Nya and Jay rejoined the rest of the ninja in the living room, their faces etched with worry. The air crackled with a tense silence as everyone's eyes fell on them.

"We need to talk," Nya announced, her voice heavy.

Kai, ever the impatient one, stepped forward. "What happened? Where's Mia?"

Jay took a deep breath, his shoulders slumping slightly. "She's... she's gone," he said, his voice thick with emotion.

A collective gasp filled the room. Zane, usually composed, even raised an eyebrow in surprise. Cole, the ever-steady one, placed a comforting hand on Jay's shoulder.

"Gone? How?" Zane questioned, his brow furrowed.

Jay swallowed hard and began recounting everything: Mia's strange behavior, the locked box with wooden figures and photographs, the fight, and finally, the open window and the missing tracking device on her watch. He didn't hold back on sharing Mia's cryptic message to him, his voice cracking slightly when he said it.

"She said she was sorry, Jay," Nya added, tears welling up in her eyes. "She said she had to go."

The revelation hung heavy in the air. A wave of emotions washed over the group: shock, disbelief, sadness, and most of all, anger.

Cole slammed his fist on the coffee table. "Why would she do this? We're her friends! She could be in danger out there on her own, with that scroll influencing her."

Kai paced the room, frustration etched on his face. "This is all because of that stupid Forbidden Scroll! We should have never brought it back."

Nya glared at him. "It's not the scroll's fault, Kai. There's something else going on with Mia. We need to understand why she felt like she had to run away."

Jay remained silent, his gaze fixed on the floor. A wave of guilt crashed over him. Lately, his focus had been on Nya, and perhaps he hadn't been as attentive to Mia as he should have been. Had he missed something? Had he unknowingly pushed her away?

Master Wu, who had been listening patiently, spoke up. "There is truth in both your words. The scroll amplifies negative emotions, yes, but there is an underlying reason behind Mia's actions. We must find her before the scroll's influence grows stronger."

"But where do we even start looking?" Zane asked, his voice laced with concern.

Master Wu stroked his beard thoughtfully. "The open window and missing tracker offer clues. We can begin by retracing the path she might have taken from the monastery. Additionally, Jay, you mentioned a message to you from Mia. Did she say anything else that might hint at her destination?"

Jay shook his head, a bitter taste in his mouth. "No, Master Wu. Just... 'I'm sorry, Jay. I have to go.'"

A heavy silence descended upon the room once again. The enormity of the situation and the weight of their responsibility settled upon them. Mia, their friend, their teammate, was out there alone, lost and hurting. They had to find her, not only to protect her from the scroll's influence but to show her that she wasn't alone, that they cared.

Nya, determined to bring Mia back, looked at the team with a glint of resolve in her eyes. "We can't waste any more time. We split up and search every corner, every lead. We bring Mia back, together."

The others nodded solemnly, their faces set with purpose. Kai, his anger replaced with concern, put a hand on Jay's shoulder. "We'll find her, Jay. Don't worry."

_________________________________________________________

Mia soared through the night sky, the wind whipping through her hair. The cloud beneath her felt surprisingly stable, carrying her weight effortlessly. Despite the freedom of flight, a heavy weight sat in her chest.

She glanced back at the monastery, now a distant speck of light against the vast darkness. Leaving felt like the only choice she had. The Scroll's whispers, promising power and safety, had fueled her initial resolve. But now, a sense of doubt crept in. Was this truly what she wanted?

Suddenly, a sharp gust of wind buffeted the cloud, sending a jolt through Mia. She yelped and struggled for balance, her heart pounding. Panic swelled within her. Without meaning to, she tightened her grip on the energy swirling around the cloud, accidentally causing it to dip sharply.

"Whoa! Easy there," a voice called out from behind her. Mia whipped around to see a large, blue bird hovering in the air, its wings beating steadily. The bird's feathers shimmered with an otherworldly light, and Mia recognized it instantly.

"Fawkes?" Mia breathed, surprised. Fawkes was a mythical creature whispered about in ancient Spinjitzu texts, said to be a guardian of the skies. Never in a million years did she expect to see one, let alone have it speak to her.

Fawkes cocked its head. "Indeed. And you, young one, seem to be in a bit of a bind. Where are you headed in such a hurry?"

Mia hesitated. Should she trust this strange bird? But the kindness in its voice and the genuine concern in its gaze calmed her racing thoughts. She explained her predicament, pouring out her feelings of isolation and the fear that had driven her to run.

As Mia spoke, Fawkes listened patiently. When she finished, a long silence followed, filled only by the whoosh of the wind. Then, Fawkes spoke again, his voice surprisingly deep and calming.

"The Forbidden Scroll is a powerful tool, young one," Fawkes said. "But power without control is a dangerous thing. It can twist your thoughts and magnify your fears. But it doesn't have to be this way."

Mia looked down at the scroll clutched in her hand. Its dark energy pulsed beneath her fingers, a constant temptation.

Fawkes continued, "True strength comes from within, from facing your fears and finding your own path. Running away will never solve your problems. You need to confront them head-on."

" Head on?! Who do you think I am, Master Wu?! No! I like running away, thank you very much." And with that, Mia urged the cloud forward, leaving the bird alone.

Mia pushed Fawkes' words aside, focusing on steering the cloud through the night sky. The initial thrill of escape had faded, replaced by a gnawing loneliness and a growing sense of unease. The wind, once exhilarating, now felt cold and unforgiving.

She glanced down at the vast landscape stretching beneath her, an endless expanse of darkness dotted with twinkling lights. Where was she even going? The enormity of her situation hit her like a punch to the gut. Her bravado faltered, replaced by a pang of longing for the familiar comfort of the monastery.

Suddenly, a flicker of movement caught her eye in the distance. A small, dark shape darted between the trees below. Curiosity piqued, Mia steered the cloud closer. As she neared, she recognized the unmistakable silhouette of a sleek black cat with piercing yellow eyes.

"Blackie?" Mia gasped, disbelief tinging her voice.

The cat looked up, its eyes widening in surprise. "Well, well, well," Blackie drawled in his usual sarcastic tone. "Look who decided to grace me with her presence. Took you long enough, wouldn't you say?"

Mia sputtered, momentarily speechless. Blackie, her talking sassy cat, who usually resided at the monastery, was here? How? Why?

"Don't just stand there gawking like a scared rabbit," Blackie scoffed. "Did you finally decide to join the winning team, or are you just taking a scenic night tour?"

Mia's cheeks burned with a mixture of anger and confusion. "What are you doing out here, Blackie? And how in the world did you find me?"

Blackie flicked his tail dismissively. "Let's just say I have my ways. Besides, the whole monastery's been buzzing like a hive of angry bees ever since you disappeared. Even Zane managed to look mildly concerned, which is a feat in itself."

Mia couldn't help but let out a small, humorless laugh. Blackie, despite his snarky attitude, always seemed to know what was going on. But his words also sent a pang of guilt through her. How could she have been so oblivious to how much her actions had affected her friends?

"So, what now?" Blackie continued, his voice laced with a hint of concern beneath his usual sarcasm. "Are you going to keep moping around on that glorified cotton candy pillow, or are you going to face the music?"

Mia bit her lip, her gaze fixed on the distant monastery, now a mere speck of light on the horizon. Blackie's words echoed in her mind - "face the music." Fawkes' words echoed too - "True strength comes from within... You need to confront them head-on."

" Do you even know me?! I can't do that!"

" There's a thing called sarcasm. Sheesh. You humans are annoying." Blackie scoffed.

Then he stretched. " But those ninja are ruder than old cheese."

Mia's jaw dropped. Blackie, ever the master of surprise statements, had just declared his approval of her escape and insulted the ninja in one fell swoop.

"What are you talking about?" Mia stammered, her voice laced with disbelief. "Old cheese doesn't talk, Blackie."

Blackie scoffed, his yellow eyes rolling dramatically. "Of course not. But it stinks, doesn't it? Just like those ninja and their uptight ways. Always training, always yelling 'Spinjitzu this' and 'Spinjitzu that.' Bunch of control freaks, if you ask me."

Mia stared at him, dumbfounded. Blackie, usually a sassy observer of their ninja lives, had never openly criticized them before.

"But... why?" she finally managed, her voice barely a whisper.

Blackie hesitated, his tail twitching nervously. "Look," he began, his voice losing its usual bravado, "Maybe I overheard a thing or two around the monastery. Maybe I picked up on some... frustrations. Like how they coddle you sometimes, or how they don't always take your ideas seriously."

A flicker of recognition crossed Mia's face. Blackie was right. Sometimes, she did feel like the odd one out, the one whose ideas were dismissed or whose voice wasn't heard as clearly as the others. The gnawing feeling of loneliness that had been plaguing her all night intensified.

Sensing her turmoil, Blackie softened his tone. "But running away isn't the answer, kiddo. Those ninjas, for all their faults, care about you. They're worried sick, flying around like headless chickens ever since you disappeared."

" Good. Let them."

Blackie sputtered. " What?!"

" What what?"

Blackie's eyes widened in surprise, his fur bristling slightly. "Good, let them? Mia, are you serious? Don't you get it? They care about you! They're out there searching for you, worried sick."

Mia clenched her jaw. The loneliness gnawed at her, but a stubborn streak flickered within her too. "They should have cared more before," she mumbled, her voice thick with unshed tears.

Blackie landed back on the branch with a disgruntled huff. "That's not fair, Mia. They can't read minds. If you felt like you weren't being heard, you should have spoken up! Bottling it all up and then running away isn't exactly the most mature way to handle things."

Mia glared at him, her defiance wavering slightly. Blackie was right, of course. But admitting her insecurities felt terrifying. "It's easy for you to say," she muttered. "You don't have to deal with feeling like a spare part all the time."

Blackie let out a sardonic meow. "Spare part? Don't be ridiculous. You're an important member of the team, Mia. You have unique skills and a different perspective. They need you, just as much as you need them."

Mia cackled. " What happened to the cat who wanted me to be a wind witch?"

Blackie thought for a second.

" He was busy. Now he is here." Blackie pulled a small witch hat from his back ( don't ask) and put it on his head.

Mia's cackle echoed through the night sky, a startling sound that momentarily startled even the stoic Fawkes (who had just arrived unseen, perched on a nearby cloud). The tension that had gripped Mia dissipated as she looked at Blackie, his normally haughty demeanor replaced by a flustered expression. The sight of the usually snarky cat sporting a miniature witch hat was so ridiculous that Mia couldn't help but laugh.

"Don't ask," Blackie muttered, his voice laced with embarrassment as he adjusted the crooked hat. His ears flattened against his head, momentarily making him look like a much smaller, less confident feline.

" Oh, Blackie." Mia sighed. " Now, where were we with the witches?"

" You still need to learn magic." Blackie stated.

" Do I? Isn't a girl with the elemental master of Wind ENOUGH magic?"

Blackie puffed out his chest, a hint of his usual arrogance returning. "Enough magic for most, perhaps. But not for a true elemental master with a destiny as grand as yours!"

Mia raised an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "Destiny, huh? Last I checked, my destiny involved moping around on a cloud and avoiding overbearing ninja."

Blackie swatted playfully at her with his paw. "Details, details. The point is, you have untapped potential, kiddo. The Scroll hinted at it, you know. That connection you have with the wind, it's far more than just controlling breezes."

Mia looked down at her hand, a faint blue glow emanating from it - a lingering effect of manipulating the cloud. "So, what am I supposed to do? Become some kind of... wind witch?"

Blackie's eyes widened. "Bingo! You catch on quick. Though, 'witch' has such a negative connotation, wouldn't you agree? Wind channeler? Wind whisperer? Mistress of the Zephyrs?"

Mia rolled her eyes, a laugh escaping her lips. "Blackie, you're ridiculous. But... maybe there's something to it. Maybe learning more about controlling the wind, about this supposed 'destiny' you keep talking about, wouldn't be so bad."

Blackie grinned, his earlier annoyance forgotten. "Exactly! Now, about that grumpy troll and the bouncy swamp..."

Just then, a powerful gust of wind swept through the night, nearly knocking Mia off balance. She looked up to see Fawkes circling overhead, his wings outstretched.

"Greetings, young one," he boomed, his voice resonating with authority. "Blackie informs me you require assistance."

" She doesn't need any more assistance! You can go now!" Blackie meowed, nudging the bird away.

" Really? Because it seems she still needs help."

Mia scoffed.

" I do NOT. Now, if you will excuse us, we have some magic to do." Blackie hopped on Mia's shoulder, and Mia turned and walked away.

Fawkes perched on the highest peak of the monastery roof, his keen eyes scanning the vast landscape bathed in moonlight. A frustrated sigh escaped his beak. Mia's disappearance had created a tangled mess, and Fawkes found himself caught in the middle.

He knew the importance of Mia's return, not just for the sake of her worried friends, but for the potential she possessed. The whispers of the Forbidden Scroll had revealed a hidden strength within her, a connection to the wind that could blossom into something extraordinary.

But Blackie's unexpected intervention complicated things. While the cat's loyalty was unquestionable, his methods were... unorthodox, to say the least. Fawkes wasn't sure if a grumpy troll and a bouncy swamp were the most suitable tools for guiding Mia.

With a powerful beat of his wings, Fawkes launched himself back towards the monastery. He needed to inform Master Wu of the situation. As he swooped down towards the open window of the living room, he could sense the anxious energy emanating from the ninja team gathered inside.

Landing gracefully on the window ledge, Fawkes cawed loudly to get their attention. All eyes turned towards him, a flicker of hope igniting in their faces.

"Master Wu," Fawkes began, his voice deep and resonant, "I bring news concerning Mia."

Master Wu stepped forward, his face etched with worry. "Speak, Fawkes. What have you found?"

Fawkes explained his encounter with Mia, detailing her escape, her encounter with the Scroll's influence, and her current predicament with Blackie. He emphasized Mia's initial fear and confusion but also the budding determination he had sensed in her.

The ninja team listened intently, their initial relief morphing into concern once they heard about Blackie's involvement.

"Blackie?" Nya exclaimed, her voice laced with apprehension. "What in Ninjago is he doing involved?"

"His intentions seem good," Fawkes assured her, "though unconventional. He claims to have a way of getting Mia back."

Kai scoffed. "A talking cat with a questionable plan? This doesn't inspire confidence."

Master Wu, however, held a hand up, his expression thoughtful. "There may be some truth to Blackie's words. He possesses a certain... awareness of things, even if his methods are unorthodox."

"But what about the Scroll's influence?" Jay asked, his voice barely a whisper. "Is Mia still under its control?"

Fawkes dipped his head. "The Scroll's whispers still linger, but I believe Mia is starting to resist them. The encounter with Blackie, despite its absurdity, may have served as a wake-up call."

A heavy silence descended upon the room. Master Wu stroked his beard, contemplating the situation.

"We cannot dismiss Blackie's efforts entirely," he finally said. "However, we must also ensure Mia's safety. Fawkes, do you believe you can track her progress?"

Fawkes spread his wings, his keen eyes catching the faint shimmer of moonlight reflecting off a distant wind current. "It is possible."

"Then find them," Master Wu instructed, his voice firm. "Stay near Mia, guide her if possible, but do not interfere with Blackie unless absolutely necessary. Our main priority is to bring her home safely."

Fawkes dipped his head in acknowledgement. "As you wish, Master Wu."

With a powerful burst of wind, Fawkes took flight once more, soaring towards the direction of the wind current. The fate of Mia, and the potential she held, rested on the success of their combined efforts - a grumpy troll, a mischievous cat, a giant bird, and a team of worried ninja. The night was far from over.