Hello, readers. Hope you all are doing well. I'm so sorry for the long wait. I've been extremely busy with my family. I've sent two chapters and I will be updating the third chapter soon.


Chapter 3

"This is not good news."

After Spyro told the Dragons about Cynder running away from her past and find her own destiny, they go to the Pool of Visions so Ignitus can use his powers of insight to find her. Ignitus has his chin dipped in the pool and light glistens from inside the water. The others stay in the room to wait and see if there is a chance he finds anything. Spyro paces back and forth behind Aquadus and Groverge, his mind racing and his tale sweeping the floor. His yellow wings are fidgeting just waiting for his Fire mentor to tell him where Cynder is.

"Hey," says Aquadus, grabbing his shoulder with his foot, "you need to calm down."

Spyro catches himself from arguing with his friend and sits down letting out a sigh. He knows Aquadus is trying to help. He just wishes Ignitus finds her quickly so he can fly to her himself and talk to her. His claws scratch the floor as he waits. He lost track of how long he had been in here when Ignitus finally lifts his head up. Droplets of water drip down his chin. Spyro rushes forward almost bumping between the Forest and Water Dragon and places his front feet on the edge of the pool.

"Anything?" Spyro asks hopefully.

"No," Ignitus says apologetically "I can't see where Cynder has gone. I only see darkness."

"Wait," says Sparx, "Cynder, darkness. Aren't they the same thing?" He glances at Spyro who is giving him a glare. "What? What did I say?"

"Wait." Cragen says to Spyro. "She kissed you before she left?"

"Well…uhhh…" Spyro starts, blushing. "Yeah, actually she did."

Aquadus grins and whispers to himself, "Spyro's got a lover."

Spyro shakes his head to get back on the subject. "I was going to reason with her but she wouldn't let me. I should've told her immediately."

"I know you've tried," Ignitus assures him. "I would've done the same."

"Ah, who needs female-of-fright?" asks Sparx making a dismissal gesture. "She's long gone."

"Sparx!" Zephyrav shouts in anger. "Why do you keep calling her names like that?"

"Well think of it this way," Sparx says. "She's responsible for all the evil stuff she caused like, caging the Atlawa at Tall Plains, turning Man-are-we-smalls into slaves, murdering Dragons like your mom, and also attempting to kill me. I get the shivers every time I get near her."

Spyro is extremely disappointed in his own brother for looking at Cynder that way.

"Just because she was under Malefor's influence doesn't make it her fault," Zephyrav told him. "I use to blame her for my mother's death but when Ignitus told us where she came from, I don't anymore. I blame Malefor and Malefor only."

"Right now, Cynder needs our help." Emberor adds.

"Says you," Sparx says, crossing his arms. "I wouldn't trust her if she were to save me from danger."

"Shut up!" Spyro snaps at him and Sparx flinches from him. "You know nothing about her! She's just a Dragon who had been taken from home!"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," says Sparx holding his hands out. "Chill out, buddy."

"Don't tell me to chill out!" Spyro yells once more. "If I hear one more word from you about Cynder, I'm going to-!"

"ENOUGH!" Terrador's voice booms in the room. "None of this is helping if some of us are having an in-fight."

Spyro turns his back on his brother listening to his Earth teacher's advice. Ignitus understands he wants to help Cynder after everything that happened to her, especially how he feels about her. When he was about to say something to the Purple Dragon, he notices that the Pool is glimmering. "Wait, what's this?" he asks aloud. "Something's coming into focus."

The Dragons and Sparx look into the pool and the vision appears in it. There's an old tree, the same tree Spyro has seen in his dream. Spyro also sees himself in the vision looking at it.

"This is peculiar," says Cyril. "I see Spyro at the base of a great old tree amidst a lake of mist and gloom.

"The tree," Spyro says excitedly. "I've seen that tree in my dreams!" All the Dragons glance at him and Spyro adds somberly. "Only they usually feel more like nightmares."

The Dragons stare at Spyro in shock that he's been keeping secrets. Guilt is rising in Spyro, he knew he had to blurt out his secret soon. Ignitus has his disappointed gaze on him. "Young Dragon," he says, "you were actually having visions now that you've developed insight and you've kept them from us."

Spyro's heart sank. He cannot believe he had insight the whole time. No wonder the dreams kept coming.

"Why didn't you tell us?" Boltor demands.

"I-I'm sorry." Spyro says to everyone feeling guilty. "I thought they would go away but they only get worse. I didn't even know I had insight. I swear."

"Relax, Spyro," Ignitus says. "Sometimes it's not easy to recognize it, but please, speak to me in the future when these things happen."

"I will," Spyro says nodding. "I promise."

"Good. Now, show us these visions of yours."

"How do I do that?" Spyro asks.

"Simply place your head in the water," Ignitus says gesturing the Pool, "and think back to one thing from the past. It will come to you and the Pool will show us. Breathe first."

Spyro inhales deeply through his nose and walks closer to the Pool to dip his chin in the water. Little waves from the soft impact spread all over. He closes his eyes and focuses on the visions. As he does, black mists come from underneath him clouding the water.

"Is that normal?" Sparx asks in concern.

"Shush," Emberor tells him.

"Now," Ignitus says to Spyro softly, "what do you see?"

"In my visions," Spyro begins, squinting. "I was seeing into the past and, maybe, the future all at once. I keep seeing…a mountain, a mountain draped in shadow with a face of stone beneath two moons…and darkness."

The mountain Spyro described forms in it. It has black spikes around the slopes. Green liquid oozes out from the cracked holes. The two moons are right above the tip. The Dragons gasp quietly at the Pool.

"The Mountain of Malefor," Terrador utters.

A creature appears in the vision flying out from behind the mountain. It flies right to the Dragons view. Spyro breathes heavily his legs begin to quiver remembering this frightening part.

"Spyro…," a deep distorted voice sounds from the pool. "Spyro…Spyro…"

Suddenly, glaring yellow eyes flash in the Pool. The Dragons back away from it in fright and Spyro lifts his head out of the water shaking his head. The blackness in the water vanishes.

"Whoa!" Sparx exclaims. "Am I the only one that thought that was weird?"

"By our Ancestors," Cyril exclaims softly. "That was Malefor."

"My god," says Cragen.

"This is not good news," says Aquadus haltingly.

"Show us more, Spyro," Ignitus says.

Spyro takes deep breathes again and places his chin back in the water. This time, golden mists come from underneath his chin and cover the Pool.

"There's this other dream," Spyro continues as the Pool shows everyone. "I was back in the ruins of Convexity. I thought I was all alone for a moment until a voice comes in to warn me the Celestial Moons are counting down and time is running out. That's when he awakened my Fire and Convexity, and taught me a new ability called Time. He told me we'll meet again in Convexity to restore the rest of my powers. In the end, he called himself the Chronicler and showed me the tree." He lifts his head out, opening his eyes. The gold mist disappears along with the visions. The Dragons in the room murmur softly in surprise.

"Impossible." Terrador says.

"Really?" Boltor says. "The Chronicler?"

"I don't believe it," says Groverge.

"Yeah, no kidding, Groverge," Sparx obviously states. "There isn't even a storm."

"The Chronicler?" Cyril says out loud.

"What?" says Sparx hovering in front of Cyril's face. "Don't encourage them."

"I don't believe it either, Groverge." Volteer tells him. "I've not heard that name in ages."

"Nor has anyone," Ignitus says. "But there is no way that Spyro could have known and get two of his powers back along with the teachings of Time. This is fascinating."

"Who is 'The Chronicler'?" Spyro asks.

"The Chronicler is an ancient Dragon of immeasurable wisdom though I've heard these stories," the Fire Guardian explains. "In fact, I've had my doubts as to legitimacy of the tales. Yet, now I am left to wonder."

"As are we all," Terrador nods. "But if it's true, it's unsettling that the reemergence of the Chronicler would coincide with an attack on the Temple not to mention the other visions that Spyro is having."

"Yes…very." Ignitus agrees. "Tales of the Chronicler are often interwoven with tales of doom."

"Oh, goodie," Sparx says sarcastically. "I was afraid we might have to spend the rest of the night without anymore doom."


The Dragons and Sparx are at the platform outside looking at the Celestial Moons, their edges touching each other. Zephyrav sniffs the air to check what is ahead. Spyro remembers how she uses the power of Wind when he was at Tall Plains with her, Groverge, and Cragen. She uses Wind by breathing with the air currents around her. The air currents tell her if danger is somewhere.

"Ignitus, I can smell it in the air," Zephyrav says turning to him with a concern look. "Something terrible is on the horizon."

"Perhaps, Zephyrav, but we mustn't rush to judgment." Ignitus says. To everyone, he states, "This evening has brought about many unexplained things, my friends."

"We may not have time, Ignitus." Cyril reminds him. "The Celestial Moons are almost at an eclipse, this we know for certain. We must prepare for the worst. The Night of the Eternal Darkness draws nigh."

"If "nigh" means soon, I'm outta here," Sparx tells everyone.

"Sparx," Terrador speaks, "your instincts, though faint of heart, are true. We are no longer safe here." He looks at the mess the Apes left behind. "This recent attack is likely the first of many. The forces of Gaul know of Spyro's existence and will not rest until they witness his demise."

"'Demise'," Sparx mimics Terrador. He chuckles and says to Spyro, "Hate to be you." He then notices everyone is looking at him frustratingly. "What?" he asks shrugging. "You guys need to lighten up."

"This is no time for jokes, Sparx," Spyro says. "This is serious."

"I'm afraid Terrador and Spyro are right," Ignitus says. "As uncertain as things are, none of us can remain idle and watch as our worst fears unfold before us.

"Exactly," Sparx nods. "We need a good hiding place."

Ignitus walks to the edge of the platform before he turns to everyone and says, "Each of us must do what needs to be done." He glances at the Electricity Guardian with the Ice Guardian. "Volteer, you, Cyril, and Groverge must go to the mainland to learn what news you can."

"We will, Ignitus." Volteer acknowledges with a nod.

Ignitus glances at the Earth Guardian and says, "Terrador, you, Emberor, and Cragen make haste to the Shattered Vale and warn the inhabitants of that region that darkness is spreading in the Mountain of Malefor." As Terrador nods in response, Ignitus continues, "I shall stay here and search again for Cynder. These are dangerous times for a Dragon to be wondering about."

Spyro cannot thank his teacher enough for looking for the violet Dragoness. He can leave it to him. "What should I do?" he asks him.

"Young Dragon," Ignitus begins, "you, Sparx, Aquadus, Zephyrav, and Boltor must travel by another path and seek out the tree from your vision. If the stories of the Chronicler are true, there may be hope for us yet and I think I know where to begin. There's an Ancient Grove within the forest at the end of the Silver River. It is a secret place, untouched by civilization. The waters there are poisonous, as well as the creatures who are nurtured by it but you shouldn't encounter any real danger. Trust your instincts. I shall be waiting for you here at the Temple when your task is complete. Understand?"

"Yes, Ignitus," Spyro dips his head. "I hope you find Cynder."

"I hope so too, my good friend. I hope so too."

Everyone gets into their groups after they say good luck to one another.

"Watch yourselves in the Shattered Vale." Boltor says to Cragen and Emberor.

"Same to you," Cragen nods to him bumping his front foot with Boltor's.

"We'll see you later, bud." Emberor says placing his foot on his shoulder and Boltor places his on Emberor's shoulder.

Boltor walks away from them and Aquadus comes up to them next. "So long, Cragen," he says nodding and Cragen returns the gesture. Aquadus glances at Emberor. "Hey, Emberor. Keep yourself fired up. You're gonna need it."

"Okay," Emberor chuckles. "I will."

As Aquadus joins with Boltor, Emberor glances at his Fire mentor and says. "We'll be back later, master."

Ignitus smiles at his apprentice and says, "Emberor, it's time you be Dragon master of Fire."

"Really?" Emberor asks in surprise. "It is?"

"Yes. You've learned much from me and I'm proud of you."

Emberor nods and walks closer to his mentor to press his head against his front leg. Ignitus pats Emberor's back gently. The young Fire Dragon had been waiting for this moment to be a master for a long time. His patience was worth it. Emberor joins with Cragen who overheard from the Fire Guardian.

"Congrats," he says, shaking Emberor's shoulder. "Now we're all masters."

The new Dragon master of Fire nods to him in response. Spyro, Emberor, Boltor, and Cragen gaze at their mentors who helped them provide knowledge for their future.

"Remember your training, young warriors," Terrador tells them.

"Yes," Volteer says agreeing, "Your knowledge will be serviceable to the extreme."

The young Dragons dip their heads to them. Sparx appears next Spyro with his arms crossed. "I really don't get you when you talk like that," he says to Volteer.

Zephyrav and Groverge are the last ones to say something before they go.

"Well," Groverge begins, feeling anxious. "We're gonna be away for a while, aren't we, Zeph?"

"We'll see each other again." Zephyrav nods. She looks at her beloved in the eye and says, "I know we will. I have faith." After a brief pause, she nuzzles her soft feathered head to his, lovingly.

Groverge kisses her face and whispers, "Be safe, my love."

"I will." Zephyrav whispers back and nibbles his cheek.

They give each other one last kiss and walk to their groups. Now that the groups are made, they turn to Ignitus.

"Good luck to all of you," he says to them. "May our Ancestors look after us and keep us safe in these dark times."

Terrador, Emberor, and Cragen fly off to the Shattered Vail to warn the inhabitants. Volteer takes off in the air with Cyril and Groverge to the mainland. Spyro, Sparx, Boltor, Zephyrav, and Aquadus glide down the platform and fly to the Ancient Grove to find the tree. Ignitus watches all of them go and returns inside the Dragon Temple to search for Cynder.


Meanwhile, the Ape general and top assassin, Kor, from the battle of the Temple rides his armored Dreadwing to the Mountain of Malefor with the five remaining Apes on Dreadwings following him. They fly over dozens of Apes marching towards it in a line and descend on a landing spot where Dreadwings go to a cave to hang upside-down to rest. The Apes walk to the black doors leading inside the Mountain. The Ape guards with heavy spiked armor from the inside open them for Kor to enter. He walks along the hallway lit with green torches where sounds of faint wailing and moaning echo everywhere. He approaches two black doors leading to a throne room. The doors magically open to reveal a hole in the center of the circular floor. A very big Ape wearing a purple crown with big antlers and a green left eye sits on a throne on the other side of the room. His left eye glows of a spiritual power. He holds a staff with a green crystal on top. General Kor and his soldiers stand in front of the Ape before kneeling to his presents. Kor takes his helmet off revealing big battle scars on his face, a scorched spot on his right cheek and eye, a dislocated jaw, and his burning red eyes. He puts it on the floor close to him. The big Ape stands up from his throne descending the steps below him to walk around the Apes.

"Back so soon, General?" he speaks in a deep breathing voice.

"A thousand apologies, King Gaul," says Kor. "The Purple Dragon has his powers back and he used them to decrease my number of soldiers. I was about to finish him off with one blow but he did something I couldn't tell what. It was as if he was fast like a little rodent."

"I think what you witnessed was the ability of Time," Gaul states, stopping in front of Kor and touching the crystal on his staff. "The Dark Master told me it is common that Purple Dragons can obtain it. With it, they can be more powerful. Probably, matching the same strength he has."

"And with that new ability of his," Kor puts in, "the Purple Dragon might get better to bring your armies down. He'll soon find out what we're doing."

"Fear not," Gaul says. "I've come up with an idea, a very clever one. You remember Cynder?"

"Yes, sire," Kor nods. "She is…was the loyal servant of Malefor when the Purple Dragon had broken his powers over her."

"Yes." says Gaul nodding. "That's the one. The Dreadwing scouts spotted her in the forest running away from the Temple and she's been captured by pirates you know which."

"Do you want me to find her?" Kor asks.

The King of the Apes grins at him and answers, "Exactly what I'm thinking, General. Find that Dragoness and bring her to me alive."

General Kor stands up, picking up his helmet. "I shall leave at once, sire," he says. "She's easy to catch. Without her powers, she's defenseless."

"The purple whelpling may be looking for her, Kor." Gaul reminds him. "Use whatever means necessary to keep them apart."

Kor puts on his helmet, his red eyes glow in the interior, as his five soldiers stand. "It will be done, my king," he muffles in it.

Gaul gives him a confused-look with his head tilted to one side and one of his eyebrows cocked.

Kor growls and takes off the helmet. "I said, 'It will be done, my king'," he repeats.

Gaul nods in understatement and Kor puts his helmet back on walking out of the room, his soldiers following his lead. When they left, a glowing sphere appears in the center of the room above the hole. Gaul walks to it and kneels placing the bottom of his staff on the floor. The sphere shines black and bright yellow eyes open inside. It is the eyes of the Dark Master, Malefor.

"You've been busy, haven't you, Gaul," a deep, distorted, menacing voice speaks from the sphere.

"Yes, my master." Gaul replies.

"Has the Temple been retaken?"

"No. The Purple Dragon has his powers back. He also has the ability of Time. His strength almost matches yours."

"I see." says Malefor, disappointingly. "What is he doing now?"

"We're unsure of that, master." says Gaul. "He might be looking for Cynder by now."

"Cynder?" Malefor asks his eyes glow.

"Your former loyal servant ran away from home, her TRUE home." Gaul explains, looking at the eyes. "I'm planning to bring her here in time for the Night of the Eternal Darkness. General Kor is already onto it."

"Ah, perfect, Gaul. It has been a while since Convexity. We will need her back. Make sure all is well when I return."

"Yes, master," the King of the Apes says lowering his head, "As you wish. I will not fail you."

Malefor's eyes fade in the blackness and the sphere disappears. Gaul lifts his head up and chuckles evilly.