Jay held her tight, resting his chin on top of her head. "You'll never have to find out," he promised, his voice filled with love and determination. "I'm always going to be here, right by your side."

That? All that Jay told Nya and Mia at separate times?

That was a lie.

Because here they were now, no Jay.

They had just come back from the tournament of Sourses, and Mia was both sad and angry.

So she vented out by doing some archery in her room, something Jay didn't really like.

As she shot a few bows, she remembered an old memory of her childhood, when her parents were alive.

On a sunny afternoon, the Walker family decided to enjoy a relaxing picnic at the park. The lush green grass was dotted with wildflowers, and the gentle breeze carried the scent of blooming flowers. Their mother, a spirited and energetic woman, was spreading out the picnic blanket, her eyes twinkling as she watched her two-year-old daughter, Mia, who was already showing signs of being just like her.

Mia, despite her young age, was full of energy and determination. She was busy shoulder rolling and mimicking the fighting moves she had seen her mother practice. Her tiny fists were clenched, and her face was a picture of concentration as she practiced her little punches and kicks. Even at two, she was determined to perfect her fighting skills, just like her mom.

Jay, who was thirteen at the time, sat nearby on the picnic blanket, engrossed in a book. He was the spitting image of their father-calm, thoughtful, and always with his nose in a book. While Mia's bursts of energy and constant movement could have been distracting, Jay was used to it by now. He would glance up occasionally, smiling fondly at his little sister's antics, before returning to his book.

Their father, a gentle and reserved man, watched over them with a serene smile. He was seated beside Jay, enjoying the peacefulness of the day. Every now and then, he would comment on what Mia was doing, amused by how much she resembled her mother.

"Look at her go," he chuckled, glancing at his wife. "She's just like you, always on the move."

Their mother grinned proudly, watching Mia's tiny form as she tumbled and kicked. "That's my girl," she said, her voice full of affection. "She's going to be a force to be reckoned with one day."

Jay, hearing this, looked up from his book and nodded in agreement. "She already is," he said with a soft laugh. "She's got more energy than all of us combined."

Mia, noticing that everyone was watching her, stopped her rolling for a moment and looked at them with wide, curious eyes. She then smiled brightly and ran over to Jay, her little legs carrying her as fast as they could. She practically tackled him, wrapping her tiny arms around him in a tight hug. Jay put his book down and hugged her back, laughing softly.

Their mother joined in, sitting down beside them, and their father leaned in as well, creating a warm, comforting family embrace. The picnic blanket was filled with love, laughter, and the shared joy of a simple, beautiful day spent together.

Mia smiled bittersweetly.

" Mia? Are you okay?" A voice asked.

Startled, Mia whirled to find Kai.

" Yeah, just dazed out." Mia replied, avoiding eye contact.

Kai raised a brow. " Thinking about your parents?"

Mia nodded. " Yep."

She turned back and started to shoot arrows again.

Cole walked in. " What's happening here?"

" Mia had a memory of her parents."

" Oh. Cool." Cole nodded. " I get those all the time."

Mia turned to him. " What's for lunch?"

" Lloyd is trying to make pancakes, but....." He sighed, and Mia sat down. It was gonna be a long story.

" So, basically..... Lloyd was mixing batter then I accidentally scared him. The batter went to Nya's face and Kai was trying to figure out how to turn the stove on so he used his fire but the fire was a bit too much so it almost burned the kitchen but Nya was there to stop it."

Mia smiled faintly as she listened to Cole's story, the chaotic scene in the kitchen almost pulling her out of the memories she had been lost in. "So basically, a typical day around here," she remarked, shaking her head in amusement.

Kai chuckled. "Yeah, pretty much. You know Lloyd, he tries, but sometimes things just go... sideways."

"Sideways is an understatement," Mia quipped, trying to lighten her mood, though her thoughts were still tinged with the sadness of the memory she had just revisited.

Cole took a seat next to her. "It's okay to miss them, you know," he said gently. "We all miss someone."

Mia looked at him, her eyes softening. "Yeah, I know. It's just... sometimes it feels like the more I miss them, the more it hurts."

Kai placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "That's because you loved them so much. It's okay to feel that way. But remember, you're not alone. We're here for you."

Mia nodded, appreciating their support. "Thanks, guys." She looked down at the bow in her hand, the weight of her grief and frustration still heavy in her chest. "It's just hard, you know? Jay promised he'd always be here, and now..." Her voice trailed off.

Cole sighed. "I know, Mia. But we'll get him back. We'll figure it out. Until then, just remember you're not alone in this."

Mia nodded again, trying to hold on to that reassurance. "Right. We'll get him back." She took a deep breath and then forced a small smile. "Now, about those pancakes... think there's anything left to salvage?"

Kai grinned. "Let's find out. And if not, I'm sure we can figure something out."

As they entered the kitchen, the smell of something burnt lingered in the air, but their attention was immediately drawn to Nya, who was frantically pacing back and forth, her eyes wide with concern.

"Jay's in the forest," Nya blurted out, her voice filled with urgency.

Mia, who had been listening casually, suddenly froze. Her heart skipped a beat, and her eyes widened in shock. "What?" she gasped, her voice barely above a whisper.

Without waiting for further explanation, Mia's instincts kicked in. She bolted out of the kitchen, her thoughts racing. The only thing on her mind was finding Jay. As she reached the courtyard, she quickly conjured a cloud beneath her feet, using her wind powers to lift herself into the air.

"Mia, wait!" Kai called out, running after her, but Mia was already soaring into the sky, her eyes fixed on the direction of the forest.

She could feel her heart pounding in her chest, a mix of fear and determination driving her forward. Jay was out there, and she wasn't going to let anything stop her from finding him. The wind whipped around her, pushing her forward as she sped toward the forest, praying she wasn't too late.

When Mia landed softly in the dense forest, she noticed flashes of lightning crackling in the distance. Her heart pounded with a mix of fear and determination as she crept toward the source of the light. The trees rustled around her, but she pressed on, her mind focused on finding Jay.

As she got closer, she finally saw him-Jay, standing amidst the trees, his lightning flickering around him like a protective shield. His back was turned to her, and Mia hesitated for a moment before calling out softly, "Jay?"

He turned slowly, his blue eyes locking onto hers with an unreadable expression. "Oh, it's you," he said, his voice cold and distant. "From the tournament."

Mia's heart sank at the tone in his voice. "Who, me?" she asked, trying to hide the hurt she felt.

"Yeah," Jay replied, his gaze narrowing as he looked at her. "The one who helped Ras kick me off his team. The one who says she's my sister."

Mia's breath caught in her throat. "Jay, I-" she started, but he cut her off.

"I don't know why you're here," Jay continued, his voice hard, "but I don't need your help. I don't need anyone's help."

Mia took a step forward, her eyes pleading. "Jay, you have to believe me. I never wanted to hurt you. I'm your sister, and I'm here because I care about you."

Jay's expression softened slightly, but the hurt in his eyes remained. "Sister? You sure have a funny way of showing it," he muttered, turning his back to her.

Mia felt tears welling up in her eyes, but she fought them back. "Jay, please, just let me explain. I was trying to protect you."

"Protect me?" Jay scoffed, glancing back at her. "By fighting me? By knocking me out? That's not protection, Mia. That's betrayal."

Mia felt her heart breaking at his words. "Jay, I was desperate," she whispered. "I was trying to wake you up, to make you remember who you are. You're more than what Ras made you believe. You're our brother. You're Nya's Yin... you're my Jay."

Jay hesitated, the lightning around him flickering uncertainly. He stared at Mia, the conflict in his eyes clear. He wanted to believe her, but the pain and betrayal he felt were too deep.

Mia stepped closer, her voice trembling. "Please, Jay... come back with me. Let me help you remember. Let us be a family again."

Jay looked down, his fists clenching and unclenching as he wrestled with his emotions. Finally, he sighed, the lightning fading away as he looked back at Mia.

"I don't know if I can trust you," he admitted quietly, "but I'll give you a chance to prove it."

Mia nodded, tears finally spilling over as she smiled sadly. "Thank you, Jay. I won't let you down."

As Mia took a step forward, eager to reach Jay, she was suddenly jolted back by a sharp sting of electricity. She gasped, realizing that a barrier of lightning surrounded Jay, keeping her at bay. The pain was fleeting, but the shock of it was enough to make her pause.

Jay's expression remained guarded as he watched her, almost as if he expected her to give up and walk away.

But Mia wasn't one to back down easily. She narrowed her eyes at the barrier, feeling the familiar surge of her own lightning power crackling within her. Determined, she raised her hand, letting the energy flow through her fingertips. The air around her crackled with electricity as she focused on the barrier, her eyes locked on Jay's.

With a swift motion, Mia unleashed her lightning, letting it clash with Jay's barrier. The two forces collided with a loud crackle, and for a moment, it seemed as though the barrier might hold. But Mia's will was stronger. She poured all her strength into her lightning, determined to reach her brother.

Finally, with a burst of energy, Mia's lightning overwhelmed the barrier, shattering it into harmless sparks that fizzled out around her. She took a shaky breath, her eyes never leaving Jay's as she stepped forward again, this time without any resistance.

"Jay," she said softly, her voice carrying a mix of relief and determination. "I'm not going to let anything stand between us. Not even your own defenses."

Jay looked at her, his expression softening as the barrier fell. He took a tentative step towards her, the anger and hurt in his eyes giving way to something more vulnerable.

"Why are you doing this, Mia?" Jay asked quietly, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Because you're my brother," Mia replied, her voice steady. "And I'll do whatever it takes to bring you back. I can't lose you, Jay. Not again."

For a moment, they stood there in the clearing, the remnants of the lightning barrier still crackling faintly around them. Jay looked at Mia, seeing the fierce determination in her eyes, and something inside him began to shift. The wall he had built around himself started to crumble, piece by piece.

Jay's shoulders slumped as he turned away from Mia, his voice filled with frustration and longing. "I just want to belong somewhere, Mia," he confessed, his voice cracking slightly. "Before the Merge, I didn't know my life, and after, I ended up in the administration. But they had so many rules, and I hate rules. I can't stand being confined like that."

Mia nodded, her heart aching for her brother. "I know, Jay. I know how much you hate being boxed in."

Jay continued, his voice growing more pained. "Then there was Ras. He seemed like he could offer me something different, but he was way too mean, too cruel. I couldn't stay with him either."

Mia stepped closer, her eyes full of empathy and understanding. "I know that too, Jay. I know how hard it's been for you, trying to find a place where you fit. But listen to me." She gently placed a hand on his arm, trying to convey the depth of her words. "You belong with me, with Nya, with the ninja. We're your family, Jay. We're the ones who care about you, who accept you for who you are."

Jay hesitated, his gaze meeting Mia's. He saw the sincerity in her eyes, the unwavering belief that he could find his place with them. The longing for belonging that had driven him to the administration and then to Ras began to wane, replaced by the warmth of the bond he had with his sister and his friends.

"I... I don't know if I can just come back," Jay murmured, his voice uncertain. "After everything that's happened..."

Mia squeezed his arm gently, offering him a small smile. "You don't have to figure it all out right now. But just know that we're here for you, Jay. We want you back, and we'll help you find your place. You don't have to do this alone."

Jay looked down at her hand on his arm, then back up at her. Slowly, he nodded, the walls around his heart crumbling a little more. "Okay," he said softly. "Okay, Mia. I'll try."

Mia's smile widened, and she pulled him into a hug, holding him tight. "That's all I need to hear, Jay. We'll figure it out together."

For the first time in a long while, Jay felt a glimmer of hope. He didn't have all the answers yet, but with Mia by his side, he knew he had a chance to find his way back.

Mia reached into her bag and, with a swift motion of her hand, summoned a gust of wind that brought forth Jay's old gi-the one he had worn during the Aspheerias invasion. The familiar blue fabric and a grey vest fluttered in the breeze as it settled gently on the ground.

"Spin. Spinjitzu into it," Mia instructed, her voice firm but hopeful.

Jay stared at the gi in confusion, then back at Mia. "What? I don't understand."

Mia's eyes widened with a mix of frustration and disbelief. "Really? You don't remember? You know Spinjitzu, right?"

Jay shook his head, a touch of uncertainty in his voice. "I know Shatterspin."

Mia's heart skipped a beat, and she yelped, "No! Please, don't use Shatterspin!"

The fear in her voice was palpable, and Jay could see how deeply unsettled she was. Mia's face was a mix of panic and desperation as she continued, "Just... just spin. Don't use Shatterspin. Please."

Jay took a moment to gauge Mia's reaction. Seeing how much this meant to her, he reluctantly nodded. "Okay, okay. I'll just spin."

He stepped forward, focusing on the familiar motion of Spinjitzu, and began to spin, his movements fluid and precise as he performed the technique he had used countless times before. The gi was enveloped in the spinning vortex of energy, and Jay felt a sense of familiarity as the power surged through him.

Mia watched with bated breath, her anxiety slowly melting away as she saw Jay's movements. She knew that despite his memory loss, the core of who he was still remained.

As Jay finished his Spinjitzu, he looked at Mia, who was visibly relieved. "Is that okay?" he asked, his voice softer.

Mia nodded, her face lighting up with a grateful smile. "Yes, that's perfect. Thank you, Jay."

Jay hesitated, taking in the sight of the gi and the emotional reaction it had evoked in Mia. "I guess... I still have some of my old skills," he said quietly.

Mia nodded again, feeling a mix of relief and hope. "Yes, you do. And we'll work on getting everything back, one step at a time."

Jay looked around, the pieces of his past beginning to fall into place. The familiar movements, the old gi-it all seemed to be coming back to him, and for the first time, he felt a glimmer of his old self returning.

Suddenly, the sound of approaching footsteps drew their attention. Cole, Lloyd, and Nya arrived on the scene, each with their own expressions of concern and curiosity.

Cole, holding a book titled "Clutch Power's Wisdom," made his way over to Jay. He extended the book with a grin. "Hey, Jay. I was reading this, and there's something in here that might help you."

Jay took the book and flipped through a few pages. He paused, eyes widening as he read a particular section. "Oh! Clutch says if you're in a pickle, stay calm and relax your face! It's all about saying 'brobroguu guu'!"

Lloyd's face fell, and he groaned in exasperation. "Good grief. Not that again."

Mia, however, was beaming with pride. "Good, Jay! See, you're getting back to yourself."

Lloyd couldn't help but shake his head, frustration evident. "Good?! Are you kidding me? Jay almost ate my brain in that pyramid!"

Jay looked up from the book, a mixture of amusement and confusion on his face. "Wait, what?"

Mia sighed and put a reassuring hand on Jay's shoulder. "Don't worry about it, Jay. Lloyd's just a bit dramatic. Clutch's advice is actually pretty useful."

Cole chuckled. "Yeah, Lloyd's just still recovering from that encounter. But seriously, it's good to see you getting back into the swing of things."

Nya nodded in agreement. "We'll get through this, Jay. One step at a time."

Jay looked at the book in his hands, then back at his friends. A small smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "Thanks, everyone. I appreciate the support. And don't worry, I'll be more careful with my powers."

Lloyd gave Jay a half-hearted smile. "Just... try not to use 'brobroguu guu' on me again, okay?"

Jay chuckled, feeling a bit more at ease. "I'll do my best."

As they walked home, Mia continued to chat animatedly with Jay, her earlier tension now replaced with a more relaxed energy. The evening air was cool, and the group strolled through the familiar path leading back to their base.

"So, Jay," Mia said, her eyes gleaming with mischief and affection, "you're this lightning ninja who is really goofy. You love playing video games, which, by the way, you're terrible at, but you love them anyway. You hate the fact that I train so much and complain about it, and you're always tinkering with inventions. Also, you have this thing where you constantly need to change your pants. Oh, and you make everything funny!"

Jay raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Oh really? What else?"

Mia grinned. "Well, like that one time when you guys were stuck in a pyramid. We were on this narrow bridge, and it broke. You yelled, 'PULL ME UP! PULL ME UP!' Then, Nya touched another step, and the whole thing collapsed. And you, in your usual Jay fashion, yelled 'brobroguu guu'."

Lloyd groaned from beside them. "Seriously, Mia?"

Mia ignored. " And Lloyd said, ' Would you stop with that? It doesn't help'!"

Jay laughed, shaking his head. "And what did I say to that?"

Mia's grin widened. "You said, 'You haven't even tried it!''"

Jay chuckled, clearly enjoying the retelling of the memory. "Wow, that's quite the recollection."

Cole, who was trying to keep his cool, said, "Woah, Mia. Give him a break! He just came back!"

Mia shrugged, still smiling. "Well, Jay always hears me talk about these things, so I thought I'd remind him of how ridiculous and fun he is."

Nya looked over at Jay with a smile. "Mia does have a point. You do bring a lot of humor and lightness to our team. It's one of the things we missed most while you were gone."

Jay nodded, his expression softening. "Thanks, Mia. I guess I do have a knack for making things interesting. And I've missed all of you too."

Then, he muttered, " I think?"

Mia's curiosity piqued, she looked over at Jay, her eyes sparkling with interest. "So, Jay, what do you remember about the team?"

Jay scratched his head, thinking for a moment. "Oh, lots of things. For one thing, Kai hates me. Cole is my friend, but I think he's lying about something. Lloyd always finds a way to get me in trouble, and Zane... oh yeah, Zane is a walking dictionary!"

Mia raised an eyebrow, clearly taken aback. "O-kay."

Lloyd snickered beside her. "Well, he's not wrong about Zane. Zane does know a lot of things."

Zane, walking ahead, glanced back with a mild smirk. "It's true, but I prefer to think of it as being well-informed."

Jay laughed. "I guess that's one way to put it. But seriously, it's kind of funny how much I've forgotten and how much I remember differently. Like, Kai and I were always at each other's throats, but now I'm wondering if we were really that bad."

Mia grinned. "Oh, you were definitely that bad. But we're all friends, and that's what matters. Even if you forget stuff, we'll always have your back."

Jay smiled, a bit of his old confidence returning. "Thanks, Mia. I guess it's good to know I have people who still care about me, even if my memory's a bit fuzzy."

"But about the other things..." Mia began.

Jay looked at her, puzzled. "What?"

" The others. What about them?"

"Kai does hate me. I mean, he's always yelling at me and scolding me and stuff. Oh, and Cole doesn't really need me. He's got Kai. And Lloyd? Don't even get me started!"

Mia winced, her heart sinking at Jay's words. She excused herself and walked over to the others, who were discussing Jay's quirky comments.

"We need to make sure he's loved," Mia said urgently. "I know my brother, and those feelings he just mentioned? That's pure Jay."

Nya, Cole, Lloyd, and Zane exchanged concerned glances. "What do you mean?" Nya asked.

Mia explained, "Jay has this way of feeling like he doesn't belong or isn't needed, even when we all care about him. His jokes and memories are his way of coping. If he's saying things like that, it means he's feeling really alone and uncertain."

Lloyd nodded, looking troubled. "I had no idea he felt that way. We've all been so focused on our own issues and the mission, we might've overlooked how Jay was feeling."

Cole stepped forward. "So, what do we do?"

"Let's make sure Jay knows he's important to us," Mia said firmly. "We need to show him that he's part of this team and that we value him, not just as a member of the team but as a friend and brother."

Nya agreed. "We'll need to be more mindful of how we interact with him and make sure he knows how much we care. Actions speak louder than words, especially for someone like Jay."

When they got home, she was greeted by Kai, who approached her with a friendly smile. Jay, noticing Kai's relaxed demeanor, quipped, "Wow, I should go away more often! Finally, the brother-in-law without his cocky attitude."

Mia's eyes widened in disbelief. "Really?! Not five minutes in, and you're already teasing him?!"

Jay shrugged with a playful grin. "What can I say?"

Mia sighed and turned to Cole. "Cole, go with Jay to his room. I need to talk to Kai."

Cole nodded and gestured for Jay to follow him, leading him away. Jay continued to tease, but his words were now softer, as he was aware of the serious conversation that Mia and Kai needed to have.

Once they were alone, Mia turned to Kai with a serious expression. "Kai, I need to talk to you about something important."

Kai looked concerned. "What's up?"

Mia took a deep breath. "I've been thinking about Jay and what he said. He feels like he doesn't belong or isn't needed, and that's not true. I need you to understand that he's struggling, and he needs our support more than ever."

Kai's expression softened. "I had no idea he felt that way. I thought he was just being his usual self. But now that you mention it, I see how he might feel isolated, especially with everything that's happened."

Mia nodded. "Exactly. I know you might have had issues with him in the past, but he's part of our family and the team. We need to show him that we care and value him, no matter what."

Kai's gaze was earnest. "You're right. I'll do my best to be more supportive and understanding. Jay's been through a lot, and he deserves to know that he's important to us."

Mia smiled, feeling relieved. "Thank you, Kai. I appreciate it."

But Mia sent Kai to Jay's room. She had something else to do.

As soon as Mia reached her room, she collapsed onto her bed and buried her face in her pillow, letting out a muffled scream of joy. Her emotions had been running high, and finally, after so much struggle, she felt a surge of relief and happiness.

Cole, who was passing by, heard the commotion and poked his head into her room. "Do you have a pig in there?!"

Mia lifted her head from the pillow, her face flushed but smiling brightly. "No, Cole! Just me being incredibly happy."

Cole raised an eyebrow, puzzled but amused. "Well, I'm glad to hear you're happy. Just keep it down a bit. Jay's room is right next door."

Mia laughed and nodded. "Got it. Thanks, Cole."

Cole closed the door and continued on his way, leaving Mia to revel in her moment of joy and relief.

Blackie sauntered into Mia's room, his tail flicking with casual sass. "Your brother smells," he announced with a flick of his whiskers.

Mia, still beaming, replied, "I know."

Blackie continued, "He needs a bath. A mud bath, maybe."

Just then, Lloyd walked by and overheard. "Who needs a mud bath?"

Mia quickly covered, "No one, Lloyd. Just Blackie being... Blackie."

Lloyd looked at her with a mix of curiosity and amusement but let it go, heading back to Jay's room to check on things.

The scene in Jay's room was a whirlwind of activity. Kai was in full pursuit, chasing Jay around the room, while Jay darted and dodged with surprising agility. The room was a mess, with clothes and gadgets strewn everywhere, a testament to the chaos that had unfolded.

Cole, meanwhile, was stuck to the wall, his hands and feet somehow glued or magnetized, leaving him unable to move. His attempts to free himself only added to the bedlam.

Nya, standing in the middle of it all, was trying her best to act as the referee. She waved her arms, trying to impose some semblance of order. "Alright, you two! This has gone far enough! Jay, you're supposed to be getting settled, not turning this room into a battleground. And Kai, you're supposed to be helping, not chasing him around like a lunatic!"

Mia, having overheard the commotion, peeked in with a grin. "So, did someone order a bit of chaos with their reunion?"

Nya glanced at Mia with a mix of exasperation and relief. "Perfect timing. If you could help get Cole down and maybe calm these two down, I'd be eternally grateful."

Mia nodded, stepping into the room and ready to assist. "Sure thing. Let's get this madness under control."

Mia used her wind to gently peel Cole off the wall, but the force left him in need of a new shirt, his current one now hanging in tatters. He looked at Mia, slightly embarrassed but mostly relieved to be freed.

Nya, still in the midst of trying to manage the chaos, turned to Mia with wide eyes. "What's the plan for Jay and Kai?"

Mia shrugged with a smirk. "They'll tire themselves out eventually. Sometimes you just have to let them wear themselves down."

Nya stared at her in disbelief. "Really? You're just going to let them keep going?"

Mia nodded. "Yep. They need to let off steam. Trust me, they'll calm down once they're too exhausted to keep up the energy."

Nya sighed, accepting that Mia's approach might be the most practical for the moment. "Alright, but if they break anything else, I'm holding you responsible."