Stuck in the Past (Sequel to Stuck in the Future)

After the whole fight between Kai and Skylor, which Maya was still confused about, Maya managed to hitch a ride on a bus back to their home, as she struggled with forming her own elemental dragon.

When she got into the house, she saw a dark-haired girl sitting next to Lloyd on the couch, Nya across from them, and Keith sitting on the ground.

"Hi, I assume you're Akita?" Maya asked, sitting beside Nya. The girl smiled.

"Yup. The one and only." She said, nodding to her. Nya looked at her daughter suspiciously.

"Where's Kai and Skylor?"

Maya sighed. " They fought. As soon as I brought up Keith, she got mad at Kai, they yelled at each other, she left, and then Kai stormed out. I don't think we're getting her help anytime soon."

Nya stuffed her head in the couch pillow, groaning, while Keith suddenly got up and left. No one went to stop him. It became awkward, everyone shuffled in their seats uncomfortably. Finally, Lloyd spoke up.

" Anyways, Mo is in the other room with Pixal and Zane. He found it a bit too awkward to meet the younger version of his mom, to be honest, I think I would be too."

Akita smiled. " I was pretty shocked when I heard about it, but I'm over it. Something about the fight in his eyes, or the wolf heart I see probably helped. It's cool."

"Speaking of which, how did you get here? Don't you live in another realm?" Maya asked.

" I had some leftover leaves from the Traveler's tree that we used, luckily there was enough for both trips." Lloyd said, revealing an empty paper bag. Akita nodded as confirmation.

" Zane's all fixed up." Jay said as he entered the room. Nya looked up and smiled. His face was covered in grease, but his smile was brighter than the sun despite their situation. Pixal, Zane, and Mo follow him in, Mo studying his socks with interest.

"Hello, Maya. I am Pixal. It is a pleasure to meet you." Pixel said, extending out her hand. Maya got up and shook it.

"Right back at you."

Pixel's eyes narrowed, and Maya could tell she was scanning her. She blinked, and the Nindroid frowned.

"You are stressed."

Maya slowly nodded. " I...I don't know if we'll win." Jay wrapped an arm around her shoulder.

"I know it seems pretty bad off right now, but we will win. I promise you with every fiber of my body."

"That's what you told me, right before..." She mumbled, looking to the ground.

"What?"

"That's what you told me right before they threw you into Scrap-N-Tap! I saw you get hit, beaten, tortured, and I was forced to watch! I watched the blood stream down your face, the tears in your eyes, and your fear!" She exclaimed, her voice rising.

"Maya. I-" Jay started, but Maya continued forward.

"How can I believe that we're going to win when my friends, my family, are stuck in Nadakhan's Blade, and my father rotting a cell in the future? If we couldn't beat him then, why should we be able to beat him now?" Tears were now streaming down her face, and Jay turned her into his torso, letting her cry into his shoulder, rubbing her head with the gentleness of a father. Everyone slowly filtered out of the room, giving them their space, all but Nya, who eventually joined the loving embrace.

"I'm so sorry you had to see all of that, endure through all of the struggle. But, we'll be prepared this time. We'll have a plan."

"But, what about the future? Won't it be changed?"