Making sure Nadakhan's "pastor" and two bodyguards were gone, we charged back into the room with Nathan, Hunter and Sammie trailing in the back. I enabled the lines again while charging an orb, thinking that if I used two different kinds of power it would catch him off guard. No one suspects a double-power user anyways. Though, something told me this quick plan would go wrong. I ignored my gut feeling though, watching as Zane lead us all.
We all split, all of us aiming for Nadakhan at once as Jay tossed the venom to Nathan under our cover. The Djinn smirked as Delara held onto one of his arms, sharing his smirk. "I wish sharp thorns would rain down upon you all!"
We ran, pinching pains beginning to spark on my back. "Why don't you just wish for us to die!? It's much easier!" Cass shouted, pushing both Nadakhan and Delara with a gust of wind. The thorns stopped immediately.
"Perhaps because I wish to punish those who had interrupted my blessed day. I want you all to feel the punishing pain, and I want this pain to carry on to your reincarnations when I do kill you!" Nadakhan's yellow eyes were wide, "But of course, what am I saying? I'm sure someone else has already cursed your future reincarnates for eternity!"
The onslaught continued, one wishing injuring one or more of us. Jay was beginning to become pale as he fought as best he could. Nathan didn't use the venom yet, and in fact stayed hidden with Hunter and Sammie now. The pain in my arm and leg only grew as I tried to stay on my feet. Everyone within Nadakhan sight was bleeding, and my mind was starting to make me feel hopeless.
"When is Nathan going to use that venom!? We've been fighting forever!" Cole asked, the only one without a scratch on him.
"He's probably waiting for us all to get out of the way. The venom can kill a human with one drop after all," I told him as I tried to stand, my sleeve and pantleg semi-soaked in blood. I'm starting to feel drowsy. I watched Cass and Zane begin to try and trap Nadakhan again. With their previous attempts being unsuccessful, I would have thought they would have stepped back, but it looked like Zane had another plan.
Though, as they tried to freeze the Djinn, a boulder flew through the room and crushed him against the wall. All of us stopped in place, looking at Cole, but he put his hands up. "It wasn't me," he told us truthfully, so we looked to the door, where the person I loathe the mist stood, his now bandaged hands and arms shoved in his jean pockets. He looked tired and his orange hair nearly covered his eyes. His usual weird smile wasn't on his face.
"I didn't know it would take you all this long to kill a Djinn. Just dump the venom on him," Alex said, the nearly transparent pink aura he had enveloped the boulder in disappearing. I huffed, rising to my feet.
"Well, for your information, Nadafugly wished that the wishing rules didn't apply anymore so now we're gonna die!" I shouted. Alex raised an eyebrow.
"Doesn't that mean those who still have wishes can wish for Nadakhan's death in retaliation?" he asked. I hated him for thinking of something I didn't. I could hear knocking on the boulder.
"He'll just twist our words around!" Cass argued.
"If he twists your words shouldn't he twist his own when he wishes?" Alex asked, to which he got confused stares and silence. He sighed and shook his head. "Nevermind, who still has wishes?"
Hunter raised his hand and so did Sammie and Nathan from where they hid. Despite having one last wish, Jay didn't raise his hand, the titanium plate over his mouth a clear indicator of why. I felt sorry for him. "Great, that makes six wishes then. We've got this!" Alex's determined smile finally returned, though, his pride in success distracted him from what happened next.
Shouting a wish from beneath the boulder, the rock flew forward, back at the very person who had thrown it. Alex turned at the last minute as the boulder rocketed towards him, the rock nearly touching his nose before a large figure caught it. She growled before heaving it to the side, her caramel-colored braids tumbling back to the sides of her shiny, blue, reptilian face. I had just now realized it was the woman who threw me off the ship, though her facemask was gone. Why is she helping us!?
"You know, the woman you manipulated taught me something not too long ago," the slits in her eyes focused on Nadakhan and "Delara", the Djinn looking outraged, "And it's that I should think for myself for a change!"
Dogshank picked up the rock again and threw it at Nadakhan. He dodged it though and glared at her. "Dogshank! What's the meaning of this!?"
"Now!" Alex shouted, before running in front of Dogshank and pointing one bandaged hand at the Djinn, "I wish Nadakhan could no longer speak!"
A metal plate now appeared over Nadakhan's mouth, the Djinn madly pulling at it. "Delara" turned and glared at Alex, darting towards him as Hunter and Sammie took the opportunity to begin their attacks. Sammie ran up one wall as "Delara" tackled Alex and tried to strangle him, the master of psion trying to curl into a ball so he could kick her off. "What did you do to my husband!?" the woman shouted, grabbing Alex's nose instead of his throat.
"Pacified him like the spoiled crybaby he is! You're welcome!" he shouted, finally kicking her off of him. At this time, Sammie jumped from the wall, spinning in midair until an Airjitzu tornado formed around her, her gi transforming to become like ours. She then turned to Nadakhan and let a bright flash erupt before him, blinding him. Hunter then ran up the wall and jumped, doing the same and unlocking his gi. We all immediately moved out of the way as we heard glass smash and the sound of waves.
Hunter remained suspended in midair with his Airjitzu as he used wind to guide Nathan's deadly waves towards Nadakhan. The Djinn was hit with the venomous waves full force, the originally brown venom becoming a neon green as it came in contact with his skin. He doubled over, the metal plates upon both his and Jay's mouths fading. I could suddenly no longer feel pain. Were his wishes reversed by the venom? I smiled, victory evident in our future. We're going to beat him! All we have to do is capture him!
Though, as Nathan's waves subsided, I noticed something unusual. Someone was missing. My mind was blank at the moment on who it could be, and I knew I was sure that we had the same number of people that we had when we started. Though, I soon found out as she rose, the nasty venom staining her now tan skin.
Nya was back to her normal form, but a venom splatter rested on her chest. I saw Nathan clasp his hands over his mouth, his eyes wide like everyone else's. A tiny shriek came from Ashley, who nearly collapsed against me. Kai could only look on in denial, and denial was the only thing I found within his eyes.
"Wh-what is... ?" Nya asked, before coughing and falling to her knees. Ashley rushed over to her immediately, first hitting Nadakhan over the head with her bad before cradling Nya. The rest of us followed, my heart only filled with dread. We can't lose Nya. We can't!
"It's okay, it's okay. You'll be alright. It's just...paint...ahaha...paint," Ashley laughed nervously, denial within her eyes as well. It was if we all were disregarding Nadakhan now. Well, except Alex, who only knew Nya as one of the women who kicks his ass probably. Nya shook her head, resting a hand on Ashley's cheek.
"You're all beat up...I'd...kiss those cuts away if I could," Nya croaked, brushing a thumb on Ashley's cheek. It hurt. This is what recklessness does to people, Seiko. That Nathan boy did it on purpose. He wanted to eliminate those who didn't make him unique. I ignored the voice again, though I couldn't help but suspect that what was said could be true. I really don't know Nathan that well after all. For all I know he could be hiding many things.
"Girl, you have...three wishes. Why not wish me mortal so you can have your revenge? Or...you can wish her well and let me escape. Though, it us known I have a history for twisting words," Nadakhan grinned, trying to rise, "I know you're a very wrathful girl. Why not take out your frustrations and grief on what you wish for? You can make as many people comatose as you wish!"
Ashley clutched one of Nya's hands as the master of water's eyes began to flutter. Nya's other hand now rested in her brother's, who looked to Ashley with hope. It seemed that everyone forgot that Hunter, Sammie, Nathan, and Alex still had wishes. Typical logic, right? Despite this all though, I felt upset for Nya. "Ashley," the female master of water's voice broke the silence, "Just stop him. Don't worry about me. I'll be okay."
"No, I'm not losing you!" Ashley argued, tears beginning to spill from her eyes. I saw Alex look at this scene like he was watching a soap opera he had no interest in. Screw you too, Debbie.
"Ash," Nya smiled, "Do you believe in destiny?" Ashley froze, then nodded. "Then let destiny takes it's path. My life was meant to be a tragedy. Bad luck only plagued me, and now it's finally gotten the best of me."
"No...don't say that!" Ashley cried as Nadakhan gave a bored look, a black eye forming on the right side of his face. I watched as Nya's eyelids lowered, a small smile still on her face.
"Goodnight, Ash. I'll see you when I see light again," she whispered, before her eyes closed, her skin now paler than it was before. The hand that Kai held now trembled, but it wasn't from her own will. Her brother's hands shook as he tried to keep himself under control, but tears spilled relentlessly, the master of fire beginning to crack as he his his face with his hands. Nathan was still frozen, his mouth still covered by his hands. He looked horrified now, his eyes beginning to water.
Ashley sniffed, wiping her eyes as Nadakhan rose. It seemed she held her emotions in better than Kai. She spoke before the Djinn did though, her hand still clutching Nya's. "I changed my mind," she spoke softly, before raising her voice, "I don't believe in destiny, and I don't believe your life has to end in tragedy! I'll make good luck come to your life!"
She turned around, picking up the Sword and pointing at Nadakhan. "I wish for Nya to live again!"
The Djinn nodded, struggling as an orange aura surrounded Nya for a brief moment before she awoke again, her brown eyes meeting light once again. Ashley smiled, sliding back to her side with a smile. Kai finally uncovered his face, revealing eyes that were almost becoming red from crying. He looked relieved now, happiness evident in his eyes again. "Thank god," Ashley breathed, resting her head against Nya's. The female master of water blinked.
"I'm...?" she looked down at her chest, where the venom originally rested. Her skin was clear of it now. Ashley smiled.
"Yes, you're alive again. I decided to defy destiny just once, just so I could hear your voice again. I wasn't going to let it take you away from me," she told her. Nya looked surprised before smiling and kissing her. Nadakhan then cleared his throat.
"Did you forget that I'm still here, Delara?" he spoke up, gaining a glare from Nya.
"Nope! None of us did!" Alex shouted, running up and pushing him into the wall with his powers, "That's for shooting my shoulder!"
"I'm not the one who took the shot," Nadakhan croaked. The master of psion shrugged.
"I'm like a schoolteacher, okay? I punish the whole class for everything," he said, before tossing Nadakhan onto the floor with his powers. "He's all yours!"
Ashley nodded, handing the sword to Nya, who grinned. "Show him who's boss," the girl smiled as the female master of water approached the Djinn. She stopped right next to him, staring down at him.
"Happy honeymoon, dear," she smiled before hitting him with the sword, the Djinn becoming but an orange ball and entering the sword. Nya then threw it aside, spinning in a spinjitzu tornado until her gi replaced her wedding dress. I felt relieved now, though the remains of Soto nearby still scarred me. That was disturbing.
We all cheered, rejoicing at the sight of Nadakhan's defeat. Though, Alex stood aside, looking off elsewhere. I expected him to ask if he could finally be one of us, but instead he walked off, resting both hands on the back of his neck. I shrugged, hugging Lloyd. The bastard probably already knew our response. Maybe now he'll finally leave us alone. Though, when I went to fetch the sword, I noticed it was no longer there.
"Don't worry about it," Jay told me, "It probably disintegrated on itself or something."
I hesitated a moment, then nodded, following the others out of the damaged temple. I still windered what had happened though, not suspecting anyone but nature now.
We were met with cheers below once we returned, those who had helped us earlier running to greet us. It seemed that they didn't even notice Soto was gone, which made me feel upset a bit. Was he that forgettable? Or do they think he ran off on his own like Alex did? The image of all that shriveled skin on the floor still made me shiver. What a horrific way to go.
Looking around at those who rejoiced, I noticed that Nathan looked more nervous than happy now. I first believed it to be because Sammie was hugging him, but then I remembered how Nathan would nearly melt if she so much as stood next to him. Is he still upset over what happened at the temple? I hope he doesn't think it was his fault. It all was just a small accident that was fixed in a dramatic but fast way. Keep this between you and me, but deep down I felt all that drama was unnecessary. Am I becoming an asshole now or something?
I watched Ruby tackle hug Hunter again, who nearly fell over. I really wondered how a girl as small as her could almost knock over a guy as tall as Hunter. Is it physics? I'm shorter than Ruby but I can't knock over Lloyd, who's shorter than Hunter. Is it sorcery? It would explain why she's able to almost run as fast as Griffin Turner.
"Well, since the police are on everything now, what do you say to heading over to the bakery?" I heard the red-clad girl ask. Hunter patted his suit.
"I...don't think this gi has pockets. How am I supposed to pay for it?" he asked. Ruby smiled a pulled a few dollars from her hoodie pocket.
"I got it," she told him.
"Are you sure? I don't wanna be the jerk who has you pay for it all," he asked, to which she nodded and grabbed his sleeve.
"Come on!" I giggled as I watched them go, the sadness from earlier slowly fading. I didn't rejoice with anyone because I didn't need to, and my surroundings gave me enough joy. My friends were happy again, and that's all that mattered to me. Nya was alive, Jay was no longer bleeding, and we weren't trapped in that god awful sword anymore. Though, I couldn't help but notice that Zane was the only one who didn't look even the least bit happy. I approached him, wondering what happened.
"Is everything okay Zane?" I asked, tapping the android on the shoulder. He turned to look at me, his exterior colder than it usually was. He sighed.
"The wishes everyone else had were reversed after the third wish, but my wishes were not. Pixal is still gone. I have not seen her since Nadakhan erased her from my system," his glowing blue eyes looked at the ground as he spoke. I frowned, feeling sorry for him. I never knew Pixal that well, but I could understand she was someone important to Zane, just as Luo was important to me. The nightmare from my wish still haunts me.
"Could Cyrus rebuild her?" I asked him, to which he shook his head.
"No. If he rebuilds her, her systems will be different, therefore she will not be the Pixal I once knew. It will just be another gynoid with her face and voice," he told me. I gave a sympathetic look. That really is rough.
"I'm really sorry, Zane. I wish I could do something," I said. He shook his head.
"Everything is fine. I just need to be alone," Zane sighed, before walking away. I still wished I could have done something to help him. Losing Pixal can't be easy for him at all. I felt a hand rest on my shoulder as the android walked away. I already knew the owner was Lloyd purely by the appearance of his green sleeve. Honestly, the age difference between us still bothered me, but I decided to address it later.
"Is he going to be okay?" Lloyd asked me, his eyecolors mismatched now. His eyes need to stop being mesmerizing. I sighed and nodded.
"He's going to need time alone. He lost Pixal," I informed the Green Ninja as I brushed my hair out of my face. How I hate wearing it down, but everyone says I look cuter this way. I want my ribbon back.
Lloyd frowned. "No solution to get her back?"
I shook my head, staring at assorted wreckage within the street. Their fight down here must not have been a cake walk. Though, neither was ours. Upon thinking of our battle, I thought of the Sword. It couldn't have disintegrated, could it?
"Do you have any idea where Nadakhan's sword went?" I asked Lloyd. He shrugged.
"I would have thought Alex stole it but his hands were empty when he left," he recalled.
"Yeah, but he can lift things with his mind," I reminded him.
"True, but I don't see what he'd want with it. We already know how to destroy it," Lloyd said, to which I agreed. Alex was a hard person to figure out anyway. One moment he'll want to kill you and the next he'll want to form an alliance. I don't think I'll even ask why he's this way.
"Well, we should go get the Bounty...since we kind of left it up there," Lloyd said, looking up at the clouds and what remained of Djinjago. I sighed.
"Yeah...if pirates haven't looted and vandalized it that is."
His lies have hidden him for a year. When will his lies finally expose him?