There are three songs that I gave to characters in preparation for this moment. They're all on youtube.
Cynder: Bleeding Out (Imagine Dragons)
Ember: For Those Who Wait (Fireflight)
Imperia: Cup Song: Extreme Edition (Jon Cozart)
Finally this chapter has it's own song: Let Her Go (Passenger)
Cynder stared at Malefor for a few seconds, too surprised by his sudden appearance to react. He realised that she hadn't known it was him before he entered the room and immediately stepped away from her.
"I'm not here to fight."
Cynder jumped to the other side of the room and took a ready stance. In moments her tail blade and claws were coated with lethal poison, and Malefor was clearly aware of this because he kept a respectful distance from her.
"Why should I believe you?" She hissed.
"You'll believe me in hindsight." Malefor went back to Ember's bedside and sat. "I should have known that Magmar would do something like this, but I was too focused on my own goals. By the time I learned of what had happened, it was too late."
Malefor waited a moment for a response, but didn't get one.
"I'm sure you have a lot to think about and many things that are weighing on your mind."
Malefor waited for another moment.
"I only came to do this."
The purple dragon raised his paw; deep purple light glowed around it. He gently placed his paw on Ember's neck.
Cynder watched, awed, as the terrible wound that Ember had suffered began to heal. Malefor traced the curve of Ember's throat, and her scales reformed at his touch, reconnecting. Purple light flickered like fire over the gash, brushing at Ember's scales before sinking into her body.
Malefor poured energy into his paw as he finished mending Ember's injury, he rested his paw lightly on her shoulder and within seconds Ember began to breathe more regularly and deeply.
"Power such as ours should be used for good. I hope that this eases something of your pain, Cynder."
Malefor stood and there was a flash of purple light. Cynder felt a buzz in her belly and instinctively activated dragon time, the world becoming silent and still around them. Malefor looked at her.
"Your powers allow you to join me under the effects of dragon time, activating to protect you. To any other dragon it would seem I had simply disappeared. I don't teleport." Malefor walked around Cynder to the door. "In truth I exit a room like any other dragon would, through the door."
Cynder watched as Malefor stepped out and closed the door behind him, she didn't let down her guard until the world returned to its normal colour.
Cynder almost had difficulty believing that anything had just happened. She looked around, thinking she might have dreamed Malefor's appearance, but one glance at Ember told her that he had been there.
The pink dragoness was breathing deeply and peacefully, her scales were smooth and undamaged. Malefor had healed her, he had saved her.
She understood why Gracious and Seth had claimed that Malefor was a god, his powers and his methods were far beyond anything she could have expected from a normal dragon. Were they right, was he really a god? She didn't know.
Cynder was given no further time to think about what had happened, there was a knock on the door. Cynder re-poisoned her claws and tail blade, wary.
"Who is it?"
"It's Imperia, can I come in?"
"Yes."
Imperia walked through the door, smiling the moment she spotted Cynder. She had clearly been crying more since Cynder had last seen her, but her smile was genuine and Cynder felt better as soon as she saw it.
"Hi Cynder, this has been a hard day, hasn't it?"
"Yes… It has, for both of us."
Imperia slid forwards and draped her wing over Cynder; Cynder sighed and allowed herself to lean against the beautiful wind dragoness, relaxing. She took comfort from the hug, and so did Imperia.
"What's on your mind?"
"Malefor was here, in this room, just a minute ago."
Imperia tensed slightly, she looked around.
"What do you mean? Here, in a literal sense?"
"Yes in a literal sense. He came, he healed Ember, and then he left again."
Imperia looked across at Ember.
"Oh! Her wound, it's gone."
Cynder nodded. Imperia hesitated.
"Should I go and get help, or something?"
"Would it help?"
"I don't suppose it could. Not as much as a hug helps." Imperia wrapped her tail around Cynder.
"The hug is helping a lot."
Imperia nodded, she stroked Cynder's scales and rested her head against Cynder's. "It's helping me too."
The two dragons didn't move for a long while. Cynder closed her eyes and tried to forget everything that had happened, but she couldn't, not even for a few minutes. Imperia always made her feel better, but she still felt pretty bad.
"Imperia?"
The silver dragoness squeezed her lightly.
"Yes, Cynder?"
Cynder sighed, there were so many things that she needed to deal with, that she wanted to talk about.
"I'm worried about Spyro."
"Of course you are. I'd be worried about you if you weren't worried about him. Then again, I'm worried about you anyway." Imperia giggled and smiled.
"I just… I just want him back." Cynder felt her eyes fill with tears; she tried to blink them away. "But I feel like I can't do anything!"
"I know it's frustrating. I know you want him back." Imperia said sadly. She hesitated for a moment. "Cynder?"
"Yes?" Cynder rubbed herself against Imperia's side.
"You remember our talk about names, right? We talked about it ages ago?"
"Yes I remember. Words are easy to throw around; you should judge others by their actions. You said it to make me feel better about being called the Terror of the Skies."
Imperia laughed slightly. "Did it help?"
Cynder nodded. "You know it did."
"Philosophy and hugs are my kind of help." Imperia tried a smile, and then sighed. "This is a bit… difficult… to break to you gently, but still dramatically."
"What?" Cynder looked up at Imperia, puzzled. Imperia drew Cynder close and wrapped herself around the black dragoness.
"I know I shouldn't be, but I'm trying to be dramatic."
Imperia sighed.
"Cynder… the traitor in Warfang, the dragon working with Malefor… that dragon is me."
Cynder frowned. "What?"
"You know… the dragon that put the snake charms on you and Spyro, who arranged to have Malefor resurrected as his true self; I was the one who did those things."
Cynder tensed, Imperia held her close, but Cynder pushed her away slightly. "You were working with Malefor?" Her voice was soft, her mind worked rapidly, suddenly seeing every kind thing Imperia had ever done for her in a different light.
Imperia stepped back, sensing the first hints of anger in Cynder's voice. "Yes I was, and I have been for years."
"Before we even met." Cynder's voice was low and dangerous.
"Yes, before then. But Cynder, please, I-"
"I thought you were my friend."
"I am your friend! Cynder-"
"I trusted you. I trusted you!" Cynder swept wind at Imperia. The silver dragoness easily deflected it, but was driven back a step by the hurt in Cynder's voice.
"Wait, Cynder, let me explain."
Cynder was in no mood for explanations, she felt betrayed and she felt angry.
"Malefor ordered you to be my friend!"
Imperia shook her head. "No! No he didn't! Even when you were an egg I cared abou-"
"When I was an egg!" Cynder took a step forwards, Imperia edged back. "You've been working with Malefor for that long?"
"Just let me explain, Cynder. Judge me by my actions, please! I-I would never hurt you!"
"Oh I'll judge you by your actions, or more accurately by your inaction. When the ape king Gaul trained me, and raised me to be a killer. You must have known what was happening, but where was your so called care then?" Cynder swept the wind at Imperia again. Imperia didn't even try to deflect the blow and she was thrown off her feet, sprawling on the floor.
"I want to help you Cynder! Just calm down and let me talk, please!"
"I'm not listening to anything you have to say!"
Cynder used wind to slam Imperia against the wall. The silver dragoness lowered her head in surrender. Cynder continued accusing her, furious, as she finally saw why Malefor had been able to outmanoeuvre and manipulate her and Spyro so completely.
"Oh yes, and if you knew me as an egg, then you worked with Malefor when the dragon temple was raided! When all those dragon eggs were destroyed you were the one who allowed the apes into the temple!"
"Yes…" Imperia whispered, looking like she might start crying. Cynder stepped forwards with a snarl.
"You've always been lying to me."
"I never told you the whole truth, yes, but I didn't lie! Cynder, why would I tell you this now?"
"I don't care."
"Because I care about you! I'm trying to make up for what I've done and… for what I didn't do."
Cynder advanced, Imperia began to cry.
"Cynder… I love you. I really do."
Cynder stopped, the anger began to fade and turn to an aching feeling in her chest. "I wish I could believe you. And I wish I could trust you. But I can't. Just go."
Imperia hesitated. "Go?"
Cynder screamed at her. "Get out of my sight!"
Imperia looked shocked and hurt; she slid around Cynder and fled to the door. She stopped there to say a few more words to the black dragoness.
"I admitted that I work with Malefor because I wanted to tell you something. Spyro is at the fortress created by your controlled form, he's being held at Concurrent Skies."
"Why would you tell me that? Why would you betray Malefor now?"
"I already told you my reason. Because I love you, Cynder."
Imperia wiped tears from her snout; she slipped out of the door and left Cynder alone with Ember.
Cynder wiped tears off her own face.
"I… Imperia, I loved you too."
There was a soft sound from behind Cynder, she looked around, realising that Ember had moved. The pink dragoness slowly raised her head, looking around the room, seeming dazed.
"Cynder?"
Ember didn't appear to have spotted Cynder, which made the black dragoness wonder why hers had been the first name Ember called. She stepped forwards, uncertain, and Ember spotted her. The pink dragon looked startled, noticing the tears on Cynder's muzzle.
"Cynder, are you ok?"
Cynder didn't respond, Ember tried to get up, but she wasn't strong enough to do it.
"Cynder? What's wrong?"
"Ember… I…" Cynder faltered, feeling like she was about to cry. "I'm sorry…"
Ember used all her strength to sit up in her bed. "Don't cry, Cynder."
"But everything's going wrong! I… Spyro's gone, you were dying and Imperia… she… she's kept a secret…" Cynder trailed off. No words could express what Imperia meant to Cynder, and no words could explain how the silver dragoness had betrayed her. "I just want to say that I'm sorry."
"Hey." Ember spoke gently. Seeing how upset Cynder was. "I'm ok now, and Imperia is not a dragon who would lie to hurt someone. Cynder, you're the strongest dragon I know; you'd never just sit there and give up, you never just let yourself get swept away by bad situations. You fight; you're strong enough to face your problems."
Cynder looked at Ember, unsure how to respond. Ember continued.
"I'm sorry too, but we can make up some other time. Spyro is still gone, that's what you can do, go see Volteer, find out where Spyro is and save him."
"I know where Spyro is. Imperia told me. He's at my old fortress in Concurrent Skies."
Ember nodded, swaying slightly, she lay back down on the bed. "I'll be fine. Spyro needs your help."
Cynder nodded. "I guess… I'll see you later, Ember."
Ember didn't respond, she would still be tired and seemed to have fallen back asleep, so Cynder left the room.
Cynder vaguely remembered the way to the main doors, so she started heading in that direction. As she was walking Cynder came across the Guardians and Imperia.
Imperia was sitting opposite Flare, Terrador, Cyril and Volteer. The wind dragoness had none of her usual poise or confidence. Terrador spotted Cynder and gestured her over to them, Cynder tried not to look at Imperia, it hurt too much.
"Imperia has just made an… interesting confession."
"An implausible admission, I would say, given an opportunity to rephrase Terrador's description in an apt alternative way." Volteer spoke up.
Cyril nodded. "She claims to be an informant for Malefor. Much as I frown on her undignified behaviour I do have respect for Imperia, and find difficulty in believing that this is a genuine confession."
"It is." Cynder said softly. "She put the chains on Spyro and I, and she arranged Malefor's release."
Imperia bowed her head.
"I.." Volteer shook his head. "I don't believe that."
"Don't defend me, Volteer. It's true." Imperia whispered. Volteer stared at her, incredulous.
"Imperia?"
"I'm sorry."
Volteer was lost for words.
Terrador took a moment to gather his thoughts. "This is an unfortunate turn of events. Imperia, we can't trust you. I'll want to have you watched by guards. There are many questions that I, and the other guardians too I'm sure, would like to ask you, but now is not the time for that. You'll be taken back to Warfang until a court and trial can be held."
Imperia nodded. "That's what I'd do in your position."
Terrador sighed deeply. "Volteer, Cyril, please escort Imperia out of Shatterhshelf and back to the other Warfang dragons. Do not question her, we will deal with that later."
Volteer and Cyril both looked reluctant, but they nodded.
"Give me a moment." Imperia stepped towards Cynder, Volteer and Cyril allowed her to go past them. With a quick motion Imperia threw a long golden object to Cynder.
Cynder caught it by reflex, instantly realising that it was Imperia's spear, the Dragonslayer. The weapon weighed more then she had expected, but it wasn't heavy, and it felt very comfortable and natural to hold. She looked up at Imperia. "Why?"
"You may need it." Imperia gave Cynder a slight smile.
"What do I do with it?"
"Drop it; if it disappears before hitting the ground then it has become bound to you. It will always be there when you need it, just reach out."
Cynder warily released the spear, it gleamed as it fell, but didn't land. It simply vanished. She experimented with getting it back, her paw tingled slightly and she reached out, grasping the haft of the spear and drawing it from nowhere.
Volteer spoke up. "Imperia, that spear is powerful, unique, dangerous, it's very precious to you."
"Yes." Imperia's smile turned playful for a moment. "Just like Cynder, she is all of those things too." Her smile faded and sadness took its place.
Flare looked at Cynder.
"What will you do now?"
Cynder didn't hesitate. She twirled the Dragonslayer deftly in her paws, testing its weight and balance.
With a weapon like this she could fight Malefor. With a weapon like this she could kill him.
"I am going to save Spyro."
This chapter was hard to write, very hard. I'd really like to know what you thought of Imperia after reading this. She will get a chance to explain herself later. I hope you listened to Imperia's song though, finally the reason why the lyrics suit her is made clear.
Important thing:
28 chapters in 27 weeks; I'd never have believed I was capable of doing this if you'd asked me 30 weeks ago, but here we are. Unfortunately from now on I can't guarantee that I'll update every week.
I'll still be writing of course, this story isn't nearly done, but I don't want to post short and poorly written chapters just to keep up with the schedule I've been working with until now.
Other Things:
I was recently asked about other Spyro stories similar to mine that I would recommend. Sadly I haven't gotten a chance to read very much before now, still I can recommend RiverStyxx's story "Tears of an Oracle" (Which I'm sure most of you will have at least considered already) and Unit-Omicron's "The Spyro and Cynder Adventures: Eternal Slumber" (Book one of a series, the first book is completed.)
One other story similar to mine that I'd recommend you read is... mine.
The problem with my updating only one chapter each week is that a lot can happen in a week. You might enjoy the story more re-reading it at your own pace rather then at my (respectable, but certainly not fast enough) writing pace.
If you didn't review chapters then I'd love it if you would do so while re-reading the story, I suggest that you pay special attention to Malefor, some of his scenes seem completely different when re-read.
I feel like my writing has improved a lot since I started this, so please forgive any mistakes I made back in the earilier chapters. Also my old authors notes were terrible. (this one is equally bad I'm sure; but I, naturally, won't realize that until five minutes after I post this)
A Duel with Destiny: Song Playlist, and Reasons why I chose these songs
(I plan to put this on my profile too, when I have time)
There are 28 songs on this! That's the same number as I have chapters.
Spyro: I Need a Hero (I prefer the version from Shrek)
Spyro is brave, heroic, and cool. This song is one of many that work for him, but it was the first one I thought of.
Spyro also has another song to be revealed later...
Cynder: Bleeding Out (Imagine Dragons)
Possibly my favorite song ever. It suits Cynder rather well.
Cynder too has a second song.
Sparx: Birdhouse in Your Soul (They Might be Giants)
The lyrics fit Sparx fairly well, but I chose this mostly because I like this song.
Imperia: Cup Song: Extreme Edition (Jon Cozart)
This song was foreshadowing chapter 28 since the beginning. Plus the split screen music making is very much Imperia's style and the song is really nice.
Chapter 7: Love is Easy (McFly)
Romantic and sweet, while also fun and slightly silly, I used this song for inspiration for Spyro and Cynder's romance.
Cynder vs. Ember: It's a Brand New Day (Dr. Horrible's sing-along Blog)
This song puts me in a mood for fighting, and the lyrics fit with Cynder's feelings at the time too.
Spyro and Cynder: Guide You Home (The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of The Dragon)
Possibly my favorite song ever. The reasons I chose it are obvious enough.
Spyro and Cynder: Such Great heights (Ben Folds Cover Version)
Also possibly my favorite song ever. It helped me get inspiration for writing Spyro and Cynder's romance
Other Random Music: Nothing (The Cat Empire)
Not sure why I recommended this, it has very little to do with the story, but I see something of myself in this song. It's a feel-good sort of song.
Thoran: Indiscriminate Murder is Counterproductive (Machine Supremacy)
The name says it all. I love this song so much.
Volteer: Delilah (BigFlo)
I have no idea what they're singing about, but it sounds really good.
Spyro and Cynder: Miracle (Shinedown)
Possibly my favourite song ever. It suits their relationship so beautifully.
Spyro and Cynder: Snow Fairy (Natewantstobattle)
This song is another one that fits the lively and fun side of SpyroXCynder.
Spyro and Cynder: Stero Hearts (Gym Class heroes)
Few songs are as good to sing along to as this one. It's romantic and it's memorable.
Christmassy song: All I Want For Christmas is You (Maria Carey)
It was Christmas when I posted chapter 20, and this is a romantic Christmas song that I really like.
Christmassy Song: Do They Know it's Christmas? (Band Aid, 1984 version)
Once again, it was Christmas. I like this song and it inspires thought.
Ember: For Those Who Wait (Fireflight)
This was forshadowing for Ember saving Cynder, the moment I heard it I was sure it had to go to Ember.
The Orc Army: Pinwheel's Theme (Dark Souls OST)
Few peices of music are as spooky yet awesome as this one.
Magmar: Judgement Day Theme (Terminator 2: Judgement Day)
This song is bot epic and sad, it suits Magmar now more then ever.
Gracious: Requiem for a Dream
This song is mournful, but undeniably impressive.
Spyro and Cynder: Strength of a Thousand Men (Two Steps From Hell)
Spyro and Cynder: Dragon Rider (Two Steps From Hell)
Two epic songs for an epic moment
Spyro and Cynder: Protectors of The Earth (Two Steps From Hell)
More serious, but no less epic
Malefor: The Eternal Night Main Theme (The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night)
Like Pinwheel's Theme this music is haunting yet awesome. Malefor can be quite theatrical.
Malefor: You're Not Me (Yu-Gi-Oh!: The Movie)
I'd still like to know how well you feel this song fits Malefor, it seems like an unusual choice to me, and I was the one who chose it.
Magmar's death: Ready Aim Fire (Imagine Dragons)
I highly suggest playing 'For Those Who Wait' and 'Judgement Day' again here.
Magmar never did like to surrender.
Imperia and Spark: Waiting Between Worlds (Instrumental version of the song by Zack Hemesy)
I find this song sad and I think it suits the scene quite well.
Imperia and Cynder: Let Her Go (Passenger)
I suggest playing Imperia's and Cynder's themes with this song.
One More Thing:
Imperia has a Skype account. Her Skype name is Imperia and her icon is a picture of her (Which I drew).