The Truth of the Past
Summary: Takes place after Fangpyre Husband, Hypnobrai Wife. While the ninja go save Zane's father, Pythor and the Generals investigate the Slither Pit tomb that once held the Great Devourer. There they learn the truth of what really happened to them…
I only own Arctica, the Draco-Steeds, Polaris, and Alura in this fanfic. I also own the new deity that will be introduced in this chapter. Enjoy!
Ch.1: The Investigation Begins…
The Serpentine of Ourobourus were up bright and early to begin investigating the Slither Pit Arena. Pythor was the most prepared, having gathered some rope and torches and whatever else he may need. As he packed his equipment into his pack, he felt something rub into his side. Looking down, he saw that it's Arctica, who then looked up at him with sad eyes.
"I'm sorry, Arctica," Pythor sighed as he stroked her head, "but you can't come with me. It's too dangerous for you. But I promise I'll be back soon. In the meantime, you stay with Alura and Polaris and be a good girl for them." As he said this, Fangdam approached him.
"Sire," he said. "The Generals are ready whenever you are." Pythor nodded in reply.
"Very good." He then slipped his pack onto his shoulder and slithered out of the house. The morning sun warmed his cool body to greet him as he then followed the Fangpyre Warrior to the Slither Pit Arena, Arctica at his side. The other Serpentine (the ones without the injuries) were also there, waiting for instructions from their leaders. Five Scouts were by the sides of the Generals' Draco-Steeds, as they are going to fly them down into the tomb.
Pythor turned to the side to see Alura hug her brother Skales and her husband Fangtom, wishing them luck and telling them to be careful. As she hugged Fangtom, the Anacondrai sensed a certain glow emitting from her. Apparently, she and Fangtom had a night of passion last night after the wedding reception. He then slithered up to the couple.
"Alura," he said, "I appreciate you watching Arctica while I am down there. But if you wish to stay here with her, Fangtom, I understand. You two were just married, and I just feel bad about—"
"It's alright, Pythor," Fangtom said to him. "We feel it would be right if all four Generals and their King go down there together and find out what the Great Devourer has left behind." Pythor nodded in reply, respecting the Fangpyre General's choice.
"And don't worry," Alura said as she took Arctica into her arms. "Polaris and I will make sure that Arctica will stay out of trouble."
"Thank you, Alura," the Anacondrai replied before he slithered over to Nebula. He then mounted his steed before he walked over to the other Generals. Fangtom then mounted Flareflash as his wife watched him.
"Please be careful, Fangtom," she said to him. "It might be dangerous down there." The Fangpyre just smiled before leaning his left head down and kissing her on the cheek.
"Don't worry, darling," his right head said sweetly. "I'll be alright, just as long as you'll be here to wait for my return." She nodded with a smile as Flareflash walked up to the others. Skales then mounted Stormglide as Acidicus and Skalidor mounted Bouquetina and Pewterbolt.
"Everyone ready?" asked Pythor.
"Ready, Sire," the four Generals answered in unison. Pythor nodded before looking down at Nebula.
"Alright, Nebula," he said to him. "Let's go." With a neigh, the Twilight Guardian took to the sky and soared down into the hole, the other four Draco-Steeds right behind him. It wasn't long before they reached the bottom, and five Tribal leaders dismounted their steeds.
Lighting his torch, Pythor looked around the cavern. It looks like any other cavern he has seen in those pictures or what humans would call the movies: stalactites in the cave roof; stalagmites in the ground; turquoise pools of water here and there. What's different is that there are also some treasures down here that really surprised the five Serpentine: mountains of gold and silver coins decorated with jewels and gems; crowns and jewelry in the waters; priceless crystals growing out of the stalagmites.
"Holy black mamba…" Skalidor whispered in awe. "Who would have thought that the Great Devourer would have all of this treasure…"
"I know," Acidicus replied. "It's possible that he needed all of this wealth for bedding since gold is most comfortable. It works for dragons."
"Then how come the ninja don't have any gold for their dragons before it became the Hydro Dragon?" asked Fangtom.
"Probably missed that class lesson," Skales joked as Pythor looked around the area. He then plucked a crystal out of a stalagmite with ease, surprising even himself at how easily he can pluck it like it were a mere crop. His surprise became even greater when a smaller crystal grew in the harvested one's place.
"Skales!" he called. "Guys! Over here!" The four Generals slithered up to him to find out what he has found.
"Watch this," he said. He then plucked another crystal after putting the last one in his sack, and it did the same thing.
"How did it do that?" asked the awed Skales.
"Wait, I've heard of these things," Skalidor answered. "I think they're minera crystals. They grow on stalagmites that have the minerals they needed, and are said to be extremely valuable. One can harvest them like crops, and new ones will grow in its place. Of course, they need like a week or so to reach maturity. And the longer it grows, the longer it matures."
"I have heard of those as well," Acidicus replied. "I thought they were just a myth because they weren't found in other caves around Ninjago."
"Probably because these stalagmites have the necessary minerals," Pythor said, putting the second minera crystal in his sack. "We'll take these two with us as samples so that we can study them. If we know what sort of minerals are in them and what they grow on, they could be of use to us besides money."
"How much treasure do you think is actually down here?" asked Fangtom. "It's hard to see in this light." Pythor then looked around and noticed a stone railing of some kind. He slithered up to it and saw a strange golden liquid inside it. He then sniffed it. Smells like…fuel. How odd…Then he looked at his torch and got an idea on what to do.
"I think this might tell us," he answered before setting the flame onto the fuel. He watched as the flames grew from the fuel and sped down the railing before splitting into three more railings ahead. It then split again and again, filling the entire area with light. The Generals couldn't help but gasp in awe; the cavern goes on for acres. And it's full of miles of treasures and stalagmites growing minera crystals.
"This cave must be as big as the city itself," Acidicus said in awe.
"All this gold, silver, jewels will keep us rich for millennia to come," Skalidor stated.
"I don't know about riches," Skales said, drawing out a gorgeous sword with a golden hilt shaped like an eagle's claw and decked with rubies, "but I think we can melt some of these coins to make other objects."
"You mean like goblets and shields?" asked Fangtom. "Sounds like an interesting plan to me." He then spotted a golden necklace with sapphires shaped like arrows. "Oh, I think Alura will love this." He then picked it up to show his brother-in-law.
"Whoa, Acidicus!" Skalidor cried to the Venomari General. "Check this out." He then lifted up with one hand a large golden hammer with black opals. "Must have belonged to some mighty warrior or an incredible blacksmith!"
"Must go back to the Fifth Dynasty," the green Serpentine concurred, examining the markings on the head. "Look at these markings." As his Generals were admiring their finds, Pythor looked around the area some more until his eyes spotted something. He then got closer and slowly opened his mouth in awe at what it is.
It was a giant altar made entirely of gold and silver. It was decorated with jewels taking the shapes of the emblems of the five Tribes: a blue sapphire spiral for the Hypnobrai; a red ruby pair of fangs for the Fangpyre; a yellow topaz chain for the Constrictai; a green emerald droplet for the Venomari; and a violet amethyst orb for the Anacondrai.
But it's what sits on top that really surprised the Snake King. It was the crystal sculpture of a Quetzalcoatl with five heads like a hydra. The one head at the farthest left is sapphire blue with a long red mane. The head next to it is ruby red with a long blue mane. The head at the farthest right is emerald green with a long yellow mane. The head next to it is topaz yellow with long green hair. And the middle head was amethyst violet with a long mane the same color. The rest of its body from the neck down was diamond white, and its outstretched wings are golden orange. What's even more amazing is that it looks feminine, like the Quetzalcoatl is an actual female. Pythor isn't sure how he knew, but he thinks it must have something to do with its orange opal eyes.
This Quetzalcoatl/hydra hybrid looks familiar to me, the Anacondrai thought to himself as he observed the statue more. But…where have I seen it…
"Pythor, what is it?" The Snake King snapped out of it and turned to Skales, who was slithering up to him with the others right behind him. "You've become quiet all of a sudden; we thought something happened to you." Their leader nodded in reply before turning to the statue again.
"Something has happened," he stated. "I found this." The other Serpentine turned to the statue and gawked in awe.
"Wow…" Fangtom said. "She's beautiful…"
"Yes, and familiar," Pythor stated. "When I look at her, I got the feeling I have seen her somewhere."
"Now that you've mentioned it," Acidicus replied, "I felt like I have seen her somewhere as well."
"Me, too," Skalidor replied. Skales and Fangtom nodded in reply, stating that they have seen her before as well. Pythor then slithered up to the statue.
"But the question is where," he said, turning to his Tribe's emblem. "Where have we seen her before?" He then lowered his head to level it with the amethyst orb. Seeing it then brought pain to his heart, and he shed a lone tear at the memory of his people. Why must there be so many things around him to remind him of the Tribe he has lost? He then reached his hand out slowly to the orb.
How I missed you, my people, he thought to himself, placing his hand on the emblem with eyes shut tightly to hold back more tears.
"Pythor, get back!" Skales suddenly cried. Shooting his eyes open, Pythor looked up and staggered back in fear. The statue's coming to life! The five of them watched in awe as the heads moved as if to crack the cricks in their necks and the wings slowly flapped to life. They were so shocked that they couldn't even move, not even Pythor as the violet head in the middle looked down at him.
But he suddenly felt his fear seeping away when he took another look at her. The head isn't looking at him with anger or hunger; she's looking at him with caring love. He and the others began to calm down as well as she then smiled at them with all five heads. Then she spoke to them with her violet head.
"I had hoped that you would free, Pythor of the Chumsworth Anacondrai." Her voice was as gentle as a summer breeze in a lush meadow and as musical as an orchestra harp. The five Generals even felt warmth wash over them just listening to them. Pythor quickly snapped out of it before standing up straight again.
"How…How do you know me?" he asked. "Who are you?" The Quetzalcoatl/hydra then slithered slowly off the altar and towards him and the others, rainbows dancing off of her diamond body.
"I have been watching you this whole time," she answered. "You and the Generals…and all the Serpentine of the Tribes. I am your entity of unity…your entity of equality…your entity of family. I am Blessa, the Angelic Uniter…your true master." The others became confused at her words.
"But…I thought our master was the Great Devourer," Fangtom stated, showing his confusion so as not to offend the beautiful entity before them.
"That was my twin brother Curso whom you speak of," she stated calmly. "He had placed a curse on you all so as to make you believe I've never existed and that you worship him."
"I…I don't understand," Skalidor replied. "Why did the Great Devourer do all of that to us?"
"In order for you to know why," Blessa answered him, "I must show you the truth of your past, starting at the very beginning. Only then will my brother's curse be lifted, and you will be able to remember all. If the Generals remember, all the Serpentine will remember."
"But…how?" Acidicus asked. Blessa then lowered her heads down to the Generals' level: the blue before Skales; the red before Fangtom, the yellow before Skalidor, the green before Acidicus; and the violet one before Pythor.
"Place your hands on my heads," she answered, "and I will guide you through the past." The Generals turned to Pythor, who slowly nodded to them. He somehow knows he can trust this entity. So with big breaths, the five of them placed their hands on her heads simultaneously. And a colorful light flashed before their eyes…