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(as they headed back to the temple, Inferna, the Lythian guardian of fire, along with all the other guardians were confused and worried for the two young heroes, wondering what happened.)

Inferna: Sophie! Spyro! are you both okay? what happened over there?

Cyril: where is Ignitus?

Electra: what in Shevyria's name happened? OmO

Terrador: we will explain inside.

(The other guardians followed as the purple dragon and lythian slowly followed suite. the memory of Cynder chasing after her, Sparx and Spyro was painted into her mind like canvas. she was horrified, scared, and not only that, she felt like a coward, a failure of a hero for letting fear take over her. then again, she was still a 12 year old child. Sophie shut her eyes tight as she tried to hold back her tears that slipped down her eyes.

Spyro stared at Sophie, feeling equal shame. He was supposed to battle Cynder, Save everyone from her reign of terror and all he did was run from her and lost the one who first showed him who he truly was and how special he is. All of that didn’t truly mean anything now as they reached the grotto and Terrador explained everything that happened while Riva was healing poor Sophie's slash marks on her back she received from Cynder with her healing water.)

Riva: its a miracle you managed to get away.

Sophie: (sadly) but we lost Ignitus when he tried to save us. I could have done something, but all I did was run away like a coward.

Spyro: It’s my fault, I failed Ignitus when he needed me most. It’s just that the sight of, Cynder, so close, just…just…

Sparx: Made your heart stop? Put ice in your veins? Scared the crud out of you?

Spyro: Yeah, something like that.

Sophie: not just you... those eyes. those vicious, cold, murderous eyes keep flashing in my mind. it just... T~T (Places her hand over her head, choking back a sob)

Inferna: Sophie...nobody blames you and Spyro for what transpired. I should have been there with Ignitus to save you. but when it comes to Cynder, all I ever do is sit back and hide in fear. -.-

Sophie: what...?

Terrador: all warriors feel fear at one time or another, young ones. There is no shame in that…

Volteer: Yes, It’s a proven scientific fact that the quotient between adrenaline and trepidation-

Cyril: Volteer, please. I believe our good friend here was trying to make a point.

Terrador: Thank you, Cyril. What I was going to say is that all warriors feel fear, but only the most valiant among us can face that fear…and master it. From what I saw on munitions forge you are one such warrior. Young warriors, now is the time to complete your training…now is the time to face your fear.

Sophie: I...I....(looks down) T~T I can't do this...! (whimpers, runs through the other side of the grotto)

Spyro: Sophie, wait!

Gaia: Spyro. we'll talk to Sophie.

Terrador: yes. remain here until we return.

(the other guardians followed their friend. Spyro went to the training room and sat down with Sparx by his side. The purple dragon was greatly concerned for the lythian as he should be knowing exactly what she was feeling and hoped that the guardians could do something. without Sophie, he doesn’t know how he could face what would come next without her by his side.

Sophie made it to the balcony, clearly she was frightened and full of self doubt and grief. Sophie looked at the Aether sword, gripping it before collapsing on her knees, dropping the sword before her.)

Sophie: I'm no good...I'm such a disappointment, a failed excuse of a hero. (whimpers, covers her face with her hands)

''Whatever is the matter, young chap?''

Sophie: QmQ !!

(The young lythian looks up and saw the guardians, both dragons and lythians, with concerned and sympathetic looks on their faces.)

Volteer: is everything alright, Sophie? we're all terribly worried, anxious and concerned for you!

Cordelia: what's wrong?

Sophie: I... (sniffles) I feel pathetic right now. T^T

Gaia: why would you say something like that?

Sophie: (looks at her sword, gripping the golden triangle on her chest) all I've ever wanted was to be strong like my caretaker... the human who adopted me when I was a baby.

(the guardians look at her as they listen to her story...)

Sophie: Michelle is a mercenary...she is one of the strongest people back on the planet Earth, where I was raised. she never showed signs of weakness and fear in the face of the enemies, she is always there for me and my human siblings, as if she was our mother. she is a hero in her own right, and I wanted to be a hero too, just like in those stories she told me. I wanted to be the hero who would fight to protect those she cares about, her friends, her family. and instead I ran away from a fight like a pathetic coward.

Inferna: (as she recalls the same human she saw when she took the infant Sophie to Earth) the human you described...she must be a very brave warrior.

Sophie: she really is. but everything I did to be as a hero, to become someone who could rise and conquer any monster and never show fear is something I don't think I'd get over. I wanted to find out who I really was and where my place is, that's why I left my home on Earth. I can't look at Michelle, my friends and family on Earth in the face when they'd see me like this.

Skyla: don't you think you're being too hard on yourself?

Gaia: We may do not know this human who raised you, nor have we ever met her and your friends and family. but If there's anything I can say, is that they'd never see you as a disappointment.

Auroela: You must think of the events beforehand. You never would have any type of chance against Cynder before and now.

Cordelia: there are some events in our lives that our beyond our control. the people on earth who know you, including your human caretaker, wouldn't want you to be in such state.

Riva: none of us would have remained alive by now if it weren't for you and Spyro.

Inferna: (walks over to Sophie, places a hand on her shoulder) let me tell you a secret.

Sophie: Q.Q

Inferna: I am...a coward.

Sophie: wh-what?

Inferna: I've always been the one who stays behind when Cynder came along. And once again I stayed behind, letting Ignitus go out and be captured, letting him be brave for me. I always told myself I was being responsible, in reality, I was just scared. And then I met you. You inspired us. You inspired me. Not because you're the latest reincarnation of Shevyria, not because you are the chosen Hero of Tarlax, but because you never let fear stop you. and I could not be any more proud of you. You gained your abilities and worked with the purple dragon and saved each one of our friends.

Terrador: Inferna is right, Sophie.  despite all that happened, you became the lythian hero of prophecy. You became the warrior you were destined to be and that is something anyone would be proud of.

(Sophie looked down, letting the guardians' words sink in. then, a memory flashed in her mind.

the young lythian remembered a time when Michelle came back from a really tough battle that almost cost her life. the enemies were too strong and she was sure she was about to die until her fellow mercenaries came to rescue her. it took her quite a while to recover, physically and emotionally. but the thoughts of Gloria, Sophie and Nathan kept her going and overcome the ordeal. then, she tells Sophie a powerful advice in any situation.

''the true meaning of being brave, is being scared, but doing it anyway. encircle yourself with those you care for around you. for they'll be the ones who will guide you through your path. there will be highs and lows, but they will shape you into the kind of hero you wish to be.'' )

Sophie: that's right...! Michelle, and my friends, my family would never think less of me. (wipes her tears) I will go on, even if I'm scared! (takes the sword, looks at it) I fell down, but I'm willing to rise up again!

Skyla: See? That's the spirit!

Riva: that's the right mindset!

Electra: So long as you still have a chance, there is still hope!

Crystal: for once I agree with you. -w-

Terrador: then come along. it's time to complete your training.

(the guardians went back to the grotto as Sophie followed Terrador and Gaia. surprisingly, Gaia asked Skyla to come with her to the training room, since this time, Sophie and Spyro will train together with their respective elements of Wind and Earth as their final training session before facing off against Cynder.

Sophie felt better now, as she was ready to train with Spyro once again.)

(Terrador, Gaia and Skyla entered the dojo and the door closed behind them and the statue in the middle lowered into the floor below. It was time to teach the young warriors to master the element of earth and perfect the element of wind.)

Terrador: the power to harness the soil, the wind, the world itself is now within your grasp. let's begin.

Skyla: Sophie, stand back for a while, until you will be able to join him in training.

Sophie: Oh, Okay. O.O

Terrador: (clears throat, to Spyro) Dragons of the Earth Element embrace a strong connection to nature, covering their bodies with its power, persisting at all times, but is at its peak when the Dragon ,as well as a lythian, is firmly grounded. They specialize in ground fighting over aerial attack, calling forth the essence of stone and living nature. The power is expressed as an energy-based protection but literal stone and earth can be shaped and brought to beat in the service of a determined mind.

Gaia: Earth is a form founded on the precepts of strength over adversity, willful resolve and obstinate determination. The bedrock of the world teems with energy, alive with ancient magics and fields of mana; a trained Earth Dragon and Lythian at the height of its abilities can draw strength from these, delving deep into vast reserves to express its power. first thing I want to see is your Earth Shot, like you did in munitions forge.

(several dummies appeared, charging at Spyro, who then used his Earth shot, which was a strong blast of earth energy that deals great damage to enemies. and the dummies were all destroyed once they were hit.)

Terrador: always be gracious in victory, Spyro. next, I want you to perform the Earth shot when the dummies are within range.

(several dummies appeared and started running away. Spyro went after them, and destroyed them with his earth shot one after the other successfully.)

Terrador: there might be hope for you yet, young dragon. Sophie, come over here.

Sophie: !! Oh, okay.

Gaia: I know you are mostly attuned with the wind, but I want you and Spyro to use both earth and wind elements to shoot down the dummies. oh, and stay within the elemental wall as you do so.

(a green wall appeared circling the dragon and lythian, and the dummies outside the wall started running around, throwing dynamites at them. Spyro shot out his earth bomb, which was a blast of earth energy which lifts certain enemies off the ground in a whirlwind, dealing damage over time. while Sophie used the wind element to create whirlwinds to inflict damage on several dummies, empowering some of the earth whirlwinds that were created by Spyro's earth bombs, passing this part of this training.)

Terrador: looks like Ignitus might have been right about you.

Skyla: big and small enemies are no match for the combined power of wind and earth.

Gaia: next, I want to see your combined powers of earth and wind against fleeing dummies.

(several dummies appeared and ran away at the sight of Spyro and Sophie, who both used their earth and wind elements to create gray and green whirlwinds to lift them up in the air and attack them.)

Terrador: you two might prove to be true warriors yet.

Skyla: now, Sophie. you might get back and watch the next part of this training...

(Sophie nodded and steps aside)

Gaia: you see, Spyro, Earth is very different from the other elements. while the others can be summoned and left to do their effects on their own, Earth requires much more control. you need to tell it constantly what to do, and have patience. you need to remember that the ground takes decades, centuries and even millennia to move at all. so it takes a great deal of focus and control over your emotions to master.

Terrador: this time, reach your powers, not within yourself, but into the ground beneath you.

(Spyro closed his eyes tightly, straining to reach out. and the ground began to crack violently beneath him.)

Gaia: No, No. you need to stay calm and focused. you're straining yourself too hard. you need to be in harmony to control it.

(Spyro tried again, this time, relaxed, his breathing was slow. the soil began to move beneath him, swirling up into patterns and shapes in the air. he summoned some of his strength and made a large chunk of stone to lift from the ground with a thud and moved it through the air.)

Terrador: Very good, Spyro. Earth tends to be very self discovered. now, we move on to the final part of this training.

Gaia: after defeating the smaller dummies, the larger ones will come at you. when they do, release the full force of nature's wrath upon them.

(and so, Spyro fought several dummies, gaining as much strength as possible. and with the larger dummies coming at him from all directions, Spyro unleashed his Earth fury, creating a powerful and explosive wall of earth that rains down boulders to deal great damage. thus, ending this training session.)

Terrador: Good job, now the final confrontation awaits.

(Skyla and Gaia nod with approval, as Spyro and Sophie, and Sparx smiled at each other, knowing that they are now at the full capacity of their strength.)

Terrador: You both have done well, Spyro, Sophie.

Cyril: Yes, yes, pat on the back, good going, all that other rubbish, but we’ve got to get moving here.

Volteer: (sighs) Cyril is terribly obnoxious but in this case he happens to be right, Terrador. Ignitus is the final piece to Cynder’s puzzle. If that last crystal is powered, the portal will open and we’ll all be done for.

Sophie: What Portal?

Gaia: Cynder attempts to open the forbidden portal of Convexity, a link from our world to the dark realms.

Auroela: if she opens the portal, the Dark Master will be released from his prison.

Terrador: I know, I know. When I was on munitions forge, I overheard the conductor say that Cynder’s final preparations would take place at her lair. the concurrent skies, where she lives in solitude among the clouds and the towers. I am certain that’s where she’s taken Ignitus.

Sophie: How will we get inside?

Inferna: there will be no way of getting in without being seen. we'll need to find our way in. Cynder will be expecting us once we're in. there's no going out until we either fail or succeed.

Sparx: well, that's reassuring!

Crystal: wait, wait, wait... you're actually gonna go with the kids and bust your way in and take on Cynder?

Inferna: I am done hiding in fear, Crystal. Ignitus has always risked his life for me and the others. and this time, I choose to be brave.

Cyril: It's now or never.

Terrador: agreed. but Spyro, Sophie, the choice is yours.

Spyro: I...I want to go save Ignitus!

Sophie: Me too!

Terrador: very well then. Concurrent Skies is in the north, built within storm crystal fields. once you're there, there is no flying, not in the storms the crystals generate.

Auroela: Its just like in Arcwing Ravine. you'll need to enter through the front gates, and find a way to the top from the inside.

Sophie: what should we do if we come across Cynder?

Terrador: that I'm afraid is inevitable. you'll have to face her at some point or another. might as well be now.

Sophie: okay...if I have to, I will!

Gaia: That's the spirit!

Spyro: We have to go, Come on.

Terrador: I'd give anything to go with you both, young warriors. But that crystal sapped the last of my will. I’m afraid my fighting days are over for now.

Volteer:  Every generation must pass the torch to the next, Terrador. Our time is done.

Cyril: Yes, its is Spyro and Sophie's time to shine! Now go to it, young ones!

Spyro, Sophie (as the lythian salutes) : Yes, sir! (they, along with Inferna, who chose to go with them, headed out to the balcony with Sparx feeling a bit motivated himself)

Sparx: Wow, you guys make even me wanna face Cynder. (quietly) Did I say that out loud? O.O

Sophie: Yes, you did. -w-

(unlike the other trips they have taken, where their excitement had built, and had fun adventures, this time, Spyro and Sophie like Inferna, were focused and went forward without commenting on anything, until Sparx decided to speak up...)

Sparx: so this time we face her, right?

Spyro: yeah, Sparx. or at least, Sophie and I have to. you can wait at the temple and wait for us if you want.

Inferna: Concurrent Skies is far more dangerous. getting in there will be rough. are you certain you want to go with us.

Sparx: heck at this point, what have I got to lose? -w-

(Spyro smiled glad to have his brother by his side, as did Sophie and Inferna, as they ventured to the north towards Concurrent Skies, where Cynder's lair was.

little did they know, is that they were watched by the Black Sorceress who saw them coming towards Concurrent Skies via a dark orb.)

Black Sorceress: so they are finally going in to Cynder's fortress, and the Red Phoenix decided to come along. hmhm... it seems that we are going to meet again, Inferna...

(and with that, the Black Sorceress disappeared back into the shadows...)

END OF CHAPTER 11

Spyro stuff belongs to Sierra/Krome Studios
FW AU Belongs to Landsverk96

Sophie, Inferna, Electra,
Crystal, Skyla, Riva, Gaia, Black Sorceress belong to Me

Description
(as they headed back to the temple, Inferna, the Lythian guardian of fire, along with all the other guardians were confused and worried for the two young heroes, wondering what happened.)

Inferna: Sophie! Spyro! are you both okay? what happened over there?

Cyril: where is Ignitus?

Electra: what in Shevyria's name happened? OmO

Terrador: we will explain inside.

(The other guardians followed as the purple dragon and lythian slowly followed suite. the memory of Cynder chasing after her, Sparx and Spyro was painted into her mind like canvas. she was horrified, scared, and not only that, she felt like a coward, a failure of a hero for letting fear take over her. then again, she was still a 12 year old child. Sophie shut her eyes tight as she tried to hold back her tears that slipped down her eyes.

Spyro stared at Sophie, feeling equal shame. He was supposed to battle Cynder, Save everyone from her reign of terror and all he did was run from her and lost the one who first showed him who he truly was and how special he is. All of that didn’t truly mean anything now as they reached the grotto and Terrador explained everything that happened while Riva was healing poor Sophie's slash marks on her back she received from Cynder with her healing water.)

Riva: its a miracle you managed to get away.

Sophie: (sadly) but we lost Ignitus when he tried to save us. I could have done something, but all I did was run away like a coward.

Spyro: It’s my fault, I failed Ignitus when he needed me most. It’s just that the sight of, Cynder, so close, just…just…

Sparx: Made your heart stop? Put ice in your veins? Scared the crud out of you?

Spyro: Yeah, something like that.

Sophie: not just you... those eyes. those vicious, cold, murderous eyes keep flashing in my mind. it just... T~T (Places her hand over her head, choking back a sob)

Inferna: Sophie...nobody blames you and Spyro for what transpired. I should have been there with Ignitus to save you. but when it comes to Cynder, all I ever do is sit back and hide in fear. -.-

Sophie: what...?

Terrador: all warriors feel fear at one time or another, young ones. There is no shame in that…

Volteer: Yes, It’s a proven scientific fact that the quotient between adrenaline and trepidation-

Cyril: Volteer, please. I believe our good friend here was trying to make a point.

Terrador: Thank you, Cyril. What I was going to say is that all warriors feel fear, but only the most valiant among us can face that fear…and master it. From what I saw on munitions forge you are one such warrior. Young warriors, now is the time to complete your training…now is the time to face your fear.

Sophie: I...I....(looks down) T~T I can't do this...! (whimpers, runs through the other side of the grotto)

Spyro: Sophie, wait!

Gaia: Spyro. we'll talk to Sophie.

Terrador: yes. remain here until we return.

(the other guardians followed their friend. Spyro went to the training room and sat down with Sparx by his side. The purple dragon was greatly concerned for the lythian as he should be knowing exactly what she was feeling and hoped that the guardians could do something. without Sophie, he doesn’t know how he could face what would come next without her by his side.

Sophie made it to the balcony, clearly she was frightened and full of self doubt and grief. Sophie looked at the Aether sword, gripping it before collapsing on her knees, dropping the sword before her.)

Sophie: I'm no good...I'm such a disappointment, a failed excuse of a hero. (whimpers, covers her face with her hands)

''Whatever is the matter, young chap?''

Sophie: QmQ !!

(The young lythian looks up and saw the guardians, both dragons and lythians, with concerned and sympathetic looks on their faces.)

Volteer: is everything alright, Sophie? we're all terribly worried, anxious and concerned for you!

Cordelia: what's wrong?

Sophie: I... (sniffles) I feel pathetic right now. T^T

Gaia: why would you say something like that?

Sophie: (looks at her sword, gripping the golden triangle on her chest) all I've ever wanted was to be strong like my caretaker... the human who adopted me when I was a baby.

(the guardians look at her as they listen to her story...)

Sophie: Michelle is a mercenary...she is one of the strongest people back on the planet Earth, where I was raised. she never showed signs of weakness and fear in the face of the enemies, she is always there for me and my human siblings, as if she was our mother. she is a hero in her own right, and I wanted to be a hero too, just like in those stories she told me. I wanted to be the hero who would fight to protect those she cares about, her friends, her family. and instead I ran away from a fight like a pathetic coward.

Inferna: (as she recalls the same human she saw when she took the infant Sophie to Earth) the human you described...she must be a very brave warrior.

Sophie: she really is. but everything I did to be as a hero, to become someone who could rise and conquer any monster and never show fear is something I don't think I'd get over. I wanted to find out who I really was and where my place is, that's why I left my home on Earth. I can't look at Michelle, my friends and family on Earth in the face when they'd see me like this.

Skyla: don't you think you're being too hard on yourself?

Gaia: We may do not know this human who raised you, nor have we ever met her and your friends and family. but If there's anything I can say, is that they'd never see you as a disappointment.

Auroela: You must think of the events beforehand. You never would have any type of chance against Cynder before and now.

Cordelia: there are some events in our lives that our beyond our control. the people on earth who know you, including your human caretaker, wouldn't want you to be in such state.

Riva: none of us would have remained alive by now if it weren't for you and Spyro.

Inferna: (walks over to Sophie, places a hand on her shoulder) let me tell you a secret.

Sophie: Q.Q

Inferna: I am...a coward.

Sophie: wh-what?

Inferna: I've always been the one who stays behind when Cynder came along. And once again I stayed behind, letting Ignitus go out and be captured, letting him be brave for me. I always told myself I was being responsible, in reality, I was just scared. And then I met you. You inspired us. You inspired me. Not because you're the latest reincarnation of Shevyria, not because you are the chosen Hero of Tarlax, but because you never let fear stop you. and I could not be any more proud of you. You gained your abilities and worked with the purple dragon and saved each one of our friends.

Terrador: Inferna is right, Sophie.  despite all that happened, you became the lythian hero of prophecy. You became the warrior you were destined to be and that is something anyone would be proud of.

(Sophie looked down, letting the guardians' words sink in. then, a memory flashed in her mind.

the young lythian remembered a time when Michelle came back from a really tough battle that almost cost her life. the enemies were too strong and she was sure she was about to die until her fellow mercenaries came to rescue her. it took her quite a while to recover, physically and emotionally. but the thoughts of Gloria, Sophie and Nathan kept her going and overcome the ordeal. then, she tells Sophie a powerful advice in any situation.

''the true meaning of being brave, is being scared, but doing it anyway. encircle yourself with those you care for around you. for they'll be the ones who will guide you through your path. there will be highs and lows, but they will shape you into the kind of hero you wish to be.'' )

Sophie: that's right...! Michelle, and my friends, my family would never think less of me. (wipes her tears) I will go on, even if I'm scared! (takes the sword, looks at it) I fell down, but I'm willing to rise up again!

Skyla: See? That's the spirit!

Riva: that's the right mindset!

Electra: So long as you still have a chance, there is still hope!

Crystal: for once I agree with you. -w-

Terrador: then come along. it's time to complete your training.

(the guardians went back to the grotto as Sophie followed Terrador and Gaia. surprisingly, Gaia asked Skyla to come with her to the training room, since this time, Sophie and Spyro will train together with their respective elements of Wind and Earth as their final training session before facing off against Cynder.

Sophie felt better now, as she was ready to train with Spyro once again.)

(Terrador, Gaia and Skyla entered the dojo and the door closed behind them and the statue in the middle lowered into the floor below. It was time to teach the young warriors to master the element of earth and perfect the element of wind.)

Terrador: the power to harness the soil, the wind, the world itself is now within your grasp. let's begin.

Skyla: Sophie, stand back for a while, until you will be able to join him in training.

Sophie: Oh, Okay. O.O

Terrador: (clears throat, to Spyro) Dragons of the Earth Element embrace a strong connection to nature, covering their bodies with its power, persisting at all times, but is at its peak when the Dragon ,as well as a lythian, is firmly grounded. They specialize in ground fighting over aerial attack, calling forth the essence of stone and living nature. The power is expressed as an energy-based protection but literal stone and earth can be shaped and brought to beat in the service of a determined mind.

Gaia: Earth is a form founded on the precepts of strength over adversity, willful resolve and obstinate determination. The bedrock of the world teems with energy, alive with ancient magics and fields of mana; a trained Earth Dragon and Lythian at the height of its abilities can draw strength from these, delving deep into vast reserves to express its power. first thing I want to see is your Earth Shot, like you did in munitions forge.

(several dummies appeared, charging at Spyro, who then used his Earth shot, which was a strong blast of earth energy that deals great damage to enemies. and the dummies were all destroyed once they were hit.)

Terrador: always be gracious in victory, Spyro. next, I want you to perform the Earth shot when the dummies are within range.

(several dummies appeared and started running away. Spyro went after them, and destroyed them with his earth shot one after the other successfully.)

Terrador: there might be hope for you yet, young dragon. Sophie, come over here.

Sophie: !! Oh, okay.

Gaia: I know you are mostly attuned with the wind, but I want you and Spyro to use both earth and wind elements to shoot down the dummies. oh, and stay within the elemental wall as you do so.

(a green wall appeared circling the dragon and lythian, and the dummies outside the wall started running around, throwing dynamites at them. Spyro shot out his earth bomb, which was a blast of earth energy which lifts certain enemies off the ground in a whirlwind, dealing damage over time. while Sophie used the wind element to create whirlwinds to inflict damage on several dummies, empowering some of the earth whirlwinds that were created by Spyro's earth bombs, passing this part of this training.)

Terrador: looks like Ignitus might have been right about you.

Skyla: big and small enemies are no match for the combined power of wind and earth.

Gaia: next, I want to see your combined powers of earth and wind against fleeing dummies.

(several dummies appeared and ran away at the sight of Spyro and Sophie, who both used their earth and wind elements to create gray and green whirlwinds to lift them up in the air and attack them.)

Terrador: you two might prove to be true warriors yet.

Skyla: now, Sophie. you might get back and watch the next part of this training...

(Sophie nodded and steps aside)

Gaia: you see, Spyro, Earth is very different from the other elements. while the others can be summoned and left to do their effects on their own, Earth requires much more control. you need to tell it constantly what to do, and have patience. you need to remember that the ground takes decades, centuries and even millennia to move at all. so it takes a great deal of focus and control over your emotions to master.

Terrador: this time, reach your powers, not within yourself, but into the ground beneath you.

(Spyro closed his eyes tightly, straining to reach out. and the ground began to crack violently beneath him.)

Gaia: No, No. you need to stay calm and focused. you're straining yourself too hard. you need to be in harmony to control it.

(Spyro tried again, this time, relaxed, his breathing was slow. the soil began to move beneath him, swirling up into patterns and shapes in the air. he summoned some of his strength and made a large chunk of stone to lift from the ground with a thud and moved it through the air.)

Terrador: Very good, Spyro. Earth tends to be very self discovered. now, we move on to the final part of this training.

Gaia: after defeating the smaller dummies, the larger ones will come at you. when they do, release the full force of nature's wrath upon them.

(and so, Spyro fought several dummies, gaining as much strength as possible. and with the larger dummies coming at him from all directions, Spyro unleashed his Earth fury, creating a powerful and explosive wall of earth that rains down boulders to deal great damage. thus, ending this training session.)

Terrador: Good job, now the final confrontation awaits.

(Skyla and Gaia nod with approval, as Spyro and Sophie, and Sparx smiled at each other, knowing that they are now at the full capacity of their strength.)

Terrador: You both have done well, Spyro, Sophie.

Cyril: Yes, yes, pat on the back, good going, all that other rubbish, but we’ve got to get moving here.

Volteer: (sighs) Cyril is terribly obnoxious but in this case he happens to be right, Terrador. Ignitus is the final piece to Cynder’s puzzle. If that last crystal is powered, the portal will open and we’ll all be done for.

Sophie: What Portal?

Gaia: Cynder attempts to open the forbidden portal of Convexity, a link from our world to the dark realms.

Auroela: if she opens the portal, the Dark Master will be released from his prison.

Terrador: I know, I know. When I was on munitions forge, I overheard the conductor say that Cynder’s final preparations would take place at her lair. the concurrent skies, where she lives in solitude among the clouds and the towers. I am certain that’s where she’s taken Ignitus.

Sophie: How will we get inside?

Inferna: there will be no way of getting in without being seen. we'll need to find our way in. Cynder will be expecting us once we're in. there's no going out until we either fail or succeed.

Sparx: well, that's reassuring!

Crystal: wait, wait, wait... you're actually gonna go with the kids and bust your way in and take on Cynder?

Inferna: I am done hiding in fear, Crystal. Ignitus has always risked his life for me and the others. and this time, I choose to be brave.

Cyril: It's now or never.

Terrador: agreed. but Spyro, Sophie, the choice is yours.

Spyro: I...I want to go save Ignitus!

Sophie: Me too!

Terrador: very well then. Concurrent Skies is in the north, built within storm crystal fields. once you're there, there is no flying, not in the storms the crystals generate.

Auroela: Its just like in Arcwing Ravine. you'll need to enter through the front gates, and find a way to the top from the inside.

Sophie: what should we do if we come across Cynder?

Terrador: that I'm afraid is inevitable. you'll have to face her at some point or another. might as well be now.

Sophie: okay...if I have to, I will!

Gaia: That's the spirit!

Spyro: We have to go, Come on.

Terrador: I'd give anything to go with you both, young warriors. But that crystal sapped the last of my will. I’m afraid my fighting days are over for now.

Volteer:  Every generation must pass the torch to the next, Terrador. Our time is done.

Cyril: Yes, its is Spyro and Sophie's time to shine! Now go to it, young ones!

Spyro, Sophie (as the lythian salutes) : Yes, sir! (they, along with Inferna, who chose to go with them, headed out to the balcony with Sparx feeling a bit motivated himself)

Sparx: Wow, you guys make even me wanna face Cynder. (quietly) Did I say that out loud? O.O

Sophie: Yes, you did. -w-

(unlike the other trips they have taken, where their excitement had built, and had fun adventures, this time, Spyro and Sophie like Inferna, were focused and went forward without commenting on anything, until Sparx decided to speak up...)

Sparx: so this time we face her, right?

Spyro: yeah, Sparx. or at least, Sophie and I have to. you can wait at the temple and wait for us if you want.

Inferna: Concurrent Skies is far more dangerous. getting in there will be rough. are you certain you want to go with us.

Sparx: heck at this point, what have I got to lose? -w-

(Spyro smiled glad to have his brother by his side, as did Sophie and Inferna, as they ventured to the north towards Concurrent Skies, where Cynder's lair was.

little did they know, is that they were watched by the Black Sorceress who saw them coming towards Concurrent Skies via a dark orb.)

Black Sorceress: so they are finally going in to Cynder's fortress, and the Red Phoenix decided to come along. hmhm... it seems that we are going to meet again, Inferna...

(and with that, the Black Sorceress disappeared back into the shadows...)

END OF CHAPTER 11

Spyro stuff belongs to Sierra/Krome Studios
FW AU Belongs to Landsverk96

Sophie, Inferna, Electra,
Crystal, Skyla, Riva, Gaia, Black Sorceress belong to Me