Guess what, to make up for the lack of updates to my stories, I chose to do a double upload today.

Chapter 60: The Pirates of the Ancient Grove

As dawn broke over the Realms, Link and Midna reached the end of the Silver River and landed in a small clearing. As they looked around, Midna felt a chill run down her spine. The forest had a dark, poisonous feel to it; the trees had green trunks and purple leaves, the water ran with an acidic tinge and even the insects looked more sinister than the ones in the swamp.

"Oh yes, lovely," Sparx stated sarcastically. "We always get sent to the nicest places."

"Come on, Sparx," Link said airily. "It's not as bad as the Lost Woods."

At that moment, a deep booming roar rang out of the darkness. Link and Midna gave the other nervous glances and Sparx ducked behind Midna.

"Well, sure," the dragonfly yelled in fear. "If you ignore all the evil beasts and visions of doom and eternal darkness, which sounds lovely by the way... oh, and the fact that we now get to frolic through the magical creepy forest in search of some stupid tree? What's not to love?"

Link and Midna shrugged as they set off into the forest, keeping their eyes open for trouble. The grove mites gave them a spot of bother, but Midna simply swatted them away with her magic. A small pack of death hounds, canine demons, was dealt with by her wolves and another monster was destroyed by Link's firebreath. They crossed bubbling streams and knocked down some trees to make paths through the woods, but they never found the specific tree from his dreams.

After a while, as they entered a clearing with blue butterflies, Link looked around. "What are we doing here?" he asked.

"I don't know," Midna replied. "I'm not sure what we're supposed to be looking for."

Link slammed his paw against his head. "I think we might be lost."

Meanwhile, Sparx caught a couple of butterflies and started eating them. "Hey, have you tried these yet?" he called down with his mouth full. "They're delish... come on, try some."

"Sparx, don't eat that," Link stated, disgusted. "You don't even know what it is."

The dragonfly responded with a few loud burps. "Nonsense, they're perfectly edible."

"Shhh," Midna hissed. "Something's coming! We have to hide!"

At once, they ducked behind a gnarled root and peeked out to see what it was. Seconds later, some strange figures emerged from the foliage and stepped into the clearing. The newcomers looked like black-and-white hounds with long drooling tongues. They were dressed in red and white garments and the largest one waves a long cutlass in the air.

"Alright, maggots, time to spread out," the biggest hound snarled. "Don't bother snaring anything smaller than a Scurvywing. Skabb only wants prizefighters this time... and double the bounty for the one who captures Arrrrrborick!"

As the smaller hounds cheered, Link gasped. "Skavengers!"

"You know these guys?" Midna asked.

"Only in stories," Link replied. "When I went to Jade Mountain Academy, I read up on stories about vicious pirates known as skavengers who roamed the seas and skies of Skylands, stealing treasure wherever they could and capturing powerful warriors for gladiator fights."

"All those in favour of turning back?" Sparx asked.

All of a sudden, Link fell unconscious.

"Link!" Midna gasped.

At once, the skavengers turned towards the roots. "The noises came from over there," the leader snarled, pointing his sword out. "Go see what it is."

Midna gulped as the pirates drew closer, but then Sparx let out a groan and covered his mouth. "Uh-oh... not now..." And then he let out an enormous burp!"

The skavengers froze for a moment, looking around in worry. Midna took this opportunity to lift Link with her magic. "Sparx, you have to distract them," she stated. "I'll take Link somewhere safe." And before he could argue, the imp set off into the foliage.

The dragonfly gulped slightly and flew out in front of the skavengers. "Uh... so uh, how's everyone doing?" he stammered sheepishly.

One of the smaller skavengers chuckled, "Hey lookit, little bug is not much bigger than a bog-rat."

"Hey," Sparx grouled. "Who are you calling a bug, you crazy-eyed, mangy drool-mut?" The skavengers growled angrily at him, making him regret his words. "Uh-oh."

Sparx quickly flew off into the woods, the skavengers on his tail. "MOMMY!"

As soon as they were gone, Midna stepped out of hiding and dashed off in the opposite direction, carrying Link with her. At last, she spotted a cave and hurried inside.

Link woke up in the Dream Realm. He saw that snow was falling onto the platform and as he got to his feet, a chill wind blew over him, making him shiver. "Reminds me of Snowpeak," he said to himself.

He glided off the platform to the next one, which was blocked by an icy blue light. He walked up to the Elemental Pool and peered down. "Chronicler, are you there?" he called out. "I have done what you've asked of me, but I'm afraid I'm lost."

"As long as the gods are with you, you are never lost," the Chronicler's voice replied. "Calm yourself, Spyro and cool your thoughts."

Link stepped onto the Pool and felt a chill run through his body. He closed his eyes and focused on the Chronicler's instructions. "Do not let your fire control you... there are other elements at play here. The power of ice also flows through you, just as the chill winds whip through your wings. Let it... expand!"

Link focused his energy and heard a strange clicking noise. He opened his eyes to see his body covered in icicles before they shot out in every direction, taking out the barrier. The icy glow covered his scales, but he didn't feel cold at all.

"I knew you'd remember," the Chronicler stated. "Life seeks balance, young alicorn, and one who can master fire and ice is truly powerful in the growing face of danger."

Link set off along the platforms towards the Dream Temple. As the first statues moved to attack him, he shot out an icy orb at their feet, which burst and coated them in ice. Link then took them out with strikes from his tail and claws. On the next platform, Link learned that by covering his tail in ice and spinning around rapidly, he could send enemies flying.

At the next platform, he found his path blocked by a large lake. After thinking it over, he shot what Cyril called polar bombs at the water's surface, creating icy platforms that he could cross. Then the remaining soldiers were taken out with an ice fury. Soon, he reached the Dream Temple. He entered it and looked down into the pool.

"Okay, now what?" Link asked. "What do you want me to do?"

"You already know what's happening," the Chronicler replied grimly, "of the great evil that is awakening... but there is more that you must understand..."

At once, an image appeared in the pool. It was a mountain shaped like a dragon's head, its jaws open in an eternal roar and a great beam of purple energy blasting into the peak.

"The Mountain of Malefor," Link mumbled.

"So you've heard of this place, young alicorn," the Chronicler stated. "It is an asylum to the wandering phantoms and lost spirits of those who have turned to darkness. But to the spirits themselves and the black-hearted, it goes by another name..."

At once, the scene changed to show an army of Apes approaching the mountain, led by a monstrous, armor-clad creature with a glowing green eye carrying a broad staff topped with a flashing black crystal. As they stopped, the creature let out a deep growl of awe. "The Well of Souls!"

As the apes let out a ragged cheer, Link blacked out once more...

With a groan, Link got up and looked around. He saw that he and Midna were in some sort of tunnel system next to a purple river. As he stood up, he noticed Midna smiling at him.

"Are you alright?" she asked.

"Yeah, I think so," he replied. "Hey, where's Sparx?"

"He was distracting the skavengers while I took you to this cave," the imp replied. "Looks like he hasn't come back yet..."

But as she spoke, a yellow glow zipped round the corner and flew up to the pair. "Oh, guys," Sparx panted. "I'm out of shape..."

"Sparx, you made it," Midna beamed. "Did you lose the skavengers?"

But before the dragonfly could reply, the same group of dog-faced pirates emerged and skidded to a halt.

"What have we here?" snarled the leader. "Arrr first catch of the day!"