Electric Trials
After rescuing Volteer, Spyro and his group rendezvoused with Elora and the rest of the Electric Dragons. The Dragons cheered to see their Guardian again. They informed him that they would stay in Winter Tundra to free their remaining brethren, and asked Volteer for his help. Alas, the fast-tongued Guardian replied that he could not. Ignitus explained that they needed Volteer's aide to rescue the other four Guardians, as well as to ask for his account of what happened to him. Nevertheless, Volteer wished his fellows luck in reclaiming the Tundra. Sgt Byrd had also decided to stay behind to help, but he hoped to meet Spryo and his friends again someday.
Sapia and Elora were waiting by the Portal. Spryo quickly recapped what had happened for them, just in time before Volteer launched into a spiel about the wonders of fauns. When the group returned to the safe haven, Professor Mendelcomb was waiting for them.
"Oh, thank goodness, you're alright!"
As soon as the Professor saw Volteer, the conversation fixated on the pair exclusively, involving a lot of complicated words that bamboozled Spyro, Elora and Sparx.
"Okay," Ignitus said, interrupting the rambles of the Professor and Guardian. "Now that we're all acquainted again, Volteer, perhaps you could enlighten us of recent events. We saw Cynder leaving the Tundra shortly before rescuing you. What was she doing?"
"Ah yes," Volteer said. "Well, it's hard to be certain, Ignitus. However, I think she was using me as some kind of suspended, organic power source to charge a fluorescent, yellow orb."
"Huh?" Elora said.
"What did he say?" Sparx said.
"I think she was using him as a battery to power up an Orb," the Professor explained.
"Well why didn't he say so?" Sparx exclaimed.
"He did say so," the Professor said. "Perhaps the technical jargon is a bit much for you to understand. Volteer, shall we speak more simply for here onward?"
"My apologies, children," Volteer bowed his head. "Do you have any idea what this Orb affair means, Mendelcomb?"
"Perhaps… but nothing more than a theory. I'd rather be certain of the facts before reaching a conclusion," the Professor frowned.
"What we are certain of is that we need to free the other Guardians before Cynder can harvest their power as well," Ignitus stated.
"So… I bet whatever that Cynder chick is planning, it won't be good news," Sparx supposed.
"No, indeed not…" Volteer agreed. "But before we do anything else, I'd like to impart some useful knowledge to Spyro, vis-à-vis his recently acquired Electricity-based exhalation ability."
"In other words?" Elora said, furrowing her brow.
"He wants to teach Spyro more about using my Electricity Breath," the Professor said.
"Ah, back to training then," Elora said. "I think I'll do more training too, Sapia."
"I don't see why not," Sapia replied, smiling.
"So what can I do?" Sparx asked.
"You could help the Professor in the lab," Ignitus suggested.
The Professor beamed. "Ah, yes! I could use an extra set of hands to organize my research papers."
"Well, I guess that's something," Sparx mumbled reluctantly.
"Now then Spyro, time to start with your training," Volteer said. He and Spyro proceeded to the dojo.
"I do wonder, how will my Electric Training differ than before?" Spyro wondered aloud.
"You'll see," Volteer said, grinning. "Now, Electricity is the spark of life. It runs through every living being, sending vital signals between the brain and the rest of the body. You must listen well to learn its finer secrets."
He set a number of targets and produced a few dummies to fight.
"Let's begin with a most useful skill. The power of Electricity can allow you to throw your enemies around as they're struck. After you've hit a target, maintain the stream of energy and move your head in whichever direction you want. Practice with those dummies; throw them into the targets."
"Right!" Spyro said. With a deep slow breath, he charged forward at the nearest dummy. Summoning Electricity from his lips, he zapped the dummy. Then with a jerk of his head, he threw it into the adjacent target.
"Whoa," Spyro said impressed. "I think I'll like this." In a matter of seconds, he did the same with the other dummies.
"Well done Spyro, but this is only the beginning," Volteer said. "Now let's see if you can handle the dummies trying to flee from you."
"I can handle it."
More Ape dummies emerged around Spryo. Rather than attack him like the ones before, they immediately began running at all directions. Spyro chased them with a stream of Electricity constantly streaming from his mouth. The dummies were surprisingly fast, and it was difficult to keep them all in sight.
"Don't strain yourself," Volteer advised. "Focus your mental capabilities on a singular target, deal with it, and move on to the next." Translation: catch one dummy at a time.
"Right." Spyro concentrated on the dummy he was currently chasing, ignoring the others. Finally, his stream caught it and the dummy stumbled across the room, landing in a heap. The next dummy ran across Spyro's path. He caught it as it passed then sent it crashing into two others. The fifth, Spyro cut a corner to catch; and the last made the crafty decision of trying to sneak up on Spyro, only for him to pivot and zap it.
"Hmmm, very impressive." Volteer praised, as the zapped dummy flew across the room. "Now for Round Three. By shaping your breath before releasing it, you can produce an Electric Arc; a ball of energy that can launch a subject into the air. This will leave them vulnerable to attack. Focus your Electricity into a ball and fire it at your enemies."
"Bring it on!"
"Okay then." More dummies appeared, ready to fight. Spyro inhaled and willed the power building into shape. A ball of Electricity gathered in his mouth, tickling his tongue. Spryo sent it flying at the dummies, zapping them into the air.
'Wow, this is cool!' Spyro moved in towards the dummies and leapt into the air. The first he whipped his tail against. The second and third, he swiped with his claws. The fourth got horn-butted and the last was slammed into the ground.
"Excellent! Now whack them around with your Lightning Spin," Volteer said, instructing on the process. Once again, Spyro focussed his energy, this time to spin around like a top on his tail, hitting the dummies. The dummies were swept off their feet.
"Okay," Volteer said. "Now it's time to unleash an Electricity Fury." He retrieved a Spirit Gem from his cloak and handed it to Spyro.
"Oh, cool!" Spyro took the gem and smashed it. With the surge of power from the gem, he felt ready as more dummies appeared around him, to test the Fury.
"Now Spyro, use your Electric power!" Volteer said. Just like with the Fire Fury, Spyro gathered energy from within himself. His body glowed with a blinding yellow, cloaked with crackling sparks. When the energy reached its critical point, Spryo unleashed a powerful lightning blast. Electricity surged in all directions, charring all the dummies to a crisp.
"Well done! I would prefer that we had more time, but you have proven you can effectively manipulate the Electricity element," Volteer said.
"Thanks, Volteer," Spyro said. "But there's something else I want to practice with."
"What's that?"
"When I fought against the Ice King, I somehow used Fire and Electricity at the same time. I wasn't sure which I was trying to use at the time, but a bolt of what looked like burning lightning came out my mouth. What was that?"
"Ah yes, Elemental Synergy; the ability to merge separate elements into a new form. In this case you combined the high temperatures of Fire and the charged particles of Electricity. The result was a hot, ionized gas known as plasma. This is an extraordinary capability, Spyro. Synergy generally requires two Dragons to work in harmony, but as a Purple Dragon you are able to use it alone. While the benefits are grand, I urge that you be careful. Excessive use will tire you out, given you will be harnessing two elements at once."
"So I guess it's like a last resort, right?" Spyro said.
"You can stipulate that," Volteer confirmed.
"Can I practice with it?"
"In time, but not right now. No, you should conserve your strength. You've done enough for today and deserve a rest. Come, let's find Ignitus. He will enjoy hearing of your progress."
Meanwhile, Professor Mendelcomb was studying the map that Spryo and Byrd had retrieved from the Tundra. Sparx came fluttering into the room carrying a couple of scrolls. With his size, he was barely able to keep a hold of them.
"Are these the extra maps you needed, Professor?"
"Ah yes, thank you Sparx. Set them down over there. But be careful with them. They are very important," the Professor said as Sparx dropped the scrolls on the table, and took a deep breath.
"Man, who knew paperwork could be so hard?"
"It would be more difficult given that you're small. I'll keep that in mind from now on." The Professor unfurled the extra maps and studied them for a few moments. "Aha! The Dragons' Homelands do appear on the map!"
"Cool! So, how will that help us?" Sparx asked.
"Well, there are six provinces in Avalar. Each region's environment is attuned with one of the elements. The Dragons who reside in that area have evolved to wield that corresponding element. For example; the area you just came from, the Winter Tundra, is the residence for the Ice Dragons."
"What are the others?"
"Well, there's the Tall Plains, home of the Earth Dragons. Then there's Concurrent Skies, where the Electric Dragons dwell. Fire Dragons hail from the Jurassic Jungles. Cloud Spires is home to the Air Dragons. And finally, there's the Water Dragon's territory; Crystal City Islands."
"Huh, okay. I remember Cosmos telling us he was a Magic Crafter. Are all Dragons like that?"
"Oh, no; in addition to mastering an element, Dragons often pursue one of five crafts. The Artisans become tradesmen and performers; such as sculptors and songwriters. The Peace Keepers uphold order throughout the land and made the bulk of our army. Magic Crafters, like the ones you saw earlier today, specialise in the study of magic and natural science. The mostly tech-based Beast Makers raise a wide variety of creatures for the whole of Avalar. And lastly, the Dream Weavers guard the nightly visions of sleeping Dragons and care for the scared and sick in their realm."
"Whoa, Dragons are busy people," Sparx said, impressed. "So, now that we have the enemy's map, we should get some good info, right? Spyro will like that."
"Yes. And so will Ignitus, once I tell him I'll be able to determine where the other Guardians might be at. This map marks the Dark Armies' strongholds, which could be a good place to start searching. Come on."
The Professor and Sparx went to present the news to Ignitus. Meanwhile, Volteer, Spyro, Elora and Sapia had just returned from their training. Elora was sporting a black eye.
Ignitus, as before, was impressed by Spyro's natural grasp at Electricity. When the Professor explained what he had discovered, Ignitus smiled more widely still.
"Excellent. Everything's going well for us." He turned to Spyro, Elora and Sparx. "You three have done very well today. You deserve a long rest now. Time may be of the essence, but even a few hours' to relax will do you good. We'll tell when you're ready to set out again."
"Thanks, Ignitus," Spyro said with a yawn.
"My pleasure, young Dragon," Ignitus said, as the trio retreated to their room.
"So how was your training?" Sparx asked Spyro and Elora.
"Quite good as usual," Spyro said.
"Easily for you Spyro, I had to learn how to defend myself without my bow and swords," Elora said.
"That explains your shiner, faun girl," Sparx said, glancing at Elora's eye.
"Yeah, Sapia got a lucky shot. She told me I should focus on blocking blows to the face," Elora said.
"Well at least it's not from an ape," Spyro said, smiling, as they reached their room
"WHAT?!" Gaul roared. "The Ice King is dead?! Impossible!"
"Afraid it isn't sir…" One of the Apes said, cowering.
"How can he easily be killed by two Dragons and a penguin?!" Gaul roared.
"Well it is that Purple Dragon you place a bounty on," Another Ape said.
Gaul growled at his men. "I should've ordered Cynder to find that Dragon after she completed her mission!"
Just then, a messenger Ape came forward and whispered in Gaul's ear. He handed him a scroll, which Gaul proceeded to read.
"It appears I'm needed elsewhere with my allies," Gaul said to his followers. "It's time we discuss our Dragon problem."
He strode off through the Mountain of Malefor, thinking as he went. Things had been going so well for them until recently. They had backed their enemies into a corner, finally on the verge of victory. Yet now, because of one Dragon, everything was falling apart. Gaul couldn't let this happen. He owned it to his family's legacy.
He was Gaul the Tenth, the latest in a lineage of respected Ape leaders. Gaul the First had presided during Malefor's initial war with the Dragons. Even after Malefor's defeat, and the Apes driven underground, Gaul's family had continued to lead them over the following 150 years. Gaul the Tenth had been raised to carry out the Apes' first attacks against the current generation of Dragons, which had led to the raid on the Temple. Their goal had been to destroy the second Purple Dragon before it became their greatest threat. Knowing that attempt had failed dealt a heavy blow to Gaul's pride, but he was determined to make it right.
He arrived at the inner sanctum of the Mountain. There, Gaul found his fellow Generals waiting for him: Red, Sirorrialth, Ripto, and Deina. Together, they made five in total.
Red was a former Dragon Elder of Fire. He had been leader of the Jurassic Jungles before Ignitus. For many years, he had been known as patient and wise. However, he had been exiled and stripped of his honour and status for reasons unknown. After that, Sirorrialth had offered Red a place among the Dark Armies. With nowhere else to turn, Red had accepted.
Sirorrialth was a mysterious Dragon Sorcerer in a black robe and hood with matching eyes. He carried a long staff with a gem between two prongs. His origins were unknown. Some say he was a former Magic Crafter who became enthralled with dark magic. Others claimed he hailed from a foreign realm of darkness. All that was known about Sirorrialth was his bloated sense of pride. He considered himself and Malefor as 'true Dragons,' with all others being lesser creatures.
Deina the Sorceress appeared similar to a blue dinosaur. She was large and stocky, with an Egg shaped specter for her power. She wore a small crown, robes with a white ruff around her neck and a necklace with a Purple gemstone. Like Sirorrialth, her origin was unknown, though few feared her secrets as much. Deina had an army of rhino-like soldiers called Rhynocs at her command. She often sent her minions to do her dirty work for her, preferring to relish in the comfort of her lair. Deina's foul temper was famous throughout the army, though she could also be cunning when she needed to.
Ripto was an orange Riptoc wizard wearing a Purple cloak and had a horn on his head. He was the wild card of the group, leading an army of Riptocs and known to have a strong prejudice against Dragons after his people were senselessly attacked long ago. This put them at odds with Red and Sirorrialth, as they too were Dragons. Somehow, Ripto kept his contempt in check as they had a common enemy; though he'd happily clash with his detested comrades if he needed to blow off steam.
"Well, well Gaul, you're a bit late for the meeting," Ripto said with a smirk.
"Watch your tongue, Riptoc! Now I assume you're all aware why you were called here," Gaul said.
"Yes, we have heard that the Ice King was defeated by Ignitus and the Purple Dragon. And here I thought the whelp was dead…" Red replied, accusingly.
"I find it impressive that someone so young has the power to slay one of our best soldiers," Siorrialth remarked.
"It is a Purple Dragon after all. Of course he'll be very powerful!" Deina snapped. "Not to mention they've freed that wretched James Byrd. He was the biggest thorn in my side, and now he's loose again!"
"The Purple Dragon might have gotten lucky if you ask me," Sirorrialth said dismissively. "I mean, if I'd wanted to, I'd have taken that Ice King with my Sceptre tied behind my back, in seconds flat."
"Keep telling that to yourself," Ripto said mockingly.
Sirorrialth glared at Ripto, annoyed. "I'd certainly be more effective than you, shorty!" he retorted.
"Call me 'shorty' again, and I'll-"
"SILENCE!" Gaul roared. "If the Purple Dragon and Fire Guardian continue freeing the other Dragons, our efforts will be for nothing! We are this close to succeeding in our conquest and I don't intend to lose it all now!"
"Since the Guardians are the bigger threat, you should've killed them after defeating them," Ripto suggested.
"You know perfectly well that we need them alive so we can drain their power to free Malefor," Red said. "Besides, we have nothing to fear from the Guardians we have already captured. Ignitus and the young Dragon are the bigger threat at the moment."
"And we have to neutralise them!" Gaul said. "But how?"
"Well, obviously, we'll need Ignitus alive," Deina said. "As for the Purple Dragon… well, perhaps he could prove a powerful ally to us, if we could capture him and control him like Cynder."
"Thank you," Deina said, soaking up the compliment like a narcissistic sponge. "We'll show him what he can accomplish with us."
"Yes, indeed," Sirorrialth said with a grin. "Besides, the Purple Dragon is still young, so his power has not been fully realized. He should be easy to capture."
"I think the Purple runt got lucky because of Ignitus!" Ripto said. "I say we divide the two, and then break his spirit easily. Maybe pummel the Guardian to set an example. It'll make him easier to control."
"That is another good suggestion," Gaul said. "However, like Deina said, we do need Ignitus alive. That said, perhaps the Purple Dragon could be a powerful ally if he could be turned to our side. Now who will volunteer to go after the Purple Dragon?"
Sirorrialth stood by at once.
"I'll do it! I'll show that squirt what a real Dragon can do!"
Gaul nodded. "Very well. The moment the Purple Dragon shows himself again, you go after him. Deal with him as you see fit, but bring him, and Ignitus, to us alive."
"I could do that in my sleep," Sirorrialth said smugly.
At that moment, they heard the soft beating of wings. Cynder came flying through an opening in the roof. "I've just delivered the first Orb," she hissed. "My master is anxious to be free again."
"That's good Cynder. Very good indeed," Gaul said with a grin as he patted Cynder on the head.
"Well, Gaul's pet has returned," Ripto said scathingly.
"Show some respect, Ripto!" Sirorrialth snapped. "She is Malefor's chosen. Any insult to her is an insult to the Dark Master!" Ripto merely rolled his eyes.
"Now then five more Orbs to go," Gaul said. "Now who's next to drain?"
"Before we decide on that," Cynder said, "how's our Purple problem?"
"The 'Purple problem' managed to free Volteer, shortly after you drained him," Ripto said. "Maybe you should've stayed behind to deal with him."
"My duty is to free my master, you old fossil," Cynder hissed. "As long as the Purple Dragon doesn't prevent me from completing my mission, I don't care much about him."
"It matters not. The moment that he pops up again," Sirorrialth said, "I'll make sure to capture him myself. In fact, why do you come with me, Cynder, to witness with your own eyes?"
"You think that's wise?" Deina asked. "Wouldn't it make sense to go in different directions, so the enemy can't stop you both?"
"No. If Ignitus is after the other Guardians, I must drain their power before he can reach them," Cynder said. "If the Purple Dragon appears and Sirorrialth fails, we'll have two fully powered Guardians to capture instead of one!"
Deina sighed. "Very well, then. Perhaps my apprentice, Bianca, can accompany you. At the very least, she can learn what it means to be a Sorceress, like me."
"As you wish," Cynder said, rather dismissively. "As long as she doesn't interfere…"
"I like the sound of that. She'll experience real magic from an expert," Sirorrialth raised his head.
"So we are in agreement," Deina said.
"Indeed. Now, it's time we begin our preparations." Gaul said. "The Night of Eternal Darkness will come soon enough, and we must be ready. Meeting adjourned."
The leaders all took their leave, except Gaul, who resided in the Mountain, and Cynder, who wanted to speak to Gaul.
"There's something I don't like about that Deina," Cynder said. "Why would she send her apprentice to observe me and that pompous Sorcerer?"
"It doesn't matter. Her apprentice will know her place. So, when the Purple Dragon appears, you will go for the Guardian in that region."
"Yes sir…" Cynder said. "And if, after I have extracted the Guardian's power, Sirorrialth has failed, I'll take on that little whelp myself."
Gaul nodded, grinning wickedly.
Meanwhile, Deina had returned to her region, the Forgotten Realms. Many said it was the original home for all Dragon-kind, until they had left the Realms centuries ago. Deina had taken these Realms for herself following the defeat of the Guardians. She now lived there as their queen. Her apprentice, Bianca, a young rabbit dressed in a purple robe, was waiting for her.
"Welcome back, Mistress," she said, bowing. "I trust the meeting went well."
"Yes it did, my dear," Deina said. "And how are your magic studies?"
"I am still new to it, but I'm taking notes from the spell book," Bianca said.
"Good. Hopefully, you'll amount to something soon. I have a job for you," Deina said. "Sirorrialth and Cynder will be setting out soon to ambush the Fire Guardian. I wish for you to go with them. Perhaps seeing magic used in combat could teach you a thing or two. Certainly better than just studying from a book all day."
"I am new to this, like I said!"
"Yes, yes, of course," Deina said dismissively. "I don't need excuses. In this day and age, I need results, however minor they'd be. Now, what news do you have regarding the Dragon Eggs?"
"The Rhynocs are making deals with the Egg Thieves so we're making progress," Bianca said.
"Good! Now I have more confidence that you'll learn from Cynder and Sirorrialth. When you are with them, I want you to observe the Purple Dragon that will be with Ignitus. Be sure that he survives the battle, in case Sirorrialth gets carried away, but don't make it appear like you're helping him or sparing his life."
"Wait… You mean there's a Purple Dragon alive in this generation? I thought they don't exist anymore," Bianca said, surprised.
"Oh, Bianca, you have much to learn," Deina said. "Purple Dragons are rare, but they exist. There's one trapped in the Mountain of Malefor, in fact. Served him right, if you ask me."
"But you're talking about-" Bianca began.
"Just get going!" Deina snapped. "Go to the Mountain now, and await news from Cynder."
"Yes, Mistress," Bianca said, and she sprinted off the Portal that would take her to meet with Cynder.
Deina settled herself on her throne. "That arrogant fool Sirorrialth won't be able to resist showing off to Bianca. No doubt that will be his undoing. But no matter, once the Purple Dragon has proven his worth, I'll make my move."
She then conjured up an image of the young Dragon, which she'd seen through recordings taken from the Winter Tundra. Accompanying him were a faun girl, a glowing insect, and an older Dragon who lacked Ignitus' red scales. Deina listened to the conversation between them, picking out what information might be of use to her.
"So… Spyro is your name, eh? Once I have you brought to me, young one, we'll have a lot to talk about," Deina said, with interest.