"I need more tea…"
Garmadon looked up from where he sat at the table. "…Oh." He really wasn't even sure why he was in here, but Wu had finally dragged him out of the living room. Garmadon hadn't left Ochre's side since he'd gotten home from the vet…and so now he was in here, instead of in the living room with his dog.
Wu closed the cupboard above the stove, sighing. "I thought I just got more recently…"
Garmadon glanced down, fiddling with his hands. He really just wanted to be with Ochre, not watch his brother mourn his tea… He suddenly felt Wu's gaze on him, he looked up. "What…?"
"Would you mind getting me some? There's a tea shop in the city I often visit, and it has a wider selection than the shop in Jamanakai."
Garmadon blinked, anxiety churning.Why does he want me to go?"I…uh…" He swallowed. "You wantmeto get you tea?"
Wu nodded. "Yes, you've been hanging around the monastery a lot lately. And by Ochre…you need to go do something."
Lloyd suddenly walked in. "Master Wu, can—"
Wu smiled. "Ah, Lloyd. I was just about to look for you. I need tea."
Garmadon frowned.
Lloyd blinked. "Um…what? Again? I thought you just got some recently?"
"I did. But now it's almost gone. Could you get me some?"
"I…uh…"
"Garmadon's coming too, by the way. He needs to get out and do something."
Lloyd's eyes widened. "What?"
"Yes."
"Er…well, I…do I have to? Why can't he just go?"
Wu rose an eyebrow. "He needs to get out of the monastery. And you're on shopping duty. I just thought it would work out nicely."
Lloyd frowned. "Well…can't Jay go? Or Cole?"
"It's still your day."
"…Why is it my day?"
Wu gave him an irritated look. "Because it says so on the fridge. Kai's was five days ago."
Lloyd opened his mouth, then closed it, then opened it again. "But…but shouldn't Garmadon stay here with Ochre? The dog is still sick. Shouldn't someone keep an eye on him? I can just go, can't I?"
Wu rose an eyebrow.
Garmadon couldn't help the hurt look he sent at Lloyd. That…stung. He doesn't even want to be around me… Although, of course he didn't… It still hurt, though.
Wu coughed. "Lloyd…weren't you just saying you didn't want to go shopping? And now…you're volunteering…?"
Lloyd frowned…then paled. "I…uh….well, yes…"
Garmadon looked away.
"Well, Garmadon needs to get out of the monastery for a while, and you just volunteered. So you're both going."
Lloyd gaped. "But—"
"No buts!" Wu turned back to the stove, taking a sip of his tea. "I need more tea before I run out, so you'd better hurry—I'm not slow."
Garmadon glanced at Wu, then at Lloyd.
Lloyd bit his lip. "But why does he have to come?"
"Because I said so."
Garmadon slowly stood. "I don't mind coming…" He glanced at Lloyd.
Lloyd looked away.
"I do need my tea. And besides, it won't be that bad, Lloyd." Wu took another sip.
"Why not?"
"Because you both have barely spoken to each other since he's gotten here. And besides, you've already gone with Nya and him to the pet store. Why is this any different?"
"Well…it wasn't only him…" Lloyd grumbled.
Wu frowned "Lloyd, he's your father. It really won't be that bad."
Lloyd scowled, looking away.
Garmadon bit his lip, staring at the floor.
"Hurry along, now." Wu made a shooing motion with his hand.
Garmadon turned, walking out.
"But…but…" Lloyd stuttered for a few seconds.
Then he abruptly turned, grabbing the grocery list from the fridge, and followed him. "Fine. Let's go. But we're making this quick."
Garmadon eyed him uneasily, but nodded.
Lloyd took the lead. "We'll take the Bounty."
He bit his lip, nodding again. Finally, I can do something. Even if it's as small as shopping, at least I won't be just sitting around uselessly…
Although, now he was going with Lloyd…alone…
Anxiety clawed at him. Keep your distance. Kai said to, and even then, I don't want to hurt him again. Never again…
They entered the living room. Ochre lay on the floor, on a few blankets Wu had found for him. The dog raised his head when they came in, tail wagging and tongue out.
Garmadon went over to him, stroking his head. "I'll be back, okay?"
Ochre licked his hand.
He smiled a little, then frowned. I can't bring him with me…he shouldn't be going anywhere, not after yesterday…
Garmadon took a step back, taking in a nervous breath. It would be fine.
He turned—then paused, seeing Lloyd eyeing the dog, an unreadable expression on his face. Garmadon swallowed uneasily. "Um…are we going…?"
Lloyd snapped out of his daze, glancing at him. "U-um…yeah." He went over, pressing the red button. The hanger bay elevator was revealed, and Lloyd walked in.
Garmadon started to follow—but then Ochre quickly stood. He held out a hand to the dog. "Stay. You have to rest."
Ochre whined, head lowering in disappointment.
"Lay down."
Ochre reluctantly laid down again.
"Good boy. I'll be back soon, alright?" Garmadon entered the elevator. The door closed, and his dog's pleading eyes were taken out of sight. He sighed quietly. Then he spared a glance at Lloyd.
Lloyd wasn't looking at him, posture rigid…nervous, he realized.
Garmadon looked away, sudden guilt coming over him. He's afraid of me… He dared to look at him again, though, almost against his will. He remembered a while ago, when…it was almost like someone else had taken over him. Or…his old self. It felt like that now.
"Lloyd…?"
He didn't look at him, eyes fixed forward. "What?"
"I…um…you just, look worried…"
Lloyd shifted, taking a breath. "No. I'm fine."
Garmadon frowned, but decided to leave it at that.
It was an awkward silence the rest of the way down.
When the door opened, they both came out, heading for the Bounty. Garmadon really didn't like going to the city. Eventually, he would be discovered. The citizens would call the police…and then he would be whisked away to Kryptarium again—where he belonged.
Why am I not there now?
He frowned.
They both boarded the Bounty, and then Lloyd took the wheel, steering the ship out of the hanger.
Garmadon had gone up to the bridge this time, having become more comfortable around the place, now. And…with the button. The one that he should not push.
He noticed Lloyd glancing at him every so often, though—nervously. He realized he was keeping an eye on him. Probably so he didn't try anything, or…press anything…
That…stung.
"I can't believe I have to babysit my own father."
He winced. He'd heard Lloyd's complaint—he hadn't been that far away, only having gone to the deck.
It was true, though…he probably should be babysat. Or…supervised, at least…
And it wasn't fair to Lloyd, either…he really shouldn't have to.
Garmadon's jaw clenched, sudden anxiety coming over him again.
Why had Wu sent himalonewith his son?! What if something happened?! What if he suddenly went berserk and tried to kill him again?! What was wrong with him?!
He tried to take a calming breath, keeping his gaze away from Lloyd. It would be fine…it would be fine…
They reached the city an hour later. Lloyd parked the ship in the same abandoned parking lot they'd put the Bountyin when they'd come to the pet store. They both got off the ship, though this time Lloyd went the opposite direction of the pet store, heading deeper into the city.
Garmadon followed him nervously. "Where exactly are we going…?"
"A grocery store, and then the tea shop Master Wu likes," Lloyd replied bluntly.
He swallowed. "Oh…"
They walked through some alleyways, keeping out of the busy streets. Garmadon didn't question why, though. But he could guess.
Lloyd soon exited an alleyway, coming to a sidewalk and a busy street.
Garmadon froze, eye widening at the people and cars.
Lloyd glanced back at him. "Um…I can't go through any more alleys. We're going to have to risk the traffic…"
He blinked, wincing at all of the noise. Then he reluctantly, slowly, nodded.
Lloyd gave a single, sharp nod back, then entered the sidewalk.
Garmadon hesitantly followed him. He didn't mean to hover, but he stayed close to Lloyd's side, not wanting to get separated or lost or anything else…and hopefully not be recognized, either. He tried to keep a hand over his face, self-consciously.
He noticed the uncomfortable glances Lloyd was giving him, and the stiffness in his shoulders, but his son made no comment.
He was…thankful for that.
A few minutes later, Lloyd slowed. He pointed across the street. "There's the store."
Garmadon followed his gaze, seeing a store called "Ninjagomart". It was a medium-sized store. There was a medium-sized parking lot as well, with a few cars. There were some people as well.
He…had been here before…probably sometime after the Final Battle, he would guess.
Lloyd glanced both ways, and when there was a break in traffic, he quickly crossed.
Garmadon stumbled after him, still partially hovering behind him.
Lloyd then walked across the parking lot and to the sidewalk.
He followed close behind, growing more and more nervous at the people around and the cars behind them and the noise—
Lloyd entered the store.
Garmadon blindly followed him.
Lloyd paused inside, taking out the grocery list. "Let's see…milk, eggs, flour, butter, tea…but that's later…" He flipped up the list, revealing an even longer list of tea. "Ugh… Oh, and I think we need cereal, too. That's not on here, though…but I think we need some." He continued reading through the list, saying each item out loud.
Garmadon only half-listened.
When Lloyd was done, he grabbed a basket, and then headed into the store.
He followed numbly behind, head down and a hand over his face. I can't be recognized. He also didn't want to cause a city-wide panic, either… He stayed close to Lloyd.
At some point in time later—Garmadon had no clue what the time was or how long they'd been walking around—Lloyd abruptly stopped, glancing at the cereal.
Garmadon bumped into him, for the third time now. At least, he thought it was the third time…
Lloyd stiffened, jaw clenching. He glanced at the cereal, then took a few steps down.
Garmadon followed close behind.
He suddenly stopped again, turning the other way—and crashing right into Garmadon.
Garmadon winced, stepping out of the way. "Sorry…"
Lloyd gave him an irritated look, then walked past.
He hesitated, then followed again.
Lloyd abruptly stopped.
He crashed into him a fourth time.
"Seriously…stop standing so close to me. And for Ninjago's sake, stop following me!" Lloyd snapped.
Garmadon flinched, taking a few steps back. "S-sorry…"
Lloyd ran a hand down his face, taking a breath. "Why don't you take half the list, and I'll take the other? We can get this done much faster that way."
Garmadon paled, opening his mouth, then closing it. "U-um…"
Lloyd ripped the list in half, handing the top half to him. "Here. I already got most of the things on here, so you can just finish it. Simple, right? You can do that, can't you?"
Garmadon blinked, taking it numbly. "Um…I…"
Lloyd started down the aisle again, looking at the cereal. "Why do they not have Corn Flakes…?"
Garmadon stared at him, frozen.
Lloyd finally pulled a box off the shelf. "Well, Wu's gonna have to live with this, instead…" He shook his head, then noticed he was still standing there. "Hey, are you going to go or not…?"
Garmadon shifted nervously. "I…um…" He glanced around at the people, fiddling with his glove.
Lloyd sighed, facepalming. "Ugh…you can't even go shopping…?"
Garmadon's jaw clenched. "Yes."
"Then, please…go. Stop following me. It is starting to get on my nerves…" Lloyd continued down the aisle, then disappeared around the corner to another.
Garmadon stared after him, still frozen. Then he slowly glanced around, seeing another person now in the aisle. He backed away a few feet, then looked down at the list Lloyd had given him. It was mostly crossed out, except for two items—onions and cookies.
Why…do we need cookies? Although…looking more closely, that was not his brother's handwriting. Nor was it Zane's, who'd written most of the list.
Suspicious.
Of course, he was fine with getting cookies. Not that he…deserved them, though.
Garmadon shook his head, then stared at the floor, taking a breath. He left the aisle.
He managed to get the onions after about ten minutes of wandering, getting lost, turning around, figuring out how to get the onions and having someone eventually stop to help him, and then almost getting lost again as he searched for the cookies. Hopefully, Lloyd was faring much better than he was…
Normally—or, at least before Ichor…and maybe the resurrection as well—he would have been able to get onions just fine. Well…mostly. He'd been afraid of getting recognized after the Final Battle, having been ashamed of everything he'd done and what he'd put Ninjago and its citizens through. Now, he was…still afraid of getting recognized. But now, it was much worse. This anxiety…this suffocating, all-consuming fog, choking him…it was so much worse than before.
It trapped him.
And he had no idea how to escape it.
A few minutes later, he found the dessert section. He found that his mouth watered at all of the delicious desserts, even though guilt immediately pricked at him. He should not be wanting these…he didn't deserve it. At all.
Garmadon sighed. Then he walked down the aisle, trying to pull his gaze away from all the delicious-looking cakes, cupcakes, chocolate, sugary goodness, and…wait, was that candy…?
He paused, eye widening. His mouth watered more. He walked over, gazing at the candy longingly.
But…he really didn't need this…and he didn't have any money. And…he didn't deserve it.
He sighed again. Also, he probably didn't need it in general, anyway…
"Hey, what are you doing here?"
He jumped, whipping around.
Lloyd had an eyebrow raised, before his gaze went to the candy.
Garmadon backed away. "U-um…I was…" He turned the list around. "Someone wrote cookies onto here…"
Lloyd frowned at it. "Okay…but the cookies are over there." He pointed back down the aisle.
Garmadon swallowed. "R-right…"
Lloyd looked back at the candy. He stared at it longingly, then bit his lip. "Um…why were you over here, anyway…?"
"Um…I…I was just looking…" He coughed awkwardly, looking away. "Sorry…I got distracted…"
He felt Lloyd's stare on him.
Garmadon backed away, then went over to the cookies—which is where he'd been heading in the first place.
A few minutes passed.
Garmadon wasn't really sure what he was supposed to get…onions were easy. Cookies…it could be any of them—and he was nervous, because Lloyd had been staring at him for three minutes straight. He finally glanced at him.
Lloyd immediately looked away, staring at the candy instead.
Garmadon shifted uneasily.
He decided to go with chocolate chip, since that was widely accepted and liked by most people. He brought it, and the bag of onions, over to Lloyd. "Uh…I'm done…"
Lloyd glanced at him, nodding, before he went back to staring at the candy.
Garmadon stood there awkwardly. "Um…should…we get going…?"
Lloyd frowned, then sighed forlornly at the candy. "Yeah…I guess…"
He bit his lip to stop an amused smile—Lloyd, apparently, still hadn't outgrown his love for candy. He turned, walking down the aisle.
After a moment, Lloyd followed him.
At the check-out, Lloyd placed the items from his basket onto the belt.
Garmadon placed the onions and cookies on as well.
Both of them kept their heads down, Lloyd being able to cover his with his green sweater's hood. Garmadon was forced to just use his hand, though he eyed Lloyd's hoodie. Maybe he should get one of those…somehow…
Not that he deserved it, though.
It appeared that neither of them wanted to be recognized—probably for different reasons.
The cashier checked out their items, giving up on small talk when Lloyd only answered in yes and no and Garmadon wouldn't say anything.
Lloyd exited the store, Garmadon following him—and now holding the grocery bags, since he'd insisted on it. Lloyd had tried to at least take one bag, but Garmadon had been adamant. At the very least, he could carry groceries—even if it hurt his arm.
Which Garmadon ignored, of course, like he had for the past month.
He sighed quietly in relief, feeling like he could breathe a little better now.
Lloyd led him down the sidewalk, off the parking lot, and back onto the busier sidewalk. People were around again, though not as many as before. Cars still flew down the road, zipping past.
It was about ten minutes later that Lloyd suddenly stopped.
Garmadon, not expecting it, crashed into him—a fifth time, now.
"Shoot…I forgot about the tea shop…it's back the other way." Lloyd facepalmed.
Garmadon stepped back, sighing. The bags were really starting to hurt his arm…
Lloyd turned around, heading back.
Garmadon followed him, glancing around. Wait…where were they…? "Um…then where were we headed? If not the tea shop, then shouldn't it have been the Bounty…? And we passed that alley about five minutes ago…"
Lloyd abruptly stopped again.
Garmadon rammed into him—six times.
"Um…I have no idea…" Lloyd ran a hand down his face, sighing. Then he kept walking.
Garmadon frowned, following again. He looked…really tired, actually. "Are…you alright…?" He winced as soon as the words left his mouth. Why did that someone keep taking over—
Lloyd almost stopped, tripping, but then continued. "I'm fine."
Garmadon's frown deepened. That was obviously a lie…
Lloyd paused briefly at a road, looking both ways, before he entered the street.
Cars still zoomed by every few seconds on the main road, this one being an intersecting one to the main one.
Garmadon followed Lloyd out, clutching the grocery bags tightly, now. His arm was really starting to hurt… He winced.
There was suddenly the screech of wheels—
Garmadon turned his head, almost in slow motion, as a sleek, black car came hurtling towards—
His son.
His eye widened.
Lloyd turned his head, hearing the oncoming car—
But he would never be able to move fast enough. The car was moving too fast, and it was too close, only about ten feet away—
Garmadon abruptly dropped the grocery bags, leaping towards Lloyd and shoving him as hard as he could.
He never saw if he was successful in moving him in time.
The car screeched on its breaks, swerving—
Bam!
A pain jolted up his leg, and then—
There was the shattering of glass, his shoulder and ribs screaming—
Crack!
Everything went black.