Chapter 8: Role
At one of the main plazas of the grand city, presiding a water fountain tinted with the shape of a dragon head aiming upwards shooting endless water up in a full circle around to plummet into the circular body of water to receive.
A large group of dragons stood beside it with a few moles appearing to hold weapons such as swords and crossbows; many were lightly armoured in protection. In addition to their scales which can be formidable on its own until adding armour to the mix.
All of their attention focused towards the central individual in the form of the electric dragon Pyrus.
"Do everyone have their places agreed today for the check down?" asked the guard captain.
A mixture of approval, voicing and nods echoed around the group to answer the question to the electric dragon.
"Good…those who I've chosen, you may proceed with your duty, the rest of you remain here with me."
At least half of the group begun to disperse into different directions. Some taking flight, others walking off into the street's paws touching the cobblestones laid out perfectly for the paths.
Having been organised into different groups or pairs, clearly heading on to go around the city.
The captain turned back to the still considerable number of dragons stood before him, getting his thoughts together he begun.
"Now for the rest of you, I'm going to be splitting into two groups for two different assignments." stated Pyrus perceiving the full attention of the collection of individuals before him. "Half of you will be put into another search party to explore the halcor bluffs and the surrounding sections in the northern parts of this continent.
Murmurings could be picked out between the group, processing what they were just told.
"That's quite a flight from here". "We're still searching for more creatures?" "I would have thought we would have stopped doing these now after all this time".
Many questions and small statements going out between the group. Pyrus cleared his throat to bring everyone's attention back onto him.
"It may have been over two years since the war ended, but the guardians and I support this myself believe there are still more of our people to find out there, so far our searches have proven quite fruitful and have located survivors of the war as well as changes to the landmarks."
"Changes…sir?" asked a dragon seeming younger than most of the full guard's present.
"Yes…well I'm sure most of you are aware that when the world was repaired and put back together, there were some…changes" replied the guard captain "Like the new area of floating islands of land to the south of us near the old dam."
"Ah yes, I remember now, yes parts of the world have been changed, became different from the end of the war." Stated one of the dragons in the group, with a nod the captain continued.
"So, as I was saying, we are continuing to search for more of our species and other communities that may have still to come out of hiding yet. The last search had revealed the two new villages of Varden and Undella, so we hope to discover more and any dragons willing to return to the city," Said Pyrus before he turned onto the second topic.
"As for the other half of you here, another group of our forces were defeated in the Tranquil forest, the remnant forces have picked up again."
Expressions of surprise littered across the faces of the dragons and moles. That bit of truth from the captain taking them by surprise to hear another of their groups had been taken down by the supposed dwindling might of the dark armies remains.
More whispers could be caught going on throughout the group, many questions racing into the minds of the creatures wanting to be answered.
"Half the group came back without too much injury, three had to be taken in for care, three dragons missing and…" said the electric dragon, pausing as a hint of emotion crept onto his face.
Everyone's attention focused back on him when they caught onto the halting of the dragon's speech. Talex who was among the group took a step forward keeping the paw hilted off the ground and voiced to the captain.
"And what…sir?"
Pyrus made a deep breath through his nostrils as he finally was able to speak out the words.
"For those of you who knew the dragons; Pavium and Korox…they were killed in the battle."
The group of dragons found themselves left in silence, hearing the devastating fate of two of their comrades hit them. They managed to survive the great war yet were unable to live to experience prosperity.
Many of the dragons looking different directions completely silent, processing the news relayed to them, it felt terrible for the state of the dragon race to lose more.
"Vartus's family will be informed when I see them, Korox on the other hand had no family to speak of, just his comrades and friends." Echoed Pyrus talking softly "They are in the warm embrace of the ancestors now.
"But sir, you mentioned three were missing...who?" asked one of the dragons, stepping forward having recalled what the captain had said.
"Three dragons went missing from the battle…Detrex, Morcas and Balmor…they haven't been seen since they were attacked in the forest."
"You say missing…so they haven't been seen killed or dying so they could still be alive out there." Said Talex.
Those words roused many of the dragons from their states with renewed faith, Pyrus did his best not to let emotions rule.
"Yes Talex, they could still be alive…however I have never seen the grublins take prisoners so they are likely dead." Spoke the captain prospering the conversation on "Don't let this cloud your judgment however, back to your tasks".
"I'm sure those of you who were here at the end of the war remember the state of the city and the state of our species, at most I recall there were at most forty dragons in the city…you remember this Talex?"
"Indeed sir, I can still remember it as if it was last week."
Flashback…two years… twenty-one days after Malefor's defeat…
It all felt broken, the world, the city and everyone living in it. There was so much confusion from the aftermath of the world breaking and that outrage of energy putting it all back together.
The land still reeling from the destruction of the dark war, towns reckoned about, nature unbalanced, the continents changed in their geography.
It all felt so strange and new to many of the inhabitants of the realm, parts of the continent that were laid and rigid now broken up and floating in small islands and mountains of rock, some even with water spewing out of them falling into the ravines below.
The city of Warfang stood battered and bruised to its cores. Most buildings barely standing with many cracks in their foundations unable comprehend how they still stood in the first place.
Pebbles of the walls, cobblestones ripped out of their places, roofing blocking streets and alleyways, even sitting on ruined houses.
Walking down one such street towards the dragon temple still standing in all its glory were Volteer and Pyrus. The inhabitants had been evacuated into the underground ruins as Ignitus had instructed before disappearing into the belt of fire with Spyro and Cynder.
Preparing for the worst of the devastation the Destroyer would bring upon them all, and while it did bellow at all on the surface, upon feeling that rush of energy for a few moments had prompted them to investigate.
Seeing the destruction undone allowed the guardians to return everyone to the city, yet they still waited for word for what was to follow.
Pyrus viewing the ruins of once a grand city was submitted to grief, having lived and defended the city for most of his life couldn't bear the condition it was left in.
Watching as moles went about checking over their homes, trying to move the rubble, feeling hopeless at such devastation of their once beautiful city.
"Not once in my life have, I witnessed such a state to Warfang, there's barely anything left of it to consider standing and strong" said the distraught dragon.
"Perhaps Pyrus, however the fortitude of us to still be here gives us a chance to right this atrocity." replied Volteer maintaining a breath of hope.
"You think we can fix all of this master guardian?" asked Pyrus.
"Oh yes young one, with our hypothesis of the dark master's defeat confirmed, we can replenish, rejuvenate, restore this city to its grand glory. It may take time but the moles built all this once, they can return it to that state." Proclaimed the electric guardian with unwavering confidence and speed in his words. "The moles have already been consulted and they agree with us to do what we can to the repair of Warfang."
"That may be true master guardian, but our race was devastated massively from the war, could we truly recover, heck at best there are probably forty dragons at most in the city." Stated by Pyrus.
The electric dragon felt no better about the situation now than he did moments ago. To him it all seemed hopeless, even with the news of the dark master's defeat from the reveal by the return of the heroes it felt the damage was too significant to fix, as if they were too late.
Many felt the same, although they survived the great cleansing and outlived the former dark master to discover peace. By the state everything was left in it almost felt hopeless.
"While you may be correct on that theory young Pyrus, only be conducting discovery can we ever hope to discover the truth". Said Volteer.
The younger electric dragon raised his head back up, unclear in what the guardian was saying.
"Discovery master? What do you mean?" inquired Pyrus wanting answers.
"He means young warrior that the only way to be certain is if we search and discover what remains of the world and all the species out there."
Both their attention shifted towards the familiar earth dragon approaching from the opposite path to them.
"With the dark master defeated for good this team thanks to our heroes, now is the chance for us to rediscover our race."
"Rediscover master Terrador? I'm not following at all". Murmured by the electric dragon.
"You are correct in what you said, with only forty dragons at most in Warfang and no young ones with the exception of Spyro and Cynder live within the walls, that alone…would render our race an endangered one". Said Terrador remaining cool with little emotion to show.
"In other words, if our numbers are not replenished, our species could be doomed, the damage of the cataclysmic warfare complete by the former dark master," swiftly spoken by Volteer speaking as if he had to burn through a lot of electricity.
"So, from what you're saying, our species is doomed?" asked by Pyrus, the guardians words unsettling him further.
"However," the single word spoken by the earth guardian as if exercising authority over the dragons brining their attention to him.
"I refuse to believe we are all that remains of our race, as powerful as the dark master was I can't believe even he was that thorough in killing all creatures across the realms…I am certain others survived and many groups of dragons are scattered around out there…in hiding," The earth dragons opinion expressed gave more food for thought to Pyrus.
"So…are you saying we need to go out there and find them?" asked the younger dragon.
Both of the guardians glanced to each other making a curious expression before a smile graced on the electric guardian's maw.
"Precisely correct Pyrus, while much of the landscape may have changed, adapted, reformed from the end, it is our duty to find any surviving members of the race and bring them back to Warfang or at the very least, establish the locations they call home."
"Indeed, as Volteer put it, we will need to gather search groups together from the dragons that remain and send them out to find others of our kind," Terrador continued after Volteer finished providing Pyrus a big motivation seemingly lifting his spirits.
"That would be amazing masters, do you really think many dragons survived?" asked the younger electric dragon followed by both of the guardians nodding their heads confidently.
"Definitely…the world is a big place, later today I'm going to assemble volunteers from the remaining dragons, and send the search parties out tomorrow to begin and I will lead one of the groups," stated the earth guardian.
Pyrus feeling spurred to jump into action gathered himself into a confident posture before speaking out.
"In that case master's, I place myself as your first volunteer for the mission".
Flashback end…
"Indeed, I remember the first explorations and what a success they were sir, we went from forty dragons to over a hundred, and thanks to them we have found the new places dragons call home like Aquaria village," said Talex.
"Indeed it is good progress but there is still plenty to do in that respect of numbers," Pyrus nodded with an elated smile, the guardians were wise and always provided a beacon of inspiration of hope to him, it was little competition to him where he placed his loyalty and faith of leadership in the wise dragons instead of in the council.
While he was under no notion of disregarding the council, he did find some decisions they make to be disagreeable, he himself was a believer in Cynders innocence and defied the trial of judgment faced onto her. It had become an easy decision for him to support the guardians.
"Back to the business at hand everyone," declared Pyrus bringing everyone back to attention "I will be sending ten dragons out in the search group to the halcor bluffs and the surrounding areas in hopes of locating more of our kind or others…The rest of you will be sent to support our forces already in the Tranquil forest".
Looking throughout the group before him he knew a majority of these dragons were more inexperienced then others, in that case turning towards one of the more experienced wind dragons before him.
"Talex, I want you to lead the search group to the bluffs!"
The dragon although having been given a responsible role seemed unpleased by the assignment and his maw dropped down a tad.
"Sir…" uttered the wind dragon seeming to struggle with his words.
"What is it Talex?" asked a very curious Pyrus, wondering what could be troubling his comrade to hesitate so much.
"I want to be on the group going to the Tranquil forest sir." Declared the wind dragon. Pyrus was quick to understand the defiant attitude towards the assignment of the scouting party, the electric dragon gathered his thought and proceeded to reassure the dragon.
"I understand your feelings Talex… you and Vartus were close friends, it is only natural you would want to go and fight but going off and wanting to challenge every grublin that marches in your path will not help ease the pain," the electric dragon consoled towards Talex.
The dragon dropped his head down completely, the thought of one of his friends having made it through the era of Malefor's rein to end up killed by savage monsters and not get to enjoy the life he made it to infuriated the grey wind dragon to a massive degree. He was keeping his emotions bottled up for now.
However, he wanted to spin it, the captain was right to him. Running off the fight everyone not only wouldn't ease his pain, but may put himself and many others in grave danger, he wouldn't allow himself to do such a thing.
"I know sir, I'm sorry Vartus was a very close friend, we have known each other for years…" muttered the dragon. Struggling to keep himself in a stable calm state, he however would never disregard the captain's authority having rightly earn it.
"Okay sir, as much as it may pain me, our species is more important and if it's the search team you would have me lead, so be it," declared Talex pleasing the guard captain on his faith in the dragon.
"Very good Talex, now as for the group to the Tranquil forest," Pyrus studied across the other dragons to find another suitable candidate, landing his eyes towards a dragon of a dark green colouring more towards a pickle shade "Seraph I would like you to lead the squad there, we need to reinforce our other two groups still there."
"I would be honoured sir," avowed Seraph, the poison element dragon bowing his head to Pyrus accepting the role given to him, dragons bearing the power of poison were rare in this day and age, considered to be a more deadly ability.
Not many creatures in contact with said power tend to not survive unless a powerful being such as a dragon who exhibit a strong defence to the burning effect of the attacks but can still affect them on an internal level.
"Very good, now I want nine dragons to join Talex, you will be part of the search group. Everyone else, stand beside Seraph," the group consisting mainly of dragons and moles begun to organise itself.
Splitting itself off into two different groups, dragons scattering left and right to join the groups they put themselves towards, as nine scurried to stand beside Talex, the remaining five joined with Seraph as did all the moles. A mixture of experienced and less dragons joining both sides.
Once it had all come together and the two groups were completed per their instructions Pyrus begun to speak again.
"Excellent, now for the search party, you will have the rest of the day to prepare yourselves for this mission to set out in the morning tomorrow just when the sun will be above the mountains of the horizon, enough time to prepare and be ready. The journey will take at least a day and half to reach the bluffs from here".
Pyrus then turned to face the more diverse group "And for you, I want you all the be armoured up and equipped ready to meet at the front of the temple within two hours, when the sun is highest in the sky, the temple bell will ring when it is time to assemble, understood?".
Nodding their heads having received their orders as Pyrus looked towards Seraph "And find out what has happened to our missing dragons if you can."
The two groups complied with their instructions and were quick to disperse after some last moment words from the captain of the guards. Either readying themselves for combat or rest up for the upcoming expedition, either way both were important roles.
Gathering the moment to get his thoughts together, the electric dragon huffed out a breath of air relieving himself quivering his body downwards, drawing in his next breath as his body moved with it.
The guardians in the main chamber of the temple were more pre-occupied with talks of their own. Volteer jeering towards the other two "It could be a dilemma on our shoulders my fellows, this is something we desperately need to address!"
"If you hilted that flapping jaw of yours for a moment Volteer, we could address it, I'm not sure we should be so concerned if I'm perfectly honest," Huffed the ice guardian, tiring of the usual whooshing antics of Volteers voice "More dragons arriving in the city, surely the future can be depicted here now, especially with our numbers growing after each successful search…over a hundred dragons in the city and more to be found".
Terrador was quick to snap into the bickering "I'm inclined to agree; I can still freshly remember the time of when the guardians were vaster than the three of us and Ignitus. We do need to begin investing our time in ensuring the future of the guardians will be a secure one".
"I'm not disagreeing with you chaps, young Flame may have gotten some training from his old mentor before his unfortunate departure, I do agree he will require much more training and guidance, but guidance is all the three of us can offer to him, training in his element will require a very wise and experienced fire dragon, he can only push himself so far" reasoned Cyril to the other two guardians.
Terrador stamped his right paw down in an act of slight frustration "I know…I know, that's why it might be prudent to recruit ourselves a dragon, however from all the dragons in Warfang now, I don't believe there is still yet to be a fire dragon proficient enough to act as a temporary fire guardian, Delacon is capable in his fire but he is more furnished to a warrior and of course chosen the path of guard".
"That's true Terrador, I believe our best option at the current moment would be to find one," said Volteer "Aquaria village and the Dormado settlement are valid options to check back in, although we may have yet to find one worthy of continuing the legacy of Ignitus and the ones before."
"Indeed… we must…" As Terrador began to speak again he got interrupted by a bored voice behind him, the three guardians turned to the source to find a young earth dragon slouched behind with a paw against his check against the floor.
"Terrador, can I go? I'm not really contributing here and…I'm getting bored?" asked Krytus seeming to be very bored of the conversation the older dragons were partaking in.
Raising a curious look towards the dragon, Terrador rebounded to him "Mind your tongue young dragon, these discussions very much concern you."
"I highly doubt it master, I'm just sitting here when I could be training, listening to you all ramble on about finding more guardians," rebuked back the young dragon, watching his paw as tints of green mana brightened off it upwards.
Although unimpressed with the lack of respect in his apprentice, Terrador couldn't much argue with his lack of contribution and huffed a defeated sign.
"Very well then Krytus, to the training arena with you then…and later on we will be having another lesson on discipline young one," was Terrador's response.
"If you say so master," was the only words to escape the uncaring earth dragon's mouth before lifting himself and slumping out of the chamber.
"You know Terrador sometimes I wonder why you chose him as your apprentice…He is much too careless and headstrong for his own good" quizzingly asked by Cyril giving the earth guardian a curious stare.
Terrador's gruff stare upon turning to his fellow guardians changed into one of a hardened smile as if a light of passion has ignited within him "Were we so different at his age Cyril, I can remember the times when Ignitus had such a fiery temper and you always sat around ignoring everything your mentor was saying…or to mention the time of how stubborn I was."
"A valid point Terrador, the young will always act on their youthful instincts, believing they know everything in the world and wanting to be better than everyone else, especially prideful individuals like Krytus," barked Volteer, zapping through his words quickly.
"Indeed, he is talented in his connection to the earth, he has the potential to be a great guardian, he has his whole life ahead of him to grow out of his…difficulties to shape into a fine full adult," explained a very hopeful Terrador, his posture relaxed "I can't exactly blame him for his attitude, any he called family didn't survive the war, it's a case of finding himself again".
A paused silence cradled the chamber, a moment of realisation that many dragons and creatures, continued to mourn the losses inflicted on them before, even the guardians at times could forget, such struggles still present in the minds of their kind.
Terrador quick to move on turned towards Volteer "And what of your apprentice, how fares her training?"
"Very well I must say, Phalera has impressed me on her first trials under me, I'm confident she will be my successor one day, she too…has the potential to be a great guardian one day," replied the electric guardian a very pleased tone, a smile creeped onto his maw.
"It's unfortunate in my circumstances, I have yet to find a dragon that stands out of the common ice dragons to possess a rare talent for the hardships of Ice, it may take me time to find a suitable candidate for apprentice," huffed Cyril discontent with his own progress, a sigh following him with his head dropping "If only Spyro was an Ice dragon he would be the perfect choice to undertake".
"hmm…I'm sure we all feel the same perspective regarding the young dragon, despite his very nature he possesses such a raw talent for his powers I cannot even begin to imagine another being able to achieve half of what he has at his age with just one power…with the exception of Cynder of course," responded Terrador with an initial chuckle at the response to Cyril.
"Back to the business at hand…," ruffed the earth dragon bringing the conversation back to its intended purpose "While the search for an apprentice to ice and a potential dragon to fill in the role of fire is paramount, as you may recall…there was seven of us guardians in the beginning".
"Yes, yes of course…. the guardians of, wind, poison and shadow," Cyril answered.
"Indeed…the time is now we must unleash our search also for dragons to potentially fill these empty spaces," stated by the earth dragon.
It was true, the ice and electric guardians could still remember back earlier in the war when there were seven guardians, each to their own role, however three had fallen in battle before the raid on the swamp temple many years ago.
Remembering their fallen comrades was such a sad tale at times, having been unable to live to see the latest role of the year of the dragon performed, at times they wondered if all the guardians were alive and present at that time, they could have repelled the raid completely.
It was a question however that would never be answered, thanks to the events of the night in question.
"In that case Terrador, I volunteer to steer myself to the Dormado settlement and see if I can successfully appropriate any dragons of potential. It may also provide an opportunity of insight for Phalera, so she shall accompany me too," offered Volteer, exceedingly keen to go.
"Very well then old friend, I'll leave that to you…Cyril as your searching for a successor will you be wanting to travel to Aquaria village?" asked Terrador, offering his ice counterpart the opportunity.
"Yes, a couple hour flight so I shall depart first thing on sun rise tomorrow," confirmed Cyril.
"Very well, I will have another look around the city, it is possible we may have overlooked any possibilities here," responded by Terrador taking the opportunity for himself.
The plan of action confirmed for the last three guardians, the intention to take further into restoring their order sworn to govern the elements they embody.
The peaceful gardens to the side of the city, the field of natural beauty with the presence of the lake running in from underneath the western wall of the city.
Fresh clean water for the populace to enjoy in their moments of freedom, such a dragon as Cynder laid on the bank of the water, her tail blade bordering over the liquid surface, the reflection bright with the sun's shine fuming at it, beside her against the ravine laid Spyro.
The pair enjoying their free time to relax in the beautiful landscape around them, the gentle thrush of a chilling breeze blowing past her, only the trees to make any sort of noise, a place for the two to come to and relax to set their minds at ease.
'Oooooh…this couldn't get any better' echoed within the black dragonesses mind, twisting her body for her to end up on her side, her wings spread out around her and her paws rested down, the tail blade edge beginning to trickle along the water surface.
"Enjoying yourself Cyn?" asked the purple dragon, gestured by her display struggling between relaxing completely himself or focusing on her.
"Oh yeah, aren't you?" asked the dragoness keeping herself laid down.
"Indeed, although sometimes I feel like there is something I could be doing?" replied the purple dragon feeling a tad restless.
This caught the black dragonesses curiosity, lifting herself up to set her sight towards the dragon "Why?"
"Most of the others are on patrol or missions today, I just think I could be doing my bit".
An amused smile crept onto the dragoness's maw, lifting herself up and moving next to him "Oh Spyro you always feel you need to be doing something, just relax…today is your break, enjoy it will you".
The purple dragon breathed a heavy sigh out, his expression growing glum "I know Cyn…it's just…. I just want to help; it was my destiny to bring about a new age and I want to continue that".
Cynders expression turned into one of understanding with a caring calm smile, considerate of how he felt sweetly expressed to him "I know Spyro…and everyone appreciates that of you, I feel the same sometimes wanting to help, don't worry tomorrow you will be on the guard".
"Yeah…I know your right…it's just I feel so restless, even with how long it's been like this I guess it's going to be how I am all the time," replied the purple dragon, making it a struggle to settle himself, feeling like he needs to be doing something.
The black dragoness had an idea enter her mind, exciting her and believing it will provide a solution to the purple dragon.
She stood up and walked over to the dragon and said quietening her voice in a suggestive tone "You know Spyro, I believe I know a way to help put your mind at ease".
Curiosity filled the purple dragons mind, watching Cynder step behind him and dip her fore arm over him to the other side beginning to stand over his body.
"What are you doing Cynder?" quizzed Spyro very suspicious of her actions.
"Oh…just relax Spyro," said in an enticing tone, being watched by the purple dragon she then dropped her back half sitting herself on the purple dragons back between the spikes.
Caught completely off guard by the dragoness he could only ponder seeing the alluring look in her eyes as if telling him your mine now. Taking her front paws and talons, gently placing them on his upper back just in front of waist.
Pressing down she rubbed her paws all up his back her talons lightly skimming across his scales, initially his neck convulsed and arched up shock overtaking his expressions before an overwhelmed sigh breathed out of his maw and turning to a satisfied numbness.
Cynder began massaging his back going up and down with her paws and the occasionally circling around the middle.
"oooooooohhhh," a pleasant moan escaped his maw and completely layed himself down stretching his legs out to get into that more comfortable position.
Cynder already noticing she's having the effect moved higher up to the shoulders of his fore legs and rubbed around against the scales.
It hit the spot for the purple dragon with another moan blowing out followed by some purring as the teeth clamped together.
Hearing and feeling the vibrations from the purring felt exciting to the dragoness pleasing her for her effect, moving on she came to his fore legs and rubbed the upper parts, feeling the muscles around his legs.
The purring became louder, his mind feeling like it was going to melt within the bliss "Oh Cynder…you are a natural."
"I trust this is helping to put your mind at ease," asked Cynder entertained by the purple dragon's cute purring.
"Oh yeah…this is really…doing the trick," He said as Cynder brought her paws back up and went back over his back rubbing around the spikes and down to his sides "This is paradise."
A sweet smile draped on the dragoness, continuing her work for several minutes, going all over the dragons back his legs and his neck making it an overwhelming sensation for him, it was impossible for him to be able to put his train of thought on anything.
Eventually it ended up with him turning onto his back with Cynder massaging along his underbelly and upper chest more than happy to oblige. His head laid back and his arms held upwards bending with his paws.
This display caused Cynder to giggle enjoying her work on the purple dragon "I see your really loving this."
"Honestly…I wouldn't want to be anywhere else right now, your amazing at this, Next time we stay over together could you do this again?" asked the pleading purple dragon.
"Oh no mister…next time it will be your turn," Cynder said in a demanding tone snapping Spyro out of his trance to bring his head up to look at her.
"Ok…I suppose that is fair, you've done amazing today in putting me in a happy place, I suppose I should pay you back," answered the purple dragon in a slight smirky tone laying his head back down.
Cynder however didn't look impressed and narrowed one eye as she continued her massage with the thought running through her head 'I suppose? Hmmm… you're going to have to do better than that my purple boy'.
A big grin widened on her maw as a fun idea planted itself in her mind, her paws running down towards his sides, it suddenly felt like a perfect opportunity for some revenge and on that she stopped gently massaging and went on to playfully scratch at his sides.
Spyros eyes burst open and his body shaked instantly, his head coming up yelping out "CYNDER!"
The reaction was priceless for her and begun to aggressively tickle the purple dragon with laughs escaping his mouth.
His body convulsed trying to move away but with how Cynder had him pinned to the ground he had no chance and pushed a paw against her upper chest.
"Oh…ha…stop that…Cynder".
"Oh…I'm sorry Spyro, I can't hear what you're saying, you are going to have to stop laughing".
He wanted to use his wings to try to throw her off but the tickling on his sides battering his nerves forced him to extend them outward struggling to move only being left with his paws.
"Cynder…you better…stop that now…if you know…what is…good for you!" ordered the purple dragon trying to speak between breaths and laughs.
"Or what Spyro? beg me to death will you?" Cynder playfully mocked.
Intensifying the tickling going closer towards his fore leg joints Spyro starting to struggle around, digging his claws in his hind legs against the surface.
"Goodness what have I stumbled on here?" said a voice sounding like it was disgusted.
Cynder turned her head up and looked around to find a familiar dragonfly hovering near them "Oh hello Sparx".
"SPARX…help me!" pleaded the purple dragon requesting his adopted brother to save him as Cynder didn't let up on her tickling.
"Huh, no thanks Spyro, you seem to have she-dragon in a calm position right now and it's probably safer for me if I stay out of this," replied the dragonfly.
"A very wise choice Sparx" said Cynder praising his decision making at the time as Spyro tried his hardest to feign a glare at his adopted brother.
"Traitor!" growled Spyro "I thought brothers stick together".
The dragonfly flew over to the purple dragon floating himself above his head "Yeahhhh…that's true but you got yourself into this predicament, so you can get yourself out of it".
He backed off somewhat amused before becoming disgruntled "I was going to come spend the time with you two but I'm going somewhere else so I can throw up in peace, seriously save the touchiness for Cynders room, at least you don't in our room Spyro."
With that the dragonfly hastily retreated as fast as he arrived leaving Spyro alone at the mercy of Cynder who was more than happy to make Spyro suffer some more, giggling to no end continuously trying to push her away from him.
"Are you ready to give up now Spyro?" whispered the dragoness seductively trying to entice the dragon.
"NEVER!" shouted Spyro struggling against the dragoness trying to push against her, pressing his fore legs against her chest trying to force her off, responding in kind by going harder on the tickling continuously causing Spyro to yelp and force his legs back.
Instead trying to grip her fore legs and remove her and was managing to get somewhere then lifting her legs up above him, no matter how strong she was for a dragoness Spyro was more physically stronger than her.
Beginning to push forcing her to her feet, Cynder could see he was starting to gain the advantage but decided to take advantage of one thing. She begun to flicker her body's smoothness catching the purple dragon with confusion. She leaned her head down and brought her tongue licking his snout.
Spyro caught off guard with red jumping onto his cheeks losing his grip and allowing Cynder to gain the lead again, pushing his fore legs down and pinning them before quickly tickling his sides again convulsing his body again and dropping him into giggles and gasps.
"Do you give up now Spyro?" asked very slyly by the dragoness as Spyro struggled trying to move her claws but seemed more unable to this time clearly having been unnerved by her charming moves on him.
Spyro deciding to concede pleaded with her "Okay…. okay Cyn you win…can I get…a chance to…breathe now please?"
"Now that wasn't so hard was it my purple boy," said Cynder teasing him, rubbing into him she was the victor.
She relented on the tickling and sat herself back up looking down at him as he gasped for breaths, his body relaxing, relieving the tenseness, the muscles settling down. Cynder could feel the rhythm as he drew breath and released.
Looking up at her, producing a small amused glare to her "You play…a very dangerous game Cyn".
"Well…sometimes I gotta put you back in your place," said Cynder teasing back at Spyro.
Seeing as she seemed more calmer before torturing him Spyro spotted an opportunity and shot a paw at her side and hitting a tickle of his own, Cynder gasped reacting to the sudden tickle being the opportunity for the purple dragon.
Leaning up and wrapping his right foreleg around her he shot and flipped them both over, putting Cynder on the ground laying on her right side and now Spyro standing above her, Cynder shocked at how quickly it can change around.
Spyro standing proudly above her with a posture of victory and a glare in his eye leaning forward towards her "You were saying?"
"Cheater…I wasn't ready for that" barked Cynder claiming foul play from the male, both of them laughing together in the moment.
Despite now having the advantage over her, the purple dragon was helpless to act looking into her teal irises, his thoughts melting away instantly as she took on a seductive gaze and brought his maw down to whisper to her.
"Did I ever tell you how beautiful your eyes are?"
"Hmmm…maybe a hundred times now" giggled the dragoness as she moved and licked Spyros cheek affectionately initially catching Spyro off guard. A smile beamed onto his face and brought his snout to nuzzle Cynders while at the same time they just made out loud thuds on the ground.
"Well…what have we here?"
Both the dragon's eyes snapped open and turned to see Terrador raising a curious look to the couple.
"Terrador!"
The pair bellowed out as heat and red burned on their faces so quickly, Spyro jumped off Cynder looking away embarrassed, Cynder sat herself up and doing the same their cheeks lit up.
"I trust you are enjoying your day, young dragons?" asked curiously by the older dragon.
"Oh…yeah Terrador been having a great day, right Cynder?" said the purple dragon trying to look anywhere other than at the guardian.
"Yes definitely," replied Cynder doing the same also.
His eyes flashing between the two for a moment, before long letting out a chuckle catching the surprise of the two dragons.
"Ah to be young and in love. Honestly you two shouldn't be embarrassed, that's probably one of the most sensible positions I've found young courting dragons like you two to be in over the years" said Terrador causing the two lovers to become very curious
"By positions you mean…?" said Spyro asking to the guardian sternly replying back to him.
"Yes…you live as long as I have and well…nothing will surprise you anymore, years ago when I was having a stroll through one of the dragon temples I came upon two young dragons around your age kissing in the corner as if there wasn't a care in the world".
Just imagining such a scene was causing Cynder to blush, luckily for her state of mind that hasn't happened to her and she definitely now has no intention of allowing it to happen.
Wanting to change the subject a tad bit, the purple dragon sat himself on his hind legs and posed a question to the guardian "Something I've been wondering Terrador since we're talking about this, I understand why you told the other guardians but you, Pyrus and the others who saw our display a couple of days ago when the fires were put out haven't told anyone about us courting. Is there a reason for that?"
"Yes…I don't know about the others but as far as I'm concerned, it's your choice of when you want to tell people and has nothing to do with me, why you chose to is curious but it's your choice" said Terrador answering the purple dragon's question "To be frank, the guardians do agree on me with this though".
Spyro and Cynder listening in very curious to what the earth guardian would say next.
"Truth be told we are delighted you are courting. Your both growing to be fine dragons and after everything you have both been through in the war you deserve happiness. Honestly, I would have been overwhelmed of shock if you two didn't declare yourselves to courting," The long answer being produced by Terrador with a beaming smile.
"That obvious, were we?" asked an embarrassed Spyro.
"Well not really, it's just what we expected to occur naturally although your choice of how you go about your relationship is an interesting one…not wanting it to be public knowledge," questioned by Terrador.
Cynders expression dropped facing the group a bit feeling uneasy about the subject, Terrador could spot the tension in the dragoness, turning to her "Cynder…there is nothing for you two to be worried or ashamed of…what seems to be matter?"
"It's not that Terrador…to be honest…at first we did want to tell everyone but we didn't really want the attention it would have brought…but now…" she stopped taking a quick look over to Spyro with a shifty grin painting on her "We enjoy the secrecy".
"I see…," uttered by the guardian very curious to the choice "Well you say you have been courting for nine months, up until a couple of days ago you did well to keep it hidden."
Redness on her cheeks as the flashes of her doozy after the fires, emotions running high threw her senses out in the moment "Well I guess it was going to start coming out at some point."
"Yeah we did talk about it the night before my examination, we would tell everyone although we are still getting around to it," Spyro said jumping in on the discussion "We're just trying to find the right moment to tell everyone, although was half expecting Delacon and Talex to not be able to stay quiet."
"You'd be surprised Spyro, we dragons are quite respectful…well…a lot of dragons anyway" replied the guardian.
Turning back to the guardian Spyro decided to finally change the conversation and asked "So how has your day been so far Terrador? You had a meeting with the other guardians, didn't you?"
"Ah yes, we three have finally come to terms on the restoration of the Guardians, not just us three but to replenish the empty spaces within the circle" explained the guardian leaving the pair very curious.
"Spaces? You mean the role of fire guardian…but isn't Flame training for that?" asked Cynder.
"Yes, but it would be prudent to find one who may be able to assist him in his training further, to assume the role for the time being as well as the other positions," said Terrador the result leaving a further question for the dragoness.
"Other positions…you mean there used to be more than four guardians?" she asked to the elder dragon.
The guardian amused by the question with a smirk "Well of course, you didn't think only four elements were governed by guardians, there was also the guardians of Shadow, wind and poison…three elements you possess".
Spyro and Cynder were left stunned by such a revelation, having been used to the regular four roles they knew although they were surprised at the same time especially Spyro, he felt he shouldn't be considering more elements were in existence.
But that resulted in another question racing through their minds, prompting Cynder to speak "But what about the fear element? didn't that one have a guardian too?"
The guardian paused from the question for a moment, the subject about to be entered being a difficult one "No, not once in our history has a guardian for fear ever existed, despite the likes of poison and shadow occurring on a more darkened side of the breaths they were accepted…but fear was different entirely."
"Why would that be the case for fear?" asked the curious dragoness.
"Well Cynder, have you seen another dragon wield the element aside from yourself?" asked back by the guardian.
Cynder leaned to her side slightly a question she had never actually taken into consideration. Now that she thought about it, it was very rare, so rare in fact she may have only seen it in one other occurrence, a very important one for her.
"Aside from Malefor…I don't think I have actually seen another dragon with that element," explained Cynder making that realisation.
"Yeah that's true, it never crossed my mind at all," concurred Spyro.
"Precisely, it is such a rare element to encounter, so rare that even I have only seen it a couple of times in my lifetime , many of the elders of the past believed it was an element that was created by accident," explained Terrador beginning himself "It was assumed by many the element of fear was made of the coupling of courting dragons of different elements".
Confusion was set in stone for the two dragons again, Terrador didn't even need to wait for them to ask to know what they would have asked him next.
"When two different types of dragons had hatchlings together it was when the first fear dragon was known to have been born and so far it is the only time a dragon of the fear breath has been created as even when two fear dragons had children they didn't come to be fear but of other elements, at least that's what it has said in the books and scrolls."
"But I thought have thought no matter what, what element your parents are would usually determine what element you would be" questioned Spyro, not fully convinced by the guardian's words.
"That is true in most cases Spyro…but don't forget our race is one of magic and mystery, sometimes these things happen and we can't predict them…just like you for example, the purple dragon isn't necessarily born on the ten generations but can be at any time in the next generations but fate brought it to you on the year of the dragon" answered Terrador, providing his example.
It did play down the curiosity of the two young dragons Spyro while still puzzled conceded to the words "I suppose so."
"If you are truly interested, take a look at some of the books in the guardians chamber next time," Terrador suggested to the young dragons.
Cynder very curious towards the origin of one of her powers felt quite encouraged to investigate, Spyro on the other hand was unsure "I'm going to be busy with the guards later, got to meet with Pyrus so it could be important. So Cynder, I'll let you tell me all about it."
Cynder nodded, very interested to learn some more about one of the powers she was bequeathed with, would definitely give her something to do and couldn't have better dragons to pick answers from.
Finally, its' finished I kid you all not this chapter was supposed to be 5000 words and would have been uploaded sooner but somehow managed to look at fitting in over an extra 3000 words, I shock myself sometimes, appreciate all your patience and apologise for the long wait, been so busy and spent some time working on things but I'm here.
Now I made a big decision, I've got myself a beta reader now I've always been someone full of pride wanting to go at it on my own and well…I really want to push my passion into this story and deliver the best experience I can for all of you, because my love for Spyro is massive and always been my pleasure to imagine and write, so I've swallowed that pride and asked a friend who is very experienced and someone I wish I was as good as one day.
Hopefully I will try to get the next chapter out sooner, but I can't make any promises but I will try my best and as ever I really appreciate your patience with me and please let me know what you think. Thanks again all and I'll see you next chapter.
If you have any questions do PM and ill do my best to answer. Thanks again guys and gals.
