“Hello.” She flashed him a warm smile, as if they were life-long friends. “I’m very happy to meet Talon’s brother.” He felt as if he barely had enough braincells to respond. Yet somehow he managed to murmur, “Y— yeah… You, too.” He flashed Talon an astonished look. “Are— are these yours?” Eagle Talon’s face flushed pink and he wore an embarrassed—but proud—smile. “Heh, yeah…” He looked at the kids and his eyes glimmered. “I had no idea. And I’ve never been happier.” The girl walked up, though shyly. With an anxious half-smile she hid behind her brother, who was still staring intensely at Cole, as if he were on trial. Cole thought he could share their obvious feelings of surprise and bewilderment. Yet—another part of himself felt so strangely happy; happy for Talon and Dove Stream, happy that they got their happily ever after. Eagle Talon stepped over to them and placed a hand on each of their shoulders. “You’re right. This is Uncle Cole. He and I have had many adventures together. I’ll be telling you lots of stories about him. Say ‘hi’.” Cole found he couldn’t stop staring at the children. The little boy seemed to relax while his sister remained shy, hiding her face in her father’s tunic. He noticed she had dark hair like he and Talon had, and when she risked a peek at him, her eyes were emerald-green. “Hi!” The little boy puffed out his chest and gave Cole a formal nod, as if he were in the military. “My name’s Rock Heart.” “And this little one is Dawn Sight.” Dove Stream came up and linked her arm with Eagle Talon’s, still smiling happily. “They named them after us, Cole.” Whispering, Liana leaned into him and squeezed his hand. “Rock Heart and Dawn Sight.” “I wanted to wait to name our kits until Eagle Talon came to join me,” Dove Stream explained softly. “He came up with the names.” “Oh,” Cole whispered. “Oh.” He felt embarrassed and somehow happy at the same time, if that were possible. He wiped his eyes clumsily and wished he could think of something nice to say. What came out was a weak laugh. “Any— any more special guest appearances?” “Just one.” He didn’t think he could feel any more overwhelmed with joy and grief—yet when he heard that voice and turned around, the tears would not stop flowing. “M— Mom?” Arianna Lilly Brookstone stood before him in a kimono of black, orange and brown. Her dark hair was up in a bun. Her large hands were folded neatly in front of her, but they trembled, and her eyes were glimmering. “Cole,” she murmured. “My son.” He couldn’t remember who moved first—himself or his mother—but the next thing he knew he was crying quietly and hugging his mother with her arms around him comfortingly—just like when he was a kid. She was running a hand through his hair and murmuring in a shaky voice, “My son, my son… shhh, it’s all right, it’s all right, I love you…”
He tried to speak, but his words came out stammering in broken sobs. “W— why…? How—?” “You’ve been through so much. I’m so sorry. I wish you didn’t have to go through it all.” With a trembling breath, she pulled away to look her son in the eyes. She used a thumb to wipe away his tears. “But I just came to say that… I’ve seen what you’ve done. All your struggles, everything you’ve fought through… and I’m proud. I’m so, so proud of you.” He took a shuddering breath, trying to regain his composure. “I— I miss you.” “I miss you, too. So much.” She hugged him again. “But I’m happy for you—happy that you have your own family, even if it hurts sometimes. I’m happy and proud of the man you’ve become.” He wished he could have just stayed there forever in his mother’s embrace, feeling like a little kid again. His heart dropped, however, when she added, “Don’t worry. I don’t mind waiting to reunite with you and your father.” “Can’t— can’t I stay here?” He stepped back, casting a desperate look around—from Liana to Eagle Talon and his family. “There’s… so much to say…!” “I sense your time here is running out.” With gentle hands she cupped his hands and kissed his forehead. “I wish you could stay here, believe me, but you’ve got a life to live. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.” “But…” His voice trailed off. He could feel a warm, fuzzy sensation spreading from his feet up his legs. When he looked down he saw that his feet were fading away—they looked as if they were dissolving into drops of sunlight. The shining droplets were drifting away in the breeze and vanishing. Now his legs were beginning to dissolve. “N— no!” Jaw clenching, he looked back at everyone. “I just— I just got you all back, I can’t leave now…!” “Technically we’re still gone,” Eagle Talon responded lightly. He wore a faint smile, but there was just enough stiffness in his voice betraying he felt as pained as Cole did. “It’s all right, really. We’re all happy, and we’re happy to wait for you.” “Don’t rush your life,” his mother said. She walked over to stand by Eagle Talon and looked upon him almost as fondly as if he were her own son. “There are others who need you more than we do and love you just as much.” Now his thighs were dissolving into sunlight. He gave a shaky nod to his mother and to Eagle Talon. “Yeah… yeah, OK.” He met Talon’s gaze. “I’m happy for you. You and your family.” With a nod to Dove Stream he added, “All of you deserve this.” Dove Stream smiled warmly. Cole turned his gaze onto his niece and nephew; they were both staring in shock as his lower body vanished. When he spoke they jerked their gazes back up to him. “I look forward to getting to know you all better.” Rock Heart looked too stunned for words. To everyone’s surprise it was Dawn Sight who spoke. “Goodbye, Uncle Cole.”
He could feel the warm sensation seeping up to his torso. He turned at last to Liana, and his heart clenched; she looked as if she were trying not to cry. He approached her, aware of his family watching. She forced a quivering smile. “I, uh, don’t have anything wise to say. Sorry.” “Neither do I.” He stopped within arm’s reach of her. “But… I’m going to miss you.” A laugh barked out of her, but it sounded small and pathetic. “I’ll be— be fine… I’ll be all right. I’m with my family again.” She gestured vaguely behind her. For the first time Cole saw the line of trees standing several hundred yards away. Pale humanoid shapes floated among them like silvery shadows. He thought he could recognize Liana’s brother, Philip among those shapes, but he seemed to flicker away as soon as Cole set eyes on him. He wondered if those trees and those spirits had always been there. His gaze flickered back to her. There was so much—too much—to say, and so little time… “I wish…” He choked. “I wish we’d— that we’d had more time. Y’know…” She nodded, lips trembling. “I know.” Her eyes glanced to his torso. It was fading away in the sunlight dust. He tried to think of something else to say, before it was too late. Liana threw her arms around him. By his ear he heard her mumble, “You know, I— like, I don’t mind if… I don’t want you to stay stuck in the past.” She shuddered and buried her face in his chest. “Don’t… be afraid. I won’t mind when you move on and find someone else to love.” “Wha— what?” He felt so sad and confused, he didn’t know what she was saying. All he could do was hug her back, so tight as if he’d never let go. “What’re you… saying…?” His chest was dissolving. He could feel the warmth seeping to his heart—or was that Liana herself? She pulled away, though held on. Her eyes met his. “Goodbye, Cole.” “Liana…” She kissed him. Cupping her face in his hands, he pulled her in and kissed her back. He let it linger—he wanted it to stay that way, to keep going—but his hands too were fading. He tried to hold on, but he could feel his entire body slipping away, drifting in the breeze. When he opened his eyes he could see them all vanishing, fading into sunlight: Eagle Talon, his wife and kids, watching him with mingled bewilderment and sorrow. His mother, smiling gently in a way so familiar to him. And Liana… smiling and crying at the same time, watching him go with eyes no longer blind… And he fell away from the sunlight.
* * *
Everything hurt. It all came back in a rush like a bucket of boiling water being poured over him. His limbs, his collarbone, his face, and his chest—they all throbbed hotly, screaming at him for leaving them unattended for so long.
Yet as soon as he became aware of the pain of his wounds, he felt a strange numbness spreading through his body. It felt hot and cold at the same time, and it left a sweet taste on his tongue. His brain flickered with recognition. After what felt like forever, he forced his lungs to work. “Ma— Matilda…?” “Hush,” came a familiar voice. “Don’t move. Looks like you were stabbed. We just brought you back inside.” Cole opened his eyes, albeit slowly. He found himself staring at a dark ceiling. He was lying on the floor of a cave. Voices bounced anxiously off the walls; it sounded as if dozens of people were there, though he couldn’t see them. Some of the voices sounded familiar… “Cole!” Jay’s face popped into view, wearing a frantic expression. “Speak to me! Say something!” Cole’s mouth felt dry and dusty. Slowly he rasped, “Something.” Jay’s eyes rolled to the back of his head. “This is no time for jokes! Matilda found you half-de—!” “Yes, yes, fine and dandy, give him room to breathe.” Matilda shooed Jay out of the way. She looked even more ragged and exhausted than before, if that were possible. As Jay grumbled, she looked down at Cole with a halting smile. A smile. Not a smirk. “Hey, kiddo. You did good.” He didn’t feel like smiling. His heart was still throbbing painfully, and he tried to remember everything. Tentatively he started to scan his surroundings. “Where…? What happened…?” His friends were crouched around him like a somber choir. Beyond them appeared to be a crowd of peaceful Moon Tribe warriors, but Cole only had eyes for his friends. Nya was covering her mouth with one hand and using the other to squeeze Jay’s hand. Zane’s throat and empty arm socket were leaking with oil and wires, yet he wore that same, sweet smile. Lloyd— Cole gasped, then immediately grimaced—it hurt even to breathe. “Lloyd,” he wheezed. “You’re—” “Alive. Yup.” Lloyd nodded shakily. His gi was shredded at the collar but otherwise he looked hardly the worse for wear. He cast a grateful smile at a familiar werecat girl standing beside him. “Thanks to Dragon Leaf.” Cole didn’t have time to wonder why Lloyd had forgotten Little Leaf’s name. His attention was captured by a figure in a strange tunic and armor crouching at his left. He met that figure’s gaze and could hardly believe his eyes. “Hi, boulder-brain,” Kai said. “Hey, haircut,” Cole responded weakly. “Thought you were on vacation.” With a faint smirk, Kai held up his burned hands. “Hey. Ninja never quit.” Cole laughed—and sobbed. He tried to stop, but once the tears came they wouldn’t stop. Like rainfall they dripped off his face, and his sobs echoed in the cave. He felt his chest heave painfully.
Bowing his head, he tried to hide his burning face from his friends, but everyone swept in on him. Before he knew it, he was buried in an enormous group hug; Zane, Jay, Nya, Kai, Skylor, Lloyd, Dragon Leaf, even Matilda threw themselves around him. As Cole was buried, he realized he was no longer the only one crying. No one cared that all of the Moon Tribe were watching them. Everyone laughed and wept shamelessly. In the middle of it all Cole thought he heard someone murmur, “It’s over. It’s gonna be OK now. It’s all over.”
Dawn came cool and cloudless, exposing a pale blue sky in the early light. By the time everyone was out of the tunnels, birds were chirping and singing, ignorant of the carnage left behind by the night’s battle. More than one person that morning wondered how any creature could sound so happy after all that had happened. Led by Dragon Leaf, the Tribe of the Moon congregated on the hillside. The spirits of their ancestors had vanished without a trace, leaving the tribe in a strange state of combined weariness, trauma, euphoria and acceptance. No one protested when Dragon Leaf and Lloyd stood atop a large boulder together and swore an oath of peace. Sky Pelt—the last sorcerer alive—oversaw and validated the oath. Dragon Leaf looked small and childlike on the rock with Lloyd; she still wore only her ragged skirt and top of animal skins, and her hair—fallen free of its high ponytail—fell in messy tangles around her face. Lloyd too looked very unofficial in his half-shredded gi. Yet no one complained, even with the ceremony being so casual. “The Tribe of the Moon won’t be hurting your people again,” Dragon Leaf finished, smiling broadly. “And we won’t let any more people hunt in these mountains,” Lloyd responded seriously. “I’m sure the mayor will agree when I tell her about your situation. Your land will be off-limits to hunters, and I’m sure we can get you some extra land in the west. We’ll make sure none of you have to starve again.” Dragon Leaf’s eyes glimmered with joy. “Thank you. So much.” “And,” he added with a smile. “If any poachers ignore the new laws and start messing with you, well…” He feigned a careless shrug. “We’ll let you all handle it.” That got some chuckles and purrs of approval from the Moon Tribe. Dragon Leaf giggled and clasped Lloyd’s hands in her own. “Thank you, Lloyd. Thank you so much. This— this is amazing!” “Of course! Anything for a friend,” he said. Dragon Leaf’s eyes flickered. “A— a friend. Yes. Of course.” She drew a breath, as if gathering herself, before meeting his smile again. “Destiny willing, we’ll always be friends.” Sky Pelt was already giving his blessing to the ninja and their allies when Lloyd and Dragon Leaf hopped down from the boulder. Sky Pelt and Matilda were exchanging gentle words; Matilda was thanking him for healing Ronin’s broken leg, and he in turn thanked her for sharing her healing potion with the tribe. Several cats from the crowd bounded over to the humans. Wolf Paw was the first to shift into her human form. With a half-smile, half-smirk she approached Ronin, who was leaning on a rough staff. “Thought Sky Pelt fixed that leg of yours!” she chirped. Ronin cast the teenage girl a half-hearted glare. “Turns out even magic can’t fix broken legs in a jiffy. S’posed to take it easy. Go figure.” “Well,” she purred. “Take care of yourself, pointy-hat man.” “You too, snarky cat-girl,” he drawled.
Earth Flame approached Jay to bid him farewell. “You’re a good warrior, I suppose,” he said formally. “You’re not so bad yourself, fluffy.” Chuckling, Jay took his hand and shook it. The werecat looked perplexed by the gesture but did not protest. “I, uhh… I’m sorry about your friend,” he said. Jay’s eyes darkened. “Yeah… me, too.” He cast a glance behind him; a long shape in a dark shroud hovered in mid-air. Skylor kept it floating with her powers of gravity, and stood by it like a grim protector. Jay looked back at the Moon Tribe. Plenty of cats glowered at the humans, some muttering to one another, or refusing to look at the them at all. It seemed that not everyone was happy about the treaty. “Think this oath of peace stuff will really work?” he muttered. Earth Flame looked surprised that Jay was asking him, but he responded readily. “No way to say for sure. The way most of the tribe sees it, you killed our leader, almost all our sorcerers, and killed and wounded plenty more of our warriors, with only really losing one of your own. Even the old tom—Wu—survived.” He shrugged. “But, plenty of us sided with you in the end, too, so… it’s rather divided. But I suspect for now everyone will be glad for rest and recovery.” Dragon Leaf began moving from person to person, thanking them individually. Wu, though leaning heavily on his staff and favoring a broken arm recently fixed by healing potion, nodded and gave her some vague word of wisdom about leadership that she didn’t understand. Misako wouldn’t leave Wu’s side, but spared a moment to hug Dragon Leaf fondly. When Dragon Leaf fussed over Zane’s torn exterior and dislocated arm, he smiled and assured her they would soon be fixed and he would be all right. Nya approached Dragon Leaf with a teasing smile. She drew close and whispered something that made the other girl blush. She said something else and Dragon Leaf responded, then both giggled quietly. “Boys,” Nya said. “Toms,” Dragon Leaf said, though she cast a lingering look at Lloyd. The group decided that they had outstayed their welcome. Jay took up the lead, heading toward the Destiny’s Bounty, arm-in-arm with Nya. They walked slowly for the sake of Misako and Wu, but the pair seemed to perk up at the notion of leaving. Ronin did not look back, nor did Kai or Skylor, who had the shrouded bundle float slowly after her. Zane walked behind the bundle with a careful eye. With one last grateful smile at his friends and unexpected allies—Dragon Leaf, Sky Pelt, Lightning Streak, Wolf Paw, Earth Flame, Quick Fin, and Birch Tail—Lloyd turned and joined the group.
No one seemed to notice that Cole and Matilda had not yet moved. During the ceremony they’d stood off to the side away from everyone, silent and unresponsive. Now Matilda seemed to be waiting for Cole to make the first move, but he did not appear to see her. His dark gaze was fixed on the highest peak of the mountain, under which the home of the Moon Tribe lay. Cautiously Dragon Leaf approached him. Matilda’s gaze flickered to hers and their eyes met; Dragon Leaf felt startled by how sad and tired the witch looked. She seemed twice as old now than she did a week ago. Tentatively, Dragon Leaf put a hand on the witch’s shoulder—she’d started to take her hands before seeing all the burns. “Thank you for everything, Matilda Ravencroft,” she said solemnly. “We could not have done this without you.” “Couldn’t you? I feel as if I haven’t done much to help at all.” She chuckled wryly, but it sounded forced. “A curse that comes with age in this world, I suppose.” “No!” Dragon Leaf protested, aghast. “You’ve been—!” “I don’t want to hear it.” With a sigh, Matilda’s tone softened. “You’re a brave soul, Leaf. You have my blessing. I wish you will always keep good company, wise counsel, and caring friends.” Leaf’s eyes glimmered with surprise and gratefulness. “Th— thank you.” She glanced at Cole. Matilda moved away, limping as she joined the rest of the group. Cole and Dragon Leaf were left alone, and she struggled to find what to say. “Will you be all right?” she finally ventured. As if a dark spell had been broken, Cole’s fixated gaze on the mountain flickered. She observed how white and weak his face was and the haunted look in his eyes. He did not respond. “It’s— well.” She tried to compose herself, but each word sounded awkward and stupid as soon as she said it. “I want to know because… In a way, you are my— I mean, we’re not actually related, of— of course, but, I just want… umm… I just thought I’d… ask…” Her voice trailed off pitifully. To her surprise, Cole spoke gently. “I’ll be OK. And… I don’t care that we’re not technically related. I am your brother. So… y’know.” He forced a smile. “If you ever need me, I’ve got your back.” She couldn’t speak after that. In silence they embraced one another, and in silence he departed, turning his back on the dark mountain. In silence the Tribe of the Moon watched the Sons and Daughters leave. In silence a strange peace followed.
* * *
It wasn’t until the next day that followed that Matilda announced that she was leaving to return home.
The Destiny’s Bounty sat parked several miles outside of Ninjago City, in the midst of a broad green field. It was dawn when Cole walked Matilda out of the ship. Zane, Nya, Jay, and Lloyd followed. They’d offered to fly her to wherever her home was, but she refused the offer, saying that Traveler’s Tea would better suit her journey. She’d exchanged gentle farewells with Wu and even Misako, who seemed to have forgotten her previous dislike for the witch. Due to the sorry state of her robes, Matilda had been given a kimono of green and blue with floral patterns. She seemed to appreciate the gift and even had her hair brushed and put up it up in a bun, as if wanting to do the gift honor. She carried what was left of her potion bottles and pieces of her wand in a small bag. Her hands had been thoroughly treated with lotions and thickly wrapped with bandages; now they hung listlessly at her sides like the hands of an oily mummy. It was early morning. The sun was just rising beyond the dark skyscrapers of Ninjago City. Dew glittered off the blades of grass. A faint breeze blew, billowing the skirt and sleeves of Matilda’s kimono. She stopped in a seemingly random spot in the middle of the field and began to spread Traveler’s Tea leaves in a careful circle on the ground. “So,” Nya said, breaking the long silence they’d been sharing. “This is it.” “If by ‘it’ you mean where I finally leave to get some rest, yes.” Dropping the last of the leaves, Matilda took out a small bottle from her bag; freshly-prepared tea. She stood over the circle of tea leaves on the ground, but hesitated, looking at the ninja. “Well. Umm… thanks,” Nya said. “Thanks for everything.” “Really,” Lloyd added earnestly. “If there’s ever anything we can do for you, just give us a call.” “As long as it doesn’t involve too much of that mind-bending stuff,” Jay muttered. “We are very grateful for your help and your friendship,” Zane finished. Matilda nodded, giving each of them a special look. “Glad to help out. You kids aren’t so bad… sometimes.” “You’re kinda bearable, too.” Jay flashed a grin at her. “Anyway, where do you live? Maybe we could stop by for a visit!” Mouth quirking, she gave a wry chuckle. “Heh. Where I live’s a bit far.” “Sure, how far?” “Try a different realm far.” A long silence followed her words. The ninja looked stunned. Cole finally seemed to stir from his spell. He turned his glazed eyes to Matilda in slow surprise. “You’re… not from Ninjago?” She looked perplexed by their reactions. “What—you mean you’ve never figured that out? I’m sure I’ve dropped plenty of hints before…!” A funny smile spread across her face. She threw back her head and laughed aloud. “Merlin’s beard! You all thought I was from around here? Hah, I’m flattered!” Jay shared a helpless shrug with Lloyd. “I mean… to be fair, I did think you were a little weird,” he said sheepishly.
That only made her laugh harder. Then she winced and clutched her side, reminding everyone that she’d broken a rib. “One day I’ve got to make a potion that makes broken bones heal faster,” she muttered before smiling again. “Anyway, yes: I’m from a different realm. I do like this one, as it holds many good memories and people for me, but I’ve got some family back home waiting.” “Will you come back?” Cole’s voice sounded small and hoarse, even to himself. Her smile faded. “No. I think not. This was my last adventure in Ninjago. Fact is, no matter how determined you are to save the world over and over again, you still grow old. You’ve got to realize when it’s time to stop. It’ll happen to you lot one day, just wait and see. “Not that I mind too much,” she continued lightly. “I think I deserve some rest and quiet. Though I’ll be sorry to leave the sons of my two best friends.” She nodded to Jay, who looked bemused. Zane and Lloyd looked on somberly while Nya wore a sad smile. Cole didn’t want to accept Matilda’s departure as easily as his friends. He felt himself awake to more grief, and he could suppress it no longer. “Wait— but… you mean… you’re not ever going to come back…?” Wordless, she looked upon him with a heavy expression. With a jolt, he realized that this was hurting her as much as it hurt him. As he stared at her, he felt himself harden with new resolve. There was no need to make this harder for everyone than it already was. He could let another person in his life go. He stepped forward and pulled Matilda into a hug. She was just a few inches shorter than he was and fitted in his embrace awkwardly. Yet he felt her hug him back and murmur something unintelligible. The breeze blew gently against them, warmer now in the morning sun. At last she pulled away, wiping her eyes. “Well then. I don’t regret anything, accept that I might not have helped you all as well as I could have and saved you— saved you from some pain…” He grasped her hand. “You’ve done more than enough.” “Well.” Her voice shook. “Take care, kid.” “You too, old hag.” Chuckling, she broke free of his hand and uncorked the bottle. The tea splashed among the leaves with a faint hissing sound, and a flash of light made everyone jump. A portal opened up in the ground, whirring and glowing brightly. Through it Cole thought he caught a glimpse of green fields and trees, with a small village of wooden houses in the background. Matilda cast one last fond look upon the ninja. Then, picking up the hem of her kimono, clutched her bag and hopped into the portal. It closed up as suddenly as it’d appeared and vanished. All that remained of Matilda Ravencroft were a few scattered tea leaves.
Liana was buried outside of Ninjago City, beneath an old cherry tree sitting on a riverbank. It was a small ceremony. The only member of her family who attended was Rosie, whose face was white and eyes were red the whole time. She would not speak to any of the ninja. Liana was dressed in a kimono of pale violet and gold patterns. Someone had combed her hair to fall in soft waves around her face. Small cherry blossoms appeared in her hair when no one was looking. Some wondered if Skylor had summoned the flowers and placed them there. Before the casket was shut, Cole approached, bearing the necklace she’d always worn—with the moonstone piece still attached. Dragon Leaf had given it to him as they were leaving the Moon Tribe. “Don’t you need it for… y’know. For the big Moonstone?” he’d asked, bewildered and exhausted. Dragon Leaf had looked confident when she replied, “It’s such a small piece, I doubt it will make much of a difference. All seven of them had to be put back in the first place only to reawaken it, I think. The Great Moonstone has been healed.” Gently she’d added, “It belonged to her. Please, take it.” Cole had accepted the necklace, only to place it between Liana’s cold hands in the casket. No one who saw protested. The casket was shut, and he buried it himself, moving the dirt around with hardly any effort. Then he stood over the grave without a word. His friends lingered, but one by one drifted away respectfully. They all walked away until only Cole and his father were left beneath the cherry tree. Birds chirped above their heads and the sky was bright blue—it was much too beautiful a day, but Cole didn’t know if he had enough in him to even resent it. “I know, son,” Lou said in a very small voice. “I know.” Cole kept his gaze fixated on the mound of dirt. It looked ugly beneath the cherry tree. A small marble tombstone stuck up from the grass like a grim flag. The text etched in the surface looked long and elegant, but the words hit him in the gut: Liana Green - honored by the guardians of Ninjago, a brave warrior and a beloved friend. Following were her dates of birth and death. She’d been just a couple years younger than Cole was. When at last he spoke, it hurt his throat and he sounded old. “Which do you think is worse: when you’ve been together for a long time, or when you hardly get any time together at all?” Lou embraced him as he would a young child. “I think it all hurts just the same.”
* * *
Cole drove Rosie home to Stixx on his motorcycle. It sped like lightning across the dry desert with its engine growling like metallic thunder, and yet the journey felt long and silent. They passed few travelers and villages in an otherwise desolate landscape. From a distance they would be seen only as a black speck zipping across the sand like a loud insect.
Rosie did not say anything and he dared not attempt contact. He couldn’t blame her for not wanting to talk to him, of all people. She probably held him responsible for her cousin’s death. The sun was slanting down westward and reddening by the time they reached Stixx. The river looked as dark and murky as ever, as did the jumbled collection of shacks and buildings stacked atop one another haphazardly. Shrieking seagulls soared overhead. Fishermen’s shouts, the ding of bells and splash of oars and boats and commotion could be heard from the thick of the town. Thankfully they did not have to go into that jungle of a place. Stiffly Rosie directed him to a small house sitting at the edge of town, just in sight of the water by a pasture. The motorcycle roared up the dirt road and slowed at the house. If anyone was waiting inside, they did not stir. The place looked dark and shabby, though several flower boxes offered splashes of color against the dingy gray wood. Cole noticed a small stable sitting off to the side, on the house’s left, facing the pasture. Shutting off the engine, he helped Rosie slide off her seat and joined her on the ground. There was a moment in which they looked at each other awkwardly. Then Cole everted his eyes, mumbling, “Think anyone’s home?” “They should be.” She didn’t move. “Uhh…” He scratched his head. “Want me to… come with you…?” “No. That’ll be all, thank you.” She turned and started for the front door. Then she hesitated. He waited for the worst. “It was her decision to stay and fight with y’all. I know that. Doesn’t make it easier, but I know that.” She turned around and met his gaze. She still held herself with stiff formality, but her voice began to quaver. “Y’all were good to her, weren’t you? Better than her own family was?” He could not tell if she was being sarcastic or not. What did she want? An apology? A proclamation of never-dying love for Liana? Confirmation that she’d been happy? What did it all matter now? She was gone. No words of sentiment would change that. Yet still she stared at him expectantly. At last he forced himself to reply, though he barely heard himself. “You’re right. She made her choice. We dragged her into it, but when she had the chance to leave, she chose to stay and fight. She said she was happy. But it’s my fault she’s gone. I’m sorry.” Voice hardening, he crossed his arms over his chest. “And yes, I loved her. Are we done here?” “Yes. Thank you.” Heaving a sigh, Rosie turned her back on him and opened the door. “Goodbye, Cole.” The door closed with an achy squeak. Alone he was left in the dirt driveway. Seagulls continued to laugh overhead and he smelled salt. It was not where he belonged, yet he lingered. Something brought him to the stable. There was a sweet-horsey smell that stirred some old memories. No one came out to yell at him, so he ambled through the half-rotten doors and entered the barn-like building.
Stacks of hay and feed took up a couple corners. Bits, bridles, saddles, and more unfamiliar equipment hung on hooks along one wall. Stalls lined the large room, and he could hear an uneasy snort from the stall to his left. Peering between the bars, he met the glassy eyes of a chestnut-colored horse, short and stocky. Its ears kept flicking back and forth, as if it weren’t sure whether to be curious about the stranger entering its home or to be scared. Something about being around animals soothed Cole, especially horses. Somehow they reminded him of his dragon Rocky. They had the same way of regarding their world with mingled unease and curiosity—always wary but also always wanting a snack. That was something he could relate to. “Hey there, buddy.” Speaking softly, he reached through the bars and let the horse sniff his fist. “What’s up? Yeah, sorry, I don’t have any treats for you.” Insulted, the chestnut huffed and swiveled its rump toward Cole. He drew away, chuckling lightly. A soft whinny from a different stall caught his attention. It came from his right. Approaching, he recognized the black and white-patched hide of a horse he’d once known. “Aquila.” Feeling shaky now, he approached and grabbed the bars of the stall. “Hey. Remember me?” The stocky mare looked at him cautiously, blinking slowly. Then she turned and faced a small window that looked out onto the plain outside the town. From here the curling dirt road could be seen fading in the distance, trailing off at the faint shadows of the western hills. “What? First time you’ve seen me in years and you’re not even gonna give a ‘hello’?” Somehow forcing lame jokes helped. He chuckled weakly, but Aquila paid him no attention. Her gaze was fixated out the window. “What’re you looking at?” He peered around the bars to see the window, but nothing stirred outside. “What, you waiting for something? What’re you waiting for—?” His voice trailed off. “Oh. Oh. You’re waiting for your owner.” His hands started shaking. He leaned against the stall. “You’re waiting for Liana.” Aquila’s ears pricked forward at the sound of her owner’s name. She turned her head around to stare at him. He could have sworn the animal was looking at him pleadingly. “You can stop waiting around,” he murmured. “She’s not coming back.” Aquila did not move. Groaning, he shoved himself away and glared at her. “Dumb animal. Stupid, stupid animal. Didn’t you hear me?” The words came out fast and heavy, like they were slipping out of his hands and he could hardly stop them. “She’s not coming back. She’s never coming back!” He kicked a bucket, and it flew through the air and crashed into the wall. Both horses jumped and snorted anxiously. Aquila’s ears turned and flattened back as Cole’s voice rose angrily.
“Don’t you understand?! She’s dead! Liana is dead and she’s not coming back! None of them are!” He kicked a stool out of the way and it clattered against the chestnut’s stall. “I thought that they would stay, but they’re gone! They’re gone— she’s gone… she left.” He spun around and glared at Aquila. Her nostrils were flared, eyes wide. She looked scared. Scared of him. “She’s gone. She’s all gone. So stop waiting for her.” His voice broke. “She’s not coming back.” Aquila stared at him for a while longer, stiff and alert. Then her ears swiveled back around, and she turned her head to stare out the window again. Suddenly it felt hard to breathe. Heaving, Cole staggered out of the stable. He clambered onto the motorcycle and revved up the engine. Before he knew it he was flying away from Stixx, dark sand flashing by his vision. He cast one last look at the Green household, and he could just barely see the white face of Aquila from her window, forever waiting for the owner who would never return.
Everyone was surprised when, upon their return to the teashop, the building was already in process of being rebuilt. Apparently some kindly neighbors had taken it upon themselves to clear away the rubble and bring in new timber, equipment, and even some furniture from charity. By the time the ninja returned from their harrowing mission, no one could have guessed a fire had threatened to eat up the place weeks before. Construction was nearly finished by the time they arrived. Wu thanked the neighbors gratefully and offered to pay them for their trouble, but they all refused cheerfully, claiming that it was the least they could do for the saviors of Ninjago. Cole didn’t feel like a savior. Wounds magically healed, the ninja moved back into the teashop. As they shuffled in Jay could be heard saying, “I still miss the monastery, but it’s great having my own space again.” “Don’t get too comfortable, ninja,” Wu called sharply. “I promised Dr. Saunders you would all stop by the museum to clean up next week. There is still leftover damage from the Day of the Departed debacle, and they plan to reopen the museum soon.” A chorus of groans were the response, followed by Jay snorting, “‘Day of the Departed debacle’. Try saying that three times fast.” He elbowed Cole. “DayoftheDeparteddebacleDayoftheDeparteddebacle—” Cole jostled Jay aside and left his friends staring anxiously after him. Kai looked bemused. “What’s his problem?”
* * *
That evening Zane found Cole sitting at the riverbank that wound behind the teashop. He’d cast aside his half-shredded uniform for sweat pants and a dark hoodie. His bare feet dangled in the water. It must have been cold, but he hardly seemed to notice. Moving quietly, Zane seated himself beside Cole and pulled off his boots neatly. His titanium feet glimmered in the evening light. “This is a good place for meditation. I sense Master Wu will soon be ordering all of us to meditate twice as much as previously. Wounds of the heart and mind are much harder to heal than wounds of flesh.” Cole grunted. “You’d know a lot about flesh, huh?” Undeterred, Zane wore a slight smile as he dipped his toes on the surface of the stream. Water froze where his toes dipped, creating tiny frozen discs. They floated off and soon melted away. “Care to talk about it?” he asked. “Talk about what? There’s nothing to talk about.” “It could not hurt to try.” “Talking doesn’t bring dead people back to life, Zane.” “But—” Cole kicked the water, splashing himself and his friend. “It doesn’t matter! I don’t care! I don’t care.” Inhaling slowly, he muttered, “I— I’m sorry. I just…” He stared at the water. Sunlight reflected off its surface in blinding glitters. Autumn leaves sailed by, at the mercy of the slow-moving tide. He felt as if he were one of those leaves: half-sinking, half-floating, just barely keeping his head above water. It was a depressing sensation.
