The Ground Shaker

A New Ninja

In the end, Cole decided not to get the cake. He was enjoying walking around the city. It was nice to get out, get fresh air, and let his mind wander.

He was so glad his father made him go to the Marty Oppenheimer School of Performing Arts. He wouldn't've met his three best friends if he didn't. 

Cole shut his eyes, turning his head up to the dusk sky. A smile graced his lips as he listened to the sound of his footsteps and cars passing by. Glitter still was on his face, neck and arms, but it had lessened in amount.

BOOM! 

A loud explosion scared Cole out of his peaceful mindset. Immediately, his guard went up and his body tensed. His eyes snapped open and he looked around for the source of the sound.

A block away, there was the green ninja, fighting a snake warrior thing. 

Despite all his better judgement, Cole ran to help them. His instincts took over as he tackled the warrior down that was about to strike the green ninja. It exploded into a bunch of small snakes and the armor fell to the ground.

"Ew, gross," Cole said as he picked up the helmet. 

Lloyd stared at the strange man who helped him. "Who are you?"

"I'm Cole. You're Lloyd, right?"

"I am." Lloyd stood up, looking Cole up and down. "You don't seem like a fighter."

"I'm not. I saw you cornered without a weapon and ran over. I wasn't thinking."

"Huh. Would you like to come with me?"

"To where?"

"The monastery. I have a feeling you'll be helpful."

Cole blinked slowly. "Uh, sure. I don't have anything going on tonight."

"Follow me."

The garage opened and Lloyd drove in, Cole in the passenger side of the van he drove. They got out and walked to the elevator. Cole looked around in awe, the Vermillion Soldier's helmet in his hands.

"If this is a dream, don't wake me up."

Lloyd laughed and pressed the button. "It's not a dream."

"Pinch me."

"Why?"

"To prove it's not a dream."

Lloyd shrugged and pinched him before getting onto the elevator.

"Ow." Cole joined him, rubbing the spot where Lloyd pinched him. "This isn't a dream."

"I told you."

The rest of the ride up was silent and awkward. Lloyd was beginning to worry that he might regret this, but there was no turning back now. He knew there was something special about Cole, but he couldn't place his finger on it.

The TV sank into the floor and the cabinets moved so the doors could open. Jay sat on the couch, huffing as his game had been interrupted.

"Lloyd, it took me all day to get there!" Jay's eyes landed on Cole. "Who's this?"

"This is Cole. He helped me earlier. If he didn't show up, I would be with Krux and Acronix right now."

Cole stared at Jay, his heart pounding so loudly he worried the other two could hear it. "You're Jay, the master of Lightning."

"I am. You a fan?"

Cole quickly nodded. "You're my best friend's favorite ninja."

Jay grinned. "Now you can brag that you've met me. Who's yours?"

"Don't have one," Cole lied. 

"Well, enjoy your stay here." Jay turned his attention back to the TV, which had rose back up.

"Follow me," Lloyd instructed. "You should meet Sensei Wu."

"Sensei?"

Wu looked up from the scroll he was reading. "Yes, nephew?"

"I think I found the next ninja."

"What?" Cole and Wu said at the same time.

Lloyd pointed to Cole. "I think he has a lot of potential. He took down a Vermillion with one hit and discovered they won't reform if the armor is separated."

Wu stroked his beard, looking Cole up and down, similar to what Lloyd had done earlier. He could tell just by looking at him that he was Lilly's son, the new Earth elemental master. "Hm. I am willing to train him, if he is willing to train under me."

Cole thought before nodding. "I am."

The ninja were gathered up in the courtyard, Kai complaining about his beauty rest getting interrupted. They stood in a circle, Wu and Cole in the middle of it.

"Kai, will you be quiet so I can announce something?"

"Sorry, Sensei."

Wu smiled and grabbed Cole's hand, lifting it above his head. "Lloyd has found the master of Earth. He will be joining the team."

"I'm the what?"