This story was... hard to write. It is based on a reoccurring nightmare I've been having for the last few days. Hopefully by getting this down on paper, it will go away.

In this story, set in an alternate future set shortly after The Eternal Night, a slightly younger Spyro and Cynder confront Malefor in his mountain fortress. (Roughly Eternal Night age.) The encounter is much like it is in Dawn of The Dragon, but there is no eminent threat of the world ending. Also due to this, Ignitus is still alive.

Legal Disclaimer. I don't own the characters. They are property of their respective creators. I am simply using them. I gain no profit from this work, and am simply writing this for my own enjoyment, and the enjoyment of fans of the game.

WARNING! This is not a happy story. There is character death, blood, and 1 swear word. If these things offend you, turn back now!

The Last Battle

Spyro and Cynder slowly approached the gates that lead to Malefor's fortress. The evil that emanated from within was almost tangible. Spyro stopped, looking at Cynder.

"Are you ready for this?"

"I'm scared."

"Just stay close to me."

Together they slowly approached the great doors. As they drew near, the gates opened with a rumble. Stepping inside, they were confronted with none other than Malefor himself.

"The purple dragon. At long last, we finally meet. So good to see you. You're just in time to witness my rise to power."

Spyro shook his head.

"The only thing that will happen here is your downfall!"

Malefor tiled his head in a mocking manner, laughing.

"...I think not! This was far too easy! You've walked straight into my trap! For years I have planned for this moment! Nothing will forestall my return to power! Now that you are here, all of the pieces are in place."

Malefor turned grinning, towards Cynder, laughing softly.

"Excellent work Cynder. Just like we planned."

Spyro turned to Cynder. His eyes were full of both pain and accusation.

"Cynder...?"

Cynder shook her head violently.

"No, Spyro! I had nothing to do with this!"

Malefor laughed.

"Oh but you did Cynder! My plan couldn't have worked if it were not for you. You were the key!"

He turned towards Spyro.

"It is because of your miserable amenity towards her. We allowed you to "rescue" her, then slowly drew you back towards me!"

Spyro shook his head.

"No! That's not true!"

Malefor laughed again.

"You can deny it all you want, but the facts are all there! Cynder drew you to the Well of Souls, then got you into a fight with Gaul, delaying you long enough to allow my soul to be freed!"

Spyro shook his head. His world was crashing down around him. Was it really true? Had he been so blind?

Malefor grinned.

"Ignitus should have warned you. You are alone here young dragon. You have always been...alone!"

As he spoke, Malefor's eyes flashed. Following his gaze, Spyro was horrified to see Cynder engulfed in darkness.

"Cynder! No!"

Spyro yelled, but it was no use. The black cloud surrounding Cynder simply grew larger. Spyro was forced back, lest he come in contact with the black cloud. Suddenly, from the center of the cloud came a white light. It grew outwards, eventually forcing Spyro to look away, shielding himself with his wings as he did so. When he looked back, his blood ran cold, and his heart seemed to stop.

"No...that's impossible..."

Before him stood Cynder, shrouded in darkness. Her eyes glowed with an unnatural light. It reminded Spyro of when he had first met her, years ago.

"So, we meet again."

Even her voice was the same. Spyro started to shake. It was too much. They had come so far together. He couldn't lose her now.

"Cynder! This Isn't you! Fight this!"

Her only response was a snarl.

"Cynder! I know you're in there! I know you can hear me! You can't let this win! This isn't who you really are!"

She snorted.

"You don't know me!"

Spyro nodded.

"You're right Cynder. I don't know everything about you. But I do know something. This isn't the Cynder that I have known for the past few years. I know that you're in there. And I refuse to give up until I get you back!"

Cynder's scream echoed within the chamber, as she dropped into a fighting stance.

Spyro shook his head.

"I won't fight you Cynder! You're not the problem here."

He turned to Malefor, eyes blazing.

"It's You!"

Feeling the fury rising within him, he fired an electric orb at him. However, Cynder darted in front of Malefor, taking the attack herself. Spyro was horrified.

Cynder let out an eerie screech as the attack dissipated on her.

"This does not concern him! This is between you and I! Defend yourself!"

Spyro shook his head.

"No! I refuse to fight you! You just need to wake up!"

Cynder snorted.

"Still as stubborn as ever, I see! Very well then! This, is where it really ends!"

Malefor laughed. Cynder suddenly jumped up and flew back, to sit next to him. Malefor shot Spyro a glance, grinning.

"You really do love her, don't you?"

Spyro glared daggers at him.

"More than you'd ever know, you monster!"

Malefor laughed.

"You're doing a very poor job, if you care so much about her!"

Spyro's eyes widened in shock as he realized what was happening. He dashed towards Malefor, but skidded to a stop halfway there, frozen in horror.

Malefor had Cynder under his front claws. She had returned to her normal form, and Spyro could see the fear in her eyes, reflected perfectly in his. Malefor let out a horrifying laugh that chilled Spyro to the bone.

"You should learn to take better care of those you love!"

So saying, Malefor threw Cynder towards a wall, followed closely by a ball of dark fire.

Spyro screamed. From deep within himself, he forced his control of time to the surface. If there was ever a time that he needed it, it was now. Desperately he ran towards his love, trying to catch her. But she was too far away, and moving too fast. He could only watch in horror as she slammed against the wall, with the ball of fire exploding on her moments later. As time sped back up, he could only watch as she fell to the ground.

He ran the remaining distance to her, ignoring everything else around him. The rest of the world seemed to fall away, except for the sight of his beloved, lying on the ground before him. He slowly approached her, tears filling his eyes.

"Cynder! Cynder! Can you hear me? Please, Cynder!"

There was no response. Spyro broke down as he nuzzled Cynder, tears falling freely, sobs racking his body.

"Cynder...please! You c-can't die! I... b-believe in you! C-cynder, Please! I...I love you!"

Still, there was no response. Spyro noticed with horror, the thin trickle of blood that flowed from Cynder's mouth onto the ground.

Spyro stepped back, dread filling his heart. He felt the darkness within him rising, and let out an anguished roar loud enough to shatter the sky.

Slowly, he turned towards Malefor, wisps of darkness rising from his body.

"You just made the last mistake of your life, you bastard!"

Spyro closed his eyes, connecting with the darkness within him. When he opened his eyes, darkness had completely covered his body and his eyes glowed white. With a scream, Spyro unleashed a beam of convexity at Malefor. The beam blew him back into a wall. Spyro slowly advanced on Malefor, still firing. At last he stopped, panting from the exertion. He was shocked to see Malefor simply get up. Malefor grinned.

"I gave you far too much credit! I am a creature of darkness! Convexity cannot hurt me! However, as for you..."

Malefor let loose with a shadow flare, a huge ball of dark fire. Spyro gasped, and rolled to the side, barely avoiding the attack. However, unbeknownst to him, the ball of fire circled around, slamming into him from behind, sending him sprawling into a wall. When the dust settled, Spyro laid on the ground, back in his normal form. Suddenly standing, Spyro threw himself back at Malefor, who released a cloud of dark fire at him. Spyro countered with his own fire breath, and soon found himself locked into a tug of war. For a short while, they seemed evenly matched. However, Spyro could feel his strength quickly waning. Part of him had died along with Cynder. She was a part of him, and he was incomplete without her at his side. He closed his eyes, grimacing against the pain, trying his hardest to keep the fire coming.

Malefor laughed inwardly. He could see that Spyro was weakening. Focusing, he channeled more of his anger and hate into his flames. He watched with glee, as Spyro slowly lost ground. Soon Spyro was almost engulfed, his own fire being forced back almost into his own mouth. Then suddenly, the flames washed over him completely. Malefor let the flames play over his body for a while, then stopped, laughing. His laughter was quickly cut short, though, as Spyro broke from the blackened earth boulder he had erected over himself at the last possible moment. He was shaking and breathing heavily, but he was unharmed.

Malefor nodded.

"Your skills are impressive. I could use those skills. Join me, and together we will usher in the dawning of a new age!"

Spyro shook his head.

"I'll never join you!"

Malefor slowly nodded.

"I see... well, in that case, I suppose I will have to give the job back to Cynder..."

Spyro screamed.

"You leave her out of this!"

Stumbling forward, Spyro threw everything he had left at Malefor. However, in his weakened state, his attacks did little damage and only succeeded in tiring him out in a short time. Soon Spyro was on the ground, drained of all his elemental powers, and completely helpless. A tear leaked out of his eye as Malefor towered over him.

Cynder, Ignitus... I'm sorry... I failed.