Guilty Escape

Uncle Zane

I sat down carefully in the kitchen and noticed mom walk in. She smiled at me, and I smiled back. Father seemed to smirk but didn't look up from his newspaper. I was on the front.

18-Year-Old Released from Hospital was the title of the heading.

Mom got a small snack from the cupboard and turned to walk out. I grabbed her hand and kissed it lightly, and she kissed my forehead. I watched her walked out and looked at my father's confused face with a smile and a quick laugh.

That accident would change how mom and me got along forever. Most 18-year-olds would be embarrassed having their moms kiss them on the forehead. But I gladly welcomed it.

The doctors considered me lucky, and said I had missed certain paralysis by a mere whisker.

"What was that about?" Dad asked as he looked up from his paper.

"Nothing." I said smiling. I cracked my knuckles as I formed fists. "Dad…?"

"Yes, Frost?"

"Do you wanna train with me…?"

Dad jumped back, purely surprised. "T-train!? In your condition!?" He blinked a few times before relaxing and closing his newspaper, setting it on the table. "You truly are Zane's nephew, you know that?" Dad said as he stood slowly. I frowned.

"What do you mean by that?"

Father stopped and stared into my eyes. "I'll let you figure that one out for yourself, Kiddo." He said as he walked outside. I frowned and followed him.

I smiled as I took the first swing of my sword since May. I couldn't help it. That's all I ever do is train. Most kids go out and party, hang with friends, play games. But I swing a sword every hour and everyday. There was nothing more important to me than training.

Dad and I sparred until we had trouble standing. He lay, back to back, in the soft grass, our swords struck into the ground next to our hands. I breathed heavily and tried to be in-sync with dad's regulated breathing.

"Dad…?"

"Yes, son?"

"Am I… really like Uncle Zane…?"

I felt Lloyd tense somewhat and he inhaled, letting out a sigh.

"Zane was smart and cared for every little being in the world. I'm sure if you were to ask he would have even cared for Guilt's safety!"

I turned, and stared into Dad's face. His face was filled with a sorrowful color, but his eyes looked lively as he remembered his Ninja Brother.

"Zane was gentle with everyone, and gave second and even third chances. He was an excellent cook. He was good at singing too."

"Singing?"

"Yeah. I guess it was a secret hobby, since he only did it when he was readying himself in the morning in the bathroom."

"He also sang to me when I went to bed." Mom's voice said from the doorway. We both turned to look at her. She walked down the steps and sat next to us. "His voice was full of his caring spirit and he never meant to harm anyone in his whole life. He just wasn't that kind of guy."

I gave a shaky breath and realized that a tear had fallen from my eye and onto my cheek. I wiped it away and looked back to mom, who was crying silently. Dad had tears in his eyes. I crawled closely to mom and held her in a hug. Dad joined in.

"Even in death Zane brings happiness with his name, and makes everyone happy." Mom said as she held us both tightly.

"Mom… was Uncle Zane…" I gave a shaky breath. "Was he a good swordsman…?"

"Very… he probably could have destroyed Guilt on his own if things were different."

"That's… not what I meant…" She crooked her head. "I mean… was he wise…?"

She seemed to pause. "I could tell that he had something holding him back. But yes. He was wise beyond belief. And so are you."

"Do you think Uncle Zane… really wants revenge…?"

"What do you mean…?" Lloyd asked.

"He doesn't want us to avenge him… I think he wants us to defeat Guilt… just so Ninjago would be safe… That's why he gave me Frost Bite."

"What are you saying?" Mom questioned and stared into my eyes.

"I think he knew of this ahead of time… I think that he knew I would be born… the same way the First Spinjitzu Master knew of Lloyd…"

I noticed moms and dad's faces get pale.

"Frost… can you leave us to talk." Lloyd asked. I frowned but stood, ripping my swords from the ground and walking inside and to my room. I threw my swords on my bed and partially opened the window.

"-that wise?" Mom was saying.

Dad shook his head. "Couldn't be… but how does he think all of this?"

"There must be some connection… You aren't concerned…?"

"No. Frost is strong. He can pull through what Zane has in store for him."

I let out a large breath as they stood and came inside. I moved my swords and lay on my bed.

Uncle Zane… heh… Guess you were smart enough to put together all the hints over the years. I could never do that. But what's the lock, and what's the key to this puzzle? I need to find out.

I never knew you sang either. Mom never mentioned that… wish I could've heard one of your songs… That would make me happy.

"Maybe another time, nephew." Zane's voice echoed through my mind. "Maybe another time."