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"What good is livin' a life you've been given If all you do is stand in one place..."
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I took a deep, shuddering breath in. Devin sat between me and Jay on the deck of the Bounty. The warm summer breeze combed through our hair as the sun warmed our backs. I searched for words, trying to find what to say to my brother. He sat, reading a book with tattered pages. Few were privy to know this about Jay, but he really does love reading. It's a crazy idea, because getting him to sit still and quiet for a few minutes is a feat even I can't pull off. He wouldn't admit it out loud, and sometimes he denies it or plays up the fact that he "hates reading" but yet here he sits.

"I have to tell you something." I muttered and Jay looked up from his page.

"Oh goodie! I love secrets." He closed his book and held his chin in his hands, blinking ginger eyelashes at me. "Pray tell."

I smiled as his goofy response and shook my head. "I, uh... told Cole that we could start over and we're going out tonight."

"On a date?!" Jay gasped and bounced in his seated position. "Ooooo I knew it! I knew it wouldn't be long before you two cuties got back together again!"

"Yeah yeah, zip it."

"Kai owes me ten bucks!" He got up and raced over to Kai and Lloyd, sitting on the stairs going down into the bounty. I laughed as he made wild gestures and Kai yelled in frustration as he gave up his money and Lloyd threw me a thumbs up.

Zane entered the scene and popped his head out to announce lunch and a meeting.

Bellies full and appetites swindled, we began to mull in the bridge over what Jax and his crew would do to strike next. Wu and Misako had pin pointed a few locations on the map that would be the most likely places to strike next.

I narrowed eyes at Kai as he elbowed Cole and wiggles his eyebrows at him. Jay snickered and Wu cast a silencing glance at all of us. "We have marked three places where Jax could possible strike next. The prison," he pointed to the map where the prison had been marked with a red push pin, "Borg tower, and the concert hall where the mayor will be making an announcement later today."

"The plan is to divide and conquer." Cole continued, looking at each of us in turn. He turned to Lloyd and elbowed the younger boy.

"Right. Um we'll have three teams, with Wu and my mom staying here to man the Bounty for backup. Jay and Kai, you guys will take the prison. We've already contacted them and they know you guys are on your way. The girls and Zane will go to the concert arena during the announcement and Cole and I will go to Borg tower."

"We know that Jax is a weapons dealer. Expect him and his people to be heavily armed and deadly. Watch each other's backs. If you get anything call HQ here." Lloyd instructed with a firm voice.

"And please don't get yourselves killed." Cole emphasized, looking mostly at me.

Zane and I walked the perimeter of the outdoor theater watching as people rolled in. Nya stood up near the mayor, watching from up on the stage. She caught my eye and smiled which I returned.

"I have heard that Jay acquired ten dollars from Kai from a bet involving you and Cole." Zane spoke almost as if asking a question. He caught my eye and gave me a small supportive smile.

"Uh yeah. We're going on an official date tonight and apparently that was bet on. It seems like bets are a running thing in our relationship."

Zane led me off to one side where we could see people trickling in better. "It does seem that way."

I squinted as my smile turned to a frown. "That guy in the black shirt, red cap, tattoos and scars. He looks familiar." Zane nodded in response as he ran the guys face through his system. "Simon Pole, two accounts of breaking and entering, one of arson, and one of kidnapping."

"Ugh." I shuddered and shook my head. "Just because he went to jail for it doesn't mean he's part of Jaxs gang. Let's keep an eye on him, though."

Zane nodded in response. "Agreed."

"Hey, do you guys have any idea what this announcement is about?" Nya, over our coms.

I glanced to Zane, confused. "Uh no, actually. Why do you ask?"

"Because Jax, Scales, Chop, and the gang just shook hands with the mayor."

Jay and Kai walked through the doors to the prison, following the guard that was letting them in. "I remember this place smelling better last time we were here." Jay complained and pinched his nose.

"Quit complaining. It's probably just your breath. Besides, we have a mission to focus on."

"Ugh okay! Okay!" Jay grumbled and crossed his arms. He slowed down, looking at the cells as he passed by. With a frown, he jogged to catch back up with Kai. "Um weren't there more inmates here last time we came...?" He stage whispered into the master of fires ear.

"Cool it, Jay. It's fine." He shrugged the comment off, but his eyes wandered to the cells. "Now that you say that, it is rather sparse..."

The guard harrumphed and led the duo to a empty room. "Wait here, please." His voice was odd and gravely almost as if he needed to clear his throat.

"He's totally creeping me out!" Jay whined as soon as he had left the room.

"Something is up. Hold on, I'll be right back."

"Kai! Don't you leave me! Kai! Kai!!" The ginger grumbled as he was left alone. Minutes ticked by and no one came back for him. Bored and curious, Jay poked his head out the door and glanced both ways before sauntering around the corner where he was suddenly punched, and knocked out cold.

"Nighty-night master of lightning...."

We all watched, slack jawed as Jax and his crew smiled on stage and were recognized as Ninjago's biggest help from their "generous" donations and "heart to help the city." Jax's eyes wandered over the crowd and caught my gaze with a wink.

"What is going on?!"

"Nya! Nya! Hey! I think they got Jay! Jax and his crew took Jay!"