Her smirk faded as she chewed her lip thoughtfully. After several seconds of thinking, she looked at him and said. "OK. Here's some "wise-woman" advice for ya, kid."
She raised a finger at each sentence. "Number One: Look both ways before crossing the street. Number Two: Never forget to bring clean underwear."
Cole forced himself not to smile.
"Number Three: Don't play with matches. Number Four: Don't let a girl come between you and your friend. Number Five: Never underestimate what a child is capable of. And Number Six..." She raised her eyebrows at this part. "...Beware wild hamsters."
Cole couldn't stifle a grin. "Wild hamsters?" He repeated incredulously.
Her mouth quirked mysteriously. "Ferocious things, wild hamsters."
They fell both silent, smiles fading. This was probably the last time he would ever see Matilda. It hurt enough having to run away from his dad and leaving Philip and Liana, and now he had to face that hurt once more. Cole scowled at the forest floor, feeling a sad, cold ache in his heart. Oh, why did caring for someone hurt so much?!
Just as he was about to step away, Matilda suddenly said. "Bah, come here, you!" Then she did the last thing he expected the witch to do...She stepped forward and wrapped him in an affectionate hug. Completely taken by surprise, he stiffened, then surprised himself even more...
....He hugged back.
Cole buried his head under Matilda's chin, for once letting himself go and letting her arms wrap around his back, one hand on his head protectively. He felt his breath on his hair, her warm, soothing presence underneath the robes, and shut his eyes. Was this what it was like to be in a mother's arms? Did his mother ever hold him like this? Did Matilda ever hold Steve and Alex like this? Did she have any kids?
For once, he wanted to stay in that position, being held like a child by a tender mother. His dad never held him like this...At least, not for a long time. He wanted this to last forever...
...Then he realized that an entire group of adolescent guys were behind him and they could be watching, so Cole let go and stepped away, suddenly feeling uncomfortable. Amusement glimmering in her eyes, Matilda said. "Too late, you already expressed love into that hug."
He looked back, but to his relief nobody was watching. He turned when Matilda put her hands on his shoulders and gazed into his eyes. "You're a good kid, Cole. Take care of yourself." With that, she turned and began walking away.
Cole almost called her back. He wanted to know so much; about his mother, about magic, about Steve and Alex, about the prophecies, about yokai...But she was leaving. The ends of her navy blue robes were sweeping over leaves and weeds, and her ratty pointed hat bobbed in the air as she walked. He forced himself to look away, and glanced down at the red and gold lion image pinned to his black shirt.
"You coming?" Ben called. Cole looked up to see that the group had finally sorted themselves out, and were now waiting for him, their smiles as friendly as ever. He smiled back. The past is in the past, but there is always the future.
"Yeah." He walked over to them, forcing away the ache inside. "I'll come, if you'll have me."
"All right, man!" One of the guys slapped him on the back. "This will be a blast, just you wait!" They started walking uphill, and the boys, as Matilda would say, chattered loudly like starlings on a spring morning. Just as they were leaving the clearing, Cole looked back one last time. Matilda was watching him, still and silent, her hat sitting atop her long brown hair. He paused and met her gaze, giving a smile.
She smiled softly and said. "May the stars watch over you, Son of Earth."
And she disappeared among the trees.
Cole turned away and hiked uphill with group.
Maybe one day he would see the witch again. Maybe one day he would meet Philip and Liana again. And just maybe, maybe...One day, he would make peace with his father.
"Everybody's got a baby kangaroo, yours is pink, but mine is blue! Oh, hers is small--"
"Jason, for the love of Ninjago and the ancestors above, ZIP IT!!"
Cole grinned to himself as he scaled the rocky cliffside, listening to Jason and his buddy Tyler argue. Unlike the other guys, Cole didn't use ropes to climb the steep boulders. He felt confidant enough to rely on his own brute strength, even though Ben had advised otherwise. Like a lithe mountain goat, the well-built teen scaled the cliff smoothly, and to his surprise found that he was ahead of his group.
Sweat trickled down his face, his back, his arms, and his abs. He had stripped himself of the shirt, leaving his bare torso vulnerable to the the sun's heat and the rough edges of the boulders. Body aching and sweating buckets, he grunted as he pulled himself up the mountainside, feeling a great sense of happy satisfaction. This was good. He was following his path. He was testing his limits.
The crag above him slowly drew nearer as he climbed. he planned to hop atop the rock and catch his breath for a minute...Then he'd continue the climb. The glare of the sun beat down on his back, the rough stone scraped at his already tender fingers. He hurt all over, but it was a good hurt.
With a low grunt, he grabbed onto the ledge above him, and swiftly pulled himself up, hopping to his bare feet at the top. He nearly fell off when he saw what was sitting on the crag.
In front of Cole sat an old, white-haired man adorned completely in white, save for his straw-colored rice farmer hat. His skin was as aged as wrinkly as an old raisin, yet he seemed to hold a powerful strength. Sitting at his crossed legs was a little robin's egg blue teapot, and the elder held a small, steaming cup in one thin hand. Eyes glittering with deep wisdom, his gaze met Cole's.
"Hello, Cole Brookstone." His voice was light and raspy, yet strong and carried authority. "I am Sensei Wu...a Master of Spinjitsu."
Chapter 16: Two Pilots, Six Seasons, and One Halloween Special Later
"....One must fall while the other flies
A second chance at Life shall be their prize
So beware the green moon, for though it shines,
Beneath the surface darkness truly lies."
Liana's voice chanted the eerie song in Cole's head that night as he gazed up at the cold shining moon gazing down the earth. Tonight, the moon was a sickly green...A sign of Dark Magic. Tonight was the night when the darker forces of the realm had the upper hand.
Yet, Cole did not feel wary, anxious, or even depressed. Tonight, he had won something...Something that was taken away from him sometime ago, a precious gift he owned since the day he was born, something people seem to take for granted.
He was alive.
In a swift, heart-stopping turn of events, he had fought Master Yang, the one who had cursed him, made peace with him, and had flown into the Rift of Return, where his soul had returned to his earthly body once and for all. He could not use words to express the surge of joy running down his veins, a sense of a huge accomplishment and happy peace. It had never felt so good to have his body back, even better than the time he drank that Polyjuice Potion. He was a solid being on the earth, a healthy creature with a purpose in his life, with strength and an ancient power flowing inside...And a family who cared for him.
He silently gazed at the faces reflected by the crackling fire they sat around, smiling, chattering, and sharing jokes all in a circle. Yes, a family, for that was what these people were to him, and what he was to them. They had shared so much, too much, it was difficult to think of a better to think of a better word to describe the group sitting around the campfire in front of the temple of Airjitzu.
He hadn't thought of Philip, Liana, nor Matilda for a long, long time...After all, what was the point?
He had pushed the memories of his old friends out of his mind for years, but now....For some reason, Cole's triumph of the night made him think of Matilda. Maybe it was because she knew something like this was going to happen long before it actually happened. Maybe it was because he wished she could have been there to see it. Or maybe it was because he could easily imagine her snorting in disgust and muttering crossly. "Kid, what part of "do not resort to the Dark Arts" do you not understand?!"
Whatever the reason, Cole was thinking of the night Matilda had shown him the dragon knucklebones, and he realized that everything the witch had said came true. It was crazy, but everything she foretold has happened. (Unless you count the "long life" bit, but that has yet to be proven.)
A Master of Spinjitzu will show you your path. He gazed over the flickering flames of the fire over at Sensei Wu, who sat beside Misako talking to Lloyd. The brim of his straw hat cast a shadow across his aged, wrinkled face, but it was clear that though years had passed since the day he had found Cole and told him that it was his destiny to become the Ninja of Earth, Wu had hardly changed a bit. His beard was still long and white, his eyes still glimmered with a deep wisdom, and he still cared for his pupils like sons. Sensei Wu was the Master of Spinjitzu who had shown Cole the path to his destiny...To become a ninja alongside the Masters of Fire, Ice, Lightning, Water, and the one and only Green Ninja.
A warrior of green and gold will change your life forever. Fate will be decided, and nothing will be as it was once before. Lloyd sat casually on a log on his uncle's left, turning from him to share a joke with Kai, making the both of them laugh. His golden-blond hair fell across his face, a face that looked too young and too old at the same time, emerald-green eyes reflecting the crackling flames. Once an annoying brat, Lloyd had grown up all too quickly, so fast that...it was cruel.
Given all that had occurred in his life, Lloyd carried his burden well...Either that, or he hid his emotions from the world...Just as Cole did for years. The young teen was not only the Green Ninja, but the Golden one as well, and his battle against Lord Garmadon, and to a further extent, the Overlord, had changed Ninjago forever in more ways than one could see at first. Matilda spoke true...Ever since then, fate was decided, and nothing was as it once was before.
You will meet three strangers, and they will become closer than brothers. They sat around the campfire, the Master of Fire and the Master of Ice on Cole's right while the ninja of Lightning and Water sat on his left, all enjoying a light-hearted conversation. Kai, Zane, and Jay had proved to be these strangers, all sharing something in common with Cole; their elemental powers. Throughout the years of protecting their world, fighting countless villains together and working as a team in one their powers and who they were, they had indeed become closer than brothers, and Cole wouldn't have it any other way.
You have an epic romance ahead of you...Whether it ends in happiness or tragedy, I cannot say. Cole glanced at the pretty blue-eyed girl sitting by Jay's side, her short ink-black hair framing her smiling face. She was laughing at something Kai had said, and leaned into the side of the grinning ginger-haired guy sitting beside her. Cole didn't know if the embarrassing love-triangle between Nya, Jay, and himself was what the witch had been referencing, but for what it was worth, his present relationship with the Water Ninja was anything but romantic, whatever any match-making machine might say. Their relationship was that of a special friendship, and a friendship alone. Still, Cole couldn't help but wonder once in a while, if his romantic life was over. If it was, that was great...Romance is such a messy business, and Cole would rather not get involved in such awkward endeavors.
You will find a kindred spirit in lightning. The Master of Lighting, running a hand through his scruffy ginger hair, looked at ease and happy where he sat with Nya. Jay had proved himself to be the best friend Cole could ask for. While each member of the team was as precious as the other, Jay and Cole shared a special bond throughout the years. They had their ups and their downs, but despite what had happened in the past, their friendship was as strong as ever.
You will leave your mortal body...By means of the Dark Arts. This too had happened, though not in the way Matilda had made it sound. Yes, Dark Magic was involved, but it was no doing of Cole's; it was the mad spirit of Sensei Yang who cursed Cole and sentenced him to his soul and body splitting apart. Despite his curse, though, he, with the encouragement of his friends, battled through his condition, and eventually emerged as the victor.
All that had happened was now the past...And the future lay ahead.
Day of the Departed lanterns flickered in the sky, rising up to the heavens and disappearing into the thin clouds adorning the night. Stars twinkled down coldly on Ninjago, tiny diamonds shining along with the sickly green moon. In the courtyard of the temple of Airjitzu, all was happy and peaceful around the campfire. Everyone was chatting cheerfully, exchanging tales of what had happened that night. Cole wasn't listening, he was lost in thought.
The campfire suddenly felt too hot, the seats too crowded, his friends too loud. He wanted a moment of silence, just a moment...The forest surrounding them looked dark and still, serene. He wanted to leave, to have a minute to himself. He stood up, brushed bits of bark off his coal-black pants, and stepped over the log behind, heading into the dark forest.
"Where are you going, Cole?" He glanced back to see Nya leaning backwards, watching him with sparkling blue eyes. Jay looked at him as well, an easy smile still on his face...A lot like Philip's.
He shrugged casually. "Nowhere...Just taking a walk."
"Do you want some company?" She asked. Jay raised his eyebrows in the same question, one of them scarred on the middle.
"Nah, that's OK...I'll be fine."
"OK, if you're sure." Jay smirked. "Personally I'd be the last guy to walk alone into the dark, spooky forest right after fighting an army of crazed spirits wanting to come back to life right next to the creepy temple where all this dark voo-doo stuff's been going on."
Cole rolled his eyes. "I'll be fine, the excitement's over, anyway." With that, he left the little fire and his friends, and ventured into the woods, midnight shadows swallowing him.
As he flitted about the dark, still trees, the sounds of the chattering group faded away into the distance. Now it was only the whispers of the leaves of the trees and the hush of night he heard. When sounds were serene, he stopped and leaned against a smooth beech tree and breathed the moist night air. The world seemed so quiet, so peaceful in the night, all the life in the forest was fast asleep. The cool air was fresh, filling his lungs with the night.
Moonlight filtered down from the leaves swaying ever so softly above him. For once feeling a sense of pure peace, Cole reached out a hand and let the light envelop his fingers. He felt as if he could touch the light of the moon if he wanted to. A small puff of wind stirred the beech leaves above him. Feeling the breeze brush past his cheeks, he recalled a song like that of the one that was stuck in his head the night he ran away.
I hear the wind call my name
The sound that leads me home again,
It sparks up the fire--A flame that still burns
To you I will always return.
I know the road is long, but where you are is home
Wherever you stay--I'll find the way
I'll run like the river, I'll follow the sun
I'll fly like an eagle to where I belong.
It was so long ago since the day he ran away...So much has happened to Cole since then.
He wondered what would have happened if he had never run away...Had never met Matilda...Had never experienced that journey that lead to the greatest adventures of his life. Perhaps he would have continued life miserably, still wanting a purpose to call home, or perhaps Sensei Wu would have found him all the same. Whatever may have happened otherwise, what did happen lead to this--And he wouldn't have it any other way.
I can't stand the distance -- I can't dream alone,
I can't wait to see you -- Yes, I'm on my way home
Now I know it's true
My every road leads to you
And in the hour of darkness
Your light gets me through
His green scar around his eye reflected the green in his eyes. He gazed lazily at the undergrowth of the forest, then stiffened. A chill ran down his spine.
A pair of shining eyes were gazing eerily at him, unblinking in the shadows beneath a thick bush. Their gazes met. Cole clenched and unclenched his fists, prepared to defend himself if whatever it was attacked him. Both beings were still and silent, each waiting for the other one to move. Cole's heart pounded.
"Mrow."
He blinked in surprise, then his mouth fell open when a thin tabby cat stepped out of the shadows and into the moonlight. It was the same cat that had kept appearing to him when he had first run away. They both still held each other's stares. For some reason, though the faint light made it's eyes glow like amber, the cat's almond-brown eyes reminded him of--
Then it hit him. It all made sense--At least, that part of the story did. He finally realized who that cat was.
He smiled and said. "Hello, Matilda."
Twitching her whiskers, the cat flicked her tail and winked at him.
He wondered what would have happened if he had never run away...Had never met Matilda...Had never experienced that journey that lead to the greatest adventures of his life. Perhaps he would have continued life miserably, still wanting a purpose to call home, or perhaps Sensei Wu would have found him all the same. Whatever may have happened otherwise, what did happen lead to this--And he wouldn't have it any other way.
I can't stand the distance -- I can't dream alone,
I can't wait to see you -- Yes, I'm on my way home
Now I know it's true
My every road leads to you
And in the hour of darkness
Your light gets me through
His green scar around his eye reflected the green in his eyes. He gazed lazily at the undergrowth of the forest, then stiffened. A chill ran down his spine.
A pair of shining eyes were gazing eerily at him, unblinking in the shadows beneath a thick bush. Their gazes met. Cole clenched and unclenched his fists, prepared to defend himself if whatever it was attacked him. Both beings were still and silent, each waiting for the other one to move. Cole's heart pounded.
"Mrow."
He blinked in surprise, then his mouth fell open when a thin tabby cat stepped out of the shadows and into the moonlight. It was the same cat that had kept appearing to him when he had first run away. They both still held each other's stares. For some reason, though the faint light made it's eyes glow like amber, the cat's almond-brown eyes reminded him of--
Then it hit him. It all made sense--At least, that part of the story did. He finally realized who that cat was.
He smiled and said. "Hello, Matilda."
Twitching her whiskers, the cat flicked her tail and winked at him.
He wondered what would have happened if he had never run away...Had never met Matilda...Had never experienced that journey that lead to the greatest adventures of his life. Perhaps he would have continued life miserably, still wanting a purpose to call home, or perhaps Sensei Wu would have found him all the same. Whatever may have happened otherwise, what did happen lead to this--And he wouldn't have it any other way.
I can't stand the distance -- I can't dream alone,
I can't wait to see you -- Yes, I'm on my way home
Now I know it's true
My every road leads to you
And in the hour of darkness
Your light gets me through
His green scar around his eye reflected the green in his eyes. He gazed lazily at the undergrowth of the forest, then stiffened. A chill ran down his spine.
A pair of shining eyes were gazing eerily at him, unblinking in the shadows beneath a thick bush. Their gazes met. Cole clenched and unclenched his fists, prepared to defend himself if whatever it was attacked him. Both beings were still and silent, each waiting for the other one to move. Cole's heart pounded.
"Mrow."
He blinked in surprise, then his mouth fell open when a thin tabby cat stepped out of the shadows and into the moonlight. It was the same cat that had kept appearing to him when he had first run away. They both still held each other's stares. For some reason, though the faint light made it's eyes glow like amber, the cat's almond-brown eyes reminded him of--
Then it hit him. It all made sense--At least, that part of the story did. He finally realized who that cat was.
He smiled and said. "Hello, Matilda."
Twitching her whiskers, the cat flicked her tail and winked at him.
You run like the river -- You shine like the sun
You fly like an eagle
You are the one
I've seen every sunset
And with all that I've learned
Oh, it's to you I will always, always...
...Return.
The end...
Or beginning. However you like to look at it.
Wow, that's it. It was fun reading this again!
I'm glad! I had this saved along with a bunch of our old posts we made when I was first writing it, and I had a bit of a nostalgia run whenever I posted a part here. :3
I'm glad! I had this saved along with a bunch of our old posts we made when I was first writing it, and I had a bit of a nostalgia run whenever I posted a part here. :3
![[derp]](http://storage.proboards.com/6672327/images/YqNTPqyQUocVMYXZgUAI.png)
It was fun reading this again! 
It was fun reading this again! 
![[y]](http://storage.proboards.com/6672327/images/WYWPH2VRo26pOFDid7QZ.png)