Jay went back for echo post season 7. He rebuilt his body and taught him a bunch of stuff he was missing like language and math ext. He also taught him about ninjago and the other ninja
He...isn’t fond of Zane. Dr. Julien made him as Zanes replacement, he was supposed to be just like Zane and held with high expectations. Dr. Julien obviously loved Zane more then Echo and abandoned him which has caused Echo to be bitter towards him.
DONT call him Echo Zane, it’s just Echo. He’s more then just a clone
Echo now lives with the Walkers, they are perfect for him and he gets the loving parents he always deserved
His element manafests by being able to sense other people’s emotions and often sees colors to go with it. Later on he would be able to alter how people feel
Echo is nervous around other people, especially new people (ESPECIALLY especially Zane). He’s just not used to being around them growing up isolated and alone and their emotions overwhelm him a lot. It’s almost impossible to get him into ninjago city
He loves nature and art. He’s a fan of bright colors and bugs
Tai-d (Juliens cleaning robot) never leaves his side. He’s like an emotional support robot
Jay has taught echo more fighting techniques and tricked him out with all kinds of gadgets but he hates fighting
Afraid of water
For casual wear, he is almost always in a turtle neck
Very shy boy, speaks with a stammer due to voice damage
Jay might build him a blue jay robot to mimic Zanes falcon because I think it’s funny and cute (watch him use it to spy on the ninja lol)
Cannot clean or cook for the life of him, will burn the cookies. Luckily tai-d does all that for him
He likes video games and comics, way to go jay you turned him into a nerd. Not that good with building and tech otherwise, his brain just isn’t like that (I wouldn’t say unfinished but it kinda was, not that that bad we love you how you are Echo)
Likes pink and yellow a lot because it’s the colors people make when feeling love and happiness
Gets along best with Cole because he’s dad he’s very calming and they have a lot in common (jay definitely doesn’t get jealous...totally)
I like to use they/them pronouns but they use he/him in canon so whatever I guess
It’s obvious Echo trusts Jay the most out of anyone, he’s kind of his savior
Don’t leave him totally alone for to long, he’ll have a breakdown
Eyes are usually yellow but wouldn’t it be cool if they switched with his emotions?
Cole had to face it, making out with someone was not the worst thing the staff had caught him doing, but that didn't make him or Kai feel any better. Harumi had already left with little Nelson, trying to salvage the boy's remaining innocence while they still could. Shade groaned, crossing his arms with mock annoyance, completely unaffected by Cole's incensed glare. After he had heard Neuro screaming, he took a risk and abandoned his post in the kitchen.
He was shocked to find Neuro and their friends screaming along with Kai and Cole who were both in an awkward position on the bed.
It didn't take him long to figure out what had happened. Neuro just slouched in his seat and pressed his fingers to his lower temple. Across from them, Cole was growling like a caged beast. Jay, Echo, Tox, and Ronin all looked at the floor or off into space, unable to look anyone in the face without blushing. Kai buried his mortified face in his hands, refusing to even meet the perverse chef's smirk. After the incident, Kai had practically kicked everyone out of his room, grabbed the clothes they had bought him, and locked himself in the bathroom.
Though he could still feel the chill of his recent illness, Kai felt an instant relief being fully clothed.
If he simply been naked when everyone arrived he wouldn't have worried. He would have changed into the clothes just as calmly as he had since the day he arrived. However, being caught with his captor, the very Master of the Castle no less, in such a compromising position that shattered the youth's entire demeanor. Though he might be naïve in matters of seduction, he didn't deny that he had enjoyed his time with Cole before they had been interrupted.
Now Kai just wanted to curl up and hide until he forgot this was over.
Despite the thick sweater, warm overcoat, pants, gloves, and socks, Kai felt naked and exposed in front of everyone's awkward eyes. Unable to take anymore, he stood on wobbly legs and headed back to bed. He almost groaned when he saw everyone was still here. He might hide in the library until everyone forgot about this. He wouldn't delude himself into thinking there was any chance Shade wouldn't tell the whole castle about this if they didn't already know.
Shade interrupted, scooping up the abandoned teapot, poured the dark green liquid into a cup, and shoved it into Kai's hands.
"I fixed this for you and you better drink the whole pot while it's still hot 'cause I'm not bringing you another one." He warned and Kai opened his mouth to protest but after a hard look from Cole and Shade and looks of concern from the boys, he sipped the hot tea. Heat immediately filled his being but he grimaced and stiffened at the strange combination of bitter, mint, and sweetness crafting an unpleasant blend. He gasped after swallowing a large gulp and shuddered.
"What's in this?" He asked, pleadingly. The chef plopped onto the edge of Kai's bed, ignoring the teen's disgruntled scowl.
"Just something that should knock that chill right out of your system, and you better drink all of it, or you'll just break my heart." He shrugged as he refilled Kai's cup with a wink. Kai sank into the pillows and downed the cup quickly. His mouth and throat burned from the hot liquid and he felt heat suddenly flood into his system but the bland taste in his mouth made him feel sick.
"Ugh, this tastes awful."
"Most things that are good for you are awful, like staying in bed and getting plenty of sleep." Cole teased lightly. Kai glared and opened his mouth to protest but was instantly silenced when Cole tilted his chin and kissed his cheek. Kai forgot to breathe. For a moment, he forgot everyone else was there. Cole stepped away and fished the comforter off the floor and draped it over Kai's body that was now propped against the pillows. He then took a thicker fur blanket Harumi had left out from the previous night and added that as well until his flame was safely tucked beneath the warmth.
"I'll be checking on you every so often, so don't even think of getting up." He warned, kissing Kai's forehead and ushered his staff out the door. Neuro smirked and dragged Shade behind him back to the kitchen before he faded. Jay, Tox, Ronin, and Echo were not far behind him. Once gone, Cole handed Kai a second teacup. "Make sure you drink that as well, I don't want you dehydrating either; I'll ask Neuro to fix you something but I have no doubt the whole house will know you're awake by the time I get downstairs." He chuckled.
Monetarily breaking his trance, Kai shook his head and pulled on the neck of his thick sweater suddenly feeling very hot.
"Can I at least open the curtain? Get some light in here? It's too stuffy," He complained; the thick air felt hot and bothersome. Cole pondered for a moment before shaking his head.
"I'll put the fire out, but that's all; your immune system is still too weak, and the last thing I want is you catching pneumonia, too." He said as he got up and opened the fireplace across from Kai's bed. With a flap of his wings, the air blew out the flames. The resulting back wave sent a refreshing wind across Kai's front.
"Thank you." He said but glared at the teacup.
"Glaring at it won't make it go away you know," He chuckled and Kai growled in response.
"I really think this is all too much," He sighed as h looked away with a turn of his nose and set the tea on the nightstand.
"Maybe, but I don't like taking chance with someone I care about." He smiled warmly as he removed himself from the fireplace and swept to his flame's side and kissed his forehead. Before Kai could answer, the prince pulled away and left the room, a small smile on his face and he closed the door. Kai touched the cheek Cole had kissed and hissed at how cold his fingertips felt. A sudden lump in his throat made him cough violently until he grabbed the tea and downed as much of it as he could without coughing.
Maybe the tea wasn't such a bad idea.
Kai grimaced and set the empty cup next to the still steaming teapot. Kai pulled off the thick sweater, leaving himself in just his shirt, and gently tossed it to the end of the bed. Then he settled down beneath the thick covers and lied on his flat stomach. He rubbed his shoulders more out of confusion than cold. That had been the first time Cole had shown him any open displays of affection, let alone in front of his staff. Before, anything they had done together had been in the shelter of the library or Cole's room.
The most open they had gone was probably the dining room or outside, but even then it was only when Cole was positive they were alone.
Kai assumed that was for the sake of the servants. It must have been uncomfortable seeing their Lord partake in such open displays of affection, let alone with another person, no matter how much they encouraged it. A flush of heat darkened Kai's face when memories of that morning flashed before his mind. Embarrassment flooded his being at the memory of being caught. What they were about to do suddenly hit him with the blunt force of a sledgehammer.
He buried his face in his pillow dug one hand beneath the pillows, and another through his sweaty bangs.
Shade's bitter tea was working after all, and the crimson blush of the morning's events only made his body heat up unnaturally fast. He didn't know what he was going to do. The brunette released a muffled moan and collapsed as if sleep would erase all his confusion...
****************
True to his word, Kai had obeyed Cole's orders and reluctantly remained on bed rest until Neuro and Echo firmly agreed that he was fully recovered, but by the end of the week, the lack of movement and being trapped in his room had driven Kai to the last of his nerves. He would have left the room if he didn't fear the wrath of the gossiping staff. That and he was worried Cole would get upset if he disobeyed him again. Fortunately, despite Cole's insistence that Kai needed as much rest as possible, Kai had had lots of company since the entire castle had been more than ecstatic when Shade flooded the staff with news of his awakening.
That and the buzzing with gossip about what had occurred in his room after Cole had forbidden the chef from speaking a word.
Ultra Violet and Harumi had come to check up on him occasionally while Neuro and Shade would bring him food. Echo would check his health and on more than one occasion Nelson would be with him, making sure Kai ate or drank all of his medicine he had been given, though most of the time he would just talk to him. Kai had been extremely grateful for the conversations since on more than one occasion he swore he would go insane from lying in bed all day.
Thankfully the boy didn't seem to affect by seeing Cole and Kai making out.
When the brunette thought about it, with what that child and everyone also had been through, seeing two people kissing would be the least of their trauma. Nelson was not much older than Lloyd and Kai could cry at the thought of his little brother and sister going through anything like that. Then again, he could cry just thinking about them at all. He hoped that they were settling into their new normal, without him. Perhaps if things keeping going well for him and Cole, Kai might be able to convince the prince to let him visit them from time to time.
But with what happened the last time Cole thought he would leave, Kai didn't think it would be wise to ask.
That didn't mean he didn't miss them every minute of every day since he was imprisoned in this castle. He also missed the boys always barging into his room asking to play games. He didn't blame them for keeping their distances at first, knowing full well he wouldn't be able to look either one of them in the eyes without blushing. Fortunately, however, on an occasion when the staff was currently occupied, they had been charged with keeping Kai entertained as it was Jay's profession.
That didn't mean it was uncomfortable at first.
After a few awkward stares and embarrassing questions, they confirmed that he was fine. The four servants were happy to finally see with their own eyes that Kai was alright. They were so happy that they all sprang onto his bed and hugged him tightly. Kai thought he would burst, but he just laughed and didn't complain. For the rest of the afternoon, they had done nothing but play games. Since then the quartet made it their personal job to see that Kai was kept happy and entertained while he recovered.
During their time together, Kai admitted that he had been scared about doing the deed with Cole.
He did care about Cole, more than he had anyone other than his siblings, but he wasn't ready for that stage of a relationship. Maybe when he was a little older and dated Cole a little longer he would be ready. They would have to see how things played out between them. However, it didn't solve one problem that had been on Kai's mind for well over a week. Cole hadn't come to see him since the morning he had awakened...
****************
Cole sighed happily as he walked down a familiar hallway, a large bouquet of bright, crimson red roses and Griffin's newest lace creation tucked securely under his arm. His razor-sharp claws were extremely careful not to damage the delicate red petals. Once he concluded that the lace was simply for decorative persons and that the tailor was not attempting anything, he had gladly agreed to bring it to Kai. He had felt insanely giddy when Echo had come back from his daily check-up on Kai.
He confirmed that Kai was finally healthy enough to be up and about but that it was still best he remain indoors and continue to dress appropriately for the Winter to be safe.
Griffin, in his excitement, presented Cole with a new outfit he and the girls had been stitching in their spare time while the others kept Kai company. But at the same time, part of him felt extremely nervous. An emotion previously deemed unthinkable for the Dragon Lord. Yet for all his confidence and arrogance, Cole honestly felt like he had rather face an army than carry on down the hallway to his captive's bedroom. But still, he pressed on.
After all, it would be the first time he had seen him since the morning he and Kai almost slept together.
At least he believed that was the modern term for what it was. The memory made him growl in anger and shame at his own stupidity. How could he allow himself to lose control so easily? In this form with its superior strength, sharp claws, rough scales, and powerful muscle structure he could have easily damaged or severely hurt Kai with his brutality. Never mind the fact that Kai had just woken up from a coma and was recovering from freezing death.
Both of which Cole had caused thanks to his own paranoia.
Cole paused for a bit to cover his face, but his sharp claws gently poked his skin causing him to pull back. He glared at it with a mixture of hatred and disgust. He didn't have fingers, just curved claws that furled and unfurled according to his whim. His palms and hand was nothing more than a paw coated in rough scales and soft underpads. His scaled tail twitched almost arrogantly at his side. His disappointed wings hung limply about his back and he exhaled an exasperated sigh.
He had been very grateful Jay and the others had taken the liberty to keep him informed on Kai's reaction and feelings about what happened between them.
He knew he shouldn't have been surprised by them though. Kai was roughly the same age he was when he had first become interested in physical intimacy. Over the years, curiosity and loneliness had compelled the young king to seek relationships that branched beyond emotional commitments. It didn't surprise him Kai had the same urges. But Cole had to keep reminding himself that Kai was still young, compared to him. He was young enough to be his grandson, even if Cole's personality hadn't evolved much beyond his twenty-one years.
It didn't surprise him that giving himself to someone probably still scared Kai.
Again, he was grateful the others had taken upon themselves to keep Kai company and trusted him with the information they had received. Cole wasn't naïve. He knew even without his dragon form he was an intimidating figure. With it, it only made things more difficult. He knew even if his and Kai's relationship had been healthy and prosperous, and built on their mutual affection and trust in one another rather than the lust for physical contact, the desire was still there.
The emotional attachment only made the need much stronger, and that much more terrifying.
But it didn't change the fact that Kai was still human and he was a dragon and the physical difference created another problem. Cole wasn't about to deny that he wanted Kai, but he had known for a while it was much deeper than lust. He wanted Kai in a way he had never wanted anyone or anything else. Want couldn't even begin to describe what he had felt. Need didn't sound right either. He wanted Kai in mind, body, and soul, but at the same time, he had also wanted Kai to want him in the same way.
Just being near Kai was enough to heighten all of Cole's senses.
Kai's smiles and laughs and clever wit were enough to make him smile, even laugh for the first time in decades. Kai's fiery spirit and temper both challenged and delighted him at every turn, but Kai's kindness and gentle, fun-loving nature never ceased to amaze him, and though his hot-headedness and obstinacy annoyed him to the bitter end, there was simply nothing to dislike about his flame. The fact that Kai was by far the most beautiful person he had ever met.
He possessed gorgeous amber eyes that left him breathless with every gaze was only a bonus.
His flawlessly tanned skin looked like it had been carved by the very sun and glowed in the right light. Kai truly was a gem, and in the past, Cole's arrogant self would have said such a gem should only be his, but now he wondered if he even deserved the right to call Kai his. Not when he had taken so much from him. Not when there was so much he couldn't give him, even if Kai willingly gave him everything. Kai deserved so much more than what Cole could give him.
He deserved everything.
He deserved to live his life as free as a bird. He should be surrounded by everyone that cared about him. To be loved by someone who could love him more than anything else until the end of time. Not a prisoner to the man who tore him away from everything in hopes of using him to break the curse still looming over his head. Even if Kai did return Cole's feelings it wouldn't change anything. Cole swore that come spring the cruel mistress known as fate would return to reap his soul.
Kai deserved better than that.
"Are those for Kai?" A familiar voice suddenly asked and Cole was immediately taken out of his depressing thoughts by the innocent question, but the tone held ulterior motives. Cole stopped and followed the voice of his Steward. Zane leaned against a pillar with his arms crossed over his chest. Instead of his stoic expression, he sported a sharp, proud smile and confidence, almost arrogant eyes. Cole matched the steward's smirk with one of his own.
"As a matter of fact, yes they are, I thought he'd enjoy them, and Griffin was just begging me to let him try them on," Cole said with a confident flare and continued his quest. Zane didn't answer. Instead, he waited. When Cole walked past him he finally replied.
"He's pretty spoiled for a prisoner." He said, causing Cole to stop in his tracks, and whirled around.
"I beg your pardon," He spoke dangerously low. Zane's expression faded in an instant. His neutral mask returned.
"I'm only stating a fact."
"You dare jest about this?!" Cole accused, exasperated.
"I never jest." Zane cut him off and turned around to meet Cole's dangerous eyes with his own grave icy ones. "Think about it Cole, even though no one would dare even think of him as such, and he possesses an extraordinary amount of freedom, he is technically still your prisoner." He explained. Cole wanted to scream, protest, yell, and scold and dismiss his steward in a way that would ensure he never dared to disrespect him again.
Instead, he was silenced by his own anger.
Not at his steward, but at himself. There was no denying the truth in the man's words. He had just confirmed it not moments before. But hearing it from someone else, having that fact that the boy he dared call his own was, in reality, his captive, sent him into such a state of anger and remorse he couldn't speak. His body could only shake in fury. Zane said nothing to that but waited patiently for his Master to regain control of the emotion raging within him.
He watched Cole's trembling paw move to cover his face and run a hand grip his raven locks.
He watched Cole exhale and his posture become that of a man graciously accepting defeat.
"What would you have me do then, Zane? Though I am bitter to admit it, you're correct, Kai is still my prisoner, so how do you suppose I go about fixing it?" He asked.
"I thought that would be obvious; how else? Set him free." Zane chuckled. The words hit Cole like a hurricane knocking him off his feet. Each word dropped like a stone in a well. He had to set Kai free? Send him back to where he came from, away from his side, possibly forever? The thought clutched at his heart like a deathly cold hand squeezing the breath from his body, filling him with a viperous terror he couldn't see.
"How can you even suggest that? You were the one who suggested he might be my key and now you're telling me to send him away" Cole asked, his words were all breath. Zane raised an eyebrow, unaffected by the prince's outburst.
"You misunderstand, I said you should set him free not send him away."
"There's a difference?" Cole hissed.
"Let me finish; first, you should set him free, assure him that he is no longer a prisoner, then ask him to stay with you." He asked but Cole was dumbfounded. "Ask him to stay, not as a prisoner, or captive, or hostage or guest or even as the key; simply because you want him to stay with you, not out of any obligation, but out of his own free will," Zane answered his master's unasked question, his confident smirk more evident.
"You think I should ask him to remain with me, purely because I don't ever want to be parted from him?" Cole asked, bewildered.
"Don't you?"
"More than anything."
"I'm glad." Zane smiled as he removed himself from the pillar and leaned forward against the banister of the hallway. "Everyone in this castle cares for you Cole, we more than just respect you as our Master, we all want you to be happy and Kai makes you happy, and I have little doubt that he's the one for you; all you have to do is accept it and we'll accept you," Zane spoke with the purest of loyalty. Cole nodded, grateful for his Steward's words.
"And what of you, Zane?" He asked, his turn to flash the smirk of a cat with all the cream. Zane's eyes narrowed.
"I don't know what you're talking about," He replied, but in his voice, it was a lie.
"Come now, Zane, I know you're not naïve, nor are you oblivious, I severely doubt you haven't noticed your own brother's intrigue?" He smirked but Zane said nothing, choosing to close his eyes. His face was a cross between a pout of annoyance and a scowl of defeat. "How long have you known?" Cole asked, crossing his arms.
"I've known before he did." He answered, knowing it didn't exactly answer the question. A chuckle escaped him. "Back when they were too young to know what it was they were feeling; ironic how romantic feelings are obvious to everyone but those experiencing them."
"Perhaps, but perhaps that's the nature of love, it doesn't see with the eyes," Cole smirked as he leaned against the banister, next to Zane.
"That's true." Zane agreed though he sounded reluctant. Cole gave him a sympathetic smile.
"You do know no one can love him more than Jay does, I think that is more than clear."
"He's the one for Echo," Zane admitted, grudgingly. "I've known that for a while, too."
"You know he's not the child he used to be, Echo, I mean, I remember when he used to be a timid little boy who would follow you everywhere but was always exceedingly shy around you; I always thought that was because you acted more of a father to him than a brother, but not everyone has chosen to remain stoic this last century as I have, some of us have used this time to mature, evolve, and become stronger," Cole explained.
"Yes, Echo doesn't need a father anymore, he needs a brother and not one to take care of him, he has Jay for that, and he's mature enough now to know exactly what that means and what it entitles and to be completely honest," Zane spoke like he was irritated but there was legitimate respect and pride in his voice. "I truly do believe Jay is the one for him, and that just annoys me even more!" He growled as he gripped the banister. Cole couldn't help but laugh.
"Oh come now, Zane, you knew Echo would grow up eventually? That's no reason to treat Jay like he's trying to take Echo away from you."
"He is!" Zane snapped, before regaining his composure. "In a matter of speaking." He sighed and Cole laughed again.
"It's no wonder they've found it impossible to tell you?" He asked with another light laugh and Zane snorted.
"I really do hate being right sometimes." He huffed as he regained his composure and lifted himself to meet the prince. "So, will you be taking my advice then?" He asked and Cole remained still. His face neutral and his eyes betraying no emotion.
"I'm not sure." He replied and it was Zane's turn to smile.
"Do you doubt he will say yes?" He asked, catching Cole off guard. He pondered them for a moment, then turned on his heels and continued towards Kai's room.
"I appreciate your assistance, Zane." He called over his shoulder.
"That is my profession." The Steward nodded as he watched Cole disappear down the hall. A moment later, Cole found himself strolling down a familiar hallway. Zane's words continued to run around in his head. He smiled when he found himself outside Kai and room and shifted his clothed burden to open the door. He already knew Kai's answer...
If you're still doing requests, maybe cute Steampunk or a happy thing with Zane and Echo? (Completely up to you. I think you might have mentioned it once, but I can't clearly remember if you're okay with Steampunk, so I wanted to give another option just in case.)
Steampunk is an adorable element of the Soul Eater AU!
This takes place a little later in the story:
“I…cannot believe…my brother saw that.”
Jay cackled in a way Echo usually found endearing but now just fueled his embarrassment. “Did you see his face?”
Echo sat on the couch, his head thrown back with his face in his hands. “I was too busy trying not to set my own on fire.”
Jay, meanwhile, was still hopping around the room with energy. “Well you missed out, Honey.” He straightened his back and stood on his tip toes. “My word!” He gasped, mocking Zane’s formal tone. “What in heaven’s name are you two doing?”
Echo laughed. “He does not sound like that.”
Jay flopped on the couch, jostling him. “Fair – I still had too much excitement going on.” He teased. “In all seriousness though, you okay?” He asked, taking Echo’s hand in his.
Echo tried to hold a serious face staring into Jay’s blue eyes. He cracked into a bashful smile, throwing his head back again. “Yes, I suppose.” He considered the situation for a moment. “It is pretty funny…”
Jay snorted. “Your uptight, perfect brother caught us kissing instead of training for our upcoming resonance exam because he got nosy. It’s hilarious.” He laughed again. “And it serves him right for snooping.” He stilled. “You don’t think he’ll tell Mr. Ray, do you?”
Echo’s face dropped. “I hope not…Zane was never one to tattle as children…”
Jay’s eyes widened. “But Morro might…”
Echo returned to his position with his face in his hands. “We’re doomed.”
Meanwhile, Morro was laughing in his shared kitchen as Pixal set a comforting hand on Zane’s shoulder. “I am sure Echo will forget about it soon.”
Morro let out another bout of cackling. “I told you to leave your little brother alone, didn’t I?”
Zane just groaned into the table. “I thought someone had been injured…”
Morro snorted into his tea. “I think injury was the last thing going on there.”
