Chapter 4: Awakening

The shine of the morning sun starting to appear from behind the mountains over the horizon was a beautiful sight to behold.

Illuminating over the buildings, the ground, the walls of the dragon city brightening the surroundings in a colour so pure it was an enriching pleasure for the waking inhabitants.

Many of the inhabitants were already awake and progressing their morning of another glorious day in the city.

The markets already opening with merchandise, citizens congregating to their places of work, guards and soldiers over watching the walls and watching over all or even parents with their children.

Water spooling down the small metal pipes embedded into the walls, ground and cycling over the houses, one pipe spilling water out of the end dragon head into the pond below running through the side of the street with two moles attending to it.

Mystical red and green crystals propped onto the sides of some streets for the use of all dragons, there were some dragons who had dedicated themselves now in peace time with experimenting with many different crystals creating new uses for the benefit of not only dragons but for all.

With dragons and their connection to the magical energy of the world and the crystals it was an effortless feat for them to undertake.

In the plaza just outside of the dragon temple; two adult dragons with one wearing equipped with armour stood near the entrance.

"That about covers all the events over the course of last night, another peaceful evening." said the armoured dragon.

"That's good but either way can never get too comfortable knight Delacon."

"I know Captain Pyrus, but I must admit to this day it is still weird how more relaxed our work is with the threat of destruction no longer over our horns."

Pyrus nodded his head understanding the feeling.

"Back to your last assignment this morning Knight, I want you to take two of your dragon guards and head to the Arius area of the Gozo district, I was just informed there was a mana crystal detonation resulting in the area and a house was damaged. Knight Valera is already there but he needs some backup."

"Yes captain, is there any indication of what caused the detonation of the mana crystal?"

"I have yet to receive any new information of the situation, Valera will likely bring you up to speed upon your arrival."

Delacon understanding the situation bowed his head to the electric dragon.

"Very well Captain, I'll get to it right away"

Pyrus nodded his head before looking towards the temple.

"I'd join you myself if I could Delacon, but I'm needed here today." a smile creeped onto the fire dragon Delacon's face looking to the temple too.

"I know… it is an exciting day for the guard force, I've been looking forward to the purple dragon joining our ranks at long last." said Delacon.

"Indeed, I've waited for this day, Spyro will take his mark of honour test and become an official member of the guard, had I had my way he'd be one already I can't fault his honourable and selfless choices of going through it himself." Replied the guard captain.

"He will be a great addition to the force sir, I'm just over four times his age yet if the stories I've heard of the war are anything to go by his abilities and power outclass mine by huge milestones" While Pyrus couldn't argue with the statement the knight just made he reassured him.

"Everyone's strength is their own, it would be hard for any of us to measure up to his power of what he can achieve if you consider what the dark master was capable of, now Raxus is waiting; dismissed Knight." Delacon bowed his head to the electric dragon.

"Yes Captain."

Turning around the armoured fire dragon went away to carry out his mission, Pyrus turned back towards the temple seeing many dragons come in and out from the entrance a few families taking their young out to begin the day ahead of them.

Looking upwards he turned his gaze towards the sun and its position in the sky.

'A couple of hours left, hopefully he is up and getting himself ready, a big day ahead of him'

The thought crossed through his mind as he begun to pace himself over to a group of dragons and cheetahs just outside the entrance.

In the rooms of the temple it was peaceful and serene still being early into the morning, Many, still asleep or having a refreshing lay in before making a start to their day, the guardians always up early to supervise the temple or any other duties they have.

In one room, two dragons had yet to awaken themselves from slumber, Spyro and Cynder still all wrapped and cuddled up together.

The only noises that could be made out were the calm breathing echoing and the tiny breeze coming in, sunlight was crawling in from the balcony entrance but not much, enough for it to be somewhat dim.

The small speck of flame in the lamp had gone out way beforehand before the sun would even rise. On the table remained Spyros' book on the guard force and his pack, having been used so little compared to how he had intended to use it for one final revision.

A slight shift and nudge in the purple dragons' body followed by a small groan escaped from him as he begun to rouse from his sleep. A small fickle in his eye line before they begun to open showing the purple iris. The bags below his eyelids showing themselves. His vision slightly blurred before blinking a couple of times before it came to him.

Lifting his head up glancing around the room, his jaw opened as a huge silent yawn escaped his mouth, shuddering his head after to readjust himself afterwards, looking around he could see the light that scarcely lit part of the room.

'Suns up? I wonder how long I have to get ready?'

Feeling a trivial prod in his upper chest, he observed down to see the black dragoness still sound asleep with his right foreleg over her side and her back rested against him, he knew if he moved, he would likely wake her regardless.

Seeing her in slumber so calm and peaceful always made him glow inside. Just that alone already put him in a good mood to get the day started, feeling every breath she made very gentle.

He would stay all cozied up in bed if he could have his way, using his foreleg, he carefully shook her.

"Cynder?"

The dragonesses only response from that was a comfy moan and burrowing a bit closer to him still in a deep sleep, Spyros' head arched a little tickled by the display.

He gently shook her again, this time speaking a bit louder in a playful tenor.

"Cyn…time to wake up."

Still no response from the dragoness in terms of stirring, Spyro rolled his eyes at her.

'Some nice dream she must be having' an idea suddenly came to mind with a roguish smile skulking onto his maw.

Taking his foreleg using his claws he placed them on her side just under her foreleg joint and scratched it tickling her.

Almost immediately her eyes shot open and yelped her entire body shifting with Spyro seeing that definitely did the trick in waking her up.

Shoving away quickly from him to get her bearings from the sudden awakening, breathing in heavy to catch her breath turned her attention her mate spotting the naughty grin painted on his face.

It didn't take her long to put two and two together with an innocent glare, she pounced at him lying on his back and her on top of him with her paws on his upper chest.

Pushing forward pressing her maw against his, a trend of pure ecstasy trembling every part of his body when the kiss took its full effect on him.

Upon unravelling he opened his eyes to see a death glare from the dragoness with a tiny smile staring him in the eyes.

"You ever do that to me again and I will never sleep with you again" threatened Cynder as the purple dragon chuckled at that response to his tickles.

"Oh, I'm sorry it appears my paw slipped on your side, how very clumsy of me"

"Yeah you know full well what you were doing so don't act all innocent with me high and mighty"

A laugh escaped the purple dragon's mouth, the reaction was totally worth it, secretly her looking a bit angry with him was cute to him.

"Oh, come on Cyn you know you enjoyed it really, it delivers great service in waking the body"

Cynder shaked her head rolling her eyes at the purple dragon's display of playing her about breathing a sigh.

"ugh…. what am I going to do with you Spyro?"

"Love me?"

The purple dragon tapered into a slight seductive stare at his dragoness.

Cynder upon hearing that returned the seducing stare to him bringing her face back in front of him as she lay above the purple dragon.

"I think I can do that"

Wasting no time compelled her lips against his again sharing another serene moment with him, Spyro took his fore legs and wrapped them around her upper body and her wing joints holding her close to him, ultimately separating from the kiss stared into his eye.

"So how did you sleep last night?" asked the dragoness.

"As comfy as always Cyn, if I had my way, I would stay cuddled up with you all morning"

"Me too, but alas you have a very important day ahead of you today my soon to be knight in shining armour"

"I know, I am excited for it, it has been a while coming now"

Cynder felt excitement and proudness at her dragon, him taking the mark of honour exam, she knew he was going to pass easily with flying colours.

Moving herself off the purple dragon laid herself back down in the bed onto her side as the Spyro flipped himself and stood up, his legs feeling numb he propped back stretching his forelegs out.

Feeling so good with the stretch, diminishing the numbness down he leaned forward stretching his back legs with a satisfied whimper echoing from him.

"Ahhhhhh… much better"

The dragon got himself out of the bed and gave his head one last shake, shedding off any remaining numbness in his neck, unfurling his wings stretching them to their length. The satisfying cracks in the joints through every part of his wings sent a tingling sensation through his body.

Breathing a satisfied sigh before the purple dragon turned his attention towards the balcony.

Seeing the light shining in from the entrance attracted him over to check the time and the outside, the purple dragon walked over arriving at the silhouette between the line of the light peaking in and the still darkened floor.

The initial shine was disorientating to Spyro's eyes causing him to blink a couple of times, bringing his right foreleg up moved his paw in the way of the suns shine.

Giving a couple of moments for his sight to adjust to the sudden light, he opened his eyes back up.

A clearer setting presented to him with the city buildings and a beautiful blue sky, arriving at the balcony he looked over the edge down below him to see the lively streets.

Numerous creatures of the city walking around in all directions proceeding to the start of their days, looking around he could see a dragoness with two young dragons looked like hatchlings walking alongside her.

Close by another dragon standing with a young adult with a few blue coloured crystals on a table, close to an alleyway Spyro could see two cheetahs walking by heading to the marketplace with sacks on their backs, countless moles in the street below.

The sight of it all was always a pleasing one to the purple dragon, turning his gaze to the sun itself noting its position.

The position was above the horizon etched between the land and the sky, but it was not near the above them in the sky, this indicated to Spyro it was still early in the morning.

'Great…a few hours to have some breakfast, have a quick wash, a warm up and get myself ready for this test'

Twisting himself around the purple dragon walked back into the room putting his gaze onto Cynder still laid up in her bed.

"It's still pretty early, still a while yet before the exam"

The purple dragon walked around and sat beside the bed where Cynder was resting and she twisted her head round to look at him.

"That's good, you gonna come back to bed then?" said the dragoness as she gave the purple dragon a seductive gaze.

"Oh, the idea is very tempting Cyn but I'm gonna go have some breakfast, have a quick wash and do some training before the exam."

The black dragoness frowned with disappointment making a face at him.

"No fun…I wanted to get my claws round you this morning…you sure know how to disappoint a girl," Cynder teased in a disappointed tone.

"I know Cyn, but I want to be ready and it will get me all warmed up for the exam."

"I'm kidding Spyro. Of course, go get yourself ready, I can't wait to see my upcoming knight in shining armour to be a full-fledged guard," Cynder winked.

"I know I will make you proud Cynder, I'm ready for this"

Feeling a sense of pride, the purple dragon felt stoked for his upcoming challenge looking towards the door.

"Well shall we go make a start to the day?" asked Spyro.

"Nah, I'm gonna rest for a little bit longer, you go on"

The purple dragon hearing that statement narrowed his eyes a bit.

"Well someone is a little lazy, after all that trouble of waking you up too." Cynder upon hearing that also narrowed her eyes at his daring comment.

"Excuse me purple boy, I didn't ask you to…rudely awaken me, did I?"

Shrugging himself playfully the purple dragon responded in a sarcastic tone.

"Yeah well, If I hadn't you would have kept your lazy butt in bed asleep all day."

The dragoness giggled with her wing edge coming near her snout, she loved it when her mate spoke to her like that.

Always humouring her and this bold side of him she found it so tender, the purple dragon had a cheeky smile on his face leaning his head down, planting a quick kiss on her snout he said "Right well you enjoy your lie in. I'll see you later."

The dragoness not content with that propped her head up and planted another kiss on his lips taking in the extravagant feel one last time, pulling away with a loving gaze she said to him.

"You weren't leaving without giving me that, you go enjoy yourself love, I'll see you at the training hall"

The purple dragon content with that made his way over to the door, placing his paw on the green mana switch he looked back to the dragoness one last time.

"Bye Cyn, love you."

"Love you too, Spyro."

With the last goodbye he pressed the switch and the door opened for him to leave, stepping through he saw the big hallway with no one around looking both ways, once out the door closed up again.

The purple dragon turned himself to the left and walked off from the room heading down the hallway for his first destination the bathing room to get himself clean and fresh for the day.

Coming up to a big door calmly taking the steps towards it, it was the same design as the door's in the swamp temple which unfortunately no longer exists after it had plummeted into the depths of the now dormant volcano.

Once within a few steps the orb on the door glowed and opened up for the purple dragon to pass through, closing back behind him.

Spyro came upon another hallway similar but here the ceiling above them was small openings allowing light to enter as the other hallways closed either had window openings or Mana lamps.

As the purple dragon headed down the hallway, he was stopped by a voice.

"Hey bro, about time I found you."

Turning his head, he looked behind him to see an all-familiar dragonfly beside him.

"Good morning Sparx, how are you feeling?"

"Oh, I feel brilliant this morning bro; well rested, had breakfast and ready for an exciting day" said a cheerful Sparx who seemed in very high spirits.

"That's good to hear from you Sparx."

The dragonfly's posture immediately shifted to a more serious one staring the purple dragon down.

"The real question is bro, where was you last night? You didn't come back to the room."

On the utterance of the question imposed to him by the dragonfly; Spyro wasn't sure how to answer.

"I stayed up studying last night sorry"

Crossing his arm's, the dragonfly continued to stare him down very suspicious of his adopted brother, relenting a little the insect sighed.

"Stayed at she-dragons room again then?"

"Yeah, I somehow ended up staying with her for the night," Spyro admitted with sheepish smile at the glare Sparx was beaming at him.

"Well could you at least tell me, so I know not to wait for you to come back."

A little guilt ridden from Sparx's words; the purple dragon expression dropped a little "I'm sorry Sparx, I forgot about it especially with everything going on today I guess I just wanted some time."

Sparx creeped a small smile onto his face "Heh heh calm down bro I'm only kidding with you, you don't have to tell me what you do and who you spend it with; although your choice could be better but could be worse too, I suppose."

The purple dragon rolled his eyes at the comment now seeing the regular Sparx attitude. Out of everyone only the dragonfly knew of Spyro and Cynder's courting.

It was pretty much impossible to kept it hidden from him considering how close he is to both of them, it didn't take him long to work it out.

Originally the couple only kept it a secret so they wouldn't get any unnecessary attention from all the people of Warfang, but now that things were calmer Spyro felt ready to reveal and Cynder did to a point but remained unsure and just finding the right time and way to tell everyone.

But thankfully Sparx for once decided to keep quiet about it, something that was greatly appreciated by the two lovers.

Sparx may be a blabber mouth at times but would always respect his adopted brother wishes no matter what.

At first, he wasn't happy to find out the pair were together due to his feelings about Cynder, it felt to him that Cynder was taking his brother away from him and initially gave them a hard time about it.

Overtime though Sparx warmed up to the idea and found some fun banter in trying to poke fun about Cynder even more now and Spyro still spends plenty of time with him.

"I know I told this to you many times Sparx…I do appreciate you supporting me, I realise it was a lot for you to take on board and accept."

"Ah don't get all mushy on me here bro…regardless of how I feel it is your life and your choice of who you want to spend your life with," Sparx committed, holding his arms up with his palms at Spyro stopping him.

Just by looking into his eyes Spyro could tell how much this was to Sparx, as it was a lot of pride for him to swallow. Sparx huffed followed with a smile "And personally…I am happy for you both, but the she-dragon could do with not snatching off with you half the time if I be honest and when she finally shakes all that evilness of her it will be happy days."

"Maybe you could take it up with her if your so bothered."

"I'm good bro, she might try and eat me."

Spyro chuckled amused by the comment shrugged himself at the dragonfly "Well she was hoping one of the nights you would come join us for a meal"

"Speaking of food, I had hoped when you two got together she would have had words with you about eating better and sorting this weight problem out but you only seem to get bigger every time I see you, a salad could make a big difference you know."

Shaking his head laughing inside at the dragonfly's display of sassing him, although it was natural for dragons to continue to grow in size Sparx couldn't help but make a gag of it.

"Anyway, Sparx's what's your plans today?"

"Yeah gonna be hard at work on the granary today, gonna be helping Myko with instructing the moles on how to do their job."

"Right Sparx like you know how to grow food and store it for people," Spyro teased, mocking the dragonfly.

"Hey have faith bro, Myko is gonna be doing most of the explaining and I will be doing the carrying it out, I know how to get results"

Spyro was bemused by the dragonfly's attitude rubbing one paw against his eyes "Yeah I suppose you have succeeded thus far, your telling people what to do never fails."

"You got that right think of all the times I pulled you and Cynder out of the fire when you were totally lost."

"Yes, Sparx me and Cynder really couldn't do it without you."

"You got that right I was the man of the team."

The purple dragon shrugged his head leaning towards him "Of course, Sparx you really pulled your weight in the battles"

"Hey fighting is your job and mine is leading," boasted Sparx with his arms crossed and a big grin.

Sometimes the purple dragon wondered how he didn't go insane from the constant nattering of the dragonfly, years of growing up with him must have made him immune to some degree.

"Anyway, I'm off to get myself clean ready for the day so I'll catch you at the exam I hope?" the dragonfly gave him a thumbs up.

"Of course, bro I will have the premium front seat to it, but yeah go clean your smelly butt up and when you get breakfast maybe have some fruit for a change, that will get the diet started"

Without even saying goodbye Sparx darted himself away without giving Spyro a chance to speak again.

'Wow…that will never get old for'. A smirk retaining on the purple dragon's face.

Continuing his journey to the bathing room Spyro turned himself back around and headed down the corridor way he was originally heading, knowing to take advantage of the time he had before his time come, it was easy for the dragon to navigate his way through the labyrinth having lived here for two years.

Entering a big room for Spyro to cross through to reach his destination there was a huge statue within the centre, a statue of one of the ancient dragons who first inhabited the grand city when it was first constructed, the detail of the statue could easily be depicted with age on it.

Spyro always admired the work that had been put into these mystical temples by the ancients symbolising the mystical connection to the dragons.

He himself took time to read some of the books of ancients. The time when the race was well revered by the rest of world.

It always felt a shame to him when that reputation was tarnished by Malefor, not only showing a terrible side to dragon kind but also forever staining the blood of millions including his own race.

One thing Spyro hoped was his deeds would go a long way to repairing that reputation to the world, it would be a long time, but he was already proving it to an extent, carrying on he exited the room entering another hallway.

Walking his way to the other end he arrived at a door and stood in front of it, on the door a crystal illuminated for the dragon to press activating the door opening allowing the purple dragon to enter.

Arriving into a big room different then many others. Situated around were cylinder holes around the floor all empty. Built with some kind of marble.

Next to each cylinder a small pedestal with a sphere. Spyro walked up to one and lifted his fore leg up pressing his paw against the sphere. Glowing in response a small hole in the side of the empty cylinder opened up.

Water begun to spew out into the cylinder beginning to fill up. Steam glowing off the water suggesting to be warm.

The purple dragon felt ecstatic as the water reached up filling the majority of the cylinder creating a pool like a bath, Spyro stepped to the edge dipping a single claw into the warm body of water.

A tingling impression overcame him once the warmth connected with his claw shaking all over his body, not able to wait the purple dragon moved and lowered himself into the pool of water.

Letting out a satisfied sigh as the warm water brushed on his scales the heat overwhelming every part of his body causing his eyes to roll with the pleasurable effect piercing every part of him.

Moving himself he leaned himself against the side of the pool laying on his back put himself into a comfortable position.

'Ahhhhhh this is the life' the single thought echoed in his head leaning himself upwards and closing his eyes. Letting his thoughts get lost in the moment with the hot water soaking him through.

Leaning his back as the sensation ran down his spine, it was these moment Spyro was at ease free from anything but at the same time he knew he couldn't overstay it.

Using his paws catching some of the water and throwing it over his face, the touch felt so great rubbing his paws all over his face down to his snout.

Dragons although were not difficult to stay clean and not often they needed to; it was natural for them to bathe every now and then to remain at peak cleanliness.

But above all else it was more of a relaxing cause for them to go to these bathing experiences, it doesn't take long for dragons to use the bath's they can be in and out.

There were smaller room's in the bathing hall which were more private usually used by a mated pair.

Had Cynder joined him it was likely they would have used one. But alas Spyro didn't want to waste time today with his exam fast approaching soon, the purple dragon switched over and dipped his head down putting himself under water.

The wave of pleasure and tingling feelings pulsating and penetrating every part of his body was extravagant to him, especially on body muscles it really did the trick.

Raising himself back up out of the water Spyro began to shake his head a couple of times, drops of water shedding off him either hitting the pool of warm water or the sides.

'Right time to get a move on if I want to be ready'

The purple dragon lifted himself out of the bath bringing his tail into an upward position. The dragon shaked his body furiously water falling around him dripping the floor.

Flustering his wings getting the movement going ensuring every last drop fell and he was dry, his tail was the last to stop shaking.

Feeling fresh and good to go he pressed the pedestal sphere again, this time small hole opened up like a grate and the water begun to drop down emptying quickly downwards until nothing was left and the hole closed up once nothing remained.

Content the purple dragon moved himself away from the empty bath and made his way out of the room.

So far, his day was off to a good start but now breakfast was required, he had plenty of time to see to it and get training before his exam would begin.

The thought's continued to race through his mind so fast it was like they were piercing him. He couldn't wait to get started.

Hi folks I apologise for taking a while to get this one out. A lot has happened that pushed me back but hopefully it will be a one off for this story. All the feedback has been incredible so far, I really appreciate it. It was hoping my change in style to better deliver the story would have this effect so thank you all. Last chapter I noticed mistakes I made and worked to proof read this time. Ensure my work is up to standard.

As many of you guessed this is partly a reboot to my previous Spyro stories but at the same time there are so many changes that it is a story of its own and taking a new direction. I'll be honest they lack the true length and feel I get from this and are a reminder of how bad I feel I used to be but I know people enjoyed them.

Please everyone take time and leave me some feedback. It will only make me better taking it on board and fill me with pleasure knowing I deliver a fantastic experience for you. Thanks, and see you next episode.