***Readers of "I Never Knew" might recognize the song choice for this chapter... ;)

I pulled a lot of material from that book for this chapter, but you get to see Zane's POV and learn what PIXAL's up to! I think you'll like it <3***

***(Zane's POV)***

"Oww!" Jay whines as Master Wu thwacks him on the head with his staff.

Jay was being quite distracting, what with humming the tune to an entire love song. I do not understand why he thought our sensei would be pleased with that during a meeting.

Sensei Wu crosses his arms. "Get off your belly and stop humming like that! Focus, Jay!"

Now issues with focusing, I can understand.

Some of my other teammates apparently find his faux pas amusing – Cole looks on the verge of laughter, and Nya is quietly snickering beside him. However, I know that inability to focus is nothing to be amused by.

It has been plaguing me ever since class this morning.

I took my temperature when I arrived at the monastery. It was exactly 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, 37.0 degrees Celsius. I cannot remember a time when my temperature was not precisely at those degrees.

The regularity is a novelty, come to think of it.

I shake my head, realizing I've tuned out of Sensei Wu's lecture again.

"All of you are descended from elemental masters who were either your parents or grandparents," my sensei explains. "Kai and Nya already knew this about their father and mother."

Kai says solemnly, "We knew very little. Our parents never wanted to talk to us about it."

"Zane is the exception to the rule," Master Wu goes on.

I resume full alertness when I hear him mention my name.

"He somehow inherited his powers from the master of ice."

I watch Wu intently. He has never before spoken to me of my parents. I wonder how he knows them? Or did know them, I suppose. Most likely, they are no longer alive.

The master of fire frowns. "So...Zane didn't get his powers from his parents?"

I look to my sensei. His eyes say he intends to speak with me after this meeting with the team.

"He didn't," Wu replies. "But that's beside the point. What's more important is that you know there are many more elemental masters in Ninjago. Certain elements are Form, Gravity, Speed – "

"Speed's not an element," Jay scoffs.

Wu smacks him with the staff once more. "As I was saying, there are many more masters. Several of these have been kidnapped into what I assume is an underground ring of power exploitation."

"A...what?" Kai frowns.

Nya speaks up. "He means that powers are being sold on the black market." Her forehead furrows. "Sensei, how are they selling elemental powers?"

"You all know of Master Chen, correct?"

This would be the same Master Chen as Skylor's father. He is now imprisoned in the Cursed Realm, given that he is a murderer and attempted arsonist who was willing to sell his daughter to Sensei Yang.

Cole shrugs. "Duh."

Master Wu swats him in the back of the neck. "Don't 'duh' me! Now, it appears that Master Chen's staff has been stolen. The thieves, called the 'Sons of Garmadon', have found a way to distribute powers to buyers. This means you are all in danger."

I swallow. My friends...I could not bear it if something were to happen to them.

Sensei Wu goes on, "It also means that you are all going to find this ring and put a stop to it. None of you should be alone."

Kai scoots closer to his sister. "I'll stay with Nya."

Wu raises a brow. "No, Kai, you will not. You cannot go with Nya to school every day."

Kai's eyes light with fire. "Then she'll stay home!"

Yet again, sensei comes at him with his staff. "No, she will not. You must trust your team to watch over her, just as she will watch over them. As for you, you will stay at the monastery with Lloyd, Misako, and me."

Jay frowns. "Shouldn't it be 'Lloyd, Misako, and I'?"

"No!" Wu exclaims. "'Me' goes in a prepositional phrase, not 'I'! Study your grammar, and be on your guard!" He regains his composure. "Now, I've decided to assign each of you partners based on your class schedules. These may change due to the needs of the team. Zane and Lloyd will be partnered."

I look over to my friend, smiling. He gives me a nod back and a thumbs-up.

My heart thrills a little at the thought of anyone enjoying my company.

"Jay, Nya, and Cole, you must stick together as well."

I watch as Jay's expression morphs from one of excitement to one of...disheartenment.

I wonder why?

"Dismissed," Wu declares. He stands and motions for me to follow him.

We leave the outside training area – it's a sunny day, given the chilly February weather – and make our way into the monastery. It's entirely quiet, but the moment the rest of my companions join us, it'll be a madhouse. They will probably all clamor for me to make dinner for them.

It pleases me that they consider my cooking skills the worthiest out of anyone's in the group. But then, when compared with Cole's or Kai's, I can understand why I'm the designated chef.

"You seem distant today," Sensei observes, bringing me back to reality.

I blink and nod. "I am not sure why. Please forgive my unawareness."

The elderly man smiles and pats my shoulder. "All forgiven. I...assume you're interested in what I know about your parents."

"Yes, Sensei. I never knew them."

"I was acquainted with your father. He was respectable – an inventor. And he loved you."

"You knew my father?" I ask, stunned. "Why have you not mentioned this before?"

"Your father...had his reasons for not wanting me to reveal himself to you," Sensei Wu answers, choosing his words carefully. "Suffice it to say that your memory loss was not an accident. The present circumstances, however, bid me to reveal what I know of your family to you."

"But...Sensei, that does not make sense. You mean that my memory was...wiped?"

"Yes, Zane. It was by an agreement you and your father made before his death."

"He's dead?" I swallow.

"Yes, Zane. I'm afraid so."

I shake my head against pain and uncertainty. "I am confused. Why would I agree to give up memories of my father?"

"I never quite understood the agreement, either. I tried not to meddle." He adjusts the brim of his straw hat. "All I can say is that you were very unhappy at the time your memory was wiped, and your father didn't want that for you."

I try my best to understand. "And...how, exactly, did I lose my memory?"

He chews his lip. "I think you should find out that one for yourself."

"You mean...I can get my memories back?"

"Exactly."

"How?"

My sensei sighs. "I don't want to tell you all at once. That would be too much of a burden. But...I'm leaving in a few days, and should fate decide that I not return, I want to set you on the correct path to unlocking your past."

"You're leaving?"

"Yes. And I know you're not the greatest liar, but I need you to keep my coming absence quiet from your teammates. Unlike you, they tend to snoop, and if they snoop...they could end up someplace they don't want to be."

I nod. "How long will you be gone?"

"I'm not sure. In my meditation this morning, I saw...I think it will be some time, if I even return at all. But focus on the issue at hand for now: You must put a stop to the Sons of Garmadon." He gives me a wizened smile. "And endeavor to learn more about your past. Leave no stone unturned, Zane. I think your friends can help with that."

"How are you so sure I'll regain my memories?" I swallow.

"Fate, Zane. I believe it's your destiny." He brushes off his sleeve. "What flavor of pie are you making tonight?"

I blink at the subject change. "I...had not intended to make pie, Sensei."

He harrumphs. "And deny me a parting meal? Well, you'll just have to make some tomorrow night. I'm leaving two days from now."

"I...yes, Sensei." I bow slightly, and he turns and heads down the hall.

I make my way to the kitchen, where I see Jay and Cole already seated at the table. Cole's pigging out on a bowl of ice cream, while Jay's flopped on the table.

"This is awful, Cole" Jay moans. "Nya totally likes you! Watching her flirt with you the entire time we're together at school is...oh, come on!"

Cole rolls his eyes. "She likes Lloyd, Jay."

"Then why does she always banter with you when the three of us go out? Why does she ask for piggyback rides and driving lessons from you, but then totally ignore me?" He sighs miserably.

"Because you get so embarrassed around her?" Cole suggests. "She doesn't really know you, buddy."

"It's so hard for me to talk to her, though! I'm afraid she's going to reject me for anything I say! Aww, I'm never going to have the guts to tell her how I feel." He buries his face in his hands. "I'm a mess."

"That does seem true," I assess. He looks up.

"Zane, you know a lot. How do I overcome how nervous I get around Nya?"

I frown. "I cannot say for sure. It seems your uncertainty is due to the fact that you harbor romantic feelings toward her. So, if your intent is only to speak with her, I would suggest ridding yourself of those feelings. However, if you wish to woo her..."

Cole sputters. "Jay? Did you actually just use 'woo' to describe something Jay could do?"

"No offense, Zane, but Cole's right," Jay agrees, his expression glum. "I'm lost when it comes to that kind of thing. I read 'Cliff Gordon's Guide to Wooing Women' one time, but when I tried it out..." He runs a hand through his hair. "It just didn't work. I was a bumbling fool."

I pat his shoulder. "I suppose you will have to wait for Nya to ask you out, then."

"Like that's going to happen. She's into Cole!"

"Lloyd, actually," I inform him.

His eyes register hurt. "Ouch! You know, I may think she's into other guys, but you don't have to affirm that!" He moans. "I'm going to hope against all odds that she doesn't like anyone. It's too much to think that she likes me."

***Music Cue***

I hear a song beat begin to sound from the TV room.

"Why do I hear...a cheesy love song?" Jay frowns, standing up.

Cole shrugs, a smug smile on his face. "Oh, it's probably just Lloyd and Nya making out to music."

Jay stands. "I-I...I'm going to go check things out."

Cole laughs as he leaves. "You bet he is."

***(PIXAL's POV)***

I readjust my backpack of spying tools. I managed to follow Zane all the way to this location after school today. Given that my creator wanted me to do reconnaissance on the android, I've been watching him for around half an hour.

Now that he's gone inside, though, it's time to change positions. It appears that he and all his friends are here, as well as an elderly man. I do not know that I can escape unnoticed, given their numerical advantage, but I really have no choice. Cyrus Borg wanted me to come, and some human need for acceptance wants desperately to please him.

I crawl out from behind a bush and make my way to the winding staircase leading up to the patio. No one is currently outside, so I should be –

A love song comes blaring over a speaker that appears to be...positioned in a training area? It's around the side of the building, along with several cloth dummies and an obstacle course.

That's odd.

What's even weirder is the person singing. It sounds like a male with inferior vocal capabilities.

Interesting.

Once I reach the top of the staircase, I scan my surroundings. There's a congregation of shrubberies on one side of the deck, so I sneak over to those to hide. I'm just debating how to get in the building when –

The door slams open, and Zane's tall blonde friend runs out. "Your brother's going to kill us, Nya!" he yells.

A short girl with dark locks – Nya, I would assume – comes racing out next. She's dragging a boy with curly auburn hair behind her.

"Faster, Jay!" she laughs, holding her stomach for fits of amusement.

I am...utterly confused, and also very glad that I made it to these shrubberies before Zane's friends came back outside.

"Nya!" shouts a muscular, brown-haired boy. He's holding a DVD in his hand. "How could you play this in front of my team?"

Play...what?

The boy holding hands with Nya – the one she called Jay – begins scaling the side of the edifice, pulling her up behind him.

Perhaps I should have picked a better time to spy.

Their pursuer sees their ascent and shimmies up the side of the building, as well. The blonde boy, on the other hand, heads right for me.

My eyes widen. Oh, no. He's going to –

"Who the heck are you?" he asks.

"Um...I..."

He creates an orb of some sort of green energy between his hands. "Don't you dare move, or I'll – "

"PIXAL?" asks a familiar voice.

Relief and dread flood me at the same time. "Zane!"

He places a hand on his friend's arm. "Please retract your element, Lloyd."

"You two know each other?" the boy – Lloyd – demands, incredulous.

"Yes," Zane reassures him. "And I'm sure there's a logical explanation for her presence here."

"So...she was hiding? Sorry, Zane, but I'm not buying it."

"Please elaborate on your reasons for being here, PIXAL," Zane addresses me, his smile strained.

"I...I merely...was hiding from your angry friend. I was actually searching for you, Zane."

"How did you know I would be here?" he questions, his forehead furrowed.

"I...I asked the principal, um, where I could find you, and...and she said you had an after-school club here."

Lloyd's eyes widen. "Principal Mystaké knows we – I have to go speak with Wu!" He leaves, heading inside the monastery.

Zane sits down beside me. "Forgive my bluntness, but I could tell you were lying."

"You...you could?" My eyes widen.

"Yes, and...I should very much like to hear the truth from you. We are friends, right?"

"We are friends." I debate my answer. "I..."

I suppose the only thing left to give him is the truth.

"Zane...there is something you must know."

***For those of you who are really confused as to what Lloyd, Nya, Jay, and Kai were up to, I'll elaborate on that in the next chapter ;) You can also read Chapter 3 of "I Never Knew" for a full story on that LOL

So, any thoughts? Questions? Concerns?***