by Onk Beakman
“There’s something else that doesn’t make sense,” cut in Zook, eager to change the conversation. “I heard of Hurrikazam on my travels. Everyone said he was a nice guy, one of the best. Wouldn’t hurt a fly.”
“His lightning didn’t feel so kind to me,” remembered Cynder.
“Exactly. So what changed, eh? Why start blackmailing an entire island?”
“I don’t know,” said Cynder, glancing nervously at Hex, who was staring off into the distance, lost in her own thoughts. “But I know how to find out.”
Chapter Ten
The Plan
“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Mayor Morbo asked the Skylanders the following day.
“Nope.” Zook smiled. “That’s why it’s fun.”
“But you could be putting yourself in terrible danger.”
Zook nodded eagerly. “More fun. This is a good day!”
Zook grinned even when he was in grave peril. In fact, the bigger the risk, the more he beamed. It was infectious, and Cynder couldn’t help but crack a little smile of her own.
“It’s nearly time,” Cynder said, forcing herself to focus on the matter at hand. The last thing she needed was to be seen walking around with a silly smirk on her face. She had a reputation to protect. “Are you sure they’ll come?”
“They gave me their word,” said Morbo, checking his watch. “They’ll be here.”
As if they’d heard him, a rustling came from the jagged thornbushes that lined the town square. One by one, three hideous Gargantulas stalked toward the Skylanders.
“Aha! Here they are,” declared the Night Mayor, floating forward to address the gigantic six-legged spiders. “Now, remember what we agreed. No biting our guests. Not even a nibble. They’re here to help us. Do you understand?”
The Gargantulas nodded, chittering ominously, before turning toward the Skylanders.
“Okay, who’s going first?” asked Morbo expectantly.
“Me, me, me!” exploded Zook, jumping up and down on the spot, his arm waving in the air. “Choose me! Choose me! Choose me!”
“Hex first,” said Cynder, unable to resist. (Not that the kickback seemed to worry Zook in the slightest. If anything, it only made him even more eager.)
Hex, on the other hand, said nothing. In fact, she’d hardly spoken since they’d met Rib Cage. She swept forward and turned her back onto the first Gargantula. The monster reared up on its hind legs behind Hex as another spider scuttled around to face her.
Hex didn’t even flinch as the spider shot a stream of sticky webbing straight at her. It pushed her back against the hairy belly of the waiting Gargantula and held her fast. The spider twisted its head, spewing more webs. Seconds later, Hex couldn’t move. She was stuck to the Gargantula’s stomach like glue.
“Okay, let’s see what it looks like,” ordered Cynder. The Gargantula dropped back to four feet, Hex beneath its body.
“Can you see me?” Hex asked from beneath the spider.
Cynder smiled. “Not at all. The plan is going to work.”
“My turn, my turn!” yelled Zook, nipping past the dragon and placing himself in front of the next Gargantula. Cynder sighed.
“Okay, if you must.”
A few squirts of webbing later, and Zook was secreted beneath the Gargantula’s body.
“Heh-heh-heh. You gotta try this,” came his muffled voice from beneath the spider. “The hairs tickle like crazy. It’s brilliant.”
The final spider crept toward Cynder, multiple eyes flashing with anticipation.
“Okay, okay, I know. Me next. Just don’t get hungry. If those jaws come anywhere near me, it’ll be scorched spider, sister.”
Cynder was attached to her Gargantula just in time. From her hiding place, she heard the clock strike thirteen, and light blazed all around.
Hurrikazam had arrived.
The Gargantulas immediately scuttled into place at the end of the procession of pies, grabbing the dishes in their jaws.
“Citizens of the Isle of the Undead,” the Weather Wizard bellowed from high in the sky. “The Mighty Hurrikazam demands your tribute. Show me the pies!”
“That’s our cue,” shouted Zook from beneath his spider. “Let’s go get him.”
Shhh, hissed Cynder. “We don’t want him to know we’re here.”
And then they were moving; the ghost, ghouls and Gargantulas trudging forward obediently, each carrying one of Batterson’s tasty pies.
“Mmmmmmm,” they heard Hurrikazam say. “They smell even better today. Bring them to MEEEEEE!”
A trembling Morbo watched as the Weather Wizard opened up his vortex and dispatched his tornadoes to collect both pies and pie-bearers. They whirled down, grabbing the first ghosts and zipping them back up to the cloud.
Cynder heard the shriek of the ghouls that had already been taken. Then she heard Zook calling happily. “He’s taken Hex’s spider,” the Bambazooker babbled. “She’s on her way. Me next. Bamboo-yaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!”
Zook’s cry was lost in the sound of the micro-twister whisking him away. Cynder could feel her Gargantula host trembling in fear and, for a moment, thought the huge spider was going to scuttle off and hide. But then she heard the sound of a tornado roaring toward them and—before she knew what was happening—they were dragged up into the air.
“This is no way to travel,” she yelled as they shot upward, spinning around and around and around and around. As she spun, Cynder spotted Morbo raising his top hat in farewell, and, for a split second, she wondered if she’d see him again. Or anything else for that matter.
Chapter Eleven
Into the Cloud
“Getting giiiiiiiiddy,” Cynder groaned as her whirlwind plunged into Hurrikazam’s vortex and spun through what appeared to be a long, winding corridor. She tried to look around, to see where they were being dragged, but it was hopeless. Colors blurred together as they spun and Cynder couldn’t tell which way was forward or back, up or down. All she knew for sure was that it felt like they had been traveling for miles.
Then, as suddenly as their dizzying journey began, it came crashing to an end. The tornado simply stopped, and they tumbled down—Cynder’s head still reeling—onto cold stone slabs.
Cynder wanted to call out to her fellow Skylanders, but didn’t dare open her mouth. A second later, she was glad she had kept quiet.
“Well, looky here,” came a gruff voice from above. Cynder twisted her head to see two heavy-booted feet stomp to a halt beside them. “More Undead losers scooped up by the Wiz. You think you’re pretty scary? WRONG!”
There was something really familiar about that voice. Who was it? If only the room would stop spinning.
“ Just hear this,” the voice continued. “No one better try to escape, or Brock’ll show you how to makes things really go bump in the night, savvy?”
Brock! Of course, that’s who it was. Brock was a Goliath Drow who had last been seen working with Kaos when Lightning Rod had been trying to find the Air Segment of the Mask of Power. Had he switched allegiances to Hurrikazam now? It certainly made sense. Drow always aligned themselves with whoever was the most powerful, and the Weather Wizard was definitely a force of nature to be reckoned with.
“Follow Brock,” the Goliath Drow commanded. “And no funny business.”
Cynder lurched from side to side, her nose inches from the floor, as the Gargantulas did as they were told and hurried after Brock.
As they marched, Brock jabbered inanely.
“Hey, cheer up, you guys. The Weather Wizard’s Cloud Citadel ain’t so bad—unless you’re a prisoner and doomed to stay here for all eternity. Oh, like all of you! Hur-hur!”
Cynder promised herself that she would personally fry Brock’s backside when she got out of this.
As the procession continued along its way, pungent new sme
lls reached Cynder’s nose despite the stink from the giant spiders.
The sweetest smells imaginable, Cynder said to herself, remembering Rib Cage’s words. There must be flowers everywhere. She couldn’t begin to imagine what the fragrant aroma would be doing to the Undead. It must have been torture.
“And here we are, boys and girls. Final destination.”
By the time the procession of captured Island Dwellers reached its destination, the webs securing the Skylanders to the Gargantulas had begun to weaken. Soon they would break altogether, sending the Skylanders tumbling to the floor.
At least the fact that they were loosening gave Cynder the chance to look around the chamber. Brock was herding ghosts, ghouls, and Gargantulas alike on to a long conveyor belt leading to a weird-looking machine at the other end of the room. That must be the gizmo Rib Cage had told them about. A large metallic cloud was suspended above a tall glass tube, pipes and cables snaking up into the high vaulted ceiling. A huge console, covered in all manner of blinking controls and heavy-looking levers, sat behind Brock. As Cynder’s Gargantula climbed onto the conveyor belt, she spotted Hex hanging from the belly of her own spider. Cynder could tell that the sorceress was itching to leap from her hiding place. Then again, maybe Hex was just itching due to the scratchy spider hair? Either way, they had to pick the right moment. Cynder shook her head. Now wasn’t the time.
The sound of another voice made Cynder look up.
“So, this is the latest batch, hmmm?”
A small, plump figure had waddled into the chamber, a clipboard tucked under one arm. There was no mistaking who this was, although it had to be said that Hurrikazam’s cloud-head had been far more impressive than the real thing.
“Let’s get this over and done with,” Hurrikazam said, glancing nervously at the trembling Gargantulas. “I can’t stand creepy-crawlies. Once found a Fat Belly Spider in my bath. Put me off washing for life.”
The little wizard shuffled over to the control console, his extraordinarily long mustache trailing on the floor behind him. He struggled to climb onto the high chair, almost toppling over and landing on his head. He was only saved from cracking his skull by Brock leaping out and grabbing his mustashe.
“I suppose I should say thank you,” grumbled Hurrikazam, still dangling by his facial hair. “Now put me back on the chair, you clod-hopping hulk.”
“Charmin’,” said Brock, tossing the Weather Wizard into the air. The undersized mage flipped head-over-flat-feet and landed with a plop on his surprisingly large bottom. Mumbling something about transforming Brock into a Snow Drow, Hurrikazam started throwing levers and flicking switches.
The conveyor belt vibrated into life, driving the snatched spirits toward the cloud machine. The spiders started skittering nervously about, especially when the first ghost was deposited in the glass tube beneath the metal cloud.
“Looks like rain,” announced the Weather Wizard with little joy. He pulled a large red lever. Immediately water gushed down, drenching the ghost. The spirit wailed an unearthly howl. When the deluge stopped, the figure standing beneath the cloud had changed completely.
It was solid rather than transparent, and it was shivering from the cold. Even stranger still, where it had been bald a minute before, the ex-ghost now sported a huge mop of ginger curls. The entire machine shook as the stolen Undead energy crackled up the pipes to the ceiling.
“What have you done to me?” the former spook moaned.
“Given you a new lease of life,” clucked the Weather Wizard. “Now get off the platform. We’ve got a lot to get through today.”
At Brock’s signal, two Drow Lance Masters stomped forward and dragged the still-weeping ex-specter from beneath the clouds. The conveyor belt kicked in again, and the next ghost was toppled into the tube with a shriek of panic. This was too much to take for the Gargantula that was carrying Zook. The spider reared up, revealing the Bambazooker hiding beneath, and scuttled off the conveyor belt.
“It’s a Skylander!” Brock shouted in alarm, as Zook struggled to pull himself from the webbing. “Think you’re here to save the day? WRONG! After him, guys!”
The Drow lurched forward, but Hurrikazam acted first.
“Never fear. There’s a cold spell coming!” With a flick of a meaty finger, spider and Bambazooker were both frozen into a huge ice sculpture.
Cynder blasted her webby restraints with spectral lightning. “Volts and lightning, you’re going to wish you hadn’t done that.”
Shooting out from beneath her spider, Cynder lowered her head and charged toward the two Drow, who immediately dropped into a defensive position, spears at the ready.
“Ah, I’ve never seen the point of those,” she quipped as she butted into the first Drow, sending him flying back against the wall. She turned just in time to see the second Lance Master blasted into oblivion by a pair of glowing phantom orbs.
“Fear when I am near,” snarled Hex, floating in a blaze of unearthly green light.
“Brock ain’t afraid of anyone!” the Goliath Drow roared, charging with fists raised.
“Is that so?” came a muffled voice, accompanied by the sound of cracking ice. Cynder whirled around just in time to see Zook smash out of his frosty prison and slam his own fist into the floor.
“Look out,” the Bambazooker yelled triumphantly. “Zook is out!”
Before Brock could stop himself, a wall of barbed cacti burst from the floor between him and Hex. Brock barreled into the vicious spines of the barriers at full pelt.
“Ouch!” he screamed, bouncing back toward Cynder.
“Ouch again!” he squealed as a blast of spectral lightning hit him square in the backside and threw him forward.
“Ouch times three!” he yelped as one of Hex’s skulls smacked him straight in the kisser. With a thud, Brock hit the deck hard. He wasn’t just seeing stars—he was seeing planets, suns, and even comets.
The Undead Island Dwellers cheered as the Skylanders turned on Hurrikazam, who was trying to hide behind his chair.
“Now to deal with Hurrikaboo-boo,” Cynder said, a wicked smile on her lips. “I predict someone is about to be weather-beaten.”
“It’s about time he learned to fear the dark,” Hex added, laughing skulls zipping around her.
“Yeah,” Zook agreed, jabbing his bamboo tube toward the Weather Wizard. “I’ll teach him to put Zook on ice, too!”
“Don’t shoot,” Hurrikazam pleaded, shuffling out of his hiding place and raising his hands meekly. “Um, or electrocute me or bombard me with bony heads, for that matter. I’m just very, very glad you’re here.”
That took Cynder by surprise. “You are?” she asked suspiciously.
“You need to get me out of here.” Hurrikazam waddled around the console to meet the Skylanders, almost tripping on his mustache three or four times. “He’s holding me prisoner. Making me do the most terrible things!”
“Who is?” asked Zook, equally confused.
Suddenly, the wall behind the console slid up into the ceiling to reveal a whole army of Drow facing them, weapons raised and ready for battle.
“Do you really have to ask?” came a weaselly voice from behind the mass of green warriors. “Is it not obvious?”
Cynder sniffed the air. “Well, now you come to mention it, I’d recognize that stink anywhere.”
“Get out of my way, fools,” said the voice as the Drow were jostled around in front of it. “I’m trying to make a dramatic entrance.”
A small, bald figure tumbled out of the wall of dark elves, almost tripping over onto his face before righting himself at the last moment.
“That’s right, SKYBLUNDERERS,” he said, drawing himself up to his completely unimpressive full height. “It is your archfoe. It is KAOOOOOS!”
Chapter Twelve
The Amazing
(Fantastic
, Incredible, Surprising, Unfathomable)
All-Colored Rose
Hex’s skulls sped up their macabre dance as the sorceress prepared to attack. “We should have known you were behind all this,” she said. “Your heart is darker than night itself.”
“Oh, stop it,” sneered Kaos. “I’ll blush. And besides, for a mistress of magic you’re obviously terrible at math. I have fifty Drow standing behind me and there are only three of you. Do the math!”
“You’re right,” agreed Cynder, wings outstretched and ready to fly. “Those odds aren’t great . . .”
“Yeah,” added Zook, summoning a fungal bloom barrier. “You’ll need some more Drow!”
“Leading the charge!” Cynder yelled, and the three Skylanders surged forward.
“Noooooo!” cried out Hurrikazam, lunging forwards and throwing a switch on the control console. Out of nowhere, a tremendous gust of wind sent the Skylanders flying up off the ground. They smashed painfully into the ceiling, the air momentarily driven from their lungs. There they stayed, pressed high against the roof by the force of the gale.
“I thought you wanted our help?” Cynder gasped and gave Hurrikazam her most evil glare. The Weather Wizard slumped against the console and hung his head in shame.
“I do, but if I don’t do what he says . . .” Hurrikazam’s words failed him and he buried his head in his hands.
“That’s right,” barked Kaos, almost jumping up and down with glee. “Let’s show the SkyLOSERS what will happen if Hurrikadum-dum defies me. GLUMSHAAAAAANKS!”
Glumshanks, Kaos’ loyal and long-suffering troll made his way through the assembled Drow, while the Weather Wizard sobbed in despair. In his hands, Glumshanks was carrying a pot containing the biggest, most vibrant red rose Cynder had ever seen. In fact, to say the flower was red just didn’t do its color justice. Even if the word RED was printed in letters one hundred miles high and three hundred miles wide, it still wouldn’t describe how red this rose actually was.