"So, explain this thing to me again."

"It's a dimensional rift gate."

"Okay, explain this thing to me again. But in words a child could understand."

"Sparx, are you serious?"

"I don't know Spyro, am I?"

"Fine. It's a portal."

"See, was that hard to explain?"

The air was heavy. Humid was the best word for it. Damp, clinging to Spyro's scales like moss on a stone. Though there was plenty of that here. Spyro and Sparx sat in the middle of a swamp. Though centuries ago it was something else. Long ago, where Spyro stood, generals had stood as they ordered soldiers to their demise. Cobbled stone still stuck up from the water and pillars marked the land like a pox. Vines curled between structures, holding it together like a series of stitches done poorly in an attempt to keep some semblance of structure. Bugs lived here now, with all other life have left long ago for various reasons, leaving only overgrown trees to grow up from the soil. Great willow trees that seemed ready to blot out the sun, and did in certain deeper areas. But here, there was just enough light to see the portal.

Like a gaping wound the 'portal' stood out amongst the ruins. Black ore, almost like diamond, jutted out from the water, cracked and twisted as it towered at least twenty feet into the sky. Unlike the pillars around it, the monstrous structure stood under its own power. No vines or moss grew on it, leaving it a stark contrast to the landscape around it. When Spyro got closer he could swear the black pillars where intricately carved. When he focused, he swore he could make out images of foreign lands, and Malefor. Those were the most distinct carvings. Malefor's visage was undeniable. From the way his horns curved, to the mock crown his whole body seemed to resemble. Though the Dark Lord was dead, his presence still scarred the lands in a way that Spyro wondered if Malefor would ever truly be gone. After all, if such a thing like this could still exist despite the two years since Malefor's death what else lay hiding in the depths where only the Dark Lord had stepped?

But it wasn't the carvings that had Spyro worried. It was the lights that zipped and zapped between each of the pillars. They seemed to be endless as they gathered towards the center between them. They'd been like this since Spyro had stumbled upon the structure, as before then it had been dead as can be. The energy seemed to react to his presence, and energy grew so easily between them till a sphere of light shimmered. It was clearly trying to make some kind of connection, though Spyro didn't ponder on it too much. Right now, he was convinced that it was dangerous, but he couldn't do a thing until he knew more about it.

He had gone to Cynder immediately after finding this thing, and she recognized it almost instantly from his description. She called it a "Dimensional Rift Gate," but it was simplified to portal. She had never seen one herself, but in her time serving under Malefor she had heard the name only a few times. In times long gone Malefor, the Dark Lord of the dragon realms, had used these devices to spread his influence to other realms of reality. Supposedly he had gone in as a conqueror, and stripped entire realms of their resources before moving on to the next. Cynder didn't know how many times he had done this, but she believed it may have been in the hundreds at one point. And yet here was one portal that had survived. Either it was an untouched world, or one Malefor hadn't gotten around to destroying on his own terms when he was done with the world.

Spyro sat with Sparx, sitting as comfy as he could on the uneven cobblestone. The purple dragon's scales seemed to shimmer in the light that flickered from the portal. In the years since Malefor's defeat, he had time to grow up, looking stronger now than he had before. Less lanky, a bit more toned up, and his wings had become more than enough to carry him easily where he wished. The slight twisting of his horns made him look older, despite still being rather young. Next to him buzzed Sparx, his best friend since before he could walk. Sparx was a dragonfly, with a golden glow that followed him everywhere he went. He mostly existed to give Spyro a laugh, which was always nice when the world seemed bleakest.

"You know, I get the feeling this thing is important." Spyro said, after the world's longest pause.

"You think? Spyro, buddy. I've known you for years. I was surprised when you turned out to be alive. By now I'm totally adjusted to the idea that stuff like this happens every time I take you out." Sparx snapped back, before laughing at his own joke.

"Well, not every time. I think some good, non-life endangering things happen. Remember that time I brought you to your first major date?" Spyro smiled back. The two were like brothers, and for years they actually had believed that.

"She tried to eat me, remember?" Sparx grumbled, rubbing his thorax at the painful memory. "See! That's proof! When you're around my life goes up in smoke. You'll literally be the death of me!" Spyro didn't have a reply, instead he went silent and joined the dragonfly in watching the portal as it continued to do... Something?

"So how long do you think it'll take to finish whatever it's doing?" Sparx said to break the silence.

"I don't know. I honestly hope Cynder manages to find one of the guardians. They'd know what to do about this." Spyro replied, not even taking a moment to look away from the structure.

"I hope so. Because this thing is giving me the creeps. Like major heebie jeebies. I mean I've seen some scary things, but this thing is like Destroyer scary. Not so much in the scale of absolute dest-"

"Sparx?"

"Not now buddy, I'm talking. As I was saying, the Destroyer was scary in the sense of death kinda sense. This is more of a slow boiling kind of dread because right now it could be an-"

"Sparx!"

"Stop interrupting! Anything could come out of that thing! I mean, we could discover there is a world populated by angry fleas through that! Or a world where you were never born! Or m-"

"Sparx! That's nice and all, but I think we're about to find out." Spyro interrupted again, turning and pointing towards the portal. By now that small sphere of light was finally beginning to expand. Crackling with energy as it began to thin out, like syrup as it filled the space between the two pillars.

"Oh... Well, it was nice knowing you buddy." Sparx whimpered out, antennae drooping in fright.

Light erupted from the portal, which bathed them in an ethereal glow. The cobblestone seemed to sink beneath Spyro's feet, and he felt like he was flying. Weightless before the glow and heat that washed out from the portal. But as soon as it began, it was over. The light faded, and instead of a glorious light there was... A dank dungeon. Indeed. Spyro remained where he had started, but now it was like he was watching a vision of a different world. The only major difference being that one was a swamp, and the other seemed to be a dungeon of sorts, with a large wooden door in front.

"Well, that's not nearly as bad as I expected it to be, you know? I was thinking we'd see a few lasers. Maybe Malefor would show up to say we opened a gateway to hell and now he was fr-"

"Sparx, really? You're kind of ruining the mood." Spyro grumbled as he finally managed to peel his eyes away from the portal before him.

"So, anyway... We going through it?"

"No! Sparx, are you serious!? We don't know even know what is through this thing!"

"Looks like a door to me."

"But a door to what?" Spyro asked, taking a step closer and reaching the end of his cobblestone walkway. Now, there was only a short splash of water between him and the portal, and curiosity was high. He knew he should wait, but the guardians would probably just demand it be destroyed immediately. He couldn't just let that happen! This was a whole different world! One that Malefor may not have touched. It could be the start of something great.

Then Sparx zipped right past, and through the portal.

A ripple passed through the image as Sparx passed through it, like taking a dip into a pool of water. From the other side he turned, and waved back with a dumb grin on his face. The purple dragon just stood there on the edge, tempted to follow, but aware of the dangers. He hopped uneasily from claw to claw, glancing back behind himself just in case the others had arrived. What to do!? What to do!? Sparx went through, he had to get him back!

"Sparx, come back!" Spyro shouted as loud as he could. But instead the dragonfly placed a hand to the side of his head, gesturing that he hadn't heard a word Spyro said. "Sparx, listen to me, get back here!" Again nothing, it seemed the portal failed to translate sound through it. "Sparx, get back here!" He began to gesture, waving back to the dragonfly.

Instead of reply, Sparx held up a hand, and his antennae began to twitch violently. His attention turned suddenly to the wooden door, and he buzzed closer and closer to it. Spyro began to panic, waving and shouting as loud as he could in the desperate hopes that the dragonfly would turn around.

No luck it seemed, as the door slammed open suddenly. Spyro took a step back from the portal, his heart skipping a beat as his eyes gazed upon an ape. The ape spotted Sparx, and for a moment Spyro worried if the Ape could see him too. The Ape lunged for Sparx, and they began to fight, with Sparx unable to reach the portal as the ape's paw wrapped around his body.

How many times had the hero fought them? Apes. Long ago they had thrown their lot in with Malefor, clinging to him in the desperate hopes of gaining even a scrap of what he offered them. So in the end, they had been rewarded with their own dooms. So why were they even still around!? Spyro froze, shocked by this sudden shock that he only came back to reality when the ape was gone, the door slammed shut behind it. With the ape had gone Sparx, discovered and taken captive.

Spyro stood in front of the portal for what could have been forever. Frozen with fear, and… Something else. Worry for Sparx most of all. Cynder and the guardians had already arrived by this time, and Cynder hadn't left his side. In the background he could hear the guardians behind him… Cyril, Terrador, and Volteer where all stuck in the same loop of discussion. Terrador believed the destruction of the portal was the utmost importance. While on the other side Volteer wanted to get Sparx out first, and then destroy it. Only Cyril seemed interested in studying it, but Spyro? He wasn't sure. He knew he should leap through, fight whatever army lay through it and return home with Sparx. But whenever he stood, his insides twisted up like knots. His body refused to act, instead he was filled with a sickness. This sensation that if he stepped through he'd vomit. That he'd lose all his senses and never return. It was terrifying just to imagine it.

"You know… You should go help him." Cynder said, leaning in closer and whispering into Spyro's ear. The dark scaled dragoness had been by his side all this time, and yet it still felt like a budding friendship at times. Learning something new every day.

"But what i-" Spyro began, only to be cut off by a shh from the dragoness.

""Look, you're a hero. You've been sitting here for hours. I know you'll regret it more if you just keep sitting here. If they decide to break the portal, I'll stop them. You'll get back, don't worry." Cynder coaxed him on, knowing him probably in this moment better than he did. "I know you can do it. Go in, kick butt, and be back before they realize you're gone."

"Wow Cynder. That may be just what I needed to hear."

"Of course it is. Now stop wasting time, or I'll push you through myself before you change your mind."

"Thank you, Cynder. You're just the push I need."

Spyro stood at the edge of the portal. His stomach tied up in knots, and his body stiff as a board. But this time, unlike the moment before, he had the strength to move forward. Sometimes, despite all the trouble he dealt with, he just needed to be reminded that he had to take a step closer. He looked behind to Cynder, who nodded back with a smile of her own.

"Oh stop wasting time! Get going!" She hissed, and before she finished speaking, Spyro was merely a ripple in the portal. "At least let me finish talking first!"

It was almost like falling. Almost. More like swimming when you really think about it. After all, only water gives you that sudden impact that gives way and drops you into a strange new world. Then, it was over, and Spyro was in a brand new world. The room itself was fairly large. Though part of the purple dragon had the nagging feeling it saw little attention, as the room was dusty, old, and cobwebs hung from the ceiling. Though, there was something very different in this room. The portal. Instead of the obsidian pillars from his home, this portal was more natural. It would have fit completely in with the swamplands he had just left. Vines curled around thick marble pillars that curved together till they met at the top. The land outside was the same, and he looked back to see Cynder, who by now had returned to the guardians to keep their argument going.

Only now could he see what seemed to be shimmering letters, but he couldn't read them. Some lost language he assumed, since this was one of Malefor's creations if what he'd been told was correct. But he couldn't wait, as every passing second just meant another moment that Sparx was in danger. Before him was the door leading to this new world, and it provided no resistance as he pressed against it. Looking back, he watched Cynder for the longest time, before he closed the door.

The other side was fairly simple. A corridor… Because of course it would be a corridor. The lack of windows told him that he was either deep inside what he could only guess to be a fortress. It was that or he was deep underground, and neither was a pleasant prospect. He moved slowly, trying to look as small as he could, with the flickering light of torches illuminating his surroundings. The corridor was fairly simple, made of cobblestone, and crudely stacked. Clearly the building was ancient. In fact, a part of Spyro half expected this to be the same castle he had just left, but that wasn't possible, was it? After all, the mere idea of such a thing being the case was… Well the more he looked around the less he could deny it. The carved stone was eerily familiar, and the deeper he moved into the labyrinth of corridors the more he could recognize familiar looking structures in the pristine of their life. Then he paused, only to retreat behind a corner as a duo of apes walked right on past.

"Mog hear of spy?" The shortest of the duo asked, though he was still a good foot taller than Spyro.

"Mog hear of many thing. Mog wonder why Bog question Mog?" Mog replied, and helpfully identified the first speaker as Bog. Ape names were so weird, and stupid. No wonder Malefor turned them into pathetic creatures. But, even with that acknowledgement, Spyro knew they didn't deserve it. Malefor was endlessly cruel after all. Everything he touched, he warped beyond repair. That's not true. There was Cynder.

"Bog hear spy be glowbug! Shiny goldy thing. Why shiny be spy? Easy spot for Bog!"

"Mog agree. Glowbug talent though. Glowbug make his way to deep chamber alone! Mog want know how Glowbug do!" Mog slammed his fist into his hand, as if to signal that if he didn't find out, he'd crush something.

"Well, that's clearly Sparx…" Spyro muttered to himself as he silently crept down the way they came from. Maybe he'd luck out and find a map. That'd be a million things and then some of good luck.

Ahead, the purple dragon found a door. It was clearly well used, and judging by the claw marks the apes had a lot of trouble with the handle. Turning to look behind himself, Spyro noted there didn't seem to be any other doorways down the path he had elected to go, and stopping now was… Well meaningless. He pressed the side of his head against the door, straining to hear what may be behind it. Beyond he could hear the grunts of apes, and… Footsteps? Oh no! Spyro took a step back, ready to begin torching butt as soon as an ape opened the door.

The door slammed open to two apes laughing over a joke, and then they paused, both looking at the purple dragon. Spyro opened his mouth, ready to spit fire when they suddenly both began to bow. Taken aback, the purple dragon stood there, halfway through spitting out a ball of fire.

"Tog's lord! Tog not expect lord be here. Tog think lord be i-intor-inter-" One of the apes stumbled about verbally, unable to say the word he wanted.

"Interrogate?" Spyro offered, clearly confused by this whole series of events. Did they call him lord? Well, Apes weren't exactly bright. It was the rare one among them like Gaul who could really be considered… Well… Smart?

"Interrogate! That the word Tog looked for!" The ape beamed with pride at his 'good word usage' and nodded to the purple dragon.

"Well, I was honestly planning to do just that!" Spyro replied, figuring he might as well use this opportunity if they thought of him as their lord. "I just happened to get lost. Do you have a map, that I can borrow?" He asked, unable to hide his sheepishness over such a debacle.

"Tog guide lord!" The ape replied, standing upright and nudging his body. "Tog hope lord appreciate Tog's generosity!" The ape's nodded to each other, and tried to slip by Spyro who stepped aside for the, "Lord follow Tog!"

Spyro was confused, but this may well be the break he was looking for. Though now he couldn't help but worry about what kind of world he stepped into. Why did they call him lord? Was it because he was a dragon, or because of his purple scales. If the later, what might that imply? "Very well, lead the way." He demanded, puffing out his chest a little and following after the duo.

Judging from the conversation the two apes had ahead of Spyro, Sparx had been caught 'spying' deep in the castle. The castle itself went unnamed in their conversations. As for the portal, the apes didn't really understand it at all. Apparently it was just a thing that had been in the castle a long time ago, and when it was rebuilt a few years ago it just stuck around when Malefor came back. This explained at least part of what was going on. It meant that Malefor was still alive and well in this world, at least partially. He didn't want to push too hard for information, since they believed he was a part of this world, and seeming ignorant was a sure fire way to make them get curious. Even if they were dense as bricks.

They passed by at least three other patrols, which made Spyro thankful none of them seemed to think too much of a purple dragon amongst them. Was this a case of him looking like Malefor? Well, beyond the purple scales he didn't really draw a connection, particularly how Malefor was… Larger. Maybe he was in the past? That didn't add up timewise… But maybe this was when Malefor was younger, around his age? Maybe? He didn't want to stick around any longer than he had to, so that question would never be answered.

Finally they reached a door, one that looked like all the others they had passed. The apes stood aside for the purple dragon, he easily pushed his way inside. The room was rather spacious, more like an oversized prison cell. A series of cells lining the far walls pretty much made it clear it was this. Though the cells were empty, in a way that filled Spyro more with dread than actual hope regarding the situation. But the cell at the far end though, as Spyro approached, he noticed it held a jar. A small jar, kind of like one would put water in. Except instead of water, there is a golden dragonfly. Spyro made sure to close the door first, before he turned his attention to Sparx. After all, he didn't need the apes overhearing him and Sparx.

"What, not like my story? Look, I'm being honest! I'm not a s- Oh, you're not… Wait… Spyro!?" Sparx had looked almost terrified, only to snap back to all grins as he pushed against the sides of the jar. "Boy, did I never expect to see you again, buddy! What took you so long?"

"Oh, just… Took a bit longer than planned to find you. Actually I had to get directions from the apes. They thought I was… Some kind of lord. Can you explain?" Spyro asked, already tugging on the lid of the jar.

"That's… Kinda complex. Look I can explain when we're out of here. But Menace is going to be back any minute! We-" Sparx began as he popped out of the jar, stretching his wings before he was interrupted.

"Wait, Menace? Sparx, what are you talking about?" Spyro said, looking Sparx in the eyes. The bug returned his gaze for a moment, and then looked back to the door. There was silence, and Spyro eventually did the same, turning his head to look behind him. There, what he saw made his heart skip a beat.

Standing there, flanked by the two ape guards from earlier was another dragon. About Spyro's size, but more toned. He had two long horns, curved like knives, and in a way rather similar to the style Cynder had. But instead of the sleek metallic look she possessed, these horns looked more boney, with a tint of a dull gold. The way he moved seemed, sickeningly smug, and the purple glow escaped his gaze seemed to drill into Spyro's soul as they matched eyes. But, for all that, the thing that terrified Spyro the most, was the purple scales.

"Boo." Menace said, now standing within a wingspan of Spyro.