Lou parked his car in the parking lot of a local music store. Cole was in the passenger seat, looking at his phone casually.

"I shouldn't be long. All I need is a part for my piano," Lou said then continued hesitantly. "You can stay here if you want, as long as you don't mind the heat."

Cole looked up from his phone and looked at the store's sign.

Clarice's Musical Supply Store

He'd seen the sign a million times and he'd known the lady that owned the place for as long as he could remember. Cole could remember the hours he and his family spent in there. When he and his brother used to just have fun and mess around with the instruments, much to their parent's alarm and mild embarrassment. The owner never seemed to mind the messing around, though, and said it was harmless.

The memories stung Cole's heart a little, but he swallowed and smiled while unlocking his car door and jumping out carefully. "No, I'll come in."

Lou's eyebrows rose but he nodded a little and got out himself. They both walked up to the door, which Lou opened, and they both walked inside.

Ring-a-ring rang the bell above the door.

Cole took a deep breath and let himself soak in what was around him. All the smells of the wood, the polishing solutions and wax, the distant and pleasant smell of flowers from perfume. It was all a comforting mix of old and modern that Cole found so happy from his distant memories.

The front desk was empty so Lou approached it and hit the small bell gently to try and get the owner's attention.

"Clarice?" Lou called out.

A happy and cheerful voice replied from the backroom "Just a minute!"

The voice was so familiar to Cole although he hadn't heard it in a few years. Clarice was a very humble and nice person, always ready to give visitors some tea free of charge and ready to sing and dance at any moment's notice to cheer someone up. She was a close family friend and was also a fantastic babysitter the few times that Cole's parents were out of town, she made the best cookies and some of the best tea. Second to their mom's lemon honey tea, but that was a very high standard.

Cole walked over to the front desk himself and looked at the small TV showing the local news. The screen was fuzzy and full of static as old TVs usually are. The reporters were talking about some sort of lizard rescue near a river.

In other words, a slow news day. Which Cole was thankful for, all he needed was some sort of crisis in Ninjago that he'd have to abandon his visit for. The Overlord was gone, what could happen?

Finally, Clarice emerged from the backroom, readjusted her glasses and looked at Lou with a smile. "You're here for that part you ordered, right?"

She suddenly noticed Cole and her eyes widened with a small gasp, rushing over to hug him. "Cole? Is that you? You're here! I haven't seen you in ages! How are you?"

Cole resigned to his fate with a smile and let himself be hugged tightly. "Hi, Mrs. Oliver. I'm good. Ah- um, hey could you hug me a little less tight, please?"

Clarice let go of him. "Oh of course. I'm sorry. But it's so good to see you! Your father's has told me what good you've done for Ninjago. Would you like some tea?"

"That's nice of you, but I can't just-" Cole tried to refuse politely.

"-No, no, I insist. You can take it to go with you. Besides, I could use your help getting the part from the backroom, anyway," Clarice said, putting some tea together to steep. She looked over at Lou. "Would that be alright?"

"Oh? Fine, fine," Lou said, looking at sheet music.

"Come," Clarice said and walked into the backroom.

Cole followed her. Clarice moved a few things on the floor aside, then she gestured to big box near the back door.

"The part is a bit heavier than I thought," she said then looked at him. "You seem like you could lift it."

Cole nodded and went over to the box and picked it up.

"Thank you," Clarice said then raised a eyebrow. "...You know how fragile glass can be? Same goes for crystals, sometimes. Some are strong. Some are weak."

"...Uhh. Yeah, I guess so," Cole said with a confused expression but smiled. "You're welcome."

They walked out of the backroom and Cole went out to put the part in the trunk of his father's car. By the time Cole came back inside, both Lou and Clarice were in front of TV, staring at it.

"What is it?" Cole asked.

They didn't have to answer because once Cole saw the TV he understood.

"-Ninjago City crystallized! Buildings covered in crystal! Everywhere!" The reporter was saying off-screen as the TV showed clips of Ninjago City. "No one has been hurt. But we do not know who is doing this- Wait, zoom in there, Robert."

The TV camera suddenly zoomed in on a roof of a building where a silver-clothed ninja was laughing while crystallizing a roof. The ninja seemed to notice the camera and faced it.

"What the.. Robert! Are you seeing this! He looks like he's made otta' glass! Or somethin'!" The reported continued.

Cole's eyes widened as he realized the reporter was right. Who was this ninja anyway?

"Wait. What's that? Over there!" The reporter asked.

The camera panned a little to show another ninja jump onto the roof, this time a teal-blue colored one. Clarice handed some tea to Cole.

"Here," she said.

As Cole directed his attention to the tea, Lou suddenly seemed to tense. But when Cole looked over, there was nothing to be seen as the two ninja left the view.

"Time solider," Lou stated angrily then looked at Cole and tried to look normal.

"A what?" Cole asked.

Lou didn't reply and looked back to the TV.

"So far, we have seen their appearances, but know nothing else. We have no idea of their motives-" The reporter continued, talking about possible reasons why these people could be doing this.

But it wasn't for the reporter to speculate. Cole sighed a little.

So much for a vacation, he thought to himself.

"I gotta get over there," Cole said, sipping a big gulp of tea before placing the cup down on the counter. "Thank you, Mrs. Oliver, but they need me."

"Oh, of course," Clarice said. "Come back anytime."

Cole started to head back out the door. A distressed looking Lou followed him, waving farewell to Clarice as he left.

Lou and Cole sat down into their seats in the car. While Cole got out his phone to call his friends about the problem, his father huffed a breath sadly.

"I suppose the work of a ninja is never done," he said.

Cole lowered his phone and looked at Lou with a frown. "...I'm really sorry I couldn't stay longer, dad. I promise I'll come back soon, okay?"

Lou looked distant. "No, I understand. You have a job now. You have responsibility. ...There's not much time anymore to spend with your old man. You've got more important things to take care of."

"No, dad, you're just as important. I just-"

Cole's phone rang in his hand. He saw the caller ID and picked it up.

"Hello?"

"Cole! Whew. Thank goodness you answered. Did you hear what's happening in Ninjago City?" Jay's voice said, sounding urgent.

"Yeah, they were talking about it on the news. I'm coming back to help you guys right away."

"Oh! Okay, good! But, wait, what about your vacation?"

"...I'll just have to continue it another time. I'll there as soon as I can," Cole said and ended the call.

He turned to Lou, awkwardly. "Um. Dad, don't suppose I could borrow your car? I need to get there as fast as possible."

His father looked at him. "Why don't you take yours?"

Cole blinked. "Mine?"

"You know, the car I gave you when you were learning how to drive."

"...Oh.. That car," Cole said with a grimace. "...Um. I mean it's a nice car..."

"Of course! Only the best for my son," Lou said with his chin held high as he started the car to leave the parking lot.

"Yep... It's the best," Cole said with a forced grin then turned to look out the window.

But not for long... he thought in alarm.