Not much else to say...let's continue.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Spyro characters or Stitch and Pikachu. Matt is my human OC.
Stitch and Pikachu continued to hold their own on the frontlines of the city of Warfang. The Shadow types were no match for their weapons and individual skills. The two had destroyed so many of these things with Matt, that it had become routine. The problem was…this was only the first wave…
Luckily, they had some help. Hunter and the other cheetahs continued to provide support from above with their bows and arrows. The moles and other citizens tried their best to hold off the waves whatever way they could, and The Guardians also were giving the Heartless continuous assaults from the air with their own style of attack.
Stitch looked out onto the horizon. "Oh…boy…not good."
Pikachu gasped. The next Heartless wave was charging straight for them. "Oh man! Where are they all coming from?"
"Too many…"
Pikachu gritted his teeth and gripped his sword harder. "It doesn't matter. We've got to keep going. Matt's counting on us."
Stitch nodded. "Eh, wesa gots to hold on."
They both looked up at Hunter on the balcony. He gave them a small nod, which they returned with reaffirmation.
"You ready pal?" Pikachu asked.
"You betcha!" Stitch replied. Together, they charged forward into the Heartless wave…with their friend's safe return on their minds.
Matt growled in resistance. Spyro's Heartless wasn't letting up on his word. The dragon was now coming at him with a full physical assault, showing no sign of self-regard.
Matt really did want to think of a way to save Spyro, but it took all his concentration to block all of Spyro's claw swipes with his Keyblade.
Unfortunately, with every strike of claw on metal, Matt's energy was deteriorating slowly. He hadn't slept or ate for some time. On the other hand, Spyro's Heartless had been buried for so long, that it seemed to have a limitless amount of energy.
After a few minutes of clashing, Spyro jumped upwards into the air. He then unleashed a dark lightning bolt from his mouth at full power.
Matt concentrated hard enough to the point where he once again caught Spyro's attack with his Keyblade…but the dragon had been counting on it.
Spyro quickly flew downwards, seizing his opportunity. He was going for the kill…aiming for Matt's throat.
Luckily, Matt managed to anticipate the move in time. He was able to knock away the lightning attack and put up his Keyblade in the nick of time….but it came with a price.
Spyro had come in so hard, that it had knocked Matt off his feet. The dragon had bitten down on the Keyblade when Matt put it up, saving the boy from immediate danger. However, Matt was now lying on his back with Spyro laying on top of him, leaving him completely pinned.
Matt watched as the dark being was baring down on him, looking for the kill. He was down to pushing with everything he had in order to stay alive….but he couldn't do it forever. Spyro slowly pushed closer and closer to Matt's throat…he raised his claw for the final blow. Matt closed his eyes and braced himself for the worst.
Then, as if his prayers were answered, Matt heard a familiar voice. "Spyro?!"
The Heartless let up a bit and turned to the direction of the voice. Matt opened his eyes and did the same. He gasped in shock.
Cynder! He thought. There she was, frozen in her place. She was staring at them in shock, a look of disbelief in her eyes.
Matt quickly stole a glance at Spyro's Heartless. It's attention had been taken off of him, loosening the hold on him before. This was his chance. Without hesitating, Matt curled his legs inward. With as much strength as he could muster, he kicked Spyro hard in the stomach, sending the dragon flying across the room.
Matt grunted and got on his hands and knees, panting heavily. He looked around for Spyro, who was also getting up, shaking his head as he recovered. The dragon growled at him, then turned his attention to the newly arrived Cynder.
"You…," it said. "I should've known you'd show up…"
Cynder hadn't moved an inch since she'd arrived. After a few moments, she began to tear. "No…," she said. She had been too late. "Spyro…what's wrong with you?"
Spyro just grinned back. "Nothing is wrong with me, Cynder. I've never been better."
"No!" Cynder yelled back, tears flying from her eyes. "I've seen you like this before, and you're not yourself! Spyro, look at me! Whatever is wrong with you, I'm here…"
"I already told you…I'm just fine the way I am."
"Cynder!" Matt yelled. "Don't listen to him. That's not Spyro! It's his Heartless!"
"His what?" Cynder replied.
Matt hung his head in shame. "Cynder…I'm so sorry. Spyro and I were led here by Malchoir. That monster unleashed the Heartless that's been hidden in Spyro….and it's all my fault."
Cynder gasped. "What are you saying, Matt?" She turned back to Spyro. "Who are you?"
Spyro chuckled. "The Keyblader is correct. Yet his claim has one major flaw. I am the true Spyro…and I was born to reign over this world."
"That's a lie!" Cynder yelled angrily. She hung her head. "You're nothing but his shadow…his darkness…"
"I wouldn't say that. We are more alike than you know…"
"Wrong! You're nothing like Spyro! He cares about those around him…"
"Yes, and it sickens me. He could have all the power in this world, yet he chooses to waste it all protecting unworthy creatures…how pathetic."
Cynder winced. "How dare you…you know nothing what he's been through…all he's suffered…"
"Oh, how wrong you are. You see, I've been inside Spyro ever since I was born. I've lent him my power on several occasions without him even knowing about it. He's nothing without me, and I guess I have you to thank for that, Cynder."
"What are you talking about?"
Matt's eyes narrowed. He had been wondering how Spyro had even became a Heartless in the first place…
"Why, you don't remember? It was Spyro who came after you that night in the Well of Souls…the night my brother and I were born."
I knew it… Matt thought.
Spyro's Heartless continued. "Yes, Spyro needed more power to defeat that overgrown ape, Gaul. Although it was by accident, when he entered the ray of darkness, his heart gave way to all the darkness he had locked inside. All that rage…all that anger…it formed into me. Although I couldn't gain complete control just yet, Spyro and I still destroyed him like he wanted to all along. And when I say destroyed, I mean we obliterated him into a million pieces…and I know for a fact Spyro enjoyed it."
Cynder gasped. "No…Spyro would never do that…" She glared at the Heartless. "What did you do to him?
Spyro then narrowed his eyes at Cynder. "It's what I couldn't do that made things all miserable. You just had to ruin everything, didn't you Cynder? If you hadn't been foolish enough to push him out of the darkness, I would have gained complete control."
"You…you've been inside Spyro all this time?" she asked.
"Like I said, Spyro needed my power in order to fight Malefor off. Unfortunately, that idiot had to chain him together with you and that idiot dragonfly would leave him alone. That old fool Ignitus didn't help things either." He continued to glare at Cynder.
"You…you tried to break through when Ignitus sacrificed himself didn't you? When Spyro was most vulnerable…"
"Yes…and if you hadn't been there to coddle him, I would have."
"You monster," Cynder held back her tears. "Let Spyro go! Right now!"
Spyro just laughed her request back in her face. "I don't think that's going to happen. My brother Malchoir are here to stay. However…" He started to step towards Cynder. "I'm willing to offer you a chance. Help me destroy the Keyblader…and you can take your place at my side….for all eternity."
Cynder didn't hesitate. "NO! That will never happen!"
"Really, Cynder? Don't you see? I know you and I are attracted to one another. We're both true beings of darkness. This way, we can truly be together…"
Cynder couldn't hold it in anymore. She sobbed. "You're not him!" She fell to the ground, shaking in misery.
Matt had to think fast. "Leave her out of this! It's me you want!" He then winced in pain, still on his knees.
"Patience, human. I'll finish you off in a few moments." Spyro turned to Cynder. "If you won't join me willingly, then maybe I can convince you another way…" He raised his paw. "Why don't we let the darkness inside of you decide?"
Cynder began to glow with the shadows. She grunted as she felt the darkness overwhelm her. She tried with all her soul to fight back…
"No! Cynder!" Matt yelled. There was nothing he could do but watch in agony. Would she be turning against him too?
"That's it…," Spyro said. "Don't try to resist…it will all be over soon…"
Cynder clutched her body, feeling her paw all the way to her heart. She was shaking uncontrollably. She then closed her eyes…
Not again...I can't let him do this to me…I…I have to help Spyro…he needs me…just like I needed him. No! I can't let him down! I won't let him down! I…I love Spyro too much to lose him now…
Cynder opened her eyes. "Let…me…GO!" Suddenly, the shadows encasing her were gone. She had regained control.
Matt sighed a huge breath of relief. Way to go Cynder…
Spyro stared at her with large eyes in shock, then began to chuckle softly. "Well now. Isn't that interesting? You either have complete control over your darkness, or you actually are foolish enough to care for my weaker half."
Cynder was panting hard. "I'll ask you again, you monster. Let Spyro go right now!"
"What are you going to do about it? You said it yourself…you can't stop me…and you know it."
"That doesn't mean I won't try," Cynder said with affirmation.
Spyro shook his head. "What a shame. You would've been perfect at my side. I actually think I'm going to regret this…" He lowered his head and called upon his dark powers once more. Once more, he used his powerful shock waves, but this time on Cynder. She tried to hold her ground, but eventually she also was knocked off her feet. Cynder hurtled towards the wall…
Matt had been watching the whole time. Knowing it would hurt, he somehow got to his feet and hurtled himself forward. He lunged out as far as he could, making himself able to reach out and catch the flying Cynder before she hit the ground. They both slid across the floor till Matt hit the wall with a thud. He winced in pain.
"Oh boy…that hurt," he said. "You ok?"
"Yeah," Cynder said. "I am thanks to you. What are we supposed to do, Matt?"
"Cynder, I know the real Spyro's in there. He called out to me before…"
"I know. I can still feel him… Why can't he fight back and break free?"
Matt hesitated. "I don't know…but he asked me to end it if I had to…"
"What?" Cynder screamed. "Spyro's not giving up is he?"
"I don't know what to tell you…but right now we've got a bigger problem." They both turned to see the Heartless aka Spyro coming towards them again.
"Cynder," Matt said. "Just get out of here. Let me fight him…"
Cynder glared at him. "No way! I'm not leaving Spyro. You can't make me…"
"But what if you can't…?"
"Matt…," she stopped him. "Spyro was willing risk himself to save me when I was lost in darkness…it's about time I do the same for him."
Matt was about to argue with her some more, but then he stopped. He stared at the dragoness for a moment. His eyes widened. "Of course…," he whispered. He looked at Spyro. "Why didn't I think of that before?" He turned to Cynder again. He motioned with his eyes over to some shadows in the corner of the room. Cynder eyed him curiously, and then seemed to take the hint.
"Stand with me or against me, Cynder," Spyro said. "I have a task to complete." He crouched into his stance again. "Prepare to meet your end, human!"
"I don't think so," Matt said. He and Cynder then jumped into the nearest shadow. He took her paw. With her power of shadow, Cynder was then able to make them both disappear out of Spyro's sight.
Spyro growled. "You think you can hide from me?" He closed his eyes and began to probe the room for their whereabouts.
Meanwhile, Cynder managed to get herself and Matt on the other side of the room. He continued to keep a hand on her so he'd stay hidden as well.
"Alright," she said. She was gritting her teeth trying to hold off Spyro's search. "If you've got something, say it! I can't hold him off for long!"
"There may be a way to save Spyro after all…but…"
"What is it? Hurry!"
Matt took a deep breath and looked Cynder in the eye. "Cynder…do you trust me?"
She didn't expect him to ask her that question. "What?"
Matt repeated it. "Do you trust me?"
Cynder took a few moments before she decided. "Yes. If the Spyro I know trusted you, then I do too."
Matt nodded. "Good. That's the only way this is gonna work."
"Well, what's the plan?" She winced. "That thing's getting closer…"
"There's no time to explain. Just distract him for a few minutes. When I say go, you go!"
"Wait a minute. What?"
"Cynder…you're the only one who can make this work…just believe…and don't hesitate," Matt then took his hand off Cynder and ran to another."
"Matt! No!"
Spyro had a fix on the Keyblader's location. He began to creep in that direction when he was suddenly attacked from behind by a large gust of wind. It did little to no damage at all.
Growling with frustration, the Heartless turned around and found that Cynder was the attacker. "You honestly think you can defeat me?"
"Spyro! I know you can hear me! Just hang on!" She got into a crouch. "Take this!" Cynder then unleashed a powerful siren scream.
The Heartless Spyro winced in pain for a few seconds, but then countered with another dark pulse attack to stop Cynder's scream.
"Now you'll pay!" Spyro yelled. He charged for the dragoness…but she had her eyes on something else.
"Matt, what are you doing?" Cynder yelled.
"What?" Spyro had completely forgotten about the Keyblader for a few moments…and it was about to cost him.
The whole time Cynder was facing the Heartless, Matt was gathering as much as his energy as he could. A small light had formed on his Keyblade. He closed his eyes.
I know I've never tried this before…but I have to believe it will work…just have to concentrate…
Spyro cackled. "I don't think so, boy! Now you die!" His body glowed in the shadows once more and he sprinted head on for Matt, and he was going for the kill.
"Look out!" Cynder yelled.
Matt opened his eyes. "Now!" A small beam of light emitted from his Keyblade just before he could be stuck down by the Heartless. It scored a direct hit into Spyro's chest, freezing him in midair.
Spyro screamed in agony. "What…what is this? I can't…move. This is impossible."
Matt gripped his blade as hard as he could to keep the connection intact. He turned to Cynder without hesitating. "Cynder! Jump into the beam!"
"What?! Are you seriously…?"
"Do it!" Matt yelled at the top of his lungs.
Cynder groaned. He had warned her not to hesitate, but he was asking her to jump into a beam of light. Whatever that beam was, it was damaging the Heartless…
What are you doing, Cynder? She thought to herself. Cynder then realized she had no choice. If Matt had a plan…she had to believe…
The dragoness moved as fast as she could towards the beam. Bracing herself, she took a chance and did as Matt asked by going head on into the beam.
Matt saw her jump in. As soon as she did, a flash of light emitted from his blade. It was so bright, it blinded him for a few seconds. When he was sure it was clear, he broke the connection he had to Spyro's Heartless. The beam disappeared…and Cynder was nowhere to be found.
Spyro floated back to the ground. He was shocked to find that he had taken no damage at all from that last attack.
Matt went down on his knees, breathing heavily. It had taken a good chunk of energy to pull off that last maneuver.
"Honestly…," Spyro said. "Is that the best you could do? Not even your most powerful attack could stop me! You're days are done." The Heartless looked at his surroundings. "It also seems Cynder has decided to flee. A wise move on her part. Even if she does warn the Guardians, even they don't have the power to stop my brother and I."
Matt struggled to his feet. You couldn't be more wrong, pal. I've done my part…now it's up to you Cynder…
"You forgot one thing…," Matt said. He cut the air with his blade. "You still have to get past me!"
"Like that will be a challenge," Spyro said. He crouched into his stance once more.
Cynder…please hurry… Matt stood his ground in anticipation.
What did Matt do? Can Cynder save Spyro? Find out next chapter!
Peace out!
Biz