Mia, a whirlwind of fury, burst through the doors of the monastery, her golden weapons clattering ominously against the stone floor. The air crackled with the raw energy emanating from her.

The other ninja, alerted by the commotion, scrambled to their feet. Even Nya, known for her fiery temper, looked apprehensive at the sight of Mia's rage.

"What. Did. You. Do?!" Mia roared, her voice echoing through the vast hall.

The remaining ninja, Zane, Lloyd, and Kai, exchanged nervous glances. The sight of their captured friends trapped in the plastic box held by Mia sent chills down their spines.

"Mia, calm down," Lloyd, the young leader, pleaded, extending his hands in a gesture of peace. "We can talk about this."

But the words seemed to have the opposite effect. Mia's grip tightened on the box, her knuckles turning white. "Talk?!" she shrieked. "You locked me and Izzy in a cage! You lied to us! And now you expect me to sit here calmly and have a conversation?"

Her anger was a tangible force, a storm that threatened to engulf them all. Nya, ever the diplomat, tried to reason with her. "Mia, we understand you're upset. But hurting them isn't the answer."

But Mia scoffed. "Upset? I'm beyond upset!" she yelled, her voice strained with emotion. "You think you can control me? Treat me like a lab rat? Like some kind of freak?!"

Tears welled up in her eyes, but they were quickly replaced by a renewed surge of anger. "I'm not a freak!" she cried out, her voice cracking with raw emotion. "I'm not a science experiment! I'm a person!"

The other ninja stood speechless, overwhelmed by the intensity of her emotions. They had underestimated her, underestimated the pain and fear simmering beneath the surface.

Suddenly, a wave of exhaustion washed over Mia. The anger, the fear, the betrayal – it all came crashing down upon her. The golden weapons flickered and dissipated, dissolving back into pure energy.

Mia slumped to the ground, the plastic box clattering to the floor beside her.

A heavy silence descended upon the room, broken only by the ragged gasps of the injured ninja trapped inside the box. The weight of her actions pressed down on Mia, a suffocating realization of what she had almost done.

Mia, a whirlwind of fury and golden weapons, stormed through the sterile halls of the monastery, leaving a trail of destruction in her wake. The once pristine corridors now echoed with the rhythmic clanging of her nunchucks and the desperate pleas of the injured ninja.

She burst through the massive doors leading to the main training area, a place where the ninja honed their skills in camaraderie and discipline. Now, the air crackled with a different kind of energy – raw, unbridled rage.

The other ninja, alerted by the commotion, stood frozen in shock. Kai, ever the hothead, was the first to react. "Mia! What in Ninjago is going on?!" he roared, his voice laced with a mixture of anger and concern.

Mia didn't answer. She simply pointed her shimmering sword at them, her face contorted in a mask of fury. Her eyes, once filled with a spark of mischief, now burned with a cold, unfamiliar fire.

"You locked us in a cage!" she shrieked, her voice cracking with barely contained rage. "Like animals! You took away our freedom!"

Nya, ever the voice of reason, stepped forward, her gaze unwavering. "Mia, we were only trying to help," she said calmly, her voice a stark contrast to the storm raging around them.

"Help?" Mia scoffed, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Help means forcing us to stay in this sterile prison, poking and prodding us like lab rats?"

Lloyd, the wise leader, spoke up, his voice carrying a quiet authority. "Mia, we understand your frustration. But anger will solve nothing. Let's talk about this calmly."

Mia let out a humorless laugh, the sound sending shivers down the spines of the ninja. "Talk? There's nothing left to talk about! You betrayed us!"

Her anger seemed to escalate with every passing second. The air around her crackled with a faint electrical energy, a terrifying echo of the power she had unleashed earlier.

Even Nya, who had faced down countless villains, couldn't help but feel a tremor of fear. Mia's anger, raw and unchecked, was a force to be reckoned with.

Izzy, ever the loyal friend, tried to intervene. "Mia, wait!" she called out, pushing through the crowd of stunned ninja. "You're not yourself! Stop this!"

Mia turned towards her, a flicker of recognition momentarily breaking through the red haze of fury. "Izzy?" she whispered, her voice laced with confusion.

But the moment was fleeting. The anger surged back, engulfing her once more. "No one understands!" she screamed, the training hall echoing with her despair.

Mia, consumed by rage, stood alone in the center of the room, a stark contrast to the united front of the ninja. The path forward was uncertain, shrouded in the storm of her emotions. Could they reach her, reason with her? Or would Mia's anger consume her completely, severing the fragile bond they had forged?

Mia, fueled by a white-hot rage, tore through the halls of the monastery. The golden weapons, once shimmering with power, now crackled with a dark energy that mirrored her own fury.

She burst into the main training room, where the remaining ninja – Kai, Zane, and Nya – were gathered, their faces etched with concern and fear.

"Mia!" Kai roared, his voice laced with a mixture of anger and worry. "What have you done?!"

Mia ignored him, her gaze fixated on Nya, who stood protectively in front of the others. "You locked me up!" Mia screamed, her voice trembling with barely contained rage. "Like a prisoner! I'm not some animal you can cage!"

Nya, ever the calm center of the storm, held her ground. "Mia," she began, her voice firm but gentle, "we were only trying to protect you and the others. We don't understand your powers, and we were scared."

Mia scoffed. "Scared? You call this scared? This is imprisonment!" She brandished her sword, the golden light flickering ominously.

"Mia, put the weapon down," Zane pleaded, his metallic voice laced with a hint of urgency. "We can talk about this calmly."

But Mia was far past reason. The rage that had been simmering within her had finally boiled over, consuming her in a torrent of anger and resentment.

"Talk?" she spat. "There's nothing to talk about! You treat me like a monster, something to be controlled. Well, I'm done with it!"

Her voice rose to a fever pitch as she ripped through the training room, her nunchucks tearing through practice dummies with a sickening ease.

The other ninja watched in horror as the room transformed into a scene of destruction.

"She's angrier than I've ever seen Nya," Kai muttered, his eyes wide with disbelief.

Nya, her own temper momentarily forgotten, focused on Mia. "We're not your enemies, Mia," she said, her voice breaking through the haze of rage. "We want to help you understand your powers, but you have to let us."

Mia whirled around, her eyes blazing with fury. "Help? Help is the last thing I need from you!"

Just then, a deafening tremor shook the monastery. Dust rained down from the ceiling, and the training room plunged into a partial darkness.

Panic flickered across Mia's face. This wasn't her doing. This was something else entirely.

" AAAAAAAAAAH!" Mia yelled, spinjitzuing into a wall. She hit the wall smack on her nose.

" Ow..." She mumbled, nursing her now sore nose.

Jay and the others came running in. " Mia, what happened?" He asked.

Mia turned to face her brother while scrunching her nose and un-scrunching it again and again. " You don't think I'm a monster with my powers, do you?" she asked.

Jay looked at her, his expression unreadable. Mia's heart sank.

" And the rest of you?" She whispered. 

The silence gave her all the answers.

" Of course. Why did I expect the opposite?" She mumbled while pushing them out of her room and slamming the door.

Blackie came from the window. " Hello, Mia." He said, grabbing sunglasses and turning the fan on.

Mia sighed. " Blackie, do you think I'm a monster?"

Blackie turned to her, surprised. " What?!"

Mia looked away. " I was just asking."

Blackie strolled to her. " Mia, you're not a monster."

" The others make it seem like it."

Blackie hissed. " They're stupid!"

Mia turned to him. " Please don't say that."

Blackie's gaze softened as he settled beside Mia, sensing her vulnerability. "Mia, listen. They're not saying you're a monster because they want to hurt you. They're just scared. Scared of what they don't understand."

Mia wiped at her eyes, frustration etched into her features. "But it feels like they see me as something dangerous, something that needs to be controlled. I don't want to be a science experiment."

Blackie's voice took on a gentle, reassuring tone. "I know it feels like that, but remember, fear often comes from not knowing how to handle something. You've got a lot of power inside you, and it's hard for others to grasp that. But it doesn't mean they think you're a monster."

Mia's shoulders slumped slightly, the weight of her emotions still heavy but starting to lift a little. "It's hard to believe that right now. I feel like I've pushed everyone away."

Blackie's eyes twinkled with a mix of sympathy and mischief. "Well, you've definitely made an impression. But you've also got people who care about you, even if they don't always show it the way you want."

Mia let out a shaky breath, glancing at Blackie with a tentative smile. "You always know just what to say. Thanks, Blackie."

He gave her a comforting nudge. "Anytime. And hey, if you need to talk, you know I'm always here. We can figure things out together."

Mia nodded, feeling a bit lighter. "Yeah, I think I need to talk to them. Maybe they don't hate me after all."

When Jay, Kai, and the others cautiously entered the room, Mia looked up from her spot on the floor. Jay's expression softened as he approached her, concern etched into his features.

"Mia, we're really sorry about everything," Jay began, his voice sincere. "We didn't mean to make you feel like a monster."

Mia sighed heavily, her voice tinged with exhaustion. "I had a nightmare. It was horrible. I was so angry that I hurt everyone, and I couldn't stop. I felt like I was losing control completely. It was like I was trapped in a cage."

The room fell silent as Jay and the others absorbed Mia's words. The gravity of her nightmare was evident in their eyes, and they looked at her with renewed understanding.

"Wow," Jay said softly, his gaze sympathetic. "That sounds really intense."

Mia raised an eyebrow, her frustration flaring up again. "That's all you have to say? 'Wow'?"

Jay winced, realizing how dismissive his response must have sounded. "Sorry, Mia. I didn't mean it that way. It's just... I had no idea it was that bad. But if you want to, you could sleep with me. It might help you feel better."

Mia's eyes softened slightly at his offer. "You'd do that for me?"

"Of course," Jay replied, his voice earnest. "You're my sister. I want to help you get through this."

Mia hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Sure, I think that would be nice."

With a sense of tentative relief, Jay helped Mia up, and they headed toward his room. The other ninja watched them go, their expressions a mix of guilt and hope. They knew they had a long way to go in mending their relationship with Mia, but they were committed to supporting her as best they could.

Once in Jay's room, they settled down, and Jay made sure Mia was comfortable before sitting beside her. Blackie, ever the supportive companion, lounged on the bed with them, providing a comforting presence.

As Mia began to drift off, she felt a sense of security she hadn't experienced in a long time. The warmth of her brother beside her and the steady, reassuring presence of Blackie helped to dispel the lingering fears from her nightmare.

Jay looked at Mia, a gentle smile on his face. "You're not alone in this, Mia. We're all here for you."

Mia managed a small, grateful smile before closing her eyes. "Thanks, Jay. It means a lot."

As the room grew quiet, the bonds between them seemed to grow stronger, and the path toward healing began to clear. Together, they would face whatever challenges lay ahead, with a renewed sense of unity and understanding.

* Night*

Master Wu, Jay, and his teammates were engaged in an exercise, attempting to tackle down the seasoned ninja. Mia, though, was nowhere to be found.

"Slowpokes," Master Wu taunted, effortlessly dodging their attempts to bring him down.

"Snails," he remarked, sidestepping another lunge.

"Embarrassing," he added, gracefully evading their efforts once more.

" Embarrassing?" Asked a familiar yet disoriented voice. " We'll see embarrassing."

Everyone turned to the voice.

Mia was on the rooftop. But, she looked.... weird.

Her head was on pink fire. Her eyes were glowing pink. And in one hand, clutched, was the Forbidden Scroll of Spinjitzu. In her other hand was her staff. And everyone knew what would happen if she combined the two.

"SPINJITSU!" Mia roared, her voice distorted and unrecognizable. The Forbidden Scroll crackled with malevolent energy, responding to her warped command. A torrent of pure, destructive pink energy erupted from the scroll, engulfing the training yard in an otherworldly glow. She jumped at Wu, who was unprepared. In an instant, Mia spinjitzu'ed through the air and tackled Wu to the ground.

A collective gasp ripped through the training yard as Mia, consumed by the pink energy of the Forbidden Scroll, slammed into Master Wu. The familiar blue glow that surrounded him flickered and sputtered, overwhelmed by the raw, destructive power unleashed by his student.

Panic surged through Jay and Zane. They had seen glimpses of the scroll's influence on Mia before, but this was different. This was raw, primal, and devoid of any semblance of control.

Mia, her voice distorted and unrecognizable, cackled with a dark amusement. "Embarrassing, was it, Master Wu?" she taunted, her eyes blazing with an unnatural pink light. "We'll see embarrassing!"

In a swift, horrifying motion, she brought her own staff together with the glowing Forbidden Scroll. A blinding flash erupted, and in its wake, a single, monstrous staff pulsed with an ominous pink light. With each beat of the staff against the ground, a surge of energy ripped from Master Wu, his own blue aura dimming with each pulse.

"No!" Jay screamed, launching himself towards Mia, only to be thrown back by an invisible wave of energy. Zane, his circuits overloaded by the chaotic energy, could only sputter helplessly.

The situation was desperate. Master Wu, the very foundation of their team, was being drained of his power, leaving them vulnerable to whatever dark entity the Forbidden Scroll harbored. But fear was quickly replaced by a surge of protectiveness in Mia's next words.

"No one calls my brother slow!" she roared, her voice still distorted but laced with a shred of her former self. "No one!"

The revelation hung heavy in the air. Mia, even in the throes of the scroll's corruption, was still driven by a desire to protect Jay. A sliver of hope flickered within them – a connection, a bridge back to the Mia they knew.

"Mia, fight it!" Jay cried out, his voice raw with desperation. "We can help you! Just put down the staff!"

Zane, his metallic voice crackling, added, "The scroll is manipulating you, Mia. Your true strength lies within yourself, not in that dark power!"

Their pleas seemed to pierce through the haze of pink energy surrounding Mia. A flicker of recognition crossed her features, a flicker of the struggle raging within her. The staff pulsed in her grip, the embodiment of the dark power vying for control.

But then, a tear rolled down Mia's cheek, tracing a luminous pink path through the grime on her face. It was a single tear, yet it held the weight of her pain, her fear, and her love for her brother.

"Jay..." she whispered, her voice trembling, a sliver of her own voice breaking through the distortion. "Help me..."

The dam broke. The tear, a beacon of her true self, ignited a spark within the scroll's darkness. A struggle ensued, a war between the corrupting influence and the embers of Mia's spirit. The staff pulsed erratically, the pink glow flickering.

Seizing the opportunity, Jay lunged forward. With a desperate cry, he tackled his sister, knocking the staff from her grasp. It clattered to the ground, the Forbidden Scroll flying free, its malevolent energy dissipating with a final, chilling shriek.

Mia crumpled into Jay's arms, her body wracked with tremors. The pink glow faded from her eyes, replaced by a dull exhaustion. The monstrous staff lay inert on the ground, a mere shadow of its former power.

Then, she stood up and wiped her tears. In a quick motion, she summoned her staff and walked towards Kai.

" You." She growled.

Kai's eyes darted around the training yard, searching for some explanation. Had he missed something while everyone was focused on Mia's outburst? "Me?" he stammered, pointing a finger at himself hesitantly. "What did I do?"

Mia scoffed, the sound sharp and dismissive. "Don't play dumb, Kai. I know it was you who messed with the scroll and unleashed that power on me." Mia rolled her staff around her right arm as she quickened her pace, leaving Kai rooted to the spot.

"Mia, that's crazy!" Jay protested, rushing to intervene. "Kai wouldn't do something like that. We all saw what happened with the scroll. It was out of control!"

Mia ignored him, her narrowed gaze fixed solely on Kai. His confusion morphed into a flicker of anger. "Hey! I wouldn't touch that cursed thing with a ten-foot fire pole!" he exclaimed, his voice laced with indignation.

"Then why did I have the scroll?" Mia countered, her voice rising with each word. "Why was it in my hand when I... when I lost control?" The memory of the pink energy, the distorted voice, sent shivers down her spine.

Zane, ever the voice of reason, interjected. "Mia, the scroll can be manipulative. It might have chosen you as a conduit, not because of Kai, but because of your own emotional turmoil."

Mia faltered, her initial accusation crumbling under the weight of logic. But the doubt lingered, a shadow clouding her judgment. She glanced at Kai, searching for some flicker of guilt, some telltale sign of betrayal.

Kai, sensing the shift in her gaze, threw his hands up in exasperation. "Look," he said, his voice sincere, "I wouldn't dream of hurting you, Mia. We all saw what that scroll can do. The last thing I'd want is for you to go through that again."

" Oh really? Then why is it that YOU think I'M cursed, huh?"

When no reply came, Mia growled.

" This was not a rhetorical question."

Kai's face flushed crimson. Mia's accusation, though unexpected, struck a chord within him. He stammered, searching for the right words. "I... I never said you were cursed, Mia. Honestly!"

He glanced around nervously, hoping the others wouldn't pick up on his earlier discomfort. The truth was, ever since the incident with the lighthouse and the strange energy signatures, a niggling suspicion had gnawed at him. But "cursed" was a harsh word, one he wouldn't dare utter aloud.

"Maybe..." he began tentatively, "maybe I just worry about you. Seeing you lose control like that, with the scroll... it was scary. And after what happened with your parents..." His voice trailed off, the weight of their shared grief hanging heavy in the air.

Frustration bubbled up in Mia. "So you think I'm some ticking time bomb, ready to explode at any moment?" Her staff clenched tighter in her hand, the metallic glint mirroring the anger in her eyes.

Zane, ever the mediator, stepped forward. "Mia, Kai doesn't mean to offend you. He's just concerned. Perhaps a more open conversation is what's needed here."

Jay, sensing the rising tension, added his two cents. "Yeah, come on, you two. We just went through a whole scroll-induced freakout. Let's not turn on each other now."

Mia took a deep breath, trying to control the surge of emotions. Looking directly at Kai, she challenged, "Alright, Kai. If you're not going to say it, then spit it out. What is it you REALLY think about what happened?"

Kai met her gaze, a mixture of concern and frustration swirling in his own eyes. "I don't know, Mia," he admitted. "The energy you were giving off... it was different. Powerful, sure, but also... unstable. And with your history, it's hard not to worry."

His honesty, though blunt, resonated with Mia. She understood his concern, even if his choice of words stung. Lowering her staff slightly, she conceded, "Look, I know it's been a lot to take in. The scroll, the powers, everything. But trust me, I'm not some cursed monster. I'm just trying to understand it all, just like you guys."

A flicker of understanding passed between them. They were both scared, unsure of what the future held, but they were also teammates, bound by a shared experience.

"Maybe," Zane suggested, his voice laced with optimism, "we can approach this together. Research the energy signatures, try to understand what happened at the lighthouse. As a team, we might be able to find some answers."

Mia considered his suggestion, a new resolve hardening in her gaze. "You're right, Zane. We can't let fear control us. We need to learn from this, not dwell on it."

The air crackled with a tension thicker than lightning before a storm. Mia's accusation hung heavy, and Kai's discomfort was palpable. But before Kai could fully respond, Mia surprised them all.

With a swift flick of her wrist, she channeled her power, a surge of blue energy enveloping Kai. Before he could react, she hoisted him with surprising strength and launched him with a practiced spin. Kai yelped in surprise as he soared through the air, landing with a surprised thump in the dense branches of a nearby oak.

"See you in a few days!" Mia called out, a mischievous glint in her eyes. The playful edge to her voice, however, did little to mask the underlying seriousness of the situation.

The oak, as if responding to a silent command, pulsed with a faint blue light. Its branches writhed and twisted, coiling around Kai like a living serpent. He struggled against the surprisingly strong grip, but the more he moved, the tighter the branches constricted.

"Hey!" Kai hollered, his voice laced with a mixture of amusement and irritation. "This isn't funny, Mia! Get me down from here!"

Jay and Zane exchanged bewildered glances. This wasn't the resolution they had anticipated. Mia, with a playful smirk, crossed her arms and leaned against the training post.

"Not until you apologize," she declared, her voice firm. "And not just for accusing me, but for implying I'm cursed."

Kai, dangling precariously in the tree's grasp, sputtered in protest. "But—"

"No buts!" Mia interrupted, a playful glint in her eyes. "A few days of reflection perched on a comfy branch might do you some good." The branches of the oak rustled ominously, seemingly in agreement with her statement.

Despite the situation's absurdity, a smile tugged at the corner of Jay's lips. This was the Mia he knew – feisty, determined, and with a mischievous streak a mile wide. While dangling Kai from a tree wasn't exactly the most diplomatic solution, it sent a clear message.

Zane, ever the voice of reason, interjected. "Mia, perhaps a less... arboreal form of punishment would be more appropriate?"

" No! He will be this way!"

Then, voices came from everywhere.

" Mia, you're dumb."

" Mia, you're stupid.

" Mia...."

" Miaaa...."

" It wasn't me!" Mia yelled, spinjitzuing straight into a wall and banging her head. Instantly, everyone crowded around her.

" Mia, are you okay?" Kai asked.

" Mia, what happened?" Zane inquired.

Mia didn't respond. She only slipped on a white skirt over her nightgown, made her bed, and looked at them. Then, Mia stormed past the doorway, the white cotton skirt billowing behind her like a storm cloud. The concerned faces of her teammates blurred together in a dizzying haze. Their questions, though well-meaning, felt like needles pricking her already raw emotions.

"Mia, are you okay?" Jay's voice, laced with worry, reached her ears.

She kept walking, refusing to acknowledge him or the others. Their earlier accusations, buried deep within her mind, festered like an infected wound. "Cursed," "ticking time bomb," the words echoed in her head, poisoning any sense of trust or security she'd begun to build.

Reaching the kitchen, Mia grabbed a glass of water, its coolness a fleeting comfort against the burning fire in her chest. Zane, ever the strategist, appeared in the doorway, his metal face etched with concern.

"Mia," he began, his voice gentle, "we're worried. You woke up screaming, then attacked the wall. Please, tell us what's wrong."

Mia slammed the glass down on the counter, the sharp crackle echoing through the room. She locked eyes with Zane, her own eyes blazing with a storm of unspoken emotions. But her lips remained sealed, a defiant silence her only weapon.

Frustration flickered across Zane's face, momentarily replacing the concern. "Mia," he said, his voice firm, "shutting us out won't help. Let us know what's bothering you. We're a team, remember?"

The word "team" felt like a bitter joke to Mia in that moment. Teammates didn't accuse each other of being cursed or unstable. Teammates trusted each other. A deep sadness welled up inside her, threatening to spill over.

She spun on her heel, her white skirt swirling around her like a shield. With a determined glint in her eyes, she grabbed a pen and scrap paper, scribbling a single word on it before shoving it into Zane's metallic hand.

"Later," she scrawled on the paper, a single tear blurring the ink before she stormed out of the kitchen, leaving a bewildered Zane staring at the message in his hand.

The silence that followed her departure was thick and suffocating. Jay and Cole entered the kitchen, their faces etched with concern. Zane, holding up the crumpled paper, explained the cryptic message.

"Later?" Cole repeated, his voice booming with confusion. "Later when? What's going on with her?"

Jay sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I don't know, Cole. But whatever it is, it's eating at her. We need to figure out a way to reach her."

Nya, arms crossed over her chest, spoke up from the doorway. "Maybe she just needs some time. Sometimes, silence is the only way to process things."

" Who needs to process what?" Asked a sleepy voice.

Everyone turned to Lloyd, their faces filled with worry.

Lloyd, still bleary-eyed from sleep, rubbed the crust from his eyes with the back of his hand. His voice, thick with drowsiness, echoed through the tense silence. "Who needs to process what?" he repeated.

The question hung heavy in the air, momentarily shattering the despair that had settled upon them. All eyes turned towards Lloyd, a flicker of hope igniting within their worried gazes. Perhaps, they thought, their green-clad leader would have a solution, a way to bridge the growing chasm between them and Mia.

One by one, they filled Lloyd in on the events that transpired. Jay, ever the animated storyteller, recounted Mia's outburst, her strange dream, and the chilling whispers that had woken her. Cole chimed in, his voice heavy with concern, detailing how Mia had shut herself away, refusing to speak or acknowledge them. Zane, ever analytical, presented the crumpled note Mia had left for him, the single word "Later" a cryptic message that offered little solace.

As they spoke, Lloyd's brow furrowed in concentration. He listened intently, absorbing every detail, his face reflecting the shifting emotions of the story. A flicker of understanding seemed to spark in his emerald eyes by the time they finished.

Just then, a figure emerged from the hallway, her presence filling the room with a heavy silence. Mia stood before them, dressed in white. White dress,, white skirt, white shoes, and a white hairband.

Jay, ever the optimist, saw an opportunity. "Mia," he began, his voice gentle, "we were just worried about you. Is there anything we can do to help?"

Mia turned to him. " Answer me one question," She said. " Am I really that crazy?"

Jay just blinked. 

" What?! No!" He exclaimed. " Why would you be weird?"

" I said crazy, brother. Not weird. Crazy."

Jay shook his head. " You're neither."

Mia buried herself into his night suit. " Then why are they haunting me?"

" What? What's haunting you?" Kai asked.

Mia looked away. " I'm having these nightmares. They tell me I'm evil and cray and a monster. I don't even wanna sleep because of them!"

Lloyd's eye twitched. " Does this sound familiar to any of you?" he asked.

Cole gasped.  " Didn't the same thing happen to her when she was young?"

Mia blinked, confused. " What?"

 Jay's eyes widened with realization. "Mia, are you under stress? You've been dealing with a lot lately."

Mia looked up at him, frustration mingling with exhaustion. "Dude, I'm a ninja. Obviously I'm under stress! We're always dealing with dangerous stuff. But this... this is different. It's like they're trying to break me from the inside."

Nya, who had been quietly listening, stepped forward. "Mia, nightmares and hallucinations can be signs of extreme stress or emotional turmoil. It's not just about being a ninja; it's about how much you're holding inside."

Mia's eyes flared with anger. "So, what, now you're all therapists? I just wanted to make sure I'm not turning into some kind of monster!"

"Hey," Lloyd said softly, trying to defuse the situation, "we're all here to support you. We've faced challenges together, and we'll get through this too."

Mia's shoulders slumped. The weight of her burdens felt lighter with the support of her friends, but it was still heavy. "I don't know if I can handle this. I thought I could control it, but every time I try, it just gets worse."

Jay took a step closer, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "We're not going to let you face this alone. Whatever's going on with the scroll or your nightmares, we'll figure it out together."

Mia looked around at her teammates, their faces full of concern and determination. Despite her anger and fear, she could see the genuine care in their eyes.

"I don't know where to start," Mia admitted, her voice trembling slightly.

Zane, ever the problem-solver, spoke up. "We should start by understanding what's affecting you."

Mia nodded slowly. "Okay. I guess I could use some help with that."

"Good," Lloyd said with a reassuring smile. "We'll work on it together. And remember, you're not alone in this. We're a team, and we'll get through this."

Mia took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "Okay," she said, her voice soft but resolute. "I'll start by looking into the scroll with you."

But even as she spoke, a nagging feeling in her gut whispered warnings. The words of her nightmares, the tension in the room, and the uncertainty of her teammates' true intentions began to stir doubts.

But as she turned to walk away, the voice inside her continued its insistent murmur: Don't trust them. Find out on your own.

Suddenly, Mia felt a surge of urgency. "Uh, I just need to use the bathroom," she said quickly, her voice tinged with a mix of anxiety and determination.

Without waiting for a response, Mia hurried down the hallway, her mind racing. Once she reached the small, dimly lit room, she quickly pulled out her phone and flipped open her laptop. Her fingers flew across the keyboard as she opened a chat window and typed a message to Nelson.

Mia: Nelson, I need your help. Can I trust the team? They act like they're superior, and I'm just a rat. What's your take on this?

As she sent the message, Mia paced back and forth, her nerves frayed. She knew she was taking a risk by keeping her suspicions hidden from her teammates, but she needed to be sure before fully committing to their plan.

Her phone buzzed with Nelson's swift response.

Nelson: Mia, they care about you. I know it's hard to see right now, but their concern is genuine. Sometimes, people act distant or superior when they're trying to mask their own fears. You're not a rat. They're all trying to help you, but it's up to you to decide how much to let them in.

Mia read the message, the words offering a sliver of reassurance but also deepening her internal conflict. She knew she had to trust her instincts, but she also had to balance them with the support her friends were offering.

Mia: Thanks, honey. I needed that.

She took another deep breath, closed her laptop, and tucked her phone away. With a renewed sense of determination, she stepped out of the bathroom, ready to face her teammates once more.

As she walked back into the room, her expression was one of careful contemplation. Her friends looked at her with expectant faces, and Mia forced a small, tentative smile.

"Sorry about that," she said, taking her seat. "Let's get started on that research. I'm ready to dive in."

Zane set up an array of wires and gadgets, his voice carried a clinical detachment. "We need to monitor your sleep patterns to better understand what's causing your distress."

Mia's eyes narrowed, and she crossed her arms, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, great. Just what I always wanted—an electric bed full of wires to make me feel like a science experiment."

Jay glanced at her, his concern evident. "Hey, we're trying to help."

Mia's face hardened. "Really? Are you? Or are you trying to make me forget who I am and what's going on? I mean, amnesia sounds like a fun party game, right?" She turned on her heel and stormed away, frustration and anger boiling over.

Cole, trying to keep things from escalating further, called out, "Calm down, Mia."

Mia spun around, her anger unleashing. "CALM DOWN? BROOKSTONE, IF I WERE TO REMIND YOU ABOUT THE WAY YOUR MOTHER DIED BECAUSE OF A SICKNESS, WOULD YOU BE CALM?!"

Her words were sharp and cutting, fueled by her own unresolved pain. Without waiting for a response, she turned and fled the room, her footsteps echoing down the hallway.

Master Wu, who had been observing from the doorway, stepped forward with concern etched on his face. "What happened?"

Jay, looking frustrated and worried, turned to Wu. "We might need to trap her. She's really upset."

Kai shook his head vigorously. "No. No, no, no. Not gonna happen."

Wu raised an eyebrow, puzzled. "What do you mean?"

Kai took a deep breath, his voice calm but firm. "We need to handle this with care, not force. Mia's struggling, and we have to respect that. Let's talk to her, find out what she needs, and support her without pushing too hard."

Jay nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Right. Let's try to talk to her and see if we can help her find some peace."

Mia stormed through the hallways, her frustration boiling over as she muttered to herself. "Stupid dreams. They tear the team apart and then they blame it on me. Is it my fault I have nightmares?" Her voice grew more frantic as a new thought struck her. "Wait... what if THEY give me the nightmares?"

Jay, who had followed her at a safe distance, caught up and called out, "Mia?! Are you okay?"

Mia turned to face him, her expression fierce and eyes narrowed. She was in full battle mode, her katana drawn and ready. "Oh yeah, I'm fine."

Jay's concern deepened as he saw her state. "You don't look fine."

Without warning, Mia lunged at him, her katana flashing through the air. Jay barely managed to parry the strike, and they were soon locked in a fierce combat, exchanging blows with intensity. Despite Jay's efforts, Mia's relentless determination and skill soon gave her the upper hand.

"Stop!" Lloyd shouted, trying to intervene.

Jay, panting and looking desperate, turned to Lloyd. "Tell her to stop!"

Mia, still in the thick of the fight, shouted back, "I'll stop when you stop acting like you're my boss!"

Jay, catching his breath, retorted, "I'm older than you!"

Mia's eyes flashed with a mix of revelation and anger. "So the cat's out of the bag. Knew it."

With that, she delivered a sharp slap to Jay's face, the sound echoing in the tension-filled air.

Kai stepped forward, his voice firm but filled with concern. "Mia Elizabeth—"

Mia's head whipped around, her eyes blazing. "Did you just say my middle name?"

Kai hesitated, caught off guard. "Uh... no?"

Mia's glare intensified. "You know I'm the only one allowed to say it, right?"

Jay, trying to defuse the situation, said, "No, you're not."

Mia's anger flared, and she landed a solid punch on Jay's shoulder. "Yes, I am. Ask Mom. Oh, wait. I forgot. She's dead. Along with Dad."

Jay winced from the punch, his expression pained. "Mia, that's not fair."

Mia's face twisted with frustration and sorrow. "Fair? What's fair about any of this? You think you can just walk in and act like you know what's best for me?"

Kai, still trying to reason with her, said, "Mia, we're just trying to help. We're worried about you."

Mia's eyes welled with tears as she shouted, "Help? HA! All you do is make things worse! I don't need your help if it means you'll just remind me of what I've lost!"

Lloyd stepped in, his voice calm but resolute. "Mia, this isn't helping anyone. You need to calm down."

Mia glared at him, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and grief. "Calm down? Easy for you to say when you haven't lost everything I have!"

Jay, trying to regain his composure, said, "Mia, we care about you. Please, just stop and talk to us."

Mia's hands shook as she lowered her katana slightly, her voice breaking. "Why should I? So you can just make me feel more alone?"

Kai stepped closer, his tone softening. "Mia, we're here for you. Let us help."

Mia's gaze softened slightly, but her voice remained defiant. "Help? I don't know if I can trust any of you."

Wu's voice cut through the tension with a note of authority. "Mia, calm yourself."

Mia huffed, her frustration still simmering. "Hmph."

Jay stepped closer, his tone firm but laced with concern. "Mia Walker, I am your brother. Listen to me."

Before Mia could react, Jay reached out and grabbed her arm trying to assert control. The gesture, meant to be grounding, had the opposite effect.

Mia's face flushed with rage as she yanked her body away. "Don't touch me!" Her voice was sharp, filled with a storm of emotions.

Jay, taken aback by her reaction, tried to reason with her. "Mia, I'm just trying to—"

But Mia was beyond reasoning. Her anger exploded, and she launched into a fierce fight. Her katana swung with precision, her moves fueled by her pent-up frustration and pain.

Jay, caught off guard, barely managed to defend himself. The room filled with the clash of metal and the sound of their grunts and shouts.

Wu and the others watched in alarm, their attempts to intervene falling short as the siblings fought fiercely. Kai's voice was urgent as he tried to defuse the situation. "Stop it! This isn't going to solve anything!"

But Mia, consumed by her anger, was relentless. "You think you know what's best for me? You think you can control me?" She thrust her katana, her strikes sharp and deliberate.

Jay, breathing heavily, tried to catch his breath. "Mia, please! We're just trying to help!"

In the midst of their battle, the raw emotions and unspoken grief poured out, turning their fight into a painful display of their strained relationship. Each strike and parry spoke of their hurt and misunderstandings, echoing the deeper conflicts within their family.

Jay, catching his breath and wincing from the bruises of their fight, looked at Mia with a mix of frustration and regret. "Sorry, Mia."

Mia, her anger still simmering, shot him a glare. "You should be." Her voice was cold and cutting.

Without another word, she turned and stormed away. 

At that moment, Jay knew that things between them may never be the same.

Ever.