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Chapter 23
Change of Pace
The atmosphere was tense. It was like a bomb may go off, and no one would have cared. For all intents and purposes, tumbleweed passing by would make this scene reminiscent to those old western movies. A stare off was happening, with each side waiting for their move. On one end, Spyro and Cynder, along with a nervous Sparx, stood next to each other, seriousness and tinges of fear etched on their faces. The latter expression more prominent on the golden dragonfly; this was—of course—because of his first time, seeing the Dark Master.
That was, in other words Malefor.
On the other side, two unknown dragons stood next to the purple one. An unfathomable expression was shown on the Dark Master's face, as he stared at his previous enemies that had beaten him. Spyro couldn't decipher it; it was might as well a poker face. The two dragons beside him however, were neither surprised nor scared. Stunned, was more likely. And it was shown more easily on the dragoness next to Malefor. Her face showed puzzlement and downright confusion, as he stared at Malefor then back to Spyro.
Someone needed to break the ice sooner or later, and seeing as no one was doing something, Spyro decided to be the one that broke it. But before he could say anything, Malefor had to cut him off.
"I see you two are still alive," he said. Spyro raised a brow. His voice was different. He wasn't…distorted like it was before. Something was different with Malefor, now that he thought of it. But he couldn't put a claw on it. Spyro even saw Cynder look a bit surprised at his voice. She gave a weary glance at him.
"We are," he replied.
"You know these two?" asked the dragoness. "Mal, what's going on?
Mal? Spyro cocked his head slightly. Since when was Malefor into nicknames? Questions buzzed across his head that he was dying to answer. How was Malefor here? Who were these two dragons? Why did he seem different? Sadly, only Malefor could answer them, so he had to wait patiently.
Malefor sighed. Eventually, she did have to find out about who he was. And what better way to do that than by having Spyro and Cynder help him explain.
"Sera…I'm afraid, I haven't been quite honest with you," he said.
"W-what are you saying?" she asked, a bit surprised that this was happening right now.
"I'm not who you think I am," he began. He then turned to look at Spyro and Cynder.
"Spyro, Cynder, I think we all need to talk," said Malefor.
Spyro and Cynder stared at him wearily, not moving a budge.
"Don't worry, I promise I won't try to kill you."
Sparx just nervously gulped, wondering where this was all going.
0 0 0 0 0
Night had now passed and Rave couldn't help but be surprised that she had spent almost the entire day with no one but Li. Over the course of time, they had become rather close, to the level of friends with each other. She no longer felt intimidated by his presence, nor felt uncomfortable. It was the opposite.
"It was nice to have your company Rave," said Li, as they stood at a balcony.
"Right back at you," she replied.
"But honestly, ever since I came here, no one approached me. You're the first dragon I have as a friend here," he replied.
"You're welcome," said Rave. Li then nodded, before heading off.
As he left, Rave was left to wonder where the rest of her friends were. Meaning, Flame, Malik and Ember; where were they?
0 0 0 0 0
"See, I told you they'd believe us," said Malik.
The three of them had just come out off the Guardians' Room, after hours on hours on end of explaining to them what they had recently been hearing off. At first the Guardians were sceptical, but in just a matter of minutes, they were all ears. It seems this wasn't the first time they had heard of this.
"Now…all we just have to do is to wait for whatever is to happen next," said Flame.
As the three of them headed around the corner, they bumped into Rave who was looking for them.
"Oh, Rave, you're finally here!" said Malik a bit sarcastically. "How'd your date with Li go?" Rave just glared at Malik.
"No, it wasn't a date. I just hanged out with him. What have you guys been doing while I was gone?"
Flame just smiled, and began to tell her what they had been truly doing.
0 0 0 0 0
Izrayl was staring flabbergasted at the scene before him. He had just woken up a few hours ago and now, here he was watching Spyro and Cynder chatting lively with 3 new dragons, and one of them was a purple dragon. That dragon was Malefor. Malefor; the Dark Master that he was told that was evil and wanted to destroy the world. Either he was still dreaming, or Spyro and Cynder were lying to him when they filled him in earlier that day.
But both options seemed rather unlikely.
But luckily, he was quickly caught up to speed, the same as Sparx. Apparently, there three new comers were Zephyr, Sera and Malefor; Malefor being Malefor; the Dark Master. Apparently, he wasn't evil anymore. It was mainly because about him losing the Dark Essence; and also the Purple Essence.
That was where they were also informed of what exactly they were looking for. It would seem that the Purple Crystal they were after was in fact called a part of the Purple Essence. It was a long explanation, but somehow, Spyro, Cynder, Sparx and Izrayl managed to get the gist of it. So mainly, Malefor was their ally now.
Then there was Sera and Zephyr. Spyro was shocked to find that Sera and Zephyr didn't know who he was, or even Cynder to begin with. It would have seemed that they were residents of a place called Dragon Grove that they have begun to call home. They were so isolated, that in fact, Sera didn't know who Malefor was truly was. It was shock to her, to find out that he used to be evil, but now, under certain circumstances, had a change of heart.
In under a few hours reaching to night time, everyone was on the same page.
"Sera, you're the leader of your village right?" asked Spyro.
"Yes, I am," she replied.
"Why not after we get the Purple Essence, atop the mountain, you go back with us to Warfang; it's safer there," he suggested.
"Spyro has a point Sera. It's high time we leave Dragon Grove. Warfang wasn't over run as we originally thought it was. It's for the better of everyone else," said Zephyr.
"I suppose you're right," she replied.
"Well, what are we waiting for?" asked Malefor. "Its better we move now to get the Purple Essence, than wait for later. Gaul will surely be back with whomever it is he's working with. So we better move fast."
"I agree," said Izrayl.
"Okay let's go," said Sparx.
"You're staying here Sparx," said Spyro.
"What!" he exclaimed.
"It's too dangerous. Gaul nearly killed us off. Imagine what would happen if his partner in crime was up there too."
Sparx gulped at the possibility. "I hate to say it, but it's for your own good Sparx," said Cynder.
"Well okay…" said the golden dragonfly, dropping his shoulders down.
"Don't worry Sparx, we'll come back, alive," said Izrayl.
"As for the two of you, I suggest you don't come," said Malefor. Zephyr and Sera were surprised at his answer but respected it.
"I understand, good luck Malefor," said Zephyr.
"We'll round up the villagers in the meantime," said Sera.
Malefor nodded, before heading off with Spyro, Izrayl and Cynder.
The four off them headed off and eventually reached the base of the mountain where they immediately jumped off, and climbed up to reach the summit of the mountain. The moon was now high up, meaning it was quite late at night. Visibility was low, but that wasn't a problem. The Purple Essence was glowing like a sore thumb.
"I think that's it!" exclaimed Spyro, pointing to the glowing item. The Crystal was resting in what seemed like a crater, amidst the flat plain on the mountain. It must have definitely crashed here a few days ago. "Come on! Let's get it!"
0 0 0 0 0
Meanwhile, back at the Temple, something else was amidst. Flame happened to pass by the door when he overheard the very same voices the other day, inside the Pool of Visions.
"What! Now!" the voice shouted.
"Yes. Now; I have ordered the apes to assemble outside the Warfang wall. All I need you to do now is break the wall, for it is the signal to start the invasion. Do you understand?"
"…yes Master. As you wish," said the voice.
Flame quickly hid at the corner, just in time before the door swung open, and the snitch came out. The corridor was too dark for him to get a clear glimpse of who he was, but he seemed familiar; strikingly familiar. This was it. This was his chance to stop whoever this invader was and stop the impending ape invasion.
He quietly walked around the corner, before pouncing on the guy.
"AHH!" the voice exclaimed as their bodies collided. There was a heap of tangled bodies as they rolled across the ground, trying to gain the upper advantage. Flame fought back fiercely as he tried to pin him down.
Coincidentally enough, the two of them skidded across the floor and stopped midway, in front of a window, where moonlight was shining through. That was where Flame got a good look on who the snitch was.
He wasn't surprised.
0 0 0 0 0
The four of them landed on the mountain top and immediately wasted no time as they ran towards the glowing crystal. Spyro was upfront leading the way, when he stopped in his tracks. Standing inside the crater was another dragon. The moonlight gave him an eerie look as his scales shined brightly in the night. Either Spyro was mistaken, or his scales were jet black in color. Scales, underbelly, even his horns; the only thing that truly stood out was his eyes. They were glowing menacingly red. And the way he stared at Spyro as he held the glowing crystal in his paw, gave him the chills.
"No…" said Malefor, as he stopped beside Spyro.
"It would seem you're too late…" he said, his voice sounding distorted. It was the same as Malefor's voice, when he was being controlled by the Dark Essence.
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