Chapter 6 - Reunion

As Misako watched Wu's ship disappear from view, a strong feeling of guilt began to overcome her. Since her talk with Lloyd the day before, she couldn't stop thinking of him, of the way she'd handled everything.

What kind of mother was she, really? She'd confined her child to his room, even put a guard outside, as if he were some kind of prisoner. She'd grown frustrated, acting on a whim. It all felt so wrong. Misako should have tried to listen. Tried to understand exactly what her son was going through.

And she did know what he was going through, didn't she?

How many nights had she grown sick with longing while Garmadon was out at sea? How many times had she wished for him to stay? How many times had she wanted to go along with him?

Garmadon had always loved the sea, and he always would. His place was out there, and she and Lloyd both belonged here. The sooner Lloyd stopped waiting in hope, the better it would be.

Misako had never wanted to taint Lloyd's ideas of his father, but maybe a bit of honesty would strengthen the bond between mother and son. Maybe Lloyd would finally realize the life he led here was a good one, and he didn't need to keep wishing to be somewhere else.

She headed up the stairs, stopping before her son's room. She was surprised to find Zane there, she'd expected the guard to follow Wu to hell and back. "Zane? I thought you'd gone with Wu."

"I would have liked to, but the Admiral asked me to watch over you and Lloyd," Zane responded. "Although I cannot imagine anything would ever occur to either of you here in Ninjago."

"Wu worries too much." Misako shook her head, smiling slightly. "But I'll be glad to have your company. For now though, I think Lloyd will be alright without a guard by his door. I think I may have overreacted."

With a small nod, Zane stepped aside and Misako pushed the door open. "Good morning, Lloyd. I'm sorry for-"

Misako's blood ran cold and she could have sworn that, for a moment, her heart had refused to beat. With weak legs, she leaned against the door, eyes searching frantically around Lloyd's room.

"Lady Misako? Is everything alright?"

Misako shook her head, opening her mouth to try and respond. When she finally managed to speak, her voice was weak. "He's. . . gone."

Things occurred faster than Kai could have predicted.

It seemed that only seconds ago, he'd stepped out onto the deck, still stretching his body into wakefulness. And now here he was, his sword a blur of movement as he fought to stay alive. Every one of his muscles felt cramped, as the Admiral had pushed Kai's training late into the night before, until they were both fully exhausted.

Still, Kai was grateful. Although he wouldn't admit it out loud, Kai didn't think he would have survived more than a minute without the tactics the Admiral had imprinted upon his mind. Kai's body was almost moving of its own accord, the Admiral's words of advice echoing throughout his mind.

It was lucky that his body was moving without much thought, because Kai's thoughts didn't feel as straight and focused as they usually did. He knew he had to stay alive. He knew Nya was close, and he knew he couldn't fail her now, not when he'd come so far.

But Kai had also never wounded anyone before. Despite the fiery rage that would sometimes overcome him, Kai had never done much more than swing a poorly aimed punch. And now, in the midst of it all, Kai couldn't keep track of the harm the sharp metal of his sword was causing. It felt wrong, and yet, there wasn't much of a choice.

He continued to move towards the edge of the ship, determined to move onto the enemy's vessel. Nya was so close.

A loud booming sound echoed through the air, causing his ears to ring quite painfully. Kai was sure he would never grow used to the sound of a cannon. The ship shuddered beneath him, causing him to lose his balance and slam against the wooden boards.

Boom!

Once more, the Admiral's ship shook. Why weren't the Admiral's cannons firing? At this rate, the pirates would easily sink the ship Kai stood on. That couldn't happen, could it? They couldn't lose.

And yet, he could feel the ship moving slowly under. If things continued the way they were now, Garmadon would win.

Kai stood upon the edge of the ship, judging the distance between the two vessels. If Garmadon was going to win, Kai would at least get to his sister. Then, together, they would find a way to beat the infamous pirate. They had to.

With grim determination, he jumped.

"I want to find my dad!"

"Well I think we should find Nya!"

Jay had forcefully tugged Lloyd away from the deck and down into the ship, not wanting to lose sight of the child twice. He had been pleasantly surprised when the kid's grappling hook had somehow managed to bring them both to the pirate ship, but the pleasantry quickly left him as he realized he was in the pirate ship.

"Look, it's a battlefield out there. We're both going to get killed if we stay there. I'm pretty sure your dad is busy either way."

Lloyd pouted, pulling away from Jay's grip and crossing his arms. "Well then you stay here. And I'll go up."

"No, I'm not letting you get killed. Do you really think someone's going to stop and listen to you say you're Garmadon's son? I think they're more likely to skewer you, kid."

"I think I can take care of myself."

"Of course you can." Jay shook his head. "But please. Your dad isn't going anywhere is he?"

With a long, dramatically resigned sigh, Lloyd finally agreed. "Fine. We'll go find your friend."

"After you then," Jay said, urging the child to stay in front of him. He didn't trust Lloyd to not run off as soon as his back was turned. "You know more about ships than I do. Where would they keep her?"

"Most ships have cells at the very bottom. If it all starts to sink, whoever is imprisoned will be the first to drown. They aren't exactly a priority."

"Good thing we prevented them from using the cannons then, huh?"

"You're welcome," Lloyd beamed.

The lower they went, the darker their surroundings became. Jay felt slightly suffocated and the heavy smell of sweat and other things he'd rather not identify wasn't being very helpful. The thought of Nya spending more than a couple of seconds in this place was unbearable. He began to move faster.

They reached a small room, with only one lantern to light the surroundings. There were two cells, and there was a small shadow within the one on Jay's left side. He rushed towards it, his heart pounding loudly.

"Nya!"

The shape jolted; sharp, intelligent brown eyes locked onto Jay's. "Jay!?"

"You're okay! Well. . . alive. Are you okay?"

"I'm. . . fine." Nya shook her head. "What's happening up there? Why are you here? And is that. . . the Admiral's kid?"

"I'm not hi-"

Jay pressed the palm of his hand against Lloyd's mouth, quieting the kid's usual outburst. Nya looked from Lloyd to Jay, her eyes swimming with a million questions. "He's actually Garmadon's kid. Captain Garmadon? I mean. . . you know him. He did. . . kidnap you. But we came here to get you. The Admiral and his soldiers are fighting the pirates right now, that's what all the sound is about."

"I can't believe the Admiral let a kid get involved in this," Nya responded, her eyes returning to Lloyd, as Jay slowly removed his hand.

"He didn't. He wanted me to stay, but me and Jay snuck onto the ship together," Lloyd said, and Jay flinched.

"You let a kid come? Here? I mean. . . I'm glad you're here but. . . why?"

Because I wasn't really thinking. Going on a rescue mission is kind of scary, and the kid was the only one with enough guts to give me a chance to come here. I just wanted to see you, make sure you were safe. Because I really like you, Nya.

"He knew more about ships," Jay chuckled awkwardly, shaking away his thoughts. "But. . . let's see if I can pick this lock. It doesn't look too complicated. Lloyd, can I borrow your hook thing for a minute?"

Lloyd nodded, handing it over swiftly. Jay twisted the metal to a more helpful shape, kneeling down to get a better look at the lock. Before he could make any progress, a set of running footsteps bounced from the hall beside them, heading straight for the room they were in.

Jay pulled Lloyd behind him, not that he would be much use against a pirate, but the man that skidded into the poorly lit room wasn't an enemy.

"Jay!?"

"Kaai. . ."

"What are you doing- Nevermind, I don't care." Kai turned away, his eyes searching only for his sister. He rushed towards the cell, and they both hugged as tight as the metal bars would allow. "You're okay . . . I'm so sorry it took so long. The Admiral had things to prepare and. . . I wanted to rush after you the moment it all happened."

"It's okay, Kai. I knew you'd come." Nya slowly moved back. "Now, do we have a plan to get out of here? I'm tired of this place."

"Yes," Jay said, holding up the bent metal. "I can get you out."

Kai finally looked back at Jay, although his eyes didn't linger. They instantly jumped to Lloyd, and a frown tugged down on his features. "Lloyd? You're here too? How?"

Lloyd smiled. "I have my ways."

"You shouldn't be here." Kai shook his head.

"Actually," a voice behind them said, slowly stepping into the small room. "None of you should be here."

"They're surrendering!"

As the shout reached Garmadon's ears, the smile across his lips widened. Of course they were surrendering. Their pompous ship had been no match for Garmadon's own. It was sinking lower and lower, and soon, all that remained aboard would be at the ocean's mercy.

Not that Garmadon cared. All those people had pledged to be loyal to the wrong man. And now they would realize their mistake.

There was only one person Garmadon wanted alive. "Find their captain and bring him to me!"

A couple of his men rushed to the other ship to begin their search. Only a few of Wu's soldiers still tried to fight, but most had dropped their weapons, waiting for Garmadon to choose their fate.

"Kruncha." Garmadon looked away from his brother's ship and back to his own.

"Yea, Cap'n?"

"Once the others are back from the sinking ship, make sure to sail us back on course to the island."

"And those that surrendered, Cap'n?"

"They'd better learn to swim."

With a soft chuckle and a nod, Kruncha went off, heading towards the ship's wheel.

Minutes later, the men he'd sent in search for his brother returned. The man they were forcefully dragging forward was soaked to the bone, and he looked nothing like the brother Garmadon remembered. The brother Garmadon had left had been full of life. Blue eyes had shone with fire, and his wild blonde hair had stubbornly refused to grow grey.

And now, his little brother looked even older than Garmadon did.

Garmadon burst into laughter, studying the old man before him. "Wu? Is it really you? You look terrible. Life has not been kind to you."

"Well, thanks to you, keeping Ninjago and the ocean safe is quite the challenging job," Wu responded, lifting his head as much as the men holding him would allow. Garmadon smiled. Although his brother's eyes were shadowed with exhaustion, they were still aflame. Full of determination, of hope that things would always work out for the better.

Garmadon would gladly put the flames out, and show his brother how cruel the world really was.

"You give me too much credit," the captain said. "I'm glad I've managed to give you such a hard time, even when I wasn't anywhere near. My life, on the other hand, has been quite nice. There isn't anyone who doesn't fear me, and there isn't anything I cannot obtain."

"Nothing you can't obtain? How about the family you left behind, brother?"

Garmadon flinched, barely keeping himself from striking. But now wasn't the time. "As far as I remember, I didn't choose to abandon anyone. You took them from me. But that's alright. We both know there's a way for me to get anything I want. Even the family I 'left behind', as you say."

"The Teapot of Tyran will only cause more trouble. You will regret every wish you make."

"We'll just have to see about that." Garmadon leaned down towards his brother, eyes glowing with fury. "Won't we?"

"Garmadon you're making a mistake. . ."

"Lock him up. I'm done talking." Garmadon turned away, the anger inside him burning throughout his chest.

Cole looked at the people before him, slowly pulling his sword from his sheath. "Well, Nya, looks like you won't be alone anymore."

"Stay back." One of the men before him stepped forward, taking a sword of his own out. There were similarities between him and Nya, and Cole pinpointed him as the girl's brother.

"Ah, so you must be Ninjago's blacksmith," Cole said. "So you know how to craft swords, but can you use them?"

"I'll show you," the blacksmith responded, moving forward to attack.

The man was good, Cole would give him that, but he was also rash, moving too forcefully, without bothering to think much about his next move. Cole, however, thought out everything carefully. He knew strategies were important, and thinking ahead could easily save a life.

Once Cole narrowed down the man's fighting pattern, getting the sword out of his hand was simple. Without a weapon, the man stumbled back. Although he was defenseless, a stubborn fire remained in his eyes.

"Please don't hurt him."

Cole turned towards Nya, although still keeping an eye on her brother. "I didn't really plan on hurting anyone."

"Oh thank the stars." The man that had remained behind Nya's brother said, sighing with relief.

"Wait," Cole shook his head. "Jay?"

"You know him?" Both Nya and her brother looked at Jay accusingly, and the blue eyed man shrunk further into himself.

"I wouldn't say I know him. I just met him. He helped me out once. That's all."

Footsteps echoed behind him, and Cole shook his head, taking a ring of keys from within his pocket. "Make that twice. Get in the cell, before someone else comes and decides you are all better off dead."

"If you think I'm-"

"Kai," Nya hissed. "Just. . . come on. What are you going to do, get yourself killed?"

"Your sister's smart," Cole said. "You should listen."

"You can't put Jay in there."

Cole frowned. A new voice? He looked down, spotting a small blonde-haired child. With his hands on his hips and his head held as high as his small neck would allow, the kid continued. "I am Lloyd Garmadon. Jay is my friend. You can't put him in there."

"Garmadon?" Cole almost laughed, but he remembered the story Captain had shared the night before. There was a bit of a resemblance between the kid and Garmadon, but Cole couldn't be sure. The steps behind him grew louder. He inserted the key, twisting the lock and forcing the door open. "Look, I'll. . . take you to the captain. I'm sure he'll let your little friend go if you really are his son. But for now. . ."

With a scowl, Kai stepped inside, followed by Jay. The kid crossed his arms. Cole ignored him, quickly shutting and locking the cell. "Well, come on then."

Lloyd followed the black-haired pirate, giving Jay a small wave as he walked past. The kid felt a slight twinge of guilt at Jay's predicament, but most of his mind was bouncing with excitement. Finally, after everything, he was going to see his father.

The owners of the ominous footsteps finally crossed their path, and Lloyd's eyes widened with recognition. Two of his father's pirates held a man between them, one that Lloyd knew all too well.

Although bent slightly with defeat, his uncle was unmistakable.

"Lloyd?" His uncle stopped walking, his eyes creased with worry. The pirates holding him pushed him forward, forcing him to move. "Lloyd, why are you here!?"

Lloyd ignored the question, opting instead to move faster, almost pressing himself against Cole's back. His uncle continued to shout for him, but Lloyd refused to look back.

Cole guided him onto the deck. Most of the pirates around them were focused on opening the stolen goods from his uncle's ship. Lloyd wondered if it had sunk. With another pang of guilt, he thought about his uncle's soldiers, hoping no one had sunk along with it.

"Here we are then." Cole nodded his head towards a door. Lloyd stood still. What if his father didn't remember him? What if his father didn't want him? Lloyd had chosen to assume the best, but what if things ended up being the worst?

After a couple of seconds of Lloyd refusing to move, Cole shrugged, leaning forward himself and giving the door a small knock.

"Come in."

Lloyd's heart jolted at the sound of his father's voice. Cole pushed the door open. "Sorry to bother you so soon after the battle, Captain, but. . . this kid here, he says he's your son."

"What?" Garmadon stood quickly, pushing the chair away from his desk in a violent fashion. His eyes moved towards the child, who stood half hidden behind Cole. Recognition struck instantly. The boy's stubbornly defiant features reminded Garmadon of his own, but it was the eyes that made Garmadon's heart jolt. They were a mirror image of Misako's. "Oh."

Gently, Cole nudged Lloyd forward. The kid took a couple of steps, watching his father, waiting for a reaction. When the waiting became unbearable, Lloyd forced away his fears. He'd gone so far in order to reach his father. He wasn't going to let fear hold him back now.

Lloyd ran forward, pressing himself against his father in a tight hug. Garmadon stumbled slightly, but he quickly regained his balance. "Lloyd."

Cole stepped out, closing the door behind him. Lloyd hugged tighter. "Dad!"

Finally, after a small chuckle of disbelief, Garamadon hugged Lloyd tight, lifting the boy off his feet. "Lloyd. . . How?"

"I saw your ship. The other night. I knew it was you. So me and my friend stowed away in my uncle's ship and. . . and then I found you."

"Wow." Garmadon shook his head, a smile now permanently plastered upon his lips. He knew what Lloyd had done was dangerous, he couldn't believe he'd snuck around through the battle and come out without a scratch. Yet, Garmadon couldn't help but feel a wave of pride at all Lloyd had done. "I'm. . . I'm impressed."

"I missed you. Why didn't you ever come back?"

"Lloyd. . . I've missed you more than you can imagine. I'm really sorry. About all of it."

"It's okay." Lloyd nodded slowly unwrapping his arms from his father. He felt so happy, and he couldn't really be angry at his father. Not when he was here. Not when now he knew that his father did love him. His father hadn't forgotten him. "I forgive you."

For a moment, Garmadon's eyes swelled with tears. He didn't know how much he'd needed to hear those words.