Thanks again to those who read this. All I can is...enjoy!


Cynder had been going over it over again ever since she and Spyro ended up in this 'prison.' Did she truly mean what she had said to Spyro when he saved the world? Did he even hear?

Cynder admitted to herself that she may have only said those things because she thought she was about to die. It was perfect in a wicked way. She would perish along with the one person who had ever cared about her….Spyro.

She and Spyro spent the days continuing to try and find a way out of wherever they were, but they'd always find themselves back at this mysterious lake. The good news was they always had food and water available, and it never rained. Still, it was too quiet here. Cynder could hear her own thoughts much easier.

As time went on, it became clear that Spyro may not have heard her say those three words. She knew he cared about her, that was more obvious than ever. But…could she truly be with him? The great purple dragon and his former enemy? Cynder didn't know.

Cynder kept revisiting the memories of her dark past throughout the days. No matter how hard she tried, they wouldn't go away. They couldn't…they were a part of her.

Spyro had forgiven her, long before the others. He had done it right after she almost killed him, by saving her life. He'd constantly defend her. He had come to the Well of Souls, possibly searching for her. And now they had just defeated their greatest foe while chained together by his own magic.

To be completely honest, Cynder couldn't really think of being with anyone else but Spyro. He brought her back twice, and given her a choice each time. Still, she couldn't put herself up to the task of telling Spyro everything. Something in her gut told her that it wasn't time to yet. Too bad he was the only one around to talk to…

Oddly enough, something else troubled Cynder. She began to have these weird dreams, about a human boy with a key like weapon. They were like memories, but she had never met him before. She had never met any human before.

Unfortunately, she had to remember to when her Master had once mentioned the human race. Of course, he considered them weak. They had fled the Realms centuries ago, and one had never been seen since…until now.

She remembered awakening from one of these dreams one night, in a sweat. She noticed Spyro wasn't there next to her. He was staring at the stars, lost in thought. I wonder what Spyro is dreaming about… She didn't dare move and alert him. Spyro already had enough on his mind, and she didn't want to trouble him further.

From what Cynder could tell, this 'Matt' didn't seem evil or selfish. He didn't look either. Who was he? Why did she dream about him?

The biggest question was...did it really matter?


"I need to go the mountain. The Mountain of Malefor," Matt boldly said in the morning. Everyone was gathered around to hear his remark.

"Why there?" Hunter asked him.

"Do you think Spyro's there kid?" Sparx asked excitedly.

The Guardians interrupted. "That's impossible," Cyril said. "We would have seen Spyro or Cynder and felt their presence."

"We haven't seen them at all," Terrador said. "Not one glimpse…"

"I'm not saying they're there…," Matt said. "I just need to get there…now. I can't explain it…"

"You can't possibly expect to get there and back by sunset?" Volteer asked. At sunset, Malchoir would send his army to destroy Warfang.

"I…we have to try," Matt pleaded.

"Well, we're going with you," Pikachu said. Stitch agreed. Matt nodded his thanks to them.

Matt turned to the Guardians. "We'll make it back by sunset," he said. "With or without Spyro and Cynder."

The three sighed. Matt could tell that they had some doubt in their eyes, and he didn't blame them.

Suddenly, Hunter stepped forward. "I'll go with you, Matt. I know this area better than you all do; we won't get lost so easily."

"Thanks, Hunter."

"Hey," Sparx yelled. "You're not leaving me out of this! If Spyro's still out there, I'm going to help find him…and Cynder I guess."

"Uh…alright."

"Matt," Terrador said. "We don't know whether or not your theory is correct, but any mission the Chronicler carries out is necessary. We thank you."

Volteer turned to Hunter. "You might make it to the mountain quicker if you use the ruins like before." Hunter nodded in response.

"Right," Matt said. "Thank you." He turned to his party. "Ok, let's get moving. How long do you think it will take?"

"Half a day," Hunter replied. "That's if we can be swift about it."Matt, Stitch, and Pikachu grinned.


"Everything is going according to plan," Malchoir said. The enourmous purple dragon was looking over the landscape towards the city of Warfang. "I can sense my plan is in motion. What fools…"

"Did you expect nothing less?" A hooded figure with a feminine voice came out of the shadows.

"Are you sure that he can do what is necessary?"

"Yes. The Keyblade is more powerful than you know? Are you sure that he can defeat the boy?"

Malchoir laughed. "Even with that power, he is no match for the full fury of the dragon. He will be disposed of swiftly. Just make sure your Heartless do their part."

"Oh they will." She chuckled. "That boy and his friends…so predictable. My master will be pleased…"

"Be sure to thank him for releasing me from my prison," Malchoir added. "It is an honor to work with a power as great as he…just as long as he doesn't get in my way. I shall continue to work of the Dark Master and create a new world...my world."


Matt hurried as quickly as possible. The Keyblade increased his speed to the point to where he could keep up with the others. The group made their way through the ruins and into the forest on the opposite side of the city. The hours went by, and the clock ticked closer and closer to the deadline.

All the while, the group didn't say much. Sparx cracked a couple of jokes, but that was about it. Matt was in deep thought over his 'idea'. Would it work? Could it work? He wished the King or Neo were there to help, but Matt felt like he was on his own for this one. He could also tell that Stitch and Pikachu were concerned, due to Matt not telling them yet.

After what felt like ages of running with a few breaks in between, the travel party made it to the base of the mountain. Hunter exclaimed that it was past midday, with the sun high in the sky to the West.

Matt was out of breath. He had never run for that long before, but it didn't matter. The Keyblade's power helped keep his energy up. He looked up at the mountain before him. A chill went down his spine…he could feel darkness traveling along it. They needed to be careful…

Yet, he also could feel something else…something familiar…like déjà vu.

"Alright, Matt," Hunter said. "What is it do you need to do here?" He looked up. "Do we need to climb?"

"I'm not sure," Matt replied.

"Great, he's not sure," Sparx said. "After confidently saying 'I need to go the mountain', you're still not sure?! If you've got some major plan, let's see it!"

"Hang on!" Matt exclaimed. "Just give me a second!"

"Matt?" Stitch asked.

"What?"

"Yousa have plan?"

"Do you know what you're doing?" Pikachu added.

"To be honest, I'm not sure," Matt said. He looked at his weapon. The Keyblade can open doors to other worlds…so can it do the same thing for other dimensions...? Is this even the right place?

Then, for some reason Matt had a thought in his head. If he was meant to find Spyro and Cynder, then maybe he needed some 'special' help…

He turned to Sparx and formed a small grin.

"Oh no…," the dragonfly said. "I know that look…and I don't like it."

Matt chuckled. "Well…actually…I just realized that maybe I need a little help."

Hunter, Stitch, and Pikachu just stared at him in disbelief. Sparx said the question on their minds. "What? You think I can just wish Spyro back? Trust me kid, I've tried."

"Did you have a Keyblade when you made that wish?" Matt asked.

"Well…no…"

"Where are you going with this Matt?" Hunter asked.

Matt explained about how hearts could be connected. "In order to open whatever door there may be, I need someone whose heart is connected to Spyro and Cynder. " He turned to Sparx. "You see Spyro like a brother…and a bond like that doesn't break easily."

Matt raised his Keyblade. "All you have to do is hold on. What do you say?"

Sparx hesitated, thinking for a moment. He then slightly chuckled. "Why not? Just hold a giant key…what could possibly happen?"

Matt pointed the Keyblade towards the Mountain. He then realized something. This was the last place that Sparx had seen Spyro and Cynder alive…

Sparx put his hand on Matt's weapon while the others stood back. He looked around. "Well…now what?"

"Try and think of Spyro…and Cynder," Matt said. "That's all."

While Sparx closed his eyes, Matt did the same. He concentrated with all his might, begging for something to happen. Please…you brought us here…please guide me once more…

As if it was answering his prayers, a small light began to form on the tip of his Keyblade. It grew more and more bright. In the distance before Matt and Sparx, another light began to shine. It continued to grow as well.

Matt just stared at it. He had never done this before. The others also watched in awe.

Suddenly, the light from Matt's blade shot out and connected with the light near the mountain. The two combined was too much for them to take. Hunter, Stitch, and Pikachu covered their eyes, while Sparx and Matt tried their best to keep their eyes closed.

When it was over, Matt gasped at what he saw before them. It was a portal, just like the King used. He and his friends smiled in respose. Sparx and Hunter took this as a good sign.

"Is…Spyro on the other side?" Sparx asked.

"There's only one way to find out," Matt replied. "Let's go."

Unfortunately, something stopped them. A large group of Shadow and Neoshadow Heartless emerged from the ground. They surrounded the party, with a few jumping in front of the newly opened portal.

Matt grunted. "No…not now!"

"Mala questa!" Stitch yelled.

"Are you kidding me?" Pikachu asked. "How'd they find us?"

"Malchoir…," Hunter yelled. "He knows what we're doing…"

"Precisely," the cold voice came to them again.

Matt whirled around. He couldn't see Malchoir's eyes anywhere. Where was he?

"So…," Malchoir spoke from all around them. "You thought you could deceive me Keyblader….? How foolish of you…Destroy them!"

The Heartless attacked. Matt, Stitch, Pikachu, and Hunter defended themselves. Sparx flew above them.

"What do we do now?" Pikachu yelled.

"I don't know!" Matt yelled, slashing down a Neoshadow attacking him. He glanced over at the portal, which was slowly starting to close. "Oh no! We have to go through now! That portal won't stay open forever!" He looked at his friends, they all couldn't make it in time.

"Matt, go!" Stitch yelled, blasting a shadow away.

"Yeah, just go!" Pikachu added.

"What? No way! I won't leave you guys behind!" Matt answered back, continuing to destroy oncoming enemies.

"We can handle this Matt!" Hunter exclaimed. "You must go! Bring Spyro and Cynder back! They're our only hope! We must keep the Heartless from entering as well."

Matt knew there was no time to argue. He only had seconds left.

"Sparx! Come on!" he yelled. "We have to go!"

"What?"

"Aren't you coming?!"

The dragonfly kept dodging Heartless. "Better to jump into another out-of-this-world dimension than fight these things!"

Matt quickly shot a glance to his friends. "We'll be back…I promise."

Stitch and Pikachu nodded in approval.

Matt then beared down, with Sparx grabbing his shirt on the back. He then charged in a dead sprint towards the portal, destroying Heartless in his path with slash after slash.

"AAAARRRGGHH!" Matt dived for the portal as it was closing, just getting inside. He and Sparx disappeared in a flash of light...


What lies beyond? Find out next chapter. Also, any thoughts on who this Malchoir could actually be? Just think and the answer will come to you...

Peace out!

Biz