Kai listened to his sister as she hummed happily to herself. Both were working on cleaning the dishes from lunch. Nya washed them before passing them to Kai, who would dry them with a cloth and put them away.

He enjoyed moments like these. Just him and his sister, being able to be in the same room without arguing or fighting. Sure, they weren't talking, but he still counted this as getting along. Especially when at home, he couldn't be in the same room as his sister without his parents finding something he was doing wrong. It was always "Kai, stop slouching," "Kai, Go clean your room," "Kai, go do your homework," "Kai, why isn't the grass cut?", "Kai, why aren't the dishes done?" et cetera.

Kai sighed, putting the last plate in the cupboard as he listened to the water drain from the sink.

"Well, that wasn't too bad," Nya hummed.

Kai shrugged, tossing the tea towel on the counter. He turned, ready to leave, when Nya called his name.

"Do you think we can have that talk now?" she asked, her voice calm.

"Do we have to?" Kai groaned.

Nya sighed, looking away. "If you don't want to, we don't have to. But I hate how far apart we've grown. Plus, being away from mom and dad makes it much harder."

"Maybe for you," Kai grumbled.

"You say that like you don't miss them," Nya frowned.

"Maybe 'cause I don't," Kai replied, walking to the table. "You have to understand that Dad hates me. He only sees me as a disappointment and nothing more."

"That's not true," Nya frowned.

Kai spun around to face his sister, "Name one time he was proud of me."

Nya opened her mouth to respond but couldn't find anything to say. Maybe her brother was right on this one. She couldn't think of anything.

"You see my point," Kai sighed. "Dad has always been proud of you. Anything you do, it's always praise, yet with me, I can never do anything right. Even when I got a job at Garmadon's Dojo, Dad wasn't happy for me."

"Yes, he was-"

"No, he wasn't," Kai snapped. "He just complained about how much money he would have to spend on gas to get me back and forth and how much time he'd lose in the forge, and blah, blah, blah. There is a reason I take the train most of the time, and it's with you and Lloyd the other handful of times."

Nya's gaze sunk to the floor, letting Kai go off on his tangent. He needed to let his anger out, especially if he'd been bottling all this up.

"I mean, there is more than just one reason I'm trying to move to the city," Kai blurted out.

"You're what?" Nya looked up, hurt.

"I-" Kai stopped, finally registering what he said. "I didn't mean to say that."

"You're trying to move away?" Nya asked.

"No, I mean yes, I mean-" Kai bit his lip, panicking. He looked around the room, hoping to find something to change the topic, but was struggling. He sighed in defeat, turning back to his sister. "Yeah, I'm trying to move."

"Why haven't you said anything?" Nya asked.

"Because I don't want Dad to find out," Kai replied. "You know how he is. He'll lose it."

"Because you're his son," Nya replied. "He cares about you."

"No, because he'd rather have me there to help with all the chores no one wants to do and to ensure things get done properly," Kai argued. "He doesn't trust me to do anything on my own."

Nya sighed, knowing he was right. "But what about mom?"

"If she wants to keep in touch, she knows how to reach me," Kai frowned, crossing his arms.

"And me?"

Kai bit his lip, then sighed, "You would find out quite quickly. Garmadon is the one helping me find a place."

"He knows about this?" Nya asked. Kai nodded. "But he hasn't even offered to help Lloyd, not that he's been asking."

"That's just it, though," Kai replied. "He wants to help Lloyd, and he still can and will. But Lloyd isn't looking for a place of his own. Plus, if I'm in the city, I can spend more time at the Dojo and start running more classes. Therefore, more money for Garmadon and a better paycheck for me."

Nya nodded, still processing everything.

"Look, I'm not trying to get away from you," Kai sighed. "Having some space will help you and I get closer as siblings, but I need to do this for me."

"When are you moving?"

"Start of next month," Kai replied. "Garmadon found a place for me a few blocks from his house—a small basement unit with a spare room for anyone to visit. So, if you wanna come over, you can."

Nya nodded. "Would you like help moving?"

Kai smiled, "Sure."

Nya smiled as Kai pulled her into a hug. They stood in the kitchen, embracing for a moment—something they hadn't done in a while.

"Are you two having a moment or something?"

Both siblings turned to the doorway, seeing Cole watching them.

"If so, I can always come back in a bit," he replied, leaving.

"No, it's ok," Nya replied. "I should go find Lloyd anyway."

Nya winked at her brother before walking past Cole and disappearing around the corner. Cole watched before turning back to Kai.

"So, what was that about?" he asked.

"Just," Kai sighed, "a long-needed talk."

"That's good," Cole leaned against the doorframe, crossing his arms as if challenging Kai. "Although, there is another long-needed talk that should happen."

"Really? With who?" Kai asked, confused.

"Oh, I don't know," Cole rolled his eyes, pretending to think about it for a moment. "Maybe one between me and the guy who decided it would be fun to flirt with me last night!"

Kai let out a nervous chuckle, backing away from the older teen. Cole walked closer, quickly closing the gap between them.

"Hey, let's talk about this," Kai chuckled, putting his hands up in defence.

"Is that not what we are doing?" Cole asked, closing the gap between them until they stood inches apart.

"I meant without violence," Kai squeaked, knowing Cole could crush him in seconds.

"Well, then you better explain, and now," Cole growled.

"I was just having fun," Kai muttered.

"You call that fun?" Cole glared.

"I mean, yeah," Kai replied, stepping back into the counter. "Jay was into it. I mean, did you see how he was looking at you during the movie?"

"That's not the point," Cole spat, leaning over the smaller teen, making Kai shrink back. "You tried to mess with me and gave him the wrong message."

"The wrong message?" Kai uttered, "Dude, you understand I'm Aro-ace, right? And Jay knows that? Jay also knows I tend to be flirty to mess with people when he's interested."

"You do?" Col stepped back, now confused.

"Yeah," Kai answered, as if it were obvious. "You understand how many people try to get a bite of him because of his status? A lot."

"So you flirt with them back?" Cole questioned, not entirely understanding it.

"Normally, yes," Kai replied. "Mostly because they are turned away. Either they think he's not interested and is trying to get them to hook up with me, or they don't even want a quick fling. I mess with them to see how they react and let Jay decide if it's worth it."

"That's evil," Cole frowned.

"Well, people try to take advantage of him," Kai shrugged. "I just show him who's trustworthy and who's not."

"As if he didn't know I was trustworthy already," Cole grumbled.

"He did, but he still seems convinced you aren't interested," Kai sighed. "Even though we tell him repeatedly, he won't listen to us and continues to find reasons to say otherwise."

"You probably didn't help."

"I gave him a reason to think you like him. After all, you rejected me all night."
"Because you weren't interested! You made that very clear!"

"So why are you so mad?!"

"What's going on in here?"

Both boys turned to see Wu standing in the doorway to the kitchen, looking rather unimpressed.

"Nothing, Sensei," Kai replied.

"It doesn't seem like nothing," Wu frowned.

"Just trying to sort something out," Cole followed.

"Well, if you both need to take it out of something, the courtyard needs cleaning," Sensei suggested.

"I don't think it's that-"

"It wasn't a suggestion," Wu frowned. "Go. Maybe that'll teach you two to get along."

Kai and Cole groaned as Wu walked away.

"This is your fault," Kai grumbled, storming past Cole.

"My fault?" Cole argued, "How is this my fault?"

"You're the one who came in and picked a fight," Kai retorted. "Now we are both stuck on yard duty."

"Well, at least you're used to it," Cole grumbled. "I've never had to do chores before."

"Right," Kai sassed, "because you are the royal prince, and everything is done for you at the snap of your fingers."

"Why, you little-"

"Enough out of both of you!" Wu snapped from down the hallway. "I don't want to hear any more of it, or you will both be training until dark!"

Both boys groaned, glaring at each other as they silently started working in the courtyard.

"And, there. Try saying something now."

"Hello."

Pixal smiled as Zane continued rambling words, his excitement building with each syllable.

"Great to hear," Pixal smiled, cutting him off. "Now, let's make sure that troublesome shoulder is still in place."

Zane looked down as Pixal started adjusting wires and gears in his shoulder. He didn't understand why she was helping him, but he appreciated it.

"Thank you for all this," Zane mumbled.

"It's not a problem at all, Zane," Pixal hummed, huffing as she adjusted the placement of the joint. "My Zane's been in much worse condition on several occasions."

"Really?" Zane asked, glancing up as Pixal reattached a few loose wires. "What happened?"

"Well, the team here are heroes for the land," Pixal explained. "Everyone is an elemental master and use their powers to defeat any villains who threaten Ninjago."

"Elemental powers?" Zane asked.

"Do you know what those are?" Pixal questioned.

"Not really," Zane answered. "I mean, I remember dad talking about the Serpentine wars, but he always talked as if it were a legend. Like, it never actually happened."

"Well, I can't speak for your world, but it happened it," Pixal hummed. She moved to stand in front of Zane, opening his chest panel and starting to oil the gears. "Since then, the powers have been passed onto the next generation, the ninja team we have now."

"Do you think I have elemental powers? Like your Zane?"

"It's possible," Pixal replied, setting the oil can down and adjusting a few wires. "Zane's told me what he remembers from the previous elemental master. We still don't fully understand how the powers transferred, but it's possible it happened in your world too."

"What's going on here?"

Pixal turned around, her hands frozen to not cause any damage. Nya stood in the doorway to the lab, watching with curiosity.

"Just doing some repairs and adjustments," Pixal answered, turning back. She adjusted one final wire before closing the panel with a sigh. "Unfortunately, there just isn't much else I can do."

"Can I help at all?" Nya asked.

"Not unless you have a new voice modulator," Pixal sighed. "I keep repairing the one he has so it works, but it's always a temporary fix."

"What about that Cyrus guy who brought us here? Would he have one?" Nya asked, curious. "He seemed to have a lot of techy stuff in his lab."

"It's possible, but asking him would only delay your return home," Pixal replied.

"But the odds of there being one back home are slim to none," Nya frowned. "If you want to fix it, you should do it before he goes home."

Pixal paused, thinking about it. She'd never considered it before.
"I guess your right," Pixal nodded. "Do you want to come with us? I sense you are good with technology and could help."

"I'd love to," Nya grinned. "Lloyd's too busy playing video games with Jay anyway."

"Great. I'll get my tools packed up and we can head out shortly," Pixal smiled.

Nya grinned and raced out of the lab to get ready. Pixal quickly put her tools back where they belonged.

"So we are going back to the city?" Zane asked.

Pixal nodded, quickly closing and latching her toolbox. She tucked it away, knowing her father would have all the necessary tools there. She watched Zane stand up from the work bench, rolling his shoulders to check the adjustments.

"Anything I need to fix real quick before we go?" she asked.

"Feels pretty good," Zane smiled.

Pixal smiled, walking over to join him. She wrapped an arm around his shoulder, guiding him out to the hallway. Just in time for Nya to round the corner, jogging over as she struggled to pull her leather jacket on. She finally managed to get her second arm in the sleeve and once pulling it up, she adjusted it.

"Ok, ready," she grinned, looking up at the androids.

"You two head to the bounty, I'll meet you there," Pixal hummed.

"Where are you going?" Nya asked, frowning.

"I'm just letting Wu know what we are doing," Pixal replied.

Nya nodded, turning to Zane. Zane smiled, looking away.

"Shall we?"

Zane nodded. He turned, following Nya down the hallway. She kept glancing over at Zane, who was silently walking next to her. He was looking around, continuously in awe about their surroundings. They entered the room Wu called the 'debreifing' room, and Nya walked over and flipped the switch. The screen on the wall slipped into the wall, revealing the elevator. Both stepped in, letting the doors close. Nya glanced up as they started moving.

"So, where are you from?" she asked.

Zane hummed, looking over in confusion.

"Like, where did you grow up? Or, I guess, where were you created? I don't know how it works for androids."

"Birchwood Forest," Zane replied. "My dad had a secret lab there for years. Just me, him, Gizmo and the falcon."

"Gizmo? Is he a friend of yours?" Nya asked.

"Well, he was my dad's first creation," Zane sighed. "We were attacked, and Gizmo was damaged beyond repair. Not that my father could have repaired him if he wanted to."

Nya was baffled. "Who attacked you guys? Who would attack you? You seem harmless."

"The skulkin. They wanted my dad to make weapons and vehicles for him. When he refused, they forced him to."

The elevator dinged and stopped as the door opened. Both stepped out, walking towards the Bounty.

"Well, you're safe now, right?" Nya asked.

"Until I go home and have to deal with it all over again," Zane replied.

"I doubt that would be the case."

Both jumped, seeing Wu and Pixal waiting for them on the deck.

"How did you get here before us?" Nya asked, startled.

"Don't worry about it," Pixal brushed her off.

"Either way, I highly doubt our Zane couldn't defeat and free your father, Zane," Wu hummed. "After all, he's a ninja and the master of ice."

"And how did you know that was what we were talking about?" Nya cried.

"Nya, my child, there is much you don't understand about the world," Wu smiled.

"That doesn't answer my question," Nya frowned.

"We should head out if we want to be home by dark," Pixal said.

"Let me know how the portal repairs are coming while you're there, alright, Pixal?" Wu commented.

"Will do!"

Nya watched Pixal disappear into the Bridge with Zane following. She turned to ask Wu a question, only to realize he had disappeared again.

She would never understand these people.

Kai groaned, flopping onto his bed. Nya snickered, causing the brunette to turn his head. He glared at her from across the room. Nya sat across the room on the end of Lloyd's bed, with Lloyd laying down next to her with his knees up and feet planted on the bed. He had a book open in his lap, his attention focused on that.

"Do you mind?" he muttered.

"Nope," Nya smirked, leaning forward with her elbows on her knees.

"Why are you in here anyways?" Kai grumbled, pushing himself up to sit on his knees.

"We were just hanging out," Nya shrugged, leaning back.

"It better have been 'just hanging out'," Kai growled.

"Are you still on about this," Lloyd groaned, closing the book.

Kai glared at the blond. "Yeah, I am."

"Dude, you know I wouldn't hurt her," Lloyd stated. "You also know that was not what happened that day."

"What?" Nya hummed, looking between the boys.

"But you know exactly what it looked like," Kai spat.

"What are you two on about?" Nya demanded.

"Kai's talking about the one time he walked in while I was helping you with your bra," Lloyd explained.

"We both know you had other intentions," Kai snapped back.

"I did not!"

"Both of you cut it out," Nya snapped. "Before you wake up everyone else here."

The two glared at each other before Lloyd turned back to his book. Nya stood, storming over to her brother's side of the room.

"Can you two manage without more fighting?" she snapped at him in a hushed voice.

"Fine," Kai grumbled, looking away.

"Maybe you should take a walk and cool down first," Nya suggested. Although Kai knew from her tone, it wasn't exactly a suggestion.

Kai grumbled as he got up and stormed out of the room. He could hear Lloyd and Nya's voices behind him. She probably just wanted him out so they could have more alone time.

Go figure.

He walked up to Jay's room, hoping Jay would be up for talking. He lifted a hand to knock, knowing Cole was also inside, but paused when he heard voices.

"So, that's why you guys have acted weirdly around me?" Jay's voice cried out.

Kai froze, wondering what they were talking about.

"Yeah," Cole replied sheepishly. "I guess I got so hyped up on the idea that I didn't think how you'd feel."

"No, duh!" Jay snapped back. "You shouldn't be betting on someone's love life like that! You don't even know me."

"I'm sorry," Cole replied. "I should have thought it through."

Kai heard Jay sigh. "No, it's not your fault. Kai should have known better. He knows me well enough to know I would get upset."

"Apparently not," Cole replied.

Kai felt his heart shatter. Jay found out about their bet. Cole told him. And Jay was upset with him over it.

Kai stepped away from the door and quickly rushed down the hallway, past Pixal's and Wu's rooms and right out into the courtyard. Tears started forming in his eyes, threatening to pour out. He hiccuped, wiping at his eyes. He didn't want to cry. Not here.

Not when someone could find him.

People would tease him and call him a baby, just like always.

Kai pushed the doors to the courtyard open, stepping outside the Monastery. He quietly closed it behind him, not caring if it locked.

He missed Sensei Garmadon. He could call his Sensei and talk to him at times like this. He could ask for advice, vent about the situation, and plan what he could do, and Kai would end up able to manage. But now, he was alone. He didn't have his support. Not here.

Kai sat on the steps, looking out into the darkness. The sky was clear, and with a new moon, the stars shone brighter than ever.

And yet, all he could do was let the tears fall.

He wanted to go home. Back to his world, where things were normal. Where he didn't have to deal with these people. People who constantly were messing things up for him.

He thought he and Nya were finally going to make up. Now Lloyd's ruined that, and she's more upset with him. Although Kai was partially at fault, he cared and didn't want Lloyd to hurt his sister.

And now Jay was also upset with him over the bet. No doubt Cole would be mad, too, after Jay's reaction.

And Wu was upset with him, to begin with. After all, Wu punished both of them for arguing. Not that Kai knows how to do much other than argue with someone.

"Kai?"

Kai turned around at the sudden voice. One he didn't recognize. He saw Zane standing at the door, looking at him with curiosity. Kai quickly turned away, wiping his face and trying to steady his breathing.

No way was he going to let anyone know he was crying. Especially someone he didn't know.

"Are you alright?" Zane's voice called.

"Yeah," Kai replied, cursing at the shakiness in his voice. "Just needed some fresh air."

He silently prayed that Zane would take that answer and leave him alone. Much to his disapproval, Zane appeared next to him. The android sat next to him, looking out at the stars.

"Do you think the stars are the same here?" Zane asked.

Kai was caught off guard. He didn't expect that question. Maybe 'why are you upset?' or 'can I help?'. But not that.

"Maybe?" Kai mumbled.

"I love looking at the stars back home," Zane hummed happily. "Father always showed me the different constellations."

"Constellations?" Kai asked.

"Yes. Back at the lighthouse, father would show me which stars make up each constellation. You know what that is, right?" he glanced over.

"It's a group of stars?" Kai suggested.

"Yes, and it makes an image in the sky," Zane smiled, looking back up at the sky.

Kai looked up, seeing the stars scattered across the endless sky.

"Like that one," Zane pointed to a spot in the sky. "The large triangle shape with those three stars, plus the 'w' above create the Fire Constellation. It is supposed to be the face of the fire dragon. Guardian of the Sword of Fire, one of the Golden Weapons used to create our land."

Kai could see which stars he was talking about. It looked like a flame with the smaller, much dimmer stars around it.

"And over there," Zane pointed to the right, "is named the two brothers. Two lines of three stars, with a star between them. It is supposed to be the two sons of the First Spinjitzu Master sword fighting."

"Like in the legend," Kai awed.

He turned back to the blond, who was smiling back at him.

"Feeling better?" Zane asked.

"A little," Kai shrugged, looking down.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Kai shook his head, not looking up.

"That's ok, you do not have to." Zane hummed.

Kai looked back over, seeing the blond looking at the sky.

"How are you doing?" Kai asked. Zane hummed, looking over in confusion. "I mean, how are you adjusting to everything."

"It was tough at first," Zane sighed. "With all the damage I had obtained, I could not do much. With Pixal's help, I am functioning better than ever before."

"And your home?" Kai asked. "Do you miss it?"

"I do miss my father," Zane replied. "I worry for him every day. Yet Pixal and Sensei Wu insist that their version of me would be able to free my father."

"That's good, right?" Kai asked.

"So long as I can find him, yes," Zane nodded.

Kai nodded, looking away again.

"Is this why you are upset?"

Kai looked back up, confused.

"Not because of me, but because you are homesick?" Zane asked. "You miss your parents and friends?"

"Not exactly," Kai sighed.

"Care to share?"

Kai bit his lip but figured talking to someone was better than bottling it up.

"It's not so much that I miss people," Kai sighed. "The only person I miss is Sensei Garmadon. My parents don't like me and my only friend was Jay."

"Was?"

"He's upset with me over a stupid bet Cole and I made," Kai replied. "I wouldn't be surprised if he never talks to me again."

"I believe otherwise," Zane hummed.

"Like you would know."

"I heard them arguing next door," Zane commented. Kai looked up, curious. "I heard Jay was upset, but when Cole said it was your idea, he was surprised."

"Let me guess, he was mad?" Kai mumbled.

"He sounded more grateful," Zane replied. "Cole told him the idea of this bet was to help them confess their feelings. Something we could all tell Jay was struggling to do."

"So, he wasn't upset with me?" Kai asked.

"It did not seem that way," Zane replied.

Kai smiled, looking away again.

"It is getting cold out," Zane stated. "How about we talk inside over a game of chess?"

"I've never played," Kai admitted.

"Then we can talk while I teach you," Zane stood.

Kai looked up as Zane extended a hand to him. Kai smiled up and took his hand. Zane pulled him to his feet, and the two walked inside.