"So he did what now?"

"He said its called a system-induced shut down so he can focus his energy into healing himself," Hailey explained to Samuel.

The man pushed his glasses up his nose and sighed. "I see. But we should still make sure his wounds are clean."

Together, Hailey and Samuel cleaned Zane's injuries and put fresh bandages on. Hailey made sure to have another bowl of elk stew ready for him to eat when he woke up, as well as water and medicine if he needed it. Hailey also got a clean rag, soaked it in cold water, and placed it back on his forehead since he still felt feverish.

"Hang in there, Zane," Hailey muttered. "We're doing what we can..."

...

It had been three days since Zane passed out, and he still hadn't wakened from his shutdown. Hailey had begun to get super worried and devoted her time to caring for Zane while he was unconscious.

"Hailey, listen," Samuel told her. "I know you're trying to help, and I appreciate it, but doing three days of nothing but caring for Zane? You need a break."

Hailey had went back to what she was doing, soaking a fresh rag, when Samuel went up to the sink, got his hand wet, and flicked some water in Hailey's face.

"Hey!" She said. "What was that for?!"

"Seriously, Hailey. You need to relax. Taking care of Zane, it's kinda taking a toll on you."

"Oh really?" She said, folding her arms. "How so?"

"Well, Ranger hasn't been out in at least a week, I think he'd appreciate the exercise and you the fresh air."

"But Zane-"

"I'll take care of him for right now. You get out of the house."

Hailey sighed. "Fine..." She said.

Hailey walked out of the door and to the paddock. She retrieved her horse and saddled him up before riding out of town. There were plenty of horseback trails nearby, so Hailey decided that she would one of the trails that went along a stream.

It was warm and sunny with a cool breeze. Hailey let the sound of her horse's clopping hooves, the chirping of birds, rustling of leaves, and the bubbling of the water ease her tension of caring for Zane. They were out for quite a few hours. Hailey felt refreshed by the fresh air. Ranger also appreciated the outing, being able to stretch his legs.

...

It was a clear cold night in New Ninjago City. A chilly breeze nipped at P.I.X.A.L's arms and face as she slipped out the door of Borg Industries. When she heard about Zane, she was so overwhelmed by the sadness she couldn't talk. All she could do was run out of the room sobbing. She was able to regain her composure before she went outside, but the frosty air still stung her wet eyes.

P.I.X.A.L walked down the front steps of the building. She turned down the street and slowly walked towards the park.

The moon was at its fullest and brightest, casting a soft glow on the trees and grass. P.I.X.A.L walked, looking down at the dirt path. She didn't have a particular destination, so she just let her feet wander and take her wherever they did.

P.I.X.A.L listened to the gentle swish of the wind blowing through the trees, the sound of a distant cricket singing a night song, and the noise of a fountain. P.I.X.A.L didn't know how long she had been walking, but she felt the need to stop and rest for a while. She looked around for a place to sit, and saw that she was standing next to the monument of Zane that was put up after his battle with the Overlord.

With a sigh, P.I.X.A.L sat down and made herself comfortable on the statue's pedestal. The silence was thick in the air. She sighed again, watching the gentle breeze taking the fog from her breath and sweep it away. P.I.X.A.L couldn't stop thinking about Zane, if he was alive and well, alive but dying, or he was captured by Morro and his ghosts and he was locked away in a cell somewhere. Or…even maybe…

"No," P.I.X.A.L said quietly but fiercely. "If I've read his personal analysis correctly, he is not one that would let that happen."

But she couldn't stop thinking about where Zane was, or stop thinking in general about him, really. P.I.X.A.L cast a glance around the park. Everything seemed to remind her of him. The leaves of the tree shined with silver so bright it was almost as bright as Zane's titanium exoskeleton. Everything was bathed in a silvery light. And the moon itself…even it seemed to be tinged an icy blue, like his eyes. Tears started to well up in her eyes again.

"Oh Zane," P.I.X.A.L said mournfully. "Please be alright. Please come home. Please…"

She couldn't say any more because she started sobbing again. She covered her face with her hands.

"Please, Zane…" She sobbed.

"Please…"

P.I.X.A.L kept crying, but for how long, she didn't know. It must've been for a while because apparently someone got worried and came to find her.

"P.I.X.A.L!" someone called. It was Jay. She looked up but didn't answer. She just didn't have the heart right now.

"P.I.X.A.L!" Jay called again. P.I.X.A.L still didn't answer.

But eventually Jay saw her at Zane's monument and came running.

"Hey," He gasped, out of breath. "Whadda doing all the way out here?"

P.I.X.A.L just covered her face with her hands again. Jay frowned a little.

"Well, I can see why you picked this spot." He said, sitting down next to her. He looked over to her. He ran his fingers along the cold smooth stone of the statue's foundation. P.I.X.A.L didn't even make a sound.

'Wow.' Jay thought. 'She must be really depressed.'

"Hey," he said, wrapping a comforting arm around her. "We're gonna find Zane. We're gonna bring him home, no matter what it takes. You hear me P.I.X.A.L? We're gonna get him back."

P.I.X.A.L sniffed. A cold breeze blew, and Jay shivered.

"C-c'mon, we should head back. It's getting late and it's really c-c-cold." Jay said, teeth chattering.

There was a long stretch of silence before P.I.X.A.L spoke again.

"No." She whispered. "You go ahead."

"P.I.X.A.L. Come on. You can't stay out here forever. Come on back. You can help us find Zane's location so we can get to him."

Reluctantly, P.I.X.A.L got up and walked with Jay out of the park and back to Borg Industries. Jay offered her his sweatshirt he wore out there to keep her warm. Even though she was a nindroid, it was a bit nippy out.

'But nothing compared to what Zane's probably going through right now.' She thought, thinking about giving it back to him. But Jay insisted she'd keep it for now until they could warm up.

On the way back, Jay kept assuring P.I.X.A.L that they would bring Zane and bring him home alive, no matter where he would be or the cost to get him back. But all the while, Jay wasn't saying this to assure just her, but soon realized he was also saying this to himself.

. . .

Zane's eyes fluttered open. He groaned.

"Zane?"

Zane looked groggily around and saw Samuel. It was obvious he was still in pain. He rubbed his forehead and muttered something Samuel didn't catch.

"What was that?" Samuel moved closer.

Zane repeated, and Samuel still wasn't sure, but he thought he said 'It's hurts.'

"You said it hurts?"

Zane nodded weakly, his hand sliding to cover his face.

"You need anything?"

Even though Zane didn't answer, Samuel knew that something like Ibprofen would help him out a lot.

"I'll give you some Ibprofen. Would that help you?" Samuel asked, getting up.

Silence.

Samuel went into a cabinet and came back with a couple tablets and a glass of water. He helped Zane take the painkillers and helped him sit up. Samuel glanced down to Zane's arm and noticed it was still wrapped up.

Once the painkillers took effect, Samuel asked about Zane's arm.

"You think you might be able to move that?"

He pointed to the ace bandage on Zane's forearm.

Zane looked down to it. "I am not entirely positive. But I can attempt it."

With Samuel's help, Zane unwrapped the ace bandage from his arm. Then Samuel began to take Zane's arm into his hand. "May I?"

Zane nodded.

"Tell me if I need to stop."

Samuel gently bent Zane's arm back. Zane concentrated, feeling for the slightest sign of pain in his 'broken' arm. It was a little sore, but no serious pain whatsoever.

"I sense no discomfort in my right arm," Zane reported as Samuel let his arm down.

"Good." He said. "Now try flexing it by yourself."

Zane did, slowly. Same as before. Sore, but it wasn't hurting.

Zane relaxed it. Zane rolled his shoulder a little bit.

"So I think your good pretty much now?" Samuel inquired.

A small smile crossed Zane's face. "Yes. I am indeed. Thank you."

Zane glanced down to the floor. "I wonder-" he began to get up to try and walk, but Samuel stopped him real quick.

"Oh, nononono. Don't try that yet. Rest and wait for a few more days. I don't want you knocking your head on the coffee table like you did last time."

Zane nodded, disappointed. But that was okay. At least he was healing, and in a few days, he would be up and around.

AAAAAnd there you have it. Chap number 17! 17-38! Ey! I'm like hey wassup hello!

(I'm sorry I just couldn't resist)

And for those of you wondering, if you are wondering. There will be NO BROMANCE! I repeat, NO BROMANCE!

Also, there a poll on my profile regarding my other story. This poll needs a considerable amount of votes, and until then, I will not update.

See yall lata!