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.

Chapter 1 "You'll regret it, ninja."

SWOOOSH! Zane vaulted out of the tapercorn tree and flung a Golden Shuriken at a snake. He swiftly dodged and swung an axe at the ninja’s head, but missed. “All right!” Jay cheered as he crushed an unaware serpent. Sensei Wu pulled the TV plug. “Enough!” he shouted. “No more video games for you!” “But Uncle Wu!” whined Lloyd. “I was about to pass that level!” “I’m bored.” Jay sighed rather randomly. “You must be ready for the next enemy. Do you remember what happened last time? Hm?” the original four ninja thought back to when they had been doing the last time; the exact same thing when it was said that Lord Garmadon was terrorizing Jananikai village when it was really Lloyd. They sighed and stepped outside the little room and grabbed their weapons. Shalom picked up her Pike and thrust it playfully at Jay. “Whoa! Watch where you put that thing!” he swung his Nunchucks at her as Kai and Cole watched, giggling at the prospect. Tompy shot three arrows straight at Kai. He managed to dodge and swing his sword at the incoming fire. Zane poked a Shuriken at Cole’s side. Cole frowned and tried to chop him in half with the Scythe. Zane laughed mockingly and jumped on a post.

Soon everyone was training without complaint.

Lying in bed Jay, scratched himself furiously at his back. “Ag! Stupid spider! Ag!” “Debite! Where are you? Help! He’s squished me!” said the spider that had bitten Jay. Debite gasped as she watched her friend Bittin slowly died.”Good. That dumb spider is dead.” “Oh? Dumb you think? Well, you’ll regret it, ninja. As soon as my friends hear…..Then you'll pay!” whispered the angry black widow Detbite. She was the smallest of the spiders and was the Ryuu's scout. She had come for a mid night snack with Bittin. Her friend was caught and smashed under Jay’s fist. She crept out under the door and returned home.