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One correctly timed hit and boom. The Mechanics mech went stumbling down just before the finish line to Mech Master 5000.
And it seems that Cole, Kai and Arin have finally caught up. “Sora, that was awesome. I didn't think you were going to make it when you fell, but then you took out Mechanic in one hit.” Arin said enthusiastically. “And you didn't even have to use your powers.”
“Well I might when I'm more comfortable and have a better hold on them when in combat,” Sora replied. “Well it's still impressive. Back when it was just the ninja defending Ninjago city, the Mechanic really could give the ninja a-." "And that's enough history on Ninjago City's villains for today.” Kai said, quickly cutting him off.
Eliciting a chuckle from Cole. “Well, not always, but still good work today Sora. Also it seems like you got your wish. You did end up winning a race today,” Cole beamed.
“I guess so,” she laughed. Their attention was then turned to the now cluttered road, broken pieces of pavement and mech parts scattered haphazardly about creating a wave of a mess in its wake. “Welp, I feel bad for whoever is going to have to clean up this mess.”
“Come on, this won't take long,” Cole said. “Kai, if you and Sora could clear the road, Arin and I will take the Mechanic back to Kryptarium where he belongs.”
They could all feel the Mechanics piercing gaze settle on them with that statement.
“Really, I just spent hours yesterday fixing up the monastery from Wylfure's antics last time ” Kai responded in a slightly exasperated tone. “Yes really, and if Sora could utilize a spark of her tech power it might be easier than you think.”
Kai let out a small but satisfied sigh, then smiled. “Alright, but only because you asked so nicely.” Kai said with a wink.
Arin hummed curiously.
“Alright, then after we should have a little time before meeting back up for an early dinner with Nya and Lloyd. And maybe even grab some more of those delicious pies.” Cole said, already drooling at the thought.
“How many of those pies have you had anyway,” Sora laughed.
“Only one for your information. And besides, that one doesn't count, because I shared it with Kai.”
“Woah, Cole sharing his precious food, never thought I'd see the day” Sora chimed.
“Heeey, you said you wanted to share with me,” Kai said, trying his best to sound hurt.
“Of course I did, but that doesn't mean we can't get some more for the road. And trust me, when you spend years eating whatever you can scrounge up from the Land of Lost Things, you take what you can get.”
And they were off. Cole utilized his earth mech to scoop up the man that is the mechanic, and he and Arin stomped off into the distance faster than a snap.
“Huh, the other racers' mechs must not have been so sturdy if it was able to create this mess. Hey, what if melted all this wreckage down into raw material to clear the way,” Kai suggested.
“We probably shouldn't, not in a public place like this anyway. Besides, I've got something better in mind.”
With a flash of pink power their Elemental mechs were transformed into the most unorthodox, yet somehow incredibly efficient, construction vehicles Kai had ever seen. Which honestly didn't mean too much considering his unfamiliarity with construction equipment.
“Wow, with these we'll be done in no time, and it can even shoot Fiyaaah. Let's do this Sora.”
…….
An hour later, the four had reconvened a little over a mile from the restaurant serving Merlopian cuisine. Kai and Sora had been waiting for a little bit, so Kai killed time by showing Sora what a handheld console was.
“Wow, it's compact, but offers a plethora of entertaining games to play. Tech in imperium was never used for things that were considered unnecessary or trivial like this.”
“Well, now your worldview has just expanded. You can keep it, it's yours now, and I'd love to see the incredulous look on Cole's face if you manage to beat his highscore on there,” Kai chuckled.
“Thank you Kai. Really.”
“Hey thanks for waiting up guys.” It was Cole and Arin, they had arrived. And they were covered in mud? The brown substance ran all along the right side of their Gi and covered their unique designs.
“Hey what happened, and how did you guys get so dirty,” Sora inquired.
Cole explained, “It's nothing, the mechanic tried to pull something in order to escape, the only downside is that we may have fallen out of our mechs for a second and into a giant mudslide on the way there.”
And since the reservation Lloyd set up, so we could do some team bonding and celebrate, is in 20 minutes, we might not have enough time to wash up before then Arin exclaimed in a dismayed tone.
Cole comforted him, “Hey, don't worry, watch this.” The familiar glow that could only come from an elemental power coursed throughout Cole's hand, and in one move, the mud splattered to the floor off of them. They were good as new.
“It's a good thing that it was just a bit of Earth. That I can handle. Now having a pot of chili dumped on you, that is a whole different ball game.”
“I still remember that, you smelled like that chili for days,” Kai laughed, and Cole nudged him with a smile plastered on his face.
Cole then exclaimed as nonchalantly as he could, “Alright then, Kai and I wanted to, uh, check out some of the stands in an area close to the restaurant. You guys can make your way up to Lloyd and Nya, and we'll catch up to you when it's time.”
And just like that Kai and Cole had scurried off. Cole tenderly took Kai's hand, already dragging him off to the first shop that caught his attention, and Kai looked happy to do so. A sweet grin focused on Cole.
He was almost too happy if that makes sense, Arin thought.
“Hey Sora, have you noticed how close Kai and Cole are?”
I thought all the ninjas were close, right?” She said, whilst not looking up, already enthralled in the handheld she received just 5 minutes ago.
“Yeah, but every time we're out together they always manage to come up with an excuse to sneak off together, and just now they were holding hands as they walked together.”
“We've held hands in crowds before.” Of course Sora was oblivious to these things Arin smugly thought to himself.
“You're right, I'll leave you to your game then and see you at the Merlopian seafood joint with the others,” Arin said, dropping the conversation.
He let a few seconds pass, walking nonchalantly, before rushing to the last direction he saw Cole and Kai run off too. If memory serves him right it was probably, ugh, Rhabarb’s bakery. He always knew the fire and earth ninja were close, he was one of the ninja's biggest fans after all. He knew everything there was to know about the ninja, but could there be something they weren't letting on. That's what he was determined to find out.
Arin unleashed his grappling hook with a clunk and took the highest vantage point from the roof of the bakery. Even with all the people going about their business as usual, he knows the crossroads like the back of his hand. Heck, he was here when they were still forming, and Arin has finally got them within his sights. And they were in a somewhat secluded back alleyway?
Cole was happily munching on a personal pie. “Hey you better not fill up too much, we still need to eat with Nya and Lloyd,” Kai playfully chimed.
“I've got a second stomach for dessert, no one will ever notice.”
“One thing they will notice is all that cream all over your mouth. You're still such a messy eater even after all these years,” Kai laughed. “I'm feeding you”
Kai promptly took the spoon and pie out of Cole's hand. Just as he was about to protest, Kai pressed a soft kiss to Cole's mouth, lapping up the leftover cream at the same time.
Cole could feel Kai's tongue lovingly run across his mouth, then lips, and feed him the leftover pie with a kiss that knocked all the air out of his lungs.
“Better,”
“Yeah,” Cole said breathlessly. Dreamily looking at his partner.
Then Kai took the last few spoonfuls of filling and put it to Cole's lips, asking for permission to enter his mouth. Cole wordlessly agreed by opening his mouth and allowed his firebug to feed him the rest of the dessert.
They walked hand in hand for a few minutes appreciating the way the sun painted the sky with melted colors from their view past the building rooftops.
“It's becoming sunset, we need to head back to the others now,” Cole said
“Yeah I guess you're right.” Kai allowed Cole to guide him in the direction of the restaurant where they knew the others were likely waiting for them. Probably already picking out something to eat to replenish the energy they used up from training this morning.
Arin kept his eye on Kai and Cole like a hawk from above. He didn't mean to snoop, curiosity just happened to take over. As a superfan, and now part of the team, he was just getting to know what kind of relationship the master earth and fire had so he could better respect it. Yeah that was it.
Good thing stealth lessons from Lloyd were worked into their training schedule last month or he was sure that even from up here the veteran ninja might've caught onto him.
He guessed they were walking pretty close as
Cole chowed down on the pie, but nothing really stood out to Arin. That is until Kai moved in to kiss Cole, and that was all the confirmation he needed. He started making his way back to Sora, too embarrassed to keep looking even if he wanted to.
At last it was golden hour, and all four of them had made their way to the seating Nya and Lloyd had already taken up. A cozy booth at the back with a deep blue patterned design covering the shop's wall. “You're 15 minutes late”, Nya deadpanned, “you're lucky we didn't start ordering for you.”
“Yeah what did take you guys so long,” Lloyd quipped, “I thought the mishap with the mechanic at the mech race earlier today was taken care of. Nya told me as much. Don't tell me Cole took you guys on a pit stop to get more creme de imperium to bring back to the monastery for later.”
“No no. We were just taking the scenic route,” Kai said.
Sora and Arin quickly nodded along.
“Fine then, but we won't be so merciful next time,” Nya snickered.