CRASH watched the sun slowly rise over the horizon, lost upon his thoughts. It was only a week ago that he was lost in a spiraling depression. He had to thank Spyro for helping him climb out of that hole. But now as he was pondering so early in the morning, all he could think about was his vision. He had it again while he was asleep, and this time it shocked him awake. It left him rattled; he walked outside of his and the Dragon's hut and proceeded to the beach. Aku-Aku's eyes were mildly glowing, which usually was a sign for something… But surprisingly, Sparx had also followed him outside and was trailing him to the beach. His presences, though unexpected, was comforting. His demeanor and warming glow just made you feel happier. Crash could understand why Spyro had grown to love this little guy, but why was he following me? Crash of course had to be thankful for the Dragonfly, for he had saved his life months ago. But Sparx also is the trigger for Crash to see visions in the past. And as he looked softly at the Dragonfly now, he again was pounded with a vision; he collapsed to his knees, hands firmly on his head to do something to alleviate his headache. It didn't last long nor was it very clear, but Crash could understand what this vision implied. It was the Sorceress, and something to do with him and Sparx being the cause of… change. The vision was too hazy to pick up on details. After that, he saw the red notebook again, and this time he could make out the title: "Atlas". The reverie subsided, and he was left clearheaded yet a little groggy on the beach.
He sat still on the beach for five minutes, taking in the warm glow of the sun as it rose further into the sky with Aku-Aku and Sparx accompanying him. Crash could hear a door open the footsteps of four feet making their way towards the beach. It was Spyro. "There you are, Sparx, I was wondering where you went. Yawn! What are you doing up so early, Crash?" Spyro was rubbing his eyes as Crash contemplated telling Spyro the truth or not. Crash still wasn't sure if what he saw meant what he thought it meant. That red notebook worried him as much as his vision of the Sorceress, because apparently he reads the Atlas in the future, the distant future. Sparx flew off Crash's shoulder and resumed flying around Spyro, energetic and making full circles around the young Dragon he called brother. Sparx's energy put Crash's mind at rest. The future was the future, no need in worrying about it too much. "I thought you only watched the sunset, Crash? Being up this early can't be easy."
"I guess I couldn't sleep today" Crash responded with his SAD.
"Thinking about your pa… future again?" Spyro asked a little worriedly.
"No. More about our future."
"Our future? You're not going to propose, are you?"
Crash laughed at that remark, and Spyro was at ease again. "I love you Spyro." Crash's pause between this sentence and his next caused Spyro to be a little nervous, "but like a brother." Spyro nudged him with his front paw and joined him on the beach. And although they both were joking, them being a family wasn't. Crash hand meant what he said, and he knew that Spyro understood. They didn't say anything after that for a minute, and then Crash resumed conversation. "I was thinking about the Sorceress, Spyro." This gained one hundred percent of Spyro's attention as he snapped his head towards Crash. "It's been a while since you defeated Gnasty…"
"We defeated Gnasty."
"Since we defeated Gnasty. But Dionaca is still alive. She is still a major threat. And she's powerful."
"Who? You mean the Sorceress?"
Crash was refereeing to the Sorceress, but why did he call her Dionaca? Must of had something to do with the vision, Crash then recalled. Sparx appeared in Crash's peripheral vision, and upon looking at him, felt thoughts appear in his head about the near future. Again he saw it, Spyro and the Sorceress, going at it… the darkness about it. He could feel what Dark Spyro was. It worried him, and apparently he was going to, supposed to change it somehow.
"Crash, you look terrified." Spyro said, which snapped Crash out of his thoughts.
"I'm worried for you. That's all."
Spyro looked at Crash, this time with a smile. "I look forward to that day, Crash. When I finally put an end to her reign and avenge my people. And who knows, you might even be there to help."
Crash doubted he could do anything useful against a being that powerful. The doubt triggered a though, the Sorceress derives power from the Gems. Aku-Aku must have being communicating with him, it felt like it his presence in his mind. At the Time Twister Machine... the… convexity. That was the change.
Spyro, Cynder, Flame, Ember, and Crash had gone to the portal in Magic Crafter's realm once it was around noon, ready to go home. Magnus was there to see them off. Spyro and Magnus exchanged a few words, and then Spyro activated the portal and set the destination as Artisans.
"I've got to say Spyro, a vacation was a pretty good idea" Flame said as they were ready to return home.
"A change in scenery just has a way of letting you unwind" Ember responded.
"And I'm glad this vacation to Dragon Shores was as relaxing as promised. Thanks again for the suggestion, Magnus."
"Don't thank me Spyro," Magnus replied kindly, "the idea was Thomas'."
Although Thomas was not supposed to have revealed to Spyro that he was his grandfather, having someone around who knew and loved Ignitus as much as he did made his absence bearable.
The group walked into the portal.
"We've been working on this portal for weeks, Professor. I don't think we'll ever get it to work." Sheila complained as she placed the tiny orb in her hands on a nearby table.
"Oh come on Sheila" the Professor responded, "So long as there's hope, I'll continue to try." He kept reading the red book that was in front of him. In it detailed how the portals of the long lost Dragons functioned. Six years ago, a young purple Dragon appeared in Summer Falls unexpectedly. It was proof that they were still alive. It was very difficult for the Professor not to give up hope. After Elora's death, he was stricken with grief. So young and full of life, the perfect lab assistant. She wanted to learn and had more hope than even he has now. Her father, a solider, had died in the war against the Sorceress while her mother was still pregnant with Elora. And Elora's mother had also died while in labor with Elora. She had forced the Professor, made him promise to take care of her no matter what as the will to live slipped from her. Her labor was unexpected and a two months premature. Elora was so small (even compared to the Professor) when he held her in his arms after delivering her from her mother. She never had a chance to grow up normally, but the Professor tried his best. He thought he did a good job and would have made her parents proud. He knew both of them so well. But he had failed; she had died while under his protection. He had passed out during the Sorceress' attack six years ago, and when he woke, he found Elora dead in front of him, her neck in an unnatural direction. Barring her was the hardest thing the Professor ever had to do. All he could think of was the promise he made to Elora's dying mother, and how he failed.
The Professor had to find the Dragons. It was what the Atlas had told him to do. This book was magical; its text changing for whomever read it. He had stumbled upon it a couple of months before he found the Power Gem in Avalar twenty-six years ago. Ever since then, he had his purpose. Help the citizens of Avalar in any way defeat the Sorceress. Getting the Dragon's portals to work was how he was going to do so.
"I know your tiered, Sheila, and I know how much you want to return home to the goats in the mountains. But this is important work we're doing here. I know these portals will aid the Resistance immensely. And I think I'm on the verge of a breakthrough."
"You're right, Professor. And I agreed to help you. So I shouldn't be belly-aching."
"Now that's the spirit, Sheila. Hand me that orb, why don't you."
Sheila reached out with her small hands and grabbed the orb. She hopped over to the Professor, and he placed the Orb in a grove that that marked the top of the arc the Professor had constructed. It was an artificial portal. The one in Summer Falls had been destroyed when the Sorceress attacked, so the Professor had to make another one.
"Alright, If my calculations and basic knowledge of magic are correct, that orb should act as a beacon to the other portals, and allow this portal to be interconnected to the magical paths that link all the portals in the world. All we have to do is instruct the portal to turn on." This part the Professor was most skeptical about. He was reading from the Atlas, and it told him to hold out his arm and will the portal to work. If you could interface with the ancient Dragon magic, then you could tap into its supply and wield it yourself. What was this, a test of worthiness? The Professor thought of Elora, and why he was motivated to help defend Avalar at all costs. He took a deep breath and raised his right hand. The portal did nothing. "I guess I'll just have to keep trying." The Professor said rather depressed. He had kept up the effort to invent and persevere for so long, but the effort continued to yield little to no practical results. He was ready to give up, finally, at this moment in time. What could I do now?
"Professor, I think you should get some sleep. And tomorrow, will keep trying." Sheila said reassuring him. She looked at him, and then looked at the painting of the Professor and Elora that was prominently displayed above the portal arc in his lab. The Professor looked at what Sheila was staring at, and he felt ashamed for giving up. I will not fail; I swore on my life that I would make this work. "You want some tea before you go to sleep, Professor."
"Thank you, Sheila. And thank you for helping on short notice. It does get a little lonely around here."
"You've been through a lot and have done so much for me and the rest of Avalar. The least I could do was help you when you needed it. Elora would be proud, I know I am."
They both turned around and headed for the kitchen when a light from behind stopped them. The Portal was active.
"What in tarnation?" Sheila said in a panic.
The Professor quickly jogged to a sensor he had attached to the portal, which was taking data readings from the green orb he had installed on the portal.
"Well I'll be darned." The Professor said as a very familiar purple dragon walked through the portal and froze once he noticed something was off about his destination. Three other Dragons followed him plus an orange creature.
"What in the… where are we?" Flame said confusedly.
"Well, it's been a long time, hasn't it, Spyro" the Professor said candidly.
Spyro looked to his right, and upon seeing the Professor and the walls the made up a very familiar scene, a memory bubbled to the surface.
"Is this… Summer Falls?" Spyro asked nervously, although he already knew the answer.
"It is mate. And I recon you four be Dragons." Sheila said as she greeting the guests in the Professor's laboratory. "Can't say I recognized the orange fellow, though."
"Why did we end up here, Spyro?" Ember asked.
Cynder walked up to get beside Spyro and spoke to him softly. "Is this where Ignitus and Malefor went to six years ago?"
"It… is." Spyro almost whispered as he took in his surroundings. An overwhelming sensation of sadness was beginning to overwhelm him. "Professor, right?" Spyro spoke with a hint of sorrow in his tone.
"Yes, Spyro. It's been six years since we last meet. In those six years, a lot has changed. But I'm glad to see you again. It means that Avalar now has hope."
Crash was looking not at the Professor, but at the book that he was holding. On the cover it said "Atlas."