Dragon on the Plains

Spyro, Sparx, Elora, and Sapia stood on a stone ledge, gazing down upon the jungle that was Tall Plains. They were very high above sea level, and low hanging clouds swirled below. Before their departure, Ignitus had explained the history of Tall Plains.

"Tall Plains was once home to the Earth Dragons, alongside a proud ancient tribe called the Atlawa."

"Bless you," Sparx said.

"SPARX!" Spyro and Elora chastised. Ignitus continued, ignoring Sparx.

"The Atlawa were a people in tune with the rhythms of the seasons, focused on their relationship with crops, their surroundings, their gods. The Earth Dragons lived in harmony with them, honing their arts and raising domestic beasts. But now, the Atlawa have been either enslaved or driven underground by the Dark Armies, and their Shrine has been desecrated. It is where the Ice Dragons, including Cyril, are being kept. You must free them before Cynder can charge another Orb."

"This isn't going to be easy," Sparx said as they gazed into the jungle.

"Nothing worthwhile ever is," Spyro replied.

"So, now you're spouting wisdom hero boy?" Sparx asked, annoyed.

"C'mon," Spyro said. And with that, he and the others went ahead through a stone gateway and into the jungle. Surprisingly, there was no one about.

"It's quiet… very quiet," Elora said, looking around.

"I assume either the Apes cleared this area, or we're entering dangerous territory soon," Sapia said. "We've still heard nothing from Zen and the others; I hope they're alright."

"Me too," Spyro said.

Just then, they saw an Ape ahead. This one had red fur and was dressed in a vivid loincloth and feather headdress; similar to how a Meso-American might have dressed in our world. His eyes were scanning the path.

"Quick, hide!" Sapia ordered. They all ducked behind tree trunks or bushes.

"Okay, remember what Ignitus said," Elora whispered. "Without him and the other Guardians, we need to keep a low profile."

"Right," Spyro replied, nodding.

"Ditto," Sparx agreed.

The Ape looked around, seeing nothing. He shrugged and moved on.

"Okay let's go..." Sapia whispered, the moment the Ape was out of sight; and the heroes proceeded ahead through the jungle. As they made their way through a hollow tree trunk, they spotted a village high up in the trees.

"Could that be one of the Atlawa villages?" Spyro wondered.

"It could be," Sapia said. "Let's go up and have a look."

Nearby was another hollow tree, this one still standing up. Two Apes was guarding the entrance into it. Spyro had the perfect idea of how to distract them. He released a soft breath of wind towards some nearby bushes, making them rustle.

"'Ey, did you see that?" one of the Apes said, pointing.

"Yeah," said the other. "Could be just a woodland creature, but let's go look."

The two Apes went over to investigate; the group of heroes took advantage to sneak over to the tree and scurry inside. They climbed up a set of carved wooden steps, taking care not to step too loudly.

"Shhhhhh, be quiet." Sapia said, as they made it to the top and looked down at the view of the forest below.

"Whoa, we're very high up," Elora said.

"Oh yeah; quite a view," Sparx nodded, impressed.

"Come on," Sapia said.

"So, once we find prisoners," Spyro said, walking alongside Sapia, "what should we do? We do need to free them, don't we? But how do we do it without alerting the rest?"

"Let Elora and I take out any guards," Sapia replied. "But if we run into any tricky ones, we'll rely on you."

"Okay."

They crossed over a rope bridge, and saw a tree-top equivalent of a courtyard. A few Apes patrolled the area, where a few cages sat here and there, each one housing a llama-like person.

"Those must be the Atlawa," Sapia whispered, as they hid.

"And a Dragon trapped in a statue." Spyro said, noticing a crystal figure among the cages.

"Time to save some folks," Elora said, readying her bow and arrows. As two Apes walked by, Sapia and Elora took aim and shot them. Another Ape went to help his injured friends but Spyro charged at them, knocking him out. The Ape in command tried to sound the alarm, but Spyro hit him with a zap of Electricity, leaving him a convulsing husk. Spyro turned to the caged creatures and noticed that some of them seemed scared of him.

Two more Apes made a run for it, but Sapia and Elora dropped them with arrows. Spyro blew the last off the ledge with a blast of Wind.

"And let that be a lesson to you!" Sparx yelled.

Spyro then went up to the nearest cage and broke it open. The Atlawa inside, who looked like the leader, scowled.

"Hey, watch it!" he said, aggressively.

"Sorry, trying to help you out," Spyro said.

"The Atlawa don't want your help!" the villager growled.

"Hey, watch who you're talking to!" Sparx snapped. "We just freed you, pal!"

"We're not pals! Anyway, you shouldn't be with that Purple Dragon! He could be dangerous!"

"Dangerous?! Me?!" Spyro said incredulously.

"Oh yes!" the Atlawa sneered. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a tribe to save!" He then strode off, his fellow Atlawa following close behind.

"Huh, YOU'RE WELCOME!" Sparx shouted after him.

"Why would he think I'm dangerous?" Spyro wondered, looking a little anxious.

"I... don't know, but we should free this dragon. Maybe they will know," Sapia said.

"Good idea," Elora agreed. The two fauns touched the statue, thus freeing an Ice Dragon from its crystallized shell. He was icy blue and white; wearing small glasses, a purple scarf, and a belt with potion bottles hanging from it. He had a book under his arm.

"Thank you for releasing me. Ah, I see you have a Purple Dragon with you," the Dragon said. His voice was deep and somewhat proud.

"I'm Spyro," the young Dragon replied.

"I'm Cedric. Welcome to Tall Plains. So sorry for how those primitive llamas acted towards you."

"Why did they seem afraid of me?" Spyro asked.

"Ah yes… the Atlawa have grown mistrustful of all us dragons, mainly because two of our own, Red and Sirorrialth, were responsible for the Dark Armies enslaving their people."

"Seriously? I mean, shouldn't they know Spyro is one of the good guys?" Sparx said.

"It's not so simple, little one. They've never seen a Purple Dragon; they've only heard stories of what one can do. And they oppose the idea that one should have such power, because they know how power can corrupt a being."

"Well, that explains a lot," Elora said. "Anyway, we're here to save Cyril, your Guardian. Do you know where he might be?"

"I do." Cedric pointed towards the mountaintops. "He is being held at the main shrine of the Atlawa, guarded by the Stone Sentinel. It is a fearsome golem animated by the Dark Master's power, and only the natives know where the shrine is."

"Great, so we just need to be nice to those llama people," Sparx huffed, annoyed.

"They're not the only residents of Tall Plains. Other creatures might know; and if you can help them out, they would take you there."

"I think it will help. Thanks," Spyro said.

In the Forgotten Realms, Deina greeted a group of green-robed Thieves whom Bianca had summoned. These Thieves were bigger than their brethren in blue, and more heavily armed.

"So, you have hired us, my queen?" the leader asked, bowing in respect.

"Yes, I have. Since I hear you Thieves specialize in bounty hunting, I have a special task for you," Deina said with a grin. "I want you to capture Spyro the Dragon and bring him to me alive!"

"The purple dragon?" a Thief asked in surprise. "But, he took on the Ice King and that Sorcerer guy! And won!"

"Yes, I am aware of that! It's why I'll be paying you all handsomely if you bring him to me," Deina said. "And I can assure you that he won't pose too much trouble for you. His feats so far have been the result of using his powers recklessly to the risk of his own life. By now, his teachers will have taught Spyro to show restraint for the time being."

"So, you want the dragon alive? Very well then, my queen. But why alive?" the leader asked. "Wouldn't it be better to just kill him?"

"Like Cynder, he could prove to be a powerful asset to us," Deina answered. "Spyro is young and inexperienced. With my guidance, he could realise his full potential and put it to a better use."

"Huh, very interesting," the leader said thoughtfully. "All right then."

"Good, now then, go to Tall Plains and find him! According to one of my spies, that's where he is. Bianca will accompany you."

"Yes, Mistress," Bianca said, bowing.

Meanwhile, back in the Tree Tops, Spyro and company were continuing their search for other Dragons and Atlawa that might have been imprisoned there. Cedric had hurried off to try and speak with the Atlawa leader.

They saw another statue, alongside a few crates that had to contain treasure.

"There's another dragon and more gems," Spyro said. "Reckon we may need those gems?"

"I think so," Elora said. "Just in case we need to purchase anything." With that, she and Spyro smashed open the crates to get the gems, while Sapia stepped on the pedestal holding the dragon, freeing it. This one wore a gown and glasses, with a glowing orb in his hands and feathered wings. He looked very old.

"Ah, much better," he said. "Thank you so much, young ones. You have no idea how long I was trapped in crystal. In fact, neither do I."

"No problem," Spyro said. "And you are?"

"Altair," the old Dragon replied. "I think there is some more of those... sheep people nearby. I'd come with you, but I'm afraid I'm too old for combat."

"It's fine," Sapia said. "We can handle this. You just get out of here and find cover. Cedric's been freed too."

"Cedric?" Altair said. "That name seems familiar, but I don't know what..." He mumbled to himself as he hobbled away.

"Memory problems, it seems," Sparx said.

"It comes with age," Elora said. "I'm sure he'll be okay; just so long as he doesn't get recaptured..."

At the next tree, they saw more cages holding Atlawa people guarded by Apes, along with a different sort of primate creatures balanced on massive fists. Dark collars surrounded their necks.

"Whoa, what are those?" Spyro wondered.

"Strongarms," Sapia said. "One of the creatures reared by the Beast Makers here. Those Dark Collars; the Apes control them with those."

"Yikes, better stay clear of those Apes," Sparx said, shrinking away.

"I would be more worried for those bigger ones," Elora said.

"We should get those Apes away from those cages," Sapia said. "Elora and I will draw at least some of them away. Spyro and Sparx will free the Atlawa. Show them kindness and compassion. That should win them over."

Spyro was up for that. He had always enjoyed helping other creatures back in the Swamp. "You can count on us."

Sapia bent down, picked up a nearby rock, and threw it at one of the Ape Guards, hitting him on the head.

"OW! What the heck?!" the Guard cried. Next, Elora and Sapia took aim with their arrows and fired them at the Apes, who howled in pain. The Strongarms roared and charged after the two Faun Archers, who took to their hooves. Spyro and Sparx went to the cages to free the Atlawa.

"Stay away from us, dragon!" a Llama yelped, frightened.

"Shhhh, I'm here to free you," Spyro said, as Sparx went into the keyhole to pick one of the locks. A moment later, there was a click, the door swung open.

"Why should we trust you?" the Atlawa said. "Especially since you're a Purple Dragon! Your kind are dangerous!"

"Where'd you get that idea?" Sparx demanded.

"They say the last time a Purple Dragon was around, it led only to trouble!" another Atlawa said.

"Dude, Spyro is the only purple dragon I know!" Sparx said.

"Wait, did that purple dragon have a black cloak on him?" Spyro asked.

"Yes! He was with a red dragon. They had those Apes capture us and make us slaves!" an Atlawa said

"We're not with those dragons. I have fought Sirorrialth before and beaten him. I can help you stop the apes!"

"And then what? You'll betray us like they did? Forget it; we'll be safer without you." With that, the Atlawa left. Sparx was annoyed.

"Man, some people are very ungrateful..." Sparx muttered.

Spyro felt a little disheartened. Was anyone going to trust him to help them? Just then, Elora and Sapia returned.

"Those overgrown sheep just snubbed us, like the Chief did!" Sparx complained. "I'm beginning to wonder if they're worth saving!"

"Of course they are," Sapia said. "No one should ever suffer at the hands of the Dark Armies!"

"Well try saying that to those jerks."

"Sparx, now is not the time to argue!" Elora said. "We need to find someone who could help us."

"Well how will we find someone who'll trust us?" Spyro asked, rather dejectedly.

"Let's just keep looking."

The group went on, over a bridge, where they saw a familiar bear ahead next to a cage. "Hey is that Moneybags?" Spyro asked, surprised.

"What is that creep doing here?" Sapia asked, frowning in annoyance.

Just then, Moneybags spotted them. "Ah, hello there, my friends. Fancy meeting you here. Small world, it seems?"

"Too small," Sapia said. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm being paid to watch Sheila here, while the Apes tend to the Atlawa," Moneybags said, adjusting his monocle.

"Release her then!" Sapia demanded, drawing her dagger.

Moneybags seemed to have anticipated this, however, for he said quickly, "I suppose I could… accidentally let her escape… for a small fee…"

"Why should we pay you again?" Sapia asked.

"Well, nothing is free for the people of Avalar. Plus I do need to make a living for myself," Moneybag said, somewhat defensively. "Besides Sheila is pretty valuable, being an explorer and all."

Spyro sighed. "Fine, how much gems?"

"Well I say, 500 gems," Moneybags said. "It was originally 400; however, someone did threaten me just now."

Sapia narrowed her eyes, but relented, slipping her dagger away. "Pay him, kids."

Spyro and Elora did so, handing over the gems. Moneybags swiped them in the blink of any eye.

"Ah, Spyro, Elora; thank you very much! I do love your sweet naivete. Such kindness might be your downfall someday. But right now, it's making me very rich." Moneybags pulled a key out of his pocket, walked over to the cage and opened the door. Sheila, the kangaroo who had green eyes, red hair in pigtails, a safari jacket and backpack, hopped out.

"He, he, I hope you appreciate this favour I'm doing in letting you go free," Moneybags said to Sheila.

"It's good of you, mate," Sheila said. "No hard feelin's, eh?"

"Right," Moneybags said, shaking hands with Sheila. "After all, I'm just doing my j-"

Without warning, Sheila flipped onto her tail and slammed both her feet hard into Moneybags' chest, sending him flying through the air into a nearby tree, where he fell to the ground, dazed.

"Whoa! That lady sure has a strong kick," Sparx said, applauding.

Spyro went over to Sheila. "Yeah, nice job, miss."

Sheila looked at Spyro, surprised. "Another purple dragon? Wait; are you with the Sorcerer bloke? 'Cause if you are, I won't hold back kickin' your scales!"

"Wait, no I'm not with those Dark Armies!" Spyro said, aggravated that this kangaroo, like the Atlawa, thought him the enemy.

"We're your allies!" Sapia added. "Plus, we did free you. You could at least say 'thank you.'"

Sheila relented. "My apologies, mates. You're right; thanks for helpin' me. I was just jumpy there for a moment. So, who are yew lot anyway? Name's Sheila."

"I'm Spyro. This is my brother, Sparx, and my sister, Elora. And this is our friend, Sapia."

"Hi." "Hello." "Greetings."

"Ah, fauns, eh? We don't see much of your lot 'round these parts."

"Well, we are forest dwellers," Elora noted. "Anyway, Miss Sheila, if you don't mind, we could use your help."

"I s'pose I owe yew one for helpin' to bust me out."

"Yes, since those llama jerks don't like Spyro, we need someone who knows the area," Sparx said.

"I guess I can help you out," Sheila said. "I've been wantin' to teach those Apes some manners."

"Then you're in luck," Spyro smiled. "We want the same thing. But our main objective is to find the Ice Guardian, Cyril."

"Ah, that icy ol' windbag, eh? I believe he's being held..."

"...at the main shrine," Elora finished. "We know. Can you help us get there?"

"Sure, I can," Sheila said. "If you blokes are up for helpin' me sort my home as well."

"I don't see why not?" Spyro said, pleased that someone - other than a Dragon - was showing gratitude.

"Sweet. Follow me," Sheila said, and she hopped off, the group following suit.

They left the Tree Tops, heading back down to ground level. Soon they reached an empty village, where they encountered a few Apes.

"Oh boy, more Apes!" Sparx shouted.

"Then let's toast those creeps!" Spyro crouched. "Or rather, whirl them up!" And he unleashed a burst of Wind that sent the Apes flying into the air. They fell back to earth with cries of pain and sickening crunches, as bones broke on impact. Sheila hopped over and, pulling out a rope, quickly tied them up.

"Now, you guys mind tellin' me where my friends are?" she asked, in a faux-polite voice.

One of the apes growled at her. "We're not telling you, rodent!"

"Yeah! Shouldn't you be locked up?" another ape asked.

"Yeah, but I got help," Sheila said, looking at her new friends. "And for your info, I'm a marsupial."

"Okay, you creeps, you better answer Sheila's question!" Spyro snarled, and he burned an ape's feet, making it screaming.

"All right! All right! We'll talk! They're being held in Mystic Marsh by a group of Rhynocs!"

"That's better! And what about my home in the Alps?"

"Overrun by Rhynocs!"

"Thank you! Now..." Sheila kicked the group of Apes into the air, and Spyro finished them off with a burst of fire.

"Come on, let's get to Mystic Marsh," Sheila said. "I know the way. Follow me!"

Back in the Tree Tops, Bianca and the group of Thieves had arrived in search of Spyro. They discovered the limp bodies of several wounded apes, as well as the empty cages. One of the apes was charred; and given that nothing else was burned, those wounds had to have been inflicted by a dragon.

"Okay then, we're looking for Spyro, so he could be around here somewhere..." Bianca said.

"So where would he go?" one of the Thieves asked.

"He's here to save the Dragon Guardian," Bianca said. "If I remember right, the Guardian is being held at the Stone Sentinel's Shrine. So, that's where Spryo will eventually head for."

At that moment, she discovered Moneybags knocked out on the ground.

"What the? Isn't that the bear that was supposed to guard one of the prisoners here?" Bianca asked, and she kicked Moneybags awake.

"Hey, hey, what the-? Where is that kangaroo?! I should never have released her!"

"What?!" Bianca demanded. "You released your prisoner?!"

Moneybags realised who he was talking to, and his face paled.

"I... well, I... I was approached by... some people... who wanted me to release Sheila... so they paid me gems..."

"What?! Bianca snapped again. She groaned. "You snobbish cheapskate! I knew it was a big mistake to trust you with such a task! I'll have you punished for this!" And she raised her arms to cast a spell on him.

"WAIT!" Moneybags cried in a panic. "I'll tell you who she was with! It was the Purple Dragon and his friends! Two fauns and a dragonfly!"

"Wait, Spyro was here, with the rebels?!" Bianca asked.

"Yes! I can lead you to them, if you kindly ignore the events that led to this..." Moneybags gestured nervously.

"Oh, you will lead us to them all right, as our prisoner and escort!" the Thief leader said, brandishing a sword at the money-grubbing bear.

"Err, can we talk about this?" Moneybags asked.

"No! Now, come on!" the Thief leader said, pushing Moneybags forwards ahead of them.

Moneybags gulped. "Okay then, I guess I can be your tour guide."

"Good!" Bianca said, and off they went.

Our heroes had arrived at the Mystic Marsh via portal. It was a swamp area with weirdly-shaped houses shaped like pineapples and poisonous purple water.

"Whoa, this place is quite neat," Sparx said.

"Yeah, so where are your friends?" Spyro asked Sheila.

"Mmmm, I bet they're up there over the hills, where the fountain is," Sheila said, pointing to higher ground.

"Fountain?" Elora asked.

"Yeah, it used to help keep the water clean, drawing it from underground. It's where the local folk get their water." She gazed at the water; it looked polluted. "Looks like them Rhynocs have shut it off; that would explain the colour."

"Well, we'll just have to switch it on again," Spyro proposed.

"Agreed," Sheila said. "But it must warn ya; the wildlife get crazy when the water gets too dirty. Be on yer guard" She reached into her backpack and pulled out two boxing gloves.

"You're a boxer?" Sapia asked, interested.

"Kick-boxer, to be precise," Sheila said, as she pulled the gloves on. "When you get around as much as I have, you tend to run into some less-than-pleasant folk. Therefore, it helps to be able to defend yourself, without always needin' to kill 'em."

"Cool," Spyro said. "Alright, let's go."

Soon, they saw Rhynocs on patrol, along with a number of Striped Monkeys hanging upside down from the trees. They spotted the heroes first, and shrieked loudly, alerting the Rhynocs.

"Intruders!" one of them cried. "Sound the alarm!"

Spyro charged forward, head-butting the Rhynoc in the stomach, sending him flying backwards. Sheila hopped forward and punched another in the face, before kicking another with her feet. The Striped Monkeys threw fruit at her and Spyro. This distraction almost allowed a Rhynoc to cut them down with his sword.

"We'll handle this!" Sapia said, and she kicked a Monkey in the face, while Elora elbowed another.

"Just bring down the Rhynocs!" Elora said to Spyro and Sheila, as one threw a spear at Spyro, who dodged it with a wind-enhanced dodge.

"That's it! You're not getting away that easy!" Spyro charged at the Rhynoc, knocking him aside, as Sheila delivered a few good punches to three more Rhynocs, before Spyro finished them with a zap of Electricity.

"Impressive, young dragon," Sheila said to Spyro.

"Thanks," Spyro replied. Just then, they heard the sound of heavy footsteps. Looking round, they saw what looked like walking piles of rock connected by thick branches.

"What are those?" Spyro asked, surprised.

"Rubble Brutes!" Sheila said. "They're essentially the children of the Stone Sentinel."

"Just more guys for us to take out!" Elora said and she fired an arrow at one. The arrow penetrated the rock, but the Brute didn't even flinch. It simply roared at Elora, making her nervous. "Uh oh..."

"Looks like arrows don't work on those brutes!" Sapia said.

"Leave it to me! I've dealt with them before!" Sheila bounded forward and kicked two Brutes back, but they just got back up. Spyro charged at a few more, striking them, but all that accomplished was giving him a headache.

"These guys are tough!" Sparx said.

"Yeah, tougher than before," Sheila said.

"Then I'll try this!" Spyro said, and he sent a massive fireball at the Brutes. It was so hot that it made the rocks that composed their bodies crack and the branches that held them together splintered. Unfortunately, the grass was set ablaze too. Spyro quickly blew it out with a Cyclone.

"My breathes work on them!" he said, and he used Electricity this time, using one Brute to knock down others. "Oh man!" Spyro said, as he dodged a slam from one of the remaining brutes before whirling it into the air with a Twister.

The last two were simply cut down by Elora using her sword to hack at their limbs.

"Man, that was tough," Spyro gasped.

"Tell me about it," Sheila said. "Now let's go."

They continued on and came to the bottom of a rocky ledge that led uphill.

"Allow me." Sheila grasped Elora and Sapia by the hands. She then took a massive bound upwards, carrying them high over the ledge. Spyro and Sparx, amazed, flew after them.

"Wow!" Elora said. "That was incredible, miss!"

"Well, we Kangaroos are known for our jumpin'" Sheila said.

Just then, the group heard running, and readied themselves for another fight. But it turned out to be Zen the faun, looking dishevelled and slightly battered.

"Commander Sapia!" he cried. "Thank goodness!"

"Zen! What happened?!" Sapia said, running to meet Zen.

"I just escaped the Rhynocs in this area," Zen said. "We were discovered. We freed one of the Ice Dragons, Aurora, but she wanted to take on the Rhynocs directly. We tried to stop her, but we were ambushed. I was only just able to get away!"

Just then, they heard a terrible, bloodcurdling scream that made Spyro's blood run cold. Without pausing to think, he ran forwards towards the source of the scream.

"Spyro, come back!" Elora cried, haring after him. But Spyro didn't stop until he came to a clearing, and saw something that made him feel as if his insides had vanished.

An Ice Dragoness, no doubt Aurora, lay dying on the ground, a sword in her chest, and a Rhynoc standing over her, laughing. A few others were restraining Zen's fellow fauns, accompanied by what looked like Armadillos with hard, armoured shells.

"No..." Spyro said in horror. "NO!"

"Ha, ha, ha, ha, no Dragon can stop us!" the Rhynoc leader roared, when he spotted Spyro. "Hey, it's the Purple Dragon!"

"Mistress Deina wants him alive!" another Rhynoc said. "Let's get 'im!"

"How dare you..." Spyro said angrily. "HOW DARE YOU TAKE A LIFE?!"

"She was proving too resilient for my liking," the Rhynoc leader said dismissively. "Besides, what's one Dragon?"

The mocking tone that the Rhynoc used was what set Spyro off. Growling furiously, he did a Fire Surge right into the belly of the Rhynoc leader, and became slashing at him furiously.

"Stop!" yelled one of the other Rhynocs. "Or these fauns die!"

But they had momentarily overlooked Spyro's allies, who ran forwards to help. Sheila punched a few in the faces, while Sapia and Elora crippled them with arrows. This allowed their fellow fauns to escape, but then, the Armadillos charged into them, knocking them back. Spyro broke off his assault of the Rhynoc leader and charged at the Armadillos, sending them flying. But before he could do anything else, Elora tackled him, pinning the Purple Dragon to the ground.

"Get. Off. Me!" Spyro cried, struggling furiously.

"No, Spyro!" Elora said firmly, pinning her brother's wings with her elbows, while holding his front paws with her hands. "Not until you calm down!"

"But they must pay for this!" Spyro hissed, thrashing his tail before Elora trapped it with a hoof.

"They will," Elora said, "but killing them in cold blood isn't the way to do it."

"We've killed enemies before," Spyro protested.

"Not like this! Spyro, if you go crazy, everyone will have a point not to trust you in Tall Plains!" Elora said. "We need to get the people's good side! Please, brother!"

Spyro took a deep sigh and stopped thrashing.

"I'm... sorry, Lora," he said, his eyes filling with tears. "It's just seeing that dragoness struck down made me so angry."

"I know, I know," Elora said, hugging him. "But that doesn't mean we should lose our heads."

Meanwhile, Sheila and Sapia had dealt with the Rhynocs and Armadillos and were tying them up.

"Are you alright, men?" Zen asked his fellows.

"We are. Thanks Commander," a faun soldier said.

Just then, Aurora groaned faintly. Spyro hurried over to her.

"Aurora?" he said anxiously. "Aurora, can you hear me? Someone find some healing crystals! Quickly!"

"No," Aurora coughed, blood trickling from her lips. "It's too late for me, young Dragon."

"No, there has to be something we can do!" Spyro said desperately.

"There is," Aurora whispered. "Get to the Shrine and save Cyril, like your furry friends said. And save these Atlawa people too."

"But… what about you?" Spyro asked.

"Don't worry, the spirits of the sky will take good care of me..." Aurora said, smiling. "Our future is more important, young one."

Aurora took one last breath and closed her eyes. Spyro stood beside her, his head bowed. Though he had barely known her, he valued life and was sad he'd been unable to save Aurora.

"Come on, Spyro," Elora said quietly. "We have to go on. It's what she wanted us to do."

"I guess so..." Spyro said.

"We can't save everyone, Spyro, but it's important we make sure no one suffers the same fate," Sapia said gently. "We will bring those murderers to justice and save the Tall Plains." She turned to her soldiers. "Zen, you come with us. The rest of you take Aurora's body and see that it's given a proper burial. She deserves that."

"Yes, Commander," the nearest soldier saluted. And so, Sapia led her team onward, moving slowly upward. Ahead of them, they saw a small waterfall. Next to it, more Rhynocs, as well as Apes, keeping watch over a group of mountain goats in cages, along with more Atlawa.

"There are me mates!" Sheila said.

"And more llama people," Sparx said.

"Let's go get 'em!" Spyro said. "Sapia, Elora, you distract them. Sheila and I will catch them by surprise."

"Right!" Elora and Sapia said.

Loading their weapons, they fired some arrows at the Rhynocs and Apes, getting their attention.

"Fauns! Seize them!" the Rhynoc commander hollored. His soldiers went for the three forest dwellers. Meanwhile, Spyro and Sheila went to the cages.

"Sheila!" one of the goats exclaimed. "You're okay!"

"Yeah," Sheila said. "Are you alright, Billy?"

"Ja, we are," Billy said. "Who's your purple friend?"

"Name's Spyro," the young dragon said, as he smashed the doors of the cages open. The goats came out eagerly, but the Atlawa seemed hesitant to come out.

"Come on, mates!" Sheila said. "You can trust this Dragon!"

"Why should we? Their kind caused trouble in the Plains!" one of the Atlawa said.

"Only Red and Sirorrialth are bad! This dragon is on our side, along with the others," Sheila said. "We just saw one die trying to protect this place."

"Wait, it happened?" one of the Atlawa asked in shock.

"Yes, it did," Spyro said, rather heavily.

Then they heard a commotion at the waterfall. They looked up and saw the Atlawa Leader from earlier trying to fight against Rubble Brutes.

"Stay back, you beasts!" He swung his staff at the Brutes but it didn't even phase them. When the Chief tried again, the staff bounced back into his face, disorientating him and causing him to stagger towards the edge.

"CHIEF KANE!" One Atlawa cried. Kane fell over the ledge and landed in the water. He floated helplessly on the surface, too dazed to swim. Before he knew what he was doing, Spyro unleashed a blast of ice cold breath at the water. A icy sheet formed across the surface, stopping Kane from floating further downstream.

"Whoa, that was close," Sheila said. Spyro nodded. The Atlawa were surprised that a dragon saved the life of their leader.

"You saved our leader," one of the Atlawa said in surprise. "Maybe we misjudged you."

"We did?" Another asked.

"Now maybe you'll see Spyro is on our side," Sheila said as Kane got up and looked to them, surprised.

Unknown to them, Bianca, Moneybags and the Thieves Group caught up and see the Fauns running from the Rhynocs and Apes.

A/N: Sheila being a kickboxer here was inspired by her original design and it fitted her Australian influence.