#Glumshanks: you go sir!!!

[totallyradicalmucky]

Your honor may I present to you the dumbest friend group ever

[anonymous149]

Ch 3 Burning Love

Authors note: Cy granted me permission to use their artwork for the cover of my story so ha! A famous person on Tumblr is my new best friend! Anyway here's the next chapter or something.

"And then I said, 'the Aristocrats!" And then everyone laughed at Pop Fizz joked.

Peril turned to her newfound companions with gratitude in her eyes. "Thank you all for showing me around the academy after the chapter break. This place is grander... and quieter than I had imagined. I'm curious, am I the sole dragon here?"

Commander Cullen's golden hair glinted in the light as he spoke, "Actually, no. There's Cynder, a black dragon who's striving to master her darker inclinations." Peril's face shifted to one of concern, a reaction familiar to Cullen, reminiscent of when he mentioned his preference for dating humans or Elf girls. "Did I say something amiss?"

Peril's response carried a note of gravity, "It's just that there's a prevalent trope in media, portraying black dragons as inherently malevolent. It's rather prejudiced. Back in my realm, we had an entire race of black dragons unjustly branded as wicked, and then there was Darkstalker, an actual malevolent black dragon, who was ultimately bested by consuming a strawberry."

"A...strawberry?"

"Yup."

"Was he allergic?"

"Nope, he just became small."

Cullen made a fake cough. "Moving on, we also used to have a teammate named Spyro as well but he went on his own adventure to find where he came from."

"Hopefully he doesn't find his long lost mother but then she gets killed in THE FREAKING EPILOGUE OF THE FIRST BOOK!"

Eruptor whispered to stealth Elf. "Is she going to be ok? Seems like she has a lot of baggage?"

Stealth Elf responded in hushed tones, "Considering Spyro being the last of his kind and Cynder's father being the formidable Malefor, I'd say Peril's struggles are rather mid teir, if we don't factor in her impressive body count."

In the distance, Flashwing simulated coughs, vying for attention. "She's not the only dragon, you know. I've been in this series, though I never had any lines."

Eruptor's response was swift and direct, "Activision couldn't market you, so please, be on your way." With that, Flashwing vanished, leaving the group to continue their conversation

- Scene Change -

The grand chamber was dominated by the presence of Kaos, a figure of dark power and malevolent ambition. His angular features contorted into a sinister grin as he entered, the echoes of his footsteps reverberating off the cold stone walls. Smithers, his loyal assistant, trailed dutifully behind, his eyes cast downward in deference.

Kaos's voice cut through the air like a blade, the tone laced with a wicked glee as he began to speak of his plans. "Well, Glumshanks 2, it seems that in your realm, mortality is but a fleeting inconvenience. Dead one chapter, pop back up the next. While not quite the resiliency of the original, I suppose it will have to suffice. Now, let us discuss how we shall ascend to dominion over the Skylands!"

"Very well, sir. But do remember, you have a dinner engagement with Malefor later this evening. You'll be having tacos."

"Mal-what now?"

"Malefore, he's an evil dragon sir, voiced by Mark Hamil?"

"You mean Luke Skywalker!? Why would I ever join with a jedi?"

"Actually he also voiced the Joker from Batman."

"Even more reason not to join him! You can't trust clowns Glum 2." Kaos began to cry as he remembered a birthday without his mother where he hired a clown as it laughed at him and threw a pie in his face. "They sense weakness and strike with no fear...Cancel all plans with that overgrown lizard, we have more important matters to discuss than eating tacos."

"Right away sir."

"Ever since Spyro went searching for his long lost dragons things have been quiet boring but not anymore for I have found Spyro parents and if I can turn Spyro black and make him evil!"

"That might be racist sir."

"Fair point, if I can turn him dark!"

"Still racist."

A pause hung in the air as Kaos contemplated his words. "If Spyro's hue truly influences his emotions, then it stands to reason that his parents operate under similar principles. I must find a way to reach them and alter their colours, thus forging them into my loyal minions! How does that sound?"

"Very asute sir."

Kaos let out an evil laugh as he continued to lay out his sinister plans, the chamber seemed to darken further, as if the very walls themselves recoiled from the malevolence that hung in the air. The future of the Skylands hung in the balance, poised on the precipice of chaos and conquest.

[crystalas]

Shadow puppets

What’s this? no Kaos centric fanfics? don’t mind if I do!

NOTE: This carries on after Skylanders academy after the finale of season 3. Also, this was going to go in a waaaay different angle but I changed it after getting a late-night day dream theatre idea [ya know when you lie in bed and vividly imagine an entire episode in your head before you go to sleep in the hopes your subconscious will get the memo? ]

To me Kaos in the show goes through a lot of emotional stuff almost mirrored to what Spyro went through as they both were reeling from learning about the truth of their families [Spyro learning what happened to his and Kaos finding his ‘father’ who turns out to be his abusive uncle, then finding out the truth later].

Only difference is Spyro had his friends to help him get back to normal…Kaos was left alone…and someone plans to take advantage of that.

Chapter one: sleepless in Skylands

Kaos sat at his table in the mess hall surrounded by other inmates, in front of him were notes of the guard rotation. A list of prisoners who can be bartered with for materials; others who can be blackmailed or just threatened to do what he needs them to do. A crudely drawn map done on the back on one of those irritatingly obnoxious “Think Positive” posters that can be found strewn about on the walls of the recreational section of Cloud Breaker Prison.

The original Glumshanks sat beside him reading a book in case Kaos wanted him to go find a snack or intel on something. It had been a few weeks now since the last clones for lack of better way to describe it ‘popped’. After five months of being in prison they just started to burst into a small explosions of slimy green goo and while that on its own was gross and disturbing it was creepy how the clones didn’t seem bothered. They just accepted that they were going to lead very short lives and was indifferent to it all, which made Glumshanks question his own view on life and death. He also ensured that Kaos was distracted or not in the area when his duplicates started that tell-tale bubbling noise before they departed from this mortal coil. The last thing he wanted was Kaos witnessing his death countless time the guy was messed up as it was.  

“My escape plan is coming along nicely!” Kaos cackled to himself getting a nod from Glumshanks who peered at his work before resuming his book, “I have the where and when to do it…I just need the how…” he gave an irritated sigh.

He glared at wrist which had a chunky technical looking cuff on it, a new policy at Cloud Cracker Prison was that all known magic users were to wear this power disablers which as the label suggested left Kaos powerless. His first goal is to figure out how to get the blasted thing off without setting its alarm system off.

“You’re good with this sort of thing” he growled at Glumshanks and held his hand out “Can’t you figure something out?!”

“We can always try serving our time and trying to get out early on good behaviour sir” Glumshanks suggested with a wry smile only for Kaos to give him a ‘don’t make me hurt you’ stare.

“Or I can try to tinker with it and when we’re caught, we’ll get more time added to our sentence” he muttered as he turned around fully to inspect the cuff, he tilted it left and right to get a good look at it. “Genius work really…try using your magic.”

Kaos tried to summon a ball of dark magic only his whole body to get pins and needles as his magic was forced back to where it came from, frustrated by this he tried again with more magic only to get the same result. He gave an enraged snarl and sent as much as he could muster and this time the result made him yelp with pain.

“Sir please be careful” the troll said in a hush tone as the cuff gave a worrying light crackling sound.

“Can you get it off or not?” Kaos demanded.

“It will take time sir…but probably.”

“Good… once we get this wretched thing off, we can get out of here and I will show all of them why they should fear and respect me!” he laughed again out of sheer habit, the cuff sparked violently giving Kaos a shock in both the electrical and surprise variety.

“Alright maggots!” a guard declared “That’s suppertime over with now its time to hit the hay!”

All the inmates plonked their bowls on the kitchen bench as they shuffled passed by, Kaos making sure to hide his cuff so they didn’t see any signs of tampering from the guards as they kept vigilant watch. He strolled back to his cell clambered up onto his bed and laid down, hearing the loud clanks and slams as the jail doors were sealed shut for the night followed by the hushed whispers of inmates talking. He just needed to bide his time and soon enough his chance will come and he will make mother and ‘new’ father pay for lying to him his entire life.

He gave a yawn and curled up, he hated how Glumshanks was the far side of the prison cell corridor it meant he had no one to talk to or insult. He felt his eye lids get heavy as sleep came for him.

Kaos looked around in shock, he was outside of Cloud Cracker Prison but how did he get to the Cadaverous Crypts? He couldn’t see anyone around but at the same time he didn’t feel alone, as he explored the small isle had found himself on, he could feel something watching him.

Kaos…where are you? A creepy familiar voice echoed throughout the hollow sky.

“Strykore?” Kaos asked aloud glancing around arming himself with two energy orbs. The last time he saw his uncle things had been left on a sour note.

Not Father then? I guess you found out the truth to your half breed nature the voice chuckled and Kaos felt movement behind him he spun around and let loose an arch of black lightning at the empty air.

“Yes well, I guess it runs in the family to lie and keep secrets, now what do you want?!” Kaos retorted the two glowing red eyes appeared from the shadows and loomed over Kaos.

I want to be free from this prison and for that to happen I WANT YOU!!

The dark swirling void that encased Strykore’s eyes seem to grow and consume everything around Kaos like thick oil on water and he could feel panic rise in his throat when he realised that it was going to swallow him whole too. He scampered back and looked back on the endless sky below before tripping over his robe and go tumbling into the void…

Kaos woke with a start and a thud as he fell out of his bed, still panicking he clambered out of his thin blanket and looked around. He was still in Cloud Cracker Prison a night guard walked past and gave him an unamused look. He breathed a sigh of relief.

“Just a dream…nothing more…” he whispered to himself, Kaos slung his blanket back on his bed and got himself comfortable once more “Just a one-off nightmare, I’m sure.”

It wasn’t.

 Glumshanks looked around the mess hall seeing the traditional lumpy tasteless porridge being slopped out into awaiting bowls, he grimaced at it with his refined palette screaming for something with more flavour other than bland and salty [why was porridge salty? Actually, he rather not knows]. He helped himself to the equally uninspired coffee and went to find a seat, he saw Kaos slumped over his table looking like he wanted nothing more than a good nap.

“Sleepless night again sir?” he inquired, Kaos pulled himself to sitting as if the very motion was a herculean effort and looked at him sourly.

“I haven’t had a decent night sleep all week” he grumbled.

“I know what you mean sir, those mattresses have little to no lumbar support…” Glumshanks muttered “Would it kill them to get memory foam?”

“Its not the bed Glummy…I’ve been having horrid dreams every night for days now!” he explained rubbing his head.

“Do you know what about?” Glumshanks asked, Kaos opened his mouth to describe how it was his uncle trying to pull him into the void prison night into night, calling him a ‘half-breed’ ‘pathetic whelp’ and other such insults. How he could feel his grasping claws tug at his robes and ankles and how it felt like it was getting harder and harder to get away, at first, he just needed to jump off the isle now he had to fly for his life. However, when he tried to speak the words just wouldn’t come.

“Master?” Glumshanks prompted but Kaos’ attention was now elsewhere.

“Dreamcatcher!” he snarled “How long as she been here?”

“A few weeks I think, the Doom Raiders were brought in by the Skylanders but I think they are erring on the side of caution and keeping you and them apart” Glumshanks explained “What with your past encounters with each other and all”

“And I started having these bad dreams since then!” Kaos said more to himself than to his troll “That’s it! Golden Queen knows she can’t beat me face to face so she’s having her lackeys torment me in my sleep…well that ends now!”

“Sir perhaps you should consider other reasons first? Perhaps something on the mess hall’s menu is disagreeing with you, I mean we do have a lot cheese-based meals here or maybe its just you need thera…annnnnnd he’s gone…ok…” Glumshanks sighed as he saw that Kaos had already dropped down from the bench and approached the floating being.

“YOU!”

“Oh hey Kaos, heard you got put in here again” she smirked “Good talk …now leave me alone!”

“Not until you quit it!” Kaos snapped back.

“Quit what?” she demanded.

“Giving me nightmares! I know its you! Now stop it!”

“Ok Kaos as much fun as it would be to go into your cesspit of a mind and mess with your dreams I can’t at least not here!”

“Huh?”

“My cell walls are lined with an anti-psychic material; I can’t do anything while everyone is asleep. So, whatever messed up stuff is happening is on your subconscious not me!” she explained happily while drifting side to side. “But now I kinda want to see it”

Anti-psychic material hmm? That would explain why I couldn’t astral-project out of my cell for a breather…so I guess her story checks out. Kaos thought to himself before pointing at her angrily.

“Fine” he growled “I guess I’ll buy that…for now! So how do I get rid of them” he asked.

“Oh, that’s simple you just need Nanya” she exclaimed.

“What’s that? A spell?”

“It’s Nanya business!” she declared and shrieked with laughter Kaos then stormed off in a huff.

“Any luck sir?” His troll asked as Kaos sat back next to him.

“No…she can’t be responsible the prison is too well prepared for her now…but if she isn’t the cause what is?” he mused resting his head on his arms.

“I remember you used to suffer from nightmares a lot as little child sir, if I had a dollar for every time I woke up with you in my room looking scared sheepless, I would be able to afford my bail” Glumshanks chuckled softly to himself, Kaos turned his head to look at him.

“How did I get over them?” Kaos asked quietly, Glumshanks inspected his mug for any remnants of coffee before taking the last sip and putting it down again.

“Well sir like any small child you felt better after some reassurance and a lullaby” the Troll said and looked at his master with a sly smirk “Wanna me to sing you one now?”

“I’d rather die thank you!” Kaos responded coldly.

 Kaos laid in his cell bed that night staring at the ceiling, he knew he had to sleep but he dreaded what awaited him in his slumber. Maybe it was all in his head after all they were just dreams, he rolled onto his side and closed his eyes.

Once again, he found himself on a lone isle floating in an abyss, once again he found himself staring down his Uncle Strykore’s glowering red eyes that loomed over him.

I grow tired of this… he snarled.

“Yeah, I’m bored of this too, so how about you be a good recurring dream and leave me alone!” Kaos screamed throwing dark magic orbs at the void which seem to shred it momentarily before reforming to its prior state. He heard Strykore laugh and Kaos got ready to bail summoning his flight spell.

You think this is but a mere dream?

“Yes?”

Ah I should have expected as much given how much your parents kept you in the dark about all of this. Kaos the dream realm can act as a bridge to many others, I can easily traverse this place as that young fool Dream Catcher however I still lack a physical form… which is where you come in.

“Blah blah blah scary voice and evil plans” Kaos interrupted flapping his hands to create a yapping motion. “Like I said this is all just a bad dream, which I probably need therapy for given the last time I saw the real Strykore you left me for dead in an underwater tomb. That probably messed me up a bit!” he then turned around and began to walk away “Now that I know this is a dream you have no power over me!”

An inky black claw shot out of the void and grabbed Kaos by the arm causing him to shriek in pain. Pain? Wait you don’t feel pain in dreams!!!

It would seem I need to show you the reality of the situation… and with that the claw yanked Kaos’s arm back so forcibly that he heard it snap…

Kaos screamed holding his arm as he woke up, his limb still ached horribly not painful enough to suggest a broken bone but enough to make him check and there where the claw had gripped him…

Were very real and very sore claw marks.

 So, what was Kaos’ solution to this pressing threat? It was evident now that these were your run of the mill nightmares, Strykore was planning something and his plans involved him wherever he liked it or not. However, the one upside if it can be called that Kaos rationalised what that his uncle only had any sway over him while he slept so if he didn’t sleep, he was safe. So Kaos drank coffee…like a lot of coffee. After his first five prison version of a triple expresso, he had the experience of feeling like he could take on the world and have a heart attack at the same time.

He tried telling Glumshanks but his throat would seize up and he found he couldn’t spit the words out, not to be put off [this was while he was still riding the caffeinated high] he tried to write it down but his hand would freeze up. After thirty minutes of trying to write anything that he could use to convey a message for help but only having torn up scraps of paper and inks splatters all over the desk to show for it he threw the note pad away and slammed his head into the desk. He swore he could hear his uncle laughing at him.

On the fourth day of the ‘can’t sleep won’t sleep’ plan Glumshanks found his master zoned out in his cell, after the first day of Kaos’ sudden obsession with coffee he felt it best to bring him his food to his cell and ration out the caffeine.

Something was off he could tell but whenever he tried to ask Kaos would go quiet until he changed the subject, that alone was raising a few red flags.

“Sir how are you feeling?” he asked, Kaos didn’t respond so he reached out and touched his arm only for Kaos to flinch and fall back. “Kaos?”

“I’m fine! Fine yes totally fine!” he declared jitterily.

“Are you sure? I hate to say it but there is a rumour going about prison that you’ve finally lost your mind!”

“Oh, if only!” Kaos found himself giggling.

“Kaos maybe you need something to distract yourself maybe that escape plan you were working on?”

Kaos was suddenly hit by a brilliant idea, Strykore wanted to use him but right now he was in prison! How can he be any use to Strykore’s plans if he was locked up? If he made it a point to never leave it was only a matter of time before his uncle gave up and left him alone! Kaos grabbed Glumshanks by the arms and laughed manically.

“That’s it Glumshanks!” he cried out happily “I’ll just stay here forever!”

“Err…what??!” Glumshanks demanded. “How did you get that from what I just said?”

Yes, it was brilliant! He had a plan! Now it was just a matter of playing the waiting game!

[anonymous149]

Ch2 Family Issues

Chapter 2: Family Issues

Authors note: Hey everyone! Hope you enjoyed the first chapter so far! This is going to be a slow burn I can't have Cynder and Peril kiss in the first chapter now can I? Well? I mean I can but that wouldn't be exciting. So just like in real life, when you see a girl you like, you got to start off slowly, become friends, and then you get kiss. Trust me I tried just kissing people I had a crush on before...didn't work. I'm making these chapters in advance before I publish them because I'm about to start school again so I won't have time to write a lot so write now! Post later.

"Who are you?" Kaos shrieked in horror, his eyes widening as he gazed upon a peculiar figure bathed entirely in vivid yellow hues. The man's very existence seemed unnatural, like a surreal painting come to life.

"My name is Smithers," the man replied calmly, adjusting his glasses with a gentle touch. His demeanor was composed, a stark contrast to the chaotic scene unfolding before him. "I'm here to replace Glumshanks."

"Replace? Why?" Kaos questioned, his voice trembling with disbelief. "My Glummy is the epitome of perfection; there's no need for a replacement." Kaos retrieved a crumpled picture from his pocket, depicting a moment of electrifying Glumshanks.

"Regrettably, sir," Smithers explained with a somber tone, "the voice actor for Glumshanks has passed away, and out of respect for his memory, I was hired as a replacement."

"Dead? Ha! Now I know you're lying," Kaos scoffed, nonchalantly recalling a macabre memory.

Smithers attempted to interject, "But his voice actor—"

"Not now, Yellow Glummy," Kaos interrupted, dismissing Smithers' explanation with a wave of his hand. "If you're to take Glumshanks' place, I must ensure you can endure the most excruciating tortures. Have you experienced such torment before? It's a fundamental requirement for my loyal minions."

"Yes, sir," Smithers replied with unwavering resolve. "Enduring torment was a prerequisite at my previous occupation as well."

"Excellent!" Kaos exclaimed, his malevolent enthusiasm returning. "We shall commence immediately, Yellow Glummy. Fetch my loofa; it's time for your initiation into the world of hot, steamy baths with acid bubbles!"

"Right away, sir," Smithers replied, ready to face the bizarre and unpredictable challenges that awaited him in Kaos's service.

Eruptor ambled alongside the group, his molten steps leaving a faint trail of smoldering footprints on the ground. He pondered aloud, a note of curiosity in his fiery voice, "Why did Master Eon choose to divulge the presence of our newest recruit? I mean, we preside over an entire academy, yet it feels as though we're barely a group of ten. Unless Peril is intended to be Spyro's replacement, my enthusiasm for meeting these noobs remains tepid."

"The noobs?" Stealth Elf inquired, her expression tinged with confusion.

"Yes, indeed. 'NOOBS' stands for novices, conspicuously inexperienced, and beginners," Eruptor clarified.

Commander Cullen stated the obvious. "That doesn't even spell Noob, it spells NCIB"

Stealth Elf countered with a reflective tone, "Do you not recall that, once upon a time, we too were noobs?"

Pop Fizz chimed in with a quick retort, "Not me! I was always adept at concocting volatile mixtures and engineering explosive marvels. Well, at least, I think I was. My earliest memories are a bit hazy."

Commander Cullen interjected, steering the conversation in a different direction, "Our performance has been somewhat lackluster in Spyro's absence. Perhaps Master Eon envisions Peril as a potential asset to our team."

Eruptor harbored his reservations, contemplating aloud, "I had been hoping Cynder might be Spyro's successor... Speaking of which, where is she?"

"I believe Master Eon continues to train her in the art of controlling her darker inclinations. It's a heavy burden to bear, being born with such an abundance of darkness and malevolence. I can scarcely imagine it," Commander Cullen offered solemnly.

The group, led by Stealth Elf, proceeded towards the academy grounds where they would encounter a dragon. This dragon, a vision in crimson and fire, radiated an ethereal luminosity under the sun's embrace. Her lithe form was a testament to agility, crafted for swift aerial maneuvers. Her eyes blazed with an incandescent intensity— one eye ablaze in scorching orange, the other smoldering in a deep, sanguine red. The discord in her irises mirrored the enigmatic and perilous nature of her abilities.

Peril boasted a striking pair of curved horns that framed her visage, imbuing her with a fierce and regal countenance. Her wings, muscular and powerful, were sculpted for rapid and nimble flight. At the tip of her tail, a pointed, menacing barb completed her fearsome appearance.

"Is that her?" Pop Fizz inquired, producing a drawing which was created by Master Eon's wondrous beard. "I imagined her to be more orange with blue eyes."

Eruptor, brandishing a book featuring Peril on its cover, concurred, "Indeed, she possesses azure eyes."

"Azure? I said blue!"

Stealth Elf relieved Pop Fizz of the drawing and Eruptor of the book, remarking with a hint of humor, "It seems the author of this tale has taken certain liberties. Consistency may not be their strong suit."

Turning her attention to Peril, Stealth Elf greeted her with a whimsical twist, adorned in a clownish ensemble, "You must be Peril. I'm Stealth Elf, this is Pop Fizz, that's Eruptor, and over there is Commander Cullen."

Peril, her nerves evident, responded with a smile, "I'm Peril. Pleasure to meet all of you."

Commander Cullen extended his hand for a cordial handshake, but before their fingers could meet, Peril's vehement exclamation pierced the air, "Don't touch me!" Both she and Commander Cullen recoiled swiftly. After a brief pause, Peril added more gently, "I apologize, but I possess an uncontrollable heat that incinerates upon contact. Please, refrain from touching me."

Eruptor chuckled softly as he extended his hand, "I'm composed of magma. We should have no such issues."

Peril hesitated briefly before tentatively accepting Eruptor's handshake, revealing an unexpected burst of excitement. She embraced Eruptor warmly, enveloping him in a hug. Eruptor, unsure of how to respond, found himself at a loss for words. "I've never experienced a hug like this before," Peril admitted, her joy evident, even as her tears transformed into sizzling steam.

Whispering to his companions, Commander Cullen mused, "Is this customary behavior for dragons in your realm? In my homeland, dragons are considerably more... perilous."

Both Pop Fizz and Stealth Elf nodded in agreement, acknowledging that such displays were not unusual for the dragons they had encountered.

Stealth Elf, sensing the need to intervene, gently redirected the encounter, "Well then, let us guide you through our domain, Peril."

Peril agreed, but before they proceeded, she turned to Eruptor with a query, "How do you interact with the world without reducing it to cinders?"

Eruptor scratched his head, bemused, "Uh... I suppose I've never really thought about it."

[crystalas]

Shadow Puppets part 9

I know its been a while and I know its short but i have it all planned out in my head I just need to get the f**ker down!

Chapter nine: a lullaby is sung…

Everyone was reeling from the information Kaos had dumped on them and became even more confused when Spyro landed in front of the wizard and started shouting at him to fight someone.

“Spyro what is going on?” Eruptor demanded.

“I’ll tell you later, okay? Just follow my lead!” the dragon shouted before leaping at Kaos he pinned him to the floor but Kaos flicked his wrist and a geyser of water erupted out of the ground sending Spyro flying into the air and tumbling down with a soggy thump.

The other Skylanders attacked and Kaos just smirked lifting his hands and a swarm of what looked to be plasma sharks leapt from his shadow and started to gnash their teeth in aggression. Pop Fizz gave a yelp as one of the sharks nearly bit him clean in half if he hadn’t leapt up onto a nearby tree. Stealth-Elf teleported to a higher vantage point and Jet-Vac took to the air by activating their jet pack.

Kaos’ body took to air as he held out his hands, glowing symbols of the elementals flashed into the air changing erratically until he came to the life element. The tree that Stealth Elf glowed and wrapped its branches around her body and tried to throttle her, she teleported out of harms way but that didn’t stop the tree from just whacking Jet-Vac out of the air. Snap Shot let loose a crystal arrow and Kaos held out a hand, the symbol for earth lit up and a pillar of stone shot up from the ground blocking the attack.

Spyro shook the water from his scales and took to the air, firing warning shots at Kaos. Not enough to burn the wizard but enough to make him jump out of the blast ranges. Pop-Fizz threw a potion at Kaos’ feet and the liquid hit the floor and began to foam violently before taking on texture of sticky taffy. The wizard growled and began to burn the goop away with flaming hands, Spyro landed in front of him and gave a growl.

“What do you think you’re going to achieve by defying me Spyro?” Strykore snarled.

“Not much, just a distraction” he smirked and Strykore tilted his head in confusion but gave an enraged cry as a pair of hands wrap around his chest pinning his arms to his side.

“Forgive me sir, you can punish me for the embarrassment later” Glumshanks said softly.

“It’s ok, it’s alright

I’ll never leave your side

Come what may, come what might.

Throughout the day and the night.

When the sun sets

And the moon rises

Lay your head down low

And let the dreams flow

And know I’ll still be here…”

Throughout this song Kaos’ eyes fluttered close and his whole body went limp as if he had fallen asleep while standing, Spyro snuck closer and Glumshanks pulled Kaos from the mess.

“Did it work?” he asked.

“Spyro what is going on??!” Stealth Elf demanded.

“Strykore possessed Kaos but it’s okay I think we fixed this” Glumshanks explained as he looked down at the still Kaos. “Apparently that lullaby helped him when Strykore tried to take control when he was little.”

“What?!” Kaossandra shrieked.

This conversation was brought to a halt when Kaos stirred and his eyes blinked open, Glumshanks smiled.

“Sir? Are you okay?”

Kaos looked up at him.

“Glumshanks? What…? How…did I get here?” he mumbled; his head was throbbing so bad he gripped it tightly in hopes of elevating it. “No…you need to get away…I can’t stop him…” he doubled over as the pain increased tenfold.

“Sir?!”

“Kaos?!”

Kaos’ hand flicked up and Glumshanks gave a yelp as the troll and dragon were suddenly frozen in place and lifted into the air. Kaos looked up at them with the glowing red eyes and marks.

“You know what the most deliciously ironic thing is?” Strykore laughed as he floated the struggling troll closer to his face, “That stupid little song would have worked if your true master hadn’t gone out of her way to hammer in the reality of your relationship, you should have seen how distraught he was knowing that you have never really respected him…”

“Kaos!” Glumshanks cried out “You can still stop this!”

“Give it up troll!” Strykore laughed “Kaos has no reason to fight back now that he lost everything, let that be your last thought before you die!” For a brief second Strykore froze and his hand trembled, but before Glumshanks could register what was happening he screamed as dark magic engulfed him and Strykore tossed his now limp body away over the ridge and out of view. Kaossandra rushed to get to his side hoping that he was still living.

“Strykore!” Eon boomed, said dark wizard turned to look at his apparition of a brother, and army of Skylanders “Surrender brother, you have no hope of defeating all of us!”

“Oh, I know that” Strykore chuckled, finally dropping the ruse and letting Kaos’ eyes and mark glow red as he flung Spyro towards them resulting in the dragon tumbling across the ground and stopping at Stealth-Elf’s feet. “Which is why you’re going to let me leave willingly”

“Like I’m going to do that!” Eon shouted back.

“You will…cos if you don’t, you’ll lose your son” he sneered, Eon raised his hand as he was about to call his battle cry when he stopped at the sound of Spyro choking, he spun around to see Stealth Elf and Eruptor by his side as he struggled to breath. Eon glanced at the wheezing dragon and then back to his possessed son and dark brother who just stood there smirking.

“Tick tock brother, which will you choose?” he giggled evilly. “Better make it quick before he chokes to death…not a pleasant death from what I’ve seen.”

As seconds ticked by Eon racked his brains for a solution, there was no way to find whatever spell Strykore had on Spyro and break it in the time he had. He gritted his astral teeth and growled, he had let Spyro and his kind down before and he wasn’t going to let history repeat itself.

“Skylanders…stand down…” he said coldly, the Skylanders all looked at him like he was insane.

“That don’t sound right.”

“Wait what?”

“We’re not beating up the bad guy?” were a few of the comments he heard as he glared at the smug face of Kaos.

“Eon we can’t just…” Jet-Vac started.

“I said stand down!” he shouted, reluctantly all the Skylanders lowered their weapons or powered down. Strykore clicked his fingers and Spyro took in a large gulp of air and proceeded to cough himself back to the living world.

I…I don’t get it…I thought you cursed me cos you needed something from me…why let me go now? Spyro thought to Strykore once he could breathe without hacking up a lung.

Why settle for a bite size snack when I know where the banquet is? Strykore gloated silently to Spyro before turning his attention back to his brother.

“If its any help brother, Kaos wasn’t at all surprised that you took that option” he said coldly before leaping into the portal and vanishing.

Kaossandra found Glumshanks strewn in a bush which thankfully broke his fall, to her surprise and gratitude the troll gave a groan and shifted in discomfort signalling that he was indeed still alive. She helped him up as he was still groggy and they stumbled their way back to the area that she last saw the Skylanders. When they got there, it was awfully quiet and they saw all the Skylanders standing there either looking at Eon in confusion or just looking unsettled and defeated. Spyro’s friends clustered round him and when the dragon looked up at her he looked away sadly as if he was too ashamed to meet their gaze.

“Oh no…” Glumshanks muttered.

 The Skylander cadets were standing outside of the library listening in, after the fight Eon had just floated off not saying a word despite Koassandra’s demand for answers. The Skylanders and Glumshanks had followed quietly not sure if that was what they were expected to do but when the cadets tried to follow the troll politely yet firmly slammed the door in their faces.

“How could you just let him go?!” she screamed as Eon floated numerous books in front of him.

“It was an impossible decision I had to make!” he stated. “At least with this outcome we didn’t lose anyone”

“Oh, no? what can you call our son being controlled by that twisted creep other than ‘loosing’?” she demanded angrily.

“He’s still alive, isn’t he?!” Eon shouted back, “I did what I had to, it’s always me that has to make the hard choices and I have to live with so many of them so kindly get off my case!”

Kaossandra took a breath and now that the anger had seeped out of her slightly, she could see that he looked no less haggard despite lacking a physical form, regret was eating him away same as her. She took a sigh and sat down next to Glumshanks who was recovering on the sofa.

“How many more times must I fail my child?” she whispered.

“He’s still in there I know it!” Spyro declared, “It was just for a second but the lullaby brought him back.”

“I don’t think its even that” Glumshanks said “I think he’s still fighting; I mean think about it Kaos could have easily killed me but he only stunned me.”

“How do you know that was Kaos and not Strykore?” Eruptor asked.

“Take it from someone who has been his test dummy for nearly all his spells, I can tell when he’s holding back!”

“Okay so we lost the battle but not the war, we need to find Strykore again and get him out of Kaos before he uses him for whatever plans he has, so where would he go?” Stealth-Elf declared pacing back and forth.

“He won’t go back to the castle; we know where it is!” Kaossandra declared “Not to mention I’ve got wards on it so I know if any squatters try and get in.”

“He could be anywhere!” Pop-Fizz cried “Kaos can use portal magic now he could be on the other end of the Skylands for all we know”

“No, he won’t, Portal masters cannot use their own portals the magical feedback loop that would occur if he tried to would injure him greatly. It’s why I have my podium to get around” Eon explained.

“I did always wonder about that” Hugo mused out loud.

“Yeah, but as far as Strykore is concerned Kaos is just a rental he would probably portal jump just for the fun of it” Jet-Vac grumbled. “Unless he needs Kaos more alive than dead then in that case all we can do is hope for the better outcome.”

“Not to mention that Kaos can fly great distances on his own, hate to remind everyone but he beat all of you guys to the isle of Arkus with me in tow, after nearly suffocating in a sealed underwater cell, and before that he had flown all the way from the raceways to get home.” Glumshanks stated, a sullen silence filled the library as everyone realised that even without portal magic with Kaos’ magical stamina and speed he could literally be anywhere by now.

Spyro had perched on the library railings angrily cursing Strykore out for coming back and darkening their lives again when a thought bubbled into his head.

“Why settle for a bite size snack when I know where the banquet is?” Why did he say that? What did he mean by it?

Wait a minute Spyro thought to himself If Strykore could get inside our heads what’s to say he can’t only see what we’re thinking…but see our memories too!!

“Guys!” Spyro cried, shocking everyone out of their stupor “I know where Strykore is going!”

[crystalas]

shadow puppets part 2

Chapter 2: Chaos magic

After the revelation that the only way to get Strykore off his back was to just stay in prison he then soon realised that he needed to sleep. Mainly because caffeinated insomnia will only get you so far before it kills you and also because Strykore won’t know that his plan is now a lost cause if Kaos doesn’t tell him himself.

Didn’t mean he was eager to go to sleep though, it wasn’t until the next night when he sat hunkered up on his bed staring at the wall trying really hard to think about anything to keep himself awake but sleep soon came like it or not.

Kaos didn’t even bother to look around he knew Strykore was there he just stormed up to the centre of the island he always found himself on and stood there with his hands on his hips.

“Now you listen here Strykore!” Kaos demanded hoping he sounded a lot less tired in his dreams than he did in reality “I don’t know what games you have planned for me but I’m not playing!”

Oh? How so? He heard his uncle chuckle.

“Simple dear ‘uncle’” he spat and began to pace in front of the swirling void and glaring eyes. “You need me for something but I am currently locked up in Cloud Cracker Prison with power disablers on so I am of no use to you in any shape or form. As such I have decided that I am staying put here until you get a clue and shove off!”

Kaos expected a growl of frustration or a snarl of defeat. Not peels of manic laughter.

“Eh? What’s so funny? Didn’t you hear me?!” Kaos screamed “You lost! You can torment me all you want here but I’m not moving!”

What made you think I needed your consent for that? Strykore laughed. Even as we speak my plan is moving forward. You give yourself far too much credit to think you can stop me!

“Shut up!” Kaos bellowed “You’re talking nonsense! I’m stuck up in a cell I’m no use to you!”

While it is true that I cannot make you leave your prison there is no reason why I cannot make someone else do so…

“Less cryptic messages and more vacating my dreams you billowing bag of hot air!” Kaos snapped.

Strykore’s glaring eyes just shifted to ones of amusement.

We shall see…

The next morning Kaos downed his third coffee in the mess hall, he had cottoned on to Glumshanks rationing attempts and soon made it a point to get there before him so he could have enough caffeine to keep himself lucid throughout the day. Glumshanks sat down next to him with his soggy cereal and morning tea, the troll shook his head sighing as he watched Kaos make it a point to down the coffee before he could take it away.

“Sir I know this sentence has lost all meaning at this point but, are you feeling okay?” he asked, Kaos gave him a confident smile which reassured him in one aspect and worried him in another.

“Never better Glummy now that I have my plan in place its only a matter time before I win” he exclaimed happily.

“The plan to stay in prison? That less of a plan and more of making peace with your situation sir” Glumshanks said drily Kaos hushed him with a wave of his hand.

“Call it what you will” Kaos huffed.

“And what exactly would you be winning anyway?”

“Don’t you have your college work to do this morning?” Kaos snapped, side stepping the question entirely.

“Yes, I am making full use of the rehabilitation programmes.” Glumshanks beamed “though a degree from cloud cracker prison looks less impressive on my resume. Why not try a course sir? Perhaps padding out your skill set might do you good.”

Kaos gave a grunt at this and started to play with the lumpy remains of his breakfast.

“Or maybe not…” the troll sighed.

The klaxon blared and people started to get up and move, Kaos shifted off the bench and followed the crowd to the yard hoping that a bit of fresh air might wake him up some more. He found himself leaning against the wire fence watching the other inmates chatting walking or using the weights, also noting that the Doom Raiders were also outside as well.

I am in no condition to pick a fight with them, no doubt Dream Catcher has informed them of my sleeplessness…in hindsight I should have kept my mouth shut. Kaos thought to himself.

Yes, not your wisest move but then again, you’re not known for your intelligence a horribly familiar voice echoed in his head.

“S…Strykore??!” Kaos spluttered and stumbled away from the fence spinning around to find no one there. “Where are you? Wait…am I dreaming? Did I fall asleep?!”

This is the waking world Kaos Strykore explained bluntly And I am very real.

“Get out of my head!” Kaos raged.

I think not, by the way remember that little plan of yours? The one where you stay here and I give up?

“I’m not leaving and you can’t make me!”

I don’t have to, your mother will.

Kaos folded his arms and glared at nothing in particular.

“How pray tell is that going to work? Mother has had plenty of chances to get me out of here but she won’t!” Kaos snarled quietly “You might as well give up because nothing you can do will make me move!”

Kaos’ cuff gave a puff of smoke and he looked at it dumbly for a second before stumbled back clutching his head as his mark glowed a bright white. Everyone in the excerise yard was a bit surprised when they suddenly found themselves in the focal point of a chaos magic storm. They dived for cover as water erupted from puddles and floated around like mid-air rivers, wooden benches sprouted fresh shoots and leaves as they suddenly came back to life and rapidly withered and died only to regrow anew in a cycle of life and death. Fire balls exploded in the air as all the electrical equipment in the camera and lights went insane and tech energy arched from machine to machine. The air around them was whipped into a frenzy, dark and light magic crackled and danced in the air around Kaos who just huddled in the middle of all this trying to breathe as it felt like his body was suddenly too big and too small for him at the same time. Kaos fell to his hands and knees and as his hands hit the floor the ground beneath him squirmed and writhed as if it was alive before surging forward and hitting the wall destroying it in the process…

All this happened in a brief few minutes but for Kaos it felt like an eternity, when it finally stopped, his whole-body trembling from the shock as he slumped down feeling drained from such a use of magic.

“What…the…heck just happened??!!” Wolfgang shouted as they crawled out of their hiding space.

“Our chance to escape Doom Raiders now let’s go!”

 Meanwhile Glumshanks was sitting in the prison library reviewing his course work when the entire island seemed to quake and drop a few feet out of the sky. He found himself sprawled upon the floor along with everyone else in the library, for a brief moment there was silence which is then broken by the ruckus of a riot. He peeked out the library to see guards rush past as inmates still in the jails hooted and hollered like caged monkeys.

“What’s going on?” he asked.

“Explosion in the yard!” someone answered him.

“Kaos!” he squeaked and bolted down there as fast as he could. He came to the mayhem as inmates were trying to scale the ruined wall to freedom guards catching them and dragging them back, activating their freeze rays where they could. Glumshanks scanned the battlefield and saw Kaos huddled in the destroyed remains of the excerise yard…

To say Kaos was shaken was an understatement, Kaos knew he wasn’t the fastest or strongest villain out there but if there was one aspect of himself, he knew about with complete certainty it was his magic. Not once in his entire life had it gone awry; or course he had accidents while practising who doesn’t? But its never just started up on its own and gone wild.

Even worse to have someone else to just make it surge like that without his consent? Without his control? The world seemed to grow distant and the sounds became muffled as they faded away…

“Sir?!” he heard someone call out, he felt warms hands on his shoulders and being nudged back to reality. “Kaos? What happened?” the voice asked.

Glumshanks had ran over to the prone wizard, he seemed out of it as if in shock. He tried to shake him alert and check him over for injuries. Strangely; given that a bomb had apparently gone off here Kaos was unharmed. As he tried to get an answer out of the young wizard Kaos looked up at him and blinked as if he only just noticed him there.

“Kaos? are you alright?”

“Glummy?”

He then did something that scared Glumshanks more than any threat or harassment Kaos could have come up with, he scrambled to his feet wrapped his arms around Glumshanks’ neck and buried his face into the troll’s shoulder. It took Glumshanks a moment to recognise this as a hug.

“I’m going to take that as a no” he mumbled.

  Kaossandra gave a weary sigh, on one hand the Skylander Academy was way easier to run than the Troll isles, Greebles island, Drow caverns and all the other realms she maintained while being an evil sorceress but on the other hand she never had to deal with all this paperwork! Four towers of things that needed to be signed, reviewed, updated and dated; it was just so tedious. The Mabu Hugo had helped where he can but the rest was all up to her.

“Oh, Eon how in Sky did you manage all of this?” she sighed throwing the latest sheath of seemingly never-ending forms onto the ‘finished’ pile, which she couldn’t help but note was the smallest in the bunch. The phone rang giving Kaossandra a jolt and she grabbed it by the second ring.

“Hello?”

“Is Eon there? We have an emergency!” a voice cried; she gave a sad sigh. It would seem that Eon’s passing was still new to a lot of the islands and word hadn’t fully gotten out yet.

“No…no he isn’t here”

“Crap! Sorry but I need the Skylanders there was a jail break at Cloud Cracker Prison and we need all the help we can get! The Doom Raiders stole one of our ships and took off before we could even try and stop them!”

“Don’t worry we’ll get right on it!” she declared and slammed the phone down and leapt to her feet.

“Finally!” she cried “A reason to get away from all this horrid paperwork! Skylanders unite!”

 While the Cynder’s team set off to round up any escapees that were trying to get to the nearby islands; Kaossandra, Stealth Elf, Eruptor, Jet-Vac and Pop Fizz went to the Cloud Cracker Prison to check for clues. There they were led to the surveillance room or what was left of it. Many of the screens were cracked and broken and it looked like one of the computers had imploded into flames.

“Sorry but the camera system took a hit when the riot happened, but we managed to scrounge up the data before it went down” the Mabu explained as it brought up some footage of Kaos standing there looking uneasy and the start of the wild magic storm.

“Whoa…” Jet-Vac muttered as they watched water floating and wind whipping everything about.

“Is…Kaos doing that?” Eruptor asked.

“It would seem so” Kaossandra said quietly “But that’s not possible…he isn’t just using dark magic. That’s air…water, light magic…” she started counting as she watched the camera sweep through the room showing a good view of all the mayhem.

“I see fire magic, life and undead…” Stealth Elf muttered.

The screen went to static.

“And I’m guessing that was when he used Tech magic” Eruptor stated.

“At least he didn’t use earth magic!” Pop Fizz piped up.

“Oh no he used that when he blasted a hole through several layers of prison walls!” The Head Guard growled. “Luckily he didn’t break through the main one otherwise things would have been a lot worse!”

“But look at the tape again, I don’t think he was doing it on purpose it looked…well…chaotic!” Stealth Elf exclaimed rewinding the tape and showing a close up of Kaos huddled down and holding his head. “See he’s not in control!”

“We need to find him, if his magic is that unstable there’s no telling what trouble that idiot might get into” Kaossandra stated.

“But he could have gone anywhere! There’s no telling which way he might have gone during all the mayhem!” Jet-Vac cried. “We’ll need to search all the islands and check all his usual haunts, I’ll contact Cynder’s team and…”

“He’s in the yard” The head Guard declared giving pause to all the Skylanders who turned to look at him. “That’s the weird thing the guy won’t move! He blows a hole through our walls and starts the worse prison riot in current years and he just sits there refusing to budge!”

“Why don’t you just take him back to his cell yourself? Not like the guy weighs a tonne” Eruptor laughed.

“I ain’t going near him! what if he explodes again?!” The Guard yelped.

“Take me to him” Kaossandra demanded.

The guard lead them to yard to find Kaos sitting there with Glumshanks next to him, the troll got to his feet and approached them.

“Ma’am thank goodness you’re here! I don’t know what’s gotten into him, its not like him to not recklessly grab an opportunity to escape!” Glumshanks explained as the sorceress stood in front of her son.

“Kaos?”

“I didn’t mean to…it…just happened…” Kaos mumbled not even looking up at her.

“I know honey and I think I know the cause.” She said gently, this got Kaos’ attention.

“You do?” he cried “Can you help me?!”

“Kaos it’s becoming more and more clear to me that I was wrong to stifle your magical talents and keeping everything secret from you has only put you in danger, which is why I’m taking you back to the academy…” she exclaimed and Kaos felt hope fill his chest, if she knows about Strykore she can help get rid of him! he’ll be free of that horrid presence, get his magic back under his control and be ruling Skylands by the end of the month!!

“To train you to become a portal master!”

His shoulders sagged as he suddenly felt very deflated, his mother took his hand and lead him out of the area to which he followed numbly after. He heard Strykore chuckle to himself.

You see? All according to plan…

[crystalas]

Shadow puppets part 6

Chapter six: Turning a corner…into a dead end

Kaossandra sat at her desk and was putting the last of the week’s paperwork away knowing it will have regrown by the end of the weekend, but she also knew that she was at least going to have a day or two without writer’s cramp. As she got up and stretch the kink out of her back from slouching over all night, she turned to see Eon floating towards her.

“How was your day?” she asked.

“The usual stopping evil and darkness with the Skylanders and yours?”

“The afternoon study session went as well as it normally does, with Kaos not saying a word unless asking about his lessons…I was hoping after all this time he would open up to us by now.” Kaossandra said sadly.

“I think we have turned a corner with him, he’s had plenty of chances to use his newly honed powers for evil and yet he’s been quiet and well behaved.” Eon exclaimed following Kaossandra out of the main hall to the living quarters. “Not to mention he’s diligence in mastering his portal magic.”

“Don’t you think he’s a bit too diligent?” she asked “I mean even on his days off he’s reading those books and I know they are boring to read, how you portal masters made something as wonderful as magic as a tedious chore is amazing in of itself.” Eon gave a her a look.

“We both know how he is, Kaos can be very single minded when he is after something.” Eon explained “But don’t fret I hear Spyro is making sure he doesn’t overwork himself.”

“I’m glad Kaos found someone his own age to talk to” she said gently, “maybe you’re right and Kaos really is starting to like being here at the academy…”

 Kaos was really starting to hate being here at the academy.

Months of being controlled by his uncle into doing his bidding like he was a lowly minion and being punished in painful ways if he dared to deny him; months of having his uncle emotionally and mental abuse him from the inside of his own head. The worst was the fact that he had the spend time with the two people who could easily stop all of this if they just. Freaking. Noticed!!! He wasn’t sure what hurt more, the fact that his parents were helping Strykore with his plans by training him to be a portal master or the fact they seemly were oblivious to how much he was struggling with it all.

No, what hurt the most was how his mother would hang out with the Skylanders and that Stealth Elf acting more maternal and nurturing to them than she has ever been to him his entire childhood.  He wanted to scream in anger and wreck that stupid classroom. The number of times he nearly choked on his own vomit when he tried to tell them or even hint at what was really going on, how many times he found himself curled up in pain when Strykore caught him trying to thwart his plans…and still…none of them found anything amiss with his behaviour. They were all too happy to be taken in by Strykore’s forced excuses and Kaos’ new quiet and obedient nature.

Kaos sat on his bed in the cellar quietly ticking the hours away, watching the clock and waiting for it to come to midnight. Glumshanks was normally asleep by then which was when Kaos could sneak in and get his blessed four to five hours of none Strykore infested sleep. That blessed refuge of unconsciousness where he could just rest. Getting impatient he got up and easily picked the lock to his room [one of the upsides of living with the Doom Raiders they sometimes taught him little tricks of the trade when they were bored.] He sneaked with practised ease to Glumshank’s room and cracked open the door to see the light was out and the troll curled up under his blanket. He crept in silently closing the door and made his way to the bed, clambering up he got close enough to notice something amiss. Glumshank’s body was too lumpy for the lanky being and upon closer inspection he found that this was due to it being just a clump of pillows…which meant…

“Oh no…” he muttered.

“I was hoping you would get around to explaining why you were doing this sir” Glumshanks declared turning on the light switch revealing he had been standing beside the door the entire time. Kaos froze on the bed like a deer in the head lights not sure if he should just threaten him to be quiet, confess or make a run for it. He was still considering his options when the Troll knelt down so he could look Kaos in the eyes.

“Kaos, I know something is troubling you, it must be something big if you feel like you have to hide it but you know I’m here for you right? You can talk to me and I promise to help you through it.” he said gently putting a hand on Kaos’ shoulder.

That damn troll is far too perceptive… Strykore growled.

Of course, he is, Glummy’s been by my side practically all my life. I’m just annoyed it’s taken him this long to figure it out! Kaos thought.

“I can try and mediate things with your parents if that’s the issue…” Glumshanks continued unaware of the second conversation.

Good point. I’ll have to get rid of him.

“NO!” Kaos shrieked before covering his mouth, Glumshanks looked concerned before getting up.

“Kaos, I know things are strained between you three but its clearly eating you up inside perhaps we should try and talk to them, Ma’am is usually still awake…”

Kaos could feel Strykore’s presence shifting inside his mind as if he was looking for a way to tighten his grip on Kaos to get him to hurt Glumshanks, the troll in question was obliviously getting up and had turned his back to him so he could head for the door. Kaos’ hands suddenly sparked and a dark magic orb manifested, he gripped his hands and clutched them to his chest ignoring the pain as he extinguished the orb with his fists.

“Wait…please…” Kaos whispered not sure if he was begging the troll or the spirit inside him, Glumshanks turned to look at him.

“The truth is…” he started already feeling Strykore’s claws around his throat threatening their punishment if Kaos said a word he didn’t like, “The truth is… I…I guess I’m just struggling to get my head around it…”

Glumshanks tilted his head in question but said nothing as he knelt back down in front of Kaos giving him his undivided attention. Kaos took another shaky breath and carried on.

“I always thought I was destined to rule over Skylands because I came from a long line of dark wizards and sorcerers but…I’m not…I’m just a mistake that no one wanted to admit to. My parents don’t hate me because I’m a threat or because I’m evil…they despise me for just existing cos I remind them of something horrible. And now because I can become something they want or need they just want me to…just forget? Forget that they basically shoved me away my entire life and lied to me about everything?” Kaos choked out “I…I…I don’t know how to feel about it all I guess …”

He looked up at Glumshanks praying that he bought all that emotional mush, the troll gave a sad sigh.

“Is there anything else bothering you?”

Yes! YES! YES, THERE IS!! Kaos screeched in his head.

“No…”

There was a tense pregnant pause between the two as the troll took in what he was just told before patting Kaos by the shoulders and giving him a reassuring smile.

“Doesn’t it feel better to get it off your chest?” he asked, Kaos gave a fake smile and got off the bed.

“Yeah, it does…thanks Glummy…please don’t tell mother or new father…” he said.

“Sir you know that I keep secrets to the grave, but you really should ta…” he began but Kaos waved him off.

“When I’m good and ready Glum wad I promise…now I better get to bed” and with that he walked out, he strode confidently away but slumped when he out of view.

I will not let that troll endanger my plans Strykore hissed.

Trust me he’ll be so busy patting himself on the back for getting me to gush all that stupid nonsense he won’t have time to doubt me. Kaos declared he stopped in his tracks when he heard Strykore laugh like he had heard the best joke of his life. What’s so funny?

“That stupid nonsense”? Kaos don’t think for a second you can fool me, we both know that during that entire speal not a single lie left your lips Strykore chuckled, Kaos sighed and got to his room. It will soon be time for the next stage so in order for you not to bungle anything that troll will need to be kept away.

NO way! Kaos roared I’m not giving up the one time of the day that I get any peace from you!

You think the troll was responsible for that? By the Ancients you are stupid, what made you think he had any sway on this? I merely was too busy with other things to deal with you.

Like I’m going to believe that!

Believe what you will but if you try to defy me there are many ways for me to deal with that troll myself.

Kaos’ mind was suddenly flooded with horrible thoughts of his magic surging while Glumshanks was near, Glumshanks getting crushed by earth magic gone awry, incinerated by a wild fire ball, blasted by a magic blast; and all sorts of other ways for his magic to ‘go wild’ and kill the troll. He then began to see visions of Strykore taking control of his body and slashing or stabbing Glumshanks in his sleep.

“Stop! Okay I get it!” he snapped. “But people would suspect something if I suddenly start pushing him away…”

Then see to it that they don’t… was all he got as a reply.

And just like that Kaos’ one refuge in all this was gone, snatched away with infuriating ease. He sat on his bed hugging his pillow as he pulled his knees up to his chest. He was in the one place where he was surrounded by heroes day in and day out, his parents are the most accomplished magic users alive spent at least a few hours a day with him and he was still stuck in this hell.

He fought to breath as he realised with sickening dread that in this fight to keep his own body and soul in one piece it was not longer a matter of ‘if’ Strykore won it was now only a matter of ‘when’. What will happen to him when Strykore won? Will his soul just vanish or would he be forced to watch from inside his own mind as Strykore took full control of his body?

Tears of frustration began to trickle down his face and he buried his face into the pillow to muffle the sound of him quietly sobbing.

 Kaos returned to his only plan of defence, the ‘can’t sleep, won’t sleep’ scheme. The potion gremlin Pop-Fizz was more than happy to let him be a guinea pig to his energy drink concoctions and now that Kaos knew where the kitchens are he could help himself to coffee so strong he didn’t so much as drink but ate it.

Alas it would seem that once again Strykore was ready for such an attempt of resistance because no matter what he did to try and keep himself awake he could feel the energy drain out of him as fast as he could muster it. it was a blessing that it was the weekend because Kaos dreaded to think what would have happened if he had been expected to practise with his portal magic when feeling this mentally and physically knackered. He laid on the sofa of the Main Hall a stack of books he should be reading stood beside him untouched as Kaos was trying everything he could think of not to zone out or fall asleep that didn’t require actual effort. Sitting on the balcony railings was Stealth Elf who looked as bored as he did tired. Spyro flitted in and landed next to her.

“Hey Elf came to relieve you of babysitting duty” he said she gave a smile and popped over to the door.

“Hope you bought something to do cos he certainly isn’t doing much…bye” she declared and with that she was out the doors and gone. Spyro waited for her to go before jumping down to the sofa and poking Kaos.

“Hey its my turn to watch you know what that means?” he chimed happily and Kaos looked up at him.

“I have to endure your arrogant ego-driven sore winner nature?” he mumbled.

“If by that you mean I kick your butt at video games then yes!” the dragon smirked and Kaos all but rolled off the sofa, Spyro watched as the wizard staggered to his feet and blinked hazily.

“You feeling alright?” he asked.

“I’m not feeling up to this today…” which was as far as he got when his head throbbed horrible his hand pressed against his forehead to try and relieve the pressure. “So, is it okay if I just watch you play?”

Kaos felt a horrible chill run down his spine, he hadn’t said that. He hadn’t meant to anyway. Before Strykore fed him the lines and made him say them; that was the first time Strykore just took over and he didn’t even get a chance to fight back!

I don’t get it. Kaos thought I figured you wanted me isolated so you can do whatever you wanted to me, why are you okay with me hanging out with Spyro of all Skylanders?

Pawns don’t get to questions the player’s moves. Strykore declared coldly.

“Kaos?” Spyro repeated, the wizard looked up at him.

“Lead on dragon boy” was the reply he got.

 Kaos laid back on Spyro’s nest bed as the dragon set up the game system, Spyro glanced at them while he did before pulling out a game and waving it at Kaos.

“Hey Creatures and Combat ain’t as much fun without you in it so is it cool if I play another game?” he asked and Kaos just gave a half-hearted wave of his hands as he was too engrossed in his thoughts of trying to figure out what Strykore was up to now. Spyro gave a grin and started up the game ‘Sky blocks’ it was a game where you harvested material and built stuff, it was Spyro’s wind down activity that he played after a stressful day because it was such a relaxing game where you went at your own pace, did your own thing and just make stuff. But most importantly it had a really soothing sound track that chilled you out.

Kaos was trying to keep awake but found his limbs were like lead and his eye lids were so heavy, he would blink himself alert only to start to drift off again within minutes. That soft gentle piano music was not helping!

I shouldn’t sleep here he thought to himself as he fought the urge. I should fight this… I need to fight this, to fight him…

But I’m so tired…

He crumpled slowly again the nearby pillows and succumbed to slumber, Spyro looked back at the dozing wizard and smiled to himself.

“You’ll feel better after a nap pumpkin head” he said and started to go mining for diamonds.

 Kaos gave a tired whine as he found himself on the tiny island that was getting smaller and smaller each time he slept, the void was oozing onto the island now as it no longer floated in the air but amongst the void essence like a pathetic pool toy, one wave away from flipping over and capsizing.

He looked up at Strykore who just watched him struggle as he floated closer.

You can’t fight me for much longer boy…sooner or later you will fail. Just like always.

Kaos didn’t have the energy to think of a one liner of the fly instead he surrounded himself with the golden glow of his flight spell and took off just as the slime reached out for him. He dodged the grasping claws and gave a distressed yelp as Strykore grabbed him by the throat, he kicked and flailed and felt his magic ebb away as he struggled to concentrate long enough to do anything.

“Let me go!” he shouted, Strykore smiled darkly as tightened his grip on him he whimpered in pain as his neck was slowly getting crushed, luckily in the dream world windpipes weren’t a necessity. However, it wasn’t this that woke Kaos up it was instead another bolt of pain which erupted in his ribcage as if someone had kicked him square in the chest…

Spyro had just found a seam of gold ore when he heard Kaos shift in his sleep, he paused the game and turned to look. Kaos was twisted and turning in his sleep, his chest heaving as he struggled to breathe, a cold sweat gleamed on his forehead and his eyelids fluttered as his face contorted to one of fear and pain. He curled up grabbing his throat whimpering and mumbled for help.

“Kaos?” Spyro whispered.

“L…let me go” he whined. Spyro was confused he had heard the old wife tale of never waking a sleepwalker but wasn’t there something about nightmares too? He watched for another second and decided to risk it.

“Hey dude wake up!” he said gently rocking Kaos noticing that his mark was flickering between its usual sky blue and a blood red, “Kaos wake up its just a bad nightmare! You’re dreaming!”

Kaos’ eyes snapped open and he lunged forward and grabbed Spyro by the throat! Spyro found himself pinned to the floor as Kaos started to throttle him, he could feel dark magic seeping onto his scales and the cold dark look Kaos was giving him gave him chills.

“Get…OFF!” he screamed bracing his hind legs against the wizard’s chest and kicking for all he was worth Kaos went flying and hit the wall with a thud before crumpling down onto the bed nest. He rolled onto his legs and readied himself for round two but it never came, Kaos blinked sluggishly as he looked around and saw Spyro glaring at him.

Spyro expected a tirade of curses, a long monologue of Skyland’s doom or Kaos’ plans to do and how Spyro had nearly fallen into his clutches; or at the very least a few swear words from getting punted across the room.

But instead Kaos just sat there looking scared and lost and only said.

“What did I do?”