Fly High (Ninjago Dragon AU)

Chapter 1: A Green Dragon

The egg hatched today. A male, copper-scaled dragonet. He hatched in hybrid form- interesting. Is that normal for dragons? He is like a human infant, needing constant care and attention. I only have time to keep this journal as he sleeps. He will need a name, but I currently am unsure what to call him. I will decide once I know more about this dragonet and his abilities. Who are you, little one? What is your power? What can I learn from watching you grow up?

-From the journal of Professor Julien, noted dracologist (current whereabouts unknown)

Kai hated when it was his turn to get food. He could have just hunted rabbits or something in the woods and been fine with it, but unfortunately, Nya and Pixal had both asked for bread, while Jay had requested cheese. That meant sneaking into town, and that meant he had to wear gloves, boots, and a hooded cloak as a disguise, so the townsfolk couldn't see what he was. The cloak was the worst part. It felt like his wings were suffocating, and he could feel a million cramps forming in them. Kai tried to ignore it and crept toward a small kiosk selling bread.

As he shoved a couple loaves under his cloak, Kai heard a sudden commotion from a short ways away. It sounded like townsfolk shouting, and rocks hitting both the cobbled streets and- something else. He started toward the sounds, and managed to make out a few of the individual shouts.

"Take that, filthy wyrm!"

"This'll teach you to come around here!"

"Eat rock, scaly!"

He stiffened. Wyrm? Zane used that word sometimes, and had explained that it meant- but it couldn't be a- Kai snuck up to the back of the crowd to get a better look. Sure enough, in the center of the semi-circle of townsfolk, with his back against the wall, was a dragon. He looked around 14, Kai's age, but he was several inches shorter, and smaller in general, though his jade-colored horns added a bit of height. His tail, curling around his feet, was leaf-green and tipped in a darker green spade. His batlike wings were raised and half-tented around him, probably to guard against the rocks the townsfolk were throwing, but even so, Kai could see his face. His ears were flattened back, nearly vanishing into his hair, and his bright green eyes, gleaming from behind light yellow bangs, were wide with terror. Kai gritted his teeth and bit back a growl.

"Stop it! Please, just let me go! I-I swear I don't want to cause trouble!" The green dragon's voice shook as he spoke. "Just let me leave, and I promise I'll never bother you again!" In response, another rock was hurled from the crowd and bounced off his tail, causing him to wince in pain. Kai felt his own tail curl tighter with rage beneath his cloak, and swallowed another growl. Why didn't they just let him go? Couldn't they see how scared he was?

"Don't try to use your silver tongue on us, drake!" Said a man, flinging another rock. "We're not dumb enough to believe what you say!" The dragon threw up his arms to protect his head, scales glittering in the sunlight as the rock bounced off them.

The townsfolk clearly weren't going to stop, and Kai wasn't going to just stand by and let them hurt the green dragon. Cole had warned him not to draw attention to himself, but he had to do something. His eyes flicked around the square, coming to rest on a stack of hay bales a little ways away. He grinned as an idea occurred to him. What could make a better distraction than a suddden, inexplicable fire?

Hello again, Wattpad! I'm back with Chapter 1! I'm guessing you all know who the green dragon is XD. And I'm sorry if you were hoping to find out more about the mist dragon in this chapter, but don't worry, she WILL be back! It'll just, y'know, be a while before we see her again. Keep a watch for Chapter 2, and I hope you're enjoying the story!