Author's note: Chapter title was too long again... *fp* So here's the full chapter title: "Chocolate, With Ganache Frosting"
Ochre trotted into the kitchen, sniffing the air. He paused, then sat down. One of the humans sat at the table, eating something. It smelled delicious. Ochre whined, setting his chin on the person's knee.
Cole looked down at him, smiling. "Hey, Ochre." He took another bite of the brown, soft thing. "Wan' some cake?"
Ochre whined.
Cole took a piece off. "It's chocolate—with Ganache frosting, even! My favorite!" He grinned. "Zane helped me and the others make it yesterday." He handed him the piece.
Ochre scarfed it up happily.
Cole started eating again.
Ochre begged for more.
Cole reluctantly gave him some more, saying that was the last bit he'd share.
He laid his head back on his knee, whining.
Cole sighed, then handed him another bit.
The dog ate it—and then begged for more.
Soon, Cole had eaten all of the cake, along with Ochre's help. He rubbed his stomach. "Mhmm! Delicious, huh, bud?"
Ochre wagged his tail happily, licking his hand.
Cole patted his head, standing.
Ochre left, licking his jaws. Chocolate cake was delicious.
Garmadon sat on the couch, fingering his glove. Ochre paced in front of him, panting. He frowned. He'd been doing that for about an hour, now… "Ochre…? Are you okay, bud…?"
The dog whined, continuing to pace.
Garmadon bit his lip. "Maybe you should come and—"
Ochre suddenly retched, then threw up.
Garmadon blinked, stiffening. "Ochre?" He abruptly stood, walking over to him hurriedly.
Ochre whined again. He started pacing once more, more slowly than before.
Garmadon glanced at the mess he'd made, then back to Ochre. What was he supposed to do…? He walked over to the dog again, crouching next to him. "Hey, bud, what's wrong?"
Ochre paused, wagging his tail at him.
Garmadon stroked his back, frowning, and put his hand on his stomach.
He whined again.
Then he moved his hand to his heart. It was…racing. Beating much faster than normal… He frowned, then felt his forehead. "I…I don't know, Ochre…what's wrong?"
The dog just whined again, then continued to pace.
Garmadon stared at him, biting his lip. He glanced at the mess he'd made, then back to Ochre. Wu won't be happy to find that… After a few minutes, he stood. He walked to the kitchen. No one was there, thankfully. Garmadon dug around a bit, then found some paper towel and a spray bottle—of which he assumed was some sort of cleaner.
He left the kitchen, going back to the living room.
Ochre was still pacing, whining, and panting, his head down.
Garmadon swallowed uneasily, then knelt, spraying the mess and started cleaning it up. He glanced at his dog every so often as he cleaned.
Ochre just continued to pace.
He finished cleaning the mess, standing. At least Wu wouldn't notice—
Ochre threw up again. He whined, backing away, his tail tucked and ears back.
Garmadon frowned. "Ochre…?" I can't just keep cleaning this up…something's wrong… But…he couldn't ask Wu for…help, could he…?
But Ochre was too important to him. He needed help. He was sick. And he had no idea what was wrong…
But Wu had already given him so much…could he really ask for more?
Yes. Ochre…is all I have. I cannot lose him. Not again.
He swallowed. Garmadon walked over to Ochre, patting his head. "I'm going to go get Wu, okay? He'll help you…" I hope…
He turned, heading for the kitchen again, and bringing the bottle and paper towels with him.
In the kitchen, Wu was now by the stove, just starting some tea. He looked at him when he entered. "Hello, brother—" Then he frowned, spotting the bottle and towels. "Why do you have that…?"
Garmadon swallowed, putting the bottle back in the cupboard under the sink, and putting the dirty paper towels in the garbage. Then he put the roll of paper towels back by the microwave and fridge, on the counter. "I…uh…"
"Did…something happen? What were you cleaning?"
"My…dog. Um…he's…I think he's sick…"
"Sick?"
"Yes…" Garmadon shifted nervously. "I don't know what's wrong…"
Wu frowned. "Where is he?"
"The living room. But he keeps pacing, and panting, and his heart's racing and he looks sick and I don't know what's wrong—" He bit his lip, trying to take a calming breath. It'll be fine. It'll be okay. Ochre will be fine.
"And…I'm assuming he threw up?"
Garmadon nodded. "Yes…twice…" He winced, realizing he'd completely forgotten to clean up the second mess.
Wu frowned again. "Hmm…that's odd. Do you think he's just got a bug, like a dog flu?"
He shook his head. "I don't know…" He started picking at the hem on his glove. I don't know what to do…
"Ochre is sick…?"
Garmadon jumped, turning around in surprise.
Cole stood in the doorway awkwardly. "Uh…I fed him cake earlier…you don't think that did it, do you…?" He laughed nervously.
Wu rose an eyebrow. "Cake…?"
Cole coughed. "I mean…he was hungry…"
"Why would you give a dog cake?"
"W-well…I don't know…I mean, he acted like he was hungry! And, well, so I gave him some…" Cole bit his lip. "You…don't think the cake made him sick, do you?"
Wu glared at him. "Well, it was cake."
Cole swallowed.
"What kind of cake was it?"
"U-um…chocolate, with Ganache frosting…"
"Chocolate?! You gave my dog CHOCOLATE?!" Garmadon snapped. He suddenly couldn't breathe, the panic coming over him before he could stop it. He's going to die, he's going to die, Ochre will be gone again, I can't LOSE HIM—
Cole looked a bit shocked, taking a step back. "U-um…yes…? What's wrong with that?"
"Dogs can't have chocolate!"
Cole blinked. "Why not…?"
"It's poisonous to them, numbskull!" Garmadon whipped around, heart thudding and adrenaline surging, and bolted—
Wu grabbed his arm. "Calm down, Garmadon. Let's—"
"Ochre is going to die!" Garmadon gritted his teeth, sucking in a breath. He tried to jerk his arm out of his grasp, but Wu kept a firm hold.
"Calm down. We'll figure this out—"
Garmadon shook his head, taking in another shuddering breath, and looked away.
He hardly noticed when Cole backed away, then awkwardly left.
Wu dragged Garmadon over to the table, sitting him down. "Calm down, brother. It'll be alright. We don't know for sure if he'll die—we only know that Cole gave him cake."
"Chocolate cake!"
"I know…how about I call the vet?"
Garmadon shook his head mutely, burying his head in his hands and sucking in another gasp of air.
Wu patted his shoulder. "It'll be alright. Ochre will be fine. Let me go grab my phone quick and I'll call." He left hurriedly.
Garmadon shuddered, trying to stop the trembling. Just when he thought he had his dog back…something else happened! Did destiny really not want him to have a dog that badly?!
He growled, then sucked in another breath. It'll be fine. Wu is taking care of it, Ochre will be fine!
Wu soon returned. He laid a hand on his shoulder, then called up the vet.
Garmadon only half-heard the conversation.
A few minutes later, Wu hung up, turning to him. "Brother, the vet recommends we take him in." His voice was gentle, that eerily calm back again.
Though Garmadon was pretty sure he wasn't angry this time…unless he was annoyed about his dog being sick? And Ochre had thrown up on his floor…twice… He winced.
"Come on, we'll take him in." Wu grabbed his arm, pulling him to his feet.
Garmadon followed in a daze as Wu led him back to the living room.
Ochre still paced, though he was slower now. He whined, glancing at them, and then laid down.
Garmadon hurried over to him, kneeling next to him. He stroked his back and neck. "It's going to be okay, alright? We're going to take you to the vet." Though even as he said this, he had to blink the tears back from his eye.
"Garmadon, can you pick him up?" Wu opened the elevator.
He nodded, gingerly lifting Ochre into his arms, and then walked into the elevator.
Wu followed him in, the door closing behind him. The machine started moving down.
Ochre whined uneasily.
Garmadon continued to stroke his back, trying to comfort him—and himself. He felt Wu's gaze on him.
"He'll be okay, brother. Don't worry."
He still had that eerie calm to his voice. Why? Although…he was probably trying to get him to not snap again. He had snapped at Cole…he felt bad about that…but he'd given Ochre chocolate of all things!
He sucked in a breath, hugging Ochre closer to him.
The elevator doors opened. Wu led him out, and they boarded the Bounty.
Wu was silent the whole way there, sending glances at him every so often.
Garmadon avoided his gaze.
Ochre had started getting a little restless halfway there, and so Garmadon had set him down.
The dog immediately threw up again, dry heaving for a few seconds before he whined, backing away with his tail tucked.
Garmadon knelt by him, putting his arm over his back and stroking his side. "It'll be okay…"
"We're here." Wu slowed the ship, and it hovered over some part of the city, most likely the vet's.
Garmadon stood, picking Ochre up again.
The dog whined.
They both got off, Garmadon being extra gentle with Ochre, making sure he didn't jostle him too much.
The vet's was a small building. It was attached to a string of others, with an alleyway on the left, before another taller building continued the string of buildings further down.
Garmadon followed Wu in.
Inside was small and quiet. It smelled clean. The walls were white, and the furniture was a light green. Someone sat with a small white dog in the corner, and another had a large brown and black dog that resembled Ochre.
Ochre, still being carried by Garmadon, looked up at the other dogs. His ears pricked forward curiously.
Wu led Garmadon over to the counter.
The lady looked up. "How can I help you? Do you have an appointment?"
Wu nodded. "Yes, I called about an hour ago about a dog? He ate some chocolate."
The lady nodded, typing something into her computer. "Yes, that's right. Just a minute."
Wu stood calmly, hands folded behind his back. Garmadon stood there awkwardly, clutching Ochre like a lifeline as he nervously glanced around.
"Hello, you can follow me. I'll take a look at your dog."
They looked over at the voice, seeing another women.
The women gestured to them, then turned.
Garmadon and Wu followed her.
The women led them to a door, which she opened.
Garmadon froze, eye widening. His grip on Ochre tightened.
The room was small, and a counter lined the left wall. It had some cupboards above. A desk sat on the right side, a computer resting on it.
But that was not why he had frozen.
A metal table sat in the middle, the florescent light from above reflecting off of it—
A fizzling crackle echoed through the room. Electricity zipped through the metal table. Garmadon stiffened, tensing, body arching upwards in pain, to try and ESCAPE—
He screamed, the pain increasing.
Ichor's chuckle rang beside him, taunting.
"Please, stop—" Garmadon choked, then screamed again.
"Please place the dog there." The veterinarian pointed to the table.
Garmadon took a step back.
Wu gave him a questioning look. "Brother?"
Garmadon mentally shook himself, then walked in, setting Ochre shakily on the table.
The dog whined, laying down with a sigh.
The vet walked over, then started running her hands along his sides and stomach. "I'll have to run a few tests, and see how much he ate, and if there's anything else wrong."
Garmadon nodded mutely, tense.
Wu nodded as well, standing calmly off to the side as he watched.
The vet ran a few tests, listening to his heart, and then taking his pulse. "Has he vomited at all?"
Garmadon's breathing had quickened, and he found it was hard to breathe again. He kept staring at the table, then to Ochre, then to the vet.
She looked at them, eyebrow raised questioningly.
Wu coughed, seeming to realize Garmadon wasn't going to answer. "Yes, he has. Three times."
She nodded. "That's good… I'm going to have him do it once more."
Wu nodded. "Alright. Thank you for your he—"
Garmadon's gaze was drawn back to the table, everything suddenly growing dim. The light was reflective on the table, just like—
Garmadon struggled, once again cuffed down to the cold metal table. The room was dark, small, and a single light shown above him, into his eyes. Equipment lay around the room, some in piles, others scattered on tables that lined the walls.
Ichor's face appeared above him, a cold, disappointed expression on him. "You shouldn't have done that."
He sucked in a breath.
Garmadon struggled harder. His breath came in sharp gasps, desperate. His right arm was trapped, chained down onto a table next to him, through an opening in some…machine.
Ichor straightened, hand on the lever now. "Maybe this will teach you."
Garmadon shuddered, blinking. It would be fine. Ochre would be fine.
The table…it wasn't that one. This was the vet, not…there. He was safe. He was fine.
Ichor isn't here.
"Care for some dissection today?" Ichor chuckled above him.
Garmadon felt himself tense, the metal cuffs holding him tightly down.
Ichor chuckled again, suddenly pulling out a knife. "Let's do some surgery. What do you think?"
He isn't HERE!
Garmadon clutched his robotic arm, taking a shaking gasp of air.
"I told you not to try that again."
"I…I'm sorry… Please…"
"'I'm sorry' doesn't cut it." Ichor suddenly lifted up an ice cream scoop, the edges glinting coldly in the light. He grinned. "Ever wondered how pirates feel?"
That was it.
Garmadon stumbled back, everything muted, whirling.
Ochre—
He's going to die!
Ichor isn't here!
"I…I'll be right back…" Garmadon turned, almost tripping, and hurriedly exited the room. He felt Wu's questioning gaze on his back.
"Where are you going?"
Garmadon didn't reply, and he was thankful when Wu didn't follow him.
He stumbled out of the hall, past doors, and into the waiting area. The man with the white dog was gone, but now there was another person there with a cat cage.
Garmadon passed them without a glance, practically ripping open the door and stumbling out. The door closed behind him. He walked unsteadily to the alleyway, entering it. He walked deep into it, eventually coming around the vet building to the back. It was empty, except for the couple dumpsters and a single car parked in the small space.
He slowed, then went to the building wall. He leaned against it, sliding to the ground as he sucked in a strained breath. I'll be okay. I'll be okay. Ochre will be fine—
He choked on a sob.
But what if he's not? What if the vet can't fix him? What if…he…
"Ever wondered how pirates feel?"
He sucked in a breath, his shaking getting stronger.
I can't breathe—
Not again—
He shut his eye, trying to take another breath.
His gasps didn't lessen, getting faster.
I'll be alone again—
Wu frowned, staring at where Garmadon has disappeared. It had now been ten minutes. Which…wasn't too long, but he was starting to worry. Something wasn't right…
He looked at the vet, who was still working on helping Ochre. She'd given him something to force him to throw up once more, and was now…well, he wasn't really sure what she was doing. He was not a vet.
"Excuse me, but would it be alright if I go check on my brother?"
She glanced up at him, then back to Ochre. "Of course. We'll be fine here."
Wu nodded, then quickly left. In the hall, he glanced around before going towards the waiting area. Perhaps his brother had gone that way…he wasn't sure where else he'd go other than there.
When he arrived, he only saw someone with a cat and another with a medium-sized husky.
He glanced around, then walked out the door. His brother was still nowhere in sight. He frowned, now even more worried. What had even caused him to run off? He found he couldn't figure it out…
Shaking his head, he looked around. He had to be here somewhere, and there had to be clues as to where. The sidewalk was virtually empty…and so was the parking spaces and the street. There were a few cars, and a couple people…but otherwise it was pretty quiet.
Then his eyes landed on the alleyway beside the vet. "Hmm…" He started towards it. It definitely seemed like somewhere his brother would go…probably to hide.
He frowned. That was not a good sign, then…
He walked down the alleyway, looking around for any sign of his brother. When he reached the corner of the vet building, he checked the back.
His eyes widened in alarm. "Garmadon?" He hurried over to him.
Garmadon had his knees pulled to his chest, head in his arms. His breathing was rapid, gasping, his shoulders shaking. He didn't seem to have noticed him.
Wu knelt by him, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Brother?"
Garmadon flinched, jerking away.
"Not again…" Wu murmured. He hadn't seemed to have had a panic attack in a while—at least, that he knew of. "It's alright brother, it's just me. What's wrong?"
Garmadon stared at him, shaking.
"What's wrong?"
He didn't answer, taking a sharp, trembling gasp.
Wu rubbed his shoulder, sighing. He wasn't sure what to do…or what was wrong.
"I-is…is my dog okay…?" Garmadon choked out.
Wu's eyes widened a little. He's just worried about Ochre. "Yes, he'll be fine. Don't worry."
Garmadon stared at him, then looked away, sucking in another shuddering gasp.
"He'll be okay, alright? The vet is almost done, I believe."
His brother didn't respond.
Wu sighed, than sat down next to him. I hope the vet doesn't mind if I stay out here for a bit longer than I'd anticipated… He put an arm around his brother. "Ochre will be okay. Just try to breathe, alright?"
Garmadon nodded mutely, not looking at him.
Wu sat there, waiting.
About ten minutes later, Wu glanced at his brother. He seemed to have calmed down a little, now…that was good. "Garmadon…would it be alright if I went in to see how the vet is doing with Ochre?"
He looked at him, eye wide with alarm. "Is he okay?"
Wu quickly nodded. "I'm sure he's fine. I just want to see if the vet is done."
His brother frowned.
"Are you alright enough to come with me?"
Garmadon looked away.
"I'm taking that as a no…I'll bring Ochre out if they're done, alright?"
He nodded, swallowing. "Thank you…"
"Of course, brother. Will…bringing Ochre out here help?"
Garmadon nodded, avoiding his searching gaze.
Wu smiled a little in relief. "Alright…that's good…" He patted his shoulder one last time, then stood.
Garmadon didn't look at him.
Wu walked away, sighing when he rounded the corner. The he hurried back to the vet and Ochre, hoping Garmadon would be alright.
When he walked back into the room, the vet was stroking Ochre.
"You were such a good boy, Ochre." She smiled, then looked at Wu. "I've finished with him."
Wu nodded. "Thank you so much."
Then she frowned. "Is…your brother alright?"
He nodded again. "He'll be fine…um…can I take Ochre out to him? He's…worried."
She nodded. "Of course. I do have a few things to give you, though." She turned, walking over to the counter, and grabbed a pill bottle and a sheet of paper. She came back over to him. "Here. This—" she handed him the small, cylinder bottle—"you should give to him for a couple of days. Just to be sure. They'll help with any more theobromine—or, chocolate—left in his system. It's activated charcoal—it'll help absorb it."
Wu nodded, finding he didn't really understand anything she'd just said. "Alright…thank you." He took the bottle.
"And—" she held out the sheet of paper to him—"this will tell you what you should never give to a dog. Please give it to whoever gave him chocolate."
Wu grimaced, taking it. "I will. Thank you."
She nodded, then went and picked up Ochre—with some trouble—and set him on the floor. "He may be a bit out of it for a while, so just keep an eye on him. He should be fine, though."
Ochre wagged his tail, then walked over to Wu.
Wu patted his head, then frowned. "I just remembered, we completely forgot to bring his leash…I am so sorry…"
She smiled. "That's alright. I know you were probably in a hurry. I get it."
Wu smiled awkwardly, coughing. "Yes…we were…thank you again." He turned, walking out.
Ochre followed him.
"Oh—" He turned back to her. "Could I use the back door? My brother is in the back…"
She nodded. "Of course. It's locked from the outside, but from the inside it's open."
He nodded, thanking her again, and then hurried to the back of the building. Hopefully, Garmadon was alright… He frowned worriedly.
A few minutes later, he reached the back door—after a little trouble finding it—and opened it. Ochre had followed at his heel the entire time, to which Wu was very thankful for. The moment he'd opened the door, however, the dog had bolted out.
Wu followed.
Garmadon started when the door beside him opened, looking up.
And then his dog was suddenly in his face, tail wagging excitedly.
He gasped in surprise, then quickly hugged him.
Wu walked out after the dog, closing the door.
"Is he going to be okay?"
Wu nodded. "Yes, the vet just said to keep an eye on him." He held up a plastic cylinder. "She also said to give him some more activated charcoal the next couple of days. And she gave me this." Wu handed him a sheet of paper.
Garmadon took it, frowning. He looked it over. "He can't have onions…?"
"Apparently, not…"
"And avocado…? And macadamia nuts…?"
Wu nodded.
"And coffee? Or…caffeine?"
"Mhmm."
Garmadon frowned, eyes running over the list. He nodded slowly, studying it. Once it was firmly implanted into his mind, he handed the paper back to Wu, looking away. "Thank you…"
Wu nodded. "Of course. Are you ready to go home?"
Garmadon nodded, shakily standing.
Wu started walking back towards the Bounty.
Garmadon followed, glancing at Ochre. The dog trotted at his side, seemingly fine, now… He frowned, then scratched behind his ear.
Ochre wagged his tail happily.
Garmadon smiled a little…but the adrenaline hadn't worn off, yet. His heart was still beating much too quickly for his liking…
Ochre is okay. He's fine. It's going to be okay.
He sighed quietly.
Garmadon walked into the kitchen, Ochre following him. His eye immediately narrowed at Cole, who was sitting at the table, staring ahead blankly with his head on his arms.
He looked up when he came in, glancing at Ochre. "Is…he okay…?"
Garmadon looked away, patting his dog. "He's fine…"
Cole winced. "That's…good… And, um…I cleaned Ochre's other mess up, too, by the way…"
Garmadon nodded, still not looking at him. He'd actually completely forgotten about the other mess…
Wu went to the stove, starting some tea, and then walked over to Cole. "The vet said to give you this." He handed him the list of food Ochre couldn't have.
Cole blinked—then blushed. "O-oh…right…" He sank down lower, a guilty expression on his face as he took the paper.
Wu sighed. "It's alright. I know you didn't know—it was an accident."
Cole bit his lip.
Garmadon stared at the fridge, then glanced around at the pantry and other food items. He'd have to keep an eye out for anything else the ninja tried to give his dog…
He couldn't lose Ochre.
I can't…