Legend of Spyro: Stormfront

Chapter 22

Hey guys hope you like it. Thanks to DragonMaster000 for beta reading.

Spyro eyed each of the circling apes with a vicious snarl. A total of five apes each with a medley of different weapons and armor types. The closest had leather bracers, grieves and an iron helmet, and wielded a large mace. The one closest next to him carried a scimitar not unlike one of Gaul's, with iron gauntlets and chest plate. There was also an ape that was unarmored but carried a crossbow and a quiver of bolts.

Spyro calmed his thoughts and prepared himself mentally.

The mace one first. Keep the other apes between me and the crossbow.

Spyro leapt forward at incredible speed reaching the ape's throat before it could react. He slammed his jaws shut, crushing the wooden dummy's windpipe.

Sword next.

Spyro kicked off the dummies chest as it began to collapse into pieces. He back flipped and landed on the back of the sword ape that was charging from behind. He dug his claws into the ape's shoulders. He dispatched the ape dummy with an ice shard to base of the skull.

Two more apes charged him each brandishing a club as thick as their skulls. The crossbowman was however out of position as his two comrades were between him and Spyro.

The closer ape raised his club and slammed it down upon the purple dragon. However he was too quick and sidestepped to the right. He slashed the attacking ape's legs with his deadly tail blade and tackled the ape's chest. He toppled the beast that then fell on his comrade. Spyro leapt atop their scrambling bodies and stabbed his tail through the both of them skewering the pair.

Spyro heard the twang of a loosed arrow and dodged the incoming projectile. He rolled right off the disintegrating dummies' bodies to hear the pleasing sound of the projectile skittering off the stone floor behind him.

The ape then began to reload his crossbow however Spyro would not give him to the chance and slapped the weapon from his hands. The weapon clattered to the floor its wood spine snapping, lying useless on the floor.

The ape took a step back in retreat. With no other weapon he was defenseless.

A sudden feeling overtook Spyro and he let loose a tremendous roar, but it was no ordinary roar, for it was laced with red waves of fear.

The ape clasped his hands over his ears and a look of pure horror over took his visage. The dummy then fell to its knees and began to writhe on the floor in agony and then fell to pieces like the ones before it.

I've never done that before… could be useful.

Spyro's mind flashed to another training session where Spyro attempted to learn Cynder's dark elements, yet at most he could muster only a whimper of fear and a light breeze of wind. Even with the black dragoness's pointers and experience he had failed at the task.

Pleased with this pleasant surprise he decided to call it quits for the day. In truth he wasn't really here to practice his skills, instead he had come out of boredom. After wondering the streets of Warfang for a few hours he had decided to come here to pass the time.

The Guardians should have sent someone to get me hours ago. I wonder what they are planning to do with me.

Spyro exited the academy to see several heavily armored dragons marching down the street, followed by several smaller moles covered head to toe in plate armor. Their faces were calm and showed a silent indignation to their situation.

They probably think this is a drill or something.

The troops passed on their armored feet's clank, clank, clank, being lost in the sounds of the city. The Guardians had defiantly mobilized Warfang's defenses.

Spyro leapt into the air trying to think of something to do, or somewhere to go. The roof of the academy caught his eye, and he alighted in the same small courtyard that Flame and Flare had been in that overlooked the city. He fell onto his haunches and overlooked over the many streets and avenues of the dragon city.

I understand why they won't surrender, they fear for the citizens and for everyone in Warfang, for all they know everyone would be sold into slavery… or worse.

But then again they aren't entirely in the right either. The colonial dragons believe they are preventing the same thing from happening to them.

He then remembered some of Ignitus's words from the night on the White Isles.

"Neither side will trust the other… unless we provide a threat too great for them to ignore."

The words echoed around his head several times. Spyro thought about the risks and knew the challenges that faced him. Ignitus had given him the general layout of what to do, but he had left the specifics up to him.

He felt quite proud of the plan he had come up with. He had thought of every angle, every moment was examined with extreme scrutiny. There was no way he could fail, as long as they didn't call his bluff.

"It's fair to say no matter which way this goes, I won't be returning here." Spyro thought to himself as he eyed the white polished stones and the cleanliness of the city, the many brown, white and grey moles milling about going about their day-to-day tasks, and the occasional dragon. He thought he would miss its cleanliness and all the luxuries that the great dragon city provided. But he did not let it discourage him.

He then turned his thoughts inward to himself. What would he do afterwards he wondered. There would be no returning to Warfang, and he couldn't go to his parents. It was too risky, and if he was discovered the entire ordeal would have been for not.

Stay with Ignitus maybe?

The thought seemed to please him at first. It would be out of the way and only Cynder knew the way to get to the enchanted isles, and she would have no reason to go there. He wouldn't be discovered. But the more he thought of it the more he thought it wouldn't fit. He could stay for a time, but he sensed that he would become restless cooped up on the island, but then he couldn't leave either. He would be recognized instantly the moment he returned to the main land.

Sometimes I wish I wasn't the purple dragon. He cursed at himself as he looked at his dark purple scales and body. There was no way of hiding them for sure under some sort of paint, it would be rubbed off at his joints and the scales would show.

The great purple dragon then did something he had never done before, he cried. His tears pouring free without pause. Why me? Why must I sacrifice everything?

He shook the line of thoughts from his head; he couldn't afford to think those thoughts.

"All this can be decided later, I have more important things to think about. I can't turn back now." He thought steeling his resolve.

Ignitus pressed his paw against the hourglass in the middle of the main room of his home on White Isles. Instantly his mind began to cloud as the magic of the hourglass took effect and he felt his body go numb.

He felt himself being drawn out as his consciousness left his body behind. It had felt quite disturbing at first but as this was not the first time he had become used to it. The familiar feeling of weightlessness greeted him as he opened his eyes to absolutely nothing, only a white in every direction as a far as the eye could see. No contours, no lines and not a blemish of color marred the area.

He looked to his feet staring at them as he stood on what appeared to be nothing. He reached out and swiped at what should have been the floor but his paw passed through where it had been standing on only moments before.

Ignitus from previous experience knew this took time. He stretched his muscles before lying down on the ground of nothing and began to wait and wait and wait. His eyes began to doze before he saw a purple dot in the distance a miniscule speck in the vast sea of white.

The dot gradually grew larger and larger as it approached him, and after a few minutes he could see the outline of a large dragon. Three horns stood proudly upon his head, and where once yellow eyes filled with hate and evil had once sat, soft purple eyes had replaced them.

"Hello friend." Said the once Dark Master Malefor, his voice calm and quiet, and he almost seemed tired?

"Hello Malefor." Ignitus returned just as calmly. "Everything is ready, including our friend."

"Good I had feared he would not accept." Malefor responded, relieved.

"It feels wrong to take what he fought so hard for away from him." Ignitus said guiltily. "He has already earned a quiet life in peace."

Malefor sighed deeply. "Very true."

The purple dragon was silent; Ignitus could see the pain evident on his face.

"I would do it for him if it were possible." The purple dragon began. "As all of this was my fault from the beginning…" Malefor's voice grew sad, and Ignitus could see the unrelenting sadness in his eyes. "However he chose to do it of his own free will, his mind and heart are much stronger than his father's."

Ignitus nodded. He sat in silence for a few moments, remembering how they had found Spyro's egg, but he had no time to waste and pressed on.

A question had been nagging his mind for several days now and it would not allow him to abate.

"Will he make it? I've tried to see his future but I only see a black nothingness, as if fate itself does not know will happen."

Malefor tilted his head back, as if pondering how to answer, which he did.

"His fate lies in his own hands as of now, it will be up to him if he lives or dies."

Ignitus became puzzled by what the purple dragon said. Malefor however, began again before he could think anymore of the subject.

"I'm actually surprised I could get you to believe a word I said when I contacted you at first." Malefor chuckled heartily. "But then, the ancestors would never allow me to do anything against their wishes otherwise now would they?"

Ignitus pondered for a moment, could he have been tricked by him? Could Malefor still be vile and evil even here?

"I would also tell you that I have no power here whatsoever, I can't even make a puff of smoke, the ancestors watch and know all, and it is only through their grace that I may repair a little of the damage I have done."

This answer to his own question reassured Ignitus greatly, that he had made the right decisions, and he felt a swell of relief overtake him.

"I will be going now. The ancestors ask for my return, may they be with you and Spyro, and thank you for watching over him." The great purple dragon smiled and turned around walking whence he came.

Ignitus felt a sudden question shoot to the front of his mind and he blurted it without thinking.

"Just where are you returning?"

The former Dark Master stopped dead in his tracks, and was still for a moment before craning his neck back.

"To my damnation."

Volteer flew high above the dragon city of Warfang. The vast sprawl of the city lay before him, the inhabitants below in the distance. To his west and north lay the vast plains and forests of the reason, and where most of the food for the city was made. To the south lay the Silver River where the city drew fresh water and beyond that the sea. To his west gently sloping hills eventually gave way to the great mountains Dragons Teeth.

Volteer returned his gaze to the city scanning each section for any sign of purple. Volteer had volunteered to retrieve the purple dragon. Terrador, Cyril and himself had reached their decision after several hours of heated discussion and debate.

Volteer circled around above the walls of the city, and returned to his scanning. After having checked Spyro's room, which he found locked, he had checked the training grounds and anywhere else he could think of.

The electric guardians banked through a cloud, the cool droplets of moisture landing on his face. The many windows of the academy gleamed in the sunlight, and he watched for a moment as the hundreds of students went about their business.

A glint caught his eye, and he recognized the color purple among the white and tan buildings. Volteer pulled down and began to dive towards the institution of learning.

Quake sat on the bed in his room at the academy, anxiously tapping his claws in agitation.

"Come on Spyro, hurry up." He announced to the empty room. Spyro had left him hours ago saying he would return when the Guardians called for him.

Quake's stomach grumbled loudly, as if to announce it to the world. Quake looked at his stomach and then moaned. He had not gone to get lunch fearing that he wouldn't be here when Spyro called him. Now he was regretting that decision horrendously.

He looked around the room for anything of interest that would draw his mind away. To his disappointment he found nothing, and plopped disheartened back onto the bed his head staring out the window.

He continued to stare lazily out the window letting the clouds carry him away. However a yellow dragon then flew into his view, and passed out of his sight. Quake dismissed it and began to let the clouds take him away, trying to make out any sort of shape he could think of.

A noise from his door roused him from his stupor and pulled his head out of the clouds.

Quake ran to the door with all speed and flung it open, to see the purple dragon before him.

"It's time."

Quake bade him inside and closed the door.

"Let's get to it then." Quake stated all his pent up energy releasing as he prepared himself.

Spyro placed a paw on his forehead, and he felt a rush unlike anything he had ever felt.

Cynder stood to the side of the Council room where they had met earlier. The scratches of Spyro's claws still defaced the engraving of the dragon.

The Guardians and the Council members sat upon their elevated daises. Most were patiently awaiting the arrival of Spyro, however Magnus wore a large scowl upon his face that only grew larger as time passed.

"Where is that purple brat?" He spat in anger.

"He said he would be along shortly." Volteer said calmly, confident this situation could be resolved.

Cynder felt her legs wobble, she could hardly stand. She didn't want to be in the same room after what Spyro said to her.

'You of all would know how to cause suffering.' How could he say that to me? After what we have been through, I…

Cynder sniffled, her emotions breaking her, however it went unnoticed through the room. She tried to hold back her tears as much as she could. However she could not hide them entirely.

I thought he loved me…I thought he cared for me…

She heard the door creak open behind her. She didn't dare look, she wanted nothing more than to turn and yell at the dragon that she knew was approaching.

Spyro stepped forward, putting several feet between himself and Cynder. Unexpectedly another dragon filled the gap between her and the wayward purple dragon.

Quake now stood next to Spyro, or at least she thought it was Quake. His scales had become a dark green. He stood not moving a muscle staring back at the guardians with a sneer.

Terrador looked at Quake with a confused look, before composing himself once more. Then he began with a diplomatic tone, as if he wasn't trying to provoke a cornered beast.

"We understand what you have chosen Spyro. The Council and my colleagues have decided that during the coming conflict you will stay here, away from any form of battle. Is that acceptable?"

"So you will not take my advice then?" Spyro questioned his voice filled with antagonism.

Lightnara began in her regal tone.

"The Council and Guardians have not changed their position on this issue young dragon. We trust you will respect that decision as such." She gave a nod as she finished as if reassuring herself and everyone else.

"Heh, wrong decision." A cynical voice laughed that echoed around the chamber.

Cynder turned in shock to see Quake facing down Lightnara his normally green eyes a piercing yellow. s

Spyro began his voice stern. "I'm afraid Quake is right we will not stand for your continued belligerence."

"What do you mean, we?" Magnus asked angrily his temper rising.

"Spyro showed me the truth about you fools." Quake snarled at the Guardians and then looked to Spyro and continued. "He is my master."

Cynder watched in silent horror. Her entire body froze with fear.

He couldn't have… no he wouldn't, he'd never do that! Cynder's mind screamed at her, but there was no other explanation.

Terrador broke the silence his voice unusually shaky as if he had been punched in the gut. "What have you done to him?"

Cynder broke past the sheer shock that she had undergone. Her voice was hoarse with anger and she struggled with the words as if she could not believe she was saying them. "You corrupted him, Spyro? Didn't you?"

Spyro turned and glared at her. "I prefer the way Quake himself put it but yes." He then returned his attention to the Guardians, and continued on as if nothing had happened. "Will you abdicate power then?"

The Guardians still remained in shock along with the Council members, excepting Magnus who exploded with fury.

Growling and snarling at the purple dragon. "You insolent whelp! I'll have you executed!"

Quake chuckled villainously. "You couldn't even lay a paw upon my master, his powers are beyond you."

Cynder began to tremble, her rage shaking her entire body to the core. He should know better! To do that to someone is unforgivable!

At that moment Cynder could not control her unquenchable rage any longer and with a ferocious fear screech leapt at Spyro.

A wall of rock and earth shot between Cynder and Spyro, forcing her to stop herself. The chunk of earth receded back into the ground, the intricate tiles going back into their original positions as if nothing had happened. Cynder looked at Quake who had a delighted grin upon his face.

"If you want to fight my master you must go through me first." Quake lowered himself into a battle stance.

"Enough Quake." Spyro commanded his voice stern and reproachful. "Now is not the time Quake and Cynder… control yourself."

Cynder screamed another howl of rage only to be blocked once again by a wall of earth.

Volteer spoke up his voice shaky. "Spyro don't let the darkness control you."

Spyro reflected for a moment. "It does not matter what happens to me, will you not step down?"

Terrador looked to the other Guardians each remaining unmoved, likewise with the council members.

Terrador's booming voice reverberated around the chamber, his voice exuded a rare anger. "I believe that the response to your threat is a unanimous, no."

Cyril spoke up trying to reach the purple dragon's conscious. "Spyro you've never had a want for power, why now?"

Spyro huffed in irritation. "Power is my destiny, to rule all, or destroy all. We will be leaving now." Spyro motioned his head to the door, Quake turning to follow him.

"You will never be free again for this insolence. Guards arrest him!" Magnus yelled.

A side door burst open, which was filled with completely armored dragons who rushed towards Spyro and Quake.

Cynder seeing an opportunity jumped in first of the line of the charge, her face contorted with rage.

Quake spun and stamped his front paws, sending a wave of earth as if it was not solid. The guards and Cynder lost their footing and stumbled into a heap.

A second wave then emanated from Quake.

Terrador stamped his feet as well sending another wave to counter it. The ground waves clashed, Quake and Terrador locked eyes as they poured more energy into their attacks.

The ground began to crack and shake as the earth dragons battled for supremacy. Meanwhile, the other Guardians directed attacks at Spyro, who raised a purple shield which absorbed both attacks.

"Enough Quake we must go!" The fleeing purple dragon yelled, he opened the door towards the open skies of Warfang.

Quake turned and ran abandoning the attack.

Terrador began to send the wave after the fleeing dragons, but Quake sent a large spike of earth from beneath Magnus.

Terrador pushed as much energy as he could into the spike to force it from striking its intended target, stopping it a mere inch from Magnus's chin.

Spyro and Quake ran out the doorway and took flight. By now Cynder had recovered herself, and gave chase.

Cynder channeled all her rage, her anger and her betrayal into convexity, and fired the devastating ball of purple energy at Spyro.

Spyro whipped around in midair, and his wing glowing purple struck the ball and batted it away. The energy of convexity redirected into one of the towers of the council building and struck with a tremendous explosion, and began to collapse the tower falling into a mountain of rubble kicking up a large cloud of dust.

Cynder fell to the ground tear covered and exhausted. She had funneled every last drop of energy into that attack.

He deflected it as if it was nothing. What's wrong with him? Why? What happened? What changed?

The Guardians sprinted out of the chamber followed by many soldiers and lastly the Council members and an especially shaken Magnus, the dust clouding the air restricting their vision and choking their breath.

A light breeze then blew carrying away the dust from the rubble, and they saw to distant dots one purple and green flying off towards the west.

Terrador spun upon Magnus and pinned him against the wall with tremendous force. "What the hell were you thinking?" He yelled his voice filled with an unholy anger, his claws reaching for his neck. "You've doomed us all!"

"Terrador that's enough." Cyril yelled towards him trying to stop his friend.

Terrador's head spun around glaring at Cyril. He looked back towards Magnus with one last venomous glare and released him.

"Next time I won't save your life." He snapped angrily at him his fury not abating. "Check for casualties from the collapse." He barked orders to the guards who immediately complied.

Several of the Dragon Guard that had been on patrol began to arrive asking for orders and what had happened.

Cyril then stepped forward and announced to the growing crowd that now began to include civilians in the throngs.

"We will announce these happenings at another time. Stay calm and go back to your homes."

The crowd soon began to disperse as they realized no more action was to be seen.

The march had gone particularly well today. They were now only a day's flight from Warfang, and the burned lands were behind them. Yet the soldiers of the colonies feared the large volcano in the distance thick clouds of smoke pluming from its top.

The sun was beginning to pass over the low horizon as Rey walked leisurely towards his tent after a dinner or dried rations which he had detested. He passed Electria and Glacia who were arguing about something he didn't care for.

Those two will be the death of me at this rate.

He reached the flaps of his canvas tent, and fell ungraciously down onto his sleeping mat tired from flying all day his wing joints aching.

He began to doze quickly after his day of exertion.

An alarm pricked his ear, a dragon roaring in the distance.

What now?

He got up from his mat and stepped outside his tent agitated that his well-deserved sleep was being disturbed.

He was greeted with almost the whole army standing and staring in one direction all of them either pointing or staring with unbelieving eyes, even Glacia and Electria had dropped their argument.

Rey turned and followed their line of vision towards the setting sun. There two dragons were flying out of the sun one green and one purple.

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