Random Ninjago Stuff

The Wound That Never Really Closes

Cole covered his ears as ice pounded against the manhole cover. He squeezed his eyes shut, trying not imagine Zane getting pulled apart as he struggled to fight the Overlord, begging them to find shelter.

His body shook as he hoped the Master of Ice made it out, but there was an inkling of fear- overwhelming, soul-crushing fear- that he wouldn't.

And he hated that the fear was most likely rooted in truth.

He couldn't lose another person, he couldn't...

The sounds outside died down, and Kai pushed the cover up, revealing the entire city was covered in ice and snow, coating everything in a thick blanket of white.

They all climbed out the sewers as the rest of the team exited Borg Towers, all of them taking in the destruction around them.

Something crunched under Cole's foot, and he looked down, spotting something half buried in the snow.

He picked it up, freezing as he realised it was a piece of Zane's faceplate.

His breath caught in his throat as he stared at the faceplate in horror, his hands shook violently as he tried to keep himself composed.

He felt his chest heave, and his legs gave way before he could do anything about it. He fell hard onto the icy ground, catching the others' attentions.

Not that he noticed, or cared, his vision blurring as he held the plating tight, hot tears forming in his eyes.

They streamed down his face as he choked on a sob, bringing a hand up to cover his mouth. He cried into his palm, shoulders quaking painfully.

He was holding half of Zane's face. His friend- his brother- was dead.

Just like his mother.

He wailed, not caring who saw him like this. He couldn't control it anymore, all he could see was Zane holding onto the golden armour, his body threatening to implode, as he and the others hid like cowards.

He wanted Zane back. He couldn't continue without him.

His breathing came short and laboured, and he was sure he would pass out from lack of oxygen if he didn't calm down soon.

But he just couldn't, not when the reality of everything was draped so heavily on him, squeezing every ounce of air from his lungs and making him cry like a child.

He must look pathetic, kneeling in the snow, sniffling into his hand, holding a chunk of metal like it was his lifeline.

Maybe it was.

Cole and Zane created the team. They'd been Wu's students the longest. Sometimes it felt like they could hold entire conversations with just a few looks.

Zane didn't mind if Cole didn't want to talk, his social battery too drained for him to want to speak to anyone. He would simply stay beside him, both of them listening to all the sounds the world had to offer. They just existed by each other's sides, their presence enough for both of them.

Now Zane was gone, but Cole was still here and his existence felt painful.

He felt distant, like his feet couldn't touch the ground. Which was ridiculous because practically all of him was on the ground right now.

Sure, Cole was the team's rock, but Zane was his tether. The first person to properly understand him since his mother's death. With him gone, it felt like the world had fallen out from beneath him.

He hacked on his breath, gripping the faceplate tighter, cutting his palm on the jagged edges.

"-le! Cole, come on buddy! Talk to me!"