Ichor smiled, a dark, victorious flicker in his eyes. "Garmadon murdered me. In cold blood. Your dear brother is a murderer, Wu."

Wu looked at Garmadon, eyes wide. "What…?"

Garmadon stepped back. No no no— He sucked in a breath, panic gripping him.

"Garmadon, is that true?"

He stared at Wu, heart thumping wildly His hands shook, eye wide. He clenched his fists, trying to stop their shaking, trying to stop the fear—

"Garmadon?" Wu's eyes narrowed.

"Hmph. He won't even admit it. He's kept it a secret all these years." Ichor scoffed, shaking his head. "Figures."

"Garmadon! Did you murder him?" Wu stepped towards him.

Garmadon took another step back, throat closing. All of the guilt he'd been harboring for the past forty years suddenly slammed into him, drowning him, clenching his chest tightly. He opened his mouth, but nothing came out.

"Garmadon! Answer me!"

Ichor laughed, cold eyes staring into his.

Garmadon hung limply, the two guards' grips on his arms growing tighter.

"Admit it—you're a murderer. You MURDERED me. And for what? A poorly said comment?" Ichor grabbed his gi roughly. "Look at me! ADMIT IT!"

Garmadon shuddered. How much longer…? This has been going on for…what? Two hours?

Ichor struck him across the face. "Admit it!"

Garmadon jerked back that time. "I…"

Another strike.

He flinched. "I…I admit it…"

"And?"

"I…I'm a murderer…"

There was a dark chuckle. Ichor let go of him, taking a step back. "Took you long enough. You keep denying what you are. You don't want to face it. Look at it this way—I'm doing you a favor."

Garmadon swallowed, then sucked in a breath. His fists clenched tighter. There was no use running from the truth anymore. Wu knew now. Knew how much of a monster he was. "I…I did." It came out as a whisper.

But Wu heard. His brother stared at him in shock. "You said the serpentine did it!"

He flinched, trembling.

"Why did you murder him?!"

"I…"

Wu stepped closer to him again, eyes narrowed, a sharp, fiery anger in his gaze. "Garmadon, he was an ally! A friend! Why would you—"

Garmadon's vision blurred. He couldn't take this.

And so he abruptly turned, bolting. He didn't hear what Wu said next—he was already out the door, down the steps. He knew this would end badly! He'd known it!

Why hadn't he listened? Why hadn't he stayed away?

He swiped a sleeve across his face, feeling tears start to slip down his cheek.

He was alone. Again.

Wu would never forgive him. Misako would never forgive him. He would never be allowed back now. They may have forgiven him for taking over the city, for being evil both times, but this? This was first degree murder, before he'd turned evil, back during the Serpentine War. Back when Wu thought he could be trusted, that he was on their side, that he was good.

He sucked in a sob. Why had he thought this would all fade away? That Ichor wouldn't come after him?

Because I wanted to believe it. Wanted to believe I had some sort of hope.

He had nothing now. He wasn't even sure if he had Ochre. Would the dog follow him?

Garmadon swallowed. He really didn't know. What would Lloyd think when he discovered how evil he'd been, even before he'd been banished to the Underworld? Before he'd been resurrected?

He'd know his father was a monster. That he'd never been good, and never would be.

I failed him.

He'd failed everyone. Wu, Misako, the Elemental Alliance, Ninjago.

And now everyone was gone. They would all turn their backs on him. They may have forgiven him for being evil the first and second time, but this?

No. Never.

Garmadon almost tripped on a step, vision too blurry to see properly. He stumbled, continuing on. Where could he go?

Back to the woods. Where he'd found Ochre. Where he should have stayed.

There, he could be alone, not hurt anyone, and just…he didn't know. He just needed to stay there. Stay away.

Wu watched Garmadon bolt. His hand clenched around his staff and teacup, frowning, feeling the anger boil beneath his skin. How had his brother committed murder back during the war? He'd been good. The venom had been weak.

So why had he murdered Ichor?
Wu looked at the aforementioned elemental. He stared at his face, at the scars. How had he not known for that many years? What other secrets was his brother hiding? Just when he thought there couldn't be anymore…now this? "Ichor…I'm sorry. I didn't know."

Ichor glanced at him. "It isn't your fault. I don't blame you." He headed for the door.

"You're leaving?"

"The truth needed to be said. Now, I have things to do."

"Oh. Would you like to stay for some tea?"

"No, thank you." Ichor walked out the doors.

Wu watched as he left. He frowned, still feeling a sense of shock. Ichor had been a friend during the war, an ally. He stared at the floor, his grip on his staff still tight.

Why? Why, brother? He shook his head, then walked towards the door. He needed to inform Misako.

"Wu, what's wrong? What happened?" Misako frowned.

"Yeah, why am I here?" Lloyd crossed his arms.

Wu poured himself a new cup of tea from the stove, then turned to face them. "Now that you're both here, I will explain. Someone…came to the monastery. Someone I knew a long time ago. Misako, I don't think you ever met him, but Garmadon and I talked about him."

"And? Who was it?" Misako asked.

Wu hesitated, clutching his teacup a little tighter. "It…was Ichor."

"Ichor?" Misako's eyes widened.

Lloyd frowned. "Who's that?"

"Yes, Ichor. He helped us during the Serpentine War." Wu sipped his tea. "He was a part of the Elemental Alliance—an elemental master."

Lloyd's eyes widened as well. "Elemental master? What's his element? I thought we knew all of the elements already?"

"You do not. You only know a few, and I'm sure there are some even I haven't heard of."

"Okay…so, what's his element?"

"Blood."

Lloyd blinked. "Excuse me…? That's an element?"

"It is. Ichor can manipulate blood. He was a big help during the war. That is…until he died."

"Hold up…you just said he came to the monastery, and now you're saying he's dead?" Lloyd looked skeptical, mouth partly open in a disbelieving gape.

Wu nodded. "Yes. He died during the war by—or at least I thought by, serpentine."

"Then how did he show up here?"

"I'm not sure…I asked, but he wouldn't say. Anyway, that's not the important part."

"Then what is?"

Wu looked at Misako. "Well…Garmadon…apparently murdered Ichor during the war. Not the serpentine."

Misako blinked, eyes widening. "What? But…he said…"

"I know what he said." Wu shook his head, staring down at his cup. "It suddenly makes sense, though. Garmadon seemed very distraught over what happened when he came to inform us of Ichor's death. I had believed it was only guilt that he hadn't been able to save him. Even if he did hate him. But now…everything makes sense. Garmadon's actions, his demeanor, his mood the next few days…it was guilt over committing murder."

"Okay, but we already know Dad has murdered people. Why is this so shocking to you guys?" Lloyd crossed his arms again.

"Because this was during the Serpentine War. Before the venom overcame him, and I was forced to send him to the Underworld."

He shook his head. "Okay…so then what happened? Ichor just came to the monastery, told you the news, and left?"

"Basically… And Garmadon left."

Lloyd blinked, eyes widening. "What?"

"After I found out, I…wasn't too happy with him. I yelled at him. And then he ran off. Ichor left soon after."

Misako frowned. "Why did you yell at him? You know he has problems already!"

"I know. But what was I supposed to do? He murdered a friend of mine and lied about it to my face! For years!"

"It's also in the past! He's trying to be better, and you know that!"

"Yes. I do. But that does not excuse his actions."

Lloyd stepped between them, rigid, eyes narrowed. "Arguing isn't going to help. We have to find Dad. I'm going to get the ninja." He stalked out.

Wu frowned, then nodded a little. He sighed. "Probably a wise idea…"

Misako shook her head. "I can't believe you."

"What?"

"For yelling at him. You're usually more mature than that."

"What? Misako, that's not immaturity. Yes, maybe I shouldn't have yelled at him, but he did murder someone."

She crossed her arms, looking away. "I don't understand why he would do that, though… And, not tell us."

Wu stared at his tea. "I don't know. He has a habit of keeping secrets, though."

"Just like you. I would even say you're worse at it. Must be a family trait—I'm pretty sure Lloyd has kept his fair share of secrets."

He frowned. She was right…not that he would admit it, though.

"We looked everywhere…the woods, the monastery, the dragon stalls… He's gone." Cole shrugged.

Wu frowned.

They all stood in the courtyard—the ninja, Misako, and Wu—where they had regrouped. The sky was growing dark. They had searched all afternoon and evening.

Wu had helped in the search, but he hadn't seen his brother anywhere. And now he was starting to really worry. "I checked Jamanakai. That's where I found him the last time he left, and where I found him originally. But I didn't see him."

"P.I.X.A.L. checked security cameras in the city. He's not there either," Nya said.

"He must be somewhere. We'll just have to keep looking."

"But look where? We checked everywhere there is to look!" Kai threw his arms in the air. "If he wants to run off and not tell anyone where he'd going, then that's his fault."

"No." Wu looked away. "It's mine."

"What? Why?"
The ninja stared at him.

Wu avoided their gazes. "I yelled at him. That's why he left." He may have been angry—he still was—but Garmadon was his brother. He shouldn't have snapped at him like he had. And now he was gone, to who knew where. Maybe he'd vanish for seven months again?

But why would Garmadon murder Ichor? He knew better. He was a protector of Ninjago. A ninja.

And…this was the second time one of Garmadon's big secrets had been revealed. First the letter that Wu had sent to Misako, that Garmadon had put his name on, and now this? What else had he done during that war that he didn't know about?

"Serves him right." Kai suddenly stalked inside. "He should have been yelled at a long time ago." He slammed the door shut.

Lloyd flinched.

Wu glanced at his nephew. He looked worn, defeated. He hadn't said anything since since getting back. But he stared at the floor, hair slightly unkempt, gi dirty in a few places. More guilt hit him. Lloyd was missing his father, again. And this time, it was Wu's fault.

He had to make this right. Even if he was still angry at his brother.

Author's note: Sorry I didn't post yesterday, I had been sick. But posting should go back to usual now (: I have a few more pre-written chapters left.