A.N: Hi to the awesome people who read this story! February vacation has finally arrived! Expect more frequent updates to all of my stories! Downside, I have a huge science fair project to work on. *moans and bangs head on table*
But, enough of my problems. Read on, review, and stay awesome! Very important conversation with Venom and Pythor, we will find out his past and why he was asleep in the first place! Told ya I figured out the plot. ;)
Silence is Golden update will be next.
Lloyd's POV:
Adrenaline was pumping through my blood as me and the others stormed through the desert. Sand flew around my feet in small clouds, and the sun banged on my head, despite the fact that winter was shortly on its way.
The falcon trailed behind us at a respectful distance, with my dad and the others keeping a close eye on us, particularly me.
The Mountain of a Million Steps came into view, rising up into the bright blue sky. In moments the five of us skidded to a halt at the back of the mountain.
"So, where's the entrance? See anything?" asked Jay. I shrugged as I circled the base of the mountain. While Jay, Zane and Cole looked around the left side, me and Kai inched along the right.
"Keep your back to the wall and breathe quietly, in case anyone's here" Kai whispered. Staying in the shadows, just like a true ninja, I carefully moved along the rocky wall, my hands groping for a hold. Kai followed behind me, his golden sword gleaming in the afternoon sun.
A hiss caused me to pale, and I slowly peered over a boulder, to see two constrictai scouts guarding a small door. I was right!
Kai beamed. "Alright, now, we need to get past those guards. This is a mission of stealth, the fewer snakes that see us, the better."
I nodded, and Zoe's words echoed in my head. I can shoot fireballs.
My eyes closed and I focused my energy into my hands, and the familiar feeling of flames incasing my arm washed over me. I opened my eyes and held my hand in front of me. The two guards were in a perfect line, so if I shot one, the other would go down too. Green fire pushed out of my hand, nailing the bigger guard in the skull. As soon as he toppled over, the smaller one crumpled under the weight of his companion.
I smiled at my success. "C'mon!"
Kai called over the others, and Cole came over and gently pushed open the steel door.
It was pitch black inside, the only light seen was coming from the sunlight behind us. "Nya," Jay whispered towards the direction of the falcon. "Did you park the bounty yet?"
The falcon's bright gold irises turned blue, indicating someone was speaking into the microphone. Jay and Zane earlier made a small microphone built into the falcon's back, and one connected to it inside the bridge of the ship. This way, when the falcon is with us on missions, we can communicate as well.
"I can't find a place to land that's not wide open! For now, Lloyd will stay with you guys. I'll call in when I land and give you directions. Good luck!" And the bird's eyes turned back to gold.
Yes! I thought. I can stay!
Zane shut the door behind us, and Kai ignited his sword to act like a torch. A long and skinny stairwell came into view, leading downwards at a steep angle.
It's hard to be quiet when every step you take seems like it echoes. As if I wasn't on edge already. What if someone starts to come up the stairs, or enters from the door? I tried to hide it, but I was secretly scared. I personally don't want to get captured again.
Finally the stairs came to an end. Kai put out his sword, and I swiftly followed him through the darkened chamber.
It almost felt like we were walking on a large catwalk. I could see the silhouette of a metal bar on my left, and a large drop-off beyond that. When we got to a fork in the catwalk, Cole shushed us and pointed below us. A large door at the end of a fancy hallway.
"That must be where their master is. Let's see if we can find a way in" Cole said.
We took the left ramp and ended up at the other side of the chamber. One by one all of us swung over the bar and climbed down to the ground.
It wasn't that easy. There weren't a lot of footholds, and when there was they were incredibly small and skinny. Something told me this wall wasn't made to be climbed.
At the bottom, Cole scouted ahead to look for someone on their way in. I looked around the chamber floor to get my bearings. It was a large open space, about the size of two basketball courts. Small groups of snakes mingled within the space, and lights hung on the walls, leaving the room in a dim, ominous glow.
Eventually Cole motioned us forward. And who was about to go in but Pythor. With our leader in front, I trailed behind him, as he made sure we were at least a few feet away. While the magenta anacondrai slithered down the middle, we agilely moved against the wall. Pythor raised a hand to knock, but before he could, a voice barked for him to enter.
He did, and we slunk inside behind him and filed into a small corner, obscured from his sight from a large table.
I poked my head up to see what he was doing and I would've screamed if Jay didn't put his hand over my mouth and whispered for me to shut up.
Warriors were everywhere. Wherever direction I looked, there they were. They only were two colors, ebony black; see through body and blood red glowing eyes like my Dad's. Razor sharp claws grew on their hands like they could slice through steel. And various weapons were strapped to their backs.
But they weren't the worst part. It was the being at the front of the room that made me want to scream and run away. He looked slightly human, in the sense of the fact that he had arms, legs, feet and a head and torso. His skin was a sickly white, like snow. His eyes went back and forth from white, to black, to red, like a kaleidoscope. However, his eyes weren't fully open, he kept them closed for a small period of time, and then closed them, as if he was in a trance. And the man also seemed as if he was chained to the floor, small shackles where bound around my ankles. He wore a steel armor with a deadly looking sword, dripping with black liquids, making a puddle on the floor. Probably poison or something. His teeth were sharp like little knives, and yet he had the nerve to give a smug smile.
"Well hello Pythor. So glad you could join me. And my little friends."
I began to tremble. This…this was the guy that wanted me to die. He needed me, in order to be fully awakened.
"Suppose I should introduce myself. I am Venom, as you probably could've guessed, hm?"
Pythor nodded weakly. He was trembling too. Huh. I guess we have more in common than I thought originally.
"Now then, the warriors around me, yes, they work for me. And will only answer to me. I personally believe they are more…how you say…efficient then your serpentine. Correct?"
Pythor growled. "What makes you say that?"
"Don't get me wrong, they get the job done, it just seems as if they are a little aloof. Even you can agree with that."
After a short pause, Venom chuckled lightly. "I will take your silence as a yes. Now then, to business. I wish to send my warriors into the next mission to get another scroll. The scroll of lightning is next, am I wrong?" When Pythor nodded, Venom continued. "I only ask that you send my army out on the next mission, and see how they compare to your snakes. That is all. I would personally love to hear how the ninja handle them."
At this last statement, all of the shadow warriors growled in pleasure, and I whimpered in fear.
"It is those annoying ninja that I really would like to see mauled."
Jay made a funny noise in his throat.
Pythor looked at Venom incredulously. "But, it is to my knowledge that the ninja haven't even heard of you, correct?"
"That is true Pythor, but it is the original ninja that I truly despise. Before they came around, I roamed free around the earth. Before them, I did what I pleased. And before them, I was actually AWAKE!"
I jumped when he raised his voice. Original ninja? I thought we were the one and only. For once, Uncle might be…wrong.
"I suppose you need an explanation. Very well. Long before the first spinjitzu master was around, four ninja roamed the world, keeping the peace and stopping criminal activity. At this time, I also existed, preparing myself for an underworldly takeover. When I was finally ready, I unleashed my army, and the very first clash between good and evil began."
As I tried to comprehend this, I turned to my brothers, and they looked as confused and surprised as I was.
"Fate was cruel that day. Their power was too strong, I dare admit. All of their light and power combined sent me underground and put me into a deep sleep. I found out centuries later, when I was awake enough to keep my eyes open for periods of time, that only the power of all of the ninja combined, the chosen one's power, and his soul, were to be powerful enough to awaken me so I can exact my revenge. Before that, the first spinjitzu master came around, forged the golden weapons, and I…suppose you know the rest."
That explained a lot. I suppose I can't blame the guy for holding a grudge, but still, holding a grudge for THIS LONG was a little extreme.
Suddenly, Venom stopped. He paused and listened intently for something. "The ninja…" he rasped. "The ninja, they are here! All five of them!"
Cole gasped in alarm. "We gotta get out of here, especially you Lloyd."
"How? Probability of us escaping is less than thirty percent!" Zane said.
Venom scanned the room, and I realized that my leg was peeking out from under the table. I jerked back underneath, and Venom cried in happiness, "Under the table! Get them! Bring me the green one…alive!"
And before I knew it, I was on my feet, charging out the door.
A.N: Cliffhanger! Well, Venom's backstory and appearance took longer than expected. But I am quite pleased with how this turned out, I like writing in Lloyd's point of view, and that is where this will pick up. Silence is Golden will be updated next; I will add an option on my poll. Please vote, and REVIEW!
Have a great day!
Oh, and I FINALLY UPDATED Catching Bones yesterday, so check it out!