Chapter 3 : Unordinary Day~ part 2


"Wu, I believe that it's time. Lorie and Jazz are on their way to Ninjago. Prepare your disciples, for the prophecy is starting. Find the last two kunoichis. And at all costs, please help them understand."


Meanwhile, climbing up the stairs...

Lorie just couldn't figure out what that woman meant. How could she know her mother? How does she know both her and Jazz's names? Well, she did hear Jazz call me 'Lorie' and I called her 'Jazz'. Another thought popped into her head. How did she know I was alone?

She thought and thought, but she couldn't think of a logical reason. Oh, my head hurts, She moaned mentally. Maybe I should focus on getting to the door before Jazz decides to kick it down.

She made it to top of the stairs and started to walking down the narrow hallway. At first it was quiet, but all of a sudden- THAWK! THAWK! "Come on. Come on. Come on! Open up, you stupid door!" Reaching the end of the hall, she almost burst into laughter at what she was seeing. A mad Jazz pounding on the door, screaming like a child when they couldn't get what they want. Biting down on her bottom lip, she walked up to her and place her hand on her friend's shoulder.

Jazz jumped about 2 feet away from the door, screaming in fright. "Good grief. I place my hand on your shoulder to get your attention, but you end up jumping away as if I were Pythor. I'm so hurt" Lorie said, at the last sentence sarcastically. Jazz turned toward her, hands on her hips. "Well, excuse me while I was trying to open the door!" "And by opening, you mean kicking it down."

Jazz's face started to turn red. "Well, what am I supposed to do?! It's locked, so the only way I could think of getting it open was breaking it down. Unless we have a-" "Key?" Lorie asked, holding out the key in front of her. "When did you-" "Mrs. Ling gave it to me after you dashed off." "Oh" she gave a sheepish smile.

Shaking her head, Lorie insert the key into the bronze keyhole and slowly turn it. Click. They looked each other, nervous about they were about to see. "Ready?" Jazz nodded. Slowly, Lorie placed her hand on the turquoise glass knob and gave a shaky but firm twist.

"On three. One. Two. THREE!" With that, they push the door open and fell into the room. "Oof" Jazz gasped. Lifting herself up, she stared at the room in awe. "This is amazing! Eh, Lorie?" There was no response. "Lorie?" Finally she got a answer from a tug on her shirt. Looking down, her eyes widen. She didn't know that when they pushed the door, they pushed a little harder than they thought, so they fell through the doorway. However while they fell, Lorie hit the floor first and cushioned Jazz's fall. And remain there till she managed to raise her arm and grabbed Jazz's shirt.

"I'm sorry, Lorie- chan!" Jazz cried. Lorie pulled herself up and began gasping for air. "It's okay, Jazz." she said in between breaths. She looked at Jazz with strange look on her face. " What?" "Did you just call me 'Lorie- chan'?" Jazz nodded. "Wow." was all that came out of her mouth. The silence that came over them suddenly became uncomfortable. Jazz cleared her throat to get rid of the awkward stillness. "Um, uh, well, this is kinda - um" Just then Lorie started to burst out in laughter. "What? What?" cried a confused Jazz. She manage to calm herself down, but reduced to giggles. "First of all, two things." "Huh?" "One, I was wondering if you speak Japanese." "I didn't want to take it, but my stepmom insisted that I do since it is part of my heritage." Jazz defended. Lorie put up her hands in defence, chuckling. "I'm not mad", trying to calm down her down, "Quite the opposite. I never thought that you would ever speak Japanese. And for two," she looked down, " Is that a Cole minifigure?"

Jazz gasped and stare at the ground. "Y-yes. So I have a crush on Cole, is that wrong?" she started gathering her spill-out belongings. Lorie place her hand on Jazz's as it laid on the lego figure. Jazz looked at her, hazel green at sea green. Lorie turned, picked up her satchel, opened the flap, and fished around for something. Finally feeling the thing, her eyes lit up and brought out her clenched fist. Opening, she revealed a Llyod minifigure.

"I don't think we ever discuss our Ninjago crushes." Jazz smiled. "Shall we talk about on that table over there?" she pointed to the first table she saw.

"Sure." As they walked towards the table, they saw strange looking shapes on the surface. "What are those weird objects?" "I don't know. Let's find out!" Picking up the pace, they could see that the 'weird objects' no more than parcels in different sizes wrapped in bright colored paper and a piece of rolled- up paper.

"Woah." "Took the words right out of my mouth." Lorie shook her head in disbelief. "What in the world-" "More like who in the world", Jazz interrupted. Cough. Cough. "Who in the world were these for?" Lorie finished. "It's for us." "How could you tell?" Jazz pointed to pieces of paper on the boxes. "Those pieces of paper?" "Yeah?" "They have either 'To Jazz' or 'To Lorie' written on them. Duh." "Oh. And by the looks of it" she counted each parcel, "there are like about ten parcels, which five for each of us." "And the rolled - up paper?" "I think it's for both of us. And also that rolled-up paper is called a 'scroll'" "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's open them!"

Jazz quickly grabbed her parcels and started ripping the paper off. Lorie, on the other hand, gathered her parcels and piled them into a neat little pile. Starting with the biggest one, she carefully pulled away the paper till she was met by the lid of a cardboard box. Lifting the lid, she gasped softly as she saw a turquoise backpack with beads of aquamarine,teal, and crystal stitched into tiny Chinese dragons with five Japanese characters around them. Setting it aside, she pulled out the next package. It was the widest, most rectangular box she ever saw wrapped in bright yellow paper. Then like the other parcel, she carefully tore off the paper. Finding inside, a garment she remembered that her mother wore. Momma's favorite blouse! But I thought it was burned in the fire. Puzzled thoughts invaded her mind as she stared at the blouse.

As she lifted the silk shirt to get a better look, a piece of paper fluttered down onto the table. Picking it up, she silently read it. To my sweet little Lorie, it is with a heavy heart that I write this but you must know the past. You are not who you think you are. In fact, you are not fully human. The only reason why I have not told you this was because I was protecting you. Evil forces lurk around because of your destiny. I pray that when I see you again, you will be wearing that blouse. Remember to take care of it. It's a family heirloom that's pass out from generation to generation. I love you

Aiwo Komete, Mother

Lorie's hand trembled as she re-read the letter over and over again. Evil forces?! Destiny?! What on earth is this all about?! Then she looked at the blouse. When I see you again, you'll be wearing the blouse.

Mom.

The thought of seeing her again brought a smile on her face. I'll take really good care of this blouse, mom. I promise.

Gently, she folded the blouse and put into her new backpack. 2 parcels down, three more to go, she thought. Reaching to the pile, she pulled out a medium square box in sky wrapping. I wonder what's in this one? she pondered. One way to find out. Due to her excitement, she tore off the paper, tossed it aside and flung the lid open. A book?

She took out a navy blue book, confused. Opening the front cover, she quietly read the first page.

Diary of Era Jane Solomons

Whoever reads this diary shall know the secrets of Ninjago. I personally hope that with this knowledge, it may help defeat Lady Vanessa, mistress of Chaos and Destruction. But be warned. Knowledge is wisdom, but one must take care of how they use that knowledge. For if used for evil, disastrous consequences shall fall upon them. But if it used for good, great rewards be given.

Huh? This makes no sense. She scanned further down and found a note addressed to her.

I besheeth this diary to my one and only daughter, Lorene Fay Jefferson. For it may help her understand and prepare her for what Destiny has planned for her.

For what?! Okay, this has gone heartwarming to horror. Lady Vanessa? Disastrous consequences? This is so mixed up. Recollecting her thoughts, she remember the first sentence. Ninjago? But… that's lego set, isn't it? Is it a real country? Oh, this is so frustrating! Okay, girl. Calm down. No need to go into one of your emotion attacks. Breathe in, breathe out.

"Lorie? Are you feeling okay?" Lorie snapped out of her thoughts and gave a glare at the person who was speaking. Jazz took a couple steps back in fright. She had seen Lorie drift off in space, and saw the troubled look on her face. She, however, didn't expect her to glare at her. So when she called out to Lorie, the glare was a surprise to her.

Lorie, seeing that the person was no other than Jazz, soften her gaze. "I'm okay, I guess", she said. "Really? Well, that troubling look says otherwise." Lorie start to speak but Jazz cut her off. "Now don't give that lame excuse, 'I'm fine so let's forget that, okay?'. Cause I know that there is something bothering ya." Lorie was stunned. She had never heard Jazz speak that sassy before.

"Look, I know that it's been hard on you in the past. But I'm your friend and I deserve to know what's going on. Don't keep that burden piled on you. It will make you feel lighter if you tell someone you trust." Nor had she seen her so …. persistent about her life. Feeling that she was not going to stop, she gave in. 'Sigh' "I just read a note from my mother's journal." " What did it say?" " Something about preparing and understanding what Destiny has for me. Also the secrets of Ninjago and how to defeat the mistress of chaos, Lady Vanessa." "I don't see how that's making you upset." "It's… ugh, it says that the knowledge inside is wisdom, but…" "But?" "But whichever purpose it's used for can either lead to disastrous consequences or great rewards." "Still not following" Jazz said, scratching her head. " Lorie began to breathe heavily, tears starting to form. " Its- its- its" Jazz saw Lorie and recognized her state. Oh no. Not another emotion attack. Jazz panic and went into action. "How about I read it instead?" Lorie nodded.

Taking the opened book from her hands, Jazz began to read. As she got further, her hands like Lorie's before her began to trembled. Now I understand why she'd looked so pale. Meanwhile, as Jazz was reading, Lorie begin to take slow, deep breathes. Oh dear. These emotion attacks are getting worse each year. But I wish I knew why I had these attacks in the first place. Once she calmed down, she looked at the two remaining packages.

I want to know what mom had left me. Taking a deep breath, she reached out for the longest package. Tearing the paper paper apart, she gasped when she saw a pair of wakizashis. I-i can't believe it. A warm smile spread over her face as she recalled a forgotten promise from a special person long ago

Flashback:

It was a bright summer day. Lorie was sitting outside, watching a woman practicing her martial arts with different sorts of weapons. Glancing over to her right, she spotted the blanket holding the weapons. Picking herself up, she walked over to the blanket and looked in awed at them. Picking up a weapon that looked like a small pitchfork, she glanced over at the woman. 'I'll give it a try.' she thought. Starting with putting her feet out, one a bit further in front than the other. Then she put her arms out, her right slightly crossed above her chest and her left holding out the small pitchfork farther out. 'One' she crouched low. 'Two' she started to lift her right foot. 'Three!' she springed into the air, arms flailing around.

But as she landed, the pitchfork sliced near her ear on her cheek. "Ow!"she whimpered. Just then the women looked over and saw her bleeding face. "LORIE!" she dropped the sword that she was holding in her hand and rushed over to her. "Lorie, are you alright?" Lorie looked at the woman, tears forming in her eyes. "My cheek hurts" she sobbed. The woman looked at her cheek and gasped in horror. "How did you manage to slice your cheek-" she looked and saw the metal fork on the ground. "Never mind. Right now we should take look and see if we can fix that cut."

She set Lorie down on the blanket and started looking for a first aid. Not far away was a nearby bush, the woman cupped one of her hands and whispered. Now Lorie couldn't exactly hear what she said but she was certain it was "Soyokaze*".

And just like magic, the first aid kit gently flew into the woman's hand. When she turned, Lorie's eyes were as big as saucers. "How did you do that?" she asked in amazement. The woman smiled. "Let's just say whenever I need help, the wind always come to help me." Lorie was confused. "What do you mean?" The woman just smiled and said, "You'll understand in time, my little gem."

Lorie became silent after that. She just sat there, watching as the woman cleaned her cheek. "There, it's all done." Lorie's hand flew up to her cheek, feeling the band-aid. With the smile on her face, she watch as the woman started to put away the kit. "Momma, when will I hold a weapon, move cool moves, and summon things like you do?" The woman froze for a few seconds, shut the kit, and turned to her, saying, "When you are a little bit older. But for now I think that you should learn martial arts first. And maybe you will earn your first weapon." "What will my weapon be?" "What will you like it to be?"

Lorie turned her head and look at the blanket. A shiny gleam caught her eye, making her smile. "I want a sword!" The woman looked at the katana with a thoughtful look. "Then your first sword should be a wakizashi" "What's a 'wakizachi'" "Wakizashi", she corrected. "I'll show you." Leaning over her, she picked up a sword. Looking it over, Lorie saw that the sword was a bit smaller than the other. She looked at the woman, confusion and disappointment were in her eyes. "This is it?" The woman smile, sensing the little girl's emotions. "It may not seem much, but it's the perfect weapon to carry around, especially in a purse or backpack. And a weapon isn't a tool you chose. Sometimes it chooses you." Lorie stared at the small weapon then back at the woman. "I promise to learn martial arts and earn this sword. I think I understand what you mean. Because I can hear it's voice calling me." "I'm sure you will"

"Lorie?" Lorie blinked her eyes and stared straight into Jazz's forest green/sky blue eyes. "What is it?" "You got a weapon?" That threw Lorie off guard. Sheepishly, she said, "Um, yes?" Jazz beamed and held up a hanbo. "I got one too, I think. Oh, and" she hesitated, not sure what to say, "I think I figured out why you were pale earlier. Do you think that maybe-" "Ninjago isn't just a lego set?" Lorie finished. "Yeah" she said, fiddling her dark reddish-brown hair. Plucking up her enthusiasm, she asked, "Should we find out what's in the last two boxes?" "Yeah, lets."

Both taking the large square-ish boxes, they hurriedly torn the wrapping and flung the lids off, revealing strange-looking clothes. "What are they?" Jazz questioned. "I have no idea. But I have this feeling that I've seen these clothes before." "Me too." They looked at the final boxes. Gulping they looked at each other, each carrying a nervous look in their eyes.

Somehow time seem to stop as they picked up the last boxes. Slowly they pulled back the ribbons and watched as it fell to the ground. With shaky hands, they lift off the lids and peered inside. On beddings of cotton lied pendant necklaces, each holding a series of different colors. They release their breaths, not realizing that they have been holding in.

"So it's just a pendant." Jazz said, gently lifting the chain to get a better look. "Whew, yeah. For a moment there, I thought that it was - I don't know- maybe something cursed." Lorie said, relived. "I like the color on this pendant. A swirl mixture of leaf green and orange with a picture of a tiger and a Rock Juniper Bonsai tree."

"Let me see that." Jazz handed her pendant to Lorie and she looked at it. Sure enough, a Rock Juniper Bonsai tree with a tiger next to was inside, surrounded by a swirl mixture of leafy green and orange.

"That's incredible", she said in awe. "What about yours?" Lorie lower the pendant from her gaze, saying, "I don't know. I haven't got a chance to look at it." Handing it back to her friend, she lifted the silver chain holding hers.

Looking closer, she saw a chinese dragon, five symbols circling it with a mixture of turquoise, aquamarine, teal, and crystal lying in the background. Suddenly, she looked at her backpack then back at the pendant.

"Jazz, doesn't your pendant have a similar pattern as your backpack?" Lorie asked, an idea starting to form around her head. "Hmm. I think so." "Show me" she demanded.

Jazz reached down from the table, lifting up a bright orange backpack with leafy green embroidery stitches forming pictures of different animals, trees, and plants. Taking her pendant, Lorie scanned between the two items. Finally, she confirmed that the patterns were indeed similar.

"You know, Lorie. I have a funny feeling that we are going to be going somewhere." "I think you're right." Lorie heaved as she lifted the light blue bag holding her belongings. "For some reason" "Yeah?" "I packed all the bare necessities in this old thing, along with some entertainment." "No kidding. I did the exact same thing." "Was it last night?" Jazz nodded.

Taking up their bags, they begin to pile up a small amount of textbooks. Lorie started scanning through her things, going through her mental list. Let's see. Algebra, check. Biology, check. Planner with assignments, both ahead and taken already, check. Sketchbook, check. History, check. Pencils, regular and colored, check, check. Martial Arts study book, check. Notebooks for each different subjects, check. Toothbrush, toothpaste, check, check. Two pairs of pjs, check. ( We'll just skip through the rest of the list, for those in embarrassment)

Seeing that she had everything, she started to put her things in the backpack. "Thank goodness that our moms gave us these new bags. Our old ones would have ripped." Uh, Jazz grunted. Looking up from packing, she saw that Jazz roughly stuffing everything in. Shaking her head, she picked the gifts, all except the pendant, and place them inside carefully.

The pendant she unclasped and placed it on her neck. Putting the clasp on securely, she gently moved the pendant in the center of her neckline. Grazing it with her fingertips, she thought about her mom. But as she thought, a sudden warmth touch her fingers. Jerking them away, she stared at her hand. There were no burns on it, to her relief, but the feeling was still on her fingers.

What was that? She didn't know what it was, and she didn't like it.

"Hey, Lorie." she turned to her friend. "What is it now, Jazz?" Jazz picked the rolled up paper and showed it to her. "What do you suppose this is?"

Lorie, forgetting about the strange warmth, took the paper and unrolled it. "*Cough* What it *cough* is *cough*, it sure is *cough* dusty." She said, coughing in between words. Taking the paper, Jazz blew on it, sending the dust off into the air. And, unfortunately, into Lorie's face. "Jazz! *cough* can you *cough* please *cough* not *cough, cough* blew on *cough* dusty papers *cough* in front of *cough* me." Jazz grinned sheepishly. "Oops. My bad." she said, one hand reaching behind her neck.

After the dust settle down, Lorie began to look at the paper. "What is that? Weird stick drawings?" Jazz asked, squinting. "And is that chicken scratch?"Tilting her head, looking at strange writing. Lorie looked at Jazz in pure annoyance. "No, Jazz. These 'chicken scratches' are ancient japanese characters. And there drawings are ancient ink paintings. Didn't you learn anything in Japanese class?"

Jazz shooked her head. "Unfortunately, I don't like Professor Amari's lectures. They always put me to sleep. I prefer reading heads on or at least talking to someone about that."

Lorie shook her head, sighing in disbelief. "Well, what does it say?" Jazz asked, curious.

Lorie turned her attention back at the paper. "Well, if I'm looking at this correctly, this is an old scroll." "A scroll?", Jazz asked, scrunching her face in confusion. "You know, a document of the past. Sometimes they tell us what happens in the past. Other times, they tell ancient legends or forgotten prophecies." Lorie explained, turning back to her.

Jazz was silent. Her eyes were as large as saucers. "How did you know that?" she asked, flabbergasted. "Unlike the two of us, I enjoy Japanese class. Plus, I get a scholarship at Amari sensei's dojo." Lorie smirked.

"W-well, what does it look it" Jazz asked, trying change the subject. Luckily, it worked for Lorie resumed at looking at the parchment. "Well, if I'm reading this correctly it say,

'Gōsuto senshi no tatakai wa owari ga aru baai

5 Ninjas ni yotte

Kuro, ao, shiro, midori to aka

Zutto Maekara-betsu no teki ga hyōji sa re nakereba narimasen

Ninjago ga hitsuyō to shite iru toki ni sarani no ninja ga hyōji sa remasu

Shikashi, karera wa yori ōku no josei no gaikan o motte imasu'"

"And that means in English", Jazz asked frustrated.

"' When the battle of ghosts warriors has end

5 ninjas black, blue, white, green, and red

Another enemy from long ago shall appear

5 more ninja appear when Ninjago is in need

However, they will have more female appearance'"

"And?" Jazz asked. "Um, that's all I could translate" Lorie confessed.

Suddenly, a bright light glowed from the map. Frighten, Lorie dropped the map as Jazz quickly dived under the table. Taking a couple steps back, Lorie slowly calmed down and walked up.

"Lorie, are you crazy?!"she ignored her and pick up the scroll. The light was not as bright as before, but bright enough to show some new characters.

"Jazz, I think you need to see this", Lorie said softly. Jazz slowly but cautiously got up from beneath the table. Looking over her shoulder, her eyes widen at the sight of the new symbols.

"What do they say? And this time, say it in English" she demanded.

Lorie was confused. She had never studied nor see these symbols before. As she pondered, her pendant started to glow. Lorie stare and stare at the symbols, till she saw them in english writing.

"'Jazz and Lorie,

The time has come

Ninjago is in danger

Come

Join ninjas of Earth, Fire, Lightning, Ice, and Creation

Find the Kunoichis of Water, Nature and Animals, Aura, Amber and Wind

And last but not least, find the Turquoise and Crystal Konouchi

Only she can defeat the mistress of chaos'"

she read out loud.

Jazz blinked. "How did you read that?" Lorie looked at her, surprised. "It was written in English" she answered. Jazz look at the map, her eyes scrunched in confusion. "No, it's not. It's in those weird symbols." Lorie looked back, finding them in their original writing. Huh? But I clearly remember seeing them in english. she remembered.

It never occurred to them that the pendant had dimmed and eventually stopped glowing.

"Any ideas what that it means?" She shook her head, frustrated. "Maybe it means that we have to go to Ninjago" she said.

Then all of a sudden, the map glowed again. But it grew brighter and brighter. "Uh, Lorie?"

A flash shone out, blinding them. "LORIE!" "JAZZ!" Screams were heard throughout the library. But when one of the librarians came into, the only thing she found were two school bags lying table.


Duh, Duh, duuuuuh!

What happen to Lorie and Jazz? Will they be okay? Find next time on Part 3 of Unordinary Day!

Oh, and don't forget to review and rate! And feel free to tell your ideas.