Multiple Strikes | Ninjago Movie AU

Chapter Four - Yakitori, Enoki Pancakes, And A Close Call

The Jay from the world which swarmed him with paparazzi gazes curiously and somewhat frustratedly at TUJ, who groans and grumbles upset. He's paused many times in between to instruct Jay's future self on where to go and what to say, but it seems something's happened. Something rather bad.

The two sit at TUJ's homework desk, talking to each other about their worlds and piecing together Realm Crystal shards with superglue. A stupid idea, sure, and it would barely do crud. But there'd have to be a stronghold in the meantime to keep it together as they search for a way to fix the artifact. Putting it together has been tricky, and it has fallen apart some, but they've been lucky to get halfway.

"What's wrong?" Jay asks TUJ, raising an eyebrow and crossing his arms.

TUJ looks up from the hands which he's hid his face in, wearily. "I- he- trouble. He got in trouble. But they think it's me, so now I'M IN TROUBLE!" he exclaims angrily, tossing his hands up in the air. He stands up and starts pacing around the small bedroom, ranting in mumble.

"Over what?" Jay asks.

TUJ huffs and puffs, clenching his hands. "Some dumb secret teacher lounge!" he answers in a holler.

"Sounds cool."

"Very!" TUJ says. "But for some reason, for giving it away, they're punishing me! No- him! Ugh!"

He then stops as a faint voice can be heard from him. The earpiece to be exact. TUJ then begins to speak: "Ok, that's good. Just take the route home that you used to get to school. Ignore everybody that tries to talk to you." he orders.

Geez, everybody? Jay exhales a bit stronger at this. Bit bossy if you ask me. I don't know if I like this me.

It makes Jay kind of frustrated. Being stuck here in this tiny bedroom all day with a weird and stressed alternate version of himself. He finds it weird that they even kin at all. But he manages to push through and have some empathy and sympathy. And very much does that stress seem to rub onto him. He keeps quiet it about it, but something spontaneous feeling that seems to have been used before washes over him, dousing him in the same stress which TUJ must be going through.

All of a sudden, the small black phone faced down buzzes, light emitting from the screen and leaking through the small, minuscule gaps between the phone and the bed it lays on. TUJ checks it, and his face lights up. Finally.

"What ya lookin' at?" Jay asks, playfully and curiously, spinning over to face his varied double. He's relieved by the decrease of mental density in the room, wanting to make the most of it.

"Lloyd and his family are hosting a cook-out!" TUJ announces excitedly. "They're making Yakitori!"

Jay's little smile turns into a grin. Yakitori! Zane has made that once before. And some spring onions and salt had made the chicken taste great. It's easy for them to make, too. Kai can literally grill it with his hands. But would there be coconut rice with it?

"What else is there?" Jay asks curiously.

TUJ squints at his phone. "Uhh, Enoki Pancakes." he answers. "They're made from Enoki Mushrooms I think."

He has never had those, but mushrooms are good. They should taste nicely in a pancake form (Whoever thought of that idea).

TUJ peers at the enticed Jay, his face turning stern. He huffs. "Don't even think about it. You can't come."

Jay gasps, but nods and groans. "Oh." he mumbles. Of course this made sense, to TUJ, Jay is likely a walking complication!

It's still dissatisfying, however.