Not Who He Seems

The Temple on Haunted Hill

Welcome to Yang's Haunted Temple. The historical landmark and former home of Sensei Yang, the notorious sensei without a pupil. Infamous for creating the lost martial art of Airjitzu. Unfortunately, we can't take our tour groups inside, for rumors say, anyone trapped inside its walls at sunrise will be turned into a ghost permanently. But, if you listen closely, maybe we'll be able to hear the ghost of Sensei Yang himself, looking for his lost pupils. Well, the sun is setting, which means we should head back to the bus. Don't want anyone to turn into a ghost!

The haunting, the water, Morro and the attic. The four ninja each had to face one of their fears to get this far. As they crept up on the ghost, Morro, there was a sudden flash of light. Tied together, the ninja jumped back in fear. In Morro's place was the ghost of Sensei Yang.

"As iron sharpens iron, sensei sharpens student. You have passed the test." The ghost said to the ninja who looked at him rather surprised.

Kai, the fiery, spiky haired brunette spoke up before any of his brothers could say anything. He wasn't even sure if they would. "T-th-then you'll teach us how to do Airjitzu?" He stuttered. That was the whole reason any of them were there. After Morro stole the scroll of Airjitzu, Kai had to trade all of the ninja's shares of their Sensei Wu's tea farm to the thief Ronin who in return, told him there was another way to learn Airjitzu. Going to Yang's Haunted Temple was the solution... They hoped.

Sensei Yang's ghost pulled out a tightly wound scroll. Most likely, it was another scroll of Airjitzu. "Only those who see things through will reap the benefits of the reward." He said, holding out his scroll to the ninja.

Cole, the ninja of earth bravely stepped forward and retrieved the scroll. Once he grabbed it, he backed up so he was standing with the others.

"That's not the only thing we see through!" The blue ninja piped up. He looked at his hand which was starting to become translucent. "Why is it I can see through my hand?!" Jay cried out, waving his hand around to pull the other ninja's attention to his fading hand.

A clock on the shelf ticked as a minute passed. Sensei Yang began to laugh and strangely glow. "Now you will join my students!" He said as the ghosts of his previous pupils came into view behind him.

"He's not just their mentor... He's their captor!" Cole cried out, gasping slightly. He began to back away slowly along with the other ninja.

As they made their way towards the ladder down, Sensei Yang began advancing. "A new dawn is upon us. Get out before the clock's last chime- If you can." He said, floating above the ninja.

The four began to race out as fast as they could, only to trip and fall over each other. "Why did we tie ourselves together?!" The Titanium ninja Zane cried out as he began to stand back up.

Cole sat up and quickly said, "There's not time to complain. We just have to move!" As the ninja ran, trying to stay together, he murmured, "One, two, three. One, two, three."

The group raced to the door as the clock began to chime. Cole ran into something and dropped the scroll. "The scroll!" He gasped. He looked back at Jay, Zane and Kai then quickly untied the rope around him. He then went to grab the scroll, not caring how translucent he was becoming.

Once outside, Jay, Zane and Kai were out of breath. Kai looked at his hand and smiled, "My hand! I can see my hand! We made it!" He cried out, jumping up slightly.

Zane and Jay began looking and their arms when Jay looked behind him. He gasped at the sudden realization. Cole wasn't with them. "But... where's Cole?" He asked, lifting up the rope that Cole was tied to. He began looking from side to side, hoping to catch a glimpse of his dear friend.

"Don't worry! I got the scroll!" Called out a very familiar voice.

When Jay, Zane and Kai excitedly turned to see the owner of the voice, they suddenly gasped in shock. Their faces faded from happiness to sadness.

"Why are you all looking at me like that?" Cole's voice asked, seeing the ninja's sad faces.

"Cole... You didn't make it out in time!" Jay whimpered softly, looking at his friend. Worry and sadness were painted on the boy's normally happy face.

Kai nodded slightly, "Yeah Cole... You're a... A..." He pointed to Cole tentatively, then shook his head, putting his hand to his face.

Cole looked at himself, confused at first. He then gasped, not seeing the body he was used to. It was greenish and almost fully transparent. "I'm a ghost!" He whispered, clenching a fist, looking down sadly. In his other hand was the scroll that was given to them just a few moments earlier.

From the temple, a deep laugh could be heard as the ninja moved forward to comfort their friend who was now a ghost.

Permanently.