The guards had no idea what hit them. They heard the telltale whine of spinjitzu, saw the vortex zoom out of the shadows, and then they were unconscious on the ground while Cole bolted down the corridor.

At least, he tried to, but something hit his shins just above the ankle, and he went into a painful safety roll that should never be done on an injured arm.

He didn't cry out, he would never give himself away any more than he already was, even

as a hand grabbed the back of his gi and pulled him upright. Cole lashed out, but was met by a perfect counter even in the dark. Deftly his attacker slipped past him so the exit was once again blocked.

Cole could barely see in the dark corridor, but he lifted his good arm and started to lean on his toes. "Out of my way bub, before I throw you into next week."

The black ninja didn't wait for a response. He knew he was just as invisible as his opponent, and he planned to take advantage of it. He whirled into a spinjitzu cyclone, and charged.

Suddenly there was a whine other than his own, and Cole's attack was deflected, bouncing him back to his defensive stance as he heard the spinning air die down.

No movement came from the dark, and Cole blinked rapidly. Was that actually…?

It was a simple move, the most basic of the basics. When fighting another opponent with spinjitzu, one countered a cyclone by spinning with them before they could suck you in, and the tornadoes would deflect each other. If you were really good, you could use this to knock your opponent into a wall or reel them into your own vortex.

Of course, whoever had performed the counter must be too inexperienced to try any of that, but seeing the simple move, a spinjitzu move, in a hunter camp in the First Realm froze Cole in place.

That couldn't have been one of his friends, could it?

There was no sound in the corridor except the heavy breathing of Cole's opponent, but the pattern was unfamiliar. Cole had spent so much time awake at night, planning, worrying, and just dreaming that he knew the sound of all the ninja's breaths by heart.

Jay was quick and light, and every few minutes he paused for a deep breath or a grunt.

Kai breathed the same way he did when he was awake and training, like he never actually slowed down to rest.

Zane's was even, perfectly spaced.

Lloyd was so quiet you almost couldn't hear him, except for the gentle woosh when he breathed out.

Cole's attacker obviously wasn't asleep, but there was nothing familiar in the sound. He didn't recognize this person. This person who, oddly enough, had yet to land another attack. The ninja could hear him breathing quite heavily, exhausted, but he'd made no effort to move. Cole knew for a fact he hadn't hurt him, since his attack had been deflected.

Maybe he was worn out, the ninja guessed. He didn't know why, they had fought barely a few minutes, but he wasn't about to lose his lucky break.

"See ya, pal." Cole breathed as he skirted past, continuing much more cautiously down the dark path.

The desert at night was peaceful, even serene. There was no sound, only the sight of the canyons looming dark and silent against the star-filled sky.

No dragons.

No hunters.

No problem.

Cole moved over the rock and sand like a ghost, his footsteps light and soundless. He used to live for nights like these, camping in the mountains with only the dark for company. He hadn't been alone on a night like this since he'd run into Sensei Wu.

Sensei Wu.

Cole frowned. There was that problem again, how was he going to find his friends? The desert was freezing, he had shed all his warmer layers when they were captured in Dead's End, and he knew his friends had too. They wouldn't last long on a night like this without moving.

He would have to keep moving as well.

So how could he make sure they didn't miss each other in the dark? It wasn't like they could yell for each other. They were likely too far apart for that to work anyway.

Cole stopped in the shadows, a wide swath of silver sand before him. He'd found the desert once again, and would have to make his search quickly before the heat of the day came. Leaning up against the wall, Cole mentally skimmed through his strategies.

He could leave a message, but other than the canyons themselves there was no point of reference to regroup at should any of his team find it.

Not to mention the hunters were about, which, Cole realized, would be a good thing to let the others know. Even if they couldn't find each other, the ninja had to know they were in danger. Nevermind hunters finding any message he left, they knew he was out here and were possibly already in pursuit. It wouldn't be much of a stretch to assume he hadn't come alone, especially if they were in cahoots with the Baron.

He had to warn his friends, and that was why a ninja always came prepared. Cole removed a pencil and paper from a secure pocket in his worn gi, and began writing with the night sky for light. He didn't have much room, especially when writing on his knee made his kanji big and loopy.

Hunters.

Beware.

Signed, earth.

Cole paused. He'd signed it with his element, since that took up less room than his actual name, but how would they know it was really him?

He removed the knife he kept in his boot, and fingered it as it gleamed. It had been a gift from Kai, and bore the Smith family symbol.

That would do. Cole stuck the knife into a crack in the wall, pinning the piece of paper, and set off into the desert.