Chapter Text
“Intruders!” the skull shrieked.
“Damn it,” Cole thought, “so much for sneaking in here.”
It was only seconds later that the so-called Skull Sorcerer descended from the large hole in the ceiling of the cave, landing in front of Cole and Lloyd.
“You have made a grave mistake coming here.” he warned. The disembodied skull then pushed past the two and floated towards its master.
“Now you will pay!”
The Skull Sorcerer grabbed it and flung the skull at the two ninjas, it soaring through the air with a malicious screech.
Cole’s first instinct was to hit the skull and fling it out of the way, but then he got an idea: if he could break the skull, would this sorcerer lose his power, or at the very least a weapon? He was the Master of Earth, and between his already existing super strength and his new stronger lava-arm powers, a flimsy old skull would be no problem, right?
As the skull flew towards him, Cole jumped up and grabbed it in midair. As he landed and began to try and break it, he suddenly felt stiff. He couldn’t move, his arms felt weak, and he stopped tightening his grip. Cole watched in horror as an inky, dark color began to creep up his arms from the skull.
“What are you doing?” the Skull Sorcerer cried as he suddenly collapsed to the ground, and his wings and clothing started to melt away.
“Cole, let go of it!” Lloyd yelled as he watched his brother fall to his knees.
Cole’s ears were ringing; he could barely hear Lloyd. Everything seemed to slow down, and he didn’t even notice the mask of the Skull Sorcerer fade away, revealing his identity to be King Vangelis. He felt the dark power of the skull enveloping his entire body, chilling him to the bone. What scared him more was that even though he wanted this to stop, the feeling of this power felt almost welcoming as it finally washed over his body.
Lloyd’s blood turned to ice as he heard Cole begin to laugh. It wasn’t like his normal, cheery laugh. It sounded hollow. Cold. Wicked. As the Earth ninja stood up, he noticed his friend’s clothing had changed. His gi was replaced with a long black robe similar to the Skull Sorcerer’s, along with a torn-looking cape. His gloves were now fitted with what looked like claws, and in place of his shoulder plate on either side were large black spikes, which looked like crystals. Cole turned around and looked to Lloyd, his eyes and the scar on his forehead glowing green, and a venomous grin across his face.
“So, this is the true power of the Skull Sorcerer? It feels...” he trailed off as he looked at his new guise.
“Amazing.”
“You are powerful!” the skull chimed, floating up to Cole as he observed himself. “Much more than this pathetic weakling.” it turned and glared at King Vangelis, who was watching on in horror along with Lloyd.
“I’ve never felt like this before... like I could take on anyone.”
“Yes, yes!” the skull cried, “All who oppose you will be destroyed! All will bend to your will! You are the Skull Sorcerer!”
Cole smiled with a small laugh. “I am the Skull Sorcerer.”
Lloyd couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “Cole, snap out of it. This isn’t you. You’re not the Skull Sorcerer!”
“YES I AM!” He yelled, whipping his head towards the green ninja. From behind the torn cape arose two large, black, dragon-like wings. Cole lept up and shot towards Lloyd, landing in front of him and pushing him up against the cave’s wall.
Lloyd gasped as Cole’s hand grabbed his neck, pinning him onto the cold stone. He coughed and spluttered as his grip tightened, trying to pry Cole’s hand off.
“Cole....please,” he choked out, “don’t do this.” Tears streamed down his face as he struggled against the earth master’s grasp. He couldn’t do anything but stare into his brother’s soulless green eyes.
“Do it! Do it!” the skull jeered. “Kill him! Kill him!”
Cole paused for a second, thinking about his options. He could easily kill this weakling and end it, but then again he felt such a thrill from watching him struggle and hearing him plead for his life. No, he could keep the blonde around for a while longer.
He let go of the green ninja’s neck and watched as he collapsed to the ground, gasping for air.
“Why let him live?” the skull asked, confused as to why he wouldn’t finish things.
“He could be useful in the future, but regardless it’s fun to watch him squirm.”
Lloyd looked up at the earth ninja, his eyes watering and his throat sore. His vision was blurry and full of spots, but the last thing he remembered was a group of black skeletons dragging him away before being hit in the head and blacking out.
Once Lloyd had been dragged off, Cole turned to King Vangelis, who was still in the cave watching events unfold.
“So you were the Skull Sorcerer, huh?” Cole said, walking closer. He grabbed the king’s chin and poised his face up at him.
“You’re going to show me how to use this power.”