Spyro (classic version)

Chapter Eight: Volteer

Spyro flew down to the yellow dragon.

"Hello," he said, "Wake up!"

Volteer slowly opened his eyes. Spyro noticed there was a gag tied about his mouth, and he removed it.

"Many thanks my good friend, that was indeed very painful to have tied about me constantly. It is utterly stupendous that a dragon of your age and stature was able to infiltrate this heavily guarded fortress without a scratch, and I must say I am baffled by how you were able to find me at all. Of course, if you had Ignitus at your side it shouldn't have been too difficult, and if that is the case then there is no need to tell you that I am Volteer, guardian of electricity, very pleased to make your acquaintance," said Volteer, unbelievably fast. Spyro and Sparx simply looked at him, blinking.

"O-kay," said Spyro, "Yes, Ignitus sent me. I'm here to bring you back to the temple."

"Astounding news, simply excellent, I am most excited to return home and see some long lost companions. I have a great deal to tell them about Cynder as well when I get the time, which reminds me, she should be back any second, so we best get moving, Mr, uhh" said Volteer, again at top speed.

"Spyro..." said Spyro.

"Ah, a purple dragon named Spyro. The stuff of legend, of course, not many people believed the tales, thinking it all to be nothing more than myth. Of course, us guardians..."

As Volteer spoke, Sparx flew over to Spyro and whispered "Wow, no wonder they gagged this guy."

"...which of course means that our cause against the dark master has been rekindled," Volteer finished.

"Excuse me, mr electric guy," said Sparx, "What was it you said about getting out of here?"

"Of course, young fellow, forgive me. I do hope we can reach the temple in good time. If I remember correctly it should be south of here. I do seem to recall that..."

***

They entered the temple some time later. Ignitus was waiting for them.

"Ignitus, old chum," said Volteer as he walked in.

"You've returned?" Ignitus said to Spyro, "Excellent, young dragon. Faster than I'd expected. Volteer, it has been a long time."

"Indeed it has, and I have a great deal to tell you about regarding my capture and Cynder's future plans..." said Volteer.

"Then please explain before you go off on any tangents, Volteer," Ignitus interrupted. Volteer stopped babbling and looked at him.

"Oh, of course, Ignitus," said Volteer, "Well from what I'd gathered while I was there, I hypothesised that Cynder was using me as some kind of organic power source."

"What?" said Sparx.

"He thinks she was using him as a battery," said Spyro.

"OK, no more thesaurus for you, pal," said Sparx.

"Not only that," Volteer continued, "But she left with some kind of glowing crystal. It was white at first, but was yellow by the time she left with it, and I believe i somehow powered it."

"Thank you for bringing this information," said Ignitus, "In your absence I have managed to finally get the Gate up and running, we should be utterly safe now."

"Ignitus, you never explained what the Gate was," said Spyro.

"Of course, Spyro," said Ignitus, "The Gate of Innocence is an ancient relic that was constructed by the dragon ancestors long ago. It is magically sealed so that only those with an innocent soul can pass. None who have committed an act of true evil can pass through the Gate, which allows us to operate without fear of attack."

"Great, that means I can sleep," said Sparx.

"Volteer," said Ignitus, "I suggest you and Spyro have a session in the training room. Teaching him more about electricity will come in handy. I sense that Cynder has found out about your escape, and her anger will cause tighter security in other locations."

"Indeed, Ignitus," said Volteer, "Come along, Mr Spyro, I will teach you all I know about the element of electricity."

Spyro followed him in with interest.

***

Back at the Tundra, the apes had finally managed to fight off the orc army, and were now recovering. Their success had mostly been tied to the arrival of Cynder, who was now looking over them with a look of disgust.

Cynder was black in colour, with her wings and underbelly being a violent shade of pink. The tip of her tail and the thumbs on her wings sported long, sharp blades, and on her wrists, tail and neck she wore a set of spiked bracelets. Her horns were long, and formed a strange sort of crown on her head, and her eyes were bright yellow, with thin black slits instead of pupils.

"That's the last of them," said the ape captain, "We can get back to guarding now."

"Oh can you?" hissed Cynder. The ape looked up at her, confused.

"What do you mean?" asked the ape.

"I take it you haven't noticed that while you've been 'busy', the electric guardian was rescued from under your noses?" said Cynder.

"What!?" said the ape, shocked.

"Oh, now we care," growled Cynder. She advanced on the ape and placed the point of her tail to his neck.

"If I so much as hear that the guardians are taken from the other fortresses, you and all of your snivelling monkeys would be better off fleeing for the mountains, do you understand me?" she said, her eyes narrowed.

"Yes," choked the ape.

"Very good," said Cynder, "Now I expect you at Tall Plains as soon as possible. The crystal is nearing completion. You had better not let this one go."

She took flight, knocking the ape from his feet with the force from her wings, and flew out over the ocean.