Other Side of Ten // Ninjago Echo Zane

Naive

At least it didn't take all night to reach the top of the stairs. It was still extremely dark outside, making the journey even more difficult. There were sometimes he considered just waiting for the sun to rise again, but he was getting the hang of it. Despite his pain, he learned if he crawled up the stairs then it was very safe. It hurt his knees, but not as much as his ankle.

At the last step, he collapsed looking up at the stars, breathing heavily.

"We did it." He said triumphantly.

Even though it ended sourly, he still didn't regret stepping out to the sand. He got to experience many things like the cold ocean, its taste, and what wet sand felt like. The only thing he would change was turning off his pain temporarily. He was starting to act more like Father now. He was less naive.

While his head laid on the stone, he noticed a red glow. It was not a star, as it was latched to the wall of the lighthouse.

"What is that?" Zane said, while propping himself back up.

Although it was dark, he could still tell it was a security camera.

Father had it installed so he could watch when Samukai was approaching. Every now and then Father had to switch out the role of film to save the videos. Zane hadn't been switching them out, as there was no need to see if Samukai was approaching.

Anger overcame him. If that evil general hadn't taken away his father, then he still would've been around. If he ever saw Samukai, he'd want to fight him for Father's sake. Yes, he would likely lose, but it was who he was. He had to protect those who couldn't protect themselves. If only he'd done that the day Father disappeared. But Samukai must've locked the basement door. That door was never locked from Zane's end except that one day. He would've done anything even at his own expense for Father. Anything to not be lonely, naive, and pitiful as he was now.

Looking back at the security camera, an idea formed. While he never switched the film, whatever was still in the security system would have been from the day Father was taken. Of course. Why hadn't he thought about that before? He wasn't ever thinking clearly or with intelligence until he turned his switch.

A part of his mind was hesitant. It would be hard to watch his father being dragged off and taken into that red boat he saw as they left. But this was something he had to feel. This was for closure.

"I have an idea, Tai-D"

________________________________

It took a while for him to work up the courage to click the play button. He already knew that the red ship took him away. It was Samukai. So why was he so nervous?

He learned from his pain switch it was best just to do it fast and get it over with. This anxiety was putting more distress on him than he needed.

He pressed the bottom to the old TV, and it turned on. On the camera, was the outside, unamusing. Rewinding until he saw something, he saw that red ship. Going too fast to comprehend anything, he stopped just as the red boat seemed to dock on the shore.

Tai-D beeped and pouted at the boat on the screen.

"I know, Tai-D. They were the ones who took Father from us."

His digital blue eyes seemed to flicker some memory. Did he know more about the day Father disappeared? He must've, as he was not locked in the basement with him, and was the one who gave him the key to escape. But any details were impossible to get out of Tai-D. He didn't speak words. Seeing his reaction now, there was something he was recalling.

On the TV, there was a group of people moving up the stairs. It was rare Samukai ever came himself. Often he brought his henchmen. But the colors they were dressed in.. Red, Blue, White, Black and Green. Not only that, they didn't resemble skeletons at all. Very odd... Were there other people who wanted to take Father? He said there were many people after him and his skills.

Fast forwarding a little, he nearly lost his balance on his walking stick. Up on the top of the stairs was Zane.

Original Zane.

His skin was like Father's. His movements were fluid as a human. He had a hard time believing that this was an invention. And he was standing there at the door, knocking.

Tai-D made loud sounds recognizing who was on the screen.

Dread washed over him. Small thoughts of jealousy trickled in.

No. Something isn't right here. Father was taken by Samukai. He was taken. That's the only explanation.

Original Zane seemed to have a group of people around him. He didn't recognize them, but they were dressed in outfits similar to Zane in white. He knocked on the door in the video, and Father answered with open arms.

This Zane hugged father for doing nothing. For him, that attention was scarce. It made his circuits fire. Clenching his fists, rage flowed within him. It was like this new crack on his ankle let angry thoughts seep in like blood.

Watching more of the video made him sick. Father invited his first son into the lighthouse- when he was locked up. If Samukai hadn't been here at all the day Father left then that meant Father must've locked him in the room himself.

More than the crack on his ankle, his despair made him grit his teeth.

He will be naive to the world.

He thought of Father's words in his journal . To take something he was supposed to love and care for only to abuse his own naiveness against him. Father was supposed to be a genius. What kind of sick ideas would it take for a Father to abandon his own son in this isolated prison. Purposefully.

While in his rage, he didn't realize how tightly he was squeezing his thumb in his fist. Tai-D also seemed to be thinking something as well. His wheels were rattling on the stone.

"Did you know about this?" He whispered out.

Tai-D made noises.

"And how could you not hate him for leaving us?"

Tai-D pointed at Zane's broken ankle. Did that mean he didn't feel anything? No anger? No resentment? No need to make Father feel the way he feels? Vengeance.

"That's right. How could I believe you to be capable of an emotion? You don't feel anything."

    There was a hint of venom in what he said. Immediately, he regretted it. "I'm sorry, my friend. I didn't mean that. I am just feeling a lot."

    Tai-D dropped his head.

That's right. Tai-D was much like Zane before today. But unlike Father, he would preserve the naive things. Slowly, and in a lot of pain, he bent down to pick up his friend.

Holding him in his hands, he felt just how pure this tiny robot was. Even though he was simple, he at least cared about Zane's well being.

Zane.

That name disgusted his head. Even hearing his own thoughts referring to himself made him shudder. That name did not carry a meaning he once thought. No wonder Father struggled using his name. He could never be Zane.

Zane was a person Father would give up everything for. Zane was his first son, and only family.

He needed something new to call himself. Even if no one was around to address him by a new name, it was important for his piece of mind.

Echo. He thought.

A name only he could hear, but like an echo it would come back. Unlike Father.

Now what? He turned on his switch to feel the magnitude of Father's betrayal and gave himself a new name? So was he supposed to waste in this prison just like Father wanted? No, that would make Father the victor.

A feeling strangled his throat, making breathing harder. He needed Father to feel what he was feeling. He needed vengeance. He needed to live a life that was robbed from him.

Based off of Father's insatiable stories of Ninjago, he was probably home with Zane.

Now with his motivation greater than ever before, he was going to do everything his weak body could to find and bring vengeance to the family that abandoned him. That was what he wanted to do with his gift of autonomy.