Cole's eyes had adjusted to the light easier than he'd thought they should have after not sleeping at all the previous night. Despite the length of time he'd been awake, he felt energized. The monastery was finally in view; Cole hadn't realized how far he'd flown the night before, when he'd been upset. He pushed the reason for his mood from his mind and guided Slate down into the clearing. As soon as he landed, he rushed into the dining room, knowing it was time for breakfast.

Everyone was there, and they looked up, startled, as Cole rushed in, panting slightly. Everyone except Destiny, that is, Cole noticed.

"Cole," Wu said, standing. "You're back."

"Where were you? You had us worried!" Jay exclaimed, watching him.

Cole grinned and pulled out the map. "I found something you guys have to see!"

"What's that?" Nya asked, approaching him and taking the map from his hands.

"It's a map of the warriors' bases," he told her. "At least, that's what it seems to be."

She unfolded it and looked it over, smiling widely. Jay and the other ninja came over to look, and Wu said, "Nice job, Cole. You may have just given us an advantage."

Jay reached forward and peeled something off of the page. "Ew, what's this?"

Wu took it from him and looked closely at it. Cole heard a crunch and he glanced over to see Destiny sitting at the table. He felt a flash of anger, and his first instinct was to make a sarcastic comment to her, but he thought better of it and peered at the object in Wu's hand.

"It appears to be tree sap," Sensei said.

"What kind of sap?" Destiny asked. Several of the others jumped.

Zane held out his hand and looked at the sap. "There are several matches and possibilities," he told her. "It will take a little bit for Pixal and I to analyze it and come up with a match."

"Get to it," Wu ordered.

"Yes, Sensei," Zane replied, rushing out with the sap.

Nya said, "I'll take the map over to them as well and download it to our map. It'll make navigating easier."

Cole stretched a bit, feeling stiffness in his back. He headed through the monastery to the weight room, thinking he could get some practice in while the other ninja figured out the stuff he'd found.

He entered in and glanced around. He figured he'd start small, with 200 pounds. He lifted it easily with one arm and began his workout. He worked his way quickly up to 1,500 pounds and capped himself there.

He suddenly saw purple robes in the corner of his eye, and he glanced over to see Destiny watching him. He set the weight down on the rest and sat up, aware that he'd broken a sweat. He wiped his forehead and took a breath. Her arms were crossed. "Did you maybe want something?" he asked neutrally, a bit confused.

"You left last night before we could finish our discussion." Destiny told him, mirroring his tone.

Cole frowned slightly and rubbed his arm. He didn't think she realized the reason he left was so that he didn't start crying from the helplessness of the situation, but he thought he didn't want her to find out. "It was hard to listen to," he mumbled instead.

"It was hard to see," she returned.

"Well," he sighed. "What did you want to talk about? I think you made it clear that you won't believe us, and honestly I don't blame you. I wouldn't trust myself either."

The girl sat on the floor and looked him in the eye. "The problem is that no matter how much thinking I do, or how much analysing I do, I want to believe you. Everything in me says you're telling the truth, but with what I saw, how can I not wonder?"

Cole returned her gaze until he felt his stomach twist. "Do you remember when I said Nya and I had a strange past?" He asked hesitantly.

"Yes," she said, looking unsure.

"Well, I-.." he thought for a moment about telling her everything. Are you crazy? If she thinks something happened between us last night, after I tell her that, she'll just think I'm confirming it! He shook his head slightly. "We've been friends for forever, and I got between her and Jay for a short time. It's a time I wish had never happened, but it's in the past. I'd never dream of doing it again, especially not the way you're suggesting," he insisted.

Destiny visibly relaxed and smiled. "Alright, I trust you. It's probably a good thing I didn't tell Jay."

She believes me! Cole thought, relief making him dizzy. I just wish I hadn't "bent" the truth. Although I didn't exactly lie. I did get between them... "So, wait," he asked her suddenly. "Were you watching me?"

"Um, I, well, yes. But I needed to talk to you and I didn't want to startle you." She blushed.

He rubbed the back of his neck and tried not to recoil as he felt the perspiration. "It's fine. I'm just not used to having people watch, I guess."

"Really? Oh, sorry."

"No, it's okay." He stood and glanced behind him. "Um.. you want to try?" He offered.

"Only if they're not too heavy," she said, smiling.

He nodded and adjusted the weights so it was 80 pounds. "You can probably manage more," he told her. "But it's better to start small and work your way up. Like a warm up before sparring."

Destiny looked surprised, but she lay down and Cole took position by her head. "How should I lift it?" She asked.

"Just grab it and push up," he instructed. "You have to use both your arms and your abs. Try to keep your body flat on the bench while you do it."

Destiny adjusted her body and then pushed up on the bar. It didn't move, but Cole held his hands near it anyways just in case she needed help. She frowned at it, then pushed again. The bar moved slightly, and he saw her smile slightly. On the third try, she started pumping it up and down. He watched it carefully, ready to help at a moment's notice.

"Wow," he heard her say.

He chuckled. "Good job. Easy?"

"Yeah, surprisingly." She set the bar down and smiled.

"Want me to add more weight?"

"If you think I can take it." She replied.

Cole looked at her closely, then added ten more pounds. "You look tired, Destiny."

"I haven't been sleeping well. I have these dreams that keep me from sleeping for too long." She told him, her smile fading.

"I'm sorry. I get bad dreams too." He hesitated. "Not like yours, though."

Destiny smiled slightly at him. "How would you know what my dreams are like? But you're right. No one has dreams like mine. You probably don't wake up halfway through the floor after spending all of your dream fighting to stay above the surface." She started to lift the weights, and he reached his hands forward worriedly.

"No, I don't have to deal with that," he told her. "It's definitely worse than waking up in a cold sweat."

"I'm sorry you have bad dreams. If I could save people from having to deal with them like I do, I would." Her arms trembled slightly as she pushed the bar, and he took it from her, placing it back on the rest.

"Break time," he told her. "Let me practice some more while you relax." He started adding more of the weights back while smiling at her. "And about the dreams. I would, too."

"Alright. Please don't let me stop you." She went to sit.

Cole lowered himself onto the bench and lifted the weights easily. "You're not stopping me," he told her after he set a swift rhythm. "I really don't need to practice lifting."

After awhile, he was startled by Jay's voice suddenly reaching him. "Guys, Zane figured out where the sap was from! It's from a rare oak tree called Poison Manch. And you'll never guess where it's native to!" He barely paused long enough to take a breath before blurting, "The Dark Island!""

Cole set his weights on the rest and sat up, watching Jay intently. "The Dark Island? We haven't been there in years! And I'm not too inclined to go back."

"Sensei Wu wants everyone in the main area to discuss what happens next," he told them.

Cole nodded and followed Destiny out of the door. They went out to the training area, and the Earth ninja awaited Sensei Wu with reluctant eagerness.

His sensei looked focused and gave them their instructions quickly. "I have consulted the smoke, and I have decided to split you up. Four of you will go to the Dark Island, the rest of you will stay here and work on finding Borg." Wu looked to Cole. "Take Destiny, Nya, and Zane with you. You should leave at dusk, and Cole, this is a stealth mission. Please try not to repeat what happened last time."

Cole bowed his head. "Yes, Sensei. I'll do my best not to allow discovery."

"Good. Now the four of you get some rest. You'll be riding all night."

The Earth ninja nodded and went to the sleeping quarters. He lay down on his bed, feeling his long night suddenly catch up with him, and he gratefully let the darkness swallow him.

Nya smiled at him from across the room, and Cole mirrored her. A few moments later, and she was right in front of him, grasping ahold of his hands. He held them firmly, intent not to be the first to let go.

"You know," she said, "I think you're scared."

"Scared of what?"

She grinned and shook her head, pulling her hands away. "That's not the Cole I know. You're brave."

He tilted his head, confused as he reached for her. "Wait. I know I'm brave. How can I show you I'm not scared?"

She waved at him coyly and turned, swiftly running from him.

"Nya, wait!" He rushed after her, suddenly afraid that if he lost sight of her, he'd lose her forever.

He broke free from the monastery housing into the training yard. She was standing in the middle with Jay gazing affectionately at her.

"Jay?" Cole asked hesitantly. His friend didn't react, and Nya pointed to her left. Cole followed where she was pointing and saw a ninja in purple robes take her hood off, and she smiled. "Nya, what-"

"Cole, wake up."

The Earth ninja gasped as he felt himself being shaken slightly. He looked and saw the familiar face of Zane "What- What time is it?" He struggled to sit up, anxiety flooding him.

"Calm down," Zane soothed. "It's almost sundown. You were still sleeping. Dreaming, judging by how you woke up."

"Uh, yeah," Cole said, his nerves still buzzing. "Thanks for waking me."

"No problem. I'll be waiting in the training yard ."

Cole took a moment to regain his breath after Zane left, then got himself ready. But when he stepped out of the monastery to join his teammates, all of whom were there before him, he still felt shaky from his dream. He glanced between Destiny and Nya, confusion pooling in his mind.

Suddenly he remembered that he was supposed to be the designated leader of the team, and he shook his head, trying forcefully to push the dream from his mind. He needed to focus, and he didn't have time to ponder his dream right now. He'd do it later; he was sure it could wait.

"Everyone ready?" He asked.

They all nodded, and Cole realized he was the only one without a weapon. And you definitely need one if you can't use your powers. He blinked and walked quickly over to where he knew weapons were stored and opened it. He looked at the variety of weapons before pulling out his long unused steel scythe. He weighed it in his hand, and despite the long years, his body fell naturally into the position to hold it. He smiled and pushed carefully at the blade, smiling gratefully that Sensei Wu hadn't let their old weapons deteriorate in the ninja's neglect. After swinging it around for a moment, he strapped it to his back and rolled his shoulders. He closed the weapon containment carefully and headed back over to his teammates.

"Off to the Dark Island, then," he told them, summoning Slate and glancing at Destiny. He offered her his hand while the other two hopped onto their own dragons. She took it and he smiled, swinging her up and following quickly after. He guided Slate into the air as soon as he felt her hands on his shoulders. He nodded to Zane and called, "Lead the way."

The Nindroid took point, and the four ninja were headed on a long flight across the Endless Sea to the Island of Darkness.