Hello. After the season finale, I just wanted to do an "after-the-series" type thing. I just hope this isn't the end!

Disclaimer: I don't own Ninjago

-Kai-

I never knew these would be my famous last words, "Maybe we can use what we've learned as ninjas to help us in our everyday lives."

I never knew.

It all began on a chilly February afternoon. The sky was thick with fog as I walked to the University of Ninjago. A few years had passed since the final battle. I was going on twenty-one in the next month. College life was tough, trying to keep up with the rent for my apartment, homework, classes, and my part time job at Dareth's dojo, plus my shift at Ninjago Roll Tacos. All of the ninjas eventually ended up going to college, Cole in archeology, Zane in computer engineering, Jay in robotics, Nya in robotics and inventing, Lloyd in teaching, and myself in microbiology.

I know, I know, out of character for me, but, I was looking for a new beginning, and microbiology was one of my hidden interests. Nya did a spit take when I told her.

So, back to the point. I was almost late, as usual, trying to frantically finish my orange juice. My class was less than a minute away when the worst happened.

I dropped my books.

Now, being a ninja, you may think I am capable of quickly snatching up my books and making it to class on time, and I would have, if it weren't for Skai.

"Do you need some help?" She asked, a sympathetic grin on her face.

"No, I'm fi-"

But, before I could finish my sentence, she was on the ground next to me, picking up my books.

"Sorry, couldn't help myself. It's happened to me too many times. By the way, my name's Skai."

"Kai."

"Nice to meet you."

"Ditto."

I stood up after sloppily shoving my books back in my bag.

"Look, sorry, but my class starts in two minutes and…"

My voice trailed off as I got a good look at the girl. She had long, straight dirty blonde hair with an almost square-shaped face. Thick black glasses rounded her perfectly brown eyes.

"Hello? Bookboy?"

I snapped back into the real world, blushing with embarrassment.

"Sorry, I-I just… Was making sure I had everything in my bag."

Skai laughed. "Yeah right." She began walking away, and I did what I knew I had to do.

"Wait!"

She stopped in her tracks and looked back at me expectantly. Shoot, let Jay's guy training finally pay off.

"Well, my buds and I are hanging out at that diner on the corner of Maybourogh and Crofton at about seven tonight if you would like to join us?"

"Sure!" Yes. "I'll see you there!"

"See you there!"

I walked into the university, a new light in my steps, even though I was late.

But no amount of ninja training could prepare me for what was coming next.

Love.

-Cole-

The bag heaved under my punch, rebounding, swinging, swooping, dodging my every step until I collapsed to the ground.

Wasted.

Things were not going well in Cole World. I had recently been laid off my part time job at Ninja-Shop, a big supermarket in the middle of town. There barely was enough money left from working for Dareth to pay the bills. I wanted to look into a job at that diner on the corner of Maybourogh and Crofton, Cassie's. They were always looking for new faces, even if restaurant jobs were not my cup of tea, so I asked the others to go along with me tonight. Along with that, I had just broken up with my girlfriend, Tally, like, two seconds ago. Thankfully, in return for keeping him alive, Dareth gives us free roam of the dojo. I would blow off my steam on the bags, then focus and meditate when I could, but it was rare. Most of my time was spent with school.

I could feel the forbidden flow of tears threatening. Why did life have to be so hard?

That's when I met her.

Some say 'the one', some say 'meant to be'.

I like to say 'her'.

Koko, my night and day, pencil and paper, cake and icing….

What? Is it wrong for a grown man to like cake?

She strolled into the dojo and paid her fare at the front desk where Zane was waiting for the next class to start, the teenage class. The girl walked over to the bag next to mine and started to stretch.

"Hey," I attempted.

"Hi."

I noticed very quickly it would take some coaxing to get her out of my shell.

"So, have you been here before?"

"No, this is my first time."

Think of witty remarks! "Well, be careful on the obstacle course. The first time I used it, I couldn't sit for a week!"

The girl turned away.

Idiot!

"So, wha-"

"Could you quit hitting on me and punch the stupid bag!" I was taken aback by the harshness in her statement. I quickly turned and looked at my bag.

"Sorry, it's just, well, my life is messed up right now and-"

"I know how you feel."

Koko looked at me, a glare, a challenge in her eyes. "Try me."

"Lost my job, lost my girlfriend, lost half of my adolescence because I had to train to be a ninja-"

"Orphan, sister died, brother in hospital with cancer, can't find a job, can't pay for college, deaf in one ear, dyslexia."

That sure did shut me up.

We turned to our bags and punched the living day lights out of them, taking out every ounce of fear, terror, and guilt and every throw, keeping our mind on the game… for the most part. I couldn't keep my mind off of Koko.

Before I knew it, it was time to go to the diner. Zane called across the dojo for me, and I turned to Koko.

"You know, Cassie's is always looking for new faces," I mentioned, giving a subtle mention of invitation.

"Cassie's?"

I frowned. "You don't know what Cassie's is?"

Koko shook her head. "I just moved from Jamonikai Village two weeks ago for my brother's treatment."

"Would you like to come? You could meet my brothers. I'm applying tonight."

"Well, I have nothing better to do."

Oh, how that would change.

Do you like it? By the way, this has no relation to To Defeat the Dark Lord at all, except for the OCs.

~NerdyAndIKnowIt