Ahhhhh here you go. I got a sudden surge of motivation!
[Part 3]
They weren't sure how long they'd been wandering. It'd been a while.
"Where are we?" Nya asked. The sun was beginning to set, and Cole was beginning to get even more frustrated than he already was. On the bright side, however, it was getting less crowded.
"I think we're...almost halfway. We'll need to take a turn here, continue straight for a while, go there..." He sighed.
"Let's sit down for a minute. We've been walking for hours." She urged, pulling him down with her on the edge of the sidewalk.
"Yeah." He muttered, joining her on the sidewalk. He could tell she was getting cold from the way she was trying not to shiver. He pulled her close. "We'll be home soon." He muttered into her dark, crusty hair.
"I know, it just seems like it's going to take forever." She responded, closing her eyes and enjoying the feeling of Cole's rough, dry, and cracked fingertips sift through her hair.
Another five minutes passed when Cole stood up, offering Nya his hand. Wordlessly, she took it, and he pulled her to her feet.
"Well, halfway is farther than we were a few minutes ago, isn't it?" She said, another one of her smiles lighting up her face again.
"You have a point. Let us continue our...epic quest throughout the city." He replied as they began to pick up pace again.
"Epic quest. Hah." She huffed, jogging a little bit to catch up with the long-legged earthbender.
After an uncountable amount of even more right, left, straight, and confusing turns, more awkward and small-talk filled silences, and finally, more frustration-filled rants and soothing, finally, after what had seemed like centuries-
"I never thought I'd be so happy to see that sign." Nya admitted, and with Cole in tow, they burst into the dojo.
A small group of students, all decked out in martial arts gear, were mimicking the stance of Dareth himself, who stood at the front of the classroom, his left leg raised, knee bent at a perfect ninety-degree angle, arms bent, too, in an upside-down L shape. He had some kind of scowl on his face.
"Now, youngsters, allow me, the Brown Ninja, to guide you in this epic stance. I call it The Flamingo! Invented by myself, it allows the...user to strike a graceful fear in their foes' soul! HOOOOOWAAHH-"
The bell to the entrance rang above the two ninja's heads, announcing their arrival. Dareth paused, dropped his stance, and then he turned to face the two.
"Well, if it isn't two of the ninja!" He announced as several small head whipped towards the two ninja. Faces lit up, smiles crossed faces, and murmurs crossed the phone.
"Um...hey Dareth." Nya said as the two crossed the room.
"Wazzup, little lady? Say, Zane called earlier and said to keep an eye out for you two. Said one of the others are gonna swing by and pick you up."
The two let out a huff of laughter that was filled with more relief than it was humor. "Yeah, he told us that he'd call you." Cole responded.
"Well, then. You two look like you could use a break. Come on in!"
…
"...What the hell happened to you two?" Came Kai's voice when he opened the door to reveal Zane, Cole, and Nya. "The Ultra Dragon came back with no rider."
"He ditched us and dumped us in the ocean!" Nya yelled, then stomped in the apartment. Cole followed suit, Zane bringing up the rear and closing the door.
"Where is that dragon?!" Cole snapped.
"He flew away with Lloyd somewhere." Kai shook his head. "You guys were gone for a while. It's nearing midnight!"
"I know, I know." Nya groaned. "I don't know about you, big guy, but I'm glad to be home." She whacked Cole in the chest playfully.
He huffed. "I am too. Now. I want a shower and food."
"Sis?" Kai asked, suspicion nagging his voice.
"What?" She snapped, turning towards him.
"Why are you wearing those shorts?!" He asked, glaring accusingly at Cole.
"We'll explain after we're clean, fed, and clothed in clothes that actually fit!" She shouted from the hallway.
…
After her skin had been scrubbed raw, her hair washed until it was squeaky when she rubbed, and after her face had been freed of all the dirt and grime that covered it, Nya emerged from her bedroom, now in a red hoodie with a pair of blue sweatpants. Her short hair tied back in a loose bun, her sock-enveloped feet padded out into the living room, where the other ninja were gathered.
Jay and Lloyd stood near the TV, chattering about some video game, Kai was busy interrogating Cole, and Zane was standing near Sensei Wu, the two talking amongst themselves. A delicious, greasy smell drifted through the air, making Nya's stomach growl.
"Food!" Nya yelled, in no mood for delay.
Jay stood, then walked over to the grumpy woman. "I brought home some pizza." He gestured to the table. Nya stomped toward it, but Jay stood in front of her. "One slice costs one hug."
"I hate you." She mumbled as she gave him a quick, short-lived hug that lasted about a second or so. Shoving him aside, she muttered some choice words under her breath as she made her way to the pizza.
"I already explained to them what happened." Cole replied.
She gave a huff of approvement as she tore into a slice of pepperoni pizza.
Cole chuckled. "Happy, Kai?"
"So. The dragon ditched you guys, and you were soaking wet and covered in sand, so two strangers approached you two and asked you if you need clothes, then..." Kai proceeded to describe the story Cole had shared.
"Yeah, pretty much." She said, taking another slice of pizza out of the box.
"We are glad you two made it home safely." Zane responded.
"Thank you, Zane." Nya responded. She could never be grumpy around the precious nindroid.
"Yeah, thanks. And Jay, thank you for bringing pizza." Cole responded, gesturing to the empty box of cheese that he had knocked out all on his own.
"No problem." Jay mumbled.
Nya stood, three slices consumed in less than five minutes. "I'm going to sleep. Night, everyone."
"Goodnight, cutie." Cole said, the nickname slipping before he realized it.
"Night earthworm." She hugged the other three goodnight before walking away.
"...Cutie?!" Jay asked.
Cole only shrugged. "What? It fits her. Especially when she's angry."
Kai shook his head. "Whatever, man. I don't wanna hear about it."
Eh, a crappy and rushed ending, but meh.
Sorry this update took so long! I have family coming over today!
You guys are the best!