Chapter 10: Another New Beginning
"It has been a while since we wore those Cynder," Spyro said while pointing at some armor plating left hanging in the closet.
Yes, it was their armor used during the battle against Malefor and it was in good condition, though a bit rusty. The two dragons had them sent to the armory to be cleaned and polished before putting them on. Cynder wagged her tail and examined herself in the mirror, smirking after being satisfied.
"Well, it still fits my young body. Do I look fat in this?" Cynder asked Spyro.
"No, in fact, you look great in that," Spyro said smilingly.
Hunter arrived in the armory with his usual outfit but he wore bracers. Sven wasn't there yet so they waited for a while.
"Well now, don't you two look just perfect? It brings back some old memories," Hunter said.
"Indeed it does, Hunter. Hey, isn't that the robe you wore during the battle in the Epicenter?" Cynder asked.
"Yes, it is. It reminds me of the struggle I've been through and that victory always comes with a price. Going to battle at the Epicenter nearly cost us our lives," Hunter said.
"I have a feeling that this one is going to be just the same," Cynder muttered.
Terrador came in with Crystella just when Spyro was about to try on his armor.
"Hey Spyro, me and Crystal would like to wish you good luck on your mission. Though we have nothing to give you, we can only offer some draconic bread for you. It will last for years without spoiling and a little bit of it can be a full course meal. We figured that you guys might need it," Terrador said.
Crystella handed a pack of bread to Spyro, which he accepted with a nod. Spyro reckoned it was freshly baked as it was still hot and it smelt like good bread.
"Thanks Terrador. I'm sorry I've been such a terrible leader," Spyro said sadly.
"Why are you apologizing, Spyro? You have been a great leader and you have done a lot to prove it. We should be apologizing for not doing much," Crystella said softly.
Her face and body were quite similar to Cyril's body but her voice was just as soft as a mother cooing her child. She and Cyril shared similarities but their differences in some aspects of attitude are totally different. Cyril is a proud and intelligent dragon while his sister is soft-spoken and motherly dragon, though both are equally proud of their intelligence. Spyro wondered if she had been dating Ignitus before but it seemed rather impossible because…well, Cyril was rather protective and he wouldn't let anyone near her easily, not even Ignitus. That was nothing more but a rumor and there will never be a confirmation if it was true or not because both elders were dead and the only one that knows the truth is Crystella and she isn't telling anyone.
"No, you guys have been helping well by giving me some information. In fact, I should thank everyone for cooperating," Spyro said.
The others said nothing but just smiled a friendly smile.
"C'mon, let's go get some rest before setting out. We need it," Spyro said to Cynder and Hunter.
In the mess hall, 3 young dragons were eating their meal but none of them felt happy. Ravager looked at his food while playing with a meatball with his fork. Young Ignitus didn't even look at his food while Fiona just sobbed silently.
"That does it, that ape is going down," Ravager growled and got up from his chair violently.
"And where do you think you're going, young dragon?" Sparx asked suddenly.
"It's none of your business Uncle Sparx. I want that ape to pay," Ravager said angrily.
"Whoa there mister, you're not going anywhere. You sit here and finsish your meal," Sparx said.
Ravager stopped in his tracks and stood there for a while. When Sparx got close, he turned around and grabbed Sparx into his maw.
"You let me go this instant mister! You wait 'till your father hears about this!" Sparx said but his voice was muffled.
"Sorry Uncle Sparx, it's my duty as a brother to save my sister," Ravager said and spat Sparx out like a bullet.
Sparx crashed into flytrap and got stuck there with saliva dripping off him.
"Now I know why mom and dad always complain about having kids," Sparx muttered.
"Ravager, don't do anything stupid. You could get yourself killed," Ignitus said.
"Look, I'm always being left behind. Mom and dad always take notice of you and Juno but never more! This time, I will prove that I have some use in me. Come Fiona, we're going," he said to the young red dragoness.
"But Ravager, we can't. It's dangerous and I don't think your parents will be pleased if we leave the castle. Mom will skin me alive if she knew," Fiona shuddered.
"That is why you're coming with me so she won't have to skin you. You can come if you want, Ignitus," the black dragon said to his younger brother.
"I'm not going," Ignitus said defiantly.
"Okay, suit yourself. If anyone asks, you be responsible for answering them. I don't care what they say about me, all I care is that my sister is safe," Ravager growled.
Ignitus wanted to stop his brother but Fiona secretly shook her head to dissuade Ignitus. The dragon let out a low growl of defeat and shook his head.
"I'm going to regret doing this. Ravager, I'm coming along!" Ignitus called out before he left the room.
"Good boy, Ignitus. Come, grab your gear and we'll move out. We leave when they leave," Ravager said.
The three dragons left the mess hall and only Sparx was left behind. He writhed and wriggled, trying to free himself.
"Um…hello, anyone there? I'm stuck here. Can someone get me off this flytrap? I'm having a back itch," Sparx pleaded.
No one came.
"Being a dragonfly has its pros and cons and I'm starting to hate its cons," Sparx grumbled.
While Spyro and Cynder slept, Hunter polished his weapon in the guest's room. He was humming away a song when Sven arrived into the room; sweating and panting as if he had ran a marathon.
"You're a bit late but at least you came. The two are sleeping," Hunter said.
"Preparing for the mission eh. So, is this going to be dangerous?" Sven asked as he took his seat.
"We're going to the Waldreich Mountains. What do you think?" Hunter asked rhetorically.
"Just assuring myself that I bring enough weapons for the occasion," the man smirked and laid out all his weapons on the ground.
Hunter let out a low whistle when he saw the assortment of weapons he brought along with him.
"I have them all ranging from this pistol here to my trusty assault rifle. I can guarantee a quick death to Argus and his cohorts," Sven said.
"Nice assortment. It must be nice of your superiors to give you that many weapons," Hunter said.
"Argus has been a nuisance to them and trust me, they want him dead as much as any of you guys do," Sven said.
"What did Argus do to you guys?" asked the cheetah.
"He trespassed into our territory many times and we always threw him back across the wall, literally. I don't know how he got past those guard towers but he was one hell of a nuisance," Sven chuckled a bit.
"Heh, that's cool," Hunter smiled.
"You think? Wait 'till we get our hands on that ape and kill him. That'll make headlines in my realm," Sven said as he locked and loaded his sniper rifle.
The two took their time chatting while the castle servants served them some light refreshments. After some time, they got tired and started to doze off due to the heat from the afternoon sun when Spyro and Cynder entered the guest's room. It took the two by surprise and Hunter even nearly fell off his chair.
"You should have warned us," Hunter said.
"Sorry for keeping you guys waiting. Cynder and I are somehow fatigued but we're fine now," Spyro said.
"You don't say," Sven said tiredly.
"So, shall we make a move?" Cynder asked.
"Well, I'm ready if you're ready," Hunter said.
"What he said," Sven said while packing up his weapons.
"Okay, we set out now. Hunter, you're pretty good with navigating and all that. You lead us," Spyro said.
"Humph, okay. I'll see which route is best," he said as he consulted the map.
He traced his claw on the map and nodded his head in satisfaction.
"There is an underground route beneath the city that leads to the Moray Mines and out into the forest where the Great River runs. It will be a one month walk to the Ape State and another month for us to actually reach the mountain base. Spyro, we might as well take a flying machine to help get us there faster," Hunter said.
"My realm won't let any," Sven interjected.
"The moles won't build one either," Cynder muttered.
"Why is the world always against us when we need some helping hands? Oh well, I guess we'll be walking," Spyro said.
"Sucks to be a mortal," Sven whispered angrily.
Ravager, Ignitus and Fiona overheard their conversation. Ravager nodded to the two. The three of them were armed and ready to fight but Ignitus doubted that their fighting skills were enough.
"You heard them. They're taking the underground route but we're taking another route," Ravager said.
"What other routes are there. Like what Hunter said, the underground route is the fastest route and there shouldn't be any other way. He's the best scout there is," Ignitus said.
"True but even he can make mistakes. I've traced an even faster route to the Waldreich Mountains and I can prove it. You see, the underground route is rather winding and the Moray Mines are just dangerous and winding as well. My route goes through the Phoenix State and past the former site of the Epicenter. After 3 weeks across that large plain, we should be able to reach the Waldreich Mountains from another side," Ravager said while showing the other two the route he had plotted out.
"You're daft. The Phoenix State is currently under lockdown and there is no way we can get in or even out of it. If we do, we'll be dead meat," Fiona said with a slight hint of fear.
"Don't you worry Fiona, I've been there a few times already and I know the place like the back of my paw," Ravager said and gave a determined smile.
"I don't even know why I'm even doing this with you. I must have a lot of crazy in me to actually go on your little adventure," Ignitus grumbled.
"Hey, put a smile on that face of yours. We don't have many chances to go on an adventure like how mom and dad used to go on when they were kids. Might as well jump on this opportunity and make ourselves heroes and a heroine," Ravager smiled.
"Tch, I still think you're stupid," Ignitus growled softly.
At the mess hall (again), Sparx was still struggling to free himself. He grunted as he tried to free himself from the sticky flytrap.
"Hey, a little help would be nice!" Sparx yelled.
Fortunately for the dragonfly, Collette came by with an ice-cream in her hand and she was licking it happily. She was planning to enjoy it in the mess hall like she always did when she had free time. Sparx's calls caught her attention.
"Why are you stuck on that flytrap?" Collette asked.
"Ask those young dragons who did this to me," Sparx grunted.
Collette helped release Sparx from the flytrap and cleaned the sticky residue from him delicately.
"I have something important to tell you," Sparx said as he dusted one of his arms.
"Let me guess, you're still complaining over the lost diamond that you fancied tinkering with?" Collette asked with an I-don't-care attitude.
"Would you just listen to what I say before saying about what I like? Those young dragons are missing!" Sparx said loudly.
Looking around, Collette raised a furry brow and shrugged.
"Isn't that obvious? They're not even here," she said and continued licking her chocolate vanilla ice-cream.
"That's not the point! Those guys have made up their mind to go to the Waldreich Mountains on their own!" Sparx said with alarm.
However, Collette just stared at him as if he was mad.
"You expect me to believe you because?" Collette asked.
"Because I'm not joking! It's true that they are doing it! It was all Ravager's idea!" Sparx said.
"Are you sure about it?" Collette asked some more.
"Yes!" Sparx yelled as loud as his throat allowed.
Sighing, Collette stood up from the chair she was sitting on and headed for the exit. Sparx waited for a few minutes and after 10 minutes, Collette came running back into the mess hall with a panicked expression on her face.
"They're gone! How can this be?!" she asked in panic.
"Told you so," Sparx said.
"Damn, I better go get them now! Spyro will skin me if he knows that his children are gone. Ember won't be so pleased either! Those fools!" Collette said quickly.
She got into her armor and equipped herself with only a sword. Getting onto a horse, she rode out of the city quickly but by then, it was already too late. The dragons were one hour ahead of her and their flight speed was quicker than any horse could run.
"I hope they won't fly over the Phoenix State. That place is currently engulfed in a political turmoil and outsiders aren't exactly welcomed at the moment," the vixen thought.
Wind blew past her and her fur flapped with the wind, making her look rather elegant.
"Speed is of the essence. Make haste, Storm Shadow," she said to her horse.
The horse let out a snort and ran faster. This was the third time she ordered her trusty horse to go top speed. She regretted doing that but it was really necessary now.
"Forgive me Storm Shadow. I'll promise you some apples once we reach the Phoenix State," Collette added.
With three separate parties setting out to reach their objectives, the fate of the city lies in the hands of the dragon elders.