Joseph got up alittle earlier then usual. Which was alittle weird considering how late it was when Joseph finally got some sleep last night. Maybe Ragnorok had something for him and the others to go ahead and do this morning.

Amazingly, the Serpentine were up and running this morning like they were yesterday. But it was slightly quieter and somehow less busy looking. Just the early morning vibe he figured. He wandered around a bit. It'd be awhile before the others would wake up, and lord knows when Ray or Konrad's teams would wake up.

Eventually Joseph wandered into the main building where the generals were staying. They'll probably be up considering they're the leaders of the Serpentine. The leaders are usually up earlier then most other civilians. Heck, Joseph was up earlier then the other Scavengers!

Joseph found himself having a nice conversation with a Poisonette member. And she was actually really sweet.

Joseph: I didn't catch your name miss.
???: Oh!(Giggles) My bad. Vylor isss my name. I'm a Poissssonette, but with Andacondrai blood in me. Hence my looking like Pythor you know.
Joseph: Yeah. Yeah I did notice you look alot like Pythor. Well, if he still had his purple scales that is.
Vylor: (laughs) True, true. Don't say anything about it in front of him though. It may not look it but he'ssss actually pretty ssssensitive about it.
Joseph: I can understand that. You seem to know a fairly good lot about Pythor. But then you are of Andacondrai blood.
Vylor: Well, that and... (chuckles) I'm hissss mate.
Joseph: Really?! I shouldn't be surprised but wow! He never said anything about being "married" or anything.
Vylor: (chuckles) Well, officially I'm hissss mate-to-be. We're not "married" yet, but we're engaged and betrothed. He'ssss just ssssuper nervousss about it. After all, he kinda issss the last of the pure Andacondrai and I'm his only way of- how to put it?- "Repopulate" the Andacondrai tribe? It'sss not easssy reviving a whole sssspecies you know.
Joseph: I can imagine! Still, congrats and hope to a happy life for you both! You seem perfect for him!
Vylor: (Laughs) Thank you Jossseph! And I think Pythor would agree. When he sssslithered into me- or assss you humans call it "ran" into me- it wassss love at first ssssight I tell you!

Joseph chuckled at that. Vylor was pretty and she was sweet, whicg was a contrast to Pythor's current and slight unsettling bleach white looks and his stern facal look. Around that time Ragnorok came in and noticed Joseph's presence.

Vylor: Oh! Morning Ragnorok!
Ragnorok: (telepathy) Morning Vylor. Morning Joseph. Say Joseph, you're up alittle early aren't you?
Joseph: You're up alittle early yourself Ragnorok! Shouldn't you rest?
Ragnorok: (telepathy) Afraid I can't today. I've arranged to meet with some associates of mine later and I must be on my way there soon if I am to keep them from complaining about time and such.
Vylor: Oh? Is dearesssst Pythor going with you on thissss one?
Ragnorok: (telepathy) Not this time, no Vylor. I figured you and Pythor deserved some time together and some relaxing to do. Besides, this meeting is mostly exclusive to a select group and Pythor doesn't need to know of the matters.
Joseph: Something serious?
Ragnorok: (telepathy) No no... Nothing that you need to worry about Joseph. It only concerns those like myself who can afford the time.
Vylor: I guessss I'll go ahead and sssee my dearesssst Pythor. Me and him need alittle arranging to do about our engagement. Nice talking to you Joseph!
Joseph: Same Vylor! Need anything done that me and my friends can do?
Ragnorok: (telepathy) Of course. I would appreciate it if you could do anything to help the Serpentine get settled. The Serpentine Council will have a list of daily jobs for you, the Rip Roarers, Neo-animals, and any other groups that come here to do while I'm gone. If you and the other groups want to do any applications in between work here you can always go to Ninjago City for that. It's not too far away to walk, and it's especially not too far if you go by one of our vehicles of course. If you need anything, you can always go to Acidicus. He keeps track with just about everything involving statistics and percentages, as well as other business matters. The Venomari the most clever besides the Andacondrai after all.
Joseph: Ok, thanks. You sound like you'll be gone for a while.
Ragnorok: (telepathy) Yes, I'll be gone for a few days at the least. It will take a day on average to reach my desired destination, a day staying there, and a day back if things are favorable.
Joseph: Well, I hope things go smoothly for you.
Ragnorok: (telepathy) Thank you Joseph. Same to you and the other Ravagers. And remember what I said about Jeff. He may roam amongst the city grounds, but other then the Rip Roarers or anyone else you trust, he mustn't appear to anyone from outside the City of Ouroboros.
Joseph: I wouldn't worry too much about that. Jeff may be lazy- and maybe slightly crazy at times- but he knows what to avoid and how to avoid it.
Ragnorok: (telepathy) I'm sure he is capable. But I insist on his protection here. Part of the matters I'm going on this excursion for could help Jeff's situation, and I won't let him be caught on account of some childish excuse.
Joseph: Of course. Again, I can't thank you enough for all your help and understanding Ragnorok. It really caught us off guard when you came in and saw Jeff with me.
Ragnorok: (telepathy) Think nothing of it Joseph. Just make sure nothing serious happens to Jeff during my absence. We don't want him getting caught now. Just be patient Joseph. Just a little longer, and Jeff will be a free man.

Later

Ragnorok and some Serpentine warriors left that morning for some meeting Ragnorok needed to go to. Ragnorok left the responsibility of the City of Ouroboros' construction to the Serpentine Generals since they were the leaders and such.

Anyway, the different Ravager groups decided to split up the different jobs between each other for the day. Joseph and Pit went to Ninjago City to help gather supplies for the Serpentine. Sheik, Harpus, and Mirage decided to help with construction jobs around the city. While Jeff, well, he just decided to take it easy and try to get used to being around walking talking snake people.

What? Everyone else may be used to the idea of a massive city full of multi-colored multi-poison anthropomorphic snakes and cobras, but Jeff was just a normal person for all this magic and ancient whatnot. Well, "normal" may be overstating it considering how bad Jeff looked, but still. Jeff would much rather live in the Advanced Side of the World, but you'd have to be crazy rich to live long-term there.

While Jeff was wondering through what will one day be the back streets of the City of Ouroboros watching the Serpentine work, Jeff suddenly felt some sticks hitting him from behind. Jeff turned to yell at whoever was messing with him (and laughing at him in the process). By the time Jeff finished yelling, he was honestly slightly disturbed by the person- or whatever this creature was to be honest- just from his looks.

The thing looked human enough, being bipedal and clothes and human enough laughs, but the similarities seem to stop there. The clothes this thing wore were all black and white, especially the striped scarf and... mask? Considering the thing's mouth was actually moving despite the "mask", it must've been the creature's face. The right half of the "mask" was all white with a black eye and half of a toothy black mouth, while the left half was all black with a white eye and half of a white more serious but sinister mouth. The creature had white hands (or possibly gloves it was hard to tell) with small but sharp black claws. The creature was laughing his head off at how ticked Jeff had gotten just from some sticks. Just a few small sticks!

???: (Cackles) 😂
Jeff: H-hey! I'm talking to you! What's so funny!?😓
???: あなたが怒っているとき、あなたはとても面白いです! Kekeke!😂
Jeff: WHAT!? Speak English!
???: (Slaps Jeff) タグ！あなたはジェフです! (Cackles)
Jeff: Hey!😠

The black and white little devil began scampering off as Jeff began to give chase after it. Okay, so even if it was just a few sticks, someone had to see to it this crearure didn't screw around with the construction or the Serpentine. The creature may have been fast on his feet, but was about able to keep up enough.

Even if this creature could apparently crawl on walls...

The little devil laughed as he jumped from wall to wall while Jeff continued to chase after the monochrome creature. This chase lasted for several minutes across the City of Ouroboros before the creature hopped off somewhere around the corner, a loud crash following. Jeff quickly ran around the corner expecting to catch the creature, but the creature was nowhere to be seen. Some barrels were knocked over onto the ground, obviously being the source of the crashing noise. The creature must've used the barrels as a distraction! D***it!

Jeff was furious, furious I tell you! He kicked one of the barrels in rage to show for it. But he tried to calm down like Sheik had always told him whenever he was like this. Breath in, breath deep, breath slow. It usually works, but he was still mad about letting the creature get away from him. Some of the Serpentine were gathering the barrels when one of them found a piece of paper with Jeff's name on it, so naturally he gave it to Jeff. All that was on the paper besides his name was a bunch of lines and shapes that Jeff couldn't for the life of him understand. He was about the crumble up the paper and throw it away when he heard someone talking, and heading towards his direction.

And that someone definitely wasn't Serpentine...

Several minutes prior

Harpus: *groan* I got it! No seriously, I got it! *groan*

Harpus desperately wanted to help with the construction itself. Hence why she was trying to lift a large heavy brick with her bare talons. But as you can imagine, with the brick being roughly the same size as her and being much heavier then her, well, she wasn't quite lifting it.

Mirage, Joseph's Druddigon, and Ray, leader of the Rip Roarers, looked at each other. Harpus could really be in over her head sometimes, like right now. Mirage rolled his eyes at Harpus and proceeded to grab her off the brick.

Harpus: Hey! What're ya doin'!? Put me down! Put me down! Let me go- OW!

Mirage threw Harpus back first to the ground, then him and Ray both lifted the massive brick off the ground and pushed it into its place in the wall.

Ray: There. You know us robots were made specifically to make your lives easier way back when.
Harpus: Well some of us like things the old fashioned way!😤
Mirage: 😑...
Ray: Yeah, sure. Look gal, I appreciate you wanting to be stronger and all- after all I'm all for women's rights- but there's such thing as "boundaries" you know. I just don't think you harpies ain't cut out for heavy labor. And I mean that on multiple levels since harpies are near about extinct for good reason.😓
Harpus: You talk dat way again about my species and I'ma gonna wreck ya so hard!😡
Ray: Yeah whatever girl. Let's just get on to another brick already- 😐Uh oh.
Harpus: What?
Ray: Naga's Mercenaries, dead ahead. And they look particularly "bitey" today.

Sure enough, a large group of reptilian people walked in like they owned the town. Immediately the surrounding Serpentine were interested, and naturally so given that the Serpentine were fellow reptiles like these blokes were.

Ray knew them. She and her group knew Snake Man's group well. Heck, Snake Man and Cobra Man were advanced robots like Ray, but obviously they had the snake and cobra look to them. The both of them were the leaders and founders of the Naga's Mercenaries, a Ravager group of reptiles from all around. Crawley from the Crocodile Tribe in Chima, the serpent-like kaiju Garasharp, and the sea faring pirate alligator King K. Rool just to name a few definitive individuals. Ray growled silently. She had had some slight troubles with them... especially since they let that crazy King K psycho onto their team. Riptor, being nearby, smelled the Naga's Mercenaries' scent and saw them coming. She walked up to Ray's side and hissed in their direction, mostly at King K. Rool. After all, he was the one that gave the whole group the vibe that they were walking in and taking the town.

Come to think of it, walking in and taking the town sounds like something King K would do, wouldn't he?

Harpus: Those guys? You know 'em?
Riptor: *growls*😬
Ray: Yeah, we know 'em. You?
Harpus: I think I remember seeing them around from somewhere. Then again it's hard to forget a fat croc with a crown and bright red cape on.
Ray: (nods) True. True. Hey Rip, how about we pay them a chat?
Riptor: *growls*

A Constrictai member, for all his strength, was having much trouble with lifting his massive brick off the ground. One of the Naga's Mercenaries noticed and decided to go help.

Is that weird if it's King K. Rool wanting to help?

King K. Rool: 'Ere lad, let me 'andle this for ye.

The Constrictai stepped back as the five-times-taller K. Rool dug his clawed fingers under the stone brick. With only one hand, he not only lifted the brick onto its side but into the air and effortlessly kicked the brick perfectly into place!

All the surrounding Serpentine gasped and awed at the newcomer. The Constrictai looked up at the Kremling King with his jaw wide open and in amazement. King K. Rool knew he pretty much just blew everyone's minds, and he absolutely loved it. He stood there showing off his toothy grin with repeated "Thank yous" and "No sweats". His fellow reptilian Mercenaries just stood there shaking their heads and rolling there eyes, knowing perfectly that K. Rool practically LIVED for attention. But then, a certain robotic voice broke K. Rool's moment...

Ray: Well well well Big K, you actually doin' something from the bottom of your heart for once or were you promised money if you did some good deeds for a solid week?
King K. Rool: Er, what?😞
Garasharp: (chuckles) You gotta admit Rool, she got you there!😅
Snake Man: Ray! My goodnessss, what a ssshocker to sssee you here!
Ray: Yeah, flattering to see ya'll here too. What ya doing here out in the desert hm?
Crawley: Helping fool! What's it look like?😬
Cobra Man: Gotta help out our fellow reptiles. Plus my creator wanted me to study the Serpentine since I was designed to study venomous reptiles and, well, helping the Serpentine with their city gives us that opportunity.😊
King K. Rool: Plus we 'eard that this "Rag-no-rok" lad will pay in whatev'r currency you personally wish to be paid in, and if there's any currency I seek-
Ray: It's gold.😒
King K. Rool: IT'S GOLD BABY!😃 Hahaha!
Garasharp: Plus we may find a new member in the Serpentine for us! After all, they're all reptilian like us! Any particular reason you and your group are here Ray darling?😮
Ray: Eh, taking a break from bounties and criminals for a while. Mostly so my boyfriend Brandish can stop telling me to harass all the psychos but also since Zero isn't all weapon-at-heart so to speak. You know, just being more casual then normal.
King K. Rool: Looks like ye 'avn't changed in the slightest lassie. So very typical of ye😒. What's with the oversized, seasick lookin', seagull ov'r 'ere?
Harpus: WHAT!? You talking to me!?😲
Mirage: (face palms)😑
King K. Rool: What's it look like I be talkin' to lassie? OYE GET OFF ME YOU SAVAGE SIREN!!!
Harpus: Who's so seasick now you washed-up sea snake!?😠

Harpus, upon being called a "seagull", flew up to K. Rool's face and got up and personal. She didn't really claw at him like it looked like- or what she'd personally preferred to- but she only wanted to earn the Kremling's respect and get some dignity in some small sense. But I digress, it was working fairly well on the seasoned pirate croc.

Ray laughed hysterically just from the fact that King K. Rool was screaming like a little girl. Druddigon, and to be honest Crawley too, chuckled slightly at the sight, and the other Mercenaries, plus Riptor, just shook their heads. Classic K. Rool.

The screaming wasn't quite enough to drown out the sound of a bunch of barrels crashing to the ground though, which immediately everyone stopped and heard. Some Serpentine must've tripped and knocked something over.

Snake Man: Ssshould we go look?
King K. Rool: Arr, I'll give a look-see. Anythin' to get away from this avian monstrosity😡.
Harpus: I'll take that as a compliment from you!😆
Ray: Rip, make sure he doesn't make things worse somehow, will ya?
Riptor: *growls*
King K. Rool: *grumble grumble* I need no 'elp lassie😡... Oye, what a mess this be!

King K. Rool stomped around the corner and saw that a whole pile of empty barrels had been knocked over all over the ground. Riptor paused to process what had happened, then she searched out the mess in her own raptor ways, sniffing and nudging slightly. She approached the Serpentine in the immediate area and tilted her head at them, urging them to explain what had happened, but they shrugged and shook their heads either not knowing what had just happened or were just confused. Riptor eventually hopped up onto the top of one of the few still standing barrels and looked around. She yipped slightly as Ray walked into view behind a slightly confused K. Rool.

Ray: Hm. Guess it was just an accident.
King K. Rool: Yea, I suppose so. Eh, doesn't 'urt to check it out aye?
Snake Man: Anything to get a little richer for you, eh King K? *snickers*
King K. Rool: What?! *growls* Whatev'r😒. Shouldn't we be signin' in somewh're eh?
Ray: Pythor's in the main building near the Arena. And before you ask, Ragnorok went out on some business meeting or something this morning so she won't be back in a while.
Cobra Man: Ah thanks for the info Ray! Come on Rool!
King K. Rool: Ugh, fine. But what about-
Ray: We got this Big K. Go on.

Though reluctant, King K. Rool stomped off with his group towards the main building. Harpus watched as they walked off out of hearing distance and looked at Ray.

Harpus: You're gonna do they're dirty work? I kinda wanted to see that Rool guy do some real work for once.😂
Ray: Trust me, it's for the best. Riptor, show her.

Riptor then dipped her head into the barrel she was standing on and pulled out something... or someone.

Let's just say there's only so many individuals in existence with bleach white skin and a large red smile.😞

Jeff: Hey! Put me down!
Harpus: Jeff? Ugh, what kind of trouble ya got yaself into this time?😡
Jeff: What? No! Just- Let go of my hoodie you jurassic vulture! *groan* What was with that fat a** croc I saw?
Ray: Oh, that's King K. Rool. He happens to be a pretty crazy pirate captain of the Seas Between Lands. Currently he works with the Naga's Mercenaries, whom are kinda my group's rivals since, oh you know, they go after bounties LIKE YOURS.😡
Jeff: Okay? But why you screaming at me? I didn't do nothing!
Harpus: No offense Jeffery, but are ya trying to get yaself caught knocking down dese barrels?
Jeff: WHAT!? That wasn't me! It was this weird striped man-spider thing that did it! Honest! I was chasing it and he used these barrels to distract me!
Ray: ....
Jeff: You know what? Forget this. I'm going to take a nap. Wake me up when Joseph gets back.

Meanwhile

Joseph, Pit, and Sheik went out to Ninjago City to gather some supplies for the Serpentine. Sheik and Pit were getting some food supplies while Joseph oversaw the delivery of wood and stone the Serpentine needed.

Since the three of them were within sight of eachother, Joseph would happen to see Pit trying to impress Sheik with something or other. Joseph had noticed that Pit would try to impress and flirt with Sheik alot(actually Harpus noticed first, but it wasn't oblivious to Joseph what was happening) and right now was one of those times apparently. At one point Pit was doing some kind of juggling act, or something, and well long-story-short kinda trashed some poor girl's magic act. Pit could not stop apologizing to the red cloaked girl magician about ruining her act and the girl kept telling him to stop and that she held nothing against him.

Joseph didn't mean to, but he couldn't stop laughing about what had happened. Poor pit! Joseph was too distracted to see where he was walking before he accidentally ran into someone. He immediately apologized, slightly embarrassed, and while the girl he ran into spoke Joseph looked at her features. She wore nearly all black, which someone could consider extremely crazy since there's a desert and hot weather around here, had a few light brown rags over her shoulders like a cloak, and wore a pure white mask with painted black eyelashes and lips, not to mention black eyes. She was quite slim, but she didn't look like she was starving because of it.

???: Oh I'm sorry!
Joseph: No no no, I'm sorry. I should've been watching the path! Did you drop anything?😖
???: Oh no no, I wasn't carrying anything! No harm done here!😅
Joseph: Forgive me miss, my mind was elsewhere! Normally I'm not such a clutz.😶
???: Please! No need to apologize! I-I'm new here, so I'm kinda all nervous being around so many people like this! Say, have you seen someone... "strange-ish" by chance?
Joseph: Um, care to simply miss...
???: Oh, um, Jane. Jane Arkensaw. Um, how would I describe him? Monochrome, slim and slanky, Japanese, and obsessed with wine and "yaoi" mangas. Seen someone like that?
Joseph: 😕Um... Can't say I have😅. And my name's Joseph by the way.
Jane: Nice to meet you, and I don't blame you for not knowing where my friend is. He said he was eager to show me around and well he left me here in the market place. I mean really. Hey, maybe you've seen another individual I'm looking for?
Joseph: Um, maybe. Who?
Jane: Well... His name is- Well, his real name is Jeffery Woods and he's around my age. But, um, you may know him as, well... this.

Jane pulled out a small bag from under her rag cloak, dug into it slightly, and pulled out a piece of paper. It only took one look at it though to realize everything.

It was one of those papers with Jeff's bounty on it.

Oh snap.

Joseph happened to glance under Jane's cloak and saw that she had a knife carrying pouch wrapped around the side of Jane's waist. With a knife in it.

⚠BOUNTY HUNTER ALERT!⚠

Joseph took a deep breath to try to avoid the color from draining away from his face. He had to play this cool or else his "little secret" could get revealed.

Joseph: Um, again, can't say I have! Considering what I've heard about him, I'd probably be dead if I ever saw him😅!
Jane: Yeah... Good point. Well, just curious. *sigh* And I know what you're thinking...
Joseph: Y-you do?
Jane: You think I'm just some other bounty hunter out to find the escape artist of a killer here. But no, I'm not just that, believe me. Let's just say that I have a... Personal history with Jeffrey Woods here.
Joseph: Y-you do?😕
Jane: Oh, you have no idea. *sigh*... Do me a favor. If he tries to kill you one night, tell him that his everlasting equal is still searching for his bloody heart when you get the chance.
Joseph: U-uh, o-ok?😟
Jane: I... I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make this awkward. I've just... I've been searching for a while now. My friends say it's really taking a toll on me, but then considering what HE did to him... I-I'm sorry. I-I should be going. My idiot friend will probably turn up eventually. S-see you Joseph.😳

Jane suddenly turned around and scampered off into the crowd. Joseph wasn't quite sure what to do. Maybe try to catch her and say something about Jeff to her, or let her go on without a clue. Joseph's more scared side won over the internal argument and Joseph let Jane disappear. But this was a bit of a revaluation of sorts to Joseph. After all, Jane said she had a personal history with Jeff, and knowing that whatever happened to Jeff was only a couple of months before Joseph met Jeff...

She had to be there. Jane had to be there when what happened to Jeff happened!

Joseph was honestly beginning to regret letting Jane go like that...

...

???: I'll ask again... Where is he!?
???: (panting) You... You really believe... I'd tell you? You monster- (wincing)
???: You're only making this worse on yourself Sirin. I'll ask again, and you better tell me... WHERE IS ETERU!?😠
Sirin: (panting) ... Never...
???: You little- Do you want to be electrified to death!? You wench!😠
???: Enough Furori.

The albine wolf turned to see his tall, skeletal ally entering the room. As much as he hated to, Furori decided to give his prisoner some breath before continuing.

Furori: What is it X?
X: She's obviously not going to talk. So why bother with her any longer?
Furori: No offense but do you all realize just HOW LONG I've been hunting down that d**n Worldender child!? She's the closest I've come to-
X: We'll find him Furori. Eventually. For now, we have a much more desirable target that we require you to track down.
Furori: *growls* What?😡
X: Ragnorok dear boy. Ragnorok and a squadron of Serpentine soldiers were spotted leaving Ninjago city limits. They're on the move.
Furori: 😕 Ragnorok!? Hmm... What could the Resistance be up to now...?
X: You know capturing Ragnorok is a top priority for us Furori. And you're one of the few that's been about to match that Imoogi in combat.
Furori: Fine, fine. I'll go intercept Ragnorok now. But be warned that it'll take me and a squadron of my own days to reach anywhere close to Ninjago, let alone wherever Ragnorok may be.
X: We're willing to wait. Merely delaying anything the members of the Resistance do will benefit us.
Furori: Right. Keep her under watch for me will you? As soon as I return I'm going to rip her heart out if she doesn't tell me where her little friend is.😡
X: Of course. Perhaps we'll place her in our school?
Furori: *sigh* That'll suffice I suppose. Perhaps week or so in there will make her change her mind.😈
X: I'll have it arranged immediately. Better get going before Ragnorok gets back to Ninjago.

---

Finally! So so sorry this took forever to publish but finally we're getting somewhere!

Anyway, most of the new characters make up the Naga's Mercenaries, so I'll talk about them.

Snake Man is a Mega Man boss. It should be self-explanatory what he looks like and whatnot.

Cobra Man is actually a Mega Man OC of mine. You can look and learn more about him in Foximator's Mega Man Creation Book, as well as my artbook. I do recommend looking at Foxi's drawing of him though. And yeah, he's based off of Snake Man, just more cobra-like.

Obviously you guys should know King K. Rool since he just became a Smash Bro character in Ultimate.

Crawley is from Chima, specifically the Crocodile Tribe. He's mostly minion for Cragger, so I decided to include him here since he probably got tired of being treated like a servant or something.

And then Garasharp. She's actually an unused Gamera kaiju, but we do have information on her since her makers released all sorts of information on her and her intended movie (they even released figurines of her which is real strange for unused and cut kaiju). I made a chapter about her in my old Trivia about Random Characters book if you want to learn more. Garasharp's basically a cobra with a spiked tail and flippers. No joke guys. Flippers.

Everyone else that's new I'll keep a mystery for now. Feel free to comment on this stuff and all whatnot. Have a good day ya'll!