Stepping back into the high school on the first day after summer break, Kai looked around and couldn't help but notice that every school seemed to share the exact same social dynamics.

There were the nerds, with big glasses and acne.

The chicks with layers of make-up ten times their weight on their face.

The athletes, always followed by a cloud of sweat and too much testosterone.

And not to forget the bullys, of course.

And the normals, to which he counted himself.

And his friends of course. Or... maybe not Jay. He was one of the nerds. Well... with freckles instead of acne, and no glasses... yet.
But definitely a nerd.

He himself was part of the football team. But not anymore. You'll find out why soon.

His sister Nya was naturally pretty, and that was the biggest and only compliment you will ever hear from him, so take it or leave. So she is not part of the ten-ton make up girls, but the exact opposite. No High-Heels but worn out sneakers. Tight dresses? No. Baggy jeans and coop leather jackets.

Zane was smart, but not in a nerdy way. That boy was highly gifted when it came to math, physics, geography, foreign languages.... you get the point right?

But he was not so well in being... socially. He was awkward when it comes to social events like... talking... for longer than... a minute. But... well, we all have our quirks right?

At least that's what they say, if someone asks. Truth is - Zane's a robot. But no one outside their gang knows. And for all Kai could say - Zane was more human, than some other humans he knew.

And then there was Lloyd. He was none of these things Kai had just listed. Not even normal.

With a father trying to destroy the city every day? You wouldn't call yourself normal either.

But he had a good heart. But that's what no one else sees, because no one else ever takes the time to... well... see Lloyd, and not his dad.

Kai had a hard time learning doing that though so he can't blame anyone else for not investing their time for this.

When he was younger Garmadon had attacked the village he and Nya had grown up in, destroying their parent's blacksmith shop and making them move to the city, where fortunately their parents managed to open a new shop.

Well, supply and demand for arms were even greater in the city than in rural areas, considering that the city was the main target of fighting and devastation.

They adapted pretty fast, but... well. Facing Lloyd Garmadon, knowing his father had destroyed his parents dream was... hard.

But like he said - Lloyd was a good soul. So no hard feelings. And he isn't at fault for what his father does.

The two of them aren't even in contact. Lord Garmadon probably even forgot that he had a son.

So all in one....they were a weird constellation.

But it worked. It had to. They were the ninja force after all, so...

Well to be fair, they hadn't had this title for so long now.

Almost a year now.
And the city has never been more at peace.

But that must also be because Garmadon was suspiciously quiet lately.

Kai still remembers that day vividly. Where Lloyd's weird uncle showed up at the blacksmith market and instead of treating him like a customer, Ray and Maya, their parents, greeted him like an old friend.

Which he was.

And then, they told them everything. The origins of the elemental powers and how each element gets passed down from the parents to their children.

Kai was the descendant of the first elemental master of fire, who had gotten his powers from the first spinjitzu-master himself. And Kai got them inherited from his father Ray.

Same with Nya and her mother Maya. The new and former elemental masters of water.

Jay, though he never really knew his real parents, since they left him at Ed and Edna's doorsteps when he was a baby, is the offspring of the elemental master of lightning and got his powers, according to Wu (who is a 1000 years old, which still blew Kai's mind), from his Mother Libby, who dissappeared.

And Zane... well. He got built by this inventor dude Dr. Julien, who worked for Cyrus Borg. THE Cyrus Borg. CEO of Borg industries, inventor of... well, everything technical in Ninjago City.

Dr. Juliens wife and child died in a car accident 20 years ago. Since he couldn't live with the grief, he build Zane 3 years after.

And then, on personal recommendation from Wu, the elemental master of earth, Shiro, visited Zane and gave him his powers.

Did I get you curious? ;)

So here's how the story goes:

Long before time had a name, the first spinjitzumaster created Ninjago. A land of peace and harmony. And so that he wouldn't be alone, he created animals of all kind. And a creation that came closest to his own form - the human.

Years went by and the first spinjitzumaster watched his creations live in symbiosis.

The humans made colonies, made villages, turning them into thriving cities.

And they got children and then their children got children and so generations went by, until the first master decided it was time for him, to lead his own legacy on.

And he created Wu and Garmadon. His sons. And by far his most favorite creation.

As kids they were inseparable. Learning fast all the lessons their creator, no, their father, taught them and the first master was sure, they'd carry his legacy well, since it was almost time for him to leave.

But then, the horizon darkened. And a monster from another realm seeked to disturb the harmony.

And it's shadows spread, before the first spinjitzumaster could stop it.

The humans began to change. They grew feelings and emotions the first master hadn't planted in them.

Anger, fear, hatred. They began to lie and steal. They began to destroy.

They began to kill.

The first master sent his sons out, to bring back the harmony...

But only one should return.

His older one, by three minutes as he always proudly mentioned, got consumed by the darkness and dissappeared.

So the first spinjitzumaster took his other son, Wu, and they went on a journey.

Together, they were seeking out four humans.

Four who hadn't been consumed by the darkness.

One to wield the fire of destruction and a chance for new things to bloom from it.

The second to have a strong mind. To turn into ice and freeze what otherwise fades with passing of time.

The third to be as gentle as the sea. And just as unforgivable. A bender of water with a good heart and an determined will.

The fourth to command the very sky. A lightning bolt in their energy and brilliant inventiveness.

Those first four elemental masters were sent out alongside Wu to destroy the darkness.

And they would succeed.

But the seed was sown and the plant grew and took root.

The evil lived on. The humans now had flaws, but in the first master's eyes they were still his best creation and so...

The first secret ninja force was born.

Four to keep the balance between good and evil.

An unity. Like a flower and the petals that define it. And all of the petals of a flower are collectively known as the corolla.

At least that's how Wu had told the story.

Since that many many years have passed. The first master vanished into... the after life? Whatever.

Garmadon had returned and in multiple battles against Wu and his ninja he had proven to be very desperate about destroying this city.

But the ninja were stronger in their unity.

Generation after generation the powers got passed on, a new ninja force forged inside the walls of Wu's monastery.

And the people of ninjago? They forgot what the secret ninja force was truly about and from loving and admiring their heroes, they went to blaming them for all bad things that happen.

Because why not? If you get attacked, blame the one who saves you! Makes total sense...

No, not all of them do that. But some of the citizens believe that without the ninja the evil will also stop. As if the ninja and the villains would just fight each other and the city was just collateral damage.

So after the latest generation brought peace to ninjago for almost twenty years, the city was breathing in relief.

Then the next villains formed and that brings us back to Kai and the day he met Wu.

And got introduced to Zane and Jay.

And became the master of fire and his sister the elemental master of water. Zane of ice and Jay of lightning.

And then? Then Wu also introduced them to his nephew. And Kai had definitely imagined the hated offspring of garmadon to be a little brat.

But he was never more wrong in his life... or maybe only at the time he thought a bowl cut would suit Nya (she still hates him for that).

And to everyones surprise Lloyd had powers too.

Green. They still don't know what his powers exactly were... some sort of energy?? Who knows... Kai just calls them green.

And he became their fearless leader and Kai's best friend. Almost like a little brother, even though they were the same age.

Of course all this led to long discussions with their parents like: Why did you never tell us about those powers?

Honestly? A good question. But Kai didn't get an proper answer.

Just some blah blah we wanted to protect you blah blah we thought the city was at peace once and for all blah blah.

Facts? It wasn't.

And so they began their training. And their journey to become the next secret ninja force.

Kai sighed. You would think being a ninja saves you from annoying duties, but no.

All the parents before passed their elements down to their children when they were already adults.
And back when all this started school didn't even exist!

But nooo. Kai and the others managed to already be needed as teenagers. Try being a ninja and save the city while still going to school.

*Sob,... But Zane was right. In the future when Ninjago is at peace again (hopefully), they need a proper job and for that an education.

So yeah.

That's Kai's life now since last year september. So it was almost a year ago now.

Fighting bad guys in a gi and mask, then push the ninja outfit back in his locker and rush right into the classroom for the next math exam.

Funny.

No, it was okay. He grew to love those idiots he calls his teammates so much and it was kind of awesome to save the city for those who thank them for that.

Kai only wished he could reveal who he was since... hello? Fame!

But... well... Kai was once famous. In another way.

Focus on was. The star quarterback. A year ago one sunny tuesday he got kicked out of the team. For hanging out with Loser-Lloyd on the monday before.

Now you know.

There were the athletes, cheerleaders, nerds, even some smokers and drugdealers and then there were them - Zane, Kai, Jay, Lloyd and Nya...

- The Freaks

The outsiders, the weirdos. Even though some girls were still fainting whenever they see Kai and he gets tons of little letters with numbers on a daily basis, but the second someone sees him with Lloyd it's over.

But Kai didn't care. He loved his friends. And he wouldn't trade them for anyone else.

And if it means being hated by everyone else so be it.

As long as it means being loved by those four.

Kai suppressed a stupid smile as he walked down the almost empty hallway.

He was late. Nya had left before him, since he needed so long for his hair (Duh, it had to be perfect today... and everyday) and so she was hopefully already in class.

Her first period of their graduation year is english by Mrs Ragid and boy, Kai wasn't jealous at all.

That old lady was a beast. A dragon. Wu said the dragons have left Ninjago long ago, but Kai knew better.

The last pupils shooed away into their classrooms and now Kai really had to hurry.

His period was set to be in a classroom on third floor, so while he went upstairs on the small staircase at the back of the school, he paused as he heard a noise.

"Just leave this city, man", someone spit out and Kai arrived just in time, as the usual group of bullies let go of Lloyd with one last shove against the lockers.

Lloyd grunted.

A figure at the corner of Kai's eyes made him turn around for a second, only to see someone dressed in black hurrying upstairs.

Then he focused back on Lloyd.
"Leave him alone, Chad", he barked walking towards them.

A small shake of Lloyd's head signaled Kai that he was fine and not ready to finally take Kai's offer.

Kai's offer to "burn them into ashes".

He tried to cool off a little bit to not risk to activate his powers by accident. He eyed Lloyd again, who was objectively unhurt and that made Kai relax a little.

Just a little. He still walked up to Lloyd's bullies and stood before them

"Leave him alone, assholes", he didn't care that there were two girls with them, and that a year ago, before Kai knew Lloyd and started hanging out with him, said girls, Britney and Tiffany, were always flirting with him, always giving him looks during classes, lunch breaks or on the hallway, winking and giggling, and he sometimes flirted back just for fun.

Didn't help that both of them were in the cheerleader team.

And Chad in the football team.

He and Kai were never friends, but there wasn't this much hateful energy back then on the field.

Then Chad, captain of the team, kicked him out and started to bully him as well.

But Kai doesn't take it as good as Lloyd.

He can't just stand there like the green ninja, keep a neutral face and wait until it's over. Kai's anger always gets a hand of him, and usually it takes Lloyd's and Zane's calmness to bring him back down.

This time it was Mr Graham.

"Students, why aren't you in your classes?", he asked, trying his best to look mad, but Mr Graham was never really mad.

He was such a friendly nature.

Still, this time he gave Chad and his little fan club an extra look, that seemed a little more angry.

Chad and the others simply ignored him, heading toward the stairwell with their heads held high, before Chad decided to speak to Mr. Graham after all.

"We were just helping Lloyd find his place on his first day back," he muttered, loud enough for Lloyd and Kai to hear.

​Before Kai's temper could flare up again, Mr. Graham's hand flashed forward, gripping Chad's upper arm with a severity that seemed entirely out of character.

​"Mr. Cross, I must ask you to leave the scheduling and room assignments to the faculty. We know best where Lloyd belongs in our school-and he does belong here, now and always. Which is more than can be said for you if you don't head to your classroom immediately."

​With that, he released the bully, who didn't deign to give him another word or glance before scurrying after his friends.

Mr. Graham had always been one of the few teachers who was truly kind to Lloyd, but even so, he and Kai were stunned; he was usually the quiet, easygoing chill teacher who went out of his way to avoid confrontation.

The two secret ninjas shot a glance at their history teacher, which he returned with a shy smile while adjusting his round glasses. "Was that good?" he asked.

​Lloyd grinned. "Fantastic. Thanks, Mr. Graham."

​The teacher nodded. "Anytime, Lloyd. Don't listen to those pea-brained bullies... And now-"
He clapped his hands, making both Red and Green flinch. "Off to your classrooms!"
With those words and one last smirk, he walked away.

​Mr. Graham had been their history teacher since their very first day at Ninjago High. Everyone there loved his easygoing, calm demeanor.

​A hand on his shoulder made Kai whirl around. "Why are you so late?" Lloyd asked with a teasing grin.

​Kai rolled his eyes and pointed to his hair, which was sticking out in every direction. "I couldn't exactly head out on my first day with bad hair!", he explained.

​"Yeah... and why are you late now?" Lloyd asked again, eyeing his hair playfully. When he plucked at a stray strand, Kai caught him in a headlock.

​Lloyd, a few centimeters shorter than him, giggled and tried to break free. "Stop it... you heard Mr. Graham, we should get going."

​Kai grinned and let him go. "I'm already where I need to be anyway."

​"Fine, I have to go one floor up... Mrs. Ragid, English."

​"Oof," Kai winced. "Right, Nya shares that same fate."

​"Jay too," Lloyd added, then noticed Kai's furrowed brow and thoughtful expression. "What's up?"

​"Tell me... Chad's gang consists of five people, right?"

​"Chad, Tiffany, Trent, Brock, and Britney... why? You think I deserved a sixth round of 'getting shoved against the lockers'?" Lloyd asked sarcastically, subconsciously rubbing his aching shoulder.

​"No, but... there was someone in the stairwell. I think he was watching you guys until he bolted and stormed up to the second floor ahead of me. That's how I noticed the spectacle down here in the first place"

​"So? There are always nosy students." When Lloyd noticed Kai was still brooding, he added: "Nosy students who wish they had the guts to shove me against lockers"

​That made Kai laugh. He lowered his voice and muttered, "Oh yeah... everyone here is terrified of the bratty 'Garmadon spawn'."

​Lloyd made a face. "I meant more because I radiate a subtle 'Green Ninja glow.' But 'brat' works too...", he chuckled.

​They said their goodbyes until lunch break, and Kai spent the first period wondering why that situation in the stairwell had felt so strange to him.