Five Times Wu Trusted His Team

4. Brotherhood

This one gets back to Wu being scared of heights, because I love the AU I've created. Takes place when Wu and Garmadon we're younger, a few months after Garmadon was bitten. Wu is twelve, Garmadon thirteen.

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"Garmadon!" Wu rushed to keep up with his older brother as the pair raced through the woods together. Several feet ahead of him, by the grace of longer legs and the knowledge of their destination, Garmadon tossed over his shoulder, "Come on, Wu!"

"I'm trying to keep up," Wu said waspishly, "but you're running so fast!" He accentuated his point by stopping in his tracks and crossing his arms over his chest in annoyance. "Slow down, Garmadon!"

Sighing, the older boy stopped reluctantly and turned around to face his little brother. He couldn't help but smirk at the pouty look on his face. Wu really was spoiled, when it all came down to it. By their mother, that was. Their father had eyes only for Garmadon, seeing as he had inherited their mother's element and Wu had not. "Fine, Wu. We'll stop for a second."

Wu huffed indignantly and tossed his head. "Where are you even taking me, anyways?"

Garmadon's mouth twisted into a smirk. "You'll see."

"Just tell me," Wu said uncertainly, not liking the mysterious smile his brother was displaying. Garmadon had always had a flare for mischief, and his practical jokes and schemes never failed to get them both into trouble— although Garmadon himself never failed to get Wu out of trouble again. Their father was often inclined to discipline Wu for things he hadn't even taken part in, maybe out of spite for him having been born without powers, or as a show of how he loved Garmadon more, but either way neither of the brothers thought it fair, even if Garmadon was the only one who ever showed it.

"It's a surprise," Garmadon said mysteriously, "now come on, we have to get there before it starts getting dark."

"Fine," Wu grumbled, "but if we get in trouble for this, you owe me, big time."

"Of course," Garmadon said lightly, "isn't that how things always go?"

"Yes," Wu said, "which is why I don't like going out with you."

Garmadon grinned cheekily, grabbing Wu by the arm and dragging him away. "But you always do it anyways. That's what makes you such a good little brother."

Wu huffed. "I'm not little."

Garmadon smirked, patting his brother on the head. "Keep telling yourself that," he said, laughing when Wu aimed a punch at his arm.

The brothers moved quickly through the woods, stopping only when they came to a large cliff. Wu raised his eyebrows incredulously; they had been here many times before. "This is all you had to show me?" He clapped mockingly. "Brilliant. I'm enthused."

Garmadon rolled his eyes. "You're hilarious, Wu."

"Thank you, I am."

Ignoring his brother's cheek, Garmadon stepped to the edge of the cliff and peered over the side. "Look at this," he said, "it just washed up here yesterday— isn't it cool?"

Wu, stepping carefully, joined his brother at the edge of the cliff. At the base of the dizzying drop to the foaming seawater beneath them, there was a pirate ship, appearing to have crashed into the rocks there and been destroyed. Its sails were tattered, the wood splintered and shattered against the sharp rocks, water sloping into the skeleton of the ship, half-sinking it.

"It is cool," Wu admitted, "who do you think it belongs to?"

"Pirates, probably," Garmadon said, "but they're probably all dead now; I can't see anyone surviving that crash." He turned to Wu in excitement, and Wu didn't like the look in his eyes. "Let's get a closer look!"