-1Disclaimer: I don't own Spyro the Dragon, or any other assorted characters.

Author's Note: This is my first Spyro fic. I will not tolerate flames, constructive criticism will be welcomed with open arms, but flamers will get the short end of a very sharp stick.

Chapter 1

Fallout

It had been nearly a week, since Spyro had defeated Cynder in Convexity. He had still not fully recovered from the massive fury attack that he had used to win the battle. He was finally able to move around without feeling like he'd collapse at any moment, but his breath attacks hadn't returned.

This made his lessons with the guardians very difficult, as they were trying to teach him how to further control the individual elements. He was actually aching to try some of the things they had said were possible.

Ignitus was also teaching Cynder how to further master fire breathing. This was going rather smoothly as Cynder already had a vast knowledge in the field. When he had asked her how she'd learned all of this, she had replied that she was basically self-taught. This served to impress the dragon guardian as learning to breathe any element by oneself was a remarkable talent.

"How come Cynder's only being taught to breathe fire?" Spyro asked Ignitus as the two dragons were looking through the temple's library. The library was still a mess from when the Dark Master's force had occupied the temple. Books had been tossed to the floor and loose pages littered the floor.

Ignitus glanced down at the purple dragon. "Because most dragons can only master one element. Cyril, for instance, can only breathe ice."

"Then how come I can breathe four elements?" Spyro asked.

"Well, purple dragons are known for being able to perform such feats," Ignitus said as he seemingly found what he was looking for and removed a scroll from the shelves. "Let's rejoin the others."

The two left the library, Ignitus careful not to fall as he balanced on his hind legs and held the scroll with his front. They entered the room where the other three guardians, Cynder and Sparx were waiting. The dragons were lying on the floor, their wings folded, while Sparx buzzed around annoying whomever he could, but avoiding Cynder.

Spyro sat next to Cynder while Ignitus joined the other guardians and unwrapped the scroll revealing a map. The guardians bent over the old piece of parchment and began debating among themselves.

"You think they'll be able to find them?" Cynder asked as she stared at the guardians.

"I hope so," Spyro replied. The guardians were hoping they would be able to discover the location of the remaining dragons. When the war with the Dark Master had gone bad. The dragons had begun to doubt that they could win. When Cyril, Volteer, and Terrador were captured, the dragons had decided to surrender and go into hiding. Ignitus had tried to keep them together, but he could not and was subsequently exiled.

"I don't see the point of digging up some ancient map," Sparx muttered, hovering above the two dragons. "It's not like it's going to have 'dragons in hiding here' written on it."

Sparx immediately regretted saying that as he saw the two's downtrodden looks. He added. "Then again they might find something."

Ignitus had heard Sparx comment, but paid it no mind. He studied the map before him. He noted the cliffs, the valleys, and lakes. Unfortunately, dragons were very adaptable and could live almost anywhere.

"There are so many places they could have settled," Cyril said.

"Indeed, this navigational nightmare seems unsolvable," Volteer agreed. "If you had been planning on relocating to a new locale were the Dark Master's reach could not penetrate, where would it be?"

"I would never dream of leaving the realms," Terrador declared fiercely.

"Nor I," Cyril agreed. Volteer nodded his assent.

Ignitus remained silent. He had given up. Back when Spyro had found him, he had shrunk from his responsibility of fighting back the Dark Master's evil. He had hidden himself outside the realms.

"We must find the others." Ignitus said.

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(Later that night.)

Spyro lay on his stomach intently reading the book that was laid out in front of his paws. The darkness did not bother the dragon's eyes as they were well adapted to night time.

He looked up as he heard an unnatural rush of air. He got to his feet and glanced around the room nervously. Had the Dark Master's forces found a way into the temple? He stared into the dark corners that even his night vision couldn't pierce.

"Aww!" he screamed as something dropped down in front of him, the light from the object blinding him as he stepped back quickly and spun around trying to swipe at the creature with his tail.

"Hey, watch it!" An angry voice said.

Spyro finally saw his so-called 'assailant.' "Sparx? What are you doing up at this time of night?"

"Couldn't sleep," the dragonfly replied angrily. "Cyril's snoring reminds me of the screeches those spiderooms used to make."

Spyro nodded. "Yeah, kept me up too."

"Sooo…," Sparx began. "What are you reading?" He flew over to the book that Spyro had previously been reading. "A Complete History of Dragons? Since when have you cared about history?"

"It doesn't hurt to know where you came from," Spyro said walking over and looking down at the book.

"I think I'll wait for the movie to come out," Sparx muttered. "So, are you sure about Ignitus' decision to let Cynder stay here?"

"Why do you ask?" Spyro asked.

"Suppose she's still under you-know-who's influence?"

"She's not," Spyro growled.

"Okay, maybe," Sparx said. Spyro turned to leave, but Sparx flew in front of him and blocked the way. "But how can you be sure? I've seen her, wandering around at night. Suppose she strangles us in our sleep?"

"She won't," Spyro said. "And how do you know she's wandering around at night?"

"Hey, can I help it if I'm not the trusting type?" Sparx asked.

"Well, stop it," Spyro ordered.

"Why?"

"Because it's not nice to spy on people," Spyro said.

"Do you like her?" Sparx asked. Spyro sensed that Sparx was going to start needling him, but he answered anyway.

"No," He said as flatly and evenly as possible.

"You like her!" Sparx burst out. Spyro rolled his eyes as Sparx continued on. "You like her, you like her!" If that wasn't enough he broke into song next and danced around the room in erratic loops. "Spyro and Cynder sitting in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G…"

"Ahem," Spyro and Sparx spun around. Sparx turning white with fright at the sight of Cynder.

"Hey, Spyro, I think I'm double parked," Sparx said before racing out of the room.

"So, what are you doing up at this hour?" Spyro asked wandering how much of his conversation with Sparx she had heard.

"I prefer the dark," Cynder admitted guiltily. "I was actually hoping to catch you alone."

"Oh?" Spyro asked as he recalled Sparx's mistrust of her and wondered for the first time if she really was reformed, or if the guardians would wake up next morning to find his singed remains and Cynder gone. Spyro stepped back and wished that he had his flame breathe back.

"I wanted to thank you for saving me," Cynder said. "If you hadn't come along I probably would have been his slave forever." She blushed. "That's all." She turned and disappeared into the darkness.

Spyro breathed a sigh of relief as she disappeared.