Tremor lay coughing at the bottom of the volcano's main shaft. His eyes, lungs and nostrils burned. His lungs were choked with ash and smoke and his nostrils bled. As he struggled to breathe he could faintly sense the vibration of foot steps coming closer to him.
"There's no way I'm getting out of this alive." He whispered and wheezed hard. Tremor opened one eye to see the beastly figures towering over him as nothing more than a blur. He closed his eyes and as he felt himself slip away.
"At least... I'll lure them to their deaths... and spare the others from them..." He felt another violent shake from the volcano. "Forgive me Candice..." And with that, there was suddenly silence.
The wolves barked and nipped at each other as they stalked up to the fallen earth dragon. The closer they drew to him the more they began to bark and shove each other away, each hoping to get at the young dragon first.
Just as they were about to bear down on the dragon a sharp bark halted them. The wolves turned to see Snarl and the rest of their pack rushing towards them. The mutants all slunk away from Tremor, allowing Snarl to look down on the collapsed body of the guardian. After the initial surprise, he recognized his prey and a twisted grin spread across muzzle. He reached towards Tremor but a loud shriek from above caught his attention. The wolves looked up to see Liun slam the adult Cynder into the wall and pin her.
"This time Cynder, I will be more thorough in killing you!"
From out of a hole in the tunnel a bolt of lightning burst from Spyro's mouth. The bolt stunned Liun, giving the purple dragon the chance to hit him with a beam of convexity. Liun struck the wall before plummeting to the bottom of the volcano. The wolves watched as the black dragon hit the ground, leaving an impact crater where he lay. The wolves waited for a moment to see if the dragon would rise; he didn't.
"Take him!" Snarl pointed to Tremor and turned towards the other fallen warrior. The Alpha approached Liun cautiously. As he looked down on him he began to notice a warm glow coming up through the rock; lava was seeping through the cracks. Liun suddenly sat up screaming. His shadows manifested and Malefor roared in anguish. The wolves cowered in fear as the Dark Master bellowed from the burning pain. Just then the volcano gave one final rumble and a loud explosion ripped through the caverns.
Without a second thought, Snarl snatched up Liun, still screaming and burning with dark magic. The Alpha rushed back to his pack-mates who held Tremor roughly about the neck. The wolves huddled together as Snarl handed Liun to one of them and slammed his massive fist into the ground. A wall of rock burst from the ground and surrounded them in an air-tight shield.
"Hold on!" The pack leader shouted and pressed his hands to the burning rock. The sound of another muffled explosion came from outside the protective shield and suddenly the ball shook violently. The wolves were knocked off their feet and sent bouncing around the inside of the ball. Snarl dug his long claws into the stone, trying to keep the ball steady as they shot straight up. The heat was burning his skin and he could feel his flesh boiling away.
The ball shot straight into the blackened sky before falling back down into the mouth of the volcano. The force of the lava sent the wolves and dragons rocketing right back up again.
As the ball began to fall again, Snarl managed to steady their decent. The ball hit the bursting spout of lava and began bouncing less aggressively on the blisteringly hot surface.
"Set me down!" A furious voice growled. Snarl looked over his shoulder to see Liun squirm free of the wolf's grasp and set foot onto the burning rock. Much to the Alpha's surprise, the young dragon's paws didn't begin to burn. Dark magic swirled at the base of the black dragon's feet. His eyes flashed with rage as convexity began to swell up inside of him. The right side of his face, as well as his neck, shoulder and side had severe third-degree burns. His eye was already bleeding and beginning to puss as well as the other wounds.
A hateful growl resided in Liun's throat as he looked at the unconscious earth guardian. He let out an infuriated roar causing the wolves to pin their ears back and tuck their tails. Even Snarl was forced to relinquish his hold on the burning barrier. The Dark Master's evil energy spread throughout the wolves and seeped into the volcano, giving it a sinister violet hue.
Liun burst through the rock and into the lava and ash-filled sky. His dark energy swept up the surviving wolves and brought them to his eye level.
"We will take this one back." Malefor spoke through the young dragon as he pointed at Tremor. "And then we will hunt down the others." He fixed his eyes on Snarl. "And this time, there will be no failures!"
Tremor's head spun. His breathing was very ragged and weak. Tears flowed from his eyes as they attempted to clean themselves of the remaining basaltic dust that had blinded him so badly. As Tremor began to regain consciousness he felt a chill sweep over him. He opened his eyes and his world immediately began to spin. The earth guardian groaned and shut his eyes. When the whirling feeling subsided, he slowly opened his eyes again. The nausea remained and his labored breathing didn't help.
When Tremor's eyes fully opened he froze in shock. Dangling across the room from him was Candice. The ice guardian was suspended from the ceiling, turning ever so slightly that the chains barely clinked. The iron ball that rested below her suspended body held her tail tightly; there was no way for her to use her tail to defend herself. Her arms were shackled behind her back in a most uncomfortable position for any dragon and her wings had been clamped beneath a rusty old length of chain. The ice guardian's head hung limp and for a split second, Tremor thought she was dead. But when he heard her take in a heavy breath he relaxed slightly.
"Candice," he spoke. His throat hurt when he spoke. When the dragoness didn't respond, he spoke louder. "Candice!" He got up and took a couple steps towards her and suddenly began to cough hard.
The noise brought Candice back from her dormant state. She opened her eyes and lifted her head to see Tremor on his knees in a fit of harsh coughing.
"Tremor," She whispered drowsily. As her mind realized what she was seeing her heart leaped for joy. "Tremor!" She squealed and kicked wildly at the wall behind her, trying to get closer to the earth guardian.
"Candice..." Tremor wheezed before coughing hard again.
"Tremor, you're alive!" Candice sobbed tears of pure delight. "I thought you were dead! I thought I'd lost you again!"
Tremor continued to cough as he got off his knees and staggered towards his mate. "Come on Candy, you should know you can't get rid of me that easily." The ice guardian only smiled as he began to get a hold of his air. He moved to get closer to his dragoness but the chains that bound him yanked him back. Tremor tried to pull against the metal but only succeeded in coughing more.
"It's no use Tremor." Candice sighed sadly. "You're not close enough."
"Doesn't... mean..." Tremor began to pull against the chains again. "I... won't... try."
Candice just shook her head. "You know, I would say something about you being a thick-headed pebble-brain, but I'm just too happy to see you alive." Tears were streaming down Candice's cheeks and onto the cold, damp floor.
"Save your tears for a special occasion sweetie." Tremor smiled as he wheezed again. "How do we get out of here?"
"I've been trying to think of that for hours." Candice shook her head.
"Looked more like you were napping to me." Tremor grinned and Candice narrowed her eyes at him.
"Shut up." She snorted. "As I was saying, I have no idea where we are anyways. I haven't been able to come up with a plan of escape before the wolves return."
"Wolves?" Tremor stopped pulling on the chains and fixed his eyes on Candice.
Just then there was a loud clang as the bolts on the door came off. Tremor and Candice cringed against the blinding light of the hall beyond the doors. A single hulking wolf stood in the doorway, blocking out most of the light.
Snarl's eyes fell upon Tremor who squinted against the brightness. "Well now, I wasn't expecting you to be up. Not this soon anyways." He stepped inside the chamber and motioned for the guards to close the doors.
When they locked behind him the wolf paced around the room, putting himself between the young dragon and his female. "To tell you the truth I didn't believe you would ever wake up. You survived a volcano blast, encounters with my strongest warriors and even bested the Dark Master himself." Snarl smiled at the earth guardian as he continued to pace around the large room. "But don't forget about who you're dealing with here." Snarl stopped and pointed an authoritative claw at Tremor. The earth dragon's muscles tensed as he expected an attack. "I'm the Alpha male of my clan and I'm the most powerful amongst the other warriors."
"All I'm hearing is hot air, fuzz-face." Tremor snorted and stifled another cough.
"Oh you think so?" Snarl smiled as he continued around the room. "Let me ask you this. Is that what you thought when you first faced my warriors on the field of battle? I'm fairly certain that you didn't because you're still alive today. You took us seriously as any dragon should." Candice and Tremor exchanged suspicious glances. Tremor had no idea where the wolf was going with this speech but Candice was already getting a good idea. She shook her head but Tremor missed the gesture as he turned back to the wolf leader.
"If you have a point crotch-breath then get to it already; I haven't got all day." Tremor demanded spitefully.
Snarl chuckled in amusement. Then without warning he kicked Tremor in the stomach. The earth dragon yelled in pain and fell to the floor holding his gut.
"Tremor!" Candice shrieked and struggled against the chains but knew it was futile.
Snarl's laugh rang loud in the guardians ears. "You're starting to lose your head dragon." He cracked his knuckles as he continued pacing. "Your fight should be in your spirit, not your mouth."
Tremor glared at the wolf as he got to his feet, wheezing hard, trying to refrain from coughing. "Why don't you come closer and I'll put my fighting spirit where your face is," he growled.
Snarl laughed again. "You're making the same mistake." He swung his foot again; this time Tremor was ready and dodged it. But just as he was about to get away the chain choked him back down to the ground. Snarl continued to laugh mockingly at Tremor and brought his foot to rest on the dragon's neck, pinning him where he lay.
"I see you're quick to learn as well." Snarl smiled wickedly. Tremor glared daggers up at the wolf. Snarl tilted his head sideways as he looked down on the young dragon. "Those eyes, so sad." He shook his head in an act of false remorse. "I remember seeing those same eyes when I killed your sister."
"What!" Tremor's pupils shrank and he felt a roar build up from deep inside his chest.
"Tremor!" Candice shouted.
"Just before I left your sister to die the excruciatingly painful death she deserved, I remember seeing her look up at me with those same eyes. So strong and determined to fight until the end."
"You... mongrel!" Tremor growled through clenched teeth.
"Tremor no!" Candice pleaded.
"I will be honest, your so-called sister had the chance to back away. If she hadn't been so full of that arrogance you dragons call pride then she may have lived." Snarl leaned down, bringing his nose close to Tremor's face. "And judging by the way you are, I'd say that arrogance runs in the family.
Tremor let out a roar as he whirled on Snarl. The wolf was knocked off the young dragon and he staggered back several steps before catching himself on a chain that hung from the ceiling. He looked up at Tremor who lunged for him only to be held a few feet back by the chained shackles. Snarl laughed as Tremor gnashed his teeth and clawed wildly at the air.
"Yes! That's it! Get mad! I want you to lose yourself the way you did when I first met you! I want you to remember what I did! Think of how your sister looked after I butchered her myself! It was so delightful! I'd do it again and again if I could!" The laughing grew louder as Tremor continued to delve into an even more crazed state.
"No! Tremor! Stop!" Candice cried frantically. "This is just what he wants! He wants to see you in pain! Don't give him the pleasure! Don't you think you've suffered enough?" The ice guardian's words seemed to fall on deaf ears as Tremor's frenzy continued. The dragoness felt a lump in her throat as she watched helplessly as her love continued going postal before her very eyes. With each swipe towards the wolf he seemed to be clawing away from her.
Candice felt the tears of loss begin to swell in her eyes again. "Please stop..." She whimpered softly. "Please Tremor... Come back... To me..." She sniffled and lowered her head in defeat. "You promised..." She sobbed quietly as a few tears ran down her snout and fell onto the stone floor.
The tears hitting the floor sounded like thunder in Tremor's ears. He paused in mid-swipe and his pupils returned to normal. He sat down on his haunches and hung his head in shame. "I'm sorry Candice," He whispered. He looked up at Snarl with a calm and collected look. He had found his inner peace; his strength. "I won't fight you." He shook his head. "Not for revenge. Not for myself. I made a promise to the one I love not to lose myself. And I intend to keep that promise until the day I die." He didn't need to turn his head. He could sense Candice's head lift and he could feel her eyes staring into the back of his head.
"Oh, Tremor..." The ice guardian smiled to herself, thankful that he was back.
"I see." Snarl nodded thoughtfully and scratched his goatee. "I admire your strength, dragon." He began to pace about the room again and Tremor felt his muscles tense as he waited for the wolf to attack him. "You refuse to fight me because you don't want to lose yourself to the darkness of your heart and because you made a promise to your mate." Snarl stopped in front of Candice and looked from her to Tremor. "You know," he turned to Candice with a slight nod. "You're very lucky to have a mate that will do anything for you and obey your every command." He started to take another step to pace the room but whirled around, grabbing Candice by the throat and slamming her into the wall. The dragoness gave a gargled cry and Tremor's eyes grew wide.
"Candice!" He lunged forward to help her but only succeeded in having the shackle dig into his neck scales some more.
Candice squirmed to break free from Snarl's crushing grip as she gasped for air. Snarl's eyes locked with hers and Candice could see the evil intent within them. The Alpha turned towards Tremor with a devious smile spread across his muzzle.
"So how about it dragon?" He jeered. "If you won't fight to avenge your dead sister or for your self," the wolf gripped the handle to his bladed weapon. "Then how about you fight for her?"
Tremor's eyes were wide with horror as he glanced from his struggling dragoness to the object of his torment. "I... I... I can't!" He gasped heavily and hung his head, turning away from the sight before him.
Snarl frowned. He drew his weapon and pressed the blade to Candice's throat. "Do it... or she dies!" He growled. Tremor looked up and his pupils dilated. Snarl waited until the dragon was staring him in the eye. "Fight me." The wolf barked harsher this time. "Fight me or I swear that I'm going to spill her blood all over this chamber!"
"But I...!" Tremor started.
"Tremor!" Candice gagged as she felt the oxygen leave her body. "You... can... I'll be... fight..."
"But Candice! I..." Tremor was interrupted when Snarl pressed the sharp, jagged blade to the dragoness's soft skin. Candice gave a muffled cry as the blade slowly drew downward from her clavicle across her chest; blood trickling down her soft under belly and off the tip of her tail blade
"Alright!" Tremor cried as he fell to his knees in submission. "I give up... I'll fight you..."
"Good." Snarl smiled and immediately released Candice to turn to the earth guardian. "Now don't you dare hold back or I'll send that pretty little head of hers rolling."
Tremor gritted his teeth against the anger that threatened to take over his mind. "I made a promise to always be there for her." He growled as he got to his feet. "I keep my promises. I'm not going to let her down." All at once the ground shook and Tremor let out a thunderous roar. His scales glistened in the dim lantern light. Snarl cringed from the loud noise and tightened his grip on his weapon.
"Now that's more like it." He laughed.
"You won't be saying that when I'm done with you." Tremor growled. "I'm going to defeat you once and for all!"