LiteFox also asked me to do something for Ghost Roaster. Hope this is what you wanted.

Also, I'm not sure I'll finish all requests by the end of the month, but I will get to them when I have the time.

Chapter Ten: Bon Appetit

Olav had never had an eating problem. Or, maybe he should describe it as the reverse- he never had a problem eating. Regardless of the way it was used, Olav loved food. Anything delectable went right into his gullet, usually topped with some extravagant spice or seasoning. Or was it seasoning or spice?

Anyway, it could've had something to do with his profession. Olav was a chef, and he made the best meals that Skylands had ever seen. His specialty was a little dish known as sheep-wool stew. (It is just as it sounds, but not as bad as one would think.) It was a simple dish, needing no expert to prepare it, but it made people happy. Olav enjoyed seeing people happy.

It was a day unlike any other. Or was it, a day like any other? Yeah, the latter. Olav had started his day as he had always done, searching the mountain for wild sheep heards. He was collecting wool for his stew, and after years of practice, he'd found that wool from wild sheep tasted much better than wool that came from pets. He was out doing that, finding the wild sheep dispersed at the edge of the mountain. They moved about from step to step, as sheep do, but there was something off about the pattern. They almost seemed nervous about something.

Maybe it had something to do with the big gaping pit that existed at this very edge. Olav looked over and saw it- the big pit, swirling around with dark purple energy. The people in the village called it a crevasse, though it looked absolutely nothing like a crevasse. A crevasse was like a crack in the mountain, and this pit was definitely not on the mountain. As mysterious as it was, nobody dared to venture near it. There was something distinctly ominous about that pit.

The sheep would know that as well. So why would they venture this close to it?

Unless one of the members of the flock had...fallen in?

Could they be...mourning?

Olav would never be sure of the reason that caused him to jump down into the pit. But next thing he knew, he jumped down. He didn't think about it. He didn't even know his purpose for doing so. But Olav jumped down into that pit.

Olav had jumped in, and he spent the next several moments falling down. Falling, falling, closer and closer to the swirl. He wasn't afraid of what was going to happen- heck, he was diving head-first into the storm. After a long while, his head hit the swirling purple energy- and...he couldn't remember anything after that.

Next thing he knew, he had fallen into the Valley of the Undead. Olav immediately recognized that he was different. His hands had turned bony. His head was now a spiky skull. He'd developed a ghostly tail. Olav was Undead now. It was awful.

The curse that had caused this transformation affected him the same way it does to everyone else. Olav was furious, and he didn't know why. He wanted to punch the wall, to scream, to kill something if he thought it would make him feel better. In fact, he was just about to hit the face of a rock wall, to punch it as hard as he could, until he noticed that he wasn't alone. Hiding in a small crag was a sheep with purple wool and cyan skin- was that the sheep that had fallen down here?

He recognized that he would've been angry for a long time. But he grabbed that sheep from the crag and started petting him, the anger quelled. They were together through this ordeal. Neither of them had to be alone.

He named the sheep Floyd after the first few weeks of being Undead. As for him, he decided to call himself Ghost Roaster- he didn't feel much like an Olav anymore. They had been traveling together all throughout the Underworld, hitting all the best fast-food restaurants. The best part was that they didn't have to pay for anything. The Undead didn't charge for any of their services! It was perfect- especially since Ghost was dirt-poor at this point.

Ghost and Floyd traveled far between villages in the Underworld. He found that he was hungry again, and that there were no restaurants in sight. While Floyd was content nibbling the grass that grew around these parts, Ghost knew that he wanted something more nutritious to snack on. Oh, what was he to do?

Then they came across a heavily populated village. There were no ghouls or skeletons in sight. Just puffy white spirits that floated around the town. Could he eat these? It could be possible. They were mostly ethereal.

Ghost Roaster snatched a tiny little spirit off the road, gobbling it up. It tasted airy, and also kind of creamy. Who knew that ghosts tasted like cream cakes? But he couldn't just have one- Ghost Roaster went ahead and ate everyone in sight. He chased after spirits that ran from his form, assisted by Floyd who had been aware that he was starving. This was better than free restaurant food! Fresh and wild! That's what Ghost had always chased after.

The screams didn't go unnoticed by the village's mayor. The mayor had been at that moment, as all mayors did, playing mobile games on his phone. After hearing the screams, the mayor promptly left his house, catching Ghost as he was about to put another spirit in his gullet.

"Put him down!" the mayor yelled.

Surprised, Ghost put the spirit down. All subsequent spirits hid behind the mayor, who was wearing a top hat. None of them looked all too pleased to see him.

"What is your name?" the mayor asked.

Ghost gulped. "It's Ghost Roaster," he said.

"Ghost Roaster, eh? Do you understand what you have done here?"

"Yeah. I've been eating spirits."

"You're new to the Underworld, I see. You don't understand the repurcussions that this has. Well, Ghost Roaster, since you are so inclined, you have sent several innocent spirits to the Bowels of the Underworld."

"The Underworld has bowels? I wonder how they function."

"I ought to show you myself- by imprisoning you there! It's a prison for the most sinister ghouls, as well as a prison for lost souls that happen to be attacked by hunters- or eaten by you!"

Ghost Roaster gasped. He'd never meant to do that.

"And now I have to go down to the gates of the Bowels and talk with the warden Cerberus so he can let all my villagers out. He terrifies me!"

"Well someone never told that the spirits weren't snacks!"

"I'm afraid you'll have to come with me for that trip, so I can turn you in and have you imprisoned down there forever."

"What!? Imprisoned! Can't you forgive one infraction?"

"You ate my villagers!"

"I won't do it again! Honest!"

The mayor sighed. "Fine. You are new to the Underworld, after all," he decided. "But I'm not letting you off with a simple slap to the wrist. I must make sure that you do indeed stop eating spirits like you promised."

The mayor put a chain on Ghost's tail. It made a loud dragging noise wherever it went. Rattle rattle, all throughout the day, no matter where he decided to go. It was a warning to all other passersby- stay away from him.

All the restaurants closed their doors when he came by. All pedestrians fled when they heard the rattling of the chain. He didn't even have to move and ghouls would quickly flee from him, avoiding eye contact as they did so. When Ghost entered a new place, one that he had never been to before, he tried picking up the chain to prevent the rattling sound. Ghouls still fled from him when they saw him- there was a spiked ball at the end of the chain, so it must've looked like he wanted to hurt them.

Eventually Floyd ran away as well, when he found the rattling of the chain too unbearable to be near. Ghost had tried chasing him down that day, but that only made the sheep move faster. Floyd was gone before he could do anything about it. And Ghost was truly alone for the first time in the Underworld.

"Fine! Go ahead and leave!" Ghost yelled at him. "Who need you, anyway!?"

Other than me?

He hid in a cave that night, crying himself to sleep. Ghost was at a loss for what to do. Nobody in the Underworld wanted to be near him. He hadn't been to the surface since the transformation, but going back there wasn't an option, either. The mortals couldn't possibly know of the things he'd done, and they would still see him as a monster. There was no way around that. What else could he do?

Ghost could make the people happy, he realized. Nobody would be happy as long as he was around. Before he fell into that pit, all he'd ever wanted was to make people happy. How had that changed so drastically? How had he messed up so poorly in that area? Well Ghost would make up for that, he decided. He would return to the surface and make sure nobody was unhappy around him ever again.

The next morning, he traveled down a winding path- or should he say, he traveled up a winding path? Because the path he went on eventually led back to the surface. Ghost emerged into a large, vibrant forest. Everything was so lush and green. The sky was a brilliant shade of blue. The birds were also singing. The forest was full of life- that was nice.

Ghost took his time, taking in the sights. Before, he might've rushed through here as he tried to get to his destination. He would miss everything here if he did so. Ghost still had his goal in mind, but there were no people around, so he still had time.

Should he have rushed through the area, he might've missed a crime in progress.

Ghost heard a struggle in the thicket of the woods. He raced forward, trying to see what was happening. He emerged into a clearing, seeing several Drow bandits attacking an orc wearing a dragon skull on his head. The orc was slumped over a rock, bruised and beaten badly, only the movement of his breathing to prove that he was still alive. The bandits were currently fighting over his belongings, trying to decide who should get what.

Furious once more, Ghost attacked. He picked up the chain and swung the ball at their bodies. They crashed to the ground, injured by the force. A bandit jabbed Ghost's head with the butt of his spear- though Ghost was unfazed. He swung the chain once more, fighting off the bandits that charged at him.

Summoning anger from the pit of his soul, Ghost Roaster then let out a blood-curdling cry. Green energy swirled around his body, his head appearing to look bigger and more threatening. The bandits got the message- stay away from him. They ran off into the woods, leaving the orc's possessions behind. The green energy dissipated, and Ghost slumped onto the ground. That had been a massive drain of energy for him.

A cough was heard nearby. Ghost looked toward the orc, who was trying to stand up.

"No no, wait! Just take it easy!" Ghost asked. "They roughed you up pretty bad, huh?"

The orc nodded, slumping back down. "Bandits jump Voodood," the orc confirmed. "No witnesses. Bandits figure that this be easy robbing."

Ghost slowly got up, moving toward the rock to sit next to him. "Is that your name?" he asked. "Voodood?"

Nod.

"My name's Ghost Roaster."

"Ghost Roaster mighty hero. Voodood not see someone fight like that before."

"I'll be honest, man. That weird green stuff- that was the first time I had ever used that."

"Voodood grateful to Ghost Roaster. Thankful to be rescued."

"Don't mention it. Hey, do you have any family in the area? Someone that I could bring you back to? Someone who needs to know that you're okay?"

Voodood sighed, shaking his head.

Ghost Roaster looked on, dumbfounded. This orc was alone as well? But orcs lived in large clans. They were never alone. What could've wiped out Voodood's clan? It was settled. Ghost would stay with Voodood- at least for the time being, in order to make sure Voodood found another clan.

Voodood didn't seem afraid of Ghost Roaster. Of course, that might've just been a coincidence. Orcs weren't easily scared by things that go bump in the night. Even if that weren't the case, Voodood was still one person out of the thousands of mortals that inhabited Skylands. Everyone else would fear Ghost, even if he saved their lives time and time again. Besides, Voodood would leave him eventually once the rattling of his chain became too much to bear- just like Floyd had. Boy did Ghost hate that sheep for leaving- despite knowing that it was his own stupid fault for getting tied to that chain in the first place.

But for now, everything was good. They had traveled together for the past two days, and Voodood didn't seem to hate him yet. Tonight, it had started raining, so they hid in a cave and decided to wait out the storm. Voodood slept comfortably enough- he must've been used to sleeping on cold, stone floors. Ghost, on the other hand, did his best to fight sleep. Who would protect them if bandits decided to jump them again?

It probably wasn't the best idea he had. Ghost was still feeling considerably weak after that attack he made at the bandits. At one point he dozed off, awakening at the next thunderous boom. Voodood didn't look like he had stirred at all.

Ghost then heard voices outside of the cave. Voices that argued about some kind of attack. It then occurred to him that the thunder that had woken him hadn't happened naturally- someone had created it. But who? Ghost slowly picked up his chain, taking care that he didn't wake Voodood. As hard of a sleeper as the orc was, Ghost didn't want to take any chances.

He slowly left the cave, quietly making his way around. Rain immediately soaked through him, but he decided to ignore it. Ghost found two people hiding a few paces away from the cave. One of them was a Storm Titan, originating from the Cloud Kingdom. The other was a dragon- or, a unicorn...maybe. She looked to be both.

They were Skylanders. There was something distinctly heroic about them, and Ghost Roaster felt no need to second-guess himself this time. They were Skylanders. And they might know where Voodood could go.

"Hello there!" Ghost greeted them.

At that moment, lightning flashed before him, making his presence more terrifying. The Skylanders jumped for a moment, surprised to see him standing there. Ghost cursed himself- his appearance had disturbed them.

"Who are you?" the Storm Titan asked.

"I'm Ghost Roaster," Ghost explained. "May I ask your names?"

"...Sure. I am Lightning Rod, the fabulous, extravagant, talented, handsome, strong, brave Storm Titan of the Cloud Kingdom. There is no one equal to me in any-"

The dragicorn coughed.

"Oh, and this is my friend Whirlwind."

Ghost nodded. "What are you guys doing out here?" he asked.

"We were out patrolling the area," Whirlwind explained. "Trying to clear this place of bandits."

"Yeah, this place has a rampant bandit problem."

"Are you one of them?"

"What? No! I have a friend who was attacked by bandits. We've been traveling together for a while."

"Is he nearby?"

"Yes."

"And you said he was attacked. Is he okay?"

"He's fine. Still a little banged up, but fine. I can bring him to you, if you want."

The Skylanders nodded.

Ghost traveled back to the cave. He knew it would be wrong to just direct the Skylanders to the cave and leave. Voodood might think he abandoned him without any rhyme or reason. Ghost had to make sure he knew what the plan was. The Skylanders would never abandon a lonely soul. They'd make sure to find Voodood another clan.

As soon as he returned to the cave, he found Voodood standing upright, leaning on the side of the cave wall, waiting for him.

"Voodood! I thought you were asleep," he gasped.

"Lightning blinded Voodood," Voodood explained. "Woke up. Found Ghost Roaster gone. Thought Voodood abandoned."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to worry you like that. I just left to check outside of the cave for a second. Listen, Voodood, I found two of the Skylanders! They can help you find a home!"

Voodood smiled at the prospect. Ghost knew that would make him happy. A home at last! It must've sounded like a miracle.

"Ghost Roaster and Voodood follow Skylanders!" Voodood decided.

Ghost's stomach lurched. He wanted them to go together. "Are you sure about that?" he asked.

"Ghost Roaster mighty warrior. Good for Skylanders."

"You see, I'm not so sure. I doubt anyone else would like having me around."

"Voodood convince them."

Ghost couldn't simply leave Voodood alone. The orc still wanted him around. He would have to join them. His plans could wait for a while, until such time as they didn't want him around anymore. Then they could commence- with Ghost jumping off the islands, into the depths below. Because he had no other idea how to make them happy.

"Being alone isn't much fun," Ghost Roaster admitted. "C'mon. I'll show you where they are."

Eventually they both found that neither of them had to be alone.

Seriously. Who's bright idea was it to give a Skylander an upgrade that would kill them in the hub world?

And it's not like you can change upgrade paths to avoid it, either.