Author's Note: Yes! I did it! I managed to update on New Year's Day! Okay! Like always, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your continued support of my stories. Each and every review, fav, and follow I cherish wholeheartedly, and I can only hope and pray that you all continue to do so. May you all be blessed this New Year and may the love and warmth you received from your family and friends the past holiday season remain throughout!
Unexpected
By: Mad Betrayal
"Friendship is held to be the severest test in character. It is easy, we think, to be loyal to a family and clan, whose blood is in your own veins…"—Charles Eastman
Chapter 22 ~ Family Matters and Drastic Measures
It was like nothing Kai had ever felt before. Not even his True Potential had ever made him feel so empowered! The element of fire roared within him—scratching, clawing to reach as far as it could go within his body. But something felt different… Like his element was trying to tell him something—a heated whisper reverberating within the moist crevasses of his mind. Tantalizing flames licked at his scorching soul. Pulling—like the peeling of an orange, but not enough to do him harm only…prep him.
The Master of Fire concentrated on the convergence of flames at his core. Fire rains down to scorch the earth… The time of Destruction is now… Must open—open wide enough to receive more power…
…It's just as Sensei Garmadon said… Kai mused to himself in wonder, staring at his gloved hands. …This isn't it…something else is gonna happen with our elements… We are only being prepped… But for what…?
"Kai…?" The fire ninja lifted his gaze to meet his opposite's intrigued hazel stare. "It is your time now, I suspect," Zane said. "The elemental cycle has shifted…to firestorm."
Kai's flaming red eyes narrowed. "The meteor shower. It's finally started."
Lieutenant Steiner pushed up her specs with a finger as she eyed the Master of Fire as if he were an exotic animal at the zoo. "Truly fascinating…" she whispered in awe. "…So the same thing that happened to Walker is now happening to Hayabusa? But, his eyes look as if they're on fire! Like there's a raging inferno ablaze inside of him!"
She suddenly frowned and gave a glance at the other members of the clan. "Somehow, I find this more disconcerting to look at than Walker… Will he be okay?"
Kai smirked at the female soldier. Judging from his observations of Jay and Zane during their cycles, he could easily understand Steiner's discomfiture, but he wasn't afraid of this new development in the least. "You don't have to worry about me. If Zane and Jay can get through it just fine, then I will too." He then turned serious, "But more importantly, I think you need to tell us what's up? Did something happen?"
Steiner's glasses flashed in the light. "Julien-Chernov as well…? Ah, I see—yes of course, the hailstorm. You all are truly remarkable… But in any event, I was given orders by the commander to brief you all on the way to the Central Control Room. As well as to make sure Walker was with you."
"Not happening." Everyone turned to Cole, his expression stonewalled and unflinching as he eyed the lieutenant. "I'll talk to Commander Hawkeye myself if I have to. But Jay is resting right now, so he won't be coming with us. So whatever it is, lieutenant, you'll have to make do with just us."
"I see…" Steiner inclined her head to the ninja leader. "Though understand that you may have to do just that, Belmonte."
Cole's face and posture didn't change. Although he hadn't spoken unreasonably, anyone could detect the underlining authority lacing his voice, as well as even a hint of threat. Rather than hear it, Kai could actually smell it—the firm protectiveness of a loved one. And it wasn't just because Jay was a member of the clan either. This scent was different. This scent was intimate. Baseless supposition was not to be had here, for the fire ninja was a man of instinct not logic. Most of the time anyway. Emotions were his forte, and he had already sensed that something was different between the Earth and Lightning ninjas after they had returned from the Sea of Sand. And ever since he had confronted Cole about his discovery a mere 24 hours ago now, the black ninja had been making his feelings for Jay more apparent for everyone to see.
As indirect as it is…it's still obvious… Kai chanced a glance at his younger sister sitting on the couch. She was still wrapped up in the soft, cotton sheet her ex had provided for her, and yet she could only continue to stare amorously up at Cole with nothing short of certainty. A sharp twinge gripped Kai's heart at the sight. He knew Nya was going to get hurt sooner or later, for an unexpected variable had wedged its way into her carefully crafted formula of love she had only behest because of P.I.X.A.L. Calculated speculation had given birth to doubt. And now the same variable she had subtracted from her love-life was now being added back into the equation…and she was now the one being subtracted. …Sis, I'm here for you, but…I hope you wake up soon…
Lieutenant Steiner showed her back to the group and retraced her steps towards the door. "Very well. Let us move out then. I'll have a soldier posted here to inform Walker of our whereabouts if he awakens during your absence."
*~XxX~*
It was no short walk to the Central Control Room, for Steiner had the clan board another bullet train to get there. Kai still found it amazing that inhabitants of a metropolis the size of New Ninjago City could be moved to live comfortably in an underground city, and had been able to procure a few tasty tidbits of information concerning the Honeycomb during his first coming to the shelters from some officers. And supposedly this underground conurbation had been in construction for many years, and had only reached completion recently.
However, admiration for the Honeycomb's massive edifices would have to wait. Since according to Steiner, shit had definitely hit the fan. During their transit, she had elucidated further on something Zane had worriedly mentioned earlier. As it goes, an officer named Richardson had informed the ice ninja vaguely on the substandard power the Honeycomb was exhibiting, and how it would cause a major problem if the people had to remain down here for long periods of time.
And apparently that problem hadn't gone away. Instead, it had only festered and increased to catastrophic levels over time. For despite the Honeycomb's engineers' efforts, the generators used to supply power to the shelters were malfunctioning. Henceforth, they had no choice but to use their reserve units to sustain the people here for the time being. And of course this conundrum was reasonably kept from the populace. As if they were to find out, pandemonium would most likely ensue and probably even anarchy. Thus the regime had ordered the military to do anything and everything necessary to "fix the problem discreetly" in order to uphold the peace and stability of the Honeycomb. That was the responsibility Commander Hawkeye was given.
Upon exiting the bullet train, Steiner led the way to the Central Control Center. "The CCC overlooks the Honeycomb above the Generator Room so we'll have to travel up four flights of stairs to get there."
During their hike upwards, Kai took astute notice of the lack of civilians in this specific area. Expensive suits and fancy dresses lined the steel boardwalks and walkways below. More soldiers and fewer officers in this quadrant it seemed also, and was it just him or was the hexagonal living units spaced out more comfortably than their blocks'…
The Master of Fire had to stifle a grimace. …Wasn't aware social class mattered during world-wide emergencies…? How could the regime even think about segregation when regardless of status, everyone's lives are at stake!? It's stupid!
At the feel of a hand gently taking hold of his, Kai turned his head to find Zane looking at him. It was easy to read the emotions swimming within evergreen and mahogany depths, and the brunet conceded. Now wasn't the time, regardless of them having similar thoughts. They had more important things to worry about at the moment…and moronic politics sure as hell wasn't one of them.
Returning to even ground and high above the city of hexagonal structures, the clan and their escort traversed over a connecting bridge, with a gunmetal dome awaiting them on the other side. The few soldiers that were on the overpass immediately stopped their chatter upon the group's approach and saluted Lieutenant Steiner as she passed. But those who managed to catch Kai's eye visibly flinched, while still miraculously keeping their respectful posture.
Passing the soldiers, Kai's sensitive hearing caught the slew of not so hushed whispers.
"Those are them—the Elementals… "Ninja" are what the commander calls 'em…"
"Tch! More like "Freaks"… They should be up there getting' wiped out, not down here with us normal people…"
"I hear ya…"
"And did you see that one guy? He looked like a demon…!"
Kai gritted his teeth and growled low in his throat. The audacity of it all… They weren't even out of earshot, and yet the soldiers flung their ignorant insults at their backs with nary a care! Maybe it was the influence of his ignited element, or maybe it was just the fire ninja's nature in general. But whichever the reason, Kai found his patience was now nonexistent. His insides were already on fire: Magma boiled readily in his soul as lava threatened to overflow and spill forth from his heart.
A sizzling sound filled his ears. "Kai…" Zane's hand was gripping his tight, the white ninja's own element at work in counteracting his opposite's flammable rage.
"Kai, calm down!" Cole's terse whisper.
But he didn't. Who knew the Master of Fire's tolerance for stupidity was so low? Kai stopped and started to turn around—
"You four!"
Lieutenant Steiner's commanding voice pierced and fractured through the escalating tension, making Kai halt in mid-turn. Unbeknownst to him in the midst of his fury, the female soldier had long-since stopped the group's advancement. The soldiers—a mere five feet away—turned at once to their superior's authoritative shout.
"Yes, ma'am!" They chorused and saluted in unison, obviously trying their utmost to look passed the enraged elemental master.
Without turning around, Steiner addressed her men sternly. "The Custodial Crew mentioned they could use some extra hands over in Shell 4 in the central core. I want you all to go over there and assist them in any way you can."
The soldiers blinked, stupefied. "But, lieutenant, we're soldiers not custodians," one said, but Steiner didn't falter nor did she move.
"I know exactly what you are." Her tone remained scathing with the harsh, snapping bite of a cobra. "And as such, you should know that you're not limited to a single classification… Now go."
"But, lieutenant—"
This time Steiner did move, her head turning ever so slightly to glare at the one foolish enough to oppose her. That single honeyed eye behind the sophisticated frames was a force to be reckoned with all on its own. "You have one foot in the grave. You do realize that, don't you?"
The soldier immediately closed his mouth, a look of absolute terror paling his face as well as his three comrades'. "Now, I want you all to check-in with Corporal McCloud in Shell 4. I'll inform him of your arrival to assist the Custodial Crew… Go. You only have until zero five hundred hours to get there before you get penalized for being tardy."
At that, the soldiers' eyes bulged. And after a rather a sloppy salute from each, they turned around and hauled ass. The clan watched them flee. "Hmm…" Garmadon rubbed his chin, and then looked to the female soldier. "…There are only fifteen minutes before 5AM… They obviously will not make it on time, lieutenant."
"Of course they won't," Steiner replied evenly. She then turned fully around to peer at Kai, her appealing visage remorseful. "Please excuse those men's insolence, Kai. No. All of you. They fear what they do not understand, as it is one of mankind's greatest flaws."
Kai closed his eyes and concentrated on breathing. Though the fire in him had far from calmed, it didn't threaten to engulf him anymore in a blind rage. Zane's hand still gripped his, while his other pressed gently against his cheek. The cooling remedy of his opposite's element soothed him further and he at last opened his eyes.
"Sorry…" His apology wasn't addressed only to Zane, but to everyone. He usually paid little to no mind to simplemindedness. But the words had provoked his core, and consequently provoked him.
"We're just glad you're okay," Nya said and everyone else concurred.
"This is a new experience for all of you," Sensei Wu put forth. "With the opening of your elemental cores and them having more influence over your bodies, your emotions are going to play a major part in how your powers react…" A brief nod towards Kai. "Some more strongly than others. And while we don't know the exact repercussions from this happening, we can most certainly guarantee that irrevocable changes will undergo within all of you. Correction, I mean all of us. Elemental Masters all over the world will feel their powers swell and manifest to some degree."
Garmadon eyed his son. "Lloyd, you are the Legendary Green Ninja of Creation, as well as the Master of Energy. Though you have the four elements corresponding with the elemental cycle taking place now, your powers are evenly balanced and capped off. Your sovereignty lies over Energy alone. Meaning, even though you have Lightning, your Lightning will never be as potent as Jay's. Your core element, Energy, will be the only power to grow."
Well that was some news. But before anyone could comment on the matter, Steiner spoke up. "Sorry, but time is of the essence. The commander is still waiting." Thus, their trek resumed.
Deciding to hang back, Kai allowed Nya, Brad, and Lloyd to pass him. However, Zane stayed right at his side—vigilant and caring. "Kai, are you alright?" He asked tenderly, and the crimson ninja released an elongated sigh.
"Yeah…now I am. Damn, I guess I underestimated the influence of my element now that it's running amok inside me unchecked. And surprising still, Steiner retaliated in my defense when those chumps accosted us. Looks like she's warming up to us little by little, huh?"
Zane nodded. "Yes, and we must continue to express our gratitude to her."
Her idiom wasn't far off the mark either. People do fear what they don't understand, and have been doing so since the beginning of time. All of this could be proven through human evolutionary psychology. Over countless millennia, the world had always been fraught with danger. What was unknown, or not understood, could result in death.
Not every human was born with elemental powers and affinities. So those who weren't saw such attributes as afflictions instead and feared those imbued with these incredibly rare forms of diversity. And on average, there was no downside to being fearful, for people usually gained more than they lost from doing so. But that's not to say that some people didn't try to empathize, just that they were few and far between. Aversion to the unknown was usually safer, and this was applied broadly to the human psyche…and will continue to be passed on through each and every generation. So all in all, Kai couldn't be too upset by the soldiers' impertinence. He could only hope they would soon come to see that they were human just like them.
Kai lifted Zane's gloved hand and pressed his lips solidly against the smooth leather. The ice ninja's pure hazel eyes widened, and he blinked owlishly. "Kai…uh…"
The fire ninja observed his crush's reaction close, and was more than a little pleased when Zane got over his initial shock and smiled, pressing even closer to him as they walked. Kai's smirk was back. "Just wanted to express my gratitude to you, Diamond."
"I see…" Zane uttered. "But thanking me for what comes natural is unnecessary. That's not to say that I don't appreciate the sentiment, only…well…"
"Yes…?" Kai pressed, intrigued by the nindroid's sure admission to having instinctual urges.
With his adoring grin still in place, the white ninja wordlessly removed Kai's glove and then his too. Taking hold of his opposite's hand once more, Zane met Kai's flaming gaze. "…I want to feel… I want to feel…everything…from now on…"
Kai's heart pounded as he looked from Zane to their joined hands. It was then when it suddenly clicked that this was the very first time he had ever touched the nindroid's skin. Something he had only ever dreamt about. I may even be the first besides his father… He thought blissfully. The white ninja's hand was smooth and cool to the touch, creating a delightful equalizer to his overheated one. His fingers were gracefully long—slightly longer than his in fact, and the delicately white, unearthly beauty of it… How could someone's hand be so…stunning…? Something so simple, and yet so incredibly extraordinary all the same…
Kai lifted Zane's hand, his opposite's palm resting comfortably atop of his. The contrast was something to admire—summer tan against winter pale… The smirk on the red ninja's lips promptly faded and was replaced with a genuinely heartfelt smile as he placed his lips against the back of Zane's hand for a second time. This kiss was slightly prolonged this time, the brunet wanting to sear the feeling of the white ninja's skin against his lips to memory.
Despite the danger their circumstances had been wrought in, Fire and Ice basked in this wonderful moment. And for a time, it was just them… Safe and at peace. Opening his eyes—having closed them in his serenity, Kai graced Zane with his blazing depths. "And from now on…you will…" he promised, and the beautiful being smiled in return.
"Yes, from now on…"
Having finally reached the dome, Steiner keyed in a few strokes on a nearby console to allow her and her party access to the interior. But as soon as the twin electronic doors slid open, a tirade of voices could easily be heard from within.
"Bill, you know I'm only here to help, right?"
"You can help by staying out of military affairs, Dr. Walker. Just as you physicians have protocols, so do we. Be mindful of that."
"Ja, ja. But given the current situation one would think standard regulations would matter very little. Soldier or politician, commoner or elitist. We all bleed the same in the end, as we are all in this together in the end."
"Aaron…" Lieutenant Steiner's soft whisper of the foreign name suddenly had her in a jog, and the others picked up the pace also, with the voices growing louder and clearer with each step forward through the pristine and high-tech facility.
"*sigh*…As much as I would like to agree with you, the regime specifically stated—"
"Ja, ja. Everything low-key, everything hush-hush. Heh… May that be why you are now seeking the aid of some Ninja, commander?"
"What?! How did you—"
"Commander!" Steiner rounded the corner into a cavernous room with a shout, and the clan on her heels. The soldiers occupying the space immediately greeted their lieutenant with a proper salute, but Commander Hawkeye only turned to the group with a frown. Kai looked on curiously, at another man amongst the cluster of black-clad soldiers. He looked terribly out of place with his starched khaki slacks and his immaculate white dress shirt rolled-up at the cuffs. And his champagne-colored, silk vest and black tie only added to his posh and tailored look. But what caught the fire ninja's attention the most was the stranger's face. Boyishly handsome and fair-skinned, the friendliness and warmth the man radiated when he smiled at them was scarily familiar…
"Ah, there they are!" The man chirped happily in salutation, weaving a hand through his short, tawny blond locks. But then his bright, cobalt eyes swiveled to Steiner. "And there's my ripe, fine herring…" The adoration laced within the man's soothing accent was as tangible as it was heartfelt, and the clan could only gape as the female soldier blushed like a school girl.
"Aaron…" She looked like she was trying to regain her composure, though, and returned the loving greeting with a sharp incline of the head despite her rosy cheeks. But when the man—whom the clan could safely surmise was "Aaron"—opened his arms, however, Steiner looked positively torn. Again, it was apparent she was trying to reel herself in—to keep from expressing too much. Perhaps she was shy in the face of public affection, or maybe protocol demanded she remained dignified while in the presence of her superior and subordinates?
Well, whatever her reservation was it didn't last long, for she suddenly ran the short distance to Aaron's welcoming arms and jumped into his embrace. And the steamy kiss they shared clearly expressed their love and relief to see the other unharmed. While the other soldiers didn't comment on the display, Commander Hawkeye sure did with an exasperated sigh and a shake of his head.
Kai couldn't help but smirk. Ha! Screw rules and regulations in the face of love, huh…
When the two parted, Steiner stayed in Aaron's arms, breathless and happy. "Wha… What are you doing here? You said you were going to make rounds at the infirmary."
"I did. And everything's on the up n' up. A few syg (sick) as to be expected with the weather, and minor scrapes and bruises for some, but nothing serious after that trio was brought in—the mother, the daughter, and the dog. I'm on call, though. So if anything happens they'll be sure to contact me. But what you disclosed earlier over the phone really piqued my curiosity, Ada."
At that, Commander Hawkeye immediately narrowed his dark eyes at his understudy. "Yes, we were just about to discuss what you…"disclosed", lieutenant."
Sensing her superior's ire, Ada moved to step away from her beau, but Aaron's protective hold on her was unrelenting. The younger man grinned at the commander. Though, the slight thinning of his eyes was a dead giveaway of his fearlessness before the hardened soldier. "Now, Bill, you should know that apt communication is important between a couple, especially one looking to jump the broom next year. So stiff upper lip if you don't want me to scratch your name from the guest list."
Unfazed and scowling still, Commander Hawkeye crossed his arms. However, Aaron too was undeterred and laughed outright at the elder's expression. "Besides, it's not like she told me everything. Give her a bit more credit than that," he went on. "I had my own suspicions of the Honeycomb's stability once I witnessed the barrier overhead flicker. I asked Ada about the generators' output and she said that you all were looking in to it. And that you may be receiving help from an outside source. I pieced it together from there."
"So you just surmised Ninja, Dr. Walker?" Hawkeye asked, unconvinced, but Aaron only shrugged good-naturedly and nodded towards the clan.
"Well you know I'm not one to give into common gossip about nightly assassins and shadow-walkers. But these peeps be more than just Ninja—they're Elemental Masters." Friendly cobalt eyes found the fire ninja's gaze bravely and smiled. "After information from a reliable source was divulged to me years prior, I did my own research in order to bring me peace of mind…as well as to calm the other members of my family."
His gaze turned searching as he scanned over each and every individual member of the clan. "Family's important. And even though we Nordics don't like to pry into other peeps personal affairs, I took it upon myself to try and confirm something. Or rather…I took it upon myself to try and confirm the identity of someone—one of the supposed Elemental Masters. Ah…haven't seen my Norwegian cousin now for nearly five years, but I know I'll be able to recognize him…"
Kai's mouth fell open. "Wait so…"
"You're related to Jay?!" Everyone exclaimed at once, pointing surprisingly at the blond man.
And Aaron chuckled, eyes gleaming. "So he is with you? Well where is he? Where's Jay?"
So that's why Aaron felt so familiar to Kai. His exuberance and positive energy emanated from him like a refreshing mist. But Jay had never mentioned Aaron. Hell, he never mentioned any of his relatives besides his parents. Then again, familial topics and issues were rarely discussed amongst the clan. Reason being because no one really asked. Such things were almost always kept on the backburner, only showing relevancy when the world was at stake or something.
Needless to say, this discovery had everyone's attention, especially Lieutenant Ada Steiner's. She peered up her fiancé with wide, honeyed eyes. "Mein Gott, Aaron! Are you sure?! Walker is an extremely common surname. So surely…" she then paused, mortified. "…No…don't tell me I nearly shot and killed one of my soon to be in-laws!?"
Aaron winced. "Whoa, seriously?"
"Enough of this mindless prattle!" Hawkeye ordered strictly, casting Steiner a withering glare. "Lieutenant, I specifically ordered you to make sure Walker—the other Walker—was with them. Where is the blue ninja?"
Steiner saluted her superior, her stern countenance back in place. "Sir! I—"
"Then you'd better look at me and not her," Cole cut in, and Hawkeye shifted his penetrating gaze to the ninja leader. Cole stood firm and spoke calmly but resolutely. "I'm sorry to disappoint you, commander—and you too Aaron, but I told the lieutenant that Jay would not be coming with us. He's resting at the moment."
Worry instantly lined Aaron's face. "Is he hurt?" He asked, but Cole shook his head.
"No, just tired. He had a bad time during the evacuation."
"Hmph! We're all tired, Belmonte," Hawkeye growled. "We've all had bad times, but we endure and get through them. You all wanted to prove your usefulness and reliability, correct? Well I'm still not completely convinced. There is still work to be done."
Viridian depths hardened into cool cuts of jade. "And we will be more than happy to assist you and the people here," Cole countered. "Just leave Jay outta this! Isn't there a situation? Now, Steiner has already informed us of what's going on. The generators are malfunctioning, right? And you need our help in getting them back online. So just tell us what you need for us to do, so we can get started!"
Hawkeye snorted and glared at Cole belligerently for his rebuttal. But then, he too spoke candidly. "We need raw power and lots of it—lightning to be more precise. And we only have twelve hours to get it done before our reserve units start straining, and then we really will have panic and discord on our hands." He turned to one of the soldiers. "Harkness, bring up the display."
At once, the soldier did what was ordered of him, his fingers flashing across the computer console he was stationed at. "Reports have already been sent in that the meteor showers have begun wrecking havoc all over Ninjago's surface," Hawkeye continued. "And looking at you, Red One…I'd assume the reports are correct."
Kai nodded. "Firestorm, meteor shower…seems to be one in the same. So yeah, it's happening."
A holographic diaphragm soon flickered onto the wide screen of the monitor at the front of the room and Commander Hawkeye gestured to it. "This here is a picture of the generators located below us. Our engineers have done all they could to get them up and running, but their efforts were proven moot. We now only have one option available to us…"
The screen changed and a holographic bird's eye view of New Ninjago City was displayed on the monitor. Three locations blipped and were zeroed-in on and highlighted. "These three relay stations you see onscreen are our only hope. But thanks to the electrical storm from earlier, they've suffered power outages as we have already tried to tap into their energy from here. So what we need is for someone to go topside and travel to each of these three relay stations and get them up and running again, and to do that they're going to need close to 700,000 volts each."
After Hawkeye finished the briefing, he turned to regard Cole stonily. "Now, Belmonte…out of everyone here, who do you propose is best suited for this mission?"
When Cole said nothing, Hawkeye approached the black ninja and stood before him. His dark eyes became darker if possible as he stared hard at Cole. "You're the leader of this clan, correct? And as such, it falls on your shoulders on how to augment and utilize the ones who follow you to the best of your ability. I want you to understand that before I even thought of you all, I exhausted every alternative that came to mind in an effort to do things ourselves without your help. However, I just wanted to inform you all of this crisis before I made my own moves. So know that if you decide not to involve your clan, I have a team of twelve ready and equipped with voltage packs to go back to the surface and try to complete this mission."
Heartbeats of silence passed with nothing being said. And the more seconds that passed, the angrier Kai got. Until finally Cole shook his head. "My clan is comprised of more than just people who follow me, commander," he said lowly. "These are my friends—my extended family. And I absolutely refuse to sacrifice anyone…especially Jay."
"Yeah! Fuck that!" Kai erupted, eyes blazing. "B'sides this mission is just plain suicide to begin with! And who's to say if those relay stations haven't already been destroyed!"
"We won't know until we get there," Hawkeye shot back. "And isn't it better to try than to do nothing and wait here for death?"
"Then I'll go."
Everyone turned to the Green Ninja, for it was he who spoke up. Brad grabbed Lloyd's arm fearfully. "What? Lloyd, no…"
The blonde's face was drawn into a stern line, but he still managed to assure his former classmate with a stable grin. "It's alright, Brad," he said, and then leveled his determined gaze on his clan. "I'm the Green Ninja of Creation, remember? I have Lightning. And while it may not be as strong as Jay's, I'm sure I can pull this mission off. And what's more…"
Lloyd's dark, blood rubies narrowed at Cole's emerald stare, "…we're Ninja. We protect and serve the people regardless of the odds of survival. And if one of us can go in the place of twelve, then that's a no brainer, don't you think? But I will agree with you on one thing, Cole… Jay stays. I'd much rather go myself than to send my mother-figure through a meteor-ravaged city."
"Well said, bud. But what kind of mother-figure would I be if I let my son-figure go on a mission that was purely designed for me?"
Everyone snapped their heads around as two newcomers entered the room. "Jay!"
Bright and beautiful sapphire eyes disappeared into happy crescents as a 100-watt smile split the lightning ninja's face. Jay lifted his hand in greeting. "Hey guys! Why'd you leave me behind? Wait, don't answer that…" A playful frown twisted the brunet's lips as he pointed an accusatory finger in Cole's direction. "…It was that guy's doing, wasn't it?"
Despite the mirth in Jay's voice, Kai could see the color gradually drain from his older brother's face as he stared at the blue ninja. Another scent wafted through the air and assaulted the fire ninja's enhanced olfactory sense… Dread. Pure, unadulterated dread. Something deathly haunted Cole for him to pull such a look, as if he knew something the others didn't.
"Jay…what are you doing here? You're supposed to be resting." Cole's voice was surprising calm, even with his paling countenance. And if Jay noticed the ninja leader's mounting dismay, he didn't show it.
"I did," he replied easily, still using that light-hearted cadence. "And I tell ya those forty-five minutes of dream time were God-sent! I feel much better than I did before, so thanks for suggesting it. But c'mon, Cole-man, if something like this happens you gotta tell me. Don't just leave me hangin'."
Cole visibly made an effort to swallow. "Jay, listen…I—"
"Yeah, I know. All in good faith—easily forgiven!" Jay interrupted, and then patted the shoulders of the soldier standing next to him. "Good thing I had my buddy, Liam, here to explain everything when I woke up. Though I do admit I kinda gave the poor guy a scare when I pulled a kunai on him and stuff… Sorry again for being a ninja, Foxy!"
The young soldier blanched as well as blushed as Jay laughed merrily beside him. "Uh—N-No, the pleasure was all mine… I-I-I mean! Like I said before, no hard feelings. After all, i-it was my fault for being curious about you and invading your personal space like that, sir—I mean, Jay…"
Jay teasingly nudged the blushing lad in the ribs with an elbow and left his side, stepping further into the room. He swept his ocean gaze over his clan and the other occupants of the room. "Now I know what's going down, but there's something else you guys don't…know…"
Jay stopped mid-sentence and blinked, his sights resting on Aaron. Kai watched as the supposed relative swallowed and approached Jay with a curious tilt of his head and thinned eyes. "Min...du sikker vokset, at du har, Jay..." (My...you sure have grown, that you have, Jay...)
Jay's lips fell open into a silent gasp as he gave the tawny-haired man a quick once over. "Aaron…?Har en jule mirakel kom tidlig eller hva ?! Herregud! Aaron!" (Aaron…? Has a Christmas miracle come early or what?! Oh my God! Aaron!)
The two reunited Nordics embraced joyously and most of all loudly, with each speaking fluently in their respective native tongues in conversational tandem. And by golly was it a sight to lo and behold for everyone in the room. For everything expressed between the two Walkers was with elaborate hand gestures and ecstatic tones. It was like everyone—soldier and ninja alike—had faded from existence and they were the only ones there, talking and laughing with each other like it was sunny Saturday afternoon at a ritzy pub.
Kai soundly found himself in a bewildered daze. To hear and see the two men before him express themselves so happily, made it seem like they weren't all knocking on Death's door and everything in the world was peaches and cream. It was warm… It was touching… It was relaxing… It was soothing… Jay's eyes sparkled like they never had before, and his smile was more than genuine. It was bursting with life and renewal!
And soon…very soon the fire ninja found himself smiling. He came to realize that he didn't want this moment to end. He didn't want to disrupt the uplifting atmosphere the two men had created. For this was a part of Jay's personification: The optimism, the hope, the cheer, the geniality. Just everything wholesome and good emanated from these two happy souls.
…Positive-thinking…*sigh*…little bro…
"Oh! Where are my manners?" Aaron abruptly switched back to English and led Jay over to Steiner. "As I'm sure you've already met, let me introduce you formally to my fiancé, Jay. This raven-haired goddess is Ada Steiner, and we are due to be married next summer."
At the praise and soft grin her fiancé delivered her way, the lieutenant promptly blushed. And that blushed only continued to spread as Jay gently took her hand and kissed the back of it. "Wow, this is just amazing…" he breathed. "…I knew you'd have a pretty name, lieutenant, I just never would've guessed it would be "Ada". German, right?"
"Ah…y-yes. But only half. My mother is Japanese you see."
Jay grinned. "I see. So the big day is during the summertime of next year? When and where exactly, I'll have to make sure to attend."
"You'd better!" Aaron said, shooting his cousin a mock-glare. "Since it's on the week of our family reunion. You know, the one you've been missing in attendance from the last five years? In Europia—Wellbridge to be exact. July 27th."
"Hey! I said I was sorry, Mr. Surgeon/Diagnostician!" Jay cried back, releasing Ada's hand. "Tch!...Still think that's just an excuse to cut people open knowing you… But, yeah…a lots happened. I'm really sorry my mom and dad had to attend those functions alone."
"Ja, ja…" Aaron dismissed with a wave of his hand, "…so I've gathered. But we can discuss more of the same later. First, we need to make sure there will be a wedding and address the crisis at hand."
"Don't worry, there will be…without a doubt," Jay replied strongly, his sapphires gleaming with a knowing strength. "Just…give me a sec to get my thoughts together…been thrown for one helluva a loop here… Hey, Liam? You might want to go ahead and tell them the latest news, okay?"
The young soldier stationed by the door readily jumped at the sound of his name. Though he tried to look battle-hardened and worn as he saluted to the commander, the evident blush staining his cheeks worked greatly against him. "Uh—r-right! Sir! Commander, sir! Report just in from the Honeycomb's engineers, sir!"
Everyone immediately perked up, and Hawkeye hurriedly gestured for his subordinate to continue. "Yes, what is it?"
"Sir! They report that the generators' transfluxor coils are not responding! Thus, even if you were to give the relay stations above ground ample power, the generators here lack the necessary energy to retrieve it! Sir!"
"What?!" Hawkeye bellowed indignantly, and despair swathed the group in an abysmal fog. And here they were hoping for good news. Instead, however, they were delivered irrevocable odds and deemed damned if they did and damned if they didn't. So what then? What could possibly be done to change things around?
"And that's one of the main reasons why you can't go top-side in my stead, Lloyd."
Everyone looked to Jay to see him standing before Lloyd with his hand on the Green Ninja's shoulder. Jay beamed. "Because your acting role is going to be here, serving as a conduit for the generators."
"A conduit?" Zane whispered, perplexed. But his confusion lasted a mere millisecond before realization dawned. "Ah! Jay! Yes, that's brilliant!"
Huh? What is? What's going on…? Kai wondered, and he wasn't the only one. The soldiers and other clan members openly expressed their bewilderment, until Sensei Garmadon calmed the masses down.
"Jay, please go into detail. Please explain your course of action."
The Master of Lightning nodded. "With pleasure."
And as things turned out, Jay's plan was surprisingly simple and extremely straightforward. Acting as the generators' conduit, Lloyd would be stationed in the Generator Room below. He would then use his element of Energy to coincide with Jay's Lightning once the blue ninja would reach a relay station. And by doing so, the raw energy produced would then be channeled through Lloyd and into the Honeycomb's generators. This would be done three times, as there were three relay stations. And almost everyone else had their parts to play too.
Given Nya's structural intelligence in engineering, she was to work alongside the engineers and make sure the transfluxor coils were attached to Lloyd properly. Zane was to monitor Lloyd's Energy output and input to guarantee the Green Ninja's safety as well as to regulate the amount of Energy needed. And Kai was especially glad that he could help. Because of the extreme amount of energy and power the generators would exude during the process, they were going to heat up fairly quickly. Thus, it was the Master of Fire's responsibility to absorb the generators' heat into his body, so that they wouldn't malfunction and disrupt the transfer. And that was it. That was the plan that was going to save them all.
Jay placed his hands on his hips, his brow furrowed pensively as he eyed his friends and extended family. "I'm the Master of Lightning, and I'm also the fastest one here. I'll exit to the surface from the fifth entrance since from there it's only twelve miles to the first relay station…and the other two are ten miles apart each—forming a triangle in the northwest part of the city. I can do it…" He lifted his right hand and stared at it as a powerful coil of Lightning surrounded it as his behest. "..I can do it."
"Kaasan…" Lloyd stepped to Jay and braced his hands on his mother-figure's shoulders. "I get it. Yes, I do, but…"
"I'm coming back, Lloyd," Jay assured, a broad and gentle smile curving his lips. "I'm not going up there to die. I'm going up there to make sure everyone down here lives."
"Even if it could be a fool's errand?" Aaron put forth, worry and care for his cousin darkening his once radiant face.
But Jay only continued to smile. "We won't know until we try, right? And remember what Grammy Pearl taught us, Aaron: "A time of war and contempt's come, a time of folk gone wrong. We needs to pay good with good. Who stands by idly does evil as if."" At the blonde's cocked eyebrow, though, he rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "A little out of context I know, but you get my drift."
Aaron chuckled. "Ja, ja… I'm just surprised that you remembered that is all…" Cobalt met sapphire beseechingly. "Keep your promise, Jay. Come back."
"I will."
"I'm coming with you," Cole stated firmly, his green depths fierce and unrelenting.
Jay sighed, though his smile remained intact as he broke away from Lloyd and Aaron and moved to stand before his best friend. "Oh…Cole… No, you're not."
"Yes, I am. You don't need to worry about me. I'll be able to keep up with you just fine."
"No, you won't. You tried, remember? And I can feel it. I'm much faster than I once was. And…I need to stay focused…and your presence will only serve as a distraction. That's why I'd feel much better if you stayed here—where I know you're safe."
Cole shook his head roughly. "I can't do that, Jay. I can't send you out there alone. I need to be beside you—looking out for you! What if something—"
"Do you believe in me?" Jay asked, and Cole only faltered for a second before nodding straight away.
"Yes! Of course I do, but—"
Jay reached out to touch Cole's arm. "Then that's all I need. If you believe in me right up until the very end, then I can use that as even more incentive to get back. So I don't disappoint you."
All the resistance seemed to leave Cole then in the face of Jay adamancy, and he placed a hand over the one that was holding his arm. "Alright…" the ninja leader finally conceded, "…just focus on coming back. That's all."
As the two slowly detached from each other, Steiner walked over and took Jay's hand. "You should be fitted with the proper communication so that you'll be able to contact us once you've reached the first relay station," she said, and Jay nodded.
He took a deep breath and released it slowly threw his mouth. "C'mon then. Once I'm wired, I'll leave immediately."
And with that, the soon to be in-laws made their way out of the room, with the blue ninja unexpectedly tugging on Liam's arm and dragging the young and still blushing soldier out with them. A respectable silence reigned supreme over the occupants in the Central Control Center…until one by one…the soldiers lifted their hands in salute at the departed…including Commander Hawkeye.
"Godspeed, Jay Walker."
Kai closed his flaming depths and sent up a silent prayer to the Heavenly Father who governed them all:
God…please cast your divine protection over our little brother… Please ensure his safety, and guide him back to us when this is over… I beg of you… Don't take him…
Author's Note: I watch a little too much Hetalia in case you guys didn't notice. I used a huge Demark reference when in portrayal Aaron, so I figured I might as well call it out. Yay, Nordics! Yay, Scandihoovians! BTW, Danish people are extremely happy and good-natured people! I adore 'em! Please leave your thoughts!