Chapter Nine: Courage
"… I'm in trouble." Skyro said as he looked at the snarling beast which was upon him, looking around at the cart trying to figure out what the noise was. Then, as if the ancestors were watching over him, a quick flash of black smoke and a moaning sound of pain later, the Dragon Roamer fell limp in front of Skyro before disintegrating into dust. Then he noticed his mother was standing there in front of him.
"You are in so much trouble you one, what are you doing out here?" Cynder asked as Skyro took off running towards the warehouse, Cynder following close behind as the three were soon inside the warehouse together.
"I wanted to learn how to glide and Smoke volunteered to help me, I chose here because of the boxes and stuff I could use to practice off of." Skyro said as Smoke nodded his head, feeling bad as he allowed his friend to take the fall for something he thought of.
"Why couldn't you just wait until tomorrow to learn," Cynder asked as she looked over towards Skyro first and then Smoke. "Your father instructed me to show you how as soon as he leaves, but now since you've done this, I have a better type of learning for you as punishment." Skyro wondered at what the lesson could be that would cause him to dislike it.
"I'm sorry mom… how did you know we got out to begin with?" Skyro asked as Cynder couldn't help but smile a bit to his question.
"I am a very light sleeper, when Smoke came in to get the key, he didn't close the door all the way by mistake, causing it to creek open," Cynder said as Skyro looked to Smoke who could believe what he was hearing for himself. "I was about ready to call out to you until that Dragon Roamer came out of nowhere, then I saw how you two worked together to get around it. I just had to wait for a moment where I could kill it by surprise."
"I never even saw you sneak up on it, how did you do that with such blinding speed?" Smoke asked as Cynder then turned towards him.
"My Shadow element allows me to blend in with the shadows, which is why I am most powerful in the darkness," Cynder said as she turned back towards the door. "Now we have to get back to the temple without getting caught or waking anybody up inside, I don't want to get a long lecture from Volteer or hear your dad yell at you for this Skyro."
"We can try to make a solid run towards the door; I think we can make it." Smoke said as he peered out the door, looking among the dead quiet streets and deathly still skies, noticing that it seemed somewhat safe to sprint back to the temple.
"No, I'll stay in the shadows and keep a watch over you two," Cynder said as she dove into the shadows of the street. "Keep moving in the shadows and don't stop for a break, I saw they keys where you left them, I'll grab them and follow you inside." Sky and Smoke looked around and looked for the nearest structure they could find other than the ones which they used before.
"I don't see any other way back but back the way we came," Skyro said as Smoke shook his head in dismay. "Do you see anywhere we can maybe hide? That run across over to here was pretty risky."
"We're going to have to do it again I'm afraid," Smoke said as he looked back to Skyro. "It's the only way that is somewhat safe; we'll run together and make it a bit safer."
"Alright, I'm with you then." Skyro said as the two then bolted out from the door and across the street, running from a made up entity as if something bad was behind them which drove them on even faster. Breathing heavily due to the sudden burst of adrenaline, Skyro and Smoke stopped for a second under the first cart and then made a full blown sprint towards the second cart, hoping that they wouldn't have any problems. When they made it to the cart, Skyro placed a paw on Smoke's should, telling him to slow down for a second.
"All we have to do is get across the street and into the bushes and we can just sneak back up onto the stairs." Smoke said as he allowed his head to go limp for a second to catch his breath, soon hearing a shrilled shriek up above, followed by a Dragon Roamer landing right in front of them.
"This is not good." Skyro thought as he and Smoke pushed back into the shadows up against the wall, knowing that it was unsafe for them. Skyro then felt something strange in his left hand as he pushed up against the wall, like he was being brought through the stone surface. He then looked down and noticed that his hand was beginning to sink into the shadow like his mother. He ripped his hand out immediately just as his mother came bursting out through the shadow next to him and tackled the undead dragon to the ground, sinking her acid-like venom coated teeth into the rotten skull, causing the brain to be destroyed. The body soon vanished as Smoke and Skyro soon found themselves forgetting about the bushes and sprint straight up into the temple, soon followed by Cynder locking the doors behind them and sighing a big relief.
"You to go on ahead upstairs and try not to wake anyone up, I need to relax for a minute," Cynder whispered, exhausted due to her using her elemental abilities for so long. "I have never strained myself for that long ever… I feel drained."
"Cynder, I need you to warn Spyro of something for me." Ignitus spoke to Cynder in my head as she closed her eyes and leaned up against the wall for a bit of comfort.
"What is it?" Cynder whispered, trying to sound as polite as possible as she breathed in deeply.
"I do not want to disturb him while he is sleeping due to the fact that he has a busy schedule to attend to tomorrow," Ignitus said, noticing how weak Cynder looked at the moment. "The power of Convexity is triggered by kindness and love which you obviously know… but it only exists through the blue energy crystals which grow in the wild among the land."
"What's wrong Ignitus, I can hear it in your voice." Cynder said as she heard Ignitus sigh before speaking again.
"I sense an absence of them all across the globe," Ignitus said as Cynder's eyes widened in seriousness. "The absence of blue crystals can have quite a few possibilities. The first one is a hard to believe, but it was the first thing I could think of, they are being taken and turned into different types of crystals. The second possibility is that the crystals are losing power and have not grown again, basically they are dying and can't leave behind crystals to replenish the power."
"So what you're saying is that we have to replenish it, how do we accomplish that?" Cynder asked, biting her lip as she wished for Ignitus to give her some type of hope.
"I'm afraid that there is nothing you can do Cynder, you know what happens when the balance has been interrupted." Ignitus said as Cynder nodded her head.
"It leaves the world wide open for the end of days…" Cynder said as she slid down the side of the wall, mind fluttered with the information she had just received.
"I'm afraid so, I've foreseen something very dark is approaching, something unstoppable," Ignitus said as Cynder heard the sound of pages flipping in her mind. "I don't know what to Cynder… would you rather have me inform Spyro personally? I can take a few days to look into the matter until then if you would like."
"Please do Ignitus… I have a lot on my mind right now and I don't want to pile on Spyro's stress as well." Cynder said as she stated up the stairs, feeling the weariness settle down on her shoulders again.
"Very well, I will spend countless hours until I come up with something." Ignitus said, his voice trailing off from Cynder's mind as she started to climb the stairs back up to the Dragon Study.
The next morning came at last, the day in which the citizens had long waited for, the day which the living would rise up against the dead. Spyro had awoken early that day and made his way outside into the warehouse where he saw that Cheetah warriors and Lizard warriors had already began taking weapons and provisions out from inside, opening fresh crates which held new fabricated arrows and bows which were made with even stronger twine, giving the shooting power and distance much greater reinforcement. The crossbows had also made a change, only the stock was of wood while the rail was made from custom fabricated steel. Normally the steel would be heavy and difficult to carry around, but what was installed on the crossbows had been machined down thinner, making it much lighter. The overall size of the weapon itself had been shrunk, giving the user more movement when in battle. A V-shaped sight had been added as well, giving it more accuracy.
"I'm very impressed by how much weaponry has advanced over the years, but I fear that we will all meet our doom when technology has surpassed us… this is why I live my life in past times." Spyro thought as he walked out from the warehouse and made his way towards the troop quarters, hoping to see a large number of soldiers that were willing to fight.
"Spyro, you are up awful early," Prowlus said as he joined Spyro's little walk. "Are you heading towards the troop quarters by chance?"
"Yes, I just want to see how many numbers we have all together, I don't want to get caught short while we're out there," Spyro said as he and Prowlus walked together, enjoying the free time while they still had a few minutes safe inside the city walls. "Where are Hunter and Bianca? I thought those two would be somewhere around here getting things ready."
"Hunter is showing Bianca around the outer walls of the city and the major layout of this place before we leave," Prowlus said as he leaned over towards Spyro a bit. "I think he might have a bit of feelings for her."
"I wish him and her well if something does turn out between the two of them," Spyro said as he and Prowlus soon arrived to the troop quarters. "I believe everyone should be loved or have a love one to look after. What about you?"
"Don't take this personal my friend but I never really sought after love," Prowlus said as they both stopped and looked at the amount of troops which they had at their disposal, watching as more and more began to show up. I mean yes I do have someone I care about, but I never had the chance to tell her how I feel with everything that had been going on."
"Is she still around?" Spyro asked, looking as Lizard warriors, Cheetahs, Apes, and even Hyenas helped prepare one another for the long march ahead.
"I don't know where she is now, probably somewhere safe from here." Prowlus said as Spyro turned the other way towards the Dragon Temple.
"Time will tell both of your destinies," Spyro said as he opened his wings and prepared to take off from the city streets. "I have to get back to the family for a little bit and say my goodbyes. Don't worry about your loved one; she'll come back eventually if she feels the same for you." Spyro then took off, leaving Prowlus by himself to think about what the purple dragon had said. Climbing higher in altitude by the second, Spyro looked among the city below, admiring how all the different species of civilians who sometimes feuded with each other were now helping one another prepare one another for a journey which some of them might not return from.
"I dreamed of a world where everybody could get along with one another, even if their species was different," Spyro thought as he landed among the balcony finally, soon noticing that everyone was awake inside. "Though I did not know that it was going to take catastrophes such as these, but I guess it works either way." Opening the glass doors, Spyro saw that everybody was still talking to one another, taking in every last second before they left the city and out into the dangerous land.
"Is it time?" Flame asked as he held his wife and daughter close to him.
"About half an hour or so, I think everybody down there is about as ready as we are," Spyro said as he hugged his wife and son. "They seem calm thought, even eager to leave. They must be scared half to death though, especially when we open the main gates. I know for a fact that there are Roamers waiting out there on the other side of the gates.
"We are going to circle around the Warfang and the fan out correct? Flame asked as Spyro nodded his head.
"Sort of, when everybody is ready I'll have the city archers stay here among the walls and deal with the ones hugging the walls," Terrador explained as Spyro nodded again as he felt Cynder squeeze his waste a little bit harder. "We'll travel down the main road away from the city for about a mile until we get to the first clearing, then we'll break off and fan out."
"And we keep in contact with each other with falcons carrying messages?" Flame asked as Terrador nodded his head in reply.
"We have enough troops to have over two hundred totals," Cyril said as he handed Spyro and Flame each a map to look at. "We have enough to split off into four groups each, which gives each group around fifty soldiers. Each group commander will have different colors of paper to write messages and reports on and send back and forth daily. One letter from a group will be passed on to fellow group until brought back safely to the original group. The only thing which should be written on the letters are group count total daily, supply count, location, and if they are continuing the march or returning for supplies."
"And thanks to Bianca, we have an average range which the Roamers occupy as well," Volteer said as he pointed out on the maps the large circle which Roamers inhabited and the lines which represented the different routes each group will take. "Not only that; but Hunter and Prowlus gave us good definitions on how bad the northern areas are compared to down here."
"How long with this take do you recon?" Cynder asked as Terrador shrugged his shoulders.
"If the dragons stay out at night and deal with the Roamer Dragons while they give some support to the ground troops during the day." Terrador said, making Spyro feel uneasy about the nighttime plan.
"I still don't feel comfortable with the nighttime part of the plan," Spyro whispered to Cynder, not wanting to draw any attention to the Guardians. "I know I'll be with Flame, but you know how I feel. The Dragon Roamers are stronger at night like any other dragon."
"Now that you mention it, aren't Roamers more prone to attack in darkness to begin with?" Cynder said as Spyro thought for a moment, soon realizing Cynder's statement was true.
"Yeah, I have noticed… good thinking honey, I might be able to use that when I'm gone," Spyro said as he gave her a loving kiss on her lips, taking in every last second he could before he had to leave. "I'm going to miss you."
"I'm going to miss you to." Cynder said, holding her husband one last time.
"Me to daddy." Skyro said as he was lifted up by his father who held him firmly in his arms.
"I'll miss you most of all little guy, but don't worry though, I'll be back soon enough," Spyro said as he put his son back down on the floor. "Once I return, you won't have to fear those hideous monsters anymore."
"It would be a nice change for once that's for sure," Smoke said as he held out his hand to Spyro for a handshake. "I have to thank you for putting up with me and for keeping this world safe. It is also a real honor to know you personally."
Spyro accepted his handshake and said, "No need to thank me son, I just do what is right. That's probably all the advice I can give to you. Fight and die for what you believe in and for the ones you love."
"I'll remember it." Smoke said as Spyro and Flame walked towards each other and met eye to eye.
"Are you ready?" Spyro asked as Flame nodded his head.
"Yeah, I'm ready." Flame said as the two began to walk towards the glass doors of the balcony where the Guardians awaited.
"Hey wait, I want to go with you to." Sparx said as he flew up next to Spyro.
"No Sparx, I need you to do something for me here," Spyro said as Sparx listened, though kind of irritated to Spyro's answer to his request. "I need you to look after Skyro while I'm here, follow him around every once in a while to check on him."
"You want me to follow him around, annoying him as his uncle like I did with you… ok I'll do it." Sparx said jokingly as he and the rest inside the Dragon Study watch the five dragons leap from the balcony down to where the troops were waiting for their orders.
"Skyro, you and Smoke both wait for me downstairs, I'll see you two in a minute or two." Cynder said as Skyro could only imagine what she had planned for the two. He then remembered about his punishment for last night's dilemma.
"Hunter has already informed you all about the plan and procedures which we will follow for the next few days or however long this will take to finish," Terrador boomed over the army which they managed to cobble together. "We are the strongest resistance we have which is able to fight back the evil behind these walls. You all know why we are doing this, to bring back the civilization which we are all accustomed to. No longer shall we have to fear the open world anymore. Our lives will slowly return back to normal once every single Roamer is dead and gone! No more hiding behind walls and hoping for a solution! We are rising up for our families and for our lives! Are you all with me?!" The Resistance roared with howls of morale and battle cries as they all banged their shields and swords together while the ones with bows strung their strings and the snipers armed with crossbows loaded their arrows as they were all ready to face the open world ahead of them.
"Alright, LET US ALL RISE, RESIST, REVOLT AGAISNT THIS MADNESS!" Spyro roared as he breathed fire into the air to get more morale from his allies.
"Let us march onward then and free our land from this miserable curse!" Hunter exclaimed as the large city gates opened slowly. The Roamers from the other side of the doors pushed towards the mob of soldiers, but were easily cut down, as so was any other Roamers who stood in their way.
Skyro could hear the yelling from the warriors cutting down the Roamers as the Roamers hissed and cried in agony though they felt no pain as they died. He was waiting for his mother to return to him and Smoke while the two waited at the bottom of the spiraling staircase which led to the Dragon Study.
"What do you think she has planned for us, did she say?" Smoke asked as Skyro shrugged his shoulders.
"I don't know, I wish I knew though," Skyro said as he looked around the Dragon Temple once more, taking in the beautiful architectural design of the building and how lavish the trim and finishes were when collaborated together. "I don't recall spending much time here at all, but this place it still magnificent no matter what time of year."
"You're lucky to have the luxury of being able to come here, this is a remarkable place to be," Smoke said as he looked around as well. "It must be beautiful here when peace is restored."
"I hope to see that point of time soon." Skyro said as his mother soon entered through the front doors.
"Smoke, I must ask you to remain here while I talk to Skyro." Cynder said in a tone which was both spoken with frustration and calmness.
"Yes ma'am." Smoke said, stepping aside as Skyro nervously followed his mother into the basement and into the training room.
"Do you want to know something about the light son?" Cynder said as hoisted Skyro up to the main light source so he could light the fire which would illuminate the darkened room
"Sure." Skyro said as his mother placed him back down onto the ground, uneasy to what she would to next.
"It helps us see what we cannot in the darkness, it overpowers everything which it touches," Cynder said as she motioned her son to stay in one spot while she walked towards the center of the room. "All except the ones who turn their backs on it, they are cloaked in the shadows. Do you understand son?" Skyro nodded his head in understanding.
"Why are you telling me this?" Skyro said as his mother turned her back to him.
"Because, not all of us are given a choice to see the light," Cynder said as she opened her beautiful, yet terrifying crimson red wings, casting horrifying shadows among the walls. "Some of us are born into chaos and pain. Some have no choice but to follow the darkness because they had no other choice in life. Some were just born to be chaotic. These types of individuals you will see even in your nightmares. And when you step into their territory, their domain, you cower beneath their power." Suddenly, Cynder whipped her wings once extremely fast, causing the entire room to be shrouded in total blackness.
"Mom, where are you, I can't see a thing." Skyro called, listening for his mother to reply back, no answer. He soon realized that the darkness seemed overpowering and fear filled as he began to feel scared.
