"Speech"
'Thought'
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(Akira POV)
The sound of a sizzling frying pan filled the kitchen as I made breakfast. What? I've lived in Ninjago for over four decades, so of course I know how to cook, even if I don't need to eat or drink to survive.
The sun was just beginning to rise, its light partially shining through the shoji screen of the dining area.
A few moments later, I flipped a pancake before moving to another pan to flip some bacon. Then, I transferred the scrambled eggs from their pan into a bowl before doing the same with the cooked bacon.
Once the final pancake was ready, I placed it on a plate with two others that had been spread with whipped cream. I did the same with the new pancake, then drizzled chocolate syrup on top.
I'm sure you can guess who this is for, and it's not Cole. I snorted at the thought of making him a giant cake, just for him to grovel over it in unbelievable joy.
...Okay, he might not react that drastically, but then again, with how he was a few days ago over a small slice... it's a possibility.
I began to set the table, placing the maple and chocolate syrups in the middle and the forks and knives in front of each seat. I left the food on the counter since I didn't know where everyone would sit today.
Oh, and I have a specially sealed container of those dark matter grubs the ninja mentioned seeing him eat.
Don't ask how I got them. I'm not telling you.
I took a sip from the large cup of coffee I'd prepared earlier, and a pleasant sigh escaped my mouth. I just really loved this stuff, and I don't even know how to explain why my addiction was so sudden.
My eyes flickered toward the door as it opened, revealing Wu and Garmadon as they walked in.
"Morning," I greeted.
Garmadon simply grunted with a nod in response, while Wu returned the greeting. "Good morning to you as well, Akira."
"The food's on the counter, if it wasn't obvious," I said, taking another sip of coffee. "And Garmadon, I took the liberty of getting you some of those dark matter grubs. They're in the silver container, though I'd appreciate it if you'd try the pancakes."
He chuckled evilly in response. "As you wish." I rolled my eyes at his dramatics, but to be fair, I would do something similar, and far more elaborate.
Wu and Garmadon grabbed their plates and sat in their seats at the table. Garmadon opened the container before stabbing the first grub with his fork.
The end of my tail swished from side to side with a hint of boredom. The door then slid open again as the ninja walked in, with a tired and yawning Lloyd following behind.
"Ooh. Are those pancakes?" Jay exclaimed, rushing towards the counter. "Bacon and eggs, too." He grabbed a plate, took a few pieces of bacon and some eggs, then took a bite of the bacon before going to sit at the table.
The other ninja followed suit, though I had to smack Cole's hand away from the plate I had prepared specifically for Lloyd—the only one with whipped cream and chocolate syrup.
Cole grumbled about how it looked like a cake and how I wouldn't let him eat it as he sat at the table.
My eyes softened as I saw the slightly dampened expression on Lloyd's face as he grabbed his plate. He was still a little upset about having to face his father in battle, though I would do whatever I could to prolong that eventuality without breaking anything.
Some pieces of a puzzle just aren't meant to be broken or replaced.
There's no such thing as true perfection. If there was... well, there would be no need for many things, such as the Source Dragons and the Overlord—the embodiment of evil and darkness—let alone the First Spinjitzu Master or me.
At least, not with the amount of power we have.
I try not to glimpse into the future, but one thing I found is that it doesn't matter how the Great Devourer dies. It doesn't even matter if I were to purify it and bend it to my will. I can do whatever I want with it as long as it's awakened.
So, I choose to let it burn, to feel torment, to bleed until I say it can die. It's the reason my Vælnok has to fight his father, even if the snake was possessed by the Overlord.
I will play with it, toy with it, do as I please with its body until I finally reap its soul and send it to its own personal purgatory!
[Creak]
My thought process froze as I looked up to see not only everyone at the table staring at me strangely, but also that I had crushed my thankfully coffee-free cup. The cup was made of Deep-stone, because I could.
I shrugged. I can always make another one.
Instead of throwing it away, I just left it on the counter. It was Deep-stone and still very much usable for something else.
"Hmm, this is really good," Kai said with a full mouth.
Jay nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I hate to say it, but I think you've been outdone with these pancakes, Zane." He took another bite. "They're a lot sweeter than yours, no offense."
Zane, being Zane, took no offense. "It's fine. In fact, I actually agree that these are better than the pancakes I make."
"Yeah, they're really good! Thanks, Akira!" Lloyd complimented, bringing a small smile to my face.
"Yeah, thanks, Akira," Nya thanked as well, after swallowing.
"You're welcome," I replied, before leaving the dining room.
After leaving the dining room, I headed towards the very front of the Bounty and sat down on the figurehead.
The looser parts of my clothes flapped in the wind as the ship moved forward.
I thought about Selma and her small group of friends. I gave her power, but I don't think it was a rushed decision. The Serpentine need their own protectors, to show the realm that they're not all bad, that they're people too. I've also thought about giving her friends elemental power.
My own group of ninja, if they accept, of course. I'm not going to force them to protect Ninjago, though I would still train them to protect Ouroboros.
With an exaggerated sigh, I leaned over the edge of the figurehead, falling onto the roof of my Shift-wing that I had already called over. I really needed a better name for it.
The roof shifted open under me, closing as I fell down and plopped onto my couch.
The Samurai X mech was not far, held up by special equipment that I installed when I allowed her to use the empty space, instead of the cramped space at the bottom of the Bounty or her room.
With a wave of my hand, the screen came to life, showing the point of view from my Cobra drone, which I also needed a name for.
(Scene break)
(Ouroboros)