Another Way Back [Complete]

Part 3 - The Wish

(Time Skip)

In the Courtyard

Jay panted heavily as he barely evaded yet another blast of Nadakhan's power. Still firmly holding onto the Sword of Souls, the last remaining Ninja crouched down behind a large rock and took a look over the grounds of the destroyed Temple of Airjitzu.

His teammates had all been hit and turned into solid golden statues, lying dispersed all over the place. So far, Jay had been able to avoid the blasts, thanks to his lightning fast reflexes. But the exhausted Blue Ninja didn't know for how much longer he would be able to continue this game, especially now that he had become the sole target. And he actually wasn't even sure if he actually still wanted to keep going. But he had to try.

He had to find a way to lure the powerful Djinn into the open, so that Flintlocke could shoot him with the dart filled with the Tiger Widow Venom. Then Jay would be able to make his final wish – although he still had serious doubts if this really was the right one.

"Come out, come out, wherever you are..." Jay could hear Nadakhan's voice teasing him. But as much as it pained him to remain silent, Jay could not reveal his position. But how else could he make Nadakhan leave his protected position among the ruins of what used to be Sensei Yang's Temple?

Jay had an idea. He took a deep breath and, with all his remaining strength, managed to throw the Sword of Souls right into the centre of the courtyard.

He waited anxiously for the Djinn to appear in his – and Flintlocke's – view, but instead he heard Nadakhan's silky voice.

"Get it." He ordered.

"Yes, my Master." A broken female voice replied quietly.

Jay swallowed hard. He knew that voice too well. Nya. Nadakhan had made her his slave and now the power of his wish was forcing her to obey his every command.

The Blue Ninja heard the familiar rhythm of her graceful steps as she went to recover the sword for her master. Jay carefully peeked around the edge of the rock, to take a short glance at her. Her elegant wedding dress was ripped and her tear-stained face made it very obvious that she had cried. Jay was certain that these had been tears of anger rather than of sadness. The strong minded girl must be furious that she was again forced to act as someone she didn't want to be.

When she bent down to grip the hilt, Nya's eyes – why were they this toxic green?! - briefly met Jay's. She smiled and gave him a little wink, yet it was not small enough to escape Nadakhan's attention.

"As it appears that you have spotted him, bring me the sword and the Ninja, my dear." The Djinn called to her, certain that Jay would not put up any resistance against the girl he loved. And he was right.

Jay sighed in defeat. He stood up and left the temporary safety of his hiding place with raised hands.

Nya roughly grapped his arm and pulled him along. "I am sorry Jay." She whispered in a broken voice. "I have to follow his orders. Believe me, I've tried..."

"Blue Ninja. Finally we meet again, and on my terms." Nadakhan addressed him. "Well, what am I going to do with you now?"

Jay didn't say anything, so the other one continued.

"I don't think there is any need to restrain you. As long as she is under my control, then so are you..." Unfortunately, the Djinn was right again.

"Walk with me." He requested.

Confident that he was safe now and had nothing and nobody to fear anymore, Nadakhan led Jay across the courtyard.