So this is the last chapter, and hopefully it will be a satisfying ending. I want to go over something before you read (If you bother to read this at all) This is mostly for the guest reviewer who seemed to have the wrong idea.
Guest - As anyone who has been reading my ANs in these chapters should know I'm putting alot of content from the original spyro series. TLoS is NOT the original spyro series. In said series Spyro is from the Artisan home, not raised by dragonflies. (As an egg, I figured he had to be laid somewhere.) Second, dragons in TLoS series are characterized by their eye color which represents their element. I made Cynder a poison dragon because she has green eyes. Sparx's original role in the series was as Spyro's HP indicator, and was, in fact, his companion. (I honestly find his purpose somewhat useless in TLoS games) BTW siblings can be companions too. I was just trying to show the idea of two different creatures treating each other as equals. I hope that explains any misconception you may have garnered before. I will go over a few more things at the bottom that relate to this chapter as well.=^-^=
For - dracologistmaster - I really hope you enjoyed this story.=^-^=
Ch. 10 - New Age
After gathering all the blue gems from the young dragons' horde and a few others, Tidus led the group back to his adopted home with the portal. Of course a few of the riders volunteered to 'guard the rest' just in case, and stayed behind. He landed solidly near the top as he had when first addressing Hiccup while the others landed at the edge of the stairs. Hiccup, who carried the gems in his saddle bag, took them out and poured them on the ground just outside the engraved ring in the floor. Tidus looked over the pile and then to the arch. "This is the portal young dragons."
Spyro, and Cynder seemed very confused by the sight. "Portal? It's just an arch." Spyro pointed out.
Cynder dashed up to one of the legs and seemed just as confused. "Is it supposed to do something?"
Tidus chuckled. "Surely you have seen a portal before young ones. How else do you travel from one realm to another?"
Cynder raised an annoyed brow. "We fly of course, how else?"
Tidus seemed bewildered by that. "But not all realms can be…." He paused as a thought came to him. He had been gone for… centuries… His eyes then widened at the implications of his thoughts. "Could it very well be that the portals have all lost their magic…?" He wondered aloud. "My dear friend…. You knew this was to come…" He muttered softly to himself.
"Calm yourself Tidus…. We must act quickly." Tidus along with Spyro, Cynder, and Toothless all jerked their heads towards the crystals. The old sea dragon seemed bewildered by the strange yet familiar voice calling from them.
"What was that?" Spyro asked aloud as he stepped towards them.
"What was what?" Hiccup asked. He, Astrid, and Fishlegs were the only teens to come along while the others stayed with the treasure.
"That voice just now." Spyro clarified as he inspected the gems.
"You didn't hear it?" Cynder wondered as she approached them as well.
Hiccup turned to the others and received shrugs. He was then surprised by an annoyed grunt from Toothless. The Night Fury knew that voice and he didn't like it one bit. He growled at the gems with a glare. "You heard it bud?" Toothless responded with a grunt of annoyance while never taking his eyes off them.
"My voice….. it's too weak to be heard by others….. only dragons in tune with the crystals."
Spyro gave the pile a wary gaze, and faintly recalled something like this happening before. "Are you… the Chronicler?"
"No I am not young Spyro, but I implore you….. please listen…" The strange aura of the crystals seemed to fade as the voice fell away.
"The energies are weakening Spyro. You must strengthen them with your powers." Tidus implored.
Spyro looked up at him. "Strengthen them? I don't know what you mean Tidus. I have only ever drawn strength from crystals."
Tidus shook his head. "All dragons do, but certain dragons are able to strengthen them. Myzark, as a crystal dragon, is one such dragon. You, being a purple dragon, are also capable of this. Your power holds the most direct connection to the heart, the very source of our power gems." Spyro still seemed uncertain as he looked over the gems. He had never been taught about this before…. He only knew the gems were a source of power and life for all dragons.
A short growl announced Toothless' approach to the pile. Although he didn't like the strange voice of the crystals, he did remember something it said before. He had to show Spyro something…. Though he wasn't really sure what it was. Spyro looked at him as he took a spot on the other side of the small pile. "Do you know what he means?" He asked impulsively before remembering Toothless can't talk like him. The Night Fury let out a trill as he looked down at them closely. He then raised his head again and looked behind himself. After a moment he arched his back and split the fin the traced his spine. As soon as he did so, a feint blue glow emanated from his torso. It slowly grew brighter, and spread along his back from his nose to the base of his tail. It was just like the first time he saw the blue crystal and touched it. Spyro simply looked at the display in avid interest. So far the black dragon showed nothing like this nor had any of the other dragons. He looked up at the larger dragon who was looking down with an analytical gaze.
"Spyro, the crystals." Cynder directed from his side.
He looked down as well, and saw their glow pulse a little bit along with the glow from Toothless. "How are you doing this?" Spyro asked in astonishment. Somehow this strange dragon was affecting the energy in the crystals. Toothless had no answer for it though since he wasn't even sure what he was doing. Somehow…. It just seemed like that's what he was supposed to do… maybe…. He took a moment to think while Spyro anticipated his abstract answer. The voice had told him to show Spyro something, but the only thing he'd ever done was…. He then raised his left claw over the crystals like he'd done before. It was the only thing he'd actually been told to do before. He remained like that a moment before grunting at the smaller purple dragon. He then gestured to his claw with his head, and grunted again. "Me too?" Spyro asked as he complied with the supposed request. He held his claw over the pile from the opposite side, and the glow immediately intensified.
Cynder took a step back as the glow encased Spyro in an aura, and the young dragon's eyes eclipsed in a light purple light. Toothless was frozen in place as the blue glow within him increased, and his eyes became transfixed on those of Spyro. It was the strangest thing…. As if he were there and not…? The strange staring contest continued for several minutes before the Night Fury broke away with a grunt. He stepped to the side while shaking the strange feeling from his head. "You alright bud?" Hiccup asked as he dashed to his scaled companion. Toothless groaned as he adjusted his footing.
"Spyro… are you…?"
"Yes Cynder." He responded while the aura and glow remained. "I understand now…." He finished as he reared up on his hind legs. He held out his fore claws before him and the blue glow of the crystals on the ground jumped from their resting positions. The light scattered to fill the ring engraved around the arch like water. While the dragons had their eyes on Spyro, Hiccup held his gaze to the arch. Something had begun to shimmer inside it like he'd seen before. Just as the ring was filled, a matching glow began to trace the outline of the inner arch. A bright flash followed and the shimmer grew to be a medley of colors that many of them had never even seen before.
"The portal! You have restored it young dragon!" Tidus exclaimed with almost disbelief. He walked around the arch to see from the same view as the others, and saw as the text began to form inside the twisting light of the portal.
"The Magic Crafters Home World?" Hiccup read aloud. It was strange how the text seemed foreign at first but then it was suddenly in the runic script he knew.
"Yes Hiccup, that is indeed where this portal leads."
"Are you okay Spyro?" Cynder asked in worry.
Spyro no longer glowed like before, and seemed rather disoriented as he sat down outside the ring. "I think so Cynder…. I wasn't prepared for that…." He held his head with one claw while holding himself up with the other.
"We mustn't linger young ones." Tidus declared as he turned to the portal. "We do not know how long this shall last."
Before anyone else, however, Toothless dashed through the portal with Hiccup just barely able to grab hold of his harness in time to go with him. "Whoa bud-"
"Hiccup!" Astrid called out in surprise as she watched them both disappear into the portal. After a moment she too dashed towards the portal, but was thwarted by her own dragon. Stormfly tugged at her skirt with a fearful whine. Meatlug seemed to agree as she blocked Fishlegs from making any move towards the strange portal.
"It is best that you humans remain here lest you be barred from your own home as I was." Tidus declared in agreement with the dragons. "But we must make haste. I will attempt to send back Hiccup and Toothless if I can." He then began to make his way through. As soon as his nose touched the threshold he sprang through it with a jump, and was gone.
"Come on Cynder!" Spyro called as he dashed through next with the dragoness on his heels. Astrid and Fishlegs watched helplessly as they were left alone with their dragons who prevented them from going through at all.
"Please calm yourself young dragon. I was not trying to cause you any distress!" An older dragon proclaimed as he flew up to a ledge in the cavern the portal let out in. Toothless clawed at the base angrily as he flapped his wings for more lift.
"Come on Toothless!" Hiccup called from near the portal. As soon as they went through, Toothless dashed for the first thing that moved. Hiccup had jumped off before he fell off since he hadn't been able to fasten himself to the saddle properly.
The dragon who was there to greet them seemed surprised at the assault as he tried to keep out of the Night Fury's reach. "I merely needed your assistance! Please calm down!" He held his fore claws up defensively as to appease the younger dragon's fury, but Toothless seemed adamant to catch him.
Hiccup was now pulling on Toothless' tail trying to get him to stop. "Come on bud!" Toothless flapped his wings violently, and knocked him away. That proved to be what finally got his attention as he turned to his human friend on the ground. Hiccup sat up and began rubbing his left arm which is what he landed on. Any anger towards the new dragon was forgotten as he dashed over to his best friend with a whine. He looked at him with an apologetic whine which brought a smirk to the young Viking's face. "Now you calm down huh?" He stood up and brushed himself off. "I'm fine alright, but let's refrain from attacking before we know who he is okay?" The Night Fury agreed with a grumble and sat down. He'd let his anger get the better of him just now, and could have really hurt Hiccup. That was the last thing he wanted to do.
The new dragon saw that the Night Fury had indeed calmed, and he jumped down from his perch to greet them properly. "I am quite sorry young dragon, but I had no other way of showing Spyro how to use the Spirit Gems properly to make the portal." The new dragon apologized with a bow. His scales shimmered slightly in many light colors, and it appeared to have crystals in several places such as its tail and arms. The horns branched out and sparkled, the brightest being on its head. He then stood back firmly on his hind legs. "I would be more than happy to make it up to you of course, but I have to take care of something first."
He then turned towards Hiccup. "Human, where is the young Purple Dragon who repaired the portal?"
"He is here." Tidus called as his head formed through the portal.
"Tidus!" The new dragon shouted as he dashed to the old sea dragon. "I feared you may have met your end in that realm." He exclaimed with relief as he wrapped his craws around Tidus' neck.
Tidus chuckled as he pat the shining dragon's back. "You should know me better my friend, though I feared that myself at times." Tidus then sat back as he was released. "Myzark, it is good to see you are alive and well." He proclaimed with a tired breath.
"Perhaps my worry was not misplaced old friend. You have aged greatly since I last saw you."
Tidus chuckled again. "Like you have not my friend." He then took a moment to look over his friend, and had to admit that he hadn't aged nearly as much as he himself had. He quickly found his sight drawn to a scar on the left side of Myzark's face, and his brow furrowed. "Where did that mark come from? What has happened since I was last here?"
Myzark lifted his claw to his face with a somber expression. "Oh yes… I had almost forgotten. It had been so long…" He rubbed the old scar softly with a grimace from the memory. "It was retribution for a foolish act. I had been blind in my decision, and so now this eye is truly blind. I find it rather amusing that this in turn allowed me to see what it was I had done wrong centuries ago. I don't know whether to curse Malafor or thank him really." The dragon mused as looked to the portal.
Spyro had just come through with Cynder seconds later. "Malafor?" Hiccup questioned.
"What about him?!" Spyro asked as he stepped up. "Is he still alive?" He almost demanded in an angry tone.
Myzark shook his head. "As far as anyone knows he is gone. The guardians have been have been searching the area around Malafor's layer, but they have only found ruins." He then turned and walked over to a large blue crystal protruding from the ground. "They have been searching for you Spyro." Spyro and Cynder watched in curiosity as Myzark walked upright so easily.
Spyro looked at Hiccup and then back at Myzark. "What's going on?"
"What happened after we stopped Malafor?" Cynder added in.
"A great many things young dragons; many wondrous things." Myzark informed with a musical tone. "The worlds are coming together again at last!"
"What of the Dream Weavers Myzark?" Tidus asked with an excited tone. "Have you had any word from them?"
"Oh yes my friend. Lateef is still alive if you'll believe it." He held his claws up around the crystal and it shined brightly in response. "All of the home worlds have already come together, even Avalar and the Dragon City, their portals have returned as well. It is only branch worlds such as Midgard here that need reconnecting. I believe with time, they too will reconnect naturally." He looked over the crystal a moment before letting out a laugh. "Ah, that's that then." He turned to his guests. "I have called the guardians. Volteer is on his way to come and get you both."
Hiccup and Toothless now looked more confused than ever. "Okay… where are we?" He finally asked as he crossed his arms.
"Yes, I'm happy that the Dragon City and Avalar are fine, but what is this place? Magic Crafters?"
"And why are you walking like that?" Cynder questioned as well. "Doesn't it bother you?"
Myzark laughed, and Tidus seemed to join in. "I suppose they are too young my friend."
"Yes it would seem." Myzark agreed as he took a few steps their way. "But let me explain young Cynder. You see there was a time when almost every dragon walked as I do. Some would remain on four claws by choice, but most grew to walk on only two once full grown. As you go through my home world you will see many dragons like me." He then turned to Spyro. "Of course you are also far too young to have seen some of the other home worlds. Magic Crafters has been cut off from the others for almost a hundred years now. The drifting of the realms that had been occurring for centuries was quickened a great deal when Malafor began his twisted campaign."
"Just who is this Malafor my friend?" Tidus inquired with a worried tone. His absence left many unkowns about his home.
"Malafor was a purple dragon believe it or not."
Tidus seemed surprised. "Another one? So another had come before Spyro? Why hadn't you reconnected the portals then?"
Myzark shook his head. "I did try my friend. I was as surprised as any other when I heard the great things Malafor was capable of. The myth of the purple dragon was sounding more and more real the more I heard about it. After many years of merely hearing of him, I got to meet him myself. Looking back on it now…. I should have seen what he was becoming that first moment." He recalled with a lamenting tone. "He came to me to learn of the crystals. Crystal dragons like myself are rare though not nearly as rare as the purple dragon, and so he needed a teacher. He refused to understand the true nature of the crystals, however, and lashed out at me in frustration. It wasn't very long after that when this home world was cut off, and I only knew of the beginnings of his terror until recently." He then let out a laugh. "But the strangest thing happened just after he left my tutelage. I was able to feel the crystals all around this portal, and had I not been so injured at the time, I may have been able to get it open for a short period. That is what led me to this new solution. Two dragons were needed to open the portal. Two dragons capable of using the crystals as I do. That is why I needed to show you how through that other dragon there. I had already established a connection with him, and I hadn't the power to do it again."
"This is wonderful Myzark! Just imagine all of the realms that will soon reconnect."
"Yes my friend." Myzark responded as he looked up slightly. Tidus, though a quadrupedal dragon, stood slightly taller than Myzark if only by a few feet. "Now human," He began as he addressed Hiccup finally. "I extend my fullest welcome to you. You may very well be the first human to step in Magic Crafters in two hundred years." He raised his claw to the portal. "And now that this portal has been properly reconnected, I certainly hope you will not be the last. I have greatly missed the ingenuity of humans."
"Thank you?" Hiccup almost questioned with confusion still obvious on his face.
Myzark wasn't surprised though, and grinned. "You are still quite confused I can see it on your face human. You as well young dragon, but you are a curiosity as well. The dragons of your realm are quite resilient to adapt to do without the power gems as they have." He leaned down closer to Toothless. "Of course that adaptation did come with a cost it seems. After the worlds began to converge again you were the first dragon to answer my call, and believe me I made countless attempts. Your first use of the spirit gems must have been quite jarring. My apologies young dragon, and my thanks."
"So you made that weird blue glow last night?" Hiccup asked as he began to comprehend a bit of what was going on.
"Yes human. I had to awaken this dragon's power if he was to help Spyro here open the portal again. It was actually through him that I learned that he had fallen into Midgard somehow."
Hiccup turned to the portal in intrigue and saw the glittering letters floating at the top. Midgard, an old name for earth, was somehow one of many all connected together like the nine worlds. "This is amazing. I just can't believe that dragons like you existed. It's incredible!"
Myzark chuckled. "Indeed, but your realm was not so different long ago. The magics of your world were at one time some of the strongest found in the realms of Magic Crafters. Cosmos found a great deal of history in regards to you realm after the portal to Wizard's Peak closed. Those sneaky Wizrobes had been hording a library the size of which I had never seen before. I am sure you would be more than welcome to see it for yourself. No doubt Cosmos would want to know everything about your realm as well as Hexus."
"Myzark! Where is he!? You found him didn't you!?" A new voice shouted as a yellow dragon barreled into the cavern. He quickly found the young dragon he was looking for. "Spyro! You're alive! And Cynder as well!" He proclaimed in a jovial voice. "I cannot believe my eyes! First Ignitous and now you both as well!"
Spyro went wide eyed at that. "Master Ignitous?... he's alive?" He could have sworn he died in the firey crater below Malafor's layer.
"Not quite Spyro." Myzark quickly began to explain. "Through the crystals I am able to converse with many dragons. Ignitous has been made the Chronicler of this new age, and spoke to me of your absence in his records. That is how I knew to look for you in the first place, but I didn't know where until I happened up this young dragon here. It was quite a lucky chance to stumble upon you like I did."
Volteer gave a nod. "Yes it was. To think that you fell into one of the lost realms is simply astounding. Not only that, but the realms seem to be coming back one by one. Of course there had been legend about these realms and the portals, but I had never seen them before at all, and then Master Myzark here told me about all the different realms I had only heard about in myth… and well…"
"Yes Volteer, it is quite amazing." Myzark interrupted. "But perhaps you should take Spyro and Cynder back to the Temple now. I'm sure the others wish to see them, and of course they are probably tired from their journey." He certainly had no problems with Volteer since they shared a love for knowledge, but the lightning dragon was rather long winded even at times when he couldn't afford to be.
"Yes, I want to see Sparx, and everyone else." Spyro agreed with a smile. "Now that Malafor is gone, I want to see how they are doing." He then turned toward Hiccup and Toothless. "I need to fulfill the true purpose of the purple dragon, and help rebuild what Malafor destroyed."
"There's a lot to be done I imagine." Cynder added in as she thought about how much she'd destroyed under his orders.
"Yes, but I'm sure you guys will have help." Hiccup agreed as he looked up at the older dragons. "I'm really sorry about before."
"No, it was all just a misunderstanding." Spyro smiled as he turned back to Volteer a bit. "And now that we know what's going on, I hope we'll see each other again; as friends." He finished as he reached out a claw.
Hiccup took it without a second thought. "That's all I ever wanted to begin with." Hiccup responded back. "To meet new dragons, and get to know them as friends." He continued as pat Toothless' neck. The Night Fury trilled happily, and held out his claw like Spyro had for Hiccup. He whined as he reached out, and Spyro quickly took it when he realized his intention.
"You too Toothless." The Night Fury quickly reciprocated the gesture to Cynder who took it after a small moment of hesitance. "I suppose that would be okay." She responded with a feigned uncaring tone. She wasn't one for making friends if only due to her past, but her new experiences didn't mean that she was enthusiastic about it.
Spyro was amused by her response before turning back to Volteer. "We should go, before it gets late."
Volteer laughed. "Yes, but with the portal we will be back at the Temple before you know it. Although much of it was destroyed, we have made due with what is left. Its reconstruction has already begun. Let us go to the others." He then bowed his head to Myzark and took off.
"Return whenever you wish young Spyro. I would be more than happy to teach you on the crystals." Myzark called as Spyro and Cynder left as well.
"This has been such a wondrous day Myzark." Tidus mused with a tired grin.
"Yes, and there will hopefully be many more to come Tidus. Come and draw from this Spirit Gem. You look very tired after being without for so long. You've aged beyond the years of Cosmos, and he is the Dragon Elder of Magic Crafters." Myzark declared with a laugh. "As for the two of you, a request… and a gift I suppose." The crystal dragon drew out a sack from a chest behind him. "I give you these." He proclaimed as he held it out to Hiccup. "Your realm's crystals will take some time to reform naturally, but I have arranged something to help it along." He pulled one out to show them. It looked like a slightly larger version of the gems, and was spikey all around. "This is a crystal seed. Now that your world is reconnected, you can plant these and they will grow into natural crystal formations like the one behind me. Use them to replenish the energies of your realm." He then looked to Toothless. "And you can use them to replenish your own energies. Now that your true abilities have been unlocked, I'm sure you will find ample use for them. As you continue to grow, you may find yourself able to do many things you never thought possible before." He then turned back to Hiccup. "And your realm will see a shift as well."
"Yes, it is my hope that the connection you hold with Toothless will spread through Midgard. Humans and Dragons should be friends, something I was only certain of after I met you both." Toothless quickly agreed with a trill and rubbed up against Hiccup happily. Trusting Hiccup was the best decision he'd ever made. Hiccup was his friend, his partner, and almost like his other half. Many of the other dragons in Berk feel the same way, and he just knew if all dragons knew what he did, they'd agree too.
"Thanks Myzark. I can't wait to put some of these in the village. I'm sure Fishlegs…. Oh man Fishlegs…" He just remembered how Astrid and Fishlegs were still back on the other side of the portal. "I better get back before they start wondering what happened. I wonder why they didn't come through too." He then pondered as he turned to the portal.
"Do not worry Hiccup. The dragons of your realm have grown somewhat skittish of the gems power as seen with the eels. You must give them time to adjust properly."
"Yes, Tidus is correct. Unlike this dragon here, they were far out of tune with the crystals. I only hope this will correct itself with the converging of the worlds again. I will hold you no longer though, please do not keep your companions waiting." Myzark explained as he gestured them off.
"I wonder if they'll believe me then? What do you think bud?" Toothless seemed amused by the idea as he walked towards the portal. He knew he wouldn't believe a word of it, and he really didn't get all of what he heard already. He did know, however, that Hiccup would, and they'd work through together.
"Do not be a stranger Hiccup." Tidus called.
"Yes, do not forget that you are welcome here whenever you please. Should you choose to bring friends I will bear no ill will." Myzark added in.
"Trust me, I won't" Hiccup answered. The two of them stepped through the portal with excitement at all they had seen.
"It's the start of a brand new dragon age after all…" Myzark mused as they disappeared from sight.
"Indeed it is." Tidus agreed with a smile.
And they all live happily ever after, The End. But seriously, I like to think this is a nice ending that leaves just enough to the imagination no? Spyro and Cynder go back to what's left of the temple to rebuild with the others while Hiccup and company learn more about dragons and the lost history of their realm. I like to think maybe so old Norse myths could relate to when the dragons were around, the HTTYD universe doesn't always use Norse Mythology correctly anyway. I'd like to note a few things for those who are unfamiliar with the ORIGINAL Spyro series. (First 3 games)
- The original series wasn't the linear story TLoS has, and all but one boss battle is optional. The portals are part of the original games as well as the home worlds I mentioned before. (Artisan, Peace Keepers, Magic Crafters, Beast Makers, and Dream Weavers)
- All adult dragons in these games stand on two legs while younger dragons are quadrupeds.
- Spyro's dragonfly Sparx was a companion given to him for protection. (dragonflies were given to all little dragons apparently but only Spyro is shown to have one.)
- Age is really hard to guess for both series but in the original dragons were hinted to live 10,000 years or more. I'm thinking around 1,000 or 1,200 years myself since I think it flows better with TLoS's timeline.
- I would also like to note that Myzark, and Tidus are the only characters I created for this story. All others are cannon dragons from the games.
I hope ya'll enjoyed this story, especially dracologistmaster! I have a short epilogue in mind, but this is it for the actual story. Please feel free to ask questions and leave comments. Anything about how the story made you feel is welcome. Thank You for reading.=^-^=