A Dragon out of Time, A Crash and Spyro Story

Chapter 15: Because Spyro Disappeared Part 2

Ripto may be a powerful mage from whatever hellhole he slithered out of, but it will be his pride that will lead to his downfall today. Ripto was so vain, that he dissolutely plastered banners displaying his insignia all over Summer Falls Castle. But it wasn't his arrogance that gave Elora and her team of rebels the upper hand, it was his hubris that did. He was virtually unprotected here, so confident in his complete victory over Avalar that he was left exposed, sitting popups on his throne.

Elora, Hunter, Sheila, Bentley, James Byrd, Agent 9, and Bianca made their way stealthy through the castle. Their destination was the imperial room, where Ripto was to be. Their goal was to kill him, whether with an arrow to the back or crushed under Bentley's weight, the method didn't matter.

"Don't worry Hunter, I know this castle front and back." The group had swum through a secret underwater passageway that lead them directly into the castle past whatever lackluster patrol's there were stationed throughout. Elora had to bribe a greedy bear nicknamed Moneybags to disclose the location of said passageway and not give away their plan. Though Elora was enraged that he was somehow profiting off of Ripto's occupation of Avalar, reluctantly the group accepted his fee for the information and now where so close to murdering the tyrant who had killed so many.

"If our cover is blown at all Elora, we will not make it out of this castle. There may be an insufficient amount of guards here, but Ripto is not to be underestimated. His magic is lethal, we've seen it firsthand."

"You don't have to remind me Hunter. It's the reason why we're here. To avenge those who have fallen: the Professor, Bartholomew, Isabella, Billy. Now I'm counting on you Hunter, when you have the shot to end Ripto, take it." Hunter, Bentley, Byrd, and Sheila for a moment respectively remember those who they lost and were the cause of this mission.

"Don't worry Elora, I won't miss."

"I'm sure you won't Hunter." Byrd said, "Bianca, are you sure you can get all of us out of here once Ripto is dead?"

Bianca hadn't spoken since this mission began. As nervous as she was; she composed herself and responded to James' question. "Yes, I can evacuate all of us with a spell when the time comes."

"I'm sure you can beautiful." Bianca blushed and looked away from Hunter, but not because of his compliment.

"Not to tread on your maniacal plans for retribution Byrd," Agent 9 said rather rudely, "but if only Hunter and Bianca are important for this mission, than why are you, Bentley, Elora, Sheila, and I even here?"

"In case things turn south. And because each one of us, including you, would refuse not to be here."

"Hmm. Point taken. Aha!"

"Yeah," Bentley responded cheerfully, "so keep the safety on that blaster of yours on unless you need to use it, Nine."

"Oh! When I see that pointy headed freak I'm going to BLAST HIM!"

"Quite Nine, Elora instructed, "we're here."

Everyone stopped and got into position. Hunter stepped forward and retrieved his bow and stealthily maneuvered into a firing position. Everyone remained behind him waiting for him to take the shot. Below, in the throne room, Ripto was speaking. He was by himself, though a Smokey image that was before him was also speaking. Hunter waited as Ripto continued to converse with the abortion in front of him.

"Yes," Ripto spoke, "your contributions has aided by conquest of Avalar immensely. Soon, you will have the whole world under your control."

"I'm glad to see your irrational hatred of Dragon's hasn't blinded your reality, Ripto. And for your compliance, I will most likely let you live. My traitor inside the Dragon Realms has completed his objective, and soon my protege will the barrier surrounding those islands which has kept me out for centuries, and by the day's end I will have the entire world under my control minus the Forgotten Realms. Once you have dealt with the meager resistance in Avalar, I expect to hear from you again, Ripto."