Chapter 2: The City of Roses
The shadows of the forest had burned away by the roaring flames. The heat was radiated from the inferno was intense as Spyro watched the dark silhouette that stood in the center of flames as the hound which sprung to life walked back to him before dissolving into embers. Catching a glimmer of red scales, a small spark of hope was ignited within the young dragon's heart as memories of the old fire dragon who had taught him everything. The dragon who showed him what and who he is, who taught him how to control the power of fire and how to fly. The old guardian became more of a father figure than anything else. "Ign-Ignitus?!" Spyro heard his voice called out to the figure as the flames started to fade as he could see the dragon more clearly. He could feel his heart drop and the glimmer of hope that had been rekindled in his heart of seeing his mentor once more was snuff out like a candle, "No that isn't Ignitus he's too young," Spyro thought.
Indeed, the dragon looked a lot younger than Ignitus, his scales were much brighter shade than the Fire Guardian that he knew, the horns on this dragon were ivory in color where Ignitus's horns were more of an orangish color, he didn't have any of the frills that Ignitus had either. However, this dragon's aura and power reminded him so much of his late mentor. The dragon turned to face him with a stern look on his face, "What in the world are you doing out here! Don't you know that the forest is off-limits!" the dragon said as he walks toward Spyro, "Wait, wha-"Spyro began but he couldn't get a word in.
"Out of all the stupid reasons to come out here there is a reason we Guardians told everyone not to enter the Rose Forest! You're lucky that I was nearby before that Chaos Demon! What were you even thinking coming out here al- "he scolded Spyro not letting him get a word in. However, as the dragon took a closer look at Spyro his face suddenly shifted from being a scowl to a wide eye vacant smile, "Wait… You're not… You're not a part of the Rose Court?" he asked with a blank expression as Spyro could see this fire dragon's dread growing as he was realizing that he just scolded someone he didn't know.
"Um… No sir?" Spyro answered a bit taken aback from being scolded like a child.
"Oh…" he replied with the same blank stare, "Sorry I thought you were one of my students who came into the forest…" he apologized to him.
Not knowing how to reply Spyro awkwardly asked, "Do they come out here often?"
"Yes…" he sighed, "This forest is filled with dangerous Elementals who could hurt them if they aren't properly trained… But they still come out here thinking it is game…"
"I-I see" Spyro replied before the pain from his fight with the creature finally caught up with his brain as he flinched feeling his wounds starting to ache.
"Let me take a look at that," the fire dragon said as he knelt to Spyro checking his wounds, "They don't look too serious surprisingly. Considering Replicas are vicious little things," he said.
"Replicas?" Spyro questions with a puzzling look on his face, "I never heard of them" the purple dragon said.
"I'm not surprised they are C-Rank Chaos Demons." he answered the dragon before he stopped and gave it a thought, "They are Elementals that have been corrupted by the Chaos Element" he explains to him although that didn't help Spyro much since he never heard of something called Elementals, or whatever this "Chaos" Element was. Ignitus and the other Guardians never told him there was another element. Perhaps he was in some sort of distant land where this "Chaos Element" is a thing?
"They aren't exactly common around here. They only started showing up recently" the fire dragon told him, "You should be fine these cuts don't look too serious. In fact, I think they stop bleeding," he told him.
"Yeah… I've been through worst to be honest" Spyro with an awkward laugh he watched the fire dragon stand up.
"Yeah, my name is Heatgust. I'm the Fire Guardian of Rosa City" he said holding out his hand toward the purple dragon as Spyro took it as he helped him up.
"T-Thanks… My name is Spyro. I didn't think there were other Dragon Cities" he said truthfully but he nearly jumped upon seeing Heatgust's deadpan face again.
"Huh? What do you mean?" the Fire Guardian questions him curiously, "There are other cities and kingdoms beside Rosa City." he told him, "Just where are you from exactly," he asked the purple dragon.
"Um…" Spyro said as he thought for a moment, "I guess you can say Warfang…?" he answered in truth he wasn't quite sure himself ever since he and Sparx left the Swamps nearly three years ago. He hadn't seen the Dragon Temple that was in the Swamp since he left it to travel to Ancient Grove to try and find the Chronicler. He later found out from Terrador; after Malefor's defeat and he recovered from the battle, that they abandon the Temple shortly after he left. They waited for Spyro to returned before they left for the Dragon City of Warfang. However, what they didn't know at the time was that he and Sparx were capture by Skabb's pirate crew the Skavengers to fight in their tournament on their airship called the Fellmuth. When they realize that Spyro wasn't coming back they left the Dragon Temple looking for him but ultimately, they couldn't find him. So they waited for him back in Warfang for his return.
"I never heard of it." Heatgust began, which surprise Spyro, "I know pretty much all the Cities in the Eight Elemental Kingdoms," he said.
"Wait… Eight what?" Spyro questions him, "Isn't this the Dragon Realms?" the purple dragon asked him.
"No…? Rosa City is part of the Eight Elemental Kingdoms. I don't know what this Dragon Realm is." Heatgust answered him, "How did you get here?"
"Well, that… "Replica," I think you called it, came out of some sort of portal and attacked me and my-"Spyro started but then he realized something, "Crap! I need to go back! Cynder is more injured than I am!" he panicked upon remembering that the black dragoness was seriously hurt by the Replica as he looks around trying to find the portal that he and the creature came out of but unable to find it.
"Whoa, whoa calm down," Heatgust told the purple dragon, "Panicking isn't going to help anyone. Just take a deep breath for a second and tell me what happened. Who is injured? What portal are you talking about?" the fire dragon asked him tried to get him to calm down. Spyro knew the stranger was right. Panicking isn't going to help anyone, he took a few deep breaths to try and calm himself, "There we go now explained what happened" Heatgust encouraged him to speak as Spyro opened his mouth and told him about how Warfang was currently being rebuilt due to Malefor's invasion and how he, Cynder, and Sparx were supposed to protect the supply lines when a portal opened up and the Replica came out and attacked him and Cynder. He told Heatgust how he and Cynder tried to fight it off, but it managed to get Cynder. He explained that he was worried that the creature might attack his foster brother and the injured dragoness and that to protect them he tackled it back into the portal and they landed here.
"The rest you know about." Spyro finished telling his story as the Fire Guardian nods his head, "I need to get back" the purple dragon said to him.
"Whoa not so fast" Heatgust began, "I don't think you can. If what you saying is true- "
"It is" the purple dragon interjected.
"-then I think this portal is closed" the fire dragon continued.
"No…" Spyro said with a look of dread on his face, "What about Cynder?" he questions him as fear tremble in his voice.
"Do you trust your brother?" Heatgust began.
"Yes, more than anything!" Spyro answered.
"Then have faith in him!" Heatgust told Spyro, "I'm sure he will be able to get help in time for your girlfriend," he told him as Spyro's cheeks instantly became hot.
"S-she's not my girlfriend!" Spyro said as bright pink blush grew upon his cheeks as the fire dragon chuckles at his reaction.
"My mistake," he told Spyro, although Spyro suspected that he did it on purpose to make him flustered. However, he does feel a bit better now that he pointed out that Sparx was there with Cynder, "Anyway, what you told me makes me wonder about something…" the Fire Guardian trailed off as he looked like he was thinking about something.
"About what?" Spyro asked.
"You mention portals opening up and that a Chaos Demon came out of it. I wonder if someone is opening them…If that is the case then it could explain "his" disappearance" Heatgust explained.
Spyro gave the Fire Guardian a curious look, "Someone disappeared from here?" he asked.
"Yes, one of our students in fact," Heatgust told him, "He disappeared a few days ago… But I'm not too worried about him" the fire guardian suddenly laughed, "He might be a rash, but he has plenty of fighting experience! So, I'm sure he's fine! No need to worry about it," he said to him with a laugh. Spyro could tell that he was trying way too hard to appear like he isn't worried about it, "Anyway, I think you might want to come with me." Heatgust suggested to him.
"Wait why?" Spyro asked.
"Haven't you been paying attention" Heatgust questioned him, "The Rose Forest is quite dangerous!" he told him, "Not only that, Lady Celestia might be able to help you with your situation. At the very least can help point you in the right direction" he added as he started walking, "Come along. Its easy to get lost in here if you don't know your way around?" he told Spyro.
Without much of a choice, Spyro walked beside the Fire Guardian of Rosa City, "Who is Lady Celestia?" he asked the guardian as they walked through the forest.
"You never heard of the Lady of Roses?" Heatgust questioned him looking surprised that Spyro never heard of her, "Lady Celestia is the founder of the Rosa City and the Rose Court." Heatgust began, "We; the Rose Court, seek to maintain the balance between all eight Elemental Kingdoms"
"Why do they call her "Lady of Roses"? Spyro asked curiously. While they travel through the forest Spyro noticed strange creatures running through the bushes and through the trees, some of which look more like plants with animal-like features, others look like they are made entirely of stone, water, or even flames.
"Well…That is kind of a long story, before Rosa City was founded a little over 10 years ago, it used to be called Central City. She was a student of the Dragon Temple there. During her time, she was quite a genius, with a natural talent with the Earth element that you rarely see. She made quite a name for herself with her prowess on the battlefield. Gaining respect from nearly everyone." Heatgust explained to Spyro, "Although the Earth Kingdom didn't think so"
"Why is that?" He asked.
"Well typically; back then, you don't see earth dragoness training in Dragon Temples. Warhammer; the capital of the Earth Elemental Kingdom, believe that only men should be trained as warriors while the women needed to stay back in the cities and tend to other duties back within their cities. It was their culture back then; Earth dragons are very proud beings especially when it comes to fighting." Heatgust explained, "Women were seen as physically weaker than men; thus, it was seen as dishonorable if an earth dragoness were to fight. So, they wouldn't allow them to be trained in combat or even allowed to enroll into the Dragon Temples within the Earth Elemental Kingdom."
"Which is why Celestia joined Central's Dragon Temple, so she could be trained and learn more about the Earth Element. The type of education she couldn't get from the Earth Elemental Kingdom." Heatgust added, "Well it turned out she was a daughter of one of Warhammer's generals. I guess he didn't like the fact she broke away from Warhammer's traditions and got training for her Earth Element… I'm not sure myself. But what I do know is that he attacked Central City and destroyed the Dragon Temple and killed the previous Dragon Guardians. All would have been lost if it hadn't been Celestia." Heatgust said.
"She single-handily turned the tide of the battle. She held back an entire army all by herself while we were gathering up our remaining forces to push Warhammer back." Heatgust continued, "She fought and defeated nearly 200 Earth Dragons all on her own and still was able to lead us into victory. That is when she earned the title "Lady of Roses". She is if not one of, the most powerful Earth dragoness within all Eight Elemental Kingdoms." Heatgust concluded his story as Spyro listen intently to his tale while he walked beside him silently.
"She sounds very strong" Spyro commented as the Fire Guardian nodded his head.
"Indeed! She was really something back then" Heatgust replied as they continued to walk as Spyro looked ahead to see a bright light at the end of the dark forest as they step foot out of the forest the bright sunlight was nearly blinding, "Well Mr. Spyro, I welcome you to the City of Roses," the Fire Guardian told him.
It took Spyro a moment for his eyes to adjust to the light, however, once he regained his vision, he looked onward toward a massive city. The scent of roses was carried from the city by the wind which flowed through the surrounding trees. He had never seen so many dragons and dragonesses gather in one place. Bustling around with their daily lives. Most of the buildings he could see were made from wood while the streets were seemingly made of marble. However, off in the distance, he could see a tall tower that; compare to the rest of the city, was in ruins and disrepair. It was like an odd scar compared to the rest of the city. Despite the dark ruined tower within the city, it was like something out of a painting with so many moving colors of the dragons moving about.
"Whoa…" were the only words that escaped him. While his deep blue eyes laid upon the city, thoughts creep up in his mind as he started to wonder, was this all a dream?
"Well, we shouldn't keep her waiting!" Heatgust told the young dragon. Spyro turned toward him with a confused look.
"Keep who waiting?" he asked him as the Fire Guardian laughed.
"Who else? Lady Celestia!" Heatgust told him.
Grublins scattered across a desolate field laid defeated as the sound of battle echoed nearby as even more charged against a lone cloak dragon, the closest one drew its blade as it leaps at the dragon as the cloaked figure grabs the creature's arm that held the weapon, forcing the blade away from his body and he steps within the Grublin's defense slamming his elbow into its chin knocking upward as two more came toward him. The dragon growled as he leaps away from them, landing in front of another as it tried to bring a club down on his head, only for him to catch the club with his hand ripping free from its grasp before kicking it back as he threw the club at one of the others, the club flew out landing right into a face of one of the two Grublins as the Dragon was in the air in front of the other swing his tail like a sledgehammer right into the side of creature's head sending it flying to the side as he lands letting out a huff before dusting himself off.
The cloak dragon turn toward some stones, "You can come out now" he said as a bright red dragon pops his head out from the corner of the rock with a golden underbelly and crests.
"Is it over?" the red dragon questioned the cloaked figure as he started to walk away, "W-Wait!" he called out scrambling to get out from behind the stone to catch up with the cloak dragon, "W-Who are you?" he questioned him.
"Does it really matter" the other huffed, "I just happened to be in the area when I saw those creatures attacking you, its no big deal" He told the dragon.
"No big deal?!" the dragon said, "I never seen someone except for the Guardians take on so many Grublins!" he exclaimed.
"Grublins?" the cloak dragon questioned.
"Yeah, their servants of Malefor… well they were until recently" he began, "That was until the Purple Dragon defeated him and save the world!" he explained, "At least, that is how the story goes," he said.
"If that is true then this "Purple Dragon" did a terrible job. Given that these Grublins are all over the place," the cloaked figure said motioning toward the defeated Grublins around them.
"I-I guess… Anyways I was heading to Warfang when those Grublins attacked. I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't shown up" the red dragon said, "Are you from Warfang?" he questioned the cloaked figure.
"No…" the cloak dragon said, "I don't know what that is? Is it a city" he asked the red dragon, it was kind of a dumb question since he figured out that it was a city since the fire dragon did ask if he was from there, however, it was the only response he could think to ask.
"Yeah, c'mon it's not safe here" before the cloaked dragon could do anything the fire dragon grabbed his hand dragging him along. The cloaked figure tried to protest but upon realizing it was a fruitless endeavor his protests grew quieter into low grumbles. However, as they left a single white feather gently flutters in the wind.
I have finally posted Chapter 2! Sorry for the wait I had this chapter done for quite a while, I just needed to make corrections and all that. Unfortunately, it kinda killed my motivation for a while then I lost Mircosoft word. Not to mention the Universe seemingly against me writing urg. But finally, it's here Chapter 2 City of Roses!
I wonder who the student Heatgust mention was? Who was that cloaked stranger than help out Flame? What happened to Cynder and Sprax? What are Warfangs Guardians reactions up finding out Spyro is missing? What will await Spyro in the City of Roses?
Who knows. . . But find out NEXT TIME IN SPYRO'S AND SKY'S ADVENTURE!