Ninjago: Next Generation

Kai's Peptalk

I sat outside of meditation center in the rain the next day, my chin resting on my knees. I didn't care how wet I got, even if I got a cold. I lost my chance of getting friends, properly meeting the ninja, and I can't go back to my dorm because of Terra and Katrina, who hate me right now.

I sighed, nestling my head in my arms. I wish Cole had just suffocated me. No, that I never got accepted in this school.

No one was outside in the rain. I wasn't someone who liked getting wet, but if I was alone, then I was fine. I saw a red silhouette. Ugh, Kai.

He flipped over to me. "What do you want?" I asked him, turning away. He sat down next to me, putting a fire red blanket over my back.

"You know," Kai started. "I shouldn't be talking to you, but Nya and Wu said to not let you get too depressed. That whole thing with the prophecy and ambush... Well, the prophecy is real, but the ambush was planned with the students. Sensei Wanted to test your actions when your put down."

I frowned and scrunched my eyebrows. Kai looked at me curiously. "First off, why did Sensei want to check ME? And second, why are you staring at me like that?"

"Who knows why people do anything? And for your second question, it's nothing important. Your frown... It just kinda reminds me of my own." I nodded, realization hitting me that one of my heroes was personally talking to me! Kai said something, then gently shook my shoulder.

"Huh?"

"I just asked how your mom was, without your dad and all..." He readjusted the collar of his ninja suit nervously.

"Oh, uh, well, like Zayne said, my mom and I are really poor." I suddenly felt comfortable talking with Kai. "We live in a tiny apartment in Ninjago City. She sleeps on a twin bed mattress, and I just take a pillow and blanket and cover myself on a couch. My mom works all the time, and my school supplies are limited. She says that I have a really good singing voice, but I don't... Our meals are small, and snacks are a rarity. I have... Not a whole lot of clothes, I'll say that. The neighborhood I'm in is pretty bad, our building is graffitied, there's no elevator, and no fire escape."

I hesitated.

"I do have one valuable item though..." Kai became serious.

"What is it?"

"A... A hairbrush." I pulled it out of jacket pocket. Kai ran his hand gently over the oval, gold-leafed edge. He turned it over to see the golden dragon breathing fire on the red background. He handed it back.

"I-I have to go." And just like that, he was gone in the rain.