Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

They were all leaving. Again.

Breaking up; going their separate ways.

Alone.

Without him.

Again.

As he watched them all say their goodbyes, Jay could no longer ignore the helpless feeling twisting his insides. Because this was it. This was the beginning of the end.

Well, a temporary end, but it still brought with it the same amount of dread he’d felt after Zane’s—

No! Zane’s here now. He’s fine…

He’s leaving.

They all were.

“We’ll cover more ground if we all split up.” And while Lloyd’s plan was a solid one, his words both motivating and logical, Jay couldn’t stop dwelling on what they meant—what they truly meant.

Saying goodbye to Nya had been a torture of the cruelest form. “It’s only for a while, Jay. Just until we find Master Wu. We’ll see each other again. I promise.”

Right. But what would he do until then? Until that slippery, elusive future moment when he wouldn’t be alone anymore?

What then?

What now?

What if they all separated and never got back together again? What if they never found Wu? And if they never found Wu, they’d never see each other again because they wouldn’t have their Master to unite them as a team. As a team… What if something happened to one of them because they didn’t have their teammates to back them up? What if one of them never came back and the others had to go look for him, but they never find him, and then Jay would have to say I told you so and everyone would get mad at him for not speaking up sooner and saying that splitting up was a terrible idea and—

Jay sucked in a breath as Kai wrapped him in a tight hug.

And what if one of them found some new friends along the way? Better friends that made them forget about their brothers… And then when they all finally got back together, she had already forgotten about them and moved on and she never wanted to see him again because he left her and she liked her new boyfriend better and—

Stop it!

When Kai pulled away at last, moving over to Zane, Jay found himself fighting hard against the urge to hug Nya again.

Because it could very well be the last time…

No! No, don’t think that way!

Oh, why couldn’t they just split up into teams of two or three like they always did? Would that be so wrong?

Of course it would, because you want it.

Come on, Jay, do what’s best for the team.

He always did what was best for the team. Because that’s what we’re supposed to do. Aren’t I entitled to a little selfishness every once in a while, though?

To which his mind cruelly spat back, After that whole debacle with Nadakahn? Yeah, I don’t think so.

Right.

And so, the goodbyes dragged on for a painfully long time until just Jay and Cole were left.

Cole…

“So…” At the sound of his friend’s voice, Jay glanced up from the ground that had once been so interesting. And he waited on bated breath. Maybe… “I guess this is it then, huh?”

Then again, maybe not.

Jay forced his shoulders into a shrug and his lips into a half-smile. “I guess so.”

Despite the obvious setup for another hard goodbye, Cole made no move to leave, so Jay didn’t either.

Wait. Just wait, something told him.

Wait for what?

“Uh, where are you gonna go?” He asked after a long moment. “I mean, where are you gonna look first?”

Cole shrugged. “I don’t know. Wherever I end up, I guess.”

“Oh,” Jay replied with a slight nod.

“You?”

“Same.”

Cole nodded and the heavy silence fell over the pair once more. Maybe… Maybe if Jay could keep him talking for a while…

But no, that would only prolong the inevitable. He had to look at the situation like a Band Aid: the faster you rip it off, the less it will hurt.

It would still sting, though.

There was no avoiding the stinging sensation that would follow Jay on his lonely wanderings once they parted at last.

“Where do you think the others—?” Jay began, overlapping Cole’s “Listen, Jay…”

They both clamped their mouths shut, waiting for their other to finish.

“You go,” Cole finally nudged.

“Oh.” And Jay shrugged for the umpteenth time that morning. “I was just wondering where you think the others might look first.”

“They explained all that earlier. Weren’t you listening?”

“Oh, heh, I guess not…” Jay’s gaze fell back on the ground, his stare creating an invisible sheet of connect-the-dots on the pavement.

“Listen, Jay…” Cole repeated and Jay swallowed. Here it is. This was it. The last friend was leaving him for who-knows-how-long and he was supposed to just sit back and let it happen.

Because that’s what we all agreed on. However, when he looked back at the scene in his mind’s eye, he couldn’t remember his own voice rising in the chorus of agreements. No, he’d merely given a small nod of his head, accepting his fate with as much dignity and fake  contentment as he could muster.

Cole was hesitating. Why is he hesitating? Not that Jay was complaining. The longer he got to spend with his friend, the better.

Still. Band Aid, he reminded himself.

“... I…” Another shrug. “Well, I spent most of my life growing up as an only child…”

Jay offered a shrug of his own. “Same here.”

“And, well, Lloyd’s a good leader and everything, but…” Yes? “Well, I don’t know how long it’s going to take to find Master Wu, and I’m not too hip to being alone again. And I don’t think you are, either.”

“Am I that obvious?”

Cole cracked a grin. “Oh, come on, you’ve always hated being alone.” True. “What kind of friend would I be if I didn’t know that?”

“Well,” Jay caved, struggling to suppress the wide smile that pulled at his lips, “I was just thinking about how lonely it would be searching for Master Wu alone… And two heads are better than one, right?”

“Always.”

Always . Jay blinked back unwelcome tears before they could even threaten to fall and bounced slightly on balls of his feet, unable to contain his overwhelming joy any longer. Always.

“Well,” Jay said again, adjusting the pack against his back, “you can come with me, sure. After all, I wouldn’t want you to be lonely…”

Laughing, Cole shook his head. “Me? You're the one who was waiting around for an invitation!”

“I don’t have any idea what you’re talking about. Now, are we gonna go or not?”

“Lead the way.”

“Where to?”

Cole shrugged as they made their way down the path ahead. “Wherever this road takes us, I guess? And then we’ll go from there.”

“Sounds like a plan. Not a very good one…”

“Hey!”

“But still a plan,” Jay finished with a chuckle.

“Well then,” Cole said, nudging Jay forward, “what are we waiting for? Race you over that hill!”

“ That one? All the way over ther—Hey!” Clamping his mouth shut, Jay charged after his friend, who had given himself a pretty decent head start. “No fair!”

In the near distance, Cole just laughed and pushed his legs to go faster.

He may have fallen behind, but Jay wasn’t complaining. Not when Cole was there with him.

Because he wasn’t alone now, and he never would be again. Not if he had anything to say about it.

And he did. He always did. With any luck, he’d never run out of things to say.

With any luck, he'd never run out of people to be around. And if that day ever came—the day Jay was finally alone—well…

He didn’t know what he’d do.

Chapter Text

Cole’s lungs burned with a fire that would rival anything Kai could ever conjure up.

“Maybe… running wasn’t such a good… idea…”

Idiots. Why are we always idiots?

Beside him, Jay fought to catch his breath. “It was your brilliant idea!”

“Hey, you did it too!”

“You challenged me!”

With a roll of his eyes, Cole pushed himself off the ground and forced his screaming legs into a stretch. “Yeah, well, next time I challenge you, just say no and let me win by default, okay?”

“Right,” his friend gasped, “like I’d ever let that happen. Who won anyway?”

Cole was a bit miffed to find he didn’t know. A shrug was the only reply he could give Jay, who let out a heavy groan.

“You mean we ran all that way… for nothing?”

“It wasn’t for nothing. I mean, it got us this far, right? And it was fun.” Wasn’t it?

Jay didn’t seem to see it that way. “Sure. But it’s not fun now .”

“Well,” Cole said with a sigh, “not everything can be fun, I guess.”

“You can say that again, and let’s never do anything like that again.”

“So,” Cole began, unable to keep the slight smirk off his face, “you’re never gonna run again?”

“Not over a freaking mountain! ” And with that familiar coin-flip personality that made Jay Jay , the blue ninja hopped up and joined Cole on the dirt road. “Well, where to next?”

“Don’t you mean, where to first! ”

“That monster of a hill was first. What’s next? ”

Cole shrugged and surveyed the vast landscape. Rolling hills covered in tall grass and blooming flowers surrounded them on nearly all sides. To the north, he could just make out the faint skyline of a village.

“There.” He pointed, then watched as Jay’s gaze followed his outstretched finger. “That’s a good place to start looking for Master Wu as any.”

He would’ve been a fool not to notice the dreary hush that fell over the two of them, then. Well, we can’t just avoid saying his name until we find him, right?

Still, he didn’t miss the dull glaze of sadness that snaked its way across Jay’s eyes.

“Hey,” Cole said, forcing a smile despite the way his insides twisted at the mere thought of their aging Master, “we’re gonna find him. It’s going to be okay.”

“I know,” Jay replied, his voice unusually soft. “I know we’ll find him. We have to find him.”

Some sort of or else hung in the air, but Cole didn’t have a chance to coax it out of his normally talkative brother’s mouth. Because Jay was moving again, driving himself toward the distant village.

“You’re done catching a breather already?” Cole called out as he hurried after Jay.

“We have to keep moving!” Jay returned with a quick glance over his shoulder. “Master Wu won’t find himself, you know.”

“Jay, that doesn’t even make any… Oh, nevermind. Just wait for me, will you? I don’t think I could run again even if my life depended on it!”

As he caught up, he noticed the corners of Jay’s lips twitch upward. “What if your reputation depended on it?”

“My reputation is the last thing that would ever convince me into another mad dash like that last one.”

“All right, what about a slow jog?”

Cole’s tone held the tiniest hint of annoyance. “Jay…”

“A fast walk? Okay, not a mad dash, but how about a sane sprint?”

“No. No running. Period. ”

Jay’s melodramatic sigh heightened his already soaring suspicions. “Oh, well, if you’re not going to finish our race, then I guess I’ll win by default!” Then, in a flash of blue, he was booking it down the road. “How’s your reputation gonna handle that? ”

With no choice but to follow, Cole sucked in a breath and raced after his friend.

And for the first time since their departure, he couldn’t imagine making this journey alone. Sure, he’d been alone when Zane had died, and that had been all right. But now… Now, he was beginning to realize just how very lonely he’d been back then. For a brief moment, he wondered how the others were doing so far.

Zane.

Kai.

Nya.

Lloyd.

They weren’t meant to be separated. They were a team. The team. It just didn’t feel right.

It’s gonna be all right. We just have to find Wu. That’s all.

Yeah. Cole felt his lips twitch downward. That’s all…

Catching up to Jay proved to be a more difficult feat than he’d anticipated, but Cole shoved the intrusive thoughts away and let Jay think he was winning—at least for a little bit.

“All right,” Cole said through a heavy sigh, “I think that’s enough running for now.”

“I don’t get it.” Jay swiped the sweat off his brow. “I thought we were in shape. What happened?”

“We’re stupid, that’s what happened. I mean, who runs non-stop over a hill and then runs again? ”

“Well, you were the one who challenged me!”

“Hey, you challenged me, too. But let’s not go into all that again. Let’s just get to the village and find Master Wu, okay?”

“You don’t have to tell me twice. But…” A cloudy expression fell over Jay’s face as they continued on toward their destination. “Do you really think anyone there has seen him?”

Cole’s easy shrug hid the stiffening of his muscles. “I don’t know. But we have to start somewhere, right?”

Right…?

He didn’t waste any more of his precious time and energy wondering what would happen if they never found their Master. It was far too early in their journey to allow for those kinds of thoughts.

Toxic thoughts. Thoughts that distracted Cole from the mission.

The mission. Right.

We’re coming, Master Wu. We’ll find you.

I promise.

“I can’t believe no one here has seen Master Wu or knows anything about where he might be! Not one person! ”

“Calm down, Jay,” Cole said from the other side of their tiny room. “It’s only the first day. Did you really think we’d find him just like that?”

The sharp sound of the earth ninja snapping his fingers went right through Jay, setting him even further on edge than before.

Crossing his arms, he threw his friend a look. “So, you already knew we’d fail before we even got here? You did, didn’t you? Admit it! You were anticipating our failure!”

“I wasn’t anticipating it!” Cole shot back, flinging his boot off with one final, irritated tug. “I was just expecting it, all right? Since when do things ever go right for us at the get-go, huh? They don’t. Not ever. I was just using the past to think logically about the future.”

“Stop trying to sound like Master Wu because you’re not, ” Jay grumbled as he kicked his own boots off for the night.

“I wasn’t—”

“Well, you did— ”

“Then it’s no wonder I was right .”

Silence fell over the shabby room after that. It was one of those silences that Jay had always found to be particularly suffocating, and for a moment, he couldn’t breathe properly—or, at least, it sure felt that way.

Breathe! Come on, you idiot! Breathe!

But he was breathing. So, why did it feel like he just couldn’t catch a breath?

If he was honest with himself, he always felt like this whenever he and Cole—

A deflated sigh cut through Jay’s thoughts. “I told myself I wasn’t going to do that anymore.”

“Do what?” Jay asked through a suddenly dry throat, already having a pretty good idea of what Cole was about to say.

“Fight with you.” When Cole finally lifted his gaze off the floor, his eyes held a defeated sadness that cut Jay to the core. “That’s not what this is about. It’s about Wu, yeah, but it’s about us too. I mean, we’re friends, right?”

Jay’s interjection was a barely audible whisper. “The best.”

“So, why is it so easy for us to go at it like that?”

This time, all Jay could manage was a miserable shrug.

With a kick to his boot that was full of self-loathing, Cole trudged over to his bed and flopped down on it face first.

“That was stupid. And pointless,” he said after a minute. “And I didn’t mean to—”

“I’m sorry,” Jay interrupted. “I’m the one who started and I’m sorry. You’re right, that’s not what this is about. I’m just… No.” He shook his head. “No, there’s no excuse. I…”

Shaking his head once more, Jay pulled his knees up close to his chest and leaned back against the small headboard.

It was all so wrong. They were all supposed to be together back on the Bounty… They were supposed to be with their teacher, their mentor. Wu’s supposed to be here… Why can’t he just be here?

When would everyone he loved stop leaving him? First Zane, then Nya, now Wu. Who’s next?

Who’s next…?

Just because the others eventually returned to him didn’t mean Wu would—

“You’re just what?” Cole’s voice was soft, almost weary, but tinged with an undeniable hint of concern.

Jay shrugged. “Tired, I guess.”

So tired. They hadn’t gotten a real break since the Day of the Departed, and that seemed like an age and a half ago.

“Me too, but that’s not what you were gonna say.”

“How would you know.” He hadn’t meant it as a jab, and yet the edge was there all the same. Dang it.

Cole let out a light chuckle. “Because I know you .”

Right.

Another shrug. “It doesn’t matter. It’s not important.”

“ Jay… ” To ignore the warning in Cole’s voice would be to open a whole new can of worms, so Jay found himself shrugging again.

“I know it doesn’t justify starting a fight with you, but…” Jay flicked his gaze toward the ceiling. The aging wood beams didn’t look sturdy enough to hold up all through the night, but what other choice did they have? It was the only inn the village had to offer and it was better than camping out in the woods. “I keep wondering what’ll happen if we never find him. Just the thought of failing him when he never failed us makes me anxious and stressed, and I guess my best defense against the anxiety is to say whatever’s on my mind at the moment and—” He sucked in a steadying breath, swallowing the end of the tangent. Because Cole didn’t need to listen to all that nonsense.

Only… he was listening. He was lying there listening with that same concerned and weary expression he’d had when he asked the question.

And he was the one who asked…

“So… yeah.” Jay shrugged again, unsure of what to say for once, but desperately needing to fill the space. “That’s it.”

“You sure that’s everything?”

“Yeah.”

Cole nodded, his face thoughtful, understanding. “Well, if there are times you just need to vent, I’ll just listen, okay? I won’t combat you, if I can help it.” A smirk pulled at his lips. “Though, if something really biting or mean comes to your head, try to hold back, okay?”

Jay nodded, dumbstruck. Because no one had ever told him something like that before. No one had offered to just listen to him vent when talking was his coping mechanism.

Except for his parents.

And now, Cole.

A warm buzz filled his chest. He really shouldn’t have been surprised.

After all, what else would one expect of their best friend?

Chapter Text

“This is the end of the line for us!”

After snapping a salute at the driver, Jay hopped off the back of the cart.

“You coming?” Though said jokingly, Cole could detect a hint of rushed irritation in his friend’s tone. “Or are you gonna make me say it again?”

“Jay, only you can make you say it ag—”

“Master Wu won’t find himself.”

Biting down on his tongue was the only way to keep his own irritation at bay. “That doesn’t make any sense, and you know it.”

Jay just shrugged, jogging a little to keep up with the slow-moving cart. Despite Jay’s previous declaration that this was where they were getting off, the driver hadn’t seen fit to stop his horse.

That was just as well, Cole decided. Maybe Jay would get tired of following and hop back on. Then we can avoid it altogether. Yeah… That’s it.

“Cole, come on! At this rate, by the time we make it to the docks, there won’t be any ships left!”

Fine by me. The thought almost slipped out of his mouth and Cole had to bite harder on his tongue to keep it from escaping.

“Okay, I’m coming. Just… give me a minute.”

Jay cocked an eyebrow. “To jump off the cart? Seriously, this thing is moving like two miles an hour! It shouldn’t be that ha—Hey!”

With a smirk, Cole flung himself off their ride, tackling Jay in the process. “There. I’m off.”

“Great,” Jay wheezed. “Now, get off of me! ”

Laughing, Cole got to his feet and helped Jay up in the process.

“Next time,” Jay began as he dusted himself off, “just jump off the cart like a normal person, okay?”

“Where’s the fun in that? Besides, you’re starting to sound like Kai.”

“Hey! I resent that!”

Cole just laughed again, waiting for Jay to catch up before starting down the road to the waterfront.

Every step seemed to increase his dread tenfold, so much so that he having trouble focusing on what Jay was saying. Something about finding a ship that looked like the Bounty, because how cool would that be? Whatever it was, Cole had lost track of the one-sided conversation long ago.

They were getting closer. Closer…

Come on, Cole, it’s not that big of a deal. You’re fine. Just suck it up. You faced worse things when you were a ghost.

But they were getting closer to the shoreline… and that was a lot of water. 

It seemed to go on for miles.

It’s all in your head.

No, it’s not. It’s all right there!

All fifteen billion miles of it—

A gate of fingers suddenly blocked the crashing ocean waves from Cole’s view and he jerked to a stop.

“Earth to Cole,” Jay was saying when Cole finally tuned back in to the world around him. “Do you read me?”

“Huh?” Cole blinked in a vain attempt to clear his head. “Yeah. Sorry, what were you saying?”

Looking entirely unconvinced, Jay replied, “We’re here.”

True to word, there was the waterfront, where a handful of ships were peacefully docked.

Bad idea. Bad idea! There’s any number of ways things could go wrong.

We could get caught in a storm. A giant wave could wash over the side of the ship.

The hull could get ripped open by a bunch of rocks and we could all sink to the bottom of the ocean, or—

Hey! You’re not a ghost anymore, remember? You can just swim!

Yeah, right…

“Cole!”

Jay’s outburst pulled Cole back to the present with a start. “What?”

“Are you okay? You keep zoning out on me.”

“I’m fine, just—” Cole forced what he hoped was a pacifying smile. “Thinking about Master Wu, that’s all.”

“Well, if anyone can find him, it’s us,” Jay said with a smirk.

“That’s giving us a lot of credit.” Cole’s grin widened. “But I’ll take it. However… something I don’t think we need to take is one of those ships. I mean, where can it possibly take us that our legs can’t?”

“Uh, I don’t know, across the ocean? Come on, Cole, I thought we agreed that searching for Master Wu on the outskirts of Ninjago was the best way to start. Why the sudden change?”

Sudden. Right… 

“No reason. But, we don’t have a lot of cash on us. Don’t you think passage abord one of those huge ships is gonna be expensive?”

“Well, I guess we’ll just have to pick one of the smaller ones, then.”

“Right…”

“Now, come on!” Jay waved his arm. “Master Wu—”

“If you say Master Wu won’t find himself one more time, I swear I’ll—”

“Race you to the docks!”

A groan tore from Cole’s throat. “Oh, not this again! Jay,” he said when he caught up at last, “this isn’t a game. This is serious! Master Wu is counting on us to—”

“And we will. On that ship!”

Following Jay’s pointed finger, Cole sized up the large sea vessel docked in front of them and resisted the urge to dig the palm of his hand into his forehead. “What did I just say about big ships?”

“That was just a guess! We won’t know for sure until we actually ask —Look! There’s someone!”

Cole found himself running once more to keep up with Jay, who slowed to a halt just a few feet in front a middle-aged sailor.

“Good day, fine sir,” he began in a cheery voice, his smile bright. “I’m guessing this is your ship?” When the man simply nodded in return, Jay pressed on, “Well, my friend and I seek adventure on distant shores. How much for passage on your magnificent ship?”

This time, Cole gave in to the facepalm.

“What kind of a ship d’ya think this is?” the sailor asked after a moment of stunned silence. “A pleasure cruise? We haul minerals and we just got into port after a six month round trip. Sorry, kid, but you’re out of luck this time. There ain’t no way the Sapphire ’s setting sail without unloading and getting her crew paid first. Go take your wanderlust somewhere else.”

“So,” Cole remarked as they headed over to the next ship, “that went really well, didn’t it?”

“Yeah? I’d like to see you try to do better.”

“Fine. I will. Hey, you over there!” This time, it was Jay’s turn to keep up with Cole’s sprint down the next pier. “Yeah, you! You’re a sailor, aren’t you? And this is your ship, right?”

“The captain’s ship,” the sailor corrected, his pinched lips making his irritation quite clear.

Here goes nothing.

“Well, aren’t you in luck, then? There you are with a ship all ready to make sail, and here we are with pockets full of cash. How much for a trip to the islands?”

The sailor sniffed as if their mere presence was offensive to him, then proceeded to act as if he hadn’t heard a word Cole said. “And where did you two come from? A costume extravaganza? What are you even supposed to be in those unseemly getups?”

At a loss for words, Cole exchanged a glance with Jay.

“And another thing, you can’t just waltz around expecting to get a ride from a crew you don’t even know. Now, if you don’t mind terribly, I have things to do.”

“Can you believe that guy?” Jay exclaimed after the sailor had disappeared into his ship. “He acted like he was too good to even be around us!”

“He probably is,” Cole muttered. “Come on, let’s just walk, or hitch a ride on another horse and cart. Maybe someone even has a cool vehicle they’d be open to lending us.”

“No!” Cole almost groaned again at the sight of Jay’s determined face. “We’re gonna find a ship if it kills us!”

More of the same followed the ninja for the better part of the afternoon.

“Look, son, this ain’t a tourboat. We have a job to do, here.”

“Don’t you have somewhere better to be right now?”

“Gee, I wish I could, but this little lady’s mast is in need of some tender loving care before she can get back out on the water.”

To Cole, it all seemed like one of those bad movie montages. The only thing missing was a cheesy song and a few more supporting characters.

“Please! We’re desperate! Just one little ride? That wouldn’t hurt anybody, would it?”

“We’ll pay you if you let us ride on your boat.”

Nothing. Every lead turned out to be a dead end.

“Jay, this is pointless.” With more force than necessary, Cole flung his rock into the ocean, then plopped back down on the sand beside Jay. “No one’s ever going to let us sail with them.”

“We just have to keep trying.”

“Trying? We went to every ship in port! What else is there to try? I say we find someone to take us across those hills over there and give up on the sea entirely— gah! ”

The wave snaked up to Cole’s toes so quickly that he barely had time to register its existence, much less jump out of the way in time. Somewhere in the buzz of his anxiety, Jay was laughing, a bubbly sound that would’ve made Cole smile under different circumstances.

In that moment, however, he just needed to get away— get away!

As Cole scrambled backwards, trying desperately to get on his feet, Jay flicked at the foam with his hands. “It’s just a little water, Cole. We’ll dry off in this heat, no problem.”

Just a little water. He resisted the urge to squeeze shut his eyes. It’s just a little water…

“See?” And before he could stop it, a small spray of water was flying from Jay’s cupped palms and onto Cole’s arms.

“Jay!” It’s just a little water. Just a little water. Come on, Cole, it’s just a little— “Would you knock it off? Were you even paying attention to me earlier? This isn’t a game!”

Jay’s smile never faltered. If anything, it grew wider. “Oh, lighten up! Splashing around a little won’t ruin our mission.”

“Yeah, but it’ll distract us—Didn’t I say knock it off?”

“It’s just water!” Jay scooped up another handfull of water when the next wave rolled in. “And it’s the beach! This is what you’re supposed to do—”

“I said, knock it off! ” One well-aimed kick was enough to shower Jay with thick clumps of sand.

Far enough away from the incoming waves to feel safe, Cole gasped for air as Jay spluttered and choked on a mouthful of sand.

“Cole! What the heck? That wasn’t fair! That’s not how you play at the beach…”

It’s just water. It’s just water.

It can’t hurt you anymore. Not like it used to. Do you hear me, Cole? It can’t—

“Cole…?” It was the soft concern lacing Jay’s tone that caught Cole’s attention. “Hey, are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” Inhale, exhale. Inhale— “I just… I’m fine. Sorry I kicked sand in your face.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“Look, Jay, how many times do I have to apologize before—?”

“No,” Jay interrupted, pushing himself off the ground. “I mean, I don’t believe you’re fine. If you were, you wouldn’t have stuffed my face full of sand.”

Jay’s chuckle wasn’t contagious, not this time.

“I just…” Inhale, exhale. “… need a minute.”

“Okay.” Though he didn’t say anything more, Cole noticed the way Jay kept glancing at him, as if Cole were about to shatter into a million pieces.

I’m fine. It’s just water. I just need… It’s just… I…

“Cole…?” Jay’s voice was a whisper now and Cole realized with a jolt that he was having a hard time catching his breath.

“I just…” Gulping, he shook his head. “The waves—the water—I can’t—”

He felt Jay’s hands on his shoulders mere seconds before his body began to move. Away from the water. Away from the waves and the ocean and the panic.

The further Jay ushered him away, the easier Cole found it was to breathe. It wasn’t long until his lungs no longer screamed at him in anger and his heart toned down its destructive pounding.

“Cole…?”

“I’m fine.” Jay just shot him a look. “Really, I’m fine now.”

Breathing seemed to come easier to Jay then, too, and he heaved one of the most relieved sighs Cole had ever heard.

“What happened back there? You looked like you’d seen a—”

“Ghost?” Cole nodded, swallowing down the unwelcome lump that tried to lodge itself in his throat. “I guess I did.”

“Uh… what?”

“I… I saw myself as a ghost for a minute and I couldn’t… Well, you know what happens when… And I spent so long trying to make sure I never touched a drop of water that now… I don’t know. It’s just water, and I’m human now, so I’m safe, but…” An empty shrug was all he could manage, having run out of anything intelligible to say.

Jay’s eyes were coated with understanding. “Some things just stick with you for a while.” He shrugged before continuing, his gaze shifting toward the ocean. “You just… have to find a way to beat it.”

“Right. How ‘bout we beat it by taking another road, preferably one that doesn’t involve the ocean or water of any kind?”

“You don’t beat it by running away from it.” Jay crossed his arms, a sly grin taking hold of his lips. “You have to face it head on!”

“Yeah… I don’t think I’m ready for that.”

“If you keep telling yourself that, you’ll never be ready.”

Inhale, exha— Jay was making too much sense and Cole wanted so badly for him to stop.

He’s right. You know he’s right.

But knowing and accepting have always been two very different concepts oftentimes hard to connect. Cole knew Jay was right, of course he did, but he couldn’t seem to bring himself to accept this fact.

Despite the way his heart continued to hammer against his rib cage, Cole cleared his throat. “What, uh, did you have in mind?”

Jay's smile widened, if that was at all possible. “The best way to face your fear is by doing what we were before. Except, this time, we’ll keep the sand throwing to a minimum. Or, better yet, nonexistent. What do you say?”

Inhale, exhale.

Inhale…

“Splashing around in the waves?” Ever so slightly, Cole nodded. “Let’s get this over with.”

… exhale.

Chapter Text

Jay would have liked to say it was a day of accomplishments, but that would’ve been the overstatement of the millennium. And it would’ve been very wrong.

When he ticked off their to-do list items in his mind, the boxes for both “Find Master Wu” and “Secure Passage on a Ship” remained blank. Even “Get Some Lunch ‘Cause I’m Starving” and “Find Somewhere to Take a Shower” were left unchecked.

Still, Jay couldn’t help but smile as he strolled down the waterfront. Because Cole was fine now—more than fine. He was getting over his fear of water, which Jay hadn’t even known he’d had in the first place. It makes sense though, all things considered.

While it had been fun to splash around in the water, the feeling of his sandy gi was starting to get annoying. The normally soft material was only half dry, thanks to the sun, and he was certain it was chafing his skin, though he wasn’t about to check. Not when he was set to meet back up with Cole five minutes ago.

You should’ve been back on the beach already!

Hey, it’s not my fault that lady wanted to talk my ear off.

He could almost visualize his brain smirking down at him—and it wasn’t a pleasant picture. Now you know how it feels… How annoying it—

Oh, knock it off. Cole’s probably running late, too.

Probably not, though. I mean, if we’re being honest…

Pushing his legs to go faster, Jay flew across the sand. Late, late, late!

You’re not gonna find Master Wu by being—

“Whoa! Where are you going in such a rush?”

Jay skidded to a stop in front of Cole, spraying him with a small wave of sand.

“Hey!”

“Sorry! Sorry, I just didn’t want to keep you waiting.”

“So you decided to give me a sand bath?”

Jay smirked. “Think of it as payback for what you did to me earlier. Now we’re even.”

“Right. Well,” Cole began, brushing the sand off his damp gi, “any luck?”

“Nothing.” Jay let out a deflated sigh. “Except this lady who talked my ear off. I think she was trying to sell me something, but I don’t know. She was kinda wacko.” Cole gave a small chuckle. “What’s so funny?”

“Nothing,” Cole replied, waving a dismissive hand, his amused smile still intact.

Jay crossed his arms, but didn’t pursue the subject. “What about you? Anything?”

“Yeah… sorta.”

“Sort of? How can you sort of find something?”

“Well, it’s kinda crazy, I’m not gonna lie.”

“Cole, we’re kinda crazy. The Ninja were built on crazy! I think I can handle whatever sort of crazy thing you found to ferry us across the ocean.”

“Okay.” Cole shrugged. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you, though.”

“Finding Master Wu is the main objective. Whatever we have to do to get there doesn’t matter.”

“I was hoping you’d say that.” Then, Cole grabbed his hand. “Come on. They’re docked a little further down.”

“So, you’re okay with sailing now? Even though it’s on the water?”

“I wouldn’t go so far as to say I’m okay with it. But… I think I’m on the verge of being at peace with it. Thanks to you.”

“Hey, all I did was splash you with a little water.”

Cole chuckled again. “You did a lot more than that.”

“If you say so,” Jay replied with a smile and a shrug. “And seriously, you don’t know how much easier it’s gonna be searching for Master Wu when we can fly across the waves.”

Waves. Oceans. Water. It all reminded him of Nya and he briefly wondered how she was fairing on her own search. I hope she’s okay…

This was, perhaps, the reason he wanted so badly to sail—because he could be close to her. In a way. Close to her element. Closer to her…

Jay’s words dried up the second he saw the flag.

Pirates.

If his heart were to stop completely right then and there, Jay didn’t think he would mind. In fact, he’d welcome the darkness as he fainted into oblivion. Anything was better than the sudden onslaught of memories.

"Wouldn’t it be so much easier to simply wish it all away…?"

A cold shiver ran down his spine, and while his heart never truly stopped, it certainly felt like it did—a feeling that made it difficult to breathe properly.

“Jay?” At the sight of Cole’s confused expression, Jay realized they were no longer moving; that his feet were planted firmly in the sand. “What is it?”

“You never…” Jay swallowed, forcing his voice to remain steady. “You never said it was a pirate ship.”

“Look, I know what you’re thinking,"—And Jay had to bite down on his tongue to keep the hysterical laugh from escaping his throat—"but I warned you it was a little crazy. Besides, they’re not your typical pirate crew. Okay, well, yeah, I mean, they are pirates, but I talked with the captain and Wu saved his life once a long time ago, so he’s more than willing to help us find…”

Cole continued to ramble on, but Jay found it increasingly difficult to concentrate. The world around him was a distorted blur; every sound an out-of-tune symphony he never bought tickets to hear.

And still, Cole tried to explain his decision to team with pirates— pirates! As much as Jay wanted to listen, wanted to know why , it was hard enough just to block out the onslaught of memories.

The ship before him didn’t even resemble the Misfortune’s Keep, and yet, somehow, it did as every bruise and every cut flashed across his mind. Each and every ache and pain, every bitter insult and failed escape attempt—he felt them all as if it’d happened yesterday.

But it didn’t happen at all, did it? So stop acting like it did, suck it up, and find Master Wu!

Right… Right, I have to—

"Your wish is yours to keep…"

A shiver shook Jay’s whole body and he clasped his arms across his chest, taking on an involuntary defensive position against the memories.

“Yeah,” he said at last, forcing himself to speak, “sure, I’m open to crazy ideas, but not suicidal ones. Cole, they’re pirates! Or couldn’t you tell by the skull flag flapping in the wind, huh?”

“Jay, calm down. They won’t hurt us, okay?”

“Ha! That’s what they all say.”

“They’re old friends of Master Wu! They want him to be found just as much as we do—”

“Doubt it.”

“ And they aren’t on their way to plunder any villages or anything like that.”

“Is that supposed to make me feel better?” Jay cried, throwing his hands into the air.

“Yes! They offered us a room on their ship. Wasn’t that the goal? And they’re even going to the outer islands! It’s the perfect situation—”

“No, it’s not perfect! Come on, Cole, they’re pirates! Pirates lie. How do you know the captain’s telling the truth? What if it’s just a ruse to get two over-eager travelers to board his ship? Well, I’m not falling for it, got that?” I’m never falling for pirate tricks ever again. “So you can go and play pirate if you want, but you’ll have to do it without me.”

“Jay—”

“You said so yourself: this isn’t a game. This is serious, and falling into the hands of pirates is the last thing that’ll help us find Wu!”

No way am I walking onto that deck. No way in—

“Jay!”

“ What? ” Only when he felt Cole’s hands grasp his shoulders did Jay realize he was shaking.

Just as Jay was about to shove him away, Cole’s eyes softened. “What is it?”

Inhale, exhale… “What’s what?”

“Something’s wrong,” Cole replied knowingly. “What is it?”

“What’s wrong is that you’re making a mistake. Don’t you see? Pirates are no good!”

“Jay, I promise you, these ones are. But that’s not the problem, is it? It’s something deeper, isn’t it?”

Jay pursed his lips and averted his eyes, focusing only on catching his breath and steadying his hands atop Cole’s outstretched arms.

“Come on, Jay, what’s going on?”

“I just…” Jay blew out a sigh, keeping his gaze fixed on the sand. “I just don’t like pirates, okay?”

“Are you kidding me?” Though disbelieving, Cole’s voice was still gentle. “Pirates are, like, your favorite thing!”

“They were my favorite thing.”

Inhale, exhale—

“Believe me, aboard my ship, you will break.”

“What changed?”

“And when the time comes…”

“Jay…?”

“I will be there so you can wish it all away.”

Jay shook his head as he broke free of Cole’s grip, trying desperately to resist the urge to squeeze his eyes shut. “I grew up, that’s what. And you should, too. Pirates are dangerous. End of story. So let’s just get out of here and search somewhere else.”

But when Jay made an attempt to spin on his heel and retreat back across the beach, Cole’s hand landed on his shoulder once more.

“Earlier,” Cole began, tone soft yet firm, “all you wanted to do was sail. All you wanted was a ship. Now that we have one, you all of a sudden don’t think it’s a good idea? If you’re that ready to give up now, why’d you even help me get past my fear of water?”

Nothing. Jay felt cluster upon cluster of words pile up in his throat, but it was too constricted to let out any sort of coherent sound, much less words.

Not all pirates are the same. Not all pirates are the same. Not all pirates are him .

Aren’t they…?

“Now,” Cole went on, loosening his grip a little, “unless you want to explain this sudden change to me, we’re going on that ship, and we’re going to find Master Wu. And we’re going to do it together, all right?”

Jay felt his head nod— the traitor— despite the way his tell-tale heart still hammered against his chest.

You’re afraid of something that didn’t even happen. You erased the timeline, remember? You’re afraid of nothing . Got that? nothing! Absolutely no—!

“Come on,” Cole urged softly, “you can talk to me. You know that.”

The sharp feeling of nails digging into his palm pulled Jay from his thoughts and he straightened to his full height.

Because some things you just couldn’t talk about. And I’d rather board a dozen pirate ships than relive the memories.

Somewhere off in the far corners of his mind, a deep, familiar laugh resounded, and it took every ounce of Jay’s self-control to keep from flinching.

"Your wish is yours to keep."

“Fine,” he said at last, willing his voice not to waver. “We searched all day for a ship, so if this is our only option, let’s get a move on.”

“Jay…”

“I said, let’s go. Come on!”

He barely registered Cole’s footsteps kicking across the sand as they made their way to the sea vessel. Jay’s legs were on autopilot, his mind engaged in a fierce battle against anxiety.

For Master Wu. This is all for Master Wu. If Cole can sail over gallons and gallons of his deepest fear, I think I can handle a little old pirate ship.

Besides, Jay tried to convince himself, it’s no different than the Bounty. Right?

“It’s about time you got here!” Jay forced himself to keep going despite the looming pirate that waited for them at the top of the gang plank. “We were all wonderin’ how long you two were gonna just stand out there on the beach! Come on! Captain’s been waiting to set sail.”

“After I take your friends and take your home, Nya will be mine. ”

By now, Cole had caught up and was riding Jay’s heels as they ascended into the ship. He ignored the sideways glances his brother kept shooting his way. There’s nothing to talk about. It’s fine. This is fine.

Sure, it is. Whatever you say, Jay. Whatever you say…

"Go ahead. Just say it. Just wish it all away."

Clenched fists were the only way to suppress a shiver and Jay wondered briefly if he’d have to deal with any bruises later, considering the way his nails bit into his skin.

“Well, we’re here now,” Cole was saying when Jay finally tuned back into reality. “Tell the captain he’s free to set sail.”

The pirate nodded, flashing a crooked smile at the two ninja. Perhaps it was the air of authority surrounding the man, or maybe it was just the vibe he was giving off, but somehow, Jay knew this pirate was the First Mate.

“Perhaps it’s time to involve him in some of our on-ship entertainment…”

“You don’t mean Scrap ‘N’ Tap, do you, Captain?”

“... What’s Scrap ‘N’ Tap…?”

“And, if it’s not too much trouble,” Cole added, and Jay wished he would just shut up so they could get below deck. Get off deck, get off deck! “Could you tell the captain we’d like to see him when he has a minute? I want to thank him for giving us a ride.”

Jay’s heart skipped a beat. No…

Relax, you idiot, relax!

“If you want,” the first mate replied easily, “you can come with me t’see him now. Any friend of Sensei Wu’s is a friend of the captain.”

“Actually!” Jay butted in before Cole could accept the offer. Get below deck, get below deck! You’re safer below— “Cole said something about a room you had for us? Could we see that first?”

If he didn’t look at Cole, he wouldn’t have to suffer the wrath of his glare. So, he didn’t, keeping his gaze on their pirate host.

“Sure thing. I’d take you there myself, but someone’s gotta get this ol’ girl seabound.” After a quick glance about, the first mate let out a shrill whistle and a considerably younger man came scurrying over. “This here’s Jamie. He’ll show you to your quarters. When you’re ready, you two can come back up and join us on deck for some fresh air and clear skies.”

“We’re looking forward to it,” Cole said with a smile. “Thanks.”

As the first mate went off to his duties, their guide waved a hand, beckoning the ninja to follow him.

Cabin boy, a voice whispered in the back of Jay’s mind and for a moment, he couldn’t tell if the voice was talking about him or the kid.

“Here you go,” the young man said when they reached a small door at the end of the narrow hall. “Enjoy your stay.”

Jay couldn’t stop the light scoff that escaped his mouth, earning him a subtle jab to the ribs from Cole.

“Thanks,” he heard Cole say as he ventured further into the cabin. “This means more than you know.”

It was a tiny room with just two bunks stacked on top of each other and a chest resting in the far corner. But the door had a lock. It was the first thing Jay had looked for when he’d entered the room, and the second Cole stepped over the threshold, Jay bolted the door shut.

“All right.” Cole’s voice was equally weary and suspicious. “Something’s wrong. Spill it.”

“What? I just don’t trust pirates! And you shouldn’t either. That’s all.”

“No, that’s not all. I know you better than that, Jay. These guys are child’s play compared to some of the villains we’ve gone up against. So, come on, what is it?”

“You’re asking me what’s wrong? I should be asking you! The only thing between us and the biggest body of water in Ninjago is a floating hunk of wood!”

Cole’s reply was far too casual. “I know.”

“And you’re okay with that?”

“I’m…” In the short span of three seconds, Cole’s well-built leader facade cracked and he wrapped his arms tightly across his chest. “… Trying not to think about it.” And just like that, the concern was back, followed closely by what Jay liked to call the Furrowed Brows of Skepticism. “The less I think about the ocean, the more time I have to think about you and how weird you’re being.”

Jay brushed past Cole and collapsed under the weight of his memories onto the lower bunk.

“I mean, sure, pirates can be dangerous. But these pirates aren’t. At least, not to us. I believe they genuinely want to help us.”

“You would believe that,” Jay mumbled.

“Come on, Jay! Can’t you just talk to me? And don’t say nothing’s wrong. You know I won’t believe it. I opened up to you on the beach… can’t you return the favor?”

When Jay exhaled, a shuddering breath filled the room, blanketing it in a heavy silence.

“…Jay…?”

Squeezing his eyes shut, Jay gave the memories one last shove out of his mind before pressing a palm to his forehead.

“I just… My head hurts,” he replied softly. “I have a headache and I’m tired from walking every inch of the waterfront twice today.”

Silence was the only reply Jay received at first, and for a moment, he thought Cole might have left. But then again, he would’ve heard the lock click.

Cole’s voice, when he spoke at last, barely rose above a whisper. “Okay. If that’s how you want to be.”

“For now,” Jay whispered back, eyes still squeezed shut, “yeah.”

“I’m gonna go thank the captain, then.”

“You go do that.”

“It’s all I can do right now, apparently.”

“Apparently.”

Another beat of silence, then the lock clicked and the door opened, stealing away Jay's sense of security with a single swing.

“It’s stuffy down here,” Cole declared with a little more force than before. “I don’t know when I’ll be back. Don’t lock me out.”

The sharp slam he left behind in his wake went right through Jay and he shivered. Less than five seconds was all he could manage until he couldn’t stand it anymore. With a quickness nearly rivaling the Master of Speed, he scrambled across the room and jammed the lock shut.

Still, even after he’d barricaded himself in that small, cramped room, Jay couldn’t shake the familiar feeling of terror that plagued him.

Every waking moment—and often in sleep as well—that feeling had held him captive, even after his stay on the Misfortune’s Keep had come to an end. Even after the timeline had been supposedly erased.

If it was erased, why do I still have to remember it? Curling back up on his bunk, Jay closed his eyes again and tried to regulate his breathing. Why do the bruises still feel so fresh? Why can I still remember every word…?

Every whispered word, every cruel taunt.

He could still feel Nadakahn’s hot breath against his neck, against his face. The way the djinn would always lean in so close, so invasive. Always invasive…

Another shiver wracked his frame and he tightened his fists. Who knew when he might need to use them?

Cole’s comment about the room being stuffy started to get to Jay no more than ten minutes into his solitude and it made regulating his breathing twice as hard.

Thanks a lot, Cole. Thanks for finding such a wonderful ship for us.

Yeah, thanks a lot, buddy…

The longer he lay there, however, the more he began to realize that the true fault for it all could only be found in himself.

After all, he was cruelly reminded as the hands of sleep tugged at his mind, I’m the one who made the first wish.

I’m the one who lied.

Another shiver.

I’m the one who ruined everything.

Chapter Text

Cole tried not to bristle, a task easier said than done. Isn’t everything these days?

The sea breeze was so refreshing and the salty air so lovely that it should’ve been hard to stay mad at anything, and yet, Cole couldn’t shake his anger.

You promised you wouldn’t argue with him anymore, Cole.

Pft. He started it. It’s not my fault Jay always has to make a big deal out of literally everything.

As the sky changed its pallet from soft pink to a starry evening black, Cole leaned against the ship’s railing and sighed.

He started it…

Sure. Real mature, Cole. Real mature.

Whatever happened to iron sharpens iron? Brother sharpens brother…?

Frustrated, he swept a hand through his hair and was hardly surprised when it came out with a light coating of sand.

Sand.

Memories of Jay splashing sandy water at him slowly began to resurface the longer Cole stared down at his open palm.

“At this rate, you’re gonna give Nya a run for her money! The new Master of Water!”

Cole could still feel the misty spray of water; the laugh that bubbled up in his throat as he willingly faced his fear.

“Wait till I tell her you said that.”

Another splash from Jay. “You wouldn’t dare!”

“You so sure about that?”

“You won’t be able to.” The sight of Jay’s fists full of clumpy wet sand was still clearly branded in his mind, almost as if it was a memory no more than five minutes old. “Not after I bury you in a heap of sand!”

“Hey, I thought we were just throwing water, not—gah!”

“Somethin’ wrong with your hand?”

Startled out of his musings, Cole turned to find the first mate standing beside him.

“What?”

The man jerked his head downward. “You kept grinnin’ at your hand there.”

“No,” Cole replied quickly. “It’s fine. Just sandy, that’s all.”

“Well, if nothing’s wrong with your hand,” the old pirate said, his tone knowing, “is there something wrong with your head?”

Unsure where he was going with this, Cole shrugged. “There shouldn’t be. Unless the sun fried it back there.” The chuckle that escaped his lips sounded so forced, it made him sick to his stomach.

With a grunt, the pirate continued, “Anything wrong with your heart, then? That’s the one that always seems to cause folks the most trouble.”

Cole fixed his gaze on the darkening horizon again. “You can say that again… But no, I’m fine. My heart’s fine. ”

“If you say so.”

“Why?” Cole glanced back at the first mate, whose name continually escaped him. “What would you say, then?”

“I’d say you’ve been trying to engage with the crew for the past few hours on deck, even though you’re obviously exhausted from who-the-heck-knows-what and you clearly don’t want to be up here.”

“Uh… ouch?”

“You’ve got a perfectly good room down there. Why you keep dragging your weary corpse across the deck is beyond me.”

For a long moment, Cole couldn’t even pinpoint why he felt offended.  “Hey! I’m not a corpse!”

“You look like one.”

“Thanks a lot. You know, at first I thought you might’ve come over here to help me, not insult me.”

“And I thought you would’ve been down there helpin’ your friend by now.”

“Who, Jay?” Cole scoffed. “He made it very clear that he doesn’t need my help.”

“But you’re still worried about him, anyway.” It wasn’t a question, so Cole didn’t answer, choosing instead to purse his lips. “Or aren’t you?”

“I’m not worried,” Cole mumbled, flicking the sand off his palm with a little more force than necessary. “I’m mad, I guess.”

“At yourself?”

“No, at Jay. Were you even listening?”

An odd expression captured the pirate’s face then, and he shook his head. “I don’t think I’m the one you should be asking that. And you’re not mad at your friend. You’re angry with yourself. Don’t ask me what for,” he quickly added when Cole opened his mouth, “that’s a question only you can answer. All I know is that your friend was actin’ mighty strange earlier—even before he boarded. I’ve only seen wary eyes like that a few other times in my life and they never mean anything good.”

“Eyes…?” Cole repeated, running his past few encounters with Jay over in his head. It was all such a blur, but now that the first mate had mentioned it…

Cole bit back a curse.

“Well, I’ve got stuff to do. Not all of us can be passengers.” With a smile, the man patted Cole on the shoulder. “It’s about to get awfully chilly up here. It’ll be warmer below deck, just sayin’.”

“Thanks,” Cole replied, pouring everything he’d wanted to say to the sailor into that one word.

“Don’t mention it. Seriously, don’t, I’m busy.”

Cole chuckled despite himself, then hurried below deck.

A pep talk from a pirate was the last thing he ever thought he’d have. And yet, the aging seafarer had been right. Cole wasn’t angry at Jay—not really. He was worried, and mad at himself for not trying harder. For not finding some way to help his brother.

Instead, he’d just given up. Who even does that?

And a little part of him had even been afraid. Because if I could give up that easily on Jay, what if I give up on Master Wu…?

Cole’s stomach clenched at the thought. No. No! I promise, Master. I won’t give up on Jay and I won’t give up on you.

When he arrived at their cabin door only to find it securely locked, Cole felt some of his previous frustration crawl back up his spine.

“Jay?” Nothing. “Jay! I told you not to lock me out! Now, come on, open up!”

Nothing. As he continued to jiggle the handle, hoping it would somehow unlock itself, Cole pressed his ear to the door. Nothing.

Well, nothing but light snoring.

That’s it!

“Jay!” He shouted, pulling harder on the handle. “Open up! This isn’t fair! If you don’t let me in right now, I’ll break the door down! You know I can do it, too! And when the captain asks who ruined his perfectly good door, I’ll tell him it was you! Did you hear me? I’ll tell him it was—!”

“Need a key?”

Letting out a startled yelp, Cole spun around to face the voice that had seemingly appeared out of nowhere. It was the kid who had shown them to their quarters earlier. And he was holding a large ring of iron keys.

“Actually, uh,” Cole began, sheepishly rubbing at the back of his neck while he cleared his throat, “yeah. That’d be helpful.”

“Here you go,” the boy said as he unlocked the door with one swift turn of the key. “I can’t actually give you the keys—captain’s orders—but I can open stuff for you. Just let me know when you need something unlocked.”

“Thanks,” Cole replied, still wondering how much of his rant the kid had heard.

Come on, everyone heard that. How could they not?

Shut up, Cole.

As Keys shuffled back down the hall, Cole burst into the room, fully prepared to chew Jay out for locking the door to their shared quarters…

… And stopped short at the sight of his brother fast asleep on the bunk.

Well…?

Cole mentally waved his inner voice away as he quietly shut the door. Knock it off.

“Jay?” He whispered, drawing nearer to the bed. Come on, if all the shouting didn’t wake him up, you really think—? “Jay?”

Then, he reached out and shook the young Elemental Master.

It was a light shake, and to be fair, Cole was fully prepared for the struggle of waking a deeply sleeping brother. So, when Jay sent a half-aimed kick sailing toward his stomach, Cole was grossly unprepared. It was a miracle he managed to dodge that blow and the next one, which was a feeble left upper hook.

It was the final blow that got him in the end. He was so concentrated on protecting himself against Jay’s arms and legs that he’d completely forgotten about Jay’s element. This lapse of memory earned Cole a quick shock of electricity to the chest and a stumble across the room. Only when he’d landed hard on the floor did Jay seem to come to his senses.

He hovered over the fallen earth ninja, sparking hands outstretched, eyes wide. “Cole…?”

“Hey,” was all Cole could manage as he massaged his aching chest. He had suffered the wrath of Jay’s lightning before, but that had been an accident and he’d walked away fine in the end. This time, however… This time felt different.

Jay had meant to hit him. Jay had been aiming for him.

Or someone…

“Cole!” Jay was wide awake now, the terror in his eyes having been quickly replaced with regret and concern.

But there had been terror. Cole saw it. Pure, raw terror .

And it scared him.

“Oh my gosh! I can’t—I mean, I didn’t— Gosh, are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Cole said, careful not to wince as he pushed himself up off the floor. “I’m guessing you didn’t hear me yelling?”

“Uh, yelling?”

Cole nodded. “And pounding on the door?”

Jay mumbled some sort of apology with no excuse or explanation, but Cole's mind had already begun to wander.

The sheets on the bunk were a tangled mess and the pillow rested in a clump on the other side of the cabin. What could Jay have possibly been dreaming about that sucked him in so deeply he couldn’t even hear Cole at the door?

What sort of nightmare could have triggered a reaction like that?

“Wait, if I didn’t hear you,” Jay was saying, “and the door was locked, then how’d you—?”

A small smirk tugged at Cole’s lips. “I ghosted through the walls.”

“Ha ha. Sure.” Jay’s twitching expression made it clear he wanted to find that joke funny, but couldn’t. Why? “Come on, seriously now.”

“That kid from earlier has a master ring of keys,” Cole said with a shrug. “I guess he must’ve heard me.” At least someone did…

“Wait, back up a second. He has a ring of keys?”

“Yeah… Isn't that what I just said?”

“So, anyone can just unlock that door anytime they want?”

Remaining cool and collected meant ignoring the slight edge of hysteria that rimmed Jay’s tone—no matter how difficult such a task turned out to be. “I mean, it is their ship.”

Jay’s gaze flitted across the room, landing on the unlocked door. “Still, doesn’t that unsettle you?”

“Maybe, if it took the time to dwell on it.”

“I mean, anyone can just come in , anytime they feel like it!”

“Jay, calm down, I’m sure they won’t. Actually, I know they won’t.”

“How? How do you know that—?”

“I just do, all right?” Cole snapped back, plunging the room into another heavy silence.

Jay said nothing. He simply clamped his mouth shut and went to lock the door.

A sigh deflated Cole. “Sorry. I didn’t come down here to have a shouting match. But I spent the last few hours with the crew and I know for a fact that none of them will come in here if you lock the door. They’ll be too busy sleeping to spy on us, if that’s even what any of them wanted to do, which I highly doubt.”

Jay didn’t appear to be convinced, but that was fine. Cole wasn’t there to convince him of anything, he was just there to talk.

Great start so far.

Shut up.

So, Cole went for casual and uninterested… and failed miserably. “Nightmare?”

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

“It was a nightmare, then?”

Jay just shrugged, a half-hearted confirmation of the fact, then made his way back toward the bunk. “What time is it?”

“The sun just a little bit ago. So, can we talk about why you’re being so weird, now?”

Amazing tact, Cole. Right on.

Just knock it off, will you?

“I’m always weird,” Jay replied, half ignoring Cole as he flopped back down on the bunk, his tired eyes clearly working hard to stay open.

“Yeah, but I’m thinking more specifically. Like, what was that all about?”

“What was what?”

“Nope. I’m not playing this game. You come at me like I’m your worst nightmare and almost take me down. All I did was touch you! That’s what I’m talking about.”

Jay continued his strike against eye contact as he straightened his blankets. “It was just a bad dream, okay? It’s nothing out of the ordinary, so just leave it alone.”

“Okay, then how about everything before that?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Cole bit out a frustrated groan before pulling himself into the upper bunk. “I’m way too tired for this. I came in here to help you, but if you want to act like a child, that’s on you, not me.”

“I don’t need your help. I’m fine.”

“You’re not fooling me, Jay. I’m not an idiot.”

Silence.

But Cole was done talking. If Jay wanted to have the last word, that was fine. Cole was done.

It’s too late for this.

That familiar hot anger bubbled within his chest again. Only, this time, he knew exactly who he was angry at: himself.

Because he didn’t know how to help Jay; he didn’t know how to get through to his friend.

He was lost and didn’t know what to do.

Master Wu would know what to do.

That’s why you’ve got to find him. Fast.

Deep down, however, Cole knew there was no way they would find Wu soon enough. Not soon enough to help Jay.

And he had to help Jay. Once he figured out how…

I'm just… not wise enough. Even Lloyd would know what to do.

“Cole…?”

Only when his eyes snapped open did Cole realize he’d been dancing along the edge of sleep.

“Are you awake…?”

No. His brain was foggy and his words slow. Though he’d open his mouth, nothing came out.

“Cole?” Jay whispered again, and something about the tone of his voice hinted at the fact that he didn’t actually want Cole to answer.

So, Cole clamped his mouth shut and squinted his eyes as Jay tiptoed across the room.

What the heck is he doing? Silently, Cole watched Jay slide the great sea chest over the floor.

When he barricaded it in front of the door, Cole felt his heart twist. After checking the lock once last time, Jay slipped back into bed.

Cole swallowed, pulling the covers up to his chin. Though sleep still clawed at him, trying desperately to pull him under, he kept his eyes open.

Only when he heard Jay’s soft, steady breathing did he let himself relax.

Something was scaring Jay.

Jay, who had taken down countless villains and monsters without batting an eye—though a few of his nervous pre-battle ramblings did come to mind. Villains they’d always fought together.

Now, something was scaring Jay.

Something Cole couldn’t fight against.

Because he had no idea what it was and no clue how to pry the truth from Jay’s tightly sealed lips.

The last thing he remembered before drifting into a dark void was feeling completely and utterly helpless.

And he fell asleep trying not to think about the rolling of the waves that carried them further and further out into the ocean.

Chapter Text

The second Jay stepped out into the sun, he squinted his eyes shut and took a staggering step backwards.

Back! His mind screamed at him. Get back where it’s safe—

Cole’s hand pressed gently against the small of his back and Jay froze.

Right.

“You can’t stay down there forever,” his brother whispered, not unkindly. “You need some sunshine.”

“ You need some sunshine,” Jay shot back under his breath.

“What’s that even supposed to mean?”

“I don’t know. It was the best comeback I could think of.”

“Do yourself a favor next time and don’t. Now come on, you need some sun. You’re so pale!”

“ You’re so pale!”

The following push was gentle enough, yet accompanied by the force needed to shove Jay out the door and onto the sunny deck.

“You’ve been down there for three days,” Cole went on as he stepped out beside Jay. “You need fresh air.”

Jay sucked in a large breath, then, with a slight touch of dramatics, he blew it out. “There. Mission accomplished. Let’s go.”

The second he spun on his heel, Cole was spinning his back around and driving him further out onto the deck.

“Come on!” Cole said, grabbing Jay’s hand and pulling him over to the edge of the ship. “The view is amazing!”

“Cole,"—Jay set his jaw in an effort to keep the grimace off his face—"it’s just miles of open ocean.” Miles and miles and miles with no escape and— “We’ve seen that before.”

“Okay, sure, but there are so many other cool things to look at up here.”

“In case you’ve forgotten, we live on a ship. We’ve been on the Bounty a bazillion times, and this ship isn’t any different.” It’s no different than the Bounty. It’s just a ship… just a ship…

“Yeah, okay,” Cole said with a grin, “but does the Bounty have this? ”

Before Jay could catch his breath, Cole was dragging him across the deck. A quick stumble was all he needed in order to catch up and for once, he was grateful for Cole’s tight grip on his arm.

Don’t fall, a voice taunted from within. Don’t let them see you fall. Don’t let anyone see—

“Ta da!” Cole exclaimed as they both came screeching to a halt in front of what was probably the oldest cannon Jay had ever seen. “The Bounty will never have one of these! ”

“Cole,” Jay said, swallowing down the urge to sigh, “it’s just a cannon. The Bounty doesn’t have one of these because its cannons are better. They’re electrically engineered, for crying out loud!”

Despite Jay’s protests, Cole remained unphased. “Sure, they’re high tech, but this is an ancient relic! Just think about how much action this baby’s seen. Don’t you get it? It’s like it’s fresh out of a scary pirate story! This thing is old enough to be in a museum! And look!”

When Cole bent down to get a better view of the gold engravings, Jay allowed a shiver to run down his spine before baring his arms tightly across his chest.

“It even has a date and everything! And look over here!”

The next thing he knew, Jay was being yanked along the length of the deck. Again. Only to come to a stop in front of another old cannon.

“That’s literally the same one!”

“No,” Cole corrected, “it’s identical, not the same. ”

“Those words mean the exact same thing!”

“No, they don’t, ” came Cole’s inevitable protest. “They’re part of a matched set.”

“Right… Well, not that looking at old man cannons isn’t entertaining, but it’s way too hot to be standing out here. I’m going back to the cabin. You can stay here with your matched set if you want.”

“Too hot?” It’s only like sixty degrees out here!”

“Well, I’m hot.” And if it sounded more like a whine than a retort, Jay couldn’t bring himself to care.

He had just turned on his heel when Cole’s heavy sigh thickened the tension between them. “What’s wrong with you?”

Jay froze as all time seemed to stop.

“I mean,” Cole pressed on, his tone gentler this time, “you’ve been hiding out in that tiny room since we got here and you won’t even tell me why. And you used to love stuff like this—old pirate stories and relics and all that junk. I’ve spent most of my time alone when we set out on this journey together! That was the whole point, right? To not be alone?”

“Well, you could’ve come down with me!” Jay shot back. “No one forced you to stay up here all the time!”

“Are you kidding me? It’s hotter down there than it is up here! And it’s so stuffy and small and claustrophobic and—ugh! I don’t know how you can stay down there 24/7!”

“I never said I liked it down there!” Jay spat back.

Cole flung his hands into the air, his exasperation evident. “Then don’t go back down! It’s not like anyone’s forcing you to stay down there!”

“ You have to stay in until someone else loses.”

And Jay couldn’t quite stop the shiver before it wracked his frame. He cursed himself as Cole’s brows furrowed.

“Come on, Jay… Talk to me.”

All Jay could do, however, was shake his head. Get out! His brain screamed at him. Get out of there now!

“It’s too hot up here,” he mumbled, hoping that if he said the lie enough, he’d eventually come to believe it—to believe that this was the only reason he couldn’t stand to be on deck.

Surrounded by pirates on all sides…

Cole called out after him, but Jay didn’t hear any signs that his friend was coming after him. So, he quickened his pace. The sooner he got below deck, the better.

And when we finally get off this ship, it’ll all be over… Just like it never happened.

Like it never happened… Another shiver wracked his frame. Because none of it really did, did it? none of it really happened…

So what are you so afraid of? What’s so terrible about this ship that you can hardly sleep at night? What’s your probl—?

Jay bit back a cry as he stumbled onto his knees, being sure to shoot the offending coil of rope a death glare before he gathered his bearings again. Not looking where he was going in the heat of the moment had always been a struggle for him. Honestly, who doesn’t struggle with that? How many times have I told you? You’re not special, Jay—

“Need a hand?”

The second Jay glanced up was the second his brain froze over. No…

He was tall—had the classic fancy hat and plume and everything. There was no ridiculous accent, but there might as well have been anyway. The sword on his belt sparkled from the sunlight, but it could have just as well been from the reflections of his friends. His trapped, dying friends.

No…

This man was without a shadow of a doubt the captain of the ship.

And he was smiling.

Nadakhan used to do that—in fact, the djinn almost never stopped smiling that wicked, murderous grin.

“I’ve told the crew time and time again to keep the deck clear,” the captain said because he was still talking, “especially when we have passengers aboard. It seems a bit of reinforcement is in order…” With a somewhat disappointed shake of his head, he extended his hand further out to Jay.

It would be weird not to take it, to accept help when it was offered—and so clearly needed, too. But he couldn’t get his limbs to move, to react, to do anything.

Move, you idiot! Take his hand and—

"I wish you had taken my hand…"

No, please… not now… He couldn’t remember, not until he was safely tucked back inside his cabin. Safe. Safe… It’s not safe, you’re not sa—

The screaming alarms going off in his head failed to warn him about the hand closing around his arm… as well as the pirate that was getting closer and closer…

“Perhaps it’s time to involve him in some of our on-ship entertainment…”

Before he knew what he was doing, Jay had wrenched out of the captain’s grip with a force that would no doubt come back to haunt him later. Away, away! Get away!

The two looked nothing alike, and yet all Jay could see when he gazed up at the captain was Nadakhan. He took a staggering step backward because all he could hear was Nadakhan.

“Are you all right, son?”

“Believe me, aboard my ship, you will break.”

It was illogical, perfectly and utterly irrational, but in that moment, Jay couldn’t see or hear anyone else—could think over the roar of the ghosts from the past that had come back to haunt him at full force.

Another wary step backward had him tripping on the rope coil again, but this time, he never hit the floor.

Foreign fingers wrapped tightly around his wrist and for one brief, horrific moment, Jay was back on the Tigerwood’s island, saved from certain death only by the villain who would soon become his worst nightmare.

“Now, say goodbye to the only thing that can stop me. And say goodbye to your friend…”

“Let go of me,” he heard himself hiss as he struggled against the captain’s hold.

“Now, hold on there, son,” Nadakhan began, his stupid accent as smooth and silky as ever. “I’m the only thing standing between you and a very nasty fall.”

“You seem to have landed on a sky mine. One shot from Flintlock and kaboom. ”

Despite the logic of his words—and why did he always have to be so dang logical about everything?—Jay fought harder, trying desperately to wrench himself free.

Away! Get away—!

"Don’t you just want to wish it all away…?"

“No…” Jay breathed, prying harder at his captor’s clenched fingers. “Stop! I’ll never… You c-can’t…”

Then, he was moving closer. Closer… Before Jay could even think about filling his screaming lungs, Nadakhan began to yank him upright, bringing him closer… closer…

Always too close. Jay gasped for air as he wracked his brain for some sort of escape. Why does he always have to get so close ?

The question is, what do you plan on doing about it, huh?

Right.

Still gasping for air in his panic, Jay did the very first thing that came to his fogged-over mind and released a bolt of lightning from his fingertips. It was his only defense in the heat of the moment, his last resort when his arms and legs rebelled against him in pure terror.

The djinn bit out a curse and let go of Jay, who tumbled backwards onto the deck with a dull thud. And for a split second, he saw stars.

Then, the shadows came, loaming over him like thunderclouds on a dark horizon. Jay didn’t even have to look up to know that the rest of the crew had begun to circle him, and they were closing in quickly. Closer… Closer…

Squeezing his eyes shut, Jay forced himself to take a semi-steadying breath. If there was a storm on the horizon, he would bring the lightning.

He would be ready.

He had to, after all. When it came to pirates, it was all about survival.

Something Jay knew far more about than he would’ve liked.

All right, he thought as electricity crackled through his fingers. Bring it on.

Chapter Text

His world was falling to pieces. Things just wouldn’t stop going wrong.

First, there was that infamous Day of the Departed, then there’d been the Time Twins to deal with directly after that. Then Master Wu… Then Cole’s stupid ghost PTSD had reared its ugly head.

And now this.

Heaving a sigh, Cole slumped against the ship’s railing and fixed his eyes on the rolling waves.

His whole world had been crumbling on and off since his mother died, but somehow, he’d always known what to do—and if he didn’t, he’d always had his friends to come alongside him. He’d always had some sort of help, some form of backup. Now, his only backup was on the verge of a breakdown.

Oh, Jay…

Cole ran a few massaging fingers over his temples.

His world was falling to pieces, crumbling faster than a landslide…

… And the mighty Master of Earth couldn’t seem to do anything to stop it. Not for the first time, he longed for Master Wu’s sage advice. I’d even go for Lloyd’s advice at this point. Maybe even Kai’s… He shook his head, sending the absurd thought back into oblivion. No, that’s stupid. Scratch that, not Kai’s advice. Zane’s though… And Nya’s…

Somehow, Nya always knew what to do when it came to figuring Jay out, especially after they’d gotten their relationship back on track. After that out-of-the-blue kiss behind the billboard.

Cole had never been able to figure that kiss. On one hand, it made no sense considering the weird ‘I don’t need your help because I’m just one of the guys’ phase Nya had been going through at the time.

On the other hand… It was a thing everyone knew was bound to happen at some point—how could it not? Still… it made no sense that it would happen so quickly and for seemingly no reason.

Talk about shot-gunning it, Cole thought, letting out a scoff. Then there was the fact that Nya had somehow learned Airjitzu almost as fast as she’d rediscovered her feelings for Jay.

Cole couldn’t make any sense of it and it hurt his head to even try. So, he didn’t. He simply cleared his mind completely and stared out at the waves.

It was the scuffle further down the deck that succeeded in finally tearing his attention away from the blue horizon. At first, he was tempted not to look. After all, whatever was going down was someone else’s problem, anyway. I have enough of my own, thanks.

But something inside pushed him to turn around just in time to watch Jay zap the captain with a bolt of electricity before crashing backward onto the deck.

Cole’s legs were moving faster than his brain could calculate his next move. Because he knew that face; he could feel the electrical static in the air. He saw the way Jay’s fingers twitched; the way his contorted expression morphed into one of vicious resolve.

“Jay!” Cole called out mere seconds before colliding with his brother, who had just leaped into the first steps of Spinjitzu. “Stop!”

Their combined tumble into the side of the ship lasted no longer than a few seconds, but time had slowed to a crawl for Cole the instant he’d torn his gaze off the waves. After the hollow thud and the pain exploding in the back of his head, he took a moment to breathe. To clear the stars from his vision and recenter himself.

Biting back a groan, Cole sat up, heart still pounding as he glanced over at Jay.

“Jay…?”

His brother had also pried himself off the floor and was clutching his head in his hands while mumbling something about not making any wishes. It was gibberish Cole didn’t have the time or patience for, so he turned to look at the captain.

“Are you—?”

“I’m fine, lad,” the old pirate said as his lips curved into a reassuring smile. “Now I can tell folks I survived being struck by lightning. Makes a good story.”

“Right.” Cole blew out a sigh and focused back on Jay. Okay. Okay…

“Jay?”

No reply. At least, not a coherent one. Just the same thing about wishes. Come on, Jay, work with me here.

“All right!” he heard the captain call out behind him. “Back to work! There’s nothing to see here!”

A chorus of aye captain s pierced the air and Jay flinched, hunching his shoulders as if in some sort of twisted effort to make himself smaller.

Gently, Cole took Jay's hand and helped him stand.

“Hey, it’s okay,” came the first of many soft reassurances. “How about we just go back to the cabin, all right? You’re right, it’s way too hot up here.”

Then, Jay met his gaze for the first time since the whole mess started. His brown orbs were clouded with uncertainty and glazed over with a thin layer of fear. But somewhere underneath it all was recognition, and that was all Cole needed.

“C-Cole…? Is that you?”

“Yeah,” Cole replied, willing his voice not to crack. “It’s me.”

“B-But how did you…?” Jay trailed off as he surveyed his surroundings. “Oh… Wait… What?”

A wave of confusion doused Jay’s terror and he swayed slightly. Cole was quick to put an arm over his shoulders and guide him toward the door. The sooner he got his brother away from whatever had spooked him, the better.

For a time, Jay leaned into Cole on the way down to the cabin, but neither spoke. At some point, Jay ended up leading the way, and Cole didn’t miss the click of the lock when they entered the safety of the cabin.

As much as he wanted to, he made no comment about it.

“Did I hurt anyone?”

“No.”

Jay’s reply was so soft, Cole could just barely make it out. “I wanted to.”

“I know. I just don’t know why. ”

“Self-defense?” Jay replied with a shrug.

“Defense against what? ” Though he’d told himself he’d be patient, Cole couldn’t stop the tinges of exasperation from bleeding into his voice.

Jay’s gaze fell to the ground. “Nothing.”

“It didn’t look like ‘nothing.’”

“Looks can be deceiving.”

“Oh, come on , Jay!”

“Well, what do you want me to say, huh?” 

Stealing some of Cole’s exasperation, Jay flung his arms up in the air. “What do you want to hear from me? That I almost had a mental breakdown up there, but you stopped me just in time? All right, then. Thanks for that.” Every mocking clap of Jay’s hands cut through Cole’s skin like a knife. “Bravo!”

“Jay—”

“Or did you want me to spill every horrific, little detail of my nightmares just so you can console me and try to fix it? Well, guess what, Cole: you can’t, okay? You just can’t .”

“I can’t because you won’t talk to me!” Cole shot back, curling his fingers into a tight fist and promising himself he wouldn’t ever use it as a weapon against Jay—no matter how hot his anger and hurt boiled.

“I can’t talk to you! I can’t talk to anyone about this except for one person because she’s the only one who remembers! But she’s not here!” Just when Cole figured the argument was about to enter into the next level, Jay’s expression crumbled and his eyes glazed over. “She’s… She’s not here. None of them are. They’re all gone and it’s just… It’s just you and me and I don’t know how to…” He sucked in a shaky breath. “I’ve never… Sometimes I can’t even talk to Nya about it, so I don’t know if I can… But I really don’t want to keep fighting with you. I’m not… I swear, I’m n-not doing it on purpose.”

Silence choked Cole after that because what was he supposed to say now? Jay had given him too much to unpack and it was overwhelming.

“I’m sorry,” Cole heard himself whisper at long last. “Whatever’s going on with you… If you don’t want to tell me, or-or can’t tell me, it’s fine. It’s okay. I shouldn’t have pushed.”

Jay swiped at his eyes before replying. “I do want to tell you, though. I mean, you were there, too. You deserve to know. I just… I don’t know how to…”

“Well…” Cole eased down onto the floor and leaned back against Jay’s bunk. Then, he patted the empty space beside him. “Just start with the easy parts. Or, if there aren’t any of those, just start wherever you can. It doesn’t have to make sense—I'm still here to listen, anyway.”

It took a moment, but Jay finally accepted the silent invitation and sat next to Cole with a heavy sigh. It took even longer for him to begin speaking. Sure, jay opened his mouth several times, only to promptly shut it again.

Cole was patient, though. He had to be.

Breathe… Just breathe… He didn’t know whether he was thinking such calming thoughts for himself or for Jay, but it didn’t seem to matter all that much.

And at least it helped him pass the time while he waited.

And waited.

And waited… Until, finally, Jay sucked in a breath.

“Do you,” he began slowly, his hesitance palpable as he stared off at some distant memory Cole couldn’t see. “Do you remember that one time a while ago when… Well, when we got that call that Claus was in Stiix? And we were running from the media because Kai couldn’t stay off his stupid Chirp account?”

Cole nodded even as he wracked his brain for the memory. It all seemed so long ago. Before the Time Twins, before the Day of the Departed. And it was such a small memory, too. Not even worth storing in his mind for more than a few months, but somehow, he found it. He remembered.

“And then Nya t-took my hand and we kissed behind the billboard? And the media found us anyway, but it didn’t really matter anymore?”

Cole found it ironic that he’d just been thinking of that kiss not ten minutes ago. Maybe it’s not so ironic after all…

“Well,” Jay continued when Cole nodded once more, “a lot of… other stuff happened in between those two moments.”

“What kind of ‘other stuff?’” And though this was the conversation he’d been waiting for, Cole found himself having second thoughts. If the infamous ‘other stuff’ could shove Jay into a breakdown, he wasn’t sure he wanted to hear about it.

It’s too late to back out now. Besides, you wanted this, didn’t you?

Didn’t I? Cole set his jaw, realizing his thoughts were in the past tense for a reason.

“Lots of other stuff,” Jay replied, his voice low and shaky—not the best combination, Cole noted.

“Like…?”

Sucking in a breath, Jay forced his shoulders into a shrug. “Well, we all went to prison for things we didn’t do.” Wait, what? “Because Claus found the lamp and messed everything up, and there was this djinn posing as each of us because he could shapeshift and he was trying to make this city in the sky out of our city, a-and he—”

“Jay, take a breath!”

Relief came in small doses as Jay filled his lungs, but that was just enough for Cole. For now, at least.

“All right,” Jay said with a heavy sigh. “All right… Sorry.”

“It’s fine,” came Cole’s soft reply. “Just… try not to talk so fast next time.”

Nodding, Jay took another breath. “Anyway, uh, this old pirate helped us escape Kryptarium and we went undercover to try and find the djinn. That’s… Uh, t-that’s when he came to me—when I was alone because he does… did that. Caught you when you were alone, I mean. It all sorta went downhill from there…”

For the next hour or so, Cole listened, and with each word, he got sicker and sicker. His stomach rebelled against him as his brain tried to make sense of everything Jay was saying.

Pirates. Prison. Poisonous spiders. Brothers vanishing one by one.

And everyone turning against Jay because he’d lied. Cole supposed his old self—or his erased self, however that worked—would’ve been furious, but in that moment, he couldn’t find it in him to care.

Because you don’t remember. You don’t remember any of it.

Why? Why didn’t he remember? Why were Jay and Nya the only ones burdened with these horrific memories? And Cole had a feeling that Jay was only telling him the condensed version, leaving out many of the most painful details.

That was fine, though. When it came to Jay, Cole was somewhat of an expert at reading between the lines.

One detail he couldn’t seem to leave out, however, was the one part Cole wished he had.

Died. Nya had died. As in stopped breathing, gone cold, a never-coming-back-again-ever kind of thing.

Only, she had come back, but not before Jay had clutched her lifeless frame to his chest…

Yeah, Cole was sure he was going to be sick.

The worst of it was that he couldn’t even comfort his brother properly because he couldn’t remember any of it! Why did Jay have to be the one to remember?

It took Cole several long minutes to realize Jay had finished his story; to notice the silence that had taken the room captive.

Sometimes, Cole knew exactly what to say. He could talk Jay down from the highest mountains of anxiety. But sometimes, words failed him harder than his fifth-grade math teacher.

Because sometimes, there just weren’t any words to be said—and if there were, Cole certainly couldn’t find them.

So, he squeezed his mouth and eyes shut, then slipped his hand into Jay’s—and squeezed.

It took a bit, but Jay finally squeezed back. That’s when Cole felt the teardrops plink down onto his fingers. Maybe they were his, maybe they were Jay’s. Maybe both. It didn’t matter.

Because whatever the case, tears were healing.

And they were both in desperate need of some healing.

Chapter Text

The faint burning sensation had been creeping into his throat for the better part of their woodland journey, yet Cole refused to pay it any mind. How could he when his thoughts were still so focused on the horrors Jay had revealed back on the ship? And all those little cobwebs forming in the back of his brain…

“So, you’re really adopted?” He figured the three days since that fateful conversation in the cabin had been long enough to give Jay the space he so obviously needed. That, and the fact that Jay hadn’t so much as winced at the question.

Instead, his friend shrugged. “Yeah. That part’s real. Well, I guess it was all real… but now it’s not anymore, yet that part is, but…” He shrugged again. “Yeah.”

“That’s pretty cool of your parents.”

A small smile tugged at the corners of Jay’s lips—the first Cole had seen since that day on the beach. “Yeah, well, they’re pretty cool people. After… everything… I went home and asked them about it. It was nice to hear them explain it again, when I wasn’t so stressed about other stuff like the first time.”

With a chuckle that hurt his throat more than it should have, Cole shook his head. “Only you could somehow be related to your favorite film star.”

“Yeah…” Jay replied, sounding much less enthused than Cole had expected. “Except that, well, he’s dead now, so…”

Right. He’d forgotten about that little detail. Cole still felt like he was trying to process everything Jay had told him.

“Oh, yeah…”

“No more movies, then,” Jay said with a shrug.

“I guess not.”

A beat, then Jay’s smile returned. “I should show you the mansion sometime. It’s, like, insanely cool. I guess I still have his yacht too…”

Cole nodded, flashing a smile of his own. “I’d like to see it.”

A cough tore at his throat, wreaking havoc on his lungs. Covering it up by awkwardly clearing his throat—and paying no mind to the sudden concern in Jay’s eyes—Cole questioned: “So, you’re not… Well, you’re not sad he’s, well, gone… or anything?”

Another shrug, yet the concern had vanished. One point for Cole. “I mean, I guess I’ll miss his movies? And I missed my chance to get to know him. But that’s just it: I didn’t really know him, so… I guess what I miss most is the concept of him—of getting to know my birth father, I mean.”

“Yeah, that—'' A cleverly placed swallow covered the gravelly voice the cough had left behind. “That makes sense.”

“So!” Jay began after a few moments of comfortable silence. “The captain said the nearest village is a good twenty miles from shore, and since the port was a bust—I mean, seriously, does no one know where he is?—I say we pick up the pace. The sooner we find Master Wu, the better, right?”

Despite the slight ache in his bones, Cole was already moving faster. “Let’s just hope it doesn’t rain before we get there…”

“What?” Jay glared at the sky. “ Those clouds? Pft, those won’t be a problem for a while, I’m sure of it. See? They’re not even covering us yet.”

“Maybe, but we’re headed straight towards them.”

And he really didn’t feel like getting wet right now, much less completely soaked by a sudden downpour.

Because you just had to go and get sick, didn’t you?

I’m not sick. Just tired.

Yeah. Tired.

In an effort to distract his mind from the fog in his head, his thoughts drifted back to the one matter he couldn’t seem to reconcile with himself.

“It’s a hard thing to deal with…” Jay’s words echoed through his mind for what must have been the zillionth time since that game-changing conversation on the ship. “… having such a big and important part of your life just get erased like that... It’s terrifying...”

It was all Cole could do to suppress a shiver. Why couldn’t I have remembered? When he thought about all those nightmares his brother had following that fateful day behind the billboard… And, like an idiot, I had no idea.

None of us did.

“I keep telling myself I wasn’t real. It never really happened. But it did. I… I-I remember everything. The emotions, the pain, the-the hurt—I can still feel all of it like it h-happened yesterday.”

Right.

All that pain. All those memories…

And Cole just couldn’t understand them. He couldn’t share Jay’s pain—not to the extent he wanted to. The shared experiences… We all went through that together… Then, we didn’t.

For as long as he’d known Jay, everything they’d been through they went through together. Those shared experiences, that relatability…

“And I-I hate myself for thinking this way, but I wis—Well, sometimes I want you all to remember. I don’t… So that Nya and I… Well, so we wouldn’t have to be alone.”

Gone. It was all gone. Every memory, every painful moment. Cole couldn’t remember any of it. It wasn’t even a whisper in the back of his mind.

Why?

“Are you… Are you mad at me? For-For lying to you about Nadakhan…?”

“Jay, how could I be mad at you when I don’t even remember?” The words had itched at the tip of his tongue, but instead, he’d wrapped his arms around Jay in a tight embrace.

“Of course not,” he’d whispered. “Of course not.”

“Do you think we’ll find him there?” Jay was speaking again, only this time the voice wasn’t in Cole’s mind.

Sucking in a breath, Cole shook his head, ignoring the slight wave of dizziness that washed over him at the motion.

“Honestly? No.” He glanced at Jay, who’s shoulders had slumped. “But maybe we’ll find a clue. Something that’ll point us in the right direction. Hey, prepare for the worst so you can hope for the best, right?”

“Didn’t Master Wu say that once?”

After reaching into the very back of his clouded mind, Cole shook his head. “No, I don’t think so.”

“Huh. It sounds like something he’d say.”

Cole smirked. “Most fortune cookies sound like something he’d say.”

A classic, full-fledged Jay laugh echoed through the forest and Cole’s smile brightened. He hadn’t heard that laugh for days—and that was way too long. Since that first day on the beach.

“Okay, okay!” Jay said, wiping tears of laughter from his eyes. “But did you really not know about the paper inside the fortune cookies?”

“Hey, in my defense, no one ever told me. How was I supposed to know? You don’t just go around looking inside your food to see if someone stuffed a piece of paper in it!”

Jay’s laugh was highly contagious. “But they’re called fortune cookies!”

At this, Cole shrugged. “Guess I never really took the time to think about the name.”

Another comfortable silence was about to settle over the brothers again, Cole could practically feel it. Just like he could feel the impending storm closing in on them. Closer… Closer—

“So, a lumberjack? Really?”

Cole sighed, though his smile never wavered. Of course, Jay would break the silence. He usually did. Cole didn’t mind, though.

He never did.

And Cole hadn’t realized it until now, but there were a lot of things they hadn’t talked about. Many were little things, like filling each other in on their lives after Zane… Well, after everything.

They’d both been too angry and hurt during the Tournament of Elements, and after that, they’d been too busy.

“What can I say?” Cole smiled again. “I’m a quiet soul who thrives in the midst of nature. Plus, with all that wood chopping, I didn’t even need to work out.”

His wink sent Jay’s eyes into an exaggerated roll. “Do you ever miss it?”

“Nah. I mean, it was nice and all, but compared to what we normally do, it was pretty dull. What about you? Do you miss your show?”

“Oh, heck yeah! Television really isn’t the same without me these days.”

As Jay proceeded to delve into every tiny detail of his game show, Cole found his mind wandering to those distracting cobwebs. They seemed to be growing thicker by the minute. Like the first inklings of a head cold—or allergies.

Only, Cole didn’t have seasonal allergies. That was Lloyd. And Jay.

Nope, definitely a head cold. But those weren’t so bad. He’d still be able to function, like always. And it wouldn’t slow their search for Wu.

Right. When he coughed again, Jay didn’t seem to notice—he was too busy describing his season one finale. Nothing to worry about, Cole.

You’re fine.

~*~*~*~

In the end, he wasn’t.

And then came the rains.

“You know,” Jay called over the pounding rain, “I can see how you might think this is all my fault. But in my defense, I’m the Master of Lightning, not the Master of Weather Forecasting!”

Wrapping his arms tighter around his body did nothing to ease the cold chill seeping into Cole’s skin. “You said those clouds weren’t gonna be a problem!”

“No, I said I didn’t think they’d be a problem!”

“You were sure of it!”

“So I made a mistake!” Jay shot back as the gust of wind tossed his rain-soaked hair. “Sue me!”

Cole grit his teeth against the growing ache in the back of his skull. “You bet I will! Once we get out of this storm… Ugh! We should’ve taken shelter while we still could!”

“ Where? In case you haven’t noticed, we’re stuck in the middle of a never-ending forest!”

The next flash of lightning struck a little too close for comfort and even Jay flinched at the sudden illumination.

“On second thought,” Jay went on, “maybe there’s a nearby cave or something…?”

There wasn’t. Because there’s never a cave when you need one, right?

If Cole’s joints hadn’t been achy before, they sure ached now. Mixed with his chattering teeth and rising nausea, it became increasingly difficult to pay attention to anything besides the left, right, left march of his feet.

One foot in front of the other.

One at a time.

You’re almost there.

Almost… where…?

They had no destination. Even the trees provided minimal cover in their half-decayed state. Stupid Autumn, killing all the trees. And to think, it used to be my favorite season.

“ Cole! ” His head spun as Jay grabbed his shoulder, putting a stop to his mindless forward advance.

Steady… Steady…

Blinking hard did nothing to ease the dizziness as Cole glanced at Jay. “What?”

“Are you all right?” A mural of concern painted Jay’s face. “I’ve been trying to get your attention for a whole minute!”

Cole couldn’t help but smirk. “You timed it, huh?”

“Cole, I’m serious. It’s like you couldn’t even hear me, or something.”

“It’s hard to hear over all this rain. I’m fine. Soaked to the bone and freezing, but fine. Now, come on, we have to get out of this storm—”

The stumble was accidental. Maybe he’d slipped on the wet grass, though it felt as if his legs had just up and decided to stop working.

Slipped. You definitely slipped.

But it’s fine.

You’re fine.

“Cole—?”

“I’m fine! Now, come on! ”

They kept pushing forward, only this time, the silence was anything but comfortable. Cole’s focus was now split between putting one foot in front of the other and ignoring the looks Jay kept flashing his way.

Quit worrying… I’m fine.

I’m…

“Cole!”

He hadn’t even felt it. The buckling of his legs, the tipping of the landscape. The explosion of pain in his knees.

The aftermath, however, came at him without mercy. Pain. Sheer pain flooding through his knees and pinching his cheeks, which had gotten too hot at some point. You’re supposed to be freezing. Why’re you so hot?

Someone was shaking him, shouting his name. Yet, the world was all too fuzzy. Too dizzy. He couldn’t think. Couldn’t see through all that rain. Couldn’t hear over the buzzing in his ears.

And weak. He felt so weak.

I’m not weak, I’m…

Master of Earth.

Strength was kind of his thing.

So why can’t I…

Another wave of nausea washed over him as Jay shook his shoulders, mouth running a mile a minute. Way too fast for Cole to comprehend anything he said.

Something about staying? Or was it going? Get going…?

Shelter. Yeah, maybe Jay would find them a nice little cabin in the woods.

Shelter… Wake me up when you find it…

Help. Jay was saying something about needing help.

Sure… Cole blinked. Sure, just… Just hang on a sec.

His lungs suddenly screamed at him and he launched into a coughing fit that threatened to shred his entire throat.

“ Cole! ”

Just…

Just hang on, Jay…

Falling. He was falling again.

This time, he felt it. Felt Jay’s grip tighten on his shoulders. Felt his body go limp.

Felt whatever strength he’d had left seep out of him as the coughing finally subsided.

Help is on the way…

Chapter Text

He should’ve seen it coming.

Stupid! Idiot, you never catch on until it’s too late!

Always too late…

“Cole?” Screaming his brother’s name through the wind and the rain was pointless, Jay knew. And yet, he couldn’t help it. “Cole!”

He needed Cole. Needed him to wake up!

Instead, the mighty Master of Earth lay limp in Jay’s arms. It was perhaps the stillest he’d ever seen his friend.

“Come on, don’t do this to me, okay? I can’t—” Salty tears mixed with the rain trailing down his cheeks. “I’m not—”

Pull yourself together! What would Cole do?

Cole would carry him. Right… It would be as easy as 1-2-3 for Cole to scoop him up and carry him to the nearest place of shelter had their roles been reversed.

Because Cole possessed an enviable amount of strength that Jay could only dream of having himself.

Lightning lit up the sky. Usually, it was beautiful, a gorgeous display of Jay’s element. Usually, he could never get enough of it.

Usually, he didn’t curse its very existence.

As the rolling thunder threatened to burst his eardrums, Jay cursed the lightning with all his might.

It’s never good for anything, anyway.

It’s not strong enough to do anything but mess things up. It doesn’t do anything but destroy.

“All right, uh…” Wetting his lips—overkill, because the rain had already done that, idiot —Jay slipped his arms around his friend and pulled. “Come on, Cole! Why do you have to be so heavy?”

Why do you have to be so weak?

A few moments of struggling did more harm than good, sinking Jay down even further than before, until he could practically feel the mud begin to coat his knees.

"Thirty miles," he muttered. "Didn't you say something about the village being about thirty miles away? Right, Cole? Cole? "

He felt insane, talking to someone who couldn't even hear him anymore, but he just couldn't stop. The silence was killing him. He needed to say something, to do something.

Something that would help Cole before—

Before what?

Jay didn't want to think about it. Not yet. Not when Cole had begun to shiver.

Out of the rain. Right, uh… He needed to get Cole out of the rain and—

And... what?

"I don't know, I—" Jay sucked in a breath, glancing around as if he thought someone might be there to help him. "The village. We've been walking for most of the day, right? So, we should be close... Right, Cole?"

Nothing.

But Jay didn't know what else he'd been expecting.

"All right. All right, uh..." The breath Jay took was the kind that could only be summoned from the very depths of one's being. "All right. Don't worry, Cole. I'm going to get you some help, or at least somewhere dry. I promise."

Mustering every ounce of strength he possessed, Jay slung Cole across his back and struggled to his feet.

One step at a time. You can do this.

You can...

It shouldn't have been this hard, but maybe the last leg of their journey had a hand in his weakness.

We've already been walking for a long time.

And in the wind and rain, too. Either way, you could do with some more strength training…

Yeah… Yeah.

Jay adjusted Cole. His friend felt sturdy against his back, despite the way his brain seemed to want to play tricks on him. Making him think Cole was slipping off… 

Or maybe... you're just weak.

Right.

Well... He couldn't be weak. Not tonight.

Not when Cole needed him. As he struggled through the forest, taking things one step at a time, Jay marveled at how much strength one could find in moments of desperation.

The rain continued to pummel him, smacking his face in little bullets of cold, wet misery.

If he told himself that he could do it enough times, then maybe he really would.

You can do it.

You can make it.

Just one more step.

Just one more—

Something flew out of nowhere and struck his foot, sending him flying to the ground. The wet, muddy, cold ground.

Logically, he knew that certain something must have been a rock, but Jay felt purposely attacked nonetheless. Whatever it was had ruined his pattern; had snapped his string of stamina. Now, he was lying face-first in the dirt with Cole crushing his shoulders… and he didn't even care.

Maybe he could just stay like that forever.

Maybe... Just until I get my strength back.

Or we could, you know, just die here together. That wouldn’t be so bad.

Maybe he could just close his eyes and never wake up…

It was a tempting thought. So tempting, in fact, that soon he found himself losing track of how long he had been trapped there.

… But no.

No… Cole needs you. You promised.

Yeah… Okay. Sure…

"Cole," he whispered, his voice lost in the roar of the squall, "you're crushing me. Get off..."

Nothing.

But Jay hadn't been expecting a reply. He'd just needed to say something. Because maybe if he kept talking, Cole would hear him and wake up. That’s how it always happened in the movies, wasn’t it?

Yeah…

Then everything would be fine.

No, he'd still be sick, you idiot.

Oh. Right. Heh.

Being sick didn't sound so bad… Passing out right then and there sounded downright blessed with the way Jay's muscles had been screaming at him for the past… however long it had been.

But he'd made a promise.

Yeah...

"I promise…" he mumbled, finding it draining just to move his lips now. "... Promise, I'll get… get someone to help you, Cole… Promise..."

With a groan, Jay pulled his legs under himself, secured his grip again on his brother, then pushed himself to his feet. In the darkness, someone cried out.

Someone who sounded an awful lot like him.

Don’t think about that. Don’t think about that. Not now. You have a mission to accomplish.

And Ninja never quit, remember?

A small part of his mind wondered what would've happened if he and Cole really had gone their separate ways like the others. He shivered at the thought. Cole would've been all alone right now. They both would have been all alone.

And Jay was pretty sure he couldn't have handled that.

Which is why you have to be okay, Cole. Do you hear me?

"You have to be okay… You're gonna be okay and—"

There it was. A soft, small glow shining in the distance like a beacon.

A beacon guiding his worn ship to a safe harbor.

"Cole! Cole! Do you see that?" Sucking in a deep breath, Jay found he couldn't even be bothered by the nothing that followed yet again.

They had found the village.

In his haste and excitement to move forward, Jay was careful not to stumble. If he fell again, he was certain he'd never be able to get back up. It was slow going, but in his mind, they were almost there. For the next ten or fifteen minutes—Jay had completely lost count—they were almost there.

Until the soft, disembodied light morphed into a candle in the window. In the window.

That meant a house. That meant safety. That meant a dry place to collapse and rest and—

And take care of Cole. That came before anything.

"I told you." Jay pushed the words out on a heavy sigh. "Didn't I tell you, Cole? Cole, I told you… I promised. We made it."

When he made it to the door, he knocked so hard that it was a wonder his knuckles didn't burst. Instead, it was the door that cracked open, letting a glorious stream of light and warmth trickle into the storm. A young woman's face peered out at them, her features pinched in concern and confusion.

"What—?" she began, but Jay's mouth was already moving and there was no way he could've stopped it—even if he'd wanted to.

"Something's wrong with my friend," he explained in a rush. "He's sick and I need your help. If nothing else, he just needs a place to dry off before the rain makes everything worse."

It's probably too late for that, if we're being honest.

Shut up.

The woman hesitated longer than Jay would have thought or hoped, but he supposed not everyone's first instinct was to help the helpless.

We're not helpless.

We just need shelter...

Hesitation still dancing across her dark eyes, she nodded at long last. "Come in."

"Thank you." The sheer relief in his voice must have melted some of her hesitation because the corners of her eyes softened.

"I'll get you both something to dry off. You can sit over there by the fireplace."

"Thank you." The words floated out on a heavy sigh.

A tiny prick of guilt assaulted the back of his mind as he became aware of all the water he was dripping on her wood floor.

But Cole needed help. Cole was top priority. He could mop her floor later.

In another timeline, he was pretty good at that… 

"You're gonna be okay," he whispered as the woman returned with a couple towels and a single blanket.

It was then that Jay took a moment to survey the cottage. It was a small room, barely large enough to hold the fireplace, a kitchen area, a couch, and a table for two. Against the far wall, a thin staircase led the way to what was most likely an even smaller bedroom.

Taking the towels and the blanket, Jay made absolutely certain that every ounce of his gratitude reflected in his eyes when he said, "Thank you."

On and off over the years, Jay had found himself envying Kai's fire. It was a handy element; a heck of a lot more useful than lightning. Now, as he dried Cole off, ignoring his own shivering, he wanted so desperately to be able to conjure a flame with his bare hands.

Might've made things easier.

Why are you always so useless, anyway?

The woman cleared her throat, still hovering over them. Still wearing that hesitant, almost wary look on her young face.

"Who are you?"

Jay didn't know how to answer that. His back ached, his skin felt like ice, and his muscles hadn't stopped screaming at him since he'd picked Cole up however many miles back.

The calming edge around his voice was a mere facade as his insides still raged with anxiety for Cole. "We're just passing through. We're not here to cause any trouble, I swear. Just... Well, I have no idea what's wrong with him and I needed to get him out of the rain. He just collapsed on my out of nowhere and—"

Too much information. Too much information. You barely know her, part of him scolded, while another part whispered an old, familiary taunt.

Weak. Weak.

He was showing too much weakness to a total stranger who might even just be tricking him so she could—

Jay shut down that train of thought before it could get any more steam.

What?

What could she even do?

Taking a long, steadying breath, he rolled up one of the towels and tucked it under Cole's head as a makeshift pillow. After covering him up with the blanket, Jay pried himself off the floor.

"Jay Walker," he said, holding out his hand for her to take. Proper introductions seemed to be in order.

Only… She didn't take it. If anything, she recoiled. The mix of emotions dancing across her face set the hair on the back of Jay's neck on edge. As she crossed her arms with a shaky huff, a shiver trailed down his spine. Something told him that it wasn't a product of the cold and rain.

"You…" Another unsteady breath had her taking a single step backward. "You're dressed the same as him… I knew it, I never should've let you in! My brother is going to… When he gets home, he'll… And then—"

"Whoa, okay, hold on a second!" Jay held up his hands in surrender, hoping to ease her rising panic. "Who are you talking about? Look, when I promised that we don't want to hurt you, I meant it! So, just take a few seconds and breathe, okay?"

It was the kind of advice Cole had given him countless times. If he could somehow help this lady calm down, then maybe all those panic attacks Cole had to talk him down from hadn't been for nothing.

"Listen to me," Jay pressed on, "you don't have to be afraid of us."

Very reassuring, Jay. Yes, great advice.

Shut up!

"I'm not." She sucked in a deep breath, finally, and her chest stopped its stuttering panic for a moment or two. "I'm afraid of what my brother will do to you when he comes home."

Okay... That was certainly unexpected and it left Jay more than a little confused.

"You can't stay here," came her sudden decision, her once flighty expression now solid with resolve. "You have to leave. Now."

"I can't take him back out there!" Jay argued, risking a glance back at Cole. "And even if I could, I wouldn’t leave without getting some sort of explanation. What's the deal with your brother and why—?"

A wet, spluttering cough echoed off the walls and Jay was at Cole's side in seconds.

The mere sound of it hurt Jay's chest and throat. Whatever bug Cole was fighting, it had grabbed him by the lungs with a vice-like grip—and it had no intention of letting him go.

"You're gonna be okay," Jay whispered as the coughing started to subside, leaving him locked in the prison of unconsciousness. "I promise. I promise, I—"

A shadow fell over them as Jay moved to cradle Cole's head in his lap. Their mysterious host stood there once more, the hesitance creeping back into her face. This time, it was accompanied by a touch of compassion and was that a slight hint of guilt…?

"Wait there. And I mean don't move from that spot, " she ordered before disappearing up the staircase.

For a long moment, Jay sat there, his weary mind racing to come up with some sort of game plan. He could take Cole and run right now. Leave this weird lady and her creepy premonitions behind.

He shot that idea down fast, tightening his grip on his brother. Cole was fading and Jay didn't know why, or from what, or how to help him, but he knew he had to do something. And if that meant sticking it out in a strange woman and her brother's cabin… 

So be it.

What’s the worst that could happen?

Cole would've done the same for him—and more.

"Though," Jay said, forcing a huff of a laugh as he adjusted the blanket on Cole, "I'm gonna say this right now: if her brother comes back and he's some sort of heavy-weight wrestling champion, we're out of here, got it?"

Cole made no reply. Of course, he didn't, idiot.

Still, Jay's chest constricted a little more each time his conversation was met with that same unnerving silence. It wasn't supposed to be like that. He was so used to Cole not only listening to his ramblings, but responding. Acknowledging them in ways only his best friend had ever been able to do. Not even Zane or Nya could listen as good as Cole.

Jay could count on less than five fingers how many times he'd seen Cole get sick. That hangover that one time doesn’t count… At one point, Jay had even been jealous of the guy's stamina.

Makes sense that the strongest ninja gets to have the strongest immune system, I guess.

Only a handful of minutes later, the woman returned with a bundle of clothes in her arms.

"Put these on," she said before Jay could get a word out.

Though he took the offered clothes, Jay shook his head. "Nope, not until you tell me what the heck is going on here."

She pursed her lips in that stubborn way Nya always did when she was right about to cave.

Come on… Come on…

“I’m not looking for your entire life’s story. We don’t really have time for that,” he prodded, “and I definitely don’t have the patience right now. But… Come on, you’ve got to give me something. If the tables were turned, I’m sure you wouldn’t want to be kept in the dark like this.”

That had always been one of his least favorite things. The not knowing. He couldn’t even suffer through a horror movie with Cole because he didn’t like not knowing what was about to come next. Not knowing what was about to jump out at him when he least expected it…

This whole trip had already been a little too drama-esque for Jay. He didn’t need it turning into a horror flick, too.

Eventually, a slow, drawn out sigh escaped the woman's mouth and he watched her shoulders slump, feeling his own relax a little.

"If my brother walks in and you’re stil dressed like that, he'll see to it that you're locked away just like the other one."

A prickle trailed down Jay's spine, that earlier sense of unease returning full-force. Though he really didn't like where she was going with this, he wished she would just spit it out already.

"You're here to rescue him, aren't you?"

Jay felt like grabbing a handful of his hair and tearing it out. "Rescue who?"

The woman stole a glance behind her, shoulders tensing as if she expected someone to materialize and whack her upside the head.

Lowering her voice, she finally replied, "The Fire Witch."

His fingers tightened around the clothes, needing something to squeeze, to steady him, to ground him. Acting confused would only be delaying the inevitable, so he fought to keep his expression neutral. Easier said than done because only one person matched that description in Jay's mind and he hoped to the First Spinjitzu Master that he was wrong.

Please, please, let me be wrong.

"He said some of the same things you did, when he first arrived," she continued, her voice almost too soft to hear now. "He said he came in peace. Said he was looking for someone. When they saw the fire in his hands—his makeshift torch in the night—they all panicked. He wanted to explain things… but the village got to him first."

"What? Where is he? What did they do to him?" It took everything in him not to grab her by the shoulders and shake all the information out of her, his neutral expression be damned.

"Then you do know him."

"No! Yes. Well, maybe. I don't know." Flustered, Jay sucked in a sharp breath. "Did he have spiky brown hair?"

Please say no. Please say—

But the recognition in her eyes told him all he needed to know.

Just when he'd thought this day couldn't get any worse.

"Get into those clothes and give me your old ones," she said, changing the subject with all the tact of Lloyd when he was trying to tell a lie. "We'll talk later. When it's safe."

Breathe. Breathe, you idiot.

She was walking to the kitchen area now—putting on some tea, by the sound of it. Though Jay couldn't hear much over the growing buzz in his ears.

Stop it! Just breathe and—

First, Cole wasn't waking up, and now this crazy, superstitious village had their hands on Kai.

And he didn't know how to even start trying to fix it all.

Swallowing back the lump of emotion that threatened his throat, Jay forced himself to breathe. It's what Cole would have told him to do, right?

Only once before had he felt so very helpless—so very alone. In another timeline, in a faraway world… He hadn’t done so well then, but this time, he would do everything in his power to keep his friends safe.

Or die trying.

It was the least he could do after all they had ever done for him.

Clenching a fist, Jay ran a hand through his sopping hair. A vain effort to steady himself.

I promise, Cole, I’ll help you get better.

And I swear to you, Kai…

… I’ll get you out of whatever dungeon they have you in.

Another deep breath, another pulse of determination flushing through his veins.

I promise.