Disclaimer: I own nothing except my characters. Other canon characters are owned by their respective companies.

Exclaimer: To people who don't like the story, just don't read it.

Chapter 13

Magic

Night had fallen as the dark skies became even darker. The forest began to quiet down as the animals within laid down to rest, and the night prowlers begin to do their routines. The purple dragon that was still walking about was now exhausted and not to mention hungry. Malefor had been walking for seemingly hours now and he still couldn't find a suitable place for him to get some rest. Not even a cave. His stomach had been growling the entire time, but it would seem luck had escaped him. Not a single speck of life crossed his path as he traversed the forest. However, he couldn't blame the fauna in the area. The Enchanted Forest was borderline with the Ancient Grove where far more sentient and not to mention violent and dangerous creatures walk about.

And the fact that it was night time lowered his chances of finding something to eat for tonight. He shook his head, finally giving up and resigning himself to the fact that he'd be sleeping tonight on an empty belly. Food problems aside, his main objective was to find a place to seek shelter for the night. Wandering around at night was a bad thing to do, regardless of where you were.

It was even too dark for him to see. Then he remembered something. Something Master Gale had taught him. There was a magic spell he could do that would help him see in the dark; a light spell to be precise. Magic was one of the arcane arts that were never taught to students of the dragon Temple. Mostly due to the fact that it was a purple dragon exclusive trait; however, there were super rare cases, such as his Master, who was able to do magic, even though he was a wind dragon. The reason he gave when he asked him how, was that it was his perseverance that granted him the ability. All dragons could perform magic, but it was only the Purple Dragons that could easily access and take control of it. Others had to persevere and hone their skills.

"Let's see…how was it again…?"

Malefor clicked his tongue, before remembering the word.

"Illuminate!"

Malefor felt the atmosphere around him shift as a ball of light began to form out of thin air. He smiled, realizing he could still do magic. It was long ago since the last spell he casted and he was glad that he could still perform and deliver. However, much like before, he felt his energy drain a bit. Same as using one's element, magic draws it power from the elemental energy stored in a dragon. It siphons it, the same way when one uses his element.

"I need to get some rest." Malefor padded on, his eyes scanning the area. With his light spell, he had an easier time finding his way, but no closer to finding a shelter. All hope was seemingly lost, up until he came upon a rock face that jutted upwards. He must have ventured into the Ancient Grove now, as he had been walking for what seemed like hours. That and the fact that the trees in the area no longer had the green leafy leaves that decorated it; it was barren, dead and foreboding. Scanning the side, he sighed in relief, seeing what seem like a cave, leading inwards. It was rather too dark inside, and not even his light spell could illuminate to the very end. He walked in, and found a comfortable corner. His light source disappearing, he welcomed the warm embrace of sleep, as he finally got to rest, after a tiring day, even though his stomach revolted against it.

0 0 0 0 0

"I cannot believe how everything had turned out today…" said Spyro as he lied down.

The four of them were gathered around a fire, warming up for the night. Cynder was seated beside Spyro, lazily watching the smoke that was rising upwards, and escaping through the hole at the top of the Atlawa hut. Sparx was almost half asleep, yawning every now and then, sitting lethargically on Spyro's back. Izrayl was the least comfortable out of everyone. He was stiff, and his face had stress written all over it.

"Are you still thinking about it?" asked Cynder, noticing how troubled Izrayl was.

"…yes…" he answered. "I can't help it."

Flashback:

Time Frame: Earlier that Day

Everyone was taken aback at the sight before them.

It was utter destruction everywhere. It would seem a part of the Atlawa Village was burned down. What on earth happened?

"Who could have done this?" asked Izzy, examining the sight before him.

"Spyro?" asked a voice.

The four turned their heads to find a familiar looking Atlwa looking curiously at them. It was Sparx who recognized him quickly.

"Kane! It's nice to see you again!" he replied, flying over to him.

"Sparx! I see you haven't change! Is that you Spyro? You've…" The Atlawa was trying to find the right word.

"You've gotten bigger!" he finished. Spyro just laughed sheepishly.

"And who is—"Kane gasped, and a look of shock and fear crossed his face.

Spyro looked to see where he was staring, and saw him look at Cynder. It took him a few seconds to realize what it was about.

"Kane! Wait! Before you say anything, she's—"

"You! What are you doing back here!" he exclaimed, drawing his weapon.

He drew his weapon; towards Izrayl.

"Hey!" said Izrayl, feeling a little intimidated by the sharp pointed end of the spear. "Spyro? I thought he was your friend!"

"He…is," said Spyro, caught off guard by the sudden turn of things. "What in the world?"

"What are you doing Kane?" asked Sparx, confused.

"This dragon," he glanced at Spyro but didn't lower his weapon. "He was the one that was the leading the apes."

Izrayl felt like he was slapped at the face. "What!"

Kane just responded by staring daggers at him.

"And here I thought I was the one that should be having trouble with the locals…" commented Cynder.

"That's not possible. Izrayl has been with us the entire time!" defended Spyro.

"He didn't even leave our sight the entire time we were here."

Kane stared hard at Spyro, before turning to look at Izrayl, as if searching for something. Inevitably, the tension was defused and he lowered his weapon.

"I trust you," he looked hard at Izrayl, before his expression softening. "Because Spyro is vouching for you."

Izrayl just blinked, still puzzled at why things took to a turn like this.

"Kane, what happened?" asked Spyro. "And I'm surprised you're not surprised to find Cynder standing next to me."

"Yes. Shock does that to you." He chuckled. "News travels fast and I have already heard about your feats. As for your question…"

He shook his head, trying to find the right words.

END OF FLASHBACK

"Well at least we cleared your name, and that's what matters."

"But you have to wonder Spyro. Who exactly was it then?"

Spyro looked down to the floor, his eyes searching for the answer. "I don't know. But what I do know is, is this. We're going to find whoever this dragon is. He's caused a lot of trouble for all of us."
"Tell me about it. Do you think this is connected to the Purple Lights—the Crystal I mean?" asked Cynder.

"I highly think it is," said Spyro. "And the fact that they have the apes on their side means we have a strong force to deal with."

"Great…more players on the playing field; what do we know so far anyway? Recap anyone?" asked Izrayl.

"Well," said Sparx. "I can help you with that."

He turned to look at Cynder as if waiting for something. Cynder proceeded to raise a brow.

"What?"

"No comment?" he asked, as if waiting to be teased.

"For once, I'm actually too tired right now to bicker with you. And besides, I want a recap too. I'm too tired to think for myself."

Sparx just chuckled as everyone's attention was to him.

"From what I understand, this is what's going on. We're on a mission to get to the doomsday crystal before our mystery enemy gets there. From today's events, we can sum up how many players are there on the playing field. We have us, the good team, doing what's right. Then we have…Mystery Dragon A, who we're racing against to get to the crystal. Then we also have Mystery Dragon B, who was described to look exactly like Izrayl; who was also seen leading the army of apes. That pretty much…sums it up as far as we know. For all we know Dragon B is working with Dragon A."

"And that goes vice versa too. They could have the same or completely different agendas from each other. Heck, maybe it's a free for all; us, against 'Dragon A' who's also against 'Dragon B' whom is working with the apes," Spyro added.

"Right you are there," said Cynder tiredly.

"Well that recap was rather good. At least now everyone's on the same page. You should do that more often Sparx."

"I think I will Izzy. It's the least I can do, it's not like I can fight alongside you guys."

Spyro yawned, making Izzy yawn too. "Well, I'm tired. We proceed as planned."

"I'm guessing we'll ask Kane about the purple lights then tomorrow?" Izzy asked.

"Yes," replied Spyro. "And from there…we follow the lead."

"Okay then," replied Izzy, before curling up.

0 0 0 0 0

Malefor couldn't remember when he had woken up, but when he did, he heard strange growling. At first he thought it was his stomach, rebelling against him to feed it. He tried to dismiss it, but the growling got louder and more…menacing. He shifted, sitting up and was about to figure out what was going on, when the voice caught his attention.

"Don't move a muscle," said the voice.

Malefor froze in place. He didn't know who owned the voice, but his senses, specifically the smell told him it was a female; a female dragon. How could he have been so careless? This must have been the cave of this dragoness. Not only did he now blow his cover of being incognito.

The risk of his survival being found out is highly likely. It would only take the dragoness to run out of this cave and rat him out.

The whole world would surely want a piece of him, no doubt from all the bad things his other self did.

The only option he had of stopping her…he couldn't bring himself to do it. Even the thought of it repulsed him. He quickly blocked it out off his mind, the thought too dark for him to handle.

Now, he just calmed down and tried to think of another solution, breathing in and out.

Author's Notes: Mostly the idea for the "magic" plot device is actually a canonical one. If you guys didn't know, Spyro the Dragon: Shadow Legacy, featured the ability for Spyro to be able to do magic. And from that, I managed to derive this.

Please take some time to R&R.

And favorite it, along with the author!