Chapter 27: The Dragonets of Destiny
Link, Sparx, and Midna left the Temple of Light and were heading back to the portal that lead back to the Temple of Time. That was when Midna realized something.
"Link," Midna said, "do you think that you can harness Twili magic in your Twilit dragon form?"
"Well the Purple Dragon of Legend did have a form similar to my Twilit dragon form," Link replied, "he did have the power to use Twili magic since he used it to get to help the Dragonets of Destiny. And since I am his past self, I think that I can. The idea still baffles me, though."
Link stopped in his tracks and looked over the edge of the bridge into the village below. Something seemed off about it. It wasn't the buildings or the layout of it, but the inhabitants themselves. They weren't like normal people at all. As the matter of fact, they weren't even of any race in Hyrule. They were equine, more specifically horses, comprised of crystals.
"Midna," Link said, "you'd want to look at this."
"These must be the creatures that created the spiritual stones," Midna replied. "But why are they made of crystal?"
"Beats me," Sparx stated. "Let's get moving." Link gave a slight nod.
After Link learned how to disperse into twilit particles, he and his companions left the Temple of Time. Outside the temple, the Castle Town of this era was vastly different. Ominous clouds blanketed the sky, and the streets were crawling with ReDeads.
"This place gives me the creeps," Sparx stated shakily.
"I understand, Sparx," Link replied. "But we might need to return here to-"
"You have finally arrived, Hero of Twilight."
Link spun on his heels to come face to face with a woman with a naginata in her hand.
"You must be one of the Sheikah," Link replied.
"The Dragonets of Destiny need your assistance, Hero," the woman stated.
"Where are they?" Link asked.
"Last that I heard, they have been captured by Queen Scarlet," the woman replied. "Sadly, Hylia reborn wasn't with them."
"Hylia reborn?" Link asked. "I thought the Goddess reincarnated only once?"
"Due to Demise's curse, Hylia and her chosen hero are reborn when they are needed," the stranger replied. "The hylian princess had a dream of the goddess being reborn as a child of Queen Scarlet of the SkyWings on the brightest night six years ago.
"When she was first informed of the news, the SkyWing queen was very honored of having the responsibility of raising the reborn goddess. Ruby, Scarlet's daughter, believed that her mother wasn't worthy of that responsibility. She contacted us a few weeks after the egg was laid and planned for us to take the egg to raise the dragonet as Zelda's sister."
"Let me guess, the egg was stolen by the Talons of Peace before the plan was put in motion," Link commented.
"Yes," came the reply. "When Ruby heard of the theft, she sent palace guards with myself and several other members of the Sheikah tribe to retrieve the egg before Burn, but we failed to do that when the SandWing princess threw the egg off a cliff.
"When we reached the bottom of the cliff, we found an ape from the Dragon Realms with the dragonet in his arms. I told him to leave the child by the order of the Goddess Hylia or die. He chuckled and lunged at us. I was the only one to survive."
Link put his hand on the woman's shoulder. "I'm guessing that the dragonet was taken to the Dark Master," Link stated. "I've heard from the sage of light that Malefor is using a shard of the Mirror of Twilight to control someone named Cynder."
The woman smiled. "So the Goddess lives?"
Link nodded. "She lives. I'll do my best to free her from Malefor's control."
The woman chuckled. "I know you will."
Link faced Midna. "Time to head for the SkyWing fortress."
Midna nodded in agreement. She snapped her fingers and they disappeared in a cloud of twilight particles.
Link materialized on a cliff that overlooked the SkyWing arena. He pulled out the Ocarina of Time and his ancestor's journal. He flipped through the pages with Sparx looking over his shoulder till he spotted a song that was labeled "Zelda's Lullaby".
"This is interesting," Link commented. "It states that during the Era of Sky, this song was known as "The Ballad of the Goddess". It is a notable symbol of those who are messengers of the Hylian Royal Family. Do you think the SkyWings will respect the song?"
"I don't know, Link," Midna replied. "But from what that the Sheikah woman said, Burn didn't like the prospect of being chosen by divine power when she threw the egg that contained Cynder off a cliff."
"But maybe she didn't know that the egg contained the soul of the Goddess," Link replied as he turned the pages until he found a tune that the Hero of Time called "The Song of Healing". The phrase sparked something in his memory and he chuckled.
"What is it, Link?" Midna asked.
"I just remembered something," Link replied. "It's something an old friend told me when I was a student at-" he looked up and saw something diving at them. "Hide in my shadow, quickly!"
Link pulled one of the Four Swords free of its scabbard and instinctively launched a beam of energy at the oncoming enemy. He crossed his arms and willed his body to transform.
"What the?" the attacker exclaimed as he rolled out of the way of the blast of energy.
Link fell to all fours as his transformation began. However, it didn't feel like his usual change into his dragon form. He felt fur erupt from his skin as feathery wings emerged from his shoulder blades.
As the transition ended, Link was flattened by a SkyWing paw.
"What should we do with him?" his captor asked his companion.
"He's not normal," came the reply. "I suggest we have the queen give him to Burn."
"But you don't know what he is, idiots!" a third SkyWing exclaimed.
"Princess Ruby?!" the guards exclaimed. "You know what he is?"
She placed a talon under Link's chin and examined his face. "He's a creature that hasn't been seen in nearly ten thousand years," she exclaimed.
The guards gasped. "How can that be? Hylia's daughters never leave the Sacred Realm!"
"And yet this youthful equine is being crushed by your paw," the princess replied. "I'll take him to my mother personally."
"As you wish, princess," the guards stated firmly. The SkyWing that had Link under his paw thrust him into Ruby's talons before flying away with his comrades. Ruby turned and dove toward a balcony that overlooked the arena.
"What are you doing here, Alicorn?" She asked.
"The Sheikah sent me," Link replied. "I'm also from the future."
Ruby's eyes glinted. "So you know who becomes the next SandWing queen?"
"I do," Link replied. "It's going to be the mother of the SandWing dragonet named Sunny, Thorn of the Outclaws."
"She's not one of the SandWing princesses," Ruby retorted.
"The Eye of Onyx will deem her worthy," Link replied. "Burn will die at Blister's talons through the very venom that killed Queen Oasis, that of the dragonbite viper, while Blister will be disintegrated by the Eye of Onyx."
Ruby landed on the balcony and headed into the palace.
"You're not really going to take me to Queen Scarlet, are you?" Link asked.
"You're right, purple equine," Ruby answered. "Centuries ago, my ancestors discovered a statue of a dragon that looked like a hybrid of what we can recognize as SeaWing, IceWing, and NightWing."
"What's the statue have anything to do with me," Link asked as the SkyWing princess charged down hallways.
"Legend depicts one of Hylia's daughters as a dragon like that," she replied. "Legend tells that she went on a mission alone and got captured by enemy forces and somehow got away soon after coming face to face with the Demon King himself."
"Luna?" Link asked.
"That's the one," Ruby acknowledged. "It's currently a royal SkyWing secret that she didn't escape at all. Demise must have created a clone of her and imprisoned her somehow. Recently, a young Hylian child of around eleven years old visited the palace. He had a peculiar knowledge of events that are yet to come. When I asked him to help free Luna from her stone prison, he succeeded by utilizing the magic of the Ocarina of Time."
She stopped at a door. "We're here."
She opened the door to reveal a room with nothing but a bed and a dresser for human clothes. In the center of the room with her back to them stood a woman with blue hair. She wore a simple midnight blue tunic with matching trousers and boots
"Lady Luna," Ruby stated.
Luna turned to reveal that her eyes reflected the night sky. "What is it, SkyWing Princess Ruby?"
"You have a visitor," the SkyWing princess replied as she put Link on the ground.
Luna's eyes widened the moment she saw him. "I don't recall having a brother," she stated. "What is your parentage, fellow alicorn."
Link swallowed nervously. "I never knew my birth parents," he admitted. "I was raised in Ordon Village by dragonflies that hail from the Dragon Realms. All that I know about the bloodline that sired me is that I am of the descent of warriors that fought the malice of the Demon King. The child that freed you from your stone prison is my great grandfather."
Luna scowled. "How is that possible?" she replied.
"He claims to be from an era that is yet to happen," Ruby explained.
Luna examined Link's face. "I can understand that," she stated. "My mother did create gateways through time." She smiled. "I can see myself in his complexion, as if I am destined to give birth to him one day. What is your name, young stallion?"
Link turned into his human form and knelt. "My name is the same as the very lad that freed you from your stone prison, your greatness," he replied. "But you can call me Spyro."
The smile on Luna's face broadened. "So, Spyro, why do you come to the SkyWing palace?"
"In order to prevent Malefor from destroying everything in creation, I need the assistance of five dragonets and yourself, Lady Luna," Link replied.
Luna's smile faltered. "You need my help?" she asked, looking away. "I'll just get in the way."
"You're the only one that can help me master my alicorn abilities," Link replied. "Without them, the world might perish."
Luna looked back at Link, worry crossing her face. "I don't know if I can," she stated. "After having a lot of my power and part of my very soul forcibly torn out of my body by the Demon King when he created my magic double, I felt like a failure. I failed my sister, my mother. I failed the brave dragons that served under my command."
Link nodded solemnly. "You don't have to fight in battle, Mother," Link answered. "All you need to do is to train those that will fight at my side."
Luna took Link's hand in her own. "I'll do the best I can," she stated.
"What five dragonets do you need the assistance of?" Ruby asked.
Link turned to face Ruby. "The dragonets of destiny," he replied. "They are also essential to my success. They helped, or rather will help, in my education."
Ruby nodded in acknowledgment. "I'll see what I can do to ensure a way for the dragonets to escape."
"I need Luna to interfere with the animus magic that was placed on the RainWing that my mother is forcing to behave like some braindead zombie," Ruby stated. "She can somehow spit venom that burns through any organic material. She is also one of the Dragonets of Destiny."
"That enchantment is as good as erased from existence," Luna proclaimed in a regal tone.
Ruby looked at Link. "You need to somehow reverse the damage that was done to the mind of the SeaWing named Gill," Ruby informed him. "He might be the husband of Queen Coral, but Burn bullied the MudWings to be our allies."
Link nodded. "I understand. Burn gave Queen Moorhen two choices: become her ally and not get invaded by SandWing forces for one century or mass genocide."
Ruby nodded. "When I become queen, I'll promise Queen Moorhen an alliance based off of common interests, not threats of eradication."
Luna nodded in agreement. "I'll ensure that the tribes will unite against a common foe."
"I know of an enemy we can unite against," Link commented, "the man that is being manipulated by the manifestation of Demise's hatred, Ganondorf Dragmire of the Gerudo."
Luna chuckled. "You do take after the Goddess."
Link smiled. "I was adopted by dragonflies and raised with the help of the Dragonets of Destiny themselves," he admitted. "I'll explain later. Currently, we need to get all five of them out of here."
Ruby nodded as she crouched to let Link and Luna onto her back. "I agree. Burn and my mother must be interrogating most of the Dragonets. Now is our chance to free the RainWing of her trance."
"Then we better hurry," Luna stated as she clambered up.
Once they were on her back, Ruby dashed down passageways and several caverns until they reached the banquet hall. Luna gasped when her eyes fell on a RainWing that was curled around a tree that was staring at nowhere in particular.
"Your mother is a monster," Luna exclaimed. "When I lay my magic on her..."
"If this plan works, you don't have to," Link whispered. "Are you sure that you are able to undo this? You have been trapped in stone for over nine millennia."
Luna smiled. "You're too much of a worrier, my son. This certain enchantment is rather elementary for an animus dragon to perform. Though the price of ignoring my sister's guidance due to jealousy has weakened my magic, animus powers are mere child's play compared to me in terms of the strength of the enchantments."
Her horn began to glow in a pale blue aura as she concentrated. The RainWing was soon encompassed in that same magical aura. While she worked, the RainWing's eyes were darting in and out of focus every few seconds. When the aura subsided, the RainWing blinked several times before turning her head towards them.
"Princess Ruby," the RainWing snarled in a voice that Link recognized. "Why did you lift the enchantment that was placed on me on your mother's orders?"
The SkyWing princess frowned slightly. "If your friends don't choose Burn as the SandWing Queen, they would most likely die in the arena tomorrow," she replied. "I wish for you and your friends to free my sister, Cynder, from the control of Malefor."
The RainWing was about to retort when her eyes widened in horror. "Malefor!?" she exclaimed in shock. "The dragon that threatened to end the universe when he was sealed away by the Light Spirits?"
Ruby nodded. "I trust that you will choose the right dragon to become the next SandWing queen with her help." She motioned to Luna to reveal herself.
The female alicorn leapt onto Ruby's head, transforming into her equine form. "I'm Luna, daughter of the goddess Hylia," she exclaimed. "I was the one that freed you from that animus enchantment."
The RainWing was confused. "I thought you left for the Sacred Realm millennia ago."
"That wasn't true," Luna replied. "Demise entombed me in stone after creating a double of me. The double escaped while I didn't."
The RainWing nodded. "That is understandable," she stated. "Does that mean that the Hero of Twilight has come?"
"The Hero of Twilight?" Luna asked. "What do you mean by that?"
Link jumped down to the floor and concentrated hard on his dragon form, but the size of a fully grown SkyWing. The moment he touched the ground, which happened much sooner than if he maintained this dragon form's usual size, his vibrant purple scales gleamed in the torchlight.
The RainWing's scales shifted colors slightly, showing her curiosity. "Are you the Hero that legends foretold?" she asked.
"It's up to you to believe that I am, Glory," Link replied.
"How do you my name?" Glory asked.
"Let's just say that we knew each other in my time," Link replied.
"So you are the Hero," Glory gasped.
Link nodded in affirmation. "Now then, due to a certain series of events happening tomorrow, Queen Scarlet will disappear from the face of the map. That will leave a vacancy in the SkyWing leadership. I am leaving the specifics vague as to not sound like a threat. However, that vacancy will of course lead to Princess Ruby to become queen."
Ruby gave Link a suspicious look. "I become queen due to my mother disappearing?" she asked.
Link nodded. "Most likely," Link replied. "You are her heir after all."
Princess Ruby nodded in understanding. "That makes sense."
Link turned to Glory. "The mission that Princess Ruby wishes to send us on is more than a rescue, it's a religious crusade."
"Religious crusade?" Glory asked. "What do you mean by that?"
Link gave Ruby a knowing look. "Should we tell her?" he asked.
Ruby nodded. "We better," she answered.
Link sighed. "You know of the legend of the Hylia's Chosen Hero, correct?"
Glory nodded. "I do know the story," she admitted. "It is a historical moment in Hyrule's history."
"It is said that the souls of Hylia and her chosen hero are reborn when the world is in peril," Link replied. "Several years ago, the hylian princess had a vision that the Goddess will be reborn as the daughter of Queen Scarlet on the Brightest Night."
Glory's jaw dropped. "Are you telling me that the SkyWing dragonet that the Talons of Peace stole for the prophecy was the reincarnation of the Goddess?"
Link nodded. "However, her story doesn't end with Burn throwing the egg off a cliff," Link continued. "An ape from the Dragon Realms discovered that she was barely alive and planned to take her to his master, Malefor."
"That was when several guards and Sheikah that I sent after Burn and the thief arrived at the bottom of the cliff," Ruby added. "They ordered the ape to hand the dragonet over, but he attacked them. Only one Sheikah survived."
"You can piece the puzzle together, Glory," Link stated. "Malefor defiled the Goddess and we want her back!"
Glory smiled. "We need to get out of here first," she replied.
"Don't worry," Link replied. "Your future self told me how you escaped," Link stated. "However, time is delicate. I can't tell you. But the gods will give you the opportunity tomorrow."
Glory nodded. "I understand," she replied. All of the sudden she returned to the state of daydreaming that she was in before their conversation.
"Sorry," Luna stated. "I am still recuperating from being entombed in stone for nine millennia."
"That is perfectly understandable," Link replied. "Though you didn't completely destroy the enchantment, it will shatter on its own tomorrow."
"How do you know that?" Luna asked.
"I'm from the future, remember?" Link replied. "The opportunity for their escape will come when the enchantment falls." He turned to Ruby. "I need to tell you something that Glory can't hear. It concerns the RainWing tribe as a whole."
"Why?" Ruby asked.
"She will discover it herself in due course," Link replied. "The information I have about this situation was because her future self discovered the information by investigating strange goings on in the Faron Woods."
Ruby nodded. "I understand," she replied. "Let's return to Luna's room."
They turned to leave they came face to face with Queen Scarlet and Princess Burn.
"Who is this, my daughter?" Scarlet asked, gesturing to Link.
"This is Spyro," she introduced. "He's from the future."
"A time traveler?" Burn asked. "I want him for my collection."
"I'm sorry to tell you this, Princess Burn," Luna stated. "My son isn't being locked up anywhere!"
"Scarlet?" Burn stated. "Please have this woman locked up."
Scarlet turned to Burn. "I'm sorry to tell you this, but Lady Luna here is beyond my power. She is one of Hylia's and Poseidon's daughters."
Burn stepped back in fright. "The Alicorn of Night!" She exclaimed. "I'm so sorry, Lady Luna. I didn't know he was your son."
"That is quite understandable," Luna replied.
"I was wondering, Your Majesty," Link stated. "I was wondering if I can show your people my skills in combat in the arena tomorrow? Though, I strongly oppose death matches."
Queen Scarlet smiled. "You are a volunteer, my dear Spyro," she replied. "I hardly have dragons volunteer for the arena. I will be fine with you doing spars with the other gladiators tomorrow."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Link stated. "I better prepare." He fiddled with the clasps of his gauntlet.
Burn noticed him fiddling. "My, my, where did you get that gauntlet from, Spyro?"
He slipped the gauntlet off his paw and it turned into a scabbard. "It came with the sword, your highness," he replied. "I didn't get much combat training in my dragon form. I am much more adept at the art of the blade."
Queen Scarlet nodded. "That would be interesting," she commented.
"Now if you please excuse us," Ruby stated. "Spyro needs to train."
Queen Scarlet chuckled. "Of course, you may go."
She stepped to the side and let Link, Luna, and Ruby pass. Once Scarlet and Burn we're out of earshot, Link turned to Ruby and Luna.
"The NightWings are pulling out of their stance of neutrality," Link stated. "They allied themselves with Blister. The prophecy about the dragonets is a lie. It has been part of a plan for the NightWings to seize the Faron region from the RainWings from the very beginning."
Ruby's eyes widened in horror at this news.
"The location of their kingdom was on a volcanic island more than twice as large as Death Mountain," Link stated. "The volcano was causing their resources to die off. Most of the NightWings are malnourished. They have been abducting RainWings from Faron and experimented on them. Several RainWings died in those conditions.
"Most NightWings are desperate for a better life. Some are even at the point to commit mass genecide like their queen."
"That is terrible," Ruby stated.
Link strapped the Master Sword back to his arm and watched as the scabbard turned back into a gauntlet. "I know," he replied. He looked back in the general direction of where Glory stood rather mournfully. "That is the reason Glory will become the next RainWing queen."
"How long will she be queen?" Ruby asked.
"Over a century," Link replied. "Only until a similar event to the night Queen Oasis died happened. A man from the Twilight Realm named Zant, claiming to be king of his people, invaded Hurule. He sent his demonic Shadow Beast servants to kill Glory." He swallowed. "They succeeded in the task."
Ruby put a paw on Link's shoulder. "Where were you at the time?" she asked.
"I was traveling through the dessert to Arbiter's Grounds," Link replied. "I heard that the prison housed an artifact that is a gateway to the Twilight Realm. Sadly, the artifact was fragmented. One of the fragments is being used by Malefor to control your sister, Princess Ruby."
"And is this fragment the last one you need to obtain to defeat Zant?" Ruby asked.
Link just nodded.
(Author's Note)
To those of you that have read what I wrote for my other story, Spyro's Adventure, there would be heavy alterations to it to make it fit as a sequel to this story. The same will go with the events of certain episodes of Skylanders Academy.
On another note, Christmas is coming. Sorry for the lack of updates. I have been busy with writing upwards of ten chapters for the last couple weeks. The events of the first Legend of Spyro game are coming very soon by the look of what has been foreshadowed. I got the inspiration of Cynder being the Wings of Sky from Cynder: Wings of Sky by The Friendly Space Marine.