*Proud of You* (after the Slither Pit in Home)
Slithraa rubbed his head with a groan. He still can't believe he let a boy boss him around. The other Hypnobrai stated that it was because he accidentally hypnotized himself via reflection on an icy rock when Lloyd ducked. Either way, he still feels pretty bad about the whole scenario. He must have treated Scales pretty bad when he was under Lloyd's control.
As he walked through the icy Hypnobrai Tomb, Slithraa spotted Skales sitting by his lonesomeness, looking down at the Tribal Staff with a depressed look. That got Slithraa confused. Skales should be happy that he's now the new General. Why is his former second-in-command/student depressed? He then spotted Rattla as he was passing by and stopped him for a minute.
"Rattla," he asked, "what is wrong with General Skales?" The Scout turned to the new General in reply.
"I'm not sure," he answered with a shrug. "He's been like that after he banished Lloyd from the Tribe." He then left, and Slithraa turned to Skales. Is he feeling guilty about kicking the boy out? Or is it something else? Guessing he'll have to find out himself, Slithraa walked up to Skales.
"Ska—I mean, General?" he asked. Skales perked up his head and turned to see Slithraa standing there. Quickly, he stood up and bowed to his mentor.
"Sir," he said, "I'm sorry. I—"
"Skales, you've no need to do that anymore," Slithraa reminded him. "You're the new leader now." Skales didn't look up into his mentor's eyes.
"I'm sorry, Slithraa-Sensei," he answered, slowly turning the Staff around in his hands.
"Oh, don't feel ashamed," the former General replied. "It's just something you're going to have to get used to."
"No," Skales stated, slowly gripping the staff harder. "I'm not apologizing about that."
"You're not?" the confused Hypnobrai replied. "Then what are you apologizing for?" Skales then looked up at him, showing the General-turned-Warrior the tears forming in his eyes.
"For what I've done," he answered. "When Lloyd put you under his control through the accidental hypnotism, you were acting so differently that I didn't like it. I wanted to try and break Lloyd's hold over you to get the real you back, but…the only solution I can think of was…defeating you in the Slither Pit. As a result, I will become the new General, and…you will be demoted to Warrior. I didn't want to do it, but…I was so desperate on getting you back. You're like a father to me, Slithraa-Sensei, and no one could ever take your place. I'm…I'm so sorry…"
Slithraa watched with surprise as his student sobbed silently. He's depressed because he took the title of General from his mentor. With a gentle smile, Slithraa placed a comforting hand on Skales' shoulder.
"Skales," he said calmly, "we knew that time would come, and…I'm not angry with you. You were only doing what you thought was right. And when you used Fang Kwan Do to defeat me, it proved to me that I had taught you well and that you are ready. And for that…I'm proud of you." Skales then wiped his tears away.
"Y-You are?" Slithraa nodded in answer.
"I am certain that you will be a great leader of the Tribe," he stated. "And remember: if you are unsure of what to do, I'll be there to offer you guidance." With a smile, Skales wrapped his arms around Slithraa and hugged him.
"Thank you, Slithraa-Sensei," he replied as the former General returned the hug.
"My pleasure…General Skales," he whispered back.
*Fangpyric Matchmaker* (Starring a guest's OC Amber)
Skales gulped when he saw Amber sitting against the Bounty's mast. She was doodling away on her sketchpad, her long black hair gently flapping in the breeze although it's in a loose ponytail. The Hypnobrai blushed when he noticed her tan; her legs and arms exposed by her blue jean shorts and her grey t-shirt are a darker but cuter shade. Oh, boy…
"Uh, you know what? I changed my mind; let's bail." He then turned to slither away, only to have Fangtom grab his arm.
"Oh, no, you don't, old chum," he said to him. "You are going to do this whether you want to or not." Fortunately for the two of them, they were hiding within the cabin, so Amber didn't hear. Skales just gave out a groan/whine in frustration.
Why did I get talked into this? Oh, right…Amber is Fangtom's best human friend as he is my best Serpentine friend…and she's got a crush on me! Nothing wrong with that; I like her too. But…I don't know if I have a chance with her!
"Fangtom, really," Skales protested. "I don't know if I can do this! What if I say something stupid?"
"You won't say anything stupid," the two-headed snake assured him. "You just need to stay calm and remember what we rehearsed." With another gulp, Skales gave in.
"Fine, but if I screw up, I'm pinning this on you." Skales then slithered out of the cabin and up slowly towards the girl. His heart began beating like crazy against his chest as he stopped next to Amber, who hasn't noticed him because she's so focused on her drawing. He then cleared his throat quietly.
"H-Hello, Amber." In a flash, the girl shot up to her feet and held her scythe up to his throat. She blinked her dark blue eyes and blushed when she saw who it was.
"Sk-Skales," she said, lowering her weapon. "Sorry about that; you startled me."
"Oh, no, it was my fault," he stated quickly. "I shouldn't have snuck up on you like that." He then spotted the sketchbook in her hand. "You, uh, making another drawing?" She then turned to her book.
"Oh, yeah," she answered, lifting it up to show him. "It's Zane's falcon. See?" Skales then looked at the drawing. It is indeed the White Ninja's robot falcon flying through the clouds. Amber did a really good job.
"It looks great."
"Thanks," she replied with a slight blush on her face. Oh, she looks so cute when she blushes like that. "So…what can I help you with?" Skales quickly snapped out of it.
"Oh, uh," he started, "well, Zane and Fangtom told me about this art show going on in the Ninjago City Art Museum tomorrow, and…well, since you're great at drawing as you are at fighting, I was wondering if you'd like to come with me." Amber blushed in reply.
"As a…date?"
"Uh, yeah…unless you have other plans for tomorrow?" Oh, please say you'll come. Please say you'll come. Please say you'll come.
"No, I'm free tomorrow," Amber answered. "I love to go to the art show with you." YES!
"Great," he replied with a smile. "So…I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Sure thing," she replied before a voice called out to her. The two of them turned to see that it's Acidicus.
"Amber, sorry to bother you," he called, "but could you please come help me? Skalidor's annoying Cole again."
"I'll be right," she called back before turning to Skales again. "See you tomorrow, Skales." He then waved to her in reply as she left. When she was gone, the Hypnobrai punched the air in victory.
"YES!" he cheered as Fangtom slithered up to him.
"Told ya you'll do just fine," he stated…before Skales pulled him into a big bear hug.
"Oh, thank you, Fangtom! Thankyouthankyouthankyou! If you were a girl, I'd kiss you right now!"
"Hey, you don't want Amber to get jealous, do you?" the Fangpyre groaned. He gasped for breath when Skales freed him suddenly.
"Oh, what should I wear? Should I look professional or casual?"
*Skalidor's Choice*
"Skalidor, I don't care if what you say!" Pythor yelled. "I don't want you to be with that…human! I forbid you to even see or talk to that human ever again! You got it?" Skalidor just scowled at his superior in reply, Acidicus watching with worry at the side.
"Oh, I got what you're saying, Pythor," he growled, "but I'm sure as heck NOT gonna listen." The Anacondrai's eyes went wide with shock.
"What?"
"You may not approve like Acidicus can, but the ninja do! If you can't be happy for me, then I don't see any point in staying here at all!" He then turned his back on Pythor and slithered away, leaving behind his Staff on the floor before the two surprised Serpentine. Once outside the room, he turned to Cole, who stood by the door.
"Skali," he said, using his pet name for the Constrictai, "I'm sorry. I—" He stopped when Skalidor gently placed a claw on his lips with a smile.
"Don't worry about it, sweetheart," he said to him softly. "Pythor may not approve like Acidicus can, but it's my choice alone: to be with you." And he sealed that promise with a kiss on Cole's lips…not knowing that Pythor was watching them and now regretting what he just said to the Constrictai.