Chapter 7! Thanks to those who have reviewed, they mean a lot to me! I hope you guys enjoy this chapter!

P.S: I think this will be my normal update rate...sorry. DX I know it's slow, but it's hard for me to keep updating at my old rate. I will continue to plug through! These stories will live on!

Jay POV

Everything hurt. My world was fuzzy, but I soon realized that I had been transferred over to a softer surface, and that my head was in someones lap, a hand making its way among my head, comforting me. It's what my parents did whenever I was sick, was I home? Was it my mother that was holding me?

I gasped as I felt another chunk of my body crack, and soon screamed as the crack spread far up my arm, up to my shoulder. I felt like I was suffocating, and someone drew a glass of water to my lips. What were they doing? I didn't need water, I needed air! Nonetheless, I took a tiny bit of the water, but began coughing when the pain increased. I could hear hushed voices around me, but I didn't understand. I didn't want to. It hurt so much, and took all I had to stay awake. I had to stay awake, this much I knew. If I fell asleep I would die.

The sharp pain flared up once again, and I fought to stay strong. I couldn't feel anything below my elbow, and was losing feeling in my neck. Was I that far gone already? How could I be saved?

Maybe it wasn't worth the pain.

You are a failure. You deserve this, Lightning. Sensei Dolion was right. I did deserve this. My parents would never take me in again once they found out what had happened. I wasn't a good guy. I was a villain.

So, why take the pain? What would I gain?

With that thought, I drifted off into a dreamless sleep…

Nya POV

"Master Wu! He fell unconscious! Hurry!" I screamed, trying to shake Jay awake, who was on my lap, eyes closed, as if he was sleeping. But, I knew he wasn't.

His whole arm had become decomposed up to his shoulder, and it had spread to his neck. Though his arm was still intact, it was covered in cracks and had a sandpaper feel to it, like if you applied too much pressure it would turn to dust.

Nya heard Sensei Wu run up beside her, and place a hand on his head.

" He has a fever. Good. Lloyd, come here."

"Wait, what? How is it good that he has a fever?" I asked, shocked. Sensei Wu ignored me, and instead focused on Lloyd.

"You're element, Lloyd, is the polar opposite of Decomposition, as Energy gives life while Decomposition gives death. You must cover the infected area with Energy, slowly."

"But, won't it hurt him? I don't want to put him in any more pain than he already is!" Lloyd responded, paling.

"You must! Look at him, in a matter of minutes he will be nothing more than ash and bone!" I gulped, and looked down at the boy I was comforting moments before. His took in ragged breaths, and most of his chest had begun the transformation. I bit my lip. I was in the same boat as Lloyd, Jay shouldn't feel more pain. But, we couldn't lose him. Not now.

"Do it, Lloyd. We trust you, and he does too. I can tell." I said, trying to give the Green Ninja his confidence. Lloyd nodded, and placed one hand tentatively on Jay's arm, where the process had begun. He breathed out, and slowly dispersed his element over Jay's arm. The Energy spread up the Master of Lightning's arm, going up to his neck, and Lloyd placed his other hand on his chest.

Once all of the infected area was covered, soon the cracks began to close, his skin becoming a normal shade, and the veins that were once prominent now unseen. Jay's breaths became steady, and I thought I saw a small smile form on his dry lips. That made me smile, and Lloyd breathed a sigh of relief. He stopped his element, and sat down, exhausted.

"Will he be okay?" I asked hesitantly. Sensei Wu wiped his brow, nodded, and walked away, likely going to go check on Crystal, Zane, and Cole. Hopefully they were faring better than we were moments before.

I let myself calm down. He was going to be okay.

"Hey, Sis, do you want me to get him off of you?" Kai asked, and I looked down, realizing Jay's head was still in my lap, my hand moving through his wavy locks. I smiled and shook my head. I was going to enjoy this as much as I could. Kai huffed as a response, and sat down beside Lloyd, watching me carefully. I think he was going all over-protective brother on me again. I rolled my eyes.

Zane walked in, along with Wu. "Is he alright?"

I nodded. "Now, he is. It probably sounded really bad."

Zane gave a sad smile. "It sounded horrible. I was considering coming to help, but I had to focus on Crystal. She was bleeding pretty badly."

"How is she?" Lloyd asked, looking up.

" She will be alright. She lost a lot of blood, but I managed to stitch the wound before it could be fatal. Her and Cole are talking right now. Apparently they went to the same dance school."

Sensi Wu nodded. "I believe that Cole has also taken a liking for her, too." I resisted the urge to laugh out loud. What are the odds that two of our team would fall in love with two from Dolion's?

Many questions filled my mind, now that the more urgent matters were dealt with. What would we do with them? Would they go to jail for working with Dolion? Would they go free?

"We will know all in due time, Nya." Wu said, and I realized that I must've said that out loud.

"Anyways, I will make supper. It will be ready in about an hour." Zane exclaimed, and he walked to the kitchen. One by one the rest of us exited the room, and eventually I had to get up, so I carefully placed Jay's head on the couch as I moved out from underneath him. It was hard to believe that not that long ago he was dying in my arms...I wonder what he would have done if the roles were reversed.

Cole POV

I supported Crystal as we made our way to the kitchen, laughing. She was telling me about her first attempt at the Triple Tiger Sashay, and how she had failed.

"It was a mess. My nose was bleeding all over the floor, girls were screaming, the teacher, Mrs. Jones, was screaming, and I just laid there like a rug, bleeding out! Those people apparently had weak stomachs."

"I remember Mrs. Jones. Wasn't she the one that accidentally tripped on the speaker and broke her leg?"

"Yup. I laughed so hard. I think she was trying to get Mr. Marx's number!"

I laughed some more. " I definitely wouldn't be surprised. I think that happened a day before I left, actually."

Then we got silent, I was thinking about why I left, because I didn't want to be a dancer, and then I thought about why she left. While Zane was patching her up, she told me. Her brother forced her to join Dolion's team, but all she wanted to do was dance. Now, she may never get that dream fulfilled. She was definitely different than she was before.

"Crystal, Cole, feel free to take your seats." Zane said as we entered the dining room. Everyone was sitting down, all but Jay. I raised my eyebrows in question.

"Jay's resting. He'll be okay."

"How bad did it get?" Crystal asked as she struggled to get in a chair, and I helped her out. She gave me a grateful smile. She was really sweet, once she took off the mask Dolion had made for her. I...I think I like her.

"Bad. All of the way up his arm and onto his chest. Lloyd stopped it, though."

"Lloyd….the Green Ninja, right? Sorry, I'm not good with names." Lloyd laughed at Crystal's comment.

"No problem. Yup, I'm the Green Ninja. Red is Kai, Grey is Nya, White is Zane, and you obviously know Cole. We prefer to be called by our names, though."

Crystal nodded. " Me, too. My name is Clarissa. Clarissa Blake."

Wu smiled. "So, Clarissa, would you mind telling us what happened?"

"Not at all. First, though, I'll answer questions you guys obviously have. Nya, your death was planned. Dolion wants to take over Ninjago, and was-er-is going to take out you guys one at a time. Nya was first. Then, Zane, Kai, umm, Cole, and then Lloyd. I think."

"How were they planning on killing us?" Kai asked, reaching for the salad. I could tell he was angry, but was restraining it. Good.

"Differently for everyone. It's not like we could have tournaments every time, it would get suspicious."

"He's smart, then. Or did you guys make the plans?" I asked, curious. I really hoped that whatever she said would help her case, I really liked her. I don't know what we were planning on doing with Dolion's team, but it would obviously be punishment for anyone who was loyal to him. If he was going to take over Ninjago, that is.

"He made the plans, we followed. I know that he was planning on planting a virus in Zane, poisoning Kai, getting Cole into a car accident, and then capturing Lloyd. At that point he would be impossible to stop."

"So, if his plan was so amazing, why did you leave? Or is this a trap?" Kai questioned. She shook her head.

"I know that Dolion is willing to do anything for his goals, but if we arrive wounded and dying on your doorstep it's probably not a trap. Just saying. Anyways, I left because I never liked him. I didn't necessarily disagree with his plans, but I never wanted to be a Ninja in the first place, and he's just mean. After Lightning saved Nya, he was locked in the cellar for three days. Who could ever like a guy like that?"

"LOCKED IN A CELLAR! ARE YOU SERIOUS!" Nya spat, shooting out of her seat, furious. Clarissa looked shocked that Nya had that in her, and I just chucked. But, to be honest, I was surprised by Jay's predicament, too. I didn't think the situation was that bad.

"Yup. Thirsty and starving, too. I was going to escape anyways, and after seeing Lightning stand up to Dolion and his plans, I decided to bring him along. Two rebels is better than one.

"We were attacked when we escaped. It was early in the morning, so everyone should've been sleeping, but Light, my brother, was up. He threw a couple of knives at me, missing all but the one that hit my shoulder, waking everyone else. Decomposition grabbed onto Jay's arm just as we ran out the door. I managed to cover the door with crystals right before they could follow us."

"Your own brother tried to kill you? That's harsh." Lloyd said. She shrugged.

"It's not as bad as my own father trying to kill me, Lloyd Garmadon."

"I guess you're right."

"By the way, this food is amazing. Much better than the food we had at Dolion's."

"Thank you, I made it. What did you usually have?" Zane asked, sounding curious. He, being a Nindroid and all, could probably easily tell that the two were underweight, and a bit malnourished. I could even tell, and I was not smart like Zane is. It was as if they were fed the bare minimum.

"Oh! For breakfast, we had oatmeal and toast; lunch, a cup of soup; and supper, rice and ice chips."

"Ice...chips?" Zane said, forming the words strangely. What kind of meal was that? I wondered, but before I could ask, I was interrupted.

"I think it was for cleaning our teeth, we never got to brush our teeth there." A new voice said, and I turned to see Jay standing in the entryway, leaning on the wall, grimacing. I quickly got up, and assisted him to the table. He gave a small smile before sitting himself down.

"How are you feeling?" Nya asked, reaching over her brother to touch his hand. Jay looked to the plate.

"Fine."

Now I was confused. He opened up to me on the battlefield, but he wouldn't open up here? What was with this kid?

"Dude, you can trust us. We won't hurt you here. Even Claris- er, Crystal trusts us." Jay continued looking down as Zane got him a plate.

"Lightning, it's okay. These are good people." Clarissa said, casting him a concerned look. He slowly nodded before tentatively eating his food.

This is going to be harder than I thought. I said to myself, digging into my own plate. Whatever. He's probably overwhelmed. He'll get better. But, another part of me disagreed. After hearing about what he had to go through, one negative thought developed.

Or, is he too far gone?

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#God'sNotDead