Hello, everybody! The Purple Rose is here! :)
With the obligated numbers to make the nick count... ^^"
Okay, something really quick, this takes place right after season 5 and takes a completely different turn. Everything after it won't appear, or will but at certain conditions. It's a new timeline where we get to have a clearer view on things that haven't been explained in the show (which I love with all of my heart, but honestly, I need to compensate for what I don't know about my Bluebell's past T-T)
The ship won't be the main theme of this story, but it's gonna be clearer at the very end. So stick with me and, if you want, make a guess ;)
Well, this is it! Enjoy! ^ ^
"Ninja, we finally caught up with the training lost in the last weeks." Yeah, hard to train when you have a possessed green leader to save. "I'm pleased to see your progresses. For this reason, I leave you with free practice for today. Choose your partner and proceed by your own, until you think you have practiced enough. You are all experienced, I'm sure you can deal with yourself and…" He gave the master of lightning a glare. "Training with the controller it's not considered valid. Let's get started"
Jay sighed in defeat. It still was a good dream.
He looked for the others. Not even two seconds and Kai and Lloyd were already at work. It wasn't weird, their bond emerged more than clearly during the last weeks. He could go with one of the others, hoping to get quick with the training and get to his beloved videogames.
He noticed Nya. She seemed as undecided as himself.
"Hey Nya!"
Her new ninja suit really suited her, even if it lacked a little of the elegance of the Samurai X. Having her fully integrated in the team was still a new, but it was cool.
She smiled at him.
"Yes, Jay?"
"Wanna be together?"
The master of water made a gasp so loud the blue ninja thought she was going to sneeze. She looked around, making sure the others weren't looking at them. She brought a hand through shiny black hair. She looked uncomfortable.
"Jay, let's give up… we already tried that and it didn't go well."
The master of lightning blinked.
"I don't think I've ever trained with you." After all it was just a couple of weeks since Nya joined the ninja team. And even before he didn't find the time to practice with the samurai.
Nya widened her eyes. She blushed.
"Oh, you said… I thought… ahem…" She cleared her voice, clearly embarrassed. Her eyes looked away. With this shy look she didn't look like the same engineer that built so many amazing battle machines. She seemed more feminine.
But Jay was just thinking about his own words. Oh, crap. He felt a wave of embarrassment hit him. It was still so weird dealing with her! Not even two seconds and he already messed up? It probably wasn't a good idea pairing with her today.
Maybe it was too early indeed.
"You know what, maybe it's better another time." He looked around, trying to find an escape. "… Cole! Wanna practice together?" He left the master of water behind. That too felt weird.
The burden of a relation was incredibly heavy, especially now that he dropped his own. He kinda missed that brick on the stomach. At the same time, he was breathing more easily. He wasn't sure if it was a good thing, but for now it was good enough for him.
He felt relieved when the master of earth smirked at him.
"I'm in." He was already in position, of course. "Prepare yourself, Zaptrap." His pose was perfect. Even in his evanescent form, he looked perfectly anchored at the ground.
Jay attacked first. It was incredibly satisfying facing the black ninja. Because he was naturally the toughest and most resistant of all of them, except maybe Zane. Not to mention he was a ghost now, so even the most dangerous of the hit wasn't going to hurt him badly. The blue ninja could give him his most powerful hits, he had a brick wall waiting for him. He didn't lose time, punching his abs. It hurt his knuckles, like punching stone.
Cole left him attack, waiting for an opportunity. Then he locked his arms around Jay's, pulling him up and throwing him away. As soon as his feet touched the ground, Jay kicked the air around himself. He didn't hit him, or maybe he did. Hard to say, hitting ectoplasm gave a funny feeling. He didn't feel it, but at the same time it was like a cold tickle.
He took the distances, waiting for the other. Cole was on him in a blink. But the master of lightning was ready. His arms moved by their own. It was the base of martial arts. With every kick and punch there was a specific way to defend. In front of the head, protecting the chest, with the back of his hand. Hours passed fighting enemies automatized every single movement. At some point, neither of them needed to think about a movement to do it.
Against Cole in particular, precision was essential. Just one of his punch was enough to push you against the wall… and break you. With the wall. Confronting that kind of level, the blue ninja's mind was focused. It felt the danger.
A little survival instinct from training.
Jay repulsed Cole's kick with his block. He jumped away, bringing his hands together.
"Ready?" He started to create blue shocks through his fingers.
Cole created a rock wall in front of him. Then he broke a big part of it, holding it with two hands like it was some sort of rudimental shield.
"When you are!"
As soon as lightings started to strike, Cole managed to dodge them in every possible way. They were growing more and more rapid and precise. Sometimes they hit the shield. It was a precaution: the black ninja wanted to increase his agility without being toasted. Also, with that extra weight, he was training to get more fluid and faster.
Jay let himself go. It was so rare being free to use his elemental powers without limits. He always used them as fast attacks, the essence of the lightning. But it was a little frustrating. He felt so good while creating thunders and lightnings without stopping. Like screaming in an empty room, just for venting the throat. He wasn't afraid of making mistakes. There was a reason why he had been chosen to teach Lloyd how to control and channel the power, in the past.
He liked to be in control, precise. But running wild was a little pleasure he loved to take sometimes.
He felt fused with his element. Almost asleep. The roar of the thunder was relaxing. He felt like closing his eyes. He could see every lightning and where they were going to strike. It was like a shock right in his mind.
For a moment, he saw a glimpse of green.
Then, it exploded. He winced like he just woke up. The rock broken in the middle. The burn mark was evident, a small black smoke was floating from it.
Jay blinked. Did he just break in half a solid rock shield with a lightning?
He did, didn't he?
"… COOL!"
Cole had his mouth wide open. Then he smiled. He made an enthusiastic laugh, running towards the master of lightning.
"How did you do that? It was amazing!"
The master of lightning laughed.
"I don't know, it just came like that… eh eh, not bad." He watched his hands with satisfaction. "It must be due my... shocking personality!"
Cole facepalmed.
"Seriously?" Jay shrugged. "I'm gonna ignore that just for not smacking your head. That was really powerful though." The black ninja looked at his annihilated rock. "Never saw you doing hits like that. Can you do it again?"
The blue ninja hummed quizzically. He threw another thunder against the remaining pieces of the rock shield. Nothing more than a little burn appeared.
"I guess it was just me getting overcharged?"
Cole furrowed his forehead, concerned.
"Then maybe it's better not doing it too many times in a row. Come on, let's do some full body training."
Jay gave a look at his hands. Was he getting stronger? He was, right? He did train a lot over the years, even if between being a tv host and helping Wu with Steep Wisdom he got a little rusty. So, he was regaining his best form? That alone made him excited.
He immediately went in position.
"Ready!"
That was a relaxing part of training too. Weak hits with open hands, without strength, just technique and efficacy. The master of earth was, again, the perfect partner. Not like a dummy, those weren't able to counterattack. With him Jay felt constantly followed. He could show all his strength and, most importantly, speed, at the same time. Most of the time they were forced against subjects all muscled up, when body was the key.
Here, he was able to use his own particular abilities.
Cole stumbled with one of his kick.
"What were you talking about with Nya?" He accidentally hit him in the stomach. "Whoa, sorry! I thought you were going to block it!" Cole got closer, massaging his back.
Jay was holding his belly. He got distracted. Luckily it was a weak punch, of he would had saw the breakfast coming up.
"I-I'm fine, don't worry… you asked?"
"Nya. I saw you talking to her before coming to me. It's been a while, actually."
"Nothing much, I asked her to get together… for training!" He laughed embarrassed. "Things are still awkward between us, I guess."
Cole helped him get up. He watched him confused.
"And you don't wanna try with her? I'm not in the way anymore, it's just you on the field."
"I know, but I'm not sure it's a good idea." Jay breathed, feeling better. "I thought we were destined, but after all that happened… I need time to think about it, and it's not exactly first priority. For now, I just wanna put all the pieces together. Think about what I wanna do." He smirked. "Beating that rockhead of my bro at Fist to Face 2."
"Ha! You wish!" Cole laughed, patting his shoulder.
His hand passed through him. The black ninja froze, looking at his transparent limb.
Jay's smile fell. His eyes saddened. Lloyd being back wasn't the only thing they dealt with in the last weeks.
"Cole, have you… have you thought about how to tell you dad? It's been a while too…"
The master of earth made a sad laugh.
"Too easy. Hey pa', you know, the son that lied to you for most of his life just became a water-soluble ghost! You must be really proud!" He shook his head. "Absolutely no, my dad is not good at dealing with changings. It's enough he accepted me being a ninja when I went away from school, I won't tempt the fate any further." He was back in position. But his eyes were everywhere but on the training. His fists, clenched, went normal for a second.
The master of lightning furrowed his forehead. He got ready as well, without taking away his eyes from him.
"So you're gonna ignore him for the rest of you life?"
Cole glared at him.
"I didn't say that."
"Not explicitly, but…"
"I don't wanna talk about it!" He kicked the other.
The blue ninja dodged him without a problem, getting on his feet. He knew him, unresolved questions were hard to ignore. Especially when his problem was basically on himself.
"It's your dad, Cole, he cares about you." He tried to smile. "He won't stop just because you can see what you ate!"
"I don't know… it's not the right moment."
"Then when? It's been weeks, you haven't even call him!"
Cole rolled his eyes.
"Sure, because you are the expert about it!"
Jay made an offended sound, blocking an attack. Then another. And another one. He found himself on the defensive without realizing.
"Don't put it on me, it's about you!"
The black ninja grabbed his arm, quickly prying him.
"Yeah, easy lecturing the others! Are we gonna talk about uncomfortable situations? When are you gonna tell your folks that that "amazing girl" is not you girlfriend anymore?" He used it to slam the other on the ground.
The master of lightning gulped, hitting his back. For a second he felt the air leaving his lungs, for a little too long. He then inhaled deeply and got on his feet.
"That's not important right now!"
"It is! First tell you parents about something that bothers you, then maybe you'll be able to tell me what to do! Until then, be ready!" Cole summoned a rock, throwing it at his opponent with a kick.
Jay destroyed it with a lightning, furrowing his forehead. That wasn't what he had in mind when he brought in the subject. It was never what he had in mind talking to the master of earth, and it was always too late to realize it.
"Don't scold me about Nya!"
"It's annoying, isn't it? This is exactly what I feel, so cut it out!" Cole kicked the ground. An earthquake made the master of lightning lose his balance. The black ninja jumped on him ready to strike his fist. Only for a second, he didn't find him.
Jay rolled on the side, getting up immediately.
"It sounds like you're saying goodbye to him forever, it's ridiculous!"
"Ridiculous, that's the word! But you should tell it to yourself!"
Another, bigger rock. Again, destroyed.
"Very mature of you!"
"Shut up!"
Rock. Lightning. The master of lightning could feel the voltage increasing. With his frustrations. Like a reminder of their rivalry, in that precise moment the black ninja was the one Jay needed to disagree with. And he didn't even remember when they started to scream to each other.
With a little more of rationality, he would had found it really sad.
Rock. Lightning.
"Cole, come on!"
"Come on what? I said zip it!" Cole raised his hands, holding a rock bigger than him. "I said no! Drop the bomb about you and Nya, then maybe I'll pretend you're the right person to lecture me! Before acting like the "good one", try not to be a hypocrite!" As soon as he threw it, his eyes looked like he regretted everything that happened in the last five minutes.
Jay screamed in frustration. He was feeling his entire face on fire, and his hands like he needed to threw something, anything.
"That's it!"
He pointed at the rock. He used his power, at least it was what it looked like. He just saw the rock bouncing back to his owner. Cole was too shocked to react. Fortunately, the big stone just went through his transparent form.
He looked at him.
"How did you…?"
"All right! I'll do it!"
"What?"
Jay glared at him.
"I'll tell my parents I broke up with Nya, so you'll tell you dad that you're a ghost! Then we'll all live happily ever after with cleaned up consciences! I'll do it today, no, right now! Happy? Since I trained enough while countering you stupid fits of rage!" He gave him his back, leaving the training room. He was furious, almost couldn't see where he was going.
And it felt heavy. Because Cole was right.
How much time passed since he last visited his parents? He loved them, even so he always looked like the ingrate son that never finds the time to call them. And Nya… when they found out about their relationship, they were so proud about it. At least a year passed and he never even mentioned the situation, what kind of person he was?
He changed quickly, already less angry. It was a big relief, he didn't like feeling that way, especially after what jealousy made him do. An emotion only full of sadness and void, like he spent time and tears without an actual reason.
He wore his favorite blue jacket. He was ready.
"Jay, wait!" Cole grabbed his shoulder. Huh. He was getting better at controlling his arts.
The blue ninja didn't look at him, keeping the pout.
"What now?"
"You don't have to do this. I'll tell my dad anyway." Cole sighed. "You're right, I'm acting like a baby. I'm terrified about him rejecting me again… but it would be worse never seeing him just because I don't wanna talk to him." He lowered his eyes. "Sorry."
The master of lightning looked at him surprised. Then smiled. Of course. The black ninja wasn't dumb, unfair either. He was only unnaturally introverted, and it wasn't his fault.
"Don't worry, you're also right. Let's do it for real. I'll tell my parents about Nya, then you'll go to your father. Then we'll be both clear." Cole nodded happily. "Wanna come with me?"
"To your parents?"
"You saw them many times, didn't you?"
"Sure, but… never like this." Cole looked at his body, ashamed.
Jay huffed.
"You do know how my parents deal with changes, do you?"
As soon as they entered the caravan, the Walkers gave them the warmest of the welcoming. Two big hugs, two big pats, and a broken conditioner on the table.
Definitely warm, if not hot.
"Cole, my boy! It's so good to see you again!" His dad looked a little confused. "There's something different about you, isn't there? Even if I can't say what…"
Cole scratched the back of his head.
"Well, Mr. Walker…"
"Oh, I got it! You lost weight!" The man put a hand on his shoulder, that went through him. "Unbelievable, you're almost inconsistent! What is your diet, son?"
Jay snickered. Cole laughed nervously.
"No, I'm… I'm a ghost now."
His mom made a curious sound.
"How did you do that? Ed should probably lose two or three pounds!… don't look at me like that, dear! I told you, a piece of my crumble cake after every meal is too much!"
"Then stop making it so delicious, honey!" His dad grinned. "Jay, son, did you eat yet? Why don't you join us!"
"You're eating this late?"
"I was working on something special and I lost track of time! Maybe just for a piece of cake, what do you say?… Edna, don't gave me that look either! I'll start the diet tomorrow, I promise! Let's just finish what's left, okay?"
The master of lightning looked at Cole, whose eyes were already shining.
"Well, it would be rude not to accept. Especially a cake… can't reject a cake."
And it was delicious. Buttery pastry, fresh blueberries and soft whipped cream on the top. They hadn't even seat down, next to the broken machine, and the master of earth was at his fourth slice. Jay decided not to question how a ghost could eat. After all he was happy he didn't lose his appetite.
At the Walker's house it was hard find a moment of silence. Jay was forced to wait a little. The only times he realized how people felt in his presence. It was kinda educational. At least until his dad finished his speech about his giggly compact convertibly compressor…
"… that will permit us to use solar energy! Interesting, right?"
"Dear, after a bit of maintenance we won't have a black out every time it's on!" His mom was stirring her cup of tea. "Jay, sweetie, you could stop by and help sometimes! You should have a while before the city is in trouble again!"
The black ninja laughed.
"You never know."
"Don't jinx it, Cole!" Jay inhaled deeply. "Mom, dad… there's something I need to tell you. I know I should've told you before, I wasn't sure how to bring it up… am I doing a Wu right know?" Cole snickered. "Well, whatever, I swear I'm serious!"
His mom looked at him a little worried.
"Are you okay?"
"Fine, yeah, it's not that. You see… me and Nya…" He swallowed. "We broke up."
He waited, holding his breath.
His dad waited. He blinked. Then snickered.
"Son, you're not underwater, you can breathe." He gave him a big pat on his back. "If you're convinced about this decision, we trust you. Clearly, she wasn't the one. You'll find someone else!"
Jay looked at them uncertain.
"You're not disappointed?"
His mom gave him a loving look.
"We like Nya, but you're the one who would stay with her forever. Whatever your decision is, we'll support you no matter what!"
Jay was so relieved he could feel himself floating a little. He smiled.
"Thanks, you guys!"
"Don't mention it, son! There are lots of fishes in the sea! You'll find someone else in not time!"
He giggled, a little embarrassed.
"Yeah, I think I'll take my time, I'm fine for now."
His mom looked curiously at him.
"You sure? Because I met this girl, Claire, during the rioting against master Chen. A cute girl, with a thing for the ninja. She told explicitly her favorite is the blue one…" She winked at him.
The master of lightning blushed.
"Mom, please!"
"At least keep it in mind..."
"Dad!"
"Sorry, sorry!" The man looked at the other ninja. "How about you, Cole? Someone in your heart?"
The master of earth gulped. It seemed like he lost himself for a second. He coughed a little, trying to avoid Jay's dad's curious eyes.
"I'm not good with love affairs."
"How so? You're so handsome! Are you hiding something?"
The black ninja quickly shook his head. Jay couldn't blame him, after the all triangle thing. And there it was, his bashful personality. He was embarrassed, but his cheeks were just colored by a darker grade of green. Was that ghosts' blush? It sure was interesting.
The blue ninja shrugged.
"I think Cole has something else in mind, especially since I've done my part. You're next!"
"Ah, uhm, sure." Lost again, was he okay?
His mom looked at them confused.
"Part in what?"
"In short, Cole needs to tell his dad about the ghost thing!"
His dad smiled.
"Oh, I'm sure it will be painless, your dad is a really good man. Every time we met him he always talks proudly about you! Last time, I think it was last year's Day of the Departed, he never stopped for a second saying how great his son is!"
His mom nodded.
"He even invited us to watch the video of you birth!"
"Dad, come on!" Cole grunted, embarrassed. "When I started to attempt to the Marty Oppenheimer he used to go around and show it to everyone! Like it was some sort of prize!"
Jay could see it. As soon as baby Cole was born, his dad giving him a trophy. It was a weird thought. But his attention was questionable, so he was going to forget about it anyway. What were they talking about again?
His dad laughed.
"I can understand that, it's the proof of you birth! If I had it, I would show it to all of Ninjago! Even beyond!" He raised his hands to the sky dramatically. "Every realm known would know how great is my son!" His wife clapped with enthusiasm.
Jay rolled his eyes with a smile. So embarrassing and energetic. So his parents like. It really felt like it was never going to change, and it was reassuring.
… wait.
"You don't have it?"
His dad froze. The clime changed incredibly suddenly.
"… what?"
"The video of my birth, you don't have it?" No answers. "You lost it? You forgot to take it? You accidentally recorded something on it?" Still silence, terribly unnatural. "Dad? Mom?" His parents became like two ice statues.
The man swallowed. He looked incredibly nervous.
"Y-Yeah, I think I recorded that football match. You know, Ninjago versus Bricksburg…"
"You don't even like football, you always say bumping against each other so violently it's a waste of expensive equipment!" Jay smiled. "It's okay if you don't have it, you know I wouldn't be mad! It's a pity, but you probably liked to watch it more than me." Even if he didn't remember even seeing that video… no. It was a coincidence. They didn't have to talk about this, just a word and the discussion was other. Because it didn't feel good.
He wanted to get rid of that sudden coldness. Inside and outside his.
His parents shared a look. They were visibly nervous and worried, communicating without talking. Nodding at each other. Sighing weakly. Jay gave Cole a worried look, the master of earth shrugged, as much if not more lost than him.
His mom confronted him first. In his eyes there was fear.
"J-Jay, there's something you should know. I guess we also never found a way to bring it up."
"You're doing a Wu too, mom. It's funny." Jay smiled. He moved his mouth. And it was incredibly hard to do it, when inside he felt like waiting for something bad to happen. What was going on? Why it felt so heavy? They were all laughing just a minute ago, why couldn't they go back to that?
His dad sighed sadly.
"I guess we were worried about how you would have taken. But there's no point into taking this from you anymore. The thing is… son… you're adopted."
For a moment, his mind went white. The photos on the caravan, the empty plates on the table, the smell of cake in the air. The faces. Cole, his dad, his mom. Everything was gone. A feeling of confusion and bewilderment. He felt distant, watching this instant slowly becoming a part of his life. For a moment, he felt nothing. Like not being a part of this.
Then, he was back, owner of his existence. And he felt not ready for it.
Jay smiled. Laughed.
"It's a joke. It's a joke, right?" His father… Ed's face was serious. "You're joking, right?" His mother… Edna was close to tears. "It has to be… it has to be a joke. You… you…" Then he felt it, the silence, and it lighted his anger. "You lied to me! For all this time, you said nothing but lies!"
Edna held a hiccup.
"We didn't know how to tell you, there wasn't the right time for…!"
"In all these years, during all my life you never found the time to tell me that I'm not your real son?! I always trusted you! I thought you trusted me as well!" The blue ninja punched the table. "I can't believe it! How could you do this to me?"
Ed tried to put a hand on his shoulder.
"Son, listen…"
Jay slapped his hand.
"Don't you dare call me like that!" He regretted it, as soon as he looked into the eyes of the man he thought was his dad. "I… I'm sorry…" Anger was gone, and he didn't want what was coming next. "… I need some time alone." He didn't look at them. Not his "mom", neither his "dad".
Cole tried to stopped him, he was sure, he felt his hand.
Jay got free and ran as fast as he could, from the place he thought it was his real home. He summoned his dragon. Then he flew away, racing against the wind. Feeling the hard breeze touching his skin and then flowing behind him.
He hoped the upcoming pain was going to do the same.
It was stupid. Really, really stupid.
But he could no longer look at those photos without feeling bad. So that was it. Two pressures, two little rips, and the figure of the autumn haired kid with that notch on his eyebrow was gone. Thinking about it, nobody in his "family" had those traits. At least one of his parents should had been born with ginger hair. But no, nothing.
It was so obvious it made him cry.
He didn't know how long he had been closed into his room. Probably a lot, because he heard Zane coming back with grocery. The titanium ninja always went for shopping an hour before dinner. He could hear the sound of the pots.
Jay lied down, between all the ripped photos on the ground. He closed his eyes. He felt empty. His cheeks were wet but it didn't feel relieving. Because the obviousness of the situation was paralyzing, and frustrating. The fact that something like this was meant to happen, but destiny decided this was the right moment, felt awful.
It really was just a matter of timing, after all.
Kai and Nya's parents were gone, Cole used to have problems with his dad. Zane's died twice, and Lloyd's sacrificed himself for all of them.
Why he thought his family was going to be different?
He fooled himself, thinking he was lucky, while he didn't even know where he really came from.
Who was he, at the end?
Someone knocked at the door.
"What?" His voice was husky.
"Jay, it's me." It was Nya. "Open up, we can talk."
The blue ninja sat down, looking irritated at the door.
"Do you even know what is this about?"
"Not really… Cole didn't want to tell us."
On one side it was frustrating, because it meant he had the ungrateful task of dropping the bomb. On the other… he was incredibly grateful the master of earth respected his privacy. It felt nice to know he was the only one aware.
Nya knocked again. Jay probably went silent for too long.
He sighed.
"I don't wanna talk now."
"Whatever it is, we can deal with it together. Come on, Jay…" He could almost feel her hand on his door. "Please."
Jay felt bad. Because yesterday he would had probably given up without a problem. She sounded so worried and kind. Who was he to go against the master of water? Something from his old crush stayed, after all. But he didn't feel like himself. He felt nothing. He couldn't even vent, his throat was burning. He closed his eyes, trying to ignore it.
"Not now, Nya."
"Don't you trust us?"
"It's not that. I don't feel like talking right now." He could feel one of the photos poking his side. "When I'll feel like it I'll tell you! But now leave me alone, all of you!" He raised his voice. Because he was angry, confused. He wasn't as smart as he thought, his life was not what he thought it was.
Why did he have to restrain himself, when he felt like exploding inside?
Nya knocked again. Another long silence?
"Jay, I don't feel like leaving you like this. I promise I'll give you your time, but first can I bring you something?"
It really burnt.
Jay swallowed. It hurt.
"I don't need anything. I… I don't…"
"Jay… I wanna help you."
The master of lightning screamed. She was so heartfelt, so close, but her kindness felt like burns and he couldn't bear it.
"I said leave me alone! Didn't you hear me?" He punched the ground. "I don't wanna see anybody, not you, not the others! I just want to be alone! Got it? Try to accept that, instead of just getting around the problem like you always do!" He didn't feel regretful about his words. His mind was closed. His eyes were cloudy. Maybe a satisfying crying was finally coming.
Nya made a loud gasp.
"And what is that supposed to mean?"
Too late to go back.
"Oh, I don't know, maybe if you decided between us, instead of just enjoying the sight of me and Cole fighting each other for you, I wouldn't have passed an entire year closed in a bunker of business and guiltiness!" He got up, kicking the door.
He felt Nya backing away.
"I'm not here to talk about that!"
"Are you gonna run as you did nothing?"
She hesitated for a second, like everything was bewiled.
"I know I haven't been honest and I regret it, but it's not my fault you were so jealous you couldn't see! You didn't even respect my time for making a decision!"
"I was in love! You didn't respect me!"
"It's not true! Why are we even talking about this? I'm trying to help you!"
Jay made a sad and cruel laugh, his throat feeling worse.
"See? You're doing it again! Avoiding the problem! And just for a stupid machine!"
"It was only an incentive! I had doubts about us even before that!" This time Nya screamed. "That's it! I don't know what happened, and whatever it is I'm sorry about it, but it's not a good reason to put it on me! Bye, Jay!" She walked away. Her steps were heavy. A door was slammed in the distance.
The blue ninja sat near the door, back on the wall. He touched his cheeks. Still wet. But his throat felt awful. What did he have to do to cry and feel better? He didn't want to worry the others. He already knew, after getting himself together, he was going to apologize to Nya. Because he was wrong, so wrong.
But not now. He still didn't feel guilty, not even whole.
He stayed still. One of the photo was under his feet. It was one of his birthday, probably the fifth. He remembered it, because he had the famous notch on his eyebrow. Dad… Ed, told him he got it while playing with the junk. From that moment mom… Edna, put some barriers in front of the dangerous stuff, until he was old enough.
Jay wondered if that was a lie too.
He sighed. He didn't want to stay in his room. It felt frustrating.
But where to go in the evening, without getting caught?
-"Fear? Fear isn't a word, where I come from!"-.
Fritz Donegan was his savior. Looking like that, without fear while facing the space cobras' army, made him feel braver as well. It was weird going to the cinema without popcorn, he never did that. But he really wasn't hungry. His legs were completely relaxed. The new trilogy's marathon was far from over.
The classic junk sequel, that was why there were just five other people there.
Jay closed his eyes. He knew this movie by heart. Punch to the right, mortal jump, punch to the left, here comes the laser, shot aimed to the ship that was going to blow up. Boom. Without looking back, of course. He lost hours rewatching the Starfarer saga when he entered the tv business.
A way like another to forget the solitude.
He instinctively searched for popcorns, even if he didn't buy them.
"Samurai in space still makes no sense to me."
He almost choked when he found them, and not only.
"Cole?!"
"Silence!" Was that a joke? The couple of guys in the first line looked like the ones they met the first time they went to watch the movie together. Funny look, maybe they weren't from here.
Or maybe they were, they didn't look completely foreign for him.
Cole snickered, covering his mouth with a hand of popcorn.
"Ever get that feeling of déjà-vu?"
"Shut up Tracer! I mean! Urgh! What are you doing here? No, wait, how did you find me?"
He shrugged.
"A Starfarer marathon far away from the bounty? Easy enough."
"I could've been everywhere!"
"I couldn't be called your friend I couldn't find you. Popcorns?" Jay shook his head. "So, how come you decide come here specifically? You probably already watched them at least a hundred of times each one." He looked uninterested. But he was also there.
It felt nice, the thought that he would had always be able to find him.
The master of lightning smiled weakly.
"I guess… this is the only constant I have left. You know, it doesn't matter how many times I watch it, he's always there. Doing the same things, with the same undoubtful moral." He felt his eyes on him. "Don't start."
"Yeah, you had it coming. So, I'm gonna avoid to tell you to consider your parents just the people that raised you, because I think right now it's not first priority." Cole smiled slightly. "I won't say things like "I know how you feel" or "I know how you should deal with it", because it's a bunch of baloney. All I can say is that you have every right to feel bad about this. The least I can do is help you out, with whatever decision you're gonna make."
Jay looked at him a little reluctant.
"… what if I want to avoid Ed and Edna, for a while?"
"Can't say I agree, but I understand."
"Can we keep it from the others, at least until I'm ready?"
"Wish we don't have to, but I'm with you."
"What if… I want to find them. What if I want to find my real parents, wherever they are, to find out why they… abandoned me?" His throat felt suddenly better. His eyes were hot. Finally, the relief melted on his cheeks. He wasn't sobbing. It was like a dam that opened slowly.
Cole looked at him, a little taken back. He patted his shoulder, smiling softly.
"I would be there. By the way." He gave him something, a key and a note. "Mr. and Mrs. Walker gave me these things. The day when they found you, at their door, you had it on you."
Jay's hands were shaking. It was an address, written with precision. And a key, a little rusty, maybe from humidity. It was raining that day? Or there was another reason?
He had so many questions.
"Would you come with…?" The blue ninja looked at the master of earth. He was a ghost, an introverted that feared his dad's judgement. Even so, only a look was needed, to feel all his support. The strength of a mountain.
Cole winked at him
"You don't have to ask, Motor Mouth." One of the movies ended in that moment. "Well, if you don't wanna stay here for the next four hours, how about we grab something to eat before heading there? Those popcorns just made me hungrier! Pizza? Noodles?"
Jay laughed. He wiped his tears. For the moment, the void inside him could wait. He could pretend that, at least for now, his life was still full of certainties.
"How about a cake? My treat."
"Have I ever told you you're my best friend?"
"It's definitely too late, they are probably having dinner! What if I'm disturbing?"
"Can you stop being paranoid for a sec? At least until I digest!" Cole huffed, licking away a little spot of chocolate on his cheek. "Besides, there's no point into worrying, it could be anything. We can only wait and see."
Jay sighed. His dragon slowed down a little. Right after eating, they decided to get to the address, without even telling the others. Everything felt so fast and sudden he felt the nausea.
"I-I don't know if I'm still up for it."
The black ninja snickered, speeding up.
"That's why I'm here!" He got close to his friend, pushing his dragon a little before getting full speed. "The last to arrive won't become the green ninja!"
The master of lightning laughed. It felt like it had been centuries since those days.
"It won't be me!" As always, in a good or bad way, that ghost was always able to ignite something in him.
Even with equal powerful elemental dragons, Jay's was always the fastest one. The blue ninja landed with all the time in the world, making his creature disappear.
The master of earth got to him with a pout on his face.
"How come you're the sad one, and yet I lost anyway?"
Jay snickered.
"Because you're a Dirtclod, that's why!… whoa." Now that was a residence.
It was getting extremely late. But the house was on a hill with a great view, like some big celebrity's home. The evening made all the area shining in an orange and purple light. Other the gate there was a little green garden full of tall trees, crossed by a rock path. The face of the residence was modern and elegant, like it had been designed with a lot of attention.
Suddenly the blue ninja felt out of place.
Cole pushed him forward.
"Come on! We're here for this, right?"
"I'm starting to wondering if this is a good idea." Jay swallowed hard. "I mean, what if they abandoned me for a reason? Maybe they didn't want me, maybe they didn't like me…"
"There's no way they…! I mean!" The master of earth shook his head. "They left you key and address, I'd say it's a weird way to tell "we don't want you". Don't get to conclusions right away, it's always your problem! Just go inside and let it be over with. It's going to be fine."
The master of lightning hesitated. Then he inserted the key.
The gate opened without a sound, like it was brand new and incredibly well maintained. After the nice-looking little forest, they were in front of the door. Jay found hard putting his hand on the golden doorknob. He felt like, as soon as he opened, there was no coming back. He was there to know the truth. To complete that part of his life.
Everything was going to change. So he did.
The intern was luxurious too, full of light and with the perfect temperature. The hall looked like the setting of a movie, with the rich man slowly coming down the stairs with a glass of wine in the hand. Carpets, pictures, everything looked so expensive the blue ninja feared that even breathing was going to break something.
The living room had a gigantic plasma television and a navy velvet sofa. Jay felt more nervous at every look he gave to that place. His parents really lived here?
"Jay, look at this!" Cole was in front of a statue of Fritz Donegan, with his classic pose. "Your parents must be fans of him as much as you! That explains a lot!"
Jay smiled, but then immediately frowned.
"And yet so little. Where are they? Maybe it's not the right moment, maybe I should've come another time! Or at least I should've knocked…"
"I hoped it was clear, that you were welcomed to come back any time. I'm happy you chose today." The two ninja gulped, facing the man.
Jay froze. He looked at the statue. Then at the person in front of him, smiling. That was way beyond everything he expected. That was a dream.
The realization made him slowly smile wider and wider.
"My dad is not a fan of Fritz Donegan… he is Fritz Donegan!" He couldn't keep a scream of happiness. That was his hero, his idol, his obsession since Lloyd presented him and made him a fan of Starfarer. That guy, was his biological dad.
Fritz Donegan giggled.
"Actually, I prefer Cliff Gordon." He extended his hand to him. "I would say it's a pleasure to meet you but telling that I acknowledged the existence of the blue ninja only now would be lying. So, I can only say it's good to finally talk to you." He had an incredible poise and an elegant and relaxed attitude. They didn't have much in common on a first look.
Of course, the master of lightning couldn't care less at the moment.
"Oh jeez! Oh man oh my oh crap! I can't believe it's happening!" He shook his hand delicately, like he feared he could break it. "Fritz! I mean, Cliff! It's a pleasure to meet you! Ah, I can't believe it!" He let go when he realized his hands were sweating horribly. "Sorry, eh eh… sorry." He scratched the back of his head.
Cliff smiled.
"No need to apologize." He looked at Cole. "I see you have company. Master of earth, isn't it? It's an honor meeting you as well." He extended his hand to him.
The black ninja's face went dark since Cliff arrived, now that Jay realized. Cole hesitated before grabbing his hand. At first try it went through, Cliff shuddered but didn't say anything. Eventually they managed to shake hands, but without a word. It felt like there was some unnamed tension between them… but Jay's best friend was shaking his idol slash dad's hand.
The master of lighting was way too distracted from that to pay attention.
"Man, I have so many questions! Are you really this wealthy? What did you do before Starfarer? Would I offend you if I take some photos with you and this statue? Is this cologne I smell? How beautiful this house is on a scale on one to one hundred? Do you have a butler? And… and…" Jay's smile fell. "… why did you abandoned me?"
Everything was beautiful. A dream.
Then why it hadn't been his from the start?-.
Cliff lowered his eyes. Without his poise he looked way more tired. His skin was lucid and his eyes a little irritated. Maybe he was older than how he looked.
"You have every right to have your answers. Can we sit?" He pointed at the sofa.
Jay sat in the middle, it was unbelievably comfy. It could had been his favorite place for videogames. Cole sat near him. He weighted nothing.
Cliff was on the armchair. He looked at the black ninja.
"May I offer you something?"
"Ah, I'm good." Jay looked at Cole, who shook his head. "We both are." They did have dinner, but it was weird that the master of earth didn't try for an extra piece of cake.
Cliff nodded slowly.
"Maybe we should discuss in private. You know, family business." Maybe there really was a bit of hostility, but it wasn't first priority right now.
The master of lightning smiled.
"He's part of my family, in fact." Cole gave him an affectionate look.
Cliff didn't insist. His hands were on his knees, skinny and pretty pale. It was the first time Jay saw them, since in his movies he usually wore gloves.
"I… I'm not sure how to…"
Jay laughed nervously. It was indeed hard to start.
"We can start step by step! For example… ah, was my name supposed to be Jay?"
Cliff hesitated. Then smiled.
"I should've been Jason. My great grandpa's name, you know."
"Jason. Jason Gordon. Sounds good!" Jay looked at Cole.
The master of earth gave him that look. Like he was extremely reluctant to agree, but at the same time he didn't want to spoil this for him. He was introverted, but they knew each other well.
"It's not… bad. I'm just used to Jay Walker, so."
Jay nodded, feeling guilty now. He was going to deal with Ed and Edna later.
"Do you know my foster parents?"
Again, he hesitated a little.
"Not by person, but I knew about a lovely couple in a junkyard."
"How come I have this hair?"
"The truth? I have no idea." Cliff laughed. "It shouldn't be possible, with me having dark and her…" He stopped.
Jay didn't want to jump into that topic yet. Especially since it didn't take a genius to imagine what happened. No photos around, no mention whatsoever until now. But he was there to know.
"So… my mom is…?"
Cliff looked at him. He sighed.
"As well, I have no idea. When my career started, it was difficult to deal with our relation. We didn't even get married. When we had you, we were forced to choose what to do. She was convinced I wouldn't have found the time to take care of you. I was sure about the opposite. We argued a lot in that period, that was our last discussion. The only one we never resolved." He looked at the ground. "He called me selfish, she took you and left. I never saw her again."
Jay was speechless. His mother stole him from his father? That was how it went? How did he end up at the junkyard? Why in a junkyard, with all the places? Why he was starting to understand, and yet the crater inside him was getting bigger?
He swallowed. He didn't feel better.
"Why do I have your address?"
"… you had one year, you were starting to crawling. You were so fast we lost you in a second." Cliff smiled a little. "So I started to leave key and address with you in any moment. I know it was a dangerous idea, but the first time we almost had a heart attack… for once, it was useful."
Jay nodded. The atmosphere was getting heavier on his shoulder. At this point he could only ask what bugged him since he first realized the situation.
"How… how was my mom?"
Cliff blinked. His eyes shined. This time, he looked younger.
"Her name was Lynn. She was the funniest, strongest and smartest woman I've ever met. She was like a goddess, beautiful and terrible… but only on the battlefield. It was also how I recognized you." He sighed. "I met her a little before the Serpentine War. She looked lost, without a meaning. I showed her my favorite places at Ninjago City, but she wasn't impressed. She said it didn't look real, everything was too artificial."
Jay smiled.
"I didn't inherit that."
"Then, when we started to travel in the wildest places of Ninjago, something clicked. She was brave, energetic, she loved to move and live. She wanted to make every single moment special, to make it inerasable from the memory. She was magical. Joy, happiness… when she left, she took them from me."
The master of lightning breathed. Everything he was learning was starting to get heavy. Having Ed and Edna as parents was never a problem. Here, there wasn't a word where he could find comfort. Every memory was like a vanished dream.
His mother left, his father was broken.
Who was he, then?
He opened his mouth, asking more, needing more, but Cole interrupted his thoughts.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Gordon. But I think that's enough."
Jay looked at him.
"But…!"
"You shouldn't insist the first day, take it easy. These are a lot of information. Besides, we're lucky Nya or Zane didn't hack some cameras to follow us, since we didn't even tell where we were going!" Cole got up. "Thanks for the hospitality… I guess."
Cliff had a moment of blankness. Then nodded.
"It's true, Jay. You can always come later, tomorrow, whenever you want." He smiled at him. "It's your home after all. It's were you would've grown up."
Jay forced a smile. Every word was like being stabbed.
Words of a life that was never going to be his again.
Cliff leaded them to the door, with a hand on his son's shoulder. Jay didn't know how to respond. He liked that he was trying to be more affectionate. But at the same time, he didn't feel completely okay with it.
Jay didn't even know how to say bye.
"Uhm, see you later… dad."
Cliff shook his head.
"Don't force it. Call me Cliff until you'll feel comfortable."
The master of lightning sighed in relief. He respected his times, and he looked like a good person. It was enough, at least for now.
The two ninja left the residence, walking outside the gate. The evening was almost night, from that distance they could see the lights of Ninjago City. The residence looked like it had been positioned to be watching the city from afar.
As soon as they were farther, Cole sighed.
"I don't wanna tell you this." Jay raised an eyebrow at him. "… I don't like that Cliff. At all."
The blue ninja blinked.
"Excuse me?"
The master of earth crossed his arms.
"It's something he said, or did, or the way he said it or did it! The point is that I don't trust him. I'm not sure he is who he said he is… don't gave me that look! I wouldn't have talked if I wasn't sure, you have to believe me!"
Jay could barely contain his incredulity.
"We talked to him for, like, a quarter of an hour!"
"I have good instincts and you know it. Also, who leave an address and a key on a baby? And where, in the diaper? He's hiding something, I think you should be careful. Or at least, you should take one of us every time you come here." Cole summoned his elemental dragon, petting his face like he used to with Rocky.
The master of lightning laughed, incredulous.
"You just asked me to bring a bodyguard to see my dad! Come on, it's ridiculous!"
"Just saying, our resident green ninja's dad was the king of darkness…"
"Cliff Gordon is not Lord Garmadon, Cole! I can't believe it, I finally found out where I came from and who gave birth to me, and not even two minutes later you accuse him of murder!"
Cole rolled his eyes.
"It's not that, but…"
"But what?"
"… aren't you putting too much into this?" He smiled kindly at him. "I'm happy for you, I swear. But today you found out you're adopted and your father is a rich actor with a beautiful residence and a mysterious lost partner. It's all exciting, all great, but also really quick. I just don't want you to be disappointed at the end, if this turns out to be just a fairy tale."
Jay stared at him, a little surprised. He looked really worried. Over a simple feeling? Maybe he needed to put a little more thought in all this situation.
"Okay, I get it, but you don't have to be this worried."
Cole breathed, scratching the back of his head.
"I'm not. I know you can take care of yourself. I just want everything to be okay."
The blue ninja smiled. That was his best friend.
The black one said nothing for a while. He seemed to lost himself a lot lately, maybe it had something to do with his ghostly form.
-"Guys? Are you there?"-.
After Lloyd's incident at the museum, Nya made some receivers in form of watches, for avoiding bad surprises and having a better way to communicate.
Cole answered immediately.
"Nya, what's up?"
-"Finally! Cole! There are problems in the city!"-.
The two ninja shared a look. Aaand, the break was over.
"What happened?"
-"You need to see it! Hurry!"-.
Jay was speechless. Cole froze as soon as they arrived. Not far away, Nya was also a statue. In front of them one the most horrendous creature they had ever saw.
With the torso of a normal person, long tentacles came out as arms and legs, with sharp claws at the end of them. Ripped off clothes covered his body, destroyed by the sudden appearing of those snake-like arms. Strident roars came from that thing, breaking the shopping windows of every shop that was facing the city central.
But it wasn't completely the appearance that terrified them.
The master of earth walked slowly towards the monster. He looked like he was going to throw up. Far away on the ground, there was a broken dancing stick. At that thing's neck, a red bow tie. And at the end, even with those glowing red eyes and the purple skin, the face was unmistakable.
"Dad…" He stopped. He couldn't move.
The creature looked at him, roaring lowly. Then he threw one of his claw on him, and only the black ninja's reflexes saved him.
Jay came back to himself in that moment. He couldn't be the one panicking right now, for once. He approached Cole's dad, holding his nunchaku. He couldn't even think of brushing him. But he needed to grab his weapon to feel a little more secure.
Nya was on his side.
"They contacted us telling the attack started at Cole's house, but then he moved here! I called the others, but Lloyd and Zane needed time and Kai didn't answer! Where were you?"
Jay shook his head.
"Long story, it's for later. Is that really Cole's dad?"
"It looks like it. If only Zane was here to analyze it…"
"Dad, it's me! Cole! Your son!" The master of earth was doing his best dodging all the attacks. "Can you hear me? I know I look different but… I was going to tell you, I swear! But even if I'm a ghost it's still me! You know that, right?" He tried to smile. He even extended a hand towards him.
Nya hit the creature in the face with her water. The roars that disintegrate the road missed Cole by a few feet. She then tried to engage combat, keeping him busy.
Jay reached to Cole, grunting.
"Not only we can't do anything to him, he just has to possess all those random incredible powers! Where are the times when we were the special ones?… Cole?"
The master of earth looked lost and desperate. He was watching his hands.
"He doesn't recognize me… he can't."
Jay gulped.
"You don't think…? Even if you were still human, that can't be why he doesn't see you!"
Cole gave him an angry glare.
"How do you know? It explains everything! He doesn't remember having a ghost son, because he doesn't have one! His son is human! I'm not human! I'm… I'm not…" He kept shaking his head, like he was trying to convince himself to be wrong, but not being able to.
Jay felt helpless. Why he couldn't be the great support the master of earth was for him?
He heard a scream. Nya was down.
"Cole, we need to do something!"
The black ninja gave him a miserable look.
"He doesn't recognize me, and I would never hurt him! What can I do?"
"I don't know, but… I don't know!" Jay gave him an unsure smile. "But we don't know what to do most of the time! This isn't the first time we have to get out of an uncomfortable situation, and won't be the last! The moment you think it's over, it's over." Jay gave him his hand. "You know that, right?"
The master of earth widened his eyes. He closed his eyes. And breathed, holding it.
"Ninja never quit."
Jay nodded.
"Ninja never quit."
Nya got up in time to avoid another claw, but she was still wounded on the arm. Luckily the second attack was intercepted by a wall of rocks. She sighed in relief, while the blue ninja came after and helped her getting up.
Jay looked really worried
"Oh my gosh, are you alright?"
"All? No, but I'm good enough." The master of water looked exhausted. "Am I a little off training, or the ninja kind of enemies are really this bad?" She wasn't looking directly at him. Maybe she was still thinking about their discussion, but she was mature enough to ignore it for now.
The blue ninja smiled, shrugging a bit.
"A little of both."
"Well then, back to training!" She charged the monster but was forced to dodge another attack. She splashed him with all the power she had, but suddenly she was slammed against the ground.
Cole stopped himself in front of him.
"Pa', listen to me! Listen to my voice! I know this isn't you! I don't know what happened to you, but I'm sure we can fix it!" He walked slowly towards him. "Can you hear my words? Focus on them, try it! It doesn't matter how I appear now, it's still me! Like it's still you, your tip tap lessons, your old-fashioned music, your lemon honey tea! It's you, dad!"
The monster stopped. He was staring at the master of earth. His tentacles were trembling, Jay couldn't tell if it was an imminent attack or an emotional torment.
But those red eyes were fading.
The blue ninja grabbed that little hope.
"It's your son… come on…"
The monster gulped. A human like sound.
The black ninja smiled hopefully.
"Dad?"
Again, only for reflexes. Before he could realize it the master of earth jumped out of the way. But he looked like he had been hit, hard, just not physically. His eyes screamed betrayal. He didn't look like he was the owner of his own body, his human and ghostly form kept shifting. A claw got stuck in the ground at his right. Another on his left, and also above his head. He was surrounded by tentacles. Too shocked and sad to do something.
One blade was aiming to his chest.
Jay screamed. Without sound.
It was like screaming, but he didn't open his mouth, his vocal cords didn't move. Still, the roar moved his stomach. Trembled his throat. Burnt with frenzy his skin. It made him pursuing his eyelids. It felt like yelling at full lungs, but without moving his lips. His energy went towards the outside. All his emotions fused into one.
Save him. Save him. Save him.
He felt numb. The crater inside him was bigger than ever.
A sequence of thuds made him opened his eyes. Slowly. He didn't pass out. He probably went lost for a couple of seconds. But Nya was looking at him like he just appeared. With his hands extended towards his best friend.
Then, he saw it.
The obligated weirdness coming from himself.
He was left mouth-opened.
"WHAT THE HECK IS THAT?"
The creature's claws were still attacking Cole. But he was safe. Around him there was some sort of transparent dome. It looked like it was made of glass, lucid and transparent enough to see the black ninja's astonished look. He was looking at the stabs that could had killed him, hitting that surface apparently unbreakable.
And he created it.
Jay didn't move. He couldn't. Every movement could had broken that barrier. Cole needed that. He had no idea how he was keeping it on, and the terror of doing a mistake made the dome tremble. The master of water was the first to woke up from the surprise. She splashed the monster, finally directing his attention elsewhere.
Threatened no more, the black ninja got up. The dome destroyed by itself.
The master of lightning staggered. He was seeing double. No, triple. In the shape of three dragons in different colors flying in their direction.
He really was good at having weird thoughts, wasn't he?
"Jay? Jay!" Someone grabbed him just before falling to the ground.
Then, it was just the void of his mind.
