The group of dragons outside the healing pavilion had grown substantially. All were eagerly asking questions and eyeing the new arrivals.

"Easy now everyone," Plax called over the noise of voices. "Let's give our guests some breathing room." The crowd backed up in response and gave the dragons some space.

"Thank you Plax." Static smirked. "I think we should take our new friends to see the elders so they know that we have guests."

"I think I saw Tang already heading towards the temple," The teal dragon replied, thrusting his dark horns towards a tall tower near the main one.

"Let's head over and meet them there," Zephyr suggested. The black dragon turned to the guardians. "If that's all right with you of course."

"We don't mind," Flame replied after exchanging glances with his companions.

"Alright." Zephyr nodded. "You may follow us then." He turned and led the way out of the cluster of pavilions and towards the looming towers beyond.

Off to the side a red dragon watched them go. When they disappeared into the crowd of onlookers he turned and rushed down the streets until he came to the edge of the residential section of the pavilions. Off to the side, away from the other structures was a single pavilion, painted black with green gems lining its walls. The curtain over the front was ragged and torn from extreme weathering.

The red dragon came to a halt outside the curtain. He raised a paw and tapped on the wall with his hard claws.

"Hello, anyone home?" He called out. There was a muffled groan from inside and the red dragon poked his head inside. As usual it was almost pitch black with no windows or other doors to let the light in. "Max, you up?"

"I'm up," An annoyed voice groaned. The red dragon looked up at the black dragon the seemed to manifest out of the darkness itself. "What's going on?" He asked rubbing his eye with the back of his wrist.

"We have some visitors," The red dragon chirped excitedly. "Static brought a bunch of new dragons to the city."

"Oh boy." Max rolled his eyes.

"No, no no." The red dragon shook his head. "You have to see them! There are girls too!"

The sensory barbs on the back of Max's next stood erect. "Ok, now you've got my attention."

"I knew that would." the red dragon smiled. "Come on! They're on their way to the temple to see the elders."

Zephyr and Static led the guardians down the long path towards the main temple. As they drew closer they spotted a small procession of elderly dragons walking down the stone walkway to meet them.

"It seems they were expecting us," Stella mumbled to Candice who gave a slight nod.

"Welcome young Guardians." A large lightning dragon stopped the procession and bowed deeply to the youngsters. This action caused Static and Zephyr to look at each other, stupefied at seeing their elders bowing to these new comers whom they had just laid eyes on. The elder's actions caused a stir of whispering in the group of dragons following the guardians.

The elder looked up and locked his eyes on the crowd. "You ones, where are your manners? Show our guests the respect they deserve." There was a flurry of claws scratching against the stone as the crowd of dragons dipped their bodies and bowed their heads.

"I apologize. They weren't aware that you were the guardians of our world." The elder explained as he and his fellow elders rose.

"Aw, don't sweat it." Sparx waved. "It's not like we go around advertising it."

"Indeed." The elder chuckled, genuinely amused by the dragonfly's remark. "We were expecting you for some time, but weren't sure when you'd come."

"Excuse me?" Ember raised a brow skeptically and glanced from Flame to Cynder. "How'd you know we were coming?"

"Your friend told us, of course," The elder replied with a smile. "He came here no more than a couple of weeks ago requesting shelter and the chance to train some of our young dragons in the ways of magic."

"Who could that be?" Flame asked, just as puzzled as his mate.

"I believe that would be me." An old raspy voice spoke up from within the group of dragon elders. The lightning dragon stepped away to allow the speaker to be seen. Flame and the other guardians immediately snarled and bared their teeth and spread their wings wide as they took up defensive stances.

"Exile!" Cynder exclaimed and leaped gleefully onto him. The old wolf laughed as the dragoness did her best to hug him as he stroked her head comfortingly. The guardians shared bewildered looks.

"Um, did I miss something?" Tremor asked, pricking himself with his claws to make sure he was awake.

"Normally I'd say yes," Candice replied. "But in this case I'm not sure anymore."

"Cynder." Ember stepped forward cautiously, keeping a wary eye on Exile. "You do realize that's a wolf right?"

"I know." Cynder turned to her with tears of joy shining in her eyes. "It was when I was captured that I met Exile here when I was imprisoned. He's the one who taught me how to use my powers to transform and master my elements to their full extent."

"Uh..." Ember fell silent as she stared up at the old wolf.

Cynder noticed that he looked to be in much better shape than he had in the dungeon. "How did you get out of the dungeons?" Cynder asked. "I thought you were dead."

Exile knelt down and rubbed her head some more. "Don't fret about it. The city was being abandoned so I was able to slip out when that black dragon came to the city."

"Liun." Cynder growled and her long talons dug into the stone.

"Come now." Exile raised her chin up. "We are united once again and your friend is safe. All of you." He gave a quick glance to the other guardians. "That is something to be thankful for."

"He does have a point." Stella piped up and rubbed her side against Cynder's before looking up at the old wolf. "Thank you for the support you've given to Cynder. And to all of us." She looked over her shoulder at her friends. "Right?" The guardians all mumbled and nodded slightly. "I'm sorry about them." Stella apologized as she turned back to the wolf. "They're not exactly... um."

Exile raised a hand. "You need not explain, I understand. Your friend Cynder was the same way when we first met. I would like to express my deepest apologies for the actions my kind have pressed on you all. I know it doesn't make up for the damage that's been done." He extended a hand towards the other dragons in a gesture of friendship. "But I hope that together we can bring an end to this madness."

The guardians all looked at one another. The tension seemed to grow thicker than the fog surrounding the mountain in that moment in time. Tremor was the first to step forward, much to everyone's surprise. He looked up at Exile and gave a loud sigh.

"I know my sister can't be brought back," he said with a slight crack in his voice that even struck a painful note in Candice's heart. "But we can make sure that no one else has to go through the same thing." He placed his paw in Exile's and they nodded in agreement.

"My condolences for your sister," Exile whispered. "I'm sure she'd be proud of you."

Tremor smirked. "I know she is." He was then playfully shoved out of the way by Candice.

"I'm still not sure if I trust the whole idea of working with wolves. But if Tremor is oaky with it, then I'm willing to support him in his decision."

"As any mate should." Exile smiled and gave the ice dragoness a sly wink. Candice suddenly felt the blood rush to her face and she stepped away and moved close to Tremor.

Flame and Ember both looked up at the wolf suspiciously. Their tails bumped against one another in their own little private conversation.

"I'd have to agree with Candice." Ember piped up. "If Tremor is willing to trust you and make steps towards improvement, I'm willing to follow along. But I'm not Tremor's mate." She looked at Flame who kept his stare fixed on Exile. "Flame? Whatever you choose, I'll follow along with it."

"I don't have a choice." Flame shook his head. "I'm a guardian, and I'm supposed to protect this world. Even if it means joining forces with someone on the enemy's side to bring about the greater good." He raised his paw to exile and the wolf graciously took it.

Ember placed her paw on top of Exiles. "For the safety of our world?" She looked up at the old wolf, her blue eyes seeming to stare deep into him as if trying to find anything that may rouse her suspicions.

"For the safety of our world. "Exile nodded placing his other hand on top of hers and giving it an assuring squeeze.

"Very well done young guardians." The lightning elder nodded vigorously. He reminded the young dragons of Volteer. "Now that we have the formalities out of the way, allow me to introduce myself and my colleagues. The elder stepped aside as a very old ice dragoness stepped forward and bowed.

"Welcome guardians. I am Tyrannica." The guardians nodded and she stepped away for another dragon to come forward. The elder of fire was a very clean and polished dragon for his age. He could have passed for Ignitus's brother had the two of them been side by side.

"I am merely Ash." The elder bowed. "I am at your service, my young guardians. If there's anything you desire do not hesitate to ask me."

"Thank you." Stella perked up cheerfully, almost glowing with excitement, despite their long journey.

The next elder was a very pale earth dragon. His scales showed residue of having been once vibrantly green like Tremor's at a point in time but were now showing their age. "It is an honor and a privilege to meet you young guardians." He spoke in a raspy voice. "I, Uranus, am delighted to be in your presence."

"It's just as much an honor for us too," Stella replied for her friends who bobbed their heads dumbly.

The last elder to step forward and introduce herself was a relatively young black dragoness. She was definitely aging past her prime but definitely not as old as the other elders. She bowed deeply and held her head low and spoke in a very monotone voice. "I am the elder dragoness Wraith." She murmured. "It's very nice to have you all."

The guardians couldn't help but notice, she resembled Cynder in her adult form and even the young black dragoness took note as well.

As the elders returned to their positions the lightning elder stepped forward and gave a very pleased nod of his head. "And lastly, I am the senior elder Magnitus. And let me say, welcome to Certrona, our home." The guardians took a moment to stare in awe around this new place and Magnitus smiled. "Come, we shall show you around." He turned and walked out along the path towards the northern gardens. While the guardians continued to look around and take in their surroundings, Magnitus explained to them the history of their city.

"This wondrous place was built over one thousand years ago just after the start of the Great War." He seemed somewhat proud but also slightly saddened by the thought of his home's history.

"You mean with the Dark Master?" Flame asked.

"No, the war with the apes," Cynder replied. "The war with Malefor wasn't until the last two hundred years."

"Very good." Magnitus nodded, impressed by the young dragoness's knowledge of history. "My great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great grandfather, Ampus, was the one who built this city. It was named in honor of two very powerful dragons and close friends he had lost in the early years of the Dragon-Ape war."

"Wow." Stella gasped with amazement as she looked around the gardens and paused to sniff at a particularly dense cluster of roses.

"This place was once a dragon city itself back in those days. It was well known for its dragon training academy for young dragons that showed special skill in many areas such as combat, magic and politics."

"Sounds almost like it was a guardian training academy," Tremor spoke up.

"Indeed." Magnitus nodded, even more impressed with the intelligent young minds that had graced their presence. "It was here that the role of guardians were first appointed. Ampus, was the third guardian of lightning back in those days."

"You must be very proud," Stella pointed out as she noticed the charge increase within the old dragon's body.

Magnitus only chuckled. "Well I never got to be guardian, unfortunately. Shortly after this place was built, Ampus decided to have it become a secluded city and a safe haven to dragons who chose to reside here. So he had the earth guardian at the time move it into the frozen wastes away from invaders and high up to where there was peace and tranquility."

"I'm not surprised now that I never found this place," Cynder muttered. "And I'm glad I didn't. This place here is so beautiful. I'd feel awful if I had destroyed it."

"Indeed." The elders all glanced at the black dragoness who hung her head low. Magnitus extended a wing and lifted her chin up. "Do not worry about the past young one." He smiled. "It's over and all you can do now is simply learn from it."

Cynder cracked a slight smile and nodded. "Thank you."

"So how did this place fare during the war with the Dark Master?" Ember asked curiously. "I'm sure that it must have been a rather tense time, right?"

"It was a bit hectic I must say." Magnitus gazed up at the warm sun. "We had received word from a dragon who had lost his way fleeing a battle ground after his fellow guardians had been captured by one of the Dark Master's generals."

"Ignitus." Cynder gasped.

"Whoa!" Sparx jumped in. He had been quietly taking in the news but now felt the urge to speak up. "Ignitus knew about this place? Why didn't he tell any of us? We could have used your help fighting the Dark Master rather than getting our butts kicked all over the place."

"Sparx!" Stella snapped, silencing the dragonfly.

"I understand how you must feel." Magnitus shook his head sadly. "Believe me it was not our intention to just simply sit by and watch as dragon-kind was destroyed, little by little." The elder sighed and they came to a stop at the edge of the gardens and looked out over the puffy fog just below the cliff. "I have many dragons capable of combat and show great skill in their abilities. I had even volunteered to help Ignitus. But the guardian of fire wouldn't have it. He said he would rather meet death than see every last dragon destroyed." Magnitus hung his head and sighed even louder. His shoulders slumped in grief. "That dragon was so wise and had such a strong sense of duty."

Cynder smiled and placed her paw on top of Magnitus's massive foot. "That sounds just like Ignitus. And I can't think of him any other way."

Seeing the dragonesses smile and glistening eyes seemed to raise the spirits of the elder. "So what has become of Ignitus these days?" The old dragon perked up and puffed his chest out slightly. "Is he well?"

Cynder bobbed her head slightly. "He's fine the last time we spoke. Just after we defeated Malefor for the first time, he became the new Chronicler."

"Oh my!" Tyrannica gasped. "That is a rare honor indeed. The last we heard of a dragon being related to the chronicler was the dragoness this city was partly named after."

"A female Chronicler?" Sparx raised a brow and Stella swatted him with her tail spade.

"Little is known about her connection with him unfortunately." Tyrannica shook her head. "Crona was always described as being a very closed-off kind of dragoness. She confided in very few other dragons, and even when she did she was very subtle about it."

"I see," Cynder nodded. She scratched her chin and looked back to Magnitus. "And what about the other dragon your grandfather was friends with? What was he like?"

Magnitus chuckled again. It tickled him to know that these young dragons were so curious about the history of his home, unlike most other dragons their age.

"Well, I think we've had enough with story time for one day. I'll explain about Certo's past to you another day." That name seemed to ring a familiar bell with Cynder, yet for some reason she couldn't figure out why. "But for now, you youngsters should get some rest. You've had a long journey to get here and I'm sure you all are in dire need of relaxation." Magnitus turned and started back towards the pavilions with the elders close behind. The guardians followed closely with Tremor and Candice up front and Cynder, Sparx and Stella bringing up the rear.

As they walked through the streets Stella began to feel a presence around her. She leaned towards Cynder and whispered, "I think we're still attracting a lot of attention."

"What do you mean?" Cynder asked, looking around as if surveying the city more.

"I can feel someone's eyes on us." Stella replied. She was sensing the bodily charge of a pair of dragons that were following them.

"Here we are," Magnitus spoke up, breaking the lightning guardian's concentration. He extended a wing into the large pavilion giving the young dragons access. "Feel free to explore as much as you wish. And if there's anything you need, do not hesitate to ask. This is a place of learning as well as living."

"Thank you very much," Ember spoke up cheerfully.

"The pleasure is ours." Tyrannica bowed. "Food shall be waiting when you young ones have woken up. Until then, enjoy your rest."

As the guardians disappeared behind the curtain, Stella stopped and looked over her shoulder. Several yards away she saw the head of a red dragon sticking out from behind another building. He gave a startled squeak, surprised that he had been spotted and ducked away. Stella was puzzled but soon smiled and giggled slightly before following her friends inside for a much needed slumber.