Chapter 7

New Power Revealed

Judge not by appearances; the smallest snake has the deadliest bite.—Shadow warrior proverb

Spyro's senses slowly returned to him. Looking around, he found himself perched on a ledge in the middle of a series of canyons that seemed to stretch for as far as the eye could see. Everywhere was the whistle of winds winding their way through the paths of stone, carrying with them a bluish mist. The place had an almost spiritual feel to it, and Spyro suspected that he had been transported into a realm much like the Chronicler had transported him to the realm of Time. Suddenly, a tingling sensation ran through his body. He began to back away from the edge, sensing that he wasn't alone.

Even as he shrank back against the wall of the canyon, the mists that streamed through the canyon on the backs of the winds began to converge on him. Now completely on his guard, Spyro's eyes flicked from one direction to another. Slowly, the mists separated and coalesced, several vague figures beginning to form. Gradually, the mists formed hands, feet, legs, arms, wings, and faces. A few moments later, Spyro found himself surrounded by eight fully formed specters. They appeared to be Avarian, but they seemed more like the memories of Avarians, as if they had been formed into figures they could almost remember, but had almost forgotten over the ages.

As Spyro braced himself for a fight, the specters began to whisper with one another. The echoes of their voices rolled through the air, allowing Spyro to pick up on some of the words.

"Strange being… great power within…" "Dangerous… must be destroyed…" "Could be… possible salvation…" "Pure of heart… innocent, untainted…" "Destroy him… danger…" "May be worthy… fights the dark… maybe…" "… Maybe…" "…maybe…"

"H-hello?" Spyro ventured. "H-who are you? W-what do you want?" The specters immediately grew silent. Their transparent eyes focused on the shivering dragon before them. "Okay…" Spyro muttered to himself, "Not a good idea."

One of the specters drifted forward. Upon examining him, Spyro found that he had falcon characteristics like Adavir, except the beak was larger and more curved, with many scars crossing his heavy-browed features. His armor was grander than that which Adavir wore, yet seemed similar, like it had had various pieces added to the shoulders, arms, and legs, and was much brighter, with grey gemstones inserted at the center of the chest and the center of the shoulder and ankle pieces. Spyro broke from the examination as the specter began to speak.

"I was once known as Sydari Galescream," he intoned in a rumbling voice that echoed with power. "I was the founder of the Knights of the Silver Wing, who still guard our world. And we," he gestured at the other specters, "are the guardian spirits of Avaria. We are the winds in the skies, the storms at sea, and the echoes in the valleys. We are the life forces of all who have ceased to exist on the mortal plane. And you," he pointed at the purple dragon, his voice suddenly becoming more ominous, "are trespassing upon our domain."

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The ape howled as Cynder plunged her tail blade into his chest, his blood spurting out onto her, the dark red of his blood nearly disappearing on her crimson chest scales. Taking in a quick breath, she exhaled a wave of wind into the oncoming ranks, sending them flying. Behind her, Sen-vu continued to fire his arrows into apes and Dreadwings alike. However, he realized that the Black dragon was beginning to tire. They needed a clearing in which they could see their foes coming, and they needed it now. He began to focus his gaze onto the sky, firing a volley of dark arrows into the mass of apes without so much as a glance, too busy plotting the courses of the dreadwings who had yet to drop their bombs. After a brief moment of calculating, he leaped into action, firing arrows into dreadwings in seemingly random patterns.

Cynder was about to use her fear element when several clay bombs dropped in close proximity to their position. She crouched and closed her eyes tightly as the world became filled with flying debris and flames. Opening her eyes, she found the entire area in front of her for thirty yards completely obliterated, burned trunks of trees and ape attackers alike having been completely obliterated. Turning to check on her companion, she saw him leaping from tree trunk to tree trunk, climbing higher and higher, until he stopped on the top of one trunk that had been partially blasted away. As she watched, he began to glow black and white, black mists chasing radiant white rays of light, forming areas of grey where they met. Twirling his strange bow in intricate patterns around himself, he then raised the bow, drew in the same strange fashion, and shot a blazing white arrow straight up in the air, the arrow becoming like a ray of light. Just when it appeared the arrow would disappear from sight, it exploded in an array of black and white. As she watched, the cloud transformed into a multitude of black and white arrows, streaking out in every direction. Shouts of surprise soon mixed with squeals of agony, and the sky became filled with explosions of black and white. Her initial feelings of surprise and elation were soon replaced by shock and panic as she heard the air fill with the whistle of descending bombs. She began to look desperately for a way to avoid the descending harbingers of fiery death. Suddenly, she felt a strong arm wrap around her waist, tugging her tight to a chestplate of interlocking plates. Without further notice, Sen-vu turned and plunged into the shadow of a particularly thick trunk seconds before the area erupted in flames, wooden shards, and body parts. Apes screamed as the explosions killed everything in their path. Those who were not obliterated in the initial blasts were pierced with razor-sharp shards of wood, their blood staining the ground red even as the light in their eyes faded into darkness. A cloud of smoke and ash blotted out all light. Soon, the dead forest was silent once again.

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Adavir examined Spyro's unconscious body worriedly. It had been several minutes since he had tried to use the Spirit stone to restore Spyro's energy, and the purple dragon was now unconscious, his body limp on the dead leaves of the forest floor.

He turned as he heard Frostbreeze return to camp. He had set out on a scouting trip only moments ago; his quick return almost certainly meant trouble.

His fears were soon confirmed by the grizzled veteran. "We've got three dragons headed this way, along with two platoons of those ape-things. Judging by their looks and the way they seem to be searching for something, I highly doubt that they're friendly."

Heavy groaned loudly. "An' we're stuck like flies in honey thanks ta mister Sleepy there," he complained loudly. Frostbreeze glared at the hulking Cardinal. "I'll ask for your input when I want it," he said, glaring at the unrepentive grouch. "However, you are right about us being unable to change location with an incapitated soldier. Majik Jak! Boombox! Front and center!" The two bounded forward and came to an attention simultaneously. Frostbreeze turned to them. "I want you two to take that patrol away from the perimeter. Make sure that they do not find this camp." The two grinned. "Sir Yes sir!" they said in perfect unition. Turning, they took off in the direction in which Frostbreeze had indicated the patrol to be.

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"What do you mean, I'm trespassing?" Spyro asked Sydari. "I don't even know where I am or how I got here!"

A specter who had the features of a crow hissed. "I say kill it, before we have any more trouble," he hissed. Another specter, bearing a pigeon's features, turned to face the first. "Patience, Crowbeak," the specter cooed in a feminine voice, "there is yet time for him to prove himself." "Yes, he may be willing," another specter, this time a male Goldfinch spoke up. "If he is, then we will have another warrior to fight this plague, while if not…" "Bah, rubbish!" a Cardinal specter boomed. "The weaklin' shrinks away from us even now. What use could 'e be?" another Cardinal specter turned to his comrade. "He would be a fool not to fear us, old chap," he mentioned in a clipped, casual manner. "After all, we are spirits with the power to rip him limb from limb with a wave of the hand, wot-wot?"

"SILENCE!!!" Sydari roared. The specters instantly fell silent. He turned back to Spyro. "Now tell us, trespasser, how exactly you came to be in our realm."

Spyro groaned in exasperation. "I already told you, I don't know! Adavir…"

At the mention of Adavir's name, the specters burst into mutterings again. "I knew it!" the one who had been called Crowbeak cawed, flapping his ragged wings furiously. "He is with the Blood-spiller, the Desecrator, the…" "Control yourself!" the pigeon specter hissed. "He was blinded by youthful arrogance when those actions took place, and even then it was not purposeful…" "Purposeful or not, the deed was committed!" the first cardinal began, but was interrupted by his comrade. "Oh, pish-posh and rubbish! The poor lad merely slipped up a bit! Not reason to bally well condemn him to…"

"SILENCE! SILENCE!" Sydari roared once again. Again, the specters fell silent. He glared at his fellow specters. "The interrupt or speak out of turn will be dismissed from the proceedings and replaced by another from their flight. Is that clear?" There was some muttering, but none challenged him. Turning to Spyro again, he again began to question him. "What is your connection to Adavir?"

Spyro was thoroughly confused now. "I don't know! He saved me from some group of psychos who wanted to kill me, said that my world was about to be invaded by some dark army following some Sorceress, took me to a group of other Avarians, as they called themselves, tried to restore some of my energy with a Spirit stone or something…"

Sydari raised his hand for Spyro to stop. Once again, the specters began to mutter among themselves. This time, however, none raised their voices to make a statement. "The use of the Stone explains how you were first connected to this realm, but the only way for you to have had your consciousness travel here is if you have the potential for great power. Now…"

Suddenly, the specters, including Sydari, started to come out of focus. The canyon seemed to blur, and the mists disappeared into a grey haze. A voice began to call out to Spyro.

"Spyro… Spyro…"

Spyro's jaw dropped. "I-I-Ignitus?" he breathed.

"Spyro, can you hear me?" he heard Ignitus call, the voice faint, as if coming from a distance, but still distinctive.

"Yes, Ignitus, I can hear you. How are you…?"

Before he could finish, the world started to come into focus. He began to make out the Realm of Time. Before the world could fully come into focus, however, it began to fade again. "Let him go, blast you," he heard Ignitus rumbling. "What's going on?" Spyro asked nervously.

"Spyro, how did these spirits get a hold of your conscience? I have never encountered the like… GAH, blast you! Release him!" the Canyon began to come into focus. "Stay strong, purple one," he heard Sydari call out, "This intruder shall soon be dealt with."

"No, stop!" Spyro cried out. The two worlds continued to fluctuate in and out of existence. Spyro felt his anxiety and frustration rise to the surface, bringing with it hidden power. "I said STOP!!!" he roared, a purple aura appearing around him.

Instantly, he found himself standing next to the pool of visions in the Realm of Time. The eight specters where standing in front of him, looking around in confusion. Seeing a flash of grey, Spyro turned his head slightly to see Ignitus standing next to the pool of visions, also appearing confused. His once-red scales were now grey, and the crystal the Chronicler had worn hung from his neck.

"IGNITUS!" Spyro roared happily, running up to the Guardian. He hugged Ignitus' thick leg tightly. "I thought you were dead, Ignitus. The Ring of Fire…"

Ignitus stroked Spyro's neck reassuringly. "Oh, I am very much alive, young dragon," he reassured him. Spyro looked up at him. "Wait, we're in the Realm of Time. That means the Chronicler must be around." Spyro turned and yelled into the empty space high above. "All right, come out, Chronicler," he yelled.

He heard Ignitus chuckle. "But, young dragon," he chuckled good-naturedly, "Weren't you just hugging me?" Spyro turned to face Ignitus, his jaw hanging open. Ignitus was grinning widely. "You're the Chronicler now?" Spyro asked. Ignitus nodded. "I was selected as being worthy of Chronicling this new age, as the old Chronicler had grown weary of his duties, and chose to pass the position on to me." He turned and growled at the Specters, who were now eyeing them both intently. "However, now is not the right time for a reunion."

Spyro turned to face the Specters. "Okay," he asked them, "What do you want with me? Why can't you leave me alone?"

Sydari stepped forward. "You Intruded into the Realm of the Spirits of Avaria. It is you who trespassed upon us." "I didn't mean to! I don't even know how I did it in the first place."

The female pigeon stepped forward. "We mean you no harm, little one," she cooed softly. "We merely sought to protect our realm from any evil that may have sought entrance. Still, only those who have great power can enter our realm, and it usually requires great concentration. A few, such as Adavir, are exceptions…"

"An exception that should never have been made," Crowbeak cawed. "I say…" "Oh, boils and bifflenuts, old boy, you always see the worst of the situation," One of the Cardinals piped up. "Got to learn to look on the bally bright side, if you ask me. Silver lining an all that, wot?"

"Well, I am the Chronicler, Charged with Chronicling the events of the world for this age and defending the realms of Time," Ignitus stated. "Spyro is the Purple dragon of Legend, and a very influential force in the world. As such, he is my ward, and I will defend him from whatever you are trying to do."

Sydari raised his hand. "Peace, guardian. Please, if we may converse…" Ignitus nodded slowly, and then closed his eyes, appearing to concentrate. Sydari did the same. For several moments, neither of them moved. Spyro watched with curious eyes. After a few moments, they both opened their eyes and blinked. Sydari looked at Spyro with new-found respect.

"An interesting tale, Guardian," he rumbled. Turning to his comrades, he again closed his eyes, sharing the information he had obtained with them. This time was much quicker. The specters began to mutter as soon as the process was complete, eyeing Spyro with sudden interest. Sydari turned to the other specters.

"I propose we aid this dragon by teaching him the ways of Wind," he boomed. Instantly, the specters began to erupt with arguments, agreements, and incomprehensible speeches. Sydari made them fall silent by raising his hand. The specters instantly quieted. "Now, I know that this is rare…"

"It is unheard of!" Crowbeak snapped. "The very thought…"

"Still," one of the cardinals boomed, "'e might be useful. 'E seems like an alright fellow, seein' as he saved his world from destruction." His comrade nodded. "Right you are, old gum. The Chap seems like a decent sort. I say we do it!"

There was a chorus of "Ayes" and "Agreed." Crowbeak's "Nay" was drowned out and overwhelmed. "Very well, then," Sydari said. "It shall be done." He turned to Ignitus quickly. "With your consent of course."

Ignitus eyed him. "What are you planning to do with him?" Sydari sent a quick mental summary of what would be done. Ignitus considered, and then nodded. "I consent. Spyro, do not worry. Sydari is merely going to help you unlock a new element." Spyro sighed. "All right, then," he said, eyeing Sydari, "If you trust them."

Sydari nodded, and then started to concentrate. Spyro felt a strong wind tug at his body. He had to close his eyes to shield them from the stinging wind. When his eyes reopened he found himself standing on the edge of a cliff.

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"You idiot! You've gone and gotten us lost!" Cya hissed at her comrade, who hissed back. "You're the idiot who thought you saw a group of something flying! For all we know, it was a flock of birds." Many of the apes grumbled in agreement. Cya glared at them, her temper rising. "Well, Dystor, you're the one who decided to approach on the ground, rather that taking to the skies!" The Ice dragoness glared at the blood-red Fear dragon male, waiting for him to decide on a comeback. Unfortunately for her, she hadn't thought her argument through.

"If we took to the skies, the Apes would have been left behind," Dystor retorted. "We would've been outnumbered if it had been a group of enemy soldiers, which it wasn't." "Yes," the Ape leader grumbled, "and we should be looking for any signs of the purple dragon escaping the Assassins, unlikely though it may be." Cya was about to snap at the ape when their third companion, a dark green Poison dragoness, stepped in.

"Cut it out, you guys," she hissed. "If it's something, then they'll probably hear us. If it's nothing, than arguing about it won't solve anything." Satisfied that she had ended the debate, she turned, only to see a flash of yellow. "What was that?" she said, tensing. Suddenly, noises began to come from the woods.

"Sexy Can I!" came what sounded like several deep-voiced men, followed by several strange sounds, forming a strange melody.

"What's that?" Cya growled, also tensing up. Suddenly, two yellow Avians came into view. One had its hands over its beak; the other was walking in a dip-slide motion. Before the befuddled dragons and apes could react, the dip-sliding Avian began to dance as the other began to sing, the dancer making the daggers in his hand flash in short bursts of light.

Sexy can I? Just pardon my manners/ Girl, how you shake it, gotta play it like (OH)/ It's a Kodak moment, let me go an' get my camera/ all I wanna know is Sexy can I?

Sexy, can I, hit it from the front? / Can I hit it from the back? Know you like it like that./ Then we take it to the bed, then we take it to the floor/ gonna chill for a second, then we're back at it some more

The dragons' and apes' jaws dropped. What the hell did these two think they were doing? Suddenly, the pair stopped singing and dancing. "We love you, New York!" the dancer yelled, throwing his fists to the sky. Then they both turned and took off through the forest, laughing manically.

It took the group a few moments for the events of the past few moments to sink in, then Cya roared, "After them!"

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Frostbreeze and Adavir watched as the Apes and dragons took off after the troublesome duo, doing everything they could not to crack up at the antics of the pair as they led them away from the hidden camp.

"I don't think that they're going to be a problem anymore," Adavir chuckled. Frostbreeze chuckled with him. "Come on, we better leave before we wind up giving away our position." With that, they both headed back toward the camp.

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Spyro was facing out from the ledge, watching a strange spectacle unfold. Two winds were blowing toward each other at high speed. They met with a resounding crash, both straining against the other for dominance.

"A foreboding spectacle, is it not?" Sydari's voice echoed through Spyro's head. Looking to either side, Spyro was unable to find Sydari. "Do not look for me, for I will not appear. I do not require a physical form for this." Nodding, Spyro turned back to the two clashing winds. Sydari's voice continued to echo through his head. "Wherever you go, there are forces such as this; energies in conflict, fighting for supremacy. If left unchecked, the effects can be catastrophic. Winds are especially subject to this. A slight breeze, when meeting another slight breeze, can be the beginning of a huge storm." As he spoke, the winds seemed to swell, appearing ready to explode. "However, the winds will always release this energy over time, thanks to the guidance of the Creators. Observe."

As he spoke, the winds began to swirl, spinning faster and faster, until the entire area was engulfed by a raging hurricane. Spyro had to dig his claws into the rocks, hanging on for dear life as the winds tried to pull him to his death. Just as suddenly as the storm began, it disappeared.

"Winds clash, creating immense destructive force," Sydari said. "When you are done, you will be able to create and guide this power. Now, focus. Reach out. The power comes not from within, as your other powers do, but from without. Feel the air around you, and reach out and touch it." Spyro concentrated. Sure enough, he began to feel the slight breezes around him, the soft touch of a breath of wind. "Good," Sydari complimented. "Now, bring them together. Focus them. Create the maelstrom, waiting to be unleashed. Concentrate!" Winds began to swirl around Spyro, lifting him off the ground. "Focus it, contain it into the smallest point you can!" Spyro was now hovering in midair, his feet off the ground, wings outspread. "Trap the energy until you can contain it no more, then unleash the fury of the Raging Tempest!"

With a roar Spyro released the energy he had been trapping. A great wall of wind swirled around him, quickly spreading outward. Amazed at the amount of power he was using, Spyro fueled the Tempest even more. The winds expanded further, increasing in strength, turning into a full-fledged hurricane. Suddenly, Spyro found himself fighting to stay in place. In a panic, he severed the connection, but it was too late. The Storm continued to grow, feeding on its own energy now, and Spyro was picked up and thrown through the air, being pulled faster and faster by the winds, feeling himself being slowly torn apart. His screams of agony were drowned out by the howl of the Tempest he had summoned, his limbs torn from his body and thrown in all directions before the pain proved too much and the world went dark.

When he awoke, he was back in the realm of Time, next to the pool of visions. Feeling himself all over, he was relieved to find his limbs intact.

"That was the first and most important lesson on your journey to using the Raging Tempest," Sydari said from across the pool. "You can create and guide the energy of the Raging Tempest, but you must be cautious as to what you create, as you may not be able to control that which you create." Spyro nodded, the lesson as clear as it could possibly be. "Now, young dragon," Ignitus said, appearing behind Sydari, "You must prove your ability to use this element without killing yourself. I believe you know where the Training dummies are."

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When the smoke cleared, the area was barren except for four burned husks of trees in the very center. The Shadow of one of these trees began to darken, when suddenly Sen-vu and Cynder burst out. Setting Cynder down, Sen-vu began to scan the edges of the clearing he had created. Cynder scanned the skies, only to find that Sen-vu had been very thorough with that last move, as not a single dreadwing was in sight. Dropping her gaze, she immediately tensed.

Apes began to file through the gaps in the trees, stopping just inside the clearing. The clearing was soon surrounded by Apes. They stared at the two figures in the middle of the clearing, their eyes burning with hate.

Slowly, Sen-vu folded up his yumi, the bow shrinking back to its original small size. Tucking it into his belt, he winked at Cynder, then did what, if you had asked Cynder, was the stupidest thing of all time.

Drawing one katana, he flicked his wrist, throwing the blade into one of the burnt-out trunks. Grabbing his belt, he proceeded to undo his belt, revealing two different expanses of silken materiel. He separated the one that held all his equipment and one that was bare, and proceeded to wrap the barren one around the wrist of his right hand. Tossing the other belt up, he wrapped the belt that held his right hand and wrapped it around his waist, forcing his right hand firmly into his back. Reaching upward, he grabbed the handle of his second katana and twirled it fancifully, making the belt perform acrobatic loops and turns before flicking his wrist, sending the belt wrapping itself around the handle of the Katana in the tree, unsheathing the second Katana. Turning to face the Apes, he held the katana hanging leisurely over his shoulder. "You want me?" he taunted the Apes. "Come and get me."

Cynder stared at him. Surely he wasn't stupid enough to go into a fight like this with one hand tied behind his back? Yet he made no move to change his situation as one brave ape charged at him, howling as he held his hammer high. It took the ape several moments to cross the clearing, yet Sen-vu remained unmoving the entire time. Finally, with a howl of triumph, the ape brought his hammer slamming down on Sen-vu's head. Sen-vu flew backwards, landed on one foot, spun, and assumed the same position he had been in.

"You have landed the first blow," he commented, seemingly oblivious to the mass of apes that was now charging into the clearing. "Well done."

Roaring in triumph, the ape charged and swung again. This time, however, as the hammer descended toward Sen-vu's head, he switched all of his weight to his left foot, swinging his right foot behind him. The ape had a look of surprise on his face as his hammer missed Sen-vu's face by inches. He never saw the katana that flashed down and severed his head and right arm.

Cynder was unable to watch Sen-vu any longer as she found herself fighting for survival. Her tail blade slashed one ape's throat while she sent a wave of Shadow fire burning through the screaming ranks. The apes unfortunate enough to be caught in the way of the flames found themselves coated in the black flames, screaming as their flesh was burned away. Whirling, she sank her claws into another ape, her tail continuing to cut down as many as possible, while she wove her way through the apes, slicing open throats, tearing with her claws, ripping with her teeth. Pausing for a moment, she sent a wave of Fear crashing through the Apes, causing them to run around in a panic, swinging at anything that came near, which usually meant other apes. Suddenly, she felt something slam into her gut. Rolling on the ground, she sprang to her feet, only to find an ape standing over her, his axe held high, a look of triumph in his eyes. Cynder tried desperately to regain her wind, knowing that it would be too late, that this was her time to die… suddenly, Sen-vu slid out from under her, startling her, as she hadn't felt him slide under her. Bringing one foot down, his slide became transformed into a leap as his Katana flashed upward, slicing the surprised ape in half. Carrying the momentum, he leapt into the ranks of apes, his Katana flashing through the air as apes screamed in terror before finding their throats slashed, their heads severed, or their chest sliced open. Several tried to hit the agile Shadow warrior, but he moved to quickly for the apes to follow. Finally, one ape managed to slam his mace into Sen-vu's chest. Sen-vu flew backward, and then disappeared in a flurry of black and gray. A line of light seemed to weave its way through the nearby apes, faster than the eye could follow. The ape who landed the blow was just finishing the arc when his head parted ways with his body. Whirling, Sen-vu slashed his way through a small formation of apes. One lucky ape landed a downward slice, and then blinked, looking for the lithe figure he had just hit, when suddenly three arcs of light appeared on his torso. The head of the ape that had landed the second blow hit the ground as the torso of the ape that landed the third divided itself into four parts. Sen-vu turned from his unfortunate victim and began to slice his way through the ranks of the apes again. In a few moments, only a small band of thirty apes remained in the clearing.

Cynder could only watch in amazement as Sen-vu whirled through this small group. Slicing up, slicing down, sliding slash, uppercut! Turning, he brought his blade flashing down on the neck of another ape even as he sidestepped the ape's downward swipe. Carrying the momentum, he split open the chest cavity of another ape, sending dark red blood splattering everywhere. Dropping, he made a sliding swipe at waist level, cutting three apes in half. Transferring the momentum into a leap, he sliced another ape from the bottom of the ribs to the opposite shoulder. An ape landed a sideswipe with an axe on Sen-vu's shoulder. The Shadow warrior accepted the blow expertly, travelling with the momentum of the swing, letting the weapon slide off of his armor, and carrying the momentum into an uppercut, followed by a downward swipe, a slash at waist level! Another blow to the waist propelled him into a cluster of eight apes. Transferring the momentum, he spun through the group, ricocheting from ape to ape, his Katana carving a bloody swath. When he was hit, he would transfer the momentum of the attack, so that instead of being harmed, the blows that did land only helped him kill faster. Another downward swipe landed. He followed the momentum, using it to slide under the legs of the ape that landed it. The look of surprise on the ape's face became frozen in place as he sliced the ape in half at chest level. Turning, he sliced down on the neck of another ape, slid his foot back, slashed an ape's chest open, and made a sliding slash that finished three more, uppercut another, slice across the neck, sheath the blade in another ape's chest, piercing the heart and lungs!

The ape gurgled as Sen-vu unsheathed his blade from the ape's chest, falling slowly to the ground. The clearing was filled with still ape corpses. Cynder had never gotten the chance to do anything after his save. The clearing was still surrounded by apes, but they now regarded Sen-vu with fear, several fidgeting and muttering to themselves. Suddenly, Cynder was bowled over by a flash of blood-red scales.

Sen-vu regarded the Fear dragon who now held his claws pressed against Cynder's neck. "I believe I win," the dragon hissed triumphantly. Saying nothing, Sen-vu unwound his right hand and held it out, quietly observing the eight other dragons who had just appeared in the clearing.

The Fear dragon hissed. "Make one more move and she di…" the hilt of Sen-vu's katana slammed into the back of the dragon's head. He lost his grip on Cynder and reached for his head, only to have Cynder head-butt his jaw hard. Growling, he prepared to slice her throat, when Sen-vu went into action.

As the hilt of his second Katana flashed into his empty right hand, Sen-vu wrapped his belt around his waist once more, and then leapt for the nearest dragon, and earth dragon only a few feet away from him. Slamming into the dragon, he rebounded toward the fear dragon. The Fear dragon's claws were just beginning to slice upwards when Sen-vu slammed into his side, bringing his Katanas into a flurry of slashes. The only thing that saved the dragon from instant death was the armor-like nature of his scales. However, even they were not enough to fully protect him.

Cynder watched as the Fear dragon screamed, clutching the stump where his arm used to be, while several red lines began to appear, nearly invisible against his blood-red scales. As the dragon struggled to its feet, Sen-vu smirked.

"I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch that last part," he taunted. "Would you care to repeat it?"

The Fear dragon growled. "YOU WILL DIE!!!" he roared.

Sen-vu's face fell. "What is it with you guys and your obsession with that phrase? Of course I'm going to die; everybody dies!" The dragon's face began to turn a dark purple from rage. "I'M GOING TO TEAR YOUR HEART OUT AND EAT IT!!!" he roared. "I'LL GUT YOU LIKE A FISH AND LISTEN TO YOU SCREAM!!!"

Sen-vu put on an interested look. "You really think so?" he inquired politely. "Well…" he twirled his two katanas and crossed them in front of his face, white energy sparking outward when they touched. He smirked. "Good luck with that."

MWUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Cliffies! I love cliffies!

Anyways, chapter in review: Spyro unlocks a new element, The Hip-Hop pair give a taste of how annoying they can be, and Sen-vu kicks ass! Great chapter, if I do say so myself! And I do; I've really been wanting to write this chapter since I started this story. Longest chapter to date, really.

Until next time,

Behold the Power of CHEESE!!!