Chapter 16 - All the Wrong Choices

"I can't believe we're prisoners on a ship again." Kai pressed his forehead against the bars, trying his best to see the area around them. The task was pointless. The only light came from the small openings in the wood from the floor above them, which was scarcely enough to see anything other than lumpy shadows.

"Speak for yourself. This is only my first time being a prisoner," Lloyd said, knowing this fact didn't quite matter, but wanting the others to know it regardless.

"This is even worse than before though." Jay whined, tugging at the cold metal shackle around his right ankle. A rusted chain ran from it to Cole, and from Cole to Nya, and so on. "Chains, and awful lighting? Makes Garmadon's ship seem like a luxury inn."

"Plus, at least we knew where we were going back then." Nya sighed. "I've never heard of a so called 'Island of Darkness'. Don't care for the name much, if I'm honest."

"Bet Wu would know," Kai said. "Too bad Soto didn't throw him in here with us. He could have come up with a plan."

"Oh yeah. Just like he came up with a plan to get us off the island." Jay rolled his eyes. "Honestly, maybe the Admiral isn't as great as we made him out to be. What has he even done so far?"

"More than you'll ever do, that's for sure." Kai spat.

"What is your problem?" Jay stood up in an awkward manner, trying not to trip over the tangled chain. "You don't need to try and attack everyone all the time you know."

In response to Jay's movement, Kai stood too, pulling Lloyd forward as he did so. "I'm not attacking anyone. Just pointing out the facts."

"Oh yeah, sure. Then why the attitude?"

"If you haven't noticed, we're chained together in the bottom of a pirate ship, sailing to who knows where, where we'll be sold off as merchandise. I think that's more than enough reason to have an attitude!"

"If you haven't noticed, we're all in this mess together. So quit yelling at me and saying rude stuff all the time!"

Kai scowled, getting ready to shout back Nya tugged at the chain connected to his ankle before he could speak, causing him to slide down against the ground with a dull thud! She shook her head. "Cool it, Kai."

With a sigh, Kai nodded, slowly pushing himself up back into a sitting position. "Look, I'm sorry. This is just. . . this."

"I'm scared out of my mind, trust me," Jay said, sitting back down. "And yeah, yeah, maybe I should trust Wu more but-"

"No, you're right, we shouldn't. He hasn't done much of anything. We have. Together. Like you said. If we're going to get out of this, we can't keep relying on the Admiral to have an answer. We need to come up with one of our own."

"Now you're talking sense." Cole nodded, moving slightly forward, in order to be closer to the others. "I've been thinking about a few things myself. The Island of Darkness is big enough for us to find a place to hide. All we have to do is find the best place to slip away."

Nya turned towards the former pirate, one of her eyebrows raised in question. "You know the place?"

"I'm sure you've noticed, but I was a pirate. I've probably been almost everywhere."

"You could have said something!"

"To be fair, it's not like anyone bothered to ask."

"How many places have you been to?" Jay asked, eyes wide.

"Yeah! How many?" Lloyd nodded excitedly, his expression a mirror of Jay's.

"Well," Cole thought back, his mind flashing through all the ports he'd set foot on. "Maybe about-"

"We can all listen to Cole's stories once we're all out of here," Kai cut in, his eyes locking onto Cole's. There was still a lack of trust in his gaze, but Kai had to admit, Cole had been nothing more than helpful ever since he'd turned his back on Garmadon's crazy scheme. "But for now, we should come up with a plan. What do you know about the island? When do you think would be the best time for us to attempt a breakout?"

"Like I said before, the island is pretty huge," Cole said. "There's a small town around the port, but other than that, there's miles and miles of jungle all around. And the town itself is packed with pirates, so you can imagine it isn't exactly the most orderly place around. Soto has a house at the edge of the town, and they'll most likely move us there once we arrive. Which means we'll go straight through the town."

"If we can slip away when we're in the town, we're good to go. In the confusion, even if they did try to attack us before we got away, there isn't much of a chance they would actually hit us. Not with all those other random people always moving to and fro."

Kai nodded slowly. It made sense. And once they were free, he could always have Cole guide him to Soto's house. Then Kai could find a way to rescue the Admiral. "It could work."

Zane cleared his throat. It was a subtle and polite sound, which captured everyone's attention. Once all of their eyes were on Zane, the man proceeded to speak. "I do agree that slipping away while in the middle of the town is quite a clever plan, I can not see how we would be able to pull it off, as we are all bound to one another."

"We'd have to be perfectly in sync to pull it off." Nya added. "And I'm sure that's not something we could figure out in the seconds we'd have to escape."

"Wouldn't it still be worth a shot, maybe?" Jay said, sheepishly

"We could be punished for an attempt at escaping," Zane replied. "So maybe, it would be better to wait until success is nearly guaranteed?"

Cole nodded. "No, Zane's right. If we tried to escape and they reeled us back in. . . They could do anything. I wouldn't want to anger Soto unnecessarily. Ultimately, I guess it would be better to wait until we're in Soto's home. His crew would most likely not want to stand around guarding a couple of prisoners, not when there are so many more enticing things to do around town."

"Back to waiting it is then," Kai sighed. "We should still try to come up with a rough plan. Cole, you should tell us everything you can about the island. The more we bounce ideas around, the more chance we'll be able to come up with something successful."

With a nod, Cole began to speak.

"I bet you had forgotten all about me, didn't you, Wu? Hmm, yes. Everyone forgot about Soto, once Garmadon decided to take a crack at piracy. But that will change. I will make sure of that."

Soto sat in a wooden chair, behind a simple, nearly empty desk. In fact, everything in his cabin was simple. Minimal. Only the necessary tools to chart a course and sleep. Wu found this slightly fascinating. In his experience, pirate captains seemed to enjoy cloaking themselves and their surroundings in a unnecessarily extravagant manner. But Soto was different.

"Oh, I remember you alright," Wu replied. "I just imagined you'd grown tired of piracy. Perhaps turned towards a more honest life? You always were too clever for this kind of life, Soto."

"Hmm." Soto shrugged, unamused. "You are clever with words, I think. Aye. But no. I will not be swayed, Wu. Not when things are going so well."

"Garmadon is finally gone. And he has left me this little present." Soto stroked the rusted metal of the teapot, his eyes glowing. But they weren't filled with greed, or desire, Wu noticed. There was something different in Soto's eyes. But it was gone just as quick as it had come, before Wu could discern what it was. "And you wander straight into my arms! It has been some years, Wu. But I will never forget the time I spent in prison thanks to you."

"I'm always glad to be remembered," Wu said, his voice as calm as ever.

"Are you now?" Soto laughed softly. "Well let me say, you will not be very glad of it once we arrive at the island! Many enemies there. Many waiting to have their revenge."

"Oh, I'm sure. And there are still no regrets here. I was simply doing what was right." Wu looked at the teapot, then back towards Soto's eyes. "But we shouldn't waste time arguing about morals. I think a better story would be to hear how exactly you came to know about the teapot."

"Yes! It is a very interesting tale." Soto nodded, setting the lamp upon the table. "And why not share? You have been so kind. Bringing the teapot. Bringing the poison I need to attack the Djinn. Yes, and you will be dead soon, I will tell you. As a last request from a fallen enemy."

Wu remained silent. He was curious. And perhaps, if Soto kept talking, Wu would be able to find something to use against the pirate. Words, in Wu's experience, were far more valuable than anything. The right words might be able to turn an enemy into a friend. Or, if not a friend, at least an ally.

"It was. . . quite a long time ago." Soto's accented voice began. He leaned back against his chair, his eyes slowly gaining a faraway look.

"One of my trips, my first quest in search of the dark island, it did not go quite as planned. We sailed for days, me and my crew. Not the crew you've seen, no. This crew was different. They were all imbeciles, alright, but they ran the ship better than anyone ever could. Aye, no one will ever be able to sail the seas as efficiently as they. But, of course, the sea, she is unforgiving. As cruel as she is beautiful. And even the best of sailors encounter their end amongst these temperamental waters."

"A storm hit us with force. It was far bigger than anything I had ever encountered before. The masts snapped like twigs. The sails ripped to shreds in a matter of seconds. And the sea rose to meet us."

"It the moments of panic, being flown around like a ragged doll, I wished for nothing more than to remain alive. And there! There was my mistake." Soto twirled the teapot in his hands. "You see, I had run across this teapot by then. I had heard the legend. And who does not want to receive everything the wish for?"

"I did not know what to think of it all. It sounded. . . too good. But people were willing to pay for such a treasure, so I searched for it. I had no plans to use it, you see. Only to sell! Money, power, that is all Captain Soto needed. I had no need to mess about with wishes. But that of course, was before the storm. Before fear for my life made me stupid."

"Watching the sea rise, watching my men being thrown about by the wind, I ran to my cabin, searching for the teapot, praying for a wish."

"I wished to stay alive. The storm continued to rage. I lost track of the teapot then. I lost track of everything. There was nothing but wind, lightning, water. But stay alive I did! Just like I had wished. Just as I had asked for."

Soto remained silent after that, and eventually, Wu decided to speak up. "That does not. . . Does not seem like such a bad wish. It doesn't really explain your intense desire for revenge."

"Ah, but did you not pay attention Wu? I told you. This tale takes place quite some time ago. So long ago that you might not believe me, not if you hadn't already seen what the Djinn can do."

Wu waited. Soto slammed the teapot against the table.

"200 years! 200 years ago, I made a wish. A wish to stay alive. And it seems I have done so! I have stayed alive. In fact, it seems like I might continue to stay alive. Unless I find this Djinn, force him to fix it all."

"I will go to him. I will wish I had never found the teapot. Wish to die in honor, alongside my men."

Wu's eyebrows moved together in a frown. 200 years was a very, very long time. Soto's wish could change everything. Perhaps Garmadon would never stumble onto the teapot then. But then again, something worse could arise instead. Messing with time was dangerous. Soto could not be allowed to make his wish.

But the man was beyond reasoning. Wu's words would fall on deaf ears. Soto did not care about the present. And nothing Wu said would be able to change that.

"So I thank you again, Wu. For bringing me everything I need. I do hope you enjoy your brief stay in the island."

As another day began, Nadakhan felt his powers return to his body.

Two wishes. That would allow him to recover two more members of his crew.

Two.

The progress was slow. Far, far too slow. Nadakhan was not happy. He was free, but he was still chained down by the rules of his own power. It simply wasn't enough. He needed more. More souls. More wishes.

He thought back to the island where Garmadon had stranded some people, before heading back to Ninjago. They would be enough. There were. . . Five? Six? That would be enough wishes. That would return to him the same feeling of ecstasy that had spread through him the moment the teapot had released its bonds.

In a second, he was gone. In another, he was on the island.

But the island was deserted. Somehow, the group of misfits had found a way off of the island. With a shake of his head, Nadakhan thought of returning to Ninjago. After all, there were more than enough people on that island, were there not? Although they would be cautious of him and his words, he didn't doubt his ability to twist their words.

Then he thought of the kid.

The kid, whose mother had known more than a thing or two about Nadakhan's strengths and weaknesses. The kid, who might have the exact knowledge it would take to bring Nadakhan's newfound freedom.

And there was that old man as well, was there not? The previous guardian of Ninjago, and its people. Another possible threat. Nadakhan couldn't leave anything to chance. He had to find them, had to get rid of them, had to be safe.

Finding them would be easy. He had his wishes still. He could put them to good use.

Wu was alone.

He did not know where the others were. When they had arrived at the island, Soto himself had guided him off the ship, and towards his home. Once inside, Soto had shoved Wu into a dark cell, with an unpleasant smell lingering in its atmosphere.

Despite his attempt at being calm, Wu felt fearful. He worried for the others, worried for Lloyd. Things had spiraled out of his control, and he had no plans. No clever way out. Nothing.

And through all this, he worried for Misako.

Although he had confidence that she was more than capable of taking care of herself, Wu knew that the Djinn was clever, and he knew that it would feed off of her worries and heartbreak, striking where she was most vulnerable. Strike her when she was alone, with no one to keep her mind from slipping.

Alone. . . just as he was.

Wu shook his head. No. He couldn't be fearful. He had to remain calm. The others would be counting on him. He owed it to Ray to keep Kai and Nya safe. Owed it to Garmadon to keep Lloyd away from harm.

"There you are. You took quite a trip. It was difficult to find you. Or, well, I suppose it would have been, had I not been able to wish myself right before you."

Wu flinched. Not now. "Why the sudden need to find me?"

"Oh, I have my reasons." Nadakhan moved into Wu's field of vision. For a moment, neither of them spoke. "But Wu, my old friend, why would I not want to find you? I still owe you a couple of wishes!"

"I appreciate the offer, but I will have to decline."

"Really now? There is nothing you want? I believe there is, Wu. There is always something." Wu looked down, forcing his mind to empty, to focus on nothing. He would not wish. He had learned his lesson years before. "What about your friends? The kid whose family you so shamelessly broke apart? You do not care about their well-being?"

"I believe they will be able to take care of themselves."

"Maybe so." Nadakhan shrugged. "Or maybe they are not okay? Maybe they are in distress, and you sit here, doing nothing."

Wu remained silent.

"But let us imagine, let us pretend, that they are alright. That still leaves someone, does it not? Someone you love."

"Misako is alright." Wu stated firmly. "She knows you well, Nadakhan. She would not fall for your petty tricks."

"Your faith in her is admirable! But it is not very well-founded. Do you really think she is alright? Would you not like to know for sure?"

"I would. If I was sure you were going to show me the truth. But I cannot trust you, can I?"

"And why not? If you wish for the truth. . . I am bound to show it to you."

It was tempting. More than tempting. The truth. . . Yes. Wu would force Nadakhan to show him the truth. And he would know Misako was alright. Because how could she not be? She was most likely in Ninjago, working hard to find a way to bring Nadakhan and his tyranny to an end.

If Wu could only just. . . see her. . . He would have the strength to find a way out, find a way back to her. Yes. "I wish to see the truth about where Misako is."

Nadakhan smiled, as usual. "Your wish, is yours to keep."

A fog enveloped Wu's body and mind. When it receded, Wu realized he was back in his mansion, within the library. But he was not himself. He could feel Misako's thoughts, as if they were his own.

He saw Lloyd, saw his own hand reach out towards him. But Lloyd's image was already fading.

"No, no bring him back, I . . ."

Misako's voice. Wu could feel her words. Could feel her worry.

Then he saw an image of his own body, lifeless. A lie. But one Misako didn't hesitate to believe.

Misako felt a strong ache growing from her heart, as it shattered into more fragments than she could collect. Wu was dead. Her son was mostly likely heading towards the same grim fate. And all, all because of her.

Wu felt Misako's mind click towards a decision. Wu tried to protest, tried to keep Misako from speaking the words that were coming. But of course, he could not. The truth unfolded before him, unyielding to his pleas.

Everything inside her hurt. She couldn't think, not with her mind plagued with guilt. Misako was alone. Her fickle heart had caused the end of both of the men she'd loved. And her selfish thoughts and self-pitying attitude had made her abandon her son in the moments when he most needed her.

Misako looked at Nadakhan, knowing her next decision was going to be her most selfish of all.

But what could she do? What could she do, other than make things worse? There was no point in fighting. She could care less if the Djinn grew stronger from her decision. It didn't matter. She was guilty of too much. She couldn't bear it.

Well then. One more wish. Her last.

"I wish. . . I wish for it all to go away!"

"No!"

Wu was back within his own body, but the feelings of helplessness that had pounded through Misako's mind remained. He felt hopeless. Lost. Useless. Misako had thought she had made everything worse. But no. No it hadn't been her fault.

It had been his.

He had been the one to break everything, with his one, utterly selfish wish. If it hadn't been for that, Garmadon would have remained in Ninjago. He would have been happy. Everyone would have been happy. Everyone was better off without him.

Everyone would be better off without him.

Wu stared at Nadakhan's eyes, refusing to look away. The Djinn returned his gaze, waiting. With a brief nod, Wu made his decision.

"I wish for it all to go away."