Outcasts of the Darker Days

Chapter 3: Infestation

Written by: Cgaume12 in commission of SFFAU

Chapter:3 Part: 1

'Everything is always quietest just before sunrise.' Terrador thought. He looked out past the balcony on which he stood to the slowly awakening forest beneath him. Each tree was outlined in the rising sun's glow. Soon birds had begun flying around, chirping at each other wildly. On the ground Terrador saw several bands of animals, predators and prey all moving toward the temple grounds. Slowly many more joined them, along with many of the birds. 'Strange...normally they stay far from us, something must be wrong.'

Then, on the horizon Terrador saw another, larger, flying shape. It released a burst of electricity, a sizable circle containing three smaller circles, indicating he was a messenger. In only minutes the messenger covered the five miles of forest, reaching the temple. Seeing Terrador standing there, he flew right up to the balcony slowing down with a few flaps of his wings.

After breathing deeply a few times the dragon greeted Terrador, "Hello sir, you're the one in charge correct?"

"Yes, I am. What is your name, young one, and what news do you bring?"

"I am called Bayne, sir. I have...odd news." Bayne said. He pulled a piece of parchment from the bag around his neck and read it out loud to Terrador, "It looks as though the small army of grublins left after Malefor's fall is retreating. Over the past few days their number had begun to dwindle, but this morning they had completely disappeared. There was no sign anywhere."

"Hmm...this is odd, and disturbing. The other guardians and I have felt something out of the ordinary but we can't do anything until we know what we are dealing with." Terrador paused, thinking about the last time he and the guardians had such a premonition. Only then they had Ignitus to guide them, "Alright, as soon as you can head back to the front lines and give my order to withdraw for now; I'm sure everyone who has been out there could use a rest."

"Very good sir, I can head out immediately and reach them by nightfall."

"Won't you rest for a short time?"

"No need sir, I may not be the best fighter, but none can match my endurance or speed."

The two dragons nod to each other in parting and Bayne pushes off into the open sky, soon to disappear over the horizon.

'I must definitely speak with the others about this. I will gather them when they wake and Spyro too.'

Chapter:3 Part:2

Onyx and Kiwi descended upon the ledge that jutted about fifteen feet out from the cave in which the group of dragons was staying. Proletariat, who was used to being in a leaders role, had divvied up tasks among the group, and after some grumbling, everyone had set out. Onyx and Kiwi had the task of finding something they could eat.

After flying above the lush spring forest for several minutes, they happened upon a whole herd of deer pressed against the south side of the mountain. They were very stealthy in their approach, landing far from them and slinking around the sides. However, upon their attack, the deer had no reaction. They stood, staring at the large predators in front of them, as though death were unimportant. Despite the easy prey, Onyx and Kiwi grabbed six deer each, enough for each dragon in the cave, and one more to hide away for later.

They were the first to come back form accomplishing their task, so after setting the deer in a pile and hiding away the extra, they decided to enjoy their alone time. They lay next to each other and affectionately rubbed their necks together. Soon they were gently planting kisses on their partner's neck. Before they can go any further the voices of Schonheit and Proletariat interrupted them.

"See, I told you that little stream was cleaner than the river." Schonheit said from just outside the cave.

"Yeah, I guess. It was a bit farther away though so in an emergency we should still go to the river." Proletariat replied, "Good thing we're both smart enough to hollow out these rocks to carry water. Oh look, Onyx and Kiwi must be back already there are quite a few deer over here."

They dropped the hollow rocks full of water and walked into the cave. Schonheit dwarfed Proletariat in size and seeing them side by side elicited a snicker from Onyx.

"What?" Proletariat said. He turned around in a circle to see what Onyx found funny. He turned back to him with a puzzled look before realizing he was the source. "Yes, I know. I'm shorter than her, so are you."

Onyx hangs his head in mock sorrow and pretends to cry, making Proletariat think he struck a nerve. Kiwi, realizing Onyx's trick, played along by putting on a look of utter disgust.

"Oh, are you alright Onyx? I didn't mean to insult you. You're not small, I mean look at me. You're a lot more muscled, a better fighter. You have a mate, I wish I did. I'm so sorry."

Onyx looked up, his face still streaming with false tears. "Y-you really mean all that?"

Proletariat responded with an affirming nod.

Onyx's face lit up and an obnoxious grin grew upon his face. "Well, too bad I didn't really care, thanks for the complements though."

Chapter:3 Part:3

"Cloe, we should stop for a while. We've been flying most of the night." Lily complained, "Look, right down there is a nice stream and some open space among the trees!"

"Quiet down! You can rest when we reached the temple." Cloe replied.

Soon the clearing disappeared, and the stream below them merged with a larger river. Staring at the ground, Lily was hypnotized. Each tree blended with the next, forming a swirl of varying colors; the foliage beneath them created a maze-like, green background.

She closed her eyes for a moment, attempting to break her entrancement. She opened them again, and was met with the sight of Cloe plummeting toward the ground. She dived down after her, catching her companion's whole weight in her paws. Slowly she drifted toward the ground, setting Cloe down, and collapsing from fatigue.

Chapter:3 Part:4

Necrox slowly edged into the room where Malefor waited. The weak host's body had slept through the night, while Malefor's spirit sat awake, after having rested far too long for his taste. Nercrox began creeping toward the raised slab of blackened stone Malefor used as a throne.

"Hurry up already! You know I'm not asleep, just this useless vessel you found for me."

Necrox hastily made his way up, stopping five feet away after coming in contact with the power Malefor emanated. "I apologize master; I have carried out your orders thus far and have returned to seek your will."

"You have pulled back all of the troops, correct?"

"Yes, master."

"To what do they number?"

"I believe somewhere around a thousand."

"Hmm. Seems without my leadership the numbers have dwindled. It can be easily repaired, however. I have no further orders at this time, Necrox; you have done well for one such as yourself."

"Um, thank you sir."

"Soon I must find a new vessel. I cannot accomplish anything by inhabiting such a weakling. I have a few prime candidates in mind, as soon as I can find them."

"How are you going to do that, master?"

"Onyx, with my aid, will spread a black mist across the land. Every living thing within it will be rendered immobile; the problem being it will affect us as well. That's why I'm turning to an old...acquaintance. Necrox, summon Onyx and Void, I want to make some final plans She hasn't seen me in quite a while, it should be a nice surprise." Malefor said. "Necrox, summon Onyx and Void, I want to finalize some plans, and bring the weakling along, he may have some use."

~Spyro FanFiction Authors United~

~A Spyro Author's Haven~

A/N by Star: Sorry about the late update. I didn't have story submission capabilities for a few days. Anyways, Read and Review, please! Chapter 4 up in a week or less.