In the End (A Ninjago Fanfiction- ORIGINAL)

Chapter 1

I.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Cole, but he's been like this since last night. They found him on the floor in his study, and no one's been able to wake him since."

Cole stared at the man lying unconscious in the hospital bed. Arthur Holmes had been a good friend of his father's, and it had been the least he could do to come visit now that he was sick.

"You've got no idea what's wrong with him?"

"None," the nurse replied. "His vitals are normal and he has no physical injuries. His blood tests came back clean. He just won't wake up."

Cole frowned at the sick man, eyes darkening with worry. "Will he be alright?"

"We don't know," the nurse said, "But... he's had little mental activity. He's showing no signs of coming out of his coma."

"Mental activity? What do you mean?"

The nurse inhaled. "We've got monitors on his mind. It's like... he's not thinking at all. Just blank. It's... not exactly normal."

"Oh." Cole shuddered involuntarily. He was afraid to think of what the implications of that might be...

Just then there was a knock at the door. The nurse looked up. "Come in," she called.

The door opened and the other Ninja came in, along with the better part of the Elemental Masters.

"We came as soon as we heard," Kai breathed. "How is he?"

"Not good," Cole murmured.

Kai looked away. "Oh. I'm sorry..."

Skylor pushed past them, circling around to the other side of the bed. "Strange- he's got no thoughts at all. Nothing. I'm in his mind, but it's like there's nothing there..."

At the nurse's inquisitive glance, Ash explained. "She's a mind reader."

Skylor narrowed her eyes thoughtfully. "Thats not logical. Anyone who's alive should have at least some thoughts, but he's got none, and he's definately alive..." She started suddenly.

"What is it?" Cole asked, noticing this.

"There is something," she mused after a moment. "It's faint, but it's there..."

"Well, what is it?" Nya asked, raising her eyebrows.

Skylor hesitated slightly, but at last relayed the thought. "We are coming..."

All of them were silent for a long moment.

"What in Ninjago does that mean?" Cole asked finally, frowning.

"I have no idea," Jay muttered, "But it doesn't sound good..."

Neuro stepped quietly out from the back of the pack, moving to stand beside Skylor as he examined Arthur. "That is odd," he mused, "It's as if the thought isn't coming from him... but through him. Like something else put it there..."

Before he could say anything else, however, Arthur suddenly bolted upright. He glanced from person to person, but there was an empty look in his eyes.

Cole started. "A-A-Arthur?" he whispered.

Arthur's eyes fixed on him. "Join us..." he hissed. Cole stepped back, alarmed, but Arthur straighened, standing up. He stepped toward Cole, but the nurse moved in front of him.

"Get back in bed, Mr. Holmes! You're not well!"

Arthur's dark eyes locked onto her now. "Join us..." he whispered again, reaching out suddenly and grabbing her by the arm. The nurse gave a gasp and then went rigid. Cole staggered away, wide-eyed. Skylor and Neuro, separated from the rest of the group, moved back, toward the first floor window.