Author's note: I made the chapter title too long again *fp* So here's the full chapter title: "Day 3-Self-Control and Instinctual Reflex

Misako paused in the doorway of the kitchen, flipping on the light. It immediately illuminated the room, making her blink a little at the sudden brightness. She adjusted her glasses, then took a step in. She'd have a quick snack, then go back to her research and—

Misako abruptly stopped. She squinted in confusion, staring at the lone, still figure at the table. "Garmadon…?"

Silence. He didn't even stir.

Now concerned, she slowly walked over, keeping a couple feet from him. She stopped when she reached the table, now mostly in front of Garmadon. She gazed at him, eyebrows drawn. His head was rested on his right arm, an almost…tight…expression on his face. His other hand clutched…a teacup?

She took another step towards him, peering into it. It was a quarter-way full, the tea being an amber color. She couldn't tell what kind it was, but maybe Wu could…

Misako realized she wasn't sure if she should be suspicious or concerned. She…was feeling a little of both. She was concerned that he was sitting here like this, completely out cold. But…she was also a little suspicious as to why he had a cup of tea…

This is ridiculous. I shouldn't be suspicious.

But that did nothing to ease her. Something wasn't right.

"Garmadon?"

He still didn't move.

Misako took a step back, looking him over. Her concern grew. He usually was a light sleeper…at least, he had been…

"Good morning, Misako."

She turned at the cheery voice. "Wu, is there something wrong with Garmadon?"

Wu's smile vanished, being replaced with a worried frown instead. "What do you mean?"

Misako gestured to Garmadon. "I found him like this."

Wu's eyes widened in surprise. He quickly walked over, looking over Garmadon like Misako had done. Then he peered into the teacup. "Hmm…"

"'Hmm'?" Misako rose an eyebrow. "What does that mean? Do you know what kind of tea that is?"

Wu nodded. "Yes. It's chamomile."

Misako felt herself relax. "Ah." So nothing magical or otherwise suspicious… But then the sense of wrongness returned. "But is he okay? I said his name twice…"

Wu frowned, gazing at his face. "I don't know… Chamomile is known for its sedative effects."

"And? Chamomile isn't magical tea, Wu. It shouldn't have—" she gestured at Garmadon again— "done this."

Wu shrugged. "No, you're right. But maybe he was just tired."

"Tired? But I can't believe he wouldn't wake up with us both in here, talking about him, and standing right next to him."

"Maybe… I suggest we leave him be, though. He's looked very tired these past couple of days."

Misako frowned. Glancing back at Garmadon, she slowly nodded. "I suppose you're right…"

Wu walked over to the stove. Then he frowned, switching one of the knobs. He grabbed the teapot, lifting the lid a bit, and peered in.

Misako walked over at his expression. "What is it?"

Wu set the lid back on, then set it on the largest foremost burner. "The burner was still on… And there's still tea in here. I'm going to warm it up."

Misako's eyes widened. "It was on? Isn't that dangerous?" She glanced back at Garmadon.

Wu flipped the switch back on. "Yes… I'm glad tea doesn't go bad easily, though. It'll be fine."

Misako shook her head. "Forget about the fact he didn't finish the tea, what about the fact that he left the stove on?"

"Well…as I said, he's been tired. He may have simply forgotten."

"Wu…that's no excuse."

There was silence for a few seconds.

"I suppose… I'll talk to him, alright?"
Misako nodded. "Thank you."

Wu went back to making the tea.

Misako cast another glance at Garmadon. He still didn't stir.

Lloyd stumbled—still half asleep—into the kitchen. He rubbed one of his eyes, blinking, and then yawned. He brushed some of his messed-up hair out of his face.

Cole brushed past him, hurrying to gaze over Zane's shoulder into the fridge. "What's for breakfast?"

"Pancakes."

Cole's eyes lit up at the nindroid's words. "Yes!" He pumped a fist into the air. "The most glorious breakfast option there is—aside from actual cake, of course. Just think of the soft, chewiness of the cooked dough, the slathering of delicious, slow dripping syrup. Picture it as it drizzles off the pancake, soaking its insides into mushy goodness—"

"Cole!" Kai growled, walking over, his hands spiking up his hair. It shone a little with the extra hair-gel Kai had undoubtedly used. "Stop it! We're already— Wait, why is Garmadon in here?"

Lloyd stopped short at Kai's words, turning in the direction the red ninja was looking. His father—no, Garmadon—sat at the table, his head on his arm— Wait, was he…asleep…?

Kai walked over to him, peering suspiciously at his face. He raised a hand as if to touch his shoulder—

"Kai, leave him be."

He stopped, turning to look at Wu incredulously. "Why?"

Wu gave him a stern look. "Because I said so."

Kai crossed his arms. "But why is he even in here?"
"Why does it matter?"

At Wu's challenging stare, Kai backed off, scoffing quietly, and walked over to Zane. "When is that gonna be done?"

"In about thirty minutes." Zane started rearranging ingredients.

"Can I help?" Cole was still hovering over Zane's shoulder.

"No."
Cole pouted. "Oh, come on! Just because I messed up one batch—"

"No."

Cole's pout deepened, but he took a couple steps back. "Fine, fine…" He sighed, then turned to Jay. "This is what happens when you make a mistake, Jay."

Jay blinked. Then his eyes widened slightly in alarm.

Zane shook his head, looking back at Cole. "No, that's not what I—"

"Yes, and then you're never allowed to try again or—"

"Fine, you may help." Zane sighed.

Cole grinned. "Wait, really?"
"No!" Nya grabbed Cole's collar, dragging him clean out of the room.

Cole yelped indignantly. "Hey!"

Nya slammed the door in his face, turned around, and wiped her hands off slowly and dramatically.

"Nice job, sis!" Kai and her exchanged a high-five.

"You all better get moving. Training is in forty minutes, remember." Wu took a sip of tea.

They all groaned.

Lloyd shook his head, walking further into the kitchen. He tried to cast an inconspicuous glance at Garmadon. He was certainly out cold of he hadn't heard his friends' yelling…

He shook his head again, then turned back to the others. It wasn't his problem.

Though a twinge of concern twisted his gut. He tried to ignore it.

When the pancakes were done, they all sat around the table, scarfing—ahem, Cole was scarfing—down the pancakes. All of them had avoided sitting next to Garmadon, meaning that the people who were on his bench were scooted to the far side, and it also meant that Jay was forced to stand.

Wu was lucky. He got his usual spot, at the head of the table.

Lloyd was by his uncle, on the far side of the table—far away from Garmadon. And not on the cramped bench. He was lucky and had claimed the other one. Though he couldn't help shooting short glances at Garmadon. He still hadn't moved.

Lloyd would be shocked if he truly hadn't heard his friends' loud chatter…

"Cole! That was mine!" Jay made a grab for Cole's plate.

The black ninja moved it out of his reach, now standing from having snatched Jay's pancake. "Hey, you weren't paying attention! Finders, keepers."

"Cole! It was my plate! I shouldn't have had too!"

Cole shrugged. "Your loss." He started gulping down the stolen pancake, sitting back down.

Lloyd rolled his eyes, making sure to guard his own plate.

It was dark. Silent.

Mist swirled in patches, coating the ground. It seemed to crawl, snaking along like fingers.

Garmadon glanced around, limping slowly forward. Above him, the moon shone down faintly behind the clouds, giving him just enough light to not be in pitch blackness.

Moss grew on logs. When he walked, it cleared to reveal more moss along the ground. Sticks crunched softly under his feet, cracking like bones no matter how hard he tried to stay silent.

He shivered. "Ochre?" It was no more than a whisper, but it echoed off the trees, seeming loud and obnoxious in the quiet forest.

Garmadon glanced behind him. He warily searched the trees. He felt eyes on his neck, but…every time, nothing seemed to be there.

He continued on, calling softly for his dog once again.

The scenery suddenly changed, Jamanakai coming into view. It looked…dark. Like a ghost town. Mist swirled here too, though now the sky was clear, allowing the moon's white light to shine down on the small village.

Garmadon approached it slowly, anxiety clawing at his chest. "Ochre…?"

He paused. He needed to find his dog. What if he was—

There was a faint whine.

Garmadon stiffened. "Ochre?" He started towards the sound, quicker now, ignoring the scream in his mind to slow down and tread cautiously.

He suddenly found himself in the middle of the village. The fountain was the only sound, the quiet noise of the water trickling down.

Garmadon spun in a slow circle. The village was still silent. Nothing stirred.

He shivered. When had it gotten so cold? He crossed his arms, hugging them close to his chest, and then started walking again.

"Ochre?"

Another whine.

Garmadon broke into a sprint. He was so close! Ochre was just down the path!

The village seemed to stretch, almost distorting. He could still hear Ochre's whines though, now turning into pleading yips.

I'm coming, just hold on a little longer! I'm sorry I haven't come to look for you yet, I got hung up.

Garmadon frowned. How could he have just left him like that?

"Because that's just who you are."

Garmadon tripped, skidding to stop and almost face-planting.

Ichor stood in his way, arms calmly held behind his back. "You always leave those you care about…don't you?" A sickly smile was on his face, his eyes gazing at him coolly.

Garmadon took a step back. "No…"

Ichor's smile grew. "Yes." He took a step towards him. "You abandoned Lloyd. Your wife. Your brother. The ninja. Even your old students at your monastery. Even Chen and Clouse. The citizens of Ninjago. Everyone, really. What was it your father tasked your brother and you?" He paused, as if in thought. "Protection, was it? Hmm, well, you've done a mighty fine job with that, haven't you."

Garmadon opened his mouth, but no words came.

Ichor took another step towards him. "You're a failure. Your father would certainly think so. Wu was the good boy, the perfect son. You…you were just a disappointment."

"No…" Garmadon shook his head, stumbling back, glancing around Ichor to try and get a glimpse of Ochre. "Go away. I…"

Ichor grinned. "No…I don't think I will." He revealed one of his hands, holding a bloody ice cream scoop.

Garmadon yelped, scrambling back. "No, no, please—"

"But you deserve it, don't you? You've said so yourself, remember?" Another step.

Garmadon shook his head. "I…I…"

"Why don't you just stay still? This won't take long. Only about a minute. Then you can go back to futilely trying to find that wolf. I'm sure it doesn't even care about you anymore, not after you abandoned it."

Garmadon swallowed. "No…" It does. Ochre wouldn't…

Ichor took another step towards him.

The sky suddenly grew dark, black, billowing clouds coming in and blocking out the moon's light. Soft, echoey laughter cackled around them—creaky, like bone.

Something grabbed him from behind, holding his arms behind his back.

Garmadon struggled in pure panic, gasping, trying to get away— He tried to give a sharp kick to his assailant's ankle, but they only chuckled.

"Ichor…?"

"Yes."

"But… You're right…" The other Ichor was gone. How…?
He was shoved to the ground. A sharp crack! followed. Garmadon's head swam. He tried to scramble away, but Ichor was already over him, the ice cream scoop glinting in the cold light, careening towards his face—

He screamed.

Garmadon jerked, blinking. He lifted his head, instantly alert, eye darting around the room.

"Good morning, brother."

His head snapped towards Wu. "…What?"

Wu smiled. "I said 'good morning'. Did you sleep well?"

Garmadon blinked, his dream starting to fade. "I…uh…yes." He glanced around again, trying not to clench his hands—

Wait— He looked down, seeing that he still held a teacup.

Panic—

Wu walked over, taking a sip of his own tea. "How late were you up last night?"
"Um…" Garmadon scrambled to his feet, almost tripping over the bench. "I…uh…"

Wu frowned. "Are you alright…?"

"I… I'm fine."

Wu rose an eyebrow. "Alright… Well anyway, I wanted to talk to you."

Garmadon felt a pit of dread form. "Um…what? About what?"

"You left the stove on last night."

Garmadon's chest tightened. Wait, he did? How… Wait, had he actually fallen asleep? How could he have been so stupid?! What was he thinking, not—

"I understand you've been tired lately, but Misako wanted me to talk to you. It…could have been potentially dangerous."

Garmadon tried to suck in a breath—

BREATHE—

Wu was about to continue, but paused suddenly. "…Garmadon? Are you alright?"

Garmadon clenched his jaw, blinking. "I…I'm fine… Sorry…" He winced, guilt coming in waves. Why was I so stupid? "I…"

Wu still looked concerned.

"I…I'm sorry, it…I guess it slipped my mind, I think I fell asleep…" Garmadon's grip on the teacup tightened—and then he remembered that part as well. He didn't mean to blurt anything, but it seemed to happen anyway, his mind suddenly going into overdrive— "I'm sorry I took some of your tea, and I really didn't mean to leave the stove on—"

Wu interrupted him, raising a hand. "I know you didn't mean to, I was just concerned. And…I don't mind you having tea, you're welcome to that whenever you'd like." His eyebrows drew, a still-worried frown on his face. "I'm not mad at you, if that's what you're worried about…"

Garmadon blinked.

Wu took another sip. "Either way, everyone already had breakfast, but we left some for you again. Zane made pancakes."

Garmadon shifted, glancing away. "I…I uh…thanks…" He looked down at his own cup. "I…" He gulped it down quick—not missing Wu's dramatic, horrified look at that—and then went over to the sink.

"Garmadon, savor the flavor—!"

Garmadon ignored him, instead washing out the teacup thoroughly.

Wu walked over, muttering, "Father always said to 'savor the flavor' which mean don't gulp it down, why do you always do that—"

Garmadon put the teacup away, then glanced at the teapot. "Do you want that washed, too…?"

Wu stopped his dramatic rambling. "Er…what? Oh, um…no, thank you. I still have tea."

Garmadon nodded. "Okay…" He took a few steps back, glancing around again, and then turned and walked out the door.

"You're not going to have breakfast?"

"I…uh…I ate earlier." Garmadon quickened his footsteps.

Thankfully, Wu didn't follow.

He continued down the hall at a slow pace. He definitely felt less tired than he had yesterday, which was good. He must have slept longer than he'd thought…

Speaking of, what time was it, anyway? He'd have to check when he—

The sliding door ahead of him opened, Lloyd stepping in. He shut the door—then froze, wide, green eyes locking onto him.

Garmadon froze as well. Stay away from Lloyd. Kai's warning rang in his mind, clear and sharp.

Lloyd blinked, then took a step back, mouth open.

Garmadon backed away as well, looking away. "I… Sorry…" Then he turned around, heading for the living room. It seemed to be the only safe room here.

He heard Lloyd take a hesitant step forward, then heard him turn and go back outside.

Garmadon sighed, his steps slowing.

Lloyd walked back onto the porch area outside—the courtyard before him— and tried to calm his racing heart. It was fine. He swallowed. A part of him was relieved Garmadon was up, though. He had been a little—

No. He wasn't worried. Not about him. No. He didn't even care, why would he—

"Hey, Lloyd, why are you back already? I thought you were going to ask Master Wu if we could take a break?" Jay stopped swinging his nunchucks.

The rest of the ninja stopped training as well, turning to look at him quizzically.

Oh…right…Lloyd stopped awkwardly, one foot hovering off the step. "I…uh…well…I…"

Kai narrowed his eyes. "What happened?"

"Nothing!" Lloyd rose his hands, finally stepping into the courtyard. "I just, uh…"

"This isn't about Garmadon, is it?" Kai's eyes narrowed further.

"Uh…" Their brief run-in replayed in his mind for a split second. He shook his head. "I uh, no, of course not…" He laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I just…you know…thought we could probably use more training anyway, right?"

Kai growled. "I told him not to—" He shook his head, gritting his teeth.

"What?" Lloyd rose an eyebrow. "You told who not to what?"

Kai shook his head again, straightening. "Nothing. I'll go ask Wu. You guys wait out here." He started for the door.

Lloyd watched his leave, feeling a sense of unease. That was…a little suspicious…

"Well…guess we should get back to training before he comes back. Because Wu will probably come out to see how we're doing…" Cole got into a fighting stance. "Come on, Jay! Show me what you got!"

Jay glanced at him uneasily. "But I thought I was training with—"

Cole took a swipe at him with his hammer, causing Jay to yelp and duck.

Cole just laughed.

Jay tried to zap him indignantly.

Lloyd shook his head, then started a sparring session with Zane and Nya, since Kai had gone inside.

Garmadon walked down the hall, contemplating. Today was day three, which meant he was technically free to leave now.

And find Ochre.

But something…something stopped him. He wasn't sure what it was, but—

Something grabbed his shoulder, tugging him around.

Garmadon jumped, flinching—

Crack!

Everything went black.

Garmadon blinked, the cold wood floor beneath him. He tried to move, trying to push himself back up. Black dots swam in his vision. His whole body felt like lead.

What the…?

Someone suddenly shoved him over onto his back, then tugged him up by the collar of his gi.

Garmadon blinked, trying to shake himself out of the haze his mind was now in.

Kai glared at him, face furious. "I thought I told you to stay away from him!"

Garmadon blinked again. "W…what?"

"You know what I'm talking about!" Kai shook him.

Garmadon flinched, stumbling. "I-I…I'm sorry, I didn't mean to—"

Crack!

Garmadon clutched his face, finding himself once again on the floor.

Kai took a step towards him, fists clenched. "Yeah, right. You just 'accidentally' ran into him just now?"

Garmadon cowered. "I…"

"WILL YOU STOP THE FACADE ALREADY?!"

Garmadon flinched again, mouth going dry.

"I don't believe you, okay?! Just drop it already!"

Garmadon tried to get his arms to move, to push himself up, but they wouldn't budge. He sucked in a sharp breath as Kai took a step closer to him again.

Kai grabbed him, forcing him up. He slammed him into the wall. "Listen, I told you to stay away from Lloyd. And what did you do? You went near him anyway!"

"I—"

Kai punched him again.

Ichor laughed, cold eyes staring into his.

Garmadon hung limply, the two guards' grips on his arms growing tighter.

"Admit it—you're a murderer. You MURDERED me. And for what? A poorly said comment?" Ichor grabbed his gi roughly. "Look at me! ADMIT IT!"

Garmadon shuddered. How much longer…? This has been going on for…what? Two hours?

Ichor struck him across the face. "Admit it!"

Garmadon jerked back that time. "I…"

Another strike.

Garmadon flinched. "I…I admit it…"

"And?"

"I…I'm a murderer…"

There was a dark chuckle. Ichor let go of him, taking a step back. "Took you long enough. You keep denying what you are. You don't want to face it. Look at it this way—I'm doing you a favor."

Garmadon would have scoffed at that if he wasn't so exhausted and worn.

Ichor laughed again. "Now, what about we move on to the table?"

Garmadon's eyes widened. Flashes of memory from the last time zipped through his mind at lightning speed.

No no no—

Not again—

Crack!

Garmadon jerked, panic suddenly coming over him.

No no no—

Ichor laughed, coming into his view

He felt power flow through him.

He was being dragged—

Garmadon fired it at him.

There was a surprised yelp.

Garmadon stumbled back, gasping.

"Quit your struggling!" one of the men snapped.

"No. Let him. Let him prove to himself he's powerless here." Ichor grinned.

Garmadon shot his power again—

He was suddenly tackled to the ground.

Garmadon quickly blocked a blow to his face, then fired again at his attacker.

They ducked, then punched him in the face.

Garmadon kicked them off, punching them instead.

"Chain him down."

Garmadon struggled, then punched one of the guards again.

His attacker kicked him—

The guard scowled, flinching, and then kneed him in the gut.

Garmadon gasped, stumbling back, but then took another swing—

He was tackled to the ground by both guards then.

Ichor barked something—

He was suddenly being dragged back. Garmadon struggled vainly—

"What do you two think you're doing?!"

"Me?! What about him?!"

"Garmadon!"

Wait— That's not—

Garmadon flinched, blinking.

Wu stared at him, questioning but…wait, he looked angry—

"What are you doing?!" Wu's voice sounded…almost higher than usual. He realized it was in disbelief.

Garmadon blinked at him, trying to calm his breathing down. What in Ninjago…?

Wu's furious gaze turned to Kai. "What. Happened?"

Garmadon turned his head, seeing Kai's angry glare at him, scowling. A dark purple, blue, and green bruise was starting to form on his face. He looked at Wu. "I told you all he wasn't trustworthy! He was trying to kill me!"

Wu rose an eyebrow, then looked at Garmadon, eyes narrowed. "What happened? Is that true?"

Garmadon looked away, mind whirling. What had even happened…? He blinked. First Kai had been…and then Ichor was…

Wait, he didn't…he didn't hurt Kai, did he…?

He suddenly realized how much his face stung and throbbed. Had…had that been Kai punching him? Not Ichor…? Or those guards…?

Oh, no—

He had so screwed up—

Wu released him.

Wait, when had he been holding him against the wall…?

"I am very disappointed in the both of you. This is unacceptable." Wu gave them both a hard look. "Now, will someone tell me what happened?"

Kai looked away.

Garmadon's jaw clenched uneasily. He looked the other direction, away from Kai. Those bruises on the ninja's face…that had been him… Guilt struck him.

Idiot—

Why had he been so—

"If none of you will tell me, you may both get the consequence…"

Garmadon found his gaze going to the ground.

Kai didn't reply.

"Alright, then. Fine. Kai, you're on chore duty. Garmadon—"

"No. I'm leaving anyway." Garmadon surprised himself at his sudden boldness, but then he started for the courtyard. He walked stiffly past Kai, avoiding looking at him.

"And good riddance!" Kai hissed.

He heard Wu's footsteps coming after him.

Oh, no, he shouldn't have said that should he—

But it was day three anyway, right…?

"Garmadon, wait—"

He grit his teeth, but turned around.

Wu slowed. "I'm sorry… You don't have to leave, I'm just very confused and concerned right now, after what just happened."

Garmadon looked away.

"I told you, he's evil! He's obviously faking, and he's obviously planning something!"

Wu glared at Kai. "Didn't I say you were on chore duty?"

"What?! And Garmadon is just gonna get away with it?!"

"I will talk to him. You, on the other hand, better get moving."

Garmadon saw Kai hesitate out of the corner of his eye. Then the ninja stalked off.

Wu turned back to him. "You don't have to leave yet. You can stay another day…"

Garmadon shook his head. "No." He'd stayed here long enough… Ochre needed him. "I stayed the two days you wanted. Now I have to go." He walked past Wu.

"Garmadon—"

Garmadon just quickened his pace. When he reached the door leading out to the courtyard, he slid it open.

The ninja immediately stopped training, staring at him in surprise.

Garmadon walked stiffly past, not even glancing at them. Though he didn't miss Lloyd's confused face.

"Master Wu?" Cole asked.

"I…" He heard Wu pause.

Garmadon opened the door, walking out, and then closed it. The stairs loomed before him, but at least they'd be easier going down, rather than up, this time.

He sighed, then started his long trek. He knew this had been a bad idea. From the very start, he'd known it.

But…

He looked back. There was muffled voices coming from the courtyard.

Something was telling him to stay. Urging him…

Maybe he could stay a little longer—

NO.

He shook his head, continuing on.

He didn't belong there. He belonged with Ochre, in the woods, by himself.

Where I can't hurt anybody.

Never again.