Chapter 1
A dragon stepped out into an unfamiliar courtyard, the place was dark, no signs of light anywhere except for the torches hung on the wall, "are you prepared?" A much larger dragon stepped out to join him, "yes, my teacher" the first one replied diligently, "then your training continues" the dragons suddenly commenced a sparring match, "now, focus, and charge!" The larger dragon instructed, the smaller one did so, but was knocked off balance by the larger one, "you really fell for that? A dragon must always be prepared to face the unexpected" the larger one instructed, "now, again, and this time: be prepared". They went at it again, and continued sparring, the small one stunned the larger dragon with his fire, then rammed him onto the ground, he then stood over him, "good, you continue to impress me with your ever growing skills" the larger one stood upwards, "now your true test begins..." the larger dragon clapped his hands, and in flew a small, black dragon, "what is your command, my master?" The dragon asked, "please, no subtleties, not until I make my triumphant return, bring me the orb" the large dragon commanded, "you mean like Gaul's orb?" The black dragon asked, "yes, he won't mind, I assure you..." the large dragon commanded once more. "Now, my apprentice, let me ask you a question: do you know why this place exists?" The large dragon asked diligently, "you mean, here? To keep the darkest and most wicked spirits trapped" the small one answered, "yes, good, I may be one of them, but that will not stop my return to the Skylands, and destroy those who opposed me" the large dragon chuckled as the black dragon returned with the orb, the large one grasped hold of it, and showed the small apprentice what he needed to do, "I have a mission for you, one that will play a great role in our conquest, and will further hasten my return..." the large dragon began. "Go on" the small one beckoned him to continue, "you are to travel to the Skylands, as you are not bound to this place like him and I are" the large dragon pointed to the black dragon, "you will go to the Ruins, and you are to retrieve this dragoness" the large dragon showed him the elegant magenta dragoness, "wait? You want me to capture Cynder? The Cynder?" The apprentice asked in shock as the large dragon continued, "not only capture, but try to befriend her, gain her trust, seduce her, get her on your side, whatever it takes, then capture her and return to me" the large dragon instructed, "but...won't the purple dragon be suspicious of me? I'm technically stealing his girlfriend" the apprentice pointed out, "they're mates, and yes he will, but more importantly, he'll be heartbroken at the sight of his beloved with someone else, then he will not be able to stop you when the time comes, I assure you, he thinks the world of Cynder" the large dragon smirked as the orb revealed only fog, and he handed it to the black dragon, "but how will this hasten your return, my lord?" The apprentice asked, "I can harness her light energy to activate a gateway that will allow me to return, only then will she be loyal to our cause" the large dragon answered. "Then I will do as you command" the small apprentice bowed before the large dragon, "now go, I've only enough strength to open a gateway that'll teleport you near the Ruins, once there, carry out the mission" the large dragon instructed, "I will not fail you, my liege" the small dragon replied as he stepped through the vortex, "all will go according to plan, I have foreseen it" the large dragon chuckled as the vortex closed, "he shall accomplish the mission..." the large dragon told the black one as they returned indoors, and away from the courtyard.