Hey everyone!
Well...I figured that you all deserve an update at this point...what can I say? College sucks!
I decided to make these next two a two parter instead of a large chapter because you've waited so long for answers. Well...this chapter definitely sets up the next one quite well in my opinion.
When it comes to Matt and Selema's relationship, I was happy with a lot of your responses and your honesty. Just know...kissing is as far as I'll go with it physically, but emotionally I can say it's legit real...and really that's all that matters.
Anyways...enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own the Spyro games or characters. They belong to their respective owners. Alta belongs to Riverstyxx. I own the characters Matt and Selema.
Deep within the mountains, the scene returns to the crater left by Matt's Trinity attack. For several moments, it was silent. However, it wouldn't last long…
Within that crater, Flame's body was torn and broken beyond repair. Somehow though, the body still was breathing…but barely.
Malefor was still alive…
Curse that human… He thought weakly. Even I never imagined he could rise to that kind of power…still…I will not be denied what is rightfully mine…
Malefor closed his eyes and began to concentrate, the body beginning glow in the shadows. Slowly, wisps of dark energy began to seep through the cracks within the mountain, all absorbed into Malefor's body. Slowly, but surely, his wounds began to close and his bones began to crack in place.
Malefor continued for what felt like hours, slowly feeling his power returning to him. It seems they didn't believe me when I said I was eternal…their mistake.
Soon, Malefor's body had completely healed. Unfortunately, he wasn't finished yet. Malefor growled loudly as the dark energy from the crystals he'd scattered across the earth continued to feed him energy…power that he needed in this most desperate of times.
My hand has been forced…I cannot keep this body in one piece for too much longer….still…I may give myself enough time to finish what I began…she will be mine!
Malefor's eyes shot wide open, the yellow glow that could send shivers down one's spine. He then inhaled sharply and roared to the heavens. The sound waves alone were enough to crack the rock and earth around him.
It was now only a matter of time…
Matt awoke the next morning after his most peaceful sleep in some time. He smiled when he saw his right arm was securely around a certain pink dragoness, who was still snoozing quietly.
Last night…he and Selema had confessed how they really felt about one another. He loved her and she loved him…and really that was all that mattered.
There was still a part of Matt that couldn't believe he'd actually fallen for her…but there was also a part that wondered why he hadn't done so sooner.
As he wondered what to possibly think next, Selema stirred and awakened, letting out a large yawn. She looked up at him and smiled. "Hey…"
Matt smiled back. "Hey…"
The two remained silent for a few moments before Selema kissed his cheek and nuzzled him affectionately. "Can you believe this…?"
"Yes…and no…," Matt replied, stroking her sides softly.
"Matt…I don't think I've ever slept so well in my entire life." She sighed. "I like having you sleep next to me…"
Matt chuckled. "Right back at you…"
"Can we just stay here…all morning?"
"If that's what you want…"
Matt and Selema closed their eyes briefly before they heard a small knock on their door, followed by an even louder voice. "Hey! Anybody home?! This dragonfly has some news!"
Matt rolled his eyes and huffed. "Of all the times Sparx…" He and Selema then reluctantly rolled off her bed and stretched before heading towards the door. All the while, Sparx continued to holler and holler.
Selema then opened the door. "Yes, Sparx?"
The gold dragonfly let out a huge laugh before he pointed to the two of them. "Oh…I knew it! I knew it! I knew that you two would hook up! I just KNEW it!"
Matt huffed, crossing his arms while tapping his foot. "Sparx…"
Sparx shook his head. "Right, sorry. Anyway, Spyro and Cynder wanted me to see if you guys were here, and if you were to head over to the Temple. The Guardians want to 'debrief' you or something about what happened."
Matt sighed and nodded. "Sure." He turned to Selema. "Is that ok?"
Selema was disappointed, but she nodded as well. "Yeah, it's fine."
Sparx clapped his hands and turned. "Alright, gang. Let's go before Cynder ganks Spyro behind his back…" The dragonfly then zoomed off. Selema and Matt rolled their eyes before following after him.
When they arrived at the Temple, the duo was met by Spyro and Cynder, who took them to the main balcony to meet with the Guardians. The elders were pleased to see that neither one were harmed.
Terrador, Cyril, and Volteer then took in Matt and Selema's story from their perspective of what had happened at the mountain two evenings ago. They were shocked to hear of Flame's role in the conspiracy, as well as how Malefor had tried to manipulate events to get Selema in his possession.
"How heinous!" Volteer exclaimed. "Disgusting! Pugnant! Despicable..."
"Volteer…," Terrador boomed, silencing his fellow Guardian. "It's true…Malefor fooled us all…and he nearly succeded. His influence was just stronger than we thought. We are fortunate that you were here to stop him before it was too late, Keybalde warrior."
Matt nodded. "Anytime…" He and Selema exchanged a look before turning back. "I'm just sorry that this all happened in the first place. Seems I bring nothing but trouble when I come here…"
"Oh, no no no!" Volteer shook his head. "Your presence is an honor, young warrior. Who knows what kind of acts would've been committed in our realm if not for you?"
"I'd rather not know…," Matt replied. "But what I do know is that you won't need to worry about Malefor again…"
But Matt was wrong…
Suddenly, Spyro, Matt, and Cynder felt a chill run down their spines. It was an all too familiar and horrifying one…
Before anyone could say another word, they heard his voice roar out over the city…
Hear me citizens of Warfang! At this very moment, I am on my way to the Dragon City to claim what is rightfully mine! However…I am willing to spare the good city on one condition.
Bring me the dragoness known as Selema…bring her to me or I will enter the city and search for her myself. I will destroy anyone who gets in my way or attempts to shield the girl from me. The decision is yours….and I will not be kept waiting…
The seven of them all froze in their places, a long silence in the room for several moments. Finally, the quartet and the Guardians heard several screams of panic emerge from the streets below. There were several who wondered who the Selema girl was, while others called for her head.
"Impossible…," Matt mumbled. "I…I defeated him. How is he still alive?"
"Malefor always was resourceful…," Terrador grumbled. "But it seems we don't have much time to come up with a plan."
"What should we do?" Cyril asked. "He can't just expect us to hand the girl over…but…"
"No…," Cynder replied. "He knows we won't give him Selema…he's on his way right now. I can feel him all the way from here."
"I can too," Spyro added. "Terrador is right…there isn't much time." He turned to Cynder, who nodded her head firmly before he turned back to Matt. "Matt…I want you to take Selema and get out of here."
Both Matt and Selema dropped their mouths in awe. "What?!"
"What are you implying, Spyro?" Terrador asked, a brow raised high.
"Malefor wants to create an heir through Selema…," Spyro said. "Even if we can't defeat him this time…there's a way that he can never get what he wants." His eyes focused on Matt, who knew exactly what the purple dragon had in mind.
"If you think I'm just going to leave you all here to take Malefor on alone…" Matt replied.
"You have to, Matt," Cynder added. "Both of you." She nodded to Selema. "But, Spyro…Cynder…," Selema added. "W-what if…?"
"We'll find a way," Spyro replied. "Don't forget…Cynder and I have been training for an occasion like this for some time now. Malefor won't defeat us that easily."
"And if by some chance we can't," Cynder added. "Then we can at least buy you both some time to escape on Matt's ship. "
"Still, young dragons," Volteer interrupted. . "It seems remarkably risky to undertake a plan such as this. We have a Keyblader on our side…the three of you combined should be able to stop him."
"My thoughts exactly…," Matt exclaimed. "Please, Spyro. Let me help you and Cynder take Malefor down once and for all."
However, both Spyro and Cynder stood firm. "If you really want to help us…," Spyro added. "You need to protect Selema at all costs." He turned to Cynder. "Are you ready for this?"
"As ready as I'll ever be…"
Spyro nodded. "Alright. Terrador, we'll go and intercept Malefor before he arrives. Just in case we…we fail…"
Terrador nodded firmly. "You won't, young dragons. As Ignitus believed in the two of you…it is now time once again to put our fate in your hands." He turned to Matt and Selema. "Young Keyblader…do as you must and take Selema somewhere safe…wherever that may be."
Matt turned to all of them and reluctantly nodded. "Alright…you win." He turned to Selema. "We'd better get moving…"
"Right," Selema nodded.
"Spyro…Cynder…," Matt added. He grit his teeth. "Be careful out there…ok?"
"We will…," Spyro replied. "Good luck to you."
And with that, both parties left to their own separate locations.
Spyro and Cynder hurried towards where they knew Malefor was coming. Both of their hearts beat frantically for multiple reasons.
"Spyro…," Cynder said. "Do you really believe we can do this…again?"
Spyro turned and tried to look as calm as he could for Cynder's sake. "As long as we're together…I KNOW we can, Cynder. Malefor won't get through us no matter what."
"Spyro…deep down…I'm still afraid of him…"
"I am too…but I'm more afraid of what will happen to the people of Warfang…and of losing you."
Cynder blushed and leaned in to peck Spyro on the cheek before they continued on their path to meet their greatest foe.
Finally, after several minutes of anticipation, the two heroes saw his shadow through the clouds. Both gasped and stopped in his way before gazing on his form once more.
Malefor had twisted Flame's body and made it his own, having grown to about the same size he'd been in their previous battle. The tyrant came to a halt in front of the two dragons, seemingly unfazed by their presence.
"Ah…Spyro…as predictable as the rising sun…"
Spyro and Cynder both bared their teeth. "Malefor…," Spyro growled loudly. "You really don't know when to just give up, do you?"
Malefor sneered, letting out a snort of smoke. "It is my destiny to rule this world, Spyro. A fellow purple dragon should understand…"
Spyro roared back. "Quit talking like you and I are the same, Malefor, because you know that will NEVER happen!"
Malefor just laughed back. "Oh, I can't help but try, Spyro. But really…must you deny me my prize?"
"We won't let you have Selema!" Cynder cried. "How dare you even think of what you plan on doing to her?!"
Malefor turned to the black dragoness. "Ah…Cynder. You haven't changed one bit. Just so you know, you would've been a fine specimen to have my heir as well…but it seems Spyro has already laid that claim."
Both Spyro and Cynder roared back. "I'd rather die!" Cynder screamed. "You sick freak!"
"We'll ask you only one time, Malefor!" Spyro roared. "Turn around and leave"
It was now that Malefor took on a more serious tone. "I could tell you two the same thing. I was hoping my heir could finish you both off…but it seems that I will have my revenge after all! Prepare yourselves!"
Spyro and Cynder then both let out a battle cry before charging towards their foe for what they hoped would be the final time…
Meanwhile, Selema and Matt were on their way to the latter's ship. Matt had decided to go on foot instead of flying in order to stay as hidden as possible from Malefor's powers while Spyro and Cynder kept him busy.
The trip had been silent from the moment the two had left the Dragon City. Though she was walking through the forest at a steady pace, Selema felt her heart beating as though she was sprinting at full speed. Everything had happened so fast that the pink dragoness had such little time to process it all fully. Malefor was still alive…and he was hell bent to take her and create an heir.
Deep down, though she knew that no one blamed her, Selema felt awful about the whole ordeal. It wasn't just the fact that Malefor wanted her, it was the fact that her friends and several innocent people could get hurt because of what kind of dragon she was. She could only pray to the ancestors that Spyro and Cynder would come out of the battle unharmed…and that her friends would be safe.
Selema looked over at her love, his expression remaining the same as when they left. She knew what he was thinking about, and she couldn't blame him. In fact, a part of her wanted to join the final battle too in order to make sure no one else was hurt because of her.
It wasn't long before they arrived at the ship. Matt took a minute to clear the underbrush before he opened the door with his voice. However, he didn't step inside, remaining frozen on the spot.
"Matt…?" Selema asked.
Matt remained there for several moments before he turned around. "I can't do it, Selema….I can't let them fight him alone…"
Selema nodded, her suspicions confirmed. "I know…so what are we waiting for? Let's go help them!"
Matt bit his lip before shaking his head. "Just me…not you."
Selema narrowed her brow. "What?! Why not?!" However, she already knew the answer deep down.
Matt walked over to her and layed a hand on her cheek. He then leaned and touched foreheads with her. "I can't lose you…," he said. "The very thought of Malefor and what he wants…I just can't bear it, Selema."
"Me neither," Selema replied softly. "But I can't just sit here without you."
"You won't have to stay," Matt exclaimed. "All you have to do…is get on the ship and go." Selema tilted her head. "I programmed the ship to recognize commands…all you have to do is say my name…and the ship will take you somewhere safe called Disney Castle. The King will know what to do…"
Selema gaped. "You…you want me to leave you behind?" She shook her head frantically. "No way! I won't do it!"
"You have to, Selema!" Matt replied. "All I care about is keeping you out of Malefor's grasp..."
"But what about you, Matt?" Selema asked back, her voice rising. "What if…?" She couldn't bring herself to say the worst.
Matt sighed and pulled her in for a tight hug. "All I need to know is that you're safe. I promise…I promise you I'll be ok."
Selema sniffed. She wanted more than anything to stop him from going…but she knew deep down she couldn't. "I'm so scared, Matt. I've never been more afraid in my entire life…"
"I know…," Matt replied. "But just promise me you'll get on that ship and go…promise me right now, Selema!"
Selema gritted her teeth, holding back the tears. "I-I promise…but I swear if you don't come back…I'll never forgive you."
Matt then grinned widely. "Then I guess I'll have to come back." He then gave Selema a quick kiss before summoning his Dragon Blade and getting back to his feet. "Now go, Selema. I'll be back!" With one final nod, he then leaped into the sky and soared towards the battlefield over head.
Selema watched him go…her heart aching with each passing second. She looked at her wristband and brought it too her chest. "Please…," she whispered. "Please be safe…" Selema then took a long look at the door. "Matt…"
One observing the battle from below would be treated to an array of colors, almost like a fireworks show at tens of thousands of feet in the air. However, this was no laughing matter.
Spyro and Cynder had initially tried their previous tactics of battering away at Malefor with their elemental attacks, looking to wear him down bit by bit. Being smaller, they were far more agile and could attack from a multitude of angles. However, there was a small problem.
"Hahahaha!" Malefor sneered. The tryant had also been firing back his own elements to no avail, but he didn't seem to care about that. In fact, there didn't seem to be any noticeable injury on his body. "Come now! Surely you can do better than that!"
"Something's wrong!" Spyro yelled. "Our attacks aren't doing anything!"
Cynder nodded and tried to blast Malefor with a siren scream to try and slow him, but found it barely made him flinch. The dragoness was so stunned that she barely avoided an oncoming claw.
"This is bad…," Spyro exclaimed.
"Spyro…we may have to use Convexity sooner than we thought…," Cynder said as the two flew next to one another.
"I know…but we can't unless there isn't another choice."
"The way this fight is going so far, we don't have an abundance of options."
Spyro and Cynder both grunted as they dodged a lightning bolt from Malefor's maw. Nodding to one another, they then dived forward for a more direct approach. Spyro snarled and twisted himself before managing to land a clean blow across Malefor's face. However, it did little to phase his fellow purple.
"Oh…that tickled…," Malefor sneered before swiping back and missing. "What do we have here?" Cynder had been hacking away with her claws and tail blade along Malefor's stomach, trying to inflict some kind of wound. She was so focused on her task that she didn't notice Malefor's tail twist and slam her to the side.
"Cynder!" Spyro called. He rushed to her aid, only to be smacked by Malefor's tail himself, sending him into a tail spin.
Malefor chuckled manically and grasped the falling Cynder tightly in his right forepaw, squeezing the air out of her. "You could have been more, Cynder…but if you have truly chosen to remain by Spyro…then you mean nothing to me."
Cynder grunted and writhed, but it was no use. Spyro roared and dove to her aid, but not before Malefor turned and sent a large fireball towards the purple hero. Spyro curled forward and rolled into an earth aided boulder, shielding him from the intense heat and slamming against Malefor's paw, barely releasing the black dragoness.
"Are you ok?" Spyro asked.
"I'll be fine…once we beat him," Cynder replied.
Malefor simply stretched out his paw. "I think that's enough playtime for now. I am on a tight schedule after all." To their surprise, Malefor suddenly disappeared in a puff of smoke.
"That's something new," Cynder exclaimed with a worried tone.
"Where did he go?" Spyro pondered, his head twisting from side to side.
"Spyro!" Cynder pointed out as they both barely dodged an array of lightning bolts from beneath them, separating by about a hundred feet or so.
Suddenly, Malefor appeared behind Spyro and let out another powerful fire attack. Spyro roared in agony as he was burned severely from the intense blaze. Malefor then hurled himself forward and slammed his tail against Spyro, sending the purple dragon spiraling out of control.
"NO! Spyro!" Cynder screamed, her heart nearly stopping as Spyro began to fall. She hurried to his aid, but not before Malefor whisked his way in front of her. Her heart did stop when he had a fully charged Convexity blast prepared in his maw.
"Goodbye, Cynder," he simply said as he released the energy. Cynder froze as she felt the rush approach her too quickly to dodge.
"FIRAGA MAXIMA!"
Just feet from sending Cynder to the afterlife, a powerful fire attack intercepted the Convexity shot. With a loud explosion that sent the black dragoness flying back, the two attacks canceled one another out.
Malefor roared in annoyance. He turned to see who had interfered, his eyes narrowing in disgust. "You…"
Matt panted as he lowered his Dragon blade momentarily. "Looks like you didn't learn your lesson the first time Malefor."
Cynder quickly hurried to Matt's side. "Matt! What are you doing here? I thought we told you to go!"
Matt shrugged his shoulders. "You did…I just couldn't help myself."
"What about Selema? Is she alright?"
Matt nodded. "She's somewhere safe…that's all that matters."
Cynder sighed and shook her head. "Alright…I don't like it…but I am glad that you're here. Thanks for the save."
"Anytime."
Malefor bared his teeth and snarled at the Keyblader. "Tell me now, boy! Where is the girl? Tell me now and I might just spare you a quick death."
Matt glared hard and got into his mid-air stance. "You'll never find her…she's out of your reach forever, Malefor!"
Malefor roared and fired another quick Convexity attack towards the two, which Matt and Cynder dodged quickly. Before he could fire another, Malefor then roared as he was rammed from his side by a charging earth powered Spyro.
"Don't forget about me, either!" Spyro yelled as he'd managed to recover and stay airborne. "Face it, Malefor! It's over! You can't win against us!"
Malefor narrowed his eyes in hatred for his fellow purple. "We shall see, Spyro." Little did any of the trio know just how difficult the battle was about to become.
Selema was still rooted in that very spot from which Matt had left her for what felt like ages ago. She didn't know what to do, or even how to do it.
On one paw, Selema had promised Matt that she'd go onto the ship and have it take her where she needed to be. That way, she'd be safe and Malefor wouldn't get to her. The others were fighting him just so that could happen…
…but on the other paw, Selema just couldn't get herself to take that final step. She couldn't leave Matt…not now…not when he needed her the most. Still, I part of her wondered what she could even do to help. Yes, she was powerful…but she was still inexperienced compared to Matt and the others when it came to combat. If Selema wasn't careful, she could end up getting someone hurt, and she didn't want to end up a burden.
Selema looked to the sky, as though there was someone waiting for her. "Please…tell me what I'm supposed to do."
Suddenly, a voice out of nowhere took her completely by surprise. "Nice weather today…isn't it?" Selema yelped and whirled to find a gray dragon with odd colored eyes leaning against a tree.
"W-who are you?" Selema asked.
The dragon held up a paw. "Someone who's not here to hurt you. I just…wanted to chat."
Selema raised a brow in confusion. "W-what? Right now? I…um…"
"You need to figure out whether you will stay here and fight with Matt alongside Malefor or leave on Matt's ship to another world."
Selema nodded. "Yeah, that's it…hey. Wait a minute. How did you…?"
The dragon chuckled. "Let's just say you have my powers…and I have mine." His eyes flashed momentarily to illustrate his point.
Selema felt uneasy around this dragon for several reasons, yet she didn't move. "Wait…are you…Alta? The…oracle dragon that Matt talked about?"
Alta smiled. "Hmm…that was much quicker than I thought. Perhaps I underestimated you, Selema."
"What do you want?"
"Like I said, I just wanted to chat."
"Well…now isn't the best time." Selema turned to the sky and the light show that was miles away.
Alta nodded. "Perhaps…especially with a crucial a battle being waged before our eyes."
Selema gasped. She turned to Alta as he stared up at the battle as well. Her curiosity then got the better of her despite how badly she didn't want to ask. "Do…do you know…whether or not Matt will be safe?"
Alta was silent for several moments, closing his eyes. He then turned to her. "I cannot say...the future at the moment is…cloudy at best."
Selema growled, but immediately shook it off. "Great…that doesn't do me a whole lot of good." She looked back up at the sky. "He needs me...I just know it."
"Then why don't you go?" Alta asked.
"Because I promised that I'd leave," Selema replied. "And even if I did go…what could I possibly do?"
"Hmm…that is quite the predicament," Alta replied, being silent once more for several moments. "I don't know much about time dragons, but I can understand why they are so rare. They are outmatched by only the purple dragon in raw power, but the ability to wield time itself is far more dangerous than any power in these Realms. It was said that only those who were pure could wield it's full potential."
Selema's eyes widened. "Full potential…but what could that be?"
"I'm afraid I don't have the answer to that question, Selema. You see, no one who ever experienced it's full potential lived to tell the tale…except Spyro and his friends of course. Even then, they were quite lucky."
Selema stared at the oracle dragon for several moments. "But...how am I supposed to reach it? I don't know how…"
"That…you must find on your own Selema. Though like Matt, you too have what it takes to bring out your full potential. All it takes is finding it within yourself."
"Within myself…," Selema exclaimed. She looked at her wristband, which thankfully was still glowing, and layed it next to her chest. She remembered that moment during the cave when Matt had emerged from the rubble and how he'd found the strength to defeat Malefor.
Could…could I do that too?
Suddenly, Selema gasped widely in realization. It all made sense now. Maybe…maybe there was something she could do.
Selema turned to thank Alta, only to find that he'd disappeared from sight. She looked everywhere for the oracle dragon, but there was no sign of him.
Selema then closed her eyes. "Wherever you are now…thank you." The pink dragoness then opened her eyes with a new sense of determination. "Hold on Matt…I'm on my way." Selema then beat her wings hard and kicked off into the sky, disappearing in a flash to make the trip faster.
Alta then emerged from behind the ship. He couldn't help but chuckle. "Yes…it seems I've definitely underestimated her."
And there we go...
Well...this is it! The REAL final battle! Just to make things clear, Malefor still plans to own Selema...but he made himself super powerful temporarily to make it happen.
So...can Matt and co. stop Malefor once and for all? What role will Selema play? (hint hint) All revealed soon!
Peace out,
Biz