Flames to Ashes (TnF Trilogy Book 2)

Chapter 15: Ceasing Fire

Nya POV
It was quiet. I was sitting on the chair in the corner of the room, leaned over. As I opened my eyes, I heard voices speaking in hushed tones.
"Whoah. And you had to fight him?"
"Uh huh." The two talking were Lloyd and Beckett. Lloyd was leaning on the boy's hospital cot and holding a journal in front of them to see. A couple months ago Cole had advised Lloyd to write and draw in a journal so he could tell someone his stories as if they were still fresh in his memory. Lloyd had accepted the idea and was now telling those stories to a new friend. "So," Lloyd flipped the page, unaware that I was awake, "here's a drawing of me fighting the Overlord." Beckett raised his arm to brush the page, and as he did, he gritted his teeth and quickly moved his hand to his side. "Whoah, whoah!" Lloyd dropped the journal and subconsciously reached toward Beckett, then flinched back. "Sorry. That would hurt more, huh?"
"No, it's okay, Lloyd." Beckett gave him a halfhearted smile. "You mean well. Show me another story."
This went on for a couple more minutes; Lloyd telling stories to Beckett, and Beckett staring in awe, but not just at the drawings. He seemed to be listening intently to Lloyd's vivid storytelling. I don't think even I could spin a tale that well.

I pretended to just wake up, and I laughed in my head when Beckett and Lloyd quickly moved apart. "Oh," Lloyd shoved his journal in his bag. "Nya, Beckett spoke to Cleo."
"Really? What did she say?"
"She-" Beckett leaned up. "She said that the spell is for a Spinjitsu master who's performed a Spinjitsu burst before. She says that Cole's the only one who's performed such a feat. And that's why Atikin needs him. Because he has so much untapped power."
I nodded. "Thank you so much, Beckett. For everything you've told us. Not for the trickery and deception."
"He's past that, Nya! Give him a chance," Lloyd quickly defended. I was taken aback. Usually Lloyd is cautious when it comes to giving someone a second chance. Like Harumi. He had made that mistake far too many times.
"Thanks, Lloyd. But she's right." Beckett looked me in the eyes. "I'm sorry, Nya. Make sure you tell Kai that for me. He's a good person."
I rushed home to report back to the ninja. Kai was gone, Wu explained. I clenched my fist. "He'll be back. But we can't wait for him. We need to go now, and stop Atikin. Have we found her base?"
"We think so," Jay answered. "All we need is a raiding party and a defensive party if she decides to attack Ninjago City."
I gave Jay a big hug. "You're such a good planner."
"I try."
"Are we ready," Wu asked.
"Almost," said a voice from the doorway. It was Kai! And he brought Cole! "Y'all, the real Cole is back."
I leapt to give him a warm embrace, and Lou joined, but not long before the others made it a group hug. We all sat on the floor, crying. "Cole," I choked through tears, "we were so worried!"
"I'm sorry! I was so scared that Ninjago would criticize me! Us..." Cole looked to Kai, who was sharing a hug with Lou. "But I guess they're supportive."
I pulled the ninja up off the ground. "Come on, guys. We need to stop Atikin."
Wu took us to the table and set up a blank blueprint. "Five ninja go to the cave where Atikin's base is. The rest stay behind."
"I nominate Cole stays behind," I immediately volunteered. The others stared at me. "What? If Atikin needs him for the spell, he shouldn't be in the same area she is!"
"Then I'll stay behind too," Kai stepped forward. He and Cole entwined their fingers.
"Very well," Wu concluded. "Lloyd is with Beckett, but if you need his help, just call him up. That leaves the rest to go to the base."
As we hopped on our elemental dragons, Kai gave me a hug. "Beat up that cruel woman for me, will ya?"
"Of course, Kai! What kind of sister do you think I am?" I gave Cole a hug, too. "Seems like we just reunited, and have to say goodbye again."
Cole pulled away from me. "I'll see you soon, sis."

These chapter names are so bad X_X