[Sarco the Legend]

So I am a really big fan of the Spyro games. A few years ago, Sierra developed the first of the Legend of Spyro games, which was a reboot of the series. It had some good ideas--develope a more mature storyline among them. Unfortunately, it felt like a rather cliche story that could've used a bit of beefing up. So, I decided to write this fanfic, which draws in material from the older Spyro games and the new Legend of Spyro games to create a new storyline. I hope you all enjoy!

Rating: PG right now; may reach PG-13 later.

Chapter 1: Spire of Convexity

“The ramifications of this discovery would render all the volumes in the Chronicler’s Library obsolete.” Malefor said. The reddish-purple dragon was on a snowy peak at the northernmost pole.

Behind him stood a human-shaped creature whose body seemed to be composed of jagged chunks of ice. Both were looking at a large tower that seemed a natural extension of black rock.

“I would like to thank you for coming in person, Elder Malefor.” The Ice King said. “As a member of the Draconian Elders, could you tell me why the others didn’t seem to receive the numerous summonses I’ve sent to Warfang?”

Malefor glanced over his shoulder at the Ice King. “I suspect the idea that there may be other realms frightened them. Have you ever been inside?”

The Ice King shook his head. “No, I wanted to see if you had any idea of what this was.”

“You mentioned strange phenomena in your letter?” Malefor said.

“I did. There used to be a yeti village at the base of this peak. Then the creatures came. Great things with undulating membranous bodies and tentacles studded with spikes that shot bolts of lightning.”

Malefor nodded. “I expect that such a form is necessary to survive in the places between the realms. Well, shall we?” The elder dragon padded on through the great arch-door of the spire.

The inside of the tower was lit by purple flames burning in sconces that seemed natural protrusions of the rocky walls. Malefor ran a claw over a nearby section of wall and sniffed it.

“Hmmm…it’s made of hardened slag. Likely from the center of the planet.” Malefor looked about for stairs and found none. With a flap of his wings, Malefor propelled himself up through the tower. At the hundred foot mark, he noticed a strange carving. It bore some kind of creature with a slim body and gangly limbs. The creature had a slightly draconian head.

Following the carving he saw flames rising from around the creature, engulfing trees. Further up he saw mountains being shattered, then lightning striking from the sky, and finally at the apex of the tower, seas flooding whole continents.

“What do you see?” the Ice-King called, his question echoing in the vast tower.

“Some kind of hieroglyphs, but of what I can’t say.” Malefor said. Now that he had reached the apex, he saw another arch leading to the outside. Through the arch he came to a ledge looking out into utter blackness. Beneath the ledge he saw a gray blanket of clouds.

A bolt of lightning struck the ledge beside Malefor; he looked up and saw one of the great jellyfish-things hovering there in space.

“Greetings, great one.” Malefor bowed. “I am Malefor, of the Draconian Elders.”

Suddenly a serpentine creature streaked by, its hinged-jaws open wide. The jellyfish undulated away from the new threat and shot three bolts at the creature. A pair of black brimstone-looking fins closed over the new threat’s front side, causing the bolts to bounce off and hit the spire.

“Dragon.” A deep, rumbling voice said.

Malefor turned and saw a smaller creature standing behind him. It had a slim body that seemed to be made of basalt. The thing’s body was lined with veins of pulsing lava and it had a wolfish head.

“Greetings, I am Malefor of the—”

“I’ve heard.” The creature said. “I wouldn’t address them, though. They are merely watch-beasts of the Convexity.”

“Convexity.” Malefor said. “Is this what the between-realms is called?”

“It is what the Aeonites called it.”

“By Aeonites, you mean the first dragons, correct?”

“Wrong. They predate the dragons, and in fact created them.”

Malefor’s eyes widened. “Good creature, could I ask you to return to Warfang with me?”

“My place is here as the Guardian of Convexity. Without me, more of the between-realm beasts would escape to your Dragon Realms.”

“According to the Ice King, some of those creatures are already in the Dragon Realms. They destroyed a yeti village near here.” Malefor said.

“That is something my brethren are still looking into,” the Guardian said. “We do believe it has something to do with a simpleton’s tinkering in one of the other realms.”

“I see.” Malefor said. “Would this “simpleton’s tinkering” pose a direct threat to the Dragon Realms? If so, it is the duty of the Draconian Elders to—”

“It is the duty of the Elders to remember their place in the grand scheme of things.” The Guardian said. It rose in the air so that it was eye-level with Malefor. “Your intentions are noble, great dragon, but please be content to know that everything is in our hands.”

“Thank you, Guardian, but surely there is something that we can do to aid you and your kind?”

The Guardian shook its head. “No. Only beings such as us and those that already exist in Convexity could survive there.”

Malefor nodded. “Farewell then, Guardian of Convexity. I wish you luck in your search for the being responsible for the troubles of the Ice King’s land.”

The elder dragon leaped from the balcony and soared back down through the clouds and down the length of the spire. He landed beside the Ice King, who was leaning against the spire with his chest rising and falling in a rhythmic pattern.

“Wake, Ice King.” Malefor said. “I have seen the source of your land’s troubles.”

“Great,” the Ice King said. He yawned and stretched. “What did you learn?”

“Many things.” Malefor replied. “Be assured that the creatures you have described to me will not trouble your land for much longer. Should something happen and Cyril not respond to your summons, you may call on me.”

The Ice King fell to a knee and bowed before the elder dragon. “Mighty dragon, thank you for lending an ear to our troubles. Could I persuade you to come back to my palace for a dinner of whale slabs?”

Malefor licked his lips. “It sounds tempting, but I need to be getting back to Warfang immediately.” With that Malefor flew into the air and sped south over the stretches of frozen plains and hills.

The Guardian seemed unsure of himself Malefor thought. With the dissension at the Forge and the withdrawal of the cat-folk, it seems that belief in the Draconian Elders is waning. For the good of the Dragon Realms, it may well fall upon my shoulders to reignite the faith of the peoples in the dragons.

His eyes narrowed. Not that it will be easy; not with the others content to just sit on their haunches and do nothing of any importance.

By the time Malefor reached the blue expanse of the seas, a number of plans were already whizzing about in his head

Five days later, Malefor caught sight of the bronze-colored towers and fluttering pennants of the dragon’s capital city, Warfang. Younger dragons positioned along the outer wall raised gauntleted claws to welcome the elder dragon. Dragons and mole-folk walking through the spacious streets went on about their business. At the center of the massive city loomed a great domed tower surrounded by a well-kept courtyard.

Malefor touched down in the courtyard and proceeded toward the great double-doors that marked the entrance to the Elders’ Aerie. The tranquil burbling of the courtyard’s fountain was drowned out by the commotion of mole-folk miners and Aerie artisans engaged in heated debate.

Malefor cleared his throat. The mole-folk fell silent and looked toward the elder dragon. Finally a mole-folk with dirt-encrusted fur came to stand before the mighty elder dragon.

“Elder Malefor,” the mole-folk said, bowing so that his forehead touched the floor. “Thank you for coming.”

“That’s not necessary, miner.” Malefor said with a wave of his claw. “What’s the cause of your dispute?”

“Nothing major might dragon.” The mole-folk said. “We were simply debating on the sort of mineral to use to construct the new City Guard.”

“City Guard?”

“Yes venerable elder. Five statues representing the members of the Draconian Council.”

Malefor snorted. “Perhaps you could move your discussion to the streets, or maybe a nearby bar?”

“Of course, venerable elder.” The mole-folk said. He and his kin exited the Aerie in a furry stream. Malefor waited for the last one to leave before closing the Aerie’s doors.

“City Guard.” Malefor muttered as he entered the stairwell to the top level of the Aerie. “Of all the things the Council could be doing, they’re debating on the construction of statues!”

A short time later, Malefor came to the top level of the Aerie. It was a flat area covered by a simple dome, which was supported by marble pillars. At the center of the Aerie was a great scrying pool. Seated around it were the other four elder dragons.

“Malefor,” said Terrador. “Where have you been? The council has been discussing—”

“Where have I been?” Malefor asked. “Where have my brethren been? Sitting here debating about the latest dedication to their greatness?”

“Calm yourself, Malefor,” said another of the elders, a fiery orange dragon with rust-red ridges running along his spine. “We have been debating reports brought to us from the Forge. The lava-worm attacks are appearing to be more and more coordinated.”

“Indeed!” added the yellow-scaled dragon elder, Volteer. “It has gotten so bad that all the lava lines to the forges have been shut down.”

“Therefore we feel it is imperative that a solution with minimum causalities be reached.” said Cyril, the blue dragon elder.

“Is it so important that you neglect your own territory, Cyril?” Malefor asked. “Villages there are under attack by strange, otherworldly beings that—“

Cyril raised a claw for silence. “I spoke to the yetis in person regarding my unavailability. I do thank you for bringing up this matter. With the permission of the Council, I would go to the northern territories at once.”

The Council nodded as one. Cyril bowed before them, then turned and leaped from the Aerie.

“Malefor,” Ignitus began, “I am glad that you seem eager to prove yourself to the elders. Perhaps in the future you could speak to more than one source of information before coming to a decision?”

“I…how did you know?” Malefor asked, stunned.''

Ignitus gestured at the scrying bowl. “We’ve watched your travels to the icy regions. Your discovery of the spire was interesting. Its something I believe the more devoted artisans would be interested in studying. However, matters with the forge takes precedence.”

“Why?” Malefor grumbled. “So we can make more armor and war machines?”

“So we can be prepared!” Terrador said.

“Prepared for what?” Malefor asked. “Who has risen up to challenge the civilized lands?” He glanced around the chamber. As he expected, the elders had nothing to say. Ignitus shuffled uncomfortably and stared at the floor. “I think instead of frightening our fellow creatures with military might, we should devote ourselves to impressing them with our knowledge! Let me tell you what I—”

“The situation at the forge can only grow worse.” Terrador said.

“Let the boy speak, Terrador. I find the best way to vent one’s anger is to just let it all out!” Volteer replied.

Malefor glared at Volteer before continuing. “As I was saying, I flew to the top of that spire. There I had an epiphany. Our Dragon Realm is not the only realm out there. There is a space called the Convexity which separates our realm from the others. And dragons weren’t the first sentient species! We are creations of some beings called the Aeonites.”

Silence fell over the council. The elders shared dark looks amongst themselves.

They’re trying to understand it all Malefor thought. Maybe I came on a little strong.

“This line of debate will surely enrage the Chronicler.” Ignitus said. “Now, there is work to be done at the forge.”

“What about the miners and artisans below?” Malefor asked.

“Constructing statues of the council was their decision.” Ignitus said.

Malefor nodded. As Ignitus started going over their roles in resolving the conflict at the forge, a thought occurred to Malefor: It may have been their decision…but you didn’t try to deter them from building their idols.