Broken Trust

Season 1 chapter 1, Mysterious Ninja?

Some things you need to know before you start reading:
1. This story takes place in an alternate universe that has the same villains and elements as the original Ninjago, but the story has been changed in a few ways
2. Kai and Skylor are a couple (cuz they're perfect for each other)
3. No love interest for Lloyd (aka he isn't interested in Harumi cuz she don't deserve his love)
4. Jay and Nya are a couple still
5. NYA IS HERE NOT H20'D
6. Neither party (magi and ninja) knows about the other
7. Wu likes to keep secrets
8. Cole is in need of someone to make him food (that's all I'm hinting)

It was past midnight when the ninja's decided to take turns going on watch around the bounty. It was just after Harumi was revealed to be evil and Cole found that weird baby who liked tea. They were in that forest-swamp place in search for Lloyd.

No one was really certain about what would happen next, and without Lloyd, their leader, it almost seemed like they were falling apart. Although, how could they fall apart when they sticked together like glue?

They were the ninja! They could handle anything- even a crying baby... maybe.

...

It was Cole's turn to be lookout after Kai. It was around 2 in the morning, and he was exhausted. Yet, if he didn't stay awake, how would he help his friends? He'd always felt a little useless sometimes, like when it came to normal household chores. He was good at cleaning, but horrible at cooking. He was good at training, but horrible at not angering his friends. It was an off center race in his mind on whether he was good or not at anything anymore.

He sighed, rubbing his temples and staring out into the swamp. It was dark, only lit by the slight moonlight and the lamp he had to his side. All the other lamps were turned off for sleep or to not attract unwanted attention. He yawned, rubbing his eyes. "Man, I'm tired." He murmured to himself, only to see a figure jump from one vine to another. Immediately Cole was wide awake, grabbing his lamp and jumping down to the deck of the bounty.

He heard scuffling all around him, like the figure was everywhere, but he could see anything or anyone. "Guys! There's someone out here!" He called to his sleeping friends, and after a few minutes they were all outside in their ninja suits ready. But the noises had all but died down, and no figure was seen. "I could've sworn I saw it! They leaped from that tree to that one!" He pointed to two separate trees. The others didn't look so convinced.

"Maybe you're just being paranoid, Cole." Kai suggested, his hair down and a mess from having no hair gel in it.

"I'm not being paranoid!" Cole shouted, a little too loud, and he sighed. Kai's only response was was scrunch his brows tighter together. Jay stepped between the two.

"This is no time for fighting guys! We still need to find Lloyd. We're all tired and paranoid, Kai." Nya also walked forward.

"Jay is right. We haven't gotten a decent sleep in days, and we're all worried about Lloyd. It's best that we get some sleep. Zane can take over watch." In the background, Zane nodded. As a nin-droid, he didn't need sleep.

Cole sighed. He was ready to hit the pillow and pass out already, but he still couldn't get that figure out of his mind. His friends might think it was an animal or something he heard and saw, but with that kind of body, that was certainly a human. "I'll stay on watch. Zane can join me." He said. Kai grumbled at that, but didn't comment.

"Alright, fine. Just done stay up too late." Nya reprimanded, and Cole nodded as if it wasn't already 2 in the morning.

...

He and Zane sat outside on the bounties deck, neither talking, both watching. Cole knew Zane, and he knew that Zane would be curious to whoever this person was. He'd believe Cole if he saw it for himself. Yet, nothing that night came up.