The day after the anniversary began with another announcement. Upon the request of many unsatisfied Imaginators, the reformed villains have been assigned to experienced Skylanders in order to improve their abilities. While most think it's an unnecessary waste of time, others consider it a good way of looking out for the villains and helping the community.
Snap Shot was patiently sitting on a chair outside Eon's office. He's one of the Skylanders chosen to train a villain. The Trap Master wasn't too fond of having to work with a former enemy, considering he is the leader of the Trap Masters and was more spiteful towards them than anyone else. However, he didn't want to disobey Eon and as a Skylander it's his duty to improve the environment. Finally, the big wooden doors opened and Ignitor stepped out of the room. The fire knight looked at the reptile before telling him to enter the office. Snap Shot did as he was told and entered, closed the doors and sat on another chair facing Eon's spirit.
"You know why you're here Snap Shot?" The ghost expected an answer.
"Of course Master Eon." Snap Shot responded confidently. "I have been assigned to a villain to improve his skills for the sake of the Academy."
Eon nodded. "That's right." The spirit waited a moment before proceeding to talk. "I know you aren't on the best of terms with the villains, even now that they've redeemed themselves, but you are one of the most experienced and professional Skylanders of them all."
"Thank you master. I'm honored to hear that." Snap Shot felt flattered and was happy that Master Eon thought of him like that.
Eon continued to talk shortly after his praise. "Being an excellent archer, you have been assigned to a Sensei of the Bowslinger Class. Wolfgang."
Snap Shot didn't believe what he heard. The reptile instinctively clenched his teeth and fists upon hearing the name of his sworn enemy. He felt outraged remembering everything the Doom Raider had done and was never willing to befriend him.
"All due respect Eon, but I don't think I'm able to work with a maniac such as Wolfgang." Snap Shot expressed his thoughts but tried staying reasonable.
Eon sighed, he feared the Water Skylander would react that way and showed disappointment. "Snap Shot, I'm aware that you and Wolfgang don't get along and I wouldn't have paired you up if it wasn't for a good reason."
Snap Shot wanted to counter that with another argument, but stopped after seeing Eon's disappointed yet also stern expression. The crocodile calmed down and tried holding back his anger. "Yes, Master Eon. Forgive me for being so disrespectful."
Eon smiled gently at the Trap Master and hoped the situation wouldn't escalate. "You can go now."
Snap Shot stood up and left the office. He walked along the halls of the Academy only thinking about having to work with his most hated enemy. He was enraged but he knew it was his duty to assist the werewolf in order to become a better teacher. He accepted the other villains, but Wolfgang was the one he swore to never trust and get rid of by any means necessary. Now he has to do the opposite, ensure that he stays and even improves himself. Snap Shot almost ran into a tree before snapping out of his thoughts and going on with his day.
At the same time, Cynder was sitting underneath a tree, whose shadow prevented the sunlight from hitting her. All the dragon could think were the eyes she spotted yesterday. The dark presence and pure fear she felt while staring at them. She shuddered and scratched the dirt with her claws. The dragon was in front of the library, there wasn't a lot going on at the moment. She peeked inside a window and saw some Skylanders reading books. It calmed her down until she could make out something else on the light blue glass. The dragon's pupils shrunk and her eyes widened immediately, she saw the same glaring eyes in the window again. The Skylander was paralyzed with fear and only stared at them like the last time, until she blinked and shook her head. The eyes were still there but Cynder didn't panic, she charged forward and opened her mouth, shooting a black lightning strike at the window. The glass shattered and everyone near it turned around in surprise. Cynder took deep breaths and looked at the shards with no expression. The other Skylanders looked at each other and started to speculate what happened. The dragoness looked around and felt overwhelmed, judged. She didn't say a word and disappeared underneath the ground as a shadow before dashing away.
The Undead Skylander left the Academy and exited her shadow form in front of the Undead Realm. The scared dragon entered the gloomy and vast area of the Undeads. Many think it's a part of the underworld, but it would be far too dangerous having it that close to the Skylanders' headquarters. The Undead Realm was a place the Skylanders of the respective Element use to retreat and take some time off. Cynder recognized some of her undead friends roaming around the different islands, but she was looking for a particular one. She flew to the ambits of the mysterious location and stopped in front of the last island. A purple blast of energy could be seen from far away, followed by skulls soaring through the foggy sky. Cynder dodged one which was about to hit her and dived down onto the island. The purple magic slowly vanished and revealed Hex, who was practicing some of her powerful spells. The dragon approached the witch while she was taking a break from her sorcery.
"Hex!" Cynder yelled making sure the Skylander doesn't accidentally blast her.
The sorceress turned around and saw her fellow undead companion. "Cynder, what brings you here?"
"I was hoping you'd have a moment to talk." Cynder behaved carefull. "There's something unsettling happening."
Hex responded by raising her eyebrows and seeming surprised. "Of course, there is nothing else to do anyway." She always talked without any emotions, no one could ever tell how she felt.
"Great." Cynder was reliefed.
The two Skylanders floated over the specks of land covered with bones and skulls until they reached the heart of the realm. It was a circular room built from dark bricks and deadly looking spikes. It was usually used as a gathering place for all the undeads, but also to execute different rituals, often too dangerous to perform outside of the Undead Realm.
Hex floated towards the middle of the room, which had a statue like a shrine. Cynder followed the witch and began to feel nervous about the discussion.
"What troubles you Cynder?" Hex kept her eyes on the statue.
Cynder gulped and hesitated to speak until she eventually caught herself again. "Someone's following me."
Hex kept looking at the shrine, which was giving off a mystical blue fog. "How do you conclude that?" She asked serious.
"Yesterday… I saw those eyes." Cynder was stuttering. "They just stared at me… I was petrified."
Hex didn't speak a word. She's thinking about what Cynder is telling her and waits for her to finish.
"I think Malefor is back." Cynder finally admitted with fear in her voice.
Hex clenched her fist before directing her hand at the shrine to activate it. "Let's find out." She was oppressing her anger about that revelation.
Cynder was confused at first but then stepped closer towards the glowing ornament. Meanwhile Hex waved her arms and created small bursts of magic. The sorceress then created a giant cloud of undead magic above the shrine. "Whatever it is that's haunting you, we will get it to us and confront it."
Cynder gasped in shock. "W- what!?" She felt uneasy confronting the creature that manipulated her all her life.
"If it really is Malefor, we have to get rid of him immediately, otherwise the consequences could be beyond our control." Hex was direct and showed no sign of doubt. "I will cast a spell which allows us to summon spirits and demons. You will have to focus on what you saw, no matter how terrifying."
Cynder felt overwhelmed by Hex' demands, but she's used to her uncompassionate behavior and knew that they should solve the problem as quickly as possible.
The witch started to concentrate on powering up the ornament while Cynder closed her eyes and remembered the creature. She felt the same fear, the same panic she felt back then and wanted to stop, but she knew she couldn't. The dragon focused on the dark presence she felt and the striking look she received. Hex started to struggle keeping the spell up, but the cloud started to shift its form. The eyes appeared in Cynder's mind, she saw them surrounded by darkness and tried her best to see them more clearly. Suddenly the eyes dashed towards the Skylander, who immediately opened her eyes again and tripped backwards. The cloud started to disappear and Hex stopped the spell.
"I- I'm so sorry. It surprised me I didn't want to interrupt I-" Cynder started apologizing to Hex while trying to calm down once more.
Hex approached the panicking dragoness and looked at her with no sign of sympathy. She noticed how afraid Cynder was and how distressing this situation was for her. The witch finally put her hand gently on Cynder's shoulder. "It's okay."
Cynder immediately calmed down and saw Hex in a way she never did before. "It is?"
"I see now how difficult this is for you. I'm not going to force you to do this again, I promise." Hex' voice sounded unusually soft and caring, which Cynder found surprising yet also calming.
"Thank you, Hex." The purple Skylander responded before fully calming down again
Tidepool was surfing on top of her whale companion while being chased by a dark cloud charged with lightning. The Sensei looked back at the threat and then back forward with a smirk. She commanded the marine animal to flaunt her into the air with its massive tail fin. Tidepool performed a graceful spin mid-air before charging her squid guns to shoot a giant blob of ink at the storm cloud. She managed to rid herself of the dangerous force, however she soon heard heavy pounding getting closer and closer. Instead of worrying, the confident Water Skylander spinned her guns and charged towards the nearing noise. She soon recognized a giant creature sprinting on all fours with glowing white eyes. Tidepool tossed one of her squids before kicking it into the beast's direction. Tentacles started to appear out of the ground and slap the creature. It didn't hesitate to unleash a mighty roar which sent the pesky animal flying. Tidepool's expression became tense and she began shooting her enemy. The giant being dodged her shots before charging towards the humanoid, attempting to pounce her with both claws. The Sensei quickly jumped on top of the monster and used its head to launch her higher into the air. She performed a spin attack, which caused the ink to cover the spot underneath her. The beast tried shielding itself with its arms but nevertheless took a few shots. Tidepool landed back on the ground and immediately pointed her guns at the beast. To her surprise, the monstrous creature transformed into a familiar face, Wild Storm.
"Already done? That's disappointing." The Water Sensei chuckled while teasing her fellow companion.
"I'm just getting started." Wild Storm responded in a deep tone, which was followed by a lightning strike from his sword.
Tidepool leaned backwards as the bolt passed her and did a smooth backflip to get back on her feet. The Air Sensei started another roar which created a thick trail of fog in its path. Tidepool swiftly tried escaping the fog but was caught by Wild Storm holding the blade of his sword to her neck.
"I win." The Knight exclaimed proudly and withdrew his weapon.
Tidepool brushed some dirt off her armor and looked at him without seeming impressed. "This time you win. Next time I will show you what my guns are capable of."
The two Senseis both laughed and proceeded to leave the training area they were in. The two have been good friends for a while now and regularly trained together. They're friends, but Tidepool started to develop a desire for more than a friendship.
"So, do you have anything planned for the week?" The Water Skylander asked a short and casual question in hopes Wild Storm wouldn't decline it.
"I don't think so." The Air Skylander thought for a second. "Did you want to do something?"
"Oh I just thought we could do a little journey outside of the Academy." Tidepool felt like that sentence was too awkward and obvious. "To make sure there's no trouble." She finally added.
"Sure." Wild Storm seemed pleased with the idea. "How about we meet by the air balloons in two days, at sunset?"
Tidepool nodded with a smile and the Skylanders parted their ways. The Quickshot couldn't explain it to herself, but she undoubtedly felt attracted to the warrior, even if it was just one-sided.