We'll pick you back up when you're down

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His arms ached slightly as the minion pushed him backwards. Gritting his teeth, he increased the power, the dripping magma beginning to burn his skin a little. He bit back a pained groan, digging his feet into the ground as he tried to hold the goon off.

In one swift movement, the goon pulled away, before slamming their arms forwards and sending him flying.

His back hit the wall behind him, knocking the air out of his lungs as he gasped sharply, collapsing on the ground. He tried to push himself up, only for his arms to spasm and force him down again.

The beast began approaching, preparing to deal the final blow. He squeezed his eyes shut, bracing himself for the hit.

It never came.

He looked up, spotting Zane blocking the goon from reaching him, while the others ran over to help.

"Z-Zane?" He mumbled, arms shaking as he painfully sat up, leaning against the cracked wall.

"I am here brother," Zane grunted, forcing the beast back, "Don't worry."

Kai knelt beside him as the goon was disabled, removing both of their hoods.

"You alright?"

"M-my super... strength," He said breathlessly, holding up violently shaking arms, "It- stopped."

"You've got some pretty bad burns too, bud," Fire mentioned, attempting a joke, "They could rival mine."

He looked down at his arms, realising the skin was red and blistered.

"Cole!" Jay rushed over, hugging him tight, "Are you okay? You were struggling one second, then I blinked and you were down!"

"I-" He sucked in another breath, and Jay released him, concern written across his face.

"Take your time, Cole," Zane stated, "You have overexerted yourself."

"S-sorry," He mumbled thickly, "A-almos-st cost... mission."

"Don't you dare apologise," Nya instructed firmly, "The mission wasn't lost; we were finishing up anyway."

"And your life is way more important," Lloyd added, "You almost got squished."

He laughed weakly, slumping into Kai.

"We need to get back to the Monastery," Zane told him, extending his hands, "Grab hold of me."

He accepted, and Ice gently began pulling him up, Kai and Jay on either side of him. His legs twitched, and he yelped as he fell forwards, only for Zane to catch him.

"I've got you," The nindroid assured, "I've got you."

He took in several deep breaths, before Zane straightened up.

"You're okay," Kai whispered, one hand under his arm- which was still trembling-, the other on his back.

"H-humiliating..." He managed, and Zane tutted.

"Nonsense. We're supposed to support each other; physically and mentally."

---------------------------

Ice lowered him onto his bunk in the Bounty, before digging through his drawer to find some comfier clothes.

"Here," Zane offered him a black hoodie and grey sweats, "Can you remove your shirt?"

He brought his arms up, sighing in defeat when he couldn't grasp the tie properly.

"May I?" He nodded, and Zane began undoing the knots on his gi.

He took the shirt off, aiding him in putting the hoodie on. Smiling, Ice pulled the hood over his head, concealing his eyes.

He huffed, and Zane laughed a little.

After switching the trousers, Zane dumped the gi into the shared dirty wash basket. He turned around, heading for the door.

"Your contacts will need to be removed; I will wash my hands and do it for you."

"Thanks, Frosty," He responded, managing to push the hood off his face to look at Zane, who nodded and left the room.

When Ice returned, he made sure to not touch the door on his way over to him.

"Ready?"

"Mhm."

Zane gently pushed his head back, pinching the first contact and removing it from the eye. He winced slightly, producing an apology from the nindroid. Once the second was out, Zane picked up his glasses, pushing them onto his nose.

"So you didn't drop them," He said cheerily, and he couldn't help but smile back, "I believe I need to begin dinner; would you mind if we moved to the living room?"

He grasped Zane's arm, and the nindroid helped him up.

The quivering in his legs had mostly stopped, but his feet still hurt with every step.

"Hey Cole," Lloyd greeted as he practically dumped himself onto the settee, "How are you?"

"Sore," He responded, "Legs don't shake as much."

Jay leant against him, continuing his virtual battle with Kai, "That's good, right?"

He shrugged jerkily, and Nya suddenly made herself known by taking his hairband and pulling it out, raking her hands through his fluffy locks.

Zane returned, joining everyone sitting down. He glanced at Cole.

"I'm unsure how long these side effects will last, but you will most likely be back in the field in no time."

Cole nodded, and Kai caught his attention.

"That doesn't mean you can instantly start pushing yourself once you've recovered," Fire stated, "If you strain yourself, you'll end up back here again."

Cole rolled his eyes, smiling in amusement, "You guys worry too much." Nya pulled at his hair gently, "Hey!"

"We worry because we care, dummy!" She scolded.

"Yeah!" Lloyd nodded.

Jay smiled menacingly at him, "And don't you forget it."

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