Mia was unwillingly dragged to the next villain encounter, where she was nothing but a shadow, watching from the trees. She didn't WANT to do anything without Jay. To her, Jay was motivation.

To her, Jay was the reason of even living.

To her, Jay was.... Family.

As they were walking home from the battle scene, Mia could feel the awkwardness in the air. She felt guilty for not helping. So, she did what she did best.

Disappear.

It took a while for the others to realize she was missing, though.

Dusk painted the sky in hues of orange and purple as the ninja trudged back from their recent encounter. The battle had been a close call, but they emerged victorious, albeit battered and bruised. Yet, a heavy silence hung in the air, a stark contrast to the usual banter that followed their victories.

Cole, ever the observer, was the first to notice the missing figure. He stopped abruptly, his brow furrowed. "Wait a minute, where's Mia?"

Nya, lost in her own thoughts, glanced around. "Huh, I didn't even realize she was gone."

Worry flickered in Kai's eyes. "She couldn't have gone far, could she? We were just here a moment ago."

Zane, ever analytical, scanned the area. "There are no recent wind disturbances or footprints indicating rapid movement. It is likely she left on her own accord, perhaps overwhelmed by the battle."

His words held some truth. Mia hadn't been herself since Jay's disappearance. The battle, despite their win, had only emphasized the gaping hole his absence left in their team. Her usual vibrancy had been replaced by a quiet despair, a shadow of the once-fierce wind master.

Suddenly, a twig snapped from the undergrowth nearby. The ninja whirled around, weapons raised in a defensive stance. But instead of a menacing villain or monstrous creature, a small, timid rabbit emerged, blinking its large brown eyes at them.

Cole relaxed his guard, a wry smile playing on his lips. "Guess that settles that then. Spooked by a bunny, Mia?"

Nya, however, wasn't convinced. "Something isn't right. Mia wouldn't just abandon us after a battle, especially not without a word."

The seed of doubt planted by Nya sprouted in their minds. They knew Mia. Her loyalty to them, and to Jay, was unwavering. Her sudden disappearance felt unsettlingly out of character.

Kai, his voice laced with concern, suggested, "We should split up and search for her. She couldn't have gone far."

The others readily agreed. The setting sun cast long shadows, heightening their anxiety. As they spread out, calling Mia's name, a faint rustling sound reached Zane's ears. He followed the sound, his metallic body moving with silent precision, and found himself at the edge of a clearing.

There, nestled beneath a large oak tree, sat Mia. Her back was to him, her shoulders slumped in defeat. The sight of her vulnerability tugged at Zane's heart. He knew words wouldn't be enough, but he also knew she needed their support in this moment of despair. 

Before he could say anything, though, Mia did.

" Hello, Mr. Dictionary." She said in a flat voice. " How pleasent of you to join."

A flicker of surprise crossed Zane's metallic face, though his voice remained calm. "Mia," he said gently, "we were worried about you. You shouldn't have wandered off alone."

Mia scoffed, a humorless sound devoid of its usual spark. "Oh, please. Spare me the lecture, Zane. You all know why I left. It's pointless without him."

Her words hung heavy in the air, a stark reminder of the burden they all carried. Zane lowered himself to sit beside her, keeping a respectful distance. The rustling leaves seemed to whisper their shared grief.

"We know," Zane said softly, his gears whirring thoughtfully. "We all miss Jay dearly. He was a vital part of our team, our friend, our brother."

Mia turned slightly, her eyes filled with a dull ache. "But you all have each other," she whispered, her voice barely above a murmur. "You still have a reason to fight. I..." she trailed off, her gaze falling back to the ground.

Zane understood. Mia felt adrift, unmoored by Jay's absence. The purpose and camaraderie they once shared felt incomplete without him.

"Mia," Zane began, choosing his words carefully, "We may not know where Jay is, but we haven't given up hope. And neither should you. Jay wouldn't want you to give up on yourself, or on us."

He paused, then added, "We need you, Mia. Your strength, your wind, your spirit. We need you to fight alongside us, not just for Jay, but for ourselves, for Ninjago."

A long silence stretched between them, broken only by the chirping of crickets and the rustling of leaves. In that quiet space, Mia wrestled with her emotions. The spark of defiance Zane had hoped to ignite flickered faintly within her eyes.

"I..." she started, her voice hoarse. "I don't know if I can be the same Mia without him."

Zane placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, the metal cool against her skin. "We don't expect you to be the same," he said sincerely. "But you can be strong, Mia. You can honor Jay's memory by continuing to fight for what he believed in."

A frustrated groan escaped Mia as she rose to her feet, the weariness evident in her movements. "Alright, alright," she conceded, her voice devoid of its usual enthusiasm. "I'm coming."

Just then, a blur of red and orange zipped through the trees, skidding to a halt in front of her. It was Kai, his face etched with worry. Relief flooded his features as he spotted Mia.

"Mia!" he exclaimed, rushing towards her. "There you are! We were worried sick!"

Mia, however, wasn't in the mood for a warm reunion. She swatted his hand playfully, a hint of her old spirit peeking through. "Oh, come on," she grumbled, "you have fire in your hair!"

Kai, momentarily confused, blinked at her. "Fire in my hair?" He self-consciously reached up and patted his head, feeling nothing but the cool evening breeze. "What are you—"

A mischievous glint returned to Mia's eyes. She pointed a playful finger at him, a small whirlwind forming around it. "See? Right there!"  With a flick of her wrist, she sent the miniature whirlwind swirling around Kai's head, gently tousling his fiery locks.

The playful taunt brought a surprised laugh from Kai, the tension easing from his shoulders.  He realized Mia wasn't just brooding; she was trying, in her own way, to reconnect with them.

"Alright, alright," he chuckled, surrendering to her playful attack. "You win, you little tornado. But next time, try to stay with the group, okay?"

Mia smirked. "Maybe," she conceded with a shrug.  "But then again, where's the fun in that?"