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Chapter Text

It was the Day of the Departed. An exciting celebration. The ninja, Wu and Misako were in a group, following Dr Saunders on a tour of the Museum. They were looking at the new exhibit, the Hall of Villainy. In another room, a painting of Yang caught Cole’s attention. He took steps closer to the display.

“As we proceed further on the tour—“ Saunder’s voice faded away as Cole approached the painting and glared at it with piercing eyes.

“Kodakun Yang will be remembered by most as the creator of Airjitzu,” Cole began reading the text below the painting, “the most powerful martial art in history.”

Cole scoffed and with annoyance in his voice, he murmured, “Actually, I remember Yang as the guy who turned me into a ghost.”

Looking down, his eyes met a display of a blade, the Yin blade, that was encased in a glass box.

“Hey Dr Saunders?” Cole asked the tour group behind him, “What’s the story on this thing?”

The group of ninja carried on chatting as Saunders talked about different displays.

“Hello?” Cole paused, turning around to see the still-mingling group, “Dr Saunders?… Anyone?”

With a look of confusion, Cole glared at the group, presuming they couldn’t hear him.

“Look at that! Cool!” Nya pointed at the glass display of the blade. Cole turned around to look at what she pointed at, and his face instantly dropped.

“You have a good eye Nya.” Saunders responded and led the group to the display.

“Her? I’m the one who spotted—“ Cole argued, outraged that his glory was taken.

Without warning, the Ninja walked straight through the empty ghost of Cole.

“Hey, watch it.” Cole stomped towards the group that glided past him, “You guys are walking right through me!”

“The Yin Blade belonged to Master Yang,” Saunders continued with the tour, giving out knowledge, “it is said to possess such dark magic.”

Cole stood still and stared at the Ninja, confused with the situation.

“They don’t hear me… or see me…” Cole realised, “It’s like I don’t even exist anymore.” He glared at the painting of Yang with rage, “And it’s all your fault!”

“Seems dangerous, I’m glad it’s sealed away well.” Lloyd stated, looking at the blade.

“It won’t be going anywhere Lloyd,” Saunders laughed awkwardly, “Don’t you worry your little head!”

“Guys,” Cole ran up to the group once more, “Can you guys not hear me?!” He yelled and went to grab Kai’s shoulder, his hand landing on nothing and slipping right through.

Looking down at his transparent hands, a worried expression appeared on Cole’s face.

“I’m gone.” He took short, quick breaths, “I’ve faded…”

The ninja’s footsteps echoed around the room, slowly getting quieter the further away from Cole they got.

Cole clenched his fists and gazed as the group turned a corner, out of his sight. “They’ve forgotten about me.” He muttered with slight anger in his voice.

————————————————

—7 years later—

With joyful chatter, the Ninjas stepped back into the monastery, all buzzing from their last fight.

“Did you see his face?!” Jay exclaimed, “Kai was like pow! And I was like bam!”

“His face was a picture!” Kai laughed with Jay, putting his arm around his shoulder.

Wu stepped out of the monastery, Zane and Pixal following.

“Was the mission successful?” Zane asked, looking at Nya for the answer as Kai and Jay were too distracted. Zane had stayed behind at the monastery as Pixal needed his help with mechs.

“I think these two are making it obvious.” Nya smiled and pointed at the two loud ninjas.

“That’s the positive response I was hoping for, Nya.” Pixal smiled.

“Alright guys,” Lloyd stepped next to Kai and Jay, “You both calm down now.” He smiled, holding back laughter.

“Just another day in Ninjago!” Kai bellowed with laughter.

“May I ask, what is so funny?” Zane questioned, again, looking at Nya, the only one not holding back tears from laughter.

“Oh, you didn’t miss much, Zane,” she responded, “It was the criminal’s first heist, and it showed—“ Now Nya was trying not to laugh.

“Well that’s unfortunate for them.” Wu smiled at the Ninja’s enjoyment from the mission.

With silent steps, a hooded figure walked into the front gate of the monastery, no one paying attention to them.

The hood was flung off the figure’s head, Cole stood there, ghostly and slouched.

He sighed, “Just another day in Ninjago.”

Chapter Text

After the ninja settled down from laughing, Wu invited them into the monastery.

“You all must be hungry,” Wu started to walk back into the monastery, his hands behind his back.

“After that fight?—“ Kai smiled, still laughing.

“Now that you mention it,” Lloyd followed Wu, Pixal and Zane following behind.

Retrieving his arm from Jay’s shoulder, Kai watched Nya join the others.

“You coming?” Jay asked, noticing Kai wasn’t moving.

“Oh—“ Kai barely responded, “Yeah, sorry.”

“What’s wrong?” Jay looked at him confused, “You were just laughing a second ago.”

“I’m fine, don’t worry.” Kai reassured, “Something just doesn’t feel right.”

“Okay then—“ Jay started to walk to the monastery, “You come in for food when you feel like it I guess.”

“Will do!” Kai waved him off, then muttered to himself, “I just feel like someone is watching me…”

Cole’s eyes widened as Kai turned around, right in front of him. 

As his breaths quickened, Cole whispered, “You can see me?…”

Kai’s gaze was aimed directly at Cole. Cole stepped back slightly, as Kai’s glare scared him.

“Can you see me or not?…” Cole started to get impatient and angry as the stare continued.

Kai’s sight shifted from left to right, then he shrugged, “Guess I’m just being cautious after that heck of a fight—“ He laughed to himself sarcastically.

Cole watched in shock as Kai simply walked back into the monastery without second question.

Cole scoffed to himself, “Yeah Cole, imagine if he could see you…”

He stood by himself in the front of the monastery for a while, just thinking.

A few minutes later, loud laughter came from the monastery. Cole presumed they’d begun eating over the dinner table.

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“Man, I am stuffed.” Jay slouched back in his chair.

“That tasted amazing, Zane!” Nya praised.

Cole stepped into the room, giving himself a seat on the floor. Crossing his legs, he watched as the others exchanged events from their recent battle.

Kai whipped his head around the room, his face now looking cautious.

“Hey, Kai, you okay?” Nya looked over at Kai, who’s head switched back over to look at his sister.

“Yeah…” he trailed off, looking over to where Cole was sitting.

“What is it now?” Jay glared at Kai with a suspicious look, “You acted like this outside.”

“No no… I just feel something is watching me.” Kai shrugged it off, “It’s a weird feeling.”

Zane looked at Nya then to Kai, “That is a bit concerning, Kai.” He paused, “Is there an explanation for this that you have in mind?”

Kai shook his head, responding with a no. Tilting his head in confusion, Cole watched as Kai shrugged off the feeling. Cole was beginning to think he himself was causing it.

The ninja exchanged looks of worry as Kai stood up from the table and started gathering the plates, “I’m on washing up duty so I better get started!” He smiled to distract himself.

Lloyd offered a hand, “Are you sure? You don’t seem like you’re doing too well.”

Despite the offer, Kai continued getting all the plates and trotted outside the room.

Cole looked from Kai back to the other ninja, all of them looking concerned. 

“Why is he acting like this?” Nya asked, protective over her brother.

“I don’t know,” Jay stabbed a piece of food with a fork, “but it’s not like Kai to act like this.”

Lloyd nodded in agreement, deep in thought. 

All the ninja sat in silence for the next few minutes. Meanwhile, Kai stepped foot in the kitchen.

As the plates clinked in the sink, Kai rolled up his sleeve; getting ready to dive in the soapy, warm water.

Kai sighed, “Now the feeling is gone…” he muttered to himself.

Back in the dining room, Cole got bored of the silence. He stood up from the floor and walked over to the kitchen, peering in the door.

He took a step in and Kai’s head perked up from the sink. Kai shook his hands a couple times to dry them after having them in the sink. 

“Alright, that’s it.” He turned around and looked from one place to another, “Who’s there?” He whispered impatiently, making sure not to grab the attention of the ninja from the other room.

Cole froze as Kai walked up to him yet again, this time he lifted his hand up and put it straight through Cole. 

Kai felt something’s presence. He stumbled back from the weird feeling. Cole stared at Kai as he processed the situation, “He can feel that I’m here?” He looked down at his hands, “But he didn’t physically touch me…”

Kai grabbed his own hand, the one that touched Cole. He looked horrified. 

Cole knew he was scaring Kai, but the fact that someone knew he was there made him hopeful after all those years hiding away in the shadows. He had a chance at getting the ninja to remember him.

————————————————

Kai sat on his bed, looking down at his hands, recalling the weird feeling he felt earlier. 

It had been an hour after the ninja ate together, an hour after Kai felt Cole’s presence after years. Yet he still didn’t know what it was, or who it was.

Nya peeked into Kai’s room through the small opening of the door. Kai was quick to spot her and Nya stepped in, sitting on the bed next to Kai.

“What’s up with you?” She questioned, sounding extremely concerned.

“Someone’s here,” Kai started, “in the monastery.”

Nya looked worried for Kai, “We have good security, and I think if someone was here we’d have seen them by now.”

“That’s the thing—“ Kai exclaimed, making Nya jump. “I can’t see them! But I know I felt them.”

“Kai, I don’t think you’re thinking straight,” Nya stood up, “just get some rest and I’m sure you’ll feel better tomorrow.”

Kai wanted to argue but Nya left before Kai could respond. He had no choice but to lay on his bed and sleep on the thought. 

Chapter Text

Kai was fast asleep. He’d been asleep for a few hours now, without trouble. During that time, Cole sat with his own thoughts.

“If he gets an uneasy feeling when I’m nearby,” he said to himself, deep in thought, “then I’m somehow no longer faded.” He paused, “Just a bit though.” He muttered.

Cole was sitting on a rock just outside the monastery entrance, drawing in the dirt with a stick.

Without Cole realising, the sun had just risen, waking up the ninja. But the sun also brought a guest to the monastery. 

The mailman stepped up to the large gate and lifted up his hand to knock, but hesitated as his head slowly turned to look at the stick Cole was holding and contently drawing with, but to him it was just a floating stick.

“GHOST!” The mailman stuttered and flung all the ninja’s mail in the air. He darted back down the stairs that lead to the monastery.

“Ghost?” Cole looked up from the ground, “Oh I’m the ghost- I’M THE GHOST!” He stood up, “How did he see me?” 

Cole looked down at his hand, the stick firm in his palm. He sighed as he realised it wasn’t him the mailman saw.

The monastery gate opened slowly, a nindroid peeking his head out. “Hello?” He paused, now stepping fully out, “That’s unusual behaviour for the mailman.” He kneeled down to pick up the mail scattered on the floor.

“What did he scream?” Jay appeared and stepped out to help Zane, “Ghost?” 

While picking up the mail with Zane, Jay looked around trying to figure out why the mailman screamed ghost. His eyes locked on the stick Cole was still holding. Cole seemed to notice Jay’s shocked expression. 

Jay nudged Zane eagerly, “Ghost.” Zane’s attention was dragged from Jay to the stick Jay pointed at.

Zane looked puzzled, “There is no logic behind that.” He stood up to inspect the floating stick, “And we haven’t seen a ghost since the events with Morro.”

Cole stood frozen, gripping tightly at the stick. Jay poked the stick, making Cole flinch. 

“I’m telling the others.” Jay walked back into the monastery. Zane stayed back with Cole.

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Kai woke up much later than the other ninja, despite his good night’s rest. He hadn’t heard the commotion outside, he just made a beeline for the kitchen to grab a quick breakfast.

“Maybe I wasn’t thinking straight.” Kai whispered to himself, reflecting on his sister’s words. 

Two sets of footsteps approached him, one putting a hand on his shoulder, “you’re awake,” Nya smiled, “feeling better today?”

Kai nodded and took a bite of his breakfast, “Much better, I don’t have that weird feeling anymore.”

“That’s good!” Lloyd comforted, his positivity making Kai smile.

Their moment of joyfulness was quickly disrupted by Jay bursting into the kitchen, walking up the three of them. 

“Hi Nya!” Jay said gleefully, “Anyway, me and Zane found a floating stick!”

“A…” Nya processed, “Floating stick?…” Jay nodded innocently.

“Are you sure you saw it correctly?…” Lloyd questioned, a confused look across his face.

“I think it’s a ghost, personally.” Jay stated, grabbing Kai’s attention.

“A ghost?” Kai questioned, thinking hard. “Show me.” 

Jay gestured for the three of them to follow him, so they did. Jay took them all outside to Zane, who was still looking at the stick.

“Oh.” Nya was stumped.

“Well you don’t see that everyday—“ Lloyd scratched his head in amazement.

Jay perked up with an idea, and without putting it past the other ninja, he launched towards Cole to grab the stick.

It made Cole jump but he held the stick firm with both his hands now, finding enjoyment from Jay’s attempt at trying to get it out of his hands.

“That is certainly peculiar.” Zane looked shocked.

Cole let go of the stick, sending Jay stumbling back onto the ground. Nya burst out laughing, “Seems like the ghost isn’t so fond of you Jay!” 

It was clear that the ninja had settled on the current explanation of a ghost being the cause of the floating stick.

Lloyd noticed Kai looking utterly distraught. He knew Kai wasn’t alright. 

Without warning, Kai was dragged into the main gate of the monastery to the side of the training area by Lloyd. 

“Kai,” Lloyd mumbled, “What’s wrong?”

Kai looked at Lloyd with a scared expression, “That ghost,” he started, “That’s the person I’ve been getting weird feelings from. They’ve been watching me.”

Lloyd looked back at the monastery gate, then back at Kai, “It’s okay Kai, we’ll figure it out, we’ll figure out who it is.”

Kai nodded sheepishly, “Thanks, Lloyd.”

Chapter Text

For the next few hours after the stick incident, the ninja were in the hangar bay, surrounding Kai with questions to try to figure out who the ghost was. Zane and Pixal were by the computers researching, Jay and nya were asking Kai questions… Well, only Nya was asking the questions. Jay was distracted by the fact that there was a friendly ghost in the monastery. Wu was meditating above the hangar bay, and Lloyd was out in Ninjago city taking care of small robberies. And Cole was sitting on a table watching Kai being interrogated by his sister.

“How long have you had this weird feeling whenever the ghost is nearby?” Nya started, stood up with her arms crossed and looking down at Kai sat on a chair.

“It started yesterday.” Kai simply responded, strongly feeling Cole’s presence next to him.

“So, is that how long the ghost has been here at the monastery?” Jay practically jumped with how interested and excited he was.

Zane shifted his gaze from the computer to the interrogation scene on his right, “That’s what we are going with at this point in time.” Pixal nodded her agreement from the computer next to Zane.

Nya quickly continued, “What’s the feeling like?”

Kai hesitated, “I don’t know…” he thought about it for a second, “It’s a familiar feeling…”

Zane perked up and looked over at the three of them again. Nya uncrossed her arms like she was really intrigued now, and Jay just tilted his head in confusion.

“It’s like I know the ghost.” Kai fiddled with his fingers as he felt the glares of the other ninja targeting him.

Cole sat up straight, his eyes not leaving Kai. He couldn’t help but let a smile spread across his face.

“Who do you think it is?” Nya instantly asked.

“Ooh!” Jay chimed in joyfully, “What’s their name?” 

“Kai, do you know the reason behind these strange feelings?” Zane questioned.

“Can you see the ghost?”

“Oh! Can it speak to you?”

“Do you have a bond with this ghost?”

The flood of questions filled Kai’s mind, all muddled into one annoying mess. Cole saw Kai getting overwhelmed, he wanted to stop the situation from escalating but knew he couldn’t do anything.

Kai took a deep breath, “Would you all just SHUT UP!” He stood up with a loud thud that made everyone fall silent.

All the ninja stood stunned as they looked at Kai, his eyes filled with frustration, storming off with loud footsteps.

“Kai, wait!” Nya tried to stop Kai, but he was already gone. She sighed, she didn’t mean to anger Kai, she was just so eager to help him.

Cole looked at the other ninja, all silent after Kai left. He jumped down from the table and ran after Kai.

——————————————————————————

Kai was laying on his bed, his back to the door as Cole stepped in. Without hesitation, Kai turned his body over to face the door Cole walked through.

“Hey ghost.” Kai whispered, visibly drained. Kai was so used to Cole’s presence and the feeling that he could tell where Cole was.

Cole slightly jumped, not used to being addressed to. He opened his mouth to speak but remembered Kai couldn’t hear him, so he just stood there in a puddle of shame.

Kai sighed loudly, catching Cole’s full attention. “Who are you…” he muttered to Cole, but slightly to himself as well, “Who are you.” 

“I’m Cole,” Cole whispered to himself, “Please just remember me.”

Kai sat up straight, his eyes darted over to Cole. “Cole?…” he whispered, a slight shake in his voice.

Chapter Text

Cole jittered slightly.

“You can hear me?…” Cole whispered, staring straight at the horrified look on Kai.

Kai was breathing heavily, due to the shock that it was an actual ghost that he was sensing. Through his fear, he nodded slowly.

Cole was overwhelmed with joy, he practically jumped.

“You can hear me!” He repeated, “Oh this fixes everything!” 

Kai shifted slightly while sitting on his bed. 

“I’m Cole! You remember me,” Cole paused, “Right?”

Still stunned, Kai shook his head. 

“Oh come on!” Cole stomped his foot, “Elemental master of earth? Cole Brookstone?”

With hesitation, Kai stood up and slowly walked over to his bedroom door, looking away from the area Cole was.

“I don’t remember you.” He stated harshly, “I don’t know you. I don’t know anyone named Cole.”

Before Cole could argue back, Kai had already left. Cole just stood there, defeated. 

——————————————————————

After the heated interrogation, Jay comforted Nya. She blamed herself for making Kai angry. They both stood next to each other where Kai’s interrogation chair was. Zane was busy continuing to work at the computer, gathering information. Pixal sat next to him passing on facts she researched herself to Zane.

Kai sighed as he re-entered the tense hangar bay. Without second thought, Nya ran over to hug Kai, apologising endlessly. 

“I’m sorry too Nya.” Kai hugged his sister back eagerly.

“I don’t blame you, I got too quick with questions…” Nya released Kai from her hug.

Kai shook his head to himself, sighing heavily.

“What seems to be bothering you, Kai?” Pixal twisted her chair to face the siblings.

“I can now suddenly hear the ghost.” Kai put his hand on his head.

“You can hear it?!” Jay bounced up.

Zane joined in the conversation, “What has it said to you?”

“He won’t shut up about how his name is Cole…” Kai tried to re-called the interaction, “And that he’s the elemental master… of earth.”

In unison, Jay, Nya, Pixal, and Zane all exchanged a confused look.

“An elemental master?” Nya questioned.

“Yeah, I think he said his surname was… Brookstone?” Kai stated.

Quickly, Zane and Pixal got back to their research, trying to find information about Cole.

“There is nothing related to a Cole Brookstone.” Pixal started.

“However,” Zane paused, “There is information relating to a Lou Brookstone.” 

Kai jumped, Cole had entered the hangar bay.

Nya noticed Kai shiver, “Are you okay Kai?”

Kai nodded, “Yeah, I’m fine.”

“I sense Kai feels it’s presence.” Zane looked at Kai with a worried expression.

“It?” Cole muttered under his breath, now standing next to Kai, “Harsh.”

Chapter Text

“I’m not sure he’s too fond of you referring to him as an it.” Kai stated to the nindroid across the hangar bay.

Zane hesitated and thought for a second, “I apologise for offending you, Cole.”

“Thank you, Zane.” Cole responded, stuck up. Kai showed the thank you to Zane with a thumbs up.

Pixal shifted in her seat, “Kai, with this new ability of hearing the ghost named Cole,” she started, Kai’s attention fully grabbed, “I would like to request you take some time this evening to find out more information on Cole.”

Kai nodded and headed to the exit of the hangar bay, Cole close behind. 

After he left, Nya sighed, “I feel like I’m not helping him as well as I could…”

Without hesitation, Jay rested his hand on her shoulder and comforted her, “Nya it’s okay! We don’t understand what’s going on, so you’re doing your best and that’s what matters.”

Nya put her hand on Jay’s and nodded.

——————————————————————

Kai slouched into his room, closing the door after Cole went in. He flopped onto his bed, and Cole sat on the floor next to him.

“So tell me about yourself, Mr Cole.” Kai sighed, knowing this would take a while.

Cole sat thinking, knowing how tired Kai was. He wanted to get Kai to remember, so he had to think of the best evidence.

“Remember Lou Brookstone from earlier?” Cole questioned.

“Yeah?…” Kai sat up and looked over to where Cole was sitting.

“That’s my father,” Cole started, “He has a dance group called the Royal Blacksmiths.”

“Oh yeah! We got one of the Fangblades from that competition or whatever—“ Kai perked up.

“Yes! Yes, good. Okay. Another time…” Cole thought hard again, “Ah! The Temple of Airjitzu? I got the scroll? I didn’t make it out in time and now I’m a ghost.”

Kai shifted uncomfortably. Then he jolted. 

“Cole?” He whispered with a shaky voice, “Cole, I can see you now. I remember you. I know you!”

With tears in his eyes, Cole leapt on top of Kai to hug him.

“You finally remember!” Cole beamed.

Kai hugged Cole back, “It’s been so long…”

“Too long.” Cole smiled and Kai, as he gave a smile back.