The descent into darkness
The darkness encased dragon spoke, voice of grated iron and shattered glass, like nails on a plate. "Now out of my way, no matter what you will prevent me from accomplishing what needs to be done." He begun hovering over the heads of the moles and dragons, no regard or care for them. A dark purple mist swirled around with small chunks of ice orbiting his body. He was still holding his brother's wings gently in talons.
"Crossbow Units, take aim and take that abomination out of the sky. He does not leave here or peril will befall our realm once more." Cyril ordered. Four moles, although still scared loyally aimed down the crosshair on their crossbows and took direct aim at the slow-moving monster.
Zing! Zing! Zing! three crossbows release their bolts, true and straight and speeding gloriously towards the black dragon.
However, all of them missed their mark and instead chipped into the wall behind, raining harmlessly on the ground below. The final crossbow mole was shaking nervously, which in return threw his concentration. Regardless though he fired the final bolt, as it streaked forwards and up erratically.
Dark Spyro reflexes kicked in as he grabbed the arrow in his talon, holding it carelessly like a stick. Now they had gotten his attention.
"Your weapons have no effect on me. Not while I am in this accursed form…" He spoke once more bitterly, dropping the arrow to the ground with a wooden clatter. It bounced and rolled back to the small huddle of moles.
Dark Spyro turned once more and levitated towards the door. He had wasted enough time here.
Cyril was quick to react, opening his maw and breathing a torrent of ice on the doorway, blocking the way out with a foot of thick ice. Dark Spyro easily could have gone out onto the balcony but he needed something from the temple first. He halted his advance and observed the wall, looking for the weakest spot to punch through.
Volteer was the next to attack unleashing forth a storm of electricity at Spyro, scoring a direct hit on his chest. "Gah!" He yelped. The electricity surged through his entire body, causing muscles to tense up and become unresponsive. He fell to the ground in pain but the flow of voltage didn't stop, instead increasing in power and pain.
"Aargh!" He screamed. "I need to get out of here!" He growled to himself. But his wings refused to obey and his power begun fading.
The moles had begun gathering around, ready to capture the dragon the moment Volteer drops his attack.
Spyro felt an odd energy build within, needing to be expelled. His entire form faded with a flash, vanishing from the spot.
Upon seeing the purple dragon disappear Volteer stopped and looked down in dismay.
"Wh-where did he go?!" One of the moles whimpered, afraid the purple dragon would just resurface behind him.
"Di-did he just evaporate into dust?!" another cried.
Their questions were answered though when another purple flash abruptly appeared the other side of the ice barrier, revealing the dragon.
"How did he do that?! I've never heard of a dragon who can teleport!"
"It matters not, he needs to be stopped! Innocents are at risk now!" Cyril ordered, bringing back control to the moles. He charged for the door and begun racking away at it with his talons, normally Cyril would hesitate before wasting prized claws on such task, waiting for someone like Terrador to instead barbarically smash it down in one swing. But the situation was dire, he did not want to go through that entire ordeal ever again.
Volteer joint in, using their big strong fist to create ever increasing cracks in the ice.
Meanwhile though Dark Spyro was breathing heavily. This new ability got him out of there, but at the price of a lot precious mana. Regardless he couldn't wait to regain it, he couldn't risk getting pinned by the electricity again. Instead he charged towards the training room, each step as painful as the next as lightning still coursed through his body. Petrified dragons and moles ran for their lives in all directions, in the vain effort of escaping this atrocity and its wrath.
He dipped sharply to his right into the laboratory, coming to a swift halt as his eyes dashed around the room, looking for one book in particular.
"Where is it…" He quickly assumed to himself. He scavenged the front desk, throwing aside other useless articles. "Here it is." He mused happily to himself. He picked up a scruffy brown journal, the same one Volteer had shown him earlier.
Dark Spyro did not know he needed, but gut feeling told him otherwise. So, he took it under the one talon already holding the wings and immediately turned to exit.
He opened out his stygian black wings and beat them down softly, raising his body into the air. The power that circulated around him made flight almost a breeze, rarely having to beat his wings. He was free now, nothing to stop him from accomplishing his mission now. He almost felt happy, but the burden of his brother and everything else repressed these emotions. All he felt was emotionless drive and the need to accomplish his goal.
He was so engrossed in his thoughts he didn't notice the crossbow bolt zing upwards right in front of his face, bringing him to a startling halt. He stared downwards and spotted a singular mole panicking and reloading his crossbow as quickly as his furry little hands could. He hastily refitted another bolt onto the shaft and quickly raised to aim again. But he didn't get a chance when a black talon swiped and hit the crossbow out of the mole's grasp.
The mole gave a frightened gasp as Spyro pinned him down under the talon with the diary and raising the other claw, ready to strike. The mole gave one more whimpered cry of fear before closing his eyes.
Now the mole was completely at the dragon's supposedly non-existent mercy. Dark Spyro examined the mole…he was no threat, only doing what he was trained to do, following the orders of higher dragons.
Despite this Spyro could feel the darkness urging him to kill, to slice the mole's throat and paint his talons red.
"No…I'm not a monster." Spyro told himself defiantly, as he struggled to resist the darkness. The white sphere faded from his eyes for a moment, revealing the purple irises, but the blackness that plagued his scales remained. Dark Spyro felt the evilness slipping away as he regained control of his mind.
Even then though, the white saucers clouded his eyes again, but this time the ever-creeping voice of evil wasn't present, vanquished from the shadows for now.
"You don't deserve to die, not like this…" Spyro spoke, though the words were sincere the tone he spoke in nullified it.
Instead he simply got of the mole and walked calmly towards the temple's main entrance. He had gotten what he wanted and now was the time to leave.
The mole simply stared at him in disbelief, unable to comprehend what is going on as Spyro calmly approached the main door. He placed his free talon on the front door as it slowly rumbled open.
He didn't even turn his head as the guardians finally managed to breach their own barrier, shattering the icy wall into splinters. The two older dragons spotted the purple dragon almost out of the door.
"Stop right there Spyro! Before you hurt anyone else." Cyril ordered, almost pleading.
"No one was hurt…" Spyro spoke. One moment stepping outside, the next fading into a purple flash.
"He's gone…what in Malefor's bad name do we do now Volteer...?" Cyril breathed despairingly, hope slipping away from his tone.
"Scrupulously, I have no ideological solution to our problem. This unprecedented turn of events has negatively impacted our current situation even more than before."
For once Cyril didn't talk Volteer down, instead he pondered over to the mole still shaking from his encounter, but evidently unharmed. He was now dusting the dirt of his armour.
"Are you okay soldier?" Cyril asked.
"Aye sir, nothing I'm not used to. But he was speaking something unusual." The mole replied.
"He did now? Well speak up soldier, what did he say?"
"Something about how he wasn't a monster or something like that. But he also was carrying a brown book sir." The mole explained.
"A brown volume you mention?" Volteer intervened. Hurrying over. "Was it by any chance have any resemblance to an autobiography?"
"I guess? It was all a blur." The mole apologised.
"That would be all then. I would recommend you go rest up and be back on duty in ten minutes." Cyril instructed.
"Aye sir I will." The mole replied, picking his crossbow up again and heading towards the mess hall.
"As for the rest of you back to your posts, we will have the servants clean this mess up in the moment…Volteer that book you was so intrigued about, was it what I thought it was?" Cyril asked even more grimly than before…This really hasn't been a good week.
"I'm anxious that there is no simply mistaking it, the journal Spyro has occupied is none other than Malefor's journal." Volteer confirmed.
"Then that, is it? Do we have another catastrophe at hand? Knowing the dark contents of that book young Spyro may be headed for Malefor's lair to complete his preposterous work. There may be no alternative but to have to put Spyro down, for the sake of the realm. I will assemble the troops within the hour before making our way there." Cyril said. He hated the prospect that Umbrafor was right all this time…but having to put down one of the Realm's greatest hero after all he's been through was one thing he wished he never had to do…
"On the contrary Cyril. From my calculations, the chance of Spyro going there will be explicitly slim. Not after clearly stating to him before any chance of using the contraption passed on the same time Malefor was obliterated. And Malefor was the only being with sufficient knowledge to operate it." Volteer countered.
"But Spyro is a persistent boy, he will not loiter until he has accomplished what he set out to do. Surely he will try there first to see."
"That…is a factor I did not consider. I highly recommend we send one of our scouts to investigate the burnt lands in case he does arrive. Cyril I shall be faultlessly honest and say I still concur my doubts."
"Where will he be go instead Volteer? We need to find him now." Cyril pleaded.
"I…I have no knowledge on that. He could go anywhere. There are endless possibilities considering his newly acquired capabilities. The best we can do now is alert of spies of his unprecedented development. We have a time frame of approximately five days before she arrives, if she then learns of his existence she would not hesitate in levelling what little we have of the realm to get him and add his being to her collection." Volteer prattled on.
"Then there is little we can do now apart from send out our scouts back out into the Burnt lands. We need to wait for Spyro to make the first move."
Volteer nodded in response, he too was not looking forward to the ever-unattractive future. Not only was there the factor of Umbrafor hunting them, but now to add to the plate an even bigger danger arriving in less than a week and now Spyro going rogue with perhaps cataclysmic results. There was so much to do and so little time.
"Well Cyril I best be cleaning up my laboratory and I shall see what I expose, explore and discover about the entity that appears to have corrupted the existence of Spyro."
Cyril nodded in reply. "I shall attend to the moles and notify Hunter of these events. I know it is a lot to ask for all he has done but maybe he can track Spyro down again…"
Volteer turned and headed away from the main entrance, for once not eager to actually do some research and expand his knowledge.
It was then Cyril noticed his young cousin standing below them.
"How much of the conversation did you hear little one?" Cyril asked softly.
"None master Cyril. I only just got here." Grace lied. The truth was she heard all of it, and she was eagerly waiting to see what would happen in five days…
"Okay. How are you? Are you alright?" The sight of his cousin safe brought some relief to the dragon.
"I'm fine, but what was that thing? Surely that wasn't Spyro." Grace said in disbelief.
"We're not sure what that thing was, but Volteer is confident he can find a solution."
"Anything I can do to help?" Grace eagerly spoke.
"For now, head to your lesson, it will take some time for everyone to calm down but it will be a start. I will have Mistress Breatha take over the lesson for today." Cyril answered.
"I will." Grace responded.
"But later I will need you to recall the events to me prior to our arrival. Considering you're the only truthful source at this moment."
"Of cause Uncle, I would never lie to you." Grace lied.
Spyro reappeared a fair distance away from the temple, on top a flat mushroom away from danger. He was tired from teleporting a long distance but he didn't care, he was away from danger.
Spyro could still see the peak of the temple over the mushroom swamp, reminding him of vague memories. These same memories broke the dark spell on Spyro as the shadows casted themselves away, revealing the purple dragon underneath the veil of darkness.
He gazed silently at the temple, evaluating it…finding a conclusion…
"This darkness that had descended from above, it was no mere side effect. It was giving everyone on this planet one final chance to change. Because even now, in the bleakest of times when life is at its fewest, wars rage on and death is common."
He watched on, remaining motionless.
"They all united when Malefor threatened the world, stood by each other's side no matter what against one common enemy. But now the threat has passed they forget each other. Only seeing each other as either friend or foe with no middle ground. All because of a few liars forcing their false beliefs on others, manipulating their minds and breaking the bonds that once held them strong… I awoke to a world were trust is broken as easily as it's made. Where no one hesitates on turning on their own kin. All divided because of their differences in beliefs. I suppose after so long fighting, so much bloodshed, to suddenly find that the enemy is no more can cause a dragon to lose themselves. Empty without a cause, useless because the only thing they are good for is fighting. Which allows dragons such as Umbrafor and Grace to take control of them and give them a deceitful purpose that only ends up hurting themselves."
He then looked down at the diary he still held.
"There is so much darkness in this world. Evil lurking deep in the minds of everyone, feasting and growing upon the words of liars who believe what they are doing is for the best, but in truth, are only forwarding their own goals at the expense of lost souls. It's a realm of suffering and anger that will only continue in an endless cycle unless something is done, and I will be the one to finally correct the wrongs of this planet..."
He then gently raised the light wings of his fallen brother, inspecting them closely.
"I'm doing this for you Sparx…" Spyro Conceived. Throwing his brother's delicate wings to the wind. He strongly held the book to his side and aimed for the north west towards Concurrent skies. He honestly didn't what he would find there, but it was were the Pool of Visions had shown him so there must be something important there.
Spyro tried using his new transporting ability, but found himself unable to muster any energy. He didn't feel drained, no instead fuelled by his new needs.
"It seems I cannot use that ability in this current form." He mused to himself. Spyro wasn't even disappointed, he was empty inside, only compelled to do what he felt was necessary. But it was because of this emptiness his remained fully focus, free from worries and disruptions.
He instead extended his wings out and took off for the north west.
Two hours flew by as Spyro speedily sailed towards Concurrent Skies. The closer he got the more purple lightning danced across the skies. Scattered groups of pale blue crystals started to emerge from the grounds below, becoming bigger and apparent, strutting out the ground like crystal blades. But unlike their coloured brethren these crystals are empty, lacking in a soul of the ancestors, so thus unable to empower those that break them.
Spyro was now flying over the mineral maze and although he didn't think of it at the time, it was three and a bit years ago, that he was fighting his way through this very spot. Trying to reach the summit of Cynder's fortress to put a stop to her plan and save Ignitus. But now he had mastered flying it was a breeze, simply gliding above all previous troubles. Not even the mini electric creatures that roamed this unusual terrain could bother him. But despite them the place felt very barren and desolate without all the hollering apes. Even the Dreadwings had long abandoned this fortress. Perhaps the continuous booms of lightning scared them off.
Spyro was grateful for this emptiness, simply because it meant he would not have any further interruptions.
Up ahead stood Cynder's fortress. Like an Obsidian silhouette against the dark skies. A purgatory that has claimed many a life. At the pinnacle of the stronghold three spires protruded high above everything else. Anyone looking down from the top would have had a huge view of the surrounding landscape.
For whatever reason, he felt needed at the top, like something was calling for him. He sharply ascended, arching his aching wings even more while trying to ignore the pain building up while holding onto dear life. The purple dragon scaled the side of the tower, flying higher and higher until he reached the top where he placed his talons gently on the hard floor. It was none other than Spyro's first true battle with Cynder.
The Glass roof remained suspended above with the single gaping hole in one of the panels. Spyro felt nostalgia running strong through his blood. The uncertainty and urgency, the belief that any moment the serpentine form of Dark Cynder would skulk from the shadows to confront him once more.
Spyro pressed on forward, certain that the source of this summoning was on this very platform. As he proceeded he took in his bleak surroundings. Dark clouds lit up by erratic purple lightning unfurled for miles away. He stopped though when a glint of gold shone just in front of where Ignitus was being harvested for his energy.
Feeling this was it Spyro took one more step forward and examined the ring. It was simple gold with a sapphire embedded in its face, it wasn't anything too spectacular, perhaps nice looking but nothing outstanding to the regular eye. Regardless Spyro picked up the ring in his free talon. The ring reacted to his touch, releasing a mellow sound and releasing a faint glow. Spyro gazed upon the sapphire as apparition of a face sprung forth from within.
"Ah. It seems I wasn't wrong in the long run." It spoke in a mischievous dark voice.
"Malefor…" Spyro hissed.
"Everyone we are here. Set down in that spot there and clear it out. That is where we will wait for Spyro." Umbrafor ordered. As nine sets of bat like wings descended on the main courtyard where Spyro battled the Electric King.
They were met with strange hissing as it turns out dozens electric leeches had turned this abandoned segment into a nest of sorts and they weren't happy about their home being invaded. They slowly slithered over to where the dragons were going to land.
Boldor was the first to attack given his advantage over electricity. He fired off a few earth bullets, striking a couple of the leeches in the head, crushing their brains into mush as their bodies went limp. This caused the rest of the leeches to suddenly become hesitant, not moving anymore forward yet also not quite backing off.
Infernius and two of his dragons then took the reins and blew a wall of fire upon the remaining leeches, sending them packing and rushing off away, out of sight amongst the crystals. Those unlucky enough to not get out were roasted to a wet black crisp.
The flock of dragons landed roughly on the ground before, majority finally glad to be on solid ground after all that flying. The two dragons carrying Cynder gently placed her on the ground.
"Ruby, Sapphire squad take five minutes to rest, then back to training. I need to inform our master of our progress."
"Master, I request we have ten minutes." Saphira spoke up, clearly exhausted. "That amount of flying has worn us all out. And we haven't had a drink since we left base."
"I said five minutes. The enemy will never give you five minutes to catch your breath or have a drink. You need to be in constant peak physical condition if you are to survive the battle to come…In fact I might even need to push you all further."
"But we're already pushed beyond breaking point. We just cannot be pushed any further."
"What's wrong Saphira, can't handle a little heat? This is why fire is the superior element." Infernius gloated. "Don't worry Master I'll be sure to have these lazy bums back to training by the time you come back."
With quick thinking Saphira whipped his back legs from beneath him, causing Infernius to hit the ground.
"It doesn't matter who you are, how strong you may think you are or what element you have. You'll always be beneath me." Saphira grunted.
Infernius growled as he got back up. "That maybe so…but I'm not afraid to fight you either. Regardless if you're a girl."
"That's enough of both of you. Save your strength for training. You have already used a minute of your break." Umbrafor snapped. Turning towards the stairs leading up to the tower.
"Master Umbrafor!" One of the other dragonesses attending Cynder called out.
"Wait is it now?!" Umbrafor snarled, whipping his head around once more towards the dragon.
"She is waking up sir!" She answered.
This caused Umbrafor to change his tone.
"Everyone move away. I shall handle this." He demanded, hurrying over to the dragoness who sure enough was beginning to make mumbling sounds.
"Eurgh…" Cynder groaned as feeling began returning to all parts of her body. She felt very sore but she wasn't entirely sure why. She looked out with bleary eyes as her eyelids slipped open. Light flooded into her shadowed mind, muffled voices echoed through her head, becoming clearer and clearer with each passing second. One of which becoming very distinct and noticeable.
"Spyro?" She asked unsteadily.
"Rest easy." She heard the voice reply, more directly to her.
She begun taking in her surroundings as a tall black dragon loomed over her.
"You are safe now. That is what is important."
"You…I remember you." Cynder said hurriedly.
"You should do. We have worked together before." Umbrafor explained.
"But…I don't understand. Why am I here? Why are you here?" Cynder's mind swam in hundreds of questions.
"You have a lot to catch up on Cynder since you have been sealed away. So, somethings here will come as a shock. But we have time." He then turns back to his dragons. "Everyone else enough gaping at our friend and back to training!" Umbrafor barked.
Despite the grumbling the other young dragons they moved away and begun sparring against one another.
"Now back to the topic at hand. You were attacked and captured by the Frost golem that roamed the burnt lands."
"I remember that…I was wandering, looking for Spyro when I was attacked by that creature. It chased me down this cave before I realised I had no means of escaping. Then the golem struck…" Cynder spoke solemnly, remembering turning to see the golem charge up its beam.
"That is mostly likely the case, you had been trapped there for a month. We only just got you out an hour ago." Umbrafor lied.
"A month?!" Cynder spurted out in disbelief.
"Like I said you had been missing for a long while and a lot has changed. It's only because of my psychic powers we were able to find you."
"Psychic powers…Hang on, Umbrafor?! But the last time I saw you…" Cynder almost whimpered.
Umbrafor nodded. "Last time we saw each other was during the dragon-ape war. I willingly gave up the wind crystal needed to realise Malefor and the location of the temple along with the information of the purple egg. In exchange you supplied with the materials needed to start up my Sentinel program in secrecy."
Cynder remained quiet. She knew Umbrafor became a high-ranking member of Malefor's forces after he betrayed the Guardians, so surely he would know that Cynder helped Spyro bring a stop to Malefor. Yet he shown no signs of hostility. No…there was an ulterior motive.
"I know what you are thinking. And I shall inform you that you have nothing to worry about. I may have helped the you and your apes but It was only the interest of myself, I barely interacted with your apes after out transaction. I wanted to breed the perfect crime-fighting force, without the interruptions of your war. So, that when the war did finally end I would be the one to keep the peace, an icon of power and a true leader. I couldn't care less what happened to Malefor because I knew one day he would be brought to an end. But in Malefor's mind I was still his ally, and the only time I ever talked to him was through the rings he provided us." Umbrafor said as he shown off his emerald encrusted ring. "Although they no longer work, its I still consider as a novelty of sorts, a memory from the pasts, and speaking of the pasts I do not hold anything against you, I have gone beyond petty squabbling and have instead been assigned an even greater task that I must complete. And so, even after the apes disappeared and Malefor had been brought back I was still left in peace to continue my work. And now It is completed, us Sentinels are fully fledged members of Warfang and more despite what had occurred in the past."
Cynder wasn't sure how to react as more memories and thoughts poured into her already full mind. So instead she remained silent.
Umbrafor was about to continue talking when he felt an energy grip his finger with the ring on it. "I shall give you some time to think this over. There is something I need to do but then I shall be back." Umbrafor spoke behind his back. He headed up the stairs of the tower and disappeared behind the doors.
Throughout this entire time Cynder had become more aware of her surroundings, realising they were at her old Fortress, still dark and sinister as Malefor's heart.
"Why am I here?!" Cynder thought in alarm. There was definitely something Umbrafor was not telling her. "There is no doubt about it, Umbrafor needs me for something otherwise he would not have come for me…Well whatever it is I still need to find Spyro. I won't allow myself to be caught like that again."
"But how? You are dead!" Spyro yelled in disbelief. "I saw you being dragged down…so why is it you are still here?"
"Heh." Malefor grinned at the other purple dragon's reaction. "You would think I would be dead, for was it not you who caused my demise? My body may be once more destroyed and my spirit bonded in Convexity but my influence lives on."
"But how? You are cut off from this realm!" This was the first real emotion Spyro had begun feeling, the only emotion he could feel now. For the more anger he felt the more it fed his darker side…
"Elementary magic. I am back in my original spirit form. I poured some of my life energy into three crystals embedded in rings long before my demise. So that even if I was stopped my followers could spread my influence and I could continue ravaging the realm. So while you huddled behind your walls I still waged my flames of war. In this form the Orc's eyes are mine, I see everything they see. Giving me unlimited power even from behind these locks"
"So the attacks on the villages were you're doing."
"Indeed. And because of this there is no true way of stopping me. Even if I have to destroy this realm one damned village at a time. But I must say, this new look on the realm really does suit it, it's a just a shame it didn't go all the way…"
Spyro's mind was at a blank. All this time he thought the attacks and everything else was just rogue invasions. But to find that Malefor had orchestrated them all along put a few jigsaw pieces together. However the voices in his mind told him he was wasting time. They had brought Spyro here for a reason and apparently that reason was Malefor.
Spyro then dropped the diary in front of the ring so that Malefor got a clear look.
"And what do you think you're doing?" Malefor asked amused.
"You're going to help me get what I need." Spyro said forcibly.
"Oh am I?" Malefor taunted. "And why would do that?"
"Because I now understand the true purpose of the purple dragon… if what you say is true then surely you have seen me around through the eyes of your minions."
"Perhaps I did…perhaps I didn't get the chance before you obliterated them…who knows."
"Enough games Malefor, the truth is you must have seen alone and isolated. And even when you weren't watching me you must be aware of the hatred carried by everyone…Something happened to me…something clicked in my head and the next thing I knew my perspective of the world changed. All I see now darkness that must be cleansed. In other words…I seek to end the world just as you do. That is why you are going to help me." And to add emphasise Spyro slammed the book down for Malefor to see.
Malefor begun laughing. Not the usual single laugh but the laugh he did when he turned Cynder against Spyro.
Spyro wasn't surprised at this point. Instead he was waiting for the sly and cunning explanation to come. Eventually the maniacal laughter died down and Malefor spoke like he had just been proven correct.
"What you don't seem realise is that I knew this day would come, and you bringing this to me only confirms this. Everything that has happened and will happen is simply fate. The same fate that caused me to fail and the same fate who put you in my place. And just like I said before, we have more in common than you would think. For you see I too once saved this world before, and all I asked for was more power, more responsibility. But did I get it? No. So instead I begun training myself far beyond anything my guardians could teach me. But when they discovered this they feared me, fearing I was becoming too powerful for them to control any longer. So, they banished me and tore down my good name, making me look like the villain…So I did just that. I became the villain just as they branded me as. And what happened to me is exactly what happened to you. So, you see, we are alike. Both once heroes, both used and betrayed by our guardians and both meant to destroy the world. This story has been written many times. But now both of us will destroy the world together like our ancestors before."
"Perhaps you were right. But the only other thing we have in common are our goals. I despise the fact I must end this realm. But if I don't then no one else do and the cycle of suffering would go on and on. So destruction is the only sure way of stopping it. The thing that separates us is our views. I wish there was a happier way to do this while you relished in the thought of destruction and pain." Spyro replied. Even though liked he said he wished there was another way, it looked like teaming up with Malefor was the only way to achieve the end of the realms.
"Heh, we shall see in time. It will only take a few days…partner." Malefor grinned.
"We are not partners. You are but a necessary evil I need for my path to healing this planet."
"Oh, what could you possibly need from me. Aren't you already more powerful than me? Or was it all thanks to Cynder…say what happened to that little bitch after she betrayed me? I presumed you had her dead after the little secret was revealed?" Malefor mocked.
"You do not deserve to mention her name." Spyro hissed irrationally. Unaware what Malefor was trying to do.
The truth was Malefor was completely aware of Cynder's fate after Umbrafor alerted him only moments before Spyro arrived. Malefor was simply trying to get under the younger purple dragon's skin and further speed up the darkness deep within the dragon.
"…I may power but power cannot translate words…your diary holds the key to unlocking the device you used to awaken the destroyer, however it is written in a language I cannot read… this must be why I was bought here, so you can translate the diary." Spyro concluded.
"You don't need that anymore, now you've got me to guide you on the right path." Malefor replied playing his first bargaining card.
"You do not get a say in this Malefor. You are translating this book now. I do not have time for negotiating."
"Young dragon…if you were so 'smart' you know I would not just offer my services just like that. Because we both know as soon as I tell you need then that's it, you would just leave, and where is the fun in that? I got to have some credit for destroying this world."
Spyro growled. Malefor was right, as soon as Spyro learnt what he needed to know he would simply leave Malefor there. But Spyro couldn't just leave now without the information needed. This left him with only one option.
"Very well. But I was you I would be very careful with your words. Because it's the only thing stopping me from throwing you away like the trash you are, because as soon as your usefulness is up then that is it, our paths diverge and I finish what you started."
"Oh, I wouldn't have it any other way…oh this is the most invigorating thing since our battle, I cannot wait for the climax."
Spyro simply ignored that comment, he has had enough of riddle talk and now only wanted straight instructions. He simply stepped forward and gently gripped the ring in two talons. He then slipped it on a talon and raised it to his face.
"How long will this all take? Because the sooner it is over the better it is for those suffering."
"It is not a simple case of a flip of a switch. There are still a couple of tasks that will take two days. Patience is a key element for even after the ground work has been laid and the final piece put into place, it will take a week before the Destroyer arises once more to complete what it has started. For bringing life back to the realm is much harder and time consuming than say… Even for a device as capable as the Dream Caster. But other wishes can be done instantly…like say…restoring this accused world…" Malefor spoke.
"If you think I'm planning on doing that then you've got it all wrong…I've made the mistake of stopping you and now I will fix my mistake. This planet needs to be brought to an end so that a new age can come about."
"Yes…I feel your resolve…Haha haha! Then let us begin."
"Now we have got that pointless conversation out of the way, what is the first step?"
"You're going to really like this…" Malefor teased. "Down below in the courtyard are some of my followers, I think you know him quite well."
Spyro stared down at the ring in uneagerly anticipation.
"Don't tell me you don't know who? It's Umbrafor and his sentinel program." Malefor gloated sarcastically.
"Umbrafor?!" Spyro asked. He knew Umbrafor wasn't who he said he was but never would he of guessed he was in league with Malefor.
"Your first objective is to join up with him and his sentinels in the courtyard below."
"They are here right now? How did they find me so quickly?" Spyro asked cautiously.
"How do you think?"
"…His psychic powers…should've have known."
"Correct, however he knew you would end up here as well in time thanks to me. For he too has one of the three rings."
I do not need help, let alone theirs. This is already complicated enough without having to work with difficult people."
"There are still some things you cannot complete on your own, even if you've always been alone. I cannot help you if you don't let me." Malefor said more seriously.
"You don't seem to realise how much Umbrafor despises me. He is the one that made me an outcast and turned Warfang against me and ever since they had been trying to make me dead. I am telling you now, we won't get along." Spyro specified clearly.
"Ah but you are mistaken. He doesn't want you dead, he needs you alive. So that left the only option of capturing you." Malefor continued.
"But why would he need me? You told me the Dream Caster works for anyone. So why doesn't" Spyro asked doubtful, trying to find a way around having to work with the two dragons he dislikes the most.
"Of cause, anyone could use the Dream Caster, but the power source needed can only be charged up by a purple dragon through the power of convexity. Of because I was able to accomplish this task on my own before for obvious reasons…I had the power and my creations to assist me. But Umbrafor does not have Convexity now does he? Thus, he needs you, and you need his soldier's strength."
"I'm also guessing you want him there to keep an eye on me?" Spyro spoke irritated, realising he was going to have less control than initially thought over the operation. However, if what Malefor was suggesting was true then he will need help…
"No, my decision still stands. I will find help elsewhere. I cannot risk my being around dragons I hate. You however are staying with me." Spyro grunted, lowering the ring once more to the ground.
"Where are they headed…?" Charditus thought to himself. Despite losing as much as Spyro, the equivalent of everything, Charditus was blessed not to haunted by an incarceration of evil. A demonic side that feeds on pain and slowly withers away one's sanity. This allowed him to keep his emotions in check, only barely though. "The only thing beyond here is Concurrent skies…that doesn't matter though, I'm going to bring a stop to Umbrafor no matter how far I need to travel…nothing else matters."
Charditus had caught up with Umbrafor and the Sentinels and was now stalking them from way above, even higher than the fortress's tallest tower, watching carefully from above. His interest peaked when he noticed the nine dragons descending onto the courtyard below. He halted in the air, casting a wary eye on the clouds above to avoid being struck.
"This must be where they're capturing Spyro…" He continued to contemplate. It was now a case of simply waiting and catching up to Spyro before Umbrafor spots him. Then they could discuss their plan. Charditus scanned his environment, Spyro could arrive from anywhere and even though it was dark it wouldn't be hard to spot a purple dragon.
Five minutes passed as Charditus constantly checked downwards on the specks, seeing them constantly scuttle around like multicoloured ants, before Charditus spotted a lone dragon speeding towards the highest tower.
There was no doubt about it, it was Spyro. With a beat of his silent wings Charditus moved in, he wanted to warn him about Umbrafor as soon as possible. He crossed half the distance when he noticed Spyro acting peculiarly, talking to what appears to be himself. So instead the red dragon halted himself and instead watched intently to see what will occur from this.
Another five minutes passed but nothing really progressed, Spyro was still talking to himself, Umbrafor had disappeared inside the tower briefly before exiting a moment later right before Spyro arrived and the other dragons seemed to of spread out amongst the crystals, disappearing from view. "Looks like they know Spyro is here and are getting ready to ambush him. Spyro though looked like he was about to take off and leave. "Okay now I need to move. I don't leave here without Umbrafor's blood being spilt."
Charditus swiftly crossed the rest of the distance, landing lightly on the platform in order not to badly startle Spyro.
"You however are staying with me." He heard Spyro say.
"I shall talk to you later, it looks like you have company…" He also heard a dark twisted voice he did not recognise. The voice faded along with the apparition in the ring.
Upon hearing the patter of four feet Spyro twisted his head around to see a stern-looking dragon advancing towards him.
"I've already made my mind up, I'm not coming with you." Spyro sharply stated, getting the point out there and turning to face the dragon.
Charditus looked affronted. "How did he know?"
"I can complete the task without yours of Umbrafor's help."
"complete the task? Without Umbrafor." Charditus was thoroughly confused by the dragon's behaviour.
"I'm not here with Umbrafor, I'm on my own." Charditus stated.
"What do you mean? I know Umbrafor and the rest of the sentinels are down below waiting for me so you must be with them." Spyro replied doubtfully.
"You're right, I did come here with them. But only by shadowing them from above, they don't know I am here."
"Then why are you here…" Spyro accused.
"I came looking for you." Charditus replied.
Spyro wasn't sure why. But the tone he used sounded like a threat. "I don't have any quarrels with you but if you stand in my way I will have no choice but to use force. Nothing will stop me accomplishing my task."
"I don't want to fight you Spyro. I want to help you." Charditus almost pleaded. Something about Spyro was off, there was a rugged coldness about him in place of the kindness and determination.
"I said before I don't need help. Now if that is all you have to say I am leaving. I have much to do and not a lot of time." Spyro finished, walking closer to the edge of the tower.
Charditus leapt in front of the dragon, blocking his way. "But that isn't just it, I need your help."
"Why would anyone need my help? I helped once before and looked what happened to me." Spyro spoke bitterly.
Charditus was almost shocked by the comment, this was very much unlike Spyro.
"Because it will help both of us in the long." Charditus implored.
Getting increasingly frustrated Spyro decided the only way he was going to leave was by hearing this dragon out. In all truthfulness Spyro would rather leave without more blood on his hands.
"…What is it you need so badly you seek the help of the dragon you sentinels had tried so hard to capture?" Spyro asked, not making any attempt to leave.
"I need Umbrafor dead. After everything he has done, everything he is going to do he needs to be stopped. But I cannot do this without your help." Charditus explained, relieved Spyro is finally listening.
"Is that it? Your goal is revenge? Because if that is it I am not interested…" Spyro replied, walking around the distraught dragon.
"Wait…that isn't all. There is more." Charditus tried reasoning.
"I am beyond my own vengeances, let alone others. I won't intervene in other affairs. So, this is your problem."
"But this isn't just about vengeance. This is justice, for everything Umbrafor has done." Charditus could feel his anger flare up slightly.
"Justice won't stop the coming end. I'm sorry but I can't help, I understand Umbrafor must have done something terrible to you to make a dragon like you want him dead, for he too has done some things to me I wish I never lived through. But I refuse to have to encounter that dragon again given the choice…I've got what I need and now I must leave." Spyro declared coldly, stepping pass the dragon and not even bothering to look at him.
"Umbrafor won't just let you leave. He has this place surrounded and he aims to capture you. My other aim for being here is stop Umbrafor from getting what he wants-"
"I know why he wants me and he isn't getting me." Spyro was completely unfazed by Umbrafor to be honest, he would only be a mild distraction in his opinion.
"I'm not just going to let you go and get yourself caught Spyro." Charditus said defiantly.
"You're a good dragon with a good heart Charditus…that is your name, isn't it? But if I was you I would spend any time you can with your Squad." Spyro spoke solemnly.
"I wish I could…But Umbrafor made sure that I won't be able to anymore." Charditus whispered bitterly.
"We'll I'm sorry to hear that."
He reached the edge and was about to put his wings out.
"…They have Cynder!" Charditus finally burst out.
Spyro's lilac eyes shifted automatically to his left. Those three simple words made Spyro change his mind.
"That is a lie. I'm sorry Charditus but nothing is changing my mind and besides, Cynder has been missing for over a month…I don't see how she can go from not sighted to suddenly being in the possession of Umbrafor." Spyro answered doubtful and even a little sad.
"I know it's true because it was me who rescued her. Spyro I'm telling you the truth. Look into my eyes and tell me I am lying." Charditus directed.
Time seem to stand still as Spyro contemplated whether or not to listen. But at long last he turns and stares directly into Charditus's fiery determined eyes.
Spyro's eyes grew wider as he realised Charditus was actually telling the truth. "There is no denying it, he isn't lying…"
"…Come with me then." Spyro said at long last as he begun approaching the centre of the platform, on his way he picked up the diary again.
"So, you're finally going to help me?" Charditus questioned, relieved he had gotten through to the purple dragon.
"We're going to get Cynder back. Which if Umbrafor doesn't comply to reasoning we may as well end up fighting. I'm not to fussed if we do end killing him as I'm willing to make an exception…but at the same time I just want to get Cynder back then get away from here." Spyro admitted.
"Alright…Though if you don't mind I would like to join you." Charditus added, following Spyro onto the platform.
"I don't think that would be wise. You might not agree with what I am going to do." Spyro warned.
Charditus gave a soft smile. "Us outcasts might as well stick together, and besides, Umbrafor will come after us again at some point and I want to be there when he does so I can give what he deserves."
"Very well, though feel free to disembark at any times. Because I cannot promise you vengeance." Spyro commented, and at that moment the elevator begun descending into the heart of the tower.
"I apologise for that untimely interruption Cynder. We may continue. Have you any questions as so far?" Umbrafor asked.
"Just one, what happened to Spyro?" Cynder replied. She wanted to get directly to the point of why she is here.
Umbrafor simply nodded. "I foresaw that you would ask that question, and I am sorry but you won't like the answer." Umbrafor replied solemnly.
"No…he isn't…" Death was Cynder's first reaction.
"Dead? No, but unfortunately the news still isn't good. Spyro has gone rogue."
"Rogue? What do you mean rogue?" Cynder had a suspicion she knew, but in her heart, she certainly wished otherwise.
"Gone rogue like Malefor I'm afraid."
"But…sure he can't have…the Spyro I know…"
"I know it is hard to believe but it in the end it's the truth. The world you know is currently lost…darkness now envelops us and the land is ravaged by disasters daily. All because of Spyro."
"But it just doesn't make sense…Spyro saved this world…I mean I was there with him…So how is it that he suddenly turned?"
"I don't entirely know either, but my guess the amount of power he wielded to pull this planet back together must have corrupted him the same way it did to Malefor. Because a week after he resurfaced in Warfang he attacked and killed several of Warfang's citizens before fleeing the scene. And ever since Warfang has tried multiple times to kill Spyro but to no avail, for each time they try they only end up losing more men. It has even gotten as bad as Spyro leading groups of grublins and orcs to strategically attack and destroy surrounding villages." Umbrafor explained.
"And where does that leave you?" Cynder questioned, still un able to comprehend.
"Me? I still believe there is a chance to get through to Spyro. But to do that I needed the help of someone he trusted with his life, in other words you. What Warfang keeps not realising is that every time we provoke the purple dragon he retaliates. However, by talking to Spyro we may be able to stop him without more blood being spilt. What more, I have a plan that with all our help combined may be able to bring back the planet we all love."
"Then why are we here?" Cynder was still yet convinced.
"Because at this very moment. Spyro is atop of this spire, the very same one you and he first properly met. Why he is here though still eludes me…"
Cynder narrowed her eyes up towards to the spire and took a step forward, she winced as she felt her leg collapsed and realised she hasn't quite gotten her energy back. Regardless she tried to take another step forward.
"Where are you going?" Umbrafor asked.
"I'm going to talk to Spyro." Cynder said confidently.
Umbrafor slammed his front foot in Cynder's way, barring the way.
"I would advise against that at the moment." Umbrafor added heavy emphasise to against. "If we are to bring Spyro to his sense it will require all our help combined. He is an unstable dragon and thus the wrong move can send him into another rampage that could prove fatal."
"You lie Umbrafor. You've never cared about this world before so why would you now." Cynder hissed. "And Spyro would never do anything like this." She almost yelled. The black dragoness then tried to dash past despite her body complaining but it was no use. Umbrafor simply stretched out his brawny black talon and clamped it around Cynder's thin frail body.
"Let me go!" Cynder growled.
"You were always too smart for your own good Cynder. But not enough to stay with Malefor and see through the world's end."
Cynder struggled in Umbrafor's grip, desperately attempting to summon her shadows to escape, but none came.
"It's no use fighting Cynder, you will help us win Spyro to our side one way or the other. Fate had decreed it and she also decrees this planet's life needs to be ended."
"No…I refuse to be your puppet ever again."
Umbrafor simply ignored, even when Cynder tried nipping his talons he merely tightened his grip.
"Everyone else spread out and be ready. Plan B is ago, Spyro is no longer going to be joining us willingly so we must use force to subdue him. Eyes to the sky and ground. We do not leave without Spyro."
At once the exhausted dragons stop sparring and skulked over to gaps in the shards, some more eager than others of the prospect of fighting Spyro even at the energy they were at.
Spyro and Charditus were on their way to the courtyard, currently on the slow-moving elevator to the bottom floor of the spire.
"So, what did Umbrafor do to you anyway?" Spyro asked.
"I thought you said you wasn't interested." Charditus replied surprised.
"I'm not, but…If we are going to be travelling together I may as well understand your motives." Spyro explained without looking.
Charditus's brows lowered in hatred. "He caused the demise of my Squad…all three of them."
"He killed them?"
"Not exactly. They were taken from me by a Frost Golem. Umbrafor orchestrated the whole thing."
Spyro looked at Charditus, almost in a way of asking to him to explain.
"I don't want to really talk about it…"
"I understand. My brother way taken from me only this morning and I was accused of his murder…" Spyro put bluntly.
"The dragonfly?" upon realising how tactless he sounded and the shock factor of this comment Charditus simply apologised and gave a sheepish look. "I guess this is why he seems a little roughed up…"
"…We are here." Spyro said bluntly as the elevator came to a halt. Spyro stepped off followed by his new 'friend', still grasping the journal tightly to himself. Charditus did notice this and was wondering why, but decided it was best not to ask about it.
The doorway opened, revealing the aqua-blue crystals jutting around the dark floored courtyard. But to Spyro's uneasiness no-one was around.
Spyro was the first of the two to step out of the doorway into the dangerous open.
"Umbrafor! I know you are out there and you have someone who belongs to me!" Spyro yelled.
And out of the entrance of the courtyard Umbrafor stepped out, still with Cynder in his clutch.
"It is time we properly met Spyro…" Umbrafor said calmly.
Spyro caught sight of the struggling female in his hand. "Cynder!" Spyro called out in a mixture of relief, yearning and sadness. Emotions that actually managed to touch his stone heart. He even nearly cried because of it.
"Spyro!" Cynder cried out in similar reaction.
Hey all. I know it's been a month since I've last updated and I'm kicking myself for it. But unfortunately, I've been very busy, and very tired both mentally and emotionally. But now I am back and should hopefully be updating every 2 weeks or so. But I hope for now this extra-long chapter will allow you to forgive me.
So here we have Spyro, broken from his code yet still fighting. Unfortunately for the wrong cause. But now since Cynder is there, perhaps there is something she cans still do to help save him before he does something he truly regrets. The only thing though that keeps them apart now is Umbrafor.
And with that my friends. I shall see you next time.