Chapter four. Getting to know you.
As the sun rose the next morning, Blitz was the first to wake. Stretching he looked around the clearing to see if any of the others had woken up before him, they had not. After checking on Spyro, Blitz scratched a simple message into the dirt & walked into the woods.
An hour later Spyro woke to what felt like a blow to his bruised leg. Biting his tongue he did his best not to make too much noise. Looking down at his bruised leg he found Cynder sleeping soundly, her head lying on his injured leg. Lifting her off of his leg Spyro moved so that his leg wouldn't be hurt again & set Cynder's head gently on the ground. Looking around the clearing he noticed that Blitz was missing. Pushing himself up with his three good legs Spyro looked around for any signs of a struggle. Finding none, he was about to lie down.
Star had been awake for a while, long enough to see Blitz scratch a message into the dirt. So when Spyro woke & began looking around the clearing she watched but didn't say anything. When he went to lie down she noticed a problem. "I wouldn't do that if I were you." She said standing up. "Why not?" Spyro asked confused. "Because the way you were going was only going to hurt your leg." Star answered supporting his left side so he could lie down without falling over. "Thank you." Spyro said grateful for her help. "You're welcome. Blitz went hunting, just so you know." Star informed the purple dragon. "I figured as much." Spyro said with a laugh. "How long have you known him?" Spyro asked, hoping to learn something about the white dragoness aside from the fact that she had no element as of yet.
Star laid down in front of him with her front paws crossed. "I've only known him for two or three days." Star replied. "But in that time I haven't learned a whole lot about him, until now that is." She said with a slight smile. "While we were in Warfang he acted strangely, his steps were careful & the one time there was a fight he ran instead of facing the ones that were causing him problems. As tough as he acts, he's afraid of what others think of him." Star said thinking about everything she had seen, heard & been through while she was around the black dragon. "Other than that, I don't know much about him. You, being another male could probably tell me more about him than that." Star said hopefully.
Spyro shook his head. "Not really, he keeps to himself from what I ve seen so far. I can tell you that he's a good hunter & his fighting skills aren't half bad, but that's all I know." Spyro replied. "If you don't mind, would you tell me a bit about yourself?" He asked, looking the white dragoness in the eyes. "Sure, what do you want to know?" Star questioned. Spyro thought a moment before asking his first question. "Well for starters what brought you to Warfang?" Spyro said. Sighing Star retold the part of her story that directly answered his question. "I was informed of Warfang by a passing group of dragons that were headed there. After I packed what I thought was essential for the trip I set off. As any other journey goes I had my share of difficulties along the way & while escaping one such difficulty I made two friends, Blitz whom you know & another, which I don't think it would be wise to tell you about just yet." Star answered with an honest smile. "I can understand that." Spyro replied. "What about your parents?" Spyro asked. Star turned away from Spyro. "Dead, Malefor's army killed them seven years ago." Star replied. "I'm sorry, I didn't know." Spyro stated apologetically.
Star faced the purple dragon once more. "It's alright, I just miss them sometimes." Star answered her smile returning. "Blitz is back." Star said turning to the west. "I don't hear anything." Spyro said sounding confused. "You don't?" Star said with a surprised look on her face. Seconds later Blitz flew over the trees & landed with two large bucks, one in his mouth, and the other between his front paws. "I'll come back with a couple more in a little while." He said before flying off again.
Cynder woke up minutes later to the smell of blood. "I take it Blitz went hunting again?" She asked stretching. Star turned to the black dragoness before answering. "Yeah, he woke up before us & probably got bored." She stated. "Do you have any other questions you would like answered?" Star questioned turning back to Spyro. "None right now, if I think of any I will let you know." Spyro answered.
Blitz returned half an hour later to the sounds of laughter. After landing he turned to Spyro. "What's so funny?" He asked placing a deer in front of Star. "I was just telling a story about my brother Sparx." Spyro answered. Blitz nodded once before tearing into his breakfast.
After everyone had finished their breakfast Cynder helped Spyro stand & they once more took to the sky hoping to reach their destination well before nightfall. As the four dragons flew in silence Spyro sighed. "What's wrong Spyro?" Cynder asked concerned. "Nothing important Cynder." Spyro answered glancing at Blitz & Star. "They will talk when they are ready. Star's vision probably has them both scared. The only reason it didn't bother us is because we've faced death many times & come through relatively unscathed. Besides that they probably don't know what to say to a couple of famous & important dragons like us." Cynder joked nudging the purple dragon in the side with her wing tip. "Very funny Cynder." Spyro said with a smile.
Flying closer to the white & black dragons Spyro cleared his throat to get their attention. "Is everything alright over here?" He asked looking around for anything that might run into him. "Yeah, we were just talking. Are you & Cynder alright?" Blitz asked. "For now everything is great on our side." Spyro replied.
The remainder of the day flew by in silence until Cynder claimed her companion s attentions as the sun began to set. "We have arrived." She said, her tone happy but cautious. As the sun began its descent behind the mountains, casting the land before them into premature night Spyro landed in a clearing close to the base of the mountains. "We'll camp here tonight & investigate the mountains tomorrow, hopefully these are the mountains we were sent to check out." Spyro stated carefully lying down. "Agreed, Cynder would you come hunting with me?" Blitz asked. "Why me, why not Star?" She asked curiously. "I asked you, because your shadow element would allow you to move quickly between camp & where we are hunting. If I took Star, we would have to either fly them back, which I don't want to do again, or drag one kill each back at a time. I doubt a white dragoness would like to be covered head to toe in blood & to be honest neither of those sounds like a fun option right now." Blitz stated trying to make his wings comfortable.
I take it you two have never flown all day two days in a row?" Cynder asked. "I have never had a reason to." Blitz started. "If I had known I would need that skill I would have worked on it. All things considered though I think I'm doing pretty well." He finished. "I'm fine, really. I've had plenty of time to work on my flying capability." Star stated. "You're getting off topic. Cynder, come here for a moment please?" Spyro said with a strange glint in his eyes. "What's up Spyro?" Cynder questioned. "I want you to go with him. I got to know him a bit by hunting with him & you might learn more than I did." Spyro instructed. "I don't think it's a good idea, he doesn't seem to like me, despite the kindness in his voice." Cynder whispered. "So find out why, He doesn't seem like the type to act impulsively & I doubt that he would attack the friend of the dragon that saved the planet." Spyro stated, Cynder sighed. "I guess you're right." She said turning back to Blitz. Walking up to the black male dragon Cynder looked him in the eyes. "I'm ready to go when you are." She stated hesitantly. "Glad to hear it, follow me." He said walking into the woods.
Silence reigned as the two black dragons crept through the forest in search of game. Much to their disappointment nothing seemed to be out tonight & the two were growing more & more frustrated. Stopping for a moment to get their bearings Cynder decided to ask a question that had been bothering her for a while. "What did I do to make you hate me?" She asked out of the blue. Turning to her with a heavy sigh, Blitz looked her in the eyes. "To make it clear, I don't hate you. I hate that because of Malefor's corruption of you; dark dragons are looked down on as weak & simple minded." Blitz stated. "If I did hold something against you, it would be that you have control of so many elements while I can only use one." Blitz joked to lighten the situation. "Those other elements came at a price that, had I been able to, would not have accepted." Cynder stated seriously. "But your answer doesn't tell me why I saw hatred in your eyes." She added. "I was talking to you & glaring at the mountains. My wings feel like two large boulders & at their base feels like Terrador stomped on me. All because of those stupid mountains & whatever secret they hold." Blitz growled Cynder smiled. "It's obvious we're not going to find anything tonight, so let s go back to camp. We've been gone a long time & I want to get some sleep before we have to check out those mountains." Cynder stated with a silent yawn. "Agreed." Blitz added while trying not to yawn.
Meanwhile back at camp Spyro & Star sat in awkward silence as neither could come up with a way to start a conversation without bringing up the past. "So, how old are you?" Star asked suddenly. "I'm fifteen, I think. Being frozen inside a crystal you made really throws off your sense of time." Spyro answered with a laugh. "How old are you?" He questioned. "I'm fourteen." Star stated. "Really? You don't look it." Spyro said looking surprised. "Looking at you I thought you were twelve or thirteen. I wasn't too far off." Spyro stated. "They have been gone a long time, should I go look for them?" Star questioned looking at Spyro. "Nah they'll be alright, Cynder has four elements like me & trust me; she knows how to use them." Spyro joked making Star grin.
Hours later Cynder & Blitz walked back into their camp to find Star still awake & watching for them while Spyro slept. "I'm glad you two made it back, I was starting to worry something might have happened to you." Star said welcoming them back to camp. "Unfortunately we couldn't find anything to eat so someone will have to hunt tomorrow so we don't go relic hunting on empty stomachs." Blitz stated grumpily. "We will be fine for one night, but we HAVE to find something tomorrow morning." Cynder stated lying down next to Spyro.
As the sun rose the next morning Star rose earlier than the others. Shaking Blitz awake, Star spoke. "Time to hunt." She said as she walked away. "Alright, I doubt we'll find anything though." Blitz stated as he stretched. "Should we wake up Cynder before we leave?" Blitz asked walking up beside Star. "It would probably be a good idea, otherwise they're defenseless." Star said attempting to wake the black & magenta colored dragoness. "Mmmh five more minutes Spyro." Cynder mumbled trying to push the bothersome paw away. "Sorry Cynder but I need you up." Star stated before placing both paws on Cynder s back & rapidly shaking her. "I'm up, I'm up." Cynder growled angrily. "Blitz & I are going hunting" Star informed her as the two walked into the woods.
Several hours & a good meal each later, Spyro & the others had taken off to investigate the mountain range. From the sky they looked just like every other mountain, which was infuriating to the dragons who thought they were investigating the wrong mountain range. That is until Spyro disappeared right before their eyes. Shaking their heads & double checking their surroundings Blitz, Star, & Cynder turned to each other with disbelieving looks on their faces.
Spyro hovered in place as before him, where open air used to be now stood a seamless stone building. At least it would have been seamless had it not been for the large hole in the wall a few feet above him with burn marks around the edges. "I think we found what we were looking for." Spyro stated wide eyed. Hearing no response Spyro turned to see his group several dozen feet behind him talking to one another, yet he could not hear anything they said. "Very funny guys knock it off & let's get back to investigating. These ruins give me the creeps." Spyro said with a slight growl. Whether or not they heard him none in his group acknowledged his statement which further angered the purple dragon. Flying back toward them Spyro growled. "I said let's go, those ruins give me the creeps." He said angrily. "Spyro, you're back!" Cynder said happily. "What do you mean; I've been ahead of you three for a while now?" Spyro said with a confused expression. "Spyro, you disappeared, we couldn't see you & though you said something, we didn't hear you." Blitz stated looking behind the purple dragon. "What did you find wherever you went?" Star asked gliding to Blitz's side.
Spyro shook his head. "Buildings of every size & built by something or someone more skilled than the moles best craftsmen." Spyro began. "The buildings looked as though a battle had taken place long ago. I don't know why, but even though the place looks deserted I felt like I was still being watched." Spyro finished looking over his shoulder. 'I still do.' He said to himself. "Alright then, let's go check out the creepy abandoned ruins." Blitz said confidently. "I don't know what if we really are in the wrong place & this is just a waste of time?" Cynder questioned. "I don't think we are Cynder. Call it what you want, but I think we are in the right place." Spyro stated with certainty in his voice. "Alright, enough talk, we investigate here for a bit & see if we can find what we were sent after. If we don't find anything here." Blitz sighed. "We'll continue south until we reach another mountain range." Blitz said with a slight growl. "One at a time with a wide gap between us so no one runs into each other." Spyro stated as he returned the way he appeared from.
As the dragons entered the apparent dome that hid the strange city, their jaws dropped. Buildings equally as tall as some of the moles but built to withstand the test of time. In the middle of the ancient city stood two large pillars connected to each other at the top by what looked to be a ball of white energy with several bolts of what looked like lightning holding it to the top of the pillars. "Note to self, avoid central area." Blitz said aloud as he examined the city below & around him. "Where do we check first & how do we know what we are looking for?" Cynder asked looking for any important or larger than normal buildings. "I don't know Cynder, Ignitus said we would know it when we saw it." Spyro answered.
Blitz flew closer to Spyro before speaking. "I think we should split up, two teams of two & search this place building by building. If we don't find anything maybe that monstrosity is what we re looking for." Blitz said offering the only idea he could come up with. "It's worth a shot." Spyro agreed "But what do we do if that thing is what we were sent after? We don't know how to shut it down & we can't just destroy it, can we?" Cynder questioned as she glanced around the abandoned city, an unnerving feeling of being watched came over her making her narrow her eyes as she carefully watched the shadows for any movement. "No I don't think we should destroy it, find a way to cut power to it or something else but definitely not destroy it. Besides we could never rebuild that thing." Star answered as she too looked cautiously around the city.
Blitz noticed the girls looking around the city with caution in their eyes. "What has you two spooked?" He questioned, wondering if they had seen something. "I feel like we're being watched." Star & Cynder stated at the same time. Looking at each other with surprised expressions the two almost missed a somewhat silent laugh as the ghostly figure of a women clad in a long flowing white cotton dress with a blue glow around her form appeared below them to their left. Spinning quickly her dress flew out in a wide circle as she danced away from the four dragons. Turning back to face the two males, Star & Cynder exchanged worried glances. "Did you guys see that?" Star asked panicked. "If you saw a weird ape like creature in some white clothing surrounded by a blue aura, yes." Blitz stated staring at the spot the figure once stood. "Do we follow it?" Spyro asked with a curious tone in his voice.
Turning to the purple dragon, Blitz, Star, & Cynder each had incredulous looks on their faces. "Are you serious?" Cynder asked her voice low. "After all that you & I have been through, you want to chase a ghost?!" She questioned angrily. "We don't know that it was a ghost maybe it's a part of the city, I mean everything here is well ahead of our time Maybe it's a welcome to the city thing." Spyro said jokingly trying to calm Cynder down. "I can't believe I'm saying this but, ok let's follow the ghost." Cynder spat knowing that she could always use the 'I told you so' line after they escaped the obvious trap.
Blitz glanced back at where the figure had disappeared to see it appear once again, but this time it was motioning for them to follow it. "Guys, I think that's what it wants us to do." He stated with a worried tone in his voice. "I have a bad feeling about this." Star said following Cynder & Spyro to the ground in front of the figure. After all four dragons landed in front of the figure it spoke in a melodic female voice. "Welcome to Sanctuary, first & only human city on this planet. My name is Cori; I'm an A.I. or artificial intelligence. It has been well over a thousand years since your kind set foot inside the barrier & sadly no humans remain in Sanctuary. Tell me what brings you here noble dragons?" Cori questioned with a curious expression on her face. "We were sent here to retrieve a relic, but nothing here looks very important except that thing in the center of town & now you, though I don t think you can leave this city." Spyro answered earning a slap to the back of his head from Cynder s wing. "We don't even know if we can trust her yet & you give away our mission, what are you thinking?" She asked angrily. "I'm thinking honesty is the best policy. She waved us down instead of shooting us down, which I m sure she could have done & instead of being rude to us from the start she was very polite so why shouldn't we extend the same courtesy." Spyro answered silencing Cynder until Cori spoke. "I understand why you don't trust me Cynder but I can't harm you like the Dark Master & his servants did. Showing myself to you like this drained a small portion of what the Portal generator is using to stay active." Cori stated sadly.
Blitz looked deep in thought for a moment before speaking. "I thought portals were made by magic." He said to Spyro. "The ones built by us or our ancestors are this one isn't." Spyro replied. "Cori, how do you know about what the dark master did to Cynder & why do you look sad?" Star asked curiously, Cori grinned. "When the humans lived here they had a massive space program & put several dozen satellites into orbit around this planet." Cori replied earning confused stares from the dragons in front of her. "The humans put a bunch of spy glasses in space that allow me to watch what happens outside of the barrier." Cori simplified. "That sounds so cool, can you show us?" Blitz asked hopefully. "I can, but you need clearance & that will take more power from the portal generator that I'm not sure it can spare." Cori stated concernedly. "Ok, how can we help?" Spyro asked.
Cori looked thoughtful for a moment before looking Spyro in the eyes. "I've seen you use electricity as well as fire, ice, & earth. Your electric breath could charge the system enough to let me activate the systems I need to give you all access to the entire city; however it could also cause issues because of variances in voltage." The A.I. said with a contemplative expression. "It's worth the risk, follow me." Cori said leading the purple dragon to a maintenance hatch. "All you need to do is breathe your electricity on this box." Cori instructed pointing at a box with a lightning box on it. "But wait until you see the light above you come on." She finished before disappearing. A few minutes later the light above Spyro flickered on & Spyro unleashed his electric attack on the box.
Draining his reserves of magic, Spyro's head drooped as he lay down to rest a moment before Cori reappeared. "I'm surprised," She started. "Your electricity was more than enough to get all systems back up & running except for a few, but without a physical body I can't fix the ones that are still down. Follow me & I'll get your identifications & clearance cards. Cori said walking toward a small building. Walking, quite literally, through the door, Cori activated all the equipment she would need, which there was nothing in the city she couldn't activate, through the network she could connect herself to everything that the humans would allow her to interface with. One by one the dragons gave Cori the information she needed to clear them for wandering the city. Blitz was first & after answering all her questions a small needle dropped from the ceiling before sticking it's self into Blitz's left shoulder. "Ow, what the heck was that for?" He questioned with an upset look on his face. "That was your identification card. It's a small microchip that contains all the information you gave me & your clearance level which will be the highest for all of you." Cori stated as the others looked to be second guessing their decision.
After micro chipping the four dragons, Cori led them to her observation deck. Activating the monitors for the satellites that looked down on the dragon realms. "I can see everything that goes on everywhere on this planet, recently though I ve been keeping track of the dragon population throughout the last three hundred years & I must say after Cynder's corrupt form was defeated the dragons have been making a comeback. Your species is almost back to the levels prior to Malefor turning to the dark side." Cori stated sounding impressed. "Wait, is that what happened here? Malefor's army killed everyone?" Blitz & Spyro asked at the same time, Cori sighed. Swiping a hand in front of her a screen appeared, tapping on a few of the holographic keys she brought up a video dated close to four hundred years ago.
/Video sequence begin/
Bullets flew followed by balls of black energy. An ape growled as he smashed through a barricade grabbing several soldiers in a bear hug that pinned their arms to their sides as the ape crushed their rib cages. Dropping them in a heap of broken bodies some still gasping for breath as blood filled their lungs others staring sightlessly up at the brilliant blue sky of the dragon realms. Continuing on its path the ape charged another barricade only to be cut down by a mounted machine gun with a belt of ammunition. It didn't last however as an ape with a staff launched an explosive ball of black energy at the gunner effectively destroying the gun & the barricade but leaving only wounded soldiers lying on the ground trying to get their senses back in order, only to feel the sting of a blade as the apes cut their throats or ran them through with their blades leaving them to either bleed out or slowly choke on their own blood as it slowly filled their lungs.
The scene cut to the inside of a building where Cori could be seen arguing with a man who was apparently in charge of the army & her. "Sir, please give me access to the city's defenses I can target enemy personnel with greater accuracy than your men I could even take out key personnel on the enemies side." She pleaded hoping he would see reason before it was too late. "Why, so you can turn on us after we defeat the enemy because we gave you free reign of the city's defenses? No, now issue the orders you were given & provide what Intel you can to my men." Barked the commander. "But Sir I..." She started before the commander jumped from his seat & into the light. "Do as I ordered or return to standby!" He screamed the scar on the left side of his face twisting grotesquely as he yelled at the A.I. "Alpha squad, Delta needs reinforcements. Bravo squad move to Charlie s position & retake the barricade." Cori instructed as a look of shame took over her face. It was her job to keep casualties to a minimum & so far she had & was currently failing that directive because of one man that hated her because he was betrayed by an A.I. that came after her. Watching the screens she watched the people & dragons she was supposed to protect die horribly slow & painful deaths even the squads she had just instructed to new positions stood little to no chance against the massive army of apes that flooded the city. The massive dark purple dragon that commanded them showed no mercy whatsoever to any that stood in his way tearing them apart with his claws, teeth, & whatever element he chose. Turning her head away from the screens a digital tear fell from her eyes as she clenched & unclenched her fist. If that stubborn human had any clue as to what was about to happen he showed no sign of it.
Disappearing from her place in the middle of the room Cori found her robotic body through the cables that kept it charged inserting herself into it she quickly made her way back to the command room & slapped her commanding officer as hard as she could knocking him to the floor. "Issue the retreat order, get your men to the gate, & give me access to the city's defenses. I'll take care of the rest." Cori yelled with a robotic tinge to her otherwise melodic voice. "I still give the orders around here!" The commander shouted earning a glare from Cori's robotic eyes. "Not anymore, as of this moment you are relieved of command by command protocol Alpha Zulu 273-Siera1. Now, give me access to the city's defenses & get your men out of here, that's an order soldier!" Cori demanded. "Yes m'am," He growled distrustfully.
Back outside the scar-faced man issued the retreat order to every soldier he passed as well as calling it out over the radio along with the rally point. After fortifying the area around the gate Scar-face issued defensive orders waiting for the gate to open. Less than a minute later the gate opened unfortunately so did several of the barricades as dark magic obliterated their defenses sending bodies flying through the gate bloodied & severely wounded or dead as men on foot fled through the gate to the safety of their home planet. As the last human leapt through the gate it closed cutting the apes & the dragon commanding them off from their goal.
/Video sequence end/
The room was silent as the dragons contemplated what they had seen & Cori knew the first words that would leave their mouths & she didn't need to hear them, she had settled herself with it long ago & knew that her purpose would come later & here it stood, right beside her in the form of four young dragons. Nodding her head Cori turned to Spyro & his friends. "I know what you're about to say & though I'm grateful you need not say anything. However I have a request of you four." She said with a hopeful tone in her voice. "What could we possibly do for you?" Cynder asked hesitantly. "The Energy plant needs to be reactivated & I'm not able to access it myself I can walk you through what you need to do but that's it. If you can do that for me I have a gift for each of you that should offer more protection than what you have now." She stated with a gleam in her holographic eye.
Nodding his head Blitz stepped up with Star following his lead. "We'll take care of the energy plant; Spyro & Cynder can take care of anything else that needs done on this end." He stated confidently. "Actually I need Star to stay behind as well one of you should be able to take care of the energy plant." Cori corrected. "Alright then, let's get moving." Blitz stated stretching & popping his joints making Star & Cynder cringe at the sounds. "Where do I go from here?" He questioned.
Almost an hour on foot in an underground tunnel later Blitz found himself walking past the skeletons of humans & apes alike. For each human he passed that had fallen in combat he offered a slight nod & a short mental prayer, as for the apes he offered nothing, they were weak minded monsters that deserved nothing in his mind. As he approached the end of the hall Blitz looked around seeing consoles protruding from the walls & in the middle of the room a large device with red lights & what looked to be switches. Walking further into the dimly lit room Blitz tapped the side of his head activating the communication device he was given. "I think I'm at the switches you told me about, what do I do now?" He asked, hoping the device still worked from his current position. "Find the biggest switch on the panel & turn it until a green light comes on. After that throw the other switches in numerical order." Cori instructed. After completing his task Blitz cued his communicator once more. "All lights green, what now?" He asked hoping he could get back to his friends. He felt as though something had been following him & as he looked around the room he swore he saw something move. Inhaling through his nose he picked up an all too familiar scent. Activating his communicator once more Blitz took a defensive stance as he placed himself somewhere he could see the entire room. "Hostiles still present in the city-" Was all he could get out before the sounds of combat were heard over his comm.
Cori had sent Spyro to keep the portal generator powered until they could get the power plant back up & running While Star & Cynder were posted in the observation room watching the vitals of one of their friends each, Star watching Blitz's & Cynder watching Spyro's when out of nowhere Blitz's vitals spiked & over the speakers in the observation area they heard. "Hostiles still present in the city-" Before the sounds of combat were heard over the speakers. Turning to Cori Star was about to ask, but The A.I. beat her to it. "Star, go help Blitz & then get back here, Cynder get to Spyro & defend him as long as you can. If you have to leave the gate & get back here, I will not lose four young dragons to these beasts." Cori ordered with authority. Nodding the two females left to aid their friends.
Dodging a strike on instinct alone Blitz rolled to his feet launching a torrent of shadow flame at his opponent destroying whatever device or enchanted item hid him from sight. Glaring at the ape that stood in front of him Blitz was stunned when the beast spoke clearly. "You dragons think you are so strong yet you send children to do your dirty work." The ape sneered. "They send children because you assholes are weak." Blitz shot back as the room darkened. An all encompassing blackness spread from Blitz's shadow blocking out all light in the room that the ape could use. Laughing menacingly Blitz spoke loud enough for his voice to echo in the small room. "If you thought I would be just some weak no skilled dragon you are sorely mistaken beast." Blitz stated with a wicked laugh. Lashing out with his claws Blitz easily tore through the muscles of the ape s weapon arm before biting into the other & ripping a chunk out of it. Disengaging the ape Blitz slashed his opponent s throat with his tail blade before dropping the shadows that covered the room revealing the black dragon with small splotches of red covering the front half of his body & a look of hatred on his face. The ape only grinned as he noticed a white dragoness appear behind the black dragon." You may... have... won this fight... but you just lost ...an ally." The ape managed to say through gasps for breath & gurgles of blood.
Turning to look behind him Blitz saw Star with a stunned look on her face & blood pouring from a large stab wound in her abdomen. "Star, no!" Blitz yelled as he tackled the massive ape standing over her before clawing its throat to shreds. Turning his attention back to Star, Blitz cued his comm. "Cori, Star's been hurt badly I need help, she's not going to last much longer." He said panicking. "Blitz you need to calm down & tell me what kind of wound." Cori instructed. "Sword wound, in & out, she's not breathing too good either." Blitz answered still sounding panicked but more in control of himself than before. "On the wall should be a red box with a white cross on it, open it & grab the container that says BIO-FOAM." Cori instructed quickly. "I've got it." Blitz replied. "This is going to hurt her a bit, but it should stop the bleeding & give her back the collapsed lung so she can breathe, insert the tip into both sides of the wound & push the handle into the container." Cori ordered waiting for a response. "I'm sorry Star, I'm so sorry."
Cynder had made it to Spyro before anything had gotten to him by using her shadow sneak ability. Popping up out of the ground by Spyro she immediately took a defensive stance while Spyro occasionally charged the portal generator back to operational standby levels. "What's going on Cynder?" Spyro asked nervously as he noticed she looked angry & defensive. "Blitz was attacked I was sent to defend you while you keep the gate in working order." Cynder answered quickly as her eyes slowly tracked their surroundings, watching for any movement at all. "Is he alright?" Spyro asked launching a small bolt of electricity at the wires that powered the gate. "I don't know we won't know until we get back to base." Cynder answered catching something out of the corner of her eyes.
Turning to face it she found three dozen apes all in the same outfits as the ones from Cori's videos. Cueing her comm. as she was taught Cynder spoke into the microphone. "Cori, we have a problem." She stated as her claws glowed with a toxic green color. "The black one is mine." Growled a voice that Cynder had hoped to never hear again. "Gaul, how did you survive?" She growled, venom dripping from her teeth as she snarled at her worst enemy. "I know not who Gaul is, but something in me demands your blood. The only reason for that would be that you betrayed the dark master." The now unknown ape said as it walked past the others easily towering over them making them look like ants compared to him. "My name is Rath." He stated resting the head of his bladed mace on the ground just in front of him. "Well then Rath, betrayed is a strong word, considering I never willingly served that maniac, which by the way died at our claws." Cynder stated some of her old sadistic self showing through as she faced the massive ape. "Then my men & I will show no mercy." Rath stated raising his mace & with a roar the apes he commanded charged the two dragons.
Swords & various other weapons slashed at the dragoness yet none made contact as Cynder dissolved into the shadows beneath her confusing the apes. Bursting from the shadows Cynder launched four apes into the air slashing at them with her claws & tail blade ending three of their lives but only wounding the fourth. As Cynder hovered in the air Spyro launched a charged beam of electricity at the would be army of apes that while dealing massive amounts of damage as it jumped from one to another until reaching the power cables, only angered them into focusing on him. From her spot high above the army of apes Cynder noticed the lead ape merely watching his men wear the two dragons down with a wicked fanged grin. 'Bastard, he's letting us wear ourselves out killing his men while he waits to kill us at his discretion.' Cynder growled before charging back into the mass of flailing bodies. Slamming into the ground Cynder screamed sending out wave after wave of her fear element unknowingly hitting Spyro as well as their enemies. Grunting as his fears came to life before his very eyes Spyro only became enraged as Cynder was struck down by Rath's mace, before the ape could strike the killing blow he was obliterated by Spyro's convexity element.
Cynder turned as a roar of barely restrained rage sounded from Spyro's last known position. Diving into a stair well Cynder watched as electricity exploded in waves that fried every ape it came in contact with. Climbing out of the stair well Cynder looked around at the destruction around her. Spyro had killed all of the smaller apes, that much was clear, Rath on the other hand climbed to his feet with only a few burns & a jerky movement every once in a while. "You cursed runts!" He yelled anger plain on his face. "You have interfered for the last time in our plans, now you die!" Rath roared as he charged the two. Cynder took a defensive position in front of Spyro, who looked worn out & covered in small cuts from the apes swords. Attempting to coat her claws in poison Cynder found out all too late that she had used up her mana when she unleashed her fear element. Growling, Cynder charged at Rath meeting him halfway before rolling to the right as the ape slammed his mace into the ground where Cynder had been moments ago. "You're going to have to be faster than that." Cynder quipped as she jumped up & slashed the ape across his face.
Rath howled in pain as Cynder s claws raked his face, leaving long gashes across & through his left eye, effectively blinding him in that eye. Grabbing Cynder by the neck before she could escape Rath slammed her into the ground before raising his bladed mace & bringing it back down with the sick sound of bones breaking & scales & flesh being destroyed under the weapons force resounded through the area. Cynder opened her eyes, she had expected pain but felt nothing. As her eyes focused she saw golden scales standing over her. Spyro, no, why did you do it?" She asked as blood dripped off of her friend s side & onto her neck. "Because I couldn't watch you die, knowing I could stop it." He stated with a smile. "Besides, scars don't suit a pretty girl like you." He teased before Rath ripped the mace from his back causing pain Spyro had never felt before in his life. "Just rest Spyro; I'll take care of this monster." Cynder said as she caught & laid Spyro down, blood already forming a small pool behind the wounded dragon. Turning back to her opponent she found him licking one of the blood covered blades. "It has been quite a while since I last tasted dragon blood. I must say it is as sweet as I remember." Rath said with a sadistic grin.
Cynder knew he was trying to make her mad & if the situation were any different she wouldn t let him get to her but time was a luxury she didn't have. "You just don't know who your messing with, do you?" Cynder asked as Spyro passed out, though her voice sounded different to the ape. Somehow it had echoed though she spoke barely above a whisper. As he looked closely at her, Rath noticed what had changed. Her scales had darkened to an all consuming black that seemed to darken the area around her & her eyes glowed, a solid, bright, pupil-less white. "Allow me to show you what happens to those that hurt my friends." Cynder said as a purple beam shot from her mouth obliterating the ape & tearing large holes in the sides of buildings. Cutting the beam off as the last ashen remains of Rath floated into oblivion, Cynder returned to her normal self & using her shadow element sank herself & Spyro into the ground rushing off to the observation deck, unknowingly leaving the activated gate unguarded.
A/N: If you notice any typo's please let me know, I do my best to catch them but some may have slipped past me. I hope you are enjoying the story so far & I hope you are having a good day or night, whatever it may be where you are. :)