This one was supposed to be an Ed x Edna chapter but turned out to be more Walker family fluff.


Day of the Departed

Jay's POV

I expertly land the Raider Jet in the soft desert sand, just outside my parents' place.

Sure, there would be more than enough space inside the premises but, whenever I have the choice, I prefer to enter the junkyard through the gates, it just makes me feel more like I'm coming home - and witnessing me falling from the skies has scared my parents more than enough times already.

At least they don't remember the last time when that happened, after Nya had pushed me through the portal at the old lighthouse. But I do, and I haven't forgotten the words my dad said to me back then either. If it hadn't been for him and my mum, I might have just given up there and then. But they told me to keep fighting, just as they've always encouraged me to keep going (of course they used much gentler words when I was a little boy who had just fallen off his bike or hit his thumb with the hammer... again).

But I can't even thank them for this little push I needed to save Ninjago, my friends, and my true love. And I can't thank them either for opening their home and their hearts to the small baby that had been left on their doorstep. Because they have no idea that I know about it. And I am afraid to mention it.

In the other timeline, when they were telling me that I was adopted and my dad gave me the letter and the key to my birth father's mansion, I could see it on their faces how worried they were that I would simply leave them behind and not come back.

But I would have never done that. Strangely, me being aware of what they've done for me, of all the sacrifices they've made for a child who was, in fact, someone else's, has brought us closer together. They chose to be my parents, and I couldn't have wished for better ones.

As I walk across the yard, I can hear their voices coming through the warm evening air. My parents are never quiet. But me being a highly skilled Ninja (and no matter how much Kai and Cole doubt it, I can be quiet if I have to - I just don't like it), I almost silently approach my childhood home in order not to disturb them.

My parents are sitting next to each other on the wooden bench in front of the trailer. My mum is resting her head on my dad's shoulder and he has his arm wrapped around her. They are both smiling as they look at an old book I recognise as the photo album with my baby pictures.

I inwardly sigh. Of course, what else were we going to watch on this day of remembrance? Or make it another day of remembering Jay's failed inventions and embarrassing childhood moments.

I am suddenly glad that Nya has decided not to join us tonight, for she and Kai want to spend the evening together at the Four Weapons, in honour of their parents.

Nah, that's not true. I am definitely not glad that Nya is not here with us. If I could, I'd spend every single minute with her, and she has seen all of my embarrassing baby photos (and heard the even more humiliating stories behind them) anyway. As for my parents, to them she is as good as family too. Which I hope she will also officially be at some point in the future.

"Look at this one, Ed." I hear my mum laugh. "Our little boy with his self-made diving kit. Wasn't this cute?"

More stupid than cute, actually. When I first learned that the desert around us was called the Sea of Sands, I decided that I needed to have the right equipment to explore the deep waters of it.

"He's always been so clever and creative." My dad answers proudly. "Whatever the problem was, he'd always come up with a solution."

Most of which didn't exactly turn out as planned. But hey, I still had fun. Plus, that's how I learned how stuff works.

"Even back then-," my mum adds, "I just knew that he was gonna achieve something great - that he was gonna be someone great."

"He already was, sweetheart." My dad says.

And that's when I realise that for my parents, these pictures and memories don't show all my failures but rather my achievements. And they like looking at them - and showing them off to others - not to embarrass their son, but because they actually cherish these memories and love to relive the journey to where I am today. And they are proud of who we were and who we are.

And, it may not always have been the case (and honestly, I am quite relieved that they don't remember how Nadakhan was able to exploit that), but I am proud to be their son.

"Mum. Dad." I call as I take another step closer. "Whatcha looking at?"

"Oh, honey." My mum kisses my cheek. "Just some old pictures... but why don't you sit down? Don't worry, we know you don't like looking at it so we'll put the album away."

"No, it's fine, mum." I smile as I sit down between my parents. "Why don't we look at the photos together and you tell me some stories? After all, this night is all about remembrance and family."

Yes, while I may have been slightly preoccupied with all that candy, I was still paying attention to what Sensei Wu told us about the true meaning of the Day of the Departed when we met him at the museum.

"Ah, that's our boy, Edna." My dad says proudly. "But don't forget, son, it's also the perfect night for your mother's crumb pie."


Coming up next: Karaoke Night with the Ninja

Review Reply for Season 6:

RandomDragon2.0 - Thanks. I really like writing them now.