//------------------------------//
// The Variants 
// Story: Skylanders X MLP 
// by Skylander545 
//------------------------------//

Princess Celestia and Princess Luna looked over at the various Soul Gems of each Skylander Variant from Dark Spyro to Alicorn Twilight. Each Variant possessed an amazing ability and feeling, but they don't know how to use it in battle. So they decided to call the Skylanders to Canterlot, so they could train their variants.

At the Ponyville Flower Shop, Trigger Happy was helping out Zook with the flowers until a courier came around with a message to the Skylanders. Trig looked at the message and told Zook, "We need to find the others and head to Canterlot." Zook and Trig clocked out and ran to find the others.

At the Carosuel Boutique, Chop Chop stood in embarrasment because he was being used as a mannequin for more bipedal dresses. Rarity was about to knit the dress that she made the Undead Knight wear until Zook and Trig showed up. Zook said,

"We have an urgent message from the Princesses. We need to goto Canterlot at once."

Chop Chop gladly slipped out of the dress and Rarity closed her shop and went with Zook and Trig to find the others.

At Sweet Apple Acres, Terrafin punched an Apple tree lightly and stepped aside as the apples began falling down. Applejack was helping Terrafin with the harvesting, while Tree Rex helped raise a barn. 

Bouncer helped move a boudler that appeared during the Running of the Leaves. It was easy for him to move it because he's a Giant. They were about to move on until the other Skylanders showed up with a message. They stopped what they were doing and began to make haste to the train station after they found the rest.



As they made their way to Canterlot Castle, Spyro had to ask, "I wonder why the Princesses would want to see us?" 

Pop Fizz said, "I don't know." 

Twilight replied, "Then we better see what they want us for."

But as they entered the castle, the Skylanders will have to be given a new assignment. They went into the throne room and saw the Royal Sisters with the Soul Gems all lined up. 

Spyro asked, "Your Highnesses, you called us here on a moments notice. But why?" 

Princess Celestia answered, "We have observed the various Soul Gems that you have obtained and my sister and I have decided to release your variants into your custody." 

Princess Luna continued, "Each Skylander Variant would be released from their Soul Gem to the original Skylander of that variant." 

The Princess of the Night turned to the other Soul Gems, "But as smart as they are, they are very unstable on using their powers. We need the original Skylanders of each Variant to train them and control their abilities."

Tree Rex said, "Wait, back-up, Are you saying we have to teach our variants to control their abilities so they won't blow themselves up?" The Princesses nodded at the Life Giant and he continued, "We won't want to have any craters here." 

The Princesses placed each Soul Gem on the Portal of Power and soon each variant appeared starting with Alicorn Twilight,

"Magic at the Ready!" 

She jumped of the Portal and each variant appeared after her. Thats when everypony and Skylander came face to face with their variants. But as each variant appeared, their unstable powers were going on the rise. But the Original Skylanders implemented an ability cooler to stop their unstable powers. Twilight put her hoof around Alicorn Twilight as she cooled down,

"Don't worry, Alicorn Twilight, We can help you and the other Skylander Variants control your powers." 

Alicorn Twilight replied, "Yes, Its possible because the only variants to have their powers tamed were Dark Spyro, Dark Spike and Legendary Rarity."

Spike replied, "Yes, Its because I became Dark Spyro during the Discord Incident and Rarity and I became Dark Spike and Legendary Rarity when Kaos' Hydra struck at us." Spike wondered, "But how could I unleash my Legendary form?" 

Alicorn Twilight replied, "It will come in time, Spike."

Pop Fizz said to his variant, Punch Pop Fizz, "Whoa, you're red!" 

Punch Pop Fizz replied, "And you're blue!" 

Whirlwind met her variant, Polar Whirlwind, "You're as white as the clouds."

Polar Whirlwind replied, "And as white as the snow."

As soon as the Skylanders and their Variants took their leave, Master Eon appeared between the Princesses. The Alicorn Portal Master said,

"It was a very wise choice to release the variants and give them a chance to learn from their originals." 

Princess Celestia turned to the light-blue Alicorn, "They are the Skylander variants and they are a piece of the originals. But, my son, Spike now wants to find his Legendary variant, just like he found his Dark variant and controlled him." 

Eon replied, "Then we better hope that they train them well. There is another reason why I've returned." He paused before responding, "Malefor has shown himself, the Dark Master has appeared in Equestria, but we don't know where." 

Princess Celestia replied cautiously, "We better send word, from here to the Crystal Empire to keep on a lookout for Malefor in case he appears."



As the Skylanders returned to Ponyville with their variants, they began to train their variants in battle and in friendship. Twilight taught her Alicorn variant the meaning of friendship and being a Skylander. 

Ignitor, Chill, Chop Chop and Stealth Elf were teaching their Legendary Variants about combat with their weapons and their abilities. 

Bash was training his Legendary Variant while Flashwing is trying to decide on separating Jade Flashwing from herself. 

Tree Rex, Bouncer, Ninjini, and Crusher were training Gnarly Tree Rex, Legendary Bouncer, Scarlet Ninjini, and Granite Crusher.

Trigger Happy's training of Legendary Trigger Happy started and finished quickily because they both like shooting things.

Spike recieved a letter from Princess Celestia in a writing that was only meant for him, a motherly writing. 

"To my son, Spike, I want to know how the variants are doing under the Original's teachings. If they are accurate, we could use them for a good battle before we place them back in their Soul Gems. Master Eon came to us after you left to give us grave news, but I won't discuss this to you, not when the other Skylanders are not present. Please, I want your report on the variants. I know about the search for your Legendary Variant, but like the Electricity ability, it will come in time. Love, Mom."

Spike began to tear up about Celestia raising him as her son, but his touchy memory moment halted when he saw a P.S. "P.S. I know the other ponies excluding Cadance, Luna, and Twilight don't know that you are my secret son. But if you can fulfill the destiny of a Purple Dragon, I would have to reveal the secret."

Spike began to think about everything that the letter said to him and got out a paper and a quill and began writing, 
"Dear Mom, I'm happy to report that the Variants' training is going along quite nicely. All Skylander Variants are being trained by the originals and are improving their abilities quite well. And I'm happy to report that sometimes a Skylander Variant might be differant, but if you offer them your friendship starting with the original, you can discover a whole new Skylander inside of them. But someday, I would find my Legendary variant and someday, I would train him. But the Variants are all well and are practicing strong. Your Secret Son, Spike." 



After training was completed with the Variants, the originals decided to take the variants on a daytime stroll through the park and have a picnic with Rainbow Dash and Whirlwind's family. The variants wanted to have a little bit of freetime since their training is complete. 

Rainbow Dash and Whirlwind were best friends when they first met, but now they became very best cousins since their visit to Ignitus. The picnic is a family reunion for Rainbow Dash and Whirlwind. But as the variants were about to settle down for the picnic, a dark crystal appeared with the image of glowing yellow eyes. It had a voice in a very evil tone,

""Ponies of Equestria, congratulations, you shall be the first to witness the birth of a new Crystal Empire and the defeat of your kind." Spyro recognized the voice, "Malefor!" The image changed to Malefor controlling the Crystal Empire and fusing Crystal Ponies with Dark Magic. 

Twilight said, "What is he doing?"

Malefor spoke, "The Crystal Ponies have begun being integrated with Dark Magic, once it is complete, the Crystal Empire will spread across Equis in a torrent of chaos, there will be no escape!"

Flynn landed the 'Dread-Yacht' and said, "Wowsers, did you guys see that message!?" 

Legendary Jet-Vac replied, "Malefor has taken over the Crystal Empire and I think he's allied himself with Sombra." 

Tree Rex spoke, "We have to stop them, but we can't kill any Crystal Ponies." 

Spike said, "I bet Princess Cadance has a way to defeat the Crystal Ponies without killing them." 

Flynn replied, "Then we better fly to Canterlot."



As the Skylanders arrived at Canterlot, they were met by Shining Armor, "You guys got that messsage?" The Skylanders nodded, "We did, but it looks like the city is in chaos because of Malefor's message." 

Spike said, "We need to find Princess Cadance, we have to get to the Crystal Empire and stop Malefor without killing any Crystal Ponies." 

Shining Armor lowered his head, "I knew it would have to come to the artifact." 

Spyro asked, "What artifact?" 

Bouncer remembered, "The Crystal Heart!"

The Skylanders were led into the throne room where they found all three Princesses and Cadance was levitating a chest with the insignia of the Crystal Empire on it. Cadance turned to the approaching Skylanders, "I knew that it wouldn't be long before the Crystal Empire was threatened again. I took precautions on securing the Crystal Heart, so I brought it back with me when I returned." 

Crusher spoke, "We need the Crystal Heart to stop Malefor and Sombra." 

Cadance replied, "Usually the Giants could handle it, but its allegiance has changed and has fallen on a Purple Dragon." She used her magic to find the dragon that the artifact chose, Spike's arua was glowing in multiple colors, "The Crystal Heart has chosen you, Spike." After she opened the chest, the Crystal Heart moved on its own and onto Spike's wings as his wings became a blue color. 

Spike said, "This is what the Crystal Heart can do?" 

Cadance replied, "I don't know its effect on a Purple Dragon, but there is always a special connection between crystals and your kind. Your kind can draw strength from them, so I guess the Crystal Heart gave your wings strength." 

Spike asked, "How does this defeat the Dark Crystal Ponies without killing them?"

Cadance replied, "The Crystal Heart is now your breath, it is your wing strength and your combat skill. A single hit from your breath or if you hit the Dark Crystal Pony with your wings or your melee, Malefor's dark infuence will abandon the Crystal Pony, freeing him or her in the process."

Princess Celestia spoke, "The Elements of Harmony should go with you to the Crystal Empire. They will help you in some way. But I don't know if Malefor can resist them, but there is always a connection between the Elements and their bearers. The Element of Generousity is giving out a dark shadow, its bearer has been turned by Malefor."

Spyro realized, "Rarity was kidnapped by Malefor?" 

Spike said, "Malefor might've converted Rarity, but the real her is still inside." 

Celestia replied, "That's what the Soul Gem Omnitrix is for, Rarity's dark form could make a good variant when the time comes." 

Spike replied, "I'll think about it. Come on, Skylanders, we've got an Empire to save." As the Skylanders left in the Dread-Yacht, the Princesses looked out on the horizon as Princess Luna spoke, 

"May Mother look after you." 

Princess Celestia finished, "May she look after us all."