Double Blundertail Trouble.
The Gang could not believe how much trouble they gotten themselves into. They were taken away from swamp where they took out, Arborick. With their weapons confiscated and their hands tied and with, Spyro's neck in a noose being lead like a pet on a leash and with, Sparx being taken inside a cage they were taken towards a galleon much like the one they encountered back in the swamp at the edge of the poison forest.
Sid followed behind his family with his hands tied behind his back. It was all his fault, he believed. He was careless when he was facing the tree monster. He charged in without thinking and did not watch himself. He was so focused on chopping down that monster to bits that he left himself open to be kicked far back through the trees.
When he came to after being knocked out, he was in the arms of many scavengers. He was weakened from the blow he received from, Arborick but he tried to fight them off, but he was one the ground and they had him surrounded. It was all too easy for them. They used him as a hostage against his friends and family. If it were not for him, they would not be in binds like they were. Now they were prisoners to the Scavengers and their deranged and short minded, Captain with two parrots acting like the overseer to the one they rode known as, Skabb.
With no choice they boarded the galleon and were placed on the deck under heavy guard. There were dozens of Scavengers about and many of them were assigned to guard the prisoners. They all babbled and gloated about drooling over themselves acting like imbeciles but they were eager to inflict severe pain upon the prisoners as they heard from those that were in the swamps about how this particular group managed to kill many of their fellow shipmates and had robbed them of the glory of finding and catching, Arborick.
However, under orders from, Skabb or more like scratch they could not harm the prisoners unless they tried anything from an escape attempt or an attack upon them.
Sparx however annoyed both the prisoners and the guards with his constant chatter. From one bad joke to another his words fell on deaf ears and some of which were so annoyed they swatted the cage making him silent getting a growl from the Purple Dragon. Anyone that dares try to harm the one that he called his brother would face his wraith.
A feeling he had since the very day he discovered his fire element along with, Adir. They both had a deep care for, Sparx though he was dreadfully annoying and irritating at times he still was like a brother to them both. If any harm come upon that dragonfly, they would make the ones who caused answer dearly but, in this moment, there was little they or those that were with them could do. They sat side by side surrounded by the mutt like pirates.
The Humans and the dragon kept mostly silent. They did not wish to provoke their captors for the time being they would have to allow themselves to stay at ease until they could figure out what the Scavengers wanted with them. If they truly wanted to kill them, they would have done away with, Sid and done battle with them back in the swamp. Those they faced earlier tried to kill them but now it seemed they valued them more alive than dead.
If they still had their lives, then their imprisonment had a purpose to it. They had to figure out what it was. The Scavenger at the helm of the ship had it rise from the bank and flew into the sky. The Humans were rather fascinated at how the craft was able to lift off the ground. Back where they originally came from nothing could get off the ground with propellers, engines, or at least wings but somehow the ship they were on could fly.
It would be more fascinating if they were not being detained against their will. As the ship flew on, they saw in the sky more galleons. There a couple dozen various sized ships like the one they were on flying all around one vessel that stood out as the largest one there was.
The Ship they were on was heading straight for the largest vessel. It was five times bigger than the one they were on. It had two gigantic sails one near the bow and one near the stern on the deck of the ship. They overheard the helmsman of the ship set course for the humungous vessel, which was called, Fellmuth.
With the ship of that size it had to be the head of the apparent fleet of ships that was flying around them. They also made out there were creatures flying around through the sky either they were carrying something in their large talons or acting as escort. It was bird like being the size of a Dreadwing. They had mounts on them showing they were not simple animals they were tamed and following the direction of their riders.
These Pirates certainly were much like the apes. They were well organized and had a massive force. This concerned the prisoners even more as they drew closer to, Fellmuth. There had to be a least a small force on each vessel they saw. The Bird like beings they saw which one flew overhead of them they then learned was called a Skurvywing as one of the scavengers called up to the rider asking how his charge was treating him.
More and more they saw hundreds of these Skurvywings flying about all over each vessel. Escape at the moment would be impossible. They could break free of their bonds but with the hundreds of Skurvywings about they would be overwhelmed by them if they all charged down at them at once. The many vessels around could bring down heavy fire on them and board bring reinforcements quickly. For now, they had to continue to be the prisoners of their captors until they figure out more about them.
The Ship flew right next to, Fellmuth as a bridge was extended out from the side of the ship and was fastened to the smaller vessel. Once the bridge was secure, Spyro and the others were ordered to their feet. The Guards ordered them next to board, Fellmuth. They reluctantly did so as, Adir carried, Sparx's cage.
They were escorted off the smaller vessel and boarded the Fellmuth. Once on board they were taken down a long hall that was filled to the brink with Scavengers. Dozens upon dozens of the mutt like beings were either guarding the halls or drinking from cups and glasses from nearby stands that had filled cups ready to be served.
A lot of them looked upon the new prisoners that were being taken to the brig in the lower parts of the ship. They all watched with delight as they looked rather fit. No doubt they were going to make quite a spectacle and starting to talk among themselves beginning to make gambles on each of the prisoners.
Spyro and Adir along with the others did not listen to the surrounding Scavengers as they were marched down a flight of steps. All they knew now was they were in more trouble than they first realized. They now were in the middle of a fleet of ships. Hundreds to thousands of Scavengers were at each of the vessels including the gigantic one they were in. Something certainly did not seem right about this as they could not have been brought there without a reason.
They reached the lower deck and found they were in a brig. Lining the side of the halls were cells. Some were empty while others had some Scavengers in them. Possible criminals that were jailed for an apparent wrongdoing or for some other reason. Some of them gazed upon the new set of prisoners snickering or not even bothering to look.
There were some prisoners that were not Scavengers. They were of various races that too were captured by the Pirates and gave a look of pity upon the new arrivals. Rai out of everyone else was the most worried. This was all too familiar for him. Barred cells reminded him of his time under, Cynder. He knew nothing but oppression and fear at that time. If there was nothing for him to do, he was kept locked in a cell for many hours. The Cell offered so little room for him to move. Though had some of his family to keep him company it was a time he was so scared and almost became phobic due to being confined to small spaces for so long.
Molly walked right next to her youngest brother's side putting a comforting arm around him holding him close. She gave him an assuring look telling him they will be alright. "Be brave." She whispered to him as he nodded holding onto his sister's waste.
Soon enough they reached an empty cell that was rather large enough to sustain them all. "Get in!" The Guard in front of the group pointed his scabbard into the empty cell that had nothing but a couple beds of stray and even stand had some cups filled with the same kind of foamy substance in them. Sid saw the stand and whatever was in the cups had to be appealing. At least they were getting something to drink and he was rather thirty from the day's trials.
Spyro along with, Adir and his family went inside as the cell doors were open for them. Once the last of them were in the doors were slammed shut. The Guards then had the prisoners come to the bars were they carefully cut the ropes around their wrists and on, Spyro's neck. Once they were free the guards left their sight and, Adir finally could release, Sparx from the little cage he was held in.
"Ah! Finally! I was close to getting a cramp in there!"" Sparx groaned stretching out his arms and started fly around to get some strength back in his wings.
"Well here we are! What next?" Sid asked as he went up to the stand with the cups with the foamy substance in them. He took one of the cups and dipped his finger in it and took a quick lick of his finger testing a sample of what the liquid. Surprisingly, it tasted sweet and began to drink.
Adir sighed as he sat down by one of the walls. "Not sure yet." Adir replied. "Seems we're in more of a mess than I once thought."
"You got that right, Adir!" Rai agreed as he sat down next to his sister on the other side of the cell. Molly kept an army over her youngest brother. "This is DeJa'Vu all over again!"
Molly nodded in agreement as the memories back in, Cynder's lair haunting her mind. "Any ideas what they want with us?"
Spyro shook his head. "I don't know, Molly. They would not have gone through the trouble of bringing us here for nothing. I dread to think what it is."
Sid drank the whole cup in his hand. He smacked his lips and wiped off any remnants of what he had on his lips. He then let out a loud burp getting everyone's attention.
"Oh, great! Another Sparx is with us!" Molly grumbled getting a chuckle from most of the others except for, Sparx.
"Not funny, Molly!" He responded folding his arms in an upset manner. Molly only laughed at her joke some more as the others finished their chuckling. This still was a very serious situation. They were now prisoners in the biggest ship of a fleet. Surrounded by near countless Scavengers and they had yet to know what was in store for them.
Sparx however felt like the whole group could use a tune to cheer them up and to get rid of the thoughts out of their minds over the joke that was made of him.
"Swing low, sweet chariot…" He began to sing in an enlightening mood, but the start of the song made the group groan and shake their heads. "…coming forth to carry me home!" Sparx then mimicked a harmonica sending irritated chills to the nearby humans.
"Sparx! Knock it off will you!" Sid demanded sitting down tossing the empty cup in his hand at, Sparx as he narrowly dodged the cup.
"Come on, cheer up! Just trying to lighten the air." Sparx scoffed then continued. "Come on, gang! Put that sorrow behind you and clap your hands with me!"
Rai grabbed his ears and squeezed them tight as, Sparx continued to sing in bad tunes to where, Molly stood up and grabbed the dragonfly. "This is no time for that, Sparx! Shut you mouth for five minutes. Please!" She told him putting a finger in front of his face.
"Okay, okay! Jeez! Everyone's a critic!" Sparx agreed as, Molly let go of him. He brushed off his lower body. "Can any of you just show a little love?"
"Perhaps we could if you weren't always such a buzzkill at times." Rai responded getting a laugh from everyone.
"Buzzkill!" Sparx fumed crossing his arms taking offense to that remark.
Adir chuckled at the remark standing up going over to the cell doors. He stared out the bars and sighed as the situation for now was bleak. He hoped that he and the others could think how to get out the ship and away from the scavengers. Just then something walked across the bars just from below his sight. He looked down and realized it was a familiar mole from boyzitbig.
"Mole-yair!" He excitingly exclaimed seeing it was the leader of the manwearesmalls from munitions forge. The Mole man was wearing a different hat than before as it was replaced with a red rounded hat with a bent red feather on it.
The leader of manwearesmalls turned to see it was, Adir to his great surprise. "Adir? Is that really you, old friend?"
Adir nodded getting on his knees to look at the little mole man straight on. "It is! Spyro, Sparx and others from my family are here too!" He turned over his left shoulder. "Guys! Its Mole-yair!"
"Who?" Sid asked staying where he was. Spyro, Molly, Rai and Sparx came over.
"This is the guy you told us about from that volcano place?" Rai inquired.
"Yes." Spyro confirmed. "Everyone this is, Mole-Yair." He introduced.
Mole-Yair bowed his head. "A pleasure everyone."
However as good as it was to see one of their friends, they met on their previous journey it raised a few questions. "What are you doing here and why are not locked up like the rest of us?" Sparx asked.
"I'm afraid I and along with a portion of my people were captured by the scavengers in munitions forge. They took us prisoner but found out that we are not worthy for the arena fights as we are too frail to be of any use for entertainment. So, they made us all servants. Serving grog to both prisoners and the scavengers themselves." Mole-Yair explained sadly.
"So that's what this is." Sid acknowledged taking another cup of grog from the table.
"Look, Mr. Mole-Yair can you help us?" Molly asked.
"Please call me, Mole-Yair young lady." Mole-Yair insisted but then there was a sound of footsteps coming their way from across the hall. "Shh…we'll talk later someone is coming." He then grabbed his walking stick and moved as quick as he could away from the cell.
Spyro and the others heard the steps and backed away from the cell door. Within a moment, Skabb along with the two parrots that acted as his voices, Scratch and Sniff. The Group glared at the pirate captain responsible for their capture.
"I trust your living quarters are to your liking?" Scratch inquired as, Sniff snickered from that.
"Not especially." Sid grumbled.
"Yeah, my roommates could be cheerier." Sparx remarked getting a few glares from the others at him.
Sniff did not like how the dragonfly, or the human spoke without being told. "I thought I told you to keep quiet, fools!" He shouted then looked at, Spyro and Adir. "And you both! Get ready to fight! It's hurting time baby!"
Adir raised an eyebrow. "Against you?"
Sniff shook his feathery head. "Not us, you dunce! You will see in the arena!"
"Oh, no!" Spyro quietly shuddered as he should have figured something like this was going to happen.
The others were concerned for, Spyro and Adir. Scratch took notice of their worry. "Fret not. You will all have an opportunity to partake as well. For now, you will be our guests for the show."
Molly and Rai back up to, Sid who took hold of them as they each got worried as the cell was opened by some of the scavengers that came with, Skabb and grabbed both the dragon and, Adir taking them out of the cell. Then more scavengers entered and grabbed the other humans and dragonfly taking them out of the cell as well.
While Spyro and Adir were escorted in a different direction the others were forced to follow, Skabb while the guards kept them surrounded with their weapons drawn to keep them from getting any ideas.
Sparx flew right next to, Sid's ear. "I really. And I truly really hate those birds!" He whispered into, Sid's ear.
"For once, we agree." Sid replied as he followed his family and tried not to show how much he was worried for both his cousin and the purple dragon.
The Situation was looking any better as, Spyro and Adir were soon taken to a gate that was one of the gates that lead into the arena. They could hear a crowd outside it cheering in expectation for a fight. It did not take them long to realize what they were there for. On the other side of the gate on the far side of the Arena standing on a balcony was, Skabb and the parrots and sitting on benches on both sides of him were, Molly, Rai, and Sid who was holding a tiny cage with, Sparx it as their legs were chained to the bench preventing them from getting up and leaving.
Scratch on the back of Skabb began to address the crowd as he shouted as loud as he could over the cheers. "Fiends and Felons! Scoundrels and Swindlers! Welcome…to the first event of the evening!" He welcomed. "Tonight, we bring a very special battle, sure to quench your thirst for brutality!"
Sniff was becoming impatient. "Enough of this jibber jabber! Let's bring on the pain!"
Scratch continued. "Introducing two creatures both rare and powerful! Both of might and magic! Prepare yourselves…and feast your eyes on Spyro the Dragon! And Adir the human!"
The Gate was raised and both, Spyro and Adir walked forward from it as soon as they stepped into view the gate shut behind them. They stepped forward as the crowd all laughed and pointed at them.
"Look it's a hairless ape!" One laughed at, Adir.
"That's not a dragon he's a whelpling!" Another pointed at the purple dragon. The Crowd continued to cheer as the contestants may not seem like much, but they certainly would make an appealing show.
"I've got a bad feeling about this." Spyro shivered.
"I know. Me too!" Adir admitted as he eyed his family up by, Skabb.
"And their opponents! You have seen them! You've loved them! We offer you none other than the twins of terror themselves!" Scratch announced as a gate on the far side of the arena opened to reveal two large scorpions that walked out from the gate one at a time and came marching upon to the center of the arena. "The Blundertails!"
"Oh, my god!" Molly gasped from her seat as she tried to stand up, but the guard put a sword next to her keeping her from rising.
Rai twitched with worry as the scorpion were massive and there was a scavenger riding each one.
Sid and Sparx were very concerned as the crowd roared in cheer over the massive twin beasts.
Spyro and Adir got ready as something fell next to, Adir. He looked down to see it was his sword. One of the scavengers tossed down his sword for it would make it all the more interesting if the warrior had everything he came with as, Adir quickly picked it up.
"One for each of us." Adir laughed nervously as one of the scorpions came to them and snapped its massive claws at them but both the dragon and human jumped backwards flipping over landing their feet.
Adir drew out his sword from the sheath. "I'll take the right one!" Adir ran to his right as the scorpion on his right took after him as the other scorpion went after, Spyro.
The Battle between the Blundertails and the dragon and human took over most of the arena. Each of the Blundertails were quite vicious and the riders acted as the eyes as the creatures kept their faces covered when moving.
Spyro eluded the attacks as he tried to fly but a cannon shot from above him showing that if he tried to fly he would be fired on directly as above was the open sky and they took it like an escape attempt. With that he remained on the ground and tried to bash the scorpion he faced with his horns. He managed to knock the claws away from its face but then the tail tip that was replaced with a cannon instead of a stinger shot out a metal ball of fire that almost hit the dragon but he turn from it just before it hit him as the ordinance exploded on impact.
Adir was having a difficult time with his opponent. Facing a scorpion on its own was challenging enough but now that it had a rider to pull the scorpion in any direction and counter when it had to shield its face this was troublesome.
Adir tried to slash at the claws with his sword but the scales were too thick. He jumped over the claws and tried to take out the rider, but the tail lunged forward knocked him in his chest sending him back onto the ground. The Crowd cheered in bloodlust as, Adir took a massive hit.
Molly and the others grew increasingly worried as they wished they could help but any move could mean their death as they were forced to watch their own sibling and their friend fight for their lives.
Adir managed to get back on his feet and got a distance from the scorpion and tried to think of a new strategy.
Spyro ran next to him as he too was having a difficult time. "Any ideas?" Adir asked as he did not know how long they could keep this up.
Remembering that the scorpion he faced shot a cannonball at him which then exploded on impact perhaps they could use it to their advantage. "Get the scorpion to face away from the other one. I got an idea. Just be ready to move." He told the young warrior.
Adir did not know what he had in mind, but he nodded as he ran back forward and drew the attention of the scorpion. He shot a streak of fire from his hands getting the scorpion enraged as he charged him. Spyro headed towards the other scorpion knocking its claws away from its face.
The Rider smiled as the dragon was not very bright for trying to same attempt. He fired the cannon from the tail tip of the scorpion. Spyro smiled and dodged again rolling out of the way but to the rider's shock his shot was heading straight towards the other scorpion that had its back turned and did not know what was about to collide into it.
Adir deflected another snapping claw with his sword and saw something fiery coming up from behind the scorpion. Getting the idea, he leapt up jumping right in front of the rider then leapt off the side and just when the rider caught something coming from the corner of his eye it was too late. The cannonball careened right the body of the scorpion and just when it screeched in pain the cannonball exploded destroying it and its rider entirely.
The Crowd quieted a little from the sudden loss of one of its favored fighters thought the humans and the dragonfly started to cheer on for both the purple dragon and, Adir below as now they had one opponent left.
"Great idea, Spyro!" Adir gave a thumbs up at the dragon as, Spyro ran next to him.
"Thanks! One left." Spyro said as the last scorpion and its riding crawled upon them as the rider was ready to avenge his fallen comrade.
"Keep him distracted. Ill see if the back end of it is just as thick!" Adir told the dragon as the scorpion was right upon them. Spyro nodded as he dodged backwards avoiding the snapping claws. Adir ran to the right as, Spyro then jumped and flew low around the scorpion. The rider and the scorpion were so focused on the dragon that gave, Adir an opening.
The young warrior then jumped with his sword raised back behind his head and with a mighty slash he came down hard on the scorpion's tail slicing it off. The Scorpion screeched in pain as, Spyro flew around it shooting out shards of ice right into its face causing to drop dead.
The Rider now having lost its best and only true source of defense against the two was about to get off the dead creature but then a sword pierced right through his back and came out through its chest as, Adir finished him with a thrust through him.
Both the dragon and human took a great sigh of relief as they had done it! They successfully defended themselves and beat their opponents as the crowd went wild over the apparent winners of the battle. Even the prisoners above cheered for them as, Spyro and Adir smiled slightly at them.
Scratch and Sniff upon, Skabb were quite impressed with the display. It was unexpecting that the dragon and human survived but nonetheless it proved quite the marvel.
"Well done. Well done, indeed." Scratch complimented. "Step forward and receive your glory!"
There was no glory to be had here as they were used for blood sport. Their captors may have found this entertaining but, Spyro and Adir despised this. They both swore silently they will get out of this somehow and make sure that no one could be ever forced to fight for their entertainment again.
Suddenly both, Spyro and Adir's eyes got heavy. They could not fight it as both fell to the floor with, Adir falling onto the dragon going unconscious along with, Spyro to the shock of everyone in the arena.
Sniff was dumbfounded by the sudden collapse of the two. "You waiting for someone to move for you, boys? Don't just stand there this ain't no puppet show!"
However, both the dragon and human were completely unconscious. To the crowd the two of them must have exhausted themselves from the fight. But Molly and the other prisoners figured why they must have collapsed like that.
"Oh, no! Not this again!" Sid grumbled as he was poked in his back by one of the scavengers as grinded his teeth. It was all he could do from trying to turn around and strangle the one that did it.
Sparx in the cage put a hand over his hand. "Man. Why do they have to do that in the middle of this arena of all places?" He whined as a group of scavengers went into the arena to gather the unconscious individuals as the others were finally released and taken back to their cell.
