Based on the
"Ninjago: Masters of Zombie Slaying" AU,
by wendygo at mastersofzombieslaying/tumblr...


"Um, no, there's no partner. Only me to take care of him."

"Okay then... Well, all you need to do now is sign the paperwork, and you'll be in custody of him once we complete your background check, which should take a week."

"Thank you, Mrs. Johnson."

"Oh, no, thank you Mr. Julien. The poor kid is so distant to others, that I wondered if he'll ever have a proper home. I know we're not allowed to talk about records, but I really do hope you get clearance to become his father. He seems so happy around you. Almost as if there's a real connection."

"I hope so too, Mrs. Johnson. He seems like a wonderfully bright child, wise beyond his years I might add..."

"We'll let you know of the results once they come in. Would you like to goodbye to him?"

"Oh, that'd be nice."

"Zane dear, you can come in now."


It's been fourteen years since Dr. Julien had become the father of Zane. Though the inspectors weren't keen on all his strange humanoid robotics and "experiments", they've concluded that the old man was capable of fully loving this child; which he has to the fullest extent everyday.

Although he is still quiet around most strangers, Zane has grown into the analytical genius that Julien hoped he could be. And the best part was that Julien didn't push any of his professions nor hobbies onto his son; Zane picked them up on his own, and developed his skills at an alarming rate. Julien wished he could be by his son for eternity; watching him grow into a man of great wonder and possibilities about.

But unfortunately, he most likely won't be around to experience any of it.

For, you see, Julien was already in his mid eighties when he adopted Zane. And his fragile son wasn't taking too kindly to this fact... One day, a few years ago, Julien experienced a heart attack, and was hospitalized for nearly a month. Zane would visit him often, but near the end of his stay, his son appeared less and less. Upon his leave, Julien discovered that Zane pre-wrote a suicide note, stating he would rather be with his father if all else failed. This disturbed Julien deeply.

Having a personal talk with his son, it pained him as well to explain that people must pass on, and the ones they leave behind must survive. That is how life works. Zane didn't seem to accept this, but at least understood that he has an obligation to continue on his own. Just to make sure, Julien promoted that from now on, friends would help Zane more than he could... But there was more going on in his father's mind, that Julien didn't see fit to explain.

As much as he loved Zane, he couldn't trust his son to not pull another stunt; especially since time was running out for the old man. So, the scientist worked long and hard on developing a device that could send disruptive waves through the brain; to temporarily trip one's memorial capacity. It could have side effects, but at least it would save his son from future pain... He decided to call this device "the Memory Switch".