Wu walked over to Misako and the ninja. They immediately gathered around him.
"Is he okay?" Lloyd bit his lip.
Wu took a breath. "Um…yes. He looked a little banged up, but he's alright. I…managed to calm him." He looked at Misako. "He did request his dog, though. I'm going to ask a doctor about that…"
She nodded. "Alright…"
"What do you mean 'calm' him?" Kai narrowed his eyes.
"He…was just a little confused. On where he was…and what had happened…" Wu coughed awkwardly.
Kai rose an eyebrow skeptically.
"Anyway…Garmadon is fine. I'm going to go ask the front desk about bringing his dog." Wu turned, walking away.
And I have to find out when anyone else is allowed to see him…
Wu stopped at the front desk. "Excuse me, I have a question."
The lady looked up. "Yes?"
"Um…my brother was wondering if he could have his dog in here. It…helps him stay calm."
She frowned. "I don't know…we normally don't allow pets, unless they're licensed therapy dogs."
Wu frowned. "I see…would it be possible to keep the dog in his room only?"
"I don't think so…let me check." She started typing on her computer.
Wu waited, gripping his staff impatiently. He really hoped his brother was alright…
The lady looked up a few minutes later. "I'm sorry, but there's no dogs allowed unless officially certified."
Wu frowned. "I see…and it's not possible to bend that rule a bit?"
She narrowed her eyes. "No…we do not 'bend' rules here."
"I see…I'm sorry. I'm just worried about my brother."
"And I understand that. But there's still no dogs allowed."
Misako suddenly showed up by his side. "You don't allow dogs?"
"No, we do not. Unless they're certified therapy dogs."
She frowned. "And you can't make an exception?"
"No."
"Not even if a patient needs the dog?"
"…No. I'm sorry, but there's nothing I can do."
Misako narrowed her eyes. "I'm sure there is. He does need the dog."
The lady frowned. "I'm sorry…I don't think I can do anything."
"You can't make one exception?"
"No…I don't think so."
"My brother has been through a lot. I don't know how long I can keep him calm if he can't be with his dog."
The lady frowned. "Um…who is your brother, again?"
"Garmadon?"
She blinked, silent for a moment. "U-um…you mean, the Garmadon? Emperor Garmadon? Are we talking about the same Garmadon…?"
"Yes…my brother. You don't know who I am…?"
She was silent again. "What do you mean…calm?"
"He…well, he…tends to panic. Can he please have his dog?"
"He…wouldn't hurt anyone, if he's not calm, would he?"
"I…I don't know."
There was silence again.
"I…I guess we can make an exception…since this is a special case…" She smiled nervously.
Wu nodded, smiling a little. "Thank you. It means a lot to me." He bowed slightly, then turned to leave.
"Um, I do have one requirement."
"What is that?" He paused, turning around.
"Please have the dog on a leash at all times."
Wu nodded again. "Of course. Thank you." He walked briskly away to get his brother's dog from the Bounty.
Misako appeared at his side. "How is he?"
Wu frowned. "I don't know…he wasn't sure where he was at first, even though I told him multiple times. And then he was concerned about Lloyd. And then he requested his dog. And…he wants to see Lloyd, as well."
She frowned. "Alright…why does he want to see Lloyd?"
"Because he's his son…? And, I think he wants to be sure I'm right that Lloyd is fine."
Misako nodded. "I know, I just…I don't want Lloyd to get hurt again…" She looked away. "But…that's good he wants to see him. If he really is like…after the Final Battle, then that would make sense."
"Yes. And he won't hurt Lloyd, don't worry."
"No, that's not what I meant…I just…I'm worried about how permanent this time around is."
"Oh…I see…" Wu frowned uncertainly. "I don't know…I hope it's permanent, now. I don't plan on losing him again. And besides…Lloyd needs time with his father. He's…hurting. I can see it. And I still believe they can fix what was broken."
Misako's mouth pressed into a thin line. "I hope so…"
"I believe so, anyway. "
She nodded, then stopped walking. "Alright…let me know how he is again when you get back from bringing him the dog."
Wu nodded. "Of course."
When he exited the hospital, Wu sighed. I hope they can fix what was broken, anyway…
When Wu came back in with Ochre, the ninja were ecstatic to see him. He held the leash tightly as Ochre happily sniffed all of the ninja, who gathered around to pet him—everyone but Lloyd, anyway.
"Alright, that's enough! I need to take him to Garmadon."
The ninja back away in disappointment.
"Wait, why are you taking him to Garmadon?" Kai crossed his arms.
"Because he requested it." Wu turned, tugging on Ochre's leash once. "Come, Ochre."
The dog obediently followed him, perking up. He seemed to know what was happening. Or…it seemed that way, anyway.
Wu hoped the dog really would help his brother…
Garmadon sat on the floor, staring at the bed. Wu would be back soon…hopefully…
Though what if he didn't? What if he'd…what if he'd left?
That's ridiculous—
The door creaked open.
Garmadon tensed.
"Brother?"
There was a soft whine, and then the door shut.
Garmadon's eye widened. He bolted to his feet. "Ochre?"
The dog's tail wagged excitedly.
"You know, you should really lay on the bed…" Wu frowned, walking over. He let Ochre's leash go, and the dog bounded over onto the bed and to Garmadon.
Garmadon smiled a little, stroking his head. Then he frowned. "Um…is he supposed to be on the bed…?"
Wu frowned as well. "I…really don't know…but could you lay down? You need to rest…you can't keep standing on your leg. Either of them, actually…"
Garmadon frowned, biting his lip. "Er…what do you mean?"
"The doctor said both of your legs are broken."
He shifted uneasily, looking down at Ochre. "Oh."
"And so, you should really lay down…"
His jaw clenched, and he looked at the bed nervously. He shook his head, pulling Ochre into a hug and stroking his side.
"Why not?"
"I…don't want to."
"Why not…?"
He shrugged.
Wu eyed him for a moment. "Garmadon…no one's going to hurt you here. This is a hospital."
"I doubt that. No one likes me very much…"
"This is still a hospital. The people here have taken an oath to do no harm."
"Yes, but that doesn't mean they'll help me."
"They're here to help people. That's what they do. They already took care of your injuries."
"That…was before they knew who I was…"
"Maybe, but that doesn't matter. They won't hurt you. And besides, Ochre is in here with you. The dog will probably notice anything off, wouldn't he?"
Garmadon frowned. "Yes…he would…" He looked down at the dog.
Wu smiled. "Then, there you go. You'll be fine." Then he frowned worriedly. "So can you please lay down?"
Garmadon shifted uncomfortably, eyeing the bed.
"Ochre can stay up there with you if you need him."
"I…I thought he wasn't allowed on the couch…?"
"Well…that's my couch. This is a hospital. And I've already spoken to staff about it."
Garmadon frowned. "Oh…they wouldn't mind?"
"I doubt they'll say anything."
"I see…"
"So…?"
Garmadon nodded reluctantly. "Okay…fine." He pushed Ochre gently over, then sat on the bed hesitantly.
Wu smiled again. "Thank you, brother." Then he frowned. "Wait, is your arm bleeding?"
Garmadon looked at his arm, where he'd taken the "IV" out. "Um…" It was, a little.
Wu frowned. "Alright…um…I may get a doctor back in here…"
"No, no, I'm fine…"
Wu turned, walking to the door. "Unfortunately, I don't know if I can believe you or not. Wait here, and I'll be right back."
Garmadon bit his lip, cringing.
Wu left.
After Wu had gotten the doctor, the doctor had instructed Garmadon to lay down and stay there. He'd tried to replace the IV in his arm, but Garmadon had adamantly refused, and so Wu and the doctor gave up. But the doctor did patch up his arm so he wouldn't bleed anymore.
After the doctor left, Wu stood by Garmadon's bed.
Garmadon was now laying down, but he was very tense. Ochre lay next to him, and he stroked his neck nervously.
"I know you don't like this place, but everything will be fine. I believe you only have to stay here for a few days."
He nodded. "Okay…" That was good…this place reminded him way too much of Ichor's.
"I'm going to inform everyone else now on how you're doing, alright?"
"Um…why?"
"Because Misako, Lloyd, and I are concerned. I think the ninja are, too…"
Garmadon frowned in confusion. "Oh…when can I see Lloyd?"
"I'm going to ask about that now. I don't know how all of that works, so I'll have to ask."
He nodded again. "Okay…thank you."
Wu smiled, then left the room.
Garmadon frowned again. Lloyd…is worried? That was odd…
Why would he be worried?
Wu walked back down to the waiting area. He felt more confident that Garmadon would be alright by himself now, so he didn't hurry this time, instead giving himself time to think.
He walked over to the ninja and Misako.
"How is he?" Misako asked.
"He's fine. I'm going to ask when anyone else can see him, other than just me. I would assume you'd be able to, I just want to make sure, since I'm not very familiar with hospital protocol."
She nodded. "That makes sense. We'll wait here."
Wu nodded back, then left again. It really felt he was going back and forth a lot…
He managed to find the doctor assigned to Garmadon a few minutes later. "Excuse me?"
The doctor turned. "Um…yes?"
"Is everyone else allowed to see my brother?"
"Er…yes. But only one at a time. He needs rest and a calm environment, and the best way to ensure that is to only have one person at a time come and see him."
Wu frowned. "I see…alright. Thank you." He nodded, then walked back to Garmadon's room.
I really am going in circles… He sighed.
He soon entered his brother's room, closing the door.
Garmadon glanced over at him, still looking uncomfortable and nervous.
Wu smiled a little. He did admit, seeing his brother like this…hurt. He hoped he could go home soon. "I came to inform you on what's going to happen."
Garmadon frowned. "What do you mean?"
"The doctor said only one person at a time could come and see you."
He looked confused. "Um…okay…and that means…?"
"I'm just informing you that I won't be coming back until at least Misako has come in."
Garmadon nodded slowly. "And…when can I see Lloyd?"
"I'm…figuring that out. I have to talk to him first. Soon, though, hopefully."
His brother frowned. "Okay…"
Wu nodded to him, then left again.
Back and forth, again… That was getting slightly annoying, but he'd do it for his brother. Though sometimes he wished he wasn't the responsible one and always in charge of everything…he'd enjoyed his brief break when he'd been turned into an infant, though. And when Acronix had hit him with that time blade…
He shook his head. Focus, Wu.
He reached the waiting room again a few minutes later, walking over to the ninja and Misako.
Only Misako came to him this time. The other ninja sat around, and Lloyd paced, running a hand through his hair.
Wu glanced at Misako, then to Lloyd. "Lloyd, please come over here. I need to talk to you."
Lloyd looked over uncertainly. He cautiously walked over. "About what…?"
"Garmadon. Only one person at a time is allowed to come see him."
Lloyd frowned.
"Would you like to go first? You've seemed really worried…"
His nephew paused—then shook his head. "No." He started pacing again, biting his lip.
"Why not?"
"I…just don't want to."
"Is this because you still blame yourself for what happened?"
Lloyd shrugged. "It was my fault…I'm not going." He winced.
"But, Lloyd…please?"
"No."
Misako frowned. "Honey, he's your father. Are you sure you don't want to see him, even for a few minutes?"
Lloyd stubbornly shook his head. "No."
She shared a look with Wu.
Wu sighed. "Misako, why don't you go see him first? I'll…talk to Lloyd."
She frowned, but nodded. "Alright…"
"I'm still not going." Lloyd scowled, looking away.
Misako walked away. "What's his room number?"
Wu looked at her. "313."
She nodded.
Wu turned back to Lloyd. Now, I just have to somehow convince him…
And it would be good for Lloyd to see his father, anyway. It would lay some fears to rest, hopefully, and maybe…allow them both to start mending. That's why he'd sent them out shopping in the first place. And to the pet store. He'd thought those experiences might help…
He…wasn't sure if they had, though. He was still deciding.
But he was hoping this accident was a blessing in disguise.