The Shadow Clan

After getting everyone settled down, Jadu quickly explained the events to the other Magic Crafters. Spyro and Iseras stood behind Jadu for safety. The one dragon that attacked the brothers had been kicked out for the duration of the meeting.

"Okay. Thank you for telling us about this." Cosmos said to Jadu. Cosmos's face was grim. "Spyro, Iseras? I must apologize on the behalf of my colleagues. We didn't realize how much this mark affected you." "Apology accepted." they replied. Jadu stood in the corner of the room while Spyro and Iseras finished their briefing.

"Well, we can't keep you two. Go to the balloonist and get to the Beast Makers. Keep your minds clear and watch your backs. You never know who your enemies are." the meeting adjourned, Spyro and Iseras left with Jadu to go to the balloonist.

"So why did you come down Jadu? I thought that SpellCasters never left the Temple." "We rarely leave the Temple. I came down because I had sensed that you two would need it. How are you feeling?" "We're feeling fine now. And thanks for the help."

Jadu departed for the Temple when they were about halfway to the balloonist. After he was out of sight, the brothers continued to the balloonist. Unfortunately the dragon that had attacked them was a member of an evil organization of dragons known as the Shadow Clan, and he was following them with several of the Shadow Clan behind him.

When they were in an isolated area, the Shadow Clan attacked the brothers. Spells and blows were exchanged, but the far superior dragons quickly overwhelmed the brothers. The mysterious dragon approached the imprisoned pair. "Hmph. Pitiful." Spyro and Iseras exchanged glances. "Yes, I am the same dragon who was in the council chambers.

"Now listen you two. You may be powerful, but you're not powerful enough to beat us. Therefore, you will have only this option. Join us or die." Spyro snarled, "We would never join you!" The dragon just smiled, "On the contrary, we merely need to control one of you and the other will join willingly." He smiled terrifyingly and began to approach Iseras.

"And it seems that one of you can already be controlled." Iseras thrashed and managed to get free after nicking the imprisoning dragon in his forepaw. Iseras quickly jumped on his back and bit down on his wing. Iseras gave a gut-wrenching twist and a roar of pain escaped the dragon as Iseras broke his wing. This distracted the other imprisoning dragon enough to allow Spyro to escape.

The brothers reunited facing their attackers. The Shadow dragons reassembled and prepared to attack. Iseras drew Inferante from its sheath and prepared for battle. The dragons merely smiled and prepared to attack. Growling, Iseras felt a different power rise up. Sensing the power of Inferante, Iseras summoned up the power and pointed the sword the leader.

The leader merely smiled and taunted, "Think you can beat us with a poor quality copy?" Iseras just growled and saw Inferante darken. Without thinking, he said, "Istal!" A dark beam shot out from Inferante and sliced through the leader. Blood poured freely as the dragon collapsed and slowly died. The others, upon seeing their leader felled, turned and fled into the shadows.

Iseras sheathed Inferante and turned to see Spyro gaping. "What?" "Y-you j-j-just did a Dark Spell Iseras. And yet, you didn't change." Iseras stood there for a moment before it clicked. "You're right! Spyro, Inferante isn't just a sword of light, it's also a sword of darkness!" A few minutes later Jadu came flying in as fast as he could.

"Who cast the Dark Spell? I sensed that spell from the Temple!" Iseras was about to speak, but a flicker caught his eye and he shouted, "Down!" while he drew Inferante. Jadu threw himself onto the ground as Iseras yelled, "Rabia!" A green beam lanced out and impaled a Shadow dragon through the throat and decapitated him. His now headless body spasmed for a few seconds before lying still.

Jadu looked at Iseras and Inferante before asking, "You casted the Dark Spell?" "Not entirely me." replied Iseras, indicating Inferante. "I can cast both kinds of spells safely." Jadu nodded as several SpellCasters showed up as well. "Spread out. Shadow dragons are here." Jadu ordered.

Spyro and Iseras departed and reached the balloonist safely. Jadu came up and said, "Watch yourselves out there. The Shadow Clan is cunning and ruthless. I don't like that they have expressed an interest in you, but after that skirmish with them, they will be wary when they next approach you. Good luck!"

To be continued…