The arena was the center of everything for not only the City of Ouroboros, but for the Serpentine's lifestyle too if you thought about it. The Serpentine competed in regular combat to determine who goes up, down, or stays in their ranks. For determining the next Generals however, they did special ritual fights in what they called the Snake Pit (of course), which was basically a small sumo wrestling-like field where the current Serpentine General and the challenger fight with weapons. Whoever yields first loses, and if the General loses, the challenger magically gains the Generals' tail while the old General gains their old legs and swears loyalty to the new General. Other then that, fighting in the arena and the Snake Pit was considered sport for the Serpentine. It was an important aspect of life for them.

King K. Rool could relate to this lifestyle. I mean, it wasn't easy to get into a high standing in Kremling hierarchy, let alone the King of all Kremlings. Plus he was a pirate, and pirates tend to fight their way through the ranks. It wasn't as easy as King K made it look. Plus, Kremlings and Serpentine were both anthropomorphic reptiles, so in nearly all reptilian aspects King K could relate. King K. Rool really had more in common with the Serpentine then one would see at first glance. King K felt the same with Chima's Crocodiles, if not more connected to them for both being crocs, and that honestly made King K feel pretty good. Being with other reptiles really helps with your social skills, or at least it did for King K.

In fact, King K had given deeper thought to a comment Garasharp had made to Ray a couple days prior and, well, he wasn't going to leave without finding a new Serpentine recruit for the Naga's Mercenaries!

K. Rool stomped around the city grounds. A majority of the Serpentine were still working as usual. He could see what Acidicus, General of the Venomari Serpentine, meant by "good luck". As diverse as the Serpentine tribes are, a majority of the "common folk" looked almost too similar. And those that were different from most didn't really... stand out.

Eh, nothing seemed to stand out to Rool. But he kept looking. He casually helped the Serpentine out with the construction from time to time, chat with some of the other Ravagers upon passing them, and just tried to snake in and meet the unique.

At the moment, King K had just barely escaped being the subject of another one of Loki's pranks. Loki was a Faerie Hissi Neopet and was currently with the Neo-animals Ravager group. King K figured that if Loki wasn't with his family of Neopets, he would've made an alright Naga's Mercenary. Maybe whenever the Mercenaries visited a Neopet village they could recruit one of-

???: Ah! Oh my! Too much, too much! Mayday, mayday! Too many platesss! Going down! GOING DOW-

King K saw a Serpentine individual that was trying to wash dishes quicker then the Serpentine ate, but he was carrying so ridiculously many that he nearly fell over will all the plates. Fortunately King K used his finger to keep the lad from falling over. As K. Rool carefully put the stacks of plates onto a nearby table, he studied this Serpentine's looks.

His head was shaped similar to Pythor and Vylor, making this individual a possible Andacondrai, but his scale color was lime green like the Venomari. King K knew the Serpentine were alright with having individuals that crossed tribe races, so that had to be the case with this Serpentine. But unlike a majority of the other Serpentine, this one were clothes in their entirety, whereas a normal Serpentine may wear just shoulder armor or a hat or maybe shoes. But upon closer inspection King K realized that this Serpentine wore a very certain style of clothing that King K was very familiar with...

Pirate clothes. PIRATE clothes. The kid even had a peg leg!

King K couldn't believe it! A pirate Serpentine!

King K. Rool: You alright laddie?
???: Eep!😰 Uh, um, y-y-yesss. (?)
King K. Rool: You're fortunate I happ'ned to be passin' by. This could've been a real mess if I hadn't stepped in.
???: 😨Y-y-y-y-you're K-k-king K R-r-rool...
King K. Rool: That I am laddie! And ye are?
???: 😨 C-c-lancee. It'ssss Clancee...
King K. Rool: Clancee! Nice to meet ye laddie! Say, you've clearly 'eard of me.
Clancee: 😨W-w-well wh-who hasssn't 'eard of the Kremling King, one of the f-fiercest piratessss in the seasss?
King K. Rool: Aye, indeed! You're quite the swashbuckler aren't ye?😅
Clancee: M-m-me? O-oh n-no, I wisssh. I-I've alwaysss thoug't piratessss were sssso cool, and who'sss better then ye?

One word King K had for this laddie: Very awesome! He even spoke like a pirate!

King K. Rool: So much so that ye got a peg leg?
Clancee: Uh, n-no. Not quite. I-I wasss born without me leg, b-but I wassss giv'n the option to have a peg leg, sssso I went for it.
King K. Rool: Well ye make quite the pirate laddie!
Clancee: 😕I... I do?
King K. Rool: Well yeah! With a little experience, you would be a great seafaring lad! I can see it now- Cap'n Clancee braving the rough waves while the rest of his crew be cowardly and craven!
Clancee: You.... You mean that?
King K. Rool: I'm the Kremling King laddie! I know a real pirate when I's sees it! And I's always know what I'm speaking of aye!😆

Clancee had his head shrunk in his jacket when King K first approached him, but after the myth, the legend, the Kremling King himself said that Clancee was a real pirate, he loosened up a little and looked in awe at K. Rool. All the other Serpentine thought Clancee was weird for his love for piracy, and he was overly shy and nervous. He practically didn't belong with Serpentine since he was so nervous and had practically no self-esteem that he was scared to fight in the arena. He had honestly never been to sea in his life and one of the most renowned of pirate captains was calling him a real pirate.

King K had NO idea what real amount of good he was doing saying all this to Clancee. He really didn't.

King K. Rool: Tell ye what laddie. You stick with me, and I'll make ye the best pirate ya can be!
Clancee: 😮You... You? M-m-me? B-but what about the dish-
King K. Rool: What'sss a few platesss compared to a life of adventure!?
Clancee: ...G-good point!😅 A-alright Cap'n!😆

Clancee saluted K. Rool as he smiled in pure glee.

Safe to say, King K. Rool found his newest recruit.

Later

Zero: *whistles* Joseph! Over here!

Harpus: We saved ya a seat!😆

Joseph: There you all are! And Zero, good to see you here. Ray already found a challenger for the group?
Zero: Something like that. Yesterday I was in Ninjago City and I happened to run into an old friend of mine. I decided to introduce him to the other Roarers. And wow, Ray took one look at him and said "meet me in the Serpentine Arena tomorrow morning!"
Joseph: Really? He must be pretty impressive if Ray took an immediate liking to him and that you're such good friends with him.
Zero: Eh, me and him... have a history together, if you will.

Harpus: Anyone I know from the arena games Zero?
Zero: I don't think so. He's probably been to the games as a spectator, knowing him. He's actually kinda nervous around most folks at first, you know? I'm kinda surprised he agreed to this, but he can be full of surprises.
Sheik: Sounds like an interesting person. Could you tell us more about him?
Zero: Eh, I would, but Ray wants to surprise everyone and go ahead with the fighting part. If we have time, I could introduce ya'll to him afterwards.
Pit: Man, I'm so psyched for this! Hey Zero, i-is it true about when Ray tested you for the Rip Roarers that you two were actually tied!?😮
Zero: (chuckles) Yeah, but the both of us were holding back some of our more "destructive" powers.
Pit: Oh wow! Man, your friend must be pretty good at fighting if he's willing to go against Ray!
Zero: He's no slacker, I'll give him that.
Joseph: *whispering* Hey Sheik, where's Jeff?
Sheik: *whispering* Mirage is with him in our living area. Don't worry about it.

Joseph trusted Sheik. He just hoped Jeff didn't mind being with Mirage for a while. That Druddigon could be grouchy sometimes.

Joseph heard the familiar stomp of King K. Rool coming their way. He looked up to see that it was in fact the Kremling King coming their way, and for whatever reason he was giving a Serpentine individual a ride on his shoulders. He seemed cheerful, so King K must have a reason.

King K. Rool: Ahoy there land lubbers! 'Eard 'bout Ray's little fight 'appening and I figured I'd introduce ye to me new member!
Sheik: "New member?" You mercenaries have a new member?
King K. Rool: That's what I said lassie. This be Clancee, pirate Serpentine! Clancee, this be the Scavengers; Joe, Sheik, and that no good sea hawk Harpus. 😒
Harpus: WHAT'CHA CALL ME, YOU-
Zero: Heel Harpus! Heel!
King K. Rool: Oh, you're 'ere as well Zero? Zero is with those Roarers I told ye 'bout Clancee lad.
Clancee: H-hi. Ahoy lads and lassies! Yessss, um, I'm Clancee, but I'd hardly call mysssself a pirate as of yet.😅
Joseph: With your clothes and peg leg, you could've fooled me. Fitting choice K Rool.
King K. Rool: That's "King" K. Rool lad. And of course Clancee was the appropriate choice! I, as Kremling King, always have me eye out for the best! 😃
Harpus: Yeah, you'd rob a grave if ya thought there was gold buried there. 😒
King K. Rool: Ye just jealous, you pompus siren.
Harpus: Me!? "Pompus!?" Look in a mirror, ya sea swine! Also stop calling meh pirate-ish nicknames it's getting on my nerves! I'm a harpy, not a siren, and I'm of the Ventus attribute not Aquos like ya call me! 😠
King K. Rool: *grumble grumble* Whatev'r. "Ventus shm-entus." Come Clancee! I've like to introduce ye to your fellow crewmen before the fight starts!😀
Clancee: A-as you ssssay captain! Nice meeting all of ye! 😅
Joseph: (chuckles) See you two! Heh, those two were destined to meet I think.
Sheik: With their interests? I feel it's fate.
Pit: Eh, Fate, Destiny... It's all the same to me.
Zero: Hey, Brand just called me and said that the fight will initiate in a minute!
Harpus: Yes yes YASS!

Many individuals, like Harpus and Pit, were very anxious to watch the fight go down. Others, like Sheik and Joseph, managed to keep their nerves as Cleopatra, general of the Sandvanishers, came out in a stand above the audience to address them of the event.

Cleopatra: Afternoon to you all! Today we've been requessssted to hold a sssspecial arena battle, and we granted the competitor'sss requesssst! Sssso let me not hold the event up anymore then I have to and introduce you all to the fightersss! First up, a truly one-of-a-kind fellow and his adorable little crittersss, Eclipse and his Dark Armsss!

Everyone began to cheer as a creature ran out into the arena grounds, soon followed by four smaller creatures.

The larger of the creatures must have been Eclipse. He was around half the size of an averaged sized human adult and was mostly dark dark gray with a red stripe down the back of his spines that curved up from his head. He also had red feet and a red something that looked like a chestplate on his shoulders and chest. His tail looked similar to a lil' devil's tail, and his hands had only two large fingers and a large thumb-like appendage. Eclipse's muzzle had no nose and smiled, flashing his deep orange teeth. His eyes were pitch black with fiery blazing pupils shining in that darkness. Eclipse's appearance seemed so strange and intimidating, yet his face portrayed a kind and cheerful expression as he waved to the Serpentine audience.

The four smaller creatures, the Dark Arms, were also very strange. They were around the size of cats, and they each looked different. One looked like a flying three eyed critter who looked particularly snappy (in behavior that is). Another was basically a shark who also looked bitey by nature. The third was a walking cube creature with one eye on nearly every side of its body. And the forth and smallest creature was a walking music note with one purple eye.

Cleopatra: Next up, we have a go-getter with more then enough will to sssurvive. The Vermillion Dessstroyer herssself, Ray of the Rip Roarersss!

The Serpentine cheered loudly and gleefully as Ray charged into the arena. She blazed something powerful as a show of power with her fiery arm cannon. Ray then waved back at the crowd in typical arena behavior.

Ray: Well boyo, we're both here. Think you got what it takes to take me on?
Eclipse: You seem to think so. And there's only one way to find out right?
Ray: That's the spirit! Let's get this show started then!
Eclipse: Blurk, Cregal, Cyzer, Rhygenta. You four ready?
Dark Arms: *assorted excited animal sounds* 😁
Eclipse: Then let's show the world again what we're made of!
Cleopatra: Ready? And FIGHT!

Immediately there was a clash as soon as Cleopatra fired her flare gun to signal the start of the upcoming battle! Ray had dashed forward and attempted to slash at Eclipse, but Eclipse was capable of dodging them, albeit just barely. Eclipse managed to jump back far enough to try launching an attack of his own; that being a shadow orb attack thrown at Ray like a bowling ball! Ray just barely managed to recognize and dodge the attack, which preceded to blast part of the arena wall, resulting in fairly sized dust clouds! 

Nearly everyone watching gasped as they saw what nearly hit Ray, while Ray herself was honestly awe-struck. However, she wouldn't dare show it in front of her opponent in this fight. Might make him cocky, and she wanted Eclipse to hit her with all he had like it was his last fight. Ray accessed her powers and turned her right arm into a flamethrower, ready to blaze Eclipse down! Eclipse immediately realized what Ray would try to do and called for Blurk, one of his Dark Arms. He knew that if he tried to dodge the flames he'd still get nicked and burned, so he just had to block through the fire power instead. The Dark Arm he called suddenly fused into him, making Eclipse more bulkier, just in time to shield him from the flamethrower attack. By the time Ray realized she wasn't going to do much damage, Eclipse had already tanked several bursts of fire thanks to his Dark Arm ally. This didn't really surprise Zero in the slightest. After all, he had met Eclipse and his Dark Arms before. He knew what they were capable of.

Eclipse(Armor Form): This all you got Ray?
Ray: Oh I've got worse up my sleeves. Like this!

Ray then suddenly changed her right arm again, this time changing it into something completely covered in spiked ice! Before Eclipse could figure out what it might do, Ray shota small blue ball from her new arm right at Eclipse's feet, freezing his entire bottom half to the ground! As the Darkling attempted to crawl and/or break the ice (literally), Ray took the chance and charged forward towards him, changing her arm into a drill. Ray jumped forward and landed a direct hit onto Eclipse, punching him hard enough to launch him out of the ice and almost hitting the arena walls. Many Serpentine cheered on for Ray for making such a brilliant combo.

Eclipse defused from his Armor Form before getting up, trying to decide what might be the next best tactic here. The Dark Arm Rhygenta cried out, trying to tell Eclipse to fuse with it and use its form, but Eclipse shook his head. That form was technically his last resort since it could burn alot of energy from both him and Rhygenta. Besides, if Eclipse missed and Ray landed a big blow, it would hurt both Eclipse and his little musical note-like Dark Arm, and Rhygenta was the sweetest and best-behaved of the Dark Arms. Getting Rhygenta especially hurt was always the last thing Eclipse would want in a fight. Eclipse eventually thought of a different tactic, and just in time since Ray was approaching fast!

Eclipse: Cregal, come to me!

The Dark Arm called Cregal flew up to Eclipse and fused with him, changing Eclipse's hands to large wings. Eclipse managed to get off the ground and into the air just before Ray could slash him!

As Eclipse soared around and above Ray, the Vermillion Destroyer tried to think of a way to drag the Darkling down to ground level again. Emphasis on "tried" since the remaining Dark Arms were climbing all over Ray to limit her movement in Eclipse's favor!

Ray: GET. OFF! (Kicks Blurk) Ugh! F**k it! (Activates Beserk Mode)
Eclipse: 😨 Oh s**t!
Ray: (roars)

Ray roared something ferocious as she flashed purple all over, beginning to charge a small blast of her Collapse Ray weapon. Before anyone could think twice, Ray swung all the Dark Arms off her and blasted the sky! Eclipse tried to dodge the sudden attack, but the blast managed to burn one of his wings, causing Eclipse to shout in pain and plummet to the ground head-first.

Immediately after Eclipse hit the ground, his Dark Arms all turned their attention to him as they ran up to their Darkling dad to make sure he was alright. Ray changed herself back to her usual form and relaxed after seeing Eclipse was at least conscious, seeing as how he was trying to calm the Dark Arms.

Ray: You alright?
Eclipse: (groans) Y-yeah, b-but... I think you won this one Ray. Good game. 😅
Ray: You sure? I was hoping you'd punch my lights out. But if you say you're out, you're out. Good game Eclipse! 😆 (Shakes Eclipse's hand)
Cleopatra: The winner isss the Vermillion Desssstroyer, Ray! Let's give a round of applause for both her and Eclipssse for sssuch a great battle!

Everyone cheered and clapped for the fighters of today's match. What a battle indeed! And on such a brilliant day to do it as well!

Meanwhile

???: Ah, Ragnorok! About time you join us.
Ragnorok: (telepathy) Oh hush yourself. Yes I'm aware that I should've been here ages ago, but the road here is a treacherous one and my Serpentine allies can only go so far in a day.
???: Now now everyone, let's just be thankful that Ragnorok was able to join us for this meeting today. Go ahead and have a seat Ragnorok.
Ragnorok: (telepathy) Thank you Joshua.

The serpent creature that was Ragnorok slithered into their designated seat in the room amongst the other members of the council. On any other occasion, Ragnorok wouldn't have found themself sitting amongst most of these allies of theirs, but this was no joking matter that they gathered for.

One of the other members, "Joshua" as Ragnorok referred to him as, stood up and addressed them to ensure they were all there. Out of all of them, Joshua was one of the most human, even with his ash blond hair and purple eyes.

Joshua: Everyone, thank you all for gathering here for our monthly meeting. And thank God that we could all gather without any delays from the Authority.
???: Likewise Joshua, likewise. Before we begin, may I inquire of "Rachel" and how she's doing thus far?
Joshua: Of course Asriel. Yes, she's doing quite well, though I can tell she's still somewhat shook up from her time with the Authority. With more time she'll recover the trauma, but she's still more then willing to develuge on the horrid details of what those tyrants are doing.
Asriel: I see. Well, tell her I send my hopes of her full recovery to her. It seems like forever since I saw her last.
Joshua: I will, but you know that you're more then welcome to visit her anytime Asriel.
???: Big brother doesn't want to be a bother to anyone. After all, he needs all the time he has left.
Asriel: Chara! 😖 Th-that's not true!
Chara: Sure it is. I know you too well, Asriel, to say it isn't true.
???: Ooo, are you two fighting!? Better stop now or big bad Josh will ground you both! XD
Joshua: Majora, cut it out! Seriously everyone, do we have any new information to talk about here?

The members turned to another one of their own as Joshua asked this. I was- erm, I mean- The member they turned to was working on writing something on several papers, so they didn't notice at first that everyone expected an answer from them. The busy member was entirely blue, from the clothes on him to his hair to his large pixie-like wings. His little dragon creature bopped over his head, letting him know that he was needed.

???: Hm- Oh oh! Um, forgive me Joshua, but what was the question again?
Chara: I swear this nymph would lose his head if it wasn't screwed on right. 😒
Joshua: *sigh* Anything new to report Lost?
???: Ah, um, perhaps, perhaps. My recording of information has been quite extensive in the last month I say! (Pulls out a ton of scrolls) Yes yes, quite extensive!
Ragnorok: (telepathy) Anything specific Memory? Anything on the Authority at all?
???: Yes yes, quite! Quite! They haven't expended in territory at all, but they're still taking in captives. Mostly those they've been targeting for some time now, yes. They're take-in of captives have been somewhat slow but they're still confident in their power. They're still trying to negotiate with the Pariah but to no avail as of yet. Um- let's see, let's see- Erm, they haven't found any other Entities yet.
Asriel: Well neither have we, I'm afraid. I have been searching but still no word from the remaining Entities at all. However, I have hope that we can find temples dedicated to the Entities so that we may get a few clues, at least, to finding them.

Chara: Our undercover agent is still within the bowels of the beast in Blight Town, but nothing new to report there apart from the usual. Other then that, we're still gathering and training more Resilience fighters.
Majora: Good, then you've been receiving my messages and such well Chara! Then I'll be sure to find more nice folk who can help us! 😁
Chara: Just stop sending joke letters to Ben, Majora. He doesn't find them very funny at all. 😐
???: I'm afraid there's still no word from Silver at all. After five years of him doing field work, we might as well stop trying to contact him period. We have a better shot with some of our patients in the Sanctuary then him right now.
Joshua: *sigh* So, in short, we and the Authority are at a stand-still. Well, there hasn't been any major conflicts between them and us, so that's good. However, they're still trying to capture many of our fieldwork members, especially those they're targeting. Ragnorok, anything on your end?

Ragnorok: (telepathy) As a matter of fact, I have some much needed good news. Chara, your agent has spoken to you about the Authority's need to find... you-know-who, yes?
Chara: Most definitely. Those a**-hats desperately want their "perfect executioner" back, just as they have when he escaped two years ago. Why do you ask?
Ragnorok: (telepathy) Everyone... I have Jeff the Killer himself within my domain.
Joshua: (sits up) What?
Ragnorok: (telepathy) He arrived in the Serpentine City just a few days ago with a Ravager group. Apparently he's been with this Ravager group for the last two years, hence why no one's heard from him at all. I've assured the Ravager group that Jeff was safest within the confines of the Serpentine's city and that I'll personally see to it that he is proven innocent. As long as he stays in my city, we are one step closer to liberating Blight Town once and for all.
???: Oh yes yes! I can already see the potential memories Jeff has forgotten! Allow me to see to his recovery alongside you Ragnorok!
Joshua: Yes, please do! It's vital that we gain ANY information as to what's going on in that place!
Chara: With a Ravager group? Hmm... that sounds familiar from somewhere. Hey, was one of the members of that Ravager group with Jeff a Sheikah and another a harpy by chance? I think I know them!
Ragnorok: (telepathy) Actually they were Chara.
Chara: (snaps her fingers) Ah! I know they were more then another group of strangers! Keep them around Rag! Those are some you can trust!