The group piled out of Chen's Noodle House, the bizarre fashion show a distant memory replaced by the pressing worry about Mia and Nelson. They approached a group of chattering citizens milling about the marketplace.

"Excuse me," Lloyd called, his voice polite but firm. "Have any of you seen a young woman with brown hair and a red scarf, or a young man with dark hair and a blue vest?"

The citizens exchanged confused glances. One elderly woman shook her head, her brow furrowed.

"No, young man, I can't say I have. But then again, Ninjago is a bustling city. Easy to miss someone."

Another man, a vendor with a wrinkled face, piped up, "Wait a minute! Didn't I see a couple of young people like that heading towards the cliffs earlier?"

Hope flickered in Lloyd's eyes. "Really? Are you sure?"

The vendor scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Well, not entirely sure. They were wearing cloaks, see? Couldn't get a good look at their faces."

Disappointment washed over Lloyd. A lead, but a flimsy one. Just as he was about to thank the vendor and move on, Nya stepped forward.

"But wouldn't ninjas be able to move undetected?" she pointed out, a hint of frustration in her voice. "They blend in with the shadows, remember?"

The vendor's face lit up with sudden realization. "Oh, right! Ninjas! Then no, I definitely wouldn't have seen them. Clever devils, those ninjas."

Lloyd and the others exchanged a weary look. Nya's point was valid, but it did little to ease their worry.

Suddenly, Zane spoke up, his voice tinged with a new urgency. "There's another problem. My falcon... it's offline."

A collective gasp escaped the group. Zane's falcon was their long-range scout, a vital tool in their ninja arsenal. For it to be offline meant something was seriously wrong.

Cole, ever the optimist, tried to inject a note of hope. "Maybe it's just a malfunction, Zane. Falcons get grounded sometimes, right?"

Zane shook his head, his metallic brow furrowed. "No, Cole. This is different. The signal is completely gone. It's as if..." his voice trailed off, a grave expression settling on his face.

"As if it's been... destroyed?" Kai finished for him, the implication hanging heavy in the air.

The weight of their situation settled on the ninjas like a lead blanket. Mia and Nelson missing, Zane's falcon offline, and a sense of foreboding that gnawed at their gut. They needed answers, and they needed them fast.

"We can't waste any more time," Lloyd declared, his voice firm with newfound determination. "We need to split up and search the city. Kai, Cole, Jay, you check the docks and the surrounding streets. Nya, Zane, you head towards the cliffs and see if you can find anything the vendor mentioned. I'll head back to the Monastery and see if  dad knows anything."

They nodded, and separated ways.

__________________________________________

The salty spray of the ocean stung Nya's eyes as she and Zane scoured the cliffs mentioned by the vendor. The wind howled, carrying whispers that seemed to mock their search. Hours had passed since they'd split up, and the sinking feeling in Nya's gut grew with each passing minute.

"Anything, Zane?" she called out, her voice battling the wind.

Zane scanned the rugged coastline with his enhanced vision, his face a mask of concern. "Nothing, Nya. Just rocks and angry birds."

Disappointment settled heavy on her shoulders. Just as she was about to suggest they head back, a high-pitched cry pierced the air. It seemed to come from a small cove nestled between two rocky outcrops.

"Zane, did you hear that?" Nya asked, her voice sharp.

Zane nodded, his expression hardening. "Sounds like someone in trouble."

Without hesitation, they raced towards the cove, their ninja reflexes kicking in. As they rounded the corner, the sight that greeted them was far from what they expected.

A young woman, no older than ten, knelt beside an elderly man who lay crumpled on the sand. The woman's face was streaked with tears, her voice a panicked rasp as she repeated, "Please, wake up! Don't leave me!"

Nya's heart lurched. This wasn't a lead in their search for Mia and Nelson, but the urgency in the girl's voice couldn't be ignored.

"We need to help!" she exclaimed, rushing towards the pair.

Zane was already by the man's side, checking for a pulse. His brow furrowed. "He's unconscious, but still breathing. Nya, check for injuries!"

Nya knelt beside the girl, her training kicking in despite the urgency of the situation. As she scanned the man for visible wounds, she noticed a faint blue tinge around his lips.

"Zane," she called out, her voice tight with alarm, "it's not a head injury. His lips... they're turning blue. He's not breathing properly!"

Zane's eyes widened. "Cardiac arrest! We need to perform CPR."

The girl, her eyes wide with fear, clutched the man's hand. "He's my grandpa! You can't let him die!"

Nya squeezed the girl's shoulder reassuringly. "We won't let him. Zane, you start compressions. I'll do the breaths."

As Zane began rhythmically pushing on the man's chest, Nya placed her mouth over his, sealing it with a tight fit. The feeling of stale air and a faint rasp sent a shiver down her spine, but she pushed through her apprehension, focusing on the task at hand.

Minutes stretched into an eternity as they continued the CPR, their movements a synchronized dance against death. The girl watched them with terrified fascination, clutching her grandfather's hand with all her might.

Finally, after what seemed like an age, a weak cough escaped the man's lips. His eyes fluttered open, a look of confusion clouding his gaze.

"Grandpa!" the girl cried out in relief, throwing her arms around him.

The man coughed again, then looked up at Nya and Zane, his voice raspy. "What... what happened?"

Nya and Zane exchanged a relieved look. They had pulled him back from the brink.

"You collapsed," Nya explained gently. "We found you here on the beach and... well, let's just say we're glad we did."

The man's eyes softened with gratitude. "Thank you," he rasped. "You saved my life."

Tears welled up in the girl's eyes. "You're heroes!" she exclaimed, looking at Nya and Zane with awe.

While Nya appreciated the sentiment, their mission to find their friends remained heavy on her heart.

"We need to get you checked out at a hospital," Zane said, helping the man to sit up.

The man nodded, his breathing still slightly ragged. "Yes, please. And... thank you again. You two are angels."

As they helped the man and his granddaughter towards the main road, Nya couldn't help but feel a pang of frustration. This detour had cost them valuable time, and they still had no leads on Mia and Nelson. But seeing the gratitude in the girl's eyes, the relief wash over the old man's face, a warmth bloomed in her chest.

Then, she thought. Was this the feeling you get when you have kids? 

Because she liked it.

And she knew that Jay would, too.

__________________________________________________________

The docks bustled with activity, the salty tang of the ocean clinging to the air. Cole and Jay weaved through the throngs of sailors and fishermen, their eyes scanning the crowd for any sign of Mia and Nelson. Disappointment gnawed at Jay, the memory of Garmadon's ridiculous fashion show a stark contrast to the seriousness of their situation.

Suddenly, a high-pitched squeal pierced the air. "Uncle Jay!"

Jay turned to see his sweet Grandma Nya (not to be confused with the Water Ninja Nya) hurrying towards him, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. Trailing behind her were two young girls, Mary and Laura, his twin cousins. Their faces, usually bright with excitement, were clouded with a shyness that only intensified around Jay.

Despite their timidity, the girls adored their flamboyant cousin. Mary, the elder by a mere minute, clutched a worn teddy bear to her chest, peeking at Jay with wide, curious eyes. Laura, the bolder of the two, managed a small wave, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

Jay beamed, his heart swelling with affection. He knelt down to their level, his usual bravado softened by their presence. "Hey there, little ninjas! What brings you to the docks?"

Mary mumbled something inaudible into her teddy bear's fur. Laura, emboldened by Jay's presence, piped up, "Grandma Nya brought us to see the big boats!"

Grandma Nya chuckled, her voice warm and familiar. "They were getting a bit restless cooped up at home, so I thought a trip to the docks might be fun." She winked at Jay, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Any news on your... mission?"

Jay's smile faltered for a moment. He couldn't bring himself to lie to his grandma, not about something this serious. "No, Grandma. We haven't found Mia or Nelson yet." His voice was laced with a hint of defeat.

Grandma Nya's eyes softened with concern. The news of the missing teenagers had spread like wildfire through Ninjago, and even the ever-optimistic Grandma Nya couldn't shake a sense of foreboding. Mia was her granddaughter, after all.

"Don't worry, Jaybird," she said, squeezing his shoulder gently. "You and your friends are strong and resourceful. You'll find them."

Her words, though simple, carried a weight of reassurance that warmed Jay from the inside out. He knew Grandma Nya believed in him, and that faith gave him a renewed sense of purpose.

Suddenly, Mary, who had been unusually quiet, tugged on Jay's sleeve. Her voice, barely a whisper, trembled slightly. "Uncle Jay... are they... are they scared?"

Laura, her eyes wide with worry, mirrored her sister's question. Jay's heart ached. He didn't want to burden the innocent girls with the harsh realities of their situation, but he couldn't lie.

"They might be, sweetheart," he admitted gently. "But we're going to find them, okay? We're going to bring them home."

A small spark of determination flickered in Mary's eyes. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small, crumpled piece of paper. "We drew a picture for them," she mumbled, handing it to Jay.

Laura, emboldened by her sister's bravery, did the same. The pictures, childish scribbles of stick figures and lopsided suns, were a testament to their innocent hope.

Jay felt a lump form in his throat. He knelt down and wrapped his arms around the two girls, their small bodies trembling slightly. "Thank you," he whispered. "This means the world to me."

Grandma Nya, her own eyes glistening with emotion, smiled down at them. In that moment, amidst the chaos of their mission, Jay found a flicker of solace, a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there was still love, hope, and the unwavering support of family.

Just then, Cole's voice cut through the tender moment. "Hey, Jay! We gotta go. Zane and Nya found something at the cliffs."

The disappointment in Jay's eyes mirrored the sinking feeling in his gut. He ruffled Mary and Laura's hair, their softness a brief respite from the pressing worry.

"Don't worry, little ninjas," he said, forcing a smile. "We'll find your friends. And hey, maybe next time we can all take a real boat ride, just for fun."

A flicker of hope sparked in Mary's eyes, but Laura, ever the pragmatist, tugged on her sister's arm.

"Come on, Mary," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Let's go play inside. Grown-up stuff is too scary anyway."

Mary cast one last look at Jay, her small hand clutching the crumpled drawing. With a silent nod, Laura led her sister away, their childish chatter fading into the background noise of the bustling docks.

Jay watched them go, a pang of sympathy twisting in his chest. He knew all too well the fear of the unknown, the helplessness that clung to you like a shadow. But he also knew the unwavering courage that resided within each of them, even the smallest ninja.

"Alright, enough mush," Cole nudged him with a grin. "We've got a mystery to crack, remember? Zane and Nya found something down by the cliffs."

Jay straightened his shoulders, the playful glint in his eyes replaced by a steely resolve. "Right," he said, his voice firm. "Let's go find our friends."

_________________________________

Lloyd stormed back into the Monastery, his frustration simmering like a pot about to boil over. The image of Jay and Kai in their ridiculous dresses flashed in his mind, a stark contrast to the seriousness of their situation. He found Garmadon pacing in the main hall, a scowl etched on his face.

"Where have you been, Lloyd?" Garmadon boomed, his voice laced with a hint of impatience. "We need to figure out what to do about Mia and Nelson!"

Lloyd crossed his arms, his voice tight. "We've been searching the city, Dad. No sign of them."

Garmadon grumbled, running a hand through his spiky hair. "This is infuriating! They disappear, my wedding plans are in shambles..." he trailed off, his voice catching in his throat.

"Dad," Lloyd interrupted sharply, "This isn't about your wedding! Mia and Nelson are missing, and we need to find them!"

Garmadon met his gaze, a flicker of concern replacing the bluster. "You're right, Lloyd. I apologize. But I may have... a lead."

Lloyd's eyebrows shot up. This was unexpected. "A lead? What do you know?"

Garmadon cleared his throat, his posture straightening slightly. "Well, remember how I mentioned Overlord might be behind all this?"

Lloyd nodded, a sinking feeling settling in his stomach. "Yeah, but you said there was no proof."

With a flourish, Garmadon pulled out a small, glowing orb from behind his back. "Behold! The Orb of X-Ray Vision, courtesy of your... resourceful father." He winked, a hint of his usual bravado returning.

"Dad," Lloyd said, trying to keep his voice calm. "How did you even get that? And how does it help?"

Garmadon pointed the orb at Lloyd's forehead. "Hold still, and witness the power of... borrowed artifacts! According to this little gem, Mia and Nelson's energy signatures..." he trailed off, his eyes widening in surprise.

"Well? Where are they?" Lloyd pressed, his concern growing with each passing second.

Garmadon stared at the orb, a puzzled frown creasing his face. "This is... strange. Their signatures... they're not in Ninjago."

Lloyd blinked. "Not in Ninjago? What do you mean?"

Garmadon lowered the orb, his expression grim. "According to this, they're... on Earth."

Lloyd's jaw dropped. "Dad, this is ridiculous! Earth? As in, the planet we live on? How could they possibly be..." He trailed off, a horrifying realization dawning on him.

Garmadon, oblivious to Lloyd's sudden dread, puffed out his chest. "See? I told you I had a lead! Now, let's get going and rescue them before they miss the..." he trailed off, noticing the look of utter disbelief on Lloyd's face.

"Dad," Lloyd interrupted, his voice barely a whisper. "They're not... on the surface of Earth. They're... in Earth."

Garmadon blinked, the confusion clouding his features. "In Earth? What do you mean in Earth? Did they fall into a giant hole or something?"

Lloyd shook his head, a whirlwind of worry and disbelief swirling inside him. "No, Dad! They're... inside the planet! The mantle! The Orb is picking up their energy signatures from deep within the Earth's core!"

Garmadon's eyes widened comically. "The... mantle? But that's... molten rock! How could they even survive down there?!"

"I don't know!" Lloyd exclaimed, throwing his hands up in exasperation. "But we have to find out! We have to get them back!"

The gravity of the situation finally hit Garmadon. The wedding fiasco, the flamboyant dresses – it all seemed trivial compared to the thought of Mia and Nelson trapped in the fiery depths of the Earth.

"Alright, alright," he rumbled, a newfound seriousness replacing his usual bluster. "Panicking won't help. We need a plan. But how do we even get down there? We're not exactly fireproof."

Lloyd took a deep breath, trying to think clearly despite the chaos. "Maybe... maybe Zane can build something. Some kind of deep-earth exploration vehicle. And Nya can control the water to cool it down as we go."

Garmadon considered this for a moment, then nodded slowly. "That might just work. But first, we need to find Wu. He'll have some wisdom on this, I'm sure."

Lloyd winced. "About that, Dad..." he hesitated, then blurted out, "There's no Master Wu. He... he left. Said he needed to find himself."

Garmadon stared at him, his mouth agape. "He left? Without a word? But... but what about the prophecy? What about Ninjago?"

Lloyd ran a hand through his hair, frustration bubbling over. "I don't know, Dad! But right now, finding Mia and Nelson is more important than any prophecy! We need to pull ourselves together and come up with a plan."

"Alright, Lloyd," Garmadon said, a newfound resolve hardening his voice. "You're right. Forget the wedding, forget the prophecy. Right now, our mission is to get our friends back. And for that, we improvise. We fight. We do whatever it takes."