Fatherly Wu

Memories

I decided that a fatherly Wu one-shot would be a great way to start the year. He deserves more appreciation, so that's what I'm here to do! This is more of who Wu is from the perspective of Zane, so I really hope you enjoy it. And thank you to my wonderful friends who inspired it!
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White, that was all he saw. It felt strange, like if he stood still for too long he wouldn't be able to move. Where he was, he didn't know. It was strange. The only things he knew were how to walk, talk, and cook. He couldn't even remember his own name, no matter how hard he tried.

If only he knew where to go, or who he was. Did he have a family? Were they looking for him? He shook his head, truly not knowing the answers, and started walking. Where he was walking to, he would find out soon. At least, he hoped it would be soon. Snow, he realized after an hour's walk, was what he walked on. Such a beautiful thing.

Perhaps he will remember more as time goes on.
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He was in a frozen pond, meditating, when he noticed he was not alone. It had been a year since he woke up with no memories, and very few have come back. The most important one was his name. The villagers from where he settled said it for him, and he agreed.

He and the person next to him- and old man with a straw hat and tea set- exited the pond.

"Hello, Zane." The old man said, though how he knew his name, Zane did not know.

"Who are you, and how do you know my name?"

"I am Sensei Wu," he started walking as he talked, and Zane followed, "and I have been looking for you."

"Why me?" The snow crunched under their feet as they worked their way out of the village.

"Because you have a gift that few possess. You, my new friend, have the ability to control the ice and snow that surrounds us."

Zane didn't understand how one could control any of the elements, especially one so beautiful and dangerous. And he certainly didn't know how this man knew so much about him when he himself knew very little. But something made him trust this Sensei Wu, so he followed him to his monastery. Maybe he can find out who he really is with this man's help.

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"I know who I am."

Those words rang through his head as he and his brothers head back to the Bounty. He finally found out who he was, though he didn't feel as satisfied as he thought he would be. Looking back on the past few months, he realized that he had already found his family.

His brothers -Kai, Cole, and Jay- may not be blood brothers, but the bond they all share goes much deeper than blood relations. And Nya has become like a sister to him, and she acts like one too. It probably helps that Kai is actually her brother, so she knows what she's doing.

And while he may have just found out who his actual father is, Sensei Wu has felt more like a father than he ever imagined. He was the first person Zane felt a connection to, he knew that there was something special about him, and he cares so deeply about his students. Even when they don't listen to him, he is patient and kind. Disciplining them according to their wrongdoings.

If he ever forgets who he is, he hopes he will never forget the kind old man who has become a father to him.

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Waking up in a dark dungeon with no memories is definitely on Zane's list of 'things to never do again.' Thankfully, he remembered his name this time, and he also remembered an old man. He didn't remember who the old man was, or even who he was to him, but he could picture him clearly.

The man always wore a straw hat, he mustache and beard went past his stomach, and he had wise, caring eyes. And next to him stood a staff, almost looking older than the man himself. The peace that Zane felt as he thought of the man was astounding. He also felt that he could tell him anything and everything.

"There's something special about you, Zane."

His memories slowly start to come back. A snowy forest, a frozen pond, the old man, a monastery. He can't figure out how they all go together, but he remembers. And as he ponders those memories, even more start to show up. A group of colorful people, the old man again, and a sense of family.

Eventually, the memories stop coming in, but he knows that the old man was either his father, or was like a father to him. If only he could remember more.

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Why? Why did he have to sacrifice himself? Doesn't he realize how much they need him? He not only their Sensei, but also a father figure to most of them. And now he's gone. To who knows when. He sacrificed himself to fight the time twins and save his long-time friend.

Everyone grieves differently, and that couldn't be more true for the ninja. Kai spends most of his time 'training', while Cole lifts weights and climbs mountains. Lloyd reads the scrolls in Master Wu's room, Jay invents pointless items. But Nya spends as much time as she can with her parents or Jay.

Zane, however, doesn't do anything this time. When his actual father passed, it was a peaceful passing that they both knew was close. But this, this is so much harder. They don't know if he's dead or alive. He could be hundreds of years in the future and they'll never find him. It's only been three days, yet to Zane it feels as though it's been years.

He feels empty. Master Wu was the first one to truly know him, the one who gave him a home. The others try to comfort him, and he will admit that it does help some. But he will never truly feel himself again until they find their 'father'.

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A baby. Well, toddler now. But when Cole found him, he was a baby. How Master Wu reversed in age while also skipping a year, the ninja will never know, nor do they really want to. All that matters is they have him back. And while he may not understand most of what they say, nor does he have the attention span to listen, they have regained their purpose.

And now, once again a whole person, Zane works even harder to repair the bounty. With the newly revealed Pixal by his side and Master Wu whacking them with whatever he finds, life has returned to their version of normal.

"Ninja never quit."

And that goes for toddler ninja too, as Wu -who Zane still sees as a father figure, though quite young- continuously beats Kai's calf with a wrench, making everyone laugh like they haven't in a long time.

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"Remember Wu?"

Two words, and he almost remembered. This... Wu sounded familiar. The green stranger must know a weakness that Vex did not mention. But he does not remember, and he continues to fight. He would have won had he been able to fully focus, but that name would not leave his thoughts.

Wu... who is this Wu? Could he have been an ally, or an enemy? He almost got distracted enough to lose the fight. He can't let that happen again. Vex has said the people need their emperor, and he won't let them down. Ninja never quit.

Wait, ninja? And did the green ninja mention turning laundry... pink? What a weird thing to say.

Wu...

Master Wu...

The ice emperor must focus! He cannot let a simple name cause him to lose his defense. He froze the green one, and then stops.

Wu, the kind old man who gave me my first true home after my father passed. He treated me like a son, and he felt like a father to me.

Vex attacked the green stranger, but Zane -for that really was his name- remembered what the old man and his father told him long ago.

"You are here to protect those who cannot protect themselves."

Zane would not dishonor his Master like this. He will stand up to those who harm the innocent. He will protect his friends, his family. Wu did not take him in and treat him like a son for this to happen. He will return to them.

He will never forget the man he sees as a father again.