I need to leave.
But there was nowhere for him to go. He could barely even get to the roof, with his broken leg, and even then, the ninja would find him too easily. He couldn't go by the wall of the monastery, where he'd—Garmadon winced—broken down twice, because the ninja often came out to the courtyard to train and so it wasn't very "private", the dragon stalls obviously wouldn't work because of Ochre—he couldn't make the ninja suspicious, Ochre would be too excited to see him—and he couldn't stay in the monastery. It seemed Wu was always watching, and the ninja roamed everywhere. Therefore, making the whole premise of the monastery unsafe.
He needed somewhere to be alone.
But that meant, the woods were his only option.
But Ichor might be there…
He almost stopped—but then the intense anxiety of being watched came back—
Garmadon shook his head, starting down the stairs. He didn't care, he needed out. For at least an hour or two…the anxiety was driving him insane.
If he wasn't already…
Ichor—
He'd be fine.
I'll be fine—
He really wished he could just go see Ochre…
Garmadon arrived at the bottom of the stairs an hour later. The woods loomed before him threateningly. Was…he really going to go in there?
But if I stay out here, someone will see me…find me.
But Ichor may find me in there…
He swallowed.
You deserve it anyway.
Garmadon winced. He did, didn't he?
And besides, he…he was just looking for a quiet place to himself.
Would Ichor really be waiting for him in the woods? Had he really been watching him this whole time?
No.
Garmadon shook his head. He took a shaky step, then another.
Soon, he was walking into the woods, breathing in the comforting smell of leaves and dirt.
I'll be fine.
This is foolish…
But he didn't turn back. It was about twenty minutes later now.
He wondered if he secretly hoped Ichor would find him.
Did he?
What is wrong with me?
I'd deserve it anyway.
Garmadon shook his head. He'd be fine. But he found himself glancing around, nervous energy thrumming through him.
Maybe I shouldturn back—
"Well, well, well…look who's come crawling back."
Garmadon tripped, stumbling. Choking, he whipped around, eye wide.
Ichor grinned. "I told you you'd come running back to me. Are you here to beg for punishment?"
Garmadon swallowed, throat suddenly dry and tight. "I…" He realized he didn't want this. What was I thinking?!
Ichor took a step towards him. His minions came out of the woods around Garmadon, boxing him in.
He stumbled back. "I…I…no, I…"
Ichor shook his head mockingly. "Think of it this way—you deserve this. This can be your routine punishment, hmm?" He glanced at the men he'd brought. "Grab him."
Garmadon tripped backwards, then men rushing him. They wrestled him to the ground, Garmadon struggling madly.
Why am I fighting this?!
I deserve it!
Ichor walked over, staring down disdainfully. "Now…what should we do this time around?"
Garmadon choked. "No…please, no—"
"Don't worry, I thought about doing the scoop again, but decided against it. I've already done that, and it would be too unoriginal—and besides that, you'd most likely know what was happening, anyway."
Garmadon blinked. "Then…then what are you going to do?"
Ichor's grin returned. "Thirsty for it, hmm? Good." He put a hand to his chin in thought. "Let's see…"
Garmadon shuddered, the men tightening their grips.
It can't possibly be worse than last time…can it?
Ichor shrugged. "You know, maybe I'll just—" He suddenly delivered a rough kick to his stomach.
Garmadon wheezed, coughing as he curled into himself.
"—hurt you for a bit. Since this is going to be routine, it would probably be best to keep it simple."
The men laughed, jeering at him.
Ichor kicked him again, harder this time.
Garmadon coughed, feeling the familiar squeeze of panic in his lungs. He tried to swallow, tried to cover up the whimper—
Ichor stomped on his leg.
Pain—
Garmadon sucked in a gasp. Knives shot up, fire-like and sharp. Not again, Wu's going to question—
Ichor gave another blow to his leg.
Garmadon choked, his mind suddenly blanking. He was sure he'd heard a crack.
Ichor laughed. "Hmm, oops…may have made your leg worse. Hope that won't give you a limp again…" Then he kicked him in the face.
Pain—
Garmadon jerked awake, blinking.
What…?
Ichor's face appeared in front of his. "Welcome back, Garmadon."
Garmadon started, flinching back. No no no—
Wait, where am I—?
"Get him up."
Someone pulled him to his feet—no, multiple people. They roughly held his arms behind his back.
Ichor grinned. "Didn't mean to kick you that hard, but, oh well." He grabbed his chin.
Garmadon jerked back, gasping as pain shot through his face.
Ichor's eyes narrowed. "Don't try and resist me."
Garmadon stilled.
How did I—?
The walk. Right. Ichor.
It suddenly came back to him. He must have been knocked out hard—
Crack!
Garmadon jerked back with a gasp of shock. His face stung, throbbing.
Ichor growled. "That was for your insubordination. Clearly, you need constant reminders."
Garmadon cringed. "I…I'm sorry—"
Crack!
"—and that was for your continued resistance to me."
Garmadon looked away, jaw clenched.
Ichor chuckled. "That's better…" He stepped back. "Let him go."
The men immediately dropped him. Garmadon coughed as he hit the ground in a crumpled heap.
Ichor nudged his face with his foot. "Now, Garmadon. How was that? Satisfying? You must have risked coming out here for a reason—I know you wanted this to happen. To try and take away your guilt. You know you deserve this."
Garmadon cringed, choking on a sob.
I did…didn't I? I…I wanted this to happen…
Ichor grinned, then turned, gesturing to the men. "Come on. He's had enough—for now." He walked away, the men following him.
Garmadon watched numbly.
Ichor abruptly stopped, turning back to him. "Oh, and I almost forgot—meet me here in two days. I'll give you your punishment again. That is what you want, isn't it? You deserve this, remember—we wouldn't want your conscience getting soft again, would we?"
Garmadon blinked.
Ichor's gaze narrowed. "Right?"
Garmadon swallowed, dread filling his stomach. "I…yes…"
Ichor smiled. "Good. I will see you then for our next appointment." He chuckled. "Think of this as your therapy." He turned, walking away again.
His men followed.
"Remember, Garmadon—two days. I expect you to be there." They disappeared from view.
Garmadon blinked again. He slowly sucked in a strained breath.
Garmadon lay there for a few minutes, still fighting the unbelief that Ichor still hadn't taken him back.
He will eventually.
Garmadon felt the blood drain from his face. Eventually.
He sucked in another strained breath. His ribs ached.
No, his leg ached more. Pins and needles—no, knives and fire—still shot through. How am I supposed to hide this? His brother would surely question his limp.
I can't show it. No. He can't know…
I don't know what he'd do to me if he knew what I've done—
What I did to him.
To Ichor.
He took another shuddering intake, then closed his eye. His muscles were still tense, as if waiting for a blow. He tried to relax. Tried to calm himself.
But anxiety ripped through him.
I need to go back…
Garmadon slowly eased his arms under him, struggling to his hands—
His head swam, and he suddenly realized how much it was pounding. He winced. Ow…
You deserve this, remember.
Garmadon clenched his teeth. He sat instead, forgetting the plan to stand.
I…I just need to rest…
He sucked in a breath, trying to blink the dots out of his vision. Everything was spinning.
Wu would be wondering where he was again. He…he should get back. He had no idea how long he'd been knocked out. The sooner he got back, the less questions Wu would ask.
He sighed.
Ochre.
Garmadon stiffened. The dog's happy face appeared in his mind, his kind, child-like eyes, his soft fur, his ever-loyal personality.
I want Ochre.
Ochre would help. He'd—
No. The ninja—
I can't—
A sense of overwhelming hurt and despair hit him, his chest and throat tightening. He swallowed, blinking.
He couldn't even see Ochre, now that he'd found him.
Was…was he feeling…frustration?
Garmadon blinked. But…he was definitely frustrated. He bit his lip.
I…I just want my dog back.
For real. Not…not at a distance.
Not like this.
But he, of course, didn't have a choice.
Garmadon sighed again. At least Ochre was here.
I need to go back.
Garmadon approached the monastery, opening the large door leading into the courtyard. He paused, glancing around.
Everything was still—silent.
Where are the ninja this time…?
He sighed.
"Remember, Garmadon—two days. I expect you to be there."
He shivered. Two days. I have two days. Then he would have to go back to the woods, back to Ichor—
Terror struck him.
No no no—
I won't—
He sucked in a breath. I have to.
Ichor wouldn't take no for an answer. And besides, it would only be every couple days. It wasn't like it was every day…right?
I…I'll be fine.
He'd live.
For Ochre.
Garmadon blinked. He sighed again, then entered, closing the door gently behind him. A shudder swept through him, and he sucked in another intake.
Then he resigned himself to his fate. Ichor was going to torment him, and he was never going to stop.
I'll come… As he said, I… I deserve it anyway.
Garmadon shook his head. He crossed the courtyard slowly, trying not to wince as his leg throbbed and shot painful needles through him every time he put his weight on it.
He opened the sliding door, quietly entering and closing it behind him. He just wanted to lay down—
"Garmadon, there you—"
He jumped, tripping as he stumbled away, crashing into the door. He stared at Wu, who'd paused—mouth partially open in a gape.
"What happened to your face?"
Garmadon blinked.
Wu took a step closer, face now showing concern. "Are you alright? What happened?"
Garmadon avoided his gaze. "I…uh…"
Ichor's face flashed into his mind, his eyes boring into him, the cruel—
He mentally shook himself, blinking.
"Garmadon…?" Wu took another step towards him. "Can I…take a look?"
Garmadon's head snapped towards him. "No—" He abruptly cut himself off. "I-I…no…" He shook his head, walking swiftly past him.
Wu hurried to catch up. "Garmadon, what— Why are you limping again?!"
Garmadon frowned. "I…it's nothing. I…I, uh…I tripped on the way up. I'm fine."
"…Tripped? You?"
Garmadon cringed at the disbelief in his voice.
Liar.
He swallowed—hard. "Yes."
He could feel Wu's suspicious stare.
"…Tripped?"
"Mm-hmm." Garmadon tried to quicken his pace, then winced, slowing again when his leg throbbed angrily.
He knows I'm lying.
Wu didn't say anything for a moment. "I…alright. But why do you have a bruise on your face?"
"Um…because I tripped."
There was silence.
Garmadon reached the door to the living room a couple minutes later, disturbed at Wu's unresponsiveness. He turned to him, swallowing when he was met with a searching, disbelieving stare.
"I…really, I'm fine."
Wu narrowed his eyes. "…Alright. Are…are you sure?"
Garmadon nodded, looking away. "Yes."
There was silence for another moment.
"…Okay." Wu turned, walking away.
Garmadon let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. He watched him disappear around a corner, then leaned against the door with a sigh.
That was close…too close.
How…how am I going to keep this a secret?
Garmadon bit his lip.
Why… why hasn't Ichor told Wu?
The thought made him blink. Why…?
That was…odd, he supposed. Wouldn't Ichor…want Wu to know?
Why is this a secret?
Wu slowed when he'd rounded the corner. He frowned, clenching his staff in his hands.
That was suspicious…
Why is he limping? And where in Ninjago did the bruise come from?
He knew for a fact it wasn't because he'd tripped—he was trained—an expert, even—in martial arts, plus his brother used to be a ninja. And that required excellent balance and motor control.
His grip tightened.
Why—
Then his frown turned into a determined line.
Next time, I'm going to see where he's going. See what's been happening.
He was going to follow him.