Chapter 7: Young Again Dragons
The next night, it was a holiday for the citizens of Dragon Realm where they celebrate the heroism of Ignitus (Spyro called it a day of obligation). Everyone in Warfang was busy partying but Spyro felt uneasy; he always was uneasy ever since that little incident with Argus. Not only that, he also felt that Wolfenstein was watching him. The wolf was flipping his coin while leaning against a tree, looking rather restless.
"Hey Spyro, why not enjoy a thing or two. A little beer perhaps?" Sparx offered.
"No thank you, I'm not in the mood right now," he said.
"Why not? You've been so sullen lately and it is as if something is stirring up inside you. Learn to relax and take it easy," Sparx said and gulped down some juice.
"I'm not keeping my guard down," Spyro said.
"What, are you expecting a ghost to jump out at you?" Sparx joked.
"Hi Spyro," someone called out and Sparx jumped from fright.
"Whoa, you scared the eyeballs out of me!" Sparx said.
Turning around, Spyro saw Ember and Flame. At that very moment, his anxiety disappeared and a smile replaced his sullen face.
"Hey, long time no see o' king," Flame said with a laugh.
"Frankly Flame, I've seen you every week," Spyro said.
"Yes but we don't have a chance to interact with each other. I mean, all we do is say hello when we meet and say goodbye two seconds later. I hope everything is fine with you," Flame said.
"Yeah, everything is fine," Spyro lied but he was bad at keeping in his emotions.
"Spyro, is everything alright? You look sullen," Ember said with concern.
"I-I do? Well um…I was just tired," Spyro lied again.
Flame raised an eye ridge and looked at his watch.
"Spyro, its only 6 p.m. and you say you're tired? Something has to be bothering you," Flame said.
"Look you two; big bro here has been rather busy lately so let's not get him worked up. As for you pinky, don't get so stuck up to him because ol' Queenie ain't gonna like it," Sparx said.
"Who're you calling pinky, small fry?" Ember shot back.
"Well look who the cat dragged in tonight. It has been a while, Flame and Ember," Cynder said.
"Whoa Cynder, looking hot," Flame grinned.
Cynder was in a gown of silver that was in contrast with her color. However, it made her look rather beautiful and elegant that the crowd stopped to look at her. Some dragons even wolf whistled at her.
"It seems like the gown you bought for me really attracted 'unwanted attention'," Cynder chuckled with a blush.
"Hopefully I'm not one of them," Spyro joked.
"Tease," Cynder laughed.
She looked at Ember and smiled.
"I see you're getting along with Flame just nicely. How are the kids?" she asked.
"Oh you know how boisterous they are. They're playing with your children at the square, a game they call…Exploding Tag was it?" Ember asked.
"Exploding Tag? Ravager, I thought I told you no game of Exploding Tag on the streets!" Spyro yelled towards the direction of the young dragons.
"But dad…" Ravager started to argue but Spyro cut him off.
"No buts young dragon! Stop this instant or I'll have you grounded for two weeks!" Spyro yelled back.
"Kids are rather hard to control nowadays eh," Ember said with a small smile.
"They sure are. Ravager is a rather rebellious dragon even for his young age. I guess puberty got to him a bit too fast," Cynder said.
"It happens to my Fiona as well," Ember said.
"I could've sworn that Fiona looked just like you when you were young," Flame muttered.
"If she isn't she's not my child," Ember said.
Wolfenstein looked at the dragons chatting among each other while flipping his coin. His paws were getting sweaty and his heart beat was increasing. Wolfenstein looked agitated but no one seemed to have noticed him, partly because they were afraid of his physique and position. Wolfenstein was rather tall and bulky for a normal wolf and scars ran over his body like trophies from the past. To him, it was the manliest thing he can ever get. His eyes were just as sharp as an eagle and his sense of smell always gave him an edge in combat. Wolfenstein was fearless and strong but he took sides with the wrong people. Even though his clan had diplomatic relationships with the Royal Council, he barely participated in any activities that the Council holds nor did he try to help anyone that requires aid. He was always at odds with other Clan Governors but the only one who seemed to like him was Collette and that is why he couldn't bear to hurt her. Not many months ago, Argus struck a deal with him to emancipate his clan from the dragons that controlled his turf. Many times he pleaded to Spyro to do something about it but he was ignored. That is why he held resentment for the king and made friends with his clan's former allies; the dragon's most hated enemy. Wolfenstein clearly felt that he was forced into the council even when he didn't want to be involved with their politics ever since the end of the Civil War but under the Internal Security Assurance Act, it was stated that all clans must have a representative in the council as to avoid trouble. It was rather unfair because there were still more than 50 autonomous clans out there that didn't need to join the council if they wished. This was clearly unfair…at least to Wolfenstein. His left paw tightened into a fist when he recalled these memories.
"Spyro will pay for ignoring my pleas for my clan's freedom," he growled softly to himself.
Suddenly, he felt someone place a hand on his shoulder and quickly turned around. It was Tiberus, the Phoenix Clan's Governor. The bespectacled phoenix was a really wise governor and he was Collette's assistant. Unlike Collette though, Tiberus was a silent and calm one, rarely speaking in meetings but loved jotting down important points during the discussion. His skills of deduction and assumption were so accurate and true that it can baffle the entire council.
"Greetings and salutations, Wolfenstein," the phoenix greeted in a calm and gentlemanly voice.
"Likewise Tiberus," Wolfenstein muttered.
"By the looks on your expression and a face contorted with anger and vengeance, I can assume that you're thinking about your trouble with the king, am I right?" Tiberus asked.
"Don't play with my emotions Tiberus. I have enough troubles with the king and I'm not happy about it," Wolfenstein growled.
"Still trying to find a way to quit the council even though Spyro won't let you? I must give you credit for your determination. Normally, I see many of them quitting after the first few tries but you've been doing this for years," Tiberus said and clicked his beak, a nasty habit of his.
"I'm going to keep fighting for my clan's freedom even if it takes me my entire life. I don't want to be a part of the council but the king insisted that I join due to safety reasons. Hah, that was nothing more than a lie. My people are weary and sick and now they need a leader to take care of them. With me constantly in Warfang and my clan many miles away, how do you expect them to live peacefully? After the Civil War, I swore that my clan will never be involved in anything but those dragons in my land won't stop pestering me and my people," Wolfenstein narrated.
"And how do you think Spyro is going to help solve that problem?" Tiberus asked while taking out an antique pipe to smoke on.
"I was hoping that he can ask the dragons to get out of my land since he is king but instead, he told me to join the council before he can do his part. I did unwillingly but Spyro kept not his promise. I pleaded to him many times but he ignores me as if I am an ape," Wolfenstein said while shaking his fist at Spyro.
"And you sought help from the apes," Tiberus said casually and puffed once with his pipe.
Wolfenstein stopped flipping his coin and it felt to the ground with a soft clink on the stone pavement. His eyes were wide and sweat ran down his furry face.
"How'd you…"
"Know? My chap, the powers of deduction and correct assumptions are very dangerous things indeed," Tiberus said and pointed the butt of the pipe at Wolfenstein's face.
He choked a bit at the smell of tobacco.
"W-Why didn't you inform the king then?" Wolfenstein asked.
"That is because I want no trouble within the council. It is best if things played out by itself without anyone snitching on each other. Collette and I went on investigations and although we found out nothing suspicious besides a few things here and there, I already suspected that you and Argus are working with each other. The evidences are rather clear: I found wolf fangs in Argus' former village and I found ape insignias in your village. Even if it offers little to tell a story, I already suspected something was at play. I may not know where Argus moved to but something tells me he's heading for the Waldreich Mountains," Tiberus explained.
"You were assuming then?" Wolfenstein asked, his stance a bit relaxed.
"That is what I can do best besides jotting down notes for future references. Collette was smart but a little too cautious. Righteous as she is, Collette will never simply accuse someone without adequate evidence. I, on the other hand, require that little to offer some suggestions and assumptions, not accusations. I haven't told the king yet because I'm not certain which part of the Waldreich Mountains he is in but I'd rather wait for a good time to tell him," Tiberus said and puffed out a smoke ring chain.
It baffled the wolf to see Tiberus that calm even when he knew that he was betraying the council. Added to that, it dumbfounded Wolfenstein even more to hear that he won't be informing the king of his treachery. Was this phoenix toying around with him or was he telling the truth? Maybe it could be a little of both.
"Still, I do suggest that you switch your allegiance. We all know that the apes are evil and they will never keep their promises. Do not be blinded by their offers, Wolfenstein. They're only using you and your people to do their dirty work such as spying and or fetching the items and trinkets they want when nobody is suspecting anything," Tiberus said.
The phoenix went on his way, happily puffing on his pipe and humming an ancient Phoenician hymn that Wolfenstein always hear him humming when he had nothing to do.
"Switch allegiance? Not until that dragon keeps his promise," Wolfenstein muttered to himself.
***
Not far from Warfang, the ape army pushed through the forests of Avalar and reached the outskirts of the city. Argus grinned evilly and pointed at the city.
"They're celebrating a day of obligation and that makes them very vulnerable. This will be easy pickings," Argus said.
His artilleries raised their cannons at just the right position that enabled them to hit the city square. They were loaded quickly and primed.
"Rain some shells on them," Argus said.
***
As the citizens were preparing to celebrate a feast, shells rained around them and exploded, killing them by the hundreds since the streets were crowded. Panic and screams ensured seconds later and everyone scrambled for cover as more artillery shells exploded around them. Many were blown to bits and even more of them had their limbs blown off or ears deafened by the loud explosions.
"What the, how dare someone attack us on this important day?!" Flame wondered angrily as a shell exploded behind him.
"It has to be Argus and his cohorts! Spyro, we need to stop them!" Cynder said.
Spyro nodded and took to the skies where the artillery shells can't hit him. In a loud voice, he issued orders to everyone.
"Everyone, take cover in the buildings now! All fighters follow me to seek out their attacking position! We have to get them now!" Spyro bellowed.
They didn't need telling twice. The Overwatch and military units began mobilizing out of the city and followed their leader into the forests. Argus heard them coming and he had his apes defend the artilleries.
"Don't fire until you see the white of their eyes," he said.
"Are you speaking figuratively or literally?" one ape asked.
Argus knocked the ape's head with the butt of his pistol.
"Put some brains in your hollow cranium you numbskull. I'm only speaking figuratively. Now, make sure you make every shot count," Argus said.
As the military units drew closer, Argus caught a glimpse of the Overwatch armor glimmering under the moonlight. He raised his pistol and fired a shot, awarding him with a death scream.
"That's your cue! Fire now!" Argus yelled.
The apes fired their weapons and rained a hail on those who can't fly. Many soldiers and warriors were put down quickly by the relentless hail of lead. The smell of cordite filled the air and flashes were seen coming from the muzzles of the guns the apes fired. Many of them were trained by defecting human commandos who for some reason wanted to befriend the apes. They were more than welcome to teach the apes before turning into apes themselves after being cursed by Argus. That is how the apes learn how to use weapons and vehicles in their disposal.
"Spyro, we're being massacred down here!" Hunter yelled from below.
"Hang on, me and the other dragons will seek out the enemy!" Spyro yelled back.
They flew across some trees and spotted the artilleries but the apes also spotted them so some of them fired their assault rifles at them. Spyro dropped on them and crushed them to death while Cynder and the other dragons landed elsewhere and attacked the apes.
"We meet again, purple dragon," Argus said.
"I'm not very pleased to see you either, Argus. After what you've done to me last time, I won't let it happen again," Spyro said.
"There will be no 'again' Spyro. There will only be now or never," Argus grinned maliciously.
Apes with snipers shot at the dragons. Spyro's armor deflected some of the bullets before the plating shattered. They tried to hit his neck but many of those shots missed. Cynder fired a stream of poison at some trigger happy apes and killed them quickly. Someone tried to stab her in the back but she used her wind breath and blew them into some trees. They impacted them with a loud crunch as their backs snapped from the force of the impact. She grabbed another ape and pulled him into two before chucking him aside. Spyro brought his paw down on the apes and smashed them into bloody bits as his paw was bigger than them. The other dragon soldiers did wall they can to attack the apes.
"You're good but not good enough," Argus said.
An arrow flew towards him but Argus caught it and turned around, staring at Hunter with his yellow eyes.
"Uh oh," Hunter muttered.
Argus snapped the arrow and pointed his gun at Hunter. Argus opened fire but the shots zinged past Hunter as he was quick in movement. When Hunter did not emerge from his hiding place, Argus turned his attentions to the fighting dragons.
"I'll deal with you," Spyro said after smashing an ape into the ground.
"No need for that," Argus said confidently.
He pointed his staff at Spyro and said some incantations. Before Spyro could attack Argus, a blue beam of magic engulfed Spyro.
"Spyro!" Cynder yelled.
Argus shot another blue beam of magic at her. Cynder closed her eyes and felt pain everywhere. It was as if the gravity was crushing her. When it was gone, Cynder opened her eyes and examined herself.
"Hey, I'm not dead!" she said happily.
"No but you're a whelp," Argus said.
Cynder didn't know what he meant but when she felt herself once more, she noticed that her body had shrunk.
"Why did you shrink me?" Cynder asked.
"I didn't shrink you, lizard breath. I turned you into your young selves again," Argus said and took out a mirror.
Cynder gasped as she saw her own reflection. She was indeed small and young just like how she was centuries ago (during the Dawn of the Dragon). Spyro wobbled towards her and shook his head to clear his disorientation. When he saw himself in the mirror, he got a bit of a shock.
"What the, why did you do this to us?!" Spyro growled.
"So I can crush you without wasting effort," Argus said and pointed his sword at them.
Suddenly, the artilleries exploded into fiery bits. Argus looked into the sky and saw Apache helicopters in the air.
"That's Argus the son of Gaul! Take him down!" one of the pilots said over the loudspeaker.
The guns fired at him but the ape escaped into the darkness, leaving his men to be slaughtered by the others. After clearing the forests of any remaining apes, Spyro and the others returned to the city.
"This is not good. We're young again," Spyro said.