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Jay was always half-heartedly ready to die of dramatic circumstances. With the kind of life he had, he was regularly meeting the dramatic circumstances criteria. To be frank, it was getting kind of ridiculous these past few years, and it just never stopped coming! But even in the worst moments, even through all the terror that ran through his mind – deep, deep down he had always felt hope that they’d make it through in the end; Haha, what was one near-death experience when you’ve been through thousands anyway?
But this time was a little different. He was swimming straight towards his potentially imminent doom. Of his own volition! How funny was that? The answer was not really actually he was freaking out a little but– There was absolutely no way he was turning back now.
His friends needed him right now. Nya needed him right now.
He closed the door behind him. He was the Master of Lightning, not the Master of Subtlety – he didn’t need to look back to know his friends were hot on his tail after that horribly improvised excuse. Jay slid a pipe through the handle. If this really did do him in, then… then he wouldn’t want the others to get hurt, or- or have to see…
Agh, no! No no no NOT helping! Don’t think about that don’t think about it just do the thing already and then everyone can go find Nya and her mom! Himself being VERY included as part of everyone because he can do this and he will live to see his beautiful yang’s face again!!!
He pulled the drawer open. He glanced at the intimidating red, faint glow that dimly lit the room. Hahah… Yyyeah, totally checking that dramatic circumstance box. He lifted the batteries up and placed his hands on them. He had to do this.
Gripping them tight, he sent surges of lightning through his hands and into the batteries. He shut his eyes as bright flashes of blue light crackled in front of him.
Already, an uncomfortable tingling gnawed at his palms, quickly evolving into a horrible burning sensation.
Loud banging sounded behind him. And there was shouting. His- his friends. His grip tightened. He- he wouldn’t let go, n-no matter what. He urged more power to go through, faster and stronger. Searing pain traveled from his hands to his wrists to his arms, and despite this, he barely managed to focus his energy into keeping the power surge going. “Ack– augh–!” Hahahah and now the pain was going to his everything! Even if he wanted to let go, the electricity was too much to even think about loosening his grip.
Still, he endured as lightning continued to wildly crackle through his body from the water around him.
To make matters worse, he felt a faint buzz in the back of his head, which rapidly grew stronger until it filled his head and his eyes shot wide open.
White. Everything was white. And then there was a boom. And then he was pushed back. And… and then he wasn’t floating anymore. He was… looking at the ceiling. Bright, white lights on the ceiling that… seemed to dance in his vision. Only now did he notice his heavy breathing.
Okay. One: Mega ouch . Two: The buzzing hadn't left his head and the sound of more banging on metal didn’t help one bit. Three: Did he mention that hurt yet? Because it hurt. A lot.
He shakily took his helmet off, holding his head with a groan. He was alive, and the power was back on. That was all that mattered.
He could get to Nya now.
That thought alone was enough to get him scrambling to the door, pulling the pipe out. He gave the door a light push and was greeted by the sight of his friends’ relieved faces, though his vision remained unfocused. He nearly fell over, leaning on the doorframe as leftover electricity sparked around him.
They spoke to him in rapid succession, but he couldn’t exactly make out any of the words clearly. They were probably asking if he was okay or something like that.
He smiled, as he always did. He couldn’t let them worry about him right now, not when there was someone else far more important in potential danger.
“Why are you all standing around staring at me?” Hiding pain wasn’t anything new to him. It was almost funny how familiar it was to push through it with a laugh, urging himself to move forward anyways. Making sure his friends didn’t know when he didn't want them to.
“Let’s get this tub of bolts moving!”
Lloyd’s voice piped up from behind Jay. “You heard him. What are we waiting for?” Oh thank goodness he could still hear words.
“All hands to stations!”
“Full power!”
He couldn't keep it up. Another bit of lightning crackled across him, and he collapsed facedown to the floor.
“Jay!” His friends all shouted in concern. Okay, so that didn’t work out because they definitely knew now. Black metal hands gently lifted him off the ground.
“Don't worry about me, I'm not the one who's out there probably getting attacked by an obligatory sea monster right now, hahah…” He winced as another small crackle occurred. Would that buzzing just buzz off already??
“You're hurt, we can’t just ignore that,” Lloyd stated firmly.
Zane glanced all over Jay. “My scanners indicate that there is unusual energetic activity centered on your chest and head.”
“Psh, are you sure that's unusual for me?”
Pixal narrowed her eyes at Jay. “While it is oddly comforting to hear you make your usual inappropriately timed jokes, you should reserve your strength until we know you'll be fine.”
Jay stood back up, gently lifting hands off of his shoulder. He stepped away and turned back to shoot everyone a determined look. “I'll be fine when we get those two back safe and sound.”
There was a beat of uneasy silence among the four.
Pixal sighed. “Very well. But please try not to strain yourself further.”
He nodded.