Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The four snake leaders gathered up at their hidden, underground hideout, in the darkness of a cave. A few guards from each tribe stood around the room to guard it, and the four leaders shared glances at each other as they gathered around the engraved stone table, lined with colors from their respective tribes.

"Sssso, what is our next plan, Ssskale?" Acidicus asked, turning his spiked head towards the blue Hypnobrai.

"Well...Sssince Masster Wu is now crippled thanks to Sksalidor's warriors, he won't be much of an isssue in our way anymore. But insstead, we need...You know who..." Skales explained with a smirk that stretched upon his scaly features.

"...Garmadon junior..." Skalidor growled as he imagined the blonde boy.

"But why him and none of the otherss?" Fantom asked and tilted his heads. "They could just ass eassily be held hostage!"

"No!" Skales shouted at him, his tail quivering with a rattle. "That boy is sson of Garmadon! He has powerss sstronger than the other ninjas! He could defeat us eassily. And bessidess, he'ss worked for us before, it can't be too difficult to get him back..."

"And who'll get him? And we can't easily just ssnag him and run away, we need a distraction!" Acidcius asked, bringing his claws along the table with narrowed eyes.

"Ah, I've thought ahead more than that...Ssskalidor, do you have the map of the sssewersss?" Skales turned to the black snake to the east.

Skalidor nodded, taking a rolled-up paper from his side and onto the stone table. He used one claw to hold it down, then unraveling it to reveal the long-running map of all the sewer systems under Ninjago.

"With thiss map, we'll know all of Ninjago'ss ssewers. We'll usse them to quickly travel in ssecret. You three will hossst a disstraction, robbing their bank for what you can, but it doessn't matter if you loosse. Asss long asss I get the boy, our mission is sucessful. If you can esscape, get back to the ssewere hideout we established in preparation. I expect nothing but hard work from you three."

"How come you get to do the fun bit? You alwayss take it firsst..." Fangton complained with a groan, laying his head back angrily.

"I KNOW HIM BETTER THAN THE RESSST OF YOU! I am your leader, YOU DARE CHALLENGE ME?!" Skale turned to yell at him, his fangs beared and his tail buzzing loudly.

Fangton flinched away at his screech, keeping his distance from him.

"Be glad you're doing anything, Fangton. Asss long asss we can help, we'll get a portion to rule. Or...Are you too ssscared?"

"I'm not scared!" Fangton say up to hiss back. "...I just wish we could do something else...But I'll do what Skale says..."

"Good. We'll strike tomorrow. I wish you all luck on your half of the mission..." 

The four snakes then moved away, beginning to go back to their homes for the night. Skales smirked to himself as he did. That boy would finally be his once again. He could finally keep him for himself. He puts up a good fight, but he will be glad to submit to his old friend.

…

Chapter Text

(Medicine - Pleasantries)

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Lloyd had gone up to his room in the apartment the ninjas were staying at during the moment. He sighed taking a seat on his couch, then laying his head into his hands.

He had embarrassed himself out there. He couldn't believe it. He had gone back into his old nature, which seemed to be happening more than it ever had in the past. He thought he was over it, but... Why was he slipping? He'd grown so much, had become a much better person, yet he still had slip-ups like this. He thought he wouldn't be his father, but nature is inevitable, isn't it?

But, at least it was over. The ninjas had him stay behind while they dealt with a robbery across town. It seemed quite convenient, didn't it? As if whoever this robber or robbers were had tried to save him from embarrassing himself further. How nice of them.

He decide to take one of the books from the table in front of him, wanting to take his mind off what happened. He knew the others wouldn't hold it against him, but he couldn't help but hate himself for it. If only he wasn't born like this. Who knows when he might snap again?

...

From outside the evening window, he watched with a droopy, puppy smile. The boy was so adorable, even when he was upset. A beautiful blonde, green-eyed boy.

He shifted, his gaze never leaving the boy. He didn't trust Lloyd, not after the way he had betrayed him and his tribe. But he couldn't deny the thrill he felt at being near him, the way his heart raced every time Lloyd looked at him.

He was just completely enthralled by him, unable to stop watching him. How did he go this long without him? That beautiful voice, the silky hair, the warm skin. It made him want to hold him like a pet, a lover and close companion.

He was caught in his thoughts until he remembered the mission, and shook his head clear. He had forgotten what he was here to do. He had been watching him for so long, he had forgotten why he was really here.

...

Lloyd heard a shaking sound coming from his left, along with a sigh. He turned his attention over towards his window, until he saw a face near the bottom. He squinted his eyes to see it better in the harsh, amber light. But, he recognized it. It was Skales!

Shit! Shit! Shit! He swore in his mind. But even so, his body froze up suddenly. He was stuck, wide-eyed and bushy-tailed. Couldn't seem to believe it was real. Was this real? Was Skales really outside his window?

Skales' gaze locked onto Lloyd, his eyes gleaming with a hunger that went beyond mere hunger. He slithered closer to the window, his forked tongue flicking out to taste the air. "Ah, Lloyd...My precciouss Lloyd..."

Skales didn't wait for an answer, he simply reached out with his tail and grabbed the window latch, opening the window wide and slipping inside. "Shhh, don't make a sssound. We don't want to alert anyone." He purred to him with a smile

Lloyd felt his body finally grow lighter, blinking the energy back into his body. He shut his book harshly, then threw it towards the snake king, attempting to stun him and make an escape.

Skales was quick, dodging the book then rushing forward with a lightning speed. His claws hooked into Lloyd's green uniform, pulling him backwards into his firm, scaled chest. "No, no, no...You're not going anywhere, my precciouss." He cooed to him as he moved to sit back, holding an arm over Lloyd's mouth, and wrapping his tail firmly around his lower body.

As Lloyd struggled and attempted to free himself from the constrictive wrap, he felt claws run through his hair gently. "Shhh, my love. It'ss okay. I've got you now, and I'll never let you go." He whispered, nuzzling his face into Lloyd's neck.

Skales felt Lloyd's heart racing, and he knew that the boy was scared, so he took his hand off his mouth, instead dragging it under his head to tilt his head up. "I promisse you, Lloyd. I'll make you happy."

"N-No you won't! You tried to get me killed!" Lloyd struggled, knocking his elbow back into Skales' chest

Skales felt the wind shoved out of him as Lloyd attempted escape, his expression hardened at Lloyd's words, his grip on the boy tightening, and his arms slithering up to hold him just as firmly. "Ssilence! You ungrateful little brat! I ssaved your life, and this is how you repay me? By sscreaming and trying to escape?" He growled, his anger boiling over.

"If you did care, you would have shown it back then!" Lloyd shouted at him, feeling his face warm with intense anger

Skales' anger reached a boiling point, and without warning, he reached up and covered Lloyd's mouth with his hand, silencing him. "Enough!" He hissed, his eyes blazing with fury. "You will learn to sshow me the resspect I desserve, Lloyd." His tail slithered up further, constricting Lloyd's arms to his sides like firm rope.

Skales kept his hand over Lloyd's mouth, his other arm wrapping tightly around the boy's waist, holding him in place. "Now, let's ssee how long you can go without sspeaking. I think a little ssilence will do you ssome good." He said, his voice cold and menacing.

But before anything else could happen, they both heard a familiar voice beyond the door. "Lloyd? Are you alright in there?" It was Nya!

Skales' eyes narrowed, his grip on Lloyd tightening even more as he heard the footsteps approaching. "Ssshit." He muttered, quickly scanning the room for a place to hide. But it was too late. The only way out was through the open window. With his quickness, he dashed out the window and grabbed onto the ledge of the window with his claws, just as Nya came to the door and opened it.

Lloyd squirm and attempted to call out for help, but he was firmly silenced. From his hiding spot, Skales watched as the person moved around the room, calling out for Lloyd. His heart raced as he tried to remain hidden, knowing that if he was discovered, he would be in deep trouble. "Come on, Lloyd. Be quiet."

Skales peeked out from his hiding spot, making sure the coast was clear. When he saw that Nya was focused on something else, he began to make his way back down the outside of the building. "Damn it, Lloyd. Why did you have to make sso much noisse?!"

Lloyd still squirmed and still tried to get free, not wanting to give up yet. He felt panic and fear settle in his body, and he felt some strength come back to his body, but it still wasn't enough to break free.

Skales gritted his teeth, his tail wrapping tighter around Lloyd's waist to keep him from struggling. As he climbed back down the building, he hissed at Lloyd. "Sstop wiggling, or I'll drop you! And then you'll really have ssomething to cry about!"

Lloyd didn't listen, continuing to thrash about, even using his teeth to bite down on him.

Skales growled dangerously, his grip tightening even more. He paused their descent, his body wrapping more around Lloyd. "Lasst warning, Lloyd. Sstop. Moving." He hissed, his voice low and threatening.

Lloyd didn't give up, and Skales' patience quickly ran out. With a swift movement, he uncoiled his tail around Lloyd, letting him fall to the ground as he kept climbing back down the building, more quickly than before.

Lloyd attempted to grab the building and stop his falling, but he turned onto his side, scratching up his arms and legs against the bricks. He cracked his head on a window ledge with a cry, until he finally hit the ground with a pained wail.

Skales landed gracefully on the ground, hissing in revulsion as he saw Lloyd's injuries. He approached the boy slowly, his eyes soft for the first time since they has met again. Skales gently picked up Lloyd, cradling him in his arms as he examined the boy's wounds. He let out a soft sigh, his heart aching at the sight of Lloyd hurting. "Sstupid, sstubborn boy." He murmured, his voice tinged with concern.

Lloyd was crying as he was held, blood pouring from his head and cuts as he attempted to cling onto Skales. Pain gripped every part of his body, and he began to tremble with agony.

Skales tightened his hold on Lloyd, his tail gently wrapping around the boy's legs to support him. He used one of his hands to gently wipe the tears from Lloyd's face, his touch surprisingly gentle. "Hussh now, Lloyd. I'm sso ssorry. I didn't mean to drop you." He said in a soft, soothing tone.

Skales shifted Lloyd in his arms, trying to find a comfortable position for the both of them as he looked around. He hissed in frustration at the lack of help, before turning back to Lloyd. "Let'ss get you out of here."

Skales began making his way into the sewers, careful to avoid any obstacles that might jostle Lloyd too much. He kept his voice soothing and gentle as he spoke. "Don't worry, Lloyd. I'll take care of you." He comforted him as he climbed down the latter, and pulled the metal plate over the hole to hide the entrance.

He could feel the warm blood leaking onto his shoulder, which made an odd shudder of disgust and love run through him. He brought one hand over Lloyd's hair, careful of the split in his scalp that was flayed open. Hopefully he hadn't broken his skull. 

...

He opened the door into the base, which had previously been used as a storage room by whoever worked down here. Inside, his three generals—though beaten and bloody—turned to see him walk in, their expressions quickly shifting into ones of glee and surprise.

"Yess! You got the boy, Sskales!" Fangtom cheer happily.

"How did you get it? We nearly died out there! What took you sso damn long?" Skalidor asked with a hiss.

"We can complete our plan! At last!" Acidicus cheered as well.

Skales ignored their questions, his focus solely on Lloyd. He sat down on the floor by a wall to hold Lloyd close, his tail gently coiling around the boy to keep him warm. "He'ss hurt. I need to take care of him first."

"Why? We can use him ass iss. The ninjas will ssee we don't play around!" Skalidor hissed, standing up straighter to appear more prideful.

"Don't be an idiot, Sskalidor!" Acidicus smacked him with a growl. "If the boy diese, our plan will never work! I'll get him ssome bandagess." Acidicus turned away from the black snake, moving away to a few boxes they had stashed in a corner.

Skales shot a glare at Skalidor, silently telling him to be quiet. He appreciated his general's boldness, but his wish to ensure the boy's safety meant more to him. "Thank you, Acidicuss. We must be...Mercciful."

Acidicus slithered back over with an obvious, red-and-white box that held medical supplies. It won't cure him instantly, but it will certainly help him heal enough. He gave Skales gauze to hold to the open head wound, while Acidicus would fix up the smaller, less serious cuts.

Skales watched Acidicus work, his heart aching slightly at the sight of the boy's wounds. He gently stroked Lloyd's hair, his red eyes flickering with a soft warmth. "Be gentle, Acidicuss. He'ss very fragile." He whispered, his voice low and soothing.

"What happened to him?" Adidicus asked Skales.

"Did you drop him from a building or ssomethin'?" Fangtom asked with a slight chuckle.

Skales' gaze hardened slightly at their questions, his tail tightening around Lloyd protectively. "It'ss none of your business. Just make sure he heals properly, and don't let anyone else touch him." He commanded, his voice firm and authoritative. "And Fangtom, sshut up."

The other three generals shared confused glances, but Adidicus kept working on Lloyd until he was mostly good. "That's ass much ass I can do.." Adidicus pulled away and told Skales.

"Thank you, Adidicuss. You have my thankss." Skales nodded, his eyes never leaving the unconscious form of Lloyd. "I'll take care of him now."

"...Are we not going to talk about our nexxt plans?" Skalidor hissed to him in irritation.

Skales paused, glancing back at the other generals. "I have a feeling that Lloyd will be insstrumental in our nexxt move. But for now, I need to tend to him." He said quietly, his gaze softening slightly. "We'll reconvene and discuss our planss later."

The generals grumbled softly, but didn't voice their angers out loud. Skales laid down on the cold, concrete floor, and soon the other snakes would follow. They began to fall asleep, one by one. But Skales stayed awake as long as he could, keeping the gauze over Lloyd's head wound.

He felt pity pool in his belly, but also shame. He had dropped his boy down that building with intent to hurt him, and he regretted it badly. He could have ruined this whole mission and lost his love because of his stupid actions. What would he do then? He couldn't live with himself if that was true. He couldn't believe that would happen...

Chapter Text

(Problem - Mother Mother)

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"B-But Sir, this is a pretty bad head wound! And...He's not like snakes, we're not sure he'll make it completely."

"If he dies, ALL THREE OF YOU WILL END UP ON MY DINNER PLATE!! YOU WILL FIX HIM TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITIES!!"

"Y-Yes, King Skales..."

...

Before he even awoke pain gripped at his head. His body curled up and his hands moving to hold his head. It scratched at his skull and pulled on his hair, refusing to let him relax any longer.

"Careful, Lloyd. You're healing, just relaxx." A clawed hand came over his side, causing him to flinch with a gasp as it dragged down his body.

Despite the pain, Lloyd forced his eyes open, and his body onto his hand and knees, keeping his left hand on his head. His eyes caught the sight of Skales moving away, but turning back to him.

"You're okay, Lloyd! You're a little hurt, but you're fine now!" Skales told him carefully, but was still weary of his injuries.

"W-Where am I?!" Lloyd attempted to move backwards and stand on his feet.

"You're with me, Lloyd! Don't you remember?" 

Lloyd looked around with a panic, beginning to breathe unsteadily as he stumbled in the darkness. But Skales quickly slid over, wrapping his arms around the boy's chest. "Pleasse calm down!"

Lloyd brought his arm in a swift strike against Skales' chest, forcing him back and quickly turning to face the large, blue snake. "W-Why am I here? Where's the others?!"

"Just calm down! You're hurt, and my men have fixed you up!"

Lloyd looked around the room, though it was mostly empty, he saw a door not far from his left. He was about to run off until Skales grabbed one arm, pulling him back and latching the other on his side in a painful grip.

"You aren't running away! You're going to sstay with uss!" He shouted at Lloyd with a snarl.

"LET GO OF ME!" Lloyd yelled back to him, turning out of Skales' hold and reaching for his pocket knife, which was gone. And his entire ninja uniform as well, replaced with something more thin. He looked back up to the snake, his eyes opened with panic.

Skales watched him with angered eyes, but he did not attempt to grab him again.

"...Where am I..?" Lloyd asked again, his voice more shaky than before.

"You're at a Venomari basse, it's clossesst until we get to the actual kingdom."

"...Why are you taking me? Why me?" 

"Becausse, we...I want you to help uss."

"...Help? W-Why would I help you of all people?"

"Becausse your friendss are at rissk." Skales moved closer to tower over the boy, his red eyes narrowed. "We have your friendss nexxt on the lisst if you don't comply. They can eassily be put to wasste at my command."

"Like you could ever kill them. We kicked your asses several times, why wouldn't we do it again?"

"...Tell me, Lloyd. What happened to Wu again?"

"...He had a bad accident..? Why are you asking?" Lloyd turned his head skeptically at Skales' question.

"It wasn't just an accident. That wass me." He leaned in closer to the boy, his breath warm against his face as he hissed dangerously.

Lloyd froze for a moment, then his eyes widened in fear. "...You're lying..."

"I'm not." Skales smirked as he pulled away. "Maybe you could believe the other generalss did, but it was truly me. I needed to weaken you all sso that I could get you out. And here we are, that leadss you to now."

"...How? H-He wouldn't just...Why would he lie about that..?" Lloyd's voice began to crack uneasily, and he felt his eyes start to sting with heat.

"He didn't want to worry you all. But he talksd to Nya consstantly. Ugh, constantly! He might have told her, but not the resst of you, clearly. It's pathetic how eassy it was."

Lloyd looked around the room once again, feeling panic begin to stir in his stomach. His eyes locked onto the door, and he slowly made his way over with shaky, uneasy steps. Skales came to his side and followed beside him, not pulling him back like before.

He took the doorknob in his hand, then opened the door. Looking outside, he found himself in a barren, empty forest. The trees were either chopped down or dead with no leaves. This wasn't like what Ninjago was. And it was the middle of spring!

"...What is this..?" Lloyd asked shakily.

Skales put his arm around Lloyd's shoulder, holding him close to his side. "I ssaid before, it's a Venomari basse. We'll be leaving onccr you've eaten ssomething. Just wait here for me, alright?"

Skales began to slither away from him, but Lloyd didn’t follow. He was usually brave enough to try and do something, maybe an attempt to escape, but here, he wasn’t the same. He couldn’t remember some things, and he felt scared of nearly everything. All the snakes seemed to glare at him as they walked by, and he stayed by the door until Skales would come back with something to eat.

…

The bus they were riding on hummed lowly as it drove through the dead forest. Only the conversation of the generals could be heard as well, but even they stayed mostly quiet.

Lloyd was still dizzy and weak, feeling more tired than afraid anymore. He wondered where his friends were. What were they doing? Why hadn’t they found him and broke him out? Why…Why hadn’t he broken himself out? What was he waiting for? His friends must be worried sick about him. Why wasn’t he fighting back? Did Skales hypnotize him into staying? What was happening?

More importantly…What were they going to do to him? What were they going to use him for? He couldn’t wait for his friends forever. Whenever they stopped next, he was going to try and escape. He needed to at least try if nothing else.

Chapter Text

(Seventeen - Ladytron)

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"He hasn't been seen for three days now, and nobody has any ounce of an idea where he could possibly be?" Kai turned to the rest of the team, his expression frustrated as they all hesitate to answer him.

Lloyd had suddenly disappeared, but despite all their efforts to follow the blood trails they found, it stopped in the sewers, and nothing else could be found to where he could have gone. No tracks, no other trails, no clues.

"Like I said, Kai. All I heard was yelling, but when I came in his room, he was gone. I'm saying he was kidnapped."

"From a four-story apartment building? Oh sure, that makes a lot of sense!" He remarked to her sarcastically.

"Well, The Snakes have been doing more evil recently. They could have taken him. They have camps and bases all over, he could be at any one of them." Zane suggested with a slight shrug, though his expression was flat like usual.

"We already checked dozens of them! It would take forever to see each one! And we have to protect Ninjago still! How would we have any time for that?!" He yelled back at him.

"Okay, Kai, you need to calm down. Lloyd can protect himself, we can have time to think about this." Cole attempted to reach out to Kai, but he moved away from his hands, almost shaking from his anger.

"I calm down?! Am I the only one who gives a damn about him?! You all act like it's no big deal!"

"Because you're overreacting! Lloyd can handle himself! We have time!" Jay shouted back at him.

"Well I think it's pretty important that 'Wu's chosen one' is missing! I think we should get him back before he's dead!"

"He's not going to die, Kai. He'll be fine." Cole got up from his seat, quickly pulling Kai into a hug he couldn't escape from. Kai struggled for a moment in his hold, but soon relaxed, still jittery from his anger.

"...Maybe we should check Skales' kingdom. Maybe he's trying to get revenge on Lloyd for something?" Jay suggested as he began to lazily turn on his side in his seat.

"But the other snakes have reasons to hate him as well. It could be any one of them." Zane brought up.

Nya anxiously looked at all four of them, hesitant to speak until she finally broke. "...Okay, I know Master Wu said I shouldn't tell you all, but—"

"Oh, so we're keeping secrets now, huh—?!" Kai began to yell again, but Cole brought his hand over his mouth to stop him.

"Go on." Cole encouraged her.

"...He told you all it was accident when he was on a solo mission, but Skales ambushed him while you all were out, but I wasn't able to get to him in time, and he was already injured beyond what anyone could have saved. Skales would have Lloyd if nobody else. And isn't it suspicious you all fought Fangtom, Acidicus, and Skalidor, but Skales was noticeably absent?"

"...He distracted us to get Lloyd!" Jay sat up straight as he realized the truth.

"But where is the main issue." Zane said again.

"...The Destiny's Bounty is damaged, how can we look all over before another villain comes to attack Ninjago or us?”

“We could get a drone and modify it. Then, use it to look around when we are not busy, or someone could be the sole controller.”

“Where would we even get a drone?”

“The corner store.”

“…The corner store..?” Nya asked with a confused look to her face,

“Yes. They were twelve-a-piece last time I was there.”

“…But those are toys, not military grade machinery.”

“Correct. It’ll only look like a toy to anyone around, and they won’t see the camera we put on it. They won’t even know.”

“…That’s genius!” Jay encouraged with a smile. “They won’t even see what’s coming!”

“I forth that. It sounds like a good plan.” Cole turned to tell them, keeping the angry Kai close with an arm around his back.

“Well, It’s settled then. Jay, why don’t you get the drone from the corner store?”

“Man! I’m always stuck as the errand boy…” Jay complained, but got up from his seat, and began to make his way out.

Chapter Text

(CUTE DEPRESSED - Dyan Dxddy)

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Lloyd was exhausted from the long trip to where they were going. He had refused any food offered, and that was likely another reason why he was lightheaded. He felt too tired to trust anyone now. Even Skale's comforting touch was irritating him, and he only wanted to go home. He was curled up in his seat, trying and failing over and over to find a comfortable spot, but mostly squirming in his seat.

Skales looked over to Lloyd with concern, and he gently brought his hand up to stroke Lloyd's hair. "Lloyd? Are you okay?" He asked in a gentle tone, attempting to get down to his level.

Lloyd sparked with energy, his eyes almost glowing as he swatted Skales' hand away. "Stop! Leave me alone!"

"Why? What's wrong?" Skales put his hand away, but still tried to pry, worried for Lloyd, especially at his lack of eating. 

"I need to go home, Skales...I need to go home..." Lloyd began to shake with emotion, rubbing his arms and scratching at his head.

"Lloyd, please tell me. You've been keeping to yourself this whole ride. Is there really nothing wrong?"

"...T-There is...Something wrong..." He mumbled uncomfortably.

"What is it? I can have it fixed for you. Just tell me what's wrong..." He tried to reach out to Lloyd, but was quickly smacked away again.

"Stop touching me...I have to go home..."

Skales paused, thinking about something that might calm Lloyd about his current situation. "...In due time, Lloyd. We'll get you home once we are done with you. But not in a bad way! I'll make sure you're safe and sound when you go home."

"...You won't let me go that easy. I'm not stupid..." He grumbled quietly.

Skales sighed, then forcefully took Lloyd's right hand into his own. "I promise you, Lloyd. They won't hurt you anymore. Just stay in my room, and I'll get you out once I can."

"I'll break out the second you're away."

"We have guards, Lloyd. If you would calm down, you won't have any trouble." Skales leaned in, laying his head on Lloyd's while another hand came around his back. "I just want you to be safe. And you're still injured, you shouldn't be stressing yourself with things like this."

After a few moments of being held together, the bus came to a sputtered stop, and when they looked up, snakes from every tribe came out and cheered for their leaders' safe return.

"Just stay with me, Lloyd." Skales told him carefully, using the arm around Lloyd's back to hold him close, picking him out of the seat to place him down on the ground. Skales moved ahead with the other generals, and Lloyd trailed behind uneasily, as if he wasn't sure how to walk anymore.

As he approached the bus door, the roars of words and cheer overwhelmed him easily. Lloyd brought his hands to his ears, attempting to muffle the harsh sounds around him, which only amplified as he stepped outside completely.

Skales turned back, intending to hold onto Lloyd, but his expression darkened as he saw Lloyd trailed behind uncomfortably. It made him snarl, and once Lloyd was close and he could hold him against his body, Skales called out to the crowd. 

"ALL OF YOU!!" Skales shouted at them, which quickly stopped their chatter. "Get back to work! What are you all dawdling for?!"

Though the snakes murmured and mumbled, they mostly rushed off to stay away from Skales' wrath, and went back to their usual work. Lloyd slowly took his hands off his head as the sound dwindled, and he could relax once again. Well, relax as much as he could while being a hostage.

"Is that better, my Lloyd?" Skales leaned down to ask him, his breath gently ghosting over Lloyd.

"...Yeah..." Lloyd nodded with a mumble, keeping his eyes away from the snake above him.

Skales kept his arm around Lloyd as he guided him towards the sand-stone castle ahead of them. The other three generals glanced back at him occasionally, murmuring something Skales couldn't care about. He only cared about his Lloyd, and that made him happy.

The large, stone doors to the castle slowly opened up, and a few armed guards bowed to their presence. But before Skales got too far, he turned to one of the guards with a glare. "Take the boy to my chambers. I shall deal with him then. He better not have a scratch on him."

"Yes, Skales." The guard bowed to him obediently, then began to step away. Lloyd was nudged to follow the guard, and so he did. 

The door behind closed, and Lloyd could hear the whispers of a conversation as he walked down a long hall with the guard. And once they were out of good hearing, Lloyd spoke up.

"What will convince you to let me go? I can give you absolutely anything."

"Nothing. I'm not risking my life for you. Just be quiet." The guard told him firmly, not turning to face Lloyd before they eventually came down into a special hall, where specific doors were carved with the head of each tribe's room. The guard turned towards the hypnobrai one, and turned to Lloyd at last.

"I suspect you know not to touch anything without Skales' permission?"

"Yeah, I got the hint." Lloyd waved the guard off, then stepped into the room and shut the door firmly. Inside, otherthan being made from sandstone, was decorated with mostly blue items from all over.

Lloyd didn't care to inspect it too much, only wanting to rest for the time being. He ached further at the thought of Skales having ulterior motives with having him here. Maybe he would become his pet. Maybe he would be executed no matter what, and all these emotions were just to get to his head. Maybe Skales was truthful, but that would never be true.

He stepped over onto the blue carpet in front of Skales’ large blue bed, feeling the softness under his hand. He had slept in worse places before, and having a carpet as the only cushion would be better than the bare, sandstone floor.

He laid down on his side, nuzzling his head into his left elbow while bringing his hood up to cover his face. The silence, yet soft sounds of construction outside the castle, was soothing him into a gentle sleep. Hopefully when Skales came back, he wouldn’t be shoved around and forced to do more than he would let himself do.