As the final stone column is in place Ineptune can finally relax and prepare for the village's response. Dismissing her servant-crabs the obese ugly sickly-green toned mermaid floats in the room she'd created; it's a perfect recreation of the structure she had made her base in during the time of her first battle against the purple dragon. A large watery arena with a floating stone platform in the middle allowing her to trap any would be assailants within the chamber and fight them on her own terms. Despite her preparations she's still uneasy, long ago she'd been summoned to face a purple dragon but she was defeated. So why summon her again? Especially since the purple dragon of this age was lost years ago.
"Maybe your not meant to do this?" a small voice calls out from the center of the floating platform.
Ineptune rolls her eyes and turns back to the Water Fairy she had trapped, "Aqua? Do you know why I'm doing this?"
"No…" Aqua the Fairy mocks having heard the explanation several times before.
"Because," Ineptune continues as if she'd agreed, "I've learned from my past mistakes. I know that someone, be it a purple dragon or otherwise, will eventually come to stop my reign over the seas. That's why I captured you, unlike your predecessor whom I merely captured and held prisoner, I will use your power to defeat my enemies, just like I did to the purple dragon so long ago…" Ineptune laughs maniacally as Aqua pouts from her crystal prison.
{~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~}
"What now?" Spyro asks as the group slips out of the window, Cynder's shadowy disguise preventing any prying eyes discovering their identities.
"We need to find this Ineptune character, the note Eurus gave us should help," Cynder explains as she produces the paper. "You have not complied with my demands and you have seen the consequences. Bring the Water Stone as a symbol of your surrender to the temple due south of the village, bring the stone this time or your city will face unending storms just like last night" Cynder reads monotonically.
"What's this Water Stone?" Spyro asks.
"Just an old local legend" Cynder explains. "Supposedly it was the stone set in the engagement necklace the founders of Largoon Port were given back when the village had only just recently been established. Losing such an important cultural artifact would be devastating to Largoon Port, but in the face of such power they might yield."
Spyro nodes in understanding as Sparx suddenly speaks, "well if we know where we're going, why wait?"
"What's got you in the mortal peril mood?"
Sparx shrugs, "I'm not sure. Guess I'm glad to finally know who, where, and what our enemy is rather than these constant unknowns."
"Let's go" Cynder agrees.
Spyro jumps up into the sky before she has a chance to support him with her Wind magic, eager to demonstrate his new abilities of flight. But in his haste to take to the skies Spyro doesn't properly support himself and falters a bit, before he can crash unceremoniously back to the ground his wings fill with wind and he gazes down appreachedly to Cynder.
Once on their way south they cross out of the hospital's courtyard and finally see the damage the storm has done to the city, to their horror the city is thrashed with wood and garbage flung haphazardly around the place. However upon closer inspection and inspite of the dreadful state of the city, the more permanent structures are unharmed. Only the flimsiest and weakest of buildings show any signs of risk and the inhabitants of the city are hard at work cleaning their precious homes, visibly unburden by the weight of loss. Ineptuene's show of power was great, but this city's determination and experience trumps even that.
Putting the devastation behind them the group turns south and flies over the open ocean, the water is so crystal clear below them that they can see that the ocean is abundant with life large and small. Briefly they consider the dangers of flying so open, but soon enough they stop at a change in the water ahead.
Small short banks of sand approach a large quarter sphere dome like cliff, within is an almost completely underwater chiseled stone structure, it appears to of been built long ago. Despite it's obvious age the temple seems immaculately maintained driving away any algae, mussels, or grime. "This must be the place" Cynder surmises. The temple is brightly lit and through the glass they can see a large object moving around, but the stained glass is too hard to see through to make out any details. Peering through the water they can see that very few fish dare to intrude upon this domain. At first there appears to be no entrance but in the exposed part is a large entrance for non-swimming creatures.
Clean cut stone stairs descend deep into the temple below, "we probably shouldn't go in there" Sparx voices.
"Care to turn back?" Cynder teases.
"No" Sparx shakes his head, "but if water flows in it might weigh down my wings. There's a lot more surface area there than there was twelve years ago."
"If things get rough we'll turn back," Spyro promises as he steps into the carved passage.
The stonework passage is lit by glass letting light in some places and yellow glowing crystals in others. Small crabs no larger than their forpaws dart about eating bugs or scraping at the stone, Sparx learned quickly to keep his fingers from their snapping claws. "Do you think they built this?" Zoe asks indicating the crustaceans.
"No" Cynder disagrees, "I think the village built this, it's designed for land walkers and it's far too large for the crabs. It certainly seems they're maintaining the place for Ineptune though."
As they talk they explore the temple, it's very bare and all the rooms are empty besides some tables and beds covered in plain fabrics. They find some broken gold and silver masonry but most are too shattered to be examined, but Spyro does spot one shard adorned with a symbol. It looks like a large droplet of water falling into the sea. "The element Water perhaps?" Spyro asks passing the shard to Cynder.
"Maybe this is a place of worship? The ransom note did mention a Water Stone, maybe there were Water dragons living here before Ineptune showed up? I doubt it though ..."
"Why is that?"
"Oh?" Cynder puts down the shard, "I guess you didn't really meet Aqua much did you? She said Water dragons are rare because they tend to stay out in the oceans in their own small communities, if there would be such a close grouping of them this seems the place-" Cynder's theories are interrupted by the loud sputtering of legs outside the room they are in.
The group falls silent as they creep back into the hallway with Spyro leading. The crab immediately spots Spyro's distinctive purple scales and flees, Spyro charges off with Electricity before anyone else can see it. The three follow him out into the hall to see him removing his Ice adorned claws from it's underbelly. The grey crab is much larger than the others they had encountered, easily five times the size of it's orange counter parts.
"A warrior?" Cynder wonders aloud.
"I've heard of these" Zoe pipes up after being silent so far, "these things are Iron-Shell crabs, they can be pretty dangerous for us Fairies."
"You've been really quiet" Cynder points out, "got any idea about what's going on?"
Zoe rubs her neck suspiciously, "I'm not sure. I've never been out here before but… this might be the Water Temple."
"Water Temple?" Sparx asks curious, Zoe had always dodged questions about her people and he was excited to learn more about Fairies.
"It was supposedly the home of the Water Fairy Aqua-"
"And here I thought Aqua was a dragon" Sparx jokes eliciting some eyerolls.
"Aqua the Water Fairy is a title given to a Fairy with a particular affinity for the element of Water, at least that was how it was in the old legends. But if Ineptune, a being also supposedly from the old legends, has also returned maybe she has too. It doesn't explain anything about this Water Stone that was mentioned but it does help explain what's going on a little… it's probably nothing though."
"Thank you, we should really get a hold of that old story book Eurus mentioned, if there are other old legend creatures returning it might give us a heads up as to what to expect" Spyro thanks.
Although the mystery remains unresolved the group press on into the temple, again finding little else of note besides increasing numbers of the Iron-Shell crabs. With the temple's defenses no match for the two dragons they eventually find themselves in a large domed circular room. The room has a circular platform in the middle with a moat surrounding it, on the outsides of the room are pillars holding up the ceiling with a large glass skylight against the crushing weight of the ocean above. From where they are they can't see into the water below the center platform but they can see that the platform floats above a glowing crystal object.
Sparx observes the room and looks to the other three, his brow raised "so this is a trap right?"
"Definitely" Spyro agrees. "Stay back" he commands to Zoe and Sparx, together the two dragons jump onto the platform and thankfully find that it doesn't sink under their combined weight.
A minute passes as the pair scan the room for any movement, eventually Cynder grows impatient "just come out already, we know you're here!"
"An eager one aren't we?" Whipping around the two find another of the creatures from the legends of old. A large disgusting mermaid with sickly green skin and a dark purple fin that extends up her chest, her nails are wickedly long yet fragile looking. Her face is contorted into a smug sneer as if she's fooled them into her trap, her hair extends straight out into five points doing nothing to hide her goblin-like ears. She places her disgusting hands on the platform in front of them, on her hands she has matching golden bracelets and on her large golden belt is a big purple gem which must be the source of her power. "I was only expecting one of you, but three more will make no difference" her high-pitched laugh practically oozes confidence.
"Are you gonna do your whole villainous speall about how your going to destroy the heroes and why, or are we gonna get on with this?" Sparx mocks.
"Hmm… we'll see who's laughing" Ineptune threatens with a wave of her hand a large plumb of water tries to wash the two away but they fly out of the way just in time.
As Ineptune watches Zoe and Sparx take refuge near the high ceiling Cynder taps Spyro with her tail, "I saw. She moved the water without touching it, she must be able to bend it somehow," Spryo swiftly whispers a plan to Cynder in response.
"As for you-ACK!" Inetpuen cries out as Cynder suddenly launches herself at the sea-witch's face, clawing it before retreating to the air above the arena as a swell of water rises in defense. Ineptune puts her hands out in front of her and makes a large swell of water to reach the circling dragoness, despite the power on display and her clear advantage Ineptune is visibly inexperienced with using this power of hers.
Before she can unleash the gathered water a great weight slams into her crystal belt, with Earth infused might Spyro throws the creature many times his size against one of the pillars of the room causing it to cave in.
"Spyro!" Sparx shouts in warning as water begins to leak into the room from the surrounding stone, if he does that haphazardly he might bring the ocean down on their heads.
"Get out of here!" Spyro shouts back, "we'll be fine. It'll be a lot harder for you to escape!"
"I'm not leaving you! Not again," Sparx argues back dodging another stream of water coming in.
"Please-" Spyro requests before he's suddenly slapped away by a recovered Ineptune, wiping dust from her gem she thankfully sees it's only cracked and not destroyed. Ineptune had clearly underestimated the two dragons but with their gambit exposed she focuses on the two dragons and doesn't let her eyes wander to the annoying sidekicks.
Spyro recovers in the air from the blow and lands back on his paws, his chest smarting but bearing no permanent damage. The two beings stare each other down for a moment as Cynder tries to find a moment to intervene, but glances from Ineptune remind her that her presence has not been forgotten. Before Sparx can argue back at Spyro Cynder appears in front of him, the pleading look in her eyes sends Sparx and Zoe back out into the temple to escape.
Spyro and Ineptune continue to stare at one another as she speaks again, "I'd say I'd expected you to be larger, but I think I've already embarrassed myself with that enough already." Spyro cocks his head at the odd statement, she speaks as if they'd met before but his thinking is soon interrupted.
Ineptune sweps her hand in front of her causing a swell of water to rise over the platform and try to wash Spyro away. Weighing himself down with Earth Spyro digs his claws in and just barely manages to hold on against the cold waves of water. Sneering Ineptune raises her ugly hands again only to be bombarded with balls of toxic poison.
The toxin washes over her skin as Ineptune cries out in surprise, before laughing out maniacally "poison? On me?" Ineptune wipes the toxic sludge off herself into the water. Ineptune braces herself on the platform and inhales deeply before expelling several balls of toxic sludge at Cynder. She easily avoids the slow projectiles as they slam into more of the pillars, dissolving them quickly and letting more water into the room. Ineptune switches to a stream of toxin trying to catch the agile dragoness out of the air.
Spyro seeing his opportunity, fills himself with electricity, and intends to make this one count. Spryo had been practicing with one more ability that he had time to cultivate; charging forward Spyro drops the electricity just before he crashes into the purple jewel. Filling himself with both the powers of Ice in his horn and Earth throughout his body, Spyro thrusts deeply into the Ineptune's jewel protected stomach.
Ineptune cries out in surprise and pain as she's launched against the wall of the temple again, breaking even more pillars. With the shattered remains of her gem in her hands she howls with rage and rises a large dense ball of water in front of her. Grunting in exertion she locks eyes with Spyro with a snear before turning and launching the attack at Cynder.
Cynder's eyes narrow as she expected the attack, releasing from her maw a large amount of Wind she'd been building up Cynder counters with a dense ball of Wind of her own. The two elements collide and explode sending gusts of wind and waves of water around their arena destroying the already damaged pillars and walls. When the dust settles Ineptune watches the two dragons with great interest, their both far more powerful than the purple dragon she'd fought so long ago.
Before she can comment of that a massive CRACK takes their attention, the final pillars of stone had finally given out and the temple was caving in around them. Water flows uninhibited from the many growing holes in the walls, and soon the entire room will be filled. Ineptune smiles despite the destruction of her home and dives down and out some unseen underwater exit.
"We've gotta get out of here!" Spyro shouts as they make a break for the exit. Cynder arrives first and turns back to assist Spyro but the same entrance they came from caves in, trapping the two dragons apart.
"Spyro!" Cynder shouts "Wait there! I'll dig you out!"
"No, it'll take too much time and you might bring it down even further!" Spyro refuses looking desperately for another way out. Spyro cranes his head upward towards the glass ceiling trapping him in, his thoughts are focused by the water rising swiftly up his legs. "Cynder, go-"
"No!" Cynder shouts "I'm not leaving you behind, not after everything…"
"Please…" Spyro pleads as the water rises to his chest, "I have a plan, we didn't defeat Malefor just to drown here did we?" Cydner's gaze drops as she backs away from the hole in the collapsed stone before she turns to run away, "I'll get out of here. I promise."
Spyro now confident she'll escape jumps back onto the rising floating stone platform as the temple continues collapsing. On the look out for falling masonry Spyro can only wait until the water pressure equalises for him to have any hope of moving that glass ceiling. Spyro looks for any other way out, but the holes the water is coming in from will not only certainly eject him but they only lead further into the temple, he could get lost and drown.
With options running out as the water soon approaches the ceiling Spyro jumps to the temple wall and wedges himself in the corner against the glass. Soon the stone platform stops rising as it pushes against the glass, the water rises to Spyro chest, its rate slowing with fewer ways into the room. "I can't die here, I promised," Spyro whispers before holding his breath as the water overtakes his muzzle.
Spyro opens his eyes to the stinging salt-water and looks around, the room is completely flooded but the light coming through the glass blue-shifts and dances around the room. Spyro wastes precious seconds marveling at the scene around him, the ruined stone suspended in clear water slowly falls toward a bright blue crystal far below where they had fought the witch. Remembering his plan Spyro fills his body with all the power of Earth he can muster and heaves against the glass; for a terrifying moment it doesn't budge. But soon Spyro gets the glass moving just far enough for him to slip out, Spyro would of whooped in triumph if he wasn't underwater.
But before he can slip out a great shadow blocks out the sunlight, Spyro looks up in horror as a massive bolder plummets down into the water at him. Unable to swim away fast enough the bolder slams into the glass skylight shattering it and forcing Spyro down with it from the incredible force. Spyro is throw down into the water and tries desperately to regain control until his head is smashed against the stone perimeter of the arena. Spyro lets out a gasp of pain and surprise releasing the precious little air that he had left in his lungs, Spyro's body instinctively tries to suck in air only for water to fill his lungs.
Spyro's chest burns, screaming out for air, as he finally lands against the broken crystal far below stabbing painfully into his back. Spyro tries rise to flee to the surface but a rock, small enough he should be able to move it lands on his wing, if he had the strength he could move it but he doesn't anymore. Spyro considers cutting off his own wing with Ice but Spyro blacks out from oxygen deprivation before he can.
{~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~}
Cynder takes to the skies as the temple collapses around her, escaping the ruined temple just in time before she's crushed. Cynder looks back in horror as the entire temple falls apart, praying that Spyro knows what he's doing she looks for Sparx and Zoe but they find her first.
"Where's Spyro?" Sparx asks his voice concerned knowing he must still be down there.
"He had a plan to get himself out, he seemed confident it'd work. We need to have some faith in him" Cynder reassures despite not believing it herself.
"Will he be o-" Zoe starts before Cynder suddenly flies in front of her. Taking the full force of the ball of water herself Cynder is knocked out of the air and only just recovers before falling into the ocean.
"I'm impressed young dragons" Ineptune commends. "I'd only planned on killing the purple one so, I'll let you go in respect for your significant power-"
Cynder blasts Ineptune with a shockwave of fear but she's only startled by it, "you really think you can get out of this that easily? And besides you haven't killed anyone! Spyro's survived far more than this" Cynder confidently retorts.
"You asked for it!" Ineptune shouts as she launches several orbs of water just like before with minimal effort.
She's grown stronger with more water Cynder notes dodging them all in turn. Cynder can confidently avoid the attacks because their coming from so far away but getting any closer would be risky. Cynder shoots out a blast of air at the water below her throwing up an impenetrable rain of water blocking Ineptune's vision.
When the water settles Ineputne wipes her eyes and looks for her assailants finding none of them in the skies or on the land. Looking around in confusion she finally feels a disturbance in the water, sinking in she spots Cynder. Shooting off an undersea rock Cynder charges at Ineptune shrouding her paw in Shadow, just as Cynder reaches her Ineptune easily slips out of the way. She's way too fast underwater Cynder notes just before getting hit by a wave of water, anticipating it Cynder rides the wave to the beach where she jumps out and lands before it can smash her against the rocks.
Before Cynder can take flight again another more powerful wave is sent her way, leaping out of desperation Cynder's tail is caught by the water and brings her painfully back down against the rocks. Moaning in pain Cynder can do nothing as Ineptune prepares a large sphere of water, more powerful than the rest. Cynder struggles to her feet, her head spinning, she must of hit it against the rocky beach.
Ineptune laughs maniacally at her victory before something golden flies in her face and jabs her in the eyes. "AAHHHH" Ineptune screams at Sparx's sudden assault as he flees, Ineptune circles wildly in the water her vision shot. Releasing the sphere of water at where she remembers Cynder being, she misses by a mile and strikes her own overhanging cave. Sparx and Zoe flutter over to Cynder and she's about to praise him for his unusual bravery when the sound of collapsing rock stops her.
"SPYRO!" Cynder screams as the cavern comes down on his shelter. The quarter sphere cavern collapses back onto the cave destroying the temple within. A few bubbles rise to the surface, the last vestiges of escaping air seal Spyro's watery tomb. "No…" Cynder collapses on the beach, her strength is gone. There's no hope for Spyro, or for them either.
Ineptuen recovers from her blinding and looks back at her ruined temple. "My beautiful home" Ineptune oddly laments. Seeing Cynder in the throes of despair Ineptune raises her hand for another water blast but nothing comes, the water doesn't even ripple. Ineptune looks around in confusion, her jewel isn't the source of her powers, that was just a decoy.
A small ripple comes from the ruins of the temple, and then another. The ripples quickly turn into torrents of shifting water, water explodes outward and is drawn upward earierly. The center rises into a column of water transforming into a tight water spout and at its top is the purple dragon Spyro.
Spyro's scales have blue-shifted and his eyes are glowing an ethereal light-blue, like the very oceans personified. Spyro's gaze is unfocused at first but once he sees Ineptune his eyes narrow and he opens his maw, the torrent Spyro is floating upon rises around him and hurls itself at Ineptune as a super-condensed stream of water. Ineptune in awe of the display of power does nothing to stop the attack and is thrown out into the far ocean. Spyro waits looking for Ineptune's return as the water holding him up stops and he slowly descends, Ineptune wisely chooses to not return to the empowered Spyro. Spyro slips into the water and a wave manifests bringing him ashore where he promptly collapses, the ethereal colors draining from his body.
"Well I have to say, I do believe that was an experience for everyone" a voice surrounds them as if coming from the ocean itself. A bright blue object rises from the wreckage of the temple and swiftly flies to the group. The blue object is a Fairy just like Zoe but with green hair, a blue dress with a green heim, and a golden necklace.
Zoe is the first to recognize the Fairy "you're… you're Aqua!" Zoe exclaims before remembering her manners and bowing before the prestigious Fairy.
Before Zoe can inform her companions Aqua stops her, "please stop that. I'm tired, I've been kidnapped, my home has been sacked and destroyed. The last thing I want to be worrying about is pompous and stately displays."
"Your Aqua the Fairy of Water?" Cynder asks as she attends to a waking Spyro.
"Indeed, I see my reputation precedes me," Aqua causally lays back while still flying.
"What did you do… what happened to Spyro?" Cynder pulls her accusation back, she saved them despite what happened to Spyro.
Aqua rolls her eyes at Cynder's words, "I know what you think but he should be fine, I think. That... I think it's called an Integration or something, it's been a long time since my lessons. I just lent him some of my power temporary, he should be fine soon." Whatever she'd done seems to be wearing off and Spyro soon wakes.
"W-What happened?" Spyro asks groggy before struggling to his paws. Shaking his head clear "who are you?"
"I'm Aqua" annoyed at having to reexplain herself. "I'm that Fairy you saved when you broke the crystal that was stealing my powers."
"Crystal?" Spyro wonders aloud before remembering the bright crystal below the platform. "I didn't realize Inetpune had you trapped down there, was that how she was able to manipulate water?"
"Correct, I see you pick up on things fast. Thank you for saving me and my-" Aqua turns to the collapsed ruins of her temple "-home."
"Are you really Aqua the Water Fairy? Zoe said you were from the old legends, are you?"
Shaking her head "no, it's not like that. It's just a title I was given, I'm not the same Aqua from the legends."
"Oh boy, just what we need, yet another character named Aqua. I'm sure this won't get anymore confusing than it already is," Sparx shakes his head in dismay.
Aqua turns to give a snide retort when she finally notices Zoe, a moment passes as she studies the familiar face. "Do I know you? I seem to remember you from the selection ceremony, although that couldn't be…"
"Can't be" Zoe clarifies. "You couldn't of seen me at any selection ceremonies, because I haven't attended any."
"An ancestor maybe…?" Aqua mutters before abandoning the matter. "I need rest, and soon, sharing my powers takes quite a bit out of me." Her wings droop increasingly tiredly. She suddenly snapped back to attention at a thought "I suppose you probably want a reward for rescuing me?"
"A reward?" Spyro questions, "we don't need anything like that-"
"Just close your eyes, this will only take a moment." Aqua smiles. Spyro complies closing his eyes and Aqua plants a kiss on the tip of his nose, opening his eyes Spyro's about to question what she's done when he's taken aback by a new feeling in his chest. "Go ahead, try it" Aqua requests directing him away from the group.
Spyro breaths lightly but meaningfully and out comes a stream of cold water from his mouth. "Water?" Spyro asks confused as the others look on in astonishment.
"That is the true power granted by my title, I can grant any capable creature the power to wield the element of Water. With some practice you should be able to breathe it and underwater so hopefully you'll… you know, avoid drowning next time. Your nature as a purple dragon is what allows you this power."
"But what about Cynder? She can use multiple elements, can she also be given the ability to breath Water?"
"Possibly, although it's not her power to breath multiple elements that might allow it," Aqua starts ominously turning to Cynder. "The origins of the powers you were "bestowed" are dark-"
"Your worried about granting me more power?" Cynder states more than she asks.
"We're past that now, she's not that person anymore" Spyro steps in.
Aqua doesn't say anything for a while, merely looking around at the assembled four gauging their reactions to the conversation. "It would appear I was mistaken" Aqua admits, "I can tell your friends have the utmost faith in you. Even the ones who's faith isn't so willingly granted. I'll grant you the power but after that I'll need to return to my temple to rest" Aqua explains flying to Cynder. Holding out her hand she lightly taps Cynder on the snout eliciting a small glare in reaction. Aqua's wings slump further before she lands on Spyro's back, too drained to talk and fly at the same time.
"Now that our… "reward" is settled, can you tell us about what happened here?" Spyro asks craning his neck around to look at the Fairy.
"Certainly, although I suspect there's less of interest than you might think. I had been living at the Water Temple alone for a few weeks now, I could sense something was wrong. Not just in the ocean but in the world as a whole, I dismissed all of my servants and helpers for some time as I mediated with the ocean trying to discern what could be causing this ominous feeling of mine. When Ineptune finally arrived at my doorstep a week ago I was easily overpowered and taken prisoner for my power."
"Do you know what Ineptune wanted your power for specifically? Or was she just looking for a place to start an empire?" Cynder asks.
"No, not specifically. But Ineptune did accidentally let slip more information than I think she wanted to; I know that she was summoned to this time by someone or something, and ..." Aqua turns to look at Spyro with a stern expression. "And she that had foughten another purple dragon long ago, she called him the first purple dragon. And that she was successful in defeating him, although from the tone of her voice I don't think she meant in physical combat."
The group falls silent at this, no one is certain how to react to this mixed bag of bad and confusing news. With more questions than answers Aqua starts to reassure the dragon, "Ineptune isn't nearly as powerful as she appeared yesterday, even when she was equipped with my powers in addition to her own. The powers required an exorbitant amount of time to create the storms she used to intimidate Largoon Port. With your abilities I have no doubt you'll defeat her in any future encounters with her."
"Exactly," Cynder sighs oddly causing the group to look to her with interest. "She knows she can't win against us, it's likely she'll group up with the other old legend characters that have popped up recently. I would imagine we're gonna have quite the fight ahead of us, especially if they're working with Lux, Umbra, and whoever else they are serving. In fact I imagine Ineputne will return here to reclaim your power, maybe you should come with us?"
Aqua is already shaking her head in denial before Cynder can finish. "I will reassemble my care-takers, I'm sure they'll already have their work cut out for them putting our home back into order. Besides my powers are strongest here, I have no doubt that if that horrible wretch returns we'll be more than capable next time."
"Was there anything else you can tell us? Anything that might further help us piece together this situation?" Spyro requests.
"Afraid not, besides what I've told you all that's left is how she attempted to threaten the town in subjugation, she didn't even seem to have a solid reason for wanting to do that."
"Oh right!" Spyro suddenly remembers. "The ransom note Ineptune sent mentioned a Water Stone, do you know why she might of wanted that?"
"The Water Stone?" Aqua questions perplexed. "Put simply the Water Stone is a small crystal capable of holding an immense amount of magic associated with the Water element. I'm not sure what Ineptune would want such a thing for, besides the obvious boost in power it would bring her."
"Are there more Stone's?" Cynder asks.
"There are, they should all be in the hands of people who know how to keep them safe, their locations aren't exactly general knowledge though." Aqua shakes her head in further dismissal, "I don't exactly get out much anymore, if you could find any others it might be wise to keep them out of… unsavory hands" she recommends. Spyro opens his mouth to pry with further questions but Aqua holds up her hand to stop him, "I think that's enough, just take my word that there's not much more I can tell you."
"Thank you. Please, if Ineptune or anyone else returns here please let us know" Spyro requests as Aqua floats off of his back and lands on the water.
"I will… and you'd better come back to visit me sometime," Aqua lets the sentence hang playfully before descending into the water with a ripple and returning to her temple.
"Well, That was…. Interesting," Sparx mutters to the agreement of the four as they take off to return with the news Largoon Port is now safe.
{~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~}
"There's something we must be missing here…" Cynder mutters to herself as they fly, she speaks low enough to not disturb the others. Spyro was practicing using Water, spitting out the occasional orb of water or stream. Sparx and Zoe were hanging back together but not speaking to one another, it was clear they needed some privacy to talk but had decided to wait until things cooled down a bit. Cynder is wondering who the old legend characters could be serving, it's unlikely they're all working independently. From what Spyro said they weren't working with Lux back at the arena. Two rival organizations maybe?
Cynder just raises her cloak as she sees the city when she remembers, "Spyro!" Spyro instantly drops to her side and she covers him in a shadowy cloak, "can't be letting out guard down yet. I doubt people would react positively if the purple dragon suddenly appeared at their doorstep after such a storm."
"Right" Spyro agrees, "what are we going to do? We've got to tell the Largoon Port that Ineptune's gone, but how are we gonna explain, as two random dragons, that we defeated a being capable of nearly washing away an entire village?"
"I'm not sure…" Cynder trails.
"Maybe we should meet back with Eurus, it's not as if our identities can be more revealed than they already are" Zoe offers flying in close.
"I agree, we head back to the hospital and hope she's still there" Spyro responds as Zoe floats back to Sparx.
Zoe's eyes dart to him and sees the questions he's formulating, "we can talk later, tonight hopefully. I promise." Not quite content Sparx resigns himself to his lack of answers as they fly over the village. "Woah…." Zoe trails as she looks around.
The once trashed and wrecked village of Largoon Port is now in significantly better shape; treacherous structures and paths have been cleared, debris have been cleared from the streets so the pooled water can easily flow away, and every single resident of the city has been found. Ineptune's attack had failed to kill even a single person last night. Residents of all races working together to make their home safe and clean once again, no hand old or young wasn't busy and everyone was doing their part. It was a joint effort unlike anything the four had ever seen before and stands as a testament to the ability of the people to put differences aside when a true crisis raises its head.
Spyro spots a familiar group of three young dragons being guided by their mother. Although none of them recognize the creatures flying up above she does, with a single nod she understands exactly where she needs to be and turns to sternly instruct her children about what to do while she's gone
Returning to the hospital the four slip back through the window back into the same room they'd started the day in. The clean room was just as they had left it, even having the same papers he'd blown on the floor earlier. "It's a good thing we saw her, kept us from having to search around the city" Spyro comments.
Reminded by the medical setting around them, "what about you. How are you feeling? I would imagine you're probably quite tired, then again you are supposed to be hospitalized from your wounds…" Cynder trails off at the ridiculousness of that situation.
"Fine I guess…" Spyro responds. "I thought I'd at least be sore after what happened but I'm fine. Better than fine actually! I feel more full of energy than ever before, like a part of me that was missing is finally back into place. I guess this is just what learning a new element is like without necessarily being in mortal peril like the other times. What about you? What did it feel like when Aqua granted you Water?"
"Nothing really" Cynder replies her voice falling flat in disappointment, "I didn't really feel anything in particular. Maybe it's just like Aqua said, because I was granted my powers rather than learning them naturally there wasn't really anything to feel complete about." As nonchalantly as Cynder tries to explain it, it's clear to everyone that she feels a tad left out by the revelation.
The group mulls about in silence until Eurus finally arrives, opening the door and finding relief that all four whom had left had returned with no visible injuries. Eurus is visibly tired with droopy reddened eyes and slow movement. "Is it true? Was Inetpune really defeated that quickly?" she asks closing the door behind her.
"Yeah, she'd been siphoning the power off of a Water Fairy and once that connection was cut we were able to drive her off pretty quick" Spyro explains.
"That's good, I hope your still feeling okay? How are your wounds?"
"Yes, it seems I've been completely healed, I don't even feel tired" Spyro presents his once-supposedly broken wing as proof.
"I think I can trust your judgment just this once. Thank you for taking such a risk for our town even though you were injured, and I won't forget to thank your friends too" Eurus turns smiling thankfully to everyone.
"Speaking of risk, there's a slight problem with what we've done…" Cynder trails off.
Picking up the truth immediately, "don't worry. I haven't told anyone besides my mate, and I'm certain he's capable of not blathering to anyone else. Your secret may be safe for now, but I imagine you are at a loss as to explain Ineptuen's disappearance?"
"You're pretty good at picking this kinda stuff up aren't you?" Sparx chimes.
"I have three mischievous children with an equally mischievous father, you pick up on things like this."
"Your right, we need a way of reassuring Largoon Port about their safety, without tipping them off that the purple dragon has returned. We're worried about how people will react with the knowledge we've returned, and that they might start to pick up hints if we say too much" Cynder requests
"I understand, some rumors have been floating around; the kind that crop up once every couple of years with people saying they saw some legendary figure out in the middle of nowhere. Half the time their drunk or can't remember any real details. It's still a legitimate concern though, if you want, I can just make a statement that someone left a note detailing her defeat. Mysterious enough so you can't be identified, but will lead them to the desired conclusion. Let me run and get some paper, should only take me a moment," Eurus states before hurrying out of the room swiftly.
The assembled four all give one another a knowing look, "she's way too experience at this" Cynder vocalizes.
"Do you think we need to be concerned?" Zoe asks "do you think she's gonna do anything?"
"Not against our goals no, but I say maybe we keep a closer eye on her than we have. This is clearly not her first time around the barn" Cynder affirms.
Before any further discussions can be made about the matter Eurus returns with a large clipboard with paper and a pen. Walking in she puts the clipboard down on the bed and turns to address them, only to be met with odd looks and stares. Sighing Eurus drops her gaze "sorry. I was just trying to help."
"You seemed to know exactly what to do a little too soon," Spyro nods.
"I understand, that was a little more forward than appropriate. But it was because I have another, even more forward request of you, if you don't mind."
Spyro looks to Cynder and inspite of dodging their implied question she replies. "I guess we don't, depends upon what you want from us though."
Eurus's eyes light up and she smiles, "if you're willing, I would like to invite you to my home. Preferably after dark after the kids go to bed, I know it's an odd request but I promise it's important." Eurus suddenly produces a paper with a well drawn map on it and lays it on the bed. Awkwardness hangs over the room at the bizarre request, Eurus swiftly and silently exits the room and leaves them alone.
"Well that was odd" Sparx notes.
"She's much more awkward now than she was last night, she's definitely tired but also something's definitely wrong" Spyro explains.
"Can we trust her? She saved you and kept our identities secret" Cynder points out.
"I think we should, I don't think she's going to do anything to hurt us" Zoe chooses.
"I agree" Spyro agrees. "We should probably go back to Warfang afterward, unless there's anything else we want to do first. I'd bet they're pretty worried about our disappearance."
"Maybe I should let Libre know…" Cynder mutters.
"Libre?" Spyro asks.
"He's the librarian over at that big library in the forest. He's the one who helped me this whole time we've been away, I wanted to at least say goodbye, but…"
"But?"
Shaking her head in denial "I shouldn't. A while back I was pursued by some of those old legend guys and with Ineptune being defeated only hours ago, I might accidentally lead them to him. He's very frail and wouldn't stand a chance against any of them" Cynder explains.
"You could have Eurus give him a note after things die down a little. Judging by our conversation she'll know when the best time will be to do so" Spyro offers.
"Right" Cynder agrees picking up the pen and clipboard. "We should get this done, we've got time to kill until nightfall anyway. Zoe can you write? You and Sparx are the only ones with opposable thumbs."