So, I wanted to include the characters' ages without actually adding another chapter specifically for that if that makes sense. Below are the characters' ages as I'm writing this, though they will get older as the story progresses.

Cole: 15

Kai: 17

Jay: 16

Nya: 15

Zane: 18

Lloyd: 10

Wu: ?

Cole stepped out of the store, the sun beating on his face. The bell rang behind him as someone else opened the door, walking off in the other direction. He kept his pace loose and unrushed as to not draw attention to himself. A few blocks further and he was out of sight, hidden in the shadows of a dark alley. He opened his patched jacket, searching his haul for any flaws he might have missed in the store. One apple, some bread, and a granola bar.

Cole fought the urge to smack himself; he had forgotten to grab water. Shaking his head, he cut his losses and moved on - it would do him no good to focus on his mistake. He would just have to get water the next time he went "shopping."

"Stealing is not an honorable pastime." Cole jumped at the sudden voice, quickly stuffing his loot back in his jacket before whipping around. Fear clouded his mind as he turned, expecting police, an angry clerk, or a citizen who had seen him in action. What he didn't expect, however, was an old man barely taller than him, a long white beard hanging from an aged and wrinkled face. Still, one of the first things he learned in his months on the streets was to never underestimate someone, least of all someone who looked incapable of taking care of themselves. He hunched over slightly, curling in on his food to keep it safe.

"What's it to you?" The old man didn't lash out like Cole had expected him to. Rather, his eyes twinkled with a certain gleam that told Cole he was amused, not offended. He held his haul closer.

"There are better ways to make a living, Cole." Cole's eyes widened, his jaw dropping slightly.

"How do you know my name?" The old man's eyes twinked again, but he didn't answer his question. Instead, he asked one of his own.

"Do you like living this way, Cole?" The young man paused, forced to think about how far he'd fallen. The odd man seemed to notice his change in demeanor, not missing how his head drooped slightly and a frown etched itself onto his face. Brows furrowed, he looked beyond his years with grief. Wu's heart went out to the boy. No one should have to suffer so much at such a young age.

"Would you like to improve your life?" Cole looked up then, surprised at the proposition. More importantly, at whom it was coming from. Hope peaked, bright and beautiful and free, before skepticism quickly demolished it. He was about to say no. He should have said no. But his stomach had other ideas.

A loud growl broke the silence, drawing laughter out of the old man, happy and jovial and amused.

"I'll take that as a yes. Come on!" He turned around, hobbling away with a bamboo walking stick that Cole hadn't noticed before. He started to follow him; stepping forward, he paused as a thought occurred to him.

"Wait, what's your name?"

"Come on, mustn't dawdle!" When did he get to the end of the alley? Cole ran to catch up with him.

"But how can I trust you if I don't know your name?" The old man turned his head, smiling at him with an impish gleam in his eyes.

"Do you always ask this many questions?" He was messing with him, Cole realized. Anger pooled in his gut as he stopped, standing firmly like a tree rooted next to a riverbank.

"Listen, old man, I don't know who you are or what you want, but you better start giving me some answers." His odd friend (if he could even consider him that) didn't stop or even falter as he answered.

"I have food, water, and an extra bed. What more do you need to know?" Cole scoffed, indignant. However, he had no other options. He ran to catch up.

"Well, could you at least tell me your name?"

"Wu. Now, come on, Mr. Fussy Pants, before the food gets cold." Cole cocked an eyebrow. He had prepared food? But, that would mean... Cole's eyes widened in realization. He knew where to find me...

He slowed so that he was behind the old man. Whoever he was, he wasn't someone to be trusted, Cole reasoned. Still, he was offering him a nice hot meal and a warm bed. He frowned. As soon as the old man was alseep, he'd leave. Better to get what he could and get out of there before things took a wrong turn. As if they haven't already, he thought bitterly. Still...

The old man kept a steady pace ahead of him, only stopping before crossing the street or to greet the occasional passerby. The farther they walked, the less harmless he seemed. Soon, the path became rough and wearisome; still, they pressed on. A large mountain loomed overhead, bringing a smile to Cole's face. Wu turned to look at him, but didn't say anything. The only window his thoughts was the small glimmer in his eye.

"Do you always smile at the mountains?" Cole frowned at his joke. If he had known his companion would be so ornary, he would have declined his generous offer. Still, food was food. He began the ascent up the mountain's rocky surface. It would be a long while before they reached the top, he realized. He wondered how far they would get before he had to carry the seemingly crippled man. Shrugging, he kept climbing. The farther they got, the more he realized that his friend was younger than he seemed. A lot younger.

All right, Old Man. Let's see if you're as lively as you look.

Challenging him to a race was a bad idea. No, it was downright dumb. The farther he got up the mountain, the quicker the old man had become. So focused on getting to the top, Cole didn't notice he'd been passed until his head poked over the peak. There, sitting at the entrance to an old monastery, was Wu with a fresh pot of tea.

Cole pulled himself over the edge; he keeled over as the air in his lungs came out in ragged breaths. Hands on his knees, he stared, dumbfounded.

"How... did you..." he panted. He wasn't even able to finish his sentence as his lungs begged for air inside his chest.

"Get up here? I would think you would know the answer to that, Cole." Cole waited in silence as he continued to catch his breath. This guy really needed to stop being so cryptic. Wu continued to pour his tea; only once the cup was full did he look him in the eyes.

"Never underestimate your opponent."

Author's Notes:

As you can probably tell, Cole is one of my favorite characters. To be completely honest, I think most of the main characters are my favorites. The information I got about Cole's mother and her death came from a Wikipedia Fandom page, but the idea of Cole being disowned is my own. Please do not use any of my ideas - I would greatly appreciate it. Also, if you have any ideas, I would love to hear them and will give you credit at the beginning or end of the chapter I use them in if I do, in fact, use them. Thank you so much to all who are reading this and for your support. I enjoy reading your reviews and love all of your positivity. God bless!