Spyro, Cynder and the other spyro chars minus striker belong to Sierra studios...for now
The other chars belong to me and Cydra
C.P.S Chronicles: Soul Gem Saga
Chapter 14: Beginning of the End
When the group got out of the caves, they found themselves on a large cliff. They looked around for the Destroyer and it didn't take long to find it. It was on the horizon and heading right towards them. Sparx was pretending that the Destroyer was as small as it looked from the distance and was 'attacking' it with his fingers. "Gotcha, gotcha, er, gotcha, gotcha! Take that! Squishy, squishy!" Matt however was staring in sheer horror at it. "Oh my lord...ITS SMEGGING HUGE!" He said, horrified.
"Perhaps now may be a good time to use the weaponry on the Maelstrom Star," said Genghis. Matt nodded numbly and Genghis threw a salute before saying. "I will return soon." and zoomed off. Matt came to his senses to say. "What was that you said?" before looking around confused before getting back to the 100 ft tall problem at hand. "Any idea how we're going to slow that guy down with something that isn't a planet cracker?" he said.
"How long until it crosses the belt of fire?" asked Terrador. "We might have until midday," said Ignitus, "Maybe less at that speed." Then Cynder examined the area and asked, "Spyro, how deep do you think that canyon is?" "I don't know," said Spyro, "What are you getting at?" Then Cynder and Spyro started staring in a single direction. Sparx, who was in that direction, noticed their staring and said, "What? What are you looking at? Do I have something in my teeth?"
Matt and Sonya also followed Cynder and Spyro's gaze to spot. "...that'll do it...I doubt something like the destroyer handles 300 thousand gallons of water very well." said Sonya. A dam stood proudly in the distance.
"Cynder, you're a genius!" said Spyro. "I have my moments," said Cynder proudly. Then Spyro spoke to Ignitus, "Ignitus, can you stall it long enough to allow us to open the flood gate? If we fill up the canyon with water, it may slow it down enough to give us a fighting chance." "That may work," said Terrador.
Matt smiled happily. "We can help too...if there's one good thing I'm good at, its breaking stuff." Sonya nodded. "Yeah...he broke the coffee machine 5 minutes into the mission here." Then Ignitus spoke to the others, "Listen to me! We must prevent that monster from escaping the canyon, no matter the cost. Every moment counts!" "You heard the dragon," called Terredor, "Let's move!" "We will do all we can to give you time," said Ignitus to Spyro's group, "The rest is up to you." Sparx muttered his breath, "No pressure or anything."
--
The gang flew towards the dam as fast as they could. As they got closer they could see a bunch of Malefors minions milling over the structure...apparently already busy, several dozen of the drones from the caves swarming them viciously. Several larger drones were ferrying crystals up to sections of the dam. "Oh, not these guys again." said Matt.
Matt had his eyes on one drone in particular, one with four arms that were shooting out dangerous-looking energy beams. Its torso was pretty large with its head in the middle of its chest. It also had a pair of plasma cannons mounted on its shoulders. It moved on tank treads that it had for legs. "At least our job'll be easier." said Matt when the drones paid no attention to the group, one of the large tank-drones even moving out of their way. "So...how do we drain the dam?" said Sonya, looking around at the drones.
"We need to pull out those plugs," said Cynder, indicating two large pillars that were inserted horizontally into the dam. "Once we release the catch, one of us will have to latch on while the other pulls. The chain should allow us to tug these things out."
Matt and Sonya looked at the huge plug set into the dam. "We'll get the latches this time round." said Sonya and the two flew up to start releasing the latches. Unnoticed as soon as the first latch clicked open, the drones nearby stopped what they were doing to turn and watch. "Ok, which one of us should drag the other?" asked Matt.
Sonya looked at the plug and said. "I've got the better grip...you pull." she said. Matt nodded and Sonya grabbed the end of the plug, digging her claws in. Matt flew as hard as he could, hearing a clunk from the other side of the water, further down the dam as Spyro and Cynder managed to open their plug. The plug slowly began moving open until it clicked into place. "Thats that." said Matt and looked over to see Spyro and Cynder flying towards them. Suddenly the two dragons began flying faster towards them. "What got into them?" said Sonya and heard a whirr. Her and Matt turned to see the tank drone and hear it say "Violation detected...charge is sabotage of construction of auxiliary power unit...penalty is termination."
"You've got to be kidding me," said Matt as he and Sonya ducked behind a stone wall to avoid the tank's fire. The tank-drone turned when a blast of acid-poison hit the ground in front of it, spat by Cynder. "Additional violators detected...submit to sentence." it said, raising its claw-arm and firing an arc of blue lightning at her and Spyro.
It turned as the two dragons dodged and turned in time to see Matt and Sonya flying at it, their energy chain stretched into existence between them. It smashed through the middle of the droid, severing it in half. "Ah...glad that actually worked." said Matt.
"Didn't think it would be useful that way," said Sonya. Spyro and Cynder landed nearby and Cynder looked down at the water being let out by the floodgates. "It's not enough," she said. "What else can we do?" asked Spyro. Cynder glanced up at the dam and said, "We have to lett all the water out, all at once." "No, no," said Sparx, "Here's what we do. We have to let all the water out, all at once. You with me? Let's blow this dam thing up!"
Matt smirked. "Ah...a dragonfly after my own heart...I wonder where Genghis went...he coulda fetched the ship." he said. Sonya looked up at the larger outlets, shaped like dragon heads further up the dam. "If we open both of them the dam should crack." she said before looking at the others. "I was a demolition expert in the NSC army for a year."
But then Cynder noticed several of those glider wyrms nearby. "Uh oh, reinforcements," she said. "I guess they know what we're up to," said Spyro. The drones still working on the dam also had noticed, more lightning arcs from more of the unseen tank-drones shooting out at the glider wyrms. "Well...least they're not fighting us." said Matt. "That's gonna change when we get up there," said Sonya, "Let's move."
--
The progress up the dam was slow going, the group being careful to avoid the drones seeing them. On the way up, Matt voiced his worry to Sonya. "It has to be that computer we found in the catacombs running this show...you heard it...auxiliary power source." "But how would it be able to get over here?" asked Sonya, "Computers can't just pack up and move."
"Who knows what ancient tech can do? Anyway...it's not moved...its making itself a power station." said Matt. The four dragons then had to move on when the tank-drone they'd been waiting to move turned to fire at a trio of glider wyrms. The group finally reached the top to see 12 tank-drones and 20 of the hawk-head sentinel drones waiting. "You will surrender." said the lead drone
"Oh, could this get any worse?" said Sparx. Suddenly a large troll-like creature smashed its way upward through the stone. It wore a battle helmet, carried a club, and had an odd, root-like contraption on his back. It said something in an incomprehensibly guttural tone, but it was probably along the lines of "Do not resist! Your deaths will be swift."
The drones all turned to face this new threat. The lead one intoning "Interference with Atlantean colonial security is a criminal offence." before the drones opened fire. "Quick, while they're deciding who gets to kill us." said Sparx
"Right, we just charge our way through and pull out those plugs," said Spyro. "But won't they turn on us when they see what we're doing?" asked Cynder. "Hopefully, they'll have killed enough of each other by then," said Sonya. The dragons ran through the melee of droids and Malefor's forces to the plugs, quickly trying to pull them open. Matt and Sonya were about to open their plug when a blast of arc lightning knocked them down. A tank-drone, one of its arms just a sparking stump was aiming at them. "All....sharrrr-vir-vir-virk...mus-mus-musssst be destroyed." it stuttered before a lightning bolt from Spyro blew its head off.
"Uh, what are shar-virk, again?" asked Sonya. "I'm not entirely sure myself," said Matt, "But I know it's no compliment to be called one." Matt and Sonya turned back to their plug forcing it open. Something immediately started to happen as the dam began to shake. The drones all began to move towards the far edges of the canyon the dam was set in. "Oh boy...get the feeling they're impersonating rats on the titanic?" said Matt. There was a deafening 'crunch' and a huge crack, water spilling through it formed lower down the dam.
"Time to fly," said Spyro as the group took off. Not a moment too soon as the dragon's head on the dam broke off and fell. Soon after that, the dam split in half and a casscade of water came out and started flooding the canyon. The group watched as the cascade of water rushed down the canyon, carrying alot of the droids with it to flood around the destroyers legs just as it began crossing the canyon.
When the water hit the Destroyer, it didn't knock it over. Instead, it created an enormous cloud of steam and several of his lava parts cooled. But it did slow his pace dramatically. "Now's our chance!" called Terrador, "Attack the Destroyer!" "Now we're talking..." said Matt and he and Sonya went into a dive, heading for the destroyer. Sparx said "Enthusiastic...aren't they?"
The Destroyer was different from any other enemy they fought. For starters, it was so large, it was more like a battlefield. Secondly, they weren't fighting with it directly, they were going for the dark crystals that gave it life. But there were plenty of Malefor's grunts to try and stop them. After sending the 20th off the edge of the destroyer, Matt got a bit annoyed. "Malefors really started to get up my snout." he said, fire blasting another group of grunts. The two were blocking the path to a dark crystal spyro and Cynder were smashing.
"How many crystals are on this thing, anyways?" asked Sonya. "We've wrecked about a dozen...at least this time nothing fell off." said Matt, ducking to allow Sonya a clear shot at a grunt. "My guess is there's like twenty of these things," said Sonya, "We have gotten all the ones that are on its limbs, right?" "I can't see anymore...wait...you don't mean what I think you mean...do you?" Matt said as Spyro and Cynder came back.
"Well, we've gotten all ones on its torso and limbs, but it's still moving," said Sonya, "So that means there's probably one big one inside." "Oh goody." said Matt glumly. "Uh, if that were true, how would we get inside?" asked Cynder. "Through its mouth," said Spyro. "You're kidding, right?" said Cynder. "He's not..." said Matt gloomily. "This was not how I saw this day going...heart surgery on the golems big brother."
"Ugh, I'm going to need a bath after this," said Sonya as they took off. The Destroyer turned its huge head as the four dragons flew straight for it, opening its mouth to roar and must have been as surprised as hell to have them fly down its throat.
The dragons path took them to the golem's 'stomach' a vast cave with a pool of lava, a giant dark gem hovering at its center. "So what's the plan?" asked Matt. "We fly in and hit that think until it breaks," said Spyro, "and try to avoid the lava."
"No worried about that...I'm allergic to incineration." said Matt before he and Sonya started to make their first attack. It was almost their last as a pillar of lava shot up in front of them. Matt, in his surprise, forgot to flap his wings and fell forward. Before he could be touched by the lava, a shield of fire appeared around him. 'Thank me later' said Striker in Matt's head as he managed to fly back up. "Th-thanks." said Matt, stuttering as Spyro and Cynder blasted the side of the gem.
Matt and Sonya quickly got in the game and started slamming the gem with their tails. Cracks quickly formed and Matt said, "Alright, I think it's going to blow!" The four dragons had just flew away as the gem exploded, shedding a layer of crystal down into the lava. "It's never easy." sighed Matt.
"Keep after it," said Cynder, "It can't last forever." Matt however noticed something. "Is it me or is that lava higher?" he said before spitting a fireball at the crystal, knocking a few chips off. "I think it's some kind of external defence," said Sonya, "It'll probably get worse the more we break off." "Oh joy...a lava bath." said Sonya. The instincts of her dragon form making her extra tense around the lava. The gem began to crack again before losing another layer. This time a cluster of lava pillars shot up and a rumble was heard.
"That doesn't sound good," said Cynder. "We can't stop until it's completely destroyed," said Spyro. Spyro and Cynder sent out the finale attack in the fom of their fury breath. The blast went clean through the gem like it was made of rice paper. "That'll do it." said Matt weakly. The gem started to crack, letting out beams of purple light and making a shrieking noise. Below them, the lava began to bubble and rise, slowly at first but getting quicker. "Time to leave, I think." said Sonya and started flying for the exit, dragging Matt before he could properly speed up to follow with an "ACK."
The five them were flying as fast as their wings could allow them. They were quite prompted by the fact that the tunnel was collapsing around them and there was a stream of lava coming after them. "Not good, not good, NOT GOOD AT ALL!" yelled Matt as he and Sonya dodged a falling piece of rock and then had to avoid the lava that splashed up.
Sparx, in his panic, grabbed Spyro's face. "Sparx! Sparx, this is no time to panic!" said Spyro. He pulled off Sparx to see that there was a torrent of lava ahead with very confined flying space above it. "Start panicking." "Going up!" Yelled Matt and the four dragons just managed to pull up and shot up the wall, using the lava's hot air to help them.
The four dragons and Sparx were shot out of the Destroyer's left eye. Which is fortunate as lava started pouring out of both eyes. It gave a roar of pain as several parts of its body broke off. "Well...glad thats over." said Matt turning in the air to watch the end of the Destroyer and spotted a familiar ship approaching…the Maelstrom Star. "Genghis...who told him to go get the ship?" he said.
The dragons landed on the sides of the canyons, where the Dragon Elders were waiting. "For all your subtleties, young dragons," said Ignitus, "You certainly know how to triumph with flare."
Meanwhile, the Maelstrom star had landed nearby and Genghis was flying over, an air of disappointment following him. "Sir...if you'd waited...you did say to nuke it." Said the droid, gloomily. Sonya sighed. "You should know to ignore people when they're gibbering like a mad person." she said, smirking at Matt who at least had the decency to look embarrassed.
Spyro looked at the Destroyer, which was now frozen in place. "What is it doing?" he asked. "I don't know," said Ignitus, "It is most peculiar." Suddenly purple energy started crackling out of its eyes and it started moving forward. "No!" cried Ignitus. "Oh my god...its like the energizer bunny from hell." said Matt angrily, spitting a fireball at the destroyer more out of stress relief then for the good it would do.
"This can't be," said Ignitus. The Destroyer continued to inch forward. Perhaps might not be a good way to put it as every 'inch' for it was several yards. It continued to shed body parts as it moved across the flooded canyon. It seemed like it was going to fall apart before it did, but one hand was able to reach over and cross the fiery wall on the other side.
"Damn it...Genghis?...fetch the nuke." said Matt and Sonya said. "No...don't, Genghis...dammit...whats it take to stop that thing?" There was a great flash of light and the dragons used their wings to cover their eyes. When they looked again, they saw the Destroyer was now dead, but its task had been completed. The Belt of Fire had been completed. "Oh crap." said Matt. Sonya looked horrified. "Oh no." Genghis however said. "Sirs...a significant magi energy build up is in progress...attempting to pinpoint..."
"Ignitus, what can we do?" asked Spyro. "There is nothing that can be done," said Ignitus. But he thought for a while and seemed to have come to a conclusion. He called, "Listen, everyone, there isn't much time. We must take shelter immediately!" "What about the outlining populations?" asked Cynder, "And there are hundreds still inside Dragon City! They need to be warned!" "The Underground City," muttered Spyro, "Ignitus, there are endless caves down there. We saw them. We can lead them there!"
Matt nodded. "And the NSC has...experience with the people who helped build it." Sonya nodded "If anywhere can withstand what's coming...that place can."
Ignitus nodded and said, "But you must stay. I need you four." He turned to Hunter and said, "Hunter, send your falcons to the outlying regions and tell them to get beneath the surface, as deep as they can. Go! All of you!" "I know you're up to something, Ignitus," said Terrador, "I've known you for too long." "Go to the others, Terrador," said Ignitus, "There will be panic and disorder.
A strong leader will be needed. I'll find my way back once I get Spyro, Cynder, Matt, and Sonya through the Belt of Fire." Terrador nodded and flew off. "We have to confront Malefor, don't we?" said Spyro. "I see no other way," said Ignitus, "The Belt is weakening and this may be our only chance to break through."
"Good...I have an urge to kick this guys ass." said Matt. Genghis floated up. "Mr Ignitus, sir...I must accompany Mr Lynch...as he and Miss Sonya are the remaining crew I must follow them and provide support. "Sir...I will simply follow in the ship if you deny me." said Genghis smugly. "Anyway...its not like I'm a living organic…and fireproof."
"But, I always go," said Sparx. "Spyro is right," said Ignitus, "You wouldn't survive in there." "You need to make sure the others reach the underground city in time," said Spyro, "You've been there before. You can guide them." Matt looked out at the wall of fire in the distance. "Believe me, Sparx...I doubt you'll want to come." he muttered.
"But you need me," said Sparx. "Right now, there are others that need you more," said Spyro. Sprax turned to Cynder and said, "Cynder, you have to promise me you'll look after him. We, we've been through a lot together." "I promise," said Cynder.
Then the dragons started flying towards the Belt of Fire. "Be careful, Sparx," said Spyro. "Hey, it's me," said Sparx, "Being careful is all I know." The belt of fire was alot more impressive up close...not to mention deadly-looking. "That...is trouble." said Matt, looking at Sonya who looked petrified, suffering the same panic she'd had in the destroyers heart.
"Don't worry, we're going to fine," said Matt, "I hope." "I should be able to offer some protection from the heat," said Ignitus, "Stay close to me." Then he surrounded himself and the others in a ball of blue light. Matt and Sonya flew up and Matt offered his paw. "We'll be fine." he repeated as the group headed into the flames.
The group headed deep into the inferno, the deadly flames stopped by Ignitus's shield. But then it started to falter a bit. With a substantial strain of effort, Ignitus re-established it. "Ignitus, let's turn back," said Spyro, "There's got to be another way." "Spyro, Cynder, I've never done right by either of you," gasped Ignitus, "Allow me to do this." "What are you saying?" cried Spyro. "My path ends here," said Ignitus, "But yours lies beyond this."
"Ignitus...this isn't the time to be a hero..." began Matt. His objection ended when Ignitus sent the groups field forward, minus himself. "We can help you," said Striker through Matt, "Let us help keep the shield up."
"No, you and Sonya must help Spyro and Cynder," said Ignitus, "Draw strength from each other and follow your heart, it will never fail you. Now go, go, go!" With a flash of blue light, the four young dragons were thrown through the flames and landed on the other side. The group were spat out of the field on the other side, landing in a volcanic area. They got up and Spyro ran back for the belt. Genghis shot forward. "Mr Spyro...the chances of survival are 0.3%" he said urgently.
"Ignitus, noooo!" cried Spyro. "Spyro, stop! It's too late!" said Cynder, "You can't do anything for him now!" "No! He isn't gone!" cried Spyro. "Spyro, let it go," said Cynder. Matt and Sonya ran up too to help try and pull Spyro back. "Are you nuts? There's nothing you can do...Genghis and Cynder are right..." he said.
Suddenly Spyro became surrounded in darkness. "No!" he shouted. "Oh hell." muttered Matt before a dark energy burst knocked everyone away from Spyro. "No! Spyro don't!" shouted Cynder as the magical chain lit up as Spyro tried to fly away. "You can't stop me!" shouted Spyro. "You're right. Only you can do that. Please Spyro. Don't do this," said Cynder.
The words had an effect, Spyro looking sadly at Cynder before flying back down to the ground. Matt spoke first. "I'm sorry about Ignitus...he was a good person." "We have to go on," said Cynder, "He wanted us to." "It wasn't supposed to be like this," said Spyro, "I feel so alone." "You're not alone," said Cynder and she rubbed her neck against his. "We're gonna be with you every step of the way..." said Sonya. Matt nodded and said "Let's go drop kick Malefor."
So the gang have made it to Malefors land…but at a cost. What awaits them there? Find out next time. Please R&R.