Heart of Light: A Ninjago Fan Fiction

Part 3: Am I Ready?

I washed my face and quickly changed into my favorite gi, the gold one with white flowers around the neck and sleeves. My hair was fine the way it was, I decided, so I left my room and headed to the kitchen. The place Wu had prepared for me to stay in wasn't the biggest, but it worked. I had one bathroom off of the kitchen and the living was the only thing separating my room from the kitchen. It had been forever since I had moved out of my mom's place to live here "with Wu", as he told my mother. He didn't actually live there with me, since there was only one bedroom and he needed to supervise his team, but the apartment was in his name and he stayed over occasionally to see how I was doing. Other than that, I was a technical minor on my own. Only for a few more weeks, I reminded myself. My 18th birthday was coming up and I was looking forward to living here legally.

After a short breakfast of toast and fried eggs, Uncle Wu was ready to pick me up. I had flown over the monastery multiple times during my patrol, so I knew how to get there, but he wanted to introduce me personally. I hadn't seen my younger brother since he was three and it was going to be a big step in our lives to meet after all this time. I remembered him as being tiny, but after the aging potion incident, he's apparently around my age now. That's an interesting thought to handle. With a few deep breaths, I followed Wu out of the door, and eventually, to the temple.

He stopped me before we actually went into the training "courtyard" where the ninja were waiting for us.

"If you're ever uncomfortable, I can have you leave, but I think you're ready for this. It has been a long couple years for you and your brother." I nodded, unsure of where my voice went. He opened the large wooden doors and stepped in, ushering me in behind him. I wasn't sure what exactly awaited me and I knew I wasn't ready for whatever it was, but I was willing to give it a shot.

My eyes were immediately drawn to the four ninjas standing in front of me. The first was dressed in all red, had spiky auburn hair, and a fiery look in his eye. The scar across his eyebrow finished the tough and hot-headed look perfectly. The second was dressed in blue and had average brown hair. His haircut was average, his freckles, brown eyes, and height were average, too. Honestly, I don't think I have ever laid eyes on anyone so average before in my life. The third had blonde hair that stuck straight up and a white gi. His eyes were an incredible, icy blue and his skin was pale, but healthy looking. The last of the ninja, was probably the most striking to me. He had rich, black hair falling across his eyes and was dressed in a matching black gi. His eyes were a deep brown and had an intense, but not quite mean or grouchy look in them. He was the tallest of the group, too, towering above the rest of the guys at what I could only estimate to be six foot three. His gaze towards me was intense enough to make me self-conscious. I looked away.

"I do believe I told all of you to be out here when I brought Shea in. Kai," Uncle Wu turned to the fiery one to question him, "Where is Lloyd?" He was just opening his mouth to speak when Lloyd burst through the door.

"Sorry, sorry! I was so excited I was struggling to tie my belt." It took him a moment to settle into line with the others before he realized I was actually standing right in front of him. "Oh, she's here." He blushed and looked down at the ground, before quickly looking back up at me. "Sorry if I kept you waiting." I shook my head, holding back a laugh.

"I've hardly been here, it's fine, but I am ready for some introductions." I pointed at the first one. "You're Kai, right?"

"Yeah," He replied, sticking out his hand to shake mine, "Elemental Master of Fire, at your service." I shook his hand firmly.

"Glad to meet you. I'm Shea." I moved on the second.

"I'm Jay." He stuck out his hand, modeling after Kai. "Elemental Master of Lightning."

"Shea. Lightning is an element?" He rolled his eyes playfully.

"Yeah, yeah, that's what they all say. The answer is yes, by the way." When I got the the third, he didn't stick out his hand for a handshake, instead he bowed to me gallantly.

"I'm Zane, the Elemental Master of Ice and resident nindroid." He looked up at me and finally took my awkwardly outstretched hand.

"Nindroid..?" I said tentatively.

"I'm a robot." He stated more clearly, for my sake.

"Wow! That's awesome! I could've sworn you were human. You really act like it." Then, the next guy piped up.

"Yeah, he does. We treat him like one, too. He has feelings, so don't think you can mess around with him like a toy. I'm the Elemental Master of Earth: Cole." He said, kissing my hand playfully, making me blush. "But I'm sure I'm not the one you're really interested in talking to." He turned to look at Lloyd, who was almost standing behind him at this point.

"Hey." I said quietly. He stepped back out slowly and we stood there, just looking at each other for a while. Then, I hugged him. As I pulled him in, the shock was evident on his face, but he squeezed me back just as tightly as I held him.