Junior 9 Season 1: How it all started

The need for speed

As they all fell out of the portal, they all looked around on where they are but they realized that they're in some small town which also has a train station which can transport them to a different place but AJ recognizes one of these locations. "I'm in my world.." AJ muttered as he looked around & saw a few monster trucks whether they're animals or not. The others were so confused on what's going on but Jake however has never seen so many monster trucks before at all which makes him so out of place but he knew he has to accept feeling like this. Anyways, AJ looked around but he then spotted someone familiar so he immediately rushed over to the truck before they drove away. "Ferris!!" AJ exclaimed, making the magnet truck turn around. "AJ!! You're ok & you've been here the whole time also who are these kids?" Ferris responded as the kids rushed over. "Long story, but we weren't here the whole time. Whole thing with portals & different worlds but anyways, is everything going ok?" AJ asked Ferris who nodded & told AJ what had happened, making the kid sigh in relief. "Wanna ride the train with me back to Axel city?" Ferris asked to which the kids all nodded. "Please, we need to find Blaze & the others who are probably worried about me.." AJ admitted as they all headed to the train station to get on the train back to Axel city.

One montage later to the song 'Inner Steal' from Ninjago, they soon pulled up to the big main Axel city train station where they all got off. "Thank you Ferris, hope to see you soon!!" AJ told Ferris who waved back & went in the direction he needed to head too. "There are a lot of monster trucks here.." Rusty admitted as they all looked around the place. "Yes, there is but welcome to Axel city! Told you all that I live with monster trucks who are like us." AJ explained to the others who all looked around trying to find Blaze or one of Blaze's friends but for all of their safeties, they all held hands to prevent one another from getting hit or hurt in the city but AJ knew his way around the city which is why he's leading all of them around to where they made it to the park in the middle of the city. "This place is huge!!" Miles exclaimed as they all looked around.

The group looked around the park but then AJ spotted someone familiar so he immediately started running towards the monster truck. "CRUSHEERRRRR!!!!!! PICKLEEE!!!!!!!" AJ exclaimed as he ran to the two who looked relieved to see AJ but then confused when seeing the other kids. "AJ!! You're alive!" Pickle exclaimed as AJ hugged Crusher. "What happened?! Where did you go?!" Crusher asked AJ who told him everything. The others looked at Pickle who looked at them but then Doc spoke up "We're not related to him." "Ok?" Pickle questioned a bit confused. "Where's Blaze?" AJ asked which Crusher answered quickly like he knew AJ was gonna ask "He's looking for you all over. We can head to the monster dome & meet him there ok?" The kids all nodded & headed to the dome.

Once they got there, AJ felt at home while the other kids were shocked at the huge racetrack in front of them. "This is huge.." Jake admitted whilst still feeling completely out of his element which he didn't like at all. The others started to look around but AJ waited by the entrance of the dome for Blaze almost as if AJ was like a puppy waiting for their owner to come home. The others saw this and they all felt bad for AJ who hasn't seen Blaze in a while technically but the kids heard so much about Blaze that it was like AJ has been with him his entire life. "AJ? You ok?" Sofia asked AJ who responded with "Yep! Just waiting for Blaze & the others." Sofia looked at the others who all shrugged.

An hour goes by & there's still no sign of Blaze or the others coming to the monster dome which is unusual. "They would be here by now.. Where are they?" Crusher questioned as the kids & the two monster trucks are now watching the entrance but no one was there. AJ started to get really nervous but he feels like he should check around the dome just in case but he doesn't want the others to worry about him so he knew that he would have to check around the outside of the dome like Blaze does with Blazing Speed which they use only for emergencies, not races (which means this au is different from the show). Before anyone knew it though, AJ zoomed out as fast as Blaze (probably faster) and started to look around the outside of the dome for him leaving the others shocked. "Guess we know AJ's powers!" Santiago exclaimed as AJ zoomed back inside within a blink of an eye. "They're nowhere to be seen also, I think my power is speed like Blaze's engine that he got after a crash he had when he was little." AJ explained which made the others think what crash Blaze had that could have given him a new engine with the power of speed in it but that's a story for another season like season 2 or something. Anyways, Blaze & the others being late especially about AJ returning is definitely something that's very unusual for them.

They all started to head out & look for them after Blaze not answering Crusher's texts for a while which is concerning for both AJ & Crusher. "What could have caused them to not show up?" Pickle asked before a huge black ooze paw stepped in front of them & apparently it was a huge beast that no one could make out what it is but this was definitely something that's made for speed but also how it kidnapped Blaze & his friends. "BLAZE!!!!" AJ exclaimed as he ran after the beast with the kids climbing into Crusher's trunk (since his design is like a pick-up truck monster truck) to chase after AJ which they did.

Whilst chasing the beast, Miles summoned a few wormholes to trap the beast's paws which worked & got the beast to stop so AJ was able to catch up to it. When he was close he helped Blaze & his friends out but as soon as they were out Blaze immediately hugged AJ. "YOU'RE OK!!!!" Blaze exclaimed as AJ hugged back but instead of responding back in words, he just started to cry. Blaze noticed but he didn't point it out because he didn't want to embarrass AJ or make it obvious to the others, so instead he hugged AJ back tight & just let the kid cry. The J9 noticed but they didn't say anything & just let the moment happen between the two but Ryder knew that it was important since ever since meeting AJ he only mentioned Blaze & Blaze's family when talking about families at some point but not his actual parents so the moment right here was technically a father & on reunite moment.

Just then the monster was able to get out & it roared at the group. "I hate to break the moment but we need to deal with that thing!!" Starla exclaimed but then AJ got an idea. "Can tripping it help find a weak spot?" AJ asked the others, giving EVERYONE the idea. "I'll get the rope!" Santiago exclaimed as they all spread out to distract the beast while Santiago got lots of rope with Starla & Stripes' help. Once they got the rope everyone tied each one together & ran around the feet of the beast to where it soon became a one big knot. The beast roared again but once everyone was surrounding the beast they all pulled on the rope & it tripped the beast which then got rid of the beast with ease. AJ was glad that everyone was ok & that it was all over with he soon realized one thing..

He was gonna have to leave Blaze again.