Based On A True Story

Prologue

"Uncle! How did you loose your arm?"
I looked down at Jamie, who was clinging to my arm. We were in the market getting the apples my sister had forgotten this this morning. "Just like I've told you every other time you've asked, Jamie." I paused and glanced down the row of fruit venders looking for my friend, Zane.
"You lost it in the war." He finished for me. "But uncle Cole, when are you going to tell me the real story? You know the whole story?"
I lifted my arm so I could look him in the eyes, and raised my eyebrow. "What do you mean real story? Is your mother telling stories again?"
"No! She hasn't! You said you'd tell me it when I was 8. It's my birthday." Glaring at me he was trying to hold on to my arm while simultaneously trying to point at me. "YOU PROMISED!"
"Did I rea—"
"YEAH!"
"Ok ok." I lowered him back to the street. "I'll see when I can find the time to tell you it."
We finally reached Zane's fruit stand, "Nya forgot the apples didn't she? And you," He jabbed his finger against my chest. "Almost got yourself in trouble huh?" He winked at Jamie.

——————later that day——————

"Why do you have to leave? It's my birthday." Jamie was clinging to my cloak like it was a life line. "What about story time?"
"Jamie, I'm sorry. I have to go. I promise I will tell you the story as soon as I get back." I slowly pried the cloak out of his hands and slipped out the door, trying to ignore the tears streaming down his cheeks and maybe mine. I'm very thankful it's raining, I've never missed his birthday before. And he was going to get to stay up and hear my story, but now that will have to wait.

=   =   =
Several weeks later:

"Ok Jamie, I'm finally home to start my story."
"It started with a story teller.
After years of training, I am finally able to follow in my father's footsteps. As I look over my small crowd, a hundred stories begin swirling around my mind just one stands out.

=   =   =

Taking a deep breath I begin my tale. "Many thousands of years ago there were eight elemental protectors, the Ninjas.  Separately each maintained and protected their element: Cole, earth; Lloyd, plants; Zane, temperature; Nya, water; Kai, Fire; Marida, wind; Skylar, light; and Jay, weather. Together the Ninja defended the land of Ninjago from The Commander.

The Commander's master plan was nearing completion, he had the ninja spread over all Ninjago. Zane and Kai patrolled the swamps, the twins Cole and Skylar had the mountains, Marida the jungle, Nya was in the bamboo forest, and Jay and Lloyd were in Ninjago City and the surrounding desert.

Across Ninjago, there had been a downfall of the frequency and ferocity of the attacks, the ever vigilant ninjas were suspicious of The Commander's silence. Suddenly his minions were in Ninjago City! They quickly captured Jay and Lloyd but not before the two had gotten a message to the other ninjas, who immediately headed to the capital to help.

Nya arrived at Ninjago City first. When she couldn't find any sign of her teammates, she slipped into the Ninja HQ, but there was still no sign of them. Silently Minidon, The Commander's second man, slipped a chloroform-soaked rag under her nose then dragged the unconscious Nya through the dark alleys to the sewers. Marida was next, unfortunately, she met a similar fate. Over the next few days, the ninjas come in one or two at a time all end up in The Commander's clutches.

=   =   =

"Ahh, my tea." I break the tale off for food and drink to the dismay of my growing audience. As I drain my cup I glance over my listeners once more they seem interested enough to stay the whole day if the weather would allow the dark building clouds had come from nowhere.

=   =   =

"Alright, Jamie, that's all for tonight. Goodnight, little buddy."
"But I'm not ready fo—" he cut himself short seeing my eyebrow. "Goodnight Uncle Cole!"