Just an Illusion (A Ninjago Reader Insert)

Versus

"​​​Alright, you seem fine on basic combat, we can work on more advanced stuff later. We should try some elemental combat, just to see where you're at with that."

Y/n's face fell at those words. Her secretive nature returned, painting an expressionless look across her face. "Are you...are you sure? Is it really necessary?"

Cole looked at her quizzically. "Well, this is a tournament of elements, powers are kind of a necessity."

Y/n faced away; her eyes shut tight. Cole could hear her muttering and mumbling to herself but couldn't make out any words. He decided to continue with caution.

"Uh, I just remembered...we uh, never asked you what your power was, is I mean, we never asked what it is." She remained silent. He cleared his throat.

"Y/n? What exactly... is your power?"

She spun around, a look of distress still lingering for a moment. "Look, I think we've done enough for today, I think we should head over to the fight before-"

"Y/n," he interrupted. He stepped closer, putting a hand on her shoulder. "You can talk to me. I can tell something is wrong. Please, let me help."

She brushed him away, turning to leave. He grabbed her arm and she looked back.

"Y/n. Let me help."

"You can't help, I'm sorry but you can't!"

"Then who can?"

"No one can help!"

He stopped for a second, sensing her anger rising. But he needed to know. He wasn't going to let her hide behind a mask.

"What is your power Y/n?"

"Cole please, I don't want to talk about this right now?"

"Then when?!?"

"I don't know when!"

"Why are you so afraid of talking about it?"

"What do you-"

"WHAT IS YOUR POWER?!?"

"I DON'T KNOW WHAT MY POWER IS!"

He dropped her arm and stepped back in shock. All her secrecy had disappeared from her face, revealing a lost, pained look. She breathed heavily, her anger overwhelming her.

"I have zero idea what my power is, I never got the chance to ask! I've just had them for as long as I want to remember, and I don't have any answers anymore! I never got to ask my parents because by the time I figured out I had them; they were dead! They...they were...long gone."

"Y/n, I-"

"Don't! I don't want your sympathy! That's all I get, all I ever get, and I'm tired of it! I don't even know what I want at this point, because I don't even know who I am! Never have, never will! And all because some selfish rat took my family away from me! THEY'RE GONE! "

Her anger washed away with those words, being replaced by her anguish. She turned away again, tears trailing down her checks. She clasped her hands to her chest and breathed heavily.

Cole, stunned, stepped forward. Her put an arm over her shoulder, no words being said, but supporting her none-the-less. The two friends just stood there, Y/n's sobs hardly breaking the silence between them. Neither one needed to say anything, because there was nothing to be said. Cole could understand some part of her grief, and that was enough.

They were okay.

***

Cole and Y/n decided to keep this little "issue" on the down-low, at least until after Kai's fight. Everyone was already stressed out, so why add to that? Cole offered to help her figure out what her power was, but she declined, feeling that this was something she needed to do on her own.