Chapter 5: The Ambition of Argus
Spyro brought up his wing to block the shot but it got embedded in the membrane of the wing. It felt like fire and Spyro gritted his teeth due to the pain. Argus was smiling darkly and Collette was poised to strike.
"Hide behind your wing like the coward you are, Spyro. You're no king at all and your race certainly doesn't deserve to rule over the realms. When Malefor rises again, we will be given the power to rule," Argus said.
"You fool, Malefor is a dragon and you let a dragon help you even when you hate them? What's the sense in that?" Spyro asked from behind his protective cover.
"We're given powers and when we do, we'll dispose of Malefor like how we dispose of you dragons. Do you actually think we can make a lifelong agreement? A dragon and an ape being friends is the most absurd thing you can ever hear in this entire world. No, were merely using Malefor until we have the power to overcome even him," Argus said and pulled the firing pin of the gun for another shot.
"Argus, enough!" Collette snarled.
Argus looked at the red-eyed vixen and smiled. He reached for another gun in his pocket and pointed it at Collette's head.
"Don't think I will spare you just because you're not a dragon. You've served your purpose but I guess you can't serve further. I might as well put you out of your misery along with your lover king," Argus sneered.
Spyro looked at Collette and saw that her eyes were wide with shock. She stuttered a bit and her normal self returned. Collette looked guilty and Spyro was getting more and more curious.
"Collette, explain this instant," Spyro said and unfolded his wings.
"My Lord…I…I was in love with Wolfenstein years ago when I first took office. He was fond of me and I was attracted to him. One day, he asked me for the location where special items were kept and I told him, believing that it was harmless. Over the years, his intentions grew wrong and I helped him less and less. I've committed a grave error in helping him, even to the extent of covering up his misdeeds. I only realized my mistake when he said something about resurrecting Malefor one night and that was when I broke up with him. He kept threatening me," Collette said softly.
Spyro couldn't believe his ears. Argus only smiled and looked at Spyro.
"You still have not explained about this 'lover king' sentence," Spyro said.
"That…I…" Collette blushed and looked at Spyro.
"Well look at that, a vixen in love with a dragon after breaking up with a wolf. I normally despise interspecies romance but this is far too interesting. Wouldn't your wife be sad if she hears that," Argus said.
Spyro scowled at Collette and at Argus.
"Collette, I'm ashamed of you. I trusted you and this is how you use my trust? I elected you to be prime minister because you're capable, not because you're…some playgirl or something!" Spyro said angrily.
Collette was taken aback by the sudden aggressiveness and she hung her head in shame. Argus just continued pointing his gun at the two.
"I-I'm sorry my Lord, I can't help it but my instincts are too strong. I promise it will never happen again," Collette apologized.
Spyro looked at Cynder and back to Collette again. He nodded his head slowly but he had no smile on his face.
"I forgive you this time but next time, I'll have you fired and please don't make me do that. You save Cynder now and call for help when you're done," Spyro said.
Argus wanted to intervene but Spyro shot a fireball on the ground near Argus and created a firewall that separated him from Collette, who was busy treating Cynder. The firewall surrounded the two and it showed no signs of dying down.
"You're dealing with me, Argus. This wall isn't going to die out unless I tell it to," Spyro said darkly.
"Well, then I guess you're only trapping yourself in your own defensive wall, dragon. I will fulfill my father's dream and you're not going to stop me in accomplishing it," Argus grinned evilly and pointed his two guns at Spyro.
Spyro leapt away from the hail of gunshots and fired a fireball at Argus. The ape slid under the ball of flame and leapt from the ground and kicked Spyro in the face. Spyro swung his tail and hit Argus, causing him to tumble to the ground but at the last moment, he rebounded and slid backwards a bit before coming to a stop. Spyro dashed at Argus, intending to bash him but he leapt up and landed on Spyro's back and pulled on his horns. Spyro tried shaking the ape off but as he did that, he felt something sharp pierce this neck and he fell down with a loud thud. Argus leapt off with a somersault and stood a few meters away from Spyro.
"I know every weak spot there is on a dragon and it only makes things easy when I strike you where it hurts the most," Argus said while pointing a bloody knife at Spyro's face.
Spyro growled a bit and tried to get up but he felt weak and he wobbled about when he walked. Spyro can't see clearly as his vision was rather blurry. Blood streamed from his neck wound and trailed him as he walked.
"Give it up, Dragon of Destiny, your life is not worth a penny now and I doubt they'll need you anymore. Let me do the honors and put you out of your misery," Argus said.
Spyro wanted to shoot and ice shrapnel at Argus but all that came out from his mouth was an ice cube. Argus laughed at him and kicked the ice cube into Spyro's face.
"You're so weak that you can only make an ice cube? I'm impressed that you still can summon the strength to create ice cubes," Argus mocked Spyro.
"I-I've failed you, Ignitus," Spyro mumbled.
As Spyro's vision started to black out, he saw Argus' feet in front of him. Looking up, he saw Argus raising his sword, poised to strike down on Spyro. He blinked and this time, Spyro saw gunshots passing through the wall of flame and one of it hit Argus in the sword arm. Spyro blinked again and saw Argus making a run for it since the wall of flames was dying. The last blink came and Spyro saw humans in urban combat armor shouting at the ape and shooting at him. Before blacking out, Spyro saw a medic looking at him with a med pack in his right hand.
"You're gonna be okay," the medic said but his voice seem so distant.
Spyro blacked out and the medic was the last person he ever saw. After some weeks, Spyro woke up in his own bed and saw Cynder beside him along with some human soldiers. They were all smiling and Spyro smiled back.
"Thank the ancestors you're alive!" Cynder said happily and hugged Spyro.
Spyro looked at the others but they just played dumb and said nothing.
"You can let go of me, Cynder. I'm feeling fine now. How long have I been asleep?" Spyro asked and he yawned while stretching his body.
"For two weeks after that little incident. Collette was able to save me and the humans arrive just in time to save you. I'm not sure who alerted them about the assassination attempt but thank the ancestors they came," Cynder said while gesturing towards the humans.
"It's no problem sir, we're only doing our job in helping an ally in need," one soldier said.
"What about Argus?" Spyro asked.
"Unfortunately, we can't find him after he got away that day," Terrador said as he entered the room.
"Anything missing or out of place?" Spyro asked.
"None after we stepped up security measures. Since we have not many guards to spare, I convinced President Davis to spare some of his soldiers to help guard the city," Terrador said.
"That's a good move," Spyro mumbled and lay down again.
"Collette has taken care of the meetings while you were out and things have gone rather nicely. I must say that you've made a good choice of picking her as a prime minister," Terrador smiled.
"Uh yeah…good choice," he mumbled.
He looked at Terrador.
"Do you know who Argus is?" the purple dragon asked.
Terrador tapped his temple and shook his head.
"Not much. All we know is that he is the leader of the Ape Clan and many thefts and criminal attacks are associated to him. Do you know something about him?" Terrador asked Spyro.
"He did say that he was the son of Gaul and he is planning to resurrect Malefor so he can continue his father's ambition," Spyro informed.
Cynder gasped as she heard Gaul's name. That wretched beast tortured her when she was young and now his son is here to fulfill his ambition. No doubt that he will cause a lot of trouble like how Gaul did. Not only that, the apes were better equipped with human weapons and that made them a whole lot more dangerous. Even if the humans strictly controlled the import and export of guns, no one used them unless if they were the Dragon Realms Special Forces or if they were thugs and baddies. Of course, the humans won't sell them to unlicensed users but that doesn't mean underground syndicates won't do so for an extra buck.
"You did say that he…is the son of Gaul, that very ape who poisoned my mind and corrupted my soul?" Cynder asked while trying to control her anger.
"I'm afraid so Cyn. I think we maybe dealing with another attack that might have history repeat itself again. If they succeed in resurrecting Malefor again, who knows how strong he will get. I for once fear that his return will be a dangerous one," Spyro said.
Everyone was silent and they all knew of the troubles that lie ahead should they be unable to stop Argus and his mad ambition.
"Spyro, if he must resurrect Malefor, he must have certain items to complete the ceremony. What is he after?" Terrador asked.
"I don't know. There are still a lot of questions I want answering and this is one of them. Something tells me Argus wants something that gives life to an undead," Spyro said.
"Such things are artifacts and all of them are kept in the Sacred Room. We should step up security now and employ only the most trusted. Spyro, we cannot afford these things to fall into enemy hands," Terrador said.
"If you think what's best, I leave it to you to deal with the security of the Sacred Room," Spyro said.
"Will do," Terrador nodded.
Somewhere in the Sacred Room, Sparx was examining a large 50 karat diamond with a monocle. He didn't exactly know how to use it but it was fun anyway.
"Oh, big diamond shiny," he said.
Rubbing on it made some squeaky noises and Sparx nodded his head.
"Well, too bad Spyro is not selling this baby because if he did, I think it'll give him enough money to buy another car…well, not that he uses it anyway," Sparx said to himself.
He licked it and tasted a bit of it.
"Hmm, taste like glass," he muttered.
"Sparx, how many times do you have to visit the Sacred Room?" Terrador asked suddenly.
Sparx got a shock and turned around quickly, his monocle dropping to the floor.
"Oh…it's um…you. I was uh…examining this diamond," Sparx stuttered.
Terrador rolled his eyes and walked pass Sparx.
"Sure you were," he said.
Terrador lifted a piece of cloth covering a glass case and saw the ceremonial dagger in it. He chanted something and the case glowed blue, indicating a magic field around it. Sparx was curious and he tried to touch it, only resulting in a massive shock that felt like a million volts.
"I'd be careful if I were you, dragonfly. What I placed on the case is a lightning field that is guaranteed to give thieves a good zap should they try to take it. I doubt even the machines can stand such a shock," Terrador said.
"Whoa there, there is something wrong here. How can you, a soil-loving dragon, cast a spell that is the opposite of soil?" Sparx asked.
"First of all, I'm an Earth-based dragon, not a soil-loving dragon. Secondly, that wasn't a spell; it was more of an incantation courtesy of Volteer. He made that incantation," Terrador said.
"Oh, so now Mr. Zappy is coming up with incantations. How nice," Sparx said.
"Sparx, the Sacred Room will be off limits from now on so you better make good use of what freedom it has left before I restrict this place. Tinker with anything you like because you will have no such chance once you step out of this room," Terrador said sternly.
"Can I stay in here then?" Sparx asked.
"You can and I want to see how long you can stay in solitary confinement," Terrador grinned.
"Well…how about if I bring an artifact I like outside and examine it?" Sparx asked again.
"You can, provided if you can bring anything out without triggering the alarm. The guards will certainly lock you up if it does happen," Terrador said.
Sparx drooped and shook his head. Besides pestering Cynder and catching insects for a pastime, he also loved looking at artifacts inside the room. To bar him from the artifacts made him feel bored.
"If there is nothing else, please step out of the room. I'm gonna lock it up," Terrador said softly.
Outside of the Scared Room, Terrador was peeved by Saprx's constant bawling when he locked the door to the Sacred Room. He nearly tried to squish the annoying pest but he withheld his anger and tolerated the dragonfly until they reached the entrance of the throne room.
"Look, I'll reopen it once Spyro says its safe okay? Stop your bawling already!" Terrador said loudly.
Terrador entered the throne room and saw Collette piling up some papers and she stopped once she saw Terrador enter.
"Can I help you?" she asked.
"I've been told by Spyro to entrust you this key to the Sacred Room. Under no circumstances that the room should be open, not even to other officials and only Spyro can enter if he wants to check on something. If anything goes missing within the room, Spyro will hold you responsible. If anything happens, you must report to Spyro," Terrador said while handing her the keys.
Collette looked at the keys and Terrador noticed some expressions running across her face. Finally, she smiled and accepted it before stowing it in her pocket.
"It's a huge responsibility but I'll do it," she said.
Terrador nodded and said no more. He left the throne room and went away. Collette went on with some paperwork while waiting for the other officials to arrive for an emergency meeting when she sensed someone in the room. Standing near the window was the leader of the Wolf Clan and he was grinning evilly with fangs shown.
"I see you have something I want, Collette," Wolfenstein said gruffly.
A sweat bead ran down her cheeks and she bared her fangs at him.
"This is the last time, Wolfenstein. I'll kill you here and now!" she yelled.