Sunlight spills through an open slit in the curtains, slowly moving across Nya's face until the light is cutting across her eyes. A soothing pulse of electricity skitters down her spine and into her toes. In her hazy, lazy state, she can't help but smile.

"Jay, close the curtains," she mumbles as she rolls over and burrows into the blanket. But there is no warm, strong chest to snuggle against. Nya cracks open her eyes, seeing that the side of the bed is empty. Her heart sinks as memories from the prior day flood to the front of her mind.

With a deep sigh, Nya pushes herself out of bed, her hair a frizzy mess. It doesn't matter what she looks like right now, especially if it is just her. The others are still sound asleep on their respective futons, even Lloyd looks like he is finally starting to sleep through the night.

Her eyes flick to the window. The sunlight is almost too bright to look at. It is a beautiful, sunny day. It seems cruel, somehow.

Nya shakes the thought away and trudges to the bathroom.

As she brushes her teeth, Nya looks at herself in the mirror, noting how tired she looks. There are bags under her eyes and her lips are dry and cracked. The corners of her mouth tug downwards as she continues her morning routine. Lightning, Jay's lightning, flutters under skin, like it is trying to sooth her nerves, telling her everything is going to be ok. She clings to the feeling, imaging Jay there, holding her from behind in his signature warm and strong bear hug.

She wishes she could believe that.

Her hand moves of its own accord, her fingers tracing the spot on her side where a bruise has formed. He had hit her hard during the match, claiming that he wasn't going to hold back, yet it still felt like he was. Her skin is a sickly green-purple, and the mark has started to scab. She presses her fingers against the skin, and a fresh wave of tears threaten to fall.

Nya blinks them back.

There will be time for crying later.

The others are still fast asleep as she makes her way to the makeshift shrine. It has grown a bit, the offerings more personal as the others try to think of something that would help trigger Jay's memories. Nya lights some incense, then kneels before the shrine and clasps her hands together. She doesn't pray to the First Spinjitzu Master. Instead, she prays to whatever is left of Jay's shattered goodness, asking for forgiveness and promising him that she will make this right.

Nya is not sure how long she sits there, letting her grief wash over her. Lightning zaps through her, and she can feel her sadness turning into determination. She has a job to do. Her hands tighten as her resolve strengthens.

She can do this.

Jay is counting on her.

Her friends are counting on her.

The fate of the merged lands is counting on her.

Lightning jitters down her spine, as if agreeing with her thoughts. Nya opens her eyes and smiles. She feels more determined than she has in months.

Jay's lightning is coursing through her veins, lending her strength and energy. Her heartbeat slows and evens out. There is nothing to worry about. They are going to defeat Ras, win the Tournament if Sources, and get Jay back. Nya will make sure of it.

She tip-toes out of the dormitory, opting to skip breakfast and get an early start on training. It's not like she has much of an appetite anyway. Jay's lightning pulses again, almost as if it is trying to comfort her. Nya bites back a smile. As she walks to the courtyard, she rolls up the sleeves of her gi and studies the intricate symbols carved into her skin. The design is similar to the markings on her arms from when she first used water. The blue lines branch off her shoulder, cascading down to her wrists, looking almost like lightning bolts. The carvings tingle along her skin, begging to be used.

Nya flexes her fingers, watching as the lightning twists around her fingers, following the markings as it dances across her skin. If she focuses hard enough, she can imagine Jay standing next to her, holding her hands as he helps her control the power. Her chest aches at the thought.

She wants to see him.

Needs to see him.

But that isn't possible right now.

So instead, she will focus on training.

Nya stops outside the courtyard. Jay's lightning thrums under her skin. With a deep breath, Nya tries to concentrate, remembering what Jay told her about channeling the power of elements. Her skin tingles as she takes another deep breath. She pulls the power into her body, imagining it flowing from her toes all the way to her fingertips. She closes her eyes as the power flares to life. It is intoxicating, like taking a hit of a drug. Her breathing grows shallow as she concentrates on keeping the lightning under control. Jay had said it was unpredictable, but Nya refuses to believe that. She can do this. Jay believes in her. She just has to work harder, better.

A spark of electricity skitters down her spine, causing her to shiver. Nya holds the power in place for a few seconds, feeling her body vibrate as it struggles to contain the massive amount of energy. She can't help but grin at the sensation. The power is buzzing under her skin, like Jay is kissing her everywhere at once. Her heart pounds as she lets go of the power, and she nearly collapses from the sudden release of tension. The lightning snaps and crackles in the air, striking the ground around her with a thunderous boom.

Nya jumps back, her eyes widening as she watches the lightning travers the ground. Nya laughs as the lightning fades away, leaving scorch marks on the stone path, imagining Jay doing a victory dance. If her teammates weren't awake yet, they sure are now.

Nya grins to herself as she summons more lightning, testing her limits. Jay's lightning skitters down her spine, making her head spin as she releases more bolts of lightning. Each time she calls on the power, it becomes easier and easier. She thinks of Jay and the countless times he has helped her train. He is so smart and talented and funny. Her chest aches again at the thought of him, but she ignores the pain, focusing on channeling the lightning. She lets out a loud battle cry as she lets loose a torrent of lightning, igniting a training dummy and watching in awe as it explodes in a flash of blue light and splinters.

"Woah!" Lloyd's voice breaks Nya out of her reverie. She turns to see her brother-in-arms standing in the doorway, a mixture of concern and awe on his face. "I heard a crash and came to check on you. Are you ok?"

Nya nods as she lowers her hands. Lloyd steps into the courtyard, eyeing the smoldering remains of the training dummy. "Testing out your new elemental power?"

She notes that he deliberately doesn't say Jay's name. Nya grits her teeth, wanting to correct him, but she lets it slide. Instead, she smiles.

"Yeah. It's... different." She pauses as she searches for the right word. The lightning has already begun to settle under her skin, vibrating in sync with her elemental power of water. It is almost as if it is waiting to be called upon again. She shivers.

"Good different or bad different?" Lloyd asks as he walks towards her. Nya wrings her hands.

"Good different," she admits. Lloyd smiles.

"I'm glad to hear that." He touches her shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. Nya tries to smile back, but she knows it looks forced. Thankfully, Lloyd doesn't press the issue.

Instead, he gestures to the remains of the training dummy. "Let's clean this up, then we can spar if you want?"

Nya perks up at the mention of sparring, but her heart is just not into it. "I kind of want to be alone right now, if you don't mind."

Lloyd gives her a sympathetic look. Nya hates when he does that, because it reminds her of how broken she is. But instead of voicing her thoughts, she smiles and clasps her hands behind her back.

"Maybe later?" she suggests, hoping he won't linger. A bitterness wells up in her throat as she waits for him to leave. Deep down, she knows he is doing what's best for the fate of the merged lands, but it still hurts.

Lloyd studies her for a moment before nodding.

"Of course. I'll hold you to that promise."

Nya watches him walk back inside, letting out a deep sigh when she is alone. Lightning skitters down her spine again, urging to be cut loose. She closes her eyes and concentrates, pulling the power to the surface. It comes easily, almost eagerly. Nya smiles as she releases the power, reveling in the sheer intensity of the elemental energy. She combines her element of water with the lightning, creating a small tornado of electricity and water. She directs it at the charred remains of the training dummy, smiling in satisfaction when it dissolves into a pile of ash.

She stands there for a moment, admiring her handiwork before deciding to try something else. Nya concentrates on the lightning, remembering the tricks Jay showed her about his element. She smiles as she conjures a stream of water from her palm, adding the lightning to it. A bolt of electricity arcs across the water, causing it to glow a bright blue.

Jay would probably give it a dumb name, like the Sparkle Splash, or something equally nerdy. Nya can't help but laugh as she sends the attack at another training dummy. It explodes in a shower of sparks and lightning, burning faster than any fire Nya has ever seen. She stares at the smoldering remains for a long time, picturing Jay standing next to her, saying that he is proud of her and that she is the best elemental master of water and lightning ever.

Her eyes sting with tears, and she swallows the lump in her throat.

She misses him.

A lot.

Droplets of water stream down her cheeks and she convinces herself it's her element, and not tears. She sniffles and wipes her eyes, then creates another ball of water and lightning. Jay's lightning pulses under her skin, and she imagines he is there, holding her as they combine their elements, just like how they had done so many times before.

She wonders if the others are watching her. She hopes they are. Nya closes her eyes as she channels the power. She pictures Jay and their many kisses, letting the memories flood to the front of her mind. Electricity jitters down her spine, and Nya focuses on the feeling, using it to fuel her.

With a loud battle cry, Nya lets loose the power, sending a current of lightning and water at another training dummy. It explodes in a flash of blue light and splinters.

A wave of exhaustion washes over Nya. She stumbles forward, struggling to stay upright. Jay's lightning pulses under her skin, telling her that she should rest. Nya smiles as she fights back tears. Eventually she crouches down, wrapping her arms around her legs and resting her chin on her knees. She can no longer stop the tears from flowing freely.

Jay's lightning wraps around her protectively, humming under her skin. Nya closes her eyes as she allows herself to get lost in the feeling. It is almost like he is there, holding her close and telling her everything is going to be ok. Nya lets out a choked sob as she pictures him doing just that. Her chest aches as she opens her eyes, staring at the carnage she has caused.

The courtyard is filled with splinters and charred remains of training dummies. Smoke rises from the piles of ash, filling the air with the distinct smell of ozone and burnt wood. Nya sniffs as she hugs herself.

What a mess.