that’s still really co- wait sorry. Yeah, silence.” Jay closed his mouth kind of forcefully, as if it was a promise to never speak again. He also turned his head to face away again.

“No, your fine. You’re on the ‘nice guard’ list.” Lloyd said.

Jay could feel a smile starting to form. “I really hope one day you aren’t contained by these walls.”

“Yeah, I hope so too.” Cole’s voice pipped up. “I came to the prison much later, and Kai, Nya and Lloyd deserve to see the world more. They only really know their own, small, places they called home and the facility. They deserve to see more.”
Jay nodded. “That’s such a sad sounding life. I’m so sorry that all of you were shoved into such a fate.”

Jay glanced sadly over at Nya’s and Kai’s cells. Mike was leaning against the wall that separate the two cells. Jay couldn’t see Kai from his angle, but he did make eye contact with Nya. Her warm brown eyes weren’t filled with as much hostility as they usually were. Jay smiled when their eyes met. Then he averted his eyes back towards the camera room.

He yawned, stretching his hands upwards.

“Hey Mike, psst-! Wake up!” Jay whispered, poking Mike awake. Mike’s brown eyes met Jay’s blue ones.

“What.”

“Shift almost over.” Jay nodded to the upcoming shapes.

Mike yawned again. “Okay then.”

Jay chuckled.

I think I like how my world is now. But I only can hope for something to help change their lives for the better. I don’t care how, but I swear to the First Spinjitzu Master, they deserve better. Please.

Chapter Text

Jay felt like he was trapped between two giants.

Well.. maybe it was because he was.

And maybe he was just, y'know, the tiniest bit lost.

Wait.. what was the point of mentioning the giants? Hmmmm… Jay can't recall.

Strange.

Also, Jay had (for some reason) had gotten used to carrying around his nunchucks. He just felt connected to them. His parents loved that he was getting back into his whole 'ninja' phase when he was like.. 14…

Jeez- if you can't tell Jay hasn't taken his ADHD meds. He's getting way too off topic-

Anyways.. where was Jay?
Oh yeah, he didn't know.

I mean… It TOTALLY wasn't like New Ninjago City was that big anyways..

No, who was he kidding. It was massive.

He was currently biking throughout New Ninjago City, and man was he lost big time.

It was like a maze. How anyone could navigate through the city so well was astounding to Jay.

He swore he hasn't seen a single person take a wrong turn into an alleyway yet. Although, Jay supposes there isn't much in the alleyways anyways. Crime was pretty high in New Ninjago City.

He sighed, getting off his bike and walking with it through all of the streets. It was crowded anyways, biking only made it worse for Jay to get through all the crowds.

Shaking his head, he found himself in front of a well hidden corner of New Ninjago City. (Maybe he'll shorten it to NNC, like how some people shortened First Spinjitzu Master to FSM… hmmm.. nah then it sounds like a news channel.)

His eyes were drawn to a small, yet pretty old looking building. It had some pretty round red lanterns out front and was styled much like the monastery that Jay had trained at. With a green tile roof that at a curved end and the ninja-like doors and window… things… Jay never knew what they were called. They were brown striped walls with tan squares inside. The building also had a neon sign of a teacup. Strangely there was no sign. Also, no one even payed the building any mind. It almost seemed like it was invisible to them.

Jay felt drawn to it, he found a place to leave his bike, a dumpster nearby. He carefully put a lock on it and leaned it up against the wall. 

He didn't even realize he forgot to lock the lock.

Once his bike was all set up, Jay opened the door and entered the shop carefully.

Instantly he was greeted by absolutely everything everywhere. Trinkets hung from the ceiling and trinkets cluttered every place they could fit. Jay yelped, ducking underneath some hanging trinkets. A strange hanging symbol nearly hit Jay in the face. Looking at it more closely, it seemed to resemble three triangles in the form of... well another triangle? Shrugging, Jay ducked under another hanging trinket. Glancing at it, Jay blinked. It was pretty strange, it was a piece of pretty advanced technology in the shape of a triangle that dangled from string? Jay was unsure if it was string or just really brightly colored wire... There also was a mask of a white feathered bird next to a lion mask on one of the various open spots. Jay could also faintly spot a boomerang underneath some clutter. It was an ice-like blue and very sharp looking. It also had two, very small, holes in it.

This is... a very interesting collection in here... Jeez- Jay carefully stepped around a sword that had just appeared underneath him when Jay could've sworn it was a pen mere moments earlier.

“Hmm? Oh hello! A customer. Who might you be?” A woman’s voice called out from somewhere in the back. “Well hello- Oh. It’s you! I’ve been waiting for you to come. Although, I will not lie, I was expecting the rest of them.”

“The rest of them?”
“Oh- wait. Have you not yet found them? Ah, sorry. Well, anyways. How may I help you today? Would you like some tea?” The voice appeared in Jay’s vision. It was an old woman, with long wavy gray hair tied neatly into a bun. She had several wrinkles and wore simple robes. There was also a strange aura that came off of her, something that felt familiar to Jay. Yet he couldn’t quite put his finger on it.

“Uh- oh wait this is a tea shop… I’m still confused on the ‘rest of them’. What’s that supposed to mean?!” Jay exclaimed. How can this person so calmly talk about tea when I’m freaking out trying to figure out what the heck they’re talking about!

The woman smiled gently, vanishing into the shop and reappearing with a steaming cup of tea. Where in the First Spinjitzu Master did she get that tea from and how did she get it so FAST?!

“Here, have some tea. Take a seat. I can give you tea to go and tea to stay. Tea to calm you and tea to keep the darkness at bay.” The woman said, gently giving Jay the tea cup.

“Man, try saying that five times fast.” Jay mumbled, taking a sip of the tea. It was, admittedly, very good tea. Jay felt instantly calm. It reminded Jay of his mentor and the tea that he would sometimes (hint: very rarely) share with Jay. Usually he only shared it when Jay was struggling and getting frustrated.

“Honestly, I’ve practiced it enough times. Here, have some tea. This tea help keeps the darkness at bay.” The woman gave Jay a bag with small tea petals on it. It was a navy dark. “And this one, a gift. From you to another. One which is given in a time of desperation, but used in a time of need.” The second bag was given to Jay, and it was grey instead.

“But wait- I don’t have any money…”

“Think of these as a ‘Thank you’ gift.”

“But, I haven’t done anything to warrent a ‘thank you’.”

The woman merely smiled. “You’ll know why I gave you this. When the time comes.”

“But why a thank you gift??”
The woman gently put her hands on Jay’s right shoulder. Jay looked the woman in the eyes. Her eyes… They had a purple tint to them. Jay recalled where he felt the strange aura. Lloyd gave off the same, although a bit weaker, aura. 

“Stop thinking of the past. Look to the future. Honesty and truth will be key in your victory.”

Jay blinked, breaking eye contact with the strange woman. The woman gently nudged Jay towards the door.

“You now have the tea. You’re needed out there blue ninja.”
Blue ninja? But only the hermit knows I’m a ninja… also why blue? I have a black gi… unless wait-

“You know the Master Hermit?!”

“Yes I know him. Where do you think he gets all of his tea from?”

Jay planted his feet, he was almost out of the door. He turned around and gaped at the woman.

“Seriously, who are you?!”

The woman smiled gently. “You can call me Mystake. Wu always talked about his student.”

Jay blinked. Wu? He took a moment to process. When it did process in his brain, he was pretty sure his jaw dropped even lower. “THE HERMIT’S NAME IS WU?! That’s the oddest name I’ve heard- no wait, scratch that. Lloyd is even odder… BUT THAT’S NOT THE POINT!”

Mystake just was chuckling at Jay. “You never thought the hermit had a name?”
“Well he’s never told me his name.. plus he’s a hermit. Don’t hermits usually have, like, no names?”

Mystake chuckled again. “He does have a name you know. While he may be mysterious and doesn’t like to talk about things, he does have a name.”
“Wu… Master Wu… It sounds, familiar.” Jay murmured.

“Well, now you have your tea, you must leave. I have customers to sell and things to do! I cannot chitchat with a clueless ninja. Now shoo! Off with you. If you need any more tea, you know where to buy.”

Jay yelped, getting shooed out of the shop and the door closing behind him.

What a strange lady. What is she hiding?? Jay hummed quietly. Blue ninja huh? Why specifically blue ninja? Why not call me, oh I don’t know… ninja? or black ninja. No one in their right mind would wear blue on a mission…

Although, Jay thought about the blue gi that the hermit, now apparently dubbed Wu, gave him before he left. He went to grab his bike and froze.

No-

His bike wasn’t there.

He glanced around, seeing the bike nearby in an alleyway. It was nestled between a very large staff that was a faded red with gold painted on each side of it. How did it get over there?? Did it become sentient? 

Jay walked over, noticing the darkness of the alleyway. Jay reached to grab the handle of his bike, and suddenly yelped at a pressure on his neck.

“Don’t move. Give us all you have.”
Jay froze at the new voice by his ear. He bit his toungue to not shriek in surprise. He felt himsel being dragged backwards.

Now you see, Jay still had his mind on the whole ‘Mystake’ fiasco. He wasn’t thinking very much with the average criminals. So, of course. Jay had to say something smart. Something natural, something that would stop these criminals from picking on him.

“Blue flavor tea’d.”

Both criminals stared at him. Jay mentally scolded himself for saying the dumbest thing that came to mind.

“Uh I mean-”

“What in the First Spiinjitzu Master- No, but I’m serious. Blue flavor tea’d? What is wrong with you-” The first voice, it sounded young and male.

“Shut up. Just, shut up. We don’t want a fight or whatever ‘Blue flavor tea’d’ is. Just give us what we want and we’ll be on our way.” The second one sounded female. Jay couldn’t distinguish how old they were.

Jay flailed, using his senses to try and ‘see’ around him. He didn’t move, using the best he could.

Jay could hear breathing behind him, and by the earlier conversation, there was at least two people behind him. Jay could also hear a third person breathing further back. Whoever the third person was, they haven’t said anything.

The first criminal, the one who was told to shut up, was off to the side. The second one, had the knife or whatever it was up to Jay’s neck. The third one Jay couldn’t tell anything from.

“Okay- jeez, I can get my belongings. Although, I would very much like it if there wasn’t a.. what even is this? A knife? In order to get all my belongings, I need to move. I kinda can’t when someone has a weapon up to my throat.”
“Oh- I mean… I guess you have a point. But don’t you try to trick us! We don’t need money, we don’t care what you give us. Anything works, anything that could be helpful!”

The pressure on Jay’s neck vanished, and Jay stumbled over to his bike.

Jay turned to look at the criminals, and looking around he saw no one. They’re good at hiding… He could still faintly hear them, but absolutely nothing gave them away.

Jay thought for a moment. He didn’t have much except for his bike and the two bags of teas. He really didn’t want to give them the tea bags, but if he gave them anything else… Well, he didn’t want to walk back to his home.

Then he remembered he had nunchucks. His hand went to them, and he yelped at cold hands that seized him.

“Don’t.” Cold, dark and faintly robotic voice. Behind Jay. The third criminal. “We don’t want to kill you. If you pull the weapons out, we will.”

Jay mumbled, jerking out of the cold grasp. He shook, his hands going to the teabags in his pocket.

He pulled out the two teabags, both of them quietly rattling in his shake.

“This, is all I really have of value. I need my bike. I can give you these though…”

“Better than nothing I suppose.” The cold and strange voice spoke behind him. 

Suddenly, a bunch of things happened. A dark shape dropped in the front of the alleyway, drawing their sword with a quiet shing. At the same moment, one of the teabags was plucked out of Jay’s hand, the second one falling to Jay’s feet. Also another voice had called out warning of.. Hunters?

“Oh for the love of the First Spinjitzu Master.” The first criminal said. “We gotta go now! We can’t pick up the second bag, let’s just go before we have to go to that forstaken place!” 

Jay heard footsteps, and the dark shape advanced quickly. A second shape pointed a sword at Jay. Because of the darkness of the alleyway, he couldn’t tell anything from the newcomer.

“Oh come on! WHY DOES EVERYTHING HERE WANT TO KILL ME OR CONFUSE ME!?” Jay exclaimed in frustration. “PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF THE FIRST SPINJITZU MASTER- put that sword down OR SO HELP ME-”

“Do you really have to be so loud?” The hunter winced. “What do you have in relation to them?”
“Who? The criminals? Oh they just appeared and forced me to give them stuff. Can you please let me go now?”

The hunter growled. “Listen, who are you? Full name. What is your relation to the elemental masters?”

Jay blinked. “They were elemental masters? Huh. Anyways. Jay, Jay Walker. I work at the Elemental Masters facility. I can grab the id thing we’re given.”

The hunter sighed, lowering their weapon. “No, I believe you. I know all the workers at the facility. Just grab whatever and leave. Forget everything that has transpired here.” 

He held up some sort of… device. Small sparks of electricity shot off the end. The hunter jabbed it at Jay, making contact with Jay’s chest.

Jay opened his mouth to ask what the device did, and blinked.

Clearly the device did do something, but whatever it did, Jay couldn’t tell.

“Now continue on your day.” The hunter said, pocketing the device. Then the hunter just straight up left.

Jay blinked after the stranger, noting the strange device in his memory. He leaned down to pick up his tea bag. He noticed it was the dark navy tea bag. He shoved it into his pocket and grabbed his bike. He accidently jostled something else and it fell on him. He shoved it back and glanced at it. It was a strange music box with frogs and stuff on it. He shrugged and shoved it away from him nerviously. Glancing around, he frowned. How much stuff was just abandoned here? Shaking his head, Jay grabbed hit bike again and gently got it out.

I have a lot to unpack… Jay sighed, getting on his bike again. He petaled to the end of the alleyway. But first…

Where in the First Spinjitzu Master am I?

***

The resistance did not need tea bags. However, they don't complain when they get something. It's rare that they're able to scavenge, much less, actually get something. They only threaten when in a dire situation.

Zane would consider that it was a dire situation. However, he didn't actually know what to do with the tea bag now that he had them. They needed food, not tea!
Strangely enough, Zane also got the feeling to NOT open the tea bag. As if it had some kind of… purpose.

"Great. We need food. Not tea. Whose idea was that anyways?!" Hanaki complained.

Zane looked at Hanaki, the person who had suggested it.

Hanaki frowned. "Hey- alright fine. Sure… Yeah, it was my dumb idea. But hey! I thought they would've had a bit more. They gave off rich kid vibes."

"Did you literally not see their clothes? Those were the most ragged bunch I've seen since, well, ever!" the third of the group, nicknamed 'Three' said. Three never told anyone what their real name or elemental power was, they just showed up one morning and have stuck to the group ever since.

"Guys- shush. I'm sure we lost that second hunter, and I'm pretty sure the first one has reset the civilian's brain with that weird device they all have. We should probably report to Bee. I'm sure he will be disappointed at this excursion." The fourth, Markus, spoke. 

"I'm pretty sure nothing can disappoint Bee. I'm convinced he's a robot." Hanaki shot back quietly.

Zane huffed quietly. "I've done many scans, all indicate that Bee is human. I doubt that he's a robot. The most of him being snappish and such is purely because of his bad habit of bottling emotions. I seriously think he needs therapy."

"Says you! The person who is always like: 'Oh! I know! I'll sacrifice myself so that the others can get away!' The whole point is to NOT get captured! Especially you! Who knows what could happen! You're a robot! They could, oh I don't know, take you apart, or something." Three spoke in a talk-whisper to Zane.

"Yeah- but one getting caught is better than, say, four!" Zane replied.

"We lost them." Markus said again. He turned and took off his biker helmet that he had gotten from a dumpster. His short curly brown hair stuck to his forehead and beads of sweet gleamed on his skin.

"That's good." Hanaki said. 

"We should probably tell Bee. I mean, they were the lead on this. What did we even get from the person? A bag? Can we open it??" Hanaki said, her ADHD in full display.

Zane shook his head, holding up the tea bag and observed it. It was pretty simple grey with small leaf patterns on it. Zane could feel some strange aura wafting from whatever was inside the bag. "I get this strange feeling of DO NOT OPEN. I think we should have our resident magician, Master of Magic, look into this tea bag. My calculations state that opening it will release whatever magic is kept inside." Zane said.

Three hummed. "Yeah, okay. I'll get it to the resident magician later. First, we still gotta get some food. We're in desperate need of it. Our 'inside help' hasn't been able to supply us food. Something about some new problem at the facility… 'Amber' said something about having a hard time."

Ah yes, Amber. The 'inside help'. Zane has not yet met her, but he's heard quite a bit about her. Something about helping a massive prison escape and getting away with it. Also something about her owning a restaurant and having personal ties to the owner of the facility. By Zane's calculations, seems like a big asset.

"Seriously, why don't we just patrol her restaurant and get some food there?" Hanaki complained.

"You know the protocol. The hunters regularly patrol there now, after the big last attempt. We've visited that street far too often. Also Amber said something about a new, big wave of hunters." Markus supplied.

Hanaki groaned in frustration. "I'm so hungry! Ughhh…"

Zane frowned. "Why don't we try my idea next? We just raid some shops at midnight?"

"Because we all have the stealth ability of an oversized ox. None of us are as sneaky as you." Three said.

Zane hummed, moving his hand to flick the switch to return him to his human disguise. He had fashioned it a while back. And it certainly came in handy.

"Yeah, but I can sneak in, grab a bunch, and get out." Zane explained. "It can be a multiman heist. Isn't there a store that doesn't stay open 24 hours? I'm sure there is. All we need to do is find it and raid it!" Zane explained.

Three nodded. Hanaki's face was hidden beneath her mask and Markus put his mask back on.

We can do this. The Resistance needs us.

Zane frowned, recalling the stranger in the alleyway.

He seemed really familiar… Where-?

Shaking off the odd feeling, Zane pulled his mask on tighter.

“Let’s go.”

Chapter Text

Jay wandered the streets. He has still yet to figure out where in the First Spinjitzu Master he was…

Jay chuckled to himself quietly as he hauled his bike behind him.

Just like highschool. Lost, bruised and utterly confused. Heh- that rhymed…

Jay felt the weight of the bag in his pocket, and resisted the urge to open it. 

He quietly yelped as he ran into someone. Blinking, Jay looked up to see just some random stranger. They had freckles and one eye was brown and the other was blue.

“You okay?” The person asked, leaning down to pick up Jay’s bike.

Jay nodded. “Yep! Just a tad lost. Do… Do you know where I am?” Jay said, cursing his nervous stuttering.

The stranger smiled gently at Jay. “Oh yeah, of course! You’re nearby the police station and the hospital is just down the road. Borg tower is also nearby. You can find a map if you need one at Borg tower.” The strager smiled, pointing to the left of Jay. “It’s just that way.”

Jay smiled, grabbing ahold of his bike again. “Thank you!”

Setting off, Jay weaved through alleyways making sure to keep going in a (somewhat) straight line… Or well as straight as Jay could go.. (That’s both a joke and literally. Jay was bi, but also New Ninjago City’s a maze!)

Soon enough, the tall, majestic tower that was Borg tower was raised above Jay.

Jay got odd shivers at the sight of it. The shivers creeped down Jay’s spine and weaved between his legs. He felt weak in the knees and suppressed the urge to run. Both towards the tower and away from the tower. Almost like a flight or fight response had awakened in him and it could decide what it wanted Jay to do.

Jay entered Borg tower, and could tell that he was shaking. His grip on his bike was weaker than normal. Plus, his arms and legs were also shaking.

“Hello! How may I help you today?” A robot called out to Jay, sliding over next to him smoothly.

“Oh, uhm.. Hello! I need a map.” Jay said to the robot. The robot nodded.

Upon closer inspection, Jay could tell that the robot was pretty well designed. It reminded him much of Pixal, which should be obvious since they probably have the same inventor. The robot, however, did not have as many adjustments nor an obvious gender indicator. Their voice was completely robo.

“Of course. Please remain where you are sir. I will be back shortly.” The robot bowed its head and backed off. Vanishing into some sideroom nearby. 

Jay craned his neck to look through the glass ceiling up towards the top of Borg tower where the glowing symbol sat at the very top.

The whirling of the robot sounded again and Jay glanced back towards the approaching robot.

“Here you go sir. A map. Would you like me to show you where you are?” Jay shook his head.

“Alright sir. Please, have a good day.” The robot said and retreated to wherever it had emerged from.

Jay blinked after its retreating form. “Where in the First Spinjitzu Master did that robot even come from… I feel like I should be asking these kind of questions instead of just… accepting it…”

Shrugging, Jay opened the map.

___

Jay shrunk underneath the glare of the other guards. One was much taller and very clearly had muscles. Said muscles were very exaggerated and exposed. The other wasn’t as big or strong looking, but wore a mask that covered the bottom of his face. It was a lot more stylish. Jay didn’t know what they were called, the masks for show on the bottom of ones face.

“This is kind of cringe.” Jay said, in hopes of getting a laugh or chuckle.

“Yeah- but that shouldn’t matter to you.”

Jay yelped as a hand grabbed towards him. The hand grabbed air. Jay had successfully ducked out of the way.

“You’re just an elementalist enthusiast. They’re nothing but monsters.” The second guard said, taking his cap off to reveal a very bad sideburn, alfro kind of thing.

“You know, a sideburn alfros are kinda way out of season. Seriously, are you up to date or something? Livin in the dark times?” Jay shot back. He might appear a nervous wreck. An easy target for bullies, but he always could shoot back a good burn. Not.. literally, like with.. words… Yeah, Jay’s just going to stop now.

“You’re going to look out of date if you don’t shut up.”

Jay opened his mouth to protest, and a fist connected with his cheek. It stung, and Jay put his hand on it. The coolness melting the injury. It wasn’t hard enough to leave a mark, but it certainly stung.

“Jeez- that wasn’t very nice! And here I am trying to have a nice conversation, and honestly I feel so attacked right now. Actually, is this an attack? Oh- TOTALLY unrelated, but did you know that I’ve trained in martial arts since I was pretty young?” Jay spoke in a rapidfire way of his.

“Shut up spark-trap.”

“Spark trap? Could you really not come up with a better nickname? Besides, where’d you even get the sparky part? I’m pretty sure that’s teh furthest you could get from me as POSSIBLE!” Jay said, bringing his right hand up to his cheek and his left one in front of him.

“What’s going on here?!” A familiar voice said. Jay turned to see Travis standing in the doorway of the small, cramped room that Jay had been backed into. Behind Travis, Mike watched with an unamused expression. Jay would even describe it as beginning of upset.

“Oh hi Travis! I was tryin to have a good old conversation and it seems like these two are a little out of date and prefer to communicate with unintelligible noises. Mind helping me please? I got places to be!” Jay complained.

Travis shoved the bigger man away from Jay. “Stop it. We have incidents to take care of. You better have more to do than bully the newcomers.”

Mike nodded, sending a pointed look at the smaller bully.

The bigger dude sneered at Travis. The other person frowned at Jay. They signed ‘We’re not finished.’ And turned around and left. His comrade following. Both shoving Travis and Mike as they passed.

Jay smiled at Travis and Mile. “Hey thanks buds! I would’ve done some.. martial arts on them-”

Mike’s eyes traveled over Jay, lingering on his injured cheek. “You okay there? You’re cheek doesn’t look terribly good.”

Jay rested his hand on his cheek. “Yeah- I… It stings but shouldn’t leave a wound. I’ve dealt with worse.”

Travis frowned. “You should still ice it or do something to help it. It looks like it might bruise or swell. There’s some ice in the room down the hall to the left, on the left.

Jay smiled, walking past Travis and Mike. Both glanced at each other as Jay passed.

and grabbing said ice. He gently put it on his cheek and turned around. Travis had left, most likely to go to his shift. Mike still stood next to the door of the closet room. His arms were crossed and he watched the hallways with a careful eye.

“Hey Mike! You know I’m okay right? See? Everything’s fine. You can go to your shift if you need, or whatever reason you might be here.” Jay called to Mike.

Mike frowned. “Yeah, but what if they come back? I’m worried. You’re my friend. I’m sure Travis would stay around if he didn’t have to go to his shift right now.”

Jay frowned. "You guys shouldn't be worried about me! I've dealt with people twice their size. I was just… Intimated! And those two had just startled me. That’s all.” Jay nodded confidently.

He felt a twinge of guilt at lying… but it wasn’t a complete lie!
He saw them coming, he wasn’t intimidated.

It just reminded Jay too much of highschool.

And of course, mostly bad memories.

Of course, Jay just had to freeze up…

Now, Jay knows he’s was pretty heavily bullied. Both him and Dareth were pretty heavily bullied.

He also recalled the one time he punched someone in the face..

It felt good, but also so wrong .

To Jay, punching that kid in the face felt… Natural.

And it scared him.

Shaking his head, he noticed Mike had left. Frowning slightly, Jay was worried about how he didn’t even hear Mike leave.

He felt. Alone.

He’s felt alone a long time.
Even with friends like Dareth, Jay realized that he’s alone.

Dareth, while he is the best friend Jay could ever ask for, never really understood Jay.

He didn’t feel a kind of connection with Dareth.

Not like he felt with, surprisingly, Cole and Lloyd.

And maybe Kai and Nya too, if Jay is able to coax them out of their shells.

Sighing, Jay felt his hands clenched tightly in a fist.
Glancing down, he looked at his clenched hands. He didn’t even really know why they were clenched. He released them.

They fell loosely at Jay’s side.

Jay glanced at his watch, noting the time in his mind.

Thankfully, I just had come from a shift, so I have a break… I could maybe spend that time exploring.

Jay did not move.

I said I'm going to explore!

His body did not listen.

Why am I not moving? I should be moving.

He didn't move. Instead he sat down, right in the (probably) dirty hallway. His back against a wall as he took in deep breaths.

"You seem to be in need of help there. Think of a thunderstorm, imagine the rain washing down on you. Washing your pain and bad memories away." An unfamiliar voice called out.

Jay's head snapped up, and his eyes scanned the halls. Who-

Clearing his throat, and noting there was no one around him, he spoke. "Who, who are you?"
He did not get a reply.

This must be some kind of sick joke. My life seems to be some sick joke. A joke which I will never understand, yet everyone around me laugh at it.

He heard footsteps from down the hall, instinctively, Jay stood up and ducked into the cleaning closet.

Now, you see, the cleaning closet, yes the same one Jay was trapped in from before, was pretty unique. It had a peephole! Fascinating right? Anyways, Jay peeked out of the peephole.

He saw someone new. They walked odd, and had a tall staff in the shape of a snake. the person themselves had a fluffy (somehow) mustache that was a reddish-brown color. Their head on the sides was also shaved, with only dark red hair on top of their head. They wore luxurious clothes, a red velvety color as they strolled down the hall.

Now, Jay wasn't dumb, but sometimes it takes a bit for things to register in his brain.

He knew who he was looking at.

Chen, or as he called himself, Master Chen. The leader of the facility of elemental masters.

He rarely left his office, the few times Jay's passed his office he could hear Chen shouting something about buttons? Also, his second hand man, Clouse, was no where to be seen.

Jay leaned on teh door to get a closer look, it creaked under him.

Both Chen and Jay froze, Jay saw Chen slowly turn to the closet we was in.

Backing up slowly, Jay grabbed a broom quickly and bent down, hiding his face. He pretended to be looking for something.

The door creaked open…

"Oh! Jay Walker! Just the man I was looking for." Chen's voice oozed with fakeness. Jay would know, he's met many of fake friends. 

Jay glanced up nervously, his eyes meeting Chen's ominous brown ones.

Skylor and Chen does look so similar… Jay realized. Skylor almost just looks like a female, younger version of Chen.

Outloud, Jay swallowed hard. "Uhm… You are looking for me? Wait- You were looking for me?" Jay stumbled slightly over his words.

Chen terrified him, he was powerful, dangerous and litterally the leader of Jay's job. And Jay depended on this place to get a good income to help his family. He really didn't want to piss off the Grand Master Chef. (Jay is unsure where that title came from, but Chen constantly brags about it.)

"Oh yes! Some guards had just talked to me."

Oh no. Jay did the thing.

The gulp.

Now, you see. Jay only ever thought that it was done in movies.

Where the hero is confronted by someone who knows them. Someone who the hero is nervous about. Where they exchange nervous glance with the stranger, and they swallow hard.

Gulp.

Jay was in trouble…

"Uhm, only good things you heard I hope?" Jay could feel the sweat drip down his neck.

Chen grinned. 

It wasn't a nice grin.

It was a grin that a predator would make when they've caught their prey.

Deep, deep trouble.

The next thing Chen said chilled Jay to the bone.

He could feel his heart stop.

"You've been selected to test out elemental powers."

Chapter Text

Jay was too deep in.

He was drowning.

Out in the ocean, no lifeboats can save him.

Maybe this is what the captured elemental masters feel like.

He wasn't sure he could surface in time.

Chen grinned down at Jay as Jay processed what Chen said.

"I- uhm.. I… what?" Jay chuckled nervously. "Huh?"
"You've been selected to test out the elemental master's."

Oh no-

"I mean- I.. Do you mean?- the testing room..?"
Chen simply grinned. "You start on today's second shift."

And then he strolled away.

Strolled! Like some kind of rich person..

Well… he probably was pretty rich considering the amount of money he pays the hunters to locate elemental masters. But he even held his head up high and walked with a perfect posture.

I mean seriously, who does that?!

Only the most uncultured people do that!

He even had done that thing where he gently closed the door in Jay's face.

Jay could only stare after Chen as he waltzed away.

AND THEN-

The processing!

Oh no- 

Jay pried open the door to the closet open more. He slinked out.

He simply sat back down in the same, exact spot as before. His knees pulled up to his chest.

My second shift..? Wait… that's in like… 2 hours!

Jay could feel his panic spike.

He had 2 hours, two hours until his life will all fall apart.

He was so, so dead.

Jay could feel his panic spiking, and this is how Pixal found him, 1 hour until his second shift.

"Jay? Are you okay?"

Jay shook his head. "I'm going into the testing room… I have 1 hour… I'm… so, so dead."

Pixal's eyes widened. "What?!"

"I know I trained, I know I've had a hard training with that old hermit. But I was never durable." Jay put his head down, resting on his shaking hands. They did no good in trying to calm down Jay and it only made him feel worse. Also, he felt extremely overheated and his hands were sweaty, so they didn't help at all.

Jay couldn't see Pixal's reaction. But he heard shuffling nearby and assumed it was Pixal moving to sit next to him.

This has almost become awkward… almost. Jay thought as Pixal and Jay sat in silence on the floor.

Jay was worried, he could feel the worry as it reared it's head. An ugly snake that rises from the pits of his stomach and bares it's fangs at Jay's bravery. He could feel his bravery wavering, he was scared.

What else is new? Jay's always scared. He's just a scaredy junk boy with nothing special about him. A voice, something that sounded strangely familiar, taunted Jay. He can't even help his poor, old, parents. 

Jay clutched his hair in a death grip. It hurt.

I really can't seem to do anything right.. It feels so much like this world is just out to try to get me killed.

Jay could only helplessly watch, as time tick, tick, ticked down. A countdown to his own doom.

Pixel and Jay both shared the next shift, but apparently Jay didn't.

"I guess, since this is your first time going into the testing chamber, you probably will need some tips.. I've never had to go to the testing chamber, but Terry Lacklon goes there often. If you need help, he's the best to go to." Skylor explained.

Jay nodded.

"He's, unfortunately, the one who's sent to the testing chamber the most often…" Skylor explained.

Jay nodded slowly, lifting his head to peer at Pixal from behind his bangs.

Pixel sighed, her head was resting on the wall. She sat very rigidly. Stiff even.

Although, Jay supposes, Pixal is also a robot..

Time ticked far to quickly.

Soon it was 30 minutes, then 10, then 5.

Why does time have to spite me? Time always seem to fly, when your having fun and when you don’t want it to.

Soon, it became close enough that Jay had to stand up, shakingly, and get to the testing chamber.

Now, apparently there are numerous testing chambers, each of them running up and down the middle pillar.

But also, apparently, there was a bigger, more advanced chamber??
Why did they need 11 testing chambers?!

As Jay strolled into the prison area, He noticed a handful of other guards around. They milled around and few were holding elemental masters, although the elemental masters were chained up and such.

A person strolled over to Jay with a slight limp in his left leg. The person’s hair was long and shaggy, and they had scars that scored their face, mainly on the left side. They were only slightly taller than Jay, but they held an air of power. Although, they seemed more nervious than anything.

“Ah, ‘ello! You must be Jay! I’m Terry, Terry Lacklon. I guard Level 3 and 4 more often than not. Nice to meet ya’!” Terry spoke.

That accent… they must be from the peninsula of Ninjago. Jay realized. He’s met some people from the pennusia of Ninjago, they all spoke in a pretty heavy southern accent.

“Ah, yea… hello! Yeah, I’m… erm, Jay!” Jay scratched his neck nervously. “What- How does this work… Like? I’m pretty… new here!” Embarrassingly, there were several voice cracks in that one sentence.

Jay really wanted to drown now. Or maybe bury himself alive and never see the light again.

“Oh, yeah. Don’t stress yourselves. Either you volunteered, which no one ever does, or you were caught being nice. Don’t worry about it, everyone here was caught. Chen is… strict you can say. He disapproves of us bein’ nice. Makes it seem that we are showing weakness. Many of us refuse to stop, so… I expect you to be a test subject like the rest of us for a long time. But com’on, follow me. I can explain how this works.” Terry motioned behind him.

Jay quietly nodded, following Terry as he weaved through the crowd. Jay recognized some of the elemental masters that was in the crowd including Lloyd. Lloyd frowned upon seeing him.

“Now typically, we usually work in the smaller, level chambers. However today we work in the big one. Normally, we use objects, animals and ourselves as testing. In the big room, Chen orders us to put elemental masters against each other… And then we join if they refuse to cooperate… It’s a very… horrible, system.” Terry explained. “You were put in charge of Lloyd Garmadon from the 10th level. I don’t envy you, that seems like a tough group to be in charge of.”

Jay frowned. “I don’t understand what everyone means by that. Everyone I’ve met all complain about how dangerous level 10 is. I don’t see it.”

“Jay?!” A familar voice called out. Turning, Jay saw Skylor.

“Skylor? Wait- why are you here?!” Jay exclaimed. “Isn’t your dad the owner of this place?” Wouldn’t he not want her here?

“Yeah, my dad does run this place. Doesn’t mean he doesn’t like it when I communicate with the elemental masters. He’s my dad, but he a terrible one.” Skylor said as she approached the group. Behind her, Nya followed close behind with her usual jacket thing.

Jay smiled and waved at Nya, Nya’s eyes only narrowed at Jay.

“I… Wait, so your dad has you also as a test subject?!” Jay exclaimed.

Skylor nodded. “Yeah… Like I said. Not the best parenting tactics.”

Jay could feel anger bubbling up in his stomach. Skylor was his friend, and he felt angry that her dad mistreated her. But, he had to shove the anger down.

“Here.” A stranger said, handing Jay a chain.

Jay looked curiously at the chain, and followed it to Lloyd’s vest. Oh.

Lloyd sadly was looking over at Nya.

Jay felt a stab of… well… something. It was like an arrow had pierced his heart. Gently, Jay nudged Lloyd, in an attempt to get Lloyd to look at him. When Lloyd looked at Jay, Jay nodded towards Nya. Then he felt like an idiot because he recalled that they both knew sign language.

‘Hey, do you want to be near Nya?’ Jay asked quizzically.

Lloyd smiled gently. It was a nice look on him. ‘I would like that yeah.’

Jay smiled, nodding.

Suddenly, a loud voice called for attention. Something something, something about leaving and chamber… oh wait- Leaving to the chamber.

Jay honestly, just went with the crowd. It was like a storm and flurry of people. Jay did, however, make sure that he was always nearby Skylor. He didn’t like breaking promises. Also, he did his best to be gentle with Lloyd. He didn’t want the younger kid to hate him after just befriending hims recently.

Jay could hear whispering behind him between Nya and Lloyd, but paid no attention to it.

“You should’ve.”

Shut up voice only I can seem to hear. Also.. Hello? Fourth wall break? Can you see the future.

Strangely enough, they didn’t reply.

Wow- you must be the captain of the obvious huh? Only exist to CONFUSE ME FURTHER!

Jay stopped paying attention to his whole.. situation that he seems smack down in the middle of. He felt so much like that strange voice was mocking him. Almost.

Too soon, he stood in front of two large, heavy doors. Opening them up, Jay was greeted by a pretty blank white hallway.

“Wow, way to lean into a testing lab aesthetic.” Jay muttered quietly under his breath. “He really must be leaning into full crazy-evil scientist theme. Such a boring pallet.”
He didn’t notice the small huff of laughter from Lloyd and the slight smirk that Nya had.

“Welcome to the testing lab. One of the worst things my father has ever designed.” Skylor explained, she had a frown on her face. Some emotion, upsetness? Was upsetness even a word? What is the word to describe the emotion of feeling upset??? Well, whatever it was, it burned in her eyes.

Jay frowned at the room they were in. The two large, heavy white doors opened to reveal a large, circular room. White panels lined the walls and the floor was a spotless, marble-like pattern. Jay could even see his reflection from the floor. The room itself was at least twice the size of the monastery and Jay wondered how they could have so much room. There was no windows, yet somehow natural light still streamed through a hazy circle in the way top of the ceiling. Some of the panels on the wall looked unnatural, as if they could come out or had some other, secret use. Clamps were quite literally everywhere. There was also a door and a window-viewing deck. However, Jay couldn’t see into the viewing deck. It was tinted. The door didn’t seem to lead to the viewing deck, instead Jay spotted a window viewing ring below the deck. (The deck was a pretty good height, like maybe, Jay could stack himself three times to just barely reach the bottom of the viewing deck. The window ring was around ground level, and it wrapped around the entire area.)

“So, we have a list of all the elemental masters to test. First will be Master of Sound and Metal, then Water and Energy, then Smoke and Poison.” A loud voice listed, saying a few more elemental maters that Jay tuned out. Jay turned towards the sound.

Jay didn’t recognize the person who said it, but they clearly were in charge here. He also couldn’t pick out many more characteristics of the person, as he was almost constantly being shoved or moved he couldn’t get a good view of the person.

Suddenly, the big group split up, Skylor gently tugged Jay towards the door where many people were going.

Jay turned to look at Skylor, a confused expression no doubt on his face.

“We need to split up. We go into the window ring to watch the previous elemental masters go.” Skylor explained as Jay and her moved towards the door. “My father is watching from the viewdeck. He always tells me of this… Well, uh… He views this testing as some sick version of entertainment..” Skylor gagged. 

Jay could feel a pit drop in his stomach. What..? “He… what?!”

People nearby shushed Jay. By now, they were in the window viewing area, and inside Jay notices that there are very few chairs. Looking around, he notices very few people actually sit down.

“Hey Lloyd, do you wanna sit?” Jay asked quietly, turning to look at Lloyd. Lloyd had an odd expression on his face, but he nodded. Slowly. Jay moved to the side to allow room for Lloyd to sit on the chair.

Skylor’s eyebrows were scrunched up and she had a sour frown on her face as she observed the testing room. Inside Jay could see the Master of Sound and Metal. The Master of Sound was a small man. He had a fluffy afro and wore sunglasses that didn’t allow Jay to see his eyes. But, by the way that he moved, Jay could assume that he was blind. The Master of Sound had a harmonica and was playing it in all different directions. He played it with such fluidity it almost appeared to just be an extension of him. The Master of Metal, however, was on the complete opposite side of the spectrum. He was a big, buff man who instantly became metal the moment his vest came off. He had a stubby beard and mustache, and very clearly must work out. 

Instantly, both of the elemental masters turned on their captors, the master of metal throwing punches and the master of sound sending out… waves of sound?

Whatever it was, they very clearly considered each other as friends and the people who brought them here as foes. The guards ducked and dodged the blasts, and well… Jay couldn’t watch. He adverted his face, he could hear the blasts, but he refused to look. Opening his eyes, he locked eyes with Nya, who was currently behind Skylor who stood to Jay’s left, closer to the door.

Nya looked at Jay curiously, but only for a moment. Then her face hardened and her expression became guarded. Jay himself looked somewhere behind Nya, even going as far as to look directly behind himself. But even still, Jay noticed Nya would look curiously over at him occasionally.

It gave Jay some hope.

Maybe Nya did have some human in her soul. If that’s the case, then maybe Kai does too.

Jay really hated picking up that flier. Not even a week and he’s already having the worst week of his life.

Jay heard a yelp of someone and could feel the winces around him. Suddenly, he felt a hand on his shoulder.

Glancing up, he locked eyes with Lloyd. Lloyd had a worried expression on his face. Jay smiled, but it felt forced.

Skylor also leaned over and looked at Jay. “It’s scary the first time… It still hurts to see them in pain… Also, we’re next.”

Jay swallowed hard. 

Slowly, Jay raised his head to look inside the chamber. It was dead silent. Looking inside he noticed the guards struggling to stop the Master of Sound and Metal. However, they both had their vests of Vengestone on.

Slowly, Jay and Skylor along with Nya and Lloyd behind them, walked into the center of the lab. They were also followed by a group of guards, all of which Jay had never before seen in his entire life. Instead of the usual navy, they wore a velvet-red magenta like suit. 

“Who are they?” Jay whispered to Skylor as they walked.

“My father’s cult. Basically, while we’re supposed to ‘control’ the elemental masters, they’re supposed to ‘control’ us. More often than not, they usually are fodder for the elemental masters to be tested on.” Skylor leered at the group.

When Jay and Skylor got to the center of the testing-lab thing place, Skylor turned to Jay. “You should take off Lloyd’s vest, I can get Nya’s. Once the vests are off, you might want to instantly back away as quickly as possible. Their powers will surge and you could get caught in it.” 

Jay nodded, leaning over to Lloyd and looking closer at Lloyd’s vest. Up close, he could notice that there were small loop-like things embedded in it. He also could see the Vengestone clearly. He hated the feel of being nearby the Vengestone. He felt tired and like he could nap for the next 10,000 years. He reached towards the vest before he hesitated.

“Wait- I never learned how to take the vests off…” Jay muttered, he just fiddled with the vest. trying his best to find how to get it off.

Skylor must’ve gotten Nya’s off because he could feel water swirling around his feet nearby. Glancing up, he noticed Nya with water in the forms of tentacles. She was using the tentacles to whack at nearby guards. Skylor had retreated to the far outskirts of the chamber room. Skylor looked at Jay, fear spiking in her expression. She also had the ‘hurry up!’ expression.

Jay returned the favor by shrugging. Suddenly he felt a pressure on his hands. Looking over, he saw Lloyd had put his hand on a lower loop. Jay blinked, processing what was happening for a split second before he realized Lloyd was trying to help him. Quickly, he dug his fingers into the loop and tugged, noting how it was extremely tight. He the realized something.

The loop fit perfectly with the key thingy that the information box that he was given. He fished it out of his back pocket and swiped it across. Hooking the loop and successfully pulling the vest off. It came off and Jay hurried to collect it, he noted how heavy it was. It reminded Jay of those vests that people would wear when they’re getting an x-ray. Surprisingly, Jay could easily manage the weight.

Instantly, green light surrounded Lloyd. His eyes glowed green, but Jay could see hints of purple underneath. Almost like Lloyd was trying to shove something else away.

Jay started to move to get to the outskirts, but then he was hit. Jay yelped, the vest falling out of his hands and skid across the floor in the thin water that covered the ground. He had been caught by one of Nya’s tentacles, and he could feel himself being lifted up, by the foot.

Now, being upside down and suspended by a water tentacle is something that Jay wouldn’t reccomend. He would give it… at least a 1.4 star review. Now only was he wet and miserable, but he could feel his blood rushing to his head and he felt slightly dizzy. You see, unlike being normaly suspended, being in water made you so you would spin around. It was like some death merry-go-round upside down ride. 

Jay grinned nerviously as he spun in the tentacle’s grip. Locking eyes with Nya, he nerviously chuckled. She looked like a warrior queen. Her expression was hardened and she glared at everyone. (WIth the exception of Lloyd. Jay’s sworn that he’s heard Nya and Kai refer to Lloyd as ‘little bro’ on occasion.)

“Hey- so uhh. We can talk about this? Please put me down, I don’t wanna die…” Jay pleaded.

Nya didn’t say anything but simply glared. She raided her right hand and the tentacle responded. For a second, Jay thought that Nya was just going to set him free, but she instead slammed him, hard, into the ground.

Jay yelped as searing hot pain ran through his back where he was hit. He wanted to lay there, but the tentacle picked him right back up again.

"Noooo- I just wanna leave." Jay sobbed. Well, it wasn't actually tears, but it was more like a complaining-sob.

Again, the tentacle picked him up, and raised him before slamming him back down. Again, searing white hot pain struck across Jay's back. Dark spots danced around the corners of his vision. He yelped when he could feel himself being lifted again.

Suddenly, the tentacle stopped. Jay thought he heard shouting? Voice, behind him. Or no- wait, to the right… now left now… wait- 

You get the point… right?

Well anyways, he could almost constantly hear the voices nearby. And they were arguing? Through his hazy vision, he saw a grey blur arguing with another grey blur. One of them had.. erm… golden thing on top.. hair? The other had black thing down shoulders… probably hair… Jay couldn't exactly think the best of the best right now.

Suddenly, he slammed into the ground again. Jay was pretty sure there was a really loud noise? He wasn't sure what it was.

He also felt terrible.

Like.. really bad.

Like, if being hung upside down (While being submerged in water!) was bad, this was 100 times worse.

But Jay laid there were he was partly submerged, he could feel the water going into his lungs and Jay coughed, trying desperately to get it out. However, he couldn't move . His limbs felt heavy, and he felt like Vengestone in its raw form… aka, like a rock.

he could feel hands grab him and pick him up. Admittedly, the grip was pretty rough, but the person who was dragging him clearly didn't mean to be rough. He could hear words with no actual meaning above him. It was like someone put a vacuum in Jay's ear at top volume and it's sucking all of his insides out…

Actually, that's a very disturbing picture…

How did Jay even think of that picture??
He's-

Oh…

That noise..

It was Jay.

He heard a voice, and was able to pinpoint what the person was saying… at least, a little bit?

Something something, help? Something about helping him? Another thing about returning to job and something? 

It was a pretty confusing mess.

In and out.

In and out..

Man, Jay would be a fabulous poet one day.

Actually no- he was terrible at rhyming.

In and out…

Until there was nothing.

Everything was fading.

Oh wait-

That was just Jay.

Chapter Text

Jay blinked his eyes open to be blinded.

Yeah, rude. Okay then.

Everything hurt, especially his back.

Jay pushed himself into a sitting position.

That's when he saw the wires.

He was hooked up to… something? His surroundings didn't seem like the hospital, yet the piece of machinery looked a lot like those things that pump water into one's bloodstream.

The room itself was empty and pretty lifeless. White walls everywhere and spotless floor.

Actually… On second thought this looks very much like a hospital.

But why was Jay here? They couldn't afford hospital bills!
Then he recalled the testing lab.

Oh for the First Spinjitzu Master's sake.

Jay really hoped he wouldn't have to explain this to his parents.

He hoped to at least have a little more time!
He's only been working for a little over 2 weeks!

Jay sat up, and moved to pry the machinery off of him, when suddenly the door opened.

"Oh- you're up!"

Instantly, Jay stopped fiddling with the machinery. He turned his head towards the door.

An unfamiliar person walked in. They wore a white coat and their hair was a curly mess. It was also died a bright blue.

"Uhm- who are you?" Jay asked.

The person (A doctor??) chuckled. "I'm just your doctor. You don't have any serious injuries. You're parents were also in here just a little while ago. You do have some broken ribs and a minor concussion. But other than that, you looked far worse when you were first brought here."

Jay winced. "That seems expensive."

The doctor shook her head. "Oh no. You don't need to pay for it. An anonymous person already paid for you. Do you by any chance know of someone named 'W'?"

Jay shook his head.

Doctor hummed thoughtfully.

"Well unfortunately you'll have to stay in the hospital for a couple of days before you do anything else." The doctor explained.

Jay nodded.

Clearly he was in a * situation *, with big, bolded letters and those star-like things surrounding it. It was a bad one.

He wasn't sure who this 'W' was, but he was pretty sure that he owed them desperately. 

Who knows how expensive this was! It could've been thousands upon thousands of dollars for First Spinjitzu Master's sake!

The doctor smiled gently at Jay. "You should rest for a while, it'll help."

Jay shook, and he quietly prayed that his parents would never have to find out that he got hurt. Afterall, this job was supposed to be a secret. Jay sighed, realizing he might not be able to make it to his other jobs. Oh no, if he's out for too long, they might not be able to get enough money to pay the bills this week. 

He worked part time at Dareth's place, the Prison most time, some time selling parts from the junkyard, and also part time engineer at a pretty famous place. Owned by Borg actually, but one of the 'smaller' places. Jay just worked on getting parts and sorting. But it payed well and so who was he complaining?
Did he enjoy any of his jobs? Well… As fun as it is to be with Dareth and engineer, he wouldn't say it was his favorite jobs. But it helped pay the bills so it worked for him.

Jay winced as he moved, everything hurt.

He decided that not moving was the way to go. Not move, nothing hurts.

And so, he stayed as still as a rock. Or, well… Jay's brain kept comparing it to a paralyzed patient, something which Jay would much rather NOT think of. Thank you very much.

"Well, you seem to be in a predicament."

Oh, it's you. You're probably just my consciousness or something. Why are you so verbal though?!

As per usual, no response.

Of course. Thank you Captain Obvious again. You know what, that's your new name. Captain Obvious. Co for short.

Jay frowned, and the door creaked open.

He turned his head carefully.

"Hey mom and dad." Jay awkwardly smiled.

"Oh honey! What happened?! The doctor wouldn't say how you go so hurt!" Jay's mom reached forward to hold Jay's cheek.

Jay smiled. "Oh, I just fell down a flight of stairs. You know my clumsy self! Ahaha."

"Dear you better be more careful next time. You gave your mom and I quite a fright!" Ed said, shaking his head. "I'm just grateful for Mr W. He really saved us."
Jay blinked. "Oh, do you know Mr W?"
Ed shook his head in confusion. "I do not recall meeting a Mr W… but he claimed to have known you."
Edna frowned. "Dear, haven't we had a Mr W come to our sales before?"
Ed pondered a moment. 

Jay cleared his throat to fill the awkward silence that filled as his mom and dad thought.

"I'm going to have to stay here for a few days."

Ed nodded. "The doc told us about your shape. Not looking too good, but you survived!"

Jay chuckled nervously.

"Dear, let's let him sleep. He had a hard day. Do you need anything tomorrow? Extra underwater? Your stuffed teddy bear?" Edna asked.

Jay's face went red hot burning from embarrassment. "I thought I told you to get rid of my old teddy bear? No, I don't need anything mom."

"Okay then! Bye dear! We'll see you tomorrow!!" Edna smiled to Jay.

Ed fake cried. "I miss you already."
Oh for the First Spinjiztu's Master sake. Please end me. I have the most embarrassing parents ever. Jay felt like melting into his bed and vanishing forever would be nice.

Yeah… A good way to go. Maybe not the way he hoped.. (He always hoped to have some kind of big, honorable death where he sacrifices himself for others… But honestly he's just too cowardly.)

Jay mumbled quietly to the darkness of his room.

Really about nothing, and also everything.

He turned to stare at the side table nearby, noticing one of his comic books sat there.

He blinked in surprise, reaching out with his good hand and grabbing it. He stared at the cover.

 Fritz Donnegan. His favorite series of all time. And while although the movie was pretty mid, the comics honestly slapped.
He flipped through the book, looking at every picture carefully. 

Lloyd would actually enjoy this. A random thought occurred, bubbling up to the top of his brain. But of course, he started spireling. Does Lloyd even know what books are or comics? Have they ever even had anything remotely fun in their life before?

Lloyd just had a sad life. Actually no, all of the elemental masters seem to have sad lives.

Jay wondered how few of them has ever actually seen the sunlight, or run through the grass. Maybe wander the city and look for a quiet place to eat ramen and sit down and relax.
Jay was just like that.

Once he started thinking, it was hard to stop.

He stared at his book, his eyes tracing page 12.

Smiling, Jay gently put his comic book down closed and doing his best to not tear or destroy it.

Suddenly the door opened and Jay turned his attention to it.

The nurse had returned and looked at Jay causiously. She held a glass of water and walked over to Jay’s side.

“Here, drink this.” She held out the glass and a small pill.

Jay gently took it and swallowed the pill. He then finished the glass of water, feeling as if all his thirst has crashed upon him in that singular moment.

“What does it do?” Jay wondered.

The nurse smiled. “You should fall asleep soon.”
Jay frowned. “That didn’t… exactly answer my question.” he winced at the sudden drowsiness.

The nurse smiled gently. “Sleep, your body needs it.”

Jay didn’t argue.

***

Lloyd felt bad.

Nya absolutely wrecked the guard like he was a pinata.

He even started to like him. Or them… Lloyd couldn’t recall if he’s ever asked for their pronouns.

This is why guards never last a week. They get beat up in the experimental zone. Then they leave and never return again.

Lloyd sat in his cell, quietly staring at the wall boredly. 

He wondered what it would be like to be that guard. Maybe they live a lavish life. Full of wonders only Lloyd could imagine. Beds full of fluff and meals whenever. To see th sun from beyond the cold, dull cell window.

Lloyd sighed, hearing Cole humming a tune from the cell over.

“Hey Cole? Do you think that the new guard will leave?” Lloyd asked, turning towards the wall Cole sat behind.

Cole seemed to have some sort of sympathy or at least understanding of the guard. At least.. that’s what Lloyd thinks.

Cole’s tune stopped as he thought about it. “Possibly? He doesn’t seem like the kind to just give up. He seems to actually understand us. Maybe he might leave because of what happened. But, I get the feeling that something is pulling him back. Either that or he has to work here.”

Lloyd made a confused noise, tilting his head as if Cole could see him and simply understand.

Cole hummed again.

Nearby, Kai and Nya talked in hushed tones.

Lloyd tilted his head towards the door, hearing a new unfamiliar voice talking.

“Is that a new guard?! Already?” Lloyd mumbled quietly, tilting his head curiously. 

He moved to stick his face out to peer at the new visitor.

***

Jay awoke back into the room.

Wisps of his dream clung to him like a jacket that flew away in the breeze.

He couldn’t recall it, but he knew it was somehow important.

Maybe a memory a long time ago?
Jay wasn’t sure, all he knew as he stared at the blank white walls of the hospitial, that something was important.

A flash of thunder roared outside, and Jay turned his attention to his window.

He watched as an arc of lightning flashed.

He felt, drawn to it. He wondered what it would be like to be lightning. Free and flying wherever it may go. Lighting up everything around it and brightening up the dark day.

Jay sighed, watching the rain start to fall down, in the desert, it rarely rains.

Thunder struck again, banging against the window and rattling the storm.

It twisted and turned, lightning struck again, flashing in Jay’s face.

Jay couldn’t help it, he grinned.

His free hand reaching towards the storm, as if he was reaching for something? Maybe even… Someone?

It streaked across the sky, reminding Jay of art.

Thunder boomed, and Jay closed the curtains.

Chapter Text

Jay winced as he limped into the building.

He had gotten released from the hospital recently, able to return home and to work.

Although, he kind of needed to work. They needed the money.

So, now Jay was here. Back in the facility.

He stratched his neck as he wandered towards his normal post on the 10th floor.

But then, he stumbled, and fell. Right into someone.

“Oh! Are you okay?” A strangely familiar voice asked, and Jay winced. His hand holding his head.

“Here, lemme help you.” The voice told Jay, and a pair of hands were held in front of Jay.

“Oh, thank you.” Jay murmered, standing up and meeting face to face with the person.

Their skin was extremely pale, their hair was a messy blonde clump and their eyes a vibrant blue. They smiled gently at Jay.

“Oh, are you new here?” Jay wondered, blinking at the guard.

The guard nodded. “Yeah, I’m apart of the ‘cleaning crew’, could you maybe point me towards someone named… Uhm.. Oynx?”

Jay hummed quietly to himself in thought. “I don’t know who Oynx is, but if someone can find her, try asking Pixal or Skylor. They’ve been here far longer than me.” Jay explained. “Oh, sorry forgot to introduce myself. The name’s Jay. What about you?”

The guard smiled, which for some reason made Jay feel uncomfortable.

“The name’s Zane. Nice to meet you Jay.” Then, the guard did something… very formal? They bowed to Jay and hurried off.

It left Jay to stare after the guard curiously. He couldn’t help the feeling that he’s seen them before. Heard them before even.

But Jay shrugged it off, continuing over to the elevator and entering it.

The elevator music was terrible as ever, this time the music singing about the ‘Weekend Whip’, whatever that was. Jay just stood in silence as the elevator took forever to get up to the 10th floor.

Too late, the elevator arrived. Jay stepped off the elevator and was greeted by a familiar sight. Skylor stood quietly alongside Sarra and Pixal.

Sarra was talking with Pixal quietly, and as Jay approached Skylor caught his eye.

Instantly, Skylor’s face morphed into shock and a small smile formed on her face.

“You’re okay!” Skylor exclaimed, as Jay walked up. “Everyone always leaves after the testing chamber. Are you okay? I mean, you’re walking so that’s good.”
Jay smiled. “I should be okay. I had some broken bones and a few bruised ribs, but I should be fine.” Jay smiled, then his face fell as he caught sight of Lloyd’s hopeful gaze.

“Hey Skylor? Are elemental masters allowed to get stuff? Like books?” Jay asked curiously.

Skylor frowned. “I would assume they would have to pass an expection first, to make sure y’know there isn’t anything that could be used against the guards. But theoretically if the book or item did pass, then yeah they should be allowed to get an item like that. Why?”

Jay frowned, then leaned forward to hand Skylor his wrapped up comic book. “Can you put this through expection and then return it to me? I want to give it to one of the elemental masters.”
Skylor looked at the book. “Uhm, yeah, I can do that right now. Here, trade places with me.”

She took the book and hurried off, his ponytail bouncing as she rushed away.

“I’m glad to see you okay.” Pixal spoke as Skylor vanished onto the elevator. 

Jay turned to look at Pixal. “Thanks.”

Sarra nodded, smiling at Jay with a grateful expression in her eyes.

Jay stood between Kai’s and Nya’s cells, and he could feel the gaze of Nya on him. He was nervous, considering Nya was the one who sent him to the hospital in the first place.

Soon, Sarra left, rushing off into the camera room and vanishing behind the door.

He heard a quiet noise and Jay looked around curiously for the source.

“Pst, hey. Jay! Over here.”

Jay turned to meet Lloyd’s gaze.

Wait, how does he know my name…? Oh wait, he probably heard it from other guards or something.

Jay looked at Lloyd curiously. “What’s up?”
Lloyd smiled. “Are you staying? You’re an actually nice guard, like Pixal and Skylor. Please stay.”

Lloyd’s face fell at the last part of his sentence.

Jay smiled gently, his heart clenched with sadness. “Of course I’m probably not going to leave. I came to this for a reason.”

“Why did you come here? Pixal came to learn more about Elemental powers, Skylor’s dad manages this place. That Travis person, actually I don’t know why he works here. But why did you come here?” Cole asked.

Pixal twitched and glanced quickly at Jay before her gaze returned to stare out beyond.

“I- my family needs money, badly.” Jay explained quietly.

Cole blinked. “You’re motivated by money?”
Jay shook his head. “N-no! I mean..” Jay sighed. “My parents are old, beyond retirement age, and well. I’m their only son, if they can’t get enough money, well they’ll never be able to retire fully. If we can’t get enough money, then well my family will only be in more dire situation.”

Jay felt uncomfortable telling Nya and Kai, since well they don’t seem extremely friendly. But Cole, Lloyd and even Pixal Jay felt as if he had formed a bond. He could tell them, but preferably not about how dire their situation is.

Pixal frowned, but said nothing.

Cole hummed. “So you choose this job to help your parents?”

Jay nodded slowly.

Nearby he heard shuffling from Nya’s cell and Jay glanced inside. 

Nya was hunched over in the corner of the cell, her brown eyes stared at him, glittering with some sort of expression. Her shoulders was hunched over and her vest seemed almost to weigh her down.

Jay frowned, wanting to reach out and comfort her. She seemed far sadder than any of the other Elemental Masters.

Jay’s eyes glanced over to Kai’s cell. Their eyes met and instantly Kai was on guard. He tensed up, his eyes flaring defensively. 

Jay put his hands up and backed away, turning back around to mimic Pixal’s form.

He heard Lloyd murmering quietly, but was interrupted by the arrival of Skylor.

“Hey Jay! Here you go. I don’t understand why you would want the first copy of Fritz Donnegan to be given to someone, but it passed.” Skylor handed Jay the comic book.

Jay took it carefully, smiling at Skylor. “Thank you.”

Then, he turned towards Lloyd. “Here, this is for you.” 

He handed the comic book to Lloyd and Lloyd held it carefully, as if it was some kind of priceless treasure. He stared at the comic book in awe.

Jay smiled. “You would enjoy Fritz Donnegan.”

Skylor chuckled, shifting Jay over and shooing Pixal off.

“Sorry Pixal that you had to wait for your break.” Skylor explained, smiling apologetically at Pixal.

Pixal shrugged. “It is alright Skylor.”

Jay shuffled over to stand between Cole’s and Lloyd’s cells. Lloyd was quietly shuffling through the comic book, eagerly reading it. Somehow he was already halfway through it, which Jay found quite amusing and also kind of sad.

Cole just hummed a song quietly, his eyes met Jay’s eyes and Cole smiled.

Jay felt like chuckling, a smile threatening to split across his face and creep up behind him but he was well aware of it approaching.

Then, Jay cast a look over to Nya and Kai curiously, turning to look at Cole again.

“What’s their issue?” Jay murmered quietly, motioning towards Nya’s and Kai’s cells.

Cole sighed, shaking his head. “They’ve been here longer than me. They’ve had their experiences with… far worse guards. Nya especially.”

Jay frowned. “So they’re very untrusting?”
Cole nodded. “It took almost a year until I was able to actually befriend them. Thankfully they practically adopted Lloyd at a really young age. So Lloyd didn’t need to work through the befriending, but they are more typically friendly to other elemental masters.”
Jay frowned. “Well dang, I sadly don’t have any elemental powers.”

Cole chuckled. “You can befriend them as a guard, Skylor and Pixal did that. Although, it took a while for them.”

Jay nodded, turning away from Cole again to stare at the empty cells that sat far across the gap.
The only sound was Lloyd shuffling through his new comic book.

Jay chuckled quietly.

Then he heard a clicking noise nearby, and Jay perked at the sound.

He peered in the direction of it, but there was nothing there.

So Jay frowned cautiously. His eyes scanning the surrounding area of the lower floors.

Soon, the sun set and darkness filled the facility.

Micheal came sometime, and replaced Skylor. He gave Jay a nod and smiled upon seeing Jay. But nothing more was said.

Jay felt… strange to say the least.

He felt like he was surrounded by… something.

Something that stared at him from all sides.

"Ah! Micheal! Just the person I wanted to see. Come here." A joyful voice called out, and Jay's head jerked up so quickly that he was sure he had just broken his own neck.

Chen. It was just Master Chen.

Wait Master Chen who is taking Micheal away and leaving Jay alone.

Oh for the love of the First Spinjitzu Master.. Jay worried, feeling the ever preassure of that looming omonious shadow above him.

I shouldn't come to work today… Jay nerviously stratched his neck as Micheal threw Jay a glance of apology before being shepered away by Master Chen.

Jay anxiously tapped his foot. Minutes went by, then more minutes. Soon it felt like hours had gone and Micheal still wasn't back.

Jay knew that Lloyd and Cole wouldn't attack him, but Nya and Kai… Well Nya had already attacked him and Kai… Well Jay would rather not find out what happened.

Then, some invisible force tackled him, and Jay yelped in surprise. His already injured body easily folding in as his attacker pounced.

He heard worried exclaims from Lloyd and maybe (?) Cole.

He shouted, reaching his weapon and swinging the nunchunks backwards. Strangely, he heard a clang.

Whatever it was, didn't do anything, and his weapon was only tossed aside. Jay was unsure where it landed.

Some kind of light powder flew in Jay's face and Jay coughed.

Then he hit the floor.

***

Jay woke with a splitting headache.

He felt unnaturally heavy and tired.

Man, it was just beat on Jay today. 

Jay blinked, hearing someone calling his name above him.

He sat up, and Micheal's face swam into view as Jay blinked wildly. Nearby Chen was shouting and bright flaring red lights lit up the cramped prison cells.

Wait-

How did Jay get inside the cell?!
Jay suddenly was wide awake, leaping up, his hand instictively went towards his weapon belt, but he didn't have his nunchucks. The Vengestone vest was strapped tightly to Jay.

Jay yawned, feeling the Vengestone vest drag him down. He just wanted to lay down and fall asleep.

But he took notice of his surroundings. He was in a cell…

Cole's cell.

Jay blinked.

Cole wasn't inside the cell. Jay was.

The door swung open and Micheal was there unhooking the vest from Jay.

Jay slumped against Micheal and he groaned.

"How'd I get in there…?" His voice sort of slurred together quietly.

Micheal shook his head. "I'm not sure, but I was only away for 5 minutes. Zane, the newcomer, found you in the cell and warned us that the Elemental Masters escaped."

Jay's hand rubbed his temple. "I really need a break…" Jay quietly mumbled as Micheal helped haul Jay out of the cell.

Jay's legs felt strange, numbness ran through his veins like thick oil. The Vengestone still felt like it was weighing Jay down.

Chen didn't even glance at Jay as he ran away like some kind of oversized noodle on the run.

Now that's an interesting image…

Jay winced. "Wait- if the strongest of elemental masters escaped just like that… wait what does that mean for me?"
Micheal frowned. "I'm not sure. This hasn't ever happened before.."

Jay coughed, noticing just how his throat suddenly felt like it was freezing and cracking apart.

Nearby, he noticed a familiar bag. His hand reached forwards and took the bag, closely examining it.

It was an empty tea bag, one that Jay recognized.

Grey, with light white petals engraved on it.

The bag he lost to those thieves earlier.

Jay gasped recognizing the bag.

Micheal stared at the bag curiously.

"You know what this is?"
"It's a tea bag.. like magical tea.. I think?" Jay causiouly sniffed the bag. An overwealming, familiar stench reeked from the bag.

Instantly black spots danced at the corners of Jay's vision. He shoved the bag far away from him instantly.

"This is what they used to so easily knock me out." Jay mumbled, his eyelids felt heavy. He needed to shake himself awake.

He slapped himself, hard, and instantly the dark spots receeded.

Jay stood up shakenly, his eyes scouring the lower cells. Some of them had been lodged open while others are still tightly locked. People hacked and coughed and a thin powder seemed to float in the air.

"What the- what happened?!" Jay exclaimed, his mouth falling agap.

"An escape. Nothing of this big of scale and this successful has ever happened before. Expecially since Level 10 Elemental Masters excaped so… easily. There must've been some kind of… inside influence or inside help." Micheal murmered, his head tilted as he pondered.
"If the public finds out about this, this could cause massive panic." A voice exclaimed neaby. Jay turned to see Pixal.

"Pixal? Didn't your shift end hours ago?" Jay wondered.

Pixal nodded. "I have my ways of knowing. I was alerted. Jay, you should return home now. It's dangerious for the less experienced guards to stay."

Jay nodded slowly, but he was reluctant to leave.

"Wait- my weapon! Where is-" Jay spun around, his eyes frantically scanning the hall.

He breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing his weapon tossed carelessly nearby.

He leaned down to grab the weapon, and stood up with his weapon secured in his hands.

Pixal turned to stare at Jay. "Go home Jay. Tommorow, you'll most likely be assigned to a lower level until we can capture the Level 10 Elemental Masters again. You'll most likely be assigned Level 3 or possibly lower."

Jay frowned, his eyes flickered across the now empty cages.

He felt… strange.

A dark empty darkness surrounded him.

"Hmm… strange. I wasn't expecting that to end this way."

Jay winced at the voice suddenly reappearing.

"No Jay Walker, I am not your consciousness. You'll find out who I am… later. I suggest you take that robot's advice though, it would be unfortunate if I were to lose you."

Chapter Text

Jay woke up in a cold sweat.

His dream was all but a haze of darkened wavy shapes that shifted beyond his reach.

Those inky black tendrils almost reaching Jay and snatching him away.

But the cooing of the owls beckoned Jay quietly.

"It seems you fear yourself." The voice took on a curious tone.

Jay shuddered at the sound.

"Honestly? I just want to feel like I belong somewhere. A place where my parents don't struggle, and instead can live out the full extent of their lives." Jat murmured to himself, or the voice. Jay wasn't sure.
He felt a horrible sensation burn within him. About how much he's lied to well.. everyone.

"You're honest, as much as you can be at times. You fear the worry your parents will feel for you if you tell them the truth. You told the truth to those imprisoned masters, and yet you fear the truth. You should tell your parents the truth, you're killing yourself." The voice mentioned, possibly the first time ever it's been helpful.

"Oh wow, now you're helpful." Jay grumbled quietly.

His eyes glanced up towards where a hanging picture displayed Jay and his parents. They were all smiling at the camera with such glee that it looked as if they had not a worry in the world.

It filled Jay with hope and sadness at the same time. He wanted to tell his parents, so badly. But if he did, they would worry nonstop about him

Jay sat up, unable to fall asleep to the lulling sounds of the outside world.

"Who are you?" Jay whispered quietly, hoping for the voice to respond.

"A friend. Perhaps an enemy, but for now, a friend. I do not mean any harm at all. However, revealing who I am is… unwise for now. It's dangerous for you to know the truth before you are meant to learn. But, I suppose you can call me… Wisp."

Wisp huh? Strange name. "Why can I hear you then Wisp?" Jay spoke quietly to the quiet beyond.

There was a chuckle, that sounded.. strange, unnatural almost. "We have a connection, Jay Walker. My master sent me to aid you, as you are the only thing that is stopping the darkness at bay. As for my name, well yes, it is strange indeed. But I think you'll find that it fits me quite well."

Did you just read my mind? Jay blinked wildly, his eyes felt like they were bugging out of his head.

"Yes, I can read your mind. As I said before, we have a very special connection Jay."

Jay shuddered quietly, his gaze resting at his feet at the end of the bed.

Sooo… Wisp huh? Why me? How? What is this… connection? How am I the one stopping the darkness at the bay?! Jay thought franticly.

"See, not all can be told with words. You will understand in due time what I mean by my words. However, every action will have a consequence, weather good or bad. As for this connection… Again, I cannot tell you as there is a… Barrier, we can say, that you are unaware of that is the cause. This barrier, I cannot tell you about, you must find this barrier on your own. It will only be revealed when you are ready."

Jay grumbled. Again, not helpful!

"I cannot say more, Jay Walker. But do take my advice to heart. I cannot lose you, Ninjago needs you."

Jay frowned. NINJAGO?! SINCE WHEN DID NINJAGO NEED ME?!

Predictably, no response. 

"Typical." Jay mumbled, his eyes raked his room as if Wisp was in the room hidden somewhere.

Jay groaned, resting his hands on his face angrily. "Why does everything want to confuse me. What is going on?!"

Jay felt like screaming, yelling at the top of his lungs at the world until he couldn't scream anymore. Until his lungs went dry and his throat cracked.

He also felt like crying. Overwhelming emotion crashing down in waves onto Jay and leaving him drowning in this sea of emotion.

He wanted nothing more than to just live an average life.

So why was he getting the short end of the stick?
Jay laid back down on his bed. His arms splayed out as he stared at the ceiling.

***

The warehouse was big and empty. Stacked with boxes and thrown aside trash. Yet, people navigated through the trash with purpose and ease. Tables full of papers and blueprints hung from walls. 

"Welcome. You must be the Level 10 inhabits." A voice exclaimed, causing Lloyd to startle slightly.

"Yes. We are. And you are?" Cole stepped in front, as if he was using his body to shield the others.

"I am Bee Festus." The lead person spoke, removing their mask and placing it next to them. It revealed their multicolored eyes, heterochromia was it? One eye was a milk chocolate hue and the other was green as grass. Freckles dotted their face as Bee adjusted their round glasses.

Bee simply smiled at the Elemental Masters. "Welcome to the resistance. I am not the leader, per say, but I am one of the assistent leaders. I am also the Elemental Master of Magnetism, but I can assure you that if you cross me you'll regret it."

Lloyd ducked behind Kai nerviously.

Nearby, someone chuckled. "Oh don't worry, Bee won't hurt you. They may seem menacing, but honestly they're just a pile of fluff wrapped with a big red bow."

Bee glowered in the direction of the person who spoke, with no real anger behind their eyes.

The newcomer had long shaggy hair. His eyes were a dark hazel and his features were very sharp. He chuckled at the newcomers again.

"Oh sorry, yes of course almighty master Bee. Whatever shall I do?" The stranger smiled.

Then, the stranger turned to look at the Level 10 masters.

"Ah, you must be the level 10 masters right? Nya, Kai, Lloyd and Cole? Nice to meet ya. The name's Morro, Master of Wind." Morrow held out a hand in greeting.

Cole shook his hand in their stead, glancing nervously at Nya and Kai who stared at Morro with mild distrust.

"It would make sense why you wouldn't trust people. That facility is much more of a prison. But now you're free! Isn't that wonderful?" Morro smiled.

Lloyd hugged his comic book closer to him as Morro showed off his pearly whites.

He got an uneasy feeling. He was uncertain what it was about though.

***

Jay hummed quietly to himself as he made himself breakfast.

It was just simple eggs with some leftover noodles and fish from yesterday.

His parents watched Jay quietly as Jay sat down and started pushing his food around.

He wanted to tell them the truth. No, he needed to.

"Mom, Dad? I'm off of work today." Jay started.

"You coming to help us with the big sale honey?" Edna exclaimed, sitting down with her plate.

Ed sat down on the other side, his show momentarily forgotten.

"Well yes, but also-"
"That's great! We need someone to grab the stuff and bring it to the front and search through all the rubble." Ed exclaimed.

Jay frowned, unsure how to continue.

"I-"

"We can have a family day tomorrow! Maybe pirates like the good old times!"

Jay frowned, his food simply been pushed around.

"Ooh! We could also use a grocery pickup tomorrow honey." Edna told Ed. "We could bring our Jay along with us for the ride!"

Jay's fork clattered onto his plate as Jay stood up and pratically yelled: "I LIED!"

Ed and Edna stared at Jay with a heartbroken expression.

Jay sighed. "Listen I- I lied about where I worked. I didn't want to worry you and well…"

Jay stratched his neck unsure how to continue. "I worked at the Elemental Master Facility."

Edna gasped, instantly worrying over Jay. Meanwhile Ed stared at Jay blankly.

"Oh my boy! Is that how you got injured? Did a master injure you? Oh you're so brave for working there!"

Jay wanted to shove his mom away, he felt the familiar flush of embarrassment rising to his cheeks but then he recalled Lloyd and his lack of family. "I'm fine mom. It's just… You both work so hard and well, I want to help you. We need money constantly and we could lose our house.."

Edna smiled gently. "So you've been working to pay off our bills? No wonder why all of our bills have been paid off. You know dear, that you don't need to work for the money. You should work for your future also."

Jay shrugged. "College is so expensive… I doubt we'll be able to afford it anyways. Besides, I do owe you. You both took care of me at such a young age. You raised me when our food's been scarce and loved me."

Edna cast Ed a strange look. Jay blinked in confusion.

"You see dear… We've lied to you as well.." Edna started.

Jay blinked in shock.

"You see, you're actually adopted honey." Edna explained. "We found you as a baby on our doorstep one day."

Jay felt like his life was pratically falling apart.

“What..?”
Ed frowned gently at Jay, his hand gently patting Jay on the shoulder. “We found you at a very early age, around 1 year on our doorstep with no sign of your parents.”

Something stirred in his brain, a memory or some kind of… idea that sounded familiar. Something that he read.. A mystery that matched up but for his life he couldn’t recall what it was.

Jay blinked. “Wait- so my last name isn’t my name and my first name isn’t my name?”

Edna shook her head. “Oh no no no! You’re our son, even if we didn’t birth you. We’ve wanted a child for a long time, so finding you was a miracle. We never learned your actual name, either first name or last. But you are our Jay, our beloved Jay. We will always love you.”

Jay felt arms wrap around him, from his mother and father… Or well, not mother and father…?

His brain felt like it was in a whirl.

Who was his mom?? Who was his dad? Why was he just abandoned? Did his mom not want him?

A crack of thunder echoed outside.

***

A stranger watched the storm.

It rolled with purpose, lightning strikes within. Flashing the cloud and casting hues to spread.

The stranger adjusted his hat, his hand reaching next to him to seek a cup of steaming tea.

He took a delicate sip of the tea, relishing in the taste as it rolled around in his mouth.

He set his tea down gently, it tinked quietly as it hit the floor.

The buildings doors creaked open, and the stranger’s eyes opened to reveal shimmering gold in his eyes.

Footsteps approached him, and the stranger didn’t look behind him.

“It’s coming.” He whispered, his gaze staring at the storm clouds.

The person stood right behind him, watching the clouds in silence.

His staff lay dormant next to him, and he stood, reaching out to grab his staff.

“We don’t have the ninjas though.” The person, a woman with bright orange hair and kind brown eyes, spoke behind him.

“We can only hope that they will answer the call. We can only hope they have a change of heart.”

Chapter Text

Dareth's Mojo Dojo and bar shop has been doing quite good.

But Dareth himself? Well… That's a different story.

Now, you see, Dareth prided himself.
He was amazing, perfect. Outstanding.

Absolutely nothing was bad about him at all!

He was the perfect model for his students.

He woke up in the morning, frowning at the usual storm that rolled in the corner.

Every morning, every speck of dust swirled in the corner of the room. Dareth was unsure why this particular corner, but it was a strange occurance that Dareth took for granted.

However, today was different.

Instead of the usual buildup that gathered, instead it swirled in a mini storm.

Dareth stared at the dust storm in shock, his jaw hit the floor.

Oh man, if Jay could see this- He wouldn’t believe his eyes! Dareth chuckled. He could imagine Jay’s face. Shock as he saw the mini storm that was conjured.

Dareth gritted his teeth, shooing his duster through the mini-tornado.

It simply dodged his attempt.

“Stop dodging this instant!” Dareth exclaimed, shooing the dust again.

It, again, dodged.

Dareth gritted his teeth in determination.

“I, the GREAT DARETH, COMMAND you INFERIOR STORM, to stop dodging THIS INSTANT AND FALL TO THE GROUND!” Dareth practically shouted. He could imagine his neighbors and probably the people who live upstairs complaining about him yelling at 4 in the morning.

Strangely, the dust fell like inanimate objects. Dareth coughed as the dust billowed out.

He then blinked at the dust that now innoccenty sat on the floor as if nothing had happened.

I didn’t expect for that to actually work… Dareth frowned curiously.

He glanced around, feeling as if someone was playing a joke on him.

“Alright, whoever is doing this, come out now. I’m disappointed in you.”

Expectedly, no one appeared. Dareth sighed in the quiet of his Mojo Dojo.

“REVEAL YOURSELF!” Dareth exclaimed, banishing his duster as if it was a dangerous weapon.

Still, nothing.

Dareth groaned, shrugging to himself as he cleaned the dust up. He shook it out and put his duster away. Then, he walked over to his bar to check his stock.

Predicably, he was all out.

Then, his phone rang. He gingerly picked it up and answered.

“Hey boss, I can’t make it today. I-” The person on the other end broke off in coughing. “Am sick and will be unable to make it.”
Dareth nodded even though they wouldn’t be able to see him. “Oh, of course! Take a break good sir. Hopefully you will be back tomorrow or soon!”

The line clicked off and Dareth groaned, his head resting on his hands.

Outside, thunder crackled, and Dareth raised his head to see the rain pouring down in waves.

Just my luck, Dareth felt like groaning again, This day is going to be horrible…

Dareth stood, grabbing his old raincoat and he shuffled into it. The raincoat stuck to him in the humidity.

Dareth growled as he grappled his coat.

Finally, FINALLY, the coat slid on and Dareth sighed in relief.

He opened the door of his Mojo Dojo, instantly being bombarded by the heavy rain.

The sounds of traffic was muffled in the heavy rain. Thunder roared above and lightning crackled down.

Dareth squinted, running through the rain towards the grocery store.

He stumbled into the store, the rain somehow making it underneath his coat and rendering him sopping wet.

Dareth frowned, pulling his hood off and shaking his head to get rid of the rain in his ears.

His eyes scanned the grocery store and he went to pick up his usuals.

Of course, they just happened to be out of spices and meats. Also, a lack of milk particularly soured (Ahah, a pun. Yeah Dareth is good at puns.) his mood.

Then as he left the store with his mostly lighter bag, his favorite cafe was also closed.

Dareth stared at the warm cafe that held his greatest beloved coffee.

Sighing, he trudged onwards, having to walk the EXTRA long way to get himself an order from a not-so-great-cafe. A mockery of his pride.

Now with his pride mildly wounded, and his mood beyond horrible .

He opened the door of his dark Mojo Dojo and stared at the empty abyss of the building. The lights were off and the only light came through the windows and reflected on his various trophies. He closed the door behind him, the door making a quiet clink as it shut. Dareth put the bag of goodies down and opened the fridge, the light casting a golden glow across the room. He finished fitting everything in and closed the refrigerator shut.

Darkness rushed up again, shrouding the room in a blanket.

Dareth sighed, his gaze landing on a picture that hung on the wall. It was back in High School, around 11 years of friendship. Jay was smiling widely into the camera, his toothy grin and freckly face beamed. Dareth had a more smug look on his face, his eyes gleaming as he stared in the camera.

Dareth sighed, his eyes watering a little as he stared at the picture.

He felt like he was losing himself.

Dareth sat still, not moving in silence. Letting the desperation and despair take over for a mere moment.

But, not being one to give up, he stood up again. Faking enthusiasm to start the day. He opened his Mojo Dojo and turned on all the lights. He set down the chairs and put out the stools.

He was sweeping when the door opened. 

He turned, ready to greet his usuals, when he meet the newcomer’s eyes. They were definitely new, their chocolate brown gaze looked around the Mojo Dojo curiously. His hood was fully pulled up and he had a mask that covered his lower face.

“Hello there and welcome to Grand Sensei Dareth’s Mojo Dojo! What can I help you with?” Dareth smiled, putting his broom down gently.

“Do you teach how to fight?” The newcomer asked, his voice trembled as if Dareth was going to throw him out.

“Uhm, yeah we do?” Dareth studied the newcomer.

His clothing was rumpled and clearly too small for his fit frame. Holes shone through the black hoodie he wore. The most expensive thing he had was a set of old, beat up headphones and a flip phone that he stored away as he entered.

Clearly, he was from the more… poorer parts of town.

Dareth felt pity for him. He knew what it was like to to be from the poorer side. Both him and Jay experienced it as they both grew up in relatively poor families. Often times, Dareth lets the poor end people to get a place to rest, a place to stay even. All they did in return was to help Dareth man the Mojo Dojo. Dareth was often gifted that he had such good relationships with his siblings. Each of them became wealthy business people in the high rises.

Unlike them, he chose to follow his dream of opening a Mojo Dojo.

Dareth smiled, for the first time today which felt genuine.

“I don’t have any money… but well my younger brother needs to learn how to defend himself.” The person scratched his neck.

Dareth chuckled. “Oh, you do not need to pay. I only ask for help in my buisness? Otherwise, it is free. I can also gift you food if you need. I know what it’s like to be in a dangerious situation.”

Dareth motioned towards the back. “If you and your brother need a place to rest, then you are welcome to stay.”

The stranger smiled. “I- wow. I- I can’t even thank you about your hospitality..”

Often times, Dareth paid the workers in a place to rest and food to eat unless they want cash. The Mojo Dojo was very high praised among the wealthy, with his siblings even pitching in to help. The food was revered for the traditional cooking, a tardition that his mother once cooked. Dareth’s earliest memories was working in the restraunt his mother and father cooked in. He swore to continue their restaurant when the restaurant was forcibly closed down. Even now, his old mother and father lived just upstairs, helping Dareth manage and teaching the homeless and the poor to cook when they want to. Even still, they act as parental figures for people young enough to go to school.

He often linked to proclaim he built his own little home. He was grateful in the expansion, which both expanded the front and the back.

Jay often told Dareth how he was so prideful and yet so kind and understanding. He taught people how to fight, using the methods that Jay had told him about when Jay learned under the hermit in the mountains. Something that Dareth wouldn’t mention was that, well, he seeked the hermit out and asked for guidance on training. He certainly got what he deserved. Weeks and weeks of harsh, tough training that seemed to last forever. The day he passed the test was a big achievement for him. He hurried walked home, pride radiated off of him ready to teach his students his new ways.

Dareth was so caught up in his musings, that he didn’t notice when some of the kids pushed past him and rushed to the bus to go off to school. Some of the older ones,, having saved enough cash to go to college, also rushed off with their beat up backpacks hanging half-hazradly off of their shoulders.

Behind him, some of the adults were shifting about, one of them humming at the sight of the packed refrigerator and lack of spices. Dareth heard his mom tell one of the people to go to a store to buy more spices.

Dareth walked over to inform them about his grocery run that morning.

The door creaked open again and Dareth turned to see the newcomers. It was the person from earlier and a shorter, younger kid. The kid had green eyes and small wisps of blonde hair fell out of his hood.

“Oh hello again! Also, may I get a name for each of you?”

“Uhm- I’m Rocky Dangerbuff and this is… uhm.. Green! Green Dangerbuff.” Rocky stated, a little too quickly.

From how he paused, Dareth thought that maybe they weren’t comfortable with telling their names, so he let it slide. One day maybe they’ll tell the truth.

“Well, welcome Green and Rocky Danger. Come right this way, the beginner lessons don’t start until 10:30 am on weekdays. You can choose which weekday you want to study on and I can get you right in on the beginner course. Unless you already have previous experience? If you do, I would recommend taking the placement test, as it shows which class will best fit you.” Dareth explained, handing the schedule out to the two. “On the backside, it shows a schedule of times you can work, each sorted by the hours. We work almost 24/7 except on Fridays and on a rare occasional holiday. On Fridays it closes at 10:00 pm. Just fill in your work schedule, every hour representing two hours of class and pratice for Green here. And then fill in the small scraps of paper over there on the counter with your schedule, how you want to be paid and if you plan on staying or not. Oh and also how long Green here and you will visit.” Dareth explained, pointing our the sheets of paper. “You can keep this copy for yourself.”

Rocky nodded slowly, “Thank you- are you Dareth?”

Dareth nodded. “You can call me Dareth Rocky, as for you Green during our session, call me Sensei.”
Green slowly nodded, casting a glance up at Rocky.

Dareth smiled, gently leading the two to a pair of chairs near the back.

He slid into the back with the cooks. “We have some new guests. Don’t charge them, they’ve got the Dareth price.”

His mother chuckled quietly. “One day that’s going to bite you in the butt dear.”

Dareth smiled nervously, and chuckled. A habit of which he had picked up from Jay in their years of friendship. “Yes, but that day is hopefully not today!”

His mother smiled at him. “Mi valiente querida.” She spoke their their native tounge.

See, Dareth grew up in the south. Down there, there is a mix of various languages. Of course they speak the common Ninjageon, or however it’s spelled, but his mom often times struggle with words. Instead sometimes referring to Dareth as if he was still a young child. Other times, she will use their native language to substitute for other Ninjagoen words.

“¿Necesitas algo mamá?” Dareth asked, his mom shook her head. Smiling gently at Dareth as Dareth worried.

Some of the servers went over to the Dangerbuffs and asked for what food they would like and drinks. Dareth saw them gift the two with a coupon. Dareth moved back to the waiter’s station too greet guests.

By the time 10 rolled around, two of his previous students walked up and started to get the mat and practice area ready. Both of them sparring to pratice and well, entertainment! It was surprisingly good entertainment. Rarely he’s able to get Jay to participate, Jay always wears his black training outfit, which makes him look almost like a ninja. People often called him the ‘Black Lightning’, often times because Jay can easily beat his opponents. Oftentimes with speeds that rival lightning. Thus, his nickname. He’s actually pretty well known, being an almost ‘hero’ figure for Dareth’s students.

Dareth chuckled to himself, blinking himself out of his thoughts as his usuals started to pour in.

Soon, the place was bustling with activity, with Dareth sweeping and cleaning and everyone doing their job.

The day was getting better.

He built a home here, and Dareth was determined to keep it.

Dareth smiled, waving goodbye, as the Dangerbuffs bid farewell.

The two crossed into a nearby alleyway.

Cole hummed quietly to himself. “This is a nice, hidden restaurant. Especially the free food. The resistance will be pretty ecstatic at what we found!” Cole smiled as he quietly whispered in joy.

Lloyd nodded, his mind lingering on a hanging picture near the back. Obviously, there was Dareth, but that second person. They looked almost like the guard…

Lloyd shook his head. “Yeah, we might’ve finally found a place where we can get some actual, daily food. We should tell the resistance.”

Cole nodded, then he paused. “That picture, the one you were staring at. Did that person with the freckles seem.. familiar to you?”
Lloyd nodded, he thought to himself. “It reminded me of the guard, the new one, Jay?”

Cole blinked. “Oh, you’re right… Hmm, maybe a relative of his? I mean, he seemed pretty chill… Do you think that he’s try to recapture us if he finds us?”

Lloyd frowned. “I don’t think he would…?”
Cole sighed, “I hope so..”

Chapter Text

Jay needed to leave.

He was adopted.

He needed to find out WHO his parents were…

“Did they leave anything? A letter, a note? Anything?” Jay exclaimed, his eyes flickering between his parents.

His father paused. Then he turned to Edna. “Honey, was there anything in the basket? I don’t recall anything do you?”

Edna pondered. “I recall a note… I forgot where I put it though..”

Jay turned to blink at Edna.

“There was a note?” Ed asked, looking at his wife.

Edna nodded, cleaning her small rounded (and cheap!) glasses with a ratty old cloth. She pushed her glasses back on and smiled at Jay gently.

“Do you need a break dear? I’m sorry for having to tell you this. Do you need anything?” Edna smiled apologetically at Jay.

Jay smiled, feeling grateful for his parents. Even if they weren’t his own, they still tried to make him feel loved.

Outside, a storm raged, far worse than anything Jay has ever experienced before. Lightning and thunder crashed together like a song.

Jay glanced outside, his eyebrows furrowing in slight confusion.

Now, they lived in the Sea of Dunes, aka, a dessert practically out in the middle of nowhere. Rainstorms like this was pretty usual, but only during rainy season. This was months and months BEFORE rainy season. Storms like this never happened before. Expecially this big scale and heavy downpour.

Jay got a sudden flash of eyes. They were slitted and glowed a deep, blood red. It was gone before Jay could blink, however.

He simply just passed it as a hallicination.

“Strange… Ice is the one meant for that ability… You were never meant to see that.” Wisp murmured quietly, causing Jay to jump slightly.

“You okay dear?” Edna asked, noticed Jay jumped.

“Oh- uhm… yeah! Yeah I’m fine. Just startled by the thunder.” Jay did his nervous chuckle.

There hadn’t been thunder when Jay jumped. He prayed that they didn’t notice.

His stomach turned as he lied, lied, lied again.

Liar… His mind whispered. You’re just a sneaky liar..

Jay really hoped not, but would it be worth it to lie?

He didn’t want his parents to think he’s gone insane.

He didn’t want them to worry them more.

Jay shrugged. “I-... I…” He was unsure what to say.

He needed to leave, yet he needed to stay.

His eyes flickered outside again, staring at the pouring rain outside.

He needed to tell someone, someone who would understand maybe. Dareth would be nice, but Jay doubted he would understand. Who he needed was his old master, the old hermit of the mountains.

He wondered where they were now, did they stay under the same roof of this storm? Was he aware of Wisp and whatever is going on?

Jay’s mind went back to his package, the one gifted to him. The blue gi. He knew it felt right to wear it, but not today..
When though?

He yearned to seek out the Hermit Master, but distantly, Jay had a feeling that he would be seeing that hermit again. Maybe soon, maybe later.

Jay sighed, not knowing what to do.

“I’m going to take a walk… I’ll- be back.” Jay stood up, grabbing his old raincoat and sliding it on. He opened the door and was predicabbly greeted with the pouring rain. He slipped outside, closing the door behind him. The last thing he saw as the door clicked shut was his parents watching him with concern and love.

As Jay strolled through the junkyard, his brain went on full throttle.

He stopped, his eyes peered into the rubble of the junk. Widening his eyes, Jay spotted something familiar. He reached down and pulled out one of his old contraptions.

He hadn’t been able to build anything new since this one. It was a flying machine, with gears haphazardly hanging and it’s ‘wings’, aka cloth that stretched between metal poles, was frayed and torn. Jay missed making contraptions like his flying machine.
He recalled the day he tested it, he had jumped from junk piles to junk piles, able to glide a short distance. One he was certain that he wouldn’t fall and die, he went to the city to try it out. He jumped from the build that Dareth had opened his Mojo Dojo in, spreading his wings wide.

Oh! The feel of flying! Or gliding wasn’t exactly flying, but the adrenaline said otherwise. He felt like a bird, or a roaring dragon in the myths. He felt that he could go anywhere, do anything, free.

Then, he missed the sign, and crashed right into it. The damage was bad, and Jay had to spend three whole days working for the company to repay the damage since they didn’t have the money. But behind that sign, the Hermit Master sat there with his usual cup of steaming hot tea. What kind of tea did he drink? Jay could not tell you. Well, he once could, but that information had long ago been abandoned in the abyss of his mind. Waiting to be resurfaced when the time comes.

He saved the flying machine, not only because it was important and was vaulable to him, but also because he didn’t want to waste the resources of it. He also felt like… well, maybe it could be useful again?

He took out his wrench and screwdriver. And got to work.

The creaks and cracks of working was soothing.

Even as lightning crackled above.

He didn’t notice the lightning curving around the junkyard, despite being attracted to metal.

An invisible barrier unknowingly put up around his home.

***

Lloyd hit the board, doing his best to chop.

He winced in pain as the hard wood chipped at his hand.

“You need to have more force.” Dareth’s voice called out to Lloyd.

He could feel the eyes of Cole, Nya and Kai. Cole had agreed to bring Kai and Nya along. It felt ominous underneath their gaze.

Dareth moved over, taking Lloyds hand and raising it. “You need to have an angle. Otherwise you’ll break your hand. You’ve been doing the training I suggested?”

Lloyd nodded.

Dareth was very cool. He was nice and didn’t ask questions when Cole brought Nya and Kai along. In fact, it’s been the only reliable food source, with almost none of the Elemental Masters knowing how to cook. Except for Zane, but Zane seemed to be good at everything.

But the Mojo Dojo was really the only place that the Elemental Masters could walk in, and get food without having to show an ID. (Although, they gave Dareth money. He always refused to be given money, but they always found a way to slip some in daily. Enough to help Dareth.) It was nice to be able to get food without having to ‘steal’ (See take it and leave the cash) it.

Lloyd gritted his teeth and swung again.

Chapter Text

Due to the lack of… well escapees, Jay had been assigned to level 3 where some of the few remaining Elemental Masters were still locked up.

Unlike the top floor, there were a lot more elemental masters to keep track of on the lower floors. It was split into groups, patrol and station. Station guard was pretty much the same as it was on floor 10. They stay still. Patrol guards circle the perimeter, basically they’re free to wander as long as they stay on the same floor. Then there’s the, well, mixed guards. Basically, they can both wander and stay at a designated position, never both.

Of course, with the new change of floors, meant that Jay rarely shared the same prison cells as his friends from level 10. The only one he saw was Pixal, and oftentimes she was on the other side of the facility.

Jay sighed. He was often assigned the stationary job, very rarely he got patrol but most often he was stationary. He was sandwitched between one of the Masters of Light and some unknown element. Apparently, there is a bunch of unknown elements. Many of them sandwiched on the bottom layers of the facility. A fact that Jay oversaw when he scanned through the files of Elements.

The Master of Light (2), that Jay was posistioned near was named Lucy. Lucy Luminatte. A strange, yet oddly fitting, name. She seemed so, well, positive. Even though she was trapped at the facility and taken to test her abilities sometimes. Jay recognized her from the time he went to the lab. She had been accompanied by a man with long, curly black hair and dark black eyes.

Now, it was strange. Lucy seemed always so… upbeat and well, welcoming? Like a warm light, which Jay supposed, was actually kind of funny considering her element. She had long yellow hair and warm chocolate brown eyes. Often times, when Jay would approach his position, she would happily greet Jay and Jay would wave in respondse. Often with a geniunue smile on his face.

It didn’t take long for this to become a sort of tradition. Jay would walk up, wave and say hello to Lucy and Lucy would reply. While Jay was on the job, he would often talk with Lucy, sometimes about nothing and everything. She didn’t share much of her past, or show any signs of sadness or loneliness, which Jay found intresting.

Even the Elemental Masters on level 10 seemed… homesick and lonely. Sad also. Yet Lucy showed so signs. 

One day, Jay discovered why.

Its started normal as per usual, Jay walked up and smiled at Lucy as he walked to his psosition. Lucy waved back, smiling widely.

“Why are you always so… positive?” Jay wondered, as he moved to stand.

Jay heard Lucy shifting behind him.

“Well, you seem like one of the few guards who seem to, well, actually care…” Lucy started. “I just want to show everyone that Elemental Masters aren’t dangerous. We’re just misunderstood. If we got the time to practice, we could maybe even be heroes!”

Jay blinked, turning to face Lucy. “You really believe that?”

Lucy nodded, her gaze stared at a singular stone that sat in front of her. Her cell had small decorations, gifts from her family, Lucy told Jay one day.

“No one listens to me though.” Lucy spoke after a long period of silence.

Jay frowned, feeling pity for the woman. (Or girl? Lucy never told Jay her age… maybe woman would be better… she looked quite young, around 18 or so, but Jay didn’t want to be rude..)

“Fate is cruel to the kindest.” Wisp murmured in Jay’s ear.

Jay almost jumped, but he forced himself to relax. Wisp has been speaking more, often small remarks and observations. Slowly, Jay is getting used to Wisp. Very slowly.

“No one listens to you?” Jay asked quietly, slightly confused.

Lucy nodded. “Guards are scared of us. No one will listen to me, to us.”

Jay blinked in surprise. “Not all guards are like that though-”

“I know. You’re not like that! And Charlie isn’t like that either.” Lucy explained.

“Charlie?” Jay blinked in surprise.

“He was the one with me at the most recent lab.” the Master of Light (2) explained. ((Man, Master of Light (2) is kind of a mouthful… maybe just Master of Light? What’s the difference between the two elements anyways? Are they related or something?))

Jay felt like sighing again. He’s been doing that a lot.

Nearby Zane hummed a joyful tune as he mopped the floor nearby. (Why does he need to mop the stone floor? That just kinda doesn’t make sense. Stone floors don’t get ruined if they don’t get cleaned… Jay has questions that are either probably better left unanswered or something suspicious is going on…)

The song Zane was singing sounded vaguely familiar. Something from the radio? Maybe…? Something about jumping around, kicking back, spinning about and ninja go. Probably from the radio. Jay made a mental note to look the song up. Sounded like an absolute banger.

Time ticked as silence spread across the two of them.

Then, suddenly Lucy spoke up.

“Hey, Jay, why did you come to work here? Isn’t it dangerous?” Lucy asked.

Jay shifted his weight uncomfortably. “My family needs the money, and I, being their.. only son… and the youngest, work. My parents are old, retiring age even, and I want them to live comfortably in retirement.” Jay explained, his eyes glancing over to look at Lucy.

She had a thoughtful look on her face. “As a son of a poor family, the facility pays well for guards…” She hummed quietly. “Do you enjoy it here?”

Jay blinked, taken back by the question. Enjoy working here? No, no he did not enjoy seeing all the lonely, misunderstood Elemental Masters surrounded by cracked stone. Left to rot alone and away from their families. With those heavy vests that make Jay tired and feeling weak.

Jay shook his head. Knowing for a fact he hated the facility, and probably will always hate it. It separated families and broke souls. If Jay could, he would’ve destroyed the facility where it stood.

Jay could feel the gaze of Lucy on him inquisitively. “Why?”

Jay frowned. “I just work here for the cash. I hate how they treat you, all of you. Those vests give off bad vibes, just looking at them makes me feel tired and weak.”

He suddenly felt the pressure of eyes staring at him, Jay glanced up and scanned the room, but couldn’t see who was looking at him. Strange. Maybe Jay was just feeling Lucy’s eyes on him. But it almost felt as if there were three separate pairs of eyes staring at him.

Jay shrugged it off uncomfortably, shaking his shoulders in a feeble attempt to get rid of the feeling.

“Makes you feel tired and weak?” Lucy asked, her voice quiet.

Jay nodded, confusion creeping into his mind. Was something wrong with that?

He didn’t see Lucy’s face, but he felt like her gaze held something important. Jay paused, the silence becoming somewhat awkward. (For him, he wasn’t sure if it was awkward for Lucy.)

“Uhm, is there something wrong?” Jay asked after the silence became too much. The eyes stared at him, leaving him feeling exposed. A feeling he especially hated, the only thing worse is being alone.

“No it’s just that.. No other guard I’ve talked to has ever mentioned that before.” Lucy explained. “I mean, not many talk with me anyways, but none of them have mentioned specifically the vests. They’re made out of-”

“Vengestone, yeah.” Jay nodded. “The information box thingy said that they weaken Elemental powers.”

Lucy frowned, and Jay felt as if she wanted to say something else, but she didn’t press on. Turning around, Jay noticed that Lucy was watching him curiously, with a look of.. Understanding?

Strange.. Jay mused to himself. He felt the gazes from the other two sources look away from him, but he still felt a strange prickling in his neck.

Suddenly, a loud crash of thunder boomed, causing Jay to jump and nearly drop his nunchucks that he had been unconsciously playing with. He blinked wildly.

That’s strange… We’re in the middle of dry season still… Why is it thundering in the middle of the desert? Jay heard the distant patter of rain. And rain?? This is not normal. Like.. at all. Something is wrong.

Distantly, he heard cruel laughter. He whipped his head around, but couldn’t find the source.

“That’s.. odd? I’ve never heard it rain outside before.” Lucy noted, Jay pratically sighed in relif at the feel of her gaze leaving him.

Jay cast a glance at her, noticing her staring out of the small window where small droplets of rain fell through.
Jay turned his head to look away from Lucy, blinked as he met the eyes of Zane.
Now Zane… How did Jay feel about him? Well, he felt… familiar, definitely. But he seemed to do so much to befriend Jay. Actually no, he’s trying so hard to befriend everyone. At least all the guards.

Jay had also noticed Zane talking quietly to the Elemental Masters when no one was around.

It was strange, Zane gave Jay a strange sensation. Make shivers creep up his spine and the warmth of familiarity burn within his heart. A sensation that spread throughout his body and make him both warm and cold.

Jay frowned, his eyes landing on Pixal on the far other side. She was pacing in with perfect strides. As expected from her.

Jay sighed, the pang of loneliness spiked. A familiar friend to him.

“You humans seem to find so much in compantionship. Why is that?”

Jay nearly jumped at Wisp’s voice. Well, humans are social creatures… I guess that’s kind of it. Why is your species not social?

“Finding another of my kind is… rare. Very few of us exist in this Realm. More often times, we fight over everything. Although, many will form packs.” Wisp filled in. “Although in our packs everyone has a special… job based on abilities. Everyone needs to stick to their jobs.”

Seems kind of pointless and boring…

“Not for us, its tradition.”

Jay shrugged, knowing full well that those eyes are seeing him staring off into space and unresponsive.

Wisp didn’t add on and neither did Jay continue to pester. 

Jay frowned, his arms unconsciously being crossed as he watched the facility. He fiddled with his nunchucks, watched as they clinked and shone in the light.

For a minute, Jay thought they flashed gold. Symbols of dragons curled around it’s hilt and lightning chains kept them together. But whatever it was, was quickly gone. Replaced with an average nunchucks with rusty chains and leather grips. Jay blinked in confusion, running his hand on the chain curiously, feeling just the rust on the old metal.

Jay shrugged, hearing thunder cracking again outside.

He felt a tap on his shoulder, and Jay jumped. He stared at the newcomer, a guard by the name of Jeremy.

“Your shift is over.” Jeremy said.

Jay nodded, casting a glance around as if to catch someone looking at him. Maybe to see some kind of haunting ghost watching him.

But nothing was of the sort.

Jay frowned, his gaze returning to Jeremy. Then he smiled, although it was a tiny bit forced, and nodded. Moving so that Jeremy could take his place. Jeremy didn’t even give Lucy a second glance as he took his spot, instead electing to ignore her.

Jay frowned at Jeremy’s actions. But he didn’t act, instead he retreated back, towards the door.

Opening the door, Jay was greeted by the pouring rain. He frowned, knowing he was going to have to drive the motorcycles home. He was not willing to go home sopping wet. But, Jay supposes, he did drive here in this rain. But it let up and became softer as he drove closer to the facility. Now it was at a heavy downpour that soaked all the unfortunate souls that dared to step outside. Soaking their spirits and clothes alike.

Jay sighed, angry at the sky for the downpour.

“Hey wait-!” a voice exclaimed, causing Jay to pause and turn towards the voice.

Zane waved wildly, chasing after Jay as Jay paused. Zane caught up and smiled. Jay blinked in confusion when Zane didn’t start panting even though he seemed to have run for a distance.

“Thank you. Both of our shifts end at the same time today.” Zane said in his usual voice.

Jay hummed, opening the door wider to let Zane through. Zane frowned when he saw the heavy downpour, but walked outside nevertheless. Jay followed closely behind.

“You don’t seem to be the biggest fan of rain.” Jay noticed, seeing how Zane almost cringed when he first stepped outside. 

Zane muttered something that sounded like ‘ice is better’ before turning towards Jay and shrugging. “Well, yeah. I’ve never liked the rain, too loud. Plus the desert isn’t built for this kind of level of downpour. This is just unnatural.”

Jay hummed curiously, prompting Zane to continue. When Zane didn’t continue, Jay spoke.

“Do you have a ride home, where you live?” Jay asked, knowing full well that Zane always seemed to walk home.

Zane shrugged. “I do not mind walking home.”
Jay shook his head. “No, come on.”
He went over to his motorcycle, clicking open the back compartment to grab an extra helmet and holding it out to Zane. “Put this on and hop in.” Jay patted the back compartment. “Normally this would be dangerous, but I’m a pretty good driver. Next time I’ll bring a side car, if I can find one..” Jay muttered the last sentence, but Zane heard him.

“You scavenge?” Zane asked, hesistantly taking the helmet and hopping on.
Jay nodded, “Yeah, now hold on. Where can I drop you off?”

Zane shrugged. “On the outskirts of the city probably. At the end of this long road.”

Jay frowned but didn’t argue. He silently started up his motorcycle, again confusedly staring at his charge with it being at 100, and shrugged. He felt the curious eyes of Zane on him. Then, Jay suspected, Zane’s gaze shifted towards his charge. Probably also staring at it confusedly, Jay assumed.

(Zane actually stared at the change, not in confusion, but mild understanding. As if he was seeing an answer to a question long ago. In the depths of his mind, Zane vaguely recalled a fact from the database in the info boxes that he had studied. He regarded the smart, but pretty scrawny and honestly overall underwhelming, young adult in front of him. Analyzing him curiously.)

The motorcycle splashed through through puddles, water hitting Jay and Zane and throughly soaking them down to the bone.

(Little did Jay know that Zane didn’t really have bones.)

The silence of the drive was somewhat comfortable, but Jay had a question in the forfront of his mind.

“Zane, have we met before?” Jay asked, his eyes squinting in the wind and rain.

Jay thought he felt Zane stiffen, muttering something about recalling, but it was lost to the wind.

Then, he heard Zane’s voice as he practically shouted over the rain and wind. “No, I am not aware of a time and place we’ve met before.”

Jay paused, not for the first time, at Zane’s unusual use of words. It seemed so… robotic. So… formal.

Jay watched as his home whizz past, his eyes only glancing at it briefly before returning towards the road.

The rest of the ride was in uneventful silence, and soon the city came closer in the distance.

Jay frowned, the rain seemed unrelenting, endlessly pelting him in an attempt to slow them down. Even as miles sped past, the rain seemed unending, a permanent dark sky over all of Ninjago.

Jay smiled, slowing to a stop as they reached the far outskirts of the city. He stopped and Zane hopped off, handing Jay the helmet. Jay stuffed the helmet into the back compartment.

“Thank you, for taking me to the city..” Zane smiled at Jay.

Jay smiled back, feeling as if he made a new friend. (A REAL friend this time. Well, everyone from Level 10 seemed like real friends, but people that Jay can look at and say ‘yeah, I know that guy.’.)

Strangely, Zane walked away from the city, towards the more outskirts of town. Jay didn’t know much, but he was pretty sure that a majority of the were houses and homes out there were abandoned… Which was… strange to say. Something about a big battle..? Maybe, Jay wasn’t the best with History. Either that or it was offhandedly mentioned by the hermit and never talked about in history.

Jay shrugged, deciding not to mention or pay attention to it. But, nonetheless, he called out to Zane as Zane departed.

“Zane! Wait!” Jay called.

Zane turned and looked at Jay quizzicly.

“Same thing tomorrow?” Jay asked loudly.

Zane shrugged, nodding after a moment, then he vanished into the gloom of the rain.

The patter of rain was unnerving, now normally Jay liked thunderstorms. He didn’t know why, but he enjoyed them. But above in the storm clouds, something felt like unbalance. Like the world was missing three pieces of itself.

He felt his nunchucks seemed to vibrate in the storm, and Jay took them out. Watching as the rain washed down onto them. He pulled his motorcycle over to teh scrubby road side and watched as rain fell onto the nunchucks.

Jay blinked, noticing something shoved into his nunchucks stash. He carefully removed it and used his body to stop rain from ruining the note. Unfortunately, he was already too late, water washed out many of the words and some were smudged. Thankfully, he could make out some of the words.

“To you, w**mever yo* may be.

I h*pe *his note is for you, my *******.

H*w**er, that is not alw**s the case.

I’m s**ry that I had to se*d you *way.

But the *or** n*ed* you.

Please, once you understand this, find me.

E*er**ne is cou*ti** on ***.

Please, kee* the** nun*hu*ks safe, they are vit** to *injag*.

**lo** **** power, if ***’*e ** ******t.

Find M**ta**, she **ll g**e *ou **e next st**s.

Pr*tect these nu*chuc*s with your li*e.
You w**l unde*sta*d why.”

Come find me.

Master **.

Jay squinted so hard, he was certain his eyes would get locked as squinting permently. He reread the note, again and again, but was uncertain what some of the words was. Expecially in the 9th line, it was by far the hardest to read.

Master something with two letters… Maybe something that starts with a W…? I’ve only refered to one person as master, the Master Hermit of the mountains… Could that mean I need to see my old master?
Jay turned towards the mountains that barely stood out against the gloom, carefully tucking the note into his pocket.
Should I see him now?

Jay squinted, then he sighed.

“Nahh, it probably can wait until the weekend.”

Jay chuckled, getting back on the motorcycle and driving towards the junkyard.

***

Lloyd blinked awake as someone quietly strolled through the doors. Instantly, Lloyd was wide awake, but he didn’t dare move.

“Did you find any new info or got any new Elemental Masters free?” Bee’s voice asked the newcomer quietly.

“Well, no new Elemental Masters, but information yes. I think I might’ve found another Elemental Master, one not yet discovered or, well, captured. In fact, he is one of the guards at the facility. However, all of my information from the info boxes that I’ve memorized only point to one known element. It’s possible that he has an unknown element, but he is powerful. What my sources say, he’s a fellow level 10 elemental master. Master of Lighting, however he doesn’t seem aware of it yet.” Zane’s voice spoke.

There was a gasp, from multiple people behind Lloyd.

“Yeah, I know. I also thought that the Elemental Master of Lighting was dead, at least all sources indicate it. However, there is a 15% chance that the child of the previous Elemental Master is truly alive. Impossibly low, but possible.”
“We need to get him on our side before they can get him if that’s true!” A voice, from one of the other Elemental Masters, one that Lloyd did not know, exclaimed.

“What is their name?”
“What level are they on?”
Voices upon voices called over each other.

“Stop!” Bee’s commanding voice called out.

Instantly, it was quiet. Lloyd could imagine the Masters all turning their attention to Bee.

“We can keep an eye on this Elemental Master.” a muffled voice said, and Lloyd could hear the light clank of gear.

Amber, the spy hidden amongst the guards.

Lloyd heard Zane breathe deeply.

“He was formerly a guard on level 10. His name is Jay, Jay Walker.”

The world dropped underneath Lloyd.

It spun on the wrong axis and Lloyd was falling.

***

In the mountains, the master paced restlessly.

Then, suddenly with a flash of light and a boom, a crack split in front of him.

“Oh! That looks dangerous!” The golden-red haze of hair slipped out beside him.

They smiled, laughing quietly at her worry.

“Oh Koko, you worry so much. Do not worry, even in my old years, I still have my ways of escape.” The master smiled gently towards the worried mother.

Koko shuddered. “Oh Wu, I wish you didn’t push yourself so hard.”
Master Wu sighed, his eyes staring into the portal. Then, he turned to Koko.
“Your-... son has escaped. I would suggest you try to find him, but remember, keep it down low.” Master Wu advised.

Koko sighed, watching as the old Master stepped into the portal. It closed up right after him.

Koko turned, seeing the clouds rapidly approaching the monastery.

“We only have so much time left.” Koko whispered, to no one.

She frowned, knowing how horrible of a mother her sister was.

Koko was determined, she will find her sister’s son. Make sure he’s safe. And forever love him and his friends.

Thunder boomed, popping Koko’s train of thought.

She turned again, watching quietly as the rain started to fall.

Chapter Text

It’s been raining for weeks.

A nonstop, pitter patter of rain filled the silence.
The news has been explaining that ALL of ninjago has been shrouded under stormy rain clouds. A heavy rain covering all of Ninjago.

In the North, heavy sleet fell in heavy layers, and in teh south major flooding has been starting to occur. Even in Ninjago city, its been starting to flood. (Although not as badly as some of the more rural areas because of sewers and stuff.)

However, out in the desert things were far worse.

Water washed away everything, leaving absoutely nothing behind.

They’ve had to start piling large sand bags around the junyard to keep it from flooding. However, in doing so have somewhat limited them to their vechiles. Heck, Jay couldn’t even take the motorcycle to work now because he just gets swept away in it. It’s gotten so bad that Jay has just decided to build a flying machine now.

Although, seriously he really couldn’t, although he really wanted to.

Plus, every day he feels eyes on him, every day he feels like he’s exposed.

Plus, the facilty has started to flood.

It’s really started to become a problem.

It was really bad.

Jay frowned, staring at the storm filled sky with unease.

He felt like he knew what to do, but at the same time was unsure what to do.

However, Chen had other ideas. He didn’t seem to care about the flooding, expecially since the first level is already almost constantly flooded.

Something which just drew Jay’s rage.

He needed to act, but he wasn’t… well he wasn’t strong enough to take the guards and easily make off into the distance with the escaped Elemental Masters. Plus, if he’s caught he is fired FOR SURE.

They really needed the money. They’ve been spending everything on bags and filling them with (damp) sand.

Jay sighed, his wallet far more poor then when he took the job.

Was it really worth it to work here?
Probably not. The pay has been getting lower and lower. Soon they would just work for free.

Actually no, they pratically did work ‘for free’ already.

“You’re mad.” Wisp chuckled. “Didn’t you learn the ways of Spinjitzu?”

Jay frowned. I did, but I was never able to truly master it like the Master Hermit could. Yes I can do Spinjitzu, but I’m not the best. Plus, I can’t make that tornado thing anyways.

Jay could practically hear Wisp frown. “You have done Spinjitzu before though, is that practice course not Spinjitzu?”

My practice course? Jay thought curiously. He had went to check on it a few days ago when the water was just starting to form in large puddles, and had gone through the whole practice course flawlessly.

“Yes, is it not the art of Spinjitzu?” Wisp asked curiously.

Jay blinked. His course wasn’t the art of Spinjitzu, the Master Hermit could do that tornado thing anywhere. The course took a solid (half a) minute to complete. No way could Jay ever do that in such a quick time.

“You humans seem to struggle with how you view yourselves. I find it… strange. Why do you second guess?” Wisp inquired.

Jay paced the small distance of level 3 he could restlessly. I know I’m not good enough. I’m weak, a coward. I can’t be a hero and I will probably never be a hero. I know I have my flaws, no one is perfect. Even as we work tirelessly to get better, it doesn’t always work out.

Wisp hummed in thought. “Have you ever thought about siding the Elemental Masters? Afterall, do you not feel the connection? Or perhaps you would rather go to the mountains and search for your master?”

Jay frowned. I can’t. I can’t leave my parents to have to face the rapidly flooding desert alone!
“Yes, but you’ll be trying to find a way to stop the storm. Afterall, this is just the beginning of this storm. Have you not heard of the lightning turning purple?”

Well, yesss. BUT- My parents are old and need help.

“You seem to be insulting your parents now. They don’t seem weak and helpless, in fact I think you’ll find that they are more resilient than you originally assumed.”

Huh?

That threw Jay in a loop.

“Nothing is truly ‘free’, this… ‘Chen’ seems to think your labor is just extra hands. Why do you work for such a… jerk? Is that the term you humans use?”

Jay sighed. Yeah, yeah thats the word.

It was strange, Wisp always referred to themself as a ‘nonhuman’. Which now that Jay thinks about it, probably makes more sense then a human capable of telepathic speech. What Wisp was? Jay was unsure.

“Don’t you feel like this has gone on long enough? Chen is using you, just as he uses everyone else in this broken building. Do I really need to telepathically slap you?” Wisp groaned causing Jay’s brain to shake and vibrate.

No no no, I don’t think I need that. Though, if I ever do something dumb or something that warrents a slap, then go right ahead. Hmmm… I feel like I’m going to regret that decision.

“Lighting is prone to being distractible, however honest.”

What?

“Do not paid heed.”

Jay blinked at that, his eyes refocusing on his surroundings to see Zane watching him with an odd expression on his face. Jay waved, a bit, curiosity and unease settled in his stomach.

Strange.

Soon Jeremy was tapping Jay on the shoulder for a shift change, and Jay hurried off. Rushing to the changing room and wincing at the water that seemed to constantly soak his socks now.

As he flung his locker open, he heard a familiar voice call out.

“Jay!”

It was Skylor!
Jay turned, smiling as he came face-to-face with Skylor.

“Oh hi Skylor. How have you been?” Jay smiled.

“Oh pretty good, how about you?” Skylor replied, a smile gracing her lips.

“Oh nothing much.” Jay chuckled.

“Honestly, I don’t like my father’s new ‘rules’.” Skylor whispered quietly, her face tensing as she murmered the words.

Jay slowly nodded. “He doesn’t seem to know what he’s doing… Uhm no offence..”
“None taken, he really was never my father anyways.” Skylor waved it off, which just brough Jay’s brows down in worry.

Seems like she has some… father issues. Jay noticed, frowning at the thought.

“Soo, you heading out?”
Jay nodded. “Are you?”
Skylor shook her head. “No, I unfortuntely just got here, if my wet hair is anything to go by.”
“Pretty sure everyone has wet hair constantly nowadays.” Jay gestured to his own messy hair. Due to all the rain, it’s been nothing but floppy and wet and unlike his usual fluffy mess.

“Well, good luck out there. Please don’t drown!” Skylor waved as she left, the door staying wide open due to the flooding of water that spun into the sewers and pipes below.

Jay sighed, taking out his clothing and just shoving them into a bag in order to keep them as dry as possible.

Then he strolled outside, missing the hot dry days of the desert, and moved towards his motorcycle which seemed to fly in the water.

Yeahhh… he really needs to find a new way to get to the workplace, afterall so few people have been able to make it to the facility, the majority of them unable to use roads due to the huge amounts of water.

Kind of reminded Jay of the old Master of Water myth about a giant sea snake and.. something something. It was just a kids tale afterall. Like dragons and oni, or a Djin realm that was in the sky, or the Golden Weapons of Spinjtzu. All of those were just myths, tales to scare kids and/or inspire them.

Wisp chuckled. “Oh you are going to freak out when you find out… Also, I would suggest you wear that blue gi, I think you’ll find out why.”

Jay chose to ignore Wisp, opting instead to go and meet with Zane at the entrence. Zane was somehow resisting the water’s current, how he did that was beyond Jay’s feeble understanding.

“You ready to go?” Jay asked, pulling his motorcycle out and desperately hoping that they could make it.

Zane eyed the motorcycle causiously. “I am not sure that it would be wise to use that in this kind of weather.”
Jay groaned. “I know you’re right, and I hate it. Plus we have to walk like.. 8 miles! Thats so farrr.” Jay groaned.

“It’s not that far.” Zane replied, starting to walk at a fast pace.

Jay grumbled, hurrying to catch up and dragging his motorcycle behind.

It was like… maybe 3 miles in and Jay could already feel the pounding of a headache and the sharp spike of pain in his stomach.

“I see your being smart, and I’ve elected to ignore it.” Jay said, finally fed up with all the walking.

“That’s not wise-” Zane exclaimed, his arm on the motorcycle just as Jay turned it on.

Something strange happened right there. Electricity sparked and lightning crashed down, striking the motorcycle and zipping out away from it. Instantly Zane exclaimed loudly, yelping out before falling dead silent and collasped on the road side. However, the electricty arcked through Jay, leaving him full of energy and completely and utterly unharmed. Even the motorcycle was sizzling and Zane also.

Jay blinked wildly, in a desperate attempt to understand what just happened. He didn’t get blinked, like how so many sources explained being struck with lighting felt like. It seared, burning flesh and filling visions full of blank whiteness.

This was nothing like that, it filled Jay with energy, he felt like he could run nonstop and forever and ever. He felt like he was the lightning. Uncontained and free. In fact, it kind of tickled. Although, he was pretty sure if he was struck again, he would feel the jolts.

Then, the shock overcame him and the sudden realization of what just happened finally processed in his brain. 

“WHAT- HUH? HOW?!” Jay pratically screeched, dropping his hands on the motorcycle and closly examining them in awe. What in the First Spinjitzu Master’s name is going on???

Then, he recalled his friend.

He whirled around to look at Zane who had long collapsed… but something was off. He was steaming, and well.. His face. It was.. dented. Almost like a… robot?
Jay reached out to gently tap Zane, and a jolt of electricity zipped through Jay. But Jay gently prodded Zane, noticing his lack of response.

“Well, since I probably didn’t learn my lesson and you need help Zane, you’re coming with me.” Jay decided, hauling Zane into the side car and turned on the motorcylce. 

Instantly smoke puffed out lightly, and Jay blinked widely. The charge was at 250%. What in the actual First Spinjitzu Master’s name and all of his sons?! Another mystery that Jay will never learn… Probably.
But Jay didn’t think twice, rushing the motorcycle and zoomed towards the Junkyard.

But since Jay doesn’t learn lessons.

“I think this is a good time to telepathically slap you right now. This is a really dumb idea.” Wisp cried out, and Jay felt a pounding in his temples starting to form.

Yeah, but sometimes desperate measures must be taken sometimes. Jay thought back, ducking behind the windshield and his eyes squinted against the relentless rain.

Soon he could see the large amounts of sand bags that surrounded the junkyard.

Jay didn’t learn his lessons no.

So he tried to stop the motorcycle and he skid. Right into sandbags.

The motorcycle made a horrible cracking sound as it plowed through the sandbags. Instantly water started to fill the junkyard. Jay panicked, turning off the engine and jumping off the motorcycle.

Jay started shoving the bag back in a desperate attempt to put the sandbag back. Unfortunately once something starts flowing, it causes a domino effect.

Another sandbag started to shift. And another.

Jay growled angrily. Lightning sparked as he became frustrated. Jay blinked, noticing the little jolts of electricity zipping through the sandbags worriedly. It took a while, but soon Jay was able to get the sandbags to stay, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Then, he glanced at his hands. They were still sparking a little, which made Jay curious. It was probably just a side effect of being struck by lightning. Maybe even probably from being struck by the purple kind of lightning.

It hopefully would go away soon, but first, he had a friend in need.

Jay turned around, hauling up Zane, gasping at how heavy his friend was. He was as heavy as metal, thankfully Jay has been long used to having to carry large heavy things around the junkyard.

“Ma! Pa! My friend needs help!” Jay called, keeping as much of Zane and Zane’s face out of water as possible.

The door swung open and Jay was met with the worried expressions of his parents.

His mom instantly rushed forward to help Jay carry Zane inside. His dad closed the door behind them and grabbed a first aid kit from the restroom.

Jay laid Zane down on the sofa and kneeled next to him. He did a quick over check, but touching his skin made Jay jump back, metaphorically of course. Not litterally. His skin was cold, and hard. So unlike skin that it made Jay shudder.

It reminded Jay of Pixal.

His dad made a shocked hum. Jay looked up at Ed.

“Jay, were you aware that your friend is AI?” Ed asked, his voice wavered a little as he spoke.

“Huh? No?” Jay blinked, his eyes widening as Ed gently removed Zane’s face. Underneath revealed… well Zane but he was made out of a shining metal. Titanium? Jay wasn’t sure.

But jeez, he wasn’t in best shape. The metal was steaming and dent.

“If he’s a robot, shouldn’t he have a main control panel?” Jay asked, prodding around in search of the control panel.

He found it, right above where a human heart would be. He clicked it open, his eyes widening at the mess inside. Wires were broken or damaged, and one big glowing donut-looking disk. There was also a box with a bunch of levers. One in particular caught Jay’s eye. It was labeled ‘Memory’, and by the looks of it, it was somehow stuck between on and off. It seemed to be the most damaged of the different switches.

Jay knew enough about engineering, so he got to work. He heard his dad working also, most likely seeking out broken or frayed wires and sealing them together.

He did leave the memory switch where it is, he didn’t want to mess with Zane’s memory.

It went quickly, but soon they were able to easily slip both the panel and the face panel onto Zane. Before the control panel clicked closed, Jay flipped the on switch, having had to turn it off momentarily before for repairs.

Instantly, Zane started to reboot. Jay turned toward his parents worriedly. His mom had been watching anxiously from afar. 

“Hey mom and dad, I don’t think we should tell Zane he’s a robot. I don’t think he knows.” Jay explained the memory switch that he didn’t dare touch. Ed paused at the mention of the disk and memory switch.

“That sounds mighty advanced. Maybe even legendary Dr Julien level of advanced.” His father said offhandedly, mentioned the best engineer and tinkerer in like… all of time! HOW CAN SOMEONE JUST SAY HIS NAME SO CALMLY- YOU SHOULD BE FREAKING OUT SAYING HIS NAME!
(Okay, maybe Jay might’ve gotten his love of engineering by studying old Dr Julien blueprints whenever he can get his hands on them. Also just MAYBE, Jay did kind of obsess over Dr Julien’s designs, but like. Zane being made by Dr Julien is like, near impossible. Dr Julien did vanish a while back, so Jay wonders sometimes though…)

Zane made a noise that sounded like a mix between a groan, a yelp and a growl as he booted up. Jay turned, noticing Zane’s eletctric blue eyes surveying the house. Then, they scanned Ed and Edna, and finally landed on Jay.

“Jay? Where are we? What happened?” Zane muttered quietly.

“Ah, well… Lightning.” Jay waved his hands as if that explained it all.

Zane frowned. “Lightning?”

“Uhh, struck you. Barely missed me but, well, struck the motorcycle and you.” Jay waved it off, praying to the First Spinjitzu Master that Zane somehow forgot about the (totally MINOR and INSIGNIFIGANT) detail of Jay also had hold on the motorcycle in the strike.

(But probably not, robots have extremly good memory.)

“You still deserve a gentle slap across the face, Jay Walker.” Wisp growled in Jay’s ear.

Jay repressed the urge to jump at the sound, gritting his teeth quietly.

Zane just looked around the trailer. “This is your home?”
Jay nodded, a nervous trill fluttering through his stomach and up his throat. Cascading into the air he breathed out. It spilled in front of him, all of his secrets free for the world to see. Every mystery in light, but Jay couldn’t piece together anything.

Zane hummed quietly to himself, making no questions about how he survived or how he was healed with no bandages or any first aid gear on.

“Do, do you need a ride home?” Jay asked quietly.

Zane shook his head. “No, it’s already bad that I got struck by lightning once, I can avoid it again, but I doubt you can.”
Zane stood up, and moved towards the door. He opened it, his pupil caught Jay’s at the corner of Zane’s eye.

Another flash of deja-vu flashed through Jay so strong that Jay almost collapsed. But, he grit his teeth together again and schooled his face to hide the emotions that ran rampant.

Zane smiled. “Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Walker, and you too Jay. Thank you for… helping me.” Zane paused at the last part, as if he was unsure how to continue.

Jay smiled, raising his hand up as Zane shut the door behind him. The rain had become a gentle patter, a backwash of noise that Jay welcomed.

Jay smiled, standing up. “I- I think I need to talk a rest.”

“Oh of course honey! It must’ve been scary!” Edna said as she started to pack up the mess that Jay and his father had made.

His father sighed in relief, collasping on the couch with a tired ‘oomf’.

It’s not just him that was scary. Jay thought to himself as he closed his door behind him. He sighed, collasping onto his old, broken twin mattress that was far too small for him. (But he could sleep on it and that was what mattered.) Sweet, sweet darkness awaited before his tired eyes, something much welcomed after the flash of bright lightning.

“Well, this wasn’t how you were supposed to find out…” Wisp whispered in Jay’s ear.

Oh for the love of the First Spinjitzu Master, please just… like have SOME KIND of FORM?! I can’t for the LOVE of ELEMENTS tell what your emotion is. Jay grumply thought.

“Form huh? Hmmm…”

There was a crack of thunder and bright light that even shone through where Jay currently has his head shoved into his mattress.

He jerked his head up, meeting the eyes of… well…

A dragon?
It certainly looked like one, it’s scales were various shades of blues. It’s eyes were an eletric white-blue eyes that reminded Jay so much of lightning. It’s wings were folded tightly to it’s side, and Jay blinked. It’s wings was slightly see-through! The lighter blues shone with power, and it’s tail ended in two sharp, jagged points much like lightning. It’s teeth gleamed and it’s claws shined.

But something else.

It was tiny!
It could fit on the mattress bed with Jay, was really the same size as a small pillow. Small enough to even comfortably sit on Jay’s shoulders and head. Even perhaps use Jay’s hair as a nest. (Although, he would definitely prefer if it DIDN’T turn his hair into a nest. Doesn’t seem like it would be any fun.)

“Uhh huh a wha-?” Jay said rather intelligently. And because he was on an intellgent roll: “Err…?”

“Is this not… acceptable? My true form is rather… large for this small space. Besides, humans seem to prefer a… smaller cuter version than an ugly or scary version.” Wisp spoke, the tiny dragon tilted its head but didn’t open its mouth.

Jay blinked blankly at it, like the intelligent person he is.

He felt like this was some kind of dream. Maybe he’s going to wake up? There will be no storm, no desperate struggle for his home, no trapped and caged elemental masters, no mysteries.

But then, Jay supposes he wouldn’t have ever met Lloyd, or Cole. Even Skylor and Pixal and Zane. Dareth, Mystake. Any of them.

He blinked at the small dragon. “Wha-?” He tried, his brain somehow unable to formulate a respondse.

“I am Wisp, or at least, a smaller version of Wisp.”

“Dragons are… real? But but, I thought-”

“That we were a myth?” The small dragon chuckled, flapping its wings as it silently rose into the air. “So were the Serpentine, and look at them living peacefully amongst you. So was Elemental Powers, and yet you’ve witness them first hand. So was Spinjitzu, and yet you’ve learned it, however you lack the self confidence to follow through.” Wisp (or the small dragon) shrugged, it’s big wide eyes glinting with a hidden hint of… mischief?

“Whatta huh?” Jay blinked, bringing his hand up and slapping himself to get out of his daze. “So wait, your a dragon? And dragons, plus whatever-else-you-mentioned exists. And why am I so important that I have a connection with a dragon?!” 

He was in both awe, fear and well, uncertainty. Why him of all people? He isn’t a big, hulking final boss, much less has his own theme. He doesn’t have any special abilites, ( The lightning strike… his mind whispered.) much less him being useful in the first place! Why him? He wasn’t hero material, he was just a scrawny young adult who looks too young and has lived on the bare minimum his whole life. He had freckles and messy hair, so unlike the handsome heroes in the movies or shows or books. No one would ever swoon over him, or want him to sign something, or well… He’s just not hero material. Simple as that.

“You keep underestimating yourself. Is that a human trait? The last one had done exactly the exact same thing. Hmm, maybe that’s the drawback of being honesty, lack of self confidence and confidence overall. You seem to like to make jokes to truly hide how you feel. To hide fear, worry, to try to protect those you care about.” Wisp observed, landing neatly on Jay’s pillow.

Jay frowned. “Now that is making me feel even worse than I already am.”
“Is that not the truth? You seem to think of yourself, lacking than others.” Wisp said truthfully. “While yes, you do lack in some things, you make up in other abilities. Especially your people ability, and truthful honesty. Although, perhaps you lack in far more than the others, but I suppose everyone one of them has had their flaws.”

Jay frowned. “You’re really not helping.”
“Helping you? Hmm, perhaps you may think that now, but you’ll see that it is actually quite useful.”

Jay frowned. “Now you’re just spouting random, vague words to form a sort of cohesive statement that absolutely makes no sense.”

“No, that sentence just didn’t make sense.” Wisp snapped back.

Jay frowned, “You exist to make my life hard don’t you?”
“Well I’m not some kind of video game narrator or guide, so… I guess you could say so?” Wisp shrugged again. He seems to do that a lot.

Jay groaned, faceplanting back into his mattress.

Again, cool nice darkness awaited him.

“What are you going to do? Sit here and groan, or actually do something? A hero doesn’t need to be tall, handsome and powerful. You just need to have a good heart, althought abilities do help you a long way.” Wisp spoke, Jay could practically hear him smirking to himself.

“Stop being so smug.” Jay grumbled, resting his cheek on the mattress to peer up at Wisp.

Wisp raised an eyebrow, (do dragons have eyebrows? His eye lids certainly lifted so Jay could assume that he raised an eyebrow.) and stared at him.

“Wait, you are still unaware?” Wisps eyelids closed, giving Jay a lidded look of exasperation. “I don’t get paid for this…” Wisp then muttered, growling quietly to himself.

“Wait, you get paid?” Jay exclaimed, his eyes widening as he tried to find some way money would be helpful for a dragon.

“No, I don’t. Which is why I saw ‘I don’t get paid for this’, when really I think I should.” Wisp grumbled.

Jay chuckled nervously, his ADHD had gotten the better of him. He ducked his head back down to rest on his sheets.

“Although… speaking of which, have you by chance had the time to talk with your old friend? Dus- I mean Dareth?” Wisp stuttered, which was, strange to say the least.

“I’m sorry? How do you know Dareth?!” Jay wanted to shout, but he recalled his parents were just outside his door at the last moment.

Wisp frowned. “Why did I get the one who doesn’t use his brain? Even Rocky has a better master-” Wisp muttered which Jay almost didn’t catch.

“Wait- there’s more of you?” Jay blinked.

Wisp growled. “Have you litterally not been paying attention?! I’m litterally SPELLING it-”

((“I swear, is this like in the subtext?!” “Well-” “Don’t finish that sentence.”))

Jay frowned, massaging his temple quietly. “Why do you want me to find Dareth?”

Wisp frowned. “Either that or the hermit.”

Jay groaned, feeling the urge to suffacate himself in his mattress rise again.

He felt Wisp’s claws gently touch his face and Jay turned to see Wisp. Wisp was much closer, and almost caused Jay to jump in fear. From his angle, Wisp looked huge.

“Aren’t you tired of being nice? Aren’t you angry at all those kids, taken away from their homes. Forced to live in a cold, damp cell? They don’t even know what it’s like to feel the sun on their face, a school full of kids?” Wisp peered down at Jay, moving closer towards Jay’s face. “Doesn’t that make you angry?”

Jay frowned. “Well, yeah, but like. I really can’t do anything about it. Yeah sure, I can survive lightning, but how is that going to help against the entire facility?”

Wisp growled, facepalming. “I would suggest you go to search for the Hermit Master, it’s not something you can just push off until the weekend Jay Walker.”

Jay frowned. “I don’t like being told what to do.”

“It’s a SUGGESTION you small cloud brained oblivious idiot.” Wisp shouted, clearly getting frustrated. “Either go, or I will do one of two things. Endlessly pester you UNTIL you can get your friend braincells to actually WORK for once, OR I will PERSONALLY come to drag you off TO THE MONASTERY.” Wisp’s tail swooped behind him like some kind of angry cat.

“You have strong opinions on this.” Jay noted.

Wisp growled. “You know what- screw it.”

Jay yelped as Wisp grabbed his collar and started to drag him off. He opened the window and threw Jay down onto the wet sand.

“Hey-!” Jay shouted.

“Jay dear? Is everything okay?” His mom called from inside the truck.

“Uhh-” Jay paused, unsure how his parents would react to a talking dragon.

He hopped up to his window again, ready to climb back inside when the door of his room opened. He stared at his dad in awkward silence, completely frozen.

Ed stared at his son, Jay stared at his father.

Then, Jay yelped as he was suddenly yanked backwards. “Wisp stop it-!”

“You ARE COMING WITH ME- because clearly SOMEONE has to WRITE IT OUT FOR YOU!” Wisp roared, his teeth grasping Jay’s pantleg.

“Uhm, Jay? Is that dragon hurting you?!” Jay heard his dad worriedly exclaim.

Wisp whipped his dead towards Ed and roared.

Suddenly, Wisp changed. He became larger and larger. Bigger than the truck that Jay lived in, bigger than a car, maybe even bigger than Dareth’s Mojo Dojo. Basically, he became a large version of the tiny dragon he once was.

Then, Wisp grabbed Jay, his mouth large enough to curl around Jay and Wisp threw Jay into the air. Jay shrieked like the little kid he was, and as he fell his instincts kicked in. He threw his hands out and curled on his body. His eyes narrowed in on Wisp’s spiny back and Jay’s legs tensed up.

He landed, so perfectly that if the Hermit Master was there Jay was certain that he would have gotten praise for it, on Wisp’s back. Clinging to the rough scales that lined the dragons back was surprisingly hard, but Jay somehow managed.

“Jay!?” Jay head his mother worriedly call, and he glanced back through the window. He noted that both his mother and father was watching him with both a look of pride, worry and awe. More worry though.

Jay smiled. “I’m FINEE- AHHHH” Jay shrieked as suddenly Wisp took off.

Wisp beat his wings as he rose into the air, Jay having to desperatly cling to the dragon.

“Now, you have an appointment with the Monastary.” Wisp growled.

“Why are you so insistant of this? Why am I so important?”
Wisp just gave him a glance as he started off.

Now, let Jay tell you, trying to cling to a flying dragon in the pouring rain while lightning and thunder rained around is not easy. Jay has had personal experience. Expecially with Wisp’s tail being a literal lightning rod, so lightning struck it almost too often. Each and every one causing Jay to jump more and lose more of his grip.

“Uhm, Wisp, as nice as this trip is, I really don’t think I’m going to be on your back for long…” Jay exclaimed as he started sliding down Wisp’s side.

Wisp didn’t say anything, the only thing he did was reach out with his talon, and grab Jay. Pinning Jay’s arms to his side and leaving Jay in a very uncomfortable posistion.
“Okay then- this is even worse.” Jay muttered.
“I am not here to give you a comfortable ride, I’m here to get your cloud brained self to start on the right path. BEFORE anything can get worse.” Wisp growled back.

Jay sighed, his eyes peering down as the land swept past. By now, Wisp and Jay was in the stormy clouds. No one even peered at Wisp the wrong way, no one even looked.

Jay sighed, his head hanging down as him and Wisp passed over the abandoned side of town. He noted the dark buildlings, and his eyes widned when he thought he saw people flashing between buildings.

***

Lloyd blinked as he stared in the sky.

A dragon flew through the sky, and Lloyd thought he could hear screaming from up there. He was also pretty sure that there was a person in the dragon’s claw.

Which was… strange to say the least.

But, Lloyd felt himself being pulled towards the dragon. Almost like an orbit surrounded the dragon, pulling Lloyd, a simple planet, towards it’s bright light.

He needed to follow that dragon. His eyes tracked the direction where it was flying to, and he knew.

He had to follow.

“What are you looking at little buddy?” the voice of Kai startled Lloyd out of his thoughts.

“I- I thought I saw something… but I think I was wrong.” Lloyd mumbled quietly, his eyes squinting at the receding dragon’s form.

He felt the urge to follow it, he had to resist- he had to resist-

Nonono, he needed to resist-

Lloyd sighed, feeling the urge almost overwhelming.

(No one would notice as he slipped out in the dead of the storm, with a black mask and a black hood. Only his green eyes shine as he tracks that dragon flying across the stormy sky. No one would notice the dark shapes that followed him as he left, following behind like shadows. No one would notice.)

He made his decision as he pulled down his mask.

No one would notice.

***

Jay was screeching. Or maybe screaming? Jay was unsure what noise he was making, all he knew was that it was loud and probably could be heard by the people below. (If there was people below.)
Basically, Jay was screaming at Wisp, trying to get Wisp to go back to his house and leave him alone. He just wanted to sleep.

“LET ME DOWN!” Jay made that loud noise again, his ears rung with the height and wind that blew past.

Wisp, as usual, did not give any sign that he heard.

Jay yelped as lightning cracked, just barely missing Wisp’s face by a few inches.

“Can you please stop struggling. I am so close to just dropping you, it’s really hard to have a good hold on wiggling… person.” Wisp growled.

“Have you ever had to carry another person before?!” Jay shrieked, he felt like everything was just against him. The world was cruel to Jay Walker, and he just wanted to take a nap and live a (somewhat) normal life.

But at the same time- he didn’t regret meeting the Elemental Masters, although he hated Chen for what he’s done to them.

Yet, it seemed almost like Jay was still missing pieces to his heart.

“Oh for the love if the First Spinjtzu Master- STOP STRUGGLING! Do you WANT TO BE DROPPED SEVERAL THOUSAND FEET THROUGH THE AIR?!” Wisp roared, his head peered down as he gave Jay an outraged and frustrated look.

Jay grit his teeth, pausing his struggling for the time being. He really hated his life though.

The thunder boomed, as if it was agreeing with him.

Jay growled, and blinked widely as he noticed a familiar bag in one of Wisp’s talons.

“Wait- that’s my blue gi! Why did you bring that along?!” Jay shouted to be heard over the wind.

Wisp gave Jay what looked like a smirk but didn’t say anything else.

Jay felt his emotions spark, and lightning crackled through the air again.

Wisp’s wings flapped again, causing to a sudden burst of speed as the sight of the mountain Monastery came into view.

Rain poured down, almost looking like rivers that curled around the Monastery like some kind of magical sign. The faded and chipped red paint and basically everything, down to that one loose stone, looked exactly the same.

Wisp landed in the courtyard, landing right in front of the middle statue of the dragon. Wisp’s wings were spread and Jay was thrown to the ground. He landed with an ‘oof’, and then he was hit by the bag with his gi in it. Again, Jay let out another, louder ‘oomf’.

Jay winced, rubbing at where Wisp had been holding him a bit to tightly. That’s going to leave a bruise. He noted to himself, he then glanced down at the bag that held his gi. He noticed his skin was torn around his legs. Even more injuries, great. As if I don’t get enough from the Junkyard.

“We are here. I would suggest you return home.” Wisp tilted his head.

Jay grumbled, picking up the bag and his eyes widened with surprise. He was certain that his gi wasn’t this heavy before. He peered inside, his eyes widening as he saw his nunchucks and that strange note from the first time he dropped Zane off.

“Wha- when?... huh?” Jay gaped, far to confused to form an actual corherent sentence.

Wisp settled right at the enternce of the Monostary, tucking his tail in and folding his legs together to loaf like a cat. It was actually kind of cute, if your forget that he was a dragon full of deadly, sharp teeth and probably fire breath.

“Well? Aren’t you going inside? You wouldn’t want to make the Hermit Master wait, you know how he gets.” Wisp practically smirked.

Jay frowned, his eyes roaming the courtyard that he pratically knew by heart. He knew of the secret pratice place underneath the broken stones, the sloped black tiled roofs barely changed. 

Jay shuddered at the thought of the ‘Chicken incident’. Something that he hoped never to see that dastardly bird ever again.
Unfortuntely, his luck wasn’t on his side today.
jay thought that he heard that foul creature’s caw (even though the creature had been given away years ago) and he instinctively jumped. Seeking high ground instantly to get away from that cruel, dastardly creature.

“Jay?” A familiar voice called out as Jay scaled the dragon statue in three quick hops. Jay turned to see a familiar mess of scarlet hair.

“Ms- I mean Koko?!” Jay stuttered out, almost falling into his bad habits. Warmth flooded him as he saw her. Hope rose up and swallowed him whole.

Now, even though Koko was an adult and Jay was kind of informal, Koko always told Jay to refer to her as Koko instead of her last name. Something about pratically growing up with Jay. But Koko felt like a second mother, of coming home after a long day. She never could help with the Master’s lessions, but she would always comfort Jay when he missed home or got injured. She would have to be Jay’s third favorite person in the whole wide world. She was MUCH nicer and all around better than her sister. Someone who Jay had only encountered once. Plus, Koko always had that feeling of youth that surrounded her worried parent-excited mom personality.

“Oh Jay! I missed you!” Koko shouted, and Jay slid down forgetting about that demonic chicken in favor of hugging Koko tightly.

“I missed you!!” Jay wasn’t crying, that was just the rain that continued to pour down.

Koko was like coming home.

The warmth of a cozy fire, roasting marshmellows over the calm flame.

Then, the menace appeared.

The demon that rose from whatever Underworld that it came from with pointy teeth and glowing red eyes.

The nightmare creature that had plagued Jay for years, that he had thought he had finally, finally, gotten rid of.

That chicken.

It’s beady brown eyes glowed as it stared at Jay, it’s brown feathers shone sharp like teeth. It’s claws curled, digging into the stone beneath it’s feet.

Jay was frozen, locking eyes with the dastardly creature, fear coursing through his veins.

The Master Chicken.

Jay ducked his head in fear, knowing that the chicken requires a bow. Not even the Sensei can defeat such a creature. (Although, Jay had gotten close that one time…)

He did not glance up until he heard an approving cluck from the demon, and Jay shakingly raised his head. The chicken looked at him with an usual expression. Joy? Was it… happy to see Jay? No, no it couldn’t be. That thing on numerious occasions had laid waste to Jay’s room and stuff. Tearing through everything like it was… uhm… marshmellows are something.

Then it lunged at Jay, and Jay shrieked. He tried to hop back (keyword being ‘tried’) and landed flat on his butt as the bird rapidly approached.

Then, he was met with a fluffy ball of feathers that rested on his lap. It’s head curled to gently meet Jay’s neck.

Jay blinked at the unusual behavior of the bird, as normally by now he would’ve been torn to shreds. Gently, Jay moved his hands to cup the bird as he slowly stood up on his shaking feet. The chicken didn’t show any aggressive signs.

Strange… Jay frowned, staring down at the bird.

“You know, they missed you.” Koko explained. She waved towards the chicken with a small smile on her face. She was the only person, other than Sensei, who could hold the aggressive chicken without it attacking her. But unlike Sensei, Koko could actually hold it while the chicken was in attack mode, which was honestly impressive. Even Sensei cowered before the chicken in aggressive mode.

Jay blinked at the chicken curiously. “You- missed me? Really?”
Koko shrugged. “You were one of the only students who could keep up with that chicken’s energy.”
Jay chuckled, recalling the time that him and the chicken had run around the mountain 10 times and still had energy. Jay doesn’t actually know why they went around the mountain 10 times, that day was… kind of fuzzy.

“Come inside,” Koko held out a hand for Jay to take it, “it’s been so long.”
Jay took her outstreched hand with his own, free hand. Gently letting himself being taken inside. He didn’t notice at first, but as he followed Koko he saw the bag of his nunchucks and gi in Koko’s hands.

Inside, it was practically the same. Jay frowned at how it didn’t change at all. Also, a lack of the Sensei.

“Where is Sensei?” Jay wondered outloud as Koko brought Jay to the center room. The room was unchanged, with it’s old tv and game console, the old couch and book shelves pratically untouched.

“He’s currently out, but he’ll be back soon!” Koko explained, “First, have you wore the gi yet? I made it specifically for you!”

Jay shook his head. “I didn’t know that you made it! Here- I’mma go put it on.”
He vanished into his (old) room, his eyes scanning the familiar room. The five bunks still was nestled quite nicely in the corners of the room, and Jay smiled at the good memories. (Except for the sunrise alarms. That wasn’t fun at all.)

He quickly pulled his gi on, noting how comfortable it was. It fit him perfectly, and was extremely comfortable. He blinked as he noticed that one of the sleeves had been accidently torn. 

The gi itself was very nice. It had two overlapping parts that had a gold dragon stitched into the fabric. It almost looked as if the dragon wrapped itself around Jay’s body. However, on the back it looked as if lightning pierced right where Jay’s heart was. Almost gave Jay the impression that the lightning was shattering his heart or maybe even blooming from his heart. Underneath the overlapping top of the dragon, the lightning pattern continued.

Jay strolled back inside, noticing how Koko’s eyes widened at the torn off sleeve. He also noticed two cups of steaming hot tea sat on the table by the couch.

As Jay sat down, Koko leaned forwards in anticipation.

“Tell me everything.”

I feel like something is changing.

Something is different now.

Chapter Text

Jay sighed contently as he sipped his tea. He felt more relaxed then he has ever been before.

Koko had convinced him to

“Well, lets see… We’re losing money, badly. So I had to take up another job again.” Jay started.

Koko sighed. “Oh no, you always over work yourself!”
Jay knew exactly what she was thinking about. Back when he was a student at the Monostary, he had to work several jobs because of a lack of money. Often times he would come home just to plop onto the couch and instantly fall asleep. 

He had learned how to endure though, and he learned how to endure much. It was like torture, but well it was a skill he had developted. 

[Editor’s note: Future Jay looks back on this moment and is both grateful and hates that he developed this skill. It was useful against… him, but often times Jay wished he didn’t develop it as he can now he can endure too much.]

Jay hummed to himself as he smiled apologetically at Koko.

“You really do worry so much.”
“You overwork yourself too much.” Koko shot back.

Jay chuckled. 

“Where did you work?” Koko asked, taking a sip of her tea.

“Uhm, the Elemental Master Facility..?” Jay nerviously watched Koko.

Koko spat out her tea coughing up a storm. Instantly Jay started to move over to pat her on her back but she smiled appreciatively at him. Then her face warped.

“You worked where?!” Koko shouted, once her coughing storm subsided.

Jay slowly nodded, his eyes casted downwards as he waited for ineviable speech.

But, he forgot this was Koko, she won’t go into a speech on how dangerous it was or really anything. She goes back to sipping her tea again.

Jay coughed nerviously again. “Well, I was assigned to level 10. With some Elemental Masters like water, earth, fire and energy.” 

Koko’s eyes widened. “Energy? Did you perhaps meet someone named Lloyd Garmadon?”

Jay nodded slowly. “Yeah, why?”

Koko smiled to herself, not answering Jay’s question.
Jay blinked in confusion before continuing. “Then there was the lab- I got injured because of the Master of Water, man she’s strong! But I’m pretty sure I actually befriened the Master of Energy and Earth, they actually seemed to like me. Not sure what to make of the Master of Fire though, he doesn’t seem to like me at all. Oh and I learned that was another master, the Master of Lightning? That was supposed to be on level 10 but she died and the Master of-...”

Jay’s eyes widened as realization shruck him. He’s seen Zane before, he was- He was the Master of Ice.. No- no way… 

“Jay?” Koko’s voice brought Jay out of his spiraling thoughts.

Jay blinked, letting out a content hum as he sipped more tea.

“You were saying another supposed level 10 master.” Koko tilted her head curiously.

A bad habit that Jay picked up from Koko was tilting his head in confusion, it was horrible.

“Oh! Yes the Master of Ice, who cocidently also, started to work at the facility at a later time. He’s probably aware that he has powers, but like it would be cool to be able to shoot ice from my hands! Although, I think Lightning powers would be so so much more cooler to use. Like I could go, No you! Whabam! Lightning attack!” Jay shot his hands as if he was mock fighting someone.

“What?” Jay tilted his head as Koko started chuckling.
“Oh buddy, all of your dreams are going to be answered.” Wisp laughed from right behind Jay .

Jay shrieked, jumping about as high as he could possibly be. Wisp was behind him in his small form, peering at Jay from over the back of the couch where he perched.

Jay frowned. “Don’t startle me please.”
Wisp chuckled. “Well, I would say payback for that extremely horrible decision the other day.”

Jay frowned. “Are you still mad at me for that? It wasn’t even the other day! It was literally only a few hours ago!”

Koko frowned. “Clearly you’re going to have to tell me more about it.”
She practically leaned forward eagerly. “Start from the beginning, after you left the Monastery.”

***

His staff hit the floor as he walked the desolate land.

“Brother, it’s been a long time hasn’t it?” A familiar voice spoke out to him.

Master Wu turned around and met face to face with Garmadon. His blood red eyes scanned the Sensei quietly.

“Brother, it has been a while, has it not. Have you seen the darkness that approaches us?” The younger brother tapped his staff on the ground quietly.

The older brother nodded, his eyes surveying the land quietly. “Something that I have not yet encountered before. Have you found those… ninjas… that you were searching for?”
“I found one, I was far too late for the others.” Wu sighed, shaking his head slowly. “The one I found is… unaware. As it was better, easier, he was less likely to be caught if he didn’t know. Yet, I think I’ve kept the secret from him for far too long.”
Garmadon chuckled. “I had decided to go… meet your student. He seems hardworking is he not?”
“Yes, but far forgetful.” Master Wu smiled sadly, missing his brother as an ache grew in his chest. He missed the casual conversation between brothers.

I missed you brother. Wu thought sadly as a bird cawed in the distance.
“I am sorry brother.” Garmadon bowed his head, his eyes shimmering with remorse. “But I must leave.”

He was gone, just as that. Gone with the wind.

So Wu took his staff, and his bag. And threw the petals into the wind, passing through the portal that he had taken.

His work here was done. He had gotten what he needed. He glanced at the hidden away bag stashed away.

***

Very few know the legend.

The legend of the second island, where a dark demon awaits.

Where a battle is foretold, and a golden hue lay.

But perhaps most of all, no one knows the truth.

Of the horned demons with teeth sharp and eyes aglow.

“What a pity, they won’t know.” An ancient evil voice cackled as the oldest brother chuckled.

Three weapons, each with a terrifying glow lay on blackened rocks.

“Are we sure that this plan will work? If we can’t stop them-” He frowned.

“It will work. We’ve run all the possibilities. The only way we can fail is if they can get the last weapon before us.” The spirit chuckled again.

Sounds of work surrounded them.

Pity, that no one knows.

The legendary evil, once reborn.

Stone statues, return to life.

Beware, until the time is right.

***

—

.

Ah, my apologies. I don’t know exactly what happened or what was talked about in that conversation. You’ll have to find someone with… closer ties to Jay to learn what they talked about. I will not have the accuracy of what they said, but we can assume.

A chuckle as silence started and ended abruptly.

Well, anyways, don’t interrupt me, my good listener.

We’re not even halfway through this tale.

—

***

Amber panted as she rushed into the Resistance HQ.

“So, they just left with Zane only saying that they left as a group and are unsure when they’ll return?!”
“Shhh- you’ll wake them up!”

“I could use a box over here!”

“Watch out!” voices overwhelmed her.

She felt a cool hand on her shoulder, and she froze.

“Skylor, what are you doing here?”
She turned towards the voice in fear.

No- How did she find us-

She met familiar blue eyes.

***

Lloyd was unsure how long he’s been going, hours? Days? Years? He knew he had to continue.

Something in his gut urged him to follow that dragon. A sign, perhaps. Something he needs to do.

A promise? Lloyd was unsure.

But he pulled his hood closer to him as he ran through the pouring rain.

The grass was flooded as Lloyd rushed past, thunder boomed above him as he ran.

He was grateful of his training, he knew he could run for hours even. Days perhaps.
Certainly the rain didn’t help, or did the giant mountain that stood in front of him. Stairs wound around the mountain like a snake. Somehow, Lloyd knew that something important was at the top.

“Lloyd!” Kai’s voice shouted after Lloyd, Lloyd turned in shock at the appearance of Kai.

“Kai?” Lloyd blinked at the hotheaded master.

“Lloyd! Do you know how dangerous it is to leave without informing someone?!” Nya piled in, her eyes narrowing at Lloyd.

Lloyd felt himself shrink under the looks.

“Well, neither of you informed anyone of your absence. I made sure to tell the resistance we left as a group and will be back in an undetermined amount of time.” Zane’s voice piped up.

“Man, you guys ran so far-” Cole’s voice panted as he doubled over.

Lloyd blinked at his friends, brothers even, as they scolded him.

Lloyd nervously scratched his neck. “Sorry guys. I thought I saw-... well..”

Lloyd stared at the ground, believeing that his friends wouldn’t believe he saw a mythical creature.

“What did you see?” Zane’s voice asked.

Lloyd glanced at the top of the mountain, squinting against the rain. Whatever was up there was hidden behind clouds and stone.

“I thought I saw… a dragon?”
He winced, expecting laughter or maybe one of them saying that his mind was too creative.

But instead a silence ensued.
Kai was staring at the top of the mountain in disbelief, Cole with what looked like… fear? Nya in wide eyed awe, and Zane in thoughtful silence.
“You saw a dragon, a mythical creature, fly to the top of this mountain?” Kai asked after a few minutes, his voice filled with disbelief.

“Well, statisically, dragons may truly exist. As all evidence shows that the First Spinjiztu Master existed, and it was said he was half demon-half dragon. The demon being part oni, like Lloyd. Plus Elemental Powers exist, why wouldn’t dragons exist?” Zane spoke after a moment. Clearly he had run the scans.

“I- you know dragons are big, powerful creatures right? LOTS of TEETH and… well, they’re dangerious!” Cole exclaimed, a shudder going through his body.

“Are you scared of dragons?” Kai snarked, chuckling at Cole.

Cole winced. “The books my… father, would read often talked about how dangerous dragons are. I mean, probably for good reason! With fire breath, sharp teeth and dangerous claws!”
“Yes, but dragons also, statisically speaking, most likely have different Elemental breaths. Theoretically because there are different elemental masters, we can only assume there is different elemental dragons or dragons with different element breaths.” Zane said in the same breath. How he did that, Lloyd wasn’t sure. (Okay, he knew it was because Zane was a robot and didn’t really require breathing, but well…)

Lloyd stared at the mountain in quiet awe.

“Kai?! What are you doing?!” Nya’s voice exclaimed.

Lloyd glanced down to see Kai on the first few steps of the long winding staircase. Kai gave Nya a look of ‘What do you think I’m doing you blind?’.

“I’m climbing up the stairs? What does it look like I’m doing? Flying into space? Maybe, oh I don’t know, cleaning a hull of a flying pirate ship?” Kai deadpanned.

Nya frowned. “We don’t know who could be up there!”
“Yeah, but I would suspect that if the person is fine with dragons flying in, they should be fine with Elemental Masters. Calculating… Yes, should be a 98% chance that they will not be against us whoever lives at the top of this mountain.” Zane concluded.

“I like those odds, but they never seem to favor us.” Nya sighed.

Lloyd shurgged, jogging up to follow Kai. “I like those! Let's go find a dragon!”

***

“-So yeah. Next thing I do is start talking about my entire journey here.” Jay shrugged, finishing up his tea with a content sigh.

“I would’ve expected a better posture from my student.” A sudden voice spoke from right behind Jay .

Jay shrieked, his instincts kicking up and within seconds the Master Sensei lay prone with his stolen staff pointed right at him.

Jay gasped, dropping the staff in shock. “Oh!- Sensei I’m so sorry!” Jay exclaimed, helping the hermit up to stand. He then handed the hermit his staff.

The hermit chuckled. “I’m proud. You’ve been keeping in touch with your skills.”
Jay chuckled nerviously. “Well, you did tell me to keep in touch. I even built my own version of the outside course in the desert!”
Sensei’s eyebrows lifted.

“I had to drag him here.” The sudden voice of Wisp startled Jay again, who really wasn’t paying attention to his surroundings. A flaw of which he endless returned to. A call in the ocean, and the waves kept bringing Jay back.

The Master Hermit tilted his head. “Wisp?”
“Yeah, that’s me! Who else would cha think I was?” Wisp puffed his chest in glee.

—

I’m sorry reader, but it would appear that we don’t know what happened next.
I would suggest you go find Jay himself if you want to hear what happened next. Yes, Jay himself never even told me what happened then. Even though I am a close friend. Hold on- SETTLE DOWN! You’re going to break something!
I’m sorry about that, and well, this injection.

However, no one except Jay, Koko, Wisp and that Master Hermit knows what was talked about in that conversation. All Jay told me was that he rambled, a lot.

Here, let me cut to the part that Jay did inform me about…

—

The swinging of the practice range hypnotized Jay into a swinging dance. 

Without hesitation, Jay ducked and weaved with perfection. He noted how he had accidently added onto his course at home. So, he did the entire thing twice because why not.

By the time he finished the second loop, he was ready to go again. The pounding of the rain urging him forwards. To continue the sacred dance.

He felt the eyes of Koko and the Master Hermit on him, and as he was ready to go again, he heard Sensei call out to him.

Jay turned, bowing as Sensei had taught him. Proper, proper techniques are everything.

“You are truly masterful,” The Master Hermit spoke, swinging his staff to hit Jay’s head. Jay’s arm instinctively moved up to successfully catch the staff.

It was only a moment later that Jay realized that the Master Hermit had used his extreme speeds to swing the staff downwards. And Jay had successfully caught it, even faster than the Master Hermit.

“Sensei? Erm… Master Hermit?” Jay inquired, his eyes blinking curiously at the Master Hermit.

The Master Hermit sighed, hitting his staff against the stone floor. “Wu, call me Master Wu. Or Sensei Wu.”

Master… Wu… That name is very familiar. It tickled like Zane’s name did. Swishing around the absence of Jay’s brain. An absence and void of nothing.

“Master Wu.” Jay rolled the name around on his tongue curiously. It felt… strangely natural.

Master Wu tilted his head at Jay amusedly. “You have learned the ways of the ninja. Now all you need is to find your true potential.”
“True… potential? But I haven’t done the tornado thingy yet!” Jay exclaimed. Now listen, he wasn’t complaining, but like. It would be AWESOME to be in a tornado thingy! Well, this ‘true potential’ seems pretty cool, but like. Tornado. What more does Jay have to say.

Wisp groaned. “You absolute fool. It’s literally just the training course.”

Jay blinked, turning towards the training course curiously. “The training course? But it’s not a tornado…”

He heard Wisp roar in frustration.

“Calm down Wisp, lest you become like our hotheaded friend.” Master Wu’s voice called out as Jay blinked in confusion. Jay turned again, seeing Wisp with his wings over his head and on the floor. Master Wu was watching Wisp, when he noticed Jay watching he turned his attention back to Jay.

“I’m surprised you haven’t realized yet.” Master Wu started. “Do your training course, but without the course.”

Jay hummed in confusion, going through the motions in place.

Agh, I can’t recall. Does the dummy come before or after the dodge the swords? Must be after. Jay thought to himself as he fumbled a little in his movements.

“Faster.” Master Wu’s commanding voice spurred Jay to be faster. To be lightning itself.

A blue shroudy mist surrounded Jay, rising slowly as Jay went through the movements. It was like forming it’s own storm around Jay.

Things started to move slower, time slowed to a bare nothing. Jay could feel, everything. Energy was building in the far distance up above the clouds. Master Wu raidated a golden hue. Koko, strangely, did not have a hue. Which was… strange but meh.

Then he felt something on the stairs just outside the monastery. A collection of hues that gathered and warped together in resonating harmony. Energies that pratically vibrated. Jay turned towards the door to see it cracked open.

He met eyes, and instantly everything resumed.

That blue mist that had been surrounding Jay had abruptly stopped and Jay fell flat on his butt.

Jay pratically gaped at the person who he expected (and hoped) never to see again.

Blonde hair, green eyes.

Lloyd, First Spinjitzu Master, Garmadon.

(First Spinjitzu Master isn’t his middle name. Jay put that there for *~dramatic feels~*. How did Jay do that, he wasn’t sure.)

Jay felt like he was going to pass out- 

He jolted up so quickly that a flash of light radiated outwards.

No wait- that was lightning.
Strange timing.. Jay thought to himself.

It missed him by a half a meter. {Or around 19.685 for my fellow Imperial unit users)

Chapter Text

Jay decided that was a good time to flipping flee .

Everyone else was blinded by the lightning, screwing their eyes in shouts. Except Wisp, but Wisp was still on the floor with his wings over his head.

Jay took that opportunity to scramble up to the top of the roof and slide down, ducking into the secret alcove that he had discovered in his first few days. It wasn’t like the newly advanced basement with the secret compartment. But it was actually in the actual building. It was hidden cleverly in the roof tiles. Plus, it was a system that lead throughout the entire building. The previous person who lived here, Morro? Had inscribed his name on a the tiles that Jay ducked under. They also had pictures pinned up.
From what Jay could gather, Morro was a previous Elemental Master who was under Master Wu’s teachings. They had made the whole system to hide from hunters. Best part was that Jay knew the entire tunnels by heart. Even going so far as to add tunnels to the basement and some that lead all the way through the mountain. Okay, maybe Jay had some free time on his hands, but like. It helped with his endurance.

But anyways, Jay closed the hatch after him, slinking through the familiar tunnels and he stopped at one of them. He could peer from right over the statue with his eyes.

Out in the clearing, everyone was shaking their heads to rid of the bright light. Wincing at the loud ringing noises.

He saw Lloyd’s eyes widen at the lack of Jay.

***

Lloyd rubbed at his eyes, desperately trying to get rid of the flash of white that blinded him.

Blinking back the shifty white spots, Lloyd eye’s widened at the lack of the curly haired guard on the floor.

“What?! Where did he go?!” Lloyd exclaimed, his eyes scanning the clearing in confusion.

“Well great job Lloyd! Now you got us caught!” Kai exclaimed angrily, gesturing towards the two adults nearby who stared at him like he was a ghost.

“Uhm, hello there. Uhh… My name is Zane!” Zane nerviously introduced himself.

Lloyd frowned as his friends quietly argued behind him. His eyes narrowing in on the two adults. They were… familiar to him, one more familiar than the other.

“Aunt Koko?” Lloyd blinked back the tears that formed in his eyes.

“Lloyd, oh my sweet child.” Her voice, her warm embrace. Home and cozy fires. Stories told in the midnight light when his mother didn’t return home. Her warm dinners and quick breakfasts and soft kisses as she wished him goodnight. Her screaming when the guards came to take him to the facility. His mom probably didn’t even notice him gone. Her arms tightened around him and he felt safe for the first time in years.

“Uhm, you know her?” Cole asked Lloyd, and Lloyd retreated from his Aunt’s embrace.

Lloyd nodded, but was cut off by Aunt Koko. “I thought I told you to refer to me as ‘mom’ and not just ‘Aunt Koko’. First though, are you okay? They didn’t hurt you did they?” Aunt Koko fussed over Lloyd, closely examining him for injuries.

Lloyd chuckled, feeling a warm feeling spread through his stomach and rise to his chest. Like a flower blooming. He turned towards his friends. “This is my Aunt Koko- erm… Mom Koko… She raised me before… well… She’s a good person though!”

Nya had a skeptical expression on her face as she regarded Koko with distrust.

Lloyd internally sighed. Nya was well known for not trusting easily, it took Cole weeks to finally gain her full trust. Well, same with Kai, but he’s more protective. Lloyd glanced towards Cole, as he was oftentimes more chill with strangers, and he regarded Koko with intrest.

“Well thank you for raising our brother.” Cole chuckled to himself.

Lloyd frowned at him. “I’ve insisted it before, no. I am not your brother!”
“Blood related yes, but you are in spirit.” Kai rubbed Lloyd’s hair.

“Well, well, well. If it isn’t my nephew. I am grateful to see you still alive.” The old man who was watching them stood up, with a cup of steaming hot tea in his hands.

Lloyd narrowed his eyes, feeling as if he should recognize the person, yet he couldn’t. Then, his brain processed the ‘nephew’ part and his eyes widened.

“Wait- you’re Uncle Wu?” Lloyd exclaimed in shock.

His Uncle nodded his head. “Although for your friend’s purposes, they may call me ‘Master Wu’.”

***

Master Wu huh? Jay mused to himself.

Now that name is familiar… in many different ways..

Jay frowned in thought, ducking his head lower as Zane (who he didn’t even see before!) scanned the statue Jay was hidden behind. He desperately hoped that Zane didn’t have thermal heat.

***

The old Master chuckled to himself. “Oh you’ve grown so much. You look so much like your father in his early days!”

Lloyd scratched his neck nervously.

“Well, you must simply come inside! All of you are welcome!” Koko gestured for everyone to follow her. “You must tell me about everything! I want to know what those bad people put my baby and his friends through!”
“Aunt- you’re embarrassing me!” Lloyd whispered with a smile on his face. It felt nice, like he was just an average kid.

“Koko- slow down first. I must talk to them all before you squeeze the truth from them.” His Uncle Wu exclaimed. “Although, we should get out of this horrible weather first hmm?”

His Uncle stepped up to the door and opened it, beckoning the group inside.

Lloyd chuckled, following closely behind his Uncle as he stepped into the monastery. It was cozy and nice, and Lloyd instantly felt at home. It was cozy and warm and simplistic. (Distantly he thought he heard quiet clanking as if something was moving through pipes.) And he settled down on the couch in the middle of the room.

His eyes finally landed on a blue dragon and he jumped. Startled at the creature.

“What the- that’s an ACTUAL DRAGON!” Lloyd yelped in shock.

“Wow, did it really take 15 minutes for you to realize I exist?” The dragon frowned at Lloyd, his mouth not even moving as he ‘supposedly’ spoke.

“WOAH!” Cole also made a yelping sound at the sight of the dragon. The dragon leveled a deadpan look towards Cole next.

“You’re both really oblivious, maybe even more so than the little spark.” The dragon muttered to himself.

“Don’t mind Wisp, he’s just a little upset.” Lloyd’s Aunt waved off the dragon.

“I’M MORE THAN JUST A LITTLE UPSET!” Wisp roared.

Aunt Koko gently patted the dragon, her expression one of understanding and gentle kindness.

“So, why are you so insistent on seeing us?” Kai spoke, his voice laced with distrust and hostility.

“Kai! This is my Uncle!” Lloyd exclaimed in shock at the hostile tone.

Kai crossed his arms. “Yeah? Well not all families are supportive!”

His Uncle chuckled at the interraction. “Well, I’m certain you’ve seen the… horrid weather we’ve had as of late?”

Lloyd glanced out of the window with a quiet look on his face. He turned back towards his Uncle in silence.

His Uncle sipped his tea quietly. "I'm afraid the Prophecy has not been fulfilled quite yet. The seal is broken and darkness still looms on the horizon.

“This is confusing.” Cole scratched his head. “And you called us because… Why?”

“You are the strongest of Elements, you are Ninjago’s hope.” Wu explained carefully.
Classic Wu making vague sentences… Lloyd thought to himself chuckling.

“Why should WE help Ninjago HUH?! They imprisoned us and EXPERIMENTED ON US! They treat us like outcasts! We don’t need to help them! They brought ruin on themselves!” Kai angrily spat out, his eyes narrowed at Master Wu.

Master Wu sighed. “I cannot make a choice for you, but have you not seen that not all are cruel to Elemental Masters?”

Zane hummed in thought, a pause as the group all considered Master Wu’s words.

“Well yes, but the majority of people are just. Okay with us suffering.” Kai muttered.

“Perhaps. Did my student not convince you?” Master Wu wondered as he sipped tea.

“You’re… Student? Which one?” Cole wondered outloud.

“Ah, I see you met both of them.” Uncle Wu noticed chuckling to himself. “I’ve had many students, but none more dilligent and skilled as Dareth and Jay.”

“Jay was your student?” Cole exclaimed loudly.

Master Wu nodded. “He is one of my best students, able to even defeat me.”
Lloyd’s mouth dropped in shock. If Jay was so talented, then why did he work at the facility? Oh wait- his family needed money. Lloyd frowned in thought wondering if his Uncle ever knew of the struggles Jay had gone through at home.

“Wait- if you’re Jay Walker’s Master, can you confirm if he’s an Elemental Master?” Zane suddenly asked.

Master Wu blinked in surprise. Then, he chuckled. “The Master of Ice was often proclaimed an intelligent individual. As for my student, well… I suspect you assume which Element he can control..?” He prompted.
Zane nodded. “Master of Lightning, I would assume. It is one of the only one that can fit him and his background. He grew up in the Sea of Sands, the baby of the Elemental Master of Lightning was last seen in a desert. His motorcycle is constantly charged, electricity. The lightning strike- he survived that. A normal person wouldn’t. His speed, that’s not normal at all. I’ve calculated that it’s half of the speed of lightning over 6.4547 plus Jay’s normal speed a regular person would walk. He’s unbothered by tasers even, and seems to recall the Hunter’s electric shock.” Zane explained.

Master Wu smiled to himself. “Ah, well, I cannot say if you are right or not. That is for Jay to decide.”

***

Jay’s eyes stared into Zane.

He knew where he recognized him now. He was the third person who stole his free teabags. The one who was behind him. That’s why his voice was so familiar.

But then, he frowned, Zane’s words finally, finally processing in his brain.
Elemental Master of Lightning-

No!
He wasn’t- Couldn’t!

If he was, his parents would only suffer MORE!

Jay shook where he crouched right above the room the Elemental Masters and Master Wu sat.

He- couldn’t…

But at the same time… it made sense?
NO!

He can’t be the Master of Lightning! That- just…

Jay gripped a beam underneath him so tightly that his hands felt sore and they were turning white.

No no nono… I can’t- Why can’t I just be a regular person?! Jay thought internally.

If he was the Master of Lightning- she shuddered at the thought. Would his parents love him if he was an Elemental Master? His adoption… Being left at the doorstep of his parents… Did his mother do that to save him? What if.. What if he wasn’t useful? Would they even want him around when they find out he’s just a regular person?
What would Dareth think? Would he hate Jay, shun Jay like all of their classmates did years ago? Was the duo about to become single?
NO! I am not the Elemental Master of Lightning- I… I can’t be the Elemental Master of Lightning! I-

His world felt like it was breaking but also putting pieces together.
Jay shook his head, his hands shaking from the exurstion. I can’t be the Elemental Master of Lightning… I’ll- I’ll prove it!

Jay frowned, knowing that if the Elemental Masters were to hear him say that, they would hate him. More people to hate Jay to add to the pile. Maybe it would’ve been better if he just simply didn’t have any friends or people who cared about him. Would be easier for him to make choices when he didn’t have to think about his friends or family.

But, he was also lucky because he had supportive friends and parents. Dareth trusted Jay to tell him his darkest secrets that not even his parents knew. Jay did the same. He trusted Dareth with his life, and although he was a handfull at times, he cared about Dareth. He didn’t want to lose that! Hatred and disgust in his eyes as Jay confided in Dareth of him being a (possible) Elemental Master. Yelling at Jay to leave and never return.
Jay shuddered. I will never lose my friend or family. I promise myself.

***

Nya frowned, tilting her head upwards and towards the door curiously. She blinked in surprise at seeing familiar brilliant blue eyes watching the conversation. The person eyes widened in fear and surprise once they caught sight of Nya staring at them. Jay, Nya assumed, made a small, barely noticable squeak and ducked low. As if hoping he wouldn’t be seen. His dark blue gi made it harder for Nya to see him, but she knew he was still there.

She felt, well, a little bad for injuring him so badly at the lab. But well, she hated him so close to Lloyd. He could’ve hurt Lloyd! That and she wasn’t exactly thinking.

They’re all the same. Her mind whispered to her as she forced her gaze from Jay’s hiding spot.

Nya felt her mind agree, but her heart proclaimed otherwise. Her heart wanted to trust Jay, but her mind made her think twice.

But, she also kind of saw herself in Jay. Not something she wanted to admit. But Jay was scared, but unlike her and Kai, he used jokes and quips to hide it. (She had to get good at gauging hidden moments. Emotions hidden behind a veil. Jay was not good at hiding emotions, especially since he seemed so compelled to tell the truth.)

She glanced back towards Jay to see him trembling. She quickly adverted her eyes, but internally she wished she had been a little nicer. Maybe then she could’ve supported him now, or maybe… (The look of fear in his eyes as Nya glanced his way. His quick ducking movement to avoid her gaze. Fear in the eyes of a child, watching as she was taken away from her beloved brother.)

Nya tuned back into the conversation, blinking as Lloyd finished recounting his tale to his Uncle and Aunt. (His mom? Nya recalls Lloyd confinding in her that he never had a good relationship with his mother. Nya could only wonder what Lloyd’s home life was like.)

“Oh my baby!” The bright orange haired Aunt exclaimed, reaching for Lloyd again.

Nya felt herself tense up, as she often does when someone gets too close to Lloyd. She felt Kai next to her do the same.

Koko hugged Lloyd tightly, and Lloyd sat there with a flustered expression as his Aunt cooed over him.

Nya smiled at the sight, glad that Lloyd still had loving family out in the world. She saw Cole also gently smiling at the sight. His smile genuine and yet full of sadness and longing.
Nya couldn’t help but feel a spike of pain and lonelyness at the sight of the family. She missed her own two parents, which she could only assume was taken and killed by the facility. She wondered if they were watching over her and Kai now, lovingly encouraging them onwards.

She sighed, her eyes glanced back towards Jay’s hiding spot. Her eyes widened when she saw he wasn’t there. She noticed a dark figure outside in the courtyard, and politely excused herself.

She slowly approached the door of the monostarty and strolled out into the pouring rain.

She had someone to talk to.

Chapter Text

Jay stare at the dark and thundering sky with a quiet expression on his face. He was so out of it, that he didn’t even process the steps behind him.
“He-” A female voice startled Jay out of his thoughts. Jay insticively lunged at the stranger and flipped them on their back, nunchucks pointed at them.

It took a minute, but he recognized the girl from level 10. Nya.

He jumped off with no words, instead opting to start walking away from her.

Why is she here? Is it because I could possibly have Elemental Powers that she’s trying to be nice? Jay thought to himself as he regarded Nya cautiously. He still felt fear streak through him every time she glances at Jay with her beautiful ceder brown eyes.

“Your name is Jay right?” She asked in a voice that Jay wouldn’t have thought would belong to her.

“What do you want? Is it because I could be an ‘Elemental Master’ that you choose to be nice?” Jay snapped back, knowing that even if he tried to joke in this situation, he would probably end up running away anyways.

Nya’s eyes flashed with something and Jay’s body shouted at him to run. But he stayed as still as he could possibly be. Watching her movements as Nya slowly approached him.
“No. No it’s not. I- I wanted to say I’m sorry for hurting you at the lab.” Nya confesses, and Jay narrowed his eyes. 

“You don’t seem like someone who would confess so easily.” Jay noted out loud.

Nya frowned. “Well, yeah. But well, I saw how affected Lloyd was. He was crying and begging that you had help. I- I saw what hurting you did to him.. I- I don’t want him to be hurt.”

Jay stiffened, startled by the confession, then, he rested a hand on his chin in thought. “You see Lloyd like a brother…”

Nya narrowed her eyes but didn’t rebuke his thought.

“You attacked me because you are untrusting of people. Because of how the Elemental Masters were treated.” Jay continued quietly. “What. What is your and your brother’s story?”

Nya gritted her teeth carefully. “I am not going to share my life story with you.”

“Okayy, a little early. Got it.” Jay nodded like he  saw the issue. (He didn’t. He didn’t know what he was doing, talking with someone who’s only ever treated him badly, or at the least, ignored him.)

The door of the monastery creaked open and Jay saw the Elemental group (+ Master Wu (which Jay is upset that HE never informed Jay of his real name) and Koko.) rush out. The group silently stared at Jay.

Jay felt anger bubbling under the surface. All of his bottled anger at the world and pain was at a boiling point. He had to leave before he lashes out and hurts someone.

Jay turned to run down the stairs when Wisp landed on the courtyard and grew in size. Watching Jay with a quiet expression, between Jay’s salvation of escape.

“You can’t run away from all of your problems Jay Walker.” Wisp told him, his gaze staring into Jay’s soul.

“No, but I can try!” He shouted over the howling winds, his emotions rampant.

“Jay!” Lloyd’s voice called to him and Jay turned to stare at the green eyes boy. “Please stay.” he pleaded quietly.

Jay shook his head. “No! I- I can’t.. I- I need..” Jay shook with effort.

He shoved himself past the dragon and started to flee down the stairs.

His own Master hid his name from Jay. The Elemental Masters probably only want him because of his power. His friend would leave Jay if he knew the truth and his parents weren’t even his own. All of his problems stacked in his heart and left tears streaming down his eyes. He was too overwealmed with everything. Was he even anything? Was he only a tool?

He yelped as he stumbled into someone on the unevene stairs. Him and the mystery stranger struggled against gravity for a solid minute before they both rightened themselves.

“I’m so sorr- Jay?” Dareth’s voice flooded Jay’s vision and ears.

He couldn’t handle seeing Dareth here.

“Sorry Dareth!” Jay shouted over his shoulder as he continued to flee.

Jay could feel Dareth’s gaze on him as he retreated away quickly. He stumbled on a step and fell, wincing in pain when he started to skid down the endless stairs. He landed on his butt and sat on the stair that he had landed on, grimacing in pain.

“Jay?! Are you okay?” Dareth’s voice exclaimed as Dareth emerged from the path behind Jay.

Jay winced. He really didn’t want to lash out. It took his entire essance to not spill everything to his longtime friend.

“Jay!” Lloyd’s voice panted behind him. Jay forced himself to continue to stare at the ground in front of him.

“Wait… Green?” Dareth’s voice was full of confusion.

“Dareth? What are you doing here?” Lloyd’s voice exclaimed in the same shock.

“Where’s your brother..?” Dareth’s voice was quiet, barely heard over the howling wind.

Tears pooled around Jay’s eyes as everything was too loud . Was he breathing? Can he breath? Oh no- he’s having another panic attack…
He heard Dareth’s soothing voice next to him. “Deep breaths okay? Three in, hold, and then three out. Three in, hold, three out.” Dareth repeated like a prayer.

A prayer that Jay needed. Why was he so weak recently?
He heard footsteps behind him and Jay somehow knew that it was the rest of the Elemental group.
Soon, Jay’s breathing slowed and he could take deep breaths of air. He gulped down nothing as the world faded in.

“Jay?” Dareth’s quiet voice asked. “Do you want to tell me what happened?”

Jay shook his head, biting his toungue to stop himself from blurting out all of his emotions. He had to stay calm, collected. Perfectly normal and cool…

(Lloyd watched him curiously. It looked like Jay was having an argument with himself and losing to himself. Plus he ate a lime, lemon and spicy pepper all at the same time.)

“I AM NOT AN ELEMENTAL MASTER!” Jay shouted, unable to contain himself. “I.. I… I can’t… My parents- my family. Everyone…” Jay resumed to ramble-muttering.

“What?” Dareth asked in a hushed voice.

Jay turned to stare at his friend who watched him with a careful expression. “I- they… The hermit master talked… and it was implying that I’m- I’m a…”

“No! It wasn’t implied at all!” Lloyd’s voice shot up. “He said that it’s up to you to decide who you want to be.”
Jay winced. He couldn’t express his inner thoughts without losing Lloyd and Cole forever. He couldn’t continue what he was saying because he’ll lose Dareth. His parents… well.. Jay didn’t want to think about them.. but they would… be supportive right? Jay shuddered, he felt… Strange. Like… A puppet used for entertainment.

But… would things be okay?

Jay pondered everything. He needed to process everything first. He… His eyes narrowed in on the far away facility in the distance.

He couldn’t return there to work. Knowing what he did, but… His parents..

The clouds swirled around the sky, purple lightning lashing out in the distance.

Jay broke his breathing with a breathless sob. He was overwhelmed he couldn’t…

He gripped the weathered stone below him. He eyed the stone.

It was weathered and cracked like him. Splitting at the edges, and broken in two. Chunks of rock that shifted under him and fell down the decending stairs to the great unknown.
A flash.

Darkness is suddenly climbing the mountain with sharp clawed hands reaching out and grasping at Jay.
Screams are behind him. His eyes glance upwards to see Borg’s Tower with dark, wispy flakes surrounding it. Purple lightning flashed ominously like a veil protecting the core.

Jay’s vision was dragged back down, and he saw a dragon flying across the sky. It was black as night with glowing purple eyes. It lunged, down down down.

Slowly, yet surely, approaching Jay with a wicked expression on its face.

It’s claws reached out for him, and then landed in front of Jay. Breathing in the darkness that swirled around him. Jay was frozen in sight, watching the dragon in front of him.

It sucked up the darkness and turned to Jay, its eyes gleaming.

Horns grew from the dragon’s head and arms stretched from its neck
Jay blinked fearfully, closing his eyes and waiting for the dragon to strike.

It never came. He blinked them open to see Dareth and Lloyd watching him carefully with Cole nearby.

Jay smiled uneasily, waving off their concern. “I’m… I’m fine.” He stuttered out.
“I- I just need… time.” Jay mumbled to himself.

Dareth leaned in towards Jay and whispered in his ear. “You declared you weren’t an Elemental Master. Could you maybe… continue that thought please? In a more private area maybe?”

Jay stared at Dareth with fear in his eyes. Jay mumbled quiet words.

“Please, come to my house when you’re ready? I- I need to tell you something.” Dareth quietly added.

Jay blinked in surprise, watching as Dareth stepped back away from Jay.

Jay shook. He was… well uncertain where to go. He wanted to go home, back to his mom and pa. But- then he recalled.. he was.. adopted. He- did his parents actually care about him? No, they did care about him! They-... He refused otherwise.

Jay gasped in a deep breath.

He needed to wind down. He needed- He needed a safe haven.
His room, Dareth’s Mojo Dojo, the hidden corner behind the second level staircase at his school, the tea shop (regardless of the little time he spent in there.), the locker room of the facility. Two of those he could already cross off. He wasn’t sure he could face his parents and he knew he couldn’t face Dareth again. Jay couldn’t got to the locker room, knowing what he does. He wasn’t sure if he could even muster the courage to return to the facility. He would most likely not be welcomed to just sit in the abandoned corner behind the staircases in his old high school. It would probably be strange. That only left the strange tea shop run by the old lady.
Jay shot up, running down the stairs with resolute determination. He heard shouts from the people behind him, but paid no mind. 

***

Dareth watched as his oldest friend fled the scene. He’s never seen Jay so stressed before. He was tearing his hair and fleeing like he was running from a circus. (That was a horrible analogy.. Normally he’s fabulous at those, but he’s worried about his friend.)

“So, uhm. Green, Rocky, if that is even your real name. Can you explain to me why my oldest friend looks like he’s been through the First Spinjitzu Master knows what?” Dareth exclaimed, he whirled around to focus on the group of people with a ferocious dragon gaze.

Rocky, if that was even his real name, made a yelp of surprise. Holding up his hands as if he was the goalie on a soccer team. “Woah woah woah! Okay yeah, we’re sorry we lied. The name’s Cole, and this is Lloyd. Kai and Nya over there, and Zane.” Rocky- no Cole pointed out Green (Lloyd), Kai, Nya and Zane.

Dareth frowned. “Alright… now can you explain why?”

Cole winced. “Well-”

“I do not think informing you of my assumption will be wise. As Jay would most likely dislike me if I share something he’s very clearly not up to sharing.” Zane spoke in an almost robotic-like tone of voice.

Dareth frowned. “Really?”

Zane nodded. “He must make the choice to tell you or not.”

Dareth frowned in thought. He knew that if Jay could go without telling someone, he would. Anything to avoid telling a lie. But, he thought of the look of Jay’s face. A mix of fear, determination and… well… pain. His best friend was hurting and won’t let anyone help him.

He turned as if he was going to chase Jay, but instead he quietly watched the rain that poured down in Jay’s abstance.

“So… What are you doing here Dareth?” Lloyd asked abit awkwardly.

“Well…” Dareth shuffed his feet. “I- I need to talk to the Master Hermit.”

“Well, come on.”

***

Wisp watched as his master fled from the mountain, running into the bright flashing city.

“Oh Jay. How I wished you would stop running away from things you wish to not confront.” He whispered quietly to the wind. He watched as the Elemental Masters returned Jay-less.

He sighed. “It was either you see the way now, or in a situation which I think you would rather avoid. I’m sorry about the path you’ve carved for yourself.”

Wisp tilted his wings closer to his body, reverting back to his small form. He knew he could just telepathically communicate with Jay, but he was certain that Jay wouldn’t like that.

He turned away from the fleeing Master and turned towards the group.

“Well then.” Master Wu started. “Are you all ready to learn to become a ninja?”

***

Jay gasped for air as he ran straight into the city. He stumbled a bit as he struggled through the streets where people drove past. Water swirled around the gutters flowing back to the ocean.

He splashed in puddles as he fled, from what he wasn’t sure.

The Oni that Master Wu (Jay felt a spike of pain and anger flash within him.) spoke of? Or maybe another evil thing that lurks in the dark?

He shoved the door open to the tea shop, panting heavily as the door made a pleasant ‘ding!’ noise. Jay hurriedly shut the door behind him to not let water to start to flow inside. What he was surprised to see, however, was how dry everything was inside.

“Oh! It’s you again!” The voice of Mystake welcomed him.

“Oh- erm.. hello. You… You won’t mind if I stay here for a bit would you? I-” Jay stuttered on his own words as he hurried to explain his raggled sight.

“Oh no worries. There’s room in the back room for you.” Mystake waved Jay off, and Jay staggered into the room pointed out to him.

It was a nice, cozy place. With a simple table and a set of five chairs laid out. Jay collasped onto one of the chairs thankfully.

“Here, have some tea.” Mystake offered Jay, but Jay refused.

“I don’t have money to pay you for the tea.” Jay insisted.
“A gift!” Mystake shot back with equal force, gently setting the cup in front of Jay.

Jay hesitated. “Why do you keep saying… ‘A gift’ whenever you give me something?”

Mystake settled herself across the table, at the far end. “Because you are a gift! You are important and special in your own way.” Mystake replied after a moment.

Jay frowned. “But- I-” He shuddered as he continued. “I’m just a… normal person.”
Mystake smiled at Jay. “You may believe you are a normal person, but everyone has a special power within them. You just need to believe in yourself.”

Jay chuckled to himself. “That sounds like a cheesy cat poster.”
Mystake smiled at Jay as Jay took a sip of the tea. It was nice, his nerves felt calmed and he felt relaxed. “Now, you came here in quite a sight! What causes your plight?”

Jay smiled at the rhyme. “I- I think I’m overwhelmed.” Jay admitted, his mind yelled at him to stop but something kept Jay going. “I just learned something pretty major, and well.. I haven’t allowed myself to process it. Then… I overheard something I’m pretty sure I wasn’t supposed to.. h..hear.”
Jay could feel tears form in the corner of his eyes. They silently dropped down and splashed the table. “I- I’m so.. sor- sorry about you-your table..” Jay’s breath hitched as tears continued to fall.

Jay sobbed silently, his shoulders shaking with a weight far to heavy for himself.
He wasn’t sure what to do with himself.
“Do you have parents?” Mystake’s calm voice filtered in.

Jay nodded. “Y-yes.” He sniffed, wiping his eyes in a desperate attempt to stop the tears but with no avail. “I- I didn’t go to their house because.. It’s a lot further than the city was and- and…” Jay shook his head. “I- one of the.. things- I learned..”

“Concerned them hmm?” Mystake hummed in though. A quiet lullaby for a sleeping child.

Jay felt tired. His eyelids dropped from the abnormally long day. Would Mystake mind if Jay slept at her table? Jay hoped not.

He nodded sleepily, his eyelids drooping even lower.

Of course, his brain decided it was the perfect moment interrupt the peaceful quiet. I left my stuff at the Monostary!

Jay felt panic rise, but it wasn’t enough to overpower the tiredness he felt. He almost felt like something was putting him to sleep.

Sometimes , Jay decided a moment later, I really need to listen to my gut feeling.

He heard Mystake’s soft voice from across the table. “I’m sorry Jay that I had to. But without outside help, you would only hurt yourself. Please, rest well.”
The last thing Jay felt was a gentle pat on his head as he slipped into a peaceful sleep. (For once!)

***

“Would you like to join the Resistance?”

Chapter Text

Jay blinked awake to back pain. And neck pain. His muscles was kinda sore and he had a bad feeling in his stomach.

He was resting on an old, scratchy couch with a way-to-small blanket covering his exposed shivering legs. He had tried to wrap himself around in the blanket, but it was far to small for Jay.

It took a moment for Jay to recall what happened and why he was in some kind of shop overflowing with items.

His brain was fuzzy and he felt jittery. Then, memories flooded in and Jay abruptly sat up.

“Jay- Master of Lightning-”
“Master Wu”
“That’s for him to decide.”

Jay shook his head.

“I’m sorry Jay.”

Mystake! Jay jerked his head up and surveyed the shop for the old lady. Last he recalled- wait…

Did his tea… put Jay to sleep??

Jay shook, his muscles still aching from all the running the other day. Yesterday was a far too eventful day for Jay. Who knew that Fridays could be so eventful?

Jay breathed deeply, stiffening as he heard the door open. He twisted his head to stare at Mystake as she entered.

“Ah, you’re awake.” Mystake smiled gently at Jay.

Jay frowned. “Did- was that tea- to put me to sleep?”

Mystake slowly nodded. “I’m afraid I had to. I’m sorry Jay. I know how much you value honesty. But had you not slept, you would only hurt yourself more.”
Jay shook, his eyes narrowing in on the old lady. “How do you know my name? And why- why did you call me the Blue Ninja?”
Mystake chuckled to herself. “Well, you see, I knew Master Wu’s father.”
Jay’s eyes widened in surprise. “But- he lived years and years ago!”
Mystake nodded slowly. “Time does not affect some as it does others.”
Jay groaned. His brain was swimming in circles, endless trying to catch up with everyone’s braincells as his steadily fell behind.

“That litterally makes so little sense.” Jay muttered to himself.

Mystake quietly chuckled to herself, when suddenly there was a loud crashing noise outside. Jay jumped in surprise, his eyes widening at the ruckes.
“What was that?!” Jay exclaimed in shock.

Mystake glanced outside. “Ah, it would appear there was an accident.”
Jay frowned. “An accident? Right outside the building? With that kind of noise. I doubt it, but, okay!”

Mystake blinked at Jay’s acceptence as if she couldn’t believe Jay just. Accepted the fact so easily.

Almost like she was… hiding something… Eh, she probably was. Everyone has their secrets. Jay won’t prod her. Although, maybe he should…?

Jay shuddered at a chill that ran through his spine. D.. Dareth! I need to talk to Dareth, then go find my parents… Jay breathed deeply through his nose. He wasn’t- He wasn’t to sure of facing them yet.
“Deep breaths. Tell me what troubles you.” Mystake gently told Jay. Easily easing herself into a chair nearby.

Jay shook. He really didn’t want to tell this old lady-stranger his troubles. But at the same time, Jay trusts her. He decided to take the risk.

“You seem to have some sort of.. foresight. Am I.. A-a-... an Elemental Master?” Jay stuttered out, almost uncertain of himself.

Mystake hummed in thought. Then, she smiled at Jay. “I foresee that you will become who you want to be. You are in charge of your own future.”
Jay frowned. “What if I’m scared of the future?”
“Change has come a long way to shape you how you are. I can see another version, where no Elemental Master was contained at all. There, you are reckless. It costs you on occasion.” Mystake said wisely, even though Jay didn’t really understand it. “You’re unique in the way you’ve grown used to by now. You should follow your heart and your gut, but listen to your brain’s warnings.”
Jay frowned. “That really did not help at all.”

Mystake chuckled quietly. “My purpose is not to make sense. It is to make sure you are on the right path. While I cannot take your hand and drag you along. I can, however, point you in the direction. I cannot shove you nor push you away. Only you can choose.”

Jay blinked, understanding dawning over him. It washed through his mind and body. It just… seemed to fit. He forged his own path, and while outside influences may try, they won’t change him. Except video games. He will never forget video games.

Wait- other versions of… me? Jay blinked in awe, regarding Mystake in a new light. She’s powerful if what she says is true.

“So, what do I do? Do I go to my friend, my family or do I return to the Monastery?” Jay questioned.

Mystake pondered a moment. “Which does your heart point to?”
“Dareth.” Jay mumbled quietly. “Then, my parents.”
Mystake smiled. “I would suggest you stop by one more place on the way. However, you didn’t even need my help. You’re already running towards the direction without a second thought.”
Jay smiled, confidence, for once in the last few weeks, maybe even months, finally returning to him.
He stood up, and unsteadly wobbled. Shaking as he started to fall. Instictively, his hand reached out and grasped the couch he had been sitting on for the last- night? Jay wasn’t sure how long he had been on the couch. One thing is for certain, he’s been gone long enough for his parents to undoubtedly worry about him. He shuffled around looking for his phone, when he remembered that his phone was currently sitting at home next to his bed. He groaned in frustration.

“You need something?” Mystake asked, tilting her head.

Jay nodded. “Uhm… Do you have a phone?”

***

Lloyd had laid in bed and stared at the ceiling in silence. He wasn’t sure when he fell asleep, but he recalled last night events.

Kai had gotten his hands on a phone and called the Elemental Master’s line to inform them what happened. After all of that, Master Wu instantly put them all to work. He handed them black gi’s and told every one of them to sleep.

“Work starts at sunrise, sharp tommorow.” His uncle proclaimed. “Now shoo. Your rooms are at the end of the hall and to the left and right. Last 10 doors, 5 on left, 5 on the right.”  

Lloyd had scrambled away, and the group all huddled together in one room just to discuss. Their group choose the first right door. Dareth stayed behind to discuss something with Lloyd’s Uncle.

“So… we’re just okay with having this weight on our shoulders? Why should we help the entire world when they turned away from us?!” Kai angrily exclaimed, waving his hands up in the air to exaggerate his point. He was dramatic like that sometimes.

Nya nodded. “I agree! Why should we help them?”
“If we don’t help them, then everything we worked so hard to gain will be taken away.” Zane pointed out.

“And! Our friends and all the good memories will be taken away!” Cole also added in.

“Yes, but if help and they just reimprision us, what then? We just return to sadly sitting in a cell and being completely useless?” Kai shouted back.

There were footsteps and a door slammed shut nearby. Everyone quieted down instantly. Then, after a moment, the group started to argue again.

Lloyd covered his ears, unable to take the argueing. His childhood memories of when his Aunt and Mom would fight flashed in his mind. At least his Aunt did her best to argue with his Mom when she thought Lloyd was away or asleep. And then she comforted him after.
Tears stung in the corners of his eyes, and then, his eye caught onto something gleaming from under a bed. He crawled over and pulled out a statchel of sorts. Inside was a familiar set of nunchunks and two crumpled notes.

Gently, Lloyd took out of them. Instantly recognizing his Uncle’s handwriting, he could barely make out what it said.

[To you people who wanna find it, it’s way back in chapter 16.]

The second note was much fresher, but still had small watery stains. It appeared to be torn out from a notebook.

“Why me?
Why can’t I live a normal life?
Why are these nunchucks so important?
What is the meaning of this strange sound?
It reverberates within my brain and makes me worried.

Yet I also feel safe.
I’m so conflicted.
Do I stay or leave?
What am I to do?
Why me?

Why did you send me away?

With nothing more than a few words to say?

I wish I was stronger.
I wish my family didn’t have to suffer.

I wish that everything wasn’t so confusing.

I wish that those kids didn’t have to suffer.

I wi*h I co*l* wish ** all a**y.”

Lloyd could assume who wrote it. It was almost… poem-like. The water drops was strange, almost like the writer had been crying when they wrote this.

Did Jay really write this? He was pretty talented if he did. He could sense a feeling of dread and sadness as he read through it quietly.

“-oyd? Lloyd? You okay there buddy?” Cole’s worried voice filtered in. 

Lloyd blinked. “Huh? Oh yeah I’m fine. What’s up?”
“Should we help the world or let it become destroyed?” Kai crossed his arms. “We are at a standstill. on which to choose.”
Lloyd opened his mouth, ready to defend why they shouldn’t help, but then he paused. He glanced back at the poem that Jay probably wrote. 

Everyone has family… And if we save the world… would people… finally respect us? Let us free? Lloyd wondered quietly. Would we be let free? Do… Do I want to save the world, regardless of how they treated us?

He thought about it a moment, glancing between Cole & Zane vs Kai & Nya. His mind informed him that the pros outweigh the cons in the ‘support the world’ argument. But- he didn’t want any other Elemental Master to suffer. Quietly, he wondered what his father would’ve chosen.

“I- I’m not so sure. A few weeks ago, heck even a month ago, I would’ve been against the world… but now? I- I’m not sure at all.” Lloyd admitted, his brain flickering over to Jay. He recalled what Zane had informed them about where Jay lived. 

“What?!” Kai shouted. “You’re really considering it?!”

Lloyd nodded. Then, he gingerally held the poem- like paper out for the group to read.

“A poem is making you consider otherwise?!” Kai crossed his arms.

Lloyd once again, nodded.

“Wow- wait where did you get this?” Nya wondered outloud, and Lloyd could see a slight sparkle in her eyes. It was dim.

“I found it in Jay’s stuff.” Lloyd explained, moving aside to reveal the nunchucks and note.

Nya’s eyes widened at the nunchucks in surprise. “His nunchucks?”
Lloyd nodded, recalling a distant memory. Of when during their great escape, Jay didn’t even reach for his nunchucks, and considering on how fast Jay can move, is actually a surprise. Now, Lloyd had to wonder. Was Jay scared of hurting them?

“Sleep kids!” Master Wu’s voice called from the hallway.

Kai and Nya glared at the door while Zane nodded.

“We should probably sleep. Do we want to sleep alone or…?” Cole trailed off, the implied obvious.

“I don’t want to be alone.” Lloyd confessed.

there were sounds of (some more hesistant than others) agreement.
That’s where Lloyd’s last moment of conciousness had found himself. With blankets spread around the floor. (Because Cole insisted that the bed wouldn’t be able to support everyone. Zane also had retreated to another room, giving his farewell as he vanished.)

“Do you ever regret hurting another person?” Nya suddenly spoke up, her voice was quivering.

Lloyd glanced over his eyes softening when he saw the girl quietly staring at the ceiling. “I- sometimes. I… I recall the injury I gave the old guard, the one before Jay? All because I was scared.”

Cole sighed. “Constantly. I recall the pain I cause in the solo testing, and the destruction and pain I can inflict. I- I never want to use my powers against innocent people.”
Kai made no comment.

“I- I hurt him.” Nya whispered to herself. “I- he was scared of me.”

Lloyd frowned at seeing a haunted look in Nya’s eyes. “Jay?”

Nya didn’t respond, but Lloyd knew he hit the jackpot.

“I’m sure Jay doesn’t hold any anger towards you. He- he just doesn’t seem capable of holding a grudge… Or at least, a grudge that small.” Movement shifted in the corner of Lloyd’s eye as Cole sat up to look at Nya.

Nya still didn’t say anything.

Kai let out a deep breath. “I- I don’t regret hurting the guards. They were hurting us first..”
“That’s not the point- He didn’t do anything!” Nya whisper shouted at Kai. “It was a misunderstanding and now he’s scared of me!”
Lloyd frowned. Nya wasn’t the kind to beat herself up over a mistake, and yet she seemed really upset. It seemed like she really thought about it.

“Why are you just switching now?” Kai asked, bluntly but gentle.

Nya sighed. “When I saw how… How it affected Lloyd.. How- how he regards me with waryness. Even through thick bars and vengestone strapped to me. He’s scared of me. I- I hate the feeling of others being afraid of me.”

Lloyd hummed. “Why can’t the public just not fear us or treat us like outcasts?”

There was a heavy silence and darkness overcame Lloyd.

Thus, this is where he found himself now.

Awake at the crack of dawn. To the sounds of two pans being hit together.

He groaned, and movement around him alerted him of his friends waking up.

“Wake up! Evil doesn’t sleep and neither do you!” His uncle’s voice called as the clanging of pans grew louder.

Lloyd staggered up, blearly blinking awake. He yawned creaking the door open and welcoming the smell of Zane’s cooking.

His Uncle was banging two pans together in an attempt to wake them up. Lloyd nodded to him as he passed, strolling towards the delicious food smell.

He setlled down as Zane hummed the tune from the radio. It was apart of a recent ninja movie, where the main character’s dad was the main villian. Lloyd desperately wanted to watch the movie- he loved ninjas!

Nearby, Dareth was already stretching and wearing a brown gi that was a tight fit. He seemed far too awake to have just been awoken. 

Lloyd settled down at a table as Zane produced a healthy breakfast.

“Oh good morning everyone! Did you sleep well?” Zane asked pleasantly. 

“I think the bigger question is how is Dareth so energic this early in the morning?” Kai grumply pointed out, casting a wary glare at Dareth who paid no heed.

“Oh! I was one of his students, I am used to having to wake up at Sunrise sharp. You’re all lucky, he let you sleep in a few extra minutes.” Dareth pointed out. “Besides, I need to get running home. I don’t want Jay to come to an empty house, no matter how well my mom can handle it.”

Lloyd frowned. “You’re just leaving? Isn’t there like a million stairs up and down?”
Dareth made a ‘psh’ noise as he flailed his hand. “Oh those are nothing. Just you wait for the Mountain Climb.”

“The ‘Mountain Climb’?” Cole wondered outloud, swallowing a large mouthful.

Dareth nodded. “Es lo peor. I should probably get going. I have discussed what I needed to with Master Wu, and… I’ll think about your deal Zane. I- I’m just not sure yet.” Dareth admitted, retreating out of the Monastery door and vanishing into the pouring rain.

Lloyd frowned, turning his expression to Zane in confusion. Zane waved his confusion off, smiling at Lloyd instead. Lloyd simply responded by tilting his head by a fraction.
“Please, eat! I prepared this meal for everyone!” Zane cheerfully sat down to eat.

Cole already had several mouthfuls and was reaching for more.
Lloyd, however turned to Zane. “What was that?”
Zane blinked in confusion. “Huh?”
“The thing Dareth said, is it a language?” Lloyd asked. “Es.. lo peor?” He hesitantly wondered if he had pronounced it right. 

“Oh! That’s a Southern language. That particular phrase means ‘It’s horrible’. It’s often called Metalonian. Although, it’s less common among the nobles. It’s the ‘native’ language of the South, and is one of the oldest languages in Ninjago.” Zane explained.

“So Dareth is from the South?” Cole hummed quietly.

“I could assume so.” Zane nodded.

Lloyd hummed in thought.

“Students! Hurry up! We need to get to work!” Master Wu’s voice called from outside.

There was a sound of resounding groans.

“We haven’t even decided if we’re going to help Ninjago or not.” Kai grumbled.

Eyes fell onto Lloyd, and his visibly paled.

“Uhm-”
Lloyd stared at his brothers and sister and friends. A resounding gleam in his eye.

“I think we should help Ninjago. It’s worth the shot.”

***

The phone rang, once, twice, three times. Then, finally, someone picked it up.

“Erm. Hello?” Jay felt like crying at hearing his mom’s voice.

“Mom!”
“Jay! Honey! Are you okay?” Her voice instantly turned worried.

Jay sighed a deep breath of relief. “Yeah. I am now. I.. I’m coming back I need.. There’s been too much. I-”
Jay took a deep breath as his mom listened patiently on the phone.
“What do you do when you learn something, and you can feel that it’s true in your bones, but… you don’t want to face it? What do you do when you’ve learned something that everyone was keeping a secret, and you’re scared?” Jay blurted out, shaking with… fear? Unease?

“Jay honey? Is everything okay?” 

“Yes! Yes… yeah…” Jay laughed nervously, as his laughs tampered off. “N.. no.. I’m.. I’m not good. I’m scared. I don’t know- I don’t know what to do…”

“Oh Jay..” His mom’s voice hummed on his ear as he pressed the phoen closer to his ear.

“I- I want to come home… I- I’m lost.. and I feel…” Jay was crying. Why was he crying? He shouldn’t be crying. Why now?

“Jay, we’ll wait for you.”
Jay swallowed, wiping his eyes to rid of the tears.

“I know that you will do what is right. You follow your heart.” His mom added.

Jay nodded. “Love you ma. See you in a bit.”

“See you too. Oh, and Jay?”
“Hmm?”
“Stay safe love.”

Jay smiled as he hung up.

***

Training under Master Wu was tough.
Lloyd panted as he was hit back to the slippery hard floor.
Nearby, all of his friends were panting and laid sprawled out on the floor in various posisitions. None of them had been able to get further than Zane, who had made it to a spiky spinny thing before getting caught and thrown off.

“You need to pay attention! Ready to face anything! You’re enemies won’t just stand there in a circle and endless swing. You need to pratice your endurance, speed and skill.” His Uncle lectured them.

“Yeah! And you’re not being helpful at all!” Kai shouted.

Lloyd’s Uncle whacked Kai hard on the head with his staff. “Do not talk back to the Master.”
Koko watched from the distance, tentively stepping into the courtyard. “Now- don’t you think you’re being a little harsh on them Wu? This is Day 1 of their Ninja pratice is it not?”
Master Wu sighed. “One more. Then you get a break.”
Lloyd smiled. He noticed Cole regarding Koko with appreciation and respect.

“Again.”

***

Jay stumbled as his home came into view in the far off distance.

Jay smiled to himself as he neared home. Joy bubbled up and warmed his chest for the first time in a while.

The rain still heavily poured down on him. However, that didn’t tamper with his joy. He felt free, light even. Much more so than what he had been feeling. Maybe. Probably.

It was like… a weight off of his shoulders that finally Jay dropped into a deep chasm.

A deep sigh escaped Jay as he rolled his shoulders carefully. He really needed to talk to his parents.

Distantly, he wondered what the rest of the Level 10 Elemental Masters were up too.

  Could I even possibly becoming friends with Nya? She seemed… nicer… Jay hummed to himself as he waded through the overflowing desert.

Cole was the first of the group to be nice to Jay. Lloyd took some warming up too but he eventually became like a little brother. Nya… Nya seems to be understanding, and feeling regretful. Kai… Well, Kai Jay was not to certain what to think. Pretty sure Kai still hates me, Zane though… Jay shook his head. He didn’t know Zane well enough to judge him. Zane seemed… cool headed. (Pun intended Jay supposes.) He sighs outwardly as his home came steadily closer.

He could actually think in the calm of the rain.

He was an elemental master. He had to face that one way or another.

Wait, was that why he was always so tired when he worked at the facility?
Jay blinked widely. Pieces started to fit.

His phone always charged, the motorcycle charge going up, tired in the facility, being struck by lightning… Wisp. Oh First Spinjitzu Master, Wisp.

Jay hoped desperately that Wisp wouldn’t hate him.

Oh First Spinjitzu Master… Lightning, Lightning is a 10th level element..

His eyes widened. His mom! She was trying to save him, and successfully did up to a point, he supposed.

He wondered who his father had been. Was he still out there, unknowning that his son, (was Jay his only son? Or were there more?) was still alive even though his mother, an elemental master of lightning, died out in the middle of the desert.

Was his father worried sick about Jay? Did he even know Jay existed?
Jay shook his head. He couldn’t focus on this now.

He was home.

***

Zane couldn’t sleep that night.

His dreams were plagued by laughing darkness that mocked him at every corner.

“Zane!” Jay. Turning, Zane watched in slow motion as Jay started running. He held aloft a bag, a tea bag? And threw it.

“Zane! Take it!” That was desperation and fear seeping into Jay’s voice. What was he scared of?

Then, Zane saw it. Watched as inky black darkness descended onto Jay, hiding Jay from the world as Zane caught the packet. Upon closer inspection it was indeed a tea packet. Why did Jay have a tea packet? Then Zane realized it was one of the tea packets that Jay had before, the other one had turned people invisible. What did this one do?

But something else caught his eye. His arm was a startling gray. Zane could only wonder what caused his skin to turn into that kind of gray.

He looked up to ask Jay that, and was startled.
Deep, glowing purple eyes glared at him through the gloom.

Zane couldn’t sleep after that.

Chapter Text

Jay’s home was flooded.

Was his parents- swept with the storm?

No, no, Jay refused to follow that thought-

Jay shuddered at the sight.

The walls had long since broken down, the car and motorcycle floated in circles around and around. The trailer even seemed to float as waves of junk swept past Jay and vanished into the desert. The rising darkness casted the shadows in full display. It only made it seem more omonious

“Mom! Dad!” Jay shouted, fear leaking into his voice as he worriedly waded towards the trailer.

The door swung open and-

Jay let out a cry of relief. His parents stared back at him with degrees of worry.

“Mom! Dad!” Jay rushed inside, tugging the door shut behind him as he ran into his parents arms.

It was like coming home. Their arms tugged around Jay, holding him close as Jay stiffled his sobs. He was tired. Tired, confused and lost. He didn’t even know what he was doing, or why everything felt wrong.
He was home, home with his parents. He should be relaxing, he shouldn’t have to worry about the world’s fate…

He felt so wrong being embraced by his home. 

He didn’t belong-

He felt like he was in the wrong body. He was an Elemental Master, a powerful person with unnatural powers. He was a danger, a threat…

Was he?

His parents usered Jay inside, and Jay collasped into his parents arms as soon as the door was forced shut. Water dampened the carpets as Jay could feel tears building up.

“I- Mom? Dad?” Jay sniffed, hating that he was now full on crying. “I love you. I love you so much.”

Jay sobbed, his shoulders shaking as he shoved his shoulders into his parents warmth.
“Hey Jay honey. We’re here for you. It’s going to be all okay.” His father gently rubbed circles around Jay’s back. It soothed him, but not enough.

“No, no it’s not.” I will never be able to get money for you because I’m a dangerous person and life is too confusing and- He didn’t say that though. “It’ll never be okay. The world is being flooded and… and I feel lost and.. and.” Jay sobbed again, breaking his sentence.

“Jay, deep breaths please dear. We love you no matter what.” His mother.

Jay smiled with his face buried into their shirts. The melancholy still clinging to him like an oversized blanket.

“I- I feel wrong… I feel, out of place. Confused, and broken. I feel like someone smashed a vase against me, and then took another one and threw it at me again. I… I.. I feel like one of my best friends have been keeping a very important secret from me my entire life. They say it was for safety but but.-” Jay trailed off as his mother pulled away.

“Oh my dear. Tell us, please what’s bothering you.” Edna reached up and brushed some of Jay’s tears.

“I-...” Jay paused before his gaze falling to the floor. “I’m a monster. I’m-... I’m dangerous, and I have abilities that I can’t… I can’t control.” He blurted out, shaking as he hugged himself.

If you’re going to hate me… please just do it quickly. Jay thought to himself as no noises were heard from the outside world.

After a moment, which seemed to last hours, Jay glanced up to see his parents.

Their expressions were… unreadable, that was before his mother launched herself and hugged Jay tightly.

“Oof!” Jay let out and his mother hugged him in a death like grip.
“You are still my baby. You are NOT a monster. You are an amazing, wonderful and kind boy.” His mother started. “You do what is right, and you speak honestly. You worry and care about others, even if they hate you. You try your best to befriend people you think are lonely. You help everyone, thinking of yourself last.”

Jay was crying again, but for a much different reason.
“We knew of you taking other jobs. You always try to be the best for us.” Ed smiled gently at his son. “We would always love you, no matter what you choose to do.”

Jay’s hands clenched tighter around where they held his shirt. He felt… welcomed. Loved.

He smiled, an actual, geniune smile for once. “I- I love you too. Dad, Mom.”

His parents pulled back. “You’ve always wanted to be a hero since you were young.”
Go be a hero now.

That part was left unspoken, but the spark was there . Ignited after a long time of being snuffed out. Finally that ember had finally found the right material to catch on.

But would that piece of driftwood be enough to fuel the flame?

Jay’s eyes widened. Now. His chance was now. He could show the world, that elemental masters aren’t evil or dangerious!

He started, straighting himself from his parent’s arms. “I’m going to go save the world.”
His parents smiled.

“I- I’m…” Jay breathed deeply. “I’m going to show the world that I-we aren’t monsters.”

He could do this. No more running. He was backed into a corner and the only way out was forwards. Right into danger.

“I- Mom, Dad.” Jay turned to his parents. “Promise me you’ll be safe?”

They both nodded, wide smiles on their faces.

“You go save the world Jay.” His mother was putting on a facade. She was worried about Jay, yet she hid it.

“Don’t be worried. I learned from the best.” Jay pleaded with his mother. He never wanted someone to worry about him.

“Jay?” 

Jay glanced at his father.

“Happy birthday, and. Jay? Stay safe.” He smiled.

It was his birthday today? Jay blinked in surprise checking the date and… yep. It definitely was.

What in the First Spinjitzu Master- his birthday had been months away from when he started at the facility. Jay did the math in his head. Everything had happened in the span of… a month and a half.

What.

Jay’s mouth fell open. He wordlessly opened and closed his mouth like a gaping fish.

“It’s… my birthday…” Jay spoke almost breathlessly. “I’m… 22.”

What a good birthday he was having. The world was possibly ending and here Jay was hiding when he should be out there trying to help.

He was 22. He was 22 and the world rested on his back.

He was 22 and he was going to save the world.

Shaking his head, he left his home.

He was 22, and he was going to make a difference.

Outside, he closed his eyes and felt the rain that poured onto his soul. Washing him clean and replacing him. He pulled his hood over his face and opened his eyes.

Rain often symbolized forboding, of something to come.

He refused to let that happen.

He was going to save the world.

But first…

Jay paused.

Warmth spread in his chest as he recalled familiar faces.

All shades of the rainbow. From reds to purples, from whites to black.

He smiled under his mask as he turned West.

There was someone he needed to see.

***

Lloyd yawned.

There was a strange kind of… tension that hung in the morning air as Lloyd walked into the main room.

The room shifted revealing black shadows and glowing purple eyes that peered at Lloyd. A set of red eyes mournfully reached out towards Lloyd with an hopeful expression.

“Family”

“Join us”

Lloyd cowarded at the swarm of voices.

Too many- too loud..

His father who left him to suffer and waste away in that facility-

He had a new family now…

Lloyd smiled at Zane who was humming a tune as he cooked merrily.

“Good morning Zane! How are you?” Lloyd said, hoping to sound excited.

Judging by Zane’s expression, it did not go as well as Lloyd had hoped.

“Lloyd, are you experiencing some doubts? Perhaps you are not sleeping well?” Zane questioned Lloyd, his brows furrowed in worry and deep thought.

Lloyd shook his head, smiling but none of the smile reached his actual feelings.

It was a mixed knot of doubt, worry and most of all, fear. What if he wasn’t good enough? What if no one wanted to be saved by him.

Maybe Kai was right… No!

Lloyd shook his head to clear his thoughts. He would always want to help Ninjago. Even if…

Flashes of the facility blurred across his vision and he blinked to rid those thoughts.

He couldn’t think of that.

Lloyd smiled. “Yeah, just. Sore from yesterday.”

Zane nodded in agreement. “Yesterday was a particularly tough day.”

Lloyd settled down in a seat as Zane gently slid a plate of food over. Lloyd took it and fiddled a bit.

“Thanks Zane.” Lloyd nodded, not eating.

Zane smiled, setting out plates for everyone else before Zane settled down also. Zane started to eat, but everything came into a fuzzy blur of meaningless noise that surrounded Lloyd. It settled over him like a looming blanket. He shivered, unknowingly.

***

Zane saw how Lloyd stayed to himself. Shivering in the warm breeze and his eyes downcasted and dark.

He had a bad feeling today. 

Zane pulled out a book he had found in the library of the Monastery. He hoped it would draw him away from the chilling sensation. He had already started it last night, and as he opened it up, he flipped to his most recent page.

He needed to get his daily reading in before training!

Truth opens the eyes, but without acceptance, there can be no truth. 

Evil lurks within everyone’s minds. 

Alone, you will fail and falter, together you can prevail.

No one can win a losing battle by themselves.

Just as iron sharpens iron, so does brother sharpen brother.

***

This was a dumb idea.

Now, Jay is well known for outlandishly dumb and stupid ideas.
But this? Oh this was on a whole ‘nother level.

Basically, he’s going to get fired. But it’ll be worth it. Jay would bet his (nonexistent) money on it.

But… he had a strange feeling that there would be more people to help than harm.

They were just scared.

Now, Jay was currently in a half flooded building.

Why?
Well, it was the facility of Elemental Masters.
There was going to be a jailbreak today.

And Jay was going to lead it now.

Now, as he crouched in the small alcove he had climbed up to, he surveyed the endlessly pacing guards and the half flooded cells of the first floor. He could only tighten his grip angrily. Chen didn’t even move the 1st level elemental masters, they were just stuck and left to drown. Something Jay did see, however, was that there were less guards than normal. Most likely to the terrible conditions. However, Jay could spy Pixal from where he crouched.

Just seeing her brought back memories to Jay. She was nice to him when others weren’t, her Skylar, Micheal and… Wait, who else?

Oh! Travis and Sarra! Jay blinked in surprise. Of course. How could he forget them!
Well, actually… He hummed to himself.

He wondered how those two were. He hasn’t seen much of Sarra since day 1 and Travis… Well, he had been taken off of camera duty on level 10, and hasn’t seen Travis since.

Jay shook his head. Once this was over, he was going to see them. He was going to make sure they survived.
He was-

Jay shook his head.

He couldn’t doubt himself now. It was now or never. He knew this place inside and out.

He just had to take out the power, which should be easier said than done… but well… There did happen to be a lightning storm outside..

Jay didn’t know where the facility got it’s power, but he could guess that by cutting powerlines that could rid of the power. Although, maybe power is his strong suit… after all, portable electricity.

No, Jay really didn’t know what he was doing. All he knew was that it was probably going to go terribly, terribly wrong. This was a horrible decision and Jay was all for it. 

He took a deep breath. He couldn’t have a self crisis now. He could have it later, once everything is done and over.

Jay saw a flash of golden light that hovered gently in the center of the room, urging Jay forwards. It pulsed and gleamed brightly.

He was meant to do this.

Something, no someone was calling him to release his power. To free his fellow Elemental Masters…

Jay rested his hands on a wire that lay exposed on his ledge. He took of a small, pocket knife (that he may or may not have stolen on the way over… no one needed to know) and cut the outer layer revealing copper wires underneath.

Jay took it in his hands, barely batting and eye as electricity coursed through him. He still grit his teeth, unused to being electrocuted.

Jeez, did every Elemental Master experience this pain when they first try out their powers? If so, Jay felt a whole new level of respect for them.

He expermently imagined lightning coursing through his veins and into the wire.

Nothing happened. Jay frowned in frustration.

How hard is it? Jay shook his head. He was… an Elemental Master. He was going to show the world that Elemental Master doesn’t mean villian, but it means hero.

He tried again and this time, it was successful. Blue sparkles lit up between his hands and spread across the wires that ran along the building. Strangely enough, Jay could see where every single wire led to.

He pulled back in shock, the bunches of paths still fresh in his mind. Almost as if his lightning (or whatever his element was! Jeez, lightning, electricity. Make up your mind!) was guiding him through all of those winding paths.

Gently, he rested his hand on the wire, letting his lightning lead Jay to the most concentrated area of power. It went and led him with purpose, and it curled around the concentrated area with ease. Jay imagined pushing his lightning forwards, imagining the power area overwealming with power.

Nothing ever seems to work his way huh?

Instead of a quiet shut down, it exploded .

Jay resisted the urge to jump back in shock as blue sparks lashed out, sucking the power along with it.

Jay blinked in surprise. Was he really that powerful? He certainly didn’t feel like it, and yet… It felt as if he had only scratched the surface with that trick.

(He didn’t think. It came almost second nature to him. He feared his own power. Why did he possess this?)

Then, the lights flickered out and the sounds of creaking doors alerted Jay of his goal.

He was on his way.

Now, he just had to hide in the crowd.

(Oh, how things quickly went from good, to bad, to worse.)

And it all started by Jay not being careful enough.

(The start of the end.)

***

It was a sudden shift in the atmosphere, once the power went out.

It was a sudden flash and boom of light before it fizzled to nothing.

Kai glared at the lights, holding up his hand to provide light.

“Wow, reliable power source huh?” Kai mocked the hermit, scoffing at the electricty turned off.

Then, just as it flickered off, it returned back on, showering everyone in a blue light.

Huh, that’s different. Kai blinked at the now (somehow) blue lightbulbs.

“Uhm, is that supposed to happen?” Lloyd spoke up, blinking in surprise.

The hermit, (Kai refused to call him Wu , I mean, what kind of name is ‘ Wu ’?!) simply hummed in thought. He did not respond, instead he quietly sipped his tea.

“Uhm… hello?! ANSWER?!” Kai shouted. (He did NOT scream, no matter what Nya tells you, he SHOUTED. THERE’S A DIFFERENCE NYA!) 

The hermit still sipped his steaming hot tea.

(How did he always have tea??? Where does he get it?!)

***

Oh Jay was in big, big trouble.

Rule number one when you are causing a prison break, never wear guard clothing.

Otherwise you will be attacked by the people you’re trying to save.

Jay grumbled as he pinned a fleeing Elemental Master. (It was the same one who murmered ‘The resistance never quits’ back on that fateful day… Nature..?)

“Stop trying to run away from me! I’m trying to help you!” Jay hissed, shakingly removing the Nature Master’s vest.

The Nature Master paused once the vest came to a clunk at his feet, he turned to stare at Jay. (Jay assumed, he didn’t have night vision!)

Then, the master of Nature fleed, and vines grew in rapid succession. Forming slides and walls and safe havens.

(A pink flower bloomed in Jay’s hair, it’s petals fragile and light as Jay didn’t notice it. It bloomed from nothing at all, except for the warmth in his heart.)

He wasn’t the only one freeing the Elemental Masters, in fact, it seemed more Elemental Masters were being freed than guards who could keep up with them. It almost felt like the guards, or at least some of them, were helping the Elemental Masters escape. It was… beautiful . It brought a warmth to Jay’s chest that blossomed into a tree.

People was helping them! Maybe they didn’t see the Elemental Masters as monsters, but as kids. People who were unfortunate enough to suffer this fate away from their families. Distantly, Jay wondered if those people could see themselves in the Elemental Masters.

Jay saw Lucy, the kind Elemental Master of light struglling and he rushed over to help her.

“Lucy!” Jay called, reaching the girl with the bright yellow hair. She stared at him as Jay hauled her up to avoid the sloshing water from over wealming her.

(He couldn’t assume ages, but she was young. He wouldn’t allow someone so young struggle. He could only hope that the other guards who were helping could help anyone else struggling.)

He shoved the door open, and fumbled to pull his ninja mask over his face. Who knew how little time they could possibly have. Distantly Jay could hear the yelling of Grand Cheif Chen.

He stumbled as he came face to face with an Elemental Master, someone which Jay didn’t recognize at all. Their hand glowed with unnatural light as they glared down at Jay.

Jay didn’t have time for this.

“Take her and go! I’m going to go back to find more escapees, take my key!” Jay fumbled, throwing his extra pair of keys for the vests at the Elemental Master. Lucy slid off of Jay and Jay rushed back inside.

That’s when the nightmare started.

Guards rushed past him in desperate attempt to capture the Elemental Masters, but Jay could only watch.

Chen, stood in front of him, wielding nothing but a long, bamboo stick. His eyes was a sickly orange as he stared into Jay’s soul.

“So you were the one hmm?” Was all he said, before he raised his stick high. “You will pay .”

How did he know?

That’s when Master Chen entered his first form.

(Hey… why do I hear boss music?)

***

Halfway across the world, a lone man stood amongst the chaos.

An army swarmed around him, swords raised high and ready to fight, yelling indistinguishable cries amongst the screams of the civilians.

It blurred in a mix of noise and sounds.

He raised a sword up high.

A single cry was heard, as the world fell silent.

The village succumbed to an endless sleep.

A toothy grin slipped onto his face in response.

His time has finally come.

This was the beginning of the end.

The darkness started to spread.

Chapter Text

Jay stared as darkness swarmed Chen in a veil, appearing almost like a very out of fastion dress.

It took a moment for Jay to realize he didn’t have a weapon, and he stumbled, reaching behind him for whatever he could get.

Fortunately, (or unfortunately depending on how you look at it), Jay got a metal pipe.

Not his top pick. But honestly? It’s better than air.

Jay narrowed his eyes at Chen. “What’s that Chen Mr long nose? I think you should find out when you try to noodle your way out of this fight!” Jay mocked, it just came so naturally to him.

Chen glared at Jay, his eyes narrowed in a determined stance.

Jay knew he shouldn’t mock a freaking villain, but listen! It was free real estate!

“Seriously, what’s you’re first name to have a last name as bland as ‘Chen’? Also why do you refuse to ever use it? Is it really that bad?” Jay asked. It was a legitimate question! He really did wonder why Chen always insisted to call him Chen, which, according to Skylor, was their last name. (Or something like that… Jay couldn’t exactly recall… Listen… he actually couldn’t explain why it was fuzzy…)

Chen scoffed. “Do you ever shut up? Besides, what do you think you’re doing? Helping those monsters ?”

Jay frowned. “Monsters? They are people ! They are just PEOPLE!” Jay could feel his anger growing, he had to take a deep breath. Jay paused, breathing heavily and slowly drawing out his breath. He couldn’t get mad, getting mad meant more reckless and brash choices.

Jay leveled his pipe, wielding it like a stick that the Master Hermit had taught him to wield.

“Well then, let’s go shall we?” Chen laughed.

Jay narrowed his eyes in anticipation.

Chen took the first move, he came out swinging, using his staff to jump and avoid the water from slowing him down. Jay saw it coming and dodged, clawing his way up a set of vines nearby. He wouldn’t be ale to get close with the range on Chen’s staff, his measy pipe was only the size of a large pocket knife. AKA, shorter than a staff.

Jay grit his teeth, looks like he was going to have to be smart about this. Only problem? He had forfeited his brain cell to who knows where.

( Lloyd winced. Someone was trying to take his brain cell away, either that or was talking about him. Maybe both? )

So, Jay would have to use luck, and maybe he could survive.

He took a deep breath, using Chen’s momentum as he charged forwards to leap over Chen, and whacked the pipe against the older man’s head as he passed over. The water sunk into his ever present wet shoes with a familiar splash of noise.

Chen wasn’t stopping, he lunged again, swinging the staff in constant motion to knock Jay out. However, for Jay, something different happened. 

Time started to slow down. He could count every muscle stretch as Chen lunged for him, he could hear his own breathing louder than the thunder. He was an Elemental Master, and he cannot fail!

Ducking and dodging, Jay could much more easily dodge the thrown attacks.

Chen’s moves reminded Jay of the old training course he would do constantly. Instinctively, he just started following the movements.

Blue sparks flickered across his feet as he danced along to a beat only he could hear. Unbidden, the sparks grew to cracks of light that forced itself from Jay’s fingertips and wrapped around Jay in an electroying prison. A tornado , one could say.

“What?!” Chen mumbled, time caught up again and everything felt much more faster than before. “Spinjitzu!”

Jay blinked in surprise. Spinjitzu? Everything was in a blue haze. Lightning flashed as Jay danced along to the old, familiar tune.

He was doing Spinjitzu! HE WAS DOING IT! Jay felt joy overwealm him as he flashed past Chen in quick speed.

Chen paused, tired in his constant attacks. Now it was Jay’s turn!

Jay lunged forwards…

…

And he tripped.

The lightning fizzled out to nothing, and Jay and Chen was left staring at each other in dead silence. The only noise was the water that rushed past.

Thirty seconds, one minute…

It took three minutes for both of them to react fully.

Jay’s face burned with embarrassment, he jumped up and glared at the innocent little vine that had tripped him.

Chen meanwhile had burst into loud, rambunctious laughter, full on wheezing at some points. One point, he even sounded like he was chocking.

“Erm, you okay there?” Jay asked, gently patting Chen’s back. Chen wordlessly nodded, his sputtering laughter quieting.

Then, Jay recalled they were supposed to be fighting.

Instantly, Jay reached for his pipe, which of course, he had dropped.

Jay blinked, gaping at literally nothing .

Chen, meanwhile, lunged to Jay, his staff ready in front of him and he stabbed Jay, hard , in the stomach.

He skidded across the water, trying to dig his feet into the solid, hard floor. Gritting his teeth, Jay ducked as Chen swung again, and Jay brought his hand up. He took Chen’s right arm and twisted it, ducking out of Chen’s range. Again, Jay jumped into the fray to mess Chen up, and then leaped back out of Chen’s reach. He tripped and taunted the old, bald man while he could.

It wasn’t until a vine grew and held him back. Jay yelped in surprise, yanking hard. However, the vine held strong. Chen, meanwhile, appeared to be relishing the new stroke of luck.

He was rapidly approaching Jay, an glowing glint in his eyes as he raised his staff.

Jay doubled his efforts of escaping, but was unsuccessful.

He had to use Chen to break the vine.

Chen, unaware of Jay’s plan, brought his staff down in intent to end Jay’s life. Jay, however, had other plans.

The staff hit the vine with a heavy thunk, and Jay could see cracks starting to form on the staff.

Jeez, howe tough are these vines? Jay regarded the vines carefully. He grit his teeth, he would have to taunt Chen again to get another attack.

“Hey, why do you own the facility anyways? Are you really that sad in your life that you resort to the common tatic of a bully?” Jay sneered, he felt a strange nice wave of something run down his spine at the way Chen’s eyes narrowed carefully at his insult.

“You-” Chen grit his teeth, slamming the staff down towards Jay, however Jay ducked, usiing the ine attached to his writst as a shield. The vine came snapping into two parts along side the staff. Jay jumped back

“Stop!” A familiar voice shouted out and a familiar red-haired girl leaped in front of Chen.

“Sky-” Jay cut himself off. He was wearing a mask, he didn’t need to reveal his identity.

That, however, did not work. Instantly Skylor and Chen was on guard.

“How do you know my daughter?” Chen accused, kicking his staff up and wielding Jay’s pipe like a knife.

Jay stiffened. “You don’t need to know how I know her. My work here is done anyways.”

He yelped suddenly as a blast of cold shifted past him. He whirled around to see a surprising sight.

Skylor, her hand dripping with ice, and outstreched, alongside a frozen solid Chen.

Both Chen and Jay stared at Skylor in shock.

“Uhm..?” Jay stared wordlessly at the betrayal of family in front of his eyes.

“Skylor…?” Chen’s voice cracked, as if Skylor was only his beloved daughter. “How could you betray your beloved father…?”

(And not someone he just saw as a tool . Jay internally sneered at his tone. He really was trying to manipulate Jay huh? Well, not today, not ever!)

“Father.” Skylor responded coolly. “You were never a father to me. You would’ve rather watched me drown, or use me for your own purposes.”

Jay watched with bated breath, unable to turn his gaze away from the duo.

“Skylor no! I love you!” Chen cried, reaching out with his free hand towards Skylor.

Skylor scoffed. “You’ve never shown it before.”

Then, something registered for Jay. Zane was the master of Ice, and he wasn’t here. The only people here was… Chen, him and.. Skylor . Jay took a tentative step back. Wait- could Skylor-

He got his answer a few seconds later, with Skylor twisting towards him with frost along her fingertips. Her eyes narrowed once they met his, but they… softened?

What in the First Spinjitzu Master- Jay blinked. It honestly felt like he was watching a cheesy tv show or something. Sitcoms? Listen, Jay didn’t watch much on Tvs, electricity is expensive..

Jay swallowed, hard. “Uhm.”

Skylor turned back to Chen, her eyes hardened again as she glared at Chen. "I know what you did."

"Huh?" Both Jay and Chen were taken aback in shock.

"You're the reason why Elemental Master's are all locked up, aren't you?" Skylor stated, something which caused Jay to step further back.

"You- what?" Jay couldn't believe what he was hearing. He glanced at Skylor for confirmation, but she was glaring hard at Chen.

"Skylor, no! I tried to stop them, the public wouldn't listen!" Chen pleaded, his tone taking on a panicked side.

Skylor speaks the truth, he really did- Jay couldn't believe it. "You made the public hate Elemental Masters for what? Money? Personal gain?!" Jay was angry, no, he was outraged . He's never felt his mad before.

Chen cowered under Skylor's gaze as Jay turned to glare at Chen as well.

"Why?" Skylor spoke. "Mom was, mom was an elemental master and yet you still-"

Chen instantly stiffened. "What…?"

Okay, seriously, Jay's head was starting to hurt with all of these twists. What was actually happening?!

"Why?!"

Oh, oh , Skylor was crying. Jay reached forward instinctually, seeing someone sad made him want to make the person happy. He wasn't sure what counted as okay methods right now though.

Chen grit his teeth. Slowly he opened his mouth-

"Tell me the full truth. Tell it. Give me the real reason why, not some made up fantasy. Did Clouse, the only person who actually raised me, even know?!" Skylor shouted. "TELL ME THE REAL REASON!"

Chen clicked his mouth shut, and opened it up again like a fish. Then, he took a deep breath. "My dear Skylor-"

"Do not call me 'dear'. You barely even acted like I existed." Skylor scowled angrily.

Jay heard footsteps behind him and he turned, staring at Pixal who was watching the whole thing with wide eyes.

Pixal met Jay's eyes and they marganially widened. Her mouth opened in shock. She knew- she could tell- No, Jay couldn't be sure, but the way Pixal was staring at him…

Jay turned back when he heard Chen cough, staring at the daughter and father quietly.

"Skylor, I had my reasons… You see, I was betrayed-"
"YEAH?! SO THEN TELL ME!" Skylor shouted, glaring at Chen angrily. "Come on. There's got to be a reason why you hid all of your envolvement in the war in that secret compartment."

Chen gasped. "You- you…" Uh oh, he was getting angrier and angrier. His face was turning red like a tomato. 

Skylor scoffed. "You failed. I gave you a chance to confess the truth, and yet you still tried to lie to my face."

Jay blinked. Skylor knew something, something about her father, he was-

"Oh for First Spinjitzu Master's sake- why has the last few days been so CONFUSING?!" Jay yelled, balling his fists towards the sky.

Oh, the FIrst Spinjitzu Master had it out for him.

He could only watch in horror as Skylor stepped back from her trapped father. “You never were a father to me. You never actually had felt ‘love’ for me or mother!” Skylor yelled. She took a deep breath, taking another step back, and then another. Up until she was shoulder-to-shoulder with Jay. 

“I’m done with you, with your lies and fake masks. I’m done with being the ‘perfect’ daughter for a father who doesn’t even care! I’m done with having be forced to be your slave and work like any other employee. I’m done with your name.” Skylor declared, and Jay’s eyes widened in shock. 

That is a hard decree… Jay thought to himself in wonder and astonishment.

“Skylor-!” Chen called out, his voice laced with regret and concern. His eyes didn’t say otherwise, they gleaming with an evil glint.

“No, I’m done. I’m the only person who’s been keeping the family buisness alive, I am the only one that the public knows is the owner. I’m taking my buisness and leaving you.” Skylor glared at the man. “You let us suffer for far too long. I refuse to stand by anymore. Goodbye, Chen .” Skylor shot back, turning her back for the first time on Chen. She moved to gently take Pixal’s hand and Jay’s as promptly left the building.

Jay could only glance back and watch as Chen lowered his head slowly, his eyes gleaming asthe doors shut on a watery grave.

(A single, fragrant flower drowned.)-

***

"Why is my gi still black?” Cole asked, frowning as he held up his gi to inspect it.

Master Wu smiled knowingly, not answering Cole’s questions in the slightest.

“I’m red! Yes!” Kai exclaimed, whooping loudly.

“Hey Cole, I’m gray so we can be questioning our colors together.” Nya smiled, nudging Cole gently.

“Technically, white, gray and black are shades, not colors.” Zane spoke up. “So actually you, Cole and I are all shades while Lloyd, Kai, and Jay are colors.”

"Jay's a color? Oh yeah, blue. But wait- why would Jay's color be blue and say, not yellow? Wouldn't blue be more suitable for water?" Lloyd spoke up, his green gi glimmering as water splashed down on it.

"Well, in most senses, yes, however considering that Jay recieved his gi far longer than any of us. So we can only assume that Master Wu gave Jay a blue gi before knowing of Master of Water." Zane spoke up.

"Your logic doesn't make sense, he seemingly knew of us coming, and seems to have foresight, then how come he wasn't aware of Nya coming with us?" Cole pointed out, moving his somewhat uncomfortable gi around. He was so used to having heavy metal in his vest it felt unnatural to wear something so lightweight. 

(That and he felt strange not being tired, he had always been constantly tired from the Vengestone- or whatever.)

Cole glanced at Master Wu. I don’t know about him, but I feel like something is… off with him. He’s not telling us everything.

Cole couldn’t help but feel uneasy about Master Wu. He just didn’t seem to be telling everything. Omitting information could be a life or death sentence.

Honestly? Cole wasn’t sure if he trusted Master Wu, so far he seemed to be… ‘good’. But Good is just a easily faded line, how long until he reveals his true intentions? (Everyone shows their true colors, but just how long?)

Cole glanced back and met Zane’s eyes.

So him also- .

Cole resolved to make sure to get to the bottom of this. He refused to lose any more family.

***

The sky was broken.

Large, purple cracks spread across the sky like broken glass and illuminated the world in a shade of purple.

Jay stared at the sky in shock, Skylar having to be the one to drag Jay to safety.

“The sky-!” Jay exclaimed, gaping at the shattered dome.

Skylar frowned in thought. “It’s not safe here, we need to get to the Elemental Masters headquarters.”

How can I help against something that can shatter the sky…? Jay wondered to himself, staring dumbfounded at the sky.

He felt a tap and glanced over to see- Lucy.

Her golden eyes gleamed as she tilted her head towards Jay. “Thank you.”

Jay blinked. Huh? Does she- know?

Her eyes shone with quiet knowlege, something which made Jay want to squirm in his spot. 

Skylor tapped Jay’s shoulder, nodding towards an abandoned warehouse that Skylor (and a handful of other elemental Masters) had set off to.

(A purple haze had settled over the land, casting trees as dangerous monsters in the abyss of light. Every shadow casted a dangerous beast in the distance.)

It unnerved Jay, an uneasiness settling in his stomach and gripping his heart and stealing his breath.

When did it get so dark? Jay mused to himself as he stepped into the warehouse.

Eyes, every single eye turned to stare at Jay. (It felt like the entire world held its breath and watched watched him.)

“Uhm… Hi…?” Jay mumbled out, nervously waving a hand.

Skylor tugged his arm, gesturing away from the crowds. Her eyes screamed she needed to talk to him, and Jay obliged.

The corner Skylor herded him to was quiet and softer than the hard sharp ends of the big area. (where every eye watched, watched him.)

Skylor’s eyes screamed with knowlege (and confusion).

“I know you.” It wasn't a statement, it was a fact.

Jay bowed his head. “Yes, yes you do.”

Skylor hummed in thought, her eyes scanning his (visible) face. Jay could see when she realized the truth. Her eyes widened and her mouth clicked open and close in shock.

“Jay..?” Skylor mumbled quietly, clearly she did not expect him.

Jay felt his mouth tilt up. “Yes, that would be me.”

Skylor sat back, staring at Jay with a quiet thinking face on. “I- I knew you were different, I didn’t think- I mean, Zane had thought-”

Jay smiled. “I’m honestly not even sure how Zane came with the conclusion.. but he was right I suppose.” He glanced outside, his previous thoughts came crashing down.

“Skylor-”

Skylor snapped to attention, her gaze locking with Jay’s.

“Okay you may or may not believe me, much less want to help, but… Are you aware of the old legend?” Jay started, fiddling with his hands.

Skylor tilted her head but said nothing.

“The one of the two sons of the First Spinjitzu Master?” Jay wondered out loud.

Skylor seemed puzzled, hesitant in what Jay was about to say, but did nothing.

Jay took a deep breath. “There’s… something coming. I don’t know what, but I know only with the combined effort of Elemental Masters and civilians can we defeat it.”

Skylor frowned. “Why would we want to help the civilians who scorned us? Who left us to rot away?”
“Because- Because we can show them that we are just ordinary people. They don’t have a reason to fear us, if they see us as heroes.” Jay explained slowly. (He desperately hoped that Skylor would agree to help.)

Skylor, strangely enough, seemed relieved . She almost seemed like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. Strange.

But as quick as Jay saw it, it vanished from her face. Replaced by a cool coldness that was foreign to the Skylor he knew.

“I will think about it. I can bring it up with everyone else, see how they react. After all, I am not the leader here.” Skylor simply stated.

Yet they look to you for guidance. Jay might be oblivious, but he can tell admiration and how when they first stepped into that warehouse how every set of eyes drew themselves to Skylor. (And Jay.)

Skylor paused, a foot  out as she started to stroll away, before she turned to Jay.

“Thank you, Jay. Thank you for coming back.” For coming back to help us, to help them.

Jay had nothing else to say, merely slowly bowing his head in quiet embarrassment. (When was the last time he felt the sting of embarrassment? Surely back in high school, most likely from those bullies.)

He heard Skylor take off, her steps vanishing back towards the crowd.

His eyes fluttered open, his gaze drawn to something in one of the piles of junk that lay strewn along the floor.

He gently moved to pick it up, and gasped at what he saw.

It was a picture. A giant snake hovered over the top and a group of (very familiar) figures stood out by the bottom. Lightning flickered in the background and rain washed down on the scene. Fire raged and ice hummed. Large, purple cracks spread across the sky and glowing red eyes gleamed from armies of… Snakes…?

They were never the villains, Jay realized, gaping in surprise. Elemental Masters were never villains, just misunderstood heroes.

He glanced up, towards the Elemental Masters, and turned back to the painting.

They weren’t defined by who they were, but…

The painting was tucked away, safe from the raging waters and howling winds.

A single blonde women commanded the lightning.

***

Dareth stared at the figure at his door.

“Morro? What do you need?” Dareth wondered outloud, tilting his head curiously.

“Can you feel it?” Morro asked outloud, sliding inside the room quietly.

“Feel what?” Dareth could sense something was amiss, but he wasn’t sure what .

“Like this is the start of something terrible .”

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BREAKING NEWS!!

ELEMENTAL JAILBREAK!! BE ON ALERT!!

DISAPPEARANCES IN SMALL VILLAGE, MORE AT 10!

Strange darkness turning victims into servants of evil, do NOT GO OUTSIDE!!

FLOODING WARNINGS HIGH!!

Waffle House has closed down!! THIS IS AN EXTREME ALERT!!

Chapter Text

It started out as a low thrum. A thundering on the distant horizon that marked the beginning of the end.

Jay could hear the thundering of a thousand feet slapping the water as an army neared.

(Said army was actually hundreds of thousands of miles away, Jay could still hear them.)

Their footsteps were far too heavy as if they were held down by layers of metal. (Or stone..?)
But still, Jay could tell something very big was about to happen.

Of course, it was now that everyone decided to not work together.

“No! I refuse to let our friends, us, help the people who hated us!” The sound of wrinkling paper as something (paper) was tossed out on the table. Jay couldn’t see, as he had ducked behind a particularly large pile of junk.

“Look at what they put in the news! They display us as monsters, villians. We shouldn’t help them!” That raised angry voice was louder than everyone else. It claimed attention, drawing gazes at the speaker.

Jay himself could feel his gaze burning a hole in the box that he hid behind, staring at where that voice came from.

“Skylor, I refuse for the chance to lose more of us who just got free. We cannot bring ourselves to help our captors.” Another, calmer voice spoke up.

A heavy sigh and a suffocating silence.

Jay knew enough, he fled the scene, slipping out of his hiding spot to the main common room. (Said main common room contained a simple set of old furniture and a tv on an old table.)

The news was on, and most Elemental Masters cluttered around the tv watching with wide eyes as the speaker women talked.
(She was familiar, Gayle- something. She was pretty well known for her usual reports on Elemental Masters.)

A clip showed a village overtaken by inky dark tendrils that snaked out like veins.

Listening into the report, Jay realized that Gayle was reporting it as a possible Elemental Master thing, but her face displayed other emotions. Uneasiness, and… well, some emotion that gave her the appearance of not believing what she was saying. (It was strange, she didn’t owe them anything, yet she was sad to blame something on them.)

Jay caught a glimpse of the painting out of the corner of his eyes, and he stepped forwards, clinging to the shadows of the outstretched silence.

He held the painting up, gently taking an old towel and wrapping it around said painting to protect it.

If they won’t make the choice to help, then Jay would do it for them.

He tucked the painting under his arm before slinking back to watch the news. The background was high up, Ninjago city far below them. Somewhere high… He caught glimpse of Borg Tower in the background. The NGTV building. He could deal with that. He glanced at the time. 9:37, he had roughly an hour to get there.
He slipped out from the building, the painting tightly in his clutch.

***

Zane watched the news with a quiet aura around him.

Meanwhile, his partners weren’t as quiet and watching.

“SERIOUSLY?! HOW DARE THEY BLAME US!!!” Kai shouted angrily, a determined spark flaring up in his eyes as he positively glared at the tv. 

If looks could kill, then that tv would be long, long dead.

“Kai- It’s only a natural response. Humans tend to overreact, and blame something easier, a ‘common’ enemy one might assume.” Zane explained quietly. “It is only natural for them to fear.”

“Yeah, but they don’t need to BLAME US!!” Kai growled out, gritting his teeth.

Cole hummed in thought, not adding much to the conversation. He was lifting some weights as he quietly observed the television.

“Kai- I know you’re angry. And, well, you should be! But, being angry won’t help. That’ll only make people hide away further.” Lloyd explained, sounding strangely mature (more than normal). It was the sound of a kid forced to grow up far too quickly.

“Oh- I see, and this should want me to HELP THEM?! Oh no no no, I refuse to ‘help’ them if they will BRAND US AS CRIMINALS!” Kai snapped, his gaze scalding.

“Kai-” Nya stepped up. “I know. I don’t want to help them either, but if we don’t, then we might never see the light again.”
“Both ways we won’t see light again.” Kai growled out, jerking his head towards his sister.

Master Wu hovered by the door. In another lifetime, he might’ve smashed that tv right then and there, but… They needed it. He hoped that they could see the potiental future laid out before them. He quietly receeded away from the room, he would rather have them training, but…

Shaking his head, he dispersed the thoughts.

They needed this, they weren’t ready yet, he tried his best. He could only hope they realized the truth when the time came.

***

That is how Jay found himself going back the way he desperately fled just this morning

(He was so tired, he wanted to curl up and sleep forever. Was it night, or was it morning? He could hardly tell, it was too dark to see.)

He clambered up the shoot, hauling himself and the painting up to the roof.

(He had to walk a while, aka to the outskirts of the city, and while carrying a like, REALLY HEAVY picture, it was NOT fun.)

He gasped, he was grateful for all of his training from day-to-day practice. He mentally noted to do training while carrying heavy weights around. (Why was he noting it if he wasn’t even sure if he would ever be able to go back to it??)

Gasping, he rested, taking in big gulps of air as he held the picture aloft. His gaze landed on the building he needed to get into, only problem being that it was high up.

His ears perked up (metaphorically of course.) at the sounds of something… breaking?

Turning towards the sound, Jay squinted in the hazy gloom. Some… thing rummaged through… well, something. Jay could barely tell, but whatever that was rummaging through was… unnatural. It was stiff, far stiffer than a normal person should be. He, (Jay was uncertain it was a he, but better to be polite. His parents taught him that.) straightened up, and stared at Jay.

Jay stiffened as he met the glowing green eyes that positively glared at him. They wore some set of old… samurai armor and wielding swords that seemed to be falling apart. (Those leather straps seemed to be on their last legs.)

They both stared at each other. (Man, deja vu much? What is with it and Jay having staring contests with strangers?)

Then, the thing made some incomprehensible noise. It sounded like a mix between a guttural shout and a growl, and it lunged .

It basically crawled up the building easily, which led Jay to have to scramble away, jumping from top to top to get rid of his new fan. (Hahahaha, Jay having fans. AHAHA, yeah right. The day he has a fan is the day Ninjago flies. PFT, him having fans? Not going to happen anytime soon.)

But dang, that thing was abnormally fast . And it didn’t help he was carrying a painting. (And all the rain, something- something about friction in liquids..? Jay couldn’t really think of that right now.)

Because right now OH FOR THE LOVE OF THE FIRST SPLINJITZU MASTER IT’S FAST- Jay narrowly avoided a swinging blade by ducking underneath the (moving statue’s???) swing.

“Woah! Where did you come from??” Jay exclaimed, kicking the statue guy down, protecting the picture carefully to his body.

(He needed to protect it-! It was vital to swaying the Elemental Master’s and the worlds opinions.)
Jay ducked as the sword guy swung at him again, he successfully kicked the statue guy and watched them as they broke apart on the ground, growling out something angrily at Jay as Jay continued to run to the NGTV building.

Jay grit his teeth as he faced the rain, skidding to a stop at the edge of a building he couldn’t jump across the gap.

Carefully, Jay scampered down the building, landing heavily on the ground with the painting clutched tightly in his grip. He panted, catching his breath before he made his way inside the NGTV building.

***

Dareth drew in Morro to his dojo, glancing outside into the darkness with a quiet expression on his face.

“It got darker.” Dareth noted, frowning at the large, purple cracks across the sky. “Those are new.”

Morro nodded, ducking into the dojo quietly. “Something’s coming. You are my friend, I came to protect you and your home.”

Dareth smile lightly, surprised but not unwelcomed to the surprise. “We can fight together then.”
Morro smiled, his teeth showing. 

***
Pixal has no idea what was going on.

Nothing really computed.

So she was still processing. Apparently Skylor, daughter of the owner of the Elemental Facility, is an Elemental Master?? Then Jay, (yes she recognized Jay even under his ridiculous blue mask.), showed up and fought Chen… Also not to mention all the Elemental Masters free and even some of the guards came to the secret Elemental base (which was just an abandoned warehouse on a hill.) and Pixal was still confused. How did she… no why did she? 

She paused, frowning in deep pondering.

Distantly, she could hear the tv playing as she stared blankly at the floor. 

“Pixal?” Pixal glanced up turning to see Skylor in front of her.

“Skylor?” Pixal tilted her head.

Skylor smiled softly. “Thank you.”
“For what?” Pixal tilted her head again in confusion.

“You treated me like a friend, you didn’t treat me differently because my dad was your boss. Even finding out I’m an Elemental Master, you still tried to comfort me.” Skylor explained.

Pixal’s eyes widened in realization, then she smiled. “You’re my friend, why would I treat you any differently?”

Skylor laughed quietly.

Pixal smiled at her laughter. “You should laugh more, I’ve rarely ever seen you laugh, much less heard it.”

Skylor smiled again.

(It was the beginning of the storm, but Pixal knew that she would stand by her friends.)

***

NGTV doesn’t take visitors.

Duly (unfortunately) noted.

Jay growled angrily as the two guards shoved him out the door. Throwing him to the ground with the painting he had found. He grit his teeth. He would just have to find another way to get up there and show the world. Jay struggled up, glancing around to look for something to help him.

Unfortunately, there was nothing. But he could hear screams nearby, and having been trained to go and help people, Jay instinctively jumped into action.

He came across a young women and a young man who was running from another of those statue dudes.

(Man Jay really never wants to learn how to carve a statue ever again after this.)

He took a broken chain he had found nearby and used it as a pair of nunchucks, using the chain to restrain the stone guy. He hauled the statue guy back, taking his sword and throwing the statue guy into a container of trash. He raised his hands, lightning gathering in his fingertips and shooting out to the statue, causing an explosion which left small pieces of rock everywhere.

He panted, swinging the sword and looking for more threats nearby but found none. He turned to the two fleeing people, jumping back in shock at the camera pointed at his face.

___

Lloyd startled watching Jay take out the stone guy easily, using his Elemental Powers (Lloyd noticed that he wasn’t terribly strong with them yet.) to render the stone guy useless.

The others were suspiciously quiet, and Lloyd glanced to see all of their attentions glued onto the screen. Even Kai, who Lloyd suspects had even formed a minor bond with Jay, was staring intently at the screen.

Lloyd continued to watch.

____

A collective hush fell over the Elemental Masters as they watched their mystery savior (Jay) saving an innocent reporter with not a care.

“Why is he saving her???” One of the Elemental Masters spoke up, their expression of confusion on their face.

Travis spoke up, having had been hidden in the back talking to Bee Festus. 

“That’s because he has a good heart.” Travis explained, having his arms crossed. “He’s trying to make a difference in the world, for both the civilians, but also yourselves.”

Bee glanced at Travis quietly.

Travis glanced at the television with a quiet expression. “The normal citizen can’t do anything against this new threat. Only you can. He’s trying to change the public’s opinion.”

The silence was so thick you could cut it with a knife, their attentions were slowly drawn back to the television again in silence.

***

“Oh Jay… Honey, please be safe.” Edna worried about her son as she saw him on the news. She crossed her fingers in prayer.

“Edna, dear, our son is strong. I’m sure he knows what he’s doing.” Ed comforted his wife.

Edna worriedly clutched her husband’s hands.

____

“Jay…?” Dareth stared at the news in shock at seeing his best friend using electricity. (He would recognize his best friend anywhere! Even with his mask on!)

“You know him?” Morro whispered as everyone in the dojo collectively held their breaths.

Dareth nodded. “He’s my friend.”

Please be safe Jay. Don’t do anything stupid. Dareth pleaded.

____

Jay panted as the reporter was hounding him with questions, he threw his hands up to stop her.

“Stop stop stop. You have everything all wrong.” Jay explained, staring directly into the camera, hearing his voice from another television nearby.

“The Elemental Masters aren’t the villians you make them seem to be.” Jay lifted the cover over the painting, revealing a picture of the Elemental Masters fighting a giant serpent. “They were heroes. Something… no someone made them seem like villians when they aren’t ! I may not have known about my heritage for a while, but I know with a certainty, they are just children. People, just like you and I, they were forced into a role they didn’t deserve.” Jay explained, helpless to the emotions that flooded through his voice.

***
“They are your hope to saving Ninjago, but they won’t help if they’re to be treated like criminals!” The Master of Lightning exclaimed, and Lloyd’s eyes were drawn to Kai’s expression.

He blinked in shock. Kai was… crying??

“Kai-??” Lloyd worriedly reached towards Kai.

Kai said nothing shaking his head.

Master Wu listened from outside the door, smiling to himself at hearing his student’s words.

“Oh Jay, you’ve improved so much. I’m proud of you.” Master Wu smiled. They needed to hear your words. I believe that it was fate that I found you alone instead of with the other Elemental Masters in this situation. Master Wu internally thought to himself. You were always the one who shines the best with talking.