Ichor sucked in a gasp.

Garmadon cracked open his eye, frowning, still cowering on the ground.

Ochre had clamped his jaws into Ichor's arm, hackles raised along his back and teeth bared. He yanked, growling viciously. He'd never looked more like his wolf ancestors, yellow eyes blazing, tugging to bring his prey down.

Ichor's eyes widened, genuine fear in his gaze. He kicked Ochre, stumbling back. "Get off, stupid mutt!"

"Garmadon, run!"

Garmadon looked at Misako, then staggered to his feet. Pain throbbed through him.

The one man that had also been kicking at Garmadon rushed to help his boss. He kicked at Ochre, yelling at the wolf to let go.

"Garmadon, please, run!" Misako started struggling again, voice cracking desperately.

He turned, running over to her. He punched one of the men in the face.

The guy flinched, clutching his face. "Hey!"

Ochre dragged Ichor to the ground, shaking his head back and forth.

Ichor punched at Ochre, kicking and clawing at him. "Let go, let go, let go! You stupid jerk! Someone get this dog off of me!"

Misako elbowed the other guy holding her, twisting and kneeing him in the gut.

Garmadon swept the other guy's legs out from under him, then grabbed Misako's arm, bolting away. He glanced back at Ochre, biting his lip.

"Run, don't look back!" Misako shoved him. "Head for the alley!"

He obeyed her.

She took the lead, running into the alley and turning the corner. She continued heading deeper in.

Garmadon sucked in a breath, staying at her heels.

"Woof!"
He looked back, seeing Ochre catch up with them. His jaws were bloodied, hackles still raised, but his tail wagged. Ichor and his men were nowhere in sight.

Misako turned another corner, then abruptly stopped, gasping. She leaned against a building, sucking in breaths of air.

Garmadon paused beside her, wincing at the aching throbbing in his stomach, face, and limbs. He pat Ochre's head, crouching beside him.

"Are you alright?" Misako asked.

"Yes. Are you?"

"I'm fine, but your face is bleeding. You are not 'fine'." Misako knelt by him, grabbing him gently by the chin and forcing him to look at her.

Garmadon tensed. "I really am fine."

"We need to stop the bleeding. It doesn't look deep, though." She untied her green bandanna from her neck, pressing it to a cut on his face.

He flinched.

"Hold it there."

He did so, sitting down fully. Ochre sniffed his face, tail wagging uncertainly.

Misako sat beside him, breathing hard. "Are they some sort of hate group?"

"I don't know."

"Well, they clearly don't like you. And they're wearing similar outfits to the man who tried to kill Lloyd. And the people who were beating you up in the woods."

He shrugged a little. His face stung, and he could feel the blood start to seep through the bandanna. He winced. "You…wait, are you sure you don't mind if this gets bloody?" He removed the cloth from his face.

Misako immediately took his hand, making him put it back and hold it. "Keep that there. And no, it'll either wash out, or I have another one."

"Oh." He bit his lip, then tasted the saltiness of blood as it ran down to his mouth.

Misako let go if his hand, feeling her pockets. "Oh, shoot. They took my phone."
"Took it? Why?"

"They broke it. So I couldn't call for help, or have someone track it to find my location." She grit her teeth, then mumbled under her breath, "Jerks."

Garmadon stroked Ochre's head, looking him over for injuries. He seemed fine, thankfully. "Good job, bud…" He rubbed under his chin.

The dog wagged his tail happily, sitting straighter like he was proud of himself.

Misako looked at Ochre. "Yes…he probably saved our lives. Speaking of which, why didn't you fight back? You just let that man cut your face, Garmadon."

He shrugged a little, biting his lip. "I deserved it."

"No, you didn't. Why would you think that?"

"Because of everything I've done. I'm a monster."

"We've discussed this. What happened wasn't your fault. You didn't have a choice to turn evil. You are not a monster."

He shook his head, sighing shakily.

Misako patted his hand. "Hey, we should head home."

Garmadon tensed a little. "Home?"

"Yes, back to the monastery."

"I…I can't."

"Why not?"

"I…well…Wu is mad at me. Because…because of what I did…"

She frowned. "Everyone's been looking for you. All day. Including Wu."

Garmadon bit his lip. "What? Why?"

"Because we were worried, and wanted you to come back."

"But…Wu told you what I did, didn't he?"

"Yes. But that was years ago. Decades, even. It's in the past."

He looked away. No. It may have happened decades ago, but it's still haunting me—Ichor will never stop coming after me. And nothing would make what he did right.

"Wu isn't mad at you. He was at first, yes, but he wants you to come home."

Garmadon shook his head slowly. "No…I murdered his friend. He isn't going to want anything to do with me anymore. I'm a monster."

"You are not a monster. He really does want you to come back."

"But after everything I've done to him? He's still mad at me for that letter, too. And now this?"

"Letter?" She frowned.

"Yes. The love letter I signed my name on, that he wrote." He fiddled with his hands, staring at the ground. "He was really mad about that…"
"Oh…Garmadon, I think he's forgiven you for that a long time ago."

He blinked, looking at her disbelievingly. "What?"

She smiled a little. "I don't believe he's still mad at you for that. I don't think he's even thought of it in a while."

Garmadon bit his lip, then looked down again. "But…I don't understand. I killed Ichor. And I stole his letter." He sighed, rubbing his forehead. He winced when the cuts on his face stung. "The only reason you and I…married…instead of you and Wu, was because of that letter. I don't think he'll ever forgive me for that."

Misako put her hand on his, squeezing it gently. "Wu is very forgiving. It's one of his best traits. Come home. Please? You'll see."

He tensed at the touch. "But…but what if he just kicks me out? He has plenty of reason to."

"He won't. Trust me. Please, come home."

Garmadon stared at the ground. The throbbing on his face lessened as the blood started to clot, slowing. His jaw clenched, hand tightening around the bandanna.

"Please, Garmadon? Lloyd needs you to come home."

He looked at her. "Lloyd?"

"Yes. He needs you."

He stared at the ground. "You're…sure Wu won't kick me out? You're sure he's not mad still?"

"I'm positive."

Garmadon swallowed. "I…okay."

She squeezed his hand once more, and then let go. "Thank you." She stood.

He sucked in a quiet breath, running his hand gently along the cold, cement ground.

"Are you coming?"

"Yes…" He stood, removing the bandanna from his face.

"How's your face?" Misako took a step towards him, studying the cuts.

He shrugged. "Fine, I guess."

"At least they're not deep… And the bleeding has stopped." She took the bandanna back from him, sticking it in her pocket. "Come on." She headed down the alleyway at a brisk pace.

Garmadon followed, Ochre standing and following as well.

The quiet sound of cars rushed in the background, the dripping of water, the distant sound of police sirens echoing faintly. Their soft, padding footfalls and the faint rustle of paper in the wind.

He glanced at Misako.

She stared ahead. Her posture was a little stiff, but she'd relaxed, their walk slowing to a comfortable gait.

It was peaceful.

Despite getting beat up by Ichor just ten minutes earlier, he found himself relaxing. He still ached all over, and his face still stung, but it could be ignored easily enough. The air smelled of car exhaust, garbage, old, paint-peeling buildings, and dirty cement. Even so, it was familiar, so he didn't mind it. He'd grown very accustomed to the smell during his reign as Emperor Garmadon.

He winced, biting his lip.

Misako turned down another alley. "I'm taking the long way around to the museum. I don't want to run into those men again."

Garmadon nodded, looking down at Ochre. He frowned. "Um…wait, why are we going back there?"

"Because my car is parked there."

"Oh."

"We'll have to stick Ochre in the backseat. Hopefully he fits."

"He probably will…"

She paused, looking out at the street. A few cars raced by, lights shining brightly into their eyes.

Garmadon winced, blinking.

A bright light shown above him.

Ichor walked over, scarred face smirking. "How resilient are you to fire, Garmadon?"

Garmadon trembled, biting his lip. He looked away, staring into the blinding light instead.

"Hmm. Well, we're going to find out."

Two men pushed a small forge over. Inside, it glowed orange. Heat radiated from it in waves.

Ichor pulled a metal rod out ofit. It shown with the orange light on the end, the rod having been heated in the forge. He smirked at Garmadon. "Let's see how much we can make you scream this session, hmm?"

He cringed, biting his lip harder. "Please, don't…"

Ichor roughly pulled up Garmadon's sleeve, and two men came over to hold his arm still.

He jerked, whimpering. "No, please, don't—"

Ichor put the rod to his arm.

Garmadon screamed.

"Garmadon?"
He blinked, staring at Misako.

She stood a few feet in the road, watching him, and frowning concernedly. "Are you coming?"

He still felt the burning rod searing into his flesh like fire, could hear Ichor's laugh, the taunts of the others. Garmadon shuddered, biting his lip, and quickly followed her.

"Are you okay?"

"Y-yes…sorry…"

She frowned even more, eyes narrowing slightly. "You suddenly froze. Is something wrong?"

"No. I'm fine." He walked past her, slipping his hands into his pockets. He sucked in a breath, blinking, trying to ground himself. He stroked Ochre's head, who'd stayed at his heel.

The dog wagged his tail, licking his hand.

Misako followed after a moment.

They walked to the front of the museum cautiously, glancing around for Ichor or any of his men. None seemed to be around.

Garmadon followed Misako to a small, five-seat tan car, some sort of sedan.

She took out a set of keys, clicking a button to unlock it, and then opened the back door. "Come on, Ochre. Get in."

Ochre sniffed the car curiously. Then he hopped in, sniffing the ground, and then hopped onto the seats.

Misako shut the door, gesturing to the passenger seat. "Get in. I have a med kit in the car that has antiseptic. You can use it on your cuts."

Garmadon nodded, shifting. He bit his lip.

She went around to the other side, getting into the driver's seat.

He hesitantly opened the door, sitting down in the passenger side. He shut the door, sitting rigidly, and then buckled.

Misako started the car. "Remember the antiseptic."

"Oh. Yes. Right." Garmadon dug around, finding the small med kit a few minutes later. He carefully applied some of the antiseptic as Misako backed up the car. He winced as his cuts stung.

She glanced at him as they left the parking lot. "You're alright, then?"
"Yes. Are you?"

"I'm fine."

Garmadon glanced back at Ochre.

The dog stared out the window, paws on the rim of it. He sat on the seat comfortably, tail wagging.

He reached back, stroking his soft fur on his back. "Good boy, Ochre."

The dog wagged his tail, looking at him with his tongue hanging out the side.

He smiled.

"It'll take about an hour to get home," Misako said.

Garmadon nodded. "Okay…" The pit of anxiety formed in his stomach, twisting painfully. What would Wu say? Was Misako right? Or would Wu just kick him out? He bit his lip, staring out the window. He watched as the city flew by, cars driving, a few people walking, buildings standing stoically.

He sighed quietly, leaning his head against the window. He blinked a few times, exhaustion hitting him. Today had been…long. And stressful. And full of anxiety. It must have worn him out more than he'd thought.

Darkness pulled at his mind, and his eye blinked shut. He relaxed slightly to the sound and movement of the car. What Wu would say weighed heavily on his mind. But sleep pulled him in anyway, and the world faded.

"Garmadon? Garmadon, we're here."

Something tapped his shoulder. He snapped awake, stiffening.

"Garmadon?"

He looked at Misako, then relaxed. Right. He was in her car. They'd been…going back to the monastery… He swallowed, looking around. They were parked in the hanger bay. It was quiet, dark. "What time is it…?"

Misako unbuckled, opened her door, and got out. "It's around midnight, I think. Everyone is probably asleep. But I'll wake Wu so we can all talk."

Garmadon nodded, also unbuckling. He turned, stroking Ochre.

The dog sat in a seat, awake, ears pricked.

He got out of the car, then opened the door for Ochre.

Ochre hopped out, yawning. He stretched into a play-bow, tail wagging tiredly.

Misako headed for the elevator.

Garmadon shut the door, following with Ochre at his heel. He swallowed, heart thumping faster. Wu's going to kick me out. I know it. He'll yell at me and kick me out.

Misako clicked a button on her keys, locking the car, and then pressed the elevator button.

He hoped Misako was right—that Wu wouldn't kick him out. That he could stay.

The elevator doors opened, and they both walked out into the living room, Ochre following.

Garmadon's hands clenched and unclenched, chest tight and throat closing painfully. This was a bad idea. Why had he come back here? Wu would yell at him. Kick him out. He'd never forgive him for murdering Ichor.

He looked down, swallowing. Now his brother would know what he truly was—a murderer, a monster, and a villain. He should have never brought him to the monastery, ever been kind to him, ever spoken to him. All he did was cause trouble, disaster, and…death. He supposed it fit where his name originated from, though—Armageddon. To bring disastrous conflict, to destroy the world.

"Garmadon?"

He looked at Misako.

"Could you wait in here? I'm going to talk to Wu quick."

Garmadon bit his lip. "I, uh…I'm going to wait outside. If…that's okay…" It's probably safer.

Misako frowned, watching him. "Alright…if you want to."

He nodded, walking quickly. If Wu was going to kick him out, the courtyard would have a better route of escape. Plus, it had fresh air, and he might suffocate if he stayed inside any longer.

She followed him outside, along with Ochre.

Garmadon paused in the courtyard by the porch steps leading into the monastery. He stroked Ochre's head, biting his lip, then glanced at Misako. "You…really think he'll let me stay?"

Misako smiled. "Yes, I do. Don't worry. Wait out here, and I'll be right back with Wu."

He nodded a little, staring at the ground.

She turned, walking back inside.

Garmadon hoped she was right. Or he was doomed.

Wu stared at his cup of tea, one hand folded behind his back. The kitchen was silent, the window dark from the night. His teapot sat on the stove in front of him.

He was worried about his brother. It was late now. And Misako still hadn't returned from the museum. Why had he yelled at him? Like Misako had said earlier, he knew Garmadon already had problems. And he had probably just made them worse. Was he even alright? Where had he run off to? They'd looked everywhere.

"Wu?"

He started a little, looking at Misako. "You're back? How did it go?" He sipped his tea.

Misako crossed her arms, frowning, and leaned against the counter. "Good…and bad."

"Oh. In what way? Did you learn anything?"

"About the element of blood, I only learned that the element may be cursed, and that it was possibly obtained through sorcery."

Wu frowned. "Sorcery?"

"Yes. But that isn't the important part."

"Then what is?"

"I found Garmadon. Or…he found me."

He tensed. "What? Is he alright?" More guilt hit him.

"He's…fine. But let me finish speaking."

Wu nodded, frowning.

"I was almost kidnapped. I believe by the same people that tried to kill Lloyd."

"What?" He gaped. "Why?"
"I don't know. I can only think to get leverage against Lloyd. But…then Garmadon showed up and attempted to rescue me. That…didn't go well. He was captured by the leader, and the man cut his face. Garmadon…let him, too."

Wu frowned. "Let him?"

"Yes. He just stayed there and let him cut his face. With a knife." Misako's jaw clenched, eyes narrowing. "I don't know exactly what was going through Garmadon's head, but…I can't believe he'd let someone do that to him. And he let the man beat him up after, too."

Wu's grip on his tea tightened. Let him? Why would his brother do that…?

"His face is fine, we managed to stop the bleeding. Ochre was really helpful—he probably saved our lives. Anyway, after we fled, I wanted to head home. Garmadon…was less enthusiastic about that. Which we need to talk about."

His stomach twisted uncomfortably. "Alright…"

"Garmadon believes you're still mad at him for what he did. He didn't want to come home, thinking you would kick him out."

Wu frowned, looking at her. "I…I know I was mad at him, but I…I'd never be that angry…"

"You're going to have to tell him that. And I'm not finished. He also believes you're still…mad at him for that love letter…"

"The letter?"

"Yes."

Wu frowned even more. "I see…"

"You two should…talk about that. But back to what happened, he also thinks he's a monster for everything that he's done. That's why he let that man cut his face—he thought he deserved it. That sort of thinking he has needs to be addressed before something worse happens."

He nodded slowly. "Yes… Where is Garmadon?" He needed to talk to him. Why had he yelled at him? Obviously, his brother had a lot of guilt he was dealing with, and Wu had just made it ten times worse. His own guilt clenched his stomach tightly. He needed to fix this.

"He's out in the courtyard." Misako turned, walking out. "Come on."

Wu quickly followed. I'm sorry, brother… He would not let this happen again.

Garmadon paced in the courtyard, wringing his hands. Not long ago, Wu had yelled at him in this very place and kicked him out. And now he'd been stupid enough to try and come back. Wu wasn't going to let him stay! Misako had to be wrong. After everything he'd done? Why would Wu—

The door to the monastery slid open.

He jumped, spinning around.

Wu and Misako walked out, both of their gazes landing on him.

Garmadon swallowed. I am doomed. I am so doomed, why did I come back here, what had I been thinking?! He stroked Ochre, taking a breath. If he was getting kicked out, he could at least try to be calm about it, right?

He studied both Wu and Misako's faces, trying to discern their thoughts. Wu didn't…seem mad…but he was good at hiding it, like father.

"I'll let you two talk." Misako walked back inside, shutting the door softly behind her.

Garmadon frowned. What? She was leaving him alone? His heart sped up faster, and his hand clenched and unclenched.

Wu looked at him. "Brother, could you come sit down? We need to talk." He sat down on the porch steps, patting the space beside him.

He hesitated uncertainly, then walked over and sat down. He remained tense, watching Wu. Ochre sat beside him, tail wagging. Apparently, the dog thought nothing was wrong. He was sorely mistaken.

Wu looked at Garmadon. "Brother, I am so sorry. I forgive you for killing Ichor. I would never kick you out because of that, and I would never be so angry with you that I would kick you out either. I'm sorry for yelling at you. That was wrong of me to do."

Garmadon blinked, eye widening. He was…apologizing? To him?

"And…I've forgiven you for that letter, too. A long time ago." He put a hand on his shoulder.

He flinched slightly at the touch.

"I am still hurt you did those things. But I forgive you."

Garmadon stared at him. "But…but…I murdered him…I'm a murderer…"

"And it's in the past. You may stay at the monastery, alright? It's just as much my home as it is yours."

"B-but…what about Ichor?"

"What about him?"

"He…came here." Garmadon looked around, almost expecting to see him show up again suddenly. "How…um…I mean…"

"You mean how he's alive? That I don't know. He wouldn't say. He's never told you?"

He frowned. "Not…really." All Ichor had said to him was that he'd fixed himself with his own creepy blood power after being murdered. Which he supposed he could believe…but that hadn't been what he'd been asking Wu. What if Ichor returns? Would Wu let him in? What…what will happen to me? Wu and Misako still didn't know about what Ichor had done to him—about the torture. They knew about the torture, but not who had done it. So what if Ichor came again? Would he just…?

Garmadon shivered. This was becoming more and more complicated. What a mess. And it was all his fault, too.

Ichor hadn't shown himself to Wu or anyone else until now. But what next? What was he planning? He bit his lip. The thought terrified him.

Wu patted his shoulder. "Don't worry. Maybe Ichor will come again…I want to talk with him. I haven't since the war… I suppose you probably haven't spoken with him since then either. It would be nice for you two to have a chat. I think it would help."

He swallowed, stiffening. Oh, no, no Wu you don't know what you're saying—

"Would you like to come inside? Get some tea maybe? You're probably tired though, we should both get to bed…" Wu stood.

Garmadon also stood, hands slightly shaking, but he tried to calm himself down. Everything would be fine. Ichor wasn't coming here again.

Right?

Wu led him inside and down the hall.

Garmadon followed, frowning, Ochre at his heels. Had…that just happened, though? Wu had actually…forgiven him? For murdering his friend? And for the letter? The things he'd been worrying about since the beginning? He glanced at Wu.

His brother stared ahead, posture relaxed, with one hand behind his back and the other holding tea.

A sense of trust hit him. He did trust him…more now. After Wu had bought Ochre for him, he had started to trust him. But now he trusted him much more—after all, Wu had forgiven him for two of his biggest mistakes in life, ones that had been personal to him as well. And that meant a lot to him.

They paused at the doorway to the living room.

"How did it go?" Misako stood there, seeming to have been waiting.

Wu nodded. "It went well." He looked at Garmadon.

Garmadon also nodded, smiling the slightest bit. "Yes…" It had gone well—really well. He felt a lot better, safer, and he hoped he'd mended that part of his brother's and his relationship. It had been a barrier for them since the war, even if Wu hadn't known it at the time.

He just hoped Ichor didn't show up again. Or that Wu would go find him or something.

Misako smiled. "I'm glad it went well."

Wu walked into the living room, Garmadon following.

"Goodnight, both of you."

Wu nodded to her. "Goodnight."

Misako headed off down the hall.

Garmadon laid down on the couch, Ochre laying beside it. He reached his hand down, stroking the dog behind the ears.

Wu stood there, sipping his tea. "Goodnight, brother. I'm glad we could talk."

He nodded. "Yeah… Goodnight."

His brother left.

Garmadon stared at the ceiling, sighing softly. What a day. And somehow, it had turned out okay, and he was still here. He didn't know how, or why. But he was thankful for it.

Author's note: This is the last chapter I have pre-written, so I'll only update the story when I get a chapter written now (: