Hello again, and welcome back. We join our friends once more. We have been introduced and now we assume the roll of observer once more. let us see what they're up to. Enjoy! R&R!

Saved

Trees whipped by her as she hurled her body through the forest, terror giving haste to her steps in her desperate flight. Fear pulsed through her veins with every crash that sounded from behind her, creating a hectic mindset for her headlong dash from danger. She risked a glance over her shoulder, spying the horrifying creature that pursued her weaving through the branches and underbrush, quickly gaining on her. Bringing her attention back in front of her, she urged her feet to go faster, the muscles in her legs already burning from overexertion. She made a quick turn and burst out into a large clearing, a small pond sitting to one side of the grassy area. She glimpsed the creature break through the tree line seconds after her and she knew there was no escape. Suddenly, a dark yellow flash from beside her caught her attention. A voice broke through her muddled thoughts, yelling a warning. "Look out!"

She felt something smash into her side and she flew into the pond, taking a deep breath of sweet oxygen just before crashing through the glistening surface of the water. She felt her muscles tense up, and she couldn't move. After a minute or so, her lungs began to scream for air and she forced her feet and wings down, pushing her to the surface. When her head rose out of the water, she gasped a few breaths, filling her deprived lungs with life giving air. As her heart rate slowed from the horrifying experience, She glanced around the serene clearing, all traces of the creature and her savior gone. She crawled onto the bank of the pond and collapsed, her legs giving out as tears began to flow down her face.

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Cynder awoke with a smile on her muzzle, feeling Spyro's wing lying across her body and his form pressed to hers. She sighed and snuggled down into the covers a bit more, not wanting this moment to end. Spyro shifted beside her, groaning as he moved in his sleep and Cynder rolled over to look at him. He had a peaceful look on his face and Cynder let another sigh escape her. He was hers now, and she was his. She leaned over and planted a kiss on his cheek, making him grin in his sleep. His eyes cracked open slightly and he growled softly when he saw her watching him.

"Good morning, beautiful. How did you sleep?" He gazed deep into her sapphire eyes and she smiled at the tenderness in his voice.

"Better than ever. I'm glad I made my decision last night. I never want to sleep alone again." She squirmed against his chest and he ran a claw down her back.

"Now you don't have to. I'll always be there for you." They lay in each other's embrace until the rays from the sun spilled in through the window onto the two lovers. Spyro groaned and sat up, removing himself from Cynder's embrace and rubbing the sleep from his eyes. She sat up as well, stretching out her stiff limbs as she stood to her paws. The black dragoness grinned at Spyro and leapt down to the ground, waiting for him to follow her. Spyro mimicked her movement and they strode out the door, moving into the empty hallway that lay beyond it.

As they moved down the corridor, Spyro let his tail intertwine with hers, drawing a contented sigh from the dragoness beside him. Both were hungry and with an unspoken message transferred between the two with a glance, they navigated through the temple towards the kitchens.

After a quick meal, the two knew that it was time for their morning lessons and they ran quickly to the training area so as not to be late and have to give an explanation. But surprisingly, the large room was empty. The guardians were strangely absent from the arena, as well as the other two dragons who trained with them. Cynder looked around and then turned to Spyro, a concerned look covering her features.

"Where is everyone?" Cynder moved throughout the abandoned training room, letting her gaze wander over everything within. "We aren't early, are we?"

Spyro shook his head. "No, we're here at the right time…just nobody else is it seems."

That moment, Cyril appeared in the doorway behind them. He was breathing rather heavily, like he was running around. "There you are. Both of you, come with me, quickly."

Confused beyond words, both dragons followed the ice Guardian into a gathering of the Guardians being held in the courtyard. Spyro looked around at the stern faces, and concern mounted within his mind.

He glanced over at Ignitus and asked, "What's going on? Where's Lucresi and Drifton?"

The fire dragon sighed and spoke softly to them. "They had an early morning scouting assignment, and they haven't returned. We decided to send both of you, along with Cyril, to find them. Stay together, and may the Ancestors look down on us with favor this day." The other three guardians disappeared back into the temple, and Cyril unfurled his wings, turning to the younger dragons.

"Stay close, young ones." He brought down his large wings and lifted into the air, closely followed by both Spyro and Cynder, and the three flew out of the courtyard and into the wilderness beyond. They flew for hours, seeing nothing within the large expanse of both swamp and forest the lay outside the temple walls, until Spyro felt something nagging his mind and he listened to the small feeling and looked down at a large clearing in the trees below. He spotted the sunlight glistening off of what looked like scales and he called out.

"Cyril, I think I see something down there!" Cyril looked to where the purple dragon indicated and the three dove towards the shine. They alighted upon the soft grass, seeing that Spyro had been right. There, lying by the pond was Lucresi, sobs wracking her body. Cynder ran over to her side.

"Lucresi, what happened? Where's Drifton?" Cynder leaned down closer to the earth dragoness.

Lucresi looked up at them with tears streaming down her scales. "They took him. They were after me, and he saved me but they took him!"

Cyril moved closer to her as well, speaking in a soothing voice. "Who took him young one?"

She shook her head, tears flying from her cheeks. "I don't know, I really don't know…I-I think they were with the Dark Master though….I was so scared." She shakily got to her feet and her tears began to slow. "We have to go after him, I…. I don't want to lose him!"

The ice Guardian raised his wings again, ready to take to the air. "No, first we must take you back to the temple. Come, follow us."

She reluctantly allowed them to guide her back to the temple and when she got there, she collapsed against the ice dragon, her energy gone. The other Guardians joined them and soon they were discussing what to do.

"We need to do something! We can not let the Dark Master have another dragon." Terrador rumbled at the others.

Ignitus nodded. "Yes, we must do something, but we are much to old to be traipsing about the realms searching for Malefor's forces. I'm afraid that we must send the young ones to do this."

"No! they are not ready to face him." Cyril argued.

"We have no other option, Cyril. And have you already forgotten how Spyro saved all of us before?" Volteer pointed out.

The ice dragon shook his head adamantly. "But Spyro has not yet regained his powers, he wouldn't stand a chance!"

Spyro stepped forward and cleared his throat, looking around at the elder dragons. "If I may, umm…I did recover my fire powers…I can feel them all returning, slowly."

Ignitus smiled at the purple dragon. "Then it is settled, Spyro, we are giving you the task of finding Drifton and rescuing him. Lucresi and Cynder shall accompany you."

"Ignitus, are you mad?" Cyril glared at the fire dragon. "Sending Cynder back to the enemy? Have you lost your mind?"

"No, my friend, I have not. I trust her." Ignitus turned to Cynder. "You are strong, young dragon, and you must help Spyro in this. Don't give up. It's all up to you three now. We're counting on you."

Eyes turn to Spyro once more to save them from disaster. The purple dragon is up to bat again, will he succeed? or will it all be for naught? only i know....

Laters!