"So… you two went to the future-"

"We didn't go to the future," Jay interrupts the master of ice. "it was more like… we came back to the past. Only not like when Garmadon had the mega weapon, otherwise there'd be two of us, but more like in a video game where you go back to a previous save."

"Like how you save right before a big decision and if you chose the wrong one you reload?"

"I'm not sure I like that analogy…" Nya sighs.

After the whole mess with Nadakhan, Nya and Jay were trying to explain what happened to the others. Of course, between Jay's rambling and backtracking when he remembered something important, and Nya's constant interruptions to either correct Jay or just complain that he wasn't telling it right, they'd gotten nowhere fast.

"W-well, uh, then it's kind of like…" Jay makes some vague hand gestures, as if he could grab a more 'appropriate' analogy out of thin air. "Like… uh… hitting rewind on a DVD? Only it doesn't… go… the same… like an actual DVD would…"

"This is getting us nowhere." Cole shakes his head. "I wish there was some way we could know what happened without having to hear it second hand."

"Ugh…" Jay groans. "Man, I never want to hear those words ever again!"

There's a knock at the door that surprises all of them. They share a look before Lloyd, who was the closest, walks over to the door and opens it. There's a long moment of silence before Lloyd looks back at Zane, then at whoever was in the doorway, then back at Zane, before finally saying.

"Wha…?"

"Hello, it is nice to meet you." A voice that was almost an exact match for Zane's could be heard from the doorway. "I am Echo Zane. I was created to protect those who cannot protect themselves."

"Echo?!" Jay calls out, sounding both excited and confused. He quickly moves over to the door and nudges Lloyd out of the way. "You're really here! Why're you here? How'd you get here?"

"It is good to see you again, Jay." Echo Zane says politely, before motioning to the figure standing across the street, leaning against a building. "And I contacted Ronin to ask for his assistance in getting here."

"Okay… Wait, you said again. Does that mean you remember the previous timeline?"

"Previous timeline? I was not aware we were in another." He seems to think for a moment, before nodding. "It would explain why I was suddenly back in the lighthouse, and why Ronin did not seem to understand who I was or why I was asking him for assistance. By the way, he said to tell you that you apparently owe him one? He did not specify what 'one' you owe him, though."

"He just meant we owe him a favor… Or money, knowing him." Jay shrugs, sparing a glare for the con artist.

"Uh, could one of you explain just why there are two Zanes?" Kai demands.

"I am Echo Zane."

"Well, after Zane's dad got locked up in the lighthouse, I think he decided to make a replacement Zane." Jay ushers the bronze nindroid inside. "Which makes him your little brother, Zane!"

"Brother?" Both nindroids question simultaneously.

"Yes." Jay laughs. "You two are family!"

"Family…" Zane mutters, appearing to consider it for a moment before smiling softly. "It is nice to meet you, Brother."

"Yes, it is nice to meet you, as well." They share a stiff handshake.

"Ok… so I guess it isn't so unbelievable for there to be two Zanes." Cole says slowly.

"I am Echo Zane."

"Yeah, about that, maybe we should just call you Echo. To avoid confusion, I mean."

"But I am Echo Zane." The younger nindroid says with confusion.

"It is a nickname." Zane informs his brother. "It makes it easier to address the individual it is given to."

"I see." Echo Zane says seriously. "Then I will allow you all to call me Echo, even though I am Echo Zane."

A loud knocking on the door startles them. This time it's Cole who answers the door.

"Took you long enough." Ronin huffs, walking right through the ghost to get inside.

"Really?"

"So, did the tin can give you my message?"

"Tin cans cannot talk." Echo says. "So I do not think one would be able to pass on a message for you."

"I believe he was making fun of you." Zane says, glaring at the criminal.

"But I am not made of tin, nor am I a can."

"That's the point." Kai snorts.

"That is illogical."

"Anyway…" Ronin drags everyone's attention back to himself. "I had to go out of my way to pick this guy up and he promised me compensation."

"I did not."

"Yeah, you did, actually. I told you it wouldn't be a free ride."

"Yes, but you asked me to deliver a message. I did. We are even now."

Ronin seemed to consider this for a moment before laughing.

"Well, I guess you're right. Hey, if you need a job, I could always use someone who's good at spotting loopholes."

"He will not be needing a job." Zane says immediately, stepping in front of the other nindroid.

"Hey, calm down, tin man. It was only an offer."

"I will not allow my only family to become a criminal."

"I was made to protect those who cannot protect themselves." Echo leans to the side to get a better view around his brother. "I would not partake in criminal activity."

"I never said anything about anything illegal." Ronin rolls his eyes. "You know, you all act so high and mighty for a group of vigilantes."

"We aren't a group of vigilantes." Lloyd says. "Why don't you just tell us what you want so you can leave?"

"…REX could use a few upgrades. Now, I know you lot have come into some money as of your recent fame, so I thought you'd be kind enough to help out a poor man like myself."

"Actually, most of the money goes right back into whatever it is that Dareth is doing to help make us famous." Cole says. "We aren't hurting for money, but we don't have enough to get whatever top-of-the-line upgrades you're probably imagining."

"Ah, I see… well, in that case, why don't we make things a bit easier on your wallets? You have a vehicle expert here who could help install the upgrades, rather than go through the hassle of paying for labor."

"Oh no." Jay immediately objects, walking up to Ronin and poking him in the chest. "You just want some alone time with Nya!"

"Yeah, I'm against that, too." Kai crosses his arms over his chest, giving Ronin a disapproving glare.

"Would you two calm down?" Nya scoffs, rolling her eyes, before turning to Ronin with a smile. "I would love to help you."

"But…" Jay seemed to flounder. "But we still haven't finished explaining what happened to the others!"

"You can explain it to them yourself, Jay." She waves him off, grabs Ronin's arm and starts heading for the door. "So what kind of upgrades were you looking to make?"

"Well, I had a few things in mind, but maybe it'd be good to get a second opinion."

The triumphant, mocking smile he tosses Jay over his shoulder leaves the blue ninja infuriated, but Nya's own words leaves him feeling a tad helpless. He should trust her, right? She chose him, after all, and even if he didn't trust Ronin, he could trust her.

Just like you trusted her before?

Just like you trusted Cole?

Jay bites the inside of his cheek, trying to will those nasty thoughts away. He'd gotten over that, had moved on, forgiven and forgotten…

A hand rests on his shoulder, gives it a light squeeze, and although it's cold like Zane (and Echo too) it has an underlying strength to it that could only belong to Cole.

"Don't worry about it." The ninja of earth assures him, once more squeezing his shoulder before letting go.

"If you do not mind my asking," Echo Zane speaks up. "what was it that you were explaining to the others?"

"Huh? Oh! R-right, that…" The ninja of lightning looked longingly at the door for a moment before turning to the others and giving them a wane smile. "Maybe you can make it a little easier, actually."

"I would be happy to help."

"Great! Ok, first off, can you project things like Zane?"

End Prologue