Many, many years ago. Hundreds of years ago. The Skylanders have protected their world for centuries, but there have always been other gifted heroes that vowed to fight for their home alongside them. Some of them were mythical sorcerers who supported and fought for others like them. Legends say that one of them was one of the most powerful magic casters in history, but that tale has been long forgotten and is nothing but history now. Back then however, they received attention from all across Skylands, including unwanted one.
"How much longer till we get there, Ace?" An annoyed spellpunk, wearing the signature mint green and sky-blue colors of his team, exclaimed while steering his airship. "We've been flying for hours now!"
"Patience, Zion." An elven sorcerer gave his companion a stern look. He wore a coat with long sleeves and held a staff with a glowing eye on top of it in his right hand. He stared at the endless sky as clouds were passing them by. "This might be the first hideout where Malefor won't find us, it will be worth the efforts."
Another figure in green and blue clothing emerged from the door that leads inside the small ship. A sorceress that always had her nose and the glasses sitting on it stuck in a book. She had her striking red hair tied into a bun and walked across the deck while effortlessly evading all the objects in her path without looking up from her book for a second. "According to this page right here, there is a spell that's able to prevent our magic from spreading across Skylands and signaling Malefor's minions, without ridding us of them."
"Perfect! Good job Raven." The elf gave her a brief look before thoughtfully looking into the distance again. "We can only hope that that wicked creature will give in and leave us in peace."
"By now we know the real reason why he's after us." Zion groaned before turning his head left and right looking for something. "Speaking of which, where is she?"
"She's searching for some potion that could apparently help us stay hidden. For once she can't do something with her own magic." Raven whispered the last sentence to herself whilst turning the page in her heavy book.
Ace remained quiet, tightly holding his staff as he was looking for nearby islands. "We should arrive soon. I'll go get her."
As the magician was about to enter the ship's hold, the person they were referring to finally appeared. "Did you miss me already?" The joking sorceress stepped out of the door that her ally exited a minute ago. She was wearing a pale blue dress that almost reached the ground, with buttons closing the vest of the top part and round, pillowed shoulder pads on top of it. Her raven black hair flowed in the wind and she smiled as she saw her friends. "Are we arriving soon?"
"Hex!" Ace smiled back for the first time during their tedious trip. "You've been down there forever, I already thought you fell through the floor."
"Now that would be a pretty ridiculous way to go off after everything we've been through." Hex was referring to all the times the crew has been ambushed by Malefor and his minions and almost paid with their lives. "And besides, I recently discovered how to levitate."
The sorceress proudly lifted herself a few inches off the ground using her magic. Raven didn't bother to look at her trick and only rolled her eyes as she continued to read the next page.
"That's great! Now if only we could figure out how to use that teleportation spell without losing our clothes." Ace blushed in embarrassment after remembering one of the incidents of experimenting with different spells. "Anyway, we're about to arrive. The couple we met seemed very friendly, but we have to stay alert."
"There isn't a single moment where I'm not alert." Zion glared at Hex suspiciously while talking before directing his sight back to the front.
"I'm sure it'll be fine." Hex approached her elven friend and watched the clouds drifting apart to reveal the town they've been invited to alongside him. "And if Malefor does find us, we will fend him off like we always do!"
When the travelling sorcerers finally arrived at the town they've been invited to, the first thing the team did was to create a magical barrier around it so they would be invisible for anyone outside of it. While the famed magicians were being introduced to the residents and their small town, Zion pulled Ace out of the crowd to have a discussion under four eyes.
"Are you sure we'll be safe here?" The spellpunk sounded distressed, they've been on the run for so long that he forgot what it feels like to not worry. "The barrier is going to fade after some time and you know Malefor, he-"
"You need to calm down Zion, we will regenerate the barrier regularly and we'll soon hinder our magic from attracting enemies as well." The two looked over to the female members of their group as they were busy shaking hands and even hugging some of the inhabitants.
There was a tense silence before Zion decided to share his biggest fear. "We both know that he's after her. As long as she's with us-"
"We will not abandon Hex!" The elf raised his voice and glared at his companion with arched eyebrows. "She's staying with us, you know what kind of powers she possesses. Without her we wouldn't stand a chance."
They looked at the smiling sorceress who just performed a small magic trick after the demand of a child. The spellpunk couldn't let go of the idea that she would be the reason for their demise, he's feared that ever since their endless run began.
Raven was observing Hex while she continued to impress the kids surrounding her with her magic. She couldn't bear it. Hex has always been the one to receive all the fame and glory for her powers, while she wasn't even granted a second look. She's studied the craft her entire life to master it, but Hex was born with it, she didn't need to do anything, yet she got everything. As envious as the sorceress was, she always managed to hide it with a smile.
"Raven, could you help me carry the furniture inside?" Zion interrupted the jealous stare of his ally, who turned around to see him attempting to carry a heavy wardrobe on his own.
"Of course, hold on!" She cast a quick spell to lift the wooden object into the air and move it telepathically. As usual, no one took notice and only kept their eyes on Hex. Another hit that Raven took and carried on.
Meanwhile Ace stayed behind and kept his sights on the powerful sorceress as well. Everyone considered him Hex' biggest fan, but that's only because he wanted to hide his true intentions.
"I've been watching you long enough now. I don't know when, but someday you'll show who you really are." The elf was talking to himself in a menacing tone. He strongly believed that Hex wasn't who she seemed, and that this town would finally reveal her true nature. "And once that happens, I will be the one to stop you." With a final long glare, the magician turned around and started carrying the team's furniture inside their new home.
The next few months were relatively uneventful, considering the sorcerers were still being hunted by Malefor. They experienced some highs and lows, especially regarding Hex, but they remained a team and got to know each other better during their free time. Unfortunately, that peaceful lifestyle didn't last, when one day one of Malefor's most vicious minions discovered the island by accident and informed the king at once. It would be his most devastating ambush.
"Is everyone out of the houses?" Ace yelled through the smoke and flames that have engulfed the town. Malefor was out to destroy every last being he could find without any mercy.
"They're all on the ships, we have to keep the enemies away from them at all cost!" Zion dodged an incoming orb from one of the undead creatures infiltrating their home while guiding the last few inhabitants to the airships.
Raven was busy fending off the approaching foes. People were panicking as the wicked creatures got closer, but the magician wouldn't allow that. Always with a book in her hand, she recited one spell after the other, blasting and tossing enemies through the area.
Ace noticed an entire brigade of aggressive rhu-barbs entering the town, to which he positioned himself in front of them. The magic caster raised his staff above his head before it started to glow and slammed it onto the ground underneath his feet, unleashing a powerful energy wave towards the creatures to slow them down.
Meanwhile Hex was making sure that Malefor wouldn't be able to harm any more innocent lives. She used her formidable skills to attack the dragon head on while avoiding his powerful blasts. It was an even battle, but the dragon was able to overpower her in the end, sending the sorceress flying across the roofs of the village.
"Hex!" Ace struggled to keep the undead forces at bay. He wanted to help his ally, but if he left his position, he would allow the enemies to reach the ships and kill everyone.
Zion and Raven teamed up to keep the aircrafts and the people inside safe, however without Hex, Malefor was able to reach them himself. The undead king charged up his fire breath and unleashed it at one of the ships. Agonizing screams came from the purple flames as the magicians watched the tragedy, completely paralyzed.
Malefor commanded his troops to retreat, he accomplished what he wanted. He glared over to Hex, who had tears forming in her eyes before she looked at Malefor with her icy blue pupils. "I think I've made myself clear. Keep running and more lives will pay the price."
The dragon laughed sinisterly before spreading his wings and flapping them in one powerful movement to ascend and leave the town.
Hex' anger overwhelmed her sadness, but that wasn't the case for everyone else. People were crying and screaming as the ship was slowly devoured by the spectral flames, killing everyone on board. The trio of sorcerers gathered around the devastated people to apologize and comfort them after this terrible loss. Hex on the other hand hurried into their house.
The sorceress rushed into her room and before anything, she put both hands on top of her head and grabbed her hair. She had failed everyone, she could never forgive herself for this. Before she was about to burst into tears of frustration and disappointment, the sorceress opened her wardrobe. She picked up her unique headpiece, colored just like the rest of her pale blue outfit. It possessed flat horn shapes on each side, making the sorceress look more intimidating, but also keeping her black hair from bothering her during a fight. She equipped it before heading back down and leaving the building. Her friends noticed the fast-paced woman leaving their home and after a short thought went after her.
"Hex, where are you going?" Raven asked, which was the first time in days that the magician has said anything to Hex.
"I'm going to end this once and for all." Hex gave them a brief look before leaving town, storming to the first entrance to the underworld that she could find.
It didn't take Hex long to find a gloomy cave entrance, emitting a frosty purple smoke. The sorceress took a deep breath and gathered all her courage before entering it. This was it. This was the day where Malefor would pay for his sins and Hex' life would change forever.
Centuries have passed, and now Hex was trapped in the underworld with the creature that has been tormenting her most of her life. She must spend her days down there guarding Malefor like a watchdog. Even though the Skylander has long stopped doing things out of enjoyment, there were countless things she would rather be doing than this. The giant dragon turned his head to give the witch a cold look with his striking yellow eyes before turning back around and looking for another island to stand on.
Hex had a good view from the highest tower of the Creepy Citadel. The ancient building was haunting, but in some way also enchanting. It was like a lonely castle for the sorceress, all the minions they used to fight here were either gone or fled at the sight of her. She started to wonder how much longer she would have to stay there. Did the Skylanders forget about her? She knew them well enough to determine that they would find another way to defeat Malefor eventually, but it's taking them a while.
"Are you still waiting on them?" A deep voice echoed through the citadel. "You do realize that they left you here to rot, right?"
"I don't want to hear your mind games Malefor." Hex was unaffected by the repeated attempts to make her lower her guard so that the dragon could escape, but she did begin to wonder if he was right.
"They have more important things to do than looking for you." The voice was circling Hex' chamber as Malefor flew around the tower. "You're not keeping me down here to protect them, you're keeping me down here for your satisfaction. After what happened to you since our battle, I know how much you must blame me for your fate." The dragon smiled as he kept teasing the witch. "You sacrificed your life to get rid of me and yet here I am."
The Undead Skylander remained unfazed. She knew how manipulative the villain is, and if he can't get into someone's head with words, he will do it by force. But Malefor knew better than to attack Hex. He underestimated her before, and it costed him his life.
"Why did you become a Skylander in the first place?" A genuine question bothered the dragon. "I know best what those mortals think of us undead, they must hate you."
That was something that Hex knew too well. Even though she never had any evil intentions and helped others, they always rejected her. Be it fear or even hate, almost everyone didn't trust the witch.
"Enough Malefor. You need to accept that you will spend the rest of your days down here where you belong." The sorceress sat onto the ancient bed in the middle of the circular room. Old decayed curtains were hanging from the canopy, like ghosts they were gently flowing with the wind coming from the small window.
"You need to accept that as well." Malefor responded before flying off and leaving the witch alone.
Even though she was constantly by Malefor's side, Hex has never felt this lonely. She has spent hundreds of years in solitude and yet being down in the cold dark underworld for months gave her the feeling that she would remain there forever.
After the long and exhausting fight with Malefor and the unfortunate transformation into an undead all those years ago, Hex finally returned from the underworld. She wasn't sure how everyone would react to her new look and powers, and admittedly was nervous, but she wanted to assure them that Malefor was finally defeated and they had nothing to fear. Upon her arrival, a few of the civilians saw her and stared at her with shocked, almost frightened expressions. Hex was now constantly floating, leaving a trail of purple smoke underneath her. Many didn't recognize the sorceress and were in a very cautious state. It wasn't until her friends saw her when Hex realized that things would never be the same again.
"Hex? Is that you?" Ace looked at his ally from head to toe with his mouth open. He didn't know what to say. "What happened to you?"
"I'm not sure myself." Hex tried smiling to show them that she was still herself, but they all kept their baffled faces. "I went to the underworld and fought Malefor, but it looks like I've been transformed into an undead."
Raven was the first one to ask about the dragon after spending some more moments eyeing her companion. "So, Malefor is defeated?"
"He is." Hex turned around which caused the people behind her to back off. She didn't want to scare anyone with her appearance, but she had to tell them that there was no reason to be afraid anymore. "Malefor is no more. There is nothing to fear, we are all safe now!"
No response. No cheering, no gratitude, nothing. Hex started to feel uncomfortable and wasn't too fond of being in the middle of mute attention, so she floated past the crowd of people to get to her home. She wanted to find some way to transform herself back anyway, maybe that would fix everything.
The following days have been challenging for the witch. Instead of sharing the house with her friends, they insisted that she should get her own place. Even though it was already inhabited, the owners of a small cottage were quick to leave when they found out that Hex wanted to find a new home. Not out of hospitality, but out of fear. Whenever she tried to converse with or help someone, they would always just give her this blank frightened look and get away as fast as they could. The fact that she could now only work with dark magic such as summoning skulls and phantom orbs didn't help. And on top of it all she was unable to find a way to undo her transformation, every book said that turning into an undead is irreversible.
Meanwhile her alleged friends grew increasingly suspicious. Ace revealed that he's been observing her for years and that he thought all along that there was something off. There was a remarkable increase in sickness and dying crops, and they were certain that it was Hex' fault. The transformation leads them to believe that instead of killing Malefor, she made a deal with him. A deal that would grant her even greater powers so that none of them could match her. Those rumors spread through the town like wildfire and the fear they felt turned into anger and hate.
One night, when Hex tried to get some sleep even though she didn't require it anymore, she could hear a bunch of voices in front of her house. Bright orange lights lit up her entire home through the windows and the witch went to the door to see what was going on. When she opened it, she was greeted by an unsettling sight.
"What's going on here?" The entire town has assembled in front of Hex' house, each of them holding torches and pitchforks and their faces warped angrily. Up front were her friends with their respective weapons and magic in their hands.
"We've spared you long enough, witch." Ace gave her a deadly look as he tightened the grip around his staff. "Get her!"
Before she could respond, a couple of people rushed through Hex' door and grabbed her hands before tying them behind her back. No matter with how much effort she tried to break free, she was outnumbered by the people she once considered friends. They lead her to a wooden pole set up in the middle of the town surrounded by hay and wood and tied her to it.
Hex was confused and scared. She didn't understand why this was happening. "Why are you doing this? What did I do?"
"You claim that you've defeated Malefor, but we know better!" Zion finally spoke up. He used to be afraid of Hex because she led Malefor to them, but now he was just afraid of her.
"We know that you went to the underworld so he could transform you and increase your powers. There is no way you were able to defeat him in his own domain!" Seeing her completely helpless, Raven finally felt a sense of superiority towards Hex, which made her words sound more confident.
"We know what you really are. People are getting sick and the crops are dying. It's only a matter of time until you have full control over your new powers and spread them like a plague to rule alongside Malefor." Ace was so certain of his words that he felt no sympathy for Hex whose horrified eyes reflected the yellow light of the flames surrounding them. "Now it's time to get rid of you monster."
Without any hesitation, the elf used his staff to shoot a fireball at the stack of hay surrounding Hex, igniting it instantly. Hex stared at the spreading flames with fear as she tried to untie her hands without any success. The fire grew bigger and brighter and threatened to consume the sorceress. She began to cough from all the smoke the flames created. Hex looked around herself and only saw pleased faces, some even laughing. But the worst sight of all were the sickening smiles on her former friend's faces. She couldn't believe that it had come to this.
The flames have almost reached Hex' dress and were about to set the witch on fire as well. As much as she tried to resist, the sorceress finally decided to use her powers and break free from the ropes keeping her to the pole. The residents became afraid again as they watched purple magic surround the witch and evaporate the ropes around her hands. Hex quickly floated up into the air and away from the fire and people. It didn't take them a second to begin shouting in rage before running after her with their pitchforks and torches. Hex fled as swiftly as she could, away from the mob and away from her home. Before she exited the village, she turned around. She looked at all the outraged faces heading towards her. Knowing that no words would make them stop, Hex lifted her hand and created a bone wall between her and the inhabitants, making them unable to reach her. She gave her friends, who tried everything to tear the wall down, one last saddened look before turning her back and leaving them forever. This was the last time she saw her friends, and the last time she called anyone her friend until becoming a Skylander.
Now Hex had left her friends behind once more. In the past, she only resided in the gloomy underworld for a day, now it's already been months. She decided to finally leave her chamber and float through the Creepy Citadel. The witch has seen almost every corner of the fortress now, but nevertheless there was something unsettlingly calming about it. Even the bravest of Skylanders would have to pull themselves together in fear of entering the place, but Hex never felt any of that. She's isolated her feelings, as they could cause a loss of control over her powers and she couldn't risk that.
Malefor was roaming around the place as well, plotting his next plans to flee, but none of them would work as long as Hex was there to stop him. "You know Hex, we would make a great team." Malefor tried a different approach to get to the Skylander, something that even he hasn't thought of before. "Our powers combined, no one would stand a chance."
Hex didn't say a word and just floated past the dragon as he kept his eyes on her. She didn't even consider that option for a second, it would defeat all purpose of her sacrifice.
"What are you doing this for?" Malefor's tone became angrier with every sentence he spoke. "Do you want to be a hero? Do you want revenge? What is it that you're trying to achieve?"
"I want to keep you from hurting anyone else!" Hex finally stopped and answered the king. "Even if that means you'll hurt me again."
Malefor noticed the way she said that last sentence and smiled. He finally figured it out. "So, you feel hurt?" The wicked creature laughed through the emptiness of the place, much to Hex' dismay. "The powerful Hex is sad that she's lost her friends."
"I'm over that, it's about what you did to me!" Hex didn't want to admit it, but there was a silent anger inside of her which has been growing over the centuries she's spent saving ungrateful people that would thank her with baseless suspicions. "A witch, an undead, a villain. I've heard it all even though I have only ever done good."
Malefor scoffed. He didn't expect the Skylander to let the opinions of others get to her like that, but he was wrong. "By now you should know that you cannot trust anyone. They only know what they see, and if they don't understand it, they fear it." Malefor was one of the oldest beings in Skylands and he's seen all of its sides. The good and the bad. "A piece of advice from someone with far more experience than you or any of your friends, don't bother trying to make others see you the way you want them to see you, because they never will."
With those words, the dragon took off and left. Surprisingly, Hex did think about what Malefor said. Why should she redeem herself when there was no reason for redemption to begin with? Hex realized what Malefor was trying to do and quickly forgot about it, even though it remained to be a lingering thought in the back of her head.
