Master Wu, Jay, and his teammates were engaged in an exercise, attempting to tackle down the seasoned ninja. Mia, standing on the sidelines, observed quietly, her eyes flickering with focused attention.

"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.

Mia, who had been silently watching, felt a surge of indignation rise within her. No one, absolutely no one, dared to call Jay and his teammates slow. Not on her watch. With determination, she snatched a simple metal rod from the side and stepped into the fray.

"I know this is only for ninjas, but you calling Jay slow is crossing the limit," Mia declared firmly.

Master Wu raised an eyebrow, amused by Mia's sudden intervention. "Oh, so you think you can beat them?"

"I know I can," Mia replied confidently, her gaze unwavering.

Wu nodded, a hint of intrigue in his expression. "Then it is on."

As the confrontation intensified, Mia initially found herself at a loss for how to defend against Master Wu's agile movements. However, she quickly recognized a pattern in his attacks. With a focused mind, Mia memorized the pattern and began to counter Wu's strikes with precision, each movement calculated to wear down her opponent.

"Um, Mia, I think that's enough," Cole interjected, his voice strained with concern.

Mia paused, momentarily turning her attention towards her teammates. "Yeah, I guess you're right."

But in that moment of distraction, Master Wu seized his opportunity. With a swift kick, he sent Mia crashing into the wall, causing a resounding crack to echo through the training room.

"You traitor! I thought your purpose was to help, not to almost kill me half to death!" Mia sputtered, her eyes blazing with fury.

Master Wu shrugged dismissively. "Yeah? Well, that goes to show never to trust anyone."

Infuriated by Wu's betrayal, Mia rose to her feet, her resolve unshaken. "Well now, prepare yourself."

Before Mia could act, Jay knelt down beside her, his voice calm yet urgent. "Mia, listen to me. Ignore any other sounds, just hear me."

Mia's gaze softened slightly as she focused on Jay's words. "How am I to ignore anything if he," she pointed to Wu, "just hit me in the shin when I turned to face you guys. Did he not hear the part when I agreed? Well, I wish he had. Because what he is gonna feel, I hope he remembers."

"No!" Lloyd's voice rang out, filled with alarm, but it was too late. Mia had already whistled three times, summoning an angry swarm of wasps to her aid.

"You lot, surround him. Rest of you, make sure he feels the burn," Mia directed her bees with authority, her eyes ablaze with determination.

"This is getting very out of hand," Kai remarked, watching the chaotic scene unfold.

"Then stop her! Zane, freeze the bees! Everyone else, restrain Mia!" Lloyd commanded, desperately trying to regain control of the situation.

As Zane swiftly froze the enraged swarm of wasps, Jay and the rest of the team rushed to Mia's side, concern etched on their faces.

"What now, Mia?" Kai asked, his voice tinged with apprehension.

Mia turned to Jay, her expression still fierce but softened slightly by his presence. "Mr. Wu must pay his price," she declared firmly, her eyes locking with Jay's.

Jay's heart sank at her words. "Please, Mia, don't do anything rash. He's still our master," he pleaded, his voice filled with urgency as he placed a hand on her shoulder.

Mia's resolve remained unyielding. "I know, Jay, but he crossed a line. He needs to learn that actions have consequences," she responded, her tone unwavering.

Zane's suggestion hung in the air, the tension palpable among the ninja team. "Should we freeze her?" he asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

"No!" Jay yelled immediately, his eyes widening in alarm.

Cole's expression darkened with concern. "We don't have any other choice," he stated firmly, his voice strained with the weight of their predicament.

Reluctantly, Zane nodded, his hand poised to unleash his icy powers. With a solemn resolve, he directed his energy towards Mia, encasing her in a thick layer of ice.

In that moment, as the frost enveloped her, Mia turned away, her gaze distant yet determined. Jay rushed to her side, placing his hand gently on the frozen surface.

"Mia..." Jay's voice was filled with regret, his eyes reflecting the anguish of their situation.

Mia mirrored his gesture, pressing her hand against the ice. "Jay, just remember," she said softly, her breath forming a mist in the chilly air, "I might freeze to death out here."

—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------In the night, at dinner, Jay kept poking his food. He didn't feel like eating when Mia couldn't.

" What is wrong, Jay?" Master Wu asked.

" I can't eat."

" Is this about Mia? She's a hothead."

" She is not a hothead! She just doesn't know who to trust anymore!" Jay yelled, standing up.

" I can see how much she means to you. But we can't-"

" Oh, so we can't afford another ninja? Who is, maybe, five years younger than me?"

" That's not-"

" Well, it seems that way."

As Jay stormed out of the dining hall, his frustration and worry reached a boiling point. He couldn't sit idly by while Mia suffered alone, encased in ice. Determined to free her, Jay hurried to her side, his heart pounding with urgency.

With a wave of his hand, Jay unleashed his lightning elemental power, channeling it into the thick layer of ice that imprisoned Mia. Crackling energy danced across the frozen surface, gradually melting it away until Mia stood before him once more, free from her icy prison.

Mia rushed into Jay's arms, her eyes shimmering with gratitude and relief. "Jay, you did it!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with emotion. "You freed me."

Jay held Mia close, feeling a sense of warmth and comfort flood through him at her words. "I couldn't let you stay trapped like that," he murmured, his voice filled with determination.

Mia pulled back slightly, gazing up at Jay with tear-filled eyes. "This is why you're my brother," she said softly, her words carrying a depth of gratitude and affection.

The others came out, and Zane opened his metallic mouth to speak.

Mia interrupted him with a somber tone. "I know. You don't feel bad for what you did. I know. Besides, this is why I'm not a ninja. I don't want to lose my senses," she stated firmly before turning and retreating into her room, locking the door behind her.

Jay stood there, dumbfounded by the turn of events, his heart heavy with concern for Mia. Lloyd approached him, offering a supportive hand. "She'll be okay, Jay," he reassured gently.

Jay shook his head, his frustration boiling over. "No, she won't! Each of you went too far," he exclaimed, his voice laced with anguish. Turning to Kai, he continued, "Kai, how would you feel if Nya abandoned you?"

Kai's expression softened, realizing the weight of Jay's words. "I... I wouldn't want to imagine it," he admitted, his voice filled with empathy.

Jay nodded, his gaze reflecting the turmoil within him. "Exactly," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "Mia may not be a ninja yet, but she's still one of us. And we need to start treating her like it."

With a heavy sigh, Jay turned and made his way towards Mia's door, his heart heavy with determination to make things right. As he knocked softly, he whispered, "Mia, please... let me in. I want to talk."

Mia swung the door open, and Jay's eyes widened in surprise at the sight of her adorned with the diamond and sapphire bracelet. He stepped into the room cautiously, unsure of what to expect next.

Mia's demeanor seemed to have shifted, her tone more playful than before. "Who said you weren't gonna come in?" she quipped, a hint of mischief in her eyes.

Jay chuckled softly at her unexpected response, relieved to see her in slightly better spirits. "I'm glad you want me here," he admitted, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

Mia waved off his comment with a casual flick of her wrist. "Yeah, yeah. So, what was for dinner?" she asked, her stomach growling audibly. "I'm sure it was more appetizing than just air."

Jay frowned slightly, concerned by Mia's lack of appetite. "You didn't eat?" he inquired, his voice filled with worry.

Mia shook her head, a shiver running through her body. "I felt too cold to eat," she admitted, her tone tinged with discomfort.

Realization dawned on Jay as he glanced around the room, noticing the chill that permeated the air. "Mia, are you okay?" he asked softly, moving closer to her and placing his hand on her forehead.

Mia shrugged, a faint smile playing on her lips. "I'll be fine. Just need to warm up a bit," she replied, her voice tinged with determination.

Jay nodded, understanding the need for space yet unwilling to leave her side. "Well, how about I make you some tea?" he suggested, a comforting warmth spreading through him at the thought of helping Mia feel better.

Mia's eyes brightened at the offer, a grateful smile spreading across her face. "That sounds perfect," she said, her voice softening with gratitude.

Jay began to prepare the tea, he turned to Mia with a smile. "What flavor would you like?" he asked, his voice gentle.

Mia hesitated for a moment before responding, her teeth starting to chatter involuntarily. "A-any flavor that w-warms me up," she managed to say, her voice trembling with cold.

Concern flashed across Jay's face as he noticed Mia's discomfort. "Oh no," he murmured, moving closer to her. "You're freezing."

Mia nodded, her teeth chattering louder now. "Jay, can I have a blanket?" she asked, her voice barely audible over the sound of her chattering teeth. "And maybe all the jackets?"

Realizing the severity of the situation, Jay's expression turned grave. "Oh dear," he muttered, his mind racing with worry. "I'll go get Kai. He can help warm you up."

But before Jay could move, Mia's voice rang out, filled with desperation. "No!" she cried out, her eyes wide with fear. "I don't want to be burned! Again!"

Confusion clouded Jay's features as he processed Mia's words. "Kai's fire burned you?!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with shock and concern.

"Yeah, he burned me. Today. And then I got frozen. In ice," Mia admitted, her voice filled with a mixture of pain and resignation. "I'm freezing, but I'm not that desperate to get burned again."

Jay's heart sank as he took in Mia's words, a surge of anger and protectiveness welling up inside him. He couldn't bear the thought of Mia suffering, especially at the hands of their own teammate.

"I could try to make a fire," Jay suggested, his voice tinged with determination. "It might help warm you up."

Mia's eyes lit up with hope at the suggestion. "Yeah, that would be good," she replied, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Please."

With a sense of purpose, Jay set about gathering materials for a fire, his mind racing with thoughts of how to help Mia find relief from the cold. As he worked, Mia watched him with gratitude, a sense of warmth blossoming within her despite the chill that still lingered in the air.

After a few moments, Jay managed to start a small fire, the flames dancing and crackling merrily in the hearth. Mia moved closer to the fire, the warmth seeping into her bones and driving away the cold that had enveloped her.

"Thank you, Jay," Mia said softly, her voice filled with genuine appreciation. "This feels much better."

Jay nodded, a sense of relief washing over him as the fire crackled warmly beside them. He turned back to the tea, quickly finishing its preparation before pouring a steaming cup for Mia. Handing it to her, he said, "Here, drink this. It'll help warm you up."

Mia accepted the cup gratefully, wrapping her hands around it and inhaling the comforting scent of the tea. "Thank you, Jay," she murmured softly, taking a sip and feeling the warmth spread through her body.

Jay smiled warmly at her, his eyes filled with concern and affection. "Let's get you to bed," he suggested gently, offering her a supportive arm.

Mia nodded, feeling grateful for Jay's care and support. With his help, she rose from her chair, leaning on him slightly as they made their way to her bed. Settling down under the covers, Mia felt a sense of exhaustion wash over her, the events of the day catching up to her all at once.

As Mia settled into bed, the rest of the team gathered around Jay, their expressions filled with curiosity and concern. "What happened?" Cole asked, his voice quiet yet insistent.

Jay sighed, running a hand through his hair as he debated how much to reveal. "It's... complicated," he admitted reluctantly, his gaze flickering towards Mia's closed bedroom door.

Nya frowned, sensing Jay's hesitation. "Did something happen between Mia and Kai?" she asked, his voice tinged with worry.

Jay nodded, his expression grave. "Yeah, Mia got burned by Kai's fire during training," he explained, his voice filled with regret. "Then she got frozen by Zane. It was... not a great day for her."

Lloyd's eyes widened in shock as he absorbed Jay's words, realizing the extent of Mia's ordeal. "That sounds awful," he murmured, his voice heavy with concern.

Jay nodded solemnly, his gaze drifting back towards Mia's door. "Yeah," he agreed quietly. "But she's tough. She'll bounce back."

" I guess we have to remember it was us that did this all to her." Kai said, looking at his hands.

"But it wasn't all of us. Jay didn't," Zane interjected, his voice gentle yet firm as he reminded the rest of the team.

Lloyd nodded in agreement, his expression troubled. "Zane's right. Jay did everything he could to help her."

Cole sighed, running a hand through his hair as he contemplated their collective responsibility. "We all need to do better," he admitted, his voice tinged with regret. "We can't let this happen again."

Just then, Jay heard the sound of coughing, his heart clenched with worry. He turned to the rest of the team, his expression grave. "Stay here," he instructed them firmly before hurrying towards Mia's room.

Jay found Mia sitting up in bed, her face pale and her breathing labored. "Jay, what's going on?" she asked, her voice strained with concern.

Jay rushed to her side, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "It's the ice," he explained urgently. "I need to go ask Zane."

Mia's eyes widened with alarm at the mention of Zane. "Don't bring him in here!" she pleaded, fear flickering in her gaze.

Jay hesitated, torn between Mia's request and his need for answers. "I'll be quick," he promised, his voice filled with determination as he hurried out of the room to find Zane.

As Zane and Jay hurried back to Mia's room with blankets and warm clothing in hand, Mia's eyes widened with apprehension as she saw Zane approaching. With a resigned sigh, she muttered under her breath, "How many times..."

Zane paused in his tracks, his brow furrowing in concern as he caught Mia's words. He knew that Mia had a history with Zane's powers, and her reaction weighed heavily on him.

"Mia, I know you don't trust me," Zane began, his voice gentle yet filled with remorse. "But I'm here to help you. Please, let me do what I can to make things right."

As Mia buried herself under the blanket, Jay couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness at her words. He understood her desire for solitude and her fear of further harm all too well.

"I just want to be left alone," Mia muttered, her voice barely audible beneath the covers. "And not get burned or anything."

Jay exchanged a glance with Zane, silently acknowledging the delicate situation. With a nod, Zane quietly exited the room, leaving Jay alone with Mia.

"Okay," Jay said softly, his voice gentle and reassuring. "Zane said to cover you in blankets."

Mia nodded gratefully from beneath the covers. "Yes, please," she replied, her voice muffled by the layers of fabric. "I feel like I'm in ice."

With a gentle touch, Jay carefully draped more blankets over Mia, ensuring she was fully enveloped in their warmth. As he tucked her in, he couldn't shake the feeling of guilt that lingered in his heart. He wished he could take away her pain and fear, to shield her from harm and ensure her safety.

"Is that better?" Jay asked, his voice filled with concern as he gazed down at Mia.

Mia nodded slightly, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Thank you, Jay," she murmured, her gratitude evident in her tone.

Jay returned her smile, his heart warmed by her appreciation. "Anytime, Mia," he replied softly, his voice filled with sincerity. "I'll be right outside if you need anything."

" Night, Jay."

" Night, Mia."

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

As Mia woke up the next morning, a chill gripped her body, and she felt as though she was surrounded by ice. Panic surged through her veins, and in her disoriented state, she thought she saw frost forming around her.

"Jayyyyyyyyyy!" she yelled, her voice echoing with fear. "Your ninja friends are trying to kill meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!"

Jay, who had been nearby, rushed to Mia's side, his heart pounding with concern. He gently shook her awake, his voice filled with urgency. "Mia, wake up! It's just a bad dream," he reassured her, his hands gently resting on her shoulders.

Slowly, Mia's eyes fluttered open, and she found herself staring up at Jay, her breaths coming in rapid gasps. As reality began to sink in, she realized that she was safe and that it had all been a nightmare.

"Oh, Jay," Mia breathed, her voice trembling with relief. "It felt so real."

Jay wrapped his arms around her in a comforting embrace, holding her close. "I'm here, Mia. You're safe," he murmured softly, his words a soothing balm to her frayed nerves.

" Lemme go get you something." He said, exiting the room. He returned with a tray of breakfast, setting it down on the bedside table beside Mia. However, as he turned to look at her, he noticed that she was just staring blankly at the food, her expression distant and unfocused.

"Mia, are you okay?" Jay asked, his voice laced with worry as he approached her.

Mia shook her head, her expression troubled. "I'm not hungry," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

Before Jay could respond, he noticed a subtle change in Mia's complexion. Her face started to turn a faint shade of blue, and panic surged within him.

"Mia, your face!" Jay exclaimed, his voice tinged with urgency as he reached out to touch her.

Mia blinked, seemingly unaware of the change in her appearance. "What?" she asked, her voice tinged with confusion.

Realizing the severity of the situation, Jay sprang into action. "We need to get you warm, now," he insisted, his voice firm as he gently guided Mia towards the fireplace.

With trembling hands, Jay wrapped Mia in blankets and helped her sit by the fire, the warmth slowly seeping into her frozen limbs. As he tended to her, Jay couldn't shake the fear gnawing at his insides. He knew they needed to act fast to prevent Mia's condition from worsening.

" I'm fine, Jay. I'm fine." Mia finally spoke, albeit with a hint of strain in her voice. He carefully took her temperature, his heart skipping a beat as he waited for the result. When the thermometer showed a normal reading, a wave of relief washed over him.

"Your temperature is normal," Jay confirmed, a mixture of concern and reassurance in his voice.

Mia nodded weakly, her breathing gradually steadying as the warmth from the fire seeped into her bones. "I'm fine," she repeated, her voice stronger this time, though still tinged with exhaustion.

Jay stayed by her side, keeping a watchful eye on her, ready to assist her in any way she needed. As the minutes passed, Mia's color began to return to her cheeks, and her breathing eased.

" Anyway, what did I miss?" She asked.

" You're worried about what you missed? Seriously?"

" Yes, seriously."

As the others entered the room, Mia's frustration reached its breaking point, and she lashed out, her words filled with anger and blame.

"This is all your fault. Everything," Mia exclaimed, her voice shaking with emotion. "Jay is the only one who didn't. Why? Oh, because maybe he's still the freckles guy I know and love. You guys? Robots. Excluding Zane, he was always a robot."

Her words hung heavily in the air, the tension palpable among the group. Jay felt a pang of sadness at Mia's outburst, knowing that her anger was fueled by fear and frustration.

Before Mia could say anything more, Jay gently placed a hand on her shoulder, his touch a silent gesture of comfort and support. As he met her gaze, he could see the turmoil in her eyes, and he silently urged her to calm down.

Mia took a deep breath, her anger gradually giving way to a sense of resignation. She closed her eyes for a moment, allowing Jay's touch to ground her and steady her racing thoughts.

When she opened her eyes again, the fire of her anger had dimmed, replaced by a sense of weariness. "I'm sorry," she murmured, her voice soft with regret. "I didn't mean to snap at all of you."

Jay shook his head gently, offering her a reassuring smile. "It's okay, Mia," he said, his voice gentle yet firm. "We're all under a lot of stress right now. We just need to stick together and support each other."

Mia just nodded and turned to her room.

"She's not listening, is she?" Cole remarked, his voice tinged with concern as he watched Mia's departure.

Jay shook his head, a troubled expression clouding his features. "No, she's not," he admitted, a sense of helplessness weighing heavily on him. "She's been through a lot, and I don't think she's ready to confront everything just yet."

Lloyd sighed, running a hand through his hair as he contemplated Mia's behavior. "We need to give her some space," he suggested, his tone somber. "She'll come to us when she's ready."

As Mia stood on the roof, her words carried on the wind, filled with defiance and frustration.

"Not a ninja? Hah," she exclaimed, her voice tinged with bitterness. "But I need to prove how good I am, right? Because I'm not a ninja. And I'm not talking about you, Jay. I'm talking about the others. Because they think they're so cool they can just hurt me."

Below, Jay's heart sank as he watched Mia's reckless behavior. He knew that her actions stemmed from a deep-seated sense of insecurity and a desire to prove herself to the others. But he also understood the dangers of her impulsive behavior, especially in her current state of distress.

"Careful, Mia!" Jay called out, his voice filled with concern. "That's not safe!"

Ignoring Jay's warning, Mia continued to jump, her movements fueled by a mixture of anger and determination. But as she leaped from one rooftop to another, the others emerged from the building, their expressions filled with worry.

Before Jay could stop her, Mia landed awkwardly, causing her to stumble slightly. As she regained her balance, the others noticed a mark on her back, partially exposed by her clothing.

"What's that?" Cole asked, his voice filled with concern as he pointed to the mark.

Mia glanced over her shoulder, her eyes widening in surprise as she realized what they were referring to. "Oh," she murmured, a sense of vulnerability creeping into her voice.

" A mark. Since yesterday."

" You've had that mark since yesterday?" Lloyd asked.

Mia's frustration boiling over as she snapped in response.

"Yes, since yesterday!" she exclaimed, her voice laced with anger and exasperation. "But none of you bothered to ask or even notice! You were too busy worrying about yourselves to care about what happened to me!"

Jay stepped forward, his expression a mix of concern and remorse. "Mia, I'm sorry," he said softly, his voice filled with sincerity. "We should have been more attentive to what you were going through."

Mia's anger boiled. "I want none of you, not even you, Jay, in my room," she declared, her voice tinged with sadness and resignation.

Jay's heart sank at Mia's words, the weight of her rejection hitting him like a blow. He had hoped that they could find a way to mend their fractured bond, but now it seemed that the divide between them had only widened.

"I understand, Mia," Jay said softly, his voice filled with regret. "I'll respect your wishes."

As he turned to leave, Jay couldn't shake the sense of loss that gnawed at his insides. He had always believed in the strength of their friendship, but now it seemed that even that was slipping away.

Jay's attempt to lighten the mood with a playful nickname fell flat as Mia responded with sarcasm.

"Come on, pumpkin," Jay called through Mia's door, hoping to break the tension from the previous day.

Mia's voice came from behind the door, dripping with sarcasm. "Pumpkin? I'm not orange anymore!"

Jay sighed, realizing his attempt at humor had missed the mark. "Sorry, Mia," he said sheepishly. "I just thought it might make you smile."

There was a moment of silence before Mia finally replied, her tone softened. "It's okay, Jay. I appreciate the effort."

Jay smiled faintly, grateful for Mia's understanding. "Can we talk?" he asked tentatively, hoping for a chance to bridge the gap between them.

Mia emerged from her room. "No breakfast. Sorry," she said softly, her voice tinged with regret.

Jay nodded understandingly, recognizing that Mia might still need some space and time to process her emotions.

"It's okay, Mia," Jay replied gently, his tone filled with compassion. "Whenever you're ready."

As Jay returned to the dining area, he found the rest of the team seated at the table, their expressions a mix of concern and apprehension. They exchanged tentative glances as Jay took his place among them, the weight of Mia's absence palpable in the air.

"Is everything okay?" Cole asked, his voice filled with genuine concern as he glanced towards the hallway where Mia had disappeared.

Jay sighed, unsure of how much to share with the others about his conversation with Mia. "She's just not feeling up to breakfast right now," he explained vaguely, not wanting to betray Mia's trust by revealing too much.

Lloyd nodded understandingly, his expression reflecting a mixture of sympathy and regret. "We'll give her some space," he said quietly, his tone heavy with remorse.

Kai shifted uncomfortably in his seat, clearly feeling the weight of Mia's absence as well. "I hope she's okay," he murmured, his voice filled with genuine concern.

Zane remained silent, his gaze fixed on the empty space where Mia had been moments before. He knew that their actions had contributed to Mia's distress, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of guilt weighing heavily on his conscience.

"Good morning, young ninjas," Master Wu greeted them, his tone gentle yet authoritative. "I trust you are all ready for today's training?"

The team exchanged hesitant glances, unsure of how to respond in light of Mia's absence and the lingering tension that still hung in the air.

Jay cleared his throat, his voice betraying a hint of uncertainty. "Master Wu, there's something we need to talk to you about," he began, hesitating slightly as he searched for the right words.

Master Wu raised an eyebrow, his expression shifting to one of curiosity. "What is it, Jay?" he asked, his gaze steady as he regarded his students.

Before Jay could respond, the others glanced at each other, silently deferring to him to explain the situation. With a deep breath, Jay recounted the events of the previous day, including Mia's outburst and subsequent withdrawal from the group.

"We're worried about Mia," Jay admitted, his voice filled with concern. "She's been acting... different lately, and we're not sure how to help her."

Master Wu listened intently, his expression unreadable as he absorbed Jay's words. After a moment of thoughtful consideration, he nodded slowly.

"It's clear that Mia is struggling with something," Master Wu acknowledged, his voice calm yet authoritative. "But remember, young ninjas, sometimes the best way to help someone is to give them the space and time they need to work through their own challenges."

The team nodded, silently taking in Master Wu's words of wisdom. Despite their desire to help Mia, they understood that forcing her to confront her problems before she was ready would only exacerbate the situation.

"Continue with your training as planned," Master Wu instructed, his tone firm yet reassuring. "And remember, the bond of friendship and trust that binds you together as a team will guide you through even the most difficult of times."

Throughout the day, Mia was hidden from view. And as the team gathered for dinner, Mia's absence hung heavily over the table, casting a shadow over their mealtime routine. They exchanged concerned glances, their worry mounting with each passing moment that Mia failed to join them.

After a few minutes of uneasy silence, Cole spoke up, his voice tinged with concern. "Should we go check on her?" he suggested, his brow furrowed with worry.

Jay nodded in agreement, his own concern mirroring Cole's. "Yeah, I think we should," he replied, his voice filled with determination.

The others nodded in agreement, their shared concern outweighing any hesitation they might have felt. Together, they made their way to Mia's room, their footsteps echoing softly in the quiet hallway.

As they reached Mia's door, Jay hesitated for a moment before knocking softly. "Mia, it's us," he called out, his voice gentle yet urgent.

There was no response from inside the room, only silence greeting their ears. With a sense of foreboding settling over them, Jay tried the doorknob, finding it unlocked. Slowly, he pushed the door open, revealing the dimly lit interior of Mia's room.

They entered cautiously, their eyes scanning the room for any sign of Mia. But the room was empty, save for the faint glow of the lantern casting eerie shadows on the walls.

"This is very scary," Zane remarked quietly, his usually calm demeanor betraying a hint of unease.

Jay's heart sank as he realized the gravity of the situation. "We need to find her," he said firmly, his voice tinged with urgency.

As the team converged back in the central hall of the monastery, their expressions etched with concern, they found Master Wu waiting for them, his usually composed demeanor replaced by a look of alarm.

"Master Wu, we can't find Mia," Jay stated urgently, his voice trembling slightly with worry.

Master Wu's eyes widened in alarm as he took in the seriousness of their words. "What do you mean you can't find her?" he asked, his tone tinged with concern.

"We've checked everywhere, but she's not in her room or anywhere else in the monastery," Kai explained, his voice filled with urgency.

Master Wu's expression darkened with worry as he absorbed the gravity of the situation. "This is troubling indeed," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

"We need to find her," Cole stated firmly, his tone resolute as he glanced around at his teammates.

Master Wu nodded in agreement, his mind already formulating a plan of action. "We will search the surrounding area," he declared, his voice steady despite the concern that gnawed at him. "She couldn't have gone far."

As Mia gazed out at the sprawling cityscape below, a sense of freedom washed over her, the cool breeze ruffling her hair as she perched atop the tallest building. Despite the worries that had plagued her back at the monastery, Mia couldn't help but feel a sense of exhilaration at being out in the world on her own.

"This is such a nice view," she mused to herself, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Though it's sad they don't know where I am most of the time, at least I can go on adventures!"

Lost in her thoughts, Mia's gaze shifted, and her eyes landed on a group of familiar masks scattered among the crowd below. Her heart skipped a beat as she recognized them instantly—Ninjago masks, each one a symbol of the team she had left behind.

A pang of sadness washed over her as she watched the bustling activity below, realizing that despite her absence, life back at the monastery continued without her. But even amidst the melancholy, Mia couldn't help but feel a sense of detachment, as if she were watching the world from a distance.

"They don't even see me," she murmured to herself, a hint of bitterness creeping into her voice. " Rather, that I'm gone."

Back with the ninjas, as Jay's worry intensified, he couldn't shake the feeling of panic that gnawed at him from within. His mind raced with thoughts of Mia's safety, each passing moment fueling his anxiety further. With a sense of urgency, Jay began to shove through the crowded streets, his determination to find Mia propelling him forward.

People stared as he pushed past them, his desperation evident in his frantic movements. But Jay paid them no mind, his focus singular as he searched for any sign of his missing sister.

"Have you seen a girl, about this tall, wearing ninja attire?" he asked breathlessly, his voice tinged with desperation as he stopped to question anyone who might have seen Mia.

" Calm down, buddy. We'll find your sister." Lloyd said, placing a hand on his shoulder.

" She's never done this before. Never. Ever since that day, she's been acting like a total stranger!" Jay replied.

" We'll find her, I promise." Cole placed another hand on his shoulder.

" It must feel awful. I mean, that's how I felt when Nya had run somewhere."

Suddenly, Jay felt two arms wrap around his neck, and a voice whispered in his ear, "Did you miss me?"

Startled, Jay turned around to find Mia standing before him, a mischievous grin playing on her lips. Relief washed over him at the sight of his sister, his worry evaporating in an instant.

"Mia!" Jay exclaimed, his voice filled with a mix of relief and joy. "Where have you been? We've been looking everywhere for you!"

Mia shrugged nonchalantly, her expression playful as she teased her brother. "Oh, you know, just out exploring," she replied casually, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

Jay couldn't help but laugh at her carefree attitude, his worry giving way to a sense of gratitude that she was safe and sound. "You had us all worried sick," he chided gently, pulling her into a tight hug.

Mia returned the hug, her arms wrapping around her brother as she squeezed him tightly. "Sorry about that," she said softly, her voice tinged with sincerity. "But I'm back now, so no need to worry."

As Mia spotted the rest of the team approaching, her playful demeanor shifted slightly, a hint of resentment creeping into her voice as she addressed them.

"What are they doing here?" she questioned, her tone tinged with frustration. "I thought SOME PEOPLE were too busy with the world to care about me. Especially certain people who froze, burned, made me inhale too much water, electrocuted me, and literally punched me."

Her words hung in the air, the tension palpable as the rest of the team exchanged uneasy glances. They knew Mia's anger was justified, and each of them felt a pang of guilt for their actions that had led to her disappearance.

Lloyd stepped forward, his expression apologetic as he spoke. "Mia, we're sorry," he began, his voice filled with remorse. "We messed up, and we should have listened to you. We were just worried about you, and we wanted to make things right."

Mia's gaze softened slightly as she listened to Lloyd's words, the hurt in her eyes slowly giving way to a flicker of understanding. "I know you were," she replied quietly, her voice softening. "But you have to understand, it wasn't easy for me either."

With a graceful stretch, Mia bid farewell to the team, her determination evident in her every movement. "Bye now," she said, her tone resolute. "I'm going somewhere so danger doesn't follow."

As she turned to leave, a sense of urgency filled the air, and Jay's instincts kicked in. He scanned their surroundings, his senses alert for any sign of danger. And sure enough, lurking in the shadows behind the ninja, Jay spotted a group of criminals, their intent clear in their menacing posture.

"Look out!" Jay shouted, his voice cutting through the air like a blade as he alerted the others to the imminent threat.

Without hesitation, the team sprang into action, their training kicking in as they faced off against the approaching criminals. Each ninja moved with precision and skill, their movements fluid and coordinated as they worked together to fend off the attackers.

" Until I find my powers, I'll just have to cheer for you from up here!" Mia called, and Jay looked up and smiled under his mask. Somehow, Mia always brightened his day.