Another bright day at Skylanders Academy. Just how Joki liked it.

Joki Kazan was her usual self. Well, maybe plus some extra energy to her from going to Crocavile's birthday party the night before. Gema and Gemi, aka Gemini, helped arrange and plan the party themselves, so it was a real blast! Joki was invited and boy was it fun!

Joki remembered all the fun of the party. Boy, she couldn't remember the last time she had so much excitement. But alias, she had places to go right now and she had to be there soon. Thinking about things would only slow her down.

She was headed for the main building. Long story why. And she probably would've gotten there sooner if some crazy vermilion colored robot didn't just jump out at Joki and ask her questions!

Joki had no idea, but the robot was none other then the Vermillion Destroyer, Ray!

Ray: Who or what the heck are you!? And what's your business here!?
Joki: Um, rude! I could easily ask you the same thing! Now if you don't mind I'm trying to go to the main office here!

Joki tried walking around Ray, but she didn't even walk five feet away before Ray suddenly appeared in front of her again.

Joki: What the H*ll!?
Ray: You a student here? Considering the book I would think that. But what's with the trenchcoat? Seriously I'm asking here.
Joki: Um, yes!? Isn't it obvious I'm a cadet!? And as for the trenchcoat it helps cover my scales from the sun! Us Koin are sensitive to hot and stuffy air like the sun, or your ego.😡
Ray: ...You're a fish out of water!? And I thought that crazy croc was weird! Listen fish stick, I'm just making sure things around here doesn't go straight to H*ll and that there ain't any shady types, ya hear me?
Joki: Uh huh. Sure. You work with Muerte or something?
Ray: H*ll nah! I don't work for no one! I'm just doing a favor for somebody I owe by keeping an eye on this place.
Joki: Good for you. Now if you really don't mind-
Ray: Ok ok! You can go. I'll recognize ya next time. Hey, you said you were going to the main office? Careful. Things are a little sketchy up there with Muerte running things. Peace.

Before Joki could ask whatever the Vermillion Destroyer was talking about, Ray suddenly teleported away from sight without a second thought.

Joki: 😐... Well that was weird. The H*ll was all that about!?

Joki honestly expected the robot to come back and say something cocky in response or something, but no. Ray really must've left. That was... strange. Joki decided to shake it off and went into the main building to find the main office.

This wasn't her first time going to the main building, let alone the main office, but it always seemed like the first time whenever she went to the office. Not that it was that different every time or that it was very good every time. It was the freaky maintenance thingies Muerte had around where her office was! They always managed to unsettle Joki no matter what.

The maintenance things looked almost exactly like Vilay. You know, the weird water creature thing Sunny and Shorebreaker helped out at Kaos' Warehouse? Yeah, these things looked almost exactly like her, but darker and almost... dead. And they were made of water for crying out loud! The water that made them up looked dirty or even toxic, and their eyes were different colors for each of them. Some didn't even have eyes or at least not two eyes. Most of them cleaned the furniture or the floors or whatever, but a few would just... sit there and look ahead, like a guard or something. Joki had asked the Senseis and even the Zodiac Warriors about them, but all they knew was that they were created by Muerte to do things that her servant couldn't do and that they must be the way they are because of the Undead status on Muerte. They often told anyone going to the main office area, Joki included, to just ignore them and let them do as they were told. Joki could tell the Senseis and Zodiac were unsettled as well, but what else could you do about it?

Speak of the devil, Joki ran into Muerte's weird elf servent on the way to the main office. After explaining some things to her, the servant led Joki to the office and told Joki to wait for her mistress Muerte there. Nothing unlike last time Joki was here.

Joki threw her book onto the desk and sat down in the chair across from where Muerte would write, or whatever a headmistress of an Academy would do. After thinking more about it, she could see what the vermilion robot from earlier must've meant by things being sketchy around the main office. Joki yawned, not thinking much on it.

It wasn't very long before Muerte finally opened the door and saw Joki already inside. Muerte seemed her usual cheerful self, but Joki wasn't stupid. She could see the slightly worried look in Muerte's eyes. Or whatever a skeleton has for eyes.

Muerte: Ah Joki, glad to see you already made it! I do hope I didn't keep you waiting long.
Joki: Nah, I just got here a few minutes ago. Come on, let's get this speech of yours over with already.

Muerte didn't like what Joki just said or how the young lady phrased it, but she let it slide for now before taking her seat across from where Joki was. Muerte honestly couldn't stand how Joki was sitting either. She had her elbow over the back side of the chair while the other arm was just laying there sprawled over the arm of the chair, all while Joki leaned back and looked slightly away from Muerte. While it was better then how Joki was seated last time, it was still inappropriate of a becoming lady! Muerte put the frustration in the back of her mind though and began talking her usual caring tone.

Muerte: Now Ms.Kazan, as you may already know I have spoken with the other cadet involved, but just so I can have the full story here I want to ask you: Just what exactly happened about 15 minutes ago that led to you being sent to my office? In your own words preferably.
Joki: ...Tch. Well... The girl thought she could roast me with her words, so I gave her fair treatment by roasting her with my fire.😎

Joki opened her hand and summoned a ball of blue fire in her palm to show what she meant. Muerte sighed and shook her skull with her hand over her eye sockets, and with that Joki got rid of the fire in her hands and looked away again. Joki knew what Muerte was going to say. She'd always say it. 3...2...1...

Muerte: Ms.Kazan, as much as I am pleased that you don't let others push you around like that sap of a elf mime we have around here, you really shouldn't take the whole "roasting" thing seriously. I mean, it's one thing to get into a fight with another cadet, but it's something else whenever anyone has to go to the nurse for such serious injuries!
Joki: There is is. "Serious injury"? Tch. Please. A burn like that will go away in a week with healing potions and patience. Besides, she started it.
Muerte: 😓I believe you Joki. I'm told that that Yasei tends to be a bit of a troublemaker for some of the other cadets. But that's still no reason to actively fight her and send her to the infirmary!
Joki: ...Not like I wanted her to get hurt miss.
Muerte: Joki Kazan... this is the third time you've been sent to my office since you've been here. And nobody has been sent to my office other then Fin-Point for his bad habit of cursing out others or that crazy honey badger Xilas for his... his... general unstable behavior. Joki, if there's something wrong going on, please tell me now!😯
Joki: ...😒 Well... I don't like being pushed around like some ragdoll. I had enough of that back home.
Muerte: ...I can understand that Joki. Nobody wants to feel like a puppet in another one's game, but you do realize that being a Skylander requires taking orders from higher-ups sometimes, right?
Joki: That's different. I want to actually do something with myself, not just sit there while someone does things for me while I could perfectly do it myself! That crazy chick thinks she can push me down to do whatever she wants then she had that burn coming!

Muerte looked at Joki and considered what she said. The skeleton sighed. She could tell Joki meant well, but she needed a sense of direction. Or maybe some therapy, whichever was more effective.

Joki: Besides, I kinda just wanted to talk to you.
Muerte: Hm? Really? About what?
Joki: Well for one thing what's with those Vilay want-a-bes out there? Seriously, even the Zodiac guys are spooked by them!
Muerte: Oh! Um. 😞Well... Promise to keep a secret?
Joki: Sure. Hit meh.
Muerte: Well, see... Vilay isn't quite like just any water-based being like Shorebreaker. She was created by a brilliant scientist many years ago. I suppose she had wandered around until Scorpius found and somehow caught her. And well, the rest I'm sure that chipper Sun Dragon told you.
Joki: Yeah, okay. But what's that got to do with those things out there?
Muerte: Well, my father was great friends with Vilay's creator. Heck, they were even partners in many experiments, including Vilay. Unfortunately, during one of those experiments together, something went horribly wrong and, well, Vilay's creator died as a result. Vilay, not being the awfully emotional kind of creature, didn't quite know how to process what should be done without her creator and just... ran off I guess. My father felt responsible and he tried to help Vilay by creating other Vilays for her. Unfortunately, without the original creator's guide these other Vilays turned out horribly and often exploded within moments of activation. I inherited the original blue prints years agon and I tried to create Vilays like my father, mostly so I could find the original Vilay since no one knew where she was. But while my Vilays are better and more stable then my father's, they aren't as bright or functional or enchanting as the original. They probably will never be like the original. *sigh* But at least they're not worthless. They do a good job cleaning and organizing, so that's good at least😅!

Joki: ...Oh. Wow. Does Vilay know about what you and your father tried to do for her?
Muerte: ....I-I would imagine so. But since she isn't the most emotional being or the best at expressing, she hasn't really said anything to me about it. I doubt she's even bothered by the presence of these inferior "Vilays".
Joki: Hm. Well, I won't say anything if you don't want me to.
Muerte: W-well, it's not really some huge secret😅! I just figure that Vilay would've explained it since she knows about it. (Clears throat) Anyway, if that's all Joki we have to discuss, then I'll let you get back to class with a warning this time. But if you do this again I will have to give you a punishment for it. Now please, you can go back to class or to your room now.

Muerte got up and walked over to a book she had open on another desk in her office. She began writing something from the book onto a paper as she was trying to relax. Last thing she wanted to do today was talk about Vilay, or her father, or anything related to any of that. However, Joki didn't leave. Heck, she wasn't getting up from her seat.

Joki: Wow. So desperate to get back to work huh? Well, I suppose you wouldn't want to hear me talk about Cancer anyway.
Muerte: Hm? Excuse me?
Joki: Oh, you know, Cancer the Crab? The Zodiac? But hey, you're busy with whatever, so I'll just-

Muerte immediately dropped her pencil and approached Joki before the Koin could get up from her seat. Was she serious!?

Muerte: You know about the next Zodiac Warrior!?
Joki: Wow, talk about a 180. Yeah, my people know something about Cancer. Interested?
Muerte: Well of course! Why didn't you say something about it sooner!?
Joki: I haven't been here very long Ms.Muerte. And plus I had to wait for the time of the Cancer Zodiac. Besides, my people consider Cancer a sorta fairytale, so we usually don't think about it much. And anyway it's not going to be easy to find Cancer. I'll need a few things from you.
Muerte: "You" need a few things? What does that mean?
Joki: Um, isn't it obvious? I'm the only Koin here, and Koins have full access to the Crustacean Dominion where Cancer was first born. You know, the kingdom Wham-Shell is from?
Muerte: I am well aware of where Wham-Shell came from Joki. So, you're asking me to send you on a mission to that kingdom to find Cancer?
Joki: Bingo. Oh, and I'll need a team to go with me. The kingdom is pretty huge and there's a lot of ground and crustaceans to go over there to find Cancer.
Muerte: Alright, alright. I'll arrange a team for you.
Joki: But not just any team. This mission will be pretty tough, so I don't want any newbies getting hurt. I want professionals or seniors or whatever kind of team you can send me. And I need to talk to them as well. You know, so I'll be aware of what everyone is capable of and what I'm dealing with.
Muerte: ...You seem to know what you want, don't you Ms.Kazan?
Joki: (chuckles) Of course! I'm no helpless princess you know! Oh, and maybe Gemini can come with us? I would say Aries or Taurus, but Fire nor Earth do so well in Water, so Magic like Gemini's will have to do.
Muerte: Yes yes, quite true. Hmm... (snaps fingers) I think I know just the team to send with you!

Later

Muerte led Joki to another part of the main building (away from those Vilay rip-offs in case you're wondering) where the more experienced teams stay for training and such. Muerte and Joki walked through the hallways until Muerte found the classroom she was looking for and cracked opened the door to peek inside. The team inside was currently watching a training video they were assigned to watch some time ago, but the movie could wait. Muerte walked inside and turned on the light, alerting the team she was there. All the cadets inside stood up and faced Muerte immediately in military fashion while whom Joki would eventually find out to be the leader turned off the movie and faced Muerte with everyone else.

Muerte: At ease lovelies. Joki, meet the Griffin Squadron!

Joki looked around at the "Griffin Squadron" while they all sat back down in their seats. One cadet looked like a fox of some kind with the tips of her ears and tail dyed bright pink. Another appeared to be some kind of blindfolded weasel with no care in the islands. Another was a robot of some kind that looked like it was from Star Wars or something. The other two cadets in the team looked like dragons. One was an Oriental Dragon while the other... Joki couldn't quite tell what kind of dragon he was, but then Joki wasn't an expert on dragons. The last cadet looked like some kind of cat, and Joki would find her to be a sabertooth tiger.

Muerte: Everyone, this is Joki Kazan. She's new here to the Academy, and she'll be with you on your next mission. Joki, let me introduce you to everyone first.
Joki: Ok. Who's in charge of this outfit?
???: Over here. Issho ni Tachiagaru.
Joki: Wow, that's a mouthful.
Issho: No, it's really not.😧
Muerte: Issho here is a sabertooth with a passion! And maybe rage issues.😞
Issho: I DO NOT HAVE RAGE ISSUES!😠 ... (clears throat) Ma'am.
Muerte: Rrrright. The robot there is Kitt, ultimate sass mouth and Issho's personal scrapheap.
Kitt: 😲 *bunch of robotic beeping noises and honks*!😤
Joki: 😐...Translation?
???: Probably something about how he isn't a f**kin' scrapheap and that he'll mess ya up if you dare call him that again.😒
Joki: Uh...?
???: And that's just a loose translation. Be glad Kitt doesn't speak English like the rest of us.

Muerte: That lad here is Izanagi. He's an Undead weasel ninja with piercing eyes, and a pessimistic attitude.
Joki: So basically an emo?
Izanagi: 😐... Whatever. Not like I care.😒
Muerte: The Oriental is Genno of the Air Element. He's not as harsh as most of the others but he will stand his ground when he has to.
Genno: Morning Ms.Kazan. I see you're a Koin! What a delight to see such a gorgeous creature amongst these commoners it is for me! And don't take that the wrong way lot, for you know I only mean by royal standards you'd be commoners.😖
Joki: Well, um, thank you Gene. But please, save the courting for some other beautiful Oriental huh?😓
Issho: *sigh* Forgive him. He WAS going to be heir to the Oriental City, but since his mum was a maid... Well...
Genno: 😨Issho please!
Joki: Really?! Well Gene, I don't think it's so bad about your mom. I'm sure it was some kind of situation involved and your father just didn't realize that... Um... He would end up with... Um... Uh-
Genno: I know, I know. It was a one-night-stand. I'm aware of it. And if you really think it's not so bad then tell that to my father the king. He banished me from the city due to the idea of me being king would be blasphemy!

Muerte: (clears throat) And this sweet wittle fluff of adorable-ness is Atisoto the Inari Fox! Ain't she just the cutest thing you ever did see!?😍 (pinches Atisoto's cheeks)
Atisoto: 😖I-I am not adorable! I am a courageous and viscous Foxy Hood, out to rid my home of those insidious tyrants that are ruining everything!😠
Joki: "Foxy Hood"?
Izanagi: It's like that Robin Hood person from Earth, but as a fox. A spray painting, property disrespecting fox.
Muerte: And then there's Jaganoto, an actual kaiju with a legendary bo-rifle! And one heck of an animal magnet too!

Jaganoto: Greetings Joki Kazan. It'll be interesting to have you with us on this mission that Verraten le Muerte has for us. Now that we're all aquainted, shall we get on to the matter of this said mission Ms.Muerte?
Joki: Actually Ms.Muerte, I can explain it to them myself. I imagine you have work to do anyway. We'll come to you when we're ready for the mission.

Muerte looked at Joki after the Koin made her suggestion. She seemed serious enough about it. And Joki was the one that technically arranged this.

Muerte: Hmm... Oh very well Ms.Kazan. Joki will explain to you the situation lovelies! Come to my office when you're ready, hear?

With that, Muerte left the room and closed the door, leaving Joki with the entirety of the Griffin Squadron. Almost immediately after Muerte left, Joki breathed a huge sigh of relief.

Joki: Thank the Ancients, she's gone! 😥
Issho: Pardon?
Joki: "Ms.Kazan this, Ms.Kazan that!" Ugh! She can "Ms.Kazan" my a** for all I care.
Genno: *gasp* Ms.Kazan! Watch your language! Koin are much too sophisticated to-
Joki: I don't care! Jeez, you're starting to sound like my dad. 😒 Or my sisters, whichever is worse in your terms.
Izanagi: Am I sensing some troubled waters between family matters, Joki?
Joki: 😡 That's none of your seaweed, Izan.
Atisoto: "Seaweed"?
Jaganoto: It's like saying "none of your beeswax" for undersea creatures I believe.
Atisoto: Oh. Oh I get it.
Issho: So, to the point, what business do you actually have with us Joki?
Joki: Well... First thing's first, any of you here born between June and July?

Everyone found this to bea strange question to just ask out of the blue. They looked at each other, wondering if this equally strange fish girl was serious. Finally- mostly to humor Joki- Issho raised her hand to the air, since she was in fact born betwen that time.

Joki: The leader huh? You born in June through July?
Issho: Yes, I was.
Joki: Perfect! That will make you fitting for Cancer!
Izanagi: Pardon?
Joki: You know, the Zodiac Cancer? You all are aware of this whole mess involving the Zodiac Warriors yeah?
Atisoto: Oh yeah, those guys! Predetermined by reincarnation or something right?
Genno: Oh I get it! There's word going around that anyone who has the same Zodiac sign as these warriors can pick out and awaken them. What luck Issho!
Issho: ...
Genno: 😓 W-well... Compared to what else has happened in your life I mean-
Atisoto: (elbows Genno)
Genno: Ow! What?
Atisoto: (elbows Genno again)
Izanagi: Heh, you're lucky the boss don't knock you out for saying that where you stand.
Issho: Enough, all of you. What is the point of my-

Issho turned to continue speaking with Joki, but she was surprised to see the Koin looking thoroughly through a small book she must've had on her person. Or stole the book from Izanagi's vast library while they weren't looking. Issho looked and saw that the book in question was one on the Zodiac itself. Oh, one of those supposed "definite" books on the Zodiac.

Joki: Alright Issho, I'ma just check your personality real quick 'kay?
Issho: What?
Joki: Would you guys say your boss here is especially "protective and caring" to you or family?
Jaganoto: What family?
Atisoto: (elbows Jaganoto)
Jaganoto: Ow!
Issho: What matter of importance is this nonsense? I don't even believe there is any truth to whatever horoscopes the Zodiac predicts, let alone-
Genno: To be fair, you HAVE been really nice and supportive of me since I joined the squad. She even chose me to take over for her should something happen to her, so she has alot of trust in me for sure! 😀
Issho: 😐... (slowly turns her head to Genno while baring her teeth) Genno, remember what I told you about making true but unhelpful comments?😡
Genno: 😓 Y-yeah?
Issho: This is one of those moments. Hush please.
Genno: O-okay. 😟
Joki: Moody and overpowering as well to boot. Check.
Issho: I'm what?!
Kitt: (beeps in laughter) 😂
Joki: Let's see here... The appearance of a Cancer woman include... (continues reading in silence) ... (looks up at Issho and stares at her)
Issho: What?
Joki: ...Yeah. Definitely has a large bust. Double check on that.
Issho: 😲 What!?
Joki: Expressive eyes, check.
Kitt: (whistles suggestively) 😉😅

Issho immediately punches Kitt with the back of her bare paw without even looking, sending Kitt right into the wall behind him.

Joki: Easily offended by minor insults too. Check. (Throws away the book) Honey, I'd say you're a well rounded Cancer if I ever saw one! 😆
Atisoto: (trying so hard not to laugh out loud)
Issho: *growls* So what?!
Joki: Soo... You should be able to find us whoever Cancer has decided to reincarnate into of course! Haven't you stayed with the program woman?
Jaganoto: Is that what this mission of Muerte's is? To locate and bring back Cancer of the Zodiac Warriors?
Joki: Yep! And quite frankly it was MY idea! Muerte wouldn't be letting me off the hook so easily if I didn't happen to know something about where we can find Cancer.
Atisoto: Ha ha ha! "Off the hook" she says! Ha! Good one! 😂
Joki: Huh?
Atisoto: N-nevermind😅. I-it's just funny considering you're a fi-
Genno: (elbows Atisoto and smirks)
Atisoto: Ow!😣

Issho: You seriously believe that I can just... pick someone out just because I was born under the Cancer sign?
Joki: Well, that's how it worked with Crocavile, Sirin, and apparently Scorpius. Why not you? I mean, I'd probably do it myself but, you know, I'm not a Cancer like you.
Izanagi: Why need us, hm? Surely there are, like, ten thousand other Cancer sign whoevers here in the Academy.
Joki: Good question actually. Well, I was told you all are considered one of the best teams in the business here. I trust that I was told that truthfully.
Atisoto: That's what our grades say alright! Glad to beat the top of your recommended list! 😆
Jaganoto: What is required of us in order to find Cancer, if you don't mind my inquiring?
Joki: Eh, not that much. We just got to go to the Crustacean Dominion under the sea first. No biggie.
Kitt: *assorted shocked beeps* 😲
Izanagi: 😐 I agree. Not just enter that domain without explicit permission by either Wham-Shell or any of that kingdom's close allies. How-
Joki: (stops Izanagi) Let me finish. Which is why Muerte isn't just going to let you go there by yourselves. I'm going with. I just need to know if you guys have a way to get down there. You know, since it is an underwater kingdom?

Issho: *sigh* ...As strange as you and your methods are, I have to admit that it seems essential right now for us to gather these Zodiac Warriors. I suppose you must really have faith in our abilities... and I hate to disappoint.
Joki: Sooo... Is that a yes? You'll do this mission for little ol' me?😞
Issho: ...Genno. Can your power of wind take us to the Crustacean Dominion?
Genno: Oh sure, nothing a big bubble couldn't do, boss! 😊
Jaganoto: And my Life Elemental capabilities should keep us from running out of air until we reach the entrance of the breathable parts of the kingdom.
Genno: But, um, I don't know how to get there. I mean, I've never been there at all.
Atisoto: But you're royalty! Shouldn't you-
Izanagi: WAS royalty, Atisoto. Remember? Considering Genno's age, it's a wonder he even knows of the Crustacean Dominion or these "Koin" folk at all.
Genno: 😟 Wh-why do you have to be such a pessimistic? Seriously?
Joki: (Clears throat) Excuse me. Please? As for getting to the kingdom, I can not only get you inside, but I can take you there too. After all, us Koin are allies with the Crustaceans. They wouldn't mind at all if I bring you into their kingdom. Just make sure you don't step out of line there, okay?
Issho: Hm... Sounds like a plan, Joki. And yes, we accept. You asked earlier and, well, we accept. We here in the Griffin Squadron don't easily walk away from a challenge after all. (Shakes Joki's hand)
Izanagi: We don't?

Atisoto would've elbowed Izanagi for his comment, but the weasel, being the ninja he was, grabbed her wrist before her elbow could get so much as 5 inches to his stomach.

It's true that it takes some consideration to agree to their missions, but it is also true that the Griffin Squadron would never back down from a challenge. Not without a fight first of course.

---

And with this, I might just be back into the old Skylander swing of things!

Well, maybe.😅

The entirety of the Griffin Squadron belong to SpyroAndToothless. You can see his pictures of the squad in his art book if you're interested. He also wrote a backstory for I believe Issho in his Backstory Book if you want to learn more about that.

Point is, I want to get some new chapters out to keep the book from going stale. Plus some people are just dying to see this book continue, so I decided I might as well indulge them a little.

A quick note though, before I continue on to make another chapter. I know this book is for everyone's Skylanders OCs, but I do ask that nobody ask me to include their OCs for a while. At least until this arc is over or unless I say otherwise. Too many new OCs might mess with the story I've been working on for ages now, which kinda explains why some of these newer OCs' introductions into this book seemed rushed or sudden, if any of you have noticed. Just bare witg me for a while okay? If I say when I can include another OC or two or more in the story either during this arc or after the arc is over or whenever, I'll let you guys know in either my conversations section or my new Random Book. Okay?

In short, requests for new OCs being included in this book will be closed for a while unless I say otherwise, okay? Just wanted to make that clear.

Phew, hopefully I will be able to work on this book in between school, home, leisure, and my other books. Anyway, cheers!🐺