Welcome back to Ashes of Midnight. Last time, Cynder and her team caught up with Johnny Blaze, and after rescuing him from HYDRA, Blaze did something that was arguably rather foolish. He actually read from the Parchment of Power, trapping the trio with an army of Soulless adorned in Malefor's violet color scheme. But they managed to beat them back, with Johnny Blaze giving a cryptic note to Cynder that her hunch of Malefor and Lilith not being as buddy buddy as they might think isn't far off. A sentiment we know Lilith herself has confirmed, stating Malefor is no friend of hers. What on earth does all this mean? Let's see if we get any answers today...

(Our scene resumes in the Forge, where Cynder is entering the room, pondering everything Johnny Blaze and Lilith said to her in their previous meeting.)

Johnny Blaze: Your hunch isn't that far off.

Lilith: Malefor is no friend of mine.

Cynder: (Hearing these lines repeat) Could it really be?

(As Cynder descends the stairs, we see Doctor Strange, Iron Man, Magik and Nico Minoru working on something with some kind of beast)

Doctor Strange: I must admit, I wasn't sure the Barghest could be taken alive. But if anyone could do it, it would be you.

Magik: And now you'll do something terrible to it?

Doctor Strange: Not necessarily. The barrier protecting Banner's functions on one premise, only demons can pass through it. All we need to do is make it think Cynder is a demon.

Cynder: Do I even want to know what you're thinking of?

Iron Man: I hope it's not making the dog into a cape.

Doctor Strange: It's not a dog, Stark. And a cape won't be enough

Cynder: Can somebody catch me up on what that thing is then?

Nico Minoru: It's a Barghest. Blade and I tracked it down this morning. Surprisingly willing to get caught.

Cynder: (Sensing something from the beast) Looks like it wanted to find us.

Magik: Don't you dare.

Doctor Strange: I'm hoping we can make a facsimile of it's skin that'll fool the barrier.

Nico Minoru: It might just work with what we've been working on.

Iron Man: Whatever this plan is, it's bizarre. Even for you magic folk.

Doctor Strange: It's also the only plan with any chance of working if you want to reach the Gamma Accelerator.

Magik: Or Wanda and Spyro for that matter.

Cynder: What exactly is the plan?

Nico Minoru: Long story, Cynder. But I think we've found a way to restore those Lilith and Malefor have corrupted.

Cynder: (Now ecstatic at this idea) What?!

Magik: We'll catch you up in a minute. (Sighs as she turns to the Barghest) I don't like it, but if we must put the poor Barghest out of it's misery to make this work...

Doctor Strange: (To Cynder) Having this much demonic energy close to you is far from a negligible risk, Cynder. I just hope the collar can withstand it.

Cynder: I'll worry about the collar. Or more accurately, Caretaker and I will worry about it. If this can restore Spyro, Wanda, and the rest, I'm game.

Doctor Strange: Well then, we'd best get to work. It's going to take a while even attempt crafting this madness.

Nico Minoru: You two get to work on the Barghest hide facsimile, I'll keep researching into our plan to restore the others. Let's just hope this can actually work.

Cynder: For everyone's sake, I'm with you, Nico.

(And as the group sets to their specific tasks, our tale ends for today)

And that looks like a good spot to wrap up for now. Still a little shorter than usual, but it looks like there's a lot about to happen here. It would be enough to just have a way into Banner's base. But now there's a chance to save Spyro, Wanda and the rest?! This is almost too good to be true. Is it? And yes, I know I skipped over the Barghest Hunt quest completely, but that's simply because I had no idea it was even relevant until it popped up in my story cutscene source. I'm thinking Blade would just make it out to be a "Don't Ask" situation. Anyways, next time, we should, and will, see the results of the work and research set up here. So be sure to tune in for that! Same time... same channel!