Chapter 38: Frosty Training

An hour or so later, Link and the dragonets returned to the Dragon Temple, accompanied by Cyril. Ignitus looked pleased but also worried to see the ice Guardian.

"Cyril, are you alright, are you hurt?" he asked.

"Shaken, but otherwise perfectly fine, old friend," Cyril replied. "I fear I will not be able to fight for some time, however. Cynder has sapped me of my powers temporarily."

"What did she use to do this?" Ignitus asked. Cyril looked confused, but interested.

"A crystal," Cyril replied. Ignitus looked scared, but also like he had been expecting this.

"Then, my fears have been confirmed," Ignitus stated. They went to the pool room, where Volteer was waiting. Cyril and Volteer looked far from pleased to see each other: in fact, they looked at each other with great dislike.

"What's wrong?" Sunny asked.

"I'm afraid myself and Cyril have attained a quarrel with each other that has caused a state of great displeasure for each other, and that has spanned decades now," Volteer stated.

"What?" Sparx asked.

"They argue a lot," Link explained. Sparx shook his head and muttered something about 'just saying so'.

"Indeed," Cyril stated. "And I see that years of tortured captivity has done nothing to stop that electric tongue of yours from incessantly wagging."

Volteer glared at him.

"Please, both of you, put your differences aside," Ignitus stated. "We'll have time for cosy catch up later, but right now you might have noticed we're still one Guardian short."

"Of course, Terrador," Cyril stated. "Have you any idea he might be?"

"At tall plains, the apes were planning to take the Atlawa to a place called 'Munitions Forge'," Clay stated. "That was until we freed them." The Guardians exchanged worried looks.

"That would make sense," Ignitus stated. "Beside her home, Munitions Forge is Cynder's most secure fortress."

"Is there a way in?" Link asked.

"I'm sure there is, but getting out will be much harder than getting in," Ignitus stated. "Munitions Forge is a gigantic mine where Cynder mines metal for the ape's weapons. It's a labyrinth of tunnels, all of them swarming with apes and who knows what else."

"There must be a way," Clay stated.

"There is," Ignitus replied. "The mine is beneath a mighty volcano, which means the creatures there are strong with the fire element. Luckily, you have just rescued a master of ice."

"Indeed," Cyril stated. "Ice is, of course, incredibly powerful, wielded by only the best dragons."

Starflight shivered. "Good thing you're not an IceWing, Mr Cyril," he stated. "Otherwise, you would have gutted me on sight."

Cyril and Volteer gave Starflight worried looks. "What do you mean by that?" Cyril asked.

"NightWings and IceWings have had a bitter rivalry for centuries," Link replied. "Ever since Prince Arctic of the IceWings fell in love with a NightWing and sired Darksalker, a NightWing animus that turned evil."

Cyril nodded in understanding. "As we're pressed for time, come along with me, Spyro."

The dragonets hung back with Ignitus and Volteer as Link followed Cyril to a third training room. It was freezing in here, there were no windows and a thin covering of frost covered the ground.

"Ideal conditions for practice," Cyril stated. "But, with enough of it, you'll be able to use these powers anywhere, including Munitions Forge and Death Mountain."

Link nodded in understanding.

"Well, conveniently, ice works very similarly to fire," Cyril stated. "It can burn and seriously injure, and can be used to slow enemies."

Link nodded, remembering his trek up Snowpeak. The blizzard surrounding the mountain slowed him down severely. "So it's similar to electricity, in some ways."

Cyril chuckled. "Not quite," he replied. "People move slower and make more mistakes when freezing, but they do not stop completely. That is, unless you are, like me, an elemental master."

Link rolled his eyes.

"Worry not, we'll get you to that stage," Cyril stated. Like the others, he conjured up ape dummies for Link to practice on. Cyril was right. Ice was very similar to fire, just the opposite temperature. He mastered it quickly.

"Can you teach him how to use Fury?" Midna asked from Link's shadow.

"Who said that?" Cyril asked, turning on the spot.

"That's Midna," Link replied. "She's a friend of mine."

Cyril nodded. "To answer her question, I'm not sure you're ready for that just yet, Spyro," he stated. "You'll find out in time, though."

Link nodded in understanding as he left the room. The others were waiting for them.

"I have confirmed that Terrador is being kept at Munitions Forge," Ignitus stated. "And Cynder is very unhappy about what you've been doing. In an absolute rage, I should say."

Link and the dragonets smiled.

"This, of course, means security will be tighter than ever, so stealth will be your advantage," Ignitus added. "The plan is simply get Terrador, get out, and get back here without being seen. And if you encounter Cynder..."

"Run away to-" Link hit himself on the head. "I've been stupid. Stealth might not be needed at all."

"What do you mean by that, Spyro?" Volteer asked.

Link reverted to human form and pulled a mask from his magic pouch. He held it up for all to see clearly. It looked like his face, but it had silver hair and face paint.

"In my era, I inherited this mask from the Hero of Time," he stated. "He used its power to save the land of Termina from the dark spirit that resided in Majora's Mask, the Demon Queen Majora."

Volteer stepped forward and took the mask from Link. He examined it carefully. "I sense a powerful energy flowing through the mask," he stated. "Divine energy."

Ignitus' eyes widened in shock. "Does that mean that Spyro can just break down the front door of Munitions Forge and slaughter every ape inside to get to Terrador?"

Volteer nodded. "Most likely."

"I'll most likely use it just in case I run into Cynder," Link replied. "The element of surprise is an element that all beings can use, correct?"

Ignitus smiled at Link's joke as Sunny burst into laughter. "Since so much depends on your success, Spyro, I will not be allowing the dragonets to accompany you," he stated.

Link nodded in understanding. "Cynder might be waiting for us," he stated. "If I walk into a trap, them being here would still enable them to fulfill the prophecy without me."

After Ignitus told him the way to Munitions Forge and he got himself ready with the red armor that the Hero of Time designed, Link, for the third time, entered the courtyard and flew off into the unknown. The Guardians, Flame, the dragonets, and Luna watched him leave until he was out of sight. Cyril and Volteer noticed Ignitus' worried look.

"Don't fear, Ignitus," Cyril stated. "He'll be fine. He's the purple dragon, after all. The prophecies were made for a reason."

"We've thought that before," Ignitus replied. "And look what happened then."

Munitions Forge was farther than both the tundra or Tall Plains. Link flew over rivers, forests, mountains, hills, and valleys. He flew for so long, it soon became night time. The moons reminded him of Luna. He pictured her at full power ten thousand years ago, raising Hyrule's moons and people worshipping her power as a goddess.

After what seemed like hours, the silhouette of the volcano was visible on the horizon.

Even in the dark of night, the glow of the mine stood out like a beacon. Giant furnaces, rivers of lava like at Death Mountain, and lines of braziers and torches created a huge orange glow in the night.

"Ignitus said to go in from the south entrance," Link stated.

"Where's that?" Sparx asked.

"I'm guessing down there," Link replied. He flew to a ledge on the outside of the cliff that surrounded the mine. It was dark and empty here. Through the gloom, Link could see three tunnels.

"Which way?" Link pondered.

"You're asking me?" Sparx retorted. "I dunno. The middle one."

They followed the middle tunnel into the mine. Sparx's glow offered them vision a few feet ahead of them. The only problem Link could see was that it would be difficult to hide Sparx should an ape appear. The tunnel curved and sloped, and soon, Link had no idea which direction he was facing anymore.

"Wish we had a compass," he whispered. His eyes widened as he spotted something ahead. "Sparx, stop."

Sparx stopped flying and noticed that Link had as well. There was a faint light up ahead, bobbing toward them.

"That's not an ape," Link said. "It can't be. If it is, man he's small."

Whatever it was came closer and soon came into view. It wasn't an ape at all, but rather a short, hairless creature wearing a blue tunic and a large hat. The light was coming from a candle in the middle of his hat. In his hand was a walking stick.

"Eh?" the creature stated. "Who's there?"

"Don't you see us?" Sparx asked.

"I don't boast great eyesight," the creature replied. "You don't smell like Cynder's beasts, but that doesn't necessarily mean you're friends. Who are you?"

"My name is Spyro, and this is Sparx," Link stated. "We're here to rescue a friend. Can you help us?"

"If he is a mighty dragon, I certainly can," the creature stated. "I am Mole-Yair, leader of my people, the moles. Or at least, I was until those apes captured them and forced them to work in the mines."

"Well, if you help us, I expect we can help you," Link proposed.

"Thank you, but I'm afraid it's impossible," Mole-Yair replied. "You'd have to be as powerful as a purple dragon to get in there."

"Funny you should say that," Sparx stated. "Now, which way to the mines?"

"My lady, our guards have sighted something flying around the mines, should we put the fortress on alert?" an ape asked. Cynder turned and smiled maliciously.

"He's here," she stated. "No. Let him come. I have a surprise for him."

At those words, her heart did a cartwheel. It so longed to feel romance for some reason. But she ignored its pleas for love. She had a purpose.

The ape nodded and left the room. Cynder turned to look at the green dragon next to her. He was chained up to the wall.

"Your precious purple dragon doesn't seem so powerful any more, does he?" she sneered.

"You're insane if you think you can stop him," Terrador replied. Her heart beat hard against her chest in agreement to Terrador's statement, as if saying, The Hero can't be stopped.

"Well, you're right about the insane part," Cynder replied. Then, she placed a claw on a crystal in front of Terrador and turned it. A flow of green energy began to flow from the old dragon, making him yell of pain. She smiled evilly at him.