Author's note: Super short chapter today. It's probably the shortest one, though.

Garmadon entered the monastery, feeling exhausted, but…happy. Ochre padded at his side slowly. He must be exhausted, too…

Garmadon started for the living room, his hand brushing his dog's head.

"Goodnight, brother. Or…you are going to sleep, right?"

Garmadon nodded. "Yes…goodnight." He felt Wu's stare, but he didn't turn around—he was way too tired for a conversation with him right now, especially since conversations with Wu tended to be interrogations instead.

He opened the door to the living room, walking in, and immediately collapsed onto the couch. Ochre tried to jump up, but remembering last time, Garmadon reluctantly pushing his paws down.

The dog sat forlornly on the floor, staring at him sadly.

Garmadon motioned with his hand, in a down gesture. "Go to sleep, Ochre."

Ochre reluctantly laid down, sighing. He pressed up beside the couch as much as he could, probably wanting to be as close to him as possible.

Which Garmadon didn't mind. He reached down a hand, running his fingers through his fur. His eye fluttered shut a few times, before he finally gave in to his exhaustion, letting out a breath.

Ochre's chest slowly rose and fell, evening out.

It calmed him. He found his own breathing slowing to match Ochre's.

Blackness tipped his conscious, before finally dragging him under into sleep.

"So…Ochre's permanent, then?" Lloyd looked at his uncle, arms crossed as he leaned against the counter in the kitchen.

Wu nodded. "Yes. He's Garmadon's."

"Okay…" He looked away. "So, how do you think they overtook him so easily?"

"I don't know…he could have just been caught. He was trying to steal from them."

"I guess…but this is still Garmadon we're talking about. I just…find it hard to believe they would capture him so easily."

"I suppose…" Wu started for the door. "I am concerned, but it's late. You should get to bed, nephew."

Lloyd frowned. He was still trying to puzzle out why Wu had bought the dog—for $50,000 dollars, too—when Garmadon had already been trying to steal it. He just…didn't get it. Though he could see how much Garmadon liked the dog…it showed.

That twinge pricked at his stomach again. He kept denying that it was jealousy…but it was.

Wu turned to him, pausing. "Lloyd?"

His gaze snapped towards him. "Huh?"

"Are…you alright?"

Lloyd shook his head. "Yeah…I'm fine." He walked past Wu, heading to his room.

He felt his uncle's gaze on his back, but then he turned, heading for bed as well.

Lloyd slowed, taking a breath. Then he suddenly turned, heading for the living room. He just…he didn't know.

He didn't know what he was doing…did he ever?

He paused when he reached the door, blinking. Then he carefully slid it open, walking silently. He approached the couch, going around the side instead of peering over.

The dog lay by the couch, curled up with its nose in its tail fur. Garmadon seemed to be fast asleep…he looked exhausted. One of his hands lay on the dog's back.

Lloyd swallowed, the feeling resurfacing—jealousy. But why should he be jealous? If his father—Garmadon—cared more about a dog than him, then why should he care?

He'd made it clear countless times that he didn't matter to him. Apparently plants and dogs were more important than he was.

Lloyd sighed, turning, and shut his eyes. There was something else nagging at him…but he shoved it down.

No.

That wasn't possible.

He left, heading for his room. He'd be okay. He had the ninja, his uncle, his mom, P.I.X.A.L, friends, even the chicken.

I don't need him.

But even as he thought this, he had to hold the tears back, biting his lip so hard it bled.

I'll be okay. I'm fine without him—I always have been.