Chapter Text
A little boy stood up upon a tower of cardboard boxes, trying his best not to tip down and fall over. He took a cardboard sword out, one he had made before ‘the moving’ and held it in a fighting stance.
“Hah! Finally! I'm at the top-” Before Kai could finish his sentence, he slipped.
Before he fell to the ground, head first, he was caught in the arms of someone familiar.
“Calm down fireball.” Ray said, Kai gripping on to him. “What did your mother say about messing with the moving stuff?” He kneeled down to put the young boy down on the floor, as he jumped out of his arms. “You’re lucky she’s busy setting up you and your sister's room.”
Kai looked at him pouting angrily running off to go find something more interesting to do. His father couldn’t do anything and just sighed.
Maya, Ray, and all the other Elemental Masters have been setting up with their new lives, having children, and finding purpose in their ‘normal’ futures. Villains haven't been attacking Ninjago for what seems to be forever, so they stopped training and tried to live a normal life, for them, and their families.
Ray and Maya had lived in a small village, running a blacksmith shop. But, when they had kids, they realized sooner or later (exactly 7 years…) that it wasn’t really the best environment for them.
They did prefer the village life, since it was the way the two had grown up in, but they also cared more about what was better for their children. So, they moved to Ninjago City.
Mrs. Smith walks down the stairs, carrying Nya on her shoulder. “I finished painting the room.” Kai’s attention from the now crumpled boxes on the floor immediately went to his mom.
“Is it red!?” Kai asked eagerly, running up to her and tugging on the end of her dress, so she would look down at him.
“Yes, Kai,” She answers, making Kai stop tugging, only holding it, “just like you had asked, dear.”
“Yess!” Kai cheered, letting go. “Can we sleep in our new bedroom!” He was practically jumping from excitement.
“I’m afraid not, it still needs to dry,” she said, then looking at the clock. “By the time it's dry, it’ll be past your bedtime.”
“Then I’ll just sleep late!” The little boy stated.
Ray then quickly pulled up Kai from under his arms, making him kick his feet to escape. “Don’t forget, you have school tomorrow, fireball!”
“And! It’s your first day of first grade!” Maya quickly added. “So, you must sleep so you can be up and ready for the next day!”
“I don’t want to go to schooool!” Kai whined. “I wanna help Papa in his shop!”
Ray had plans for opening a new weaponry and armor shop in the city, to make up for their old blacksmith shop.
“But, if you don’t go to school, how will you protect your sister?” She said, persuasively.
“Huh?” Kai seemed confused, and stopped kicking his legs to his fathers relief. “But, Mama! Nya can’t go to school yet, she’s too tiny!”
Nya, who was half-awake, rubbed her eyes. “Nuh-uh! I’m a big girl!” She responded.
Nya was about to turn 5 years old in a few months, but she was going to go to 1st grade already, the administration of the school believed that she was smart enough to do so. And, they were correct.
She scored in what was 4th grade level in learning. But, Mr. and Mrs. Smith believed that they shouldn’t make her go too high up, and decided to stick in her the same grade as her brother.
“Yuh-huh! Everyone’s gonna trip on top of you because of how small you are!” Kai said, overexaggerating. It was funny since they were around almost the same height.
“That’s why you BOTH need to go to school,” Ray said, now carrying Kai properly, “so neither of you guys get trampled.”
Kai yawned. “What does trampled mean?” He asked, now leaning his head on his fathers shoulder.
“It’s the same thing as tripping dumb-dumb.” Nya replied, also yawning. Her brother was unable to respond due to how tired he was, he just frowned at her.
“Looks like two little rascals are tired,” Ray whispered, making Maya giggle a bit. “Off to bed now.”
The two parents went up to their own room, carrying the kids. The kids were gonna sleep in their room, since Kai and Nya’s room was still paint drying. It's fine, Maya and Ray didn’t mind sleeping on the couch for one night.
The morning was simple yet bare, by bare, the sky was clear. The sky had white clouds splattered here and there, and the sun was bright, but not so much that you would get a heatstroke.
Zane preferred days where it was a tad bit colder, but he didn’t mind. He really wasn’t the type of child to complain about simple things in life. Except one.
Zane was sitting in a chair as standing behind him was Dr. Julian, his father to his knowledge, was combing his hair. But, Zane felt something creeping in him today.
Today was the first day of first grade for Zane. And, of course, he was scared. Why wouldn't he be? He’s had experience with school in kindergarten. And the children were cruel. He wouldn’t be surprised if they still are.
He didn’t want to get ‘bullied’ again. Even though they're children who don't understand what they're doing is wrong. That doesn’t change anything. He still doesn’t want to get hurt again.
“Father,” He started, making Julian pause his hand, comb still in hand. “I don’t want to go to school.”
Dr. Julian sighed. He knew Zane was scared.
The previous year, he had to take Zane out of school, due to how many kids kept teasing him. But, this year, Dr. Julian wanted him to go back to school. He moved to Ninjago city so he could give Zane the normal life of a real boy.
Zane wasn’t aware of the fact he was a robot, despite many kids believing he actually was to his behaviour, he just didn’t believe it because it wasn’t realistic or logical. But Julian knew he was.
“Zane, you know that this is what is best for you.” He said, going back to brushing his hair.
“Yes, I know, but–” Zane wanted to say something but he was at a loss for words. “I’m scared.”
He sighed. “Not everyone is going to treat you that way Zane,” His father explained. “One day, you’ll meet some people, maybe only one. And they're going to treat you for who you are. A real person.”
“Then, if those people exist,” Zane asked, confused. “Why isn’t everyone like that?”
Julian chuckled. “Because they are saved for the most special of people, only the ones who are cruel to others will get the same treatment.” He explained. “Which is why I know that you will be meeting a child like that.”
Zane smiled, as his father finished combing his hair. He stood up and spinned around to look at him, his smile finally being in view.
Dr. Julian did sort of make that all up on the spot, but maybe if he, himself, believed it, then maybe Zane could truly meet someone who’ll accept him, and believe he is a person. Then he’ll always see that smile on his face. At least before he died.
“Thank you father, I appreciate your words.” He said, still smiling. Julian smiled back at him.
“Of course, son.” He said softly. “Now run along! You can’t be late on your first day of school now!” He said, quickly changing his tone.
Zane nodded and ran to the front door. He looked in the mirror before he picked up his backpack which was a light blue in color, matching his eyes. Before opening the door and stepping out, he was greeted by The Falcon resting on his arm.
“Falcon, I’m sorry, but they do not allow animals in my school.” Zane said, trying not to hurt his feelings despite him being unsure if he had them. “Even if they aren’t an actual animal.”
The Falcon didn’t leave and stayed. Zane sighed, changing his mind.
“Okay, just don’t get caught.” Zane said, opening his backpack so he could jump in, which he did.
Zane opened the door, feeling the light shine a bit into the front door of their house. He stepped outside, but before closing the door he looked behind him.
“Bye Father!!” He yelled, hoping he was able to hear him.
“Bye Zane! Make sure to tell me everything that happens when you get back!” Dr. Julian said, peeking out from a hallway turn.
Zane nodded and closed the door shut, and looked outside. Now he had to just walk to the bus stop, wait for the bus, then sit an entire half an hour inside the bus… shouldn't be too hard, right?
Well, the first two seemed easy enough, he wasn’t so sure about the last part.
Zane sighed, and began walking to the stop, it was best if he didn’t think about it anyway. If the bus was really going to be bad, then he couldn’t imagine what the entire school day would feel like…
Hopefully, he’ll meet that ‘someone’ or maybe ‘some people’ to make the day more bearable.