Legal stuff: I don't own The Legend of Spyro or its characters — Activision does. So let's just get to the good stuff, ok?
Ignitus gazed down fondly at the tiny sleeping form of the purple dragon; Spyro lay curled against his belly as the two of them rested in the guardian's temple chamber. The young dragon had been having trouble sleeping alone. So, Ignitus gladly welcomed him in.
Sensing another presence, Ignitus looked up. There, standing tentatively in the chamber entrance, was Cynder. The young black dragoness looked silently around the chamber with piercing green eyes as her tail whipped nervously back and forth, slashing through the air. He focused on her face, his sharp eyes catching the nearly imperceptible trembling of her body. At first, she didn't seem to notice his look. But as soon as she did, she tensed and started backing away.
"No. Come in, young dragoness," he said softly, sliding his long tail away from his forepaws, opening up the protective circle he had been curled into around the sleeping Spyro.
Young Cynder didn't move; Her eyes darted back and forth from Ignitus's gaze to the area next to the sleeping purple dragon.
"Come," he invited again.
Cynder took a tentative step forward. Then another. Then another. She kept going until she was just a few feet from him, yet not within the circle he was inviting her into. She settled down, peering at him all the while, and slowly drifted off to sleep right there.
Ignitus sighed. At least she seemed comfortable enough to sleep in the same room. She had been thinking of … those times, he knew — those times that had ended only too recently when Spyro defeated her in battle and freed her. Several times, Ignitus had heard her cry out in her sleep but had not known how to help her. He shook his head and settled back down to rest. How long had this young dragoness gone without love? His mind came up with the answer far too quickly — all her life. Twelve years.
But no longer.
The next several nights passed just like the first. Each night, Cynder would show up at the chamber entrance and Ignitus would invite her to curl up with him and Spyro. Each night, she would come to within a few feet of accepting the invitation, but would stop short. And she would always be gone by the time they woke the next morning.
Still, he would not give up until she came all the way.
Then one night, much to his surprise, Cynder came right up to him at his invitation. She stopped at the verge of the gap Ignitus had left between his tail and forepaws. She looked up at him, then away, and then up at him again uncertainly. Her tail again nervously fidgeted in the air, though she was no longer trembling.
"It is all right," Ignitus assured her. He looked down at the sleeping Spyro, who was curled up against his warm belly, as always. "I am certain Spyro would find it a most pleasant surprise to wake and find you here."
Finally, Cynder padded over and lay down next to the purple dragon. Ignitus decided she was about to settle down. So, he smiled and slowly slid his tail back into place, closing the protective circle around them. But Cynder's head shot back up; she jumped to her paws and swung around to face the now closed gap. She threw a startled stare up at Ignitus, fixing him with eyes wide with fear.
Ignitus frowned inwardly and slowly opened the gap again, wide enough for her to leave if she chose. At that, Cynder relaxed and settled down again.
Wide enough for her to escape. He thought sadly. How long had she gone without love?
All her life.
But, he resolved, no longer.