Cole sat atop his mountain, his eyes closed as he meditated. Think you're smarter than me? A voice echoed in his thoughts. Cole frowned, his brow furrowing as he attempted to maintain focus. You can't focus me away. Try as hard as you like, I'm attached to you now.

"Leave me alone," Cole growled out, then quickly glanced around to double check that none of his friends were near. He was fully aware that hearing voices wasn't normal; nor was talking back to them. I'm probably just still recovering from that kick Destiny gave me, he thought. She probably just shook up whatever brains I have inside my skull a little too much.

Hah! Keep telling yourself that, the voice sneered.

With a sigh, Cole launched himself from his mountain, rolling when he hit the ground to pop back up onto his feet. He stalked into the monastery, ignoring the voice that prodded at his mind almost non-stop nowadays. He cut through the housing and into the training yard to see Destiny landing on Morpheus' back. He smiled at her happy expression.

Months had passed since she'd found her true-potential. She'd grown stronger, quicker, more skillful since then, and Cole felt he couldn't be more proud.

She rolled onto her feet and spotted him with a grin.

She's so pretty, Cole thought. Or was that the voice in his head? Sometimes it was hard to tell the difference. The Master of Earth shook his head; it didn't matter, since the voice wasn't real in the first place. He walked over to her, tilting his head.

"Having fun, or training?" He asked playfully.

She replied, "Both. How's your head?"

Cole felt his smile slip away as the voice snickered, Yeah, Cole, how's your head? Pretty venomous, isn't it?

He blinked, trying to shut the voice out, and replied quickly. "It's fine. Getting better every day, you know."

"Cole, you are a worse liar than Jay. Try again," Destiny said, rolling her eyes.

He shrugged, giving her a fake smile and lifting her hand to kiss it. "I'm fine! It's great. I'm-..." he sighed and looked down, defeated. "Worse."

"Much better." Destiny said, putting her hand on his shoulder. "Did you drink some of that tea Sensei gave you? I thought it was supposed to help.."

He sighed softly, feeling his shoulders droop as the voice hissed, That foul stuff won't help you at all! "I.. Uh, I got up early this morning to meditate. I forgot to drink any."

"I love you, but sometimes I wonder what's going on in your head," Destiny said with a shake of her head.

He frowned. "You don't want to know." Yes, she does! "No." He replied firmly, clearing his throat with a flash of embarrassment.

"Then tell your brain to quit it for a moment, please." Destiny said.

"You don't think I wish I could do that?" Cole flashed at her, taking a few extra moments to realize that she was being sarcastic. Haha, you can't tell me to shut up! Cole groaned and put a hand to his head. "Sorry. I'm going to go drink some of that tea. Want to come with?"

Destiny nodded with a concerned look, and he gave her what he hoped was a reassuring smile. He led her into the monastery and then into what worked as their kitchen, finding the tea he was supposed to drink easily. Why do you bother drinking it? You know it doesn't help. The voice scoffed.

I drink it because I'm supposed to, Cole returned silently. It does help. And if not, then it will.

He took one of Wu's spare teapots and started to steep it. As he watched the pot, he sighed, enjoying the quiet that his mind allowed him. There weren't many pockets of time now that he wasn't bombarded with negative thoughts, and usually it was second nature to ignore them. But around Destiny, the voice was exhausting. He didn't like "hiding" it from her, but he wasn't sure how that conversation would go.

"Oh, by the way, Destiny, I've got a voice stuck in my head that won't ever leave me alone." Absolutely not, wrong. Cole thought, allowing himself a fleeting moment to feel helpless.

She can't help you anyways. The voice sent a crawling sensation down his spine, and Cole shifted, uncomfortable. No one can. I'll pester you until you become crazy - or worse.

Cole let out a shaky breath and jumped slightly as the pot whistling caught his attention. He took it off of the burner, pouring himself a steaming cup.

"I left it there too long," he muttered to Destiny.

He blew on it, listening as the voice tried to taunt him out of drinking it. He shook his head and downed it all in one swallow, putting the cup down rather hard and thinking defiantly, Take that, random voice.

The voice growled, but did not speak.

He turned to Destiny with a sigh. "I have to drink this, why?"

"Sensei said it helps with pain relief." She told him with a frown.

"I'm not in pain. And it doesn't seem like it's working anyways." He swallowed and added, his voice wavering, "What if I don't ever get better?"

"You will get better. And if it's not pain, then tell Sensei that and maybe he'll find a different tea."

Cole felt his shoulders droop, but he nodded. "I'll go talk to him now, I guess."

She nodded and left him. He sighed and heard the voice laughing gleefully at him. It's like I can push a button and make your life instantly harder!

"Shut up," the Earth ninja growled, walking out after Destiny and turned away from her to head to his sensei's room. When he reached it, he opened it quietly, finding Wu meditating as he thought he would. He closed the door as silently as he could behind him and settled down on his knees.

"Cole?" Wu asked after a moment. "What is it?"

"It's the tea you gave me.." Cole began, flinching as the voice hissed, It's not the tea! Stop ignoring me! I'm real! I exist! And you'll acknowledge me!

"What about it?"

"I'm not in pain anymore. It's more of a... a mental thing," Cole said.

Wu watched him for a few moments before saying, "Very well. What kind of mental thing?"

Cole hesitated. "Ah.." He searched for a way to tell Wu what he was experiencing without actually saying anything. "Concussion?"

Sensei Wu raised an eyebrow. "Cole, you don't have a concussion."

The Earth ninja squirmed, uncomfortable. "I can't tell you what it is..."

"Why not?" Wu asked.

"You wouldn't understand, Sensei, I just can't-"

"Cole, you act like I don't see things in smoke visions." Wu interrupted. "Tell me what's going on so I can try to help you."

"I.." he hesitated, then said, "Over the past few months I've been hearing this voice in my head. I thought it was just the result of Destiny kicking me."

Wu's expression grew serious. "That was months ago." At that, the voice in Cole's head laughed hysterically, and Cole grimaced as Wu continued. "Even if you did have a concussion, it would have healed by now. You wouldn't still be experiencing symptoms. Does anyone else know?"

"No!" Cole said quickly. "And I'd like to keep it that way."

Sensei Wu frowned. "You should at least tell Destiny. She deserves to know."

The Earth ninja shifted uncomfortably. "I'll... I'll try..."

"Good. I'll try and get you a tea that might help you."

Cole sighed and stood, leaving the room with a reluctant backwards glance. Well done, the voice snickered. Figure out how to tell people about me. It'll be hilarious for me to watch.

He groaned slightly and headed through the monastery towards Destiny's room, hoping that she wasn't still training. When he reached it, he hesitated. Do you really want to do this? Just because Sensei told you to?

You don't, but I certainly do! The voice came, gleeful.

"Oh, shut up already," Cole muttered. "You're more annoying than Jay."

Hysterical laughter was the voice's response, and Cole growled and knocked firmly on the door twice.

He heard her reply, "Come in!"

He sighed, feeling regret deep in his gut, and opened the door, glancing to see Destiny on her bed. He gave her a quick wave and pushed the door so that it was nearly shut all the way, but open just a little, as he always had it whenever he visited her in her room.

He turned to look at her and saw that her hair was braided, which he thought was very cute on her. "Just took a shower?" He asked, feeling slightly awkward.

"Yeah, training was pretty intense today," she replied.

"I'm glad you're pushing yourself." He told her. He shifted from foot to foot and heard the voice mutter, Boy, you're more awkward than Jay, aren't you? I wonder how much babbling it'll take for you to lose patience like Kai...

"I am not like Kai!" he hissed back, offended. A moment later, he looked worriedly at Destiny and said quickly, "So I talked to Sensei Wu."

"Did he give you a different tea?" Destiny asked.

Not one that will work! Cole put a hand to his head, wanting nothing more than to rip the voice from his skull. "He said he'll find me one," he replied with gritted teeth.

Destiny watched him, worry in her gaze. "That's good. Did he say something else, or..."

"I, uh.." He shook his head to clear his thoughts. "Listen, you know I love you, right?"

"Yes," she said immediately.

"For the past few months, I've.." he sighed, hesitating, while the voice bombarded his thoughts and made it hard for any of his own to come through. "I've been hearing this- this thing in my head."

"A thing?" She looked confused.

"A voice," he clarified, swallowing. You're crazy for telling her this, the voice said with a laugh. She's so going to leave you.

Instead of getting angry, or telling him he was crazy, either of which Cole wholly expected, she patted her bed, and he went over to sit, looking at her cautiously. She smiled at him, and he relaxed slightly. He hadn't realized how on-edge he'd grown to be all the time; the voice had him looking over his shoulder every waking moment, and even bothered him while he was asleep.

He felt her take his hand, and saw himself reflecting in her eyes. "I love you, you know that, right?"

He swallowed back sudden emotion and said, "Yes."

The voice scoffed, Gross.

Destiny smiled. "It wouldn't matter to me if you had Jay singing opera in your brain. Has anybody told you you're not crazy? Because you're not."

"No one but you and Sensei know," he told her quietly. "And the only other person I hear fills my head all the time."

"Is the voice talking now?" She asked.

No, but I can if you want me to! Cole flinched and replied, "Kind of."

Kind of? The voice screeched. I'll scream so loud you won't be able to hear a dragon roaring an inch away from your face! Give me some credit!

The Master of Earth cringed and thought in a begging tone, Give me a break, please...

You only wish, came the reply.

"Can it hear me?"

"Definitely," Cole said quickly, before it had a chance to explode his mind. "It has tons to say about every situation I'm in or every thought that I myself have."

"Well, let me try.. Just tell me what it says." Destiny said slowly.

What is your girlfriend up to? The voice asked.

Cole tried not to roll his eyes at the voice. You're asking as if I know. "Okay."

Destiny looked uncomfortable as she said, "Okay, um, voice in Cole's head. Would you mind, maybe, leaving Cole alone for a bit, please? I haven't had a moment alone, apparently, with my boyfriend in months.."

Hmm, the voice replied. What's in it for me? Leaving him alone could backtrack my progress.

Cole felt a chill run down his spine as he repeated what the voice said.

"Um," She looked surprised as she paused. "What kind of progress? It would help to know.."

Sly girl, you can't help me. Only I can do what I want to do. Cole sighed and related the words, pausing as the voice continued with, I'll leave him alone after this.

"Sly?" Destiny grinned slightly. "That's the first. Thank you, I really appreciate you leaving him be."

Cole shook his head quickly as the voice said, Oh, you're very welcome. His arm flashed out in pain, and he felt his entire body tense up as his vision blurred.

Isn't it nice to have people who care? The voice taunted. I'll have that soon. And you'll be left with nothing!

Cole tried to fight back against it, but couldn't. I'm not strong enough... And this isn't fair, he thought in the few moments he was able.

It's very fair. Enjoy your time of peace.

He felt his muscles relax and the pain die down, and he blinked confusedly as his vision cleared. "What happened?"

Destiny was watching him anxiously, and groaned, "Not again. Are you alright? You just froze, and it looked like you were in a ton of pain.."

Cole exhaled slowly and rubbed his arm. "I remember freezing up?"

"Do you remember what we were talking about before?" She asked.

He blinked uncertainly, then said, "I think I told you about.. About the voice?"

"Yes, and then I had a conversation with the voice, and it said it would leave you alone..."

He looked dubiously at her. "Not likely."

"Well, it said it would leave you alone. Is it bothering you now?"

Cole paused for a moment, expecting the voice to cut through his skull, but for once, there was blissful silence. "No.." he answered cautiously.

"That's good, right? I mean, if the voice is gone, then.."

"Yeah." He shuddered a bit. "It's good, it's just... weird."

She squeezed his hand with a quiet, "Yeah."

He was quiet for a few moments before saying, "I'm sorry for not telling you earlier."

"It's fine. I've been taking sword fighting lessons with Kai, so we're even." She smiled at him.

"Sword fighting?" Cole asked. "Wait, with Kai?"

"Yes. It helps me relieve stress. I was, uh, getting really worried about you.."

"With Kai?" Cole repeated, then frowned. "I was handling it. I've been more or less fine. You didn't have to worry."

"Yes with Kai. And of course I was going to worry! Until now, I didn't know what was going on, so all I could do was worry." Destiny said incredulously.

Cole sighed. "I didn't mean to make you worry. I thought it was because you kicked me."

"My kick wasn't that hard," she sighed.

There was a knock, and Cole heard Jay call, "Guy's, the mailman is here."

Cole nodded and stood. "Come on. I was expecting something for Slate!" He got up and walked quickly out of Destiny's room, and he grinned as he saw the mailman handing out letters.

"Something for Cole?" he asked.

"Right here!" the Master of Earth said, joining the crowd around the mailman. He handed him a few letters, and Cole said, "Oh, come on, please tell me this isn't everything."

The man frowned and dug into his sack. "When did you order it?"

"Like three weeks ago!" Cole said. "It should have been here last week."

"Hm... Ah, Creatures, Beasts, and Beyond?"

"Yes!" Cole grinned.

"Here you are." He handed him a package.

The Earth ninja nodded to him. "Thanks!"

"I have something for a Destiny?" He asked.

Cole glanced over and saw Destiny standing with Kai. "I'll give it to her."

"Okay." He handed him a letter, and Cole waved him goodbye before walking over to his girlfriend. Kai was deep red, and he raised an eyebrow. "Fan mail?"

Kai glared at him. "Shut up."

Cole laughed and held Destiny's letter out to her. "This was for you."

"Really?" She asked, taking the letter. Cole went through his letters, smiling as he saw one from his father. There was another from an unnamed person with an address he didn't know. Beside him, Destiny gasped, and he looked up, slightly startled and confused.

"What is it? Jay asked.

Destiny looked at him. "My dad is coming."

Cole blinked in disbelief. Wait, her dad?

"Uncle Shaw? When?" Jay looked surprised.

Destiny nodded. "Tomorrow, but I had no idea he was coming. I have to get ready."

"Woah, woah, woah, wait, I have to meet your dad?" Cole asked her, startled.

"Well, not if you don't want to.. But he is coming." Destiny told him.

"Of course I want to... but now? When I'm like this! This is probably the worst time I'd ever get to meet him for the first time, Destiny!"

"Like what?" Kai asked.

"Nothing!" Cole flashed at him.

"When I met your dad, you didn't tell me who it was until we were at the doorstep!" Destiny glared at him.

"Destiny," he mumbled, feeling guilty and overwhelmed. "What if it comes back? That's not the kind of impression I want to have on a guy like your dad."

"I didn't invite him. He just decided to come. If you want me to pull the dead mom card, I will. It's the anniversary of her funeral next week." Destiny told him.

He sighed and brushed his hair back. "No, it's fine. I'll just... figure out a way to not look absolutely insane." He glanced down at his letters and then said, "If you need me, I'll be in the weight room." He shook his head slightly and went into the monastery, weaving his way quickly to the weight room.

Once there, he sat down on the bench and looked at the letters in his hands. With a sigh, he cast them away, setting up his weights and practicing until his arms felt numb.