Jay's POV

I studied my reflection in one of the mirrors in my room running my finger across the small cut Nya had made on my neck. The cut still stung a bit. I was still a little shaken up about how quickly everything had escalated. One minute Nya and I were friendly chatting and the next she was holding a knife to my throat threatening to take my life. I didn't think Nya would do something like that.

It's because she isn't herself, I thought, Cole was right. Kai is mind controlling her with Clouse's magic. Even so, how could Kai do that to his own sister? Another thought struck me, making me want to hit myself, Cole had warned me about Nya a night ago and I didn't believe him. How could I have been so idiotic?? Then I told Nya all about that! If anything happens to Cole or Zane it'll be all my fault! Stupid Jay! Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!

I slapped my face into the palms of my hands and groaned. Why did I have to screw up all the time? I lifted my head from my hands and started heading towards the door. Even if I'm a huge screw-up, I should still go meet up with Skylor and Lloyd. Inform them on what happened, so we can make a better plan.

I walked out of my room and down the hall and down a flight of stairs on my way to Lloyd's room. It was closer to mine than Skylor's so it couldn't hurt to check there first. It seemed the two of them were always in either of the two bedrooms trying to make a plan. Or one of them was out patrolling the premiss of the temple. Neither of them ever seemed to take any leisurely time for themselves.

When I arrived in front of the double doors of Lloyd's room I rapped my knuckle against the wooden frame, then waited for a response. Upon hearing none, I decided to check Skylor's room next. As I started back down the hall I heard two familiar voices from the lower level of the temple. I walked over to the railing and peered down. Walking into hall were Zane and Cole. They seemed to be arguing in hushed tones, but I couldn't make out what exactly they were saying. I quickly backed up from the railing so that I was out of their view.

Nya isn't with them, so that means she got away. That's bad. Cole and Zane wouldn't have just given up looking for her though, would they? I mean, they might've wanted to regroup and gather more allies before finding Nya. After all, she's probably back with Kai now. And now Kai knows that Cole knows where he is and that we all know Nya is being mind-controlled. Thoughts swam in my head. And suspicions came to join them, What if Cole and Zane did end up finding Nya and found Kai? What if Kai's mind-controlling them now!? I shook my head trying to expel the thought as I walked, No, Stupid Jay, that can't be true. Zane would have been smart enough not to get caught up in that. Right? But, then again, it's not like nindroids can't be mind-controlled or even reprogrammed...What will I do though if I'm suspicious of my friends? I can't afford to not trust them, not with Kai being a threat and having limited allies.

"Just stick to your original plan, Jay," I mumbled to myself, "You can add your suspicions to the information."

Soon I stood in front of Skylor's doors. I did a short tap on the door and then paused. Waiting for a response. A moment later the door opened, and I was greeted with a tired looking Skylor. Dark circles lined the under of Skylor's caramel colored eyes.

"Hey, Jay," she said, "What's up?"

"Hey, Skylor, can I come in? I want to talk to you about something. Man, you look tired. When was the last time you got a good nights rest?" I rambled.

Skylor held up her hand, "Woah,one thing at a time. Sure you can come in."

She opened the door wider so that I could walk in and then shut it behind me. She then went and sat on the edge of her bed, "So what do you want to talk about?"

"Where's Lloyd? I checked his room and he wasn't there. I thought you two were making plans together and whatnot," I asked.

"He's checking on the premises of the temple and on the prisoners." Skylor responded.

"Do either of you ever take a break from doing things? Like for, I don't know, sleep?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," Skylor yawned which contradicted her words.

"Sure you are," I raised an eyebrow.

"I am!" Skylor insisted.

I put my hands up, "Alright, alright, I'll drop it.  Onto my next topic then. The real reason why I wanted to talk to you."

"And what's that?" Skylor inquired.

I began to tell her about my suspicions about Cole and Zane. The longer I talked the more Skylor's expression changed from tired to concerned.

"I just saw the two of them coming back into the temple before I came to you," I finished up.

"I think you're concerns may be not that far off from the truth," Skylor got up from where she sat on her bed and went over to a wooden chest propped up against the wall and started rummaging through it. She pulled out a jade blade and walked it over to me.

"Here," she held out the blade for me to take, "keep this with you in case Zane or Cole attacks you or if Kai comes back. Since we don't have our elemental powers anymore we'd better carry some weapons with us. I'll make sure to keep one with me and I'll also give one to Lloyd when I see him again."

I took the jade blade and hooked it to my belt, "Thanks. I'll make sure to keep you and Lloyd updated with anything I find out. "

Skylor nodded, "Same here. If we don't hear from each other by tomorrow we should assume Kai or his lackeys got us."

"Ok, sounds good. Thanks again, Skylor," I headed for the door.

Once outside her room, I decided to head down and find Lloyd. Give him a break, take his place patrolling and stuff. It made me feel a little useless if Skylor and Lloyd were working this hard and I wasn't. It didn't help them that half the team was on the opposing side. As I headed down the stairs and towards the large entrance doors I heard a voice call me name.

"Jay! Hey, Jay!" It was Cole.

Oh no. Guess now's the time to see if he's Kai's spy now or not.

I placed my hand on the hilt of the jade blade, put a smile on my face, and turned around. "Hey, Cole! Wassup? Did you catch Nya?"

Cole slowed his pace as he neared me. He shook his head, making his black bangs fall in front of his face, "No. She got away, unfortunately. Zane's still out looking for her."

Sure he is. I thought.

"Hehe," I laughed nervously, "Ok then."

Cole's hazel eyes were drawn to the heavy jade blade which hung by my waist, "Where'd you get that?"

"Skylor gave it to me. For you know, defense. Since we don't have our powers and all," I responded trying to sound nonchalant.

"Oh cool," Cole nodded, "So anyways, I was wondering, want to go down to the noodle factory with me to grab some grub?"

My mind screamed no, that it was a trap. And it probably was. But Cole is my best friend and I needed to give him a little trust. Anyways, I'll still have my jade blade to defend myself if it came down to a fight.

I looked at Cole. I was at least a head shorter than him, not to mention not as muscular. If it ended up coming down to a fight, I don't know how long I'd last. Sure when we had to fight during the tournament I had won, but Cole had let me win. If he really was being mind-controlled by Clouse's magic I doubt he'd go easy on me, let alone let me win.

"Sure," I said against my better judgement.

"Awesome!" Cole smiled, "Let's go."

"Right now? Just the two of us?" I asked.

"Yeah. You've got a problem with that?" Cole raised an eyebrow.

"No, I was just wondering if we'd invite anyone else. Like Skylor of Lloyd or other of the elemental masters or even Sensei Garmadon! They're all probably hungry too," I fiddled with the jade blade as I spoke.

Cole thought for a moment, "Well, we can't all go. Then who'd protect the temple? How about we eat first then grab leftovers for the rest?"

It's a trap. It's a trap. It's a trap. It's a trap. It's a trap. It's a trap. It's a trap. It's a trap. It's a trap.

"Ok, why not," I gave a nervous smile my grip tightening ever so slightly on the jade blade.

Cole grinned, "Cool! Come on, let's go." He turned around and started heading in the direction of the underground noodle factory.

I sighed and followed the earth ninja hoping for the best.

                                ~¥~
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Finally had time to write! High school is hectic and leaves me so busy I hate it :(. Anyways I'm happy with this chapter. Hope you guys enjoy it!

Also some news, I joined the Spinjitzu Masters Amino a couple days ago, so if any of you are interested in checking my account out my user is: jay_walker_ninja_of_lightning.

More news, the Ninjago movie comes out in two weeks here and I'm so hyped! I can't wait! The trailers look gr8.

Well that's it for now! Look forward to the next update!

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