"Ten feet, four inches!"

The call from Marco put Spyro in the lead of the flame section of the 93rd Dragon Games. Held every two years, this was Spyro's first attempt, and he was making the most of it.

"Next up, Cynder!" Marco yelled, and the crowd applauded for the newest inhabitant of the Artisan world. In just a few weeks, Cynder had become the little sister of the family, and was really enjoying life with her own kind.

But before she could let loose a jet of fire, a large cloud and a flash of lightning blanketed the Artisans skyline.

"Spyro, Sparx, go get the baby dragons!" Tomas called to them as the sky became darker. Without warning, a puff of smoke stopped them in their tracks, and three figures appeared. The voices, however, seemed familiar.

"I told you Spyro was here! And the cloud isn't far behind. Spyro, come with us to the base."

The voice was Bianca, and the figures standing next to her were Sheila and Bentley. "Good day Spyro. Well, not so good considering that exponential cloud." Bentley said, and Sheila added, "There aren't many good butt-kicking days anymore."

Spyro looked puzzled. "What's going on here? It's like everyone knows something that I don't. First the dragon elders, now you guys, what's going on?"

"There's no time to tell you now. We need to get out of here. Bring Cynder along, she could really help." Bianca said quickly.

"No, we can't leave now, wait, WAIT!"

But it was no use. A spell brought Spyro, Sparx, Cynder, Bianca, Bentley and Sheila to an unfamiliar room decorated with black and gold everything. Bianca started, "Welcome to the resistance base. Hunter, Agent 9 and Sgt. Byrd should be here in a minute. I'll fill you in when they get here. They'll be so happy to see you."

Spyro sounded desperate. "But I still don't know what's going on! What's this about a resistance? What was that cloud? Where are we? Tell me something!"

A similar puff of smoke appeared, and Hunter came out with Agent 9 and Sgt. Byrd.

"Spyro! It's great to see you!" Hunter yelled.

"It's great to see you too, Hunt. Now Bianca, tell us what the Blowhard is going on here!"

"Okay, here's the story. Shortly after you left the Forgotten Realms, the Sorceress reappeared bigger and stronger than ever. It turns out she was planning even farther ahead than we thought. Do you remember the lava she fell into when you beat her?"

"Yeah, it was purple, wasn't it?"

"Yes it was. It turns out she enchanted the lava. If she lost, she would fall in and become mutated and so much stronger. Then, after you were gone, she sealed off the entrances and exits so you couldn't come back. She then locked all the portals. We retreated here to the Summer Forest Castle. She doesn't know we're here, and we took a huge risk bringing you here. You're the only one who can stop her."

"But what if she attacks?" Spyro said, trying to think of any possible flaw in their plan.

"It's simple. Rhynocs, Gnorcs, and Riptocs can't swim. No one ever thought they'd need to. And, since the only entrance to the castle is underwater, we're safe as long as the walls are up." Hunter explained. "We have those reinforced by magic on the inside."

"Cool. Wait, Gnorcs and Rhynocs? Are Ripto and Gnasty here too?" Spyro said, with a hint of expectation in his voice.

Bentley came forward and said, "I'm afraid so. Bartholomew and I were on a recon mission and we saw the Sorceress bring Ripto and Gnasty Gnorc here. Spyro, this is all out war. The Sorceress wants to have absolute control of the universe, and no one's going to stop her."