Zap

Zap is a blue water dragon who is one of the playable Skylanders in the Skylanders series, first appearing in Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure.
==Character Development==
Zap was originally a slime character called Cyclops Snail, which Michael Graham described as "this little blue water slug that zipped around, left a little pool of sludge behind him, and he would scream and shoot electricity. He was just so weird — really fun, but totally bizarre. After some feedback, we changed him from blue to purple, but then it was 'you can’t have two purple characters, because Spyro is purple.' Then we got an early version of what Cyclops Snail’s toy might look like, and we thought, 'Oh my gosh, these don’t look at all detailed, not in the way that we want them to be.’ He was revised again, made of oil and now called Tarclops, and that was the final straw. The character evolved so much, by the end, character designer I-Wei Huang at Toys For Bob felt that everything he liked about the character was gone, so we thought, let’s just scrap it — we’ve got to go in a different direction."
But in a way, you’ve already played as Cyclops Snail; you know him as Zap. "We reimagined the character,” says Graham. “Same moves, actually; he plays exactly the same way as Cyclops Snail did. And even Zap went through a little evolution. His original concept didn’t have his scuba tanks, and we shortened his snout quite a bit."The Secret Skylanders You've Never Seen. (Date Posted - Oct 17, 2012). One of Swords.
Tarclops Concept IWeiHuang.jpg|Cyclops Snail concept by I-Wei Huang
Cyclops Snail.jpg|Early models of Tarclops
Cyclops to Zap.jpg|From Tarclops to Zap
Tarclops.jpg|Tarclops' Spyro's Kingdom card
==Background==
===Personality===
Zap is a friendly and mischevious water dragon, being revered by most of the sea creatures of Skylands who see him as a true dedicated guardian of both the seas and Skylands. He enjoys racing, being able to outstrip almost any opponent, and excels at everything he turns his claws to. Naturally curious and super-competitive, Zap is also a bit of a prankster, loving to shock his fellow Skylanders whenever he gets a chance.Skylanders: The Complete Collection, page 192 However, he can be too curious for his own good and has a nose (or snout) for trouble, which can lead him and his fellow Skylanders into dangerous situations.Skylanders: Gill Grunt and the Curse of the Fish Master, page 58
===Biography===
Zap was born into the royal family of water dragons, but a riptide washed him to a distant sea, where he was raised by electric eels. Growing up, he excelled in everything and even created a special gold harness that allows him to carry an endless electrical charge and shock things at a great distance. Zap also proved to be a gifted racer, outstripping any opponent... with the possible exception of the dolphins. With them, it became a good natured challenge to see who could keep up with Zap. But an electric current in his wake often reminded them who they were dealing with. Despite his mischievous streak, Zap grew to be a true protector of the seas and Skylands.
==Story==
===History===
Born into a royal family of water dragons, Zap was well known at court as a show-off swimmer and all-round mischief maker. He would most certainly have grown up to be king But one afternoon, young prince Zap found himself quite literally in deep water. A riptide had sucked him out into open ocean and beyond, to faraway shores. Soon, Zap found himself surrounded by slippery and shocking. A school of electric eels was swimming around him, spitting out sparks and sizzles. Zap held out a wet foot to say 'hello' when... YEEOWWW! Well, his mother had warned him electricity and water don't mix. The electric eels felt sorry for the unplugged youngster and decided to raise Zap as one of their own. To fit in, he even built himself an electric harness with an endless charge. Now, Zap can hurl a white-hot electric bolt the length of ten sheep fields.
Zap continued as a champ in the water and often left dolphins buzzing in his electrical wake. News of his swimming exploits soon reached the ears of Master Eon, who immediately signed him up.Skylanders Official Sticker Book: Meet the Skylanders
===Skylanders: Gill Grunt and the Curse of the Fish Master===
Zap and Wham-Shell were called by Master Eon to assist Gill Grunt when the Gillman was about to get eaten by a rampaging Cloud Kraken that was attacking Deep Water Wasteland. Zap's electric bolt saved Gill Grunt from the clutches of the Cloud Kraken, who then turned its blind fury upon a pirate ship called the Fearsome Fang and its crew. The ship's captain, Grimslobber, mysteriously scared off the Cloud Kraken without having to do a thing, confusing Gill Grunt, Zap, and Wham-Shell as the pirate crew praised their captain for his bravery.
Although Gill Grunt didn't want any trouble with Grimslobber and his band of pirates, Zap's curiosity about the accidental mentioning of treasure by one of the pirates prompted the seemingly friendly Grimslobber to surround the Water Skylanders with his crew and attack them. Gill Grunt, Zap, and Wham-Shell narrowly escaped the Fearsome Fang crew and dove into the safety of the sea, but not before Zap left a painful parting gift for Grimslobber as payback for calling Gill Grunt names during their encounter.
The Water Skylanders then heard from Spyro that Kaos was after the Water Fragment so that he could reassamble the Mask of Power in order to use it to destroy the Core of Light. Determined to beat Kaos to the fragment, Gill Grunt quickly lead Zap and Wham-Shell to the Kingdom of the Merpeople, knowing that the merfolk, who have swam the waters for thousands of years, would know the location of the fragment. The Skylanders discovered the kingdom deserted, with only the elderly, children, King Scalebeard, Prince Aquan, and Princess Finella still within the kingdom's barrier. Suddenly, Prince Aquan and Princess Finella fell under a strange trance and swam out of the kingdom along with several other merfolk with the Skylanders in hot pursuit to see where they were going.
With the help of Zap's speed, the Water Skylanders were able to keep up with the merfolk, avoiding a swarm of electro-jellies along the way. During the chase, Wham-Shell mysteriously had fallen under a spell and turned on both Gill Grunt and Zap, capturing Zap (after confusing the water dragon with his starfish bullets) and taking him into a cave where the hypnotized merfolk went into.
A hypnotized Gill Grunt soon discovered that Zap was imprisoned in a cage, covered in a blanket of Wham-Shell's starfish that held him down forcefully to prevent the water dragon from moving. Distraught at the sight of seeing his friend under the spell as well, Zap revealed that Captain Grimslobber couldn't control him with the use of the Fish Master's Crown, since the water dragon wasn't born beneath the sea like the others. He strongly encouraged Gill Grunt to break free of the crown's curse, reminding the Gillman of their mission to find the Water Fragment and stop Kaos, and that Master Eon, Spyro, and even Zap himself believes in Gill Grunt that they would succeed. Thanks to this, Gill Grunt was able to free himself from the influence of the Fish Master's Crown, causing Grimslobber to lose control over a portion of the merpeople and Wham-Shell when trying to concentrate on putting Gill Grunt back under his influence. During the confusion, Grimslobber lost his hold on the Crown after Wham-Shell released the gem-eels, and it shattered into pieces, fully freeing the merfolk. As the pirate captain made a hasty retreat, Zap freed himself from the now-dormant starfish and followed after Gill Grunt back onto the deck of the Fearsome Fang along with Wham-Shell. With the help of the merfolk, and even Spyro, the Water Skylanders bested Grimslobber and his pirate crew.
Captain Grimslobber pulled out a pistol and attempted to kill Gill Grunt, when the captain was suddenly knocked overboard and eaten alive by the Cloud Kraken. Kaos then revealed his presence, having recovered the pieces of the broken Fish Master's Crown that supposedly contained the Water fragment. After taunting the Skylanders by dropping fish on them, the evil Portal Master made his leave but not before sinking the Fearsome Fang, causing Spyro, Gill Grunt, Zap, and Wham-Shell to quickly escape off Grimslobber's sinking ship via portal.
Back at the Eternal Archives, it seemed that the Skylanders had failed their mission to retrieve the Water fragment, when Gill Grunt checked Grimslobber's satchel he brought back with him and held a dirty rag the captain had used to wrap the Fish Master's Crown. The rag soon revealed itself to be the Water Fragment, making the Skylanders realize that Kaos had stolen nothing more than a worthless broken crown. Knowing that Kaos would be after the next fragment to the Mask of Power, the Skylanders would be ready for him..
===Skylanders: Trigger Happy Targets the Evil Kaos===
Zap was one of the Skylanders assembled to stop Kaos from putting on the completed Mask of Power. Unfortunately Kaos used the Mask of Power to steal the Skylanders' powers, including Zap's, rendering the heroes powerless. Before the evil Portal Master could finish the Skylanders off, they were safely teleported back to Eon's Citadel. As Kaos wrecked havoc across Skylands, Zap and the other Skylanders began to lose hope, but Spyro managed to lift their spirits. Together they held a last stand against Kaos to protect the Core of Light, but were overwhelmed. Before Kaos can destroy the Core, he was tricked by Trigger Happy followed by Zap and the other Skylanders into performing their powers at the same time, causing the evil Portal Master to lose control. In Kaos's moment of weakness, Trigger Happy pulled the Mask of Power off Kaos's face, restoring Zap's powers as well as the other Skylanders'. Rejuvenated, the Skylanders destroyed the Mask of Power in a combined attack and defeated Kaos once again.
==Relationships==
===Electric Eels===
Zap's foster family are a school of electric eels. To better fit in, he created an electric harness that holds an endless charge of electricity.
===Dolphins===
Zap has a long running feud with the dolphins, due to the fact that he regularly shocks them by accident when they ride the waves together, and Zap usually takes offense at the dolphins saying the shocks are no accident... and sometimes they're right. When they race together, the dolphins also have long insisted that Zap uses his power to electrify the water to his advantage. This isn't actually true... at least when he's racing.
===Gill Grunt===
Gill Grunt is Zap's fellow Skylander and friend. When Grimslobber noticed the Skylanders and called Gill Grunt names, Zap was quick to defend his Gillman companion.
==Abilities==
Using his special golden harness he created as a child to mimic the electrifying power of his adopted parents, Zap can breathe bursts of electricity and spew electrical surges of water at his enemies. He can also leave a trail of slimey water behind him to slow down (and when hit by a spark, electrify) foes. Once upgraded enough, he can ride a wave, if you do not travel with it then the wave goes off by itself, but still damages foes.
===Stats===
===Powers and Upgrades===
==Quotes==
===Battle Cries===
*"Ride the Lightniiinng!"
*"Ahhh, home at last!" - opening a Water gate.
*"Oh boy! Success!"
*"Hiiigh voltage!"
*"Poweeer Surge!"
*"Charging up!" - when checking stats
*"Oh, impressive numbers!" - checking stats
*"Very stylish. I like it!" - when given a hat
*"Oh, nice hat! Is it waterproof? Haha!"
*"It's surfing time!"
*"Feel the electricityyy!"
*"Ha, excellent!"
*"Yay!"
*"Victory is mine!""
*Ahh, all that treasure!"
*"I'll just slip on by!" - When opening a gate
*"Up high!" - When using a Bounce Pad
*"Yeeesss!" - When using a bounce pad
*"Zoom!" When using a bounce pad
*"A buzz with a name." - when given a nickname
*"Oh, sensational choice." when given a nickname
===Book Quotes===
*"I've always said I was a bright spark," - Zap, in Skylanders: Gill Grunt and the Curse of the Fish Master
*"Yeah, they were pretty re-volt-ing,"
*"Did someone say charge?"
*"Don’t worry your royal dudeship,"
==Character Trailers==
Skylanders Spyro's Adventure - Zap Trailer (Ride the Lightning)
Meet the Skylanders Zap (extended)
Skylanders Spyro's Adventure GamesCom 2011 Trailer - Zap
Skylanders Spyro's Adventure - Zap Preview (Ride the Lightning)
Skylanders Giants - Meet the Skylanders - Series 2 Zap (Ride the Lightning)
==See also==
*Evil Water Dragon
*Zap's Number 1 Fan
==Gallery==
::Main article: Zap/Gallery
==Trivia==
*Zap's promotional art shows that his eyes are red, and they are orange in toy form, but in the game, they are yellow. His color changes as well. In his promotional art, his toy form and preview video, Zap is a light shade of blue. However in the game, he is a darker, "shiny" blue.
*If Zap hadn't been washed out to sea by a riptide away from home, he would almost certainly have grown up to be king of the High Water Royal Dragon Family.Skylanders Universe: Book of Elements - Fire and Water, page 53
*He is another playable character known to be raised by a different species, along with Spyro being raised by dragonflies in the Legend series, and Sgt. Byrd being raised by hummingbirds in the Classic series.
*The Electroll, Zapp, in Hurricos shares his name, with an extra "P," with Zap.
*He and Cynder are the only two dragon Skylanders to breathe electricity.
*He is the only one of the nine Dragons in the series without claws on his toes (his feet look like those of a frog or a toad).
*His toy form has a bigger splash in the pedestal unlike other Water Skylanders to contain his four-legged frame. However, as a Series 2 figure, his water pedestal is as normal as Gill Grunt, Wham-Shell and Chill, except it contains four little splashes because of his four feet.
*Zap is the successor of the his original incarnation, Cyclops Slime/Snail or Tarclops, a scrapped Skylander.
*He and Stump Smash can regain health in water with their Soul Gem abilities.
*During development, Zap was originally going to be without his electric gold harness.
*Unlike the rest of the other Dragons who are reptilian, Zap appears to be amphibian due to being a water-based dragon.
*Although he isn't fully capable of speech in Spyro's Adventure, he appears to be saying "Wahoo!" and "Ha Ha!" when using his attacks.
*Zap's Series 2 Wow Pow, "For Riley" was made as a dedication to Riley Van Zyl, a four-year old boy and Skylanders fan who passed away from a rare form of cancer in May 2012. Riley's favorite character in the series was Zap, and the upgrade was named in his memory.Tragic Riley’s memory is carved into school forever . (Date Posted - Mar. 7, 2013). Manchester Evening News.
*When Zap talks, he speaks as if he has water in his mouth.
*When he sets foot in a small puddle of water, he can actually heal only when he gets the Soul Gem upgrade.
*His Series 2 figure is based on his Wow Pow ability For Riley!.
*Jeff Bergman portrayed as Zap. He is also very notable for voicing the modern Looney Tunes characters like Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Tweety, Sylvester, etc.
*His catchphrase "Ride the Lightning" is also a song and album by the rock band Metallica.
==References==
ru:Zap
Category:Male Characters
Category:Playable Characters
Category:Dragons
Category:Skylanders
Category:Water Skylanders
Category:Skylanders (characters)
Category:Series 2 Skylanders
Zap
Category:Skylanders: Gill Grunt and the Curse of the Fish Master
Category:Skylanders: Gill Grunt and the Curse of the Fish Master Characters