Alright, here's the new chapter! Whose eyes will we see through today? Why it's Ignitus! This chapter is the first meeting between Ignitus and Spyro from Ignitus' point of few, which I thought would be intresting to see. And this is also the longest chapter yet, because the scene was long to begin with and there's so much emotion probably going through Ignitus. Anyway, enjoy!

Hope

It was over…that much Ignitus had been convinced of…it'd been 12 long years since that terrible night, since he and the Guardians had made their fatal mistake. If only they'd moved the eggs when they'd first realized the Purple Dragon's egg had been laid. They knew the Dark Master would stop at nothing to destroy it…they knew he'd stop at nothing to destroy them all. If they'd only moved the eggs, then the Purple Dragon would've been safely in their care…and Cynder would be there too, instead of the tyrant now out to destroy them all…all those poor, unborn dragons who'd been unfairly murdered that night would be with them. There was no hope left, not with all the surviving dragons in hiding and the other Guardians in Cynder's clutches, in captivity if they were lucky. All Ignitus could do was hide in this cave, praying to the Ancestors Cynder wouldn't find him…it was too late for a miracle…too late for hope…and it was all his fault.

Ignitus was disturbed from his thoughts by the sound of footsteps…four legged footsteps…tiny four legged footsteps…it wasn't Cynder, or Apes…what could it be? Ignitus rose to his feet and saw something shocking; a young dragon, no more than 12 years old, staring wide-eyed up at him…a young PURPLE Dragon. For a few seconds, Ignitus could only stare down at this little one, dumbfounded, so many things running through his mind. The Purple Dragon was alive? His gambit to keep the Purple Dragon safe had succeeded? Ignitus could hardly believe it. The mere fact he'd succeeded in preserving one life was a comfort…not much…but even a small comfort in these dark times was welcome…

"And I thought you were a big one!" yelled a golden little dragonfly hovering next to the equally dumbfounded child. "Goodness…"

The dragonfly's outburst finally rose Ignitus from his amazed silence enough for him to speak. "You're…You're alive?" asked Ignitus, staring at the purple dragon in amazement. For a brief moment, hope rose up in the Fire Guardian's mind, and oh how he wanted to embrace that hope! But…it was past the time for hope, that time was long ago... "But it's too late…too late…" he muttered, his head drooping in sorrow, maybe if they'd found him years ago…maybe then there'd be time, maybe something could've been done…he could've been trained, raised to full power and become strong enough to rival, maybe defeat Cynder…but they had no army anymore, the Guardians were captured, with no dragons of the other elements available, it was impossible to teach this child everything he'd need to know to have a fleeting hope of defeating Cynder…

The little dragon seemed confused by this. "T-too late for what?" he asked, clearly surprised. "Who are you? D-Do you know me? Where do I come from? What-What are you? What are we? What am I?" he asked, having dozens of questions.

This startled Ignitus somewhat, he'd not been prepared for the sudden barrage of questions, though being used to Volteer's outbursts of info made it easier to process his rapid-fire questions. "You mean you don't know?" he asked, dumbfounded that this little dragon had no idea what he was, how was that even possible?

"Does it sound like he knows?" asked the dragonfly, sarcastically, clearly not knowing ether.

The dragonfly's comment once again shook Ignitus from his confusion. "You're a dragon," he replied simply, realizing that of course the child wouldn't know what he was, he'd been sent downstream as an egg, whoever found and raised him had clearly not been dragons, and apparently never knew of dragons…goodness, how far that little egg must've traveled! Ignitus would like to know just where it was the egg had ended up, but quickly remembered this young one had so many questions…at the very least he could answer him…no matter how terrible those answers would surely be.

"When you were just an egg it was my job to protect you," Ignitus continued, remembering the good times, back when the world was as it should be, and the temple was full of dozens upon dozens of little eggs, each having so much promise, a future waiting for it. "It was my job…to protect all of you…" he finished, closing his eyes and lowering his head in guilt and regret as he remembered the bad times that now kept him hidden deep in this cave. He knew this child wanted good news, to have good answers to his questions…it hurt Ignitus to know he had nothing but sad, awful tales to give in response to the surely large amount of questions this little one had for him…but he couldn't lie…it was his fault this young one didn't know, it was only right it was he who told the child these things he asked.

"There are others?" asked the child, confusion clear in his voice

"Others?" asked Ignitus, opening his eyes and meeting the young dragon's gaze, knowing the child had no way of knowing the circumstances surrounding his birth. "There were…" he explained, once again feeling guilt and grief tug at his mind as he remembered that horrible sight in the Temple nursery, still vivid in his mind after 12 long years. He knew more questions would come, and had an idea what those questions would be…in past years, he'd answered many questions young dragons had, he was used to guessing what questions would come next…so perhaps telling the full story would help, no matter the length…it was better than simply sitting here alone and feeling sorry for himself, it'd been years since he'd talked to another dragon after all.

"There were four of us…" started Ignitus, doing his best to prepare himself for the sad tale he had to pass onto the child. "Guardians that is…and we had one job…ensure that all the eggs hatched…" he continued, allowing his mind to do what it'd done much of since he'd gone into hiding, remember the past. "It was the Year of the Dragon after all, and our very survival depended on those eggs," he continued, trying his best not to let sadness slip into his voice, it was bad enough the things he'd have to tell were so terrible and frightening, he didn't want his actions to scare or upset this child more than he had to. "But the Temple…and grotto are now gone…" he said, closing his eyes to keep the child from seeing the sorrow and guilt inside. "Overrun by-"

"Temple? What Temple?" asked the little dragon. "Can you take me? Can I see it?" he asked, then seemed to realize how it must've sounded. "Where I came from…I mean…"

Ignitus shook his head. "No, no, no…" he muttered, oh how he wished they could go back and retake that holy place, but what chance did they have? Two dragons, even a Guardian and the Purple Dragon of Legend couldn't wipe out the hordes of Apes likely overrunning that place…maybe if the young one had been full grown, had obtained his full power they'd have a chance…but not now...not as young as he was…or as old as Ignitus was. "Who knows what forces occupy the temple now…what state its in…" he said, thinking hard to remember the last time he saw that place he'd called home for most of his life. He then remembered just who he was talking to, a dragon who didn't even know that he'd been a dragon a few moments ago, how would he know the situation they were in? "You don't understand…after they came for you…" he started, but stopped short, trying to think of how to tell him…after all, he didn't want this little child to blame himself for that terrible night…that was something Ignitus let himself bare.

"They?" asked the young one. "Who is 'they'? Why did they come for me?"

"Because the prophecies spoke of a Purple Dragon, a dragon born only once every ten generations," replied Ignitus, allowing himself to show some mild amazement at the fact said prophecies were true. "You…" he finished, slowly it beginning to sink in just what he was talking to, this was a Purple Dragon, a predestined creature destined for greatness. In his sorrow and self pity he'd nearly forgotten the legends he used to find so important and fascinating…it's sad just what war and tragedy can do to someone.

"You?" replied the dragonfly, mocking Ignitus' voice. "Does that mean him?" he asked, clearly unsure. "Wait, this guy; Spyro? Is some once in a purple…thing?" he asked, then gave a laugh. "I think you might have mixed that one up, woo, that's a little…bit of a stretch," he continued. "I've heard some uh doozies in my day, but that takes the cake," he finished, clearly finding this unbelievable.

Ignitus could understand the dragonfly's feelings, after all, he barely believed it when this child's egg was laid and he saw it with his own two eyes. Ignitus ignored most of the dragonfly's rant, however, and focused on the bit of new information he had provided. "Spyro is it?" he asked, finding the name interesting, not the name he'd have chosen for the child, but a fine name none the less. "Well Spyro, I assure you that I'm telling you the truth," he reassured, knowing Spyro was in a confusing situation, after all, he'd just discovered his nature as a dragon, now he was discovering that he was a legendary, predestined creature, who could blame him for doubting it? Regardless, he should continue the story, Spyro had wanted to know…

"The Dark Armies attacked, intent on destroying the eggs, and killing the rest of us…" Ignitus continued, allowing himself to be a little caught up in the story, it was the first time in years he'd recounted a story to anyone after all, he'd always loved telling children stories…it was something he'd honestly missed. "And they nearly succeeded, and then they laid siege to the other islands…" he continued, closing his eyes, allowing his memories to flow back to him. "We were at war…" he stated, images plain as day in his mind. "For many years we fought all over the islands…brutal clashes with the armies of the Dark Master; who was intent on preventing the prophesies from coming true," he stated, memories of the war flashing through his mind so vividly.

Ignitus paused, going over that last line in his mind. It was true that Spyro had indeed managed to survive for 12 long years in one of the few places of peace remaining in a war ravage world, a place that Ignitus hadn't even known still existed. Of all the places that egg could've ended up, all the hands it could've fallen into during the long journey downriver, it ended up in the one place it could be protected from the Dark Master's forces that desired more than anything else to destroy it. The prophecies said the Purple Dragon would direct the fate of the era into which he was born, and yet Spyro had yet to leave so much as a footprint on it…perhaps destiny indeed had great plans for this child…

"The three Guardians and I led our small but valiant forces into battle after battle against our ruthless mercenary foe," Ignitus explained, remembering the Apes; vile, primitive brutes, serving their sworn nemesis for only one reason and one reason only, a reward of power…Ignitus had never met an ape he'd liked, and he'd certainly met a great many of them in his lifetime. "And when we were beginning to turn the tide…Cynder came…" he said, remembering his first sight of that powerful black dragon…it was a moment of terror…and sorrow.

"Cynder?" asked Spyro, confused.

"Yes…Cynder…Cynder was…is…" started Ignitus, thinking of how to word this. If it didn't matter, if truly no hope remained, there'd be no harm telling Spyro everything about Cynder, that Cynder was just a child like him, that she was nothing more than a brainwashed child turned into a tyrant by the Dark Master…he felt sorry for her, truthfully…but perhaps it did matter…perhaps the prophecies were true and they had a chance to turn the tide now that Spyro had been found. If they had a chance, if Cynder and her forces could be defeated, Spyro wouldn't have the luxury of mercy, as surely Cynder, in her present state, knew none. It was best Ignitus gave a description giving him no reason for it. "Monstrous, horrific, ferocious…a Black Dragon that fills the skies with terror…an unstoppable force of nature…" he explained, knowing while all those things were true about what Cynder was now…deep down inside, there was a poor child who'd endured and suffered unspeakable things in that awful pit now known as the Mountain of Malefor to end up transformed into the tyrant she was now…that too was his fault.

"Uh yeah, you had me at ferocious, listen…sounds like that…thing that was chasing us," said the dragonfly, whose name Ignitus didn't yet know.

Ignitus lowered his head, knowing Cynder still searched for him…but finding reassurance in that they clearly saw him as the biggest dragon they'd ever seen, and because Cynder was bigger, that meant they'd not seen Cynder…so there was hope she'd not yet seen Spyro…it was best not to let Spyro think it was him and the dragonfly being chased, as not to scare them even more. "Yes…she still searches for me…and years ago I watched as Cynder plucked the other Guardians from the fields of battle like so many ripe grapes from the vine…" he said, the images of Volteer, Cyril, and Terrador, his best friends and comrades, dragged off the battlefield by that creature…oh how he wished he knew their fate, knew if they were still alive or if they'd been killed years ago…he had no way of knowing unless he could get to the pool in the Temple and receive visions again, that tore him up inside. It hurt so much to not know if the friends he'd know since childhood were dead or alive… "Without them…our cause is lost…only I…Ignitus managed to escape…" he said, those memories reminding him of how hopeless the situation was…why he wasn't fighting back like a proud, noble dragon in any way he could and was hiding in this cave in self-pity. "Not that it matters…Cynder now rules all…and I sit here…wondering what might have been…what else I might have done…" he said, lowering his wings and head in guilt and sorrow…it was all his fault…if he's only hid the eggs elsewhere, then Cynder would be just another child being raised like any other would've been…if he'd only looked harder, maybe Spyro could've been found before it was too late…So many things he could've done…so many lives that could've been saved…

"Wow…" stated the dragonfly, clearly amazed. "Sounds…fun…" he muttered, clearly at a loss for words. "I want to hang out with this guy…" he continued, Ignitus not sure if he was serious or not, it was hard to tell.

"Yeah," replied Spyro, clearly he and the dragonfly were close, maybe dragonflies had raised him? Still, Ignitus could read Spyro better than the dragonfly, he could tell Spyro truly did want to spend time with him. "Why have you given up?" the young dragon asked, clearly having some hope left in his mind that mere stories couldn't snuff out. "I just find out that I'm this special dragon, and you tell me all is lost? That I have no home or family left?" he asked, determination clear in his eyes and voice. "I've come way too far to give up now," he continued, shaking his head, refusing to accept it was too late. "I want to see where I come from." That last line wasn't a request, it was a demand, and Ignitus could tell at that moment, Spyro wouldn't be discouraged.

Ignitus honestly didn't know what to think, despite only just discovering his past and what had befallen his kind…Spyro was determined to fight…determined to see where he came from…it reminded Ignitus of himself…back when he had something to fight for…when he still believed victory wasn't a fool's dream. It was inspiring to see such bravery again. If this child was so determined to fight for a homeland he'd never seen, then what right did Ignitus have to hide in this cave feeling sorry for himself?

"Hold up savior-boy, were you not listening to this guy?" replied the dragonfly. Ignitus could clearly tell a difference between those two, Spyro was brave…noble…courageous in the face of danger. The dragonfly was cowardly…but seemed loyal enough to Spyro. "He's talking about flying dragons…and war…and horrible…this is bad stuff, alright! I don't know if we're hearing the same thing."

"Yes, Spyro…its not as simple as that…it's true the prophecies spoke of a purple dragon destined to put his stamp on this age…but the prophecies didn't foretell the devastation that surrounds us now…" Ignitus explained…but just what did that mean? The prophecies predicted a Purple Dragon, and here he was, there was no denying that, this wasn't any hallucination or figment of Ignitus' imagination, Spyro was real…that meant the prophecy of the Purple Dragon was true…perhaps this devastation was merely Spyro's chance to leave the mark he was predicted to leave. And after all, if the Dark Master had tried so hard to kill Spyro, there had to be a reason this child made the Dark Master go to such extremes as he had, even when he was just an egg. There had been thousands of Year of the Dragons between the time the Dark Master's war with the dragons had began and Spyro's birth, so long only Ignitus didn't know anyone who knew the Dark Master's true name or just what he was. Why then did Spyro's birth spark that monster to send his entire force in an all-out attack on the Dragon Temple just to destroy him when he could've done it any other Year of the Dragon he'd pleased? There was only one logical explanation…as crazy as it sounded, the Dark Master knew the power of the Purple Dragon and saw it as a threat to him. If the Dark Master of all beings fault that way towards Spyro, then Spyro had to indeed be a threat to that tyrant…and a hero to those he'd oppressed.

"Maybe you're right…" said Spyro, though he clearly didn't believe this. "But I'm willing to try…I want to take the first step…"

"You're actually going to go along with this lunatic?" asked the dragonfly, his tone showing his disbelief.

Ignitus, however, listened…and began to believe. Spyro had a point, why shouldn't they at least try? If all was lost, then what harm could come from it? Ignitus could ether remain in hiding till the day he died, wallowing in self-pity…or die fighting with honor. His fellow Guardians had fought hard, given their all until their capture, maybe even after it…many dragons had refused to go into hiding, he was unsure of their fate, perhaps some still lived, doing guerilla warfare on their enemy, but one thing was certain…those dragons that had died in battle had done so with honor. Ignitus felt like a disgrace, he was the Fire Guardian and had chosen to run and hide in a cave for the rest of his days, praying he'd never be found…

There was more…the simple fact was the Dark Master had failed. He'd tried so hard to stop this dragon standing before him from being born…that proved that, as powerful as he was, the Dark Master was still under the hand of fate, if fate foretold Spyro would leave his mark on this era, then even the Dark Master could not stop it, and Ignitus couldn't ether. But the prophecies merely said that, it seemed what kind of mark that would be was in Spyro's paws, and Spyro seemed dedicated to saving them all. If all this was true…nothing could stop Spyro from reaching his destiny but himself. For the first time in so long, Ignitus felt something burning inside him along with his natural fire…hope…hope they could still win.

"…Very well then…we'll go…" said Ignitus, finding it hard to believe those words were coming from his mouth…it was amazing…if someone had told him just a few minutes earlier he'd return to the Temple with even the vaguest thought it'd not be a suicide mission, he'd have never believed it…but only a few moments with Spyro and he had hope again…a part of him truly believed this tiny dragon, only 12 years old, could do what hundreds of adult dragons couldn't do…defeat Cynder.

"You deserve to see your beginning…before it all ends…" Ignitus said, turning and leading towards the Temple. While part of him still believed it was fools errand, and that part still held strong…thanks to Spyro, there was a part that felt it was indeed possible to turn this around, and that part was starting to make headway. They had no army, they had no foothold,…they didn't even have a plan, just two dragons and a dragonfly…but they had one thing that the Dark Master had tried so hard to snuff out…something that could change everything…they had a beacon of hope to rally behind now. Ignitus had believed he'd known everything about the situation he was in now, that it was hopeless and there was nothing that could be done, but now he saw clearly that Spyro's worth could never be measured because he was something the world needed so much in its darkest hour…a beacon of hope to shine through the darkness swallowing it.

Ok, there we are. What do you think? I hope you liked it!