"Just uh... hold still."

"Why? What are you- Agh! Ah ow!" Jay's shoulder slipped back into socket with a popping crack that made everyone but Lloyd cringe.

"Sorry." Lloyd didn't really mean it. "Hurts less if it's a surprise."

"Says who?" Jay demanded, watching as Lloyd pinned his arm up in a sling made out of an old burlap sack.

"Me. From personal experience mind you."

"Nya's beating herself up." Kai stated. He had been absent only mind from the previous conversation, eyes trained on his sister. She was sitting apart from the reunited recruits, staring at the burning town.

"She should not blame herself." Zane replied, taking a bite from one of the ration bars in his pack. "The only two to so far unlock their powers are Lloyd and Cole."

"You don't know my sister... she's stubborn, and-" Kai hesitated. "Good at everything she does. This was a blow to her self esteem."

Jay frowned, glancing at Nya quietly. A beautiful angel like that shouldn't be blaming herself for something beyond her control.

"Guys." Skylor called, jogging up. "Garmadon's taking the civilians to a neighboring village to the east. Ronin and I are taking you and the prisoners back to Ninjago City."

"He's going alone?" It wasn't that Lloyd liked his father by any stretch... but how many were going to die?

"Yes. Now Ronin wants us to move out within the hour. Have your things packed."

{12:03 PM}

As the group made the trek back to the city, Jay tracked Nya down in the back in the back of the group.

"Hey Nya..." He smiled sadly, falling into step next to her.

"Hey Jay." There was dejected defeat in her voice that made Jay's heart twist in knots.

"You know I uh- we caught some warrior guys at the camp in the woods... but in the fight I tripped on this rock you see- fell and dislocated my shoulder on someone's sock chest."

Nya giggled. She didn't mean to; but of all things, she hadn't been expecting that.

"Well then Garmadon had to save me and... well I'm lucky I didn't get thrown to the wolves.'

Nya's lips pressed into a thin line.

"I know you're kicking yourself... but it's not like any of us have our powers. I mean, I could've zapped those guys! I totally could have- have... well ya know?"

"Yeah I do." Nya nodded. "It's just... those villagers lost everything."

"Well if a fireman goes to the scene and there's no fire extinguisher or the trucks are broken... that's not his fault. "You're amazing Nya." A blush worked up Jay's cheeks and he looked off to the right.

"Thanks, Jay. You might just be right."

"Just part of my charm."

Nya laughed quietly.

{6:28 PM}

"I never thought I'd be happy to see the pit again!" Cole sighed, stepping foot back into the air conditioned rat trap they called a home.

"Speak for yourself... I'm going to miss the night air." Kai huffed.

The showers were heaven. The recruits were grimy, sweaty, ashy, muddy, and just overall filthy, and finally being able to wash it all off was an amazing sensation.

Renovations had been made to the pit in their absence. The training room had weight lifting equipment, there was a flavored water dispenser in the dining hall, and the showers had how water.

Lloyd wondered what had brought the change about, but not for too long.

It was his turn to shower. He only took a few minutes, but the hot water had still steamed up the mirror above the sink. As Lloyd stepped out, the mirror rattled, and finger written in the condensation was one word- Morro

And Lloyd is being haunted now. I get to have fun with this one... lots of it. So stay tuned to see what Morro gets up to.
Northern Goshawk: Glad you enjoyed it! It probably will at some point lead to Nya's powers getting unlocked. I'm gonna have a lot of fun with Morro
Bookkeeper2004: Yes he is right to be suspicious. As to answer your question, I just sit down and write. I find the time and I take it. Granted not all my chapters are very long, but I keep at it. Sometimes I'll focus on other stories if I get burned out or need inspiration, but I always try to keep writing. I just say I'm going to do it, and then I do it.