4. Dark Sides: Rise of the Anacondrai

Chapter 10 - Only One Can Remain

A/N: Just want to remind ya'll real quick that Skylor's powers work differently from in the show. Seems like everybody usually remembers that, but I know you guys also read a lot of other stories, so sometimes I gotta make sure... Rules are back in book 2 chapter 5 if you really want a refresher, although it's not necessary. Anyway, enjoy the chapterrrr!!! ;)

. . .

When morning came, everyone was rested up and ready to give it one last shot. Skylor felt much better as well, though she planned to stay out of the search. She'd had enough action already, and she was still worried about confronting her father.

After a hearty breakfast, the Elemental Masters gathered on the quay for a quick briefing. The prisoners were squared away inside the palace for the time being, and someone would have to stay behind to keep an eye on them as well. Skylor had already decided she would rather do that job than go anywhere near her father at the moment.

"We all must work together if we want to end this," Garmadon reminded them. "Chen may no longer have an army behind him, but he isn't completely disabled. He still has the spell and Clouse's dark magic. The two of them are crafty, so we would be wise not to underestimate them."

Cole stepped forward to address the group. "Some of you will have to stay behind to keep an eye on the prisoners. So if you don't want to be part of the fight, now is the time to say it."

"I'll help guard the prisoners!" Lloyd volunteered. He had been allowed to listen in on the meeting, but he was supposed to be keeping quiet.

"Sorry Lloyd," Skylor said. "But you've still got to sit this out."

"Don't forget, you're still grounded," Misako reminded him sternly.

Garmadon continued. "According to Skylor, Chen has made camp on the other side of the island. We'll start our search there. Stay together, keep an eye open, and don't engage anyone alone. They'll be anticipating our attack."

As he finished and the group continued to sort out who was going and who was staying, Skylor drifted away. She was already tired of all the planning and strategizing. She was ready for it to be over. Her eye was caught by the large snake depicted on the walls of the palace. This would probably be the last time she would ever see it. After all this was over, she wouldn't have anywhere else to go but back to the monastery. She wouldn't have any reason to return to here. Part of her was sad, but part of her was also grateful to be leaving it all behind. Maybe now her life could really be her own.

"I'm surprised you're not joining in the search," Kai's voice broke through her thoughts. The rest of the group was disbanding as he approached her. "I'd think that after everything that's happened, you would be as eager as anyone to find Chen."

Skylor couldn't look him in the eye, memories flashing through her mind of when she had held the staff. She didn't want to tell Kai that she was afraid of what she might do if she did have to face her father again.

"He's still my father. He may not have treated me well, but I care about him." It seemed somehow like a lie, but she felt that it was true.

"Besides," she continued. "I don't think it would be wise. He's still got the idea that he can use me to get the elements, remember?"

"Maybe you're right. At least with you here, Chen's men won't stand a chance of escaping."

Skylor snapped her fingers, summoning a small flame. "Not a chance."

Kai smirked and was turning to leave when Skylor stopped him. "Kai?"

"Yeah?"

"Good luck."