Legend of Spyro AoH BkII Ch.67

"Spyro," A soft voice called from the darkness.
"Huh? Who’s there?" The purple dragon walked alone through pure darkness. He had been walking for what seemed like hours. "I think I'm lost," Spyro muttered. "It feels like I've been getting nowhere."
"You've never been lost Spyro," The soothing voice of a female came to him once again. "You've always been on the right path. You just need to follow your heart and continue forward, even if you can't see what lies ahead."
"Who are you?" Spyro called into the darkness. "Where are you? Why are you telling me this? Does it have something to do with what's going on?"
The voice gave an amused chuckle. "Oh Spyro, always so curious and wanting to find out all the answers. Just give it some time. They'll come to you soon, I promise."
"In time?" Spyro protested. "I don't have time though! We don't have time! The Dark Master is threatening to destroy the world again and I'm powerless to stop him!"
"Spyro, my dear, it's not always about who has the most power. You are a dragon of legends and a hero in your own age. The same goes for Cynder and your friends. What matters is your focus, your determination and the purity of your heart." The voice gave another light chuckle. "Besides, you've always had the power to protect the world and those you love. You've even tapped into it once already. Just keep focused on what you want to protect the most and it will come again. All right?"
Spyro sighed. He hated the riddles from the chronicler during the night of eternal darkness and this wasn't much better. However, he would have to go along with it for now. "All right." He nodded puffing his chest out. "I'll do my best."
"That's a good boy." The voice seemed to smile audibly. Just then a pair of eyes appeared in front of Spyro. The purple dragon froze. The eyes seemed to smile kindly at him. "Take care now Spyro. You have a lot of work and trials ahead of you. But I know you'll be able to overcome them. If you ever have any doubts, just turn to your friends for guidance. They're there to help you."
"I will." Spyro nodded. Suddenly he felt himself slipping away. "Hey, I never got your name! Who are you?" He called as he began to wake up.
"Don't lose your heart Spyro! Don't lose sight of what you're fighting for!" The voice then faded away and Spyro was awake.
"Huh?" He lifted his head to find himself locked inside a small cage again. Directly below him was a purple crystal. Inside was the remaining energy that was slowly being drained from him; his lightning breath.
"You could sleep through the end of the world, I swear." An angry voice caught his attention. Spyro turned to see Liun enter the chamber from a hall on the right.
"You!" Spyro growled and narrowed his eyes at the black dragon.
"Who else would you expect?" Liun sneered then snickered to himself. "Though you could have gotten rid of me in that volcanic eruption." He turned to show Spyro his scabbing burn marks. His dark magic had managed to keep out the infection if not the pain. "But even then you failed to complete the job."
"In case you didn't notice, we weren't focusing on fighting you," Spyro spat.
"Perhaps." Liun nodded acknowledging the dragon's prowess. "Or perhaps the fact that I'm still alive after that means that I'm destined for great power. You all have tried time and time again to get rid of me but I just keep coming back stronger than before."
"The bigger they are, the harder they fall Liun." Spyro pointed out.
"I take it you speak from personal experience then." Liun smirked. Spyro only glared at him. "Trust me," Liun growled as black magic began to emanate from his body and shroud the room in shadows. "When I'm done with you you'll be begging for me to end your worthless life."
Spyro's heart stopped as the black dragon's eyes flashed with convexity. That split second was all the time Liun needed. The shadows leaped out and grabbed Spyro around the neck. The purple dragon struggled to free himself within the close confines of his cage. But the more Spyro fought, the more entangled he became. Within minutes he was completely engulfed in darkness. The shadows began to conform to Spyro's body, turning his faded purple scales to jet black. Liun let out an evil laugh as he watched the dark dragon curl into a ball inside his cage as the energy continued to drain out of his body.
Cynder suddenly jolted and shuddered noisily.
"Cynder, what is it?" Flame asked getting to his feet.
"I just got a very bad feeling about Spyro," The dragoness replied, looking up at the ceiling.
"Damn it! Why are we stuck in here!?" Ember fumed and breathed a wave of fire at the ceiling, scorching the stained tile black.
"Ember calm down!" Stella snapped.
"You calm down!" Ember shot back. "Spyro's in trouble, Candice is missing and we're powerless to get out of this prison!" The pink dragoness began to choke as she tried to keep from crying; she wasn't very successful. "We've already lost Tremor. I don't want to lose anymore friends."
"Losing our heads isn't going to help the situation." Stella sighed and placidly walked over to her friend and draped a wing around her. "We just have to have faith that Candice, wherever she is, gets out and finds us before it's too late."
Just then the room shook. The guardians froze and stared at each other, moving only their eyes. "Did you three just feel that?" Flame asked hesitantly.
"Yeah I did." Stella nodded.
"It felt like an earthquake." Ember pointed out.
"It sure didn't feel like Spyro." Cynder raised a brow, questioning the other guardians for their answer.
"I know what you're thinking," Ember nodded as he looked from one dragoness to the next. "But if it's an earthquake, then that means..."
"Is it really possible?" Stella stared hard at the red dragon. Flame looked to Cynder for an answer.
"I don't know..." She shrugged after a moment's thought. "I suppose anything is possible..."



Snarl slammed into the wall. He recovered and ducked under Tremor's clubbed tail before it smashed into the stone. The wolf rolled across the floor and hurled his blade at Tremor. The earth dragon side-stepped the attack and the blade plunged into the wall. He turned his head and inhaled deeply. Snarl's eyes widened and he yanked his weapon back as Tremor fired an earth bullet. The attack missed and hit the wall. Candice cringed as the rocks and debris peppered her body. Snarl dove and shoved the earth dragon out of the way. Tremor rolled over his back and sprang backwards through the air as Snarl swung his weapon; the blade passing mere inches from his face.
Tremor landed on his feet and lunged again. Snarl brought his blade down hard and Tremor dodged, keeping his momentum and butting the alpha wolf in the face. Snarl yelped, releasing his weapon and staggering back. Tremor swung his muscular tail and knocked the canine's feet out from under him. Snarl hit the floor and grabbed for his weapon. Tremor stopped him by stepping on his arm, digging his claws into the wolf's thick flesh as if it were noting more than wet cardboard. Snarl punched the young dragon in the ribs and Tremor coughed hard, staggering back off the wolf's arm. Snarl grabbed his blade and swung violently, sending a shower of jabbed stone shards at Tremor. The earth dragon's eye grew wide and he hugged the floor as the projectiles peppered the wall behind him.
Tremor roared and fired another earth bullet at Snarl's feet. The wolf sprang into the air ad flipped over the earth dragon.  Tremor rolled away again as the Alpha swung his blade in midair, narrowly missing his shoulder. Tremor bounced back and rushed the pack-leader when he landed. The earth guardian spun low and connected his club with Snarl's knee cap.  The Alpha bellowed in pain and collapsed onto his knee.
"Eat this!" Tremor slammed his tail across Snarl’s face, sending the canine smashing into the far wall. Before the dust could settle, Tremor fired another earth bullet. There was an angry howl and the room shook. As the dust and pebbles rattled to a halt on the floor a shadowy figure emerged from the hole in the wall.
"That wasn't half bad dragon." Snarl sneered. "But you still have a lot to learn about fighting an Alpha wolf."
"Is that so?" Tremor's shoulders were hunched and he was struggling to breathe. The dust was starting to strangle his lungs and he coughed hard a couple times.
"If you'd like to learn," Snarl gestured for Tremor to come get him. "Then come at me with everything you've got."
"Tremor," Candice hissed uneasily. Something about the wolf's confidence rang a suspicious note with her.
"I know." Tremor nodded. "I'll be careful." And with that he dashed forward.
Snarl waited patiently for the earth guardian to make the first move. Tremor curled into a ball and barreled towards the wolf. Snarl leaped over the spinning ball of earth and turned around as Tremor pivoted and charged again. Candice's eyes widened when she saw a grin spread across Snarl's face.
"Tremor, look out!" She shouted but the earth guardian had already committed his attack.
Snarl growled and slammed his rough, callused hands against the gyrating ball of rock as it slammed into him. The Alpha dug his feet into the stone floor as Tremor pushed him back into the far wall. Snarl's growl grew louder as he felt his back press up against the wall. Tremor's ball was pushing forward and nearly touching the Alpha's chest fur.
"Come on Tremor..." Candice urged silently.
Just as Tremor was about to crush him, Snarl let out an ear-piercing howl. The noise echoed throughout the chamber and Candice squeezed her eyes shut trying to shrink away from the harsh noise.
"What the hell?" Tremor's surprised voice grabbed her attention and her eyes nearly popped out of her head. The Alpha wolf took a step forward; and then another, and another. Tremor grunted and tried to push back but Snarl was bent on demonstrating his power.
The wolf leader dug his claws into the stone and put an end to Tremor's attempts at spinning into him. Inside, Tremor looked around frantically trying to figure out what was going on. He tried to escape from his self-made prison but wasn't able to break through the thick barrier. Snarl smiled and tightened his grip. With a mighty heave he swung the spheroid around once before hurling it into the wall. There was a deafening crash as the rock shattered and Tremor's cries stung Candice's heart.
"Tremor!" She shouted. She desperately wanted to get free so she could fight by his side and put an end to this wolf's torments.
"I'm alright..." Tremor coughed hard and nearly choked on the dust that hovered in the air. He staggered to his feet, stifling his coughing as he glared at Snarl. Blood began to appear on a cut along his lip. The scales along his side were turning discolored from bruises beginning to form.
"Don't tell me that's the best you could do," Snarl jeered. "I know cubs with more power and skill."
"Oh man, you are so dead." Tremor growled as they started to circle each other. Tremor focused on the Alpha’s head and began to ready his attack.
At last he charged in. Snarl ducked as Tremor lunged for his face. The earth dragon bounced off the wall and knocked Snarl to the ground. Snarl and Tremor wrestled across the floor in front of Candice who was struggling to shake loose her chains.
Tremor kicked and scratched the wolf trying to get his claws in as deep as possible. Snarl twisted around trying to grab at the earth dragon, but Tremor had learned from his last big battle. As Snarl reached for him, Tremor swatted his hand away and bit down on his wrist. Snarl growled in irritation and made another grab for the dragon. Tremor pushed off of Snarl's chest and spread his wings. He gave a quick flap, swinging himself around to Snarl's back and smacking the wolf's outstretched fingers with his club.
Snarl's eyes widened with surprise when the dragon spun to his back and locked his arm that was still clasped tightly in his jaws.
"You can do it Tremor," Candice whispered as she watched the Alpha struggle to get around the arm lock. Tremor was holding him tight, feeling every muscle in the wolf's body twitch and moving to intercept his movement.
At last, Snarl had had enough. He leaned back over Tremor and pushed off the ground carrying the young dragon with him. The wolf curled into a ball and let gravity take care of the rest. His massive bulk fell on top of Tremor, nearly crushing him between the wolf's body and the stone floor. The crushing impact caused Tremor to gasp and choke. He could taste blood in his mouth and his breathing was being restricted.
"I can't let him go!" Tremor's thoughts rushed through his mind. "If I do he'll kill me and if I don't... he'll still kill me." He tightened his grasp on the wolf's arm causing Snarl to give a mild yelp "So in that case." Tremor twisted his head and rolled the wolf off of him. He jumped on Snarl's back after releasing his arm and pushed off of him. The force knocked the wolf down just a tad but it was Tremor's earth bullet striking him that smashed his body into the floor. Tremor landed beside the Alpha and struck him across the face with his tail.
The wolf leader tumbled across the ground  before slamming to a halt against the wall. He shook the stars from his head and looked up to see Tremor charging up a massive earth missile. Tremor fired and Candice was certain that the shot would finish off the wolf.
Snarl grinned. "Perfect." He extended a hand and stopped the earth missile.
Both guardian's eyes widened in shock.
"You've got to be kidding me!" Tremor gasped.
"No way! He stopped it!" Candice exclaimed.
"But how?" Tremor was stunned from the sight and Snarl knew it. The Alpha gave a quick bark before hurling the earth missile back at Tremor.
"Tremor, get out of the way!" Candice cried but the earth guardian remained motionless. The force of the attack hitting Tremor snapped him out of his terror-stricken state. He screamed as the earth missile drove him into the wall before exploding on impact. Candice twisted around in her chains screaming the young guardian's name.
As the dust began to settle, Tremor lay in a heap, half buried in rubble. Blood trickled down the side of his head and from his nose and mouth. Candice was almost certain he was dead until the earth dragon coughed, spattering the debris with specs of blood. Tremor opened his eyes and continued to gag on his own blood. Slowly he stood up, letting the rock s that covered him to roll across the floor.
"I thought... Wolves couldn’t use... earth powers." He wheezed.
Snarl nearly fell on the floor laughing. "That is true for the most part. But there are a couple who can use earth or fire elements. They are the ones who are usually deemed, Alpha wolves. And since you're looking at one, what does that tell you?"
"Damn it." Tremor groaned and fell to his knees. "It's never easy is it?"
Snarl stopped laughing. "Oh, it's going to get much harder dragon." He snarled menacingly and charged.