We both deserve better. (Ninjago Fanfic)

chapter 28.

Everything went by in a blur.
The bounty neared in sight. Jay could hear hushed voices, and he felt hands grab his Gi and pull him on to the ship. A groan escaped his lips, quickly hushed by reassuring voices.

The world faded to black again, and this time he didn't resist. They were safe. They were safe.

They were safe.

~~~

Kai was getting patched up in his room. It was very painful, and his eyes were squeezed shut, bottom lip bleeding from where he was biting it. Zane worked away with the bandages.

Nya stared down at him with sympathy. She wanted to comfort him, but she couldn't even hold his hand because they were injured so badly. So she gently sat beside him and ran a hand through his hair, hoping it was helping him relax. Nya did her best to soothe Kai until Zane was finished, the fire ninja covered practically head to toe in bandages. "Thanks Zane." He smiled. Kai looked up at her, with his bruised face, hollow cheeks- it hurt to see him like this. But he was safe. They were safe.

They were safe.

~~~

Jays eyes fluttered open, and he squinted. As his eyes adjusted, he stared around the room in bewilderment. Where was he?

Shapes started to form as his vision cleared. A chest of drawers, a window with pale light beaming through- Of course. It was his bedroom. How could he forget?
He grasped the blue bedsheets, rubbing it between his fingers, comforted by the familiar fabric.

They were safe. But why didn't it feel that way? Why did it feel like he could still hear the doctors harsh breathing down his neck, the deceiving whispers in his ears?

Jay shuddered, trying to rid himself of the horrible feeling. It wasn't what he needed. He needed to heal, and try to forget what happened.

But was that really a good way to move on? To forget what happened in the past? Or should he accept what had been done and try to get through it? Indecision gnawed at his mind, and he sat there for a while, seemingly staring off into space.

A knock at the door disrupted his thoughts, and Cole peeped through. "You feeling ok, Jay?" He asked softly, entering the room. The lightning ninja nodded, smiling weakly. But it wasn't true, not really. He felt like he was being haunted by his past. Which was kind of pathetic.

"What you did out there with the lighting and the storm and stuff.. that was BADASS." Cole smiled broadly. "Seriously. Taking all of those guys down with just one bolt? So fricking cool."

He paused when the ninja didn't respond.

"Seriously though... thank you. Without you, I don't know what we would've done. We'd probably be back in that place, and that would've been the most pathetic excuse of a rescue mission ever. Thank you." The words hit Jay hard. He had been helpful. He wasn't completely useless. Without him, they wouldn't have escaped. But there was still that incessant feeling in his stomach, and he feared it would never go away.

How did he even do it? Will he be able to do it again? He didn't know. But he didn't need to worry about that right now.

Images flashed by his mind, recalling the events in the fortress. It was horrible. Jay didn't want to think about it, but his brain wouldn't stop. It was all he could think about.

He needed to distract himself, but it was hard just sitting in a bed all day. "...Cole?" He asked hesitantly, staring up at the tall figure. "Do you think you could take me to see Wu? I need to ask him something."

The earth Ninja nodded, and Jay tugged at his covers, feeling the slight chill of the room as the warmth of the duvet was pulled off. Reaching out a hand, Cole grasped Jays figure and put his arm around his shoulder. The lightning Ninja gasped as his feet touched the ground, and he grimaced. "You ok?" Cole asked. He nodded and they slowly made their way down the corridor.

Cole briskly knocked on the Sensei's door, and it was quickly answered by a muffled "come in." He opened the door and ushered Jay inside, setting him down on a chair in the corner of the room. Master Wu was lighting his incense candles, cross legged in the middle of the floor.

"Sorry to disturb you, Sensei." Jay started, fiddling with his fingers. "But I had something I wanted to ask you. I hope you don't mind, it's fine if you're busy and I can always come back but I was just wondering if you could help me with something that's been bothering me, but it's totally ok, I can always come back or find someone else-"

"Yes, that's fine Jay." Master Wu interrupted. He gestured at Cole to leave the room, and the ninja nodded and closed the door gently behind him.

It was peaceful in here, Jay thought. The incense filled the room with the smell of cinnamon, and it was warm and cozy. He took a deep breath. "Master Wu, how did I control the sky?"

Wu froze, seemingly lost in thought. Jay stiffened. Did his Sensei really not know?

"I'm not quite sure, Jay. Your elemental power is more powerful, and filled with more raw energy than any lightning master before you. The more power you possess, the more you are connected with your element."

He pondered for a moment more, then continued. "Yes, I suppose once you are in tune with your element you could probably control it in nature. Yes."

Jay nodded, satisfied with the answer. It wasn't some freak accident, he was supposed to be able to do it. It was ok.

"Do you think I'll be able to do it again?" He ventured. His Sensei nodded. "Yes, I think so. Not always, though. It seems that it's connected to your emotions, so if you want to be able to use it in all battles, you'll need to train."

"Thank you Sensei. Jay stood up shakily, but grunted in pain and fell to his knees. Stupid- legs- he thought angrily. Just work! It felt like bolts of lightning were making their way through his bones and muscles, and every step he took felt like being shocked.

"Cole." Master Wu called. The earth ninja sheepishly walked into the room and helped Jay get up. He turned red with embarrassment, but let Cole help him up. If he strained his body, the longer it would take to heal. It was best to take it easy for now. They made their way to the door, and the lightning ninja looked back at his master one more time. He looked.. proud.