Free Tackles!

Summary: Kai gives hugs, Nya gives tackles. Such are highly contagious, and all who come into contact will eventually start reciprocating. These are just facts of life.

Timeline: Same timeline as Ch 7 of Greener Pastures. Follows the team forming and bonding.

World: Movie-verse.

Author's Notes: To be read in connection with Sunny Lighter's "Free Hugs!" (Greener Pastures, Chapter 7.) Enjoy!

~~ ! Go Ninja Go ! ~~

Lloyd

The first time Nya tackled him, Lloyd had no clue how to react. Especially since it was quickly followed up with Kai grabbing him in a hug and both twins squealing about how they were so excited to be in the same class as him and how they were going to have so much fun!

He had just met the two the day before and hadn't known what they would do at seeing him again in school. His bets would've been placed on them ignoring him, even though he didn't think they would actually be mean to him like the others. The twins had strong feelings about bullying, he already knew that much.

Apparently the twins also had strong feelings about their new little brother, as they stuck to his side like glue the entire day, giving dirty looks to anyone that looked at Lloyd unkindly. And hugging and jumping on him at every chance.

Soon enough, most kids learned to lay off the Garmadon brat, at least at school, since that girl twin especially was vicious, flying through the air out of nowhere like a screaming banshee whenever her little bro was in trouble. And the boy twin was always right behind her. Beating on one lone little monster was one thing - going up against three was another matter entirely.

Jay

Jay actually received a Nya Tackle (TM) even before a Kai Hug (TM). The go-kart contest he'd partnered with Lloyd in had just been last week, and the twins finally weren't giving him death glares of "hurt our little brother and they won't find your body" anymore.

They'd even hung out the afternoon before, playing together in his parents' garage. His ma and pa were always cool with letting the kids go through their spare parts, and they'd had a ball trying to make a mini-mech with Master Building. The result wasn't very pretty, but it could follow them around and play fetch.

So it came completely out of the blue when, instead of a normal greeting, Nya JUMPED at him, smacking him to the ground as she laughed in delight, leaping off him and making room for Kai to pull him up and into a hug.

Lloyd was right behind them, and seeing the bewildered look on Jay's face, giggled. "You'll get used to it," he whispered, big smile in place.

And he did. Soon enough he was tackling the twins and Lloyd right back.

Zane

Zane was very concerned for Nya's health the first time she tackled him. One second she had been sailing in his direction through the air, the next she was flat on her back on the ground, stunned look on her face.

Knowing the fault lay with his metallic frame, Zane panicked, dropping to his knees and checking her over for injuries. If he only was a normal kid, things like this would never happen!

"You alright, sis?" asked his new friend Kai.

Nya rose a hand to what looked like a bruise forming on the side of her face. Zane's heart, or what passed for one, ached at the gesture. "Did you get the number of that bus?" she joked.

"I am so sorry!" The words surged out of Zane's mouth. "This is all my fault! I never should have - I should've warned - but, but - !"

"Stand up," growled Nya, giving Zane a shove as she got to her feet herself.

"What?"

"I'm going again!" insisted Nya, to Zane's bewilderment.

Once they were both upright, Nya again charged at him, this time leaping to grab hold of him instead of crash into him. She landed on his back and began cheering uproariously, knees holding herself in place as she pumped her fists in victory.

Kai, Lloyd, and Jay joined in on the cheers, until the three started arguing about whose turn it was next.

Huh. Maybe this wasn't so bad after all. Soon enough Zane had been designated team jungle gym. And once he was exposed as a nindroid, it was even better. Extendable arms are AWESOME swings and catapults.

Cole

The first time Nya tackled Cole, or rather tried to, he caught her. Without batting an eye, he set her back on her feet.

A smile of delight grew on her face.

Soon enough, all five of his new friends were lunging at him at every chance. Cole had no problem catching them, sometimes one in each arm, though more than two was a bit of an issue. If all five timed it just right, they even managed to take him down under a dog pile, and THAT was an achievement to crow about!

Somehow this game began to evolve from being caught... to being THROWN. No one was sure how it started, but it soon became a favorite pastime to launch themselves into Cole's arms, knowing he'd launch them in turn up into the air, or out across the sand dunes, or even into the water if they were near the sea. (Except Kai - he hated the water.)

It wasn't until many years later that Lloyd realized his Uncle Wu had been manipulating their games into ninja training all that time. But whatever, it was totally worth it.

... And, in case you're wondering, Morro and Wu are no fun to tackle. They ALWAYS dodge at the last second. Garmadon (after giving up evil), now he's a fun target, usually ending up in a six on one wrestling match that could go on for hours!