*the next day*

Seliel's POV

I lie on my bed, scrolling through my BorgPhone. Much to Mother's dismay, Auntie said I could have the day off for watching those practically mindless police officers. Not knowing what to do with my free time and with none of my sisters here, I've just stayed on my phone.

I've just been scrolling through Instabrick. I'm not following anyone since frankly, I don't know anyone besides the ninja and Harumi who have them, but I don't think following any of them would be the best choice to follow for different reasons. None of them have posted anything recently, seeing as they probably don't want to give us any leads.

I've used the time to look deeper into their posts just to get a better idea on who they are. Lloyd doesn't seem to like the focus on him considering he never posts pictures of just himself. I've found it odd since from what I've seen, he is held on a pedestal by all of Ninjago. Kai, on the other hand, clearly doesn't mind the attention, having the most followers and always posting pictures of himself. His most liked photo, a picture of him shirtless, has 89.2 million likes. Like Kai, Jay posts a lot, except he's usually with people. It makes sense considering how Jay couldn't last thirty minutes without talking to someone.

His most recent post sends pangs down my chest. With a blue heart as the caption, there are two pictures in the post. The first is of him and Nya. Their arms are wrapped around each other, and it looks like she has all of his attention, his blue eyes set on her with a captivated look. She has a giant smile on her face. In the next photo, they're in the same pose except Jay's lips are pressed against her cheek, making her smile larger.

I had no idea how Nya was doing after she left us, but I never expected her to be this happy, appearing happier than she ever was with us. While it hurts to see her that happy, it also helps calm me. I never enjoy seeing her in pain. Additionally, her joy makes me envious. While the rest of us were struggling after we got the gemstones, she was here, happy and experimenting with life. She got to get with a boy who makes her feel so strong, something none of us never were able to do or probably will ever be able to. Auntie and Mother swear it's evil, but seeing Nya makes me question that.

While Nya rarely posts, I can tell she's enjoying her life here. She posts a lot with Kai and Jay, both appearing to make her really happy. Like Nya, Zane rarely posts, but from what he does, I can tell he's really intelligent from his captions.

The profile that I spent the most time on by far was Cole's. Scrolling through his pictures, reading his captions, it makes me feel good. It's clear he's gotten happier since he joined the ninja, and I can't help but smile at the genuine smiles that take over his more recent pictures.

Out of all of the ninja, with the exception of Nya if she's considered one of them, I feel the strongest connection to Cole. I'll find myself wanting to stay on his page, wanting to watch interview videos of him and her him laugh. He gives off the first impression of being such a tough guy that it's really cute when you see that he's a total softie.

If there's anything social media has revealed to me, it's how attractive the ninja are. Coming to the realm with no knowledge of boys before, I just expected everyone to look like them, seeing as they made up the majority of the boys I came in contact with up to that point, but that wasn't the case. Now that I've had time to actually look at them, I can't help but appreciate their strong arms and broad shoulders.

Just like their fans say, there's something there for everyone. I don't know if it's because of my previous exposure to them, but I've found myself most attracted to Cole. I would never admit it to anyone, of course, but there's something about his sheer strength that I not only appreciate because of all the strength training I've had to endure in my life, but that I also find alluring.

I remember the first time I saw him. He was guarding the Explorer's Club with Jay, and I tricked him into leaving to show me where a bathroom was. He was nice to me and bought me a triple chocolate cake. At the time, I thought it was all manipulation, but what if it was just simple hospitality?

I remember how I felt the last time I saw him. He was standing there, giving me a cake. His dark brown eyes were welcoming. He talked with me as if I was one of his friends, not the enemy. I remember the warmth in my chest as I read the little note he left. I can't help but wonder if that's how Nya felt about what Jay did when we had him as a captive.

Shaking my head, I break myself far away from that thought. I set my phone down and stand up, feeling like putting it down will help me clear my mind. I leave my room and start wandering the palace. This place is still a mystery to me with its grand hallwand dozens of rooms. I'm usually too busy to explore, but now that I have the day off...

I don't even finish my thought before I use my powers to teleport into a room. Not seeing anything exciting, I do that to all the rooms, never finding anything interest. With a groan, I walk down the hall in an attempt to get to the kitchen. If there's anything in this palace that is truly spectacular, it's the food.

"Harumi is in with the ninja. Why are you so distraught, sister?" I hear Auntie's voice coming from the throne room. Stopping in my tracks, I press up against the wall.

"I always imagined that it would be so much more fulfilling...ruling over Ninjago," Mother admits.

"Because you're not yet. As long as those pesky ninja are out there, the people won't submit. Harumi is with four of them and Nya. Skylor is with the other. We nearly have them," Auntie informs her, reassuringly.

"Yes, but it's Skylor, so I wouldn't be surprised if something happened. It's been far too long already. It's infuriating, really."

"Why do you hate her so much? You loved Amber, in your own way," I can imagine Auntie crossing her arms.

"Because I cared for Amber. Other than the hair color, she's the spitting image of her. Libber was your favorite, right? Isn't it weird to see her son who looks so much like her?" she asks, and my eyebrows raise. I try to creep a bit closer.

"Libber and Lilly, yes, and while it's weird to see, I don't let it impair me. You should do the same," Auntie advises.

"Stop lecturing me. I'm the older sister here."

"Yes, but I've always been the logical one."

"I'm having a rough day, alright," Mother snaps. "I'm missing him extra."

"The first spinjitzu master?"

"Who else you imbecile? If only he wasn't tipped off about what I was going to do to his lover. Then, he'd be mine."

"I can't see how you still love him after all these years. He was the one who locked you in that prison realm, after all."

"At least my love's son didn't kill Dad."

"It was your love's son's son, and since his other son assembled the ninja and helped thwart our original attack on the gemstones, I'd say yours is worse," Auntie says with snark. I try to follow their conversation, but I'm lost.

"Oh shut up. Go be useful somewhere else."

"Of course the moody one got the powers," Auntie groans. Hearing her footsteps nearing, I use my powers to teleport away without a trace. While I got away from that conversation without them knowing I was there, I can't help but wonder what they were talking about.

---

Nya's POV

"Good morning. Zane made muffins!" at the sound of my boyfriend's cheery voice, my attention is immediately drawn to him. Unlike me who is still in my pajamas, Jay is already ready for the day. He's sitting at the table, Cole and Zane across from him. A small smile appears on my face at the mere sight of him.

"It appeared that the team needed a morale boost due to Sensei's news, and according to my database, muffins are one of the best ways to do so," Zane admits, his pink apron still on.

"Thank you," I tell him, grabbing a blueberry muffin out of the assortment in front of me. I take a seat next to Jay.

"Did you sleep well?" he asks me, energy already flowing out of him. I yawn. "I'll take that as a no."

"I couldn't sleep. Something felt off," I admit, taking a bite of the muffin. "This is a really good muffin. Compliments to the chef."

"Thank you, I..."

As soon as Lloyd and Harumi walk in, hand in hand, I lose all my appetite. Seeing them together just makes me feel gross, especially now. She gives off bad vibes, but apparently none of the guys noticed.

"Ooo muffins. Do you have chocolate chip?" Lloyd gets excited like a small child, nearly dragging Harumi to the table.

"Zane has everything! Chocolate chip, blueberry, banana, cinnamon sugar,..."

"I think they get the point, Jay," Cole says to his best friend who shrugs, taking a bite of his muffin.

"You're just jealous that Zane is a better cook than you."

"Everyone is a better cook than Cole," Lloyd adds, and all of the guys laugh.

"I've been here for several months, and I'm yet to experience Cole's culinary abilities," I bring up.

"Oh trust me, that experience is not a good one," Jay shivers next to me. I try to take another bite of my muffin, but seeing Harumi all over Lloyd, literally caressing his arm, makes me feel sick.

"I'm going to go finish eating this on the deck," I announce, standing up and walking out to the deck. I see a small frown on Jay's face as I walk out.

I lean against the railing, taking a bite of my muffin as I look at the small town we're flying over. Currently, a stone warrior is forcing them all out of their houses, most likely to search for us. I sigh, watching the chaos happen from behind a cloud cover.

I close my eyes and enjoy the silence for several minutes in an attempt to clear my head. No matter how hard I try, I can't get rid of the nagging feeling in the bottom of my stomach. Something is wrong. I know it.

"Mind if I join you?" hearing an overly delicate voice, I let out a sigh. Opening my eyes, I glare over at the princess.

"Yes, yes I do."

"Jealousy doesn't look good on you, Nya," Harumi tells me, her act dropped. I narrow my eyes at her.

"What is that supposed to mean?" I ask her sharply.

"You've never met me before, and you're already so...hostile. Perhaps that's because you're jealous of my relationship with Lloyd," when she suggests what I think she's suggesting, I scoff.

"Don't flatter yourself. I'm with Jay..."

"That's never stopped anyone from trying to get with his teammates," she interjects.

"...and I genuinely care about him."

"That's what they all say. Miriam did, at least."

"Are you accusing me of wanting to cheat on Jay with Lloyd?" I ask her, disgusted.

"It's clear seeing your response to him and me. I was just going to warn you to not," she tells me. I roll my eyes.

"Royals really are entitled, aren't they?" I say more to myself than anything. "I'm not jealous of you at all, just especially suspicious."

"And why is that?"

"You just happened to escape when Lloyd was running within earshot?" I raise an eyebrow at her. "You're not slick, Harumi."

"What are you accusing me of?"

"I don't think you're that dense to not see it," I tell her.

"I really wonder why they trust you," she admits. I narrow my eyes at her. "I mean, you seduced Jay to get in with them, which was smart. You were lucky to be Kai's sister to immediately have him at your disposal. Lloyd was smart enough to see that you still have ties with Mara, but Zane and Cole I don't understand. They put trust in you so blindly."

"Shut up. You and I both know you're spewing lies," the rage fills my chest.

"It was clever, to make you appear to switch sides and earn their trust before completely obliterating..."

"I'm done with this conversation. You don't know squat, Harumi," I tell her, rage pouring off of me as I walk off. Wanting a place to cool off, I head to my room. When I open the door, I find my boyfriend sprawled across my bed.

"When I saw Harumi going over to talk to you, I assumed that you'd be here soon after," he explains, rolling over when he hears the door open. When he opens up his arms and and gives me a little "come here" motion with his hands, I can't help but cave in. I walk over and latch onto him, my arms wrapping around his strong torso. The electrical current that flows through my body from his touch helps reduce the tension in my body.

"I hate her so much! She accused me of being jealous of her before accusing me of being the one involved with Mara," I rant to Jay.

"Why would you be jealous of her?"

"She thinks I have a thing for Lloyd which I very clearly do not," I tell him, which makes him slightly laugh. "There's something off with her, Jay. I'm telling  you."

"If she thinks you have a thing for Lloyd, then obviously there..."

"No, not like that, even though you have a point. I feel it in my gut that she's working with Mara. Don't you also find it suspicious that she escaped and started calling Lloyd's name just when he happened to be in the city? She had to of known he was there somehow," I explain. He hums lightly to himself.

"Lloyd isn't going to let us kick her out just based on that, but we can be careful around her. Just don't mention anything important," he tells me, and I let out a sigh of relief that he's taking my accusation seriously. He places a kiss on my forehead.

"Thank you for listening to me. Have you and Zane gotten any further on fixing the machine?"

"No not yet. It doesn't make sense. The machine is working just like it should, and the computer should have the power to link to PIXAL considering that it was built only five years before the team got together and I'm assuming PIXAL was built around 18 years ago, so she could be there when you all grew up," he says. I raise an eyebrow.

"No, no she wasn't. She was built after you all defeated the Great Devourer," I inform him. His eyes widen.

"It all makes so much sense now," he sits up, and I follow his lead. "PIXAL's system is too modern and intricate for the computer to understand. We can't communicate with her through the keyboard and text because she's far too advanced for that, and the computer's network isn't strong enough, even with the machine. We need the machine in conjunction with another advanced system in order to communicate with her."

"And lucky enough for us, one of our teammates is literally a robot."

"The problem wasn't the machine. It was the computer. We need to go get Zane. We figured it out."

A/N Yay. Each chapter, we can closer and closer to some nice drama. It's all coming together

I also might merge my next two chapters because a lot of the content in chapter 17 inadvertently went into chapter 14, so I'll see how that goes

How did you guys feel about the chapter?

Thank you all for reading! I can't wait for the next update