"Ted Is Doomed To Become The Homeless Man And Eventually Die A Horrible Death Wherein He Is Trapped Within

The brain worms are making out sloppy style

Guys I’m gonna be mean.

Hc that Kai hates/is scared of bugs

Like. Hes always been a bit weirded out by them, but post monstrosity it’s a full blown phobia

Lost and found, arc 2: x marks the spot

Part 1: the rock meets a hard place

(Previous---Next) (Masterpost)

Cole groaned as he rubbed the back of his head. That landing.. could’ve been a lot worse. Using the near by sand to catch himself was quick thinking. But he was definitely going to still be bruised.

He sat up, feeling the sun warm his skin and the breeze blow through his dark hair

Sun…

Breeze

Oh shit, he was outside.

He frantically reached for his mask. Pulling it up to stop himself from breathing in the fog directly but-

But nothing..?

He felt.. fine.

He didn’t feel the overwhelming urge to break something or hurt anyone or to carry out the overlords bidding..

He was. Completely fine.

Cole lowered his mask hesitantly. Taking a deep breath of clean, fresh air for the first time in what, a decade now? How long had it been since the over lord took over… keeping track hadnt really mattered after a while.

Had he managed to land some place outside the overlords control? But. That was impossible. There wasn’t an inch of earth untainted in ninjago.

Cole stood up, looking around at the proof of that he was wrong, that they’d all been wrong.

It was filled with junk and scrap. Garbage and antiques.

Jay would love it here..

There wasn’t much vegetation besides the odd rotting house plant. The place didn’t look like it could grow much, but if they could breath out here it was worth a noting as a possible new location, the underground had hit cramped years ago.

Cole paced around the piles of crap. Deciding to grab what he could for jay when, swish, an arrow shot right past his head

Stone warrior?

Cole cursed mentally

Should’ve known it was too good to be true

“Hold it right there buster” the attacker rang out “or the next one won’t just give you a hair cut.” That was.. ninjargon? Stone warriors couldn’t speak ninjargon..

“I don’t want any trouble.” Cole said, raising his hands up slowly to show the surface dweller he wasn’t armed (not that he of all people needed to be, not with this much sand and stone exposed) he turned around to face the archer, a thin figure who stood atop a rather solid looking wall. Their messy blonde hair over grown and frizzy.They wore a torn deep purple tank tap along with a cropped hoodie vest that had ribs painted on, a green 5 barely hanging on, both were far to small dispite the figures small and thin frame. The archer was adorned with jewelry made from mismatched metals. But their eyes are what stood out the most.

The piercing red of a ruby.

Just like garmadons.

“Oh yeah? Well unfortunately for you, I DO want trouble” they flashed an impish grin, their pointed ear twitched with excitement.

Oh yeah.

This was definitely garmadons kid.

Cole cleared his throat “my name is Cole brookestone” he started “there was an explosion and I somehow landed here. I did not mean to intrude or trespass. But- I’ve been looking for someone, maybe you’ve seen them.” He hesitated, wondering how to bring up the fact that he was the person Cole and everyone left in ninjago had been looking for for the past 10 years.

The archer scoffed. “Hate too break it to you Cole.” They mocked “but your search is over. Your in the land of the lost now. And it doesn’t take kindly to those who try to leave.”

Cole blinked, the land of the lost..? What on earth was that “uh. Ok then. Can we just. Talk this out? You really don’t seem like that bad of a-“ another arrow released. Another purposeful miss

“Oh. I AM that bad of a guy. Trust me.”

Cole took a deep breath. Trying to think his way out of this. The archer (who he was pretty sure was Lloyd garmadon and he’d LOVE a little confirmation here.) was too high up for him to get to before he got himself shot. “Ok. You win. What do you want from me.”

The archer blinked. Lowering his weapon a tad. Had he.. not thought that far ahead?

“I. Uh.” He looked to both sides. Trying to figure out what he was supposed to do. He gave an exasperated sigh “just come inside already brick stone”

“It’s. Brookestone.”

“Yeah, like I said. Brick stone.” He lowered his weapon, jumping off the wall with surprising agility for someone so frail looking. He pulled back a peice of scrap metal that seemed to be serving as a door.

Cole walked to the doorway, before the archer held his hand infront of it

“Weapons.”

“What?”

“Your weapons. Give em over. Your my prisoner now so I gotta have your weapons.” He explained. Rocking on the balls of his feet as he held his hand out

“I don’t have my weapons with me. Trust me you’d know if I did. I use a giant hammer.”

The arches face scrunched up. “Thats weird. What do you need a hammer for?”

“The stone warriors mostly. It’s not that effective but the shockwaves off it can stun them for a few seconds”

The archer blinked “..stone what now?” He shook his head “never mind. Just get inside already” he said, shoving Cole forword throught the door and pulling it shut

He hasn’t heard about the stone warriors..? Was this place really outside of the overlords reach?hope fluttered in Cole’s chest. If there was a safe place.. maybe they could get the survivors here. Actually start to live again..

“HEY GEO! THAT GYSER WAS TOTALLY LAME AND NOTHING SPECIAL CAME IN! ILL BE IN MY LAIR IF YOU NEED ME!!”

This scraggly 20 year old has a lair? Cole thought to himself. Finding it a bit entertaining.

“Oh no you don’t” a softer, deeper voice chimed in. “Last time you went to your lair right after a gyser we found bonzle. I’m not letting you take some random person hostage again”

The archer groaned “you never let me do anything fun” he crossed his arms, huffing and pouting like a spoiled princess in a cartoon.

A purple orc like man stepped into the small entry room of the wall “hello there. I’m geo. Sorry if my friend Lloyd here scared you he’s.. not good with people.”

Lloyd blew a lock of his hair out of his face, rolling his eyes

So it is him.. THIS is the green ninja? The savior of ninjago … oh boy they are so screwed. “Not the worst welcome party I’ve had, no sweat. I’m, Cole by the way ” the master of earth cleared his throat. “So. The land of the lost huh? What’s that about?”

Geos face softened from hospitality to.. pity. “Let’s. Discus that over a meal huh? I’m not much of a cook but I find a filling meal always helps me process new information. So, Cole. Where are you from. Sorry, what realm are you from?”

“I- realm..?uh Ninjago I guess..?”

“Of course you are. Ninjagos real good at loosing people.” Lloyd huffed

Geo gave him a scolding glance as he lead Cole from the outer wall into a quaint but large structure “ignore him. It is true though. Most that come here are from ninjago”

“Wish I could say I was surprised.. so. How exactly does one end up here? Because my buddy jay gets lost all the time but he’s never mentioned this place.” Cole glanced around, looking at the seams in the wall where different metals met. A patchwork of scrap.

Geo and Lloyd gave each other a look. Sharing.. something between them. Geo motioned for Cole to have a seat at their worn down table. “When people end up here, it’s not just because they got lost it’s.. it’s because”

“It’s because people stopped looking for them.” Lloyd interrupted, narrowing his eyes at the ground in anger.

Stopped looking? But.. we’ve been looking for Lloyd this whole time? “That. Can’t be right. I was literally with my uh.. team right before I landed here.”

Geo hummed in thought “how about. You tell us what Happened” he asked gently

“It was a normal day in the underground. There was an explosion, next thing I know I’m hurtling towards the ground.” Cole shrugged

Goes brow furrowed “You. Didnt sink in?”

“In what?”

“Normally. When people become lost they sink into the ground, and are shot out by a geyser.” Geo continued

Cole frowned “that’s. Definitely not what happened.”

“What about this ‘underground?’ What’s that about?” Lloyd questioned

“It’s a cave system. A safe haven for anyone we find wondering the surface.” Cole answered

“Safe from what?” The younger tilted his head

“You.. really don’t know?” Cole asked softly, his eyes gleaming with.. bizzare hope?

The pair shook their heads

“Oh first master. This. It’s a long story.” Cole paused, wondering how much to tell them “there’s this. Corrupting fog filled the surface. It forces people to do things they normally wouldn’t even think about doing.” Cole swallowed, rubbing at the burn marks on his wrists “the underground is completely sealed off to prevent anyone from getting infected by it, when we need supplies I can open the wall and-“ his eyes went wide. Suddenly standing “I- I have to get back-!”

“Cole just, take a deep breath” geo urged

“Nonono you don’t understand they’re all trapped down there without me-! If there’s a cave in I can’t plug it I have to-“

“Hey bolder brain! Zip it.” Lloyd shouted.

For some reason, Cole complied

Geo gave Lloyd a small nod of thanks “Cole. I know this is. Strange. And frightening. I’m sure your friends will be fine but.. once your in the land of the lost. You can’t.. you can’t leave”

Cole blinked, looking between the scrawny blond and the purple teddy bear “what do you mean.. can’t leave?”

“It’s like I told you.the land of the lost doesn’t take kindly to those who try to leave” Lloyd said ever so helpfully as he tried to blow a peice of hair out of his face (to no avail)

“That- that can’t.. I have to get back-!”

“I’m sorry Cole.. but trying to leave just. Doesn’t work. It forces you back with this. Purple mist. There’s no way past it..” goes expression softened in empathy

Cole sat back down, head in his hands “they’re going to die if I don’t get back..”

Geo hesitated before placing a hand on Cole’s shoulder “I’m sure they will figure something out. It sounds like a large group. Surely someone is resourceful?”

Cole took a deep breath. Thinking about how jay could scrap anything together with enough stubborness, or how zane could make a plan five steps ahead of himself

“Right. Yeah. They can. Hold out for a bit.” He still had to get back. What good was finding the green ninja if they were both stuck here? Its not like they could lure the overlord here. And even if they could that was. A bad idea.

Geo nodded “see? It’s going to be ok. Come on, we’ll get a place to sleep set up for you.” He offered.

Lloyd rolled his eyes “I’m gonna go find bonzel. She’ll wanna know about this new method of showing up here.”

“Who’s bonzel?” Cole asked

“You’ll find out soon enough brickstone” Lloyd stuck his tounge out

First master the savior of the world is so childish..

Geo shook his head “bonzel is the youngest of our little group here. Both in terms of actual age and arrival. Well.. I guess not anymore for that last part” he scratched his chin. Clearing his throat “anyways. I’m sure she’ll be thrilled to meet you.”

Geo smiled. Cole couldn’t help but smile back.

Geo led him to a more empty portion of what he explained they called “the rookery” a shelter he’d worked on since he was little.

The pair began working on making a makeshift bedroom for Cole

“You said you could… open the wall in the underground. Why does it have to be you?”

“I’m the elemental master of earth.” Cole stated.

Geo just.

Blinked.

“The what now?”

Coles cheeks flushed in embarrassment . Of course he didn’t know what that ment “oh I just uh. I can manipulate earth. Dirt n rocks and stuff.” He cleared his throat

“Oh! Is it. Common to have powers like that in ninjago?”

Cole shook his head “not exactly. There’s a limited number of elemental masters. I’m part of a team of them, and we’ve met a few others. But i wouldn’t say it’s common. Why?”

Geo looked around, grabbing to pieces of meta and focusing on a point between them. The pieces began to glow as he pushed them together, bending them into a circle. Their material fusing together and becoming one “do you.. do you think that counts? I. I’ve been trying to reach Lloyd how to do it too but it hasn’t stuck.”

Cole stared open mouthed at the newly formed bracelet “geo thats- that’s incredible! Yeah that- that definitely counts as an elemental power- makes sense you can’t teach Lloyd. Only one master per element can exist at one time.” Cole explained, gingerly taking the fused scrap, turning it over in his hand to examine it “this is amazing..” he said softly. His eyes trailed over to the wall. He moved to inspect it, noticing the lines between materials that matched the freshly made peice “is that how you made this place?”

Geo shrugged “yeah? It’s. Something I’ve always been able to do. I mostly use it to make art. Sculptures and jewlery stuff like that. But it comes in handy for building too” he said casually, rubbing his neck

“With out any training?? That’s- holy shit geo that’s impressive” Cole grinned “I had to train for months under a seasoned master just to move a pebble!”

Geo’s face a deep plum “well, it didn’t start with big things. Just. Paper weights really. Over time I figured out how to do it more efficiently, most of the time I can do it as a side task,”

Cole ran his fingers through his hair “that’s. Oh my first master that’s amazing.”

Geo couldn’t help but smile back, opening his mouth to say something before the door was kicked back open as the blond rag-a-muffin waltzed through with.. a skeleton, thrown over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. “FOUND BONZEL” he declared

“Hey” bonzel held up her hand in a small wave, seemingly unbothered by the way she was being carried

“Uh. Hi..?” Cole waved back

This. Was going to be an interesting adventure.

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Author note: so this one is half the size of all chapter/arc 1. can you tell ive been looking forward to this bit eburgwergweo

genuinly excited to get into the meat of this fic <3

Since I mostly post headcanons figured this should be said. If they tickle your brain please use them, you do not need to ask for them to infect your brain <3

I think it's very sweet that people ask to use my headcanons/ideas/what have you, but sincerely you can do whatever you want forever and ever. You don't have to ask me I promise. Please have fun playing touys with me

👀☕️Totally not the barista

Ninjago headcanons! (Spoiler free) cafe orders edition!

kai: very complicated order (baristias hate his ass)

cole: matcha latte

zane: hot chocolate

jay: lots of cream and sugar

nya: 1 cream and 1 pump of a flavored syrup

pixal: pumpkin spice latte, girlie pop loves trying the popular stuff bc she likes engaging in human activites

garmadon: decaf

lloyd: "ill have it as dark as my soul" [is given a cup of milk]

misako: strong black coffee, she needs the caffine for her late nights reserching

wu: tea. thats not even a hc

morro: "ill have it as dark as my soul" [is given a dark hot chocolate]

Thinkin about my sleepy ninjago hc post and ive decided actually wu and garmadon ALSO subconsciously make nests bc they’re part dragon. Wu’s better at making himself seem more human so his nests aren’t as obvious but they are there

Garmadon kinda. Stopped giving a fuck about how human he seemed as his corruption got worse, so his bed was more nest then mattress (misako just went with it bc she love her hubby 🥰 and woo nest cuddles are even more cozy)

Wait omg little wu and garmadon making pillow fort nest combos together (lloyd making one too when he moves into the bounty and wu gets all sentimental and everyone’s like ???? But he’s like 🥰)

If I ask nicely will people reblog this and tell me what their most common breakfast is? Not your favorite necessarily, just what you have for breakfast most frequently? 🙏🏽

Kai after he gets home, looking in the mirror and just. Practicing.

His smile. His laugh. His quips. Practicing how to seem like himself so Lloyd doesn’t worry.

We talk about older brother Kai a lot but we need some more big sister nya appreciation. Her and Lloyd were often stuck in the ship together when she wasn’t out samurai x’ing so I think they’d end up pretty close.

I’ll see if I can some to you but there’s no way I’m making it to the spectral lands and back in 20 minutes 😔

Stay strong morro, hot choccy is waiting for you

Ninjago headcanons! (Spoiler free) cafe orders edition!

kai: very complicated order (baristias hate his ass)

cole: matcha latte

zane: hot chocolate

jay: lots of cream and sugar

nya: 1 cream and 1 pump of a flavored syrup

pixal: pumpkin spice latte, girlie pop loves trying the popular stuff bc she likes engaging in human activites

garmadon: decaf

lloyd: "ill have it as dark as my soul" [is given a cup of milk]

misako: strong black coffee, she needs the caffine for her late nights reserching

wu: tea. thats not even a hc

morro: "ill have it as dark as my soul" [is given a dark hot chocolate]