"Hello, brother."
Garmadon looked at him, letting go of Ochre's tag he'd been staring at. It was so strange…Ochre being truly his. He found he still couldn't quite believe it.
Then he blinked, realizing Wu carried an old looking box.
His brother set it down on the floor next to him. "I'm not sure why I didn't think of this before…I suppose I was still wondering if you were truly staying this time. Since…you seem to leave a lot. For various reasons."
Garmadon blinked, swallowing uneasily. "Sorry…"
"It's alright. I understand why." Wu knelt by the box, slipping the folded ends open. "This is the box of stuff I had saved of yours, after…" He paused. "Well, after you'd sacrificed yourself to the Cursed Realm. Misako and I kept a few things…" He looked up at him, frowning. "We've missed you…I'm glad you're back."
Garmadon blinked again. Saved? Weren't you mad at me…? He frowned.
"The letter he wrote that made you fall in love with him—it was written by Wu."
"You're no sensei, and you've never been one!"
Wu stared at him for a moment, then went back to the box, taking a folded piece of clothing out. "This is your old gi I saved." He held it out towards him.
Garmadon hesitantly took it, frowning at the gray and black cloth. It was his second gi, after the Final Battle, that he'd had. The gi he'd gotten after the one he'd woken up in, after Lloyd had defeated the Overlord. He ran a hand down it, memories seeming to suddenly bombard him as a sense of nostalgia came over him.
He felt Wu's gaze on him. He bit his lip, unable to take his eyes away.
"You know…you should really change. I have a few other gi's of yours, as well."
Garmadon finally pulled his eyes away, looking at Wu. "What?"
"Your clothes. You've been wearing that for at least a week and a half, plus for however long before I found you."
He blinked. Then went back to staring at the gi.
"I have the one you had from right after the Final Battle, and the one you had during the Serpentine War." Wu paused. "Wow, that is quite old, actually…hmm. I also believe Lloyd still has your other gi, the one you'd given him before you…um, drowned. In the Cursed Realm."
Drowned.
The water came up, higher and higher, choking, clawing for his life—
He was alone. It was dark, the Cursed Realm having dimmed as it started to die.
The water was unrelenting in its pursuit, the salt splashing into his eyes, his nose, his mouth—
He couldn't breath—
He felt something wet on his hand. He jerked, blinking, and found himself back in the monastery. Ochre stared up at him, nose resting on the gi he held.
"Garmadon? Are you alright?"
He blinked, looking at Wu, and then nodded. "I…I'm fine…" He handed the gi back.
Wu held up a hand. "I really do think you should change…"
Garmadon glanced down at it again. I can't…not only do I not deserve these colors, this writing… But he also needed to wear black. It would keep him safe. It was harder to notice. These colors…much more vibrant and bright and…noticeable. He shook his head, abruptly shoving the gi into Wu's hand. "No. I'm fine."
Wu frowned. He reluctantly took it, placing it gently back in the box. "Are you sure? I have your other ones, if you'd prefer those…"
He shook his head again. "No." Garmadon looked away.
"Alright…but I also have—"
"No." Garmadon held up a hand. "I…I don't want it." He was being assaulted with too many memories right now…no more… I can't have anymore.
They were too painful.
Wu blinked. "You don't even want to know what I have in here?"
"No."
"Alright…but do you at least want to have your things back?"
"No." He didn't deserve them, anyway.
"But…Garmadon…these are yours."
"I don't want it."
"Why?"
He looked away, avoiding his gaze. His hand went to Ochre, stroking the confused dog's head.
Wu sighed. "Alright…" He stood. "I'm going to leave it here, though. In…case you change your mind…" He turned, walking towards the door.
Garmadon frowned, finding his gaze being drawn to the box. I don't want it.
He shook his head, leaving. Wu had gone down the hall, the opposite direction. Garmadon headed for the courtyard.
When he got there, he walked to the front, outside and to the mountain. No one had been in the courtyard, strangely. He never knew what those ninja were up to…
He sighed, sitting down.
Ochre laid next to him, copying his sigh.
He stroked his back, then ran his hand along his collar.
I don't deserve this. I already have Ochre. He even has a collar, a tag, and a leash, now. What more could I possibly ask for? What more could I possibly take?
He shook his head.
"Hey."
Garmadon started, stumbling to his feet.
Kai stood there, arms crossed, and with a scowl on his face. "What are you up to?"
"U-um…nothing…" Garmadon stroked Ochre's head, taking a breath. He can't do anything, not with Ochre around, I'm fine—
Kai's eyes narrowed. "I know you're up to something. And you have everyone but me fooled."
Garmadon swallowed.
"I don't know why you have this act going, but you don't have to do it around me. I already know you're up to something. I already know you're suspicious. I already know you're here for a reason."
Garmadon frowned. I really don't have any reason to be here…
Kai scoffed. "Of course you won't tell me… I'm sure you've wondered why I've left you alone for a while. That's because Wu is wrapped up in your scheme, a puppet you're stringing along. He's blind to your plot—he's too trusting, just because you're his brother. He told me to leave you alone. So I did. But I still don't want you anywhere near Lloyd. You've done enough to him. And if you ever—" he took a threatening step towards him—"hurt him again, I will end you. He's too kind, naive, innocent, and trusting to be hurt again. Especially by you."
Garmadon blinked.
"Got that?"
"Y-yes…"
"Good. And stay away from my sister, too. She's getting wrapped up in this nonsense as well. If you hurt her, there will be payback. By me." Kai made a "I'm watching you" motion with his hands, then turned—and almost tripped over a rock.
Garmadon watched as he quickly regained his balance, then redid the "I'm watching you" motion at him, before turning and going back into the courtyard.
Garmadon found himself slightly amused at his blunder, but he found his mind dragging him back to Kai's threat. Stay away from Lloyd.
At least he didn't try to attack me again… Then Wu really would kick him out, for causing another fight again. Garmadon found he…didn't want to be kicked out. Even if he had this urge to leave…he found something was still tugging at him to stay.
But he found that he kept being tugged in different directions. To leave, to stay, or to just…do something else. He didn't know anymore.
Maybe I should just head back inside… Garmadon sighed.
Lloyd hesitated in the doorway, looking into the living room. It was silent. Was…Garmadon even in there…?
He frowned, then cautiously entered. He wasn't even sure what he was doing…but the ninja were in the kitchen, making a chocolate cake. Why? Because Cole was hungry for cake. Again. And so Zane had agreed to make him a chocolate cake—with Ganache frosting, of course…
Lloyd shook his head. Like that was important right now…not to mention, Master Wu would probably have a fit about it.
He approached the couch, going around it. Garmadon was nowhere in sight. Lloyd frowned. He must be out again, to who knew where…he knew he often sat outside the courtyard, and sometimes in the courtyard. And that he sometimes went to the kitchen. Otherwise, he didn't really go anywhere else…
Lloyd turned, about to leave, before his eyes landed on a medium sized, old box sitting by the couch. What is that…? Was it…Garmadon's…?
Curiosity pricked at him.
He didn't believe he'd ever seen it before…
Lloyd hesitated…then walked over to it, peering in. The box was open. Inside were some old gi's, a few books…some other random stuff…
This is wrong. He shouldn't be snooping around. But…this was Garmadon, anyway.
He frowned, then knelt by the box, taking out one of the gi's. He partially unfolded it. His eyes widened in surprise. This…was his father's…
Lloyd stared at it for a moment, tracing the gold lettering, then the gold clasp. The gray fabric still looked pretty new…it wasn't too worn or anything.
He blinked rapidly, feeling tears prick at his eyes. He bit his lip.
I miss him so much…
He had his same face. But…something was different. This version…the resurrected version…didn't care. Harumi had taken that.
Lloyd's hand clenched around the fabric, teeth gritting.
He gently laid the gi back inside, finding two other gi's of his father's. Why…did Garmadon even have this stuff? He supposed it was technically his, but…it just didn't…feel right…
Lloyd frowned, then took out one of the books. He read the front. "The Journal of Sensei Garmadon…" he murmured softly.
Why did I never know about this stuff? Lloyd's jaw clenched. His uncle never seemed to tell him anything.
He flipped the book open to a random page. There wasn't much written in this journal…though because it was specifically called "Sensei" Garmadon's, it was pretty self-explanatory. His father had been…banished, soon after the Final Battle. I barely even got any time with him…
Lloyd sucked in a breath. It's fine. I've grieved about this a long time ago. There's no reason to, now.
He started reading the entry. Then he took in another breath, strained, as he blinked. This…this was from after Zane…died. His father…was writing about Zane's sacrifice, and about the Golden Master—the Overlord. And about the ninja, how it seemed to be affecting them. And what they were going to do moving forward.
Lloyd bit his lip, then flipped to another page. This one was on Chen…had he had a journal during the Tournament of Elements? Why was there so many things he didn't know about his father? What…else had he not told him?
He'd thought his father had changed after the Final Battle. Which…he had. But…why would he keep so many secrets? He supposed he had been slowly revealing things…like about Chen. And that letter to his mom, the one Wu had written. He'd been trying to redeem himself. That's why he'd sacrificed himself, to save Ninjago…and to somehow, fix the wrongs he'd done in his life.
Lloyd blinked, sucking in another breath. Why did he suddenly miss him so much? He'd been gone for years, now. And…he was technically back, in a way…but it wasn't the same. It wasn't him.
He carefully closed the journal, setting it back gently where he'd found it. Then he picked up the other book, reading the cover. It had no title. It's cover was worn brown leather, bound in one thin, leather strap, tied around the middle. The pages looked old.
Lloyd carefully undid the tie, flipping it open. The page he landed on was old, a little stained. The words were clear enough, though. He started reading. He frowned, realizing that this was during the Serpentine War… The entry said the war was going poorly. The serpentine were too powerful. They needed more help, but they couldn't find any more elemental masters.
He flipped to a different page, further on. This entry immediately captured his attention—"I can't control it".
Lloyd blinked, curiosity overwhelming him. Can't control it? Control what? He continued reading.
"I find it harder and harder to control these impulses. These temptations. The venom haunts me, taunts me…I can't get away. Wu doesn't understand. He couldn't. He couldn't know what it's like. He tries to help…but there's nothing he can do. And I don't think he realizes that."
Lloyd paused. The venom…that was…interesting… He'd never gotten insight into what that was actually like. His father had never told him…just that he had let the anger take over him, consume him.
Let, though? This sounded more like…the venom took over him. Not the other way around. Had he let the venom consume him? Let the anger take him? Or had the venom taken control…? And then there was what he'd said on the Dark Island…the day of the Final Battle.
"Don't you see? I will never do what it right! The evil in my blood can never go away. It has corrupted every ounce of my fiber, every bone in my body! I am Lord Garmadon. Destiny took my family from me, and the only way for us to be together is to turn everything in this world into my image. Then you'll all see what I see, feel what I feel! You've made your decision, and I have made mine."
Lloyd frowned. His eyes scanned over the writing again, and he picked up where he'd paused.
"I fear this venom will make me do something terrible. My thoughts have become scarier lately…darker. I can't keep its voice out of my head. It's always there. I just want to be free of this, but…that isn't possible.
"The war has been going better, though. Even if I have been slipping further to the edge of my doom, the steep cliff where I will never be able to return from…
"We have a new member now, one I'm very suspicious of. They've been here for a few weeks. They irk me. He's driving me insane! Ich—"
"What are you doing?"
Lloyd jumped, slamming the diary shut.
Garmadon stood there, staring at the book in his hands. The dog stood next to him, cocking his head curiously.
"U-um…I…" Lloyd suddenly felt like a scolded kid again, caught stealing candy. He stumbled to his feet. "N-nothing…"
"Is…that mine…?"
Lloyd glanced down at the diary. He blushed, then quickly stuffed the book back in the box. It's only Garmadon. It's not like he's actually…HIM.
Garmadon stared down at the box.
Lloyd stumbled back, stuttering awkwardly. "U-um…I, uh…sorry…" He bolted out of the room.
He felt his gaze on him as he quickly closed the door. Lloyd sighed, leaning against the wall in the hallway. He took a breath. That…was awkward…
Awkward.
But just awkward? He supposed he'd been embarrassed, too…being caught like that. But…
He sighed again, running a hand down his face. He tried to calm the adrenaline down, then started for his room.
The diary still interested him…it was like unlocking a mystery. His father's mysterious past. The one he knew so little about. Though really…he didn't know much about his father at all.
Lloyd bit his lip. He…hoped he could read it again soon…
He wanted to find out more about him.
Garmadon stared at where Lloyd had disappeared. Then he looked back at the box.
Ochre went over and sniffed it curiously.
He bit his lip. What…was in there? What had Wu saved of his? He shifted uncertainly for a moment, then cautiously walked over, peering into the box. He frowned.
Did he dare…?
The memories…
And besides, was any of this even technically his? Was…he even the same man he'd once been? Especially after the Final Battle? How could he possibly be him again…? After what he'd done…?
Garmadon swallowed, staring at his robotic hand. Then he looked back at the box. It…wouldn't hurt to just have a look, would it? He wouldn't be keeping any of it…
Curiosity pricked at him.
Ochre stuck his face into the box, tail wagging.
Garmadon quickly grabbed his collar and tugged him out. "No, Ochre." It was much easier to grab him now, actually…
The dog pouted, head and tail lowering.
Garmadon patted his head, laughing a little, and then knelt next to the box. He took out the gi Wu had shown him earlier, running a hand down the fabric.
Ochre sniffed it curiously.
Garmadon set it back, taking out his other gi. The one he'd woken up in after the Final Battle… He set it back, then picked up the other one. This one was from the Serpentine War. He traced a hand over the purple lining, frowning. The red lettering drew his attention next. Master. He'd been the Elemental Master of Destruction.
Garmadon's jaw clenched. Destruction. What could be worse than an element like that? Aside from Ichor's, he supposed…but still. Destruction was an awful element.
Wu was always the lucky one.
He felt a feeling of bitterness in his throat before he quickly stuffed it down. He deserved everything that had happened to him, anyway. Wu was always the good boy. Him…he was a monster.
Garmadon shook his head, setting the gi back. He picked up his old journal, flipping it open. To think he'd written this so long ago… He sighed. He skimmed a page, then closed it, setting it back. He picked up another book. He immediately recognized it as his old diary, the one he'd had during the Serpentine War…and was also the one Lloyd had been reading.
Garmadon frowned, suddenly feeling a little self-conscious. He couldn't remember if he'd written anything private in it or not… He ran a hand over the cover, then carefully opened it. The pages were a bit worn, but not too bad.
He started reading.
"I discovered a flute today. It will help us win this war. The serpentine go into a daze at its music. This is the key, the one we've been looking for. Especially when we have so many members gone…I hate Chen. He's been slowly turning everyone against us. And I was too blind to see it…even though he was my former sensei. I'm such an idiot…though I don't know how he's turned them. I still suspect there's a spy…but…with him gone, I don't know how they would have gotten information. Who else could be the spy?"
Garmadon frowned. Then he sighed. If only past him knew how simple life was back then…
He shut the journal, retying the leather strap Lloyd had undone. He frowned again. Why…had Lloyd been going through his stuff? It was most likely simple curiosity…but…
He shook his head, setting the diary carefully back. He dug around in the box a little more, looking through it.
Why does Wu still have our old katanas? He took the blade out, gazing at it. This one was his, from their childhood. It was a smaller katana, not an adult size. Which is why it fit in the box.
The katana lay by some bushes. Garmadon approached it confidently, not caring what Wu or father said about it being dangerous. He needed to retrieve that sword, or father would get angry.
He paused when he neared it, then bent down, reaching for it—
Garmadon flinched, dropping the sword.
The snake whipped out, striking his hand.
Garmadon cried out, jerking his hand back. He looked down, seeing the marks on his skin. The green glow shown unnaturally.
Then he suddenly felt woozy, and he swayed, blinking. Everything faded, blackness—
Something touched his hand.
Garmadon jerked back, taking a sharp gasp of air.
Ochre whined, head lowered and tail wagging uncertainly.
Garmadon bit his lip, breathing rapid. He carefully took the sword, laying it back in the box. He was about to close it all back up and forget he'd ever seen it, when…something else caught his eye.
He frowned. Then he reached in, pulling it out. The medallion looked a bit old, but he rubbed his thumb over the black pendant, and it shined up a little.
Everything seemed to slow for a moment.
My old yin yang medallion… Garmadon stared at it, mouth open, as memories flooded his mind.
"—If so, repeat after me." Wu smiled at him, then looked down at the old scroll again, which had been passed down by their father. He started reading aloud, pausing so he could follow.
Garmadon carefully copied his words, looking into Misako's eyes as he held her hands in his. "I, Garmadon, take you, Misako, to be my wife…to have and to hold from this day forward…for better, for worse…for richer, for poorer…in sickness and in health…to love and to cherish always…until parted by death. I promise I will love and honor you all the days of my life." He smiled.
Misako smiled back, the happiness shining in her eyes.
Wu did the same for Misako, who copied his words.
"You may now join your medallions. I pronounce you husband and wife." Wu bowed, taking a step back, and rolled up the scroll.
Garmadon held up his black yin side of the medallion, and Misako held up her gold yang side. They joined the two together, connecting the medallion and making it one.
They both smiled, staring into each others' eyes.
Garmadon felt a happy, fluttering feeling in his chest.
Wu looked at them again, smiling, before he glanced at Garmadon. "You maynow kiss the bride."
Garmadon and Misako smiled at each other, then leaned towards one another, the medallions still held together—
Garmadon blinked rapidly. He stared at the medallion another moment, inhaling sharply. His hand tightened over it, and he bit his lip.
Wow, had he gone back on his promise… He winced.
Garmadon frowned. He…he couldn't…but…
He abruptly stood, slipping the medallion in his gi's hidden pocket that was located at his chest, inside his gi. Then he moved the box off to the side of the couch, closing it back up.
He sat back on the couch, fingering the medallion in his hidden pocket. He sighed quietly, then swallowed.
He could keep it…right?
It would be fine.
His fingers brushed over the medallion again, and he took it out, staring at it.
Yes. He could keep it…at least this.
Garmadon slipped it back into his pocket, tucking it safely away.