I have never had this kind of reception from one chapter. Thanks so much for everyone who reviewed!

Be warned, this chapter is pretty poorly written, so don't get your hopes up too high.

...

Chapter 2: Cole

Cole released a sigh, and ran his fingers across the large, green scar. It was such an eyesore. A reminder of all that had happened to him.

He had been a ghost. He had died. He didn't want to look at this mess anymore.

The master of earth stared at his reflection in the bathroom mirror. There had to be some way to hide this! He tapped his chin, and thought. Think, think, think.

He absently brushed his hair out his face. He looked in the mirror. Wait a second... that's it! If he grew his hair out, then it would hide the scar. The was about an inch worth of space between his bangs and the scar.

It would take about... two, maybe three months to grow it out long enough.

It was the perfect plan.

But two months later, the former ghost realized how stupid the blind optimism was. It had started with training, as most problems did.

Cole gently pushed the long bangs out of his eyes, and dodged Zane's attack. He tightened his grip on his hammer, and swung around at it.

He blew his hair out of his face. Okay, he'd admit it. Growing out his hair hid the scar, but it was constantly falling in his face! But it covered the scar. It covered the scar. Cole just had to remember that.

All he had to do was make it to dinner without playing with his hair, and he'd be good. Although that was easier said than done. "I know I don't know too much about weapons that require great strength, but I'm certain you need to maintain a better center of gravity in order to properly distribute you're weight. It could make the difference between striking your enemy and falling over."

"Thanks you the advice, tin can." Cole said, mild sarcasm lacing his voice (not that Zane noticed). He looked over to the clock. Half hour to dinner. Perfect.

"Hey, Zane?" the nindroid turned to look at the earth master. "Yes?"

"You think we should go ahead and get started on dinner?" Zane frowned at this suggestion.

"I'm not sure the others would approve of you cooking dinner." he answered.

Cole scowled. His cooking was not that bad. "Then let's make potato soup. Hard to mess that up."

Before his metallic friend could protest further, Cole was already dragging him towards the kitchen. He grabbed the biggest pot he could, and filled it with water. "You chop the vegetables, and I'll boil the water. Hard to mess that up, right?"

"Not for you." Zane answered. The two set about their tasks. After a few minutes of discussing the latest Fritz Donegan movie, Zane caught Cole off guard.

"Cole, you were distracted today in training. That's not like you." Zane observed.

Cole sighed, and sat the ladle down. "I've just had a lot on my mind lately."

Zane walked over to the earth master, and looked at him. Cole seemed to shrink under the nindroid's gaze. But the uncomfortable feeling vanished when Zane wrapped his arms around him.

"It's going to be okay." Zane said. "Everyone has bad days."

Cole smiled, and patted his friends back. "It's fine, Zane."

"I'm not sure that's true." Zane withdrew, and went back to the vegetables. "You've been... off, lately. And you've not eaten any cake."

Cole shrugged off the concern. "My body is a temple. It's about time I started to treat it that way."

Zane paused, and stared at him. "Cole, are you really feeling alright?" he asked.

"I'm fine." Cole said, taking a taste sip of the soup. "Why wouldn't I be fine?"

This only served to concern his friend even more. "Alright, Cole. I believe you." But the ice master had an ulterior motive. He asked Jay to talk to their friend after dinner.

The lighting master was more than happy to help out. He had noticed how strange Cole had been acting lately, and was eager to help. In fact, all the ninja had noticed Cole's abnormal behavior.

As soon as he had finished his potato soup, he asked, "Cole, can I talk to you?" Cole paused his conversation with Lloyd. "Right now?"

"Yeah!" Jay replied, springing up from the table. He latched onto Cole's arm and dragged him out onto the Bounty's deck. "So, um... what's up?" Jay asked.

Cole gave him a funny look. "I don't know... you're the one who wanted to talk."

Jay let out a nervous laugh. "True. Guess I just wanted to know," he paused, working up his nerve, "Are you okay?"

The earth ninja tensed for a moment, before seeming to relax. "I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?" Jay shifted awkwardly, before shrugging. "You've just been acting strange."

"Well, you can relax. I'm fine." Cole assured.

Jay frowned. "I'm not sure that's true." he echoed Zane's words.

Cole glared at him, not even bothering to hide his anger. "I'm fine, Jay. Let it go." he spat, ad tried to walk away. But Jay grabbed onto his arm, and looked him dead in the eye. "Cole, for the love of the First Spinjitsu Master, would you please tell me why you've been pulling away from us?"

"Because I don't belong on this team, Jay!" Cole screamed, all the pent up frustration bursting out. "I died, Jay! Like, actually died. And I was dead for like, three months! If it wasn't for the eclipse, I probably would have faded away."

Jay turned pale for a moment, before sighing. "I understand, Cole, but-"

"No you don't." Cole cut him off. "Why me? Out of everyone who could have been brought back... why me?" That was the bottom line. That's what this was about.

"Have you ever stopped and thought that maybe it's because you deserve it? You've done so much good Cole." Jay put a hand on his friend's shoulder. "It's about time destiny cut you some slack."

Cole opened his mouth to protest, but Jay shushed him.

"We don't care, Cole. You're not just some reanimated corpse to us." Jay handed him a rubber band. "Now pull back your hair, and wear that scar with pride." he ordered.

Cole stared the band, before grabbing it with shaking hands. He pulled his hair back into a small ponytail at the back at his head. "How does it look?" he asked, flushing for the first time in years.

Jay's entire face broke out in a cheeky grin. "Oh my God."

"What?" Cole asked.

"Have you even looked in the mirror lately?" Jay asked.

Cole frowned, and ran past Jay. He entered the door to the lower deck, and bolted straight to the bathroom. He looked at the mirror, and wow was his hair messy. But the scar... it was gone.

It was actually gone.

It was gone. For the first time in what felt like years, Cole smiled.

...

I think one thing we all can agree on is that Cole is kind of neglected. Like, all the other Ninja have entire seasons revolving around them or their character development, and we do see Cole grow as a character, it's just not as satisfying. My point is Cole should have more screen time.

And before anyone asks, no, Cole is not my favorite Ninja. Lil' Nelson is.