Highschool is never easy, especially for ninja.

chapter 2: master of earth

Zane feels the way his wires and circuits spark and electrify at seeing Cole. This feeling is never new but it always made Zane feel... amazed. It was moments around Cole that made him feel fully human.

At the football game, Zane is watching Cole mostly. He's pretty amazing and strong for a guy with his built but Zane isn't here for watching Cole tackle people or whatever football is about (Honestly he should know about this easily but Cole makes Zane feel distracted.) He's here because Sense Wu sent him here for a reason. That reason is the Earth Master's powers would be starting to form and reveal themselves. Zane is watching for somebody to start something unusual. Zane pondered what he would be looking for? Chunks of earth raising from the ground?

When his own powers started, small changes began. He grew used to being cold but never noticed until somebody asked. It took longer for him to get overheated or sweaty compared to how other people were sweating from working out. When his powers raged out, the overwhelming blast of ice that came from him in a burst of his anger after someone had said something to him.

Zane was back to reality as the ground rocked and raged. The earth power had awoken. He stood as people began fleeing to a safe place away from somewhere. His eyes searched, scanning faces for the person who had something to tell. Zane saw the field, the players trying to flee as well. All except one. Cole.

He was standing on the field with a bright orange hue around him as the earth rocked but he was the only one unaffected. Zane pulled up his white hoodie and tried to get through the crowd. It was thinned out by now, making the way a lot easier than a thick wave of people.

When Zane got to the field he was sprinting, the words coming forth "COLE! COLE!" he yelled.

The dark skinned player looked to the white figure coming to him. A flash of fear passed through his eyes "Don't get near me!" he yelled back, the ground growing more unstable.

Zane stumbled but pushed forward on getting to Cole, ice hitting the ground to make himself a stable path. Well not exactly 100% stable but it was better than the raging ground. Zane grabbed Cole's wrist and looked at him "Calm down Cole," he said.

Cole's eyes were a orange hue, filled with fear and slight confusion "I don't know how," he whispered.
Zane closed his eyes. He felt his elemental powers press, seeking out the other element and trying to persuade the other to calm down. Sonetging bigger pushed at the ice. It wasn't angry, it was confused. Where was it? Why was it here? Where did the others go to? Ice pushed back. It couldn't answer all the questions but it was here, Earth didn't need to be scared.

Zane opened his eyes again. Cole's eyes were hazel just like they should be. Cole was staring, mostly with awe and amazement. He must have not realized who was helping him earlier. Zane released Cole's wrist "They call me Ice, since I'm the Ice ninja," he replied.

Cole looked embarrassed "I-I know, I live in ninjago city, he replied.
Zane smiled "Come on, Sensei will want to meet you," he said.

Zane opened the door to Warehouse 15. Cole was taking in the sight of how a ware house was actually a monastery. Sensei Wu sat at a table with a pot of tea and two cups by him. The older man smiled "Cole, its good to see your powers have awaken, you cause quite a scare for River Stixx," he said.

Zane sat down with his jacket hoodie still pulled up. He gestured to the seat next to him for Cole to sit down. Cole sat at the table while Zane poured tea in his cup "Sensei Wu I thought you are a librarian," Cole said.

Sensei laughed "I am also a ninja Master but that's an afternoon job," he replied.

Zane smiled as he placed the tea pot back on the table "I stole the title of Tea Master last year," he commented.

Cole didn't take his cup yet "Where's Zane, does he know about any this?" he asked. Zane felt his wires spark to life. Cole was worried about him.

Sensei Wu took a sip of his tea "Zane does know about the elemental powers but he's more of a sideline person, as he puts it," he replied.

Zane nodded "If you need to contact me or Sensei Wu, your best chance is going to Zane and speaking to him about it," he added, slightly uncomfortable about referring to himself in third person like he's not in the humble home.

The spend the rest of the evening talking, Cole making pity attempts for the white hood to be slid down so he can know who Ice is. Zane loves hearing Cole talk the entire time and the watching the emotional dance of his eyes from topic to topic. Eventually Sensei Wu turned in for the night and Zane takes it to something he wants to know about.

Cole returned from calling his Dad and telling him about what happened and that he was okay. The dark skinned teen sat down "So Cole, what do you know about Zane?" Zane asked. His mind was rather curious, buzzing to know about their relationship.

Cole took a drink of his tea "Zane? He's something, everybody finds him weird or interesting. I um... I think he's off- but in a good way!" He added.

Zane forced himself to remain calm "How's that?" he asked, his curiosity growing.

Cole stared at the cup in his hands, it seemed so tiny compared to how big it was for the ice master "Zane is off like there's something you don't really see it at first but something is just there, it makes him stand out and blend in at the same time. We talk sometimes, I don't know if its because I'm gay or he's just really attractive and doesn't know it," he explained.
Zane took a long drink of his tea, his throat going dry completely. Cole had gone into rambling node at this point "We talk all the time but its like he has a problem with me, I try to be casual and Zane just goes stiff like maybe I did something or said some-" a Car beeped outside, Cole stood up "That's probably my dad, I'll try to spot you around," he said. Zane nodded. At the door Cole stopped "Hey, could this remain between us? I wanna try to get him on my own," he asked.

Zane smiled even though Cole couldn't "Sure thing," he replied. The earth master smiled and gave a small goodbye wave. He opened the door and left. Zane pushed his hood down "Alright, now this mess needs to be cleaned up," he muttered, that smile still on his face.