The Ninja of Time

Chapter 24 Messin' with the Ninja Has a Penalty

We were training Lloyd that day, helping him harness his powers.

"Focus, Lloyd. Control the power inside you. When you feel a surge welling up, harness it." Jay instructed. "I understand. I am in control..." Lloyd answered.

"Come on, Lloyd, you can do it!" Jay encouraged. "Think he's gonna get it this time?" I whispered to Kai.

Lloyd started to light it up, until he shattered the 24'th lightbulb for the day. "Nope." His shoulders slumped.

"Argh! Stupid lightbulb! You're putting too much pressure on me. Let me have one more try." Lloyd pleaded. "Sorry Lloyd, that was the last lightbulb." Kai sighed.

"Clean up Lloyd. We'll continue training tomorrow." Cole told him handing him a broom.

Lloyd was obviously frustrated, but started to clean the broken glass. For five seconds. Then, he took the broom and stayed beating the punching dummy with it.

"What am I doing wrong, Sensei Wu? I can't seem to teach him to control his power." Jay said sadly.

"Patience, Jay. Sometimes the greatest opponent we face is ourselves. And that's especially true of Lloyd. Remember where he came from. He's the son of Lord Garmadon. It's going to take time for him to embrace the light." Wu answered.

"Hey guys!" Nya walked through the door, saving me from the monster I called responsibility. "Hey Nya!" We greeted in unison. Nya stared to talk to Jay while we broke off into our own conversations.

Until we heard Nya say, "This letter came for Lloyd." She handed the envelope to Sensei. "It's from Lloyd's old school."

"The Darkley's School for Bad Boys?" Cole asked. "The breeding ground of evil." Crystal said through her teeth. "I hate that place." I mumbled.

"Formerly Bad Boys. Since the last time we were there, they've changed to The Darkley's School for Great Children." "Wait, they've turned good?" Cole tried to hide a laugh.

"It says here that there will be a ceremony." Wu explained. "I hate ceremonies. They take forever." I wined. "I love ceremonies! That means there's gonna be cake!" Cole piped up.

"Lloyd's change inspired them. Now, they've invited Lloyd to give him an Honorary Degree in Excellence." Wu finished.

We glanced at Lloyd in the background, breaking the broom we'd given him in half over his knee. "Are you sure were talking about the same Lloyd?" Kai winced.

The next morning, we picked up Crystal and flew to Darkley's. "Now that we have the Dragon, we can get to Darkley's in no time!" Jay cheered.

"That is, if Lloyd can get us there in one piece." Kai said nervously. "Why are we letting the kid flying a dragon?" Crystal asked, a worried edge in her voice.

"It's his." I responded. "What?!" She shrieked, making the Ultra Dragon tilt to one side. "Just be gentle. Any sudden moves, or noises, could cause him to-" Cole started.

"Any sudden WHAT?" Lloyd shouted and as he pulled up high on the reins and sending us zooming to the ground. "The reins! Let go of the reins!" Cole shouted.

We all screamed and almost had a tragic landing. "At least I'm getting better?" Lloyd chuckled nervously. "I'd hate to see worse." Said a fear-stricken Crystal.

"All the same, I'll take the reins going home, just to be safe." Cole grunted. We walked through the front yard to see a little boy planting flowers. "Lloyd?" He gasped.

"Uh, Brad?" Lloyd raised an eyebrow. "You came! So good to see you." Brad smiled. "It is? You put fire ants in my bed." Lloyd said in a questioning tone.