AN: For anyone who saw the first AN I have decided to change it. Basically, I would prefer some sort of feedback just to know if people like the story or not. Although, I will continue the story no matter what.
Spyro let out a sigh of satisfaction as the adult dragoness placed the ointment over the wound that had bled out on his chest. "Feeling better?" The fire dragoness asked pleasantly. The dragoness had been unhappy knowing that during the party to celebrate Spyro and Cynder's victory over Malefor she would be on her shift. The fire dragoness' mood had been uplifted when she had first seen the two dragons step into the building where she worked.
"Yeah, thanks, uh?" The purple dragon fumbled for a name.
"Srali." The dragoness replied bowing slightly. "It is a pleasure to make both of your acquaintances; although I wish it had been under better circumstances."
"I think we all wish that." Cynder said.
"Can I ask what did happen to you?"
Spyro and Cynder looked at each other and shrugged. "In all honesty we aren't really sure." Spyro explained. "One minute we were at the party…"
"And the next some black dragon came out of nowhere and attacked us, just when he got there though he left." Cynder finished.
The dragoness scratched her head with one sharp looking claw. "That is peculiar; we haven't seen any black dragons since…" The dragoness trailed off as her eyes fell on Cynder.
The black dragon sighed and her whole self seemed to shrink at the recollection of her past. "I'm not proud-
"No, Cynder don't worry about it I know why you did what you did. You weren't yourself, it wasn't your fault." Srali said. "I'm sorry; I imagine it is something you would like to forget."
Cynder nodded thankfully, but stayed silent. Spyro walked over to her and placed a paw on top of hers, hoping to give her some shred of comfort. The black dragon noticed the gesture and gave the purple dragon a weak smile.
"We should probably get going." Spyro said after turning away from Cynder.
Srali nodded, "I imagine that you two have much to talk about. It was nice to have met both of you." The dragoness bowed slightly again.
"Yeah, thank you for everything Srali." Spyro said.
"It, was my pleasure, I hope you both feel better." Srali said directing her comment more at Cynder than Spyro. She was no expert on people's emotions but she could tell that her unintentional comment had struck a chord with the dragoness. She felt terrible about it but could only watch as the two dragons walked from the room. The dragoness sighed and went about her work once more.
The dragons walked out into the late night. The clinic they had entered only a block away from the plaza where the black dragon had attacked them. By now the city was completely quiet. Nothing moved and no lights shined, leaving only the star and moonlight to guide the two through the alleys. Cynder eventually broke the silence of the night. "Spyro, who do you think I am?"
"What? What do you mean?" The dragon asked thrown off by the black dragoness' question.
"Who do you see me as Spyro? Do you only remember my past?" The dragoness asked her voice rising as she stopped to face the dragon, a gust of wind swirling through the air as she turned to face him.
"Cynder what are you talking about, when I see you I never think about your past." Spyro retorted almost hurt that the dragoness would make that assumption.
"But, you do know my past Spyro, it's there it happened, I did all those horrible things."
"Cynder calm down, the past is the past, what happened, has happened."
"You don't get it Spyro, that's the point all those things did happen! I can never forget them." The dragoness shouted angrily. "And neither will anyone else!"
"Cynder I don't understand what are you trying to solve here? What is it that you're trying to accomplish?" The dragon asked his own voice rising slightly in irritation.
"Spyro, you don't know what its like." The dragoness said her anger fading and being replaced with a sudden fatigue. Spyro waited patiently for her to continue. "Spyro my past has classified me as a terror. The entire world is afraid of me."
Spyro walked over to the dragon and laid down where she had settled. "Cynder." He said softly nudging her head with his own. When she turned to face him her eyes had begun to water.
"Cynder, no one is afraid of you." The dragon continued. "You saw everyone here tonight and the days before today. People are welcoming you with open arms. They are praising you for helping to defeat the Dark Master. You are far from hated."
"But, those things that I did." The dragoness said softly. "People remember those things."
"It doesn't matter, people know Cynder, and they know that you were under the Dark Master's power. It's not your fault."
As the dragoness fumbled with another argument, Spyro cut her off. "Cynder you can't erase your past, but you can show people that you are a different person." After a short pause he moved her head so that she was looking at him. "You are a different person." He whispered.
As he spoke the words the dragoness stared at him with teary eyes silently. Spyro didn't comply but instead draped a wing over her body. "And Cynder you'll always have me to rely on no matter what happens I'll be there."
The dragoness sighed softly her mind was slowly calming as she replayed the dragon's words in her head. "Spyro." She said and the dragon looked down to her. Before he could respond the dragoness kissed him softly. She stole her lips back though almost as quick as she had brought them. "Thank you."
After the initial shock left him Spyro smiled at the dragoness. "We should get back to the guardians and Sparx; I imagine they're waiting for us."
Cynder nodded in response and the two stood slowly and continued down the path back towards the Guardian's house.
Azshea sat on a balcony outside her house. The small pavilion hung out from the second story of a well constructed home. She looked out at the view the balcony afforded her. The small town that the fire dragoness lived in was tiered. She lived on the top tier, looking out across the all three tiers she saw that they were lit with fire, the flames licking many of the buildings and burning them to ashes.
The dragoness turned away from the sight a tear caught in her eye. The pain of seeing her town being destroyed was too much for her. As her head fell she noticed her necklace and began to twiddle the leaf pendant in her talons absently. The bronze colored leaf had been given to her by her father. The bronze leaf standing out against her pinkish crest and deep crimson scales. "I know what you would do, but…" The dragoness trailed off as she continued to trace the leaf with her talon Azshea didn't notice another dragoness step out onto the balcony.
"Azshea what are you doing out here?" The dragoness asked in a hiss. Azshea only stopped tracing her necklace but otherwise made no indication that she had noticed the dragoness.
"I told you not to come out here you'll get hurt! The city is under attack so get back in here before they see you!"
"Mom, do you not get it?" The younger dragoness snapped finally. Her ocean blue eyes centered on her elder her eyes were filled with intensity. "You just don't understand. This town is under attack I could go down there and try to make a difference, and maybe save someone! I was trained I can fight! Let me-
The dragoness was cut off as her mother; Ashe slapped her across the face. "You will talk to me in no such tone!" The dragoness screeched. Azshea slowly rose to her feet rubbing her cheek and trying to stifle her anger.
"You have no idea how to be a parent." Azshea said calmly all the while backing away towards the balcony's edge, a look of pure contempt on her face.
"Azshea you will come back here this instant, I am your mother and you will show me respect!" The adult yelled.
"How can I do that when you don't even know what respect is." The dragoness said shaking her head. Without a second thought, the dragoness leapt backwards over the railing of the balcony and through the air.
Azshea's eyes widened though when she saw her own mother's head rear back and watched her let loose a burst of fire. Azshea reacted quickly and let loose her own fire breath. The fire collided between them before combusting and rocking the foundations of the buildings around them. As the smoke cleared Ashe saw her daughter flying off towards the lower tiers of the city. The dragoness ground her teeth in irritation before making a curt turn and reentering the house.
Azshea glided through the air, thoughts running through her mind. She had never much cared for her mother, their relationship had been tenuous at best, but to openly attack her was something even worse. As the dragoness continued to think a shrill screech broke her from her thoughts. The dragoness looked around her quickly remembering she was in a dangerous area. The dragoness quickly spotted an ape that was jumping towards her from a nearby rooftop. The ape was already too close to her to simply turn her head. Azshea instead flipped her body around and let loose a torrent of fire. The ape yelped in surprise before becoming completely engulfed in the flames.
Azshea flipped herself over again and gave a few quick flaps of her wings in order to steady herself again. The dragoness was now on full alert. She quickly scanned the alleys below here and almost immediately spotted two lone dragons younger than her surrounded by apes. The dragoness hissed and tucked in her wings. The dragoness gained speed as she aimed herself at one of the apes. As she closed in she curled into a ball and spun herself.
The two dragons cowered in fear as the apes approached them each of the apes jumping up and down, while hooting eager for dragon blood. One of the apes stopped though as he heard a whistling sound. He looked up and gave a surprised hoot before being smashed into the ground by the diving dragoness. The other apes howled in surprise as the dragoness jumped up from the smoldering crater she had made. With a roar of fury the dragoness charged forward tackling one ape, and sending him flying into a nearby wall, where he crumpled to the ground.
One of the apes jumped towards the dragoness thinking that she wasn't paying attention. As he closed in, falling through the air towards her the dragoness quickly spun around to face him. With a large intake of air Azshea exhaled a surge of fire that incinerated the ape. When his body fell from the flames its front was as black as ash. For good measure the dragoness picked up the body in her jaws and flung it across the alley to land on the first ape.
When the dragoness turned back to the last ape it yelped and ran away with its arms waving wildly. Azshea smirked before turning to back to the two scared dragons. The two looked up at her with wide scared eyes. "It's okay, you're safe-
The dragoness growled in pain to suppress her yelp. She looked down to her left shoulder to see that it was bleeding badly. "I knew I was off a bit on that dive." She whispered to herself.
"Come on you two we have to get you home. Do you know the way?" Azshea asked the dragons.
The little dragons nodded and began to get up. As they did there was a crash followed by crazed hoots and howls. Azshea looked behind her to see three apes appear from behind a turn in the alley. Each of them were attacking a large earth dragon with their crude bone weapons.
Azshea felt the rage within her. Suddenly, the earth dragon lying on the ground with wounds covering his body seemed to morph. His features melding to take on those of her father. Tears welled up in Azshea's eyes and flames fell from her mouth as the temperature around her rose. "Stay here you two I'll be right back." She said before calmly walking off.
The dragon that the apes had been attack had stopped moving minutes ago but the rudimentary creatures continued to beat away at the large beast. Azshea stopped her gait and without any warning she unleashed her breath attack. With her rage fueling the flames they quickly grew into enormous spiraling fireballs. The three apes each looked up in horror only to be swallowed up by the rampant fire.
As the flames died down the dragoness panted heavily. She felt drained after the attack but she had viewed it as a necessity. The dragoness turned back to the two smaller dragons. Her limp from her shoulder wound was now quiet obvious, although the blood could hardly be seen against her crimson scales. The dragoness' head started to spin. Her blood was flowing freely now the wound having been opened more by the strenuous attack. The dragoness didn't realize she had been knocked to the ground before it was too late. She hardly registered the ape's crude weapon that hit her in the head knocking the last vestiges of consciousness from her.
The two dragons walked into the grand house and into the common room. Upon entering they found all three guardians sitting on large pillows waiting contentedly. Sparx immediately fluttered over to Spyro and Cynder.
"It is good to see you back and safe young dragons." Terrodar said smiling.
"It is unfortunate that the party turned out the way it did." Volteer added sadly.
"Don't worry about it, you all had good intentions. That black dragon is the one to blame." Spyro said.
"Speaking of that black dragon would either of you know who he was?" Cyril asked, his eyes shifting between the two. Both dragons shook their heads; neither of them had ever seen another black dragon.
"I thought I was the only black dragon Malefor had ever enslaved." Cynder said.
"Maybe you were just the first; once he saw how effective you were he created more." Terrodar said. The words seemed to pluck at Cynder's heart and she turned her head to the floor.
"Hey, remember that wasn't you Cynder." Spyro said quietly hoping to put the dragoness' mind at ease.
"Yeah, I know it's just…hard." She said looking up. With a deep breath she looked back to the guardians. "Is there any other possibility? There are some dragons that are born with natural black scales."
"A personal vendetta perhaps?" Volteer asked he looked at the two dragons astounded that they could make someone dislike them that much.
"I don't think so; I've never seen him before." Spyro said. "Cynder?"
"Nope, I've never seen him either." The dragoness replied.
"Then he must be a dark dragon, perhaps a servant still loyal to Malefor." Cyril said.
"But, Malefor is dead, why would he fight for a leader who is no longer alive." Spyro asked cocking his head to one side.
"Some dragons are stubborn; they always think that they are right no matter what has happened. I imagine this is, in fact, one of Malefor's minions and that he is attacking the two of you because you are the ones that killed his master." Terrodar said.
Spyro and Cynder looked at each other. "It never ends does it?" Spyro said. Cynder smirked in response. "Oh, come on Spyro how much trouble could one dragon cause?"
"Well, we did beat Malefor how tough could one kid be?" Spyro said thinking back to those final moments of their fight with Malefor.
"Don't be brash remember a long time ago Malefor was just one kid." Cyril said.
"What about the city what do the people think of this situation?" Cynder asked.
"They don't know anything about it. Right now there are only rumors floating around Warfang. The people only saw a dragon attack both of you they don't know anything else about what is going on." Volteer explained.
"Are you going to tell them about this? They need to know it's their right." Spyro said somewhat angrily.
"Calm down young one." Terrodar said. "You forget it is not our place to tell them, not anymore. The new guardians can proclaim to the dragons what has happened. All you need to do is tell them the threat."
"That means we are going to have to deal with Blaze again." Cynder said as she turned to Spyro. The purple dragon scowled at the mention of the fire guardian's name.
"We have to talk to him and the other guardians too. Who knows maybe Tera with help us out." Spyro said referring to earth dragoness they had met earlier that day.
"Either way they can't really ignore this." Cynder said.
"For now though young dragons, why don't you both get some sleep, I'm sure you're worn out." Cyril said.
The two dragons nodded and walked off up the stairs Sparx trailing floating above them.
"So do you think we should go and find that dragon?" Spyro asked the dragoness as they lay down on a single pillow.
"I guess we have to, we need to find out what all this is about." Cynder answered.
"Alright, we can go in and kick that draogn's butt!" Sparx said punching a little fist in the air.
"Well, first we have to go talk to the guardians about it." Spyro said.
"Oh, right." Sparx said some of his excitement fading away.
"Well, first let's get some sleep." Cynder said yawning. The brothers didn't answer they just closed their eyes. The dragons fell asleep next to each other without a word. As heavy as the thoughts of another black dragon weighed on their minds they were both exhausted.
The next day the two dragons rose from their comfortable beds. After stretching out their stiff joints the dragons walked downstairs to eat breakfast with the guardians. "I assume you two are going to talk to the guardians today about the predicament with the black dragon?" Terrodar asked as they eat their food.
Spyro swallowed a piece of jerky before answering, "I suppose we should, where do you think we can find them at?"
"My guess would be at the guardian inauguration today." Cyril said simply.
"What? Their inauguration is today?" Cynder exclaimed almost choking on her food.
"Yes, these are the last hours of our years as guardians." Volteer said. "Seemed to go by rather quickly." He added.
"I don't think anything has ever gone by slowly for him." Sparx said quietly. The two dragons withheld their laughter as the guardians looked at them.
"Then I guess we will find them there and tell them about all of this." Spyro said.
"Hopefully, they'll listen to reason." Cynder added.
The beginning of the day passed rather uneventfully. At noon the dragons left their home and walked the streets towards the dragon temple. As they walked along many other dragons went in the same direction as them. Many of the dragons that did pass stared at them suspiciously. The events from the other day had put many on edge and the rumors had only made everyone uneasy.
The five dragons reached the temple after a short walk. Once there they realized just how many dragons lived in Warfang. The entire area in front of the temple was filled with dragons. Event the steps could hardly be seen because so many had piled onto them. Those who could not get to the ground level sat on rooftops and some even flew above the area.
"Come on we should head up to the front." Terrodar said. When he saw that Spyro and Cynder weren't following he quickly added. "I was talking to you two also."
"Terrodar we aren't guardians, we have no reason to be up there." Spyro answered.
"Pish-posh, you too aren't exactly normal dragons; we can make an exception, just stand off to the side." Volteer said. Spyro and Cynder nodded and continued on behind the older dragons.
The five dragons slowly made their way through the crowds most of the dragons moving out of their way so that they could pass easily. Once they made it up the steps the five dragons lined up with Spyro and Cynder standing off to the side.
The new guardians were already lined up near to the center of the of the top step. Once she saw them Blaze glared at the two dragons who in turn narrowed their eyes at him. Tera on the other hand looked over to them with a smile which forced the two dragons to break their stare and smile back. Once the silent formalities had passed Spyro and Cynder looked to the other guardians that they had never seen. An ice dragoness stood between Blaze and Tera. She had a lithe body that was a pale blue hue. White spots speckled her scales matching her crest and wings. Her talons were black the stark contrast catching the two off-guard. As they continued to look in her direction she turned her forest green eyes on them. The two dragons cringed slightly expecting some hostile retort. Instead the dragoness threw a smile there way and the dragons could only smile back.
After the dragoness broke contact the two sighed with relief. Finally, they looked to the far end of the guardian line to the young lightning dragon that stood with almost perfect posture. His golden scales gleamed in the afternoon sun. His blue leathery wings lay at his sides. The dragons layered crest was stark black. Spyro and Cynder could not help but look from the young dragon to Volteer and back again. The similarities were strikingly close.
"You think Volteer has a son that we never found out about?" Spyro asked turning his head to Cynder.
The dragoness shrugged. "You're asking the wrong dragoness. You've known him longer than I have."
Their conversation was cut short as Terrodar's booming voice cut the air. "Citizens of Warfang, and welcomed guests, we have gathered you all here today for reasons that you obviously know." The earth dragon paused to look around at the crowd waiting for the last dragons to settle down. "You have come here for the guardian inauguration. We shall not disappoint, but there is one other matter to deal with first." The earth guardian glanced over at Spyro and Cynder. Feeling the guardian's eyes on them the two stiffened, even Sparx let his altitude drop a bit.
"As you all know Ignitus is no longer with us." The earth dragon continued. "He fell during the final hours of the war with Malefor. If you all would join me I would like to take a few moments to honor the fire guardian's sacrifice."
As all the dragons lowered their heads in respect. Spyro held back his own tears. "Are you okay?" He heard Cynder whisper. He looked down to see her paw on his, a small gesture of comfort but the only one she could make at this time.
Spyro nodded slowly after a long pause. "It's just hard, when you lose someone you love." Cynder nodded at the dragons words not knowing what else she could say.
Spyro's head rose up again and he noticed Terrodar looking at him slyly. The purple dragon nodded a silent thanks to the earth dragon. Terrodar only blinked and raised his own head as well.
After the other dragons looked up as well the earth dragon continued. "Now, it is time to induct these young ones into the order of guardians!" As he finished his sentence all three guardians stepped forward in sync. The three stop only a few feet from the younger dragons.
"Young dragons you have all been chosen as the next guardians." Volteer began. The young dragons stayed silent. From Spyro's point of view the three younger dragons appeared as if they were no bigger than whelps when standing next to the tower guardians.
"You have been chosen by the dragons of all the communities in this world. You have all been deemed worthy of this title. Now we ask you one final time, do you accept?" Cyril asked the four. The young dragons all answered as if with one voice. "Yes, I accept this duty."
"Then turn and face your people, as Guardians!" Terrodar proclaimed before stepping back with Volteer and Cyril. The four dragons turned in a line all of them facing the crowd, who was now cheering.
"Well that's it." Sparx said.
"Yeah, the end of an era." Spyro answered.
"Oh, come on. It's not like their gone. They just aren't in charge anymore." Cynder said.
"Yeah, now he is." Spyro said thrusting his head towards Blaze. Cynder half-scowled at the dragon.
"He isn't the only guardian Spyro. We've only talked the dragon a few times; maybe he's not that bad." Cynder reasoned. Spyro and Sparx couldn't help but roll their eyes at the dragoness. "Well, at least there are three other guardians to keep him in line." Cynder resigned with a shrug.
As the friends continued their conversation the guardians walked over slowly. Spyro was lucky enough to look up and stop talking about the new fire guardian before he was in earshot.
"Ah, my two favorite dragons." Blaze said as he approached, his voice dripping with sarcasm. When no one responded he continued talking, "I assume that you didn't come here just to see me inaugurated."
He heard a low growl as he finished his sentence and shifted his head to look at the others. Tera was scowling at him. "Oh, right, to see us inaugurated." He said, putting emphasis on the word.
"So like I said, what do you want to talk to us about?" Blaze asked.
Spyro quickly glanced to Cynder who nodded before stepping forward. "Blaze we need to talk you about what happened yesterday."