You should know, my sis and friend did this.

😭😭😭 Yeah. I was on vacation and I gave them access to this for reasons I don't know of

Anyway none of this is me.

Me, Jay Elizabeth Walker, accused of stealing a diamond?!

And killing the officer in the process?!

Why would I wanna do that?

Yeah, you read that right. Jay Walker was accused of stealing a diamond at 10:45 pm.

But he was playing video games.

But no one believed him.

Nya even cursed her pendent.

Only one person did believe him.

His sister, Mia.

But that was because she was playing with him.

Anyway, they were banned from the monetary, Ninjago, and weren't allowed to be ninja inside Ninjago.

Forever.

Mia wasn't affected.

But Jay was.

How dare his friends and Yang, of all people, go against him?!

He was angry, but was happy that Mia was there with him.

In fact, I believe her exact words were, " Whatever happens to my brother happens to me."

She also said, " you'll regret this decision, one day."

And believe it or not, today as that day.

But, before I let you in on what's gonna happen today, let me tell you the events that happened after the accusations.

... Minus the court and everyone going against Jay, that's a bit.... Tragic.

----------------

Jay sighed as he set down the last box of furniture. " Isn't this great!" He said, brightly. " We're in a cottage!"

Blackie scoffed. " And it smells like onions. And old people."

Jay shook his head as he surveyed the small, quaint cottage they now called home. The last of the boxes were unpacked, and he was trying to focus on the positive aspects of their new life. “Well, we didn’t have a choice,” he said, trying to sound upbeat. “This is our new home now, and we’ll make the best of it.”

Mia, however, was less enthusiastic. She floated around the room, using her wind powers to rearrange the furniture with a flick of her hand. The room transformed before Jay’s eyes, with the couch sliding into place and the curtains billowing with a gentle breeze. Despite her efforts to decorate, her frustration was evident in her actions.

“Well, their loss,” Mia said with a huff, her voice carrying a mix of defiance and bitterness. She glanced over at the small pile of ninja pictures that Jay had packed away. With a determined expression, she picked them up and tossed them into the trash can.

“Ugh, I hate the ninja!” Mia declared, her face set in a scowl. “They were supposed to be our friends, and now they’ve turned their backs on us.”

Jay sighed, watching her with a hint of sadness in his eyes. “I know, Mia. I know. But we have to stay strong. We can’t let this get to us.”

Blackie, lounging on a chair with his usual sassy demeanor, piped up from his spot. “You think throwing their pictures away is going to solve anything? You’re just going to end up with a bunch of trash and a mess to clean up.”

Mia turned to Blackie with a glare. “I don’t care. It’s my way of showing how much I don’t want anything to do with them right now.”

Jay tried to lighten the mood. “At least the cottage is starting to look nice. And we’ve got each other. We’ll get through this.”

Mia's expression softened slightly as she finished rearranging the last of the furniture. “Yeah, we’ve got each other,” she agreed, though her eyes still held a hint of anger. “And they’ll regret what they did to us. One day.”

Jay gave a small, reassuring smile. “That’s the spirit. We’ll prove them wrong.”

Blackie, observing the siblings’ determination, added with a smirk, “Well, at least you two are making the best of it. Let’s see how long that lasts before you start missing Ninjago.”

Mia shot Blackie a playful glare but couldn’t help but chuckle. “I’m sure we’ll manage just fine. After all, we’ve got each other.”

Jay nodded in agreement, feeling a renewed sense of hope. “Exactly. We’ve got each other, and that’s what matters most right now.”

As Jay and Mia were putting the final touches on their new cottage, the sound of a knock on the door interrupted their work. Jay exchanged a wary glance with Mia before heading to answer it. Standing on the doorstep was a stern-looking commissioner, his uniform crisply pressed and his expression serious.

“Good afternoon,” the commissioner began, his voice authoritative. “I’m Commissioner Adams. I’m here to ask a few questions about the recent accusations against Jay Walker.”

Mia’s eyes narrowed, and her face flushed with anger. She had been seething ever since the accusations, and seeing the commissioner at their door only fueled her frustration. Jay noticed her tension and tried to calm her with a hand on her shoulder, but Mia shrugged it off.

“What do you want?” Mia snapped, her voice sharp and defensive. “Haven’t you done enough already? We’re banned from Ninjago, and now you’re here to make things worse?”

Commissioner Adams raised an eyebrow, taken aback by Mia’s hostility. “I’m just here to gather information and clarify any discrepancies. We’re following up to ensure that all the facts are straight.”

Jay stepped in, trying to deescalate the situation. “Mia, let’s just hear what he has to say. Maybe we can clear up some misunderstandings.”

Mia’s eyes blazed with anger. “Clear up misunderstandings? They accused Jay of stealing and killing an officer! How can there be any misunderstanding when they’re already making decisions about our lives?”

Adams maintained his composure. “I understand your frustration, but it’s part of my job to investigate thoroughly. If you have any information or evidence that can help Jay’s case, now is the time to share it.”

Mia crossed her arms and glared at him. “We don’t have any new evidence. We’ve already told you everything we know. Jay was playing video games, and we have no idea how this happened. But you know what? Maybe you’re not really interested in finding the truth.”

The commissioner’s face hardened. “I assure you, I’m here to do my job. It’s not personal.”

“Not personal?” Mia’s voice rose in disbelief. “It’s our lives you’re messing with! You’ve taken away Jay’s ability to be a ninja, and you’ve turned everyone against him. You think that’s not personal?”

Jay could see the commissioner’s resolve wavering slightly. “Mia, please—”

Mia cut him off, her voice trembling with emotion. “No, Jay. This isn’t right. We’ve been treated unfairly, and now you’re here acting like you’re doing us a favor. Well, I’m done being polite. You need to fix this.”

Commissioner Adams took a step back, clearly unsettled by Mia’s outburst. “I’ll make sure your concerns are noted. If there’s any new information, we’ll be in touch.”

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Jay and Mia standing in the doorway. Mia slammed the door shut and leaned against it, breathing heavily.

Jay placed a comforting hand on her back. “I know it’s hard, Mia. But we have to keep our cool. We’ll find a way to get through this.”

Mia took a deep breath, her anger slowly subsiding. “I know, Jay. I just— I hate feeling so powerless. But we’ll get through this. We have to.”

Jay nodded in agreement, his own determination renewed by Mia’s fierce defense. “We will. Together.”

The doorbell rang again, and Jay and Mia exchanged a glance of surprise. Jay opened the door to find Master Wu standing on the threshold, holding a small box. The wise master’s face was marked with a mix of disappointment and solemnity.

“Master Wu,” Jay greeted, trying to maintain a semblance of politeness despite the tense atmosphere. “What brings you here?”

Master Wu held out the box. “I came to deliver Jay’s belongings and to express my disappointment in how things have turned out. I hoped for a better resolution.”

Mia, still fuming from the earlier confrontation, stepped forward with an intense glare. “Oh, so now you show up? After everything that’s happened?”

Master Wu looked at her, his expression a blend of regret and sadness. “Mia, this situation is regrettable, and I understand your frustration. But I need you to understand that—”

Mia cut him off, her voice rising in anger. “Understand? How can I understand when you’ve turned everyone against Jay? Cole, Lloyd, Kai, Zane—they all turned their backs on him! And Nya! She broke her medallion! How can you even show your face here?”

Master Wu’s face fell at the mention of the medallion. “Nya—”

“I don’t care!” Mia interrupted, her voice cracking with emotion. “You and the others have betrayed Jay, and you’ve made it clear where you stand. Tell them I don’t want to see their faces ever again. I’m done with all of you!”

Without waiting for a response, Mia grabbed the box from Master Wu’s hands and slammed the door shut. The sound echoed through the small cottage, leaving Jay and Mia alone with their feelings of betrayal and anger.

Jay looked at the door, his expression a mix of sadness and relief. “I didn’t expect things to get this intense,” he said quietly.

Mia took a deep breath, her anger giving way to a more resolute determination. “They needed to hear it. We need to move on and focus on what we can do.”

Jay nodded, appreciating Mia’s strength. “Yeah. We’ll figure this out together. We’ve got each other, and that’s what matters most.”

As the tension in the room began to settle, a voice broke the silence.

“But what about food?” Blackie chimed in, his tone dripping with sarcasm. The sassy cat was lounging on a nearby chair, casually adjusting a pair of tiny sunglasses perched on his nose. To top it off, he was draped in Jay’s gi and hood, the fabric comically oversized on his feline frame.

Jay blinked in surprise at the sight, a chuckle escaping his lips despite the heavy mood. “Blackie, what are you wearing?”

Blackie flicked his tail nonchalantly, raising an eyebrow behind the sunglasses. “What? Just getting into the ninja spirit. Figured someone should keep the legacy alive,” he quipped, then added with mock seriousness, “But seriously, what’s the plan for food? I may look fabulous, but I can’t survive on fashion alone.”

Mia, still fuming from her outburst, couldn’t help but crack a small smile at the sight of Blackie’s ridiculous getup. “We’ll figure something out, Blackie. We’ve got enough supplies for now, and we can always head to the market if we need more.”

Blackie stretched lazily, batting at the oversized hood as it slipped down over one eye. “Good to know. But don’t expect me to help carry anything. I’m a ninja cat now, not a pack mule.”

Jay laughed, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. “Alright, ninja cat. We’ll handle the groceries. You just keep looking… stylish.”

Blackie nodded as if it was the most natural thing in the world. “Exactly. I’ll supervise from a distance. Can’t have you two messing things up without my expert guidance.”

Mia shook her head, the last of her anger dissipating as she watched Blackie strut around in Jay’s gi. “You’re ridiculous, you know that?”

Blackie paused to strike a dramatic pose. “Ridiculously awesome, you mean.”

With the absurdity of the situation lifting their spirits, Jay and Mia exchanged a glance. Despite everything that had happened, they were still together, still a team—even if that team now included a ninja cat with a flair for fashion.

As they settled back into their new life, the weight of their recent troubles felt just a little lighter, knowing that they could face whatever came their way—together, with a touch of humor to keep them going.

* Next day*

The next morning, Jay and Mia woke up in a daze, disoriented by their new surroundings. Jay rubbed his eyes, his thoughts immediately drifting to Nya. The emptiness beside him on the bed was a stark reminder of everything they’d lost. He sat up, glancing around the small cottage as reality settled in.

“This is the worst!” Mia grumbled, poking at her breakfast with a fork, clearly unimpressed by the modest meal in front of her.

Jay looked up from his own plate, trying to find a silver lining. “At least we have a roof over our heads and food on the table!” he offered, trying to sound cheerful.

Mia shot him a look, unimpressed. “You do realize that everything we need and want is in Ninjago, right?”

Jay hesitated, the realization dawning on him. “Oh… I never really thought about it like that.”

Mia nodded and pushed her plate away, her appetite gone. “I’m not hungry.”

Jay frowned, concerned. “Mia, you can’t let the news get to you. We’ve got to stay strong.”

Before Mia could respond, the doorbell rang. She tensed, her frustration from the previous day bubbling to the surface. With a growl, she stomped over to the door, flinging it open. “WILL YOU STUPID PEOPLE GET OFF MY PROPERTY?!”

A soft voice answered, “Sorry, Mia. It’s just me and the gang.”

Mia blinked, her anger fading as she saw Nelson, Rose, and Jake standing on the porch, looking a little startled but understanding. “Oh, Nelson, Rose, Jake! I’m so sorry!” She quickly composed herself, guilt washing over her. “It’s just that the ninja kept coming yesterday, and—”

“Mia, we know,” Nelson interrupted gently, stepping forward and giving her a comforting kiss on the cheek. “You texted us. We understand.”

Mia relaxed, a smile breaking through the tension on her face. “Oh, where are my manners? Come in!” She led them through the small cottage and guided them to the couch in the living room.

“This is our new home!” she announced brightly, trying to inject some enthusiasm into the situation, even though it was evident she was still struggling to accept it.

Rose looked around, her eyes taking in the cozy but unfamiliar surroundings. “It’s… nice,” she said, offering a supportive smile. “Different from the monastery, but it has its own charm.”

Jake nodded, fiddling with the edge of his shirt. “Yeah, and you can make it your own. Add your personal touch.”

Nelson wrapped an arm around Mia’s shoulders, giving her a reassuring squeeze. “We’ll help you settle in. Whatever you need, we’re here.”

Mia’s eyes softened, and for the first time that morning, she felt a little lighter. “Thanks, guys. It means a lot that you’re here.”

As they all sat down in the living room, Rose reached into her bag and pulled out some groceries she’d brought along. “I thought you two might need some more food,” she said with a smile. “I didn’t know what you liked, so I just grabbed a bit of everything.”

Mia’s eyes lit up as she spotted a bag of salad. Without a second thought, she ripped it open and began shoveling handfuls of it into her mouth, not bothering with a fork or plate. Her hunger had clearly caught up with her, and she was practically inhaling the salad.

Nelson watched in amused concern as Mia stuffed her face, her cheeks puffed out with greens. “Uh, Mia?” he said, raising an eyebrow. “Breathe. And, you know, maybe chew and swallow?”

Mia paused mid-bite, realizing how frantic she must’ve looked. She blinked at Nelson, then quickly chewed and swallowed the mouthful she’d been holding. “Sorry,” she mumbled, a bit embarrassed but still ravenously hungry. “I just… I didn’t realize how hungry I was.”

Rose chuckled, handing her a fork. “It’s okay, Mia. Just don’t choke on it. We’re not exactly equipped to handle emergencies out here.”

Jake nodded, offering Mia a napkin. “Yeah, take it easy. There’s plenty of food.”

Mia took the fork and napkin, a sheepish grin on her face as she started eating the salad a bit more civilly. “Thanks, guys. I guess I needed this more than I thought.”

Jay, sitting nearby, couldn’t help but laugh. “You really were hungry, huh?”

Mia shrugged, still chewing. “Guess so. This place might be a mess, but at least we’ve got good friends and food.”

As Mia continued eating, Nelson pulled out his phone, scrolling through their text messages from the day before. With a teasing grin, he looked up at Mia. "So, you texted 'heel' yesterday. Do you want us to kneel in front of you or something?"

Mia paused, mid-chew, blinking in confusion. "What? Oh, no!" She quickly swallowed her mouthful of salad, her eyes widening as she realized what he was talking about. "I meant to text 'help'! My fingers must've slipped."

Nelson chuckled, shaking his head. "I figured as much. I was wondering if you were suddenly turning into some kind of queen, demanding we all bow down to you."

Mia laughed, a bit of color rising in her cheeks. “No, no royalty here. Just a desperate sister trying to reach out for some backup.”

Rose snickered, nudging Nelson. “Well, now that we’re here, how can we serve you, Your Majesty?”

Mia rolled her eyes playfully, tossing a piece of lettuce at Rose. “Alright, alright, enough with the royal treatment. I’m just glad you guys showed up. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Nelson gave her a warm smile, his teasing tone softening. “We’ve got your back, Mia. Always.”

After the laughter died down, Nelson leaned back on the couch, a more serious expression crossing his face. “Alright, Mia, Jay,” he began, glancing between the two siblings. “We’re here to help, but we need to know exactly what went down. Can you fill us in on the details?”

Jake pulled out a small notebook from his pocket, ready to take notes. He was quiet, but his focus was sharp as he prepared to jot down everything Mia and Jay had to say. Meanwhile, Rose leaned forward, her brow furrowed slightly in thought as she began to consider possible scenarios and strategies.

Mia exchanged a quick look with Jay before nodding and starting to explain. “It all started two days ago. Jay and I were in the middle of a video game marathon. We didn’t leave the house, not even once. But then, out of nowhere, we got accused of stealing some diamond… and killing an officer in the process.”

Nelson frowned, nodding for her to continue as Jake scribbled down the information.

Mia took a deep breath, her frustration evident. “We thought it was a joke at first. But the accusations kept coming, and no one believed us when we told them where we were. Not even the ninja.” Her voice wavered with a mix of anger and hurt as she mentioned their former friends. “They didn’t even give us a chance to explain.”

Jay jumped in, his tone bitter. “It was like they already made up their minds. They even banned us from Ninjago—said we couldn’t be ninja anymore. I mean, what kind of friends do that?”

Rose’s eyes narrowed as she processed the information, her mind working through the possible reasons and scenarios. “That doesn’t make any sense. If you were here the whole time, there’s no way you could’ve been involved. Someone’s setting you up, but why?”

Mia shrugged, her frustration growing. “That’s what we can’t figure out. And without any proof, it’s just our word against… well, everyone else’s.”

Nelson leaned forward, his expression serious. “And you’re sure you didn’t leave the house at all?”

Jay shook his head firmly. “Not a single step outside. We were glued to the game all night.”

Jake looked up from his notes, a determined glint in his eyes. “Then we need to find proof that you were here. Something that can back up your story.”

Rose nodded in agreement. “And we need to figure out who might have a motive to frame you both. Someone went to a lot of trouble to make you look guilty, and that means they have something to gain.”

Mia sighed, rubbing her temples. “We’ve been trying to think of anything, but we’re just stuck. We don’t even know where to start.”

Nelson reached out, placing a reassuring hand on Mia’s shoulder. “We’ll figure this out, Mia. We’re not letting you and Jay go down for something you didn’t do.”

Jake added, his voice steady, “We’ll go through everything, every little detail. There’s gotta be something we’re missing.”

Rose sat back, deep in thought. “And while we’re at it, we should start looking into anyone who might benefit from this. There’s got to be a reason someone would want to get you two out of the picture.”

Nelson, still processing the situation, suddenly sat up straight, a thought crossing his mind. "Wait a minute," he said, holding up his hand to stop the conversation. "What about the villains? I mean, there’s no shortage of them in Ninjago. Couldn’t one of them be behind this?”

Mia’s eyes widened slightly as she considered his suggestion. "Nelson, you might be onto something. The villains could definitely have a hand in this. They’ve always had it out for the ninja, and framing us would be a perfect way to get rid of us without lifting a finger."

Jay nodded in agreement, his face lighting up as the idea started to make sense. “Yeah! Maybe one of them set this whole thing up. It wouldn’t be the first time they tried something underhanded.”

Mia turned to Nelson, her expression serious. "Alright, Nelson, I need you to keep an eye on the villains. Start making a list of anyone who might have the means and motive to pull something like this off. And be thorough—no detail is too small."

Nelson nodded, already pulling out his phone to start the task. "Got it. I’ll keep track of all their movements and see if anything lines up with what happened to you guys. Once I have the list, I’ll text it to you."

Mia gave him a small but grateful smile. "Thanks, Nelson. If we can figure out who’s behind this, maybe we can clear our names and get our lives back."

Rose and Jake both nodded, their expressions resolute. They were ready to help in any way they could, determined to get to the bottom of this mystery.

Nelson was already typing furiously on his phone, making notes and setting up alerts for any news or rumors about the usual suspects. "I’ll stay on top of it, Mia. If any of those villains make a move, we’ll know about it."

* A few days later*

A few days later, Jay and Mia sat in their small cottage, surrounded by notes and lists of potential suspects. They had been working tirelessly, compiling every possible lead and trying to piece together who might have framed them. Their focus was intense; they knew that uncovering the truth was the only way to clear their names.

Jay scribbled down another name on his list, while Mia paced back and forth, clutching her own list tightly. "We've covered almost everyone," she muttered, her frustration evident. "But nothing fits perfectly. Someone’s got to be behind this, but who?"

Just as Jay was about to respond, there was a loud knock at the door, followed by the sound of it being forcefully opened. The Commissioner stormed in, his face red with anger.

"You two!" he shouted, pointing an accusing finger at them. "Another officer has been killed, and all signs point to you. You think you can keep playing this game and get away with it?"

Mia spun around, her temper flaring. She was tired of the accusations, tired of being blamed for things she had nothing to do with. "We had nothing to do with this!" she yelled back, her voice firm and unwavering. "How many times do we have to say it? We’re being framed!"

Jay stood up beside her, his own frustration boiling over. “We’ve been here the whole time, trying to figure out who’s really behind this. We’re not murderers!”

The Commissioner looked unconvinced, his eyes narrowing as he stared them down. "You expect me to believe that? You’re both at the top of our list. If you can’t prove your innocence, you’re going down for this."

Before Mia could respond, she caught a glimpse of movement outside the window. Her eyes narrowed as she recognized a familiar figure approaching the cottage. It was Kai. Something about his demeanor set off alarm bells in her head. The way he walked, the cold look in his eyes—it wasn’t the Kai she knew.

In an instant, Mia’s instincts kicked in, and she dropped into a battle-ready stance. "You!" she shouted, pointing at Kai as he entered the room. "You framed us! You’re behind all of this!"

Kai stopped in his tracks, a smirk playing on his lips as he faced her. “Mia, you’ve got it all wrong,” he said calmly, though his voice dripped with something sinister.

Mia wasn’t buying it. She took a step closer, her fists clenched and ready to strike. “Don’t you dare play innocent! You’ve been working against us this whole time, haven’t you?”

Jay, sensing the tension, moved to stand beside his sister, his own suspicion growing. “Kai, why are you here? What’s going on?”

The Commissioner, who had been watching the exchange with confusion, finally spoke up. "What’s all this about? Are you saying Kai is involved?"

Mia didn’t take her eyes off Kai, her voice low and dangerous. “I don’t know what his game is, but I’m not letting him get away with it. He’s been working with someone—maybe even the villains we’ve been investigating.”

Kai’s smirk faded, replaced by a look of annoyance. “You’re out of your mind, Mia. I’m here to help.”

But Mia wasn’t having it. She lunged forward, ready to attack, her anger and frustration boiling over. “Help? You’ve done nothing but make things worse! You betrayed us!”

Jay grabbed Mia’s arm, holding her back. “Mia, wait! We need to think this through!”

But Mia was beyond reason. Her trust had been shattered, and the idea that one of their own could be behind their suffering was too much to bear. She struggled against Jay’s grip, her eyes locked on Kai.

“Let me go, Jay! He’s the reason we’re in this mess!”

Kai held his hands up, backing away slightly. “Mia, you’re making a mistake. You need to calm down.”

But Mia’s fury was unstoppable. “The only mistake I made was trusting you!” she yelled, finally breaking free from Jay’s hold.

Before she could act, though, the Commissioner stepped between them, holding up a hand to stop the confrontation. “Enough!” he barked, his voice authoritative. “We’re going to get to the bottom of this, but we’re not doing it with fists. If Kai has something to say, he’ll say it now. Otherwise, both of you will come with me for questioning.”

Mia glared at Kai, her breath heavy as she fought to control her emotions. Jay, still tense, watched Kai carefully, waiting for his next move.

The room was thick with tension, the air electric with unspoken accusations and the weight of betrayal. Whatever Kai had to say, it would either clear the air—or shatter what little trust remained between them all.

Mia’s entire body was tense, her eyes narrowed as she hissed at Kai like a cornered animal. She was pacing back and forth, scratching the cardboard box Jay was holding as if trying to rip it apart with her bare hands. The cardboard began to tear under her nails, each scratch making a sound that grated on everyone’s nerves.

"Mia, calm down," Jay said, trying to keep his voice steady, though worry was clear in his eyes. "Anger won't solve anything. It won’t help us, and it definitely won’t make you feel any better."

Mia whipped her head around to face him, her eyes blazing. "It’s helping me stay ANGRY!" she snapped, her voice sharp with frustration.

Jay let out a sigh, giving her a stern look as he crossed his arms over his chest. "Mia, seriously. This isn’t going to get us anywhere."

Mia glared back at him, but there was a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes. "Well, what do you expect me to do? Our brother-in-law just comes here out of nowhere, acting all high and mighty—"

She didn’t finish her sentence. Instead, she pulled out her katana, the blade gleaming in the light as she pointed it directly at Kai. Jay’s eyes widened, and he quickly stepped between Mia and the others.

"Oh boy," he muttered under his breath. Then, raising his voice, he said, "You might want to step away, Commissioner. Things are about to get… intense."

The Commissioner, sensing the danger, took a cautious step back, his eyes darting between the siblings. "This isn’t necessary, Mia," he said carefully, trying to defuse the situation. "Let’s talk this out."

But Mia wasn’t listening. Her focus was entirely on Kai, and she looked ready to strike at any moment. "Don’t help the enemy, Jay!" she yelled, her grip tightening on the katana’s hilt. "He’s not here to help us—he’s here to scold you!"

Kai, who had been silent up until now, finally spoke, his tone cold and disapproving. "I didn’t come here to back you up, Jay. I came to remind you of your responsibilities and to tell you that you’ve brought this on yourself."

Jay flinched at Kai’s harsh words, but Mia’s anger only grew more intense. She was practically vibrating with fury, her face twisted in a mix of betrayal and rage. "You think you can just walk in here and talk down to us? After everything we’ve been through?"

"Mia, don’t," Jay pleaded, his voice strained as he tried to calm her down. But Mia wasn’t having any of it.

"You’re no brother-in-law of mine!" she spat, her voice dripping with venom. "You’re just another coward who turned his back on family!"

Kai’s expression darkened, but he didn’t back down. "You’ve crossed a line, Mia. And if you can’t control your anger, you’ll only end up making things worse."

Mia’s eyes narrowed to slits, and she took a threatening step forward, her katana still pointed at Kai. "I don’t care what you think," she growled. "You’ve already made things worse by betraying us. Now get off my property before I make you!"

Jay quickly put a hand on Mia’s shoulder, trying to hold her back. "Mia, stop! This isn’t going to help. We need to think this through."

But Mia wasn’t calming down. She shook off Jay’s hand and tightened her grip on the katana, ready to lash out. "No, Jay. I’m done thinking. It’s time to act."

Seeing that things were spiraling out of control, Jay turned to the Commissioner, his voice tense with urgency. "You should go. Now."

The Commissioner, recognizing the danger, nodded and quickly backed out of the room, not wanting to be caught in the crossfire.

With the Commissioner gone, the tension between Mia and Kai reached its peak. Mia’s eyes were locked on Kai, her breathing heavy as she prepared to strike.

But Jay wasn’t giving up. He stepped in front of Mia, blocking her path to Kai, and said firmly, "Mia, enough. This isn’t who we are. We’re better than this."

Mia’s eyes flickered with uncertainty, and for a moment, it seemed like she might back down. But then she remembered the betrayal, the hurt, and the anger flared up again.

"You’re right, Jay," she said, her voice low and dangerous. "We are better than this. But he isn’t."

Before Jay could react, Mia lunged forward, her katana aimed straight at Kai.

As soon as Mia lunged forward with her katana, Kai’s eyes flashed with determination. He sidestepped her initial attack with a swift movement, his fire powers igniting in his hands. Flames danced along his fingers, crackling with intensity as he prepared to defend himself.

Mia didn’t give him a chance to breathe. With a growl, she swung her katana again, this time infusing it with her wind power. The blade sliced through the air, leaving a sharp gust in its wake as it sped towards Kai. But Kai was ready; he raised his arm, summoning a wall of fire to intercept the strike. The wind clashed with the flames, creating a burst of heat and energy that sent sparks flying across the room.

Jay, caught between the two, quickly scrambled out of the way, his heart racing. "Mia! Kai! Stop this!" he shouted, his voice full of desperation, but neither of them was listening.

Mia’s eyes were locked onto Kai’s, her anger fueling her attacks. She thrust her katana forward, and a powerful gale erupted from the blade, blasting toward Kai with enough force to knock him off his feet. But Kai was quick to respond, countering the wind with a surge of flames that created a fiery vortex around him. The heat from the flames caused the air to shimmer, making it difficult for Mia to see where Kai would strike next.

"Is this what it’s come to, Kai?!" Mia yelled over the roaring wind and fire. "You’re supposed to be family, but all you’ve done is betray us!"

Kai’s expression was grim as he deflected another of Mia’s wind-infused strikes with a wave of fire. "Family doesn’t turn against each other, Mia," he retorted, his voice cold. "But you’ve let your anger consume you. This isn’t the way."

"Don’t you dare lecture me!" Mia snarled, her wind powers intensifying as she launched a barrage of air slashes at Kai. "You’re the one who turned your back on us! On Jay!"

Kai gritted his teeth, the force of Mia’s wind pushing him back as he struggled to maintain his footing. "I didn’t turn my back on Jay," he shot back, using a burst of fire to propel himself forward, dodging Mia’s attacks. "I was trying to protect him—from himself!"

"That’s a lie!" Mia screamed, her anger boiling over. She unleashed a powerful gust of wind that lifted Kai off the ground, slamming him into the wall with a loud crash. The impact left a scorch mark on the wall, but Kai quickly recovered, his body surrounded by flames as he rose to his feet.

"Believe what you want, Mia," Kai said, his voice steady despite the intensity of the fight. "But this isn’t about you or me. It’s about what’s right."

Mia’s response was to channel all her energy into a single, devastating strike. She swung her katana downward, and a massive whirlwind formed around the blade, growing larger and more ferocious with each passing second. The wind howled as it tore through the room, sending furniture flying and shattering windows.

Kai braced himself, knowing he couldn’t hold back any longer. He summoned all the fire within him, focusing it into a single point. The flames roared to life, forming a massive inferno that swirled around his body like a protective shield.

The two forces collided in a spectacular display of elemental power—wind against fire, each trying to overpower the other. The sheer force of the clash caused the ground to shake, and the air became thick with heat and energy. Jay watched in horror, his heart pounding as he realized how serious this fight had become.

"Stop!" Jay shouted, his voice barely audible over the roaring elements. "This isn’t the way! We’re supposed to be a family!"

But the battle raged on, neither Mia nor Kai willing to back down. The room was filled with the crackling of flames and the howling of wind, as the two siblings-in-law poured everything they had into their attacks.

Finally, with a surge of effort, Mia pushed forward, her whirlwind intensifying as it began to overpower Kai’s flames. The wind tore through the fire, extinguishing the flames and sending Kai stumbling backward.

But instead of pressing her advantage, Mia stopped, her chest heaving as she struggled to catch her breath. She looked at Kai, her anger still burning, but there was a flicker of hesitation in her eyes.

Kai, too, was panting, his body covered in burns and bruises from the intense battle. He met Mia’s gaze, his expression softening slightly. "Is this really what you want, Mia?" he asked quietly. "To fight like this? To destroy each other?"

Mia’s grip on her katana tightened, but she didn’t respond immediately. Her breath was ragged, and her eyes were filled with a mix of emotions—anger, betrayal, pain.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Mia lowered her katana. The whirlwind around her dissipated, and the room fell silent. "Get out," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Just… get out."

Kai hesitated for a moment, then nodded slowly. Without another word, he turned and walked out of the cottage, leaving Mia and Jay alone in the aftermath of the fight.

Mia stood there, her body trembling as she tried to process what had just happened. Jay approached her cautiously, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Mia…" he began, but she shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Don’t, Jay," she whispered, her voice breaking. "Just… don’t."

Jay didn’t say anything more. He just stood by her side, offering silent support as Mia tried to regain her composure. They had won the fight, but the victory felt hollow—tainted by the rift that had formed between them and the rest of their family.

For now, all they could do was pick up the pieces and figure out what to do next.

The next few weeks were a blur of monotony and misery. Jay was a shadow of his former self, moping around the cottage with his head down, barely speaking to anyone. Mia, usually so full of fire and determination, had become distant and withdrawn, her once vibrant energy replaced by a heavy cloud of depression.

Nelson, Rose, and Jake had taken it upon themselves to care for the two siblings, but it was a challenge. Every morning, Nelson would arrive with groceries, trying to cheer up Jay and Mia with jokes or lighthearted conversation. But Jay would just nod absently, his eyes distant, while Mia barely acknowledged his presence, her mind clearly elsewhere.

Rose made sure they ate, often having to coax Mia into eating even a small bite of food. "Come on, Mia," Rose would say softly, setting a plate of food in front of her. "You need to eat something. You can't keep skipping meals like this."

Mia would just stare at the food, pushing it around the plate without much interest. "I'm not hungry," she'd mutter, her voice flat and devoid of its usual spark.

Jake, ever the diligent note-taker, had taken on the role of organizing the household. He kept track of supplies, made sure bills were paid, and even tried to keep the place tidy. But even he couldn't help but feel the weight of the situation. The atmosphere in the cottage was heavy, oppressive, and it was starting to take its toll on all of them.

One evening, after yet another day of trying to lift Jay and Mia's spirits, Nelson finally voiced what they were all thinking. "This can't go on like this," he said, his voice firm as he sat down at the kitchen table with Rose and Jake. "They can't just keep moping around forever. We have to do something."

Rose nodded in agreement, though she looked uncertain. "But what can we do? They've been through so much... Maybe they just need more time."

Jake looked up from his notebook, his brow furrowed in thought. "We need to find a way to snap them out of it," he said quietly. "They need a reason to keep going, something to fight for."

Nelson leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "You're right, but how do we do that? How do we get them to see that there's still a life to live, even after everything that's happened?"

For a moment, the three of them sat in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Then, slowly, an idea began to form in Nelson's mind. "Maybe... Maybe they need a mission," he suggested, his voice gaining strength as he spoke. "Something to focus on, something that reminds them who they are."

Rose tilted her head, intrigued. "A mission?"

Nelson nodded. "Yeah. I mean, they're still Jay and Mia, right? They're still ninjas. If we can find something that needs their skills, something that only they can do... Maybe that'll help them find themselves again."

Jake looked thoughtful, tapping his pen against the table. "It's worth a try. But what kind of mission are we talking about? It has to be something big, something important."

Nelson grinned, a spark of excitement in his eyes. "Leave that to me. I think I know just the thing."

Over the next few days, Nelson, Rose, and Jake worked together to come up with a plan. They gathered information, made connections, and finally, after much effort, they had something that might just be enough to pull Jay and Mia out of their funk.

The day they presented their plan to Jay and Mia, the two siblings were sitting on the couch, looking as listless as ever. Nelson stood in front of them, his expression serious.

"Alright, you two," he began, "we've let you mope around long enough. It's time to get back in the game."

Jay looked up at him with dull eyes. "Nelson, we're not in the mood for this..."

Mia just sighed, sinking deeper into the couch.

But Nelson wasn't deterred. "I know you’re hurting. I know you feel betrayed. But sitting around doing nothing isn’t going to make things better. You’re still Jay and Mia Walker. You’re still ninjas. And Ninjago still needs you."

Mia finally lifted her head, a flicker of curiosity in her eyes. "What are you talking about?"

Rose stepped forward, holding up a folder filled with papers. "We’ve got intel on some shady activities happening on the outskirts of Ninjago. It’s nothing the ninja are dealing with—they’re too focused on other things right now. But it’s important, and it’s something only you two can handle."

Jake chimed in, his voice steady. "We’ve done the research. This isn’t just busy work. There’s real danger out there, and people who need your help."

Jay exchanged a glance with Mia, who was clearly torn. She wanted to stay angry, to hold on to the bitterness she felt towards the ninja. But there was a part of her, a deep-seated part, that was drawn to the idea of action, of doing something instead of wallowing in her feelings.

Jay seemed to sense her hesitation. "Mia..." he began, but she cut him off.

"Give me the details," she said, her voice firm, though there was still a trace of bitterness in it. "I want to know exactly what we’re dealing with."

Nelson handed her the folder, watching as she flipped through the papers. "It’s not going to be easy," he warned. "But I know you two can handle it."

Mia’s eyes narrowed as she read through the intel. "Looks like we don’t have much of a choice," she muttered, though there was a hint of determination in her tone that hadn’t been there before.

Jay, too, was starting to perk up, his interest piqued by the challenge. "We’ll need to be careful," he said, already thinking through the logistics. "We don’t have the same resources we used to."

"But we have each other," Mia replied, finally looking at him with something other than despair. "That’s enough."

Nelson, Rose, and Jake exchanged relieved glances. It wasn’t a complete turnaround, but it was a start.

And sometimes, a start was all you needed.

The mission, as it turned out, was almost laughably simple.

Jay and Mia set out with their usual determination, but the moment they encountered the supposed "threat," Jay just zapped the guy with a quick burst of electricity, and it was over. The entire ordeal took about two seconds—barely enough time to break a sweat.

They stood there for a moment, staring at the unconscious villain on the ground, before exchanging glances.

"That was it?" Mia asked, incredulity in her voice.

Jay shrugged, a half-hearted smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Guess so. Not exactly the epic mission we were hoping for."

Mia sighed, looking around at the now-peaceful scene. "We should’ve known it wasn’t going to be that easy to pull ourselves out of this."

Jay nodded in agreement. "Yeah... it’s not about the missions. It’s about everything else."

With the "mission" done, they returned to the cottage, the brief flicker of excitement already fading away. Once again, the weight of their situation settled heavily on their shoulders.

Jay went back to moping, retreating to his room where he could brood in peace. Mia, on the other hand, found herself wandering around the cottage aimlessly, trying to shake off the lingering frustration and sadness that had taken hold of her.

Even Nelson, Rose, and Jake couldn’t do much to lift their spirits this time. The mission, which had been intended to reignite their spark, had only served as a stark reminder of how far they had fallen.

For the next few days, the cycle continued—Jay sulked, Mia brooded, and their friends did their best to care for them. But it was clear that the quick success of the mission had done little to alleviate the deeper issues that plagued them.

One afternoon, as Jay sat in the living room staring blankly at the wall, Nelson walked in and sat beside him. "You know, Jay, that mission wasn’t really the point," he said gently.

Jay sighed, not meeting his friend's gaze. "I know. But it didn’t help. We just went back to feeling... stuck."

Nelson nodded, understanding. "Maybe you’re not ready to move on yet. And that’s okay. But you can’t stay like this forever, Jay. You need to find a way to live again."

Jay finally looked at him, his eyes tired. "I’m trying, Nelson. I really am. But it feels like everything’s just... too much."

Nelson placed a hand on Jay’s shoulder, squeezing it reassuringly. "We’re here for you. Both of you. Whenever you’re ready."

In the meantime, Mia had taken to pacing around the house, restless and irritable. She couldn’t shake the feeling that she needed to do something—anything—to break free from the dark cloud hanging over them. But no matter what she tried, nothing seemed to work.

And so, the days dragged on, with Jay and Mia stuck in a limbo of their own making, unable to fully move forward, but unwilling to give up entirely. It was a slow, painful process, and one that would take more than just a quick mission to resolve.

A few months later, news broke that brought a glimmer of relief to Jay and Mia. The headlines read: “New Evidence Reveals Jay Walker Was Not Responsible for Lightning Incident.”

Mia was lounging on the couch, flicking through channels, when she saw the news update. For a moment, her eyes widened in surprise. “Finally,” she said, almost inaudibly, her face softening as she absorbed the information.

With a decisive motion, Mia reached over and turned off the TV. “Good riddance,” she muttered, feeling a sense of satisfaction as she tossed the remote aside.

Jay, who had been slumped in a chair nearby, looked up with a faint glimmer of hope in his eyes. “They finally cleared my name,” he said quietly, almost as if he couldn’t quite believe it.

Mia nodded, standing up and heading toward her room. “I’m going to read,” she said, her voice carrying a hint of determination. “It’s been a while since I’ve been able to focus on something other than all this mess.”

As she walked away, Blackie, who had been lounging on a nearby cushion, stretched and blinked lazily. “Good riddance is true,” the cat commented with a nonchalant air, as if it were simply stating a fact.

Jay watched as Mia retreated to her room, a small smile tugging at his lips. For the first time in a long while, he felt a sense of clarity. The burden of the false accusations was lifting, and the possibility of moving forward seemed more real.

He looked at Blackie, who was now perched on the armrest of the chair, and nodded. “Yeah, it is,” he agreed, feeling a renewed sense of optimism. The road ahead was still uncertain, but for now, it was a road they could begin to travel with a little more hope.

The next day, there was a knock at the cottage door. Jay, who had been quietly contemplating the recent news, answered it to find the commissioner standing on the other side. The commissioner looked uncomfortable, shifting from foot to foot as he glanced at Jay and then inside the house.

“Jay Walker,” he began, his voice hesitant, “I’m here to apologize for the mistakes made during your case. New evidence has come to light, and I realize now that you were wrongfully accused. I—”

Before he could finish, Mia appeared behind Jay, her face hardening as she saw who was at the door. “You!” she snapped, stepping forward with a fierce look in her eyes.

Jay stood back, his expression unreadable, as Mia took center stage. The commissioner gulped, clearly nervous under Mia’s intense gaze.

“You have some nerve showing up here,” Mia said, her voice cold and sharp. “You and your department caused so much pain and trouble for us. Jay’s reputation was tarnished, and we were pushed out of Ninjago. And for what? Because of your incompetence!”

The commissioner opened his mouth to respond, but Mia cut him off. “Don’t even bother with excuses! You failed us. You let us suffer because of your mistakes and the rush to judgment. Did you even consider how this would affect us? No, you just threw us under the bus!”

Mia’s voice rose with every word, her frustration spilling over. “I had to watch my brother, my family, go through this nightmare, all because you couldn’t do your job right. And now you think an apology is going to fix everything?”

Jay stood silently, watching the scene unfold. He had been through so much with Mia, and now, seeing her confront the commissioner with such intensity, he felt a mixture of relief and admiration. This was her way of processing the injustice they had faced.

The commissioner’s face turned red, his apologies stumbling out as Mia continued to berate him. “I don’t want to hear it!” she yelled, her anger unabated. “You and everyone who believed that lie should be ashamed of yourselves. We’re done with this!”

Finally, with a final, disgusted look, Mia turned on her heel and stormed back inside, slamming the door behind her. The commissioner stood there, stunned and silent, before slowly walking away, his shoulders slumped in defeat.

Jay watched from the doorway, a silent witness to Mia’s fiery outburst. When the commissioner was finally out of sight, Jay let out a long breath. He understood why Mia had reacted the way she did. It was her way of reclaiming control, of expressing the anger and hurt they had been forced to bottle up for so long.

Without a word, Jay turned and walked back into the house, joining Mia in the quiet that followed. The confrontation with the commissioner was over, but the emotional aftermath lingered. At least now, they could begin to focus on healing, both individually and together.