"Well, that was a bust."

Lloyd frowned. It had seemed odd. There had been evidence someone had been there, but otherwise there was just useless crates of junk.

Which meant, whoever this gang was, fled. And now it would takes weeks, or even months, to track them down again—if they didn't have P.I.X.A.L, anyway. She'd probably be able to locate them in a few days.

Lloyd looked around, staring at the alley they were walking through. It had been a few minutes now since they'd left the warehouse.

Jay kicked a stray pebble, sending it sliding into Kai's heel. "We came all the way out here for nothing…"

The red ninja glared at him, then kicked it away—at Cole.

Cole lifted his hand and chucked it into a dumpster. "Hey, it wasn't a total bust. At least we know there's another gang in the city."

"Yeah, but there's tons of gangs. I think Wu just wanted us out of the monastery for some peace." Kai crossed his arms with a scowl.

Nya laughed. "I don't blame him. You boys are loud and obnoxious."

Jay gave her an offended look, along with Kai.

Lloyd shook his head as his friends continued their argument. Then he frowned, his mind wandering back to last night.

The cut in his foot still hurt, but he didn't limp. He'd already mastered the art of hiding injuries—and besides, he'd be fine, anyway.

But last night still haunted him. He wasn't sure what to think…it kept playing again and again and again in his mind, unrelenting.

It wouldn't leave him alone.

He grit his teeth.

"Just…make sure to patch your foot up."

Lloyd blinked rapidly, quickening his pace.

"Hey, what's the hurry, Lloyd?" Kai caught up to him easily.

He shook his head, slowing down slightly. "Nothing." He rounded a corner, hoping he was going the right direction—

Then stopped, eyes widening in surprise.

The black dog lifted its head from the pile of trash, a knocked-over garbage can tipped over at its paws.

Its eyes seemed to pierce into him—they were a bright, sharp yellow.

One week earlier

Ochre padded through the trees, sniffing the air. The delicious smell of meat flooded his nose, and he quickened his pace, licking his jaws.

Eventually, he neared it. He slowed, ears pricked forward as he observed the morsel before him. The chunk sat in the grass, no flies yet surrounding it. Which meant, whatever it was, must have died recently…or had it?

Ochre took a step closer, leaving one paw frozen in the air. It almost looked to be human-meat…not from a wild animal.

His tail wagged uncertainly.

Something wasn't right.

Ochre took a step back.

But…he was hungry…and it was just sitting there.

After standing there for a moment, Ochre cautiously padded over. He sniffed the meat, and then his ears instantly went forward. His tail wagged, and he lunged for a bite—

Something snapped to his right.

Ochre immediately shut his jaws, stepping back, hishead flicking up. Then his tail tucked, and he cowered to the ground, ears flattened to his head.

His whole body started trembling.

"Hello, there." The man smiled, taking a slow step towards him. "Come here, doggy. I won't hurt you." He held one hand behind his back, the other gesturing towards him.

Ochre's ears flattened even more—if that was possible. His lips peeled back into a snarl.

"Hey, hey, hey… Come, now…that's not very nice." The man took another step.

Ochre, belly pressed to the ground, backed away.

There was another snap behind him.

He whipped around—

"Get him!"

The first man leaped towards him, the hand behind his back coming out to reveal a leash.

Ochre bolted, knocking over the other man—who tried to lunge for him, hands barely snagging his fur before Ochre slipped away.

"Get that dog, Sylvester!" the second man snarled. "Do you want to be fired? this was your fault! That dog's worth more than—"

Sylvester growled, snagged the meat up, and then ran after him. "Yes, sir…I know…"

Ochre panted, then took a sharp turn to the left. He heard Sylvester and Master follow close behind, remarkably managing to keep up with him.

He quickly took another turn. Where was his Master? He needed to go back…but Sylvester and Master were right behind him. They both took either side, herding him to the north.

Ochre's paws pounded along the ground, bolting through the trees and foliage like a liquid. The men behind him were not so agile, clumping along rather loudly. But they were smarter, closing in on him, somehow gaining ground.

He wasn't going to go back.

Ochre put on a burst of speed, still feeling the sharp stings in his sides, the thirst, the hunger. The loneliness.

No. He was never going back.

"Doggy, come here!" Sylvester was suddenly right on his heels.

Ochre leaped over a muddy splotch, hearing Sylvester squelch through it.

"COME!"
Ochre stumbled, the command so sharp and startling he almost stopped. His master's training briefly entered his mind, but he knew he wasn't going to listen to anyone but him.

And certainly not Sylvester.

"Sylvester, catch that dog NOW!"

Master was catching up on his other side.

Ochre tried to quicken his pace, but he was already running as fast as he could.

Thirty minutes later, Ochre spotted a village. He put on a last burst of speed. His muscles burned, aching, and his lungs screamed at him.

As he neared it, he slowed as he saw the people.

And then Sylvester was suddenly lunging at him—

Ochre bolted, running along the outskirts of the town. He soon found a narrow place, behind the buildings. He glanced behind him, seeing Master and Sylvester a few feet behind him—they were slowing.

Feeling an increased sense of hope, he bolted down the narrow way.

"Sylvester, go that way! Box him in!"

Ochre's ears went back. What? What did that mean? One pair of footsteps suddenly faded. He glanced back, seeing only Master on his tail—Sylvester was gone.

He swallowed, continuing on. His paws ached, and he was certain he'd cut himself on a rock on the run up the steep mountain slope.

Master was definitely slowing, though.

Ochre slowed his pace slightly as well, trying to conserve energy.

He needed a way out.

Just ahead, he suddenly noticed light coming from the right. He put on another burst of speed, glad for the brief slow of his step, now allowing him to approach the light at a faster sprint—

He was slammed to the ground. Ochre yelped, struggling madly as something was slipped over his neck, tightening at his throat.

"Ha! Got you!" Sylvester cackled, almost maniacally. He gave the leash a sharp tug, making Ochre whimper as it tightened to a choke-hold.

The dog thrashed.

Master approached them, panting. "Sylvester…don't…KILL IT…you idiot…"

The leash loosened slightly. Ochre sucked in a desperate gulp of air.

Sylvester stood, tugging the leash again and causing Ochre to stumble as he tried to scramble to his paws.

Master crossed his arms. "Sylvester, you'd better not disappoint me again. Remember who I work for—do you really wanna know what he does to people? Especially his new victim?"

Sylvester rolled his eyes. "Yes, yes, I know…"

"Good. Then don't disappoint me again. This dog is worth a fortune. I need him if I'm going to use him for my puppy farm—especially him being part Chīsai Kashikoiwolf. I'll make a fortune! And I don't want YOU to ruin it! Got it?"

Sylvester nodded, turning, and tugged Ochre again. "Yeah, yeah… Come on, dog. Wolf. Whatever you are…"

Ochre growled.

Master gave him a sharp kick to the haunches.

Ochre yelped, then slunk after Sylvester.

What would happen to his Master? He needed him…and now they were taking him back…

His ears pinned. He whimpered, tail tucked tightly.

I'll find you again, Master.

It had been four days now. Four days since Ochre had been put in this lonely, musty pen. The echoing yips and barks of other dogs had gone off and on throughout his time here, warnings, insults, and pleas all blending together. Right now it was silent, all of them resting for the time being.

The dog whined, scratching at the ground again, at the fence. The cement beneath his paws made them hurt and ache—he missed the damp, soft moss of the forest.

He missed snuggling up to his Master's side, the warmth and safety.

He missed his Master.

Ochre looked up, studying the top of the fenced pen. The fence spread above him as well, making it impossible to leap out.

He sat, pawing at the ground again. Then he glanced around, eyes landing on the small silver bowl sitting in the right corner. It was mostly empty, but there was still foul-smelling, yellow-like water at the bottom. He wrinkled his nose, ears going back.

His stomach rumbled. He'd gotten nothing to eat these past days since getting here. He licked his jaws, eyeing the freedom outside his pen longingly, the thought of food almost overwhelming his mind.

Ochre stood—he wasn't planning to sit around, though. Not so Sylvester could kick him and beat him, call him a bad dog.

He started gnawing at the wire.

"Hey, dog! Knock it off!"

He cringed, flinching away. A few dogs barked, but at the sharp command of Sylvester, they went silent.

Sylvester walked over, leash in hand, grinning crookedly at him and showing his yellowed teeth. "There, doggy. You know who's boss now, don't you?"

Ochre flattened his ears, teeth bared partly on his tongue in submission and fear.

Sylvester opened the gate, slipped through, and shut it behind him. He looked down at him, fingering the leash. "Hungry, doggy? You may be fed later…we'll see. Remember doggy, this is your punishment. So you remember not to try escaping again, hmm? But anyway,right now, Mr. Dommick wanted me to take you on a walk—inside the fence this time, of course. Wouldn't want another slip-up, would we?"

He started approaching him slowly. "Stay still now, doggy…"

Ochre flattened his ears even more, tail tucking as he crouched, belly on the ground.

Sylvester grabbed his ruff, jerking him towards himself, and then slipped the leash over his neck, tightening it.

Ochre struggled, and Sylvester let him go.

"There. Come now, doggy." He gave a sharp tug.

Ochre growled.

Sylvester bared his teeth, then gave another sharp jerk. "Bad dog! Come here!"

Ochre growled, then slunk over.

Sylvester smirked. "Good doggy." He opened the gate, stepping through.

Ochre cautiously followed, eyeing Sylvester nervously—but avoiding his eyes so he didn't upset him again. He was supposed to be submissive—Sylvester was master right now.

But where is MY Master?

And when—

The was a sudden, slow creak—

And then Ochre felt a sharp prick on his haunches. He yelped in shock, darting forward.

Sylvester barked something at him—

Ochre yelped again as his leash's collar snagged on something, catching. He struggled madly, then heard a rip as he jerked free.

He heard Sylvester face-plant behind him, the gate closing fully now.

Ochre ran a few paces, then turned around, pausing. His leash was trapped in the fence on a small, sharp piece jutting out.

Sylvester slowly pushed himself up, groaning and grumbling, a few splotches of mud on his face. "Bad doggy, I'll get you for that stunt—"

Ochre then realized he was free. He had no leash, no cage to hold him there. He grinned, his tongue falling out the side as his tail wagged.

Sylvester looked up at him, eyes narrowing. "Get over here—"

Ochre turned, sprinting away—he certainly wasn't waiting for Sylvester to catch him, and he certainly wasn't coming to HIM of all people.

Master needed him. He was going home.

Ochre slowed as he neared the small clearing in the moss-covered forest, ears pricked. The stream ran by, trickling gently—but Master wasn't there.

He sniffed around, going in slow circles, but found nothing. Master's scent was faint—he hadn't been here in a while, at least a week.

Ochre's ears went back. Where is he? He panted, looking up again and looking around, nose to the air. He whined, but there was no answer.

He barked, a sharp, high pitched sound, but still nothing.

Ochre whined again, tail drooping. He stood there for a moment, listening to the sounds of leaves rustling gently in the wind, of the quiet gurgle of the creek, the occasional chirp of a bird.

He finally turned, sniffing around again.

And then he caught a trail. His tail quickened, and he started to follow it, soon realizing it was the same trail he'd gone on in search of the food he'd smelled. The trail he'd gotten captured on.

He almost stopped, fear coming over him at the prospect Master and Sylvester might be there, but then continued on—his master needed him. He had to take the risk anyway.

And so he continued on, for about an hour, until he came upon the small village he'd finally gotten captured in.

He stopped at an alleyway, sniffing around for the scent—but it was gone. His tail wagged faster in panic, circling some more, desperately searching.

But there was nothing. It had led him here…but why had it suddenly disappeared?

He shivered lightly, the air chillier up here than down in the woods.

He trotted around, back and forth for about an hour. Finally he stopped, sitting down in the alley where he'd lost the scent, ears back in defeat.

Ochre softly whined.

BOOM!

Ochre leapt to his paws, hackles raised. The rain pounded down, swirling around him as the wind buffeted his fur. The trees in the forest swayed, bending beneath the weight of the wind.

Ochre whined, tail tucked tightly.

He'd returned here after leaving Jamanakai yesterday, hoping to wait for his master to return—he had to come back, right?

Another thunderous boom sounded.

Ochre jumped again, then curled tighter under the tree. He trembled as another boom sounded, and then a bright flash of light zipped across the sky.

Ochre whined again.

After another boom startled him, he got to his paws. He tried to back into the tree, away from the awful noise, but the thunder still came, louder each time.

Ochre bolted. He didn't know where he was going—he just had to get away.

Ochre trotted slowly on, the pavement hurting his already-aching paws. The rain drizzled down, having calmed since he'd reached this strange, frightening place. Tall, mountainous structures stood all around him, bright lights and people seeming to be everywhere. The narrow paths between the tall structures were the safest places, he'd found.

Ochre stopped, sniffing the ground. The rain heightened the smells, making them stronger. He started forward again, seeming to be traveling in endless circles.

He was lost.

And his master wasn't here, either.

If he couldn't get back to the forest, how was Master supposed to find him?

Ochre's ears went back. His fur was soaked to the bone, and he quickly shook his coat out, causing it to fluff and spike out.

He was absolutely miserable.

Eventually, he found a small, square-like thing, smelling of rain, paper, and rotting food. He lay down inside of it. The rain drizzled around him, but mostly stayed out of his shelter.

Ochre stuffed his nose into his tail-fur, tucking his paws in and curling into a tight ball.

Sleep took him, the endless noise fading away.

It had been a few days since his flee from the forest. He'd managed to scrounge up some scraps of food, tipping over the round, food-filled smelly things. He didn't understand why there was food stuffed in these things, but he didn't mind—it gave him something to eat. Not everything inside these things were edible though, but it was enough. He had gotten chased away from them multiple times—raccoon, people, and other dogs claimed certain areas around, making his selection scarcer.

Today, he'd been wandering through an alley, following a scent. He'd found a relatively space spot, and there were only a few cats that bothered him—he usually managed to chase them away, though. However, the safe spot also had fewer scraps and food.

His stomach rumbled. Ochre slowed, nearing one of the round things. It was already lying on the ground, its contents strewn onto the cement.

Ochre glanced around, then stuffed his nose in. The scent of food greeted him, and his tail wagged.

What a lovely breakfast.

And then six people came around the corner, all colorfully dressed. Ochre lifted his head, ears pricked.

"Hey, it's a dog!" Jay appeared by Lloyd's side.

The other ninja gathered around him, all gazing at it.

"Okay, but we need to get back to the monastery." Lloyd bit his lip, turning. Being the leader meant he had to be the responsible one. "Come on."

"But, Lloyd, it's probably a stray!" Jay walked over to it, along with Nya, Cole, and Zane.

Kai shrugged.

"So you want to bring it to a shelter?" Lloyd rose an eyebrow at them.

The dog sniffed the air, the tip of its tail wagging slightly. Its fur was matted, a mess.

Nya slowly knelt in front of it, holding her hand out. "I don't know…it looks like it needs a home."

Kai took a step towards her. "Nya! It could have…rabies, or something! Or be aggressive!"

Nya rolled her eyes. "Relax, Kai. It—he—seems pretty calm."

The dog sniffed her, then nuzzled her hand.

Nya grinned, petting its snout. "See? Friendly." She moved closer to it, petting its side.

The dog didn't move, sniffing her over.

Nya suddenly frowned. "He seems to be pretty skinny…"

"Guys, come on. We need to go." Lloyd crossed his arms. "Wu isn't going to let us keep it."

Nya stood. "I guess you're right… We're just going to leave it here?"

Lloyd shrugged. "I guess…" He bit his lip, looking the dog over. Its eyes stared at him, ears pricked.

Then he sighed.So much for being responsible…He walked over.

The dog wagged its tail at him, the other ninja gathering around as well.

Lloyd knelt, holding out his hand. The dog licked him, then sniffed his hand. He patted its head.

"What are we going to do with it?" Kai asked.

Lloyd shrugged. "I don't know…"

The dog's tail suddenly wagged faster, sniffing Lloyd over excitedly.

Lloyd blinked. "Uh…"

Nya smiled. "See? He even likes you!"
"But Master Wu would never let us keep a dog." Zane stroked its back.

Cole nodded, sighing. "Yeah…and besides, we literally just found it, guys. We can't pick up every stray we find in the street."

Jay whined. "Why not?"

"Because Master Wu would never let us." Kai grumped, crossing his arms.

"But he has a chicken!"

"Yeah, well…talk to him about that."

Jay pouted. "That's not fair…"

Lloyd stood. "Come on, guys. We can't keep it." He turned, hearing the others, grumbling, start to follow him.

There was a whine.

He turned around, finding that the dog had followed them.

It wagged its tail, then came and sniffed Lloyd. Its ears went back, and then it sat, staring up at him.

Lloyd blinked. "Uh…sorry, dog, but we can't keep you…" He pointed back where they'd found it. "Go."

The dog whined, tail slowing.

They all started walking—but the dog, again, followed them.

Nya glanced back. "Lloyd…I don't think it's leaving."

"And it's really nice! Why can't we keep it? We wouldn't have to tell Wu." Jay stared at Lloyd, trying to look pleading.

Lloyd frowned, then patted the dog's head. "I don't know…we'd probably get in huge trouble."

"So? When are we not in trouble?" Kai grinned.

Lloyd rolled his eyes. "True, I guess…"

"And besides…with Garmadon around, we could use something—like a dog—to lift everyone's mood, right?" Nya knelt, patting the dog as well.

Lloyd looked away, trying hard not to scowl.

"Well? I'm sure we could hide it from Wu, right?" Kai smirked.

Lloyd shook his head. "I…I don't know…"

"You sure you don't want to keep him?" Nya frowned, eyes showing concern. "You'd usually be the first to say yes…"

Lloyd looked at her, an eyebrow raised. "No, I wouldn't. I'm the leader, remember?"

"So…?"

"So, I have to be responsible. And besides, where would we even keep him?"

"What about the old dragon stalls? Beneath the monastery? Wu never goes down there." Kai crossed his arms.

They all stared at him hopefully.

"Besides, the dog will lift team spirit." Nya stood. "That's important, right?"

Lloyd found himself rolling his eyes. Then he bit his lip.

Could they really try and hide a dog from Wu?

But…he did want to keep it. And the dog seemed to like them…especially him. Besides, he'd always wanted a dog—not that he'd ever admit that, though. It'd just seemed…like the normal-kid thing to have.

He sighed. "…Fine."

"Fine?"

"We can keep him."

They all grinned at each other, Jay and Cole high-fiving.

We are so gonna get it when Wu finds out…

Lloyd sighed again, staring down at the dog. The dog just stared up at him, cocking its head, yellow eyes staring into him. He patted its head.

The dog grinned, tongue hanging out.

Lloyd smiled.

Maybe this wasn't such a bad idea…he needed a distraction.

From Garmadon.

Maybe this dog will help, at least until Wu makes us get rid of it…