The Ones That Got Away [Complete]

Comfortably Numb

Happy Easter Monday!

Just to let you know that after getting the story on the road (literally) with this chapter, I will now update less frequently (aiming for once a week) and rather try to make the chapters longer.

And maybe the author notes shorter XD. But I got a few questions which might also be interesting for other readers:

- The main characters are the four names in the story description, and they will all get their share of attention. Some just later rather than sooner 😉.

- The story will also include minor characters (like Misako, Ray, Maya) but no OCs.

- I have plans for the four original Ninja (and Wu) but 'not yet and won't tell'.

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Comfortably Numb

"Please  turn right at the next junction." PIXAL instructed Misako. "This road  will then lead us directly to Ignacia. In 26 kilometres, we will have  reached our destination."

"Thank you, PIXAL." The elderly woman  briefly detached her tired eyes from the road ahead to smile at the  female Nindroid to her right. "I really appreciate your help. And your  company."

The team of five were on their way to Nya (and Kai's)  parents. About 45 minutes into the journey, the events of the last days  and nights had taken their toll on the Green Ninja in the passenger seat  and Lloyd had simply fallen asleep over the map he had been reading.

As  Nya and Skylor had been occupied talking to and comforting each other,  PIXAL had volunteered to keep their tired driver company – and awake.

There  was enough room in the front row, so the Samurai was now more or less  comfortably seated between mother and son. During one rather sharp turn,  the Green Ninja's head had dropped onto her shoulders, and he had  stayed in this position for the rest of their journey, snoring quietly,  while PIXAL was giving his mother the directions to Ignacia – as they  were avoiding the main roads, the robot's sat nav application had come  very useful as well.

PIXAL didn't mind though. At least it kept her system busy.

Whenever  her CPU usage fell under 60%, her OS would automatically try to find  something to do. And this usually included communicating with Zane  and/or connecting to the cloud drive she shared – no, used to share! –  with him.

'Error. Contact not found.' This message would  then always remind her of what happened. Of the emptiness she felt.  Although 'feel' was the wrong term, for she had...

"Would you mind  telling the girls that we will be there soon?" Misako's request snapped  PIXAL out of her thoughts. "They might have fallen asleep. And even if  not, Nya might need some time before she'll be able to tell her parents.  Poor Ray and Maya..." The elderly sighed, affectionately ruffling her  sleeping son's golden hair.

In PIXAL's (and even in Zane's shared)  memories, Mrs Garmadon had never been a young woman, but she had aged  dramatically since that morning that she had set off to find Sensei Wu.  Although the historian had a history of losing (and finding) family  members, she had been deeply affected by Garmadon's resurrection. And  despite Her claims that there was nothing left of her husband in the  Emperor, a part of Misako obviously still loved him. Just as her son  still harboured feelings for Harumi that he couldn't just switch off.

Unlike PIXAL.

"Of  course, I will check on Nya and Skylor." She said. The Samurai  elegantly climbed over the seat. In the back of the truck, the Masters  of Water and Amber were lying on the floor next to each other, looking  at pictures on Nya's phone. Looking at their tear stained cheeks, PIXAL  could immediately tell that they had been crying a lot. But right now,  they were laughing.