Episode 18: Undead Power
-Beach, The Ruined Citadel, Skylands-
Cynder was pacing up and down before facing the three Undead Skylanders. Chop Chop, Hex, and Ghost Roaster. Tyson and Belle were watching together with T-Bone, who still had his head placed on the Skeleton Key.
Cynder: Alright, listen up! Our mission is to get the Eternal Undead Source! Kaos should be after it by now, so you three must have already been told of the shadow replicas Kaos creates, as well as using the Eternal Source to his advantage.
Hex nodded at her.
Hex: Kaos may have found a way to make copies of us with our powers, but they're not 100% perfect. The reason they were to overpower our allies was because our magic power and strength has been diminished.
Chop Chop: Fortunately, our powers are nearly back to normal, thanks to all that training Cali gave us, as well as Persephone restoring our magic powers.
He raised his Arkeyan Blade, which glowed in purple Vampiric Aura.
Ghost Roaster: Well I can't wait to finally go out on a mission! I've been on the sidelines for too long!
Cynder saw that they were ready.
Cynder: Well, looks like we're ready.
He turned to T-Bone and the kids.
T-Bone: Okay, top floor - ladies lingerie, house wares, Land of the Living.
It was then that Hugo came, and he took notice of T-Bone's head on the Skeleton Key.
Hugo: ACK! Good gracious! What's your head doing attached to that key?
T-Bone: Well uh heh heh. It IS a "skeleton" key. Buh-duh-duh.
T-Bone danced at his joke, to Hugo's annoyance.
T-Bone: Anyway, with that all outta the way, we can leave for the Creepy Citadel anytime you're ready. What do you think?
Hugo turned to Tyson and Belle.
Hugo: You kids okay to go back down there?
Tyson: Sure! We're all rested after our encounters with the Robbies.
Belle: So we're going to go to the Underworld one more time!
T-Bone was glad to hear it.
T-Bone: Now you're talking! We should have our bony hands on the Eternal Undead Source in no time. Well, my bony hands anyway, cuz you know… Skeleton. Yeah.
T-Bone put his head back in his place as he pushed open the doors to the Underworld. Everybody entered as Hugo watched.
Hugo: Good luck down there!
The doors closed in front of him.
-Creepy Citadel, Underworld-
Tyson, Belle, and the Skylanders descended to the Underworld once again, following T-Bone(who attached his head back to the Skeleton Key) as they traveled down the spiral spinal cord until they reached their destination.
Cynder: We're here… The gate to the Creepy Citadel.
Everyone stood in front of the gate, which had a large gray Dragonhead on the gate's wall with glowing red eyes.
Tyson: Even if it's just a statue, it's still creepy…
T-Bone now stood near a large keyhole besides the gate as he addressed the Skylanders.
T-Bone: Welp, there's the Creepy Citadel where the Eternal Undead Source rests in peace.
Tyson and Belle looked confused while Cynder facepalmed in annoyance, Ghost Roaster shook his head with his arms crossed, and Hex and Chop-Chop didn't react much at T-Bone's bad joke.
T-Bone: Heh-heh. Okay, lemme see if I remember…
He began explaining what he knows of the path ahead of them.
T-Bone: First you'll enter the Castle through the Main Gate. Then…
Behind the big gate, far up ahead, was the Castle with a huge terrifying gray Dragon head statue with glowing red eyes above the Main Gate.
T-Bone: After you fight your way through the Castle, you'll go to that Gateway over there.
Behind the Castle's Main Gates was a long corridor that leads to different rooms
T-Bone: Then - if you play your cards right you'll find the Eternal Undead Source. HA! Easy!
At an exit that leads outside the Caste is a teleportation Gateway that will lead them to the Eternal Undead Source.
T-Bone: Oh, here, let me get the gate.
T-Bone inserted the Skeleton Key on the keyhole and turned it around. A loud click was heard and the gate sank on the floor, showing the path to the Creepy Citadel.
Cynder: Alright, it's gonna be tricky traversing the Castle because of its many traps. We may even get separated, so be on your guard at all times in case it happens.
The 2 kids and the 3 Undead Skylanders nodded at her, ready to tackle the Creepy Citadel.
T-Bone: And don't worry, I'll be right behind you. -And by that I mean right here. Hahahhhhahha. Good luck!
The Skeleton turned around, and saw that the Skylanders were already gone, leaving him talking alone.
T-Bone: … Really…?
-Main Gate, Creepy Citadel, Underworld-
The Skylanders arrived at the Main Gate, where 6 rows of black Knight's armor stood in a line on the side-front of the door. And above it is an even larger gray Dragon head statue with glowing red eyes, which the kids noticed.
Tyson: Why did they put Dragon heads instead of skulls?
Cynder gained a deadpanned look at those words.
Cynder: Trust me. I wish I knew.
They now approached the red gate as Hex turned to them.
Hex: Is everybody ready?
Everyone nodded at her, so Hex and Chop Chop opened the red doors.
Everyone entered while keeping their guard up. However, no one noticed the black knights slowly turning their heads towards them, before the door closed.
-Main Hall, Creepy Citadel, Underworld-
The Skylanders entered a dark gray hall. Up in the distance, they could see another red door.
Tyson: Well, this looks easy.
But just as Tyson made the first step, the tile his foot stood on lowered down with a click, and then blades swung around, some came out of the walls and nearly touched one another in a chomping fashion, and some of the floor started to spin.
Tyson facepalmed at what he just did, but that didn't deter the Skylanders… or Belle.
Cynder: This wouldn't stop us.
She picked Tyson and tossed him over to her back, before turning to Belle.
Cynder: And Belle…
Belle: Don't worry. Believe it or not, my Mom trained me in a course similar to this, without the sharp blades of course.
Tyson: Really?!
All the Skylanders got ready, and so was Belle.
Belle then ran and the Skylanders followed behind. She stopped on a spinning floor, right when a blade jutted out of the wall straight at the spot Belle once stood. She jumped and continued on.
Next were the blades that were swinging like a pendulum. She gracefully dodged all the blades and then jumped above another pair of blades coming out of the wall.
Spears then came out off the ground and Belle ran away from them before they could reach her.
The girl took a breather as all the Skylanders reached her. Tyson looked at her in awe.
Tyson: I said it before, and I'll say it again, is there nothing you can't do?
Belle gave Tyson a smile.
Cynder: Alright. Now, be sure not to spring anymore traps, understood?
Just as Cynder landed, a tile floor sank as she sprung a trap.
Cynder: You've got to be kidding me…
Suddenly, a trap door opened underneath them, and they all fell screaming, not even Cynder had time to fly up.
Everyone: AAAAHH!
The Skylanders vanished in the black abyss, and the trap door closed back.
-The Grand Ballroom, Creepy Citadel, Underworld-
Tyson: Waaaa!
A hidden door opened underneath the floor and Tyson was expelled in the air before falling face first on the floor.
Tyson: Oww… How was I thrown in the air while I was falling?
Belle then came next, and landed on Tyson's back.
Tyson: Urk…
The hidden door closed up, leaving Tyson and Belle the only ones who came out. Belle checked on Tyson as she was still sitting on him.
Belle: Are you alright, Tyson?
Tyson: Yeah… Are we in some sort of Ballroom?
Belle: Looks like it.
They looked around and indeed they were in a Ballroom, which has only 2 red doors on the sides of the room. And 2 stairs that go up and both connected to another level that's above the door, which also has another door there. There's also a few black armors here.
Belle: Like Cynder said, we got separated.
-Box Goblin Swamp, Creepy Citadel, Underworld-
Hex and Chop Chop were outside as they ended in some sort of swamp, where they are in a maze made of box-like Cactuses with grinning faces.
-The Gallery, Creepy Citadel, Underworld-
Cynder and Ghost Roaster in a hallway with different artworks in the walls and a few black armor Knights.
Cynder: Well, even though I already knew this would happen, it's still annoying.
Ghost Roaster: We may still be in trouble, Cynder.
Ghost Roaster looks around the black armor Knights, while Cynder is confused.
Cynder: Why do you say that?
Ghost Roaster: From everything that I've learned during my time in the Underworld, these sets of armor may actually be…
Suddenly, all the heads of the Knights turned towards them, before coming out of their pedestals with black broadswords in hand.
Ghost Roaster: Yep. Shadow Knights. Haunted set of armors.
Both Cynder and Ghost Roaster got ready for the fight.
-The Grand Ballroom, Creepy Citadel, Underworld-
Back with Tyson and Belle, they got up as they explored the Ballroom.
Belle: We better be careful. We don't know what other surprises this place has.
Tyson: Yeah, and that's what worries me. There may even be one in front of us and we might not even notice it.
Belle: Come on, Tyson, you don't have to be that para…
CLANK
The two then stopped at the clanking sound. Belle looked around the black armors, wondering if something fell from it, until she noticed an armor that's not in its position with the others as it stood a little distant from the others.
Belle: ?
Before Belle could start wondering, the black armor's head suddenly turned to her, surprising the girl. The Shadow Knight then started approaching her with its sword in hand.
Belle had nothing to defend herself with against that weapon, until Tyson suddenly came with a shield and stood in front of the Shadow Knight's path.
Tyson: Hey! If you want to get her, you have to get through me first!
Belle: Tyson?!
Belle was taken agap by Tyson suddenly trying to save her. The Shadow Knight then swung its sword and Tyson blocked it with his shield. But the force of the impact was so strong it sendt Tyson flying until he landed and skidded on the floor. The Shadow Knight then turned its attention back to Belle, only to realize she wasn't there anymore.
Belle: Hey!
The Shadow Knight turned around and saw Belle charging at him with a spear in hand.
Belle: You'll pay for that!
The girl became upset at seeing Tyson being knocked away like that. The Shadow Knight swung its sword down, but Belle managed to block it with her spear.
Tyson got up as he saw Belle fighting the Shadow Knight by parrying its attacks. She dodged another swipe of the sword by ducking and hitting the Shadow Knight's face with the spear before kicking it back. Tyson looked in awe at Belle handling the enemy on her own.
Tyson: (I didn't think Belle was this strong. I won't ever be able to reach her!)
The Shadow Knight then trusted with its sword, but Belle jumped and used it as a stepping stone to then kick the Knight's helmet off. The helmet landed away from them as Belle landed back on the floor only to see to her and Tyson's surprise a headless armor now.
Tyson: The armor's empty?!
Belle: I should have expected it since this place is the Underworld after all.
The kow headless Knight started attacking with its sword again. Belle tried to block it again with her spear, but the sword cut the spear in half.
Belle: Whoa!
Surprised that the spear got cut, Belle ran back with two staffs in hand as the Shadow Knight followed her.
Tyson: Belle!
Tyson was frustrated that can't help Belle as she stopped near the staircase and faced the Shadow Knight again. She ducked another sword swipe as they began their fight while climbing the staircase. Tyson watched worriedly as Belle nearly dodged the sword again by a hair, then suddenly did a split to duck another slash. The Shadow Knight kept trying to hit her with its sword, but hopped back during each attack until she dodged the fourth one. Before the Shadow Knight knew it, Belle kicked the sword of its hand and it fell with a stab on the main floor.
The headless Knight "looked" down at its sword. Belle used the opportunity to hop on the distracted Knight and then slid down on the stairs railing while still standing before reaching the end and hopped off with a graceful landing.
Belle went to pick up the sword, only to see the sword start floating in the air, doing a few slashes before facing Belle.
Belle: You've got to be kidding me…
The sword then started to attack and Belle resumed her fight, now against just the sword while the Shadow Knight was descending from the stairs. Tyson clenched his fists as he saw that Belle was now getting tired.
Tyson: (Belle wouldn't hold out for long. There must be something I can do but what!?)
Frantically looking around, Tyson then noticed a lever that seemed to be connected to a chain that's going up. When he looked up, Tyson then had an idea.
Tyson: Belle! Bring the Knight to the center, quickly!
Belle: The center?
Belle then recalled how the Ballroom looked liked and now realized what Tyson was planning.
Belle: Okay, got it!
Belle then started moving back as she continued to parry the sword while the Shadow Knight got closer. Once she is in the center, the headless Shadow King then grabbed back its sword and sliced through the two staff again, to Belle's surprise. The Knight slashed again, making the staff shorter. Another slash the staff further that now Belle had nothing to defend herself as the Shadow Knight raised its sword to finally strike her. But then, Tyson pulled down the lever, and this caused the hanging chandelier to start falling down.
Tyson: Now, Belle!
Belle dodged the downwards slash of the sword and ran away, just in time to see the chandelier crashing down on the Shadow Knight.
Tyson went to Belle and saw the armored parts of the Shadow Knight scattered around. Defeated.
They both let out a sigh of relief, until Belle punched Tyson's arm.
Tyson: Ow!
Belle: You and I will have a chat once we head back to Skylands.
Tyson chuckled nervously since his action to protect Belle was kinda reckless. Suddenly, all the armored Knights moved, revealing themselves to be Shadow Knights as well, and started heading for Tyson and Belle.
Tyson: Not good.
Belle looked at what once her staff and knew they were in a bad situation, until the door above them burst open.
?: Time to feast!
Jumping out of the balcony where the door stood and landing in the middle of them with the chain ball breaking the tile floor was Ghost Roaster.
Tyson: Ghost Roaster!
Cynder then flew down and landed besides the chained Ghoul.
Belle: Cynder!
Cynder: Glad we were able to find you kids.
The Shadow Knights began attacking the newcomers. Cynder turned to her Shadow form and phased through them.
One Shadow Knight followed by others tried to slash Ghost Roaster, but the Ghoul used his Ectoplasm Mode, turning green and transparent as the sword phased through him. He then attacked with his Pain Chain, changing his morningstar into a sharp spear, hitting all of them one by one until one is left, which he unleashed his Skull Charge on it. He transformed into a big glowing green head who then bit on the Shadow Knight and shook it around.
Cynder was flying in the air in her Shadow form using Shadow Reach, phasing through the Shadow Knights. Her restored power created more powerful Shadow Clones of herself that proceeded to attack them and the Shadow Knights fell on the floor.
Tyson: They beat them all!
Suddenly, the front doors opened, and more Shadow Knights entered the Ballroom.
Belle: And there's more of them…
Ghost Roaster and Cynder regrouped to face the horde of Shadow Knights, until the door behind Belle and Tyson opened.
Hex: Looks like we've got here in time.
Hex and Chop Chop entered the room with a magic orb in hand and sword and shield ready.
Tyson: Hex and Chop Chop!
Chop Chop: Let's Slice and Dice!
Chop Chop charged in and hit his sword down, creating Bone Brambles that went and hit the Shadow Knights and scattered some of them.
Hex began attacking the scattered Knights with her Long distance Phantom Orbs, two at the same time.
Ghost Roaster unleashed his Phase Shift Burst, activating his Ectoplasm Mode as he phased through the Shadow Knights, dealing shocking phantasmal damage as the Knights fell.
Cynder then unleashed her Shadow Clones, restraining the remaining Shadow Knight before unleashing her Black Lightning, hitting the Shadow Knights but also her Shadow Clones, releasing Unstable Forces and causing an explosion, sending the pieces of the Shadow Knights flying everywhere.
Cynder landed back in her normal form as Belle and Tyson came to her and the rest of the Skylanders.
Belle: You guys sure have gotten stronger! I had trouble dealing with just one using a spear.
Ghost Roaster then suddenly stumbled, fortunately, Chop Chop caught him in time as he let the Ghoul lean on him.
Chop Chop: Easy there.
Ghost Roaster: Wew! Going Ectoplasm Mode is quite draining, although my body doesn't remember being accustomed to it yet.
Hex: You should take it easy. In the meantime we must keep moving.
Cynder: Agreed. Let's go, guys!
Everyone started to head towards the door where the Shadow Knights came through.
Tyson: By the way, where did you guys end up?
Hex: Trust me. You don't want to know where we ended up, it will be too creepy for you kids.
-The Undead Gateway, Creepy Citadel, Underworld-
The Skylanders and the kids opened up another big door and came outside, where they stood on a large balcony. Something then caught their eye.
Cynder: Is that it?
Hex: Yes.
In the center of the balcony stood a warp panel, which is releasing energy rings in the air.
Hex: That warp panel will transport us to where the Eternal Undead Source is.
Cynder then addressed everyone.
Cynder: Okay, we don't know if Kaos will get his hands on this Eternal Source and use it against us, so you best be ready for whatever's coming, understood?
Everyone nodded at her as they understood.
Cynder: Alright… Let's go!
With that, the kids and the Skylanders stepped on the warp panel one by one and they were teleported to where the Eternal Undead Source is resting.
-Unknown Location, Underworld-
The kids and the Skylanders opened their eyes as they looked where they ended up.
They seemed to be in an eerie arena with a roof made of bones. The sharp bones hanging around the edge of the ceiling as as the ones standing on the edge of the arena makes it look as if the Skylanders are in the jaws of a beast.
Cynder: Not a bad taste.
Tyson: Okay, so where is the Eternal Undead Source?
Belle: Um… guys?
Belle pointed up and everyone saw the Eternal Source they've been looking for… was being held in an electric cage generated from familiar machines.
Tyson: Don't tell me…
As if onque, the floating head of the evil Portal Master appeared before them.
Kaos: Well well well! I guess you thought you were just going to walk in here and take the Eternal Undead Source -eh? EH? WELL YOU THOUGHT WRONG! HAHAHAHA!
The Skylanders were starting to get annoyed with Kaos' taunts now.
Kaos: NOW - you're going to pay for meddling in my plans! MINIONS!
Using his evil Magic, Kaos summoned Clones of the Undead Skylanders.
Evil Imp Minion, the shadow Ghost Roaster.
Evil Knight Minion, the shadow of Chop Chop.
Evil Witch Minion, the shadow of Hex.
And Evil Undead Dragon, the shadow of Cynder.
The Skylanders stood ready to take on their clones and they both charged at their respective copies.
Cynder clashed with her Evil Undead Dragon clone in the air. They both unleashed their Shadow Clones and attacked all of them in a flurry barrage, leaving only two left. The Evil Undead Dragon grappled with her real counterpart, who was still in shadow form. But then another shadow clone appeared behind the evil clone, who then revealed to be the real Cynder as she fired her Black Lightning, hitting her shadow and the evil clone, causing a Death Bound reaction on her shadow that exploded and engulfed the clone.
Ghost Roaster's Pain Chain Whip collided with the Evil Imp Minion. The Evil Imp Minion then activated his own Ectoplasm Mode and then went to attack Ghost Roaster, only for the Ghoul to turn into a giant and glowing spectral head. It was too late for his evil clone to stop as Ghost Roaster bit on him, and then started shaking him around like a ragdoll.
With Chop Chop and the Evil Knight Minion, the Arkeyan is blocking his clone's sword attacks with his shield. With each strike, the shield started to glow purple. Before the Evil Knight Minion went to strike again, a powerful purple blast came out of the shield as Chop Chop blasted his clone with an Arkeyan Spectral Shield.
With Hex, she was blocking Evil Witch Minion Phantom Orbs with her Bone Fortress, which now has sharp spikes on the bones. Hex then unleashed her Storm of Skulls, but the Evil Witch Minion dodged all of them. However, when the attack ended, the evil clone saw that she was surrounded by multiple Phantom Orbs. While Hex blocked her clone's attacks and countered with her Storm of Skulls, she was building up Magic for this. With a smirk, Hex let it rain all the Phantom Orbs on the Evil Witch Minion.
The Evil Witch Minion landed hard on the floor, along with the other evil clones, much to Kaos disbelief.
Kaos: Oh come on?! Really?! Really?!
Cynder: Give it up, Kaos! These clones may use our powers, but they don't have our smarts and experience!
Kaos became angry at that as he pulled the Eternal Undead Source to him, planning to use its powers.
Kaos: FINE! I didn't want to do this. SCRATCH THAT! I TOTALLY WANT TO DO THIS! NOW - I SUMMON MY ULTIMATE EVIL UNDEAD SPELL OF COMPLETE AND UTTER DESTRUCTION!
Chanelling the power of the Eternal Undead Source, white energy streams appeared everywere in the air. Some hit the kids and the Skylanders, but it didn't do anything to them, to their confusion. However, Hex seemed to recognize this.
Hex: Oh no. Everyone! To the center! NOW!
Now arguing with her, everyone went with Hex to the center of the arena, right when the streams started to hum and turned red, and they slowly started closing on them, and they nowhere to go, not even in the air. Kaos laughed maniacally at having the Skylanders cornered.
Kaos: HAHAHAHAHAHAAA! I finally got where I want you, Skylanders and Portal Posers! Now I'm going to turn you into MINCE CHEESE! (Laughs mianacally)...!
The Skylanders couldn't do nothing as the red energy streams are getting closer with no way out of this. However, Hex started summoning Magic in her hands and brought them together. The red energy streams then started to be absorbed in Hex's hands. Kaos stopped laughing when he noticed this.
Kaos: Huh?
Hex gathered all the energy that formed into a sphere before she discharged it, letting out a wave that destroyed Kaos' evil clones. The Dark Portal Master was shocked at what just happened.
Kaos: IMPOSSIBLE!
Hex: You may he a Portal Master, but nobody knows more about Undead Magic than me!
Cynder: Time for you to hand over the Undead Source, Kaos!
Kaos has no choice but comply.
Kaos: ARGH! FINE! Take the Eternal Undead Source! But I promise you - SOON! You WILL regret this!
With that, Kaos vanished, and the machines let go of the Eternal Undead Source as it descended on the arena. Inside the oval sphere was a Skull Mask that's oddly the same as Mortalannis.
Tyson: I have some questions about the mask now.
Hex: Later. Right now we need to bring the Eternal Source to the Core of light!
Saying that, Hex went to grab the Eternal Undead Source.
-Core of Light, The Ruined Citadel, Skylands-
The sky of Skylands has grown darker and now has an eerie tint of red in the clouds. The Skylanders hurried to the Core of Light with the Eternal Undead Source. Master Eon then appeared as he alerted the Skylanders of Skylands current predicament.
Master Eon: Skylands is growing darker, young Portal Masters. But now you bring the Eternal Undead Source! Add its power to the Core of Light.
The Eternal Undead Source entered the darkness inside the Core of Light. Coming out of the darkness were ghostly shadows with glowing purple eyes and jagged mouths. They surrounded the Core of Light until they turned into an eerie purple fog around it.
Suddenly, everyone notices that all the Ghosts are heading through the door to the Underworld, going back home.
Spyro: Well, that solves our Ghost problems.
Hugo: Yeah. Now we can finally get a decent sleep now.
Spyro, however, has to disagree with him.
Spyro: Hugo, the Sun may not be showing, but I know that it's morning now, so we can't go back to sleep.
T-Bone tapped on Spyro's shoulders, getting the Purple Dragon's attention.
T-Bone: What about the kids?
Spyro now noticed the absence of the kids and saw them all sleeping on a tree. Diego and Sky were sleeping on the laps of their respective siblings, and Tyson and Belle were sleeping close to each other with Tyson's head resting on Belle's shoulders.
Spyro: Well, the kids deserve a nap after going through all these hauntings.
T-Bone: And them too?
Wondering what he meant, Spyro then noticed that everyone fell asleep.
Hugo was using his book as a pillow, and another to cover his eyes. Persephone was happily sleeping while still floating in the air. Flynn was snoring on his resting chair, and Cali was sleeping on a tree branch. Several of the Skylanders were also sleeping on the ground or any place that is comfortable.
Spyro couldn't believe what he's seeing.
Spyro: Guys, really?! Cynder, help me with…
Spyro now notices that Cynder also fell asleep close to him.
T-Bone: Guess you're the only one who's awake.
Seeing Cynder's relaxed face and then at everybody's sleeping form, Spyro just shrugged and went to sleep close to Cynder.
T-Bone: As a Skeleton, I don't need to sleep. But that doesn't mean I can't take a rest.
With that, T-Bone joined everybody as he rested on the floor with his hands behind his head.
T-Bone: Ah…
In another part of the Ruined Citadel, there were some Train-tracks that went all the way down to the Beach.
Suddenly, light started gathering at the start of the tracks until it dispersed and revealed a black and gold old Locomotive.
Locomotive whistle: CHOO! CHOO!