Chapter 34: The Morning comes

A/N: This is the last numbered chapter. Thank you all who have reviewed. It took about a year for Native Avenger and I to complete the story, but it has been fun!

Now with no further wait: the last numbered chapter.

Within another one of the healers' rooms in the Warfang Temple, Electra was resting in bed and blankly looking up at the ceiling. No one has visited her since the Arch Dragon attack and she felt really lonely. She also felt guilty because she wasn't able to do anything to help her friends during the battle.

The electric dragoness sighed sadly as she closed her eyes, but she immediately opened them when she heard a swooshing sound. Her eyes were met with an emerald colored flash and when the light faded away, Janus could be seen standing to her left and he was looking down at her with a kind smile.

"Hello, my dear!" the larger dragon greeted cheerfully and he spread his wings just as small bursts of colorful lights sparked around him.

"Hello to you too." Electra replied with a giggle, highly entertained by the display.

"How are you feeling today?" he asked as a cushioned seat magically appeared next to the bed and he sat down.

"Better, I think. I still don't like being alone though…" the electric dragoness answered a little quietly and she sighed at the end.

"I see… well, I am here because Emera told me that you must commence your healing process!" the First Dragon explained in his usually loud tone.

Electra was a little confused by this and it showed do to her facial expression. So, he started to elaborate.

"I know you won't like this, but you need to go back to the nightmare world and conquer your inner demons." Janus explained much more softly than before and he rested a paw on her shoulder.

"B-but I don't want to go back there…" she whimpered fearfully with wide eyes.

"I know you don't, but you can't conquer your fears if you don't face them first. Besides, this time you'll be able to use your element." he said comfortingly, not wanting her to be upset.

"Will… will you come with me?" Electra asked quietly with a shaky voice.

"I wish I could…. but I can't. I will stay by your physical body's side however. I won't leave you." Janus answered with a small smile at the end.

The electric dragoness really didn't want to do this, but she realized that if she didn't, then she'd spend the rest of her life in fear and in a hospital bed. With a loud sigh, she came to a decision.

"What do I have to do…?" she asked quietly.

"Just close your eyes and sleep. The rest should come naturally." Janus answered, his smile never fading.

Electra nodded in understanding before she rested her head on the bed's pillow and hesitantly closed her eyes. She heard the First Dragon mumble something in a language unfamiliar to her, but she couldn't hear any details. Within moments, she was fast asleep.

When she came to, she slowly opened her eyes to see that the room was much darker and Janus was gone. The walls were covered in rust and the blankets covering her body were tattered.

"The nightmare world…" Electra whimpered as she slowly got out of bed and stood on the cold floor tiles.

As soon as the electric dragoness said that she heard the sound of heavy footsteps behind her. She was scared at first, but she remembered that none of this was real and she took a deep breath to calm her nerves. Once she felt well enough to look. She turned around to see her darker self that she saw before in her nightmarish dreams that Persephone caused.

The dark version of Electra still had pale scales with cuts all over it's body and it's eyes were pitch black. She was about to say something to her darker half, but it suddenly leapt forward to tackle her to the ground.

Electra yelped before she quickly rolled to the side and her evil self just barely missed her. The electric dragoness quickly stood up and looked over at the nightmarish version of herself.

'I'm not gonna let you get the best of me this time.' she promised herself in her head.

As the electric dragoness thought this, she gathered her elemental energy in the back of her throat and held it there. Her evil self snarled as it crouched down to pounce again, but before it could, Electra opened her mouth and a powerful bolt of yellow electricity.

The electricity immediately hit her nightmarish self and the creature went into a spasm while the powerful energy coursed through it's body. Electra smirked as she shot forth more bolts at the creature and it's pale yellow scales darkened.

After awhile, she finally cut off the flow of electricity and she watched as her darker self fell to the ground with a loud thump. The body wasn't moving anymore and smoking could be seen emitting from it's charred scales.

"Is it over…?" Electra quietly asked herself as she took a few steps away from the dead monstrosity on the floor.

After she said that, the area around the electric dragoness began to grow hazy. She felt herself become very tired as well and she couldn't' stop herself from collapsing on the spot. Her eyes grew heavy as the world around her brightened until everywhere around her was white. Before she succumbed to whatever was causing her to be so exhausted, she smiled. She wasn't exactly sure what was going on, but something told her that she wouldn't be plagued by the nightmare world anymore.

Without another thought, Electra closed her eyes and she felt her body begin to awaken from the nightmare world; hopefully for the last time.

...

"That's how bad it is?" Electra heard Janus whisper, she had just regained consciousness but had yet to open her eyes. Upon hearing Janus' whispering, the Electric dragoness kept her eyes shut, wanting to listen in on the conversation with the mysterious person he was talking to.

"Yes," a female's voice replied calmly. "The Dragon Realms were only one world where mother's Gate cracked open…"

"How many others?" Janus asked.

"Terra, Bumi, Gaia, Ventus, Rikku…among others…mainly the worlds where mother's presence is well known…" The female said. "This time, the Discord was close to consuming them."

"Emera…there is something you're not telling me…" Janus said, his voice firm.

The dragoness, now identified as none other than Empress Emera herself, continued. "This time…mother sensed something off with the movement of the Discord. This time…it was almost like it was ALIVE…it wasn't just our grandfather who tried to enter the universe…"

"You think…the Discord…is sentient?"

"Discord originates from every mortal's darkness…" Emera answered. "It is possible…"

"Which is why I'm returning to Elysium," a new voice entered the conversation, a deep male voice that sounded like he was in his late mid fifties. "I will send Kackawan to Eden's remains…"

"I cannot argue with you their Mingan…" Janus answered. "I will return to the Lost Lands after Electra awakens…there are things I must look into…"

"I will be with Electra when she awakens brother," Emera said. "Right now your attention should be to the Lost Lands…if this new weapon you've heard so much about is being searched for…then for the sake of countless lives, that should be your main focus."

Janus paused, and then let out a deep sigh.

"Very well," Janus said. "I will leave immediately…please tell Electra I am sorry for the abrupt departure."

"I will." Emera answered.

There was a strange sound that filled the room, and Electra felt a powerful light touch her eyelids. Slowly, Electra opened her eyes, to see Janus stepping through a gateway of light, vanishing through it…followed by a bipedal man wearing a black coat with a hood over his head, he stepped through the gate as well. As the Gate closed, Electra's eyes moved to see Emera standing beside her bed, looking at the young Electric Dragoness.

The indigo colored Dragoness smiled softly and walked up to the young one's side.

"You listened didn't you?" Emera asked.

Electra, seeing no point in denying it, nodded.

"What were you talking about?" Electra asked politely to the Empress. Emera smiled softly.

"You will find out soon…believe it or not, you are involved now…" Emera said, sadly. "You are awake…meaning you've recovered."

Electra nodded, the thought suddenly hitting her that she wasn't…terrified anymore…the fear was still there. But no longer did she feel terrified. The healing process had begun…

"Why send the victim back to the nightmare world?" Electra asked. "Why not choose any other method?"

"Electra," Emera answered. "I know various things about the mind of mortals…especially the nightmare world. If I simply used a spell to make you forget the terror you felt, it would not last…to truly heal, you had to conquer that fear. Which you succeeded."

Electra smiled. "Thank you…milady…"

"Please," Emera said softly with a smile.

"Call me Emera…"

…..

Later that evening…

Electra's recovery brought joy to all of her friends. Tula and Electra hugged each other tightly in a sisterly embrace, Tula crying happily that her best friend was well again. Despite the day of hardship, the news of Electra recovering was good news to Warfang…

However, that evening was a time of mourning.

When the moon was at it's highest; a Funeral Pyre was being held…in memory of the new deceased Prophet of Spectra…Cecil.

The Guardians, several citizens, Spyro, Cynder, their friends and Empress Emera were present in the gardens of the Temple. Each of the dragons wore black ceremonial robes. The Dragonesses had feathers tied to their horns while the male dragons wore light armor plating.

Four fire dragons carried the deceased Prophet's body, wrapped in cloth, forward as they gently laid the body into the pyre. The four fire dragons then proceeded to light the pyra…and backed away after bowing their heads in respect.

Silence filled the area, only the sound of the fire crackling could be heard as the flames engulfed Cecil's body.

Spyro looked into the flames…he remembered only a few weeks ago he and Cynder had discovered the dragon encased in crystal…it felt so long ago…Spyro glanced at his lover, who looked back at him with a sad smile, slowly Cynder leaned her head against Spyro's neck and the two remained silent…thinking about their former blind friend who had saved everyone…

Even though he was blind…he was courageous, and was willing to give his life for the greater good.

He was the hero of that day…without his sacrifice…there is no telling what would happen to their world.

Spyro's eyes glanced to his mother, who stood next to The Eraser, the Gargoyle leader. Both Emera and Irvikuva's eyes were calm…but Spyro saw the sadness in them…there dear friend was dead. Satori kept his head bowed, his eyes diverted from the sight of his father's friend's funeral pyre…

Truly Cecil would be mourned by the Gargoyles as well, since Cecil's family was the only known dragon blood line to live and coexist with the Gargoyle's in peace…they were dear friends because of the respect the family has…

Spyro saw his mother turn to The Eraser, Irvikuva looked at the Empress…Emera slowly held out her left paw and extended it to the Gargoyle leader…

Irvikuva looked down at the Dragon Empress' hand…and nodded…slowly the two clasped hands…and shook them.

There were no words needed. Emera's support and protection of the Gargoyles was still strong…and that Cecil's death would not go in vain…

The Empress would stand by the gargoyles to the end…

With their friendship reaffirmed, the two leaders looked back to the flames, and bowed their heads.

Spyro's eyes slowly turned back to the flames…as the flames engulfed Cecil's body…Spyro closed his eyes and bowed his head.

"Rest in peace…Cecil…"

…

From one of the towers of the Temple, Persephone looked down at the gathered crowd as they watched the Funeral Pyre of The Goddess' fallen Prophet…

Persephone's crimson eyes glowed dimly as she stared at Empress Emera…and then to Spyro and Cynder. With a huff, Persephone extended her powerful wings, and flew off into the night sky and towards the full moon. As she did, a smirk crossed her lips.

"Enjoy your victory now, Spyro…you will regret crossing me!"

…..

The human girl was only six years old…yet her composure was much more mature.

Wearing light blue robes with golden markings across her robe, she rested on her knees, her hands clasped as she kept her eyes closed and her head bowed while meditating in the dark forest. There were no noises of animals…not even the stray sound of a bird.

She had naturally tanned skin and coal black hair with a feather weaved through her long hair.

Behind her, a man in full body, black and violet colored armor leaned against a tree close to the young girl. Stabbed into the ground beside him, was his giant sword half his size that had fire patterns decorating the giant blade. His long coal black hair went down to his shoulders, and partially covered his left eye.

"Luna…" The man asked in a calm tone.

The six year old's eyes turned to her protector, who stood up straight.

"It is time to leave…" He reminded her.

Luna nodded, slowly standing up. The man stepped towards the young girl he was charged to protect. Slowly, he held up a cloth and placed it over the girl's head and wrapped it so only her golden eyes could be seen. When the veil was fully put over Luna's head, Luna reached for her protector's left hand, and grasped it lightly.

The man smiled softly at the young girl. He reached for his sword and strapped it to his back and the two walked forward into the dark forest.

"What did you see?" The man asked the girl.

The girl was silent briefly, but then looked up at her protector.

In a soft voice, she responded. "I saw him…returning to where it all began…"

There was no need to ask who he was…for the man knew all too well who he was.

"Kain…" Luna asked.

Her guardian made no reply. Luna simply nodded, and she softly tightened her grip on her protector's hand…feeling safe with him.

…

Spyro entered the Temple of Warfang's training dojo.

It was midnight, the lights were completely dimmed. Only the sight of the outside night sky could be seen.

But that was not the only thing Spyro saw…

"Hello?" Spyro asked.

There was a human standing on the far side of the dojo, looking out at the night sky.

"You've caught quite the attention…" The man said in a calm voice. "Not all of it is good…"

The sound of a snake hiss could be heard across the room. Spyro tilted his head in confusion. He heard the man step out of the darkness…and into the moon light.

"Who are you?" Spyro asked.

When the human man stepped out into the moon light, Spyro saw him clearly. He had pale skin, sandy blond hair, and blue eyes. He wore all black jeans, a black shirt and a black jacket. Strapped to his back was a futuristic sniper rifle…and resting on his shoulder was a king cobra with golden brown markings and a black body. It occasionally stuck it's tongue out, hissing silently.

"My name is Marcus," The man replied. "I've been sent by The Order of Spectra to speak with you…"

"Who?" Spyro asked, confused.

Marcus ignored the purple dragon's comment.

"You've just entered a bigger conflict my friend." Marcus said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a silver disc…and threw it on the ground in front of Spyro. "I'm here to talk to you about Operation: Search of Infinity…"

Suddenly a blue holographic image appeared in front of Spyro, taking the form of a dragon about his age and height. The dragon had black scales and a strange tail blade taking the form of a tomahawk…but the most intimidating feature about the dragon…was the gas mask he wore.

"Spyro…" Marcus said, Spyro looked up at the human. Marcus' eyes looked at him emotionlessly. "We need your help…"

Spyro looked at the image of the dragon…and back at Marcus.

"What do you need?"

To Be Continued.