The night still darkens the land. The moons sit up brightly in the sky, giving a tiny bit of light for the Earth below. As it all seems to be silent, a bright burning object slices through the atmosphere. The Phantom that escaped the Cruiser was about to plummet into the Earth. The figures onboard plead for their saviour.

"OH GOD! HELP US!" Jabjab screamed at the top of his Grunty lungs as he held on to the front forward turret controls. Yapflop was also clinging onto the dropship controls.

"PLEASE STOP THIS! AAAAHHHH!" the little orange Unggoy begged for help.

The dropship increased speed as it burned up. On the meadow's however, the quiet, silent sound of the night flows through the valley as a lone group of cheetahs, 5 of them at the very least, patrol the area that surrounds their village. They were armed with swords and bows with a good number of arrows. It gets very cold at this time of night.

"Chief Prowlus, how much longer? We have been out here for a few decent hours and we still have yet to sleep!" a yellow furred cheetah asked his leader at the front of the party. The leader's fur was very close to red and his cloak were a dark kind of red to go with him.

"Until the sun rises, which should not be far, everyone stays until that time comes, now keep moving, the war may be over but that doesn't mean those Grublins are wiped out!" the cheetah leader was pushing his troops to exhaustion. They were patrolling to keep an eye out for anything not friendly towards the cheetah kind. One of them wearing a green kind of cloak looked up into the night sky. He was also red furred, but not quite like Prowlus. His eyes though were pink, surrounding his black pupils. He spotted a light crossing the sky. He gave a smile towards this object.

"Meadow, are you deaf? I told you to keep moving!" Prowlus bossed Meadow around.

"Sorry, I was looking at the light crossing the sky" Meadow pointed at the object that looks similar to a shooting star. Prowlus looked up as well. Something seemed to worry the leader about the object.

"Strange, shooting stars aren't supposed to be that bright...unless it was quite close" Prowlus knew something wasn't right about the object in the sky.

All cheetahs looked up at the sky. This shooting star was burning very bright. It was close...almost to close. Suddenly, all their eyes widened as the object was actually in the planet's atmosphere, not in the depth of space. That object was none other than the Phantom. It was going to crash where the cheetahs are.

"Everybody! Spread out! It's going to plummet into the ground!" Prowlus shouted to al the cheetahs in the vicinity of the area. They all scattered out to avoid the imminent danger. The Phantom was losing its colour as the fire burned the armour. As it crashed into the ground, the dropship made a searing metal noise that cannot be blocked out. The fires that were burning at the front were extinguished as the dirt and soil was kicked up in the air. The dropship came to a stop at last and in the nick of time as it stopped just before the cheetah village, A little too close for comfort. Inside, the Grunts fates from the crash were revealed as Jabjab climbed out of the turret seat.

"Ung...I always hated Phantoms...Yapflop? Yapflop, where are you?" Jabjab called out to his friend.

"I'm over here" Yapflop heard Jabjab's call. The little orange armoured Grunt was on his head, with all his weight bearing down on it.

Jabjab came over and rolled him back on his feet. Yapflop rubbed his head to make it feel better. Jabjab went to grab his needler, which was stuck in the turret controls.

"Damn it, a place where I obviously have to pull it out! ok..." Jabjab walked over to the controls and tried his best to pull the needler.

"C'mon (grunts) I need you to protect me (grunts again) PIECE OF CRAP!" Jabjab insulted the needler, which at the same time, came out of the controls and sent the green armoured Grunt flying towards Yapflop.

"Oh, here's my Fuel rod-" Jabjab collided into Yapflop, interrupting his sentence.

Both of them moaned as Jabjab try to recover from his collision.

"Sorry" Jabjab apologised to Yapflop in a kindly matter.

"Ung...forget about it, c'mon, let's get out this death-trap" Jabjab agreed to Yapflop's suggestion.

They both walked out of the, now out of commission, lift of the Phantom. As they looked up, Prowlus and his cheetahs surrounded the two Grunts, all pointing swords at them. The Grunts gulped in fear and dropped their weapons in the process, also raising their arms into the air.

"What...are you things?" Prowlus, instantly, was filled with questions that now buzzed around his head.

A moment of silence was broken by the sound of Yapflop's voice.

"Well this sucks".

Elsewhere on Earth, as it's supposedly called, the city of Warfang recovers from ordeal. The ice that Cyril formed has extinguished the flames on the Library, and now, all is left is a fire scarred structure of blackness. The blood that was spilt on the street, both Elite and Dragon blood, was soon to be cleaned up by Moles that were sent from the infirmary to the scene. Whilst now mentioning the infirmary, it's a tent made with white material. The real building that housed a lot more patients was destroyed during the war. The infirmary was usually empty, since almost everyone has recovered from the destructive conflict, and only now it has recently received patients. Inside, Cynder laid on her backside on a specially made bed just for the sick and wounded. Her head was on its side, with her eyes closed. Although the spikes were out, her blood was still seeping out. She almost sacrificed herself to save Arbiter from Darst's insanity. She slept peacefully, even with her current state. For now, Only tads of blood seeped out, a lot less than when Thel pulled out the spikes, with Spyro's help of course. A Mole came in with some red crystals. He was going to treat her with these objects of beauty.

Elsewhere in the tent, two Moles were treating Thel's wounds. With Thel, they didn't use red crystals, so instead, they had to do the more common procedure that Dragons do not need. One Mole worked on fixing Thel's arm by surgically placing it back together, as it was only dislocated, not a whole broken bone. His shoulder basically popped out from the rest of the skeleton. The Mole had to cut his way into Thel's shoulder, while he was awake, to reconnect it to the rest of the bones. The other injury was an energy sword uppercut attack to the chest and up. Only bandages was needed for this injury, as Elites are trained to use swords and their skin is used to repairing itself from those kind of attacks. Arbiter felt extreme pain in his shoulder when the Mole was cutting through using only a small knife and scissors. The other Mole had to wrap bandages around Thel's chest.

"Agh! By the gods! Please be careful what you do!" the Elite tried hard as possible to not yell at the Mole, for doing severe pain to him.

"I'm sorry sir, but I should be close to the bone soon...I hope you Elites heal fast" the Mole apologised to the Arbiter for making him go through this procedure, but it was the only choice Thel had.

"Well, lucky for me, we do" Thel laid his head back with a huge sigh.

The Mole cut through Thel's skin a little deeper, with his paws and claws catching the blood of the Sangheili. Although it's not the type of blood the Mole was used to, he continued his was to the bone. The other Mole had just finished his bandage wrapping task around Thel's chest. It covered his armour as well as the wound. Finally, the Mole operating his elbow finally reached the bone. It was covered in Sangheili blood, but it was still strong white bone.

"Ok Arbiter, I need your help with this; take hold of your arm and I'll give you the directions to place it back into its correct position, I shall also put pressure on the area so the blood does not make you pass out during the procedure" the Mole asked Thel for this critical task.

Arbiter nodded slowly and got his left hand to take place under his arm. He prepared to follow the Moles instructions.

"Ok, when you're ready uh...may I ask for your name?" Thel asked the Mole in the nicest manner.

"You may call me Doctor Clin" The Mole revealing his name whilst putting pressure on Arbiter's arm.

"Ok...Clin, when you're ready" Thel took hold his arm tightly.

"Alrighty...a little to the left and push only slightly" Clin giving Thel his task. As expected from the Mole, Arbiter followed his directions.

"Now, to the right a tiny bit" Clin was watching the bone come closer to the its original position. Thel did this task also, but the pain would always go to his head.

"Now for the final part. You have to, as hard as you can, push your elbow back into position. This will hurt a lot so prepare for the worst" Clin gave his final instruction whilst he jumped off to grab bandages from the other Mole.

Thel slowly breathed in and out for this final act of surgery. Without warning, Thel proceeded to push his entire arm back into position. This was, indeed, a very painful act. Thel pushed as hard as he could, whilst feeling the searing pain, to reconnect his entire arm. Clin was there waiting for Thel to place his arm back into position so he could sow the skin back up. At last, Arbiter felt the bone reconnect to the rest of his skeleton. He could move his arm a little better. Clin climbed up his arm to sow it back up and bandage it, as the sowing will need support for the wound to fully heal.

Back in Cynder's quarter's, the Mole successfully used the red crystals to heal the Dragoness's wounds. Her blood holes that used to be there were now fully healed, only leaving small marks of where they used to exist. She was still asleep, not from the wounds, but from exhaustion. The Mole left without making a single sound, to let her sleep in peace. Though as the Mole left the entrance of her room, Spyro was able to access it without being seen. It was to be noticed that his tail was bandaged from Cynder biting down on it, but this did not distract him from seeing his black beauty. His slipped in and saw Cynder turning her body left. She was now sleeping on her left side. Spyro walked up to her, with his heart racing. He stopped right in front of her, he lowered his closer to Cynder's face. He closed his eyes and kissed her forehead. He has been waiting all night for that moment. He loved Cynder so much, after all they've been through, it was understandable why. Her warm breath flowed onto Spyro's face, feeling a warm sensation.

"I promise never to leave your side again. I will protect you for as long as I live. I love you" Spyro cared for Cynder so much. Spyro's words were not blocked out as though it may seem. She heard him. One of her eyes were slightly just open, but Spyro didn't notice.

Spyro decided to lay down next to her bed to give her company and he relaxed there, even falling into deep sleep. In Arbiter's quarter's, the Elite exited out with Doctor Clin. His chest and elbow have been bandaged, and could even give it some movement, but not a lot.

"Thank you doctor, for your help. Not what I'm used to but I'll get over it" Arbiter gave his appreciation to the Mole.

"It was a pleasure...well not really. Dirty work it may be, but I enjoy helping others in troubled times...even if they are from another world" Clin happily and politely said to Thel. The Arbiter only replied in with a grinned kind of expression as Clin walked back into the room.

Arbiter turned around to see Darst and Shin standing by the entrance. Thel's grinned expression was lost in a heartbeat and turned to a more firm but also disappointed facial expression. Darst could only look at Arbiter with shame. Shin bumped Darst's back with his right shoulder, telling him to walk up to Thel. The massive Elite sighed, and slowly walked up to his superior, stopping right in front of him.

"Arbiter...Thel...please forgive me. I was clouded by my insanity. I should have not attacked anyone, especially you. I can only beg for your eternal forgiveness. I promise to not destroy anymore buildings or attack any of the population" Darst pleaded.

This gave time for Arbiter to think. Darst did threaten to attack the Moles, he tried to kill the Arbiter, and almost killed Cynder with a Brute weapon. Normally, a more strict officer would execute an Elite right on the spot. But Arbiter cannot go on to killing Darst, after all they have been through. He did not kill any of the Moles and Cynder did survive those fatal attacks. Thel then made his judgement for the zealot.

"Darst...(sigh) I guess...you deserve another chance. Usually, I'd kill someone for this kind of punishment, but seeing that we're the soul survivors of the Shadow, I can't bring myself do that. Instead, I will allow the guardians make you rebuild that Library with the Moles. I overheard that judgement between you and them" Thel appointed the zealot.

Darst sighed in relief. Even though he will have to work with the Moles, he is grateful for Thel's decision of not executing him.

"Thank you Arbiter. I need find Cynder, I have to apologise to her...It's my fault she's hurt and I must see to her that my friendship towards the dragoness does not go down sink" Darst needed to see the black Dragoness urgently.

Arbiter gave the zealot a smile for Darst's smart decision to see Cynder. He made the zealot and Shin follow him to Cynder's room. They only had to go down a small hall to find her quarters. Arbiter looked through each room to find her. He stopped to see Cynder on a bed with Spyro laying down on the floor next to her. As they entered, Cynder slowly opened her eyes to see Darst in front of her. She slowly raised her head and yawned, then shifted her body to sit up. She stared into the zealot's eyes, his dark purple looking eyes. Darst then spoke of his apology.

"Cynder...I'm sorry that I attacked you. I promised your guardians to help rebuild the Library. You are a brave young Dragon to take that course of action. Rarely I see times like those when one saves another's life, even if they are of the different species. I also thank you for saving Thel's life from my attack" Darst spoke with a clear, responsible attitude towards Cynder. In response, she gave a smile.

"It's not your fault, I was the one that chose to do that act. I accept your apology if that's what you expected. I did feel good after saving Thel's life, at least something I can redeem from my past" Cynder spoke with an open mind towards Darst. She looked past him to see Arbiter and Shin standing behind him.

"Besides, I thought had to save Thel because he looked a little tired and weak" she gave a grin towards Arbiter after saying that.

"Hey, I've had an exhausting week, I don't need to be patronised" he replied to Cynder's sentence, feeling a little offended. Cynder gave a little giggle towards him.

Spyro was awaken by the conversation. He looked up to see Darst standing high above him. He jolted back up and moved away a couple of feet.

"Oh sorry Spyro, I didn't see you there" Darst apologised to the purple Dragon.

"Probably because your too tall for him Mr itchy trigger finger" a voice spoke, insulting Darst at the same time. They all looked around until, behind them, Sparx flew through the room. This annoyed Spyro and Cynder the most.

Sparx flew around Darst until they came face to face.

"What did you say about me you glowing bug?" Darst questionably insulting Sparx.

"You heard me, you attacked Arbiter and almost killed the female of fright in the process, I'm surprised your head has not been chopped off for that" Sparx was only tipping Darst to anger.

"Grr, your one of the reasons why I tried to kill Thel and almost ended up killing Cynder!" Darst growled whilst exposing the rows of teeth on his mandibles. Sparx backed away from the sight.

"Keep those away from me two jaws!" he demanded.

"Sparx, maybe it's best if you go back to the Atrium and wait for us there" Spyro politely but firmly asked Sparx, after seeing the anger in Darst's eyes. Sparx instantly turned to the purple dragon with a shocked expression.

"But, I came to see if you were ok" Sparx explained his presence here.

"I'm fine, Cynder's fine, Arbiter's fine. There, now wait for me at my room please" Spyro demanded from his brother.

Sparx didn't argue and turned to exit the infirmary through a window. He flew to the Grand Atrium saddened by what Spyro asked him to do. After all, he only wanted to see if everyone was ok. In the tent, Spyro gave a long sigh after making Sparx go.

"Darst, Shin, I think we all deserve a rest, I cannot stand to stay awake any longer" Thel letting his Elites know it's time to leave for the Atrium themselves.

"Which reminds me, Darst, did you get the weapons from that you dropped during the fight?" Thel wanting to know what happened to the plasma rifle, energy sword and spiker.

"I got the spiker and sword, Shin here has the plasma rifle" Darst pointed where they were.

"Alright, we'll take those back to the armoury, then it's off to the rooms for some sleep, I think I also speak for everyone else that we're begging for rest?" Arbiter crossed his arms with everyone all in agreement.

"Ok then. Cynder, Spyro, I bid you goodnight until morning" Arbiter bided farewell to the young Dragons.

Darst and Shin were the first ones to exit Cynder's quarters. Arbiter went to exit as well but turned his towards Cynder.

"Young Dragons...I thank you for everything you have done for me and my Elites" he gave the young Dragons his gratitude before leaving.

"It's been our pleasure Arbiter" Cynder replied to the Elite in the most politest of manners.

Thel gave a smile and walked out. Cynder suddenly jumped of the bed and land next to Spyro. He turned and stared right into her emerald gaze.

"Spyro...I heard what you said about me before you decided to doze off into a little nap next to me...do you really mean it?" Cynder reminded the purple Dragon of what he said to her while she was supposedly asleep. Spyro was about to object and lie about it, but he shook that off immediately. Instead, a more truthful answer escaped his lips.

"Yes Cynder...I did mean it" his heart was pounding, but he wasn't the only one.

Cynder gave him a loving glance and placed her head under his.

"Thank you Spyro...thank you so much" she was so grateful for what he said to her earlier.

"That's ok...It's my pleasure anyway" he replied oh so nicely.

A thought came to the black Dragoness. Would he let her?

"Spyro...If you would allow me...can I sleep with you tonight?" she asked him

"In my room? You do know that Sparx will be there right?" Spyro cautioned her about the Dragonfly.

"Eh, I think I can survive a night with him" she smiled.

Spyro could smile back in reply.

"Alright. I guess you can sleep with me tonight" he gave her access to sleep with him this night.

"Aw, thank you again...c'mon then" Cynder asked Spyro to follow her to the Grand Atrium.

They both took off from the infirmary and above the city. Arbiter and the Elites were already approaching the entrance of the large structure when the young Dragons got there.

Meanwhile, above the planet, the Cruiser still lays idle. The Brutes aboard were preparing to launch an attack force of epic proportions. From arming Phantoms and Banshees to preparing their weapons and land vehicles and even their only Scarab walker. Chieftain Magnaruckus watches this forces arm themselves.

"First Arbiter survives, then a pack brother dies and now, our only two Grunts have gone rouge...they were useless anyway. Arbiter, wherever you are, prepare to meet your demise" Magnaruckus promised Thel's death.

Another done. I hope you enjoyed, review if you like and thanks for the advice. =) A 78 out.