***So I spent five hours at the campus library writing your last chapter. This chapter is kind of belated. I had to go to the store and get pizza rolls last night. That explains everything.

Also, don't you dare skip to the end until you've read the whole chapter.

Moreover, DON'T KILL ME AT THE END I HAVE A SERIES TO WRITE AND A LITTLE BROTHER TO LOVE AND JESUS STILL HAS PLANS FOR MY LIFE -

This had to happen, guys. I'm sorry. YOU'LL ALL UNDERSTAND WHEN IT'S OVER-

i feel like an evil genius but i'm prolly not

Okay, I'm done. Without further adieu...***

***(Jay's POV)***

Nya's aunt essentially informed the police that she didn't want her new ward to leave the police station and go to a private home until she came to get her. And the lovely Aunt Sunny said that since Ninjago City is four hours from Ignacia, she wasn't coming to get Nya until the next morning.

And that's why Nya, Skylor, and I all slept at the police station last night. Kai's going to a mental hospital with Skye this morning while Zane and PIXAL try to figure out how to fix things with the sword.

Oh, and Cole's back. Lloyd took him his Lucidi-tea last night. Cole woke up and should be out of the hospital by this afternoon.

***Music Cue***

Right now, Nya's sitting next to me in the police chief's office. She's holding an old cup of sludgelike coffee, looking like she didn't sleep a wink. And I don't blame her – her life's a mess right now.

I rub her shoulder gently. "I'll come with you to help you settle into Ignacia today, Nya. And we'll have this fixed for you as soon as possible, I promise."

She looks at me hopelessly. "Mystaké told us when we called her last night that Kai must have drunk Insani-tea. There's no cure for it besides time. How much time depends on how strong his mind is – and knowing my brother, I'll have kids by the time he wakes up." She moans, scrubbing her hands through her hair. "I'm worried about Kai, Jay. I really am – he's my brother, and I hate seeing him so disoriented. But at least he's blissfully ignorant of all the horrible things going on in our lives right now."

"I promise we'll find a way to make this better, Nya. We're not just going to leave you to the devices of your creepy aunt."

"I'm not afraid of her like you think, Jay. I just can't go to her because...because you need me here." She swallows.

I read between the lines. She needs to be here, because the people who love her the most are here. But Nya still says she doesn't need anyone, so she won't reveal that to me.

"Lloyd brought us a motorcycle to drive to Ignacia today," I inform her. "While we were up late trying to sleep, I watched the weather channel on television. Looks like a sunny day for a ride."

"Everything about today is Sunny, apparently." She massages the bridge of her nose.

I smile sympathetically. "Don't worry, Nya. I'll be with you all day. And if your aunt will let me, I'll stay the night, too. Or maybe my bio-dad could wire me some money, and I could stay in a hotel."

She snorts humorlessly.

"What did I say?" I frown.

"Ignacia doesn't have hotels, Jay. Despite its size, it's very rural. You might find an inn to stay at, or some compassionate soul might let you stay the night. My aunt is not going to let you stay with us."

"Well, then I guess I'll go door-to-door until I find someone to let me stay the night. I'm not letting you go again. We've been together almost a week now. That's a good record for us, given that we were only together three days last time, and two of those were fake. We're staying together this time, Nya."

She smiles vaguely. "I hope you're right."

"I know I am." I take her hands in mine, drawing closer to her, unsure how she'll react if I try to kiss her. She's still recovering from what Nadakhan did, and I don't blame her. He had his hands all over her, and he pretended he was me, and...he kissed her to shut her up, then took things way too far.

Nya's gaze drifts to my lips, but uncertainty flickers in her eyes. She decides to pull me into a hug and rest her head on my shoulder, instead.

"I guess we really can change the future," she whispers.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that when I saw my vision, we still had to fight Pythor, but now that we've destroyed his machine, he's no longer a threat. And I also...I saw us together at Kai and Skylor's wedding," she confesses. "I saw us dancing and kissing and...and yeah. But as of right now, there is no wedding. So I guess we've effectually changed the future."

"And we'll change it again," I reassure her. "And it'll be better than anything you saw in your vision, Nya." I kiss her forehead. "Uh...speaking of your vision...did you see anything else about us in your future?" Just curious.

"It doesn't matter. It's not like it'll come true, anyway – nothing else has." Her tone is a little snappish, and I know to back off.

"You still owe me a date," I say randomly, changing the subject.

She shakes her head against me. "Let's see what my aunt says about that. I feel like she wants to pretend I'm three and dress me in ballgowns and hairbows." She huffs. "I'm not ready for this."

"If your aunt makes you wear hairbows, I'll start wearing one, too. That way, you don't feel like the odd one out." I pull back, placing my hands on each of her cheeks and squishing them to give her a fish face.

She raises her eyebrows.

I smile, pinching her cheeks to make her mouth move. "Hi," I say in my most girly voice. "I'm Nya Smith, and I'd look adorable in a hairbow. And you know who would look even better? Jay Walker, my amazing boyfriend who will sneak into my room in Ignacia every night so we can tip cows together. He'd look like baby Zack Efron with a hairbow."

Her eyes brighten a little, and she swats my hands away. "You're such a weirdo."

"But I'm a weirdo who makes you happy," I grin, placing her hands on my cheeks. "You try it."

She blushes, taking a quick peek at the closed door. Then, she pinches my cheeks and gives me the same treatment, pitching her voice as annoying. "Hi, I'm Jay Walker, and I'm a simp for wallopers. I watch reruns of The Golden Girls on the weekends, and I love romance novels, the color blue, hipster fashions, and infomercials."

I beam, realizing all of her worries have temporarily dissolved. I did that.

"You forgot one thing," I smile as she releases my cheeks.

"What?" she asks.

"You forgot that I love you." I snatch her hands, placing them back on my face. "Make me say it, Nya."

Her face flushes. "I...don't want to."

"Why? I'm not asking you to say that you love me, Nya. I just want you to say it out loud for the world to hear: Jay loves me. It's simple."

"I'll pass." She tries to pull her hands from mine, but I tug them to my cheeks again.

"Repeat after me," I say softy. "Jay Walker..."

She shakes her head.

"Nya, it's okay to acknowledge that I love you. I want you to believe it. So let's try this again: Jay Walker..."

She doesn't look at me. "Jay Walker..."

"Loves..." I stroke her knuckles with my thumb.

"Loves..." Her tone is quiet.

"Nya Smith."

She doesn't say anything.

"C'mon," I bid her, grinning. "Say it: Nya Smith."

"Infomercials," she says instead.

I pfft. "I am selective in what infomercials I enjoy, thank you very much. But I love you, and nothing's changing that."

She takes a deep breath. "Fine. Jay Walker...loves..."

"Nya Smith," I prompt her quietly.

"Nya Smith." Her breath comes out in a whoosh.

I hold our joined hands in the air, beaming like a fool. "Do you believe it now?"

"Yeah." Her cheeks are still incredibly red.

"Well, good, because it's true." I kiss her hairline just as the door swings open.

I turn my head quickly, and in walks the police chief. Behind him is a tall woman with a graceful figure and a stony face. Her hair is long, dark, and perfectly styled, and her blue eyes are cold.

She looks like Nya, but with a rock for a heart.

Nya pulls her hands away from mine, biting her lip as she assesses her aunt. Her expression says she's not pleased with the way Sunny comes off.

Her aunt forces a smile. "Hi, Nya."

"Hi," she says. Her voice sounds cautious.

"I'm your Aunt Sunny. I know we've talked before over text, but I feel like we haven't really gotten a chance to get to know each other." She acknowledges me with an incline of her head. "Who are you?"

"I'm Jay," I say quickly, trying to keep the atmosphere friendly. "I'm Nya's boyfriend."

"Oh. And you two were...alone in here together? With the door closed?"

I look to where a few spare blankets and pillows are cast to the side. I'm sure Sunny would love it if she learned Nya and I had slept in the same room – like, on the same floor – with no space between us last night. And they were short-staffed at the station last night, so Nya and I were alone. Yep.

I cough. "Uh, yeah, we were waiting for you to get here. The commissioner was busy, so we were just talking." I wonder if Sunny will demand to see security footage of this room. She'd get an eyeful of Nya and I flirting.

Well.

Sunny hmphs. "Your uncle's outside, Nya. Will you come out and meet him?"

Nya gives her an aloof shrug. "I guess. Jay, let's go." She grabs my hand and stands.

I gulp, watching her aunt the whole time. That lady does not look pleased.

However, she pivots and walks out into the hall, and we follow behind her. The police chief gives me a slit-throat motion as I leave, and I mouth, "Save me".

When we walk out the front doors to the police station, I see a tall, burly guy standing with one hand in his pocket. His other hand is holding his cell phone, which he has pressed to his ear.

He just gives off lawyer vibes.

Sunny bends down to Nya's height and points. "That's your Uncle Herbert."

You know, I was already unsure about Sunny. Now I'm completely certain she's a nutjob: You know a couple is destined for evil when their names are Sunny and Herbert.

"Your ship name would be Sherbert," I mutter to myself. Nya giggles, probably just because she wants to get on her aunt's bad side.

Sunny's waxed brows raise. "I'm allergic to gelatin."

"Sherbert isn't gelatin," I shrug.

Nya chuckles. "It's made with gelatin."

"Oh. Well, it's not like combining your name with your husband's is going to give you an allergic reaction. If it does..." I trail off, realizing I'm probably naively digging myself a hole here.

A muscle in Sunny's jaw tics. "I think it's time for us to go out for breakfast, Nya."

"Okay. I'm riding with Jay." She tugs us over to the lone motorcycle in the parking lot.

Sunny clicks after us in her heels. "I wasn't aware he was invited."

Nya blinks innocently, stopping in her tracks. "I invited him. We're kind of a package deal." She leans up and kisses my cheek.

I just have no words.

Sunny crosses her arms. "I can see that. However, I think it's best if we just spend the day with you, me, and your uncle, don't you think?"

"Well, sure. You, me, Herb, and Jay." Nya shrugs as though this is simple.

I swallow hard. "I-I can pay for myself, Mrs. Liu. I just want to, uh, help Nya get comfortable with you guys." Let me just try to be polite here.

She studies us. "I'm not sure that's the best idea."

Nya summons her element in her hand and stares at it like it's the most interesting thing ever. "I can think of better ones, if you're interested."

Sunny's expression becomes first angry, then guarded. when she sees Nya's power of water. "I-I...suppose he can come for breakfast."

"Great," Nya smiles. "And I'm sure you won't mind if he comes with us to Ignacia, right? Just to help me get settled in." She swirls her water around her hand, then twirls it around up above us in the air.

"I..." Sunny clenches her eyes shut. "I need to speak with your uncle." And she stomps off, immaculate black slacks swishing behind her.

I look down at Nya, wide-eyed. "Do you want me to die?!"

"She was being an old prick. She needs to learn not to get attached to me, and she needs to learn that I run my own life. I don't need anyone controlling it for me."

"But...you have to live with her until we find a way to help Kai."

"Okay." No use in arguing with Nya when she's like this.

Sunny ends up giving up and letting us ride to the breakfast café together. Since Nya wants to drive the motorcycle, I seat myself behind her, covering her hands with mine on the handlebars. I press my body close up against hers, letting her know that I'll be there for her even when she's being a rebellious brat.

'Rebellious' always has looked good on her – especially to me, the rule follower of rule followers.

We get to the café and have an awkward sit-down breakfast in which Nya's aunt tries to talk to her, but Nya shuts her down with one-word responses. I try to fill in any tense silences, but even I'm at a loss for words at this point. Nya can be savage.

Deciding I need a reprieve from the tense atmosphere, I clear my throat. "Um, excuse me. I...need to use the restroom." I slide out of the booth from next to Nya.

"Same," Herbert says. He's been on his phone most of the day, and this is one of the few times he's actually participating in the conversation.

Actually, he hasn't been participating. He's been awkwardly pushing his scrambled eggs around his plate and occasionally laughing when I make a dumb joke.

"I think we could use a little break from male company, don't you think?" Sunny asks Nya through gritted teeth.

Nya shrugs. "It's not like I haven't been talking with you the whole time, Sunny. It seems as though the guys haven't even been here."

I place my hand on Nya's shoulder, whispering in her ear, "Please don't make this situation any worse for yourself than it already is."

She looks ready to argue, then relents when she sees the seriousness in my gaze. "Fine."

"Thanks." I kiss her cheek quickly, then look up to see her aunt's scowl and shuffle away.

I make my way to the bathroom and begin doing my business when Nya's uncle appears beside me at the urinal.

Um...okay.

"You know," Herbert says out of the blue, "I've always found Sunny hard to take."

"Oh, really?" What, does he think I'm a marriage counselor or something?

"Yep. But being a lawyer, I know divorce would take half my assets, and I don't want to lose that much. Not to mention that it'd ruin my image as a family activist."

"Cool. Uh...why are you telling me this?"

"I'm just saying that Sunny's a handful. I think part of it is how she grew up – Nya's mom wasn't the best sister, as I've heard."

"Nya hasn't told me much about her family life, so I wouldn't know." I zip up my pants and walk over to the sink, wanting to escape this awkward encounter.

"You know Sunny low-key despises elementals, right?" he asks me. "You obviously know that Nya's the master of water – you saw what she did in the police station parking lot."

"Yeah, I know." I guess he doesn't realize that I'm a lightning elemental. "So why does she want Nya, then?"

"Sunny's always wanted kids, but she found out she was sterile about a year ago. That's when she started looking into what had become of Nya and Kai. And eventually, she managed to track them down, but Kai was of guardianship age by then."

"Wait," I frown. "Sunny wants kids? No offense, but she doesn't really have the personality for it."

"I agree. I think it's some weird attempt to compete with her older sister, even though Maya's dead."

I shake my head, drying water off my hands. "That's messed up."

"Tell me about it." He comes to the sink to wash his own hands. "Anyway, I just thought you should know. Sunny's not a bad person, she's just...overcontrolling and competitive to a sin. She's actually doing really well today with meeting Nya. Maybe cut her a little slack?"

"Tell Nya that," I laugh humorlessly, exiting the restroom. "Thanks for the info, though."

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

I watch as Jay and my uncle leave, knowing Jay's right about me needing to be nicer to Sunny. She is my legal guardian, after all.

Our personalities just clash, though. She's way too controlling for my independent streak.

Her hand slams down on the table, and my head whips around to see an expression of pent-up rage on her face.

"Listen," she hisses, "I know you don't like me, but I'm not just going to let you threaten me."

"Threaten you...how?" I ask.

"With your element – like you did at the police station."

"Oh. It's not like I would've done anything more than splatter you," I shrug.

"Very funny. I'm used to the tricks of your mother," she huffs.

"My mom didn't have a tricky bone in her body," I laugh. "She screamed whenever Kai and I would hide behind corners and jump out at her. She couldn't bear to watch scary movies, and she hated it when kids dressed up scary for Day of the Departed. She was born to be a mom, not an adrenaline junkie." I blink back tears as memories flood me.

"That's what you want to think." Sunny shakes her head. "Maya was ruthless when we were kids. She used to hold me down underwater until I came up sputtering and crying. Look me in the eye and say anyone with a motherly instinct does that!" Her tone is sharp.

I roll my eyes. "You're lying. My mom made Kai and me wear floaties and life jackets and goggles and the whole shebang in our foot-deep wading pool. You couldn't even see our faces. You could hardly tell me and Kai apart when she decked us out like that. She'd never torment somebody by trying to drown them."

"I didn't say she was a bad mother. She was a bad sister. And do you know why she was a bad sister?" She waits expectantly, then snaps, "Her element caused her to be evil."

"You have a lot of nerve," I growl. "My mother was not evil. And unlike her, I have no qualms about blasting you with water should you say another thing against her." My fists clench at my sides.

"I know. You're all the same," she sighs. "Which is why it's for the best if you no longer have your element."

"I...what?" I exclaim. "I thought you just said that we weren't using threats anymore! What the heck?!" My voice escalates until the table beside us turns to listen in.

"Quiet down," my aunt orders. "Your power makes you volatile, and thus it's better that you don't have – "

I shove myself out of the booth. "You're crazy!"

Her eye twitches. "I am not."

"Yes, you are. You're nuts!"

"Sit down," my aunt bites out.

"No!" I yell. "If your intent is to make my life hell, I'm not just going to sit around and watch you do it! Just send me to the foster care system!"

"Sit down, Nya Smith," she hisses. "You're causing a scene."

"And whose fault is that?" I back away from the table.

"It's no one's! I blame your element, not you, and I still want to be your guardian!" She stands straight up.

I back away more. "No, you don't. You want to transform me into some ideal, element-less girl who can't think for – "

I back straight into something solid, and I whip my head around to see who it is.

Jay gives me a concerned and slightly scared look. "Um, I think maybe you and me should go out to the parking lot for a while, okay?"

I glare at my aunt. She glares right back.

"This isn't over," she seethes. "I'm still your guardian, and even though you're determined not to like me right now, I'm giving you another chance. It's for my dear sister's sake." The words seem bitter to her.

"I don't accept your offer of a second chance," I spit.

Jay steers me outside, calling back to Sunny, "We'll be waiting for you guys!"

As soon as the café door is closed, he turns me around to face him. "What was that?!" he exclaims.

"She threatened to take my elemental power!" I shout. "What was I supposed to do, smile and bat my eyelashes and say, 'I love you, Auntie Sunny'?"

"She threatened to – " Jay shakes his head.

"Yes, to steal my power," I huff. "And she thought I would be willing to take that!"

"Okay, well, all the yelling and insults and whatever else weren't necessary. You're not earning yourself any favors, Nya. You want Sunny to see your side of the argument, and getting angry doesn't solve that."

"I'm not just going to let her take my element!" I cry.

Jay softens his tone. "I know, Nya, but if you're always holding everything against her, you'll never be her friend. And that's exactly what you have to be in this case to get her on your side."

I cross my arms over my stomach. "I can't believe you."

"What did I do?" he frowns.

"You act like it's okay if my aunt takes my elemental power!"

"It's not, Nya! I'm mad, too, but I'm working with the cards we've been dealt right now. Unless we find you a new guardian – and Kai's going to take a while to get back to normal – the only way to not have your power taken is to persuade your aunt to let you keep it. I know you've said before that she hates elementals, so you just have to show her what a great person you are."

I release a breath, not looking him in the eye.

"Fine," I growl after a moment. "I'll try to be nicer, but I still don't trust her. Do we have any good options for alternative guardians that the court would actually allow?"

Jay thinks. "I guess you'll have the same problems we had with Seliel. All the guys and I are eighteen or nineteen. Misako's out of the question." He thinks. "My parents? Or...my birth dad, maybe?"

"Your parents live on a scrapyard. The courts will never let me stay there because they'll deem it too dangerous. And your birth dad, while incredibly rich, is still single and didn't even raise his own child, no offense. I've never even met the guy." I give a long sigh. "Any other options for possible guardians?"

He ponders. "Skylor – but then, she's nineteen and has never raised a child. She also is incredibly busy running her own business, despite the fact that she's taken quite a bit of time off recently. I guess she's probably your best option for guardian, though. Your brother is going to marry her."

"Right. Don't forget that she's had daddy issues in the past and is probably still under surveillance by certain agencies to ensure she isn't following in her evil father's footsteps." I moan.

"We'll work this out, Nya," Jay promises. "We'll find a way to either persuade your aunt not to take your element, or we'll find a new guardian for you."

"You sound so sure." I study his features.

"It's because I am sure." His eyes are intense as they look down at me.

I slowly raise my hands until they're settled on his shoulders. In response, his eyes deepen. He settles his hands on my hips, hooking his thumbs through my beltloops and tugging me closer to him. He softly draws one finger up to trace my chin.

"I'm going to totally ruin the moment here," he says gruffly, "but is it okay if I kiss you?"

The lazy yet intent look in his vibrant blue eyes makes my tummy flip. "I..." I feel myself lean in.

"Yeah?" he asks.

"I...what did you ask me?"

His serious expression transforms into a smirk. "Is it okay if I kiss you?"

I blush at my inability to focus, nodding my head shakily.

He brings his face closer down to mine, his gaze no longer trained on my eyes. It's now aimed right for –

The shop door swings open, startling both of us back. My cheeks are as red as a crayon, and Jay schools his face to look entirely innocent.

Out walks my aunt and uncle. Sunny scans the parking lot, and when she sees us, she shoots me a scowl.

"You have an appointment three days from now – on Wednesday," she informs me.

"For what?" I ask.

"For detoxing from your power," she says curtly. "There's an office right outside Ninjago City that specializes in using chronosteel to – "

I clench my fists, unwilling to hear the rest of what she says. "No!"

She heaves a sigh. "Nya Smith – "

"Why are you so intent on being my guardian?!" I exclaim. "I'm more of a handful than I'm worth!"

"I've always wanted kids," she replies.

"Then adopt a child who's not elemental!" I shout. "For crying out loud, I'll be eighteen in another year!"

Her face is stoic.

Herbert coughs. "She's always wanted Maya's kids."

I glare at her, then swivel and turn my back so I'm facing Jay. "Let's go," I bid him, taking his hand and dragging him toward our motorcycle.

"Nya," Jay hisses, "we have to take you to Ignacia if you don't want me arrested for abducting you. Your aunt won't hesitate to call the police on me."

"I am not spending any more time in that lady's presence," I growl. "She's horrible."

"I know, but we're never going to convince her that elementals are good if we don't show her that." He raises his voice, turning to wave at Sunny and Herbert. "If you guys text Nya your home address, we'll meet you there."

I don't wait to see their response. Instead, I throw on my motorcycle helmet and shove Jay's at him. "Let's go." I slide onto the bike, and he wraps his arms around me tightly as I shove the key in the ignition, rev the engine, and zoom out of the parking lot at a speed that will not please precious auntie.

I find my way to the freeway and just drive for a while. Even though I'm loathe to go there, I follow road signs for Ignacia. Jay's right – I don't need to cause any more trouble for us right now.

At some point, Jay steals my phone from my jeans pocket. He unlocks it – I set my drawn passcode to the shape of a lightning bolt – and he sets up the GPS with an address. Sunny must have sent me the information Jay requested.

For the next hour, Jay occasionally yells in my ear when I miss directions over the sound of the whipping wind. That's the only conversation between us. It's kind of hard to have a coherent conversation going this speed in the open air.

I'm thoughtful throughout the entire ride. I can't lose my elemental power. I never even knew I had powers until about a year ago, but they were my way to finally fit in with the guys. They also signified to me that I was growing up and that I didn't need Kai to control my life anymore.

Jay may be right about me needing to patch things over with Sunny, but I don't think he understands just how much my aunt and I don't get along.

But then, maybe he does. Jay gets me in a special way. As he would put it, in a forever kind of way – in a soulmate, made-for-each-other, I-see-a-future-with-you kind of way.

A light flashes on, indicating the bike is low on gas. I signal to change lanes on the freeway and take the nearest exit with a 'gas' symbol on its road sign.

As soon as we're stopped at a pump, Jay takes off his helmet and punches something into my phone.

"What are you doing?" I ask, retrieving the gas card Kai got me to pay for fuel.

"I'm calling up the team," he explains. "I don't want you stuck with Sunny if she's going to try to get your elemental power taken. She's not giving you a chance to prove yourself, and she's intent on being better than Maya, so she thinks she has to keep you."

I sigh. "Thank you for finally seeing my side of things."

"Trust me, Nya. That's all I'm asking – that you trust me."

A voice comes over the speakerphone – Lloyd's. "What's up?"

"Can you help me set up the rest of the team in a conference call?" Jay asks. "Um...some issues have arisen between Nya and Sunny."

"Got it." Without question, he and Jay work together to get Zane, Cole, and Skylor on the phone. Skylor may not be part of the team, but she's pretty much Kai's replacement right now.

"So what's up?" Lloyd asks.

Jay looks at me, asking if I want to explain. I shake my head in the negative and begin fueling the motorcycle.

"Sunny is forcing Nya to give up her elemental power," Jay says in a rush of breath. "And Nya needs a new guardian before that happens."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Cole says. "Like, who's Sunny? And...take away her powers? Why?"

"I forgot that you weren't up to date with all that," Jay sighs. "Uh...yes, Nya's Aunt Sunny hates elemental masters, and ever since Kai went nuts, Nya's been in Sunny's custody. Nya and I are out with Sunny and her husband today, and they set up an appointment with somebody who has access to chronosteel. So Nya needs a new guardian, but as far as we know, no one's eligible against Sunny and Herbert. We could bring up the elemental power thing to the courts, I guess."

"Unfortunately," Zane says, "you all know that the mayor of Ninjago City has been rather anti-elemental in recent legislation. That means that arguing to the courts that Nya keep her elemental power and find a new guardian may not go over well. I shall scan my databases for other arguments from which a new guardian may be derived."

"Nya could fake a really contagious disease," Cole suggests.

"Ooh!" Jay says. "Like, maybe she has some virus that everybody's afraid of, and she'll have to be quarantined away from her aunt and uncle for two weeks, but since the rest of us have been in contact with her, we'll have to quarantine ourselves, as well. And then her aunt and uncle will have to wait at least two weeks before they can take her power, giving us plenty of time to find her a new guardian!"

I can hear Lloyd's eye roll. "That would require somehow faking disease results."

"Did you know that there's an emerging black market for fake virus results?" Jay asks.

"Whatever, Jay," Lloyd sighs. "Okay, we need a better plan. Got anything, Zane?"

"Actually, yes," he replies. "But...you may not like it. It once again requires the aid of the courts."

"I'm listening," I pipe up, placing the gas nozzle back in the pump. I wait for the machine to print my receipt.

"Well..." Zane sighs. "It is a very logical idea, but I'm afraid you won't find it so."

"Just spill," I snap, then take a deep breath. "I'm sorry. Please enlighten us as to your findings, Zane."

He sighs. "I...so it would require either parental consent or specific approval by the courts, but...according to Ninjago City law – and the Ninjago City courts are the ones you must answer to – guardianship can be changed..."

"Yes?" I ask.

"...in the form of a...marriage license."