Ninjago: Ripped World 2

Goodbye

Wu stood with Cole. They both looked at the object in the toughened glass case. With any luck it would be the last time they would ever have to see it, but knowing the way of the world, it would probably become important to somebody in the future. Securing powerful objects like the Gatekeeper of the Forgotten Realm was a necessity, but the facility itself at Hiroshi Labyrinth Sronghold was a red flag to any bullish villain that had the brains to come knocking.

Having fully described the events in the Forgotten Realm, both Cole and Wu believed that the mask, the Gatekeeper itself would not be able to create another jump. Master Wu had taken some time to study it and found it to be formed from the same substance as the second Realm Crystal, the only one that still existed. Its soft curvature indicated an acceptance of all realms, in stark opposition to the defined facets of the Realm Crystal, set to only allow travel from one to another. A drastically different design, its simple form disguising its complex make-up.

How many times the Gatekeeper had made a jump, Wu was uncertain of. From his readings about the disastrous experiment undertaken by his father there had been no indication that the Gatekeeper itself was a form of Realm Crystal, able to undertake such drastic jumps as presented itself on that fateful day in Ninjago Bay. It was his belief that the Gatekeeper had evolved due to its make-up and waited until it was completely necessary to create the portal. The Gatekeeper would have observed Cole and Nya's special powers in the Realm Orbs that Cole described and when there was no hope for their survival, chose that time to use the last of their energy to extract their would be saviours.

But now, there was no way for the Gatekeeper to fuel itself and no Caretaker.

'I won't be sorry if I never see that thing again' Cole said to Wu.

'Indeed. I am as sure as I can be that the being is as good as dead. It is no more than a heavily guarded exhibit' Wu replied in an effort to reassure Cole. A hint of sadness tinged his words. While he was glad there was no longer any danger, he did not wish death on any being especially one that should have been a shining beacon for all the realms... although, Cole had managed to manipulate a jump from it. This left a unsatisfying loose end, a gaping hole of possibilities that he would have to continue to research. Could it be used as a Realm Crystal?

A specialist Droid guide appeared to escort them through the continually moving labyrinthine structure out of the facility. When they finally emerged into daylight, the Ninja Copter greeted them with Nya leaning up against it.

She walked forward. 'How did it go?' she asked as she fell in with Cole, who leaned down to kiss her.

'As well as could be' Cole replied. 'A strange form of funeral, though' he added looking back.

Nya sighed, memories returning to her 'A fitting tomb' she added with a more cutting tone.

'Come, you two' said Wu, eager to remove his students from this place. 'You have no need to ever come here again. Evil entities do not require flowers on the day of the dead'.

They entered the copter. Nya taking the controls flew them back to their headquarters and home. It was a beautiful evening. The sun had started to dip low on the horizon casting its soft pink glow across the city. The floating islands that hovered above were an incredible sight and added a dreamlike quality to Ninjago's vista.

As the copter touched down in the courtyard of the temple, the three passengers could see Zane waiting for them. Only Zane would stand so calmly, seemingly unaffected by the cutting wind and dust thrown up by the blades.

Cole jumped out and jogged over to him, his back bent down as he moved away from the slowing blades and shielded his eyes from the wind. Nya observed them greet each other, then noticed a change in Coles response. She removed her headphones and quickly made her way to them as Cole turned to look at her. Something was definitely up.

'Jay's gone'. Cole said.

'He left this morning, just after you' Zane continued.

'What?' Nya was incredulous. She thought she had made headway with Jay after their talk. She walked away into the building, shouting for Kai.

'Kai. Kai, dammit. Where are you?'

'He's gone after Jay' Lloyd appeared from the kitchen. Zane, Cole and Master Wu came in from the courtyard.

'Would somebody please like to tell us the full story?' asked Wu. He ushered his students through and indicated that they all sit.

'There is not much to tell' said Zane 'Jay came to me while I was training. He had a backpack and said he needed to get away, to have some time to himself. He asked me to say farewell to you all and he left'

'He didn't say where he was going?' said Cole.

'No. I did ask but he did not want to tell me. He said the whole point was that he wanted to be alone. So it was a good idea not to tell me, because I would tell you all and then he would not be alone'.

'Ugh!' Nya banged her head down to the table. Cole massaged his temples. Lloyd kept well out of it.

'And Kai has gone after him?' Nya questioned.

'Yes, he feels responsible for Jay'.

'Really?' said Nya, shocked 'He's not said anything to me about that' she looked over to Lloyd.

Begrudgingly, Lloyd explained 'when you were gone, Kai was a wreck. Jay looked out for him. I think he has a new found respect for our boy in blue'

'Huh' Nya exchanged a look with Cole, who shook his head lightly in sympathy with Nya.

'Jay is in no danger' said Master Wu 'Perhaps this will be good for him. Explore the wider world. Ask questions of him self and seek answers. The path to enlightenment is never written and starts and ends with ones own quest'.

The room was silent and the group dissipated leaving Nya and Cole alone. Cole moved to where Nya was sat at the Island. He pulled her stool around to face him and stood close, wrapping his arms around her, she let his weight settle on her.

'I miss him everyday' said Cole.

'He's only just left' Nya replied.

'You know what I mean' to which Nya nodded 'He was my best friend and to me he still is. It's just not that way for him now. He hates me more than he hates snakes.'

'He's just hurting, that's all, he'll come back, you'll see. Things will change. It just takes time, I promise'.

Cole lifted his head to look at Nya 'I'll never regret us, but I'll always regret how we affected Jay'

'I would be surprised if you didn't' Nya replied 'Jay's future will be formed somewhere else and he's taken the first step towards it. When he returns he'll be different I'm sure and he'll embrace you as he did before'.

She raised her hand to his cheek, but before it could reach him, he moved his lips into her palm and kissed it 'I'll believe you, because I want to... and you are far wiser than me'

'You know it Brookstone'.

'Do you think we need to worry about Kai?'

Nya grimaced 'Very probably' she answered.