Very, very sorry I haven't uploaded for several weeks. I do have a reason which is that the school term is ending tomorrow so I've been handing in assessments and stuff and it's been hectic. Not trying to brag but I got top marks for Chemistry. In the holidays I will get more chapters out so please enjoy this and as always feedback would make my day.

Chapter 3: News

After the incident with the grublins, she and Spyro headed straight for Warfang. No more did they frolic through the sky playing chase or chatting unnecessarily, no more did the sun warm their backs. Now, they flew in a direct line, their cheerful smiles hidden beneath grim expressions. They had to make it back and warn the guardians about the grublins.

As the sun completed it's circuit and began to slowly sink in the western sky, plume's of smoke drifted just over the next hill. She hadn't been there for very long but it was the only place she felt at home. The hill slid by beneath them and Cynder gazed at the city of Warfang, the walls painted orange from the sun and an ever-present cloud of smoke floating over the city like an angry cloud.

"Well, we made it," Spyro muttered beside her, his voice betraying the tension he had felt during the long hours of flight.

"Now to find the guardians," she replied.

The two of them flew over the city until they spotted a large building roughly in the centre of the encampment. Coming to a silent agreement, they headed towards it.

Several shouts sounded below and a couple of armoured dragons flew up to meet them. They stopped before her and Spyro, the one in front, obviously the leader, looked at them for a few moments until recognition filled his eyes.

Turning to the dragon behind him, he quickly snapped out an order, "Go get the guardians now, tell them a friend has come to see them."

The dragon flew off towards the large building and the leader turned to face them.

"You must be Spyro, right? The purple dragon."

Spyro nodded and he turned to her, "Then you must be Cynder, formerly known as 'The Terror of the Skies'."

Cynder missed a beat of her wings as she heard that name, it brought back painful memories. Luckily, Spyro knew this as well.

"Would you mind not using that name around her please, she is no more the creature enthralled by the dark master."

Spyro flew a bit closer to her.

"I'm sorry, I didn't realise I would bring pain to you and I would never intend to do it, ever."

Cynder moved forward slightly, "It's fine, as long as you don't do it again."

"Thank you. It's an honour meeting both of you."

"So who are you? Why are you dressed in armour? And can we land, my wings are killing me."

"Of course."

The dragon folded in his wings and dropped out of the sky. The receding sunlight glinted off his green scales and silver armour. He opened his wings and landed just outside the large building. Spyro descended next and she followed just after him.

"My name is Magnus, I'm one of many who have been honoured to become a guard for this city after the war. I'm an earth dragon and have been promoted to captain."

"Nice to meet you Magnus, but right now we have some important news for the Guardians." Spyro looked around as if they might magically appear.

"I sent Berny to go fetch him, he's the red dragon you saw before. He's a new recruit but I think he has great potential." A wistful look came across Magnus' face, "Anyway, how did you guys survive the volcano? The Guardians were very worried when you didn't return and so created the Guards in order to keep the city safe. There have been rumours of strange creatures attacking moles outside the city, the Guardians have been investigating on the matter but they share no information."

"Well…" Spyro began when he stopped. Cynder turned to where he was facing and froze.

A huge dragon covered in thick green scales stepped out of the building, scars covered his body as his gaze scanned around him, stopping when he saw their small group.

"Spyro? It's good to see you young dragon, and don't forget I don't see you too Cynder."

"You can hear our story inside," Spyro whispered to Magnus.

Out loud, Spyro called, "Terrador, good to see you too.

Cynder felt her legs start to move and before she knew it, she was running full tilt towards Terrador. She crashed into his side and felt one of his wings encircle her. She saw Spyro run into his other leg and also get a wing.

Behind her, she heard Magnus give a wee cough, mumble out something and fly off.

Spyro backed away a couple of steps and asked, "Where are the other Guardians?"

"Well, we have found that after Malefor's defeat, the grublins haven't actually disappeared as we had hoped."

Cynder stepped back as well," We were going to tell you that, but you guys already seem to know."

"Yes, but I'm afraid that more bad news is in order. Firstly, they have made home in the swamp, your old home Spyro, and we don't have the resources to go and flush them out."

"Where's Sparx?"

Spyro's voice suddenly became frantic.

"He is with his parents in the swamp."

"Are they all safe, the dragonflies."

"We don't know. Cyril went in to find the village a yesterday but hasn't come back out."

"Then, we have to go save them."

"No Spyro, as I told you, we don't have the resources at the moment."

"But-"

"Spyro, Terrador is right. With Cyril gone and… and Ignitus too, the city and all the innocent people inside are highly vulnerable to attack at the moment. That's why the Guardians are making the guards so that the city may be more protected."

Cynder took a deep breath. The wild look in Spyro's eyes seemed to disappear as he thought over what she just said.

"I guess you're right."

"Have I ever not been?"

"Hey,"

"Listen up you two, let's go inside, I'm sure Volteer would be relieved to find you both back safe from harm. It's getting late and we still haven't found you a place to stay the night."

Terrador headed inside the building. Cynder followed him, it looked somehow familiar despite never laying eyes on it in her life.

"This building was made in honour of us for protecting the city when the golem attacked. It's a replica of the old dragon temple but slightly larger."

That was why it was familiar, it was the first place she had been able to call home.

The trio made their way towards the main pavilion where Volteer sat staring out at the setting sun. He turned when he heard them enter and his face went from a solemn, depressed state into one of profound joy.

"I don't believe my eyes, is that you Spyro? I thought we had lost you, we all did."

Spyro bounded over to the Guardian, "I've missed you too Volteer."

Cynder stood awkwardly as she watched the reunion. She was happy for Spyro but…

"So, where's Ignitus?" Volteer peered down the hallway as if he would appear out of thin air.

"I was wondering the same thing, I'm guessing he got you through the belt of fire unscathed."

Spyro's head drooped. Cynder rushed to his side, her own feelings forgotten.

"He gave himself up," she admitted, "the fire was too strong so in desperation, he sacrificed himself to get us safely across."

"He's still alive, he's the new chronicler." Spyro raised his head.

Volteer was about to speak when Terrador cut him off.

"You two look tired, we can discuss more in the morning, for now, I believe there is a nice little house that's been abandoned since the fight. Why don't you go there to stay the night? I'll get a guard to take you to it."

She hadn't felt tired until he had said it, now she couldn't stop yawning. She didn't remember the way, only that it was quite a distance from the temple.

"Goodnight, Cynder, my love."

She was on a mattress, Spyro lying next to her. His wing was draped over her like a blanket and with a quick squeeze, Spyro closed his eyes.

"Don't worry about Sparx, he may be small but he sure does have a big mouth."

"I know, he will be perfectly fine.

"Goodnight, Spyro." She whispered before closing her eyes as well. Sleep came instantly but thankfully, no dreams haunted her.

Again, sorry, hope you can forgive me. All I can promise is that I will upload new chapters relentlessly in these next two weeks as they are my holidays. I hope you guys enjoyed it. Feedback is greatly appreciated and if you have any questions, I'm all ears (and mouth and nose and every other body part a normal human being would have).