Author's Note: Hello again, everyone! Man, you guys really are too kind! I know it's been awhile, but that's only because of how big this chapter is and the content within. However, now that it's here, I'm gonna let you get right to it. But I will take the time to answer a few anonymous reviews:

Guest (Chapter 19 Oct. 7th) - I'm so happy you're loving my work so much! Yeah, I do plan on having Cole share his dreams with 'somebody', but who, where, and when remains to be seen. Eros is quite a character I'll admit, then again so are all the other Deities… And no, Jay's not a transsexual. Commander Hawkeye was just making a crude remark about Jay's prettiness. What man wouldn't be insulted? I was thinking about using the derogatory term "pussy", but that didn't seem like something a military man would say. But hey, I'm no expert.

Guest (Chapter 19 Oct. 7th) – Of course not. If everything were easy, there wouldn't be much excitement, would it? :) And I totally agree! Brad is too cute! I hope he'll be okay!

Guest (Chapter 19 Oct. 7th) – Nope, not good at all! But that's what makes the whole thing fun, right? Lol

Guest (Chapter 19 Oct. 7th) – Thank you very much, friend! And yep! Jay's real name is still a secret! Phew! And yeah, I know right! Bad Cupid! LOL

Guest (Chapter 19 Oct. 8th) – Thank you very much!

Guest (Chapter 19 Oct. 12th) – Thanks, I try really hard!

Unexpected

By: Mad Betrayal

"Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art… It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival…"—C. S. Lewis

Chapter 20 ~ Countdown

And that was all it took. Once Cole heard the time, he aimed a powerful palm-thrust to the prison's barred door, causing it to fly off its hinges and collide forcefully with the wall adjacent to the front entrance before falling to the floor with clattering clangs.

"Let's go."

Jay followed Cole out with Zane at his heels, but unfortunately the ninja leader's less than subtle way of exiting the prison alerted the SWAT members from outside.

"Stop!" With their guns cocked, the four officers left behind to guard the Ninja rushed through the doors—two from the front and two from the back. The Elemental Masters found themselves surrounded once again. Only this time…there would be no surrender… It was time to prove just how ineffective modern combat was to the ancient, masterful ways of the Shinobi. Especially Shinobi imbued with the power of nature's elements.

Utilizing their reflexes honed from years of training, the Ninja dodged safely out of harm's way as the first shots rang out, ricocheting off the cell's bars and into the ceiling. Cole kept his body low and dashed forward, bridging the gap between him and the front officers in the blink of an eye. Firearms were damn near useless during close-quarters combat…as the two men would soon find out. Before their rifles could even swivel downward to stop Cole's attack, the black ninja's fists were already imbedded deep in their stomachs, easily ramming through the lead-plating and assaulting their vulnerable intestines.

The men's eyes bulged as they coughed breathlessly, their bodies trembling and curling around Cole's fists with unprecedented agony. It was only a moment more before they lost consciousness, with Cole gently taking hold of their limp bodies and laying them on the ground.

Guns tend to malfunction when assaulted with sub-zero temperatures, as they did once Zane unleashed his ice upon the other two officers' firearms. Grunting abruptly with surprise, they had nary a chance to counter before Jay moved. As lightning-quick as his element, the blue ninja performed a graceful yet powerful spinning heel-kick to the side of one soldier's helmed-head. With the attack charged with 50,000 volts of electricity, the soldier felt pain as well as a little something extra to assure instant K.O. Expelling a tormented gasp, the officer was thrown to the side and into his comrade.

Lightning travels just as well through metal as it does water unfortunately for the other officer as his body was immediately ensnared in coils of blue. Both men collided with the floor in a rough tumble of twitches and spasms, until at last laying prone. Jay approached and kneeled down beside their bodies and searched for a pulse along their necks.

"Good, I didn't overdo it…" He shifted them a bit so they would be more comfortable and gave the soldiers an apologetic grin. "Sorry fellas, but enjoy the few winks, eh?"

"Jay! Zane! C'mon! These guys will be fine!" Cole shouted from the doorway. "We gotta find Commander Hawkeye!"

"But what about Kai?" Zane asked anxiously, trotting up to the ninja leader. "He's still with Lieutenant Steiner."

Jay hurried to rejoin his brothers. "Then maybe we should split up to search for him?" He suggested, peeking around the corner opposite of Cole into the empty corridors. "I mean we are pressed for time—"

"Get back!" Zane grabbed both Jay and Cole by their shoulders and forcefully pulled them from exposure just as two deliberate shots were fired in perfect tangent.

"Ahh!" Not expecting the white ninja's strength, the two brunets fell to the ground in a heap. "But how?!" Jay cried to the ice-wielder's back. "There was no one there!"

"Ricochet shots… These soldiers aren't using normal bullets…" Zane clarified lowly, and then pinned his brothers down with a pointed stare over his shoulder. "…Stay here…I sense Kai nearby…"

In a flurry of white, Zane ducked around the corner and into the hallway. Jay, however, quickly scrambled to his feet. "Wait! Wait, Zane! You can't go out there by yourself!" The azure ninja was only allowed a few hasty steps forward before he was hauled back from the doorway by Cole.

"Don't worry. If there's anyone who doesn't have to worry about bullets, it's Zane."

A broken gasp escaped Jay's lips, the initial fear he felt for his brother's safety leaving him. But adrenaline still pumped with fervor in his veins. Consternated blues shifted to calm emeralds. "But we—Cole? You're… You're bleeding!"

A single red rivulet made a slow trail down the black ninja's face, and Cole swiped at it absently. "Must've happened during the last two shots… Gotta remember to thank Zane later."

Jay dug into his breast pocket for his handkerchief and placed the cloth on the cut across Cole's cheek. His lips pursed angrily. "Here we are trying to warn the people here of impending doom, and they're shootin' at us!"

Cole's gaze softened at Jay's gentle treatment to an otherwise superficial injury. "Couldn't have been helped," he said simply. "Eros' words surrounded him in a fog. The news people couldn't see who he truly was, just like the military couldn't."

The Seven Deities… A new threat to contend with. Sensei Garmadon had already shared with the Ninja about his past and how he competed with Clouse as to who would become Chen's successor. The outcome to this future has long-since been decided with Garmadon's reformation, however, with Clouse proudly taking up the mantle after Chen's death. The malevolent black magic user had had quite a while to lick his wounds after the final battle over a month ago. And during his recovery, has been hard at work planning his strong comeback. So then with his new station, were the Seven Deities born to be his sword and shield? How exactly would Clouse compare in power with his previous master? And what of Brad? Just what was his role in this—this grand scheme of things? Well regardless of Clouse's nonsensical declaration of the raven being his "wife", Jay had already swore to fight tooth and nail in Brad's defense. And he was sure his brothers would too…especially Lloyd.

Jay dabbed at the laceration a moment more before removing the handkerchief from Cole's face, glad that the flow of blood had been staunched and lessened. His eyes came to rest on the blotch and pepper of red on the purity of white.

Innocence stripped by violence…

Full, baby pink lips quirked up into a rueful smile. "It's… It's never easy with us, is it?"

"Don't let it get you down," Cole muttered softly, and blues lifted to meet the earth ninja's viridian stare.

"Oh I'm not," Jay chuckled. "I'm the cheerful, optimistic one, remember? Being Frowny McFrowny-face is more your thing."

And as if on cue, Cole's lips plummeted into a tight downturn. "Hey I don't frown that much."

"You do know you're frowning right now, right?"

"Tch! Whatever…" Cole suddenly took hold of Jay's hand—the one holding the bloodied handkerchief and brought the azure ninja close. The cut along his right cheek stretched a bit as he grinned, causing another hemorrhage to start, but he made no move clear the stream of blood from his face as he stared deeply into Jay's wide sapphires. "Just remember to keep smiling, Jay. No matter what… I'm gonna need you to keep being my counterbalance. I'm gonna need you to remain by my side."

Cole's favorite pass-time must be to captivate the shorter brunet, because Jay was once again pulled into a world of just him and his best friend. But this time the moment was even shorter-lived because of the interruption of a very familiar and colorful string of heated curses.

"Damn you and your fuckin' ricocheting bullets, lady! You could've hit one of them, and what then!? Huh?!"

"I think that was her intention, Kai."

Jay and Cole turned around to see a literally flaming Kai along with Zane escort a disheveled and livid Lieutenant Steiner. "Whoa…did it take both of you guys to restrain her?" Jay asked, and Kai grumbled irritably, tightening his hold on the captured forearm in his hand.

"Yeah well, it's kinda hard to scrap with someone when you're trying your best not to hurt them, when they're trying their best to hurt you!"

"You monsters!" Steiner suddenly shrieked and bucked against Kai and Zane's hold. "What have you done to my men!?"

Cole lifted a placating hand to stay her. "Calm down, lieutenant. Your men are all still alive…just like you are."

"Then where is Wilde?! What have you done with him!?"

"You mean Eros? One of "General" Clouse's goons?" Jay countered. "Hah, he booked it just as soon as he realized his pretense was about to be revealed." Ocean blues narrowed at the female officer. "It's just like Kai said, you've all been hoodwinked."

"Impossible!" Steiner bellowed. "The data—the background check we ran on him, everything checked out!"

"Idiots," Kai growled. "When it comes to people, humans really shouldn't really rely on the data that computers give. You should've taken a page out of the "Ninja Handbook". Rule #1: Always be suspicious and trust your own instincts."

Zane looked at the distraught woman sympathetically. "I am sorry, Lieutenant Steiner, but Kai is right. Data can be corrupted, information misconstrued. Realistically, machines are only as reliable as their human creators. So that in itself should exude reasons for doubt."

Was that a reflection to Zane's own creation? It had already been proven how imperfect the Master of Ice was despite what his deceased father had said. Humans are the epitome of flawed, so the idea of perfection is only a delusion with accordance to this race. Zane knows this—anyone with common sense knows this.

Jay's brow puckered with trepidation. No matter how convenient it is…humans shouldn't rely so heavily on machines…especially when dealing with other humans… C'mon, didn't these guys watch 'I, Robot'…?

"Take it easy, guys. What's done is done," Cole said then looked to his brother of fire. "Were you able to get in contact with Lloyd?"

"Yeah, but the connection wasn't too good. They really had to go out of their way to hide the Bounty in a safe place—the somethin' canyons. Anyway, they weren't too far from the New Ninjago City limits and should be here shortly."

"What about Brad? Is he okay?" Jay asked next. The raven's condition had been plaguing Jay since the younger man collapsed on the bridge, and he wanted to know first and foremost of Brad's health. His anxiety only heightened, however, when Kai shook his head.

"He's still unconscious. I explained the situation to Lloyd and uh—heh…let's just say I've rubbed off on him a bit." Kai's smirk fell, though, when his next words came. "But more than that…I think Lloyd said Brad was…glowing again… And the skies don't look too good. There seems to be one helluva storm approachin'."

Cole nodded grimly. "Yeah, we learned that much from Jay."

"Then why are we still waitin' around here for?!" Jay eyed his brothers pointedly. "It shouldn't be taking this long for Commander Hawkeye to find the meteor shower info on my flash drive. Something must be wrong, so let's go!" Steiner still appeared to be in a state of denial, but was brought back from her reverie by the blue ninja's determined gaze. "Listen to me, lieutenant. I know you've been thrown for a loop, but this is urgent. I know we haven't exactly proven our innocence yet but—"

"No…I think you have…" Steiner relaxed her posture and didn't try to break away from Kai and Zane anymore. Her sharp, cunning eyes met Jay's with a glint of understanding. "You all could've killed my men without a second thought and escaped from here. You all probably could've done that from the very beginning… But chose not to because you wanted face the accusations thrown at you…and because of the meteors, correct?"

Kai and Zane released Steiner, and the female soldier looked about herself at mysterious young men surrounding her. "You all are not normal that much I gather. But…I do not think you are our enemy…not anymore. The mercy and benevolence you've shown aren't exactly the characteristics of "nefarious kidnappers". I had my suspicions of the footage shown to us, but I did not speak up. It's shameful, but I admit we have been tricked."

Jay smiled earnestly and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Brad can still tell you the story when he is able, but right now it's your commander who we need to get to. Do you have any idea where he could be?"

Steiner nodded. "He contacted me via codec fifteen minutes ago to inform me that he was going back up to the lobby to check the flash drive he had procured from you. He should still be there."

"Good. Now c'mon!"

And thus four Ninja and one soldier sprinted from the room, heading for the flight of stairs connecting to the lobby. "Oh and uh…you might want to call some of your buddies to pick up—you know…your other buddies," Jay said, but Steiner already had her hand to her ear, pressing the codec button.

"Yeah…already on it."

*~XxX~*

As soon as the five arrived in the lobby, they were greeted with the sight of the commander and his squad working frenetically at the receptionist's computer. Steiner was the first to call out to her fellow officers.

"Commander!"

Upon seeing the five, Commander Hawkeye only hesitated for a moment before signaling for his men to brandish their weapons at the newcomers. The Ninja stopped, but Lieutenant Steiner kept walking forward, her hands raised in a surrendering manner.

"Lieutenant?! What is the meaning of this?!" Hawkeye shouted at his approaching subordinate.

"Commander, please listen." Steiner halted before her superior and jerked her hand up in a sturdy salute. "There has been a new development to the current situation! Lloyd Montgomery Garmadon is on his way to this location with Brad Tudabone in his custody along with…multiple others."

Hawkeye eyed the Ninja behind the female officer suspiciously. "And the reason for the accused being out of their cell?"

Ever firm and stout, Steiner answered immediately. "They broke out upon learning of another new development to the current situation, sir! And incapacitated my men before subduing me next!"

"Ohhhhh…." The Ninja groaned in unison.

"Did she have to word it like that?" Cole muttered and Jay shrugged.

"Well, you have to admire her candor, right?"

Hawkeye's frown deepened. "And what of Wilde? Is he incapacitated too?"

"No, sir…he has fled instead."

"What?! Why and how?"

Cole took the initiative to step forward and explain. "As soon as you left, commander, "Alex Wilde" showed his true colors and revealed his proper name as "Eros", one of Clouse's Seven Deities. He played incognito to the alias "Alex Wilde" the news reporter to falsify information about Brad's rescue from Chen and Clouse's lab and frame us. But that was only part of it."

Jay hurried to finish the elucidation. "The other part was for him to derail and stall us from informing everyone about the meteors due to hit. Your so called "general" knows about their descent, he just doesn't give a damn! He wants countless of people to die!"

Jay could sense it…the increase of anxiety within the soldiers, their unnerved movements, their turning of the heads to look to their superiors for answers—for reassurance. Some even lowered their weapons. Hawkeye's jaw tightened as his dark eyes shifted from the blue ninja to the officer he had working at the computer.

"You've seen it now too, right commander?" Jay persisted. "Please tell me that you've already broadcasted a warning of the meteors and for everyone to evacuate to the fallout shelters!"

But Hawkeye shook his head. "No. The only thing that has been broadcasted weather-wise was the incoming of an electrical storm—"

"But it's more than that!" Jay's vehement outburst didn't go unchecked as barrels cocked and swiveled to the brunet once more.

"Stand down!" Hawkeye snapped, and the soldiers promptly obeyed. The commander breathed roughly through his nose and beckoned at Jay to come forward with a jerk of his chin. One assured glance at Cole and the Ninja moved closer to surround the receptionist's desk, with Jay coming to stand beside the commander. "We've been trying to access your flash drive with no success. For some reason there's been unusual firewalls and security encryptions popping up ever since we turned the damn machine on."

Jay sucked his teeth. "Unusual huh…"

The officer manning the computer nodded, a dour grimace contorting his face. "Affirmative. I've actually seen nothing like it. I've tried bypassing the encryptions manually, but the firewalls impede my path every time I try to hack. I've been given the run-around for the past twenty minutes."

"Another one of Eros' stalling tactics no doubt," Cole growled.

"Yeah well, I'm sick of Eros." Jay glanced down at the officer. "Do you mind?"

The officer blinked up at the blue ninja, his gaze subtly catching the commander's for concurrence. Hawkeye quickly dipped his head and the soldier moved, with Jay taking his place. Long, gloved fingers flashed across the keyboard with the nimbleness of a skilled pianist as Jay immediately got to work. Sapphire eyes narrowed once the first error message popped up, or more precisely a firewall. He could just imagine Eros' stupidly smirking face.

"Ah-ah-ah, you can't get there, my blue bolt…"

"Asshole… I really don't like you…" Decisively bringing up an application, Jay keyed in a few strokes and bypassed the firewall…only to have another replace it. The lights within ocean blues glinted, zeroing in on the lines and lines of data on the computer screen. Delicate veins of electricity sparked at Jay's fingertips obediently, and seeped through the keys of the keyboard to connect with the wiring matrix of the CPU.

"What the… What's happening? What is he?" The officer yelped, alarmed at what he was seeing.

"Yes…" Lieutenant Steiner elucidated calmly, a small grin creasing her lips. "They are not normal."

"But we're still human," Kai chimed in, meeting each soldier's eye as if daring them to contradict him. A gloved hand slipped into his and he squeezed it, feeling the white ninja's presence. "We're all mortal. We just have…certain gifts."

"Hmph!" Commander Hawkeye folded his arms, his dark gaze challenging. "I suppose it could be worst. You all could've been one of those fuckin' androids from the Borg Towers. Thank God all those little maniacal shits were rounded up and scraped." He shook his head and focused on the computer screen again. "One disaster avoided."

Kai frowned at the commander but didn't comment, though he felt Zane move closer to him. Cole didn't say anything either. What was there to say, after all? P.I.X.A.L. might have stolen Zane's schematics in order to enable Borg to mass produce an android army, but she could never capture his essence—what made the Master of Ice who he was. The androids were lifeless, unfeeling killers who could only follow orders given to them by a third party. A scourge to humanity. They were absolutely nothing like Zane.

"There! I got it!" Jay suddenly declared and gave a celebratory fist pump. "Suck it, Eros! I'm bringing up the flash drive now."

Hawkeye and Steiner crowded closer around the Master of Lightning as the ninja pointed to the screen. "Look, you see these clusters here? These are the bunches that are being pulled into Ninjago's orbit. We found these suckers yesterday afternoon and know that they are planning to hit today. But we don't know what time."

"Mein Gott…" Steiner whispered, her eyes wide with disbelief. "How were you ever able to come across this? And why do they…look like that?"

"Let's just say it has something to do with us…not being normal," Cole said. "And…we have no idea."

Hawkeye hurriedly pulled the flash drive out of the USB port and gave it to his nearest soldier. "Take this upstairs and have a world-wide warning broadcasted immediately!"

"Yes, sir!" The officer saluted and ran off.

He then looked to Steiner. "We have to start an evac to the fallout shelters ASAP."

A loud crack of thunder pierced from outside, and the lights in the lobby flickered briefly. Jay felt his element pulse within him, thundering jolts coursing through every vein in his body. The heavens have opened…and now the rain was ready to fall. More volts converged at his core, tugging purposefully within him. They whispered to their master is sporadic beats: But how long before that rain turns to hail? How long before that hail turns to fire? When will the first seismic shock quake the ground?

Jay blinked. Could it…? Adrenaline surged through him like liquid fire and he leapt from his seat. "We have time! We have time!"

"Jay?" Cole noticed the familiar flare was back within Jay's deep blue depths. Only…this time seemed a little different…

The Master of Lighting came around the desk and trotted towards the doors, his gait quick and sure. The others hastened to follow. "We have time to get everyone to safety before the meteors hit. This electrical storm is a precursor—the starting point of the cycle."

"Jay! Wait!" Cole rushed forward and grabbed his friend's hand, stopping his march towards the doors. "What are you talking about? What do you mean?"

Jay turned to face him… Yes…this time his eyes were very different. The way they sparked, the way they glinted… It almost appeared as if Jay was trying to use his True Potential, but Cole knew that was not the case. What was happening to Jay…?

"It's us, Cole…" the azure ninja said firmly. "All of our elements will come in tangent in some shape or form as the meteors come closer to home. First, this thunderstorm, then a hailstorm, then a firestorm, and then there's you…" Jay splayed his palm over Cole's heart. "…You'll come last. Probably as the aftershocks—I don't know. All I know is that that's what I saw. That is what this storm is telling me—what my element is telling me."

"What you are describing is Armageddon, Walker," Steiner said slowly. "The Beginning of the End." Her honeyed gaze flickered to Hawkeye. "Surely not—"

"No." Cole swept his sights over the room before letting it come back to rest on Jay. "Destruction, Power, and New Life. That is what Brad said. This is not the end… This is where it all begins."

Cole said this before…in the same way. So confident and sure. Gleaming sapphires searched emeralds. "What are you not telling us?"

A small quirk upward pulled at sandrose lips. "Later… I promise…"

So many promises you've made to me… Don't let them be empty, Cole… As…I've got my own promises to keep…

Kai's ring tone cut through the ambience abruptly, and the fire ninja retrieved it from his coat pocket. "Yeah Lloyd… Okay, good—what?" Kai's face turned bemused, his golden eyes shifting to Jay. "Yeah, he's good. We're all good, thanks for askin'!" A quick smirk. "What? Alright, stay there. We're comin' right now." He hung up and turned to Cole. "They're all right above us."

The ninja leader nodded and met Commander Hawkeye's sharp gaze. "Commander, we'll help you with the evacuation. We have ways of getting across this city quick, and no doubt you could use the extra hands."

Hawkeye's expression was difficult to decipher, but it looked as if all other grievances and misgivings between the soldiers and Ninja were to be put on hold…for now. "Hmph! Just don't be a burden," he grumbled, and jerked his chin towards one of his men. The soldier reacted swiftly and passed each Ninja a CB radio. "Steiner has already contacted the regime. The evac buses will begin transporting civilians to the fallout shelters located deep below the city once each one's reached their capacity limit. There are a total of eight service tunnels located throughout the city that lead to the shelters, two of which are downtown: 1st and Broadway, 2nd and Main, Moses and Red, Carol and 5th, Baker and Byrd, 7th and Dove, Fox and Riverglade, and Burns and Starnes."

"Scour the city," Steiner put forth, pushing her glasses back up the bridge of her nose with a finger. "Search for any stragglers and escort them to any one of these pick-up points. Women, children, and the elderly will board first… They'll come back for the men."

Cole nodded. "Got it. Anything else?"

"Keep your radios on high volume. Once all civilians have been safely transported to the shelters, we'll contact all personnel via CB and begin lockdown. So make sure you are all in transit for the shelters as well. You don't want to be isolated up here. Be careful."

"What are you guys gonna do?" Kai asked.

"Steiner and I will set up a base of operations here until the evacuation is complete," Hawkeye said. "Once it is, we'll be high-tailin' our asses to the shelters too. Now go, I'm anxious to see just how capable and trustworthy you pups are."

"I appreciate you giving us that chance," Cole replied then turned to his brothers. "Let's get to it, boys."

"Ninja-GO!"

As one, the Elemental Masters initiated their Spinjitzu and adorned their most recent ninja suits. And the soldiers all watched with hanging jaws as the strange group of young men sprinted out of the building. Recovering, Hawkeye snorted and turned back around to make his way back to the receptionist's desk.

"We'll see…"

The remaining soldiers looked to their lieutenant in bafflement. "What the hell do you think that was, lieutenant?"

Steiner shook her head in an effort to make sense of all the bizarre occurrences that has transpired over the last seven hours. "I am not sure," she admitted, though there was somewhat of a glow of intrigue within her honeyed depths behind the specs. "But perhaps the rumors and folklore behind the sightings of Ninja are true…"

*~XxX~*

A long despairing drone of a siren waned in the background of the pouring rain. The once white and festive streets that bustled mere hours ago with activity and happiness for the holidays were now scarce and stripped of such levity and draped in blackness and gray. Splinters of cold rain pelted the Shinobi clan as they hovered over the roofs of Wolf Networks. The element-imbued dragons seeming to be the only beacons that symbolized hope against the ashen sky.

Jay steered Wisp close to Lloyd's dragon and eyed the large bundle wrapped in sheets in the blonde's lap worriedly. For it was Brad that was cocooned within the covers, his golden face being the only part of him exposed to the elements. He lay limp and relaxed in Lloyd's grasp, asleep and tranquil. But the fact that Brad was "glowing" again was stupefying.

At least his color's returned… Flaring sapphires lifted to glance around at the faces of his clan. Nya looked as pretty and spirited as ever riding behind Sensei Wu on his dragon. Sensei Garmadon sat atop his with his arms folded and his eyes closed. To Jay, he looked like some sort of warlord from ancient times.

"And that's pretty much the gist of it." Cole had once again taken the initiative and had informed the previously absent members of the clan of their current predicament. "We are now supposed to search the city for any stragglers and lead them to any of those seven pick-up points."

"Then that is what we must do," Sensei Wu said.

Zane lifted his hand. "Just a moment, Sensei. First, I believe you all should check in with Commander Hawkeye and Lieutenant Steiner to get fitted with CB radios. They are expecting you. Furthermore, I do not think Brad should be exposed to these conditions for long. A few should stay behind to look after him."

Kai looked to the green ninja. "We could use you out here, Lloyd."

"I know…" Lloyd peered down at his former classmate's face, momentarily torn. But the young savior inclined his head in a firm nod and locked his eyes on his uncle. "Sensei, could you and Nya take care of Brad for me?"

Nya looked taken aback by the request and started to object, but Wu's voice rose above hers. "Yes, Lloyd, that is exactly what we will do." The bearded grandmaster eyed the girl over his shoulder confusedly, but the female turned her head sharply away.

A crack of lightning sounded, causing the dragons to roar with consternation and toss their heads to shake off the rainwater. Jay and Wisp, however, craned their necks heavenward and gazed in enthrallment at the abyss. Regardless of how sporadic and unpredictable it was, the Master of Lightning trusted his element wholeheartedly. The desire to fly higher strongly pulled at him, to get within the eye of the storm and let his power run amok across the heavens. Wisp whined pitifully in discontent, feeling the urge as well through his and his master's interlinked souls.

Jay patted the dragon's neck soothingly. "Yeah, I know, bud…"

"Wu, Lloyd, go ahead and head inside to meet with these officers. I will join you shortly," Garmadon said and Wu concurred, steering his dragon into a dive. Lloyd turned his dark ruby orbs to his mother-figure.

"Wait for me, kaasan. Don't leave yet, okay?"

Jay acknowledged the younger's request with a hearty thumb's up and Lloyd left as well.

"Is there something you needed to say, Sensei Garmadon?" Cole asked. "It's about Clouse's return, right? And his Seven Deities?"

Sharp smoky eyes centered on Jay. "Though that is nothing to take lightly, now is not the time to discuss it. All of you go now and fulfill your duties. And remember, just because Eros retreated doesn't mean he left the area. Keep your guards up at all times. I need with speak Jay alone…"

Kai and Zane immediately took off, but Cole lingered. His brow knit together, he looked bewildered between the grandmaster and his best friend. "Sensei, is something wrong?"

Garmadon swept his damp silver mane back with a hand. "While I understand your concern, Cole, you must prioritize the safety of the civilians above all else right now. Go."

Another unsure glance was passed between the two, and Jay just knew that behind Cole's hood was a disconcerting frown. However, the indecisiveness passed and Rocky gave a low grunt towards Wisp before being steered away by his reluctant master. Jay watched them go, the massive earth-toned dragon becoming obscured then ultimately swallowed up by the darkness.

The sky flickered with white and thundered rumbled in the distant high. Garmadon's shadowy dragon moved closer to Jay's until its horns touched the other's. The blue ninja swiveled his gaze back to his teacher's. The elder man's expression was stern but also slightly worried as he looked at Jay. "You will be the first to change. But because of your element's spontaneous nature, you will undergo the most suffering. Keep your heart and your mind strong. Do you understand, Jay?"

Jay blinked rapidly. What was this all of a sudden? Even though Cole shared Jay's predictions about the elemental cycle that would take place in accordance with the meteors' descent, there was really no need to worry about them individually. Jay was sure of it. He grinned. "What's up, Sensei G? If you're worried about the storm don't be. I feel great! Fantastic even! I feel like I can take on anything and anyone! For the time being, this is my element. I fear nothing!"

"Then hold fast to that mentality," Garmadon stated seriously. "No matter what comes your way emotionally or physically, you mustn't give in. Do not surrender to adversity."

"I…" Jay's heart thundered against his ribcage. Why did Sensei Garmadon's words sound so ominous? Why was he looking him with such concern? But the azure ninja knew not to doubt his teacher's wisdom and inclined his head in respect…no matter how discombobulated it was. "…Hai, Sensei. I understand."

Garmadon nodded, soaked through and through. But despite his soggy appearance, he still maintained his regal and formidable aura. "Good. Wait here for Lloyd." And with that, Garmadon too disappeared below. Jay didn't have much time to reflect on his newest mentor's words, for Lloyd rejoined him shortly after the elder left.

Lloyd's dragon hovered close. "Kaasan, did Dad talk to you?"

Jay turned to the younger ninja, surprised. "You knew he would?"

"Yeah, he and Sensei Wu had been muttering about you ever since the storm first started. And…seeing you now…" Dark rubies searched within glowing sapphires. "…Are you okay?"

Jay couldn't help but chuckle. Why was everyone so worried? "Don't go frettin' about your good ol' kaasan, okay? I'm fine."

"But—"

"And will be fine in the future," Jay interjected, giving the green ninja a pointed look. "Now c'mon, we have a mission to complete. So stay on your toes."

"Fine. But if it's okay, I'd like to stay with you for awhile."

Jay frowned. "Alright, but only for awhile," he warned. "We need to comb through the city as much we can, and we can't do that if we're paired off like this."

Wisp huffed and growled at the younger dragon as he was steered away with the other giving a slight whine in return before following. The heavy rain didn't let up as the two ninja soared across the sky, only seeming to grow louder and more forceful with every passing minute. The alarm still droned and echoed throughout the city, and when the ninja set their sights down below, they saw the traffic of people lined up before a group of buses, with the formation of carefully placed steel barricades keeping everything orderly. Some of the transports were already closing its doors and taking off for the shelters.

Good, things seem to be going smoothly so far…

Jay beckoned Lloyd with a wave of his arm. "C'mon, let's check downtown!"

There were scatters of people here and there, but all seem to be hurriedly making their way for the buses. Brightened sapphires combed the city streets meticulously, searching for any forms of duress or discord.

"Jay! Look! The park!" Lloyd suddenly shouted, and the lightning ninja turned his attention immediately towards a group of stampeding people fleeing from Booster's Park. It amazed Jay that people were still in the area to begin with so late at night, but then the word "stragglers" soon quelled any astonishment.

Of course… Jay dropped altitude and dispelled Wisp, landing on the outskirts of the crowd. The screaming masses were headed in the right direction, but within the throng of people Jay spotted a woman yelling and frantically searching around for something. Jay called to Lloyd, and together they made their way towards the obviously distressed female.

"Chloe! Oh Chloe, where are you!?"

Upon nearing, Jay tapped the woman on the shoulder. "Hey miss, are you alright!?" The woman instantly whirled around to the blue ninja, her pale blue eyes wide and desperate.

"My daughter! Please, my daughter! You have to help me find her!"

Jay did his best to soothe the frazzled blonde. "Okay, okay! Calm down a little, alright?! Now where did you last see her and what does she look like?!"

"Sh-She's a teenager, 5'2—thin, long blonde hair! Wearin' a blue sweater and white pants—Uhn! She was walking our black lab around the park before the storm hit! I haven't been able to find her! I tried calling her cell, but—*sob*" The woman tugged on Jay's sleeve. "Please! Please!"

"Don't worry, we'll find her!" He assured, and then looked to Lloyd. "Carry her! Let's go deeper into the park!"

Obeying and taking the distressed mother gently in his arms, Lloyd followed Jay swiftly into the park. Jay knew the layout of the area wasn't too big, but the density of the greenery within was nothing to sneeze at. Towering maples and overgrown berry bushes were haphazardly littered about, making some paths look similar and distorting the senses. The streetlamps above granted little visibility, though the light was lackluster against the encroaching darkness.

She could've easily gotten lost if she was unfamiliar with the territory… But surely the dog could've helped her navigate…

Just then, Jay caught an echo on the wind and stopped. "What is it, Jay?" Lloyd asked, coming to stand beside him. The brunet knew he had heard something and strained his ears in an effort to block the cry of rain and catch the sound again.

*Woof!* *Woof! Woof!*

"That's Clementine!" The mother suddenly yelped. "That's our dog!"

Jay nodded and turned to push his way through the undergrowth and bramble towards the sound of barking. Clearing the passage for Lloyd, the blue ninja stopped upon reaching a clearing.

*Grrr—Woof! Woof!*

There! Illuminated by the light of a discarded flashlight was the large form of a black Labrador. The pink-collared dog moved frantically about, alternating between digging at a fallen tree and barking. Jay and Lloyd dashed forward, and upon closer inspection came to discover the reason for Clementine's anxious digging.

"Chloe!" The mother screamed, and jumped out of Lloyd's arms. The missing daughter lay mudded and unmoving under the fallen tree, and both ninja quickly moved to assist. Together, they heaved the tree off the girl and the mother pulled her daughter into her arms, crying and rocking back and forth. The black lab excitedly licked her masters' faces and Jay kneeled and patted the dog on the head.

"Good girl, Clementine." Jay reached for the wayward flashlight and used it to look over the unconscious girl in the mother's arms. The slight rise and fall of her chest indicated she was breathing thankfully, and she didn't appear to have any broken bones either. Her mud-caked hair was streaked with blood though, as was her left temple.

Cranial injury… Though it doesn't look life-threatening, she'll still need to be treated by a doctor… He looked over at Lloyd. "We need to—"

Jay stopped, catching another sound on the wind. What…? What is that…? He waited, and then heard the sound again—a distant pitch before fading out. Crying… Wailing…? More than one voice…?

"Jay?"

The blue ninja heard Lloyd, but his voice sounded like it was coming from a long tunnel. His ears were filled with sound of misery, all funneled and coming from deeper within the park. He turned distractively to his charge. "I…I hear something else—uh… Take these three and get out of here, okay? The girl will need medical attention, so take them back to Wolf Networks."

"Wait, what about you? What are you going to do?"

Jay stood up. "I'll be right behind you. I just want to check out the sound."

Lloyd glanced around and shook his head. "But I don't hear anything."

"Lloyd, focus!" Jay snapped, his glowing blues narrowed at the younger ninja. "Now these guys need help! Stop worrying about me, and start worrying about them! Be a ninja!"

Lloyd flinched at Jay's harsh tone and the latter instantly felt remorseful for what he said. He just wanted everyone to stop worrying needlessly about him. He wasn't a "damsel in distress", he was a man! He was a fully capable and powerful ninja—a master of one of nature's elements for cryin' out loud! He took a breath. "I'm sorry. Just go, alright? They're more important than me."

Crimson gems flashed. "You're my mother, Jay, no one is more important to me than you." Lloyd kneeled down and with care and permission, took the unconscious girl in his arms and rose again. "But I understand what you're saying. I'll go, but you better be behind me!"

The woman took Clementine's leash and Jay handed her the flashlight. "Thank you—both of you," she whispered gratefully. Her shimmering pale blues met Jay's otherworldly gaze curiously. "I won't ask questions, but it seems like you have an inkling about what being a mother entails. That's very rare to find within a man…and I appreciate it."

Jay blushed under his hood. "Ah…A very small inkling I guess." His eyes softened. "Take care, alright? After your daughter gets fixed up, head immediately to the shelters."

The woman smiled and nodded. The brunet then reached down to give Clementine's head one last pat. "Keep being a cool dog, Clem. I hope I can find a loyal canine like you someday."

The black lab's tongue lolled out as she panted happily, her tail going a mile-a-minute. *Woof! Woof!*

The group left Jay alone shortly after, and the blue ninja turned towards where the sound was still emitting from. With renewed focus and determination, Jay took off at sonic speed, following the distressed frequency of moaning and groaning. The forest grew darker the more distance Jay covered, the trees and undergrowth being more difficult to make out. But Jay knew he was getting close, the wails of despair getting louder and increasingly disturbing. But more than that…Jay could now here something else…music…

How could Lloyd not hear this…? Huh?! What the fuck!?

The Master of Lightning skidded to a stop upon reaching yet another clearing. The heavens glinted white, creating brief silhouettes of the twenty or so drenched people spread throughout the space. They swayed tiredly to the mournful melody of a guitar, like marionettes on a string.

"Please! Please, no more!"

"Please make it stop!"

"Let us go, please!"

Jay stared in horror, unable to move. Spheres of power levitated in the air all around the poor souls, they sparked with red energy, moving teasingly within range of a person's body before dancing away. But a few didn't.

"Ahhh!"

Only a small caress a minority of the spheres made—to a hand, a shoulder, a knee—and a crimson coil ensnared that victim's body, causing more cries of pain and agony. Coupled with the somber harmonic of the guitar, the whole thing sounded like one despairing symphony.

Jay gritted his teeth. Just what was going on? And that power…it was too familiar… No…no… It can't be lightning! It can't!

The people continued to shuffle about, crippled and haggard. But as they continued to move, Jay spied a figure in the distance towards the front. Male or female, Jay couldn't tell for the figure was dressed ambiguously and his/her head was bowed as he/she leaned up against a tree. One foot was braced against the trunk, completing the relaxed posture and grasped firmly in his/her hands was some sort of guitar-like instrument. Though that in itself was uncertain given the utter deadliness it personified with its razor edges and bizarre shape. It was black and red in color, but when each of its silvery strings was plucked by black gloved fingers, a vein of scarlet would appear to trump silver.

Jay's eyes widened. He didn't even have to guess. He knew that whoever that person was, they were another one of the Seven Deities. Upon realizing this, the blue ninja's element reacted violently within. How long did this monster force these innocent people to dance like this?! Why?! Why cause such suffering when they were defenseless?! Jay's blood ran molten hot in his veins, his powers itching to be released.

"STOP THIS RIGHT NOW!"

Sapphire lightning surged forth outward and upward, striking at the spheres of crimson and cancelling each of them out with a loud *CRACK!* The music instantly stopped and the people fell unceremoniously to the ground in tired heaps. Jay rushed forward to the nearest fallen and helped him to sit up.

"Hey, you okay? Don't worry it's over. This bastard can't hurt you anymore."

The man in Jay's arms was undoubtedly a homeless person, with his stained shirt and disheveled overgrown beard. He groaned miserably and looked at Jay through glassy brown eyes. "Help… Help us…" He lifted up a dirtied hand and Jay grasped it.

"I am! Hang in there, alright?! Hey!?"

Any light within the man's depths soon faded, and his body went limp. Dead. Jay gasped and snapped his head around at the other prone bodies. No… He hurriedly got up and moved from one person to the next, searching for any sign of life, unaware that the deity against the tree had lifted their head and was now watching him. A pure white mask completely covered the being's face, only having the right eye socket accessible for a single deep blue iris to survey the anxious movements of the ninja. Sodden and wavy chestnut strands framed the mask evenly, the locks coming to stop just below their shoulders. Strangely though, it appeared as if some of the being's hair was braided—the crown.

"Hey! Hey! Please wake up!"

Men and women, young and old were all a part of the macabre, and none answered the ninja's call to life. The last person Jay checked was a young boy, perhaps no older than thirteen. His waxy face and cracked lips—a broken expression of surrender permanently etched. Jay's chest heaved, his breathing becoming erratic. He shot up to his feet and whirled around to face the deity upfront.

"Why?! Why the fuck did you do this, you bastard?!"

The one visible ocean blue eye blinked in a lazy manner, and the deity planted both feet on the damp ground smoothly as they straightened up and stepped away from the tree. The sound of rain could now be heard clearly, that is until the deity strummed a few notes on their "guitar", thus filtering the sound and making it almost non-existent.

"These people… They were stupidly indecisive…" The voice was mellow with a soft cadence, but there was no denying that the voice was male. Nor when the deity stepped forth, tall and beautifully built, a pair of black leather pants fitted onto his lower body, showcasing the splendor of his long toned legs, while calf-high black combat boots adorned his feet. Decorative belts and buckles encircled his trim waist, bringing immediate attention to the deity's deliciously bare midriff. His stomach muscles were strong and taut, the rainwater sliding teasingly down and over the contours of each ab. His black fishnet top was form-fitting and covered merely his chest and his left arm. Strange yet captivating tribal tattoos snaked around his exposed right arm, and of course black gloves adorned his hands.

"Morpheus sent me their dreams and showed me how they each subconsciously wished for death. All I did was help them fulfill their desires as beautifully as I could. But during the midst of it all, some of them suddenly had a change of heart. Yes, I have always known about humans and their legendary fickleness… But I persevered and sought to give them their initial wants. I did not falter and stayed true to my convictions."

Jay pointed furiously at the deity. "Regardless if they did change their minds, you had no right to govern life or death! They were defenseless! Innocent!"

"And why not?" The deity challenged. "People with authority do it all the time. What do you think the government calls it when they sentence people to death or life in prison? What do you call it when you bludgeon your opponents to death with your fists and kicks, or electrocute them until their hearts stop beating?"

Sapphires narrowed. "It's not the same, you asshole."

"And what's the difference? Good guys vs. bad guys? Or perhaps it's the method or duration of the execution? Hmm…maybe I did let it go on for too long. I am guilty of getting lost in the music from time to time. But say what you will…" The deity shook his head in further disagreement. "Humans are born to die. Life in essence is the mere act of prolonging the inevitable." The man spread his arms wide. "Take what's happening now for instance. All over the globe, the people are experiencing the affects of the meteors' descent—shortages, blackouts. And it will only get worse from here." Sapphire clashed with sapphire. "You know this… Some struggle for survival, while others have already surrendered to what they believe to be the first sign of the apocalypse, and are simply awaiting their demise. "Innocent"? "Defenseless"? This is a dog-eat-dog world, it always has been."

"So what? You think people should just roll over and die—surrender just because they know what will ultimately happen?!" Jay countered.

"Fuck no. I think people should either submit or rebel. Choose and then have the courage to stick with that decision until the end. Whether in love or war, all this half-assing, second-guessing bullshit needs to be rectified."

"What you're asking for is an impossibility. Not all of humanity has that kind of courage or even power to do things on their own. Everyone needs help eventually, even those with power. Humans will forever be weak in that sense. That's why we have unity—why we have friendships and brotherhoods and sisterhoods. And that's why protectors are founded. Why Ninja are born, you fucking bastard!" In a mighty display of raw power, Jay electrified his body and got into an attack stance.

The deity pointed at Jay with a laugh. "Kyha! What kind of My-Little-Pony-idealistic shitfest was that? And how can you speak so harshly to someone who just helped your sorry ass?"

"And how in the hell did you help me?" Jay growled, and the deity's nimble fingers teased the "guitar's" strings idly.

"December 12th… It's the day I've chosen for each and every year to do a good deed and save a life." A graceful harmonic sifted in the air. "Do you really think you just happened to catch that dog's bark on the wind? Hmph… No matter how good your hearing is, the storm had been completely muffling that dog's bark for hours. It was I who magnified the sound and carried it to your ears when I sensed you and your friend passing by. If I hadn't…that girl would've frozen to death long before you found her."

"What?" Jay was indeed shocked. "But how did you know we were going to show up at all?"

A simple shrug. "Morpheus of course."

Jay bristled. "And who the hell is that? Another one of the Seven Jackasses!? I don't care if you did help me! It doesn't justify what you did. Save one life and obliterate many? Is that your exchange rate?!"

The smile in the deity's voice was obvious, "We could go back and forth like this for hours, but nothing would come out of it. So why don't you and I squash this noise and settle things like warriors on a battlefield?"

Crimson coils of energy encompassed the masked brunet's "instrument" and in a flash, it disappeared. The deity then got into his own fighting stance, his body engulfed with his deadly red element. "I am Apollo, one of Lord Clouse's Seven Deities…" his fist sparked with power as he lifted a finger and taunted the blue ninja forward. "…And I will be the last thing you ever see…"

"Funny…" Jay sneered, his muscles coiling, "…that's exactly what I was about to say to you!"

The heavens themselves roared with Jay's attack, a mere blue blur to the naked eye. The deity and ninja's fists collided forcefully with each other, creating an explosion of lightning and interweaved sapphire and crimson veins. Jay kept up with the offensive, releasing a flurry of high-voltage kicks to his opponent. But Apollo was no amateur and utilized strategic blocks and parries to ward off Jay's assault.

He's good…but I won't let up! He'll pay for what he did to these people!

"Hooowaaahh!" Apollo suddenly countered Jay's roundhouse with a sweeping kick, effectively tripping the azure ninja up. Wasting no time, the deity immediately followed-up with a charged, downward punch, intending to finish Jay with a single blow.

You wish…

Though balanced haphazardly, Jay summoned his element and blasted Apollo back. Sparks flew as the deity grunted with pain and stumbled backward, a hand to his chest. Jay recovered swiftly and flipped back to his feet, his body charged with his element.

Apollo lifted his hand from his chest and chuckled. "Master of Lightning… You said you wanted to kill me, but what's with this hesitation, huh?"

"That was just an off shot!" Jay barked back, livid. "Don't think I don't intent to end your life here and now, because I do!"

"Hah! Then let's see it!"

Jay and Apollo moved in perfect unison, ocean and blood careening to meet the opening of the others face for a finishing attack. However, just before each of their fatal blows connected, a flash of white blinded the men. And then…voices…

"Push Mrs. Walker! Keep pushing!"

"C'mon, Edna, you can do it, sweetheart!"

"AHHHHH! IT HURTS, ED! IT HURTS!"

"We're almost there—AH! Yes! Here's the head of the first one! Keep pushing!"

"STOP TELLIN' ME TO KEEP PUSHIN', YOU QUACK! LIKE YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT I'M GOIN' THROUGH!"

"My word, sweetheart! My hand! OW!"

"SHUT UP AND TAKE IT LIKE A MAN! ARRRGGGHHHH! AAAAHHH!"

*WAAA-WAAA! WAAAA!*

"I got him! You're first son is out! Now rest! Rest! And breathe Mrs. Walker. Breathe."

"Ah…Ah-ha… I can hear him, Ed. I can hear our little Jason…"

"And he's beautiful, dear! Wait 'til you see him! But we're not done yet, okay! We need to get our second son out of you!"

"WE?! WHAT 'WE'?! YOU'RE NOT DOIN' A DAMN THING! AND DON'T YOU EVER TOUCH ME AGAIN, YOU HEAR ME?!"

"Okay, I guess we're done resting… Keep on pushing, Mrs. Walker!"

"I SWEAR IF YOU SAY THAT ONE MORE TIME I'M GONNA—AHHHHHH!"

"And he's out! He's out!"

*…*

"Doctor…?"

"Nurse! Cut the umbilical cord! We have to resuscitate this one immediately! He's not breathing!"

"Yes, Doctor!"

*pant…pant* "Ed…what—what's happening…?"

"I…It's okay, sweetheart. They're helping him… Stay calm, okay?"

"Use the oxygen pump!"

*…*

"Keep trying!"

*…*

"Still no pulse, Doctor!"

"Ed…*sob*…our baby…? Where's our second little boy…? Where's Jacob…?"

"…Doctor…?"

"…I'm…I'm sorry… He's gone… We tried…"

"No…"

"No…NO! THEN TRY HARDER! WAIT! WHERE ARE YOU TAKING MY BABY!?"

"All deceased infants must be transported to the Purgatory Ward for immediate release. You signed a consent form, remember?"

"No! Not for this! We want both! We have to give Jacob a proper burial! He's still a Walker!"

"I'm sorry…"

"TO HELL WITH YOUR SORRIES! GIVE ME BACK MY LITTLE BOY! GIVE ME BACK MY JACOB! AAHHH!"

"EDNA!"

The voices abruptly ceased as the white flashed out. Both men expelled rough pants as they stared at the other's electrified fist. They were frozen. Jay couldn't blink—couldn't think. His element jolted inside him, and his sights shifted to meet the dumbstruck gaze of that single deep blue eye belonging to his enemy. Apollo, however, broke out of his stupor and reeled back.

"Dammit, Morpheus… Why the fuck did you show me that!? I don't care!"

"Oh there you are, my sexy musician!"

Out from the shadows of the trees leapt Eros in all his flamboyantly wet glory. He laughed gleefully as he hopped over the fallen bodies of the dead to reach the pair of brunets as if engaging in a game of hopscotch. Jay still couldn't move. Eros stopped before the two with a dramatic gasp of exertion.

"Oh how I do hate storms! Well, at least my make-up is waterproof! I'm still gorgeous!" The blonde suddenly smirked as he leered at his comrade. "Have you ever had sex in the rain, Apollo? You can take me right here if you want. Forget about Morpheus."

"Ugh… What do you want, Eros?" Apollo sighed, and Eros quirked his lips in a cute pout.

"You mean besides you? I have an important message from our dear Lord Clouse."

Apollo scoffed and folded his arms, his crimson element dispelling from his body. "Funny, you and "important" don't usually go together…"

"Oh that silver tongue!" Eros cried with dramatic flair, throwing his hands up, but then smoothly sobered. "But truly, he wants all the Seven Deities to withdraw from New Ninjago City and return to base. We have a lot to prepare for."

Apollo turned away and began walking towards a copse of dark trees. "Yeah, yeah, the Mana-user…seems like all he wants to do is fuck that boy… If only father was still alive…"

A vicious frown darkened Eros' lovely features for a moment, but the ugliness abruptly dissipated once he settled his violet gaze on Jay. "But what about your little friend here—"

"Leave him!" Apollo ordered hotly, though didn't break stride. "I'll be playing his requiem soon enough… We need to round up the others, remember?"

Eros's comely lips formed another precious pout. "Oh I want to touch him, but I'm afraid he might shock me… And no one wants that…"

"Touch 'im, Eros…"

The blonde gasped in shock as he whirled back around to face his comrade's retreating back. "Oh that tongue! You should find better ways to use it, Apollo!" Eros hollered, and pranced after him.

The deities left Jay alone in the clearing, surrounded by the corpses of Apollo's victims. The Master of Lightning felt his knees buckle, and he fell to the ground, staring wide-eyed at nothing. The storm continued to rage overhead, and with one final crack of lightning…the first pebbles of hail began to fall.

Author's Note: Damn, I'm exhausted after this one. But my GAWD was it fun! Definitely time well-spent. And I hope you all think so too! Please leave your thoughts and like always I am very appreciative!