Chapter 1: Dragonsdale
Our tale begins in the secluded valley of Dragonsdale in the land of Equestria, located a couple of clicks northeast from Canterlot, where hiding in a wild thicket there was a Griffin and just a few clicks above him in a pine tree, a golden dragonfly, both very quiet and still, as though hiding from something.
The Griffins chest heaved gently up and down as he took very small breaths, trying his best to avoid being heard by the creature that stalked them. The dragonfly on the other hand scanned the ground below. Unlike his more bestial kin, this Dragonfly was intelligent and perceptive, his unique eyes able to see in many directions at once, though at the cost of full colour vision and definition. Yet he also had very acute hearing, able to pick up everything from the subtlest movement of mice in the bushes to the quiet yet slightly heavy creature now moving towards them.
Its shadow cast an image of a horned devil, with wide spiked shoulders, a thin serpentine head and a long slender body.
The Dragonfly alerted his companion with a soft buzz of his wings, the Griffon looked up and the Dragonfly twitched its antennae. The Griffon nodded in recognition and slowly made his way to the other end of the thicket, as the creature started to make its way towards where he had been hiding. The shadow of the trees in the summer evening blocked the view of the creature, shrouding it in pale shadow, leaving only its dark blue eyes visible as it scanned the area for any sign of its prey.
Suddenly the snap of a twig from ahead of the beast caught its attention, its head whipping towards the source. There, barely concealed behind two stones sat a human boy, bearly in his mid teens.
The creature saw the human hadn't moved, so it started making its way slowly towards him, its body low to the ground, its eyes focussing on its prey, who seemed unaware of its presence, seemingly resting against the rock as if sleeping.
The creature came steadily closer, and began to gently unfurl a set of leather wings at it prepared to jump upon its chosen target.
When it deemed itself close enough it crouched, its claws digging deep into the earth, steadying it ready for the final pounce. The boy still didn't move, this was too easy!
It prepared to jump, then it started to launch itself into the air.....
when a loud eagle shriek combined with a lions roar sounded behind him, sending the startled bright purple dragon flying straight up into a waiting tree branch, where his horns stuck fast, leaving him struggling to heave himself free.
All three observers broke out into fits of laughter, once held for goodness knows how long and now bursting like water through a dam, the Dragonfly flying up to the now frowning dragon hanging with his forelegs folded across his chest and a mock expression of humour spread across his features.
"HAHAHAHA! You should have seen your face Spyro! "
"Well my lord, ha he cough, maybe this should teach you the value of observing your surroundings before making a move" the Griffon added after he took several breaths from laughing.
"How did you find out?" Spyro asked, amazed his plan was discovered so quickly.
"Oh it was more difficult then you think" the boy said, stepping out from behind the rocks with a cocky smile on his plain face.
"You hid your intentions well, I congratulate you for fooling us for as long as you did, but you left a vital clue to your little scheme in the library. Your entire plan drawn on scrap paper, left out in the library, along with a piece of torn cloth from your saddle pack. You should have got that pouch repaired ages ago."
"Damn!" cursed Spyro, "So THAT'S where I lost it."
"Furthermore you should know better than to draw out a plan if you intend it being a secret" continued the boy, "still I must admit, if wasn't for you loosing it, your plan might have worked."
"And I would have got you back for messing up my flying practice session last week Remus" said Spyro, "I was picking sand out my scales for days!"
"We had intended to just repay the favour, but that branch is a great added bonus!" Sparx continued to laugh hysterically, the Griffon looking at him with a face that screamed 'you brought this on yourself you know!' and Remus leaning on one of the rocks with that same amused smirk across his face.
"Better luck next time milord" said Remus.
"Oh but my friends, you haven't got me trapped yet!" said Spyro his voice sly and his eyes now narrowing dangerously thin. "Forget what creature you're up against?"
Then using his all his strength he swung himself upwards, the twisting force snapping the branch clean off, then for good measure Spyro somersaulted through the air, using his wings to support him, then using his back legs he kicked the remnants of the branch off his horns, then let loose a small concentrated ball of flame, that proceeded to explode on contact with the branch, the visual spectacle rivaling the fireworks of many a unicorn Mage.
Then Spyro plumeted swiftly towards the Griffon, who immediately took flight, Sparx following suit, screaming in mock terror, Remus
laughing as he too fled into the forest.
Spyro pulled up quickly from the ground, and immediately gave chase to the Griffon, who flew up past the canopy and turned sharply left, heading north towards the Dracywlen mountains and the breathtaking Neighagra falls.
Spyro followed, flapping his wings as hard as he could, eager to catch that cocky Griffon and show him why 'he' was a member of the Draig nobility.
Bursting through the canopy, Spyro quickly scanned the valley, catching sight of the Griffon, now fleeing at great speed towards the mountains. Spyro gave a another sly grin as he gave chase.
He flapped his wings hard and fast, his speed increasing expediently with each passing second, his eyes focused intently on his target. Within seconds he was right behind the Griffon, ready to tackle him out of the sky, when the Griffon suddenly pulled up and circled over Spyro, his speed sending him straight past where the Griffon had been, straight towards a waterfall.
Spyro instinctively turned left, his wings barely skimming the water as he circled around, his eyes quickly scanning the sky and ground before locating his quarry flying down the falls towards the ground.
Nice trick Ratchet thought Spyro, but your Praetor training won't aid you this time. He then folded his wings tight against his body, allowing himself to shoot down like an arrow towards the ground.
Cold wet air and spray assaulted him as he sped downwards, his eyes still following the brown spec that was Ratchet, who pulled up near the bottom and headed left towards the forest.
Spyro followed suit but kept Ratchet below him, slowly making his way down from above, like an Eagle hunting a pigeon, quite ironic it was now the Eagle who was being hunted.
Spyro kept his eyes on Ratchet, as the Griffon maneuvered through the trees below, zig-zaging in and out of sight as the trees began to grow thicker. He would have to get in closer now, or else he would lose him.
Again Spyro folded his wings against his body and shot straight down for 5 seconds before pulling up again 100 yards above the canopy, close enough to see where Ratchet was going, but far enough so the canopy didn't block his vision entirely.
-----------------------------------------
Meanwhile Ratchet was continuing to bob and weave through the trees, fully aware of the Dragon above him, but unfazed. If there's two things Griffons can do better then Dragons, its flexibility and stamina. He just has to keep Spyro flying fast, wasting his energy, then Ratchet would be home free. He was taught that by the Griffon Praetorian guard, "find your enemies weakness and exploit it" was one of the first lessons he was taught, the second being "if your opponent seems to have no clear weakness, then use their strength against them", both being put into effect right here.
-----------------------------
But Spyro had more patience than Ratchet counted on. He knew this trick, and wasn't going to waste his energy again on a massive burst of speed. He would wait until Ratchet made a slip up, then pounce, for now, he was just following him. Good excuse for a gentle glide anyway.
Suddenly a crossbow bolt appeared from nowhere, barely skimming Spyro's shoulder, sending him flailing to the ground in shock, just in time to see another pierce Ratchets back leg, bringing him down as well.
--------------------------------
Ratchet screamed in pain as he went down, the momentum and speed of his decent gouging out the earth as he came to a sudden stop infront of a pair of hard leather boots. Looking up he saw a frightening sight, a human in rusty maile armour, wielding a heavy black crossbow, upon his head a visored helm, plain and black and on his chest a tabbard bearing the coat of arms of a Dragon skull being impaled by a golden sword.
Spyro meanwhile had recovered from his initial shock just in time to dodge 2 more bolts whizzing out of the trees. Looking around frantically for the source of the missiles he quickly spotted an armoured thug concealed within the confines of an oak tree, and further to the right another in a fir, and another next to him.
Who are these men? No matter thought Spyro, they've attacked me and wounded Ratchet, and they'll pay for it!. Spyro then proceeded to charge the nearest thug whilst he was re-loading, dodging bolts shot from his mates in the nearby trees.
Lowering his horns and folding his wings he dive-bombed the man, knocking him straight from the tree to the ground below.
The man cried out in pain as he hit the ground, the fall fracturing his right arm and temporarily paralyzing his legs. Spyro bore down on top of him, fire burning in his eyes, teeth bared and claws out, only to receive a blunt blow from a stick to the left side of his body, sending him flying into a tree.
Quickly regaining his bearings he saw multiple masked men rushing towards him with thick wooden clubs and wielding medium sized, circular leather coated shields. Thinking fast, he breathed in deeply, then let loose a string of fire. In response the men raised their shields, brushing of the flames as with it was nothing. Great! thought Spyro, I forgot leather is a fire-proof material! But even so, how did they resist the heat?
Falling back on his melee skills, Spyro charged the nearest soldier, then dropped low to ground and slid between his legs, then again using his wings he quickly brought himself around and just as the soldier turned to face him and whacked his face with his tail. The man staggered from the force of the blow, allowing Spyro to grab him by the back, sink his claws in deep, and using his Draconic strength to fling him towards his companions, two getting out of the way in time, one receiving the full force of his companion right in his chest, dropping them both.
The rest of the band started to circle Spyro, attempting to pin him in, so Spyro again launched himself into the air, only to be met by a fresh volley of crossbow bolts, one of which skimmed his shoulder.
These guys are good. I'll just have to fight on the ground then. Settling back on the ground he quickly looked at his assailants formation. For the most part it was professional, little to no visible weaknesses in the formation, and archers in the trees, then he looked down on one of the fallen and noted his shield.
If there's no gap, make one!
He then picked up the shield with his mouth and tossed it at one of the soldiers, who dodged out of the way, leaving Spyro the window he needed to escape. He charged straight through the gap, as bolts rained down around him and the enemy rushed to cut him off.
Then Spyro ran towards the nearest hilltop, gain the advantage of high ground, make use of his wings without the archers.....
"Hold Draig!"
A thick gravelly accent sounded to his right, prompting him to instinctively turn his head towards the source, and the sight he beheld stopped him in his tracks. Remus, Sparx and Ratchet were all held captive, Sparx sealed in a glass lamp, and Ratchet and Remus held by two men who held daggers to their throats, a third, presumably the leader judging by his black cloak and crested helm, standing with his arms folded facing Spyro.
"Stand down Draig, or your friends die."
Spyro was frozen in place with both fear and anger. He could hear the sounds to the other soldiers quickly gaining on him, surrounding him.
Then suddenly he felt the hard blow of a club of the back of his head, and everything went dark, and silent.
--------------------------------
When he came to, Spyro found himself tied up in moist, dark, moss filled cave, and gaurded by two armoured thugs, and right next to him, battered dirty where Ratchet and Remus, both of them in manacles, and Ratchets wings tied to his side. At first Spyro wondered where Sparx was, until he caught sight of a guard carrying a glowing lantern, out of which there came a continuous string of cursing, insults to his mother and various other colourful words that would be too touchy to print.
"You alright Spyro?" whispered Remus, "It looks like they hurt you bad".
"Arrgh, heh..... not as bad as it seems, I'm a dragon remember? Toughest skin around. Those must have been really powerful clubs to hurt the way they did though" he groaned, lamenting the fact he couldn't rub the still sore spot on the back of his neck.
"I'm more concerned about you three though. Ratchet, your leg...."
"Yes...argh...it still smarts, though our captives were kind enough to remove the bolt and clean the wound. Don't understand why, but there you go. Must be more valuable alive".
"Who are they?" asked Remus.
"My best guess, bandits or slavers" replied Ratchet. "Unlike the citizens of Equestria, we Griffons come into contact with some unsavoury characters all the time from the Eastern lands, some made up of humans, others made up of, tragically, our own kin. Though I've never seen a band this organised before....."
"Hey! Silence back there!" shouted one of the guards, a bulky well muscled guard with a porky face, who proceeded to throw a stone at Ratchet, hitting him in the belly, causing him to groan in pain. "You don't speak unless ordered to, understand?!"
The trio glared at back him menacingly in reply, prompting him to walk threateningly towards them.
"Drake!" came a call from another guard sitting by what looked like a newly lit fire, "Ignore them, the Captain wants them alive and unspoiled."
"Screw his orders Tom, he ain't here to dictate how I treat scum like this! Besides, I owe my allegience to cash. No-one, not even the 'Shadow Lord' can change my mind on that issue."
"You'll be eating those words raw if he catches wind of this! You know what he's capable of, who he answers too."
"Heh, you're only repeating what he's told us. I don't think he can do half of what he claims, its all just an act to keep us gullible fools in check".
"I'm not repeating. I've seen what he can do. Wonder what happened to Bron last week? He expressed doubts about the mission, about our purpose, next day he's found with a hole burnt in his chest!"
"A fire arrow, or a torch, nothing more. Magic users don't exist among men".
"Really? Then how do you explain...."
"Hey!" came another shout from the lamp, "can't you guys stop arguing? It's getting irritating for everybody!"
"I thought I told ya to shut up!" Drake yelled at Sparx.
"Good luck with that pig face!" Sparx replied, "I'm an Insect! no matter how much you try to silence us, me and my kin will continue to plague your lives with our annoying presence!"
"Sparx, what are you doing?" yelled Spyro, "you'll be killed!"
"What, pork chop here? HA! He couldn't take a dung beetle, let alone a Dragonfly, come on fat-so! Show ol' Sparx what you're made of!"
Duke made up his mind then and there. Screw orders, this insect needs to be squashed. He took up a nearby hammer and picked up the lamp, setting it on a nearby slab of rock.
"Duke STOP!" cried Tom, rushing towards the big man, only to be met by a hard punch to the face from one of Dukes massive fists, dropping him unconsious. "He said keep the Draig alive. Nothing about his friends."
As Spyro looked on Duke raised his hammer high in the air, ready to bring it down. Time seemed to stop, as Spyro's fear and anger came bubbling up again, stronger than ever. This cannot happen, it. will. not. happen!
At that instant, he felt a strange, burning surge through his body, his thoughts became instinctive, his senses heightened and his will an all powerful spear.
To Spyro he could remember nothing from that point, but to the bewildered guard and prisoners, Spyro's eyes suddenly blazed bright purple, and the gaps in his scales flared with a dark blue haze, and his muscles grew taunt, pulling at the chains holding him down, his wings pushing against the ropes that bound them to his back, and was actually starting to break them.
Drake was the first to come out of his stupor, picking up a nearby axe and rushing Spyro shouting "Prisoners escaping! Prisoners...!" before being thrown back by a blast of fiery blue energy, straight into Tom, who'd just recovered from Drakes fist, throwing them both into the far wall, both falling unconscious.
Spyro then proceeded to break his chains, and that of his companions, who still looked at him in awe and fear.
Remus was the first to speak "Th-th-thank you, Lord Spyro."
"That. Was. AMAZING" Yelled Sparx, "I know your dad said you were nearly ready but....oh...Bug...."
"What do you mean Sparx?" Ratchet said, now suspicious.
"Err, look, I'll tell you all when we get out of here. Now's not the time for explanations."
Outside the hallway came the faint sounds of clinking maile and muffled shouting. Their captives knew they were free.
"Quick Remus" said Ratchet, "grab a weapon, we'll need everyone's abilities if we're to make it alive, and....."
he looked curiously at Spyro, who was still glowing blue, and now moving towards the west wall.
"Spyro, what are you doing?" asked Remus.
"Just watch and see" replied Sparx, earning him another curious look from Ratchet.
Spyro reached out with his right foreleg and drew with his claw a circle on the wall, which emanated the same blue light as his body. Once the circle was complete, he whispered 4 words that were barley audible, "Ddaear yn symud mi.
At this command, for it indeed sounded like a command, the earth began to shake, pulling itself apart, creating a wide tunnel through the rock, straight out into sunlight.
Immediatly after performing this amazing task, leaving 3 stunned friends paralyzed with awe, the lights around Spyro's body slowly faded, and Spyro himself collapsed into unconsciousness.
The sounds of the approaching soldiers suddenly became much clearer, snapping the friends out of their trances.
"Looks like I have quite a job to do", said Ratchet as he picked up Spyro and eased him onto his back. "Remus. I'll have difficulty carrying you and Spyro but the fastest way out is to fly, so hold my talons tight!" He then flapped his wings and hovered above Remus.
"But won't that be too much? We'll fall!"
"I'm not leaving anyone behind Remus! And I'm a Griffon, I've born heavier weight than this, now take my Damn talons!" At this Remus grabbed hold of Ratchets outstretched talons. Then they flew out the tunnel, out of the mountain, and over the forest. Ratchet beat his wings as hard as he could, his muscles straining with every effort, but they remained airborne, and were soon out of reach of their enemies.
Back at the cave, the Captain gazed stoically at the hole in the wall, deep in thought. This was an unexpected complication. It looks like the Draig are starting to heal. He had no doubt his employer would be angry at this news, but maybe an opportunity could arise from this mishap.
"My Lord!" said his lieutenant, "should we pursue them?"
"Don't be foolish" the Captain replied, "they'll be far away from the borders of the forest by now, even with the extra weight the Griffon was carrying."
"Then what are your orders?"
"Abandon the cave, leave no sign we were here, no tracks or scent to follow. I think it's time to call up some old favours."
-------------------------------------
The three escapees landed far from the forest, eager to put as much distance as possible from their ex-kidnappers. Ratchet set Remus down then gave up and collapsed in an exhausted heap. Breathing heavily, he looked over to Sparx, who had now settled on a nearby rock in a small pond.
"Now.....Dragonfly, tell me what in the Tribunals name happened back there?!"
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I haven't read this story yet, but i was wondering which spyro games are we talking about; the original or The Legend series?
4612806 A combination. Its loosely based on the Legend series plot wise but Spyro's more cocky and independent as well as being a morally good character, and there are original elements in here as well, the inclusion of humans, a story of two races in exile and the fall of an entire continent to the clutches of a creature named the Light Bringer, one of the many names of the Devil! So whilst it follows the plot of the Legend series, it is intended to be an original story, well as original fan fictions of this nature can be.
Oh dear, my first dislike
. Well, I got 5 likes so I must be doing something right. To any who don't like this story feel free to post your comments and tell me what you didn't like. After all, I can't fix my problems if I can't see them.
haven't read the chapter yet, but judging by the prologue, it can only be good
4612989 Thank you, though I know that I will have made a mistake somewhere, so feel free to critique the chapter after you've read it, and also give me any advice on how to improve it.
I'm just at the line where spyros name first falls and I already love the chapter!
I think you mean ARE, right?
why is the chapter called Dracovale? if it is a reference to the location, that is Dragonsdale at least you say so in the first line
4613162 Oops! Dracovale was the name of a Castle in the valley, owned by a human noble family. This chapter's undergone a few changes and I must have missed a few. Thanks for pointing it out.
Seems interesting. I would like to read another chapter or two before I give this story a proper review.
4608610
I'd prefer Kevlar weave to metal plate myself, less sharding and splintering. Would NOT want to get hit with an arrow or bullet wearing steel plate, that'd be nasty.
4622796 Against an arrow Plate steel was very effective, especially when it was 'double quenched', where the metal was heated and quenched in water twice to make it hard as glass yet with enough spring to absorb the shock of the blow. In 1422 AD at the battle of Vernois during the Hundered Years war Italian Mercenary Knights were issued with the armour and managed to surrive an onslaught of Longbow arrows, even at close range. The battle was only lost because the Italians chose to pursue the English baggage train, leaving their French employers to be massacred by English Foot soldiers.
Against bullets, now early bullets were not very powerful and could be stopped by plate, but as gunpowder weapons improved, so armour had to get thicker and heavier until it became impractical to carry it anymore.
But yes against Modern weapons Medieval plate is less than useless. Just depends on the weapons and men you're facing that determines how effective your protection is.
4625591
Steel plate might be able to hold up against some early 20th century pistol rounds or a 9mm, but I guess anything from 45ACP upwards would bore through.
4625591 enchantments. Duh.
4633684 Enchantments duh? Are we talking about armour or the story?
4635299 Armor. And I didn't read the story yet.
Too much in my read later.
4636902 Well then, in my opinion, enchanting arms and armour is a double edged sword (pun intended). On the one hand it does strengthen them in Fantasy settings and can become extremely powerful, and a good plot device, however I think it also takes the value of the materials away, everyone's in awe of the magic and not the effectiveness of the weapon or armour itself, plus, there's a danger of over powering it, and things can become too easy for the hero or villain, or else creates a giant plot hole if you're not careful.
Chapter 2 is currently being written so hope you enjoy what's here when you have the time.
"Our creed does not command us to be free. It commands us to be wise"
"Liberum esse non faterentur mandavit nobis. Iubet esse sapientem".
4612806 hoping for legend, bit whatevs.
And ratchet? Preacturean guard?
reference?
4640233 a little bit of a reference. Though I'm referring more to the actual Roman Praetorian guard than the one in the Ratchet and Clank universe. But yes, despite the fact the Ratchet in this world isn't a Lombax, since both characters were created by Insomniac Games, I thought it fitting they should be together, albeit in a more subtle way.
And it is Legend, however I seek to improve upon its shortcomings by making the characters more interesting and using plot points from other stories to give the reader a surprise, rather than have the same story be told with ponies.
4640528 They need to reboot spyro. They're rebooting ratchet and clank, even giving them a movie to do it, although they don't even need a reboot.
Spyro needs one. He really does. Fracking skylanders...
4641884 Yes, I don't understand why Ratchet's getting a reboot either, and whilst Skylanders has it's strengths, and weaknesses, it doesn't feel like a Spyro game. In fact Spyro is rarely in them, despite his name being in the title of the first.
If I was to reboot the Spyro I would....well that's why I'm writing this story. Combining the best elements of both, with, hopefully, the weaknesses of neither (though I'm likely to make my own!), whilst adding my own unique interpretations.
Gameplay wise though, to compete with modern games, a good Spyro game should combine elements of plat-forming, action and r.p.g, each character should have their own unique abilities, crafting situations where they can all be employed to over come obsticles, for exampe, Spyro and Ratchet have the gifts of flight and combat training, Sparx could be employed in stealth missions and Remus as the fighter on the ground, kind of like a combination Link in the Legend of Zelda and Boromir from Lord of the Rings. Characters could collect and buy armour and weapons for themselves, have a combat system simular to the Batman: Arkham series, as I described a little bit in the 1st Chapter, have multiple quest lines in case you want to deviate from the main story, upgradable abilities, and most importantly a linear storyline with interesting and likeable characters, a perfect balance of humour and seriousness, with a story to enjoy and game play to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Yep, I'd love a game like that if done well, what do you think? How would you redesign the Spyro games if you could?
4645454 Legend style with redesigned enemies from the original series for my reboot.
And did you know ratchet could slow down time? The dude can slow time to make seconds seem like minutes and dodge sniper rounds! He did it when a grenade was thrown at is face, and he deflected it from four inches close to his eye.
4645656 Yes, a bit of dramatic license in that scene with the grenade, although I think that was slo-mo rather than time manipulation, although certainly that game incorporated time travel very well into its narrative, unlike the Legend series.
(having Mass Effect 3 flashbacks!)
That's one thing that seemed to disappear after the 2nd Legend game, if you're going to use Time travel you'd better make sure to follow it up and make it a major part of your story, or if you can't think of a way to incorporate it into the main narrative than don't use it at all. It's too powerful and awesome, and provides so many plot ideas to just throw to the sidelines or to just be a minor plot convenience or game mechanic, like Eternal Night did, and if handled incorrectly can lead to disastrous outcomes, just look at the ending of 'It's about time'.
Failing that just get the help of a certain mad man in a blue box, last I heard his Tardis was on a collision course with an unknown planet (3 guesses say its Earth), though from last time I met him he might not be the same man he once was.
4649614 But did you see him perk up, say 'uh oh', reel his wrench back, THEN slap that thing into a mountain BEFORE it even gets an inch closer! Either he's rediculously fast during some situations, or he got a Spyro power.
4651008 Like I said, creative freedom, just another little moment insomniac added in to make Ratchet look awesome but with comedy over how ridiculous the situation was to get a good laugh. Besides every series needs its moment to go impossible, if done right it can only suck in the viewer more. That's kind of what Ratchet and Clank is famous for, a borderline between deadly and frightening situations and cartoony sci fi humour, that's why I love it!