Searching for someone

You know not who

Driven on by compulsions

Which direct what you do

"We need to go to Ninjago City," Cole said. "We're running low on supplies."

Jay nodded. "Agreed," he replied. "When should we get started?"

"I don't know..." Kai said, raising an eyebrow. "I didn't think we were getting that low..."

"Still, better to get them now when we have time than to run out," Cole asserted.

Kai frowned, but made no further objections.

"Be careful," Sensei Wu advised. "Evil is abroad, and I fear it is already upon us." He looked at Jay as he spoke, and for a moment the Ninja felt a cold chill slip down his spine. He shook it off, however.

"We will be," Cole assured them. "Besides, we'll be together. It's not like someone's going alone."

Sensei Wu nodded in agreement and walked off again.

"Right," Cole said. "We should get going."

***

"We should check the recent crime reports," Jay suggested as they walked out of the grocery store. "See if anything new is there."

Kai opened his mouth to protest, but Zane cut him off. "Jay does have a point," he said. "Why are you so concerned about it?"

Kai wanted to say, "Because Jay and Cole have been acting weird," but didn't. Instead he simply shrugged and said, "I was hoping we could get home as quickly as possible."

"You and Zane could head back," Cole offered, "and we'll stay behind with Lloyd. With him around, it will be perfectly safe."

"But-" Kai began, then stopped, overwhelmed by a sudden wave of dizziness. "Er..." he said, suddenly realizing that he had forgotten his point, "Never mind."

"Right then," Jay interjected, suddenly itching to get away with Cole and Lloyd, "We'll see you in a little bit."

"Yeah, sure," Kai mumbled. "Maybe I should go lie down..." he walked off with Zane, rubbing his forehead as he went and muttering about, "something weird going on."

"Okay," Lloyd said, looking suspiciously after them. "Shouldn't we get going now?"

"Probably," Cole replied. "Come on." He started off.

***

"Come in, come in!" Carrie said, opening the door for the three Ninja. "Dad's been expecting you."

"He has?" Lloyd asked, but Cole interrupted him.

"We always come in around this time every week or so, so he probably just guessed that we were coming."

Lloyd raised an eyebrow but didn't respond.

"We can go in and get the reports," Jay offered, "If you'd rather wait for us."

Carrie nodded in agreement. "The office is a bit small," she affirmed.

"I suppose..." Lloyd said, obviously confused. "But-"

"Good," Cole said. "We'll be back soon." He and Jay followed Carrie into the office.

***

"You've come for the reports, I assume," Ted noted as they entered. Even though he was officially more of a detective than a police officer, Ted had most of the officer's rights, including access to various crime files.

"Yes," Jay said, "But we've also come for something else."

Ted pushed back his chair. "I see. Have you brought news?"

Cole nodded. "We have brought the boy with us. He is in the waiting room, just as we were commanded."

"Good. The Master is on his way to pick him up. You have not been discovered?"

Jay shook his head. "I don't think so."

Ted smiled. "Then the infiltration is almost complete. But what of the old man?"

"He suspects," Cole admitted, "But I do not think he has guessed the truth yet. And one of the others is growing suspicious."

"Yes," Ted affirmed. "The Master told me. He said that he would deal with that problem when it occurred. After all, his influence extends far beyond his control."

"Right," Jay said. "Then we are safe for the time being."

Ted nodded. "For now. The Master is on his way. We must remain a little longer. In the meantime, the Master has arranged to pick up one of your other friends on the way. He said that suspicion must not be allowed. The trap is set, and he wants to allow time for his control to take effect. He believes this last attack will be the hardest."

"I understand," Cole said, "but how will he deal with the fact that they are traveling together. Our friend will see- and he will tell Sensei."

"He will be momentarily incapacitated," Ted explained. "And the Master has ways of conveniently removing memories. He will recall nothing."

"Good," Cole replied. "Now we'd better collect those records, or the others will become suspicious."