Years.
It had been years since the latest attack on Ninjago. The Ninja had done everything they could think of to fill the time—training, preparing for battles that never came, playing games, building strategies for enemies that seemed to have forgotten them. At first, the break from constant danger had been welcome, even refreshing. But as the days stretched into months, and the months into years, the once-cherished peace began to feel more like an endless cycle of repetition. The kind of calm that, though appreciated, lingered too long—turning patience into frustration, and training into tedium. Plans gathered dust, and the world moved on without them.
Jay, ever the inventor, had spent much of his time tinkering. His workshop was a whirlwind of gadgets, gizmos, parts, and tools, always in some state of organized chaos. It seemed like the only time he ever took a break was to train, play games with the guys, or spend time with his now-wife, Nya. Occasionally, he'd sit back, lost in thought, and gaze at the pictures from their wedding on his desk, reminiscing on Nya's stunning beauty and reflecting on how she kept him grounded when his mind threatened to fly away.
Nya, for her part, often divided her time between Jay, Kai, or spending girl's days with Skylar and PIXAL. The trio often joked that one of the two unmarried would be proposed to any day now, with Nya betting Zane would pop the question to PIXAL long before Kai mustered the courage to propose to Skylar. When not with the girls, Nya would either spend hours playfully pestering Kai, as little siblings do, or she'd listen to Jay's endless ramblings about his latest ideas, eventually falling asleep beside him as they wasted away quiet nights together.
Cole, ever the artist, continued to draw, his notebooks filled with doodles and sketches. But over the years, he'd picked up a new hobby: drumming. Always a fan of soft rock, Cole expanded his music library—a fact Jay teased him about when he caught anything but rock on Cole's playlist. After soundproofing his room, Cole dedicated himself to mastering the drums. Occasionally, he'd invite someone—usually Nya or Jay—to listen and offer feedback, though he'd also played for the whole team on a few occasions. For a time, he even joined a local band, earning some extra cash while doing something he loved.
Kai, surprisingly, had mellowed out over the years. While he still tended to the family blacksmith shop and crafted weapons, he'd found a new passion in mechanics. He spent his spare time learning how to fix vehicles, not only for the team but also to help people in the city with quick repairs. The hands-on work helped him channel his fiery energy into something productive and practical.
Zane, ever the intellectual, collaborated with PIXAL on improving AI systems. Together, they developed a network that optimized emergency response times, helping the citizens of Ninjago more efficiently than ever. When not working on their project, Zane often assisted Kai with his mechanical endeavors, offering technical knowledge to ensure Kai fully grasped the finer details of his repairs.
Lloyd, on the other hand, embraced meditation during the peaceful years, finding the stillness just as valuable as the chaos of battle. Meditation became a way to clear his mind and center himself, sometimes alongside Sensei Wu. He found these moments with his uncle to be particularly special, deepening their bond. Lloyd also spent time helping Misako at local museums, enjoying the chance to soak up her vast historical knowledge and strengthen his connection with her.
As for Sensei Wu, he found himself more approachable than ever. While he had always been a guiding figure, the quiet years allowed him to become more integrated into the Ninja's personal lives. He would often chat with Kai while helping with mechanical repairs, listen to Cole drum or admire his artwork, offer Zane and PIXAL advice on improving their AI systems, share stories with Jay as he tinkered, meditate with Lloyd, or simply help Nya find inner peace. Wu's presence remained a calm, guiding force for them all, even during the stillness of these peaceful times.
The years had drifted by in peaceful monotony, each Ninja finding new ways to fill the time. Life had settled into a comfortable rhythm—perhaps too comfortable, Jay mused. After days spent in his cluttered workshop, surrounded by gadgets and half-finished projects, he needed a break. With Nya out on a girl's day with Skylar and PIXAL, it seemed like the perfect time for a quick trip to the junkyard to see his parents.
Jay flicked a switch on one of his newer inventions—an automatic tool organizer—and watched the devices whirl to life. "Good luck sorting that mess," he muttered as he stepped away. The machine clunked awkwardly, like it wasn't quite sure where to begin.
Flying over Ninjago City, Jay's mind wandered back to the peace of recent years. Part of him had learned to enjoy the calm—the games with the guys, quiet evenings with Nya—but the inventor in him itched for more. A new project, a new problem to solve. "Guess I'll take scrap over nothing," he murmured, the skyline giving way to the outskirts of the junkyard.
The familiar sight of old scrap heaps and rusted metal always brought a sense of nostalgia, even if his parents would inevitably rope him into a project. Jay didn't mind—it was comforting in a way, knowing that while so much had changed, some things stayed the same.
He landed at the entrance, greeted by the sound of clanging metal and his mother's voice calling out from within the maze of junk. Jay grinned, making his way inside. He passed stacks of old machines and tools, his eyes scanning for his parents, already imagining the warm welcome they'd give him—and the long list of chores that came with it.
He landed at the entrance, greeted by the sound of clanging metal and his mother's voice calling out from within the maze of junk. Jay grinned, making his way inside. He passed stacks of old machines and tools, his eyes scanning for Ed and Edna, already imagining the warm welcome they'd give him—and the long list of chores that came with it.
"Jaybird!" Edna's voice rang out as she appeared from behind a stack of metal beams, grease smudging her cheeks. "It's about time you visited!"
"Hey, Mom! Figured I'd come by and see what trouble you've gotten into this time," Jay quipped, pulling her into a quick hug. He could hear Ed grumbling somewhere in the back.
"Same old, same old," Edna said, wiping her hands on a rag. "Your father's trying to rebuild that old crane again. You know how he gets."
Jay chuckled, feeling the ease of home settle in. "Need a hand?"
Before Edna could respond, Jay felt that strange, nagging sensation creep over him—a heaviness in his chest. He glanced around the yard, his senses suddenly on alert. Something felt off. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but the calm of the moment seemed…wrong.
"I'll be right back," he said, trying to sound casual as he made his way deeper into the yard. Edna raised an eyebrow but nodded, returning to her work.
As Jay walked past piles of scrap, his mind drifted back to his wedding day, the warmth of Nya's smile fresh in his thoughts. He was about to pull out his comm to message her when something caught his eye. A figure, standing near the far edge of the yard, shrouded in a long, dark cloak.
Instinctively, Jay's guard went up. "Hey! Can I help you?" he called out, his voice casual though his hands twitched near his nunchucks.
The figure turned slowly. "Congratulations on your marriage, Jay."
Jay blinked, startled. "What? How do you—?" He paused, realizing the hooded figure was completely unfamiliar. "Who are you?"
The figure, stepping closer but keeping their face obscured, replied, "Quin." The voice was smooth, with an eerie undertone. "Your wedding was noted in the press. Everyone's still quite fascinated with the Ninja."
Jay frowned as realization dawned. Of course—the press. His wedding had been a public event, a headline story. But something about this encounter felt…wrong. He narrowed his eyes. "Right. So, what do you want?"
Quin tilted their head, almost amused by the question. "Want? Oh, nothing… yet. I just thought I'd congratulate you personally." A pause lingered between them, the air heavy with something unspoken. "It's always important to know the people who still cling to their virtues."
Jay's heart skipped a beat. Before he could respond, Quin turned and began walking away, disappearing into the shadows near the far end of the junkyard. The last words echoed ominously in Jay's mind, leaving behind a sinking feeling in his chest. Something about this wasn't right. He instinctively reached for his comm to alert the others, but when he looked back, Quin had vanished.
All that remained was the unsettling sense that this wouldn't be the last time they'd meet.