(Hello there, apologies for the long wait on this chapter, lots of things are coming up out of nowhere, School, I'm finally getting a new computer that isn't as slow as the formation of the Earth was, and all kinds of stuff, but here it is, if it's short, I apologize, but take it or leave it, anyways, enjoy!)

Chapter 14: Dark Rituals

Spyro lay on his back with Cynder, the two stared into the sky, their thoughts dwelled on the sight of the Tramutized Guards in the supply room, and Spyro couldn't help but feel like something was going to happen today.

"Cynder, do you have this feeling that...something's gonna go down today?" He asked her as Cynder shrugged.

"I...can't help but feel like you might be right...we should be vigilant today" she replied as Spyro sat up and looked around, overall the temple seemed fairly peaceful, but Spyro had a feeling in his gut that something was wrong, he glanced over and saw Ignitus walking through the fields, staring into the woods, Spyro immediately figured something was up, and stood up to go to the Fire Guardian, Cynder looked at him and decided to follow him.

"Ignitus?" Spyro grabbed the Guardian's attention.

"What is it, Young Dragon?" Ignitus asked as Cynder walked up to join Spyro.

"Do you have a feeling that...something's going to happen today?" Spyro suggested as Ignitus simply nodded.

"I fear you may be right, something has shifted the balance in magic, and it can't be a good thing" he replied as they kept staring out into the woods, Spyro suddenly felt a chill as he saw the trees rustling, something definitely wasn't right, he thought he could see a shape or something staring back at him, but he turned back to look at Ignitus again.

"Young Dragon, come with me, there is something I want to talk to you about...privately" he informed Spyro as he followed the Guardian.

"Spyro, where are you going?" Cynder asked as Spyro turned back.

"Ignitus wants to talk with me, don't worry, I'll be fine" he told her as she looked in concern, she didn't cope well with the idea of leaving Spyro alone, albeit even if he was with Ignitus, she couldn't help herself and used her Shadow Element to conceal herself and follow Spyro and Ignitus into the latter's office, staying far away from the two so she didn't accidentally come into contact with either of them.

"Now that we're alone, I think we should debate the recent misgivings we've had, Malefor's efforts to attack us have been brutal, but I'm more concerned for his halt of attacks, we must be vigilant, also, I wish for you to step up Cynder's training, she's progressing at an accelerated pace and I'm rather pleased, it seems your training methods are rather effective, you should be proud" Ignitus's last compliment made Spyro blush from embarrassment.

"Well, it wasn't just me, Cynder's resourcefulness and skill is how we're at this point...she's so amazing" Spyro replied, causing Cynder, who was still invisible, to smile, she knew that Spyro loved her, but to hear his description of her when talking to someone else just felt lovely.

"I'm pleased that you feel that way, your bond is stronger then you realize, I'm glad enough that you and Cynder got to be what Incendia and myself envisioned to be...Incendia..." Ignitus then looked away.

"Ignitus...it's not your fault, Incendia wanted our life to be happy, like you said, she's watching us..." Spyro comforted the Guardian as he looked down and smiled.

"Thank you, Young Dragon" as Ignitus replied, Cynder figured she'd leave, it seemed as though Spyro shared that idea, and he was dismissed as they left Ignitus's office.

"You can show yourself now, Cynder" Spyro's sudden statement surprised the Dragoness as she reappeared.

"How'd you know?" She asked.

"I could sense your elemental surge, but I think it meant a lot to me that you care enough to follow me" he replied as Cynder blushed, and was kissed on the lips by Spyro, suddenly the purple dragon pulled back as he felt a sudden unnatural surge of energy.

"Cynder, something feels wrong" Spyro told her as he rushed outside, with Cynder following him, he ran out to the woods and saw a Dragon emerging from the bushes.

"No...it can't be..." Spyro trailed off in shock.

"Cyn, get Ignitus..." he instructed her as she nodded and ran off.

"Rose! I require your presence in my chambers!" Malefor communicated telepathically with Rose as she was startled back by the vision, although she immediately stood up and left her quarters to go to Malefor's chambers. As she walked through the halls, she glanced at multiple Apes walking by, she then came across Gaul, who had placed a patch over where his eye was ripped out.

"What are you doing here, Rose?" He asked demandingly as the Dragoness paid no attention and kept going.

"Answer my question" he grabbed her tail, causing Rose to snarl and turn around.

"It's none of your concern!" She spat as Gaul appeared to be unfazed.

"It is, actually, your going to Malefor's chambers, therefore I require info on your intentions" he replied, but that earned him a whack from Rose's tail.

"Touch me again, and I will devour you whole, now leave me be" she retorted as she walked off, rolling her eyes at the pretentiousness of Gaul as she entered Malefor's chambers.

"I have arrived, my lord" she announced as Malefor appeared from the Shadows.

"There is work to be done, come closer" he gestured to her as she did as he asked, immediately Malefor led Rose into his Incantation room, and had her stand beside him as he brandished a black sphere, he cast a spell over it immediately and it revealed a vision showing them the Temple.

"What's going on?" Rose asked as Malefor explained.

"This is the point of view from our little corrupted friend" Rose glanced into the vision, and the dragon that was staring at them with shock.

"He has no idea?" She asked as Malefor nodded.

"Absolutely oblivious" he replied as he turned back.

"We shall use this dragon as an instrument to our will, as a means to an end, and use it to crush our enemies emotionally, and physically" he grinned evilly as they peered into the magic vision...

"Ignitus! Ignitus!" Cynder burst into the Guardian's office, catching him off guard.

"Young Dragon, what's going on? Is there an emergency?" He asked as Cynder shook her head.

"Yes and no, it might be better if you come see for yourself" she told him as Ignitus stood up and followed Cynder outside, seeing a crowd of dragons in the courtyard.

"Everyone, step aside, please" Ignitus kindly gestured that they moved out of the way so Ignitus could move through with Cynder, eventually they got to the center, and they spotted Spyro.

"Young Dragon, what's going on?" He asked Spyro as he turned back.

"See for yourself" he replied as Ignitus looked up, and he froze, his heart stopped, and he looked in shock and disbelief.

"Ignitus? It's you..." the Dragon started tearing up as Ignitus shared a similar notion.

"Ancestors...Incendia?"

(And done, don't hate me, Chapter 15 hopefully will come out sooner than this Chapter did, anyways, peace!)