(Ninjago rightfully belongs to the company of Lego!)
One can only wish dragons were real, if they ward off the isolation one suffered from being, a bit too different...
Young Lloyd grumbled irritably to himself as he caught Mrs. Oaklyn and her daughter staring at him from the corner of his eye. You would think living here for ten years will have everybody used to you by now. BUT NO. Apparently, I'm still something of a local sensation around these parts... Lloyd dipped his baseball cap to cover his eyes as he quickens his pace. The scorching summer sun beat down upon his back as harshly as all the judgmental stares he was positive were thrown his way. Lloyd shook his thermos to discover he had only one-fourth of what he began with.
He made a silent promise to himself to earn a rewarding beverage right after he finished the last errand on his to-do-list. Lloyd jogged down Bluebell St. while narrowly missing the several skate boarders or bikers who feigned to have seen him. A lush green park came into view and Lloyd cautiously crossed the street to reach the field. He entered the park where he eventually found what he was looking for. A large cluster of elaborately decorated stalls surrounding a breath-taking glass statue of a phoenix alighting on the back of a Kirin.
"My Mini Asia" was the economical jewel of the Town Wildewood. Tourists came year-round to purchase the exotic goods that could not be found 900 miles around. While the townspeople enjoyed the high-quality goods and financial bolster. Lloyd walked into the market area as the number of shoppers dwindled. Good news for him, he needed to beat it out of there in record time. His mother was going to be home, and everything had to be flawless.
His mother, Misako, was a respected archeologist who was sadly a workaholic. Although it was nice not to have to fret over the bills and have a little extra to spend on simple pleasures. His mother's career came at the cost of his mother's almost absolute attention. Which only increased the loneliness he endured daily. Shoving the uncomfortable feelings of resentment from his mind, he took off the backpack he was wearing. He kneeled down to unfold the backpack which turned out to be a full-sized shopping cart. Perfectly suited for any shopping trip.
Lloyd wheeled his cart into the hordes of peddlers showing of their best wares or their supposedly unbeatable prices.
"Curry for sale! As mouth-watering and satisfying as if it were made in India!"
"Come buy our Vietnamese Tribal Textiles! Buy one get one free!"
"Exquisite jewelry for your loved ones crafted from the hands of Thailand!"
He hurried to the fourth vendor where the owner sold the most sublime tea brews from China.
"One box of Huangshan Maofeng Tea please." Lloyd requested politely. "Would you like a batch of almond cookies to go with it?" The owner, Mr. Dai, asked as he took out Lloyd's order. "No thank you." Lloyd replied. "Are you sure? I'll give you a discount for it." The elder man said. "No thank you, the tea will do." Lloyd repeated. "No, I insist, at half the price." Mr. Dai smiled warmly.
Lloyd accepted the bargain, paid for his purchases, and continued on his shopping quest. The plan was simple. His mother was bringing home a colleague prominent for uncovering ancient artifacts from all over Asia. She was Filipino, but she found all Asian cultures just as compelling to study as her own. Lloyd planned to impress her by buying items that referenced to the most famous artifacts she found. The tea for instance, would pay homage to the tea set that once belonged to the Chinese Emperor Wen of Sui.
If Lloyd could somehow leave a good impression on a person his mother admired. Maybe she would not leave him at home so often as she did. Maybe she might take him along on her expeditions! Well, acknowledging him would be just as nice. Lloyd came up to the next vendor who specialized in the illustrious art of origami. "Good afternoon, Aimi! You received that art scholarship yet?" Lloyd asked the young lady.
The ominous scowl he received in return told otherwise. The teenager decided not to stick around for too long and soon left with his order. Making sure to drop a ten-dollar tip to ease Aimi's attitude towards him a little. Lloyd cracked open the box she gave him and grinned smugly at its contents. Eleven paper female ninjas stared back at him, representing the legendary ninja Mochizuki Chiyome and her strongest warriors. The elegant table toppers would remind his mother's colleague of the time she unearthed a chest filled with the writings of the elite woman warrior.
The young lad took out his phone only to almost have a heart attack when he saw the time. "Dang it! 2:30 PM?! They close early on Fridays!" From there it was a race to pick up everything he needed before the outside market closed at 4 PM. The sellers Lloyd was acquainted with were a bit concerned about the jittery behavior of the usually placid boy. Fortunately for him, they handed over the requested items without too much of a fuss.
Unfortunately, the mad lad was in such a rush that he was hardly paying attention to where he was going. "GYA!" He tripped over a misplaced basket filled with dragon fruits, which sent his cart flying towards a brand-new stall. CRASH! Lloyd gulped as he dared to look up-to find his cart had knocked over two shelves previously holding wooden boxes. The craftsman who was selling them erupted in outrage when he arrived, "Noooooo! My boxes! Who's responsible for this?!"
The lanky youngster was tempted to ditch the scene due to being low on time. Yet the thorn of honor forever thrusted in his side urged him to take responsibility. Shyly, he shuffled up to the big imposing man who was currently swearing in Japanese. "Uh, it was me sir. Sorry about the accident! I was not looking where I was going and my cart kind of flipped them over.
I'll help you clean up and I'm willing to buy any boxes I damaged!" Lloyd vowed as he gave a deep apologetic bow. The giant burned holes into Lloyd for a full minute before releasing a heavy sigh. "You are not the first to disturb my wares. However, you are the first willing to owe to your mistakes." He confessed with a small hint of gratitude.
Together they cleaned up the mess and miracles of miracles, every box had somehow survived the crash with not even a single flaw. Except for the tiniest box of them all. The toy box appeared to be carved out of a blackish-reddish shade of wood. Encircling the box and appearing on the lid was a resplendent dragon of blazing gold. Spewing painted flames out of his mouth, the flames covering the right half of the box. It was just a pity the piece of art was uglified by the scruff marks received from the fall.
"How much for it? It's a pretty awesome box by the way! I would have bought it even if I did not ruin it..." Lloyd exclaimed as he examined the mini box. The craftsman responded, "Contrary to what you think, it was my brother who gave me that box. The numbskull claims he made it all by himself. But considering the lazy bum, I cannot help but wonder where he even found it." Lloyd knew it was better than to pry and bought the box before continuing carefully on his way.
By the time My Mini Asia closed down for the weekend, Lloyd was thoroughly exhausted. It was a good thing he brought his cart-backpack with him, or he would have hardly been able to carry his purchases home. Lloyd dragged his cart back to his house where he dropped everything off. He no longer wielded the energy to start the preparations. He would only have tomorrow before his mother and the guest of honor came home. For now, however, he deserved a refresher before hitting the hay.
Lloyd returned to the streets heading to his favorite restaurant, the Delectable Egg Roost. Renowned through the town for its specialization in egg-centered recipes and their luscious, award-winning custard. The teen whistled a bit as he strolled down the sidewalk leading to the diner. As soon as he reached the premises it was then he realized something was up. All the windows were covered with dark curtains, and it appeared the door was bolted. A sign was put up claiming that the owners were off on vacation.
Lloyd could not believe it. The Delectable Egg Roost was always open from 6 AM-9 PM for five days a week. Not even once in its whole thirty-year old history has the eatery ever closed for a period longer than two days. Even if the owner, Mrs. Reverberett, happened to fall ill one of her employees would merely take over for the time being. Also, if the Roost was ever having problems, they would be posted on its official site online. The last time they posted was two weeks ago and it was only a survey for their latest custard flavors!
Something smelt rotten in Denmark, or in the Roost at least. Lloyd darted into the alleyway hunting for a way into the joint. He did not find a way in except for the lone door that was unfortunately bolted as well. However, he did find five pairs of footprints leading to the doorway. Dread crept up his throat as he scrambled to the back of the eatery.
The back was just as barricaded as the alley and the front. No way in and no way out. What was more disturbing were the two huge jeeps that definitely did not belong to any of the local residents. The boy wondered if he should call the police, surely, they could help. He jammed his right hand into his pocket and fished out-the wooden box he procured earlier. The teen could not help but slap his face, "Oh crud cakes, why did I have to leave my phone home now of all times?!"
Suddenly he heard the lock of the door being fiddled with, someone was coming outside! Without nowhere to run Lloyd dived under the jeep praying no one would discover him. A man stepped outside and walked over to the trunk of his jeep. The man was chuckling coldly underneath his breath as he unloaded some boxes from his trunk. "I wonder if all the wimps living here are just as sentimental as old granny. Would make it easier to take the town then!"
The person underneath his jeep could not help but shiver at his chilling crackles. Lloyd watched the pile of boxes grow right next to the pair of gray cleats. It did not lessen his anxiety when he spotted a few crimson drops splattered over the stranger's shoes. Another pile of boxes was begun when a set of keys dropped to the ground and were accidentally kicked under the jeep. The boy was paralyzed in absolute terror as a muscular chest and a beefy pair of arms came into view...
"Heya stranger! You're a new employee of the Roost?" It took all of Lloyd's willpower not to scream thank you at the second person who showed up. "Huh? Wha-oh! Yeah, I am! I am in charge of the-supply chain yeah!" The imposter laughed nervously as he was claimed hostage of the lively social butterfly, Miss Amia. Amia's voice squealed. "Well, it's nice to meet ya new guy! My name is Amia! You're so muscular that you could be one of those superstar athletes from the Olympics!"
The buffed-up goon could not help but smile in pride at the pleasing compliment. "Well, you know, my grand-daddy was an Olympic champ and so was my old man before me. So, it's only a matter of time before I take the gold!" He crowed confidently. Lloyd could only roll his eyes as Miss Amia bought the entire lie and began bombarding him with questions. So, while the cockerel spun yarns about athletic stunts he never achieved, Lloyd had already gotten passed the doorway.
The youngster slunk silently through the backrooms, sticking to the shadows where he would be less exposed. As he approached the entrance to the dining area his senses caught whiff of smoke. Which were worryingly not from the direction of the kitchen. "Please, oh please, PLEASE! Spare my pictures of my babies!" The frail but shrill voice of Mrs. Reverberett cried out in distressed desperation. "Spare them? Why should I? Your little babes did not even bother to answer when you called them for help! I say we finally burn these sappy, cheesy eye sores!" Lloyd's blood froze like ice as he recognized the bullying voice belonging to Ron Baker. The Roost's newest employee, the same man who praised his employer's cooking to high heaven and gave out free treats to the little kids...
Ron?! I thought he loved his job at the Roost! The guy practically bragged about it for the first two weeks he been here! Lloyd recoiled in utter bafflement.
Apparently, Mrs. Reverberett was just as astounded, "Ron... You told me over and over again how grateful you were to be hired! Why would you do this to me?!"
"Why? Don't you see silly old ewe? It was all just a game. Just some sweet flattery smothered in affection in order to twist the odds to my favor..." The double-crossing employee sneered.
"No! No! Please no more pictures! Don't burn them all, NO!" The elder shrieked in horror.
"Try and stop me and my boys, old goat! Throw in the next batch of hotcakes, Evans! YEHAW!" Hugo whooped.
THEIR BURNING HER FAMILY PHOTOS?! Lloyd's mind screamed in disbelief.
Not much was known about Mrs. Reverberett when she moved to town thirty years ago at the age of sixty. According to her, she wanted to live out her last days in the countryside since her husband passed away. She decorated her brand-new diner with countless pictures of her family, all lovingly framed with bright bird feathers and velvet hearts. Curiosity was aroused in her customers, many asking what her family life was like. Only to have a sad smile and an offer of custard pie as their answer.
The boy's heart began to crack as the wails of a pleading Mrs. Reverberett were tossed aside by the vicious assaults of Ron and his gang. The smell of ashes intensified as more family photos were sacrificed to the wicked traitor's cruelty. Lloyd was surprised the whole place did not go up in flames considering the rate Ron was incinerating the them. Lloyd was about to escape to collect the cops when he heard Ron say, "Weep all you want Mrs. R, but no one is going to come to save you."
The victim was driven to wild tears as her tormentors' henchmen taunted her wickedly.
"Yeah! No one in this town care half a penny for you, old sheep!"
"None of your precious kiddies even bothered to visit you after all you've done for them!"
"You're deluding yourself batty! Your kids ditched you the moment they stepped out the house and their famous daddy was not around to make them look good!"
"And you know what Mrs. R? My boys are right. Everyone uses you, but no one cares for you. And no one ever will. Not then, not now, and not ever. No one will ever, ever, ever-"
All of a sudden, the door behind the wicked man flew from its hinges and collapsed on top of Ron. The three remaining gang members' jaws dropped as they witnessed their boss being knocked out cold. They gazed upward to find themselves confronted by a green-clad teen with fire raging in his eyes. The three minions jumped at Lloyd immediately. Mrs. Reverberett cried out, "Lloyd! Please be careful! They have guns!" "Will do Mrs. R!" Lloyd promised as he dodged the punches thrown his way.
Lloyd knew he was in a tight spot, surrounded by three grown men, a blazing bonfire, and man underneath a fallen door. The teen jumped over Ron as one of his goons in a brown jacket lunged for him. The man fell over Ron while his friend with the pierced earrings launched a roundhouse kick at their target. Said target narrowly evaded the kick as he grabbed a nearby chair and slammed it against the third man with a tattoo of a kraken. Brown Jacket snatched a table and swung his newfound club at Lloyd. The lad barely missing the table being swung at him.
Kraken Dude had pulled the door off Ron and threw it at the green-clothed kid. The kid ducked as the door end up smashing a gaping hole into the wall. Pierced Ears attempted to back Lloyd into a corner until the kid aimed a still-flaming picture frame at his face. Pierced Ears swerved to the left only to collide with Gray Cleats who had come in with a dopey grin on his face. The grin vanished when he realized what was happening and he charged at Lloyd. The lean teen seemed to just stand still only to slide to the right to let Gray Cleats bash heads with Brown Jacket.
The gang members were becoming increasingly agitated, their eyes shining with a deadly glint. Lloyd knew it was only a matter of time before they resorted to their guns. As he eluded the attacks of Ron's lackeys, he prayed that the disappeared-Mrs. R will reach the police in time. A clenched fist came into view, he blocked it before delivering a punishing punch to Kraken Dude's jaw. He ducked again as Pierced Ears attempted to clobber him on the head. The kid aimed a painful kick at Pierced Ears only to miss and trip over a fallen chair.
As his face met the harsh floor, his precious box flew out of his pocket before clattering unceremoniously before Gray Cleats. The criminal noticed the lost parcel tumbling away from its owner. Assuming victory was still in hand, he shot a malicious smirk at poor Lloyd before kicking the box into the bonfire. "Ha! Take that Green Arrow the Lesser-" KABOOM! Gray Cleats and Lloyd were blasted away by the huge explosion of the bonfire. The other three crooks stood back in horrifying amazement as the fire began taking the shape of a small figure.
The fiery figure's form darkened from orange to blazing red. The heat of the room skyrocketed to volcanic temperatures as the figure slowly began assuming physical shape. As soon as an arm materialized Pierced Ears whipped out his gun and inflicted a crippling shot. The bonfire erupted again after the shot; molten lava began emerging from the ground. To the awestruck fright of the standing gang members, the figure among the flames only continued its physical manifestation. Just as the bullet was absorbed into the smoldering form, two eyes that glimmered like a dragon's opened up.
An almost-finished face turned to the rogues that shot him-and returned a sharp-toothed smile read, "I am SO going to kill ya." Lloyd was jolted awake as he heard the terrifying screams of the three felons as they high tailed it out of the diner. "OW! That hurt harder than the time that jerk Tom pushed me against his locker because of-OH SWEET GODZILLA, WHAT ON EARTH?!" The teen sat up flabbergasted to be surrounded by all sides by fire and-was that lava seeping out of the ground?! The answer stood only seven feet before him, leaving the kid in absolute disbelief at what he saw.
Before him stood a red-clad ninja warrior only a little bit taller than three feet. He had a cubic-shaped body and cuff-like hands, one of them holding his left arm where the bullet had hit. Peeping out from his scarlet cowl were two eyes that gleamed like obsidian freshly cooled and hardened. The white little pupils shone like stars as they assessed the boy before him. Lloyd could only stare at the brilliant being of red flames. The being's eyes moved from Lloyd to examine the building they were in.
Registering the fire dancing around him, the warrior spread his legs apart. One foot forward and the other foot back as he held up his right palm. As the ninja closed his eyes his right hand began to glow. To Lloyd's complete amazement the flames started to float over to the warrior's hand. The glow intensified as more fire was fed to the outstretched hand. Even the molten rock itself flowed towards the fiery being and was soaked up by him.
The ninja relaxed from his stance to face Lloyd once more. The crimson warrior walked over to the teenager, extending his good arm. Lloyd tentatively took it and was half-surprised that someone half his size possessed that much strength. What else could the fiery ninja do? Yet as Lloyd looked at the powerful dwarf, he could not help but frown. The cubic-shaped body, the cuff-like hands, the circular eyes, and even the yellow skin surrounding the eyes all were achingly familiar with Lloyd.
After all, this was the first person he met that looked just like himself.
Author Notes: Considering the Ninja are, ahem, Lego figures. I have this head canon that the Ninjargon population are half the size of regular humans. So, for the purpose of this story the Ninja will be in their Lego forms. While Lloyd will be Lego/Average human form. See you in the next chapter!
