Jay put an arm around both of them, forcing them forward and into the rain. "C'mon, guys. Face your fear."

"I am not going outside," Cole said through his teeth. "It's pouring."

Lloyd took a step back, shrinking into the protection of the doorway. "Jay, do we have to?"

"Yep," Jay said cheerfully. "No ifs, ands, or buts."

Cole pressed his lips together. "Jay, I am not playing this game."

Jay tightened his grip. "No game, Cole. We're going outside-" he lowered his voice so only Cole could hear. "We're going to cure you of your lightning phobia, and Lloyd is going to get over his fear of storms."

"And what are you going to conquer your fear of?" Lloyd asked shrilly. He had heard. Jay shrugged.

"I am the fearless Ninja of Lightning," he intoned. As if to agree, a streak of lightning stabbed athwart, flashing across the sky. Jay held up a hand near Cole's face, electricity crackling in his palm. The lightning struck down into it, causing Lloyd to leap backward with a whimper and Cole to give a short but violent scream.

"It didn't hurt you, Cole," Jay said soothingly. "See? Nothing happened. You're fine. It didn't hurt you."

Cole glared at him furiously. "It could have! Don't ever do that again!"

"Come on, Cole," Lloyd said nervously. "It didn't do anything, really."

A mighty crash of thunder shook the place, and Lloyd moaned in terror, grabbing Jay's arm in a pincer grip. Jay gripped Lloyd's arm. "Lloyd, it's just a loud noise. Just a loud sound. It's there, and it's over. See any monsters?"

"N-no," Lloyd quavered. Cole shook his head hard, sending water from his sodden hair splashing over the other two.

"Let's take a quick walk," Jay suggested. "Then we'll go in. Really."

"I-" Cole protested. Jay smiled sweetly. "You're down, Cole? Great! Let's do it!"

Lloyd nodded. "Okay, I'm r-ready."

"That's the green Ninja we all love," Jay grinned, leading his friends toward a place where an outcrop of rock shielded them from the rain. They all sat down underneath it.

"Not so bad anymore, right?"

Lloyd shook his head. "I guess so..."

Cole rolled his eyes. "I still say this was a dumb idea. It's pouring and we're all in pajamas and it's freezing. And besides, Jay, you said we would all face our fears tonight. I notice you haven't faced anything."

"I told you," Jay said easily. "I'm the fearless Ninja of Lightning!"

And that was when a bolt of lightning smashed down onto the rocky projection.