Hey everyone! So this is my last update before I leave for college (and probably for a bit afterwards since I'll be busy). I'll post more eventually, but I can't say when, but hopefully I'll have time over breaks. Thanks to all of you for sticking through my inconsistency on here. Anyway, enjoy the next chapter!

indira21kh: I respectfully disagree, as there's plenty of science out there that proves the existence of God. I'd be happy to get into some other time if you're interested, otherwise I'll let you be. I'm not looking to start a fight, but I have to stand on my beliefs.

The Mayor Of Ninjago City: Definitely. That's the goal here. Who wants to read a story where nothing even happens? Thanks for the review.

ninjaturtlefinatic: Thanks! I'm glad someone appreciated their old married couple like conversation.

Creative Tales: Sorry, but this wouldn't be much of a story if nothing bad happened.

Endeavor16: Thanks so much! Your review was so sweet and definitely made my day! I'm glad you like the story and the yin-yang promise theory.

"Nya!"

Jay flung open the door of the rv, sending smoke straight into his face. He gagged and pulled his hood over his face to protect himself from the smoke.

"Nya!"

He stepped inside into blackness. His eyes stung. He instantly felt disoriented, like he couldn't even take the three steps backward to reach the door. This was a borderline crazy idea.

A calloused set of hands grabbed his shoulders and yanked him back outside. He gasped for air as the moonlight blinded him. He let the hands drag him back away from the rv.

"Why in Ninjago would you do something so stupid? Did you even listen when your mother and I taught you not to run into a burning building?" Ed yelled.

"But, Nya..." Jay gasped. The sound of sirens drawing nearer echoed in his ears as he focused on Ed's face above him.

"Nya was outside! She had the rationale to get out of the fire!"

Jay looked around and found Nya sitting on a stack of tires close to Edna. She cradled an arm against her chest, rubbing at her stinging eyes. He staggered up and rushed towards her.

"Jay! Are you okay?" Nya asked, using the hand she wasn't favoring to get up, "Why'd you run into the burning trailer?"

"I thought... you..." Jay stuttered, "Your arm, What happened?"

Nya coughed, "It's burned. The fire, it wasn't usual, Jay."

"What do you mean?" Jay asked as he took Nya's hand and examined it. The skin had blistered and looked, well, not pleasant, but she would heal. Jay felt a wave of relief wash over him, knowing Nya was going to be okay.

But the first responders were there before she could answer. In a whirl, they were separated, all of them being asked questions in investigation of what happened. Jay didn't know what to say. He had no idea how it started, and he was kinda dazed, in a sort of disbelief that his childhood home was... gone.

Finally Jay caught a break and found Nya and his mother seated on the back rim of an ambulance, each with an oxygen mask over their faces.

"It's just a precaution," Edna assured him, "Since we were in there when the fire started."

Nya's arm was wrapped up in gauze, which in typical Nya fashion, she was already scratching at in annoyance.

Jay sat in between the two of them, "Where's Dad?"

"He's talking to one of the police still," Nya replied.

"Okay."

Nya wrapped the fleece blanket she'd been given around herself and Jay, "What are we supposed to do now?"

"I don't know."

In that moment, it seemed to have dawned on Jay that his parents had nowhere to go. Their home and everything in it was forever gone. He needed to ask Nya what she meant earlier. What about the fire wasn't usual? He desperately needed to get Nya alone and ask her.

(Time skip)

The remainder of the team waited as Jay and Nya, joined by Jay's parents returned to the monastery, bringing the scent of smoke with them.

"We made up the guest bed for you," Zane informed them, "I'm guessing you'll want to shower. The bathroom is on the right, and we pulled out extra toothbrushes and pajamas. I'm so sorry about what happened. I hope this helps."

The next few moments were filled with tear filled hugs, as the entire team took turns hugging Ed and Edna. They were remembering the number of times their homes had been destroyed and how they'd never wanted anyone to experience that feeling.

(Time skip)

It was quiet. The ninja sat around the game room. Nya and Jay, finally showered and no longer covered in soot, collapsed wearily onto the couch.

"By the way, this came for you today," Cole said, chucking a yellow envelope across the room at Jay.

He looked down to see just his first name scrawled in thick cursive across the entirety of the front. No stamp or postage marks graced its face, not even an address. Just his name. Jay raised a confused eyebrow.

"Weird, right?" Kai shrugged, "A bird literally dropped it out of the sky into the courtyard."

Jay ignored him and tore open the flap. He unfolded the paper, and a symbol, stamped across the top, in the same moment, sent chills down Jay's spine and confirmed that Nya's prediction earlier that day would turn out correct.

Nya watched as Jay's face warped from confusion to worry the more he read. After he finished, he silently slipped the letter into Nya's hands and looked at her expectantly, hoping she could make sense of what he'd read.

Nya unfolded the letter and began reading.

Jay,

It has come to my attention that you and your yang have been poking your heads into the underground scrap trade business, specifically around a particular item I've been trying to get my hands on for over two decades now. It would be in your friends' best interests if you two would kindly show up at two in the morning at Laughy's to discuss this more. And don't tell your friends about this exchange if you want to keep them safe. Look for the woman in an orange sweatshirt. Oh, and I've heard about the fire at your parents' place. Such a tragedy. I'm deeply sorry.

"Well, what are we gonna do?" Jay asked in a whisper, so that the others - already getting up and heading to their bedrooms - wouldn't hear.

Nya sighed, "I don't think we have a choice. It's twelve thirty right now. Let's just drink some caffeine and go to Laughy's."

"I don't like this," Jay frowned, "What did I get us into?"

Thoughts of Nadakhan returning filled both their heads. It was safe to say they were in way too deep.

Nya shivered, "This is a total Catch 22. Either we don't show and put the team in danger, or we assist in helping release Nadakhan again."

"This stinks!" Jay decided, heading to the kitchen to turn on the coffee pot.

(Time skip)

Dareth was asleep at the bar when Jay and Nya entered Laughy's. Most of the lights were dimmed, and only one other person remained in the building. She sat at a back table with her feet propped up, a drink in hand, and her hood pulled over so that they couldn't see her face.

"There she is," Jay nudged Nya, pointing to the woman, "Umm, whoever she is."

They sat down across from her, and the woman pulled her feet off the table and slammed her drink down, "Well, if it isn't the couple looking into things that shouldn't be looked into..."

"I'm sorry... you are?" Nya interrupted.

She pulled down her hood and straightened her posture, "I'm Qadira, and I need your help. Let me explain. My mother was the fiancé of a powerful pirate and djinn, Nadakhan."

"Yeah, we know him," Jay stated, clenching his fist.

Nya put a hand on his shoulder, "Hear her out," she whispered.

"I never met my father, and I have reason to believe it's him. Since you two seem to be the only ones who know where the teapot of Tyrann was last found, I want you to find it for me again."

"How do you..." Nya started before Qadira stopped her.

"You're not the only ones who remembers the alternative timeline. Better avoid tiger widow venom this time, I've heard it's fatal," Qadira smirked, holding up a tiny vial, "You fail to do what I ask, I'll shoot this at your friends. I can do a lot worse than just setting fires."

"No," Nya gasped, putting a hand to her chest where the poison had hit her before.

Jay slammed his hands against the table, "You monster! My parents have no home because of you! Besides, Nadakhan isn't as great as you think he is."

"I wouldn't know since your wish revered time and meant I never got my chance to meet him," Qadira shrugged.

"He won't want to meet you," Nya insisted, "He never loved your mom, only the idea that marrying her would give him infinite wishes."

"Find the teapot!" Qadira persisted anyway, "You have three days... that should give you plenty of time before your frilly yin-yang promise celebration... or else I will use the venom on your friends." Qadira turned away to leave.

"What if Nadakhan isn't even your father?" Jay asked.

Qadira shrugged, "Then I'm still in the presence of a djinn and can wish to meet my father."

"This isn't good," Jay frowned when Qadira left, "What do we do?"

"Well, we need to get the others somewhere Qadira can't find them, then we need to find the teapot. After that, we should destroy it."

Jay nodded, but deep down, they both knew it wasn't going to be that simple.

I hope you all enjoyed this one. Fun fact for those of you who are curious: Qadira is Arabic for one who has the power. Now that you all have met my antagonist for this story, I'm sure you can tell by her blackmailing and overall manipulative nature, that she does indeed have the power. That is obviously my reason for choosing her name.

Thanks for reading. I'll have more up when my college workload permits. For now, God bless, and I'll see you all later!

#God's Not Dead!