#Spyro and his inner conflict | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

keezree · 6 years ago

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He’s All The Rage! Ch:2

While your time with Elora and the others was short, you discovered quite a bit about the sub-worlds. Many of them experienced a plethora of troubles. Certain sub-worlds seemed to be at war with another, while others suffered difficulties within, amongst their own inhabitants. All the while, you kept your eyes open for Ripto and his companions, yet you didn't see a single sign of them.

You were worried of course because of the apparent chaos he had brought with him once he arrived in Avalar. You kept quiet about it because you didn't want to assume anything yet. You were the type to take everything in with your own mind and thoughts and assess things once you had sufficient information to make a well balanced judgment. Perhaps the things that Ripto had inflicted upon Avalar had happened before your arrival and so it seemed like he hadn't anything to do with the warring worlds. You toured the calming Summer Forest, the cool water inviting under the ever shining summer sun. A reintroduction to Autumn Plains. Admittedly, perhaps you were partial to this Home World because it was where your portal had appeared and where you first arrived. “We've already shown you this world but it's along the way, may as well give you the full tour in the order the worlds exist.” The ever autumn trees were just as beautiful as when you first stepped through. How long had you been here anyway? It felt like forever ago but yet not that long ago at all. Finally, Winter Tundra opened its cold air to you and you were grateful that you had your winter coat. The sky was perpetually night time here and it reminded you of back home. You wondered if perhaps the portal you had fallen through had remained in the middle of the road, invisible to everyone but you. Or perhaps there were other humans who still believed in the magic of dragons and fairies and were able to see it also. Ah! You had closed it. Right. Then, could you open it wherever? Perhaps you shouldn't dwell on it too long unless your human magic was able to open it again even from here. You were shaken from your thoughts as your posse arrived at a portal that seemed a tad bit larger than the others. It had circular clasps around the arch of the portal that looked like they once housed something. One or two orbs were stuck within the claw like clasps. “Here is where Ripto and his friends came to Avalar.” Elora gestured. You looked at the huge stone and metal archway. While inactive, it still seemed to emanate a faint electric buzz in the air. Magic, you assumed. Potentially the orbs in their casings. The only thing you really had solidified in your memory of what made this place work was that there were gems, orbs, talismans and dragons that all had magical powers. Though, it was still very vague on how they all interacted with each other and what effects either alone, or combined, had on this world.

“Right after the Professor had finished the portal Hunter managed to mess around with the controls. He entered his birth date as coordinates for the portal and guess who came stomping through?” She sighed. Hunter hid sheepishly behind the Professor, pretending he didn't exist. “Well, he more fell in than stomped in.” He offered, attempting to defend himself in some way. “Fell, stomped, whatever! Regardless he is here and we need him out. The last we had seen him was when we met you at Autumn Plains, but he's taken over the castle in Summer Forest. Spyro was on his way there to see if he could kick that riptoc's butt out of there when Hunter came to us with the emergency about your portal.” Spyro smiled and stretched casually as if the whole ordeal was as easy as making a sandwich. “That shouldn't be too difficult, I've torched nasties way bigger and smarter than his goons.” “We'll get you home soon Spyro. Don't worry.” Elora turned to you. “For now, perhaps it's best if you stick to the home worlds, the sub-worlds might be a bit dangerous to a human who is just learning how to use their own abilities.” The Professor nodded. “Yes, that's probably for the best. Also your powers are faded, not yet forgotten but on the verge of being nonexistent. Perhaps being here in Avalar, as well as in the presence of a dragon, your magic may bloom and grow again. In your human world it may not be as concentrated though. Despite how hard or strong you may believe, there's something in the human world itself that seems to negate and dilute magic. That's why its so rare a thing to witness.” That explained it, you wondered what it was that caused magic to dissipate the way it did in your home world. Maybe you'd discover it one day. It was also probably safest that you didn't use your magic in your own world. Think of the madness that would ensue! People would be curious about the dragon realms and how could you possibly explain and not be pegged as someone insane? Though magic itself would probably convince them. If humans saw you were able to do even small simple feats, they'd believe anything you said in order to get their greedy hands on it. It made you a little sad to think just how greedy some people could be. Though, you knew that not every single person on the planet was cruel. You had seen plenty of kind and understanding people in your life. What was it then that singled you out? Was it that you were able to keep your childlike wonder and imagination? Was it something within the Avalar realms themselves that brought you here? Maybe the super portal opened sub world portals without the Professor and the others knowing. He did after all admit that even he didn't know everything there was to know about portals. So many portals! “We're gonna head back to Summer Forest , ______. If you want to come along, I suggest you steer clear of the deeper parts of the castle, that's where Ripto has hidden himself, the coward.” Elora scowled. You thought a moment. It was beautiful in Winter Tundra, but you wanted to be warm! “ I'll come with you.” You rubbed your ungloved hands together. How were they all able to stay warm? Spyro maybe was alright with his dragon fire and his higher temperatures, the others had fur, something you did not. You followed the group to two parallel platforms, you had learned they were home world portals that reached other home worlds within Avalar. Your thoughts lingered on Ripto and the battle that was supposedly to come between him and Spyro. He really didn't seem all that bad when you met him. Impulsive, childish and angry yes but not evil. “Maybe there could be a way to get them to talk to Ripto instead of fight him.” You thought as you stepped onto the magical platform. The blissful warmth of Summer Forest greeted you as you appeared through, and in front of the platform. You weren't sure which method of inter-world travel you liked better. Platforms were easier to step onto than fall into like portals. Portals made you feel like you were going to fall forever and recently you had been through so many you damn near forgot your fear of falling. However platforms almost made you feel like you were shrinking into nothingness as it brought you down to a single point and warped you to the designated world. Both sensations were strange but convenient. Maybe you'd get used to them. The castle stood to your left as you exited the platform. It rested beyond a lake which you had to swim through and under in order to reach the inner parts. That didn't seem very well thought out. What if you couldn't swim? Or hold your breath long enough to make it all the way through the tunnel? Then a darker, deeper thought crawled up from your mind. What if you died here? What if you drowned or if somehow, getting caught up in battle between Ripto and Spyro, you were destroyed? Following along you watched as Spyro dove down into the water and swam with ease through the tunnel with Sparx near him. The two seemed connected to each other somehow, more than just friends. When Spyro took damage you realized that Sparx also appeared to be hurt in some way you couldn't yet figure out. He changed colours and sometimes seemed to disappear altogether. He would reappear or grow to his usual golden yellow glow if Spyro killed what he called a fodder animal. It'd would vanish in a puff of smoke and from where it once was a butterfly would be lazily flapping. Sparx would gobble it up and regain his health. It shocked you every time he would destroy one of these small creatures. Yet here in Avalar that seemed to be the norm. Within the sub-worlds also Spyro unflinchingly charged his horns into creatures or charred them with his blazing breath. You were assured that their spirits were fine and that magic treated death and spirits slightly different than in your world. Their souls were sent to these strange gates the Professor called power ups. Apparently he invented them? It wasn't apparent how he figured out souls could power these gates but you didn't want to let your mind wander down dark paths. Yet it seemed to every time you watched your friends. They easily destroyed harmless creatures and those who seemed to pose even the most minor of threats.

Did you.... Did you have to be careful around them? Watching your friends approach the castle you were suddenly not so sure that they were to be trusted. Would Spyro turn his flames on you should you come into conflict? Elora and Hunter waved you over to the pool. “Here _____, we'll teach you a spell that allows you to hold your breath longer than you normally can. That's how Spyro is able to stay down there so long.” She pointed to him as he watched you all from below the water. “ Imagine a bubble around your head, you have to feel the soft sheet of water wrapping around the air and encasing your head. In every detail, picture it as clearly as possible.” Closing your eyes, you did as she instructed. The air around your head buzzed and you felt something vaguely wet touch upon your face and expand outward. It was almost as if you had put a balloon around your head and it had expanded, without the painful sensation and tightness of jamming your face into a balloon. Opening your eyes you looked around from your newly shifting world. Everything had a vague iridescence to it. As you moved your head the bubble around it bobbed this way and that. “Haha excellent job!” Hunter laughed. “Now get in there and show me your swimming skills!” He playfully pushed you towards the water but it was a little too enthusiastic a shove and you fell forwards into the warm water. It was strange to see the world from inside a bubble but delightfully freeing as you swam with ease after Spyro, though the tunnel. On the other side you were met by a beautiful room with a domed roof. Some mysterious light reflected from somewhere off of the waters surface and onto the ceiling above. Elora and Hunter popped up beside you. You exited the water and your bubble vanished. You thought it would pop but it simply ceased to be. It was really odd but you accepted it. You decided not to expect anything “normal” to happen while in Avalar. Magic and shit. In the next room a few other portals lie as well as another domed roof. It was warmer looking here, a wonderful golden like glow. A gigantic tree sprouted from the middle of the room where a small circular patch of grass lie. Little beds of water rested on the edges of the room. You didn't have a chance to look very long as the others made their way to a series of button activated doors. You suspected it was part of the castles defence system. It was not a very good one. Breezing past a lone portal, “Aquaria Towers” you noticed sheep bounding along in the enclosed grassy area. Spyro flamed one as he trotted by and a butterfly appeared in the air. He continued on, leaving the butterfly to flutter alone, the other sheep nervously bounced away. “Er, not feeling 100% Spyro? Don't you need that butterfly for Sparx?” you hesitantly queried. “Naw, I just did it for fun It's great seeing them run away like that.” Something inside you turned a deep cold. You felt even less secure now with Spyro and his friends. Turning to look at them you noticed they didn't seem to care about Spyro's actions. Taking a sharp right, you saw a long hallway leading to a hole in the floor. The others stopped and watched as Spyro made to jump down the hole. “Remember Spyro, if you need help we'll be watching. Hunter and I are prepared to keep you safe if you get in trouble.” “No problem!” Spyro boasted, “I'll be in and out faster than you can blink.” He charged towards the hole and fell down into it. Hunter began counting on his fingers as he blinked. Elora simply shook her head. “C'mon, we gotta go after him and make sure he stays safe. ______ It's probably for the best if you just stay here.” Grabbing Hunter by the wrist she drug him towards the pit. “But wait! I only counted to threeeee~” His voice trailed off as the two descended. When his voice disappeared, you were left in an unbearable silence. Now the thrum of magic in this world seemed ominous. Below you, right now Spyro was fighting with Ripto. Were they really going to fight to the death? After a moments hesitation you followed. Plummeting down the pit felt akin to when you first entered Avalar. However, this time it was not a beautiful grassy plain that met your feet. Instead it was a rocking, unsteady battlefield. It looked to be a sewer of sorts. A giant round platform sat in the middle of the room. Spyro charged along after Crush, who was retreating to a metal disk like stand on the floor. A few other metal circles lie in a pattern all around the room. Some red, some blue, all big enough that Crush stood easily on them. The circles began glowing and Crush leapt onto one of them, a blue one. A wave of some blue magical energy burst out in the form of a wave, heading towards Spyro. He easily leapt over it and once more charged after the blue beast. Spyro breathed fire at him, making Crush leap up and cry out in pain. Ripto's blue friend battered at the ground with his drumstick club while Spyro charged away. You almost lost your footing as part of the ceiling caved in and dropped in chunks on Crush's head. It piled on him but he stood and shook it off. Crush was clearly outmatched. Spyro was too fast and Crush was unable to dodge his fiery breath. Once again he swung his club down to bash the dragon but missed. Again the force of the club colliding with the ground caused the room to become unstable and the ceiling again crumbled onto Crush. This time, he did not get up. “What?!” Ripto stood aghast up on his ledge. Your heart sank. Poor Crush! You remembered his big goofy face as he danced around Spyro's flames when you first met him. He seemed so harmless. He couldn't have possibly won against Spyro. This was an unfair fight! You weren't sure if you were going to cry or throw up as you felt your chest grow tight. Crush's hand loosened it's grip on the club and he poofed under the rubble, just like the sheep. Just like the other inhabitants that stood against Spyro. “Nooo! Crush!” Ripto cried with anguish in his voice. A look of sorrow flashed across his face but was soon replaced with anger. “You may have been able to defeat that simpleton, but Gulp will be more than a match for you!” He cried, pointing down at the purple adversary. “Bring it on, shorty!” Spyro taunted. Something in Ripto snapped. He took in Spyro's words, glanced down at himself and snarled. He growled, clenching his fists he threw them down in anger. Was that a soft spot for him? Making a mental note of not mentioning his stature you continued watching the scene unfold. “Gulp!” His voice echoed through the sewer like room. “Come here now!” He pointed to the ground. Ripto was clearly was not having the best of days. He had just lost his friend and now Spyro stood there insulting him just after committing the act. If Gulp were to try fighting Spyro, you weren't sure you could let it happen. You started walking forwards, wanting to shout out to him when the ground began to shake again. Gulp emerged through the wall behind Ripto. Ripto smiled at his lumbering friend and pointed at Spyro. “Destroy him! And make sure it's painful!” He commanded the behemoth. Gulp growled in understanding and looked to Spyro. He then looked up suddenly to the ceiling. It couldn't stand anymore damage to the supporting structure and began crumbling in. “What?!” Ripto cried in alarm. “Get me outta here!” He shouted to Gulp. The green big boi knelt down. You watched as he allowed a worried looking Ripto to climb onto his back. As he stood back to full height he called out to Spyro. “So long, dragon!” He used the last word like an insult, leaning forward to emphasize his contempt. Gulp turned and Ripto turned with him. The two departed and the roof caved in just after them. “What a wuss.” Spyro shook his head as a book began floating in front of him. You remembered it had something to do with keeping record of the worlds of Avalar but you didn't stay to see what he was doing. You returned back up through the pit via a whirlwind. You exited the castle before anyone could see you. This was all too much, you needed out. When you reached the exterior of the castle you were shocked to see someone running ahead of you to one of the inter world platforms. It was Gulp and Ripto!You dashed after them. “Wait!” You called out. Ripto turned his head to look for the voices owner. Your legs managed to carry you alongside the hulking form of Gulp. He was fast but not faster than you. “You?! What do you want? You aren't leading that dragon to me are you?! Gulp!” Gulp skidded to a halt and slowly turned to you. It was a little frightening to say the least, being in front of that maw. You noticed his lower left cuspid had been snapped off. His large nose took a long whiff of you. Ripto stood atop his cranium, scowling down at you. “What is it human? I swear if you're bringing that dragon to me, Gulp will be having an early dinner!” You shook your head dismissing his worry. You tried talking around the lump in your throat. “I..I'm sorry about Crush. I didn't think Spyro would really just...Just kill him like that. Are, are you alright?” You looked up to Ripto. His face flickered into an unreadable expression. Perhaps confusion or disbelief. It lasted a few seconds but returned to his usual frustrated scowl. “Of course I'm alright! Crush was...He was...” Ripto growled his response. His voice sounded kind of funny. Losing Crush hit him a lot harder than it hit you. “Crush was expendable! Gulp won't fail me. I can promise you that! The next time I see that dragon he's going to find himself in the pit of Gulp's stomach!” Gulp growled happily and licked his lips. “Are you just going to stand there? Come on! Before that dragon catches up!” He shouted down to Gulp. Gulp started off again towards the platform. Turning his massive head he looked back to you. Did he expect you to follow? Ripto followed Gulp's line of sight. You stood there unsure what do to. Did you go with him? Knowing that in doing so you might be marked as an enemy and meet the same fate as Crush? Or did you stay, leaving Ripto to flee with this whole world against him. Was he really the villain in all of this? He claimed to be this destructive force. Elora had recounted to you how he had arrived and proclaimed himself king. Apparently he also instructed Gulp to kill one of the fairies who had taken part in destroying his sceptre. However, what difference did that make? In this world, it was a very jagged line between what was a justifiable extermination of a person and what was seen as a criminal act. Ripto glanced back at you, seeing what was slowing Gulp down and he shook his head in frustration. “Arg! Forget them! To the platform! Now!” Gulp dove onto the glowing stone platform and the two disappeared down into it. They had headed to Autumn Plains. Your feet seemed frozen to the spot and your mind was no better. Which was the right way to choose? You had witnessed Spyro's actions though he claimed to be the hero, while you watched Ripto do essentially nothing and be charged with villainy. You couldn't stand for this. It just didn't feel right. You made to take a step to the platform when you heard a familiar, now slightly troubling voice call out behind you. “Hey! ____! It's all clear! The castle is safe and sound. I took care of Ripto's minion. If you want to explore, you're free to do so.”Spyro chucked as he casually glided over to you, landing in the grass. Elora and Hunter followed behind him. “You made short work of him Spyro, great job!” She congratulated him, a proud smile crossed her face. “I'll make short work of Ripto too! Ha ha!” Everything felt so different now. This unease clawed through your chest. The desire to just run through the field overcame you again like when you first witnessed this world, however it was now paired with the desire to escape. “Which way did Ripto head?” Hunter looked about him, trying to see if he could find any clues. Fear started nibbling in your mind. You didn't dare direct them. It was far from your desires to bring any more death in this world. “I'm not sure. But if we split up into the two remaining worlds, I'm sure one of us will spot him.” Elora started towards the platforms. “Uh...So, what erm. What happened to Crush? Did his soul get absorbed into a power up gate?” You quietly asked. “Who knows, I'm not sure if the same rules apply to people from outside the Avalar worlds. It might have just dissipated.” Your heart sank. If you had known where his spirit had gone, it would have given you some amount of ease. Maybe you could also bring a soul back out of the gate if it could be absorbed into it. But to just disappear like that... “What about people who are from here?” “Well, most souls are just used to power gates, but if a fairy zaps you with her wand, it can create a sort of saved spot in time where you can return to.” You had seen a few fairies here and there zapping Spyro as he charged by. It was a curiosity that you wanted answered but you hadn't the time before. “Here!” Hunter pushed you towards a fairy who was flying nearby. “This is Zoe. She's a friend of ours. Hey Zoe! Can you show ____ how your save spots work?” Zoe was about half your size,clothed in a yellow dress. Her reddish brown hair was tied back in a pony tail that bobbed up and down as she fluttered in the air with her translucent colourful wings. “Sure thing Hunter!” she cheerfully complied. You felt yourself tense up as she aimed her small white wand at you. A white zap of charged air seemed to explode around you and you felt like a part of your soul was tied down to the earth, right in the exact spot you stood. “If anything should happen to you, like Ripto or any other dangers in Avalar, you'll wake up back here again.” If anything should happen, you thought. If you were to die... You felt cold despite the blazing summer sun beating down on your head, warming your hair. Making your way to the platforms, you edged your way closer to the Autumn Plains one, hoping that if you ran into Ripto again, you could warn him at least, that they were trying to find him. He probably was already aware of this. He was probably already hiding. Managing to secretly assign yourself Autumn Plains, you were paired up with Spyro while Elora and Hunter decided upon Winter Tundra. Spyro as your investigating partner wasn't your first decision, however you couldn't make a complaint without revealing what your true intentions were. Silently you stepped onto the portal after Spyro. The air whirled around you and you felt yourself brought back to a single point in space and warped to the cooler, familiar location. Autumn Plains was unchanged, Ripto nowhere to be seen, thankfully. Wait, there was one difference. The banners with blue suns over a river had now been replaced by ones depicting Ripto's smiling face. Argh! Why couldn't he have been a bit more subtle?! “Well, he's here alright. Better get to it!” Spyro charged off and left you behind. You dashed after him, hoping that Ripto was hidden somewhere safe in the castle. Passing a dapper looking bear fellow who tried to teach you how to climb a ladder for a fee, you saw Spyro darting around above you in a hallway. Much to the bears dismay, you climbed the ladder like a pro and reached the top. It was troubling to be so high on such a narrow ledge with no railings to keep you from falling. It was more troubling to think that Spyro may be on his way to extinguish Gulp and Ripto's life. You pushed yourself forward as the ground spun below you. While not a lot bothered you in life, being someplace high with a very solid ground below you was something you couldn't quite stay calm through. After another ladder, even higher, you found the hallway Spyro had charged down. You made to walk down it when Spyro charged back past you. “Oh! There you are ____ What took you so long?” “Er...” “Ripto sealed a door up ahead, that wimp is hiding in the castles dungeons probably. The Professor said I needed more orbs to get past it. I need to combine my magic with orb magic to break the seal.” Your worry must have been apparent. “Oh hey don't worry!” He tried to reassure you. “I'll take care of Ripto and his pal no problem. I just gotta collect a few more orbs.C'ya!” He charged away to one of the nearby portals. “That is a problem!” you let out an exasperated sigh. How could you possibly prevent Spyro from harming Gulp and Ripto? Spyro was fast, his horns were sharp, his flames were impossibly hot and he was also purple. Well, you thought to yourself. I made it up here, I may as well look around. In reality you wanted desperately to get back on solid ground but you weren't ready to take on those ladders again. Climbing up was one thing but heading down... The thought of having to stare down at the ground while you inched your way along the steep ledge and cold metal ladders seemed to involuntarily move your feet for you, away from them. Farther along the curving hallway that circled the castles floor, you saw a few portals, one only accessible by flight or a really lucky jump, and the door Spyro had mentioned. The Professor stood in font of it, scratching away like he always did on his clipboard. It had something to do with the super portal, you remembered him mentioning once when you inquired on your tour of the multitude of Avalar sub-worlds. He seemed engrossed in his work and didn't notice you. You managed to sneak past him and slide up to the gate. It was sealed, what did you expect? You tried to push it and pry it open but to no avail. Only the orbs could over power Ripto's seal on them. And your magic was very weak. That didn't stop you from trying however. Glancing over your shoulder at the Professor, scribbling unaware of your presence, you took a deep breath and attempted to create your own opening within the gate. This won't work, he's got himself sealed in there, you thought. He's afraid. Of course he's not going to let anyone in. No, wait! You had to believe! Belief in your own magic made it stronger. If you could open up a portal to this world itself, perhaps you could open up a door that was simply sealed by magic. You knew Ripto's magic was powerful but you forced your will regardless. I WILL get through to him! You shouted in your mind. There was not a single trace of doubt as your magic formed a smaller door within the already existing one. It solidified, just big enough for you to get through. Turning the handle gently you noiselessly entered the door, closing it behind you and dismantling it with the lack of belief in it. The gate looked as it had before. No trace of your magic was left. You turned to the hall behind you and ran to the hole in the ground at the end. Leaping down you let the whirlwind carry you. Therein, a pacing Ripto was being watched by a concerned Gulp. When you landed, Gulp's head turned from his master to your sudden arrival. You waved cautiously to him and he let out a growl, acknowledging your greeting. The growl drew Ripto out of his anxious pacing, his head darted to look up at Gulp who was smiling dopely at you, and then to you. “What?! You again! How did you get in here that door was sealed tight! Wait...Don't tell the the dragon made it through!? And you led him here! You blasted human! Gulp! After them!” Gulp looked from Ripto to you and then to Ripto again. He didn't seem to want to attack you. “What are you doing? I said attack!” He pointed in your direction but Gulp still refused to move. “Wait, please!” Ripto's head whipped around to look at you, his pointed hand lowering and his eyebrows scrunching in confusion. “I've come to warn you, Spyro he's, he's collecting orbs and is on his way. Maybe, if you're quick you can escape. Someone's guarding the sealed gate so you can't leave that way. I'm unfamiliar with this castle but...there must be some other way out.” You slowly approached Ripto and Gulp, holding your hands out to show you meant no harm. “ I don't want him killing you two like he did Crush. He's...Spyro he's...” “He's a dragon! What do you expect?!” Ripto growled. “They're cruel, destructive, selfish, greedy, winged vermin!” He spat, stamping his foot on the floor below him, physically expressing his distaste. “You've...had run ins with other dragons before?” Curiosity welling in your mind. What sort of world had Ripto come from? Wasn't Crush a dragon? He had wings after all. Were all dragons really as heartless seeming as Spyro had been? If that was the case no wonder Ripto was so cagey and cautious. “That! That is none of your concern!” Frustration played on his face while he gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. “I'll be prepared for the menace! Gulp will make short work of that purple pest. He'll squash him like a grape! Then I'll be free to claim this land as my own!” He crossed his arms and started picking two of his claw nails together in agitation. “ May I ask, why is it you want Avalar? Don't you want to go back home?” The look Ripto shot you was a dangerous one. Anger brimmed in his eyes and his shoulders squared. “Home?! What?! You think I can't take on this miserable world? I'll give Avalar a King that they'll never disrespect. This world will bend to my whim like grass in a breeze!” A cruel smile crossed his face as he lifted his hands triumphantly. So he really was a tyrant as Elora had said. Or at least he thought he was, or he was trying to be. You didn't doubt his power as a sorcerer. Being able to keep doors sealed against even dragons magic... He still couldn't possibly be a match for Spyro though. He might be able to put up a fight but you know that Spyro was more capable, focused, and less prone to succumbing to his emotions. You weren't sure exactly what is was that caused Ripto to become so vehemently against dragons, or why he was so deeply touched by this anger and hurt of his. You did know that he wouldn't divulge something like that easily. Once Ripto finished announcing his plan, his gaze returned to you, his smile turning down to a frown and his arms lowering slightly. “You also failed to answer my question, how did you get past my barrier?!” His fists clenched as he shouted his question at you. You faltered. How could you explain your magic somehow broke through his? There was no other way and so that's simply what you answered. “I...I wanted to see you. I needed to get to you, before Spyro did. I made a door within your barrier and...I wished to see you. To save you if I could. Ripto I...I'm scared for you.” An odd look etched itself upon Ripto's face as he took in what you said. His brow furrowed and his eyes darted from you to the ground. “You broke through my magic? Not a chance!” An angry look knotted his eyebrows and he scowled at you. Then...It softened. “You're.” His shoulders softened and he looked slightly confused. “You're scared for me?” A silence grew in the room. You responded by nodding. Why was he so surprised? Gulp looked from you to Ripto and back to you again. He smiled and trudged over to you. Taking a step back you cautiously watched him as he leaned his head in by you. “Gulp! Hang on, don't eat them yet! They may prove useful unlike you chowder heads!” Gulp didn't seem interesting in consuming you. Instead he bumped his head into you slightly like a cat. You reached out and patted his head softly. He seemed to take a liking to you, standing there like some giant green reptilian dog. “What are you two doing? Get back over here you pea brain!” Crossing his arms he tapped his foot impatiently. You scritched Gulp under his chin and he gave you a soft look. “Now, Gulp!” He flung his hand down, pointing at the spot he wanted Gulp to stand. Gulp gave you a big slobbery lick then lopped back over to Ripto's side. You weren't sure if you appreciated the sentiment but felt a lot safer near Gulp now. Ripto's eyes followed Gulp on his journey back, pinched in a scowling glare. Gulp plopped his rear down on the ground beside Ripto with a hearty thud which caused Ripto to bounce a few inches in the air then drop back down, arms still crossed. From this same position Ripto's eyes darted back to you. “I'm not sure how you managed to get past my magic, but if you insist on following me around you may as well put yourself to use.” He strode over to you and pushed his face a few inches away from yours. “ Get back out there and keep that malformed bat from coming in here! Use whatever force necessary!” You nodded and then quickly shook your head. “No, I can't kill him. I don't want any blood on my hands.” Ripto stomped his foot down. “Then what use are you! Just like these buffoons following me around! If you aren't going to help me then stay out of my way! Get out of here!” His fist shot out, pointing you forcefully towards the whirlwind exit. It wasn't what you wanted to do, leave Ripto here. You very much wanted to help him get the heck out of here but you could see there would be no changing his mind. Taking slow steps you made your way back to the whirlwind. Halfway to it you turned back to the two reptilian fellows. “Ripto?” You voice softly carried over to him. He had climbed back up onto Gulp's back who was taking him over to an enormous throne on the side of the room. You hadn't noticed it there before, being caught up in warning him. It was easily too large for him, perhaps he was trying to show in his magical prowess what he lacked in physical stature. “What?! Why are you still here?” He growled as Gulp meandered up to the throne. “Please, just, whatever happens.” He climbed into the throne and glared at you. “Please be careful?” You knew he would follow through with his plans regardless of what you asked of him but you wanted some sort of reassurance. His scowl faded slightly. You couldn't quite see his face from here but it didn't appear to have it's usual anger twisted into it. Worried brows lifted slightly and his mouth opened as if to say something. He quickly jammed it shut and gripped the throne on either side of him, the scowl returning home. “...I'll be fine! Get out of here...” He turned his head away, looking down to the left as he commanded you. You didn't feel any sort of peace but couldn't think of anything else to do. You left the dungeon, descending the ladders and walking around the autumn court yard. To your right you saw Spyro darting around up in the castle, off to fight Ripto and Gulp. It would be impossible to have to bear witness to either of them being harmed. You couldn't see that again, not like Crush... You painfully waited outside the castle, hoping that Ripto and Gulp might have considered your warning and evacuated before Spyro confronted them. The minutes crawled by like years as you waited to hear something. When no one departed the castle, you decided perhaps you'd brave a peek inside. Turning to head back to the castle, you suddenly heard a scream from above. Looking up, you managed to spot the throne before it hit you. Diving out of the way, you landed in the soft grass as the throne cracked into pieces as it made forceful contact with the ground. It lie there broken and unrecognizable. This was precisely why you didn't like heights. You neared the throne to inspect it, hoping it had been vacated before its untimely destruction when Ripto landed painfully on top of you. You were knocked to the ground as the caped riptoc bounced off of you and onto the ground nearby. “Agh! Gulp! That dragon! I'm going to wring his little purple neck!” Ripto growled, flailing his arms in anger. His gaze whirled around to you, as you extracted yourself from the ground. “You!” He cried. Approaching him you extended your hand. “Here.” you offered. He pushed your hand away and stood up himself. “I don't need your useless pity!” He turned away and looked around the area desperately. “What happened to Gulp?” The words escaped your mouth, however you thought you already knew the answer. He half turned to you, sadness taking over his face. His slitted eyes darted to you then away again just as quickly. His rage melted back over his face again as he turned to you, shoulders hunched up with fists clenched at his side. “That blasted dragon happened to him! I told you to go stop him! This is all your fault!” With Gulp and Crush gone, he focused his frustrations on you. “If you had stopped him from entering my castle NONE of this would have HAPPENED!” He raised his hand as if to hit you. It swung at you but you reached up and grabbed his arm before he could land the blow. You were not an angry person by nature but you had quite enough of Ripto's temper. You looked him dead in the eyes as you gently held his arm in front of you. “You. Will. Not. Hit. Me.” He looked at you with worry in his eyes, glancing at his arm in your hand and to your face. He had seen this before. He was afraid of being hurt. Not wanting to scare him you did the only thing you knew how to do, to try to make him believe you wanted to help, to try to get him to listen instead of being so emotionally reactionary. You gently moved your other arm around him and then pulled him into a hug. It wasn't a tight hug, but it was a firm one. “I want to help you Ripto, but I will not let you strike me.” You could feel him tense up under your embrace. It was clearly a foreign thing for him. When he realized he wasn't trapped in the hug, he pushed at your chest, knocking you away from him. “Don't touch me! Or i'll! I'll...” His threat was empty. He'd lost his friends and now had no one. Except perhaps you, and of that he wasn't even sure. You were the only thing he had left you realized. A deep worry started to grow in your chest. Ripto was all bark and no bite. Relying on his now deceased friends to help him was how he managed thus far. A desperate and confused look now marked his face. He was thinking, assessing everything, taking you into his calculations now. “We'll go to Winter Tundra. Their last castle stands there. I'll make it mine and then that dragon will see that nothing stops me from getting what I deserve!” He cast a look to you. “What are you crying for?! We need to get a move on, stop being so emotional!” You almost laughed, that sentiment coming from him? It hadn't occurred to you that you had been crying. Wiping the tears from your face you shook your head. “I don't think that's going to work. Spyro would destroy you! Like Crush and Gulp...” He huffed at your suggestion. “That pest won't dare harm me! I'll make sure of it. He won't get past my guard this time.” “You mean like the barriers you put up before? The ones he broke through?” That struck a nerve. He seethed at you, a growl escaping his clenched teeth. “You don't think I can handle that dragon?!” You met his gaze, he was no longer intimidating to you. “No. I don't think you can. Not alone. Ripto, think, he'll take you down just as easily as he did your friends!” Your voiced raised a bit, though you tried to keep it steady. This guy just wouldn't listen to reason. He was so sure of himself. So desperate to prove himself. He opened his mouth several times, trying to argue with you but not coming up with a solid sentence. “If only Gulp and Crush were still here. They could protect you, and now that you know what Spyro is capable of you could be better prepared for him.” Ripto's eyes were squinted in what you thought was a pained look. Maybe he was tired, maybe he was sad. You couldn't tell. “I can't bring them back! I alone am enough! While my magic isn't enough to bring back my imbecilic servants, it is enough to take down that purple menace!” Something in your mind sparked. You felt something within yourself, being pulled to a specific place. “Wait...Bringing them back with magic.” Confused Ripto cocked his head slightly. “What? Weren't you just listening? I said I can't bring them back! CAN'T!” You nodded. “No, I know, I heard you. But the fairies here...Their wands. Something in their magic gives them the ability to save peoples souls to a certain spot in time. Do you think, is there any possibility that they were zapped at all?” Ripto's eyes widened and a grin split his face. “There's a possibility...Perhaps not fairy magic. But my own...” He scratched his chin in thought gazing up with a smile playing at the edge of him mouth. He sharply turned to you. “The barriers. When I sealed the gates in the previous castles it may have had a similar effect as those pesky fairies and their ridiculous puny wands.” You felt the fear and sorrow lessen in your chest. “However the dragon destroyed them after they entered the portal to the dungeon. Which would have negated any save spot my barrier would have offered them...” He grew frustrated again. “So, they're stuck there? Saved in a spot just before the dungeon?” He shook he head and threw his hands down in frustration. “NO! I Said they were destroyed after! The barrier would have bound them there until they entered the portal, then the portal would have marked a save point the moment they entered it. After they died, they would have woken up again at the beginning of the battle, just after entering it.” You thought a moment. “So...they're stuck in a time loop of sorts?” He froze then looked up at you, intrigue written on his face. “What...?” You sorted your thoughts out loud, slowly trying to explain. “So, barriers and fairies have their own method of saving, entering a portal too has it's own method of saving? If we could somehow enter the portal and find the save spot for Gulp and Crush, we could sneak in during the battle, intervene somehow and save them again afterwards, after Spyro thought they were dead. Then we could sneak them out of there and you could have them back by your side.” A wild toothy smile claimed Ripto's face as he reached out and grabbed you by your shoulders. He shook you eagerly. “That's it! But we'd have to use caution and time it perfectly.” He paced around, gesturing with his hands wildly as he thought his plan through. “I can't have that dragon botching this up again. I also can't be the one to do it. Imagine me seeing myself in a time loop. Two Ripto's in one area! That would give us away...But you...That dragon trusts you. I need you to enter those dungeons again, with my magic, I can probably pin point the save spot for Gulp and Crush and send you to them.” “I don't have saving magic though, I can only create doors.” You revealed, troubled. Ripto marched over to you. “Then we'll find you saving magic. There's plenty of fairies around here. One of them is bound to have an extra wand lying around that we could steal!” He glanced around the area. “Aha!” He pointed to Zoe, not too far off. “Go! Convince her to give you her wand, tell her you're borrowing it. She seems gullible enough!” You highly doubted that it would be so simple to convince Zoe to let you have her wand. But Ripto was already pushing you towards her. “Go! I'll stay here. Come back to me when you get that wand!” Oh dear... you thought to yourself, nervously shuffling over to Zoe. She seemed to be looking for something. Concern crossed her face while she scanned the area. “Hey Zoe.” You greeted her, “Uh...I hate to bother you but, I was wondering if perhaps, I could borrow your wand, I want to see if I can uh....Practice...My...Magic with it! I want to practice my magic!” She turned with a sad smile. “I'd love to let you use my wand ____, but I seemed to have misplaced it!” Oh great, you thought. Ripto would love this. “Hey Zoe! Hey____!” Hunter approached the two of you, he seemed really happy. “Hello Hunter, what's put a spring in your step?” Zoe inquired. “Oh, I was just at Dragon Shores while the Professor and Elora set up the Super Portal, He's testing a new power crystal that he thinks will enhance the orbs power!” Zoe shook her head. “What? What were you doing in Dragon Shores? I thought the super portal was inactive because of Ripto!” Hunter seized up. “Well...D'uh I mean they were testing it out and all, so I figured I'll hop on over to Dragon Shores to see what it was about! It's really fun! You play games for free! And get tokens! For free!” “What are the tokens for?” You were also curious, it did sound kind of fun. “Oh! It's lets you have access to this amazing one of a kind, Dragons Shores' movie theatre! It allows you to re watch old memories, as if you were really there! I had to be fast though, the Professor wanted me back soon so I managed to trade this really shiny stick for a couple of tokens!” Zoe exploded. “A shiny stick??? Hunter?! Did you trade my wand for a bunch of game tokens?!” Hunter looked everywhere but at Zoe. “There's...A possibility...” He fidgeted his hands together. Zoe looked as though her very glare could cut through even the strongest of magical barriers. “Uh! I'll go back and get it right away!” He made to dash off but Zoe grabbed onto his arrow quiver and held him back as he ran in place. “No way! Hunter, you are going to take ____ to Dragon Shores and THEY will retrieve my wand. Then you can give it back once you're done practising. How does that sound for a deal ____?” She cast a smile back at you. This was....actually very perfect. “Good! That sounds good! I'll meet you in Winter Tundra then Hunter?” “Yes! I'll go on ahead and explain to the Professor what uh...I ...Did....Then! Then we can go back and get Zoe's want back!” Zoe smiled impishly and released her grip on Hunter's arrow quiver. “Good!” No longer being restrained, still being propelled by his attempted escape, hunter fell flat on his face. He picked himself off the ground and awkwardly waved bye to the two of you. “I'm just gonna...” He pointed with both hands towards the warp platform and hastily made his retreat. Zoe nodded to you and flew off towards the castle. Hesitantly you returned to Ripto, unsure as to how he would take all of this. He was watching from behind one of the autumn trees. “Hrmm... power crystal eh? I do miss my sceptre so...Perhaps I'll hold onto it for them.” He chuckled. “So you heard then?” He glared at you. “Heard what?” You took a deep breath, expecting him to flare up at you. “About Zoe's wand?” “No, where is it?” He demanded, looking at your person as if he expected you to just pull it out from thin air. You braced yourself. “How would you like...To go to an amusement park?” If you were sure he wouldn't have yelled at you, you would have laughed at the bewildered look on his face.

#ripto #hatr #hes all the rage #fanfic #spyro #elora #hunter the cheeta #zoe the fairy #spyro reignited #crush and gulp

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