The stick went flying across the courtyard, towards the large red doors. Ochre bolted after it, leaping high and catching it in his mouth.

Garmadon smiled. The sun shown down, a warm breeze blowing. It was a nice day. Ochre was happy.

The dog bounded back to him, shoving the stick into his hand.

Garmadon took it, patting the dog's head, and threw it again.

Ochre took off.

I'm happy, too. The thought jolted him. That…wasn't normal. He frowned.

Ochre caught the stick again, then ran back to him. Garmadon took it robotically, staring ahead.

"You know you deserve this." He shouldn't be happy. Not after everything he's done.

Ochre whined, nudging his hand with his nose.

He patted his head, the dog whining again.

Ochre sat next to him.

Garmadon shook his head, blinking, and glanced down at the dog.

Ochre perked up.

He threw the stick again, watching Ochre bolt after it.

Garmadon smiled softly. Maybe he could be happy for the moment, at least…

Garmadon sat on the couch, Ochre leaning against his legs with his head on his knee. Garmadon stroked him gently, staring off to the side. The dog was panting, his tongue hanging out. He was happy after the game of fetch.

He did wonder where the ninja were, though. They should have been training by now. Unless it was a break day… He supposed he wouldn't know. He didn't even know what day it was.

There was suddenly the ring of a doorbell.

Garmadon tensed.

Ochre lifted his head, ears pricked.

Garmadon pet him, taking a calming breath. It was probably just the mail. Nothing to be worried about.

It would be fine.

Wu looked up from his tea, setting the teapot back down on the stove. The mail wasn't supposed to come today…so why had the doorbell just rung? Who would come all the way up here…?

He shook his head, setting his teacup on the counter and grabbing his staff. He headed for the courtyard. Once there, he walked over to the large double doors, and opened one.

Two men stood there, one broad shouldered and tall with black, neatly combed hair, and the other shorter and skinny with dull brown disheveled hair.

Wu blinked. "Hello. What can I do for you?"

The broad shouldered man nodded at him. "Hello. My name is Macario Dommick." He gestured to the skinny man. "And this is Sylvester."

Garmadon stroked Ochre's back, the dog now laying by him on the couch. He'd tried to keep him off, knowing Wu probably wouldn't be happy about it, but after Ochre had curled up by him he found he couldn't convince himself to shove him off.

He smiled a little, watching Ochre's contented look. The dog was exhausted, but he'd soon be up and have lots of energy again. He was like a kid in that way…

It…reminded him of Lloyd. When he was younger, after the Final Battle.

He frowned. So much had happened since then…if he were to go back in time, past him would probably think he's nuts. And a coward. And…would probably murder him if he found out what he did to Lloyd.

Garmadon winced. He wouldn't blame him if he did.

Ochre shifted next to him, then was still again, letting out a contented sigh.

Garmadon smiled again, a bit strained. He ran his fingers through his fur, comforted by the soft feeling.

He was glad Ochre was back.

"Garmadon?"

He stiffened, turning to look at Wu, who was now walking over to him. "What…?"

"There's some people here…"

Garmadon frowned in confusion. People…? It…it wouldn't be Ichor's gang, would it…? His heart sped up, and sunk his fingers deeper into Ochre's fur.

When Garmadon didn't reply, Wu took a breath, glancing at Ochre. He paused, blinking. "Wait, why is it up there?"

Garmadon started, hurriedly shoving Ochre off. "Sorry."

The dog yelped in surprise, turning around to stare at him questioningly.

Garmadon pet Ochre's head, wincing. He could feel Wu's disapproving frown.

"Anyway…as I was saying, there's two men here."

Garmadon felt himself tense again. Two men…? It couldn't be Ichor…could it? He swallowed uneasily. "What about them?"

"They…claim to have lost a dog."

Everything ground to a halt.

Dog.

What?

He sucked in a strained breath, trying to calm himself. He rubbed Ochre's neck, hiding his shaking hands in his thick fur. "A dog…?" Ochre…I found Ochre in the woods…alone…he was so friendly… And then someone was after him…

He didn't want to believe it. It couldn't be true.

No.

"Do you know what they're talking about…?"

Garmadon felt the blood drain from his face, but he shook his head. No, no, no—

"Where did you find this dog?"

He swallowed. "Um…"

"Garmadon…you…didn't steal it…did you?"

"No!" He snapped before he could stop himself, the accusation too hurtful, too familiar, too…true? I didn't steal him…did I?

There was silence for a moment.

"Then where did you get him?"

Garmadon stared down at Ochre's face, at his yellow eyes. He didn't reply. He can't know anything. Or he may find out…about other things.

"Garmadon…they claim they lost a dog. And they believe it's here."

"…It's probably a different dog."

"Brother…how many dogs look wolf-like, have black fur, and yellow eyes?"

Garmadon froze, fingers tightening on Ochre's fur.

"I…know you're fond of the dog, but…they're his rightful owners. We have to give him back."

No no no—

Please, no—

Garmadon blinked rapidly, sucking in a breath. "Are you sure Ochre is theirs? They haven't even seen him yet. Maybe they're talking about a different dog…"

"….I doubt it. But come on, we'll show them the dog and see."

I don't want to! I don't want to find out!

Garmadon bit his lip, then shakily stood.

Wu turned, walking towards the door.

He followed him, calling softly to Ochre. The dog bounded over, having no idea what was happening.

They made it outside, and Garmadon stumbled, almost tripping off the steps. The two men… I know him. He knew the tall one, he'd seen him before—

Ichor—!

Macario, his name was. He'd seen him with Ichor. He was a part of his gang, he was one of the people who held him down, he—

Garmadon found he suddenly couldn't breathe. This had to be Ichor's doing. He'd sent them, sent them to take away Ochre—

I can't escape—

Wu walked over to the two men, then turned, gesturing to Ochre. "Is that your dog?"

Macario's eyes narrowed at Ochre, then he nodded. "Yes. That's the one."

Wu glanced at Garmadon.

Garmadon's jaw clenched. They can't take him…I don't know what they'd do to him…

"I want my dog back." Macario crossed his arms, narrowing his eyes.

Wu nodded at him. "Of course. Garmadon?" He glanced back at him.

Garmadon went to pet Ochre's head…then realized the dog wasn't by his side. He felt his panic spike even more, and he glanced around.

Ochre was by the door, tail tucked and ears back.

He…knows them…

The shorter, skinnier man walked over, a leash in hand. Garmadon didn't recognize him, but he figured he was probably a part of Ichor's gang as well.

"Here, doggy…" the man called, gesturing with his hand.

Ochre growled at him.

Garmadon stood in front of Ochre protectively. What am I doing?! But he didn't move.

The skinny man stopped, glaring at him. "Get out of my way. That's my boss's dog."

"Garmadon, the dog is theirs. We can't keep it." Wu walked over.

Garmadon's jaw clenched, and he blinked rapidly. This cannot be happening— But he didn't have a choice…did he?

I knew it. I knew this would happen… I knew it wouldn't last, I always lose everyone!

He stepped out of the way robotically, watching as the skinny man put the leash over Ochre's neck. The dog whined, belly to the ground. He sent Garmadon a pleading look as the man started dragging him away.

I am so sorry… I said I wouldn't give up on him again…and I just did.

Garmadon looked away.

He heard the two men start to walk away. Ochre started whining and barking at him, pleading.

Garmadon didn't move. His whole being was breaking in two again, just like at Jamanakai.

The door opened, then shut with a bang. Garmadon flinched.

Wu sighed, then walked over to him. "Brother…I know you like the dog, but this is the right thing to do. We can't keep him if he belongs to someone else."

His jaw clenched. You don't understand. Garmadon swiftly turned, opening the door and closing it. It shut harder than he'd intended, but he found he didn't care. He headed down the hall, sucking in a breath, blinking rapidly.

I can't break down, I can't break down, I can't break down, not here, not now—

The door opened again behind him. He heard Wu come in, shutting it closed. "Garmadon?"

Garmadon didn't reply. I need to be alone. But where…?

He heard Wu stop walking, watching him go.

Garmadon continued on, hearing Wu turn down the other hall. He glanced around rapidly, trying to find somewhere, anywhere—

No one went in that room…did they?

He paused for a moment, staring. Then he walked over, sliding the door open, and shut it softly behind him. The room was small, boxes stacked everywhere. The floor was wooden like the halls, and the walls were painted a tan color.

Typical of Wu.

He sucked in another breath. This would work. He carefully navigated around the boxes, not wanting to accidentally move any, and then sat on the far corner of the room, hidden behind a couple stacks of boxes.

He pulled his knees to his chest, biting his lip.

Ochre is gone. Again. I failed him—just like everyone else.

I'm a failure.

He bowed his head, a strangled sob escaping him. He put a hand over his mouth, trying to stifle himself, as the tears ran down his face, adding to his already crippling guilt and shame.

I failed him.