I wasn't gonna publish this chapter today, having already updated TOTGA earlier, but then I saw the Sneak Preview from the SDCC Ninjago Panel which got me into Jaya fangirl mode :), so here you are.
This one shot was a request for Loki-God-Of-Chaos on wattpad, originally written and published there as a three-parter (I've marked the parts with those long horizontal paragraph break lines).
It is pretty much Ninja Roll (from ToE and one of my favourite Ninjago episodes) written from Nya's perspective (and with some Jaya of course). The kids are from my other storyline.
[I had to cheat a little bit though because Nya was not on Chen's Island at this time yet and the Ninja were already awake when they got the skates (plus a few more little details).]
Lightning and Thunderblade
"Hurry up, mummy." Five-year old Robert Walker complained as his mother was lacing his roller skates. "Abby 'n ev'yone else are a'ready skating." The brunette boy pointed at his seven-year old sister who, with her father and older cousin, happily waved at them as they were going around the skating track.
The Walker and Smith families were having a picnic in the park, to celebrate the beginning of spring as well as Nya's Birthday. And all the children (and this included her husband) were excited to try out the new skating rink.
"Not everyone, honey." The Water Ninja stated. "Amber isn't ready yet either." Her headstrong little niece had insisted on putting on the skates herself, and now her mother was still trying to untie the tangled laces. "And I would have been a lot faster if you could keep still for just a minute." She told the boy who was excitedly kicking his short legs.
It's definitely a lot easier when they are asleep. Nya remembered.
—-
"What are we supposed to do with these?" Nya wondered, as she and the other kabuki girls were each handed a pair of roller skates. "Please don't tell me we have to dance in these for Chen..."
Nya was not a great skater. Granted, she was not as bad as her brother but neither of them had ever learned to do it properly.
"No, these are for the next event in the Tournament: Energy versus Form." The girl next to her informed the Samurai. "We need to put them on the Elemental Masters."
"Clouse has put a spell on them so that they won't wake up." Another servant added. "But we need to hurry before it wears off."
This means that Clouse can do magic, Nya thought as she followed the other dancers to the chow house, where the contestants had to sleep tonight. The girl had only arrived on the island the previous evening and she was still not too familiar with the surroundings.
She was excited to see her (former) teammates after what had been quite a long time, even though she would not be able to interact with them. She just wanted to see that they were all doing alright. From what she had just heard, she only knew that Lloyd would have to compete now. But what about the other three?
"Oooh, I want the red Ninja, pleeeaaase." The kabuki walking ahead of Nya exclaimed. "He's sooo hot."
Nya smiled. Her brother was still in the tournament. And apparently as popular as ever.
"It's a shame the black one is out." Another one sighed. "He's my favourite."
The Samurai was surprised to hear that Cole was already out. How could that have happened, the Master of Earth was the strongest of the four remaining Ninja... and what about...
"Did you see that fight?" Another dancer chimed in. "It was so cruel of Chen to put two of the Ninja up against each other..."
Cole had been defeated by one of his brothers? Who? And why had nobody mentioned Jay? Was he alright?
"What about..." She began.
"From what I've heard, they used to be best friends." The girl interrupted her. Nya's heart fell. Jay had beaten Cole? That had hardly ever happened in training. He must still hate the black Ninja that much. And only because of her...
"It must be a very special girl they were fighting over." The first kabuki remarked.
"Sounds more like a cruel b*** who's played both of them." The second one said.
"Well, I am glad they made amends, this girl just does not deserve either of them." The third one stated. And right now, Nya certainly felt that way too.
"But Chen was not happy to see them team up..." The first girl noted. "And now it's pretty much all the other fighters against the Ninja..."
"The race is definitely going to be interesting." Her friend agreed. "I hope we can watch it."
"Quiet now." Clouse hissed. They had reached the door to the Masters' temporary quarters. "My magic may be strong, but your chattering would even wake the dead."
If you think we talk a lot, you can't have heard much of Jay so far. Nya thought as she entered the spacious room. The madeshift beds did not look too comfortable, but at least Kai and Jay were used to worse from when they had first found the Destiny's Bounty.
"The green Ninja is mine." One of the girls exclaimed.
"And I take the blue one." Nya automatically replied. I'm not gonna let any of you touch him...
She anxiously approached his bed. But she didn't have to worry at all. Jay was in deep sleep, a cute little smile on his face, and hugging the small pillow he had been given.
And he probably wouldn't recognise her under all this make-up anyway, he had always preferred her natural appearance.
From the bottom end, Nya slowly lifted up the thin blanket to reveal the Master of Lightning's feet. She seriously hoped that he had taken a shower after the fight.
Nya put the skates on his feet and then retracted to one of the corner with the other kabuki, as Clouse finally entered the room as well, sounding a gong to break the spell and wake up the Elemental Masters.
—-
"Here you go." Nya, who had finally completed her task, kissed her son's freckled cheek.
"Muuum." Robbie whined, wiping his cheek with his sleeve. "You're just as bad as gran'ma Edna..."
"Where are your knee pads?" His mother asked, undeterred by his complaints.
The boy shook his head. "Don't need 'em." He claimed.
"Yes, you do." Nya insisted, handing him the protective gear. "Abby is wearing them as well."
"No, she don't."
The raven-haired woman looked over to her daughter. And indeed, there she was, elegantly gliding over the track, her long brown hair flowing in the wind – and her knee and elbow protectors lying on the grass next to the rink.
"Abigail Walker." Nya yelled, pointing at the padded items.
"Calm down, honey." Jay, who had just returned to the picnic spot to collect their son for his first skating lesson, wrapped his arms around his wife and pulled her in a gentle embrace. "She's my daughter."
Nya laughed. "Yes, but she's also my brother's niece."
—-
Nya watched her brother and two friends getting up from their beds. And Kai almost immediately hitting the floor with his behind.
She had to admit that the three of them looked really good in those new, rather revealing suits they had been given.
Although the red and green Ninja were not a very reassuring sight otherwise. Kai was struggling to stay on his two feet – or eight wheels. And Lloyd seemed to have a problem with his back.
Out of all the contestants, Jay seemed to be the only one who was truly enjoying this. The kabuki girls watched in awe as he glided around the room and even along the counter.
Nya smiled. Jay was still the only one who knew how to make her laugh, even involuntarily. She would never admit it, but she had secretly watched every single episode of the Most Ultimate Extreme Ninja Challenge Ever he had done.
"If I go down, I might as well go down laughing." He had once said.
Whatever happened, Jay Walker would always find a positive thing about it. Well, except for those two things that in the end had driven all of them apart...
"Did I ever mention I once placed first in the mother-son skate-off?" He cheered.
He hadn't, but Edna had mentioned it to Nya, and his then-girlfriend had even seen the cute pictures.
"Aww, I wouldn't mind letting him teach me to skate." One of the kabukis swooned.
"If he keeps going like this, he will probably need a massage after the race..." The kabuki formerly known as Kai's biggest fan remarked.
Nya glared at her. "Back off." She hissed.
"As far as I know, he's available." The other retorted. "And you are new here anyway, so don't tell me what to do or what not to."
Nya suddenly remembered her mission. She was here to find her team and bring all five of them back. She could not blow her cover just because she wanted to protect her boyfriend – no, ex-boyfriend! Also, she had been the one who had broken up with him, so Nya had no reason to be possessive of him at all. And she totally wasn't jealous either.
Not. At. All.
Together with the other kabuki dancers, Nya went to watch the race from the stands.
"I looove Thunderblade." One of the other girls exclaimed.
"How does it work?" The Samurai enquired.
"Oh, it's very easy." Her new friend told her. "Two Masters – here we have Energy and Form – have to race each other around the track. They each get to hold a Jade Blade and every time they cross the finish line with their blade, they score a point."
"That is easy." Nya agreed, mildly surprised. With Lloyd competing in this race, she wouldn't have expected Chen to play fair at all. "But what about the others?"
"That's where the real fun starts." The other kabuki grinned as she pointed at the green and orange helmets. "They each get to pick a side and support their champion – or rather prevent the other one from scoring."
"Oh." The girl noticed that, apart from Kai and Jay, everyone had picked an orange helmet, showing their support for the Master of Form. Things were not looking good for the Ninja at all.
—-
From outside the rink, Nya watched as, tightly clutching to his father's hand, her little boy slowly made his first steps on eight wheels. And 'steps' was probably the right word as the click-clacking sounds from the skates suggested that he was walking rather than gliding over the track.
"C'mon, Robbie. Relax, this is supposed to be fun." Jay encouraged his son. "Try bending your knees a bit more, don't keep them straight. Like this."
The brown eyed child copied his father who smiled proudly at him. "That's much better. You're doing really great, son. And now push one foot out and glide a little bit. We're here to skate and not to walk, right?"
"But we're Walkers." Robbie smirked.
"Your son has inherited his father's sense of humour." Kai remarked as he joined his sister at the side of the track.
"At least your son hasn't got his father's skating skills." She retorted, pointing at her daughter and nephew, who were racing each other around the course. "And Amber's doing pretty good as well for her first time." Kai and Skylor's youngest child was practicing with her mother.
"That's true." Kai admitted. "I could have definitely used those knee pads."
"And maybe another one for your behind." Nya laughed.
—-
And it only got worse.
When the race started, Lloyd and Chamille immediately took off, skating side by side and ahead of the crowd – whereas the first thing Kai did in this competition was to land flat on his back.
In his red outfit and with his arms and legs in the air he reminded her of an upside-down ladybug.
And during the first couple of laps he got to spend more time like this than on his feet.
Lloyd on the other hand was skating fairly well. And then there was Jay...
"If he wasn't the Master of Lightning, I would say that the blue Ninja is 'in his element' here." One of the kabuki girls giggled.
Despite the horrible pun, Nya had to agree with her. Jay really was an amazing skater. And although he had to support Lloyd pretty much all on his own, he was still enjoying the race.
And watching him skate was rather enjoyable as well.
At some point, the three Ninja found themselves stuck behind the group of Masters from Team Chamille. Neither Lloyd nor Kai were confident enough yet to use their elements.
Jay, however, performed a little spin, using his powers to zap Shade to create a little opening for the Green Ninja to pass through – only to have Kai crash into him straight away.
"You're supposed to be helping, not ruining his chances." Lightning chided Fire, as he helped the red Ninja get up.
"Thanks for the tip, but I can't skate." Kai replied. This really wasn't in any way a surprising revelation.
"Thunderblade never fails to deliver." Master Chen cheered, obviously enjoying the mayhem on the track – and the fact that the Master of Form was ahead of Lloyd on the leaderboard.
In order to show his support for her, he pressed a few buttons, causing a ramp to shoot up from the floor just in front of Lloyd. Nya held her breath as the young man managed to do a backflip and even land on his feet again.
Kai didn't.
—-
"Don't be afraid, daddy's got you" The Master of Lightning told his son. Jay was now skating backwards, holding the boy's hands in his own to guide him. "I won't let you fall down." He promised.
"Whoohoo. Great job, Rob." Abigail cheered as she and Matthew passed the father-son pair on another speed lap.
"Your sister is right." Jay nodded. "This is really good. Try to lengthen your strides a bit now."
"I wouldn't have guessed your husband has become such a good teacher." Kai remarked. "He always used to be the impatient one."
"Oh, he still is." Nya assured her brother. "But he would do just anything for the kids."
"And for you as well." Kai said. "He would even share his last pudding with you."
"I-I guess so." She blushed.
"You're a natural, Robbie." Jay cheered as the boy loosened his grip on his hands.. "Just don't forget to bend your knees..."
"Great, why didn't he tell me all those little tricks?" Kai mumbled.
"When it comes to roller skating, he can get a little competitive..." Nya said.
—-
A few laps later, everything and everyone seemed to have calmed down a little bit.
While Kai was still struggling to stay on his wheels, Jay and Lloyd were skating together and, although Lloyd was still behind on the scoreboard, they were steadily catching up.
All in all, it was going quite well for two out of the remaining three Ninja, until Shade suddenly appeared behind them, shoving Lloyd from behind and making him drop his blade in the process.
"Booooo." The choir of kabuki dancers yelled as Paleman picked up the weapon from the floor. But their shouting immediately turned to cheering when the Master of Lightning gave the Master of Light a not-so-gentle push with his elbow, knocking him off the track.
"You didn't learn that in your Mother-Son skate off, did you?" Lloyd was just as surprised (and impressed) as everyone else about the blue Ninja's very determined action.
"It was a fierce competition, Lloyd." Jay informed him, returning the blade to the Green Ninja. "And this isn't the time to judge, it is the time to skate faster."
As they crossed the line, Nya could feel her heart beat faster in her chest. Unlike Lloyd – or Cole – Jay had never been type to lead. But now that the fate of the team rested on his nicely toned shoulders, he had stepped up and accepted the task.
Nya definitely liked this new side of him.
—-
"Mum, uncle Kai, look at me." Abby called out to her mother and uncle. The seven-year old was spinning on her skates.
"Wow, it almost looks like you're doing Spinjitzu." Nya proudly.
"Yes, I'm getting dizzy just from watching you." Kai told his niece.
"I am not dizzy." She boasted. "And when will I learn Spinjitzu?"
"I'm afraid you and your friends will have to wait a few more years for that, sweetheart."
"Not fair." Abigail pouted.
"But until then, dad can maybe show you and Mattie a few more tricks with your skates." Nya suggested.
—-
From her position among the other girls, Nya saw Kai fall for the umpteenth time on this early morning.
But luckily, the two other Ninja had by now gotten used to this red obstacle on the course, so instead of tripping over his teammate, Jay simply did a perfectly executed summersault over him, just in front of his female fans.
"Whoohoo." Nya cheered. "Go Jay."
Hearing someone calling out his name rather than his title, the Master of lightning turned around to look at the girl. Slowly skating backwards, he flashed her his typical crooked smile and waved at her. When Nya waved back, he blew her a kiss before turning back and skating away, leaving her wondering whether this was just still a part of his show master act – or if he had recognised her even through all the make-up...
But she didn't have much time to dwell on that thoughts. With Lloyd being only one point behind the Master of Form, Chamille's teammates had started to target the three friends again.
"Watch out for that poison cloud." Jay warned the others, having seen Toxicita use her powers.
He and Lloyd just managed to avoid it.
Whereas Kai, well, he didn't.
—-
"Whooohooo. Go Robbie."
Nya excitedly cheered at her husband and son as they passed by her and Kai's position.
The freckled little boy had gained enough skills and confidence to skate alongside his father, only holding onto one of his hands.
With his free hand, Jay waved at her, flashing his wife one of his typical crooked smiles.
Nya waved back, making his smile suddenly turn into a smirk. Jay he winked at his wife as he blew her a quick kiss.
But before Nya could react in any way, he took off and skated away, pulling his son after him.
And after all these years, the former Samurai finally had her answer.
Yes, he had recognised her back then.
While Nya and the other kabuki girls were loudly supporting the Ninja, Master Chen was doing everything he could – mainly by pushing buttons and shouting instructions – to help extend the Master of Form's lead.
"Release the buggy." Nya even heard him tell his guards.
"Look out, guys." The Samurai in disguise whispered, as she watched the Jungle Raider getting on the track and chasing after the Ninja.
"Look out, Lloyd." Jay yelled – almost as if he was responding to his ex-girlfriend's warning – and he pushed the Green Ninja out of the way, just as the car was about to hit him.
"Phew." Nya sighed in relief, wiping her forehead. She was glad that Dareth had used waterproof make-up; otherwise the spy would surely have been recognised in this heated atmosphere by now.
And it didn't look like she (or her teammates) would be able to relax anytime soon for Chamille had grabbed onto the buggy and was getting pulled around the course.
"This isn't fair." The fake kabuki dancer complained. "What does this have to do with roller skating?"
"All is fair in love and war." One of the other girls shrugged. "And in Thunderblade."
But down in the rink, not everyone seemed to agree with this 'rule'.
"She's in the lead and she gets a lift?" Lloyd asked incredulously. "I know Chen wants me out but this is getting ridiculous..."
And Nya couldn't agree more.
—-
The family outing had suddenly turned into a fierce competition when Abigail Sky Walker and Matthew Ray Smith had started chasing each other.
"Out of the wayyy." Abby cried as she was heading directly towards her younger brother. Jay, who was still holding onto the boy's hand, just managed to pull his son out of the girl's path. With his free arm, he caught Robbie and immediately wrapped him in a comforting hug.
He then led the shaking boy to the side of the rink, where Robbie sat down on the ground.
"Don't worry, he's fine." Jay reassured his worried wife who came rushing towards them. "Just a bit shaken up."
The boy mustered a little smile at his mother. "I'm fine." He nodded.
"You're a very brave boy." Nya affectionately ruffled the boy's messy brown hair. "I think I will need to have a little word with your sister. This is not a race track..."
Kai smirked at his brother in law. "Good catch."
"I've got some practice evading rogue skaters..."
"Good thing you didn't push him out of the way. Or crash into him."
"Don't listen to Uncle Kai." Jay told his son. "He's just jealous that you're already a better skater than he will ever be. Daddy never falls."
—-
While Kai was still struggling to stay of his feet, Jay had taken matters into his own hands – and elbows.
"Sorry Tox. Must be my allergies kicking in." He smirked as he shoved yet another opponent off the track.
Although this was a serious situation, Nya let out a little giggle. Jay still was the only one who could make her laugh, although he didn't even know that she was here. Or, did he?
But unfortunately, she wasn't the only one who had enjoyed the joke. Her fellow kabuki were all cheering and clapping for him.
And the Master of Lightning, still used to being a TV star and showman, started doing little tricks for his all-female audience. But, of course, in an environment like this, no good deed remains unpunished, as Griffin Turner took advantage of Jay's being distracted. He snuck up to him from behind and pushed him around the course at high speed, seemingly even too fast for Jay's liking.
And just for once on this early morning, Kai was the last Ninja standing as Jay was sent crashing right into Lloyd.
—-
"Are you okay? Do you want to try again?" Jay asked his son who nodded eagerly.
"Then let's go." The father offered the boy a hand, to pull him up and back onto the track.
Nya watched as her husband and son slowly skated into the middle of the rink, where Skylor was teaching her daughter how to stop.
"I wish I had learned how to do that." She heard Kai next to her mumble.
—-
Jay's involuntary speed lap had given the red Ninja an idea. Using his fire powers, he propelled himself forward. Surprisingly, Kai managed to stay on his skates for almost a full lap. But then he realised that he had absolutely no idea how to slow down. So, he stopped the only way he knew – by crashing into someone, sending them both onto the floor.
Luckily, his 'brake pad' happened to be the Master of Form, who even dropped her blade in the process. Jay, who was just passing by, picked it up and took off before Chamille could even react.
"Nice Kai, now you're cooking with Fire." He complimented the red Ninja, who once again was lying flat on the floor.
—-
"What about a little game?" Jay suggested to the four children who were gathered around him, holding up a little wooden stick. "Do you think you can catch me?"
"I can. I can." Abby jumped up and down on her roller skates.
"Me too." Matthew claimed.
Jay was skating backwards, waving the Jade Blade in front of Chamille who was trying to catch up with him. Needless to say, the Master of Form was not happy about it at all.
"I got it, you want it. Come and get it. Come and get it." He teased her, skilfully dodging all her attacks.
In the stands, the kabuki dancers were excitedly jumping up and down, cheering for him. And Nya was by far the loudest of them all.
—-
"Alright, Robbie and me are one team. So are Abs and Matt." He suggested. "And Amber is with her mum, okay?"
"It's been a while that we've been on opposing teams." Skylor smirked at the Master of Lightning. "You'd better prepare for defeat."
With the help of Skylor and Neuro, the three Ninja had managed to get all the Elemental Masters to work together rather than against each other. Thanks to the red and orange Ninja, Lloyd had even taken control of the buggy and was closing the gap on Chamille.
"Buttons. Buttons." In a desperate attempt to stop him, the Master of Noodles kept randomly hitting buttons, but the green Jungle Raider easily got past any obstacle that Chen would put in his way.
But if Lloyd had one major fault, it was that the kid was just too naïve and trusting. When he offered a hand to his opponent, Chamille simply responded by pulling him out of the vehicle.
"What a b****!" The girl next to Nya cried. But the Samurai couldn't help but feel sorry for the purple-haired woman.
Chamille had just lost all her supporters. And if she decided to Lloyd's side, she was going to lose the race and be out of the tournament. Her only chance was to keep fighting, even if she was on her own.
Maybe taking someone's hand is a sign of weakness. Ans not taking it may be the only way to ensure your independence. Nya thought. Even if it means you get left behind.
—-
After a fierce roller skating derby, the six competitors took off their skates and the two families returned to their picnic blanket where the four exhausted children started happily munching their snacks.
Jay put his arm around his wife's shoulder and pulled her against him.
"Happy Birthday, Sweetheart." He whispered into her ear. "I love you, Nya."
"I love you too." She replied.
"Are you enjoying your little party?" He asked.
"I am." She smiled at her rather sweaty husband. "And I'd say so are you and the kids."
"Why didn't you join us?" He wanted to know.
"Oh, I prefer watching you skate." She grinned.
"I know." He smirked. "I've actually known that for quite a while." He pulled her into a deep kiss.
"Can't you do that at home?" Kai complained. "People are eating here."
Nya rolled her eyes. "Kai, will you ever get used to it?"
"Will you ever stop doing this in front of me?" He retorted.
"I don't think so." His sister laughed.
"There you've got my answer as well..."
"But I still haven't got my answer why you don't wannna skate with me." Jay stated.
"I'm not that good." Nya started. And I don't like doing things I'm likely to fail at. "Plus, I have no skates."
Jay reached into the picnic basket and took out a blue gift box. "Happy Birthday, Nya." He said.
And when the Master of Water opened to box, she was not surprised to find a pair of brand new roller skates inside.
"You've planned this all along, haven't you?" She sighed.
If you want something bad enough, you'll find a way to make it happen. He had told her once. And it looked like he really wanted her to skate with him.
—-
The race was getting close to its end. The other Masters had silently agreed to stop interfering with the outcome, and everyone watched in suspense, as the Masters of Energy and Form were on their final lap, side by side and not so gently shoving each other.
And just as the time was running out, the two racers crossed the finish line for the final time, with Chamille being just ahead of Lloyd.
To her dismay, however, the Master of Form realised that she had dropped her Jade Blade again, thus making Lloyd the winner of the event.
And not only that, the Ninja had also made some new friends and allies among the other competitors.
On the other hand, Nya had possibly found some new competition among the other kabuki dancers.
But, as one of the girls had said earlier, all is fair in love and war.
And if there was one thing the Samurai knew about, it was how to fight.
—-
"C'mon." Jay offered her his hand. "I've got you."
Nya took it without hesitation. It had taken her quite a long time, but eventually, she had come to learn that it was not a sign of weakness at all.
I know." She smiled. "And I've got you too."