The boys did not soon forget their ill-conceived attempt to leave the room that they always trained in, nor their punishment for it. Wu couldn't forget either, and he had begun watching the boys closely. It was clear that they needed a designated leader, someone to keep them out of trouble when he wasn't around, someone with his approval whom they had to obey. Otherwise they just argued and never agreed on anything together.

Kai was clearly too impulsive. He learned quickly, but he didn't always follow orders. Wu would have to work on him for a while yet before he could trust the boy in a leadership position. Jay, on the other hand, was more of a follower. He didn't hold up well under stress. The young ice ninja seemed like a good choice, though. He did as he was told and was cool under pressure. However, he lacked the imagination necessary to account for unanticipated situations.

Finally, Cole, eager to please and equally independent, he usually stood out as the one to attempt to take charge. He lacked experience, which could be fixed in time, though his biggest problem was that the others didn't always want to listen to him. He hadn't quite gained their respect, least of all from Kai, so he could never hold their attention for very long.

Wu had been thinking long and hard about how to test once and for all who would be the best leader, and he had decided that the simplest solution would be the best.

"Cole," he called as the boys were doing their stretches before the training session. He nodded the boy over. "I want to speak with you. Privately."

"Ooh," Kai and Jay sing-songed in unison.

Wu lowered his voice so the others wouldn't overhear. "I trust that you are enjoying what you learn here?" he started conversationally.

"It beats dancing, that's for sure," Cole grumbled bitterly. "I mean, yes, Sensei. It's been great."

"I'm glad you think so. Recently I have been paying extra attention to you, Cole. You're growing stronger every day, and I can see your resolve to improve."

"Thank you, Sensei," the boy answered, obviously surprised.

"And yet, your brothers do not respect your authority. You tell them what to do, and they ignore what you have to say."

Cole lowered his gaze and shrugged. "They'd rather listen to Kai."

"And why do you think that is?"

"I dunno. Because Jay and Zane like him better? Because he doesn't listen to anyone?"

"Because he commands respect. He makes them want to listen by making them believe that he is the best among all of you. Cole, you have the potential to be the best, but you must command respect. Make them listen to you."

"H-how do I do that?"

"Do what Kai does – don't take 'no' for an answer."

Wu then ushered him back to the others. Cole assumed that they would return back to their regular routine, but then Wu said, "Today, you will be sparring against one another. You need to know the strengths and weaknesses of your own teammates if you are to work together as a whole. I will split you up into two teams. Jay and Zane versus Cole and Kai."

Cole groaned to himself. Of course. Now Cole would have to try and put what Sensei Wu had told him into practice.

The two teams separated on either side of the center isle to discuss their strategies. "Alright, just follow my lead," Kai was saying. "Those two don't stand a chance. You get Jay and I'll get Zane. They won't even see what hit 'em."

Cole sucked in a deep breath. "Actually, I have a different plan."

Kai scoffed. "Your plans are no good. They're too complicated. Besides, this is pretty straightforward, what else could we do?"

Cole crossed his arms and said with as much authority as he could muster, "Well, for starters, I think you paired us up wrong. It would make more sense if you fought Jay and I fought Zane."

Kai rolled his eyes. "Does it matter?"

"If we want to win, it does."

Kai cocked an eyebrow, looking at Cole with suspicion. "You think I can't take Zane?"

"I know you can't," Cole shot back. "He thinks ahead and is always ready for whatever you throw at him. He could take you down easily."

"Oh, but you think you could beat him?"

"I could!"

"You think you're better than me?"

Cole clenched his fists. "Maybe," he growled. He didn't want this turning into a fight – that wasn't at all what Sensei Wu had told him to do. But he just couldn't make Kai listen!

Kai scoffed. "That's what I thought. Like I said, I'll take Zane and you take Jay. It'll be easy, you'll see."

"No."

Kai gave him a sidelong glance. Clearly, he hadn't been expecting Cole to hold his ground. "Look, Sensei's not going to be happy if we can't settle on a plan soon."

"We're not doing your plan, we're doing my plan!" Cole said, his voice rising with his anger. "Can't you just for once try something someone else's way?"

"Not if you're wrong," Kai teased.

Cole was at a loss. He didn't know how he was supposed to get through to Kai. It seemed absolutely hopeless. Cole looked to Wu for help. Their teacher had been standing at a distance and was already looking right at him. He had probably been watching the whole argument.

At that moment, Wu broke eye contact and announced, "Take your positions."

"Come on," Kai said, preparing to charge at his opponents. "Just do what I say and we'll win this, you'll see."

Don't take 'no' for an answer. Wu's words rang in Cole's mind as he followed his teammate. There was no way he was going to convince Kai. That kid was just too stubborn. But he wasn't going to let Kai keep doing whatever he wanted, either.

As soon as Wu commanded them to start, Cole shoved Kai aside before he could move, and then raced forward to meet Zane with a swinging fist. Zane ducked before he could strike and hit Cole in the chest.

Cole stumbled backwards but quickly regained his footing. He was about to make another move when he was suddenly yanked backwards by the collar of his gi. He fell on the floor this time. Propping himself up on his elbows, he looked up to see Kai standing over him.

Of course Kai wasn't going to go down easily. There was only one way to get through to him and that was with equal stubbornness.

With a furious roar, Cole tackled Kai to the ground. The two boys wrestled while their teacher looked on. Jay and Zane hurriedly backed away, surprised when Wu didn't put a stop to it immediately.

Cole was trying to hold Kai down, but his opponent wasn't going to let him win so easily. Kai kicked at Cole, forcing him off. He then scrambled back to his feet for a better advantage. He tried hitting Cole again, but Cole threw up his arms to block until he found a chance to land a hit. They exchanged blows until Cole dodged swiftly to the side. He then grabbed Kai around the neck, putting him in a chokehold.

"Give up, Kai!" he shouted. "You're not going to boss me around anymore!"

"Let me go!" Kai yelled in answer.

"Admit that I'm better than you!"

Kai only growled and continued to squirm in Cole's grip.

"Say it!"

Wu chose that moment to intervene. "Let him go," he commanded.

Cole looked up in surprise and a wave of shame washed over him. He released Kai.

The boy stumbled forward before he whipped around, fury burning in his eyes. Cole prepared to defend himself again when Wu hit the floor with his staff and said, "Enough!" He moved forward to stand in between them.

Cole felt like a fool. Sensei had given him a simple task, and just look at the mess he'd made! He'd always tried to keep out of trouble, but now he'd gone and lost his temper. He could only imagine what kind of punishment Sensei had in mind.

"You've done enough to prove that you are the best, Cole, I trust there is no need for him to say so." Both boys looked up at their Sensei in shock.

"But Sensei – but – I," Cole spluttered helplessly, unable to understand the satisfaction in his teacher's eyes. Surely he should be angry at Cole for starting the fight?

Sensei Wu ignored his confusion, turning an angry gaze on his other student. "Kai," he began sternly. "Your stubbornness will get you nowhere. Not while you still have so much to learn. Your arrogance has blinded you to your own faults and kept you from moving forward. You are a foolish boy, and that pitiful display proves it." Cole winced, feeling that Wu was being a little harsh. He personally felt that Kai had put up a decent fight. He could already feel the bruises forming.

Much to Cole's astonishment, Kai didn't say anything. He lowered his gaze. The anger was still there, but it was held back by something else.

"Well done, Cole," Sensei Wu said as he returned his attention to his winning pupil. "You commanded respect, and in doing so, proved to me that you are the right choice to lead this team."

"What?" Cole gasped, overwhelmed by his master's generous praise.

"What?" Kai echoed, the fire of his fury igniting again.

"A team needs unity, a strong leader to bind everyone together and direct their actions. I've decided it's time you boys had someone to guide you all when I can't." He looked pointedly at Kai who wouldn't look him in the eye. "You are not to question his orders. Is that understood?" He raised his voice to address all of them.

Jay and Zane swiftly replied, "Yes, sensei."

Kai bowed his head. "Yes, sensei," he mumbled.

"And you," Wu said to Cole, the warmth suddenly gone, "will answer to me for your brothers' actions. So you had better keep a firm grip. Is that understood?"

"Yes, sensei," Cole breathed, equally honored and anxious. His gaze flickered to Kai, who was glaring at him, and Cole wondered just how difficult this would be. Still, he appreciated the chance Wu had offered him. He'd worked hard for this. Finally, he had found a purpose he could be proud of.