Transgender Jay : A Ninjago Story

31 - Rubble

(Warning. This chapter contains some mild gore and strong language).

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The sheer force of the explosion blew Cole backwards a few feet, and for a number of seconds, he was completely incapacitated.

Ears ringing so loudly he couldn't even hear his own breathing, no energy to get himself up, and the weight of what had just happened bore him down, dragging his morale and conscience deep into the depths of despair...

But then...

He remembered Jay.

Jay, who hadn't wasted a single second.
Jay, who had sprung into action immediately.
Jay, who had saved all their skins.
Jay, who they could all be dead without.
Jay, who launched himself in the direction of those in trouble.
Jay, who acted selflessly.
Jay, who risked his life.

Jay, who was currently buried under rubble... possibly already dead.

"... J-J... Jay!"

Cole managed to collect enough energy to drag himself off the glass and rubble covered floor, limping as quickly as he could over to the blast radius.

A piece of debris had shot past him during the event, and tore a huge gash in his leg. He payed no mind to it, no matter how much it hurt. He hit his head pretty badly too, as he came to the ground after the blast.

"... JAY!" He screamed, begging for some sort of answer to come out of the wasteland in front of him, but there was nothing.

Everything was swaying, and blowing itself out of proportion, but he couldn't give up.

With immense effort, Cole used his elemental powers to shift a large section of concrete out of the way. He was ever so grateful at that moment that he had been blessed with this specific ability, because without it, uncovering even a sign of Jay's location would be near impossible.

More shifting, more calling. He started to hear the other Ninja making their way downstairs, to where the main blast had been.

Again and again he moved the rocks, trying his hardest to remember Jay's position as it went off, but nothing was functioning right in his head.

Once more, and again, and another...

He seemed to be getting nowhere, and started clawing at the mess with his battered hands, unable to muster any more elemental strength.

Everything swayed... and he felt woozy... and pointless, and as if he had failed...

But with one final movement, a specific flat of rock fell away, revealing a snippet of electric blue material.

... could it, really be?

Cole slapped himself, waking himself up and refusing to fall under. Not now. Not now that he was so close.

Brick by brick, dust and grime, more blue came to light, and eventually, Jay's figure was recognisable.

Cole could have cried in relief, grabbing his friend under his shoulders and pulling him out of the rubble. Zane was the first to reach downstairs, and rushed over to help straight away.

"Cole! Thank god you are ok! What about Jay? Is he breathing?"

Cole couldn't do more than shrug, and once Jay was safely out of danger, lying on the floor, clearly still alive... he finally let his unconsciousness get the better of him, and passed out.