"He seems happier now…" Cole knelt next to the dog, gently stroking its head.
The dog wagged its tail, licking his hand.
Lloyd nodded, kneeling next to the dog as well. "Yeah…"
The others gathered around them, eyeing the dog in interest.
"So, uh…how are we planning on keeping this dog a secret from Wu, again?" Jay fiddled with his hands.
Kai shrugged. "Keep him in here—duh."
Nya shook her head, rolling her eyes. "We can't just keep him locked down here. Dogs need lots of walks."
"But not yet…I think it just needs rest right now." Lloyd stood, crossing his arms and gazing at it.
It lifted its head, its sharp eyes staring into him.
It was a bit disconcerting.
"Well, at least we cleaned him up and everything." Nya stood as well.
"And fed him. He looked to be starved," Zane agreed.
"Yeah…" Lloyd stared down at it. Something about this dog was bugging him, but he couldn't figure out what.
"Uh…did anyone ever tell Wu we were back?" Cole asked.
"Uh…"
They all glanced at each other sheepishly.
Zane shook his head, then walked off to tell him quick.
Garmadon walked down the hall, fiddling with his hands. He'd tried staying in the living room, tried to block out his thoughts, but…
Why had Misako spoken to him? What did she want, now?
He shook his head. He'd finally given up, which was why he'd left the living room. He just needed…he needed a place to be alone. Where no one would try to talking to him or questioning him or accusing him—
Garmadon sucked in a breath.
He just needed to be alone.
But where I am possibly supposed to go?
He slid open the door, walking into the courtyard.
Where could I go where no else would be?
He couldn't leave the monastery. Anywhere else…that was fair game for Ichor. He'd find him.
Garmadon shuddered, glancing around—he purposely avoided the murals.
The monastery had a lot of rooms, but none that were…private. And he didn't have his own room, of course, so that wouldn't work. Every in the monastery was fair game to the ninja. And Wu. And Misako. And P.I.X.A.L.—had he even seen P.I.X.A.L. yet? He honestly couldn't remember…
Not that it mattered, really.
So I can't stay in the monastery…
He frowned, his chest tightening. But then where do I go?
He couldn't go in the woods. And the mountain…he didn't trust Ichor not to find him.
Garmadon glanced up, eyeing the roof—then immediately dismissed the idea. The ninja would easily find him up there.
Then where…?
He bit his lip, walking to the large doors. Once out of the courtyard, he glanced around again. Maybe he could just—
Garmadon paused, blinking. Stairs—different stairs than the ones that led down the mountain—sat next to the monastery, further away and partially hidden by the slope of the rock.
He'd completely forgotten they'd even existed.
Maybe…
The dragon stalls would work. No one went down there, right? Not since the ninja had had dragons all those years ago.
He frowned. It felt like such a long time since then…and yet the past felt like the present.
It was an odd paradox.
He sighed, then started down the stairs.
As he walked, he gazed over the edge of the stairs, the clouds below mostly shrouding the view. It was a far drop.
The fall would definitely kill someone if they were to slip.
Ichor couldn't hurt me if I'm dead.
Garmadon started at the thought, blinking rapidly.
But…it was true.
He suddenly tripped, stumbling, before he quickly righted himself, jerking away from the cliff and to the wall.
He sucked in a breath, trying to calm the sudden adrenaline down. But he found his gaze traveling to the cliff again—
He shook his head, glancing away, and continued on.
Right. I was finding a safe place. Somewhere quiet with no one around.
Not that anywhere was safe…but maybe safer.
Garmadon sighed, finally reaching the stalls. They were…strangely open. Were they supposed to be open?
Maybe the ninja did come down here…
He almost stopped, thought about retreating and forgetting about it…but paused.
He could at least take a look.
Right?
He shook his head. He was just being paranoid. Maybe they'd just been left open?
But…that didn't make any sense…
Garmadon took a step in, glancing around. Nothing…seemed out of the ordinary… It was mostly empty, though there were a few crates and stuff to the back. Some old supplies for the dragons.
No, wait, were those voices—
A sharp, excited bark suddenly echoed through the stalls.
Garmadon froze.
Wait, that—
Was that—
A black dog bolted out from behind a stack of crates, sprinting over. It abruptly stopped in front of him, causing Garmadon to take a startled step back. Its tail wagged in a blur, its body shaking with excitement as it practically danced in front if him, trembling with barely suppressed joy.
The dog's piercing yellow eyes gazed up at him, ears back. He whined, licking his jaws before his tongue came out, hanging out the side in his signature grin.
Garmadon's mouth fell open.
Ochre—
His throat suddenly seemed to close, tightening painfully, and he blinked rapidly.
He barely noticed the ninja, who had followed the dog out—and who were now casting suspicious glances at him.
"He appears to like you," Zane said.
No—
His breathing quickened—
Kai scoffed. "Right—"
"No." Garmadon shook his head, taking a step back, trying to calm his racing heart.
Ochre's tail slowed slightly, though the dog took a step towards him, licking its jaws again as its tail wagged excitedly.
Nya rose an eyebrow. "What do you mean 'no'?"
He shook his head again, feeling his throat tighten even more as his vision blurred. "I…no."
They can't know he's mine.
They won't want anything to do with him.
They'll make him leave—
He blinked again, taking another step back.
Wu will make him leave—
Ochre's tail stopped when he realized he barely gave any reaction to him. The dog whined, ears going back.
I'm sorry…
Garmadon blinked, eye meeting the dog's for a moment. Then he abruptly turned, striding out of the dragon stalls.
I can't let them know.
I won't lose him again.
He needed Ochre to stay.
He could feel the dog's hurt gaze on his back, boring into him. Ochre let out a sharp bark—a plead for him to stay.
Garmadon bit his lip, blinking at the sudden sting in his eye, his vision blurring even more.
I'm so sorry.
He didn't turn back, instead taking a shuddering breath and trying to resist the urge to just hug his dog and breakdown right there, he didn't want to—
But no.
Ochre has to stay a secret.
They can't know.
He needed him.
The ninja exchanged glances.
"Well, that was…weird…" Cole walked over to Ochre, kneeling beside the disappointed-looking dog and rubbing behind his ears. "It's okay, bud… Garmadon, uh…he's not the most social."
"Or the most likable…" Kai grumbled.
"The dog appeared to like him a lot…" Zane had a look of deep thought on his face, eyebrows scrunched as he stared at the spot where Garmadon had disappeared.
Lloyd frowned. He was right…
He shook his head, walking over and patting Ochre. "Anyway….Zane, what did Wu say about our failed mission?"
"Failed?" Nya rose an eyebrow at him.
Lloyd almost choked, coughing. "I-I…I mean, what did he say about your report?" I'm supposed to be the leader, not the pessimist… He swallowed at the others concerned stares. Normally, he'd be the last to say they'd failed something…
He ignored their gazes, looking at Zane instead.
"He said 'alright'."
Lloyd blinked. "…That's it?"
"Seriously?" Kai balked. "I knew it! He just wanted us out!" He threw his arms in the air, walking a few feet away and muttering to himself.
Lloyd rolled his eyes—and he was pretty sure Nya had done the same. "Okay… So, what now?"
Zane shrugged, patting Ochre as well—the dog didn't react, eyes still staring at where Garmadon had disappeared. Its tail hung limply, its ears back and head lowered.
"I am not sure…perhaps I could speak with P.I.X.A.L.?"
Lloyd nodded. "Yeah…we may as well take care of this gang, now that we know they're there."
Give me another distraction…
Zane nodded again. "Alright. I will go inform her."
"Thanks…" Lloyd's gaze returned to the dog, and he knelt beside him, gently stroking its neck. He looked…sad.
"Poor dog…" Cole patted its side. "I don't think he understands that not all people will like him…"
Lloyd frowned, staring at the dog's expression. I don't know…there's…something else…
He shook his head. No. He was just imagining things.
The dog just liked everybody. There was no way he liked Garmadon that much…
Though he couldn't forget how excited the dog had looked when his dad—Garmadon—had come down…
Or of how he'd excitedly bolted towards him.
Why?
Garmadon stumbled along the side of the monastery's wall, now at the opposite side of the stairs he'd just been on—where he'd broken down another time before. He crumpled to the ground, curling into himself as he took a shuddering, broken gasp. The cliff loomed before him, his back to the monastery's wall.
He'd deemed this to be the safest place at the moment. Obviously, inside the monastery wasn't an option, and neither were the woods.
And apparently the dragon stalls were off-limits as well.
He felt trapped. Caged.
And now…Ochre was actually here. He'd finally found him!
He took another choking gasp, the tears now sliding down the one side of his face. He couldn't tell if it was in joy or sadness.
He was beyond glad to see his dog—
Garmadon choked again, sucking in a breath—
—But…he was devastated that now he had to keep yet another secret.
How am I supposed to…?
I can't—
How could he possibly keep Ochre a secret? Especially when Ochre didn't understand…didn't understand that if they knew, he…he wouldn't be able to stay.
How…?
But Ochre was here. That was…beyond what he ever deserved.
He swiped at his eye, trying to stop the tears. This was pathetic—
Ochre's here.
I'm not alone anymore.
Garmadon took another shuddering breath, hugging his knees tighter.
I'll be okay now.
Garmadon stepped out of the courtyard, a soft breeze blowing and gently ruffling his hair. He headed towards the stairs, the ones leading to the dragon stalls. It was late at night—around midnight, he guessed.
His thoughts had never left Ochre, even through Ichor's echoed taunting.
Even though Ichor's voice haunted him.
Which was partly the reason he was going to see Ochre. No one was up, anyway—no one would know.
Garmadon bit his lip. He just wanted to see his dog…
It had seemed so long ago he'd lost him—only to find him again.
At the bottom of the stairs, he paused, looking in. It was dark; silent. Nothing stirred.
The ninja wouldn't have stayed down here, would they?
Garmadon sucked in a quiet breath—he'd be fine.
He took a step, heading inside. His footfalls were light, no sound being made. The darkness pulled at his paranoia, and the shadows seemed to move—an ice cream scoop there, Ichor emerging in the shadows over there.
Garmadon shook his head. They were just shadows—
Shadows that could potentially conceal something—or someone—dangerous.
He swallowed, slowing. "Ochre…?"
There was an immediate, excited bark in return. It came from behind the crates.
Garmadon tried not to choke, then quickened his pace—half stumbling and half walking.
He rounded the crates, abruptly stopping.
Ochre was there, a rope loosely tied around his neck to a heavier looking crate. The dog was shaking, tail wagging in a blur as he licked his jaws, whining and bouncing up and down in excitement and joy at him.
There was no one else around.
Garmadon blinked, then bit his lip to stop the tremble in it. "Ochre…" He'd barely choked the word out before he lunged at him, hugging his soft neck and bringing him close to his chest, partly into his lap.
The dog shook, trying to lick his face.
Garmadon didn't even flinch—which was odd, because that's what usually happened. He tightened his grip, closing his eye and finally letting the tears flow freely, let the sobs come. All of the hurt, anxiety, grief, and pain—he finally allowed it to be released.
He stayed like that for a long while, grateful that the dog stayed still and let him.
Garmadon eventually loosened his grip, rubbing Ochre's fur. The dog sat comfortably in his arms, the other half of him on the floor.
The moment he'd moved, however, Ochre glanced at him, tongue hanging out the side in a grin as his eyes pierced into his.
Garmadon felt a smile briefly flit across his face. He ruffled the dog's head, its pointed ears going slightly out to the sides. "You're such a silly thing…" His vision blurred again. He re-tightened his grip, partly burying his face in his neck-fur. "I missed you so much, bud…"
The dog whined, tail wagging. He'd missed him too.
Garmadon frowned, biting his lip. His fingers sunk into his thick fur, gently rubbing the dog's ruff. "Where have you been…?"
Ochre just wagged his tail, snuggling into his chest and putting his head on his shoulder.
Garmadon shifted positions to a more comfortable one, wincing. "You're skinnier than last I saw you…" He felt along his sides, realizing how much he could feel his ribs. "Have you been eating anything?"
Ochre tried licking his face again.
Garmadon flinched, then chuckled. "I don't know what kind of an answer that is…" He bit his lip. The ninja would feed him, right…?
Probably. But he would come visit Ochre every night just to make sure.
He sighed, pulling Ochre closer again. "I won't ever lose you again, okay? I…I'm so sorry, I should have looked for you… I-I…I thought you—" He choked, shuddering. "I'd given up…"
Garmadon tightened his grip. "Never again…okay? I won't give up on you again…"
Ochre didn't reply, instead sniffing his neck. He supposed that was as best of an answer as he'd get from him.
The dog didn't even know what he was saying.
And he doesn't know—
He abruptly cut himself off, tightening his grip. "I love you, Ochre… You know that, right?"
Ochre licked his face, tail wagging.
Garmadon sighed again. "I really don't deserve you…" He blinked, tears blurring his vision again.
Ochre whined.
Garmadon chuckled, feeling something he hadn't felt in a long while. "Thank you…for not giving up on me."
Somehow, even though he'd failed to find him, Ochre had found his own way back to him. Even when he'd given up…
"Thank you so much…" Garmadon blinked again, taking a shuddering breath.
The dog turned, licking his face again. His soft tongue was somehow comforting, and it made him wonder why he'd never liked dogs much before. Not that he' hated them…but he'd just always been…eh about them. And how he would've found this to be gross before and now…he didn't mind at all.
Ochre looked away, tongue hanging out again, ears pricked. He looked content, happy. The same excitable, child-like pup he'd met in the woods.
Was that really only a month ago?
Garmadon sighed, then ruffled the dog's head playfully.
Ochre immediately perked up even more, turning to lick his face, tail wagging.
Garmadon laughed, gently shoving his snout away—though the dog didn't take the hint and still tried to lick him. "You're such a silly dog."
Ochre seemed to grow even more excited at that.
He ruffled his head again, smiling. "I missed you."
Garmadon tightened his grip on him again, the dog stilling slightly—though his excited shaking didn't cease, his whole body moving from the wag of his tail.
"Please…don't leave me again."
Ochre leaned against him, and Garmadon decided to take that as an 'Okay'.
He smiled, a bit more strained now. "I should probably get some sleep, huh?" His eye almost closed.
Ochre barked softly in agreement.