( This used to happen to me when I was little.)

" What do you want?" Mia cried, waving her sword.

Jay gave her a sinister smile. " I want to kill you."

Three year old Mia shot out of her bed, screaming, " NO!"

She panted, and checked her clock. It was two in the morning.

Would Kai mind if she slept with him this night?

And maybe for the rest of the year?

Mia grabbed her blanket and stuffed orca and tiptoed to her brother in law's room. He was sleeping peacefully. 

Mia gently jumped on his bed, put her blanket on, and snugged with Orky ( her orca).

_________________________________________

Kai opened his eyes and sat up. 

Something beside him moved. 

And a small arm clung onto his. 

Kai's eyes widened as he saw Mia curled up next to him, Orky clutched tightly in her hand. He didn't dare move, unsure what had woken her. A whimper escaped her lips, followed by a mumbled, "Jay..."

Suddenly, Mia bolted upright, eyes wide with terror. "He wants to kill me!" she shrieked, pointing a tiny finger towards the doorway.

The door creaked open a crack, revealing a sleepy Cole. He squinted at the scene, rubbing his eyes. "What's all the commotion about?" he asked, his voice thick with sleep.

Kai reached out and gently shushed Mia, who scrambled closer to him. Before Kai could explain, Mia blurted out, pointing at him again, "Jay wants to kill meeeee!"

Cole's sleepiness vanished instantly. He rushed over and knelt beside the bed, concern etched on his face. "Mia, sweetheart, what are you talking about?"

Mia clung to Kai, burying her face in his shoulder. Kai, still confused, explained, "She woke up crying about Jay trying to hurt her."

Cole frowned. He glanced at Kai, then back at Mia. "A dream, perhaps?" he asked, his voice laced with a hint of disbelief. "But she's so little..."

Kai shrugged, unsure himself. "Even little ones have bad dreams, Cole."

Cole, however, didn't seem convinced. He looked at Mia, his brow furrowed in thought. "Mia," he said softly, "Can you tell Uncle Cole what happened in your dream?"

Mia peeked at him from behind Kai's arm. Tears welled up in her big, brown eyes. "Jay had a scary smile," she whimpered, "and he said he wanted to kill me!"

Cole exchanged a bewildered look with Kai. In all their years fighting alongside Jay, the idea of him ever wanting to harm anyone, let alone a child, seemed absurd. "Mia," Cole said gently, "Jay is your brother. He would never want to hurt you. Dreams can be scary sometimes, you know?"

Mia sniffled, unconvinced. "But it felt so real," she mumbled.

Kai, his brow furrowed in concern, glanced at Cole. "Hold on, Mia," he said gently. Turning to Cole, he lowered his voice. "Could you excuse me and Cole for a second?"

Mia nodded and snugged under the covers.

Kai led Cole out of earshot of Mia. "This is serious, Cole," Kai whispered. "Jay's her older brother! Why on earth would she dream something like that?"

Cole ran a hand through his hair, his face etched with worry. "Maybe it's just a nightmare, a jumbled mess of her subconscious. Kids make up all sorts of things in their dreams."

"But wouldn't she dream of, you know, monsters or something?" Kai argued. "Why Jay specifically?"

Cole pondered this, chewing on his lip. "Maybe it's something she overheard. Kids pick up on more than we realize sometimes."

Kai shook his head. "I don't think so. She's never seemed scared of Jay before. They play together all the time."

Suddenly, an idea struck Kai. "Zane!" he exclaimed. "We need to talk to Zane."

They  found him in the kitchen, spatula in hand, flipping pancakes alongside Lloyd. The air smelled sweet and syrupy, a stark contrast to the seriousness of their situation.

"Zane," Kai said urgently, hurrying over. Cole followed close behind, his brow furrowed.

Zane glanced up, a questioning look in his electric blue eyes. "Is everything alright?" he asked, noticing their troubled expressions.

"We need to talk," Kai said, his voice low. He exchanged a hesitant look with Cole, unsure how to proceed.

Lloyd, perched on a barstool, spun around, a half-eaten pancake in his hand. "What's going on?" he asked, his green eyes wide with curiosity.

Cole sighed. "It's Mia," he began, then explained the situation about Mia's dream and her fear of Jay.

Zane listened intently, his expression thoughtful. Once Cole finished, Lloyd burst out, his voice laced with disbelief, "How can a three-year-old have such elaborate dreams?! And why Jay? He wouldn't hurt a fly!"

Kai nodded in agreement. "Exactly! It doesn't make sense."

Zane set down the spatula and folded his arms, his brow furrowed in concentration. "Dreams can be manifestations of our deepest fears or anxieties," he said thoughtfully. "Even for children. Perhaps something has happened, something Mia witnessed or overheard that has caused her to associate Jay with danger."

The kitchen door suddenly swung open, revealing a flustered Jay and a smiling Nya.

"Hey guys, where's Mia?" Jay asked, holding a basket of laundry. He stopped short, noticing the tense atmosphere in the room. Everyone's gaze was fixed on him, a mix of concern and something else... was it anger?

"There you are, sleepyhead," Nya said brightly, oblivious to the tension. "We made pancakes!"

Before Jay could respond, Kai blurted out, "There's been a problem, Jay."

Jay's smile faltered. "A problem? What's wrong?" He glanced at Mia, who was still nestled in Kai's bed, clutching Orky tightly.

Cole took a deep breath. "Mia had a nightmare," he began hesitantly. He explained the dream, the fear of Jay wanting to hurt her, and the confusion it caused.

As Cole spoke, the color drained from Jay's face. His eyes widened in disbelief, then narrowed with a mixture of hurt and anger. "What?!" he exclaimed, his voice rising. "A nightmare? About me?"

He looked around at the others, his jaw clenched. "Why would she dream something like that? I would never hurt Mia! Never!"

Kai held up his hands placatingly. "We know, Jay. We believe you. That's why this is so strange."

Lloyd chimed in, his voice tight. "Maybe Zane's right. Maybe she overheard something, some misunderstanding that's twisted itself into a nightmare."

Jay ran a hand through his hair, his frustration evident. He stormed over to Kai's bed and knelt beside Mia, his voice softening. "Mia, sweetie, wake up," he said gently.

Mia stirred slightly, her brow furrowed. "Jay?" she mumbled, her voice thick with sleep.

"It's okay, Mia," Jay said reassuringly. "You're safe. It was just a bad dream."

Mia peeked at him, her eyes blinking open slowly. Then, as full consciousness returned, a look of terror washed over her face. "Jay!" she shrieked, scrambling back against the headboard. "Don't hurt me!"

Kai lunged forward, scooping Mia into his arms before she could retreat further. "Whoa, whoa, Mia," he soothed, his voice calm and firm. "Jay doesn't want to hurt you. He loves you very much."

Tears streamed down Mia's face. "But he did in my dream!" she cried, burying her face in Kai's shoulder. "He said he wanted to kill meee!"

Jay looked stricken, his face pale. He reached out a hand hesitantly, wanting to comfort his little sister, but unsure of how she would react.

Seeing Jay's gesture, Mia flinched and clung tighter to Kai. "No, Jay! Stay away!"

Kai, his heart heavy with the situation, decided it was best to give them some space. "Alright, Mia," he said gently. "Let's go change your clothes, okay? Then you can cuddle with Nya and eat some pancakes."

Mia hesitated for a moment, her eyes flitting between Kai and Jay. Finally, with a small whimper, she nodded. Kai carried her out of the room, leaving the others standing in stunned silence.

As soon as the door closed, Nya rushed to Jay's side, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. His face was a mask of hurt and confusion. "This is crazy," he muttered, shaking his head. "Why would she dream something like that?"

Lloyd crossed his arms, "Zane was right, something must have triggered it. But what?"

Cole rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "We need to figure this out, and fast. A misunderstanding this big could really mess things up between Jay and Mia."

Zane nodded in agreement. "Perhaps we should talk to Nya. Since she's closer to Mia, maybe she can shed some light on the situation."

Nya looked up, her eyes filled with concern. "I'll try," she said, her voice heavy. "But honestly, I'm just as lost as you guys."

In the afternoon, Nya found Mia curled up on the couch, clutching Orky tightly. Her eyes were red-rimmed from crying, and her lower lip trembled slightly. Nya sat down beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

"Hey, Mia," Nya said softly. "Can you tell Auntie Nya what happened in your dream?"

Mia sniffled and looked up at Nya with tear-filled eyes. "I don't know," she mumbled, her voice small. "One second Jay was dancing and singing, and the next..." she trailed off, her brow furrowing in concentration, "the next he had a scary face and said he wanted to kill me!"

Nya listened intently, her heart clenching at Mia's words. This dream, so vivid and terrifying for a little girl, couldn't be entirely random. There had to be a reason, a trigger that sparked such a violent image in her mind.

"Did anything else happen in the dream, Mia?" Nya asked gently. "Anything before Jay had that scary face?"

Mia shook her head, her brow furrowed in thought. "No," she said after a moment. "Just Jay... dancing and singing."

Nya pondered this for a moment. Dancing and singing? It didn't sound like anything Jay would ever do to threaten someone, especially Mia. A memory flickered in Nya's mind. Just a few days ago, she and Jay had been practicing a new dance move for their upcoming performance. It had been a silly, goofy dance, and Jay had been laughing hysterically as they stumbled around the living room. Could that be it?

"Mia," Nya said tentatively, "did Jay's face look scary in your dream because he was, you know, making a funny face?"

Mia looked at Nya, her eyes wide with uncertainty. She thought for a moment, then shook her head slowly. "No," she said definitively. "He wasn't making a funny face. He was mad."

Nya's brow furrowed. Mad? That didn't make sense either. Jay rarely got truly angry, and even when he did, it wouldn't be directed at a little kid like Mia. There was something more to this, something they weren't understanding

__________________________________________

The next morning, a commotion woke everyone up. They rushed out of their rooms to find Mia running down the hallway, tears streaming down her face, screaming, "It wasn't Jay! It wasn't Jay! It was Kai! Kai wants to kill me!"

The ninja froze, their faces a mixture of shock and disbelief. Kai, who was just entering the kitchen with a cup of coffee, nearly choked. The mug clattered to the floor, shattering into pieces.

"Kai?" Lloyd stammered, bewildered. "What's she talking about?"

Mia skidded to a halt in front of Lloyd, burying her face in his shirt and clinging to him tightly. Her small body trembled with fear.

Nya rushed over and knelt beside them, scooping Mia into her arms. "Mia, sweetie, calm down," Nya soothed, her voice laced with concern. "What happened?"

Mia peeked out from behind Nya's shoulder, her eyes wide with terror. "I had another dream," she whimpered. "This time, Kai was the one who wanted to hurt me!"

The revelation hung heavy in the air. Two nights in a row, Mia had woken up from nightmares, convinced that one of her closest family members wanted to harm her. It was unsettling, to say the least.

Cole stepped forward, his brow furrowed. "Another dream?" he said, his voice low. "This is getting strange."

Kai, his face pale and his jaw clenched, stared at Mia with a mixture of confusion and hurt. "But why me?" he whispered, his voice barely audible.

Zane, ever the analytical one, cleared his throat. "Perhaps," he began cautiously, "these dreams are not literal threats, but rather manifestations of deeper anxieties. Children often struggle to express complex emotions, and their anxieties can manifest in distorted ways through dreams."

Nya nodded slowly. "That makes sense. But why Kai and Jay?"

Lloyd chimed in, his eyes narrowed in thought. "Maybe it has something to do with who she spends the most time with. She sees you guys as her protectors, and maybe she's worried about something happening to you, or her being separated from you."

Kai knelt down in front of Mia, his voice gentle. "Mia," he said softly, "look at me. You know I would never hurt you, right? You're my little firecracker."

Mia sniffled, peeking at him with tear-filled eyes. "But you were scary in my dream," she mumbled.

"It was just a dream, Mia," Nya assured her, wiping away a stray tear. "Dreams aren't always real. They can be silly or scary, but they don't mean what they seem sometimes."

" SILLY?!" Mia yelled. " KAI WANTS TO KILL MEEEEE!"

Cole scooped her up. " Let's go change." He said, walking her to the bathroom.

The other ninja watched Cole disappear into the bathroom with Mia, the echo of her frustrated yell still hanging in the air. A heavy silence descended upon them, broken only by the quiet clinking of Nya picking up the shattered coffee mug from the floor.

Kai sank into a chair, burying his face in his hands. He felt a wave of conflicting emotions - confusion, hurt, and a strange sense of helplessness. Why would Mia have such a terrifying dream about him?

Lloyd walked over and placed a hand on Kai's shoulder. "Hey," he said softly. "It's not your fault."

Kai looked up, his eyes filled with a mix of sadness and frustration. "But why me? Why not Zane or Nya?"

Zane stepped forward, his brow furrowed in thought. "Perhaps it has to do with something specific," he suggested. "Did you have any... disagreements with Mia recently? Anything that might have caused her subconscious to associate you with danger?"

Kai shook his head, trying to recall any recent interactions with Mia. "No, nothing like that. I always try to be gentle with her, you know, like a big brother."

Nya, having cleaned up the shattered mug, walked over and joined them. "Maybe it's not a specific event, but a general fear," she said thoughtfully. "Remember how scared she was of the dark last month? Maybe these dreams are a manifestation of her separation anxiety."

Cole emerged from the bathroom with a calmer-looking Mia, who still clung to her stuffed Orky. He sat down beside Nya, placing a comforting hand on her back.

"She's calmed down a bit," Cole reported. "But she's still a little shaken."

Lloyd looked at Mia with concern. "We need to figure this out," he said, his voice firm. "These nightmares are clearly affecting her. We can't just dismiss them as silly dreams."

Zane nodded in agreement. "Perhaps we should consult Wu. His wisdom might shed some light on the situation. And who knows, maybe he has some special tea that can soothe troubled dreams."

A small smile flickered across Nya's lips. "Tea for nightmares? Sounds like a job for Wu for sure."

___________________

The following morning, after a night of hopeful anticipation thanks to Wu's "Dream Soother" tea, the situation took another unexpected turn. Mia, looking slightly more rested but still a little out of sorts, shuffled into the kitchen where the ninja were gathered.

"I hate you!" she declared, pointing a small finger at Lloyd, her voice filled with childish anger.

The ninja all froze, jaws agape. Lloyd, the target of this sudden outburst, stammered in confusion. "M-Mia, what are you talking about?"

Mia, oblivious to the stunned silence, crossed her arms and huffed. "You broke the monastery!" she accused, her brow furrowed.

Jay, ever the quick wit, couldn't help but blurt out, "What?!" before quickly covering his mouth with his hand, stifling a laugh.

Mia glared at him, her tiny fists clenched. "It's true!" she insisted. " He broke the monastery!"

Jay, his eyes wide with amusement, started to explain, "But Mia, the monastery is perfectly fine. It's..."

Mia cut him off, her voice rising in pitch. "That's because Wu drank a tea!" she exclaimed, pointing towards a steaming mug on the table, presumably Wu's leftover Dream Soother.

The ninja exchanged bewildered glances. This nightmare situation had somehow bled into their waking reality. They were dealing with a confused and distraught little girl who seemed to be mixing dreams and reality, and they had no idea how to fix it.

Finally, Nya, ever the voice of reason, knelt before Mia. "Mia, sweetheart," she said gently. "Dreams aren't real, remember? The monastery is fine. And Lloyd wouldn't break anything, especially not our home."

Mia, however, remained unconvinced. Tears welled up in her eyes, threatening to spill. "But I saw it!" she whimpered, clutching Orky tighter. "Lloyd broke the monastery and everyone was sad!"

This new twist in the situation presented a fresh challenge for the ninja. Not only did they need to understand the root cause of Mia's nightmares, but they also had to navigate the delicate task of reassuring her and rebuilding trust.

Their breakfast that morning was a tense affair. Mia wouldn't speak to Lloyd, and the ninja were at a loss. They needed a new approach, and desperation was starting to set in.

"Maybe we should take her to a professional," Cole suggested, pushing away his untouched cereal.

Kai scoffed. "A therapist for a three-year-old? That's a bit extreme, don't you think?"

Nya, however, looked thoughtful. "Actually, it might not be a bad idea. A child therapist could have some valuable insights into what might be triggering these nightmares and how to help Mia process them."

The others considered this for a moment. Zane, ever the advocate for knowledge, spoke up. "Perhaps we don't need to go to an outsider. We have a therapist right here."

He gestured towards Jay, who nearly choked on his orange juice. "Me? A therapist?" he sputtered, wiping his mouth with a napkin. "I wouldn't know a dream from a doomsday device!"

Nya gave him a reassuring smile. "We don't need you to analyze her dreams, Jay. But you're the best we have at understanding kids. You know how to connect with them, make them feel comfortable, and maybe, just maybe, you can get Mia to open up about what's really bothering her."

Jay, ever the loyal teammate (and slightly terrified by the prospect of a tearful Mia clinging to him), sighed in defeat. "Alright, alright," he conceded. "But if she throws another stuffed animal at me, I'm blaming Kai."

Kai rolled his eyes, but a flicker of hope ignited in his chest. Maybe, just maybe, Jay's easygoing nature and playful demeanor could be the key to unlocking the secrets behind Mia's troubled sleep. With a renewed sense of purpose, the ninja prepared for their unconventional therapy session, determined to help their little firecracker sleep soundly once more.

__________________

Kai led a hesitant Mia down the hallway, her grip tightening on Orky with every step. He stopped at a brightly decorated door adorned with a crudely drawn picture of a smiling sun holding hands with a rainbow. This, he hoped desperately, was where they'd find the answers to Mia's sleep woes.

He opened the door, revealing a sight that made Kai want to do a double-take. There, sprawled across a beanbag chair in a truly atrocious Hawaiian shirt, was Jay. Surrounding him, stuffed animals of all shapes and sizes were piled high on shelves, overflowing from bins, and even hanging precariously from the ceiling. A giant, fluffy panda sat in one corner, a mischievous monkey peeked out from behind a bookcase, and a rainbow unicorn with a perpetually surprised expression lounged on a beanbag chair. I

"Alright everyone," Jay was saying, his voice adopting a soothing, albeit slightly goofy, tone, "Let's talk about why Mr. Grumpy Gills here can't seem to share his rubber ducky with anyone."

Mia peeked into the room, her eyes wide with surprise. Then, a slow realization dawned on her face. She pointed a finger at Jay, her voice filled with childish wonder.

"Kai," she declared, her brow furrowed in confusion, "that therapist looks like my brother!"

Kai, who had been trying his best not to snort at Jay's makeshift therapy session, choked on a cough. He sputtered, his face turning a delightful shade of crimson.

"M-Mia," he stammered, wiping a stray tear from his eye (caused entirely by laughter, not coughing), " That is your brother"

Jay, sporting his therapist hat askew, patted the colorful beanbag chair. "Alright, little one," he said with a playful grin, "get yourself comfy on the fluff pile."

Mia, drawn to the mountain of stuffed animals, scrambled onto the beanbag, her small body swallowed by a sea of plush fur. Kai watched in amusement, a hint of hope flickering in his eyes. Maybe this wouldn't be a disaster after all.

Jay, channeling his inner child therapist (which mostly involved a lot of goofy voices and terrible jokes), began with a question. "So," he chirped, holding up a fuzzy pink heart with googly eyes, "what's your name, sweetheart?"

Mia peeked out from behind a giant plush bear, her eyes wide. "Jay," she said confidently, pointing at him.

Jay's playful facade faltered for a moment. He blinked, then burst out laughing, a sound that echoed through the room filled with stuffed animals. Kai, however, did not share Jay's amusement. In fact, he choked on his own spit, his eyes bulging in disbelief.

Jay, noticing Kai's distress, thumped him on the back helpfully. "Dude, breathe," he said, wiping a tear from his eye. "She's adorable."

Kai, finally able to gasp for air, sputtered out, "Adorable? Jay, she just said her name is Jay! And you're the therapist here!"

Mia, oblivious to the commotion, tilted her head and stared at Jay with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. "Stop acting like a lost fish that has amnesia," she declared, crossing her tiny arms.

This time, it was Jay's turn to choke. He spluttered, eyes wide with a mixture of amusement and bewilderment. "Amnesia?!" he wheezed, clutching his stomach. "How in Ninjago did she..."

Kai, still recovering from his near-death experience by choking, could only offer a helpless shrug. Where on earth did Mia pick up the word "amnesia" from? This situation was getting weirder by the second. ( I was laughing so hard by this point). 

"Amnesia?" Jay finally sputtered, his therapist facade momentarily crumbling. "How do you even know what amnesia is?"

Kai, finally able to breathe again, thumped Jay on the back with a weak chuckle. "Uh oh, looks like Dr. Jay has a few questions to answer before he can help his patient!"

Jay shot Kai a withering glare. "Thanks for the vote of confidence, buddy." He turned back to Mia, his curiosity piqued. "Alright, Mia, that's a good question. Where did you hear about amnesia?"

Mia, seemingly oblivious to the chaos she had caused, shrugged nonchalantly. "From your dream," she said simply, pointing a finger at Kai.

Kai threw his hands up in the air, a look of exasperation on his face. "My dream? What are you talking about, Mia?" He glanced at Jay, who was equally perplexed. This whole situation was getting weirder by the minute.

Jay, wiping a tear from his eye caused by laughter (and maybe a little concern), cleared his throat and tried a different approach. "Alright, alright," he conceded, holding his hands up in mock surrender. "You got me there, Mia. Maybe I'm not the best at pretending to be someone else."

Mia, still perched on the beanbag throne of stuffed animals, rolled her eyes with an air that belied her three years. "Yeah," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "What are you, some guy who loves to do yoga or a therapist?"

At that, both Jay and Kai choked simultaneously. Jay, red-faced and sputtering, reached for his water glass, managing to knock it over in his haste. Kai, pounding his chest to clear his airway, wheezed, "Yoga?! Where did that even come from?"

The scene descended into a moment of pure, chaotic hilarity. Jay, soaked and flustered, was surrounded by a pile of plushies and a giggling Mia, who clearly enjoyed the turn of events. Kai, tears streaming down his face from laughter, finally managed to gasp out, "Okay, okay! Maybe we should just start over."

He wiped his eyes and looked at Jay, who was still trying to mop up the spilled water with a giant, fluffy panda. "Maybe being a therapist isn't your strong suit, buddy," Kai said with a grin.

Jay, defeated but still sporting a mischievous glint in his eyes, tossed the panda aside. "Fine," he conceded. "But if she throws another stuffed animal at my head, I'm blaming you."

Mia, her earlier anxieties forgotten for the moment, simply giggled and snuggled deeper into the mountain of fluffy comfort. This unconventional therapy session, despite its chaotic start, might just lead them somewhere unexpected.

Jay, defeated but ever the optimist, decided to roll with the punches. He sighed dramatically, wiping a stray tear (of laughter, of course) from his eye. "Alright, alright," he said, holding his hands up in surrender. "Seems being a therapist is harder than fighting serpentine."

Mia, still perched on her throne of plushies, giggled. "Yeah," she agreed, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "So, can I listen to your worries?"

Jay blinked, taken aback by the sudden turn. "My worries?"

Mia nodded, her expression serious for a moment. "Sure," she said, pointing at a bright red stethoscope hanging on the wall (clearly another one of Jay's "therapy tools"). "With a stethascope."

At that, both Kai and Jay simultaneously slapped their foreheads with resounding thwacks. Kai, shaking his head in disbelief, muttered, "A stethoscope? Where on Ninjago did she even see one of those?"

Jay, defeated once again, looked at Kai with a helpless shrug. "Maybe being a therapist to a three-year-old isn't the best idea," he admitted, a hint of amusement still lingering in his voice.

But amidst the chaos and the absurdity, a new idea flickered in Kai's mind. Maybe, just maybe, Mia's playful suggestions were a window into her anxieties. The stethoscope, a tool often associated with doctors, could represent a desire for someone to listen to her fears and make her feel better.

"Alright, Mia," Kai said, stepping forward. He picked up the bright red stethoscope and held it out to her. "Here," he said gently. "Why don't you listen to my heartbeat first? See if you can hear how much I care about you."

Mia's eyes widened with curiosity. She took the stethoscope hesitantly, the oversized instrument dwarfing her tiny hands. Kai placed it on his chest, his heart thumping a steady rhythm beneath his shirt.

Mia furrowed her brow, concentrating as she listened. A small smile tugged at the corners of her lips. Then, she turned the stethoscope towards Jay, her eyes sparkling with a glint of playful determination. "Your turn, Mr. Not-a-Therapist!" she declared.

Jay, a grin spreading across his face, chuckled. "Alright, little doctor," he said, "let's hear those worries disappear."

Emboldened by the stethoscope game, Jay decided to take a more sincere approach. He cleared his throat and knelt down in front of Mia, his playful demeanor replaced by genuine concern. "Alright, Mia," he said softly. "Maybe we can skip the pretend therapist for a bit. Would you like to talk about anything that's bothering you?"

Mia, still clutching the oversized stethoscope, stared at him for a moment. Then, to everyone's surprise, she nodded eagerly. "Sure!" she chirped, her voice surprisingly serious for a three-year-old.

"What is it, then?" Jay asked gently. He braced himself for some typical toddler worries - a lost toy, a bump on the knee. He was not prepared for what came next.

Mia took a deep breath, her brow furrowed in concentration. "Global warming!" she declared, her voice ringing out with surprising authority. "The ice caps are melting, and the polar bears are sad!"

Jay blinked, taken aback by the sudden shift in topics. He glanced at Kai, who wore a similarly bewildered expression. "Uh, yeah," Jay stammered, unsure how to respond. "Global warming is bad."

Mia wasn't finished yet. "And abs!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with a sudden urgency. "Why doesn't Kai have abs like you, Jay?"

Jay choked on his own spit, spluttering in surprise. Abs? Where on Ninjago did that come from? He looked at Kai, who was trying (and failing) to stifle a laugh.

Taking a deep breath, Jay tried to keep the conversation on track. "Abs aren't that important, Mia," he said gently. "What else are you worried about?"

Mia's eyes widened further, her voice hushed as she whispered, "Death."

The air in the room grew heavy. Jay and Kai exchanged a worried glance. Death was a heavy topic for a child so young. Where were these anxieties coming from?

Before they could delve deeper, Mia's attention shifted again. "And birth!" she exclaimed, her voice bouncing back to its usual enthusiasm. "How do babies get out of the mummy's tummy?"

Jay felt his head spin. Global warming, abs, death, birth... This was an emotional rollercoaster, and he was barely hanging on.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," he said, holding up his hands in surrender. "Slow down, Mia. That's a lot to think about at once!"

He looked at Kai, a question hanging in the air. How could a tiny person have such complex worries? It was clear that Mia's dreams were just the tip of the iceberg. They needed to figure out what was causing these anxieties, and fast.

Alarmed and utterly lost, Kai rushed to find Wu. He burst into the old master's tea room, panting slightly from his hurried steps. Wu, ever the picture of serene wisdom, sat calmly sipping his tea.

"Wu!" Kai exclaimed, barely catching his breath. "We need your help! It's about Mia!"

Wu raised an eyebrow, setting down his teacup with a gentle clink. "What troubles the little firecracker now?"

Kai, desperate to convey the situation's absurdity, blurted out, "She's worried about global warming, Jay's abs, death, and how babies get out of their mommies' tummies... all in the span of five minutes!"

Wu, who rarely displayed strong emotions, surprised them both. He threw his head back and burst into laughter, a deep, hearty chuckle that echoed through the room. Kai stood there, jaw agape, feeling a mix of frustration and bewilderment. 

Finally, wiping a tear from his eye, Wu regained his composure.  "Oh, Kai," he chuckled, his voice laced with amusement.  "Sometimes, the most profound anxieties come out in the most unexpected ways."

Kai, still confused, crossed his arms. "So you're not worried?  She's freaking out about death, for crying out loud!"

Wu's smile softened.  "Of course I'm concerned, Kai.  But children often struggle to express complex emotions.  These seemingly random worries could be a manifestation of something deeper."

Kai pondered this for a moment.  "So what do we do?  How do we help her?"

Wu stroked his beard thoughtfully.  "Perhaps," he began, "we should take a multi-pronged approach.  First, we need to address her immediate anxieties in a way she understands.  Tell her stories, answer her questions honestly but simply, and assure her that she's safe and loved."

"But what about the nightmares?" Kai pressed.  "They seem to be getting worse."

Wu nodded.  "For that, we can try a gentle meditation technique.  Focus on calming her mind before sleep, perhaps with soothing music or guided imagery.  And of course, there's always the power of a good night's rest."

Kai felt a flicker of hope.  Wu's plan, while unconventional, seemed more promising than Jay's stuffed animal therapy session.  He thanked Wu and hurried back to find the others.

Rushing back to the therapy room, Kai found a scene far different from the one he expected.  Instead of chaos, there was a stunned silence.  Jay, still sporting the oversized stethoscope around his neck, sat frozen on the beanbag chair, his eyes wide with surprise.  Nya, perched on the floor next to him, had a hand over her mouth, stifling a laugh.  And Mia, the source of their astonishment, stood in the center of the room, her face flushed and her voice laced with worry.

"But what if you guys fight a lot?!" she exclaimed, pointing an accusatory finger at Nya and Jay.  "So much that you don't even want to have kids with each other?!"

Jay choked on a cough, his face turning the color of his signature blue gi.  Nya, unable to hold back any longer, burst out laughing.  It wasn't a cruel laugh, but a warm, genuine one that filled the room with a sense of relief.

Kai, his initial confusion giving way to amusement, leaned against the doorway.  This was definitely not how he envisioned therapy going.  But perhaps, just perhaps, Mia's anxieties were providing them with a window into their own relationships.

"Mia, honey," Nya said once she regained her composure, kneeling down to meet the little girl's eye level.  "We don't fight a lot, okay?  Sometimes we disagree, but that's just part of being friends.  And having kids?  Well, that's something for way down the line when we're both much older."

Mia seemed to consider this, her brow furrowed in thought.  Then, her attention shifted to Kai, who was trying (and failing) to hide a grin.  "And what about you, Kai?" she demanded, her voice a mix of worry and suspicion.  "What if you say 'thanks for nothing' to Jay while you're fighting?  Just like you did in my dream!"

Kai's grin faltered.  He hadn't expected that.  He quickly knelt down beside Nya, placing a hand on her shoulder in a silent apology.  "Mia," he said gently.  "Dreams aren't real.  I would never say anything like that to Jay.  We're teammates, remember?  We fight together, not against each other."

Mia looked from Nya to Kai, her eyes searching their faces.  A small smile began to form on her lips.  "Okay," she said hesitantly, "but what if Jay's abs get so big, they rip his shirt?"

This time, it was Kai who burst out laughing.  Jay, finally regaining his composure, playfully flexed his arm.  "Don't worry, Mia," he said with a chuckle.  "My abs aren't going anywhere.  And besides, shirts are replaceable.  Friends are forever."

Then, Jay turned to Kai. " What did Wu say?"

He sighed. " He said to read her stories and give her tea."

Jay shrugged. " I guess it's worth a try."

And it worked.

And they worked happily ever after.

Except they didn't.

In fact, her dreams got more ( if possible) got more horrifying.

Because the next morning, Kai peeked into Mia's room, his heart pounding in his chest. He found her sitting up in bed, eyes wide and filled with terror. The playful smile that had graced her face the previous day was replaced by a look of sheer horror.

"Kai," she whispered, her voice trembling. "The monsters... they were worse this time. They had... teeth like saws and eyes that glowed red!"

Kai's stomach lurched. Not only were the nightmares persisting, but they were escalating in intensity. The calming stories and soothing tea hadn't worked. In fact, it felt like they were taking a step backward.

He scooped Mia into his arms and held her close, her small body trembling against his chest. "It's okay, Mia," he murmured, his voice filled with a reassuring strength he didn't entirely feel. "They're just dreams. We'll figure this out, I promise."

" But that's what you said last time." Mia argued, wiggling out of his grasp. Then, she studied his face. " You don't know what's going on, do you?"

" No, Mia, it's not like that-"

" You just want to seem like you know everything. You know NOTHING!" Mia yelled accusingly. 

At this point the others entered her room.

" I CAN'T BELIVE I TRUSTED YOU GUYS!" She yelled, running out, tears streaming down her cheeks.

Mia's outburst hung heavy in the air. The playful room with its overflowing shelves of stuffed animals felt suffocating, a stark contrast to the raw emotions on display. Shame washed over Kai, a bitter taste in his mouth. He had promised to protect her, to make her feel safe, and he had failed.

Nya, ever the voice of reason, knelt down, her eyes filled with understanding. "Mia, wait," she called out gently. "We're not pretending. We care about you, and we want to help. But we can't do that if you don't talk to us."

Silence stretched between them, broken only by Mia's muffled sobs echoing from down the hall. Kai felt a hand on his shoulder. It was Cole, his expression solemn. "We need to give her space," he said softly. "But we also need a plan."

They retreated to the training room, a place of action and focus. The usual lighthearted energy was replaced by a grim determination. They were facing an unseen enemy, a battle fought not with fists and weapons, but with empathy and understanding.

"Wu's tea didn't work," Jay said, his voice laced with frustration. "Maybe we need a different approach."

Zane, ever the strategist, spoke up. "Perhaps the key lies not in calming the dreams, but in understanding them. What if we delve deeper? If we enter Mia's dreamscape itself?"

A collective gasp filled the room. Dream entering was a complex and dangerous technique, rarely attempted. But the desperation in their eyes spoke volumes. They were willing to risk anything to help Mia.

Nya, ever the pragmatist, raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Dream entering? Are you sure that's wise? We don't even know where these nightmares are coming from."

"There's a chance it could backfire," Cole admitted. "But what other choice do we have? We can't just sit here and watch her suffer."

Kai looked around the room, his gaze meeting each ninja's determined eyes. He knew the risks, but he also knew they couldn't abandon Mia. "Alright," he said, a resolute tone in his voice. "We enter her dreams. But we do it carefully. Zane, you lead the way."

Zane nodded, a serious expression on his face. "We need to be prepared for anything," he said. "These dreams may hold the key to unlocking Mia's anxieties, but they could also harbor something far more sinister."

_______________
 

As night fell, the monastery cloaked itself in an eerie silence. The usual playful chatter of the ninja was replaced by a tense determination. They gathered in Wu's serene tea room, the air thick with anticipation. Wu, his brow furrowed in concern, poured them each a steaming cup of a golden liquid.

"This is a complex and dangerous procedure," Wu warned, his voice grave. "The Dream Tea will allow you to enter Mia's dreamscape, but tread carefully. Her subconscious is a fragile thing. One wrong move and you could become trapped or worse, fuel the very nightmares you're trying to stop."

The ninja exchanged nervous glances. The cheerful, stuffed-animal-filled room felt different now, almost foreboding. But the image of Mia's tear-streaked face steeled their resolve. They downed the tea in one gulp, the bitter liquid leaving a strange tingling sensation in their minds.

Suddenly, the world dissolved into a swirling vortex of colors and emotions. Kai found himself standing in a field of fluffy white clouds, the sky a brilliant blue dotted with cotton candy sheep. Confused, he looked around, searching for Mia. There, in the distance, he saw her. She was surrounded by an army of giant, cuddly bunnies, each one bigger than a house, their floppy ears trailing on the ground. Mia was giggling hysterically, burying her face in the soft fur of a particularly enormous bunny.

Relief washed over Kai. Maybe Wu had been wrong. Maybe Mia's dreams weren't nightmares after all, just a bizarre wonderland of her own creation. He started to walk towards her, a smile gracing his lips.

Then, the chaos began.

With a deafening roar, the ground beneath Kai's feet split open, revealing a fiery chasm below. The fluffy bunnies, their once cute faces contorted in a grotesque snarl, began to morph. Their cuddly fur turned spiky and black, their eyes glowing an ominous red. Their playful nibbles became vicious bites, their soft hops turned into menacing lunges.

Kai barely had time to register the change before he was surrounded by a pack of ravenous bunny-monsters. He drew his katanas, their blades flashing in the unnatural light. But no matter how many he cut down, more seemed to take their place. The scent of burnt fur and manic laughter filled the air, turning the dream into a twisted parody of a children's book illustration.

Panic surged through Kai. This wasn't a dream of fluffy bunnies and friendly hugs. This was a monstrous nightmare fueled by something far darker. He looked around, desperately searching for the others.

There, in the distance, he saw Nya battling a monstrous bunny with three heads, its razor-sharp teeth snapping at her. Cole was grappling with a giant bunny that had somehow sprouted metal claws. Zane, ever the strategist, was trying to create a barrier of ice, but the bunnies simply melted through it with their fiery breath.

Mia, the innocent cause of all this chaos, stood frozen in the center of the field, tears streaming down her face. But even through her fear, a flicker of recognition sparked in her eyes.

"You... you're the ones who broke my monastery!" she cried out, her voice echoing in the madness. Kai's heart sank. Somehow, her nightmares had twisted their forms, turning them into the very thing she feared.

They had entered the dream hoping to help Mia, but now, they were trapped in a twisted reflection of her deepest anxieties. They needed to find a way out, not just for themselves, but for Mia as well. They needed to break the nightmare before it consumed them all.

The scene descended into even deeper pandemonium. As Kai fought off a bunny with razor-sharp teeth, a dark figure materialized from the swirling chaos. It was Lloyd, but not the Lloyd they knew. This Lloyd was cloaked in shadows, his eyes glowing a malevolent red. A chilling laugh echoed through the dreamscape.

"Welcome, little ninjas," the evil Lloyd sneered, his voice dripping with malice. "Enjoy your stay in my little game?"

Before they could react, the real Lloyd, still entangled with a giant three-headed bunny, roared out, "What is the meaning of this?! This isn't you, brother!"

The evil Lloyd's laughter intensified. "Brother? You've got it all wrong, hothead. I am the true Oni potential you so desperately deny!" With a snap of his fingers, the dream twisted once more.

From the ground erupted monstrous replicas of the ninja. A replica Jay, his once bright blue gi darkened and frayed, approached Mia with a menacing grin. "Well, well, well," he sneered, his voice a distorted echo of the real Jay. "Looks like we finally have the little princess all alone."

Mia, overwhelmed by the chaos and the sight of her beloved friend turned monstrous, whimpered and took a step back. The replica Jay reached out, his metal hand glinting ominously in the dreamlight. "Now, tell us where the real power is hidden," he snarled, "or things might get... unpleasant."

Panic surged through Kai. He redoubled his efforts against the monstrous bunny, desperate to reach Mia before the replica Jay could harm her. But the other ninja were facing similar challenges, their dream counterparts mirroring their strengths and weaknesses, making them formidable opponents.

Mia's scream tore through the dreamscape like a sonic boom, shattering the illusion for a brief moment. The monstrous replicas faltered, their forms flickering like dying flames. Cole, sensing a shift, threw his replica opponent off balance with a surge of strength. Nya, with a well-timed water blast, doused the three-headed bunny replica, sending it sputtering back into the fiery chasm. Kai, using the momentary distraction, sliced through the last tendril of a monstrous bunny vine, freeing himself.

They all looked towards Mia, who stood trembling in the center of the field, her eyes wide with terror. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" her scream echoed once more, ripping them fully from the dream world.

A jolt of energy surged through them as they woke with a gasp, finding themselves back in Wu's serene tea room. The golden light of dawn streamed through the window, casting long shadows across the room. Mia, still wrapped in her blankets, whimpered and tossed in her sleep.

Without a word, the ninja rushed to her bedside. Kai gently placed a hand on her shoulder, his voice laced with concern. "Mia, wake up. It's okay, you're safe now."

Slowly, Mia's eyes fluttered open. Disoriented and confused, she looked around at the worried faces surrounding her bed. Then, the memories of the nightmare flooded back, bringing a fresh wave of tears to her eyes.

"Jay?!" she cried, her voice choked with sobs. "I saw... I saw... you and Nya... getting divorced!"

The ninja exchanged nervous glances. This was not what they expected. Jay, ever the optimist, tried to lighten the mood with a nervous chuckle. "Woah there, little firecracker," he said gently. "Divorce? That's a bit dramatic, don't you think?"

But Mia wasn't finished. Fueled by the emotions of the dream, she reached for a decorative katana that hung on the wall near her bed (a souvenir from one of their many adventures). Waving it at Nya with surprising ferocity, she declared, "No one hurts my brother! Choose your words carefully!"

A hush fell over the room as Mia clutched the decorative katana, her small face a mask of fear and distrust. Jay, his heart sinking at the sight, knelt beside her, the playful banter he had planned dying on his lips.

"Mia," he began, his voice soft but firm. "Put the sword down. It's okay, you're safe."

Mia, her eyes wide and watery, looked from him to Nya, then back to Jay. The memory of the monstrous replicas, the twisted vision of his and Nya's supposed divorce, all played on her young mind.

"But... but in my dream..." she stammered, her voice barely a whisper.

Jay reached out a hand, not to grab the katana, but to gently nudge it aside. "Dreams are just stories your mind makes up at night," he explained patiently. "Sometimes they're silly, sometimes they're scary, but they're not real."

He cast a worried glance at Nya, who offered him a reassuring nod. They both knew the dream likely stemmed from something deeper, but right now, calming Mia was the priority.

Seeing Jay's genuine concern, Mia's grip on the katana loosened. Hesitantly, she placed it back on the wall. Tears welled up in her eyes again, spilling over as she threw herself into Jay's arms.

"Jay, read me a story," she pleaded, burying her face in his gi.

Jay, his heart swelling with both relief and concern, wrapped his arms around her tightly. "Of course, little firecracker," he murmured. He looked at the others, a silent question hanging in the air.

Nya, understanding his need, offered a small smile. "We'll give you two some space," she whispered, ushering Cole, Kai and Zane out of the room.

Settling himself comfortably on the edge of Mia's bed, Jay pulled out a book filled with fantastical adventures – the kind that always managed to chase away her nightmares. As his voice filled the room, weaving tales of bravery and friendship, Mia slowly relaxed against him.

When he finished the story, a comfortable silence settled between them. Mia, her eyelids drooping, snuggled closer to Jay. But just before sleep claimed her, she whispered, her voice barely audible, "I don't trust Nya."

Jay's heart skipped a beat. This wasn't just a random fear born from a bad dream. This was a deeper concern, a seed of mistrust that needed to be addressed. He gently stroked her hair, his mind racing for a way to explain things in a way she'd understand.

"Mia," he began carefully, "Nya and I are teammates, just like you and I are. Sometimes teammates disagree, but that doesn't mean they don't love each other. We're all a family here, and families stick together, no matter what."

Mia didn't respond, but her breathing evened out, signaling sleep. Jay continued to hold her close, a new worry gnawing at him. He knew they couldn't avoid addressing Mia's distrust of Nya, but how? Perhaps Wu would have some wisdom to offer. For now, he would focus on protecting Mia and ensuring she felt safe and loved, hoping that with time, the darkness of her nightmares wouldn't overshadow the light of their bond.

__________________

The following morning, a fragile peace settled over the monastery. Mia seemed outwardly fine, her usual playful energy returning. However, a keen observer (like a paranoid pink ninja) couldn't help but notice a subtle shift. She maintained a distance from Nya, a shadow of suspicion lingering in her big brown eyes.

Jay, his heart heavy with concern, tried to bridge the gap. He'd spend extra time with Mia, training with her, reading her stories, anything to distract her from the darkness that clung to her like a bad dream. Yet, every time their eyes met, there was an unspoken question hanging in the air – about the nightmare, about Nya.

One afternoon, while the others were busy training, Jay found himself walking alone through the monastery gardens. He was lost in thought, replaying Mia's whispered accusation in his head, when a small hand tugged on his sleeve. He looked down to see Mia, a mischievous glint in her eye.

"Jay, come here," she whispered, beckoning him towards a secluded alcove behind a blossoming cherry tree.

Intrigued, Jay followed her. Once hidden from view, Mia's playful facade melted away, replaced by a seriousness that belied her age. Leaning in conspiratorially, she spoke in a hushed tone.

"At night," she began, her voice barely above a whisper, "I saw Nya go through your money."

Jay's breath hitched. This was worse than he'd imagined. Not only did Mia distrust Nya, but the dream had twisted their actions into something sinister. He knelt down to Mia's eye level, his voice gentle but firm.

"Mia, listen," he said. "Dreams can be confusing. What you saw about Nya isn't real. She would never take my money."

Mia, however, wasn't convinced. She furrowed her brow, her small hand clutching the fabric of his gi. "But I saw it, Jay! And she was laughing!"

Jay racked his brain for a way to explain things simply. Suddenly, a memory sparked in his mind. "Remember that time we found Nya practicing a new fighting move with Cole? She was laughing because she kept accidentally knocking him over with her staff."

Mia's eyes widened in recognition. "Oh yeah!" she exclaimed, a giggle escaping her lips. "Cole was so mad!"

Jay smiled, relieved to see a flicker of her usual carefree spirit return. "Exactly," he continued. "Sometimes, people laugh when they're not being mean. Maybe in your dream, Nya was laughing for a different reason."

Mia considered this for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Okay," she said hesitantly. "But promise you'll keep an eye on your money?"

Jay chuckled, wrapping her in a hug. "Always, little firecracker. Always."

As they emerged from the alcove, hand in hand, they saw Nya approaching, a basket of laundry balanced on her hip. Mia instinctively took a step back, but Jay squeezed her hand reassuringly.

"Hey you two," Nya greeted them with a warm smile. "What secrets were you sharing behind the cherry tree?"

Jay cleared his throat, unsure how to proceed. He glanced at Mia, hoping she wouldn't repeat her accusation. Thankfully, she remained silent, a thoughtful expression on her face.

"Just catching up," Jay said finally, offering a weak smile. "Isn't that right, Mia?"

Mia, still processing her conversation with Jay, looked from him to Nya, then back again. A small, uncertain smile crept onto her face. "Yeah," she mumbled, finally meeting Nya's gaze. "Catching up."

The atmosphere was still strained, but a seed of doubt had been planted in Mia's mind. The path forward wouldn't be easy, but with patience, understanding, and maybe a few more shared stories under the cherry tree, they might just rebuild the trust that had been fractured in the depths of a nightmare.