This one shot was my entry to a writing challenge on wattpad. The task was to rewatch some of your Ninjago moments on Netflix/YouTube/Prime/etc and write a one shot for a scene.
Pretty sure you'll recognise the scene 😉. Most of the dialogue is taken from the actual episode, but I've changed/added a few details. And the blocks in Italics are lyrics from one of my favourite songs - Run by Snow Patrol - which is my ultimate Jaya song because, in my opinion, fits this scene perfectly 😊.
Run (Nya x Jay)
Nya's POV
"Hold on."
It's strange how two short words – not more than two syllables even – can mean so much.
The day when I first said them to him, on that rollercoaster about four years ago, marked the beginning of our relationship. And this here today... it almost feels like the end of just about everything.
I'm dangling off the edge of the staircase; Jay is not only holding me with his left hand but also using his other to fight off a group of pirates, while on the floor below us Nadakhan is standing – well, leviating – wearing the typical smug grin on his face and with his four arms wide open ready to catch me.
And honestly, I'm ready to be caught.
In fact, I've just asked – begged – Jay to use the dart, but he's simply refused.
Unlike me, the blue Ninja has never been one to give up easily. So instead of letting go, he's tightened his grip on my hand and told me to 'hold on'.
And we'll run for our lives
I can hardly speak I understand
Why you can't raise your voice to say
"Hold on?" I echo his words. Hold on to what? What is his plan? Because I don't think either of us is physically able to hold on for much longer...
Searching for an answer in his face, our eyes lock for a brief moment.
I've always loved Jay's sapphire orbs, and I've always loved looking at them. Not only because of their beautiful deep blue colour – just like watching the sky on a clear evening – but also because of the pure joy and bright optimism, as well as his deep affection for me (he's recently been trying, not very successfully, to hide this though) they've always reflected. And of course the other thing that I've been struggling more and more not to think about...
But as I look at Jay now, really look at him for the first time in ages, I can also find a completely new level of determination in him. Ironic, really, how everything that he's been through - which was actually meant to break him - has made him so much stronger.
And I can barely look at you
But every single time I do
I know we'll make it anywhere
Away from here
And at this very moment, he's gathering all that strength he has, to pull me back up to him and to hurl the both of us through a hole in the roof and into the ocean surrounding the lighthouse.
Under water, we swim to a window that leads to the basement where Echo Zane was hiding from us. As Jay breaks the strong glass, I use my powers to prevent the water from entering the room with us. Once we are safely inside, he seals the window with his Elemental Shield [*]. Only then do we, simultaneously, release the breath we've been holding since before we fell into the water.
We've actually got away again. But, as Jay is quick to remind me, this is neither the time nor the place to celebrate.
"We have to find the teapot," he announces.
Slower, slower
We don't have time for that
I do take a moment though to turn and smile at him. "The Traveller's Tea," I say. "Good thinking."
Luckily, the teapot has landed very close to our current position. Unfortunately, the remaining skypirates aren't far either. We just manage to grab the teapot and, using our combined strengths, barricade the heavy door before they reach it.
Jay sighs. "Guess we can finally say this truly is a last resort. Hehe." He lets out one of his cute nervous chuckles as he pours out the last few drops of tea.
"That's it? That's all that's left?" I ask incredulously, pointing at the tiny portal that has formed. "That isn't big enough for both of us."
"But it is big enough for you," Jay retorts. With shaking hands, he hands me the dart. "Nya, take the poison. I promised you I was going to protect you, and I'm a man of my words."
As usual, I want to protest. But when he looks at me, pleadingly, I just... can't. Instead, I feel all those barriers I've spent so much time and effort building up crumbling down.
To think I might not see those eyes
It makes it so hard not to cry
And as we say our long goodbyes
I nearly do.
My hand flies to my mouth as I stifle a sob. "Oh, Jay, this is the reason..."
"The reason for what?" Of course, he is confused. The poor guy was probably expecting me to chew him out again for just trying to be a good person.
He's never deserved the way I've let my frustrations and insecurities out on him. But we don't have enough time for me to explain everything, to give him the apology he deserves, but the least I can do is to tell him the truth.
"The reason you're the only one I've ever let into my heart."
I'll sing it one last time for you
Then we really have to go
You've been the only thing that's right
In all I've done.
Even if this wasn't one of the rare occasions where Jay Walker is at loss for words, he still wouldn't have the chance to say anything, as I quickly continue.
"I don't know how to ever tell you this, but even before you saw a glimpse into our future, I saw it too... the first time I met you."
More specifically when I first looked into his eyes - the only part of him I actually saw behind the mask - and I've kept seeing (and ignoring) it, even after we broke up.
Jay's face lights up. "You did?" He gasps.
Tears pooling in my eyes, I silently nod and reach for his hand. Smiling, he accepts it and gives it a little squeeze.
It feels nice.
And at the same time, it makes me feel so stupid. All this mess could have easily been avoided if, a week ago, I had just taken his hand instead of holding on to my independence.
No, timing really hasn't been my forte. And it still isn't...
"Hurry, Nya, the flame is dying out." Jay lets go of my hand and nudges me closer to the portal.
I hesitate. Sure, he's right, we can't lose this chance. Even if it means that only one of us can get away while the other will have to stay behind. But we will still keep fighting for each other.
Light up, light up
As if you have a choice
Even if you cannot hear my voice
I'll be right beside you dear
And suddenly, everything becomes clear:
When Jay was at his weakest and unable to create his dragon, he took my hand and my help. When I was about to fall, he didn't let go but pulled me up.
It's never been about who is generally better or stronger. We're equals, and it just depends on the respective situation that we find ourselves in. And in this situation...
I stop and turn around.
"But if I'm ever gonna have a say in our future, it's me who has to protect you because it's you who has the wish."
"What are you doing?" Hearing Jay's voice crack in his typical 'I'm about to freak out' way, I can't help but let out a little chuckle. Yeah, really bad timing - again - but I've just missed this so much.
And, I was otherwise occupied at that time, but my brother has told me that Jay had once said 'if I'm going down, might as well go down laughing'.
So I smile.
Have heart my dear
We're bound to be afraid
Even if it's just for a few days
Making up for all this mess.
"I'm speaking up for my future." I beam at him. "And it's never felt better. Save me, Jay Walker—there's going to be a wedding, and I want you to do something about it!"
Too absorbed in what I'm saying, Jay hasn't noticed that I've slowly switched our positions. Or maybe he has, but let me do it anyway.
But now he's the one standing closer to the ring of dying flames, and one little push is all it takes.
"Hold on." I whisper as I watch him disappear through the portal.
To your strength. To your hope. And, most importantly, to us.
And I'll be right beside you dear.
—-
* When the Ninja were fighting a corrupted Nya on the Dark Island, Jay blocked her attack with his powers. I was kinda disappointed that they never used this again in the show - but I use it in my stories 😊!