Ch.10: Pam's Dark Secret
The sun was just setting into the horizon, and everyone was having a fun time at the reception. Alura and Fangtom were enjoying their slow dances, and the other Serpentine were just rocking it out thanks to the stereo system Julien and Pythor brought in (how they got it is probably what Kowalski would call classified information). Some plus the Generals were chatting at the punch bowl. Some were eating hor d'ourves and desserts. And some were checking out how cool Nebula and the Draco-Steeds are as they were showing off.
The disguised ninja were also enjoying themselves to their surprise. Cole got his cake. Jay, Nya, and Zane were partying on the dance floor. Julien dragged Kowalski out there also (much to said penguin's dismay), but the other Serpentine paid them no heed. And Lloyd and Skales surprisingly were having a calm conversation as they watched Fangtom and Alura dance. As for Kai, he kept his eye on Pam at a distance should anything happen. It wasn't long until the Yellow Ninja went out onto the balcony not too far from the altar. Probably wanting to get some fresh air. Kai tensed a little when he saw Pythor go out to the balcony as well with two glasses of punch.
Better check it out, he thought to himself. He might've slipped something into her drink.
Out on the balcony, Pam rested her arms against the railing and gazed up at the warm colors of the sky. She enjoyed the wedding a lot, but decided to take a break from all the excitement. Just watching the sunset-colored makes her feel more at ease…It only lasted for a minute before she felt a presence behind her. She turned to see Pythor slither up to her with two glasses of punch.
"I thought you might be thirsty," he explained, handing her a glass. "And do not worry; I didn't slip any anything into it. I do love you, but I'm not that persistent as to do that to you." Pam smiled with a blush before taking the glass.
"Thanks," she said before taking a sip of the sweet nectar. As she did, Pythor lifted up her free right hand with his tail. At first, the surprised girl thought he was going to kiss her hand. But her surprise became confusion when he removed the key from around his neck and used it to unlock her vengestone band.
"You won't need this anymore," the Anacondrai said, removing the band from her wrist before kissing her hand.
"Uh, thanks…again," she replied, her face blushing a bit more. He smiled at her cute expression before taking out her sais.
"I know, of course, you will be needing these." Pam set her cup on the railing before carefully taking her sais back.
"So you did take good care of my sais," she said before noticing something different about them. She held one of them up to the sunlight, and it shown brightly. Did someone polish them?
"I hope you don't mind, but I took the liberty of polishing them myself," Pythor explained. "It's amazing how much shine a little dandelion oil can bring to a Golden Weapon with the right ingredients and the right temperature."
Pam couldn't help but smile; Pythor has done so much for her. He got her a job planning a wedding like she always dreamed of doing. He provided for her with all the resources she needed for the wedding (flowers, music, food, etc.). Now he's giving her back her powers and weapons and polished them up for her.
"I'm gonna run out of thank yous if you keep on spoiling me like this," she joked as she put her sais on her belt. He merely laughed heartily in reply.
"Letting you know how lucky and fortunate you are today is all the gratitude I need, my Golden Angel," he replied. His smile became a frown when she looked down with a sad expression. "What's wrong?" She looked up in answer.
"I'm sorry…" Pythor tilted his head to the side slightly in confusion.
"For what?"
"For hurting you. General Skales told me how you lost your Tribe, and I feel terrible. You lost everything, and all I did was push you away. If I'd known, I—"
"Now, now, dear," he hushed her softly, despite the pang in his heart. "It wasn't your fault. You weren't there when it happened."
"Still, I wanna make up for hurting you like I did," Pam replied, almost pleadingly. Pythor was about to respond when a slow dance came on from inside the building. The stereo's playing I Do by 98 Degrees. That gave him an idea.
"Well, if you insist," he said, turning to her, "may I have the honor of this dance?" Pam smiled in reply before wrapping her arms around his neck.
"I'd be honored, Your Highness," she answered. The Anacondrai simply chuckled at the answer before wrapping his arms around her, and they began moving in a slow dance. For someone with no legs, Pam realized the Pythor's a really good dancer. There was silence between the two of them for a minute before Pythor broke it.
"Well, now that you know about what happened to me, I should know what happened to you, correct?" Pam blinked in reply.
"Huh?"
"Skales told me you muttered something about your father, saying you were worse than him. Was he the reason you left your home and joined the ninja?" Pam sighed with a hesitant nod.
"It's a long story…" she said quietly. He smiled in reply.
"I'll listen all night if I have to," he promised. Pam smiled a little before beginning her story:
"I guess it all started when I got caught in a freak accident a couple of months back. A truck containing chemicals lost control and crashed. I dodged it but fell unconscious, letting the fumes from the truck mix and enter my body. When I came to, the doctor who took my scans told me that the fumes enhanced my brain to the level of talking to animals and understanding them.
"That was how I came to be friends with the animals of the Central Park Zoo, Julien and Kowalski becoming my best friends. It was thanks to them that I became a great artist/performer. And in return, I taught Kowalski how to read and write and Julien self-defense (explaining the incident with the rubber chicken). My family was very proud and appreciative of me…except for one.
"Ever since the accident, my father never showed me any appreciation. When everyone loved my singing and dancing, he would flatly say 'Whatever'. When one of my projects would be on display, he'd acted like it's no big deal. It's like he didn't want anyone to know he's the father of a…freak."
"You are not a freak," Pythor protested softly. "You're a talented and gifted woman."
"That's what my mom said," she replied. "Then the incident happened…"
"What incident?"
"It was a week before I joined the ninja. My artwork was chosen to be on display for a charity garden party at the Brooklyn Gardens. My family agreed to come, but my dad said he had to work. Mom and I took his word for it and went to the party. I was really popular at the party because of my artwork. Some were even bought by the VIPs.
"Halfway through the party, I met up with a couple of my cousins. We chatted a bit before they mentioned my father not coming. I told them it's because he had to work, but they told me he's at my uncle's place watching a football game.
"Let me tell ya, I was not happy about it. I stormed into my uncle's place, and there was my dad watching the game with my uncles. I then yelled at him, disowning him for choosing a game over me and lying to me about it. And do you know what his response was?" Pythor shook his head before she gave a tearful answer.
"'Like I care what you do, freak'." The Snake King wince, but she continued.
"I unlocked my powers when I totally lost it. My eyes glowed gold as golden wisps of wind swirled around my arms like whips. With them, I grabbed my disowned father and in a flying rage threw to the floor before lashing at him, scarring his back with constant and nonstop lashes from my wind whips. He cried out in pain and begged me to stop, but I ignored him as I was enraged by the crime he committed against me. My mother, uncles, and cousins could only watch in fear as I beat him. Only from hearing Kowalski and Julien call out did I finally snap out of it and stop. When I did, I saw what I've done. I almost killed my father; I became a monster. I then ran out of the house before anyone could stop me, but Kowalski and Julien went after me.
"I finally stopped running when I came to Central Park and cried. My two friends tried to comfort me when they caught up to me, but I was too upset at what I've done. I was thinking about taking my own life, but…Sensei stopped me. He must've come to the city for a business trip, I don't know. All I know is he must've known about my powers and wanted to help me control them, saying I'm destined to be the Golden/Yellow Ninja of Wind. I agreed to come with him here to Ninjago to escape my disowned father, and Kowalski and Julien came with me so I can be safe."
When she finished her story, Pam looked up at Pythor's eyes with tears in her own. He gave her a pained frown before hugging her in comfort.
"You're neither a freak nor a monster," he whispered to her kindly. "If anyone's the monster, it's your disowned father. He deserved it for hurting you like he did." She then sobbed softly into his chest, having him stroke her hair and rub her back with a gentle "Shhhh…"
Outside the balcony, Kai watched the Snake King hug his ninja sister in comfort. He felt like crying himself. How could he have been such a jerk to her after all she's been through? He so owes her an apology big time.
"Thanks for helping me let it all out, Pythor," Pam finally said as she looked into his eyes. "I'm sorry you have to see me like this."
"I'm sorry as well," Pythor replied, brushing away her tears. "If I had been there for you sooner, you wouldn't be in this much pain." He then pressed his lips into hers for a passionate kiss, but Pam didn't pull away. Instead she kissed him back and held him. He was surprised at first but decided to let it slide. He knows she still needs more time to think over her feelings for him, and he chooses to respect that. However, Pythor won't give up on her.
Pam in the meantime couldn't believe she's kissing him back. He's the enemy! But he lost everything long ago…how she wishes she could bring his Tribe back. Could that be why Pythor chose her as his bride? The two of them pulled apart slowly to breathe.
You can come out now Kai," Pythor then said. "I know you're there." Confused, Pam turned to see a Fangpyre at the balcony entrance.
"How did you know it's me?" he demanded with an arched eyebrow. Pam immediately recognized the voice. Kai?!
"Serpentine of the General Rank have senses three times as keen as normal snakes," Pythor answered, freeing Pam from his embrace. "But do not worry; I won't expose you. Last thing I want to do is ruin this celebration with a fight with you."
"Kai?" Pam said in shock. "But—What—How—"
"Pythore invited us here," the disguised Red Ninja explained. "These are disguises Jay and Kowalski made for us in case it was a trap."
"Well, I can assure you it is no trap, Kai," Pythor said calmly. "I simply invited you to assure you that this wedding is for Fangtom and Alura, not Pamela and me." He then gave him a sinister smile. "Of course, that doesn't mean I won't try to woo her." Pam turned to him with a teasing glare.
"Well, aren't you a charmer," she mocked. She gave out a laugh/yelp when the violet snake tickled her sides with fast reflexes. She scowled at the male smiling at her.
"Hey, what did I tell you about that?" she snapped. He only laughed at her teasingly.
"Well, that's what you get for toying with me," he teased in a singsong tone. Oh, payback, huh?
"Oh, but I love messing with you," she whined playfully with a pouty face. "You're too much fun." She screamed with laughter when he tickled her again, this time on her stomach and while holding her with his tail.
"ACK! HAHAHA! OKAY, OKAHAHAY! I'LL STOHAHAHAP!" Kai couldn't help but chuckle at the two of them. He has to admit that for a human girl and a tall snake, they make quite a pair. Wonder if they really will end up together? He then watched as Pythor released Pam, who was still giggly from the tickle attack.
"I guess you will be taking her home now," the Snake King said to Kai.
"Unless I have to fight you for it," he answered with a nod before gripping his sword's hilt. Pythor simply held up his hand in reply.
"No need," he said. "I have some work to do tomorrow, and I have a feeling I will be busy for about a week or so." Pam knows what he means. He's going to help out in the investigation/restoration of the Slither Pit Arena. He and the Generals did agree to hold it off until after the wedding.
"However," the Anacondrai added before taking out an envelope, "I wish to give her this before she's free to go." He handed Pam the envelope, and she looked it over with confusion.
"What is it?" she asked.
"Something I picked up from the Mountains of a Million Steps some time ago," he answered. "It is also for the ninja, and it is of great importance." Kai arched his eyebrow at him.
"Why would you want to give us something important?" he asked. Pythor shrugged in reply.
"Felt like I should, he answered. "I was meaning to give it to you after I've unleashed the Great Devourer, but I got sidetracked when I got swallowed and sent out for my six-month training. And this will be important to you because I believe it involves your robot brother."
"Zane?" Pam blinked to show that she's surprised as well.
"Yes," Pythor nodded. "During the fight between the Serpentine and Lord Garmadon's Skeleton Army at the underground fortress, I overheard some interesting information from a couple of those boneheads involving the White Ninja. This envelope I give you will tell you what I've learned from them. This might keep you occupied a bit while I am busy here." He then turned to Pam with a flirty smile. "In the meantime, Pamela, here's a little something for you to dream on." With that, he pressed his lips into hers and kissed her, making her blush pale pink.
"You know, if you keep on doing that," Kai joked, "people are gonna talk." The two broke the kiss to turn to him.
"Oh, hush up, ya goofball," Pam laughed before turning to Pythor. "Thanks for everything, Pythor; I had a great time. Good luck with your project."
"Thank you, Pamela," he replied. "And good luck with the information I gave you." With a nod, Pam walked up to Kai's side, and the two walked away, leaving Pythor alone to look at the stars and daydream.