I'm just doing the whole thing instead of four
Wu walked up to the monastery, this simple act, of going to his childhood home, shouldn't scare him. It didn't, no, it terrified him. He kept remembering the last time he did this.
Young Wu was walking through Ninjago City, accept it was more like a town at the time. Merchants were shouting their deals over each other, friends turning into enemies, trying to sell as much as they could so they can start the new year rich. Wu saw a teapot, his old one cracked, it was blue and shiny and handle that would make carrying it so much easier. "How much is that teapot?" Wu asked. The merchant looked at him with a critical eye. "You don't seem like a tea drinker," the merchant finally said. "Why should that matter to you?" Wu asked. "It comes with a matching cup. For fifty yen," Wu frowned, he wouldn't be able to buy the food he needed. "How about fifteen yen," Wu asked. "Do you want just the cup?" the man asked back in retort. "Twenty yen and I tell you how to get Mystake's tea," Wu smirked in triumph. The merchant looked at him, "Thirty and I throw in this straw hat," he said. "I can help set you up with Maya," Wu grinned victoriously at his friend, Rey. "Ten yen for the straw hat, teapot, and cup," Rey pouted, now what was he going to give Wu for his birthday?
Wu continued walking through town, he bought a basket and food to put in it. He looked up at the monastery with a frown. He glanced around, a few shortcuts shouldn't hurt, right?
Older Wu sat on a rock, knowing that shortcuts cause long delays. He chuckled at his younger self's foolishness. He poured himself a cup of tea, he was true to his word. Maya and Rey wen ton a few dates and got married after that and had Nya and Kai. The teapot, cup, and straw hat have lasted through all of it. Wu smiled fondly at the memories. He remembered getting lost and Garmadon being extremely upset about having to find him, he smiled knowing that Garmadon had been actually worried and didn't want to admit it.
Wu looked away guilty as his brother scolded him, "Why did you have to go and try to take a shortcut. You were father's favorite, you should know that shortcuts make for long delays," Garmadon's lecture was turning more into more of a rant. "And annoyed brothers, apparently," Wu said with a roll of his eyes. Garmadon looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "Misako is going to give you an earful too, you know," Garmadon told him. "I know, I'm really sorry," Wu apologized again. "Let's hurry. Misako had to leave already with her parents, so it will just be us now," Garmadon grumbled. Wu followed his brother through the streets. Garmadon taking shortcuts by going above the city. "I thought shortcuts made for long delays," Wu called out. "If you can't see where you're going, then yes they do," Garmadon answered amusedly. Wu pouted but followed his older brother over buildings onto main streets and finally to the base of the steps to get to the monastery. "Race you to the top, brother," Garmadon called out as he started climbing up the side instead of the stairs. Wu blinked and started racing up the stairs determined to beat his brother. Once at the top gasping for air he put the supplies he brought in the market down. He glanced around triumphantly, he beat Garmadon to the top. "What took you so long brother, I already have the blanket laid down and feel like I have been lounging for about an hour," Wu's shoulders slumped when he heard Garmadon tease him. "I can't exactly scale the side of the mountain while I'm holding supplies for tonight," Wu retorted. "I thought you could summon an elemental dragon," Wu froze, he didn't think of that.
Wu frowned, he had to get over his terror of bringing this tradition back. He focused and tried. It didn't work. Wu sighed, walking could actually do him some good, otherwise he'll be like his students. He did not wish to set a bad example for them. He stood up and started walking again. He paused when he heard footsteps echoing his. They stopped after a moment, Wu started walking again. The echo followed, Wu glanced behind him. There was a man behind him. The man reached for his katana, Wu glanced at his stance. The man planned to use a lightning strike to slash his in the chest. Wu gripped his staff before connecting it with the man's chin. The man stumbled back. "Your stance needs to wider next time, you also might want to get a new blacksmith. Your katana is flimsy and dull, I would suggest going to Rei Bilens he will probably remake it much better," Wu said as pulled the katana out of its scabbard. "Why are you telling me this?" the man asked after he recovered. "I believe you didn't choose this life, did you?" Wu asked him. The man shook his head, "Want to tell me what happened?" Wu asked sitting down next to the man. The man started explaining and Wu poured him a cup of tea.
Wu smiled as the man walked away happy with the knowledge that he can fix his life. Wu continued on his journey feeling much less fearful, if he could help that man then maybe this won't terrible. He summoned his elemental dragon and frowned, not solid enough to hold Wu himself, but enough to carry his groceries. Wu sighed but knew it was better than nothing.
Wu got up to the top he looked around the monastery. "Do not think you won again, brother," a voice came from behind him, "I was actually waiting for an hour this time," Garmadon smirked. "Yes, well I got all the groceries and I was attacked," Wu defended. "You look fine," Garmadon said with nonchalance. Wu smiled as he saw his brother doing a quick assessment of him. "I talked with my attacker, he is on his way to get a new job now. Makes me wonder, what if I had actually talked to you more if," Garmadon stopped him. "Let's not wonder about what if's. Let's focus on the future we have now," Wu chuckled and poured two cups of tea. "To the future, and whatever it may hold," Garmadon smiled and nodded in agreement.