"So yeah," Cole said happily from his seat in a BadAnon meeting a few nights later, "I'm taking life one game at a time, and I gotta tell ya, I feel like a whole new Cole."
The bad guys all clapped and cheered approvingly.
Cole continued his story. "When I got back into my game that day, Wu had just grabbed the out-of-order sign and pulled it off of Fix-it Jay Junior's screen. At the same time, I rushed into the game and yelled, 'I'm gonna crush it!'"
"Knowingly, Wu said to his nephew while crumpling up the out-of-order sign, 'Hey, look at that! The gang's all here. False alarm.' and Lloyd started to play our game eagerly. Soon enough, other gamers came to play too, and we were back in business."
"Course, the job hasn't changed. I still get tossed off the building and land in the mud. But the Nicelanders are actually being nice to me. They even brought me a replica Penthouse cake and I exclaimed happily over the figurine of myself, which was, you know, still ugly, but it was also finally on the roof with everyone else."
"And that got me thinking about those poor guys left without a game. So Jay and I asked some of our friends to help us out on some bonus levels."
"Now, the homeless good characters hang out of the windows and scream along with the Nicelanders as the homeless bad characters and I crush the building. And I swear, our game hasn't been this popular in years. The gamers, they say we're retro, which I think means old but cool, heh. Every day, kids line their quarters up on the Fix it Jay console to wait for turns, while from my spot among the gathered 'bad' characters, I call out, 'We're gonna crush it!' Jay then yells back 'We can fix it!' from his own place among the gathered 'good' characters. It makes gameplay more interesting, that's for sure."
"Oh, and I decided that living in a dump wasn't making me feel very good about myself. So I cleaned it all up and made East Niceland. I made a rudimentary house for me and some really professional houses for my new co-workers, too, to much cheering from the formerly homeless characters. With a little help from Jay, of course. Okay, a lot of help. He basically did the whole thing, but whatever."
"And guess who was the best man at Jay and Nya's wedding? That's right, me. Zane did the whole 'ring bearer thing', too, all decked out in his prince outfit for the occasion. All the samurai were on Nya's side of the aisle, and all the Nicelanders and formerly homeless game characters were on Jay's side."
"Very elegant affair, lots of grandeur. Not one snake... Not that it would've been a problem if there was one, as the whole time the samurai had their weapons aimed at the window in preparation, especially when Jay went up on tiptoe for the big kiss and Nya gave the window a suspicious glance first. Anyway, I'd be a liar if I said no tears were shed. Kai claims he got dust in his eyes, but I'm pretty sure it had more to do with walking his little sister down the aisle."
"After hours, I love hanging out with the others. Sometimes we get a little reckless. Jay and Kai especially egg each other on, along with the newest addition to our group. You all know what happened there, but I'll tell you anyway just to dispel any rumors."
"Wu came in early and his nephew went straight for my game, only to see all of us Fix it Jay Junior citizens plus Kai, Nya, and Zane having a picnic. He said with amazement, 'Uncle Wu, you might want to see this. The game characters are alive!'"
"Turns out ol' Wu had long suspected something was wacky with the games. You all know he and Lloyd now close up ten minutes earlier each day so they can talk with us. And that's nice, sometimes even the best part of my night."
"During the day, Jay wins medal after medal as he reaches the roof over and over. I watch it and it no longer phases me. In fact, I'm content, even happy, because each time is the best part of his day. And because the best part of my day comes right after that, when the Nicelanders take me onto their shoulders. Because if I ask, the Nicelanders will lift me up extra high. And then I get a perfect view of Sugar Rush."
"As they carry me to the edge of the roof, I'll look out through the arcade, and sometimes a kid will be playing as Zane. He'll speed through the Sugar Rush racetracks on the custom kart we made. More often than not, he'll glitch his way to victory."
"Zane is a natural, and I'm not exaggerating when I say I've taught him all he knows. And the players, they all love him, just like I knew they would. When Zane wins, he'll always hold out a fist to the gamer, and again more often than not the player will fist-bump the screen, and Zane himself."
"Whether that happens or not, Zane will look over at my game and give a little wave. I beam with pride every time, and I wave back as I'm tossed over the side."
"And as it turns out, I don't need a medal to tell me I'm a good guy. Because if Wu and Lloyd like me, if Kai and Nya like me, if Jay likes me, and if that little kid Zane likes me, then I'm not that bad after all."
AN: It took numerous hiatuses, three and a half years and a day, two accounts, and one miscapitalization in the title, but it's done. Crush it Cole is done. Sigh. It's been fun, everyone!
If you want more Wreck It Ralph fanfiction, I recommend "Local Man Finds His Arcade 'Turbotastic'" by Cadavatar (it's the inspiration for Lloyd and Wu in this fic). If you want more Ninjago fanfiction, I recommend the NfaN series by KairiVenomus (huge and unfinished but amazing) and "In Between" by TombRaiderNinja (really interesting completed AU). If you want more Crush it Cole, tell me that you're interested and I just might do more (including just maybe doing this all over again with the Wreck it Ralph sequel). If you want more StoriesAreMagic fanfiction, I'm going to be trying a few things soon (both Ninjago and other fandoms), so stay tuned.
In conclusion, thank you all so much for your favorites, follows, views, and reviews. You have no idea how much I adore them and you. Thanks again! Goodbye!