Chapter Text
Nightfall had struck sooner than anticipated. From his position on thecave’sfloor, Zane caught glimpses of unfamiliar constellations reflected in theceiling’sicicles. The distant stars clumped together in astonishing masses, decorating the black sky in unusual shapes.
He briefly considered documenting these celestial discoveries but abandoned the notion once he remembered his internal camera was offline.Single-handedly repairing himselfwas going tobe difficult, but perhaps notquiteas difficult as understanding his young guest.
Since his arrival, Vex had continued to ramble on abouta wide array of bizarre topics ranging anywherefrom the weather to his opinions about various animal species.Every question the ninja asked was answered by another question.Zane was beginning to feelas ifhe was deciphering a code rather than engaging in a conversation.
To further complicate matters, Vex would bounce around the cave as he spoke, prying through the collection of foreign objects andtechnology,but always stayed conveniently out ofarm'sreach.Currently,the boy stood near thecave’smouthtoyingwith his newest fascination, one ofNya’srusty screwdrivers.
“This place-,”Zane began.
“The cave?”Vex replied hastily.“It’sreally big! How did you find this place? Did you make it?”
“You said this world is called the Never Realm, correct?”
“When did I say that?”
“Precisely half an hour ago.”
ToZane’ssurprise, his clock, unlike the majorityof his operational systems, was still completely functional.However, under these circ*mstances, he wondered if that was necessarilyagoodthing.Would a keen awareness of timebenefit him orjustfurther emphasize the notion that hewasmarooned?Furthermore, did the passage of time change depending on realms? The Realm of Oni and Dragon sharedNinjago’ssense of time, but thatdidn’tguarantee allof thesixteen realms did. By the time he returned home, wouldthere be anyoneleft to greet him?
Zane’sgrim thoughtswere suddenly disruptedbya low growl fromVex’sstomach.
He unlatched the TitanMech’sexterior storage compartment, retrieved the disaster supply kit, and reviewed the plasticcontainers’contents with knitted brows. The receptacle consisted of only four items: a canister of water, linen garments, a photograph, and a six-day supply of mud newt.Thiswas, undoubtedly,Jay’shandiwork.
During the height of his inventive frenzy, Jay had a tendency to neglect disaster relief efforts in favor of pursuing engineering endeavors. This behavior had warranted scrutiny from all the ninjas except Zane, who felt that his lack of bodily functions rendered him unqualified to engage in such criticisms. At this moment, however, he regretted lacking the foresight to assert, robotic body aside,the completion of an emergency supplies kit should be given priority.
Withdrawing a single serving of mud newt meat and the photograph, Zane hastily returned the container to its original location.Hewas hesitantto expose his limited resources to the frigid winds and even less eager to unload themech’sbelongings.Unpacking even a single crate would be a declaration of defeat, an acknowledgment that he had settled in this foreign realm. Above all else, faulty wiring, uncharted terrain, desolation, and mechanical mishaps, Zane knew that submission to this world would be his downfall.
Besides, tidiness did have its advantages. Suchas providinghisyoung guest with fewer opportunities to rummage throughZane’spersonal belongings. The thought prompted him tosneak aglance at Vexwho, in response, stepped a few paces closer to thecave’sentrance.
Safety setting the photo aside, Zane slowly extended the package with a gentle smile, intending to convey the food as a gift rather than a lure.“For you.”
The sincerity of the gesturewas not loston the child. Vex snatched the offering away and promptly sat atZane’sfeet, sinking his incisors into the mudnewt’storso.
In his uncharacteristic stillness, Zane couldproperlysee thesmudgesof soot blackening thechild’srobes, the matted charcoal strands clinging to his creased forehead, the purplish discoloration of his under eyes. Though the circ*mstances of his appearance remained unclear, the agony he had endured was overwhelmingly apparent. He registered a reminder in his central processor to examine the child for possible injuries later.
Zane expected Vex to comment on his investigation or, at the very least, take notice of his prying eyesbut, to his surprise,thechild’sgaze was settledstrictly upon the photograph resting on a nearby ledge.
“Who’sthat,”he asked.
“My family,”said Zane.
Vex shook his head and pointed at the worn image, his bony finger waggling between the boys in monochromatic attire.
“My brothers.”
The finger shifted to Wu and then Nya.“My master and my sister,”said Zane.
He raised an eyebrow, surveying the nindroid with vague skepticism. Finally, the finger arrived at the last remaining unidentified individual: Pixal.
“My one and only.”The steady cadence of his voice dwindled, impeded by atwingeof longing.
“You two look more related than anyone else,”Vex said slyly, nibbling on theamphibian’slower leg as he spoke.
“Wedidn’tuse to.”He said.“Our adventures have obliged me to undergo numerous physical and internal adaptations.”
Vex lowered the half-empty container and wiped his mouth with his sleeve, grease staining the pale fabric. His dark eyes focused dourly on a stray icicle protruding inches away from one of the cavefloor’scountless clusters. A somber expression eclipsed his earlier jovial curiosity.“Where are they?”
“Far away. We were separated by…”Zane paused, pondering how to explain the notion of a reptilian sorceress and interdimensionaltravel,before settling upon:“unfortunate circ*mstances. I defended my master from a greatevil,who banished me to this world. But we will reunite soon, just like you and your family.”
“Idoubt it,”Vex mumbledunder his breathbefore, at a louder volume, proposing an unimaginable question.“What ifthey’veabandoned you here?”
“Theywouldn’t,”Zane answered without hesitation.
“What makes you so sure?”
“Ihave faith in my family. I suggest you have a little more in yours.”The words came out sharper than he intended.
Vex pursed his chapped lips at the words, the expression resembling Jay during his sullen moments, but remained silent. The stark differences in thechild’sdemeanor invoked a sense of unease within Zane. A disquiet so profound that his central processor hesitated to detect the transition of his leg hand from his side to the top ofVex’sshoulder. The childcrinkledhis nose at the gesture but made no attempts to removeZane’shand.
“Irealize that a human like yourself would be reluctant to confide your feelings in a Nindroid, however, I assure you that no one understands your solitude better than I.Please,allow me to assist you.”
“Oh,I’mnot human.”He raised an eyebrow, curiosity flickering through his face.“What’sa Nindroid? Is that the type of armoryou’rewearing?What’sthe purpose of full body armor anyways?”
Zane blinked, his central processor lagging under the strain of this new information.“Ifyou’renot human,thenwhat else could you be?”
An impishsmirk crossedVex’slips as he pointed to the Scroll of Forbidden Spinjitzu.“Show me how the staff worksandI’lltell you everything.”
Startled by the proposition, Zane stepped back a few paces and glanced at the staff.
Resting against thecave’swall, basking in brilliant moonlight, theweapon’ssilver ridges gleamed radiantly, beckoning him to seize the hilt. Never before had aweaponappeared so alluring, so agreeable to the touch.A pang offear jolted through his chest as he willed himself to look away.
“That’snot a good idea,”Zane replied, his unsteady voice betraying his anxiety.
“Then show me your powers instead.”
“That’salso not a good idea. My circuit system-.”
“So youcan’tdo anything,”Vex groaned.
Zane impulsively scoffed at thechild’sremark, his facial expression twisted into a scowl. Still,Vex’sstubbornness clearly would not yield to reasonand,given thechild’sposition as his only source of information, it would be wiseto somewhat humor the boy.“If I show you my elemental powers, do you swear to tell me everything you know about this world?”
Vex nodded eagerly and placed a hand firmly against his heart.“I swear on the elder spirits!”
He turned his hand upward, curling his fingers towards his palms as a thin layer of ice concentrated on his metallic skin. Despite the gravity of the anticipated damages, Zane flashed a playful smile inVex’sdirection.“Then prepare for a chilling demonstration.”
Logically, Zane knew this was a terrible idea. His body had already shown countless times that it could no longer withstand the burden of his elemental abilities without assistanceandcontinued attempts to do so would only exacerbate his injuries. Yet, against his better judgment, Zane persisted for the sake of his homecoming.
Just ascrystals of icebegan to culminate on his palm, snowflakes twirling between his thumb and forefinger, the timely disaster struck. Electricity ruptured his chest panel, sending searing pain writhing through his circuits and thawing the frost on his fingertips, his body crumpling under the sudden agony. His breathing was labored and shallow, each inhale sharper than its predecessor. He felt a comforting hand on his back and thefloor’scoolness against his cheek, but both did little to alleviate his anguish.
How pathetic.
“Are you okay?”Vex perched beside Zane, watching his motionless body with wide eyes and a quivering lip.
“I’llbe alright.”Gingerly, he lifted his torso forward and assumed an upright position. The mere act was exhausting for his aching actuators.“That..wasn’ta good idea.”
“Obviously! You could have died!”
For a brief moment, Zane envisioned Kai scolding his recklessness in the same agitated tone, his eyebrow co*cked, arms folded tightly across his gi. The image prompted a soft chuckle.“Itwouldn’tbe the first time.”
Vex’sgaze returned to the solitary icicle, his shoulders drooping slightly.“I should have listened to you.”
“Wouldn’tbe the first time for that either,”said Zane, clutching his chest panel. The scorning pain had resided, leaving a dull yet persistent throbbingin its wake. He found the sensation more tiresome thanany ofhis battles with the Serpentine.
“Hey,”Vex cried.“You’rejust lucky I was here to save you.”
“But, youdidn’tdo anything. You were the one who suggested this in the first p-.”
“Isaved you the other time.”
“Ifyou’rereferring to your discovery of my unconscious body, I recall you hitting me, not rescuing me,”said Zane, gesturing to the faint indentation on his left knee. Although hewasn’tawake for the initial strike, the paincertainlyregistered whenever he regained consciousness.
“Iwas trying to wake you up.”Vex merely shrugged.“You should just be thankful Ididn’tpunch you in your face or your throat or the glowing thing in your chest or-.”
“You’vecertainly put a lot of thought into this.”
“You were an easy target,”Vex teased.
Zane extended his legs, leveraging his firm footing to lift his body upwards, only for his knees to bundle under the weight. Vex jolted forward and hastily seized his arm, the pair swayingmomentarilybefore Zane regained his composure.
A weak smile brushed his lips.“I supposeI’mstill an easy target.”
“Like I said,you’relucky to have a Formling like me here to save you,”said Vex.
A Formling. Zane fixated on the unfamiliar word, unsuccessfully probing his database for its definition before repeating the phrase to Vex inan inquisitivetone. In response, thechild’sface blanched. He silently plucked at the crimson embroidery on the cuff of his stained sleeve, dark eyes transfixed on thecave’sentrance.
The cogs in his stomach stall abruptly at the mounting possibility ofVex’sdeparture. He traced thechild’sline of sight, surveying potential escape routes, only to be greeted by themoon’ssilver rays dipping into the frozen horizon. The sheer beauty of the misty skyline rekindled a sense of peace within him, a serenity that, unfortunately, promptly transformed into weariness. After nearly twelve hours of trudging through snowy terrain, the burden of his efforts had manifested in locked rotary gears, sparking wiring, and heavy eyelids. Whether or not Vex fulfilled his promise was no longer his priority, Zaneneeded to rest.
“Iwill begin the preparations for bed shortly. We can discuss this in the morning.”Intending to revisit themech’semergency supply kit, Zane turned his back to the child and started toward thefar end of the cave.Hehadn’tmoved more than an inch when he felt a slight tug on his left hand.
“My home, my people. They can all be a little difficult to understand.”Vex’sgrip tightened. Zane noted the determined expression enveloping theboy’sface.“But, if you give me just a littlebit oftime tonight,I’lltry my best to explain everything.”
For the first time since his arrival in this strange world, Zane acknowledged the feeling ofanother’sskin against his own. The touch lacked the soothing familiarity of MasterWu’swizened grasp or the tenderness of thePixel’sembrace but failed to resemble the icebird’spiercing claspas well. This sensation was foreign butplacidand, above all else, present. He found the third aspect to be the most comforting.
“Okay,”said Zane,givingthechild’shanda reassuring squeeze.“I’lllisten to everything you have to say.”
—
The following half an hour Zane spent conversing with Vex was arguably the most productive moment of his misadventure.
Vexdemonstrated a keen understanding oftheregion’swildlife, ecosystem, and climate.The lack of information he hadregarding theworld’smonarchwas offsetby his knowledge of edible plants, local animals, and therealm’snine-month winter.His expertise, however, lies in forestry, a valuable asset for someone undergoing the Choosing.
“Only the young can participate. The village elder dresses us in ceremonial robes and face paint before sending us into the woods to discover our animal forms. The whole process can take days or evena week,”Vex explained. He lay supine on the ground, one of the emergency supplykit’slinen jackets underneath his body and another draped over his shoulders.“Whenever the chosen returns, theentirevillage has a party to celebrate their animal forms.It’sso much fun! We sing and dance together while the elder prepares a hat that embodies thechosen’sanimal. The boy before me had the animal spirit of a mouse, which is finebutI wanted my form to be something fearsome like a bear or an elk.”
Zane shook a pair of linen pants, dust dispersing through the air, and laid the article of clothing flat against the ice. Though the fabric was thin and frayed, he was grateful to have something vaguely reminiscent of a blanket. Smoothing the edges, he smiled at his young guest.
After exhausting their other topics of conversation, Vex spoke tirelessly and exclusively about the Formlings. While his rambling had made information gathering difficult, Zane was glad to see thechild’senthusiasm return.
“An admirable choice, indeed. Did you acquire such an animal form,”asked Zane.
Vex looked away, his fingers rediscovering a loose thread attached to his sleeve.Heshuttered over his words for a momentbefore mumbling,“Ididn’t.”
“Small animals also have their advantages. Regardless of your size,I’msureyour form will be a valuable addition to the village.”
“How useful can a Formling without a form be?”
Zane blinked, taken aback by the question.Vex’smercurial temperament suddenly developed an entirely new meaning.“As indispensable as any other.Your worthisn’tdetermined by your capacities.”
“You know,I spent weeks in the woods, turning over stones, searching through lakes, calling out to my animal spirit.Nothing I did seemed to work,”Vex continued, his head lowered.“I’mthe first Formling in history to fail their Choosing. What will the others think of me?”
A solemn look passed overZane’sface as he remembered pondering the same question on the floor of hisfather’sworkshop, blueprints before him.“I know whatit’slike to feel different.It’sa painfully lonesome experiencebutthese are your friends, your family. If they truly care about you, they will welcome you back regardless of your animal form.”
Vex looked up.“And if they reject me?”
“Then they are unworthy of your love.”
The child merely stared at him with an unreadable expression. Recognizing the harshness of his words, Zane hastily said,“But that is the worst-case scenario.I’msure your villageis happily waiting foryour arrival as we speak.”
Slowly, a soft smile crossedVex’slips.“Thank you, Zane.”
Unbeknownst to his processor, Zane found himself mimicking thechild’sgrin. He pulled the final piece of clothing from the kit over his legs and shifted above the makeshift blanket.“Good night, Vex.”
“Could you tell me a bedtime story,”Vex asked quietly.“One about your village.”
He stifled a weary sign and shifted to face Vex. Thechild’spleading eyes bored into his ownand,little by little, Zane felt his reluctance wavering.Surely, one short story would suffice.
After a moment of thought, he selected the most infamous story inall ofNinjago.“Long before time had a name, the-.”
“No, not a boring story.”
Zane raised an eyebrow.“Well, since yousopolitely declined my selection, what story would you prefer to hear instead?”
Vex paused, chewing onthe inside ofhis lip as he settled on his answer.“Tell me about your brothers.”
He smiled. Without a moment of hesitation, Zane fulfilled the request. He spoke of hisbrothers’passions and virtues- ofJay’swit,Cole’sstrength,Kai’sloyalty,Lloyd’sbenevolence-as well asthe adventures they endured together.
“And then Jay dressed up in a wig and waited on the train tracks until Samurai X appeared,”said Zane.The conclusion to his fifth and final story was muffled byVex’slaughter.
Between giggles, Vex asked,“He actually thought that plan was going to work?”
“Certainly,”said Zane, withholding his own chuckle.“He bragged about the genius of his strategy the night prior.”
The response incited another roar of laughter from Vex. As the snickering faded, the child rolled to his left side, facing away from his companion. His voice was only a few decimals above a whisper.“Ican’twait to meet them.”
“Me too,”said Zane.
His gaze shifted from the nearby family picture to Vex.Forthe first time since his arrival in his strange world, Zane no longer felt alone.
