Now that the two worlds have finally met, diplomatic relations will now commence! How will these two races commingle in establishing a new alliance? Read and find out! This chapter was really exciting to write, and I hope I did every character justice.
Ch23: Guardian and King
After thousands of years, a historical moment had been made, the dragons had finally arrived on Elorin once again. Needless to say, the accommodations for such an arrival were a little cramped, the collective party of human wastelanders and dragon guardians were filling the portal chamber to its max. Though the fact of the matter was that wasn't really important right now, for Jak and Spyro had succeeded in activating the master control of the Alliance Arch to unite both their worlds, and they just hoped that it had been done in time.
"From the texts I have read and the descriptions given to me by Cynder, I knew the adults of your kind were big, but apparently seeing is a greater description than any," Seem said to the Earth guardian.
"Hehe, I know what you mean," said Terrador, "I've always believed in more practical methods to better teach my students, Spyro knows that more than anyone, being the earliest one of my pupils here."
"Indeed I do Terrador," replied Spyro grinning, with everyone including Jak, Cynder and the sidekicks chuckling.
"I must admit this is something I've never expected!" said Sig walking up to the dragons, finally ready to introduce himself. "I've walked in the harshest environments, faced off against the most vicious monsters, met some of the craziest characters this world has to offer, even survived being swallowed by a giant metalpede, but meeting a group of aliens from another world in an act of collaboration, this is certainly something to add to the resume!"
Terrador and the rest of them gave the wastelander a look of acknowledgment, and even raised an eye. Jak's group could only smirk at their mutual friend introducing himself for the first time. His statement definitely expressed his enthusiasm, though he sounded like he still needed some education on foreign matters.
"I see," Terrador said to Sig, "and you would be sir?"
"Pardon me, forgot my manners," Sig said straightening his posture, "I am one of King Damas's head guards and his personal representative to you, my friends call me Sig, and you can too." He bowed as he finished, giving the dragons a warm welcome feeling.
"Pleased to meet you Mr. Sig," said Cyril finally speaking up, "we are grateful for your warm welcome, though we would appreciate in the future being called dragons, not aliens, even if we do come from another world."
"Oh, of course, absolutely," Sig said stammering, realizing his minor mistake.
"That aside," Seem cut in, "we should finish introductions before moving on, Cynder has already told me your names, but I think it would best for you to introduce yourselves, as well as the others you have brought along."
"Thank you Seem," said Terrador before turning to Cyril with a nod.
"Very well, I am Cyril, dragon guardian of ice, and fifth of my families lineage to hold the noble guardian title, if I do say so myself," Cyril said in his usual upstart tone, which caused the humans to raise eyebrows and the dragons to sigh exhaustively.
"Ahem…yes, and I am Volteer," Volteer cut in to redirect, "dragon guardian of electricity, and well, I've held the position for the last two decades on my world, so I believe my experience speaks for itself."
"Very good," Seem said, "what of the three others?"
"These are our pupils, the elemental acolytes," Terrador said turning toward the young trio, "for every generation of dragons there must be a guardian specialized in each one of the four elements, until the day my colleagues and I step down, they are training to hopefully one day take up the mantle. The young green one on the far end is my pupil, Chloro, an earth dragon with the greatest elemental mastery I have seen of his age." Chloro merely nodded in his master's introduction.
"The sunny yellow one next to him is my protégé, Zaxto," said Volteer, "not only a talented user of his element, but the most passionate of students I've ever seen, besides well myself!" Zaxto gave a goofy grin from his master's words.
"Finally, the vibrant blue dragoness next to him is my student, Saphira," said Cyril, "unarguably the best all around pupil I've ever seen in terms of prowess, elements, and study. Also, the first female guardian candidate in three generations." Saphira blushed a little from his explanation, and yet remained standing tall.
"It is an honor to meet all of you, guardians and acolytes," said Seem with a bow, whom all of them returned. "I've also been informed of how there are usually four guardians within your ranks, and was told the reason why you only have three right now. If I may say so, I am sorry for your loss."
All the dragons, especially Spyro gave her a solemn expression. No doubt Cynder had told her about Ignitus, and what became of him. Though given her dismal tone, perhaps she didn't know everything regarding his new role, and they would be sure to address that in time.
"We appreciate your condolences," said Terrador, "Ignitus was an honorable dragon who did the guardians justice, a kind and wise mentor to many, and a good friend."
"As I have heard," replied Seem, "I know how it feels to lose a good mentor and friend as well. But the time for grieving has now passed, now we must honor them by continuing to live our own lives, as they would have surely wanted."
"Truly wise words," said Cyril. The whole party behind them listened to every word of the pre-diplomatic discussion. Calidan in particular took note of how they had lost one of their own, this Ignitus. It reminded him of how he lost his grandfather, the only family he ever had. Losing loved ones was certainly something not uncommon throughout the universe. Kleiver listened to their talk only half interested, in his mind he just wanted to take these large reptiles to Damas, have him give the final judgment on these beasts and send them home. The less time they spent around here the better, in his opinion anyway. Fortunately, he was the only one who felt that way.
Jak, Spyro and their group were both touched and thrilled that introductions were going so well, realizing that they shared common interests and sorrows really helped break the ice. From here, it only left the matter of now traveling to Spargus and introducing them to Damas. For Jak, he believed Damas would enjoy meeting Terrador, for the two of them shared the mutual role of leadership, as well as the characteristics that defined it.
"Ahem," Saphira said clearing her throat and halting their discussion, "permission to speak Master Cyril?"
"Very well young one, permission granted," said Cyril.
"Thank you, so Ms. Seem," she began.
"Just Seem, please," Seem corrected the blue dragoness.
"Of course, in exploring the temple that housed the gate on our world, we found a whole collection of rune transcriptions carved into it and around it. The wisest of our dragons have been unable to decipher any of it, for it's a language none of us are familiar with. We thought perhaps, since it was undoubtedly made by beings known to you, these precursors, we all hoped you or someone you know would be able to translate them, so?" Saphira asked her.
"Of course young one," Seem answered, "I'm actually not surprised, there are runes inscribed on this side of the gate as well." She gestured toward the arch, and the dragons all turned to it. It was still active with the window, but they all saw around its body, carvings of similar runes outlining it.
"The monks and I have already made copies of them and have been deciphering them in our library, though there is still much to translate, the first thing I was able to interpret was 'Alliance Arch', its name," the monk explained.
"So we've heard," commented Terrador.
"I knew it!" cheered Zaxto, "I knew we would be coming to the right place!"
"Yes you were right Zaxto, but calm yourself," Volteer told him, "we are on foreign ground after all."
"Ahem, yes master."
"Hehehe, sounds like you guys have been as eager to come here as we have been to meet you," said Sig.
"Quite right sir," said Cyril.
"Then I guess it's time for the next step," said Seem, "diplomacy with all of our planet right now is unrealistic, but establishing relations with the King of Spargus would be a great step in the right direction. Though I must ask, have you all been warned about what may be transpiring on our planet soon?"
"Yes we have, and it is most unfortunate," said Terrador dismally, "an invasion of monsters that seek only to destroy your planet for their own hunger is disconcerting for anyone. However my people are no strangers to such danger, and if the history is accurate, neither were our ancestors. Though I can't speak for everyone on my world, I can assure you the dragon guardian council will be here to help you in this fight and in defending your home, and reignite the old alliance."
"Thank you," said Seem with a final bow, "please come, we can continue this discussion in our library, there you can add your rune transcriptions with ours, plus it's more spacious than this cramped chamber I promise you."
"Yeah, we would appreciate that," said Chloro, now feeling slightly claustrophobic. They all chuckled slightly, and then Seem and Sig turned on their heels to lead them out of the chamber. Jak, Spyro and their party just watched them walk, intending on following them once they made their way down. As they neared the edge, they were stopped by the other two wastelanders who had yet to be introduced.
"Greetings mighty dragons," said Calidan with a bow, catching their attention, "I know you've been greeted already, but as another inhabitant, I wish to personally welcome you to our planet, specifically, one of its deserts which we call the Wasteland."
"Really?" Chloro asked him, "So, we're in a desert?"
"Yes, it can be a bit harsh, but it has its charms if you know how to adapt," he explained hoping to make a good impression, "personally I've lived in it all my life and know how to get around, so if you need a guide, I'm your man."
Seem and Sig could only look at him skeptically with a bit of concern. As did Jak and Spyro's group, hoping that his offer hadn't given them the impression that they thought the dragons weren't capable of surviving outside their world. It was false of course, and guardians merely gave the young wastelander a warm grin.
"That would most helpful, thank you young one," said Terrador, "and what do we call you?"
"My name is Calidan," he answered, "but I prefer Cal for short."
"Cal it is," said Cyril, "we'll remember that." Their attention then turned toward the other wastelander, the one with the droopy blonde moustache and scowling face marked with scars.
"And you would be sir?" Terrador asked him pleasantly.
"The guy who runs the place," Kleiver scowled, needless to say his statement shocked everyone present, and angered others particularly all of the Elorians. He finished saying to the dragons distastefully, "remember that."
He turned around and stomped toward the walkway to exit, before Sig halted him, "KLEIVER!...we'll talk later."
Hearing his warning, Kleiver just scoffed and continued on, disappearing from sight around the wall. Sig and Seem could only scowl and shake their heads, before turning around to the stunned dragons.
"Well," Cyril found his voice, and said sarcastically, "He certainly seemed pleasant."
"Sorry about that, Kleiver is known for many things," Sig explained, "getting along with others, no matter who or what they are, is not one of them."
"I can see why," Zaxto whispered to Saphira who nodded back.
Seem then began saying, "I express my deepest apologies, we had our doubts about keeping him here during your arrival and we should have…"
"Relax Seem," consoled Terrador, "we had anticipated we would not be accepted by everyone we would meet here, and we will cope. You've already made a great first impression to us regardless, just as Spyro has to you, so we will just continue from there setbacks aside."
"You said it sir!" cheered Zaxto, before turning toward the monk himself, and with joyful pleading eyes he asked, "now I believe you said something about a library?"
"Zaxto," Saphira chastised him with a muffled tone. The other dragons could only roll their eyes. However Seem looked up to eager young acolyte with a warm grin.
"Of course, follow me, or take flight if you need to, the walkway down was unfortunately not built for dragons. Also please take care of everything you see in here, it is thousands of years old."
All the dragons gave another nod and followed her to the edge of the chamber. Seem led the way down the walkway with Sig right behind her, and the dragon guardians and acolytes took flight into the main chamber. The three precursor statues in the center immediately caught their attention, particularly Terrador and Cyril. They ensured to be careful flying around them until landing at the base where Seem and Sig waited outside another door. The acolytes and guardians all turned around to gaze at the statues once again.
"I take it you are familiar with precursor statuary," Seem said noticing their interest.
"Mainly out of curiosity," answered Cyril, "though out of our whole group, Terrador and I are the only ones who have seen one before, though it was not as...silent as these ones."
"You've spoken to a precursor?" she asked astonished.
"Actually yes," answered Terrador, "do they all?"
"Only when they want to," Seem answered, "the precursors are as mysterious as they are fascinating, but a topic for another time, the library is this way, and you may wish to follow single file."
She walked to the door which opened upon her approach, with Sig following her. Terrador told his fellow dragons to follow her advice, and then went first. Though slightly cramped he managed to fit through the door, and the rest followed him one by one.
Calidan watched the main diplomatic group exit, from the chamber balcony, until he sensed the others coming up from behind. He turned to see Cynder in front looking up to him with a proud smile.
"Not a bad first impression, especially for a self-proclaimed loner," she said.
"You really think so? I was at least hoping to do better than before," said Calidan.
"Considering I was there when you first introduced yourself to us," began Spyro, "I have to say this introduction was at least...20 times better."
"Awesome," he said, before turning to Jak, who was looking at him with an angry scowl. The young dragons turned to see his expression as well, and were most concerned. The tension was still high between the two warriors regarding their argument the other day. Cynder hoped that after the talk she had with Calidan, it could be resolved here and now. Too many tensions were running high as it is, Jak and Cal were at odds with each other, both Cal and Sig were at odds with Torn, and now Kleiver had gone and made odds with the guardians. The heat needed to die down, and Jak and Calidan resolving their own conflict would be a start.
"So," Calidan broke the ice, "congrats on opening the portal, must have been quite a journey." Jak's face remained stone and silent, as did Daxter who shared his best friend's animosity toward the newcomer. Calidan decided to skip the rest of the small talk altogether and get right to it.
"Look Jak, I want to apologize for before, I went off on a tangent and let my own personal bias get the better of me. A bias that I have just learned was wrong from the beginning. For five years I've held a grudge against Damas, and I took it out on all of you. That was wrong of me, and I humbly apologize," Calidan said.
"I respect you have the humility to make amends like this," Jak began with his arms still crossed, "but it doesn't change the fact that you insulted someone that I respect right in my face. So if anyone deserves a knee bent apology it's Damas, so until you explain yourself to him, forgiving you isn't an option."
"I actually plan on explaining myself to him already, doesn't that count for anything?!" reasoned Calidan.
"Not until I see it for myself," said Jak.
"Jak!" scolded Cynder, "what Calidan did was wrong, there's no question about that, but he did have a legit reason for speaking out the way he did."
"Really Cynder? What could have possibly given him justification for insulting a king who has done nothing but to ensure fairness for his people in an unfair world?!"
"Because I thought he was the one who ruined my family!" Calidan's explanation stunned everyone present, except for Cynder who already knew.
"You...you had a family?" asked Spyro somberly. Calidan's face merely dropped with his eyes. Sparx then looked at the wastelander with matching sympathy, as did Jak and Daxter.
"You never mentioned anything about them," said Jak in a calmer tone, with Daxter now giving a calm yet shocked face.
"You never asked," said Calidan, "plus there's not a whole lot to know, seeing how they are all gone. But given the circumstances now, I think it's time I told all of you at once." The whole group nodded, as Calidan began to tell them all his life story.
The atmosphere of the monk temple library had never been more exciting in the millenia that it had stood. Upon their arrival, the temple monks were astonished by the presence of the dragons, some even tried to bow, before Seem and Terrador abruptly said that it was unnecessary. Despite their size and certain advantages they might have over the Elorians, they wanted to give the impression that they were all equals. With the initial shock subsided, they got to business, Saphira emptied the contents of her satchel and gave them to two monks by a large table by which lay all of the temple transcripts of the arch. Volteer and Zaxto immediately began observing the shelves of library scrolls one by one, under instruction of the Archive Specialist monk, who despite dealing with the electric duos endless questions, was having the time of his life giving a detailed lecture to the dragons. A few feet away from the research table, Terrador along with Chloro were conversing with Sig on the details of how the introduction to Damas would occur. Cyril was talking with Seem and the Head Research Monk on what had occured in their own temple to lead up to this.
"So you found a hidden book inside a secret hiding place in your own temple, which housed all the instructions on how to make the arch operate? Hehe, and here I thought we dragons loved mysteries the most," Cyril commented on Seem's lecture.
"Indeed, it was an unexpected surprise, but not uncommon in structures like this," she said.
"Where is this book now?" the guardian asked.
"I actually gave it to Jak, he did not show it to you?" Seem asked.
"No, in fact he never mentioned it, how odd," said Cyril, "though we have noticed like a certain young dragon I know, he is the type to keep secrets, no matter how dire they are."
"What do you mean?" Seem questioned him curiously, before suddenly coming to a realization, "You've seen him transform haven't you?"
"Yes we have, gave us quite the shock it did, so you know about it as well?" Cyril asked.
"I have since we first met, and I must admit I didn't trust him at all from the beginning given the nature of his powers. Though through deeper observation, prayer, and perhaps even wishful thinking, I've learned that there is more to the boy than the darkness that plagues him, especially since his powers have now been balanced," Seem illustrated.
Cyril was now confused, "What do you mean balanced?"
"It appears I've inadvertently spilled another one of the former Dark One's secrets," Seem said with a sigh, "one I think would be best you hear about from him and not me."
"What about me?" Jak asked walking up to them, with the rest of his group behind him as they emerged from the hallway, "I heard you say Dark One, and coming from you that means me, so what?"
"Cyril was just conversing with me about how he witnessed your abilities," Seem said. The party behind Jak were shocked to hear that, as well as feeling nervous. Even Calidan, who remembered what he had seen Jak do in this temple after just meeting him.
"You mean, you saw him change?" Spyro asked nervously.
"Indeed Spyro, and now that I have the chance I must ask, did you and Cynder know about this?" the ice guardian asked with a raised eye. Needless to say the young dragons felt like they were hit with a heavy weight, the guardians had warned them about the consequences of keeping secrets from them. They refrained from telling them before because it was Jak's own personal dilemma, and he had the right alone to tell if he wanted to, but now that cat was out of the bag, and all they could do was come clean now.
"Yes we did," sighed Spyro.
"All three of us, including Sparx," added Cynder.
"Thanks a lot," grumbled Sparx.
"Why did you never inform us?" Cyril asked sternly.
"Because unlike before, it wasn't our secret to tell, it was Jak's and his alone!" Spyro strongly argued, "regardless of what happened to him he has the right to speak of his own troubles rather than have us spill them." Cyril seemed to absorb the purple dragons words for a moment, while everyone present in the group waited for his response. The ice guardian then nodded and said, "I understand and I accept your explanation."
"Thank you Cyril," said Spyro, with both Cynder and Sparx breathing a sigh of relief. Behind them, Calidan was a little confused, why would they need to keep Jak's powers a secret in the first place? He would have to wait to ask another time.
"You really shouldn't blame them," Jak said to Cyril.
"I don't blame anyone Jak," said Cyril, "I was the one asking questions in the first place, though I would prefer not to be kept further in the dark about this, what does Seem mean by balanced?"
"Well, how else can one balance darkness? With light, more specifically light eco," Jak explained.
"Light Eco?" questioned Cyril.
"According to the ancient precursor texts, it was the original element created alongside dark eco," Seem explained, "because it is so rare now, not much else is known about it unfortunately. Except for the one fact that the four primary eco colors are split apart from it, and the properties they carry are all associated with the original conglomeration from which they came."
"Fascinating," said Cyril, "I would like to see these abilities for myself, when given the chance."
"You will, believe me," Jak replied before turning to Seem with a skeptical look, "Any other secrets of mine you let slip out?"
The monk scoffed, and merely said, "You have nothing else of equal measure, except Cyril said you never showed him the book I gave to you for reference, why is that?"
"Was never needed, I already knew what the artifacts looked like after a first look and that was only necessary, plus I can't read this language, so showing them would have been redundant," Jak explained.
"If that is the case, may I have it back?" she asked.
Without another word, he reached to his satchel and unzipping it. He pulled out the golden book fully intact and handed it back to Seem. During the handout, Cyril got his first good look at it.
"Well I'll be a frozen biscuit, a book literally written in gold," he gasped.
"Young Spyro said the very same thing," Seem cheeked, causing the rest of the party to chuckle. Cyril merely gave a grin before observing the book more thoroughly, the strange symbol on its front immediately caught his attention. He did not know what he found more interesting, that the book was made of gold, or the fact that the symbol was composed of what appeared to be a dragon embedded with the Seal of Mar. The monk noticed his expression and asked what he thought.
"It is most peculiar indeed," Cyril replied, "I am familiar with the Seal of Mar now thanks to the lesson Jak gave, but I have never seen it entwined with anything draconic like this."
"So you do not recognize it either? Would anyone you know could?" Seem asked.
"Doubtful," he said, "while any of us would be familiar with the symbolism, we have never seen them together in a picture like this. Clearly there is more to the history of this planetary link than either of our races know right now." The monks gaze appeared now to be lost in thought, as was the rest of the party. There was a lost story behind this symbol they were all aware, but they knew it would have to wait to be researched until after the upcoming battle was settled. Hearing footsteps beside him, Cyril turned as did everyone else to see Terrador, Chloro and Sig approaching.
"Sig has just informed me of how introductions will go," Terrador began, "His lord has instructed that I am to meet with him alone, and to bring all of the men he sent here as an act of good faith."
"That might be a problem," Calidan interrupted, "seeing how two of them are currently incarcerated for disrupting your arrival earlier."
"Maybe you two could take their place then," said Sig, referring to Jak and Calidan. Both went wide-eyed, Calidan more so than Jak.
"Us? But why?" asked Jak.
"Why not?" Sig requestioned, "You've walked in both worlds Jak, and have given the right impression for both sides. If anything, your more qualified to speak for us than even me. Cal, I know you're used to being alone, believe me I've been there, but I think its time for you to meet your fellow wastelanders. Otherwise well, you might end up on the wrong end of the stick down the road, worst case scenario of course."
Calidan pondered his offer for a moment, and realized he had a point. He couldn't avoid Spargus forever, unlike the Marauders they actually had decent heads on their shoulders. He had operated discreetly for years successfully because no one had known he existed before. That genie was out of the bottle now, and there was no going back, plus this would be a way to meet Damas on fair ground, "Ok, I'll do it."
His party including Jak all gave approving nods, believing their new recruit was starting to become accustomed to their growing team. Sig replied, "Good man, well everybody its time to meet the king."
Outside at the temple entrance, everyone including the dragons were exchanging farewells and assurances they would return. Sig and Kleiver were waiting by their leaper lizards, and Sig was keeping an eye on the latter regarding his attitude earlier after saying Damas would be informed about it. Kleiver just scoffed and said nothing else. Terrador told his fellow guardians to help the monks hold down the fort until he returned, and the acolytes to behave themselves. One in particular had to say farewell to her best friend.
"I trust you can help the monks with anything they need right Saphira?" said Cynder.
"You bet!" Saphira replied, "Still, it stinks we have to part again so soon, I have so many questions about what you've been through already!"
"I know," she replied, "don't worry we'll share stories later, remember we always find the time!"
"Right, just make your keep your handsome purple dragon from harm ok?" Saphira teased her. Cynder's blush was too predictable, but she giggled it away. Nothing was more important to her than Spyro's safety, and Saphira knew that even more than most.
"You got it, and keep those boys in line will you?" Cynder said referring to the two male acolytes.
"With pleasure," she replied with sass. As the two best friends finished their farewells, Jak, Spyro and Calidan were having a discussion with the two sidekicks present.
"Cal and I will be driving back to Spargus in the lead, keeping near the outer edges to avoid unnecessary detection as much as possible" said Jak, "Sig and Kleiver will trek ahead on their leaper lizards, making their own discreet way back. You, Cynder and Terrador will fly together in a group following us from the air, understood?"
"Understood," said Spyro.
"Is that the best idea?" asked Calidan, "As I've said before, traveling through the wasteland without proper experience is not wise, ground or air."
"Perhaps," said Jak, "but with Terrador around they won't get lost, even though he has never been to the wasteland before, he's experienced enough to follow us safely and ensure both of theirs."
"Jak's right, I trust Terrador with my life," Spyro assured the lone wastelander. Calidan took in their words, then nodded followed by a quick breath.
"Very well," he said, "I've got no further objections, so let's make tracks."
"Yes," interrupted Sparx, "lets go add yet another rich moment to the archives shall we?"
"Like you ever have anything to add!" yelled Daxter.
"ONE MORE THING," Jak interrupted them before yet another shouting match commenced, "when we get there, you two keep your mouths shut the whole time…understood?"
Both of them grumbled with a droopy nod, while Calidan and Spyro could only shake their heads. Though they doubted if they really would keep quiet considering who they were. Suddenly, Terrador walked up behind them having split from the dragon party to join them.
"I am ready when you are," the guardian said. They all nodded and turned to Cynder who had just walked up beside them, she too was ready to leave. Before they could walk any further, a gurgling growl caught their attention, and they turned to see Seem ride up to them on her own leaper mount.
"Seem? What are you?" Jak questioned.
"Attending the introduction," she answered, "I am the one who started this in the first place, and I will see it through to the end. Also, I must inform Damas personally of what recently transpired."
They all knew it would be useless to argue, for the monk's points were right on target. They all just nodded and started walking toward the front gate where Sig and Kleiver were waiting. Kleiver mounted up first as they approached.
"Alright then let's get this over with," Kleiver growled, before turning to Jak, "don't screw up the Hopper on the way back newbie, Sig just had it tuned up." He snapped at the lizard's reins and took off before them, with Jak and Daxter glaring at him the whole time. Everyone else joined him scowling at the offensive wastelander as he disappeared from sight.
"I really don't like that man," growled Cynder.
"Join the club," retorted Daxter.
"Never mind him, he'll be dealt with" Sig said to all of them, "so we stick to the plan the whole way, no shortcuts and no breaks in visual range alright?" They all nodded and went to their perspective transports. Sig mounted his leaper lizard, while Jak and Daxter climbed into the Dune Hopper's driver seat, with Calidan sitting in the passenger seat. The four Dragon Realm outlanders waited behind them to set out after they had. Sig and Seem shook their lizards reins and took off down the hill and up the rocks where the lizards could run. Jak started the engine, and hit the gas to take off down the hill. Terrador watched their departures with intrigue.
"Interesting modes of transportation these people have," he said, "animals resembling dragons to a low degree, and a cart driven without outside force, nothing like what you described before young ones."
"Yeah we know, there is more to this world than we thought," Spyro said, before groaning regarding his experience in riding the Dune Hopper, "just be glad you never had to ride in the latter." They all just chuckled, before spreading their wings and taking flight.
The sands of the wasteland blew everywhere, as they did in ages past, and up to the time when the end of ages came. Though today would be the beginning of a new age for strange occurrences within the desert. The returning party to Spargus was the strangest one that had occurred in wasteland history. Three local wastelanders made their way back to the gates riding leaper lizards along the rocks lodged in the middle of the isle, at the base of its semi-dormant volcano. Two others were currently driving back in one of the Spargus desert vehicles acting as escorts to their three new winged alien reptile visitors who were currently following in the air. They traveled along the wasteland isle's outer edge, to remain as inconspicuous as they could to the wastelands other more aggressive inhabitants, the Marauders. There was no telling what could happen if the barbarians spotted the dragons prior to the meeting King Damas. Unfortunately, as cautious as they could be, when it came to concealing aliens, no plan was foolproof. Just over one hill, a Marauder patrol in his crudely shaped vehicle observed both the lizard patrols exiting the ruins where wild ones inhabited, as well as the desert vehicle taking a long detour with the three dragons following them in the air. Initially, his first instinct would be to hunt and shoot them all down, but his master had given specific orders regarding their usual opposition recently. Like Spargus and Calidan, they had all witnessed the spectacles coming from the temple prior the dragon's arrival. Originally, they all panicked believing it was some sort of apocalyptic sign from the precursors. But through the declarations of their ruthless master and his elites, they all subjected to calm down. The Marauder master ordered patrols to observe the temple on regular intervals, and to report their sightings and not attack until he gave the order. They did as such up to now, and as he turned his vehicle around to return to the Marauder stronghold to give his report, he believed that this would be all his master needed to finally give the order to attack Spargus and eliminate them once and for all.
The Spargus patrols reached the front gate of the city, relieved they had not encountered any opposition. As Sig, Seem, and Kleiver dismounted, they immediately turned toward the wasteland to keep watch for their remaining escorts and outland visitors. After about a minute, they heard the rumble of an engine, and looking left toward the wasteland race track, they saw the Dune Hopper approach, with the dragons in tow behind them. Seeing no other disturbances, they escorted their lizards inside the gate, which opened upon their approach and waited. Jak drove the Dune Hopper into the vehicle corral, and backed it into its usual parking spot. The dragons landed just outside the gate, with Spyro, Cynder and Sparx, entering first. Terrador observed the gate and corral open to him, taking it all in before entering next. He and the two young dragons beside him stood in front of the wasteland party.
"So what now?" asked Calidan, who still felt in the dark being the real newbie in the whole plan.
"Now we inform Damas," said Sig, "we'll escort him out here just like last time, and if…when he approves, you dragons will be allowed into the city and we can continue from there."
"As you wish," said Terrador, before gesturing to Spyro and Cynder, "the three of us will wait here in patience."
"great" grumbled Sparx, under his breath. Sig nodded and turned to the gate, with the rest of the party that consisted of Jak, Daxter, Kleiver, Seem, and Calidan behind him. Out of all of them, Calidan was the most nervous, for he had never set foot inside the walls of Spargus before, and wondered if he would even be accepted after all this time separate from them. The door opened, and they all walked down the main path toward the palace. Sig in the lead, followed by Seem, then Kleiver who continued to scowl, and Jak behind him with Daxter. Jak looked behind to see Calidan lagging behind, observing his surroundings with transparent nervousness. Figuring he could use some encouragement, he stopped to let him catch up.
"Hey," he said getting Cal's attention, "What's up? Place not what you expected?"
"I've never known what to expect of this place, other than one step above from what I've seen from marauders."
"As I've already told you, people here are nothing like them," Jak said as the two walked side by side following the party. "In many ways its even better than Haven has ever been, here there is no corruption or crime, for they all know if any are caught disrupting the peace, the king casts them out and lets the desert take them."
"Still sounds pretty harsh, but you can't really expect less from any wastelander, no matter where they live in this desert."
"True," said Jak.
"I just hope I can explain myself to Damas as well as I introduced myself to the guardians," said Calidan.
"Well just reword a few things and come out with that same sunny disposition from earlier," said Daxter, "I know, it worked for me."
"Hmph, thanks for the tip," remarked Cal.
"Believe it or not, its actually one of his helpful ones," commented Jak before continuing, "he's right, share your story as you did with us and Damas will be willing to listen believe me."
Calidan just nodded with a nervous breath, meeting someone whom he had hated for five years without either of them even knowing each other would be awkward enough. But this was a king, which meant one word slip up and he could be permanently cast out of Spargus like his grandfather before him.
"I just hope history doesn't repeat itself, and I end up like Pap, back where I started," Calidan said out loud.
"It helps to think positive, not negative," Jak said sternly, before his expression turned solemn, remembering everything Calidan had told them about his past back at the temple, "though for what its worth, I'm really sorry about what happened to your grandpa."
"Thanks," replied Calidan, and for the first time since leaving Haven, they gave each other a respectful look, with Daxter joining in. All three of them had a few things in common, they had all lost loved ones, and were now fighting for their lives for all they had left. Before they could continue the discussion, the party was halted by a young voice, "General Sig!"
They had been stopped at the end of the main path where it split into the wide open area of the first plaza, where a young boy about 6 years old appeared to be waving them down after emerging from behind one of the buildings. He ran over to them and stopped right in front of Sig.
"Your back!...huff huff…I was told…huff huff…to tell you that…Lord Damas is waiting…huff huff…by the fountains," the boy gasped after his quick sprint.
"The fountains?" questioned Sig with a confused look, one that was shared by Seem, Calidan, Jak and Daxter.
"What are you talking about runt?!" Kleiver yelled at the boy, making him shudder, "his lordship is supposed to be in the palace as always!"
His tone frightened the boy, who stuttered to find his words, "well…umm…Lord Damas told me when he came to the fountains…to lookout for you and tell you this…when I saw you."
"You mean to say Damas talked with you personally?" Kleiver spat out, "A little wasteland runt?! That's the most ridiculous…"
"KLEIVER! Knock it off!" Sig yelled at him, outraged at his insolent behavior toward a child. Kleiver merely growled at him as they traded glares.
Seem brushed them aside as they stared each other down, and crouched down to the boy, "is his majesty truly by the fountains young one?"
Her calm tone seemed to calm the boy, before he nodded to confirm her question. Seem then reached out her hand for him to take, he did it slowly. Seem then stood up looking down at the youth with a gentle smile and asked, "would you be willing to escort us?"
Everyone else looked at her stunned, putting faith in a boy they had just met. The boy just smiled back and pulled on Seem's hand as they started walking toward the fountains. The rest of the men followed behind the two, and upon reaching the fountains, they saw the boy was telling the truth. Damas had his back turned to them, as he appeared to be standing in front of a large Spargus group crowded around the fountains that supplied the whole city with water.
"Lord Damas!" the boy cried out, causing the king to turn around, "I found them! I found them just like you asked!"
His cheerful attitude warmed all their hearts, or most of them except for Kleiver. Damas walked up to the party as they approached, and he looked down to his young scout.
"Well done soldier, mission accomplished," he said in his scratchy yet encouraging tone, "I believe your parents are waiting." The boy nodded before letting go of Seem and running to his parents in the crowd who gave him a hug. Damas then turned to face Seem again.
"Sending children out on errands now?" Seem chuckled, "your either getting more stringent in your old age, or more soft."
"Don't push it," Damas sternly commanded, "they all have to learn sooner rather than later, our lives and future depend on it. Now, I presume they have arrived?"
"Yes lord," Sig answered, "The leader and the two young ones are waiting in the corral, as you asked."
Damas was quick to notice that not all of whom he had sent out had returned, he asked demanding, "I also asked that all of men would be returned to me, where are Krust and Bore?"
"They broke the terms of the agreement on their own accord," Seem answered with edge, "they were against it from the beginning and violated the chamber with gunfire before the dragons arrived. I believe you recall our agreement on what happens to those who violate the sacred temple, your majesty?"
Damas went silent for a moment, before letting out a breath while shaking his head. He knew the two of them were loyal to him to a fault, but unfortunately they were also blinded by it. Now, their fates were in the monks hands and not his, according to the agreement he had with Seem.
"Yes I do," he answered, "and on behalf of Spargus, I express our deepest apologies."
"Accepted," said Seem, "but the punishment of your former guards is not the concern right now, the leader of the dragon guardians is waiting, and he is most anxious to meet you."
"Well then escort me," said Damas, "and we will see what these dragons really are."
"Right this way your majesty!" cheered Daxter with his arm stretched out in the other direction. Everyone gave him unimpressed looks, his squeaky voice laced with exaggeration annoyed them to no end. Daxter kept grinning and sweating until Jak just turned around and started walking the other way feeling embarrassed by the ottsel once again.
"Didn't I tell you earlier to keep quiet?" he asked Daxter.
Daxter stuttered, "What? Negotiations haven't started yet and I was…"
"Just…be…silent," Jak interrupted sternly, which caused Daxter to successfully close his mouth. He led the group back to the city exit, behind him was Damas, then Seem, Kleiver, Calidan and Sig. The Spargus party remained by the fountain until their king returned, whom had gathered them there to inform them of what was to come, and to be prepared for anything. The exit gate opened at Jak's approach, the sound of the opening gate caught the dragons attention. He stopped in front of the gate slightly obscuring who was behind him. In the most formal way he was capable of, Jak spoke to them, "everyone, allow me to introduce his royal highness, King Damas of Spargus."
He stepped aside, allowing the king to enter the corral, and for both guardian and king to give each other a first real look. Terrador was stoic upon seeing the king for the first time, and was interpreting his stature based on how he carried himself. Damas felt shocked enough when he first met young Spyro the other day, now he was even more stunned meeting a full-grown dragon in the flesh. He knew right there that this was a creature that demanded respect by presence alone. However, for this negotiation to go without a hitch, they knew they would have to speak on equal ground. Everyone remained silent as the two leaders observed each other.
"Lord Damas of Spargus," Terrador spoke first, "I am Terrador dragon guardian of Earth, and leader of the dragon guardian council. It is an honor to make your acquaintance and to be in your presence." The guardian finished with a bow, and the two young dragons beside him complied by doing the same. Damas continued observing for a moment with a stoic expression before taking his turn to speak.
"Terrador dragon of Earth," he began, still seeing that the dragons were still bowing, he decided to as Sig said, give them benefit of the doubt. "You and your young ones may rise, I would prefer to negotiate on equal ground."
The dragons nearly jolted upon hearing his leniency, but arose calmly none the less with grateful smiles. Damas returned their expressions with his own warm grin, as did everyone else behind him. Kleiver of course was an exception, who scowled believing his lord was still being too lenient regarding these aliens.
"You must forgive the precautions I have taken. Before I was first introduced to young Spyro, I never believed there were other races of similar character throughout the universe, it was, illuminating to say the least," Damas said.
"I understand what you mean," replied Terrador, "when Spyro first returned from your planet one year ago, we never believed the same either. But it seems fate has meant for our worlds to meet once again."
"Fate or something else," said Damas, "none the less you must also understand I have questions on what brought your kind to our world in the first place."
"We are working on answering that on our end as well," Terrador explained, "we have tried solving it on our own with little success, though hopefully this alliance can benefit us in more ways than one, if you would allow your highness."
Damas absorbed the guardians words for a moment, before turning to look at both Spyro and Cynder respectively. Both felt nervous upon his gaze, even Spyro who had already met Damas on good terms already. He wondered what was he thinking now.
The king merely grinned and said, "It seems humility in the presence of authority runs in the species." Now it was Terrador and Cynder's turn to look stunned, while Spyro chuckled, knowing what he was referring to. Jak and Daxter were holding back a laugh as well.
"Who do you think I learned it from your majesty?" said Spyro grinning at Terrador, who returned it with a nod.
"That much is obvious," said Damas, "though I believe it would be best to get down to business. The primary question in my mind right now, is how the threat that my monks are currently informing me about on our world, ties in with relations to your world?"
"Well in short," Terrador replied also returning to a serious tone, "A dark version of the beings you know as precursors are currently invading your world, as Seem has informed me. At the same time, they have also invaded our own, and succeeded in freeing the most dangerous threat our planet has ever faced."
"What is this threat?" asked Damas feeling a bit disturbed by the news.
"Unfortunately your majesty," began Cynder, all eyes turning toward her. She slowly lifted her head up with a distraught expression, "It's a dragon."
Her explanation shocked the half of the party that didn't know the history of the Dark Master, which included Calidan, Seem, Sig, and Kleiver. Calidan and Seem only knew the name of the threat Spyro and Cynder mentioned, but they never said anything about the Dark Master being a dragon! Damas was just as shocked but was first to voice it, "One of your own?!"
"He is…was…one of our own," Terrador growled looking away from everyone, "until he betrayed his teachers and his entire race for his own twisted delusions, consumed by the power that apparently cursed him." His statement stunned the wasteland party silent, until Terrador lifted his head to face them again, "His name is Malefor, although everyone else on our world knows him by another name, the Dark Master." Spyro and Cynder were struggling to keep themselves from shaking, while Sparx merely hung his head, just talking about the Dark Master was enough to unsettle them. Although after everything that monster had done to them, individually and combined, no one could blame them. The wasteland party was silent, although seeing their despairing expressions, felt sympathy for the outlanders.
Hearing this news, Damas came to a crossroads decision, "we best continue this discussion inside the city then, since the situation appears to have expedited."
I hope I captured Damas and Terrador's character to a great extent upon their predetermined meeting. Negotiations have begun with revealing the nature of the threat they all face, and will continue in the next, although expect something action packed to be added in as well!
