Cynder and Spyro were flying together, past the rocky formations filling the dark night of Convexity. A beacon of light shone out of the darkness, bringing them closer, giving them hope.
As they landed on the rocky ground, Cynder gracefully, Spyro not so gracefully, they spied Aptifor walking slowly towards them.
"Ah, Spyro. You should not have come."
Spyro was puzzled. Hadn't Aptifor told him he could come back? "But...Aptifor, I brought Cynder,"
The ancient dragon sighed. "Yes Spyro, and Cynder, it is lovely to see you, too, but I told you to use the scale only when you have real need of me. It will never work again now. You should have used it when in danger or battle, not for the heart's childish desires!"
Spyro was stung by that. Since when was he childish? "Well, I'm here anyway." He sulked.
Aptifor smiled slightly. "Well, I can forgive you this time, because it appears you do have need of me. I have been watching you from my pools of Seeing, and you have reached a Dead End."
Cynder nodded sadly. "That's what I thought, too, Aptifor. That's why I was worried Spyro had collapsed."
Spyro did NOT like being talked about as if he weren't there and he was in a bad mood anyway.
"Well, what are we going to do, then?" He grumbled. "Are you going to be useful, or not?"
Aptifor just smiled gently, as if Spyro's surliness was funny somehow. "Patience, young dragon. I have decided I will help you...but on one condition. You will not expect me to give you another of the scales. I'm afraid...I cannot trust you with it."
"Fine." Spyro snapped. "Just get us out of this cursed land and I'll never take one of your scales again."
Aptifor cleared his throat, ad Spyro continued to grumble under his breath. Aptifor spoke over him.
"I will guide you to the Mountain of Malefor."
Cynder turned white under her dark skin. "No, Aptifor. I won't go. I CAN'T face my Master."
"But you must, Cynder." Aptifor said, looking down on her kindly. "It is the only way to escape."
"Yes, Cynder!" Spyro cried, forgetting about his bad mood. "Don't you want to be free? To go back and live with the other Guardians?"
Cynder looked at Spyro, well, stared was more like it. Something in his face made her strong enough.
"OK. I'll go!"
"Yes!" Spyro hissed triumphantly.
The old dragon smiled benignly with his blind, milky eyes. "Beware, young dragon. The journey will not be smooth. Farewell."
"Wait!" Spyro yelled, but the ground disappeared. He grabbed Cynder, curling her under one red wing, as they fell towards the Mountain of Malefor...