Hey, guys, I sincerely apologize for the delay. I know I promised an update every Friday, but life's been really busy and my dad is in town so I need to spend as much time with him as possible.

I still feel like this chapter could be better, but I hope you enjoy :)

The minute Kai's comm went offline, Nya panicked. She'd been trying to reach Zane's falcon so she could watch the ninja action unfold, but all she could get was their voices from their comms.

At first, it was lighthearted, cocky even. She heard Jay's kapows and kabaams as he took out each target. She heard Kai's witty taunting, jabs, and trash talk. But worst of all she heard the silence when Kai's radio crackled, and his face disappeared from the screen, indicating his comm was offline. Which only meant two things - he'd accidentally turned it off in action (which was virtually impossible considering it was like an apple watch), or it'd been crushed. And a comm being destroyed was never a good sign.

"Kai!"

Not to mention the frantic cries of the team calling her brother's name simultaneously.

"Guys! What's happening?" She tapped a few keys, trying to zero in on their location.

All of them seemed to ignore her, which never happened, considering Jay was usually so enthralled upon hearing her voice.

"Sensei," she called. "Can you come in here? I think they need help, but I can't pinpoint their location!"

The teacher walks in briskly, holding a wailing child in his arms. Nya's brow furrowed. She felt her heart ache at the tiny cries, but they also didn't have time for this right now. Not when Maya's father might be at stake.

"Is she okay?" Nya asked quickly, taking her from Sensei and bouncing her a bit.

Sensei sighed. "Physically, yes. I have changed and fed her, but she is still upset."

"Okay, would you take over the search for the ninjas' signal for just a second so I can bring her swing in here?"

Sensei nodded, and Nya rushed off to her task. Maya quieted down a bit in her aunt's arms but was still whimpering occasionally. She found the baby's new swing in the room they'd recently set up for her. Nya's heart was pounding in sisterly worry.

No, no one had confirmed that something serious had happened to Kai. Yes, his comm could've just fallen up and been stepped on.

But with their job, Nya never knew. She always tried to ignore the what ifs and the aching of her heart every time the team leapt off the Bounty to a new job. She was always brave on the outside. For everyone's sake. But deep down, she had this sickening feeling that one day, one of them wouldn't make it back. And if that one person was Kai...Nya shuddered, not knowing what she would do if she lost the one person who had been there for her through everything.

Making it back to the Brig, she set Maya in her crib and turned to find Sensei steering the Bounty.

"Did you find them?"

"Yes," Sensei said, stepping back as she relieved him from the wheel. "Jay contacted the Bounty and told us to get there immediately. The threat is gone for now, but…" His hand dropped on her shoulder, and her heart dropped. "Kai has been badly hurt."

Nya wanted to cry. But the brief flicker of emotion that crossed her face was quickly hidden behind a mask of determination. She had to be strong. For Sensei, for Maya, for the team. And for Kai.

Cole's POV

So much blood. So, so much blood, too much of it. Cole tried not to think about the thick, red liquid coating his shaky hands as he gently held up their unconscious teammate's head up so Zane could put light pressure on the gushing wound on the back of his scalp.

Jay's frantic voice talking to Sensei at the Bounty was ambient background noise, as my head throbbed with panic. Lloyd was silent, minus the sniffles and shaky breaths as he sat in crouch a few yards away, trying not to look at all the blood. The sirens joined the sound of the lightning ninja's voice, and although Cole was relieved help was almost here, he knew that didn't guarantee anything. And internally, he was beating himself up for that.

He should've seen it. He should've known from the moment that strange, giant of a man showed up on the scene that Kai would try to go after the mysterious newcomer alone. Cole had tried to get there too, to determine just what this guy's motives were. But the men they had originally thought were just a couple thugs had rapidly multiplied, as they leapt off buildings to attack the four remaining ninja. They were quickly becoming overwhelmed, and when they had finally begun to make leeway, it was too late to notice the hole Kai had dug himself.

Cole had watched in horror from yards away, as the giant man practically strangled one of his best friends - then like squashing an insect, smashing Kai into the concrete. Leaving the red ninja instantly limp and lifeless. Jay and Lloyd were shrieking Kai's name and running towards him, along with Zane, but for a moment all I could do was watch.

First in shock at his severely injured brother on the ground. Then, at the retreating back of the man who had squashed Kai like a bug. The last remaining opponents followed the giant to who knows where. His eyes burned with fury, as his nostrils flared and he wanted to chase after them and make them pay. But the sight of his brothers, shaking and broken and panicking just yards away told him it'd have to wait. (But it would come. They would fight them again. Because Cole now knew that this was not just a one time threat. This could be another war brewing for the ninja.) Cole just prayed Kai wasn't the first casualty.

Ambulances with flashing blue and red lights spun around the corner just as a burst of air from above had the ninja turning their heads up to see the Bounty rapidly descending towards the ground. Several yards above the buildings, it stopped and within seconds a figure was sprinting across the deck and sliding down the chain.

So much happened in the next few minutes that Cole didn't know what to do or how to react. The medics were surrounding Kai, as soon as Cole and Zane had stepped away. Jay was holding back Nya who was crying nearly hysterically, having seen the bloody, unconscious state of her brother. Another medic was talking to Zane, who was explaining what he knew of the situation.

And all Cole could do was stand their numbly with his arm around Lloyd's shoulders in a weak attempt at comfort. Or maybe his own support. Another medic approached him swiftly, as several medics were loading the red ninja onto the vehicle. Cole snapped out of his daze just in time to hear the man address him, speaking urgently.

"I was told you would be the one to ride with us to the hospital. Are you willing, sir?"

Cole nodded, glancing at his teammates and realizing as the leader, he probably was the best fit for this right now. The rest of them were completely disheveled (not that he wasn't, but he'd pull it together. He had to.), minus Zane, but the nindroid would make sure they all got to the hospital safely

Cole followed the man back to the awaiting vehicle, stomach churning because deep down he didn't know if he could handle seeing his teammate the way he was again. But he had to.

Responses to Reviews:

TheNinjaofArt - Sorry, haha. Cliffhanger purposes! Leaves readers wanting more! (exactly for that reaction ;))

NaninaDaPanda - we'll find out soon enough :O thanks dude!

RandomDragon2.0 - thank you for your loyalty to my stories!

JBomb217 - Thank you! Appreciate it so much! Sorry for the delay.

Skyla Talon - RIGHT?! Yeah...Kai may just...have to do that... ;)

Mighty Shipper - I feel the same way, and I wrote it. And thank you.

Hiiiiii - I had to count to see how many 'i's' were in your guest name. Had to be perfect. But thank you! Here's your update! XD

kaiawesomlymonsterous - sorry about the delay! life gets busy, and I didn't want to rush this chapter. Quality over quickness!