Welcome back to Uncharted Beyond Realms. Last time, Nathan Drake and Sully split up to try and find the last of the pendants. And Nate's gut instinct turned out to be correct as he found the pendant's coffin hidden in a serpent's skull. But just as he did, the Malefic Order caught up to him. Having no options left, Nathan Drake chose to book it, only to have the enemy send a freaking tank after him. In other words, we're right back where the story started. So, what happens from this point? Read on to discover...
(Our scene picks up exactly where the story started, with Nathan Drake running through the swamp, carrying the miniature coffin that holds the final pendant. For a moment, he looks back, as if to verify whether the worst case scenario is still happening)
Nathan Drake: OH CRAP!
(Without a second thought, Nathan Drake starts running. And soon afterwards we see why, he's being pursued by a tank.)
Nathan Drake: How do I keep getting myself into these sorts of situations?!
(Nathan Drake keeps running, knowing he's dead if that tank gets any closer to him. But soon enough the tank starts closing the gap. And Nathan Drake runs out of places to run, cornered by the giant mushrooms growing all over the place. At first, Nathan Drake panics, realizing nobody is coming to help him.)
Nathan Drake: (With a sigh of reluctant acceptance) Well, it's been a good run. (Under his breath) See you soon, Sam.
(And just when it looks like Nathan Drake's luck has run out, a shadow swoops down over the scene and grabs him by the shoulders, pulling him out of the way as the tank rolls through, and as they fly away, we see exactly who it is, a familiar ebon-scaled dragoness)
Nathan Drake: Cynder?!
Cynder: Sorry to keep you waiting, Nate. Did you get it?
Nathan Drake: (Showing off the miniature coffin without dropping it) Right in hand. Now let's get out of here before those creeps catch up to us.
Cynder: Gladly, hop on!
(With that invitation, Nathan Drake climbs onto Cynder's back as they appear to be getting away, but then he notices the tank isn't done with them, aiming it's cannon at them.)
Nathan Drake: Oh crap. LOOK OUT!
(But it's too late, the tank fires a shot. But just as the shot is fired, a flash of purple swoops in and blocks the shot. And before long, we see what it is. It's Spyro, holding the shot back with a force field similar to the one Ignitus used to save their lives back in the Ring of Fire)
Cynder: Spyro?! How are you doing that?
Spyro: A little trick from my bio father. With my own spin on things, of course!
(With that, Spyro infuses Aether into the barrier, causing it to reflect the projectile back at the tank, destroying it as it hits and the three descend)
Cynder: Thanks for the save, Spyro.
Spyro: Just doing what I do.
Cynder: Look, I wanted to talk with you, about earlier.
Spyro: So did I.
Spyro and Cynder: I'm sorry.
(Apparently the mutual apology catches both of them off guard, but before long, the spark of love almost lost shows itself and the two embrace for the first time in probably ages)
Cynder: I don't know how I didn't realize that you were still struggling from all we lost during the war. I guess I was just being selfish.
Spyro: No, not even remotely. I was being over-protective, and I'm sorry for smothering you. I just... didn't want to lose you. You're the only dragon left that I care about.
Cynder: No, I reacted poorly. I assumed we coped at the same level. That was wrong of me. I should've seen you were...
Spyro: (Gently shushing her) It doesn't matter now. What's past is past.
Cynder: (Giving whatever the dragon equivalent of a blush is) Then let's leave it there.
Spyro: Agreed.
(And with that, the two kiss. And after a second or two of that, Spyro finally notices Nathan Drake, still being the third wheel in their relationship.)
Spyro: (Seeing the miniature coffin in his hands) Looks like you found the final pendant.
Nathan Drake: Oh yeah. (To Cynder) But before anything else, Cynder, I want to apologize as well. For accusing you. The enemy still found us when you didn't know anything.
Cynder: Then the apologies are mutual, Nate. I took that way worse than I should have.
Nathan Drake: Trust me, all is forgiven.
Cynder: That's a relief.
Spyro: Now let's get out of here with that thing before the Malefic Order catches up.
(Of course just as Spyro says that, the sound of guns being prepped to fire hits the air, the Malefic Order has already found them)
Watcher: A little late for that.
Cynder: (Recognizing the Watcher) You?!
Watcher: Indeed.
Cynder: What the heck are you doing with these demons?!
Watcher: As of right now, capturing all three of you.
Nathan Drake: We'll never hand over the artifact.
(Just at that moment, a giant shadow is cast over the scene, as the leader of the Malefic Order enters the scene, all of their troops bowing as he does)
?: We don't expect you to. You're going to solve the final riddle and lead us to whatever secret power these pendants protect.
Spyro: Never.
?: I'm afraid you don't have much of a choice in the matter.
(The figure produces a scrying mirror, and in it we see a dreaded sight. The Malefic Order has captured Sully and Elena)
Nathan Drake: Sully! Elena!
?: They can't hear you from here. But rest assured, they are unharmed. For now. And so long as you lead us to where the pendants point, they will remain unharmed.
Cynder: We can't lead him to the power these things protect.
Nathan Drake: Are you willing to risk Sully and Elena's lives?
Cynder: (Thinks about it) No.
Nathan Drake: Then I think we're in agreement. (To the unknown dragon) I don't like this, one bit.
?: I'm glad to see you're in agreement. Your loved ones will remain unharmed for now. You have until sundown to show us where the pendants lead. If you are successful, they will be freed. If not, they will die. (Takes to the air) You had best not fail.
(With that, the Malefic Order members leave, leaving Nathan Drake, Spyro, and Cynder to figure their next move as the scene ends)
And that looks like a good spot to end for today. So, the final pendant has been found, and the Malefic Order has Sully and Elena hostage, with the other three now needing to find the next step in the puzzle to save their lives. So where do the pendants lead? Tune in next time to find out! Same time... same channel!