A/n- PG-13 reminder for this arc
Drip. Drip. Drip-drop, drip.
Rain mixed with crimson blood plopped to the floor. Jay lay on his side, idly watching it fall. He didn't remember getting blood on the bars above him, but there was a lot he didn't remember about the last... extended amount of time. It was hard to tell how long it'd been since he dropped the message.
To say Nadakhan hadn't been happy would be like saying the ocean is a puddle. Massive understatement.
After whipping Jay until he lay in a pool of blood, Nadakhan had handed the next portion of Jay's punishment over to Dogshank. From what he could recall she'd only punched him a couple times before he was knocked unconscious. Going for the head with her brute strength would do that. Though that might have been a convoluted form of kindness, putting him out of his misery so quickly.
When awareness did trickle back in, it was a perpetual state of agony. Jay couldn't move, at times it felt like he couldn't even breathe. Everything burned, throbbed, ached... and then it started raining. Raindrops splattering his face was what finally brought Jay fully into consciousness. Jay fluttered his eyes open just as the heavens poured open. For the first ten seconds the rain felt soothing to his broken body, but then the cold set in.
The gi he wore could hardly be called clothing anymore, especially after the latest beating. His shirt hung about him in bloody tatters, though his pants remained somewhat intact. But neither withstood the rain well. In a matter of seconds Jay was soaked to the bone.
If Jay hadn't been sliced open like swiss cheese, the rain might not have been a bad thing. It'd been way too long since his last shower, and wearing the same set of clothes while being forced to carry out exorbitant amounts of manual labor... well let's just say Jay was well overdue for a shower. But not one that felt like needles were being stabbed into him on every exposed piece of skin. Rolling to his side, Jay gingerly pulled his knees to his chest to preserve the minimal warmth he had left. The movement stressed the scabs on his back and Jay hissed in pain as a few ripped open.
Salty tears mixed with the raindrops but if Nadakhan or his crew looked in on him they'd never be able to tell. Though they'd heard his screams, Jay refused to show them his tears. After a minute Jay's weary body tired of even crying. His arm flopped to the ground and water started to pool in his palm. Jay stared at it for a minute before realizing he should take some advantage of the available water. However, to do that he needed to sit up.
Biting the inside of his cheek to keep from groaning, Jay tried to raise his torso. The simple act of sitting took much longer than it should have and tremors wracked his body when he finally managed the task. Bracing his arm against the wall, Jay fought to steady his breathing. When he was fairly sure he wasn't going to fall over, Jay cupped his hands in front of him. Water seeped between his fingers but enough pooled in Jay's shaking hands to attempt a drink. Jay lost track of how many times he repeated the action, but eventually his thirst was soothed.
Laying back down Jay did his best to find a position that didn't cause his many injuries undue pain. It didn't help that he began to shiver from the cold. Again his scabs protested the movement but this time Jay couldn't control it.
A sudden squeak came from the hinges above him. Jay's heart dropped. If they were expecting him to work they were going to be sorely disappointed. And if that was the case Jay didn't think his body could take the abuse sure to follow at his failure to comply. Swallowing hard he looked up to see Clancee's blurry green face. The Serpentine said something, but Jay couldn't hear it over the blood pounding in his ears.
Clancee jumped down into the hold, and though he'd never done anything directly to harm Jay, Jay found himself pulling his limbs tighter to his body.
"H-here."
Jay looked blankly at Clancee's hands. A hunk of bread and a small blanket were being held toward him. Almost afraid they'd disappear if he blinked, Jay clumsily grabbed for the items.
"C-captain said I-I couldn't cover the t-top, but this'll h-help keep off some of the rain."
Clancee'd actually initiated something that'd help Jay? Though still a little wary, Jay couldn't help the gratitude that rose within him. He nodded to Clancee and devoured the bread in five bites before spreading out the blanket. To his surprise it was an outdoor one- with one side fuzzy and the other plastic. An unexpected lump rose in Jay's throat. Giving Clancee another nod Jay pulled the blanket over his head and shoulders, hoping that was all Clancee was here for.
That seemed to be the case. With one last glance Clancee scrambled out of the hold. Still wet, but now a smidge warmer Jay dozed off.
The rain continued all day. For whatever reason- probably not wanting to get soaked themselves- none of the crew members came on deck. Appreciating the break from their hostile presence, Jay slept as much as he could. Clancee appeared once more with another piece of bread.
"Thanks." Jay muttered.
"Y-you're welcome." Clancee glanced upward nervously before looking back at Jay. "S-sleep while you c-can. I think t-the boss is p-planin' on you workin' a-again tomorrow."
On that cheery note Clancee left Jay alone. 'Great.' But he was too tired to care at the moment. So taking it while he could, Jay fell back asleep.
A nudge to the ribs, though not overly harsh, still sent bolts of pain through him and jerked him awake. Clancee stood apologetically over him. "C-captain wants you o-on deck."
Knowing that arguing would be useless Jay pushed himself upright. Everything hurt and having not moved much yesterday his muscles were achingly stiff. Not to mention the pieces of his shirt dried to the scabs on his back making movement that much more painful. His vision wavered and Clancee had to steady him once he reached his feet.
"How're we gonna do this?" Jay mumbled.
The rope ladder he'd been using since the second day lay against the wall, but the thought of hauling himself and the vengestone ball up today wasn't an appealing thought.
"I-I'll help you." Jay watched silently while Clancee picked up the ball and nodded toward the ladder. "Y-you go first and I-I'll follow you."
With thick fingers Jay grabbed the rope and step by step managed to make his way out of the hold. Flintlocke stood waiting with a mop and a scrub brush. Jay's back twinged at the sight.
"Thanks to your day off this place is filthy." Jay resisted the urge to roll his eyes. After raining all day yesterday the deck was probably the cleanest it'd been in a long time. "Get to work."
So he did.
The crew continued to harass him, escalating from bumping into him to punching him whenever they walked past. Nadakhan also got in on the action, sending the lash in his direction whenever they were in the same vicinity. The next two days passed in a growing state of agony. Instead of cleaning the pirates or birds' mess from the deck, it was more often than not Jay's own blood being scrubbed off the wood.
With every strike Nadakhan taunted, "Ready to wish it away?"
Yes, yes he very much was, but every time he started feeling tempted to give in, Nadakhan's creepy comments about Nya- and the thought of Nya's face when Jay was taken away- gave him enough courage to say no. Which only made Nadakhan angrier and the whip fly faster.
Additionally, instead of a crew member locking Jay in his cell when the sun went down, he was kept working well past dark. The second night, as he knelt with a scrub brush, Flintlocke approached him.
"The cap'n wants you in his quarters." Jay looked at him doubtfully. "It weren't a request."
'Great.' That didn't bode well. There were so, so many ways that could go badly. Before he could comment on it, Flintlocke produced a small key and unlocked the vengestone shackle. Dumbfounded Jay let out a small gasp of relief as the lightning laying dormant within him came to life. After more than a week of being suppressed, it felt so good to be 'whole' again- even if that feeling was accompanied by two pistols pointing directly at Jay's chest.
Jay almost scoffed out loud. He wasn't in much of a position to fight back even with the shackle off, but that begged the question; why remove the vengestone? 'Is this some sort of test?' Jay's gut churned at the thought. He didn't like tests- especially when they were conducted by sadistic pirate genies out to break his will.
Flintlock prodded him in the back, painfully breaking him from his thoughts. Fire shot through Jay's shoulders at the touch, stealing the breath from his lungs.
"Get a move on."
Hustling to avoid further manhandling, Jay headed for the door that led below deck. Though by now Jay had cleaned almost every inch of the ship- inside and out- he'd never been permitted in Nadakhan's room. Not that he wanted to be any nearer to that snake than he had to be. However as he neared the captain's quarters the smell of freshly cooked meat wafted into the hall. Jay's stomach grumbled mournfully and he heard Flintlocke snort behind him.
'You try getting tiny amounts of bread and water for several days and see how you like it.' Jay thought crossly. The captain's door opened and the first thing that caught Jay's attention was a table loaded with enough food to feed the entire crew. 'That's just a low blow.' Flintlocke shoved Jay forward, his hand pressing heavily on his shoulder. Sucking in a hiss of pain, Jay stumbled, just managing to catch his balance. Warm liquid trickled down his back and Jay fought to hide a grimace. 'Yay. More open scabs.'
"Come sit. I couldn't eat alone." Jay's eyes snapped up from the table to see Nadakhan floating behind it, holding an honest to goodness goblet to his lips. "You must be famished-"
'No duh! And who's fault is that?'
"-but I must warn you not to try anything... foolish." A smirk danced openly on Nadakhan's face.
Cautiously, as much from apprehension as wanting to avoid aggravating his shredded back, Jay sat at the edge of a chair across from Nadakhan. This whole thing smelled like a giant trap, but the smells of the food in front of him were seriously dulling his thinking abilities. He scowled at Nadakhan.
"If you think bribing me to make my third wish will work, you have another thing coming."
Though a few more days of this treatment might seriously test that statement.
"I'm well aware neen-ja." Rather than annoyed, Nadakhan sounded amused. "Please, eat."
Jay's resolve shattered and he turned his attention back to the table. After a week of only bread and water, Jay's stomach turned the sight of the pastas, meats and desserts even while his taste buds whined for them. Choosing to play it safe he stuck with fresh fruits and veggies. It took every ounce of self control within him not to scarf down everything as fast as he could. He didn't want to act like a starving dog in front of his captor.
Nadakhan swirled his glass and watched with cold amusement. "Is it to your liking?" Jay grunted noncommittally. "And here I thought you were the conversationalist."
"Maybe if you have something interesting to say." Jay reached for a jug of water, his mouth going dry.
"I suppose..." The djinn mused. "What of the topic of your want-to-be lady friend? She certainly catches one's eye."
Jay choked on his water. He coughed for several seconds before clearing his throat. "Whatever interest you have in Nya I'd say keep looking. There's no way she'd go for you, and besides," Jay's throat clogged, "she's too good for either of us."
Nadakhan chuckled at that. "I'm not sure I agree with your statement. It's hard to find someone who's better than a prince. But I suppose it's fitting as she's a queen among your people." Jay's jaw dropped before he could school his features. Smiling at Jay's expression, Nadakhan settled back in his chair. "My father was the king of Djinjago, which no longer exists thanks to your destroying the Cursed Realm."
'This just keeps getting better.' The food in Jay's gut suddenly threatened to reappear.
"We of the royal line have the ability to grant others' wishes, but not our own. Everything I have I've had to work to create."
"And that's bad how?" The question slipped out, cutting off Nadakhan's next sentence.
Nadakhan's face darkened and he rose from his chair. Jay's breath hitched in his chest but the djinn drifted to a map of Ninjago secured on the wall. "Why should others have it easy when it's my power that's making it easy for them?" Jay chose that moment to discreetly slip some carrots and chunks of bell pepper into his single functioning pocket for later. "They don't deserve what I can give them. Petty wishes for riches or honor. No. Though I'm creating one, I don't care about this new world, or even winning Nya's heart."
Jay started in surprise, a spark of electricity jumping from his palm. Glancing up quickly he was relieved when it looked like Nadakhan hadn't noticed. "Then why are you so interested in her?"
"I don't need her heart, I only need her hand... in marriage." Talk about an appetite killing sentence right there. The thought of Nadakhan marrying Nya... that made Jay want to gag, but Nadakhan was still talking. "When a djinn prince marries on djinn land he gets the power of infinite wishes."
Jay's vision tunneled with rage. "You never loved Delara and you don't love Nya!" He shouted. "You only 'love' what they can give you. What kind of relationship is that!?"
"One that suits my purposes." Nadakhan smirked. "You, your friends and your city will fall. With all of you out of the way Nya will be mine and there'll be no one to stop me. I'll be more powerful than anyone can ever imagine!"
With his final words Nadakhan turned and raised his goblet to the map, as if toasting to his soon-to-be victory.
Anger- and a healthy dose of fear- coursed through Jay's veins at Nadakhan's speech. If what he said came to pass Ninjago would be doomed. 'Not if I can help it.' Jay thought grimly. Between the food in his system and adrenaline, Jay's lightning came readily to his hands. Without pausing to consider the consequences, Jay shot a concentrated burst at Nadakhan's back.
For a second Jay thought he'd done it... until Nadakhan poofed, appearing directly behind Jay and grabbing the scruff of his neck and right arm. Nadakhan wrenched Jay's arm behind his back, while simultaneously digging his hook into Jay's collar bone. Jay cried out in pain but couldn't move without the risk of injuring himself further.
"Too slow, junkyard boy." Nadakhan hissed in his ear.
Well that wasn't an elementary level insult at all. Even in his less than ideal position Jay had to roll his eyes. The next instant he was flying across the room, smashing into the wall. Jay let out a scream on impact as his back took the brunt of the blow. For a moment he thought he was going to pass out, it hurt so bad. Tears blurred his vision to the point he could barely see Nadakhan floating above him. They didn't, however, cloud the familiar sight of the whip in Nadakhan's hands.
Only five strikes later Jay succumbed to unconsciousness.
Waking up in a pool of blood had, sadly, lost its novelty a long time ago. Even without forcing his crusty eyes open Jay felt the liquid soaking into his shredded excuse of a shirt. 'Can't wait for that to dry.' Although at this point the shirt had more holes than solid fabric- thus the risk of sticking really wasn't as high as when he first arrived. So Jay let himself lay there.
His back throbbed in time with his heartbeat and every breath pulled at the tight scabs littering his torso. 'Nadakhan must have still gone at it after I passed out.' Too many areas hurt for the couple lashes he remembered, but that might have also come from whoever dropped him back in this forsaken hole. At least that's where he assumed he was. The effort to open his eyes and check seemed too much for the time being.
Quiet cries of gulls sounded in the distance and the ship creaked in a breeze, but Jay didn't hear anyone on deck. 'Probably night still.' But was it the same night? Jay didn't like how much time he was losing. In the grand scheme of Nadakhan trying to break his will he supposed keeping track of the days wasn't that important, but the knowing felt important anyway. Though the number had started getting depressing on day two...
Jay let his thoughts trail back to the meeting in Nadakhan's quarters. Since he'd been knocked unconscious so quickly after hearing it he hadn't had the time to process it yet.
Nadakhan had a plan to become infinitely powerful. 'Which is wonderful when he's such a powerful jerk already.' While a megalomaniac having a Super Evil Plan to 'take over the world' wasn't exactly new territory for Jay, having The Plan center on Nadakhan *gag* marrying Nya stirred up a fear in Jay he'd never felt before.
Nya had made it abundantly clear she didn't need him, or any other man, to watch out for her (though that didn't always apply to Kai since he practically raised her), but that didn't mean the impulse wasn't still there. Plus, if his current predicament was any indication, the rest of them ahem the 'men' still needed their backs watched. Why did Nya have to put so much pressure on herself in that regard? The ninja team knew she was more than capable, so why let the crowds pressure her? Jay could only wonder since he wasn't actually in her shoes.
At any rate he was thankful she wasn't in his right now.
However beyond feeling sick over what the plan meant for Nya, Jay felt equal horror at what the implications of Nadakhan having the ability to do literally anything he could think of. Did the crew know? And if so were they okay with it? They'd be completely expendable and Nadakhan didn't seem to be the type to keep extra weight around.
A tiny smidgen of hope bloomed within him. He highly doubted the crew would be willing to mutiny right now, but if he could start sowing seeds of doubt... maybe that could be of help later. While it wasn't much, it was more of a plan than Jay'd had since the bottle message. But he was too tired now...
The shriek of the metal hinges woke Jay. Seconds later a heavy thud sounded near his feet. Biting back a whimper threatening to come out, Jay tried to open his eyes. He couldn't see anything and for a minute panic that he'd gone blind shot through him. A hand grabbed his head and there was an audible shick! as his eyelids were pried open. Harsh white light momentarily blinded him but whoever woke him must have determined he was in fact awake because the hand left his face.
Jay blinked several times, his eyelids feeling unnaturally heavy, before the person in front of him came into focus. Flintlocke.
"Cap'n wants you on deck."
For a long moment Jay lay there debating whether the beating for refusing would be worth it. A quick kick to the ribs settled that argument. Moaning under his breath, Jay coaxed his shaking body up. The world swayed for a minute and Jay had to lean against the wall to stay upright.
"We ain't got all day." Flintlocke's voice sounded like a gong ringing in Jay's ears.
Ignoring him, Jay looked around for the ladder. He held on to the rope as tightly as he could, barely mustering the strength to reach the deck. The sun shone down in harsh yellow rays, reflecting off every surface straight into Jay's eyes. Needless to say it did not help the headache pounding his brain.
"Here." Flintlocke threw the cursed mop in Jay's direction.
Jay sluggishly watched it fly toward him, the handle smacking him in the head. He stumbled backward, seeing stars.
"Quit messing around. Cap'n wants the deck spotless."
Listlessly Jay picked up the mop and dragged it across the floor. It did little more than get the wood wet, but Jay was well past caring how thorough of a job he did.
Gulls squawked overhead, littering the deck- and Jay- with their 'presents.' Jay was too tired to feel disgusted. And at this point- a week since his last shower, covered in the drudges of the ship, and coated in his own blood and vomit- bird poop didn't register highly on his problems scale.
"H-here." Jay recoiled a step, not having noticed Clancee's arrival. The Serpentine held a flask out to Jay. "It's b-been awhile s-since you had something t-to drink."
Almost robotically Jay reached for it. He drank the whole container dry in three gulps. Nodding in thanks Jay went back to mopping. The gulls had made the deck look worse than when Jay first started, and though Jay didn't care what the deck looked like, he knew it'd just be used as an excuse to beat the stuffing out of him again.
A commotion sounded near the entrance to the quarterdeck. Jay glanced over to see Monkey Wrench hollering about something to Flintlocke while pointing at Clancee, who was holding another mop. Curious, Jay drifted closer to hear what was being said.
"I-I can use my free time as I-I like." Clancee snapped at Monkey Wrench. Jay wasn't sure if he'd ever heard the Serpentine sound so irritated before.
"Clancee's right. Just because we have the prisoner cleanin' the ship doesn't mean Clancee can't either." Flintlocke's voice was hard, not leaving any room for argument.
That didn't stop Monkey Wrench from jabbering something else, but he quickly stopped at the glare Flintlocke gave him. Throwing his hands in the air the mechanic stormed off below deck.
Clancee turned to Flintlocke. "T-thank you Flintlocke. It r-relaxes me." Sticking his tongue out in the direction Monkey Wrench had gone, Clancee began mopping on the far side of the deck.
Flintlocke turned and caught Jay watching them. "What are you lookin' at?"
Jay shrugged. "The crew listens to you."
"As second in command they should." Flintlocke stared hard at Jay. "Though Nadakhan's a good cap'n who keeps everything in line. I just keep it moving smoothly."
Hesitating for only a second, Jay asked, "How can you keep everything moving smoothly when 'the captain' doesn't tell you everything you need to know?"
"Oh really?" Heavy sarcasm laced Flintlocke's words. "Like what?"
"Have you wondered why Nadakhan wants your help building his world?"
Flintlocke whipped his head toward Jay. "Djinjago is for all of us."
"Maybe," Jay tried to keep his tone board, "but how long do you think he'll keep you around if he can have infinite wishes?"
Narrowing his eyes Flintlocke herded Jay toward the gunwales. "It's common knowledge the cap'n can't be grantin' his own wishes."
Jay scoffed. "That's not what he told me. If a djinn prince marries on djinn land he can do whatever the heck he wants. You've seen his obsession with Nya, and really, were he and Delara ever actually in love? But what do I know," Jay made to return to his job, "I'm just the prisoner." Out of the corner of his eye he could see Flintlocke watching him intently. "You've been at his side through everything, I'm sure he'll keep you around when he can wish for whatever he wants."
"Though the tale of infinite wishes is amusing, why wouldn't I want my second in command there when I rule my new Djinjago?" Both Jay and Flintlocke jumped at Nadakhan's presence. The djinn shook his head in mock sadness. "I believe our prisoner is concocting stories now. Perhaps as an escape attempt, or maybe he's been out in the sun too long?" Nadakhan tisked with exaggerated concern.
Jay's pulse roared in his ears. Insults to his body or childhood was one thing, insults to his integrity was another matter. "That's a lie." Jay shot back hotly. "You decided to monologue at dinner and that's how you described your plan."
But Flintlocke was shaking his head, "And I have trouble shooting water in the ocean."
He laughed coldly and walked off with Nadakhan. They stopped a few yards away and Jay felt the weight of their stares.
"It might be that we're being too hard on our guest. I do believe it's time we include him in our on-ship entertainment."
Cold prickles ran down Jay's spine at Nadakhan's words and tone. He had a sinking suspicion he and the captain had different thoughts on what 'entertainment' looked like. They'd already been beating him, what else did the sadistic captain have in mind?
Apparently it was beating him up in front of an audience. They weren't ones for creativity. Though compared with a few scenarios that had run through Jay's mind, he'd take this 'Scrap-N-Tap' in a heartbeat.
Monkey Wrench stood before Jay in the middle of a makeshift arena with what had to be the entire Misfortune's Keep crew cheering raucously around them. Jay had the distinct impression it wasn't him they were cheering for. Taking a deep breath Jay tried to calm his mind. This wasn't the first time he'd found himself in the middle of enemies excited for his demise. But it was the first time he was facing them alone.
Nope, no time for a pity party. Jay warily watched as Nadakhan flew over the group. He smiled condescendingly at Jay.
"For our newest player I'll go over the rule." Nadakhan paused dramatically. "May the best one win."
'Pretty sure that's not a rule, but whatever.' Jay frowned, the shackle clinking at his feet as he shifted uneasily. He glanced down, having almost forgotten the vengestone's presence after it being attached for so long.
"Take this thing off and at least give me a chance."
Nadakhan laughed harshly. "We're pirates, we don't give chances."
Not unexpected, but Jay's stomach dropped. He was so dead. With that Monkey Wrench leapt at Jay. The little bugger was fast. He landed several punches to Jay's abdomen before Jay could even move.
Jay yelped on impact, stumbling backward and tripping over the chain. He fell on his back and white hot pain shot through his nerves. This time Jay screamed. Mocking laughter roared from all sides.
"-The little ninja can't even take a fall-"
"-Pathetic-"
"-This is all Ninjago can offer?-"
The taunts sent a new fire through Jay's veins. He shoved himself to his feet before Monkey Wrench could pounce again. Lugging the chain and ball he ducked to the side and swung the heavy weight at the primate. Monkey Wrench easily dodged the slow moving ball. He jumped on Jay's head and pounded his little fists into Jay's back.
Jay's muscles seized and he couldn't breathe. Monkey Wrench dropped to the ground, striking at the backs of Jay's knees. Legs giving way, Jay collapsed on the floor unable to force himself up again. Something struck his stomach and Jay found himself lying prostrate with Monkey Wrench jumping excitedly near his head.
"There-" Jay rasped and struggled to his knees. "You had... your fun. I'm tapping... out."
Nadakhan flew in front of Jay. "I'm afraid that's not how this works. The winner taps out- not the loser." Suddenly going lightheaded, Jay dug his fingers into the planks beneath him. "Ready to wish it all away?"
Jay grit his teeth and stood. "Bring it on."
Doubloon stepped forward, tossing a bo staff back and forth between his hands. Sucking in a deep breath Jay dropped into a partial front stance. 'Get in and out quickly.' If he could get close enough for the staff to be ineffective, maybe he could land a punch before Doubloon changed his strategy.
Jay darted forward, making the first move. Aiming a kick at Doubloon's knee, Jay tried to throw him off balance. The man merely sidestepped. 'Crap.' Jay hardly had time to think before the staff flashed in the corner of his eye.
There was an explosive pop in Jay's ears, and then... nothing. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lightning flashed against the dark sky. Normally such a sight thrilled Jay, but now it only served to increase the terror overwhelming his thoughts. A crack sounded and the heavens broke open. Rain downpoured in heavy sheets soaking everything within seconds. Perched high above the deck, tied to the mizzenmast with the remains of his shirt long gone, Jay had no protection from the elements.
More lightning streaked overhead. Closer this time. With a lightning rod attached to the post behind Jay's back it was only a matter of time before-
CRACK!
Jay screamed as white hot pain exploded through him. How was it that bad? He was the master of lightning. Even with vengestone suppressing his abilities it shouldn't be effecting him like this. Heck, even his teammates had used him as a lightning rod only a week ago but this... Jay sagged against the bonds holding him upright, all his muscles spasming.
FAPOOOSH!
Another strike rocked the post, cutting Jay to the core. This time he couldn't even scream. Warm liquid ran down his leg, but he hurt too much to feel mortified.
However the agony didn't stop the hate that welled within him. Though the ninja were trained to save lives, not take them, Jay wrestled with the burning desire to see Nadakhan wiped off the face of the planet. Not only had that djinn taken his freedom, his strength, his dignity, was attempting to take his (hopefully one day) girl, but now Nadakhan had taken his element and was using it against him. All Jay had left was his will, and there was no telling how much longer he'd be able to hold onto that.
Despair taunted him mercilessly. 'You're not the strong one. If you keep this up Nadakhan won't just break you, he'll kill you.'
Maybe.
Probably.
Tears mingled with the raindrops running down Jay's bruised face. He wished- No! Not that cursed word- he desperately hoped this wouldn't be how it ended. Though at this rate it would be fitting for the failed ninja...
BOOM!
Jay's eyes- well his right eye- flew open and a strangled sob escaped his lips. Wildly he looked around and it took several seconds to realize he was in the darkened cell. 'What the heck?' His head pounded like crazy and his body ached, but it didn't feel like a-billion-volts-of-electricity-just-passed-through-you ache (at least he didn't think so, having never felt the full force of lightning as a normal person would). It was more of a someone-just-beat-the-crap-out-of-you ache (which as a ninja he'd experienced more times than he could count).
'Was that all a dream?' A horrible concussion induced dream? Jay shuddered violently, despite the tension it put on his scabs.
It had felt so real.
Curling into a ball Jay let the sobs pour forth that he'd been holding in since Nadakhan first imprisoned him. This was impossible. He couldn't keep this up much longer. Nadakhan had taunted Jay saying he had a deeper strength than he'd been given credit for, but Jay was at the end of his rope. Now even his subconscious mocked him.
It had been so, so long since he'd seen a friendly face- let alone Nya or his brothers. The message in a bottle was a futile hope with any would-be rescuers stuck on a secret island (and probably still mad at him). Oh, he had royally messed this whole thing up.
"J-Jay." Jay went silent immediately, heart pounding with the realization he hadn't heard the barred ceiling open. Clancee stood above him with a tray. "You f-fought well today."
Jay scoffed and hastily wiped at his face, wincing when he brushed a particularly tender spot near his eye. "I got my butt handed to me."
"B-but you fought a-admirably, like a pirate." 'Or a ninja.' But it seemed to be a compliment. "I thought y-you should look the part."
He tossed an eyepatch near Jay's feet. Jay stared at it with fear and awe. "Just like what I saw in my future. It's coming true."
"I w-wanted to be a pirate when I-I was younger too."
Jay didn't feel like explaining what he actually meant. "Thanks." He slid the patch over his sore eye.
"You're w-welcome. And here's your d-dinner."
To Jay's surprise Clancee lowered an entire tray. The usual bread was accompanied with an apple and some almonds. "Thanks." Clancee nodded and disappeared from sight.
Huh. It seemed at least one member of the Misfortune's Keep didn't want him dead yet. Though the rest didn't appear to care if they beat Jay within an inch of it.
Jay hungrily devoured the meal before letting his exhausted body carry him back to sleep.
The following day it was another kick that woke Jay. Snapping his eyes open Jay saw Doubloon staring at him. Immediately Jay's arms started tingling with phantom pain. Doublon hadn't been down here since that first day and Jay shuddered at the memory. Having just received a concussion from him didn't help Jay's feelings toward the thief turned pirate.
Doubloon kicked him again and Jay scrambled to his knees. He spat blood onto the plank floor and glared up at Doubloon. "I'm working on it."
Using the wall for support he stood, the world tilting dangerously for several seconds before rightening. Doubloon gestured to the climbing rope and Jay let out a small breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. 'Though it didn't work with Flintlocke...'
"So..." Jay started in an attempt to be conversational. "Why follow Nadakhan? He's blackmailed or forced you into his service. What happens if he doesn't need you anymore?"
Doubloon grunted and shoved Jay's shoulder. 'I'll take that as an 'I'll think about it.'' He sighed. On deck Doubloon shoved the wooden mop in his direction. Grimacing Jay started on the floor while Doubloon disappeared below deck. 'I'm so done with all this.'
He sighed only to jump back in surprise when Nadakhan apperated in front of him. 'You'd think by now I'd be used to it but nope.' Jay continued at his chore, ignoring the djinn.
"It seems to me that you're still spreading rumors on my ship." Jay's knuckles turned white as he gripped the mop. So much for Doubloon keeping his mouth shut- or whatever he used to communicate. "It's such a shame you keep trying to inspire a mutiny. Do you know what the punishment for such is?" Jay seriously regretted the Pirates of the Carribean marathon he'd done with Cole a month ago. "No? Well then I'll tell you. It's death."
Not surprising- and if Jay was honest with himself- not completely unwelcome at this point. So Jay stared dully at Nadakhan.
Nadakhan paused dramatically, but Jay just waited. "However, that defeats the purpose when I'm counting on your help to build my new world." Nadakhan grabbed Jay's collar and jerked him close. "But it seems you've still had it too easy. Dogshank!" Nadakan called over his shoulder.
A shadow fell over the djinn and his prisoner. "Yes captain?"
"I think it's time for another round of Scrap-N-Tap."
Jay felt the blood drain from his face. Despite wanting to be done with this whole ordeal, the self preservation part of him still didn't want to be beaten to a pulp.
"Do you want the ring set up captain?"
"No." Nadakhan shoved Jay away from him. "Here works just fine."
Pounding her fists together, Dogshank stepped forward. "If you say so."
Jay didn't have time, or energy, to try dodging her punch. It hit him square in the chest, and Jay heard something crack on the impact. The blow threw him back several feet and he landed with his back arched. He tried to scream but he couldn't bring in the air. His chest spasmed, sending sharp paralyzing zings through him.
Dogshank towered over him but Jay couldn't move. If his vision had been focused he might have seen something that may have been pity in her eyes, but they weren't and so he didn't. All he saw was the shadow of her fist rising once more.
Fire. That could only describe how Jay felt. Like his entire body was on fire. And he couldn't catch his breath. Something tightened around his arms and pulled. Jay groaned in pain, but he couldn't find the strength to open his eyes. Rough wood bit into his calves as the hands dragged Jay... somewhere. A small part of him hoped they'd drop him back in the hold. At least then he'd have some time away from these- these sadists.
But no. Stairs bumped under his ankles, sending jolts of pain through him with every step. His foggy thoughts couldn't process fast enough to put the pieces together. A door opened and through slitted eyes Jay saw the bright curtains of the captain's quarters.
'No. Please, no.' Jay internally begged. Couldn't they let him alone for just a few minutes? Something had definitely broken in his chest and, if the last visit to this room set a precedent, something more might break before they were done here.
An orange face appeared inches from Jay's own. Jay closed his eyes, but a sudden slap to the face made him reflexively open them with a groan.
"I must admit you're even stronger than even I gave you credit for." Nadakhan's fuzzy form crossed both sets of arms. "This would be so much easier if you just wish it away yourself." Jay swallowed thickly. "So what will it take?" The djinn sighed like he was talking to a toddler. "I'm sure if this keeps up you'll eventually break, but perhaps I need to find where those pesky ninja went to help convince you."
Jay's already ragged breathing spasmed. To be honest he should have seen this coming, though how long it took for Nadakhan to actually threaten it seemed suspicious. And what did he mean by find them? Did they somehow escape the island? Jay couldn't let himself dare to hope- then he remembered Nadakhan was threatening to use them against him.
"Good luck." He managed to rasp out. "If they're... hiding you won't be able... to find them." Ronin might be able to, but that was a different story.
Nadakhan's fists drove into Jay's chest. Pain exploded through Jay's rib cage. He couldn't breathe. Couldn't think. Every fiber within him was on literal fire. If he thought anything he'd endured was bad up to this point, he was dead wrong. In that moment death would probably be preferable.
Suddenly the pressure lifted and air filled his lungs. From far away he could hear Nadakhan still talking, but the words were indistinct. That didn't matter though, Nadakhan's point and purpose had been made. Nadakhan's voice grew louder but Jay ignored it. Letting the darkness take him, Jay escaped to unconsciousness.
It felt like only a moment later when, over the pounding in his head, Jay heard someone walking nearby. Jay choked back a whimper. He couldn't deal with it again already. He just couldn't. Otherwise Nadakhan might get his 'wish.'
Jay tensed for the blow that was sure to come any second. The second dragged on to a couple minutes. Confused, Jay pried his eyes open. His head lolled to the side and Jay saw he was still in Nadakhan's room. Why had they left him here? The noises came again and Jay looked toward the source. A greenish looking pirate was fiddling with something at Nadakhan's desk
Squinting Jay tried to make out the figure better. A lot of the pirates wore green but Jay didn't recognize this one. Granted he hadn't interacted with everyone on board, and his eyesight was definitely not functioning at full capacity at the moment but the man almost looked like...
Jay froze. There was no way- he had to be hallucinating because there was no possible way that was- Cole?
The figure jumped like he'd been shocked. Jay gulped, not having realized he said the name out loud. Footsteps hurried in his direction and Jay squeezed his eyes shut. 'Stupid! Now they know I'm awake and they're going to try-'
"Jay?"
It was a whisper. Almost as if the speaker was hoping he was mistaken. But Jay recognized the voice. His eyes flew open and locked on Cole just above him.
"C-Cole?"
Cole clenched his jaw and Jay knew this was just another dream. His fractured subconscious was going to taunt him with his best friend's anger over everything Jay had failed to be and do in the last couple weeks. Or maybe since Cole was dressed as one of Nadakhan's crew he was going to start wailing on him for not going along with Nadakhan's plan. Jay waited for the tirade to start.
Instead he heard the angry voice ask, "What the heck did they do to you?"
'What?' Was this a positive hallucination? Maybe Nadakhan really had managed to make him crack.
"I thought it might be bad, but I never expected..." Cole trailed off and glared at something out of Jay's line of vision. "Nadakhan is going to pay for this!"
He put a large hand on Jay's shoulder. Jay gasped- partially from the pain but mostly because the touch was real. The master of earth really was standing in the middle of Nadakhan's bedroom.
"What is it? What hurts? Is anything broken?" Cole ran a frantic eye over Jay's crumpled form, frowning at what he saw.
Jay only gaped at him."Y-you're- you're here?"
Something Jay couldn't identify flashed across Cole's face. "Of course I'm here. I couldn't leave my best friend behind. But focus Jay. Can I move you?"
"R-ribs-" Jay broke off with a cough.
"Your ribs are hurt?"
Jay nodded weakly and Cole grimaced. "I'm sorry buddy. This is going to hurt a lot, but we've got to get you out of here." Producing a key from somewhere on his person, Cole unlocked the vengestone shackle.
Almost instantly Jay felt a tiny bit better as his lightning sprang alive."W-we?"
Cole nodded and, as gently as he could, pulled Jay to his feet. "Nya and Lloyd are waiting for us."
"No!" The blue ninja stumbled and would have fallen if Cole didn't catch him in time. Draping Jay's arm over his shoulder, Cole kept him upright.
"Jay, it's okay we have a pla-"
"No!" Jay cut him off. "Nadakhan will... get you. He wants us all... and he wants Nya!"
"It's okay." Cole tried to soothe. "We got the 're gonna get him."
Jay's head swam. None of this seemed real. Cole was here. Not only that, he was saying they still had the ace needed to defeat Nadakhan? Part of him still thought this had to be a fever dream of some kind.
"-locke what's the status on the new cannons?" Nadakhan's voice sounded just outside the door.
There was the nightmare Jay was waiting for.
Muttering under his breath, Cole picked Jay up off the floor and hurried to a closet along the wall. Though Cole was trying to be careful, Jay still let out a small yelp when his body made contact with the ground.
"Sorry." A different type of pain filled Cole's voice. He glanced over his shoulder and paled at the sight of the ball and chain sitting in plain sight. "I'll be right back."
Cole shut the door leaving Jay in the dark. Holding his breath, Jay listened carefully. There was clanking for a split second before the main door opened with a bang.
There was a muttering before Nadakhan shouted, "We're out of Fiddlehead cider. Put that at the top of the plunder list!"
"Aye, aye cap'n." Flintlocke must have entered with the djinn. "We gotta make sure we put a lock on some of our supplies. I think the men are takin' to bein' too libral with the food."
Jay had a sudden image of the last few trays Clancee'd given him. They'd been actual meals. Was the Serpentine crew member stealing food on his behalf...?
"You take care of it then."
"Sur-" Flintlocke abruptly stopped.
In the silence Jay heard the telltale rattle of a chain. 'No, no, no!' They must have found him-
"The prisoner has escaped! Search the ship!"
Apparently 'the ship' didn't include the captain's quarters because there was a scurry toward the door and a loud slam. Cole phased through the closet door.
"Come on buddy. We're getting out of here."
Jay couldn't help the tears that rose in his eyes. After almost two weeks he finally had hope this was going to end. Cole slung Jay's arm back over his shoulder and practically carried Jay from the room. On deck Jay blinked hard at the sunlight. Was it the same day or the next? But he didn't have time to wonder for long as Cole hurried to the gunwales. He suddenly gasped and Jay looked up expecting to see an assailant. However the deck was surprisingly empty.
"W-what?"
"I left the venom in his room! But there's no way you can get to Lloyd and Nya by yourself." Jay snorted. Wasn't that the truth. He couldn't even stand upright by himself. "Okay. I'll get you to them first then turn invisible and sneak back on board."
Jay was too tired to muster the energy to argue why that'd be a bad idea. Sighing he just nodded.
Cole grabbed Jay's shoulders. "This is going to hurt." He said apologetically.
What didn't at this point? Cole dropped into their airjitzu stance and was just about to take off when a click of a pistol came from behind them.
"Freeze ninja." Slow Cole turned. Flintlocke's gun barrel was aimed directly at Jay's heart. "I don't think this can do anythin' to you black ninja, but I know on him it'll make a big mess."
'No, this can't be happening!' Jay barely caught himself from screaming- not that his ribs could have handled it anyway. Nadakhan's chuckles sent a cold shiver down Jay's spine. Glancing in his direction Jay felt his heart stop. There, bound and being held at sword point, was a 'piratized' Lloyd and... Nya. She was staring in open-mouthed horror at Jay. He looked at the ground unable to hold her gaze.
"Looks like we have some stowaways. And you know what we do to them." Nadakhan gestured to some of the gathered crew members.
Familiar clanking sounded and Jay couldn't stop the trembling that ran through his body. 'Not again. Not so soon.' The dull gray vengestone chains glinted mockingly in the sun. Cole growled but didn't risk trying anything. In seconds both the blue and black ninja were shackled and shoved in front of Nadakhan.
"Take care of the boys. The lady and I have matters to discuss."
With a wave of his hook Jay, Lloyd, and Cole were dragged away and to the hole that'd served as Jay's cell. Jay tried to pull away toward Nya, but the man guarding him smacked Jay's back. He stumbled, the blow taking the remaining fight out of him.
After unceremoniously shoving Cole and Lloyd into the hole, the guards did have mercy on Jay. They lowered him slowly enough that Cole caught him and gently set him on the floor. The grate above them slammed closed with a clang. Cole and Lloyd winced at the noise, but Jay was used to it.
"That... didn't go as planned." Lloyd sighed, he looked over at Jay, seeing him up close for the first time. The frustration on his face gave way to shock. "Oh my gosh Jay..."
Jay grunted, not in the mood to rehash the torture Nadakhan put him through the last couple weeks. "He wants... to marry... Nya." Both Lloyd and Cole stared at him as if he'd grown two heads.
"Okay." Cole drew the word out. "We'll make sure he doesn't, but first you need some serious medical attention."
Lloyd pulled off his 'pirate shirt' revealing his gi underneath. Tearing the shirt into strips Lloyd handed pieces to Cole. Jay's own shirt had been shredded to the point that Cole barely needed any 'regular strength' to tear it away. At his brothers' surprised gasps Jay cringed and looked down. Shame built up within him at the- arguably- two strongest ninja seeing him like this; a broken mess of an excuse for a 'hero.' He deserved every lash or punch he'd received.
"This... Jay how-? You-?" Cole shook with anger. "I can't believe what that- that mongrel did to you!" He didn't say another word the entire time he tended to Jay's torso. When that was finished he asked, "Where else hurts?"
"Mostly just this..." Jay gestured vaguely to his chest. "And a concussion... or three? Lost... track"
"Are you sure?" Jay could feel the weight of Cole's stare. He nodded. "Okay..."
Though he obviously didn't quite believe him, Cole gestured to Lloyd who helped Jay put on Cole's pirate shirt.
When Jay was situated to as best keep his wounds from further aggravation Lloyd returned to the statement Jay'd made earlier. "You said Nadakhan wants to marry Nya?"
"If he marries her... he gets infinite... wishes. That's what this is... all about." Jay knew he was speaking in winded fragments, but the other two seemed to get the jist.
"He'll be unstoppable." Cole jumped to his feet. "We can't let that happen!"
Lloyd frowned in thought. "That'll make the crew expendable... maybe if they-"
"Who do you think... did this?" Snapping at Lloyd didn't make him feel better, but the injustice of the situation grated on Jay's remaining nerve. "I tried... to tell Doubloon and Flintlocke... but they used it as an... excuse." Jay sighed and immediately squeaked when his ribs moved too far. "Thanks for trying... to save me... but Ninjago would be safer... if you'd just left me here."
"Jay." Lloyd's voice was dead serious. "Whatever might have happened, we're a team. More than that we're a family and we were not about to leave you here a second longer than we had to. We've been in tough spots before and made it. You've lasted this long on your own. With us back together we can come up with a plan. It'll just take some brain power."
"I- I'm sorry."
"So you've said, and Jay you're forgiven." Cole sighed when Jay didn't meet his eyes. "You know some of the stupid decisions I've made. We learn from our mistakes and move forward. Please Jay, don't take this on internally when it is not all on you. Lloyd and I need that brain of yours to come up with a way out of here."
Something inside Jay loosened for the first time since... since Zane sacrificed himself at the hands of the Overlord. With renewed resolve he wracked his brain on a way they could make it out of this mess.
One not exactly perfectly executed escape attempt later
Jay stared blankly at the waves passing under the hydroelectric dragon. Because of his carelessness he'd needed Nya, Lloyd and Cole to come rescue him. Now only he and Nya remained.
"Jay?" Nya's soft voice broke him out of his trance.
"Ye-ah?" Wincing at the rasp in his voice, Jay was very glad to be sitting behind Nya.
"I know it didn't go according to plan, but don't give up hope. You heard Lloyd, we can still be enough to beat him."
Jay wanted to curl up in a ball and shut away the world. This was impossible. There was no way his last wish, made in front of a djinn who twisted everyone's words, would be able to make all this right. But he forced his focus on Nya.
"Are you okay? Did Nadakhan hurt you at all?"
"No." There was a lot of sadness in Nya's tone that Jay didn't understand. "He just tried bribing me and threatening you guys."
"Good." The word came out stronger than any Jay'd said in a long time. "But he's going to be coming for you."
"Well, we'll just have to be ready for him when he does." Jay could hear the tremble in Nya's voice. He didn't comment on it.
"Thank you for, ya'know, coming for me."
Nya stiffened. "Of course! Whatever might have happened we're still family. None of us would ever leave you there. I'm just sorry it took so long." Nya's voice cracked.
"Thinking of you- thinking of you made it bearable." Jay didn't mean to say it but the words slipped out. "If I could keep Nadakhan focused on me, and that way knowing you were free, I was able to take whatever he threw at me."
"Jay..."
"I- I know you can take care of yourself but I want you to know Nya, I'm going to do everything within my power to make sure Nadakhan doesn't win. You- you're worth infinitely more than Nadakhan ever thinks he could get out of marrying you..." Jay trailed off, realizing Nya probably wasn't a fan of what he was saying.
But to his surprise she just gave a soft, "Thank you."
They were quiet until land came in sight.
Nya squared her shoulders. "We will get through this. We will come up with a plan and we will win. Too much is at stake otherwise."
Wasn't that the truth.