Wow it's been a long time. Sorry for skipping out on you guys for so long. Life got in the way. Oh and important announcement thingy! My good friend Shiver-fire actually wrote parts of this chapter that I was unable to. Thanks for your help Shiver! R&R Everyone!


Chapter 12 season 2 episode Never Trust a Snake

Third Person POV

Dream

The falcon is seen flying in the desert and landing on a telephone pole. After a minute it turned and said "Wake up Zane! I know where you come from."

Scene shift

Zane sits up quickly in bed and bangs his head on the top bunk. He rubbed it as he walked over to the window. A bird flew by it. He ran out of the room, still in his pjs.

Scene shift.

Zane walked into the bridge and saw Sensei, looking at a map, and Nya.

"The hunt starts early today?" He asked.

"A watchful eye never sleeps," Sensei answered, looking up from the map.

"As long as Lloyd and the Serpintine roam freely, no one in ninjago is safe," Nya said.

"Where are the others?" Zane inquired.

"Training on the upper deck," Sensei answered. Zane left the bridge, looking around the deck. The falcon cawed at him from the top of the mast, making the white ninja look up as he walked.

"You were in my dream little friend. Last time I saw you you lead me to good fortune. What reason have you returned?" The falcon took off flying and Zane followed it, stopping at the edge of the flying bounty. He tried to figure out why the falcon flew off when he couldn't leave, when he felt a presence coming behind him. "Lord Garmadon," he said with realization, turning to face the dark lord. "But you were banished!"

"Only to return for the weapons of spinjitzue. Soon I will have the power to recreate ninjago," Garmadon took out two swords and charged, saying slowly "In my own image." He sliced at Zane, but the white ninja jumped over the blades as he made his shurikens appear. He landed perfectly on his feet and turned around. "Give me your shurikens of ice!" Garmadon demanded.

"You'll have to take them from me!" Zane said, not willing to give them up to the evil man. "Ninja-go!" He did Spinjitzue, hoping to get a leg up on the dark lord. However, Garmadon never faltered and grabbed Zane by the throat, stopping his spinjitzue. The white ninja coughed and struggled but it was no use. Garmadon threw him into some boxes that were laying on the deck.

"So be it," He said, about to slice a rope that was tied to the mast.

"No!" Paxtron yelled, swinging down from the mast and kicking Garmadon away from it. She was in a pink ninja suit.

"Foolish girl! You'll pay for that!" He said, charging at her with the swords. Paxtron got her tessens out and prepared to fight. The fight did not last long, though she dodged the swords and kicks well, he was still stronger, and managed to get the tessens out of her hand. She was shocked and he used this to kick her in the stomach, knocking her down to where Zane was.

"No!" The white ninja said, carefully moving the unconscious Paxtron's head into his lap, taking her hood off. He frowned as he moved some hair out of her face.

"Now if I may continue," Garmadon said "I believe I was here!" He cut the rope. A large crate fell down above them and Zane prepared to shield Paxtron from the crate and closed his eyes, however it never landed. Opening his eyes, he saw that none other than the green ninja had saved them. He was holding up the crate on his back and threw it to the side.

"The green ninja...the legend's true!" Zane said in awe. Garmadon walked forward, glaring at the green ninja. Then he flipped onto the deck, swinging his swords at the ninja, who flipped back to dodge. Angrily, he tried again, but the green ninja jumped and landed on the swords, posing in a taunting position. The dark lord spun around, flinging the ninja off. However, the green ninja just spun around the mast and landed again. He narrowly dodged Garmadons swords when they were thrown at him and began to do spinjitzue, almost showing off. It was about this time that Paxtron began waking up.

"Ugh...Zane?" She asked, opening her eyes.

"I am here Paxtron," he told her. She smiled and her eyes landed on the fight taking place.

"Is that...?"

"Yes Paxtron, it is. The green ninja," he said as they both watched. The green ninja back flipped and pulled out Jays nunchucks of lightning. Garmadon had another sword and ran at the green ninja, only to be hit with the nunchucks with such force, that it created a thunder clap and he was sent over the edge of the bounty. Zane helped Paxtron sit up and looked at the green ninja, who was standing perfectly still, one arm extended where the falcon was perched. Fire burned in his eyes and his other hand. Zane stood up and began to approach the unnamed ninja, but stepped back as something rose behind him. It was large and had scales, mostly green except on the top of it's head, where the scales were white.

"Who are you? Kai is that you?" He asked, keeping his eyes on the dragon and receiving no reply. Suddenly a bird flew by, then one, then two, and they kept coming. "What's the meaning of this? Who are you green ninja?!" He shouted. Suddenly he sat up in his bed, gasping and hitting his head. The others were already awake and making their beds. He landed his head back down with a grunt, it was throbbing a little from hitting it.

"Oh sleeping in. You're gonna be late for training," Jay said, turning to his strange friend who was now sitting at the edge of his bed.

"How come no one awakened me?" Zane asked, holding back a yawn.

"I tried, but they wouldn't let me," a new voice said. The white ninja saw this voice belonged to their new team mate Jess, who was in a black trainee ninja suit and leaning on the door frame. Kai shot her a look and answered

"We didn't think you wanted us to. You looked like you were having some dream."

"How do I know this isn't a dream to?" Zane questioned. Cole hit him with a pillow.

"Does that feel like a dream?"

"No, thank you for your help," his white wearing brother said sarcastically. The other boys laughed and Jess rolled her eyes, but was smirking.

"Breakfast is ready sleepy heads," she said before leaving them to change.

Time change

The ninja walked out on deck, all dressed and ready for training. Kai laughed a little at Zane's slow pace as Alex and the others joined them on deck.

"A little slow today huh? What exactly did you dream about?"

"I saw the falcon again," Zane started, but was interrupted by Alex

"You did?" He nodded.

"Whoa Zane, every time you see that bird, something big happens. First it lead you to the secret tree house,"

"And then it lead you to the bounty," Cole finished Jays sentence. Jess and Paxtron were lost on what they were talking about. Sensei came out on deck and stood in front of his students, old and new.

"Alright, stretches. First the swooping crane," he turned his back to them and demonstrated. They all copied him but continued their conversation. Alex just listened in on it instead of joining in while Paxtron found it hard to focus as she wanted to know what it was they were talking about. Jess just tuned them out.

"This time it showed me the green ninja," Zane whispered to them, making Alex raise an eyebrow in interest and the other three boys shout

"The green ninja!" And mess up their forms. Sensei turned around.

"That looks more like the shocked monkey-"

"They certainly do look like monkeys," Paxtron joked, accidentally cutting him off. Alex and Jess smiled at her joke, Jess nodding in agreement. Sensei shot the soon to be pink ninja a look and continued.

"Bad form, more focus," he advised and turned around again. The boys got back into the right position.

"You can't just drop a bomb like that!" Jay whispered

"What else did you see?" Kai inquired.

"He was fighting Lord Garmadon," Zane told more.

"That's what the prophecy said. That the green ninja would fight against the dark lord. But could you tell who it was?" Kai asked, eager to know more just like the others.

"I could not tell. He shared attributes each one of us possessed," Zane replied.

"Now. Pinching crab," Sensei said, demonstrating the next form. They all followed the example. Kai began speaking a little to loudly.

"Well tell us everything! And don't spare any details. There as to be a clue that tells us which one of us is gonna be the gre-ah! Owowowow hey!" Sensei had walked over and pulled on one of the spikes of Kai's hair. The girls snickered a little.

"What was so important to ignore my teachings?" He demanded. Kai, Jay, Cole, and Zane answered him in that order

"Uh nothing?"

"It was nothing Sensei."

"Yeah we don't talk while you teach."

"Everyone was paying attention."

Sensei looked at each of them, not buying it and said

"Since you all seem to be lacking in focus, then you all can share the punishment."

"What?"

"Punishment?" Cole and Kai said. Paxtron decided to join in and say

"Oooo! Someone's in trouble!"

"Paxtron, do not make fun of your teammates! For that you will join in on their punishment," Sensei scolded. She looked down a sad look on her face.

"Yes Sensei," she said downheartedly. Alex gave her a sympathetic look. Jess just watched the scene silently.

"Hey she doesn't deserve that!" Zane stood up for her.

"Yeah besides it was all Zane's fault!" Cole pointed the finger accusingly.

"I was merely answering their questions!" Zane defended himself.

"No tv and no video games. The rest of the day can be used for training, and tomorrow for that matter," Sensei said sternly, turning to the girls. "Jess and Alex you two may not help them, but you will not share in the punishment."

"Yes Sensei," they said in unison. Paxtron was still looking at the floor.

"Training! For how long?" Kai asked.

"Until you can answer this simple riddle. What is the best way to defeat an enemy?" Sensei said. Kai, Cole, Jay, and Zane answered in that order once more, Paxtron joining in at the end, doing different moves as they did, Zane was a little more unsure than the others.

"Easy! With a sword!"

"Your fists!"

"Spinjitzue!"

"Tornado of creation?"

"Jokes?" The boys looked at her. Sensei sighed as he began walking up to the top deck of the bounty.

"Pace yourselves. You have a lot of training ahead of you," he said, turning to them from the top deck.

"Make sure to sharpen your mind as well as your spinjitzue." Cole sighed as he went to take a bow staff out of a chest.

"What's the best way to defeat your enemy...oh it could be anything!" He said, twirling the bow staff in slight frustration. Jay had part of the new training course up and started to avoid the axes as he said.

"Come on guys, we're smart. We can figure this out." Paxtron stayed quiet as she practiced with her tessens, trying to think. Kai was punching a punching bag and looked up, seeing a door close behind Sensei as he went into a room.

"Me and Jess are gonna go catch up with what's been goin on in our room. You guys better keep training," Alex said, authority in her voice.

"I'm the leader of this team, you can't tell us what to do," Cole said, acting a little territorial.

"Actually, right now you're the prisoners and we're the wardens. Enjoy your training ladies," Jess said with a smile, ignoring the guys glares. Alex laughed a little bit and then looked at Paxtron. She knew the young girl didn't like to get in trouble an she knew that even though Paxtron is smart, it'll take her longer to figure out the riddle without their help.

"Sorry Paxtron, it looks like you'll be goin solo on this," she said.

"I know I know. It's my fault anyway," Paxtron said with a sigh. Then smiled. "Besides I could use the training. You two go ahead and catch up. I'll join you as soon as I can solve this riddle." They nodded and left. Zane was looking at Paxtron as she began practicing again, thinking about how in his dream, she could not defend herself and could have gotten hurt. He didn't want that. However, as he was about to go help her, Kai put a hand on his shoulder.

"Well have plenty of time to train. Right now, let's hear more about this dream," the fire ninja said as the other boys crowded around him. Paxtron remained where she was, staying focused on solving the riddle.

"Let me just say, the green ninja is awesome!" Zane said, his mind flashing back to the green ninja saving him and Paxtron from getting crushed. Even though it was only a dream, for that he will be forever grateful.

~scene change to Lloyd and Toby~(Shivers part)

The Fangpyres were marching through the snow, ready for the attack on the Hypnobri. Lloyd and Toby, the latter wearing an old hoodie he had found, were riding on a rattle car with Fangtom. The one of the general's two heads kept looking back at Toby, reminding him of the threat. The Hypnobri then came into view up ahead.

"The Hypnobri. Now to teach them a lesson for betraying Lloyd Garmadon!" Lloyd said, raising his hands for dramatic effect.

"Oh brother," Toby mumbled under his breath. Lloyd looked at Fangtom.

"Uh do your thing Fangpyre. I let you out of your hole for a reason," he said. Toby face palmed.

"That not the best way to treat those helping you," he said. Lloyd ignored the comment.

"Attack!" One of Fangtoms heads yelled and the army pushed forward. Everyone was anticipating the battle about to take place, when suddenly both the Fangpyre and the Hypnobri stopped. Fangtom left his staff on the rattle car and hopped off the top. There was silence for a moment and then something completely unexpected happened.

"Skales my old chum!" Fangtom said, leaving Lloyd and Toby completely confused. "...I didn't think I'd be fighting you!" He slithered towards his chum and the two did a handshake. "...Moving up in the world have we?"

"Why if it isssn't the Fangpyre! Of all the cold blooded to sneak up on usss, I'm glad it isss a friend," Skales said happily.

"Oh no," Toby said, already guessing where this'll head.

"Wait, I thought you were enemies, not friends!" Lloyd said, slightly whiny and mad. Skales and Fangtom looked at the two on the rattle car.

"We were at war...but sseeing that Sskales iss now leading them...I don't see why we can't be comradesss," Fangtom said.

"Had you releasssed the Conssstricti, the Venomari, the Viperidea, or heaven forbid the Anacondrai, then we would have had a tussssle," Skales said, gesturing with his hands.

"A tussle? A TUSSLE?! But I'm Lloyd Garmadon! Bringer of evil!" Lloyd said, clearly upset.

"Uh-Lloyd," Toby said in a warning tone. "We should go." They could easily hear what Skales and Fangtom were discussing.

"What ssshould we do with them?" Skales asked his friend.

"I could turn the little "Bringer of Evil" into one of us," Fangtom said, making Lloyd look genuinely worried and thinking that Toby was right.

"Nah the little tyke is pretty uselessss," Skales turned down the idea.

"What if you hypnotized him...and make him think he wasss a pig," Fangtom said with a laugh. Skales laughed with him.

"That'd be pretty funny!" The blue colored snake agreed.

"Hahaha! Can you imagine?"

"Yeah," Skales laughed.

"Toby...I think you're right. Let's...run!" Lloyd said and jumped off the rattle car, running ahead of Toby.

"Hey wait for me!" Toby said, quickly jumping off the car and following him. The snakes began to try and cut Lloyd off, making him hop back up onto the tail of a Serpintine vehicle. Toby was so close to catching up to Lloyd, but just as he was about to climb on with Lloyd, a Fangpyre grabbed his foot and pulled him off before he could react.

"Lloyd—!" Was all he could say before he was pulled off and held down by a few Fangpyre, making his struggling useless. Lloyd gasped, "Get off—"

Before he could finish the tail he was on sprung up, making him fly through the air and away from his only friend.

Toby watched as his friend soared away through the air, being restrained by some Fangpyre. He suddenly felt cornered and without hope.

"Move it," a Fangpyre said and they forced him back towards the generals, pushing him on the ground once they got there. Fangtom smiled.

"Good job...boyss," he said. "We needed him." Skales looked at his old friend and said skeptically.

"Why? He'sss no more ussseful than the other one." Fangtom looked at Skales, almost surprised.

"You don't know?"

"Know what? How nossey he can be?" Skales snorted.

"No you fool!" Fangtom said reaching toward Toby. The boy knew exactly what he was gonna do and hid his wrist. However a Fangpyre pulled him up while a Hypnobri held his wrist out.

"No!" Toby yelled as Fangtom practically ripped the watch off of his wrist. The hologram that had been hiding him was gone now and his true reptilian like form was revealed to the other snakes.

Toby still maintained his white hair and human shape, but he also had a long thin tail and he stood more on his toes. He was covered in dull green scales and he also had claws on his hands. He flinch under the Serpentine's stares, memories of when he was younger coming back to him.

Skales blinked and all the Hypnobri stared.

"He'sss...one of usss?" The Hypnobri General said, shocked at the sudden reveal.

"Yess...he isss..."Fangtom said. "I am...ssurprisssed you didn't know." Skales shot the Fangpyre general a look and slithered towards Toby.

"Well sssince you are a brethren-"

"Um...brethren's kind of a stretch," Toby nervously cut him off. Skales hissed at him and then continued.

"As I wasss ssaying before being rudely interrupted, I want you to join our caussse."

"And uh, what exactly would that cause be?" Toby asked. Skales remained silent for a moment.

"Do we have...a caussse?" Fangtom asked.

"Of courssse we do!" Skales said. "We jusst...won't sshare it until we know we can trussst you."

"But I don't know it," a fangpyre said, but was quickly shushed by it's general.

"So what do you ssay? Will you join usss?" Skales asked, pretending to be friendly. Toby pretended to consider it.

"Hm... you know that's a tough decision. I'll have to think about that and get back to you in say... 20 years? Sound good? Okay then bye bye," The young lizard boy had begun to back up and went to turn around, but when he did he was block by about twenty serpentine in front of him, all holding weapons. He gulped and turned back around. Skales was right there.

"Not ssso fassst... look into my eyesss... give up your mind. I control you now..." he tried, but as the hypnotizing began, Toby's eyes started changing color. First pink, then red, orange, yellow, and so on.

His eyes had seemed to turn into rainbow kaleidoscopes. It kind of gave him a head ache, and it shocked Skales when the serpentine realized it wasn't working. "How..?" he said astonished as Toby rubbed his head, eyes turning back to purple. Realizing that the serpentine were distracted, Toby turned and ran.

"Stop him!" Fangtom ordered. Fangpyre and Hypnobri came out of their shock and chased after the fleeing boy. Toby was able to run faster than them, but due to the snow it was harder. He ended up tripping. A Fangpyre ran and jumped on him, going to bite him. However, as soon as it tried Toby's skin turn hard, causing him to yell out. When the Fangpyre looked down, he was shocked to find Toby's skin had become solid diamond. He got up and backed up as the leaders looked at the lone boy in astonishment.

~scene change to the bounty~(Me)

"...with his fist on fire," Zane finished telling the other three ninjas.

"Whoa," they chorused.

"So I'm the green ninja," Kai said, putting a hand to his chin in thought.

"What are you talking about? He had incredible strength to lift the cargo and save their lives, it's me," Cole disagreed.

"Did you miss the part of the story where the guy pulled out nunchucks? I have nunchucks!" Jay pulled out his nunchucks and held them in the air.

"I think you're all missing the point of this dream. The point is the falcon landed on his shoulder and it was my dream, so naturally it was me," Zane said as Cole walked to Jays side.

"I think we can cross Cole off the list. I could have lifted 10 times-"

"Whoawhoawhoa, cross me off the list? Anyone can hold nunchucks," Cole cut Jay off. None of them knew Sensei was walking up behind them.

"Since you are not training, you must have already found the answer to my riddle. Tell me, what is he best way to defeat your enemy?" Wu inquired as the boys turned to look at him.

"Uh... The best way to defeat your enemy is to...train Sensei?" Kai said.

"Feeble and incorrect! Maybe more training will help you focus," Sensei said immediately and began walking backwards towards the stairs.

"Remember what happened to your vehicles when you lost focus. A razor sharp weapon is an extent of a razor sharp mind." The door closed in front of him without him touching it. They groaned in unison.

"How am I suppose to focus when we don't know who the green ninja is?!" Jay whined.

"Stop caring?" They looked over at the soon to be pink ninja who had spoken.

"But he's the best and it's so obviously me!" Cole said.

"He had attributes each of you possessed. It could be any of you. If I were you guys I'd stop caring and start focusing on being better instead of losing focus and arguing. It's what got you in trouble in the first place," she said before an argument could break out. "Focus on what is important." They stared at the usually bubbly girl who just displayed wisdom they didn't think she had. Zane felt a small smile form on his face.

"... You know guys, She's right," Cole agreed with her. "Besides I don't want to be training all day. Let's work together on this riddle, we can figure it out." Paxtron went back to training, Sensei's riddle echoing in her head.

~scene change to Toby~(Shiver)

"What isss thisss!?"Skales snarled. He slithered closer to the crystal lizard boy, examining him.

Fangtom made his way through the crowd to Skales's side, "Well?...What did he do?" He asked switching heads as he spoke.

Skales tapped Toby's head experimentally, but Toby didn't budge or flinch. The only thing that moved were his eyes, darting around quickly behind a sheet of crystal.

"Hmm…," Skales murmured to himself, "it sseemsss hisss body hasss activated ssome ssort of ssself-defenssse. However, it appearsss he cannot move at all"

"Bessst we…take advantage of thiss…rare opportunity…heh heh," Fangtom chuckled darkly, moving closer to bite Toby.

"Wait ssssir!"

Fangtom and Skales turned to the Fangpyre that had pinned Toby down before his crystallization. He came forward in the crowd to the generals.

"With all due resssspect sssir, it be besst not to bite him," he said.

"And why'ssss…that ssoldier?" Fangtom snapped.

"W-well you sssee ssir," the Fangpyre replied trembling slightly, "I tried to bite him, when I caught him; and well…" the serpent opened his mouth wide, revealing his long fangs. Only they weren't so long now, the tips were duller and looked as if they had been broken off.

"Oh my," Skales said inspecting the damaged fangs, "Interesssting, I never thought there wasss a sssubstance that Fangpyre couldn't bite through…"

Fangtom hissed quietly to himself and glared back at Toby. It was a surprise, after all the Fangpyre could bite through metal, albeit old metal.

"Well no matter…the boy probably can't…hold thissss form for…too long," he said slithering away from the crystal lizard-boy, "we can take him…back to your lair…Sskalesss, and wait for him…to change back."

"An exsssellent plan my old friend," Skales replied, slithering away with his fellow general, "You two! Carry him back to the hideout!" Two serpentine saluted before each taking an end of Toby. They lifted him more easily than they had predict, he didn't weigh like a giant diamond, though neither was complaining.

So the two armies made their way to the pit of the Hypnobri, petrified prisoner in tow. As they went, Toby found his thoughts drifting to his friend and he prayed he was alright…

-Meanwhile-

Lloyd couldn't stop screaming as he flew through the air. That is until he got hit in the face, really hard. He felt himself slide a couple yards in the snow and for a moment just laid there, face-planted.

Three things registered in his brain:

1.) snow was not soft like marshmallows, it felt more like wet sand.

2.) he was wet, cold, and felt a headache coming on.

3.) his only friend in the world was at the mercy of two serpentine armies miles away in who knew what direction.

Feeling his breath shortening, he pulled his head out of the snow, coughing a bit.

"Stupid Hypnobri, stupid Fangpyre, stupid ninja…" Lloyd muttered as he brushed the snow off of him. Nothing ever seem to go right for him, why was that? All he wanted was a little revenge on the ninja, but noooo the Fangpyre and Hypnobri had to be all buddy-buds. The only good thing that had happen to him since leaving Darkly's boarding school was meeting Alex and Toby—

At the thought of his friend Lloyd remember that predicament he was currently in.

"I got to find a way to save Toby," he said to himself. He began looking all around him, searching for any sign of life in the frozen wasteland.

What should he do? Should he go to the ninja and ask them? No way! He'd rather face the snakes one-on-one. Then who could he call for help? There wasn't anything for mil—

Suddenly he saw bright lights lining the horizon. A city, perfect! With all of his remaining energy, Lloyd dashed for the lights.

As the town came into view he began to wonder again what his next move would be. Ninja were a big no-no. Maybe the police? Would they even believe him? Plus, even if they did believe him, he'd probably get in trouble for letting the serpentine out in the first place. There was also the fact that he didn't know where they were—

He stopped right there, oh right he had been flung off in some random direction. How would he even lead a rescue party to Toby?

His mind began racing. How was he gonna find his friend? He didn't even think he could go back to the spot he landed. And even if he did and figured out which direction he'd been thrown from he might be too late.

If only he had a way to contact Toby and find out if he was alright.

And that was when the lightbulb went on. Of course! Toby's hi-tech watch! He had told him it was a communicator as well.

With that Lloyd began searching for a phone booth. Come on, come on, he thought, there's gotta be at least one public phone in this town—ah there it is!

He quickly slid into the booth right before another man, slamming the door in his face. Lloyd could here the man snarl 'hey!' angrily.

"Sorry pops, but this is a matter of life and snakes!" He shouted through the glass, "better luck next time!" He stuck his tongue out like the annoying little kid he was.

Turning his attention to the phone, he lifted it off the receiver. Now all that was left to do was call the number on Toby's…uh-oh.

"Ah man, what a time to forget the number," he mumbled to himself. He knew the number, he was sure of it! After all he had looked it up in the journal Toby carried around (he had planned on asking if he was allowed to, but he was pretty sure Toby would say yes). Only now his mind was blank.

"Uh let's see…" he said, "I'm pretty sure it was…765-9431?" He dialed in the number as he spoke. The phone buzzed for a moment, a good sign that it was a working number.

There was silence for a moment before the call was answered. However it wasn't Toby…

"Hello?" Said a female voice, "Matt I swear if this is another prank call I'm gonna—"

"Ah—sorry! Wrong number!" Lloyd stuttered before slamming the phone on the receiver. Ok wrong number…maybe it was...

He tried another number, it rang before being answered. This time though…

"Hola, gracias por elegir Papa Taco Shack, ¿qué puedo hacer por usted esta noche?" Said a man with a thick accent.

"…wut?" was all Lloyd could say, after all he had failed his foreign language course.

"Por favor, eh ¿spreckin' the engles?"

"Uhhh, sorrywrongnumber!" Lloyd sputtered out and ended the call. That was a little embarrassing.

He sighed, this was going to take a bit more guessing. He just hope Toby could hold out till then…

-Meanwhile-

Back with Serpentine, having returned to their caves, Skales placed a hypnobri and a fangpyre in charge of watching frozen Toby. It wasn't the best job, seeing as all they were doing was watching and waiting for the moment Toby dropped his diamond shell.

But soon minutes turned into hours, and after 2 and a half, the guards fell asleep. Toby had been watching the whole time. He had felt the crystal weakening once or twice and had used all his will to keep it up. He had been waiting for the moment the two snakes had dosed off. Not a minute too soon either, his limbs were starting to get sore.

Slowly as he could, he let the shell absorb back into his scales. Hopefully it didn't make a noise when he did that. Once fully de-shelled he stretched himself like a cat, his shoulders and spine popping in response.

He froze when he heard one of the guards shift, but thankfully they had only been readjusting their position. With a silent sigh he began to tiptoe towards the exit.

He took a quick glance at his watch as he snuck down the tunnels. Luckily it wasn't broken, he didn't know if his little diamond stunt had damaged it. He wasn't prepared to explain his…reptilian appearance to Lloyd. That is if he ever found a way back to him.

He was 99% sure that Lloyd was fine, even if he was catapulted from a vehicle. After all, from his experience with landing in snow (he had Alex's crazy escapes from danger to thank for that) it was usually like falling on a giant pillow. Except when there was ice, then it was rather painful.

As he turned a corner there before him stood the exit…guarded by about four serpentine. He quickly ducked back behind the wall and held his breath. After a bout of silence he stole a glance around the corner. It didn't seem like any of them had seen him.

Sighing with relief, he wondered how he was gonna sneak past all those guards. He could try using his chameleon form, only problem was that it wasn't good for moving around. Maybe he could shape-shift into a serpentine. Would a hypnobri or fangpyre be better though?

Just as he was about to decide, his watch started beeping like a siren with the screen flashing blue. Of all the times to get a call! Toby felt like smacking his head on the wall.

"Hey he'ssss loossse!" Toby turned and saw one of the guards had come around the corner, a fangpyre.

Without a second thought Toby dashed back in the direction he came, the fangpyre on his tail. His watch continued to ring, alerting any snake he passed.

As he ran Toby glared at his watch, "Who *huff* could be *huff* calling me *huff* at a time like this!" he said between pants. His first thought was that it was Alex. Perhaps she finally came back to the graveyard to visit him only to find him missing. Or maybe it was Paxtron and the others. There wasn't anyone else he could think of that had his communicator's number.

Taking a chance he answered the call, never once breaking his sprint. "Hello?" He said, a couple snakes came to view blocking his path, "Alex? Paxtron, Jess? Is that you guys?!"

One of the snakes lunged toward him. He quickly leapt up, landing on the snake's head. Using it as a spring board he propelled himself over the other snakes, whom all crashed into the one he jumped on.

Still running, the answer on Toby's watch was not who he was expecting,

"Toby? Yes I finally got it right! Twelfth times a charm!" Lloyd exclaimed on the other end, who Toby could only imagine was fist-pumping or doing some kinda victory dance.

"Lloyd?! How did you get this number?" He replied as he slid between the legs of another serpentine that got to in front of him.

He was glad his friend had called, it being a sign the boy was alright and not dying of frostbite in the wilderness. However he could conclude that the call meant Lloyd had invaded his privacy to get the number. Good thing he wrote the parts about his more emotional struggles with his appearance in Alex's "native"-tongue—those parts were extremely personal.

"Uhhh…" Lloyd sounded nervous, "yooouu told me it?"

"No I didn't" he replied; he quickly ducked around a corner and watched the serpentines run past him.

"Yeah you did," Lloyd shot back sounding more convinced himself.

"No, I didn't" Toby whispered back firmly. He wasn't gonna fall for this trick.

"Yes" Lloyd whispered.

"No"

"Yes"

"No"

"Ye—"

"Just admit you read my journal!" Toby snapped at his friend, perhaps a little too loudly.

"Fine!" Lloyd snapped back, "yes I read your little diary—"

"Journal!" Toby cut in, diary sounded too girly.

"—whatever, I was gonna ask you!"

"But you didn't!" Toby shot back.

"Are you ok?" Lloyd decided it was time to change subjects.

"Well I'm—"

"Aha! Found you!" Hissed a voice next to Toby.

Toby looked to his right and was greeted with the sight of a black and yellow Serpentine. Thinking fast, Toby quickly dashed between the reptile's legs and once behind it, wrapped his tail around its long neck. Using all his strength, he flipped over, pulling the serpent backwards and slamming its head into the floor.

Straightening himself, Toby saw that the lizard was out cold and off in la-la-land. This gave him an idea...

"Uh, what was that?" Lloyd asked, only hearing a voice, grunts and then a loud slam.

"Just a minor hiccup in my escape, that's all" Toby said nonchalantly. Grabbing the Serpentine by its feet, he began dragging it to a rather large crack in the wall.

"Can you tell me where you are Lloyd?" Toby asked, giving the snake a final shove in the nook for good measures. He then set to memorizing the detailed patterns on its scales.

"Hey that's my line!" Lloyd whined, "I was gonna come rescue you..."

"With who? The ninja?" Toby questioned, knowing very well his friend would have done no such thing.

"No way! I don't need those losers..." Lloyd whispered the last part, "I woulda figured out something!"

"Well don't worry about that anymore," Toby went back to whispering. He could hear the Serpentine scrambling around outside in the halls. It was only a matter of time before they looked in here. "Where are you? Is it that town we went around on our way up here?"

"Oh yeah, it is," Lloyd just recognized the large donut sign that stood tall over all the buildings. They had seen it from the Serpentine vehicle, even with the blizzard winds.

"Ok, I'll meet you by the donut shop," Toby replied, "Ssssee you later and be ssssafe." He then ended the call.

For a moment Lloyd stood in the booth, a shocked expression on his face, as he stared at the receiver. He could have sworn Toby's voice changed and became more serpent-like near the end there.

Back with Toby, he was now identical to the Serpentine he had knocked out. He might have transformed a bit too soon though, probably would have been better if he had waited to end the call. Half way near the end the snakes' lisp had kicked in.

He took a moment and analyzed his disguise in a nearby pool. He had to admit, not even Alex would recognize him in this form. The anatomy was a bit strange, his neck being slightly elongated and he had a more stubby tail. Though he supposed he had changed into stranger species in the past.

A noticeable detail that caught his attention were his eyes. They still looked like his normal ones, human for the most part with barely slitted pupils. Not very serpentine looking, but this tended to happen if he didn't know what the eyes originally looked like. Focusing hard, he changed his eye to look more reptilian; angular, solid purple with black slits for pupils. He hoped no one would recognize the serpentine he was pretending to be. They would surely notice his eyes were different.

Suddenly the sound of footsteps running close caught his attention, "Let'sss check in here!" Toby had to act fast...

Right then, a few Serpentines entered the room. They scanned it quickly, looking for any sign of the lizard boy. They were lucky that Generals hadn't heard the boy was gone. The soldiers were likely to be chewed out, quite literally, if they found out they lost the boy.

A groaning noise broke through the silence. The serpentines' attention turned to a crumpled black form in the corner.

"Hey, ssssoldier," one hissed rushing to the form, "are you alright?"

The snake groaned again before lifting his head, rubbing it gently, "...I believe sssso..." he looked up at the soldiers surrounding him, "Did you get him yet?"

"No," another one hissed angrily, "that boy issss a tricky one, I'll give him that."

"What happened to you?" the one next to him asked.

"The boy..." he replied, face turning into a scowl, "he sssnuck up behind me and wacked me in the head! But before I blacked out, I ssssaw which way he ran..." he pointed to an opening deeper in the cave, "that way!"

"Ha! We have him now!" a soldier hissed excitedly, "the little fool is heading straight for a dead end! Come on!"

At its command the group charged deeper into the caves. One stayed behind and told the "injured" snake, "You sssstay here, we will be right back." he nodded in response.

When the footfalls of the snakes completely faded away, the disguised Toby jumped up and dashed out of the room. He didn't want to be there when the group figured out he lied to them.

Running down the hall to the exit, he passed by several other snakes. None stopped to question him. Everyone was running around like panicking chickens, searching for him. Good glory was he ever grateful he was a shapeshifter.

Reaching the exit, he saw that it was no longer guarded. Glancing around, he made his way to the exit. Right as he was about to walk out, a voice stopped him.

"You there!"

Toby tried not to flinch and be casual as he turned his head, but he almost screamed when he saw who it was. Slithering towards him was Skales and Fangtom. Act casual! Act Casual! he chanted in his mind.

"Ssssir," he said stiffly, trying to act like a soldier in the army. The Hypnobri general came closer, only an inch or so away. Please don't try to hypnotize me! Toby thought worriedly.

"What isss the meaning of thissss," the general snapped, Toby began worrying that his cover had been blown and that the snake he looked like was supposed to be elsewhere.

Nervously, he replied, "Um...exssscussse me sssir, but, of what?"

"Where..." Fangtom broke in from behind Skales, "...are the other...guardsss?" Toby relaxed a bit at that, he could still pull this off!

"Sssirsss," he said, "They reccccieved word that the boy has cracked hisss sssshell and there wassss a requesssst for asssssissstancccce in ressstraining him." good grief, he could barely understand himself with this forked tongue.

"Ah," Skales said, pulling away and donning a more pleased expression, "isss that ssso? Well we bessst go greet our guessst, ay Fangtom?"

"Indeed," the twin head snake replied, "You...ssstay here and...guard the ex-sss-it."

"Yesssss ssssir," Toby replied, saluting to them as they turned away from him.

Once the generals were gone, he made a mad dash outside of the cave. He wasn't gonna risk his chances here any longer than he had to! Two close calls was enough for him!

Once he was a safe distance from the cave he began to shiver. The blizzard winds had picked up and he was beginning to notice his current form's lack of outer fur.

"Brrrrr..." he said, teeth chattering, "Thank the Lord I was born with more fur than reptiles." He then shifted back into his normal form.

Deciding the winds were too strong for a bird, Toby opted for a large white rabbit. His body scrunched down, shrinking in size. Soft white fur sprouted all over him, his back hunched over, his arms and legs shortened while his feet grew, his ears elongated, and finally his muzzle morphed into a point, more rodent-like. He looked just like a jack-rabbit.

Wasting no more time, he started dashing in the direction of the town, remembering the way perfectly. Hopefully he wouldn't run into any hungry animals along the way...

–––––Meanwhile–––––

Lloyd sat on the curb outside the donut shop, head in his hands as he sighed for what felt like the millionth time. He hadn't paid attention to how long he had been sitting there but he was pretty sure an hour or so had passed.

At one point the weather had acted up, the wind and snow blowing harshly, and he had to take shelter inside the shop. He had stepped back out once the wind died down again.

What was taking Toby so long? He hadn't bothered asking Toby at the time, but Lloyd begin to wonder how his friend was going to escape and find his way back to town. Sure, Toby had an excellent, practically photographic, memory, but the weather was death threatening. Plus the snakes were formidable fighters in their own right. As far as Lloyd knew, Toby wasn't much of a fighter, more of a passive kind of guy.

Suddenly a flash of white passed in front of Lloyd. He jerked his head up and got a glimpse of it as it dashed into an alleyway. That had to be the largest rabbit he had ever seen. He thought about running after it to get a closer look, but didn't want to miss catching his friend. So he went back to sitting in boredom on the curbside.

Back in the alleyway, the rabbit had paused by some trash cans. It was wiping the snow and ice off of its face and then gave a quick shake to dry its coat. Then it began to grow and change till he became his normal hybrid reptile self. Toby gave his form a one-over, making sure everything changed back properly. Some parts of him still felt numb from the cold.

Once sure everything was good, Toby turned to his watch to switch on the hologram. He paused though, maybe it was time to tell Lloyd the truth about himself... After all, his secret had been used against him and had put the two of them in grave danger.

But then Lloyd might assume the Fangpyre had bitten him and then want to get revenge on them too. That was the last thing Lloyd needed right now. His "revenge list" was getting a little too long.

Deeply sighing, Toby entered his code and turned on the hologram. Gone were the scales and tail, replaced with pale skin and straight legs. Brushing off the remaining snow, Toby made his way out of the alley to Lloyd.

"Hey Lloyd!" Toby called jogging out. Lloyd practically jumped at his friend's voice, "Dude!" he yelled, jumping up and running to tackle his friend with a bear-hug.

Toby cringed a bit at Lloyd's bone-crushing hug, but waited patiently for him to finish. Lloyd placed him back down and begin firing questions.

"What happened after I got shot? Was there a fight? Did they bite you? Hypnotize you? How did you escape? How did you get here?!"

Toby was a bit stunned by the onslaught of questions and began worrying about how he could explain his story in a believable, condensed manner.

"W-well I–" he began to say, but then his stomach let out a low growl. Boy, running 8 miles through a blizzard as a rabbit sure can work up an appetite.

The two paused at his stomach's interruption before bursting into laughter.

"HAHAHAHAHA!" they laughed, hard gripping their sides.

"Ah..." Toby said, calming down first, "How about later, after we get something to eat."

"Way ahead of you," Lloyd replied, pulling out a white box supposedly out of nowhere. Toby hadn't noticed it till now. Lloyd opened the box, revealing an assortment of a dozen donuts.

"Bon appetite," Lloyd said as they both sat back down on the curb. Toby grabbed a plain glazed one while Lloyd grabbed a chocolate with sprinkles.

"Did you steal these from the donut shop?" Toby asked biting into his. Stolen or not, he was too hungry to be picky.

Lloyd pause in his bite, "Uuuuuh...maybe," he gave his friend a sheepish smile before continuing to eat.

For a moment they sat in silence, scarfing down half the box, deciding they would need the rest for later.

"Sooo," Toby started, praying Lloyd will forget to ask about his daring escape, "What do we do now?"

At that Lloyd's expression darkened into a scowl. Toby knew that look and he wished Lloyd would have questioned him about the escape.

"Now it's payback time."

~Scene change~(Me from here on out)

At the bounty the boys and Paxtron were still training. Cole was working with a bo staff, Zane was stretching or meditating, Jay was practicing his flips, Paxtron was doing target practice with her tessens, and kai was punching a punching bag. Inside it Alex and Jess were chatting away about their lives.

"So what have you been doing for the past two years?" Alex asked her as she took a sip of her soda.

"Oh you know, school, homework, kicking bad guy butt," Jess mused. Alex stared at her.

"You were a superhero?" The goggle wearing girl said astonished.

"Hey someone had to pick up where you left off," Jess said with a shrug. Alex paused to think.

"How bad was it? When I...you know, left?" She asked.

"Well I can't say it was as peachy as you remember it, crime definitely went up and a ton of people, especially kids, missed you and wondered where you went," Alex frowned as Jess continued. "People started being more and more afraid and cautious. I couldn't just stand on the sidelines and watch anymore. So I filled your position and kept the city safe." She watched as Alex ran a her fingers through her hair, eyes showing how she was lost in thought. "Did you miss it?"

"Hm?" Alex questioned.

"Saving people. Did you miss it?" Jess repeated.

"I don't know, sometimes I guess," Alex answered before changing the subject. "Do you know what Paxtron did?"

"I think she worked for some florist," Jess said.

"Makes sense. She always did love nature," Alex said, memories brushing through her head.

"Yeah. Hey what'd Toby do?" Jess asked her, thinking of their young teammate.

"He uh, stayed in a grave yard..."

"YOU LEFT HIM IN A GRAVE YARD?!"

~on deck~

The guys looked towards the kitchen, wondering what they were talking about.

~in the kitchen~

"I didn't LEAVE him there! I visited him from time to time," Alex defended herself while Jess rubbed her temples.

"You can't just leave a ten year old in a grave yard!"

"He needed a secluded spot away from me that no one would visit! That fits the bill!"

"It's still not right! Why didn't you keep him with you! It would have been better!"

"Not if she came out again!" Silence followed Alex's statement.

"Is that what this was all about? Shriek?" Jess asked softly. Alex nodded solemnly and Jess did something she does to very few people. She hugged Alex.

Scene change

Third person POV

"Had you released the Constricti, the Vemomari, the Viperdae, or heaven forbid the Anacondri, then we would've had a tussle," Lloyd mocked as he and Toby walked and he stared at the map.

"Get over it Lloyd," Toby said a little annoyed. He'd been listening to the blond haired boy complain for the last hour. Lloyd shot him a look and then looked up from the map at a large rock that seemed to be shaped like a snake fang was.

"We found it!" He yelled excitedly and ran ahead. Toby sighed, wondering if his friend will ever learn before running after him. When he reached his friend the black hooded boy was wiping away dust.

"The Anacondri. The most feared and powerful serpentine of them all," he read off. "If they're afraid of the Anacondri, then the Anacondri is what they're gonna get! Mwuhahaha!" Toby rolled his eyes. He was getting tired of the repeating cycle, though it could just be the sun getting to him. Helping his friend open the door, they both looked inside.

"Why do I get the distinct feeling something is waiting in there to kill us?" Toby said with a gulp. Lloyd rolled his eyes and turned on his flashlight.

"You're just being paranoid," he said As he shined it around. They walked inside and all they saw were the skeletons of what could only be the serpentine that used to live in this tomb. No one seemed to be left, however as they walked, eyes and markings began to appear behind them. At the same time a bad feeling crept up Toby spine. Finally the rest of the snake appeared and it's long purple neck stretched around to look at their faces. When they saw it both let out a surprised scream and fell on their butts, Toby hurting his tail. The snake came around the rock where they had landed and picked up their flashlights as he began to speak.

"My sincerest apologies young ones. Due to my unfortunate appearance I seem to have an unsettling affect on people," he looked down at the flashlight and continued as he handed it to Lloyd. "I believe you dropped this. There you go."

Toby's POV

This is creepy. He came out of no where and then was... Nice? To us? I don't know what his game is but I don't trust him.

"Oh uh thank you," Lloyd said as he took his flashlight back. The snake put a hand on both our back and began walking with us in the cave. I had to hold back a shiver when he did. "What happened to the others?"

"Yeah, aren't there suppose to be more of you?" I asked him, curious.

"Oh the poor unfortunate souls. All those years locked away with nothing to eat. They must've slowly starved to death, wasting away until they're nothing but scales and bones," it explained. I looked at the bones and noticed there wasn't any scales or flesh on them.

"Well they must've wasted away pretty cleanly," I stated nervously. Nothing seemed right in here. "In fact I don't see a, um, spec of rotten flesh anywhere..." I can't be sure but I think he gave me a look out of the corner of his eyes. He slithered in front of us and I stopped, afraid he might do something.

"And who might you be my little appatizzzzI mean friends?" He asked. Lloyd didn't seem to notice the slip up, but I definitely did and I don't think his kind 'wasted away' like he told us.

"Lloyd Garmadon, son of Lord Garmadon, and future dark ruler!" He introduced himself proudly. The snake seemed to laugh 'good naturedly'.

"Oh how deliciously evil! If I had feet, well I'd be trembling in my boots!" He said and then looked at me. "And you are?" I coughed nervously before answering,

"T-Toby. I'm his friend."

"How wonderful," he said, a sparkle in his eye that sent an unseen chill up my spine.

"So uh, who are you?" Lloyd asked, causing the snake to turn towards him.

"Humbly, I am Pythor P. Chumsworth," he bowed a little. "And since you freed me, I am eternally in your service."

"Really?" "What?" Lloyd and I said at the same time. We looked at each other, our suspicions showing in our eyes. He turned his attention back to Pythor.

"You're not gonna trick me?" Pythor laughed again

"Why would I trick you? I hardly have any friends," he said. Lloyd smiled at that.

"Whoa! I hardly have any friends to!" He said excitedly. I fake-coughed. "Uh besides Toby that is."

"You don't say?!" Pythor seemed as equally ecstatic.

"Say," Lloyd started as he turned his back to us. "How'd you like to be my loyal henchman?"

"You know that's not the best way to recruit someone," I said, noticing how Pythor was looking him over hungrily. He ignored me, like usual, and continued.

"I've been betrayed by the Hypnobri and the Fangpyres and I'm looking to get some revenge on some ninja too." Pythor stopped looking him over as he turned back around. I swear if that snake tries to eat Lloyd I'll go all tiger on him.

"I love revenge!" Pythor exclaimed and put a hand on Lloyd's back again, slithering towards the exit. "You know Floyd-"

"It's Lloyd,"

"Whatever," he said, sounding a bit annoyed. "I have a feeling this is the start of a beautiful friendship."

"Hey wait up!" I said an ran after them when I realized they were leaving. Pythor put a hand on my back to, though he seemed to grip my hoodie tightly, like a threat when I caught up.

"With both of you," he looked at me, his voice seeming a little more menacing to me. I gulped and Lloyd said

"Awesome! Right Toby?"

"Yeah...awesome," I replied with uncertainty and fear. Pythor looked back ahead and we continued walking.

~back on the deck of the bounty

"Anyone got an answer to Sensei's riddle?" Cole asked the others.

"It can't be that hard!" Jay said as he flipped by and repeated the riddle. "What is the best way to defeat your enemy?"

"Zane, you're smart, what is it?" Kai asked between breaths and punches.

"I do not know, but I sense that sensei will keep us here until we find the answer," Zane answered.

"That bothers me, 'cause while we're working, that means the enemy is playing," Cole said, slamming his bow staff on the ground, kicking up some dust.

~Scene change: montage time!~

"Muhuwahahaha!" Lloyd laughed evilly as he sat on the handle bars on the scooter Pythor was pushing. They were knocking over trash cans outside of peoples homes. Toby continually (and he thought secretly) apologized for it.

~scene change~

Pythor ripped out the 'Do not walk on the grass' sign and laughed as Lloyd walked and rolled on the grass. Toby facepalmed at the two, thinking how this is one of the least evil thing he could do.

~scene change~

This time they had stolen an ice cream cart and had a very large cone with a lot of ice cream stacked high. The owner shouted how they couldn't do that and Toby had to say, he didn't mind this crime that much. Free ice cream!

~scene change~

Lloyd and Pythor tossed two rocks into the pond, sinking the toy ships two boys were playing with. The boys cried, but stopped when Toby gave them new ones while his friend and the snakes back was turned. What he didn't know, was Pythor saw him.

~scene change~

Then the troublesome two did the most original thing they could have. Took candy from a line of babies. Toby secretly replaced the candy, but pink eyes knew he did.

~scene change~

They had walked back to the tomb, a barrel of candy with them, and we're currently laying on the floor of the tomb, Lloyd on a candy high (a little bit). Toby had a sucker in his hand, but he couldn't bring himself to eat it. The troublesome two were laughing before Lloyd spoke

"Oh Pythor, you're the best henchmen a mastermind could have."

"Oh Lloyd, you're the best mastermind a henchmen could have," Pythor responded, making Toby roll his eyes. "Why is it that you have no friends?" He asked curiously.

"Hey!"

"Besides him that is," Pythor added, shooting a look at the offended Toby.

"Well, I could have had friends back at my boarding school for bad boys, but I decided to run away and never let them see me again," Lloyd answered, waving his cotton candy around with yet another evil laugh.

"Really? Why would you run away from making friends? Everybody needs friends, even tyrants," Pythor inquired, twisting his neck to look at the young boy. Toby listened closely to this, wishing to know the answer as well.

"Well maybe I didn't run away. Maybe I uh, got kicked out," Lloyd said, a little embarrassed.

"From the Boarding School for Bad Boys! I don't believe it! I hear they are the breading ground for the truly despicable! And if you ask me, you are a hand full," Pythor said, sounding astonished as Lloyd sat up and turned to look at him.

"Why thank you Pythor," Lloyd said, a little flattered while Pythor licked his lollipop, before going on a more depressing note. "But they told me I wasn't bad enough. They told me I lacked the moral ambition to be one of tomorrow's masterminds."

"Well, you'll show them!" Pythor said, standing up with Lloyd.

"That's right! I will show them!"

"Then why don't we?"

"Uh, why don't we what?" Lloyd asked, confused as Toby stood up, not liking this.

"Let's get revenge on the very school that rejected you!" Pythor said, picking Lloyd up as he continued. "When the ninja come to the rescue, we'll have a trap laid out for them."

"A double revenge?"

"A double revenge. Now get some rest. Hijacking an ice cream truck is a lot for anybody, and if you're going to rule the world then you're going to need your beauty sleep." Pythor said with a chuckle and added. "Oh and one more thing."

"What's that?"

"I'll be your friend." Lloyd smiled before yawning and closing his eyes, hugging the large snake.

"Oh Pythor, you're the best," he said as said snake put him down. Lloyd laid down on his side, falling asleep with the map sticking up and out of his pocket. Pythors eyes glimmered as he looked at it, reaching to grab it, however Lloyd turned over before he could. Growling angrily to himself, he looked around, noticing that Lloyds little friend wasn't there.

Toby's POV

I stepped outside after hearing about their little plan. The fresh air helped me think as all the events of today and the day before rolled through my head. I looked down at the lollipop, guilt from stealing just this little thing racked my body. What had I become? Exactly what I had never wanted to… and what I was taught wasn't right.

~Flashback~

"Toby? Are you in there?" A female voice asked sternly from the other side of the door to my room. I was seven years old and curled up on my bed, guilt eating at me. I didn't answer, 'cause I knew she knew I was here. The door opened as she spoke again, a little softer this time. "Toby?" I hugged myself tighter as she sat next to me on the bed. "Toby look at me." I hesitated before turning a little bit to stare up at my big sister, Alex. She was about 14 then. "Toby did you steal that money?"

"We needed it," I whispered, looking away.

"That doesn't answer my question Toby." I didn't respond again. "Look me in the eye and tell me that you didn't steal that money." I turned to look at her fully, attempting to do just that, but… I found I couldn't. I couldn't look into her eyes and lie. So I looked away from her. She sighed and put a hand on my shoulder. That one touch sent another wave of guilt and fear spread throughout my body and some tears form in my eyes. I was afraid of being punished. Scared knowing I had been caught. "Stealing isn't right Toby."

"But he had plenty of money! We needed it more!" I said frustratedly. I didn't understand it back then.

"That doesn't make it right," Her voice was firmer this time, and it made me freeze and look at her with wide eyes.

"Why? Why doesn't it? He doesn't need it as much as we do!"

"You don't know that!" She snapped. I shut up and coward a little. She sighed, rubbing her temples with a gloved hand. "Come here," she said, a little more gentle this time. Alex held her arms out to me and I hesitantly climbed into her lap, fiddling with my tail as I sniffled. She wrapped an arm around my shoulder as comfort and asked me a simple question. "How would you feel if someone took something of yours without asking?"

"Upset…"

"Would you try to get it back?"

"Well, yeah. It's mine." Gears started to turn as I saw what she was getting at piece by piece.

"But what if they needed it more than you?"

"I'd still want it."

"Exactly. Now do you see? It's not right to take anything from anyone without asking. Besides you don't know that man's predicament at home. You don't know that we needed it more." I looked at the floor. I hadn't even considered that. Her other hand lifted my head up to look at her. "Stealing is wrong. Don't do it okay?" I nodded, finally understanding.

~Flashback ends~

I let the sucker fall from my hand into the sand and stared up at the stars. "I'm sorry Alex. What I've been doing is wrong. I won't let it go any further. I'm going to save the ninja." I promised myself out loud, knowing that it'd make my sister smile.

"Oh will you now?" Pythor said, becoming visible and making me whirl around to face him.

"I'm not afraid of you anymore! The ninja are good people and I won't let you hurt them!" I stated with a burst of courage. He glared and slithered forward, making me back up. "You won't let me? That is quite the laugh." He towered over me as my back hit a rock, his glare piercing my soul. "Try and stop me and the ninja won't be the only ones getting hurt."

~Scene change: Sensei's room: at the bounty~

Third person POV

Sensei was painting, enjoying the quiet time. That is, until the door swung open, revealing four ninja peering in. Looking up, he spoke to them.

"Oh, you must have found the answer to what is the best way to defeat an enemy." The boys came into the room.

"We have Sensei," Cole replied before continuing with "It's, on three guys. One, two, three-"

"Teamwork!" They said in unison.

"Is this what you all think?" Sensei asked and all agreed. "Sadly you are all wrong." The boys groaned while he went back to painting, stating one thing that baffled them. "If this was the answer, then Paxtron would have let you in on the correct one."

"Huh?!" They all said surprised.

"She came by earlier and presented to right answer to me. Did you not notice her absence?" Sensei inquired. Three of the boys looked embarrassed.

"I did Sensei, but I suspected that she had just gone to get some water," Zane said.

"You should pay more attention to the things going on around you," Wu counselled.

~In the girls room~

"SO where did you say Raven and Johnny went off to?" Paxtron asked. She had noticed their absence from the ship earlier.

"They went to find Luna and Lu." Alex answered her as she sipped her coffee.

"I have a question. When did you start drinking coffee?" Jess asked, pointing to the cup of said drink in her hand.

"I have for a while now," Alex replied with a shrug. Before any other questions could be asked, the bounty alarm sounded. The three rushed off to the bridge.

~With the boys~

Moments before, the boys were walking back out to the deck, frustrated.

"I'm starting to think that whoever finds the answer to this riddle can be the green ninja for all I care!" Cole said, throwing his hands above his head. That's when the alarm sounded.

"What's that?" Jay asked over the noise.

"Who cares! It's something besides training!" Kai said happily before all four ran off for the bridge.

~at the bridge~

"Break it down for me sis," Kai said as they joined Alex and her friends.

"Lloyd and the Serpentine have over taken Darkley's Boarding School for Bad Boys," Nya said as she turned to them.

"Psh. That place is a cesspool for the crooked and misbehaved," Jay said, crossing his arms indignantly. Jess glared at his behavior towards the school, but stopped when Alex put a hand on her shoulder.

"Well it doesn't mean they don't need our help. Step on it!" Cole said. Zane ran and hit the button, only to find Paxtron's hand there as well. The two locked eyes for a moment as the engines on the ship started up. The team then rushed on deck and formed a circle, putting their hands in the middle.

"Ninja-go!" They said in unison and the ship became airborne. Jess and Paxtron walked up to the group as they disbanded.

"So-" Paxtron started, but was cut off by Cole.

"You're not coming," He said firmly to both of them. Paxtron frowned while Jess glared.

"Why not?!" she growled.

"You're only ninja's in training. You're not ready for a mission yet," Cole said, forcing himself to not be phased by her glare. Jess narrowed her eyes at him but Alex got between the two before anything could start.

"Cole, you've seen the way they fight. You know they're ready for anything," She vouched for her friends. Cole seemed to be considering what she said, however he decided against it.

"You guys want to help with the mission? Stay here and help Nya man the bridge," He said.

"Are you kidding me?!" Jess said, obviously mad at being ordered to stay behind.

"No, I'm not," Cole said firmly.

"Jess just listen to him this time. Okay?" Alex pleaded with her friend, who held a look of slight betrayal, which turned into more anger. Jess glared at the black ninja one last time before stomping off and dragging Paxtron with her. Alex sighed. "She hates me now."

"Awe, come on, you know that's not true," Jay said.

"Yeah, she'll forget about it before we even get back," Kai said. Alex couldn't help but smile at their attempt to cheer her up, however she knew better.

"You guys don't know her like I do," she said. All the boy ninja looked at each other at that comment, thinking the same thing.

~an hour later~at the school~

The school bell rang, however no kids or even teachers ran out of the class room, for they were all tied up. Lloyds attempt at an evil laugh echoed throughout the empty halls. Lloyd skated passed the door on his skateboard, Pythor skating next to him, while Toby trailed behind the two.

"Hey, how're the booby traps?" the blond haired boy asked the large purple snake.

"Every door, window, and hole into this place are spring loaded!" Pythor informed him.

"Good," Lloyd said with a grin. "I'm sick and tired of those ninja sneaking their way into my evil doings." They rounded the corner, however Toby stood there, in the hallway, biting his lip. The guilt was still eating at him as well as his conscience, but Pythors threat loomed over his head. He looked out at the window as a bird flew by, deep into a conflict of his own mind. Finally he made a decision.

"I'm sorry Lloyd. I can't let this happen," he said before turning on his heels and running the other way. He turned off his watch, shapeshifting into a cheetah to run faster.

Above the school, the bounty floated, hidden by the clouds. On board, Zane was looking over the edge at the school.

"Looks quiet down there. Should we infiltrate using stealth?" He asked, turning to the others.

"Nah, we've done that. What about using our golden weapons that turn into vehicles," Kai suggested.

"I'm still working out the kinks on that. Anyone have any other good ideas?" Cole asked as he worked on the Tread Assault. Everyone was quiet a minute and looked at Alex, whose focus was more on the school than them.

"Well I have one idea, but you guys gotta trust me," Jay said.

"Let's do it," Alex said, surprising the guys a little with her voice. Jay grinned under his mask.

"Then follow me." He said, leading the way.

"I don't like the sound of this," Kai groaned before following him with the others.

~down at the roof of the boarding school~

Lloyd passed around nervously, keeping an eye out for any ninja.

"Relax. We've made the perfect trap," Pythor attempted to calm his nerves. "We're in broad daylight so there isn't any shadows. Even if they could get in-"

"What's that?!" Lloyd interrupted him, seeing something move on the ground. Pythor slithered to the cannon they had set up and fired a net from it. The net hit the ground and trapped...a lizard? Pythor had a look of 'What the heck was that' directed at Lloyd, who laughed embarrassed.

"Good, uh, good reflexes. I was just testing you," the blond haired boy covered his mistake. "If I know these ninja, they're cleverly sneaked their way passed us at this very moment."

~Back up at the bounty~

"Jay, I don't know about this," Kai said, obviously trying to hide his fear as they clung to the anchor of the bounty.

"Just hold on tight!" Jay said and gave Nya and Jess the signal. Jess eagerly pulled the switch and the anchor fell down at great speed, all the guys yelling and Alex just holding on. Lloyd and Pythor looked up and moved just as the anchor crashed through the roof and several floors below it, stopping at the second to last floor. A sigh of relief escaped all their lips, and then another scream as the floor gave way, making them crash on the first floor in one of the class rooms.

"Let's agree to never do that again," Cole said with a cough as they picked themselves up. a noise brought all of their attention to the students and two skeletons who were tied up. Cole walked over to them and raised his scythe, officially causing the students to freak out. That is, until he cut them free with it. "Stay out of school, kids," he advised as they ran. His attention then turned to the two teachers, er skeletons, suspended from the ceiling by rope with tape covering their mouths. "Well, well, Kruncha and Knuckle. If we cut you down," one nodded his head "We better not catch you hanging around ninjago again," the other shook his head. "or else." He the cut them down, scaring them to life. They ran into each other several times before running out the door, Knuckle going the wrong way first. Cole shook his head at the stupidity of the two.

"Hey are we missing someone?" Jay pointed out. Zane counted heads.

"Where is Alex?" he said.

"Wow you guys need to keep track of your members better," Said person said, drawing their attention up to the floor above them. Alex was looking down at them through the hole the anchor made.

"How'd you get up there?" Kai asked her.

"Jumped off before the floor collapsed," She said simply. "See you at the top." She disappeared from the hole. Kai saw Lloyd on the top floor after she had moved.

"He's on the top floor. Let's get him!" He informed the others. Lloyd gulped. They all ran out of the room yelling

"Ninja-go!" Kai and Zane did spinjitsu, taking the stairs. Cole started climbing up the anchor. Jay decided to be lazy as heck and take the elevator, that was filled with graffiti. Kai and Zane reached a classroom and kicked open the door to check for anymore students, however they were met with green goop dumping on them and hardening. Kai made a noise of disgust as he struggled to get out.

"I can't move," Zane noted out loud. Pythor cackled as he slithered by them before going invisible. Lloyd laughed evilly from the roof and then he saw Cole climbing up the anchor chain and backed away from the hole. Jay was beginning to fall asleep in the elevator, the music making him sleepy.

Cole saw Pythor as he climbed up the chain and jumped off at the floor he was on, taking out his scythe.

"Prepare to eat dust!" Cole said, ready to fight. Pythor pulled a rope that Cole had failed to notice that tripped the black ninja and kicked up dust (Ironically). Pythor slithered away as Jay stepped off the elevator and ran to a coughing Cole.

"He's got a serpentine with him!" Cole warned as he coughed "Watch out for booby trapps!" Jay looked around and yawned as he saw the large purple snake.

"That's one big snake." The blue ninja said before following it.

~With Alex~

The yellow ninja was checking the class rooms, making sure everyone had cleared the building. She found a surprise when she saw Zane and Kai stuck in that green goop in one of them. Even though she knew it wasn't anything to laugh at, she couldn't help herself. Kai craned his neck to look back at her.

"It's not funny!" He said, making a face.

"It kinda is," Alex pointed out with another good laugh.

"I do not see how this is funny, however, I do see how you can help us," Zane said.

"Yeah, So get us outta here will ya?" Kai asked annoyed. Alex rolled her eyes.

"Fine, give me a break will you?" She said before taking out her daggers and firing a light blast at the goop, breaking it and freeing the boys.

"Let's go!" Kai said, running out immediately. She gained an annoyed look at his behavior.

"Thank you for getting me out," Zane told her.

"What are teammates for?" Alex said, smiling at him for being polite. Zane smiled back before they heard Kai yell

"Hey, get back here!" Both looked at each other and ran up the stairs.

Toby's POV

I turned the corner, skidding a little bit. I had to warn at least one of the ninja. Speaking of ninja, I slammed right into one. we rolled a second, me loosing focus and turning back to my normal form, tail and all. I shook my head and we stared each other for a minute.

"You...what are you?" he said, obviously marveled by the scales.

"Uh.." I stuttered nervously as I got up

"Wait a minute. Aren't you that kid that was with Lloyd?" he put it together while I backed up.

"Yeah, but I-"

"You what? Trying to slow me down? Stop me from reaching Lloyd?" He drew up his own conclusion before I could say anything.

"No! I was just-"

"I know what you were doing! And you won't get away with it!" He tried to grab me, but I turned on my heals and ran. Why isn't he listening to me? I'm trying to help the guy for crying out loud!

"Hey, get back here!" I heard him yell after me before hearing his footsteps follow me.

Great now I'm being chased. Could this day get any worse?

I crashed into someone else, accept this one caught me. Looking up I saw is was the black ninja.

"What the-" He said a little surprised.

"Got you," The red one said as he slowed to a walk. Crap.

"Let me go." I struggled, hoping this one would actually listen.

"Don't Cole, he's with Lloyd," Mr. Doesn'tlisten said. The surprise in Cole's eyes hardened as he looked down.

"For the love of, I'm trying to help you!" I tried to convince them, to no avail.

"Sure you are," the red one said in a not so convinced voice. I sighed at his stupidity. Looks like I'll have to find a ninja more ready to listen, but first I'll have to escape these two. Looking up at Cole, I used my powers to make my teeth long and sharp, my eyes show nothing but white, and my entire face morph into something terrifying as I let out a lions roar. Cole's face paled and dropped me. Quickly I took the opportunity to get away from him. I shifted into a cheetah once more and took off.

Alex's POV

I spotted Kai and grabbed him before he could run off.

"It's getting away!" Kai exclaimed, pointing in the direction the mystery person went. I gave him a stern look.

"Who's getting away?"

"The-The kid! The one that was with Lloyd at the junk yard!" He explained quickly, obviously wanting to get him. Something sparked in my head as I remembered him .

"Which way?" I asked, hardening my gaze.

"What?" Kai said, obviously surprised and not wanting me to go after him.

"Which way did he go?!" My demeanor grew intimidating and i gave him a look.

"Up the stairs," Kai pointed. I rushed up them and heard footsteps following after me. Kai and Cole were right behind me.

~back at the bounty~

Third Person POV

Jess abruptly slammed her fist on the table in the control room, causing Nya and Paxtron to jump.

"I can't just sit here!" She said with a growl. She was going to go stir crazy if she didn't go down there.

"Cole told us to stay here," Nya said firmly

"Alex too!" Paxtron piped up.

"I don't care! I'm going to help!" Jess said and turned around, stalking towards the door. However she stopped as a small out of breath figure showed up. All they could see was a mop of spikey white hair and the poor boy doubled over and trying to catch his breath. When he looked up though, his face made them freeze.

"Alex...sent me here... To...to be safe," Toby said before falling over. He had drained to much of his power getting there. Jess caught him quickly and looked at Paxtron.

~At Darkly's~

Alex's POV

I used my powers to catch up to Toby moments before and leave the boys in my dust. I grabbed onto him and forced him to stop. At my touch his scales flipped over, making his tail disappear and his scales look and feel like skin. He turned and looked at me, fear, panic, and guilt in his eyes. The look on my face softened.

Toby I thought to him. A look of recognition crossed his face.

"Alex, what- is that you?" He asked, obviously confused. I didn't have time to answer any questions though. I couldn't let Cole and Kai get to him. At least not now while we were in a hurry to get Lloyd and the Serpentine.

"Toby, get to the anchor, climb up. You'll reach a ship called the bounty. Jess and Paxtron are on it. They'll watch over you while we finish here. Okay?" I asked, making sure my tone portrayed that I needed no questions asked. He stared at me a moment, but nodded and morphed into a cheetah again. He took off and just in time to. Kai and Cole caught up with me.

"Where'd he go?!" Kai asked, looking around. Cole looked straight at me. I think he knew something was up.

"I don't know. I turned the corner and he was just...gone," I lied. Cole raised an eyebrow.

"Gone how?" He asked me, searching my eyes for any sign of my lie. I made sure they didn't show one.

"Just gone," I replied. Both Sighed in frustration, but let it go. Zane caught up with us then.

"Come on! We must reach the top!" He said and continued running again. This set the two ninja back in the gam and we all followed Zane.

Third Person POV

~with Lloyd~

"Ah! They're coming! They're coming!" Lloyd yelled in panic as he ran around the top of the treehouse. Pythor slithered through the trap door and picked up a plank, feebly putting it over the door in an uncaring effort to keep them from coming through. Jay kicked open the door, having gotten there before the others.

"Shocked to see me?" He asked, making the terrible pun as he took out his lightning nunchucks. Lloyd was panicking.

"Do something!" He ordered Pythor in fear. The snake however had different plans. He reached back behind Lloyd and took the map out of his back pocket with a dark chuckle. Lloyd felt the map be removed from his pocket and looked behind him. Sure enough it was gone and when he looked back Pythor had it in his hands and was opening it.

"Wha-What are you doing?" he asked, fearing he had been betrayed again. "I thought you were my friend!" Pythor whirled around and towered over Lloyd.

"All you wanted was to make the serpentine your slave," he snapped and began slithering away. Jay watched this play out, unsure of what to do. "Well sorry, my dear boy. I have other plans." Pythor disappeared from sight just as Jay was about to stop him. Alex reached the trapdoor at this point and say Lloyd as he looked around in shock and panic. Jay advanced forward, swinging his nunchucks and Lloyd started running around the roof in a failed attempt to get away. He stopped at a corner and looked down for any sort of escape, only to get dizzy from how high up he was. Alex started approaching from the other side slowly and took off her mask. She paused as she heard the bounty lowering itself besides the roof of the school. on the deck was Paxtron, Jess, Wu...and Toby. Lloyd turned around and saw the exhausted and sweat drenched white haired boythe trap door open with unnecessary force. and surprise took over his features. Wu jumped to the roof, a stern look on his face.

"Lloyd Montgomery Garmadon! You come here right now!" he ordered, sounding very angry. Lloyd backed up a little, until he felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked up and saw Alex, the only ninja who had treated him with kindness. He suddenly felt sick as he remembered his broken promise to her.

"Time to go Lloyd," She said gently, surprising Jay. Lloyd looked down but nodded. She began leading him to his uncle and the bounty. The other boys FINALLY joined them and saw Alex leading him away.

"What should we do with him?" Cole asked Zane and Kai. "Wash his mouth out with soap? For a year?"

"Ground him indefinitely!" Kai said.

"Have him sit in the corner for a century?" Zane suggested, trying not to laugh.

"OO! OO! We could make him eat nothing but vegetables!" Jay said.

Paxtron shook her head at their suggestions.

"I know exactly what we must do," Wu said, causing Lloyd to gulp. Alex picked him up and jumped on the bounty, shooting the guys a look. They all gave her innocent stares.

~later at night~

Wu and Alex were sitting by Lloyds side as the old man read from a book. "And that is why Jack the Rabbit never trusts a snake," Wu finished and closed the book. Lloyd yawned as his uncle stood up.

"If my dad had read me that book, I would never have made that mistake. Im sorry uncle," Lloyd said, regret and exhaustion in his voice. Alex smiled at him as she quietly stood up.

"Oh you do not need to apologize. I'm sure that if your father was still here, it would be the first book he'd read," Wu said, brushing some hair out of Lloyds face. Alex smiled sadly at the floor now. She missed her dad. The guys were in the doorway, all with confused looks on their faces. "Goodnight Nephew, sweet dreams."

"Goodnight Uncle. Goodnight Alex," Lloyd said tiredly and let his eyes close. The guys quickly disappeared from the doorway.

"Goodnight Lloyd," she said and snuck out the door with Wu. Alex went to her room, but Wu went above deck, where the other ninja met him.

"I don't get it Sensei," Kai said, his voice portraying a small tone of sadness that went unnoticed.

"Why isn't the little brat getting punished?" Jay asked with frustration and some anger.

"Yeah! We have to train all day and he gets read a bedtime story? It's not fair!" Cole said, more annoyance than anger in his voice. Wu turned to face them, stopping in his walk.

"Hmm. You're right! I nearly forgot. Why are you not still training? Did you find the answer to the riddle?" he questioned. The boys feelings towards Lloyd melted away and were replaced by defeat.

"No Sensei. We still don't know what the best way to defeat your enemy is," Kai said with a sigh and a bow of his head. They began to walk toward the training equipment, all looking down. Sensei watched them a moment before deciding to tell them.

"It is to make them your friend," He informed them. The all now realized why he had treated Lloyd so kindly.

"Ooh!" the said in unison and looked back to the hall before going to watch Lloyd sleep.

~In Alex's room~

Alex returned to her room, a lot on her mind. Paxtron and Jess were already in there. Jess was reading a book, and Paxtron was fast asleep on her mattress. She sighed and looked around the room. Where was...?

"Alex?" Toby's small voice came from behind her. She turned around to see him looking down at the floor.

"Hey there you are," she said softly with a smile, hoping not to wake Paxtron. She crouched down in front of him and put a concerned hand on his shoulder. "What's wrong?" He looked at her, purple eyes holding guilt and shame. He suddenly hugged her.

"Alex I'm so sorry for everything that happened! I didn't mean to do all those things with Lloyd it was just that he was my first friend in a while and I didn't know what to do!" he cried into her shoulder. She wrapped her arms around him and rubbed his back, letting him cry it out. Once he had calmed down enough she held him at arms length to look at him.

"Listen to me Toby. What you did was not okay," She started out, his eyes downcast. "But it can be forgiven." He looked back up at her, eyes a little wide as he sniffled. "You're still just a kid, Peer Pressure made you do somethings you regret. But you know what? You made the decision to stop. You pulled away and that doesn't always come easy. Not only that, but you tried to help us when we walked into their trap. I'm proud of you really."

"Y-you are?" he said, surprised.

"Yes, I am. Now why don't you sleep with me tonight?" She said. Toby smiled a little and nodded. Alex smiled back and went into the restroom to change. When she came back out he was already asleep on her bed. She smiled at him and laid down, careful not to wake him. Jess looked up and shook her head at her two teammates, no her two family members, and put her book down, turning out the light. That night everyone slept peacefully on the bounty and all was calm. However the road ahead of them was going to be long and hard. Will they all be ready?


So what did ya'll think? This is one of my longest chapters so hopefully it was worth the wait. It was 14,999 words before I added the authors notes. It's a new record! Lol, Review please and I wish everyone luck on their finals!

~December 4, 2015~