Problem number three: The. Freaking. Mountain. Of. Despair.

Even with the getting lost, listening to Lloyd and his talking and the ever growing fear that the ninja could come back before they burn the monastery down and capture them all, the mountain was possibly the worst thing yet.

Though the Hypnobrai had good speed, they had poor stamina. And now with the speed aspect reduced by Lloyd, the blue scaled monsters were left with- well, nothing really.

These certain creatures were quite fond of the ground, and this mountain was the perfect explanation of why. Jagged precipices and ledges, jutting out rocks that knocked the snakes off balance, nearly making them fall over. Impatience was one of the Hypnobrais' primary features, so they kept pushing and shoving their way in front of one another, which ended in a few...accidents. Those snakes will missed - probably.

Earlier, Skales had threatened that anyone with a problem with their decision would be forced to do complex gymnastics the entire way up the spire. One particular reptile, not the smartest tool in the shed, decided to test this very theory.

"You aren't the bossssss Ssskales. We don't have to follow your commandsss." The idiot piped up. Skales whipped around so quickly he almost knocked several of his fellows off the rock.

"What did you jussst sssay?"

Long story short, Skales did well on his punishment. That stupid, stupid questioner. What was he thinking?

No more incidents took place after that shenanigan.

At long long last, they made to the top, and thank the Devourer, the ninja weren't there! Skales almost, almost, beamed. He sneered instead.

"What are you waiting for, sssomeone get the matchesss and light thisss place up!"

This next bit was very awkward.

Skales started off quietly, which wasn't a good sign. The dragons snapped behind him in their pens.

"What. Do you mean. You forgot. The matchesss."

No one answered him. Except one.

"Well, the guy you made do cartwheelsss, he isss ssstill coming up the ledge and he'sss the only one who hasss them-"

"WHY DIDN'T SSSOMEONE TAKE THEM FROM HIM?"

Not even Lloyd spoke. Skales grit his fangs and turned away from the group, steadying his nerves.

"Okay. We will make a fire by usssing the power of friction." The snakes were extremely confused. Skales sighed.

He started explaining his master plan, which involved using flintstones to create fire. It was more elaborate than usual version, and involved several uncalled for swears and insane components.

After a long time of searching for the needed materials, the Serpentine were ready. And they probably would've continued that plan...if the cartwheeling snake from earlier was now at the top of the mountain...with the matches.

Skales contained his outrage with great difficulty. He snatched up the fire starters as the exhausted reptile fell to the ground.

Wasss it really worth it? Skales thought suddenly. Wasss it really worth all thisss effort? Wait...who caresss? Burn down the building already.

"Shouldn't we free the dragons?" Lloyd asked, mildly concerned. Afterall, the dragons hadn't done anything. Skales, at his breaking point, payed no attention, and set fire to they dry wood they had surrounding the building.

Within ten minutes, the place was up in smoke. Skales was proud. The Hypnobrai were proud. A historic day for all.

Of course, they would have to climb down the mountain again...

A spot in the sky seemed to be coming closer and closer.

Wait, was that the red ninja's dragon?

"GO!" Skales yelled, and they charged down the mountain at alarming speeds. Lloyd rattled down the steps in his wagon, still being pulled by that stupid General.

When a third of the mountain was left, the wagon started to break up. The snakes slowed down, exhausted. They ambled down the rock, and when they'd gotten to the bottom, Skales had another brainwave. A little too late.

What wasss the point in dragging the entire army up the mountain when I ssshould've jussst taken three men and the matchesss? I could've left Lloyd behind- why didn't I think of it?... NO!

It was frustrating. So, unbearably, frustrating.

Thisss isss all stupid Lloyd'sss fault and the ssstupid Commander and the ssstupid map reader and the DAMN NINJA-

Skales looked at Lloyd. Then at the General Slithraa. Then at the others, making their way back to the Hypnobrai tomb. And had yet another brainwave...hopefully, this one would work better than the last two.

I think it'sss time for a change in leaderssship...

And with an idea in that thick skull of his, Skales began plotting his next villainous plan.

The End.

AN: Don't worry, I know how ridiculous it is. :) I'm just going to leave it here because we all know what happens next: Lloyd escapes, meets the Fangpyre, Skales becomes leader of the Hypnobrai, and so on.

Leave reviews please! They're really helpful.

On that note, thanks to SwimmerNinja13 and MMM for reviewing!

I'll probably be publishing another story again soon (if I ever finish the first chapter) so expect to see another one of my ridiculous attempts at writing in Ninjago archive fast enough. But that's it for now!

-Silver