***GUYS I DID IT I UPDATED QERIOJNVS[EIO

Okay, so fun fact: I apparently visualize all my stories in so much detail, I've developed consistent bunking arrangments for all the ninja in the monastery. I didn't even mean to, but I was thinking to myself, "Where does everyone sleep?" And then I was able to point out each and every one. Eesh badeesh, man.

Also, sorry for no updates recently. I'm not going to unload on you all again, but I haven't been emotionally ready to invest myself in a serious chapter until this morning. I was gonna do it a few nights ago, but I definitely wasn't ready for it then. So voila: A chapter today. Enjoy! 😘

Also, did I just find a place to use the most cringy line in all of Ninjago? Yes, yes I did.***

***(Cole's POV)***

When I wake up the next morning, my first thought is that today is the day the monastery's being reevaluated as a foster home. None of us have been deemed acceptable legal guardians for Seliel yet.

My second thought is that for some reason, Jay's not in bed. And he's not an early riser.

I rub my eyes, sitting up. He's probably just hanging out with Nya or something, but what if Nadakhan got to him? If someone really wants Jay dead...

I swing my legs over the side of my bottom bunk and head out to the living area, then to Nya's room, then to the kitchen. And Jay is in none of those places.

"Cole?" his voice comes from behind me.

I sigh with relief. "Jay! Buddy, you need to tell us when you go places." I turn to face him, then frown. "Why are you alone?"

"I got thirsty, so I came out here for a drink." He shrugs. "Any new thoughts on how we can get back Seliel?"

Huh. Jay's not freaking out about the death sentence he was practically given last night?

I clear my throat. "Uh, nothing new that I can think of. We just need to get the monastery approved as a foster home, I guess. None one on the team qualifies for adoption, probably for fear that Seliel would just be used as a live-in girlfriend. And Misako can't adopt her. Even the foster care system knows that she messed up bad when she left Lloyd at a boarding school intended to make boys bad."

"Huh." Jay opens the door to the pantry. "So you know how Djinns can grant wishes?"

"I confess I haven't been paying much attention to the mission at hand," I sigh. "Uh, but that's cool. Wishes aren't so bad." No wonder Jay's not freaking out.

"Right? Say, if you could wish for anything...what would it be?" He nonchalantly pokes his head out of the pantry, chip in hand.

I hitch a shoulder. "I would wish for a way to get Seliel back, I guess."

"Cool," he replies.

We're interrupted by the ringing of the doorbell.

I frown. "Someone's here this early in the morning?" I grab Jay's arm. "Come on. You shouldn't be alone right now."

We both walk to the door, and I look out the peephole to see it's –

"Seliel!" I yell, throwing open the door and laughing. I hold out my arms for her, then realize she's on crutches and just hug her myself.

"How did you get here?!" I ask. "There wasn't a visit scheduled or anything, since today was our day to have the monastery reevaluated. Did I miss something?"

"Apparently, we both did," she answers. "This morning, they just up and told me that this place was a worthy foster home and that I was going back to you. It was nuts."

I laugh. "That's crazy!"

"Didn't you just ask for a way to get Seliel back?" Jay says.

My eyes bug. "Whoa, that's...that's crazy. I...maybe the Destiny Writers? I mean, I've never given much thought to them, but it's about the only thing that makes sense." How could a magical wish possible come true?

Seliel pushes against me. "I hate to break up this reunion, sexy boo, but I'm moving my stuff back to my room. Nya better not have gotten rid of all my cosmetics."

I reach for her duffel bag. "I'll help. I – "

"Nope, you won't. I am a strong, capable, independent woman. And while I would totally love to watch you flex while carrying my bags, I feel the need to push myself this morning. I'm off these crutches in a week, and it can't come soon enough." She pushes me away with one crutch, lugging her duffel inside.

I laugh, running a hand through my soft dark curls. "I...I can't believe it. This is great, Sel. Gosh, I've missed your craptacular attitude."

"And I've missed the freedom to lay on the couch and watch television all day." She stretches. "I think I'm gonna take a shower. If Nya hasn't stolen the conditioner again. Not that I don't want to enjoy a reunion with you or anything, but I smell like a dog's butt."

I laugh. "For once, I'm not the only stinky one. You wanna hang out afterwards, though?"

"Heck, yes. Don't forget to deodorize, though." She pinches her nose, sends me a saucy wink, and hobbles off toward her room.

I look to Jay, still chuckling. "I can't believe this. I – Sel's back. Gosh, I wish I would've known that she would be back so soon. That way, I wouldn't have worried so much."

Jay mumbles something under his breath, and I frown. "What was that, buddy?"

He blinks innocently. "Nothing."

"Hey, are you okay?" I ask. "You've been acting...weird this morning."

"It's nothing," he smiles. "I'm sure you're glad your girlfriend is all right. Too bad wishes don't really work, right?"

"I don't know. I just can't believe I have Seliel back. If this is a dream, I wish it goes on forever."

That's when Jay breaks into a grin. "Your wish is yours to keep."

I blink. "My – what?"

My muscles suddenly go limp, and I feel myself fall to the floor. Jay laughs again before...vanishing?

Wait – that wasn't Jay. That was the wish-granting Djinn.

I realize I've been duped.

And then everything goes black.

***(Nya's POV)***

***Music Cue***

As I blink away the gentle beckoning of sleep, I stretch, yawning. The TV room walls, gently bathed in sunlight, greet me for my wake-up call.

And Jay Walker lazily traces circles over my back.

I roll to face him. "How long have you been up?"

"Good morning to you, too. I've been up half an hour," he smiles, hugging me and placing his head on my shoulder.

"Really? Why? You hate rising early." I hug him back, enjoying the privacy the TV room affords us. I can just be open with Jay in here, without worrying about any of the guys awkwardly watching or walking in on us – usually. It makes me uncomfortable to openly demonstrate my romantic feelings anymore. They're special – only supposed to be shared with one other person.

"I do hate getting up early," Jay sighs, "but I really have to pee, and thus I couldn't fall back asleep after being rudely awoken by a noise in the kitchen. I didn't want to move and wake you up, too. Besides, I'm not technically supposed to be alone right now, and I was still kind of spooked from last night, so..."

I laugh slightly, pulling away from our hug. "Go use the restroom already, Jay. The bathroom's right across the hall. I can keep an eye on the door the whole time."

He gives me a cheesy grin, his hair messy and untamed by sleep. "Okay. And then...wanna watch a movie or something?"

I raise an eyebrow. "We have an important mission we're working on. We have to stop Pythor before he finishes that machine that can reroute all electricity in the city."

His face falls. "Oh. Yeah. Forgot about that."

"I'm a good distraction." I stretch out to my full length, quite satisfied with myself.

Jay pokes me in the belly button, and I curl in on myself, batting him away and laughing.

"Weirdo," I exclaim, protecting my tummy with my arms.

"But I'm a weirdo you still choose to like." He gives me a sugary sweet smile.

"Whatever. I thought you had to use the restroom." I sit up so he can climb off the couch.

He sighs. "Nya, you ruined the moment."

"We can't have moments right now, Jay. Not yet. We're not together."

"But...you're thinking about getting back together."

"Never should've said anything," I say solemnly.

He widens his eyes and pouts his bottom lip, and I can't help laughing again. I punch him in the arm. "Get up already."

"Fine, fine. But I know you enjoyed that."

"Poking people in the navel should be considered a criminal offense. It's just creepy."

"Not when I do it."

"Especially when you do it."

He pfft's and grabs my waist, trying to pull my arms from around myself so he can poke me again. I stick my foot in his exposed stomach and go toppling off the couch, landing on the shaggy carpet.

Jay beams, rolling off after me. He tackles me to the ground and tickles me until I move my arms, then he goes for my navel once more.

"Gosh, you're so weird!" I laugh. "Get off!"

"You like my kind of weird. Admit it." He begins poking his pinkie finger in random places around my abdomen, making me a giggling mess.

"You like me when I'm weird," he repeats teasingly, not letting up on his pinkie's assault.

I puff out a breath. "I could...blast you...with water...right now!"

"But you're not going to. You're having too much fun." He laughs along with me, and his pinkie suddenly sends a zap of electricity through me, causing me to jolt.

All amusement leaves his face. "Oh gosh, Nya, I – I'm sorry! I didn't mean – are you okay?!"

I laugh off the uncomfortable shock. "I'm fine."

"Oh, Nya, I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to zap you." He rolls off me.

I shake my head. "Unimportant."

He still looks incredibly crestfallen. "I'm usually better at controlling my powers than that. I'm so sorry that – "

I crawl over to him, placing a hand on his arm. "Hey, it's okay. It was a mild shock."

"But I know it hurt. I could see it on your face." He runs his hands through his curly hair, then removes my hand from his arm. "I guess I just wasn't paying attention to keeping my element in check."

"I told you that I was a good distraction." I try to rub his shoulder, but he scoots away.

He sighs, standing up. "Uh, yeah. I'm gonna...gonna go now."

I rise. "It's really okay. You didn't mean to zap me."

"No, I..." He swallows. "I'm sorry, but I'm actually scared to be around you right now. I don't want to...to hurt you."

"You're not going to," I laugh. Come on, since when has Jay been afraid to shock people? He does it all the time at practice.

"Nya, please," he begs.

I look into his serious eyes and feel my heart squeeze. "You're not going to hurt me. I...trust you." I blush, feeling exposed.

"Nya, I have nightmares about breaking that trust. I just...I need a minute to make sure my element is under control." He inhales shakily.

"I...okay. I'll, uh, I'll watch the bathroom door and make sure you're not bothered. But this isn't your fault, and you're not going to hurt me, okay?"

"Yeah, I...I hope you're right." He pivots and rushes out of the TV room.

I frown, taking in what he's just revealed to me. He has nightmares about breaking my trust again?

It has been about a month since I put space between us and he started to get better. I can tell he actually cares about me as a person now.

I guess the only thing I'm waiting on is...is the guts to tell him I'm ready to go all-in and be official.

Dang it. The ball's in my court, and I'm horrible at demonstrating my feelings. I hate having really personal conversations.

Jay suddenly stalks into the room, and I realize I haven't been keeping an eye on the bathroom door like I promised. I smile at him from the couch.

He gives me a fierce scowl.

O-kay? Something's really off.

"Jay, is something wrong?" I ask, sitting on the sofa.

"Yes." He turns to me, his expression...unusually determined. "Nya, if there was anything in this world you'd wish for, what would it be?"

"I don't know," I frown. "Is this about Nadakhan? Does he have you worried again? I know he can grant wishes and all."

"It's not about that." He gives me a look of...desire? Whatever it is, it doesn't seem like Jay.

I furrow my forehead. "You were literally just in tears about accidentally shocking me. Did something happen?"

"What would you wish for? That's all I'm asking." He approaches me swiftly, taking my shoulders in his hands.

"I...don't know? I guess I wish you'd tell me what the heck has gotten into – "

He suddenly smashes his mouth against mine, practically pulling my lips into some kind of hard, passionate, desperate, un-Jaylike kiss. It's almost like he's demanding that I kiss him back.

And his lips taste...weird for Jay. He should have totally puffed morning breath right in my face, but instead, he smells and tastes like he just had breakfast. Weird.

And...why is Jay kissing me?! We're not a thing! Is it because he's upset right now? Does he want some sort of rush from kissing me to solve his problems?

I'm just confused, and he keeps pulling me closer against him. Like he needs this kiss or something. And he keeps trying to tease my lips into some kind of rhythm, and I guess...it's working? I mean, I did just tell him I trusted him. But he's breaking that trust right now!

I feel entirely violated and angry and hurt all at once.

I try to pull away, to bring this huge mistake to an end, but his hand moves to the back of my head, like he's forcing me to continue kissing him. His other arm moves to the edge of my shirt, and he runs his fingers under it, walking his fingers up my spine.

What the –

His fingers move up, and he runs them under the edge of my underclothes, as though tempting me. Like I'd want him to force his touch on me!

I officially have no qualms about blasting him into next week.

I latch my teeth onto his bottom lip, biting down hard. My hand finds his curly hair – curls that I've always adored – and I try to yank his head backwards.

He thwacks me in the chin with a slap, trying to get me to let go of his lip, and pain radiates up my face. His fingernails dig into the flesh of my shoulder where his hand once tried to play, begging me to stop my defensive move.

I release his bloody lip just as he...falls off the couch?

I watch in pure confusion as the Jay who was just tormenting me is illuminated in crackling light. Another Jay – a good Jay – is electrocuting him with vigor.

How hard did he slap me?! How can there be two of one...unless...

I catch my breath, shaking my head and flopping backward over the sofa. I do not want to get touched by that much power at once.

"Nobody kisses my girl!" good-Jay cries, letting up on his electrical attack to kick bad-Jay in the gut. Bad-Jay suddenly transforms...into Nadakhan?!

I feel disgusted yet relieved at the same time. Jay's still Jay. Nadakhan was just pretending to be him. But that means Nadakhan just had his lips and his tongue and...oh, I want to vomit.

I rise from behind the couch, summoning an orb of water with my hands. Nadakhan, temporarily weakened by Jay's assault, poofs away just as I slam the carpet with water. I don't care what damage I cause right now.

"Dang it!" Jay yells, obviously angry. He looks up at me and inhales a shaky breath. "Oh my gosh. Did...where..."

"No." I don't want to relive any of this ever again.

He approaches me slowly, frightened of what his powers could do to me after he so violently electrocuted Nadakhan. "Nya, please tell me if...if he hurt you in any – "

"Kiss," I bite out, curling my arms around my stomach. "He's a pervert." Fury feels like a fist forcing its way up my throat.

Jay forgets his fear of shocking me and steps forward, pulling me into a hug. "I'm sorry. We never...never should've been alone. I..." He rubs my back comfortingly. "Why did he do that?"

I close my eyes, not giving myself the indulgence of tears. "He wanted me to wish for something, just like he wanted you to do. But..." I think. "The wish I would've made...I guess it would have caused him to reveal his true person to me. So he didn't let me finish." He stopped my mouth.

I shake my head against Jay's chest, choking on a breath. "Ewwwww. Just...eww. With my luck, he was carrying herpes or something." My stomach churns.

"I'm sorry, Nya." He squeezes me tight. "I guess you probably could've handled that yourself, huh?" He tries to take the edge off with humor, but it falls flat.

"I was about to emasculate him," I swallow, laughing a little anyway. "I'd already effectively stopped his kiss by giving him a bloody lip. You probably did him a favor by finishing his punishment. If I would've done it..." All I can taste is blood, and I pull away from Jay, heading straight to the bathroom to rinse out the disgusting flavor.

Jay follows close behind, placing an arm around me as I wash out my mouth and practically retch all over the sink.

"I wish you really had castrated him," he says, smile wobbling. "What a...Nya, how can people be so bad? They kill my mom, do horrible things to my friends..." His voice comes out as a mewl.

"I don't know." I take a deep, cleansing breath, standing up from the sink and clearing my head of everything going on. "O-okay. I am so mad right now, but we need to tell the others...that Nadakhan is starting to ask everyone to make wishes." I shiver.

"We are already aware," Zane's voice says from the doorway. "I have both ill and favorable news. Unfortunately, Cole is in a deep sleep. It appears Nadakhan has gotten to him. And second, we know how we might be able to help him."

I feel Jay's grip on my tense, and he swallows, "Cole? Nadakhan took Cole?"

"It'll be okay," I try to comfort him. "We can get him back." My voice breaks.

"Yes," Zane concedes. "We know of one place where Pythor might be building his machine. If we get that machine, perhaps we can also subdue Pythor and company and discover a way to help our friend."

"Where...where's the machine?" I ask.

"The Dark Island."

***Okay, so the rest of this book is semi-gonna be INTENSE. I'll try to update later today, but it'll be a while LOL I have to get these chapters just right.

HMMMMMMMMMM...***