A/N: Hello! Random idea bouncing in my head. Till me if it's any good. Kind of a Cole-centric fic, sorry about that. Definite AU. Seriously tell me if it's any good, this is just a test to see if anyone will read it… besides Stormyskies8. She reads most of my stories, the only ones she doesn't read is my Power Ranger ones. Uh… yeah. So I'll like go onto the story now…and umm, yeah.

Disclaimer: I own Nothing! Except my OCs! (Some I have used before, others are new to me)

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Prologue: The Test

Once upon a time there was a large country known as Ninjago. Now, no one alive knows why it was named that… actually there is a whole lot that they don't know. For starters, the last week of summer is used to test all freshman to see what their talented in. Which is really important because your talent decides which boarding school you attend. No one knows why this is the way it is, it just is and no one questions it… I think they should question it. They have boarding schools for everything; cooking, singing, dance, security, gardening, sewing, inventing, veterinary, you name it, they had a school for it. They even had an extra school. This one was called the Mystery school, by the public of course; it wasn't the school's actual name. No one knew what they specialized in, since there already was a school for everything else. All they knew was that every year they sent the same two professors to oversee the testing. One was an older lady that looked like she belonged out on the archeological digs, though that couldn't be right since they did have a school for that (Diggs and Bones School for Archeologists), the other was an older man who looked a bit like a mad scientist. He always wore the same lab coat, and had these ridiculous thick glasses. Also, they really get new students. Only a slight problem came up with the test, the older generations knew what to expect. So, they trained and taught the kids how to pass the right tests (the Test is made up of one test from each school… talk about long!) to get into certain jobs. Of course, occasionally a kid will take matters in his or hers own hands and get into the school they want to attend.

Which brings us up to date with two best friends who were about to become two mere acquaintances all because of the test. Everyone say hello to Cole Brookstone and Christian Jones!

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Cole Brookstone had a HUGE problem. Tomorrow was Test day. HIS Test day. Cole quickly threw several black sweaters into his large suitcase. In two days time, he would be leaving for a boarding school for the next four years. And if his dad had anything to say about it, it would be Marty Oppenheimer School of Performing Arts. The same school his dad had gone to. Cole grimaced at the thought of a career performing on stage. He would much rather be stuck doing something else, anything else.

"Cole!"

Scratch that. It wouldn't be too bad if he had his best friend since preschool with him.

"Hey, Jones!" Cole greeted the gangly teen.

While Cole had a broad built, thick black hair, and deep dark brown eyes, Christian Jones was the exact opposite of him. Tall and skinny, Jones had buzzed short blonde hair and grey eyes that sparkled with life. Bouncing, the teen threw himself on Cole's bed.

"You excited for tomorrow!?" Jones grinned broadly, unaware of how much Cole was dreading the Test.

"Right. I am totally excited to go mix-up a dance move in front of two professional dancers who are judging me to see if I'm good enough to bother sending me to their school." Cole rolled his eyes.

"You forgot, we also have to assemble a fossil, cook something, invent some new gadget, and…" Jones didn't catch the sarcasm in Cole's voice, not till Cole clapped a hand over his mouth.

"Stop it. I was being sarcastic. I… just never been real good with tests before. What if I fail all of them?" Cole flinched as soon as the words were out of his mouth. No one ever failed the tests. It was physically impossible. The only way to fail was if you literally couldn't do anything.

Jones pried his hand off of his mouth. "Come on Cole, that's the nerves talking. Say…what do you think the mystery school's test is? Mom says she can't remember it at all."

Cole snorted at that. Jones was obviously trying to change the subject for his sake. "Come on, I bet they don't really have a test. Or have you not noticed no one seems to remember what the test for them is?" Cole felt slightly weird being the one to point it out. Mainly because no one ever did. But, a fact was a fact. No one ever remembered what the test was.

"Uh… good point Cole. I've got to go. Mom needs me to watch the triplets tonight." Jones glanced down at his wristwatch.

Cole fought the urge to flinch, wondering if the real reason Jones liked him was because he was an only child, and didn't need to share his room with a younger brother. "Bye Jones. See you tomorrow."

"Bye! See ya at the testing grounds!" Jones happily declared as he slipped out of the room.

"Right… the testing grounds." Cole picked up his pair of lucky orange socks and immediately wondered if he should pack them now, or wear them to the test.

Groaning, Cole fell back onto his bed, staring up at the ceiling. The minutes ticked by as he lay there doing nothing. Finally, the door creaked open as Lou Brookstone stuck his head into the doorway.

"There you are! Come on! I ordered pizza!" Silence fell like a thick blanket, smothering the famous dancer. "Cole? You alive in there?"

"Yeah… just give me a minute Dad." Cole rolled over to his side, so that he was facing his father.

Lou looked his son over. The two of them looked enough like each other, that complete strangers have asked if Cole was Lou's younger brother. Something that irked Cole like nothing else. Ok, either his dad or Jones mentioning his fear of dragons was even more annoying than that.

"You nervous about the Test tomorrow?" Lou sat down next to his son.

Cole sat up, wrapping his arms around his legs quickly. "What do you think Dad? I am just not ready to leave you alone for four years." Cole immediately bit his bottom lip as he realized he probably said too much.

"This is about your mother, isn't it?" Lou frowned at his son, worried about how Cole always brushes everything off as concern for Lou. Ever since his wonderful Rocky passed away in that horrid car accident…Cole seemed unwillingly to let Lou out of his sight.

"Mom…wouldn't want you to be alone Dad. I think we both know this." Cole gave Lou a pointed look.

"You're right. But I'm not alone. I have a wonderful son who will keep in touch with me, and my quartet." Lou squeezed Cole's shoulder.

Cole looked down at his lap, his fingers twitching from nerves. Maybe…it was a long shot, but when will Cole get the chance again? "Dad, can I ask you a question? About Mom?"

"Sure thing. Go right ahead Cole." Lou paused before looking away, his voice suddenly much softer, "She would want you to know whatever you like about her."

Cole smiled briefly, before frowning, worried about the answer. "Which School did Mom go to?"

Lou started, before looking at Cole, surprise flashing across his face. "She went to the Mystery School."

Cole gasped in surprise, his mind reeling. THAT school?! What was the test?! Cole rubbed his forehead, struggling to wrap his mind around this new information. Just then the doorbell sang (yes sang, Lou and his quartet made their own ringtone for his doorbell) alerting them that the pizza delivery man had arrived with their pizza.

Standing up, Lou hurried down to answer the door, giving Cole one last squeeze. As soon as he was gone, Cole flopped back down onto his pillow, worry creasing his brow. It could just be a coincidence. A coincidence that the school his mom had attended was the same one that plagued him at night in his nightmares. Besides that, everyone knew that there was no such thing as fate, or destiny. It is just coincidences.

"Cole! Come down here for dinner!"

Yeah. Just coincidences. No such thing as fate, dragons, or people who can spin so fast they look like tornadoes.

…

Cole gasped as he snapped awake, his heart thudding loudly in his chest. He just had the dream again where he had been accepted into the Mystery School…and they expected him to fly on top of an actual dragon. Completely crazy, but he just couldn't shake it. Rolling over, he glanced at the time and realized that he had two hours before he had to get up and ready for the Test. He quickly ran his hand through his hair, wondering if things would be a lot simpler if they didn't have the Test. Groaning, he turned back over in hopes of finding some more sleep. Today was going to be a long day.

…

Jones bounced excitedly as they dodged through the crowd trying to find where they were supposed to go to check in. Finally, they found the booth where they were to check in at. After finding and marking off their names, they half-listened to the rules of the Test. Walking away, they found a small bench to sit on next to each other. Twiddling his thumbs, Cole wished that Jones would just say something while they waited for their names to be called. Cole looked over the large area full of all the fourteen year olds in all of Ninjago. Swallowing hard, he tried to wrap his mind around the fact that he was in the middle of a sea of kids his age, and that the hundreds of tents had each had two professors and one kid in it. Groaning suddenly, he turned to face Jones.

"You are never this quiet. Please say something!"

"Something." Jones bluntly repeated.

"Wait…what!?" Cole blinked, confusion wiggling its way into his voice.

"You said please say something. So, I said something." Jones sniggered at his brilliancy.

"Jones!" Cole whined just as the loud speakers clicked on.

"Will Christian Jones please report to Tent B. I repeat. Will Christian Jones please report to Tent B."

Jones gulped loudly and visibly as he stood up. Cole didn't like seeing his usually positive friend so down in the dumps and tried to cheer him up a bit. "You've got this Jones! Go get them!"

"Thanks. You go get them when it's your turn to." Jones whispered softly, before hurrying off to find the tent he was needed at.

"Will Cole Brookstone please report to Tent A. I repeat. Will Cole Brookstone please report to Tent A."

Cole suddenly wondered where Jones got the strength to proceed to Tent B. His legs had turned to jell-o. Not the good kind either. Swallowing hard, Cole quickly made his way to the tent. From now till who knows when, he was taking the test.

…

Cole nursed his arm as he weaved his way to Tent Z. The last of the tents. No one was allowed near the tent until they finished the rest of the tests. It was the one tent that represented the same school every year. The mystery school. As he approached, surprise filled him upon noticing the large group of teens hanging around it.

"Cole!" Well, at least Jones was here.

"Hey Jones. What's up with the hold up?" Cole greeted his old friend.

"Uh? Oh! That! Yeah. Apparently, the test for this one they do two at a time. And you have to be called in." Jones bounced slightly, excited to be so close to learning what the mystery test was.

Cole absently nodded his head. Not wanting to ruin his friend's excitement. Taking a test without preparing for it seemed too unconventional for his liking. Of course that probably explained why hardly any one passes it. Cole quickly pushed his new nagging thought about how his late mother had passed this part of the Test. Just then the tent flap flew open and two teens, a boy and a girl that Cole had never seen before, came out, and was followed by the professors. Cole looked over at them, and decided that it wouldn't be long before they retired. The lady had long gray hair which was tightly braided and green eyes, and the man had white hair, and dim grey eyes.

"Christian Jones?" The man called out suddenly.

Jones hurried over to follow him into the tent. The lady coughed before reading the name she had out loud. "Cole Brookstone?"

Cole dragged his feet over to her. She only acknowledged him with a quick nod of her head. He soon found himself standing in…the smallest of all the tents. There was a wood burning stove sitting in the corner with an antique teapot sitting on top of it, and a table with two chairs. There was also a small desk in a corner with two chairs next to it. And a pile of papers on top of the desk. There were also two quills and a pot of ink sitting on the table. Puzzled, Cole and Jones watched the man sit two pieces of the parchment down on the table, one in front of each chair.

"Please take a seat. We have some…soothing tea for you to take. We believe it will improve test scores. Once you finish the tea, go ahead and start the test. Each answer must be in a complete sentence." The man shot his co-worker a funny look when he mentioned the tea. She merely gave him a quick nod, before pouring two mugs.

Her movement brought a small wash basin to Cole's attention, allowing him to know how they wash the mugs between tests. Quickly accepting the mug, Cole downed the warm liquid. Surprise flickered through him upon realizing it tasted like warmed honey water, with a hint of mint. Handing the empty mug back, he sat down and flipped the parchment over to start the written test.

Do you have any relatives or ancestors that you know of that went to this school?

Yes, my mother attended this school.

What was their full name?

Her full name was Rochelle Rebecca Mason Brookstone.

Have you any strange dreams that keep repeating themselves, involving this school? If so, what was happening?

Yes. I can't remember much, just that there were dragons, men who could spin so fast that they looked like tornados, and the fact I was there.

Have you ever questioned why we have the Test? Please keep your answer to one word.

Yes.

Cole paused briefly as he realized the strangeness about this test. What kind of school needed to know all of this? Shaking his head, he quickly filled out the last ten questions, which were about mundane school problems (math, science, and of course, history). Cole sat his quill down as he looked over the last of the problems. He most likely had failed them. He didn't know anything about warring tribes, or how to fix a hydrogenerator. That and the three math problems made no sense, and were too complicated for him to answer. He hoped they wouldn't dock too many points for writing 'I don't know' for those questions.

"Time's up. You may go home and finish packing for tomorrow. Be back here with your families at six thirty p.m. tomorrow." The lady suddenly snatched the papers off of the table.

Cole and Jones quickly jumped up and left the room, feeling dizzy and relieved that the Test was finally over for them. Now they just had to wait for tomorrow for the results. Results that will depict the rest of their lives…

…

Lou tightened his grip on Cole's shoulder as they stood in the large clearing that was quickly filling up with anxious parents and soon to be high school students. Cole glanced sideways at Jones who actually looked nervous. He was with the Brookstones instead of his own family due to the fact Mr. Jones was still in the hospitable, and Mrs. Jones couldn't leave the triplets unattended. Thankfully, the announcements of Test results were always recorded live on TV.

The governor, leader of all Ninjago, stepped onto the stage with the same professors from the day before filing in behind him. A large round of applause erupted from everyone has the crowd cheered loudly.

Throwing his hands into the air, the governor waited for the crowd to quiet down patiently. "Today, we are gathered to learn which schools our young ones shall attend! When I say you name come forward, and I will tell you what the Test told us." Dropping his hands, he pulled out a tablet that had been programmed with the Test results for every kid. "First up! Jane Moor!" A girl that Cole barely recognized as the same one that finished the Test right before him ran up to the stage. "InvenTori Academy!" A smattering of applause at the announcement, the two professors from the school nodding to her in greeting. "James Moor!" Same boy that was with her doing the Test. "Culinary Arts University!" Another smattering of applause. "Zane Julian!" A boy that was standing by himself, with stiff looking white hair, and icy blue eyes, approached nervously, eyes darting over to look at the two Mystery School professors. "The Mystery School!" Murmurs of surprise rippled through the crowd. It was rare for someone to get that school. Cole couldn't help but notice that the boy seemed relieved about that announcement. Moving quickly, he went over and hugged the male professor, who quickly whispered something in his ear. "Anthony Wheels!"

Cole decided that he could just tune him out till he called either his name, or Jones'. Hours crept by of Cole looking and watching everyone ran up to be told which one of the boarding school will be their home for the next four years. Suddenly, the governor yelled out one of the two names he was waiting for. "Christian Jones!" Jones slipped past him quietly, scurrying to the stage. Cole quickly glanced over to the professors, recalling how you could typically tell how one did on the Test by how confident they appeared that you would be in their school. A smile crossed his face as he realized that the dance instructors from Lou's old school were the most confident. "Marty Oppenheimer School of Performing Arts!" Jones did a happy leap in the air before running over to the professors, who just nodded at him. "Cole Brookstone!" Cole gulped as he realized that it was his turn to go up there. Moving quickly he walked up there, scanning the faces of the professors. Puzzlement slipped through upon realizing that the dance instructors were confident, but so were the Mystery School representatives. Stopping in front of the governor, Cole waited patiently for his results. "The Mystery School!" An extra loud gasp could be heard at that declaration. Cole went wide eyed with shock, a quick glance telling him that the dance instructors went expecting it either.

"There has to be a mistake! Cole got a hundred percent on our section of the Test!" one of the professors protested.

"I guess now would be a bad time to tell you he got a hundred and ten percent on ours." The female professor from the Mystery School announced, looking highly amused.

Her companion rolled his eyes at her, but didn't say anything. Cole however felt confused. He didn't know all the answers. He even told them that with the answers he wrote down. How could he have scored so high?

"Cole? We need you to head out back to our bus, as is tradition. Zane is standing next to it." It took Cole a few seconds to realize that the male professor was talking to him.

"Sorry." Cole whispered as he hurried out to the bus parking lot.

As he had been told, Zane stood next to the bus. A very interesting bus. Instead of being the school colors with the school name on the sides, it was gold with multiple colors splashed onto it. There was no name. Cole swallowed hard as he spotted Jones waving him over to the Marty Oppenheimer School of Performing Arts bus. Cole quickly looked away as he approached the mystery bus. Zane wasn't by himself. He had a few others with him. Two boys and a girl that looked too young to be fourteen. One boy had light brown hair and electric blue eyes, the other had spiked auburn hair and hazel eyes. The girl had short cropped black hair and hazel eyes; she looked similar to spiked hair, probably related. Cole glanced over to see Jones arms drop as he stared at him in shock. Cole looked away again, pretending to examine the bus.

"Does anyone here know the actual name of the school we're going to?" Cole honestly didn't expect an answer.

"Yes. Sensei Wu's Monastery for the Gifted." Zane stated calmly in an monotone voice.

Startled, Cole stared at him. It was the boy with electric blue eyes that spoke up next. "How do you know that?"

"My father, Dr. Julian, is one of the professors. We were worried I wouldn't get in. Thus why he hugged me when I did." Zane didn't lose the monotone voice at all during the whole time he spoke.

Cole quickly looked away again as anger surged through him. Zane probably spent his entire life studying that particular test. Though, the statement about getting in probably meant that Zane struggled with the Test. Cole felt a small pang as he realized that Zane could have been like him and nearly sent to another school. Only it would be one that Zane had no connection to, instead of his dad wanted him to go there…

A/N: Done! Whoa…Times New Roman Format, font size Twelve, and NINE PAGES!? Wow…just wow. Ok. Please let me know if I should actually continue this or not!

The Test for the 'Mystery School' is not the actual questions. Those were just random. It was whether or not you could READ the test. As Cole is going to find out soon, the whole thing was written in their ancestors' language which by now is forgotten by everyone and looks like chicken scratch. The tea doesn't do anything… in fact; the tea really was warmed honey water with crushed mint leaves soaked into it to throw people off guard. They were going with the power of the mind there.

Cole's mother's name in this is Rochelle Rebecca Mason, who married Lou Brookstone. She was known as Rocky for short, and was…well, you will learn that later. She died in a tragic car crash when Cole was really young, making him close to his father and not wanting to leave for boarding school. Still went, kind of can't break the law.

Also I realized that Jones is an awful lot like Jay… interesting. Nya is thirteen in this one, but she skipped a grade so she gets to do the Test with Kai.

See ya!

SkyTalon