Continued from The Legend of Spyro: The Redeemer Ch18...
Legend of Spyro: Rise of a Legend
Act II: The Condemned
"Only through many hardships
Is a man stripped to his very foundations
And in such a state
Devoid of distractions
Is his soul free to soar
And in this
He is closest to God"
- The Scriptures, Book of Missions 42:5
"Oye! Wake up, bastard!" Wham, wham, wham. Ezio missed the times when Nova woke him up with a simple nudge with her nose. Wham, wham, wham, wham.
"All right! Shut the hell up! I'm a comin'!" Ezio shouted leaping up from his bed, and throwing the same pair of cargo pants and tank top on. He quickly changed the bandages bound around the entire length of his torso, then slapped the door. There was a metallic click as the door was unlocked, and the door slid smoothly on oiled rails to the side. Smaug stood there, staring down his muzzle at Ezio, and scowling. Ezio scowled back, and leaned against the door frame.
"How's that wound holding up?" Smaug sneered.
"It's not; you know my days are numbered. What did you want?" Ezio snarled at the enemy.
"The Dark Lord has requested an audience with you. It is an – "Smaug started, but Ezio cut him off.
"It's anything but an honor for me Smaug. Best watch your back bastard. You might bite, but I bite back." Ezio said, strolling past the massive lieutenant and into the hall way that contained at least a dozen other prison cells, "No need to tell me where to go, I know the way."
"Still doesn't mean I'm gonna stop following you." Smaug growled, "And you know that if it weren't for his orders, you would be dead right now."
"Better dead than smelling your foul breath. And we both know I'm out of your league." Ezio said, stopping and turning towards the dragon, "But hey, I've had a rough week, and I could let off a bit of steam. You wanna start something? Go ahead."
Smaug scowled down at the tiny human, and he shuffled his claws as if he would love to do nothing more than comply with Ezio's wishes and put this insolent mortal in his place. Instead though, he turned sharply and strode away, and at the end of the hallway, stood holding open a large door that was at least an inch thick worth of steel. Ezio strolled into the bright sunlight, and the shadow of Saturn's rings resplendent in the background. The sun was considerably smaller here, and the gravity much less on Titan, but the near planet like conditions, and the thick atmosphere, which was thicker than earths made up for it. The planet like moon was indeed quite similar to the beeches on earth. Ezio had gotten a shock the first time he had seen the view. He was the first person to land on something other than the earth system, and could easily have gone down in history if he had documented everything. Ezio had also been scared out of his mind by the sheer number of troops on Titan. Ezio didn't know their exact numbers, but he knew that there were well more than the earth's population. The entire planet was dotted with constant portals that were ignited by Malefor. The portals were self-sustaining, and made transport from one paradise island to the next instantaneous. The two presently walked up to one, and the guards on either side suddenly went to attention as they saw their commanding officer. Ezio had also learned quickly that these troops were not to be trifled with. They were good, no doubting that, and had training in all areas of combat.
Ezio had been confused at first when he saw Saturn through the blue sky on Titan, so close. IT didn't take long for the fourth regiment commander to explain it to him. The commander had taken a liking to him right away, despite the fact that Ezio had killed many of the Orcs kind.
"I'm serious now brother. Do not regret past actions, you had no choice. But if you try and kill one of us, then I won't be so easy." The creature had said, tapping his nose knowingly. Ezio had found that most of the population was enslaved by Malefor, except the shadow force lieutenants. The shadow dragons were always fiercely loyal to Smaug and Malefor. The planet however was almost pleasant to Ezio.
"It's because of the terraforming Malefor worked on it. He did a great amount. First was the fact of hydrogen Cyanide in the atmosphere, which is highly toxic to any oxygen breather. We had to remove ALL of it, and it took at least a full year to completely eradicate the substance. Next, he increased the amount of Oxygen, and decreased the methane and ethane. Those were put into the ground after the planet warmed up. The gravity here is lower, but it's made up for by the thick atmosphere, which if you had the same gravity of earth, would make you feel like you were swimming five feet under water. The moons core was made of liquid water, and was brought up. Most of it was evaporated into the atmosphere, which cleared up the haziness and allowed sunlight in. Despite the increased distance, we still have the same average temperature as earth. And the thicker atmosphere means flight is much easier."
The entire process had taken Malefor five years to complete, and it was a feet he seemed somewhat proud of. Ezio was almost astounded at the area around him, yes he was a prisoner, but most of the creatures here seemed friendly enough. At least the ones that were enslaved were. The lieutenants hated him, none more so than Smaug. Malefor however, had surprisingly been somewhat friendly. Ezio didn't buy the act for a second, because he knew of the deviousness of the Dark Master. This time was different though.
"Ah Ezio! Good, I've wanted to speak to you for a while now!" Malefor said warmly, spreading his wings as an invitation, "Thank you Smaug that will be all. Do you mind giving us some peace for a while?"
Smaug scowled, but nodded simply, and backed out of the chamber. Malefor's throne room was long with a vaulted ceiling, like a cathedral, but unlike a cathedral, the entire thing was made of glass, so that the view surrounding them was simply spectacular on the rise that it was built atop of. Malefor stood and walked towards Ezio, sitting down about four feet from the human. Ezio thought how absurd it might be to see two mortal enemies sitting right in front of one another, without trying to get at each other's throats.
"Well, well, well now. We suddenly find ourselves in a peculiar situation, don't we?" Malefor said, peering down at the tiny prisoner, "Normally, I'd question you, and then kill you. But I don't think you'll willingly answer my questions, so I think I have a better idea. I'm going to use you against your friends. Now you also won't do that willingly, but you'll soon find you have little choice. And I think you'll like your new powers so much that you will want to fight for me. Ah well, only one way to find out what will happen."
"All right, fine you bastard; what exactly do you have in mind?" Ezio said, looking up at the massive dark dragon.
"Really? That's it?" Malefor said, smirking at Ezio, "I expect more of a struggle. More of an 'I'll never join you!' sort of thing."
"Well, I don't really have much of a choice do I. So what's your plan?" Ezio asked cautiously.
"Have you ever heard of Cynder's story, Ezio?" Malefor asked, turning towards the entrance, and looking out over his vast empire.
"I never heard it directly from her, but I got the general gist of the story." Ezio said, "Twenty-five years ago, the ape forces raided the hatchery where both Spyro's egg and Cynder's were kept. In desperation, Ignitus secreted just one egg, the purple one, away, to save the entire world from the ape forces wrath, so that Spyro could be raised in secret, away from war and famine, which would easily break any young adult. Cynder on the other hand was captured and raised among the Shadow forces at that time, under your supervision. She was also controlled by your dark magic, and with the augmenting of your powers, gained the strength and power equal to that of a purple dragon."
"You have the general gist of the story, but you're missing one crucial element." Malefor, said, smiling.
"What's that?"
"The fact that the only dragon like Spyro was being used against him. It happened again with my defeat in the planets core. Cynder had betrayed Spyro when she led him to the well of souls and tricked Spyro into freeing me. Only after they were freed from the crystal did she decide to follow Spyro." Malefor said, speaking more to himself than to Ezio.
"I turn her against him. It forced him to believe that he was alone, even if that pathetic runt, Cynder was still there. If it hadn't been for her, Spyro would be dead, and I would be victorious!" Malefor said, stamping his foot on the ground, and making the stone rumble, "But still, here we are."
"Great, now the only question is why." Ezio muttered.
"What?"
"Well you can't be doing all this for absolutely no reason at all." Ezio said, glancing sideways at the dark dragon, "There's got to be some sort of motive behind it, otherwise you really are completely mad."
Malefor considered him for a long time, so long, that Ezio got bored of staring him down, and turned to look back out the window. The sun was starting to set.
"I think I've greatly misjudged you, Ezio." Malefor said at last.
"Join the club, it's got great benefits." Ezio said, tossing his hand in the air. Malefor chuckled ever so slightly, and that surprised Ezio the most. The ancient didn't seem to be stark raving mad. He just seemed to be a bit passionate. Ezio still wasn't fully convinced though, "So what exactly is your plan?"
"You're going to be my new pawn, just as Cynder was mine." Malefor said, walking back to his throne and sitting down, "You will do as I order, respect me willingly, and not question my directions. In return, I will grant you not just life, but powers beyond your wildest dreams."
"And what if I say no?"
Malefor laughed at that, "You are condemned Ezio. If you say no, then so be it, I really have no other choice but to kill you. Look at it this way. Better to live and fight another day."
"Still doesn't mean I consider you an ally."
"I never said you should." Malefor said, looking down at Ezio. Ezio stared up at the Dark Master for several tense moments as he thought fast.
Not like I have much choice in the matter. Oh well, here goes.
"All right. Do whatever you need to do." Malefor suddenly raised his paw and grabbed Ezio around the throat, placing his palm against Ezio's chest. Ezio saw a glowing black color emanating from the Dark masters whole arm.
"It's going to hurt a lot, so try and relax." Malefor's smile widened as he took the perverse pleasure of causing pain. Ezio suddenly felt as if he was being branded by an iron, the pain was so intense. The dark power suddenly ripped through his shirt, burning a hole with the sheer force, and it quickly gnawed through the bandages bound around Ezio's chest. The sun had set now, and with the light coming from Malefor's dark magic, the room glowed with an arcane light, with shadows flickering along the glass, and being thrown into varying reflections as the glass refracted the light. Ezio cried out long and hard as the power continued to burn into the exposed wound that Malefor had caused. He was having a hard time breathing. He looked over at his arm, and saw a light was already starting to envelope his entire body as he was transformed by the arcane magic. Malefor watched with wonder as the light completely enveloped the human, and his neon silhouette fluxed and grew. When Malefor finally stopped the power, the light drained away quickly, and Ezio, still conscious and breathing hard, fell from Malefor's paws.
Malefor's facial scales went pale as he beheld his creation.
"Impossible! This cannot be? By the ancestors, what have I wrought?" Smaug heard his masters cries of wonder, and ran inside, flanked by two other shadow dragons. The sight before them made them stop in their tracks. Ezio looked up, choking and gasping trying to get oxygen into his lungs. He lifted his hand to wipe away the froth at his mouth.
Except his hand, wasn't a hand.
"No way…"
"Retreating!" Spyro shouted through the quiet medical hall. Frost smacked him upside the head, and several hushed him quickly. Spyro dropped his voice, indifferent to the scowls around him, and kept talking to Needlefoot, whom had brought the latest scouting reports. He couldn't believe what the hedgehog had told him.
"Are you serious? Or are you simply lying to me, and they're on our front doorstep now?" Spyro whispered.
"Do noit take moi word fer it soir, go and see foir yourself." Spyro turned and bolted out of the medical bay, jumping clear over Eclipse, whom had finally been able to get up and walk about. Spyro ran full out of the door, and skidded to turn, only to find himself flung into the far wall of the tunnel. The blow didn't seem to even register; he kept running forward, turned as he left the tunnel and emerged into the blinding sunlight, and leapt clear to the top of the entrance, where Cynder was watching the enemies in the valley.
They were all packing up…
"Retreat?" Spyro said, relief sweeping over him, "Why are they retreating when they were so close to taking the city?"
Nostalgia swept over Cynder as Spyro said this, "I don't think they're giving up Spyro. Maybe they're getting clear so there is no collateral damage. I think we need to evacuate as soon as possible, and get out while we still can."
"Do you think he's planning something?" Spyro asked, looking at the massive portal in the background.
"Yes, he is, definitely." Cynder said without skipping a beat. The two sat there for the next five minutes as the remaining shadow forces trudged back through the portal, and it shrank suddenly into oblivion.
"I don't believe it." Spyro said, "Nothing happened, no golem, nothing. He didn't even bother to show up. What's he trying to pull?"
"Well there goes any chance of finding out where they're base is. When we went through, it seemed like an island paradise. Where ever he chose to set up camp, it was quite nice. Wouldn't mind living there."
"Yeah, if it weren't crawling with shadow forces." Spyro muttered. This was a melancholy moment for him. While on the one hand, this meant that they could escape, it also meant Malefor was most likely planning a nasty surprise, "We won't know what he's doing until he's right on top of us with his surprise waiting. No point in speculating over it."
"How'r the repairs on your wing going by the way?" Cynder asked, running a claw up the mechanical implant he was currently wearing. The settlements researchers had put a lot of time and effort into the system, just for Spyro, but recently, they had to make duplicates for several personnel because of heavy injuries from their last battle. Spyro knew that there was an air dragoness whom had lost both her wings and part of her tail. These prosthetic implants were perfect for keeping disabled veterans in combat. Spyro only felt that the wing just wasn't as much a part of his body, but fortunately, his old wing could be reattached and be made fully functional again.
"Not bad. I can't wait to get my own back on; this one itches a huge amount." Spyro said, shuffling the implant, "It'll have to be reattached on the fly, Quake has informed me that we should break through the outer wall tonight. We're gonna have to start evacuating soon."
"Why are we leaving though?" Cynder said, "Wouldn't it be easier to just stay here? It seems like we're constantly on the run."
"The same reason we left Warfang. Malefor knows where we are, and were not going to just sit and wait for him to kill us." Spyro said, watching a runner arriving with a message. The two Atlawa guarding the door quickly let the mole through. It did not concern Spyro much, there were always messengers arriving and leaving. A large lung climbed up to the look out. Spyro always found the smaller dragons to be slightly odd. They had strange traditions, but Spyro also found that they had excellent cooks. Never had he tasted such good and exotic food. The lung were always wingless, but with a combination of the ability to flatten their body's, and the use of magic, the dragons could still fly, and were very good fliers. They didn't move at all like the standard dragons Spyro was used to, as a standard dragon would turn and twist, so to direct the direction of lift sideways. These lung however weaved through the air, since they produced very little lift, the dragons had to keep moving, and found that twisting in midair allowed them to even hover. Spyro knew this lung right away, as he was the leader of New Hvadia. Nobel was his name.
"Greetings, Spyro, Cynder." Ryuu said, looking over the now deserted landscape, "Surprised are you at the Shadow Forces retreat?"
"I am somewhat. I still can't get the feeling out of my head though that I've missed something." Spyro said, watching the sun set. Because of the height of the valley walls, sunset always came about three hours early, "For instance, I can understand why they retreated. Malefor is planning something. But what, I don't think we'll ever know. Are the airships ready?"
"They are. We have even begun loading the inhabitants onboard. I will personally lead all of us to New Ascari, as I am the only one among our number that knows where it is. There we will meet the might leader of the tribe of Wyverns, whose name is Goliath." Nobel spoke into the wind as warm air rushed in to meet them from the valleys mouth, "Perhaps he has a better intelligence network than us. But somehow I doubt it. Unlike us, they are far less subtle, and prefer strength and power to cunning and stealth. It's not a bad thing in any way, as they are truly powerful creatures, and massive in size. Goliath himself soars to over three stories high."
"Will anyone remain here, Nobel?" Spyro asked, "Or is everyone coming?"
"The only thing that will remain, Spyro, are empty tunnels." Nobel said, turning back to the entrance, "Your tunnel excavator has informed me that we have but one mile left. We leave in two hours."
Spyro approached the two sentries that stood guard, "Get yourselves onboard, we'll watch the entrance for the remainder of our stay."
"Thank mighty Spyro." The Atlawa lieutenant bowed, as did his compatriot. The two left, leaving Spyro and Cynder at the small rampart. Finally, just as the stars were coming out, Spyro turned to Cynder.
"I have some good news, Cynder." Spyro said. Cynder glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. She still hadn't forgiven him for leaving her alone like that to go and fight Malefor.
"What's that Spyro? Finally got some brains?" Cynder said. Spyro ignored the comment, he realized what he did was stupid, and he had paid the price. Even after what he did though, he still found himself as the leader of New Warfang. The settlement had nearly seven thousand inhabitants still, which was just higher than New Hvadia's inhabitants were. Spyro didn't know whether he liked leading, or hated it.
"You'll be happy to know I found a solution to our dilemma." Spyro said.
"Bah, which one?" Cynder asked. She seemed to be in a rather foul mood now that everyone had gone.
"Cynder, I'm disbanding Alpha Squadron." Whatever Cynder had been expecting, it hadn't been that. Her eyes went wide, and she snapped her head around to look at him.
"What?" Cynder said quietly, "But, what about the war?"
"Somehow, I highly doubt that we and the guardians are going to stop flying together. If I can help it, I'm going to keep it together, but I'm resigning as leader. We're not friends because of Alpha Squadron. Alpha Squadron exists because were friends. Besides, the guardianship is still there. I could have been in the guardianship too, but I don't want to have to worry about responsibilities any longer than I have to. And Cynder? I'm sorry."
For a while, Cynder just sat there staring at him, and then she broke out crying, leaning into Spyro chest.
"Cynder!" Spyro didn't think he would ever understand women, even if he did live for a thousand years.
"Spyro, your such an idiot sometimes!" She said, half laughing, half crying into his chest, "What prompted you to do this?"
"Our death toll. And the fact that we've been to constrained with Alpha Squadron. Back in the dragon realms, it made sense, but now, it seems like a stupid idea. Shoot, even if I thought that he wouldn't become a tyrannical dictator, then I would surrender to Malefor. It seems stupid to keep fighting him."
"You know he won't give up until he kills you and me. Though I don't know why." Cynder said, looking up thoughtfully, "He never told me when I was in his service."
"I don't care anymore. All I know is that this will all end if he dies. Next time they attack, we need to order a retreat, and take the guardians in against him ourselves, and give it our all. I think I might have a plan to beat him, even with his special cloning system." Spyro said, also going into a thoughtful state. Cynder looked as if she were struggling with something. Finally, she couldn't take it any longer, and grabbed Spyro's chine, and turning him towards her, looking into his deep blue eyes.
"Cynder wha – " Spyro's sentence was cut off as Cynder force herself into him, drawing out the kiss. Ten seconds, twenty. Spyro lost himself in the embrace, but he held back ever so slightly. If something happened now, they would most likely get caught. Still he had a hard time controlling his hormones.
Finally the two broke apart.
"Cynder, you gotta start giving me a warning whenever you do stuff like that." Spyro said weakly. The passionate kiss had left him quite winded. He registered the fact that Cynder tasted quite a bit like Cinnamon. Cynder only chuckled.
"You kiss like you've had practice before." Cynder said, winking slyly at him. Spyro felt himself blush, but he smiled anyways, and without skipping a beat –
"Oh you know the dragonfly females back home were all over me." Cynder couldn't help it, she busted out laughing. Spyro joined in, and for a long time, the two couldn't stop. Finally, Cynder looked out over the landscape, and jumped. There was one single lone fire out in the valley, smokeless and very tiny. Cynder wouldn't have even seen it if it hadn't been for her improved night vision.
"Spyro, were being followed. They want to keep track of us." Cynder whispered.
"I figured as much. He'll be back, I know he will be." Spyro said. They both stared at the fire for a while, and finally, Cynder turned towards the entrance.
"Come on, we need to get going." Cynder whispered, "The airships will be almost ready to leave right about now."
"Yup, time to hit the road."
"Hit the road, Jack, and never come back."