I HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS STORY
One evening the ninja had just finished training and were heading back inside to play some video games. However, Sensei Wu pulled Cole aside.
"Cole, I need to talk to you" Sensei Wu said.
"Oh, ok Sensei, what is it?" Cole was worried because the only time Wu wanted to talk to one of them privately is when they were being reprimanded for something.
"Not here, follow me" Sensei said as he led Cole down the long flight of stairs until he reached a spot where he was sure they wouldn't be overheard.
"Sensei? What's this about?" Cole asked, his voice held concern. Sensei Wu handed him a picture of two young women.
"I'm confused, who are they?" Cole asked.
"Two innocent women that were murdered in their own home last night" Wu said.
"Oh, I'm sorry that happened but I'm confused, what does this have to do with me? Isn't that the Ninjago Police Department's jurisdiction? I'm more of a giant snake or ghosts or pirates kind of guy" Cole said.
"That is where you are wrong Cole, we protect Ninjago from any threat, the ones who committed the murders belong to a dangerous gang known as The Overlords" Wu explained.
"The Overlords?" Cole raised a brow.
"Yes and the police have been trying for months to bust this gang, but they can't seem to pin them down, that's why the police commissioner has asked us for help" Wu said.
"Why are you just telling me this? Shouldn't the others know too?" Cole asked.
"No Cole, only you can know about this" Wu said.
"But why?" Cole asked.
"Because I'm afraid I must ask you to do something imaginable" Wu stroked his beard. Now Cole was really concerned.
"Like…what?" Cole cautiously asked.
"The commissioner and I came up with a plan, you must fake your death and go undercover to infiltrate The Overlords" Wu said.
"WHAT!? Why must I fake my death?" Cole was shocked.
"Because the criminal that you are going to pose as will get in good with The Overlords by doing an amazing feat such as killing one of the ninja" Wu explained.
"But everyone important to me will know I'm not really dead right?" Cole asked.
"No, to make it more believable, everyone must think you are dead" Wu said.
"Sensei no! I can't do that to the others! To my father!" Cole was horrified.
"I know the cost is high, but those evil people cannot be allowed to continue to terrorize Ninjago City" Wu said.
"Even if I agreed to do it, how the heck would I get away with faking my death?" Cole asked.
"Well first we travel to Mystake's tea shop and get some Mirror Tea, it will copy you, we change your appearance, you kill that copy as the criminal and nobody knows the difference" Wu explained.
"How will I know the others won't come after me for revenge?" Cole asked.
"I will handle the other ninja" Wu said.
"I just can't do it Sensei, do you have any idea how much everyone would hate me once they found out I lied to them and made them think I was dead, why me Sensei? Don't the police have someone who could do it? Out of literally everyone, why me?" Cole sighed.
"Because Cole, you would be unable to use your elemental powers less you blow your cover and we know that you are the strongest person in Ninjago when it comes to brute strength, even stronger than Lloyd, you're the only one we trust to be able to handle yourself out there. As I said before I know the cost is high, but we can't let more people be victimized, besides I recall you telling me about a promise you made to your mom to always stand up to those that are cruel and unjust" Wu said. Cole winced, he just had to go there.
"Sigh, alright Sensei, I'll do it" Cole said sadly.
"Chin up Cole, you'll be protecting Ninjago City, the commissioner will be pleased that you agreed to do it" Wu said. After informing the Commissioner they went to Mystake's tea shop and got Mirror Tea. Cole drank it and it made a copy of him which honestly weirded Cole out. The copy was sent back to the monastery whilst the real Cole was getting made into a criminal. Cole's hair was dyed blonde and he was given blue contacts to make his eyes appear blue.
"Now Cole we are going to have to pierce your ear" a woman said.
"Wait, why?" Cole asked.
"Because all criminals have an earring" the woman said. Cole winced as she pierced his ear and put a small gold hoop earring in it. For his outfit he was wearing an orange paisley print bandana on his head, a gold chain necklace, a dark brown leather vest that exposed his chest, black pants with a brown leather holster around his waist, gold rings on every finger, and black shoes. He was given a serrated stainless steel knife and a gun for his holster.
"Well, do I look bad?" Cole posed.
"You look very mean indeed, now we just need a name for you" the commissioner said.
"Oh I've already got one, call me Rocky Dangerbuff" Cole said.
"Really Cole, that's the best you could come up with" Wu wasn't impressed.
"Shhh, it's Rocky Dangerbuff now" Cole put a finger on his lips.
"Well thank you Cole er I mean Rocky for doing this, you have no idea how much of a burden will be lifted from the city after those monsters are caught" the Commissioner said.
"Just fulfilling a promise I made to my mother" Cole looked at Wu who gave a nod of approval.
"Oh before I forget, here, this is some shampoo and conditioner you can use that won't wash the color out of your hair, but if you do notice that the color is fading call me immediately" the colorist said as she handed him two white bottles.
"Now, ready to go kill yourself?" the Comissioner asked.
"That sounded really dark, how about ready to go murder Cole instead" Cole said. And they went over the plan with him. He went to the location and got ready.
*back with the ninja*
"Ha I beat you again!" Jay cheered.
"Only because I let you win" Mirror Cole said. Just then Wu came into the room.
"There is a robbery in progress in downtown Ninjago City" Wu said. And with that the ninja grabbed their weapons and rode their dragons to the city.
"Give me all your loot" Cole held two people at knife point.
"Stop right there!" Kai said.
"Oh no the pajama freaks are here" Cole acted scared as he began to run.
"After him!" Mirror Cole ordered. And the ninja began to run after Cole.
"We've got him now" Mirror Cole said as they chased the criminal into an alleyway up ahead was a dead end.
"No it's I who has you!" Cole pulled his gun from his holster, whipped around and shot Mirror Cole right in the heart. He collapsed dead on the ground. The other ninja screamed his name and ran over to him.
"Haha! See you later pajama losers!" Cole said as he jumped up on a fence and did a backflip over the building and disappeared.
"Oh my god guys h-he's…dead" Jay choked on a sob.
"What!? No way it can't be true" Lloyd approached Cole now lying lifeless on the ground.
"Cole wake up! Please!" Lloyd pleaded as he violently shook Cole's limp body. Tears welled in his eyes and he buried his face into his friend and mentor's body and sobbed uncontrollably.
*with Cole*
After Cole disappeared over the building he was walking along. He faintly heard the brokenhearted cries of his friends.
"I'm so sorry guys" Cole whispered as a single tear slid down his cheek. He returned to the police station.
"Ok, it's done…." Cole was visibly upset.
"I know it's hard Cole, but you are doing the right thing" the Commissioner placed a hand on his shoulder. Cole looked at him sadly.
"We got you a place to stay for the time being, Simon and Tommy will show you to it" the Commissioner said.
"We'd be glad to" Simon said. They all got into one of the police cruisers and headed to the more rundown part of town. There were dilapidated and boarded up buildings everywhere covered in the graffiti of gangs looking to get their name out. Suspicious looking people eyed them as they drove past. They pulled up to an old rundown looking apartment building. They got out and were heading down a long poorly lit hallway. If Cole didn't know any better he would say he was getting ready to get mugged. Finally they came to a door with the brown paint chipping. There was a rusted gold nine on the door.
"Well here we are" Tommy pulled out the key and unlocked the door. As soon as they entered the apartment Cole noticed it smelled musty and old. The small living room had a sofa with that ugly old floral pattern on it. There was a small coffee table and a small tv. There was a kitchen/dining space that had only a small round table with two chairs. The kitchen was also tiny and outdated. There were two bedrooms and two bathrooms.
"Wow this is….cozy" Cole said.
"Sorry we know it isn't much, but you must look the part" Simon said.
"All criminals live in such dumps?" Cole asked.
"Mostly, anyways we stocked the kitchen full of food and the rent is paid by the department" Simon said.
"Oh yea we have one more thing to show you" Tommy said. They went back outside and showed him a motorcycle that had a metallic orange paint job.
"That is so you can get around, well that's it let us know if you need anything at all" Simon said as he handed Cole a keyring that had the apartment key and the key to the motorcycle. And with that they left. Cole headed back inside. He immediately headed to the kitchen to see what delicious food they had got for him. His eyes rested on a decadent cake that was in a container on the counter. He didn't even grab a plate, he just grabbed a fork and the cake and sat at the table and ate the whole thing in one sitting. Since it was getting late and he had a long day he decided to head to bed. He went to the master bedroom which had a queen sized mattress in a metal bed frame. A nightstand on either side of the bed and a tall dresser. There was a small bathroom attached. He got in the bed which seemed to creak with every move he made.
"Ugh that's going to get annoying fast" he sighed. The bed wasn't particularly comfortable either. He didn't imagine he would be getting much sleep tonight as the city was so noisy. Sirens and loud people everywhere. He felt a pang of homesickness; he already missed his comfortable bed in the quiet and peaceful monastery. He already missed the others too. After flipping and flopping a few times he finally fell into a fitful sleep.