Chapter Text
The sounds of the cars passing by and people walking down the street had filled the whole city of Ninjago. With the holidays coming closer and closer, people have been rushing to buy the presents for their loved ones, as soon as they possibly could, not caring that the temperature has been dropping more and more with every week.
The weather has been quite nice, despite the feeling you'll freeze to death if you don't put on at least 3 layers of clothing and a skiing jacket on. That didn't stop some people from dressing in t-shirts or skirts, though. Meh, people are strange.
Of course, with the possibly-hypothermia-bringing temperatures came the snow. It had been falling for almost two weeks now and it had already covered all the rooftops and the streets, forcing the Ninjago City Local Government to bring out the snow plows and throw salt at the roads and sidewalks, so people have easier access to getting around town. Although the town didn't appreciate the cold and beautiful snowflakes that would fall from the sky like the leaves of trees in the fall, there were a few people that did not take that for granted.
Parents would bring their children out to the park to build snowmans, have a snowball fight, and ride a sled through the frozen piles of ice that had formed. Others would enjoy the cold atmosphere by going skiing or to the ice ring that opened for the winter holidays every year around.
Looking around the boxes that were in the back of a rather new music shop, Cole Brookstone, also more known as the Master of Earth, was looking for a bass drum cowbell that one of his customers had come looking for. As his hands were scavenging through the Styrofoam filled cardboard, he felt his fingers brush over the little box at the bottom. Grabbing it and taking it out, he looked at the sticker on the side of the container that held the repair part, placing it down again as a sigh left his lungs.
" Hey, Dad? Do we have any drum cowbells?" He raised his voice for his father to hear him from his office, which was right next to the storage area.
"I don't think so! Didn't we gave the last one to your friend last week?" His father's voice could be faintly heard, making Cole rub his eyes in frustration. He totally forgot he gave the part to Kai.
His friend, the Master of Fire, had bought a set of drums a few months back, determined to become the best drummer ever since he found out that girls, and guys, were falling hard to people who played any sort of instrument. But, with his energy levels, he had broken his bass and came in looking for a new one, basically begging Cole to give it to him and that he'd repay him later or give him a tattoo for free if he ever wanted one.
As Cole was brought back from his memories, recalling the conversation with his old teammates and best friend, he walked back to the front desk, with an apologetic smile plastered on his lips.
"Sorry man, we're out of cowbells. We would have a new shipment next weekend, if you'd have enough time to come back then" The words left the black haired boy's mouth, as he leaned on the counter, resting his elbows on the glass countertop, that showed guitar strings and feathers, along with a few guitar capos.
The man on the other side, a man in his early 20s, maybe, just smiled warmly, making the wrinkles around his eyes more visible. He looked like a librarian or a history teacher. small glasses with thick frames being placed on the bridge of his nose, his dark brown hair slicked back. The cuffs of his jacked shifted as he lifted his hand up to his chest, a low chuckle leaving his lips.
"Oh, it's no problem, I should've come in sooner anyway. I'll be back Saturday if I don't find another way to find it quicker. Kid's gonna be a bit sad to get his Christmas present late." The man rubbed the back of his neck in a nervous matter, the smile never leaving his lips as he explained.
"Sorry, man. I can try and get it here faster, but with traffic and the holidays coming up, there's nothing I can do."
"No,no, it's okay. Thanks for the help. Happy holidays!"
As the man left the store, Cole just waved at him, returning the greeting. He sighed, lifting his frame up, straightening his spine as he walked around to the guitar section to fix some of the price tags and clean some of the pictures that were up on the walls. Business is slow right now, not a lot of people are looking for music instruments to give to their relatives. Plus, the fact that the shop was new and was a bit hard to find squished in between the tight streets of the downtown side of the city.
Cole and his father, Lou Brookstone, one of the famous singers and dancers back in their hometown and winner of countless trophies, had decided to try and start a business together. With Cole's love for music and his father's wish for him to have another opportunity for a future, they started a music shop. The start was a bit rough, with Cole's dad moving to Ninjago City, with hopes for better sales. Although in the end, the little shop was coming along beautifully.
You may be wondering, 'But- what happened with the Ninjas? Did they fall out?'. The answer is, well, both yes and no.
After the many adventures the group had together, defeating some of the biggest threats Ninjago had seen, the crimes had slowed down so much until they came to a stop almost a year ago. It was a pretty pleasant surprise at the start, with the team being able to catch their breath and relax for a few weeks, until it became so boring that the ninja didn't even have what to talk about anymore. That was, until one day, Jay, of all people, had the amazing idea for them to find new hobbies, to make some new careers, to try and achieve dreams, long forgotten with the duty of becoming saviors and protectors of their country.
And so that's what they did.
They still kept in touch, although they didn't see each other very often. With Kai becoming a tattoo artist and a literal freak of nature, partying and going to clubs every chance he got; Jay becoming a mechanic and spending most of his time with Nya and his parents, finally having the chance of building a better relationship with them. Cole and his father opened their business and organized some concerts here and there. After some talking with his father, their issues about Cole becoming a dancer had faded and been forgotten, Lou happy that his son at least had the shop to run after his eventual retirement from being a ninja, even though it already felt like they had put that behind themselves.
And Zane-
..
Actually, no one has heard from Zane ever since they fell out. He didn't contact anyone, and if someone tried, Pixel would answer instead, saying he was working or was charging and couldn't answer. At first, it didn’t really bother anyone, but as time flew by, Cole was becoming more and more worried. It even went as far as asking Jay if he could eventually work something out and locate their nindroid friend. It didn't really work. Looks like the tin can has turned off his location. But what was the reason for it?
Cole didn't realize he had stopped fixing the strings on one of the electric guitars, just playing around with one of the turning keys, until he felt a firm grip on his shoulder, jerking him back to reality. Dark brown, almost black eyes darted up to find chocolate ones.
" You okay, Cole? You've been playing with the strings for a while." His father's voice had a tint of concern, as he scanned his son's face, as if looking for clues as to what could be bothering him.
"Yeah, im- Im, fine, just.." his voice quiet, he looked back at the space in front of him, before letting out a sigh, placing the guitar down back in its case before continuing.
"Thinking about Zane. Jay hasn't located him yet, and he didn't even tell us where he was going. His location is off as well. What if something happened to him?" concern and worry in his voice as his hands ran through the uncut locks of his dark hair, his eyes facing the flood, fingers intertwined at the back of his scalp.
"It's like he just.. vanished"
Silence filled the lobby, Lou's hand never leaving the broad shoulder of the young man.
"You're worried about him.. But maybe he just needs space. "
"Yeah, but why? He used to tell us everything, he used to tell me everything! If something was bothering him, he wouldn't just pack his things and leave." Cole argued, the worry slowly turning into anger, his face shooting up, and looking at his father.
Why was the nindroid acting like that?
What happened?
Did they do something to upset him?
Did Cole upset him?
"Why don't you go get lunch? You need a break and some fresh air. I can close the shop and we can get home and watch something. "
A slight squeeze made itself known on the earth master's shoulder as his eyes softened. Letting out a breath, he massaged his forehead with his fingers. Maybe he was overthinking it. It's not like Zane couldn't take care of himself. It just bothered Cole that he didn't know where he was and what he was up to.
"Yeah.. maybe I do need some food."
"When do you not?" His father joked.
"Hey! Food is good! And it's a nice stress relief."
"Yet you still can't cook. " Lou chuckled, patting his son on the back before making his wait to the side of Cole, taking a hold of the case with the guitar to put it away.
"Ha, Ha, so funny, dad." Cole fake - laughed, turning around to look at his dad, only to be met with his back. After a few seconds, the corners of his lips turned upright, leaving a low chuckle as he got up from the chair he was sitting on, grabbing his coat from the coathanger and pushing his arms through the sleeves.
"Be back in half an hour!"
"It'll be more than that!"
"Shush!" The laughter of his father was heard from the back as Cole opened the front door and walked down the street. Taking out his airpods from the pocket of his jeans, he pushed the little headphones in his ears and listened to his playlist while walking to the local noodle shop.
Taking this route for what felt like the thousandth time, Cole had totally zoned out, thinking about everything and nothing at once, while the pleasant sounds of Theory of a Dead man blasted his ears.
He never thought the ninja would actually come to this. Living normal lives in the city, not being on edge, and awaiting the next big threat that the people of Ninjago would be threatened by. It was strange not to wake up at 6am and train for hours on end, have lunch with people who had shared years of their lives with you and you with them.
it felt as if they hadn't talked in years. They've talked about organizing a gathering, but then again, they remember that it won't be the same if all of them weren’t there. Zane's absence wasn't hard only for Cole. Jay and Kai missed him, too, more than anything. It felt as if a part of them had been torn out. Sure, they've been without Zane a few times, but then they thought he was dead. But now they don't even know that, except for Pixel assuring them that he was fine.
Cole hated that. He missed his friend more than anything and wanted to do something! But he didn't know what. If he went searching for him, where would he search? The nindroid could be everywhere! Especially with the memories Cole had of the ice ninja mentioning he wanted to see the world, walk around without care and see as much as possible. The nindroid could just as well be in another realm for all they know.
Just as the next song came on, Cole finally arrived at his destination, pushing the glass doors open and scanning the little diner to find a place to sit. The building wasn't big, but not small either. The walls were painted black and red, with a bar at the center of the room where people could sit down and order their drinks without taking the tables, which could fit up to 4 people for themselves. Modern Pop was playing through the speakers, which were up on the ceiling.
Finally, finding a place to sit at the far left corner of the noodle shop, Cole took off his coat, which had wet stains on it from the snowflakes which had fallen on its surface just seconds prior. As he was looking through the menu, a familiar redhead had made her way to his table, a smile on her face, hair in a tight ponytail with a few bowls of noodles in her hands.
"Well , well, well, if it isn’t my favorite customer." Skylor smiled, pushing the notepad she was holding in the pocket of her uniform. "What's it gonna be this time, big boy?"
"Hi Skylor, how about Bibim Jjolmyeon?" Cole returned the smile as he placed down the menu and looked up at his friend.
"Craving spicy , huh? Coming right up." She teased before patting him on the back and walking away from his table to give the orders she was holding to the people who ordered them.
Looking around the room, he noticed that it wasn't as crowded as it usually was. Maybe people were in the mood for homemade food or were out of town for the holidays. As he was waiting, he took out his phone, looking through some websites for repair parts his father had given him a list of to order. He soon enough closed the search tab and opened his messages, texting Jay. He was always down for lunch, considering the repair shop he was working at was close to the restaurant.
"Wanna come to the noodle shop? My treat "
Cole placed his phone down and waited for an answer as he played with the rings on his fingers, zoning out yet again as the now soft music was playing through the airpod he didn’t take out after he sat down.
Nobody said it'd be easy
They knew it was rough, but tough luck
A vibration from his phone took him out of his trance as he picked up his phone, reading the message from Jay.
"As much as I'd love for you to spend money on me, I'm out of town. Vacation with Nya and my parents"
the text said as Cole's fingers started typing his response.
" Nah don't worry about it motormouth, say hi to Nya from me and have fun"
"Will do Rock Boy"
Cole chuckled as he placed his phone down, listening to the soft tune. There was no use in calling Kay as he was probably out of town as well. Something about a big concert on the other side of the country.
As the noirette leaned back against the soft back of the seat, Skylor made her way to his table, placing down the bowl of noodles in front of him. Licking his lips, he remembered how hungry he actually was.
"There ya go, if you need water you know where to find me"
"Pff, as if. I'm a tough guy, I can handle some heat, '' Cole joked back, making the redhead laugh at his response.
"Sure, boulder. By the way, are you waiting on Zane?"
The mention of the nindroids name made Cole's smile turn to confusion.
"What? No? We haven't heard from him since we fell out. Why?"
"He's right there" Skylor raised her hand to point to the counter.
Silence.
He could just stare and wonder.
There he was. Zane, in all his glory, sitting at the counter, just as Skylor had said, eating noodles, dressed in a simple white sweater and cappuccino colored pants.
Million thoughts ran through his mind as he just stared at the boy across the room.
What was he doing here?
Was he in town the whole time?
How hasn't he seen him when he walked in-
"Cole?"
Skylor's voice broke his train of thought as he blinked, looking up at her, sweat covering his forehead from the surprise.
"Would you like me to tell him you're here?" She asked carefully, now concerned for her friend.
"i- y-yeah, sure... call him over." he blabbered as he pushed his hair back, trying to collect himself.
As he was waiting, gripping his hair, it was as if the world had gone silent, even though the music had continued playing through his headphones. Zane was here. After months of no contact, he just appeared out of the blue on a random day. Where has he been? Why didn't he contact any of them? Why didn't he tell them he would be in town?
"Cole!"
The calling of his name brought him out of his head as he looked up, only to be met by the blinding blue eyes and the smile that went from ear to ear on the face he knew all too well. The little spaces that were between the compartments that created the face of his best friend, his teammate, his brother, which were radiating the same light blue color, although they were radiating a softer light, moving along with the expression on his face. Cole couldn't do anything for a second except analyzing his face.
The face that was so familiar yet so new, after months of not talking.
"Hi!" he was able to mumble before a grin spread like a wildfire on his face, getting up from his seat and embracing the nindroid in a hug so tight, he was afraid he'd break the poor boy. But the only thing that Zane did was to laugh and return the gesture, squeezing his friend with a gentle yet firm grip.
"It's so nice to see you!"
"I can say the same! Where have you been?!"
Cole's words were filled with worry as his hands made their way on the nindroids' shoulders, his eyes looking straight at those blue lights, which he was so fond of and happy to see.
"My apologies, I guess I really got carried away with work. " Zane chuckled nervously as his hand rubbed the back of his neck. " Im sorry if I've worried you"
Cole sighed, unable to contain his laughter as he yet again embraced the nindroid.
"The important thing is that you're here now! Sit, we have a lot to catch up on."
" Yeah, I was actually about to finish my food and head to you and your father's shop." Zane spoke as they took their seats back at the table.
"You know about that?"
" Yeah, my falcon is always around. Curiosity takes the better of him. He misses you guys a lot."
"I can say the same about me and the others. "
The two boys laughed, happy to finally be back together. As Skylor came back with Zane's food, which was forgotten on the counter only a few minutes prior. They thanked her and continued with their conversation.
"Do the others know you're back?"
"No, actually, I knew they had plans for out of town, so I didn't want to make them cancel because of me. Plus, i needed to come find you because i need some help with work."
" Yeah, I was thinking about asking you about that, actually. What is that work?"
"Well, I've been working on fixing my dad's cabin in the woods. "
"I thought he had, like, a place underground, not a cabin."
"Well, yeah, but when I revisited my old home, I found a mat that led to the cabin in which he stored some of the inventions that didn't work. So I took them back to the maze and started working on it. That's why I need your help. You can help me take some things that are too heavy back and maybe help fix the cabin. If you'd like to assist me, that is what I mean." Zane explained as he took a sip from his drink, which Skylor had so nicely refilled.
"Sure, man! I'd love to help. I need a break from work, plus the holidays are near so i can afford to close it for a week or two." Cole smiled as he took another bite of his noodles, the spice traveling to his throat as he let out a satisfied sigh, which made the nindroid across from him laugh.
"But, I gotta ask, what made you feel like going back there?"
"I had some free time and decided to see if there were some things that could help us with future events, which i don't think would be occurring soon, taken the time that had passed since we had a situation."
"Gotcha, so, when are we going?"
"Maybe tomorrow, if you don't mind, I'd like to come visit your music shop. Although my falcon has been going around town, I'd love to see it from the inside instead of from a screen." Zane's smile never left his face, as Cole ate the last of his dish.
As the two boys finished their food and paid the bill, they made their way down the street, taking the route that Cole had walked just a few minutes prior.
_____________________
"Whoa! I never knew you could play the guitar!" Cole laughed enthusiastically as he clapped his hands, applauding his friend.
The two had arrived not so long ago as Zane had found interest in one of the guitars on the walls. With Cole's permission, the instrument had made its way from the stand on the wall to the hands of the nindroid, who fixed the keys and started playing.
"I did have some free time, and decided to research some information about playing some instruments before making my way here." Zane's chuckle echoed as he took the strap of the guitar off his shoulder and placed it down against the counter with as much care as possible.
"Well, as a person who considers himself qualified, I can say that just for " researching some information. " You did amazing, tin can."
" Why, thank you. I appreciate your feedback." Zane replied, the little blue hue on his cheeks almost going unnoticed unless he had made his way to the noirette.
"So, you said you needed something?" Cole turned to his friend, his hands in the pockets of his sweatpants.
"Oh, right! Um, I hope I won't be a bother with this request, but do you, by any chance, have any repair parts for a violin?"
Cole stood there, scanning the info he had of the parts that were in the shop, even when would be the closest shipment, before smiling up at his friend. His hand made its way from his pocket to pat the titanium back of the nindroid.
"Come on, you bag of bolts, I should have some in the back." His chuckle traveled to Zane's face, making him break into a grin yet again as the two walked to the door leading to the storage room, located behind the front desk.
Flipping the light switch, Cole started waking down the little corridors, made by the metal shelves, placed around the room. Scanning the boxes as he did a million times by now, his lips twitched up in a grin as he took the box he needed and walked up to the work desk, which was located next to the door they came from.
"What parts do you need?" Cole's voice filled the room as his hands opened the box and started taking out and looking at the different parts and components, waiting for his friend's answer.
"Well...." a nervous chuckle was heard as well as a few quiet footsteps, alerting Cole that Zane was next to him yet again before continuing. " I, um... a new neck and fingerboard... A and D strings and a new chin rest."
"Daaaamn, what did you do to the poor thing?" Cole joked, searching through the items to find what he needed. " How big is the violin? 7/8? "
" 3/4 " The answer made the earth ninja stop as he looked up at Zane.
"You plan on playing on it?"
"Well.. I'd like to. I know its size is not compatible for an adult, but I'd like to have hope I can do it."
"Who's violin is it?" Cole couldn't help but ask as he took out the parts needed, handing them to his friend, who took them gladly.
"It was my father's. He taught me when I was little. " Zane answered, brushing the tips of his fingers against the packaged strings, a sentimental smile making itself known on the metal surface of the boy.
They stood in silence for a few seconds before Cole nodded, taking in his answer as he patted his back, before wrapping his hand around his shoulder, giving him a little squeeze. He knew it must be important for him, with the fact that this was one of the things he had left of his father. "
"Okay, buddy. Let's go get some sleep, 'ts getting late. "
They made their way back to the front of the shop, as they started preparing for making their way home, before Cole stopped his movement, right hand almost halfway in the sleeve of his coat.
"Where are you staying exactly?"
"I thought about renting a room in one of the hotels. The prices aren't too bad, and - " his answer was cut short by a barking laugh as the boy lifted his head.
Cole couldn't help but laugh at the response.
"Zane! For a nindroid, you sure are dumb to think I'd let my friend, who i haven't seen in For. Ever. sleep at a hotel!" He finished his sentence, his laughter dying down halfway as he put his coat, fidgeting in its pockets as he took out his keys. He had called his dad on their way here, telling him he'd close the shop since a friend of his was in town.
"I would've been rude to show up and just ask to sleep at yours. " Zane reasoned, a little embarrassed by his assumption as he shifted his jacket.
"Nonsense! Come on, my bike's in the back."
After making sure everything was fine with the store, the alarms were on, and the doors were closed, the two boys made their way to the back alley. There, against one of the walls of the closed off street, leaning on the kickstand, stood Cole's motorbike. The machine was wearing black paint with beautifully drawn components in orange and yellow, placed on the fuel tank. Cole drew it himself.
"Since when do you own a motorbike?" Zane asked out of curiosity as he followed his friend to his vehicle.
"A few months. Jay said some idiot gave it to him for parts when, in reality, it could've been easily fixed, but the guy didn't want to look at this baby, so he gave it to me. He helped me repair it, but the paint job is all me. '' Cole explained, as he took his helmet from the seat and gave the spare one to the nindroid.
"It's really nice. In your style." Zane commented, placing the helmet on his head, the little bag with the components for the violin hanging from his elbow.
As Cole made sure everything was fine, he sat down on the bike, Zane behind him with his hands around Cole's waist. Cole felt the nindroid's body had gone a bit stiff when his hands made contact with his stomach, but he brushed it off, thinking it was the fright of the 'first time on a motorbike'.
"Hold on tight, tin can! I don't really like speed limits."
The grip around his waist tightened, and the engine roared.