The Legend Of Spyro: Love And War Book 2

by Spyro and Cynder lover

Continuation Of Book One! With Malefor returned to normal, Spyro and Cynder in love, and everyone now back to their normal lives, another threat, Flint, the new Dark Master will put everyone and friendships to the test, mixing lies and threats against one another. Death is around every corner, lives at risk, and sometimes, not even being dead means you're forgotten.

48. Chapter 48: Final Moments Of Peace

Chapter 48: Final Moments Of Peace

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No feelings were to be had, no thought were to show, and no movement felt needed outside this paralyzed and otherwise bleak feeling. For Spyro, his body drifted in darkness; no way of movement, sounds, taste, touch, or even smells. His body was nearly on autopilot, though what his body was to do while he wasn't in the driver seat was beyond him. The weight of something within and over grew heavier, the sounds of ringing growing louder, and with a bright white light shining outwards to bring another color into this dark world, a scream, more so a cry, was let loose, "RUN!"

The voice forced Spyro's head up. His breathing kicked, and his heart raced suddenly to have such a voice yell in the pitch it had. He was no stranger to the yells or cries of many, but upon waking, he had much more reasons to fear. No longer did he reside inside the rooms to which he slept, but rather the Guardians' Chambers itself. His body was laid against the right wall to where him and Cynder would normally sit. However, something felt horribly wrong. With his head raised, his body was forced to do the same, standing to all fours whilst his head looked around the empty home. There was no wind, there were no sounds, and creepily, no signs of life. This fear of being alone sparked the need of a voice, any kind at all, "Hello?" Walking to the entrance of the Chambers, all seemed normal, aside from the lack of another presence from any other being, "Cynder?" His head peeked down both hallways, double taking once from the right, then the left, and doing the same twice, "Volteer...? ...Cyril...?"

There was no response, and even with the time he waited, no one answered. This lack of interaction to anyone made the building feel more like a graveyard without the dead bodies. Walking out of the Chambers, his immediate thought was to head back to where he once was, What the hell did he do to me? Walking a door down, he made it to the room with ease, considering the short distance it took to get there. Reaching up and twisting the knob of the door, the handle broke off, falling to the floor even with no real grasp having been given to it. The door fell down entirely, creaking loudly before slamming to the floor below inside the room. Not only had the door seemed beaten down and broken, but with the room now fully viewable, much more seemed to be going on behind-the-scenes. His heart skipped a beat, and as he walked in with wide eyes and nothing but horror showing to his face, glass cracked and shattered beneath his paws. The room had been completely turned upside down in a metaphorical sense. The bed was snapped in half down the middle, the bookshelf to the right was shattered with its pieces scattered all throughout the room, and the small table to the left was nearly identical; the legs broken off and seemingly jabbed in the middle. Shards of glass were nearly everywhere, and with a closer inspection, he noticed the shattered window above the bed. Small but obvious patches of blood were dotted around the room, in many locations to which made him believe what ever happened was a struggle. Wa... ...wait... ...I... Having no time to recover from what he was taking in, things only proceeded to worsen for him. The near dead silence was interrupted by an eldritch screech, rather supernatural for any kind of sound to which he's known to have heard, "AAAAAHHHHHH!" The sound was followed by a loud slash and a bang. The bang forced a jump within Spyro's heart, bouncing his body upwards as he jolted around to hear the noise coming from outside the room. Instinctively, he ran head first into danger, caring little to the threat or what could be around the corner. As he exited the room, he stopped dead upon looking off to his right. A body laid to the floor with the only showing of its top head poking out of the Chambers. It was hard to make out the color, but even as Spyro tried to control his breathing to make out who it was, the body was dragged away by something. Even with the horrific sounds, an unnatural heavy weight as though a ghost was over his shoulder the entire time, and the discomposure of knowing the locations to not a single family member, teeth were still to show out of his heart to save someone, "HEY!"

Rushing as quickly as he could straight down the hallway, speed wasn't an issue for him. Rather worrying about slipping or falling due to a lack of consideration or missteps, seeing what could be the dead body of one of his family members burned deep to his core, activating a sense of strength and locked away fighting spirit. His speed was similar to a sonic bomb, and where he normally would've tripped or gone too far, once reaching the middle of the hallway and the entrance to the Chambers, his arms and legs kicked deep, digging to the floor below. The sudden stop caused an explosion of wind, ripping through the hallway and all the way down to his right. Catching a glimpse of the body being dragged to the back room, what followed along the floor was another reason to show worry. From where the body had been dragged, blood covered the floor in the shape of a mighty looking dragon, and this blood continued till it reached the black abyss of the slightly cracked open door to the Sleeping Chambers. His first and immediate thought of what may be the death of a loved one shot through his body, sharpening his scales in a way he never thought possible. Slapping a paw to the ground a leaving no stone unturned, Spyro was ready, and with his darkened purple form erupting out and covering the open space in shadow, his leg kicked off the floor. His speed made everything else flow in slow motion, cutting through dirt and dust that rose from his stomp. Bashing his head straight through the door, it shattered to pieces, pouncing all over the floor next and around to where he landed. Jerking his head to the left, then right, his vision faced the middle of the Guardians' Sleeping Chambers. Just like the room before, the damage around showed a scuffle of some kind. The massive three windows to the back were shattered, letting in a cool breeze of air and slight sunlight. The beds were broken, snapped, or torn in two. Blood spots showed around the room, including on the glass of the windows. Having enough of this horror show, his anger grew to new heights, or rather, vicious ones, "SHOW YOURSELF!" The blood trail he was following grew cold, and with no sign of the body he was on the hunt for, he reached a dead end, "What's the matter?! For someone who's supposed to be inflicting fear, all I sense is childish behavior! Instead of hiding the fact that you're a pussy, why don't you show yourself!"

Sensing another dark presence just outside the room, his body disappeared from reality itself. Like digitizing himself from one location to the next, his body reappeared to the Chambers; gust of wind circling around him from the speed to which he was moving. Noticing ahead, the walls were completely knocked down; destroyed in a way similar to what Seth had done previously. However, the world outside was viewable thanks to no walls being present both inside and out. Noticing a sitting purple figure looking outside to the openness of the world, the only thought that came to mind was some kind of mind game coming in from a certain someone, "MALEFOR!" Every step hissed, leaving behind a black liquid that burned straight through the floor after some time, "What the hell is going on?! Do you find this funny?! The idea of dragging bodies and destroying people's sanctuaries?!" Approaching the side of the sitting dragon, Spyro only got a couple more words out, "Where is everyone?! Where's..."

Stopping cold now, it wasn't so much Malefor as it was the Dark Master. He didn't face the purple dragon next to him, but rather the wide open view of Warfang to where they sat. The Guardians' building was high off the ground, and though they weren't sitting on the roof, a clear view over the area, as well as miles off into the distance were easily visible. The look on the Dark Dragon's face was unlike anything he's ever seen from him. No malicious grin, no snarky remark, and no tensed scales or muscles. The Dark Master was afraid: afraid of what ever it was he was looking at. Considering the only opening in the wall, Spyro decided to look out on the land as well. Horror struck him cold, leaving no ability to move or even think. Warfang was nothing more than ash. The walls were gone, the buildings were broken, toppled, and dusted over like old ruins. Blood and bodies were seen from nearly every corner, and where the sunlight had once shined, the sky was nothing more than a grey left over. No life was to be seen, no sounds were to be heard, and where Spyro had gained the ability to once again move, he wish he hadn't. Even at this height, it was easy to find and identify bodies among the rubble. The Guardians were scattered, and the positioning of their deaths was near permanent to his mind now. Ignitus laid flat to his stomach, reaching over to a lifeless body of Claire with her back against a building. Terrador and Trish were crushed under two buildings, with their last sign of contact being their paws that reached out and held together. Cyril and Flair seemed to have battled it out at some point; the blue dragon having scorch marks all around his body and a near melted face, and for Flair, her body was pinned with ice shards over where Cyril's body laid. The remaining two were Volteer and Ersa, and for those two, they weren't with each other, but rather apart. With what looked liked handbags over their shoulders, scattered glass and the openings of the torn wears showed potions. Piecing together what happened himself, it looked like the two were running in different directions to help those around Warfang: Volteer rushing to Ignitus, and Ersa to Terrador and Trish. However, similar to the two earth dragons, Ersa was crushed under a building, and for Volteer, there was nothing more than blood around his body, showing he died before even making it to his location. With their faces, dried tears, and lifeless bodies, Spyro's heart slammed to his chest. His heart rose with every mental imagine he had: with every passing second to see his dead family. Tears covered his vision, and where it was pointless to do anything, the crack within his voice; the destroyed and loneliness he now felt, he cried out to the remains of a once colorful world, "NOOOOOOOOOOO!" Reaching a paw out to no avail, he tighten it back before nearly falling over, "No... ...No... ...No..."

Sadness quickly turned into anger, and with the wrapping of the darkness to his heart, mind, and soul, all he saw now was black. Twitching to his side in a near inhuman way, his paw gripped the Dark Master's neck, and in a sudden glitch, the malicious dragon was planted into the ground. There was no fall back, nor was there time to react. The force, anger, and hate made Spyro's power beyond anything considering normal. With his opponent in the floor below him, tears dripped down onto his body, and Spyro made his own death within known, "WHAT DID YOU DO?! WHAT DID YOU DO TO THEM!"

The Dark Master couldn't say anything either, at a complete lost for what was happening. It was confusing for Spyro as to why his enemy was even here in the first place, however, with a quick piece together in what had happened, the crushing grip he had on the Dark Dragon grew more and more, "YOU TURNED ME, DIDN'T YOU!" Something still didn't add up, and he wanted answers, "WHAT DID YOU DO TO MALEFOR?! WHERE'S CARITH?! WHERE'S CYNDER!" Still without answers, the need for some kind of closure was needed, and with no one there for him, he felt the horrific feeling of loneliness, "DARK MASTER! PLEASE... ...Please... ..." Nearly falling apart in his tears; his lack of soul or emotional connection was too much for him, "Please talk to me... ...I can't... ...I can't do this alone..." Tightening his teeth for a second, he gave in to the notion that he was truly alone, "I don't want to be alone..."

"Spyro!" Hearing the desperate cry of a very familiar voice, Spyro had no time to breathe, immediately being taken back by another horror that came his way. His family was gone, and to now hear Cynder's voice cry out in a plea for help, he knew she was all he had left, or so what he was faced with and forced to believe. His head snapped over towards the door; the wall having reassembled itself as though it were never destroyed, and the room came together as normal aside from the broken furniture and wall to view Warfang. Knowing who it was, and now having an idea to whom the dragged body could've been, his heart couldn't handle losing anyone else, "Cynder..." Forgetting about the Dark Dragon below him, his body shifted off and jumped four to the floor, "Cynder!" Rushing full force towards the door in a mess of tears, he gave it his all, "CYNDER!"

Bashing his elbow into the side of the door, he stumbled for a second before catching on to where he was at, as well as his standing. Once fully composed, or rather, to the best of his abilities, the atmosphere and location around him drastically changed. His head raised, and his eyes widened. No longer did his paws touch concrete, but rather earth and gravel. The Chambers were no more, and instead what took its place was a simple throne. Reality shifted for him, placing him dead-square in the middle of a volcano. A platform outreach to a throne; one very similar to which the Dark Master once rested on for his showing. The arched out pathway that led to the throne was directly over the boiling magma below; the openings to which no earth, gravel, or safe space to stand made a C-shape around the back and sides of his platform. Spyro didn't know how or why he was here, but for now, he approached the throne in a sense of panic, Wh... wh... ...why is this happening...? The tone in his voice was disturbed, still unable to piece together what he had just witnessed seconds ago. The darkness... ...it... ...it has to be the darkness! Stopping steps away from the seat in front of him, his hearted pounded to his chest, his head burned deep with a feeling of uncomfortable fire, and his chest twisted in knots that enraged him. NO! It... ...it can't... ...it can't be that...! Dripping tears that hit the ground below in a hiss from the fire that consumed them, one of his greatest fears came to fruition, "My life... ...it... ...I... ...I can't control it... ...I can't... I can't make it stop..." Looking down to his arms below, he seemed taller; a loss of mass in his muscles and the same went for his bright purple colors, "WHY AM I DRIFTING?!" Clawing up the ground below and digging the ashes upwards, he had an idea as to what was happening, "I can't... ...I can't stop it...! ...I..."

On the verge of having a full on seizure, the words slipped his tongue but stayed burned into his mind, The blackouts... ...they must be from the darkness taking over... ...One minute I'll have control... ...I'll see the world and it's views... ...but then the next... Knowing his mind could slip at any moment, he needed someone to talk to, anyone at all to make sure this wasn't some fake reality taking hold over his mind. Turning around in a rush, his body slammed against something, causing his inevitable fall and knock down to his ass. Bouncing a couple steps, he placed a paw to his head. Hissing through his teeth for what he had hit felt rock solid, Spyro's eyes directed up to what it was. Tears of joy ran down his face now, and a smile connected to both his cheeks. No longer did he feel alone, though there was so much to be said in so little time. Standing up as quickly as possible, he noticed two others standing behind the pack leader. More tears were to be had, but for now, he needed to warn the three, "Malefor, Ignitus, Cynder; please, please please please please please listen to me!"

Cynder stood at the forefront of the group, and to her back right stood Malefor, whereas to her left stood Ignitus. They all had faces of displeasure seeing the purple dragon, and where this anger was clearly visible, he had an idea as to why and needed to be quick about what he had to say, "PLEASE!" With his heart so heavily stained, his mind so poorly positioned, and the loss of breath he was experiencing, this nightmare needed to end soon, "Please, I can't... ...I CAN'T DO THIS ANYMORE! I don't... ...I don't know... I don't know what happened in that room with the Dark Master-but please I need someone...! ...anyone...! I can't... ...I can't black out! I don't... ...please... ...someone... ...help me..."

"What do you think we're here to do?" Cynder seemed all grown up as well, taking many features from her Terror Form though adding on to her rage, "I loved you... but look at what good that did for me; for all of us. We're simply here to put you down like the dog you are, and to avenge all those you killed," No one said otherwise, and to hear he had no support from anyone, this being made obvious from the looks and voices Spyro was given, and for this to come from the love of his life, he never felt more lost and disconnected from reality, "The Rebels, Prosperity, Warfang, Kettu and Xvar... ...they're all gone, and all because we trusted you. I... trusted you."

"WHAT?!" Another mental kick to the gut and heart, Spyro didn't believe that, "No... No No-Kettu and Xvar are still alive! I'd never kill them! I'd never... ...I..."

Feeling around with his darkness to make a hundred percent sure, his heart official dropped dead to his finding. No heartbeats aside from his were found: no other presence aside from his rested in his soul. He was without friends, family, and close allies to whom he wished to form everlasting bonds with. For him to feel the loss of his friends, and hearing Cynder speak on what he had done, he looked to her: cold, dead, and defeated. His life flashed before his eyes, and to know the only help he'd get was death, Spyro didn't understand why, "No... ...No... ..." Even at his lowest point, even after hearing what had happened, there was one key point to which he believed this all to be one all too realistic of a dream, "You... ...you'd never abandon me."

Cynder showed teeth to what he said, disregarding his existence altogether, "I thought I could save you from becoming a weapon. But it turns out, all you ever were was a force of destructive nature. The Dark Master took control over Malefor's body after you killed Carith to keep the purple dragon from teaming up with you to eradicate all life on earth. But what was worst of all, was hearing you try and justify your morals," Turning her head and spitting to the ground below, he shivered to see and hear her disgust over him, "At all possible, you kept blood off your paws and made me do the dirty work. You turned me against my friends... ...against my family... against my big sis... ...YOU'RE A GODDAMN MONSTER!" Spyro had no words, but that wasn't surprising; he had no emotions either: no sign of light, a soul, or even a heartbeat, "I've never felt better having your darkness stripped from me. I felt safe, I felt alive, I felt... ...free, from your captivity. And to now have you in my paws instead of the other way around... ...I'm going to enjoy putting you through the hellish pains you put me through every single day I was with you."

---

Pacing back and forth within the room, awaiting for this little test to be over, Cynder, same for Carith, were stuck wondering what exactly was going on. Carith was worried for her own reasons, but for the red chested female, danger signals were going off all throughout the one's soul. Noticing the panic that her friend was under, Carith tried her best to soothe her, "Cynder...? Is... is everything okay?"

"NO! IT'S REALLY NOT!" Cynder turned and snapped at the blue dragoness, and with Carith bringing her paw back out of fear over her, the two needed to be on even understanding, "I'm sorry! It's just..." Her teeth wouldn't leave the openness of the world, shining bright and in the need of blood, "Everything about Spyro is off! He's afraid. What ever the Dark Master is doing, it's tearing him apart! And the longer this goes on, the more I notice signs of his distress!"

Carith took a quick look and didn't see much wrong aside from a worried look, "Aside from the obvious emotion on his face, what makes you think he's in distress?"

"HOW CAN YOU NOT SEE IT?!" For Cynder, such a thing was very easy, and getting up close and personal, she pointed out every sign, "His top fin is slightly tilted down more than usual, his wings are dropped an inch down rather than fully up which would signify rest, comfort, or sleep! The juicy fat part of his tail that's connected to his ass is perked slightly up, and tensed in a way! Also, his eyelids are jittery! The kind of jittery you get when you can't quite sleep right, but there's also the obvious sign of his leaf tail blade!" Pointing down there now, she continued, "It's twitched here and there, as though it's looking for something! It's possible that he's fighting something and that's causing the twitch, which, even still, I don't approve of! But he's woken me with this twitch before. His tail can't move, so he's using his blade to find a sense of comfort. And that would explain why his twitching consists of taps and not swings!"

Widened eyes were given to hear Cynder know so much about Spyro and his movements just from simple and small adjustments. Though the more an unsafe feeling rose, Carith noticed more being off when it came to Malefor as well. Unable to idle by, she rose from her place and walked to her lover's front. Immediately, she noticed signs of struggling from within that weren't visible from the outside. To the untrained dragon, they'd see the Dark Master's slight show of teeth, grumpy face with plenty of wrinkles, and an otherwise emotionless figure. However for her, it was obvious at this point what was really going on, and being such a surprise, her voice slipped out loud, "He's not there..." Cynder turned to see her female friend fear for her lover's life now, grabbing hold of his shoulder and crying out, "Malefor...! Malefor!"

There was no response, and with this little bit more of information, action was surely needed. Growling deep and low, Cynder's voice was the opposite; large and in charge, "To hell with this bullshit! I'm going to figure out what's going on!"

"Cynder! Wait!"

Out from Spyro's back jumped Kettu and Xvar, both blocking her path and preventing her from linking with her purple hero. This pissed her off, and though she had plenty to say to them, Kettu was quick to explain, "We knew what the Dark Master was planning! We also knew it wouldn't harm Spyro if he went through with it!"

"Than what the hell is going on exactly?!" Darkness showed through her scales, signifying any moment could cause her Terror to show.

"We're..." Xvar swallowed hard, knowing there would be no better way to put this, "We're testing and... ...putting Spyro through his... ...greatest fears..."

"You... WHAT?!" Slapping a paw down to the ground, her eyes couldn't stay emerald green; turning completely white with a sinister glow.

"It's because we're afraid, Cynder!" Kettu needed and wanted desperately to get his voice out, hoping she'd understand, "Look... ...I know it's annoying to build up so much trust and such an unbreakable bond only for it to be questioned every day of your life. But just like with many, similar to Ersa and Flair, we fear Spyro. The only real difference between us and them is that... ...well... ...they have a way to deal with him."

"SO YOU'RE TRYING TO KILL HIM?!"

"That's a last resort!" Xvar wanted to clear up such a confusion, "We... ...like, who Spyro is. We enjoy his morals, we appreciate his support, and we're glad we found ourselves in such a family. We want to see his fears, and to know what he says and feels isn't a lie. We've dug deep; down to the single cell in his brain to find ways to subdue him if the day ever arised," Cynder was on the verge of snapping someone's neck, so they knew what they were to say better stick, "Killing Spyro is not something we'd ever wish... ...it's not something we want... ...He has a heart, a big one at that. So, by using his fears, if he were to ever turn, or to steer away from this, purple light... ...we'd use our darkness to change his perspective and show him a false reality of what would happen if he strayed off from his path."

"There'd be no reason to kill," Kettu took over, "Knowing his fears will help us feel safer; to know we have a fighting chance if he were to turn against us. Like many, we want to live. The thought of death, or having no power over the crushing weight being applied into your skull... ...We're not like the Dark Master... our kind, the Dark Dragons, are all different in their own way, and we don't want the actions of one to be the downfall of millions."

Cynder had calmed little to hear their explanation, though she believed their ideals and emotions were met with nothing but the truth. However, her only comeback was her emerald green eyes. The darkness within still boiled, and to hear what they were putting her lover through; she couldn't allow something like this to continue, "I get you two are scared, and it's for good reason. You don't think I fear to one day lose Spyro over an event? To lose that purple smile, that warm comfort, that hope and joy he brings to so many? That's why I know, as I am now, I can't provide what he deserves, but that's why we grow. I know there's more I can do with my abilities, connections I can make through his mind now, and ever since that bitch Amara came here, I've never felt better," She had her own way of looking at things, "As I said, I need to train. I need to reconnect myself with that inner demon to keep him in place if he were to ever try something. But that's what our heart connection is for, that's what my lips are for, that's what... ...I'm for. I never had a reason to live, or a reason to wake up and feel anything at all. But Spyro gave me that and more, and I'll be damned if I'm useless to him."

The two knew she couldn't be stopped at this point, and though progress was made, they wished for more. After what they had already seen Spyro go through, it was a quick agreement between the two just by a looking exchange. Kettu sighed as he understood Cynder's fight, "You know the Dark Master's gonna be pretty pissed off to be interrupted with his plan. He, like us, hoped to get as much out of him as we could."

"To hell with that prick, and honestly, the same should be said about you two as well," She tried not to spit, "Tearing Spyro down and forcing him to live his deepest darkest fears without me being there? You're not trying to gain information or knowledge to best subdue him, you're trying to kill him," Kettu and Xvar both ducked their heads, realizing they had taken it too far, "You allowed the Dark Master to manipulate you two into tearing Spyro down in a way that would turn him against the both of you," The two had nothing to say; feeling terrible for what they had done and wishing to retract it all together, "Now you can either help me in soothing Spyro, or you two can sit patiently and await the deaths that you two surely deserve."

"Cy... ...Cynder... ...I..."

Spyro never would've guessed, never would've thought of such a thing being said by anyone, especially not the love of his life. His father ignored him, the Dark Master was like background noise; the only focus he had was onto the female in front of him, the once loving and submissive joy. Seeing her all grown-up now didn't help matters for him either. This false reality still felt real, and the pains he endured, compiling the horrors he's faced from the images alone when it came to the death of his friends and family, something needed to happen soon or else his mind would be faced with a severe risk of collapse. He wanted to clear his name in anyway, or at the very least have someone there who cared, "Dad... ...Cynder... ...I..." Shaking off his face full of tears, his words were scattered, "If there's really nothing left... ...If there's really... ...no one left... ...and nothing between any of us, then..." His only option was his worst option, "I want you to kill me..."

He didn't notice the raising of her brow, but he still heard her words, "You act like that's what I wasn't here to do. But just because I like the idea of seeing you weep like the child you always were, please do tell why you'd wish to die," Words weren't found in his voice, though neither could a soul in his body, "You've already killed off everyone else you love. You've betrayed friends, turned family against themselves, and proved the Dark Master right about your rejection over Kettu and Xvar. So why of all things would you want me to kill you?"

Sitting down in defeat, head hung low, eyes closed tightly shut and with nothing to lose, his tears were heavy, but this went double for his words to her, "Because history has a funny way of repeating itself... ...I brought the world back together because you saved me... ...but I know... ...without you... ...I can't save anyone... ...You are my world, Cynder... ...but I know... ...this time around... ...trying to heal the wounds that I've put on you... ...it will cost me my life..." The pain of loss dug deep, and where the only light he had in his soul now, his hopes lied within this all being a horrible dream, "I didn't hear you in the volcano so long ago... ...and maybe... ...maybe you won't hear me either... ...but... ...but I just... ...want you to know... ...that I... ...I love you... ...I've always... loved you..."

As though these were his final words before his world was to fade to black, his whole body clenched in anticipation for what was next. Where the flame in his heart neared its end, a sound of a beat broke his train of thought. Where his heart was clearly felt, slow, but alive, he noticed the sound coming from something else, or rather, someone else. This beat wasn't alone; being accompanied by another beat, culminating together to form the sounds of three hearts beating all at once. His eyes slowly opened and his head gently rose. As if hearing three heartbeats wasn't enough, a fourth one came to pass, one to which he knew all too well. Feeling his darkness in a way being played with, the presence of other dark beings neared him. He felt two to his right and one to left, each given off a powerful display, almost like they wanted themselves to be known. Raising his head now and facing to his right, his soul gleefully shined. Closest to him stood Kettu, and to the Dark Dragon's right stood Xvar. He had no tears, just a pure shock expression to see the two were alive and well. The floodgates that wished to burst were held back for now, but it didn't stay that way for long once hearing a voice speak to his left, "You make it very, very hard for me not to just take that purple ass on one wild ass ride," His head snapped over in a near instant, and to a massive surprise stood a smiling, healthy, and flirty Cynder, "After what you just said, I feel like I need to have a chat with Ersa. Hopefully she can give me all the necessary tips on how to pleasure your dragon~," Still with some fuel in his eyes, the remaining drops fell heavy and fast, feeling light shine through and energize his once grey and dull body to a perky, blissful, and brightly purple one, "Come on, Spyro, you should known this by now. If I was an adult, do you really think I wouldn't have a barrel of a stomach, signifying a special night between me and you~?"

Where his body couldn't move, the other three were free to do as they pleased. This was very much so for the real Cynder as she took a step forward in the same pit of rage she had even outside this nightmare, "So... you're the worthless bitch who's causing my dragon to cry," Looking her up and down, she wasn't impressed with herself, "Funny how you think you're better than Spyro. If that were the case, and he had killed everyone, what makes him any different than you?" Like talking to herself in a mirror, it was nice in a way to get these bottled up emotions out, "You killed loved ones, remember? Your parents, relationships, and even at the worst of times, young. The only reason for you to be this upset would be over the rejection of Kettu and Xvar, only something the Dark Master would be displeased with."

"Wh-what...?" Kettu and Xvar knew it wasn't a joke; she was pissed for what they had done and felt no reason to take back what she had said.

"If Spyro ever were to turn into a monster," Flicking her tail blade across and stabbing her counterpart through the heart, her stance was known, "Then I'd be right at his side knowing I was one too. It's hard for me to believe that someone so pure loves someone so corrupt such as myself. But it in a way brings me joy to know I can help him through the dark times as I've lived them, and he can show me the light as he's experienced it. We balance each other; good vs evil, light against dark," Yanking her blade out with a loud squish, no blood or emotion showed to her opponent, "Go be useful to the dirt. I'm sure it needs the fertiliser."

Cynder had problem killing anyone who caused tears to drop from Spyro's eyes, and while little to no emotions was shown to what she had said, for her purple dragon, it was a different story. His world felt like it had came together in a slow, perfectly connected place; colliding in a way that rebuilt what had been destroyed, and allowing his mind a platform to stand on. His body turned to her in a weakened state, but seeing and hearing all that she was saying, a blush was followed by lust, wishing nothing more than to please her as she pleased him. She noticed his need to feed. The drool from his lips, the obvious red to his face, and for the tears and despair he had been through, the two both knew how amazing a makeout session would be, and for just how long they'd take. However, one last little thing needed handling, but that didn't stop her from teasing her purple lover, "Oh, what's wrong, Spyro~?" She was as seducing as she was beautiful, "You looking for a little fun~?" Moving ahead just slightly, her ass wiggled from side to side, "Is there something, distracting, you~?" His paws twitched, wanting nothing more than to prove her right, and to feel who he was once again, "Whoa! Calm down, big man. You'll get your pleasure," The smile that dawned her lips faded fast as her head clocked over to the Dark Master, "Enough of your games," Now was the first time in a while she agreed with the death of this Dark Dragon, "You had your laughs, you played Kettu and Xvar well, and have destroyed any trust we had that you could be better. But right now, Carith's worried over Malefor and I'm pretty sure Spyro's about done with you, too. So either duck back in that turtle shell, or leave your existence behind and die like you should've weeks ago."

Feeling as though nothing needed to be said, the Dark Master in the back simply showed teeth, seeing that all his planning had all been for nothing.

I don't like this at all! All alone in the room with the three steadily showing teeth, Carith was afraid for what was next. Cynder now sat to Spyro's right; paw to his side and covered in her darkening powers, leaving this confused and frightened female all alone to nothing but her thoughts. Cynder looks pissed, Spyro seems both pissed and depressed, but for the Dark Master, he seems at the ready to end all life on the planet! If Malefor isn't responding, and these three seeming on the brink of war, maybe I should recover Ignitus! She thought quickly on what needed to be done, hoping her attempts to do good wouldn't backfire. Though with her paw raised, her body froze: fear taking over on what could happen next, But what if they need me?! What if it takes my lips to calm my enraged and corrupted mate?! Not a single second thought was given to those last words, agreeing whole heartily at this point for what her and Malefor should be. The fears that rattled her mind didn't last long as a new challenge was to be thrown her way. The three all gave out growls, and watching the bodies of the three jolt back made her do the same. The Dark Master's shiver shot him against the wall, whereas for Cynder, she was flown to her back and towards the bed, but thanks to her wings, she flapped herself forward and landed on all fours. Spyro however was too far gone from his state alone. His body arched up, his neck hung back, and his eyes looked sky high in a flood of tears. Nearly breaking his back as he was forced to his back two legs, he used the momentum he had to fling himself forward. Cynder rushed over, and thanks to her quick thinking, she caught him before his arms folded. Laying his upper half to her wings with shaky legs, Spyro was beyond broken for what he had seen. His lungs gasped for air, his mind desperately craving a sense of love and tranquility, though luckily for him, Kettu and Xvar jumped from his back again and to his other side, showing out from his body in their complete Dark Dragon forms. The nightmare he had undertaken was far too much for even him to handle. Where he's faced nightmares before, everything came full circle for his fears. Gripping his teeth, his voice rose, but not his body, "THERE! ARE YOU HAPPY?!" Completely collapsing now, the only support keeping Spyro stable was that of his lover and helpful brothers, "I wasn't lying about what I said... ...ABOUT WHAT I FEARED!"

The moment was intense to say the least, but what was most surprising was the reaction from the Dark Master. Compared to his usual composed self, now, his body jumped from time to time in shivers; afraid even himself for what he had seen, and though he tried not to show this in their nightmare, out in the open and back to reality was a massive turn for the both of them. Spyro felt defeated, lost, and in many ways soulless: his mind wishing to block this overload. Unfortunately, after having lived his fears rather than just talking about them, he had no way to calm himself, "That's another fear of mine, alright?! The fear that I'll lose myself... ...the fear that I'll drift off from who I am or who I used to be! I'm scared to forget, I'm scared of me and Cynder fighting, I'm scared of losing EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE...!" Letting this all out into the open instead of having small troubles trying to guide his thoughts out of the away, they stained the front of his mind now, unable to leave the horrific images he had taken on, "I love everyone here... ...but the idea of amnesia... ...the idea of losing everything I've fought so hard to protect, and to watch that all leave me in such a short amount of time...!" Even with the help of Cynder's power and the darkness, they could do only little to soothe what was basically a weeping hatchling, "The darkness heals my wounds, repairs scars left on by so many for years, and has brought many to tears... tears of joy for the good that it brings to them... ...I would never take the life I have for granted... ...though everyday I wake up and wonder what's next: what's the next big thing that'll be thrown our way to end the life of me, or those around who I hold near and dear. It's true that I wish to get stronger to protect those that I love..." His eyes clenched, and with his body dropping down on to those that held him, he needed to be saved this time, instead of the other way around, "But I don't want to black out... ...I don't want to forget... ...I don't want my life to flash before my eyes and suddenly years of my life are gone... ...I just... ...I don't want to let go..."

Helping him to the floor where she may let his body go and allow comfortable rest, Cynder was beyond infuriated for what the Dark Master, as well for what Kettu and Xvar had done to her lover. Her darkness filled each scale to the brim with power, almost acting like another entity all together. The darkness within her shaped to be more so snakes; each biting at her every being and telling her to get up and do something. Her heart was chewed on by these manifested snakes, each finding ways to push her onward. These snakes took bites to her head, causing a throbbing pain similar to a headache. With each bite being applied to her scales, this helped adrenaline force its way throughout each individual vein. Panic showed in the heart of Carith, watching Cynder truly take on her original Terror Of The Skies persona and form. This form of hers grew massive; from head to tail she took up most if not all of the middle to the room. As if stress wasn't high enough, and so much still going on, the door to the room was thrown open. Carith was the only one who was rationally able to look over to see who it was. One after another, the family of dragons made their way in: from the Guardians themselves to their females along side them. Ignitus was quick to see his son, lying to the floor in tears and a near devastated look.

"Spyro!" Rushing over to his son and caring little for all else that happened, Ignitus wasn't the only one who rushed in.

Claire instinctively rushed in to support as well. Cynder's head turned to the group that had entered; eyes white and shining in a show of bloodthirsty need for revenge. The three Guardians put on a show to make their fears known, each jumping in shivers, and heads ducked slightly but not by much. The girls too showed shivers, seeing their once innocent and loving female friend turned back into the embodiment of a demon. Flair was really the only one who felt safe approaching her, though of course, out of his new protective nature, and love for the red dragoness, Cyril followed close behind. Carith made sure to ease her way out of the battlefield, making her rounds past the waving tail blade of the Terror and Dark Dragons next to Spyro. She was safe and successful on arrival to her destination. With the blue female now in the paws of others, Ersa saw the many and complicated emotions of those all around. Where she could understand the stressful situation, and the obvious signs that everyone was worried about somebody, questions needing answering, and right now, Carith was the only decently calm dragon out of the group, "Carith..." Her voice was gentle, making sure to use eye contact and a paw to rest over her shoulder to ease these fears, "I know a lot is going on right now, but could you please tell me what happened? Why is Spyro on the floor? And what in Ancestors name could've caused the Dark Master to shake as bad as he is now?"

"Ersa, I don't even know if Malefor's still alive!" Carith proved to be of no help, unable to keep calm under pressure, "He hasn't said anything, hasn't made any response or movements in to which he'd normally make..." There was only one option, and it was the worst thing she could think of, "I have to help..." Her idea was pure suicide, "I don't know what happened to Malefor, but if I work with Cynder, maybe I can help..."

"Carith! No!" Standing to her front now, both Ersa's paws were placed to each of Carith's shoulders, "Listen to me! It's going to be okay. It'll be okay if you listen closely," Carith clearly was paying no attention; her eyes drifting off to look at her once woke and alive lover whom was now gone due to a monster, "If you rush in there and the Dark Master does hurt you, that'll make things worse on everyone. Spyro's already not in a good place for unknown reasons, and if Malefor finds out what the Dark Master did, everyone will have hell to pay, and at that point, Malefor may try and kill Spyro's only hope at peace," Ersa was right in her saying on all points, and thankfully enough, Carith heard; clenching her eyes to drop tears out of her lover's life being in danger, "Stay with everyone here, and I'll help diffuse this cluster," Volteer was clearly against her movements, though now wasn't the time for him to be defensive, "Volteer... I love you, but now isn't the time. Trust me... please."

Showing teeth to the Dark Master, he had all the right reasons to fear, "I don't want you to face the same fate my parents did. He's taken enough from me, and if I were to lose you too..."

"Hey..." Now needing to shift her focus elsewhere, Ersa didn't need much to convince him to back down, "I love you... and when it comes to your love for me, you need to understand I'd never do something without a second option. So I'm asking you to trust me; trust this female that's already had over a decade of experience as a solo runner. I know what I'm doing."

Ducking back now, she was right, and he felt awful for questioning her, "You're... ...you're right... ...I'm... ...I'm sorry..."

"You, relax," Her claw first pointed to her mate, "You, stay put," Her claw then pointed to Carith, "Terrador, be the muscle. I need you at the front in case something happens," Hearing her speak on what could be the future, the release and ease some had felt to her words all came crashing back to them, "It's to not stir any unnecessary hate!" She was quick on a cover-up, showing her smarts at the best of times, "Volteer lost his parents to the Dark Master, Terrador didn't. Rather the two lock eyes from misunderstanding than hatred," The words she gave were effective, "I'll be right back, I promise."

While her talk had concluded, two more conversations were being had, each with a different emotion attached to it. Cynder's darkness was boiling, as the same for her blood. She wanted that sweet feeling of revenge, and how sweet she knew it would've been to kill someone who harmed who she loved, "So I'm the bad guy in this situation?" Ersa was close behind, enough so that she heard what was being said, "The Dark Master craters my lover's nightmares in on his head, forces him to live the deaths of everyone here, and scare him with the idea that he had amnesia due to his darkness-and somehow, by me wanting to gut him, that makes me the lesser?"

"Malefor's still somewhere inside that body. I know how it feels to just want to rip something open, but look at it from my perspective," Flair tried her best to calm the fuming female, using what she's been through to sympathise with her, "When it came to my father, he abused me; mentally broke and took everyone I loved away from me. Then, when Argus turned against me, I was left with nothing. Where I would've literally killed to have revenge against what my father did, I've come to terms and realized that revenge won't help me in any form. In fact, it would only put me, and the safety of Cyril, at risk."

"But unlike you and Cyril, I have the power to do as I please," Teeth were shown to one another, "Even if I were to weaken, Spyro could easily fuel my darkness and allow strength well beyond what I can achieve now."

"And you think Spyro would agree with that? Knowing that it was his doing that got someone killed?"

Flair brought up a great point, and where Cynder would've liked to continue her efforts in proving everyone around her wrong, Ersa had made her approach, "Cynder," The corrupted female slowly turned her head, facing off to the left now and seeing the standing yellow female, "Remember what Spyro's always said: remember who your lover is," Ersa had tons of information to use, and use it she did well, demonstrating her smarts in such a swift manner, "If Spyro's afraid of his life flashing before his eyes, do you think acting out without his input would be ideal? As Flair said, Malefor's still alive somewhere in there, and with how Spyro is now, he'd be in no condition to stop you. He'd be worthless, weak, and with no voice. That kind of fear; seeing the unstoppable... ...do you really think that'd help him?"

It was more so thanks to the darkness that Cynder cared little for what was being said. But even while being blinded in a white light, more so a dark vision within the views of her own eyes, she needed something else to tell her otherwise. With Ersa blocking Spyro's body, all she simply needed to do was move. Ersa's move forced a direct look to the condition of Cynder's completely petrified and dead faced lover. It angered the black dragoness to no end to see what he had become; watching and listening to his cries and knowing she could've done something sooner: it bit at her as bad as the snakes within did. Though watching him cuddle to Ignitus, crying against the chest of Claire; her mind already pieced together what it was that needed to happen, though Ersa's voice helped her push the enraged female to her destination, "You should be down there too. I'm sure you'll get your revenge, but now surely isn't the time. Also consider the fear the Dark Master is showing. Maybe there's something more we don't know, something else that's not being spoken about," The whiteness of her eyes greatly decreased, helping her emerald green ones show; the whiteness only fogging her vision now and doing little in terms of fear, "I know you're still new to friends and family, but please trust me on this. For once, a fight against the Dark Master is something you and Spyro should both sit out on. You're not alone... ...and you don't need to take things on as if you were..."

No words were given back, aside from a show of teeth. This teeth show shifted direction to the Dark Master, but thanks to her helpful friends, she scoffed, ignoring the Dark Dragon for now. Instead of making an approach to fight, Cynder's focus directed down and to her lover's now sitting figure. Knowing the darkness had taken a severe hold over her mind and soul, Ersa made sure to move out of Cynder's way, allowing her a straight path and no unnecessary confrontation. The yellow and red female looked to one another, each afraid for their own reasons. Though knowing their jobs weren't done, the two made way to the middle; Cyril of course following close along. With Spyro's head now dug to Ignitus's chest, the fire Guardian took on his role as a parent. Both wings hung over his back, and with a soothing, gentle pet down the back of his adoptive son's head and neck, his voice needed to be the same, "Easy, Spyro, easy... ...you're safe... ...everything's okay... everything is going to be okay..."

Down in the deepest part of despair, hearing his father's words, and noticing the heavy feel of presence all around, Spyro felt a sign of life coming back to him. His tail was grabbed and wrapped around by a female he knew well. His eyes made out nearly everyone around him, though tears still made plenty blurry. To his front sat his father, to his right sat Claire, and to his left now sat Cynder. Cynder in a way pushed the two Dark Dragons; Kettu and Xvar, out of the way. But even with them not being seen, they still kept their heartbeats close to Spyro's, aiding the recovery. Pressure to his back was felt as well, and though he couldn't see it, Ersa, Flair, and Cyril now approached from behind. Still, some were missing. His mind being so broken immediately believed them to be dead. The thought pounded his heart, and from a quick backing and a fling of tears, his eyes trembled in a search for his family, "No... no no no, someone's dead! Where's... where's Terrador?! Where is Volteer?! Trish?!" Ignitus and many were at the ready to speak, but his hysteria kept his mind from slowing down, "Ignitus!" Spyro looked his father dead into his eyes, "They... ...they can't be dead! I... ...they..." Hitting his forehead back against his father's chest, his claws curled and ripped the ground from below, "Please make this stop... ...I... ...I don't want to be in pain anymore...!"

Ignitus felt a shred in his heart to not only hear the pain Spyro was in, but to truly see it in his eyes; to see the reflection of himself in those tears, he wasn't the only one who had it out for the Dark Master now as well. He couldn't stand to do anything, and where he really thought on it, for now, he let the Dark Dragon enjoy his final moments, I knew it from the start something like this would happen. The Dark Master isn't someone who can be saved, and at the next chance I get, I wouldn't mind speaking to Celina or even the Ancestors to erase that bastard from existence. Understanding where his son stood on the decision, either way would've been a tough call, but at all chances he could get, Ignitus wanted at all possible to protect his son, Spyro's been through enough, maybe even more than what we as Guardians went through. I know he'd rather not have him killed, but like the fears you have for Flair killing Cyril, I can't let this continue. I'm sorry, my... ...young dragon. With all this going on, Ersa waved a paw for the other three; Terrador, Trish, and her mate to come over and aid the fears of the purple dragon. On their walk over, more was still to be done, and answers were needed, "Do we have any idea what all happened?"

"The Dark Master put Spyro through his deepest darkest fears," Kettu first responded, "Because we didn't tell him what it was the Dark Master was planning, he believed everything that was happening was real. This was also due to the fact that the reality and power that the darkness has, everything felt like it belonged, and acted the same as well. From the sun's light to the weighted air, and even the littlest of dirt to a floor, we underestimated just how powerful the Dark Master was, and that includes his skills."

"And you two sound surprised because...?" Flair didn't understand how they didn't see this sooner.

"We've never actually gone toe-to-toe with the Dark Master," Xvar brought up a valid point, "We knew he was strong, but didn't expect him to be... ...well... ...the true master of the dark arts. This is really the first time we've ever connected and felt his strength. We believed Spyro would've outsmarted the fake world and demanded to come back to reality but... as we said, the world that was made was... as real as the real thing could get."

"Getting back on track as we can discuss this later: what exactly happened," Getting worse before they got any better, Ersa took charge once again.

"A couple things happened," As Kettu spoke, all were listening, aside from Spyro; each wanting to understand what could've gone so wrong, "In the beginning, he woke up in the Guardians' Chambers, heard a yell from this room and came running over. It had been destroyed with blood covering most everything. After another loud noise followed by a hit and a bang, he rushed out of the room and noticed a body being dragged across the floor."

"What kind of horror show is this?!" Volteer wasn't the only one who took notice, "Loud noises, the eerie silence, being alone but discovering the remains of blood, broken memories, and watching a body be dragged away?" All this even to Volteer sounded like a nightmare he would've had, and he wasn't alone in the world of feeling these such fears, "But... wait. If this all happened due to the darkness, than what exactly happened to you two? Couldn't you both have noticed his spiking heart rate and done something?"

The two Dark Dragons showed sweat, wanting at all to avoid their wrong doings out of worry for what the others might do or think about when it came to their image. Luckily enough, all manners of discussions and thoughts were broken. Now sounds of a loud, painful, and agonizing growl filled the air. These sounds came from no other than the Dark Master, though his voice was mixed in with another. Like watching two souls rip from the other, where the shadowy figure of the Dark Dragon rose, the bright purple scales of Malefor shined. Using what might and power he could muster up, Malefor was successfully able to push the Dark Master out. However, instead of simply pushing his simple figure, all was tossed from the purple dragon's body. Where Malefor gave his shove, and the Dark Master gave his pull, it was a lost battle for the sinister dragon. His entire body; heart, mind, soul and all was extracted from Malefor's. The purple dragon gave a hefty shove, pushing away the exposed body of the Dark Master. Both were weak, sweating, and in no shape to do much of anything. For once, fear truly did show to the Dark Master, noticing now his exposure to the world. And with his heart resting to his own body now; all eyes on him, his death could've been handed out to just about anyone. Now having full control over his body, Malefor slapped a paw to the ground, threatening the Dark Dragon across from him, "YOU PIECE OF SHIT!" The Dark Master had really nowhere to go: his front to escape through the windows was blocked by the now aggravated purple dragon, his left side blocked by the wall, and his right was surrounded by all those who wished him dead, "I trusted you. WE, trusted you!" He didn't face the others, but Ersa was able to form answers to her own questions, "The reason Kettu and Xvar didn't help was because they were in on it!" All eyes now shifted to them, and once again hearing what the Dark Dragons had done to his son, Ignitus knew there was nothing but malice in these foes, "They helped the Dark Master keep me down! I couldn't talk, I couldn't move, I could barely even breathe! These sick bastards have done nothing but try the long game, and once the Dark Master had Spyro in his grip, Kettu and Xvar showed their true colors like the pricks I've always known them to be!"

"Because we knew you wouldn't agree!" Kettu tried to clear their names, but with the looks of rage in many of the eyes to those around them, Xvar slowly prepared himself for a fight, "We wanted to use Spyro's fear as a way to keep us safe, not kill him! What the Dark Master did was beyond us! We knew it was going too far, and we knew that what Spyro was feeling was real! But..."

"But you never thought you'd get caught!" Malefor finished that sentence for him.

"We never expected for the Dark Master to go as far as he did!" Xvar backed his friend up on this one, "We wanted to see what would've happened. After Spyro saw the deaths of you all, and the destruction of Warfang, his fears rose from the pit of his mind. There are some things he fears that we never even thought about," This caught the eyes of many, wondering what exactly these fears were, "It... ...it in a way... ...stunned us. Where the Dark Master continued his games, we continued to search... ...and like you... ...we wished this whole ordeal never happened."

"Oh, shut up," Ignitus shifted the weakened purple dragon to Claire, adjusting himself to stand now, at the ready with the fire power they had, "You Dark Dragons are nothing more than malicious and manipulative creatures. You call the Ancestors wrong for what they did, yet you've done no better. So I guess I can add hypocritical to the list," Ignitus's scales seemed different; instead of a bright red and gold, they looked to turn white with light shining through his interior, "Don't try and make this any harder than it has to be."

"What are you implying...?" The two Dark Dragons backed, looking what was basically death in the eyes.

"The Ancestors don't take kindly to your existence. And since they see no use to you two, neither does the rest of the world," No jokes were given; Ignitus was serious and at the ready to purge these viruses, "Cynder," It was a surprise to hear her name called, but she looked up to him in wonder, "Go help Malefor deal with the Dark Master. Once I've deleted these two from existence, I'll come over and help. That is, unless he's already been dealt with."

"WHAT?!"

Kettu and Xvar both feared for their lives now; out and exposed completely with their power not being enough to kill Spyro if need be. The Dark Master also showed teeth, keeping track of his surroundings for any chance to make a play and save his own life. It didn't help that no-one else was seeing the aftereffects of what had happened. Admittedly, the three Dark Dragons the same suffered from the horrific nightmare taken on by Spyro himself. They were still shaken up, and wanting to prove still that they were innocent, Kettu spoke, "Ignitus, listen to us!" Ignitus cared little, "When my brother here says we were stunned, he wasn't lying! We honestly believed that when it came to someone like Spyro, he'd have nothing to fear... ...but we were so, so very wrong," Feeling like this was his one chance to clear their names, Kettu gave his evidence, "Like many, Spyro fears death: the black abyss that could wait for him, the idea of drowning, the fearful feeling of being broken down and left paralysed. These were all fears he thought of, and for us to see them all, that means we witnessed these events unfold."

"Stop stalling," Instead of taking it seriously, Ignitus saw these two playing mind games, "Your darkness is all but depleted since you've shown your forms outside my son's body. As long as you aren't with him, your hearts are exposed," The two showed massive shivers to this, hoping no one else would've known, "You're afraid, and aren't using my son as a hostage because you don't have the reach, nor did you leave enough darkness of your own to kill Spyro if you were ever away from his body."

"Because we trust him!" Xvar was at the ready, knowing of what Ignitus was to say, "We already called the Dark Master a pussy for hiding! We don't hide ourselves, and for what Spyro's done for us, we've grown fond of feeling free, feeling a life without fear, and having those around to talk to; those to whom we thought could've been made friends of," Showing teeth to them all, he had second thoughts, "But I guess Spyro's lighthearted nature rubbed off on us, and in reality, we should've been nothing more than an equal to the Dark Master. He killed most of your parents, which means we were left with the scrap to clean up."

"That's all I needed to hear," Now having clear evidence these two were nothing more than terrorists, the gloves came off for Ignitus, and he stood tall.

"THAT WAS SAID OUT OF FEAR!" Kettu's heart pounded, as did Xvar's, gaining a response from Spyro as he stirred from his near slumber he had fallen into, "What do you want from us, Ignitus?! We told you we're scared, we told you why we didn't help sooner, and for all that it's worth, we are incredibly sorry for what we put Spyro through. We wanted to feel safe, and after seeing those fears, there is now no doubt in our minds that Spyro truly is someone we could see as a brother. We know of the purple dragon and the battles that ensued. All we wanted was to keep history from repeating itself!"

"There's an easy fix for that," Ignitus had another idea, "Let the light shine and may the darkness be erased into an afterthought. After all, it's been the darkness that's caused all the world's problems, and though Malefor's parents were killed by apes, the thought of conflict is something you all just enjoy," Taking another couple of steps, the two jumped back; attack positions and blades at the ready, "I've killed others before to save those that I love. I'd never put my son through the horrific truth of the world. He's done more than any one of us: all of us combined. His future is bright, and his heart has touched many, bringing peace in situations that surely would've ended in death for many. I will not allow you two to fiddle or turn my son into the very monsters that roam our realm."

Ignitus continued his pursuit of taunting his enemies, going slow with one step at a time; each step raising the Dark Dragons heart rates to new heights, and inciting fear and panic. They knew why he was doing this now: he wished to put them through the same pain that Spyro had experienced. Thanks to the Ancestors' gift, the red Guardian seemed to turn into an unstoppable killing machine that would follow them to the end before they reached their own untimely demise. The more their hearts banged, the more Spyro woke, and his rise was helped by more yelling; this time coming from Malefor, "Stop playing with them!" Malefor hadn't attacked against the Dark Master either, so as of right now, the deaths of those around were still seconds away, "I'd rather not get close and have the Dark Master attempt something, so if you could hurry up and blow them up, that'd be fantastic!"

Shifting face from the two who were all and at the ready, the stirs and grunts that Spyro had given out finally helped him wake. With Cynder having hesitated on her order to kill the Dark Master, she was still left by the purple dragon's side, having not left it since she first sat down. Her darkness had exceptionally calmed, though the environment around her wasn't helping in the slightest. Gently placing his paws to Claire's wings that held his laying body, one paw shifted to his head as he groaned, "Ugh... my... ...head..." Not having remembered much, his time asleep was well needed, and upon backing to a sitting position, he noticed the blue female, "Claire...?" Feeling a little better now, a chuckle was given, and his comments made the blue female nearly jump for joy, "I must still be a sucker for family love. Hehe... I have no idea why, but laying in your wings felt better than any bed I've ever slept on. I guess you're more of a mother than I thought, and you should take pride in your future with Ignitus. The hatchling you two will have I'm sure would grow up with nothing but love and care from you two."

Claire could give nothing but tears, blown away by the support from what looked like now as her adoptive son. Many showed smiles for this, however one that didn't, was Cynder herself. She showed more teeth than anything, still giving a slight grin and seeing now she wasn't good enough, "Oh, so that's how it is?" He turned and saw her to his left, and upon seeing a vein to the top of her head, he feared in a chuckle, "You never said I felt better than a bed. Or were you saying bed because saying, 'you felt better than any wing I've slept on', would've surely ended in me gutting you."

"Cynder, there's a difference between motherly love, and lover's love," Spyro knew how to diffuse her anger, using facts instead of a joke to avoid, "Motherly cuddles are far different than that of lover cuddles. One makes you feel like a hatchling, and the other for me forms a feeling of growth," She raised a brow to this, and once thinking about it, he blushed before making a course correction, "No-no-no, I didn't mean that kind of growth! I meant it as in, for us males, or maybe just me, cuddling with you is like cuddling with a cloud."

"Because it's impossible to do? And squeezing me too hard would make me disappear?"

"Hehehe, goddamn, Cynder," She was happy that her joke got him to laugh, "'Squeezing me too hard would make me disappear'. Hehehe... I mean, you're not wrong. But, what I mean by that is... it feels heavenly, and like a blanket that it gives the earth, your wings do the same for me. Like I told Amara, you're my storm cloud. As long as I don't piss you off, I won't need to fear being struck by lightning. And... ...as long as I savor the moment, enjoy the gentle rain, find peace even when the sun doesn't shine... ...I'll never have to feel afraid... .. because I know, I'll always have someone watching over me," His approach was gentle, his words were filled with nothing but love, and with his body turned to allow his paw to her cheek, he gave way to caressing her otherworldly beauty, "Hehe... I can see us now on top of the Guardians' Building. Whether it rains, whether it shines, whether there's a need for fresh air; I know a quick look under my wing will always give me the greatest view of my life," His nose rested to hers, and with him hitting all the right buttons, she was ready to take him, "The view of you, my love. The view of the one and only, The Beauty Of The Skies."

Her teeth shivered from his display, trying to hold strong against what he was saying to stand her ground and not be seduced by such a male. Though Cynder could find nothing but pleasure for these kind words, turning her once doubt back around and transforming it into something more, something all too pleasing. The lips the two showed shined from saliva, clearly a view all saw on how desperate they wanted to kiss. Something was still a miss however, and keeping her hard-to-get attitude, her body stayed stiff, but her lips moved aplenty, "So I'm only beautiful in the skies? Let me guess, because Amara walks around on the earth below, the beauty of mother earth goes to her?"

"The skies are where we feel free to fly, to enjoy, and to laugh at the rush of wind before us; that's what you bring to this world: hope, love, and a future for many," Spyro was already handy when it came to his come backs, knowing Cynder all too well on what she was going to say, "Amara controls dirt, creepy crawly creatures, and a hard surface of earth that me and you had to lay on all the way back to Warfang. Hehehehe..." The wording he used was elegant, bringing a swift smile to Cynder's lips to hear how Spyro saw Amara; nothing more than a pile of dirt, or at least, that's how she took it, "Cynder... you mean, so much to me..."

"STOP!" Without any of her powers aiding her in holding strong; the darkness without all but diminishing: Cynder was at his mercy, and she wouldn't allow his help any further, "I'd rather not have a repeat of this morning..." Dropping tears and instead of a kiss, she went in for a hung; both wings to his back and arms over the rear of his neck, "I always try to get you to slip up... ...but just like always, you prove me wrong in all the right ways."

"Hehe, that's not hard," Hearing her lover suddenly turn cocky, a fight was on now, and with a quick backing and a slight shove, her eyes looked to him completely wide, whereas her paws held herself back from his chest, "Thinking you could beat me? Thinking you're alone? Believing you don't deserve a life?" Where her blade showed, his next words stunned her completely; locking her entire body just at the hint of hope, "You asked where our relationship would go from here. And to be honest... ...every passing day... ...I think about me and you becoming... ...well... ...the pen and the cobb."

She had no response to this. It was such a rush and complete smack of joy and excitement all at once that her body couldn't keep track. Her blade dropped but her head rose, wanting to hear more as to why he thought this way; hoping that what she was feeling and seeing in his eyes was true. His smile helped, but in some ways made things worse for her. The help was due to his nature in general: his smile always bringing her to peace. Though this smile only locked her more so, as if teasing her but being serious for their future together. After having stunned his female, he noticed something at the back of the room, towards where the bookshelf was. Kettu and Xvar were bouncing: not out of their own free will but from fear. Spyro had woken to a point now where he felt their heartbeats, and having an idea as to what was going on, he hoped there'd be a way to help, "Whoa whoa whoa, easy you two," Cynder needed some support before she was able to come unglued from her lover, but hearing his worry, she backed and he stood, "Do you both remember when you two were afraid of what I might do? You tried to ready yourselves; to take over my body before I was able to do anything. It was a scary feeling, but I'm bringing this up as to not repeat history."

All saw and heard what sounded like support over the Dark Dragons. However, still in a fit of rage, Malefor wouldn't allow him to take any more steps towards these supposed friends, "Spyro! Stop!" The sound of panic forced Spyro's head to turn around quickly and suddenly, ignoring the advancements the Dark Dragons behind him could've made, "You don't understand just what kind of hell they put you through! That nightmare was allowed by them! They held me down and used the Dark Master's powers to keep me from doing anything! I almost died with the pressure they applied to my neck!"

Spyro was adrift on what exactly was happening. He inspected his surroundings, and not only did Ignitus look much whiter compared to his red scales, but seeing the Dark Master out in the open was a sight to behold. It was strange for him as normally, and from what Kettu and Xvar had said, the Dark Master used Malefor's body as a safe haven, What the hell happened while I was asleep? I'm gone for five minutes and everything goes to shit. Noticing much further into the beefy shadow formed body of the Dark Master, it was gross to see, but he noticed his heart was showing past the sight of the shifting darkness. Every few seconds or so, the darkness acting more like smoke to them, Spyro was able to make out the internals of the Dark Master himself. His heart pulsed, though from the looks of it, these beats weren't controlled. The Dark Master's... ...afraid? It was such a shock of a conclusion for him to come to, but once he had, a stance and a paw down was needed, "Malefor," The three Dark Dragons readied for a fight, though just by him speaking alone, Spyro noticed the pounding and horrified beats Kettu and Xvar had in his chest, the same only being slightly so for the Dark Master when his heart was in view, "Let the Dark Master back in your body."

"WHAT?!" Malefor couldn't believe what he was hearing, and that went double for many more around him, "YOU DON'T GET IT! STOP ACTING LIKE A CHILD! You've supposedly saved the world, beat the Dark Master twice now, finished off the Destroyer, and have had it out in countless battles against all sorts of foes! But one thing that's remain constant is the fact that you can't do it alone! If I'm telling you this, and there's a REAL REASON BEHIND IT, you should have no reason to bitch to someone who's had far more experience in life than you ever had!"

"Sorry but, correct me if I'm wrong since you seem to think anyone else's opinion aside from my own is wrong. Don't you tend to forget things when you haven't seen or used a particular set of skills? If this was true, in reality, you're the dumbest one here, considering while you were floating off in a black abyss of nothingness allowing your body to be mangled by the Dark Master, I was too busy learning all of the elements, flying, saving the Guardians, saving the world, and as a kid, reading a library a books to which your brain could probably only hold one page."

"'ALLOWED?!'" As if Malefor wasn't already flustered enough, Spyro made it ten times worse, "You're a real piece of shit, you know that?! I'm trying to protect you! I'm trying my hardest to keep you from ending up having to deal with the same fate that I had to undergo! But every step of the way you treat me like shit! I try to show you I'm good: I help save the world, I try my damnedest to protect everyone around while you fought or did literally anything else, and I thought that meant something!" Similar to how Cynder's darkness snapped from her rage, Malefor's was close to doing the same, "You call the Dark Dragons brothers before you even CONSIDERED ME A FRIEND!" Dropping tears now to his thoughts being let out into the open, in many ways, he felt betrayed, and in doing so, his mind filled in the blanks, "But what does it matter? You're exactly like the Chronicler. He never cared. It was all some game to him, and now at this point, I'm not even sure you could be trusted."

The situation had blown completely out of proportion, and where Spyro saw and understood this now, he gave a sigh and made the attempt to rekindle their friendship, "Malefor..."

"NO!" From here on, he was too far gone; caught up in his rage and blinding tears, "To hell with you, and to hell with your attempts to suppress me! It's because of you, same for that bastard Chronicler that I've been too busy focusing on what doesn't matter! I'm too far up my own ass on trying to make friends, when in reality, all this time, I should've focused on power," Carith didn't like the sound of this, and for those around him; those who changed their view and believed Malefor to be better were far beyond disappointed in him saying, "I gave it my all and looked up to you in many ways, ways to which I believed the way your life was being lived was something of which I wanted for my own. But I'm nothing more than some side bitch who's been pushed down and away from everyone and everything else!"

"Awwww," At the worst of times, the Dark Master for once smiled, "Is somebody cranky cause their boyfriend doesn't love them?" Malefor's darkness lit ablaze, and from his head snapping over in an attempt to say something, only teeth were shown as the teasing dragon continued, "Poor little hatchling hates not being the center of attention."

Pushing his fist into the ground, the earth ability that Malefor had used wasn't controlled upon its release. The power shredded the floor below, breaking out from the floor on one side to the next. A pillar of spikes would spear out from the left, then right, then left again, acting more so to a snakes body movements. The Dark Master readied for his jump, but luckily for him, someone was on his side. With a simple palm hit to the floor, Spyro's powers were easily able to end the advancements of Malefor's. His earth power hit his opponents', and before it could even reach the Dark Dragon, the power collapsed in on itself. This stop caused immediate backlash, proving Malefor's point even further, "So quick to save his life, and yet no mercy was shown to my own," Carith wasn't the only one who noticed it: Malefor's voice wasn't his own, "Every step of the way, you find a reason to bitch, moan, or complain about how horrible of a person I was. But once learning of who the Dark Master was, and these other Dark Dragons... you spent no time in engaging with conversation, peace talks, helpful tips or requests to better your relationship with them. All while you forgot about me, and tossed my issues aside."

"Malefor... please don't..."

"DON'T TRY TO COMFORT ME NOW!" Still unable to say anything, Spyro let Malefor talk, hoping in many ways this need of release would help, and it'd benefit him in finding out every piece of this puzzle, "Your way of comfort is funny. There's three main types of people that you comfort: Cynder, friends, and monsters. Considering I'm neither her nor friend, I guess I should do my part and be who you've always wanted me to be: just so you could be right for once in your miserable life."

"YOU'RE RIGHT! IT IS MISERABLE!" Finding his voice and knowing all that needed to be said, Spyro wanted his chance now, "You act like every day is sunshine and rainbows for me! While you were on your ass in a pool of darkness, I was dealing with shit on a whole other level! Age ten, I was tossed into war, forced to learn all these elements, faced anxiety knowing it was up to me to not only save these randoms called the Guardians, but to also face a demon twenty times larger than me! I learned I wasn't a dragonfly, found out my whole family was a lie, and even after making it through all that, I only had a few days of rest before shit hit the fan for me again!" He's breathing was heavy, and his words were weighted in pain, "Cynder, the Chronicler, the Dark Master, the fall of Warfang, the Destroyer, Avalar, Apes, the Dark Forces... ...it... ...it never stopped... ...All that on top of the fact that I thought... ...I... ...believed... ...that I had just watched Ignitus die right in front of my very eyes. But even with his death... ...because I was this, stupid ass prophecy, I had next to no time to morn his dead..."

Taking a longer break to help compile the rest of it all, thinking more about it only made things worse for him. As if the morning nightmares weren't stressful enough, to have to relive and remember so much pain and panic, the powerful voice Spyro had left him; becoming more toned down and weak, "The return to Warfang was hell... ...then once again, with nearly no rest... ...the journey continued. Cora, finding out Ignitus wasn't dead, your past, the second time we fought, dealing with the aftermath, dealing with the distrust the Guardians had over Claire; my own fears over her as well and me believing that this time... ...I really might just wake up... ...and Ignitus would've died for real this time..." Dropping tears at this point, he needed a form of comfort to keep him going, and without even having to say a word, Cynder was at his side with a wing over his back, "Volteer's anger over Ersa's death, Ersa's distrust for me, Cynder's fear over the future from what Ignitus showed, another battle with the Destroyer... ...then came Kettu and Xvar... ...and following along was Flair... ...Trish... ...Amara, Axel, Celina, Serena, Ava, Seth... ...This doesn't even include Amara's mother or Serena's mate... ...and I completely forgot about this other, new, dark master..."

Sitting down now and rubbing the tops of his forehead, a need of a break would've been very much welcomed. But as life never stops, Spyro knew that neither could he, "Even with that hellish nightmare, I know more is to come. Amara will meet with the Rebels, and I know Axel will have plenty to say out of displeasure. This guy... The Father... ...I don't even know what he's like... but if anything, I'm worried Kayla might turn against me. They'll agree with what Seth said and with how many of us will be in the Chambers at once... ...I'm scared that I won't be able to protect you all..." His voice was full of nothing but sympathy and defeat, knowing at some point, he would've tripped, "Malefor, I... ...I in many ways already considered you a friend... a brother... ...but because I've been so caught up in so much more, my mind believed our trust and connection with each other would've made that known," Malefor felt a kick in the heart for that, feeling and believing now that this situation was all his own wrong doing, and the friendship he had wanted wasn't deserved, "I'm sorry... ...I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner... ...and I know these three didn't help with your fears. You're afraid of blacking out and waking up to everything being gone... ...and just like that... ...there's no turning back."

"So then why won't you let me kill them?" The tone used was low at first, but Malefor's own speech riled him back up, "If you know what they did, and if you know that they now know how to tear you down, why would you bother continuing to protect them? You're nothing to them, and having to deal with these three everyday will only cause you more stress and pain!"

"As far as I see it, Kettu and Xvar got their revenge on you for being a little bitch to them," Spyro was still on the side of his well-known Dark Dragons, and to show this wasn't something to be upset about, the purple dragon smirked, "For once, you should trust in the Dark Dragons. I can understand your hate for the Dark Master, but without Kettu and Xvar, he would've been powerless to stop you. And maybe like how they help me, they could've also done the same for you."

"How they helped you? They put you through a nightmare because they were scared of you, and wanted nothing more than fuel to take you down."

"Well, for some, that's... just how people are," Spyro showed remorse, understanding exactly what, how, and why they chose to do what they did, "All because I smile, or joke, or, make comments about things for a laugh, most don't see that as something genuine. Fear, desperation, hate, depression; these are really the only emotions that define who you are. If I make a joke about one thing, you'll think that defines me, but when I make a joke about something else, your world seems turned upside down as that's not something you'd feel I'd do. People show who they are moments before death," Turning around to face his Dark Dragon allies, even after what had happened, he still smiled, "I understand why you two went to the lengths you did. My responses to things can vary and change as all with a mind can. The biggest problem that always arises is within my mind itself. For those three years I was frozen in time, I didn't just float there. I thought and I thought and I thought, and with so much time to do nothing, it felt like I was doing everything."

The two very much knew of this once having dug so deep within his mind, to which Kettu asked, "Is that why you have so many fears?"

"Everything I read when I was with Sparks, I thought about. All my fears and possible futures, I thought about. At times, even though I was in a time crystal and nothing was moving, my brain constantly throbbed in pain to a massive migraine-like feeling. I self taught myself, remembered what the Guardians had told me; my mentors, my friends, my book smarts, everything I used to better myself and prepare for when the inevitable break in the crystal happened."

"But with so many dark futures you thought about, how did you handle it all? And all by yourself for that matter?" Xvar wanted answers just as much as anyone else did.

"Well... ...there were times where me and Cynder, as well as my brother, were able to communicate. Cynder at times gave me things to think about to keep us busy, same for Sparks. This gave us something to do for the time being. So not only do I have self taught and collected knowledge from those three years alone, waking up and realizing the next day after the battle in the Volcano that I was now sixteen... ...being a teen, more so a close adult... ...I had a lot more to think about."

"Those pecks on the cheek frustrated me," Cynder was honest, growling lightly in a display of teeth, "Every single day that went by, I couldn't stop thinking about doing more with you. Which... why is that?"

"The biggest problem that might've arised from you two skipping so many years is the lack thereof to hormonal control," Ersa was at the ready to help her female friend, "Hormones change gene expression or cellular function, and you may at times experience fluctuations in estrogen, progesterone, and... well, testosterone."

"Is that why I couldn't stop thinking about certain... things? Especially about Spyro?"

"Think about how you respond to Spyro's advancements towards you and the response you give to others that try," Volteer wanted to show his smarts too, "Being a teen, the idea of love, especially commitment, helps not only release endorphins, but also activates a neurotransmitter, that being dopamine," Next to no one knew what any of this meant, but an explanation was an explanation, "This kind of dopamine promotes feelings, such as: desires, satisfaction, and even euphoria."

"In short, growing up is all about exploring," Helping give a better more simplistic answer, Ersa knew she'd be better fit, "That's also why we say things to others that may seem awkward to most, but for who we love, especially for my love to Volteer, it'd feel strange or even out of character. Take me for example. I look normal, could have a simple conversation, and cry at the idea or impending doom. But when I'm with Volteer... ...hehehe... ...things can get a little wacky."

"A little?"

"Okay fine. More like an ass ton."

"Of you on my face~," Volteer snickered.

"Pin it. We have other things to talk about before we start flirting again," Ersa placed her paw over his snout, and where he growled in a blushed, love filled display, she couldn't help but do the same.

"So then how are you so smart in manipulating my love for you?" Cynder questioned her lover, turning completely to face the purple dragon.

"Books?" Spyro chuckled, "Also, dragon anatomy and dragonfly anatomy are pretty much the same when it comes to... having a child. After our parents had the 'talk' with us, Sparks wouldn't shut the hell up about it. Being of the age I am now, it's now rather hard to not think about it. And in many ways, since I know you enjoy love on a higher scale, I use that to my advantage. If things are looking too grim, I pull out the big guns."

"By giving me false hope on your sexual comments?" A growl and raised brow was showed.

"Says that one who wanted to do it on the roof."

"THAT WASN'T ME! That was that other bitch who looks and sounds exactly like me."

"Ah yes: The Beauty Of The Skies. A real piece of sweat she gives me just by looking at her," He was attempting to make his move, though knowing there was still a problem to tackle, Spyro unfortunately had to cut their moment short, "So I guess what I read was true? 'Wisdom is knowledge through experience, not age'. All because someone's older than me, that doesn't mean they're wiser?"

"And for those who assume otherwise, you've already made clear extent of your wisdom," Volteer and Ersa spoke in unison, knowing such a line well, and the yellow female followed up, "Wow, Spyro, I'm impressed. Just how many books did you actually read back then?"

He laughed to this, "A lot. It was either that or I played crush the tail with Sparks. And as you could tell, with me having the larger tail, it was very much a losing battle."

"Crush the tail?"

Many were confused in him saying, and having brought up such a horrible memory, he wanted to move on now, "Point is, I do believe in my knowledge of things, not experience. Experience inherently comes with age, so while I don't have a lot of life experience, I do believe I know more than an average dragon at my age."

"I have the perfect idea!" Now coming to a point he could enjoy even more so, Volteer's mind was able to run wild, "With an acceptable time, or rather an average of fourteen hours made restless, we can determine just how much more growth you've had than the standard dragon!" Clapping his paws together, this was all mental math, and he hit it perfectly, "Let's take into account that there is three hundred sixty-five days in a year. Multiplying the hours by the days means that an average dragon gains five thousand one hundred eleven hours of experience! In a total of three years, they'll have learned a combined total of fifteen thousand three hundred thirty hours of experience!"

All in the family had to take two on how fast and well he was able to compile all this information and math in such a short timeframe. Ersa could only sit there and smile, having more of a reason to love the yellow Guardian. He wasn't done yet as more was to be deciphered, "Now let's amass the time you had, Spyro. Since you were forever in a deep sleep but in many ways always active and alert, we can say that your mind was on going twenty-four seven. Take that number and multiply it by the days, and we get exactly eight thousand seven hundred sixty. Once again multiply that by the three years you were frozen, and we get... holy hell... twenty-six thousand two hundred eighty! That's one point seven times the amount of information of a normal everyday Joe. In simplified terms, you'd gain over ten thousand nine hundred fifty more hours from this alone! So in all reality, you could say your two times more, rounded up of course, than who you were supposed to be at your age if considering you're technically going off a normal thirteen year old dragon!"

Spyro blinked a couple of times, wondering if this was a joke, "You call that... simplified?"

"This really doesn't even take into account if someone's lazy, if what they're working on is uninteresting, or if they choose to sleep in late or simply have a bad day!" It didn't seem to be a joke at all, and instead of answering the many confused looks, Volteer simply smiled in glee, "Spyro, would you mind if me and Ersa tested your and Cynder's brain functionality?" Spyro and Cynder both backed out of fear for what that would mean, "Your minds seemed to not have only evolved while you slept, but doubled, maybe even quadrupled your evolution!" The giddy yellow Guardian couldn't control himself, "Your bodies stayed at rest, but your minds continued! This could mean that, while you may look sixteen; technically a full blown thirty year adult in your darkened purple form, you yourself are much, much older!"

"What my mate here is trying to say is," Ersa took over, planting a paw to his chest to keep him calm, "You're definitely far from being a child, Spyro. And if anything, you're exactly like us. Not only did you have that time to build and grow in peace, but you've also had plenty of war experience and... unfortunate scars to show you're no mere youngling. You've been through hell, and that masculine body of yours isn't for show. Same for you, Cynder. Those slim features and agile moves are to the age of nearly a close twenty. Both of you could easily pass as adults, especially when it comes to those dark forms."

"But there's a problem with how long he had time to heal," A voice spoke, breaking the conversation the two were having.

Eyes of all were to Kettu, and he wasn't done in what he was saying, "Spyro... me and my friend here are technically still very young: forty-seven years to be exact. And yet somehow, you have more thoughts, brain power, and all around knowledge than the two of us combined. However, from what we've seen, many of those smarts that you've gained... it's accumulated scars and damage down the middle for you altogether."

"What?!" Many let their cries, gasps, or sense of shock heard, and this was especially for Cynder, "What do you mean damage?! And scars as in permanent ones?!"

"Most of the time Spyro spent inside of that time crystal was spent thinking about death, blood, and failure," Xvar let everyone know the painful truth, "Almost every waking second, he thought about the death of everyone he knew: The Guardians, his parents, and even the whole world. The entire time you three were frozen, he beat himself up for every little thing. To combat these fears, he came up with scenarios in his head, living story after story after another blood soak story. Each time his mind would intensify the danger as though he was really there: believing the battle in his mind was happening right in front of him."

"From what we saw, Spyro knows how you all will die down to the last word in death's dictionary," Kettu followed up, throwing out more horrific facts about what the purple dragon had undergone, "What if Ignitus were to drown but Spyro didn't know how to swim? What if Volteer was to be set on fire, but he didn't know how to safely aid? What if Cyril was struck by lightning and had his heart stopped; how could he possibly use his powers to save his friend without blowing up his heart? And what if Terrador grew weak from training and crushed himself under his own boulders? How would Spyro be able to help elevate the pain and pressure without doing more damage than what's already been done?"

They were as descriptive as they could be, and where they knew hate might've been thrown their way, there was a reason for it, and now Xvar spoke, "Don't turn on us for explaining what we saw. Spyro's mind was very descriptive about every little detail. Take Ignitus for example. He was descriptive on exactly how the pain felt to not only the red Guardian, but to himself as well, seeing his father drown with no way of saving him," Cynder and the others caught a glimpse of Spyro's ducked head; a face of rested anger, but also held back tears, "His mind would go even further. Let's say he did save Ignitus. Once they reached shore, apes and dark creatures would swarm them. Both are weak and with nothing to do. But because Spyro wouldn't stop thinking in that time crystal, his mind was able to be as descriptive on Ignitus's death, and his failure, as possible."

Whether this was a good thing or not, knowing all of this now really helped the Dark Dragons sympathise with such a dark reality. His family was at the ready and support too, wishing and thinking on what all they could do to better and-or soothe these fears. However, they weren't done, and Kettu had more to say, "He continued to think about all four of the Guardians. And over and over, time and time again, his heart and mind would nearly break. Many times he got to the point where the time crystal had to heal a damaged nerve, or even... sedate his memory."

"How do you two know all this?!" Cynder wanted a clear answer, believing that what they were saying was just a way to knock Spyro down some more.

"After we raided his mind, and even the day we first met him, we know almost everything about him: that includes the one main reason he was even able to survive the time he was in that crystal," Xvar answered, and upon hearing that something was able to soothe Spyro even during such a dark time, she wanted this knowledge for herself.

"And what was it?! What kind of thought or, image could he have had to soothe his mind enough; to keep his body from committing suicide due to such horrific thoughts?!"

They were both surprised that she didn't know the truth. The truth was to be given, though Kettu wondered if she would've accepted it, "You... truly don't know?" Her growl and need to bark at them was clear, "Cynder... ...I know you'll find this hard to believe, especially considering Spyro's life before he even met you, but... the only thing that kept him together... ...the only thing that kept his body from breaking down inside and out... ...was because of you."

She was taken aback to hear this, already in her mind and completely agreeing to none of this at all. Going through her mind as to why, nothing made sense to her, N... No! They're... ...they're lying! They... Unable to wrap her head around it all, the desperate need and hunt for answers was needed. Thankfully, the source of all this confusion spoke. With honesty, a heavy heart, and a small frown, Spyro backed those claims, "They're not wrong when they say that, Cynder," Her eyes wanted to tear up, but she held strong, trying to seem more pissed off than anything, "With every death I saw... ...with every future ending in a failure... ...I knew I wasn't meant to be anything. I was afraid of the day we'd break free from the crystal because of what I'd see: A world on fire, the bodies of millions at my claws, a failure that would cost the futures of everyone and everything...? ...it was all I could think about."

First during their dreams, than their mornings, and twice now from such a short span of time, the act she had fronted on was all but fleeting. She couldn't understand what she had done, or even whether his lips moving and the words that came out were lies. Keeping the tone of anger, where her tears showed sadness, her tone boomed in anger, "You're a liar! How the hell could I have done anything for you when I was stuck in the same situation! You barely knew me! The only thing you knew about me was that I was a monster! I left, forced you through hell, ended up corrupting you in darkness, and caused the time crystal situation we were in all together! You should've hated me! Or was the idea of breaking out and killing me such a fascinating thought?!"

Spyro could only laugh to this in some way. Though he felt like such a response was inappropriate for the tears she was showing and wanted to shed light on his smile, "Cynder... ...in every scenario where I lost, I came to the realization that... ...as I was now, I'd never be able to do it alone. So... instead of believing that, I knew I needed someone. Sparks was out of the question, the Guardian surely couldn't protect me forever with the wounds they've already endured... ...so my only other accomplice, was you," Remembering it like it was yesterday, the fiddling around in his mind that the Dark Dragons had caused brought up some held down or forgotten memories, "Take Ignitus drowning for example. With you at my side, I only saw success. My fears were held down, stabilised, or even erased all together every time I thought about you. And in many ways, my love for you was already there. After living what felt like another life from my constant continuation of thoughts, I already told you how I felt. I kissed your cheek as a more mature teen. I kissed your lips at a fully grown adult. I became more than I ever could've been, and throughout my time with you... my time... alone, with you... ...I realized from there on out... ...I couldn't live without you."

She was in shock to hear nothing but the truth being spilled from his lips. His eye contact to her was out of respect, the easy words he let go were straight from experience, and thanks to his already shined and colorful body from the morning sun raising higher and higher, this idea of being stuck in love was both comforting, and upsetting. Every time it would seem history would repeat itself for her, and the idea of their love being so strong wasn't something she would've ever expected, "How the hell did I ever end up with someone like you?" Tears said one thing, but her teeth said another, "Why couldn't you have just let me run away? I would've never thought about having a family, or the idea of being loved... ...but now that I have it... ...I don't ever want it to go... ...this feeling of love..."

"If you know I love you so deeply, why question our relationship?" Their expressions were both vastly different: Spyro's was of a light smile, though Cynder's was of a frown and pain, "As you told me in the Volcano... 'I'm here for you'... ...and... ...'I love you'... ...seems history does repeat itself, though now... ...I can say the same to you."

She couldn't handle the helpfulness of his words any longer, going as far as digging her forehead to his chest and allowing her weakness to drop to his muscular body. It was easy enough for him to know what she needed. With a right paw petting down the crying female's back neck, and a single wing over her back, this was what he's always fought for. Losing her, he knew would surely tear him apart, and from what he's already experienced, this was more so true than ever. With everything that had happened out in the open, his vision shifted to the still standing and out in the open Dark Master. Hoping for him to see now, Spyro made sure his words were as nonthreatening and caring as possible, "There... ...you know what I fear... you know that I haven't lied on my feelings of loss. You say you're different; told me those hatchlings died because of the apes and not you. If that's true, then I'm you're only target, as well as Malefor, correct?"

"You seek a breathe of fresh air?" The Dark Master snickered, knowing exactly what Spyro was attempting to do, "Please do not think this is over, Spyro. I've already planned out my route to escape, and where would the fun be knowing I wasn't being pursued?" Malefor, including many others, feared what exactly he planned to do next, "I've also realized now that living outside of a mortal dragon's body is far more beneficial, and I can see why Kettu and Xvar show themselves often. Our darkness feeds on fear and rage, and because both these emotions appear so prominently with our lives at risk, we gain power much faster," His darkness proceeded to move and grow in his show of strength, "Maybe it's about time I had a little fun. With this power, there's no doubt in my mind I could kill at least one of you in this filthy room."

Malefor growled out to this, using his own reserves on his dark power to at the very least stand a chance, "To hell with killing Kettu and Xvar! I know at the very least, your death will help millions sleep peacefully! And if I have to murder someone to keep those out there thriving, then to hell with being moral!"

"Spoken like a true purple dragon," The Dark Master mocked his way of thinking.

"I have a better idea, one to which I know you can't refuse," Spyro only slightly had the Dark Master's attention, "What if I could promise you my death? Something that would ensure no matter what, I'd die by your claws one day?"

"WHAT?!" All were surprised to hear, and now, because of such a surprise, both the Dark Master and Cynder looked to him with widened eyes, though Cynder was the first to speak to him, "Spyro... wha... what are saying...?"

"The purple dragons are nothing more than a tool of mass destruction, hell bent on the complete annihilation of the Dark Dragons. Is that correct?" Full attention was given to what he was attempting to get at, and with Spyro openly acknowledging what the Dark Master has said numerous times, the malicious dragon awaited his proposition, "Considering I've never killed, and I have no plans to do so as I believe in a world of green, not red; what do you say that, if the day ever were to arise, if even one living being was to die because of me, I'd allow you my heart in paw and presumably crushed by your grip."

"Absolutely not!" Desperately wanting to raise a paw to slap some sense into her clearly deranged lover, something was off to which she knew needed to be fixed, "Spyro, I know I said I trusted the Dark Master, and I had high hopes that maybe we could put the past behind us, but I don't trust in him to have your life at his disposal! You know how he manipulates, how he'll turn your words against you and consider the death of an ant or some bug to be considered the death of the living!"

"Oh, what's wrong, Cynder? Skittish of my true intentions? Worried that someone such as me can't even hold true to a gentleman's agreement?" The Dark Master couldn't help but smirk at the fear many still had of him.

"That's not it at all!" She snipped back, fronting on him to which teeth were shown for, "I've been beyond thankful to you and for what you've done over the course of your true showing. You've had times where Spyro's blood could've been shed, times where you could've lashed out against me just to provoke a reaction out of him, and even when it came to Volteer fronting, or Carith ducking, you've proven time and time again that you can be better. And the enjoyment so many get out of you being a anti-hero at the least instead of a villain is such a breath of fresh air for all."

Sighing to see such little brain power being used, the Dark Master wasn't surprised in her childish behavior, "Every day someone new joins. What would be more fun? Destroying a building under construction, or a complete one to give the biggest and most problematic fall?" Many weren't surprised to see he hadn't changed: there was no reason to trust him, and where reasons could've been given, they were shot down very quickly by him, "The Earth to me is an ant hill. You all are workers. And once your job is done, all I see is an opportunity of mass chaos. Many will fall, but just as years before, you'll find something to cling to: to rebuild what's lost. And once again, it'll bring me nothing but pleasure seeing another opportunity to burn."

Ignitus no longer faced the two Dark Dragons to his front but now instead faced the one at his back. The Dark Master had all eyes on him. Spyro noticed the unsure looks; attempts to take steps forward to silently signify their advancements to others, and to give an opening or surprise attack to those around. They weren't secretive about their attack however, and the malicious dragon was at the ready to make his move as well. Though out from such a serious tone, Spyro couldn't help but laugh, "Hahahahahaha!" Many were caught off guard to this, "Oh, Dark Master, you crack me up nowadays. Hehehe..." Wiping a fake tear off his face, he played his words as a joke, "Shut your dumb ass up."

The Dark Master wasn't too pleased with such wording, "Excuse you?"

"Already I feel like I have an idea on who or what you are, but it's obvious we still need time to bond. You told me, to which I was shocked to hear: your focus was me and me alone, and the deaths of those hatchlings during the raid was because of those apes. I believe to some capacity that you really are a hero to many, though your possible misguided past has taken its toll on you," Spyro's smile wasn't much appreciated by the Dark Dragon, "You are the Dark, and I, the Light. We can balance each other: ying and yang style. I know you have a heart. Hell, I can see it right now. So once again, I'm asking," Taking a step forward and hoping something would come out of this once again, it was a long shot, "Please give me a chance. You've seen my fears, know what I truly want, and I've even put out an idea of my life being at your disposal if the day were to come and I turn. You haven't harmed us, which is why I've kept everyone in line to do the same. If we can agree on something there, why can't we find middle ground now?"

"Spyro, you..."

"Nope, wait, full stop," Having an idea on where this would've gone, something else was needed to persuade the Dark Master, "Maybe I should be a little nicer when it comes to my deals."

"Stop cuddling him!" Malefor saw what he was doing, "He's done nothing for you that should warranty anymore help! If anything, don't you think it'd be fair to punish him? Why not rip away the darkness he's accumulated? Or, better yet, beat the son of a bitch into the ground and show him his worthlessness!"

"Thanks for giving me ideas as to what I can do to you."

"SPYRO! You're not...!"

"Shut the hell up and let the dragon speak!" Flair finally stepped in, "If Spyro won't shut you up, I will!"

This helped in many ways, though more so because of his view. Having looked to Flair, Malefor also caught a glimpse of Carith. She wasn't happy with his responses and showed a frown of pure pain. As if having Spyro's words kick his heart wasn't enough, the frown given by the blue female was a shred to his soul. Now having the silence he wanted, Spyro continued to show good faith, "What about this. I trust in your word. You said you wouldn't intervene in this meeting had I placed my paw to yours. Why not fly with brothers in the openness of the world while this meeting takes place?" Immediate gasps and disprovel took form to many faces, "You, Xvar, and Kettu can fly free to do what ever you wish. You can fly high and breathe deep the fresh open air. You can dive deep and enjoy the water to your scales. Maybe you could even experience wild life at it's most beautiful moments."

"Even I wouldn't allow that," Ignitus wanted his voice to be heard, "I had trust, and my doubts, about Kettu and Xvar. But now you want to give them freedom after what they've done? Are you sure the darkness didn't cause a fracture and change how you think, young one?"

"The only thing it did was make me realize being confined wastes time, forces you to think on intrusive thoughts, and disconnect you from those you love," Spyro stood against his father on this one, "I've always stood for freedom. Keeping Kettu and Xvar within my body makes me no different than the previous purple dragon."

"Spyro... ...there's a lot you truly don't know. And that's clearly the same for the Dark Master as well," The red Guardian took a hard glance at the Dark Dragon, to which he gave one back, "The realistic nature of the purple dragons and their true intentions is a long, convoluted mess to which is so unpredictable that not even the Ancestors themselves can make heads or tails of."

"Then for the time being, I'd rather be on the dark side!" These hidden agendas helped give Spyro an idea on who he should really be trusting, "Ever day that goes by, I learn more and more as to why I shouldn't trust the Ancestors. And where the Dark Master's words may be manipulative, at the very least, he's giving me information on the past rather than concealing it and giving me nothing to learn: nothing to build off of to ensure I never make that mistake again!" Ignitus sighed to hear this, understanding completely where his son was coming from, "They have my fears now and my deepest darkest thoughts. If there's one thing I've for sure learned over the years, it's that... ...all because others view someone as a monster, that doesn't make it true. This can be said for Cynder, Malefor, and I believe the exact same for the Dark Dragons!"

His stance was firm and his words void of any lies. Where Ignitus disagreed on some points, many of these Cynder stood by. Where she may have been shaken up before, there was still a light to be shined on from this situation, and she wanted the Dark Master to know this, "You can be a real pain the ass, but when you show humanity... ...I really see no reason to fear," The Dark Master grew tired of these helping words, and the expressions of joy or care that were thrown his way, "I'm going to slap you with the force of a tornado for what you did to Spyro. But... ...with that being said... ...I hope you can see past, or at the very least, have more of an idea as to who Spyro is: who we wish to be. It's been both horrific but in many ways a joy that you've shown yourself. I have Spyro, and I have this family. I just hope that you'll one day see that too," Cynder giggled, seeing this more as a way of play, "And if someone says otherwise, I see no reason not to fight. The Guardians didn't accept me for a while, so do you honestly think I didn't have plans or enjoyed my time torturing them?"

"In short, stop being a little bitch, both of you!" Flair was tired of the back and forth between sides for such a small reason, "Malefor, shut the hell up and get over yourself! You're upset that you have friends and family but don't have EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT WHEN YOU WANT IT! Since you're such an ungrateful prick, how about you lose it all again considering you clearly don't understand just how good you have it!" Malefor growled but didn't say anything back, "For the Dark Master side of things, either choose to be evil or a scared little hatchling," It was very brave for her to stand up and speak her mind, especially to the evil man himself, "You cry like a little bitch because the purple dragons are evil. Every second you get, you speak your mind about how you try to be the good guy, but then retract that statement by saying something sadistic. It's clear that not even you know who you are anymore, and if being evil didn't work out, why not try being something else? Something that benefits your mental health rather than going after others?"

"You think I have mental issues?" The Dark Master snickered.

"I think you're no different than us," Letting on what she really believed, it was an eye opener for all to hear such a way of thinking, "I think you see Cynder as your hatchling. To me, it sounds like you lost your opportunity at life and became a villain simply because you were tired of being pushed around. But if life was so difficult, why not kill yourself? Why take the world with you when suicide would end your pain? I'm not entirely sure how the darkness works, but is it possible to see through someone's eyes even when you're not there?"

The two Dark Dragons who did know the answer wished to stay quiet. Though curiosity was too much for them, and the Dark Dragon brothers wanted to see where this would go. So, Kettu took the liberty to admit the truth, "It is possible," The Dark Master had a full display of teeth over him admitting the truth, "Spyro's once before looked through our eyes, and the same could be said to Cynder, though we've never told him how the power worked out of the need for privacy."

"Nope!" Blocking his lips with a claw, Cynder wouldn't allow Spyro a word, knowing exactly what he was to say, "I've shed enough tears over what our love holds! To know you can watch over me like a guardian angel, on top of reading thoughts, feeling heartbeats, and living within our minds to never spend a second apart... ...I need time to breathe. All my tears will surely fall to your chest in due time," He smirked to her, and she gave one back, though after hearing what Flair had said, Cynder already had some disputes to her claims, "No offence, Flair, but I don't believe that," Her claw dropped down his lips, purposefully wiping his back claw on his lips to get a feel of his salvia, "The last time I met the Dark Master, I was left for dead with my sides, arms, wings... basically everything slashed to hell. I would've lost my life had it not been for Spyro."

"Because of your disobedience," Surprisingly, the Dark Master gave his reason, "You allowed him to live, turned against me twice over, and you think that doesn't deserve punishment?"

"Sounds like someone was upset that their one and only family; the hatchling they took care of since birth, turned against them, and that made you lose the only sense of emotion you've ever had," Still able to prove her point, this new information furthered Flair's view, "But clearly Cynder wasn't the only one you've once cared for. Should I bring up your parents?" The darkness around his body suddenly grew aggravated, become pure black in rage instead of the usual bright color, "You helped guide Cynder through her life while also putting into action your plan to destroy the world. But here's something else I wonder. Why didn't you let her bring forth the Destroyer? Why after she turned against you and joined Spyro did you finally agree to the world's destruction?"

"Because she was still weak and too young to have the same powers to which I possessed! The world's destruction was assured after the beast had fallen to the earth's core."

"Why did it take you so long to convince her to gather the powers of the Guardians to free you?" Spyro now saw where Flair was going and had some questions of his own, "You're very patient, but even for you, ten years seems like a very long time to wait. You're over hundreds of years old, so clearly you would've found a more simplistic way to kill me before I had the chance to grow up."

His darkness continued to blacken, growing more and delving deeper in hate. These thoughts many had were simply a nuisance, and he wanted nothing more than these thoughts to be erased: that included those that spoke them, "You two are foolish. I expected nothing less from a weak minded female, but from a user of the darkness as well? Wars are won through time. You can't expect things to happen at the snap of a finger. My plan was perfect. That was..."

"Until you relied on me," Having her own piece to the puzzle, Cynder spoke her mind now, and her revelation was all the more insightful, "You thought I'd agree and feel more inclined to help you because of your watch over me throughout my life. It would've been an easy victory for you, but once I went against you, it destroyed you... ...didn't it? I was the last and only other person that you were close to. But when I showed next to no sympathy for you... ...you did the same to me."

His voice suddenly boomed now, no longer relying on his chilling and calm nature, "You uneducated little brat! Nothing you say holds any form of merit!"

"Then tell me this," She had more against him, "Why did you attack Spyro more than me in the Volcano? Who's tears were shed before we were about to kill you the second time around? And if you really didn't care about me, why did you bother giving me a choice between you or Spyro?" He had all the evidence and memory to refute her claims, but she wasn't done, "You said you wanted to be a hero. Whether that's a lie or not, why be a hero when you have no one to protect? You wanted me alive so I could see you as a hero, as all hatchling do when they look up to their parents. But every step of the way, you made mistakes... ...and no matter how far you ran, no matter what you did... ...even you have nightmares about your failures. Why be a hero... ...when all your life... ...you played the villain?"

The Dark Master had no response to this. As chilling as it was to see her shut him up in many ways, the liquefied nature of his darkness still continued. It was clear something was a miss, and whether or not they had hit the mark was all up in the air. Unknowing if it was his own thought, or from what was said, his darkness seemed to calm. The once black liquid eased itself, forming back to a standard and easy to see through black. No words were spoken from either side, though movements were made known. One thing however that wasn't known was what judged these movements. No longer sitting idle by, the Dark Dragon rose in his figure, heading straight first to both Spyro and Cynder. All were to high alert, though for the two, different expressions were given. Spyro had a look of a cocky smile and raised brow, seeing this approach as a need for battle, "You looken' for a fight?"

His tail moved, ready to swing and his body in the need to bounce. Cynder had the opposite affect. She instead stayed clam, smiling in an inviting way, hoping that this approach wasn't for a malicious reason. His standing figure to the front of the two was obviously a red flag for all, and for someone like Ignitus and Malefor, they stood ready. Ersa and Flair made sure to watch closely if the circumstances arised, wherein the other males kept a close proximity to those they could protect. Kettu and Xvar also made their way up and stood directly to Spyro and Cynder's back, signify the side to which they stood. Peace talks were needed, and in order to keep something deadly from happening, Cynder took a step towards the Dark Master: a brave step to which would surely cost her, "I wouldn't mind putting the past behind us and starting over. Hehe... I was a disobedient child, and you were an enraged father... ...but maybe... ...we can bring out the best in each other. You can help me become a more powerful badass and once again train me to take down that damn purple dragon, Spyro. While I... ...I can help you train to be a better father... ...a father to which you'll one day make an amazing family as," It was odd for him not to respond, but since she wasn't dead yet, another step was taken, "I believe in you... ...I believe... ...one day... ...we'll look back and laugh on the days you were a villain. But in many ways, we'll forget our scars, and this new family you'll have, they'll see you as the hero you've always wanted to be."

In a quick fast motion to which not even Spyro could react to, the Dark Master's paw swung to the purple dragon's chest. Planting the openness of his palm directly against his opponents chest, a loud clap, followed by a cough of spit from Spyro's mouth fizzed the scales of many. Darkness popped out from the dragon's back, but like wind moving its way through the room, this expel of power was absorbed and drawn into the Dark Master's own body. Cynder didn't wish to act even as bad as it looked, wanting so desperately to believe in the Dark Dragon. However, for someone like Ignitus, he wouldn't allow his son to be coursed into anymore torment, "YOU BASTARD! WHAT DID..."

"DAD! Wait!"

The son stopped his father with an outreach of his paw. Many were confused, and with Spyro's confusion being clear as day, they knew no answers would be found if they had asked him. He looked to his paws, clenched them shut, opened them, and proceeded to look around his body. Shock and awe was one emotion he was clearly facing, though slowly, they could tell confusion was making itself more prevalent. Now no longer keeping quiet, the focus he once had on his own body turned to the Dark Master, "You... ...you, helped... me?" All showed wide eyes to this, even if few believed him to be delusional, "My fears... ...my anger, my worry, my negative feelings... ...they're all gone. I... ...I feel... ...I feel great for some reason."

"I aided myself, and unfortunately, that goes for you, too," The Dark Master still showed where he stood, "Darkness feeds off of negatives. After what had happened, it was clear you had much in terms of food for me. I boosted my abilities, nothing more."

"Wait! So then... couldn't I do that for Cynder as well? Could I do the same for you?"

"Don't bother. I wished to shut you up at the very least. Last thing I need is for your emotions to boil, and I lose my life because of your kind."

"I'm not going to kill you!" Still the same stance was there for Spyro as well, "Look, I know you don't take kindly to positive reinforcement but... ...now that I have even more to use, something else to comfort Cynder during a dark time... ...these powers and their helpful nature is something I could learn more on, and that's thanks to you. If anything, doesn't that mean I could teach Cynder to do the same for me, so if somehow the day was to come and I would turn, you all could shut me down?"

"You're a purple dragon, and that's all I need to be convinced that you can't be saved."

"Not unless I have someone like you!"

Gripping the arm of the Dark Master in his own swift display, this sudden movement caused a reaction, one to which almost costed Cynder a scar. The blade of the bulky dragon swung past and around, missing the black female's scales by near inches. The Dark Dragon's blade swung up, and with his two pointed tips against the purple dragon's chest, he gave his one and only warning, "Do not put your filthy paw on me. I'm without a body to protect myself, so it should come as no surprise that your injuries that I could cause will be on you."

"Exactly. Which means you have fears that you can't take on alone. You know of how evil and maniacal the previous purple dragon was, so I'm asking with all my heart for you to show me these fears so we may conquer them together. Getting an idea of what happened in the past will keep me from making the same mistake."

"My fears are my own. Though it's funny you think I have something to live for."

"Well..." A smirk to which the Dark Master was heavily against crossed both of Spyro's cheeks, "Why don't we see just what it is you do fear," Feeling the same tingling sensation that he had given to Spyro, the Dark Master's eyes grew slightly wide, knowing exactly what he was up to, "I'm a quick learner, what can I say?"

A few short words were cried out as the Dark Dragon made his attempt to push himself away, "Spyro! Don't you-!"

---

A very similar feeling heavily influenced the movements within him. Spyro felt the heavy weight over him, and from the feeling of grass at his head, belly and tail, this time around, he knew of his surroundings. He laid to his stomach and chest, and with a twitch to his paw to awaken himself, a growl escaped his lips. Coming back into this world throbbed at his head, but it wasn't nearly as bad of a feeling as the unknown was. Pushing himself off the ground with as much force as he could muster, the entrance into this world could be considered the same as waking up in the real one. As his strength came to within his body, the heaviness disappeared from within and over, allowing the openness of his eyes and the ability to stand up on all fours. Smiling in successes to see his abilities, Spyro was ready for anything, "Alright! Come on, Dark Master! Let's take on these fears together! Me and you, fighting the past with the future!"

His surroundings were unlike any other. Rather a sense of light, color, or shine, the area and space wasn't to the liking of a normal earth. The sky above seemed dull and gray. The grass looked burnt, and the trees stood stiff. Color was absent to this reality, as the same could be said for life. Everything seemed dead: void of the possibilities to fun or enjoyment. The lack of sound to really anything for that matter made Spyro question who's nightmare this was, What the hell is this place? Walking around his surroundings, with no one to guide him, he simply moved on ahead. Every step he made, the grass below pricked his paws and feet. Pushing past a bush to move more into the forest, the stiffness and lack of sound to it was unsettling. Understanding little as to what was happening, he knew at the very least that the Dark Master would be able to explain, "Hello?" His voice simply echoed, "Dark Master? Are you out there?" Still no response, "Look, I get you're upset, but there's no ne-AH!"

Falling off and down into a hole from the ground below, his wings kicked up and off the open space that he was given. Flying a little higher to keep himself from making the same mistake again, the near absence of wind made his wings work overtime. They flapped close to triple the amount of times and power needed to keep himself in the air. What the hell... ...is this place?! Looking down below now to see what had happened, his once squinted eyes shot open wide. The land to which he was on split in two. Looking out in a complete sense of shock, islands floated in all forms of heights. Some were higher than others, waterfalls dropped their essences to lakes or very small ponds from other islands above. This liquid seemed endless, falling into a grey and dark abyss. However, with a close look to the middle of this world, he was able to spot a massively large rock in a rounded shape. Is... Is that... ...the earth's core? Making sense of it all now, there were a couple possibilities to which came to light, That can't be right. Why would the Dark Master fear the earth's destruction? My vision was very foggy, but I remember Cynder flying over floating islands just like this. All around was an identical look and feel to his home, and though it was obvious he couldn't see all of the planet, he still couldn't help but wonder, If this was earth, why can't I see Warfang, the Volcano: really any sign of life or man-made interactions with this world. No buildings, landmarks, pinpoint locations? It's all just... dust and echoes.

"Please! Don't... ...Don't do this! Don't make me!"

"What the-!" Turning his head around to a nearby island, the screams of a familiar voice was another competitor for confusion, "Dark Master?!"

Rushing over to the location and really pushing his body due to the weight around his wings, he was determined to figure out what was going on. Approaching the location of the cry, the destroyed edges of the island were still usable as a way for Spyro to bounce around and use as stepping stones to give his wings a break. Rushing through the ground now on foot, most he could do now was give hope with his voice, "Hang on! I'm coming!" The cries grew louder the closer her approached, "Don't worry! I'm righ-UGH!"

Tripping over something very large and very heavy, no time was given in terms of a stop, and instead, Spyro's face was quickly met with the ground below. The already unsettling feel of the grass made his face-plant that much more painful, so it took a little longer for him to recover. Faint cries and another yell was heard, but he couldn't make out quite what was said. Pulling himself off from the grass and shaking his head in a grunt, a confusing trip needed answering, "What was..." Raising his head and directly in front to a near nose-to-nose touch, laid a dead, bloody faced Dark Dragon, "AHHHH!"

Jumping up in a swift kick off the ground, the once nightmare ment for the Dark Master turned into nightmare fuel for him as well. His heart raced as he looked all around, noticing now the bodies that laid all across the floor. There was one behind to which he had tripped on, another couple to his left and right, and for his front, there were a number leading towards the cries. Trying to stay focused on what was happening, even with him knowing where he was and what this place really is, he needed to remind himself, This is just a nightmare, nothing else. Everyone's waiting for you back in the room. Stepping over the pile of bodies and taking things slow now, he made his way to the clearing. Pushing past a branch to give him view, he found himself locked in shock and horror. To the middle laid a feminine body, though bodies circled the area around this one. To the front of the female cried what looked to be the last remaining Dark Dragon of them all. Spyro made his slow and gentle approach, scooping out the blood bath that had taken place. The once grey covered surroundings horrifically changed to red, easily noticeable as the one color that had life to it. The closer he got, the more he was able to make out the crying dragon. He seemed young, close to his early twenties: about twenty-three to twenty-four years of age. His body wasn't damaged like the others, having smooth horns, mighty wings and flaps with a tail that showed similar to someone he knew. Curved like a battle axe, each side dawned this look, and from the edges of his shoulders, they pointed back, forming a secondary-like set of horns. Coming up to the left side of the Dark Dragon, more questions rose, as did his heart rate. Blood dripped from the holes within the female's chest. These two holes looked close to the pointed edges of the Dark Dragon's blade. Spyro's vision turned to his right, seeing now blood dripping off this shadow dragon's tail. The defeated and depressed look he gave once understanding what had happened was still beyond confusing for him, But... ...He... ...He didn't kill these other dragons... ...so then... ...what really happened? What happened to this world, what happened to the Dark Master?! What... ...what... Answers wouldn't be found talking to himself, so that left him with one thing to do. Reaching his paw to the shoulder of the crying figure, at all possible, Spyro wished to help, "Dark Master...? Are... ...are you okay?"

"I DID EVERYTHING YOU ASKED!"

An outburst unlike any other erupted from the emotionally dismantled Dark Dragon: his claws cutting deep through the ground below, scooping dirt within his nails. Wanting to rid his tail of what he had done, it too dropped down, though no effort was made in a sense of cleaning. Tears fell down from his surrounding red eyes, clearly having been in tears for quite some time over the situation at hand. Nothing added up or made sense at all to Spyro. The world he was in, the wasteland and wasted lives: he second guessed whether this was his nightmare or not, I don't... ...I don't understand why he'd fear what I fear. But... ...is this really even him? I've never seen the Dark Master... ...in tears.

Suddenly, the Dark Dragon's head raised up high, snapping over and looking to the purple dragon. Where he once showed teeth and frustration, now emotions were shifted to desperation and a needy plea, "Wait... wa-wa-wa-wait! Artemis, please, listen to me!" Spyro had never heard of this name before, backing his head in wonder to who he was referring to, "You can't let them kill her! They know... ...they lie and wait, but once I'm gone: once they get their chance, they'll... they'll..."

The unnatural look and sense of need, hope, or a light with the Dark Master's quivering eyes gave Spyro a sense of panic himself. Who's Artemis? And who's he talking about? If this female is already dead, then... He couldn't pinpoint where his mind wanted to go, but with so many questions needing answers, it was no surprise to have this worthless feeling. Kneeling down to eye level, Spyro's paw rested to his frightful enemy, "Dark Master... who is Artemis? Who are you wanting to be saved? And from whom?"

"Why aren't you listening to me?!" The Dark Master slapped Spyro's paw away, standing to all fours and frantically speaking in hearty breaths, "I... ...I know this... ...I... I remember it but I don't know why! I DON'T EVEN REMEMBER WHY YOU'D BETRAY YOUR OWN FRIEND!" His fist hit the ground in anger, however, he seemed able to control himself a lot better, "I've lost everything I loved by my own paws! I have no reason to move on, and if that's what you were searching for, than fine! But please... ...please... ...without you, I know she'll die. I know I'll be unable, incapable to do anything to stop the death of the only one left close to me!"

"Who's she?" Seeing the anger boil within him once again, Spyro saw no way of calming and knew aggression was the only way, "I DON'T KNOW WHO SHE IS! So unless you want her blood spilled on the ground, and for that last breath she takes to be on 'YOU', I expect you to cooperate, or else I'll be on my marry way!"

"LUNA!"

The Dark Master finally blurted out, shedding a tear seemingly from the name alone. Both were overwhelmed in their own emotions: Spyro facing skepticism and dread, wherein the Dark Dragon tackled angst and a confused notion on reality itself. Even as far fetched as it was, the Dark Master tried his best for him to understand, "Artemis... ...listen... ...I will never know why you turned against me, or even if you ever cared about our friendship... ...but I can't lose everything," He was so sure he was talking to who he believed to be his friend that Spyro questioned the actuality of the truth: was the Dark Master lying and manipulating the truth, or was this all a simple nightmare, "I remember enduring through years of hell... ...and while I might've been a bit difficult at times, and I wish to make up for what I've done... ...promise me that you'll watch over her. You look me in the eyes and tell me if I should fear you or not."

For once in his life, a shine of hope gleamed in his eyes: a light of humanity and an uprising to someone more. Spyro felt weight not from the world around him, but to the decision of his words. Where nothing seemed to phase him before, now was a time unlike any other where he felt like what he was to say next would truly dig deep within his scales; forever emotionally scarring his mind and being a deciding factor, a choice, in which path the Dark Master would take. Such a huge role was unlike anything he had felt before, even with his confrontation to other worldly powers. I... ...I don't understand any of this. When it came to Serena, The Rebels, Amara, and the City... I felt like it was easy to just... ...be me. But now... ...I feel like my words to him would actually change history. This is all just a nightmare, but... ...is my leg being pulled and I just don't know it? Thinking on it brought up emotions that resonated a feeling akin to his love over Cynder. Naturally, the need to help any one brought upon this joyous feeling. But to have the opportunity, even if fleeting, to connect on a wider scale to the Dark Master: nothing truly mattered aside from the help he wished to give. Spyro saw a friend in need. This mentality changed his entire way of how he thought about the Dark Master entirely, "Why would I ever invoke fear in the hearts of my friends?" Taking that step just so his purple eyes shined brighter, the Dark Master's attention was there, and that's all Spyro wanted, "You cried because I, as your friend, turned against you. You cried because of the loss, and potential death, of those whom you've come to know. You said you did everything I asked, but... ...if that were true... ...why would blood be on your blade?"

Taking his words a different way, the once sense of hope was lost for the Dark Master, "YOU'RE BLAMING ME FOR WHAT YOU FORCED ME TO DO?!"

Spyro smiled, chuckling even, and from a shake of his head, it was clear his intentions were made out poorly, "If you were to abide by my rules... there'd be no bodies. There'd be no blood, no tears unless out of joy, and no hatred or doubt over someone you've come to understand and put faith in," Once more and to a near nose-to-nose confrontation, the Dark Master had a clear look within his purple eyes: realising the weight and truth to his words, "If I were really here, do you honestly believe I, as your friend, would ever force you to kill those that you know? To deny your, in many ways, dying request?" His words were working: each gentle piece gaining a response of a softening body or widening eyes from the Dark Dragon, "You have more friends and family than you may realise. Even at the darkest hour, the most horrific of times, or if you're in a place of absolute panic... ...I want you to remember my name, to remember, her, name, as a means of peace," His mind was ready for these names, his heart open for a means of life, and from what all Spyro had gathered, he saw no reason for this to turn sour, "Luna: the female who you'll surely come to protect and care for. And, Spyro: the one who you can turn to with a welcoming family to escape the grasps of those otherwise miserable times."

Hearing this name be spoken now, the once turned and seemingly luscious emotions of gold the Dark Master had been feeling all but melted away, "Sp... ...Spyro...?"

The previously cleaned, polished, and perfected body the Dark Master once had turned corrupted, broken, and torn down to the bone. His closely young body corrupted: growing in a way that ripped him, but from how it looked, there was another reason behind his transformation. It wasn't that his body was destroying itself, instead, his body was going through time, ageing rapidly and reveling all throughout his scars that had first taken place. Spyro was horrified to see this. Slashes suddenly showed, like a ghost was attacking the friend before him. Blood dripped, holes were punctured in his scales, wings, and flaps: a war taking place all at once within and bleeding out. Scars dug deep, bled, dried up, and quickly healed. Thinking back to what the Dark Master had said, it seemed as though he were telling the truth. His once smooth face, fins that had curved from the sides of his shoulders, and the flatness of his nails that were once normal all morphed for the worse. The Dark Master was becoming who he was, not whom he used to be. This wasn't the change Spyro wanted in the slightest, and from the cries and yells the Dark Dragon gave, he knew he needed to put a stop to it, "Stop trying to force yourself into becoming something you're not! Your first kill; the blood on your paws, it wasn't your fault!"

"It was never his fault." A sudden, feminine voice spoke within Spyro's mind. His first impressions were it being Cynder, but this voice was someone he's never heard before. She seemed sad, distraught in tears: her voice hard to pinpoint. She too seemed to take a page out of the book of ghosts, having no presence or an exact location to where she was coming from. "Corvus... please don't leave me... please, don't..." Her voice grew more eligible, though this caused more of a problem. It seemed to anger and weaken the Dark Master: either his transformation or her voice kneeling his body to the ground in a thud. The sorrow within the female's voice acted out to loneliness: a need of love. "Life isn't about living, it's about surviving. And I ask myself every night... ...does it really get better, or do we just learn to deal with it?" Spyro's heart raced to hear this female voice. It was clear he wasn't the only one who heard her. This was obvious from the sudden stop in the Dark Master's transformation. Now, a fighting spirit seemed to cease his bodies destruction, though his growls and yells of pain were still echoed throughout this empty world. "We are important to no one! Life goes on, but we are nothing more than clouds! We build, form, grow grey and dull; and till the end of time, we constantly let water drop from our own heights... ...like how the clouds above cry down onto us... ...we cry down onto that same very land."

"But just like the clouds, they're never alone no matter where they go." A masculine voice spoke now. With a powerful thump to his ear holes being caused by his heart, Spyro didn't believe it: couldn't believe that this was truly something he had heard from someone such as him, Dark Master?! The feminine voice stopped now, allowing the Dark Master to speak. However, it wasn't the man himself: Spyro made sure of this. The Dark Dragon was clearly still in a paralysed mess and a lower version of himself, but the conversation went on. "And just like the clouds, even when pain comes their way, they always have someone next to them: someone to cry along with. Becoming stale to reality doesn't mean I wouldn't want something to change me for the better. I'm the one who's supposed to give up, not you. We balance each other that way." The feminine voice took over now, seeming embarrassed by what he said, "You... ...you... enjoy, my company?" The Dark Master seemed not to have responded, though from what she said, a clear as day imagine could be formed, "Are you blushing?!" He growled, immediately rejecting such claims, "I burned my scales before I got here, nothing more!" The female giggled happily, "Awww, don't be a grumpy boy."

"I, am, a, MAN!" She didn't seem fazed at all by his little outburst, "Usually most men don't say they're men, because deep down, they know they're simply a child." The Dark Master growled at her, "You say I'm cute with or without the scars and that my appearance doesn't get in the way. Were you actually trying to say that I 'DO' look good in scars, considering you're adding one to my ego." Whom ever this female was, she seemed over the moon speaking with someone known for being manipulative, void of empathy or conversation, and an overall loner, "Hehehehehe... ...If anything, I'm simply trying to start a fight. The last one we had went pretty well if I do say so myself."

"Licking my neck, caressing my scales, and speaking in a seducing tone doesn't count. I thought I made it very clear that the first chance I got I'd rid of you."

"I don't know. When you pinned me, I felt loads of sexual tension. I'd usually scream till my lungs collapsed, but seeing your towering body... ...the drool that dripped past those teeth and onto my neck: desperate to just bite down and shut me up... oooooooooooooh~" The Dark Master grumbled, "I'm a vicious, destructive, and malicious monster. There's nothing-AH!" A loud slap sounded, following a growl from the Dark Master, "DO NOT HIT ME! I WILL END YOU AS I HAVE HUNDREDS OF OTHERS!" Surprisingly, she snapped back, "STOP LYING TO YOURSELF!" It was like she had no fear over who or what he was, "You're about as foolish as you are handsome. Don't let the past take away your future, especially when it interferes with time we could be spending together."

"I told you once and will continue to remind you for the few remaining days we're together: we are nothing. You're weak, frail, and need to lose something before you even attempt to understand me."

"Is that why you want to leave me?" Losing him would already have done her in, and this was evident in her murmur, "Corvus..."

"DON'T!" The Dark Master wouldn't allow her to continue this downed state, helping her just the same as before, "Don't second guess yourself. I... ...I was out of line."

She didn't seem effected by this, rather not in the way the Dark Dragon was expecting, "You've been out of line quite a bit." The female giggled to show she meant no harm by it, "I believe you... ...I believe 'in' you. Ever since the day you saved my life, you've tried showing your teeth to me for the wrong reasons. I do fear you, but not for who you are, rather, what you'll do. I fear your decisions."

"I kill to protect."

"That's not what I mean... ...I lived a life in a fight-or-die situation all my life. I too was like you: believing the solo life was all that was meant for me. But... ...you saved me from my own nightmares. Every day I woke up knowing I was going nowhere. Knowing my decisions would never matter. That all changed the day I met you."

"Then you realized there were more nightmares out in the world far more dangerous than what you could even comprehend?"

"DO I NEED TO HIT YOU AGAIN?!" She scoffed, "No, you dumbass. You gave me hope. Others see you for what's happened in the past but never actually took the time to get to know you: to experience your growth. I... ...love... ...our time together. Just promise me... ...promise me, that you'll prove the world wrong. Don't let rage consume you and corrupt you into killing the truly innocent. I've seen, felt, and have succumbed to your heroic side. Show others that. Show others the hero you can be: the one you've always wanted to be."

The Dark Master didn't respond to her for some time, though once he did, both his real self and the memory spoke in unison, "I've realized that the definition of being a hero means the sacrifice of yourself, or your own mental stability. The only one I will ever be a hero for, is you. And that's because, for the first time in my life, you've given me a reason to not fear the idea of love. Protecting you means protecting the world, it means saving it. And that's what a hero does at the end of the day... ...right?"

Spyro gave no reaction that he felt would realistically show his shock and awe. For one, he saw this as hope coming back for the Dark Dragon: a true turn around that would end this back and forth war between worlds for good. However, the opposite showed. Rather a sense of humanity seeping through the cracked and worn down body of this once future seeking dragon, his darkness turned to boil: liquidating in a lava pool of anger over these final moments. The topping of his teeth grinded down to the ones below him, and from the flexed form his body had taken on, the once thought idea of him avoiding the deaths caused by him no longer seemed to be an option. His calm demeanor turning sour, and from the whip up of his head: eyes yellow and blood thirsty, Spyro had no time to react. Instead, he worked past his numerous emotions and questions that desperately needed answering just to speak with him, "NO! This isn't you! You're not a monster! And I'm sorry for not seeing that sooner!"

This did little and simply passed through his thoughts all together. The Dark Master wanted blood, and from the jumping attack he made, the Dark Dragon turned into a wild animal.