[ Pre-Ninjago: The Descendants of the Elements timeline ]

[ Ship: Pythor x Aspheera ]

[ Notes: Pythor has been entrusted with the very important task of overseeing the hatching of his two children in the absence of his wife, Aspheera, who has promised him that if anything happens to their hatchlings, Pythor will personally meet with the Devil himself. ] 

[ WARNING: A very emotional chapter with countless of cute moments as well as alot of stress, fear and sadness. Read at your own risk!! Also this one-shot is a absolute canon in my books series.]

.

.

.

.

.

.

— WHAT!? - Pythor's scream full of shock managed to echo through the entire League of Heroes castle. Aspheera, unconcerned by the panic in her husband's voice, continued packing her stuff into her suitcase. — W-wait a minute! What do you mean you won't be there? 

Aspheera sighed and finally honored her husband with a bored look. — I know it's sudden, but unfortunately I won't be able to be with you and watch the hatching. I and Princess YN have received an emergency call to solve some magical disaster far to the east of Knighton. 

You could feel the excitement in the air combined with a deep sadness coming from the wife of the great, powerful Anacondrai. Although Aspheera was trying at all costs to hide her true emotions behind a face full of calm and firmness, Pythor easily saw right through her. The purple Anacondrai crossed his arms over his muscular chest and gave her a serious look, making it clear how much he disliked the idea of her leaving. 

— Pythor, I have to do it. — Aspheera said, trying to take his hand.

Pythor squinted, and his voice trembled with frustration. — I don't understand why you have to go there when we as parents should be together, especially at this moment. It's about our children, Aspheera!

— I know, I know... — her voice trembled and her eyes shone with sadness. — But I agreed to this mission. I can't go back on it now, that would be.... inappropriate on my part as a court sorceress.

— This is ridiculous! — Pythor could not contain his emotions. — This is the most important moment of our lives!

Aspheera came closer, placing her hand on his heart. — Pythor, please understand, I feel very sorry and it really hurts that I, as the future mother of our children, will not be able to see their birth. However, I know that you will be able to take care of this on your own — she said confidently. — Our children will be in good hands.

At this moment, their friends; Macy, Clay and Saber entered the room, sensing a tense atmosphere.

— Hey... I see you're ready to go. — Macy smiled awkwardly. 

— (Y/N) is already waiting for you in the courtyard. — Clay informed, his tone full of softness and slight sympathy for the Serpentine couple. His sister was filled with guilt that she had to take away from Aspheera this joy of witnessing the birth of her children, even if Aspheera assured her that it was not her fault. 

— I'll be there in a minute, but... I wanted to ask you for one thing. —  Aspheera began, awkwardly looking at the humans and the lion, who were staring at her with curiosity. — Could you guys record this moment for me? I would like to have a keepsake, and I know Pythor sucks at using technology.

They all nodded, and Pythor just shrugged his shoulders, somewhat weakened by concern.

— Everything will be fine, Pythor. Trust me, I'll be back before you know it. Although, I hope Atlas and Ophelia could hold off for three days. — Aspheera smiled, but there was more than just joy in her eyes.

When it was time to say goodbye, Aspheera approached Pythor and their gazes met. In a split second, their cute moment turned to seriousness as they hugged. 

— Now listen. If something happens to our hatchlings.... — she said quietly, her tone was hard as steel, Pythor's scales on his back stood up. — Pray that the lion knows the best charms to restore life, cause I will destroy you.

Pythor raised his eyebrows, unable to hold back a smile despite how serious this situation was. — Understood. 

— Now, stop being so dramatic and be careful, okay? - added Aspheera, giving him a gentle loving farewell kiss. — Goodbye, my love.

With that, she moved towards the yellow energy dragon which belongs to the Princess (Y/N), whom was already waiting on its back and smiling at her friend. Pythor was still standing there for a while, trying to organize his thoughts. Although the separation was difficult, he knew that their love would survive anything. The dragon roared loudly, then took off into the air and flew away. Pythor and Aaron beside him waved their women in goodbye. 

— You okay, buddy? — Aaron asked, looking at Anacondrai.

Pythor looked at the prince and sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. — I'm a little nervous about how this is all going will turn out.

Aaron smiled in a comforting way. — I'm sure everything will be fine. Remember, if you need help, just call us. 

Anacondrai reciprocated the prince's slight smile. — Thank you, Aaron. I will remember that. 

After that, they both returned inside and went their ways. 

.

.

.

.

.

.

[A few hours later ]

Pythor sat in their room, filled with soft light that came through the curtains. On the table beside him were two eggs, carefully placed in a heated area resembling a real nest he made himself. Their smooth surface glistened in the glow of the heating lamp, and he glanced toward them from time to time, waiting for a sign that might indicate the start of the hatch. 

Weary, with a book in his hand, he tried to focus on the text he was reading, but his thoughts kept returning to the eggs. He carried excitement and anxiety in his heart. He wanted to see his children already, feel their presence, but he knew the little snakes needed time to hatch.

Only a few pages later, his gaze again went to the eggs. They were motionless, and he could feel the disappointment growing inside him. He heard stories from other Serpentine parents about the birth, but here, in this moment, time seems to stand still. At one point he smiled to himself as he recalled the time when he was so impatient for his brothers, Polaris and Cyrus to finally hatch.

Suddenly he heard a quiet crack that broke the silence. Pythor's heart beat faster. He threw the book away behind him and approached the eggs, the excitement made him nearly forget everything else. He saw how one of the eggs began to crack, and the delicate cracks spreading out like circles on water. He watched them closely, unable to believe that this moment had finally arrived. He felt adrenaline fill his veins.

— It's happening! — he whispered, unable to hold back a smile.

He held his breath as he watched the cracks developing, impatient to see who was hiding inside. This was the beginning of their story together, and he wanted to be there on every step of it, ready for the new challenges and joys that were coming with being a father. Pythor suddenly gasped and looked around for the camera he got from the heroes. 

— Where is it, where is it!? — he whispered frantically, looking around for the familiar recording equipment. He spotted it on the dresser next to the huge marriage bed, and sighed with relief as he quickly walked over and placed the camera in front of the eggs.

— Okay, now... Which button should I push? Come on Pythor, you can't let your wife down. The knights said it was.... WHICH BUTTON IS IT!? — He roared with rage, combined with panic. His heart increased its rhythm until he finally pressed the large, round recording button. Pythor breathed a sigh of relief and carefully, with trembling hands, set the camera down on the table in front of the egg nest. 

Pythor took a few deep breaths, then exhaled deeply to calm his nerves. He calmed down and moved closer to the eggs, also taking care not to obstruct the camera with his body. His eyes sparkled with adoration as he watched the egg crack more and more....

.

.

.

.

.

.

Pythor froze, staring at the egg in disbelief. His heart was beating like crazy, and time seemed to stop. From the split eggshell emerged a small snake with white skin, covered with large patches of purple that contrasted with its pale body. Pythor immediately felt a surge of emotion - he knew this little guy had a defect, just like his brothers, Cyrus and Polaris, but not as severe. His defect was different, more extensive and more serious than his brothers's.

The little snake sneezed, and Pythor watched in awe as he opened his shining pink eyes. A smile dawned on his face as their gazes met. At that moment, despite his initial concern, a wave of love and adoration flooded Pythor.

— You are so beautiful, little one. — whispered Pythor, and his voice trembled with emotion. Joy welled up in his heart as the little snake smiled in his direction, as if he knew his dad had been eagerly waiting for this moment. Pythor couldn't help himself. He leaned in to gently kiss the little snake's head. The toddler responded to this tenderness with laughter, and then snuggled into Pythor's face, making noises similar to the purring of a kitten.

— Welcome to the Chumsworth family, little Atlas. — With each moment, with each interaction, his fears and anxieties disappeared. It wasn't a defect, it was part of their family, part of his child. The child wriggled, trying to find a comfortable position, which made Pythor laugh.

— Come here, little one. — he said, embracing the child gently, feeling his heart fill with indescribable happiness. — This is just a beginning.

In this happy exultation, the infiant wagged his little tail, unconsciously pushing the second egg off the table.

In a split second, Pythor felt fear rising in his chest. The egg rolled, and he watched in horror as it rolled across the floor. Even though everything seemed to be happening in slow motion, Pythor couldn't let this egg break. Aspheera would have unleashed real hell on earth if any of her little babies got hurt.

With determination, he took Atlas in his arms and, with a heart in his throat, ran after the egg, which was rolling down the carpet towards the stairs.

— No, no, no! —  he screamed, seeing the egg slide down the stairs, rolling further down. He felt adrenaline fill his veins. He had to stop it!

At the last moment, when the egg reached the edge of the stairs, Pythor jumped, trying to catch it before it fell. He succeeded! He caught the egg, which came to rest in his hands, and he breathed with great relief. 

He paused for a moment, holding both eggs in his arms - one already hatched, the other still safe. He looked at Atlas, who was staring at his dad with his sparkling pink eyes. Pythor's heart was again filled with immeasurable peace. 

— Phew, thanks to the Great Generals. We're safe. — He said, squeezing Atlas and the egg gently in his arms. His son laughed, genuinely amused, and clumsily was clapping.

— Oh, so you liked the fact that your papa was terrified, huh? — He asked, smiling ironically at the little snake, who hissed in response and seemed to nod his head "yes."

— You won't laugh when, in the future, you're the one who has to face your pissed-off mommy when you mess up.

Pythor poked the head of baby Atlas with his nose, who squealed loudly. The adult Anacondrai laughed softly and walked back into the room, carefully placing his son and the egg in the nest. The little Anacondrai looked around the nest, interested by the leaves and sticks, while Pythor took a breath and rubbed his face, sincerely tired.

The eyes of an adult Anacondrai rested on the camera that had most likely recorded everything that just happened. Pythor looked at the device in deep thought, then with a stony face and no conscience knocked down the camera with his tail, which crashed on stone floor.

— Out of sigh, out of mind. — He shrugged, then sighed deeply and looked at Atlas again. His eyes opened wide when he noticed the egg was missing, and Atlas sat unconcerned and was playing with sticks. — Oh no... No, no, no, no! Not again! — He groaned in horror as he saw the egg once again rolling toward the stairs.

For safety's sake, he took Atlas in his arms again, unceremoniously interrupting the little snake's play with sticks. Atlas squeaked loudly in deep disapproval and started wailing in his father's arms.

— There, there, little Atlas. We'll just catch your runaway sibling and you can play again, just wait a moment. 

Atlas's eyes narrowed hostilely in his father's direction. When Pythor was already about to grab the egg before it could go any further, in an act of uncontrollable anger, the toddler bit him on the mouth. The pain made Pythor reflexively swing his arm, not realizing what he was doing. At the same moment, the egg he was about to catch flew straight at the wall.

Pythor's heart froze. He watched in horror as the egg hit the hard surface. It seemed to him that everything around him vanished, leaving only this one moment in his thoughts. The noise echoed in his ears, and he stood paralyzed with fear, unable to believe what just happened.

— No, no, no! — he whispered under his breath. He gently placed little Atlas on the floor, then leaned toward the egg lying against the wall.

His hands were trembling. In the silence that fell around him, Pythor gathered the courage to lift the egg and see what had happened. When he took it in his hands, he noticed that the eggshell was cracked and slightly red mucus was coming out of the crevices.

— No... — he whispered, his voice filled with despair. The image of the little snake that was about to be born vanished from his eyes. He felt tears come to his eyes as he held the damaged egg as if it was the most precious artifact in the entire universe. 

 He felt the weight of the entire world rest on his shoulders as he realized that it wasn't just an egg - it was part of his family, part of himself, part of the love of his life. Pythor slowly sat up, holding the egg in his hands. A tragedy in his heart that he could not bear.

— I'm sorry... — He whispered, and tears ran down his cheeks. — I'm so, so sorry, little one. I didn't want it to end like this. It was all due to my carelessness.

He felt the pain tearing at his heart. He tried to imagine what his child was feeling, the whole situation was unbearable for him. Images of Aspheera's reaction began to appear in his mind, disappointed, furious, distraught, full of uncontrollable rage at him for having led to this.

— I didn't want to hurt you... You are everything to me. — he continued, and his voice was full of emotions. — I wanted you to be safe, little one. I wanted, I so badly wanted to meet you.

He closed his eyes, recalling the dreams he had dreamed of living together with his children, the moments of joy and love they would experience together.

— Please be strong. If it's possible, please, please fight. I don't know what I will do if I lose you. — he said. His words were full of sorrow, and he felt a bottomless emptiness in his heart. A sob broke from his lips as he bowed his head low. Atlas watched from afar and tilted his head to the side confused.

Pythor closed his eyes, imagining how things could have been different. How he longed for the little creature to show that he still had a chance. He wanted to scream, but there were only bitter tears in his mouth....

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Suddenly the egg trembled, and the cracks began to widen. Pythor held his breath, staring in disbelief. In an instant, a small hand appeared outside, gently grasping the eggshell. After a moment, it was joined by a tail that bent merrily, as if inviting to dance.

— Oh dear Spinjitzu Master! - Pythor flooded with joy, his voice became hopeful. — Come on, sweetheart. Come on sunshine, fight. 

Egg cracked completely, and a tiny creature slid out from inside. It was a female Pyro Viper and Anacondrai hybrid, her body was purple from the end of her tail to her head, with golden patterns on her body. The shape of her head resembled the shape of a Hypnobrai.

Pythor laughed and sobbed, drawing the little snake to his mouth so he could hug her. The little snake, at this move, opened wide its eyes, which glistened like glowing lava, then made a sound of puking. 

 — I promise to guard you. — Pythor whispered, unable to contain its emotion. — I won't let anyone in this world hurt you. You are my treasure, and I will be your fiercest guardian. Both of you. 

He looked at his newborn children, whom, although not yet at full strength, had an indomitable will to live. At this moment, he understood his role as a father. He had to protect his family, his wife and his children. Even if Polaris is still out there somewhere, Pythor will do absolutely anything to keep his family safe. 

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

A/N: So... I think I'm starting getting back to work on my writing. This one-shot is a proof it's not so bad with me yet when it's about of writer's block hehe.... * crying noises * THIS CHAPTER SOO BROKE MY HEART AND THEN HEALED IT AAAAAAH!! I love ship Pythor x Aspheera and they are canon for me. This one-shot is also canon in Ninjago: Descendants of the Elements.

Also Pythor decided not to tell Aspheera what happened because.... Aspheera would have killed him, I'm not gonna lie. Besides, Ophelia was fine so Pythor didn't see the point of telling his wife what had happened.

However, because of this secret, this accident affected Ophelia as a result of which her eyes are not normal (one is looking one way, the other the other) however, this did not affect her functioning to a greater extent.

In addition to physical defects, her brain also suffered when the egg collided with the wall. This caused that the certain... instincts in Ophelia are not very controlled. The instinct to hunt, hunger, unnatural aggression only appear when Ophelia smells the blood of a human....

YES I NEED TO GET MYSELF TOGETHER AND START WORKING AGAIN ON THE DESCENDANTS OF THE ELEMENTS ARGGGGGH!!

* cough * Anyway... I hope you all enjoyed this one-shot. Forgive me for such a long absence, but I have a huge writer's block that I'm trying to fight. 

Also! The next chapter " About Jedi who became Ninja" is coming and will be published soon.

See y'all in the next one-shot :)