Ninjago: Next Generation

The Age of the Samurai

I ran until my sides had unbearable cramps to the cafeteria in my now dry sweat pants and shirt. I turned around, but Crystal and Zane were nowhere to be seen.

"Oww!" Terra turned around, holding her tray of powdered French toast. "You stepped on my toe!" She whined.

"Calm down," I rolled my eyes. "You'll live."

Terra smirked at me. "If I have to breath the same air as low-lives like you, then I won't."

I growled. My face turned red and hot, but I kept my cool. I took a deep breath. "You're not worth my time."

I caught black and amber hair in the corner of my eye. Saved by Thomas! He strutted up to me and Terra cutely... Wait... Did I just write that? Oops.

"Hey guys!" He said casually, but I could tell he detected tension. "What's up?" Terra shot me one last glare.

"Nothing," she replied smoothly. She flung her brown hair over her shoulder, her blue strip of hair shining extra brightly in the early morning light.

It was almost six. Wow, did time really go that fast? I glanced around the room. Very few students were there, and even less were staying at least half-way awake. I suddenly lost my appetite when Thomas accidentally zapped my shoulder. He stepped back.

I looked up at his retreating body. "I'm-I'm sorry," Thomas stuttered. I became curious.

"Why does this keep happening?" I asked.

"I can't control it. The only person I can touch is myself without getting hurt. I try to be confident, but it's hard when no one can trust to be near me," Thomas confessed. I was surprised he opened up so quickly. And to me...

"I have an idea!" I exclaimed. He whipped his head up from staring at the ground. I pulled (not literally, so I wouldn't get hurt) him out of line to the stairs. Thomas quickly caught on to what I was doing. We burst into the empty library. No one was there. Not even librarian droids were up and running for the day yet.

We found our way to the supernatural section. It's a start!

"Electric plasmas, gigantic electric eels... Nothing on how a person can gain control of the ability to zap people uncontrollably!" Thomas's voice began to raise.

"Calm down!" I hissed. "We don't want to attract any unwanted attention. Let's look somewhere else."

Although I prefer magic and fantasy over facts, which is why I like the ninja so much, Thomas beat me to the section about legends, so I had to do history research. Fun.

I scanned the book titles on the sides. What could possibly be in history that could... I found it! I whipped out a book titled 'The Age of the Samurai'. I've never heard of it.

I dashed to Thomas to share my discovery. "That's perfect!" He yelped. We sat down at a table. "Hang on, why is this perfect again?" He asked. I looked at the dusty brown book.

"I just know it is. Don't question my logic!" I demanded in a teasing voice. We laughed. I flipped open the page.

"We should probably find out if the samurai had any powers," Thomas suggested.

I checked the contents. Chapter 7 was about powers. I looked over my shoulder real quick. No other kids, especially from our grade, seventh grade, was coming up here. Good.

The writing in the chapter was set up really weird.

In the heart of a samurai camp,

No one but the leader was allowed.

Samurai warriors were not often heard of, so the Age of the Samurai was

Unnoticed by the rest of Ninjago.

Later in time,

After the elemental master of Ninjago divided the land of good and evil,

The four samurai tended the dragons that guarded the golden weapons.

Overall, the samurai stayed hidden, not wanting to be caught by the warring elemental tribes. This explains why they're not well known.

Right when the ninja came to claim the golden weapons, the

Samurai left to go back to their tribes. The lightning samurai was reluctant to go, feeling that the lightning tower was the only place he or she belonged.

The chapter ended.

"What the heck!" Thomas shouted angrily. "We search the library and come to this! Agh!" I watched him, stunned. He must really be upset about this, he usually keeps his cool.

"Calm down!" I shushed him. "Maybe we have to look between the lines..." Thomas sighed.

"It's no use," he said softly. I looked at him sympathetically.

"Keep trying," I encouraged him.

"Just leave me alone, Shelby," he shooed me away, his golden eyes shining sadly. I gave him one last glance, and hugged him, ignoring the pain that went through my body. I pulled away and went to the classrooms with Garmadon.