In the tower:
The elevator went up to the second floor, as the Ninja waited since the doors hadn't opened yet.
"How did all of those Lizarians fit in this elevator?" Flare asked, noticing how there wasn't much elbow room in the round elevator.
"It's smaller than I thought," Raven said, as she looked around while turning her head.
Lucy started tapping her right foot rapidly on the ground, as the others took notice.
"What's the matter Lucy?" Zane asked.
"It's just… I'm worried about the others fighting Kerrie. They do not have an elemental power to counteract her crystal power. I wouldn't want them to get hurt... or sealed in a crystal prison," Lucy replied, as an eeriness filled the room.
"We can't let them fight alone," Raven said, as she looked towards Lloyd.
"But we need to get you two to the top of this tower," Jay said, referring to Lloyd and Raven.
"Then Lucy should be the one to head outside, while the rest of us get Lloyd and Raven up to the top of this tower. Afterward, the rest of us will join Lucy outside to fight," Auria said, and the others agreed.
"There has to be some way in here to get out there. Maybe a window or something up ahead," Kai said.
"And if there isn't, then we'll make one," Flare said.
Lucy smiled and said, "Alright. I won't let you guys down when I get outside!"
The elevator stopped, and then the doors slid open to the second floor. The room had the same appearance of the floor below it, but there was a stairwell on the opposite side of the room that led to the third floor. However, the bottom half of the stairs were broken off, and pieces of it were shattered across the ground.
"I'm guessing Darkness broke that," Jay speculated, as the Ninja stepped outside of the elevator.
Raven looked towards the right side of the room as her eyes slightly widened, and she said,
"Umm, I don't think Darkness broke the stairs himself."
The Ninja turned to the right as they stood in the center of the room, and a gray-eyed lizarian shifted and rose up from sitting near the right wall. He cracked his neck a few times, since he was sleeping, and then he growled viciously, as he slowly started walking towards the Ninja.
"Another one," Flare said, in a lower tone of voice, as she brought forth her Platinum Scimitar.
"That's not the only one," Lloyd said, as he turned to the left side of the room and saw another gray-eyed lizarian standing up and walking towards them while growling.
"Great. There's two of them," Kai said, as he brought out his Platinum Sword.
Auria looked towards the broken stairway, and then she looked at everyone else. Zane noticed Auria's eye movements, and he knew what she was thinking.
"Kai, Flare, will you two be able to handle these lizarians?" Zane asked, as Auria turned towards him with surprise.
"Of course," Flare said with a smile, as the Platinum Scimitar blade began emitting shadows.
"Why not? I've got a bone to pick with these guys anyway," Kai said with a smirk, as the Platinum Sword blade began emitting fire.
"Go on guys. We'll catch up," Flare said.
"Come on," Auria said, as she gestured to the broken staircase.
As Auria and Zane led the rest of the Ninja to the staircase, the gray-eyed lizarians charged forth, and Kai and Flare slashed at both of them with fire and shadows, pushing them back on their bottoms. Lloyd, Raven, and Zane made it to the top-half of the stairway, as Auria helped Lucy up with her wind power. Then a roar was heard, as another gray-eyed lizarian fell from the ceiling and landed in front of the elevator.
"What the heck!" Jay yelled out.
"He was hiding," Auria speculated.
Jay looked up at the others on the stairs, and then he turned back while drawing out his Platinum Nunchucks.
"Go up Auria. I'll handle this guy," Jay said with determination in his voice, as he started walking towards the third gray-eyed lizarian.
"Are you certain?" Auria asked.
"Yes. And I don't want to think about it anymore because I don't want to talk myself out of it. I do talk a little too much sometimes," Jay said.
"Sometimes?" Kai asked.
"Shut it Kai!" Jay said, as he continued walking towards the lizarian, while the Platinum Nunchucks were emitting lightening.
Auria smiled, and then she jumped up to the top stairway with her wind power. The five ninja continued progressing upward, as the three ninja stood together to fight the more burly of lizarians.
In the Bounty:
Dr. Julien stood in the Bounty with a few other Verpentine, as he was using the screen map to scan the surrounding area. There were no possible threats near the Bounty, and he could see where the others were fighting with the Lizarians and Kerrie. He was also scanning the tower itself.
"Forgive my nosy-ness, but what are you looking for Dr. Julien?" Serpana asked, as she, Skales, and Fajra entered the room.
"It's no bother. I just wanted to check on the others to make sure that they were alright," Dr. Julien replied.
"I'm sure they're doing fine. Thossse ninja never learned to quit," Skales said.
"By defeating you Ssserpentine, I'm sure they never will," Serpana said.
"True, true. I won't deny that," Skales said.
"Sir Doctor/There ssseems to be/a ssstill reading from the top of the tower/ Assss if no one isss there," Fajra said, as she examined the screen scan that was fixed on the tower.
"What? But isn't Darkness up there?" Dr. Julien said, as he turned his attention to the screen.
He zoomed in near the top of the tower, and focused the scan on the top floor. After a few pulses from the scanner, two power levels were suddenly picked up.
"How strange. There are two powers in the top of the tower," Dr. Julien said.
"Two? Ssso/ Darknessss issn't alone?" Fajra asked.
"I'm not sure those two powers come from one source or two, but they are both coming from the tower. It's hard to see from here though," Dr. Julien said.
"Should we fly in closer?" Serpana asked.
"No. The Bounty must remain here until the others call us. But I'll go figure out what's going on," Dr. Julien said, as he took a small laptop that was next to the screen scanner.
"How will you get near the tower?/ It'll be dangeroussss to go alone," Fajra asked.
"I'll ask Malentha for a ride on her aerocycle. It shouldn't take us too long," Dr. Julien replied.
"Be careful Doctor," Serpana said.
"I will, and thank you," Dr. Julien said, and he left the room.
On deck:
Pythor was looking out towards the dark tower. He could almost see the battle going on outside of the tower. He also felt a presence not too far from himself, as he turned around to see nothing.
"Hmph, don't think you can hide from me, dear. I know your there," Pythor said, and a chuckle was heard as Anaca revealed herself from being invisible.
"You have such keen senses Pythor. Although being an Anacondrai would give you that advantage," Anaca said, as she kept her hands behind her back.
"What is it that you want, dear? Another threat? A fair warning?" Pythor asked, with a cheeky smile.
"Not this time, and I'd appreciate it if you didn't call me 'dear.' I came just to ask you something," Anaca said, with a neutral expression.
"I'm all ears," Pythor said.
"What do you plan to do after all of this? You have no backup with the Serpentine or Viporeans, and the ninja don't trust you. What are you planning to do after all of this is over?" Anaca asked.
Pythor took a moment to think, and then he chuckled as he slowly slithered around Anaca and replied,
"Suddenly worried about me, are you? I take that kindness to heart. But I don't intend to give up so easily. I may be helping the ninja and kunoichi now, but I won't be so easily hindered from my goals of world takeover... of course, the journey may be long, and quite exhausting for me... alone."
Pythor stood next to Anaca as he reached towards her, and placed his hand on her shoulder. Anaca turned towards him, with rage in her eyes and a threatening hiss from her mouth, as Pythor quickly backed up.
"Don't you DARE think I would betray my own family! We Viporeans are loyal and honest with integrity and decency. Don't think I'd give up my whole life for someone like YOU!" Anaca snarled, as Pythor quickly nodded while his neck was retracted back and his body was slightly shaking.
Anaca signed as she turned away from Pythor and said,
"Do what you wish. But don't cross me ever again."
Anaca slithered back to the entrance into the Bounty, while Pythor watched her go and then he turned away with an angered expression on his face. As she made it to the doorway, Anaca looked back at Pythor with a hint of sympathy, and then she continued her way inside.
As Anaca passed through the hallway, Malentha and Dr. Julien were heading her way.
"I need to get closer to scan the top of the tower," Dr. Julien said to Malentha.
"Well sure thing, gentle old man. Let's go. I haven't assisted the elderly in a while. Haha!" Malentha said as she laughed, while Dr. Julien shook his head with a smile.
"Where are you two heading?" Anaca asked when she reached them.
"Doctor here needs a closer range to scan the dark tower. I'm going to drive him up there with my aerocycle," Malentha replied, and Dr. Julien nodded.
"Be careful then. The battle already started," Anaca said.
"We will. Keep watch over the Bounty while we're gone Anaca. Will you?" Dr. Julien asked.
"Of course Doctor. I will keep watch for any distress signals," Anaca replied with a nod, and Dr. Julien nodded back.
Anaca headed into the control room, while Malentha and Dr. Julien headed to the top deck. Malentha got her aerocycle, as she and Dr. Julien hopped on. When the engine was warm enough, the two flew towards the top of the dark tower, as no one stood on deck.
Sorry for taking so long with this next chapter. I was on a roll in writing my other story. Next chapter will come most likely sooner then this one. :D Yay.