Draco, Contrinus, Chip and Cydra are property of my co-author, Cydra.

Matt, his merc team, the NSC and related tech, the ancients/atlanteans and malefors dragon generals are mine.

CPS Chronicles

Soulless Abyss

Chapter 7: Walking on Eggshells

The whole thing started rather unexpectedly, as such events commonly do, one evening in Warfang. It had been a week since the adventure at the pirate stronghold and Techo was still decoding the data crystal they had recovered.

Matt and Chloe had been walking down the street, looking for something to eat when two female dragons barrelled past them.

Matt and Chloe exchanged a glance. "Don't look at me...this is new to me too." said Matt, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Is there some sort of monster attacking?" asked Chloe. Matt looked around. "A monster that can make dragons run for the hills would be pretty big...I see no Godzilla." he said.

Just then, Matt got a call on his comm. "Hey Lynch," said NegaMorph, "The girl dragons are going nuts around here. It's like some boy band came into town or something." "Hell if I know. This never happened all the times I was here." said Matt, before being knocked over by another dragon. "OI...WATCH IT!" he yelled.

The ice dragoness paused, turned around, and froze Matt on the spot. "Ok, maybe I should have been nicer," said Matt. Chloe peered down a side street to see more dragonesses running around. "Why is it only the girls running around like its doomsday?" she said. "Maybe we should check on Sonya," said Matt.

The two headed for Sonya and Smoldron's quarters. The two had gone through the bonding ceremony a few days earlier, the Avalarian equivalent of a marriage. Matt knocked on the door. "Sonya? Smoldron? You ok? Somethings going down out here." he said.

There wasn't any response so Matt knocked louder. "Sonya, are you-" he started. "GO AWAY!" snapped Sonya's voice. Matt jumped back at that. "Erm...you sure, you're ok?" said Matt, before jumping again as a ice blast froze the door shut.

"Ok, something's up," said Chloe. They heard a moan behind them and turned to see Megan, clutching her head. Matt walked up to her. "Did draco dare you to try some Kr'ta? You look like you have a hangover." he said.

"It's not that," said Megan, "With the lust that's in the air, it's overloading me and giving me a major headache." Matt and Chloe's faces suddenly set as their brains got a good idea what...activities Sonya was up too. "I'm suddenly glad she kept us out." said Matt weakly.

"It's not just them, like every couple in Warfang," said Megan. "Oh my lord." said Matt simply. "I vote we hide order everyone back aboard the nighthawk before someone walks in on something that breaks their brain." he said.

"Like you haven't done anything like this," said Chloe before smacking Matt on the head. Matt just glared before muttering something in splitter.

After spending the rest of the day in sub-orbit, the gang returned to Warfang the next morning. Fortunately, the lust levels have dropped back down to normal. The city seemed back to normal as well. "I'd better go tell Zara an enormous whopper of a lie to explain why we went into orbit." said Matt, gloomily.

Matt and Chloe wandered up to the temple to find the four eldars waiting. Matt also noticed that Zara looked like she had been crying. "Greetings." said Matt, bowing formally. He had a feeling that this was a time for manners.

"I see that you've spent the night away from Warfang," said Terrador, "A reasonable choice, considering what last night was." "Yeah...what happened last night?" said Chloe.

"Well, we dragons have a mating season, one month every year where our females are most fertile and can lay eggs," said Cyril, "And once every 8 years, there's a full moon on a night within the mating season. When that occurs, all the females who have mated will go into a frenzy where they will seek their mates and coopulate. This is the one night they're completely guaranteed to produce an egg."

Matt twitched a bit at this as Chloe said "And if they can't?" she said faintly. "Then they still lay an egg, one that will never hatch," said Zara sadly. Chloe and Matt were silent at this. Now it was more obvious why Eldar Zara looked so depressed. Matt took off his hat. "I'm sorry to hear that." he said.

"My mate has been dead for several years," said Zara sadly, "It is a hard burden to bear." Matt and Chloe fell silent at this. "So...the eggs...I'm guessing you put them...somewhere." said Matt awkwardly.

"Yes, the unhatchable eggs contain very powerful magic," said Terrador, "If they were to fall into wrong hands, it could be catastrophic. Which is why they shall be locked away in the Cave of Stillborn Dreams."

"Cheery name." said Matt, gloomily. Eldar Zara protested "We cannot risk the eggs on such a journey...not while those dark creatures roam the planet." Matt siad automatically "We could take them." before his brain stopped his mouth.

"Excellent idea," said Cyril. Chloe, however, glared at Matt and mouthed, "I will kill you." Matt said "Sure...how hard can it be...mmmph!" He said before Chloe gagged him.

Spyro and Cynder were not delighted about the prospect of their mission. Since they were too young to be mated, Cynder didn't go through the same frenzy as the other females. "We just have to drop the eggs off at this cave. Hell, I pity anyone who take a shot at us." said Matt.

"I'd rather not go to this cave," said Cynder, shuddering, "I've heard it's haunted by the dragons that weren't born." Matt looked confused at this. "Its haunted by people who haven't existed? Ow." he said as Chloe stomped on his foot. "So how many eggs are there, anyways?" asked Draco. "4...Including Eldar Zara's so please let nothing go wrong." said Matt.

"You mean like Morph eating one?" asked Chip. Chloe blinked "Why would you say...MORPH, TAKE THAT OUT OF YOUR MOUTH!" she shrieked. Morph, who had half an egg stuffed in his mouth, mumbled, "Buh ine humgay." (translation: But I'm hungry')

Matt ran over and pulled the egg out before using plasma control to squash Morph flat. "NO EATING THE CARGO!" he yelled, bashing Morph on the floor with each word. Chloe watched as Matt began to continue to squish Morph and laugh a bit insanely. "And my brothers mood...where's the blowpipe?"

"Ok, does anyone here know how to drive a wagon?" asked Matt. "You can fly a battleship and a tank but not a wagon?" said Draco, trying not to grin. "Tanks aren't pulled by living creatures," said Matt, pointing at the ox that was supposed to be harnessed to the wagon.

"Speaking of eggs, look what we've got here," said Contrinus pointing. The group turned to see Sonya and Smoldron walking towards them. Sonya had a satchel tied to her neck while Smoldron was walking like his knees were weak and he had a big grin frozen on his face.

Matt said "Smoldron you old dog, erm...dragon." he said before noticing that smoldron seemed to be a bit glassy eyed. "Smoldron...you ok?" he said, tapping him on the head.

"Let me handle this," said Chloe. She rubbed her hands together and put them on his horns. "Clear," she said before sending an electric current through his horns. Smoldron yelped as the shock went down his back, making his tail shoot out rigid. "GYAH..." he said. Matt said "Smoldron? Are you back now?"

Smoldron shook his head and said, "I feel rather lightheaded." "Yeah, that's normal," said Matt. Chloe however had wandered over to Sonya. "So...that eggs..." she began. Sonya smiled "Yes...it is." she said.

"Congratulations, you two," said Contrinus. She turned to Draco and said, "That give you any ideas?" "Uh..." Draco looked around frantically before saying, "I, er, better get that ox hitched up." Chloe, Sonya and Contrinus all said "Wuss." "Ooh, can I be the godfather?" asked Morph. "No, you cannot because you could not be trusted with a chicken egg," said Chip.

Sonya said "Actually...we've already got two in mind." "Let me guess, Spyro and Cynder?" asked Matt. Smoldron shook his head. "Nope. Actually we had someone else in mind." Chloe seemed interested, turning and asking "Oh? Who?" "Well, we would be honored if you two would be the godparents," said Sonya.

Matt and Chloe stared. Matt made a funny noise before falling backwards. Chloe however handled it better. "Oh, erm...we'd...we'd be honoured...OH FOR HEAVENS SAKE...Someone kick Matt." "Ooh, I'll do it!" called NegaMorph, running over. Chloe gulped "No...he's supposed to be able to wake up afterwards." "Ah, not even one below the belt?" asked NegaMorph. Chloe glared, pointed her finger at Negamorph and fried him with electrical bolt.

"Ow..." moaned NegaMorph before falling down next to Matt. Matt woke up with an 'oof' and pushed Negamorph off. "Hey there...I had the wierd dream...I dreamt that Sonya n Smoldron had laid an egg...just like that one and had asked me n Chloe to be godparents..." he said in a dazed voice.

"Should we tell him now or will he just spaz out again?" asked Techo. "Ah, lets tell him...get it over with." said Chloe. "Tell me what?" asked Matt. "It wasn't a dream, it really happened, blah, blah, blah, can we get moving now?" asked Chris. Matt made a 'heh heh' and fell backwards again.

Chloe rolled her eyes and said, "He'll probably accept it about the tenth time we tell him. Now let's get these eggs rolling before they go bad." "Actually, dragon eggshells are completely hermetically sealed and since there's no embryo inside, these eggs won't spoil so long as their shells aren't cracked," said Chip. The others gave Chip an odd look. "I've read it in the library," explained Chip. "Just keep Morph away." whispered Chloe.

Some time later, the eggs were finally loaded into a straw-filled wagon which was then covered with a blanket. "Now remember," said Matt, "The key to this mission is low-key. Don't do anything that will attract attention at all." "So why are you coming along?" asked NegaMorph.

Matt glared at Negamorph and dived at him. Chloe sidestepped the fighting duo and said to Cynder. "Didn't Malefor ever send you after the cave? Seems to me that if these things are so powerful, they could have made all the difference in his little war." she said.

"I can't quite remember," said Cynder, "But I think I recall something about Malefor have some scruples regarding the cave." Chloe raised an eyebrow. "That creep having morals? Thats not very believable." she said. "I know, but it's the only reason I can think of," said Spyro.

"Well...at least that scratches one danger off the list." said Chloe, confidently, before looking at the map that Volteer had provided. "Its a shame we can't just take the ship but there's nowhere to land. It's a good 2 day walk from here." she said. "Not to mention a ship would stand out like a beacon on this planet," said Chip.

That night the group had set up camp at the foot of the mountain range that their destination was located in. Everyone had finally settled down for the night. Suddenly, Cynder's eyes shot open, their colour an eerie solid yellow before she walked down to the small nearby pond where the group had gotten their water.

She touched the surface of the water with her claw and it instatly smoothed out, revealing a completely different reflection. Malefor's reflection was in its place. "What news, my dear?" he said.

"Master, they are taking the unhatchable eggs to the Cave of Stillborn Dreams," said Cynder. Malefor sighed "I see...this information may be useful." he said.

In Malefor's lair, Darkans appeared just as Malefor was about to disregard the information. Despite everything, his respect for the cave still stood. "I trust you will act on this information." he said, startling the dragon. "I...rather not," said Malefor, "The Cave of Stillborn Dreams is not to be disturbed."

"I'm sorry...did I phrase that as a QUESTION?" said Darkans, sending a wave of pain into Malefor as he yelled the last word. Malefor winced and said, "As you...command."

"Very good. Four Vorn warriors will accompany you to make sure...and Malefor? I think miss Cynder should have permanent residence here now...see to it when you see her." said Darkans, four of the armoured warriors that had attacked the pirate fortress appearing beside Malefor.

Malefor watched as Darkans vanished. "What am I doing?" he thought.

Spyro had been walking around before he stopped to yawn. He was having a bit of difficulty falling asleep, probably because of the tension of the mission ahead. He once heard that humans counted sheep to help fall asleep, but doing that only made him hungry. Apparently, he wasn't the only one with sleeping problems as he spotted a sleeping Cynder standing by the pond.

She looked like she was sleepwalking again, like she had at her old tower. "Cynder?" he said, walking up to her. Cynder jerked before looking around. "Wha? Spyro?" she said, confused. "You were sleepwalking again," said Spyro.

Cynder yawned. "I thought I was past that after we went to my old tower." she said in a tired voice. She turned to take a drink and jerked back. She briefly thought she saw Malefor on the pond's surface, but when she looked again, it was just her reflection. "I must not be fully awake," she told herself.

Spyro said kindly "Lets go back to the camp and get some sleep."

The next morning, the gang set off again. The mountain had apparently once also been defended by the ancients during their first stay, the path having several half-collapsed buildings next to it. "Kinda reminds ya of those western movies where the travelling pioneers have to pass through a ghost town, doesn't it?" said Draco.

"Yeah...the scene where the bandits attack the caravan...guys, lets keep it attentive." said Matt, waving to the marines that had tagged along with the group. "It does kinda catches the age-old tradition of western fiction, coupling it with the peace, tranquility, and majesty of the great out- WILL YOU KNOCK IT OFF?" said Chip, snapping at Morph who had been humming "Dum dee dum-dum, dum dee dum-dum, dum dee dum-dum..." for some length now.

There was a rattling from a ridge above them, a higher part of the path that ran parallel to them. A few stones fell down. "Ok...now I'm worried." said Matt, looking around. Something was making him feel uneasy, very uneasy.

"I wonder if they have mountain goats up here," said Draco. "I don't think so," said Chip, "If there were, they'd be on a different type of mountain than this." Mat gulped "I've been here a year...no goats..." he said. Chloe said "Last time I felt like this was when those armoured guys were running a amok on the pirate fortress." she said. Suddenly a hail of bolts hit one of the marines from the ridge, shrouding him in white smoke and throwing him aside, stone dead. The group looked up to see three of the armoured warriors standing on the ridge, firing a storm of bolts at the group.

"Ambush!" called Matt, "Protect the cargo! And I don't mean eat it!" "Rats," muttered Morph. The group dived for cover, firing their rifles. The warriors armour however seemed to be made of sturdy stuff, as even the armour piercing rounds the gang used on empire droids bounced off harmlessly. Another marine fell screaming as a bolt hit him first in the arm before a second hit him in the chest. Another warrior staggered from a fireball from Spyro before firing at the dragon.

Chip had also been firing at the warriors, but either their armor was invulnerable to his attacks or they had very strong anti-virus programs. Then a thought occured to Chip. The warriors may not be damageable, but their surroundings were. He then took one of the machine gun-like blasters and started firing at the cliff the warriors were standing on.

The cliff gave way, sending one of the warriors down with several tons of boulders. The others looked at each other and calmly lowered their wrist guns before walking off, shimmering into nothing as they went. Matt walked up to the pile of rocks before a blast nearly blew his head off. The warrior pulled himself out, pulling off its damaged helmet to reveal a human-like face with black eyes.

"Ok, now that's creepy," said Matt. The warrior glared. "Inferiors." it said in a hollow voice before a bang was heard and its head whipped back. Chloe had a rail-pistol drawn. "No armour...no protection." she said as the body seemed to dissolve into black mist.

"Was that a Heartless?" asked Contrinus. "If it was, I've never seen one like it." said Matt, looking at the now empty armour and slotting one of the blasters on before trying it to no effect. "For a start, they're clever enough to make sure we can't use their guns." he said.

Chip examined the armor and said, "This looks like the same thing as those other warriors wore when they attacked the pirate base." Matt nodded. "Of all the times to leave the positron rifles at home." he muttered.

Meanwhile, the two warriors that had retreated were reporting to Malefor. "Sir, we have failed our objective," said one of them. "And they have managed to eliminate our comrade," said the other.

Malefor silently was pleased. The eldars who had begun the egg tradition had placed some interesting locks on the cave. The fourth warrior had found this out briefly before being evaporated. "I see you also failed to capture Cynder...you will go back and capture them...take your flying machine if you must." he said , coldly.

Malefor watched them go. He had suggested that path for the ambush in the hope that the humans annoying resourcefulness might have reactivated some of the weapons there. Now they would hopefully shoot down the dark one 'dart' fighter and he would have to return to Darkans.

"There's a good chance that I will pay dearly for this," muttered Malefor to himself before glancing at the cave. The energy barrier blocking it resembled a semi-visible lightning cloud, a pile of ash where the warrior it had killed visible on the ground in it. There was a mechanical wailing and Malefor turned to see the arrow-head shaped fighter lift off and head down the mountain range.

"Well, hopefully they'll just bring back Cynder," said Malefor, "Proper minions are so hard to replace."

Back down the mountain, the ruins had vanished, giving way to traces of the pre-Malefor dragon civilization. Cynder looked around. "You know, I kinda got a feeling of deja vu," said Cynder. Spyro looked around. "Didn't Malefor ever try to have you raid here, given the power stored here?" he said.

"I think I once suggested it," said Cynder, "But Malefor turned it down, forbid it even." Matt was walking along just behind them. "We're talking about the same Malefor...right? Same guy who twisted you and tried to do the same to Smoldron?" he said.

"I know, I keep trying to ask myself why he wouldn't want to raid the cave, but I can't think of anything plausable," said Cynder. "Well...least the git had some standards then." muttered Matt.

Chloe however was talking to Negamorph, who was looking at the symbol on the dark one warrior helmet. "It's probably a coincidence," said Chloe, "Those symbols could have opposite meanings for all we know." "We don't know how much preparation the emperor did before you and me were...recruited." said Negamorph, gloomily before throwing the helmet over the side of the path in anger.

"But Virustoxico made you out of cloned experiment DNA and Soul Shades, I don't see what those would have to do with Heartless," said Chloe. "Who knows?" said Negamorph, kicking a pebble over the side. He stopped in confusion as there was a clunk over the side.

"Uh, this mountain's made out of rock, right?" asked NegaMorph. Chloe was about to answer before there was a deafening mechanical wail and a ship seemingly made from purple metal hovered into view before shooting over their heads. "Ha! Missed us!" called Morph.

The ship turned on a dime and shot back, wailing at them. A blue bolt shot out its nose and hit Morph before it swept over Techo, Draco and Chip, the air shimmering. When it flew on, the trio had vanished. Morph tottered over, smoking a little before saying, "Sunday is...Pancake Day..." and then fell over.

"What did that do?" yelled Matt, before throwing a plasma orb at the ship as it came in for another pass, only for it to bounce off. It used whatever it had used on Techo, Draco and Chip to sweep up Chloe, Chris and Morph.

"No way I'm being swept up like a dust bunny," said NegaMorph before firing nega blasts at the aircraft. The ship shook slightly before sending a blast at Matt and Negamorph, knocking them down. Spyro and Cynder got ready to take off before another blast almost hit them. The fighter then used its beam to sweep up the wagon, taking Cynder as well, before heading towards the summit where the cave was.

A few minutes later, Matt, Spyro, and NegaMorph were coming back around. "Ow, what was that?" asked Spyro. "Hell if I know...damn." said Matt, getting up and wincing. "This did not go well...Zara's gonna kill us." Spyro looked around and noticed Cynder disappeared. "Oh no, they've got Cynder," said Spyro, "They're probably going to take them to Malefor."

"Then lets go up there and kill him...third time lucky?" said Matt. "Question is, where'd they take them?" asked Spyro. "We try the cave...if old zombie breath is after the eggs, he'll be there. I guess he got over his attack of standards." said Negamorph, before opening a shadow portal. "Oh no...we can walk...AAAH!" said Matt before Negamorph pushed him inside.

"Uh, you sure that's safe," asked Spyro. "Oh, he's fine," said NegaMorph, "He's just a big baby." There was an echoing scream from the portal along the lines of 'OH DEAR LORD' before it was cut off. "Mostly." amended Negamorph.

"Uh, can't I just fly-" started Spyro before NegaMorph said, "Nonsense, this is faster. Now get going." He then pushed Spyro through before jumping in himself.

Back at the cave, Cynder came too to see a familiar pair of forepaws in front of her. "General Cynder. How good to see you again." said Malefor. Cynder growled and said, "The pleasure is definitely not mine."

"Please, Miss Cynder. If I wanted you dead, my warriors could have destroyed you in their ship with ease." said Malefor in a casual voice, bringing a paw to his face and examining his claws like it was just a friendly meeting.

"Then I suppose you'll be trying to recruit me again," said Cynder, "Well my answer is, and always will be, no." "But Miss Cynder...how do you think we found out you were coming?" said Malefor, smoothly. "You had spies in the shadows, big deal," said Cynder.

"You are partially right in that respect...but who's shadow?" said Malefor smoothly before looking at the cave. "Did you ever wonder why I forbade you or Gaul to come here?" he said.

"Actually, I was rather puzzled," confessed Cynder, "I kept trying to think of a reason, but none of them seemed very likely." "I remember...when Eldar red turned on his fellows...being called away from my dear Devina one full moon. I did not return in time." said Malefor, apparently staring into the middle distance in sad recollection.

"Devina? You don't mean...You mean you two were..." started Cynder. "Yes...my son is in that cave somewhere..." said Malefor. "I may be what I am...but I will always respect this cave." he said, adding "No matter what Darkans says."

"Um...wow..." said Cynder, "I didn't think you two were that close. She seemed rather...aloof." "She had her softer moments..." said Malefor wistfully before turning to Cynder. "You helped me a great deal..."

"What are you talking about?" demanded Cynder. "Haven't you figured it out yet?" said Malefor, "I've been using a pair of eyes and ears that had direct access to most of my enemy councils, completely un-suspectable." Cynder's eyes widened and she said, "No, it can't be. I couldn't-" "Of course, it came with a few disadvantages, such as being able to falsify some info," interrupted Malefor.

Cynder looked shellshocked. "No matter the outcome...you WILL be returning with me." said Malefor, now in his familier cold voice. "I would sooner die," hissed Cynder. "My dear...I know thats not true." said Malefor, in a amused voice that made Cynder flinch.

Just then, the shadow portal spat out Matt, Spyro, and NegaMorph farther along the mountain. Matt gulped. "I feel like roadkill." he said weakly. "Oh, quit your wining," said NegaMorph, "You're undamaged, aren't you?" Spyro didn't look much better. "Oooh...why are there 4 of you?" he said, gulping.

"No wonder your species never built rollercoasters," said NegaMorph. "Oh, kiss my ass." said Matt weakly, before walking out of the ruin they had warped into and jumping back. The other two peered out to see the fighter from earlier, landed. "Well...we found em." muttered Matt.

"And it looks like we've found the cave too," said NegaMorph, noticing the cave the fighter was parked in front of. "Wait...where are the others?" said Matt. Suddenly, one of the warriors, minus his helmet walked round the corner and pressed something on the ship. There was a wailing noise and the missing members of the gang appeared, out cold.

"Well, that answers that," said NegaMorph. "No, Cynder's not with them," said Spyro in a concerned voice. "No helmet." said Matt, pointing his finger, a small needle-shaped plasma bolt appearing.

NegaMorph grabbed Matt's and squeezed it tight, cutting off Matt's concentration and circulation, causing the plasma bolt to flick out. "You crazy? "There's two of them...remember?" he hissed at Matt, proved right as the fellow warrior walked round the corner and said something to his companion that made them both laugh.

Matt growled and said, "I could take that other one." "Think for once." said Negamorph, angrily. "Ok, fine, what would you do, smartycoat?" snapped Matt. Negamorph grinned toothily. "Spyro? Come on with me."

The warrior looked over as some of the inferiors began to wake before hearing someone. "Yo, blackhead! Your mother never kissed you did she? Of course not, you don't have any lips! But I bet she slapped you a lot!" called NegaMorph.

The warrior turned to look to see Negamorph, before aiming at him and firing. Negamorph ducked it and laughed "Whats the matter? Blind as well?" The warrior growled and walked into the ruin, only for Spyro to tackle him hard enough into the wall to break the warriors neck.

Matt only glared and grumbled, "I could have done that." The trio peered out again to see the last warrior looking for his friend before messing with his ship again to make the wagon appear. Chloe began to stir and the warrior casually aimed its blaster at her. Matt saw red at this, coming back to his senses to see the warrior slumped in front of him, definitely dead judging from the state it was in.

"Erm, did I do that?" asked Matt. Negamorph nodded "Yup...you definately are over protective." he said, helping Matt up. "Let's wake up the others," said Matt, "I wanna dump off these eggs as soon as possible."

Malefor however was still talking to Cynder. "Your friends are most likely dead by now...I am sorry to say that my new allies are not as merciful as I ever was." he said. "What makes you think they'll not be able to handle themselves?" said Cynder.

"Because they will be unconscious like you were when you emerged from their trap. The dark ones will have no qualms with executing them while they sleep." said Malefor. "Spyro will be gone." "You're forgetting two things: Matt and NegaMorph," said Cynder, "They weren't swept up with me. They'll be here any minute to, what's that term, kick your butt." "I doubt it." said Malefor, smugly.

"You don't get it," said Cynder, "I've seen Matt when someone he cares about is in danger. You don't want to be standing in his way." "Yes, he is a pain...of course there is spyro..." said Malefor before leaning in close "I understand that the weapons of my allies cause great pain before death."

Cynder growled and said, "They won't succeed. Since when have your allies ever succeeded?" "You did." said Malefor, with a cruel smile. Cynder growled louder and said, "You think I'll turn to your side just because you bring up old memories?" "You will have nobody left after today...who do you think will be blamed if you return alone?" said Malefor.

Cynder roared and said, "You won't be killing anyone ever!" "Thats the Cynder that once served me." said Malefor.

Not far away, Spyro had slipped off to try and find Malefor and Cynder and now was being held back by Negamorph. "Dammit...wait for the others." muttered Negamorph. "We can't, Malefor could be re-corrupting her by now," said Spyro. "How will getting killed help her?" said Negamorph. "We don't have time for this," said Spyro, trying to push past NegaMorph.

At that Spyro managed to push Negamorph off and vaulted over the rock they were behind. "GET AWAY FROM HER!" he roared, charging Malefor. Malefor turned and spotted Spyro. "Ah, Spyro, what perfect timing," said Malefor as if he had just put the kettle on for tea.

At that, his eyes glowed yellow and several dozen heartless appeared around spyro. "Do watch, Cynder...see what your betrayal brings." he said before mentally commanding the heartless to attack. Spyro blasted them with his fire breath, incinerating several of them.

Another jumped on Spyro's back and tried to dig his claws into the dragons back. Spyro snarled and rolled to crush the heartless on the floor before getting up and using his convexity breath to blast the final heartless and turning to face Malefor...only for a almost black blast to send him flying.

Spyro slammed into a wall and slid to the ground. He sat up and shook his head. "Like it?" said Malefor, "One of a few gifts I have gained from my 'friends'." Cynder cried out as Malefor blasted Spyro again, laughing as he did. A heartless warrior type appeared behind her, grabbing her to hold her back. "I should have seeked these people out before we met...maybe our battle would have ended differently?" taunted Malefor, pinning Spyro under his paw and readying a blast, only for a plasma ball and lightning bolt to hit the side of his head.

"Well this battle's gonna end like it always does," said Matt as he and Chloe stepped forward. "With you fleeing with your tail between your legs," said Chloe. At those words they activated their ion staffs for emphasis as the rest of the gang turned up. Malefor shook the stars from his head before snarling. "You're like a cockroach." he hissed before spitting a purple fireball at them.

Matt dodged it and said, "Yeah, I get that a lot." Spyro said "Look out for the..." and winced as Malefor used his new dark fireball to send Matt flying and finished with "...new fireball." Matt got back up a little dizzily and said, "Ok, new fireball, got it, check please." Malefor roared and spat another fireball, this time at Draco.

Draco barely dodged and said, "Phew, that was too clo- Whoa!" He was suddenly picked up by his tail by the dark warrior with the seemingly-broken neck. "I thought you killed this guy," said Draco. "Inferior." hissed the dark one warrior before spinning Draco round like a flail and throwing him into Chloe. He then took aim at Chris and began shooting.

"There are too many here," said Malefor suddenly, "We have to fall back." The warrior looked over in surprise before keeling over as Chloe shot him in the face. Malefor backed up as the gang began to surround him. "Release Cynder and maybe we'll accept a surrender." said Chloe, her blade at the ready. Malefor smirked "I think not." he said before making a gesture Negamorph recognized

"Stop him! He's gonna open-" shouted NegaMorph before a shadowy portal opened. "I may be forfeiting, but I'm taking a consolation prize," said Malefor. Spyro ran forward as Malefor and the heartless holding Cynder melted into the ground, taking the young dragoness with it. "CYNDER...NOOO!" he yelled, scrabbling at the ground where Cynder had been in desperation. "Spyro, it's no use, they're gone," said NegaMorph.

"No...no, she can't be...you can make those portals...help me follow them." said Spyro, turning to Negamorph, his eyes glistening with tears at the terrible possibilities now going through his head. "Well, I could, I'm just not sure if I can link up with theirs," said NegaMorph. Spyro glared and pinned Negamorph. "HELP ME!" he roared.

"Hey, you know I would if I could," said NegaMorph, "I'd give it a try, but I'm not certain if I'll get the right address." Matt walked up. "What would happen if you got it wrong?" he said. "Probably not anything good," said NegaMorph, "Might end up knocking on Cthulu's front door for all I know."

Matt nodded before turning to Spyro. "We'll get her back...but we'll need a plan. We go in half-cooked and we'll get killed." he said. "Er, speaking of half-cooked, you might want to check on Morph," said Chip. Morph had a small campfire going and was warming up a large frying pan on it. "How do you like your eggs?" asked Morph. Matt clicked a finger and made plasma control squash Morph into a disk shape.

"Over easy," said Matt, "Though sometimes I like them scrambled." With that, Matt sent Morph bouncing off the various landscape features before knocking him into the lightning field and back out, now trailing wisps of smoke and finally into Negamorph's face. NegaMorph peeled him off and muttered "Tilt," before tossing Morph over his shoulder. Spyro just stared at where Cynder disappeared. "I hope she's ok," he muttered.

Meanwhile, Cynder was struggling to break her shadowy bonds. Malefor looked over at her. "I suggest you calm down. You cannot break free and even if you could...where would you go?" he said as Darkans came in, apparently furious. "I see instead of an army, you brought a baby." he said in a worryingly calm voice.

"I assure you, she has power enough on her own," said Malefor. Darkans sighed "With some...additions yes. Now...where is the army you said you would fetch?" he said, his eyes glowing from barely contained fury.

Malefor growled and said, "I might not be considered a model dragon, I'm hardly even the most popular one on this planet, but I'll be damned before I let you lay a claw on my mate's egg!"

Darkans smiled. "So you disobeyed me?" he said and vanished in a cloud of flame as Malefor blasted him. The smoke appeared to see a dark mist that reformed into Darkans who yawned and then pinned Malefor to the far wall with a gesture.

Cynder could only stare in shock and horror. She never imagined another being could pin Malefor like that. Darkans walked casually up to Malefor. "You think more with your heart then your mind...a terrible drawback as a servant...but I can solve that..." he said before making another gesture.

Malefor roared loudly in pain as darkness started to cover his body. But then a reddish-pink light start to glow in the center of his torso. The glow grew brighter until a glowing heart emerged from Malefor and floated towards Darkans. That's when Malefor stopped roaring and then his body slowly faded away into nothing.

Darkans stepped back as if waiting. Cynder was just staring in horror. Darkans said to her cockily "Wait for it." Then the heart became covered in darkness. The darkness grew and started to take shape and form. In a few seconds, what looked like a black version of Malefor stood there, the Heartless symbol on his chest. Darkans smirked at Cynder. "Now that is dealt with...I suppose I should start work on you..." he said.

The return to Warfang was not very cheerful. Technically, their mission was a success, but they still felt like they've failed. Spyro was definately the most depressed of all. The eldars listened gloomily as the group told the tale that had taken place.

"I had a feeling Malefor would do this," said Terrador, "I don't distrust Cynder, but I had suspicions that Malefor was getting his claws into her." Spyro glared "She didn;t choose to go with him." he said angrily. "There is no questionability regarding her opinion towards alliance with Malefor," said Volteer, "But his more malevolent colleagues are more forceful regarding the acquisition of reinforcements."

"Cynder's stronger than that." said Spyro. Matt nodded "If she wasn't then we'd have died at the tower." he added in support. "True, but the Dark Ones have greater power than Malefor," said Cyril, "Whether they can completely control her, I cannot say. But I fear the next time we meet her, she will attack us."

Spyro's head dropped at this and he turned to leave. "Nice...real nice." said Matt and turned to follow. Terrador glanced at Zara and said, "I noticed that you haven't blamed the humans for this problem." Zara looked as Chloe walked out after the other two. "There was nothing they could have done." she said.

End of Chap 7

On no...Cynder caught by the dark ones. This won't end well for the gang. Tune in next time.