Maybe, just maybe, Jay was the worst ninja.

He was lucky to be alive, but luck was all Jay seemed to have right now. Lucky he never made his third wish, lucky he had escaped Nadakhan, lucky he had been found…

Ronin and the Commissioner had been looking for them. The Ninja. They had found Jay and whisked him away in a helicopter. They had been so excited to find him, to find him alive and relatively ok. They had talked about saving Ninjago, of going after Nadakhan, of helping Nya…

But Jay was done.

He had given up.

(Or maybe he was just numb, nothing felt like anything anymore).

He didn't remember how he got home. Just that he was now standing in Ed and Edna's Scrapyard, still smelling of sea and salt and pirate. At least his eye had been treated properly now. The doctor had told him with eyedrops, it would be fully healed in a few days, and that he didn't need to wear the eyepatch anymore.

"Ma, Pa," Jay said defeatedly, opening the door to his parents' caravan, using the opened door as support. "I'm home." He tripped his way over to the sofa and promptly collapsed on it.

"Oh, Jay! I've been so worried," Edna said, walking over from the kitchen, as if Jay had come home late from school, as opposed to being abducted and held prisoner for maybe a week, alone at the mercy of a cruel and unforgiving djinn and his horrendous crew of sky pirates. "You look exhausted! And, why, you're just skin and bone!" she fussed, "Dinner's on the stove, it'll be ready soon. Doesn't that sound nice, hm? Pa is out right now, but he'll be happy to see you when he's back," she excitedly gabbled, ruffling his hair affectionately.

Friendly touch was nice.

"Hi Ma," Jay said into the sofa cushion. He didn't move. Everything ached and he felt heavy. He knew he was still alive. But his mind still wondered if he hadn't become a ghost, if that fall had not killed him after all, because everything felt reality adjacent. He shouldn't be back at home with his parents, he shouldn't have his mother fussing over him, he shouldn't be feeling safe, he shouldn't have any of this. Just a day ago, this had felt like it had never existed to begin with.

Nya didn't have this. She was with Nadakhan.

She needed her team.

But he was the only one left.

With that on his mind, Jay drifted off to sleep and did not stir for the rest of the day.

Nya had not cried since their fall. She had promised herself she would not cry again. Not while she was prisoner.

She was the last one left. She had used up all her wishes. She was wearing vengestone around her wrists. She was kept locked in a room.

But she would not give up. And she would not cry.

Sitting on her bed, Nya had been thinking of how to escape. She would worry about saving Ninjago later, she would think about getting her brother and Zane and Morro back later (but Jay and Cole weren't coming back- No, she didn't think about that).

She had decided that her very first escape attempt would probably not be successful – that her first few attempts would end in failure. This wasn't because she wasn't smart or skilled enough. It was simple fact. She was no longer on the pirate ships, instead held captive in New Djinjago's palace. Looking at it, she was fairly certain this was the Palace of Secrets, where Ninjago's royal family had previously resided. She didn't know where the royal family was – if they were even still alive – but she did know that…

She had never been in the palace before. She didn't know the layout. She didn't know who would be where. She didn't know where the sky ships were either and considering New Djinjago's location, she was going to assume that would be vital information to her.

The first few escapes would be about getting familiar with the lay of the land. So she needed to keep her best ideas for when she was ready to attempt a real escape. Let them think that her early attempts were her trying her best already. Let them underestimate her abilities. She cracked her knuckles, then went up to the door to her bedroom.

It was time for her first escape attempt. She listened quietly. She had been listening to passing guards for the past few hours. One guard passed once every hour. And now, it would soon be time for a guard to wander by. She listened for the incoming footsteps… And there they were.

She knocked on her own door and was greeted by a shriek.

"Hey, I'm thirsty, could I have some water?" she innocently asked.

"N-n-n-nice try," Clancee replied. "S-s-s-so you can u-use it against me?"

"I'm chained in vengestone, I can't do anything," Nya argued. And then, in her sweetest voice "Please. I'm so thirsty…"

Clancee let out a deep sigh.

"F-fine, I'll get you some w-w-w-water," he said. He stomped off and Nya got ready for the next step in her plan. She stood just behind the door.

Clancee came back, entering the room without any trepidation at all. "H-h-here's your… Where are you?" Clancee asked, looking at the empty room. Nya emerged from behind the door and sharply kicked him in the shin. Clancee was a serpentine creature, but still anatomically human enough to share the same weaknesses. Hitting his pressure points (and missing a few, because he wasn't human), Clancee collapsed into a heap of pain, while Nya ran out of the room and down the hallways, memorizing everything she saw.

If she was lucky, she would only ever need one failed escape attempt. Considering how everything had been going in this misadventure, she doubted luck was on her side though. As she ran, looking desperately for exit points, she discovered a few major landmarks to remember, such as the throne room, the dodgy courtyard (full of sky pirates) and what seemed to be some kind of art gallery. She paused there, looking at it. She walked up to one of the cabinets.

"Oni Mask of… Deception…?" she thought aloud. She tried to recall from where she had heard about it. Then she ended up just wishing Zane was there, because he would know and she missed him…

She was suddenly yanked off the ground.

"Look at that," said the large sky pirate. "Maybe I shoulda been a ninja, and not a pirate!"

"N-n-n-n-nice one, Dogshank!" Clancee cheered from the other side of the room. Nya glared at Dogshank. How had this humongous pirate managed to sneak up on her without her notice? She must be off her game…

(Of course she was, Jay and Cole were-)

"C'mon, one girl to another," Nya begged, "You really wanna let me be part of a forced marriage? What happened to girl power?" She knew her words weren't convincing, but she was mostly trying to figure out how Dogshank thought, what would convince her.

Dogshank actually had the audacity to look at her with disappointment.

"You should be more grateful," Dogshank told her. "Most girls would be lucky to marry a man who can give them whatever they want."

"If you like him so much, why don't you marry him?" Nya bitterly demanded.

"Because" Dogshank answered, "he's only got eyes for you."

Nya suppressed a shudder and glared at Dogshank with more severity. To her satisfaction, it made Dogshank uncomfortable.

So, Nya's plan had predictably failed, but there would be a next time. And she now knew more, knew where not to run, where she could run. So she would try again. And she would keep trying until she succeeded.

She owed it to Ninjago. She owed it to her team. Most of all, she owed it to-

Jay woke up with a start.

"Jay!" he heard his dad call from the kitchen. "Good timing, lunch is ready!"

Jay rubbed his eyes and ran a hand through his hair. He… he was still safe at home, with his parents. He was warm, comfortable. Everything smelt of home.

"Ma? Pa?" he asked, as he sat up. A blanket fell off his shoulders. He looked at it, surprised. Edna or Ed must have covered him with it while he was sleeping. They had removed his shoes as well.

Jay looked over to the kitchen table, where Edna and Ed were sitting. Ed was busy serving soup, but Edna was giving him her full attention, looking at him warmly.

"Are you feeling better? You were so tired yesterday," Edna asked, "I didn't want to wake you, you seemed so peaceful."

"I… I do feel a bit better, yeah," Jay admitted. His back felt a little sore, his neck was a little stiff, but on a whole, he felt a lot better than yesterday. Still exhausted, but not fall over dead and die exhausted. Like he could actually function relatively normal again. He sat down at the table.

"So lad," Ed said, handing Jay a bowl of soup. "What's been eatin' ya? You don't usually come home like this."

"Uh…" Jay repeated. He thought for a moment. Did he really want to talk about what had happened? He didn't want to distress his parents… Although, they seemed pretty unfazed by how Jay had shown up at their door. He wasn't sure if they were just that unflappable or if it was an act to help make him feel better (if it was an act, it was sure working).

Jay decided to explain in broad strokes what had happened in the last week or so. He left out the nastier details and didn't have in it him to explain that Cole was…

…

But his parents seemed to get the general gist. Considering their dark expressions, they must suspect that he wasn't sharing everything. He suddenly felt like he was five again and his parents had caught him meddling with the truck's engine when they had already explicitly told him not to. But instead of addressing it, they just patiently waited for him to finish his tale.

"… If I could take back the wishes, I would," Jay said. "But I can't. It's cost me everything, my friends, Nya… Cole. And now there's no one left to stand up against Nadakhan."

"Now you stop it," Ed suddenly interrupted. "Stop making excuses." Jay looked stunned and didn't know what to say for a moment.

"Uh… excuse me?" he finally asked, confused. Ed let out an exasperated sigh and muttered something under his breath. He looked straight at Jay.

"Every time you're in over your head, you make a joke, and you try to laugh it off," Ed explained. "And sometimes you give up, but sometimes you get up and do what's right anyway. Right now, we need that man." When Jay said nothing in response, Ed finally asked "You really telling me there's no one left to stand up against this Nadakhan fella?"

"But- Pa, I'm just one guy against a Djinn and his entire army!" Jay argued.

"Ed, you're being too hard on him," Edna spoke up in her son's defense.

"N-now, he needs to hear this darling. The world is falling apart and for some reason, Jay thinks there's nothing he can do! Hush puppy there's nothing he can do!"

Oh no, Ed was really annoyed. He was bringing out the big words. Jay noticed his hands begin to shake and he hid them beneath the table.

"But there isn't anything I can do," Jay argued.

"Maybe if you're alone, you're right," Ed conceded. "But you're liked by everyone who meets you! You're telling me a boy from a junkyard can't scrap together a few friends to help him out in a jam?" Ed demanded, looking at Jay expectantly. Jay stared back at him.

Likeable hadn't been a word Jay had used to describe himself in a while. But his pa was right. Why did Jay think he had to do this alone?

"You know, I think Pa might be right," Edna agreed with Ed, placing her hand on Jay's. Jay jolted unwillingly, then relaxed. Edna held his hand, looking at him with worry, but she didn't comment on his flinch. He didn't withdraw his hand. "Asides sweetie, you're not alone. Nya is still here, and she needs you."

Jay nodded mutely. He didn't know why, but just sitting there and talking to his parents made everything settle. Like he got some perspective on the situation, like he might actually be up to the task after all.

"Thanks Ma and Pa. I don't know what I'd do without you," Jay admitted quietly. He had needed this so badly.

"Oh hush, we're your parents, we're just doing what parents would do," Edna replied, smiling warmly. Ed grinned at him.

"Now eat your lunch Jay, you're gonna need the strength," Ed encouraged. Jay, for the first time in a week, smiled. He was starting to feel more like himself again.

He had started feeling more like he really was Jay Walker, the blue ninja and master of lightning.

After lunch, Jay hadn't wanted to linger. Although still exhausted, he was aware he needed to stop the wedding. Having already "wasted" a night, he didn't want to push his luck by losing more time. Who knew when Nadakhan would throw the wedding, it could be any day now. Or any night.

Before leaving home, Jay had used his parents' phone to call the police commissioner and recruit him as part of his team. When Jay had called, Ronin had also been there and so, Jay now had a team of three. That actually made him feel a little warm inside, like he wasn't completely alone anymore, like he could still do something.

While Jay had been sleeping, Ed had whipped together a motorcycle for him, much to Jay's excitement. Jay had used it to briefly stop by Darkley's Boarding School for Bad Boys, before returning to the remnants of Ninjago City. It was strange to think that not too long ago, Jay hadn't been able to ride through the streets without being harassed by adoring fans. Now, it was practically a ghost town.

It unnerved him, but he kept his thoughts on track. On his ride to Ninjago City, Jay had compiled a list of people who not only wanted to help him, but also could help him. People that were skilled enough to go into a pirate lair filled to the brim with pirates and leave unscathed.

Which was why Jay was now standing in front of Chen's Noodles. It was strange to think that Skylor had such a passion for gastronomy. She had it more so than her father ever did, happily running the only Chen's restaurant left in the whole of Ninjago. He didn't visit very often anymore, but he knew what it was like: warm, inviting, delicious smelling. It was a place that was never closed and was never empty.

Which was why he was surprised when he entered and found it was empty. No patrons, no delicious scents in the air. Nothing. Where were all the people, seriously?

"Welcome to Chen's, what can I do you for-" Skylor started her standard greeting as she came out of the kitchen, then looked up. "Jay!" Her eyes lit up with joy at seeing him and the next thing he knew, he was in a tight hug. Jay froze for a moment and didn't get a chance to relax into it. She broke the hug and looked at him, smiling, not picking up on his moment of panic. "I thought you were dead, I didn't…" She trailed off. "Where's everyone else?"

Jay looked down.

"Gone."

"Kai?"

Jay just shook his head. Skylor looked like the ground had been ripped out from beneath her feet. She stared at him for several seconds, her horror on her face, plain as day. Then she hid it again, masking her emotions. She was good at that.

"We'll have to fix that then, won't we?" Skylor asked encouragingly. "That… That is why you're here, right?"

"Yeah- yeah!" Jay agreed. "I mean, it's a multistep plan. Before we can get Kai and the others back, I need to get Nya and- and I want to know if you'll help me get Nya back, because she's the only one left. Apart from me."

"Of course I'll help you!" Skylor answered, bemusedly. "You really think I'd just give you a break-out-of-jail cake and then leave you hanging?" She was smiling, but then her cheer faded and her eyes were downcast. "I was worried about you. You guys were there one moment, then the next, completely gone and… I thought, maybe this is like what happened with the Preeminent, that you were all ok, that you would all be ok, maybe even bring back another new teammate, but…" She paused. "That's not what happened, is it?"

"Nadakhan's been taking us out, one by one," Jay admitted. "To be honest, I'm surprised I'm even still here. I…" He thought of Cole. "… shouldn't be."

"You know, Nadakhan's been taking elemental powers," Skylor told him. "All the elemental masters have lost theirs. I'm… lucky he doesn't have mine," she admitted. "That the element of amber is still unheard of. Thanks to you guys."

"Can you still replicate Kai's element?" Jay asked.

"No… That's how I…" She paused. "I thought something might have happened when I was unable to use fire anymore," she explained.

"Oh…" Jay muttered. "Sorry."

"He's alive, right?"

"It's… complicated. He's not dead, yeah."

"That's all I need to know."

Jay let out a deep sigh. "I… I guess I'll have to teach you how to use lightning, huh?"

"You still have your element?" Skylor asked, surprised.

"Lightning's apparently not as cool as fire or ice," Jay answered, shrugging. Skylor grinned.

"Good. Let's make him regret not taking your element," Skylor told him. Jay returned a forced smile, because Nadakhan had really tried for a while and the memories were still raw and painful.

"There is something else," Jay said. Skylor looked at him curiously. "There's someone I need you to find…"

Jay looked up at the dojo dubiously. It was called "Grand Sensei Dareth's Mojo Dojo". He wasn't sure how he felt about it. It was in a more rundown part of town and some part of him found it hard to believe that Lloyd would ever be caught dead there. Let alone alive. Jay wasn't sure if he wanted to be seen there either. It looked like the lamest place ever.

Maybe this would be a waste of time. Maybe Skylor's tip was wrong, and he was just going to end up being conned into subscribing for some dumb course he didn't even want to be on! For all he knew, Lloyd wouldn't be there. And the more he stared at the sign, the more convinced he became of the notion.

But what choice did he have? Lloyd hadn't been at his school and Jay had checked really thoroughly. It was either Skylor's tip or nada.

He stepped inside.

"Welcome to Grand Sensei Dareth's Mojo Dojo. I am Grand Sensei Dareth, and I-"

"I'm just looking for Lloyd," Jay interrupted. Dareth, a middle-aged, plump man gave him a closer look.

"Hey, you're one of those famous ninja, you're…" He paused, trying to remember. "Was it… Jess…?"

"Jay," he corrected. "Is Lloyd here?" Jay asked, looking passed Dareth, just in time to see Lloyd walk in and immediately back out. Jay quickly rushed passed Dareth.

"Lloyd!" Jay called to Lloyd's rapidly retreating form, but then a hand snaked around his wrist and instinctively, Jay threw a punch.

Jay looked back. Dareth was on the floor, nursing a bruised eye. "Oh- sorry, I-" Jay started apologizing when he was tackled to the ground. He couldn't get a good look at who was holding him down, but-

"I don't know what you want," Lloyd said lowly. "But you can't come in here and-"

"Lloyd, calm down little man," Dareth ordered, getting to his feet. Lloyd stared at Dareth, hard, then let go of Jay's arm. Jay sat up. He hadn't needed Dareth's help, but he didn't want to get into a fight with Lloyd either (also, since when did Lloyd have any martial training- oh right. School.) Jay looked at Lloyd surprised. He was wearing a white gi. It was strange to see then teenager in anything other than dark shades.

"Do you… train here?" Jay asked.

"No. I'm a trainer," Lloyd said defensively. Jay looked even more confused.

"Why?"

"None of your business," Lloyd answered, crossing his arms.

"So, you know Lloyd?" Dareth asked, holding an icepack to his eye, smiling broadly.

"Well, yeah. His dad-"

"Ok, c'mon Jay, let's go talk somewhere else," Lloyd rapidly said, pulling Jay out of the room. "My room, upstairs, let's go."

"Lloyd?" Dareth asked.

"Your room?" Jay parroted, even more confused. They entered an apartment – must be Dareth's apartment – then Lloyd led him to a bedroom – Lloyd's bedroom. Jay stared at it. "You live here?" he asked. The room was fairly sparse, like Lloyd had only just moved in. A few comics of Starfarer were lying strewn on the dressing table. "Ok, I've got so many questions-"

"First of all," Lloyd interrupted. "Don't talk about my dad around Dareth."

"Ok… Why?"

"He… doesn't know."

"Really? I dunno Lloyd, this seems like something he should know-"

"Jay, I'm serious," Lloyd snapped. He didn't look angry. He looked tense, nervous. Afraid. "He… He's been good. To me. I can't…"

Jay stared at Lloyd and Lloyd stared back. There was something earnest in those red eyes.

"Ok, fine. Ix-nay on the garma-ay," Jay promised.

"Great. Now." Lloyd started glaring at him. "Why are you here?"

Jay hesitated to answer.

"So… have you been keeping up with the news?" Jay asked, instead of answering the question. Lloyd frowned, then opened up his bedroom window, pointing at Ninjago's missing skyline.

"Don't need to when it's happening right outside my window."

"Snarky…" Jay whispered under his breath. "Ok, look, things aren't going great for us ninja," Jay started explaining.

"Yeah, I think everyone's noticed."

"It's just me left," Jay bit out. Lloyd startled and looked him up and down a few times.

"Just you?"

"Just me."

"What about Kai?"

"Gone."

"Zane?"

"Gone as well."

"Cole-"

"They're all gone, Lloyd. Nya is still around, but she's being kept prisoner by Nadakhan."

"Who?"

"The djinn that's stealing his favorite parts of Ninjago City to build New Djinjago!"

"Oh…"

"Lloyd, I'm here, because I need your help," Jay continued. "Nya needs your help." He paused, looking away for a moment. He let out a deep breath. "Look, I'm not gonna lie. You did a really good job breaking into Kryptarium and breaking us out. I was hoping maybe you could help me do the same thing again, but instead of Kryptarium, it's New Djinjago and instead of breaking out six people, we're breaking out one. And instead of police and guards, it's pirates and a really powerful djinn."

Jay ran a hand through his hair and looked away. "But it's a lot to ask and I know you've got school, so I don't blame you if…"

"I'm expelled," Lloyd cut off. Jay looked at him, to find Lloyd now avoiding eye contact.

"What?" Jay asked, surprised. "But you're Lord Garmadon's son, why would they…"

"Turns out it's not two, but three Darkley's students that have been locked up in Kryptarium. Tommy from Fighting Dirty 101 saw me helping you escape. He used his one phone call to tattle on me."

"Woah. Petty," Jay muttered. "But I would have thought helping convicts escape would be praised at your school, not punished," he half-joked.

"Well, usually yeah, but the exemption is if you're breaking out Ninjago's greatest heroes," Lloyd sulked. He walked over to his bed and fell into it. "My life's over."

Jay couldn't help but be surprised and bewildered. At least he now knew why Lloyd hadn't been at Darkley's earlier. And kind of why he was at this… Dojo Mojo. With Dareth. Lloyd really hadn't been kidding when he said it wouldn't take much for him to get kicked out.

"Lloyd, you're like, thirteen-"

"Fourteen," Lloyd corrected. Jay frowned. Lloyd was still too short to be fourteen, right…?

"Sure. Point is, you're still a kid," Jay argued. "You've got your whole life ahead, your life isn't over. It's just starting. And, hey, just between us, I think this is for the better. You… you don't have to follow in Lord Garmadon's footsteps, you don't have to be your dad's son. I mean, I'm not my dad's son. I mean, I am, but I'm not-"

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm adopted," Jay finally said. "My 'real' dad, I'm not following in his footsteps. Not even close! I'm not even following in my real dad – I mean my Pa's footsteps. I'm doing my own thing. You can do your own thing too."

Lloyd let out a deep breath through his nostrils.

"But I… I just wanted to be with my dad again," he quietly admitted, looking straight up at the ceiling. "Now that's never gonna happen, 'cause… Ugh, you wouldn't get it," Lloyd muttered, rolling onto his side, away from Jay. And Lloyd was probably right. Jay couldn't understand why anyone would want to be with Lord Garmadon – family included. But he did understand loneliness. And he kind of understood the awkwardness of having a father that wasn't there for you. Even if that was a more recent development.

"You know…" Jay started. "I heard a little of what you and Cole were talking about. In the van." Lloyd slowly turned to him. Jay continued, "If you want… The offer's still standing."

Lloyd was looking at Jay with the biggest puppy eyes in the world. Jay hadn't thought it was possible for Lloyd to look so… innocent.

"Really?"

"Yeah. I mean, we'd have to save Ninjago first, but… The offer still stands. I don't think it's ever going away."

"I thought only Cole…"

"We're a team, Lloyd. I mean, if we can take in Morro, I think we can take you too."

Lloyd smiled and it was the sweetest thing Jay had seen in a long time. Jay instinctively ruffled Lloyd's hair. "So, what'll it be, shortie?"

Despite the nickname, Lloyd grinned at him.

They had gathered at the police station. It was one of the few major buildings with a functioning gym and arsenal left. Despite being a center of law enforcement, Ronin and Skylor had made themselves right at home there, sitting on desks that had formerly been occupied by detectives and drinking the office supply of coffee. The police commissioner didn't seem to mind them either, quite happy to have them around.

What he did mind was Lloyd's presence, as he was glowering at the teenager, who happened to have sat down right next to his wanted poster. The teenager himself was sulking, partly because he was uncomfortable with so many 'good guys' around, but mostly because he had failed to dismiss Dareth, who had quickly caught wind of the adventure and had insisted on joining their endeavor to stop Nadakhan.

Jay wasn't convinced the "brown ninja" would be of any real use, but he also couldn't blame Dareth for wanting to come along and protect Lloyd, since Lloyd was, well, a kid. Even though Jay knew Lloyd could take care of himself and Dareth was definitely more of a hindrance, he didn't have it in him to send Dareth home. That and Jay figured a sulking Lloyd was easier to deal with than a smug Lloyd.

As Jay entered the room, he surveyed his team of replacement ninja. It was the first time he had seen them all together. For a moment, he felt bitter sadness, remembering the five people he should be going into battle with. But that moment passed, when he noticed Lloyd was wearing a new gi, a gi with a different color. It was practically destiny, seeing Lloyd and Dareth standing next to each other like that.

As Jay walked passed them, he couldn't help but ask "So, I guess you really are the number one to his number two?" while tugging lightly at Lloyd's yellow gi. He heard Skylor laugh, which was satisfying, but not nearly as satisfying as Lloyd's miserable excuse for a glare. Jay continued speaking, before Lloyd could complain. "Looks like we're trying to make a collection of rainbow ninja, I mean, we've got the blue ninja…" He motioned to Skylor, "An orange ninja." He pointed at Lloyd "A yellow ninja and somewhere out there, there's still a cyan ninja and a red ninja. All the colors except green. But we have brown to make up for it."

"You bet you do, buddy!" Dareth eagerly agreed.

"What about purple?" Lloyd asked.

"Purple's reserved for little Nelson."

Lloyd looked confused.

"Little who?"

Jay didn't answer the question, instead addressing the replacement ninja team.

"Thanks for coming together, guys. What I'm asking isn't easy, but we're all that Ninjago has, and I really think we can beat Nadakhan. It won't be easy, but this…"

Jay held up Cole's flask, one of two flasks still unused. The other unused flask was with Nya.

"… is a step in the right direction."

I never realized before, but having read the transcript for Seabound, Ed and Edna were actually so salty about Jay getting torn up about Cliff Gordon. "You mean our adopted son" and "Oh. Hear that? He called us his parents." I had to cut the saltiness for the sake of plot consistency. :(

I hope I can update again soon, but I can't promise anything, sorry. :(