Ninjago: Illusionary.

Episode 2: Peace of Mind

As the Destiny's Bounty hovers toward the newly rebuilt monastery, an unsettling silence hangs over the ninja. The weight of their recent encounter lingers heavily, particularly on Zane, Wu, and Garmadon. Unlike their previous battles with ghosts or ancient demons, this situation feels different—paranormal in a psychological sense, almost intangible. It is a kind of mental fog, gnawing at their thoughts, elusive yet insistent.

For Zane, the mystery is more perplexing than any threat he's ever faced. The Lady. The Nightmare. The Peacock. These names swirl endlessly in his mind, fragments of a haunting melody without a clear origin. There's no direct source, no traceable clues, just a nagging sensation that his internal systems can't parse. It's as if his memory banks are stuck in an error loop, a broken record playing a disquieting tune that won't end.

When the Bounty finally lands and the crew disembarks, the pain from the dream surges once again, a heavy ache in Zane's head.

"Zane," Nya asks, her voice filled with concern. "Are you okay?"

"My processors are experiencing what you humans would call a migraine," Zane mutters, his tone weary, far from its usual precision.

Kai, ever the optimist, leans in with a grin. "Well, sounds like you've had yourself a fever dream!"

Zane groans in response, unimpressed.

"Kai," Cole says dryly, raising an eyebrow, "bad jokes are Jay's thing. Stop stealing his thunder."

Jay gasps dramatically, clutching his chest in mock offense. "Excuse me! My humor is a finely crafted art form! Show a little respect, will ya?"

"Enough," Wu interrupts firmly, his voice cutting through the banter. "This is no time for squabbling. Zane needs rest to recover from what he's been through."

Jay crosses his arms, muttering under his breath. "And here I thought good never rests…"

Wu taps his staff lightly on Jay's head. "This is different, and you know it."

Jay rubs his head sheepishly, clearly chastened. "S-sorry…"

Garmadon steps forward, his voice commanding yet unyielding. "From now on, the ninja will assist Zane in any way he requires. Consider it your mission for the day."

"What?!" the group exclaims in unison, caught off guard.

Wu lets out a soft sigh, his voice calming. "Assist, Garmadon. Assist, not serve. We are here to help Zane recover as a mother cares for her child."

Garmadon grunts in acknowledgment, his voice softening just slightly. "Old habits die hard."

Kai smirks, leaning toward Zane with mischief in his eyes. "So, what you're saying is... we're Zane's parents now?"

Zane sighs deeply, his tone flat with exasperation. "If that's the case, I request that my 'parents' refrain from further embarrassing me."

Wu shakes his head, his expression firm as he leads Garmadon into the monastery. "No jokes, no distractions. From this moment on, do nothing that might cause Zane stress or anxiety." He pauses, then adds with a sly edge, "Or no video games for a week."

The group collectively groans in protest, but the message is clear. As Wu and Garmadon enter the monastery, the group stands in the open courtyard, the weight of their new mission settling in. The atmosphere is heavy with uncertainty. Zane's recovery is their primary goal, but the path forward remains unclear.

Nya, ever the practical one, crosses her arms and turns toward the group. "Alright, so we need to figure out how to keep Zane's mind engaged while also helping him recover. We can't just sit around, right?"

Zane, still rubbing his temples, mutters, "I would prefer to avoid anything strenuous…"

"Don't worry, Zane," Kai says cheerfully, "we'll keep it low-key. How about... a puzzle?" He grins, clearly proud of his suggestion. "You know, like a big, complicated puzzle—something to keep your brain active but without all the stress."

Jay raises an eyebrow. "A puzzle? Really, Kai? You're telling me we need to sit around for hours, clicking pieces together? Maybe we should just give Zane a crossword puzzle instead."

Nya laughs. "Crossword puzzles are a bit... quaint, don't you think?"

Kai shrugs, unfazed. "It's about the principle! Puzzles help you focus and unwind."

"I was thinking more along the lines of a relaxing activity," Pixal interjects, her voice as calm and rational as ever. "Something more creative. How about an art project? We could give Zane something simple to paint or sketch. It would be soothing, and it could help him express what he's feeling."

Jay nods thoughtfully but then shakes his head. "Art? Are we really going to force Zane to paint a bunch of abstract nonsense? No offense, Pixal, but that sounds like a disaster waiting to happen."

"Don't knock it 'til you try it," Pixal responds, her tone steady but with an edge of playful challenge.

Zane, still unenthused, shifts his gaze between the others. "Anything that doesn't involve... too much effort," he says wearily.

"I have an idea!" Cole says, suddenly excited. "What about a cooking challenge? We can all get into the kitchen and make something together! It'd be a great way to bond, and no one has to stress out about it."

"Cooking?" Kai smirks. "That's rich coming from you, Cole. I thought your specialty was... eating, not cooking."

Cole glares playfully at Kai. "You better watch your mouth, Kai. I'm telling you, I can cook circles around you."

Zane looks between the group, his face a mix of confusion and exhaustion. "How is any of this helping me recover?"

Kai shrugs, a smile forming on his face. "Okay, okay, maybe not cooking. Let's just take a step back here. What if we combine all of this? An adventure, a little bit of everything... like a scavenger hunt?"

"Scavenger hunt?" Jay echoes, intrigued. "How would that even work?"

Kai grins. "We split into teams, each one tasked with finding different things around the monastery or even out in the woods. Each item can be related to something that helps Zane—puzzles for focus, art supplies for creativity, maybe even ingredients for cooking if we want to keep that theme."

"I like it," Nya says, nodding approvingly. "It gives Zane a chance to move around, clear his head, and it'll keep us all busy."

Pixal adds, "It'll also keep the group focused on one task while still giving Zane the freedom to choose what he wants to engage with. He can decide what works for him."

"Plus," Cole adds with a grin, "it'll be a fun way to mix everything together—exercise, creativity, teamwork, and a dash of competition."

Garmadon, who had been quietly observing from the doorway, steps forward with an approving look. "A scavenger hunt seems like a reasonable approach. It provides structure and variety, yet it gives Zane the autonomy he needs. I approve."

Zane raises an eyebrow at the idea but then gives a resigned sigh. "Very well. I suppose... I could give this a try."

"Then let's do it!" Kai responds, "Ninja-"

"ZANE. HAS. A MIGRAINE." Lloyd responds.

"Go..." Kai whispers.

Wu steps out of the monastery, hearing the final plan. "I see you've come up with a solution," he says, a knowing smile on his face. "I trust it will help Zane. Me and Garmadon will prepare this scavenger hunt."

As the day goes on, the ninja eagerly prepare for the scavenger hunt. They divide into teams and get to work. Zane, still nursing his migraine, sits on the sidelines, occasionally offering advice on which items to search for.

The first task sends the teams hunting for puzzle pieces hidden around the monastery. Wu and Garmadon, who are overseeing the event, watch from a distance with mild amusement as the ninja scramble about. Zane, trying to keep his mind occupied, follows the action closely.

Zane rubs his head. "I don't see how this is helping," he mutters, half to himself.

Nya overhears and grins. "It's all about keeping things light. We're making progress, Zane. Trust me."

As the teams race to complete the puzzle task, chaos soon erupts. Cole and Kai bicker over who's found the right piece, while Jay and Pixal argue over the validity of their findings. The atmosphere quickly becomes more about the competition than the recovery, with each team growing increasingly frustrated as they fail to find the correct pieces.

"Come on, I KNOW this is the piece!" Kai shouts, holding up a puzzle piece that clearly doesn't fit.

"Does it LOOK like it fits?" Cole fires back, his patience thinning.

Zane, watching the spectacle unfold, cannot help but shake his head. "I've never seen a simpler task turn into such a mess."

Meanwhile, Jay and Nya are running around the monastery, searching for ingredients to make a dish together as part of the challenge. Jay insists that they need "extra-spicy" ingredients to make the dish "pop," while Nya keeps reminding him they're supposed to be keeping it simple for Zane's recovery.

"Jay, we're not making a fiery inferno here. Zane's brain is already on fire!" Nya snaps as she grabs a bottle of vinegar.

"Hey, I'm just following the recipe!" Jay grins sheepishly.

Eventually, the scavenger hunt comes to an inevitable halt, each team exhausted and without much to show for their efforts. They regroup in the courtyard, the sense of competition now replaced by frustration. Zane, still holding his temples, finally stands up.

"Well," Zane says dryly, "I think we can officially call this a failure."

Kai groans, flopping onto the ground. "Yeah, we definitely didn't get any of the puzzles done. That was more of a disaster than a victory."

Cole slumps in defeat. "And don't even get me started on the cooking part. I'm pretty sure Jay tried to make a cake with no eggs."

Jay grins sheepishly. "It was a... 'deconstructed' cake."

Pixal raises an eyebrow at the group. "If this is your idea of relaxation, I shudder to think what a stressful day would look like."

Zane sighs, rubbing his temples again. "I don't know if I can handle any more of this... confusion. Maybe we need a more focused approach."

Wu, hearing Zane's voice, steps forward with a knowing smile. "I see the hunt didn't go as planned," he remarks, looking at the group with a calm demeanor. "But I hope you all learned something important about yourselves in the process."

Garmadon, ever the pragmatic one, grunts in agreement. "At least you tried. That's what matters."

Zane glances around at his teammates, each of them looking either tired or mildly embarrassed. "I guess... I appreciate the effort. But maybe next time, we can find a way to combine rest and challenge without so much chaos."

Wu nods wisely. "Rest is just as important as any task. Sometimes, allowing your mind to be still is the best way to heal."

Zane hesitates for a moment before offering a small smile. "I suppose I should trust that. Maybe… tomorrow we can try something quieter. Something less… disorienting."

Kai, ever the optimist, grins. "Next time, Zane. Next time, we'll make sure it's the chillest scavenger hunt in history."

As the team gathers around, the weight of the day's failed attempt settles. Zane may still have a long road to recovery, but at least he knows he's not alone in it. The ninja may not have succeeded today, but they've come together in their own chaotic way—and that, for now, is enough.

"Alright, everyone," Wu says, his voice calm yet firm. "We rest now. No more games. Zane, you get some peace."

As the evening settles over the monastery, Zane retires to his room, seeking solace from the chaos of the day. The moonlight filters through the window, casting a gentle glow on his metal frame as he sits on his bed, his head resting in his hands. He closes his eyes, trying to quiet the storm within his mind.

Yet, even in the silence, visions begin to creep into his thoughts. Eight symbols emerge in the darkness of his mind—eight bird-like shapes surrounding a circular golden throne. The throne itself shifts and changes its design based on each bird's symbol. The patterns are mesmerizing, each intricate detail pulling him deeper into a trance.

Two of the symbols, however, stand out, glowing with an intensity that feels almost personal: a falcon and a peacock. The falcon radiates icy blue light, sharp and commanding, while the peacock shines with a regal red aura, elegant yet foreboding.

Zane blinks rapidly, his internal systems struggling to distinguish reality from hallucination. "What... is this?" he mutters, his voice barely a whisper.

The images vanish as suddenly as they appeared, leaving Zane disoriented and drenched in a cold, metallic sweat. He decides he needs a moment to clear his mind. Rising from his bed, he heads to the kitchen for a quick refresher.

The cool water splashing on his face provides a brief reprieve, and he stares at his reflection in the mirror, searching for answers in his own crystalline eyes.

Suddenly, a faint noise draws his attention. The door creaks, and Zane's processors immediately heighten their alertness. He turns toward the sound, but before he can react, a shadowy figure lunges at him.

A hooded assailant pins him against the wall with alarming strength. Zane struggles, his internal systems analyzing the attacker's movements. "Who are you?" he demands, his voice steady despite the situation. He pushes away his assailant away which causes their hood to fall off. With the hood fallen off, the mysterious assailant is a robotic being, and Nindroid similar to Zane, but when getting a better glance with the head and the eyes, it is clear who or what this thing is.

"Mr. E?!" Zane shouts in shock. "Wait, but Mr. E and Mr. F were both destroyed, so maybe Mr. G?"

Mr. G pulls out their katana and resumes their attack. As Mr. G lunges forward, katana gleaming ominously in the dim moonlight, Zane's instincts take over. His systems flare with warnings, adrenaline surging through his circuits. He sidesteps the attack with precision, his movements fluid and calculated.

"Who sent you?" Zane demands, his voice steady despite the chaos. "And why now?"

Mr. G remains silent, the only response being a series of calculated strikes aimed directly at Zane's vital components. Each attack is swift, mechanical, and unnervingly accurate, as though this new adversary knows Zane's combat style intimately.

Zane counters with a block, his titanium arms clashing against the blade with a sharp metallic clang. "You're not just another Nindroid," he observes, scanning Mr. G's frame for weaknesses. "You're different. Upgraded."

The fight intensifies, the confined bathroom space forcing Zane to rely on close-quarters combat. As the two exchange blows, Zane notices subtle variations in Mr. G's design: enhanced servos, reinforced plating, and a power core glowing faintly beneath the chest plate. Each detail speaks of meticulous engineering—a creation designed specifically to counter him.

"You're not here by chance," Zane mutters, dodging a swing aimed at his head. "Who built you? And why are you after me?"

Still, Mr. G offers no reply, their silence as haunting as their relentless attacks.

Finally, Zane sees an opening. With a calculated strike, he disarms Mr. G, sending the katana clattering to the floor. In one fluid motion, he pins the assailant against the wall, his grip firm but not destructive.

"You can't hide forever," Zane says, his voice tinged with both frustration and determination. "Who are you working for?"

Before Mr. G can respond—or even struggle—a high-pitched beeping sound emanates from their chest. Zane's sensors instantly recognize it as a self-destruct sequence.

"Not again," Zane mutters, releasing Mr. G and leaping back just as the Nindroid's core glows brighter.

The explosion is contained but powerful, the force sending Zane skidding across the room as debris scatters. Smoke fills the air, and when it clears, all that remains of Mr. G is a smoldering heap of parts.

Zane slowly rises to his feet, his systems running diagnostics to assess any damage. Though shaken, he's unharmed.

The door to the bathroom bursts open, revealing Kai, Nya, and Lloyd, weapons drawn and faces etched with concern.

"Zane, what happened?!" Kai demands, his eyes scanning the wreckage.

Zane takes a deep breath, steadying himself. "We have a new adversary," he replies, his voice calm but resolute. "A Nindroid. An evolution of Mr. E, it seems. I believe they are calling it Mr. G."

"Mr. G?" Nya echoes, frowning. "Who would rebuild or create something like that? And why target you?"

"I don't know," Zane responds, "But, this is peculiar. What is going on-"

Suddenly, Mr. G punches Zane at the side and leaps on Kai, Nya, and Lloyd like a lion pouncing on prey.

Kai barely manages to block Mr. G's strike with his sword, the force of the blow sending him stumbling back. "What the—how is it still functional?" he shouts, scrambling to his feet.

Lloyd leaps into action, summoning his green energy to create a protective barrier around himself and Nya. "It's regenerating somehow! Be careful!"

Mr. G moves with a terrifying efficiency, adapting its attacks mid-motion. Nya counters with her water powers, sending a wave crashing toward the Nindroid. The force momentarily pushes Mr. G back, but it quickly regains its footing, its glowing red eyes fixed on Zane.

"We can't keep this up in such a confined space!" Nya calls out, dodging another swing of Mr. G's blade-like arm. "We need to regroup!"

Zane, still recovering from the surprise attack, runs calculations in his mind. He notices subtle changes in Mr. G's structure—its movements becoming faster, almost as if it's learning in real time. "It's adapting," he warns, stepping forward to rejoin the fight. "We have to disable its core before it evolves further."

Kai grits his teeth, flames igniting around his fists. "Easier said than done!"

As the team tries to coordinate their attacks, Mr. G suddenly releases an electromagnetic pulse, knocking them all to the ground. Sparks fly from Zane's chest as his systems briefly short-circuit.

"Zane!" Lloyd shouts, rushing to his side.

"I'm... fine," Zane manages, his voice glitching slightly. He pulls himself up, his eyes narrowing. "It's using a decentralized system—there's no singular weakness."

"Then what do we do?" Nya asks, summoning a protective stream of water around them.

Zane's processors whirl, analyzing Mr. G's design and strategy. Finally, he spots a potential vulnerability in the joints of its enhanced servos. "We aim for the connectors," he says firmly. "They can't adapt if we disable their mobility."

Kai nods, fire erupting from his hands once more. "Got it. Let's bring this thing down!"

The ninja launch a coordinated assault, targeting Mr. G's joints with precision strikes. Nya's water encases one of its legs, freezing it in place, while Kai's flames weaken the metal at its shoulders. Lloyd charges forward with a powerful burst of energy, striking the Nindroid's torso and sending it staggering back.

Zane seizes the opportunity, his ice shurikens slicing through the weakened connectors. Mr. G stumbles, sparks flying as its movements become jerky and disjointed.

"It's working!" Nya exclaims, keeping her focus on immobilizing its other leg.

But just as it seems they have the upper hand, Mr. G's chest cavity opens, revealing a hidden energy cannon. The weapon hums ominously, charging for a devastating blast.

"Move!" Zane shouts, tackling Lloyd out of the way just as the cannon fires. The blast obliterates a section of the monastery wall, leaving behind a cloud of smoke and debris.

When the dust settles, the ninja regroup, battered but determined. Mr. G, now heavily damaged, begins to retreat, its glowing eyes flickering.

"We can't let it escape!" Kai yells, giving chase.

"No," Zane interjects, his voice firm. "It's too dangerous to pursue in this state. We need to focus on understanding what we're dealing with first."

Reluctantly, the team watches as Mr. G disappears into the night, its silhouette vanishing into the shadows. But not before providing a message which is not like Mr. E or Mr. F. They spoke.

"Hail the Nightmare Queen." Mr. G responds with a near-fanatical vow.

This unexpected vocal feat shocks the ninja as the Nindroid they had been fighting disappears from sight.

The words echo in the silent night air, and the ninja exchange uneasy glances. "Hail the Nightmare Queen?" Lloyd repeats, his voice low with uncertainty. "Who is that? And why would this Nindroid be calling out to her?"

Zane's processors run through a rapid series of calculations, analyzing the phrase. The answer, however, isn't clear. "I don't have any data on a 'Nightmare Queen,'" Zane admits, his voice tinged with frustration. "But the name... it's unlike anything we've encountered."

Nya frowns, her brow furrowed in concern. "It doesn't sound like something we can ignore, especially with what we just saw. This new Nindroid isn't just another mindless machine. It's part of something bigger."

Kai clenches his fists, the fiery glow in his eyes brightening with anger. "We need to track it down, Zane! If it's working for someone—or something—then we need to stop it before it becomes a bigger problem."

Zane shakes his head. "We can't just rush into this. Mr. G was specifically built to counter me, and if this 'Nightmare Queen' is behind it, we might be dealing with something far more dangerous than we realize."

Wu, who had been quietly observing the situation from the shadows of the monastery, steps forward. "Zane is right. We must be cautious. This situation is unlike any we've faced before. The Nightmare Queen could be a new threat, or perhaps something from the past... Something we know nothing about."

"But we need to do something!" Kai exclaims, frustration mounting. "Zane almost got killed back there! We can't just sit here waiting for the next attack."

"Patience, Kai," Wu says firmly. "Rushing into this will only cloud our judgment. We need to understand our enemy, not just fight blindly."

Garmadon, who had remained silent throughout the conversation, now speaks. "Wu is correct. But we can prepare. We must fortify our position and ensure that Zane's recovery isn't disrupted further. Whoever or whatever this 'Nightmare Queen' is, we need to be ready."

The team nods, understanding the weight of the situation. Zane, still processing the events, looks toward the monastery. His headache has subsided slightly, but the unease lingers. "I agree. We need to regroup, reanalyze the situation, and figure out what this 'Nightmare Queen' represents. It might hold the key to understanding the purpose of Mr. G's attack."

Wu places a reassuring hand on Zane's shoulder. "Rest, Zane. You've already faced much more than any of us could imagine today. Tomorrow, we will begin our search. But for now, focus on your peace of mind."

With that, the team agrees to rest for the night, though the air is thick with unanswered questions. Zane, still haunted by the images of the eight bird-like symbols in his mind, lies in bed, staring out the window at the dark sky. The vision of the falcon and the peacock continues to flicker in his mind, each symbol shining brightly, pulling at something deep within him.

He closes his eyes, but sleep eludes him. Instead, his thoughts are consumed by the chilling words of Mr. G: "Hail the Nightmare Queen."

Who was she? And how was she connected to the unsettling visions he had been experiencing? There were answers out there, but the path to them seemed shrouded in darkness, much like the vision of the golden throne that had flashed before him. Each piece of the puzzle felt like it was just out of reach, a puzzle his mind couldn't fully piece together. Then, it became clear in his mind. The Lady in his dreams, could she be the Nightmare Queen?

Suddenly, a soft knock on the door breaks his concentration. "Zane?" It's Nya's voice. "We've set up a small team to investigate the monastery. Just wanted to let you know we'll be back soon."

Zane lets out a sigh, grateful for the moment of distraction. "Thank you, Nya. But please, be careful. Whatever is happening, it's far from over."

"We will," she assures him. "Get some rest. We'll be here when you wake up."

The door closes, and Zane allows himself to lean back against the pillows. The uncertainty of the situation still weighs heavily on him, but he knows one thing for sure: the ninja are in this together. Whatever challenges lie ahead, they will face them as a team.

But as the darkness settles over the monastery, the soft whisper of wind carries with it a haunting, distant voice.

"Zane," it murmurs, chilling his metallic frame. "The hunt is only just beginning. Your mind is my mind. Your thoughts are my thoughts. One in the same. There is no peace of mind."