Welcome back to Ashes of Midnight. Last time, Cynder and Scarlet Witch got the next steps from Agatha Harkness towards getting her help in defeating Malefor. And it involves an incredibly risky ritual that leaves Agatha's spirit vulnerable that only Wanda can cast due to the thing's nature reveling in contradictions. And to make things worse, this one's a Caretaker original, and that's the reason she can't find out about any of this. Let's just hope Cynder, Scarlet Witch, and Spyro can keep this a secret until the moon is right in a few days. Anyways, there's more story to go through here, so let's not waste a second! Here we go.

(Our scene picks up in the morning, where Cynder has evidently decided to sleep in. And after last night's sneaking around, that much is no surprise. But what is surprising is that when she finally does wake up, Spyro is already stirring. Apparently that's unusual)

Cynder: Spyro? What are you doing up? You're never up before I am.

Spyro: Well, for one, it's almost ten and you're usually up at like 5:30 on the dot.

Cynder: (Stretches her back) Is it really that late? Guess I was more tired than I thought.

Spyro: After the sneaking and deception you and Wanda pulled last night, that really doesn't surprise me.

Cynder: (Shushing him) Not so loud! The fact that three of us know is already putting Agatha at a huge risk.

Spyro: Don't worry, I haven't told anyone. Are you sure you really want to go through with this?

Cynder: We really have no other choice. If my dreams are to be believed, Agatha's the key.

Spyro: Who told you that anyways? Ignitus?

Cynder: He was one of them.

Spyro: (Now suspicious) Then who was the other?

Cynder: You wouldn't believe me if I told you.

Spyro: Try me.

Cynder: Lilith.

Spyro: And you honestly believe her?!

Cynder: She doesn't want to be part of whatever Malefor is doing. And right now, nobody else is giving us any better options. I was skeptical when I heard it from Lilith, but when Agatha confirmed it, I felt a little more assured.

Spyro: I hope Ignitus was watching all this.

Cynder: He's apparently the one who let her in.

Spyro: (Sighs) Well, if Ignitus trusts what she has to say, then I'll go along with this for now.

Cynder: That's the spirit. Now, what do you say we go get some breakfast? Assuming there's anything left.

Spyro: Good idea, since something tells me I'm working with Wanda on this.

Cynder: Pretty much.

(Cut to a few minutes later and as Spyro and Cynder enter the War Room, Captain America is standing over the Mirror Table, observing the scene)

Cynder: Morning, Cap. What's the situation?

Captain America: Transia's being overrun by demons and HYDRA goons. Crossbones has set up his last stand.

Cynder: Sounds like we need to take Rumlow out for good.

Captain America: Honestly, I was thinking the same thing. There's no way he can stand up to the three of us.

Spyro: (Remembering he needs to help Wanda) Might want to make that the two of you. (Puts a paw to his forehead) I think I'm coming down with something. Couldn't sleep a wink last night.

Captain America: (Not sure he buys it) I'd definitely get that checked out then. If we're going to put an end to Malefor and his schemes, we're going to need everybody in peak condition.

Spyro: Will do, Cap.

(As Spyro heads out of the War Room, he gives a wink to Cynder, which Captain America doesn't notice. Cynder returns the wink in kind, also unseen. And once Spyro is fully out of the room, Cynder and Captain America turn their attention to the Mirror Table)

Cynder: So, Cap. What's the plan?

Captain America: So far it looks pretty simple. We're going in, getting out as many civilians as we can, and bringing Crossbones down.

Cynder: An unusually simple plan for you, Steve.

Captain America: Admittedly, that's because now we're in territory I understand. I'm leaving this mystic stuff to the professionals, HYDRA is my arena.

Cynder: Say no more. I'll get Magik on the horn and we'll get on the road.

(And as Cynder and Captain America prepare to head off for Transia for a final confrontation with Crossbones, our tale ends for today)

And that looks like a good spot to end for today. Not really much to say going forward, next time we're back to action in Transia, and Crossbones is hopefully going down. But will he stay down? Tune in next time to find out! Same time... same channel!