Chapter Two: She Lives

Spyro woke in the morning, feeling warmth throughout his whole body. Looking over, he saw Cynder there. He smiled, remembering that he now had her back. It was something he could not take out of his mind, nor did he want to. Memories of the sorrow her supposed death had caused him flashed back, and he realized he would never be forced to go through such torture ever again. He knew she'd gone through it before, and the fact they'd both gone through it now made him feel their bond was stronger than ever before.

She did not turn around to look at him, but he knew she was still asleep, and he allowed her that luxury. He wondered what she'd gone through while he was gone. She'd known he was still alive, but without him, the time she'd spent at the Celestial Caves had also been sorrow-filled, he was sure.

Cynder finally began stirring, and opened her emerald eyes, staring directly into Spyro's amethyst eyes. She smiled brightly, something Spyro hadn't seen in what seemed like ages. "So it wasn't all a dream," she said. "Thank God. We're together again. Hopefully we don't have to go through anything horrible this time, and we can just live normally."

Spyro stroked her cheek. "Don't worry," he assured her. "Nothing will happen. I may not have kept this promise in the past, but I'm promising you now that I will never let anything happen to you the way it did with Zyla ever again. The madness is over, and we can finally move on the future. I just wonder how Terrador will take everything when we return."

"He'll probably be pretty shocked," Cynder said.

"Do you think you're up for a long journey back?" Spyro asked. "If you don't feel like it, I'll allow you to sleep on my back, or I can hold you in my claws, if you wish."

"I don't think there'll be a need for that. All that matters right now is that we're still here, and there's nothing in the world that could possibly separate us from one another."

"Good morning, you guys," came Sparx's voice from a little farther away. "It's good to know it wasn't a dream that we found you again, Cynder. I would have really been mad about that."

"I would hate that," Cynder said. "But let's not go there. All that matters is that we're together once more." She laughed a little. "It's funny. We did this once, and we were separated yet again. But I'm sure that it won't happen again this time. Promise me that it won't."

"I promise," Spyro whispered to her. "I promise nothing bad will ever happen to you again. We've gone through too much for something more like that to happen. After all we've gone through, it might be hard for you to believe that, but you have to trust me, Cynder."

"I trust you, Spyro."

The doors behind them opened up, and they turned around to see Ignitus—the new Chronicler—coming toward them. He smiled at them, and they smiled back. Spyro still couldn't believe the old Fire Guardian had become the Chronicler. He wasn't used to the change in scale color, either.

"Good morning," he greeted. "It has been a long time since we've woken up in good spirits, I believe. Nearly five years, if my mind still works correctly."

"It's hard to believe it's been that long," Spyro said.

"Yes, but we mustn't spend time on the past," Ignitus said. "This is a new age, I am sure of it. Will you be returning to the Dragon Temple today?"

"I think it would be best to do so," Spyro answered. "Terrador knows I've come here, but if I don't return soon, then he might begin to wonder. I'm not completely sure, but it's possible, I know. I just don't know how he'll react when he sees Cynder. He and the Guardians mourned for her, as well. So I know that when they see she's still alive, they might wonder how it's possible."

"Yes, that's true, but I know you well enough, Spyro, to know you will give them the best explanation. It's not the hardest thing to do, of course. When she fell into the Concurrent Sea, she came here. When she washed up on shore, I found her and took care of her until you arrived. That is all the explanation you might need to give."

Spyro nodded. "I think we might leave soon," he said. He turned to Cynder. "That is, if you're up to it. You, Sparx, and I don't have to leave just yet. We can spend another day here, if you wish to."

"I'd rather go," Cynder said. "I want to meet with everyone else. I want to let them know I'm still around. It might scare some people, but I don't care. All I want to do is return to where all the others I love are still around. While you three are here with me, there are still many others. Your parents, the Guardians, Hunter, Mara…I would love to see them all again."

Spyro smiled. "I understand." He turned to Ignitus. "I think we'll be leaving soon."

"I understand," Ignitus said. "I've always understood you both. You helped us through the darkest of times, and I thank you for all you've done. I've never done right by either of you, but I will say my greatest achievement was having faith in you both. And Sparx, as well."

The trio smiled brightly. "Thank you, Ignitus," Cynder said after a few moments. "That means a lot to us."

Ignitus left the room, leaving the trio to talk amongst themselves.

"So what should we do when we get back?" Sparx asked. "I think going to see Mom and Dad would be the best thing to do. After I broke the news to them, they were very distraught over your death, Cynder. It would warm them if they saw you again."

"I think going there would be the best idea, but we first have to talk with Terrador. We need to think of what we should say to him," Cynder said. "He might be really wondering how in the name of God I'm still alive, and I can't blame him. I know that telling him the complete truth wouldn't be the worst idea, but there's a chance he won't truly believe us. He's gone through so much of that, especially after your supposed death, Spyro."

"I understand," Spyro replied. "But just because Terrador is no Ignitus doesn't mean he won't believe us. He's smart, he's a good listener. He'll understand what we're meaning to say,"

Cynder nodded. She began to think. The world turns in mysterious ways. There are times when we don't know what we'll wake up to in the morning. Like right now, I never thought I would have woken up to see Spyro again. When I tackled Zyla right off the fortress, I was sure I was dead. But I think God has something good in store for me. He wouldn't have allowed me to live if that wasn't true. I've got a Guardian Angel somewhere above me. Then she looked to Spyro. Well, maybe my Guardian Angel is here, right now.

She hugged Spyro hard. "Is it time?"

"Yes," he said. "Let's go."

They got up, and along with Sparx, entered the main room with the Pool of Visions there in the middle. Ignitus stood over it. He was peering into it. He was obviously concentrating on one specific Vision, though neither Spyro, Cynder, or Sparx could tell exactly what it was when they walked up to him. Even though Cynder could look see such Visions, she could not do so when it came to that Pool, which surprised her.

"Do you see anything, Ignitus?" Spyro asked.

"Yes," Ignitus replied. "There are many things troubling me. It seems Malefor's army is rising again. There are still followers of his, though I am not sure who might be leading them. But I have a guess. I believe it might be Zyla's sister Malyf."

"Hopefully she's not as bad as Zyla," Cynder said.

"Of that, I cannot be certain," Ignitus said. "Before you go, I have this to say to you. Darkness is coming once more, and the world will need all three of you. I know the feeling of wanting to rest, especially after the battles with Zyla. But you must stay strong. I believe you remember my last words to you two?" He looked to Spyro and Cynder.

Spyro nodded. "'Draw strength from each other, and follow your heart, for it will never fail you.'"

"Yes, and as of right now, I give you those words once more. I believe you will follow them, as you have already. All three of you were like children to me when I was alive, and even now, you three are my children. I could not have asked for better from any of you."

Spyro, Cynder, and Sparx were left speechless. They could say nothing, because they were so surprised.

"I do have a portal that should help you on your way back to the Temple," he explained. "It should at least get you halfway there." He walked over to the large hourglass on the other side of the room. He clicked one side three times, and the hourglass moved from its position. Down below was a blue portal that swirled. The swirling vortex sparkled, and it entranced the trio.

But then they found themselves in the middle of the sky. Spyro and Cynder were forced to open their wings quickly before they fell. They heard Ignitus's voice in their minds. "May the Ancestors look after you."

In the distance, the Temple could be seen. Spyro pointed this out, and the trio hurried towards it. They were hoping to get there before Terrador and the other Guardians woke up. They wanted to surprise them. Spyro wondered how exactly they would be taking it.

Soon enough, the Temple was clear in their sights, and Spyro and Cynder landed on the ground. Spyro hugged Cynder again. "It's good to have you back," he said. "To have you here again is something I will cherish for the rest of my life. Thank God for this chance."

"Thank God for you, Spyro," Cynder said. "If it wasn't for you, then—"

Suddenly they were cut short by the sound of the door in front of them opening. Out came Terrador, the Earth Guardian looking tired as he stepped into the sunlight. He still hadn't seen Cynder just yet.

"Spyro, you're back," he said. "Any news…" His voice trailed off as he looked over, and he found Cynder standing there, smiling. "What in the name of God?" he asked. "You're alive? But how?"

"It's a long story," Cynder said. "Maybe if we go back inside, I can tell it to you?"

Terrador nodded, and he was obviously still in shock. Spyro, Cynder, and Sparx couldn't blame him, as they two were surprised by everything that had happened. They now wondered how the other Guardians would react to it all.

When they reached the room containing the Pool of Visions, Terrador entered first. The trio heard the other two Guardians speaking.

"Terrador, is something going on?" Cyril asked groggily. "You seem to be in a rather pleasant mood as of right now. Pray tell, what has you so seemingly excited?"

"Yes, please do tell," Volteer said.

"Well, it's hard to explain," Terrador said, "but there's someone who might be able to tell it all."

Spyro entered, and Cynder knew she would have to wait before she herself entered, as she wanted to keep the surprise going.

"Spyro, you've returned," Cyril said. "Did something good come out of your visit? Has Cynder passed on?"

"Well, yes, and no," Spyro said. "Something good did come out of it, but she didn't pass on."

"Why not?" Volteer asked.

And then Cynder decided it was time for her to show herself to them. When Cyril and Volteer saw her, they both gasped, unable to comprehend what was going on. Neither of them had seen Cynder in two weeks, and they'd believed her dead for that duration of time, so seeing her again was like seeing a ghost before them. They weren't sure what to believe.

"Cynder?" Cyril asked. "How?"

"It's a long story," Cynder said. "I can tell it to you, if you wish?" And after seeing all three Guardians nod, she began. "I believe Spyro told you how I tackled Zyla off the top of the fortress, and how he thought me dead after that, but there was something more that happened below, which neither Spyro nor Sparx could see. When I tackled Zyla, she broke both my wings, which didn't allow me to fly back up, and I succeeded in plunging my tail-blade into her chest. It killed her, and now one of the Keys of Malefor are no more."

"Zyla was a Key?" Terrador asked.

"Yes," Cynder continued. "And now there are only three left. But anyway, I wish I could have flown back up, but as I said, both my wings were broken, and I couldn't do anything after that. The pain was too much for me, in all honesty. I went unconscious, and when I woke, I was shivering, because it was so cold there in the White Isle. But I was found by an old friend." She smiled a little more. "Ignitus."

"Ignitus?" Terrador said.

"Yes, Ignitus," Cynder said. "He's the new Chronicler. He's the one who rescued me from my fate, and I couldn't be more grateful. And then Spyro found me. Even though it took two weeks, I understand the reasoning behind it. After all, I thought he was dead, too."

"But we're together again, and that's all that matters," Spyro said. "I'm just happy it's all over finally. I couldn't take it if it wasn't. With Zyla gone, we only have one more threat left."

"Who?" Terrador asked.

"It turns out, though it's unfortunate, that Zyla has a sister, named Malyf," Cynder explained. "She's out there somewhere, but I don't know where, and I'm scared to know just how evil she is. If she's Zyla's sister, then she could be a lot worse, which I hope isn't the case."

"Be that as it may," Terrador said, "you're back, and that's all that matters as of right now. Let's just hope we never have to go through another event such as your supposed deaths."

Spyro, Cynder, and Sparx nodded.

"So what should we do now?" Spyro asked.

"I don't know about you, but I could use more sleep," Cynder said. "Just for the moment, at least."

"If something comes up, I'll let you both know," Terrador said.

Spyro and Cynder nodded again, and then began walking off.

"It's good to see you again, Cynder," Cyril said.

"Yes, without you, I don't know what we'd do," Volteer said.

"Thank you," Cynder replied, and then she and Spyro walked out of the room. They returned to the balcony. The air around them was crisp and cold, but Spyro remained by Cynder's side so that she did not have to feel it as much.

"What should we do later?" Cynder asked.

"Go and see my parents," Spyro said. "They'd really love to see you, though you will have to explain to them all that happened. They've thought you dead as well."

"Well, soon enough, I'm sure I'll have to explain that to a lot of people. Mara and Hunter would like to know, and we'll have to explain it to them, as you know. But let's just keep our minds off that. I'd rather just sleep, with you by my side. How does that sound?"

"Sounds perfect."

The Dragons lay down, and soon enough, they drifted off to sleep. Sparx came out of the Temple and watched them, and he thought to himself, This day just couldn't get any better.