The Legend of the Serpentine
Chapter 2
After Pythor slithered out of Yusei's house, the Enforcers stared at the walls in silent defeat. They felt helpless as none of them could do anything against him. After a few minutes of cursing to themselves, Yusei spoke up first.
"I wonder if we should contact Leo and Luna?" he asked.
"Are you sure they can handle them?" asked Kalin.
"I'm positive. They were former Signers of the Crimson Dragon, after all."
This debate did have them confused. Jack scowled at Yusei's response and glared at him.
"Kalin and Akiza are psychics, yet they still couldn't lay a finger on that snake. How are the rest of us supposed to fight them?" asked Jack.
"Good question," sighed Yusei.
All of them got a notification on their phones then from the news. 'Teen Titans take down another alien force'. They were shocked at what they saw, as none of them have ever heard of the Teen Titans before. Yusei opened up the voice chat on his laptop and contacted Leo and Luna. When the group told the twins what happened and showed them the broadcast, they were just as confused.
Luna: "The 4 Armies of the Serpentine?"
Leo: "Who's that? I don't think I like the sound of that..."
Crow explained what they had saw once more to both Luna and Leo. "Yeah…to summarize what happened, we got our butts kicked."
"What?! You guys were attacked by one of them?!" cried Leo.
Azika confirmed this and even showed the various claw marks Pythor had left. She then explained more of what he had said.
The twins were horrified when they saw her bruises.
"4 Armies of the Serpentine, sealed in four locations around this planet by Caesar?" repeated Luna.
"And one of them is named Pythor?" asked Leo.
It was then a wind picked up in the air as a a darkness filled the air. It was then that two others appeared. Both female. One wore a purple hood that concealed her face and outfit, while the other has what looked like a sphinx like look. "All right..." began Raven. "Which of you idiots opened the tomb?"
The Enforcers cringed when they saw Raven and weren't sure what to say.
"Well, Yusei was the first one who saw that stupid snake who led us to the tomb in the first place!" snapped Crow.
Yusei closed his eyes. "I didn't know he was there when we were playing."
Ravens eye twitched a bit, clearly in a bad mood. "Didn't anyone tell you not to mess with things you don't understand!"
Ahsoka put her arm on Raven. "Sorry about Rae, one minute she was fine and smashing droids, then she got pissy and teleported us here...I'm Ahsoka by the way."
The Enforcers all shrugged and agreed to introduce each other.
"Yusei Fudo, Satellite's Shooting Star."
"The Master of Faster, Jack Atlas!"
"Crow 'The Bullet' Hogan!"
"The Black Rose, Akiza Izinski."
"The Avenger from the Void, Kalin Kessler."
"Well we're..." began Ahsoka, only to be cut off by Raven.
"You know who we are...tell me everything" commanded Raven.
The Enforcers proceeded to tell them about the snake and how it made them follow it to the tomb. And how they were ambushed by Pythor.
"So...you really did it, you've unleashed the Serpentine" said Raven.
"Serpentine?" asked Tano. "You mean the crappy bed time story you told me a few months ago?"
"Yes and no," admitted Raven, who made her book mineralized before her. "The Serpentine were prominent in the times of the Romans, but were ousted when they tried to WIPE man away"
"Oh, come on, how were we know a stupid snake would lead us to place with man-eating monsters?! We thought it was a wild snake that snuck into our house!" ranted Jack.
Raven raised a brow and scowled under her hood and looked to the others aside from the Enforcers. "Have you ever met a snake that guides you around?"
"Uh, no," admitted Crow. "But it seemed really persistent."
"Well maybe..." Raven started. However, before she could speak, Ahsoka's mouth covered her hand.
"Listen, you guys messed up, it's somewhat fine but also dire, did the scary snake give you any indication on where he was going?" asked Ahsoka.
"Pythor said something about the 4 Armies of the Serpentine around the world by Caesar," said Yusei.
"Yes the story..." said Raven as she pondered a bit. She seemed to know a lot on the subject.
"So, do you know about this army?" asked Kalin
"Yes...very little...but yes I have studied them." She produced a few pages from her book and showed them off. "The four armies are made up of the four tribes: Hypnobrai, Fangpyre, Constructai, and Venomari" all expect Pythors tribe was shown.
"Do you which countries the armies are in? Pythor also mentioned that we don't have much time, but he didn't specify how much."
"I...I may be able to..." said Raven. "I will need to focus..." she ushered them out of the room. Even Ahsoka.
Tano looked to them. Again she was much friendlier. "Again, sorry for Rae, she gets a bit tetchy...so what do you guys exactly do here?"
"No, it's fine," said Yusei.
"We are like adopted brothers, so we always hang out with each other," said Crow.
"Nice, as you can tell" she said motioning to her Lakkus instead of hair. "I'm not from around here"
"Where do you come from then?" asked Yusei.
"A place you probably wouldn't have her heard of...let's just say I'm somewhat affiliated with all the droids popping up all over the place." Indeed they had heard on the news of various alien invaders. She began to sense them. "You call yourselves the Enforcers, why?"
"What do the droids want with you anyway?" asked Jack.
"And as for our team name, we call ourselves that because we made it our sworn duty to protect the weak and helpless," said Kalin.
"Well it's a long story...and that is very honorable of you" said Tano. She seemed down to earth and very friendly.
"Thank you..." Kalin's expression turned solemn. He wasn't sure if he wanted to tell her that he once tore his own team apart and went crazy.
Ahsoka sensed something and was about to ask when Raven slammed the door open. "Okay Sok-Sok...I found them."
"You did?" asked Yusei.
"Do we have to fly anywhere?" asked Crow.
"Yes...and some of us might have to" she said. "Do you have a map?"
Kalin took out a world map. "Yes, right here."
"Right...so I heavily recommend we divide and conquer...four teams for each tomb."
She said as she made four points appear on the map.
One in Eastern Romania, one in Italy, one in Russia and one in Tunisia.
Kalin: "I will go to the one in Russia with Jack."
Raven looks to the others. "Azika, you and I take the one in South Romania with your husband."
Ahsoka then spoke up. "Since Skyguy hates sand like I do, I'll go to Italy with whoever."
Akiza nods. "Alright."
"I'm ready as always," said Yusei.
"Well let's get this over with," said a miserable Raven.
Yusei, Raven and Akiza teleport using Ravens magic and are in a Southern Romanian village that seems abandoned. "Great...not this place again." mutters Raven.
"Wow, that was quick," stated Akiza.
"Raven, you've been here before?" asked Yusei. The place kind of reminded him of Satellite when he was a teen.
"Yes...and I don't want to be here more than we have to." She said as she led them. The place was abandoned, a few old vehicles now rusting. That's when she came across it. "The keep..." she said. Before them and in the center of the village was a large keep, a few tattered swastika banners hanging near its gate.
Yusei and Akiza winced when they saw the scenery, especially the banners.
"I recognize those symbols..." muttered Yusei.
"Yeah...Nazis" said Raven as she now levitated a bit off the ground. She led them over to the bridge where a few more Third Reich banners were, as well as a few abandoned military vehicles, old weapons...and worst of all: skeletons.
Both Yusei and Akiza got the shivers when they saw the skeletons.
"I really don't like this place," sighed Akiza.
"We have no choice, though," stated Yusei. One of the members of the Serpentine could be anywhere."
"Correction they are...and you're lucky you didn't know the Keeps former guest," said Raven in her monotone voice.
"The Keeps' former guest?" asked Yusei.
"A very old, creepy and evil Demon...almost as bad as my father" she pondered. The more they went the more ancient it got. Eventually they were in a point of the keep that Raven didn't even recognize. "No one's been here for thousands of years," she said.
"If that's the case, I wonder why they chose now to rise up again. Unless, they're like the Lord of the Netherworld and the Dark Signers," Yusei said through gritted teeth.
"I don't think you get it...the Serpentine think that Earth belongs to them and them alone. They were sealed away for a reason," she said as she used her magic to light up some torches.
"What do they want with the Earth anyway? And who sealed them?" asked Akiza.
"How they got here...one can only speculate, but they were here since the dawn of man. For years they fought one another...but eventually came together to fight a greater threat...mankind, specifically Caesar and the Romans," explained Raven.
"I've read about Caesar and the Roman Empire...how powerful and large the empire was," said Yusei.
"Indeed, and I guess you can imagine Caesar didn't like to share territory..."
"Did Ceasar defeat the Serpentines?" asked Akiza.
"Indeed, how else do you think they were imprisoned?" asked Raven.
"I hope Kalin doesn't take this personally. This madness is giving me Dark Signer vibes for some reason," said Yusei.
"Dark Signer?" Asked Raven, raising a brow.
"They were an evil cult resurrected by the King of the Netherworld. And Kalin was one of them."
"I see...strange, never heard of them," admitted the half-demon.
"They used the powers of the Earthbound Immortals from Nazca to try to take over the world. Kalin became one because he thought I abandoned him when he was arrested," muttered Yusei.
"I see..." she looks around and sees something. "The stories will have to wait...we found the first tomb."
Akiza takes a deep breath. "I have to fight like my life depends on it! I have to fight harder!"
They entered a chamber and saw that a large door had been opened. They then heard some more mechanics and saw Fangtom working on unlocking the tomb of the Fangpyre.
"Looks like Pythor was right. They are getting ready for their invasion," said Yusei.
"So, what's the plan?" asked Akiza.
"We rock and roll...stop him opening that tomb!" Said Raven.
Fangtom released another lock and looked back to see them. "Well what do have heresssss?" He hissed.
"We came here to stop you!" yelled Yusei as he and Akiza activated their duel disks.
Akiza activated her rose-red psychic aura and put her hands over Yusei's deck.
"Asss I sssee...and you brought a new friend to die assss well." He hissed as Raven readied her magic. The Fanpyre showed his fangs as he stuck his staff into the wall...making the door begin to open!
"We won't let you win!" yelled Yusei. "I summon the Tuner Monster, Junk Anchor!" A small, humanoid-robot appeared in the middle of the tomb.
Fangtom chuckled. "And what issss your toy going to do to me?"
"You'll see! When I control a 'Junk' monster, I can special summon Junk Servant! Next, I tune my monsters together to Synchro Summon "Junk Berserker!"
A large, bulky red and black machine warrior appeared in a flash of green light.
Fangtom didn't pay attention as he tried to bite at them. "Don't let him bite you!" yelled Raven as both of Fangtoms heads now struck at her.
The sorceress jumped back...but hit a wall. The Red Serpentine now held her and was prepared to bite.
"Junk Berserker! Attack the snake with Gatling Fist!" yelled Yusei.
Fangtom sank a set of his teeth right into Ravens neck, just as the Junk Berserker hit him away. "Nyah!" said the half demoness feeling her neck...her veins starting to turn a shade green.
"Darn it! The attack is too late!" cried Akiza. She fumbled for a healing card.
She then felt a gust of cold air as the tomb had now opened. Fangtom laughed as Raven strained from his venom. "Ssssoon ssshe will be a Ssserpentine!" He mocked.
"Leave her alone! You're my opponent!" yelled Yusei.
He snarled and laughed as the ground now turned red, and other Fangpyre troops began to emerge from the tomb.
"Not more of them!" gritted Yusei.
"I summon Queen, Angel of Roses!" yelled Akiza. A beautiful woman dressed in a outfit that looked like rose petals appeared.
The Fangpyre foot soldiers stopped and viewed this with much confusion. "Attack you foolsss!" Commanded Fangtom as he held his staff high now.
Yusei: "It's time to rev it up! I summon the Tuner monster, Unknown Synchron! Now I tune it to my Junk Beserker!"
He chanted: "A single hope coalesces into a single star! Synchro Summon! Take flight, Stardust Dragon!"
His ace monster appeared in a flash of cosmic energy.
The Fangpyre first squad flew back, meanwhile another squad came out.
"Just how many of them are there?" asked Akiza.
"A ssssssquad...an army..." said Raven sounding a bit more like a snake.
"Oh, no...I think I know what the snake did to Raven..." muttered Akiza.
"What is it?" asked Yusei.
"The poison also acts as a brainwashing agent. She's becoming one of them!"
Her eyes flickered between their normal purple and a new greenish eyes. Fangtom smirked. "And which of you is nexssst?" He mocked as Raven was on her knees.
"Damn it! We can't let our guard down for one second! I set 3 cards face down!" said Yusei.
"And I summon "Blue Rose Dragon" and also set three cards!" yelled Akiza.
The Snake Scouts beheld these new creatures with much confusion.
"Next, I summon the tuner, 'Twilight Rose Knight! Now, I Synchro Summon "Black Rose Dragon!" called Akiza.
The Fangpyre foot soldiers covered their eyes as they hissed from the brightness produced from the twos card based attacks.
"I activate my spell, Fighting Spirit! Stardust Dragon grows stronger the more enemies are on the field!" said Yusei.
"And I equip Black Rose Dragon with Thorns of Malice!" said Akiza.
The Snakes then pointed their weapons and charged at the dragons!
"Go! Cosmic Flare!"
"Black Rose Gale!"
The two dragons combined their attacks.
Fangtom was laughing, but then stop as he saw the oncoming attack. His eyes became four white anime orbs and a large sweat icon went down his head as the attack hit.
They did indeed see the various Serpentine lying about, and Fangtom on the ground. They approached and were about to feel his heart beat, when he shot back up and tried to bite Yusei.
"Watch out Yusei!" cried Akiza. Black Rose Dragon grabbed Yusei with its tail.
Fangtom then flew into the wall and let out a groan as he felt one of his fangs chip. "GRRRR...run all you want children...ssss...but your friend belongssss to ME!"
They saw Raven still fighting it, her skin turning a sicker shade of green.
"Raven doesn't look too good," said Akiza.
"But how can we save her?" asked Yusei.
She then began to murmur something as Fangtom slithered up. "Yessss...ssspeak my minion!"
"A-a-a-AZARETH MENTRION ZINTHOS!" She managed to teleport herself and the others back to the Enforcers HQ. Fangtom cursed himself at first, but then smirked knowing Raven would soon be under his thrall.
"Why did you teleport us, Raven?! We had him!" yelled Yusei.
"Hisss...back up wasss en route." She did a horrified gaze at her tongue, which was now a snake one. She took down her hood and saw she was looking scalier as well.
"No! She's fully under the Serpentine Army's control! We have to free her!" cried Akiza.
"How? We don't know enough about them or what exactly he did to Raven!" shouted Yusei.
Raven's head gem glowed a bit as she made a book appear them. "Ussse thissss...get Ahsssoka..." she said as her eyes now turned full reptilian and she hissed at them.
Yusei grabbed the book and ran as fast as he could to Ahsoka. Meanwhile, Akiza did her best to hold Raven off with her powers.
To his horror, a small note was left on the table reading. 'Gone to Italy...call only for an emergency.'
Snake-Raven hissed as she struck at Akiza with her now clawed hands.
"Darn it! She left!" cursed Yusei as he dialed his cell phone.
"Snap out of it, Raven!" yelled Akiza. "I activate the trap "Wall of Thorns!" A giant wall of thorns appeared around Raven.
She hissed a lot now as she erratically used her magic to begin to SHATTER the wall.
"Asohka! Can you hear me? This is Yusei Fudo! I went to South Romania with Akiza and Raven. While we fought one of the Serpentine, Raven was bit by him and brainwashed! How do we cure her?!"
There was no response...
A/N: The Serpentine are terrifying aren't they? The suspense just keeps building up!