The Legend of Spyro

Warriors of the Fallen

Chapter 1: And you are?

"So…We're lost." The speaker's voice was soft, light and friendly, but also had a tonne of slight teasing.

"Oh terribly. I don't ever remember seeing those mountains on any maps." The second speaker's voice was a good bit deeper, but also cracking slightly but just as friendly.

The first voice chuckled, "We'll, the continent was a big place. It would make sense if you hadn't seen a map for everywhere while in the Temple."

The second voice hummed lightly before responding, "To be honest...I didn't really care to even try. I was more interested in reading history."

First Voice was shocked, "History? Really?"

Second Voice hitched a little, "Well...when you don't even know who you are, History can be a fascinating subject."

First Voice considered, "True. But maybe it would have been nice to try and remember other things."

Second Voice chuckles, "Oh I'm not disagreeing. And if we ever make it back to Warfang, I am damn well going to study more Maps and what not"

First Voice Smiled, she turned her head from where it was previously overlooking a vast forest filled horizon from the top of a cliff and instead gets a good look at the male with her. His Tanned face was the only bit not covered by the Medium Plate Armor both of them were wearing...A heavily damaged and barely working Medium Plate Armor, with holes in several places and an odd arrow shaft or two they could quite get out, but at least it was something.

When the male turned to look at her though, she did not care what he was had on. It was his eyes that drew her in; it was always those deep purple eyes that drew her in. And if there were not a helmet covering the top and back of his head, she would be even more drawn in as his purple hair, which was probably in short, if messy, ponytail right now, would frame his face just right.

The female had to kick herself mentally. Ever since getting out of the Time Crystel, she's had the hardest time thinking straight when not in combat around him, and it was starting to get to her...but then she also did not mind it too much, she just wished it was a bit more controllable.

He smiles, she almost feels like swooning, but quickly destroys that thought as he talks, "You know, While I don't mind staring into those emerald eyes of yours, we'll never get anything done just staring at each other."

She can not help but blush as she tears her eyes away and looks out over the horizon again.

He chuckles again and nudges her, "It's alright Cynder. I don't mind. Just figured I should say it."

Cynder could not hold back the smile or the blush that crossed her face, but she needed to respond some how. So she leaned lightly onto his shoulder, drawing comfort in the knowledge that he cared for her as much as she did for him.

Her companion leaned into her as well, but before anything more could be said or done a resounding boom reached their ears.

Both of them, well-experienced warriors, snapped up straight, magic dancing along their fingertips as they searched around for the source.

The male saw it first, a set of trees shaking differently from those around them, and a large set of small animals fleeing from the location. More booms came, and with the trees shaking even more, it was confirmed.

Cynder looked, "Could be a large animal?"

The male shook his head, "That loud of a boom? It'd have to be a darn big animal, one we'd see." He closed his eyes, and they started to glow slightly behind their eyelids as he extended his senses outward. "No...It feels more like...Magic. Restrained, almost restricted but definitely bursts of strong magic."

Cynder smirked, "That seems...odd? Think we should take a look?"

The male opened his eyes, releasing the magic he was using while shrugging, "Don't see why not. What else are we going to do?"

Cynder sighed, "Point."

The male nudged her, "Race you." He pivoted on his one foot looking at her as he calmly let himself fall down the cliff looking up at her with a smile on his face.

Cynder did a double take then yelled, "Damn It Spyro! Get Back here!" As she jumped down the cliff after him.

It is said that great winged lizards where the first dragons. Creatures the size of houses who could move as if they were the size of a much smaller creature. It was said that they possessed knowledge beyond compare. Their strength could move mountains. And their love for all around them was endless. But while these gifts made them great, it also scared the other races.

The first dragons tried to overcome this fear by teaching the other races. To the Birds, they taught the art of flying and how to explore the vast sky. To the great beast of land, they taught how to make the ground yield to them and live in peace with it. To creatures of the sea, they taught to make beautiful creations from the sea herself and how to explore its furthest reaches.

And to the Humans, the race with which the dragons found a kindred spirit in, they taught the art of Magic. But Humanity is not always a kind race.

A few humans, a small few, felt that magic was not enough, that the dragons were not teaching them all they should, all that they deserved to know. They soon confronted the dragons and tried to take the knowledge for themselves. The dragons showed them their folly and in anger took back the gift of magic.

While the first dragons did love all, it was a love that also understood the lengths some would go to. They knew that if they stayed more would eventually show, jealous of the dragons might and knowledge and want more. And so the dragons decided to move on.

But they were not without compassion. When the dragons left, they let those they had taught keep their knowledge so that they may pass it down and let it continue to not only flourish but also expand. So that they may discover new insights and one day reach them.

The Birds became the Birds, The creatures of the land became all the animals we know today, and the creatures of the sea became the many fish in the sea.

Before they went, they visited a select few of the most loyal followers, their best students among the human kind and revealed a truth to them. The magic they had gifted humanity, was dragon magic. But humanity had a magic all its own; all dragon magic did was unlock it. And so before they left, they opened it again and allowed those who could best use magic to carry on.

This happened in an instant, asleep one night and awake the next. It was as if those who had magic had awakened from a slumber they didn't even know they were in.

With the dragons gone, only those who had Awakened could do magic anymore. Soon to be Awakened meant the same as being a Dragon. As such, any who show the gift of magic are considered to be Awakened Dragons.

-Nightly Tales, Writing the Oral History: Origins of the Awakened Dragons.

Landing at the bottom of the cliff was easy, a burst of wind from Cynder feet and a burst of fire from Spyro (with a little bit of earth magic to soften the ground as well), and they were safely on the ground. Spyro had to take off running so as to escape Cynder's retaliation for him springing the race the way he did, but both of them had a smile on their face as they ran through the woods.

They were cautious of the booms, always moving in the direction they were coming from. Thankfully they were far enough that they could goof off a little as they moved closer. It was not until the booms became extremely loud, and they could both easily feel the magic creating the booms that they stopped goofing and became the hardened soldiers that they had to be to survive.

The booms and magic tapered off slightly the closer the got, but they were still there. They found the source in a small clearing, one that looked to be recently created if the fallen trees were any indication. And at the edge of the clearing punching an already damaged tree with a magic infused fist was a young man, a bit older than them from the looks of things, wearing a tattered white shirt, which hung loosely off his fit frame, white pants nearly falling apart and only being held up by a strip of white cloth tied securely around the waist and with feet wrapped in even more white cloth acting more like bandaged foot wear than anything else. But the most prominent item on the young man was the two large metal bracelets, more shackles with their size and how tight they seemed to be digging into the skin, they were also strangely decorated with runes and gems of power glowing and pulsing lightly with the use of magic.

When the couple saw the figure, they stopped behind a downed tree and observed. The man did not appear to notice them and kept hitting the tree with slow, methodical punches, one hand going in for a punch, the other coming backward and open palm facing the punching arm, repeat. Each punch was infused with magic, they could not tell if it was Raw Non-Elemental Magic, or Elemental Magic kept close to the skin. They could see that despite hitting the strong wood of the tree, his fist were not looking worse for the wear but the tree was definitely starting to become deformed. His arms however, those seemed to be heavily scared, all of them old though, but it was still strange to see.

Cynder motioned to the shackles, finding those to be the most interesting, and in a silent whisper spoke to Spyro, "Look at those. They look like Magic Suppressors."

Spyro nodded before responding just as silently, "They are, but unlike any I ever saw. But even still, they don't seem to be doing much to stop him using his magic."

Before Cynder could respond, the punching stopped, and a deep voice originating from the man in front of them answered instead, "They're working as they should. What you're seeing me do is just the little bit that they are not able to Suppress."

The couple froze, unsure if they had been overheard, or if he had been talking to someone they could not see. They knew for sure they had been heard when the man turned in their direction, looking exactly where they were taking cover, his hands raised in a ready position to fight still.

"You can come out. My Magic may be lessened, but I can easily sense to the two of you. Your signatures are so powerful I've been able to sense you for some time now. If you plan to fight, know that I won't go down quickly."

He was most certainly on edge, and the last thing either of them needed was an on edge dragon to deal with. The fact that he openly admitted that he was using magic definitely confirmed that he was a dragon of some kind. Hoping to defuse the situation even a little both of them rose up and out of their hiding spot and over to the other side of the fallen tree. They did their best to keep their hands away from either their swords, their ranged weapons had been destroyed during their battle with the Dark Master, so at least they did not have to worry about those.

The young man looked the two of them over with a critical eye before he lowered his hands.

Spyro, seeing the other guy relaxing a little decided to open up the conversation, "You must be pretty strong to be able to sense us with those Suppressors on. They look pretty heavy duty."

The man looked at the shackles on his wrists, "They are. The Bastard made certain of that." The way he said bastard clearly showed his opinion of the creature, the near growl and almost wanting to spit at the mere mention of him was a clear sign of that.

Cynder was staring hard at the man, study him, unsure of what to make him, so Spyro continued, "I say again, impressive. The reason they are there, wouldn't be because of something we should be concerned about, is there?"

The young man chuckled lightly before responding, "Concerned? Maybe. But not about what I'll do to you, more of why he wanted it in the first place."

"That doesn't ease me at all."

The young man shorted lightly, "Even suppressed, I could probably put up a good fight against the two of you, maybe even injure one of you. It wouldn't be the first time I was forced to do so."

That got the two of them concerned, even during the height of the War dragons did not attack other dragons unless they were the enemy."

The young man sees their reaction and sighs, holding up his hands in a gesture of surrender, "Peace. I wouldn't attack the two who are responsible for my freedom, especially since you two are the enemies the Dark Master and the forces he controlled."

Cynder raised an eyebrow, "So you know who we are?"

The young man nodded, "Of course, The Bastard would talk of both of you often." He looks to Spyro, "Spyro Resoren, The Purple Dragon of this age, raised by a tribe of forest dragonflies, Champion of the Dragon Temple, Defeater of Ancient Spirits, Killer of Gaul, and Vanquisher of the Dark Master." He looks to Cynder, "Cynder Qintro, Terror of the Skies, Learner of Convexity, Traitor of the Dark Army, Ex-Puppet of the Dark Master and also Vanquisher of the Dark Master. Yes, I know of both of you well."

Both of them became shocked at the titles this man sprouted off without a care. Some of them not even that friendly.

Spyro's hands had actually started to gravitate to his swords, "And an odd way of seeing us. The fact that you know both of our last names, names that only the Guardians have known quickly…"

The man chuckles again, "You Forget, She was under the command of the Dark Master, and he has...had many creatures under his control. It wasn't that hard for him to gather info on those he wished. I wouldn't be surprised if he knows everything about not only both of your personal history but your entire family lineage as well."

Cynder puts a hand on Spyro's, "He's right. My memory of back then is a bit spotty, but I do remember dealing with a few...intelligence gathering sorts."

Spyro breathes deeply before relaxing slightly.

The young man seems to think for a second, unconcerned at the hostility Spyro was just showing. He looks directly at Cynder, "I have a feeling that you seem to recognize me."

Spyro looked to Cynder as she slowly nodded and responded, "Somehow...in the back of my mind. Something is tickling, like seeing you is supposed to be some great thing...your magic almost feels...familiar…"

The young man chuckles, "Yeah, it would. Back when you last saw me you were still a puppet, and not only was I not suppressed but I wasn't very good at not wasting magical energy when I was using it. I only ever sensed you, and that was only once or twice."

"But...how? I was a general for the Dark Master, only meant to fight and carry out his direct orders."

"So was Gaul. But you two weren't the only ones. The one responsible for these," he raises his shackles wrists, "Was one of the other generals…" He takes a deep breath before continuing, "Do you remember...A giant black wolf with red markings and chained collar?"

Cynder's eyes widen and look at the young man, "Yes. Shadowfang."

The young man just about growls, "Yes...I call him Bastard, I refuse to say his name...my own little way of resisting him."

Spyro looks to Cynder, "Cynder?"

Cynder takes a shaky breath, "I...I don't remember all that clearly...but Shadowfang...he was one of Malefor's generals...one that operated more out of sight of the front lines. He did...horrible things. Anyone who wants him dead, is certainly someone we can trust."

Spyro continued to look at Cynder, still concerned but eventually, he nodded in understanding and looked back to the young man.

Said young man sighed light, "Well then, now that you've decided you won't attack me. Maybe you can help me get out of theses Suppressors. I've been trying to overload them, but they're too well built for me to do it. Maybe you two can help?"

Spyro sighs and walks forward, "Sure...Why not…"

The young man holds out his arms, and almost sarcastically says "Thanks."

After Spyro moves forward, Cynder does as well, both of them checking out one of the Suppressors to see what they can do. The shackles are definitely well built, their bands made from solid Iron and well crafted. The runes and gems of power are of a different make than those they are used to. They are meant to be more Limiters than Suppressors, limiting the amount of Magic allowed through, more than completely stopping the Magic from being used entirely like usual Suppressors that the world uses. That reason and that reason alone was probably the only reason they were still working, if they had been actual Suppressors they probably would have broken from the amount of Magic the man in front of them was trying to push through.

As they are working on the way to break the shackles off him, Spyro works to at least fill the silence, "So...we all know you know who we are, but you never did introduce yourself. We got a little distracted about how much you knew."

The man chuckles lightly, "True. My name is Marshal. Marshal Febree, if that matters."

Spyro shrugged, "Don't recognize the name, so not really. But who knows, maybe it might come in the future."

The newly named Marshal sighs lightly, "Unlikely. My family, with a few exceptions, is mostly likely dead. And even if they weren't...They probably think I'm dead and have moved on."

Cynder looked to Marshal real fast before going back to the shackle, "Oh? And what makes you say that? Just because you were...under the care of...you know who, doesn't mean they think you're dead…"

Marshal shook his head, "Maybe if had been for a short amount of time...but I was...under his care, as you call it, for almost ten years." The couple actually stopped in shock, but then Marshal continued, "I came under his care after the forces under his command attacked the village I lived in."

Spyro took another breath before sighing and went back to working the graspings on the shackles with a bit more vigor, "I'm...sorry to hear that. Maybe we can help you find out for sure? At the very least we can help you get to someone who can help you get back to a normal life."

Marshal let loose a booming, "HA!" before continuing in a more normal tone, "Normal? Not likely. But I appreciate the offer."

Cynder sighed lightly but said nothing. Spyro, however, understood and decided to change the subject, "Well, then let us at least get you out of these things. Breaking them with force won't do. And you can't overload them from inside of them. Neither of us can actually lock pick all that well. But, If I'm reading the runes right, we should be able to overload them from outside which would…"

Marshal interrupted, "Which would allow me to send power through the holes in the Limiter field and overload from my side."

Spyro nodded. "You know your stuff."

"Experience helps where knowledge is lacking." He takes a breath and nods. "Do it. I'm ready...but be warned when they break It will take me a second to bring my magic back under control again."

Spyro positioned his hands on either side of the shackle he was looking at, Cynder copying and with the other one, "Understood...here's go nothing."

The hands of the couple glowed a bright white color as they channeled Raw Magic into the shackles. The shackles, at first, seem to ignore the Magic, but then they start to spark and glow brighter as its components become saturated in magic in the complete opposite direction they were designed to have it come. They still hold up surprisingly well even once they started to become stressed; they were designed to channel and control a frightening amount of magic after all. Even still, they were not designed to go up against near the near demi-god levels of magical strength the like that the Legendary Couple could bring to bear while also holding back the near biblical proportions of magical power that Marshal could bring to bear when properly prepared. The Limiters, which had held up against power used by a single being which would have given the Dark Master pause, utterly failed in the face of three who could go toe to toe with the Dark Master and live to tell the tale.

When they failed, the shackles first cracked then shattered in a bright flash of magic, almost blinding all three of them. But the bigger issue came from a different source.

Marshal had been throwing the entire might of his magic against the limiters, and without anything to hold it back anymore, his Magic came forth with a vengeance that had not been seen in a long time.

The initial burst of Magic threw the not entirely prepared couple, who thankfully recovered and were able to land on their feet before landing against a nearby tree. But they had to crouch low to not be thrown again by the fierce winds flowing around Marshal.

Marshal was a first elated at the feeling of finally being free, able to feel his magic respond and dance along the surface of the skin. It was a feeling of euphoria that he had been missing for a very long time. Then he noticed the effects of him releasing so much magic around him and he had to concentrate to force it back under control.

The couple was treated to the sight of visible wind first ripping around them, dirt and tree parts flying and tumbling and they could also hear the crackling of static electricity and snapping of Raw Elemental Magic as it roamed free. Then Marshal raised his arms in a Y format and began to visually strain as he started to force them together and in front of him.

As he did so, the winds carved a clear path against the ground as they first formed a wall of wind and then condensed around crackling of static electricity become more visible as tiny sparks of electricity bounced around the cyclone. When the winds were directly next to Marshal, his hands were near touching, and his arms were visually shaking from the stain of doing something he had not had to contend with some time, free-range usage of his magic and unconscious casting of magic without the intent of usage.

Marshal still need to finish controlling the strong winds, so with his near touch hands, he began to rotate them, going from arms looking like they had been handcuffed in front of him to having his fingers spread and hovering over the palm of the other hand and his arms parallel to the ground. This caused the wall of wind to become a ball of wind, with Marshal at the center.

Spyro and Cynder were able to stand up without difficulty at this point, but even still they were amazed at the strength and skill Marshal was showing in his work to control his magic.

To fully control the magic Marshal had to close his fingers and rotate his hands again while also bring them closer together. This made his hands form like they were holding a ball. As he was making this move, the Ball of Wind grew smaller and small, passing over Marshal without difficulty and by the time Marshal had finished making his hands balled all of the winds had rushed into those hands.

Spyro and Cynder causally approached as Marshal held that position for a little bit. Then he relaxed and opened his hands, no longer straining but breathing heavily as he showed off the ball of concentrated wind he was holding his right hand.

The ball was like a raging storm contained in a ball only a few meters big, dirt broken to sand and dispersed away, the static electricity more contained and no longer visible, and finally the snapping of Raw Elemental Magic was no longer heard, just the soft roar of the raging winds contained in Marshal's hand.

Spyro and Cynder could sense the power contained in that little orb and were slightly shocked when it dispersed with barely a breeze when Marshal slammed his hand shut and into a fist.

Marshal had a bright smile on his face, "That...Felt good. Thank you."

Suppressors:

|-Shackles used to contain the Magical Power of any being they are put on. Usually made of metal with Ruins of Power etched onto the metal to directly tell the ward what they are doing with target's magic. Placed within each Shackle are Gems of Power which are used to siphon off a portion of the wears magic to power itself as well as act as a buffer between the Suppression ward keeping the Magic down and the Magic of user try to break free.

*Warning* The strength of the Runes, Metal, and Gems are directly responsible for determining how much power they can keep suppressed before failing and breaking. Make sure to use the correct Level of Suppressor for the proper level of Magic that needs to be contained.

Runes of Power:

|-carvings forming figures, shapes, and lines which are made up of an ancient language which helps to control creations of magic of various power. The exact runes, combination, and order they are placed in are what determines exactly what happens when the Runes are powered. Please take note while there is no direct translation from Runes to Common Script, there are many similar principles. So don't think that one rune out place means a construct will react like others like it has, much like you wouldn't read two words the same if there were a little missing.

Gems of Power:

|-Precious stones specially treated and magically modified so as contain magical power of various forms. The most common type of magical alignment is neutral able to hold any type of magic, but gems can be set only to contain and control a particular type of magic be it elemental or non-elemental. Gems of Power are not naturally occurring which makes them different from Crystals of Power despite appears and naming conventions.

Crystals of Power:

|-Naturally occurring precious stones grown from magic and unique nutrients in the soil. Common Crystals of Power are Health Gems, Energy Crystals, Spirit Gems, Fury Crystals and Magical Ingots.

-Surviving Duty, A Guardsman's Lifeline: Lessons to Never Forget; The Four Basic Aids that will keep you alive.

AN: Went from just an idea to an actual thing. I just love the idea of retooling the first thing I wrote (even if currently being rewritten to fix issues with it). This retooling is a bit more...serious. It will deal with more mature themes, and be more violent and in a way bloody and disturbing. I will be dragging out not only my slightly more morbid sense of humor side but also my...I guess you could call it blood thirsty side. Basically, I am going to torture these characters to a degree and find it horrifying but am going to enjoy it so much.

Please note that even though I am writing these things, that does not mean that I am supporting any of the evil and nasty deeds which are going to be depicted. I write it only to show what has happened and to move the story in the direction I need things go. If you don't like it, don't read it.

To my followers, some of you have offered up characters for The Double-Jointed Dragon, If you are alright with them being in this one as well or even if you don't, please let me know, and I will adjust accordingly. This story will also have more characters taking part in the story at certain points, some in minor ways others as a "hey, I'm here" kind of way, but even still they will have a place in the story...I may also have some characters which I didn't initially plan on dying in TDJD dying in this one. (If someone has a character that is willing go all "Leeroy Jenkins" I will MOST DEFINITELY include that character, I will even literally toss a coin to see if he or she survives onto the next encounter) Please keep an open mind, and let me know.

On that note, characters are going to die. Only a few will have plot armor, but that won't stop them from getting injured.

My plan, flip a coin; Heads no injury. Tails I go to either a Number generator or get some dice, to decide how badly they are injured, the lower the number the worst the injury. To determine where they get injured I will assign a number to a portion of the body: 1 Head, 2 / 3 either Upper arm, 4 / 5 Either Lower arm, 6 / 7 Either Upper Leg, 8 / 9 either Lower leg, 10 chest, 11 stomach, 12 pelvis/spine.

The lowest numbers for the more critical area (Head, chest, stomach pelvis/spine) I Flip a coin again:

Heads they'll live but get a major injury (another coin decide permanent (tails) or permanent scar with a disadvantage in situations (heads).)

Tails go to the numbers again to see if he has a chance to live with a permanent injury depending on what number comes up. 1-2, dead, 3-4 coma to be decided at a later date, 5-7 coin toss (heads lives, tails dies), 8-9 debilitating and will never live a normal life again, 10-12 and permanently injured but coin toss with deciding if they will be able to fight at a later date.

The assigned numbers are subject to change if I use dice instead of number generators or vice versa, and depending on results. Those with plot armor will have the majority of major injury rolls ignored but only to the degree that they can stay in the story and be a part of it. Sorry if it is a bit confusing, it even took me a bit to get an excel sheet setup to keep it straight. But yeah, there is a chance for characters to die, even those I don't want to kill may actually die.

Also take care to realize that though this is a retool, many components of characters will be different because they have gone through different experiences. So if you have a perceived idea on what you think a character will, don't be surprised if they don't, in fact, do such a thing.

Well, I think that's enough for now, please leave a review and if you have questions don't be afraid to PM me. But until we meet again, Happy Reading.