Chapter 2: (Sometimes) Never Trust A Snake
A shadow slunk through the streets of a small village on the edge of the Endless Desert, searching for information. It narrowed it's eyes. "What'sss a newsssspaper?" the being hissed, before darting forwards, grabbing one and retreating to the quiet of a dingy alleyway. The first thing they did was look at the date printed on the paper. "Oh wow, it hasssss been a long time. But sssssseeing the ssssssun . . . . . incredible," the being smiled, before reading the paper's headline. "Mythical Menace At Large Once More? That ssssssoundssssss interesting,"
They were rapidly cut off by the sound of a bell ringing and multiple people shouting in protest, accompanied by laughter. They peered out onto the main street and cursed in annoyance. "Pythor? How did he sssssurvive? Oh dear, I might be in trouble - but why doesssssss he have a human child with him?" they moaned, staring at the ridiculous spectacle of Lloyd and Pythor skating down the street in an outsize scooter, knocking over ice-cream carts and laughing maniacally. "Hassss he gone sssssoft or something? Maybe all the yearsssss in that tomb knocked a ssssscrew loossssse in that mind of hisssss. Well, I ssssssupposssssse if it did, all the better for me and all of Ninjago," they shrugged, deciding not to dwell on it and take advantage of the distraction to make a hasty escape.
A disembodied newspaper floated through the air, unnoticed by the vast majority of the crowd, and made it's way out of the small town. "I sssssupposssse I sssshould keep an eye on Pythor. He'sss a fanatic at bessssst and a delusssional tyrant at worssst,"
They finally opened up the paper and read the article once outside the town's walls. "The Sssssserpentine? The Hypnobrai and Fangpyre? Oh jeezum. I sssssupposssse they jussst can't let go of the passst,"
X
Darkley's Boarding School for Bad Boys was a multi-storey, obelisk-shaped building with several pleasant balconies and terracotta tiles on the roof. It was perched atop a hill with random splotches of grass dotted across the desert.
A child dressed in a black cloak and a shirt crudely drawn rib bones on it slowly walked towards it, accompanied by a massive purple snake. "Pythor, you're brilliant. Taking revenge on the Boarding School that kicked me out because I wasn't evil enough is genius! And bound to be pretty fun too. Muhuwahahahaha!" Lloyd Garmadon cackled, and Pythor rolled his eyes. "Whatever helps you sleep at night," he hissed to himself. "Anyway. How should we storm it?" the child asked.
"I think the best thing to do is a combination of shock, awe and indimidation. Use my appearancewwwww to scare your ex-classmates into submission, take the students hostage and use them as ransom to make the teachers surrender!" Pythor maniacally grinned with glee, looking forward to how fun this was sure to be.
"I like that. That's a good plan. Glad I came up with it," Lloyd grinned, and his 'henchman' rolled his eyes in dismay. "Let's just storm the school, shall we?"
A little ways behind them, something shot from the cover of one rock to another. Pythor paused, raising his head for the briefest of instants, and narrowed his eyes. "Strange," he frowned. "Is something wrong, Pythor?" Lloyd earnestly asked. "No, young sir, don't worry. It's nothing. I just thought that I heard something,"
X
An alarm echoed through the rooms of the Destiny's Bounty, and a female voice shouted through the intercom, "Guys! We have Serpentine activity at Darkley's Boarding School for Bad Boys!" Nya called through the pipes.
"Darkley's?" Jay frowned as he snatched up his personal Golden Weapon, the powerful Nunchucks of Lightning, pulled his ninja mask on and rushed towards the mission briefing room. "That place is a cesspit for the malicious and misbehaved," he groaned as he met the other Ninja in the large bridge of the ship. "Be that as it may," Cole slung the Scythe of Quakes, another of the four legendary Golden Weapons, over his shoulder callously, and donned his own mask. "They still need our help," he signed. "So, how are we gonna get in there? The place is probably booby-trapped to hell and beyond," Kai groaned, brandishing the Sword of Fire, his own Golden Weapon, in irritation. Zane removed his pink apron and pulled his own white mask over his head, tucking the Shurikens of Ice, the last of the four Golden Weapons of legend, into his belt. "We will need something rather, ahem, unconventional," the White Ninja recommended.
Jay cast a passing glance at a proud framed picture of the four Ninja, Nya and Sensei Wu standing in front of the prow of the Bounty. "I think I have an idea. But you probably won't like it much," he slyly grinned.
X
"Pythor! How are the booby-traps coming?" Lloyd demanded, walking down the hallway towards his henchman. "Every door, nook and cranny is spring-loaded, master Lloyd," the Anacondrai grinned maliciously. "Perfect. How's the net cannon coming?"
"Completely ready to fire," Pythor reported. "It had better be. I want those Ninja captured," Lloyd grinned with an evil smirk. "As do i, Master Lloyd. The sooner they are out of the way, the better,"
The two comrades alighted upon the roof, nearby a long-barrelled cannon. "Ah, master Lloyd, can I point something out? Wouldn't it make more sense for the cannon to fire, ahem, cannonballs, not nets?"
"Don't be ridiculous, Pythor. I want to capture the Ninja first. That way I can lock them up snd gloat about my victory before I get rid of them," Lloyd grinned. Pythor snorted, but flinched in surprise as the boy suddenly shouted, "Look! Down there! Fire!" Not wasting a second, the Anacondrai fored the net at where Lloyd was pointing. "Did we hit anything?" the snake asked.
"Uh, Pythor?" Lloyd asked, suddenly sounding rather uncertain. "You did say that you were the only Anacondrai left, right?"
"Of course I did. Why, what is -" Pythor cut himself off in surprise at the sight of what was caught underneath the net. "Nevermind what I was saying before about the cannonballs, the nets are perfect," Pythor grinned. "Now, do you think you will be alright on your own? I would rather like to interrogate our new prisoner," the Serpentine frowned. "Go on, I'll be fine. And see if you can recruit him. I want more henchmen,"
"I am on it, Master Lloyd," Pythor snorted, heading back downstairs with a frown. "Someone has some explaining to do,"
X
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Kai nervously asked in confusion. "Of course it is. Have a little faith," Jay snorted.
The four ninja were precariously clinging to the Destiny's Bounty's anchor. Even though the craft was now a flying ship, it had once been a typical seafaring vessel. And for all the modifications and additions, the machinery of the anchor was too deeply ingrained into the ship's construction to be removed. So Jay and Nya had built around it.
"I have faith alright. Faith that this is gonna kill us," Cole snorted. "That is a valid concern. Perhaps we should put more thought into the plan?" Zane suggested.
"Drop it, Nya!" Jay yelled. "On it!" Kai's sister called back, and in an instant the anchor released.
Kai and Cole screamed, Jay whooped and Zane merely eeped as the anchor dropped to the ground.
X
"You know, Pythor, I'm sure those ninja are sneaking their way in right now. We need to stay on guard. Double-check everything that moves and triple-check everything that doesn't!" Lloyd commanded. "That is a sensible precaution, but I really want to interrogate our hostage," Pythor growled.
Screaming was suddenly heard in the distance. "Uh, where's that coming from?" Lloyd frowned.
Pythor uncertainly looked up, and shouted, "Get down!"
The two leapt out of the way as the anchor of the Destiny's Bounty high above them smashed into the ceiling - and continued going, punching a hole into the top floor, which once again couldn't stop the anchor's momentum and gave way. The same thing happened to the roof of the third floor, and after a couple of moments, the floor of the third floor gave way too, dropping the four dazed ninja into the second floor. Kai moaned. "Is it over?"
Cole winced. "I hear a cracking," he warned.
Sure enough, the cast-iron anchor of the Destiny's Bounty was too heavy for the second floor to hold, and it gave way, dropping the Ninja into the bottom floor. Luckily, the solid stone foundations would not give way to the anchor, bringing their impromptu ride to a much-wanted halt.
The four ninja picked themselves up and drew their weapons. "Jay, that is the last time we are doing that. Ever!" Cole snapped.
"Well, at least we tried it," the blue ninja shrugged.
Cole looked around and spotted a group of terrified children, who had all been tied up. He pulled out his Scythe of Quakes and in fear and horror, the children reared back, expecting to be decapitated at any second.
Instead, the magical weapon sliced through the rope holding them. The children immediately separated and ran to unknown corners of the school.
Kai stepped forwards and looked towards a pair of Skeletons with large heads who were tied up and dangling from the ceiling. "Well, well, well, if it isn't Kruncha and Nuckal. Substitute teachers, eh?"
The Skeleton Army were Undead beings from the Underworld, lead by Samukai, the Skeleton King, and had once been the servants of Lord Garmadon. Once the dark overlord had escaped, and Samukai killed, the Ninja never bothered to find out what had happened to the Skeletons and the three generals of the Army and Samukai's immediate subordinates, Nuckal, Kruncha and Wyplash. It seemed that Kruncha and Nuckal had, in their desperation, accepted teaching posts at Darkley's.
"If I'm gonna cut you down, I'd better not see you showing your ugly faces around Ninjago again," Kai frowned. The two Skeletons frantically nodded and mumbled through the duct tape holding their mouths shut.
With slashes of his sword Kai cut the Skeletons free and they frantically rushed away trough the corridors. "I hope we've seen the last of them," Jay frowned.
"Uh, guys? You, ah, might want to see this," Zane called the other three Ninja over to the corner. As one, the three frowned in confusion.
Lying in the corner was a purple Serpentine, bound from head to tail and with duct tape over their mouth.
Kai and Jay immediately drew their weapons. Cole cautioned them back. "Whoa, guys, think about it. This doesn't sit right with me. Why would the Serpentine take one of their own captive?"
"He is correct. I sense something," Zane paused in his agreement with Cole. "Unusual, about this Serpentine,"
Cole reached over and pulled the duct tape from the snake's mouth. "Okay, spill it. What's the story?"
They rapidly inhaled a deep breath of air. "Oh, that feelsssss better," they sighed, before their eyes widened. "You're the ninja, right? You have to get to the roof! Pythor hasssss to be ssssstopped!" they shouted.
Jay frowned. "Who's Pythor?"
The Serpentine rolled their eyes. "Look up,"
The four ninja immediately looked up, and saw a purple, scaly face flaring down at them through the many, many holes they had punched through the building.
Cole immediately looked back to the tied-up snake - and was somewhat surprised to see that they were still there. "Half expected you to vanish on us," he commented uncertainly.
"Oh, I wish," the snake snorted. "But I can't. Now, will you continue to stand here bickering or go after that maniac?"
Cole made a snap decision. "Zane, stay here and keep an eye on our scaly little friend. See if you can get more information out of him," Zane saluted. "The rest of us'll split up and get up there," Cole instructed, grabbed hold of the anchor's chain and began shimmying his way up.
Kai rushed towards the stairs, and Jay made to follow him until he noticed something nearby. "Ooh, let's take the elevator!" he grinned. "Seriously?" Kai groaned, continuing up the stairs as the elevator doors slid open.
Cole had reached the rop of the second floor by now. "Pythor! Sandbag!" he demanded. "On it, sir!" Pythor hissed, heaving a sandbag over his head and dropping it towards Cole. "Oof!" The black ninja fell to the ground and groaned. "Again?"
"Do you have a name? I'd rather not call you 'snake'," Zane asked, doing his best to be polite. "My family called me Ssssssolo," the snake nodded. "Well, I suppose it's nice to meet you, Solo," the white ninja smiled. "Likewise," Solo did their best to nod with their neck tied to their tail. "So, what makes Pythor so dangerous?"
"He'sss a fanatic. He'sss obsssessssssed with thisss ancient prophesssy-" Solo was cut off by the Cole, who had picked himself up for the second time. "Getting anything out of him, Zane?" he asked.
"He seems quite pleasant. He hasn't even tried to withold information," Zane said and Solo snorted. "That'sss because I'm on your ssside. And I'm female, ssso quit it with the 'he' crud," she demanded. Cole gulped, suddenly feeling embarrassed. "Oh, uh, sorry," he winced and climbed back up the anchor chain.
"You're on our side?" Zane frowned. "In short, yeah. I've heard the ssstuff that the other sssnakesss are doing and, frankly, I don't agree with it. But beyond that, the enemy of my enemy isss my friend," Solo explained. "But why is this Pythor your enemy? You are both Serpentine?" the Master of Ice still didn't comprehend.
Solo positively growled at him. "That's like expecting all humansss to be perfect becaussse of you ninjasss. Look at that kid up there. There can be bad humansss, ssso why not good Ssserpentine?" she reasoned. Zane blinked. "You are correct. My deepest apologies," he bowed to show the truth of his words. Solo nodded and snorted. "Thanksss, I guessssss," she sighed.
"So, about this prophecy Pythor is obsessed with," Zane started.
X
Jay waited patiently in the elevator. "Buh-buh-buh-ba-ba-ba," the elevator music played, and the ninja of Lightning smiled. It was oddly relaxing for the standard set by Darkley's.
X
Kai rounded the corner of the stairwell and charged towards the top floor. Lloyd squeaked. "Ninja inbound!"
Pythor pulled a string and a pile of gloop fell from the ceiling, enveloping the red ninja. It rapidly solidified and trapped him. Kai then caught sight of Pythor's entire body. "That is one big snake," he winced, while struggling to get out of the gloop. "I can't move!" he protested.
The Anacondrai facepalmed and sighed. "That is the point of a trap, you know,"
X
"Buh-buh-buh-ba-ba-ba," the elevator music droned. "Ba-ba-ba-buh-buh-buh,"
Jay sleepily smiled as his head fell forwards, lulling in time to the sleepy music. His eyelids slowly slid closed as he began to fall into a relaxed slumber.
Suddenly they shot open as he remembered the situation. The blue ninja promptly pinched his own cheek to ensure he remained awake, and continued to patiently wait. Pinching his cheek every few seconds.
X
"I'll admit, I have a bit of a . . . . unique outlook on life among my fellow sssnakesss," Solo self-consciously shrugged. "I will be honest, I don't understand it. What made our ancestors seal your kind away in those tombs in the first place?" Zane questioned.
The Anacondrai shrugged. "I honessstly don't know. In Ssserpentine terms, I'm pretty young. The tomb wasss my home for my entire life until yesssterday morning,"
Zane blinked in surprise. "So until now you have never even seen the sun?"Solo nodded. "Our banissshment from the sssurface world was a taboo sssubject. No one ever told me exactly what happened," she continued. "Oh, that's . . . . horrible," Zane gulped. "You got used to it," she shrugged. "The problem was when we ran out of food,"
"Hmm," Zane thought for a second, before pulling his shurikens out and twirling them in his hands. "Uh, what are you doing?" Solo gulped, suddenly nervous.
He sliced through the ropes holding her in place, before putting his shurikens back on his belt. Solo looked over her body in shock. "Thank you, but . . . . why? I'm a sssnake?" she asked in wonder. The white ninja helped her up and placed a hand on her shoulder. "You're different. I can sense that. And," he suddenly took a critical look at her thin stomach and protruding ribs, "I am making you a very large meal when we return to the Bounty," he decided. "I'd like that a lot," Solo hungrily thanked him.
X
The elevator dinged and the doors slid open. Jay leapt out, twirling his nunchucks. He looked around. "I'm he first one up here? Elevators rule!" he fist-pumped.
"The elevator? You didn't booby-trap the elevator?!" Lloyd fumed at Pythor from the hole in the roof. "What's an elevator?" the snake asked in honest confusion.
Jay jumped through the hole and landed on the roof to confront Pythor and Lloyd. "It's bedtime, pipsqueak," he grinned. "Pythor! Protect me! I'm your master!" Lloyd demanded.
But the Anacondrai had finally had enough of the farce. "Master? Master! I am sick of this! And. I am sick of you!" he spat at Lloyd, before reaching out and snatching the Map of Dens, the ancient map that showed the locations of all five Serpentine tombs, from Lloyd's arm. "Wha?" Lloyd gasped in shock. "How could you betray me like this, Pythor?"
"Betray you? Betray you, you say? All you want to do is to make the Serpentine your slaves! But I have greater plans. So long, sucker!" Pythor snorted with an evil smirk, before vanishing into invisibility. "Wha - where'd he go?" Jay demanded. "We'll worry about him later," Cole commanded, jumping onto the roof and joining Jay in cornering Lloyd. "Uh, I'm sorry?" the child plaintively begged.
Kai climbed up onto the roof as the Destiny's Bounty docked nearby and the gangplank extended. Sensei Wu strolled down and glared at Lloyd, who cowered under his uncle's glare.
"Ooh, what should we do to him? Send him to his room? For a century?" Jay eagerly suggested.
"Put him in the corner! For a lifetime!" Cole continued the thread. "A million spankings!" Kai finished.
"Enough!" Sensei Wu interrupted him. "I know exactly what we should do. But first, where is Zane?" he frowned, looking for the Master of Ice.
"Under here!" his voice came from the hole in the roof. "Would you mind getting a ladder? Our new friend will need one," he asked. "New friend?" Sensei Wu frowned, moving to the hole in the roof and raised a curious eyebrow at Solo, who blushed and looked away self-consciously. "Don't worry, she's with me," Zane smiled.
Sensei Wu obliged and reached out his staff to lift Solo onto the roof. Zane jumped up after them.
Kai blinked. "Isn't that the Serpentine who was tied up?"
"Yeah, what is he doing here?" Jay demanded. Cole nudged him. "Uh, that he's a she, Jay," he informed his fellow ninja. "Oh yeah? How can you tell?" Jay demanded.
Cold awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck. "She told me," he muttered, somewhat ashamed.
"Come along, everybody. We must get back in the air," Sensei declared, walking back towards the gangplank. "That includes you," he nodded to Solo, waiting by the edge of the gangplank.
The Serpentine gratefully moved towards him, but was blocked by a rapidly warming golden blade. "Whoa, whoa, whoa," Kai decidedly snapped. "Are we really letting a Serpentine on board our ship?" he asked Sensei Wu. "Zane is willing to vouch for her. That is good enough for me. And it should be good enough for you," he told the Ninja of Fire.
Jay looked like he was going to raise his own complaint, but wisely decided to keep silent.
"Yes, Sensei," Kai sighed, moving to walk up the gangplank, but Sensei's staff immediately bopped him on the head. Cole's masked skull met the same fate as he too moved towards the ship. "What was that for?" the black ninja protested. "Today's lesson; common courtesy," Sensei Wu frowned at his pupils, before gesturing to Solo with a kindly smile. "Ladies first,"
"Uh, thanksss, I think," Solo frowned, but slithered onto the ship regardless.
A/N
A/N
Okay, just to clarify, Pythor doesn't know what an elevator is because they weren't invented when he was sealed away, therefore he couldn't have booby-trapped it. Which is my personal reasoning towards why Jay didn't have to contend with any booby-traps.
Nice to see Solo's getting in with the ninja. Also, if anyone's wondering, I got her name from Master Chen's saying, "Only one can remain," Only one = Solo. It also made sense since she was the only Anacondrai remaining that matched up with what Arcturus and the other original Anacondrai wanted their kind to be like. But she doesn't know that right now. :P Plus it just sounded right for the character I have planned for her. So, yeah.
Guest, that's a little obvious. :P
Sparkbutt, I talked to you.
Yes, I respond to reviews. Peace!
UPDATE: I fixed a few typos and retconned a minor plot hole. Peace!