When Hex awoke she found herself lying in a room. The room had dark blue walls, and an old clock hung up. There was a desk standing next to the bed that Hex laid in. the sheets that Hex found herself tangled in had a simple white coloration. Hex quickly concluded that she was inside a hospital. Memories washed over Hex, and she realized that she had failed to beat Darko once again.
"It is what it is…" Hex muttered bitterly. She then untangled herself from the sheets and glided across the floor.
Hex wandered aimlessly around the hospital, trying to learn any information she could of her companions whereabouts. Unfortunately no news reached her ears, until she heard screaming in the distance.
"She's back! The black beast returns to haunt us!"
For a moment Hex was afraid Darko had followed her, until she realized the terrified screams said she has returned and not he has returned.
"What could they possibly be screaming about?" Hex muttered as she ran towards the sounds of screaming. Hex paused as she saw a black dragoness with glowing silver eyes, surrounded by a mob of maubus.
"Kill her now before she can kill us!" the maubus shrieked. Hex decided it was a great idea to interfere in that moment.
"What is this shouting all about!" Hex called in a powerful voice. If she could gain the maubus attention then Cynder could escape.
"The black beast by the name of Cynder seeks to destroy us! We must kill her quickly!"
"Cynder isn't going to hurt you, now get over yourselves and scram."
The maubus cast hate filled eyes on Hex, but turned away and left Cynder.
"Thanks Hex. You may have just saved my life right now." Cynder said.
"Why are you still in your darkness form? You know that it terrifies people."
"No shit it terrifies them. The problem is I can't change back."
"Why not?"
"I don't know why, but for some reason the dark energies inside me just won't leave me alone. I tried to force them away but I can't. I'm really scared Hex, what if I loose control and try to attack the skylands?" Cynder said fearfully.
Hex wondered what would happen if Cynder did loose control. For one thing it would mean a lot more trouble considering Darko was still on the loose, and another problem was what would happen to Cynder. Worst case scenario was they would have to kill Cynder to prevent her from harming any innocents, best case scenario was that Cynder would be exiled from the skylands, and forced to live in the outlands. Hex assumed that the townsfolk would vote to kill Cynder.
"You won't loose control. I'll find away to help you return to normal." Hex reassured her friend.
"Thanks Hex."
"It would be a good idea for you to stay away from any townsfolk, we might not be able to protect you from there wrath."
"Okay I'll stay away."
"Have you heard any news of our companions?" Hex asked.
"Sophia has a long road to recovery, but she'll live. Spyro and I were perfectly okay so we didn't have to be hospitalized. Cracky has gone in to shock, and Gillie is staying with him… Gristine was okay as well." Cynder explained.
"Hex sighed with relief as she heard her companions were safe she then asked "What about Flameslinger?"
"He hasn't left Sophia's side, but he is safe as well."
Hex felt herself go limp with relief.
"We should probably join the meeting." Cynder stated.
"What meeting?"
All the skylanders are meeting so we can decide how to deal with Darko, clearly sending small patrols to fight him isn't working so were trying to come up with something more drastic." Cynder explained.
Hex nodded her head, and followed Cynder to the meeting place. This meeting was at a different location then the first one. For one thing this meeting was being held underground. Hex's stomach churned unpleasantly as she thought of the last time she had been underground, that was the time when she was exploring the Underworld. That was also the time when she had once considered Darko a friend.
Cynder saw Hex's unease, and rested a paw on the undead sorceress's' shoulder. Hex nodded in gratitude at Cynder's attempt to assure her, but she still felt uneasy underground.
Cynder and Hex stopped traveling underground as they came across a crowed of skylanders. Eon's voice rang out around the meeting spot.
"Skylanders, as you all know the situation with Darko has taken a turn for the worst. We must now come up with a plan to end his reign of terror once and for all."
With those words Eon stepped down and allowed Spyro to come up and speak.
"As we all know sending single patrols to fight Darko hasn't defeated him yet. We will have to fight as a team if we seek to destroy him. Unfortunately some of our skylanders have been badly injured in previous fights against Darko, and we have to wait for tem to recover before we begin our final assault on Darko."
Murmurs of agreement rose from the crowed.
"What are we supposed to do while our friends recover?" Camo asked.
"We can work on our battle moves, and come up with plans that could help us in our fight against Darko. Meanwhile there is another problem we face."
Questions rose in to the air as Spyro mentioned a second problem.
"Our friend Cynder has been taken hold of by dark magic, and she can't transform back. You shouldn't worry about her attacking you because she is fully in control of the darkness that taints her now. The villagers however believe that Cynder is evil, and will most likely try to hurt her for her inability to return to normal. What I'm trying to say is, if anyone has any idea on how to help her, please do help her."
With those words Spyro stepped down and let Eon speak.
"You are dismissed." Eon said. With those words all skylanders cleared out of the meeting place.
Hex and Cynder darted to the surface, deciding what they could do against Darko. Hex felt torn about trying to find a cure for Cynder, or choosing to practice her spells. In the end she decided that helping her friend was the more important task.
Hex ran to her home, readying herself to begin experimenting with various potions when she heard a knocking sound at her door. Hex ran to her door and opened it, seeing Gristine standing in the doorway. Once again she felt the obnoxious burning in her face.
"Hey Gristine, what are you doing here?" Hex asked, trying to keep her voice casual.
"I heard about what happened to Cynder, and since you know a lot about potions I figured you would be able to come up with a way to cure her. "
Hex nodded her head, though secretly she was disappointed that Gristine hadn't wanted to spend time with her. Hex mentally slapped herself, realizing that helping Cynder was far more important then her strange affection toward Gristine.
Hex told Gristine the basics about potions and herbal brews. She then had him bring her all the required equipment and ingredients for the potions she made. Often times Hex would call for Cynder, asking the black dragoness to try certain potions that Hex thought could dispel the dark energies around her. Most of the time the potion would fail completely and Cynder would wind up spewing the potion up to get it out of her system.
Sometimes the potion would slightly work. Some of the dark energies would leave Cynder, not enough to turn her back to normal, but enough to make Hex believe that she was making some sort of progress.
Day in and Day out Cynder, Hex, and Gristine worked side by side in Hex's home, trying to find away to reverse the darkness in Cynder. Five days had passed and still they couldn't find a way to reverse there friends curse. The strain of trying to find a cure, as well as her worries about Darko began to take its toll on Hex.
Hex sat at the desk in her laboratory, pouring a glowing purple liquid in to a vial with a radiant green liquid. The two potions merged creating a potion that radiated with blood red liquid. Hex threw the potion away in disgust, knowing that it would just poison her friend. Hex pulled out a vial with pink liquid in it, and began to analyze it when she felt two bony hands on her shoulders.
Hex leapt slightly and turned around. She balled up her fists ready to fight if she had to. She went limp with relief when she saw Gristine.
"Are you alright Hex?" Gristine asked.
"I'm fine…" Hex answered in a raspy tone.
Hex turned around and picked up a vial to analyze the pink liquid in inside, when she felt it slip out of her hand. Hex watched as the vial hit the ground and shattered.
"Damn it!" Hex shouted.
"Maybe you should get some rest Hex. It isn't good for you to stay up all night." Gristine said, worry coating his tone.
"I can't sleep now; I have to find a cure for Cynder. What if she looses control and we have to fight her? You know that most of the townsfolk wouldn't hesitate to kill her."
"I understand that but it's not good for you to stay awake all night like this. Get some sleep Hex. I'll experiment with the potions and see if I can find something to help Cynder."
Hex looked down at the floor, contemplating Gristine's words. She could feel herself shaking, and she knew her lab partner was right. She sighed sadly and then spoke.
"Okay I'll get some rest…" with those words Hex limped away to her room so she could sleep, fear for Cynder flooding her.
Cynder stared at the wall boredom seeping through her. For everyone's safety she had been prohibited from leaving the Starway tower. She glared in disgust at the mirror she sat in front of as she saw that she was still radiating black magic. She wished that Hex would hurry up and find a potion that would help her.
"Oh what's the point?" Cynder snapped. She had no clue why she felt so bitter, she just did. A knock at the door made Cynder pause in her lament.
"Come in!" Cynder called.
Spyro, Sophia, and Flameslinger walked in to the room. Sophia looked a lot better then she had the last time Cynder saw her. Sophia's skin was now the healthy shade of green it was before, her eyes had more life in them, and her eye lids were no longer covered in mucus. She had gained back some weight, and she was able to walk without help again. Of course Flameslinger still stayed by her side rather she needed him or not.
"Hi Cynder, we heard you were having a tough time so we came to cheer you up!" Sophia said enthusiastically.
"Thanks! God knows I need some entertainment that won't kill me!" Cynder said, forcing her voice to sound light and happy.
"So um, Cynder how have you been keeping yourself occupied?" Flameslinger asked awkwardly.
"I've been staring at the wall and wishing Hex would find a potion to get rid of the dark energies inside me. It's pretty dull in comparison to fighting Darko." Cynder said cheerfully.
Sophia tensed up upon hearing Darko's name, but she said nothing.
"Speaking of Darko, where is he now?" Cynder asked her friends.
The three skylanders shuffled there feet awkwardly, and didn't answer.
"Where is Darko?" Cynder asked once again, anxiety starting to build inside her.
Flameslinger mumbled something Cynder didn't hear.
"What?" Cynder asked.
Flameslinger mumbled again.
"I don't understand a word you're saying…" Cynder said in disapproval.
"Oh for crying out loud! Darko is in the skylands!" Spyro snapped.
Cynder just stared blankly at Spyro, not comprehending what he said. Suddenly the words he spoke rang in her ears, and she understood what Spyro had told her. Cynder began to laugh in hysterics.
"You're kidding right? There's no way in hell Darko could be in the skylands. Cynder gasped between laughter.
"But he is…" Flameslinger said.
"That's it! I'm not going to take this shit anymore!" Cynder howled.
Cynder's silver eyes turned a bright and vivid red color, and she ran to the entrance of the Starway tower. She charged the door, causing it to collapse. She then ran outside and spread her wings widely, and flew in to the sky.
"Cynder come back!" Spyro called to the demented dragoness.
"Tell me where Darko is!" Cynder snarled, as furry flooded her.
"NO! You can't fight him alone!" Spyro shouted.
"Don't underestimate me Spyro…." Cynder warned him.
"I'm not underestimating you! I know for certain that you can't fight him alone!" Spyro called to her.
Cynder looked down and saw Sophia and Flameslinger racing to stand besides Spyro. The sight gave Cynder the perfect idea. Cynder charged towards Sophia and grabbed the small elf, dragging her in to the sky.
"Help!" Sophia wailed.
Flameslinger raised his bow, ready to shoot Cynder, when Spyro charged him and knocked the bow out of his hands.
"Do not shoot Cynder!" Spyro commanded.
"But she's going to kill Sophia!" Flameslinger cried out angrily.
Spyro whacked Flameslinger with his tail, knocking the elf to the ground. He then leapt on top of Flameslinger and pinned him down.
"Cynder listen to me, you have to stop this now!" Spyro called out.
"Tell me where Darko is or the girl gets it!" Cynder snarled. She then put a claw over Sophia's throat and mad a small cut.
The cut wouldn't hurt Sophia, but it caused her to tremble. Tears leapt in to her eyes as she realized she might die.
Spyro bent his head down in resignation, before saying, "Darko had taken over a small maubu village in Stone town. You will be able to find him in the rumbling ravine."
"Thank you!" Cynder cried out. She then dropped Sophia.
Spyro allowed Flameslinger to get to his feet, and the elf immediately leapt and caught Sophia. Spyro looked at the sky in horror, wondering what Cynder could do. He sighed sadly, and then ran to find Hex.
Gristine's eyes poured over the book in his hands, searching for anything that could help Cynder. Gristine had taken on Hex's job while the undead sorceress slept. One herb that the book spoke of caught Gristine's attention. It was called a Light lily. The description for the Light lily claimed that it could dispel dark magic. Gristine figured that if Cynder had enough of a Light lily brew, she would be able to transform back to normal.
Gristine closed the dusty herbal book, and set to work on creating the potion. Gristine was just about to search the cabinet for any Light lily plants when a loud knock at the door caught his attention. He watched as Spyro, Flameslinger, and Sophia ran through the door. Gristine briefly wondered why every door in the skylands was so easy to break, but he realized that those thoughts were insignificant to his task.
"You guys have to be quiet Hex is asleep and…." Gristine attempted to speak.
"We don't care. Cynder has gone bat shit insane and we need to track her down before she can kill herself or anyone else." Spyro babbled.
Gristine stared blankly at them and then asked, "Do you know where she is?"
"The Rumbling Ravine." Spyro stated.
"Why there?" Gristen asked.
"Darko is there. No more questions we have to find Cynder." Spyro said.
Gristine sighed, and then drifted over to Hex.
"Hex, wake up…" Gristine said.
Hex eyes fluttered open and she yawned.
"Have you found a potion that could help Cynder?" Hex asked in a groggy tone.
"Um, no. bad news Hex, Cynder has lost control over her dark magic." Gristine explained.
"What?" Hex gasped, leaping up from the chair she slept in.
She nearly fell to the floor but Gristine caught her.
"What do you mean Cynder lost control over her dark magic!" Hex exclaimed.
"He means exactly what he said." Spyro stated coldly.
"Why weren't you working on the potion Hex? You knew that Cynder could loose control at any moment!" Spyro growled at Hex.
Tears fell from Hex's eyes and she said, "I was working on the potion…"
"That's not what it looked like to me!" Spyro snapped.
Hex turned away, unable to meet the purple dragon's glare.
"It isn't Hex's fault! It's mine…. She was overworked so I told her to get some rest. I'm sorry that I didn't get the potion done on time to help Cynder. Gristine said calmly.
"Spyro looked down at the floor shame in his eyes.
"I'm sorry Hex, I shouldn't have yelled at you. As for you Gristine we'll talk later."
With those words Spyro, Flameslinger and Sophia ran out side.
Gristine sighed in resentment. How dare Spyro accuse Hex of slacking off!
"We have to go with them…" Hex said.
"You're too tired to go after Cynder, get some more rest…." Gristine said.
"No! I have to find my friend. I've watched my friends die before because there was nothing I could do to save them. There is something I can do for Cynder though, and I won't let her die. Nothing you say can stop me Gristine." With those words Hex ran out of the laboratory.
Gristine watched his lab partner depart, and immediately went after her. There was no way in hell that he was letting Darko harm her again!
Spyro stood in front of the skylanders, telling them what had happened to Cynder. He said that they would all have to go to Stone town and confront Darko, if they were going to end his reign of terror. He quickly rallied the army together and led them to the portal to stone town. Sophia and Flameslinger ran side by side, and were surprised to see Hex running with them as well.
"What are you doing here?" Sophia asked the undead sorceress.
"I have to find Cynder!" Hex responded.
Sophia had no clue why Hex was so determined to save Cynder from her plight, but she had no time to wonder as she leapt in to the portal.
Sophia looked around at stone town, taking in its immense size. Trees lined the walls of Stone Town, and there were many hills and slopes. Sophia stopped looking around when she saw a small village, with fire rising from it. she heard a gasp from one of the skylanders and noticed Bash looking like he was going to pass out.
"What's wrong Bash?" Sophia asked the earth skylander.
"That burning village is the village of Kimaka. I used to live there before I became a skylander."
"We have to help them!" Sophia declared.
With those words, she and Bash ran towards the flames.
Flameslinger, Zap, Whirlwind, and Gillie followed Sophia and Bash.
Zap and Gillie sprayed water all over the burning village, while Whirlwind used her wings to pitch dirt on to the flames. Bash rolled around spraying sand on to the flames, and Sophia and Flameslinger evacuated the villagers.
Screams filled the air as more fire rained down on the village. Sophia looked up to see Darko spitting fire at village. Shock ran through Sophia as she noticed Cynder running through the clouds. The black dragoness launched her self at Darko, and tore at his back.
Darko screeched in agony, and lashed out at Cynder with his back legs. Cynder flew off of Darko's back, but did not fall. She reared up and slashed at Darko's eyes. Blood seeped from Darko's eyes, and he stopped throwing fire at the village of Kimaka. He whipped around and blasted Cynder with black fire. The black dragoness shielded her face, and then lunged at Darko. She locked her teeth on to Darko's throat and began to tear at it. Blood rained from the sky as the two opponents fought each other.
Sophia winced as blood fell on to her forehead and she briefly wondered if it was Cynder's or Darko's.
"Come on, we have to move out, all the villagers have been evacuated and are awaiting orders from Master Eon." Flameslinger told Sophia.
Sophia who was too stunned by the fight above her didn't move. Flameslinger grabbed her hand and pulled her away.
The vicious fight above continued. Many of the villagers were cheering for Cynder as she slashed wildly at her adversary. Darko's right wing was torn and blood gushed out of it, showering the burnt village of Kimaka. The black beast was struggling to keep himself in the air. Cynder had multiple injuries on her. Her ears were bleeding, and there was a large bruise on her face from when Darko had kicked her. Her wings were shredded and yet she did not fall. Sophia briefly wondered if this was because of the dark magic inside Cynder.
Darko whipped around in a full circle, striking Cynder in the head with his tail. Sophia watched in horror as the black dragoness crumpled and fell from the sky. Spyro lunged upward and grabbed the black dragoness. Cynder lashed out at him, trying desperately to break free so she could fight Darko again. Spyro kept telling her that it was over, but Cynder was still reeling for a fight.
"Skylanders hear me! You will pay for what you have done to me! You will suffer for exiling me, and as I listen to your agonized death shrieks I will laugh!" Darko snarled viciously. His voice sounded deeper and slightly distorted. Despite the beating he took from Cynder though, his voice was still filed with power.
With those words Darko flew off towards the Rumbling Ravine.
Sophia watched Cynder lash out at Spyro, and saw that Flameslinger, Cracky, and Gillie were helping Spyro to pin her down. The demented dragoness blew black fire at them, and Sophia winced as she saw Spyro whack Cynder over the head. The second blow stilled the dragoness, and the other skylanders backed away from her.
Sophia ran to Flameslinger and asked "Is Cynder okay?"
"She'll be fine. But we have to keep her chained up until we find away to get her back to normal. We can't risk having her attack us."
Sophia looked down at the floor as tears came to her eyes. Flameslinger wrapped his arms around her and murmured soothingly to her. Sophia gained no comfort from his embrace as she looked out at the destruction of the village.