Understanding
Back in the Artisan Home world, Iseras went to find Nestor. He hoped Nestor would be able to at least explain what was happening to him. He came to the Elder Chambers and sought out Nestor. "Excuse me?" he asked another dragon. "Could you tell me where Nestor is?" "Certainly. He's outside in the courtyard." Replied the dragon. "Thanks!" Iseras yelled as he ran off.
Indeed, Nestor was in the courtyard, alone. Iseras approached Nestor and said, "Father, I need to speak with you." Nestor turned around, a smile on his face. But the smile faded as soon as he saw Iseras's worried expression. "What is the problem, my son?"
"After I went with Spyro, something happened. Something I can't explain. While Spyro and I were fighting, I had gotten really angry. Everything went black and the next thing I know, all the enemies around me are dead and Spyro is looking at me with shock. It happened a couple more times and the last time, I nearly attacked my own brother! What's wrong with me?" cried Iseras.
Nestor looked at his son before answering, "Iseras, there is a time in every dragon's life when their inner demons awaken. Normally they don't awaken until your teen years and therefore, are easy to control. However, it seems that your inner demons awoke prematurely." Iseras stopped crying and said, "I'm scared dad."
Nestor smiled and replied, "You would be a fool if you weren't. Son, I know this is hard, but always remember, love is the most powerful magic there is. Spyro loves you and you love him. That bond is more powerful than any demon inside. Now let me tell you about the demons.
"Your inner demons are basically smaller evil versions of yourself. They test your strength and will. However, your demons want control. The more you use negative emotions, the more powerful they become. You are not weak, son. Most dragons your age would have lost themselves to their demons. Given that your demons are obviously powerful, demonstrates that you can control them. I will help you gain more resistance to them, and how to regain control should you lose yourself."
Meanwhile Spyro was trudging through the Ice Caverns. He had already encountered several small snowball-throwing Gnorcs and a large Gnorc. He spotted another Gnorc and snuck up behind him. With a quick slash of his claws, Spyro killed the Gnorc.
As he continued through, Spyro got a tip from another dragon that a big Gnorc was wearing armor, and armor was slippery in the Ice Caves. Spyro spotted the Gnorc and charged it, hitting it right off the edge. The Gnorc screamed as it fell to its death.
Spyro spotted and killed a few more Gnorcs before returning to the Peace Keepers Realm.
At the same time, Iseras's father, Nestor, was teaching Iseras on how to control his inner demons. "A demon's greatest weakness is positive emotions. Remember the moments in your life that brought you happiness. Whenever you begin to feel your anger, think of those times."
Nestor continued teaching Iseras for a week before Nestor said, "That is all that I can teach you. Go back to the Peace Keepers and tell them to give you more training in this. And tell them I gave the okay." Iseras nodded and hugged his father before leaving.
Upon returning to the Peace Keepers, Iseras told Spyro about what he had learned. "So from now on, I'm going to have to be more careful. Or I will fall into darkness forever." Spyro looked at Iseras with grief in his eyes. "Why you? Why not me?"
"Brother, sometimes fate throws a cruel twist into our lives. How we cope with them is what determines who we are. I'm not going down without a fight." smiled Iseras, making Spyro smile as well.
"Now let's go kick Doctor Shemp's Gnorc butt." said Spyro. "Alright! Race ya!" Spyro and Iseras raced each other to the portal. "Oh so close. You win." said Iseras. They entered and immediately had to dodge a Gnorc that ran after them. The Gnorc fell off the edge and Iseras killed the big Gnorc. They reached a fork and Spyro said, "You go left, I'll go right."
Iseras walked along the left fork, every sense alert for an ambush. He saw several Gnorcs lounging about and decided to give them a nasty surprise. But before he could, Iseras felt a powerful whack across the back of his head and he blacked out.
Spyro had cleared through several ambushes set up for him. He scoffed at how poorly set up they were. Obviously they weren't expecting him. Spyro made it to Doctor Shemp and freed the dragon there before confronting the Gnorc general. "Ah, so you've finally made it Spyro." "Your going down." Doctor Shemp laughed and said, "If you're so confident, why don't we amp up the stakes?"
Doctor Shemp stepped aside to reveal Iseras, bound and gagged with several Gnorcs standing around him. "Iseras!" cried Spyro. Iseras weakly opened his eyes and looked at Spyro. "Hahaha, do with him as you like." Doctor Shemp ordered the other Gnorcs. Immediately they turned and began beating on Iseras.
"Noooo!" yelled Spyro as he tried to go help his brother. But Doctor Shemp quickly got in his way. "The only way you are going to save your brother is to fight me." Spyro wasted no time and examined his opponent. Doctor Shemp was armored all over his front, but not his back.
Seeing a weakness, Spyro attacked. Doctor Shemp tried to hit him with his staff, but Spyro was too quick. Spyro dashed behind Doctor Shemp and flamed his rear. Doctor Shemp cried out and ran away, patting the fire on his butt. Spyro followed and continued pouring flames into the unprotected rear of Doctor Shemp. Soon he was nothing but ashes and Spyro ran over to save his brother.
Spyro quickly killed the Gnorcs and looked over his brother. Iseras was crying and whimpering. He had a black eye, multiple bruises, and a broken leg. Spyro cut the bonds and removed the gag. "Iseras? Brother?" asked Spyro, gently nudging Iseras with his muzzle. All he got was a weak whimper.
Spyro wasted no time and immediately hoisted Iseras onto his back and raced back to the Peace Keepers Realm. He returned and yelled, "Help! Somebody please help me!" Several dragons came running up and asked, "What's wrong?" "Please, my brother needs help!"
The Peace Keepers took Iseras to their medical ward and examined him. After an hour and a half of waiting, Spyro finally got to see Iseras. Iseras only had a splint on his broken leg. "That is one tough brother you have there. Those injuries would have killed most others his age." "Is he going to be okay?" "He'll recover. All he needs right now is rest."
"I shouldn't have let him go alone." said Spyro gloomily. Titan came up and said, "The same thing would have happened to you Spyro. He only got caught because he lacks proper training. You both do." "Can you help us Titan?" Titan laughed and said, "Of course, but not until Iseras is recovered. Meanwhile, you can tell me about his amazing flames." And thus Spyro delved into a tale about Iseras's extraordinary flame.
To be continued…