Ochre let out a sharp bark. He lunged, then yelped as the rope tightened around his neck and jerked him back. The dog whined, struggling against it again, yanking and pulling.

Master needed knew it. He could feel it.

He barked again, going onto his hind legs, forepaws clawing at the air. Ochre landed with a hard thud, the force sending vibrations through his legs. He backed up, before lunging again—

Snap!

Ochre went flying forward, nose slamming into the ground. He yelped, startled—and then leaped to his paws, realizing he was finally free. He bolted, letting out a bark.

I'm coming, Master.

Wu took a sip. He smiled—his favorite, white tea. For once, he had some peace and quiet. The ninja had been outside training—though by the silence, they had most likely gotten distracted and left.

He sighed. He would have to go lecture them, then…

Again.

Though he hoped Garmadon was alright…he was still puzzling over why he'd come back limping and with a bruise on his face a little bit ago. It was odd. He was growing more and more concerned about him.

He frowned, taking another sip of his tea, making sure to savor—

There was a whine.

Wu abruptly turned at the sound—then rose an eyebrow. A…dog…? What had the ninja done this time…? He took another sip of tea. "Hello…"

The dog wagged its tail, whining again.

Wu sighed. "NINJA! Get in the kitchen this instant!"

A few minutes earlier~

Kai, Cole, Nya, Jay, Zane, and Lloyd walked down the steps leading to the dragon stalls. They were supposed to be training…but then Jay wanted to see if the dog knew how to play fetch. So now they were down here, hoping Master Wu wouldn't catch them…

"We really need a name for him," Jay said.

"Like what?" Lloyd glanced at him.

Jay shrugged. "I don't know…something cool. Like Fritz Donnegan."

Kai rolled his eyes. "Yeah…no."

"What about Onyx?" Cole asked. "Because he's black?"

"Ooh…that's not bad…" Jay put a hand to his chin. "Ooh, no, we should name him after Cole! 'Coal'!" He started cackling.

Cole slapped him in the back of the head. "Har, har…"

Nya shook her head, reaching the bottom of the stairs. She stared into the dark of the dragon stall. "Hey! We're back!"

There was no welcoming bark.

Lloyd frowned, now a little concerned.

Cole took a couple steps in. "Hello…?"

Silence.

They all exchanged worried glances, then ran over to behind the crates.

A lone rope lay on the ground, the one end still tied to the crate. But the other end lay broken, the rope's tip frayed and looking like it'd torn. It was still in a knot-like structure, like when it had been tied around the dog's neck—except that it was now snapped apart.

They all exchanged another look.

"Oh, no—"

"Master Wu's gonna—"

They all bolted out of the dragon stalls.

They looked briefly around the top of the mountain, then checked the courtyard. The dog was nowhere to be found. And so they hurried inside.

Lloyd led them—

"NINJA! Get in the kitchen this instant!"

—into the kitchen.

Master Wu stood there, a cup of tea in hand, eyebrow raised in surprise. "Well, that was quick…"

The dog looked back at them, tail wagging slowly. His tongue hung out the side, and he had a searching look in his eyes—concern, Lloyd realized. It whined at them.

"Why is there a dog in my monastery?"

Lloyd looked up. He swallowed awkwardly. "U-um…" I knew this was a bad idea…

Wu did not look pleased. "This is a monastery, used for training, teaching, and meditation by you all. Not an animal shelter." He narrowed his eyes. "I want it out."

Garmadon clutched his hair, eye shut tight. He was still lying on the couch, where he'd decided to relegate himself for the time being.

"Remember, Garmadon—two days. I expect you to be there."

Why did it send shivers down his spine? Cause him to tremble, fear coursing through him?

I deserve it.

So why was he so afraid?

He shuddered. Ichor's grin loomed over him, his dark eyes—

Garmadon sucked in a sharp breath. He would be fine. He deserved this.

Why am I so resistant to the pain?

Idiot.

Garmadon sat up, rubbing his forehead. He'd decided to stay in here because of his limp, because of the bruise on his face, but…how was he supposed to do that when he felt like he was going insane?

But they'll get suspicious.

Wu will be watching me.

Garmadon shook his head. No. He just…he needed to move. He swallowed—

When was the last time he'd had any water…? He frowned. I should go see if anyone's in the kitchen…

Maybe he was lucky he was part oni. Humans could only survive without water for a few days.

No. Not lucky. Just cursed.

Garmadon winced. He stood, stumbling, before he regained his balance. He limped over to the door, sliding it open carefully. Looking both ways down the hall, he saw that it was clear.

That was good—lucky for him.

He sighed. He limped out, slowly heading for the kitchen. Wu wouldn't mind if he got a drink, right?

It's only water.

But I already stole some—

No. Wu said I could…right?

Garmadon frowned.

Yes, he did—

But what if he hadn't actually meant it? What if he was baiting him, so he could… Do what? Scold him?

This is ridiculous.

He shook his head again, biting his lip. It would be fine.

When he neared the kitchen, he slowed cautiously. There were voices. Lovely…why is my luck so bad…?
Garmadon frowned, starting to turn back. Maybe he should just forget it—

"—animal shelter. I want it out."

He froze mid-step. What…?

"But, Master Wu, you have a chicken! Why can't we keep him?"

He looked back.

Wu huffed. "A chicken is far different than a dog!"

Dog…?

Garmadon's eye widened. No—

Ochre!

He spun on his heel, almost falling over, and dashed towards the kitchen.

He slowed when he reached it, cautiously coming around the door corner. The ninja stood inside, mostly blocking his view, and Wu stood by the stove with a cup of tea.

Garmadon slowly walked in, making sure to stay away from the ninja.

Kai, the first to notice him, glared. "Hey, what are you—"

There was sharp, excited bark. Ochre suddenly leaped at him, and Garmadon stumbled back in surprise. The dog wagged his tail happily, shaking, his ears back. Garmadon stared down at him, trying his hardest not to just pat the poor dog's head.

I'm sorry, bud…

He tried not to wince, looking up at Wu.

Wu had an eyebrow raised at the dog and him. The ninja were looking at them in confusion and suspicion as well.

"Okay, seriously…why does that dog like you so much?" Kai narrowed his eyes.

Garmadon glanced at him. "Um…"

"Ahem…back on topic." Wu glared at the ninja again. "I still want the dog out. It doesn't belong here. You should bring it to an animal shelter or something."

"But—" Jay started—

"No buts! I want it out!" Wu took a sip of his tea, eyes narrowed.

The ninja glanced at each other helplessly. Cole sighed.

"Okay…we'll bring it back…" Lloyd sighed, his gaze going to the dog.

Bring it back? Garmadon stiffened. No—

Wu nodded. "Thank you. And please…don't bring a dog into my monastery again. I don't want it getting my chicken."

The ninja nodded, looking sorrowfully at the floor or at Ochre.

Nya sighed, then whistled to him, patting her side as she turned to leave. "Okay…come on, dog."

"It's Fritz," Jay said.

Fritz…?

Nya shook her head, rolling her eyes.

Ochre's ears went back, and he looked up at Garmadon, eyes pleading. His tail wagged uncertainly.

Garmadon glanced at him. I have to tell— He bit his lip. But they'll—

They're making him leave anyway!

Lloyd turned to leave as well. "Come on, let's take it—"

"No."

The ninja and Wu looked at him in surprise.

Garmadon shifted uncomfortably at their stares. "I…uh…" His gaze briefly went to Ochre's face—the dog was still staring at him with those piercing yellow eyes, questioning."He's…he's mine."

There was silence for a moment. Garmadon held his breath, waiting for their reactions—

"Fritz is yours?!"

"You have a dog?"

"Why didn't you say anything before?! I knew you were being suspicious!"

"Wait, what?"

Garmadon took a step back, throat tightening. Ochre went by his side, tongue hanging out. He pet his soft head, running his fingers through his fur—

You'll be fine—

Wu told the ninja to be quiet, then looked back at him.

Garmadon swallowed at his questioning, surprised gaze.

"The dog is yours…?"

He nodded. "Er…yes. He's mine."

Wu rose an eyebrow. "I see…I never took you to be a dog person…"

Garmadon glanced at Ochre, shifting uncertainly. "Um…can he stay?" He looked up, seeing Wu frown.

Oh, no—

"I'll watch him, you don't have to do anything! I can take care of him and everything, and I'll make sure he stays out of trouble and doesn't get into anything and he's fully trained—"

Wu held up a hand. "Hold on, slow down."

"I have a question?" Kai raised his hand. "Why is it we found this dog way out in the city, and somehow, it happens to be Garmadon's? That's kinda a big coincidence…"

Garmadon bit his lip. "The city…?"

Kai crossed his arms. "Yeah. The city. What was your dog doing way out there?"

Garmadon frowned, stroking Ochre's head. "I…I don't know…."

"Yeah, well, I—"

"Kai, this isn't the time for interrogations." Wu glanced at him, then back to Garmadon. "Brother, you…want to keep the dog here, then?'

Garmadon swallowed. "Um…yes…? I-I…he really doesn't get into trouble, he's really good—"

Wu frowned. "I—"

I'm going to have to beg, aren't I? Garmadon shifted. "Maybe if you let him stay, I can…uh…do something? Like, whatever you need, maybe—"

Wu shook his head. "No, no, that isn't necessary, brother. If he's yours, I…suppose he can stay…"

The ninja lit up excitedly.

Garmadon blinked in surprise. "Er…really?"

Wu nodded, taking another sip of his tea. "Yes, if you really want him to…"

Garmadon blinked again. His chest seemed to loosen, and he realized he could breath again. "Th…thank you…" A tremendous amount of relief suddenly slammed into him, and he bit his lip.

"You're welcome, brother. But—"

Oh, no—

"—keep it away from my chicken. It…doesn't eat chickens, does it?"

Garmadon swallowed. "Um…well, I'm sure he does—" He cut himself off at Wu's alarmed look. "I, uh…I'll make sure he doesn't touch it."

Wu nodded. "Thank you."

Garmadon turned, calling softly to Ochre. The dog trotted after him as he left hurriedly. He heard the ninjas' chatter start up again when he left, talking about Ochre and him.

Garmadon bit his lip. When he was far enough down the hall, he paused. He leaned against the wall, his legs suddenly feeling shaky. He sucked in a breath, glancing down at Ochre.

The dog wagged his tail, tongue hanging out happily.

Garmadon smiled, then frowned, biting his lip as his vision blurred. He knelt, hugging the dog's neck.

He's staying. He's…I can't believe it…

His grip tightened. "Ochre, you get to stay…" This is too good to be true…

Why would Wu let him stay?

…It won't last.

I always lose everyone.