Author's Note:

Hey Everyone! Welcome back to another chapter. The last one was received very well and I'm glad that you guys enjoyed it. Thanks for all of the amazing messages and well wishes that some of you left in your reviews. It means the world to me and it helped more than you know. I hope you guys had an amazing Christmas and a Happy New Year. Thanks to all of my frequent reviewers:

- IllusionMaster
- Dragon of Mystery
- TARDIS

Hope you guys enjoy this chapter and leave a review of how I could improve and also what you thought. Hope you guys enjoy it. Now without further ado…

Let the story continue…

The Heart of a Guardian

Nothing but the turning of a page was heard in the guardian's chambers as Volteer read. He sat on his haunches, leaning on the table in front of him and barely able to keep his drooping eyes open. The electric guardian had remained awake for most of the night, scanning through all of the books on the shelves in an attempt to find out anything else about Mortem and his past. Throwing the book back onto the table, Volteer cursed and buried his face in his paws. He had never felt so helpless, so stupid. Spyro was lying behind him, sweating and soaked in his own urine. It made Volteer's heart drop and a feeling of failure flood his mind.

Knowing that he needed some air, Volteer made his way over to the window and opened it slightly, sighing as he felt fresh air whoosh over his face. Peering down, he noticed a dragon couple nuzzling one another and walking with their tails entwined. Although it warmed his heart to see this, he felt a sense of loneliness and singularity. His fellow guardians and Spyro now had mates, or at least had one in the past, but he'd never even had a proper girlfriend. He stared sadly at the sun, looking out over the world that Spyro had saved all those years ago.

"You'd better recover and recuperate soon Spyro," Volteer said aloud. "You have a wife to take care of."

He made his way back over towards Spyro, checking on him one last time before walking out of the chambers. The electric guardian strolled out of the temple and out onto the streets, noticing a few flowers had been placed just in front of the steps. Reading the labels, he noticed that they were from Inferno and Frisia, wishing Spyro a swift recovery and sending him their love. He smiled at their kindness and wandered on, nodding to the creatures who acknowledged him. Although they seemed happy, there was a twinge of worry in their eyes. Spyro's outburst had put thoughts into different creatures' heads, some of them rash and conclusive. Volteer knew that Spyro's condition would worsen as Mortem drills further into his mind, but he also knew that Spyro was strong and would do everything in his power to stop him.

Volteer made his way over to the market, peering at the collection of fruits and vegetables that lay before him. Although Volteer had no money with him at this present time, he loved looking at the different varieties and colours that were presented in front of him. Much like Cynder, this was one of his favourite places to go. Out of the corner of his eye however, he spotted a familiar dragoness with light blue scales and jagged tail-blade. He wandered over, tapping the dragoness lightly on the shoulder.

"Hello there," he said with a chuckle.

"I know that voice…"

Turning around, the dragoness revealed herself. It was Sapphire. She smiled sweetly, her eyes glazed with memories of a young electric dragon, trying to show off. When they were younger, Volteer tried to make as good of an impression as he could onto Sapphire, sometimes injuring himself in the process. Sapphire thought he was sweet at the time, but kept it under wraps as to not receive unwanted attention. Aside from professional meetings, Sapphire and Volteer had not had a proper conversation for almost fifty years.

"Been far too long since we've had a proper conversation Volteer," Sapphire said to him, raising an eyebrow.

"I suppose we have been far too occupied with our specific duties in society," Volteer shrugged, a smile forming on his maw.

They both smiled at each other before Sapphire lunged forward and pulled Volteer into a friendly hug, both chuckling and enjoying their reunion.

"How have you been?" Sapphire asked him, pulling out of the hug.

"I have been most satisfactory, usually having to put up with Cyril's irritating and annoying notions, but other than that bothersome cockroach, I've been most pleased and content," Volteer explained.

Sapphire, sitting on her haunches, crossed her forepaws and chuckled, shaking her head slightly.

"You haven't changed a bit," she smiled, causing Volteer to blush. "Still sounds like you've got a dictionary up your arse."

"Well, people keep stating that so it must be accurate."

Sapphire stared at the floor, her expression dropping a little in sadness.

"I've missed our conversations, we were so close at school and now we never get time to see one another, apart from when profession gets us together," Sapphire mumbled.

"You were always the one saying how much you wanted to grow up and be a medic," Volteer stated.

"Yeah but that was before I knew what would happen if I did go down that route," Sapphire replied. "I never get time to myself most days because usually I get called in and have to take care of people."

"Which you are very exceptional at, might I add," Volteer replied, making Sapphire blush and smile at his kindness.

"You really think so?"

"Of course, everyone in this city thinks so," Volteer exclaimed. "You've saved countless lives, including Cynder's when she had the flu. Not to mention Fang and of course Spyro's seizure."

Sapphire smiled at the electric guardian, before images of him as a youngling began appearing in her mind. She remembered how small he used to be as a hatchling. One thing that hadn't changed since then, however, was his spirit. Always charming and kind, never ceasing to smile.

"So, what are doing in the market? Getting anything special?" Volteer asked her with intrigue.

"Not really, just everyday medical supplies I'm afraid," Sapphire replied, pointing towards a specific stall.

"Would you like some company?" Volteer asked her, drawing a smile from the light blue dragoness in front of him.

"Love some."

Sapphire made her way over to the stall and bought a few herbs and a small basket of gems that she clutched with her paw.

"Have you purchased the right quantity?" Volteer asked with intrigue.

"Yep, that's all I needed," Sapphire replied. "Come on, let's head back and you tell me all about what being a guardian is like."

"I humbly accept that offer," Volteer bowed, following behind her.

Standing beside one another and engaged in deep conversation, the electric guardian and city nurse walked slowly and told each other of their past experiences. Volteer explained his guardianship and how boring it can be when Cyril delivers a speech. Sapphire listened with complete intrigue, taking in each word as if it was treasure.

"So, how long have you been a guardian?" Sapphire asked him as they sat next to the fountain.

"Almost forty-five years now," Volteer replied, scratching his chin. "Was hard work becoming one I will say but… I suppose it was… worth all that… trouble."

Volteer lowered his head, remembering the constant hurt and indignity he received as a young child. Going through the early years of his education, he never had a friend who could cheer him up after someone had hit him or stolen his homework. He spent most of his days alone, sitting in the library and finding new words that thrilled him and twisted his tongue.

"You okay?" Sapphire asked him.

"Just peachy thank you, couldn't be happier," Volteer lied, looking at the pavement.

"I know school was rough for you… but… if you don't mind, I want to know what you went through before all of that happened," Sapphire mumbled, grasping his paw.

"Well… it's an awfully long and upsetting process."

"That doesn't matter, I want to hear it," Sapphire insisted.

Volteer sighed and took a deep breath before beginning. He knew he wanted nothing to do with his past and memories that haunted him, promising himself to throw them away. But now, he was willing to make an exception.

"Well, to begin with, my father was a soldier for the army. He was a very proud soldier and extremely loyal to his fellow combatants and to his cause. My mother however, was kind and caring with a soft touch. She was also a healer, much like you in fact. Aside from all that, we were a very happy family, even in my early years as a hatchling I knew this. However, when armies began to attack, my father left to fight and never came home. My mother was a caring dragoness and loved myself and my father with all her heart, but after he didn't come home, it broke her to the point where she had no care for the world anymore. She was so overrun by grief that she fell ill, so ill in fact that she... took her own life.

"After that, I was left on my own and was sent to an orphanage where I spent most of my childhood being shunted and… abused just for being… myself. It was the same story at our school as well. I just didn't know why it had to be me. I didn't let that phase me however. I continued reading and learning different elements and… when it came to the exams I excelled remarkably, and even completed the physical elemental exams with ease, turning a few eyes in my direction I might add. After I while, I was taken here to Warfang and became an apprentice, alongside Cyril, Terrador and… Ignitus, who was the greatest out of all of us."

Sapphire sat there, speechless. Volteer had been through so much, yet he maintained a high array of happiness wherever he went. She was in complete awe of him, a change in her heart occurring as she felt herself staring. What was she feeling?

"Ancestors, Volteer… i-i-if I'd have known…" Sapphire gasped.

"Well I am most ecstatic at this point in time as I have finally come to terms with who I am and what my place is in this vast and enormous world we reside in," Volteer explained. "And I keep learning new things every day, but enough about me. What's your past?"

"Not much to tell I'm afraid, apart from that my parents were kind dragons and took care of me for quite a while; they're still living in the city actually. They're very supportive in everything that I do, and were very proud of me when I told them I was… getting married."

"You have a mate?" Volteer asked with intrigue.

"Had…" Sapphire replied sadly. "He was killed in the war by that… bastard Malefor..."

"It seems we have all suffered from that tyrant's hand… Please accept my condolences for your loss."

"That was over twenty years ago, Volteer. I'm fine. It still pains me to think of him, but… you just gotta move on, you know. It was only a little while after our marriage that he was killed. Just short of a year. Maybe the ancestors deemed it not to be… But who knows why things happen in this world? Seeing him lie there, bloodied, dying and unable to be helped… it sparked something in me. I was already out of my apprenticeship and a certified healer at the time, being just into my forties, but knowing that he was so far gone that I could not help him… it finally made me realise what my job was and how important it was.

"I knew people could die from wounds, but I'd never seen it happen. After realising what my job meant, I began to put everything on the line to help people. I sacrificed everything, to the point where as the war became worse and worse I literally started living in the infirmary because of how many patients were being brought in, and with how many things were going wrong with them. I lost hours of sleep, and I remember pulling several all-nighters to the point where I would collapse. I sacrificed everything to keep people alive, so that no one would have to experience what I went through with my mate. I guess I'm grateful I'm one of the best healers in Warfang because of it, but I don't do this for fame or for the title. I do it to save people."

Volteer nodded, beaming inside at Sapphire's unbreakable pride and selflessness.

"I have known many dragons in my time Sapphire, only a fair few have I met that share the same pride and selflessness that you do. If you don't mind me inquiring this of you, what was your mate's name?" he asked.

"Daeryn. He was an ice dragon," Sapphire replied.

There was silence for a bit. Volteer just watched Sapphire carefully as she took some deep, heavy breaths. Her eyes shone with moisture, but not a single tear left them. She blinked furiously, swallowing her emotions, before she spoke up once more.

"All that matters is saving people. And right now, that means Spyro. He's in a very bad spot right now. I can help him physically, but I can't do a thing about what's going on inside him. Spiritually. Magically. I don't know enough in that field. I just wish there was more I could do to help him," Sapphire murmured.

"Do not fret about Spyro, Sapphire. He's strong and he is a formidable fighter, so if anyone can get rid of this demon, it's him. If you ever desire assistance or support, I'll be pleased and willing to try and do so. You can ask for help if you need to. You don't have to do it all alone and unaccompanied," Volteer offered.

"Thanks, Volteer," Sapphire responded, turning and giving him a small smile. "Thanks for putting up with my spiel. I don't usually talk about Daeryn, nor about that dark time of my life."

"It's perfectly alright, Sapphire. Don't fret about such matters. I thank you in return for listening to my story as well."

"Hey… um… can you… walk with me? Back to the infirmary?" Sapphire asked tentatively, rubbing the back of her neck with a paw.

"It would be my pleasure," Volteer replied with a smile, pushing himself onto all fours.

Sapphire and Volteer made their way back to the infirmary, engaging in deep conversation and catching up on further past events, those of which were more light-hearted than the topics they had spoken about earlier. Volteer was glad that he escaped his solitary place in the temple, he felt free now that he was out in the fresh air of the world. It was a welcome change of scenery, and although he was very worried about Spyro, it was also good to be away from the stench that he was giving off. He'd been sweating almost non-stop since the night Mortem took control of his body during the freedom anniversary celebration, and being unable to get up and go to the bathroom to relieve himself, he frequently ended up getting both himself and his bedsheets covered in urine. He'd been quite a mess as of recently, and the guardians had all taken turns cleaning up after him. None of them were used to having to treat him like a newborn, but he was physically incapable of looking after himself, especially as he was fighting his own battle with Mortem inside his head.

Volteer prayed to the ancestors that Spyro would get better and be his old self again. But he knew deep down that it would not be an easy challenge to overcome.

They arrived at the infirmary, and Sapphire gave Volteer a thankful, friendly smile as she stood in front of the doors, looking into each other's eyes.

"Thank you for walking me here, Volteer, as well as just… listening to me vent about Daeryn. It was uh… very nice of you," Sapphire said with gratitude.

"It was my pleasure to accompany you and to ensure that you were faring well," Volteer replied, smiling back at Sapphire.

"Thank you for that. I, uh… I hope we get to meet up more frequently. You know, outside of professional circumstances. I'd like to try and revive the friendship we used to have in school."

"So would I. Our friendship was once of the only ones I had. I'd like to become friends once again."

"Well, I guess we'll get to work on that. Anyway, I've got some patients waiting for me. I'll see you later, Volteer."

"Alright. Goodbye, Sapphire."

With that, Sapphire walked into the infirmary, leaving Volteer standing outside, a wide smile on his face. He felt warm and gleeful, his heart beating wildly against his chest. It was good to be with Sapphire again, and to spark up their old friendship. Their own jobs had separated them significantly, making them forget about old memories due to how demanding they were. Even though they would later see more of each other, especially during the war, pressing matters and professional situations always got in the way of trying to be friends. He was annoyed that it had taken them twenty years of peace to get it started again, but, because of Spyro, they had at least achieved it. Sapphire was one of the few people he was comfortable around. She'd always tried to stick up for him when she caught him being bullied, and she was a good friend to him, even though they didn't meet up as frequently as most friend groups did. Although she had no knowledge as to what had happened with Volteer's parents, she felt she needed to do the right thing and help him. Volteer had never told anyone about it. Not even the other guardians knew he was an orphan. Ignitus didn't either. He'd kept it all to himself, hiding that dark part of his life from everyone. And now Sapphire was the first to learn of it.

However, it perplexed him how he was so open to her about his secret. It was like a hidden trust or connection that must have been outstanding since their friendship. Although the detail was not in full, especially when it came to his mother, he was still very open about it. He was the one that found her dead body, and had put his everything into trying to wake her up, but with no success. Her throat had been cut open and spilling the same red liquid that stained her tailblade; he remembered the details vividly. But that didn't matter. The point was that he'd opened up to Sapphire, and he had no idea why it came to him to do that all of a sudden. Sapphire asked him to talk, and he could've easily refused, but he decided not to. Why? He didn't know. It didn't make sense. It had felt so awkward to be sitting next to Sapphire, telling her his deepest, darkest secrets.

Although that wasn't the only feeling he had felt when sitting next to her. It was hard to describe what it was, but it was like… a softness? A warm, cozy softness that set his heart alight, and with it, a hint of nervousness. He'd never felt that feeling before, but he remembered Spyro telling him all about it.

Volteer asked himself question after question, questioning the feelings that he felt. Could it be love? Could his heart finally be filled?

"No, it couldn't possibly be that," Volteer confirmed to himself as thought.

Walking away from the infirmary, Volteer battled with his mind, trying to find a theory other than love for his recent heart activity. But no matter how hard he tried to figure out a secondary reasoning for it, he could not come to a conclusion.

With a roll of his eyes, he decided to leave the topic behind him, knowing he had more important matters to deal with. Trying to find a way to cure Spyro from Mortem's hold was proving incredibly difficult. Hardly anything in his books had any valuable information on how to free someone from the hold of a dark ancestor. Then again, this was a dark ancestor they were dealing with; there was very limited knowledge on the ancestors in any book. He just hoped that Spyro wasn't too badly hurt and wasn't deteriorating too much while he had left. Volteer needed to get back to Spyro.

Walking back through the streets, Volteer spied his fellow guardian Terrador, making his way past the stalls and towards the temple.

"Greetings Terrador!" Volteer greeted, jogging over towards Terrador.

"Hello Volteer," Terrador replied with a smile. "What brings you out here?"

"I wanted to get some fresh air from the chambers, Spyro's condition was not getting any better so I decided to take a walk and came across Sapphire," Volteer explained.

"Ah, you two were childhood friends am I correct?"

"Yes that's accurate, we have known each other for countless years but… never caught up on previous endeavors since we have only seen one another on business terms," Volteer explained further, Terrador smirking slightly. "She told me about how she managed to get to where she is now and was very happy to see me and have a proper engagement in conversation."

"Sounds like you have enjoyed yourself today," Terrador chuckled, knowing that what he was thinking may be true.

Volteer spied him suspiciously.

"Are you thinking that I will commence a relationship with Sapphire? If so, you are greatly mistaken, Terrador," Volteer mumbled.

"My old friend," Terrador chuckled. "I have known you far too long to tell when you are not being truthful. Besides, the signs are all there. You were passionate when you mentioned her name and your face seemed to light up at the very thought of her. Like I said before, the signs are indeed there."

"But… How do I commence further engagement with this sort of feeling? Yes I have knowledge on the academic science and elemental side of education, but the affairs of love? I haven't a single clue of how to approach the opposite sex," Volteer explained sadly, knowing that he was far out of his comfort zone.

"That will come in time Volteer," Terrador said softly. "You must be patient when you think that you are in love. You may feel love, but it must be shared between a dragon and dragoness over time. You must spend time with that dragoness, make her feel loved and she will love you in return. You must be brave Volteer, because love… is scary at first. But you will master it, much like you have mastered your element and of course… your guardianship."

"I understand," Volteer nodded.

The two guardians made their way up the steps and into the temple, engaged in conversation. Although Volteer knew nothing of how to approach his newly found love, it was something that he was relishing in, the chance to finally have someone by his side. For most of his life, he had been alone, only his friends to keep him company. But they too soon had mates, leaving him to his books and education. Soon though, he would cast out those feelings of loneliness, and try to commence a new chapter in his life.

As Volteer and Terrador made their way into the guardian's chambers, an expression of horror graced their faces. Spyro was cut, bruised and bleeding. His leg was twisted and broken, making Terrador gag at the sight. Spyro's breathing was laboured and hitched, his chest tightened and his scales painted red from the amount of blood that he had lost. The cuts across his chest and face were leaking blood, left open and leaving his flesh exposed. Volteer peered closer at Spyro's wrists, they had shackle-like scars around them, imprinted around his ankles also.

"What has this bastard done to him?!" Terrador hissed through his teeth, clenching his paws.

"I'm not sure Terrador, but we can concur from Spyro's injuries… Mortem is getting stronger…"

Oooooo, a very concerning ending there. What's going to happen to Spyro? Is he going to get worse? Will Cynder make it to him in time? You'll have to wait and see I'm afraid. Again, thanks for the support that you guys have given me concerning my family and what has happened recently. I couldn't thank you guys enough for being the kindest people ever and just supporting me as I lost a person close to me. Again, thank you so much.

I also want to thank SKda for not leaving my side in whatever I do and practically being one of the greatest friends I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Thank you SKda, from the bottom of my heart… Thank you.

And… let's not forget Cheetah. She never leaves my side and does not judge. She is always there for me and I love her so much for everything she is and everything she will become. Thank you so much cheetah and I love you with all my heart.

Thank you guys for reading this chapter and I wish you all the best.

Hope you guys have an amazing Morning, afternoon or evening…

And this is Mystic, SKda and Cheetah… signing off ^_^