//------------------------------//
// Star Strike and CMC 
// Story: Skylanders X MLP 
// by Skylander545 
//------------------------------//

As Star Strike teleported to Ponyville Elementary where the CMC were just being dismissed from their class for Summer Break. The three fillies began to exit the school as Applebloom said,

"Well, at least we'll be able to hang out with the Skylanders for the summer."

Sweetie Belle said, "But the Skylanders are working just a day after Spike's Coronation."

Scootaloo guessed, "Probably going after that mean pirate, Captain Frightbeard."

They soon turned their attention to the Skylander in front of them and Star Strike asked,

"Are you three, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle and Applebloom, the ones on the hunt for the Swap Force?" The fillies nodded as the Skylander continued, "My name is Star Strike, I'm a Magic Skylander that assisted the Swap Force before being sent to Equestria."

Sweetie Belle asked, "How do you know our names?" Star Strike handed them a note written by Master Eon as they read,

"Dear Sweetie Belle, Applebloom and Scootaloo
You have already met Star Strike and now is the time to find the rest of the Swap Force that she senses. Star Strike will be your guide to finding and restoring the Swap Force. You should keep on the lookout for any frozen Core Skylanders. But unlike Star Strike, the other Core Skylanders would not be free until the Swap Force Skylanders that she senses are found.
Yours sincerely, Master Eon."

After reading the message, the CMC decided that their search for the Swap Force has now begun. Now Sweetie Belle decided to ask their new guide, 

"Are there any Swap Force Skylanders close by?" 

Star Strike's eyes began to glow, "I sense two Swap Force Skylanders along with a Core Skylander somewhere in the Everfree Forest in an Ancient Castle."

Scootaloo asked, "But the Everfree Forest is dangerous, especially at night."

Star Strike smiled under her hood, "Don't worry, I'll protect you from harm."

Applebloom informed, "But since we are going into the Everfree, we might want to stop by Zecora's hut, she's Zebra herbalist in the Everfree forest and stops by the town to buy herbs or harvest them in the forest."

Star Strike replied, "If any of us get hurt while traversing the forest, she might be able to help us out."


As the group began to enter the Everfree Forest, Star Strike's eyes began to glow as she said,

"There is a Core Skylander close by!"

Applebloom asked, "Are you sure?"

Star Strike replied, "Its not something that I can forget."

Sweetie Belle pointed, "I think I see it over there!" The group moved to where Sweetie Belle pointed and spotted a Core Skylander of a mysterious Undead creature wielding a scythe. This Skylander was standing on a Skull Pedestal, this was someone Star Strike recognized as she said,

"Grim Creeper, you will be free soon." She placed Grim Creeper into Sweetie Belle's saddlebag and the group continued through the Everfree Forest. 

As they continued on their journey to the old castle, they came across a very familiar pony, it was Zecora the herbalist. They greeted their friend as she spoke in rhymes discussing her not-so treacherous journey back to her hut until she came across a bottom half and top half of some dragon-like creature until Star Strike's eyes lit up again. The mentioning of the bottom and top halves of a Dragon-like creature got the group's attention. Scootaloo asked,

"Can we take a look at what you found?" The Zebra nodded as she reached into her bag and pulled out the two halves of the dragon-like creature. After they saw the fire pedestal on the bottom half, Scootaloo told Zecora,

"You found a Swap Force Skylander during your traditional visit to search for herbs."

Zecora replied in rhymes saying that she found it lying near the Northern edge of the Everfree near Whitetail wood. The group explained their journey to the old castle to recover the Swap Force Skylanders that Star Strike senses. Zecora understood why the CMC need to find the Swap Force and restore them. Zecora gave them the frozen Swap Force Skylander as a gift in hopes that they will restore it. Zecora gave Star Strike some herbal healing remedies, so if they hurt, it could heal them.

After talking with Zecora, the group continued their journey to the old castle. Star Strike saw Applebloom lagging behind, so she went to the filly and asked,

"Is everything all right?"

Applebloom replied, "Mostly the Everfree Forest is forbidden because it is too dangerous."

Star Strike spoke, "I know that most of the dangerous beasts seem to live in this forest, but I'll protect you and your friends. That's what a Skylander does."

Applebloom asked, "We were told by Master Eon to find the frozen Swap Force along with the frozen Core Skylanders."

Sweetie Belle wondered, "Speaking of Skylanders, I wonder what they are up to in Skylands."


Meanwhile in Skylands, the tag-team of Thumpback and Dark Spike journeyed through the Tiki Islands and discovered the location of a map piece. Unfortunately, its being held by a very familiar pirate that Thumpback recognizes. 

"Squidbeard, Fightbeard's second lieutenant as I remember."

Squidbeard replied, "Well, well, well, Thumpback the treacherous pirate deserter. Frightbeard had a feeling that we would see you again."

Thumpback spoke, "I'm no traitor, Squidbeard, but I did desert because I was pulled overboard by the Leviathan Crab before you joined Malefor. I was adventurous, not in the mood for piracy."

Squidbeard shrugged, "Either way, ye still deserted us. As a traitor, you shall pay with ye life."

Thumpback smiled, "But, I'm not alone this time...me hardy." He looked up, "SWAP!!" Thumpback disappeared and Dark Spike took his place. Squidbeard was mad as he said,

"Lets get them, me hardies. We bring the deserter to Frightbeard as soon as this is done!"

Dark Spike said, "Whoa, I guess this is going to be harder than it looks." Dark Spike jumped into battle as he battled Squidbeard's thugs. He even gave Thumpback a turn at facing Squidbeard himself.


Back in the Everfree Forest, the group finally arrived at their destination. The Ancient Castle of the Sisters was where Nightmare Moon was defeated, the Elements of Harmony have found their bearers and it was when they came into first contact with a Skylander who was guarding the castle. Star Strike placed her hand on the castle ground as she closed her eyes,

"There was the essence of an Air Skylander guarding the castle awaiting the arrival of the element bearers. The Skylander became guardian of this castle until.." She senses another, "A dark alicorn came to the castle a battled the skylander. He was knocked unconscious by the alicorn and six mares became the new bearers of the Elements of Harmony ultimately defeating the alicorn and freeing a Princess possessed by the dark alicorn."

Sweetie Belle replied, "Rarity told me about the guardian, his name is Jet-Vac. He is the first Skylander ever encountered." 

Star Strike smiled, "Then he was very fortunate to have met them." She began to sense another essence, "Master Eon was here, a year ago. The Mane-6 returned to this castle along with the Purple Dragon."

Applebloom realized, "Applejack told me about returning to the castle to meet Master Eon to remove the Soul Gem Omnitrix from Spike's wrist."

Star Strike replied, "A lot of events have happened during the long times of my imprisonment before the Battle of the Crystal Empire."

Scootaloo asked, "You were in the Battle of the Crystal Empire?"

Star Strike replied as her eyes began to glow again, "I'll explain later. We have to find the rest of the Swap Force." They began searching the castle for any sign of the Swap Force Skylanders that Star Strike sensed. They searched the throne where Nightmare Moon stood in her final stand, until Sweetie Belle came across the tornado half of a Swap Force Skylander, while Applebloom came across the top half of a chicken. 

Scootaloo came across a bottom half of a snake creature near the Element pedestals while Star Strike came across the top half of a snake creature that she recognizes. They also discovered two core Skylanders both of which Star Strike recognizes as she said their names,

"Pop Thorn, Riptide, it will be glad to see you again."

Sweetie Belle spoke, "We found what you sensed, we should head to the clubhouse."

Star Strike replied, "Its best that we leave this forest. If I sense a Swap Force Skylander, I'll let you know."

Scootaloo asked, "I wonder what the Skylanders are up to?" 


In a Swamp in Skylands, Thumpback and Whirlwind bounced to a platform where an undead Pirate, Rustbeard was waiting for them.

"Sorry, deserter, but the clue is in another castle. Frightbeard became really angry of your interference."

Thumpback crossed his arms, "And he sends you rather than bringing himself forward."

Rustbeard spoke, "He knows ye have the clues, but our mates have raided ye ship and took them back."

Thumpback replied, "You dirty, rusty, bad breath, no good, rear end smelling, dog breathed sea dog!"

Rustbeard laughed, "And now ye here to meet your fate, but Frightbeard wants ye alive so you are coming with me." As Rustbeard tried to grab him, Thumpback grabbed Rustbeard's arm and swung his anchor at him. Thumpback said,

"You will not take me to Frightbeard because I would rather have Frightbeard show himself." Thumpback prepared himself for combat until he heard Princess Celestia's voice in his head,

"Rustbeard is telling the truth, we found the pirates getting away with the clues. But you must fight Rustbeard's bad breath and defeat him."

Thumpback began fighting Rustbeard's thugs as they appeared. He used his anchor and his water abilities to defeat them until Rustbeard jumped from the platform. Thumpback decided to send Whirlwind in,

"SWAP!"

Whirlwind took his place as she dodged Rustbeard's attacks and his electric shockwave. Whirlwind was a lot faster than Rustbeard anticipated and a lot stronger. Whirlwind used her Rainbow Singularity to attack Rustbeard until he was finally defeated. Thumpback appeared right next to Whirlwind as he towered over the defeated pirate.

"Sorry, Rustbeard. But your pride is in another castle."

Whirlwind said, "If the pirates took the clues, they have them at their fortress."

"You're right, Whirlwind. We got to get back to the Dread-Yacht."


Back in Equestria, Star Strike and the CMC arrived at the clubhouse until Star Strike began to sense one more Swap Force Skylander. The CMC followed her underneath the clubhouse and found two halves of an Owl creature. After retrieving it, they went back inside and dumped their findings on the floor. Star Strike said,

"We better restore them."

Sweetie Belle replied, "We should."

Applebloom spoke, "We found them."

Scootaloo finished, "And we restore them."

Star Strike and the CMC began mixing and matching the Swap Force Skylanders with every top and bottom until they found a match. They mixed and matched the Swap Force for a couple minutes until the last Swap Force Skylander was matched perfectly and the Swap Force and the core Skylanders began to glow.

Star Strike stood back along with the fillies as the Skylanders they found began to grow and the pedestals shattered. Every Skylander they found began to move their arms and get a good look at their surroundings. They noticed Star Strike standing in front of the three fillies as she said,

"Fire Kraken, Hoot Loop, Free Ranger, Rattle Shake, stand down, they are not your enemies. They found you and freed you along with Pop Thorn, Riptide, and Grim Creeper."

Rattle Shake spoke to the CMC, "Then you three have our eternal gratitude for freeing us."

Free Ranger asked, "Where's Wash Buckler and the others?"

Star Strike replied, "They are in Canterlot as observers so they can watch their fellow Skylanders in action."

Fire Kraken asked, "This place has a Portal of Power?"

Star Strike replied, "It does."

Hoot Loop asked, "Can we go to Canterlot?"

Star Strike spoke, "Yes we can." She turned to the CMC, "Stay close to me when I teleport us to Canterlot." As she used her magic in a teleportation spell, she felt the three fillies hugging her cloak. She did tell them to stay close to her. Star Strike used her magic to form around the Swap Force and the Core Skylanders and in a flash of light, they all disappeared.