Zane's P.O.V.
I open my eyelids as I regain consciousness. There is a sharp pain in my head, but it soon leaves, and I realize I am lying in a soft bed.
Clearing my thoughts, I attempt to remember where I am, but nothing comes to me. No parents, relatives, or even a name to call my own. I am confused, yet something else calls my attention.
By my bed is a figure. Her head is bowed, as if in deep mourning. She seems to be familiar, but I am still unable to figure out who she is. I rise from the bed, and try to speak. Words escape me, and the only sound I am able to produce is a very soft, short cough.
Nevertheless, the girl lifts her head immediately at the small noise. Her lips lift into a wide smile, and she clasps my hand with hers. "Zane! You're alright." She whispers happily, a single tear running down her cheek. Is that my name?
"Who... who are you?" I ask politely. The girl's smile fades as she looks into my eyes.
"Oh no. Zane, say you can remember me. Please." She begs, crying. Her expression screams for me to lie, to pacify her, but I cannot.
"I... cannot remember anything. Not even my name." I murmur looking down in disappointment.
The girl squeezes my hand comfortingly. "Zane, it doesn't matter. You're safe now." She tells me. "I'll help you remember. I promise."
Lucine's P.O.V.
Quickly, I launch into the cover story. "Our mother died shortly after my birth. You raised me, even though you were only two years older. Our poor father was shaken by Mum's death, but he still cared for us. Our father was a scientist, and you often helped him in the shop."
"Two days ago, however, our house was set aflame by... the ninja." I sniff, wiping away a tear from remembering mine burn. "We... we tried t-to get f-father out o-of the h-house, but h-he was s-stuck under the r-rumble... And my ankle had been injured..." I stop, grasping Zane's hand. "Y-you saved me but o-on the w-way out, a p-piece of the falling building h-hit you. Y-you p-passed out just a-as we e-exited the house..."
Zane remains silent. He wipes away my tears slowly. "What happened, sister?"
"I w-was so scared... Then Master appeared." I steadied my voice. "Master Garmadon found me in the woods, trying to revive you. He called for his Serpentine to bring us to his cavern and gave me treatment. You've been unconscious since then."
"Who is Master Garmadon?" Zane asks.
"He is another who was hurt by the ninja." The last word I spit out. "His son was taken and told his father was evil, by Master's own brother. Master Garmadon will help us gain our revenge for our father's death."
Nodding, Zane stands. "Where is Master Garmadon?"
"Wait!" I attempt to push Zane back to the bed. "Rest, brother. I will get him later. But you need to rest."
Zane shakes his head. "But we must,"
"It will not help if you are tired. Please, rest." I insist. Zane complies and lies back down, while I exit the room.
I lean against the door and close my eyes. Everything inside me is screaming how this is wrong; whether how he is a ninja and I should be killing him or how this... manipulation is worse than killing him.
You're saving his life! Master would have had you kill him! A voice tells me.
But you're twisting his memories. Another reminds. Who prefers that?
Shaking my head, I walk down the hall and walk into the room at the end. Waiting inside is Master Garmadon, sitting at a table. "Well?"
"He believed me." I swallowed hard after remembering talking to Zane.
"Good." Master Garmadon stands, handing me several shruikens. "These are his weapons; he should remember how to remember use them. Meet me by the simulation room."
"Yes, Master." I quickly return to Zane's room, where he sits in his bed.
"I need to ask... what is your name?" Zane asked kindly.
"Lucine. Master Garmadon wishes to see you." I intend to leave, but Zane pulls me close.
"Sister... I am so sorry for forgetting about you." Zane rubs my back. "I promise to never forget you ever again."
Tears spring to my eyes and I force myself to not push him away. Instead of speaking, I allow Zane to hold me for a few more moments before pulling back. "Master Garmadon needs us at the simulation room."
Zane nods, and I lead him to where Master Garmadon waits. He gestures to the room, and I enter with Zane following. "Begin simulation!" Master Garmadon calls from the control room. Several of the Serpentine appear, and our battlefield is revealed; a sweltering desert, likely to test the fact Zane was the ninja of ice. I pull out one of my short swords from my side and hand Zane his shruikens. He twirls them in his hand, confident.
"Ready, brother?" I asked.
"Always, sister." Zane expertly threw a shruiken into one of the Serpentine, and it fell the second the weapon touched it.
Together, we fought the Serpentine in the simulation. The heat didn't seem to faze Zane as much as I'd have guessed, but by the time we're around halfway through the swarm I'm about to die of heat exhaustion. This is one of the longest training sessions, likely to test Zane's abilities in the field firsthand.
So it's not surprising when a Serpentine comes from behind, I earn a decent slice on my back. I manage to hold back a gasp of pain, but mere moments after the injury Zane grabs the Serpentine and snaps its neck. "Lucine!" Angered, he chops down several more Serpentine, even after the simulation ends.
"Zane! Stand down." Master Garmadon commands. Only then does Zane stop. Grunting I hobble over to the exit, assisted by Zane. "Well done, Zane. Lucine, you require more practice."
"She requires medical attention." Zane hissed.
"I've... done worse." I rasped.
Nevertheless Zane practically carries me to the medical room where my wound is stitched. While I'm there, my older wounds are checked and they apply medicine to burns from a simulation earlier in the week. A few minutes later, I'm able to relax in my room. Zane was meditating in his, so it's not surprising Master Garmadon chose to visit me with a file in hand.
"Our next assignment?" I asked.
"The ninja are weakened. You must show them our power." Master Garmadon replied. "Scare them, but for now, do not kill."
"Simple enough." I grab my necklace. "When?"
"Tomorrow. The Serpentine will open for you." Master Garmadon leaves, and I lie in my bed, waiting for the battle.
Allow me to introduce my co-writer, do0m! Be warned: She not only is willing to torture, she revels in it! (Evil grin)