Ninjago (Spellbound)

Its time

Jay was in a forest near the Hereafter. His heart pounded in his chest. Would he die? Would he win? Could Trixie even be killed?

He was snapped out of his thoughts by a rustling sound. He raised his nunchucks toward the noise. A small figure stepped out of the bush—it was only Stephany.

Jay walked up to her and asked, "Steph, what are you doing here? You could get killed."

Stephany looked up and said firmly, "Jay, you're my brother, and I'm not leaving you."

Jay knelt down, put his hands on her shoulders, and shouted, "Stephany, get out of here! I can't let Trixie kill you. I don't know what I'd do with myself if you got hurt. Just go back and let me handle this."

Stephany took Jay's hands and whispered, "Jay, I know you're scared. Just let me walk you to her. Once we're there, I'll hide—but I'm not leaving you."

Jay nodded, and the two walked for a while. The air grew heavier with every step, and the trees seemed to close in around them. When they reached a clearing, Trixie was waiting. Her eyes glowed like burning coals, and the wind around her twisted unnaturally.

Trixie yelled, "Jay, you brought her to me. Well, she won't be much to kill."

Jay stepped in front of Stephany and shouted, "Trixie, leave them all alone. Don't come near them, and we can finish this."

Trixie tilted her head and grinned like a wolf. "Gladly."

Jay took off his yang necklace, placed it around Stephany's neck, and said softly, "Give this to Nya for me. Take care of them when I'm gone."

Stephany's throat tightened. She wanted to tell him not to talk like that, but no words came. She just nodded and stepped back, hiding behind the bush, her fingers clutching the necklace like it was a lifeline.

Jay stepped forward, tightening his grip on his nunchucks. The wind howled through the trees, kicking up dust and leaves around the clearing.

Trixie raised her hands and sent a bolt of dark energy straight at Jay. He jumped aside, flipping through the air, and threw a lightning strike back. It hit the ground behind her, lighting it up like a storm. She laughed.

"That's all you've got?" she mocked.

Jay charged forward, spinning his nunchucks, sending arcs of blue lightning flashing through the clearing. Trixie blocked with a wall of shadow, and the two forces clashed, sending a shockwave through the forest. Branches snapped. Trees cracked.

Jay leapt again, slamming down a bolt of lightning toward her feet. She dodged and fired a blast that grazed his arm. He hissed in pain but didn't slow down.

Their powers collided again and again—lightning against shadow—lighting up the forest like a stormy night sky.

Trixie vanished into smoke. Jay spun around, scanning the clearing. "Coward!" he shouted.

She reappeared behind him, swinging a black blade. Jay barely blocked it, sparks and lightning shooting from the clash. They pushed against each other, faces inches apart.

"You're weak, Jay," Trixie growled. "And weak things die."

"Yeah?" Jay shot back. "Then why am I still standing?"

He kicked her back and slammed a burst of lightning into her chest, knocking her into a tree. She got up slowly, blood running from her mouth, and laughed. "Finally fighting like you mean it."

They charged at each other again. This time, their fight was faster—blows landing, powers exploding around them. Jay was panting, sweat and blood mixing on his face, but he didn't stop.

Trixie's blade nicked his shoulder, then his side. Jay cried out but countered with a strike to her ribs, sending a shock through her body.

For a moment, the world went silent—just the sound of their heavy breathing.

Then Trixie screamed and threw everything she had at him. Shadow wrapped around the trees, crawling toward Jay like living snakes. Jay spun his nunchucks, unleashing a wave of lightning that burned through the darkness.

Trixie gritted her teeth. "You can't win."

Jay smirked through the pain. "Watch me."

He summoned a massive lightning strike from the sky, crashing down between them. The blast sent both of them flying back. Jay coughed, forcing himself to stand again.

That was when she pulled out a knife.

She vanished into smoke and reappeared behind him. Jay turned too slowly—she plunged the knife deep into his back. His breath hitched as pain ripped through him. He dropped to his knees, blood soaking his shirt.

Trixie leaned down, whispering in his ear, "This time, when I kill you, I won't be so nice."

Jay laughed weakly. "I really don't think a death curse is nice, but okay."

He clenched his fists, lightning sparking around him like a storm breaking loose. With the last of his strength, he shot a surge of power straight through her. She screamed as the lightning exploded inside her.

Jay didn't stop. He pushed harder, letting everything he had out in one last strike.

Trixie's body convulsed before she burst apart—blood and guts flying everywhere, the shadow around her tearing into smoke and fading into the night.

Stephany ran out of her hiding spot and dropped to Jay's side. Warm red blood covered his back and stomach. Her breath caught in her throat, but she kept her hands steady as she pressed down on the wound.

"Jay," she whispered, trying to keep her voice from breaking. "Stay with me, please."

Jay grabbed her hand and whispered, "Hey, it's okay. I'm okay. Look after them for me, okay?"

His hand went limp in hers, she let go.. Stephany's jaw clenched, and she let out a shaky breath. Tears built up but didn't fall right away. She didn't scream. She just sat there, looking at him.

"Come on, Jay," she whispered, voice trembling. "Not like this. Please, not like this."

When she finally felt no pulse, her body stiffened, and the tears she'd been holding back slipped down her cheeks.

Then, quietly but firmly, she began the spell.

"Flos, fulgens et rutilans Tuae virtutes luceant. Fac horologium contra.
Reduc quod olim fuit meum. Sana quod est malum.
Mutato fatorum consilio. Serva quod perierat.
Reduc quod olim fuit meum. Quod olim fuit meum," Stephany whispered.

She waited, but nothing happened. Her shoulders shook, and she buried her face in her hands, forcing herself not to scream.

Then Jay sat up and asked, "Hey, you ready to go back home?"

Stephany let out a shaky breath and wiped her eyes. "Yeah," she whispered.

The two of them walked back to the monastery together.