A fountain of water poured out of the side of a wall, spraying water droplets on the boys. Exhausted from running around like crazed chickens, Cole and Phillip collapsed against the stone surrounding them. Lungs burning they gasped for breath. The dark, churning river had risen up to their knees by now.
Wiping a strand of soaked black hair from his eyes, Cole blinked, trying to see through the stifling darkness. There was only the faintest hint of light, merely the reflection of the waves.
"Maybe there's a way out down there." Phillip's shaking voice echoes eerily off the glistening walls of the cavern. Movement from the figure beside Cole suggested Phillip was pointing down a tunnel several feet away from them, a dark hole.
"We already checked it." Cole replied. "Twice."
Phillip groaned in a compound of frustration and despair. "I told Mom and Dad that I'd protect Liana!" With a shuddering gasp, he clutched his curly locks and leaned his head against the wall. "That was one of the last things they told me...Before they were smashed."
Cole turned at tried to look at his companion through the darkness. "What? Your parents were--?!"
"It was Lord Garmadon." Phillip's voice switched from desolate to bitter.
Cole blinked in shock. "You're kidding."
"No. I'm not." The figure beside him clutched his head, as if trying to keep his very mind from shattering to pieces. "You've heard of him, I assume?"
"Of course." Of course he had. Everyone knew the tales of Lord Garmadon, how he had wreaked havoc throughout Ninjago over a decade ago, trying to take over by destroying innocent villages and slaying a great number of people with the Skulkin army. There were plenty of tales explaining how he disappeared. Some say a jealous Skulkin general betrayed him. Others say his brother Wu sent him to the Cursed Realm. More claim he was turned into a potato. There were so many myths about what happened, one didn't know what to believe.
A fountain of water poured out of the side of a wall, spraying water droplets on the boys. Exhausted from running around like crazed chickens, Cole and Phillip collapsed against the stone surrounding them. Lungs burning they gasped for breath. The dark, churning river had risen up to their knees by now.
Wiping a strand of soaked black hair from his eyes, Cole blinked, trying to see through the stifling darkness. There was only the faintest hint of light, merely the reflection of the waves.
"Maybe there's a way out down there." Phillip's shaking voice echoes eerily off the glistening walls of the cavern. Movement from the figure beside Cole suggested Phillip was pointing down a tunnel several feet away from them, a dark hole.
"We already checked it." Cole replied. "Twice."
Phillip groaned in a compound of frustration and despair. "I told Mom and Dad that I'd protect Liana!" With a shuddering gasp, he clutched his curly locks and leaned his head against the wall. "That was one of the last things they told me...Before they were smashed."
Cole turned at tried to look at his companion through the darkness. "What? Your parents were--?!"
"It was Lord Garmadon." Phillip's voice switched from desolate to bitter.
Cole blinked in shock. "You're kidding."
"No. I'm not." The figure beside him clutched his head, as if trying to keep his very mind from shattering to pieces. "You've heard of him, I assume?"
"Of course." Of course he had. Everyone knew the tales of Lord Garmadon, how he had wreaked havoc throughout Ninjago over a decade ago, trying to take over by destroying innocent villages and slaying a great number of people with the Skulkin army. There were plenty of tales explaining how he disappeared. Some say a jealous Skulkin general betrayed him. Others say his brother Wu sent him to the Cursed Realm. More claim he was turned into a potato. There were so many myths about what happened, one didn't know what to believe.
A fountain of water poured out of the side of a wall, spraying water droplets on the boys. Exhausted from running around like crazed chickens, Cole and Phillip collapsed against the stone surrounding them. Lungs burning they gasped for breath. The dark, churning river had risen up to their knees by now.
Wiping a strand of soaked black hair from his eyes, Cole blinked, trying to see through the stifling darkness. There was only the faintest hint of light, merely the reflection of the waves.
"Maybe there's a way out down there." Phillip's shaking voice echoes eerily off the glistening walls of the cavern. Movement from the figure beside Cole suggested Phillip was pointing down a tunnel several feet away from them, a dark hole.
"We already checked it." Cole replied. "Twice."
Phillip groaned in a compound of frustration and despair. "I told Mom and Dad that I'd protect Liana!" With a shuddering gasp, he clutched his curly locks and leaned his head against the wall. "That was one of the last things they told me...Before they were smashed."
Cole turned at tried to look at his companion through the darkness. "What? Your parents were--?!"
"It was Lord Garmadon." Phillip's voice switched from desolate to bitter.
Cole blinked in shock. "You're kidding."
"No. I'm not." The figure beside him clutched his head, as if trying to keep his very mind from shattering to pieces. "You've heard of him, I assume?"
"Of course." Of course he had. Everyone knew the tales of Lord Garmadon, how he had wreaked havoc throughout Ninjago over a decade ago, trying to take over by destroying innocent villages and slaying a great number of people with the Skulkin army. There were plenty of tales explaining how he disappeared. Some say a jealous Skulkin general betrayed him. Others say his brother Wu sent him to the Cursed Realm. More claim he was turned into a potato. There were so many myths about what happened, one didn't know what to believe.
"You won't believe me if I tell you." Phillip said.
Cole wasn't sure he would either, but Phillip didn't seem crazy. "Try me."
The latter sighed, and let his arms fall limply at his sides. "It happened several months ago...The Skulkin army attacked our village."
Cole's eyes widened in disbelief, but he was silent. At least Phillip couldn't see his incredulous expression.
"They were burning down houses...Smashing villagers." His voice was drawn-out, slow and bitter. "It was like something from a sick nightmare...Flames licked the buildings while cackling skeletons were slaying people...My--" He swallowed. "My dad grabbed his sword, and told my mom to take us and run into the woods...follow the river to Jumanakai Village, to warn them and to reach safety. I wanted to fight."
Cole was dimly aware of the black water rising up to his thighs.
"Dad took my hand, looked at me, and said 'Take care of your sister, Phillip. Run and don't look back.' " He paused. "As we were running from the burning village, a four-armed skeleton jumped out and smashed my mother." His voice shook dangerously. "I...I watched her...She didn't stand a chance, and I was right there, and I should have..."
He hesitated. "He smashed her. And then my dad ran up and attacked the skeleton, screaming at us to get out of there. I grabbed Liana and ran. We snatched a handful of belongings, Traveler and Aquilla, and escaped....Liana was crying the whole time...There was so much noise, too much sounds and voices to take in."
Phillip let loose a shuddering sigh. "I see them in my dreams...I can see my parents' faces. I don't tell Liana, though." He paused again. "We've been on our own since then...Even though it was months ago, it's never stopped hurting."
He turned and attempted to look at Cole through the darkness. "The Skulkins are on the move...I don't know if Garmadon's returned or what, but I swore I would avenge my parents. I swore I would protect Liana. But now..."
"...Now I won't be able to avenge them...And Liana will be on her own."
Before Cole could protest, Phillip continued. "I mean, my sister's perfectly capable of taking care of herself, really! It's just...If I die, it might be too much for her...So soon after losing our parents."
Cole clenched his jaw. It sounded as if Phillip was giving up, something that didn't appeal much to him. He reached over and grabbed the other guy's soaked arm. "Phillip, we are not going to smash. I just...I can't." His voice held a tone of grim stubbornness. "I won't. I refuse to smash like this."
He could just barely make out Phillip's half-hearted grin in the dark. "I admire your determination, buddy...But look, if anything happens to me--"
The Jaws theme began playing. A current swished by Cole's legs, making the rising black waves bounce, like a fish swimming away. The tide had risen to the boys' waists by this time. Phillip broke off when the water in front of him rippled.
Again Cole wished he had a flashlight or even Matilda's wand. It was bad enough being hunted down by unknown creatures in these wretched, forsaken tunnels with a light. Realizing that a creature was with you in pitch-black darkness was unbelievably scary. Something swished by his legs, brushing his torn jeans.
Cole felt a dark, cold finger of pure horror trail down his spine. There was something in the cavern with them...In the water.
"Cole..." Phillip's voice was but a squeak. He fell silent, both boys freezing in place. They dared not to breathe. Nearby the water gurgled innocently, silently threatening them. There was a long, painful moment of silence. They waited for something to happen, but the river was still, save for the natural ripples caused by the waterfall.
Cole began to think he was just imagining things.
With a shattering splash, something snapped out of the river and lept at Phillip, digging into his shoulder. Phillip cried out, and Cole heard something rip like old cloth.
"...Now I won't be able to avenge them...And Liana will be on her own."
Before Cole could protest, Phillip continued. "I mean, my sister's perfectly capable of taking care of herself, really! It's just...If I die, it might be too much for her...So soon after losing our parents."
Cole clenched his jaw. It sounded as if Phillip was giving up, something that didn't appeal much to him. He reached over and grabbed the other guy's soaked arm. "Phillip, we are not going to smash. I just...I can't." His voice held a tone of grim stubbornness. "I won't. I refuse to smash like this."
He could just barely make out Phillip's half-hearted grin in the dark. "I admire your determination, buddy...But look, if anything happens to me--"
The Jaws theme began playing. A current swished by Cole's legs, making the rising black waves bounce, like a fish swimming away. The tide had risen to the boys' waists by this time. Phillip broke off when the water in front of him rippled.
Again Cole wished he had a flashlight or even Matilda's wand. It was bad enough being hunted down by unknown creatures in these wretched, forsaken tunnels with a light. Realizing that a creature was with you in pitch-black darkness was unbelievably scary. Something swished by his legs, brushing his torn jeans.
Cole felt a dark, cold finger of pure horror trail down his spine. There was something in the cavern with them...In the water.
"Cole..." Phillip's voice was but a squeak. He fell silent, both boys freezing in place. They dared not to breathe. Nearby the water gurgled innocently, silently threatening them. There was a long, painful moment of silence. They waited for something to happen, but the river was still, save for the natural ripples caused by the waterfall.
Cole began to think he was just imagining things.
With a shattering splash, something snapped out of the river and lept at Phillip, digging into his shoulder. Phillip cried out, and Cole heard something rip like old cloth.
1. xD This story has da best crossovers/references of all time. 2. PHILIP!! PHILIPNOOOOOhasn't he suffered enough?!? ;_;
A drawn-out, ear-piercing scream of shock and agony flew from Phillip's mouth. A dark, hulking figure the size of a manatee dug its teeth into the guy's shoulder and dragged him in, both writhing and struggling in the frothing waves.
"Phillip!" Cole cried out, and leapt toward the exploding waves. Phillip was dragged under, struggling desperately to free himself. The former clawed at Phillip, crying out. "Grab my hand!" He found his flailing arm and snatched it, then tugged.
Phillip's head broke the wild, churning surface, coughing up water and gasping. A wave washed into his mouth and he sputtered. Cole tried to help him up, but a stronger force dragged the other boy down.
Thinking fast, he turned to the rock wall and grabbed a small boulder the size of a soccer ball. He splashed forward and struck the rock where he thought the creature was. "Get off him!"
There was an enraged screech from the water, and a large, triangular-shaped snout snapped at his face, showing off a line of jagged white teeth. Cole leapt back and swung the rock at it, catching it in the jaw. Something hot and wet splattered on his face as the creature shrieked, and whipped back into the turbulent water, spraying him. Phillip cried out again and grabbed Cole's hand, letting him drag him away. Gasping he splashed to his feet and stared with wide eyes where the creature was, chest heaving. Cole threw the boulder into the water, hoping to scare the animal away. Something stirred in the depths, and for a second a scaly tail like an alligator's broke the surface before trailing away.
At first he didn't know why the creature was leaving, he and Phillip were still vulnerable. Then he realized with a shiver; it was waiting until the water was too high for them to strike.
The water was above their bellies now.
Heart thumping painfully, he turned to the wall and muttered. "We have to get out of here before that thing comes back." He searched for an escape route, but in vain.
"...Now I won't be able to avenge them...And Liana will be on her own."
Before Cole could protest, Phillip continued. "I mean, my sister's perfectly capable of taking care of herself, really! It's just...If I die, it might be too much for her...So soon after losing our parents."
Cole clenched his jaw. It sounded as if Phillip was giving up, something that didn't appeal much to him. He reached over and grabbed the other guy's soaked arm. "Phillip, we are not going to smash. I just...I can't." His voice held a tone of grim stubbornness. "I won't. I refuse to smash like this."
He could just barely make out Phillip's half-hearted grin in the dark. "I admire your determination, buddy...But look, if anything happens to me--"
The Jaws theme began playing. A current swished by Cole's legs, making the rising black waves bounce, like a fish swimming away. The tide had risen to the boys' waists by this time. Phillip broke off when the water in front of him rippled.
Again Cole wished he had a flashlight or even Matilda's wand. It was bad enough being hunted down by unknown creatures in these wretched, forsaken tunnels with a light. Realizing that a creature was with you in pitch-black darkness was unbelievably scary. Something swished by his legs, brushing his torn jeans.
Cole felt a dark, cold finger of pure horror trail down his spine. There was something in the cavern with them...In the water.
"Cole..." Phillip's voice was but a squeak. He fell silent, both boys freezing in place. They dared not to breathe. Nearby the water gurgled innocently, silently threatening them. There was a long, painful moment of silence. They waited for something to happen, but the river was still, save for the natural ripples caused by the waterfall.
Cole began to think he was just imagining things.
With a shattering splash, something snapped out of the river and lept at Phillip, digging into his shoulder. Phillip cried out, and Cole heard something rip like old cloth.
1. xD This story has da best crossovers/references of all time. 2. PHILIP!! PHILIPNOOOOOhasn't he suffered enough?!? ;_;
...Philip and Liana need a hug.
1. Why thank you. XD 2. ...Why do I do this to them? *starts to question self*
1. xD This story has da best crossovers/references of all time. 2. PHILIP!! PHILIPNOOOOOhasn't he suffered enough?!? ;_;
...Philip and Liana need a hug.
1. Why thank you. XD 2. ...Why do I do this to them? *starts to question self*
2. I think torturing your characters is a writer thing, I've talked to other writers on the Galleries and here and many have said the same thing. I do it too. xD
1. Why thank you. XD 2. ...Why do I do this to them? *starts to question self*
2. I think torturing your characters is a writer thing, I've talked to other writers on the Galleries and here and many have said the same thing. I do it too. xD
2. It's like all writers' condition or something! A mental tic!
Beside him Phillip breathed heavily and clutched his wounded shoulder. Cole couldn't see how bad the injury was in the dark, but from what he could tell from the teen's painful gasps, it was pretty bad.
Cole glanced back to where the creature disappeared. "You remember that skeleton we found earlier? I think we know what attacked it now."
Phillip chuckled bitterly. "That'll be us soon."
Cole whipped around and glared at him. "Would you quit talking about smashing?! We are not going to smash! There has to be way out, there could be a hole in this wall, or a secret tunnel leading to safety, or we could find the river and let it carry us away!"
He froze. "We could find the river and let it carry us away." He repeated softly.
"Dude, what are you talking about?" Phillip asked incredulously. "I thought you were trying to live, not drown sooner!"
"No, wait..." You could see the gears and wheels turning in Cole's head. A corner of his mouth quirked up. "...The river we saw...It must go somewhere, right? If it just stopped somewhere if would have flooded these tunnels long before we came along. So the river continues..." He couldn't help it; he began to smile. "....And it could lead out of the mountain!"
He looked back up at Phillip. It was too dark to tell for sure, but he could have sworn Phillip was grinning.
"Shall we try it?" Cole asked.
"We're going to smash if we stay, so we might as well try it anyway."
"Let's go." The boys splashed away from the little cavern and entered one of the yawning tunnels, praying that it would lead to the underground river. The gurgling water was rising up to their torsos; they had to move fast.
Hoping they wouldn't run into the predator again, they waded quickly down the corridor, trying to see through the stifling shadows. Behind him Cole could hear Phillip gasping quietly in pain. It was a very long ten minutes of trudging through the river, fighting the current threatening to drag them away into the dark river.
Beside him Phillip breathed heavily and clutched his wounded shoulder. Cole couldn't see how bad the injury was in the dark, but from what he could tell from the teen's painful gasps, it was pretty bad.
Cole glanced back to where the creature disappeared. "You remember that skeleton we found earlier? I think we know what attacked it now."
Phillip chuckled bitterly. "That'll be us soon."
Cole whipped around and glared at him. "Would you quit talking about smashing?! We are not going to smash! There has to be way out, there could be a hole in this wall, or a secret tunnel leading to safety, or we could find the river and let it carry us away!"
He froze. "We could find the river and let it carry us away." He repeated softly.
"Dude, what are you talking about?" Phillip asked incredulously. "I thought you were trying to live, not drown sooner!"
"No, wait..." You could see the gears and wheels turning in Cole's head. A corner of his mouth quirked up. "...The river we saw...It must go somewhere, right? If it just stopped somewhere if would have flooded these tunnels long before we came along. So the river continues..." He couldn't help it; he began to smile. "....And it could lead out of the mountain!"
He looked back up at Phillip. It was too dark to tell for sure, but he could have sworn Phillip was grinning.
"Shall we try it?" Cole asked.
"We're going to smash if we stay, so we might as well try it anyway."
"Let's go." The boys splashed away from the little cavern and entered one of the yawning tunnels, praying that it would lead to the underground river. The gurgling water was rising up to their torsos; they had to move fast.
Hoping they wouldn't run into the predator again, they waded quickly down the corridor, trying to see through the stifling shadows. Behind him Cole could hear Phillip gasping quietly in pain. It was a very long ten minutes of trudging through the river, fighting the current threatening to drag them away into the dark river.
It's the flashback in RoE! We've come full circle... o-o
In fact, Zane could start his own cooking show if he wanted to. ![[derp]](http://storage.proboards.com/6672327/images/YqNTPqyQUocVMYXZgUAI.png)
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It's the flashback in RoE!