Lost And Found, Arc 1: Buried Treasure

Can I just talk about how much I dislike fanfictions where the premise is: "Kai cheats on Skylor with Cole" or "Kai cheats on Cole with Skylor"?

Because FIRSTLY: Kai would not fucking do that™️

And secondly: I don't like that it perpetuates the stereotype that bisexuals are cheaters!! It's a harmful stereotype and it seems that the sole reason many people write fanfiction like this is because a lot of us headcanon Kai as bisexual.

I feel like there's nuance to this topic and like maybe it could work if it's not just "Kai's an asshole who just likes sleeping around" but that's what most of them end up being and it makes me sad.

Little ninja hc’s! (No spoilers)

Starting strong with the smiths. Kai and Nya were basically raised by their village. Several people tried to take them in but they were both too stubborn to leave their parents shop

Garmadon carried Lloyd in one of those chest baby wearing things

Jay has rebelled against bedtimes since before he could conceptualize them

Cole was that kid that can only fall asleep to rock music, not lullabies (slightly inspired by movie Cole)

Zane was believed in Santa/toothfairy/easter bunny for considerably longer then most kids

Me looking at the 4 ninja like "Idk which of y'all are dating but u guys have to be fruity together in some capacity."

U show me any combination of Kai, Zane, Cole, and Jay, and I will immediately say it is canon and like and/or reblog that shit.

Lost and found, arc 2: x marks the spot

Part 1: the rock meets a hard place

(Previous---Next) (Masterpost)

Cole groaned as he rubbed the back of his head. That landing.. could’ve been a lot worse. Using the near by sand to catch himself was quick thinking. But he was definitely going to still be bruised.

He sat up, feeling the sun warm his skin and the breeze blow through his dark hair

Sun…

Breeze

Oh shit, he was outside.

He frantically reached for his mask. Pulling it up to stop himself from breathing in the fog directly but-

But nothing..?

He felt.. fine.

He didn’t feel the overwhelming urge to break something or hurt anyone or to carry out the overlords bidding..

He was. Completely fine.

Cole lowered his mask hesitantly. Taking a deep breath of clean, fresh air for the first time in what, a decade now? How long had it been since the over lord took over… keeping track hadnt really mattered after a while.

Had he managed to land some place outside the overlords control? But. That was impossible. There wasn’t an inch of earth untainted in ninjago.

Cole stood up, looking around at the proof of that he was wrong, that they’d all been wrong.

It was filled with junk and scrap. Garbage and antiques.

Jay would love it here..

There wasn’t much vegetation besides the odd rotting house plant. The place didn’t look like it could grow much, but if they could breath out here it was worth a noting as a possible new location, the underground had hit cramped years ago.

Cole paced around the piles of crap. Deciding to grab what he could for jay when, swish, an arrow shot right past his head

Stone warrior?

Cole cursed mentally

Should’ve known it was too good to be true

“Hold it right there buster” the attacker rang out “or the next one won’t just give you a hair cut.” That was.. ninjargon? Stone warriors couldn’t speak ninjargon..

“I don’t want any trouble.” Cole said, raising his hands up slowly to show the surface dweller he wasn’t armed (not that he of all people needed to be, not with this much sand and stone exposed) he turned around to face the archer, a thin figure who stood atop a rather solid looking wall. Their messy blonde hair over grown and frizzy.They wore a torn deep purple tank tap along with a cropped hoodie vest that had ribs painted on, a green 5 barely hanging on, both were far to small dispite the figures small and thin frame. The archer was adorned with jewelry made from mismatched metals. But their eyes are what stood out the most.

The piercing red of a ruby.

Just like garmadons.

“Oh yeah? Well unfortunately for you, I DO want trouble” they flashed an impish grin, their pointed ear twitched with excitement.

Oh yeah.

This was definitely garmadons kid.

Cole cleared his throat “my name is Cole brookestone” he started “there was an explosion and I somehow landed here. I did not mean to intrude or trespass. But- I’ve been looking for someone, maybe you’ve seen them.” He hesitated, wondering how to bring up the fact that he was the person Cole and everyone left in ninjago had been looking for for the past 10 years.

The archer scoffed. “Hate too break it to you Cole.” They mocked “but your search is over. Your in the land of the lost now. And it doesn’t take kindly to those who try to leave.”

Cole blinked, the land of the lost..? What on earth was that “uh. Ok then. Can we just. Talk this out? You really don’t seem like that bad of a-“ another arrow released. Another purposeful miss

“Oh. I AM that bad of a guy. Trust me.”

Cole took a deep breath. Trying to think his way out of this. The archer (who he was pretty sure was Lloyd garmadon and he’d LOVE a little confirmation here.) was too high up for him to get to before he got himself shot. “Ok. You win. What do you want from me.”

The archer blinked. Lowering his weapon a tad. Had he.. not thought that far ahead?

“I. Uh.” He looked to both sides. Trying to figure out what he was supposed to do. He gave an exasperated sigh “just come inside already brick stone”

“It’s. Brookestone.”

“Yeah, like I said. Brick stone.” He lowered his weapon, jumping off the wall with surprising agility for someone so frail looking. He pulled back a peice of scrap metal that seemed to be serving as a door.

Cole walked to the doorway, before the archer held his hand infront of it

“Weapons.”

“What?”

“Your weapons. Give em over. Your my prisoner now so I gotta have your weapons.” He explained. Rocking on the balls of his feet as he held his hand out

“I don’t have my weapons with me. Trust me you’d know if I did. I use a giant hammer.”

The arches face scrunched up. “Thats weird. What do you need a hammer for?”

“The stone warriors mostly. It’s not that effective but the shockwaves off it can stun them for a few seconds”

The archer blinked “..stone what now?” He shook his head “never mind. Just get inside already” he said, shoving Cole forword throught the door and pulling it shut

He hasn’t heard about the stone warriors..? Was this place really outside of the overlords reach?hope fluttered in Cole’s chest. If there was a safe place.. maybe they could get the survivors here. Actually start to live again..

“HEY GEO! THAT GYSER WAS TOTALLY LAME AND NOTHING SPECIAL CAME IN! ILL BE IN MY LAIR IF YOU NEED ME!!”

This scraggly 20 year old has a lair? Cole thought to himself. Finding it a bit entertaining.

“Oh no you don’t” a softer, deeper voice chimed in. “Last time you went to your lair right after a gyser we found bonzle. I’m not letting you take some random person hostage again”

The archer groaned “you never let me do anything fun” he crossed his arms, huffing and pouting like a spoiled princess in a cartoon.

A purple orc like man stepped into the small entry room of the wall “hello there. I’m geo. Sorry if my friend Lloyd here scared you he’s.. not good with people.”

Lloyd blew a lock of his hair out of his face, rolling his eyes

So it is him.. THIS is the green ninja? The savior of ninjago … oh boy they are so screwed. “Not the worst welcome party I’ve had, no sweat. I’m, Cole by the way ” the master of earth cleared his throat. “So. The land of the lost huh? What’s that about?”

Geos face softened from hospitality to.. pity. “Let’s. Discus that over a meal huh? I’m not much of a cook but I find a filling meal always helps me process new information. So, Cole. Where are you from. Sorry, what realm are you from?”

“I- realm..?uh Ninjago I guess..?”

“Of course you are. Ninjagos real good at loosing people.” Lloyd huffed

Geo gave him a scolding glance as he lead Cole from the outer wall into a quaint but large structure “ignore him. It is true though. Most that come here are from ninjago”

“Wish I could say I was surprised.. so. How exactly does one end up here? Because my buddy jay gets lost all the time but he’s never mentioned this place.” Cole glanced around, looking at the seams in the wall where different metals met. A patchwork of scrap.

Geo and Lloyd gave each other a look. Sharing.. something between them. Geo motioned for Cole to have a seat at their worn down table. “When people end up here, it’s not just because they got lost it’s.. it’s because”

“It’s because people stopped looking for them.” Lloyd interrupted, narrowing his eyes at the ground in anger.

Stopped looking? But.. we’ve been looking for Lloyd this whole time? “That. Can’t be right. I was literally with my uh.. team right before I landed here.”

Geo hummed in thought “how about. You tell us what Happened” he asked gently

“It was a normal day in the underground. There was an explosion, next thing I know I’m hurtling towards the ground.” Cole shrugged

Goes brow furrowed “You. Didnt sink in?”

“In what?”

“Normally. When people become lost they sink into the ground, and are shot out by a geyser.” Geo continued

Cole frowned “that’s. Definitely not what happened.”

“What about this ‘underground?’ What’s that about?” Lloyd questioned

“It’s a cave system. A safe haven for anyone we find wondering the surface.” Cole answered

“Safe from what?” The younger tilted his head

“You.. really don’t know?” Cole asked softly, his eyes gleaming with.. bizzare hope?

The pair shook their heads

“Oh first master. This. It’s a long story.” Cole paused, wondering how much to tell them “there’s this. Corrupting fog filled the surface. It forces people to do things they normally wouldn’t even think about doing.” Cole swallowed, rubbing at the burn marks on his wrists “the underground is completely sealed off to prevent anyone from getting infected by it, when we need supplies I can open the wall and-“ his eyes went wide. Suddenly standing “I- I have to get back-!”

“Cole just, take a deep breath” geo urged

“Nonono you don’t understand they’re all trapped down there without me-! If there’s a cave in I can’t plug it I have to-“

“Hey bolder brain! Zip it.” Lloyd shouted.

For some reason, Cole complied

Geo gave Lloyd a small nod of thanks “Cole. I know this is. Strange. And frightening. I’m sure your friends will be fine but.. once your in the land of the lost. You can’t.. you can’t leave”

Cole blinked, looking between the scrawny blond and the purple teddy bear “what do you mean.. can’t leave?”

“It’s like I told you.the land of the lost doesn’t take kindly to those who try to leave” Lloyd said ever so helpfully as he tried to blow a peice of hair out of his face (to no avail)

“That- that can’t.. I have to get back-!”

“I’m sorry Cole.. but trying to leave just. Doesn’t work. It forces you back with this. Purple mist. There’s no way past it..” goes expression softened in empathy

Cole sat back down, head in his hands “they’re going to die if I don’t get back..”

Geo hesitated before placing a hand on Cole’s shoulder “I’m sure they will figure something out. It sounds like a large group. Surely someone is resourceful?”

Cole took a deep breath. Thinking about how jay could scrap anything together with enough stubborness, or how zane could make a plan five steps ahead of himself

“Right. Yeah. They can. Hold out for a bit.” He still had to get back. What good was finding the green ninja if they were both stuck here? Its not like they could lure the overlord here. And even if they could that was. A bad idea.

Geo nodded “see? It’s going to be ok. Come on, we’ll get a place to sleep set up for you.” He offered.

Lloyd rolled his eyes “I’m gonna go find bonzel. She’ll wanna know about this new method of showing up here.”

“Who’s bonzel?” Cole asked

“You’ll find out soon enough brickstone” Lloyd stuck his tounge out

First master the savior of the world is so childish..

Geo shook his head “bonzel is the youngest of our little group here. Both in terms of actual age and arrival. Well.. I guess not anymore for that last part” he scratched his chin. Clearing his throat “anyways. I’m sure she’ll be thrilled to meet you.”

Geo smiled. Cole couldn’t help but smile back.

Geo led him to a more empty portion of what he explained they called “the rookery” a shelter he’d worked on since he was little.

The pair began working on making a makeshift bedroom for Cole

“You said you could… open the wall in the underground. Why does it have to be you?”

“I’m the elemental master of earth.” Cole stated.

Geo just.

Blinked.

“The what now?”

Coles cheeks flushed in embarrassment . Of course he didn’t know what that ment “oh I just uh. I can manipulate earth. Dirt n rocks and stuff.” He cleared his throat

“Oh! Is it. Common to have powers like that in ninjago?”

Cole shook his head “not exactly. There’s a limited number of elemental masters. I’m part of a team of them, and we’ve met a few others. But i wouldn’t say it’s common. Why?”

Geo looked around, grabbing to pieces of meta and focusing on a point between them. The pieces began to glow as he pushed them together, bending them into a circle. Their material fusing together and becoming one “do you.. do you think that counts? I. I’ve been trying to reach Lloyd how to do it too but it hasn’t stuck.”

Cole stared open mouthed at the newly formed bracelet “geo thats- that’s incredible! Yeah that- that definitely counts as an elemental power- makes sense you can’t teach Lloyd. Only one master per element can exist at one time.” Cole explained, gingerly taking the fused scrap, turning it over in his hand to examine it “this is amazing..” he said softly. His eyes trailed over to the wall. He moved to inspect it, noticing the lines between materials that matched the freshly made peice “is that how you made this place?”

Geo shrugged “yeah? It’s. Something I’ve always been able to do. I mostly use it to make art. Sculptures and jewlery stuff like that. But it comes in handy for building too” he said casually, rubbing his neck

“With out any training?? That’s- holy shit geo that’s impressive” Cole grinned “I had to train for months under a seasoned master just to move a pebble!”

Geo’s face a deep plum “well, it didn’t start with big things. Just. Paper weights really. Over time I figured out how to do it more efficiently, most of the time I can do it as a side task,”

Cole ran his fingers through his hair “that’s. Oh my first master that’s amazing.”

Geo couldn’t help but smile back, opening his mouth to say something before the door was kicked back open as the blond rag-a-muffin waltzed through with.. a skeleton, thrown over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. “FOUND BONZEL” he declared

“Hey” bonzel held up her hand in a small wave, seemingly unbothered by the way she was being carried

“Uh. Hi..?” Cole waved back

This. Was going to be an interesting adventure.

--------------------------------

Author note: so this one is half the size of all chapter/arc 1. can you tell ive been looking forward to this bit eburgwergweo

genuinly excited to get into the meat of this fic <3

Lost and found, arc 1: buried treasure

Part 1: new arrival

(next) (masterpost)

Lloyd wasn’t sure how long ago he’d left darklys (totally because they weren’t good enough for HIM) a year? Two maybe?

It didn’t really matter.

He’d been alone for long enough it hurt.

He missed Brad.

He missed mom.

He missed.. dad.

Neither of them ever picked him up. Neither of them ever showed.

Lloyd did what he could to make it through each day but. Wondering around on your own left you hungry.. and. Lost..

The young garmadon had no CLUE where he was. Or where to go.

So, he did the only thing he could, he wondered the land of ninjago in search of food and shelter.

“This is so stupid” he huffed, he’d grown accustomed to talking to the wind

“that stupid school wouldn’t know evil if it hit them in the face!” His face scrunched into a scowl, he drew his leg back, attempting to kick up a patch of sand, landing square on his back instead with a resounding ‘oomf’

“AGH!” He shouted in frustration “can’t even kick SAND right. Gene was right.. maybe I am better off lost..” his red eyes welled up with tears, he shoved his sandy palms to his face, trying to stop himself from crying, failing miserably as he had everything else in his young life

He sniffled as the wind blew sand over and around him. He felt as if he could just stay right there and let the earth swallow him up like a peice of gum

His heart stopped as the realization hit him, the earth was swallowing him.

He was sinking.

it wasn’t his imagination

His tears turned from despair to fear as he desperately tried to scramble away as the earth tried to swallow him whole “HELP!! SOMEBODY”

He screamed at the top of his little lungs, trying to grab onto something, ANYTHING to avoid getting sucked in but it didn’t matter.

His hand slipped from the sand as he screamed. Sure he would die. The earth around him became so.. warm. Comforting almost. Then hot. Scolding. Unbearable before-

PHWOOSH

The lord terror in training shot right out of the earth in a firey geyser. His screaming followed by the thud of his tiny body smacking into sandstone and a snap

Lloyd yelped,pushing himself to a sitting position, wincing as shook the sand out of his hair and he blinked the sun out of his eyes

“Where the hell AM i..?” He frowned, taking in his surroundings. Piles of junk cascaded nearly every inch of the place. He was lucky he didn’t skewered.. “is. Is anyone here..?” He asked meekly to the garbage heeps

Something clattered nearby

“Hello?” The frail boy asked, trying to push himself to his feet only to be met with pain in his ankle. He seethed from the white hot fury of putting any weight on it “h-hey-! I need help!! If some one’s there you should. Uh. You should come out already!!”

This time Lloyd’s cries were met. A purple faced teen with teeth the size of Lloyd’s wrist poked their head out. “Are you.. hurt?” They tilted their head to the side. Trying to get a look at the boy from a safe spot.

“Obviously!!” Lloyd rolled his eyes “I just fell like a bazillion feet!!”

The teen chuckled, making their way over to young new comer “the geysers don’t get quite that high,”

Lloyd tensed. “Well it sure felt that high… where even is this place?”

“This. Is the land of the lost.” The purple one explained, kneeling by Lloyd and checking on his ankle before grabbing pieces of scrap metal “I’m geo.”

“land of the lost? Am I supposed to know what that is?”

“No, probably not. It’s just a place where everything that gets, well, lost, ends up.” Geo shrugged, setting the prices of metal on either side of the frail child’s ankle, hovering his hand over it. It glowed as the peices fused together.

“Woah.. how did you do that?!” Lloyd gasped

“I donno. I’ve just. Always been able to?”

“That’s so cool..! Can you teach me?”

“Uh. I can try to? but first What was your name?”

“Oh uh,” the smaller boy hesitated “Lloyd. Lloyd garmadon.

“Well Lloyd,” geo offered his hand, pulling his new friend to his feet and acting as a crutch for him “I say we worry about that ankle first, and then we talk about cool powers, ok?”

“yeah. Ok.” Lloyd smiled for what felt like the first time in ages.

And suddenly, he didn’t feel so lost anymore.

Omg now he can give you a hug

Lloyd pillow blanket appreciation post

my souvenir from Legoland 🔥🔥🔥

ironically when i actually went, i wasn't that big a fan of Lloyd (i was hoping to get something of cole or zane but alas) but i saw a wearable blanket and decided that would be the best

Vinny from ngtv news been workin overtime lately

MA BOI IS FINALLY BACK AGAIN<3

Lost and found, arc 1: buried treasure

Part 2: butterfly effect

(pervious --- next) (masterpost)

Jay wheezed as he made his way down the tunnel. His chest heaving with effort as he pulled his custom gas mask down off his face, taking deep breaths as he let the bag of supplies slip to the ground. “Is it me or is it like, WAY worse out there today?”

Zane nodded, shifting his own bag as it weighed down his shoulders “the fog has gotten thicker it seems. It’s most troubling. You should refrain from making these supplies runs with me so often.”

Jay rolled “yeah and leave you open to the mudders while I’m at it? No way.” He stretched before knocking on the thinned out section of rock thrice, groaning as he picked up his bag once more.

The earth parted, welcoming them inside both inside “please tell me you have some good news?” Cole pleaded, closing the tunnel behind them

“Uuuuh we didn’t get pomled by stone warriors or suffocate in the fog? Oh. And got decent supplies” jay shrugged, waltzing into the underground safe haven with Zane.

“Most of the stores and homes in the area have already been raided. We need to get to the next town soon.” Zane explained

Cole sighed “the constricti are trying to get the next tunnel finished, but they keep breaking through to soon and getting fogged. I do what I can to plug it before it gets to bad but I can’t supervise expansion AND man the door.” He rubbed at the bridge of his nose

Jay hummed, the gears in his head turning “I could try and make a sensor that-“

“Out of the question” Cole said sternly “you are not risking getting that close to the city for parts”

“Wha- there are other junk yards!!”

“Are any of them within travel distance AND away from ninjago city?”

“…no” jay sighed “but I know if I can get the parts I can-!”

“The answer is no jay. We can’t risk losing another elemental master. We need you here.. I need you..”

Jay opened his mouth to protest. But closed it. “I. Fine.” He sighed.

Zane looked between his two partners, then down at the ground “I miss him as well.” He muttered, saying the quiet part out loud.

“..we all do tin can..” Cole sighed solemnly, putting his arm around the ninjaroid, giving him a slight squeeze before holding his free hand out to jay

“He’s still out there.” Jay pointed out, interlacing his fingers with Cole’s.

Zane leaned against the master of earth “Yes but. It’s. Not truly him. Not anymore. Our kai.. he’s-”

“Don’t. Don’t say it. If we- if we lose hope, if we give up on him.. then we might as well stop trying. These people need us. They need us to have hope. To keep our heads up and get them through the day.” Cole, ever the leader, emphasized

“…I know.” Zane looked away. “I simply. Struggle with it….how is Misako doing?” Zane asked, trying to change the subject

“…still looking for the green ninja..” Cole shook his solemnly. “She thinks he could still be out there but..”

“If her son was still on the surface it’s unlikely he would have survived this long” Zane finished, “or at the very least would’ve been corrupted like the others.”

“Yeah. That. Thanks zane.”

“You are welcome Cole.”

“Come on. Let’s get these supplies put away. “ Cole suggested, taking jays bag from him.

Keeping track of time in the underground was.. rough to say the least. He wasn’t sure how long it had been since the overlord took over ninjago. Years, definitely.

They’d lost so many people to his corrupting mud and deadly fog.. none of this would’ve happened if they’d found the green ninja. Without him, they hadn’t stood a chance against the origin of evil itself. Garmadon was as good as dead. Wu had gone missing a year or so ago. Nya was one of the first to be corrupted.. they had been trying to evacuate a town, but they were overrun and- and they got her. Kai had stayed behind to buy them time to escape.. and to make sure Nya wasn’t alone for what came next.

Cole had managed to bring people under ground using his elemental power, much to this dismay of the serpentine (though eventually they came to an agreement), he wasn’t sure if there were any survivors topside anymore. So many people crammed in this cavern..

They’d found kai and nyas parents, it turned out they’d been trapped down here the whole time by the master of time, zane was the one to break the news to them that they’d both..

It was horrible. All of it. There was no other word for it. And there was no way out of it.

The green ninja was dead. He had to be at this point. And if he was still alive the overlord would squash him like a before they could train him. Cole was pretty sure the only reason any of them were still alive was for his entertainment, something to chase and terrorize.

“Cole? Are you alright?” Zane asked, gently placing his hand on Cole’s arm

Cole blinked, realizing he’d been spiraling again “yeah I’m. I’m fine Zane..” he took a deep breath. “Just. Tired.”

Jay frowned “if you turn into a creepy statue from over use of your powers I am NOT making your ass an automaton.”

Cole burst out laughing “I- what?! Why would I be a statue?!”

Jay shrugged “ I dunno, I was just trying to shock you out of that spiral “ he gave a small witty smile, highlighting his joke with a small static shock to Cole’s shoulder. “Worked though”

Cole gave him a soft smile “thanks sparky” he said, putting an arm around the master of lightning

Woke up and had this in my head so had to create it

So Zane Julien has flawless cheekbones right? He could cut butter with them things right?

You can't look at his robot design and tell me his human masking doesn't have beautiful and defined cheekbones