***Well.

*cough* I started this a day early *cough*

Also, this is the only thing I've written besides Jaya that has actually made me cry. NO. NOO. NOOO.

I love Zane. Zane and Jay have always been my favorites. I actually had a mini-crush on Zane when Ninjago first came out (I always shipped Jay with Nya, so...).

Okay, that's enough. Here's your prologue. TAKE IT AND READ IT AND LISTEN TO THE STUPID SONG. GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH.

I'm done ;) ***

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

Six years earlier

***Music Cue***

"I don't understand why they don't enjoy my company," I sniffle. I'm not a very emotional person – I'm not, in fact, an actual person at all – but right now, I would describe myself as feeling extensive...sadness.

My father smiles in that familiar way and squeezes my hand. "They don't know what they're missing, Zane."

"But...that does not solve the issue, father. They still will not give me a chance at friendship. What's wrong with me?"

"Zane...there's nothing wrong with you, nothing barring you from making friends. I'm your friend."

"You're also my creator. I believe you could always find something about me to like, regardless of my traits."

My father sighs. "Forget about whoever's rejected you today, Zane. I'll find you some new friends – friends who will accept you and love you just the way you are."

I nod, pasting on a smile for my ill creator. "I will try again tomorrow, father. Is there anything I can get for you?"

His eyes crinkle. "Thank you, son, but I think I'll be fine. Will you sit with me for a bit? Just until I fall asleep."

"Of course, father. Would you like me to read to you?"

He smiles. "Yes, thank you. You're such a good boy."

"You programmed me to be that way." I fetch a tome from his shelf and bring it over.

"Oh, programming has its uses, but with you...there's something especially good about you, Zane. I could never formulate something like that – it's beyond human capabilities to create the pure light you have."

I smile. "I assume that is a...compliment?"

"Yes, Zane." He looks at the book I've brought over. "Ah! This is one of my journals – and I believe this is the one where I wrote the original plans for you. Would you mind doing a quick scan to locate the appropriate page?"

"Of course, father." I switch on my scanners before running a quick search of the book. "It appears my plans are on page seventy-eight. Shall I show you the designs?"

"If you will, son."

I open the journal, flipping through sheets of well-worn paper. I see designs for vehicles, coffee machines, laundry equipment...

Finally, I reach the designated spot. "Here you are, father." I hand him the book.

He smiles fondly, scanning over my instructions. "This was the original design. Now, I changed a few things around – I added a humor setting and even a romance switch – but it's essentially the same..." He trails off.

I place my hands on his. "What is it, father? Are you unwell?"

"No, Zane, I..." He shakes his head. "I forgot...and now it seems..."

I turn on my scanners again, checking to see if he's had a stroke. My father is another catalyst for my emotions – he stirs in me what could be described as "care".

"You are physically weak," I assess. "However, no new complications to your health have arisen. It seems that you are merely...at a loss for words."

"That's a good way to describe it," my father muses. "Zane...you know I'm not much longer for this realm."

A fearful emotion grips me. "But father, I need you. You're all I have."

"You must go and make your own way in Ninjago," he swallows. "You don't need me, Zane. Just...promise me something."

"And what is that?"

"When I die...well, you see, Zane, I forgot I installed a memory switch when I created you."

"A memory switch?"

"Yes. We've never used it, so I suppose that's why I never thought of this before. That, and my growing senility...well, anyway, you do have a memory switch. And when I die, if you flip it...you can start fresh, Zane. You can forgo having all the pain of losing me. I know you love me." His eyes brim with tears.

"But...father, I don't want to forget you."

"And a part of me will always be with you," he comforts me. "But I don't want losing your poor old father to hold you back from reaching your true potential. And if you flip your memory switch, perhaps you'll be able to better relate to your peers. You can make new friends. Then, I won't have to worry about what will happen to you when I'm gone."

I lean down and sob into my father's chest. They're tearless cries – I don't have the ability to form tears – but the feeling is there, all the same.

"I love you," I choke out in between uneven breaths. That's another thing – my father simulated the actual capabilities of breathing in my body, even though I don't need air to survive. He wanted me to look as normal as possible to my companions.

"I love you, too," my father soothes, stroking my back. "And that's why I'd like you to flip your memory switch when I die. But it's your choice, Zane."

I struggle to regain my composure. "I...I don't want to forget all your lessons, father – all the good memories we had together."

"Shh. It's okay, son. Forget what I said."

I pull back to look into his eyes. "No. You...you would like me to do this for you?"

"Yes, Zane," he sniffs. "But only if you want to."

I nod. "I...all right, then. I will. But not until you're gone. I'm going to take care of you."

My father pulls off his glasses and wipes a tear from under his eye. "Thank you, Zane. You are the best son I ever could have asked for."

I pull him into a hug, urged by some instinct I was never programmed with. "And you are a wonderful creator...and an even better father."

"I hope so, Zane. I hope so."

***I can't. No. NO. NO!

ZAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANE, I'LL BE YOUR FRIEND!

*Shakes head* I'm already too involved with this story.***