Well the logical step for me would have been to move into the Spyro catagory, wouldn't you think? Anyway, this is my third story, I hope it is well recieved and that I get a few readers and reviewers. Those that have read my stories will know that I have a tendency to include quite a bit of fluff - happy feeling stuff for those who don't know. Well you can probably expect the same here but I'll try my best to keep it to a reasonable level, which I believe I'm getting better at. Anyway, I hope you enjoy it.
Convexity was always interesting. The floating rocks and islands dotted about the open space and the few planetary bodies that shone brightly gave the area a somewhat beautiful quality. Cynder, however, cared little for beauty. She still looked around the area though, taking in the strange sights; the curious creatures that inhabited the warped space; the diffused purple light that made it possible to see; the large pillar in front of her, which was the source of the purple light.
"Why you were placed above me still eludes me, dragon." A gruff, harsh voice suddenly spoke, bringing Cynder away from her observations. She turned and looked down at the diminutive ape, the slightly disturbing green gem which had replaced his left eye staring back at her, unblinking. Then she chuckled, her own voice sounding strange to her, so different from the voice she first remembered not long ago when she hatched form her egg.
"What's wrong, Gaul?" She questioned, revelling in his misery, "Are you jealous that our master prefers me over you? And after you so 'lovingly' raised me too, just goes to show how much he values you doesn't it." Gaul only snarled at her, knowing that if he attacked her he would be disciplined by their master, not to mention quite possibly injured, gravely.
Cynder laughed again and then looked back at the purple light, basking in its glow. She had no feelings for the ape king. She acknowledged that he had at least fed her, but only barely, and did make sure she wasn't attacked by the other apes she was forced to live with, much. But he was still the one that chained her in place whilst her body was ravaged
and forced to grow, excruciatingly painfully too. She would have no problems killing the ape if her master would allow it, but as it stood he didn't, so she was forced to remain loyal to the foul smelling creature, just as he was forced to remain loyal to her.
"It seems he still favours dragons," A third voice began, "Well I do admit that they do have their charms, their strength and magical abilities are certainly incredible. But I still agree with Gaul, you should have been placed third among us, not first." Once again Cynder was brought from her musing to look at the one who had spoke.
"That's so nice of you to say, Sorcerer, I am certainly powerful and I do have many abilities, but you forgot to mention my incredible beauty too." She replied to the black robed and cloaked figure. She smiled inwardly as his calm stance shifted to an irritated one. She didn't know much about him, as his voice was definitely male, she didn't know what he looked like or his true capabilities. All she knew was that he spoke with a dignified tongue, proudly and proper, and that he was easy to irritate with just a few simple words.
"I was the one that made it possible for you two to be here. I spent years dabbling with the arcane arts until I accidentally stumbled upon a portal that brought me to our master's prison. If anything you two should be below me." He had continued, that is until Gaul suddenly moved towards him.
"And why would I take orders from such a frail looking creature as yourself?" He challenged, drawing closer to the Sorcerer, "You're probably nothing but a twig beneath those robes, with beady little eyes behind your shroud."
The Sorcerer gave a malicious chuckle and then extended an gloved hand. "Do not let my outward appearance deceive you, Gaul, I have more power contained within me than you could possibly imagine." He punctuated this by generating an emerald ball of flames, that dripped embers between his fingers and splashed upon the cold stone below.
Cynder laughed, causing both the combatants to turn to her. "You with your pretty lights and you with you brainless brawn. What does it matter what you think? Our master's choice is final, your opinions on that choice is trivial." She turned from the two and looked back at the purple light. She smiled at the silence that followed.
--
She almost had the purple runt. If it hadn't been for the meddlesome guardian she would have had him and that would have been it; no more annoying pest to interfere with her plans. Although, it had worked out in her favour. She now had the unconscious form of the final guardian inside the machine that would drain his power, the final power needed to release her master.
With nothing else to do until the guardians power had been drained into the crystal she sat down, finally finding the time to rest. She took solace in the fact that Gaul was still on the move to the secondary objective, 'The Vault of Souls'. He would be traipsing through the desert now, looking for that depraved mountain without a moments rest, which made Cynder quite pleased.
All in all her mission had been quite successful. She had captured all of the guardians, the fact that three of them had been rescued was besides the point, their powers had already been drained into crystals and taken back to the alter in Convexity. When the final guardian's power was taken to that alter, her master would be able to break free of that place, and emerge in 'The Vault of Souls' on the Night of Eternal Darkness, which wasn't far off.
Without her efforts, her master would not have been able to escape his prison. The thoughts of the rewards she would receive upon his release made her smile. Perhaps he would give her her own army, rather than the idiotic apes that bumbled there orders, and completed them to mere satisfaction, never rising above the bare minimum. Maybe a palace in a brighter area, rather than the dark and foreboding residence she inhabited now. Or maybe a few dragon slaves to play with, perhaps if that purple runt survived, her master would make him her slave if she asked, her castle could do with a thorough cleaning.
The machine in front of her suddenly sparked to life, sparks of energy bouncing along the glass walls, originating from the now twisting and twitching dragon within. She knew it wouldn't take long for the fire element to be drained from him and into the crystal, perhaps and hour at most. "Cy-Cynder," the voice of the guardian suddenly cried. "Why are you d-doing this?" He questioned, with no answer. Cynder stared coldly at him, wondering whether she would have to gag him like she had done to the irritating electric guardian.
"Soon my master will be free, and I'm sure he will have a few words for you guardians. I do not think they will be pleasant. Now, be quiet and just let the energy leave your old and frail body. I must say that you weren't a very worthy challenge, compared to my youth and power, you're nothing." She paused, taking joy in the pain on the dragon's face.
She was about to start gloating again but the sound of screeching apes interrupted her train of thought. "One moment, dragon, I'll be back shortly." She then moved towards the edge of the tower and peered over the ledge. Flashes of red, green, yellow, and blue illuminated the base of the tower, and the apes that were being beaten back by non other than the purple whelping. "That little pest, he just doesn't give up does he." She said to herself. The guardian had overheard.
"Sp-Spyro." He said. Cynder whipped her head around. With a flare of her torn wings, she jumped from the ledge she was on and landed gracefully in front of the machine, her slim form allowing her to not make a sound, aside from the clicks of her claws on the marble.
"Ah, so he has a name." She said as she swished the blade on the tip of her tail threateningly behind her. "Spyro is it, well if he plans on rescuing you he will have to go through me." She laughed as she watched the red dragon's eyes widen. "It's been a while since I've had a little fun."
--
How had it happened? She roared as the pathetic runts not so pathetic attack pummelled her body. She had asked her master for additional power, but as she felt her body fill with energy from the purple light, she saw that her opponent had also received a small portion of energy backflow, enabling him to hit her with a powerful attack. The force lifted her of the ground slightly as the purple energy waves pummelled her again and again, preventing her from falling forwards and but at the same time keeping her upright.
She found herself thinking that maybe she shouldn't have gone so easy on him at her castle, that maybe allowing herself to have a little fun wasn't the best decision she had ever made. But how was she to know that he would follow her here and prove himself to be her undoing.
She was still roaring when she felt her body begin to grow weaker and her mind begin to shift. She accepted that this was the end, and she looked back over her short, but accomplished life. She had brought the dragons to their knees, defeating their most powerful warriors with single blows and hunting down the ones that fled, enjoying the chase they provided her with. She took joy in watching their bodies litter the ground and could at least take comfort in the fact that, despite her defeat, she had still managed to accomplish her task and bring the last crystal to the alter, breaking the seal that imprisoned her master.
But then she suddenly felt different. All those precious memories she was just looking over replayed in her head, but in a different perspective. She could clearly see the horror in the dragons' faces as she delivered blow after blow, laughing maniacally all the while. The bodies that littered the floor didn't bring her joy, but sorrow and regret. But worst of all she realised the true ramifications of her actions. She understood now, understood that her master was not supposed to have been released. He should remain in his prison, where he cannot wreak his terrible powers upon the world.
The little runt, no, Spyro, was right in his attempts to stop her, and as she began to fall forwards to the ground, the effects of the young dragon's attack dying down, she realised that he would be the first to die when her master escaped, and she felt sorrow for him.
Then, as she felt her body hit the cold hard stone, she suddenly felt so small and weak, so helpless than she did only ten minutes ago. With nothing to keep her awake she moved her neck slightly and with a gasp, and a strange feeling of growing smaller compared to the world around her, she closed her eyes and awaited the inevitable, either her death, or her master's punishment. She preferred the former.
--
Why had she left the temple? She looked through the bars of her cage at her captors, they looked almost as stupid as the apes, if not more so. She couldn't believe that she had been careless enough to be captured by them in the forest. But there had been too many of the dumb creatures for her to tackle on her own, perhaps if she was a powerful as she used to be she would definitely have killed them all.
She then shook her head, dismissing the thought. She didn't want her old self back, the memories of her actions in that form haunted her every moment, she didn't want to add more on to them. But that couldn't be helped. She was being forced to fight now, just as ruthlessly as she had once done, as the result of her refusal would either by death, or thrown overboard the giant airship, which would probably result in her death anyway if her captors had any sense to bind her wings beforehand.
Maybe she should have stayed when Spyro asked her not to go. She wouldn't be in this predicament if she had. In fact she was sure she would be safe and warm in the dragon temple, and not in a cage, sleeping on a bed of straw, with some disturbing smells drifting through the corridor.
No. She had too much guilt to have stayed. The reason she left was that she couldn't stand all the apologies the guardians kept on giving her, and the unearned trust that Spyro had placed in her, despite her despicable actions. If anything she should have been apologising to them, over and over, but she didn't think that would have been enough. They gave her some of their food, and allowed her to sleep with them, even though if she was her former self she would have slit their throats with her tail whilst they slept.
It was all too much for her, so she got herself up ad decided to leave, which she was completely fine with, at least until Spyro caught up with her. She had almost made it when the young dragon suddenly asked her where she was going. She would have preferred it if no one had seen her leave, so that they wouldn't have tried to stop her, which is why she made herself sound so resolute when she answered.
The look on his face when he told her that he didn't want her to go actually caused a small twinge inside her. But she ignored it, instead, redoubling her belief that she didn't deserve his friendship, or any friendship for that matter, but least of all his. So she left, ignoring that niggling feeling at the back of her mind, telling her to stay.
That was how she ended up here, fighting for these pathetic and weak-minded fools amusement. She had become their prize catch, taunting her that she was now a mere attraction, rather than the fear instilling queen of darkness that she once was. But that didn't faze her. She was merely fighting until an opportunity arose for her to escape, she would be damned if she was going to grow up in their clutches, becoming little more than a pet.
The cage door suddenly opened, one of her captors stood there, looking as stupid as ever with his tongue hanging limply from his open mouth. He pointed to the arena doors and muttered something about a bonus match. She looked at him a second longer before sauntering out of the cage and moving to the doors.
A bonus match. Obviously something had quickly risen through the ranks in the arena, quicker than Skabb had expected. Maybe this was her chance to escape, if this opponent was wise enough he may be willing to help her in her attempt. But she wouldn't know just what help she would be receiving, not until her introduction had been finished and the doors opened, which happened two seconds later.
--
She didn't think the chain was necessary. Sure she would probably try to escape without it but she wouldn't have gotten very far. She suspected that the collar and chain was just a form of degradation. In fact the ape that was in charge of her seemed to enjoy pulling on the chain and dragging her around like a pet that needed to be walked.
She thought the ape actually believed that when he offered her a treat and tried to pat her head. He was actually dumb enough to bring that disgusting hand close enough to her jaws so that she could bite it, which she did. Unfortunately it resulted in a few beatings but she didn't mind because no ape tried to treat her like a pet again.
It seemed that none of then remembered that she was once their master's most powerful servant, well all accept Gaul. He found extreme enjoyment in taunting her and making a public show of how he was now stronger than her. She wanted nothing more than to kill him, now that she wasn't under the Dark Masters control she had nothing to hold her back, well despite from the chain around her neck and Gaul's obvious superior strength.
She was actually feeling scared, from time to time, something which she had never felt before, even when the dreadwing had scooped her into it's talons and carried her off the airship, back to Gaul's forces. She was scared because of what Gaul had said to her. In the middle of his gloating he had mentioned that his master may take her back under his wing for her faithfulness to him, something she was not looking forward to.
If she was corrupted by his influence again she would undoubtedly become her other self, growing unnaturally to her adult size and gaining superior powers and abilities. To any this may have sounded tempting but ever since she had seen Spyro on the ship she knew that she would never willingly hurt him again. But if she conceded to the Dark Master's control he would most definitely make her kill Spyro, slow and torturously for his enjoyment, and most probably hers with her twisted and sadistic personality.
She hoped that Spyro had escaped the ship, in a much more pleasant way than hers. The ships had been bombarded by Gaul's forces and as she was carried away she looked back to see the arena ablaze. But she saw no sign of Spyro amidst the wreckage. Wherever he was she hoped he was safe, she didn't want the to find him in the near future, whilst under the control of the Dark Master again. She doubted that her fond feelings of the small, purple dragon would save him from her destruction.
--
She gave a sharp intake of breath as she suddenly regained consciousness, her memories finally stopping their constant loop in her dreams, which felt like they had been doing so for an incredible long time. She shook her head slightly, noticing that her movement was restricted, until she bent her head slightly and found that she was encased from the head down in an amber crystal.
Slightly panic stricken she tried to move her other muscles but found that she couldn't even feel them within her prison. She grunted and gasped as she shook her head with what little mobility she had trying to break free but to no avail, she was utterly stuck. Defeated, she then began to wonder how her head had been broken free. She could see Spyro in front of her, stuck in the position of one using their powers, but only his horns were free of the crystal. She looked at the gap between her and him and noticed that the crystal seemed to have been chipped away.
"Ah, you're awake. It's about time, General Cynder, we got your head free a few hours ago." Someone suddenly said. She tried to twist her head to see but without the aid of her neck she just couldn't. "Don't worry about not being able to move, you will be free soon enough, but first we need to release your little dragon friend's head too, you'll see why when it has been done." Cynder then recognised who the voice was coming from, Malefor's third in command, The Sorcerer. "Oh how the mighty have fallen." The Sorcerer gloated, either about her diminutive size or the fact that she was now at his complete and utter mercy, either one annoyed Cynder profusely.
Well, what do you think? Review and let me know. Now, concerning updates, I will be trying to get one done every weekend, either with my updates for my other two stories or on the Sunday afterwards. As with my other stories I will not discontinue this, I will see it to the end so you have no need to worry that it will have no ending. Thanks for reading and I hope you come back for future chapters.