Hey guys! After watching some of Season 6 of Ninjago, I was inspired to write this, even though it's completely unrelated to the season, but I thought I'd share it with you anyways. Don't worry, I'm still working on the next chapter for The Fire Within, so stay tuned for that. Enjoy the story!

"I'm so gonna beat your high score, Cole!"

"Not a chance, Bluebell! I'm already in the lead!"

"No way, I'm going to kick both your guys' butts!"

Jay, Cole, and Lloyd were sitting on the floor in front of the TV, enjoying an afternoon of video games, since Sensei had abbreviated training due to the intense heat that had been forecasted for the first half of the week. It was definitely hot for early September, but the ninja didn't mind, since they could relax in the cool air conditioning, thanks to Nya.

Unlike the other ninja, Kai was patiently waiting by the phone, hoping to hear from his girlfriend Sam, who had moved into her dorm room this past Saturday, along with her roommate Brooke, who just so happened to be casually dating Cole. Being the gentleman that Kai was, he had helped her move her boxes and other various items from the Bounty into the dorm room, after her summer of living on the Bounty while she had done an internship at Borg Industries.

Now it was Tuesday, and only one full day had passed since she had been gone, but he still missed her. It was certainly different not having her around as often as during the summer, when the couple had had a minor falling out. They were just starting to patch up their relationship, and yet, Sam had to leave again.

Thankfully, Sensei was keeping them busy with training, so his mind was more than occupied. Especially with four noisy brothers around, it was hard to dwell on things. In fact, he hadn't had a second of peace since Sam had left, until now.

As he reached for the phone, desperate to call her, Zane walked into the control room.

"Hello, Kai," the ice ninja said.

Hearing his teammate's voice, Kai pulled his hand away from the receiver.

"Hey, Zane," he said, trying to sound as casual as possible.

Nonetheless, the nindroid tilted his head curiously. "And what have you been up to, Kai?" he asked. "It appears you are waiting for your significant other to call you."

Kai face-palmed himself in exasperation, but mostly out of embarrassment. Zane was always right.

"Yeah," he sighed. "That obvious, huh?"

Zane nodded. "Indeed. But I am not so sure of what you are worried about exactly," he said. "Isn't she going to school to get an education?"

"Yeah, but -"

"And in order to get an education, she needs to be focused and free of unnecessary distractions?"

"Yes…"

"Then why are you so eager to call her? I have never been to college but there is a high probability that she is studying at the moment."

The red ninja ninja rolled his eyes. "I am well aware of that, Zane. But it couldn't hurt to talk to her for a few minutes, right?"

Zane was silent; instead, he stared at Kai blankly. The red ninja was not sure if Zane was trying to make a point, or if he was thinking, but either way, it was making him uncomfortable.

"Fine, I'll tell you," he grumbled. "It's just that, with the new school year starting and all, I'm afraid she'll meet someone else…that she likes better than me."

"By someone else, you mean another male. Is that correct?" Zane clarified.

"Yes, Zane, someone else," he answered, narrowing his eyes at his brother. Sometimes he couldn't tell if Zane was trying to pull his leg, or if he was merely seeking information.

"It's just that…I know we patched things up, but…what if she, you know, develops feelings for someone else?" Kai asked. "It could happen. I mean, there are tons of guys at that school, and no doubt some of them are attractive," he rambled on. "And she's cute, and no doubt some of them will have their eye on her, and…"

Zane put a comforting and on his teammate's shoulder. "Do not worry, Kai. Love goes far beyond physical attraction. If Sam wants to be with you, she will be with you." The nindroid smiled. "And my calculations predict that there is a 100% chance of that happening."

At his brother's words of reassurance, the red ninja returned the smile.

"Thanks, Zane," he said. "Maybe I will wait to call her."

"Ninja!" a voice exclaimed. Kai and Zane turned their heads to see Sensei Wu poking his head into the control room. "I need to speak with you. Come, quickly."

The friends exchanged uncertain glances, wondering what their teacher wanted to speak about. And by the tone of his voice, it was urgent.

Following their teacher's lead, Kai and Zane made their way into the living room and saw that the television has been turned on, and that the other three ninja were no longer playing their game. Nya stood by Sensei Wu with a concerned look on her face.

The channel was currently on the news, and the reporter, Gayle Gossip from Ninjago City, was in the middle of her latest story.

"We just received word that there was a major attack in Jamanakai Village about three hours ago. Four young suspects wearing backpacks were seen leaving the scene unharmed. If you have any information regarding these four suspects, please notify the police."

"Attack? What kind of attack?" Nya asked out loud.

Kai could only stare dumbfoundedly at the TV. "Jamanakai Village?"

Cole unglued his eyes from the screen and turned to their teacher. "What's going on, Sensei?" he asked.

The martial arts teacher stroked his beard; concern shone in his faded blue eyes.

"I do not know," he answered. "I suppose I could telephone the police commissioner and see if he has more information regarding the attacks," he thought aloud. "I believe will do that now."

And with that, Sensei walked out of the room, leaving the ninja and Nya to talk amongst themselves.

"Well, at least it's not Serpentine," Jay chuckled nervously, in an attempt to ease the tension that had fallen over the room.

"Yeah, but it could be worse," Lloyd remarked.

"Yeah, but why Jamanakai Village?" Nya asked. "It's not exactly an upscale place."

"But it does have lots of machinery," Zane said. "Perhaps the attackers were looking for a specific thing that cannot be found in Ninjago City."

"But what would that be?" Kai asked. "The only thing there is in Jamanakai Village are blacksmith shops."

"Maybe it was just a distraction," Cole reasoned. "I mean, maybe they created a big mess because they want their real motive to be kept under the radar."

"Or maybe they're just a bunch of dumb kids looking to cause trouble," Jay said. "Not everything has to be all doom-and-gloom threatening."

"No, but I am afraid that it is," Sensei said, entering the room again. "I just spoke with the commissioner. And apparently, about an hour ago, some police weapons were stolen."

"Stolen?" Nya repeated.

"Yes," Sensei answered. "Six to be exact."

"Oh, man," Jay said. "Now we have crazy psychopaths on the loose, with weapons!"

"What should we do, Sensei?" Cole asked, ignoring his teammate's cry of panic.

The martial arts teacher was silent for a moment. "I'm not sure."

"If we can track where the weapons are, then maybe we can stop whoever is behind all this," Zane suggested.

"Great idea, Zane," Nya said. "I can trace where they are right now if you want."

At his pupils' suggestion, Sensei nodded. "Yes, Nya. Let us prevent these attackers from striking a second time."

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's find these bozos," Cole said, driving his fist into his palm.

Not wanting to waste time, the team went into the control room, with Nya taking her place in front of the computer. The samurai pushed a few buttons, and a map appeared on the screen, along with a few small, blinking yellow dots.

"This is the map of Ninjago," Nya explained. "Now let's see where these weapons are."

The ninja and Sensei watched the screen expectantly as the screen zoomed in on the dots, showing just a map of the city.

Jay held his breath while Cole felt himself leaning forward in anticipation. As usual, Kai and Lloyd's expressions remained serious, while Zane looked thoughtful.

As the location of the dots fully came into view, the ninja gasped. Near the blinking dots was the street Cherry Blossom Avenue, which ran through the campus of Ninjago University.

"No, it can't be…" Kai murmured under his breath, gaping at the computer screen.

"Ninjago University," Jay said, "where Sam goes to school."

"Yeah," Cole answered. "She and Brooke just started school yesterday."

"So did the bad guys," Lloyd remarked, studying the screen. "Are we sure the weapons are there?"

"Well, so far, it's the only lead we've got," Nya said. "And a college campus would be a perfect cover. No one would suspect it."

However, Kai was too engrossed in his thoughts to pay any attention. He could only stare at the screen in disbelief. For all he knew, Sam could be only a few feet away from those creeps right now, and she wouldn't even know it.

"I've got to warn Sam," Kai said as he dashed for the phone on the other side of the room.

However, before he could start dialing the number, his teacher stopped him. "No one is calling anyone," Sensei said. "Until we know what these young men are capable of, and what kind of technology they have, there will be no communication over the phone."

Kai glanced at his teacher before reluctantly setting the phone down. "Yes, Sensei."

"So, what do we do now?" Jay asked. "We can't exactly just walk on campus saying 'Oh, by the way, we think there is a dangerous gang on the loose that's planning to do something horrible on your campus.' I don't think that would go well."

"Well, the sooner we can find the threats, the better," Lloyd said.

"Jay's got a point, though," Cole said. "If people see us hanging around campus, they're gonna think something's up, and we can't afford to cause alarm."

"Then maybe we can find a way to blend in, somehow," Kai said. "Like, maybe, we can pretend to be students so we don't draw attention to ourselves."

"That is an interesting idea," Zane said. "It wouldn't alarm the students and faculty, but it also would not attract the attention of the attackers as well. There is a good chance that they are posing as students, if they are not already students at the university."

"That is a good point, Zane," Cole said. "And I've never been to college before."

"Zane does have a point," Sensei agreed. "I would be open to the idea of letting you five go on a mission such as this."

"Really?" Jay said. "If that's the case, I'm finally going to college, everyone! Woohoo!" he cheered. "Mom and Dad would be so proud!"

"But before we get ahead of ourselves…" Sensei warned, eyeing the blue ninja. "We must not forget the task at hand. Catching the criminals is the primary concern, not to engage in college-related activities. Understand, ninja?"

"Yes, Sensei," the ninja said, nodding respectfully at their teacher. However, Sensei could tell that his students were getting ideas, ones that may not have been directly related to the mission. But, knowing his pupils, he understood that the seed had been planted, and there was no going back.

"Very well. I will enroll you in classes this afternoon, and you will start tomorrow morning," Sensei said. "In the meantime, I would recommend packing for the week ahead."

"Yes, Sensei."

And with that, Sensei turned and began walking out of the room.