Ninjago (Spellbound)

I miss him too

Cole carried Jay onto the Bounty with grim focus, the same focus he always had when someone he loved was slipping away. His arms were tight, steady—not panicked, just determined.

Zane cleared the med bay bed in a blur and guided Cole to lay Jay down. His hands moved with practiced precision as he attached the monitors.

Then he froze.

The screen didn't flicker. Didn't jump. Didn't even try.

Just a silent, unbroken flat line.

Zane's optics dimmed. "...Everyone. Please come here. Quickly."

Lloyd and Kai burst in. Nya shoved past them, grabbing Jay's arm like she could pull him back by sheer force.

"Zane—what is it? What's wrong?" Nya demanded, voice fraying at the edges.

Zane's voice softened. "Jay's heart is no longer functioning."

The air left the room.

Cole stepped forward automatically, set his jaw, and began compressions—steady, counting under his breath like Zane had taught them years ago.

"Cole," Zane said quietly, "there is no electrical activity. There is no cardiac rhythm to restore."

"I'm not stopping," Cole growled. "Not until he wakes up."

"Cole..." Nya whispered, and her voice cracked in a way it almost never did. "He's... gone."

His hands slowed. Then stopped entirely.

Cole leaned over Jay, shoulders shaking once. "Sorry, man," he whispered. "I'm so sorry."

No one said anything after that. Even Kai, ever the loud one, stood frozen at the foot of the bed, fists trembling.

Hours passed.

Nya sat beside Jay, elbows on her knees, his cold hand clasped tightly in hers. The med bay felt too silent, too still. Now that she was alone, the steady front she'd held in front of the others finally cracked.

Her thumb traced the scar on his knuckle—the one he got sparring Cole after insisting he was "totally ready."

Her breath trembled.

"You idiot," she whispered, but her voice wasn't angry. Just broken. "Not because you ran off. Not this time."
She swallowed hard. "Because you always believe we'll find a way out. You always think we'll save each other in time."

A tear slipped down her cheek and hit his hand.

"And I believed it too," she whispered. "I believed we'd get you back. I thought... I thought you'd hold on until we reached you."

She drew in a shaky breath and rested her forehead gently against his arm.

"You promised me a wedding. A home. A life."
Her voice thinned. "I'm still holding you to that. I don't care how impossible it sounds."

No sobs. No outbursts.

Just quiet heartbreak from a girl who refused to let go.

She stayed like that—quietly breaking apart—until the Bounty touched down.

⸻

When the ramp lowered at the monastery, Wu and Misako were already waiting.
They didn't have time to brace themselves.

Libber sprinted up the ramp the instant it touched the ground.

The moment she saw her son on the med bay bed, she stumbled, catching herself with both hands on the frame.

"Oh, Jay..." She pressed her palm to his cheek, her voice collapsing. "My baby..."

Wu stepped forward, guilt weighing down every line of his face. "Libber... I am so sorry. I never wanted—"

"Don't," she snapped, not out of anger but heartbreak. "You told me he'd be safe with you. You told me giving him up was the right choice."

Wu's shoulders fell. "I failed you. And him."

Misako reached out gently. "Libber—let us help—"

"No." Libber wiped her face with an unsteady hand. "Just... give me time with him."

Wu bowed his head. He and Misako quietly stepped out.

Inside, Nya was still there, holding Jay's hand with both of hers, thumb brushing soft circles over cold skin.

Libber's voice softened. "You're... the girl he talked about, aren't you?"

Nya nodded once. "I'm his fiancée."

Something fragile broke in Libber's expression, but she reached out and squeezed Nya's shoulder gently.

"He loved you," she whispered. "He talked about you every chance he got."

Nya pressed her lips together, fighting another wave of tears. "I know."

⸻

Ed and Edna arrived soon after—red-eyed but still very much themselves.

Edna hurried to Jay's side. "Oh, pumpkin... you look freezing! I told you to wear the extra sweater—why didn't you wear it? You always forget the sweater..."

Her voice cracked, but she didn't stop talking. She never did.

Ed wrapped his arms around her. "We're here now, Jay. Mom and Dad are here."

Zane stood nearby, hands folded. "I am truly sorry. We exhausted every option available."

Ed sniffled but managed a weak smile. "We know you tried, son. You always do."

⸻

Later that night, Lloyd found Cole sitting on the monastery steps, elbows on his knees, staring out at nothing.

"You holding up?" Lloyd asked softly, sitting beside him.

Cole shook his head. "I should've been faster. Stronger. I should've... something."

"Cole," Lloyd said, nudging him, "Jay wouldn't want you blaming yourself."

Cole exhaled slowly. "...Yeah. I know."

They stayed there together, saying nothing more.

Sometimes silence was the only thing they had.

⸻

Wu sat on the lower steps outside, hands folded, head bowed. Garmadon stood beside him, arms crossed.

"I told Libber he would be safe," Wu whispered. "I told her we would protect him."

Garmadon sighed deeply. "The blame lies with the witch who did this. Not with you."

Wu didn't lift his head. "I only hope the book of fate has more planned for the boy... and that his story does not end here."

The wind moved through the monastery, quiet and cold.

And for now... the ninja had no answers.