Author's Note: Hot damn, everybody! 300+ reviews and over 50 favs and follows! *SQUEALS LOUDLY* You guys are the absolute best! Thanks so, so much! Since yaoi is so hard to find in this fandom, I didn't think my story would become so popular. But by god did you all prove me wrong! Phew! Okay, calming down now…*ahem* Jay's finally awake! Yay! So let's find out how much the little cinnamon roll remembers. Have a fun read!

Unexpected

By: Mad Betrayal

"As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend…" King Solomon

Chapter 30 ~ Internal Dilemmas

Jay groaned miserably. Why was the light in the room so damn bright? A loud throbbing pulsed through his left temple—probably a migraine. He shivered, his stomach gurgling uncomfortably. He could feel Cole's arms all around him. At least it was warm. Jay turned his face into the moist and balmy flesh of his best friend's shoulder and closed his eyes again. The scent of soap and natural musk wafted through his nose. It wreathed around him, calming his mind somewhat and solidifying his consciousness.

"Ahh—umm… Hey, Aaron… Listen, I know this looks bad—"

"And awkward," one of the nurses muttered. Cole ignored him.

"But if you let me explain—"

"Who threw up?" This time it was the Danish doctor that cut him off, his voice terse as it filtered through his head covering.

"Ah…" Cole's resolve noticeably withered a bit in the face of the older man's agitated aura. It was painfully obvious even though he was on the far side of the room. "…Jay did… But that's why I—"

"And you didn't call for anyone?!" Aaron shouted, causing Jay's brow to furrow and a frown to overtake his visage. Another twinge of pain seized him. That hurt. And what was his cousin getting so upset about…? Wait… "Cole! That should've been the first…" The blond stopped abruptly and raised a hand as if to keep everyone, including himself, from talking. His aggravated grimace was easily discernible through his visor. "You know what…later. Right now the important thing is getting this place cleaned up and you two back into bed." He immediately turned to his team of nurses. "Ian, gather up these sheets and get them over to the lab for analysis. Cole, where are you guys' gowns? In the bathroom?"

Cole nodded once and stepped aside to clear the way. "Yeah."

"Grab those too, Ian."

"Aye."

One of the orange suits moved, coming closer to them. Jay blinked slowly and emitted a little grunt. Lucidness was fading in and out, but he was trying his damndest to regain complete coherence. He saw the orange helmed covering and the visor that shielded the person's face. But any key features were lost to the brunet as the suit stopped beside him and Cole.

"Holdin' mighty close to yer mate there, lad. Had fun me hope…" A whispered yet heavy accent from overseas. The man was definitely not from around Ninjago. That much Jay could ascertain. But what did he mean by that…?

"Fayth, help me replace the I.V.'s. Omar, you help them get back into bed and grab some fresh gowns and sheets, okay?"

A…Aaron… The light was just too fuckin' bright. Jay had to get somebody to turn it off. He winced and lifted his hand to shield his face.

"Jay? What's wrong?"

The azure ninja's mouth felt dry and gross. He swallowed. "…Light…" Jay could barely recognize his own voice. It sounded so hoarse and weak from prolonged disuse. Another discomfited gurgle burbled from his stomach. He really didn't feel very well.

"Hold up. He's awake…? Dr. Walker! The marked patient is awake!"

Jay groaned in annoyance. Who the hell was that? And did he have to be so loud? And wait… Marked…?

"Okay. Just help them, Omar."

What was happening? He could feel himself being lowered, his body coming in contact with a soft mattress. But then…Cole's arms left him. Jay opened his eyes hurriedly, forgetting their sensitivity to the brightness of the room. He didn't want Cole to leave him! He gasped out his best friend's name and reached blindly for the distorted image of black and earth tones beside him. Why did his left hand feel so stiff and weird…?

"Yeah, I'm right here, Jay…"

A hand gently grasped his, holding it with the utmost tender love and care. Good… Good… He squinted, trying to ignore the brightness and correct the blurred image of his friend. When suddenly, Cole moved and blocked the light from Jay's peripheral with his other hand. A wave of relief washed over him at the modicum of darkness given to him, and he smiled appreciatively at the other ninja.

"Hold on, Cole. We need to redo your I.V."

"I know. But first, someone needs to dim these lights or somethin'. They're bothering him."

As soon as the words left Cole's mouth, the intensity of the fluorescents dulled considerably, and Jay's vision gradually took clear focus on his best friend. Shaggy black hair, rich olive skin, beautiful emerald eyes… Cole. Cole was right by his side and smiling ever so gently at him—almost shyly.

Oh…

Jay took in his friend's state of being—his wrapped torso.

Oh…

It was coming back. Little by little, Jay's memories were coming back. The planet's situation. His mission. And Cole. Cole came for him. Cole saved him from certain death. He remembered the look on Cole's face—the desperation, the utter relief. He remembered the tingle on his lips… He remembered being in his arms, much like he was a moment ago. And then…they were attacked… Deities… And then…what happened after that…? Jay's memories were fuzzy in some areas, like interfering static on a T.V. He remembered wanting to help—wanting to protect Cole.

He wanted…to keep his half of the promise…

Promise…

Promise…

So many promises had been made…

He remembered…

A light touch on his shoulder roused Jay from his reverie. It was Aaron. He looked gentle and caring as always. But…why was he wearing—why were they all wearing… What were those? Radiation suits? What the hell…?

"Hey, you feeling okay? Think you can stay awake for a while?" He asked, cobalt eyes searching his face intently. Jay licked his dry and chapped lips and swallowed. God did his mouth taste gross!

"Y-Yeah…" he cleared his throat. He didn't like sounding so weak and feeble when he wasn't. Not in the slightest. He tried again. "Yeah, I'm not tired." There. Much better. Besides, while he did feel like shit, he had a plethora of questions that needed answering.

Aaron smiled, relieved. "Alright. Good. We're just gonna redress you guys and get you settled. After that, we'll…go from there."

Redress…? Oh right, he was in just a towel… And… And… "O-Okay…" Fuck. Cole had bathed him. Cole had seen him naked! Fuck! Wait! Was he about to see him naked again?! Were they all?! Even the woman?! Jay's cheeks flared red. Aaron was one thing, but not total strangers! Not Cole! He didn't care that he was unconscious when they undressed him the first time. He was conscious now dammit! And he wanted discretion! He wanted privacy!

He didn't even chance a glance at Cole—afraid of what he might see. The orange, hulking mass of one of the male nurses was blocking his view anyway, with them pulling their beds apart to separate them while they worked. Aaron's hands were on his body, helping him to balance upright while he placed a fresh and fluffy pillow behind his head. That just left the female nurse (he would get the female nurse). Jay gulped and looked down at himself—at the white towel that protected his modesty from prying eyes. He placed his hands over his lap and looked back up with the wide eyes of a frightened animal as the woman approached him. The nurse, seeing his discomfort, raised her hands in a placating way—a pale blue gown in one—and offered him a small smile of reassurance.

"It's okay, sugah. It'll be quick. I won't even look."

"Oh, but you did the first time," one of the male nurses sing-songed from beside him, causing the other one to chuckle. The woman glowered at her colleague's back, her dark eyes sharp in reproach before she rolled them and refastened them on Jay. The lightning ninja realized Cole hadn't said a thing, which only caused his blush to get darker.

Aaron suddenly took his right hand and eyed the syringe in his arm. He smiled down at Jay when his cousin peered up at him with his cheeks painted red and his expressive blues bright and pleading. "Believe her, Jay. You're good, so don't worry." Trying to get over his bashfulness, Jay bobbed his head in a quick nod. But once he did, he instantly regretted it as yet another sharp pain pulsed through his temples. He winced and turned his head away, resting it fully on his pillow. During his flustered state, he had completely forgotten about his lingering pain and gurgling belly. But as soon as he moved too quickly, he was 'happily' reminded.

With ache and confliction swimming through his being, Jay simply decided to block everything out and retreat to the deepest, darkest corners of his mind. He closed his eyes, his face pulling into a tight grimace. He had to get his thoughts together, but he just didn't know where to start. How long had he been out? Was it still the same day…Nya's birthday. Where were the others? Was his mission a complete success? How long would they have to stay separated from the rest of the clan? Both he and Cole were injured, sure, but they could still receive visitors, right? And what was up with the suits? Were they being isolated…quarantined…? It certainly looked that way…

Jay bit his lip, worry beginning to gnaw at his gut. Heavily covered hands jostled him gently. He flinched a bit when his towel was pulled from his hips, exposing him to the world. But as soon as it was removed, it was replaced by a soft material. He felt his arms being maneuvered into sleeves. He felt the consideration they were taking with his left hand. Right. He saw the brace. His index and middle fingers were broken and had been placed in a splint. Sheesh, just how banged up was he? His entire head felt like it had been mummified with how thoroughly wrapped it was. Freshly laundered sheets came next as they were placed over his legs and folded at his waist. A clamp was placed on his uninjured index finger and then…

*beep…beep…beep…*

Startled sapphires snapped open and stared unblinkingly at the cardiogram peeking from behind Aaron at his bedside.

*beep…beep…beep…*

He heard those sounds before. He had. But when…?

Bird.

*beep…beep…beep…*

A warmth at his back. Crimson and blue orbs staring at him. A harsh and mocking voice imparting cynical wisdom. Apollo. Jay started to tremble. His mind flashed to black. He was surrounded by the void of endless darkness with Apollo's voice at his back.

"Jay…?"

"Sentimental fool…"

Jay gasped. He tried to inhale, but found he couldn't. Apollo's voice was suddenly everywhere, dominating over his senses and misconstruing his world.

"Are you another weakling…? Is that it…? Another indecisive piece of trash…?"

He heard beeping—frantic beeping, and then an even more frantic cacophony of distant voices. But none of those things mattered. All that mattered were the dark words of the Deity of Sound and Lightning. Crimson and blue. Blue and crimson. Those hadn't been simple orbs. They had been eyes—Apollo's eyes. They were staring at him—still staring at him from the void. Judging, mocking, hateful, and unwavering. They were going to swallow him. They were going to annihilate him.

"The path you walk is dark—pitch black… You're blind… And if you don't get a flame goin'—even a flicker of light soon to guide you…you're going to have a really. Bad. Time… Do you hear me…Jason…?"

"No! You don't understand! He needs me! Get me closer to him right now!"

That voice. That voice alone pierced through the swathe of despair Jay had been ensnared in. The familiarity of it—the forcefulness of it went straight to his soul and pulled at him. A hand touched his. Warm. Skin on skin.

"Jay? Jay, look at me…"

But he couldn't. Jay couldn't even move. He felt completely paralyzed by that foreboding darkness encircling him—trapped by crimson and blue. Another touch. This time to his cheek. Fingers ghosted soothingly across his skin, until he could feel said fingers take hold of his chin and gently turned his head.

"Hey. It's fine. You're okay. I won't let anything happen to you. I promise…"

Promise…?

Promise.

Jay blinked and inhaled a deep, ragged breath. Green, black, and earth tones swirled in his vision. He could breathe again. "…C-Cole…?"

"Yeah, it's me… I'm right here…" The same hand moved from his chin to cup his cheek, and Jay lifted his hand to cover Cole's, holding it in place.

"…But… But…"

"What is it, Jay…?"

Jay swallowed, blinking back unshed tears. His throat felt tight, but he forced out the words that haunted him. "…How does he know my name…?" he muttered brokenly, his tone hushed and quiet. "I…I never told him… I didn't tell him…"

"Who…?" Cole's voice was equally muted, though Jay could still hear it over Apollo's.

Jay gripped Cole's hand hard. "Him, him, him! Jacob! Jacob—He knew my name!"

A brow touched his and warm breath washed over his lips. "Shhhh… It was just a nightmare, Jay. It wasn't real…"

Jay wished that were true. God how he wished that were true. But now he knew better. That dream—no. That sharing of consciousness had struck him too hard. It had felt too intimate—too personal. Just like that waking dream in Booster Park… He closed his eyes and leaned haggardly against his best friend. "Yes, it was… It is… He's real… He's… Oh god…" Jay felt Cole's arm wrap around his back and bring him closer, and he did his best to reciprocate the hug in their awkward position.

Jay couldn't think. He could only feel the massive ache encompassing his soul. How had his life gotten so complicated over such a small period of time? How could he have a brother? An actual twin-fucking brother?! Why hadn't his parents told him? Jay pressed his face into Cole's shoulder, finally letting his tears seep through his tightly squeezed eyelids and drench his friend's gown. He didn't know how to respond to this. Without a doubt, behind that white mask was a face similar to his. And that scared the shit out of him. How could he still feel the same hatred he did when he first met the deity? And god, how could Apollo? What was he supposed to do?

Amidst his tumultuous thoughts, Cole's voice sprang from the abyss and reached him. "Say, Aaron? I'd hate to ask but…could you give us a few minutes? I mean, I know you want to look him over and all, but—"

"No. It's alright." Jay sniffed and turned his head away from the small congregation of onlookers. He felt so embarrassed to be crying in front of them, especially in front of Aaron. "I won't pretend to understand when I don't. I can't imagine what he's been through… What I'm sure both of you have been through. We'll give you some time. We'll be back shortly."

Jay kept himself tightly bunched around Cole until the last of heavy footsteps left the room. Their exodus only complete when he heard the sliding of an automated door. He gradually pulled away and placed his braced hand on Cole's shoulder to help balance himself. Thick, crystalline tears continued to fall. "…M'sorry…*sniff*…I didn't mean to make a scene…"

Cole offered him a consoling smile. "Hey, what'd I tell you before? Don't apologize for showing emotion. We may be ninja, but we haven't lost our humanity."

Jay just shook his head and turned away. He didn't even bother to wipe his face as the droplets rolled down his cheeks and dripped from his chin. Apollo's echoing voice had been quelled. However, it hadn't dispersed completely. But Jay still took the momentary reprieve as an opportunity to look about the room they were placed in with watery eyes. White, white, and more white. In fact, the only color to be found came from their gowns, beds, and Aaron and his team with their bulky orange suits. Everything else met the pristine and sterilized criteria of any known hospital…with a few high-tech exceptions.

*beep…beep…beep…*

Jay saw it from his peripheral. The cardiogram that sat by his bedside was supremely ubiquitous, and the azure ninja watched the jagged teal line appear and disappear in harmonious tandem. Not a bird, he thought vaguely.

"I'm here…and we are nowhere…"

Giving a shuddering and elongated sigh, he leaned back against the soft pillows behind his head, his migraine now just a distant ache in the back of his mind. "Jay…?" He looked down when he felt Cole take hold of his injured hand once more. And then came to realize…the absence of a second rhythmic beeping echoing in the white room. Blue orbs lifted to green, and then shifted slightly right to glance at his friend's own heart monitor stationed behind him. It was functioning and beeping…in perfect unison with his. Jay swallowed hard as his heart gave a resounding throb in his chest—a painful reminder of his forbidden feelings for his best friend.

In short, the reminder did nothing to brighten Jay's mood. But in spite of that, he did nothing to distance himself from Cole. Because right now…he needed him more than ever. "Y-Yeah…?" Jay tried fruitlessly to smile when he met his friend's gaze again. But he knew how faulty and fake it was at the sight of Cole's concerned frown. He sniffed and finally wiped his eyes. "Sorry… I'm being pathetic."

It was Cole's turn to shake his head. "You shouldn't worry so much about appearances. Especially when it's just the two of us."

Jay covered his mouth, smelling the ghastly fumes permeating from his mouth. "But my breath stinks…"

Cole laughed outright. "Oh please. Remember that time we had to slog through the sewers after a midnight raid at Ouroboros? Now that was foul."

Surprised by the sudden reflection, Jay's light chuckle soon joined in. "Oh man, yeah. We were down there for almost an hour. And we were trying to be quiet, but Kai kept cussing. Hahahahaha!"

"Ahahahahaha!" Cole pointed playfully at his fellow ninja. "And you started to laugh!"

"I only started to laugh because Zane was counting how many times Kai would cuss."

"That's right! Damn…how many times did he? I remember it was a lot…"

Jay sighed heavily against his pillows. "Ah, I don't know. Gotta ask Zane. I'm sure he remembers…" While mirth still bubbled in his chest, he felt a tremor of apprehension course through him at the mention of his clan. He trailed his tongue over his lips again and moved his gaze back to the emerald one beside him. "Say, so…they're okay…? Everyone's…okay…?"

Jay couldn't describe the amount of relief that flooded his being at Cole's firm nod. "Yeah. Everyone's just fine. And you are too… You did it, Jay."

Jay gave a minute nod to the affirmation, though he couldn't fully agree with Cole's declaration. He didn't feel fine—emotionally or physically. He had needed that laugh from earlier, but… Cole suddenly shifted closer to Jay, the other's hand still clasped delicately between his. A comfortable silence then settled between the two young me, one deep in thought, while the other soaked in his friend's coherent presence.

That was until… "Hey, uh…you don't have to talk about it if you don't want to, but uh…" Jay braced himself. "…Who's Jacob?"

Of course. He did let that name slip out, didn't he? He didn't know what to do. Was there a reason to keep his dream to himself? He had come to terms with the reality of it being true. Even if he hadn't seen Apollo's face, he just…knew. Maybe it would be best to just get everything out in the open. He could tell Cole if no one else. Sighing in acquiescence, the blue ninja moved his head to let it rest against his friend's. Half-lidded sapphires eyed the protective hold large, tan hands had around his injured one.

Yeah…I can tell him…

Taking a breath, Jay began to explain himself. "You remember when…Sensei Wu and Sensei Garmadon were talking about other Elemental Masters besides us? Back at the apartment?"

Jay thought he heard the older ninja swallow. "Yeah, I do. But…didn't you say—"

"I know what I said." Jay's voice was tight and low. He didn't mean to cut Cole off rudely like that. He just wasn't feeling too proud of himself for lying to his friends earlier. "But I wasn't telling the whole truth… When I clashed with Apollo, he wasn't just using Sound. He was also using Lightning." Jay closed his eyes tight, recalling the furious battle he had with the other master in the freezing rain. "It…it was red—blood red. And right before the climax, we were stopped. And not by Eros. I mean…Eros came later, but…" Jay turned his head—eyes still clenched shut, and nuzzled his face into Cole's hair. The thick, noir locks were soft against his skin and smelled fairly of cocoa butter. He pushed on, relinquishing his unorthodox experience. "…I had a dream…right there…and I think he did too. It was…about my parents. My mom was giving birth…to me—to us…" Jay's other hand found the front the front of Cole's gown. He ignored the pull of the I.V. and the clamp on his finger and fisted the soft cloth shakily. "…I came out first. But when he did…he didn't…he wasn't… He wasn't alive, Cole. My brother…my twin brother had been born dead."

How many times was he going to cry? When would the tears stop? He had never shed so many tears before. But now it seemed like all he's done recently was cry. "But…there are ways for doctors to resuscitate people," Cole argued gently, but Jay just shook his head.

"They tried. But when they couldn't…they just took him away. They didn't even give him back to my parents for burial. They just…took him. And my mom…she cried out for him. She cried out for them to bring… 'Jacob' back. That was his name." He sniffed loudly. "That is Apollo's real name."

"But if that's true…" Cole began precariously, "…then how is he alive…? What brought him back to life…? If the doctors couldn't do anything…then what did…? Or who did…?"

"I don't know," Jay whispered brokenly, voice thick with emotion and tears. "I don't know what to do. He's the enemy, but… My god…my parents. If they knew…god…"

"Hey, hey," Cole turned towards him and took Jay's face in his hands. Emeralds bore determinedly into sapphires, and Jay was helpless to look away. "Don't overthink things right now, okay? True, the Deities are our enemies, but that also means we're gonna see them again. Remember, you're not in this alone. I—we all have your back, Jay. And we'll deal with this thing together. Let's take one day at a time, though, okay? Let's focus on getting back on our feet first and getting out of here. Let's think about seeing the others again, and…getting ready for Christmas." Jay's eyes widened. He had completely forgotten about that until now. Cole's sandrose lips stretched into an earnest smile. "We'll be okay. Everything will be okay. I promise. I…" He suddenly stopped, apprehension and/or restraint flashing across his features before disappearing into sincerity once more. "…I promise."

Jay was rendered utterly speechless. Once again his best friend's words calmed and consoled him, just like they did when they had been imprisoned at Wolf's Network. He didn't use to be this good. He used to be clumsy and awkward when it came to consolation, and usually ended up saying the wrong thing and making that person feel worse. He'd really changed. Now, he almost seemed perfect.

His grinned ruefully as he felt Cole's thumbs smooth over his tear-stained cheeks. Nya is very…very lucky…

"You're…really um…" He struggled for a moment, Cole's slow, deliberate touch distracting him. "…Your optimism…has really, really improved."

Cole shrugged. "I learn from the best," he said, eyeing him purposefully. "In fact, I feel like I know you better now than I ever had before."

Jay chuckled bitterly. "I didn't use to be so optimistic, remember? I despaired just as much as I'm doing now. Only…more flamboyantly."

"That was a long time ago. And we both grew a lot since then, right?"

"Right." Jay leaned forward and brought his arms around his best friend in another heartfelt hug. Only this time, he wasn't clinging onto despair and hopelessness. His heart felt light, and even happy. "I'm so glad you're here with me," he whispered. "I'm so glad you were the first person I saw when I woke up. Don't leave me…okay?"

"I won't. I'll never leave you." The calm fierceness in Cole's voice uplifted Jay's soul even more, and he sighed contently when he felt his friend's arms tighten protectively around him. He relished this feeling, and the tranquil ambience they shared. For now, he decided to let his trepidations go and focus on the here and now.

The two friends parted and the lightning ninja felt unquestionably better. Emotionally anyway. "Ugh…" Jay repositioned himself to lie back against his pillows as pressured aches and pains consumed his ailing body. He hoped Aaron came back soon. Cole took his hand again.

"Um…Jay…? Not to break the calm or anything…but how much do you remember?" Confused, Jay looked at him, and was surprised to see a fair amount of red touching his friend's cheeks. "I-I-I mean… Well, what I mean is…"

Cole didn't get a chance to finish as the automated door to the room slid open and Aaron and his team filed in. Jay's older cousin was the first to Jay's bedside, his cobalt gaze searching each ninjas' faces while his team stood at the ready before the two young men's beds. "Get a chance to talk for a little bit?" He inquired good-naturedly and both masters nodded. "Good. And I'm glad to see some of your color back, Jay. Looks like Cole did a good job taking care of you… This time anyway…"

Jay saw the slightly disappointed look Aaron was giving Cole and instantly recalled why his cousin had been upset before. He rushed to defend his friend. "No. Don't blame him, Aaron. Cole wanted to call when I threw up, but I stopped him."

Aaron blinked, brow creased. "What? Why?"

Jay hesitated, his mouth partially agape. How could he explain himself? There was no way he could tell Aaron or anyone—not even Cole—the truth. He couldn't tell them that an alien spore had told him what to say. And judging by what he could remember of the cheeky and shrill voice that had spoken to him, he had a feeling it was the same little dancing spore he had encountered up on the surface during his mission.

(You're fine, first Marked One! Your body just needs to make a few tweaks to accommodate your new capability! But you need to be cleaned! It's standard procedure! Go on! Tell your Future Mate! Chop-chop!)

Jay had been too delirious with pain and discomfort to really comprehend the true extent of the little spore's words. But now that he could recall what it had said, and clearly…

Stupid little… No! A hundred times no! It can't happen! It won't happen…

He quickly thought of something. Anything that didn't make him sound like a complete whack-job. "It…I just thought it was nothing serious, that's all. And it really reeked so…yeah…" he finished lamely. Utter silence. Jay looked at Aaron guiltily when the other Nordic pursed his lips dubiously. Of course, the blond wouldn't believe his flimsy, half-assed lie. He wasn't stupid.

"Jay." Oh shit. The Norwegian man immediately tensed at his cousin's terse tone and serious expression. Even though it's been years, he still remembered Aaron amongst all his cousins and recalled his authoritative scowls when he got serious. Even back then the blond Danish had been intimidating and seemed to command attention when he wanted it. "Your injuries are nothing to sneeze at. They're even more extensive than Cole's. He's got three fractured ribs and a twisted ankle, but you've had to have surgery on that thick skull of yours."

"Hey, Cole's skull is thicker than mine…" Jay mumbled indignantly, causing his cousin to crack a fraction of a smile.

Aaron shrugged. "True. But his wasn't hemorrhaging profusely when we found you guys up there. Listen," he placed a heavily gloved hand on Jay's shoulder, "that's why no matter how miniscule or trivial you think an aliment may be you have to tell us. And not only regarding your injuries, because that's not the reason you've been quarantined. Why both of you are being quarantined."

"Quarantined…?" So he was right. Aaron and the others weren't wearing those orange radiation suits for no reason. He swallowed nervously, but did his best to remain calm. "Is it because we were exposed to those alien spores?"

"Ah, so you do know. Ja, that's right. The regime has decided to place you two in quarantine to gauge if your exposure to the spores will prove detrimental to the human race. They also organized an expedition to the surface to take place today to see if they can collect any samples and study the plants. You know, just to be safe."

"What…? They're not gonna to try to capture them, are they? I mean, they're weird sure, but they're also harmless! Plus, they're sentient! They can talk and everything! Albeit telepathically, but still…!" Jay realized what he said and quickly shut his mouth. But surprisingly, Aaron didn't bat an eye and neither did any of his team.

"I see… So they did talk to you too, and not just Cole."

Shocked, Jay turned to look at the ninja leader. Cole nodded, still holding his hand. "You were out of it at the time, but yeah…they spoke to me too. And they…told me a few things…"

"But you can't possibly believe them!" Jay cried, a fresh wave of panic overtaking him. "Listen, we're fine! Banged up, but fine! There's no reason to—Argh!" Jay was abruptly cut off by a startling pain emitting from the area between his right shoulder and neck. He grasped frantically at it, feeling for the first time that a piece of gauze was patched over it.

"Jay!"

"Jay! Remove your hand!" Aaron commanded, and Jay did so shakily. The team of nurses crowded around, eyeing the happening intently. And as Aaron's hands peeled away the gauze, a critical bout of nausea encompassed the azure ninja, and his eyes flared blue when he lurched forward to expel another mouthful of ghastly vomit.

Jay felt dizzy. Dizzy and oh so very sick. His vision blurred. His hearing became distorted, as muffled voices assaulted his ears. Hands grabbed at him, but he could barely register if he was moving anymore.

Jay was scared.

He didn't want this.

He didn't want to be different.

He just wanted…

(There's no reason to be afraid, first Marked One. You're not alone. You are surrounded by people you can trust, and one in particular who loves you very much. You are the first, but definitely not the last. There will be others. And we, the Mana Cetra, will help you through this too. Be strong! And be happy!)

The words echoed in Jay's mind. The light-hearted and cheerful voice reverberated in a soothing purr to quell the lingering turmoil. But those words… (…and one in particular who loves you very much…) stayed with him. He felt it. A hand grasping his strongly, desperately, lovingly.

Cole… Please…don't leave…me…

Jay tried his best to squeeze back, but soon his strength gave out and everything was reduced to black.

Author's Note: Oh, and I apologize for the delay with this update. With school starting up again soon and my daughter getting ready to attend 1st Grade, I have a lot on my plate. Plus, with my recent promotion at work, my work schedule is getting tweaked with added responsibility. I'm not sure what my norm will be from now on, but I'll continue to write when I can. See ya! And don't forget that every little bit of support helps me to stay determined and inspired to continue with this story! Thank you all again very much!