Android Ashley is an amazing song and I've been wanting to write a Ninjago story based on it for a while now. I was hesitant because I don't love the other song-themed one-shots I've done but I've thought of a really fun idea and I'm going to try it out!

This one-shot features Gwen from Project Artificial Love. This is an AU based on the song because I needed to tweak some things to make it work.

I hope you enjoy it! The song is linked above and I'll add the lyrics below! I'm excited to get started!

I'm also submitting this for SageNinjaMorro 's writing contest! I hope you like it!
*******

Zane couldn't help but smile as he watched the girl dance around behind the counter. Her hair whipped around as she lip-synced to the music playing in the background, her fingers holding a coffee stirrer to her lips as a microphone.

She seemed very wrapped up in her singing and was completely oblivious to the young man watching her. She finally noticed him when she spun around in a circle, her eyes widened and her cheeks flamed in embarrassment as she fumbled to turn off the music. The girl raked her hand through her hair in an attempt to fix it and laid down the coffee stirrer sheepishly.

"Hi, Zane." Gwendolyn coughed awkwardly as she beamed at him. "Uh... what can I get you? The same as usual?"

Zane smiled at her and tried to calm his nerves as he spoke. "Yes, I would appreciate that, thank you."

Gwendolyn smiled at him before she turned away to make his drink. She frowned when she ran into the large bouquet someone had placed on the counter.

"Seriously?" She complained, shoving the large pot over so she could pass.

Zane tilted his head. "Do you not like flowers?"

Gwendolyn flushed when she realized she had said that out loud. "No! I like flowers." She hurried to say. "It's just the big garish bouquets that I don't like. They're always in the way and they're cut so they'll die soon anyway." She sighed as she brushed the crumbling petals off of the table.

"They are beautiful." Zane pointed out.

Gwendolyn shrugged. "I guess I only like bouquet if it's edible." She gave him a wink before walking to the coffee machines. Something warm and fuzzy spread through his body as he watched her work.

It was early in the morning and there were few customers. Zane enjoyed the peace of the morning as he waited patiently for his order. An impatient businesswoman behind him glared at Zane.

"Can you move so that I can order? Not everyone has all day!" She snapped.

"My apologies, I did not mean to interrupt your schedule." Zane moved respectfully out of the way.

The woman stared at him for a while before muttering. "Weirdo." And then started talking to the barista at the counter.

Zane felt his cheery mood dim slightly as he moved aside to allow the others in the line to step up. He watched as Gwendolyn hum along to the music, her eyes twinkled even as she yawned sleepily, and chatted with her coworker.

She was just placing the lid on the cardboard cup when she was interrupted. Zane tilted his head as her phone rang loudly throughout the quiet shop. Gwendolyn handed the cup to her friend and motioned to Zane with an apologetic smile.

"I'm sorry, I need to take this." She told the curly-haired girl beside her.

The other woman glanced at Zane before groaning. "Do I have to ring him up? He's so weird! The way he acts is so unnatural that he can't be human!"

Zane's hearing was set to catch more than the average human being so she didn't realize he had caught her words. Zane flinched and glanced at his shoes, his thoughts scrambled and he missed what Gwendolyn said next.

When he finally looked up the curly-haired girl was shoving the cup at him casually and punched his order into the cash register.

The young woman waited expectantly for him to pass over the money before waving him off without a second thought. Zane looked down at his cup of coffee, his breath lodging into his throat as he saw the pretty art Gwendolyn had drawn in the milk. Light cream swirls decorated the surface, a pretty little heart was highlighted in the centre.

Zane didn't have a heart.

He was a robot.

Yet something in him fluttered.

-☕️-

Zane tended to get wrapped up in his projects. It wasn't unusual to see the tall young man bent over a computer, his bright blue eyes dead set in determination.

But this felt different.

Jay frowned as he walked into the computer store to see Zane scribbling away. Calculations were running through his mind as the android typed something on his laptop.

It was odd to have an android as a coworker but Jay had learned to get used to it. Communication would get a little tricky, especially when the humorous boy's jokes fell flat. He also had to make excuses when Zane began glitching in front of the customers. But other than that Jay enjoyed working with Zane. The robot had a certain charm to him that Jay couldn't help but adore.

"What are you doing, Zane?" Jay sat down on Zane's stool, frowning as the whole thing rocked. They really needed to fix that.

"I'm completing a program for my communicators," Zane reported without looking up.

Jay raised an eyebrow, his eye trailed to the cold cup of coffee sitting on the desk. The pretty art had spread out into blobs over time.

It was weird for Zane to get coffee since he didn't eat or drink anything. The caffeine didn't do much for the robot except occasionally messing with his machinery. But ever since Zane had gone with the group to the coffee shop across the street he would always go and get a cup of coffee in the morning.

Jay watched as his friend looked up, his eyes trailing to a young woman dramatically dancing with a broom around the coffee shop. Jay dramatically gasped and stared at his friend, causing Zane to jump and spin to stare at him.

"What is it?" Zane exclaimed in concern.

"You have a crush on the barista!" Jay shrieked.

If Zane could blush he would.

"I-I-" his voice frizzed. "I do not know what you are talking about."

"Yes, you do!" Jay leaped to his feet and began running around the store laughing. "Zane has a crush! Zane has a crush!"

Zane tried to grab the boy to prevent him from tripping over the broken computers on the floor. Jay continued yelling and laughing as he darted back and forth.

"Is this what happens when I'm gone?" A disapproving voice interrupted Jay's zoomies.

Jay skidded to a stop, his momentum sent him flying and he crashed into a bin of tools. The boy looked up sheepishly to his girlfriend.

"Hey, Nya!" He said innocently.

Nya narrowed her eyes at him and looked to Zane who shrugged helplessly. The serious expression dropped and she snickered at her struggling boyfriend. Jay tried and failed to get his butt out of the bucket so Nya had to pull him out.

After helping Jay put the tools back inside the bin she turned to Zane with a smirk. "So what's this about a crush?"

Zane sent Jay a glare. The curly-haired boy gave a smug grin. "It's the barista next door."

Nya nodded knowingly. "Gwen, right? With the brown hair?"

"And the colourful clothes?"

"Yes, her! I should've seen it coming!"

"I know right?"

Zane scowled. "I do not understand why you are teasing me. Jay was far more ridiculous when it came to you."

Nya, let out choked laughter as Jay's face turned beet red. "Zane!"

"Awww." Nya teased him, ruffling his hair. "Did you have a crush on me, Blue-Jay?"

"Ugh! You are both the worst!" Jay stomped his foot and went storming into the other room.

"Jaaayyyy, don't get all pouty on me!" Nya couldn't mask her amusement as she trailed after him.

Zane watched them go a bemused expression on his face. It faded as an ache seemed to pass through his sensors. He wanted to have a special someone as well. Someone who he loved and who loved him. Zane sat down on the stool sighing as he looked at the chart for computer sales he needed to finish. His gaze couldn't help but trail over to the window.

There was Gwendolyn, laughing at something boy said, the other looked quite interested in her. He bore the same look Jay did when he saw Nya. Zane felt a stab of jealously and his hand involuntarily tightened around his pencil.

He looked at the calculations he had been doing when Jay came in. He was weird. People thought that because he couldn't communicate the same as others and missed many social cues. Maybe if he was able to change that about himself he might stand a chance.

Slowly Zane turned from the chart to his computer. A plan forming in his mind as he switched a couple of things in the codes he had made previously.

-☕️-

Zane stood nervously outside the coffee shop. The chip was ready to be placed inside his head, it would activate the new commands to allow him to act normally for once.

It had taken a long time to work on, Zane had spent nights and days sitting on that stool, trying to get it right.

It had to be perfect. If it wasn't perfect then he wouldn't be normal.

And he had to be.

Zane clutched the chip in his hand, feeling the cool metal against his synthetic skin as he looked for Gwendolyn. He stepped inside the coffee shop and looked around. He was confused to see that she was not behind the counter.

Zane stepped up to the line and waited for a barista to come up to him. As he stood there he noticed the young man he had seen often smiling and talking with Gwendolyn was chatting with his friends. Zane pushed aside the envy and went up to the man. As soon as he strode up the talking stopped and the group all look him up and down with unfriendly expressions.

"Hello, do you know where Gwendolyn is?" Zane asked.

One of the man's friends snickered. "You mean the weird barista?"

The man smiled at Zane. "Yeah, I don't know where she is, pal."

"It should be easy to find her." Another one of the men scoffed. "She wears clown costumes every day."

Zane frowned as the group wandered away, laughing to themselves.

Weird? Gwendolyn wasn't weird. She was a little different, Zane noticed, it was easy to see. She was cheerful and often forgot where things were but she wasn't weird in Zane's eyes. She was special. And the clothes she wore? Zane thought they were beautiful. Whether she had on sunflower overalls or paint-covered t-shirts they always seemed to reflect Gwendolyn's personality.

And Zane loved her personality.

The curly-haired woman he had seen before approached him and raised an inquiring eyebrow. "Can I help you?"

Zane pulled himself out of his thoughts and looked towards them.

"I was curious as to where Gwendolyn was. I did not see her today."

"Oh yeah," The girl grimaced. "Her grandma passed away so the boss let her take the day off."

Zane blinked. "Oh, dear."

"Yeah," the young woman shrugged. "It's pretty sucky for her. They were close or something. The staff is pitching in to get her some flowers."

Gwendolyn doesn't like cut flower bouquets.

"Can I get you anything?" She directed the subject elsewhere.

"No, but thank you." Zane nodded to them and stepped away.

A thousand thoughts seemed to roam his usually organized mind. He thought to the group of men, they seemed so smug about themselves with their no-care attitude and condescending demeanour. He couldn't imagine Gwendolyn being interested in someone like him.

As Zane thought back he realized he may have read Gwendolyn's body language wrong. She was only ever kind to the rude young man and didn't make any move to start anything more than polite conversation. While with Zane she would ramble on and on when prompted, filling the quiet coffee shop with extensive chatter.

Zane was suddenly aware of the chip in his hand. He looked down at it, his thumb running along the edge.

Would the chip have made him more like those men?

Their words repeated in his mind again and again.

The weird barista.

Similar to the weird customer.

Maybe Gwendolyn wasn't as different from him as Zane had originally thought. Maybe he didn't need to change himself to catch her eye. If her imperfections were what Zane loved about her, maybe his were what made her like him.

Zane strolled down the road as he thought, his eyes trailed along the shops lining the road before they landed on the candy shop across the street.

If it's edible. She had said.

-☕️-

Gwen sighed as she tied on her apron. Everything felt so hollow and empty without her grandmother. The usually bright and lively attitude that filled her has dampened into something sad and grey.

If she asked she could probably get another day off from her boss but she didn't want to lie around at home all day. She wanted to see the little old lady who always bought cookies for children at the orphanage. She wanted to watch as couples exchanged drinks. She wanted to see the handsome, tall young man with a peculiar way of speaking and kind eyes.

So she put on a brave face and smiled her way through work.

Her coworkers laid on their polite sympathies and gave her a nice huge overdone flower arrangement. Gwen tried not to cringe since she knew it was expensive and was very thoughtful. She thanked them even though she knew she'd end up shoving it at her friend and running away.

"Thank you, sweetie." The little old lady beamed at Gwen as she took her little brown bag of cookies. She smiled kindly back even though her cheeks hurt from forcing them up.

Gwen was cleaning the crumbs off the counter and was wondering if she could inconspicuously eat some of them when the cute, tall boy appeared.

"Oh, hello!" Gwen blinked in surprise. "Usually you come in the morning."

"I do," the boy smiled mysteriously. "But I decided sometimes it's good to be a little different."

Gwen furrowed her brow in confusion but nodded along anyway. "So," Gwen leaned forward on the counter with a grin. "What can I get you?"

"I am not here to buy anything." Gwen felt a teasing smile twitch at her lips. Did he look nervous? "I heard about your grandmother and wanted to bring you this."

Her eyes widened and she let out an involuntary shriek when he presented her with a bundle of lollipop flowers.

"Zane!" Gwen exclaimed, her hands flew to her mouth. "Oh my gosh, that was so sweet!" A huge smile spread across her lips as she gently took the candy bouquet from him.

Zane looked a little embarrassed as she stared at him with warm gratitude. "You didn't have to do that," Gwen said in a softer tone.

"I wanted to," Zane replied sincerely.

There was a beat of silence after that but it wasn't awkward or unpleasant. It felt... comforting almost. Gwen felt that little empty feeling start to fade away as she looked down at the sweet treats.

"Thank you," Gwen said gratefully.

She really meant it.

"You are welcome." He blinked at her warmly.

Gwen glanced briefly at Andy, her coworker who was watching her with a half-interested, half-bored expression before she turned back the kind, tall young man.

Maybe it's time to take a chance.

"My shift will be over at lunch. Would you like to join me in making a dent in these lollipops so I don't have to share with my housemates?" Gwen waved the bouquet in the air as she spoke.

His bright blue eyes widened in surprise before they squinted with his smile. "I would love to participate in that with you."

"Really?" Gwen's face broke into another large grin. "Uh... great! I'll see you then!"

The young man dipped his head at her before turning to leave. Gwen suddenly realized something and blurted out the words a little too loudly.

"What's your name?"

He paused and glanced back at her. "My name is Zane." He said. "And I am an android."

authors note******

I drifted from the story of the story but kept it relatively close while working with my own ideas. I felt it was necessary in keeping it interesting instead of just copying the song.

Android Ashley is one of my most favourite songs because I love the message it displays about being yourself and finding someone who loved you, flaws and all.

They're not worth it if they can't love you for your quirks!

The song is from the contest Write Out Loud to any The Owl House fans it's also the contest Joriah Kwamé put Little Miss Perfect in.

I hope you enjoyed this one-shot! I felt it was a great ending to this one-shot book.

Have an amazing day!

LuckyBugBooks 🐞

here are the lyrics if you want to read them:

Android Ashley by: Erika Henningsen and Write Out Loud

I think you're cute my name is Ashley
And I work at the computer store
That's what I never say to Kyle
The barista at the coffee shop next door
I watch him sadly from the counter
Where I always pick the wobbly stall
He hands me my latte
And smirks in this hot way
And I just cannot play cool
The clear and logical solution
Is to send a robot in my place
A robot modelled after me except that
She can deal with Kyle face to face
Been working on her 40 weeks or so
With barely time to sleep or eat
Her parts are
Built custom
All that's left
Are just some
Last circuits
I must complete
Android Ashley
I wish I were you
Instructions tell you what to do
And if you fail you can't feel blue
Android Ashley
When you're good to go
Maybe then, at last, I'll know
How to fix the bugs in Ashley 1.0
The final chip arrived today
So I install it in the vacant port
I solder in the last connections
Hit the power switch
And pray there's not a short
She whirs to life
Her optic sensors turn my way
I wonder what they see
She holds out
A hand to
Accept my
Command
Oooh I have made
A brand new me
Android Ashley
I wish I were you
Instructions tell you what to do
And if you fail you can't feel blue
Android Ashley
Now you're good to go
Maybe soon, at last, I'll know
How to fix the bugs in Ashley 1.0
She walks up to the counter
Run program talk to Kyle
Sub-routine order latte
Call function wave and smile
Parse input hey how are you
Play text to voice I'm fine
Parse input you seem different
And suddenly I see the flaw in my design
If I wrote this program perfectly
I won't need to make corrections
But if Kyle falls for robot me
He'll never love my imperfections
So I abort the program
And quickly call her back
I start the shutdown process
But then she turns to me
Before the screen goes black
Human Ashley
I wish I were you
No one can tell you what to do
The things you feel are real and true
Human Ashley
Do not envy me
You know all that life can be
I wish I knew how it feels to be so free
So I see Kyle the barista
At the coffee shop
He looks my way
I think you're cute
My name is Ashley
And I work at the computer store
I say