Chapter 14

Show Ninjago

All was peaceful in the valley outside of Steep Wisdom, Sensei Garmadon and Wu's monastery and tea shop. Or it was until…

"WHAAAAAAT!"

Birds were sent flying as a deafening wail erupted from outside the building.

The source of the wail was one very distraught Master of Lightning, who was gaping at Nya like she'd just told him the world was ending tomorrow.

Nya winced at the sight of his face. She'd tried to tell him her decision to take a break from dating gently, but he was still didn't take it well. "I need a break," she said again, knowing Jay was hoping he'd misheard her. "From dating that is. Something came up and I need to get my head together."

"But why?" asked Jay, his expression desperate. "Was it something I did? Was it something I said? I knew I shouldn't have made that joke about the hippo. I'm so sorry, I'll never tell it again!"

"Jay no," she said, shaking her head rapidly (though that particular joke told at breakfast had been particularly bad). "It's not you, it's me."

Jay just looked at her, and Nya realized how cliche that sounded. "No, really," she insisted. "I'm the one mixed up right now. You've been great."

"Mixed up about what?" Jay burst out. "What happened? What do I need to do?

Nya wouldn't look at him and sighed. "When we were at Borg Industries I… found this computer while I went to help with Echo. It's supposed to show your perfect romantic partner and… it didn't show you."

Jay looked like he might be having a heart attack. "Who was it?" he asked weakly, probably imagining her heart already had been swept away by some stranger. "Who?"

"It doesn't matter who it was," Nya said firmly, but still refusing to look at him. "I did some research and asked some people, and got confirmation that the machine might not be accurate anyway, but just seeing that… I felt confused."

Jay's face crumbled even more.

"So now I talked it out with Cyan, and I… I don't think I should be dating anyone," Nya said, finally turning to look him in the eye. "Not while I'm so unsure. So I'm asking that we take a break. I don't want to hurt you, Jay. I really don't. But if we keep dating while I feel like this… It's just not a good idea."

Jay, realizing that this was reality and not some nightmare, slumped.

Nya reached out as if to comfort him, before pulling her hand back at the last second, knowing that would only make it worse. "You're a great guy, Jay," she said. "But I'm not ready for a relationship. I'm sorry."

With that, she turned and ran towards the tea shop in hopes that doing some work could help her escape the guilt.

But before she could enter the door, she heard Jay call out behind her.

"Who was it?" he asked.

Nya glanced back to see Jay standing where she'd left him, only now his stance was tense with rage, but it was clear the anger wasn't directed at her.

"Who did it show you?" he asked again, with rage simmering in his words. "Who made you confused? Who was it?" His voice grew angrier and more demanding with each repetition.

Unbidden, Buddy Kai's words echoed through Nya's head. "I'm not gonna lie, I'd probably set him on fire, even if it wasn't his fault."

She couldn't do that to him. Cole was his best friend, but with how angry Jay was right now he'd flip out at him in a heartbeat. She couldn't do that to either of them.

So instead, Nya just shook her head. "It doesn't matter. I'm not going to date him either." She then hurried into the shop before he could ask again.

Outside she heard him give a frustrated growl and use his lightning powers against a nearby tree, ranting about what he'd do to this faceless stranger when he found him.

Nya slumped against the door at the sound of it. It would have been better if he blamed her.

She could never let him find out it was Cole. Not in a million years.

Dr. Julien looked down at the blueprints they had created and did his best to focus. Looking between his old blueprints of Zane and Echo and the new ones they had drawn up… "I think we've done it," he said, turning to smile at the man in the wheelchair (What was his name? Bean? Bog? Borg! That was it!). "With these new plans, we'll be able to update both my sons so we will not have to worry about obsolete parts. Remarkable."

"Indeed," agreed Borg, returning his grin. "I'm quite glad we were able to keep Echo's clockwork design for the changes. It is simply remarkable what you created in him. But adding a solar panel to power more electronic features and replacing his parts with non-corrodable ones will go a long way to help him."

The two inventors glanced over to where Zane, Echo, and Pixal were waiting in front of a massive TV screen. Zane was attempting to make small talk with Pixal, and she seemed to be responding with a friendly if professional demeanor, not that that detoured Zane at all. Echo, while he didn't appear as shy as usual, still made sure his brother was between him and Pixal at all times, apparently not as eager to befriend her as Zane was.

The Julien family had returned to Borg Tower to put the final touches on the blueprints they, Nya and Jay had come up with on the previous visit, and hammer out the last few details they needed.

"All that's left is to order the correct parts," said Dr. Borg cheerfully, as he put the request into his computer. "Since we are upgrading their existing bodies rather than building them new ones, I'm afraid we'll have to order some custom pieces. They should be here in a few days."

"Excellent," said Dr. Julien, pulling out a notebook to write this information down. It was a habit he had fallen into when it became clear his memory was going, though the trick was for him to remember to read through it as often as he could. Fortunately, one of his sons would always helpfully remind him.

Seeing that, Dr. Borg said, "If you would like, I could offer you an electronic pad to keep track of notes on. It would do more than just take notes, but also take pictures, play music and videos, and allow for internet access among other things. It's very useful and modern."

Dr. Julien finished his writing and shook his head. "I appreciate the offer," he said, "but I must decline. If I were to get a new… pad you said? If I were to get one, I, well, I wouldn't know what to do with it. I'd likely forget how to operate it, and it would be a nuisance for my sons to reiterate how to do so every time. Also," he held up the notebook, showing its age, the extra pages pressed in, and front to back pages upon pages of writing. "I have used this particular notebook even before my memory began going. It's simple and familiar in a way your new technology isn't, and therefore easier for my mind to recognize as important. If I had an electronic one, I might leave it behind thinking it must belong to someone else."

Dr. Borg nodded, seeing the logic in this. "I see. That hadn't occurred to me." He then let out a chuckle. "I thought for sure that in a few years such things as paper books or the like would be obsolete with the electronic versions being more available and useful. That technology was our shining future for a new age, but I suppose there's still many who see otherwise."

"I will say so," Dr. Julien agreed. "For as wondrous as the technology you've created is, it is always good to keep in mind that it might not be for everyone. Even if it is just forgetful old men like me."

Dr. Borg chuckled, "Perhaps not, as Pixal told me the Red Ninja did not seem very fond of it either. Still, it is something to keep in mind." He then turned to where the three androids were, and called, "Pixal, boys, we're done for today. Was there anything else you needed before you go?"

The two Nindroids and one android turned to face him. "No," said Zane as he began to make his way over with Echo at his side, leaving Pixal where they'd been talking. "I believe we are finished as well. It was very nice to-"

But before Zane could finish, they heard the screech of metal buckling, and all turned to see the large TV screen they'd been chatting beside begin to fall towards them, looking to crush the three of them beneath it.

Without hesitation, Zane shoved his little brother out of harm's way. Echo skidded across the ground and came to a stop safely (well, aside from his arm popping out again) at Drs. Julien and Borg's feet out of the crunch zone.

The instant Zane registered Echo's safety he shifted his focus to Pixal, as she was still far too close to the falling screen, and he doubled back to tackle her out of the way, throwing up a pillar of ice to slow its descent as he did so.

He managed to throw both of them out of the way just as the screen was pierced on the pillar he'd created and it shattered as glass and wires spilled from it. Zane covered Pixal as best he could so that she would be hit with any debris that went flying in the crash.

"ZANE!"

"PIXAL!"

"BIG BROTHER!"

Once he was sure it was safe to do so, Zane slowly sat up and looked down at Pixal. "Are you alright."

Pixal blinked up at him, seeming to be one part shocked at her near brush with death, and one part awed by who had saved her. "You could have moved to safety, and yet you ran back into danger for me," she said. "Why?"

Zane gave her a smile. "I did not want you to get hurt," he said, taking her hands and helping her to her feet. "I felt you were worth the risk."

Pixal stared at him as if seeing him for the first time. "I- Thank you. I appreciate the sentiment, but in the future, you should be more careful," she said, looking to the side with a smile, but not pulling her hands away from where they were still held in Zane's.

"Big Brother!" they heard Echo call, and they turned to see the rusted Nindroid hurrying over to them, having left his arm behind to reach them quickly.

Behind him, Dr. Julien was carefully pushing Dr. Borg's wheelchair around the shattered glass, with the abandoned arm resting on the latter's lap as they worked their way to them.

Pixal quickly pulled her hands away as they approached and dusted off herself off, and Zane turned to face his little brother.

"Echo, are you alright?" he asked. "I am sorry I had to push you, but I wanted you safe."

Echo gave a lopsided shrug. "I'm alright," he said, his face pinched with worry. " What about you? You're sparkling."

Zane looked down in confusion and saw that small sparkling flecks of the shattered glass were still caught in his gi.

"That won't do," said Pixal, reaching over to begin brushing the glass out of his clothes. "Are you damaged at all? Did the glass prick your synthetic skin?"

"No, I am fine," said Zane, giving her a warm smile.

Pixal finished dusting him off and returned the smile, this one more genuine than before.

"That may be enough excitement for today," said Dr. Julien when they finally reached them.

"Indeed," said Dr. Borg, looking at the remains of the screen warily, his face pale from what he'd just witnessed.

"Rest assured, Dr. Borg," said Zane. "My friends and I are investigating the sabotage along with our other ninja duties. While our patrols have found nothing yet, there is someone responsible for this, and we will find them."

"I greatly appreciate that," said Dr. Borg. "This has gone on for much too long, and while we've been lucky thus far, things are quickly becoming more and more dangerous. I couldn't imagine what I'd do if Pixal had been hurt just now. I can not thank you enough, Zane, for saving her."

"No thanks are needed," said Zane humbly. "I would not want to see her harmed either, and will never let that happen if I can help it."

Pixal looked touched, before turning to face Dr. Julien. "You have a very caring son, Dr. Julien," she said.

"Indeed I do," Dr. Julien agreed.

No one saw Echo frown slightly at her words, but he said nothing. He simply took back his arm, and the Juliens left the building to head home for the day after Zane searched the room thoroughly for the perpetrator, but found nothing.

As Dr. Julien reattached Echo's arm in the back seat of their car, he said, "Is something the matter, son? You seem upset."

From where he was driving, Zane glanced in the mirror at his father, worried if he had forgotten the incident already.

However, Echo's expression was indeed rather sullen as his father worked.

"I… don't really like her," he said.

"Who?" asked Dr. Julien as he finished and sat back in his seat.

Echo slowly rotated his arm in its socket to make sure it was attached correctly. He tested it a bit longer than necessary to delay answering but knew he couldn't put it off forever. Finally, he replied, "... Pixal."

Zane shot another quick glance in the rearview mirror but kept silent. In the back, Dr. Julien frown thoughtfully. "Borg's android daughter? Why? She seems quite nice to me if I recall correctly."

"I have felt the same of her," Zane agreed.

Echo turned to stare out the window so he wouldn't have to face them. "I don't like her," he said again. "She… she treats us like things. Like father is our owner, not our father."

"Why do you think that?" asked Dr. Julien in surprise.

"She asked you if it was alright to scan us," Echo said quietly. "And when Zane saved her, even if she thanked him, she complimented you about it, not Zane. She never asks us what we want or what we like. And she always acts surprised when we ask her those things like we shouldn't be doing that."

Zane made sure to focus on the road ahead, but inside his mind was whirring. Looking back over all his encounters with Pixal up to that point, he could see what Echo was talking about. He wasn't sure how he felt about that.

"I see," said Dr. Julien. He then let soft sigh. "It's possible she may indeed think that way. It's an unfortunate mentality some androids can have. I'm not sure if you remember it, Zane, but you thought of yourself in much the same way not long after you were first activated."

Zane blinked and glanced in the mirror briefly in surprise. "I did?"

"He did?" Echo echoed.

"Indeed," said Dr. Julien with a fond chuckle. "It took time for me to convince you that you are your own person, not a tool for me to use, but eventually I was able to convince you that your thoughts and opinions matter as much as mine."

Zane frowned as he tried to remember thinking such a thing, but it was so long ago.

"Did I ever think like that?" asked Echo curiously.

"I do not think so," said Dr. Julien. "Thanks to my having Zane before, I had some idea of what to do to avoid causing you to think that way." He then grimaced and looked apologetically at Echo, "However, with my memory, I'm afraid I could be mistaken."

Echo looked slightly downcast but nodded in understanding.

"Even if you once did, you do not think such now," said Zane encouragingly. "I'd say father was successful."

Echo brightened somewhat at that. "But why does Pixal still think so?" he asked. "Is she still too new?"

"It's… possible," said Dr. Julien, though it was clear the details about Pixal were already slipping away from him.

"Dr. Borg is very busy with his company," said Zane. "It is possible he is not aware Pixal thinks such a way, or he has not had time to address it."

"That is true," said Dr. Julien. "With you two, we were alone in isolation and had plenty of time to establish your sense of self. It is possible…" he paused, trying to remember their names, "uh, they haven't been able to as of yet."

Echo nodded looking satisfied, and the rest of the trip home was peaceful.

When Zane returned to Steep Wisdom, it was anything but peaceful.

Jay was the most obvious disturbance, storming throughout the building and ranting at anyone who would listen how he was going to pummel some guy he didn't even know. Nya was less obvious but just as confusing as she seemed to be using the little ninja training she'd gotten so far to skirt around the edge of rooms and avoid being in Jay's sight at all costs, and when he did spot her, she would book it out of the room at top speed, causing Jay's ranting to go even louder. Eventually, she just locked herself in her room and refused to come out. Cole and Kai seemed just as confused as Zane was, and were trying to ask Nya and Jay what was going on, but could not get a word in edgewise with all the yelling.

"What happened?" Zane asked Lloyd, who was watching the drama unfold while eating popcorn on a sofa.

"Nya broke up with Jay," Lloyd said in a deadpan, shoving a handful of popcorn into his mouth.

Well, that explained why Jay was wailing his head off about how life wasn't fair, and why Nya was avoiding him.

"But why?" asked Zane, confused how such a thing had happened. As far as he'd been aware, they had been a perfectly happy couple until now.

Lloyd shrugged as he continued to eat the popcorn. "Dunno," he said. "Nya hasn't said, but Jay seems to think it's 'cause some other guy was chasing her, and that somehow scared her away from Jay." Lloyd then scoffed. "Like Nya'd let some random guy scare her. She'd kick his butt."

"It does seem unlikely," agreed Zane. He then glanced down at the youngest ninja, "Where are Sensei Wu, Sensei Garmadon or Misako? Are they going to offer any wisdom?"

Lloyd snorted. "Yeah right. Misako looked like she might help but Nya looked scared when she tried, and Dad suddenly 'remembered' he was going to take her out to dinner tonight so they left. Uncle Wu then decided it was a good time to go meditate on a mountain somewhere, and left Cole in charge."

Zane glanced over at Cole, who was trying valiantly to get the story out of Jay in a way that made sense but was beginning to look overwhelmed. "Is this really the time?" the nindroid asked

Lloyd snickered. "It's the perfect time," he said in amusement. "He wanted to avoid the 'teen drama'."

Looking at the madhouse in front of him, Zane muttered, "I don't really blame him."

Lloyd laughed again and seemed content to watch the show.

Finally, Cole seemed to give up on trying to talk to Jay and just hefted him over his shoulder to carry him outside. "Okay, Zaptrap," he said before Jay could complain. "You clearly have too much energy right now, so let's work it off and then you can tell me what's wrong."

Jay squawked in protest but could do little as Cole carried him out to the training yard to work off some of his issues on the dummies.

With Jay out of the building, things suddenly got a lot quieter. Not too quiet, as they could still hear him outside, either venting at Cole or attacking the training dummies with a vigor.

Feeling that peace had hopefully been restored, Zane took the remaining popcorn from Lloyd. "I'm about to start dinner, so it would be best that you do not ruin your appetite," he said in response to the dirty look Lloyd sent him as a result.

Lloyd blew a raspberry at him, before heading out to watch Jay pummel training dummies, and maybe do some training as well.

Zane shook his head in amusement. Even when the world wasn't in danger of being destroyed, there was never a dull moment around his friends.

He then headed for the kitchen, but as he did he paused at the corner when he heard Kai knocking at a door.

"Nya? Jay's gone outside and Cole's not letting him back in anytime soon," he called to his sister through her bedroom door. "Are you okay? Can I come in?"

Not wanting to interrupt or eavesdrop, Zane quickly turned and walked in the other direction. Nya and Jay were both his friends, and between Kai and Cole, they were in good hands. If they wanted him to know what had happened in detail they could tell him themselves. He would not take sides in this argument.

Nya, meanwhile, looked at her door hesitantly, knowing her brother was waiting outside it for a response.

Before, she hadn't wanted to confide in him. She'd worried that if he knew about the whole perfect match thing, he'd either laugh at her or try to stop her from dating at all. She knew how protective he was. If Jay ever had hurt her, the only thing that would have stopped him from going supernova on the Master of Lightning was if she'd got to Jay first.

But that wasn't the case. Jay hadn't hurt her. It had been her that hurt him instead which left them both unhappy, and now her poor brother was trying to figure out how to help when he had no one to fry.

He'd always been there for her and was trying to be there for her now. He deserved to know the truth.

Besides, he'd be furious if he found out she'd confided in Buddy Kai and not him.

"Come in," Nya called, and Kai came through the door a moment later and stood there awkwardly.

"So, is there someone I need to punch?" Kai asked, looking hopeful there still might someone he could roast for causing this drama that hurt both his sister and his friend. "Or someone I need to intimidate? I could borrow Ultra and/or Meowthra from the Lloyds for extra effect."

Nya let out a weak giggle at the offer but shook her head. "No," she said, half wishing it were that simple. "There's no one for you to beat up… except maybe that stupid dating machine."

Kai looked more confused than ever.

Nya let out another chuckle at the look on his face, before nodding to the space next to her on the bed. "You might wanna sit down," she said. "It's a long story."

Kai sat next to her and wrapped a comforting arm around her shoulders. "Well, I'm here all night. Talk to me, sis."

Nya gave him a small smile and told him everything, the machine, who it showed, her doubts, and finally her discussion with Buddy Kai, Cyan Nya and her friends in the Other Ninjago.

When she was done, Kai let out a heavy sigh. "Well, I have to agree with Buddy and Cyan. Especially about how Jay shouldn't know who that thing showed. With how he's acting right now… yikes, I would not want to be Cole."

"Promise you won't tell Jay?" Nya asked as that was one of her biggest worries.

Kai pulled her more into a hug. "Don't worry," he promised. "My lips are sealed."

A/N As you can see, Nya breaking the news to Jay went about as well as expected. He's heartbroken and determined to take out his rage on Nya's supposed Perfect Match. Only problem is, he has no clue who she saw. Thankfully Cole's there to help him work through his emotions and then help him search. Nya's probably going to avoid him in the meantime until he gets this out of his system. Meanwhile, Zane is making some headway with Pixal, but that nasty saboteur isn't done yet. Still, saving his crush from being crushed is one way to get her to warm up to him. Too bad Echo notices something he doesn't.

As ever, a huge shout out and thank you to Kay Hau. She was a huge help in planning out this chapter and was an awesome beta reader. Some ideas here came from her.

Next Time: Buddy Kai hadn't been lying when he said he had patrol that night. As he and his teammates search the desert, the Snake Mech stalks its next victims.

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