{Surprise, surprise! This isn't actually a Pixane, but it DOES involve Pixal! I don't have the space to put this in my general Ninjago oneshots book yet, so it'll start here. Song above is what it's based on btw!

Here's some background info:

Something we talked about in the Jaya Discord. What if when Cole (in the future and hopefully not soon) dies--probably in battle--his last act was to let Pixal carry on the Earth element? I have a plot bunny that she would be the only one able to make it to him in time. So after he gets gravely injured and Pixal makes it to his side, Cole sees his mom's ghost telling him it's alright to let go. The last thing he does is transfer his power to Pixal, guided by his mom while Pixal tries to save him any way she can. This fic is the aftermath, after everyone sees Cole has died.}

~~~

Pixal (in Samurai X gear, stained with dirt, blood, and torn in multiple places. It's clear she's just been through a big battle) stands alone in the middle of a dimly lit (almost dark) stage, holding Cole's Scythe of Quakes and his old gi hood. She's under a gentle spotlight and looking up thoughtfully, yet sadly. A figure emerges from the shadows and slowly joins her in the circle of light, singing:

[Cole:]

Let me tell you what I wish I'd known

When I was and of glory

You have no control, who lives, who dies, who tells your story

Pixal is startled but her face changes from surprised to a sad smile. She begins to tear up but blinks them away quickly. It's Cole. He's delaying going to the Departed Realm to talk to her. His gi is ripped and bloody, with a gash right in the center.

Downstage left lights up in another spotlight and the team is talking to the Mayor in his office (in their normal gis). They're asking about putting a statue of Cole up in place of Zane's. When silently asked if this is alright, Zane nods with a small, sad smile. Of course. He'd do anything for Cole to be properly remembered.

[Kai:]

Mayor Genesis,

I'll give him this. His leading system is a work of genius

I couldn't disobey it if I tried. And... I've tried

The spotlight dims on stage left and the middle spotlight fades into a larger circle of light. The light is now exposing male and female figures dressed in blacks, grays, and browns in a circle around Pixal and Cole. These are the Old Earth Masters, returned from the Departed Realm to help Cole pass on Earth to Pixal. Pixal doesn't notice them until they start singing, but Cole smiles when one figure puts a hand on his shoulder. His mother. They're finally reunited. Cole sings with them as they sing:

[Old Earth Masters and Cole:]

Who lives, who dies, who tells your story?

Downstage right has a spotlight now, on Ronin and Mayor Genesis out in Ninjago City in front of Cole's statue being built. Ronin is looking contemplative for once, probably thinking about Cole. As all these scenes are going on, the middle circle stays lit and they all watch the side scenes.

[Ronin:]

Mayor Genesis, his team took our city from danger to safety

I hate to say it

But he doesn't get enough credit for all the protection he gave us

The Earth Masters slowly circle more around Pixal and Cole. Pixal begins to smile, just a bit, and looks down at the Scythe and gi hood. Is she really ready to take on this responsibility? She's filled with an indescribable feeling of protection and solidarity when she holds the Scythe closer.

[Old EMs:]

Who lives, who dies, who tells your story?

Nya, in her water ninja gi (also bloody and torn), has a spotlight put on her upstage left. There is a look of determination on her features. She genuinely wants Cole's story to be told as much as she wants her own. She'll do anything to get it that way.

[Nya:]

Every other Elemental's story gets told

Every other Elemental gets to grow old

Downstage left lights up again, this time with Lloyd standing in front of Cole's statue. He looks up and asks as if Cole will respond:

[Lloyd:]

But when you're gone, who remembers your name?

Kai steps into the spotlight and holds a small flame between his hands. He looks out in the audience, while Lloyd looks at the statue.

[Kai:]

Who keeps your flame, who tells your story?

All of stage left is illuminated as the rest of the remaining team joins Kai and Lloyd in front of the statue. Jay and Nya hold hands and Kai slides his arm around Nya's waist to offer support. Lloyd partially turns from the statue, turning his head and torso towards the audience.

[All ninja:]

Who tells your story?

[Old EMs join in:]

Who tells your story?

Pixal looks down at the Scythe and gi hood again. Cole puts his hand on her shoulder and gives a half-smile. It's alright. She's a worthy heir. He trusts her completely. A small smile growing through the next line, she begins to carry the items with more pride.

[Old EMs only:]

It's Pixal

Pixal steps out once, to be in front of the other EMs a bit. Now it's her turn to remember and lament Cole.

[Pixal:]

I put myself back in the narrative

[Old EMs only:]

Our Pixal

[Pixal:]

I stop time on tears

I live on by Zane and Lloyd's sides, it's not enough

[Old EMs only:]

Oh Pixal

During the next line, a spotlight briefly comes up on some of the Elemental Masters from Chen's island downstage right.

[Pixal:]

I interview every master who by your side

[Chen's island Elementals:]

She tells our story

During the next line, Pixal looks back at Cole. His mom has stepped up next to him and has her arm around his waist. He's blinking back proud and happy tears. Pixal is nearly brought to tears himself as she keeps singing.

[Pixal:]

I try to make sense of your thousands of moves of Spinjitzu

You do fight like you're running out of time

[Old EMs, Ninja, and Elementals:]

Time

Pixal looks around at each of them as she sings, then back down at herself. The battle she just fought was the one where Cole was lost. Yet they're all gathering around her as if she's won something. Her gaze settles on Nya and she smiles, holding a hand out to her in a gesture of thanks.

As Nya is revealed to be dead, the light fades off of her and she steps back into the shadows. One by one, the others do the same. Next Jay, then Kai, and the other Elementals all disappear into black during the next phrases/while Pixal is looking to the audience. Only Zane, Pixal, Lloyd, and the EMs are left with lights on them. The others gather upstage to sing one final time later.

[Pixal:]

I rely on our Nya

While she's alive, we tell your story

She's buried in the Monastery, near you

When I needed her most, she was on time

And I'm not through

I ask myself, what you do if you had more time?

The FSM, in his kindness

He gives me what you always wanted

He gives me more time

As Pixal sings this part, the other EMs gather around her again. Some touch her shoulders, others the Scythe, they all touch her and reassure her in some way. Pixal continues singing with a slightly more confident smile as Cole takes her hand and squeezes it with a smile.

[Pixal:]

I raise funds in the city for the Brookstone Monument

Cole looks to the audience and then to his mom with a proud yet sad smile. His mom nods once at him. He's picked a great heir to carry on Earth. She couldn't be more proud if she tried.

[Cole:]

She tells my story

[Pixal:]

I speak out against violence

You could have done so much more if you only had time

And when my time is up, have I done enough?

The Old EMs join in the song here, in deep, low harmonies behind Pixal. They say "our" the first time, letting Pixal know she is worthy and has been accepted by them. The second, they say "your", also reminding Pixal she has her own story to tell.

[Old EMs:]

Will they tell our story?

Will they tell your story?

Pixal takes Cole's hand again and squeezes it, looking in his eyes. In her other hand is the Scythe and his gi hood, which she has yet to put on.

[Pixal:]

Oh, can I show you what I'm of?

Cole nods. The scene behind them shifts to Ninjago City. A brand new building, right in the middle of the city, reads Cole Brookstone Memorial Orphanage--Sponsored by Borg Industries. Cole, when he sees it, gasps softly and a single tear escapes. As the Ninja sing, a soft spotlight comes up on each of them. They're upstage looking down, singing out to the Old EMs, Pixal, and Cole.

[Ninja:]

The orphanage

[Pixal:]

I established the first private orphanage in New Ninjago

[Ninja:]

The orphanage

[Pixal:]

I help raise hundreds of children

I get to see them growing up

[Ninja:]

The orphanage

Pixal pulls Cole to face front again and sings right to him, dropping his hand to subtly motion to the building and then to him.

[Pixal:]

In their eyes I see you, Cole Brookstone

I see you every time

And when my time is up, have I done enough?

Will they tell my story?

[Old EMs:]

Will they tell your story?

Pixal turns out to the audience and the light around her slowly fades, leaving only her in the light by the end of the song. Cole can always faintly be seen to the side of her, at the edge of the circle of light.

[Pixal:]

Oh, I can't wait to see you again

It's only a matter of time

During the next lines, Cole takes the gi hood from Pixal and gently puts it on her, as a big brother would. He adjusts it once and sees a tear escape from under the gi hood. Cole wipes it away and wraps her in a big hug that lasts the next few lines. Slowly, the light continues to fade from the whole stage except around the pair. The Old EMs disperse and spread out around the stage, outside of the light circle.

[Old EMs:]

Will they tell your story?

[Ninja:]

Time

[Old EMs:]

Who lives, who dies, who tells your story?

[Ninja:]

Time

Right before these lines, Cole and Pixal come out of their hug. Cole wipes a tear from Pixal's face and holds his hand out. She takes it and tries to smile, still holding the Scythe in the other hand. Cole steps a few times downstage, then stops and lets her continue to walk forward and "break the wall". He reluctantly lets go of her hand as she steps forward. As they do this, everyone in the dark continues to sing—a little softer each time.

[Old EMs:]

Will they tell your story?

[Ninja:]

Time

Cole joins in the last line of singing, letting his empty hand fall back to his side. He stands proudly but with a slightly sad smile. Pixal is free. So is he. Ninjago will be safe and he can move on to the Departed Realm with his mother, knowing Pixal will do everything in her power to make him proud.

Little does she know, she already has. He continues to back up, ending just out of the circle of light. Before he exits in the next line, his mom enters and extends her hands. Cole reaches for them and lets her lead him into the black.

[Everyone except Pixal:]

Who lives, who dies, who tells your story?

In the very back of the circle of light, right before he exits, Cole watches with a proud smile, a few tears finally coming down his and Pixal's face at the same time. He exits the light as the last note is holding, symbolizing Pixal must continue on her own. He'll always be behind her, though. Always ready to step in if she needs him. She won't need it, though. He knows she'll do incredibly on her own, anyway.

As the last note is being held, Pixal looks to the Scythe silently. She's ready. During the last few beats, she looks up into the light and holds the Scythe up. Much like how Hamilton is seen holding his gun in the air, except this time it's Pixal with Cole's old gi hood and Scythe. The last beat falls. The last thing you see is the glint of light off the Scythe's tip and then...all is silent. The rest of her life has begun.