An hour or so later, Spyro returned to the dragon temple, accompanied by Cyril. Ignitus looked pleased but also slightly worried to see the ice guardian.
"Cyril, are you alright, are you hurt?" asked Ignitus.
"Shaken, but otherwise perfectly fine, old friend," said Cyril, "I fear I will not be able to fight for some time, however. Cynder has sapped me of my powers temporarily."
"What did she use to do this?" asked Ignitus. Cyril looked confused, but interested.
"A crystal," said Cyril. Ignitus looked scared, but also like he had been expecting this.
"Then, my fears have been confirmed," said Ignitus. They went into the pool room, where Volteer was waiting. Cyril and Volteer looked far from pleased to see each other; in fact, they looked at each other with great dislike.
"What's wrong?" asked Spyro.
"I'm afraid myself and Cyril have attained a quarrel with each other that has caused a state of great displeasure for each other, and that has spanned decades now," said Volteer.
"What?" said Sparx.
"They argue a lot," said Spyro. Sparx shook his head and muttered something about 'just saying so'.
"Indeed," said Cyril, "And I see that years of tortured captivity has done nothing to stop that electric tongue of yours from incessantly wagging."
Volteer glared at him.
"Please, both of you, put your differences aside," said Ignitus, "We'll have time for a cosy catch up later, but right now you might have noticed we're still a guardian short."
"Of course, Terrador," said Cyril, "Have you any idea where he might be?"
"I've heard the apes talking about a place called 'munitions forge' a lot," said Spyro. The guardians exchanged worried looks.
"That would make sense," said Ignitus, "Beside her home, Munitions Forge is Cynder's most secure fortress."
"Is there a way in?" asked Spyro.
"I'm sure there is, but getting out will be much harder than getting in," said Ignitus, "Munitions Forge is a gigantic mine, where Cynder mines metal for her army's weapons. It's a labyrinth of tunnels, all of them swarming with apes and who knows what else."
"There must be way," said Spyro.
"There is," said Ignitus, "The mine sits beneath a mighty volcano, which means the creatures there are strong with the fire element. Luckily, you have just rescued a master of ice."
"Indeed," said Cyril, "Ice is, of course, incredibly powerful, wielded by only the best dragons."
"Cyril," said Ignitus, "Try not to be arrogant just once in your life. We're pressed for time here."
"Yes, yes, of course," said Cyril, "Come along with me, Spyro."
Spyro followed gladly into a third training room. It was freezing in here, there were no windows and a thin covering of frost covered the ground.
"Ideal conditions for practice," said Cyril, "But, with enough of it, you'll be able to use these powers anywhere, including Munitions Forge."
"Let's get going!" said Spyro.
"Well, conveniently, ice works very similarly to fire," said Cyril, "It can burn and seriously injure, and can be used to slow enemies."
"Okay," said Spyro, "So, like electricity?"
"Not quite," said Cyril, "People move slower and make more mistakes when freezing, but they do not stop completely, unless you are, like me, an elemental master."
"Oh," said Spyro.
"Worry not, we'll get you to that stage," said Cyril. Like the others, he conjured ape dummies for Spyro to practice on. Cyril was right; ice was very similar to fire, just the opposite temperature. He mastered it fairly quickly.
"Can you teach me how to use Fury?" Spyro asked after they had finished.
"I'm not sure you're ready for that just yet, Spyro," said Cyril, "You'll find out in time, though."
Spyro left the room, slightly disappointed but happy at what he had achieved. Ignitus and Volteer were waiting for them.
"I have confirmed, Terrador is being kept in Munitions Forge," Ignitus told them, "And Cynder is very unhappy about what you've been doing. In an absolute rage, I should say."
Spyro smiled, proud of himself.
"This, of course, means security will be tighter than ever, so stealth is your ally here," said Ignitus, "Then plan is simply get in, find Terrador, get out, get back here, without being seen. And, if you encounter Cynder..."
"Come back," said Spyro, "I know."
"We're counting on you Spyro," said Ignitus, "Good luck."
Ignitus told him the way to Munitions Forge, and Spyro, for a third time, entered the courtyard and flew off into the unknown. The guardians watched him leave until he was out of sight. Cyril and Volteer noticed Ignitus's worried look.
"Don't fear, Ignitus," said Cyril, "He'll be fine. He is the purple dragon, after all, the prophecies were made for a reason."
"We've thought that before," said Ignitus, "And look what happened then."
Munitions Forge was further than both the Tundra and Tall Plains. Spyro flew over rivers, forests, mountains, hills and valleys. He flew for so long, it soon became night time, and after a longer still, the silhouette of the volcano was visible on the horizon.
Even in the dark of night, the glow of the mine stood out like a beacon. Giant furnaces, rivers of lava and lines of braziers and torches created a huge orange glow in the night.
"Ignitus said to go in from the south entrance," said Spyro.
"Where's that?" asked Sparx.
"I'm guessing down here," said Spyro. He flew to a ledge on the outside of the cliff that surrounded the mine. It was dark, and empty here. Through the gloom, Spyro could see three tunnels.
"Which way?" said Spyro.
"You're asking me?" said Sparx, "I dunno, the middle one."
They followed the middle tunnel into the mine. Sparx's glow offered them vision a few feet in front of them. The only problem Spyro could see was that t would be difficult to hide Sparx should an ape appear. The tunnel curved and sloped, and soon, Spyro had no idea which direction he was facing any more.
"Sparx, stop," Spyro whispered. Sparx stopped flying, and he also noticed what Spyro had. There was a faint light up ahead, bobbing toward them.
"That's not an ape," said Spyro, "It can't be. If it is, man he's small."
Whatever it was came closer, and soon it came into view. It wasn't an ape at all, but rather a short, hairless creature wearing a blue tunic and a large hat. The light was coming from a candle in the middle of his hat. In his hand was a walking stick.
"Eh?" said the creatures, "Who's there?"
"Can't you see us?" asked Spyro.
"I don't boast great eyesight," said the creature, "You don't smell like Cynder's beasts, but that doesn't necessarily mean you're friends. Who are you?"
"My name is Spyro, and this is Sparx," said Spyro, "We're here to rescue a friend. Can you help us?"
"If he is a mighty dragon, I certainly can," said the creature, "I am Mole-Yair, leader of my people, the moles. Or at least I was until those apes captured them and forced them to work in the mines."
He grumbled angrily.
"Well, if you help us, I expect we can help you," said Spyro.
"Thank you, but I'm afraid it's impossible. you'd have to be as powerful as a purple dragon to get in there," said Mole-Yair.
"Funny you should say that," said Spyro, "Now, which way to the mines?"
"My lady, our guards have sighted something flying around the mines, should we put the fortress on alert?" asked the ape. Cynder turned, and smiled maliciously.
"He's here," said Cynder, "No. Let him come. I have a little surprise for him."
The ape nodded, and left the room. Cynder turned to look at the green dragon next to her, who was chained up to the wall.
"Your precious purple dragon doesn't seem so powerful any more, does he?" she sneered.
"You're insane if you think you can stop him," said Terrador.
"Well, you right about the insane part," said Cynder. Then, she placed a claw on the crystal in front of Terrador, and turned it. A flow of green energy began to flow from the old dragon, making him yell in pain. Cynder smiled evilly at him.