Disclaimer: I made a slight mistake with the names in the last chapter. The names I messed up were Tug, who's actually a bear and Tuke, the moose, which is on me as they kind of sound alike when the volume is low after watching the show and I mistook them by accident. Again, I admit I made a mistake and was literally banging my head against a wall when I rewatched Brother Bear to make sure the names matched the character. My bad. Anyway, the content used for this chapter, characters and names, their rights are reserved to the original creatures and companies and I do not own them. Hope you enjoy the third part of the trilogy and am welcome to any feedback you may have.


Chapter 40: Spirit of the Bear Part 3: Keeping a Promise

Dawn came the next day and Spyro had just woken up, the sunlight just passing over their hillside when he felt something on his stomach, looking to see what it was to find Rainbow Dash was, who looked comfortable and was sleeping away peacefully, which he smiled at the mare who said she wasn't the sappy type. He reached down and started to scratch her ear, making the mare stir a bit before waking up, yawning as she did and looked around to see where they were, looking down to see Spyro smiling at him, which she yelped and jumped up, inadvertently kicking him in the stomach and groaning, making everyone wake up at the same time.

"Spyro, you ok?" Fluttershy asked.

"Yeah, I'll be good." Spyro replied, his stomach glowing green as it healed. "Just got an inadvertent gut shot."

"Sorry." Rainbow Dash said, rubbing the back of her head.

"Wow, she can fly?" Koda asked, starring at the Pegasus mare as well as Kenai.

"Wait, how is she flying?" Kenai asked, seeing the wings. "And why does she have wings?"

"She's a Pegasus." Spyro responded. "Ponies with wings. Fluttershy is also one."

"And Pinkie?" Koda asked. "Is she one too?"

"Nope." She replied. "I'm just a regular earth pony."

The two bears looked at Spyro, who was motioning for him not to ask anything else when they looked around at the environment, which Kenai asked where to head to now, but Koda froze and couldn't recognize the environment, which annoyed Kenai as he got off the mammoths trunk and tusks. The rest of their group hopped off to follow them, but Tuke and Rutt who were stuck on the mammoth and stayed with the Mammoths while the rest of the group went in a different direction, Spyro pulling up the map Rainbow Dash made, but was having a problem pulling it up as interference was blocking it. They heard Kenai and Koda argue and wanted to intervene, which Kenai shouted at Koda to grow up and the two separated, leaving Kenai alone while Koda went in a different direction. Fluttershy wanted to go after Koda, but Spyro used his hand to stop her, shaking her head to let her know not to follow and watched as Kenai regretted what he said and went after Koda.

"It seems this argument has opened Kenai's heart up." Spyro said, the group following after him. "He's remorseful for what he said and wants to apologize. This is good."

"How's it good?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"It means his heart is letting go of the hate." Spyro replied. "And lucky for them, I got the map up after a little tweaking and they are going in the right direction."

They followed the two bears, Kenai calling out to Koda when they arrived at an old tribal site, drawings of animals and stick figure humans are all around the walls of the cliff they were on and some hand prints were on the walls as well. Everyone looked around them in awe, the girls looking at each drawing in fascination while Kenai had put his massive paw print on the wall, leaving behind a paw print when he looked over, everyone turning their gaze to a scene where a human was fighting a bear, Koda hiding behind Kenai as they approached. What they saw was an anger looking bear about to maul a stick figure, everyone looking at the image in silence.

"Those monsters are scary." Koda said. "Especially with those sticks."

Kenai looked at Koda in surprise, but then back to the image of the bear fighting the human, realizing that to them, humans were the monsters and to humans, the bears were the monsters. After a moment of silence, they then left the location and walked away, reaching a slope with lots of rock platforms where Kenai and Koda made up and became friends again, the two having a little fun while they were walking when they saw two mountain goats, Koda thinking they can get directions from them, so they walked ahead to talk to them while Spyro and the mares remained behind.

"Do you think they'll remain friends?" Pinkie asked. "When Koda learns the truth, do you think he'll hate him?"

"The bond they are forging is strong, but it will be put to the test." Spyro replied. "Their feelings will be hurt, but in the end, it's their decisions now that matters, not the past."

"Hey, I know this place!" Koda said, running ahead.

"You do?" Kenai asked, everyone following him.

"Yeah, we just got to go through here." Koda said, revealing it to be a field oh gas and geysers erupting.

Koda immediately ran ahead of them, leaving the group in the dust as they traversed the field of haze and mist trying to find the cub, Kenai calling out to him as they lost him. They followed Kenai's nose until they came to where the scent ended, Koda scaring Kenai as he jumped out, which everyone laughed, but Kenai, who was having trouble getting up, but got up, annoyed by the cub. They then came across a mound of dirt that looked like a skull, which Kenai tried to scare Koda, but failed miserably, which the group laughed until Pinkie felt her tail twitching.

"Twitchy Twitch! Twitchy Twitch!" She shouted, getting everyone's attention.

"What?" Kenai asked.

Everyone who knew about her Pinkie Sense were on high alter, looking around until Spyro saw a spear flying form the sky, calling his Keyblade and deflecting it just as Two Winterhorns came from the mist to tackle him, but he took them down with a single swipe.

"RUN!" Spyro shouted, everyone running away from Denahi.

As they ran, Spyro took down a few more Winterhorns that came from the mist, making sure everyone was safe and to a large canyon with a fallen tree that they can use to cross, but they then heard Koda calling out for Kenai and for Spyro, realizing he got left behind. Kenai ran back into the mist to get Koda, Spyro following close behind to make sure he was safe and found Koda not too far, the large bear picking up the cub as they ran through the minefield of extremely hot gas and searing heat until they came back to the fallen tree. The girls were already across the tree and were watching as they saw them reappear, Spyro using the Force to jump the distance while Kenai ran across the tree, tripping, but holding onto Koda as he shuffled across the tree when Denahi caught up, using his spear to try and dislodge the tree as Kenai shuffled across. Seeing this, Spyro called his Keyblade and sent a fireball at Denahi, startling him enough to make him snap his spear, but the tree was loose and could be moved by hand.

Kenai tossed Koda to safety, Fluttershy catching him just as Denahi lifted the log and tossed it down the ravine, Kenai barely making it across as he ran up the dead tree, angering Denahi even more as he paced back and forth, more Winterhorns and now Soldiers appearing behind him.

"What are you doing?" Koda asked, shaking Kenai. "We need to go now!"

As Koda said it, Denahi fell to his knees, frustrated and angry as they walked away, but a moment later, they heard running footsteps and looked back to see the brother jump the distance, Kenai and Spyro horrified by the action, but Denahi used the broken end of the spear to hold onto the log and to start climbing up. A moment later, the tree started to fall down the ravine, Kenai trying to hold onto it, but the tree fell down anyway, Kenai just barely letting go at the last second, watching as the tree floated away with Denahi holding onto it as it floated down stream. The group decided to keep going, moving further to the salmon run while it was extremely silent until Koda spoke up.

"Why do they hate us so much?" Koda asked.

"We're bears." Kenai replied.

"So?" Koda asked, walking backwards to talk to Kenai.

"Well, it's because they think we're killers." Kenai responded, trying not to let his prejudice show.

"Wait a minute, what?" Koda asked.

"It's due to fear." Spyro replied, saving Kenai from an explanation. "Humans fear bears as they are strong enough to kill them. Likewise, the bear fear humans as they too will kill them. Humans believe to stay alive they need to kill the bear first as they believe the bear will attack them first."

"But, he attacked us first." Koda pointed out.

"I know." Spyro replied. "Bears are mostly docile creatures and won't attack unless provoked or surprised. Humans don't understand this and kill the bears to survive. Denahi believed Kenai killed his brother at a mountain peak within the glacier, so he's hunting him. To get revenge."

"Revenge?" Koda asked.

"Anger and hate fill his heart, making him dangerous, irrational, and violent." Spyro replied. "When someone seeks revenge, they will go through any length to get it. Even killing anyone who gets in their way. And because of this, the Heartless follow him."

"So, what do we do?" Koda asked.

"Nothing." Spyro replied. "Hopefully he will find this whole vengeance trip to be a waste of time and resources, hopefully go back home and leave you guys in peace."

Koda looked at Kenai, turning to walked normally, but deep in his heart, Spyro knew Denahi wasn't going to give up the hunt, not as long as he had the Heartless and the darkness guiding him. A moment later, a seagull flew past them screaming fish, which Koda knew they were close and ran forward, a flock of them coming after the first one, which Spyro and the girls were spooked by, but Kenai was moving with he flock, falling into the water and onto what looked like a rock. However, it turned out to be a bear, which Kenai panicked and was trying to get away when another appeared from the water, and then another massive one, making Kenai scream in fear and draw the attention of all the other bears until he stopped screaming.

"Oh brother." Rainbow Dash said. "He's making himself look like an idiot."

A massive bear was approaching Kenai, Spyro summoning his Keyblade to save him when Koda ran up the bear, leaping to him.

"Tug!" He shouted.

"Hey Koda, come here!" Tug replied, hugging the cub. "Hey, look at you."

"Hey Tug, have you seen my mom yet?" Koda asked, getting off Tug.

"No, as a matter of fact, I haven't seen her yet." Tug replied.

"Hah, then Kenai and I beat her here first." Koda said, surprising Tug.

"He's with you?" Tug asked.

"Yeah, and a few others." Koda replied. "Three ponies and a human."

"A HUMAN!?" Tug shouted in surprise.

All the bear became fearful, looking around for the human, but Koda ran up to Tug and got on his back, getting his attention.

"It's alright Tug, he's friendly." Koda said. "He's not mean at all. He protected us from the monsters."

"He did?" Tug asked, everyone calming down.

"Yeah, he's very nice, knows how to have fun, and he has a Keyblade." Koda replied, surprising all the bears.

"A Keyblade?" Tug asked, chuckling as Koda got off. "Koda, Keyblades don't exist. You sure you didn't make this up as a prank?"

"No I didn't and I'll prove it." Koda said, looking to the tree line. "Spyro, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, you can come out now."

Everyone looked where Koda was looking to and the first thing they saw Was Rainbow Dash, flying in the air as she hovered over the edge, surprising the bears, followed by Fluttershy, looking down to the large congregation of bear then Pinkie Pie, who was bouncing up and down excitedly. Spyro was the last one to show himself as he stood above the ponies, the bears looking in awe as he stood there, surprised Koda was telling the truth that he came with a human. A moment later, Spyro tapped his foot, and a stone platform shot up from the ground, hovering in the air as Pinkie and Fluttershy got on with Spyro, lowering the platform to get to them.

"Wow." Koda said, running put to them. "You didn't tell me you could do that."

"I can do many things Koda." Spyro replied, picking the cub up and putting him on his shoulders. "I have a lot of magic in me, so anything is possible."

"Awesome." Koda said, looking back to the bears. "Hey, think you can show them your Keyblade? I told them you have one."

Nodding his head, he reached out his right hand and in a flash of light, his Keyblade appeared right in from of the bears, some of them gasping when they saw the magical weapon, but Tug walked up to it, still in disbelief that it was real until he was right in front of it.

"By the spirits." Tug said. "They are real.'

"And really awesome!" Koda said, Spyro helping the little guy down. "He took care of some mean old monsters and saved us a couple of times from a hunter."

"Well, any friend of Koda's is a friend of mine." Tug said, smiling as he did. "Welcome to the salmon run my friend."

"Thanks." Spyro replied, looking past Tug and finding the mountain they needed to be at. "Look, the mountain."

"Yeah, there's the mountain, just like I promised." Koda said. "Kenai needed to get there, but why are you interested in it?"

"My friend is there." Spyro responded. "He's stranded near the mountain."

Spyro walked around Tug and walked to the edge of the waterfall, looking out over the land until he saw a hint of red, his heart doing a flip as he knew Sora was nearby. He looked back and saw Kenai was talking to Koda and the rest of his friends, walking up to them so they can get moving.

"Koda, thanks for guiding us." Spyro said. "But, we need to go."

"Oh, well when you come back we can-" Koda said, being interrupted by Kenai.

"Koda, we aren't coming back." Kenai replied.

"What, why not?" Koda asked, looking at everyone.

Kenai and Spyro were trying to come up with a good excuse to not hurt his feelings, but couldn't bring themselves to say anything, looking to the cub as he was waiting for an answer.

"You're leaving?" Tug asked, scaring Kenai while Spyro just stood there unfazed.

"Oh hey." Kenai said. "Yes... no... it's just... I don't belong here."

"Don't belong?" Tug asked, chuckling at the answer. "Buddy, everyone belongs here. Come on guys, let's have some fun."

Everyone followed Kenai as he tried to get away, following him to some water falls where dozens of bears were catching fish, playing and having fun, even sliding down the waterfalls and enjoying themselves. The other bears ran past them to the waterfalls to have some fun, Pinkie Pie running after them to join in and before Spyro could say anything, the others ran after her to join in, much to his dismay. He looked down and then to his bracers, opening them to find it was only Wednesday, more than two days until the talent show, so he smiled and ran after them, joining the fun as he also slide down some of the waterfalls, swimming around and splashing water into his friends faces, laughter and cheer filling the air while also catching a few fish himself. Kenai was hesitant at first to join the fun, but after a little while he joined in, finally letting loose and having fun playing with Koda and some of the other bears, chasing fish and laughing at all the fun he was having.

Spyro looked over to Kenai, who was looking around and smiling, enjoying the peaceful time he was having with the bears, sensing the hate and anger towards bears he felt before was finally gone, replaced with a new understanding and admiration for them, even making friends with some of them. As sunset was fast approaching, everyone gathered around to share stories about what they did through out the year, some talking about loved ones that passed, others finding love, even Tug talking about how he knocked over a tree with a family of chipmunks that was blocking the view form his cave and is now bunking with them, everyone laughing. It then came to Spyro, who grabbed the fish tail and was disturbed by how slimy it felt, but cleared his throat as he was preparing to talk.

"This year, I went to a new land and made many new friends." Spyro said, looking to the ponies. "We had a few adventures together and I'm sure there will be many more. And I also adopted a little sister, whose parents weren't there for her for a year of her life, left alone and without any love. Do I regret adopting her?" He then looked to the sky, seeing the northern lights again as they danced around, sensing the joy and happiness in them. "Not a single bit. I cherish every moment I'm with her as I never had a sibling before, and I'm enjoying every minute of it."

A few of the bears were tearing up, some cheering and applauding in approval as he after he finished talking, some even coming over and patting him on the back.

"Alright, enough about me, who's next?" Spyro asked, looking into the crowd and targeting Kenai. "Yo Kenai, think fast!"

Kenai looked over and got smacked in the head with the fish tail, grabbing it and leering at Spyro while eveyrone was laughing at the throw. he then talked about the journey with Koda and the rest of the gang, saying it was the most annoying journey of his life, but then gave Koda a noogie, letting him know he was teasing. He then tossed the fishtail to Koda, but soon regretted it as Koda began telling everyone how a hunter was chasing his mom to the edge of a glacier, which Spyro could then sense anxiety rise inside of Kenai, growing worried for his friend as the young cub kept talking, Kenai growing more and more anxious until he started having a panic attack, breathing heavily and running away from the group to somewhere else. Spyro then got up and ran after him, running through bramble and brush until he found the panicked bear at the edge of a cliff, pacing back and forth as he tried to process what he had just heard until he saw Spyro approach him.

"Hey Kenai." Spyro said. "You ok?"

"Of course I'm not ok!" Kenai snapped. "That story, the one Koda said, I'm the hunter that attacked his mom! I killed his mother!"

Spyro could sense Kenai was on the verge of a mental break down, watching as he laid down on the ground, breathing heavily as he was on the verge of tears, approaching carefully and sitting on the edge of the cliff, putting his hand on Kenai's back.

"Tell me Kenai, why did you hunt the bear?" Spyro asked.

"Because she killed my brother." He replied.

"Ah, you didn't refer to the bear as an it, but a she." Spyro said. "Why?"

"Because... because..." Kenai tried to answer, but couldn't find the words.

"Because you now have a whole new perspective on the bear." Spyro answered for him. "When you hunted her the first time, was it because she took some fish?" Kenai nodded his head, answering the question. "And you blamed the bear for taking the fish and for your brother's death?" He nodded again, sure of his answer, but Spyro could tell he was conflicted, rubbing Kenai's back to comfort him. "Are you sure you blame her?"

"Of course I do." He replied. "What else could it be?"

"Think back, before you hunted Koda's mother." Spyro said. "Before all of this happened. How did the bear get the fish in the first place?"

Kenai looked to Spyro, understanding what he was talking about and already knowing the answer, but as he thought about it, his thoughts led to new ones, a chain of thought that linked all the events and memories together until he realized it was all his fault. The basket dropping, attacking the bear, antagonizing her, even tithing back, she was just protecting her cub while he only saw a monster when he should have thought of the bear as a loving mother protecting her child. She never tried to kill him, never tried to do him harm, she only tried to scare him away and tossed him away from Koda, protecting him. When he finally realized it, he couldn't hold back the tears, letting out all his emotions and all his frustrations, allowing himself to cry as he laid there on the ground, letting everything out.

"When one seeks revenge, it's easy to blame the other for their mistakes when it goes wrong." Spyro said. "When one takes revenge, the vengeful is bitter sweet, until you see the after effects, how it affects their loved ones and see how they feel. In the end, revenge will only bring you misery."

"What do I tell Koda?" Kenai asked, looking up to him. "What do I say?"

"That is up to you Kenai." Spyro replied. "You are the only one who knows the true story of what happened. It's up to you if you tell Koda everything, or keep it secret until the last moment, when it's too late. He will be hurt, that I will not lie about, but the truth will always set you free. It will show them that you can be trusted. It will show them that you care." He watched as the sun was setting, another day was ending, getting up and walking back to his friends. "Get some sleep Kenai. Tomorrow we leave for the mountain. I hope you're ready."

He walked thought the wooded area and back to the waterfalls, the girls were already sleeping with her bears, enjoying the warmth they brought while he set up his hammock, laying in it as he swung himself to sleep, starring at the stars in the sky, closing his eyes, letting himself fall into a dreamless sleep.

"KODA!" Kenai shouted.

Spyro woke up to hear Kenai shouting out for Koda, waking up to see snow was falling and the girls were already awake like he was, wondering what was going on until they saw Kenai running towards the mountain, getting up and running after him as Kenai shouted out for Koda while running deeper into the woods and to the mountain, not caring about the mountain anymore, but worried for Koda as he looked around.

"Koda!" He said. "Koda I'm... I wish I... if there was some way I... I would give anything to..." He then looked down at his paw print, moving his paw upward while dragging the snow to make it look close to human, but more monstrous and deformed. "I'm sorry Koda. I'm so sorry."

Kenai then started to walk to the mountain, head hanging low as the four of them followed behind him, the girls wondering what had happened and if Koda was ok.

"What happened?" Pinkie asked. "Does he need sheering up!? I think I got my rubber chicken in here some where!"

"No Pinkie, he doesn't need that." Spyro said, looking to the depressed bear. "He told Koda the truth. That he killed his mother."

The girls were silent, now realizing why Kenai was trying to find him, so he could apologize to him, but the cub was no where to be seen, shattering his chance of doing so. They walked through the snow for the entire morning until they reached the mountain's base, Spyro looking around and finding the Highwind's remains and in a massive hole, Spyro could see Sora, who was wearing a heavy coat to keep warm as he waited for his friends, still trying for a signal.

"There he is." Spyro said, the girls looking as Kenai was about to go up, facing him. "Well, this is where we part ways Kenai. I wish you luck in your journey."

"Thank you, for everything." Kenai said. "You all have been great friends. Even after learning what I did."

"Don't worry about it." Spyro said. "In the end, you let go of your hate. I'm positive Sitka will change you back."

Kenai smiled at his friends, taking a final look at them before they walked their separate paths, Spyro and his friends running to Sora as he turned around and saw them coming towards him, glad to see they finally found him.

"Spyro! Pinkie Pie! Fluttershy! Rainbow Dash!" He shouted, running up to them.

"Sora!" They shouted in unison, everyone stopping before they crashed into each other.

"I can't believe you found me." Sora said. "How?"

"We had some help." Spyro replied. "From a couple of bears and an elderly lady."

"Tanana?" Sora asked, smiling. "So she did help me after all."

"Well, we found you and that's all that matters." Fluttershy said. "Now we can go home."

As she said it, an eagle flew down and landed in front of them, everyone wondering what he was doing here until he drew a heart in the snow, an X going through the heart as he drew it.

"The Heartless?" Spyro asked.

"Heartless!? Here!?" Sora asked in horror. "What are they doing here?"

"Following a heart set on vengeance." Spyro replied, watching as the eagle drew the head of a bear. "A bear? Oh no. Kenai."

"Who" Sora asked.

"He's a friend of mine." Spyro answered. "And he's in danger."

"Then let's go!" Sora said. "Where is he at?"

"At the top of the mountain." Spyro replied, looking up. "We need to hurry."

"But even if Fluttershy and I carried Sora, we wouldn't make it in time." Rainbow Dash pointed out.

"Don't worry about us." Spyro responded. "Just carry Pinkie."

The two humans ran for the wall of the mountain, expecting them to run into it, but instead they started running up the wall, leaving the three mares shocked that they were defying the laws of gravity by running up the mountain like it was just another road. As they ran up, multiple Heartless appeared out of the void to slow them down, but the two of them cut through them easily as they slashed and sliced through those who were running climbing on the walls while firing spells at the fliers to keep them off their backs. When they reached the edge of a cliff, they found Kenai and Denahi on the ground, Denahi recovering first and turning Kenai around with a dagger.

"No!" Spyro shouted, Denahi looking to them.

That was the moment Koda came out of no where and knocked Denahi away, making him drop his knife and gave Kenai a chance to get up, but Denahi saw his spear and got up to run for it, Kenai running to get to Koda before any harm could come to the cub. Spyro and Sora ran after them, but Winterhorns blocked their path, charging at them but the two of them fought off the Heartless, but more took their place as they tried to take them down. However, a second later, the northern lights reappeared, the storm vanishing as the light destroyed the Heartless in an instant, everyone watching as Kenai was picked back up by Sitka and turned back into a human again.

"Kenai?" Denahi asked, watching as the eagle turned into Sitka.

Sitka took the totem off of Denahi's spear, unwrapping it from the head and taking his cape as well, Denahi dropping his spear as the darkness in his heart disappeared, the green aura used to give him control of the heartless shattered, watching as their brother wrapped the cloak around Kenai.

"He's human again." Fluttershy said, the three of them catching up.

"What...?" Denahi said, hearing Fluttershy talk. "You... can talk?"

"Wait, I still understood what you said." Kenai said. "How?"

"Magic." Spyro replied.

They then heard a cub crying out, finding Koda was hiding behind some rocks, watching Kenai. As he walked over, Spyro felt something was wrong and looked to the edge, finding a familiar dark robed witch standing on the edge of the cliff, looking very disappointed.

"I was wondering when you were going to show up you hairless harpy." Spyro said, turning his full attention to Maleficent.

"Really now, is that anyway to greet a friend?" Maleficent asked.

"We ain't friends you old hag." Spyro responded, pointing his Keyblade at her. "Seems you used your old mind trick again. Getting tired of Pete? And looking for someone more competent?"

"I am not here for your petty squabbles boy." She replied. "I'm here for the tome."

"Tome?" Spyro asked. "What tome?"

As he asked, a Darkside climbed up the mountains edge and loomed over eveyrone, the girls backing away, but Rainbow Dash flew up into the air, wanting to fight while Spyro called his Keyblade to fight. As the Darkside started calling Shadows from slamming its fist into the ground, Kenai picked up the spear and tied the cloak around his waist to help his friend fight while Denahi pulled out a dagger to also help, but was then pulled towards Maleficent, being held in the air by a dark green aura and walked towards Sitka with a dark smile on her face.

"I know you care for this pathetic whelp!" Maleficent said. "So I'll give you a choice. The tome that has been hidden here or your brother's life. You choose."

"Sitka, whatever she want's don't give it to her!" Denahi shouted, fighting through the pain. "I allowed this witch to get into my head. If she wants a book, don't give it to her!"

"Silence fool!" Maleficent shouted, the aura around Denahi growing brighter as it started to crush him.

Spyro could hear Denahi screaming in pain, blocking the attack from the Darkside and looked over to see Maleficent using her dark power to crush Denahi to force Sitka to give her whatever kind of tome she was talking about. He took out the page to see if there was a tome here, but saw nothing glowing and flipped it over, not seeing anything on the back page, so why would she think there is a tome of magic in this world? He wanted to help save Denahi, but the Darkside would end up tearing his friends apart as soon as he left, even if he duplicated himself, there was a chance Maleficent would take him out as it would take some of his energy just to keep the spell going before he collapsed with exhaustion. he then saw a butterfly fly by, watching it as it landed on the left side of his chest, pushing the Darkside's fist to knock him down before reaching into the inside pocket, finding the book full of Malefor's research and magics.

"No, I refuse." Spyro said. "No good can come from this tome. Nothing in it will ever be used!"

As he said it, a page in the tome started to glow, drawing his attention as he opened it to the section for the Golems, looking at the page and surprised to be reading what was written.

Golems

These creatures of darkness are made from the elements within its environment, granting each Golem unique powers and abilities depending on their size, shape, and their elements. As long as the Golem is made with earth, the other element can be anything. When Malefor used the Golems, he infused them with dark crystals that have then power of Dark Aether, which is very unstable and requires them to continuously drain the magical energy around it in order to remain in existence, no matter what kind of magical energy it is. Many fear the golems, but from what I have found, they are neutral creatures, despite what others say, so I found that if Dark Aether can power up a Golem, pure Aether can do the same, turning these dark destroyers and bringers of death into protectors, obeying whoever gives them life and defending the world they are created on, slumbering until they are called upon again.

After reading the section in the book, Spyro could feel something awaken inside of him, a certain power he felt before as it rose up in him, calling out to be used for this battle, looking up to the spirits as they danced around, sensing that they needed him to do what he needed to do. Looking through the pages, he found the process and looked to Maleficent, summoning his power as he felt the Aether flowing though his body again, his arms turning purple as his hair glowed purple as well, everything around him looking towards him as he called his power, surprising Maleficent.

"Oh my, what have we here?" She asked. "You seem to have acquired a new power."

"Power that not even you can comprehend." Spyro said, raising his left hand to the snow and facing his hand to the earth itself, streams of purple mist entering both elements, confusing everyone. "Power of the ancestors and the power of creation. Malefor used the power he had to bring death and destruction, but I will use it to protect and defend."

The aura still surrounded him and after another moment, the mist had finished going into the ground and into the snow, the earth shaking for a moment before everything stopped, everyone waiting for something to happen, which when Spyro looked around, hoping something happened. Nothing happened, which he sulked, making himself look like an absolute idiot, convinced he did that speech and that pose, only to make himself look like the dumbest person ever, even hearing Rainbow Dash laugh at his failure. Annoyed, he sent a stream of power to the Darkside, knocking it back a bit before a massive bear paw came up and grabbed it's head, smashing it into the edge of the cliff and spooking everyone, breaking Maleficent concentration as the Golem had finally appeared. it was a massive bear made from earth and ice mixed together with purple crystals all over its legs and a few massive purple crystals in its shoulders with glowing cyan colored eyes looking around the edge of the mountain as everyone starred at it.

"What in Celestia's name!?" Rainbow Dash exclaimed, completely taken off guard.

The bear looked at everyone, trying to figure out who had created it when it's eye's were locked on Spyro, the spirits singing their song they sung when Kenai was transformed as it got it's head closer to him, sensing the same power that was used to create it. Spyro reached out his head and when the bear was close enough, he put his hand on the massive bears nose, a bond being created at that moment as it waited for its orders.

"Destroy the Darkside." Spyro said. "Await further instructions."

It nodded its head and dropped on top of the Darkside, dragging it to the ground in which, everyone ran to the side to see what happens, hearing a loud crash and explosion as they heard the Golem start to fight. Spyro then turned his attention to Maleficent, who looked furious as green flames were appearing across her body as the flowers around her started to die from the exposure to the dark magic.

"You!" She said. "You have the tome!"

"Wait, Malefor's research, that's what you're after?" Spyro asked, immediately on guard.

"Give it to me!" She shouted, sending a tidal wave of green fire, which Spyro slammed his foot into the earth and a wall of dense rocks blocking the flames.

Maleficent sent out another fire spell at him, which he blocked with his left hand and charged forward, calling his blade as he lashed out, the witch blocking the attack with her staff as the two engaged in melee combat, Spyro slashing at her while she moved back and called forth lightning and meteors to hit him, but he just moved out of the way quickly and dodged each meteor without any kind of effort as the Aether flowed through him. One spell Maleficent sent, sending a massive meteor down onto the mountain to destroy it, but Spyro just leapt up into the air and kicked it back into the sky, releasing a wave of Aether towards the massive space rock and shattering it into thousands of smaller pieces, burning up as they re-entered the atmosphere. Maleficent was in awe, her own power not even coming close to what she was seeing, backing away as she gazed at the young prince, who turned around to face her, the witch herself turning to escape and saw the ponies, flying towards them to capture them, but Spyro sent a beam of pure Aether hit her in the back, slamming her into the ground and being pushed across it and leaving behind a singular line deep enough to let water run.

A second later, Spyro set down on the ground, the aura disappearing, which he felt the draining effects immediately as he still wasn't;t use to using so much power all at once, trying not to pass out, which Rainbow Dash flew by quickly and held him up, Spyro wrapping his arm around her just to stay on his feet. Maleficent managed to dig herself out of the snow and rocks that buried her and got back on her feet, but fell down from the amount of damage she had just taken, still feeling the burning power from the blast she had just taken in the back and was barely able to stand.

"Seems you are having trouble standing." Spyro said, regaining some of his strength, but still needing Rainbow Dash's help. "Don't feel bad, I'm having difficulties as well."

"I must admit, I underestimated you, Young Prince." Maleficent said. "But still, you are a fool for using that power all at once. Now that you are weakened, my Heartless shall deal with you in one fell swoop."

A second later, multiple voids opened up and Soldiers appeared from them, ready for a fight when everyone saw a massive pink heart fly into the air and a moment later, heard roaring as they felt the mountain shake from something hitting it. As the first soldier ran forward to do a leap kick, a large paw smashed down on top of the soldier, everyone looking to see the Golem had climbed back up and roared out, a wave of cold ice washing over the terrain and freezing the remaining soldiers, shattering as more hearts flew into the air. Everyone was looking to the massive Golem, some amazed by its immense power, others completely terrified by the power and size it was.

"I think my new friend would like to disagree." Spyro said, Maleficent starring at the massive beast and then back to him. "You got two choices, keep fighting and be turned into a pancake, or leave, lick your wounds, and come back to get your rear handed to you another day."

Maleficent glared daggers at Spyro, wanting to send another spell at him to shut him up, but looked to the Golem, the massive hunk of rock and ice growling at her and opened a corridor, shuffling into it and escaping. The Golem roared out in victory, having bested his opponent as it released a kind of magic that seemed to restore everything that was damaged and replenishing some of Spyro's magic. A moment later, Kenai went over to Koda, the cub not recognizing him at first until he heard his voice, running up and leaping into his arms, the two of them happy that each other was ok. Denahi looked on, smiling at his brother, realizing he almost killed him and nearly died himself trying to fight the witch that had promised him vengeance, Sitka walking over and putting his hand on Spyro's shoulder, smiling at him while pointing to the edge of the mountain where Maleficent had hit.

"What are you trying to show me?" He asked, walking over.

When he got there, he found what looked like the corner of a book cover poking out, reaching for it and pulling the rocks away and revealing it was a tome, taking it out and not believing there was one, but it didn't have the symbol of the Prince of Light and Darkness and when he opened it, it was filled with spells on transformations, reforestation, and much more. He looked up to Sitka, who nodded his head, letting him know to take it as Denahi was getting back up, the older brother putting the totem around his neck before Denahi hugged his brother. He then saw Koda with the spirit of his mother, the ghostly bear hugging her son just as Kenai turned back into a bear, looking happy with his decision as Sitka ran to the edge with the bear, turning into an eagle and flew back into the lights, leaving everyone on the edge of the mountain.

"So, this is your decision?" Spyro asked, walking up to Kenai. "You chose to remain as a bear?"

"I couldn't leave Koda on his own." Kenai responded. "Besides, he's the little brother I never had."

"Aw, you know you'd be bored without me." Koda said.

"Well, it would be quieter without you." Kenai replied, the two of them starting to play and run around, Denahi chuckling at the sight.

"I wanted to thank you." Denahi said. "You protected my brother from me. And you saved my life."

"It's my duty." Spyro replied. "Usually, we don't interfere with the affairs of the inhabitants of this world as per the world order." He watched as the two bear brothers kept playing, having a great time and smiled. "But honestly, it's a stupid rule. It's meant to keep evil from discovering other worlds, but that rule was broken a long time ago. I'm glad to be Kenai's friend."

They looked to the lights, expecting them to disappear, but instead, tendrils of blue magical light reached down, two stones floating into the sky as the tendrils wrapped around the stones, turning them into totems right in front of them. The first was what looked like a Pegasus with it's wings spreading out with a mane styled like that of a pony he knew while the other was carved to look like him in his hybrid form, but more dragon than pony, with his wings extended out, walking forward and taking the two totems into his hand and marveling at them. He looked to Denahi for an answer, but he shrugged his shoulders, just as confused and the whole group join in on the fun they were having. As it was getting late, Kenai invited them to stay at their old home where their people would welcome them for the ceremony tomorrow, which they used the massive Golem to travel the whole terrain and surprised the people with the massive behemoth, but calmed down as Tanana welcomed them with open arms.

The next day, in the late afternoon, they got ready for the ceremony where there was a tribal dance that some men and women performed to indicate the right of passage for a member of their tribe to become a man, and the ceremony was for Kenai, who the tribe heard about his trials and about his decision and accepted him, despite his form. As he approached the wall, Denahi helped Kenai to get some kind of paint on his paw and helped to press it into the wall, leaving behind a perfect imprint of his paw as everyone celebrated, dancing and singing going on, even the three girls joined in the celebration, which he didn't have a problem with, but noticed the afternoon sun was about to become sunset, taking the two totems out and looking at them, wondering what they meant.

"So, the spirits have given you a couple of totems." Tanana said, walking over. "A Pegasus, and some kind of creature. Two totems indicates a powerful connection, one that cannot be broken."

"I think they meant it for Scootaloo." Spyro said. "She my little sister."

"Ah, that would seem possible." Tanana said, reaching out and looking at the totems. "This one that is a Pegasus represents protection and guardian ship, a protector. And this one, the spirits tell me it represents inner strength and courage. But together, there is a bond that will never break." She then handed the totems back to Spyro, who looked at them again and smiled, putting them in his coat pocket as he looked out to the forest. "Do you miss your sister?"

"Everyday that I'm away from her." He replied. "Her parents were never around, leaving her in the care of an orphanage where unwanted kids go. I saw her and heard her story, instantly wanting to take her under my wing." He looked up to the sky, watching as the sun was starting to set and put the totems in his pocket. "Time to leave."

"What, you're leaving?" Koda asked, Kenai and Denahi walking with him.

"Sorry Koda, but our mission here is complete." Spyro replied. "Our friend is safe, and now we can go home."

"Will we see you again?" Koda asked, walking up to him.

"Someday, yeah." Spyro responded. "But do not fear, because, no matter how far away I am, I'll always be here." He tapped his finger to Koda's chest, indicating the heart. "As long as you remember me and keep me in your heart, we will never be truly separated."

A moment later, Sora and the girls walked over to them, standing next to him as he called his Keyblade, raising it to the sky and a golden light shined from it, surrounding them in pure gold light and flying to the sky, everyone awestruck and fascinated by the event. Back on the Dragon Crest, Spyro had put in the coordinates for the Mysterious Tower, taking another look to the new world and warping away, going through warp space and appearing seconds later at the tower, landing in the empty landing pad and opening the boarding ramp to let Sora get off, Spyro escorting him off and looking at the tower.

"Maybe I might go back and visit them someday." Spyro said. "Maybe begin patrolling my region."

"Maybe, but we can handle it." Sora replied. "Plus, you left them the Golem to keep that world safe, didn't ya?"

"I did." Spyro replied. "Giving it orders to slumber and only awaken when Kenai or members of his tribe call upon it for protection. Still, I'm going to miss them."

"Hey, as you said, as long as you keep them in your heart, they will always be with you." Sora said, repeating what Spyro said. "Anyway, I better go and report to Master Yen Sid, let him know what happened."

"Sure thing." Spyro replied, the ramp closing as they prepared to lift off. "See you around Sora."

"You too Spyro." Sora said, the ramp closing.

The ship then lifted off from the pad and flew out of the towers atmosphere, Spyro returning to his seat and put in the coordinates for Equestria, the engines charging up for the warp and taking off back home. As they warped to home, Spyro turned his seat to look at the girls, who all had some souvenirs from the world with Rainbow Dash having a tribal headband with some feathers, Fluttershy given a special necklace made with colored rocks, and Pinkie getting to try some of the food and getting to take home some clothing made specially for her for the winter weather. But Spyro, he got to take home a couple of totems for himself and for Scootaloo. After a few minutes, they had reached Equestria, seeing the world of magic after almost a week on another world and entered the atmosphere, passing through a few clouds until the village of Ponyville was in view, but it was nighttime and he could see there was a lot of ponies at the school. As the ship was landing in the garage, the ramp was lowered and the four of them walked out, Spyro sprinting to the school as he still had time to make it.

At the talent show, Scootaloo was peaking out from the curtains, checking to see if Spyro was there, but didn't;t see him in the crowd, feeling her heart sink as she believed Spyro wasn't going to make it, feeling like he had betrayed the promise he made.

"My little ponies, how are you doing?" Twilight asked.

"Nervous." Apple Bloom and sweetie Belle replied, but Scootaloo just sighed.

"Scootaloo, what's wrong?" Twilight asked.

"Spyro's not here." She replied. "He didn't keep his promise."

"Don't say that Scootaloo." Twilight said. "There is still one act left before you, he still has time."

"Cutie Mark Crusaders, you're up next!" Cheerilee said, seeing the unhappy Pegasus filly. "Oh, don't worry Scootaloo. I'm sure he'll be here any second now."

"Thanks, but I don't think he'll make it." She replied, Twilight walking to the curtains and looking out. "Probably too busy fighting bad guys to come and watch our act."

"I'm not so sure about that Scootaloo." Twilight replied.

She walked over and looked out into the crowd again and her eyes widened, seeing Spyro walking up to the crowd as they made room for a good place for him to see the show.

"He's here!" She said, the biggest grin appearing on her face. "He made it!"

"See, told you he'd make it." Twilight said, seeing the pure excitement in her eyes. "And I can't wait to hear you sing Sweetie Belle."

"Oh no, I'm not singing." She replied. "Scootaloo is. I'm in charge of costumes and the props for the set."

"Oh, really?" Twilight asked nervously. "And what about you Apple Bloom?"

"Oh Ah'm the main dancer." She replied, doing a karate chop as they were called to the stage, tossing their cloaks away.

As Spyro got to the crowd, they saw him approach and made room for him to get to the front stage, Applejack and Rarity were also there and waiting for their sisters to start their act.

"Please tell me I didn't miss the crusaders act." Spyro said, hoping he got there in time.

"Ya'll just made it sugarcube." Applejack replied. "They're on next."

"Ah, thank the ancestors." Spyro replied, the lights dimming as their act was getting ready to start.

When the act began, the three fillies looked like a rockstar band with colorful costumes, eyes shade and their manes were shorter and a little spiky. Scootaloo was singing the crusaders theme song while Apple Bloom looking like she was trying to dance, but instead turned out to be karate moved she was doing instead while Sweetie Belle was working the props and the effects for the act, but everything was starting to fall apart and go awry, some of the background falling down, the fan they were using was blowing pretty hard, and the smoke made everything hard to see. When it was over, the entire thing was a disaster, the entire stage was a mess and the Crusaders were buried underneath the props, but dug themselves out, unharmed and waiting for an applause, but everyone in the crowd started to laugh at the girls, finding the whole act to have been the funniest things they ever saw, making the fillies exit the stage in shame.

"Wow, that was..." Spyro began to say, but couldn't find the words.

"A disaster." Rarity replied, chuckling a bit. "But also pretty funny."

"You said it Rarity." Applejack said.

A moment later, all the fillies who participated in the talent show came back on stage, the Crusaders looking down at the stage, but Scootaloo looked to Spyro, looking away in embarrassment at the failure of a show they put on, but he just smiled, actually enjoying it, despite how it turned out.

"Let's hear it for all our talented fillies and colts!" Cheerilee announced, the entire crowd stamping the ground, sounding like an applause. "Our first award goes to Snips and Snails for best magic act!" The two colts ran up to Ms. Cheerilee and Spike, getting gold medals with three stars on it, looking happy, but started bickering about whose was better. "Our next award goes to Sunny Day's and Peachy Pie for best Dramatic Performance." Two yellow earth pony fillies rolled up on roller skated and looked about the same minutes the hair and eyes got a gold medal with the theater masks for comedy and tragedy, looking pleased with themselves. "And finally, our last award of the night goes to..." Everyone was silent, awaiting for her to announce who would get the award, Applejack looking visibly nervous as she shook in anticipation, same with Spyro. "The Cutie Mark Crusaders! For best comedy act."

Everyone cheered when she announced the crusaders, surprising the fillies and making the crowd cheer as Spike put a gold medal on them looking like jester hats, the fillies excited and taking a bow before exiting the stage. After they got off stage, Spyro, Rarity, and Applejack moved to the stage exit, walking up the stairs and going back stage just as the fillies got out of their costumes to see if they got their Cutie Marks, disappointed they didn't get one.

"Congratulations girls." Twilight said, walking up. "Job well done."

"Thanks Twilight." They said in unison, sounding disappointed.

""What's the matter?" Twilight asked. "Why are you unhappy?"

"We worked really hard and won a prize, but we still don't have our Cutie Marks." Scootaloo answered.

They were still talking to Twilight, telling her what they have learned from the entire experience while Spyro got out the totems he got from the new world just as they were about to say what their true talent is.

"And what's your girls true talent?" Twilight asked, looking excited.

"Comedy!" The fillies said at the same time, surprising Twilight.

Spyro just smiled at the fillies, chuckling a bit, which got their attention and made the fillies look over to them.

"I will admit, you girls are pretty funny." Spyro said.

"Did you see our award?" They asked in unison. "Weren't we funny?"

The fillies ran up to them, Apple Bloom hugging Applejack while Sweetie Belle ran up to Rarity and bounced around, the fashionista smiling a the excited filly, but Scootaloo ran up and hopped onto Spyro's back, hugging the back of his neck.

"You actually made it." She said happily. "I thought for a minute you wouldn't."

"I made a promise Scoots." He replied. "I said I wasn't going to miss your act, no matter what." He then used his magic to get the filly off his back and put her on the floor, ready to go home, but reached into his pocket where the totems are. "And I brought something back for you."

The Pegasus filly was excited, wondering what Spyro had brought her and saw him pull out the totem of the dragon he had, presenting it to Scootaloo, who was wondering what it was as he put it on her, everyone looking at it in wonder.

"What's this?" Scootaloo asked.

"A totem." Spyro replied, pulling out the one that looked like a Pegasus and wrapping it around his neck. "In the world I visited, there are actual spirits who bring change to the world, bringing the seasons and even changing the color of leaves, and more. When we found Sora and defeated the evil there, the spirits made these two totems, the one you are wearing represents inner strength and courage." He then wrapped the Pegasus totem around his neck, everyone looking at the one he has. "Mine represents a protector, a guardian. But they were made at the same time, meaning that there is a strong, unbreakable bond between us. No matter where we are or who our families are, we will always be together."

Scootaloo was smiling from ear to ear, tears forming in her eyes as she ran up and hugged her brother, Spyro returning the hug as everyone just smiled at the pair and how much they loved each other. On the way back home, Spyro was carrying the little filly on his back, who was fast asleep after the talent show and quietly walked up the stairs, putting the sleeping filly in bed for the night and silently backed out of the room, heading back to his to sleep, but looked out the window, seeing the northern lights outside. He went tot he window, wondering why they were there, but heard the roar of a bear come from the lights, disappearing a second later, leaving him with questions why the spirits of the world he visited were here in Equestria and not in their world. Deciding to leave it for another day, he went over to his bed and lied down, taking out the tome he got form the new world to see what was special about it and why Sitka would let him take it.