And I'm back with another chapter. So happy to see that people enjoyed the first one so much. I hope you enjoy this one just as much.


"Well, isn't thisss just charming," Skales muttered sarcastically as he slithered out of a hallway into an expansive, underground tram station. By the layer of dust and muck covering the walls and ground, he rightfully guessed that the place had been abandoned for a long time. He had to applaud Pythor for managing to find the most deserted place in the middle of a giant city filled with humans. Still, he wouldn't have minded if it were just a tad bit cleaner. He had noticed that his new tail had the unfortunate habit of collecting dirt, so he didn't dare to imagine what would get stuck under him in such a place. But it wouldn't be a good look for a Serpentine General to complain about something as benign as cleanliness, so he kept it to himself.

The station itself was currently filled with a few abandoned trams and a lot of Serpentine, from all the different tribes. With the exception being the ever-powerful Anacondrai. He had suspected that Pythor might have been joking or at least exaggerating their demise, but it seemed he spoke the truth. The Anacondriai were no more. Expect of course Pythor himself. Something that probably had lent a hand in helping him convince the tribes to gather.

He continued out of the tunnel which had to lead them to the station, with the rest of his tribe following lazily behind him. He had tried his best to convince them of the importance to meet up with the other tribes, but it hadn't done much to change their stance toward the subject. And as Skales looked around the Serpentine, he could see that the feeling was mutual. Small time bickering and arguing filled the room, though he couldn't help but worry that it would escalate into something much more extreme, if not taken care of as soon as possible.

It was only once he reached the center of the gathering, that he noticed the hostile stares from the other Serpentine tribes. Even his friendship with Fangtom did little to keep the Fangpyres from looking at them like enemies.

But Skales wasn't that easily intimidated and kept his head held high, intentionally ignoring the myriad of eyes staring at him. He looked around for a bit, as he was unable to see the rest of the Generals. It was only after a moment, that he noticed a black tail sticking out from behind the broken down tram wagons.

"Ssstay here, and try to mingle with rest. I have busssinesss to attend to." Skales said to the other Hypnobrai, before slithering away.

"And under no circumssstance, ssstart a fight." Skales commanded, looking back to receive a few affirming nods, though they looked less than pleased.

As long as the other Generals keep their tribes in check, there shouldn't be a problem. Hopefully.

Skales thought to himself, as he continued on his way, passing through the crowd of Serpentine, who reluctantly moved to the side to make way for him. No matter which tribe he came from, he was still a General. And at that moment he couldn't help but relish that fact, in an almost crude way, enjoying the sense of status and authority he carried. A sly, proud smile spread across his face as he went on his way.

It didn't take long before he escaped the crowd, and made his way to the other Generals. Just as he had thought, once went behind the tram wagons, he recognized the familiar faces of the other Serpentine Generals standing together in a circle. There was Skalidor, Acidicus, and of course, Fangtom, who he had convinced to join the gathering with the rest of his tribe. Skales had been surprised by Fangtom's willingness to come, though he had always been the more daring one between them.

"SKALES!" Both of Fangtom's heads called out in excitement, seemingly haven missed some friendly company.

"Fangtom!" Skales shouted back, as he slithered towards the group, with the other two Generals looking at each other, confused.

"I was worried that you-weren't gonna come," Fangtom commented as Skales went up to his side.

"And leave you alone with these snakesss? Not a chance!" He jokingly answered back, earning a hard stare from the other two.

"You're not Slithraa," Acidicus said, with a hint of spite in his voice.

"Yeah, who are you supposed to be?" Skalidor chimed in, pointing his staff accusingly at Skales, who just looked at the two with a disinterested expression.

"You're right, I'm not Ssslithraa. I'm Ssskalesss. Current General of the Hypnobrai."

Skalidor stared at Skales with a curious look, before being hit by a realization.

"Wait, now I remember you! Aren't you Slithraa's little second-in-command?"

"Were hisss sssecond-in-command…There wasss a little, change of management, you could call it." Skales explained, with a casual tone in his voice. Skalidor and Acidicus looked at each other unsure of what they were supposed to think. Just as before, Acidicus was the first to break the silence.

"Well…It HAS been some time since a new General has been chosen." He hesitantly said, looking over at Skalidor.

"Maybe. And if this wimp could defeat Slithraa-" Skalidor pointed at Skales, who had to keep down an insulted gasp. "-Then I guess he didn't deserve the staff after all, hehe." He finished, letting out a quiet chuckle.

"Who are you calling a wimp!" Skales asked, infuriated. He moved a bit closer to the Constrictai General, tightening his grip around his staff.

Skalidor turned his attention back to Skales, with a mocking grin on his face,

"Oh, does the new General want to fight a REAL warrior, huh?! Or are you just gonna try to hypnotize me, you cowardly snake!" He asked threateningly, also holding his staff ready for a fight, while closing the gap between the two of them.

"I'm ssstarting to think all that dirt in your earsss hasss ssstarted to make itsss way into your brain, numbssskull!" Skales said back, his eyes staring like daggers at Skalidor. The two of them were soon so close that they were nearly butting their heads together.

As they hissed at each other, the two other Generals joined in, with Acidicus supporting Skalidor, and Fangtom of course backing up Skales. But before they had the chance to start a fight, they were interrupted by the sound of a posh voice coming from the shadows.

"Now now, settle down. It wouldn't be a very good example for the warriors to see their Generals fighting amongst each other like common rascals, now would it?" Pythor said as he emerged from the darkness, with his entrance being more than enough to make the Generals pause their argument. As Pythor fully revealed himself, Skales wondered whether he had used invisibility to sneak up on them, or if he had just always been standing in the corner, observing them. Either theory seemed possible.

Skales and Skalidor separated as Pythor moved over to them, both unsure of whether they should feel embarrassed, or annoyed that their fight had been interrupted. As they stood and pondered that question, Pythor seemed to do a little headcount in his head, before his dark pink eyes fell solely on Skales.

"Skales, my friend! I was wondering when you were gonna show up. Can't have a meeting between the Serpentine without the Hypnobrai, now can we?" He asked, seemingly trying to justify his interest in Skales specifically, looking between the Generals, who all replied with hesitant nods.

"Well, I wasss curiousss to sssee what you were planning, Pythor. Gathering the tribesss isss not sssomething that happensss often." Skales commented, feeling the same need to justify himself, though he wasn't exactly sure why. For some reason, he was starting to feel nervous, and his certainty was starting to shrink. It was only once he locked eyes with Pythor's eyes, that he realized that it was the purple snake's stare that made him feel that way.

"Oh, and see my plan you will Skales. Soon you all will." Pythor answered, with an ominous tone, sending a slight shiver down Skales' back. Whether it was a threat or not, it sure felt like one.

"Which does remind me, Skales, would you mind joining me for a moment, when you have the time? There are a few things I do wish to…discuss with you." The Anacondrai asked and before even getting an answer, he started slithering behind the wagons, to a little spot he had all for himself to prepare. Just as Skales was about to say something, Pythor looked back for but a moment.

"Oh, and please, don't keep me waiting." He muttered as though it was a given, before finally disappearing. Skales stood for a moment, with no idea of what to say. Though Pythor was gone, he could still feel the remains of the uncertainty that the serpent had filled him with. He wasn't sure why, but that just made him more convinced that he should just shake off the feeling, or try to ignore it. He wasn't about to be frightened by some snake. Anacondrai or not.

He quickly regained the posture he had lost before and started making his way over to Pythor. But as he was going, he couldn't help but overhear Skalidor.

"Huh…Seems Pythor has a little favorite." He tauntingly said, making Skales stop in his tracks.

"What'sss THAT sssupposed to mean?!" The Hypnobrai angrily questioned the General, who gave him a mocking smile in return.

"It's true. It seems that Pythor has picked you out from the rest of us…rather unceremoniously I must say." Acidicus interjected, once again backing up Skalidor.

"WHAT?! Ridiculous!" Skales said though it sounded a bit like denial. When it didn't seem to convince them, Skales turned to Fangtom, hoping to get some support from his old friend.

"Don't tell me you believe this nonsense!"

"...Uhm…I'm sorry Skales-but they do seem to correct-on this matter." Fangtom replied with a bit of hesitancy, very much to Skales' disappointment.

"All I know is that I sure wasn't asked to discuss anything with Pythor privately. But apparently, you get a special discussion, unlike the rest of us. How do you explain that, Skales?" Skalidor asked, his hostility clear in his voice, leaving the other two to wait anxiously for a reply from Skales. He looked around nervously, feeling like he was being corned from all sides. But soon enough he swallowed his nervousness and pulled himself together. He raised his head high, before answering.

"Well, then it must be because he seesss sssomething in me that distinguishesss me from the rest of you. Perhaps it'sss because I have just recently replaced my former General, and have proven myself a true leader of the Hypnobrai. Maybe if you had any new accomplishmentsss to show off, then Pythor would probably be more than happy to choose you over me. But until then, I'm sssure he's sssimply just impressed by my deedsss."

As Skales finished he stood silent for a few seconds with a content smile on his face, happy that he was able to push his exploits into the faces of the others. Though the moment was soon ruined, as a mischievous Fangtom couldn't help but let a comment slip from his lips.

"Or perhaps he was impressed-by something else, hmm?…" He said, with a teasing tone, barely able to hold back his snickering.

While Skales was confused at first, but with Fangtom's chuckling, it didn't take him long to figure out that he was being mocked.

"What'sss that sssupposed to mean?!" He asked threateningly, trying to make Fangtom shut his mouth before he said anything else. But it was already too late, as he could hear the snickering from the other two Generals behind him.

"What are you laughing at!" Skales continued, trying to fight on two fronts, but they just chuckled in his face, trying their best to hold back all-out laughter.

"Please Skales, you should take it-as a compliment that he's SIMPLY dazzled-by your…great looks." Fangtom continued, the teasing tone still there. It was only after that sentence that Skales fully understood what it was that Fangtom was implying. Though he could have done without the knowledge, as it did nothing but make him blush against his will, humiliating him even further.

As he looked between Fangtom, Skalidor, and Acidicus, he made the decision to leave, thereby taking away their chance to mock him anymore. With a single angry hiss toward each of the chuckling snakes, he made his way toward Pythor's spot, with all-out laughter abrupting behind him. He muttered angrily to himself as he tried his best to make his blush disappear, practically trying to rub it off his face. It was no way for a Serpentine General to blush like some fool, especially not in front of others of equal rank. And Skales believed that he should know better than let himself be so easily disrupted by those snakes. They were simply jealous that he had gained influence with Pythor, where they had failed. After all, having the last living Anacondrai on one's side was something that one could only dream of. And if he had it, then why should he care for the opinion and mockery of the other Generals?

He slithered past the abandoned wreckages and immediately recognized Pythor, who stood and was seemingly talking to one of the windows from the tram wagons. Skales made the professional assumption that he was just practicing a speech. And if not, then he was just insane. Which Skales wasn't entirely willing to rule out yet.

Just before Skales approached, Pythor seemed to notice his presence and turned his head to look at him.

"Ah, Skales, there you are! I was starting to get worried that I would have to drag you back here with me." Pythor said, intentionally disregarding his rather strange statement.

Paying no heed to Pythor's words, Skales quickly adjusted himself and cleared his throat.

"I wasss…held back by sssome conversation with the other Generalsss. You know how they are, childish amateursss. If you would ask for my opinion, I would sssay that most of them aren't even competent enough to be Generals, and that's not even mentioning their…"

Skales found himself without words, as he looked up. While he had been talking, Pythor had made his way over to him and had gotten nearly too close for comfort. But the part that left Skales flabbergasted was the way that Pythor held his head over his, showing how much he towered over him. While Skales had noticed that his long neck had made him especially tall, even compared to other Serpentine, it was only now that he could truly feel the difference. His Anacondrai physique didn't help matters either. Even if he was slim by their standards.

And as Skales looked up at Pythor, he just stared back at him in silence, with a strange smile on his face, that Skales couldn't quite figure out. He tried to speak, but his mouth failed him, and all he managed was clumsily moving his mouth up and down. Even though the situation mirrored the one back at the icy caverns, he couldn't help but feel that this time he was being overwhelmed. As his heart raced, and his breathing got unsteady, he wondered how Pythor was able to make him like that. He was the Hypnobrai, HE was supposed to be the one in control, yet he felt himself completely lose control of his body. Was it Pythor's presence, his charisma, or just his sheer authority that gave him control over him? Skales had no idea.

"U-uhm…" Skales managed to finally push through his mouth, though he instantly regretted how pitiful it made him sound. But whether it was because of that or something else, Pythor finally moved away from him, withdrawing his grasp over the Hypnobrai.

"You know, normally I would be utterly intrigued in hearing all about your opinions…but, I got something to take care of, so unfortunately I don't want to hear it," Pythor said nonchalantly while turning back to the window, ignoring whatever had happened just before. And Skales wasn't sure if that should make him worried or if he should be thankful.

"I just wanted you to hear a little summary of what I'm planning to do. Whether you agree or not…isn't important." He continued, making it clear in his voice that he wasn't going to tolerate any criticisms of his plans.

The Hypnobrai was still shaken up from the encounter and needed a few seconds to compose himself. It was only then he was able to reply, trying to make sure that it didn't seem like he had been affected by Pythor.

"...If my opinion isss of ssso little interest to you, then why even discusss it with me?"

"Well, I have informed the other Generals of the plan already, so really I just needed to inform you as well. After all, your and the others' support is integral to my great plan. And if you're wondering why I'm telling you privately, well…" Pythor turned around to look at him head-on.

"It was because I wanted to." He slowly said, in a tone that Skales thought made it sound like Pythor was aware of something he wasn't.

"Ssso…go on and tell me," Skales uttered somewhat harshly, being tired of feeling like he was being played with, something that Pythor seemed experienced in.

"Oh, it's all quite simple. I make quite the charming speech to win over the crowd, you all just play along, and before you know it, the Serpentine are united once again. Under me of course."

As Pythor told his plan, it became clear to Skales that Pythor seemed to see no fault in his plan whatsoever, even as simple as it was, and the glaring problems it had. And people dare call Skales arrogant.

"That'sss it? You just make a nice ssspeech for the massesss, and sssuddenly they're all just gonna bow down before you and sssettle their differencesss, and unite?!" Skales ranted, suddenly wondering why he had even for a moment been nervous around such a fool.

"I thought I told you that I didn't care to hear your opinion!" Pythor retorted, clearly frustrated, though he was willing to let the transgression go for now.

"But trust me, you're gonna be surprised at how much a few words can do." Pythor continued, slithering over to the window for the final time, giving himself a short moment to observe his reflection.

"You'll have to use more than words, to bring the Serpentine together." Skales coldly commented, though it seemed to have little effect on Pythor, who turned to face him.

"All I have to do is show them the way," Pyhtor replied, with a mystifying tone in his voice, making Skales wonder what exactly he was meaning by that.

"They're ready for you, Pythor." Acidicus declared, who had snuck his way over to them. Judging by the voices coming from the crowd, Skales wouldn't exactly say that they sounded ready.

"Ah, showtime," Pythor muttered, before making his way up a ramp, to the top of one of the wagons. Skales noticed the other Generals doing the same, so he followed suit.

He found himself behind Pythor as he made his speech. Whatever goodwill Skales had to Pythor's plan was immediately ruined by the bad jokes that followed. He was thankful that Pythor didn't mention anything about laughing at his jokes. But he couldn't help but notice that somehow…the speech was working. Just before the crowd had all been at each other's throats, and then they were suddenly laughing together. Though Skales couldn't help but feel embarrassed at seeing his fellow Serpentine laughing at Pythor's jokes. But he couldn't deny it. It was working. For once the Serpentine ever since arriving looked…unified. Skales was just about to accept that Pythor's plan was going to work when suddenly chaos started erupting amongst the crowd. He couldn't hear or see what was happening, but looking at the reactions coming from the crowd, he could guess that it was making them turn against each other. Which seemed just a tad suspicious.

"What's going on? Why am I losing them?!" Pythor frantically asked Skales, for some reason turning to him for an explanation. Surprised at first by the question, all he could do was shrug, but then he heard the sound of running near them, he looked to his side and noticed one of the troublesome ninjas running along a walkway.

"Ninja!" He exclaimed, pointing over to the walkway, but by that time the ninja was already gone. Against his better judgment, he decided to help Pythor. He wanted to see whether Pythor's plan could really work.

"Don't worry, I'll take care of it." He said, before turning around and slithering away, already having an idea on how to deal with the ninja.

Just as he had suspected, it didn't take long before they were found and captured. Well, all except one.

"Did you take care of them?" Pyhtor asked, as Skales slithered back up to him, clearly troubled at the development, and interruption of his speech. Even Skales could see that the crowd was about to split apart.

"All but one." Skales declared, before making a gesture to some Serpentine warriors, making them show Pythor the tied-up and defenseless ninjas. But it seemed Pythor still wasn't satisfied.

"Search every nook and cranny! If he's a ninja, you'll never find him in plain sight."

"Look, a Pink Ninja!" They both heard one of the Serpentine's yell, and before they knew it, they were looking at a pink ninja swinging around on ropes. Both were so confused at what was going on, that they didn't even have time to dodge, when he came swinging down on them, pushing them off the wagon.


Skales found himself a little dizzy from the fall and was unable to focus. But he was surprised at how soft the floor was. He then realized that he must have landed on something. Something soft. And warm. Something that for some reason made him feel calm. He blinked a few times before his vision came back to him, and when he looked straight in front of him, he was met by Pyhtor's face, just a few centimeters away from his face.

"While I wouldn't say that I hate the sight of you laying on me, I would much rather that you CATCH THE NINJA!" Pythor yelled in his face, leaving poor Skales unable to respond to or comprehend what Pythor had said. Neither did it help that Pythor then immediately pushed Skales off him, and started slithering as fast as he could after the Serpentine that was running after the ninja.

As Skales was on the floor, he needed a few seconds to gather himself before he could get up again. He wasn't even going to try and think about what Pythor had said.

Once he got up, he started running after Pythor, managing to quickly catch up with him. Before he knew it, they were in one of the corridors, following with a group of Serpentine. It seemed like they would be able to catch the ninja when it suddenly got very cold. And then ice appeared on the walls, floor, and ceiling. They, along with the others, tried desperately to continue the chase but found themselves practically unable to stand up. Skales managed to keep his balance, but Pythor was less lucky, falling down on the floor, before trying to get up again. As he did Skales looked at the corridor filled with angry and fallen Serpentine, and could already imagine the arguing that would follow.

"You'll have to do better than that to unite the tribes," Skales said while grabbing Pyhtor's arm, trying to keep both him and himself steady. He wasn't sure whether he was warning Pythor, or just telling him 'I told you so'. Though he maybe should have just kept his mouth shut, as while he was yanking his arm away, Pythor dramatically yelled out at the top of his lungs in Skales' face;

"GET YOUR HANDS OFF ME!"


Sorry, it took so long to get this chapter out. I'm working on another project and have had a bit of writer's block this summer. But I'm back now, and ready to work again!

Though I can't promise that homework won't get in the way…I still have to graduate.

Still, I hope you enjoyed this new chapter, and that you're having a wonderful day!