Sorry for the longer then usual update.

You better be. What took you so long anyway?

Well, there have been a lot of troubles this month.

So, what?

I finally get a chance to work on my story, I get half of the chapter typed, and then my computer dies.

That has to suck.

At least I have a laptop to work from, and I hooked it up to my old monitor, and mouse, so now I have two screens.

Okay, enough bragging start the chapter.

… On with the chapter … on with the chapter… ON WITH CHAPTER, What did you do?

Oh yeah, I got bored, so I changed the start cue.

Well what is it?

Chicken party.

Uh … okay … uh … chicken party.

Chapter 9

A Good Defense is the Best Offence

Spyro woke up the next morning; he walked into the room with the hourglass. He found that Ignitus was there waiting for him.

"Shall we start your training, young dragon," Ignitus suggested.

"Shouldn't we wait for the others to wake up first?"

"Very well," Ignitus said. After a few minutes of waiting Elpida walked in, not to long later so did Azimuth.

"Young dragons," Ignitus started, "It is time we get started with your training."

"But, Ignitus, Cynder isn't up yet." Spyro stated.

"I shall get Cynder, as soon as she awakens." Ignitus said, as he began to lead them to where they would be trained. He led them through a long corridor with many doors running along the sides. At the end of the corridor they were at a huge great final door.

"So, how are we going to be trained?" Elpida Questioned. Ignitus opened his mouth to speak, but Azimuth answered for him, "You'll find out when we get in there of course."

Ignitus showed them through the door. Azimuth walked in first, Spyro followed right behind, however when he got in Azimuth and Elpida were nowhere to be found. The room he was in was completely gray, and it was in the shape of a hexagonal box.

"Young dragon," Ignitus finally spoke, "I am going to teach you to create a shield to protect you and your friends."

"So, what do you need me to do?" Spyro asked, as he walked into the center of the room.

"Spyro you need to concentrate on the thought that nothing will be able to hurt you."

Spyro did as Ignitus had instructed, and soon enough a purple energy barrier surrounded him. The same barrier Spyro remembered using to protect Cynder from Azimuth's lightning, when they first met him.

"Very impressive young dragon," Ignitus complemented, "now let use, see if you can keep it up while you are under attack."

As, soon as Ignitus had finished his sentence a fireball appeared out of nowhere heading straight for Spyro; Spyro instinctively through his wing in front of his face. His shield dissipated, and the fireball hit him full on. His wings absorbed most of the damage, but the impact caused him to tumble over onto his side. Spyro got back up to try again, another fireball came flying at him, but again he let his instincts get the better of him, and he was pushed back on his side. Spyro tried a few more times before he was finally able to overcome his instinct to protect himself. When he did, and the fire ball hit his shield, it rippled backwards, but then studied out.

"Very good young dragon," Ignitus stated, "There is one last thing I can teach you right now. You can use energy absorbed by your shield to create an attack … use your enemy's force against them."

Spyro nodded in understanding. Suddenly another fireball appeared, and struck Spyro's shield; it rippled back again. Spyro focused his energy on the wave. Then it stopped moving, but then it started moving slowly back towards the front of the shield. After awhile Spyro could not hold it anymore, so he let it fall back.

"Keep trying, Spyro, I know you can do it," Ignitus said.

Spyro tried again, but still he could not focus his energy long enough to launch the attack. He tried again several times, but to know avail. Then Spyro thought of an idea. Once again another fireball hit his shield; Spyro caught the wave of energy just as it started to move backwards, and he forced it back. The wave broke off, and turned into its own sphere of energy, that launched itself back in the direction at which the fireball hit Spyro's shield.

"Nicely done, Spyro," Ignitus congratulated, "Now follow me."

Ignitus led Spyro back to the room with giant hourglass, where Elpida was apparently waiting for him.

"How was your training, Elpida?" Spyro asked her.

"It was okay," Elpida said in her usual soft voice.

They waited a few minutes then Cynder walked in, and Ignitus began to speak, "Good morning young dragon, I assume you slept well."

"Yes I did, where are the others?" Cynder wondered while looking around.

"Can't she see us?" Spyro Questioned.

"Apparently not," Elpida responded sounding confused.

"They already setout for there training," Ignitus said to Cynder.

"So, I guess you expect me to do the same right." Cynder assumed

"That is correct … follow me." Ignitus said as he led her out of the room.

"That was strange," Spyro said.

Elpida just nodded. They spent the next few moments in silence. Then Azimuth walked in. The three of them chatted for a few minutes then Cynder was led in by Ignitus.

"Hey, Cynder," Azimuth said. Cynder then ran over and stood with them.

"What took you so long, Cynder?" Spyro asked laughing to himself so that Cynder could not hear him, because he already knows that Cynder had way overstepped.

Cynder replied, "Don't worry I'm ok."

End Chapter

Finally finished this chapter.

Hope you can get the next chapter up soon.

I hope my laptop doesn't die on me.

I hope … uh … I don't know what else I hope for.

Whatever … till then … You changed the end cue too didn't you.

Yes.

What is it?

Turkey glue.

What?

Turkey glue.

Whatever … Turkey glue.

-Shining Darkness Dragon-