Chapter 176: Ponies and the Demon Part 3: Return to Pride
A while after the battle had finished and everyone was in Fluttershy's cottage, watching Spyro as he laid there unconcious in the pegasus mares couch, Fluttershy applying some soaked rage to hit head while Loona and Octavia sat across from one another, talking about the people that tried to kidnap her and what they probably wanted with her while the imps turned to ponies, waiting impatiently for Spyro to wake up as thye looked outside, keeping an eye out for the Grublins while looking at Spyro, Blitz half wanting to blast him and claim the reward. However, he looked over to Octavia and remembered how happy she was with him, so he restrained himself from pulling his gun out and firing as he didn't want to have an upset Goetia on his hands and her father would probably have a hay day with him for upsetting his daughter. A few moments later, Spyro started to groan, stirring awake as he sat up and held his head, having a killer headache as he sat up and got everyone's attention.
"Spyro, you're awake!" Octavia said, rushing over.
"Slowly now Spyro." Fluttershy said. "You're still weak."
"I'm fine Flutters." Spyro said, rubbing his head and looking at the imps. "Did you guys jump in and help?"
"We did." Moxxie said. "Though it was mostly Blitz firing wildliy into the army of those... whatever they were."
"They're grublins." Spyro replied, getting up. "A combination of earth, nature, and dark magic. Malefors minions and from how many there were, they're after Octavia."
"But... why?" Octavia asked.
"Something tells me it isn't to invite you to tea." Spyro said.
"Heh, kids got a sense of humor." Blitz said. "I'm starting to like you. So, Moxxie says you're smart. Do you know any reason why this Malefor guy would want Octavia in the first place?"
"Hmm, well, I think it might have something to do with Octavia's blood." Spyro said, surprising them. "He must want your blood for something, but judging by how they came for you and didn't try to kill you immediately, I think he need you alive. Or someone in your bloodline alive."
"Wait, my bloodline?" Octavia asked. "You mean, like my parents or grandparents?"
"Exactly." Spyro replied. "It must have something to do with your bloodline, meaning a drop of your blood or a member of your family's blood will do, whatever it is he has planned." He then looked at the spear that was leaning against the wall, walking towards it, but then he felt weakened again as he got closer, immediately feeling faint again, so he leapt back and felt better, looking at the spear with wonder and confusion. "And whatever that spear is made of, it seems to be weaken me when I get too close."
"Oh, I had a look at it." Millie said. "It's made of wood, some stone, and it seems to have some silver braided hair attached around the tip of it. Kinda decorative, don't you think?"
"So, there weren't any black crystals on it?" Spyro asked.
"Nope!" Millie replied. "But I think it said something before getting demolished. Something about some kind of monster I think."
"A sphinx." Loona said. "I think that thing said something about Sphinx hair."
"Sphinx hair?" Spyro asked, looking at it and realizing what it was. "Of course, Sphinx hair. It's in the tomes I have. The hair of a Sphinx is one o the only things that can truly weaken a dragons magic and abilities. The radiance of the sphinx cancels out any dragonic spell or enchantment."
"Wait, so that hair is the only thing that can weaken you?" Loona asked.
"Well, one of the things yes." Spyro said. "Malefors Dark Aether crystals also suck the magic right out of me as well, weakening me as well. But Sphinx hair... that's a new one."
"I'm just grateful that you're ok." Fluttershy said, laning into Spyro as he smiled.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, that aside, let's get you back home Octavia." Blitz said. "Stolas is really worried about you."
"No, I'm staying here." Octvia said, shocking them.
"What!?" Blitz asked. "WHY!?"
"Because I like it here!" Octavia shouted back. "Here, I don't have to hear my parents fight day after day! Here, I can make friends, live a normal life, something that I always wanted to have." Octavia started to cry, a tear dropping from her cheek as Loona tried tp comfort her, Octavia looking up at all of them. "Do you know what it's like!? Living in a household were your parents fight day after day with no end!? My parents maybe divorced, but they continue to fight nonstop and I'm the one who's caught in the @%*#ing middle!"
"Oh my." Fluttershy said.
"A kid shouldn't have to hear their parents fight all the time!" Octavia shouted, looking like she was about to burst into tears. "All I ever wanted was a loving and caring family, where there weren;t fights all the time, where we could laugh and have fun. Hell, my own mother never took me to the park once, saying to stop being a sissy and grow up back when I was five! *%#ing five! I was a child back then and she told me to grow up and stop being a sissy!?"
"Octavia..." Spyro said, feeling her rage and sorrow pour out.
"And then there's dad, who had to be in bed with an imp and make things worse!" Octavia continued, making Blitz sweat a bit. "Since then, mom has gotten worse, wanting my dad dead and when I sided with him, she said I was nothing more than an embarrassment to the Goetia name, saying I was as weak as my dad. Calling me a mistake!"
"Octavia, please, calm down." Spyro said.
"So no, I'm not going back home!" Octavia shouted, backing away. "I'm never going back home! NEVER!"
A moment later, her horn suddenly lit up, a purple aura surrounding it as a wave of demonic magic came out and made everyone duck for cover, Spyro protecting Fluttershy wiht his body as the magic came at them and then disappated, Octavia no longer there as she had just ran out of the cottage, everyone looking out to make sure the coast was clear and it was safe to come out.
"Ow, ooh, eei, ow, ow!" Spyro said, his back looking scorched as he started to glow green. "Man, demon magic hurts! Remind me not to do that again."
"Where'd Octavia go?" Fluttershy asked.
They all looked around, trying to find her when Loona looked outside, seeing that the alicorn was running away from the cottage and away from them.
"There she goes." Loona said, everyone looking outside to see her.
"Loona, quick, go get her!" Blitz said.
"No, I'll go." Spyro said, everyone looking at him. "She's upset, hurt, and needs someone who will listen to her. Someone who cares."
"But, we all care about her." Millie said.
"No, she needs someone who actually cares." Spyro said, looking at them. "Like her father."
"But you heard her." Moxxie said. "She hates her father."
"She's lashing out in anger." Spyro said, looking at the upset girl as she sat under a tree, sensing how emotionally upset she is. "All of tat pent up anger and frustration, how she watches her own parents fight all the time and feeling all alone in her life, she just feels trapped, thinking nobody cares."
"She feels insecure about herself." Loona said, looking at a mirror and seeing her reflection before it changed, seeing Octavia in place of her reflection before it changed back. "Like me." Spyro then started to head to the door, but before he could go outside, Loona put her hoof on his shoulder, making him look back at her, wondering what was up. "Can I go with you? She trusts me, like she trusts you."
Spyro was surprised by the hellhounds change in attitude, previously seeing her as someone who was heartless and dangerous, but to see her as compassionate and kind, it was a surprise to him, making him smile as he knew she cared about somebody.
"Sure, you can come along." Spyro replied. "She might feel a little more comfortable with someone she knows. I only met her today, but you knew her longer, so maybe she'll feel more comfortable around you."
They both then started to walk out the door, leaving the hitmen behind with Fluttershy, looking at her as she looked at them nervously.
"So, how's your day going so far?" Blitz asked.
Outside, Octavia was sitting on the ground, feeling alone and sad as she looked at the ground as the tears rolled down her face, crying at how unfair it was that she had such awful parents and looked to the town, though she was far away, she could see mothers with their kids, playing in the fields and in the playgrounds, laughing and having fun, which made her feel worse than she did before. She wiped her eyes, wishing it was her down there with her mother and father, seeing an image of them being happy and a real family instead of what they were currently, crying as she pounded her hoof into the ground, her horn sparking a bit as her magic was reacting to her emotions and caused a purple magical aura to appear around her horn and a moment later, a beam of purple magic shot out, hitting a branch and making it fall with a bird nest in it, the bird chirping in fear as it fell, but Spyro appeared and caught the branch, saving it and the bird nest as the mother bird flew down, chirping as Spyro used his own magic to lift the nest up and onto another branch, the mother sitting on the nest as Spyro looked at Octavia.
"You're magic's pretty strong." Spyro said, tossing the branch away. "But... you're gonna need to work on your emotions a bit. You're magic is connected to your emotions. The more emotional you are, the more uncontrollable your magic gets."
"Leave me alone." Octavia said, turning away from him.
"Believe me, being alone is the last thing you need." Spyro said, walking over and sitting with her. "I use to want to be alone when I was upset, not wanting others to be around me, no one to talk to about my troubles or concerns..."
"What's your point?" Octavia asked.
"My point is that being alone never helps with your problems." Spyro said, putting his hoof on her shoulder. "All you need to do is talk to someone about your problems. Get them know how you feel, this way, they can help you with your problems and make you happy."
"He's right you know." Loona said, walking over to them. "I hate to say it, but dudes got a point."
"Loona." Octavia said, watching as she walked over and sat down on the other side of her.
"Being alone doesn't help." Loona said. "I grew up without parents and never had parental love before. You're lucky to actually have a father and how much he cares."
"But you have Blitz." Octavia said. "He seems to really care about you."
"Doesn't mean I don't want a normal and happy relationship in my life." Loona said, looking at Octavia. "Remember what i said about fathers? About how they aren't perfect, but they try their best, despite our antics."
Octavia looked at Loona, remembering the conversation that night, but she then remembered the fights her parents have and looked down at the ground as she still felt upset.
"I remember." Octavia replied. "But someties I think my father enjoy fighting mom than he does spending time with me."
"You're only seeing the bad instead of the good." Spyro said, looking at both of them. "Loona, you push others away because you're afraid of becoming attached to them and they end up hurting you, only seeing the bad in others like Octavia only sees the bad things and the flaws in her own parents. Sometimes, you just gotta let your guard down and talk to someone about how you feel. Trust me, it helps a lot."
Both of the girls looked at one another, not sure what to say before they looked back at Spyro.
"Dude, were you a psychologist in a previous life?" Loona asked.
"But... how should I tell dad how I feel?" Octavia asked. "And will he even listen?"
"Trust me, a parent will always make time to listen to their kids." Spyro said, smiling at Octavia. "No matter how busy they are." Octavia looked at Spyro, smiling at him as she leaned on his shoulder while Loona just smiled at them both. "Anyway, I think it's time we got you home."
"But... how do we get home anyway?" Octvia asked.
"You're father gave us these crystals to travel from world to world." Loona replied, holding up hers. "We can get you back to pride and get you home befored nightfall."
"But... what about those guys who tried to kidnap me?" Octavia asked. "They'll be waiting for me."
"Don't worry, we'll escort you home." Loona said. "You'll be safe with us around."
Octavia smiled, getting up from the ground and was about to leave, looking at Spyro as he also smiled at them before walking over and hugging him, showing how much she appreciated the hug before they started to make their way to the cottage, Spyro remaining behind for a moment as he thought it over, how the Grublins were after her, thinking it over in his head before looking at the two girls walking away, making his way to the cottage as well to see if he could help, knowing that this wasn't over. Back in the Ring of Pride, Stolas has just arrived at him home, rushing in and bursting through the front door and standing there at the stairs with her back turned was his ex-wife Stella, who turned to face him, though they were no longer husband and wife, Stolas seemed somewhat happy to see her.
"Stella, I'm glad you actually came." Stolas said, walkign to her. "Where's Octavia?"
"Oh, she'll be here." Stella said, smiling at him. "After you're dead."
A moment later, the Grublins popped out of the ground, surrounding Stolas as he looked around, seeing that tey all had holy weapons on them as he looked at his ex in horror.
"She was never really here, was she?" Stolas asked. "You lied to me."
"Of course I like imp %#*er!" Stella shouted. "You really think I give a #*% about such a weakling of the Goetia bloodline!? I don't care what happens to her at this point! All I care about is making you suffer." A moment later, a massive Grublin poss came out of the ground, holding a mace with spikes on it that was also blessed, wearing a cyan blue mask. "I made a little deal with a new associate of mine. Some of your blood and in exchange, I get your dead corpse and everything you own! As for our daughter, I don't care where she is or what happens to her. I don't wish ill on her, but she needs to grow a spine and actually get a life! I might marry her off to someone who might take her and make her into a real woman. That is, if someone will actually take her."
This angered Stolas, who clenched his fist and caused some of the inanimate objects in the room to start floating, which Stella actually noticed and looked at Stolas, who looked like he had a look of murder in his eyes as he looked up.
"You... will... not... hurt... my... DAUGHTER!" Stolas shouted.
A moment later, dark flames surrounded him and then took off, flying through one of the Grublins as it tried to defend itself, but it ended up splitting in half, turning to dust as he flew around again, cutting through a few more before landing on the ground, using his telekinestic abilities to lift the holy weapons up and spin them around, sending them flying towards more Grublins, but the ones with shields managed to defend themselves while the axe one got nailed in the head, collapsing to the ground as the shields charged, but Stolas widened his eyes and a moment later, the shield orcs turned to stone, having been pretified from the gaze. He turned to look at his ex-wife, who was just smiling at him as more of the Grublin Orcs jumped out fromt he earth, all snarling and growling at him as they charged, raising their axes and swords at them, but Stolas transformed ito his burning phoenix form and flew around, setting them all on fire and making them run around in terror while Stella looked down at, not impressed as the two exes glarred at one another as they stood there motionless.
"Well, where was all of this when I had you abducted during out little get together at that dreadful tea shop?" Stella asked, looking smug about it.
"I knew it was you who sent that assassin." Stolas said. "You tried to have me killed."
"Of course I did you idiot!" Stella shouted. "Did you honestly think I'd let you live and make a laughing stock of the oetia name!? The Goetia's is a family of power, respect, and pure fear! You? You're nothing but a sad little man who couldn't statisfy a woman if his life depended on it!" A moment later, the big guy walked forward, swinging his weapon before hitting his shield and roaring at him. "You know, I think after I'm done watching you die, I'll display your corpse for your own father to see how pathetic you are!"
A moment later, the Grublin raised it's mace and swung it down, attempting to smash Stolas, but he just turned into shadows and disappeared, making the massive creature of stone and plant look around for him, which Stolas reappeared and sent a blast of dark flames at the grublin, but unfortunately for him, the flames had no effect, shocking the Goetia as he backed away from it.
"But... how?" Stolas asked.
"Ha, you think your dark flames are a match for a monster with an elemental mask on!?" Stella asked as the grublin approached him. "These masks make the wearers invulnerable to all but the element that correlates to it's color! Dark flames are both shadow and fire, which is completely harmless to it!"
The beast then raised it's mace again to attack, but Stolas turned to shadows again, but this time, the Grublin didn't swing, but instead spun around quickly and smacked one of the shadows, causing it materialize as Stolas as he hit the pillar, coughing up some of his blood and look at the beast, which approached him, so he had little choice, but to flee from his own home, rushing out the front door with the Grublin after it while Stella approached a single drop of Stolas's blood, bending over to wipe it up with her hankerchief and turn to see Aphara coming to her, looking at it and sneering.
"This won't be enough." Aphara said. "It must still be in a liquid state and unspoiled. Meaning it can't touch the ground or be touched by foreign materials."
"Don't worry, that beast you have will get that cheating prick of a husband of mine." Stella said, looking at it. "And when he does, we'll get you all the blood you need."
Stella began walking up the stairs and left Aphara alone on the ground, walking to a dark corner as she tossed a black crystal to the ground, allowing it to grow until a small podium was built, allowing for it to project Malefor so she could see him.
"I don't think this alliance with Stella is going to work out." Aphara said. "She's taking too much pleasure in this and she may not uphold her part of the bargain. She might have her ex killed and may not let us get at her daughter if that happens."
"This may prove to be a problem." Malefor said. "Luckily, the mercenaries I hired will find and get us what we need before he's killed."
"But what about the prince?" Aphara asked. "If he arrives, then we're in trouble."
"Again, I prepared for this scenario." Malefor replied. "My orcs have reported that the Sphinx hair worked perfectly to weaken him. I'm given that hair to all of my Grublins to keep him at bay and his elemental powers will be weakened."
"Still, I'd be more comfortable if he wasn't moving again." Aphara said.
"Don't fear little dragon." Orion said, the image on the crystal changing to his skeleton. "Once I am whole again, he won't be able to stop us."
Back in Equestria, Spyro, Octavia and Loona had just gotten back to the cottage, walking inside to see that Blitz, Moxxie, and Millie were having tea with Fluttershy, lauhging and having a good time while they walked in.
"Looks like you guys are having a good time." Spyro said.
"We are indeed Spyro." Fluttershy said. "Blitz was telling me all about the many places that they visited in their world."
"And about some of their jobs?" Spyro asked.
"We were just getting to that." Blitz said. "So, there was this one guy that we-"
"No!" Spyro said, zipping over and covering Fluttershy's ears. "We are not going to talk about all the murders you and your coworkers did to everyone you met!"
"Ugh, pansy." Blitz said. "Anyway, you ready to go home Octavia? Your dad is pretty worried about you."
"Yeah, I guess." Octavia said, looking at Spyro. "But... I'd like for Spyro to come along, incase those thugs come after me again."
"Hey, we're good at protecting people too!" Blitz shouted.
"Ugh, not back at Lulu Land sir." Moxxie said.
"Don;t you ever mention that place again Mox." Blitz said.
"Trust me, if Grublins are involved, you'll need my help." Spyro said. "And if they have Elemental Masks, you'll definitely need my help."
"Elemental Masks?" Moxxie asked.
"Special masks that Malefor made to make his strongest minions invincible to all but the element it's made from." Spyro replied. "And if they're in your world, you're going to need a Keyblade weilder to help you out."
"Ugh, fine, whatever." Blitz said. "Let's just get out of here and get paid."
"Um, sir, our crystals are still charging." Moxxie said.
"Mine isn't." Loona said, holding up hers. "It's fully charged and will get us back home."
"Did I ever tell you how much I love you Loona?" Blitz asked, looking proud.
"Ugh, Blitz." Loona said, looking annoyed. "Stop embarrassing me." She then held up the crystal to the wall, pointing it at the surface as she looked ready to leave. "Ring of Pride!"
A moment later, a red laser shot out and opened a rift, allowing for them to walk through one at a time, Blitz and Moxxie going first, followed by Mille and Octavia, but as Spyro was about to go in, Fluttershy walked up, tapping him on the shoulder to get his attention.
"Um, you sure it's a good idea to go with them?" Fluttershy asked. "I mean, you could if you want to, but without us?"
"Don't worry little butterfly, I'll be back soon." Spyro said, hugging her. "I'm only going to help escort Octavia back home and then I'll be right back. I promise."
Fluttershy looked up at him, giving him a warm smile before kissing him on the cheek, wishing him luck as he walked over and passed through the portal, flying through the corridor of lights and colors until he landed in the ruined office, looking around and seeing the damage and destruction as Loona came in.
"Finally, good to be walking on two legs again." Loona said, looking over at Spyro and her eyes grew wide with surprise. "Wow! Dude, what happened to you?"
Spyro looked down at himself, seeing he was a cross between his human and dragon form, more dragon than anything, so he walked over to find a mirror, which revealed he now had yellow eyes, his hair was purple still, but he had his dragon horns and wings out, extending his wings to their full length before looking back behind him, seeing that his tail was out and his arms were covered in purple and black scales, his legs dragon like as he looked.
"This must be what I look like in this world." Spyro said. "Each world has a way of making outsiders blend in with the inhabitants of each world to keep the world order in balance."
"Geez, prefered your horse and dragon hybrid form to this." Blitz said. "Anyways, where's Stolas? He should be here waiting for us."
"Maybe he went to get something." Moxxie suggested.
"Hey look, there was a call while we were away!" Millie said, lookign at it. "And it came from... Stolas's place?"
"Wait, if dad was here, maybe mom called." Octavia said.
"But why would she call us?" Loona asked. "She hate's Blitz's guts after finding out he sletp with Stolas."
"Wait, what?" Spyro asked, looking at Blitz as he shrugged his shoulders. "Sounds like this Stolas has a type. But... if you say she wouldn't call here, then why call now? Why call when you guys are away? It doesn;t make any..." That was when it struck him, fearing the worse as he looked at Octavia. "How far is your home from here?"
"Not too far." Octavia asked. "Just a few blocks or so. Why?"
"We need to get you home now." Spyro said.
Without giving an explination, he rushed out of the ruined office and out the door, leaving everyone there wondering why he was in such a hurry as they all rushed outside. They followed after him and everyone went outside, looking to find that Pride was a city, buildings as far and wide as the eye could see, many imps walking the streets as they went by, but Spyro was a bit more worried about trying to find Octavia's home and save her father before anything bad happened to him. As the employees of I.M.P and Octavia came out, they heard something getting crushed and looked to their right and saw the grublin that was chasing Stolas, who he himself was still running, but he fell down, having ran out of steam as the Grublins approached, raising it's weapon.
"Dad!" Octavia shouted.
"Elite Grublin!" Spyro exclaimed.
"Oh, I got just the thing for it!" Blitz said, pulling out a sniper rifle. He aimed it at the massive beats head and fired, but the bullet bounced off, shocking them as it had no effect. "Wh-what the #%@!? Why didn't that hurt it!?"
"Because it's weaping an Elemental Mask." Spyro replied. "Nothing can hurt it until it's knocked off."
"Well what elements is that!?" Blitz asked.
"It's cyan, so that means the element that'll hurt it is ice." Spyro replied.
He then rushed forward and focused on the cold all wround him, the very air itself turning freezing as the grublin raised it's club to finish the job, but it then felt the cold and looked up, only to get bombarded by a flurry of icicles and ice, getting pushed back as Spyro leapt over Stolas, which time slowed down as he called his Keyblade and Stolas's eyes widened in fear as he saw the weapon. Spyro landed inbetween Stolas and the massive Grublin and opened his mouth, unleashing an arctic blast at the massive creature, forcing it back as it tried to block the breath, but Spyro just jumped up and started to spin around, creating a tornado and combining it with his ice elemenent to create a large storm of ice and snow, slamming into the beasts shield and knocking it back as the mask fell off, shattering when it hit the ground as the grublin got frozen over, turning into an icicle. A moment later, Spyro slammed his tail into the frozen Grublin and shattered it, completely destroying it, turning to see a scared Stolas on the ground, tryin to pull himself up as Spyro approached, but instead of hurting him, he extended his hand to him, wanting to help him up as Stolas looked at him.
"You... you're a Keyblade bearer." Stolas said.
"And I take it you're Octavia's father?" Spyro asked, surprising him. "It's alright, she's safe."
"Where is she?" Stolas asked, taking Spyro's hand as he was helped up.
"She's back at the I.M.P building." Spyro replied. "She asked that I come with her to bring her home."
"Dad!" Octavia shouted, running to him.
"My little Owlette." Stolas said. He rushed over to his daughter and they both hugged one another, not caring about the pain he was in as they were happy to see one another again. "I am so glad you're alright. Did the Keyblade bearer hurt you?"
"No dad, he didn't." Octavia replied. "He was kind and very nice to me." She then looked over to Spyro, smiling at him. "He's my friend."
Stolas looked from his daughter to Spyro, seeing the two of them smile at one another as he began to relax a bit, turning to him to acknowledge him.
"Thank you for bringing my daughter back to me." Stolas said. "And for saving me. I... I owe you my life."
"Don't worry about it." Spyro said. "Just glad to help."
"What was that thing?" Octavia asked.
"A Grublin." Spyro replied. "A Hero Orc to be precise. They're strong, but they're also big and slow. Easy enough to dodge."
"Yeah, yeah, big monster dead and everyone is reunited." Blitz said. "We done here?"
"Not even close." Stella replied. Everyone turned around to look at Stella, who was approaching them, looking unfazed by the fact that the Hero Orc was destroyed, stopping a few feet away from the group as they all starred at her. "I'm disappointed in you Stolas. You were supposed to die after I sent that thing after you, but it appears you also made a new ally to fight your battles for you."
"Stella, you will pay for this transgression!" Stolas said. "When my father finds out you tried to kill me, he'll-"
"He'll thank me for getting rid of such a weak, pathetic excuse to the Goetia name." Stella said as the hired thugs came out of hiding, making Octavia hide behind everyone as they all group up around Stolas and Octavia. "Once you're out of the way, I'll be incharge of this rat infected section of Hell and I'll marry our daughter off to someone who'll actually contribute to your bloodline and make her being such a whiny brat!"
"You leave my daughter alone!" Stolas said, looking angry. "She's a good girl who deserves better than what she has now! Deserves a mother who actually loves her!"
"And a father who won't embarrass her!" Stella said, silencing him. "She has had to live with such a pathetic excuse of a father who goes about sleeping with any imp that could satisfy his urges and go about not giving a care in the world about how it will make him look! She's better off without a sorry excuse of a father like you bringing her down all the time! God, why did i even give birth to such a pathetic creature like her!? She'll never be good for annything!"
Octavia felt her heart shatter, her legs feeling weak as she collapsed to the ground, her blood going cold as her ears started ringing, not believing her own mother would say that about her, but Stolas was furious, clenching his fists as he walked out of the circle, glaring at his ex-wife and standing with his protectors.
"I maybe many things, but I would never do anything that would hurt my only child." Stolas said, Octavia looking at him when she heard that. "It's true, I make mistakes, but what being doesn't? I have regrets, I have fears, but the one thing I have no regrets about is divorcing you! You were the only one who was bringing her down! I maybe a disgrace to the Goetia name, but I don't care about some stupid name or my heritage! All I care about is making my daughter happy, even if it meant putting up with you for so long, but now that we're no longer together, I can be who I am and provide better care for my daughter than you ever could or ever did!"
Stella looked surprised that her ex had actually grown a backbone, smiling a bit as if she actually was impressed, if she still didn't hate his guts.
"Amusing." Stella said. "But your little speech won't save you."
She looked over to the head of the mercenaries and nodded her head, which they walked towards the group, their weapons ready to go as they walked to them.
"Oh, we're going to have fun killing you." One of them said, which his voice sounded familiar to Spyro. The demon that sounded familiar to Spyro was a large horned demon with a purplish pink head, sharp razor blade blades on it's back, and a sharp toothy grin as he pointed his weapon at them. "We're going to make short work of you lot and then we'll-"
"Wait, Taserface?" Spyro asked, shocking him. "Is that really you?"
"You!" Taserface said, looking annoyed. "So, you finally wound up here with the rest of us huh!?"
"Wait, you know this guy?" Loona asked.
"And is his name really Taserface!?" Blitz asked, laughing. "Dude, that has got to be the dumbest name to ever call your kid!"
"Actually, he gave himself that name." Spyro said. "He thought it would strike terror to all who hear it, but all it did was make hilself look like a complete idiot."
"I'll say it made him sound like an idiot!" Blitz exclaimed. "That is the dumbest name you could ever give yourself!"
"Enough!" Taserface shouted. "Kill them! Spare the girl and take the Goetia alive!"
The army of demons charged forward as Spyro recalled his Keyblade, striking down the first one as the others focused on protecting Octavia, Blitz pulling out both of his pistols and started to fire while Millie and Loona charged forward, attackign the attackers while Moxxie brought out a rifle of his own and started blasting, taking out several of the demons as Stolas got into his burning phoenix form, charging into the fight before turning back to normal and petrifying many of them at a time while Spyro was slicing through the demons as he flipped around, dodging bullets and using any demon he grabbed as a meat shield, using them for cover while unleashing spell after spell, proving to be a far more formidable opponent than first thought to be. Taserface took aim at Spyro, but then remembered how he managed to deflect his bullets and how fast he was, rethinking his moves when he looked at Stolas, smiling as he walked over to him. With Octavia, Blitz and Moxxie were moving her to some place where she would be safe, hiding behind a pillar for cover as bullets were flying and Octavia was crouching down to avoid being hit.
"Stay down and don't move an inch!" Blitz shouted.
Blitz looked back out and fired his pistol again to hit someone, but Octavia looked out, seeing the carnage unfold before her as I.M.P blasted through the demons while Spyro, Millie, and Loona were tearing through them like they weren't anything to them, watching as the keyblade litterally slicing through them like they were just butter while Loona tore through the demons and Millie just used her axe and other blades to slice and dice through them like they were nothing. As she watched them fight, she saw her father zipping through them, using his flames and petrifying demon after demon that looked at him, but as she watched them fight, a gun shot rang out and a moment later, Stolas fell to the ground, clutching his shoulder as his blood started to flow from his wound, horrifying Octavia as her own blood started to go cold, Taserface walking over and grabbing him, dragging the injured royal towards Stella, who was waiting for him with a vial, taking some blood and smirking, turning to see Aphara standing behind her as she handed it over.
"Will this suffice?" Stella asked.
Aphara took the vial and swirled it around, smiling as she looked up.
"More than enough." Aphara said.
"Dad!" Octavia shouted.
Despite being told to stay in cover, she ran out to help her father, but a few stray bullets nearly hit her, causing her to fall backwards and land on her rear, looking up and seeing her mother and Aphara looking at her, but not seemingly caring.
"As discussed, you have the blood..." Stella said.
"And you have your corpse." Aphara said, presenting a knife with holy energy coming from it. "Would you like to do the pleasure of finishing him off?"
Stella looked at the knife and then took it, smiling as she turned to her ex as she approached him, who was on the ground with Taserface keeping his foot on his chest to pin him to the ground as Stella approached.
"Gladly." Stella said.
"Dad, no!" Octavia shouted, running to help.
However, Taserface grabbed her, which she tried punching him, but he threw her away, hitting the wall and fallign to the ground, whoch she pushed herself up and looked back to see her mother approaching Stolas witht he knife in her hand.
"I usually have others do the dirty work, but for you, I'm willing to make an exception." Stella said, kneeling down to be in his face. "Nothing personal, oh wait, this is personal."
"No, please, no!" Octavia said.
"Trust me dear, you'll be better off without this pathetic excuse of a father." Stella said. "Trust me, you'll thank me once he's gone."
"No... I..." Octavia said, looking up at her mother, having had enough of her mother as she clenched her fist and looking at her, "No, I won't thank you!" She then stood up, looking angry as the air became stale, dark eletricity arching in the air as she stood, shocking Stella as she looked at her. "All you ever did was break us down, hurt us, you even tried to have dad killed! I'm better of without you! I hate you! I HATE YOU!"
She unleashed a storm of dark lightning, which went out wildly as it hit several demons, vaporizing them instantly while Spyro looked up, seeing some dark lightning coming at him, but he raised his Keyblade and blocked the lightning, redirecting it to another direction before looking at the direction of where it came from, seeing Octavia with the lightning coming from her.
"No." Spyro said.
"All you ever did was break us down, tell us how worthless we were!" Octavia said, looking at her mother. "You even called me a mistake! ME!? A MISTAKE!? YOUR OWN DAUGHTER!?"
"Octavia... no." Stolas said.
"Dad may not be perfect, but he's always shown me the love and care a parent should always show their children!" Octavia continued. "All I ever wanted was a normal life, with a normal family. One that I could go to the park with, play games, have family night, that's all I ever wanted." A tear then rolled down her face, her anger rising as she looked at her. "But you never cared. To you, all you cared about was power, control, being the ruler over everyone and everything! Even trying to kill my dad because he embarrassed you infront of everybody! But not this time. This time, you will not, repeat, not hurt my father!"
She opened her hands and raised her arms, chunks of rock and earth coming out of the ground as she allowed her anger and hatred to come out, letting out all of her pent up anger and resentment towards her mother and her father, but she directed it all to her mother, sending the chunks of rock and earth towards her, but some of the demons took out heavy weapons and fired on the rocks, destroying them, but the lightning missed Stella and hit them, vaporizing them instantly as Stella looked at Octavia in stunned silence, standing her ground as she watched her daughter walk towards her.
"Octavia..." Stella said, seeing the anger and resentent in her eyes. "You... I... I'm so proud of you!" She smiled at her daughter, finally seeing her unleash her power as she approached. "All these years of you being such a weakling, you have finally grown a spine and decided to actually use your powers instead of hiding in your room all the time listening to your music. Now, show me what you can do with that power! Prove to me you are worthy of the Goetia name!"
Octavia looked at her mother with pure anger and hatred in her eyes, ready to destroy her for all of the pain she caused her and her father.
"You hold resentment and anger towards your mother, letting it break you down and destroy you from the inside." Spyro's voice said, lmaking Octavia look to her right as she saw an image of Spyro still in his pony form smiling at her. "By holding resentment in your heart for the rest of your life, you rob yourself of your future, killing yourself slowly. But when one forgives and let's go, they ensure a great and happy future for themselves."
"Spyro." Octavia said.
"You're only seeing the bad instead of the good." Spyro's voice continued. "Octavia only sees the bad things and the flaws in her own parents. Sometimes, you just gotta let your guard down."
Octavia looked at her hands, seeing all of the dark lightning coming off of her as the entire area became dark, looking up and seeing herself destroying her mother and then looking to her friends, seeing a dark smile appear on her face as she unleashed a storm to them, destroying them as she laughed maniacally before everything shifted to her ruling the Ring of Pride, becoming as cruel as her mother.
"No... no this isn't me." Octavia said, backing away. "This is not me!"
"Oh, but it is." Stella said, her mother appearing at her. "You are as powerful as your father, but also having his flaws. But now, now you're more powerful than before, more capable than your father ever was! Now, prove you deserve the Goetia name and destroy your so called friends!"
"No, no I won't!" Octavia said, her powers getting out of control. "I'm not like you!"
"Oh, but you are." Stella said, Octavia's powers getting more and more out of control. "Become who you were meant to be and cast off your pathetic excuse of your father!"
Octavia's powers grew more and more unstable, her mother disappearing as the darkness as it swirled around her, beginning to consume her as she felt herself become lost to her own power, falling to her knees as she was ready to give up.
"You're magic's pretty strong." Spyro voice said, a light appearing in the darkness as she looked up and saw a humanoid figure standing there. "But... you're gonna need to work on your emotions a bit. You're magic is connected to your emotions. The more emotional you are, the more uncontrollable your magic gets."
"But... I can't control my powers!" Octavia said, the lightning crackling across her arms. "I... I can't control it! I... I think I'm dying! I don't know what to do!" She looked up at the humanoid, tears rolling down her face as she felt the darkness tear her apart. "I... I need help."
She starred at the humanoid, who reached his hand down to her as she looked at it, confused on what was going on as she looked at him.
"Let... go." Spyro's voice said.
She looked at his hand, wondering what he meant, but she felt that she could trust it, feeling her heart getting lighter as she reached up and took it's hand, the darkness fading as the lightning disappeared, revealing she was on a stain glass podium with her image on it, her laying in her bed with her music playing and stars above her, showing images of her dad, some of the friends she made, Loona, Blitz, Moxxie, Millie, and even Spyro, wondering what was going on until a light shined in front of her, standing up and seeing it approach her and stopping in front of her. She didn't know what it was, but she felt like it wasn't a threat to her, reaching out and putting her hand in the light as it shined brighter and brighter, engulfing her until the light engulfed the whole room. In the real world, Octavia had her eyes closed, her fists clenched as the dark lihgtning was getting worse and worse, but it then started to slow down, the storm she was making growing weaker and weaker until it stopped, Octavia stopped clenching her fists as she looked up at her mother.
"Mom, I should be angry with you for everything you did to me and dad." Octavia said, looking at her. "I should destroy you and end this mess. But I'm not like you. I'm nothing like you." She then reached down and picked up a piece of pipe, holding it as she starred at her mother and at Taserface, who looked spooked by what he saw. "My father raised me, protected me, he was there for me when I needed someone." She then thought back to all the times she and her father were together, her time in Lulu Land, the bedtime stories and the songs he would sing to her, remembering all the good times she had with him and looking past the bad. "You? All you ever did was disrespect and neglect us, hurting my father emotionally and physically. If I had to choose between you and dad, I'd choose my dad any day."
Stella looked at Octavia in disappointment, looking at her as she gripped the knife in her hand.
"You truly are disappointing." Stella said. "Grunt, take her away back to the mansion. I'll deal with my cheatng ex."
Taserface walked over to Octavia, who raised her pipe up to try and ward him off, but all he did was laugh, forcing her to back away as he approached.
"Stay away from me!" Octavia said, swinging her pipe.
"Don't worry girly." Taserface said. "I'm not going to hurt you. All I'm going to do is have a little fun."
"Hey ugly, knock, knock!" Spyro said. Taserface looked to his right and immediately got kicked in the chin, being sent into the air before Spyro round housed kicked him, sending him flying into a nearby tree and causing him to go through it, the tree tumbling on top of him, but he pushed it off of him, roaring in rage as he fired his rifle, but Spyro just spun the blade around and deflected the bullets as he stood there before him, smiling as he looked at him. "Dude, she's sixteen and you're... what, thirty-five or something like that? Oh, I'm going to take great pleasure in knocking you back down again."
Spyro then lunged for Taserface as he kept on firing his rifle at him as he punched the demon, Octavia looking back at her mother as she knelt down and looked annoyed with him.
"Don't worry, this will only hurt for a moment." Stella said.
"Dad, no!!" Octavia shouted.
She then ran towards her mother and her father, time slowing down as her memories of her and her father, the fun and joy they had when she was younger, how he'd sing to her when she had a nightmare and how he came for her when she was upset and the time they had spent together, returning to the moment when he carried her out of a burning Lulu Land and smiling at him, seeing how happy he was as he wanted to spend time for her.
"Thanks dad." Octavia's voice said.
She remembered that moment, feeling something come out of her as she swung the pipe down as a flash of light appeared, Stella looking up and ended up getting struck in the face, screaming in absolute pain as she screamed bloody murder as she fell to the ground, her hand over her right eye as blood dripped down from it and onto the ground, growling in anger and rage.
"You %#ing ungrateful little brat!" Stella shouted, turning to her daughter. "I swear, I'm going to-"
But she then froze, everyone having turned to look at Stella, but everyone's eyes were wide with surprise when they saw Octavia standing between her mother and her father, but instead of holding a pipe, she was holding a Keyblade. The blade itself looked to be an actual sword with a stream of black going up the blade and to the tip , but with a couple of curved gaps near the hilt, getting thinner as it traveled up before thickening a bit near the tip, which the tip looked to be circular with the teeth looking like black reaper scythes and a fourth of the circle missing on the opposite side of the teeth, the tip being spear like and the guard was a couble of black wings surrounding the handle and the Keychain was a circle with a pentagram in it, holding the blade up as she protected her father.
"What... in... the... hell?" Stella asked.
"She... she has a keyblade." Spyro said, holding Taserface up by the neck as he choked him. "Octavia has a keyblade."
"Holy crumpets." Moxxie said, starring at the girl.
They were all completely speechless, starring at Octavia as her mother got up and backed away in fear, seeing her daughter in a new light as she now feared her.
"You're right about one thing mom." Octavia said. "It's high time I stopped acting like a kid. But I will never be like you."
"Octavia, let's talk this out now honey." Stella said.
"Don't you honey me!" Octavia said, holding the blade up. "You will leave. You will never come back. And you will never, EVER, lay another finger or send another thug after me or my father! And if you do, I swear to god, I will hunt you down and kill you myself! Got it!?"
Stella starred at her daughter in fear, her legs trembling as she backed away before falling down, getting back up and running from her daughter, who lowered the Keyblade as she took in a deep breath, turning to her father as he got up.
"Octavia..." Stolas said, completely speechless.
"Dad." Octavia said, dropping the blade as she ran up and hugged her dad, happy to see he was alright as Spyro threw taserface away, letting him run away as he walked over. "I thought you were gonna die this time."
"It's alright Via, it's over now." Stolas said, looking at his daughter with a smile before looking to the blade on the ground. "Though, I didn't think you'd be getting a Keyblade."
"The Keyblade chooses it's master." Spyro said, picking up the blade, which it disappeared and reappeared in Octavia's hand, surprising her. "And by the looks of it, Octavia proved to be worthy enough for one."
"But... how?" Octavia asked. "I thought demons don't get Keyblades."
"Guess you're an exception." Spyro said, crossing his arms. "And now that you have one, everything will change for you Octavia."
"Change?" Octavia asked, looking worried. "How?"
"I'll explain on the way." Spyro said, walking towards her.
"On the way to where?" Stolas asked, hugging his daughter.
"On our way to the Mysterious Tower." Spyro said, smiling at her. "Buckle up kiddies. We're going on a little field trip."
Elsewhere at Malefor's fortress, Aphara had just gotten back and had opened the vial, pouring the blood into the book as another ring glowed yellow and a moment later, the shadows enveloped the skeleton, making Orion yell out and laugh as the shadows turned him back into a shadowy figure, but this time, he had veins flowing all across his body, looking at himself as he looked back to Aphara.
"Well done little drake." Orion said. "Only four more to go."
"This one was a challenge to get." Aphara said. "I hope the next one won't be as difficult."
"Unfortunately, it will be extremely difficult." Orion said. "The next key will the the scales of a dragon."
"A dragon?" Apahar asked, face smacking herself. "Dude, I'm a litteral dragon. I can rip off a few of my scales and-"
"No, they can't be any dragon scales." Orion replied. "They must be the scales of a very specific dragon. The American Dragon."
"The what and the what now?" Aphara asked.
"There are other worlds out there that have dragons besides our world and Equestria." Orion said. "However, this world is sealed away well. These scales are to come from a member of the Long family, which is a family of dragons, but these scales must come from the living descendant of these dragons, which there are three in this world, but only the scales of this particular dragon will do."
"So, where do I have to go?" Aphara asked.
"Patience young dragons, patience." Orion said. "His world will come to us and when it does, we'll be ready."
Orion then disappeared, leaving Aphara alone in the room to ponder what was so special about this one dragon befored the family and how getting his scales would be more difficult to do than getting demon blood from a member of the Goetia family.