They show Ninjago in Lego Dreamzzz

Mia was running.

To get something that was hers.

Out of a tree.

She ran to Jay’s who put his hands together. Mia used it as a step, and jumped up. She did three backflips in a row, and grabbed the branch. She slipped a bit, but she wrapped her legs around the truck and pushed up.

Kai walked over to Jay and scratched his head. “ She does know there are branches like steps, right?”

Jay shrugged. “ You know how she is.”

Kai looked up. “ I know. And that’s what I’m worried about.”

Jay raised his brow. “ Hey! That’s my job!”

Kai shrugged. “ I’m an older brother too.”

Jay looked back up at his sister, who was waving her scarf with a lot of flourish. Then, she paused, frowned, and squinted to the horizon. Jay’s stomach dropped. “ Oh, no.”

“ What?” Kai asked, looking between both siblings.

Mia looked at Jay and took off flying, looking through her binoculars. Jay grabbed Kai and ran after her.

“ Because she only does that when there’s an animal in danger.”

“ An animal? Again?!” Kai groaned. “ Nothing can be normal here, can it?”

Jay grinned. “ Nope.”

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

When they arrived in the forest, the first thing Jay noticed was Mia was nowhere to be seen.

“ Where did that girl go?” He groaned, searching. Kai helped, climbing to a tree and peering down.

“ Kai! Grip the trunk! Tightly!” Jay called.

Kai looked down and nodded.

But then Jay voiced his concerns again.

“ KAI! Come down! I don’t want you to hit your head.”

Kai raised his brows and sat on the branch. “ Jay, I’m fine.”

“ But-”

“ I won’t hit my head, Jay.”

Jay sighed but didn’t argue.
Kai said in a softer voice, “ Listen, Jay. I know you’re worried about your sister and us, but you gotta trust us. We’re not going to do anything that’ll hurt us.”

Jay looked down at his shoes. “ I know, it’s just….” He sighed. “ I can’t help but think about it! I mean, did you know that each year, about 200 people are killed? Just from being on a tree?”

Kai sighed and jumped down, landing next to Jay. He turned Jay’s face to face him, and smiled.

“ Look, Jay. All this extra stress, all of it… you don’t need it.” He said, gently. “ You’re just filling your head with precautions you don’t need to know.”

Jay sighed and walked over to a clearing. “ I just want to keep her safe.”

Kai walked over to him and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. Jay looked at him.

“ We all know that. We respect that. But, maybe, try to trust her. Believe in her.”

Jay took a deep breath. “ Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

Then, he took his golden kusarigama and used it to cut through the reeds and plants. Kai followed with raised brows. This was going to be interesting, to say the least.

“ Mia?” Jay called as he cut through. “ MIA?! WHERE ARE YOU?!”

Kai joined, mapping out the areas which they had been through.

An hour passed and they still hadn’t found Mia.

“ Oh, where is sh- wait… I’ve seen this rock. And those trees!”  He exclaimed, pointing. Hen, he took a sharp breath and slapped his head. “ Jay, we’ve been walking in a circle.”

“ For a whole hour?!” Jay threw his golden kusarigama in the air and walked to a rock, where he sat down and buried his face in his hands. “ We’re never gonna find her.”

Kai stepped out of the impact zone and hesitantly picked Jay’s kusarigama and walked to him.

“ Oh, come on!” Kai said, sliding next to Jay. “ It can’t be impossible!” He nudged Jay’s arm with a grin, but Jay didn’t even acknowledge it.

“ Look, Jay. I get it. You want to find your sister. If I were in your shoes, I would do the same thing. But, I know my sister. I know she would never get herself into too much trouble. And, in the end, she always comes back. Mia’s the same.”

Jay looked up. “ But she’s a magnet to trouble.”

“ So am I, Jay! Everywhere I go, there’s trouble. But do I sweat?” He didn’t wait for an answer. “ No! I just roll with it! I think you should think of Mia like that and not worry about her.”

“ Besides,” He added. “ If you calm down, we might find her quicker.”

Jay took a shaky breath. “ Okay. Let’s see. Where did we see her last?”

“ Outside the forest.” Kai replied.

“ But this is where we realized we couldn’t find her.” Jay reminded Kai.

Kai nodded. “ Okay, good point. Let’s look around for clues.”

They looked around, and Jay noticed footprints.

“ Kai, step into the mud.” He ordered.

Kai gave him a bizarre look. “ What?! Are you crazy?”

Jay showed him the prints. “ I want to see if these are ours.”

“ You could also just measure them, Zappy.” Kai pointed out.

Jay sighed. “ That’s what I’ve bee saying!” He stepped into the mud, making a print next to the other print.

It was smaller.

“ This was definitely made from a smaller person’s feet.”

Kai picked a pink cloth from the tree. “ What’s this?”

Jay took it and felt it. “ It’s Mia’s!”

Then, they heard a voice. “ Jay? Is that you?”

Jay looked up, and cupped her hands. “ Mia? Where are you?”

“ I found an injured deer! Follow my prints!”

They obeyed, running through the foliage. Kai handed Jay his kusarigama, and Jay used it to cut through the thick vines and plants.

Finally, they found Mia. Her dress was all dirty, covered in grime and soot, but she looked proud. Besides her was a small deer, who looked quite skittish.

“ Shh, it’s okay, Fifi. These are my brothers. They’re here to help.”

Kai and Jay just stared.

“ Oh, don’t worry about them. They’re just surprised to see me with a deer. Don’t worry, they get over it quickly.”

True to her words, when she clapped in front of their faces, they got out of their transe.

Jay shook his head, and laughed. “ Oh, my goodness! You won’t believe what I sa…. Oh, never mind. It wasn’t a dream.”

Kai slapped his head. “ I hate my life,” He muttered.

Jay just shook his head. “ What happened to this one?”

“ Same old, same old.”

“ It’s injured, and you want me to bandage it. Then, were gonna bring it to the monastery for it to heal?” Kai guessed.

Mia looked at him in awe. “ How’d you guess?”

Kai rolled his eyes. “ Lucky guess.”

Jay and Kai quickly got to work, their expressions shifting from exasperation to determination as they assessed the situation. The deer, Fifi, as Mia had named her, was trembling slightly, her leg awkwardly bent beneath her. Mia knelt beside the deer, gently stroking her head to keep her calm.

Kai knelt down and carefully examined Fifi’s leg. “It looks like she’s sprained it pretty badly. We’ll need to stabilize it before we can move her.”

Mia’s eyes filled with concern. “Will she be okay?”

Kai gave her a reassuring nod. “She’ll be fine, but we have to be careful. We don’t want to make the injury worse.”

Jay had already started rummaging through his backpack, pulling out some bandages and a makeshift splint. “Good thing I packed this,” he muttered to himself, handing the supplies over to Kai.

Mia watched anxiously as Kai worked, her fingers tightly gripping the edge of her dress. Jay noticed her tension and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “She’s in good hands, Mia. Kai’s got this.”

Kai shot Jay a quick glance, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “Of course I do. I’ve had plenty of practice with stubborn patients.”

Jay chuckled. “Yeah, you’re practically an expert by now.”

As Kai carefully wrapped the bandage around Fifi’s leg, Mia continued to whisper soothing words to the deer, her voice soft and reassuring. Fifi seemed to respond to Mia’s calm demeanor, her trembling gradually subsiding as she allowed Kai to finish his work.

“There,” Kai said, securing the splint in place. “That should hold until we can get her back to the monastery.”

Mia beamed up at him, her worry replaced with relief. “Thank you, Kai. I knew you could help.”

Kai stood up, brushing off his hands. “No problem, Mia. Now, let’s get her back before it gets too dark.”

Jay nodded in agreement, already scanning the area to figure out the easiest route back. “I’ll lead the way. Mia, you stay close to Fifi and keep her calm.”

Mia gave a determined nod, standing up and gently guiding Fifi to her feet. The deer was hesitant at first, but with Mia’s encouragement, she managed to take a few shaky steps.

The journey back was slow but steady, with Jay cutting through any obstacles with his kusarigama while Kai kept a watchful eye on Fifi’s condition. Mia stayed by Fifi’s side the entire time, her presence clearly providing comfort to the injured animal.

As they neared the edge of the forest, Jay glanced over at his sister, a mixture of pride and exasperation in his eyes. “You know, Mia, you really gave us a scare. But I’m glad you were able to help this little one.”

Mia looked up at her brother, her face serious. “I couldn’t just leave her there, Jay. She needed me.”

Kai, who had been walking behind them, chimed in. “And you did a great job, Mia. But maybe next time, you could let us know what’s going on before running off.”

Mia’s expression softened, and she nodded. “Okay, I’ll try.”

Jay ruffled her hair affectionately. “That’s all we ask.”

By the time they reached the monastery, the sun was beginning to set, casting a warm, golden glow over the courtyard. Wu was waiting for them, his face calm but curious as he watched them approach.

“What have we here?” Wu asked, his gaze falling on the injured deer.

Mia stepped forward, still holding onto Fifi gently. “This is Fifi. She got hurt, and I couldn’t just leave her.”

Wu nodded thoughtfully, his eyes studying the small deer. “You did well to help her, Mia. Compassion is an important quality for a ninja to have.”

Mia’s face lit up at the praise, and she looked down at Fifi with renewed determination. “We’re going to take care of her, right?”

Wu smiled softly. “Of course. We’ll make sure she’s well looked after.”

With that, Kai and Jay helped guide Fifi to a quiet corner of the courtyard where she could rest comfortably. Mia stayed by her side, her hand never leaving Fifi’s fur as the deer slowly relaxed in her new surroundings.

As the evening deepened, Jay and Kai stood back, watching Mia as she continued to care for Fifi. Kai glanced at Jay, a smirk playing on his lips. “Looks like she’s found another friend.”

Jay sighed, though there was a hint of a smile on his face. “Yeah, she has. And I guess that means more adventures for us.”

Kai chuckled, crossing his arms. “Wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Jay nodded in agreement, his eyes softening as he watched his sister. “She’s got a big heart. We just have to make sure it stays safe.”

Kai clapped Jay on the back. “And that’s what we’re here for.”

As the night fell, the three siblings remained together, united in their care for one another and the small creature they had brought to safety.

As the trio settled down, making sure Fifi was comfortable, a small rustling sound caught their attention. From behind a nearby bush, Blackie  emerged. The black-furred feline stretched leisurely, his tail swaying gracefully as he approached the group. With a wide yawn, he plopped himself down beside Mia, his bright eyes observing the scene with an amused glint.

"Hello, amateurs," Blackie purred, his voice dripping with playful sarcasm. He glanced at Fifi, then back at the three siblings. "Took you long enough to figure out she was in trouble. Honestly, without me, you'd probably still be lost in that forest."

Jay blinked at the kitten, then let out a soft laugh. "Nice to see you too, Blackie."

Mia rolled her eyes, but there was a fond smile on her face as she gently scratched Blackie behind the ears. "Oh, come on, Blackie. We did just fine."

Blackie leaned into Mia's hand, purring louder. "Mmhmm, sure you did. But let's be real, I could’ve solved this in half the time. You three are just lucky I decided to take a nap instead."

Kai chuckled, shaking his head. "Well, I guess we’ll have to step up our game, huh?"

Blackie flicked his tail with a hint of superiority. "You’re learning, Flame Boy."

Mia couldn’t help but giggle. "You always know how to make an entrance, don’t you, Blackie?"

The kitten gave a little nod, his eyes half-closed as he basked in the attention. "It’s a talent."

Jay smiled and leaned back on his hands, looking at Mia and Blackie. "Looks like our little group just got a bit more lively."

With a soft purr, Blackie settled down next to Fifi, curling up comfortably. "Well, someone’s got to keep you all in line. And don’t worry, Fifi. You’re safe now. These amateurs may be slow, but they’ve got good hearts."

The deer, seemingly reassured by Blackie’s presence and calm demeanor, nestled closer to Mia, who continued to stroke both him and Fifi. The peaceful scene was a perfect contrast to the earlier chaos, and as the night deepened, the four of them—Mia, Jay, Kai, and Blackie—kept watch over their new friend, all united in the warmth of family and friendship.
.........

The next morning, Kai and Jay awoke to the sound of birds chirping and the gentle rustling of leaves outside the barn. Sunlight filtered through the wooden slats, casting warm beams across the hay-strewn floor. Both boys groggily sat up, rubbing sleep from their eyes, when they noticed something unsettling.

“Mia?” Jay called out, looking around the barn.

There was no answer. Jay and Kai exchanged glances, and both their eyes widened with realization. The deer, Fifi, was gone too.

“Oh, no,” Kai groaned, slumping forward with his hands on his knees. “She’s run off again.”

Jay sighed, already grabbing his shoes. “We should have seen this coming. She’s not one to sit still when there’s something she wants to do.”

Without wasting another moment, they bolted out of the barn, their hearts pounding with worry. The early morning air was crisp, the scent of dew clinging to the grass as they sprinted through the farm fields, following faint tracks that Mia and the deer had left behind.

The wind whipped through their hair as they ran, leaves and branches crackling beneath their feet. Jay led the way, his mind racing just as fast as his legs, while Kai kept pace beside him, both determined to find their sister before she got into any more trouble.

After what felt like an eternity of chasing shadows, they finally heard a familiar giggle. Slowing their pace, they cautiously approached the sound until they reached a small clearing.

There, in the middle of a sun-dappled meadow, was Mia, laughing joyfully as she ran alongside Fifi, the young deer prancing beside her. Mia’s energy was infectious, and the sight of her with the fawn brought a smile to the brothers’ faces despite their exhaustion.

Mia looked down at Fifi with a grin, her cheeks flushed with excitement. “You sure are a fawn. Look at you!” she exclaimed, her voice filled with admiration as she watched the delicate creature frolic through the grass.

Kai and Jay stopped at the edge of the clearing, catching their breath as they took in the scene. Jay shook his head with a small, fond smile. “She really can’t help herself, can she?”

Kai chuckled, leaning forward with his hands on his knees as he panted. “Nope. She’s always had a soft spot for animals. Guess we should’ve known she wouldn’t stay put.”

Mia noticed them and waved enthusiastically. “Jay! Kai! Look at her! Isn’t she beautiful?”

Jay walked over, kneeling beside Mia as he looked at the deer. “Yeah, she really is. But you know, we were worried about you. You can’t just run off like that.”

Mia pouted, but there was a mischievous twinkle in her eye. “I couldn’t let Fifi be alone. She needed someone to run with.”

Kai joined them, ruffling Mia’s hair affectionately. “We get it, Mia. But you’ve got to give us a heads-up next time, okay?”

Mia nodded, her smile returning. “Okay, I promise.”

Fifi nuzzled against Mia, as if thanking her for the morning run. Mia giggled and wrapped her arms around the deer’s neck, whispering softly, “You’re safe now, Fifi. We’ll take care of you.”

Kai and Jay exchanged relieved glances, knowing that Mia’s heart was in the right place—even if it did lead her into more wild adventures than they could count. For now, they were just glad to have her back safe and sound.

Mia, still beaming from her adventure with Fifi, reached into her bag and pulled out some fresh greens and berries she had gathered earlier. She crouched down and offered them to the young deer with a hopeful smile. “Here you go, Fifi! Your favorite—nice, healthy food!”

Fifi sniffed the greens, her nose twitching, but after a moment, she turned her head away, uninterested. Mia frowned, her excitement dimming a bit. “Come on, Fifi, you’ve got to eat something. You must be hungry after all that running.”

Jay and Kai, who were standing nearby, exchanged curious looks. “Maybe she’s just not in the mood for that right now,” Jay suggested, trying to be helpful.

Mia sighed and looked back at Fifi. “But this is the best stuff I could find for her…”

Just then, Fifi’s ears perked up, and she lifted her head, eyes fixated on something in the distance. Before Mia could react, the little deer bolted off, her small hooves kicking up dirt as she raced across the meadow.

“Fifi, wait!” Mia called, scrambling to her feet and running after the fawn. Jay and Kai followed, puzzled by Fifi’s sudden burst of energy.

They watched in astonishment as Fifi made a beeline for a small clearing where someone had left a picnic basket. Among the various snacks and food items scattered around was a juicy, half-eaten burger. To everyone’s shock, Fifi didn’t hesitate—she dove right in, nibbling eagerly at the burger as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Mia skidded to a halt, her jaw dropping in disbelief. “What?! Fifi, no! That’s not deer food!”

Kai and Jay both burst out laughing, unable to contain their amusement. “Well, I guess Fifi has a bit of a wild side, too,” Kai chuckled, wiping tears of laughter from his eyes.

Jay grinned and shook his head. “I don’t think she got the memo about sticking to greens, Mia.”

Mia crossed her arms and huffed, though she couldn’t hide the small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. “You’re supposed to eat healthy food, Fifi, not burgers!”

Fifi, of course, paid no mind to Mia’s protest. She was too busy enjoying her unexpected treat, munching contentedly while the three siblings watched in a mix of amusement and bewilderment.

“Well, I guess we’ll have to keep a closer eye on what Fifi decides to snack on from now on,” Jay said with a grin.

Mia sighed in resignation, but there was a twinkle in her eye. “I guess you’re right. But seriously, Fifi, a burger?”

Fifi merely flicked her tail and continued to eat, completely unbothered by the fuss she had caused.

Just as Mia finished scolding Fifi for her unconventional food choice, Lloyd appeared from behind a tree, looking slightly out of breath. “Hey, guys,” he called out, walking over to where they stood. “Uncle Wu is asking how long until we release Fifi back into the wild. He’s starting to wonder if she’s planning to move in with us permanently.”

Mia, still smiling from the amusing scene with the burger, waved her hand dismissively. “Oh, that’s easy! All we have to do is go back to the forest, look for her parents, tell them she’s fine, and release her back! Easy!”

Lloyd raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. “Just like that, huh?”

Mia nodded confidently, but Kai couldn’t help but share a nervous glance with Jay. “Uh… yeah,” Kai said, trying to sound as reassuring as Mia. “Totally. Sooo easy.”

Jay chuckled, nudging Kai with his elbow. “You sound really convincing there, Kai.”

Kai rolled his eyes. “Hey, I’m just being realistic here. It’s not like deer come with a ‘Return to Sender’ address.”

Mia pouted slightly, crossing her arms. “Well, we can’t just keep her. She belongs in the wild, with her family. And besides, we’ve managed harder missions before.”

Lloyd sighed, placing a hand on Mia’s shoulder. “You’re right, Mia. But finding her family might not be as simple as you think. We’ll need to search the forest carefully and make sure we’re putting her back where she belongs.”

Mia looked determined. “I can do it! Fifi trusts me. She’ll help us find her family, won’t you, Fifi?” She turned to the fawn, who was still munching on the burger, blissfully unaware of the conversation.

Kai shook his head with a smirk. “Yeah, if we can tear her away from her new favorite snack.”

Jay grinned. “Well, looks like we’ve got our work cut out for us. But I’m with you, Mia. We’ll make sure Fifi gets home safely.”

Lloyd nodded in agreement. “We’ll help, too. Uncle Wu will understand if it takes a bit longer. This is important.”

Mia’s face lit up with a grateful smile. “Thanks, guys! I know we can do this.”

Kai sighed, still a little unsure but willing to go along with the plan. “Alright, let’s get started then. The sooner we find her parents, the sooner Fifi can get back where she belongs. And hopefully, that means fewer burgers in her diet.”

As they all headed toward the forest, the group quickly devised a plan. "Alright, if you find Fifi's parents, call in with your headpieces," Lloyd instructed, ensuring everyone was on the same page.

Mia nodded eagerly. "Okay!" she agreed, a spark of excitement in her eyes. Without wasting a moment, she took off running, her determination driving her forward. The trees blurred around her as she sprinted through the forest, her laughter echoing in the air. She gracefully hopped onto a low-hanging branch, swinging herself up with ease. Higher and higher she climbed, her giggles filling the canopy.

Jay, watching from below, couldn't help but chuckle. He activated his headset. "Mia, are you having a party up there?" he teased, a smile in his voice.

Mia’s voice came through the earpiece, breathless but full of joy. "Maybe! You should join me!" she called back, her laughter contagious.

Kai shook his head, half-smiling as he watched Mia jump from branch to branch, her energy seemingly endless. "Just be careful up there, Mia!" he warned, though his tone was more amused than concerned.

Lloyd kept his eyes on the ground, scanning for any signs of deer tracks or familiar landmarks that might lead them to Fifi's family. "Stay focused, everyone. The sooner we find her parents, the sooner we can get Fifi back home."

Mia, however, was fully immersed in her adventure. She leaped from one tree to another, the wind in her hair, the thrill of the chase making her feel invincible. She spotted a small clearing up ahead and paused for a moment, her eyes narrowing as she searched for any sign of movement below.

But her playful spirit was still there, and she couldn't resist one last teasing comment. "Jay, I think the trees are my new best friends!" she announced with a giggle.

Jay grinned, jogging to keep up with her from below. "Well, just don't forget about us down here, okay?" he replied, keeping an eye on her as she moved effortlessly through the branches.

The forest was alive with sounds—the rustling of leaves, the distant calls of birds, and the soft thud of Mia’s footsteps as she explored above. Each of them was on high alert, but there was a sense of ease knowing they were all working together.

Finally, Mia stopped, crouching on a thick branch as she scanned the area below. "I think I see something!" she whispered into her headset, her excitement causing her to almost bounce in place.

Jay and Kai exchanged a glance, their playful banter taking a backseat as they focused on the task at hand. "Stay put, Mia. We’re coming to you," Jay instructed, his voice calm but eager.

Mia nodded, even though they couldn’t see her. She grinned down at the ground, her heart racing with the thrill of the hunt. "Okay, but hurry! I think Fifi’s family is close!"

The others hurried to Mia's location, guided by her voice over their headpieces. As they reached the clearing, Mia was already on the ground, having gracefully hopped down from the tree. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she motioned for them to follow her. "Come on!" she urged, her energy contagious.

Fifi, who had been quietly trailing behind Mia, suddenly perked up. Her small ears twitched as she caught sight of something in the distance. Without a second thought, the young fawn bolted forward, her slender legs carrying her swiftly through the underbrush. She let out a high-pitched yell, a sound filled with longing and recognition.

The others stopped in their tracks, watching as Fifi bounded ahead. In the distance, a group of deer—larger and more majestic—lifted their heads in unison. The moment they saw Fifi, they responded with a chorus of calls, their voices echoing through the forest. It was clear that they had found Fifi's family.

The adult deer began to run toward Fifi, their elegant forms moving swiftly through the trees. Fifi's cry had been heard, and her family was rushing to her side. The sight was both heartwarming and exhilarating.

Mia couldn’t help but giggle, her hands clasped together as she watched the reunion unfold. "Look at them! They’re so happy to see her!" she exclaimed, her laughter bubbling up as Fifi was quickly surrounded by her family, who nuzzled and sniffed her as if making sure she was truly there.

Jay and Kai stood beside Mia, smiling at the scene. Even Lloyd, who usually kept a more serious demeanor, couldn't suppress a grin.

"Well, it looks like our job here is done," Kai said softly, his voice filled with relief.

Jay nodded, his eyes never leaving the deer family. "Yeah, this is what it's all about."

Mia glanced up at her brothers, her eyes shining with pride and joy. "We did it!" she cheered, pumping her fists in the air. "Fifi's back with her family!"

Fifi, now safely nestled among her kin, looked back at the group, her large eyes filled with gratitude. It was as if she was saying thank you in her own way, acknowledging the efforts they had made to bring her home.

"Goodbye, Fifi," Mia whispered, waving at the little fawn. "Take care of yourself."

The deer lingered for a moment longer, then, with one last look at their human friends, they turned and gracefully disappeared into the forest, melting into the shadows of the trees.

As the sounds of the forest returned to normal, the group stood in silence for a moment, each of them absorbing the impact of what they had just accomplished.

"That was amazing," Lloyd finally said, breaking the silence.

Mia turned to her brothers, a satisfied smile on her face. "See? I told you it would be easy!"

Kai chuckled, ruffling Mia’s hair. "Yeah, maybe not as easy as you made it sound, but we pulled it off."

Jay wrapped an arm around Mia’s shoulders, pulling her close. "You did great, Mia. Fifi’s back where she belongs, thanks to you."

Mia beamed up at her brothers, feeling a sense of accomplishment. "We all did it together," she corrected, her heart full.

Just then, Blackie, who had been quietly following them, yawned loudly, drawing their attention. "I took a picture," he announced in his usual sassy tone.

Curious, Mia quickly reached for the small photo that was attached to Blackie's collar. She eagerly held it up to take a look but soon found herself frowning in confusion. "Blackie, this shows the deer, yes. But it also shows Jay getting angry," she pointed out, her brow furrowing as she examined the photo more closely.

Jay leaned over to see the picture for himself, and sure enough, there he was in the background, mid-rant with an exaggerated expression of frustration. His face was scrunched up, his mouth wide open, and his hands were gesturing wildly. The deer, on the other hand, looked serene and oblivious, perfectly framed in the center of the photo.

Kai couldn't help but laugh when he saw it. "Classic Jay," he teased, nudging his brother with his elbow.

Jay groaned, running a hand through his hair. "Of course, that’s the moment you capture, Blackie," he muttered, though there was a hint of amusement in his voice.

Blackie blinked lazily, clearly unbothered. "What can I say? I have an eye for the dramatic," he replied with a smug tone.

Mia giggled, holding up the picture for everyone to see again. "I think it’s perfect," she declared. "It shows that we had to work hard to get Fifi back to her family."

Jay sighed but then smiled, accepting the picture from Mia. "Yeah, I guess it does. And hey, at least Fifi looks great in it."

The group shared a laugh, and Jay tucked the picture into his pocket for safekeeping. It wasn’t the perfect, serene photo he might have imagined, but it was real—a snapshot of the chaos and the triumph that came with their adventure.

"Let’s get back to the monastery," Kai suggested, stretching his arms over his head. "We’ve earned some rest."

Mia nodded, but not before giving Blackie a scratch behind his ears. "Thanks for the picture, Blackie. Even if you did catch Jay looking all grumpy," she said with a wink.

Blackie purred contentedly, as if he knew his work was appreciated. "Anytime," he meowed, following them as they made their way out of the forest, leaving behind another successful day of adventure and a story worth telling.