Chapter One: Figures in my Eye

I know, I know. What are you doing Spottedfrost? You still have a thousand unfinished stories and you're starting a new one? Yeah, I am. I had to write this. Hopefully now that the app has a publish feature, I can finish more stories. I need to fix a lot, as my writing has gotten better. So bare with me until this is straightened out. Until then, have faith.

Takes place between Season 7 and 8. Most definitely an AU, and is a crossover between Ninjago and MLP, but no one goes to the crossover section anyway.

I don't own anything except the concept. P.S. Maybe review what you'd like to see, or what you think might happen. Sometimes it's you readers that give me ideas.

Lloyd sat on the floor, trying to meditate. It was something Sensei Wu had tried to teach him before… before he left. 'I still can't believe he's gone. And they expect ME to lead.' The green ninja shook his head, and with it he tried to shake away his terrified emotions. "Empty your mind Lloyd. Let all negative thoughts and feelings slip away." Zane's robotic voice came from next to him. Since he left, Zane had taken up on teaching him to meditate. It was his way of dealing with the pain.

They all dealt with it one way or another. Jay kept tinkering with small trinkets, occasionally helping Nya with her projects. Cole kept himself busy; working out, fixing things, cleaning, or even helping Kai and Nya's parents when they asked. Kai. The fiery ninja helped everyone else, taking a part time job to pay for groceries or for random parts Jay and Nya needed. He seemed normal, but if you looked into his eyes, you'd see the pain and guilt. 'He still blames himself, even after we told him it wasn't his fault.'

Lloyd sighed deeply, opening his eyes. "I can't do it Zane. My mind is just too full." His nindroid friend looked up at him, understanding painting his glowing eyes. "Perhaps we can try again later." Zane replied, standing up. "It is almost time for dinner. I will be in the kitchen if you need me." The nindroid made his way to the kitchen as Lloyd stood up. 'What are we going to do? Why did you leave us uncle?' The green ninja sighed, something he seemed to be doing a lot more of lately. He left the room and headed down the hall to where Cole's room was.

The door was ajar, allowing Lloyd to see that the black ninja was packing a backpack. Littered around the pack was a few water bottles and some snacks like trail mix. Oddly enough, there was a camera among the items. "What are doing Cole?" Lloyd asked, curious as to what his friend was doing. The ninja in question looked up, slightly startled that he hadn't noticed Lloyd. "I'm going for a run." Cole said, throwing an mp3 player into the pack. "What's the camera for?" Cole just shrugged. "To take pictures." That's all he offered, so Lloyd let it be.

"Where's Kai?" Cole asked as he tied his shoes. "He's gathering shopping lists again." The green ninja explained. "That time of month again?" It was more a statement then a question. Once a month, Kai would collect a list from everyone and head to the store. Then he'd return hours later with full shopping bags and some pizza for dinner. "One of us should go with him this time." Lloyd suggested. "We both know that he'll just ditch whoever goes with him." They stood in silence. A low buzzing interrupted their conversation. Lloyd pulled his phone out of his pocket, seeing the number.

"It's Nya." Lloyd announced before answering. "Hey Lloyd." The ninja of water's voice came over the phone. "Hi Nya. What's up?" Lloyd asked. "Well, our parents planned to have an outing tonight with me and Kai. But since Wu… you know, Kai has been acting strange around our father. I was hoping you could come and maybe help?" Of course she'd ask him. Lloyd knew what it was like to have an absent father suddenly return. Especially one who used to work for evil.

"Of course. Your parents cool with it?" Lloyd asked. "Yes. They said you could bring Misako if she'd like to join." Nya explained. "I'll be there. What time?" "6 tonight. We're going to meet a Chen's noodle place." Lloyd nodded, then realized Nya couldn't see him. "I'll meet you there." "Thanks Lloyd." With that, their conversation ended. "Nya just wanted to-" His words died on his tongue as he saw that the Earth Ninja wasn't in the room anymore. The items on the bed had also vanished. Shaking his head, Lloyd walked to Sensei Wu's room. Making sure no one was near, Lloyd slipped in.

It was still the same way Wu left it, except the small vault hidden behind the bookcase in the corner that contained the time blade. Otherwise, it was undisturbed. Lloyd walked over to where the cold candles Wu always lit when he meditated stood. Checking again to ensure no one was following, Lloyd pulled out a match and lit two lone candles before sitting in the floor. "I know you're not dead uncle, but it still feels as if you're gone." The green ninja whispered. "Everything has been different. We still go out to stop the bad guys every now and then, but they seemed to be all hiding and licking their wounds." Lloyd sighed. "Dad, Kai seems to be taking this kind of hard. I guess I can kind of thank you for giving me the knowledge to try and help." He chuckled a bit at the last answer.

"I wish the team could… come together again, like it was before. It almost seems like a repeat of what happened after Zane left. I don't want us to split up again." Lloyd sat in silence, staring at the candles as if they could respond. After more than ten minutes have passed though, he sighed in defeat. "Here I am, talking to candles." He muttered, cupping his head in his hands. A slight breeze blew, tickling his ears. A slight twinkling seemed to whisper to him, causing Lloyd to look up. The candles had blown out, but at their base, a small crystal sat. Lloyd, naturally curious, reached to pick up this sparkle-shaped crystal; but just as he touched it, it flashed brightly, burning the shape into his memory, and disappeared.

"Lloyd, where are you?" Lloyd opened his eyes. He was laying on his bed, somehow… "Lloyd! Dinner's ready!" The green ninja looked up to see the ninja of lightning standing in his doorway. The blue ninja's hair was messed up, as if he had been wrestling with something. "Oh, sorry Jay. I was taking a quick nap before dinner. What happened with you?" Jay looked confused, then remembered how messed up his hair was. "Oh! Hehe, I was trying to make a robot cat but it kind of backfired... literally." Lloyd suppressed a smile. Classic Jay, making a joke out of anything. "Zane just wanted me to call you for dinner." Lloyd nodded. "Ok, I'll be there." Jay nodded, then left.

Lloyd sighed, scratching his head. Was that all a dream? The Sensei-in-training headed towards the dining room. Everyone was already situated around the table as they hungrily waited for whatever tasty treat Zane had made. It was probably nothing. So the green ninja pushed the thought to the back of his mind.

After dinner, a certain ninja in white was cleaning the kitchen. Lloyd, Kai, and Nya had left shortly after dinner, promising to return around eight. 'It's good Kai is getting out again. He needs a break.' Zane pondered his fiery friend, absent mindedly cleaning the kitchen. "Zane, look out!" Pixal's warning came, Zane freezing. He was about to start cleaning the toaster with a wet rag, and it was still plugged in. "Thank you for the warning Pixel." Zane replied, putting the rag away. "You seem to be more distracted lately." The robot voice commented. The nindroid didn't respond.

"Perhaps some fresh air will clear my mind." Zane stated after more then a few moments of quiet had passed, quickly heading outside. The grounds surrounding the airjitzu temple was quite lovely now that the flowers he'd planted with Misako had bloomed. A white butterfly caught his attention. "Pixel, do you recognize the species of that butterfly?" The titanium ninja asked. "What butterfly Zane? There's nothing there." Pixel asked, worried. The words seemed awfully familiar.

Too familiar.

Suddenly Zane was transported to the island where he was held captive as his friends fought in the tournament of elements. Except this time, there was no dragon. Instead, seven forms laid curled up on the ground, watched by something in the shadows. "Welcome Zane Julien."

End of Chapter One.

I hope you liked it and will return next chapter. Who are the eight figures? Who is in the shadows? Why is Zane there? Leave your thoughts in the review box and we'll see if you're right next chapter! Ta ta for now.