Disclaimer: Cynder, Spyro, Ignitus, Cyril, Volteer, and Terrador are property of whoever the hell owns the Spyro Franchise at this moment.

OC Disclaimer: Alex, Mera, Ferrosa, and the storyline of A Newcomer: Book 1 belongs to The Constitutionalist.

OC Disclaimer: Silver belongs to slayerdemons1, Getsuga belongs to Keyblader Zen.

This chapter takes place in Chapter 26 of A Newcomer: Book 1 by The Constitutionalist.

Linkage: The Constitutionalist's story, A Newcomer: Book 1, is the original storyline, as Crushed Dreams is A Newcomer: Book 1, but from Rift's perspective. I'd recommend reading A Newcomer: Book 1 for the whole experience.

Thanks to The Constitutionalist for not only beta reading this story, but making sure it stays consistent with his.

City of Warfang, Night Time, Present Day, Rift's POV

Alex looked at me for an explanation, I shook my head while the drunk Ferrosa slumped against me. I sighed, "Ferrosa got to drinking at the nearby bar… Well, I can tell that you already know the rest." Alex was visibly upset about it, but volunteered to take Ferrosa to Cynder's room.

"Mera, I need to ask you about something." Mera looked at me, "What's up?" "The sky, but in all seriousness, it's about Ferrosa." "What about her?" "Has she always gotten carried away with her drinking?" She dropped her head, "Yeah, even when we were young, alcohol was always her weakness. She can live without it, but she can't stop once she starts." "That seems to make you uncomfortable." "I went drinking with her once. I ended up getting taken by a couple of dragons. They.. did things to me without consent. The only good thing that happened from that was Alex saving me from them."

It now made sense how Alex and Mera met, but the conversation was originally about Ferossa. "Does she normally try to seduce others?" "Oh hell yes, It doesn't matter if she's drunk or sober, if she likes a guy, she's willing to tie them up against their will. Why, did she try to seduce you?" "Sadly yes. I'm sure any other dragon would be willing to go to pound town with her, but the only one I deeply cared for was Kara."

She looked at me. "If it makes you feel better, I think Alex is her primary target. She better not jump him or I will kill her." "A few hours ago, you and Ferrosa were trying to start a three-way, what changed?" She slapped me. "I was joking! I'm no slut that just parades herself around with her tail held high. Ferrosa knows how I feel about Alex, and if she so much as touches him, her head will be rolling to the other side of Warfang."

I cringed at the vision. 'Who knew that Mera could produce so much rage.' "Don't worry Mera, Alex can take care of himself. He also has a sense of morals. Ferrosa won't get him in bed anytime soon." I saw that Alex returned and was in a conversation with Cynder. "Speak of the devil." Alex started in our direction but ran off when a stranger stole his pistol. "And he's gone?"

We waited about 20 minutes for Alex to return. During that time, the three of us had drinks. The dragoness' had beer and ordered me something special to celebrate my decision to have my first ever alcoholic drink. Taking the shot, I could feel the alcohol burning my stomach, but it wasn't too bad. "That was actually alright, what was it?" The two just looked at me in pure shock for a moment before Cynder spoke up. "That's Tequila… I honestly can't believe you drank the shot straight, that's not normal." "Well I guess I'm really strange now, because I know when to stop."

I stood up. "I'm done. The thought of being unable to control myself terrifies me, and Ferrosa reinforced the feeling. One is plenty for me." The dragoness' finished their drinks and Alex returned. We all agreed to turn in for the night and we headed for Cynder's room. Inside, we joked about not paying rent, and chose beds. Cynder had hers, and Ferrosa was passed out on Alex's bed. I chose the bed farthest from Ferrosa, leaving an embarrassed Alex to sleep with Mera.

Cynder's Room, Night Time, Present Day, Rift's POV

I awoke several hours later when I remembered that the guardians wanted to see me. Slowly getting up, I quietly left Cynder's room, careful not to wake the others. Once inside the temple, I knock on the door to the Pool of Visions. A moment passed before Terrador opened it. "Glad you came so soon young dragon, come in, we have much to discuss." I followed him inside, sitting as I saw the other two. Cyril spoke; "I take it that you are curious why we called for you." "In most cases, I would still be asleep, but you struck my curiosity, make it quick, I'm tired." Volteer spoke next. "Curiosity kills the cat." "Well it isn't the first time my actions have nearly killed me." Terrador took charge. "A few weeks ago, we sent a group of moles to spy on Dante's Freezer." "So the moles were being moles." "When you put it that way, yes. The last day there, the CO claimed that he was temporarily blinded when he caught a glimpse of an orange dragon."

"That was me, hope the mole recovered." "He did. The moles returned here shortly after Alex arrived. We sent him, Cynder, and Mera to take down the fortress, and to keep an eye out incase you turned out to be true." "Is it because I'm a fire dragon? Racist." "Actually yes. In case you haven't noticed, we have no fire guardian. Our previous fire guardian, Ignitus, perished when he got Spyro and Cynder through the wall of fire. It was also one of the events that led to Spyro's corruption."

I sighed. "I slightly remember Ignitus, he and my father fought for the position of guardian." "You must be Void's boy, we haven't seen him in decades, how is he?" I snarled; "My dad and everyone in Dragon's Claw perished by the same bastard ape that killed my mate only a few weeks ago." "I am sorry." "Sorry wont help at this point, get to the damn chase." "We are in need of a new fire guardian, and from what the others say, you seem to fit the bill."

Oh how my younger self would be jumping for joy right now. It was my dream to be fire guardian, but after losing Kara, my life was nothing but Crushed Dreams (That was very intentional). I thought for a moment, looking at the guardians before shaking my head. "No. I'm sorry, but I'm not who you want."

The guardians looked in shock, Volteer the first to respond; "I-can't-comprehend-why-you-would-refuse-such-a-position." "Years ago, being guardian was my second dream, being with Kara was my first. I couldn't stop the apes from killing her. If I couldn't do that, how am I supposed to be a damn guardian? I lost everything I cared for, and I won't do it again. Once this war is over and Alex is back in his world, I'm going back to my cave, savour some good memories."

I looked at the downcast looks of the guardians before walking out. "Goodnight you three." Leaving the Pool of Visions, I slowly walked to Cynder's room. Stepping inside, I curled up on the bed I was using, past memories leading me to sleep.

A/N: Rift, get the beer out, we made it to chapter 10!

Rift: Uh, aren't you 19? Doesn't that make you underage?

A/N: Sorry, I meant to say to grab the Coca-cola.

Rift: The amount you drink will burn a hole in your stomach one of these days.

A/N: Already did, but this stuff is great.

Rift: Sorry about the author, he came up with the ending for Book II and is planning the filler.

A/N: No spoilers!

Rift: The title spoils the ending, we all know what will happen!

A/N: I also changed this chapter from the original idea. Rift was supposed to accept the offer and show his power, but I wanted to show more of Rift's personal side.

Rift: Coming from the guy that wants to write a lemon about Kara and I.

A/N: Hey Rift, Ferrosa is drunk and looking for you.

Rift: You never saw me.