The #1 Kids’ Video Game!   Lightning Rod Faces the Cyclops Queen is the third book in an ongoing Mask of Power series of original novels set in the Skylanders universe. These all-new stories feature favorite characters from all the Skylanders games. Onk Beakman has devoted his life to chronicling the greatest adventures of the Skylanders. Though he was hatched on the icy wastes of Skylands’s Frozen Desert, this book-loving penguin now lives in a shack on the beautiful sands of Blistering Beach with his two pet cucumbers. Chapter One “Ladies and gentlemen, we are proud to present the greatest champion Skylands has ever known—Lightning Rod!” The crowd went wild as soon as Lightning Rod’s name was announced. They cheered; they clapped; they threw their hats in the air. A couple of Rotting Robbies even threw their heads in the air . . . but the less said about that the better. Lightning Rod was the most popular participant in the annual Storm Titan Games. In fact, some said he was the most popular participant in the event’s entire history. No one had won as many medals as he had, and no one else had had anywhere near as many statues carved in his or her image. They were everywhere you looked: Rod throwing a lightning bolt; Rod running a marathon; Rod lifting an entire herd of saber-tusked elephants stacked on top of each other. There was even a statue of Rod snoring his beard off. Even when asleep, Rod was the most impressive specimen for miles around. No one performed like Rod, no one flexed their muscles like Rod, and no one polished off as many eggs for breakfast as Rod. In the crowd, Pop Fizz bounced up and down in his seat as everyone’s favorite Storm Titan made his way into the arena. “Hey, watch it!” said Cali, as the excitable alchemist slopped potion all over her. “You’re spilling that stuff everywhere!” “Whoops, sorry,” apologized Pop Fizz, before taking a slug from the bottle. There was a puff of smoke and the distinct whiff of brimstone, and Pop Fizz transformed into a hairy beast with more teeth than was healthy. “I’m just so pumped up to be here,” he rumbled, suddenly taking up twice as much room as he had before his transformation. “Go Lightning! Go Lightning!” “Stop moving,” snapped Drobot from the other side of Pop Fizz. “You are interfering with my visual circuits!” With a gurgle, Pop Fizz shrank back to his normal size. “Whoops again,” he spluttered, his eyes spinning from the sudden metamorphosis. “This is exciting though, isn’t it? I mean, look at this place.” Drobot had to admit that the arena was spectacular. Over a billion games had been played here, and every year the Storm Titans added more seats. The stands stretched for miles and seated millions of spectators, all of whom were now looking expectantly at Lightning Rod. The amazing blue hero stood in the middle of the field, soaking up the applause, flexing his bulging muscles, and flashing a blinding smile. Cali was grinning, too. Rod was in his element here, surrounded by his adoring fans. Yes, Cali knew that Rod loved being a Skylander, protecting the magical realm of Skylands from the forces of Darkness, but he was also massively proud of his sporting accomplishments. They all were. “Do you think he’s going to do it?” Pop Fizz asked, half-raising a soda bottle to his lips before being stopped by Drobot. “Do you think he’s going to break the record?” “There is a ninety-nine-point-nine-nine-nine percent probability that Rod will triumph.” “Eh?” said Pop Fizz, looking completely bewildered. “He said yes,” whispered Cali as a hush fell over the crowd. In the royal box, the king of the Storm Titans had raised his hands. “My friends,” he boomed, his voice like a thousand thunderstorms rolled into one. “Please be silent for our guest of honor.” Beside the king stood a tall thin man, leaning heavily on a crystal-topped staff. It was Master Eon, Skylands’ greatest Portal Master. Master Eon had been asked to open this year’s games, but he looked so old and tired. Cali frowned. She knew the last few weeks had been tough for the ancient wizard, but she’d hoped the excitement of the games would revive him. Still, the Portal Master smiled as he drew himself up, his eyes resting on Lightning Rod far below. “People of Skylands,” Master Eon said, his voice magically amplified around the stadium. “It is my pleasure to pronounce these games . . . open.” A buzz of excitement rippled around the assembled throng. “And without further ado, we shall enjoy the first event—the five-hundred-ton hammer throw. And our first contender, Lightning Rod!” The crowd roared once again as Lightning Rod approached the massive metal ball and chain at the center of the field. It was twice the size of the Titan, and yet he grabbed the heavy chain without hesitation. Straining he began to spin the ball around, faster and faster, electricity crackling up and down the metal links. Cali couldn’t help but be impressed. She often worked with the Skylanders, training them to