Cole walked stiffly of the giant set of stares to the dojo. He was sore all over and knew he had a lot of bruises, so he didn't go very fast.
Cole couldn't wait to be back with his team. He had had an unexpected and bad turn of events during his visit to the village. He'd run into a woman. The woman knew Cole and had immediately pushed him against a wall picking up a stick and hitting him several times over with it.
After facing that, it would feel good to be with Kai, Jay, Zane, and Sensei Wu again. People who cared about him.
Even so, he didn't want to tell them immediately what had happened. If they saw the signs and asked, he'd answer honestly. But there was no need to bring it up. He felt safe in the Dojo surrounded by his team.
At last Cole made it to the doors. He leaned against the walls trying to ease the pain for a bit before entering. He then opened the giant doors, walked through the courtyard and inside to the sound of someone cooking. Cole knew Kai planned to make udon.
Staggering slightly he made his way to the dining room where Jay and Zane sat.
"Finally! Took you long enough," said Jay.
"Yeah, sorry about that," Cole apologized, "A few issues came up, but nothing I can't handle."
Jay seemed to accept this answer, but Zane seemed less convinced. Cole suspected Zane could sense something bad had happened to him. But before Zane could question him, Kai brought in dinner and everyone ate.
No issues came up until it was time to train the next day.
Cole still felt sore all over, and it affected his flexibility and speed. A rotating training dummy smacked into him from behind making him fall face first to the ground.
"FAIL!" Sensei Wu called out, but he did not immediately start the next cup of tea to time them.
Cole knew from experience that meant he suspected the ninja who failed did so because of a hidden problem. He would pause the training to give the other ninjas a chance to help out and intervene himself if he needed to. Sensei Wu rarely did intervene, though, unless an argument broke out or the ninjas asked him too.
Cole stood on his own as the other 3 came up to him.
"What happened?" Kai asked.
"I'm sorry, guys. I'm not feeling quite myself today." Cole explained.
"What's wrong?" Jay asked.
Before Cole could answer Zane spoke up, "He's injured. I've sensed so since yesterday, but I didn't get a chance to tell you."
The other's expressions grew more concerned.
"Are you okay?" Kai asked.
"It isn't serious," said Cole, taking off his shirt to reveal multiple bruises on his chest, arms, and back.
"What happened?" Jay asked sounding alarmed.
"I…was attacked…while at the village yesterday. I didn't tell you because I wasn't hurt very badly. I didn't think it would affect my skills as it has," Cole told them.
"You should have still told us. After all you're the one always reminding us that we're a team…man, these look like they really hurt!" said Jay walking around Cole to get a better look at the damage.
"I am a bit sore," Cole admitted.
"Who attacked you? Some of Lord Garmadon's skeletons?" Zane asked.
"No, a living person. Someone who's apparently spending time in the village. I honestly hoped I'd never run into her again," said Cole a bit sadly.
"Well who is it?" Kai asked, "You just tell us who, and we'll help you stand up to her."
"It's not as easy as that, Kai," said Cole looking down.
"Why not?" Zane asked.
"It's my mother," was Cole's answer.
