Tales and Torrents


After escaping from Boyzitbig's eruption, our heroes returned to the hideout, where everyone was waiting.

"Spyro, Sparx, Elora!" Flash cried, as he and Nina flew forward to hug them. "You're okay!"

"Heh, yeah we are," Spyro panted. "I'm so happy to see you guys again."

"Tell me about it!" Sparx raved excitedly. "Our folks are back, we rescued the Water Dragons, and now we only have one more Guardian to save! I'd say things are going well for us."

"Don't get overconfident, young dragonfly," Cyril said. "There are still the Dark Armies we have to deal with; as well as Cynder, herself."

"And we have to stop them from powering more orbs using the remaining Guardians. Cynder has four orbs so far…" the Professor fretted. Although, he hadn't been mentioned explicitly, many glances shifted to Ignitus, who wore the most grim expression in the room.

"Are my parents okay?" Elora asked.

"Your mother is doing fine," Cleem answered, hurrying in to hug his daughter.

Elora sighed. "Oh, that's such a relief."

"Cleem, I'm really sorry for what I did to her," Spyro pleaded to his foster father.

"What you did? It was that horrible Dragon Red that did hurt her," Cleem replied.

"No." Spyro shook his head. "It was me! I did it! I attacked her! But I didn't mean to, I swear!"

The news shocked Cleem. Elora and Sparx held their breaths in worry. The other Guardians turned to each other in alarm, while Ignitus bowed his head in resignation.

"W-What?! I-It was you?!" Cleem stammered, looking at his foster son, appalled. "I hope that Red did it… so he could pay for his crimes! Tell me, Spyro is mistaken, right?" He turned desperately to Ignitus, hoping that the Fire Guardian would prove him right. But Ignitus shook his head.

"The young dragon is telling the truth…" Ignitus said. "And I am disappointed in him, as well as myself, for letting this to happen."

"Disappointed?!" Cleem seethed. "You said Red was the one who did this to Shabae! You lied to me!"

"I'm truly sorry," Ignitus said solemnly. "I... I thought it best at the time not to cause you anymore pain."

"Pain?!" Cleem cried furiously. "I'll give you pain when I..."

"No!" Cordelia said. She stood between them, ever the mediator. "While I understand your anger, good sir, fighting isn't going to solve anything."

"Fine!" Cleem said, with an fierce look at Ignitus and Spyro. "We've suffered enough..." He left to be with Shabae in the infirmary. Spyro felt worse still.

"I'm really sorry about all this. I never wanted this to happen!" he moaned. "Maybe I should go and speak…"

"I don't think it's a good time, bro…" Sparx said.

"Maybe we can talk about what happened…"

"No, Spyro," Ignitus said. "Cleem's very upset and we shouldn't be involved in this right now…"

"Look, Spy," Elora consoled, "Dad just needs time to calm down. We should be thankful that they're both still alive." Spryo wrestled with his heart for a moment until finally agreeing that they were right.

"Spyro, I need to have a word with you, in private," Ignitus said firmly.

Spyro gulped, but followed without dawdle.

"Good luck," Elora and Sparx whispered to him.


Ignitus led Spyro to the Guardian's chambers. There was a tapestry of the Fire Emblem and a few sculptures that looked to have been shaped from lava and cooled into the final results.

Ignitus settled himself in a chair and motioned for Spyro to sit before him. The young Dragon did so, unable to look his mentor in the eye. Ignitus gazed at Spyro for a few moments, which seemed even longer to Spyro. Then the Guardian sighed.

"Spyro, I'm disappointed. I thought I told you not to rush into danger, and how dangerous the Fury Surge is for you."

"I know," Spyro said heavily. "That's why I ran off; I knew I'd let you down."

"Then you should expect what I will say to you now. You need to do better to control yourself. I lied to Cleem in order to protect your relationship with him. However, doing so seemed to only worsen the damage. That error falls solely on my shoulders."

Spyro's gaze dropped lower. "It's just, since that dragon was killed in front of me, I haven't been able to get it out of my head. I then thought of Elora and my parents, and what the Dark Armies might do to them. I feared the worst... I mean, all I wanted was to protect them. Was that really so wrong?"

Ignitus sighed again. "Long ago, I would have felt the same in your position. But that doesn't make it right. I've known Dragons who acted with good intentions, only to cause more harm instead. Spyro, the reason I'm being hard on you is that I don't want you to make the same mistakes that Comet made."

"Who's Comet?"

"He was the first Purple Dragon; and a former friend…"

"There was another purple dragon, like me?"

"Yes." Ignitus gestured to a painting that showed a Dragon with his wings spread out wide over a vast valley. He had purple scales, like Spyro, though his looked closer to magenta in some areas. He had two large horns that curved upward from either side of his head. Spyro supposed that the Dragon was Comet.

"You said he was a friend?"

"He was born in the same Year of the Dragon as your mother and me. At the time, Comet was an anomaly. No one had ever seen anything like him. Variation in scale colour was rare; though not unheard of. But purple was completely foreign to us.

"His exceptionalism only grew when the Elders discovered his latent power. It was beyond anything anyone could have imagined. First, he mastered Fire, strange given he wasn't born of fire. Then, he mastered Ice, then Wind, and so on. It both intrigued and alarmed everyone, even Comet himself."

"He was scared of his own power?" Spyro wondered.

"At first, yes. But the Elders saw great potential in Comet and told him to embrace his power. Sibylla and I did the same. He was our dear friend and we wanted to see him succeed. By the time he reached adulthood, Comet became the most powerful Dragon ever known. Whole armies fell to his elemental might, and he became revered by all."

"Wow… that sounds amazing!"

"Yes, it was. However, his powers came with a price. Comet became enthralled by his talents, especially when he discovered the power of wielding Aether; the primal source of all energy. As the only Purple Dragon, Comet grew proud and conceited. He felt the power and reverence he possessed gave him the right to rule Avalar. I'm sorry to say that your mother and I did little to change that. In fact, for a time, we encouraged it."

"What?!" Spyro asked shocked.

"Yes, we thought that under Comet's leadership, things would be better for everyone. But Comet's ambitions proved greater and more terrible than we expected. When he proposed his desire to rule, the Elders and Guardians refused. In anger, Comet attacked them, and came very close to killing them. We only just managed to subdue him."

An expression of regret crossed Ignitus's face when he next spoke. "The Elders and Guardians did not take Comet's attempt to usurp them well. When Comet could not be talked down, he was exiled. That was the last time Sibylla and I ever saw our friend."

Spyro's mind was reeling. "So… what eventually happened to Comet?"

"There were… rumours. Some say he eventually became consumed by his own darkness. Others suggested that he was possessed by a dark essence that he tried to control. Either way, his hubris spelled the end of the good Dragon Comet had once been."

"And… what happened to Mum?"

"Well, both of us were prosecuted for our involvement with Comet's plans. Sibylla took the full brunt, and went into exile herself. I did not see her again until the night she entrusted your egg to me."

"Oh, I see…"

"I hope that by telling you this," Ignitus finished slowly, "that you understand why you need to be careful with your powers and emotions. I promised your mother that I wouldn't let you suffer the same fate as Comet. That's why I sent your egg down the Silver River the night that the Temple was attacked. She didn't want your life steered by circumstances. She wanted your life to be your choice."

Spyro thought for several moments. He felt dizzy, scared, confused and guilty all at once. With everything that had transpired that day, he felt as though his brain had been wrought like a sponge.

"Thanks for telling me Ignitus," he said finally. "I won't let you or Mum down; I promise."

"All right, then. Let's regroup with the rest of the Guardians," the Fire Guardian said, rising from his chair. "No doubt Cordelia will want to teach you how to master the Water element. By then, we will be ready to free Terrador."

"Right. But... can I have a rest first? My head's aching."

"Very well then," Ignitus agreed. Spyro retired to his room.


At the Mountain of Malefor, Gaul was furious at the news of Spyro and Ignitus' escape. "You wretched, worthless old dragon!" he shouted at Red, smashing a skull with his fist. "You had the Fire Guardian right in front of you and you failed to capture him?!"

"Forgive me, Gaul," Red said. "But the Purple Dragon is to blame for this. Deina and the Riptocs were of no help, either!"

"Quiet! I should've sent Cynder to deal with that purple runt!" Gaul growled. "And you, Red; you were responsible for the Dino Mines, yet you allowed the prisoners to escape! Including the Water Guardian! You are a disgrace! If the rebels free the Earth Dragons before we finish extracting their Guardian's power, our plans will be in jeopardy!"

"Ignitus has taught the boy more than I believed he had the stomach for," Red sneered. "I will not underestimate them again! I promise that I will capture Ignitus and destroy Spyro!"

"NO! You had your chance Red..." Gaul growled. "Besides, someone else has offered to deal with Spyro! Someone who, thus far, hasn't made a fool of himself against the rebels!"

"What?! You don't mean..."

"Oh, he does." It disgusted Red to hear Ripto's voice as he swaggered in. "I'll make sure that purple dragon will fall before my might!"

"Oh, give me a break," Red grumbled. "As if he stands a chance…"

"Hey, I heard that!"

Gaul held up a warning finger, stopping the argument before it began. "We also need to capture Ignitus. Unfortunately, there's no guarantee that he will show himself again after the last battle. We must draw him out, somehow."

"I have the solution, Gaul." Cynder approached. "We use Spyro as bait. From what I've heard, he seems to care very much about the boy. Harm Spyro, and Ignitus will come without hesitation."

Gaul and Ripto glanced at each other and smiled wickedly at the idea. They chuckled wickedly.

"Of course, the purple dragon's pain will draw Ignitus out. Then he'll be ripe for the picking." the Ape King said.

"Yes, and when Spyro attempts to rescue Terrador, we will prepare a trap for him…" Ripto said, tapping his gem on his sceptre.

"Then it's agreed. Ripto, you know what to do," Gaul commanded.

Ripto bowed in respect. "As you wish, my hairy friend. It'll be fun." Red growled, smoke furling from his nostrils. There were a thousand words on the tip of his tongue; but in the end, Red said nothing as Ripto left to prepare for his journey.

Gaul turned to Cynder. "Follow him and keep a lookout for Ignitus. In case Ripto fails, deal with Spyro yourself. Use any force necessary, but we want him alive until we have the Fire Guardian firmly in our grasp!"

Cynder bowed in acknowledgement, and flew off.


Back at the hideout, Spyro was taking a nap. Surprisingly, despite the harrowing events of the day, and the shocking tale he'd heard from Ignitus, he had no nightmares. As he rose from his nap, feeling more refreshed, he felt committed to his promise.

"Hey, Spyro. You up?" Sparx asked, as the young dragon stretched and yawned, before looking over at his brother and sister. They had watched him sleep to make sure he was alright.

"Yeah. I had a good nap, buddy," Spyro said. "Nothing to worry about."

"I hope Ignitus wasn't too hard on you," Elora said anxiously.

"He wasn't, but I did promise to be more careful in future," Spyro said. "So, is Cleem still mad at me?"

"Well, he's more upset than mad, but Mom's doing fine," Elora said. "I'm sure he'll understand you never meant to hurt her."

"I hope so," Spyro sighed. "I can't bear the thought of him hating me. We just got him and the others back. It'd be like losing him all over again."

"Dad could never hate you, Spy," Elora said gently. "You're just as much as his son as I am his daughter."

"Heh, heh. Can't argue with that," Spyro smiled as they left the room and joined the Guardians in the training dojo.

"Ah, Spyro, I trust you had a good nap?" Aureole asked.

"I did. So I believe Cordelia wishes to train me in the use of Water," Spyro said.

"That's right," Cordelia confirmed with a smile. "Now, I hear you've already had some experience in using Water, correct?"

"Yes, at Breeze Harbour," Spyro replied. "A voice told me to fill myself with water, heat it up, and then, shoot it at Sirorrialth as a scalding stream."

"Ah, yes, that's an impressive start," Cordelia smiled. "Now, as you know, Water is vital to all known forms of life. It makes up a large portion of our bodies. To manipulate Water, one must accept change, just as the tides of Water change. We are much more flexible than our cousins, the Ice Dragons; who are so rigid, it's a wonder they can move, sometimes." She smiled teasingly at that last comment.

"Hey!" Cyril exclaimed, nettled.

"Anyway, water is a part of us and in order to use it effectively, we do need to be part of it," Cordelia continued.

"And also show some restraint?" Spyro asked, sensing that particular lesson would get brought up.

"That is correct. Water does not tire, and it can be overwhelming. But the amount of Water you can produce by yourself is limited too. Without an external source, you can only use the Water in your body, and it should only be as a last resort. Doing so will dehydrate you and can be fatal." She held out a bag made from seaweed. "We carry Water around with us, whenever we have to venture away from the ocean. So, use this."

"Right," Spyro said, as training dummies appeared.

"So, first, show me that stream attack," Cordelia said. "Do as you did at Breeze Harbour."

"Right." Spyro took a massive gulp of water from the pouch, heated it in his stomach, and then sent boiling blasts at the dummies, which slammed them into the walls.

"Excellent," Cordelia said. "Now, to test your ability to manipulate Water. Given its flexible nature, you can shape it into any form you like, like waves, projectiles, and spheres."

"Wow, I can do that?" Spyro asked surprised.

"Try it yourself. Be at one with the water. Let your thoughts flow like a stream."

Spyro took a few deep breaths, relaxing his mind, before levitating the water residue from his first attack, and moulding it into a floating sphere, which submerged the nearest dummy. The dummy thrashed around, struggling to get free, before it went limp. With the next dummy, he hit it with a focused missile. The last he sliced in half with a water-composed blade.

"I am going to like using water."

"I'm glad to hear it, young one," Cordelia smiled. "Now, one last trick before we do the Fury. One can use Water for defence as well as offence. When an enemy moves in to attack, you can use Water to block or redirect attacks, which opens them up for a counterattack."

"Okay, I could do that," Spyro nodded.

"Get ready to defend yourself." She summoned more ape dummies. They ran at Spyro, who held his ground. He raised a wall of Water, which caught the punches aimed at him. This caused the dummies to stagger from the change in momentum, allowing Spyro to swipe at them with his claws and tail. A couple threw bombs at the Purple Dragon. He responded by creating a tendril of Water, which swiped the bombs back at their sources, blowing them up.

"Perfect, now for your Water Fury."

"Got it."

Water gathered around Spyro in a surging geyser as dummies advanced on him. Then, tidal waves swept across the room in all directions, sweeping up the dummies and smashing them against the wall.

Cordelia was very impressed at just how well Spyro had grasped the use of Water.

"Great job, Spyro. You seem a natural with Water."

"Heh, yeah. I suppose that talk with Ignitus about keeping my cool helped," Spyro noted.

"Then, you are lucky to have him as your mentor."

It was then that the other Guardians spoke up. "Well, young Spyro. It seems you're one step closer to being a master of the elements." Cyril praised.

"I wouldn't say master, exactly," Ignitus said. "He does has an excellent grasp on all of them so far, but there is still much left to learn."

"Too true," Volteer said. "Mastering one's inner mana takes vast lengths of time, coupled with perseverance, tenacity, spunk, indefatigability and diligence."

"Okay, I'm just tuning myself out whenever he speaks from now on," Sparx muttered.

"Spyro," Aureole said, "the last Guardian is my husband, Terrador. He and the other Earth Dragons are being held in my home, Cloud Spires. I… I wish to accompany you, but only so you know what to do when you get there. Other than that, I will have to lie low, so I'm not recaptured. With our forces regaining its strength and numbers, the Dark Armies will be determined to keep us weakened."

"I understand," Spyro said. "We'll need help to get around."

Just then, Sapia joined them, fully recovered from her brief imprisonment.

"Ah, Sapia," Elora said. "How are you feeling?"

"Ah, much better," Sapia replied, stretching. "I understand that you'll be going to Cloud Spires tomorrow. I'll be happy to accompany you as always."

"We wouldn't have it any other way," Spyro smiled.

"And I hear Sergeant Byrd will be there too," The Professor added.

"That penguin we met at Dante's Freezer?" Sparx asked. "Cool!"

"Then the only thing you need now is a good night's rest," Ignitus said. "With recent events, I would prefer if we could catch our breaths for longer. Alas, time is of the essence."

"We understand," Spyro said. "Come on, guys, let's go lie down."

As the siblings left the room, Ignitus spotted Flash and Nina about to follow.

"Excuse me," he called to them. "Can I speak to you two for a moment?"

"Sure, Mr Dragon," Nina said. "You boys get to bed. We'll be along shortly."

"Okay Mom," Sparx said.

As the young dragonfly, dragon and faun went to the room, Ignitus took Flash and Nina to his room.

"So what did you want to talk about?" Flash asked.

"I just want to say, thank you," Ignitus began. "For all you have done for Spyro; taking him in, and raising him as your son. You gave him a proper childhood, free of the burden of being a Purple Dragon."

"Oh, it was no trouble," Nina said. "We just wanted him to be happy."

"We were lucky to find him when he was a lone egg," Flash said. "I'd say we did a good job raising him to who he is lately."

"You did, and I am grateful to the two of you." Ignitus smiled. "I believe Spyro would be, too."

"We also want to say thank you," Nina said. "For saving our children from those awful Apes. And for taking care of them after we were taken prisoner."

"It was my pleasure," Ignitus smiled.

"There is one thing I would like to ask you," Flash then said. "Do you know who Spyro's real parents are?"

Ignitus hesitated for a few moments, thinking. "Well, Sibylla, Spyro's mother disappeared after she entrusted his egg to me," he said finally. "And... I'm not sure about the father."

"That's a bummer… We would've liked to meet them," Flash said, a bit disappointed.

"It doesn't matter," Ignitus said bracingly. "No matter what, Spyro has a family now. A loving family. And that's good enough for him."

"I suppose so," Nina agreed. "Anyway, come on, Flash. Let's get to bed. It's been a long day." They bowed to Ignitus, who bowed in turn, and flew off to join their children.

Ignitus watched them go. A shard of guilt pierced his heart, at the fact that once again, he'd withheld the truth. But then, why did they need to know?

"You still haven't told them, or Spyro, have you?"

Ignitus looked up; Cordelia and Cyril had entered, with Volteer and Aureole outside the door.

"No," Ignitus said. "I haven't."

"Keeping the truth from them isn't going to make things better," Cordelia said gently. "Surely, your son deserves…"

"He deserves a better father!" Ignitus snapped. "And he has one. By all rights, Flash is his real father. He raised Spyro, nurtured him, and loved him. All the things I never could."

"Only because you were honouring his mother's wishes," Cordelia replied. "And it was out of love for both that you did so."

"Maybe," Ignitus admitted. "But I have committed too many mistakes to be a worthy father to Spyro."

"I can't believe this," Cyril scoffed, his voice very like his element in that moment. "Ignitus, Guardian of Fire, a coward?"

He had touched a nerve. Next thing Cyril knew, he was slammed hard against the wall, Ignitus' hand at his hand, while Fire Guardian's eyes burned like miniature suns and smoke furled from his nostrils.

"Watch your tongue, Cyril! Or else I'll remind you what happens when Fire clashes with Ice!" Ignitus snarled, his voice sounding almost bestial.

"Ignitus, you know that you had to save Spyro from the Apes' cruelty. Now that you are together again, you can't keep hiding from your fear," Cyril said, cool and unperturbed, albeit hoarse.

"Ignitus, please!" Aureole begged, as she, Cordelia and Volteer tried to pull him off Cyril. "Be reasonable! I've lost my daughter to the Dark Armies already! Don't let Spyro lose his father!"

Ignitus glared at his allies, but then stopped when he saw the pain in their eyes. He took a deep breath and released Cyril.

"You're right… You're completely right… I'm sorry. I shouldn't have snapped at you, Cyril..." Ignitus said.

"We know you're very upset, but don't submit to your darkness… Don't make the same mistake Comet did," Cordelia said.

"You know I hate being compared to Comet! He became the Dark Master; and I'm trying to save Avalar! He and I are nothing alike and never will be."

"Maybe, but the road to darkness is paved with good intentions, Ignitus," Cyril warned grimly.

"Cyril, you're not being very helpful!" Aureole hissed.

"And Ignitus isn't honest with himself!"

"Enough!" Cordelia said firmly. "We know you told Spyro about Comet, Ignitus. We don't want any more pressure on him now. This discussion can wait for the time being. What's important now is saving Terrador!"

"Very well... But I don't want Spyro to know the truth about us from anyone," Ignitus insisted. "At least, not yet…"

"Fair enough," Volteer nodded. Ignitus wasn't satisfied until Cyril, at last, conceded to his demands.

"Then, we shall retire for the night," Ignitus said. "Good night to you all."


A/N: The use of Water was inspired by Nooshak's trilogy The Legend of the Three, which is great and recommended.