Hello, fellow readers! Welcome to an interesting idea I've had for awhile. I recently got into the Spyro series, via the Reignited Trilogy, and started wondering of what stories I can do with him. After some time, a question popped into my mind:
What if Spyro the Dragon was a guest character in Them's Fightin' Herds?
He'd fit in really well, since he's also a quadruped like the fighters. If you're wondering what moveset he would have, I can imagine it being mainly of the original trilogy's abilities, but I'll include a couple of ideas from Legend of Spyro and even Skylanders. More on that later.
This is mainly on the interactions between the roster, not an overarching story as the game is still developing said story. Speaking of which, if he had a chapter, it can be just him finding a new portal and exploring the new realm. Pretty simple and self-contained from the other chapters.
With that said, let's get into it!
Them's Fightin' Herds Battle Intros (Spyro Edition)
1. Arizona
Intro One
Arizona: W-Whoa! You're a full-blown dragon!
Spyro: That's right, so you better watch yourself!
Intro Two
Spyro: You look pretty tough, show me what you got.
Arizona: Best watch ya scales then, cause here I come!
Outro One
Arizona: Huh, looks like you're two sticks short of a bonfire!
Spyro: Sorry, got a bit too fired up.
Outro Two
Spyro: You got heart, I'll give you that.
Arizona: If I can beat a dragon, I can beat any predator!
2. Velvet
Intro One
Velvet: Zis dragon's fire will NOT melt ze Ice Queen!
Spyro: Ha, yeah! I'll melt your ice faster than burning toast!
Intro Two
Spyro: An icy reindeer? Cool!
Velvet: Vell vell, even my magnificence extends beyond Foenum!
Outro One
Velvet: I reign supreme once more! Zis vas always meant to be!
Spyro: Oops, I think my flames burned off some of your coat.
Outro Two
Spyro: Sheesh, stick your head in the snow. It'll help cool that hot air in there.
Velvet: Your efforts vere for naught! Now, it's time for coffee.
3. Oleander
Intro One
Oleander: A full dragon? How peculiar...
Spyro: A unicorn- oh? What book are you reading?
Fred: Stick around, you'll find out.
Spyro: Whoa, it TALKS!?
Intro Two
Spyro: Hehe, I get it. You're some kind of 'scary sorceress', right?
Oleander: *sarcastic* Ha ha, very funny.
Fred: ...I thought it was funny.
Oleander: It wasn't!
Outro One
Oleander: A dragon reading... That's an odd sight to imagine.
Fred: Who said I'd let him read me?
Spyro: Talking books, that's a new one for sure.
Outro Two
Spyro: I honestly hope you're not. One was enough.
Oleander: Guess you're better at jokes than fighting.
4. Paprika
Intro One
Paprika: *Happy Papdings*
Spyro: Uh... Huh?
Intro Two
Spyro: Guess you like 'spreading the love', huh?
Paprika: *Papdings a statement*
Spyro: Good thing my scales are very tough...
Outro One
Paprika: *Really happy Papdings*
Spyro: *hears Sparx fly around him* Wait, you understand her!?
Outro Two
Spyro: Whew, you're no joke.
Paprika: *Excitable Papdings*
5. Pom
Intro One
Pom: Would you please go away, Mr. Dragon?
Spyro: I would, but I don't think your pups want me to.
Intro Two
Spyro: Whoa, whoa! What's with the dogs!?
Pom: I-I ain't doing it!
Outro One
Pom: Where did you even come from?
Spyro: You got fire in ya, so don't count yourself out yet.
Outro Two
Spyro: A feisty bunch you have on your hooves.
Pom: Settle down, what's with all of you!?
6. Tianhuo
Intro One
Tianhuo: A half-dragon against a pure dragon. Let's see what you're made of.
Spyro: I'm getting fired up, so bring it!
Intro Two
Spyro: Hope you got the skills to back up those flames!
Tianhuo: I do, so let's see if your bravado isn't just for show.
Outro One
Tianhuo: You're strong, but it seems that I've outmatched you this time.
Spyro: Half-dragon or not, you definitely got a dragon's soul!
Outro Two
Spyro: Gave me a run for my gems. Can't wait for the next match!
Tianhuo: A dragon with multiple elements? How curious.
7. Shanty
Intro One
Shanty: Ay, a real dragon! Best tell me where your horde of gems are!
Spyro: Sorry, they ain't for sale.
Intro Two
Spyro: Hehe, you're pretty small for a pirate.
Shanty: Best watch ya mouth or I'll douse ya flame!
Outro One
Shanty: Yarrr! The mountainous loot is mine!
Spyro: I don't want to deal with another Moneybags...
Outro Two
Spyro: Whoa, you held your own pretty well.
Shanty: Mocking a pirate will cost ya scales!
8. Dark Spyro (Secret Boss/ Unlockable Alt)
Intro One
Spyro: Is that... me?
Dark Spyro: Believe me, we're nothing alike.
Intro Two
Dark Spyro: Ugh, can you stop being you!?
Spyro: As in, having friends or a better personality?
Outro One
Spyro: You're right, I wouldn't have a pushover for a 'dark side'.
Dark Spyro: I'm better than you in every way.
Outro Two
Dark Spyro: It's clear who's the superior one.
Spyro: Both, both is good. Isn't that right, Sparx?
9. Normal & Mirror Intros/Outros
N. Intros
Line 1: *blows a puff of fire* I smell a barbecue!
Line 2: Hold your horns, here comes Spyro!
Line 3: Watch it, you'll get hotfoot. Or uh, hothoof.
Line 4: A fight? You never met a real dragon.
N. Outros
Line 1: You just got burned!
Line 2: Every good battle needs a good adversary.
Line 3: You ain't a wuss, I'll give you that.
Line 4: You'd make a better comedian than a fighter.
Mirror Match
Intro One
Spyro 1: Huh!? Impossible!
Spyro 2: Nothing is, you just got to believe!
Spyro 1: B-Back off!
Intro Two
Spyro 2: Hey, copycat! I don't like it when other dragons pose as me!
Spyro 1: Says you! You're the copycat!
Spyro 2: Then let's find out!
Outro One
Line 1: Whoa, weird. Is this a dream?
Line 2: *lost in thought* Whatever happened to that guy...
Outro Two
Line 1: You're obviously not Flame or Ember, so who are you?
Line 2: Guess you only copied my looks.
10. Taunts, Time out, etc.
Taunts
Line 1: Afraid of getting burned?
Line 2: Time to flame this fool!
Line 3: Come on, I got things to do!
Line 4: You gotta believe! *chuckles*
Time Out
Line 1: Oh no...
Line 2: *confused* Huh?
Line 3: Uh, gotta go!
Line 4: I'm outta here!
Combat Quotes
1. Elemental Breath
Fire: Burn!/Scorch!
Ice: Freeze!/Chill!
Water: Pop!/Burst!
Lightning: Shocking!/Light it up!
Wind: Blast!/ Spiral!
Earth: Boom!/ Quake!
2. Other Quotes
Spring Jump: Going up!/ To the sky!
Headbutt: Back down!/ Watch the horns!
Defense Quotes
1. Recovery
Line 1: My turn!
Line 2: Nope!
Line 3: I'm fine!
Line 4: Not bad.
2. Throws
Normal: Fly high!
Tech: Off the scales!
Super Quotes
Superflame: I'll torch ya!/ You're toast!
Supercharge: Here I come!/ I'll squash ya!
Superfly: Time to fly!/ WOO!
Scale Skin: I'm FIRED UP!/ Just TRY ME!
Daybringer Blaze: This is all I got!/ Here's the showstopper!
11. Moveset (Specials and Supers)
Fire Breath (Shotgun Burst): His classic flame breath, does good damage with decent range.
Blizzard Breath (Freeze Burst): An icy wind, capable of briefly slowing the opponent. Does good damage with short range. Uses one magic bar.
Water Breath (Projectile): A swirling wave of water, shaped like a bubble the size of your head as it travels the screen. Lingers for a bit, doing small rapid damage before bursting. Uses one magic bar.
Lightning Breath (Charged Beam): A bolt of lightning that travels the screen. In midair, he performs a sweeping wave while in flight. Does a good burst of damage and sends the opponent flying. Uses two magic bars.
Whirlwind Breath (Short-Range AOE): A burst of sharp razor wind, trapping the opponent in place. Does decent rapid damage with great hitstun. Uses two magic bars.
Earth Breath (Sniper Shot): A powerful meteor blast, exploding on impact. Does great damage and does a hard knockdown. Uses three magic bars.
Flight (Flying): Spyro takes off into the air, taking the fight to the sky. Last for about two seconds, extended to four if activated by Superfly. (N: Works similar to Tianhuo's Flight)
Spring Jump (DP): A rising spin jump, holding his wings out for extended range. Can also go into flight if held down, flowing into midair combos. Does decent rapid damage.
Headbutt (DP Follow-Up): Brings both Spyro and his opponent back down to the ground. Does good damage and even buries the opponent on impact.
Tail Sweep (Multi-Angle Attack): Spyro uses his tail for either a low sweep, an anti-air, or extending combos. Does decent damage with good range.
Tail Jab (Rapid Jab): Spyro uses the tip of his tail to repeatedly hit his opponent, keeping up his offensive pressure. Can be extended a bit if held down. Does small damage with good hitstun.
Wingblade (Counter Block): If timed right, Spyro can use his wings to deflect projectiles and roll in to close the distance.
Superflame (Level 1): Unleashes a powerful beam of magical fire, capable of burning the toughest metals. Uses one super bar.
Supercharge (Level 1): Charges horn-first into his opponent, running so fast that he passes them. Uses one super bar.
Superfly (Level 1): If held down, he follows up his Supercharge by launching into the air and activating flight. Costs two super bars total.
Scale Skin (Level 2): Upon activation, Spyro can withstand many attacks without flinching! For a short time, that is. (Lights, Mediums and Projectiles associated with the two levels will be tanked during the duration.) Costs two super bars.
(N: Gains his invincibility power-up skin from Reignited during duration. If not possible, then it can be a color palette instead.)
Daybringer Blaze (Level 3): A powerful blast of raw magical fire, capable of lighting the world like the sun! Cost three super bars.
12. Color Palettes (Pretty easy references to other characters)
1. Original - His OG colors from his debut, reimagined in Reignited Trilogy.
2. Destined Dragon - His colors from the Legend of Spyro Trilogy.
3. Sky Guardian - His colors from the Skylanders series.
4. Fiery Red - A palette referencing Flame, another dragon from A Hero's Tail.
5. Lovely Heart - A palette referencing Ember, another dragon from A Hero's Tail.
6. Dark Heroine - A palette referencing Cynder, another dragon from the Legend of Spyro trilogy.
7. Hot Pink - A palette that resembles the Fairy's Kiss power-up from Reignited.
8. All Fired Up - A palette that resembles the Superflame power-up from Reignited.
9. Headstrong - A palette that resembles the Supercharge power-up from Reignited.
10. Chilly Claws - A palette that resembles the Superfreeze power-up from Reignited.
11. Plasma Power - A palette that resembles the Plasma Orb power-up from Reignited.
12. Gnasty Green - A palette that not only references Gnasty Gnorc, but also when Spyro was originally intended to be green.
13. Raging Ripto - A palette referencing Ripto, a popular villain from Spyro 2.
14. Dark Master - A palette referencing Malefor, the main villain from the Legend of Spyro Trilogy.
15. Draconic Rebel - A palette referencing Shelia the Kangaroo from Year of the Dragon.
16. Sgt. Dragon - A palette referencing Sgt. Byrd from Year of the Dragon.
17. Brains and Brawn - A palette referencing Bentley the Yeti from Year of the Dragon.
18. Going Bananas - A palette referencing Agent 9 from Year of the Dragon.
19. Enter the Dragonfly - A palette referencing Sparx, his dragonfly companion.
20. Sweet Smolder - A palette referencing Smolder from Friendship is Magic.
21. Brave and Glorious - A palette referencing Spike the Dragon from Friendship is Magic.
22. Dragon Lord - A palette referencing Dragon Lord Ember from Friendship is Magic.
And done! Honestly, I also did this to get a feel for Spyro's character. He's mainly humble and relaxed, but I wanted to incorporate his snarky side a bit more. Especially since he was marketed with having 'sick burns'. I know some interactions are better than others, but it just depends on who he's bouncing off of.
Dark Spyro was mainly for fun, but if he was incorporated into the game too, it'd be redundant for normal Spyro to have a color palette based on him. Though you can argue that he'd have a similar moveset, there's room to make him very different. Heck, I might make a separate chapter to prove that.
The moveset was fun to imagine. His main game plan is close combat and elemental breaths, which give a variety of attacks for his offense while being quick on his claws. His defense may be a bit lacking, but that's obviously not the intended strategy. Don't worry though, he's easy to pick up and play, especially if you just got the game to play as the purple dragon.
And I think that's about it. Feel free to tell me if you enjoy the interactions, how accurate Spyro is written, and if his in-game inclusion would be cool or not. Next time we meet... why not, I'll do the Dark Spyro chapter. Be interesting to see how different his interactions and gameplay will be.
After that, my warm-up will be done as I'll be starting on my Spyro x MLP crossover story. No joke, these two series can fit seamlessly into each other and I want to prove that, without actually merging the worlds or doing a drastic tone shift. You'll see what I mean when I post it.
Until then, thanks for reading and I'll see you all next time!