Act 3 Chapter 3: Past Sins

Warfang

1015 Years earlier

As he took in the sight of the crystal lit chamber, Malefor once again questioned how things had come to this that they were here, meeting like thieves in the night while their enemies were able to discuss plans to destroy them in broad daylight. After receiving no response from the questioning glance he threw at the earth and wind dragons across from him, their attention was drawn by the fourth young drake entering the cave. Upon noticing his three companions, he smiled and motioned them closer. "Now then, you're all probably wondering why I dragged you all down here, far under the city, this late at night."

"The thought had crossed our mind." Replied the earth dragon. "Couldn't this have waited until morning?"

"It might have been able to, were it not for the fact that I found proof that tremor was right in his claims." The silence following his statement intensified as three pairs of ears gave him their undivided attention. "Following Malefor's brief meeting with him, I began looking through the records at other events where the death of a guardian or council member was the result of a horrific accident. With your help we found that most of these seemed to be accurate reports while the few that remained seemed to just be filing errors."

A disgruntled rumble arose from the green titan that was Terrador. "I know how love your theatrics and suspense Ignitus but would you get to the point?"

"Patience, terror, this requires the full story, else you would lack the full understanding." There were a few rumblings about understanding from the green titan before he motioned for him to continue. "Those 'accidents' have all occurred in some war or great battle and apart from the last two, the report has always followed the same lines. Of the remaining couple, one was that which I doctored while the real one remains concealed within the temple. The second, I found completely by accident on the report for the death of the guardian of light twelve years prior. As it happens, there was a message written in shadow runes on the parchment. As I found these almost a year ago, it obviously took me a while to decode them."

A snort came from the purple dragon. "Would have been quicker if dusk were still around to help."

"Considerably, especially since she is the one who wrote them." With an impatient motion from (Terrador), he continued. "The original report goes on in length how Flash met his fate at the claws of the Grublins in Dante's Freezer. The hidden message however, states that Dante personally ordered him killed due to the fact he was instrumental in disrupting his plans, even from all the way out there."

"Does it say how she found out about this?"

"From the other members of the conspiracy. Turns out that she was a major part of it right up until the death of a fellow member was ordered."

The three glanced uneasily at Malefor who was quietly contemplating all he had been told. "Though she may have supported this conspiracy, she at least knew when enough was enough. From what we know of them, if she was going against the group, I'm not surprised they killed her. The question remains though, what will our next move be?"

"We can deduce that Master Coal is a member." stated the wind dragon next to him. "In the time that I've been paying attention, I've noticed that, while his commands and requests seem best when heard hours apart, there are underlying connections if you know what to look for. I plan to bring this information to Igneous's attention once I've sorted through the fine details."

About that," groaned Terrador, "in the two years I have learnt from him, I have heard nothing but good things from him regarding Master Coal. He has also mentioned, many times, how his life was owed to Master Coal. Even if he isn't part of the conspiracy, he would probably kill us just to ensure we couldn't bring harm to his friend."

"Ah." The disappointment her voice was obvious to the others. "Well then, what are we to do with this information?"

"If I may," spoke Ignitus, "Tremor gave this information to us that we could use it. Knowing that, should we not take action?"

"What do you propose? We can't act against them without incurring the wrath of them and their master. Even if we could beat them, we'd have the entirety of the city after us for treason"

"You may not have to worry about that." They all turned to the passage they had entered from to see the imposing figure of the water guardian. His tall, imposing stature illuminated by the few crystals in the access passage. "While you've all been down here plotting, the enemy has made their move. Both Coal and Igneous lay murdered in their chambers. The evidence points to a fire dragon."

The wind dragon hung her head. "They must have noticed my digging into their records. It would seem that there is one I missed within the archives. This conspiracy must be stopped. If they would kill two of their own just to keep from being found, imagine what they will do to the rest of our kind." She frowned as his words made it through the filter of her mind. "You mentioned a fire dragon did it, do you know which one?"

"As it stands, there is only one unaccounted for…" he said, staring at Ignitus. "They knew you would be out of the temple, just as they know that their best chance for ending our resistance is to eliminate you. As it stands, there is a capture or kill order out on you."

"And if I turn myself over, there is a guarantee that the evidence will be stacked against me." His voice was thick with disappointment. Even if I run, it is easy enough to track a single fire drake."

"All their evidence wouldn't matter if I ran in your place." The shock was evident on everyone's face as Malefor said his piece. "We all know why they've targeted Ignitus. He's in the best place to gather information and put it to use. While none of us wanted the guardian's deaths, we can make the most of this, but only if Ignitus comes through blameless."

"And," added Hydro, "it will be much harder for their agents to track a dragon with many element types."

"This is also the best opportunity to put our plans into action. We've needed an excuse to move into ape territories. If you move quickly, I can make it there and spread word before His agents get there."

Further plans and details were quickly sorted before they all left down the passage behind hydro, leaving only Malefor and the lone female dragon. "You know," she said "Ignitus may seem to agree with this, but we both know he's not going to take this well."

"He'd feel bad about this no matter what I did. At least this way, he has no reason, nor opportunity to talk me out of it."

"Maybe. Do you have a plan for what comes next?"

"You know me Gale, I prefer to keep my plans to myself."

The pair sat watching as crystal on the wall seemed to increase in size. "You seem to have finally calmed down over her death."

"I made peace with tremors deeds long ago, though I do regret that the council noticed his presence. He could have proven to be a great ally in this coming fight."

"Now there are words I never thought I'd hear from you."

"And what of you," he replied, finally turning to face her? "Have you forgiven Hydro for doing the deed, despite the fact he had no choice?"

"It was never Hydro that I was mad at. Rather, the fact that it had to happen in the first place." With that, she moved to leave him. "Wait an hour before leaving the city. We will send the guards out to, supposedly chase you, and give you the opportunity to get away clean."

"Don't let those monsters get away with this treachery. Coal and Igneous may have been our enemies in the long run, yet they were also my teachers. Together, we can see their spirits left at peace.

Warfang

Present day (four days later)

"As you can see;" finished Gaia, "Gale was the only one of us that could keep Ignitus and Malefor thinking with a clear head after dusk. She cared for both of them greatly. It broke her heart to see them pitched against each other in battle. Eventually, it got to the point that she could no longer remain here. Finding her will be tricky, as she was last seen heading into gryphon territory. Though, with her back on our side, our fight will become a lot easier."

"We have to find her first," dead-panned Sparx, "In the middle of what is the largest empire on this land mass, half of which is a war zone, whilst trying to avoid any foxes who may mistake us as creatures summoned by the phoenix and avoid any gryphons who think we're spies sent by their enemies."

"Thank you Sparx," grimaced Cynder. "I was wondering where we would be without you."

"Probably still fighting the Golem. We could also just use one of Terrador's tracking scrolls, they worked when we needed Ignitus."

"…"

"On another note what's our score up too?"

"Sixteen to eleven, I'm still ahead."

"Yeah, but it was sixteen to seven when you left to fight Malefor." He teased, leaning on her horn" "You've lost your touch."

"Keep touching my horn and you'll find out how much of my touch I still have."

"As entertaining as this is," said Cirion, interrupting before it could get out of hand; "could you continue that later?"

"He's right," added Spyro. "We have lots to do before we can leave to find gale. If the pair of you can avoid tearing each other apart, you can go give our plan to Terrador and get the scroll off him."

"I suppose you boys will be here training in the meantime?"

"No, we have a much harder task. Convincing our local phoenix to allow Cirion into their territories unmolested."

"Good luck with that." Quipped Cynder as the other pair left to find

A/N If anyone can spot the Blazing Saddles Quote, I will need a villain henchman in the future of this story and will accept your suggestions for an OC.