Ninjago: The Flash in the Rain

Chapter Six

Jay hasn't left Nya's bedside since we got back 6 hours ago.

Annie and Kristina Carling came back to the temple, although Val and Elice were living on their own in a small apartment they had found in an undamaged section of Ninjago.

Rissy and I were sitting in the living area with Annie and Skylor.

"I want you to teach me how to fight," Annie said. We all stared at her in shock. "What?" she muttered. "I'm just as old as you and I know that I'm not as strong as anyone here, but I want to be able to protect myself and others around me from a Blekksprut should I have to."

"I can train you," I said, standing up. I quickly sat back down, not quite sure why I stood up in the first place. It seemed like the right thing to do.

"We can all help," Skylor told Annie, shooting a wry glance in my direction. "We shouldn't deny you safety."

"We'll start with the dummy katana first, of course. Just so that, uh, you don't hurt yourself. And I can teach you Spinjitzu." I was interrupted by Aryssi clearing her throat.

"Okay, lover boy." I shot a glare at her. Annie laughed nervously. "Clearly we're not going to start her with sharp weapons if she doesn't know how to use them. Also, doesn't she need an element to do Spinjitzu?"

"I don't have an element," I muttered.

"How should I put this... " Aryssi laughed. "If Spinjitzu was on your report card, the teacher would've given you a 'below average'". 

"Aryssi!" Skylor snapped, but her face held a hint of laughter. Hilarious.

Suddenly, Rissy stood up and ran over to her mother. She whispered something in her ear, and Skylor nodded. "Annie, why don't you and I go outside. I'll start you with the basics."

Annie quickly smiled at me before quickly scrambling after Skylor. 

Aryssi pinned me against the wall. "Please tell me you're not falling for her." 

"Um... No?"

"You know what happens when there's an innocent little girl who claims that 'I just want to help those who cannot help themselves'". 

"It happened once, Riss. It's highly unlikely that there would ever be another horrible woman like her." 

"I don't trust her, Bird. Keep your distance, and DON'T GET CLOSE!"

"Okay, okay. Calm down, Aryssi. I'll stay back." 

"Good." She dropped me to the ground and stomped off. It's funny how quickly people can go from cheerful to angry in minutes.

I went outside to the training arena where Skylor and Annie were. Annie was throwing very sharp knives into dummies with incredible accuracy. 

"What happened to not starting with the sharp weapons!?" 

"Relax, Bird," Skylor said. "We did start her with the dull knives. She was so good at it that I decided to give her sharper ones."

"I was inside for thirty seconds!"

"Bird, she's really good. Watch her." Annie picked two knives up from the bench, one with her left hand and one with her right. There was a quick movement and the chunk of blades striking the dummy. One was dead centre, the other slightly below.

"Well done Annie." Skylor nodded in approval. Unfortunately, Annie's success was short-lived. Screams and shouts came from inside the temple. There was the noise of wood splintering, followed by glass smashing and a purple monster with four arms jumped into the training arena. Skylor cursed. "We need to get out of here."