Skales x Pythor: My Loyal Number Two

Chapter 11: Secret lair

"But, isn't Ouroboros our headquarters?"

"It was, temporarily. In truth, it was little more than a grand symbol of which to reunite the Serpentine under. And with its location known to the ninja, conspiring my schemes there is a risk I would rather not take. No, this! This is where we will do our work!" He proclaimed confidently.

"From here, once the Devourer is freed and chaos is unleashed on the surface dwellers, we will be able to attack from nearly any place in Ninjago! After that, actually conquering the land will be as easy as stealing candy from a child."

Skales looked around and tried to fully take in the sight. He was starting to understand where Pythor was coming from. Not only would this new base conceal their activity from the ninja. But if Pythor truly meant that every tomb was connected, they could strike in most places at a moment's notice. The only thing that Skales had against it, was that it meant they were once again forced underground. Something he wasn't exactly looking forward to.

"Thisss will ssstill be a...temporary measure, yes?"

"What?" Pythor said, caught off guard. But as he looked at Skales, it seemed he may have guessed where the Hypnobrai's question was coming from.

"Oh, sure, definitely." The Anacondrai replied, but it was rather half-heartedly. Skales was at least not very convinced. But it was something they could discuss later.

As Skales looked down again, he noticed three rather familiar Serpentine, seemingly bickering with each other.

"Isss that the other Generalsss? Ssso thisss isss where they have been."

"Of course, I needed someone remotely competent to look over something this important. And, I needed at the least all three of those buffoons to make up for one of you." The Anacondrai said sweetly.

The Hypnobrai looked stunned at Pythor, who smiled and gave him a wink. Skales couldn't do much other than try to hide away his embarrassed expression. But as he did, a question came to him.

"I...I thank you for your compliment. But, that ssstill doesn't explain how I wasn't informed about thisss."

"Why, you had so much to look after! I didn't want to burden you with any more unnecessary work."

"But-"

"Besides, now you do know about it! Wouldn't you say then that everything has been sorted out?"

"...Yes," Skales answered, with a small sigh hidden between his words.

"Splendid! Though, I must admit, perhaps it would have been more practical to have had you oversee this project. Having three of the four Generals away seems to have made the other Serpentine restless. You reported it to me yourself, didn't you?"

"Yesss, it had come to my attention that some Serpentine have wandered off. But, with these tunnelsss, it ssshould be easy to gather and take them back to Ouroboros. You just need to give the order, and I will take care of it."

"No, this is...an opportunity, actually," Pythor said, and Skales could see that a new scheme was underway.

"Let it lie, for now. I might yet find some use for this little predicament. Now, come, there's something I must show you." The Anacondrai said, before slithering down the stone walkway.

Skales followed behind him, and soon enough they were at the bottom. The Serpentine that had stood around either bowed to their king or tried their best to look busy. Meanwhile, the Generals noticed Pythor and bowed. As Skales came past them, they nodded welcomingly, though, for all but Fangtom, it was more of a formality than anything.