Get ready, one of Matt's toughest battles begins...

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Spyro characters or games. I don't own the characters Stitch and Pikachu. Matt is one of my human OCs.

Cynder continued to search the skies. There was one fatal flaw in her plan to help Spyro and Matt. She didn't know where they had gone, with only that they had been led into harm's way. However, she still had an idea to where they could be. She had been under the forces of darkness long enough to know where someone as twisted as Malchoir would hide. Somewhere they could look over the land and devise their next plan of attack.

The only spot that Cynder could think of for this criteria was the Mountain of Malefor. Malchoir could watch and sense their every move from that viewpoint. When she had started in that direction, she could already sense a dark power radiating from the mountain…but that's not what got her attention.

Out of nowhere, Cynder suddenly screamed in pain. She stopped in midair and cringed in agony. It was as if her heart was on fire. She somehow managed to keep herself in the air while doing so.

After a few moments, the pain suddenly stopped. It left Cynder panting while still clutching her chest. A feeling like this meant only one thing. Something had gone terribly wrong…

"Spyro," she gasped. "No! Am I too late?" Cynder realized she had no time to waste. She quickened her pace towards the mountain.

"Please be alright…" she whispered.

Matt and the dark Spyro stared each other down, with neither giving an inch to their opponent. They both had their feet glued to the floor, daring one another to make the first move.

After a few moments that felt like an eternity, Spyro made the first move. He opened his mouth and unleashed a full fire breath attack. Only this time his fire was the usual bright orange it usually was. It was a fire that was as black as the night sky.

Luckily, Matt was ready. Focusing his efforts, he managed to focus the attack into his Keyblade, absorbing the hit.

Matt then gasped. His whole body was shaking in the effort to hold the attack back. He felt himself be pushed backwards, surprised at how strong the attack actually was.

Knowing he couldn't hold it anymore, Matt swung his Keyblade and sent the attack straight into the wall.

"Not bad…," Spyro said with his new, cold voice. He hadn't even broken a sweat yet, while Matt hadneeded to use all his strength to avoid getting burnt to a crisp.

"Let's try fighting fire with fire." Matt pointed his Keyblade ahead. "FIRAGA!" A stream of fire bursted out of his blade heading straight for Spyro.

"Fool." This time Spyro counterattacked by unleashing something else in his arsenal. Small white particles surrounded by shadows intercepted Matt's fire attack and canceled it out.

"No way!" Matt yelled in shock.

Unfortunately, he didn't have much time to awe in wonder because out of the cloud of smoke came Dark Spyro in a full air charge. The dragon raised his claw to strike…

Matt gasped. Reacting quickly, he managed to block Spyro's attack with his blade. Matt then tried to strike back in defense, but Spyro flew upwards and dodged his move as well.

Spyro laughed in midair. Matt could understand why, being he was at a disadvantage on the ground.

Spyro then came in for another assault. Matt readied his Keyblade in defense, ready to block another attack.

All of a sudden, Spyro suddenly flashed out of sight. He was gone!

"Huh?!" Matt yelled. Suddenly, he heard an evil laugh from behind. "What the…?" Matt then felt a blunt object hit him hard in the back. Spyro had used his tail to knock the wind out of him, sending Matt flying across the stone floor.

Matt groaned in pain. How did he get so fast…? I didn't even see that coming…

Spyro laughed in triumph. "You forget human. I have all of the abilities of my weaker half, including the power to wield time itself! You're death is imminent!" Spyro then disappeared again into the shadows.

Matt quickly got off the ground and readied himself again. Two can play at that game… He closed his eyes and concentrated, his Keyblade in his hands. Slowly, he felt the world around him slow down. Focus…where's he coming from?

In the next instant, Spyro attacked Matt again from his right. His claw was raised to kill, but the dragon was stopped in his path. Somehow, Matt was able to block his attack.

"What…?!" Spyro gasped.

"Take this!" Matt unleashed a combo attack on Spyro, sending the dragon backwards across the room. Spyro scowled at Matt, shocked at what just occurred.

"You forget," Matt said. "I've got some tricks of my own." He slashed the air with his Keyblade. This was as good an opportunity to help Spyro break free of his Heartless's control…

"Spyro? Are you there? It's me! Matt! C'mon man!"

Unfortunately, Spyro still was covered in the shadows and his eyes were still fully white. What was worse was that he continued to laugh in that evil tone as he turned back to Matt.

"What a pity," the dragon said. "I guess I have to actually try in order to finish you off, human. You may have the power of the Keyblade, but I possess a greater power. One that no being in any world can match!" Suddenly, Spyro then emerged his body deeper in shadows. Matt could sense the darkness within increase.

"Spyro! Stop this!" Matt pleaded.

"Now Keyblader!" Spyro yelled. "Witness my true power!" Without warning, pulses of shadow erupted from the dragon's body.

Matt raised his Keyblade in defense, but it was no use The waves of darkness were too powerful to stop. They struck him down one after the other, with each one more devastating than the last.

Matt just couldn't hold on. He felt himself be hurled backwards into the wall with a thud. Yelping in pain, Matt fell forward onto his stomach. He groaned in agony and looked up. What power…and he didn't even move an inch.

Spyro laughed once more. One thing was for certain…this darkness within him was definitely different in one characteristic. He wanted to make Matt suffer for as long as possible.

"Now do you know what your'e up against?" The Heartless asked while Matt struggled to his feet. "Why don't you just surrender? You are no match for me…"

Matt was trembling hard. That last attack had taken it's toll. He had to think fast if he even wanted to make it out of this fight in one piece.

"I can't do that," Matt said. "I know the real Spyro is in there, and I'm going to help him break free. It's that simple."

Spyro laughed even harder. "My other half? Ha! He's a lost cause. You're a fool to even consider helping him. You yourself can barely stand up on two legs."

"That doesn't matter. Spyro's stronger than you know."

"He was weak, never willing to accept his true destiny. Together, we can have all we could ever want, but no…that old fool Ignitus kept getting in the way. Besides, he only came here with you because I influenced it…"

"That's a lie! Spyro wanted to help me get my friends back!" Matt bit his lip.

Spyro shook his head. "Oh yes. Those worthless creatures. From what I've heard, they're almost as pathetic as their so called leader. It only makes me want to kill you more."

That struck a nerve in Matt. Stitch and Pikachu…they were so strong…even till the end …and now this Heartless was mocking them. Anger began to boil inside Matt, so much that he forgot all about the pain and tear he'd just endured. He decided it was time to take action.

"How dare you…" Matt grunted. "You monster…"

"What are you going to do about it?" Spyro asked. "Your're wasting your time."

"THINK FAST!" Matt then threw his Keyblade spiraling towards Spyro.

"Honestly?" Spyro easily dodged the Keyblade, but even he didn't see what was coming next.

A lot happened in the next few moments. Matt had decided to do something reckless…so reckless he wouldn't normally do it. The moment he had thrown the Keyblade, he had charged in a dead sprint for his opponent…with a fully clenched right fist.

Spyro was shocked. Matt was coming in too fast…and he was too close…

"This one's for my friends!" Matt yelled. "AAARRRGGGGHHH!!" With all his strength, Matt proceeded leap forward and punch Spyro's Heartless square in the jaw. His move was so focused and powerful, it would've impressed even Neo. The Heartless grunted in both shock and pain.

Suddenly, Matt felt an odd sensation occurring while his fist was still jammed into Spyro's face. Time seemed to slow down around him. His eyes soon were blinded by a surprising light he hadn't sensed just moments ago. Then…he heard a voice…a familiar voice inside his head.

"Matt!"

Spyro…? Matt thought. Is that you?

Before Matt's eyes, he could see something come into figure. It was him! Somehow, he could see the realSpyro standing in front of him…and he spoke again.

"Matt! Listen to me! There's not much time!"

"Spyro? What are you talking about?"

"I've seen your true power, Matt. That attack of yours is more than enough to defeat my Heartless. Please…use it."

"But if I do, then I'd be destroying you too!"

"It doesn't really matter anymore what happens to me. My Heartless…he's just too strong…"

"No! There is another way to beat him! There has to be!"

Spyro just shook his head. "It's the only way to be sure. Matt, do me one last favor once it's all over. Please tell Cynder…tell her I'm sorry…."

Suddenly, Matt started to lose focus on Spyro. He was going out of sight. The Heartless was taking control again.

"No! Wait! Spyro!"

It was done. Matt found himself finishing his blow on the Heartless. The resulting force knocked them both backwards on the ground.

The Heartless got off the ground and growled. It seemed Matt's punch had little effect whatsoever. "You're a fool, Keyblader. Now I'm going to show you no mercy."

Matt was panting on his knees. He just sat there in slience. Spyro was still alive and present. He was in that body somewhere still…

Unfortunately, from what Matt could tell, Spyro had given up. He was willing to sacrifice himself in order for his Heartless to be destroyed. He couldn't break free and take control.

Would the Kingdom Blast even work? He only had one good attack in him. It wasn't as if he couldn't use it, it was just that usually he probably needed more than just his own energy. Still…he was running out of options…

"No…," Matt whispered. "I won't give up on you, Spyro. I can't…" He summoned his Keyblade back to his hand. He knew it full well; this battle was only just beginning.

Is there any way to save Spyro? You'll just have to read on to find out!

Peace out,

Biz