Mighty Pups VS Mighty Pepper Jack

AN: So this story has a lot of references to the Mighty Movie. See if you can find them all.

Chapter 1: Getting Ready[]

It was a very exciting day in Skylands. The Academy was getting ready for a cookoff.

Jet-Vac, one of the judges this year, was overlooking the preparations. "Okay, looks like everything is going accordingly," he said, looking over his clipboard. Walking by some Mabu who were carrying a table, he saw Eruptor loading some cheese into a wheelbarrow.

"Hey, Eruptor, what are you going to do with all that cheese? Are you going to be making some sort of giant cheese-filled meatball or something?"

Eruptor shook his head. "Oh, I’m not competing, JV. I'm delivering this cheese to Mr. Porter. He’s making some grilled-cheese sandwiches for the cook-off."

"Well, in that case, you’d better bring them to him as soon as possible."

Eruptor saluted and took the wheelbarrow of cheese to his pad.

Jet-Vac rolled his eyes and continued looking over the preparations.

——

At the Lookout, Ryder and the pups were getting ready for the cook-off. They were making some lemon tarts. Liberty and the Junior Patrollers were helping, too.

"I can’t wait to have some at the cook-off," Rubble said as his mouth began to water while everyone laughed. At that moment, there was a flash of light, and the sound of some vibrating metal was heard. Everyone looked to see Eruptor with his wheelbarrow full of cheese.

"Hey, Eruptor, do you want to help us with our lemon tarts?" Marshall offered the lava creature. Eruptor shook his head.

"No, thanks. I'm not competing in the cook-off."

"Then what are you doing with all that cheese?" Liberty asked.

"I'm delivering this cheese to Mr. Porter," Eruptor explained. "He’s making some grilled-cheese sandwiches for the cook-off." And with that, Eruptor took the cheese down the hill and to Mr. Porter's restaurant.

——

Before long, Eruptor had arrived at Mr. Porter's restaurant. Mr. Porter was busy unloading some bread from his van, when he saw Eruptor arriving with the wheelbarrow of cheese.

"Thanks for delivering the cheese, Eruptor," he said. "I need to be able to make as many grilled-cheese sandwiches as I can. Would you like to help?"

"Sorry, I’m not competing in the cook-off."

Mr. Porter shook his head. "Just because you’re not competing in the cook-off doesn’t mean you shouldn’t help."

Eruptor knew Mr. Porter was right. "Okay, let’s get started."

Mr. Porter smiled, and the two got to work.

Chapter 2: Chef Pepper Jack's Plan[]

At Kaos's Kastle, Pepper Jack had called his fellow Doom Raiders, including Kaos and Glumshanks, in the guest castle for a meeting.

"Good morning, everyone," he said. "I have called this meeting because of the cook-off that’s happening later this afternoon. And may I add that I'm competing?"

"Just how exactly do you plan to cheat in it?" Kaos asked.

Pepper Jack grinned. "I am so glad you asked," he said before pressing a button on a remote.

The circle in the middle of the room opened up, and Kaos's Portal Of Power showed a projection of Marshall in his Mighty Pup uniform.

"As we all know, the Mighty Pups get their powers from Meteor Crystals, " Pepper Jack explained. "Marshall's crystal here allows him to create fire."

"And you may remember that I used one in the music competition?" Wolfgang commented.

"Yes, but what does Marshall's crystal have to do with the cook-off?" Glumshanks asked.

Pepper Jack formed an evil grin. He reached into the Marshall projection and pulled out the crystal. "I am going to, ahem, 'borrow' Marshall's crystal so I can cheat in the cook-off by overcooking all the other competitors' dishes. That way, theirs won’t be good, and only the apple-cinnamon pancakes, my dish for the cook-off, will be selected."

Pepper Jack cackled loud and clear, and his colleagues joined in.

"But," he added, "I am going to need some help."

——

In Foggy Bottom, Mayor Humdinger was resting on his beach while his kittens were resting in his pool.

"Ah, this is the life, eh, kitties?" Humdinger said with a relaxed sigh before taking a sip of some lemonade. "I might as well wait until it's time to attend the cook-off."

The kittens meowed in agreement. But all of a sudden…

"SURPRISE!!!"

Humdinger jumped, tossing his lemonade up. He fell back into his chair. The two ends of the chair folded up, trapping him.

His glass of lemonade even fell on his head, splashing him.

The kittens thought this was funny and meowed with laughter.

"It's not funny, kitties!" Humdinger frowned.

But at that moment, another voice was heard. "Actually, it is a little funny!"

Mayor Humdinger turned around and saw Chef Pepper Jack standing there with a hand on his smiling mouth. "What do you want, Pepper Jack?" Humdinger asked, clearly upset.

"Your help. Hear me out: as you probably heard, there is going to be a cook-off later this afternoon. But I am going to steal Marshall's crystal so I can cheat by overcooking all the other competitors’ dishes, so only the apple-cinnamon pancakes, my dish, will be in the spotlight."

Humdinger formed an excited look and pushed the two ends of the chair back down. "Ooh. Why do you need my help?"

"I'll climb up a tree and hide in the leaves. You’ll call Ryder, tell him that one of your kittens is stuck up there, and ask him to send Marshall to rescue him. And then, once he is close enough, I will snatch his crystal."

Humdinger formed an evil grin and twirled his mustache. "I like your idea, Pepper Jack. Let’s get started."

Chapter 3: The Trap[]

Arriving at a tree not far from the highway, Pepper Jack and Humdinger got straight to work.

"Now remember," Pepper Jack said, starting to climb up the tree. "Once I'm hiding in the leaves, call Ryder and ask him to send Marshall over here. And once Marshall is close enough…"

"You will snatch his crystal," Humdinger finished.

"Exactly."

Once Pepper Jack was up in the leaves, Humdinger pulled out his phone and called Ryder.

——

Back at the Lookout, the pups were putting the creamy filling in the tart crusts.

Marshall was in his Mighty Pup uniform, using his heat powers to bake the lemon tarts.

"Excuse me?"

Ryder and the pups looked to see Eruptor walking up.

"Look, guys, I know I said that I'm not competing in the cook-off. But Mr. Porter told me that just because I'm not competing in the cook-off doesn't mean I shouldn't help."

Ryder and the pups looked at each other.

"Then come on and help, Eruptor," Ryder said. "You and Marshall can take turns using your heat powers to bake the lemon tarts."

And so, Marshall and Eruptor took turns using their heat powers to bake the lemon tarts.

Soon, Ryder’s Pup Pad started ringing. He answered it and Humdinger appeared on the screen, looking worried. "Hi, Mayor Humdinger. What’s up?"

"It's one of my kitties. He’s stuck up a tree! Please send Marshall to get him down!"

"Don't worry, Humdinger. Marshall will get your kitten down in no time."

When Ryder ended the call, he turned to his fire pup.

"Marshall, one of Humdinger's kittens is stuck up a tree. Get over there and help him down!"

"I'm ready for a red-hot rescue!" Marshall saluted before running to his truck.

——

Marshall saw Humdinger by the tree. He drove his truck straight there and parked it in front of the tree.

"Oh, thank goodness you’re here!" Humdinger cried.

"Don’t worry, I'll get your kitten down in no time," Marshall said with a reassuring smile. "Arf! Ladder!"

Marshall's ladder popped up and reached into the tree.

Marshall started climbing, but as he neared the top, he heard meowing. He looked down and his eyes widened. All of Humdinger's kittens were down on the ground with him!

"Ha, it worked exactly like he said it would!" Humdinger laughed.

Upon hearing this, Marshall froze. "Wait. Who said it would?!" he exclaimed as a hand reached out from the leaves. And before he knew it…

"ME!!!"

Marshall fell down his ladder. He looked up and saw Chef Pepper Jack cackling. But upon seeing what he was holding, Marshall gasped in horror.

"My crystal!"

"It's like taking candy from a baby!" Pepper Jack grinned, using the crystal to taunt Marshall.

"Give that back, Pepper Jack!" Marshall growled before charging at the anthropomorphic chili pepper. Marshall jumped onto Pepper Jack and tried to grab the crystal.

But Pepper Jack grabbed him and threw him to the ground.

"So long, stupid!" Pepper Jack grinned before hopping on Humdinger's kitten carrier with Humdinger and the kittens. As they took off, cackling, Marshall stayed there, completely upset. He couldn’t believe it was a trap, and Pepper Jack stole his crystal. He wanted to go after him. But he knew he wouldn't stand a chance. He headed to his truck, hanging his head in sadness.

——

Back at the Lookout, Eruptor was just finishing baking the last of the lemon tarts, when he and his friends heard an engine. They looked to see Marshall returning in his truck.

"Hey, Marshall!" Ryder called as they ran to the driveway. "How'd it go?"

"Not good," the Dalmatian sighed, walking away.

"Oh, come on, dude," Zuma said, shaking his head. "You're a Skylander. How bad can it be?"

Marshall paused in step and turned to his friends. "It was a trap. Pepper Jack stole my crystal."

As the Dalmatian walked away, everyone looked at each other with worried looks.

"Oh," Eruptor said. "So really not good."

Chapter 4: Pepper Jack's Power[]

Back at Kaos's guest castle, the Doom Raiders were playing cards when Chef Pepper Jack and Humdinger arrived.

"Mission accomplished!" Pepper Jack announced, slamming Marshall's crystal down on a table. "And I have Marshall's crystal right here! Now let's see what powers it’ll give me." Pepper Jack picked up the crystal and attached it to his metal necklace. His hands glowed red and flames started to emerge. He saw his big bowl of batter for his apple-cinnamon pancakes. Deciding to see what he can do, he took a ladle and scooped some on his hand. And then, the flames coming out of his hand cooked the batter into a mouth-watering apple-cinnamon pancake.

"Ho ho ho!" he chortled, putting the pancake on a plate. "That’s my superpower! I can cook anything with my bare hands."

"Yes, but you better be careful," Humdinger advised. "You wouldn't want to sizzle anybody by mistake, would you?"

"You're right," Pepper Jack nodded. "Better put it somewhere for safekeeping until it's time for the cook-off." He removed it from his necklace and was about to put it away, when he froze.

"Wait a second. Why put it away when I can just leave it on my necklace?!"

Pepper Jack cackled loud and clear. This time, his colleagues didn't join in. But he didn't care.

——

In a local field, Captain Flynn and Cap'n Turbot were making some croissants for the cook-off.

"You know, Horatio, I bet that French cousin of yours would love these," Flynn said with a chuckle.

"He most certainly would, Flynn."

All of a sudden, Flynn started sniffing. "Hey, Horatio, do you smell that?"

Cap'n Turbot started sniffing, and his eyes widened. "Something's burning!"

The two looked and gasped. Chef Pepper Jack was setting the field behind them on fire.

"Oh, this is not good!" Cap'n Turbot wailed. "Chef Pepper Jack is burning everything in his path!"

"We'd better call Master Eon," Flynn exclaimed, pulling out his phone.

Chapter 5: Mission Briefing[]

At the Skylander Academy, Master Eon and his assistant, Hugo, were making their dish for the cook-off: chicken pot pie.

"Wait till everyone gets a load of our pot pie," Hugo said with a small chuckle.

"I can’t wait to have some myself if we win the cook-off," Master Eon said. Just then, his cell phone started ringing. He answered it and Flynn and Cap'n Turbot appeared on the screen.

"Ah, Captain Flynn, Cap'n Turbot. How are things going for cook-off? Hugo and I are just on our way over there with some chicken pot pie."

"We've got something more serious to worry about than that," Cap'n Turbot exclaimed. "It’s Pepper Jack. He’s setting the fabulous field around us on fire."

Eon gasped. "Don't worry, we'll be right there," he said before ending the call and heading outside.

——

At the top floor of the Lookout, Ryder was comforting his sobbing Dalmatian, when the elevator opened.

Master Eon stepped out and walked up to Ryder. "Ryder, I just got off the phone with Captain Flynn. He and Cap'n Turbot were making some croissants for the cook-off, when Pepper Jack appeared and set the field around the two on fire."

"Oh, no!" Marshall gasped.

"Don't worry, we'll stop him and get your Crystal back," Ryder said. "No job's too big, no pup's too small." He pulled out his PupPad and activated the "Call All" system.

——

"Mighty Pups, to the Lookout!"

"Ryder needs us!" the pups exclaimed before running to the Lookout with Eruptor. As Eruptor ran to the Lookout, he suddenly tripped and rolled through .

"Eruptor, look out!" Chase shouted as the lava creature continued rolling and landed in the elevator with a crash. Eruptor found himself upside down on his head and the other pups were in a pile, completely surrounding him.

"Look what we have here," Eruptor smiled. "Another hot head. Me!"

Everyone laughed as the elevator started to rise. As it did, the Lookout turned into the Mighty Tower. The pups got their crystals and arrived. They ran to where Ryder, Master Eon, and Marshall were waiting for them.

"Mighty Pups, along with Eruptor, ready for mighty action, Ryder and Master Eon, sirs!" Chase saluted as the pups' front paws, except Marshall's, glowed.

"Thanks for getting over here," Ryder said. "We've got a huge problem on our hands. As you know, earlier today, Pepper Jack had stolen Marshall's crystal."

Everyone nodded.

"Yes," Master Eon added as Ryder pressed a button on his wrist communicator. "And I also got a call from Cap'n Turbot and Captain Flynn. They were making croissants for the cook-off when Pepper Jack appeared and had set the field around them on fire."

Everyone gasped.

"Why would Pepper Jack do that?" Liberty wondered.

"I don't know," Ryder said. "But I do know that we have to put the fire out, save the captains, and stop Pepper Jack. So for this mission, I need… Zuma, I need you to use your water powers to put the fire out."

"Do The Wave!"

"And, Skye, I need you to fly ahead and find Pepper Jack."

"Let's Take To The Sky!"

"And we advise you two to use caution," Master Eon added. "Now that Pepper Jack has one of our crystals, there's no telling what he'll do."

Everyone agreed.

"Mighty Pups are on a roll!" Ryder exclaimed before running ahead.

Zuma and Skye headed down the zipline and into their vehicles.

Chapter 6: Saving the Captains[]

Soon, the team arrived at the field.

"Oh, thank goodness!" Cap'n Turbot said with relief.

"Don't worry, we'll have the fire out in no time," Master Eon before turning to the Chocolate Labrador. "Zuma."

"On it!" Zuma said. His paws glowed orange and he shot two jets of water at the fire until sizzled away to nothing.

"Great work, Zuma," Master Eon said. "Now let's stop…"

But before he could finish, Cap'n and Flynn screamed.

"Our croissants!" Cap'n Turbot exclaimed. "They've been overcooked!"

Master Eon realized something. "You did say that Pepper Jack had set the field on fire, and he had Marshall's crystal, correct?"

The two captains nodded.

"I believe that the fire was a distraction so he could overcook your croissants."

Everyone couldn't believe what they had heard.

"Dudes, could Pepper Jack be using Mawshall's crystal to cheat in the cook-off?" Zuma asked.

"He could be," Master Eon said.

Quickly, Ryder tapped his wrist communicator, and Skye appeared on the screen. "Skye, we have reason to believe that Pepper Jack is using Marshall's crystal to cheat in the cook-off. If he is, be careful."

"Roger that, Ryder."

——

At the arena where the cook-off was taking place, Pepper Jack sneaked his way in. Once he was at his stand, he placed his giant apple-cinnamon pancake batter bowl and portable stove next to it. All of a sudden...

"Just what do you think you're doing here?!"

Pepper Jack jumped. He saw Jet-Vac, standing there, arms crossed with a stern look.

"Oh, I just got here and thought I'd set up for the cook-off, Jerk-Vac," he chortled with a toothy grin, hiding the crystal behind his back.

But Jet-Vac didn't look convinced. "I'm keeping an eye on you, Pepper Jack," he said before walking away.

Once he was gone, Pepper Jack sighed in relief and pulled out the crystal.

"Now to cheat," he said quietly before walking away, "starting with Mr. Porter."

——

At his restaurant, Mr. Porter was busy loading his grilled-cheese sandwiches onto his cart, when the phone started ringing. He headed inside and answered. "Porter Cafe."

But there was no answer.

"Hello?"

Immediately, the line went dead.

Shrugging, Mr. Porter put the phone away when he heard a click. He turned around and walked up to the front door. He tried to open it, but it wouldn't budge. He looked through the glass and saw that he had been locked in from the outside. He looked out the window and saw someone taking off with his van! "Oh, no!" he exclaimed. He grabbed his phone and called Ryder.

Chapter 7: Saving Mr. Porter[]

As Ryder raced on, his wrist communicator started ringing. Pulling over, he answered it, and a frightened Mr. Porter appeared on the screen.

"Ryder, someone just locked me in my cafe and took off with my grilled-cheese sandwiches!"

"That's got to be Pepper Jack!"

Quickly, Ryder ended the call and switched to Eruptor. "Eruptor, Pepper Jack had locked Mr. Porter in his restaurant and took off with his grilled-cheese sandwiches. Free Porter and get his sandwiches back."

"Born To Burn!"

——

Eruptor took his Flame Rider to Mr. Porter's restaurant and hopped off. Using his heat powers, he melted the lock and freed Mr. Porter.

"Oh, thank you, Eruptor!" Mr. Porter said with relief.

"No problem. Now to stop Pepper Jack," the lava creature said before hopping on his Flame Rider.

——

Cackling, Pepper Jack drove Mr. Porter's van through town with the grilled-cheese sandwiches in the back.

All of a sudden, there was the loud blast of a car horn.

Pepper Jack looked in the rearview mirror and could see Eruptor chasing him.

"Pull over, Pepper Jack, now!" the lava creature shouted.

"Make me!"

Pepper Jack swerved to the left and knocked a mailbox into Eruptor's way. But he got out of the way just in time.

"Coming in hot!" Eruptor shouted as he slammed on the buttons of the steering wheel.

Slowly, two flame cannons popped out the back and melted the road in front of Pepper Jack.

"Uh-oh!" Pepper Jack shouted with worry. He slammed on the brakes as hard as he could. But he couldn't stop in time. The melty road immediately stopped the van, and Pepper Jack jolted forward. Eruptor grabbed the sandwiches, put them in the back of his vehicle, and headed back to Mr. Porter's restaurant.

——

Upset that he couldn't overcook Mr. Porter's sandwiches, Pepper Jack returned to the arena and saw more dishes. "Oh, well," he said. "Might as well try to do some more overcooking." Just when he was about to do so…

POW!

Pepper Jack flew through the air and landed on the stage with a thud. Getting up, he saw Skye, floating there, standing firm.

"That's Marshall's crystal, Pepper Jack, hand it over!" she growled.

"Make me," Pepper Jack said with an evil grin.

Skye charged at Pepper Jack, but his hands glowed, and he shot a huge jet of fire at Skye, who screamed in pain.

Before long, she fell to the ground, completely unconscious.Pepper Jack grabbed some rope and tied her up with it.

——

Back at the Mighty Tower, Marshall paced around impatiently.

Rocky took notice of this. "Thinking about your crystal?"

Marshall nodded.

Rocky smiled and put a paw on his shoulder. "Don't worry. They're going to get it back."

Upon hearing this, Marshall formed a stern look and walked off.

"Um, where are you going?" Rubble asked.

"Pepper Jack has my crystal. I'm going to confront him myself."

The pups could not believed what they had heard.

Chapter 8: Battle For The Crystal[]

Marshall ran as fast as he could into the arena. He looked through the front door and saw Pepper Jack overcooking a dish. "Hey!" the Dalmatian shouted, standing firm.

Pepper Jack turned around and saw Marshall standing still.

"I believe you have something that’s mine."

"Oh, please, Marshall," Pepper Jack chortled. "You've got no powers. You’re no match for me!"

At that moment, the front door crashed down, and Chase, Liberty, and Zuma appeared, along with Master Eon and Ryder.

"That’s where you're wrong, Pepper Jack," Eon said sternly, hopping off his hover podium. "We’re a team."

"Master Eon's right," Ryder agreed. "When you go up against one of us, you go up against all of us."

Pepper Jack rolled his eyes. "Fine, have it your way!" he snapped. "But you want this crystal so bad?!" As the anthropomorphic chili pepper said this, his hands made fists, glowed, and flames started to emerge. "You'll have to take it from me!"

With his super speed, Chase zoomed around the arena.

Pepper Jack tried to fry him at every turn, but Chase dodged every attack.

"You're not even trying, Pepper Jack!" Chase called out.

At those words, Pepper Jack growled.

He shot a huge streak of fire towards Chase, who flew into some crates, rendering him unconscious.

Pepper Jack cackled when…

WHOOSH!

Pepper Jack spun around fast. Shaking his head, he saw Liberty standing there, looking firm.

As Pepper Jack tried to fry her, Liberty stretched around the arena super fast.

"Ooh, you're a feisty one, aren’t you?" Pepper Jack chortled.

"I try my hardest," Liberty shrugged before sticking her tongue out at Pepper Jack.

"Try this!" he shouted. His hands glowed bright red and he shot a huge jet of fire at Liberty, sizzling her and knocking her to the ground next to Chase.

"Two down, one to go!" Pepper Jack chortled.

"Over here, dude!" Zuma called out.

Pepper Jack turned around and shot a fireball at the Chocolate Lab, who immediately escaped down a drain before he could be fried.

"You'll have to be faster than that!" Zuma shouted before sticking his tongue out and jumping back into another drain just before another fireball hit the wall.

That was when he didn't come back out.

"You can't hide from me!" Pepper Jack growled, looking around for the Chocolate Labrador. Just then, he noticed a shadow rising. He looked behind himself and saw Zuma making a water whirlwind rise from the ground.

"Uh-oh!" he squeaked. He tried to make a run for it. But Skye appeared in front of him, having just used her super strength to free herself. She punched Pepper Jack and sent him flying into the air towards Jet-Vac, who used his vacuum gun to suck up the anthropomorphic chili pepper and shoot him into the whirlwind.

Soon, Pepper Jack was high up in it and spun around. "Stop!" he shouted as he started to spin faster and faster. "I'm getting dizzy!"

At that moment, Zuma popped up from the whirlwind. "This crystal belongs to Mawshall, dude!" he said. Then, he reached out, grabbed the crystal, and yanked it away from Pepper Jack.

"NOOOOOOO!" the anthropomorphic chili pepper shouted.

With the crystal in his mouth, Zuma jumped away from Pepper Jack, who then fell to ground, feeling super dizzy.

Zuma tossed the crystal to Ryder, who grabbed it and attached it to Marshall's pup tag.

"Back where it belongs," Marshall said with relief. "Thanks for helping me get my crystal back."

"No problem. Whenever you lose a crystal, just yell for help."

The pups all howled.

"There's something we still have to do first," Chase said, slowly turning around.

Chapter 9: Justice Served[]

As his dizziness slowly wore off, a groaning Pepper Jack sat up and saw the Mighty Pups glaring at him.

"Chef Pepper Jack, you are under arrest for theft and attempted cheating!" Chase growled.

Pepper Jack formed an evil grin. "You'll have to catch me first, Mighty Bozos!" he cackled before taking off. But he should've seen where he was going because he stepped on a trophy, spun around on it, and landed in his bowl of apple-cinnamon pancake batter with a splash, headfirst. He grabbed the opening of the bowl with both hands and kicked in the air.

"Get me out of here!" he exclaimed. At the sight of this, everyone howled with laughter. Hearing this, Pepper Jack shouted, "This is not funny!"

Not too far away, Humdinger poked his head out from behind a crate.

"Time for me to get out of here," he said quietly and tiptoed away. But just when he thought he was in the clear, Jet-Vac suddenly reeled him in.

"Not so fast!" Ryder said sternly. "You were the one helping Pepper Jack!"

"Oh, come on," Humdinger protested. "I only helped Pepper Jack get Marshall’s crystal. Right?" He laughed nervously, but everyone looked at each other with unamused looks. Seeing this, Humdinger frowned in defeat.

——

And so, the cook-off was underway. And soon, Mr. Porter had won with his grilled-cheese sandwiches. However, as punishment for stealing Marshall's crystal so he could cheat, Pepper Jack was disqualified and had to clean up. And Humdinger had to help, too.

"Oh, why do I have to do this?" Humdinger wailed. "I barely did nothing."

"Oh, just keep cleaning," Pepper Jack snapped. "We'll be done before you know it."

Humdinger groaned and continued cleaning.

THE END