I didn't really like the way this was turning out, so I'm doing a rewrite. I'll be posting each chapter as I get them edited, so hopefully it will be a chapter or two every few days (at least until I run out of prewritten chaps).
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Spyro, Cynder, or anything else from the games. I only own the story and my OC's.
SECONDARY DISCLAIMER: Amber belongs to TMHB77, and I am using her with his permission. The other OC's are mine, unless I get permission/requests from the owners, in which case I will say so.
Now that all that is out of the way, let's get to the story!
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The Legend of Spyro: Trial of Spirit
This story is set three years after New Frontier. The war against the Dark Master and his forces is still going on, but things have been unusually quiet for the past few years, and the denizens of the realm are just trying to go on with their lives despite the ever-present shadow on the horizon…
Chapter 1: Peace for Now
"Huh," Antares mused, stepping up to what seemed to be a pedestal. "I thought I'd explored every cave on this island. Who knew there was one this close to the Temple?"
"Hey, Antares!"
The brown dragon looked over his shoulder to see Spyro in the tunnel behind him. "Come on," the purple dragon called. "We've been down here for hours. Let's go before I forget what sunlight looks like."
"Okay, okay," Antares picked up one of the stones on the pedestal, examining the strange markings. Never seen runes like this before…they look familiar though. He replaced the stone and turned to leave the cave. As he was turning around his wing brushed over the altar, almost knocking one of the stones down. "Woops!" The brown drake caught the stone before it hit the floor of the cave and set it back on the pedestal, noticing a pattern on the surface now that some of the dust had been cleared away, the markings similar to the ones on the stones.
"I need to remember to come back here sometime," Antares said casually as the two dragons made their way back to the surface.
"Unless you mean a long time from now," Spyro replied, "leave me out of it."
"What, I thought you liked spelunking?"
"Yeah," the purple dragon took a moment to reply, squeezing through a particularly small tunnel. "But this is more like burrowing. The last time I was this deep underground I was inside a volcano."
"You've told me, remember?"
"Look, I've got nothing against caves, just…next time, ask Baho or Tia."
"What about Cynder?"
"You're not likely to get her down here; she likes fresh air too much. And right now I agree with her."
"Fine," Antares quipped. "Next time I find a cave full of ruins and ancient artifacts, I won't tell you."
"Deal." Felling a slight breeze, Spyro sniffed the air, looking around for a moment before he saw a patch of light. "There's the exit; let's get out of here."
The two dragons climbed up to the cave opening, blinking against the afternoon sunlight as they emerged from the darkness of the cavern.
"Come on," Antares prodded, seeing the smile on his friend's face. "It wasn't that bad."
"I never said I didn't like it," Spyro replied. "It's just that digging through caves was a lot easier a few years ago."
"Yeah," Antares looked down at his own muscular frame. "I guess we've all grown some the last couple of years. We don't have any classes this afternoon, do we?"
"No, but I was going to talk to Ignitus after his lectures."
"Okay, I'm gonna go catch some lunch; later." Antares took off, making for the field where the livestock was kept. Spyro was still for a moment, breathing in the autumn air before he took off for the Temple and Academy.
OO
Flying low towards the Academy, Spyro spotted a class letting out, Cynder, Amber and Erika among them. The purple drake wheeled around and pulled up, flapping his wings slowly as he descended. "Hi, Cynder!"
"Hi, Spyro," Cynder replied, waving to the other two as she left the crowd. "What's up?"
"I just wanted to see you." Spyro hugged the black dragoness. "We hardly have any time together lately."
"So we've been busy," she replied, returning the embrace for a moment before they released each other. "Everyone's just trying to live normal lives." Cynder smiled before continuing. "Who'd have thought that would be even more frantic than fighting a war?"
"About that…" Spyro hesitated. "Remember those feelings you used to get?"
"You mean the 'we're all going to die horribly' ones?" Cynder replied, frowning now. "Nothing like that in a long time…why do you ask?"
"I haven't been sleeping well lately; nothing in particular, something's just got me on edge."
"And your first thought is that Malefor's planning something?" the dragoness sighed, shaking her head. "And people used to call me negative." She put her hand on Spyro's shoulder and looked him in the eye. "Spyro, it's been three years, and the Guardians have contacts all over the place. I'm not going to say he's gone, but if he was up to something we'd know about it. I know you're used to protecting everyone, but right now, we don't need heroes." Cynder quickly kissed the purple dragon on the cheek. "At least, not as much as I need my hero. I've gotta go meet up with the others; see you tonight?"
"I'll be there!" The pair split up, Cynder going to meet her friends and Spyro to the Temple to meet Ignitus.
"So…," Tia began as Cynder rejoined them. "What was that all about?"
"Spyro's getting paranoid again; something about not being able to sleep lately. I just had to remind him that there's more to our lives than the war right now."
"If his classes are as tough as ours," Erika suggested, "he's probably just worried about finals next week."
"No kidding," Tia replied, laughing. "I think I'd rather take on the Dark Master himself than Volteer's history test!"
"Don't even joke about that," Cynder said, shuddering.
"Sorry," the blue dragoness apologized. "I wasn't thinking."
"It's alright, you didn't mean it. Say, where's Amber?"
"She went home early," Erika answered. "Something about wanting to get ready for Thor and Baho."
"They are coming back tonight aren't they?" Tia asked. "I hope she's not planning to monopolize Baho again. He's my brother after all!"
"If I didn't know better," Cynder chuckled. "I'd say you were jealous…"
"How would you like someone taking up all of Spyro's time?"
"You mean more than the Guardians do?"
"Seriously!" Erika laughed. In the time since they'd come to the island, the copper-gold dragoness had changed from the timid girl Raj used as his personal scapegoat into a strong, if sometimes shy dragon.
"Seriously, Tia," Cynder went on, "you need to get a boyfriend."
"Yeah, sure…" Tia replied softly, lowering her eyes.
"Is something wrong?" Erika asked.
"No, it's nothing."
"Tia," Cynder prompted. "We're your friends, and I know something's up. If it's anything I said, I'm sorry, but if you need to talk to someone we're here for you."
"No, really, it's fine."
"You know, Tia," Erika suggested, "There's this guy in one of my classes that's been trying to get up the courage to talk to you…if you wanted I could introduce you."
"Thanks, but there's no need, really," Tia was getting visibly upset now.
"Erika," Cynder glanced at the lightning dragon from the corner of her eye. "Can you excuse us?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah, sure." The copper dragon turned to leave. Looking back over her shoulder, she called back. "Cynder, think you can come by later? I need some help on that chapter we're studying for Elemental Mastery."
"Sorry, I'm busy tonight."
"Okay, see you later!"
When Erika was out of earshot, Cynder turned back to Tia. "Come on, let's go to my room; we can have some privacy there."
"What for?"
"We need to talk; and no, you don't have a choice in the matter."
OO
Ignitus walked slowly down the hall in Temple, heading for his room after his lecture on Ancient Civilizations. Turning a corner he saw Spyro waiting for him at the door.
"Good afternoon, Spyro," the great red dragon smiled warmly at his protege.
"Hello, Ignitus," Spyro replied. "Do you have a moment?"
"I suppose I could spare a little time." Ignitus opened the door and beckoned Spyro inside. "So," the Fire Guardian asked once the two were inside. "To what do I owe this visit?"
"Honestly, I wish I had a better reason…"
"Something's troubling you?"
"I don't know," Spyro sighed. "I've just…lately I've had this feeling that something's wrong. I can't tell what it is, but I know that there's something coming; something bad."
"All you have is a feeling? No dreams or visions?"
"No, nothing; just this sense of dread. Cynder said that I should just ignore it, but…"
"Spyro, I do understand your concerns, and I'm glad that you brought them to me. However, we have not seen or heard anything to suggest that there is any exceptional threat at this time."
"But what about Malefor and Gaul? And the Scavenger pirates?"
"Our agents are keeping us informed of the Dark Master's activities, and it seems that the pirates have, for the most part, moved on after their battle with the apes. It is good that you remain vigilant, but do not worry yourself. If anything comes up that warrants your action, I will tell you myself. Until then, try to enjoy this peace while it lasts."
"If you're sure nothing's wrong…"
"Spyro, I learned long ago not to keep secrets from you. Trust me, right now your biggest concern should be keeping up with your classes."
"All right," Spyro smiled. "But when something does come up, try to tell me before it becomes a crisis this time."
"I'll do my best," Ignitus laughed. Just before Spyro left the room, the Fire Guardian reminded him of the morning's event. "Oh, and Spyro, next time you and Antares are going to miss one of Terrador's lessons, please tell him ahead of time."
"Y-yes, Ignitus," Spyro muttered, humbled, as he walked out.
OO
"Damn it!" Raj slammed his fist into the wall, leaving a sizable dent. "I've been here for three years, and you say I'm still not ready? What are you trying to pull, Malefor?!" In the three years since leaving Misted Grove, Raj had become Malefor's apprentice, filling the place left open when Spyro freed Cynder from the Dark Master's control. Unlike Cynder, however, Raj knew what Malefor was and had still chosen to follow the evil dragon willingly, tempted by the promise of limitless power and strength. And Malefor had delivered: while Raj's transformation was not as dramatic as Cynder's had been, he was still larger and more muscular than any ordinary dragon would be at his age, and when he wasn't holding his energy in check he practically radiated dark power. Such was the case now as he glared into his master's eyes through the large scrying crystal in his lair, a shadowy black aura rising from his body.
"Raj," the tone of bored annoyance in Malefor's voice showed that this conversation had taken place before. "You have been an excellent student, and you are powerful. In only three years, you have learned spells and abilities that took Cynder twice that time to master. But you are still not ready to face the Guardians…or Spyro."
"Spyro, Spyro, Spyro, I'm sick of hearing about that purple pest! What's so special about him anyway? He beat Cynder? Big deal; I'm already stronger than she ever was! Just let me go and kill them!"
"It's true that you are more powerful than Cynder, even while she was under my influence. But power alone is not enough to defeat Spyro. His will is formidable, and he is more than willing to give up his own life to save others. Even if you are more powerful, he is able to draw on a force that he isn't even fully aware of. That is his strength, and before you can face him you must be prepared to overcome it. Until then you cannot prevail. Now, if you don't mind, I grow tired of this discussion. Rest and ready yourself for your next training session." Malefor's eyes vanished, and the dark clouds swirling within the crystal faded away, leaving Raj to seethe in his room, now dark except for the occasional flash of lightning from the perpetual storm raging around the tower.
"Someday," the mottled dragon muttered under his breath, "I will go to fight him; then you'll see how powerful I really am…" Raj snapped his fingers, and the two conduits flanking the door withdrew into their sockets, then back into the wall itself. Still fuming, the dragon stalked over to his bed and settled down for a few hours of rest, visions of the fates he would inflict on each of his foes floating through his mind. His last conscious thoughts lingered on Spyro and Cynder, and how he would take special care in dispatching those two.
OO
Within the cavern Spyro and Antares had been exploring, a strange breeze stirred the air, disturbing more of the dust from the pedestal. Now fully revealed, the runes seemed to glow a faint blue-green in the darkness of the cave.
"At last, the voice seemed to echo hollowly from the walls of the chamber. "The Seal is finally weakening. It seems the time has come for the second act of our performance."
"What is your bidding, Master?" the second voice was barely distinguishable from the first, and also seemed to come from the very stones.
"Go forth, and let our return be known to all who would oppose us."