Garmadon stared at the room. It had become familiar the past few days, with it's plain white walls, view of the city, and single bed. The two chairs that sat by the wall looked empty for some reason, probably because he'd gotten so used to seeing Wu or Misako in them.

The room seemed vacant. Which it was about to be in a few seconds.

"…Thanks. For saving his life." Garmadon recalled Kai's words yesterday clearly. The red ninja had actually thanked him. He'd been speechless after he'd left, blinking almost uncomprehendingly. Why Kai would thank him, he didn't know. He'd been scolding him for touching Lloyd just before that.

"Brother? Are you ready?"

Garmadon glanced at Wu, then nodded, walking out of the room. Ochre followed at his heel, sniffing the floor. He gripped the dog's leash tightly, pulling it taught so Ochre stayed right next to his side.

He had never been out of the hospital room since he'd gotten here—or at least, that he remembered. The long white halls sent a shiver of fear down his spine, and the nurses and doctors, with their masks and white and blue outfits, made him even more nervous. Not to mention the smell of chemicals.

It reminded him of Ichor's lab.

Garmadon swallowed uncomfortably. This place may be white, and meant to look "cheerful", but it still held an uncanny resemblance. Ichor's lab was dark, dreary, and cold. But it had long halls, people with masks, and sometimes an odd smell of chemicals. And of course it has similar equipment. Which was way he'd immediately assumed he was in Ichor's lab the first day he'd been brought here.

What was he supposed to have thought?

He gazed around, then glanced at Wu and Misako. They both walked beside him, but made sure to give him space. He was grateful for that.

He wondered where Lloyd was, and Kai.

Wu stopped at an elevator, pressing the down button.

Garmadon swallowed uneasily, shifting.

When the door opened about ten minutes later (why it was so slow he didn't know), they stepped aside to let a couple doctors through, then entered.

The doors shut behind them.

Garmadon's grip tightened on Ochre's leash. The place wasn't too horribly small, since it was a hospital elevator and they tended to be bigger, but it was still a smaller space, and he was still trapped in it.

Ochre whined, also uncomfortable.

Garmadon picked him up, leaning against the wall at the movement of going down. He really didn't like elevators, he decided. Especially hospital ones.

Ochre, he could tell, silently agreed.

The doors opened, and Wu and Misako walked out. Garmadon was close behind them, glad that he could breathe again.

Wu headed down the hall, coming to the waiting room. Or lobby area. Whatever it was.

Garmadon hesitantly set Ochre down, looking around. People sat in chairs or paced, worried about loved ones most likely.

He wondered how many deaths and injuries he'd caused in his reign of terror. How many people he'd made pace this room, desperately hoping their families and friends were alright. Or grieving because of a loss. Or grieving a friend's missing limb, or permanent injury.

He swallowed. It made him feel sick.

Wu opened the door to outside, ushering Garmadon through.

Once out, they headed across the parking lot. Garmadon saw the Bounty parked above, waiting for them. He glanced back at the hospital building. He was very glad to be able to leave that place.

It causes unwanted memories and flashbacks.

They boarded the Bounty. Wu hadn't wanted him to climb the chain, saying they should use the gurney, but Garmadon had refused.

He could climb fine.

Although…he was surprised the ninja didn't have a better way to get up. Misako seemed worn out climbing the chain.

Wu went to the bridge, starting up the Bounty, and then set a course for the monastery.

The ninja must be at the monastery… Since he didn't see any of them. Or P.I.X.A.L. Which means, he was left with Misako on the deck. Which wouldn't be a bad thing, if it wasn't so awkward.

Which, of course, was also his fault.

He stroked Ochre, glancing at her.

She had been watching him, but looked away, staring at the city instead.

Garmadon bit his lip. Had he messed up that badly two days ago? It had been an awkward conversation between them. And very short.

Maybe she's mad at me.

He set Ochre down, trying to shove the thoughts away. He didn't know why he cared so much about what others thought.

The dog sat down, looking around the ship.

At least he was going back to the monastery. He hated the hospital.

But now…would Ichor come after him again? Or someone else? He was no longer inside the safe confines of the hospital. Not that he'd ever been, or felt, safe there. But now he was in open ground.

He shivered, picturing Ichor's scarred face. He was sure to be coming for him.

Or someone he cared about.

"Now, Garmadon, I want you to rest. So don't get up from this couch unless I say so."

Garmadon frowned, his one leg propped up on a few pillows as he laid on the couch. A pillow was also under his head, and Wu had put a blanket over him.

Ochre sat beside him on the floor, tail wagging.

"Do you understand?"

He glanced at Wu, then mumbled a yes. Though he didn't intend to do that. Now that he was out of the hospital, he intended to go back to the way things had been before—avoid everybody, don't take anything (which included food and water, but Wu would probably force the matter), and go to the places he usually hid. The couch was one of those places, but so was the courtyard, outside on the mountain, by the wall of the monastery, the storage room, and the dragon stalls. All of which, he intended to go to. And maybe the woods too, but with Ichor…he was terrified he'd be down there.

Did Ichor want him to meet him again? He didn't know. Wu and Lloyd had swept in, fighting off Ichor and his gang the last time, so Ichor had never given him instructions.

Wu gestured to the small table by the couch's arm. "There's water here if you need it, and some more healing tea. I'll bring you lunch in a bit."

Garmadon nodded.

"Don't leave this couch. Understand? I really do mean it. You need rest in order to heal."

"Mm-hmm…"

"Good." Wu nodded once, then left the room.

Misako followed him, glancing back at Garmadon briefly.

He bit his lip, stroking Ochre.

This was going to be a long week.

Over the next few days~

Wu handed Garmadon a plate of food. "It's lunch time. Zane made rice."

Garmadon took it, sitting up. He reluctantly kept his leg on the pillows, since if he didn't, Wu was sure to scold him.

He really felt like a scolded kid lately.

"Eat up." Wu sat down on the coffee table, watching him, and sipped his tea.

Ever since he'd come home from the hospital, Wu had insisted he eat every single meal. Just like at the hospital. He said he was trying to get him on a regular "eating schedule" again.

Again. That "again" had been a while ago. Seventh months ago, about. Before Ichor, anyway… But even as his oni self, he hadn't necessarily been on a healthy "eating schedule". It was just, back then, no one cared or even noticed.

Though he did eat decently well. Aside from all of the pizza and soda, anyway.

He started slowly eating the rice, staring at it. It had carrots and peas in it. It tasted like Zane's typical food—which was chef level.

"How have you been, brother?"

"Fine…"

"Hmm. How have you been healing?"

"Fine…"

"Fine?"

"Mm-hmm."

"Alright…"

Garmadon ignored his watchful stare, continuing to eat. Though because Wu had been forcing him to eat, he did feel a little better. So he supposed that was good.

But I deserve to feel pain.

He winced.

Garmadon looked over the top of the couch. No one was around. He looked back at the glass cup, seeing that it was gone. He…could make a quick trip, couldn't he? Wu wouldn't notice. He was meditating.

"Don't leave this couch. Understand? I really do mean it."

Wu's words rang in his mind, sharp, like a knife. But probably a butter knife, because he was getting up anyway. Wu had basically been babying him, getting everything for him and forcing him to stay on the couch and do nothing.

Garmadon winced. I don't deserve this. I've taken too much. He could at least get himself some water.

He stood hesitantly, heading for the door.

Ochre whined, getting up.

Garmadon glanced at him. "Come on, Ochre." He patted his leg. "It'll be okay. I'm just getting some water."

The dog came over, tail wagging uncertainly.

Garmadon walked out, heading for the kitchen. He made sure to avoid any squeaky floorboards, and to avoid anyone. He really didn't want to be caught up from the couch.

He reached the kitchen a few minutes later. No one was there. Good. He walked over to the sink, turning it on. He raised the glass underneath the stream of water, watching the cup slowly fill.

Ochre waited at his side for a few seconds, then started sniffing around the kitchen for crumbs and scraps. And knowing the ninja, there were bound to be some. Unless Zane had swept the floor clean…

His cup was halfway filled. It was probably good enough. He didn't need that much—

"Garmadon!"

The sharp reprimand made him jump, almost dropping the glass of water. He spun around, seeing Wu with an angry expression on his face.

"Why are you up again?! You're supposed to rest!" Wu waved his staff at him.

Garmadon bit his lip, then sipped the glass of water—though his facade of being innocent obviously didn't work, because his brother still glared at him.

Wu pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing in exasperation. He shook his head, then looked at him again. "Brother, how many times must I tell you? You need rest."

Garmadon shrugged. He stared at the floor, then at Ochre. Anywhere but Wu.

"Couch. Now."

He reluctantly walked past Wu, flinching in anticipation of some sort of pain—but none came. Of course it didn't. He should expect that, but for some reason he didn't.

Wu had never hurt him once since finding him in Jamanakai. He didn't understand why, since he really would deserve it…but Wu usually only used his staff. And it had never been on him before, only on his students.

He got that from father. Garmadon had done the same with his own students—and on Jay. But that was because he'd been in his class, and was talking when he shouldn't.

He winced at the memory.

Wu and him walked down the hall, Wu watching him like a hawk.

When they reached the living room, and the couch, Wu pointed his staff at it. "Sit."

Garmadon realized he still held the glass of water. He set it on the table by the couch, then obeyed, sitting. He propped his leg up on the pillows before Wu scolded him on that as well.

"Thank you." Wu sighed. "I really wish you would listen to me. How are you supposed to heal properly if you keep using your leg?"

"It's healing fine…" Garmadon grumbled. Though he felt a stab of guilt. Wu shouldn't have to chase me around like this.

"You've been up at least five times the past couple of days. And today it's been two."

Garmadon shook his head. I can't just sit around and let you wait on me, either, though.

"Brother…please rest. Alright?"

"Fine…" Though Garmadon wasn't sure if he actually intended to do that. He was perfectly capable of getting things himself, and Wu shouldn't have to do it for him. His brother was being paranoid—he was fine.

He was much worse off when he'd first come to the monastery. And no one had even noticed he was injured.

"What should we feed the dog?"

Garmadon jumped a little, looking at Lloyd, who stood a few feet from the couch. Zane stood next to him. "Uh…what?"

Lloyd pointed to Ochre. "The dog. What should we feed it? Master Wu put us in charge of him until you're better."

Garmadon blinked.

"Do you have food for him?" Zane asked.

"I…um." He stroked Ochre. "No…he just hunts stuff in the woods…"

Lloyd rose an eyebrow. "He doesn't eat dog food?"

"No…"

"He most likely does not get the proper nutrients, then," Zane said.

"Why not? He's part wolf."

"Wolves eat more than just meat. There was a recent study that found they enjoy fruit, such as blueberries and watermelon."

Garmadon frowned, looking at Ochre. "Oh."

Zane smiled reassuringly. "Do not worry. Nya and I can get him some food at the pet store."

He nodded reluctantly, then paused. "But I don't have any money." He suddenly remembered that he owed Nya and Wu, too. He couldn't go into more debt.

"That is alright. Perhaps I or—"

"I'm sure Master Wu will pay for it," Lloyd said. "Zane, do you know what sort of dog food it needs?"

Garmadon frowned, realizing Lloyd had just called Ochre an "it". And also that he would be in more debt now, because he wouldn't be able to stop anyone from buying dog food. Wonderful.

Zane shook his head. "I do not, but I will research it."

Lloyd nodded. "Okay…what should we feed it for now?"

"He can just keep hunting…" Garmadon said quietly.

"Okay…" Lloyd stared at the dog, an unreadable expression on his face.

Garmadon looked at him, frowning. Why did he always look at his dog like that?

Zane left the room. "I will do that now."

Lloyd nodded absentmindedly.

When Zane was gone, Garmadon said, "Lloyd…?"

Lloyd looked at him, blinking. "What?"

"Are you—" He caught himself off awkwardly. "I…never mind." He looked away. Lloyd would not appreciate him asking questions like that.

"Okay…" Lloyd hesitated, then left the room.

Garmadon stared at Ochre. What was that look? Why couldn't he figure it out? Was he that clueless?

Maybe…Lloyd just didn't like Ochre? Though who wouldn't like Ochre? The dog was amazing.

Garmadon patted the dog's head, trying to shrug it off. "Good boy, Ochre."

Ochre wagged his tail happily.

"We got him some food!" Cole plopped the bag down by the couch.

Garmadon looked at it, seeing it was a dark blue bag with a black and white dog on the front. The contents were pictured on the front—round kibble bits.

Ochre sniffed it in interest.

The ninja all gathered around, petting Ochre. Except for Lloyd, who stood off to the side. He still gazed at Ochre blankly. Kai pet the dog for a few seconds, then joined Lloyd.

Garmadon nervously watched everyone, scooting a little away from them.

Ochre absorbed the attention like a sponge, his tail wagging in an excited blur.

"Let's hope he likes it." Nya patted the dog's head.

Zane quickly left, then returned a few minutes later with two sliver bowls. One he had filled with water, and set it by the coffee table. The other he set on the floor. He took out a shuriken, cutting the bag open.

"How much should we feed him…?" Jay asked.

"About a cup and a half." Zane took out a measuring cup from the bowl. He started scooping out the food.

Ochre sniffed it excitedly, trying to stick his head in the bag.

Garmadon pulled him away by the collar. "Ochre, wait."

The dog obediently sat, whining and pawing at Zane.

Zane finished, then stepped back.

"Okay." Garmadon released Ochre's collar.

Ochre immediately sniffed the bowl in interest.

"You're supposed to eat it," Jay helpfully told him.

Zane tapped the edge of the bowl, kneeling by Ochre. "Eat. It is food for you."

Ochre sniffed it for a few more seconds, then tried a little. He seemed to weigh the flavor for a moment. Then he must have shrugged mentally, because he started gobbling the food down.

Cole read the back of the bag. "Yeah, so, Zane…?"
"Yes?"

"It says when switching to a new food, you should do a little bit at a time or the dog could throw it up."

"Oh, dear…"

Garmadon frowned.

Ochre was already licking the bowl clean.

"Have you been feeding Ochre?"

"Yes, for the umpteenth time…" Lloyd sighed. "Seriously. You've asked that every day now since we got him that food."

Garmadon winced. "Sorry…"

"It's fine…" Lloyd side-eyed the dog.

"…And you've been giving him water every day?"

"Yes!"

He flinched. "Okay…"

Lloyd rolled his eyes exasperatedly, then left the living room.

Zane frowned. "I am sorry he is snappish. I do not know why…"

Garmadon frowned. Me neither… He pet Ochre.

The dog wagged his tail happily, leaning into the touch.

Zane watched him for a moment, then headed for the door. "Thank you for trusting us to take care of him for you. Master Wu especially wants you to rest."

Garmadon frowned. Did he trust them? He watched Zane leave. He'd been asking if they'd been feeding and watering him. So why would Zane think he trusted them?

Did he?

"We still have no idea?"

P.I.X.A.L. shook her head. "The figure, after running away, seems to have vanished."

Kai huffed. "Ugh. That's just great. For all we know, he's planning another scheme to murder Lloyd!"

Lloyd frowned, staring at the wide computer screen. "It's possible…but a lot of people have tried to end my life before. This is no different."

"How?! There's some mysterious guy after you, who can apparently vanish into thin air, and who's able to plan out your demise!"

"Wow, Kai! I didn't know you had such a big vocabulary!" Nya chuckled.

He glared at her, throwing his arms in the air. "This is no laughing matter!"

"Calm down, Kai. You're acting like Jay." Cole shook his head.

Kai looked ready to turn them all into barbecue at that comment.

Jay looked offended. "I don't act like that!"

"Okay, GUYS!" Lloyd got their attention. "It's no big deal! We'll find the bad guy like we always do! Calm down."

Kai grit his teeth. "That's hard to do when this guy could attack at any moment."

"Yeah, and I'll be fine."

"But what if—"

Wu tapped his staff on the ground. "Students, I understand that you're worried, but arguing will not help anyone. P.I.X.A.L., continue with your investigating. The rest of your should train."

The ninja grumbled, groaned, or sighed.

"I'll keep researching as well," Misako said.

"Perhaps you and P.I.X.A.L. can work together?" Wu suggested.

She nodded.

P.I.X.A.L. also nodded. "That would be helpful, thank you."

"Then it's settled. Ninja, get training." Wu waved his staff at them. "Shoo."

The ninja all groaned.

Lloyd headed for the elevator. "Come on, guys."

They all followed him.

As they got into the elevator, and it started moving upwards, Lloyd found himself thinking about the mysterious figure. He was still perplexed that someone wanted to end him, though many people had before.

But if this figure wanted him dead, what was the reason? Because usually if someone wanted the Green Ninja dead, they wanted to take over Ninjago.