Break Away
Spyro had tried using his elements many times during his short stay, but the damnable muzzle meant he couldn't even open his maw, let alone test the collar to see if his powers were restricted. The two thick chains that hung heavily on either side of him further restricted his mobility, adding to the frustration he was already experiencing. Volteer's genius proved for once to be of annoyance to Spyro: for while the collar and muzzle was fairly new, they were doing an outstanding job. The way the jade collar worked was by nullifying the dragon's connection to their energy reserves, thus rendering them incapable of harnessing their own powers.
It had been a few hours since being trapped here and midnight was approaching.
But he had resolved to himself he would be free and start a new life, to break away from this path that leads to his demise, but so far it was proving difficult, the guardians weren't taking any chances.
While he did consider giving up several times, his head always corrected this thought and try again. Many different and unusual ideas came to his mind, but each was met with the same end of disappointing failure.
In blind annoyance he once again tried pulling the chains, which merely fought back with minimal energy, making the helpless dragon seem all the more feeble. He paused for a moment to catch his energy, and as he did, he found an odd feeling sat at the back of his throat. A look of surprise overcame him because it almost felt like elemental energy.
He tried focusing more on it and to his relief and hope there was an anergy there, one faintly familiar to him: yet one he feared - convexity. He had found a loophole in Volteer's scientology. While the collar was programmed to stop those of the five native elements, it wasn't designed to halt convexity.
Spyro was torn about this, while he did certainly have a means to escape - a powerful one at that - he was all too associated of it's capable power, that combined with being underground could lead to devastating results for all. His pure heart would not allow the harming of innocence regardless if it meant he was free.
He debated this with himself for ten minutes, and finally came to a solution. So long as he limited the usage of his power, it should be fine.
The plan was set, he would use his power to break out of this collar and the cell, then evade the guards until he finds a way out of this prison, and then finally escape the city. It was a long shot, but Spyro has beaten impossible odds before.
He looked up towards the guards. They were still glaring at him with their hawk eyes. Spyro had no doubt, as soon as he started his insane plan they would call for reinforcements, so he had to be quick. The longer he took, the more his already steep chances dwindled.
First of all, he had to get the collar off, he had a plan, but it was highly risky. Through wiggling the collar, Spyro had found he could shift it around slightly, he could force the rear part of muzzle upwards and that would bring part of the muzzle in front of his maw through straining and painful effort.
He looked up at the guards, who despite seeing his numerous attempts at escaping, didn't believe that even Spyro could escape.
It was time.
The purple dragon sat on his maw and pushed the muzzle piece on the back of his neck with his forelegs.
He could feel the metal bar pressuring his neck, rendering him almost breathless, and another piece pushing against his horns but he just needed to push a little more. His paws were shaking, but with a little more effort the tip of the muzzle that held the top of his maw closed came directly in front of his maw.
The guards watched on, somewhat interested at what he was attempting.
Spyro could just about open his maw, it was only a tiny crack, but enough for him to do what he needed to.
A thin powerful beam of convexity burst out, striking right through the steel band. Spyro prayed the recoil wouldn't be too bad, but to his luck there was none to be found.
The beam continued on through the collar, right through the prison bars and making the guards take a sudden step back in fear, their eyes growing wide in realisation. The beam exploded on the ground in front of them, tremors shook through the complex as a loud boom echoed down the corridor.
The metal band dissolved into nothingness, allowing Spyro to now fully open and contract his maw at will.
One of the guards finally got over the shock. "Sound the alarm! The purple dragon is escaping," he yelled as he dashed down the hallway, leaving the other one to ready himself to fight despite feeling fearful.
Spyro didn't care, he was prepared. Now that the band was damaged, he was free to lift it from over his head. The collar landed with a clang on the sandstone floor as Spyro leapt over the iron chains.
His piercing gaze met the remaining guard's own cowering eyes.
Spyro reminded himself to minimise his usage of convexity, not only of fear of hurting people, but because this energy had a short time limit and expending it would only make it vanish quicker.
But without hesitation, he let another beam go upon the grated door.
The lock melted into oblivion, leaving the cell door to swing open effortlessly. The violet drake quickly charged through the door.
The guard, though fearful of this unknown power stood ready in the corridor, ready to defend with his life if it meant Spyro would not escape.
Spyro sprinted forward just as the fire dragon exhaled a cloud of fire. Spyro ducked underneath the intense flames and went to the dragon's side, continuing his mad dash.
The fiery guard tried slamming his claw on him. Spyro stopped in time as it crashed down on the ground in front of him before resuming his running to the side.
In a desperate effort the guard sweeped the ground with his tail and despite Spyro's best efforts to jump over it, the thick red tail still managed to clip one of rear legs rather harshly. When Spyro landed he stumbled slightly but still resumed his running.
Spyro didn't actually realise how hard this would all be until he actually started it, and despite getting past one guard, it was no walk in the park. He dreaded to think what several dragons would do.
Still, he had to go on. There was no turning back.
He ran to the end of the first corridor with the other guard in pursuit. To his right another electric dragon along with some moles were approaching, and too his left a ramp leading upwards.
He hoped that was the way out. He pushed on, taking off and flying his way up the ramp. He was led into another sprawling hallway that split off onto many more paths, once more emphasizing the size of this prison.
Spyro decided to fly straight, surely there must be a simple structure plan for the building?
He got halfway through, flying by dozens of cells filled with all manner of prisoners, all pressed up against the bars to see what the commotion was all about.
The purple dragon paid them no heed though, but just as he got three quarters the way through, another fire dragon guard appeared from a corner and spotted him.
"There he is! Do not let him escape, no matter the cost!" he yelled, as half a dozen moles came charging around the corner, equipped in their black armour and armed with their sharp, steel spears, swords and crossbows.
He could hear the clatter of armour and thud of footsteps quickly approaching from behind as well.
Spyro quickly halted and looked to his left down yet another corridor. Thankfully it was empty, encouraging him to promptly fly down there.
He didn't look back, but loud yelling indicated the guards and grouped up and were still pursuing him.
He got to the end of the hallway and turned left, but to his resentment the hall extended towards a dead end. Still he flew until he reached the end, where he turned in time to see the three dragons and the dozen or so moles came into sight.
"We got him cornered, boys!" one of the dragons eagerly called out.
Spyro's heart jumped up yet another notch at the stampeding army, as either side of him several mole prisoners cheered him on.
His only option, as minimal as chances were, was to evade past them. He tried flying to an uppermost corner and slip by, but the lunging mouth of one of the dragons caused Spyro to recoil, he now had his back to the wall.
One part of him, albeit it tiny part was screaming for him to disintegrate them to pieces, but his bigger and more benevolent part quickly shunned that idea as quickly as it came and instead asked Spyro to submit. But Spyro's mind, the most dominant part told him he needed to be free!
Still the mole prisoners in orange were egging him on, and this gave him an idea. He inhaled his breath.
"Look out, he's going to use his breathe!"
The soldiers tried preparing for his breath, but instead of hitting them, Spyro aimed at the lock mechanisms of the two cells either side of him. The purple rays struck the doors, but do to his earlier emphasis on control, the beams had yielded only enough power to decimate the locks. Just like his prison cell the busted doors harmlessly swang open harmlessly.
It took a moment for them all to realise what had just opened before one of the prisoners yelled out, "Freedom!" Instantaneously the multitude of moles charged for the doors.
"Jailbreak! Don't let the prisoners escape!" One of the mole guards beckoned, who was about to be jumped by two of the unarmed prisoners.
"No! Don't let the purple dragon escape!" Another yelled out.
In all the commotion Spyro slipped underneath the dragons before any of them could truly grasp what just happened. The last dragon tried to make an awkward reach around and claw the dragon. But this action caused the dragon to trip himself up and collapse onto his chin.
Spyro was almost celebrating, however he still had a long way to go. Just to be sure he struck a couple more locked doors as more moles came charging out from one of the doors who immediately joined the fray. After that he decided that was enough. He didn't actually want to course a jailbreak, but just enough to distract them.
He continued on, pushing his wings onwards. Behind him he could hear at least one dragon chasing him so he couldn't stop.
He rounded the corner once. He almost fell to the ground, startled as a crossbow bolt narrowly missed his head. Below him were two moles with crossbows. One was lining up his crosshair while the other was in the process of reloading.
Spyro acted quickly, he dived beneath the next arrow and landed firmly on the sandstone ground in front of them. He focused on the one who had just loaded another bolt. He nudged the crossbow upwards just as the mole had fired, causing the arrow to strike the ceiling and bounce off.
He then grabbed the crossbow in his talons and yanked on it, forcing the mole to fall on his stomach and let go of the handle. He fearfully huddled down, fully expecting the dragon to put an end to him.
Spyro swung the crossbow at the other mole's weapon, both weapons collided and Spyro released his grasp. Both crossbows flew out of reach as the mole muttered frightened sounds.
Spyro ran by the moles, leaving the still standing one to watch on in lost hope.
The purple dragon once more charged back into the first hallway. To the right that lead downstairs, more moles were heading down to the third floor, oblivious that Spyro had already moved up. They did however turn when they heard his loud footsteps.
Immediately they charged to confront him.
Spyro ran to his left to where he presumed the exit was, or at least to the next floor.
He got to the end of the hallway, and to his slight relief - another ramp. Spyro prayed he was almost there.
Once more he charged up the ramp and over the heads of unsuspecting moles who ducked in surprise.
Up ahead was a hopeful sign. The hallway lead into a spacious room with a raised roof: he entered directly in.
However, as soon as he did a large ballista like contraption shot a thick net laiden with metal heavy weight over him, ensnaring him in it's woven mess. It was an ambush, and their last line of defence to preventing any prisoners escaping.
More moles surrounded Spyro with swords and other dangerous weapons and prepared to pounce him.
Spyro snarled hatefully and let loose another beam that cut through the net like a knife. The beam traversed the room and caused more shudders to pass through the earth and clouds of dust to fall from the old ceiling.
Two moles tried to force him down, however Spyro pushed them away roughly with his claws as he attempted to untangle himself from the net. Through the checkered mess of rope he spotted the contraption that captured him and prepared another beam. The mole on the ballista panicked and hastily dismounted the machine. Spyro's next attack sliced through the base of the ballista, causing the wooden contraption to collapse in a piled heap on the ground.
The moles had surrounded Spyro at this point, trying to find an opening to strike the purple dragon down.
Spyro still had a leg caught up in the mess of rope, and trying to untangle that while simultaneously holding off several enemies was proving to be a difficult task. One mole sunk his speak into Spyro's flank, earning a grunt of pain to emit from the injured dragon.
He swung his tail and struck two of the moles, hard enough to knock them backwards but not enough to leave a mark.
Another mole tried coming down on his head with his sword, which Spyro responded by shifting his head and knocking the blade away with his horn.
At last, Spyro cut his claw free. Just in time two more moles raised their swords up.
Spyro arched his wings and blocked the incomings strikes, followed by forcing his wings into the moles and sending them stumbling back.
Exhaustion was beginning to creep up on him, but he still had plenty of energy so long as he didn't waste it.
Though Spyro saw it in the corner of his eye, he was too late to react as an arrow dug deeply into his hind. He winced as pain shot up his leg, this was followed by a sword strike that slashed his foreleg, stealing yet another yelp from Spyro.
Spyro spun around and delivered a hefty rear kick to mole, sending the poor mole skidding across the floor, who let out a defeated groan. The drake felt a twinge of guilt doing it, but he had no choice in that matter.
The other moles were now recovering and lifting their swords once more, and so he decided now was a good time to get going. He picked the right time as only second later the snapping jaws of the pursing fire dragon closed down on him, missing his tail by inches.
Blood was now dribbling down his flank and other wounds and his foreleg had become a hindrance from the deep cut he suffered. He found himself unable to shift any weight on it. He opened his wings and took off.
The purple drake soared into the next hallway and his eyes practically grew wide with relief. Natural moonlight faintly casted itself to the bottom of the ramp.
Cyril and Volteer were debating amongst themselves, a common sight for those who had known them long enough.
However, they found themselves interrupted when a panic stricken dragon barged into their room of the cabin. Volteer gave a look of surprise while Cyril had a face of disgruntled annoyance.
"Master Cyril, master Volteer!" the dragon started. "Spyro has escaped!"
Both dragons were in absolute shock. Cyril glared at Volteer, he was filled with the bitter resentment of being proved right. Immediately though Volteer responded. "Does he still have the energy suppressing locking device in present around his nape?"
"I don't know, I...I think so. He's still in the prison."
Cyril turned to the guard. "We cannot allow him to be free again! Alert all the of th guard to make a for the prison. Volteer, I request you go find the children, we may require their help if this catastrophic situation gets anymore out of hand."
"Yes, Master Cyril!" The guard sharply nodded before rushing back out.
Cyril and and Volteer followed on. Upon exited outside, Cyril took charge of a group of dragons and lead them towards the prison, located deeper in the actual city, while Volteer started asking the locals for Cynder or Charditus's whereabouts.
Spyro was almost there! He was almost free!
But almost does not mean he was…
Spyro was smiling on the inside, he had done it. Once he was out it would be far easier to lose the dragons amongst the ruins.
But just as he was about to, shadows of two more dragons appeared at the summit of the ramp; moments later a bulky ice dragoness and an muscular earth male took up the entire hallway, leaving no space for Spyro to pass. He had no option but to turn back.
He twisted his body and maneuvered back towards the room. He cried in alarm when he realised the fire dragon was right there as well, along with the moles. He had to raise his tail to once more avoid the gnashing teeth. Spyro flew over the fire dragon's head and continued on. The purple dragon flew to the centre of the room. eight moles and three dragons entered the room, like the next challenge in an deadly arena.
The earth dragon in the centre forced the ground behind him close up the exit in a barricade of pillars.
For a moment both sides watched, anticipating the first move. Spyro placed a paw forward and narrowed his eyes. He has gotten this far, to fall now...
The ice dragoness moved first, leaping briefly into the air before slamming both claws down upon the escaping convict. Spyro jumped to the side, only to see the male fire dragon trying to slam his tail upon the dragon. Spyro took off and darted to the side once more.
The male followed this up with a fireball aimed upwards, and although Spyro had dodged that, the fireball continued its path and struck the ceiling, exploding and raining fire down on Spyro.
The large embers fell upon his wings and seared them, forcing Spyro to close them up and fall towards the ground.
But as he landed, his injured leg gave way and Spyro fell to the floor.
The female ice dragon then struck her tail into Spyro. Sending him skidding on the floor and smack into the wall.
The two dragons smiled in delight, but to their dismay, Spyro still got up. His legs were shaky and his breath: slow and heavy. But the fiery spirit glistening in his eye would not be put out. He let some of self-restraining go, allowing him to subdue the guards but no more.
He broke into a sprint with his three good legs between the two larger dragons, who instantaneously impacted their claws into the ground. However Spyro performed a uturn upwards, ending up above the fiery male. The female instinctively tried swatting at the dangerous purple dragon with a clenched fist.
Spyro pushed off the talon as it passed him and redirected at the male, who was not expecting the blow to occur. The Ice female's talon scored a direct punch to the male's face, the heavy and powerful hit knocked the dragon on his side, but Spyro wasn't done.
He dodged yet another swing before landing softishly in front of the red male, whom in rage swang out his own talon and struck the legs out from underneath the female. She promptly collapsed onto her stomach.
Spyro had avoided all their swings thus far and managed to get both to incapacitate each other. The fire male tried to raise his head but Spyro leapt onto it before turning and pushing off into a front flip. The push off once more drove the male to the ground, and before he could react Spyro slammed his tail onto the dragon's cranium, knocking him unconscious.
Spyro landed once more, but once more he had forgotten about his leg and momentarily flinched.
The female, who was still struggling to get up saw him directly in front of her and tried releasing a torrent of ice. Spyro tried avoiding, but since he was still wincing, he was slower than he wanted to be. His other foreleg got stuck in the blizzard and his claw was frozen solid.
Spyro retaliated and slammed his frozen paw on the side of the ice dragoness' head. The ice encased strengthened his blow giving extra weight and power to the swing, but still it splintered apart upon contact, knocking her out as well.
The Earth drake roared upon seeing his two comrades defeated. He slammed his talons on the ground; jagged columns of rock formed a horse shoe around him, indicating his show of power.
"You are not escaping here with your life dragon!"
Spyro turned towards him and opened his maw.
The earth dragon tensed up, deciding if getting out of the way was a good idea. The swirling purple energy gathering around his mouth made him doubt even more and the coherent cries of the moles only added to this insecurity.
Spyro made eye contact with the nervous earth dragon, which indicated he was about to fire.
The earth's dragon's courage crumbled, as he leapt out of the way; his earlier bravery quickly disintegrating into cowardice.
Spyro's violet beam surged forward and struck the rocky barrier, demolishing it with a satisfying explosion. Spyro closed his maw and sprinted as fast as his three legs could carry him.
The earth dragon cleared the dust from his eyes just in time to see Spyro limp out of the entrance. Panicking, he chased after him.
Spyro reached exit and practically wept with relief. The natural light, dulled by the thick black clouds above touched his skin reassuringly. Spyro let his wings taste freedom and carry him upwards and above the deep ravine below. He was in the ruins of new warfang. Hundreds of bridges spanned the gaps created from the Great Divide.
He looked to his left, nothing but a path that coiled along the cliff edge, with the ravenous hole to the side. Wide open spaces, were plentiful, big enough for him to soar freely, away from chains, away from burdens.
He was free!
But when he looked right, his hopes plummeted and fear took over. Dozens of dragons, lead by a furious Cyril were descending upon him.
Though Spyro was spent, a new level of urgency had brought upon reserves of energy. He flew in the opposite direction, faster than he ever had before.
His fear increased ever so more as fireballs sung past him and exploded on the ground around him.
towers of earth speared forth from the ground in front, which Spyro barely weaved in between.
Too his right the very deep ravine opened up. Scatters of moles started lining the cliffs, aiming their crossbows upwards. He had no option to head into the ravine. He turned his wings and headed deeper in.
Though Spyro was a capable flyer, the adults were far more exceptional with their more developed wings and experience. Plus his wounds were finally taking their toll on him. The guards were rapidly gaining.
Beyond them a series of rope bridges crossed over them. Several mis-aimed shots had struck and broken through the ropes.
Spyro panicked as one on fire swung in front of him, nearly entangling him in it's burning grip. He kept pushing harder and harder, desperately crying for something, anything to give him hope.
Cyril was right behind him and Spyro knew it. He turned back occasionally to see when Cyril was about to strike with his infamous ice. But Cyril was not wasting his breath.
Spyro sincerely hoped Cyril would not be his end. He turned back once more to see Cyril with his maw open and ready to snap down on his exposed tail.
Spyro drastically flew upwards, once more narrowly avoiding the deadly teeth. However not even his nimble acrobatics could shake Cyril for long as he once more beared down on Spyro, ready to end the purple dragon's endeavours at a moment's notice.
But the ancestors must have been watching over him that day, because as he emerged from the abyss, the gateway for Old Warfang stood only a hundred or so metres away. It was closed, indicating that that opening puzzle had been reset; maybe to keep out the cursed apes. But it wasn't the door he was after, in fact he was beyond relief it was closed, it was the hole beside it he was aiming for.
Cyril realised this and panicked. If Spyro was allowed to get through there, then he would escape. He had to stop him now!
Cyril opened his maw and carefully aimed, he had to make this shot count.
He fired.
The crackle of ice flew straight and true for Spyro, who in his desperation for freedom didn't look back.
The icicle hit Spyro. It sliced his cheek before continuing its path, embedding into wall around the hole. Spyro didn't care though, he streaked through the hole and dove down behind cover.
"Nooooo!" Cyril screamed in his least classiest voice. He stopped by hole and violently clawed away into it, only pulling away chunks of dirt. Even though he knew Spyro wasn't there, it didn't stop him from throwing a tantrum.
Spyro softly landed on the other side and looked towards the door. Just as he hoped, the keys had been removed. He was safe...for now. But that didn't mean he could take it easy, who knew how long it would take them to find him.
He turned towards the vastness that was The Ruins of Warfang, now almost unrecognisable. Plenty of the old structures fallen away into the void below. Many of the torches had died out, leaving a new type of darkness, a combination of the unknown, the known and pure dark without light.
The bridge that spanned the monstrous cavern lain fallen in places, with entire sections missing, swallowed up by the insatiable hunger of the bottomless hole. but brave little torches still clung on, burning just enough for the path to be illuminated. At the far end of the cavern, opposite where the bridge once led, a dim light shone from the outside world.
Spyro was tired and hurt, but he couldn't remain here and rest, but at the same he couldn't push himself anymore.
He limped over to the edge and glided from one platform to another. In a way, it reminded him of his little adventures with Sparx, he missed those days, back when he was but a carefree dragon who only had small, reasonable ambitions in his life.
He leaped onto another precarious ledge, immediately it buckled under his weight and begun crumbling. He quickly hopped to a more stable piece.
Gone are those days as a dragonfly, all changing in the space of a day when he was violently thrown into a life of constant dangers, trying to stop one prophecy while also fulfilling another. He didn't mind that life either has he gotten to meet some amazing people and share wonderful memories.
He walked across the next section of bridge. The alien cry of a cursed ape rung through the cavern, causing him to perk his ears up and around to the swallowing darkness. This shrill call was answered by another that echoed from the opposite end of the cavern. The intrusive shrieking continued, but Spyro padded on.
Even a life, where Spyro was feeling on top of the world, got dragged back down realm and trodden on upon by those who once looked up to him. The world tried to entrap him in a corner, and await for it to crush him into nothing. But still he fought back and almost won. But why did he fight…?
Regardless of the tangents life threw at him, there was always something from the old life that kept him going: two things that remained constant: having Sparx by his side and having a purpose to live for.
But now both were gone…
Spyro exited the ruins through the old archway. The world sprawled out in front of him, from the high dam that once held back so much, to the endless oceans that touch the skies at the horizon. The world was vast, perhaps even infinite. So much to do, so many ways to go back to the start.
He was a free dragon who owed nothing to others and only he can decide where his life takes him...It was lonely, and he had so many good memories in the past, all would be left behind if he flew away now…
He would surely miss it. But like he told himself, there was nothing to go back, the only way for him was forward. The ancestors must be giving him the option if they allowed him to live so long...right?
He looked back one more time, no doubt the city was panicking… But in time they will come to realise he means no harm, that he never intended to destroy the world.
He hoped a lot for them. He hoped Warfang will once more rise from the destruction and prosper, he hoped the guardians will once more reclaim the trust of the people, he hoped Charditus will find peace in his lose, and he hoped Cynder will live the life she wants.
Cynder…
She was certainly high on the list of things he would struggle to fully say goodbye too. A small part of him still wishes they could be together. But his mind is made and he cannot go back.
He gave a weary smile. "Goodbye Warfang."
He turned back and wandered to the edge and took a deep breath.
"You're not going anywhere!"
Volteer had been on a wild goose hunt, constantly asking people had they seen Charditus and co and often speaking so fast it was incomprensible, worry was deeply embedded in his mind and he was getting more hysterical the longer it took to find them.
Eventually though he had found them resting up by the cannon.
"Younglings!" He called out as he arrived on the wall. The young dragons and dragonesses quickly twisted their heads towards him. "I apologise utmost sincerely, but we have stumbled upon a undesirable situation that requires your excellent expertise. Spyro has decamped!" he verbalized.
Instantly the four of them got up and processed what he had just revealed. Saphira and Volterra exchanged fearful flances, Charditus just stood there cold and Blizarus hung his mouth.
"Then we gotta go after him now!" Blizarus growled, a scowl overtaking his features.
The other three looked at him as did the electric guardian.
"Earthena asked us that should Spyro ever attempt something like this, that we step up again and take him down. I'll be more damned that Umbrafor in hell should we fail this. It's what Earthena wanted."
Saphira nodded and stepped forward. "It's true, she did ask us for this."
It took a moment, but after getting a reassuring nod from Volterra, Charditus did eventually speak up, "alright then, we are going after Spyro." He looked up at the guardian. "Where is he?"
"At this precise juncture, highly probably at the penalty institute."
"Right let's go!"
The four sentinels and guardian headed off at once for the prison.
Spyro turned to see Cynder standing there in combat stance. While he would've been happy to see her, he knew she was there to bring a stop to him. However, she was still one he would never dare lay a talon on regardless of what happened. Not only this, he knew he couldn't afford another scuffle, not in his condition and especially not against someone like Cynder.
He guessed she must of been nearby in order to have gotten here this quickly.
"I know why you're here Cynder, but you can't stop me."
Cynder was outraged by his response, she raised her voice. "Why Spyro? What did the world do to you that made you hate it so much?!"
The fact that she was jumping to the same conclusion like everyone else enraged the purple dragon as he raised his voice as well, "for the last time, I'm not trying to destroy the world. I just want to be free. Have you ever considered that is what my dark side doing all that?!"
The two dragons begun circling.
"Stop lying to me!"
"Well what do you want me to tell you?"
"The truth!"
Spyro sighed. Just as he dreaded this conversation was leading nowhere. It was time for him to go.
"What's the point if everything I say you'll believe as lies?" Spyro shook his head.
Cynder looked surprised, and took his comment into consideration. But before she could reply; she saw Spyro skulking towards the edge.
"Wait!" she ordered.
She leapt for him, but Spyro quickly casted himself over the side. She scrambled to the edge and peered downwards. She saw the purple dragon speedily drop downwards with his wings folded inwards.
He plunged into the cold salt water and out of sight.
"Dammit…" she cursed to herself with a clenched claw.
She waited for a few minutes, waiting for the purple dragon to surface.
But the black dragoness was interrupted when four sets of soft talons touched down behind her. She pushed herself back onto her claws and turned to greet them.
Though Charditus wasn't there to witness it, he could only guess that Spyro had gotten away.
"You let the rat get away?!" Blizarus howled at Cynder.
She flinched, but looked down as she scolded herself as well.
"Enough, Blizarus." Charditus spoke before turning to Cynder. "Don't criticize yourself too much, he's gotten away from us the same way before.
"But he was in my grasp, I had him… But then I let him go."
"We can find him again though, can't we?" Volterra perked up.
"How?" Saphira questioned. "In the past we had Umbrafor to rely on for that, but well…"
Charditus thought about this. He then turned to Cynder. "Cynder, Spyro once told me there is a pool of visions at your temple?"
Cynder looked surprised by this sudden question. "Well there is, but the temple was destroyed. Besides, only a few dragons can use it and no one I know apart from Ignitus can use it, and he's...gone."
"The temple was not destroyed, it had survived the war, but more on that later. But is there a way we can find out if we can use it? We may be able to use it to predict where Spyro is going and cut him off."
"I guess so, but we would have to go there ourselves and test it."
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Blizarus interrupted, pushing past them all and stepping towards the edge.
Charditus reached out and grabbed his tail, causing the white dragon to nearly trip over. "Wait, Blizarus! We can't just leave without telling the guardians our plan!"
"To hell with that," he growled, "the more time we bloody waste the more likely he will get away! Then how we will avenge Earthena?"
While the wording could've been better, the point Blizarus got across was one Charditus couldn't argue with. He let Blizarus's tail go. "Alright, then at least take Saphira and Cynder with you. Cynder can guide you there. Right, Cynder?"
"Of course." She nodded in reply.
"Are you fine with that, Saphira?" She replied.
"If it means helping, then I am."
"Good, we shouldn't be too long. But if you make it to the temple before we do then wait for us."
"Whatever, let's go already," Blizarus replied impatiently. He took of without hesitation.
Saphira groaned, "wait up." She hastily set in pursuit.
Charditus watched them for a second before turning back to Cynder. "Please keep an eye on him."
"I will," Cynder nodded. She turned and took off after the two fleeting dragons.
Charditus then turned around and started walking back towards the Ruins, he turned his head. "Come volterra, we need to tell the guardians, plus we need to ask them for directions now the others have left with our guide."
"Of course," Volterra smiled. While she was unhappy with the events that had transpired, she had a thought that she found comfort in.
"Hey, Charditus. What do you think Spyro will do now? Now that the Dream Caster has been destroyed."
It was certainly an odd thought, but one that provided relief for him aswell. What could he actually do harmful now that he lacked a powerful device and most of his elements? Despite the fact Spyro had escaped….Charditus smiled. "I do not know...but as far as I am aware there aren't any other device capable of destroying the planet."
Silence descended between the two. Charditus tucked her under his wing and despite never doing it before in such a manner, it felt normal. Maybe since Spyro no longer had a way of destroying the world, the matter of capturing him wasn't as urgent. Sure they will have to capture Spyro; but until then why not slow down and actually enjoy the moments like now?
"Volterra, know that regardless of what happens, I will always love you. From now on I won't hide or deny it, and that love will never change."
Volterra smiled and rested her head upon his neck. They walked on, finally as two lovers, back into the ruins.
Hey all
Thought I would give you all another chapter in the midst of everything going on with my story, and I hope you all enjoy this. But damn things got intense, all with Spyro's great escape. Next chapter should hopefully see a bit more calmness. And what fate will Spyro follow, now that he has the choice?
Feedback of any kind is appreciated and I will try to respond as soon as possible.
Until then, farewell
White Winged Fox