•The World Isn't Ending• (Cole x Reader)

don't acknowledge me, then maybe we can say it's fair•༄

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hey babes! welcome to my Cole x Reader, in this story you are Y/n Ninjago's one and only wind ninja, so enjoy! love ya <3
Song in title- wacced out murals
by Kendrick Lamar
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I leaned back on my hands, watching Jay and Cole spar in the middle of the dojo. The rhythmic clanging of their weapons echoed off the walls, but it wasn't just the noise that hung heavy in the air—it was the tension.

"Zane's offline, people are disappearing all over Ninjago, and we're sitting here spinning our wheels!" Cole growled, pivoting on his heel to dodge Jay's wild swing. The force of the missed strike made Jay stumble, but Cole didn't miss a beat, pressing the offensive. "If we just knew why Acronix and Krux are taking people—"

Jay twisted away, barely avoiding Cole's next move. "I've got a theory," he began, breathless but undeterred.

"For the last time, they're not hostages!" Cole barked, slamming his forearm into Jay's chest and sending him stumbling back.

Jay caught himself on one knee, glaring up at Cole. "And how would you know that?"

Cole straightened, his voice cold and clipped. "Because there's no ransom note, no demands—nothing. Hostages come with leverage. This? This is something else."

Jay scrambled to his feet, brushing dust off his gi. "Okay, fine. No ransom. But what if—" He ducked as Cole feinted a jab. "What if they're hypnotizing them? You know, turning them into some kind of brainwashed super-army?"

I couldn't help but roll my eyes from the sidelines. "Jay, Krux and Acronix already have an army of Samurai Snakes," I said, my voice cutting through their exchange. "Why would they need to brainwash anyone?"

Jay frowned, pointing a finger at me. "Well, that's why I have backup theories!"

Cole snorted, a low rumble that echoed his frustration. He slammed an Earth Punch into the floor, sending vibrations through the dojo and launching Jay off his feet. "Don't say aliens, dimensional rifts, or—"

Jay groaned from where he landed, throwing an arm over his face dramatically. "Elven magic portals," he finished for him, voice dripping with sarcasm. "Yeah, yeah, I get it, Mr. Grumpy Earth Ninja."

Cole sighed, running a hand through his hair as if to claw out his exasperation. "Look, I'm tired of sitting around guessing. We need to act!" His gaze flicked toward Kai, who stood leaning against the wall, silent and unusually distant. "Right, Kai? Kai!"

Kai jerked slightly, like someone pulled from a trance. "What? Yeah, I'm fine," he said quickly, too quickly. His arms were crossed, and his fingers tapped his elbow restlessly.

Cole's brow furrowed, his sharp eyes studying Kai. "You've been different since we ran into Krux. Did something happen? Did he—?"

"I said I'm fine," Kai snapped, his tone as sharp as his fire. His eyes briefly met Cole's before darting away. "It's nothing."

Cole didn't look convinced, but he dropped it for now, rolling his shoulders and turning back to the others. "Fine. But no more theories. We need answers—and that means action."

Kai tilted his head, his usual fiery edge creeping back into his voice. "So what's the plan? We storm one of their hideouts?"

Cole's lips curled into a small, eager grin. "No, we capture one of those snake guys. Drag 'em back here, let Wu do his thing."

"That plan won't work." Lloyd's voice cut through the room as he stepped into the dojo, his expression firm, a fire in his eyes that demanded attention.