It had the makings of a potential disaster mixed in with a vicious back lash and topped off with a dash of utter annihilation. Sapphire, upon completion of her own little personal agenda headed down to the dungeons once again to check on their "guest." What awaited her was a scene out of a brewing nightmare: Both guards out cold and unconscious. The cell door had been ripped from its hinges like an adolescent drake going through one of its phases. And not a scent nor sight of their prisoner, save for the broken shackles and chains. The only possible conclusion was Spyro had help. The dragon was too weak to make an escape on his own. Which meant there were traitors within the castle. A clenched fist shook at her side as she whirled on the fellow followers who accompanied her this round.
"I want this place searched from the highest tower spire to the lowest catacomb. Find Spyro and whomever aided his escape and bring them to me." She growled with a suppressed snarl.
"The master will be ill pleased with this news." Once follower droned on.
He found himself slammed against the earthen wall, struggling as Sapphire proceeded to cut off his air supply,"Then it will be YOU answering to the Dark Master for your fellow brethren's failure at keeping tabs on the dragon."
The other stood silient as Sapphire dropped his comrade before her eyes fixated on him next,"Till then not a word will be uttered to the master about his prisoner's... disappearance. Understood?"
"It will be unwise for he will find out eventually. If we must, we must." Was his reply.
"Gather as many as you can then and tear this kingdom inside and out."
Sapphire left the two with clean up duty along with the search. For her part, the dragoness knew she would have to find Spyro and fast. Malefor was ambitious and any delays would result in the most cruelest methods of punishment to those who failed or defied him. She was close to achieving her goals. The dragoness was not about to let some slip up such as this keep her from restoring her family name. Nor using the lich to help achieve those means.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The small party ducked into an abandoned cave to rest while Celestia conferred with Twilight, Cynder and one of the head guards. Kel settled upon a lone rock that made do for a make shift seat and recalled what transpired so far. The dragoness Cynder, with the help of Twilight and the alicorn sisters, used a form of shadow magic to mask their entry. So far no alarm had been raised and any scouting parties they had come across could not detect their presence. So far so good. While this was a bit of good news, the downside was the magi's directions. The change in scenery was not what Kel was anticipating. Draconis was changing. The deeper they traveled the more twisted and foul the landscape was becoming. The first notable signs were the few hardy trees that grew along the caravan trail used by pony diplomats, travelers or trading merchants. Oak and wood was replaced by cold, dark crystaline growths. Even worse was the unpleasant aura they gave off.
Cynder was the first to note the change and inform Kel that Malefor's dark influence was taking effect on his homeland. These dark crystals reeked of black magic and were even used in some of his earlier creation of golems before his defeat. It seemed then that the lich was once again spreading out to gain dominion over the lands. This made the dragoness all the more cautious for these dark clusters were a means of survailience and spying. Malefor could use them to find any unwelcome company to either capture or eliminate. Strong as the dragoness was, her own magical reserves were draining the longer they stayed cloaked under her shadows. What gems Kel could offer did little to replenish her, for being an outsider the properties on her rejuvenation had different results then magi such as himself. Rest and some food was all the ponies could offer her for the time being.
He glanced up to see how the others were faring. The Bearers of the Elements were doing well so far, with the exception of the buttercream pegasus named Fluttershy. Being of a gentle timid nature, the unfavorable scene around the mare made traveling a bit slower then he would have liked. Rainbow Dash on the other claw, he wished all her friends possessed her speed. It would make traversing faster, but the risk was too great. Applejack and Pinkie Pie kept their friends spirits up with a good word of encouragement on their progress, while Twilight and Rarity both assisted Celestia and Luna when the time called for it.
That left Discord. The draconequus was a puzzle wrapped in an enigma and bound in a mystery. Kel had only heard stories about the misfortune he caused Equestria in the past and how the alicorn sisters trapped him in stone. He was quiet most of the time. The temptation to mess with the scouting parties was there and he heard both Celestia and Luna warn him repeatedly that if he blew their cover that it would spell trouble for them all. This left Discord in a sour mood for the time, the draconequus skulking in one corner while he glared at the alicorn sisters.
Pinkie Pie passed by, dropping a few sugared concoctions by the mage as the others ate what rations they brought with them. Kel wondered that for an earth pony whose roots were to that of the ground they walked upon, how was it possible this pony was able to pull anything and everything from seemingly out of thin air. He popped the question to the other earth pony Applejack, to which the mare replied,"Ya dun try to understand Pinkie Pie with them fangled logics ya hear about. She just is."
"How much further Magi?"
Kel was stirred from his thoughts to see Luna standing before him. Ahh, the younger sister of the two who raised and lowered the moon. The dragon thought she looked more beautiful then her sister on the account of her darker night colors. It would be a thing of beauty to have her color on a dragoness. Alas all one could do was dream.
"Well your majesty. Based on how fast and stealthily we are traveling, it would be a week at most."
A brow arched slightly as the moon princess replied,"Time is of the essence, yet from what Cynder says we can not make haste. Troubling indeed very troubling."
Kel sighed,"I wish we could fly or teleport there faster I honestly wish we could. But of what Cynder says about the lich, we are grounded and unable to make the use of most magic. Though I am amazed how far we have come thanks to the dragoness's efforts. Truly her power is unique."
"Unique and gifted yes." Luna smiled softly. The alicorn left Kel to gnaw on his cupcakes, her sight set on Cynder.
She was gazing out of the cave's opening, her turquoise eyes fixated at the horizon. A wing twitched as the princess drew near, the dragoness glancing to see her standing a few feet from her right.
"How fares thee, young Cynder?" Luna asked.
"Tired but determined." Cynder replied. A soft exhale followed,"Alas were I larger, we would be traveling swifter. Though it would be some time before such an attempt could be made."
"You worry for Spyro. We understand clearly. Were anything to happen to our sister or friends, we would not dare think of how to live with ourselves if the worst were to pass."
"I notice you speak in first person."
Luna blushed slightly and fidgeted with a hoof,"Forgive me. All this time of modernization and I still slip to the old ways when times of tension or stress builds."
Silence descended upon the two. Luna could see Cynder glance her way as if to ask a question. The others were still resting thus the two had some time alone.
"You may ask what is on your mind, dragoness. We-er... I mean I do not mind."
"The confusing creature, Discord. I heard him mutter about you. Stories and such." Cynder had shifted and was now seated in front of the alicorn. Luna closed her eyes with a sigh and felt the heaviness take hold in her heart.
"If this is about an incident after his defeat of a monster named Nightmare Moon. I can assure you that what he says is true. Jealously and resentment clouded my eyes and I nearly sent this world into eternal night. My sister Celestia still feels pained about what she has done despite how close we've become over the years. I can assure you, that I will never again travel that path."
"I never doubted that. I just meant to say is, I can sympathize with your struggle."
"Oh?" Luna asked, piqued by Cynder's response.
She gestured for the alicorn to come closer until the two were mere inches,"I too fell to darkness once."
Luna was now curious by these words. Cynder, seeing the alicorn's interest continued,"When Ignitus had escaped our temple all those years ago to protect Spyro, those responsible had taken my egg. With the dark powers, I was twisted and corrupted. I became feared and reviled. Manipulated to serving Malefor even before we knew his name, I had Avalar under a cloud of misery and shadow. Even the guardians of the temple fell before me and I had them captured."
"Were you..?" Luna gestured with her forelegs suggesting her size. Cynder nodded,"My wings were said to blot out the sun. The winds from my beats strong enough to level forests. My tyranny knew no bounds."
"How were you saved?"
"Spyro. He rescued Cyril, Terrador and Volteer. Saved Ignitus too when I captured him. Then confronted me and wound up defeating me. But not before I cast a spell that would release Malefor."
"Despite all you had done, he risked his life to save you?" There seemed to be mild doubt in her voice. Cynder was used to it from others. The alicorn shook her head and coughed,"Sorry. I did not mean for it to come off as such. What I meant was, he looked beyond what he saw and realized you were just a pawn being used against her own will."
The dragoness nodded. Luna felt there was something more she was going to say. Cynder peered at the alicorn then motioned with a wing,"You've encountered Malefor before. He may be a lich but he is still no push over. What ever dark past you or any one else has, it would be wise to hide it from him. He can be most persuasive and not in a positive way."
"He is capable of such?"
"Look what his handiwork had done to Discord over there. Imagine what he could do to you or me even. Dark things are a specialty of his Luna. It would be most wise to steel yourself before he pulls the wrong strings."
The alicorn snorted and looked outside,"He can try. But he will find our will stronger then he may think."
"All the more reason your majesty to be cautious."
Princess Luna gave a nod to her word as the two once more looked outside their hiding spot. A week. By then Malefor could be attacking Gryf or set his sights on Equestria itself. Even Princess Cadence and her kingdom would be at risk. Luna ground her teeth silently, hoping wishing there was some way to speed up their progress. Luck it seemed heard her plea, for the ground began to tremble. At once all were on their feet as the vibrations shook. Celestia was the first to approach sister and dragoness.
"Were we spotted?" The light alicorn asked.
Cynder shook her head as they struggled to keep their balance,"No. This feels different. Something has stirred in the direction we are heading. He's on alert. Someone or thing out there has caught his attention. Or... bold enough to attack."
"Or maybe he's cashing in on some prime real estate. After all a villain of his stature would make a killing on the market. How many ponies let alone griffons live in Draconis? Ahh, I can see it now."
All eyes turned on Discord as he chuckled,"Bored with your neighbors in Equestria? Feel ruffled from bumping into too many griffons? Well here in Draconis, we have everything you'll ever need. From hardy adventures to your rich snobs wanting a bigger peace of land, we at Undead Realtors can show that you too can own history. Its to... die for."
Before any pony could groan or scold the draconequus, an ear splitting howl erupted in the distance. Every pony covered their ears, wincing as the unearthly shriek tore across the lands. Even Discord who snapped some ear plugs in place, found the sound a little unnerving. Cynder looked up, just in time to see a black beam shoot skyward into the sky, the dark clouds parting from its aura. Memories came rushing back as the dragoness realized how much time was shortened because of this event.
"Quickly! Every one gather around and have your magic casters teleport us to the castle!" She shouted.
"What?!" Twilight called out.
"There's not much time! We need to get there and fast! I don't have time to explain either, just please do it!" Cynder shouted.
The lavender unicorn was about to demand a reason when her eyes fell on the column of darkness rising to the sky. Her heart skipped a beat as that night came rushing back: The sky carriage being assaulted, the griffon mercs attacking. Spyro wrapped in a dark shadow. Twilight didn't need a reason. She knew, just as Cynder did. Things just went from bad to worse.
Gathering all her friends, Twilight, Kel, Discord, Celestia and Luna prepared to cast a huge teleport spell, with Kel being their navigation inside. Magic surged around the group as unicorn, alicorn, draconequus and dragon magi magic worked to sent one rescue party from cave to castle. With a bright flash they were gone.
A few miles back, Spike doubled his speed. The howl was hard on the ears as he nearly dropped his satchel and bolted for cover. He knew Twilight and the others were close, hopefully the dragon would be able to catch up in time. He last recalled them turning off the path to the left and his nose informed him (thanks to Rarity's perfume as it lingered in the air) that a cave was nearby. The baby dragon scurried while the tremors continued to rock the lands. He arrived just in time to catch the smell of ozone left from a massive teleportation spell. Spike groaned and slumped against the nearest wall. He was too late. They vanished and now it would be almost impossible to catch up.
"Dang it. I was too slow." Spike gazed down at a few gems he had withdrawn from his satchel,"I've got to reach them. Spyro needs all the help he can get. But how am I going to get there now? I don't know how to teleport. Maybe... no. Twilight would flip out if she read the letter."
Perhaps I can help, young one.
Spike yelped and jumped at the sound of the voice. Eyes wide they darted around the cave, hoping to find the intruder. Shaking, the dragon began to search every corner spewing green flame to light up the darker pockets. Nothing turned up. Yet that didn't seem to stop the voice.
I can assure you, little one. You'll not find me anywhere in the cave.
"W-w-who are you? W-w-where are you?"
I've been watching you for some time, Spike. While I admire your tenacity for wishing to help your friends, I must chide you for being careless. I am aware of your desire to help Spyro in the matter, but you've put yourself in danger. Twilight would be upset were anything to happen to you.
"H-how do you know? Are you invisible? Magic? A spy?" Spike gasped. Great, he let a spy trail him all the way. Now it was playing some mind trick to let down his guard so he could be captured. Grabbing for the nearest means of defense, the dragon whipped a green gem around in an attempt to make himself look more imposing.
That crystal your wielding won't be of much use. Save for eating when your hungry. As for the other questions. Yes, I have been glancing down on you from time to time. No I am not invisible, just not on your world. Which moves on to question three, yes a form of magic is being used. And no, I am not a spy. You may call me... the Chronicler. Now I may be able to help, but I need your attention. I can get you to your friends, but it will be difficult given how separate our worlds are for the moment..
"Why are you helping me?" Spike asked as he gathered his belongings.
Because I care too much for Spyro to allow him to suffer the same fate as Malefor did. Rest assured you and your friends will help Spyro triumph over the dark master lich and save your world from his tyranny for good..
Spike nodded and braced himself. This Chronicler who ever or what ever he was, was helping. That's all that mattered. If Spike was lucky he could reach Twilight and the others just in time. A tension began around the dragon as he felt power seep around him. Grasping the straps on his satchel he closed his eyes and let this magic envelop and fill him completely. With a loud snap and flash, Spike was gone.