Before I start this chapter, I'd like to say…WOO I hit the ten-chapter mark, also, as a friendly reminder, I do appreciate comments, positive or negative.

Chapter 10

The vanguards had spent the last three hours describing the events from when they found the dragonfly village to the battle with Leon.

"So this human, this Leon. Did he say how he was going to release the dark master." Terrador asked.

"All he said about that, was that he needed something from me and Cynder. He did take some of my blood, so I assume that's part of it." Spyro replied.

"Whatever he needed from Cynder, he must not have been able to take it at that moment, which is why he kidnapped her." Vulcan concluded.

"We have to find them before he releases the dark master." Anima said.

"We'll dispatch the scouts immediately. Perhaps we can ask the cheetahs to send out falcons so we can keep this horrible event from occurring." Volteer said.

"That won't be necessary." Spyro said. "Ignitus told me that the pool of visions would show me the way."

"Are you sure?" Boltor asked. Spyro nodded and the council rose from their pedestals, "Then we must not delay."

They led the vanguards through the door in the back of the meeting hall and up the long flight of stairs to the top of the highest tower of the city. The room was open to the outside and the pool of visions sat in the center. Spyro approached the pool and stared into the shimmering liquid. He concentrated hard on what he wanted to know. At first nothing happened, but then the pool began to change colors and Spyro felt his consciousness being pulled into the pool.

He flying away from Warfang at a speed that no dragon could obtain. He approached a waterfall that he recognized as Moonlight Falls; to the left of the waterfall was a cave with orc sentries guarding the entrance. Spyro flew by the entrance and continued down the rock wall a little ways before he came across a smaller hole just big enough for a small dragon to fit through. He was pulled into the hole, the tunnel beyond was long and dark. When he emerged from the other side, he found himself at the end of a hallway with multiple rooms. He passed a few rooms coming to a stop near a room with many charts and notes stuck to the walls.

"That's it!" He exclaimed snapping out of his trance.

"Have you found them?" Cyril asked hopefully.

"No, but I know where their going; Moonlight falls."

"That's only a two day flight." Nitro stated.

"Then let's get going." Flare said.

"Yeah, maybe we can get there before they do." Zephyr said.

"We don't want to do that." Spyro stated.

"Why not?" Zephyr asked.

"Because there are still orcs in the cave."

"So?" Fang began, "We can kill a few orcs no problem."

"I-I see," Sting said. The dragons turned to face him. "I-If we a-attack them, a-and they m-manage to e-escape, t-they may s-send a s-scout to tell L-Leon to s-stay away."

"Then we give them a day's head start." Charlotte suggested.

"That should work." Spyro said, "So for now, we have to get as much training today as we can."

"Indeed," Terrador said, "you dragons must be ready to fight this time."

"Get to the classrooms quickly. I'll begin the lectures on basic melee combat." Volteer said.

"Oh ancestors, if we give them to you they won't be ready for a week." Cyril interjected.

"Why I never-"

"Can you two do that later?" Nitro interrupted.

"I'm sorry, Volteer, but Cyril is right to a degree." Gaia began "We need to focus on hands-on training."

"Then that would be your job, captain." Vulcan stated looking at Spyro.

"Right. Everyone down to the training grounds." Spyro ordered.

"Yes, sir." The vanguards said in unison before taking off and banking around the tower towards the training ground.

The orcs had traveled for about two days, stopping only to hunt, sleep, and gather water. Leon would only take a small amount from his shares before passing the rest to Cynder. When morning came, Leon would volunteer to carry Cynder, to make sure that the orcs wouldn't pester her behind his back. Nightfall came quickly on the third day, and the group stopped for the night. Cynder and Leon took their usual place next to a fire that Leon had built. When Cynder had finished her meal she turned to Leon and said, "I want my memories back."

Leon stared hard at her for a moment "Are you sure?"

"I am."

Leon continued to stare at her before saying, "Very well."

He then closed his eyes and searched his mind for Cynder's memories. Once he had gathered them all he opened his eyes and dark lightning crackled in his palms. "Close your eyes." he ordered.

Cynder did as she was told and Leon placed his hand on her head. Cynder could feel a tingling sensation on her head as Leon transferred the memories to her mind. When he had finished Cynder opened her eyes and looked up at Leon questioningly.

"Taking one's memories is instantaneous," He explained "but putting them back takes time. It will all come back to you." Cynder nodded and lay her head down while Leon put out the fire. "We reach the cave tomorrow." He said before lying down to sleep.

Spyro made his way to his bedchamber, a trip he hated making alone. He attempted to replace his morbid thoughts with reflections of today's training. Fang seemed to improve on his shadow power, which would have a key role in Spyro's plan. Spyro also noticed that Twitch stayed suspiciously close to Zephyr, "Hmm, I suppose that they might make a good couple." He thought to himself. As he brushed aside the curtain of his bedchamber, he was surprised to see that Sting was waiting for him. "Sting? What's going on?"

"I-I just w-wanted to ask y-you something." Sting replied

"Well, go ahead."

Sting was silent for a moment, not entirely sure how he could word the question. "Do y-you truly c-care f-for Cynder?"

Spyro was shocked that Sting had asked such a thing, "Of course I do. I've cared for her ever since I first saw her."

"G-good, r-remember that."

"Why do you ask?"

"B-because I h-have a f-feeling that b-before this i-is over, y-your relationship w-will be t-tested."

"What makes you say that?"

"I-I'm not s-sure, just a f-feeling," He then began walking to the curtain "but i-if you r-remember how much y-you c-care for her, I-I'm sure y-you'll make it t-through." Sting went through the curtain without another word, leaving Spyro to ponder his words.

Spyro looked at the washbasin that was dug into the left of the bedchamber and, after realizing how bad he smelled, decided to take a bath. He placed his paws on the wheel mechanism and began turning it. The basin was quickly filled with water and Spyro eased him self into the steaming water, and allowed the filth to be lifted from his scales. He dunked his head under the water a few times to clean his horns before relaxing against the edge of the basin. Before he realized it he had fallen asleep.

Spyro found himself at the pool of visions, but he immediately noticed that something was horribly wrong. He looked out at the city, and immediately his eyes widened in horror. The sky was the color of blood, the main gates had been blown apart, and the bodies of moles, cheetah's, and dragons alike littered the streets around burning buildings. It was then that Spyro looked at the base of the tower, only to see the bodies of the vanguards and council members piled on top of one another, covered in blood as there eyes stared out lifelessly into space.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Spyro spun around to see Leon, arms crossed, leaning against the railing behind Spyro.

"You!" Spyro said menacingly as tears fell heavily from his eyes. "This is all your fault!"

"Don't give him all the credit," a familiar voice said. Spyro looked to his left to see Malefore sitting on his haunches as he stared at the purple dragon, clearly amused by his sorrow. "You failed them, Spyro, all that you see is because of you."

"No! I tried my best to stop you!"

"You tried your best?" Leon asked clearly taunting the young dragon. "You didn't even lift a talon to help your friends."

"I'll kill you!" Spyro screamed, "I'll kill you all!" He closed his eyes as his rage began taking over

"I guess that means you'll have to kill her too." Leon stated.

Spyro opened his eyes to see a black dragoness sitting next to Leon a ferocious look in her eyes, "Cynder?" Cynder opened her mouth and unleashed a beam of convexity directly at Spyro.

"No!" Spyro screamed as he snapped out of his nap. He gasped heavily as his tears continued to fall into the bathwater. He looked towards the curtain to make sure that no one had heard him scream before looking down at his reflection. "Just a dream." He thought to himself, "Just a dream."

He used his tail to pull the small rubber plug to drain the water before lifting himself out of the warm water. He shivered as the cold air hit his scales and quickly grabbed the linen towel that hung to the right of the bath. He dried himself off before dropping onto the cushions and covering himself with the sheets. "Goodnight Cynder." He whispered to himself before falling asleep.

The next morning, the vanguards stood ready to leave as Spyro descended the stairs. "Ready to get your mate back?" Zephyr asked smiling.

"Definitely." Spyro said, smiling back.

"Hold up!" The vanguards turned to see Sparx rushing at them. He stopped to catch his breath before facing the vanguards. "I'm coming too."

"Sparx, its gonna be dangerous." Spyro argued.

"I don't care," Sparx began "and besides, remember our deal?"

Spyro sighed defeated "Yeah, I remember. Thanks bro."

"Anytime, and don't forget, Cynder is my family now too."

"I'm sure she'll be happy to hear that."

"She might, but I'm not telling her." Spyro chuckled at his brother. "I'm ready when you are, captain." Sparx gave his brother a salute

"Then what are we still doing here?" Flare said "lets go!" he leaped off the ground and took to the air.

"My brother's such a hot-head." Charlotte said to Crystal "Can't really see what you see in him."

"What?" Crystal exclaimed blushing. Charlotte laughed and took off after her brother. The other vanguards took off after the two fire breathers, beating their wings hard to catch up.