Chapter 7- Tension

(1 year ago, a month after the car crash)

I winced, jerking away from my brother's hand as a surge of electricity jolted through me.

"Sorry, Zane." Jay said as he continued to fix my face. "This'll hurt a bit, so grab onto something, okay?"

I nodded slightly, shifting my left hand to grip his shirt tightly. He shifted slightly, tweezers in hand as he closed one of his eyes, trying to reconnect the wires on my cheek. The tool made contact with the wire, making me wince once again, but I didn't jerk away. Jay stuck out his tongue in concentration, bringing the wires close together.

"Almost… got it-!" He was cut off as a pop sounded, making him jump back and give a small yelp, causing me to flinch and bite my lip. "Sorry!" The lightning ninja called as he reached for some tape, wrapping it tightly around the wire. He turned and grabbed the artificial skin for my face, sliding it on over my eye. "There… done…. Is that better?"

I nodded slightly, blinking a few times. "Thank you, Jay. That has been bothering me since… well… for a while." I said, not wanting to mention the accident that had happened a few weeks ago.

Jay nodded and began to put his tools away. It was just him and me here in the room… perhaps I could take this time to talk to him about… it.

"Jay," I began, "is there something that you aren't telling anyone?"

Jay froze for a second, glancing over to me before giving his usual laugh, "Where did that question come from, Zane?"

I sighed, "Don't try and hide it from me, Jay. I can tell that there is tension between you and your son. Perhaps I should talk with him?"

"If you think he'll talk to you go ahead and try," Jay said as he shrugged, placing the tool up on his dresser. "I've tried and Nya's tried but he just won't listen."

I nodded slightly in understanding, "Well, he has gone through a lot… perhaps I can get him to talk. After all, he does have a bond with me." I said as I stood, blinking a few times before walking to the door.

"Good luck… you'll need it."

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(Present time Ninjago)

.

"He's gone…" Nya sobbed. "My little boy…"

Jay wrapped his arms around his wife, tears streaming down his face as he held her close.

"I'm sorry…." Cole said quietly, almost whispering. "He got… away from me… It's my fault he's gone…." The ninja didn't look up from his feet.

I looked at him in slight shock. It was the first time he'd spoken since we'd found him. The whole time he was just sitting there sadly. I honestly forgot that he was with us.

"You didn't mean for him to run off, Cole." Lloyd called from the kitchen, walking in with a wet washcloth before handing it to Jay. "Here… so that you can clean her makeup. It's running a bit."

Jay looked at the cloth for a moment before taking it, gently rubbing Nya's running makeup off. "He'll be fine… he can take care of himself."

"How do… we know that?" My sister replied between sobs.

"He's our son." He replied, kissing her forehead lightly.

"What do we do now…?" I asked quietly, looking to my heartbroken sister. What could we do? The falcon was with Alvian now, and we had no way to communicate with Zane, and our nephew was somewhere out in Ninjago looking for him.

Lloyd shook his head. "I don't know…."

Nya looked up, "We… we could go to... the authorities… tell them that Alvian is gone…. Maybe someone will recognize him…?"

"He'll just keep running away…" Cole said softly. "And we can't exactly keep him locked up…"

Lloyd sighed and looked at the earth ninja. "So what are you saying, Cole? We just let everything run its course? Leave Alvian running around and Zane to die on that island?"

Cole shot his head up to look at Lloyd, a growl coming out of him. "No. That's not what I'm saying."

"Then what do you think we should do?" I asked.

"How about we go looking for them? Wouldn't that be a good start?" He snapped in response.

"Hey, calm down. It'll take us forever to found Zane on that island. He won't last that long and you know that."

"It's better to look than do nothing!" The black ninja shouted, standing up from his chair.

"Why are you being so snappy? I thought that was my thing?" I snapped back.

"Guys, please don't fight." Nya sobbed, looking at both of us.

"I'm leaving. I'm looking for our brother, unlike you guys." Cole shot, stomping to the door and flinging it open, slamming it shut as he stormed out.

It was silent after that, except the occasional sound of thunder booming through the air.

It was Jay who finally broke the silence. "There's a lot of tension going around… maybe we should all rest… we can talk more in the morning about what we're going to do…"

I didn't answer, only replying by storming to my room, slamming the door behind me. I sighed, walking to my bed and sitting on it, holding a hand out. If only I could use my powers… Maybe some of my stress would be released with them….

But Jay was right. There was a lot of tension in the air, what with everything that's been happening. It's too many emotions and all to soon. I sighed. Cole was right about one thing though… it's better to look for Zane than just stay here. It would definitely be better.

Now Cole was going to go to the island alone, despite whatever could be there. I couldn't let that happen.

And I wouldn't.

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(With Alvian)

.

I shivered as I ran down the street. I didn't want to make my parents and uncles sad… but I had to find Uncle Zane. From what I heard, he was on some sort of island. How was I going to get to him? I couldn't control a boat; there was no doubt in that.

I looked up to see the falcon flying above me, seemingly guiding me to someone who could help.

A loud crash of thunder filled the air, almost making me stumble. Of course, nobody would go out on their boats in this storm, even if I were to ask. What could I do?

The flacon fluttered its wings, landing on a nearby building. It looked like a fishing shack. Maybe I could stay there for the night until the storm stopped. I rushed to the door, pulling it open and stepping in.

It seemed to be empty, except for one fisherman who sat near the door. With slight hesitation, I sat at the table next to him, looking around the shack. It reeked of fish, and I cringed at the smell. I heard an occasional drip from a leaky ceiling.

A lady came out of a nearby door, holding some food in her hands for the man. She noticed me as she placed the plate on the nearby table and walked over.

She had bright red hair that went to her shoulders and brown eyes. She looked a little tan, and was clothed in normal waitress clothing.

"What are you doing here all alone?" She wondered, sitting next to me.

"I'm looking for my uncle."

"Well, unless that's your uncle I'd say he's not here, sweetie."

"I know he's not. I just need a way to get to him."

"Well, where is he?"

"On an island."

The woman shifted slightly in her seat, thinking for a moment. "Well, I can't really let you out in the cold right now. How about you stay the night here until the storm stops?"

I smiled lightly. "I'd like that."

She nodded slightly and stood, sliding her chair in. "Well then I'll get you some food, okay?"

I smiles a little brighter and nodded slightly. "Thank you, ma'am."

"Anytime, little one." She replied, walking back into the rooms he came from. I closed my eyes and lay my head in my arms on the table. At least now I was left with my thoughts.

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(Back to the flashback)

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"Alvian?" I turned around and saw my uncle walking shakily towards me. "I heard that you are ignoring your parents. Why is that?" I didn't answer, but glanced at him as he sat down. There was a pause before he sighed. "Alvian—"

"I thought I'd lose you."

He paused, staring at me. "You what?"

"During the crash… I thought that you were going to go away like your father…" I tensed slightly, pulling my legs closer to my body.

Zane didn't say anything, not right away at least. "Alvian… do you remember what I said before the crash happened?" I nodded slightly. "Do you know what it means?"

I shook my head.

"It means… that I will forever be with you. Maybe not physically, but spiritually. All you have to do is think of me and what I would do… and I can guide you that way." He smiled lightly, but I didn't return it.

"I've heard that from father a few times…"

He sighed and placed a hand on my shoulder. "Alvian… it was something I could not control… Something that suddenly happened. You should not be mad at everyone else because of me."

"It's not that I'm mad… I'm just scared."

"Of what?"

"Losing you… you're not just my uncle… you're my best friend…" I felt tears swell in my eyes. "I don't know what I'd do if you got lost…"

Zane hushed lightly and lightly rubbed my back. "It is okay, Alvian. I'm still here, and I will be for a while."

"That's not true." I sighed. "You have to leave to go to… wherever it is you work."

"But I have a phone. You can call me whenever you need to. Like I said, I won't forever be here physically, but I can still talk to you using other methods." I nodded slightly. It was true… "I have to leave in a few days though…" He said. "In the meantime, I'll spend every second I can with you. Okay?"

I smiled and looked at him. "Okay."

"But you have to stop ignoring everyone. Deal?"

I nodded. "Deal."

I don't know what to say other than I'm really sorry that so many of you have asked and I haven't uploaded in, like, a year.

But I am now! :D

I was planning on uploading Sunday but a lot has been going on lately.

I'm going to try and make these chapters longer, so it'll take longer than normal to upload.

I don't really know when I'll upload again, but I will say it won't take too long… at least, I'm hoping not.