Cole was usually a very good leader. Zane had never doubted Master Wu's decision to put him in charge of the team because Cole had always proven to be the most responsible among them. But sometimes Cole's plans were a bit lacking.

For example, the fortune cookie plan. The chance that Cole's message would get to either Kai or Jay instead of any of the other fighters, or even Master Chen himself, were so low that Zane actually thought they had a better chance of talking Clouse into letting them go.

But Cole was nothing if not stubborn, and Zane didn't try to stop him. There was still some chance it would work, right? Cole's bizarre ideas didn't stop there, though.

Zane now watched Cole as he was chased through the factory by a dozen guards, wreaking havoc as he threw fortune cookies in their faces and ate noodles straight out of the machine.

"Your friend is, eh . . . not so bright," said the Metal Master Karlof from where he stood next to Zane.

"He is, he just has unique methods," Zane responded. "This is part of the plan."

"If you ask me, best plan is to not make trouble."

But there was something about Cole sticking it to the guards that everyone enjoyed seeing, and even Karlof had to cheer alongside the other factory workers when Cole threw a crate at a handful of guards, shouting, "Let there be food!

Despite the fact that he knew what Cole's plan was, Zane had to restrain himself from intervening. They couldn't have the guards knowing that they were both trying to escape, or else security would be even tighter when they made their move.

Cole picked up a plate of fortune cookies, using it as a shield while the guards hacked at him with their spears. Then, with some fancy footwork, he used a discarded broom under his feet and spun so it knocked down his assailants. He threw the dish at more of the sentries behind him before running back to the noodle machine. In an impossible feat of culinary weaponry that Zane was certain defied all laws of physics, Cole used a lengthy cord of noodles to lasso a beam in the roof and glide over the guards' heads.

"Woohoo!" he cheered, having the time of his life.

Then the noodles snapped under his weight and Zane darted forward to catch him, but was beaten by the cult general, Zugu.

"Got you!" Zugu said triumphantly when he seized the powerless ninja.

In response, Cole burped in his face, making Zane wince. He knew what it was like to be on the wrong end of one of Cole's burps.

"Now I feel better," Cole said, grinning. "You got any cake?"

"Heh, too bad," Karlof said, turning away. "Like I said: don't make trouble, you don't get trouble."

Zane didn't bother trying to tell him otherwise. No one else needed to know that it had all worked out exactly as planned, or else all the captives in the factory would want to come with them. But Zane would have to wait until later that night to see if their plan really had worked or not.

. . .

That very night, Zane had yet another dream. The falcon appeared once again, and Zane soon found himself chasing it through the jungle on Chen's island. He needed to follow it, to see where it would land. Somehow he felt that if he did, then everything would be fixed. He and Cole would be free, Garmadon's ninja would leave Zane's friends alone, and Ninjago would be safe.

But as the falcon flew ahead, it seemed to leave behind a trail of despair. Everything behind it was dark and gloomy, wilting and dying. But ahead, Zane could see light.

And there was a figure, standing at the end of the path. But no matter how fast or how long he ran, Zane couldn't get any nearer.

"Zane!" the figure called out. "Zane!"

He awoke with a start and found himself back in the cell beneath Chen's island. He realized quickly that it had really been Cole calling his name.

"Come on, we have to hurry," Cole said from where he knelt at his side. The door was wide open.

"Right." The two crept out of the cell, glancing down both sides of the hallway. It was late, and there was one guard on the far end of the corridor, but he was fast asleep. Another would be making his rounds soon, but they would have a few moments to sneak down an adjacent unseen.

Zane followed Cole as he tip-toed down the hall past the other cell doors. The rest of the prisoners would be asleep now, too.

"Zane."

Zane cringed when he heard a soft voice call his name. He turned to one of the doors to see Pixal gazing at him from between the bars. Of course. She probably didn't even need to sleep.

"I see you've managed to break free," she observed.

Cole had paused as well. "You got that right. We'd bring you along, except that your one of our enemies and all. I'm sure you understand."

Pixal's expression was blank, but she nodded. "Of course. It would be foolish of you to free me without good reason. So I will give you one: if you do not open this door immediately, then I will alert that guard of your attempt to escape."

Cole's face fell. Zane glanced at the guard, who at that moment shifted in his seat. It wouldn't take much to wake him. Zane could see that Cole was going over it in his mind, probably trying to determine whether they could run fast enough to get away. It wasn't likely.

Sighing, Zane relented. "We have no choice. Unlock the door." Cole gave him a look, probably wondering at the fact that Zane had seemed to give in so easily. "The longer we stand here, the more likely we are to be caught."

Cole was clearly not happy about it, but he unlocked the door anyway.

"Thank you," Pixal said. "Now follow me."

Again, Cole looked to Zane for his opinion. "She is an android," Zane pointed out. "She is more likely to have learned how to navigate these tunnels."

"Yeah, but what if it's a trick?"

Pixal paused when she realized that they were not following, and kept her distance to allow them to discuss in private.

"She would be putting herself in as much risk. And besides, she would have awakened the guard already, if she were to break her promise. No, our chances are much better if we go with her."

"Alright, fine. But stay on your toes. I still don't trust her."

When they moved to follow her, Pixal continued, jogging ahead through the low tunnels. Zane recognized some of the paths they took, but he had only seen so much of this underground labyrinth, while Pixal appeared to have the entire layout memorized.

The halls were dirty and dim, as was everything else down here, and the air was stiff and dry. The way was lit by snake statues set at intervals along the tunnels. Their footsteps seemed loud to Zane as they dashed over the uneven stone, and there always seemed to be another turn up ahead, their path neverending.

Zane didn't like not knowing what was ahead, and worried that they would happen upon a guard at any moment. There were many alternate routes along the way, and the paths twisted and curved in on themselves. None of this seemed to faze Pixal, however, as she seemed to know exactly where she was heading. Zane had to admit, he was very grateful to have her here.

But it wasn't long after they had left their prison cells behind that an inhuman cry echoed through the stone corridor. Pixal slowed to a stop and listened.

Zane looked around, trying to catch the source of it. "I'm not familiar with that sound . . ." He couldn't fathom what kind of creature would have a call like that. But he had heard the other prisoners speaking of a monster living in these tunnels, and there was no telling what kind of wildlife had developed on this island.

"Do you think they realized we're gone?" Cole wondered.

"By now it's likely –" Pixal broke off and she tensed up. "We need to move."

Zane followed her gaze down the tunnel. He couldn't help his curiosity. He could feel it now, too, a tremor in the earth as something massive rumbled through the tunnels.

It was silent now. The end of the corridor was full of shadows.

Then a pair of pink dots appeared.

Then a pair of white points.

And finally, a slim, pink tongue.

"Run!" Cole grabbed a hold of Zane's arm and Pixal ran ahead as the beast roared behind them. It quickly began to gain on them, and Zane could feel its hot breath on his heels. He heard its jaws snap shut behind him, barely missing by a few centimeters.

They finally gained some ground in a low corridor, but then Pixal stopped short at a dead end. "This shouldn't be here," she murmured as she reached out to touch the wall that blocked her path. Then she jerked her hand back. "This is no wall – the snake has blocked our path!" Zane observed that the wall did indeed appear to have scales.

Cole began to back up. "Come on, we need to find another way." Zane and Pixal followed him as he ran back down the tunnel. The serpent slithered past at a distance, cutting them off.

Cole came up short again. "Argh! Another dead end!"

Indeed the snake followed and blocked off every turn, slowly drawing closer as it navigated through the tunnels with ease. They soon found themselves stuck, with no other way out.

"The serpent's strategy . . ." Zane started.

"It appears to be surrounding us and coiling inward," Pixal finished.

"Very clever."

"Yeah, well, my strategy is not to be eaten." As Cole said this, the snake launched itself at him. Zane barely had enough time to shove him out of the way, and they all dived into the only place left, a tiny alcove.

The large beast was fast on their heels, and before they knew it they were trapped. It hissed and roared, before throwing itself at them again. The ninja dodged, and the serpent crashed head-first into the wall.

"I don't suppose either of you have any ideas?" Cole called over the hissing.

Zane, for one, was fresh out. There was no apparent means of getting past the snake, and even if there was, it knew these tunnels better than they did and was much too fast.

No, he scolded himself. That's not what Master Wu would want. Even if we're outmatched, we can't give up. He glanced at Pixal and saw that she had a far-off look in her eye.

"Calculating escape routes," she said aloud.

The snake was recovering from its self-inflicted blow, shaking off the stars and preparing to attack again. In an instant Pixal was on her knees.

"I hope you have a plan?" Cole said, pressed flat against the wall.

The girl rested a palm flat on the stone and raised her opposite fist. "Down!" She struck the ground. Her fist went straight through the stone and the ground cracked before giving way beneath their feet. The boys yelped in surprise as they fell through the hole and landed in yet another tunnel below.

"Whoa! What was that?"

"My enhanced strength. It would be impossible for Chen to take it from me because its part of my original design."

"Oh come on, that's not fair!"

Zane was already on his feet. "We must keep moving." He nodded to Pixal. "Lead the way."

The serpent's cries echoed behind them, but for now they were safe. There wasn't any conversation as they ran, all ears straining to catch the hiss or slither of a large creature on their tails. But any other sound was obscured by heavy breathing and hurried footsteps.

Pixal suddenly stopped and snatched Cole and Zane by the collars of their jumpsuits, tugging them down behind an outcropping. A moment later, Zane picked up on the sound of voices approaching.

"What was that for?" Cole asked rather loudly. Zane shushed him, and he said nothing else.

"They've ordered everyone after some stowaways on the island," said one voice as footsteps steadily drew closer.

"What about the escaped factory workers?" asked a second.

"Forget them. Chen will make sure the other workers pay for their actions." Then the guard sighed. "Poor saps."

As soon as they were out of sight, Zane was on his feet again. "Hurry, the exit is just around the bend." He recognized this tunnel, at least. They were nearly home-free.

He and Cole started to make a break for it. But Zane noticed that Pixal didn't follow immediately. He paused, wondering why she would hesitate now, when freedom was so close.

"Pixal? Is something wrong?"

"No. You two go. I must stay."

Cole and Zane exchanged a look. "Well, fine, whatever," Cole said with a shrug. "That's what we wanted in the first place. Come on, Zane."

But Zane couldn't leave. Not yet. "But why? We're nearly there."

Pixal turned to face him fully and drew herself up to her full height. "A ninja doesn't save herself when others are in danger. She protects the weak and powerless." Pixal looked back down the tunnel, the way they had come. "I must return to the factory and save the rest of the prisoners."

"What about your friends?" Zane asked, trying to understand. "They need you."

"Zane!" Cole hissed.

"My friends will be fine without me." She started back down the tunnel.

Zane looked to Cole and held his gaze. "She's right."

Cole hesitated for a moment longer before his features crumbled. "I know." He sighed. "We can't leave those guys to suffer our consequences. Let's go, I guess."

So the boys hurried to catch up with Pixal, and she led them back toward the factory that they had just nearly escaped from.

. . . 

A/N: Honestly this might be one of my fave chapters of the book, idk why but I just really enjoyed writing it XD And btw, we're not really doing much else from 'Spy for a Spy' because well, we already know who the 'spies' are. So next week we'll jump straight into Spellbound which is going to be FUN. Thanks so much for reading!