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Chapter 36: The Mountains of Valliyor

Dragon Realms, Uncharted System

May 7, 2204

0530 Hours

Approaching Valliyor Pass

The drop ship sailed through the sky, black clouds covering the area as the insides of the Nighthawk were illuminated by the cockpit computers and consoles, blue and yellow lights shining into the troop bay as it was still night out. Karson sat next to Wagner who was laid out on one of the benches, the Corpsman, Mclowsky, wrapped a bandage on him to stop the bleeding.

Spyro sat in the troop bay with the others as they rested their wings. They had been flying for a while now, ever since they left Warfang yesterday. There was no sign of Cynder and Spyro could only stare at the floor as he thought of her out there, wherever she was. Spyro turned his head to look out the cockpit, seeing a snowy expanse beneath the drop ship as they drew closer to the Valliyor mountain pass. It was still night out so visibility was very low, only areas illuminated by the ships lights were visible.

Krypto continued to fly outside, along with a second drop ship the group managed to pick up. The Sparrowhawk flew alongside the Nighthawk, carrying a few more survivors from the failed counter-assault. On that one there were apparently Lakadors and one of Wagner's former Company Soldiers- Lieutenant Buckman. While Wagner was incapacitated by the wound, he was in charge of the operation.

Their numbers had greatly dwindled since the beginning of the battle. They only had Powers and that other Marine from the earlier operation- Corporal Henderson. Three other Marines were aboard this Nighthawk, Sergeant Spears, Private O'Brian and PFC Picante. Apparently there were some Elite Human soldiers on the other drop ship, some 'HACOs' as well as Hunter of Avalar. Spyro was glad that Hunter was with him again. For the longest time he had been helping the Human Spec Ops groups to locate key strategic targets and eliminate them. So far they had been successful, but now? Spyro rubbed his head softly. Things were definitely in a bad way.

"Visibility is nearly 0." One of the pilots said

"Roger that, switching to thermal."

"Please advise, coming across large mountain structures."

"Roger, target pass is approaching."

The pilots seemed to be talking to each other and on their headsets to the other drop ship. Hunter must be relaying directions in order to reach Valliyor. If they were close, maybe they could use the cover of night to mask their approach...

The drop ships continued on as the snow pelted the glass panes, only to get whipped off by the ship's wipers. Spyro could see a large mountain ahead, the ships getting ready to pass them up as the winds picked up, a sign a valley was nearby.

"Target within visual range."

The pilot said. Everyone looked up as the aircraft crested the mountain, a valley visible below as it was illuminated by the structures within. There appeared to be a blue shield coming up from the pass below, a mountainous wall at the base of it separating the pass into two sectors. Beyond that shield like entity was a mountain that had a citadel structure along its side, dug into a large hillside blanketed with different structures and ruins. It looked fortified with an army.

"How the hell are we supposed to get passed that... shield?" Aaron asked as he stood up. The drop ships hovered as snow continued to pelt their hulls, Wagner leaning up to get a better view. Buckman's voice could be heard over the ship's intercom.

"No way we're getting passed that shield, set us down near that bluff near the base. We'll try to make our way through that fortified hillside and see if there is an entrance somewhere. They must funnel troops through somewhere, and we'll use it to gain access."

"Looks like more sneaking around in the cold..." Zephyr said.

Roxy laughed as the drop ships flew down to the base of the valley, landing in a clearing that was underneath an overhang, embedded into one of the many mountains. The troop bay doors opened, revealing the cold to the group as snow drifted into the aircraft.

"Man I hate the cold..." Aaron said stepped in, Zephyr shivering as well. The Marines disembarked as the still night radiated through the valley. They were surrounded by a forest with several ruins sticking out of the snow, creating a scene of awe as they varied from semi-castle structures to simple huts or walls that had survived the weather.

"Alright, everyone gather your gear, we're moving out." Buckman said as he walked over, holding his rifle. The HACOs and Lakadors disembarked the other Sparrowhawk as well as Hunter.

"Hunter! Good to see you again." Spyro said, shaking off his depression just for a bit.

"Spyro! I'm glad to see you're still safe." He looked around for a bit.

"Where is Cynder?" He finally asked.

Spyro merely looked at the ground. Hunter sighed.

"This is most unsettling..." He said.

The snow continued to fall as the winds picked up a bit, a few of the Marines on guard duty as Powers and Wagner were inside healing and resting from that fight. Krypto touched down nearby and flapped his huge wings to brace himself.

By now, there was a crack of light coming over the mountains, morning fast approaching as the group began to follow Buckman who lead them through a riverbed just ahead. The riverbed went alongside a large cliff, structures on the top.

"Alright, I want to scout out these structures so we need to move stealth-fully.

HACOs, move up with the Spec Ops Lakador and capture that area above. Spyro, help them out. The rest of us will move to that large structure to the East."

Buckman pointed to a large building embedded into a large hill of snow and a cliff face that was part of the overhang their drop ships were parked under.

They nodded as the three HACOs started to climb a small incline leading up to the structures ahead. Spyro followed, as did the Spec Ops Lakador. The HACO's black armor stood out against the snow as they moved, holding their weapons tightly as the Lakador moved in a very different way. He moved with great grace as his legs propelled him forward in an almost sprint fashion.

"Hold." The lead HACO said.

They crouched in the snow as the incline started to look like a stair case. The HACO climbed the stairs as he slowly looked over the top of the ledge. The area up ahead was a square partially buried in snow. Houses or structures lined the edges of this circular town square, if that was what you could call it. Torches illuminated it as two Apes sat in the center. They sat next to a partially destroyed fountain as they cleaned their swords. Two more Apes were walking around a hut at the far side, it looking like it was converted to a small home for these Apes who were apparently on sentry duty.

The HACO used his hand to usher the others forward, Spyro moving as well. The Lakador climbed up onto the square and slowly moved towards one of the Apes. One of the HACOs aimed his rifle as the Lakador took the signal and dashed forward, grabbing an Ape from behind and stabbing him in the neck. The HACO fired one shot from his rifle, only a small PUT coming out of it as the weapon was suppressed. The second Ape flinched a bit as it lurched face forward into the fountain. The Lakador dropped the first Ape before moving to engage the other two.

The HACO moved his hand, ushering Spyro forward with the others who climbed up and moved to the fountain. The HACOs saw the Apes still looking the other way and moved forward. The Lakador did the same thing, rushing the first Ape with his blade out, the second HACO doing the same as he leapt onto the Ape, cutting his throat as did the Lakador who tossed the dead Ape aside. Spyro grunted. He didn't even get to fight one Ape. Oh well... He turned his head and saw the others entering the structure to the East. They were moving forward... Spyro looked over as the HACOs moved to what looked like a footpath with stone walls and structures lining it as most of them looked half collapsed.

They moved to another square and held position just outside, seeing a large group of Apes moving through it as the HACO ushered Spyro over.

Spyro moved through the snow and sat beside the HACO.

"Go and tell Buckman we're running into large troop movements along these town ruins. From here I can see several paths leading up the hills. They might be troop highways." He said softly to Spyro who nodded. He moved away, going back down the path as there was a fractured road that went directly to the large structure Buckman was in.

By now the sun was cresting over the mountains, the bright light extending over the area which created a true scene of awe. Spyro walked along this path as a frozen waterfall went over him. He continued to go until he reached the end which was bordered by a series of huts. Three Apes were moving through this square so Spyro decided to press his back against a stone wall, wait until they passed by. If he gave away his position, their little assault would be for naught.

"Those pitiful creatures fell quickly back at Warfang..." One of them said.

"I knew they would... With us spearheading that attack? They didn't stand a chance..." Another piped in.

"They said that the purple whelp, Spyro, is headed in this direction. The Master got caught up by some nasty wound he got..." The first one said again.

"He won't get passed us. We'll stop him here..." The second one said again. The third one coughed as he spoke.

"That black devil was headed here too. She broke off from the group, scouts saw her along the eastern banks of the citadel. We'll have her captured in no time..." The Ape said softly.

Cynder...? Here? Spyro had to find her. He'd have thought she had gone somewhere else but if she was here... Yes, he had to find her. He'd find her, and nothing could stop him. He grunted though, he still had an objective to complete.

Spyro arrived at the door to the structure, pushing it in slowly as the snow hit against it. He immediately got a rifle barrel to the face from one of the Marines, O'Brian. Spyro stood paralyzed before the Marine saw it was him and stood down.

"Sorry about that." He said, lowering the weapon. Spyro smirked a bit as he gave a nervous chuckle, walking in.

"Spyro! What's the situation?" Buckman said as he walked over. The entire group was here as this place looked to be a barn of sorts. There were a pile of dead apes on the other side as Roxy sat on top of them, looking out of the doors to get a peak at the citadel.

"The HACO told me to tell you that they can see several soldiers using foot paths up ahead, and that he thinks there is a highway that they're using to move soldiers out of the protected field." Buckman thought for a minute before nodding.

"We'll have to follow them then... hmm..." He scratched the back of his head as he put his helmet on.

"Alright, carry on." Buckman said. Spyro nodded as he walked over to the door, looking out over the doors Roxy was peaking over. Dunes and snow met his gaze. He took a deep breath as he looked, picturing Cynder over there with her black scales, white horns and... wait... Cynder? He grunted, looking out as he thought he had seen her. He had! He made his way to the back door and peaked outside. More snow awaited him as he moved outside without anyone else knowing. He trotted away from the building through a small pine forest that coated the eastern side of the structure. Ahead there were more trees as it went along the side of the mountain.

He grunted as he could feel the cold whipping across his body as he continued on. He had to find Cynder. This was his only objective.

0835 Hours

Marine LZ

"What do you mean Spyro's gone?!" Buckman asked as the HACOs and Lakador had returned.

"He never returned to our area to continue the scouting mission." The HACO said.

"What?! Where did he go?" Roxy asked as Aaron was behind her.

"Did he get captured?" Zephyr asked.

"I bet he went to find Cynder..." Aaron said, grunting.

"That fool..." Roxy said silently.

"This is most unfortunate." Hunter said with a solemn sigh.

Wagner laid on the bench in the Nighthawk. The group had returned to the LZ just a little while ago to further plan their assault. Their tip of the spear was going to be Spyro. But... now he was gone. Wagner had no doubt he had gone to find Cynder. This was a foolish move he thought. Now when they needed him most... he was gone.

"Damn it Spyro..." Wagner said under his breath. The Corpsman cleaned a cloth as he changed Wagner's bandages, the medicine and cold having numbed it out long ago so he didn't feel a thing.

"I'm going to go and check the Sparrowhawk for some rations. Stay put." Mclowsky said as he walked out of the drop ship.

"Not going anywhere Doc..." Wagner said with a grunt. Wagner saw Powers sitting on the opposite bench, resting as his own wounds were healing. While his wounds were nowhere as severe as Wagner's, he still needed some rest. At least for a bit.

Wagner laid his head down and closed his eyes for some rest of his own.

Outside, the HACOs were moving into the Nighthawk to gather some equipment. The lead HACO, Anderson, moved towards the cockpit to search the equipment crates in the front. His comrades Jenkins and Doslan walked in behind him, all holding their weapons.

Following their raid on Boyzitbig, they were deployed with the Lakadors in another small scale raid along the coastal areas of Warfang. They were then tasked with aiding the main assault by deploying ahead of the central force, destroying targets of high interest. However, once the assault fell apart, they decided to regroup and try to reformulate their plans. They picked up Wagner's call on the net and responded. However by that time their Nighthawk had taken off but they saw it flying at breakneck speeds to the north. After an hour of trying to establish radio contact in the frenzied field surrounding Warfang, they finally linked up with them. They then headed north for this last ditch effort to stop the Dark Master.

Anderson sighed as he removed his helmet and began to forage through a crate. They had located a laser targeted that had originally been issued for HACOs to use to point out targets for orbital bombardments. While their orbital support was... for the moment "immobile", Jenkins was able to establish a link to the Typhus' badly damaged computer network. He was surprised after all that pounding it was still active. He found that one of the rail guns was actually intact and operational. It was the rear cannon mounted on the engine block and could swivel in all directions. It's powerful magnetically charged barrels could propel rounds in upwards of 100 to 200 miles.

Normally this plan would end where it started- the ship. Nobody was alive on board to man the gun. The loading sequence was automated, save for the actual targeting and firing. Thankfully in cases of extreme events, if the network was offline, remote activation was possible. Bouncing their signal off of the TAC SAT still in orbit, they could remotely operate and fire the gun. These protocols would normally be locked away and would require command authorization to use. Dyke made sure at least one soldier out of every squad had access to these codes if things ever got this bad. Never thought they'd have to use it but...

With those guns, they could level most opposition. The only issue was not to over fire the weapon. Over firing might result in the temple destabilizing and collapsing. Then they might lose their only source of artillery! They'd have to use it lightly. They did, however, manage to locate a mortar tube and even some rounds to use from the Sparrowhawk. That could be invaluable as well! That and Spyro had up and vanished. Buckman was sending Aaron and Zephyr out on runs to try to find him but Anderson didn't hold his hopes too high. This was their only shot. They had a mission to do and if he wasn't all in with them, then he was a liability.

Anderson pulled out another crate and found it contained a few assault rifles, clips of ammunition and grenades. They were useful but he was hoping for more. He continued to forage through the crates, hoping they could find something-anything useful.

Outside the snow was starting to pick up as the sun came over the mountains. Aaron and Zephyr walked back to the group after trying to find Spyro, having no luck as they shook off the snow. No luck. He had gone off to find Cynder, and now they were left having to find a way to salvage this operation without him.

Eastern Mountain Banks

0933 Hours

Spyro trudged through the snow, grunting as the howling winds were only increased from the valley-like nature of the banks he was on. The side of the mountain created a miniature valley as another mountain range flanked it, funneling winds through at a higher speed than normal. That coupled with the fact that a snow storm was blowing through at this moment didn't bode too well with Spyro who moved along the largely empty mountain side.

Snow continued to filter down, his vision starting to obscure as he grunted, trying to push through. He needed to find Cynder... he just had to... But, where could she be? He deeply regretted leaving the group so suddenly but he knew they'd have never let him leave to find her. Though he could sure use their help now...

The ice pressed into his scales, feeling like miniature daggers as the pressed into his skin below his scales. He shivered a bit as the winds were starting to pick up. The entire side of the mountain was now obscured by the storm, covering him in a thick layer of the white material.

After a while of walking, Spyro saw something in the distance. Squinting he saw it resembled a figure. He grunted, walking forward towards the silhouette on the horizon. The snow obscured his vision as he approached it and then it was gone.

Spyro stood, transfixed as he looked around, the wind whipping his face. He saw the figure farther down the side of the mountain. He grunted as he picked up his paw, moving the heavy limb as he moved forward. This became a goal now. He had to find out who this figure was.

He could see now that it resembled a dragon- an adult dragon at that.

"Ig...Ignitus...?" Spyro softly asked as he walked forward, trying to reach the figure. As he approached, a snow drift obscured his vision and once more, the figure was gone.

Grunting, Spyro scanned the horizon for any sign of it. He caught a glimpse of it farther down. He pulled his paws from the snow to move forward again, trying to keep pace with the dragon.

He stumbled a bit, snow falling off of him as it had accumulated so heavily on his body. He continued onward with great vigor, the winds making his body tremble as every element seemed to keep Spyro from this new goal of his. This... this dragon... Who was it? He had to know... He had to! Spyro kept on, grunting louder and louder as he kept on, the figure just within reach... Spyro fell into the snow as he crawled towards it, reaching out with his paw. Snow fell from his paw as it sat hovering before his face, the wind whipping his body and trying to stop him. No... no... he had to...

Soon the image faded away, a lone figure approaching Spyro- not a dragon- some humanoid. Spyro couldn't make it out, it was blurry. Spyro's head fell into the snow as he finally blacked out, footsteps approaching him.

1012 Hours

Village Ruins along Highway

Roxy grunted as she pushed back against the ape, railing him hard before knocking him on his back. The ape let out a wail of pain as Roxy leapt up and delivered the death blow to it with her sword, leaping back off as she sighed. Tom dashed forward through the snow as Aaron and Zephyr came from behind as Krypto was above, smashing a guard tower to peices.

"Look out! Orcs!" Aaron said as three Orcs ran down a flight of stairs from above. They aimed their arrows and fired, Aaron leaping forward to smash one of them as Zephyr let loose a whirlwind that knocked the others away.

Roxy wasted no time. She was already in their faces by the time they grabbed another arrow. She kicked the first one before using her sword to bring down the second with great ease. Aaron reeled his head and fired a beam of darkness into the final one, it letting out a death wail as it tumbled down the steps.

"Come on! Let's go!" Roxy said as she ascended the stairs.

"Right!" Aaron said as he followed right behind. Tom watched their rear as Zephyr ran up as well, the group ascending to the next area. Ahead lay four separate huts, Apes ushering Grublins outside to fight as the fresh snow coated the ground. The noon sun was out, clouds in the distance indicating a snow storm was bearing close to them. Roxy by now had fulfilled the unofficial "leader" of the group in Spyro and Cynder's absence with Aaron's help. As Aaron and Zephyr blasted away at the Apes, Marines came in from behind, moving along another road to gain a vantage point as the group was drawing all the attention. Buckman wanted them to move as fast and silently as possible so they could breach that shield wall. If only they had Spyro... they'd have been at the wall by now.

Paying this no mind Roxy pushed on with the others, a few of the Apes getting put down by rifle fire from the Humans. Hunter dashed from snow mount to snow mount as well, firing arrows with great precision as Apes and Orcs coming out for battle were soon put down. The Grublins started to panic, their commanders now dead or retreating from the hail of gunfire and energy bolts. Many cut and ran, those that stayed didn't fair long with Aaron and Zephyr who continued to plow through them...

Another large guard tower fell over as two much larger orcs tumbled from it and into the snow. Krypto flapped his wings as he landed nearby, crushing one of the surviving Orcs who tried to crawl away.

"Go, go!" Buckman yelled as he ran with his men, pushing as the soldiers fired suppressed weapons into the backs of the retreating Apes. They wouldn't live to trip the alarm, at least that's how Buckman wanted it. The entire hillside was alive with soldiers and the last thing he wanted was for all of them to funnel their way. They had their CP at the base of the hill but they needed a much more defendable position if shit hit the fan.

Buckman dashed over to a snow mount as he looked up towards the citadel and the shield wall, reloading his weapon without a second thought. Two of the Lakadors that came with them took position on the same snow mount.

"Do you think that ship borne weapon can really punch through that?" One of them said- Yahade'.

"I hope we don't have to. The second it goes off, the entire mountain knows something's up." Buckman said.

The other Lakador with them, Sandowah ducked as an arrow flew nearby.

"Your ballistic weapons will do that first if you're not careful..." He said. Buckman grunted.

"Our weapons are suppressed, you don't have a thing to worry about." Buckman reassured.

"Regardless..." He responded, leaping over the mound.

"Don't mind him..." Yahade' said. Buckman grunted softly. He knew trying to work with the Lakadors was going to be difficult, he was just glad they weren't shooting at him anymore.

"So just what is your plan?" The Lakador officer asked.

"For now, we need to get up there, find out if there is a passage into the citadel. If we have to, we'll use our rail gun to punch a hole right in the side of the mountain." Buckman said as he aimed his rifle over the side of the mound.

"And what of the purple dragon?" Yahade' asked. Buckman sighed, retracting his rifle and looking at the snow in deep thought.

"For now, we have to push on, with or without him." Buckman said lowly, getting up as he moved over the mound as well, Yahade' following right after him. Buckman moved with his rifle butt planted firmly on his shoulder, Yahade' moving swiftly through the snow in his own fasion, much different to Buckman's movements. Yahade' moved swiftly and organicly compared to Buckman's stiff and bulky movements. They moved up the stairs to the next area in time to see Aaron and Zephyr blast through a cluster of Apes.

Finally their sub-objective was in sight. The area ahead was sitting on top of a hill, overlooking what the HACOs had reported as a highway for enemy soldiers. From there, they could heavily monitor enemy movements and with good radio contact hold this entire area and prepare for their own assault. They might even find a way inside.

"Zephyr, Hunter, go back to base camp and tell the others we're about to take our objective! Come back and give me an update on their situation!" Buckman said as he saw the two advancing with the group. They both nodded as radio contact had been choppy as of late and headed back down the hillside and back to base camp. Buckman grunted as he fired a short burst from his weapon in midstride, missing an Ape who took cover and started running back to join his comrades further down a small trench.

The storm began to come above them, the temperature dropping steeply, he being able to feel it down to his bones as he continued to run, keeping an eye on those Apes.

Buckman slapped his back against a rock that was along the area leading to the house. A few of the others had done the same, firing their weapons as snow started to fall all around them, the sky turning black. Buckman fumbled with his rifle a bit as he fired, the cold really starting to affect his movements. The Lakador beside him showed no signs of this, Yahade' switching between standing and crouching positions while firing his weapon. He finally dove behind a small overturned barrel that sat next to them, letting his weapon cool off as he inserted another power core to keep it running.

Buckman gripped the barrel of his weapon tightly as he fired off short bursts once more, hitting an Ape who was retreating. The creature fell face first into the snow, his comrades hastily leaving him behind as they dashed towards the house. Interestingly they weren't moving to occupy it for a last stand, they just seemed to be retreating behind it. Obviously there was no real command structure with this particular group, or they'd have seen the strategic importance of the house.

Buckman saw HACOs move from their flanking position and onto the courtyard in front of the house. Their weapons put down the last few Apes who stood next to the doorway and Buckman stood from his cover.

"Go, go, push into the house!" He ordered. He then vaulted over his cover along with the Lakador as they moved towards the doorway. Buckman expected that behind that door they'd meet a meat grinder with Apes, Grublins and other creatures that would probably struggle to defend the house.

The battle was over before it began. Whatever resistance the Apes had set up inside the house was either too ill prepared or just outright abandoned. As soon as the HACOs with their Lakador allies smashed in the door it was clear the house was theirs. Buckman entered right after them, followed by Roxy and her allies. They then set about preparing for the inevitable counter-attack as the Apes were regrouping just beyond the house.

"On the left, watch the left!" A Marine yelled as they ran through trenches that the Apes had prepared underneath the house. It took them less than 30 seconds to secure the entire house, it giving them that incredible view over the road leading to the shield. Buckman ordered the soldiers to set up wherever they could to repel any counter-attack, knowing that since the enemy couldn't see them, he also couldn't see the enemy. Snow pelted the area as they held themselves within the house. It was pretty sizable though, looking to have belonged to someone wealthy before the Apes moved in. The rock beneath the house had been hollowed out, providing a substantial fortress for them to occupy. From the upper levels and lower levels the Marines and Lakadors held off the Apes and Orcs who rushed through the snow at their buildings. The blizzard snuffed out any sounds of their gunfire or grenades, providing perfect cover.

A grenade detonated in the fray as a beam of darkness cut through the thick snow. Two Apes were cut down, their steaming bodies laying in the snow as more gunfire shot out towards them. Buckman ran downstairs from the house and into the hollowed out base beneath the house. There were several trenches made from ice and rock that were underneath the house, creating a formidable fortress as a few of the Marines, Picante, Powers and Henderson, sat along the ice and fired at oncoming targets. Bolts of dark energy from the Lakadors flew above from upstairs as Buckman raised his rifle to fire as well. The snow was becoming almost too thick to see or fight and he was thankful they had this house to take cover in. Zephyr had volunteered to run back to the LZ as their radio was almost useless here. The shield seemed to be jamming their coms to some extent and the blizzard didn't help them one damn bit.

Pretty soon things quieted down outside as it seemed the apes gave up the attack, or those who were around were all dead. The snow beat against the house as the group calmed down following the attack.

"Clear!" Someone said. Buckman relaxed as Aaron and Roxy walked over from the other side, Aaron shaking a bit from the cold as snow blew in from the slits between the floor above and the ice below.

"I hope Zephyr made it back alright, it's getting nasty out there." Roxy said softly as she shivered visibly.

"I wonder about Spyro as well. I hope he's not out there in this either." Aaron said as well. Buckman frowned. If Spyro was in the storm, he could be dead by now. They heard footsteps nearby. They turned to see Zephyr with Hunter entering the snow covered structure. Zephyr was panting as Hunter had used his cloak to shield him from the snow.

"How're things back at the LZ?" Buckman asked.

"So far things are good..." Zephyr took in a deep breath as his throat sounded dry from the cold.

"Karson and Allison are still trying to find Spyro right now but because of the storm they're taking a break. So far they're managed to stay out of sight but..." Zephyr trailed off, as if trying to think of something to say.

"But what?" Buckman asked.

"Wagner's missing."

"What do you mean Wagner's missing?!" Buckman asked as his eyes widened. He was injured, how the hell could he go missing?!

"He's just... gone! I can't explain! The humans there have no idea where he went!"

"This is true. He seems to have slipped out on his own, as there have been no engagements at that outpost since we left." Hunter added.

"What the hell is going on... First Cynder then Spyro and now Wagner..." Buckman said with a low breath.

1439 Hours

Eastern Mountain Banks

Spyro groaned as he felt the snow shift around him. Wait, that wasn't snow, it was ground! And it felt warm too...

Spyro opened his eyes as he moved his legs. He saw that he was in a dimly lit cave, a bright light at the end, presumably the entrance and a small fire burning nearby. There was a blanket covering Spyro as it was nice and thick. Spyro sat up as he took in the cave more, details flooding his mind. There weren't any figures he could make out around, though there was a deeper section of the cave behind him.

"Oh, I see you finally woke up! I was getting worried there for a second." A voice came from the area behind him, causing Spyro to turn. Before him stood a yeti in white fur with two horns coming out the back of his head. Two large blue eyes looked at him as the yeti walked over to the fire right next to Spyro.

"Wh-where am I?" Spyro asked.

"Oh you're in my cave! I found you out in the snow, by yourself. Brought you back here, that storm would've killed you out there." The yeti said back at him. He had a heavy Australian accent.

"Oh, thanks!" Spyro said. He still felt the cold lingering a bit, even with the warmth of the blanket and fire around him.

"Oh, almost forgot, name's Bently!" The large yeti smiled down at Spyro as he offered a bowl of warm stew. Spyro smiled and took it, sipping down some of the juice and softly chewing the meat.

"I'm S-spyro." He said back.

"Are you? You're that purple dragon aren't you...?"

"Yeah, I am."

"Oh it's so great to meet you Mr. Spyro!" Bently said as he took Spyro's hand and shook it. Spyro chuckled a bit as he tried to return it in an awkward fassion.

"You sure gave it to that Malefor dragon, right mate?" Bently finally stopped shaking his paw aggressively. Spyro retracted his paw a bit as he softly rubbed it under the blanket.

"Yeah, but he's back..." Spyro said with a sad tone. Bently took in a deep breath himself.

"Yeah I heard as much. He even set up shop up here in my mountains. Brought those Ape friends of his with him too."

"Have you seen him around lately?" Spyro asked.

"No, I think he left south a few days ago. Haven't seen him back yet."

"I see..."

"You here to take him down again?"

"Yeah, at least I hope so. Things aren't going too well..."

"Oh I see... Things are just bad everywhere."

"Are they just as bad everywhere else?" Spyro asked as Bently made the comment.

"You know it. Worse in some cases. Especially up north in the mainland and to the far east and west. Things are just as bad, very bad. I came from the east myself, traveled here with my brother when he was just a baby. We left our home because it was in the middle of a civil war. Came here and we found Cynder and her armies of Apes. That and her master, Malefor and Gaul."

"I see... Wait, so the Dark Master's forces haven't reached those areas?" Spyro asked. He had always thought the Dark Master was a world-wide problem.

"That I'm not sure. Where I lived we had our own problems. My family left our native lands through a small path in our mountain range. On the other side of the mountain range and across the ocean that split the land in two, we were introduced to Malefor, Cynder and all of these problems."

"Ignitus never told me of those lands."

"Ignitus? Isn't he one of the Guardians?"

"Was."

"Ah... So now it's just down to three..."

"There were more?"

"Oh from what I heard, lots more! One for every element. I heard they all died in the war against Cynder and the Apes. The four were all that remained. Now I guess its three." Bently said. Spyro frowned. Just how many Guardians had there been? If they were still alive, just how much of a force would they have been able to field against the Dark Master? They could've been able to do much more if they just had more help... The Humans and Lakadors were invaluable allies but they only numbered so many. They needed an army of several thousand to tackle the forces of the Dark Master head on.

"In fact, speaking of Cynder I swore I saw a dragon that looked just like her heading up through the forests this morning."

"You saw Cynder?!" Spyro said, standing up swiftly.

"Yeah, but she looked much younger, not the large beast people made her out to be. She looked just like her though, was so strange."

"That was Cynder! Please, can you tell me where she is?"

"What, that's Cynder? Why do you want to find her?"

"I just have to find her, please! She's not evil anymore, she was being used by the Dark Master. She's in her younger self now!" Spyro said almost frantically.

"Woah! Woah! One thing at a time! She's not evil anymore?" Bently said as he tried to slow the dragon down. Spyro took a deep breath.

"No, I defeated her 4 years ago. She reverted back to her younger form and has since helped me fight the Dark Master. She ran away after our battle in Warfang and I must find her." Spyro said as he took a stern stance before Bently.

"Oh... I see now." He said softly, nodding all the while.

"Wh-what?" Spyro said, stuttering a bit.

Bently chuckled.

"Alright, alright, I'll help you find her."

"You will? Thank you so much!"

"Right ol' mate, hey little bro, we're going on a hike!" Bently called

"A hike? Oh boy! Hey is that dragon thing awake yet?" A smaller yeti walked into the cave, looking very much like a miniature Bently.

"Barthelomew, this here is Spyro and we're going to go find his friend." Bently said while grabbing a large club made of ice from the side of the cave. Spyro smiled.

"Thank you so much."

End of Chapter 36