Chapter Text
Despite the thick calluses on his hands, his skin felt like it was on the verge of breaking from the rough treatment. It was a feeling Cole was getting more and more used to. He felt a thrill knowing it was taking longer to get that feeling each time he climbed. For all the stamina his legs had from years of dancing, his arms had barely been toned when he left. The pride he felt every time his arms grew visibly bigger was only second to the pride he felt in himself for leaving. His father would have balked if he knew how bulky his son was becoming, and maybe that’s what made him want to do it in the first place.
He was quickly overtaking the group of heavily equipped climbers above him. He had not seen them begin their climb, but he guessed they had a large head start. The rope slung over his left shoulder burned slightly as it was swung back and forth by the force of his ascent. While it had originally been used for extra weight to build his strength, it had over time become just for show as he grew used to the load. He hardly glanced at the other mountaineers as he passed them. Many of them would have recognised him and his unconventional (dare he say shocking) style. Any who hadn't learned his face yet tended to have the same reaction. This was not to say that Cole didn't enjoy revelling in their shock and horror.
The edge was in view. His core burned as he hurled himself up the last few dozen feet. When his fingers gripped the cliff edge he braced his feet and turned to look down. The view of the distance just wasn't the same from on the top, he enjoyed it best when he was still on the side. The rush he got from the feeling of hanging on by his fingertips couldn't be compared to anything else. Well, that and the amusement he got for looking at the strained faces of the people struggling below.
Finally he threw himself over the ledge, landing on one knee with his arms spread like he was posting after a dance. He stood, laughing to himself as the adrenaline pumped through him. He could feel his pulse throughout his body. His muscles ached in the familiar way that he loved. It wasn’t a feeling he ever got even close to in his old life. He turned to take in the view, Ninjago just visible below. He was so high up that he thought he could almost see the town where his dad lived. That didn’t matter now. Nothing else ever mattered when he was on the top of a mountain.
He shut his eyes to take in a deep breath of fresh air. He had to strain his ears in order to hear any of the sounds from the city far below his feet. It was amazing. The city was always far too overstimulating for him. He never thrived in the fast, loud, bustling environment that his father wanted for him. Cole had always longed to be in nature.
That was where he felt closest to his mother.
Cole was aware that his mother had some sort of power related to the earth and nature. He had been curious about her as a small child. Her headstrong personality, her solid morals, her strength that did not match her frame even a little. It was a huge bonus as a child who enjoyed being tossed around.
It made her deterioration all the more obvious.
After her death his father refused to speak about her, especially about her past before becoming a mother. He denied her ever having any supernatural powers, and information online was sparse. Despite vividly remembering being told stories about the heroes during the serpentine wars who protected the people of Ninjago from with their gifts, he had failed to uncover solid information about them. Ninjago citizens were not known for their history recording abilities after all.
Cole's father had put all of his effort into turning his son into himself. Dance became Cole's life. It was the only thing that could cause his father to give him positive reinforcement so he put everything into it. But, no matter how hard he had tried to be what his father thought he was he could never reach his expectations. It was as if he had two left feet and his father was trying to fit one into a right shoe. Once he turned 18 he finally felt emboldened to leave that life. He left his performing arts school the first chance he got. He sent his father letters occasionally, telling him he was travelling to learn about performing techniques across Ninjago. He didn’t want his old life to come looking for him.
The soft breeze felt amazing on his clammy skin, though he was barely damp for such an intensive climb. The life his father lived was loud and fast, never leaving time to fully appreciate anything. The mountain was gloriously quiet.
"Hello Cole"
He jumped and flung around at the abrupt sound. Before him sat an old man with an old tea set. Cole's mouth opened and closed, lost for words. He wasn't sure if he was hallucinating from coming off the adrenaline high.
"H-how..." he stuttered, glancing around the mesa.
"Care for some tea?" The old man held up the teapot, reaching for one of the cups. Cole only stared dumbstruck.
"How did you get up here?" Cole managed, eyes wide and mouth still agape.
"There are many such mysteries in life Cole." The man smirked as he filled the cup and placed it back on the tray. Cole's gaze suddenly hardened.
"How do you know my name?" Voice firm, he stood up straighter and squared his shoulders. Cole was becoming more convinced he was losing his mind from the light air, but the man just chuckled.
"You have always been just as self-assured as your mother." He poured tea into the second cup and took a long sip. Cole's eyes widened and he shrunk back. His chest constricted and he felt his heart stutter.
"You knew my mom?" His voice was small and hopeful, a way he hadn't spoken in many years.
"I knew her very well, she would have been proud of your climbing prowess." Cole felt as though he could hardly blink or breathe. He stood frozen as the man refilled his cup. There was something about the man that seemed familiar.
"My name is Wu." He patted the ground next to him, "Care to join me?"