Chapter 19: Mental Terra Firma
After regrouping with the others, our heroes returned, not to the hideout this time, but to the Dragon Temple in Horntail. Byrd was rushed off to be treated, as the wounds Cynder inflicted were serious; potentially fatal if left untreated.
Flash, Nina, Cleem and Shabae were relieved to see their children return safe and sound, though they were quick to notice that they all, Spyro in particular, were deeply shaken.
"It's all my fault!" Spyro moaned. "I led Ignitus to his capture! I failed him again!"
"No, no, no, no, sweetheart," Nina assured gently. "It's not your fault."
"I agree. It was bound to happen either way. You can't blame yourself," Flash agreed.
"It was a tough fight with Ripto, but him and his goons weren't anything I couldn't handle. But as soon as I saw Cynder, I felt... felt..." Spyro struggled to find the right words that described the awful sensation that Cynder's appearance had inflicted.
"Scared and terrified beyond all reason? As if your blood turned to ice? Nearly made you wet yourself?" Sparx cried.
"Yeah... Something like that..." Spyro admitted.
"You've nothing to feel ashamed of, Spyro," Terrador assured. "Cynder has mastery over the power of Fear, to the point where she can radiate it at will. Even the bravest of warriors have been affected by it; including me. And I face danger regularly, as a Peace Keeper."
"Indeed," Aureole murmured, her expression rather distant. "It was actually that fear that partially enabled them to capture us."
"Oh, you have to bring that up; broach the subject, remind us," Volteer rambled.
"Volteer, please! I believe our friend, Terrador, was trying to make a point," Cyril interrupted.
"Thank you, Cyril."
"I'm sorry," Spyro lamented. "It's just that Ignitus was always telling me to be careful with my emotions, so I don't lose control again."
"His advice is right in principal," Terrador acknowledged, "but it seems he could have worded it better. No doubt he was desperate to protect you from yourself, as any father would..."
"I guess... wait, what did you say?"
"Spyro," Flash spoke up, "Ignitus... is your birth father.
Spyro's heart seemed to skip several beats at this. Elora and Sparx gaped.
"WWWWHHHHHAAATTTTT?!" Sparx shouted.
"Ignitus is Spyro's real father?!" Elora spluttered
"Yes, as hard as it is to believe, it's true." Nina said sadly.
"We overheard your conversation with him last night," Flash explained to the Guardians. "Sorry for eavesdropping, but I got curious."
"What?! You learned this last night, and you didn't tell us sooner, Dad?!" Sparx demanded.
"We decided to wait until after you came back from Cloud Spires," Nina replied.
Spyro didn't know whether he felt more happy at knowing who his birth father was, or hurt that Ignitus had never told him personally. "Why would he keep this from me?" he whispered.
"Well, in what I regard as a severe lack of courage on his part," Cyril proclaimed, rather critically, "he feels unworthy of being your father. He even threatened me when I pointed this out."
"Only because you were utterly tactless," Cordelia reprimanded quietly. "Like you're being now. Though I do agree that he was being too hard on himself."
"Ignitus just doesn't know how he feels about you being alive all this time," Aureole mumbled. "Even so, Spyro, don't give up on him. You have the chance... to have your whole family... together..."
Her voice trailed away. Terrador placed a massive paw on her shoulder.
"Is something wrong, Aureole?" Elora asked.
"Yes, but this is not the time for asking my wife such a sensitive question," Terrador affirmed. "She will talk when she is ready." He turned to Spyro. "Spyro, if you hope to stand a chance against Cynder, and save your father - as I'm sure you will - then you must learn proper usage of the power of Earth. Your application against Ripto was impressive. Allow me to help you fine-tune it, as well as tame your fear."
"Okay then," Spyro agreed.
"Then come, it's time for your final test!" Terrador instructed, motioning Spyro to follow him.
"So, we're just holding off Spyro's father bit?" Sparx asked Elora.
"Guess so. Right now, Spyro needs to focus on saving Ignitus. They can work things out together once they're both safe," Elora said. She turned to leave. "I need to see how Byrd is doing. I'll see you later, Sparx."
Terrador led Spyro to the Temple's Dojo, which had a large statue of a Dragon that Spyro believed he now recognised.
"Is that... Comet?" Spyro asked.
"Yes; I assume Ignitus told you about him?" Terrador asked.
"Yeah; I don't want to go the same route he has," Spyro said.
"I trust you won't, Spyro," Terrador assured. "Don't worry about the future. Ground yourself in the moment by focusing on your breath and physical sensations you feel."
"Okay... That sounds similar to what Aureole said when I was learning Wind."
"Yes, that sounds like my gentle breeze. There are similar principles between the two. Now, Earth is the element of endurance; weathering all adversities with determination, like nature itself. Nature is where Earth Dragons draw their strength. With enough training, you can feel like an extension of the Earth itself."
"Right," Spyro acknowledged.
"Let's begin with practising the Earth Shot."
The statue of Comet sank slowly into the ground, before sections of a stone floor slid across to cover it, making space for Spyro to practise. As before, Ape dummies appeared for Spyro to fight.
"Here we go," Spyro muttered to himself, and charged forward. He opened his mouth to unleash an Earth Shot, but the subsequent blast barely staggered the dummies and they knocked him back.
"Oh, come on!" Spyro complained.
"Easy, Spyro!" Terrador admonished. "Don't push yourself. You still troubled about Ignitus?"
"I still can't believe he didn't tell me he's my father," Spyro noted. "I can't get it out of my head. All I want right now is to go find him and ask him about everything."
"I see. I understand. I don't want to put any undue pressure on you, but don't focus on your worries. Focus on your hope of saving Ignitus; let it ground you in the moment."
"Okay then."
"Just focus on the targets and keep your mind in the battlefield. It's better you fight smarter, not harder."
Spyro nodded. Facing the dummies again, he turned his thoughts to the ground beneath his paws. Moving forward, he opened his mouth and felt energy from the Earth course through his body. Next moment, a blast of green energy shot from his lips and blew the dummies away.
"Excellent, Spyro. Be gracious in battle."
Spyro nodded. He continued blasting the Apes with green energy; it was quite a feeling, channelling the Earth's power. It seemed like a lesser experience of when he tapped into Aether.
"How'd I do?" he asked after dropping the last Dummy.
"Very good. A bit sloppy at times, but you're still a determined warrior," Terrador said.
"Thank you. So what's next?"
"Next is the Earth Bomb, a shot of energy that can blow enemies into the air with powerful shock-waves."
As Terrador summoned more Ape Dummies, the young dragon fired green energy balls from his mouth. The blasts summoned whirlwinds that lifted the Dummies off their feet.
"Now's my chance!" He leapt up and used a series of swipes and tail-whips to take them out.
"Excellent work," Terraform congratulated. "You catch on quite quickly. But don't get reckless. It can lead to death."
"Right," Spyro nodded.
"Now, this next trick could be rather difficult, but it's worth noting the basics of it. Earth Dragons can use sections of the ground beneath their feet as weapons. So, see if you can make stone form around your paws. This should pack extra punch!"
"I can try." Spyro saw an Ape Dummy coming at him. Focusing on the earth beneath him, Spyro made a pillar shoot upwards.
"Whoa..."
The pillar had missed its intended target, but Spyro used his power to form stone fists on his paws.
"Awesome!"
Spyro used these to pulverise two dummies foolish enough to approach him.
"Good job, Spyro. Now, let's try a subtler approach. See if you can trip up your enemies with sudden Earth shifts, thus opening them for attack."
"Okay then."
Reaching his focus down into the ground once again, Spyro made the floor itself shake, making several dummies stagger, leaving them vulnerable to attacks; which Spyro implemented with either melee attacks or Earth shots.
The final test was using the Earth Fury. Reaching deeper than ever, Spyro brought rocks crashing from the sky, before blasting the remaining Dummies apart with a wave of green energy.
"Well done, Spyro," Terrador smiled. "You are a natural warrior. Ignitus will be be very proud of you."
Spyro sighed happily "Thank you. I just wish he had told me from the start. Have you guys always known?"
"Yes," Terrador admitted. "It was confirmed the night your mother, Sibylla, entrusted your egg's safety with us. Apparently, it was laid shortly after she went into exile."
"Yeah, I heard." Spyro said. "I wonder where she is. I have so many questions to ask. And..." He paused. "I'd like to have my whole family together..."
"I understand. Maybe one day you'll have that," Terrador consoled. "But for now, we must get ready. If we have a chance of saving Ignitus and stopping Cynder, we must all be on our A-game."
"Agreed. Just one other thing; when I was in Dark Passage, I was able to generate Light with my body. Any explanations for that?"
"Hmm, Light..." Terrador thought for a moment. "Light has only been wielded by one other Dragon, Spyro; and I don't know if she's even alive now. She hasn't been seen in so long."
"Who was she?"
Terrador shook his head. "Now is not the time for that, Spyro. I know it must be frustrating to hear, but you have enough on your mind right now. Trust me; you will know."
"Okay..."
Gaul was very pleased. Their trap had worked! Ignitus had been captured by Cynder and Ripto. Now their plan to free the Dark Master would soon be complete!
Unfortunately, he was the only one in his throne room who was happy about it.
"I can't believe it was that puny dinosaur who got Ignitus!" Red grumbled.
Gaul's smile faded. "Red, we've talked about this. Anyway, what does it matter how we got your old student? We don't have much room for personal matters in our cause."
Before Red could reply, the door banged open and Ripto came in.
"RED!"
Red turned to look at the Riptoc wizard. "What is it?"
"So, Red, you were the reason my people were nearly wiped out!"
Red was momentarily surprised by this, but his frustration over it not being him who captured Ignitus overrode his shock.
"Yes, and I'd have finished the job had Ignitus not ratted me out!" he snarled, advancing on the dinosaur.
"I should've known having you & your dragon friend in the ranks is a bad idea! Now I know the truth, I'll make sure you suffer for it!"
"Not without your little staff you won't. Besides, you were just lucky that you captured Ignitus! If it wasn't for Cynder, you would've failed, like the tiny, incompetent fool you are!"
Ripto was furious. He drew back his remaining first ready to punch Red, when Gaul stepped in.
"That's enough of that, Ripto!" he ordered. "We don't have time for this!"
"This miserable, old firefly is the reason that thousands of my people were killed!" Ripto protested.
"I know that, Ripto. I've known for quite a while, actually."
"What?! And you never told me?!"
"Well, isn't it obvious? I needed both of you for the Dark Armies' interests; the way you could work together is keeping you in the dark." He sighed. "But it seems matters have been taken out of our hands. No matter. Red, as of now, you are demoted from General."
"What? Why?! Red asked.
"Because, in addition to your secret being revealed, you and Sirorrialth failed me in capturing Ignitus; and your failure at the Dino Mines is the biggest disappointment in your record! Luckily Ripto succeeded where you failed."
"You can't do this! You need me!"
"Silence!" Gaul ordered, pointing his staff threateningly. "You had your chance, old Dragon! Besides, it's clear you and Ripto can no longer work together safely."
Red growled fiercely, smoke furling from his nostrils again. "You'll regret this, Gaul!"
"I doubt that! Now, get out!"
Red stomped off without another word. Ripto turned to Gaul.
"Anything you can do for this?" he asked, holding up the stump where his arm had been.
Gaul groaned. "Very well..."
He raised his staff, pointed it at Ripto's arm, and shot a beam of energy at it. Ripto howled in pain as crystals flew from around the room and coalesced, forming a crystalline forearm and hand. Once the process was finished, Ripto examined his new hand.
"Sweet! Now the Riptoc Wizard is better than ever!"
"Yes, yes," Gaul sighed. "Just be mindful not to repeat your comrades' failings. Or else your fate will be similar." But Ripto was too busy examining his new limb to care what the Ape King had said.
Dragon Temple
Cyril was settling back in his old room. Though it had been stripped by the Apes, Cyril knew he could fix all that with a few touches of Magic.
"Time for a royal makeover," he declared to himself. But as he raised his sceptre to cast a spell, a voice suddenly spoke in his voice.
Cyril? Ice Guardian Cyril, can you hear me?
"What the? Who is this?"
That's not important... Listen, you need to get to Cynder's castle at Concurrent Skies! That's where Ignitus will be held by Cynder.
"And should I believe you?" Cyril demanded skeptically. "You won't even say who you are."
Let's just say we have a common enemy and we both don't want Malefor to be released! I have seen the evil the Dark Armies have done but it's for the world's future!
Cyril was unsure of this, but there was something familiar about the essence he felt; though he couldn't put his claw on it.
"Alright, I'm listening."
Spyro was having a quick rest to get his strength back, while Terrador and the other Guardians determined where Cynder would be. Though despite Terrador's help, the very thought of facing Cynder made Spyro's stomach churn, as if something was trying to get out of it. He could still remember those terrible eyes and that awful shriek. But then Spyro thought of Ignitus; his father. He had to try.
Flash and Nina were watching him carefully, and they seemed to know what he was thinking. "I hope Spyro will be okay," Nina sighed.
"So do I," Flash agreed. "I mean, I wanted him to find his real family, but not like this. It all seems too much for a 13-year-old to handle all at once."
"What other choice do I have, Dad?" Spyro whispered, surprising them that he had overheard. "There's no turning back now. Besides, my... other Dad needs me."
It felt awkward referring to Ignitus 'Dad' after using his actual name all this time.
"Spyro," Nina offered, "do you want us to come with you?"
"No," Spyro refused, "I've put one parent in danger. I won't put the two of you at risk too."
"Spyro, we're coming," Flash said flatly. "Even if we're just there, we should do this together."
Spyro wanted to object, but he knew that tone of Flash too well to do so. "Okay, I guess."
"Come on Spyro!" Sparx encouraged, as he entered with Elora alongside him. "You need us. We've managed to get through this together; this'll be no different!"
"I agree," Elora added. "We managed to rescue all of the Guardians and give people hope! Besides, Ignitus risked his life to save us. We should do the same for him."
Spyro nodded. "You're right, of course. I'm ready."
They all gathered in the Vision Pool room.
"You have done well, Spyro," Terrador congratulated.
"Yes, yes, pat on the back and good going, and all that other rubbish," Cyril scoffed, "but we have to get moving here!"
"As obnoxious as Cyril has acting, he is correct in this instance," Volteer conceded.
"Once Cynder has... the last of the Guardians' energies... at her disposal," Aureole mumbled, her expression distantly, "the portal to Malefor's prison will open."
"I know, darling, I know," Terrador sighed. "Cyril, you say you were contacted telepathically by someone who felt familiar, is that right?"
"Yes; she told me that she wants to stop Malefor's uprising like the rest of us."
"She? She who?" Spyro asked.
"Never knew you can do that," Sparx noted.
"I don't know, for sure. She wouldn't say," Cyril replied. "It's possible it could be a trap; that she might be Deina or someone else."
"That is indeed a possibility; a chance; a likelihood; a prospect; a potential risk!" Volteer jabbered.
"But what did she actually say?" Cordelia asked.
"She said Ignitus is being held at Cynder's fortress in Concurrent Skies, where all the other Fire Dragons are being held," Cyril answered.
"Anything else?" Terrador asked.
"That we'll be expected; and that the place is crawling with skeletons and ghouls."
"Skeletons? Ghouls?!" Sparx cried.
"Yes," Terrador confirmed. "Cynder has power over the Undead; just one of the many powers Malefor gave her."
"That will be a problem." Elora noted, looking apprehensive.
"It will, but it's the only place we'll have to go!" Spyro said. "Come on Terrador, we need to get to the castle!"
"I would give anything to help you, young dragon, but that Orb has left me weak. I'll be of little help in direct battle."
Spyro looked worried. "I understand that, but... I'm not sure if I'm ready to face Cynder on my own. I mean, I know I'm a Purple Dragon, but if Cynder defeated you guys, what hope do I have against her?"
"You have us," Elora offered, patting her brother's head.
"Ideally, I would advise against facing Cynder," Terrador agreed with Spyro. "But if you do end up having to face her, try to outsmart her. Remember, brains can be just as great as brawn. And Elora is right; you won't be alone out there. We're calling on all available troops to join you in the attack. The plan is to attack different areas to confuse them. We'll help where we can, but it won't be much."
"A little goes a long way," Sapia noted.
"Spyro, you'll be with Elora, Sapia and Sheila," Terrador continued. "Our forces will draw enemy attention, while you sneak inside."
Spyro knew Terrador wanted to make things easier for him, but he still felt worried. "What if we lose someone?" he asked anxiously. "I don't want people to die just for me."
"Oh we can handle ourselves just fine," Cyril proclaimed proudly. "We do have plenty of experience in war."
"I agree. If some of us do die, it's for a worthy cause," Sapia agreed, as her fellow Fauns joined them.
"We will have a plan to free the Fire Dragons, and lead an assault on Cynder's tower" Cordelia assured.
"Man, you guys make me want to face Cynder!" Sparx cried. "Wait... did I say that out loud?"
"Yes you did, Sparky!" Elora teased.
Concurrent Skies
Lightning flashed across the sky, illuminating the tall spires that dominated the crystalline landscape. Atop the tallest spire of all, Cynder gazed out into the clouds. Behind her, Ignitus hung suspended in an energy cage, as the final Orb drained his power.
Though she was loath to show any emotion, aside from anger or sadistic pleasure, Cynder felt very pleased. Soon, her Master's essence would be freed from the Convexity prison his meddlesome enemies had imprisoned him in. After that, it was simply a matter of keeping the enemy off their backs until the Night of Eternal Darkness. When that night came, Malefor would be truly reborn!
No doubt the Guardians would come to rescue Ignitus; especially that Purple whelp... Spyro, was it? She knew that the Fire Guardian was his father; the perfect bait. Family was always the perfect bait for sentimental fools. After all, had it been familial bonds that allowed them to capture most of the Guardians?
'You resorted to a coward's tactic; you and your Master are cowards!'
"Silence, fool!" Cynder hissed out loud. "Your words are inconsequential. You know your place is here. Hahahahahaha..."