'Thinking'
"Speech"
Also apparently the wheeled cabin thing is called a CARIOLE So just imagine that but homey I guess.
————————————————
(Akira POV)
(Next morning)
"So, are you just going to pull it" Lloyd asked, the green ninja gi now fitted to his small frame, rustling as he shifted his weight. "I considered it," I replied, a hint of amusement in my voice, "but I have a more... dramatic method." I raised my hand, glowing an icy white, the air around us lowering in temperature. "Just watch."
I was going to summon a fusion dragon, using the elements of water and ice but I didn't need to over complicate things and just made a ice dragon, so that it would keep the surrounding cool enough to counter the desert heat.
The dragon itself was... well a dragon, not a wyvern, unlike most elemental dragons, due to its four legs and two wings. It looked like it was made completely of ice... well technically it was, but its flexibility said otherwise.
"Whoa! That's a real dragon! Lloyd said, with a mixture of shock and excitement. "Uh, it won't bite me will it?" "Of course not. Won't harm you, though I wouldn't suggest getting so close to a random dragon. Not all dragons are kind to humans." I said, as he began petting it, warning him to be wary of other dragons.
——————————————
(Time skip)
Once we were far enough away from the desert, I dispelled the elemental dragon as there was no more need for it. We entered a forest, one that was littered with trees that looked as if they were dead, though they were very much alive. We followed the map and eventually reached what looked to be some sort of graveyard. "It's not scary. Um, maybe just a little, but I like scary. Yeah, that's it. I'm the son of the dark lord, I love the dark." Lloyd said as he kept looking around the graveyard, afraid. "I eat this stuff for breakfast." Lloyd continued, right before he turned back around and saw a tree that looked like it had two heads. "If I'm going to make those Hypnobrai pay for betraying me. I have to find the Fangpyres. If there's anything a snake doesn't like, it's another snake. ... no offense." Lloyd said. "None taken." I replied.
"Here. By the mutated tree, I found it." Lloyd said, as he began digging around the tree. "Soon, the serpentine will know who their master is and it will be I, Lloyd Garmadon. Aah!" After he said this thunder crashed, frightening him, and dropping his flashlight, whilst he also grabbed onto me. "Shh, it's okay. It's just thunder." I said, comforting him. "Yeah. I'm fine, mere thunder won't scare Lloyd Garmadon!" He said, mostly to himself. He then proceeded to press the button to open the tomb.
As soon as the tomb was opened Fangpyre lunged out of the tomb, surrounding us. "And who... ...may I say released us... ...from our captivity?" Said the two headed Fangpyre general, each head speaking one after another. "Uh, Lloyd. I released you to make the Hypnobrai pay for betraying me." Lloyd responded. "The Hypnobrai? Those hypnotizing deceivers. It'll be... ...our pleasure." The general replied, with an accent similar to vampires. "Oh, good. I'll lead the way. Then after that, there's some ninja I want dealt with." Lloyd said. "Sounds like... ...you know... ...what you want. But the Hypnobrai are strong. And we are few in numbers. We need... ...reinforcements." "What did you have in mind?" Lloyd asked. The general started hissing. I positioned myself in between him and Lloyd, my eyes glowing under the hood of my cloak.
———————————-
(Time skip)
(Junkyard)
We snuck into a junkyard, Lloyd was confused as to why but he didn't ask questions. I, very much knew what they were here for. They wanted to use their venom to turn any broken down vehicles and machinery into snakelike versions of what they once were. I saw an elderly couple entering the junkyard, driving through the arch, parking the car. "Home, sweet, home." The elderly man said, exiting the vehicle. "And back to the grind." He said, walking toward a giant robot made from the scrap metal and other machinery in the junkyard. "Oh, sweetie, you've been working on that thing day and night." Said the elder woman, who was walking toward the RV home. "Well, you never know when Jay may show up." He replied. "Oh, you're right. You never know." She retorted, entering the RV and closing the door. though it sounded slightly sarcastic, as if she didn't believe her child would visit.
The Fangpyre were sneaking around, looking for anything functional enough to use with their venom. Though their stealth wasn't the best, as the old man was able to notice one of the Fangpyre whilst working on the robot, though he didn't see them. "Uh, Edna? Was that you?" He asked the now named Edna. "What, Ed?" Edna shouted. "Are you hearing things again?" She continued. "Uh, you, uh- You turned on the security alarm before you left, didn't you, hun?" Ed shouted back. In response, Edna exited the RV and went to check the alarm's power box. "Uh, must be broken." She said, as she tried turning the switch.
The power suddenly cut out and all the lights were off. "Whoever's there, my son knows spinjitzu." Ed said, hoping to scare off any potential threat. In response, the Fangpyre general began hissing and growling, likely due to remembering the beating the spinjitzu brothers gave him during the war. Ed ran towards Edna, most likely to try and protect her from harm. "What is it? Oh, why are the lights out?" Edna asked, with a slightly scarred expression. "Call Jay, hon. Someone's broken in." Ed said with worry. "How about we wait until he calls you." Lloyd said, cackling. "Ed?" Edna said frightened. "Be strong, Edna. I won't let them hurt you." Ed said, holding her close.
"If we plan... ...to attack... ...the Hypnobrai... we'll need to grow... ...our army." Fangtom's two headed self said. "And, uh, how do we do that?" Lloyd asked. "Let's just say... ...we Fangpyre bite off more... ...then we can chew." Fangtom answered. "Have at it, boys!" He commanded, the other Fangpyre coming out from behind the junk metal and scraps. Two Fangpyre bit an old broken down helicopter, three others bit a motorcycle, and two more did the same to an old car. Green mist began to emerge from the vehicles as they became more snakelike and increased in size.
——————————
(I originally wasn't going to use pictures but I didn't know how to explain what they looked like.)
———————————
"My creations! They are turning them into—." Ed began only to be cut off. "An army? You are correct. But we can also... ...turn people too." Fangtom said. The Fangpyre's started laughing, but before they could use their venom on the elderly couple I stopped them.
"What do you think you're doing?" I demanded, my voice cutting through the snarls of the Fangpyre. I slithered between the elderly couple and the serpents, my stance firm. "They're old. Fragile. Useless for your army. Are you really going to waste your venom?
Fangtom's two heads swiveled, his reptilian eyes narrowing into slits. Annoyance flickered across his scaled faces, quickly replaced by a calculating glint. He paused, hissing thoughtfully, considering my words. "I suppose... you are... correct." He finally conceded, his voices a low, gravely rumble. "They are... old and fragile. A waste... of our venom."
He gestured with a clawed hand, his gaze shifting to me. "Lock them... in their metal box. You," He emphasized, his eyes attempting to bore into mine behind my cloak. "will be their jailer."
"Fine." I replied, my voice flat and decisive. I turned, gently ushering Ed and Edna toward their RV. "I suggest you go inside. Quickly, before they reconsider."
"Why did you help us?" Ed asked, his voice laced with suspicion and a hint of gratitude.
"Because..." I hesitated, the name still foreign on my tongue. "My father, Arcturus, taught me not to harm those who cannot protect themselves." I shifted uncomfortably, still grappling with the unfamiliar term. "And,"I added, my voice softening. "you are... vulnerable. Too old to fight, especially against serpentine like them."
"Ooh, it's alright dearie," Edna said, her hand reaching out to pat my arm, her kindness radiating warmth even in the dim light of the junkyard. "We understand. And you must be starving, both of you. Why don't you join us for dinner, we have plenty to share." She said to Lloyd and I.
——————————-
(The next day)
After a night's rest within the surprisingly cozy confines of the RV, I slipped out, sealing the door behind me. Lloyd was already stirring, a restless energy about him, no doubt plotting his revenge against the Hypnobrai and the ninja.
My gaze swept across the junkyard, a chaotic yet surprisingly organized landscape of twisted metal and discarded machinery. As I slithered through the labyrinth of piles a glint of metal caught my eye. A mound of debris concealed what appeared to be the skeletal remains of an old plane or jet. After some excavation, I confirmed my suspicion; a broken-down aircraft, its frame far too mangled to be of any use to the Fangpyre.
An idea sparked in my mind. A flying vehicle similar to the Fangpyre's semi-sentient machines, but under our control. A mobile base, with a cargo hold large enough to transport smaller vehicles, or to serve as a living space. It would allow Lloyd to travel independently, or escape in case of emergency, a strategic advantage.
I needed parts. A lot more parts. I could ask Ed and Edna if they knew of any aircraft remnants that were possibly untouched by the Fangpyre due to their... beyond repair state. Or, I could attempt to manipulate the scraped parts and machinery with my elemental power of technology. A risky endeavor, given my... limited technological understanding. Thankfully, the element's influence wasn't entirely dependent on technological expertise, leaning slightly more towards imagination. I could, theoretically, hijack a Fangpyre vehicle and reshape it to my liking, rendering it immune to their control.
'But' I mused, 'stealing from our allies, however temporary, is a precarious move. Best to postpone that particular solution... for now.'
Hours bled into midday. I'd scavenged enough parts to assemble a sleek, two seater jet, the elemental power of technology rendering the scrap deceptively new. While I could have employed the element of creation or my Golden power, I opted for the challenge of technology. A matter of principle, not necessity. After all, I conjured the cariole on a whim.
'I could make a colossal metal dragon, a harbinger of destruction,' I mused, 'but why bother? I can be a walking harbinger of destruction or guardian of creation whenever I want.' My focus remained on the jet, a semi-sentient guardian for Lloyd, a contingency should I be unavailable.
The sudden rending of metal shattered the relative quiet. "Mom! Dad! Are you okay?" A voice laced with concern, echoed through the junkyard.
I slithered toward the commotion, the Rv now the focal point. The ninja. "Oh sweetheart, you came." Edna exclaimed, her relief palpable.
"You gotta get out of here." Ed's voice, strained with worry, cut through her joy. "You shouldn't have come. It's the snakes. We would've been bit if it weren't for the kind lady in the purple jacket." He said, though I slightly deadpanned at his confusion between a jacket and a cloak.
Just then, a monstrous crane, animated by the Fangpyre venom, lumbered into view. Its wrecking ball, grotesquely adorned with a jack-o'-lantern face, swung menacingly. "Uh, is that wrecking ball staring at me?" The black ninja quipped, his voice laced with a nervous humor.
The crane swung, the wrecking ball hurtling towards them. "Duck!" The blue ninja shouted, tackling his parents aside. "Thanks, son." Ed said, slightly shaken.
"Lloyd!" Wu's voice cut through the chaos.
"Hello, uncle. Looks like we're not the only family reunion." Lloyd retorted, Fangtom slithering beside him. "I'm glad you brought the ninja. I could use some help taking out the trash." Lloyd cackled.
"Second dose, to the dirt." the black ninja warned, as the wrecking ball slammed into the spot they'd just vacated. Fangpyre swarmed from the dust cloud, attacking. "Hey guys. We're a bit out numbered here." the red ninja observed.
"Nobody messes with my family." the blue ninja declared, charging into the fray. He unleashed a flurry of lightning infused nunchuck strikes, before jumping into the air and slamming the nunchucks of lightning into the ground. Then spun into a whirlwind of Spinjitzu. "Ninja, go!" He yelled, plowing straight through the serpentine ranks. He continued on and slid under the wrecking ball as it was swung towards him, getting caught in one of the junk piles. The other ninja followed suit. "Ninja, go!" Yelled the other ninja, their Spinjitzu a blur of color against the grimy junkyard.
Perched atop a junk pile, I watched the battle unfold. Then, I heard it: the melody of that accursed flute. Wu was using it, the Fangpyre recoiling, clutching their non-existent ears. A young woman, agile and fierce, supplemented the flute's melody with well-placed kicks. Amidst the cacophony, a discordant rock music blared. Lloyd and Fangtom, atop a junk pile, had a Fangpyre modified radio. "Young nephew, must I teach you whose side you should be on?" Wu shouted over the music.
Lloyd cranked up the volume. "Sorry uncle, can't hear you!" He yelled back, dripping with sarcasm.
The ninja then pursued the remaining Fangpyre behind a wall of scrap. Just as they rounded the corner, a colossal green robot wielding nunchucks stepped into view. "Ah! What is that thing?" The blue ninja exclaimed.
"It was supposed to be in your honor, son, but do you like it?" Ed asked.
"Thanks, but no thanks." The blue ninja replied, as they retreated from the lumbering machine.
The Fangpyre crane, now blocking the exit, added to their predicament. "Why'd you have to be born in a junkyard?" the black ninja asked. "I know. Tell me about it." The blue ninja replied, as the wrecking ball swung, scraping the ground and sending up a cloud of dust. Three ninja landed safely near a pile of tires. The blue ninja, however, had held on to the swinging wrecking ball. He flipped over the driver's seat, kicked the Fangpyre out, and seized control of the crane. He then used the wrecking ball to smash into the robot, which was locked in a stalemate with the black ninja. The robot crumpled, damaged beyond repair.
I observed the shock on Lloyd and Fangtom's faces. They were about to retreat. I descended, landing between them and the ninja. 'The flute. I must get that flute!' I thought. "Hey! It's that cloaked lady." The blue ninja said.
"Who are you?" The red ninja demanded.
"That is none of your concern." I retorted, my voice sharp. "Get out of my way, before you get hurt."
"Sorry lady, we can't do that." The red ninja snarled, brandishing the sword of fire. He charged. I drew my own blade, the clash of weapons echoing through the junkyard."I'll ask again who are you and why are you working with Lloyd and the serpentine?" He demanded.
"Again, that is none of your concern, and why'd I tell you anyway? I don't even know your name." I replied. "It's Kai!" He snapped, lunging again. As we clashed blades once more, I seized his wrist and yanked him, throwing him into a junk pile. The other three charged right after, attacking simultaneously.
The black ninja slammed the scythe of quakes into the ground, a small tremor rippling through the junkyard. The pulling it from the ground and striking at me. The white ninja, using the shurikens of ice, attempted to freeze me, but I easily shatter the ice. The blue ninja's nunchucks of lightning crackled, but its energy dissipated against my scales.
Kai recovering, grabbed my cloak, attempting to pull me away. I decided to finally ditch it the cloak, so I released the garment.
A collective gasp echoed through the junkyard. Fangtom and his Fangpyre, even Wu, were stunned. Whispers filled the air: "is it really her?" "Why was she following around a human child?" Etc.
"Akira! It was you this whole time?" Wu's voice a mix of shock and disbelief.
"Yeah, what's it to you?" I retorted. "Are you planning to harm Lloyd to get revenge on Garmadon?!" Wu asked, his worry palpable. "I have no intention of harming Lloyd, if that's what you're worried about." I said, brandishing my Naginata. "Unlike some, I don't hold children accountable for their parents actions." I continued, my hands glowing a familiar purple, with an octagonal pattern appearing in front of my hands. "What you will have to worry about, is how I'm going to rip that flute from your hands and figure out what makes it tick." I said, my eyes narrowing into slits.
Wu's eyes widened at this. "Move!" He shouted barely dodging a shockwave blast.
"Whoa! Whoa! What the hell was that!" The blue ninja yelped, regrouping with the others after dodging some more shockwave blasts. "I don't know Jay." The black ninja said to the now named Jay. "That, is an elemental power." Wu answered. "The ability to wield the elements of creation.
A power you all possess, though dormant."
"Enough with the lectures." I growled, channeling shockwave energy into my staff. A horizontal swing sent a wave of purple energy crashing through the junkyard. Junk piles collapsed, the ninja violently pushed into one of the collapsing piles. 'It should take awhile for them to pull themselves out.' Wu wasn't hit by the purple wave of energy, but that was on purpose.
"Why the flute? Is it the serpentine's weakness you seek?" Wu asked. "I want to understand its mechanisms," I replied. "maybe I can make one that cancels out the power of elemental masters." I said, my thoughts darker. 'Then I'm going to destroy it, burn it to ashes.'
I lunged, my Naginata aimed at Wu. He dodged my attack, only to be struck by a shockwave. He retaliated with a flurry of punches and kicks, which I blocked. A downward strike was met by the flute, surprisingly sturdy. "I won't allow you to take the flute!" Wu declared. I swept his legs with my tail, then slammed it into his chest and turned, but the ninja had emerged from the rubble.
"This is starting to get annoying." I muttered. "Why don't you just give up?"
"Ninja never quit!" Kai yelled, as he used the sword of fire to launch a stream of fire at me. I covered my face with my arm, though the flames didn't affect me, I decided to do something I haven't done since I left the first realm.
I opened my mouth as a blue glow emanated from within. I unleashed a torrent of blue fire, forcing him to retreat. "Let's go." I said to Lloyd and Fangtom, as we boarded a hanging platform connected to one the Fangpyre helicopters, flying away, the prototype jet I made following behind.
The flute, a cylindrical instrument branded with yellow stripes and secured with red straps, the material said flute was composed of felt alien in my grasp. Unlike a traditional flute, it lacked any visible finger holes. I attempted to play it, but only a wheezing hiss emerged. Fangtom watched, his reptilian eyes narrowed in disbelief. "Why would you... even attempt to use... the flute! After what... it did to use."
I rolled my eyes. "Relax, I didn't succeed. And even if I had, you'd just do a funny dance. No harm done." A mischievous smile tugged at my lips, though I doubted he was convinced.
Lloyd tugged on my arm, his small face tilted up at me. "What kind of serpentine are you? You're way bigger than the others."
I paused, considering. "I... don't know."
"You don't know?" He echoed, his brow furrowed.
"Nope." I said popping the 'p'. My gaze drifted back to the flute. A silver mist coiled around it, etching delicate, crack-like patterns onto its yellow surface.
My mark. A way to track it, should it stray too far. I briefly considered marking Lloyd, but dismissed the idea. I'd never used it on a living being, I had never had a reason to, and I wasn't about to experiment on him.
My mind raced. 'Theoretically, I could replicate the flute's melody using the elemental power of sound. But I'd need to hear it in full. Which means... I'd have to return it to Wu, which means I can't destroy it.' I suppressed a groan. This whole situation was becoming increasingly irksome.
A blur of blue streaked past us. "Uh, what the heck was that?" Lloyd asked, pointing at the erratically flying jet, its sleek, angular form cutting through the air.
The jet veered back towards us, its cockpit opening. "Duck!" Fangtom yelled, hissing. I wrapped my tail protectively around Lloyd.
"The flute!" He exclaimed. "I got it!" Jay's triumphant cry was cut short as the jet sputtered and vanished, sending him plummeting towards the ground. The other ninja, their golden weapon vehicles- a red motorcycle, a white snowmobile-motorcycle hybrid, and a black oversized off-road buggy- scrambled to catch him, resulting in a chaotic collision, their vehicles returning to their original forms. Jay landed safely in his parent's car.
"Everyone, attack!" Fangtom ordered, his army surging forward. "Go. They're getting away." Lloyd exclaimed, pointing towards the retreating car.
'Time to play my part.' I subtly manipulated the gravity around the Fangpyre helicopter, slowing it down just enough. We were fast, but not fast enough.
As we closed the distance, their pirate ship base lifted up into the air, kicking up dust. "No, no, no, no!" Lloyd coughed, his voice thick with frustration. With a burst of speed, the ship vanished into the distance.
"These ninja..." Fangtom hissed, his voice laced with venom. "they must be stopped."
"Oh. Tell me about it." Lloyd groaned, annoyed that the ninja escaped.
I watched the ship disappear, my eyes glowing a faint silver light. 'They won't escape with the flute. ...Not permanently.
—————————————
Please let me know how you liked it