Chapter 10 - Bitter Truth

Once Garmadon was alone, Nadakhan once again exited the teapot. The Djinn's thoughts were already flowing, using the bits of information he'd learned about Garmadon to come up with the perfect way to get rid of his new master.

The man had two very obvious weaknesses.

There was the kid. Despite the purposeful gaze in Garmadon's eyes as he first unleashed Nadakhan, the pirate had hesitated at the kid's words. And on the trip to Ninjago, each conversation Nadakhan had listened to showed that Garmadon cared for the child, perhaps more than anything else.

And then there was the woman. Although their conversation had been short, Nadakhan had listened carefully, feeling the intense emotion that was packed in each word of the conversation. There were many words left unsaid, words that could perhaps prove useful for the Djinn. Brutal honesty always did have a scarring effect.

Then there was another weakness, one that was less prominent, but no less important.

Garmadon had a powerful ego. He appeared to be cocky, assuring himself and those around him that the silly Djinn trapped in the teapot couldn't outsmart him. The man was also extremely commanding, doing his best to push his confidence forth, to make sure no one doubted it was there.

But Nadakhan was willing to bet it was all an act. The Djinn guessed that if the right actions were taken, Garmadon's façade would crumble, and the man would be left in the perfect state of mind to wish everything away. All Nadakhan had to do was guide Garmadon through the worst path possible.

"So you've made Ninjago yours," the Djinn said. Garmadon stood by the window, his eyes glued upon the ocean. "What is your next wish?"

"I don't know," Garmadon muttered softly. He wanted nothing more than to be left alone. He thought about wishing the Djinn back into the teapot, but that would be nothing more than a waste.

"Of course, you should take your time." Nadakhan's voice was understanding as he moved closer to where Garmadon stood. "After all, you have only two left. You must choose carefully."

"I know," Garmadon hissed. "I've had plenty of warning about wishing. It's getting old."

"My apologies." Nadakhan bowed his head slightly. He needed Garmadon to think that Nadakhan was nothing more than a servant. The less Garmadon thought of Nadakhan, the easier it would be for the Djinn to get rid of him.

"I know what I want. I want my family back. Another chance."

"That is a noble wish," Nadakhan nodded, "but. . . perhaps it would be best to wait, before making that wish."

Garmadon turned, finally facing the Djinn. He looked into the creature's eyes, wondering what exactly went on within his mind. "What do you mean?"

"Ah well. . . I couldn't help but overhear the argument between you and that woman." The Djinn said. "It feels as if there is still so much more for her to say."

"Whatever she has to say, I don't want to hear it." Garmadon scoffed. "She would be just like my brother. Spewing out dozens of lies, just to make me the root of all the problems. To make them seem as if their choices were the right ones."

"Well. . . You could always wish for honesty from her. Then you would be sure to have the truth."

Garmadon nodded, slowly. It wasn't a bad idea. More than anything, he wanted to understand why, exactly, she'd done what she'd done. But he couldn't trust her to tell the truth. If he were to use a wish, however, Misako wouldn't be able to lie.

Besides, he did always have the third wish. At any time, he could wish himself back in time, to return to the family that had been forcefully snatched away from him.

He looked at the Djinn before him, knowing he was making the right choice. "I wish for Misako to always tell the truth."

Nadakhan did his best to hide a triumphant smile. "Your wish is yours to keep."

"There has to be a way off this island," Kai said, laying back against the ground. "We can't keep waiting for . . . For whatever we're waiting on. Ninjago is in trouble."

"What can we do? Even if we managed to build something, Ninjago is miles away. There's no way we could possibly make it without an actual ship." Jay pointed out. "I mean, yeah, I'm all for going back, but I am not for sailing out into the ocean in a make shift boat just so we can drown or starve."

Kai scoffed. "And what happened to that annoying positive attitude you had when we were prisoners?"

"I'm all for positive thinking, but I don't want to die."

Cole sat slightly apart from the group, still looking over at the ocean from the cave's entrance. "Jay's right. Without a ship, we wouldn't make it too far. And even if we could build a good ship from the things on this island, it would most likely take a while."

"Better than sitting around." Kai shrugged. "We have to do something."

Nya nodded. "We could scout the island for things to use. We'll have to get out of the cave sooner or later either way. We do need food. If the Admiral is going to get any better, we'll need to give him something."

"I wish he'd wake up," Jay said, looking over at the older man. Wu's skin was pale, with light drops of sweat throughout his skin. "He'd know what to do."

"We can figure it out ourselves," Nya pressed, looking over at Jay. "We can make a plan."

"I can scout the island," Kai said, already on his feet. "I'm bound to find something."

"Yeah, deadly creatures filled with venom." Jay shivered.

"Venom!" Cole's eyes lit up. "The venom. To. . . To stop the Djinn. Isn't it supposed to be on this island?"

"That's right!" Nya nodded excitedly. "While Kai scouts the island, we can go and search for the-"

"We? No. Someone's got to stay with the Admiral. Let them go. You can stay here." Kai's voice was firm.

But then again, so was Nya's. "Stay? Kai you know I can take care of myself. I don't want to stand still and do nothing."

"You won't be doing nothing. You'll be watching over the Admiral."

Nya scoffed.

"I mean, I could stay. . ." Jay suggested softly, looking from Kai to Nya. For a moment, Nya looked grateful. Then Kai shook his head.

"Nya, I couldn't. . . I don't want to think of you in danger again." Nya opened her mouth to protest, but Kai quickly continued. "I know you can take care of yourself. But please."

With a sigh and a shrug, Nya looked down. "Fine."

"Thank you." After giving his sister a grateful look, one she stubbornly ignored, Kai stepped out of the cave. Cole followed, walking a couple of steps behind. Jay stood still, hesitating.

"You, um. . . You'll be okay by yourself, right?"

"You too?" Nya hissed. "I probably have more chance at surviving this island than you do."

Jay flinched, but nodded. "Sorry I just. . . I don't know. We'll. . . We'll be back."

"No, wait." Nya stood. "I'm sorry. That was pretty rude. I'm just tired of being told to stay back, you know?"

"I understand. Don't worry about it."

"Next time I will come along. Regardless of what Kai says."

"Sounds good to me." Jay smiled.

Zane escorted Misako forward, guiding her towards Wu's office.

Well, Wu's former office. Garmadon had taken a liking to the room and made it his own. The room was now much darker, and it was now filled with maps instead of Wu's orderly scribbles. When Misako stepped in, she allowed herself to look around, trying to piece together Garmadon's thoughts and plans.

"Misako." Garmadon stood behind the cluttered desk, now facing her. "I feel like last night, we left some things unsaid, didn't we? It didn't feel like we truly came clean. Now, after a good night's sleep, maybe we can try again."

"Good night's sleep? I didn't get any of that. Not while worrying about what you might do to Ninjago."

"I'm not going to do anything to your precious little island," Garmadon said. "Regardless, that isn't what I brought you here to talk about."

"What did you want then?"

"I want you to tell me exactly why you did what you did. Why Wu? Why leave me? What did I do?" Garmadon shook his head, trying to keep his thoughts together, but the memories made his emotions rise, causing his throat to clench. "I loved you, Misako. I still do. Regardless of it all. So, why?"

Misako thought, trying to find the best way to put her thoughts into words. A way to prevent Garmadon from hurting any more than he already was. A way to maybe, lead him to forgive both herself and Wu.

But her words had other ideas. Without realizing it, Misako began to speak.

"You were selfish. So, so selfish." Misako shook her head, trying to stop, but her voice wouldn't listen. "You were never there for me. You'd always, always leave. Every time you'd show up, you'd be more than wonderful. You'd make me fall in love with you all over again. But you never stayed. For you, the ocean was always first. You never hesitated to leave. Never stopped to wonder about me."

"So of course I fell in love with Wu. He was kind. He was a wonderful listener. He always knew what to say, and how to make me feel better. And although, yes, he did sometimes go off into the sea, it was never quite as long, or quite as often. Wu was there for me. And I fell in love with that."

"I knew it was wrong." Misako looked down. She couldn't bear what her words were doing to Garmadon, but still, they continued. "Most of all, when I found out I was going to have your child. But there just. . . There was a point where I didn't care anymore. I loved Wu. And I just. . . didn't care. I wanted a family. I wanted my baby to be happy. I wanted him to have a father, and you. . . you just weren't going to be one."

Garmadon sat still, letting the words wash over him. Part of him accepted Misako's every word. He looked at every one of his actions, wondering how many had been selfish. Most had been, hadn't they? Had he ever stopped to think about how things would affect others?

She was right about him not being a father. He'd ignored every one of his son's words, choosing instead to take the lamp and do as he pleased. Garmadon had seen the worry in Lloyd's eyes, and yet, he'd moved forward with his plans.

But another part of Garmadon was nothing but defensive. That side of him quickly overcame the other, filling him with anger. Later, his thoughts would once again darken and focus on the truth of Misako's words. But for now? For now all he desired to do was lash out. At anyone. At everyone.

"And when, may I ask, did you ever ask me to stay? When did you let me know how badly you felt? You act like such a martyr, Misako, but you aren't," Garmadon hissed, knowing he had to hurt Misako. It was such a powerful desire, all his other thoughts were easily overpowered. "Not at all. If you really wanted me so badly, you could have spoken up. But no. You were more than happy to bounce between myself and Wu, weren't you?"

"You could have easily ended it all. You could have talked to me. Ended it, or tried to fix it. And yet you chose to stay in a limbo, where you could have both me and my brother's love. And you know what? When you told me you were pregnant, I made a decision. I decided to stay with you. With my child. But you didn't give me a chance."

"I didn't know you'd. . . truly leave the sea for me."

"I would have done anything. But did you ever bother to ask? You whine that I did not know you, that I did not listen. But what about me? Did you know me? I don't think you ever bothered to." Garmadon continued, his words heated, his eyes glowing with dozens of emotions. "In the end though. . . Wu wasn't exactly a good 'father' now, was he? Look at Lloyd. First chance he had, he did the impossible to reach me. Seems to me like you were both awful parents."

"I've done my best, Garmadon," Misako said, her voice shaking. "I did the best that I could. I always have."

"Yeah," Garmadon chuckled. "But it wasn't enough now, was it?"

Misako's eyes swelled with tears. Garmadon's shined with victory.