A/N:

Hails: So, I heard about Season 6 and the pirate stuff going on, and they revealed episode titles on CartoonNetwork, and I got super excited. Then I realized there was something I wanted to write before season 6 came out, and I need to get a move on it now. I'm going to try an updating tactic I did a while ago with my first generic Oc story (what person hasn't felt the urge to do that? XD probably a lot of people.) If you were wondering this isn't a CanonxOc story, I ship Cole with Seliel, a character in the comics. You might need to look her up, as she was the Phantom Ninja. I can't exactly write a backstory for her because she doesn't belong to me, neither does Cole, or Ninjago in general. Ha! I wish, Cole and Seleil would already be couple if I did.

Anyhow, let's get this show on the road!

"There he goes!" Kai exclaimed. "After him!"

Hectic is one way to put the Ninja's day, it's impossible to debate that crucial, honest statement. But today was nothing compared to how the entire week was going, as it had been reaching the peak of insanity in the past seventy-five hours. Between the minor criminal activity and worries about what could be next to add to the long list of villains they had defeated, as well as the short visits to see Lloyd in his father's monastery for testing meditation and tranquility under pressure, things had been more than a little feverish. It was much more an occupied month as it was, even without having to tail a serial killer - who had committed ten murders in the past few months - running around Ninjago almost frothing at the mouth like a rabid dog as if it were scared and excited at the same time.

But with Lloyd temporarily testing out a bit of training in the likes of being a Sensei, that meant someone else had to lead the team for the rest of the month. When the news had been broken that he would far too busy to continue being the leader temporarily, he nominated Cole to take his place for a bit. Despite the earth Ninja's protests, the fact that he was no longer in a physical body, and his figuration of him not being cut out to do it anymore, Lloyd had used the same tactic Cole had used on the Green Ninja when he had picked him to be the new leader. He was ready, he was just afraid and felt unprepared for such a responsibility as managing Ninjago's very own hero team, and really, it was the exact opposite.

You could never replicate the adrenaline pumping through your blood, nor compare it to anything else when chasing a serial killer. Especially one that was just as psychologically unstable as a mental patient. The running, legs moving faster and faster, it never seemed to stop. The Ninja weren't even sure how far they'd gone in the span of the last, torturously enduring ten minutes. What they did know was that it was hell to chase the damned soul wherever he went. He had a lot of stamina for a guy that appeared so scrawny and slim, almost malnourished, and the farther he ran the harder it was to keep up with him.

But for the final time that night, even as the stars shined dimly over the dark sky, as did the pale luminescent moon, the criminal cornered himself. But the realization struck everyone too late that the murderer found more thrill in the chase, not the capture. It could be no other more terrifying thing than a snare, set specifically to catch four Ninja, and leave the predator for escape.

"You're cornered you insane son of a-" Kai exclaimed a curse word, readying his Aeroblade in case he tried anything. The murderer smiled wickedly, pearly whites plastered across his exceptionally pale face, crazed eyes illuminating like pale sapphires, greasy hair falling in knots around his head. A throaty, upset chuckle escaped his lips, and gradually it escalated into a hysterical laughter no one had ever heard, or ever wanted to hear. It resonated throughout New Ninjago City, bouncing off the concrete, alleyway walls, forcing an unsettling effect to those unfortunate to have their ears open and ready to interpret sound.

"You guys are so much more ignorant then I thought you were. Like the jester that doesn't know when to give up on making a crowd laugh." The murderer sneered, a vexed tone taking over his voice. He frowned for a moment, almost seeming disappointed in the something, scared even. But if was only briefly he kept this expression, and then a maniacal grin spread across his face once more. "Then again, that does make my job easier."

Everything had happened so fast. No one ever could have predicted it, not even a Sensei looking deep into the Spirit Smoke. The event, occurring as if it had gone at the speed of sound. The one second the murderer was cornered, Cole in front of the group, ready to attack and protect, almost felt like it had been altered. So quickly, so suddenly, there was a gun, a force of water. A wretched scream escaping Cole's throat as the liquid force drilled into him. He was thrown back several feet, the team screeching in horror as their leader was forced to the ground, steam emitting from a nasty, gaping hole where his heart and lungs should've been.

Cole seemed to have entered a stage of shock, where he couldn't scream, shout, or even talk. All he could do was tremble violently with pure, unadulterated fear, and whimper softly. The already painful injury almost seemed to increase torment with every shuddery breath he took, as if it he had been lit on fire. He heard the faint sound of Zane barking hurried instructions, no one caring that the serial killer had suddenly disappeared. His head became elevated, there was a warm, fuzzy feeling washing over Cole, and the color blue entered his bleary vision. He would never be able to tell, that Jay was trying to soak up the water killing him with his hood, unknowing that hot tears had begun to spill over his cheeks. There was Kai, shrieking into a cell phone, to "Hurry up! My friend is dying!". Dread, horror tainting his usually steady voice. There was a siren of some sort blaring through the air, other hurried voices, and red flashing lights.

Then Cole was gone.