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Chapter 14: Undersea towers to Dinosaur fight
Spyro, Cynder, and Elora was back in the Castle of Summer Forest, and in the room where the professor was now in, as she geared up for her, as well as Spyro and Cynder's trip through Aquaria Towers. Where they'll reunite with the other half of the Quartet.
All while they all grumbled about what they went through back in Hurricos.
"Man, that was a tedious challenge." Cynder said annoyed.
"No kidding. Those purple monkeys were fast, and arrogant when they weren't holding those stones! And I thought the thieves were annoying to chase." Spyro said also annoyed. "Elora was of great help against them with her arrows and all, but they were annoying."
"No kidding." Elora said annoyed too as she put on her oxygen tank.
Why they were annoyed was because of the side quest back in Hurricos, where they had to chase around the Purple Gear Grinders that kept on stealing the lightning stones that powered up the generator that fueled up the area that they were in. Which was a tedious process, due to the fact that every time when they were almost done putting the stones in place, the Gear Grinders come out of nowhere, and takes them from the generators while they were all in a different section of the area.
Even as they split up, the Gear Grinders ended up being able to at least get the lightning stones out of the slots before Cynder and Elora got their shots in.
The only good part about that challenge though, is that despite the muscular looks of the purple Gear Grinder apes, they were harmless, and they didn't attack back against them when they stopped them from taking the stones away. But it was still an annoying challenge, that was only barely worth it due to the Orb that they were able to get from the electroll. And there was only ten of them that kept on appearing out of nowhere.
Which is good, since they could've quit the challenge at twenty more of them if there was more of those apes coming out.
"At least it's over now. And Hurricos is now safe." Elora then said, hoping to calm down Spyro and Cynder as she put on her flippers.
Why she was, was because as she said, Aquaria Towers is an undersea level. And she was putting on her gear since she was going to swim there alongside both Cynder and Spyro. And without her gear, she was not a good swimmer. And there would also be little to no surfaces where she'll be able to come back to for air. So she had her Oxygen tank to breathe from.
Which, is probably the only thing she'll be able to breathe from, so she would need to be careful and get back to Summer Forest when her tank is low.
"You'll have at least three hours of air in your tank. That should be enough time to get done with rescuing Aquaria Towers from Ripto's forces. Just make sure that you and the dragons are out by the time that Realm is free." The Professor said.
"Way ahead of you." Elora said, knowing that she isn't able to breathe underwater like the other dragons. (Or maybe they have an absurdly long lung capacity to hold their breath, she doesn't know.)
So she knew that she should be at least not far away from the portal back to the Summer Forest while in Aquaria Towers.
"And we'll make sure that she'll make it back here if she's low." Cynder said with Spyro in agreement. Which delighted Elora, since it showed her that they're a team already.
Pretty soon, after she got her scuba gear on, she packed up her bow, and her reloaded quiver of arrows, before she then got out of the room, and was on her way to the Aquaria Towers portal.
Despite feeling a little hard to walk in flippers, Elora proceeded to enter the portal to Aquaria Towers alongside Spyro and Cynder, where they'll reunite with Ember and Flame.
Earlier…
Speaking of whom, before they both arrived in Aquaria Towers, Ember and Flame was prepared to go into the world, when they entered the room where there was a wall that blocked the other part of the room they were in. And Moneybags was there too.
Little did they know, Moneybags had put up the wall, that was made of strong marble, which would've been impossible to shatter at their current strength. And he intends to make them pay to lower it. In his eyes, they had to.
"Oh, hey Moneybags." Flame said. "What's up?"
"Oh dear dragons, it is dreadful." Moneybags said. "Ripto knows of your attempts to collect all of the Talismans to defeat him, and he's trying to end your quests here."
"Oh, he wasn't trying already?" Ember sarcastically asked.
"There's a portal that is behind this wall. It is the last portal in Summer Forest, where you can earn the last Talisman there. It is the portal you seek."
"You mean, there's a portal to Dragon Shores there?!" Flame said, slightly hopefully.
As much as Moneybags wanted to tempt them into paying him, by making them believe that it is the portal, he knew that it'd end in them probably beating him within an inch of his life when they find out that it isn't. At least, so he believes. "Erm, okay so it isn't a portal to Dragon Shores, but Aquaria Towers is a lovely place as well. I even have a place to stay there myself." He said, disappointing Ember and Flame.
"As you can see however, that portal to Aquaria Towers has been blocked by this wall that Ripto has raised." He said.
"Oh, that's a problem." Flame said.
"I know, I know." Moneybags said 'sadly' and dramatically. "It is tragic, but thankfully, I know a thing or two about castle construction." Moneybags said, turning away. "And I think… no. I know how to put this wall down. It may not come cheap, and I know that collecting those Talismans are quite important, but, well despite my class, I have kids to feed. So if I am to be passed, at least four hundred of those Gems, I would be willing to-" He tried to say.
Only to see that neither dragon was next to him. Then he saw that they were on the upper corridor on the windowsill. "Thanks but no thanks! We can handle this!" Ember said, before she and Flame jumped and then glided over the wall. Leaving the portal to Aquaria Towers free for them to enter.
Much to Moneybag's chagrin as he decided to just lower the wall. "Apparently, those Idol Springs builders should've been clarified as to what I meant by 'Dragon-proof." He thought annoyed.
Before the two Dragons got to Aquaria Towers, there was the Seahorses, whom were on dry land. The reason why, was because the Water Workers drained away all of the water from out of the area that they were in. Causing the Seahorses to be left crawling like worms as the Water Workers proceeded to drink and bathe in the remaining small pools of water.
Some of them decided to even torment the Seahorses, by teasing them with water in cups that they put just barely out of their reach, before they then decided to kick them by giving the rest of the water to the other Workers. Much to the Seahorses dismay, since they had no power to resist. They were merely helpless.
Until now that is.
Ember and Flame proceeded to hold their breaths, expecting to be underwater, only to see that they're on dry land. Much to their confusion as they looked around the room they were in. Where they saw that there was grass and seaweed on the floor and the walls and the metal floor that they stood on. And they looked to be damp, like they were underwater a little while ago. They also saw a tower in the room that had a doorway that was closed. (Which half explains to them why the Realm is called, Aquaria Towers.)
They then saw that there was Water Workers in the Realm that were like the ones in Sunny Beach. Only they were wearing diving helmets.
Which was much to their chagrin, as the Water Workers were already on their little 'death list' back in Sunny Beach for trying to ship the turtles off. So they weren't glad to meet another one of them.
They also noticed that there was a Power-up gate on the upper part to their left, and to the right of a nearby Crab
Then they laid eyes on the Seahorse that was laying on land. "Oh my. Are you the dragons that we were told about?" He asked.
"Oh hey. It's a Seahorse." Ember said, taking an interest in the landed Seahorse.
"Have you read about those?" Flame asked.
"Mm-hmm. Did you know, that Seahorses can live on land without water for only a day?" Ember asked.
Flame pretty much shrugged. "I never knew that." He said to her. "Yes, we are. I'm guessing you need help?" He then asked the Seahorse.
"Of course. Those funny looking guys with those shock sticks, have drained all of our water." He sadly said. "And we can't get it back unless someone activates those switches that they're guarding." He then said, gesturing to the red wall switch that was close to the Water Worker.
"No problem. Those switches are going to be pressed. Just one question. How long were you guys like this?" Flame asked.
"Almost a day, I'm afraid. *Cough* So please hurry." The Seahorse said.
The Duo didn't need to be told twice. (Especially Flame, who was determined to save the Seahorses.) So they charged down the Water Worker when he tried to defend the button, before pressing it themselves. Causing the hatch on the ceiling to be opened, causing a large quantity of water to pour out of the opening.
Which wasn't enough to fill the entire room they're in, but it was enough to fill up a small lake to the brim, as they were now floating on the water. Now they were ready to swim their way through the room as the Seahorse rose up to the surface.
"Thank goodness you've done it! I thought for sure that we'd shrivel up if it wasn't for you two." The Seahorse said happily. "My name is Ripple by the way. And there's more water that has yet to be flowing back to this home. Can you both help us get it all back?"
"Yes. We'll beat those guys, and put the water back into this place." Ember said, determined to save the Seahorses of Aquaria Towers, since they looked pretty adorable in her eyes. (Not as adorable as Flame though.)
"Please be careful though. Those Shock Stick Guys are tough. Yesterday, they turned Verne, our giant squid friend, into fried Calamari." Ripple said scared.
Both dragons cringed in both figurative pain and anger at that, feeling bad for the Seahorse's friend (Even though they never met him.) as they proceeded to dive down, and continue onwards through the hall that was underwater, until they reached the other end.
Where they proceeded to lay waste to the enemies there, as well as the Crabs that they came across when they tried to snap them with their pinchers. Which Ember also read about back when she was still in the Dream Weavers.
Then, they pressed the switch, causing the room to be filled with more water. Causing them to dive underwater after the flow stopped. Where they looked around the room, when Flame noticed another room in the cave's doorway, where he felt his face turning pale at the sight of what was in the room.
There was metallic Sharks inside the room. And they were circling around a metal chest in the room together. They looked menacing due to their sharp teeth, glowing sinister red eyes, and dark metallic colors all over their bodies.
If Flame was still on the surface where the air was, he would've screamed like a little girl again. Something that he felt embarrassed in doing, one time near Ember herself when he met those Metal Spiders, and Beetles, and another time near Spyro back in Dark Passage.
Flame was thanking the Ancestors that he went to the bathroom before they entered Aquaria Towers, otherwise the water would've been feeling warm around his legs.
Ember noticed his frozen stiff stance that he made underwater. Which she felt, meant that he saw something terrifying. And after she turned to the direction he was facing, she immediately knew why he was like that, as she made sure not to scream herself.
"WHAT ARE THOSE THINGS?! ARE THEY… SHARKS?!" She thought scared as she too had to not scream underwater if it meant she'd probably lose her breath.
Even though they can breathe underwater.
Then they noticed that none of the Sharks are focusing on either of them, let alone swimming towards them. Instead, they just kept on circling the Chest in the center. Much to their confusion.
But they were also relieved too, since they could've been screwed at that point if they proceeded to swim at their direction while they were defenseless and underwater. Even though they could charge them, but they looked big. Which meant that they can't be harmed by charging.
And they felt that they might be unable to shoot their Fireballs underwater, at least the normal ones.
"I'm guessing that the gate at the beginning has the Superflame?" Flame asked after surfacing with Ember.
"I suppose. But can we shoot the Superflame underwater?" Ember then asked.
Only one way to find out, as they proceeded to lay waste to the rest of the enemies that was not the Sharks, then going back to the first area in hopes that the gate is active.
Moneybags was trying to resist giggling at the plan that was being pulled together.
He has built a submarine that was shaped like those robotic Sharks that loitered the underwater corridors in Aquaria Towers, courtesy of Ripto's more intelligent minions that built them. And they were designed and programmed to eat, or maul intruders on sight. Which means that he should be safe from the Sharks while he's inside the sub, since it's invincible against them, and they'd think it's one of theirs. Even though they did have a flaw, in that they weren't the most stable of underwater robots. But he felt that the dragons couldn't be able to use their more stronger attacks against them, nor do they seem strong enough in charging underwater.
Which means that the dragons should have no choice but to pay him if they want to get past the Sharks, especially the ones that were up ahead, with no way around them. And that is regardless of having heard about the Quartet's aversion to water. (Quite personally too, as he could've charged them with Five hundred for swimming lessons, had Elora not got to them first.) At least, initially, until they learned how to swim because of Elora.
So he felt, that Aquaria Towers could be his biggest chance to bribe them into giving him Gems for a way across, by having them buy the way to use the submarine to get to the upper sections.
There was no way this could fail. "Heheheh. I am smarter than the ave-a-rage ursine." He said to himself.
*SCHWOOM* Moneybags ducked and covered when he felt some hot air hitting his air pocket. "HIT THE DECK!" He said jumping aside.
Only to then see a pair of dragons, Flame and Ember themselves, looking like their colored scales darkened a bit, and having orange glowing marks on their backs, as they fired out the Superflame Fireballs, while they proceeded onwards through the cave, while being followed by their Cerise Pink, and Lemon Yellow dragonflies.
He was at the wall when he saw that the Fireballs were so hot, that they were like white magma balls that sailed through the water, as they were destroying the robotic Sharks in the cave up ahead, leaving it safe for them to swim through without a scratch. All while it seemed that they didn't even notice Moneybags on their way through.
"Drats! I should've known there'd be one of those Power-up gates they'd use! Note to self, buy them out, then deactivate them permanently next time." He said to himself again, now frustrated.
All while the dragons proceeded to blast away the Sharks without trouble, now that they have their Superflame ability. Which was able to last long enough for them to make it to the sharks, then blast them, before the Power-up would expire. Leaving them in their normal colored scales.
Now they were free to get to the upper floor of the Aquaria Towers, where they were now in the room where what they believed was the last switch to press, to completely envelop the rooms underwater.
Which was guarded by the last of the Water Workers in Aquaria Towers, whom tried to zap them with its shock stick after zapping the crab. (Which didn't die from getting zapped.)
He wasn't able to zap them though, as they dodged the lightning zap, before charging at him in revenge. Then they took out the crab next, before pressing the switch.
Which filled up the entire rooms underwater as well as opened up a passage through the ceiling. Which they felt, lead to an undersea area outside.
Which they prepared to enter through when they met another Seahorse. "Our world is wet again! And we thank you both for saving us from dehydrating!" The Seahorse said joyfully.
The duo ended up nodding with a smile at him, like they were saying "No problem. It's the least we could do." to him.
"We all want you to have this Talisman of Aquaria Towers to remember us by!" He said happily before giving them a Seashell Talisman, which Ember put in the guidebook. "And if it isn't too much trouble, we could use your help."
"If it involves us helping this world out, then count us in Hoppo." Elora's voice said as she, along with Spyro and Cynder appeared in the room. With Elora wearing a scuba tank, a scuba mask that covered her whole face, (Which helped her speak clearly.) and a pair of flippers that she's using for swimming.
"Ah! Elora! How grand of you to come here after our world was rescued from those dastardly Water Workers. Now they were all going away when you arrived." The Seahorse known as Hoppo said. "And I see that these dragons are with you?" He then said, noticing that both dragons swam to the other ones by her sides.
"Yes. They're my friends."
"Ah. Anyways, our King of Aquaria Towers needs your help. Above us, is the way to the underwater city in Aquaria Towers." He said, pointing to the recently opened hatchway. "He'll be up there, by one of the towers with a number on it. You just can't miss."
"Thank you Hoppo. Come on guys." Elora called out as she and the Quartet swam upwards through the hatchway. Where they saw the city itself. And they saw that it was pretty cool looking, as well as pretty looking itself due to the lights that they all casted out from the windows. As well as all the seaweed that they saw floating in the water that added to the scenery of the underwater city.
And both Ember and Flame wondered no longer, on why Moneybags thought that Aquaria Towers was a nice place. Now they were curious on where his place to stay was underwater. But it wasn't important as they proceeded to explore the city for Gems.
"Down boy! Calm down Manta!" A scuba diving Hunter said, trying to calm down the Manta Ray that was swimming around, not obeying hunter's commands.
Much to his dismay, as he wanted to see if he could ride the Ray on its back once it grows bigger. He was told by one of the fellow bungie jumpers of Metro Speedway that it'd be a fun ride on the Ray, and it was racing season in Aquaria Towers, so he thought that he'd buy a Manta Ray for a pet, and have it grow up until it was big enough for him. (Not that he's a heavy cheetah. He makes sure he keeps himself fit and light on his feet.) But it refused to obey his commands, and just swam around in circles.
And every time he tried to ride on its back, it just swims away fast away from him. How is he gonna win the race now?
Suddenly, the Ray was flinching and swimming away as Hunter looked around, only to then see that there was Ember and Flame swimming around alongside their dragonflies, all while interacting with the Manta Ray.
"Oh, hey there." Hunter said deadpan through his mouthpiece in his scuba mask.
"Hey there Hunter." Sira buzzed to him. "Sorry that our friends can't speak to you, they can't speak underwater like you can. What are you doing here anyway? Don't pussycats hate water?"
Although Hunter can't understand the dragonfly language, he understood what they could be saying by the pattern of their buzzing. And he wasn't amused at the last part. "I told you! I'm a freaking Cheetah! Not a pussycat! And I hate getting my fur wet, that's all!" He said angrily. "And I'm just trying to tame my new pet Manta Ray, but he just won't obey me." He then said annoyed.
"Well, good luck with that. See ya." Starr then said as the dragons were prepared to swim away.
"WAIT!" Only to stop when Hunter stopped them and scanned them over. "Say! You both seem to be the right size to ride on his back!" He then said smiling, feeling that they could be the ones to ride on the Manta Ray, which could help him in taming the Ray.
Both dragons shook their heads in response though, since they had a job to do first.
At least, until they then noticed that he had an Orb in his hand. Which was their objective, as Hunter now got their full attention.
"I'll give you both an Orb, if either of you can ride on the Ray's back. If you can, then the Orb is yours." He then said proudly, feeling that he can bribe them with it for his benefit.
They thought about clobbering him underwater, but all they can do is try to charge him, which he could simply dodge. They could've also used their Fireballs, but they needed some more training to shoot out the normal Fireballs underwater, without the Superflame. And as much as they could use the Superflame, he could know their intention, and book it before they could even get back to him.
So they had no choice. They had to accept his proposal, if so they can grab those Orbs from his hands.
"Good. Go on and ride on his back, and be sure to guide him through the bubble rings that one of the Seahorses will leave behind." He then said after Ember and Flame nodded at him, as annoyed as they were. "And be sure not to get him scratched up, he's brand new."
Flame decided to volunteer as he had to carefully swim his way towards the Manta Ray, just so the Ray doesn't end up swimming away fast.
It took a few attempts, but Flame was able to get onto the saddle that the Ray wore on his back. (If it's a male, like Hunter said it is.) Before the Ray proceeded forwards as he held on to the saddle's reigns.
Suddenly, a Seahorse appeared in front of them as it proceeded to spit out a ring of bubbles, which Flame was able to steer the Ray through, one by one throughout the city. All while the Ray tried, and failed to buck the red dragon off of his back, but got steadily more obedient to his steering as the ride went on.
On the fifth set of rings, he was eventually obedient to Flame's steering as he continued onward through the water and through the rings that the Seahorse continued to make a ring out of. He even had the Ray doing some aileron rolls through the water as well.
As he went onwards, both Ember and Hunter looked on in awe at how cool it looked to be riding on the Ray through the city. Not to mention how majestic it looked, at least in Ember's eyes. She could feel her love for Flame increasing, and she felt that she'd love Spyro again if he was the one to ride the Ray.
But she made a choice when she hooked up with Flame back in Twilight Harbor. And she won't go back on it.
Pretty soon, Flame was back by both Ember and Hunter's side, having won the challenge.
"Well done Flame. I suppose I owe you the Orb that I promised." He said, giving the Orb to both Flame and Ember. The latter of whom, put the Orb in the Guidebook. "Now that the Manta Ray is tame, I would love to get him into racing shape. Care to put him through a harder course?" He asked, pulling out another Orb.
They were both annoyed that Hunter had another Orb, and that he was bribing them to ride the Ray again. But they had no choice but to nod.
Then Ember was the one to volunteer for the second ride, as Hunter and Flame looked on. "Good luck!" Hunter called out to Ember as she rode on the Manta Ray herself.
Who despite having let Flame ride him beforehand, the Ray didn't try to buck Ember off of its back. Instead, Ember proceeded to ride through the Ring of bubbles herself through the path in the city of Aquaria Towers.
Like Flame, she proceeded onwards through Aquaria Tower's city underwater as she and the Ray followed behind the Seahorse that spat out more rings of bubbles throughout the city. Which she and the Ray went through. All while Flame and Hunter stared, in awe for the former.
Especially at how majestic she was underwater, which did have him blushing at how beautiful she looked even while she was riding on the Ray herself. He also felt curious about how Cynder would look underwater if she too rode the Ray.
But he didn't think about her too much, since he already has Ember by his side. His confession in Twilight Harbor made sure of it.
It was a couple minutes of her steering the Ray around the buildings, over the arches that connected some of the buildings, and even through the tunnel on the bottom of the tallest Tower, until she was able to make it back to Hunter and Flame, winning the challenge by never missing a bubble ring herself.
"Incredible! You both got talent!" He praised with a grin. "Here's an Orb by the way. Don't worry, it's my last one." He then said giving them the next Orb. "It's too bad that we happen to be rivals. Since I could use a partner like you guys." He then said a little disappointedly, before he then proceeded to try and ride on the Ray's back himself.
Only to get bucked off of the Ray afterwards, much to the amusement of Ember and Flame's.
There was moments like this that had both Cynder and Spyro gulping in nervousness at what they were about to do. Even Elora felt nervous herself at what they're about to do.
Before this moment, they ended up meeting up with the King of the Seahorses, Flippy himself, whom told them that the Water Workers has kidnapped six of his children, and imprisoned them in the six numbered Towers that loitered Aquaria Towers.
The King had explosives that blasted open the entrances to the Towers, and they were able to enter them and save the Seahorse princes.
The first few was easy, especially with the Crabs that just futilely snapped their claws at them, but it got more challenging. Especially since the Towers got filled with their little Weaknesses.
*ZAP ZAP ZAP ZAP*
Still feeling some electric buzzing from the trip in Hurricos when they touched the Diodes, they all felt a little unsure on how to tackle the Tower that they entered, seeing the electric barriers that rose to the top above them, and under the last of the six Seahorse children that they need to rescue. Sure they were able to brave the other towers that had the electricity in them, but that was mostly due to their timing and patience training being put to good use for this challenge.
But here, the barriers were rising up to the top without turning off until they reached the top, where they cycled back down to the bottom to turn on again. Which makes that Tower the hardest there is. And they both already got zapped before by those barriers.
But they had to do it.
So Spyro and Cynder volunteered together as they looked into each other's eyes, almost as if to ask if they're ready to go, before they decided to swim up together when they were ready, making sure to stop just shy of the one moving upwards. They both shuddered at how the electricity burned through the water that surrounded it. They could feel their horns and spines tingling at the feeling of the zapping, even if they didn't touch the electicity.
When another barrier appeared below them, their other instincts that isn't the Peace Keeper's took over as they made sure to paddle with enough pace to keep their speed matching with the ascending barriers.
"Keep going guys! You're both almost to the Seahorse Prince!" Elora called out, prepared to give them both a hand.
Which wasn't needed, since as long as they could maintain their pace with the barriers, they could make it to the Seahorse without trouble.
Other than the Crab that is, as it tried to snap at them both.
And barely succeeding with grabbing Cynder by her tail tip. Causing her to briefly yelp in pain, before she tried to clobber the Crab in return. Which she was able to do as Spyro kept on going to the top.
Unfortunately, the Crab was doing its job, as when Cynder destroyed it, she saw that she was now dropping onto the barrier that was steadily rising upwards, about to zap her at the contact of her scales. She could've charged upwards, but that could cause her to collide with the barrier up ahead of her, as well as Spyro, which could lead to them both getting zapped by the barriers.
She braced herself for the shocks as she tried to get away with her paddling. All while little did she know, her horns were making some dark glow to them as the electric barriers were suddenly stopping in place. At least for a brief period, when they moved towards her again, ready to give her a painful shock.
*ZAP* "AAAAAHHHH!"
Which surprisingly, never came to her. As she saw that Spyro was able to make it to the Seahorse Prince to rescue him, while also pressing the top switch that turned off the electric barriers. Which meant that Cynder was saved by Spyro when he rescued the Prince too.
Spyro proceeded downward with the now relieved Seahorse Prince as Cynder proceeded to nuzzle Spyro for the save. Both dragons were now smiling at each other for that as they were now safe from what the zapping barriers could've done to Cynder.
Then they suddenly looked down and saw something that caught them off guard.
Elora looked like she got zapped herself, having some fur that looked a little singed even though she was underwater. Her hair also looked a little messier than last time.
Why she was zapped, was because she knew that Cynder was about to get zapped, so she tried to swim up to save her, only to get zapped by one of the electric barriers that appeared out of nowhere. All because in her brief panic, she mistimed her swimming pace with the ascending barriers. Which caused her to suffer one hell of a shock that had her spasming and yelling for a brief moment as the barriers stopped in place. Thankfully, they're now gone.
And thankfully, her mask was still on as she was relieved that the dragons were safe, even though she looked stunned like she hit her head on the wall in her spasming from her shocks. Although much to the dragon's horror, it had a crack on it.
And not a small crack at that, which Elora was able to notice herself after getting out of her stunned state, as her mask was already filling up. "OHGL CRABLBLBLP! HEBEBEBLP!" She bubbled out as she tried to swim her way out to the portal.
The dragons didn't need to be told twice. Soon, they had Elora's arms around them as Spyro proceeded to escort Elora out of the Aquaria Towers, while signing to Cynder to help the last of the captured Princes get back to King Flippy.
She quickly obeyed, leaving Spyro with Elora, who was trying not to inhale the water in her mask as Spyro swam her to the exit portal.
Cynder was able to get the Princes back to their father as he was now overjoyed to see them free. "You did it! You rescued my children! Now we can swim the Aquaria Towers in peace. Here, I heard you were all collecting Orbs, so feel free to take this one." He said, handing her the last Orb of Aquaria Towers.
After thanking King Flippy, and after gathering the remaining Gems, she and the other half of the Quartet swam out to the exit Portal.
After their departure, the Seahorses celebrated their freedom from the Water Workers, and celebrated getting their water back from them. Whether with the swim races, the dancing, and even some acrobatics.
Not to mention some pranking back in the lower levels, where one of the Seahorses pranked another with a pair of robot Shark jaws, thus scaring him into running as he laughed. Only for a real robotic Shark to appear out of no where and chase him off.
Karma is a bitch sometimes.
Spyro and his friends were next to Elora as she recovered from her near drowning as she made sure to cough out whatever water she ended up accidentally inhaling in her stunned state. She was glad to be back in Summer Forest so that she won't be drowning in Aquaria Towers. (Not that she hates that place.) Her scuba gear was sent back to the Professor for repairs.
"Are you going to be okay?" Spyro asked concerned.
"*Cough* *Cough* I'll be fine. Besides, we've got that Talisman from Aquaria Towers. Which makes it the last Talisman we have now." She said smiling at him. Hoping to calm him down.
Despite it working though, the Quartet felt concerned for her, considering that she got zapped, and almost drowned herself. After all, they still know that she has no dragonfly of her own. Which would mean that whatever harm comes to her, she'd really feel it, and she'd suffer a wound.
So Spyro and his friends were going to find a dragonfly for her if they're able to find one.
Until then though, Elora would have to be careful, as she was able to recover.
"We have all of the Summer Forest Talismans! That means we should be able to get past that door!" Elora then said, gesturing to the doorway to the left of the entrance to the room they're in, that lead to a large door up ahead.
"Where does that door lead?" Cynder asked.
"To the dungeon, which is also designed like a sewer." Elora said, much to their mild disgust. "That's where we can defeat Ripto, or one of his minions, and take back our Castle in Summer Forest." Elora said excitedly, feeling ready to fight for Summer Forest despite her near drowning.
Which the Quartet ended up agreeing with her on, as they were ready to fight alongside her against Ripto. Since it could mean that they could be able to get back home, and to Dragon Shores.
Along the way though, Spyro saw that Cynder's horns had a little haze to them, like some sort of dark power was used by her. And he had to admit, it was a pretty long time since he saw them like that. Which was when they were all younger than now.
It was a gut feeling, but he just feels, that she could use whatever dark power for their benefits when they fight against whatever Ripto sends their way. He just hopes that she'll remain good as they fight Ripto. Which he is confident that she will.
Now though, the Talismans opened up the door that lead to… a hole in the ground.
"So, we just jump in, and we'll be sent to the dungeon to fight Ripto? Is there a reason why this Castle has a dungeon?" Spyro asked.
"Yep. As for why Summer Forest has a dungeon, it would be because the dungeon is supposed to be a prison that no one can escape from, and probably be forced to survive off of scraps as punishment for whatever bad thing that they have done. It's been there since before I was born, and I think it's also called an Oubliette." Elora responded.
"That seems a little mean, Elora." Ember said with a shiver.
"I know. That's why we only send the truly unredeemable and evil people there." Elora responded defensively, assuring Ember that it isn't used much, or for bad purposes. "And it seems, that it'll be where Ripto is gonna go, once he's beaten. Just so he won't try to conquer Avalar again. That is, once we're able to beat him."
"I understand why that would be used against him, but it doesn't seem so useful if he's going to just teleport out of there." Flame said.
"I know. But don't forget, he lost his scepter to Gulp. So he should be powerless enough to put in there. Even though I don't feel as willing to trap him in one though." Elora said. "So I feel that banishing him would do just as well."
"That seems like a good idea. Oubliettes would be too mean and cruel to use." Ember said, feeling that it'd be too cruel to imprison Ripto in one, even if he deserved it for the evils he did.
Now though, it was time to kick his butt, or one of his minion's butts instead if he sends his minions instead, as they all proceeded to jump down through the hole. With Elora going last.
The Quartet and Elora reached the bottom, (With Cynder and Flame catching Elora.) where they saw that they were on a circular arena that was in what looked like a sewer. And on the arena itself, was a bunch of pads that glowed blue, and a certain Ceratopsian/Nothronychus hybrid himself. While on a certain gateway, there was Ripto that was overlooking the arena.
"Hello dragons. And… Satyr?" Ripto said.
"I'm a Faun you jerk." Elora said, in a less friendly tone that was unlike when she told the Quartet what she is. Mainly because of whom she was saying it to.
"Whatever. You're all in my dungeon, but there is one problem. None of you are in my cells." Ripto said. "And I am quite upset that none of you are obliging to becoming my prisoners."
"I'm afraid you've got it backwards. You aren't in Avalar's cells." Elora said. "Besides, I can tell you are scared of dragons, so we were able to gain these one's help." She then said grinning.
Ripto was scowling at her for that. "I AM NOT SCARED! I just hate those dragons! Thinking they are so superior, so perfect!" He said mockingly. "And they think I'm nothing to worry about because of my height!" He said, gesturing to his small stature. "But at least I've gotten some fellow dinosaurs to keep me company, like the one you all see now."
"Wait a second… Oh yeah! I remember now! I've heard about some sorcerer that tried to conquer my people! It's too bad that he fought the Peace Keepers though, that was a big mistake. Considering that they're the stronger kind of dragons and all." Spyro said grinning.
Ripto was scowling again at Spyro this time. "A mistake, that I plan to fix someday when my strength grows, in my magic, and my army, and when Avalar is mine! But none of you will live to see it. Time to show them how you got your name!" He then said to Crush.
"As you wish master Ripto." He then said, ready to swing his club at the Dragons and Faun for Ripto.
All of whom were ready for a battle, as they got ready to fight the dinosaur called Crush.
Whom proceeded to try to smash them with his club. However, even though he is several times their size, all of them, was several times faster, as even Elora was able to run circles around him. And she even shot her magical arrows at his tail as well as his back.
Which didn't really work, as Crush was unaffected by the shot, causing her (With some tugging from the dragonflies.) and the Quartet to merely retreat and think up their strategy to beat him. All while Crush was merely more irritated than affected by the arrow to his backside, causing him to make a loud growl before smashing his club on the floor in a gesture of intimidation.
Which backfired against him, since a piece of the ceiling broke off and fell down straight onto Crush's head, stunning him. All of the Quartet was stumbling on the floor, trying not to fall down from laughing too hard. Even Elora was rolling around, finding it to be a funny scene. "Hahahaha! I guess Ripto should've made sure to make his toys that don't break themselves!" Flame said.
Ripto was not happy at the sight. "CRUSH! STOP PLAYING AROUND AND DESTROY THEM!" Ripto said, using his leftover magic that he's able to cast without his scepter, to lift off the rocks that landed on Crush.
"But how m-master?! They're quite fast!" Crush responded.
"Use those pads on this arena! They're of use to you!" He responded, gesturing to the glowing pads.
Which Crush noticed, and decided to run to, before noticing a barrier of electricity that surrounded him. "Ooh. This is going to be interesting!" He then said, before he then jumped up and down on the blue light, sending out shockwaves.
As panicked as they were at the sight of the electric shockwaves that was headed towards them, especially since they suffered their share of electrocution during their time in Summer Forest, especially in Hurricos, they saw that the electric waves were quite low to the ground. Which had them knowing how to dodge that as they all jumped over the shockwaves that Crush sent out.
All while Elora was prepared to shoot out another lightning arrow to see if she can provoke him into causing another piece of ceiling to fall on his head.
Which she was able to do so, as she launched another arrow at Crush, hitting him in the belly as he tried to run to another glowing pad, thinking that the one he was on has run out of power. Causing him to get provoked into hitting the floor again, causing another piece of the ceiling to fall on his head again.
"Come on Ripto! We were expecting a fight here! Now we're getting bored!" Flame said, taunting Ripto and Crush.
Which was already enough to provoke them, especially Ripto, whom got the rocks off of Crush again, then he magically had the pads changing colors. "Then how is this for a fight?!" He said.
While Crush then moved to the red pad near him, surrounding him in a barrier of fire for a brief moment, before then jumping on the pad to release some Fireballs that was headed for the Quartet.
If all of them were bigger than they are now, then dodging the Fireballs would've been more harder then it is now. Thankfully, they were young and fast enough to dodge the Fireballs as they scattered, with Elora also staying on her (Figurative.) toes as she ran around. Also showing off her own agility that even Spyro admits, would be able to match theirs for a while.
While Spyro ended up firing a few Lightning javelins at Crush, before Cynder and Ember fired out their Fireballs at him too. While Flame fired out some Ice darts.
None of them were effective, but they were going for frustrating Crush enough to make him pound the ground with his club again, seeing that he could cause another rock avalanche to fall on him.
As annoyed as Crush was, he was starting to learn from his mistakes as he refused to smash the ground with his club. Instead, he just kept on running to the pads, jumping on them to attack the Dragon Quartet with, and swinging his club to see if he can hit at least one of them.
He couldn't do the last part, but he was able to hit Flame and Ember with the Fireballs after they accidentally collided. Turning their dragonflies blue.
A mistake that they shall not make again.
But nevertheless, Crush knew that he was going nowhere, and so he had to use the pads that was closer, so that he'd be able to give them less time to dodge the Fireballs, even though he'd risk himself into getting hurt by their closer ranged breaths, and Elora's point blank shots to his head.
He was able to get to one of the pads, and fire out some Fireballs, but the Quartet merely kept on dodging them, and merely ran to a safer distance, provoking Crush into running to the more closer pads again.
Only to get hit in the horns by Elora's Ice arrow, which did annoy him more. Then he heard Spyro's sentence.
"Hey you're so stupid, that if your brain was a bomb, you'd have not enough to blow your nose!" He said, making his friends laugh at that as they tried not to fall and stop.
That did it, as Crush proceeded to hit the ground again out of anger, causing the ceiling's pieces to fall on his head again. Much to Ripto's chagrin as he was tempted to turn the pads back into blue pads.
Only for an idea to come to him. He would put both red and blue pads on the arena, giving Crush control of the Electric, and Fire magic in the pads.
Which Crush proceeded to use, although the Dragon Quartet continued to dodge the magical attacks, and continue to try to anger Crush into pounding his club into the floor again.
Something that Ripto was going to put a stop to. "CRUSH! If you're planning to smash that club on the floor, then make sure you chase them down and smash those dragons too! Flatten them! Crush their bones into dust! And make sure that girl is our prisoner after this fight!" Ripto said, planning to let Elora live so that she'll be forced to watch him conquer Avalar as his slave. "And make sure that it doesn't get dusty in here, I prefer that my cape remains clean! After all, you scratch my paint, I scratch your hides!"
Crush merely obeyed his master in Ripto, as he proceeded to keep on using the pads to try to hurt the Quartet, which he succeeded at against Cynder and Spyro when he aimed the Fireballs at Elora when he was sure he'd hit her, forcing both of them to save her at the cost of them getting hit. Which greatly upset both Flame and Ember at how dirty that move was.
Crush couldn't care less, as he planned to do that again when given the opportunity. But the Quartet won't give him such a thing, as they made sure to have Elora keep on moving too, and keep her distance from the pads.
All while she continued to fire her magical arrows at him, trying to provoke him into causing another little avalanche.
Pretty soon, his patience was worn thin as he proceeded to chase after the Quartet and Elora with his club held high. He was prepared to make sure that he's able to flatten them under his club when he swings down.
Then he had an idea.
The Quartet and Elora continued to run from him for a minute until they stopped just in front of him. "Come on! Take a shot!" Elora said, feeling that they can dodge his swing.
Which they were ready to do that as Crush proceeded to swing down, causing them to dodge the impending blow and run forward.
But it was a fake swing. And Crush was then using that to then throw a stone that he picked up mid-run, and threw it with a lot of his strength at the spot in the ceiling that the Dragon Quartet and Elora was now under, as he too caused the rocks to fall from the ceiling.
And the rocks were now going to land on the dragons and Elora this time. Which they were able to notice as they looked up in shock.
And in Elora's case, fear. Especially since they didn't have enough time to dodge the falling rocks, and Elora knows it.
"AAAAAHHHHHHH!" She screamed as she braced herself for the imminent crushing from the rocks, alongside the Quartet themselves. It seemed that they were all going to get hurt from this. (And quite badly in Elora's case.)
Only for nothing to come from them, as Elora felt nothing. She got confused before she looked back up again.
Only to see that the rocks were floating. Almost like they were being telekinetically carried. Then she saw that there was some dark hazes that was on the rocks, like some dark sorcerer really was carrying them telekinetically. Which Spyro, Flame, and Ember noticed too.
Even Ripto and Crush was looking on in surprise at what they were seeing.
"What the…?" Elora asked. Wondering why the rocks were being telekinetically carried.
Then she, and Spyro, Flame, and Ember then looked at Cynder, whom had a similar dark haze on her horns and her head. And she was grimacing like the rocks were getting heavy for her telekinesis. Which ended up telling them that Cynder was holding those rocks telekinetically, with her Magic from her Magic Crafter birth.
Which instantly reminded Spyro, Ember, and Flame of having met her for the first time when she was still brooding about her parent's dissappearance. She had that familiar haze in on her horns when she tried to threaten one of the Magic Crafter dragons that she'd throw him in the river if he bothers her and her friends.
And now she was using her dark Magic Crafter powers to hold the rocks so that they won't crush them. Something that had the three dragons and Elora in awe.
Then, she proceeded to make a strained scream like she was putting her all into her throw, as she proceeded to throw the rocks at Crush himself, taking him down and finishing the fight, by hitting him in the head with the rocks and burying his upper body under the rocks that he tried to crush the Quartet and Elora with.
All while they were still in awe at what Cynder has done to Crush.
Once the dust settled, and when they know that Crush isn't getting back up from that, the three dragons and Elora was applauding her for the save, as she ended up looking somberly at the ground while Ripto continued to look on stunned.
The three dragons and Elora then noticed Cynder's somber look as the three dragons quickly noticed why she was like that.
Elora on the other hand, didn't.
"Cynder, you were amazing! I didn't think that you'd still be able to use that power again." Spyro said, putting his wings around her in a hugging motion.
Cynder was smiling at him for the gesture, but she still had a somber look in her eyes. "But, I still have my dark powers that I never needed to use, let alone want to use, since I still feel like I could be no different than the other dark villains like him," She pointed to Ripto. "Or whatever that thing was back in Colossus." She then said, referring to the evil spirit that tried to scare them to death. (And by having them fall off the tall place at that.)
"I still do not want to become a dark sorceress if it mean I'll do bad things." She finished.
"We know. But what we also know, is that even if you do become such a dragon in the future, we still know that you still have a good heart inside." Ember said.
"She's right. You can't let the dark powers that you have, decide your fate in the future. It can always change, and I know that you'd make a great heroine of the Dragon Worlds regardless of that power." Spyro said.
"Besides, remember what we established when we were younger. 'Darkness itself isn't evil. It is those that use it for bad things that are.' And we just know that you won't be among them, because you're our friend." Flame said.
"And a part of this little gang that saved our world from Gnasty Gnorc. What part of that doesn't say heroic?" Spyro said, comforting her. "The point is, even if you do become a dark sorceress, you are still going to be a hero with us as long as you remain a hero. And that's what should matter to you."
Cynder ended up smiling back at them after some minutes of thinking it over. She was now feeling less somber about her dark powers that she refused to use in her journey to Gnasty Gnorc, and more relaxed about what she did. "Thank you guys. Especially you Spyro." She said, nuzzling him.
While Elora ended up looking on in confusion at what just happened in front of her. "I'm guessing that there's some more about you guys that you might plan to tell me?"
"Maybe later." The Quartet said in unison. Which wasn't a bad answer for her.
Then they all looked back to Ripto, who was still stunned during their talks, before he then got dejected. "NOOOO CRUUUSH!" He yelled out.
Then he looked at the Quartet and Elora in anger. "You all may have been able to defeat that Simpleton, but Gulp would be more than a match for you."
"Bring it on shorty!" Spyro responded, mocking Ripto's height.
Which had him shaking and pacing with rage, while snarling and and growling like a wild animal at what Spyro called him. "GULP! COME HERE NOW!" He ordered.
There was a few loud bangs, then in an explosion of metal, the door caved in, showing the green Cerotopsian himself. "GET SOME! IT IS GO TIME!" He proceeded to yell out to his foes.
"Destroy them. And make sure that it's painful!" Ripto then said.
"Ooh, BRING IT DRAGONS! GET SOME!" He bellowed out with excitement, then he got a look of nervousness when the room rumbled. "Um, there's just one problem sir." He then awkwardly said, pointing at the roof.
Sure enough, the roof was caving in on the room, especially near both Gulp and Ripto. Whom noticed how unsafe the area was now.
"What!? The roof? GULP! GET ME OUTTA HERE!" Ripto then yelled out, getting on Gulp's head between his horns. "So long dragons, and Faun!" He then said.
Then Gulp proceeded to retreat through the doorway, before the rocks then blocked the doorway after caving in there. And that was when the rumbles stopped.
Not that it left any of the Quartet and Elora any more comfortable, considering how little there was to hold the ceiling up. But they were relaxing nonetheless when they knew that the roof isn't going to collapse on them. "What a wuss." Spyro then said with a chuckle.
Which the rest of his friends ended up following with their own. "You said it. He would've been so easy to beat if that dino was gone." Flame said.
After their chuckling was done, Elora proceeded to look around the room. "Okay guys, now we're going to the next world in Avalar, which I'm sure that Ripto is headed towards." She said, finding another passage in the dungeon, which was out of the arena.
"And what is that other world?" Ember asked.
Elora smiled at her and the other dragons. "Autumn Plains. My favorite place to visit, and relax in. It's just so pretty to walk around in." She said, having the Quartet following her off of the arena by using the rocks as a bridge to the wall that doesn't have a pipe that poured out the acidic water. Then she opened up a door to go through to the passage out of the room, and to the exit back to Summer Forest, where they'll go to the next Home World. "And once we're there, you'll all probably think the same thing, and maybe you'd all know why I would fight for this world." She then said.
"If you say so." Spyro then said, entering the passage with Elora leading them on through.
Which lead only Crush as the only one inside the room. Who was briefly conscious enough to get the debris off of him, before he then looked around dizzily. "Anybody up for chess?" He asked nobody in particular before he fell back into unconsciousness.
Crush was defeated.
And Ripto was down one minion, but his war against Spyro was not over yet.
And done.
And here it is, another chapter of the Four Brave Dragons a Spyro Reignited story is released. I hope that you readers like this.
Also, as for why Cynder happened to have her dark powers used in this fight against Crush, I just thought that I'd add in the dark powers, just to see if I can give her a little more personality as a Magic Crafter dragon. I hope that nobody minds that little pull I did. And I just know that I'll put the powers to use in the future.
Also, shout out to CalvinFujii again, for the fact about Seahorses that Ember said at the beginning of Aquaria Towers.
Finally one more thing.
I hope that you enjoyed the chapter,
please give constructive criticism, just don't be rude,
do not forget to read and review,
hope you all stay safe,
And once again, Spyro the dragon is created by Insomniac games, and is currently owned by Activision, and toys for bob. Please support the official releases.
Theodore the Poet signing off.