Disclaimer: Cynder is property of whoever the hell owns the Spyro Franchise at this moment.

OC Disclaimer: Alex, Mera, Ferrosa, Felphex, Tolix 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 28-29 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.

Note: This chapter includes a quick lesson in dragon anatomy.

Cynder's Room, Morning, Present Day, Rift's POV

Sleep had been very short lived. I couldn't get the offer out of my head. Being a guardian was a dream of mine, but I just didn't feel like I deserved it. I awoke when sleep became a hassle. Alex was already awake and ready, armor on and weapons drawn. Ferrosa was awake as well, face deep red. 'Hmm, she must have sobered up, I'm glad that she didn't use any of us as her personal toy.'

Some noises behind me alerted me of Cynder and Mera waking up. Like a yawn, we stood up and stretched, Alex turning away from us. 'Something must have happened last night when he ran off.' It wasn't like he could see anything. Male dragons' reproductive organs are hidden until use. Female dragons however… I grinned. Alex turned away for the ladies. A scent filled the air, faint, but there. 'Mera's about to go in heat, here's hoping she takes him elsewhere. Would be fun to throw some jokes at Alex.'

"What? Never seen a draconic..."

"Please, don't finish that question. I'd rather not think any more on the subject."

"Humph," something definitely happened last night, "I guess something happened while you were gone?"

"I think it's best I tell you some other time."

Entering the Pool of Visions, I could see Volteer giving me a nod, almost as if he said the offer still stands. Terrador and Cyril led the mission briefing with Alex and Cynder. Basically the overall objective was simple, "Beat the bad guys, save the day."

The walk to the main gate was quite humorous. Alex kept his Peace-Breaker at drawing distance to avoid getting it stolen again. I half contemplated tripping him, but quickly threw that idea out. I would rather die doing something more… heroic than being a victim of friendly fire.

Multiple figures were waiting for us. Felphex and Tolix, cheetahs, were trying to flirt with Mera and Ferrosa. Getsuga, a dragoness, was talking to Alex. As we were leaving the city, I met the last member of the new group, Silver, who kept to himself up until now. He held out a paw.

"My name is Silver."

I shook his paw "The name's Rift"

"I don't think we've met before, are you new here?"

"I'm from the once existent Dragon's Claw."

"Oh, you must be the dragon that turned down the guardians."

"I didn't want to, but I have a way of losing people and things I care about."

"Sounds like the best qualifications to me"

I suddenly backed away from him.

"What is it?"

"Umm, there's a spider by your paw."

Silver looked down, snarling as he violently stomps on the eight-legged creature. Proud of his work, he looks at me with a smug face. "There's a what by my paw?"

"I-uh... " I sighed "We are so going to get along."

We both look in front of us to see Felphex and Tolix continue their pursuit of Mera and Ferossa.

"If those two keep it up, Alex might get jealous."

"Why? does he have a thing for the ladies?"

"There's definitely a thing with Alex and Mera"

"The dragoness's are starting to look a little annoyed."

"I'm not surprised with Mera, but I'm pretty shocked about Ferossa. She gets… kinda open minded about things when intoxicated."

"Seems like you know from experience. Care to elaborate?"

"She tried to seduce me yesterday."

"You make it sound like a bad thing."

"For one, her younger sister was my deceased mate. And two, she's my mate's exact opposite."

"I see your point."

As we hit a split in the path, Cynder signaled Silver and I to group up with the other guys and Mera while the other ladies stayed behind with the caravan. I sighed as I noticed that we were taking the under-maintained road, as Alex gave Felphex a stern lecture about drawing a crossbow string with a bolt loaded. 'Seriously? Even I know that's not a smart idea.' I gave another sigh and quietly muttered under my breath "Same Shit, Different Day."

Silver, Tolix and I stayed back while Mera and Felphex followed Alex to a nearby bush. A shot rang out, prompting Silver and I to regroup with Alex. The area was already a battle ground. Bodies of apes lay lifeless and Mera and Felphex looking horrified as Alex was brutally mauling a downed ape, clawed fist in chest. 'Was this how I was when I was out for blood?' I gave a curious look but inside, I felt sick to my stomach. 'Just hurry up with the poor bastard'

Finally putting the ape out, it looked as if Alex was unable to get his arm out. "Enough is enough already!" I leaped over to Alex and grabbed his head with my maw, slowly pulling him away, not really caring at this point at how hard I bit. Releasing him, I couldn't help but feel surprised and disturbed by Alex's actions.

"What in the ancestor's fuck was that Alex!?"

"The hell if I know! I don't know what the fuck happened! I went to punch him in the chest to stop his heart, but the next thing I know, I lose control my arm and punch right into that ape's chest!"

I turned around and headed to a bush out of hearing range. The closer I got, the more staggered my walking was. My chest burned and I couldn't help but hurl at the pain. Almost instantly the pain vanished. I regrouped with Alex as the group headed back to the caravan. Suddenly, a small memory came to me.

"I guess this is as good a time as any to ask about that thing from earlier this morning?"

"Well, after chasing that thief I mentioned and on my way back, I sort of crashed into the Dragoness Bathhouse."

I couldn't help but smirk, any joking at Alex's expense is great. He previously did fire a sniper rifle right next to Cynder, Mera, and I after all.

"So, you ended up in one of the most prestigious locations in Warfang purely on accident? I find that hard to believe. I'm surprised you're still standing, they usually teach the boys a harsh lesson, from what I've heard."

"Yeah, that's what Karin told me, she's the owner of the establishment. To top off the cake though, she even invited me back!"

'The fuck? There's no way!' but Alex continued.

"I'm serious! This shit's too crazy to make up, somehow I've even made a good impression with the patrons there, so I guess smacking face-first into windows seems to be the trick to get the ladies."

"You're one hell of a lucky bastard, you know that?"

"Yeah, I suppose so. Ferrosa might like the place, although Mera might not as much. I'll probably go there just to relax when we get to go back to Warfang sometime."

Our conversation ended as we arrived at the caravan.

A/N: Ah, the sweet scent of an update!

Rift: Ahem, shouldn't you say something along the lines of "Sorry for not updating sooner"?

A/N: I always say that, I've been stuck with my college along with now getting a job, and moving into a new apartment, AND getting back with my girlfriend.

Rift: So what do you do at your job?

A/N: I make sandwiches… Rift, I swear to god that if you make a joke about that, Ferrosa will have her way with you!

Rift: I… but… Screw it! Bitch, go make me a sandwich.