Chapter 5 War

AN: My teacher doesn't like fanfiction because he thinks that all people do on fanfiction is just steal works and that's not true! I'm writing a queer love story between two dragons because I want them to kiss each other!

Spyro's descent into the Fire Realm plunged him into a maelstrom of blistering heat, the fiery embrace wrapped around him like an infernal shroud. The air hung heavy with the acrid scent of sulfur, mingling with the smoky aroma of smoldering embers. With every powerful beat of his wings, Spyro rode the warm updrafts as he descended onto the rugged, blackened terrain below.

Stretched before him was a vast expanse of scorched earth, a desolate canvas punctuated by jagged rock formations and scarred by deep crevices. Molten rivers of lava wound their treacherous way through the landscape, carving fiery channels in the ashen ground, their glow cast an eerie illumination over the desolation.

In the distance, colossal volcanoes stood sentinel, their peaks wreathed in billowing plumes of ash and fire. The resounding echoes of their internal fury reverberated through the realm, a ceaseless reminder of the omnipresent danger.

Within this searing wasteland, Spyro's gaze fell upon the citizens of the fire realm. Magnificent, scaled dragons, their eyes glowed with molten intensity, soared through the smoky air. With each exhalation, they left behind trails of shimmering embers, as they painted the sky with fiery constellations. Lava golems, colossal and deliberate, traversed the rocky expanse with a purpose that felt both calculated and ominous. Above them all, a phoenix danced in elegant spirals, its plumage aglow with a coruscating brilliance.

Suddenly, one of the dragons spotted Spyro and descended like a meteor. Spyro instinctively took a step back and prepared for a monumental clash, but the dragon instead let out a roar that echoed with a mix of strength and familiarity. "Spyro! I can't believe you're alive!"

Perplexed, Spyro looked at the red crimson dragon. "How do you know my name?"

"I'm your guardian, Ignitus!" The dragon declared with a sense of urgency.

"Never heard of you," Spyro admitted, his tone laced with confusion.

Ignitus, though a tad hurt, pondered Spyro's words. "I suppose when you were reborn, you wouldn't have remembered anything."

"Reborn? Hold on, old guy, what are you talking about?"

"It's Oldman, my name is Ignitus Gary Oldman, and you are Spyro Elijah Wood."

Spyro's brow furrowed in disbelief. "Okay, now I know you're crazy. My voice actor is Justin Long."

A sigh escaped Ignitus. "I was afraid of this. I feared your passing, but if ever you returned, you wouldn't be the same legend you were before. There's much I have to teach you, my son." The gravity of his words hung in the air and it carried a weight that Spyro could sense, even amidst the blazing tempest of the Fire Realm.

- Scene Change -

Back in the academy, Peril and Stealth Elf were deeply engrossed in the task of finding the perfect recruits for Peril's team. Within the cozy confines of Stealth Elf's home, they scrolled through a multitude of potential candidates, their expressions a mix of scrutiny and hopeful anticipation. After evaluating a staggering fifty original characters, Stealth Elf released a drawn-out sigh, her brow furrowed in frustration.

"These OCs, they're all just derivatives of existing characters, either gloomier or garishly colorful. And most of them seem absurdly overpowered," she lamented.

Peril, still grappling with the notion of being a team leader, confessed, "I sort of liked the sparkle dogs."

"Everyone likes the sparkle dogs but they felt... a bit too god-like. We need something more grounded. Next!"

The next candidate, a fish-like creature, introduced herself as Mipha, a former Zora princess. Her story unfolded as she revealed a heartbreakingly poignant tale of love and loss that left her without her royal title. "My boyfriend who I thought was dead for 100 years came back to life just to dump me for my brother and his wife so now they're in a ploy relationship and I'm single. Since my Brother is now king I figured it'd be best if I just get away from it all you know?"

Stealth Elf, with a keen eye for detail, discreetly marked a box labeled "Emotional baggage."

Peril's heart skipped a beat as she took in Mipha's presence. Her aquatic form was a testament to her ethereal beauty, adorned with delicate, light-pink scales that shimmered softly in the light. Her eyes, a profound shade of indigo, exuded both kindness and wisdom as they reflected a depth of emotion and compassion. Fins cascaded like silken waterfalls down her back, moving with an effortless grace, mirroring the gentle ebb and flow of water. Her regal tiara, a symbol of her heritage, rested atop her head with natural elegance, while an intricately designed sash cinched her waist, showcasing the artistry of her people.

Stealth Elf was curious about Mipha's abilities. "So, what can you do, princess?"

Mipha replied, "I'm a healer. I possess the power to mend any wound with my holy water. Additionally, I can control water itself, which proves useful in... certain situations."

Peril was intrigued, but also aware of her fiery nature. She asked, "Can you heal burned wounds?"

Mipha's response was confident, "Burns is one of the wounds I can heal most effectively. Rest assured, if any of our teammates suffer from your fiery breath, I'll mend them promptly."

Peril mumbled to herself, "It's not the fiery breath that I'm worried about."

Stealth Elf interjected, "You know what, you're hired! Peril, you'll be doing a lot of fighting, and having a healer will be crucial. Besides, Mipha could use some time to bond with another girl and put her past behind her. It'll be a valuable experience for both of you."

Peril was taken aback by the sudden decision. "Wait, what?"

"You're going to be a formidable team, trust me. Mipha, gather your belongings and meet us at the academy. I'll show you to your dorm once we're done here," directed Stealth Elf.

Mipha offered a graceful bow before departing, leaving Peril mesmerized by the elegance of her exit.

After a few more rounds of rejections, Coco arrived, already signed up by Stealth Elf. Their reunion was filled with warmth and camaraderie. Stealth Elf inquired about Coco's brother. "Ah you know, just trying to get some sleep on the beach but always having to fight evil instead. I got kind of bored doing the same old so I thought why not be a Skylander for a change?

Stealth Elf couldn't contain her excitement. "Peril, you're going to love her! She's incredible!"

Peril, while slightly uncertain, mustered a smile as she trusted Stealth Elf's judgment. However, she was curious what Coco's powers were so she asked about them. "So, what can you do?"

Coco explained, "I'm a techie or from where I came from, a tradie. Whether it's fixing, breaking, or building, I've got it covered."

Stealth Elf couldn't help but let out a delighted squeal. "This is going to be amazing! We've got a healer and a...what did you call it? Tradie, that's right. Gosh, I sound so Australian."

"Oh yeah, one more thing. Mind if my pet came along as well?" Coco grabbed a pokéball and tossed it up in the air to reveal a Minccino. Both Stealth Elf and Peril couldn't help but have hearts in their eyes when they saw the Pokémon as both of them stated how cute it was at the same time. Coco laughed as she spoke about it. "While on my journey of self-discovery, I came across a realm that had all of these animals in it and they were just giving them away. They like to fight and how can I say no to his cute little face?"

Stealth Elf couldn't help herself but to say. "This is so cute, you're both on the team. What's his name?"

"I'm calling him Fluffkins."

"That's so cute." Stealth Elf had to clear her throat. "I think we got a bit distracted there. You and Fluffkins meet up with Mipha at the academy. We'll be with you shortly." When they were gone Stealth Elf spoke to Peril. "I'm counting them as a duo."

"Are you sure that's a good idea? Fluffkins doesn't seem like he could think for himself."

"I just kind of want to get this over with. That just leaves us with one more. I was hoping to find Cynder but she hasn't shown up yet."