Oh hey, two weeks in a row! And this time, I actually read the transcript instead of just going off the wiki descriptions, and I remembered to edit! Yeah, if these chapters have felt a bit… low effort, it's because… they are. I'm still getting back into the groove of writing regularly, and right now I'm also stuck in the early parts before stuff really picks up for Lin as a character. And I'm not gonna lie, it's kinda boring to me. But I promise I won't give up on this, and I strive to get better as things go along.

Everyone tensed. I looked around frantically, spotting something up in the trees, its glowing red eyes staring right at us.

"There!" I cried, pointing.

More of them appeared, jumping down to attack. They were dressed like ninja, but had robotic eyes and parts visible. Weird, almost like they were Nindroids like Zane...

Cole stood in front of me. "Stay close to us, Lin," he instructed. "And if one gets too close, punch them."

I nodded, though I wished I at least had my daggers.

Then the whole of them descended upon us.

I felt a little guilty hiding behind my friends while they did the fighting. Me, who had once taken up arms with no previous experience to fight a sorcerer in an act of revenge, was now afraid and had to depend on others to stay safe.

But as the battle grew more intense, something inside me sparked. A Nindroid came up behind Kai, and I stepped in and punched it right in the shoulder.

Bad idea. You ever punched a metal post or bar? Yeah that's about what it felt like. And the Nindroid was about as affected by it as your average metal post.

Fortunately Kai heard my cry in pain and turned around to take care of it himself. "Are you okay?"

I hissed in pain, but nodded. "Just trying to help."

He shook his head. "I'll give you an A for effort. But I wouldn't try it again."

I sighed. I had finally gotten up the courage to fight again only to be thwarted by my own weakness. Even if I'd had my daggers, I don't think it would have made much difference. I'd bet you a month's allowance that those Nindroids's outer shell were stronger than your average blade.

I was still moping when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned to see Garmadon. "Let them finish the job," he said. "while the droids are distracted, make for the monastery."

"But-" I protested.

"You are of no help here, and I think you know that."

"Well yeah, but you don't have to rub it in," I mumbled as I ran across the courtyard.

I let myself inside the monastery and sat down on the nearest chair. I guess my job now was to wait.

I don't know how long it was before they came back in. "Good news!" said Jay, who was the first through the doors. "We got rid of them!"

"That's great!" I jumped up.

"Bad news is… we lost our new rides." His face fell.

"And they hurt Zane," Cole added.

"Oh yeah, that too, ha ha," Jay chuckled.

My eyes widened. "They what?!" I cried.

Zane walked in, a part of his face gone. Well, I just it was just his "skin". Where his left eye normally was, a glowing blue disc sat. Wires and plates were exposed. But he was okay.

I sighed with relief, hugging him. "Thank goodness."

"I appreciate your concern. But I should ask if you are alright yourself."

"I'm okay I guess." I raised my hand to tuck my hair back.

As I did this, Zane grabbed my wrist. "This does not look 'okay'," he frowned.

I looked at the split skin on my knuckles. I'd almost forgotten about that. "Oh…"

Zane said nothing, simply getting up and walking away. Off to find a first-aid kit, I assumed.

My assumption turned out to be correct as he returned with a small box in hand, opening it up and pulling out some disinfectant and bandages.

"How did this happen?" He questioned as he began to clean my injured hand.

"I uh… tried to punch a Nindroid. Didn't go as I'd hoped." I smiled sheepishly.

"Mhm." He nodded.

"Hurry up, guys! We need to get going!" Jay said. "If they come back here before we've left, we're toast!"

"I am almost done," reassured Zane, putting the last piece of tape in place. "There," he patted my hand.

I turned my face away so he couldn't see me blush again.

The next morning found us hidden on a circus train, en route to the city power plant. I listened as Cole, Kai, Jay and Nya once again discussed the plan. Or at least I was trying to. My mind was preoccupied with Zane, currently getting repaired by Pixal in the back. I knew it was all minor fixes, but I still found myself anxious about it all.

Curiosity got the better of me and I walked down to where Pixal and Zane were at. I looked in to see Pixal opening up Zane's chest. I stayed out of sight, not wanting to disturb her work.

"Thank you for repairing me. I guess I'm no match for these newer Nindroids," Zane said.

"This is simply one of my many programmed reponsibilities, there is no need for gratitude." She deadpanned before opening up a metal device in the center of his chest, which revealed a blue ring-shaped thing, glowing and appearing… alive, in a way.

"What is it?" inquired Zane

"Your power source. I've never seen anything like this before…" Pixal said, reaching out to touch it. It immediately electrocuted them both.

When she jumped, so did I. It was taking everything in me to not run over and push her away so she couldn't do that again. Zane seemed less concerned, at least about himself. He calmly closed the device up and let Pixal continue.

"I still must admit, I do not understand you." Pixal started putting the outer shell of his chest back together. "If that is indeed what powers you, it sets you apart. I do not think anything could be made to work like you."

"We are all different. But I feel less so around you." Zane smiled, taking her hand.

Something in me rose as I watched them hold hands, although but for a moment. It was as if I didn't like what they were doing. Which was silly, I was thrilled Zane was getting expert care. And the power source had clearly caused no harm. Was I… Jealous?

I watched the way Zane looked at Pixal, even though she wasn't returning the sentiment.

Oh yeah, I was jealous.

Shoot, do I have a crush on my best friend?

"Ohhhhhh nonono," I said.

"Lin?" Zane looked my way. "Is that you?"

I'd said that out loud?

Shoot.

I awkwardly came out of hiding. Maybe if I act like nothing happened…

"Is everything okay?"

So much for that idea.

"Uh, yeah, it's all good," I smiled a big, fake smile. "I was just lost in thought about something."

Zane looked at me skeptically, but did not question further. Phew, dodged a bullet.

I tried to break the tension. "So, you good to go now?"

"Yes I am, thanks to Pixal." He smiled at her again.

She merely nodded, as if she didn't care what happened to Zane like I did. "It would appear my work here is done." She left the room.

I'd say she was a jerk, I thought, but that wouldn't be fair to say to someone who is literally incapable of emotion, would it?

"Anyway," I continued after a pause, "The others have been planning stuff, so you should probably go get filled in on it all,"

"Filled… in?" he looked at me, puzzled. Pixal made the same face.

"Uhh, ya know, let them tell you what you missed."

"Oh," his confused look faded and he nodded. "Perhaps I should, then." He left the room.

I sat down on a crate, confused and frustrated with myself. If I do indeed have a crush on him, I told myself, It could ruin everything.

But since it's just a crush, I'll get over it in time, right?

We reached the power plant as night fell. Not surprisingly, it was heavily guarded. Also not surprisingly, Pixal and I stayed behind, since she couldn't fight, and I… well I guess I was in the same boat at this point.

I told them all to be careful, and wished them luck. They reassured me they would, and went on their way, leaving me and Pix to wait for their return.

Have I mentioned I hate waiting?

Within a few minutes I was extremely restless. I paced back and forth across the little area Pix and I were hiding in. Pixal just watched me. I'm not sure if she was equally bored, or if she was making sure I didn't wear a path in the ground.

After several minutes, she finally spoke up. "You seem very close to Zane."

I stopped in my tracks. "Us? Close? I mean, I guess you could say that…" I rubbed the back of my neck.

"He talked about you, while I was repairing him."

"O-oh, really?"

"Yes… Is that problematic? You seem… uneasy."

"Huh? Oh, no, not at all, I just wasn't expecting that," I sat down on the ground.

"He talked about all of you, of course, but you were spoken of the most," she continued. "Though emotion is still beyond my comprehension, he seems to really care for you somehow."

"For m-me?" I stammered, a blush rising on my cheeks.

"Of course. Does that surprise you?"

"Ah, I guess, not. It shouldn't, at least." I shrugged.

We sat in silence after that, but it was a comfortable one. I sprawled out across the ground, trying to relax for a while.

Pixal, who had been watching the station, suddenly became alert. "They've been found," she got up and started towards the station.

I sat up. "What?!"

"Probability of success is- oh, who cares! If Zane can run into danger, putting the safety of Ninjago over his own, so can I."

Dang, that's a really good point. "Wait, I'm coming with you!" I got up and ran after her.

With some difficulty, we helped each other climb up to the top of the station. Where we came face to face with General Cryptor.

Pixal and I looked at each other and readied ourselves. I actually had my daggers with me this time.

He rushed towards me and I struck out with one blade. It glanced off his metal torso and he grabbed me by the shirt. Before Pixal could help me, Cryptor threw me to the floor, and I watched everything go black.

I awoke to an empty platform and commotion down below. I rushed to the railing and looked at the level below, where Zane held Pixal. In no time I spotted the stairs down and headed straight for them.

It was them I saw Pixal go limp and her eyes close. I gasped. "Pix!"

Zane shook his head. "We had to shut down the power to stop the Nindroids." He sighed.

I could tell he was crushed, and it crushed me. knelt beside him and patted his shoulder. "I know it must suck."

He turned to me with a questioning look.

"It sucks you had to choose between saving us and saving her, even when you know you made the right decision." I continued. "I know you cared about her. And for what it's worth, I think Pixal cared about you too, as much as she was capable." I smiled.

Zane smiled back. "Thank you, Lin."

"And I bet you anything she'll come back to us sooner rather than later." I said. "Come on, the others are heading out. I'll help you carry her."