𝐓𝐑𝐘 𝐓𝐎 𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐍 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓 ✦︎ PYTHOR X ASPHEERA STORY

Chapter 1

The spiders stopped before a large door. 

I raised a brow.

"Should I go in?"

One of them hissed in what I could only assume was affirmation, then scuttled up the wall and disappeared.

"Alright then..."

I straightened my back, smoothed my expression into a regal calm, and stepped confidently inside. The room was circular, with a round table at the center and seven black chairs placed evenly around it.

Someone was already seated. A tall figure in a mask, with shimmering gold wings. Glittering. Ridiculous. But wait... was that—?

"Mr. E?" I muttered under my breath. "Well, that's unexpected. Didn't Garmadon turn him into a box of scrap metal?"

I sighed and rubbed my face.

"Great. The Crystal King's collecting glittering freaks and toaster rejects now. What's next—recruiting another Serpentine? We'll be a duo of disaster."

The masked figure turned to look at me. I approached the table, their eyes following me. Disgust crept down my spine. What were they staring at?

"Freaks. You don't even reach my tail... or my chin... Whatever."

I reached my seat. "Pythor P. Chumsworth," I announced proudly. "I see the Crystal King's standards for a council are... colorful."

I sat next to the nindroid and smirked. "Mr. E! I heard you got turned into razor blades. Yet here you are, all polished up again."

The nindroid narrowed his eyes at me. My grin widened. 

"Still got it."

"His name is Mr. F," the winged one corrected coldly. "Pythor P. Chumsworth."

I turned to him slowly. "And who might you be? Mr. Glitter Wings?"

His fists clenched on the table.

"I am Vangelis, the rightful King of the knigdom of Shintaro."

My interest piqued. "Oh? Your Highness," I drawled. "So what are you doing here? Don't you have a throne to sit on? A kingdom to run?"

Vangelis growled. "The ninja took it from me! That cursed Cole—son of Lily—manipulated my daughter. She betrayed me, overthrew me, and threw me into the dungeons! But the Crystal King gave me a second chance, so I will get my revenge." 

I rolled my eyes. 

"Ah, yes. The ninja. Always meddling... Time for that to end. The Crystal King's power will erase them all."

Vangelis nodded grimly.

"Soon, Cole Brookstone will fall. And my crown will return."

Just then, the doors behind him opened.

And there she stood.

Aspheera.

She walked in proudly, her staff in hand—how she got that back, I had no idea. Her cold, sharp eyes surveyed us like we were bugs under glass. Then she saw me. Her posture changed instantly. Eyes widened slightly. A flicker of something—recognition, disbelief?

I swallowed and licked my lips. 

But the moment passed. Her icy mask returned.

She scowled, pointing her staff at me. "Pythor P. Chumsworth. What an unexpected... disappointment."

She took a seat across from me.

"I thought you were a goody-goody helper to the Ninja. What happened? They finally kicked you out?"

I narrowed my eyes. "Otherwise, I wouldn't be here. And you? Free again? Did humans miss you, or did Master Wu pity you into freedom?"

Her grip tightened on the staff. She hissed.

"Careful, snake. If you value that precious gem on your skull, you'll shut your royal snout."

I leaned forward, ready to retaliate—but Vangelis cut in with a heavy sigh.

"As delightful as this exchange is, let me remind you why we're here. We are the council now. Like it or not, we'll be partners. Save the feuds. Focus."

"Don't lecture me, Glitter Wings!" Aspheera snapped, slamming her staff to the floor.

I stifled a laugh, covering my mouth. Vangelis looked like he'd bitten into a sour lemon.

"VANGELIS!" he barked. "My name is Vangelis, you—! You...!"

He stammered, struggling for a retort. Aspheera tilted her head smugly.

"Me, what? Say it! I dare you." 

"You... you... LIZARD!"

Silence. Then Aspheera blinked and scoffed.

"Wow. That was sad. What are you, five? Lizard!? That's all you've got? You're meant to join a council of evil, not a glitter fairy picnic!"

"GLITTER FAIRY!?"

I chuckled quietly. Mr. F and I shared a look.

"Too bad there's no popcorn," I whispered to him. "This is going to be entertaining. No popcorn machine here, right?"

Mr. F shook his head and crossed his arms. We both watched as Vangelis and Aspheera began smacking each other like squabbling children. I sighed, tail flicking with amusement.

"This is the way. From tyrants... to drama queens."