Prologue: Know Ones History…

(Screen flickers to life, showing old Ninjago City.) "Many years ago, before I joined the ninja team, there was a thief…a really good thief. He was known as the Phantom Thief due to the fact no one could catch him." (A small shadowy form darts across the screen, holding a couple of stolen hot dogs. The hot dog vendor gives chase, waving his fist and bellowing.) "No one believed that he would ever stop, however one day he never stole anything…and he hasn't stolen anything ever since then…"

"Excuse me? Mr. Kai? How come the Phantom Ninja stopped stealing things?" One of the many students sitting in the desks behind the tape recorder raised their hand into the air.

The tall young man that was standing in the front of the room turned to face the student. His auburn hair was done up in long, messy spikes, his hazel eyes glinting slightly. A single scar slashed across the right side of his face, leaving a dent in his right eyebrow. "That is a good question Brad." Crossing his arms, he leaned against the table that the tape player was set up on. "Personally I believe that he felt bad for stealing everything and has quite for good."

"But why did he steal in the first place? Did he turn himself in then?" Brad asked as he stared intently at his history teacher.

Kai bit his bottom lip, the question burning in his eyes. "No he did not turn himself in. I am sure if we ever heard his side of the story that he can explain himself."

Murmurs rippled through the classroom, causing Kai to nibble his bottom lip out of worry. Another student, who was slightly bigger than the others, stood up in his seat. "If he hasn't turned himself in yet then how do we know that he isn't planning something big?"

Kai blinked slowly, surprised about the intelligent question that the young boy asked. "That is…a good point Gene. We don't know if he is planning something big or not. We just have to trust that he isn't." A loud ringing sound filled the building as the school gong was ringed to signal the end of class. The large group of boys shot out of their seats like they were on fire. "Read chapters ten and eleven tonight! There will be a quiz tomorrow!" Kai hollered after his students, his mind still dwelling on their questions about the Phantom Thief.

"…Kai? Kai!"

Kai snapped his head up in surprise, noticing a young man standing in his classroom's doorway. The newcomer had light brown hair neatly combed flat against his head and electric blue eyes that were sparkling with life and laughter. Kai moved to join him. "Something wrong Jay?"

"No…unless you can't the fact I've been calling your name for the past five minutes." Jay folded his arms as he looked at his girlfriend's older brother.

Kai ran his fingers through his hair, making it even messier. "Sorry about that Jay. Just thinking. Today's lesson is on the oh so mysterious Phantom Thief."

Jay wrinkled his nose, annoyance flaring in his eyes. "I wouldn't mind knowing why the governor had to make that a lesson…using only the knowledge that the public knows." Jay paused, tilting his head to the side. "Do you think you can teach them the true story of the Phantom Thief?"

"That'll certainly answer all of their questions…but no. I have to continue on awkwardly giving this lesson." Kai shook his head at him, a tiny smile tugging at his lips. "If I tell them the true story and then they talk to someone that was taught what everyone else knows…they might get confused."

Jay nodded in agreement, opening his mouth to respond to that. Only for the school's intercom to crackle to life, a feminine voice bellowing out through it. "Jayson Jayden Walker! You're students are out of control! Get back to your classroom! Now!"

Kai winced, even as Jay hurried to the door. "Hey, Jay? What did you actually come in here for?"

Jay paused, glancing back at him. "I was wondering if you could help me with something after work today."

"Sure thing. You better get going. Sis sounded pretty mad there." Kai began to gather up the worksheets that his students had left on their desks.

Jay nodded in thanks, before tearing off towards his own classroom. Kai sighed, before turning to the whiteboard which had in large writing this written on it: Criminals and Villains that Only the Ninja go after…. Skullkin SerpentineStone Warriorsthe Phantom Thief. Kai picked up his bright red whiteboard marker and started writing a question underneath the words. Who is the Phantom Thief and why has he stopped Stealing? Sitting his marker down, he stared at the board for a minute, knowing he should erase the information underneath the other underlined words. Rubbing his face, he vaguely wondered if maybe if Jay was right. Maybe they shouldn't have promised not to tell a soul…

After all, how many thieves can say that they saved the green ninja's very own life?

A/N: Yes I know it is short for a chapter by my measure…but this is a great place to stop. So…who do you all think the Phantom Thief is? And please let me know if you enjoy this little tidbit. The rest of the story will be taking place in the past, and will deal with how the ninjas met the Phantom Thief….and how he apparently saved Lloyd's life.

Review!

SkyTalon