Chapter 5 Give the kid a break, Cole

“The Ninja of trees and vegetation, the Ninja of trees and vegetation,” Norman repeated. “I like it! It suits me well.” “So where did you go to school?” asked Nicky. “I went to Kentucky state university.” “Oh.” Nicky said quietly. “I want pizza.” P.T. complained. “Me too. I’m starving.” exclaimed P.C. Cole playfully eyed Lloyd’s shoulder and grabbed it. “I’m so hungry I could eat you!” Lloyd slapped Cole and ran to the other side of the room. Tom giggled. For once Jay frowned. “Give the kid a break, Cole.” “What’s up with Jay?” Kai whispered to Shalom. “I don’t know. But he isn’t in his usual spirits. Some things wrong...” she muttered. Jay’s eyes glowed with annoyance at Cole’s joking around. Out of the blue, he jumped up and stormed off. Everyone but Zane sat staring out of surprise at the path Jay had taken to the boy’s dorm. “Ooookay.” whispered Cole. They could hear Jay frustrated mutterings and stomping from the other room.

“Master Warui!” “Yes, what is it Debite, my servant,” “I come with important news! Your brother and the ninja have returned and have grown in number from five to ten!” “WHAT?!?” Raged Warui, the first born son of Lord Garmadon. His younger brother, Ryuu, was away with his army in the rainforest. “Where is your warrior friend Bittin?” Debite’s lip quivered. “He was smashed by one of the ninja,” “Do you know which one?” “The blue one,” “Ah, Jay? I knew he was a troublemaker... Call the generals!” Shortly, three huge armor clad insects ran swiftly into the throne room. Warui sighed angrily and slapped his pale forehead. “Where is that stupid spider Poysin?” bellowed the evil teen. “He, um, had to use the restroom, Master Warui,” said Leapteris, the Grasshopper general. Warui held back his anger and called to his slave, “Bring Poysin in and tell him that when I call he WILL come!!!” “Yes Master,” called the meek little spider.

Chapter 4 Norman the Tall Vaulter

“I wonder what Norman is going to be the ninja of,” Cole wondered aloud. “Well he sure can jump!” exclaimed Jay, winking at Norman. Sensei Wu walked into the main room and gave them a “no-nonsense” look and opened his mouth to speak. “Norman has passed the test as you all know. I think he deserves a title.” “Norman the Tall Vaulter?” joked Kai. Sensei ignored the remark and continued talking. “Let’s have a meeting in the indoor training room.” The ninja glanced excitedly at Norman as they whispered down the hall. Norman waited for what seemed like hours as he heard now and then Jay’s excited voice echo from the other room. He leapt up from his seat as the door slid open, the ninja running eccentrically towards the door. “Norman!” Shalom beamed. “Because you're tall and good at jumping far and high, you will now be the Ninja of Trees and Vegetation!” Norman’s eyes grew wide at the sound of his name. He leapt up, both fists in the air. “Yeeehaw!” CRASH! He hung limply from the ceiling by his clenched fists and looked down at his feet. “Well, fixing that is a job for a tall ninja!” Zane said half joking.

Chapter 3 The campfire

“Wow, Norman. When I first saw you I thought we would always be strangers. Now, I think we’ll be best friends!” Cole exclaimed with pleasure. Norman gave him a warm smile and picked up his banjo. He started to play an old country song. Kai thought that it suited the moment; they were getting more acquainted around a glowing fire. Jay yawned and lay back on the ground, his head resting against a tree. Lloyd was solemn and it caught Zane’s attention. He whispered something into Kai’s ear. Kai walked over to him and asked the boy what was wrong. “Why did I have to have lord Garmadon as my dad? Why me? I mean he didn’t take good care of me and spend time with me, why?” Kai was speechless. Norman saw the situation and scooted over to where he was. “Lloyd, sometimes things in life don’t seem to have an answer, until you yourself find out. I’m not saying that no one on earth can tell you, but you may have to find out for yourself.” He rubbed the boy’s arm knowingly. “Norman,” “Yes?” “would you be my friend?” Norman smiled and nodded his head yes. “Then will you make me another s’more?” The ninjas laughed. “All right, Lloyd. Just one more.”

“It’s about time we started going to bed,” Shalom yawned. “It’s getting pretty late.” “I agree. P.C. and I are going to hit the sack.” P.T. said barely out of a whisper “What sack?” asked Zane rather puzzled. Jay slapped his forehead and sighed “Oh, Zane. Will you ever learn a joke?” the ninjas laughed again at Jay’s shame. “Look who fell asleep, Cole,” Nicky whispered.

Chapter 2 Paranormal Norman

“Ah! I love Ninjago mornings!” sighed Tom stretching out on his mat looking at the beautiful scenery. From the dorm next door they could tell that the girls had been partying because Sensei was out for the night. Suddenly, Lloyd jumped up and screamed, “What did I do? What did I do?” Jay leapt out of bed and tripped. Lloyd, P.T and P.C laughed harder and harder as Jay stared at them like they were crazy. “Hey guys, now that Sensei isn’t here, let’s have a raping party!” suggested P.C. “Boys,” “AH!” They spun around and shouted. “Sensei Wu! You’re back!” Cole exclaimed with surprise. “This is my new trainee, Norman. Norman, that’s Cole, Jay, Kai, P.T and P.C, Lloyd, Zane and Tompy.” They sized up the small fellow as he fidgeted in discomfort. He doesn’t look that strong. Thought Kai. I bet he couldn’t even pick up the Dragon sword of fire. “I used to work on a farm in Kentucky.” Said the stranger in the “Farmer-boy” accent. Lloyd looked at him for so long, his eyes started to cry. He quickly wiped them and scratched his head. The boy smiled a smile that told them he was nervous and a little bit shy. Sensei showed him his bed and the restrooms. Then he introduced him to the girls. I wonder why he talks funny……thought Lloyd. Norman sat down on his bed and unpacked the few belongings that he had, such as his toothbrush and extra clothes. When he removed his hat, the other ninja noticed his bright blond curly hair. Now that’s a real Kentucky boy. Thought Jay. I wonder if he sings country.

“Is that what I have to do?” gulped Norman as he saw Jay fly through the training course with such great ease. “No. You don’t have to do it that fast, kid. Jay’s an expert at it.” Cole stepped up to support the newcomer. “Well,” said Norman, trying to think of an excuse to be alone. “maybe I should change out of my overalls first,” “Actually,” Shalom interceded. “that would be better. It’s hard moving like that in denim,” Norman sighed in relief and stepped into the bathroom to change. He walked out in some sport shorts and tennis shoes with a loose fitting tee shirt. He jumped onto the spinning platform with more ease than he expected. Whoa. He sure knows how to jump! P.T. thought, a bit shocked. I wonder if he did vaulting…. He swung a katana at the wooden man swinging an axe at his thin and muscular arm and knocked the dummy off. Then he dodged the incoming giant off a spike ball and was knocked off his feet by a rising and falling pole; his head slamming against the hard stone bricks on the ground, knocking him out.

“Oh…my head……Gill? Is that you?” said the recovering boy, his senses slowly returning as he saw a ginger haired boy…was it Jay……or Gilbert, his brother? His eyes telescoped as he struggled to define who was standing over his limp body. Jay gave him a look of surprise when he asked if he was Gill. “I’m not Gill! I’m Jay, remember?” Jay tried to make it clear that he was no farmer boy or true country man, but Norman couldn’t understand because of the great similarities. “I’m ok now. I can do the training course .” “Well, there is only a minor bruise,” said Jay inspecting his head. “And no concussion either.” Norman sighed as he got up and slowly walked outside. His strength suddenly recovered as he vigorously leapt and out of nowhere did a splendid flip onto the spinning platform; slicing through every obstacle in his path. By the end of the day he was able to do the course forwards and backwards.