Here is an original chapter for the story. I will be skipping the episode: Once Upon a Swap as I don't want my characters to get involve with the plot in that episode. In fact, this chapter will take place during said episode. Anyway, here we go.
Secret of the Temple
Max and Shartok are seen walking through a forest. With Luz, King, and Eda out at Bonesborough selling human stuff, Max and Shartok decides to go out in the forest that is near Bonesborough to do some training.
"Tell me again why we are going out here to train?" asked Shartok
"I just thought I can use some more space for my training. A new way to test the limits of my powers." Max replied. "Plus I can also use the trees to my advantage and to really work out"
"Well if you say so" Shartok replied
"Okay. Let's do this" Max said as he got ready to work out
Max then begins his training by running through the forest with Shartok flying behind him. He then begins to climb up the tree and begins to hop from branch to branch swinging on some as he does that. If one of the branch is about to break, Max quickly hopped to another branch.
"Wow. How did you do that?" Shartok asked
"Let's just say that I've been climbing on trees during my free time back home. I learn those tricks whenever some branch breaks" Max replied
He then jumps down and activates his electric form. Surging with power, Max slams down on the ground creating an electrical wave. Some of the creatures nearby were force to flee from it.
"Heh heh. I am sure getting better at this" Max said as he powers down
"You sure are, buddy" Shartok said as he flew onto his friend's shoulder.
Max then activates his fire form and begins to perform several moves that he saw from the book back in the library. He then begins to shoot some fireballs at some rocks and some trees. Seeing some fire on the trees, Max begins to focus as he begins to absorb the fire.
"Wow. You can absorb fire too" Shartok said in amazement
"I guess I can, buddy" Max replied
He then forms two fireballs and begins to throw them randomly. One hits some leaves and the other hit a nearby torch at some kind of temple with some red markings. Max and Shartok then felt a rumble as they saw the door to temple open.
"Whoa! What is that?" asked Max in surprise
"Must be some kind of temple." Shartok said "Judging by it's appearance, it's seems to be around for centuries"
"Yeah. Let's see what's in there" Max said as he walks over as Shartok flew onto his shoulder
"Are you sure we should go in? It could be dangerous" the bat said cautiously
"I know that, buddy. But maybe there could be something useful for me in there" Max said as they go inside
Having the made their way inside the temple, Max and Shartok begins to walk through hallways of the temple. They then came across a big hole with floating platforms.
"That's a long drop from here" Shartok said as he looks down
"But at least they have these floating platforms for us to get across" Max said as he hops on each of them when they got close. Max had to make sure to maintain balance to avoid falling off.
Once they got over the pit. The duo continue onward until they see another platform. They get on it and it goes down. Hopping off, Max and Shartok both see that they are in an underground floor.
"This must be the basement" Shartok said
"Yeah. Let's see what else this temple has" Max replied as they continue onward and then went down a lane. They see some holes shooting out fire.
"Booby traps?" asked Max
"I guess this temple has some security to keep intruders away" Shartok guessed
"These can provide a challenge" Max replied
He then goes into his pyro form and ran towards the trap. When the fire shoots out at him, he was unaffected much to Max's relief. He and his friend continue down the path that leads him further down into the temple. The duo then sees another booby trap which involves a few large wooden pillars pounding on the ground.
"Another trap. And this one looks like it can flatten you like a pancake" Shartok said
"I'm gonna need to time this right" Max replied
The boy, with his companion still holding on to his shoulder ran up and when one of the pillars smashes down making them stop. When it goes back up, Max runs ahead. Three more pillars fell fell down, but Max was able to do the same thing by stopping when one hits and then running ahead when it lifts up. He even did a forward roll on the last pillar. Having made through them, they then encounter another booby trap with some metal hammers pounding on the wall. Knowing that this the same as the last booby trap, Max and Shartok look at each other and nod their heads. Doing the same thing that he did in the last trap, Max waited for the right moment and was able to get pass the traps when they stopped pounding on the wall. After getting past those traps, the duo notices another platform and hops onto it. The platform then took them to another part of the temple which is further down.
After getting off the platform, Max and Shartok continue to walk through into another part of the temple.
"Are we at the end yet?" asked Shartok
"In all honesty, Shartok. I'm not really sure" Max replied
They then saw another room and inside they saw a wall with holes in them. Shartok flew off Max's shoulder and lands on the ground. He begins to test it to see it was safe. But just as he took a few steps, some spikes flew out from wall causing the one-eyed bat to recoil. Shartok then flew back onto Max's shoulder.
"Definitely another trap." Shartok said "How do you suppose we get through that?"
Max looked around until he notices a large shield on a wall. He then takes it
"We'll use this" he said as he places it over his arm
"Good thinking, Max. I'll just go behind you for protection also" Shartok replied as he moved behind Max and clings to his back
Max then proceeds to runs forward. As he does that, the spikes shot out of the wall on the left. Luckily, Max was able to block them with the shield while Shartok tried his best to hang on. As they got pass the trap, they see the exit up ahead. But unfortunately they the door slowly slid down.
"Oh no! We're gonna get sealed in!" Shartok shouted as he got back on Max's shoulder
"Not if we pick up the pace!" Max yelled as he begins to run very fast.
Just as the door was nearly closed. Max slid on the ground to get to the other side. Shartok fell off, but Max quickly pulled him in before the door completely closes. The duo then sighed in relief.
"Phew. We made it" Max said as he discards his shield
"Yeah. If we stuck around too long, we would've been trapped for sure" Shartok said as he lied on the ground exhausted.
After taking a few minutes to rest, Max and Shartok made their way through another hall and spots another room.
"I sure hope that room doesn't have any more traps" Shartok said nervously
"Let's hope not" Max added
They went inside the room. The duo see that the room is full of lava, but there is a walkway with a stone holding a red sword
"What is that?" Shartok asked
"It must be the artifact of this temple" replied Max
Max and Shartok made their way over to the platform and looks at the sword
"Hmmm" Max hummed
He then grabs the sword and pulls it out. The sword's blade then begins to ignite in flames much to their surprise
"Whoa" Max said
"Wow. It must be some kind of fire sword" Shartok said
Just then, a booming voice was heard
"Who dares remove the Sword of Pyro!?"
Max and Shartok both jumped at the voice. They turn to see it was coming from a glowing red statue that was next to the stone
"Um. Max. Max Corven" Max replied
"And Shartok the bat" Shartok added
"Me and my friend were curious about this temple so we went inside and gotten past the traps here. And we also found this sword in the stone. If you're mad at us for taking it, I can just put it back" Max said
"No. You have braved the Temple of Fire's gauntlet. Only those who have the skills to get past the traps is worthy of possessing the Sword of Pyro. You may keep it." the statue said
"Oh. Heh. Thank you" Max said
"Yeah. What he said" Shartok added
"So, how do we get out of here?" Max asked
"I will provide you a transport to help you. Go forth and carry on with your quest" the statue replied as a floating platform emerged from the lava.
Max and Shartok smiled at this. They then leaped onto the platform and it floats up. It wasn't long until the platform took the duo back to the beginning of the temple where the other floating platforms are. The duo got off and walked out of the temple
"I sure am glad were out of there" Shartok said "I was getting a little cooked in that room"
"Yeah. But at least I got myself a weapon" Max said as he looks at the Sword of Pyro
"So. Back to the Owl House?" Shartok asked
"Yep" Max replied
Max and Shartok then went back to the Owl House. Max opened the door to see Luz, King, and Eda resting on the couch
"Hey everyone. We're back" Max said
"Did ya miss us?" Shartok asked
"Hey guys" Luz greeted
"So. Are you guys all finished with that training in the forest?" Eda asked
"Yep. Let me tell ya. It was pretty crazy back there. Also I got this sword" Max said as he took out the Pyro sword
Luz, King, and Eda gasped in surprised
"Where did you get that?!" Eda asked in surprise
"Let's just say that me and Max discovered a temple in the forest" Shartok said
"Not only that, but we had to brave some traps that were set there. I sure was lucky that I used my pyro form to help with that" Max added
"Wow" King said in awe
"It looks like you two had one eventful day" Luz said
"Heh. Thanks" Max said "So what happened to you guys?"
"Let's just say that we swapped bodies for the day" King replied
"Wait you guys switch bodies?" Max asked in surprise
"That's freaky" Shartok replied
"Tell us everything" Max said
"Get comfortable you two. It's a very long story" Luz said
And so, Luz, Eda, and King began to tell the story of how they swapped bodies to Max and Shartok.
And there you have it. An original chapter for this story. Sorry if it took so long. Anyway, Max now has a new weapon to help on his adventure. The statue in the Fire temple is voiced by Michael Gollom who also did the voice of the Oracle from the Jak and Daxter video game franchise. I hope you enjoy it.