Chapter 119
In Loving Memory

.:Violet:.

With a soft and melancholy sigh, the kunoichi's violet eyes lingered over her form, making sure nothing was out of place on her outfit. Her black strapless dress has a sweetheart bodice and the skirt has distinct A-line shape. The three layers of tulle fell in waves just underneath her knees. Her hair was down but unlike its usual loose curls, her hair fell in flat waves with no volume to it. Since Violet had no experiences with make-up, she decided to wear none for this miserable event. With a frown gracing her features, Violet was still disheartened at the fact Nya hasn't recall any single memory. She would have helped but the younger girl wasn't in the mood… to be frankly honest no body was. The weight of Zane's death was agonisingly heavy.

Today was officially two weeks after his death. Borg insisted they prolong the date of the funeral since he asserted the city isn't presentable enough to say their farewell to the honourable hero. It was also because he worked on a memorial for Zane. Violet could remember how Borg came up to her and ask if she could do a eulogy since he knew he was rather close to her.

Sniffing sadly, Violet walked over to her desk and grabbed her clutch which securely held the eulogy. It took her three nights to finally write something that seemed decent enough but at the same time, it seemed like it wasn't good enough. So many people were going to be at this funeral… well to be more precise all of the residents of Ninjago City that aren't currently hospitalised. If Violet was honest, she didn't want to attend. She knew it would bring so much painful yet beloved memories of her brother but that wasn't the reason. Crying in front of everyone while she reads the eulogy wasn't the reason either; she was dreading seeing her friends and family. Since Zane's death, they all haven't gotten together with the exception of Kai and Nya. When they had dinner (which tasted bland) they would just sit at the table with not a single word uttered or any eye contact made. They would all hang their heads in grief as they ate or pushed food around. Sometimes, Violet would look up to see how well the others looked and every time she did, they didn't look much better than her. Their eyes would support heavy black bags underneath with red webs interlacing their eyes. Their noses would be red to evidently show they have been crying.

Swiftly but stiffly, Violet walked over to the door and opened it before closing it behind her. Her black heels clicked in the hallway of the apartment she and the others were staying at. The others consisted of Wu, Garmadon, Lloyd, Kai, Nya, Jay, Cole, Lloyd, P.I.X.A.L and Borg since Cyrus' building was destroyed… along with the Overlord and Zane.

Violet furiously shook her head to keep it clear of any thoughts of Zane. She couldn't cry now, that was what the funeral was for. The memorial wasn't supposed to commence until another two hours but she needed to be out of here. She wanted to go before she bump into the others. Once outside, she could see the sky was grey but it wasn't rainy grey, just an overcast. She enjoyed the cool breeze as she left the apartment and let her feet walk over to the centre park of the city. That was where the funeral would take place along with whatever Borg has built for Zane.

It has been a while since she has been out. She enjoyed the feeling of the breeze blowing on her skin and through her waist length hair. It was calming – something she hasn't felt in a long time.

.::.

Two hours have passed and Violet could already feel the depressing buzz in the air as people listened to Borg's speech about Zane's bravery and sacrifice. The front row was where she, her family and friends would sit. To her comfort, she was placed at the very edge of the row. To her discomfort, Kai was sitting next to her. The master of wind could hear people sniff and some people crying. Looking down her row, she could see the boys' heads hanging and their eyes fixed upon their hands or feet. Nya had her amber eyes transfixed on the forget-me-nots and flowers arrangements, looking deep in thought.

No doubt trying to conjure a memory of the man we're having the funeral for.

Violet thought sadly. Glancing away from the amnesic girl, she looked over to P.I.X.A.L's saddened face. The robotic woman had tears streaming down her face. Violet didn't know the affair the nindroid had with Zane. Violet found out by Cyrus and according to him, P.I.X.A.L politely declined to say a eulogy. She was afraid her presence may scare the people even though she wasn't like the other nindroids. But that wasn't the only reason, the female nindroid was sure she wouldn't be able to utter a single word without bursting into tears. This left Violet to do and deliver a eulogy for the fallen nindroid.

"I would like to invite Miss Violet Emerson up to deliver her eulogy," Cyrus said, snapping the said girl out of her thoughts.

She could immediately feel the boys' eyes on her as she stood up and walked over to where Cyrus was standing. He gave her a comforting nod to which she returned with a smile. Glancing down to her trembling hands, the purple kunoichi gulped. She took out the note from her bag and opened it in front of her. Her hazed eyes roughly skimmed over her messy handwriting to only see a blur of words.

No… This isn't good. Violet nervously thought as she slowly folded the paper. With careful word being formed in her mind, the caramel-haired girl exhaled deeply.

"Zane wasn't just a ninja or a robot; he was a nindroid. He wasn't just any kind of nindroid either, he was our nindroid," she spoke out loud in a firm but slightly trembling voice. "Zane once told me- told us that whatever happens, probability and numbers doesn't matter. What matter is family. To us, Zane was more than a nindroid. He was definitely more than a teammate and more than a friend. He was a brother to us. Sure he was different but different is good. Zane may have his little moments but he was always a calm, peaceful and gentle person who only wanted to protect those who cannot protect themselves…

"When he woke up with no memories, he was confused, lost and lonely," and as she said this, her eyes land on Nya who looked back up at her with surprise. "He had to start his life over again with no means of direction of how he should be doing so but never once have he given up. When I met him, he told me that even though he was confused, he wouldn't give up. He kept going because he knew the people that had cared for him wanted him to move on instead of letting the tidal wave of having no memories drown him. Zane has inspired so many people but he has especially inspired me."

As she said this, a tear rolled down her cheek. Quickly, she chided herself. Come on Violet, don't cry now.

"My parents were murdered when I was six, I've lived on the streets for over a decade until I was finally brought in. Zane told me that I've taught him that family isn't just a bond connected to another person by blood but it's a bond between two friends with unconditional love. To be frankly honest, I think it was him who taught me this. Maybe we taught each other it because he was the first person I could call a brother. Zane was- I mean still is a dear brother to me; a sweet and protective older brother who would provide me with emotional support. Let's not forget about the delicious food he makes," Violet said with a small chuckle which caused the rest of the crowd to laugh softly with her.

When she looked back to her family and friends, she could see they were no longer looking at the ground or their hands but at her – which made her completely nervous. But the caramel-haired girl swallowed her nerves as she took a breath, wiped her eyes and continued.

"I know some of us feel like we haven't done enough to spare his life; to change his fate. Watching Zane sacrifice himself right in front of my eyes made me feel like that it should have been me instead of him. I sometimes wondered that if I wasn't so ignorant and stayed back before the fight maybe this could have been avoided but then it could have been the cost of someone else's life."

Nya's life… Violet thought as she remembered how Grumpy towered over Nya. Kai would have been devastated.

"Zane deserved to live and have a full and happy life with the people he loves and I think that what's hurt the most. It's the fact that Zane would no longer be a part of our lives and the memories and events we experience won't be with him anymore," and out of nowhere, the falcon dived down and dropped something into her hands. Looking down, she realised it was a cog. She muttered a quick thank you before remembering the words she said to Lloyd and repeated them. "Our memories and our personal bond with Zane is like a cog to an antique grandfather clock. A clock this old can't work without its cog, just like how we're feeling incomplete and broken without Zane. We all know as well that we can't just go ahead and buy a new cog because it's antique, one of a kind and irreplaceable. It's just like Zane. We can't have another Zane because he's unique in his own special way."

She blush slightly under her tears as her voice broke but she quickly regain her composure and continued.

"We can't buy a new part to fix this pain so our only option is left is to fix it ourselves and move on. The only way to fix this grief and these bittersweet memories is to not think of the bad experience with Zane or the saddening moment of his death but the good times we had with him and know him for. But knowing Zane, he wouldn't want us to be weeping and mourning for his death but for us to move on and do something incredible with our lives. We shall do that with him as our sunrise of the day. It is hard to say goodbye to the greatest nindroid that has ever existed because hellos take a second whereas goodbyes take forever."

Violet quickly gave Cyrus a teary smile and nod. Immediately, the man wheeled his chair over to the object covered in a cloth. With a strong tug, the covers fell off to reveal a statue standing tall – a statue of Zane. The sight of it was breathtaking and the female ninja could hear the people gasping in awe. During this moment, she quickly thought of a way to end her eulogy but as she said her next words, her eyes stayed on the statue.

"Zane, may you have the warmest words on a cool evening, a full moon on the darkest nights and a smooth road all the way to your door. May the flowers line your path and the sunlight light your day. May the songbirds serenade you every step of the way. May a rainbow run alongside with you in a sky that is always blue. A s-sunbeam to warm you a-and a moonlight to charm… charm you… We love you Zane."

.:Kai:.

Days have passed since the funeral and the grief still hung over everyone. Kai tried to heed Violet's words but while a part of him is trying to improve, the other still feels guilty over Zane's death. Right after the service, team gathered together and said it would be best to split ways to adjust to this absence of Zane. They all agreed. Kai already knew Nya would be sticking close to him but he wounded if would Violet too? So far, the only people remaining in the apartment was him, Nya, Violet and Cole. Borg and P.I.X.A.L have moved into the new developing Borg Industries. So far the building was only six stories high but the first floor has already been decorated. Jay silently said his goodbyes and left to stay with his parents a little bit before he decides what else to do with his life. Wu, Lloyd and Garmadon went back to the monastery. The tea loving man asked Violet if she wanted to come with them but she numbly told them that she's planning on perhaps moving back to her hometown and renovate her old house. Kai desperately hoped she didn't want to go with the descendants of the First Spinjitzu Master because she wanted to stay with him but not once have they talked since the death of Zane.

Taking a deep breath, the brunette ninja looked at the door that separated him from Violet right now. He couldn't bare this separation anymore. She's his fiancée for spirits' sake! Although he couldn't help but feel this silence between them is also his fault. He should have been there for her after Zane's death instead of wallowing in grief selfishly. How stupid could he be? Violet was closer to Zane than he was so of course this grief she would be feeling would be tenfold his.

Raising a closed fist, Kai gently knocked his fist against the door. He waited for a couple seconds before he heard a strained 'enter'. Immediately concerned, the brunette opened the door and to his surprise, he didn't see Violet lying on the bed or in a corner crying. Instead, he saw her struggling to fit all her belongings into a suitcase. His heart clenched at the sight.

"Y-You're leaving?" The ninja of fire asked in a bare whisper.

He watched as Violet's face snapped up from her bag to his face. She wore the expression that resembled a guilty child caught stealing candy except those looks are always filled with innocence. Her face was painted with pain and sadness.

"Y-Yeah…" She muttered as she looked away and went back to packing her bag. Kai quickly covered the distance between them and grasp her wrists to stop her.

"Please… stay," he whispered softly into her ear but he frowned when he could feel her wrists trembling in his hands. Sadness quickly flowed through his veins and deadened his mind. It was a poison to his spirit, dulling and killing off all other emotions until it was the only one that remained. It was as if a black mist had settled upon him.

"No," she mumbled as she pulled away from him. "We all need time, even you agreed so."

"But not from you Sumire," he pleaded as he reached for her again but she quickly evaded his arms and got back to her suitcase and quickly zipped it up. "I'm here for you Violet. I should done so before but-"

"No Kai," the caramel hair girl firmly stated as she turned around to face him. "We need time as well."

"V-Violet-!"

"Please Kai," she exasperated, "I-I just need time to myself." And his eyes widened in horror when he caught sight of her finger reaching over to her ring and slightly pulling it off.

"V-Violet-!"

"I just… need to be alone. I just need to clear my mind and get away from this whole ninja business."

When the ring slipped off her small and thin fingers, Kai felt his heart stopped. The air thickened to an unbearable weight and he found it was suddenly hard to breathe. He just lost Nya's memories, he lost Zane, and he couldn't lose her too, not after all what they have been through together. His mind already stimulated words to gain her back but his mouth was completely detached. He couldn't utter a single word.

"Maybe we just need some time too. Plus you need to look after Nya." And with a soft sigh escaping through her soft lips, he watched with widened and teary eyes as she grabbed his hands. She placed the cool rose gold of the ring into it. "Maybe we can resume what we have when everything will go back to normal… just the exception of Zane."

When she went to move back, Kai's hand darted out despite his mental protests. His large calloused hands grabbed her smaller ones. She looked up with him with her beautiful, exquisite purple eyes. Her teary eyes reflected his own. At first, he couldn't managed to get a word out but he quickly cleared his throat.

"S-Stay, please. Don't leave me," the brunette man whispered croakily. He excruciatingly watched as a single tear slid down from her gorgeous eyes. Kai could feel his breath hitched in his throat as that tear that slid down her creamy skin was followed by another, and another.

"I-I'm sorry K-Kai," she whispered as she went to pull her hands out but he held onto her tighter.

"I lost so many things, I can't l-lose you too. You are my everything Violet. D-Don't leave."

"Y-You are my everything too," Violet said softly as her eyes looked down to their hands which he did too. "But I-I just need time." And she pulled her hands away.

Kai felt his throat tightened to supress the cry that was trying to escape. His stomach and heart clenched agonisingly. No, I refuse to cry now. I refuse to lose her. But deep down, he knew she wouldn't change her thought. He looked back to her face to see a steady stream of salty tears flowed it ways down her cheeks.

"Keep the ring."

"K-Kai-"

"Keep it… Please. I need some r-reassurance you won't forget me… Or regret me." His voice broke. He quickly bite down on his tongue to hold back his tears that threatened to leak.

"I will never forget you Kai and I could never regret you, ever but I can't accept this ring."

"Violet, please."

"No… I want you to keep it for me. It'll give me something to look forward to when we meet again. Plus it'll be a reminder to you that I'm always h-here for you, n-no matter w-what," she cried softly. "U-Unless you find someone b-better than me to g-give it to."

"Never!" He gasped out as he quickly pulled her tiny and shivering figure into his chest and hugged her tightly. "I love you… I don't want y-you to leave."

"I need to K-Kai," she sobbed into his chest, making his heart clench even tighter than it had before. It felt like someone was stabbing him over and over again with a sharp fragment of glass. "G-Goodbye."

And her small figure disappeared from his grasp. When his amber eyes quickly looked for her, he saw her fleeting figure go out of the door with the suitcase in her hand… and her ring in his hand.

"Violet!" He cried out, his agony and sorrow clearly evident.

Kai rushed out of the door in a haste. He didn't stop when he'd tripped over the leg of the bed and collided into the door frame. All he needed was for her to be here; for her to be in his arms. He quickly ran down the halls to chase her but he knew he could never catch up to the speed she moved at.

She was gone.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to announce that this story is officially over! Undercover is finish! Now I know what you all are thinking, "What the heck?! Why did she leave? This is the worst ending ever!" Yes, I know this is a terrible cliff hanger but I have chapter 1 ready for 'Underestimated' and all it needs now is to be read by my new Beta reader WowWhatALongUsernameIHave! So it will be up quickly.

But I want to give a massive thanks to everyone who has supported me and Undercover. Your support is what drove me on to continue this story. Undercover is my most successful story ever with it being the 1st most reviewed story in the Ninjago achieve and the 3rd most favorited and followed. This achievement is a dream and it couldn't have been done without you guys. I honestly thought this story would be one of those stories that would get read by a few people since I wasn't a big writer but you all proved me wrong and actually helped me become better! I would love to thank you personally all but unfortunately that's over 100 people. So thank you to everyone who have read, reviewed, favorited and followed this story.

I love you all and I'll see you soon with Underestimated! Xoxo – ZaneLoverFan88