Cobra Island
The Cobra Vipers standing outside the door jumped, startled from the deafening howl coming from within the laboratory.
Pythona stood in front of the mirror and examined her eyes closely. Where she was used to seeing a blue sea, she now found a white sclera like she had seen in the humans. The blue was now compressed into a faint blue iris with a dilated black pupil resting in the center. The pink skin markings that framed her eyes were now faded, almost invisible unless she looked closely. She took a deep breath and pressed her palm against the cool glass of the mirror; her upper lip coiled in disgust at what she saw. She tensed the muscles in her forearm, extended her fingers and stretched her palms - but nothing happened.
"What did you do to me?!" Pythona was kneeling over Dr. Mindbender, one knee on his chest and a scalpel held at his throat.
The bald doctor looked up at his assailant, his eyes wide with terror. "I… I saved you!"
She leaned down, her face inches from his. "You altered me!" Pythona covered his face with her palm. "I could have skinned you with my claws, but they are gone!" She increased the pressure of the scalpel. "Why shouldn't I flay you with your own tools?!"
Serpentor loomed over the pair. "Pythona, disfiguring the good doctor would only quell your anger momentarily. You are better than that. If you will allow him to explain, I am sure you will see the reason in his decisions." His voice was measured. He knew the rage that burned within her and was certain that one wrong word could cost him a loyal ally, something he could not spare at this time if it could be avoided.
Pythona hurled the scalpel across the room and buried it into a wooden shelf. "This is not over," she hissed between gritted teeth. She stood and stepped away from the fallen man.
Dr. Mindbender squirmed his way against the far wall, putting as much space between him and his patient as possible. He rubbed his throat and pulled his hand away - no blood.
"I have seen flashes," she paused, her eyes pleading for answers. "I keep seeing the battle and then I recall voices. Where am I? Where are Golobulus and Nemesis Enforcer?"
Serpentor lowered his head. "Things have changed. Your home is here now on Cobra Island."
"Tell me where they are!" Pythona demanded.
The Cobra Emperor directed her toward a chair. "Cobra La is no more. We have neither seen nor heard anything from either of them since the battle. I have sent multiple detachments of Vipers, but they have found nothing."
Pythona's body sagged, this new information piling on top of the changes to her body was almost too much to handle. "Then all is lost. My civilization is but a memory now."
"All is not lost, though," Serpentor countered. "Until we find bodies, we will not stop searching. Our first order of business, though, is revenge. On those who did this, and our actions will serve as a message to those who would stand in our way."
The changed woman lifted her head and looked him directly in his eyes. He could see a small spark of life; it would be enough for now.
Zarana walked through one of the damaged, over-sized doors of what was once used as a combat pit when Cobra Commander ruled in this Terror Drome. She didn't appreciate being summoned here along with the other inhabitants, but the comm system had sent out the tone that meant everyone was to report - no exceptions. No one had tested what would happen if they didn't show up yet, but, then again, no one had really wanted to push Serpentor on that point.
The pit itself resembled the ancient Colosseum; the design was obviously based on that concept. A large oval ground was capped by bleachers that sloped up until meeting the ceiling of the next level. There were obvious modern advances like the massive steel doors that adorned opposite side for the combatants to enter, scattered racks of modern weapons, and large screens that allowed spectators to have the best view possible.
She shifted her gaze from the piles of rubble on the ground and looked around at where the upper seating was damaged from the Joes' attack. In one section she could actually see a control room through an opening in the ceiling. A pair of Tele-Vipers still sat in their chairs but had turned away from the monitors and were looking down at the gathering. She finally saw the luxury box that Cobra Commander used to watch his 'sport' was undamaged; no doubt it was reinforced for just such an occasion. That wasn't a surprise to her. She saw a cloaked figure move into the shadows of the small alcove and expected Serpentor to make his address from there. She was startled when his voice echoed through the chamber from behind the crowd.
"My loyal subjects, I am pleased you have all gathered here." Serpentor's voice carried as she watched him enter from the far gate that had once served as the other entrance for the participants in the games.
Zarana scanned the crowd. There were obviously the hordes of nameless troops, but she took note of the higher ups in attendance - some of their faces new, some old. She noticed Zandar standing alone near one of the weapon racks. Dr. Mindbender and his new right-hand man, Scalpel. Overlord. Croc Master. She listened as Serpentor continued.
"As you are all aware, we are rebuilding, preparing to spread our influence." He wandered through the crowd, stopping at various troops. He placed his hands on the shoulders of one Viper and stared intently into the faceplate. "Are you ready for what is to come?"
The Viper immediately responded. "Yes, Serpentor!"
"Good, good." He said as he clapped him on the back and continued. "We need men and women prepared to go out and do what must be done."
Zarana watched as the enigmatic leader continued through the crowds, focusing his attention on a handful of random foot soldiers. Singling out the lowest… not a bad way to inspire other to try a little harder.
Serpentor worked his way back through the crowd and stood at the base of the stairs leading to the bleachers. "We are preparing our strike - but who shall feel our wrath first? Will it be the charlatans who would still try to use the name of a once great operation and are actively working to undermine us?" There were some rumblings in the crowd.
She knew he was talking about an attack on the other remnants of Cobra, but that might be a tough sale. These soldiers were loyal but going to war against those they once fought alongside was something else.
"Or, do we take the battle to the forces who tried to take something precious from us? Those who tried to rip our queen from my side and deny us our ultimate victory?"
The assembled troops cheered this concept in unison - fighting G.I. Joe, on the other hand, was what they had signed up for and was something that gave them purpose and focus.
She watched as Serpentor's lips curled into an evil grin. "Very well, I see where you all want our attention. I too would like to see that. And to see the look on their faces when they realized that they failed!"
As Serpentor finished speaking, the shadowed figure stepped from the shadows. Pythona lowered her hood and revealed herself for the crowd below to see.
Zarana nodded her head as a cheer rolled through the crowd. Not bad, he definitely knows how to stoke the embers in his troops.
"Now, just because we have our target does not mean that we can neglect of former brethren." Serpentor depressed one of jeweled snake's eyes on his left gauntlet and a pair of hidden doors opened behind him. He was flanked by a dozen Vipers all dressed in a variation of the uniform that Zarana had never seen before.
The black vest was now a slate gray with yellow highlights and appeared to be reinforced, sturdier. The once blue uniform was also the same shade of gray that the vest was with yellow padding. The boots, gauntlets, and helmet were all a flat black. Finally, and most striking, the silver reflective surface was now cast in a deep red.
Serpentor looked up at the Tele-Vipers who were watching through the open ceiling and nodded his head. The doors behind the crowd slammed shut. The new arrivals headed to the crowd and stood behind all the troops that Serpentor had singled out as he walked through the crowd. "Cobra Commander has taken it upon himself to send some of his own into our midst. We must show our guests the appropriate hospitality. Python Vipers - bring them forward!"
Zarana watched as the new Vipers quickly secured their targets' hands behind their backs and lead them forward. They then forced the supposed traitors to their knees, facing the crowd. She stared, transfixed on the scene when a voice slightly above a whisper startled her.
"The new Vipers are quite striking, aren't they," Dr. Mindbender said. "I came up with the idea after speaking with your brother. He is truly quite resourceful."
A sneer crossed her face. "They don't look all that special. And besides - why would Zartan help you?"
Mindbender shook his head. "Not Zartan," he paused. "Zandar. There is much more than just an updated look, you should see what they can offer us in the field."
Zarana felt surprised that her twin brother had been part of this, but before she could press Dr. Mindbender further her attention was drawn back to Serpentor.
"This cannot be permitted to continue!" Serpentor stepped behind one of the captives and placed a hand on the man's shoulder. "Our brothers have been misled. They have been sold a bill of false goods from a silver-tongued charlatan."
Zarana looked around the crowd and could see confusion on their faces. She was also shocked about the lack of immediate punishment that the organization had been so accustomed to over the past years.
Serpentor continued. "Together, we will show these men the truth of what we stand for. They will know that standing at your side is where they belong! They will all once more be next to you when the battle takes place, and they will help us bring Cobra back together! Prepare yourselves, the time for our victory is close at hand. This, I command!"
The captives all looked shocked, but relieved. Cheers from the assembled foot soldiers echoed through the walls.
Zarana looked around the crowd to find her brother for his take on this, but he was already gone, as was Dr. Mindbender. She would have to track them both own and try to find out more about what family secrets Zandar had given away.