Lies Of The Serpent: A Ninjago AU

Chapter 33: Pythor

Hebi's POV

"Had you released the constrictai, the venomari, or heaven forbid the anacondrai then we would've had a tussle," I grumbled, mocking Scales as I read the map.

Lloyd had given me the map and told me to lead. When I asked why he just said he didn't want to anymore, which didn't make much sense. Why wouldn't you want to be the leader? Being leader's awesome!

I turned to Lloyd. He had a far away look in his eyes like he was zoned out. He'd been acting like that for hours. Completely silent. Like he was somewhere else.

I decided it had been long enough. I was finally going to ask what was wrong.

"Lloydie, what are you thinking about?"

"N-Nothing."

"I don't believe that. You've been like this for hours. You didn't even reply to my amazing joke!"

"What joke?"

"My joke! The one about the fanpyres or should I say vampires."

"Oh! That joke! Heh heh. Yeah, that was funny." He stared into the distance with a sad look in his eyes.

"Please tell me what's wrong. And don't pretend you're fine. It's obvious you're in denial."

To my surprise he let out a small whimper at the word denial before running off.

"Lloydie! I'm sorry! I just want to help!"

"Leave me alone!"

"No! Not until you tell me what's wrong!"

"Nothings wrong!" he yelled, sounding really upset.

"I just... Want to be alone right now. You wouldn't understand," he said. It looked like he was about to cry.

"Lloydie, please understand that if you need to talk to me I'm right here." I said before pulling him into a hug. He seemed a bit confused and struggled a lot. After a minute of him struggling I let him go.

"Sorry! I didn't realize I hugged so tightly."

"Huh?" he stared at me confused.

"I'm sorry for hugging you so tightly. I just wanted to comfort you."

"That's what that was?"

"Yeah. Haven't you been hugged before?" He shook his head, and I noticed more tears form in his eyes.

"You haven't? I'm really sorry." I hugged him again. This time a lot less tighter. He still seemed pretty freaked out about it though.

"That's going to take some getting use to," Lloyd said.

I stopped in front of a cave.

"Lloydie, I found it!" I yelled happily.

"Found what?" he asked. His tone seemed a lot happier than it had a second ago. My hug must've helped.

"The anacondrai tomb. Haven't you been listening?" He shook his head.

"Well, whatever. Let's free them! I can't wait to meet some new serpentine. Hopefully these ones are nice," I said.

I walked in, and to my surprise the place was filled with bones. It was really dark, and Lloyd was holding onto my shoulder.

"I thought you said you weren't afraid of the dark," I said.

"I'm not. I just...... Like holding your shoulder," he said.

All of a sudden a giant purple serpentine appeared, and me and Lloyd screamed.

"My sincerest apologies, young man. And snake," he gave me a sharp glare. I smiled at him. "Due to my unfortunate appearance I tend to have an unsettling affect on people."

"It's fine. Lloydie's just afraid of the dark," I said.

"Am not! I just don't like being snuck up on, okay?" Lloyd said.

"Sure you aren't."

"Wh-What happened to the others?" Lloyd asked, sounding terrified. I was pretty sure he'd killed them since he was the only alive.

"Poor unfortunate souls, all those years locked away with nothing to eat. Must have slowly starved away until they were just scales and bones," he replied. I heard a loud grumble come from his stomach.

"Must've? You mean you don't know? Also how come you're alive then? Shouldn't you be just scales and bones?" I asked. He ignored me. How rude!

"And who may you two be, my little appetize- I mean friends?" he asked.

"Did he just call us appetizers? Okay, it's official. I don't trust him. We need to leave this instant. Come on, Lloydie," I attempted to pull Lloyd away, but he stayed.

"Hebi, I want to stay! He seems nice. A lot nicer than some people," Lloyd said. His expression changed to a frown. What happened? Why did he look so upset again? It seemed like he'd calmed down.

The serpentine gently nudged him.

"Oh! Sorry! I almost forgot to answer your question. I'm Lloyd Garmadon, son of lord Garmadon and future dark ruler." he added in a slightly sadder tone, "Maybe."

"Oh! Ha ha ha ha! How deliciously evil. If I had feet, oooh, I'd be trembling in my boots," the serpentine said. Lloyd smiled at that, and joy returned to his face.

"And, uh, who are you?" Lloyd asked.

"Yeah, who are you?" I asked in a suspicious tone.

"Humbly, I am Pythor P. Chumsworth."

"Kay! Is it okay if I call you Mr. Chucklesworth?" I asked.

"I would prefer you not to."

"Kay, Mr. Chucklesworth." He stared at me angrily, but quickly stopped once Lloyd noticed.

"Since you've freed me I am eternally in your service."

"Really? You're not gonna trick me?" Lloyd asked. I gave him a look. Of course he was going to trick us! How could he not tell?

Once again Lloyd's smile changed into a frown, and I stared at him confused. It seemed he'd be happy one minute and super sad the next.

"Oh, why would I trick you? I hardly have any friends." Of course he didn't have any friends. He probably ate them all!

"Whoa! I hardly have any friends too! Except for Hebi of course." I smiled before realizing this meant that Lloyd had basically no friends. That must've been horrible! Having no friends. It sort of reminded me of myself. How I had no friends before Lloyd.

"You don't say!" Lloyd nodded, looking upset again.

"How would you like to be my loyal henchmen? I've been betrayed by the hypnobrai, and the fangpyres, and I'm looking to get a little revenge on some ninja too." He looked really nervous like this was really important even though it wasn't.

I noticed Pythor staring at the map in my pocket and I quickly glared at him. He let out a sad oh.

Quickly changing his attitude to a happy one, he said, "I love revenge! Oh, you know, Floyd-"

"It's Lloyd," me and Lloyd said at the same time. I said it angrily while Lloyd said it normally.

"Whatever. I have a feeling this is the start of a beautiful friendship." And I had a feeling Lloyd was going to end up feeling even worse than he already did.