Chapter Text
[April 19th, 8:00 am]
Pythor groaned as he woke up and winced at the bright lights coming in from the window as his head pounded. He tried to rub his eyes, but found that his arms were cuffed to the bed. He felt a particular one on his left wrist, and furrowed his eyes as he looked at it.
"Vengestone? What?"
He looked out the window on the door, and saw a fangpyre talking to his family before heading towards the room and coming in.
"Hello sir, how are you feeling?"
He paused and looked down the length of the bed. "Ummm… a little dizzy… I guess?"
"Do you know what your name is?"
"Yes, it's Pythor."
"Do you know what day it is and where you are?"
"No, and yes. I'm at the hospital."
"It is April 19th. Let's check your physical symptoms. Are you feeling short of breath?"
"No."
"How about chest pain or headaches."
"My head is pounding, about a 7. Can the curtains be shut?"
"Of course." He said and went over to close them. "Do you feel drowsy, or are you experiencing any nausea?"
"A little nauseous." He said and looked down at his cuffs. "Why are these on me? Is this the police again?"
"No, and we're sorry, but the restraints are in place to protect you. We understand that you attempted to take your life last night, and would like to try and give you the best care we can."
He scoffed. "Good luck."
"Have you experienced any seizures recently?"
"How recent?"
"Within the last two weeks."
"Yes, one."
"And you are taking medication for it, correct?"
"Yes, Coxpri."
"Okay, thank you. A doctor will be in to see you shortly and be able to answer your questions more thoroughly."
The nurse left soon after, and a venomari came in to take a seat on a chair near him. "Hello, Pythor. I am Dr. Wenola. How can I help you today?"
"Didn't the nurse tell you what I said? You can't…"
"Why is that?"
"Because there's nothing you can do…" He sighed and looked away. "So don't bother wasting your time."
"Well, why now? Why decide to do this?"
"So my family would be spared any pain. Along with everyone else."
"What kind of pain?"
"The kind they feel when scrambling to find money to pay for this fucking monitor. The price was raised and they've had to pay out over $2,200 for my continued monitoring. They've been hurting."
"And you wanted to keep them from having to pay out more money, is that it?"
"They don't deserve to have to pay so much for me, they've already had to pay out hundreds of thousands for houses and putting my siblings through college."
"I see, and you mentioned 'everyone else'. Could you please elaborate more so that I can understand better?"
"What is there to say? Other people are right. All I've done is hurt people in my life. I'm sure you know the things I've done, so I don't need to explain them. They're probably right, I'd be better off gone."
"Are there any particular cases of this? Has anyone told you that you should die?"
Pythor looked away and sighed. "I don't want to cause any trouble."
"You won't be causing any trouble. If someone told you that you should take your own life, then that is very serious."
"Don't you get it? That's exactly what you're asking me to do! You're asking me to get someone else in trouble for something I did to them and their families." He sighed deeper and closed his eyes as he clenched his fists. Why was he saying all this? Why was he even wasting his time here?
He couldn't hurt anyone else. His family was probably out there waiting for answers, and he couldn't imagine the pain they felt when they saw him in his car, the air saturated with carbon monoxide. What was he going to do? If he told them the truth, what would that mean for Rose? How could he face Jesshema again?
"Dammit… I can't do this beating around the bush anymore." He groaned. "Fangtom hates me because I shot him with arrows and broke his boss's leg when I was helping the overlord take over Ninjago. He told me that I should kill myself."
There. He did it. He just destroyed another family. Now-
"I have a question." The doctor said, and Pythor looked up. "Do you think that what he said was right, or the right thing to do?"
"Of course not, but… fuck… I hurt so many people by doing what I did."
"It seems like hurting others is a big concern for you, and that no matter what you do, others won't be happy with you."
"Yeah, I just wish I could do more, do better."
"You want to help people, to do good things for them right?"
"Yeah, but Ninjago won't let me do it. Instead, they saddled me with this bullshit monitor and shortened my curfew when I was stuck at my girlfri- ex-girlfriend's house because of a blizzard. Thanks to them I can hardly do anything."
"But you can do things, correct?"
"What do you mean?"
"You've been under probation for four months now, correct?"
"Yes. For assault and evading arrest."
"I spoke with your family earlier to gather some background information, and I found out that they appealed your prior convictions. Have you considered appealing these?"
Pythor blinked. "Yes, but nothing has come of it. They're stonewalling us.”
"I see. Have you followed up with King Skales to make sure that sharing custody over you is actually true?"
"No… we've never been able to. Is… is that actually true? Is this whole thing just a sham?"
"It might be, it might not be. But I think you should evaluate things and do some investigating as soon as you can."
"When can I see my family?"
"Soon. We would like to perform another examination of you to make sure that you are in good health. It shouldn't take very long."
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"So, Fangtom and Skales really said that, huh?" Maera asked as she and Arcturus sat next to Pythor's bed, while Jay sat behind them. On the other side sat Lloyd, who made sure to hold Pythor's hand after he asked him to.
He was a good man.
"Yeah…" He said, and looked at Arcturus, who had kept his eyes on the floor, very intently focusing on a line between two panels. "Dad…?"
"Those bastards almost took my son from me… this is the third time I thought I lost you. They're not getting away with this."
"But their wives and kids though…"
"Pythor, they-"
"Actually, Mr. Asclepia sir, can I take this one?" Jay asked. Arcturus sighed and scooted back as the fangpyre hopped off the windowsill as he came over to the bed.
"Pythor, I know that you're worried about what will happen to their family if you go through with this, and I think that's a good thing. It means you care about the well-being of others. But do you think Jesshema and their children would approve of Fangtom saying what he did? Same with Queen Selma and Prince Tranz?"
"No…"
"Fangtom and Skales made a choice to be negligent and indifferent about your life, and that was wrong to do. I think they need to learn that."
"Isn't Fangtom your friend?"
"Yes, but you are too, and friends don't let friends tell others to take their own life."
Pythor smiled slightly and pulled Jay into a hug, wrapping his arms tightly around him. He sighed when he felt Jay wrap his arms around him as well, and held it for about a minute until he let him go.
"Sorry, I… I needed that."
"No, it's okay." Jay said, and Pythor smiled more.
“He's right. What Skales and Fangtom did was wrong, and they should be held accountable.”
“But… Skales is the king here. What are we going to do? Have him arrested?”
“I don't know, we'll figure it out. Maybe you could file a lawsuit?”
"Maybe. So, what now?" Pythor asked. "I don't know how I feel about sitting in here all day."
"Well, I can tell the doctor that we can take you home. Still going to have to make an appointment with Jesshema though. She said she had something to tell you. You too, hon." Maera said.
"Really? Me? Well, alright, go ahead." Arcturus agreed, and sat down as she left.
"I don't know if I should be in here for this, so I'm going to head outside and see how Wisp is doing." Jay said as he got up, Lloyd agreeing that he should leave too.
"Wisp is outside?" Pythor asked.
Lloyd nodded. "Yeah, he's sitting outside in the hall. He's been here all night."
Pythor looked out the window as Jay and Lloyd left. Wisp had been waiting for him all night? He remembered something black and blue standing over him last night. Had Wisp saved him?
There was a knock at the door, and Dr. Wenola came back in with Maera. "Your mother has said that you are wondering when you can return home. Are you feeling like you can?"
"I… guess? What do you mean?"
"Are you still experiencing feelings of hopelessness or depression? Or are you having any suicidal thoughts?"
"I am still depressed, but… I want to follow up on what you said and investigate this probation some, maybe even appeal it, especially since we still have time."
"Well, I have an idea on something we can try. How would you feel about signing a no-suicide contract?"
"A what?"
"It's a written agreement to contact your primary care provider, a therapist, or a person on the suicide hotline if you feel suicidal or despondent. It gives you a plan to follow should you feel that way."
"First time I heard of that, but sure." He agreed.
"Alright, I'll go print one out and be right back." He said, and left.
"Maybe with this, Newt and Valory won't have to lock anything up that I could kill myself with." Pythor said, and watched as Arcturus and Maera cringed. "Hey, I'm trying to help them out. I don't want to cause any more hardship for anyone."
Dr. Wenola came back in with the contract, and it had everything on it that Pythor would expect something like it to. Name and contact number for a therapist, primary care provider, had the national suicide hotline on it, as well as an agreement to remove things like guns and knives from the immediate premises.
"Well, Newt and Valory like to cook, so I can't just have them unlock something to get a paring knife out, but I'll still sign this." Pythor said, and wrote out his signature on it.
"Alright, now that we have this taken care of, we'll get you discharged. Remember to follow up and schedule an appointment with your therapist, alright?"
Pythor nodded and was soon slithering out to the lobby with his family, Jay, and Lloyd. He looked around the room and saw Wisp sitting by a fountain.
Wisp looked up and gasped, jumping to his feet and running over, almost knocking Pythor over a chair. As soon as Pythor opened his mouth, Wisp locked him in a hug and kissed him on the mouth. Pythor froze for a moment and melted into the kiss, his heart also melting in love and regret.
"Don't you EVER scare me like that again!" He growled just before pulling him into another kiss.
"I'm so sorry, Wisp. I'm so sorry. I was so selfish. I was wrong. I'm…" He said as he started crying into his scales. He could feel the dragon's breathing shaking, and held him even tighter. His eyes were so watery, and the fear in them just made his heart break.
"I was so worried for you, I was so, so worried. I thought you were gone. At least, everything's okay now."
“No, it's not okay. I just realized how much of a colossal idiot I've probably been. This probation is probably bullshit, and I've allowed it to go on for this long."
"You're not an idiot. I know you're smart. You've just had a lot going on, you've been kept busy so you haven't had time to think about stuff.”
"That was you who pulled me out, wasn't it? Is Terra here?”
"Yes. I'm sorry about your car. And no, Terra couldn't make it. She wanted to, but it would have been too much for the kids to bring them here or leave them with how young they are.”
"I understand. How did you know, though? You were sleeping."
"I felt like something was wrong. Very, very wrong. I found your scent leading to that building and saw you there. You didn't answer me… I could feel you fading. I had to do something."
"You felt me fading? How?" Pythor asked as he pulled back. Wisp just smiled.
“We have a bond, Pythor. That's why we work so well together.”
"Jay and Lloyd told me you've been here all night. Is that really true?"
"I couldn't leave you. I told them that I wouldn't leave until I saw you again, no matter how long it took.”
Pythor looked into Wisp's bright yellow eyes, and felt something solid in his heart. He leaned forwards and gave Wisp a quick peck on his mouth.
He smiled and looked back at his family. "I really want to go home now. I'd like to fly back with you Wisp. Is that alright?”
“Of course it is. We'll see you all back at Valory's place.” He chuckled and led Pythor outside as the anacondrai gave a wave.
"Hey Wisp? Thank you for staying with me."
"Anytime, Frosty."
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[4/21/16 - 8:00 am]
Pythor sat down on the couch in the treehouse and sighed as he looked at the window. “It sure is raining a lot.”
“Well, it is spring.” Newt said as he cooked eggs on the stovetop and flipped a waffle maker. “Is the rain bothering you?”
“I don't know. It sounds nice and relaxing, but with how heavy it is, it reminds me of that day Nadakhan attacked me.”
“Hmmm, maybe you could try closing your eyes, and instead of imagining it raining in an ocean or a lake, think of it being in a lush rainforest?”
“I guess that sounds nice. I can try that later. For now, I just want to get to replying to the messages that people have sent me. I just have to figure out what to say.”
On the screen of his laptop, several emails from Eratos could be seen.
4/19/16 - 7:30 am. “Huh? What do you mean you wasted it? Did it get damaged? If it did, it's no problem for me. I can fix it there, here if you want to ship it, or I can send instructions for it to be repaired at a mechanic.”
3:00 pm. “I'm not upset if it got damaged. I know you wouldn't do anything on purpose. Just let me know if it's hurting you, and I can come out there.”
4/20/16 - 11:00 am. “Is everything okay, Pythor?”
8:00 pm. - “Pythor, are you hurt? I'm starting to get worried since you're not answering any of my emails or phone messages. I hope you're safe.”
4/21/16 - 7:30 am. “Please answer me, Pythor the tone of your message is really scaring me. I'm going to talk to the king so I can come out there. I need to know you're not… that you're okay.”
“What should I say to Eratos?”
“I don't know. I wouldn't tell him that you tried to take your own life though, he may be worried, but it's not really any of his business. It's up to you.”
Pythor pulled up his contact information and called him.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Eratos. It's me.”
“Oh thank Sharri! I was getting so worried that something had happened to you! Are you okay? Are you hurt? What happened to your arm?”
“I'm… I'm alright now. I'm not hurt, and the arm is okay. Something did happen, but I think I'm better now.”
“Huh? I don't understand. I was just getting ready to ask King Trimaar if I could go over there to check up on you since you weren't responding to any of my messages.”
“I saw that in your last email. You were going to travel all the way across the continent?”
“Of course. You're my friend. What happened?”
“I… don't know if I can say. It's something private and personal. I saw in my email though that you sent me a ‘thinking of you’ card. It looks really nice, and I appreciate the thought.”
“You're welcome. I drew it myself. Is everything okay with your arm? You said you were sorry for wasting it.”
“Yeah, the arm is just fine. It's still working great. I just… I wasn't in a good place, but I'm doing better now.”
“Alright, well, I'm glad to hear that you're doing okay now. Is there anything you need from me?”
“Not really. I would like to hang out with you in-person, but that's more of a ‘want’. Besides, I'm sure you're really busy as the chief scientist and engineer.”
“Well, I am busy a lot, but I suppose I can make time to come out there for a visit sometime soon. I like seeing you too, and my sister wants to meet you.”
“Thanks, Eratos. It means a lot to me that you care so much. See you two later then.”
“You too.”
Pythor hung up and went over to the counter to eat breakfast, and as soon as he was finished, he pulled out his phone again and called Salome.
Like Eratos, she had expressed feelings of confusion and concern over his odd message at an unnatural time, and then his silence. He wondered what he was going to say to her, and still hadn't come up with a good plan by the time she repeated his name.
Fuck, he hadn’t noticed her pick up. Time to ad-lib.
"Ummm… hey.”
“... hi?” She asked.
“I… guess I worried you.” He chuckled.
“Well, yeah. That text raised quite a few red flags. Are you okay?”
“Not really. I just… I just wanted to call you because I felt like I owed you an explanation. I'm not doing good right now mentally, but I think you knew that already based on how much of a jerk I was.”
“Yeah, you did hurt me.”
Pythor snorted at that. “Thanks for not beating around the bush and being like ‘no, no, it wasn’t your fault’. I haven't been able to stop thinking about the words I said to you.”
“I think it can be said that the blame rests between both of us.”
He sighed and smiled. “Maybe. Look, I messed up, and I want to make things right with you, but I'm not ready for us to get back together. If you'd have me, that is. I'm attending mental health counseling, and I want to figure out why I acted the way I did, and what I can do to fix it.”
“I see. Well, it's nice to know you're okay at least. I don't know how to handle this either, to be honest. It still feels so soon with all that happened between us.”
“I know. I feel it too. Hopefully I can figure this out.”
“I think you will. I gotta go now though, I'm actually en route to a call I have with a sick horse. It probably has colic, so it's an emergency.”
“Good luck, Sally. Bye.” He said, and she bid farewell too, and they hung up. “That wasn't so bad.”
“I think you handled that really well.” Newt said, coming over to sit down next to him. “If you need any help, Val and I are here to help every tail of the way.”
“I appreciate it. Thanks for helping me out with Val. I… really was rough on her.”
“Stress affects us all. The most important thing we can do is recognize when it is affecting us and allow ourselves to move back and take a deep breath.”
“You're going to be a great doctor, you know that?”
“Thanks, and this soon-to-be-doctor is prescribing you a relaxing gaming session with him in the basement.”
“Well, better go pick it up.” Pythor chuckled, getting up and moving with renewed energy.
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[May 9th, 2016 - 10:00 am]
"Are you sure she won't be upset? I mean, this is different, right? Fangtom was sentenced to prison. She won't be able to see him anymore."
"Yes, Pythor, I'm sure." Arcturus agreed and wrapped an arm around his shoulders. "It's not like he's crammed in a concrete cell. He has a computer, a tv, he can go outside to a park and to work. Plus, she'll still be able to see him. He has visitation times every week.”
"Still…"
"Don't worry, it will be alright."
"Alright, let's head in to see her." Pythor said, and slithered inside with Arcturus. After sitting for a little bit, they were called in to meet her. "Hey…"
"Hello, Pythor, Mr. Asclepia, how are you feeling today?"
"Well, so far today has been nice. We had a good breakfast this morning that I made for us." Arcturus started.
"I'm doing okay I guess. Just… trying to get through life." Pythor said, shifting in his seat a lot.
"Is something wrong?" She asked.
"No, I don't know. Lately I've felt twitchy and anxious, like I don't know what I'm going to do next. It's kind of annoying. I feel scared, but I don't know of what."
"Well, I believe I've reached a diagnosis as to the feelings and behaviors of yours that we have been discussing over the past two months."
"Really?" He asked as he sat up straight.
"Yes. Given the time period, we can likely rule out postpartum depression, at least for the time being. It is my professional opinion that you meet the criteria for borderline personality disorder."
"Borderline personality disorder? What's that?"
"It's a mental health disorder that affects how you think and feel about yourself in relation to others. It's characterized by difficulty in regulating emotions and as the individual having an intense fear of abandonment and neglect."
"Those are two criteria for it. The rest are: patterns of unstable relationships with family, friends, or loved ones, adoring them one moment and then wanting nothing to do with them; rapid changes in self-identity that include shifting goals and values, periods of stress-related paranoia and loss of contact with reality for minutes to hours, impulsive and risky behavior, including: gambling, unsafe sex, substance abuse, binge eating or shopping, or sabotaging happy relationships or jobs; suicidal threats or self-harm, ongoing feelings of emptiness, and inappropriate or intense anger and bouts of sarcasm."
"You meet eight of those."
"Holy shit… how… how did I get it?"
"It's difficult to say. However, it is believed that environmental factors, such as a history of child abuse and neglect play a role, as do genetics. Personality disorders are strongly associated with close family members."
"Well, I guess that makes sense. My mother and father weren't often happy with me or my life choices."
"Are you saying that Pythor may have inherited this?" Arcturus asked.
"It is possible, yes. Were you close with your brother or parents?"
Arcturus scoffed and crossed his arms. "Not in the slightest. He was always the favorite given that he was the firstborn. He'd always pick on me, and he was so impulsive, then would blame me for things. Given the criteria you mentioned, I think he would qualify for a few of those as well."
"Well, a lot of the symptoms for mood and personality disorders can overlap, so I can't say for sure."
"Damn… I think I grew up in the same conditions Pythor did. Maybe that's why I've acted the way I have."
"So, what does this mean for me? I've torn up so many things in my life because of my impulsiveness." Pythor asked.
"Well, now that we know what you meet the criteria for, we can begin making a treatment plan for you. I'm recommending a mix of Dialectual behavioral therapy and mentalization based therapy."
"What will they do?"
"DBT helps you learn how to regulate emotions, stay in the present moment, deal with crises, and be effective in your relationships. MBT on the other hand helps you understand your emotions better and those of others, and how they influence your mental state, since you may not understand the intent behind their words. These types of treatments can be very effective in treating people with BPD."
"I see. So, when can we start?"
"I was thinking that we could start at our next session. I didn't know if you would be comfortable being given a diagnosis and then immediately beginning treatment without a period to adjust."
"Yeah, that sounds good. I can tell my mum about this and try to explain it to her. I should really explain this to Salome, though. I didn't leave things on a good note with her."
"I can print out some material for you that should help you out."
"Alright, thanks."
"How are other things going for you?"
"I guess they're going fine. Amber came back to me, and I have a good friend in Wisp. I… just can't stop thinking about Fangtom."
"What is it that you're thinking about?"
"I got him sent to jail."
"I don't think you did. Fangtom made his choice to say what he did."
"Everyone keeps saying that, but now he's serving time in prison for reckless endangerment in the first degree. I keep thinking about you and your two children. I know I'm not supposed to bring up your personal life, but…"
"Hmmm… would you like to know my personal thoughts on the matter?"
"Are… aren't you not supposed to?" He asked as he looked up at her with wide eyes.
"Normally no, but I can make exceptions if doing so will benefit my clients. Is that something you would like?"
"I guess, yes."
"I'm not happy with what my husband did, and I think he needed to learn that it was wrong. As for my children, I've explained the situation to them. I didn't mention you specifically in any way, but I told them what he did and why it was wrong, and they understood."
"Really?"
"Yes." She said, and smiled when Pythor collapsed back into the chair.
"I just don't want to hurt anyone."
"I know, and you sound like you're doing a great job at not doing so. You still think about your actions before you commit to them, and you consider the feelings of others."
"Not all the time, but thanks."
"Maybe not, but that is something that we can work on. Speaking of which, would you be averse to meeting with a group for DBT sessions?"
"Kind of. I mean, I like the group that I'm meeting with now for substance abuse counseling, and I feel like we bounce off each other well for that. I'd like to continue meeting with you one-on-one if that's okay."
"That's perfectly fine. Is there anything else you'd like to discuss?"
"Maybe one more thing. I just don't know what to do in my life now. I mean, I like working at the coffee shop, but I feel like I could be doing more."
"What is it you'd like to do?"
"I don't know. Be involved in first responder or search and rescue stuff, like what Skalidor does. Becoming a schoolteacher is also a career path for me. That… or join the ninja."
"You should pursue those interests then. Do what makes you happy." Jesshema said and smiled.
"Alright, thanks. I think that will be all for today." Pythor said and got up to shake her hand. "See you in 2-3 weeks?"
"Of course. Have a nice day."
Pythor nodded and slithered outside towards the bus stop, when suddenly his phone started beeping. He pulled it out and gasped at what he saw.
"Warrants issued for the ninja's arrest and the following dragons. All civilians are advised to avoid contact with the listed individuals and to report any sightings to the police."
"What the fuck?"
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"This is bullshit! Jay would never do this, nor would any of his friends!" Pythor yelled.
"I know, Pythor! I know!" Arcturus snapped as Pythor paced back and forth across the yard. "I just don't understand how this happened."
"I swear if they hurt Wisp, Terra, or any of the others. Fuck… what have they done to our children?" Pythor hissed.
"Whoever did this seems to look exactly like them. Do you think it's an oni or group of them?" Arcturus asked.
"I don't know, I could be wrong. I only saw what was on the news. This feels planned though. I think I should go to the library and do some research on this."
"Alright, I can take you there. I have some things that I'd like to pick up from there anyways, plus it will be nice to have your company.” Arcturus offered.
“Thanks, I appreciate it dad. It will be nice to have you there too. Let's head out.”
They got in Arcturus's car and began the trip to Smooth Stone. As they did, they talked about what was happening with the ninja and how little sense it made, as well as how quickly the Ninjagonian government turned against them.
While he had heard about the supposed crimes they committed, Pythor thought it was the stuff Intellectual George would put out. Especially with how vocal the ninja were in their support of rights for serpentine, dragons, and various anthros.
Pythor found himself enjoying the conversation more than he thought Arcturus was. After Arcturus had opened up about his flaws and insecurities, Pythor had metaphorically whipped himself for not recognizing the signs of someone who had been neglected and abused like he had as a children. Arcturus had just wanted friends and company like he had, and neglecting him just made him want it all the more.
What made Pythor happy was giving that kind of attention to another, letting them know that they were wanted. Had he killed himself, he would have forever deprived Arcturus of someone's company, and he wouldn't wish that on anyone.
They soon arrived at the library in town, and Pythor went over to the catalog while his dad went to pick up his stuff from the front desk. He had just started searching on the computer when he heard someone talking to him.
"Hey, Pythor. How uhhh… how are you doing?" He turned around and saw Acidicus standing there.
"Ummm… I'm doing alright."
"Oh… good, that's good. I'm glad to hear that." Acidicus said and twiddled his fingers.
“Is there a problem over here?” Arcturus asked, having slithered up behind Acidicus, who stiffened at the sound of his voice.
“N-N-No sir. No problem at all. Just… trying to help.” He said, quickly turning on his tail.
Pythor raised a brow. "Are you okay, Acidicus? We haven't seen each other in a little while, and you weren't this civil last time."
"Come on, let's do this away from the computers." Acidicus said, and led him towards a hallway. Once they were, he sighed and put his hands on his waist. "Look man, I messed up. I gave you hell last time and set a bad example for my children. I'm sorry."
“I'll say.” Arcturus said, but Pythor held his hand up.
"What happened?"
"Quite a bit. Caust thought I was being too hard on you when you came here before, Zane told me you were messing around in the graveyard, and then I heard about the trial with Fangtom…"
"I wasn't messing around. What? A guy can't pay his respects to his big sister and a scientist without being given hell?"
Acidicus looked up and shook his hands. "No, no, I know. Lloyd told me what Fangtom and Zane did, and how you saved his life and… it put some things in perspective for me."
"I just want to do some good things in my life now."
"I know, and I think you already are. I can tell." He said and looked around. "Hey, my kids are here today, you want to see them?"
"Sure." Pythor agreed, and Acidius led him and Arcturus over to the children's section, where a female venomari was playing a game with two children.
"Hey Caust."
"Oh hello, honey." She said, and waved at Pythor and Arcturus.
"Daddy!" The kids cheered and dashed over to wrap their arms around their father. Pythor's heart warmed at the sight, and he came over to sit down at the table.
"How are you three doing?" Pythor asked as he looked at them coloring in books.
"We're doing good." Caust said as the kids came over and sat back down with their mom. "We decided to come here after a doctor's appointment for Toxx here."
"I got out of school early." She cheered.
"Lucky…" The other child grumbled and crossed his arms.
"Now, Vern, you had an early dismissal too just a couple of weeks ago."
"Yeah, but class was boring!" The boy whined, and Pythor chuckled at his antics.
"Alright, keep it down you two, we're still in the library." Acidicus said.
“They're really sweet, funny too. Reminds me of when my kids were growing up.” Arcturus said, and Acidicus smiled at him.”
"Do you two want to play a game with us?" Toxx asked them.
"Sorry, but I'm afraid I won't be able to. I need to look up some things here, and it is a very urgent matter." Pythor said.
"Awwww…"
"It's alright kids, maybe he can do it some other time." Caust said.
"Yeah, I will. I promise. You seem really nice, and I think it would be fun to play with you when I'm able." Pythor agreed, making them smile. “Would next Saturday or Sunday work for you?”
“Yeah, those days are good for us.”
"Sounds like a plan. Come on, I can help you. I need to get back to work anyways." Acidicus said.
"You're doing a great job running this library, and raising your children."
“Yeah, it looks really nice and relaxing here. There are so many books that look interesting.” Arcturus agreed.
"Thanks, but I don't know if I'm going to be doing this much longer."
"Huh? Why?"
"I know I love books, but I really love history and archaeology. I'm putting in applications for museum curator here."
"Hey, that's nice. Well, if you ever need a reference, I'd be happy to give you one."
Acidicus smiled and nodded. "I appreciate that. So, what do you need help with?"
"Have you heard the news about the ninja?"
"Yeah, I have… it's a shame."
"Well, I know them, a few pretty well, and I don't believe they did any of it. Same for their dragons. You got any descriptive books on shapeshifters and related magic?"
"You really think that's what this is?"
"I hope so. Whoever did this was very thorough, and apparently is very skilled in elemental magic."
"Alright, I'll show you things that I think will help you."
"Thanks." Pythor said, and slithered off with him.
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[1 hour later]
Pythor sat at the table in the treehouse and flipped through pages of a book and took a sip of water as he focused.
"Okay, oni. Counterparts to dragons. Demons possessing the essence of destruction. Nigh-immortal. Don't think it's them, they don't have any elements, and they aren't very magical I don't think."
He flipped some more pages.
"Ghosts? They can possess others, even dragons, but… no, Wisp was with me when the attacks happened, this couldn't be them."
Pythor scratched his head as he looked at elemental powers.
"Hmmm… Chamille can't use magic, and I don't know if she can turn into a dragon, plus this was all over the place. Ugh, Ghosts, Oni, and the element of form can't be it." Pythor muttered and then gasped as he flipped back some. "Wait… shapeshifting beings capable of using powerful magic, able to teleport at will…"
He looked at the being that was on the page.
"A djinn."
"My, you certainly are a smart serpentine."
Pythor whirled around and saw an orange being floating in front of him and holding a large sword. He hissed and transmuted a blade on the end of his arm, but gasped after looking at the djinn for another moment.
"YOU!"
The djinn blinked and held his hooked hand to his chest. "Me?"
"Nadakhan! You think I'd forget the pirate captain that tried to sink my family's ship two hundred years ago?"
"Do I know you?"
"My name is Pythor."
"Ah, yes. Now I remember, you're that scared little snake who hid in the ship while his family did all the fighting." He chuckled and shook his head. "My, you've certainly grown, and you have a new power as well."
"I was practically 8!" Pythor retorted. "You, you're the one behind the ninja being framed. What do you want with them?"
"Oh? You actually care about them? That's funny. If I recall correctly, you unleashed a great being on the land several years ago and nearly killed them. You actually succeeded with the metal one, did you not?"
"I'm not like that anymore. I'm better now!"
"Are you sure about that?" He asked as he crept closer. "I know quite a bit about you, prince of the serpentine. I know that others were not happy with the actions of your family, I know that they thought the same about you. It truly is a lot of pressure for a mind so young."
"What do you know? You're not me." Dammit dad, come on. How long does it take to make sandwiches?
"Oh, we are more alike than you know." Nadakhan said as he looked at his sword. "Neither of us were liked by our fathers, but at least one of us committed to the choices we made and didn't stand idly by."
"I… I didn't. I spoke up!"
" Sure you did. I'm sure the others would agree with you."
"Shut up! I'm not like you! I just wish I was like the ninja, someone who people actually loved and wanted to protect them!"
A plate shattered on the floor behind him. Arcturus gasped. “NO! Pythor don't wish for anything from him!”
“Too late.” The djinn grinned. "As you wish , Pythor."
Pythor was blown back and fell into a tree, grunting as he smacked into tree branches one after the other until he hit the ground.
"Ugh… what just happened?" He groaned and rubbed his head as he sat up.
There was shouting in the woods, and Pythor gasped as several armored samurai broke through the treeline.
"What in the underworld is going on?!" He yelled as he dashed away from them.
"Samurai are chasing a ninja who just assassinated a ruthless warlord. I wonder if our hero will make it out this time?"
Pythor yelped as an arrow flew past his head and looked over to see Nadakhan sitting behind glass in a chair while eating popcorn.
"Hero? What is this?!" Pythor demanded.
"This is your wish. You are a ninja in 'The Amethyst Blade' who protects people of the lower classes from the cruel elites. People love your character and dress up like him all the time. It is a very popular program, but it is quite… graphic."
Pythor was about to retort, but grunted as a blade slashed across his left arm, and a samurai on horseback blocked him off. He turned to go around him, and two more mounted samurai surrounded him.
"I don't want to die though! Get me out of here!"
"Sorry, but I don't do favors. It looks like this is the series finale." The djinn said.
"You son of a bitch! I wish I never met you!" Pythor yelled as a blade went straight for his head, when suddenly the ground beneath him opened up.
He screamed as he fell into a pool of water that rushed over his head, and forced his head above it as he came up coughing. His eyes widened as he looked around and realized where he was.
"No… no no no no no no no!"
Pythor looked around at every wall and corner, desperately searching for any way out he could find. Thunder roared outside as lightning struck and lit up the room, revealing the djinn floating in the corner.
"How are you liking your wish, Pythor?"
"Then what is this?!" He asked as he climbed on top of a dresser to get out of the rising water.
"This, my good friend, is the future. Or rather, what would have been the future had your ship never encountered mine. Your father, Aihtiram, was a prideful fool, thinking he alone knew what was best for everyone. He ignored the weather warnings of his navigator and sailed this ship right into a maelstrom."
Pythor pushed himself up on his tail as water poured in through the window and the door, staring down at it with shaking eyes as it crept closer and closer to the ceiling.
"Tell me, prince, how long can you hold your breath?"
Pythor whimpered as the water went up to his chest. He couldn't get out, the water was coming in too strong.
"If you're going to make your last wish, I suggest you do it now… while you still can."
Thunder boomed again, and Pythor flinched as the water crept up to his neck now.
"Fuck… fuck… I… I wish I was safe and not in this sinking ship!"
"Your wish is yours to keep…"
Pythor screamed as it felt like he was being whipped around and around as he was sucked into the djinn blade.
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