One day, Jay had the worst pain he'd ever felt. It was sharp and relentless, but instead of telling anyone, especially Kai, he stayed quiet. He felt a mixture of embarrassment and fear-he didn't have Kai's confidence, and he didn't want to look weak. So, he curled up in the corner of his room, wrapping his arms around himself as if that could make the pain go away.

He stayed like that for what felt like hours, biting his lip to keep from crying out. His body trembled from the strain of holding everything in. The last thing he wanted was for someone to walk in and see him like this.

Unfortunately-or perhaps fortunately-Kai did walk in. As soon as Kai entered the room, his gaze fell on Jay. At first, he didn't say anything. His heart dropped at the sight of his little brother curled up on the floor, clearly in distress.

"Oh, buddy..." Kai whispered, his voice filled with concern as he quickly moved to Jay's side. He knelt down next to him and gently placed a hand on his back. "Jay?"

Jay didn't respond at first. He kept his face buried in his arms, trying to hide the tears that were already slipping out. His body stiffened when Kai touched him, but when he felt the warmth of his brother's hand, he couldn't hold back anymore. He let out a shaky breath, and before he knew it, the tears came flooding out.

Kai's face softened. He moved closer and wrapped his arms around Jay in a protective hug. Jay hesitated for a moment but then hugged back, gripping Kai tightly. However, the pain flared up as he shifted, and he winced hard, letting out a small, pained sound.

Kai noticed right away. "Hey, hey, easy," Kai murmured soothingly, rubbing Jay's back. "What's wrong, buddy? Why didn't you tell me?"

Jay didn't answer right away, still crying quietly into Kai's shoulder. Finally, he choked out, "I didn't want to... bother you. I... I'm not like you, Kai. I don't have that confidence."

Kai frowned, hugging Jay a little tighter. "Jay, listen to me," he said firmly but gently. "Your confidence doesn't need to be like mine. But you need to speak up when something's wrong. You don't have to handle everything on your own, alright?"

Jay sniffled and wiped his eyes with the back of his sleeve. "I... I just didn't want to look weak."

Kai sighed softly and placed a hand under Jay's chin, lifting his face so their eyes met. "Buddy, you're never weak for asking for help. If anything, it shows strength. Look at you-you're still pushing through, even though you're in pain." He brushed away a tear from Jay's cheek. "But your confidence level? That's something we can work on together."

Jay managed a small, watery smile, but another wave of pain hit, and he winced again, his body trembling in Kai's arms.

Kai stood up and helped Jay sit on the bed. "First things first, though. We need to get you feeling better." He sat next to him, still holding onto his shoulder gently. "You don't have to go through this alone, alright?"

Jay nodded, leaning into Kai's side, feeling just a little bit safer. Kai's confidence was contagious, and for the first time in a long while, Jay felt like maybe, just maybe, he didn't have to be strong all the time. He had his big brother for that.

Later that day, Mia and Jay were at the shops, picking vegetables to use in Zane's food

" How does a robot have such a detailed list?!" Mia exclaimed as she looked at the list again.

Jay rolled his eyes. " The same way you have a detailed list, Wojira."

" Hey! My list is-" she was cut short when she heard something. " Hold on. What's that?" Mia whispered, shoulder rolling to a trash can where she spied on a group of kids.

"..... I mean seriously. Which ninja needs to change their pants every time they're done with a mission. Definitely not Kai and Cole or whoever."

" Honestly!" Another piped up. " I mean, if they don't include him and his sister in all the parties they have with us, then they can't be THAT good."

Jay gasped. " Mia, we should go." He whispered.

But Mia didn't hear. She stormed out of her hiding spot, lightning covering her hands.

" Say one more bad thing about my brother and you will become my dinner." She growled.

Jay walked behind her. " Mia, it's best we don't do anything "

Mia turned. " Listen, bro. They're making fun of you. And NO ONE makes fun of MY brother."

Mia's face was stormy as she glared at the group of kids. The lightning flickered in her clenched fists, a testament to how angry she had become. Jay, on the other hand, was doing his best to keep things calm, even though the cruel words from the kids stung deeply.

"Mia, we should really just let this go," Jay whispered urgently, grabbing her arm in an attempt to pull her back. "It's not worth it."

But Mia wasn't having it. She yanked her arm free and stepped forward, her eyes narrowed dangerously. "No way, Jay! They don't get to talk about you like that. Not while I'm here."

The kids looked up, startled at the sudden confrontation. One of them, a boy with a smug look on his face, sneered. "Oh look, the sister came to defend her scaredy-cat brother. How cute."

Jay flinched at the words, but Mia's eyes flashed with even more fury. She took another step toward the group, lightning sparking at her fingertips. "You don't know anything about my brother," she said, her voice low and threatening. "He's saved this world more times than you can count. If you ever- ever-talk about him like that again, I promise you'll regret it."

The smug kid laughed nervously, clearly not expecting this level of intensity. "Whoa, chill! We were just joking."

Mia's eyes didn't soften. "Yeah? Well, find someone else to joke about."

Jay stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on Mia's shoulder. "Mia, it's okay," he said softly. "Let's just go."

Mia finally tore her gaze away from the kids, turning to look at Jay. "But, Jay, they were-"

"I know," Jay said, his voice calm but firm. "But they're not worth it. Come on. Let's just finish shopping."

Mia hesitated, her fists still crackling with energy. But after a moment, she took a deep breath and let the lightning dissipate. She shot one last glare at the kids before turning to walk away with Jay.

As they walked back to the vegetable aisle, Mia was still fuming. "I just don't get it," she muttered. "How can they say those things about you?"

Jay gave her a small, grateful smile. "People say a lot of things, Mia. But it doesn't matter. What matters is that we know the truth."

Mia huffed, clearly not satisfied with that answer. "Still... you're my brother. They don't get to mess with you."

Jay chuckled, putting his arm around her shoulders. "I appreciate it, Wojira. Really, I do. But we've got more important things to deal with-like Zane's crazy detailed vegetable list."

Mia cracked a small smile at that. "Ugh, don't remind me. Seriously, how does a robot come up with such a complicated menu?"

Jay shrugged, grinning. "Maybe we should ask him next time. But for now, let's get this over with before Zane sends a search party."

Mia sighed, but her mood had lightened. "Fine. But if anyone else makes fun of you, they're getting roasted."

Jay laughed, giving her shoulder a squeeze. "Deal."

Back at home, Mia was still visibly upset. Her face was flushed with anger, and her hands had scratch marks from her earlier confrontation. Despite her calm demeanor now, the tension in her body was palpable. Jay watched her from the doorway of the kitchen, concern etched on his face.

"Mia, you really didn't need to fight with five other groups who were talking bad about me," Jay said, his voice laced with both worry and a hint of exasperation. "You could have just let it go."

Mia, still visibly agitated, folded her arms tightly across her chest. "Yeah? Well, they should stop! I'm electrocuting everyone who speaks bad of you," she said, her voice firm but tinged with frustration. Her eyes flickered with a hint of lightning, a sign of just how riled up she still was.

Jay shook his head, trying to suppress a smile despite the seriousness of the situation. "Mia, you don't need to go around shocking everyone. I appreciate that you've got my back, but there are better ways to handle it."

Mia's expression softened slightly, but her eyes remained resolute. "But Jay, they were being awful. They don't get to say things like that about you and get away with it."

Jay walked over and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "I know it's not fair, and it's okay to be upset. But fighting people isn't the solution. I'd rather have you safe and calm than out there taking on every single person who says something nasty."

Mia looked down, her anger slowly giving way to concern. "I just... I don't want anyone making you feel bad. Especially not when you're doing so much for everyone."

Jay smiled softly, squeezing her shoulder reassuringly. "You don't have to protect me by fighting everyone. Just being here and standing up for me means a lot."

Mia took a deep breath, her shoulders relaxing as she met his gaze. "Okay, Jay. I'll try to keep it in check. But if anyone else crosses the line, they're getting a zap."

Jay chuckled, relieved to see her mood easing. "Deal. And if you need to talk or need anything else, I'm here for you. We'll handle this together."

Mia nodded, a small smile creeping onto her face. "Thanks, Jay. I guess I just got a little carried away."

Jay patted her shoulder. "It's alright. We all get worked up sometimes. Now, how about we focus on something more positive, like dinner?"

Mia grinned, her mood lifting as she followed him into the kitchen. "Sounds good. And maybe later, we can find a way to have some fun without shocking anyone."

Jay laughed, relieved to see her spirits rising. "Sounds like a plan."

As Mia and Jay were heading toward the kitchen, the door swung open, and Kai stepped inside, holding a first aid kit. His eyes widened as he took in Mia's scratched arms and the tension in the room.

"What happened to you?" Kai asked, concern evident in his voice.

Mia, still seething from the earlier confrontation, snapped back, "Nothing. Just some stupid people who don't know how to shut their idiotic mouths."

Blackie, who had been lounging on the couch, perked up and chimed in, "Hey! That's my job! To handle the idiots, not yours."

Mia shot him a sharp look. "Yeah? Well, next time Jay gets bullied, maybe help me out rather than staying in my room playing my video games."

Her words hung in the air, and she sighed deeply, clearly exhausted. Limping slightly, she made her way to her cat, feeling a mix of frustration and fatigue. "Sorry," she muttered over her shoulder.

Blackie, sensing her distress, padded over and rubbed his face against hers comfortingly. Mia picked him up, his presence a small but comforting weight in her arms. "Come on, Slinky Blinky," she said with a faint smile. "We've got a bunch of other things to do."

Jay watched the exchange with a mix of concern and amusement. "Not until Kai takes a look at you," he said firmly.

Mia groaned dramatically. "Fiiiiiine," she relented, reluctantly heading back toward Kai and Jay.

Kai opened the first aid kit and began to carefully inspect Mia's scratches. "You know, Mia, you don't have to go through this alone," he said gently as he cleaned the wounds. "I know you're protective of Jay, but taking care of yourself is important too."

Mia winced slightly as Kai applied antiseptic but nodded. "I know, Kai. I just... I don't like seeing people mess with my family."

Kai finished bandaging her scratches and gave her a reassuring smile. "I get it. And I appreciate how much you care. But remember, you don't have to fight every battle on your own."

Mia managed a small smile, her earlier frustration fading as she felt the care Kai was showing her. "Thanks, Kai. I guess I just needed to hear that."

Kai nodded. "Anytime, Mia. Now, let's get back to enjoying the day. You've got a lot more to do with Jay and Blackie, right?"

Mia nodded, setting Blackie down and giving him a gentle pat. "Yeah, let's get back to it. Sorry again for being so wound up."

Jay, seeing the tension ease, smiled. "It's okay, Mia. We're a team. Let's just focus on making the best of today."

The next morning, Mia stumbled through the door, her bruises now accompanied by new ones. Jay, already awake and in the kitchen, looked up in shock as he saw her enter.

"Mia! What happened to you?!" he exclaimed, his eyes wide with concern.

Mia, trying to brush off the severity of her injuries, simply shrugged. "Nothing. Just catching a criminal. The usual."

Blackie, trailing behind her, added with a hint of sarcasm, "Yeah, the usual. You know, with a touch of kicking his face because he made fun of the others."

Mia shot Blackie a deadpan stare. "Really? Was that necessary?"

Blackie, undeterred, gave a nonchalant shrug. "Hey, it's my job to keep you on your toes."

Jay, looking between Mia and Blackie, seemed torn between exasperation and worry. "Mia, seriously, you need to be more careful. Maybe you should let Kai take a look at those bruises."

Mia waved a hand dismissively. "I'm fine. It's nothing I can't handle. I just need a shower and some rest."

Jay frowned but didn't press the issue further. Instead, he stepped closer and gently touched her shoulder. "Alright, but promise me you'll get checked out if anything feels worse."

Mia nodded, though she still had a stubborn edge to her expression. "Fine, I promise. But only because I don't want to hear you nagging."

Blackie, sensing the shift in the conversation, padded up to Mia and nuzzled her leg. "Maybe next time, you'll let us help out more. You know, before you end up with more bruises."

Mia's stern look softened slightly as she bent down to pat Blackie's head. "Thanks, Blackie. And Jay, you too. I'll be more careful."

With a reluctant but appreciative nod, Jay moved to help her with her things. "Let's get you settled. And please, no more reckless criminal-catching without a bit of backup."

Mia chuckled, despite the discomfort. "Deal. Now, let's just get through today without any more drama, okay?"

Later that day, the park was filled with the sounds of children playing and the gentle rustling of leaves. Mia, still feeling the sting of her earlier bruises, tried to enjoy a peaceful walk. Unfortunately, peace was not something Mia was destined to experience that day.

As she strolled along the park path, a group of large, intimidating figures emerged from behind the trees. Their sneers were enough to make anyone wary, but Mia, despite her injuries, was ready to face them.

"Oh, look," one of them sneered, his voice dripping with mockery. "It's the baby ninja in her diaper! Where are your mama and dada? Oh, wait. Forgot. They're dead. Just like how you're gonna be in ten seconds."

The venom in his words was palpable, and Mia's face flushed with anger. Without a second thought, she swung her fist and landed a solid punch squarely on the bully's face. The sound of the impact echoed through the park, drawing gasps from onlookers.

The group staggered back, stunned by Mia's sudden retaliation. She didn't wait for them to recover; her focus was on getting out of the situation. With a defiant glare at the stunned faces around her, she called out, "Come on, Blackie. Let's go."

Blackie, who had been lounging near a park bench, perked up at her command. With a swift leap, he joined her side, his eyes glinting with a mixture of concern and satisfaction.

Mia and Blackie started to walk away, her steps purposeful and determined. The murmurs of the crowd faded behind them as they made their way out of the park. The tension in Mia's shoulders began to ease slightly as she distanced herself from the trouble.

Blackie trotted beside her, casting occasional glances at her bruises and the anger that still simmered in her eyes. "You know, Mia, not everyone is worth your time or your fists."

Mia sighed, her anger slowly giving way to exhaustion. "I know, Blackie. It's just... sometimes it feels like the only way to get people to back off."

He nudged her gently, trying to offer comfort. "You've got enough strength and spirit without having to resort to fighting all the time. Let's get you home and checked out. You've been through enough today."

Mia gave a reluctant nod. "Yeah, let's go. I could use a break from all this drama."

With Blackie leading the way, they headed home, hoping for a quieter rest of the day. Despite the challenges, Mia remained resolute and determined, knowing that she had her loyal companion by her side and the support of those who truly mattered.

Back at home, the door swung open and Cole and Lloyd were waiting in the living room, catching up on some light conversation. When they saw Mia enter with her bruises and the usual signs of her latest altercation, their reactions were immediate and dramatic.

"KA-!" Cole began, his eyes wide with shock, before catching himself. "Wait, no. That's Mia."

Lloyd, equally startled, rushed over to Mia. "Mia! What happened to you? Are you okay?"

Mia, looking weary but trying to maintain her composure, gave them a tired smile. "Oh, it's nothing. Just had a run-in with some people at the park. Nothing I couldn't handle."

Blackie, who had been quietly trailing behind Mia, added in his sassy tone, "Yeah, just a little kickboxing session. No biggie."

Cole's eyes widened further as he noticed the extent of Mia's injuries. "That's not nothing! You look like you've been through a battle. Did you at least manage to get home safely?"

Mia shrugged, trying to downplay her injuries. "Yeah, just a little drama at the park. I'm fine."

Lloyd looked between Mia and Blackie with concern. "Mia, you really shouldn't be out fighting like this. We should get you checked out. Kai's not here, but we can call him if needed."

Mia shook her head. "No need to bother Kai right now. I just want to rest. Besides, Blackie's already on it."

Blackie gave a small nod, confirming Mia's words. "I'll make sure she gets sorted out."

Cole and Lloyd exchanged a worried glance before Cole spoke up. "Alright, but let us know if you need anything. We're here to help."

Mia appreciated their concern. "Thanks, guys. I'll be alright. Just need to get cleaned up and then I can rest."

With that, she slowly made her way to the bathroom, Blackie following closely behind. Cole and Lloyd watched her go, their worry evident in their expressions. They hoped that Mia would take it easy and recover quickly from the day's events.

Thirty minutes later, Kai walked through the door with a solemn expression and a first aid kit in hand. The soft, concerned look on his face spoke volumes. He approached Mia, who was resting on the bed, her eyes closed as she tried to ease the pain.

"Hey, sis," Kai said gently, setting the first aid kit down on the table beside her. "The gang told me what happened."

Mia opened her eyes slowly, managing a tired smile. "Hey, Kai. It's nothing. Just had a bit of a rough day."

Kai's eyes softened as he looked at her injuries. "You call this nothing? You're bruised up pretty badly." He began to carefully open the first aid kit, pulling out supplies.

Mia tried to reassure him. "I'm fine. Just a few rough patches. I can handle it."

Kai shook his head, taking a seat next to her. "You know I'm going to make sure you're okay, whether you like it or not. This isn't just a little rough patch. It's serious."

Mia sighed but nodded, understanding the concern in his voice. "Alright, alright. Just be gentle. I don't want to make things worse."

Kai smiled reassuringly. "Of course. I'll be as gentle as I can. But I need you to stay still and let me do this."

He started with a gentle touch, cleaning and treating the various cuts and bruises on her arms and legs. Mia winced slightly but tried to stay still. Kai worked with a practiced hand, applying antiseptic and bandages where needed.

As he worked, he spoke softly. "You really shouldn't be out there getting into fights like this, Mia. I know you want to protect Jay, but you have to take care of yourself too."

Mia glanced at him, her eyes showing a mix of frustration and gratitude. "I just wanted to make sure he knew he wasn't alone. No one gets to talk badly about my brother."

Kai's expression softened. "I get that. But there are better ways to handle it. I'm proud of you for standing up for him, but you need to be careful."

Mia nodded, her resolve unchanged but tempered with understanding. "I know. I just... sometimes it feels like I have to do something or I'll burst."

Kai finished with her injuries and sat back, giving her a gentle pat on the shoulder. "You're all set. But promise me you'll be more careful. You don't always have to fight to show your support."

Mia smiled faintly. "Promise. Thanks, Kai. I appreciate it."

Kai stood up, packing away the first aid kit. "Anytime, Mia. And if you need anything else, just let me know. You're not alone in this."

In the kitchen, the conversation between Cole, Lloyd, and Jay was filled with concern and confusion as they discussed Mia's latest escapade.

Cole, leaning against the counter with a frown, broke the silence. "I still can't believe she went through all that. It's like she's a magnet for trouble."

Lloyd, who was rummaging through the fridge for some water, nodded in agreement. "Yeah, and the way she just brushed it off as 'nothing'-it's like she doesn't realize how serious this is."

Jay, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke up. "I wish she wouldn't push herself so hard. It's great that she wants to protect me, but she's not invincible."

Cole sighed, pouring himself a glass of water. "I know what you mean. It's like she doesn't see the risks. She's so focused on defending you that she ends up getting hurt herself."

Lloyd set the water down on the counter and leaned against it. "And then there's Kai, who has to clean up after her. I'm sure he's worried sick."

Jay nodded, rubbing his temples. "Yeah, Kai's been a rock for all of us. I just hope Mia starts to understand that she needs to look after herself too."

Cole gave Jay a sympathetic look. "I think she's just trying to show how much she cares. But sometimes, her methods are a bit... extreme."

Lloyd chuckled lightly, trying to lighten the mood. "Extreme is an understatement. She's like a walking action movie."

Jay managed a small smile. "It's true. But underneath all that, she really does care. Maybe we should find a way to help her channel that energy into something safer."

Cole raised an eyebrow. "Like what? A hobby or something?"

Lloyd suggested, "How about some sort of self-defense class or a structured way to practice her skills? Something that allows her to stay active and protect others without getting into these kinds of fights."

Jay thought about it for a moment. "That might be a good idea. It could give her an outlet and teach her to handle situations more calmly."

Cole nodded. "And it could also give Kai a bit of a break. He shouldn't have to keep patching her up all the time."

As they continued to discuss possible solutions, the sound of Kai's footsteps could be heard approaching. He entered the kitchen with a tired but relieved expression.

"How's Mia doing?" Lloyd asked, his voice filled with concern.

Kai rubbed his eyes briefly before responding. "She's resting now. I treated her injuries, but she's still quite stubborn. I'm going to have to keep an eye on her."

Jay looked at Kai with understanding. "Thanks for taking care of her, Kai. We were just talking about how we can help her out."

Kai nodded appreciatively. "I appreciate that. She really does mean well, but she needs to find a better way to manage her energy."

Cole leaned forward, his tone thoughtful. "We were thinking about maybe getting her involved in something structured, like a self-defense class or a safer way to practice her skills."

Kai considered this and smiled slightly. "That's a good idea. It could help her channel her enthusiasm in a more productive way. I'll talk to her about it."

Kai walked into Mia's room, finding her seated comfortably in a chair with a basket of yarn beside her. She was deeply focused on her knitting, her brows furrowed in concentration as she worked on what looked like a colorful but oddly shaped sweater.

"Mia," Kai began gently, "I wanted to talk to you about something."

Mia barely looked up from her knitting. "No thanks. I'm fine, Kai. Just working on a sweater for Jay."

Kai's gaze shifted to the half-finished sweater. "Is that supposed to be a sweater? It looks a bit... unconventional."

Mia huffed, glancing down at her work with a sigh. "Oi, knitting a sweater for Jay is hard. It looks like a... what even is that? I'm not sure anymore."

Blackie, who had been lounging nearby, looked up with a bemused expression. "The measurements were supposed to be for a standard size. Maybe you mixed them up?"

Mia groaned, dropping her knitting needles for a moment. "I guess so. I was too busy thinking about what happened earlier to pay much attention to the measurements."

Kai took a seat beside her, looking at the tangled mess of yarn. "Mia, I came here because I wanted to talk to you about what happened today. We're all worried about you."

Mia's fingers paused in their movements as she met Kai's concerned gaze. "I'm fine, Kai. I can handle it."

Kai shook his head gently. "I know you're tough, Mia. But you don't have to do everything on your own. It might help to have some structure and guidance, like a self-defense class. It could help you manage your skills better and stay safer."

Mia sighed, looking back at her knitting. "I don't know, Kai. It sounds like more work. And besides, I like helping people in my own way."

Kai placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "I understand that, but it's not just about helping others. It's about taking care of yourself too. We want you to be safe and healthy. You don't have to face everything alone."

Mia looked up at Kai, her eyes softening. "Okay, okay. I'll think about it. But right now, I'm trying to figure out this sweater. Jay's going to get a very... unique gift if I don't get it right."

Kai chuckled softly. "Fair enough. Just remember, you don't have to be perfect at everything. We're all here for you, no matter what."

Mia nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Thanks, Kai. I'll think about it."

Kai stood up, giving Mia a pat on the back. "Anytime. And don't stress too much about that sweater. Jay will appreciate it no matter what."