Jay, you let the villains escape again!

Jay, you're useless! I don't know why I ever let you and my sister get together!

Jay, because of you, the criminal escaped. Again.

Jay, I don't know what my uncle saw in you. You're useless.

Jay, when I picked you to the blue ninja that day I did not think you would be this clumsy. Go to your room and ponder on what insignificant loss you caused.

That's why Jay was in his room right now, crying.

Well he had been in his room for days.

But yeah the harsh realities of his own goof offs were.... well, they cost everyone the villain.

It was like a ton of bricks fell on her shoulder. He hated it.

" You haven't come out of your room for days. What's wrong?"

"What are you doing here?" Jay asked sharply.

" I just wanted to see if you were okay."

Jay scoffed. " Well, I am, so you can go now."

Kai didn't go, though. Instead, he leaned in the doorway.

" Listen, Jay. We were all angry back there, and we didn't know what to say. I'm sorry if I made you feel bad. But you need to eat, Jay. You've been locked in your room for days, and you haven't even had water."

Jay looked away as tears pricked his eyes.  " But it always happens."

" What always happens?"

" The fact that I mess the mission up. Always."

Now a tear escaped her eye, and she tried to hide it. Kai, though, saw it

" Oh, Jay." He whispered, walking over to his brother and enveloping him into a hug.

Jay didn't resist. He threw his arms around his older brother a
and buried his face into his brother's shoulder.

Kai held Jay tightly, his grip firm but comforting. "You’re not useless, Jay," he murmured. "You never were."

Jay let out a shaky breath. "Then why does it feel like I am?" His voice cracked, and he clung to Kai even tighter.

Kai sighed, rubbing slow circles on Jay’s back. "Because we were idiots," he admitted. "We were mad, and we blamed you. That wasn’t fair. Yeah, the villain got away, but it’s not just on you. It never was."

Jay sniffed. "Then why am I the one getting yelled at?"

Kai pulled back just enough to look Jay in the eyes. "Because people are jerks when they’re upset. And because we know you’re strong enough to take it."

Jay let out a bitter laugh. "Yeah, well, I’m not."

Kai frowned. "Jay, look at me."

Jay hesitated before meeting Kai’s gaze.

"You’re one of the strongest people I know. Not just because of your powers, not because you fight well, but because you care. You get up every time we fall. You crack jokes when we need them the most. You’re the heart of this team."

Jay swallowed hard. "Then why does it feel like I let everyone down?"

"Because we made you feel that way," Kai said, guilt creeping into his voice. "And that’s on us."

Jay’s lip quivered, and he blinked rapidly, trying to keep the tears at bay.

"Look, buddy," Kai continued, "I can’t change what we said. I can’t take back how unfair we were to you. But I can tell you that we were wrong. And I’m sorry."

Jay let out a shaky breath, his fingers gripping the fabric of Kai’s gi. "You mean it?"

Kai nodded. "Yeah, I do. And I know Nya would be here telling you the same thing if she knew how bad you were feeling."

Jay’s shoulders trembled. "I just… I don’t want to keep messing up, Kai."

Kai squeezed his shoulder. "Then don’t. But also? Don’t lock yourself in your room for days over one mistake. You’re human. You’re allowed to mess up."

Jay exhaled slowly, the weight on his chest easing just a little. "I still feel like garbage."

Kai smirked. "Then let’s fix that. First step? Food. Second step? Water. Third step? We make fun of Cole until you feel better."

Jay chuckled weakly. "Sounds like a plan."

Kai grinned. "Good. Now c’mon, let’s get out of this room before I drag you out myself."

Jay wiped his face and nodded. "Alright… but if Cole gets mad at us, I’m blaming you."

Kai laughed. "Wouldn’t have it any other way."