So far, you all seem interested and like the story. So we may have quite the story here. So this story will be full fledged and we will go on quite the adventure. Also, in response to a review about back ground dragons, I can't really remember every detail such as this. I'll fix it soon, but chances are I won't be involving other random assorts of dragons in this story.

Chapter 1:A Dragon's Merc Life

20 Years Later

The humble village of Avalar, at least that's how it started out before the death of Malefor. But now it had prospered and grew under the growing fairness of their old leader, chief Prowlus. He was an old cat now a days, but at least age has made him a more generous leader, perhaps too generous. For the Alpha mercs practically became the law and authority around the village. For the village itself became more of a town now through the years, at least they were prospering.

And the Alpha Mercenaries had their newest member to thank for their rise to the top. They trained the young dragon fiercely, through exercises like push ups with five to ten ton boulders on his back. To sit ups that involved two guys pounding on the dragon's gut to tighten it up. And forcing him to exploit a sudden physical talent he appeared to have in the form of shocking and even cringe worthy flexibility. The dragon was trained to the absolute fullest, since dragons always had unprecedented power.

So they were not going to hold back on making this dragon everything he could be. At age four he was able to reveal that his natural element was fire, but it seemed he had no other talents. At least until he shocked them with his reflexes, his speed, and the scary strength he then showed at age eight. During some stunning strength training, he reduced a small cliff side to a crumbled gravel hill. His speed proved to be just as impressive especially when the Avalarians taught him to walk on two legs rather than four, it matched his bulky torso and chest that grew in by age fifteen.

His abnormal physical prowess proved impressive, but his fire element could not be exercised much. He could barely get a strong stream of fire flowing from his mouth. His only hope of properly being trained to use this elemental ability required the teachings of Ignitus, one of the four guardians that had sadly pershed. And his mercenary family refused to have him exposed to any one that was affiliated with the guardians. For they did not want the dragon being taken away from their group.

He was better off with them, at least that's what Felious believed for the sake of their group. Especially after the dragon had then began to carve a path to fame or infamy for the mercs. By age eighteen, the young dragon was garbed in a well made red long coat with black iron greaves and bracelets. And he showed the promise they all hoped for, hunting down the scummiest of people. Or even going after innocent people who made the mistake of running into the wrong ones.

That was his life, walking the thin line between a bringer of justice or a cold blooded killer. But it was the life he knew, and the life he was willing to live with among his fellow mercs. But that did not mean his life was completely devoted to them, he had a personal mission in his life. One that his leader agreed to let him take up, but on the condition that he never goes looking in Warfang, the dragon city. This put quite a cold touch on his mission, for he desired to find her, the long lost twin he came to know.

The one that suffered and gave in to darkness in hopes of keeping him safe. Cynder, the dragoness that had disappeared along with the legendary dragon Spyro, destroyer of Malefor and savior of the dragon realm. None had seen the two in years, but the guardians insisted that they still lived. But Asher would not be satisfied until he saw this long lost sister and her betrothed with his own eyes. This turned into his obsession since he was twelve, and it remained as such to this very day.

Till then, the Alpha mercs were currently finishing a job that they waited for due to a drop in crime rate. A simple bounty on a certain hermit that has now been spouting nonsense and tainting the dragon name. His spouting of propaganda and calling out the dragon's for being corruptible enemies of the realm became his undoing. For a supporter of the dragons added his name to a bounty. And three mercs from the group were more than happy to take up the offer, two hundred gold for the hermit's capture, double that if he's killed.

That's all they needed to hear, and so the clouded leopard merc and his pure cheetah friend took up the job. Along with their secret weapon, for this hermit has been into some strange things lately. His own staff rumored to be casting spells and using magic that no mortal should dare be messing with. They needed to proceed with caution, for even mercenaries knew better than to get cocky. So they were currently giving chase to the hermit as they spoke, the two warriors manage to scare him out of the Avalar town.

Now their pursuit took them into the land's wild valley, full of rivers, forests, and natural dangers. The hermit was fast for an old codger, but the mercs were faster, the leopard took to the trees with a bow at the ready. Jumping to each tree he could see while the cheetah pursued on foot. Brandishing twin short swords, ready to get in close a make a slice for the hermit's back. But the old hooded cat was tenacious, and nature itself seemed to be on the hermit's side.

With just a wave of his glowing staff, vines sprouted from the grass and whipped at the cheetah. While the clouded leopard had to avoid branches coming to life and grabbing at him. Finally they got out into an open plain, forcing the two mercenaries to run together across the grassy plain.

"The trees are no safer than the ground! The old fool brings them to life with that staff!"The archer warned as they continued running against the whipping wind.

"Then we get in close and we get that staff away from him! Can you get a shot, Leo?"The cheetah asked of his friend as he decided to test it out and see about getting a shot on the hermit.

Unfortunately, he got a moment glimpse of the old one's back before a wave of his staff made it impossible. For birds fluttered into the archer's view, and he could not make out the target. He growled and lowered his bow, before shaking his head in response to the question.

"Alright…! Then we get up close and personal! And make haste,"The cheetah warned before slashing a path through the swarm of birds to close the distance,"He's making for the river, and we don't have boats to continue the pursuit!"

"Then we can't lose him! Strike at the first opportunity, Swifter!"Leo called out as he lit an arrow on fire to scare the swarm away.

The hermit spotted his pursuers approaching him from the rear, their youth served them well. He lightly snarled, but it then turned to chuckles as he rubbed the orb within the tip of his staff. Letting the orb glow green with unheard of nature magic before he was coming upon a geyser field.

"Persistent and determined Mercs! I like it…! Alright, lets play gentleman!"The cloaked grey cat chuckled and suddenly leaped to a high column of stone at the end of the flaming geyser field.

The duo of mercenaries quickly stopped, and Leo took immediate aim at the hermit. While Swifter scanned the field the target had stopped them at, this geyser field was dangerous. So of course the target would lead them here, he would let nature be the one to do them in.

"Excellent work so far! You have me almost winded, gentleman!"The hermit clapped his furry paws together with fake amusement.

"Give it up, old timer! You know what this is all about!"Leo demanded of the hermit as he prepared to send an arrow piercing clean through his target's heart.

"You finally said too much, and now the people want your head on a platter,"Swifter explained as smoke raised from the smoking geysers of flame,"Give it up and we might just settle for the two hundred and bring you in alive!"

"Hah! Silence is golden, isn't that what they told you! Am I to suddenly be silent when I could share so much reality of the world with the good people,"The hermit decided to exchange words with his pursuers while slowly swirling his staff over the geyser field,"Granted I left my people behind, but hypocrisy is unavoidable, I'm afraid…! And these fools in the meantime remain blind and turned to the very beings that brought Malefor's wrath down to us!"

"That's your problem, not ours! You can say what you want, but at your own peril fool,"Leo made their deal short and sweet with the old cat before they were ready to move,"Now are we gonna really do this the hard way, or are we gonna actually do this nice…and peaceful…?!"

"How about a third option? How about… The FUN WAY!"Suddenly the hermit lifted his staff to the sky and let green magic shoot like lighting down and into the geyser grounds.

Immediately, massive gushes of steam erupted from the geysers before the mercs. The steam masked a swift escape the hermit made for as he hopped down the side of the pillar. Swifter quickly cross slashed the steam and dared to step foot upon the land mine of geysers. There he and Leo were able to spot the old cat making a break for the river in the distance. They were quick to give chase, only for a row of geysers to explode with flames and a sudden earthquake.

They backed away with frustration, before the geysers before them began to collapse. Allowing the fire to grow larger and more blazing, Leo tried to find a way around it. Only for the ground to quake once more, before a sudden hand of fiery black stone gripped at the ground. A roar then followed as the two readied their weapons for the creature that formed from fire and rocks. The ghoulish head of a familiar creature than lifted up and roared at the sky, it towered over them at almost twenty feet.

Lava leaked from the cracks on it's smooth stone chest as it slowly looked down to the two mercs. They growled, while the monster held on tight to the ground to roar at the two warriors. They were less than pleased to be distracted with a monster, but also scared by what kind of monster it was.

"Is this some golem impersonating…Grubling?"Swifter asked before already targeting the monster's lower belly and arms.

"It sure is…! This old fool is starting to worry me… He's messing with the remains of Malefor's minions…!"Leo assessed while pulling brisk ice arrows out and slowly readied his bow.

"Then death it is…! Magic gamblers like this have to be slain, immediately!"Swifter decided just in time to see the first move coming for him.

He jumped back just in time to see a stone fist smash into the ground in front of him. He took the advantage he was given and hopped onto the fist to start running up the arm. The creature went to yank his arm out and shake the cat off, but Leo was quick to prevent that. As he shot an arrow of ice into the joint of the arm, letting it explode with a rush of ice that covered the whole arm. But the other arm was still free, and the grubling used that free arm to smash his frozen one.

This forced Swifter to jump off and land behind the beast as the frozen arm shattered. Only for a sudden swarm of rocks and stone to float up from the desolate geyser land and attache to it. Allowing a new arm to form in the old one's place, it then swung that new arm behind itself. Swifter side stepped and scissor slashed at the arm, he manage to chip the arm. Before he had to dash around the side of the creature, drawing it's attention towards him, as Leo drew more arrows.

"Arms are tough! But they're not impervious!"Swifter called to his ally while Leo pulled out cylinder metallic arrows.

"Explosives it is then…!"Leo got the arrows into his bow before he too had to jump back.

The grubling beast tried to snatch him up, seeing as Swifter was too quick for him. But Leo proved no easier to attack, as he hopped onto it's arm and shot his two arrows. They soared like the fastest of flies, and rammed directly into the eyes of the beast. An explosion then erupted from the arrows, blasting chunks of stone and magma from the creatures head. The top of it's head came off, and a green crystal was exposed, giving the mercenaries what they needed.

"Crystal! At the top of the head! Just like the golems!"Leo yelled before he then needed to back flip off the monster's hand.

In mid air, he avoided being thrown for a loop and managed to shoot another explosive arrow. Letting it drill into the beasts arm once more and blasting the arm clean off it's shoulder. It fell back with a roar and gripped at it's shoulder to assess yet another destroyed limb. While Leo landed right next to Swifter and released a breath of relief and slight weariness. He looked out to the distance and saw the hermit already untying his raft to escape down the river.

"I do hope we can kill this thing within the next moment! The old buffoon is already prepping his raft!"Leo called out to his comrade as the monster began to recall more stone to repair it's loss limb.

"Don't worry…! We may not be able to pursue him on the river, but our boy sure can."Swifter smirked before dashing towards the beast with his blades ready.

Meanwhile, the hermit just finished untying his raft and stepping onto it. He looked back and watched the mercs fight the monster he left to combat the merc hunters. Though it looked like the creature was falling, for after trying to vomit up some lava all over the warriors. It only resulted in both mercenaries jumping up and landing right on top of the creature's head. Allowing Leo to pull out one last ice arrow, and shoot it right into the creature's forehead, freezing it's entire head.

The old cat growled and opened up the sail to his raft before pulling up the anchor. He then looked back to see Swifter perform a fast triple X slice that diced up the head, and the green crystal. The hermit spit at the monster the moment it's head shattered and it began to collapse back into the hole it raised from. But at the very least he got the raft going before the monster could even be destroyed. So he sat down and buried his anger to wave off the mercenaries, as they watched him in the distance.

"Farewell boys! May wanna brush up on your training! You Alphas are losing your touch!"The hermit yelled as the mercenaries quickly tried running at him and hoping to catch up.

"You won't get away, old codger! Not this time!"Swifter promised as they began running down the side of the river to keep up with the hermit.

"Whatever you say, gentlemen…! Whatever you say…!"The target chuckled and laid back a bit to enjoy his raft ride down the river.

However, his relaxation was quickly interrupted by a sudden crash that rocked his raft. It nearly swung his head into the crystal clear river before he gripped at the wood tightly. His legs and arms got shaky a bit from the rocky raft, as he slowly attempted to stand back up. He looked around and noticed a piece of his raft smoking and burning like tinder at the front edge of his escape vehicle. He cautiously approached the smoldering black piece of damage that grew smokey.

"Strange… He must have had a spare fire arrow at his disposal. But... That one was known for never missing his mark."The hermit thought, and missed a shadow flying over his head before shooting down towards his raft.

That was when he then got another sharp crash slamming down on his raft. It shook his wooden escape vessel and nearly launched him into the water, forcing him to hold onto the wood. This time however, the raft was quick to stop rocking and even stiffen up. For it got a new arrival to it's wooden deck, one that he barely knew a thing about, other than who he worked for. Slowly the hermit stood up and sighed with relief, only to look to his rear and see his newcomer.

His attire was easier to recognize, the ragged red long coat and black gauntlet like bracelets around the scaly black wrists and arms. The multi plated black greaves that covered up his reptilian feet of the same color. A hood hid his head while he wore a black cat mask to cover his face. Slowly the hermit tried standing as tall as he could well slamming his staff down, caution was needed. He may have managed to dance around the other mercenaries, but this one was different, he was their go to.

"Well well… The Alpha's wolf in sheep's clothing…! welcome to my raft,"The hermit greeted him while the new merc stood at least twelve feet tall and almost shadowed the hermit,"Is there anything I might be able to help you with?"

"Stop the raft…!"The mystery merc demanded in a low, but adolescent like voice.

"I'd love to… But I can not do that. Not until those other Alpha's are called off,"The hermit politely replied and waved his staff towards the pursuing cat mercenaries,"Might you be able to do something about them?"

"Sorry, but I bargain with clients. Not targets…! Now stop the raft, please…!"The mercenary demanded before the hermit shook his head with defiance.

"I've got a better idea…! You can get OFF my raft!"The hermit decided the moment they went under some trees.

The green magic shot out of the staff like natural gas, and brought the tree limbs to life. Before they shot down and made a grab for the tall mystery merc, but they could not touch him. For this one was the dragon that survived the odds and grew up to be one of the Alpha's best. He dove forward, and squeezed himself through a diamond shape hole the branches left open in their attack. He rolled into a kneel and growled, just as the hermit waved his staff, bringing jet streams of water snaking up from the river.

The two currents of water swirled around the one that called upon them. Before they blasted right at their target, hoping to wash him off the raft, but the hermit underestimated his pursuer. As the dragon simply bared a a long pearly white spike that grew out of the side of his wrist. It was his weapon of choice for close encounters with armed targets, he charged at the water columns. He reared back and threw a punch forward, as his arm pumped up and filled with sudden muscle.

He took the whips and force of the water that tore holes in his long coat, while his hood got blown clean off. Allowing his pearly white crown of spikes around his head to be shown. But he was able to push through the water and plunge his wrist spike right into the shoulder of the old cat. He listen to the screams of the hermit as he then lifted the target up into the air till they were eye to eye. The old one struggled and tried pulling at the spike in his shoulder before thrusting his staff forward.

The dragon saw the water ready to rise again to blast him away, so he yanked his spike out. Before jumping back and into the air, letting the hermit land on his back against the raft. His water streams missed their mark, while the dragon narrowed his sights on the hermit's raft. He let out a deep breath, and clenched his right fist tightly before he flashed deep red for a moment. His eyes opened wide and he exploded down in a sudden show of blinding speed towards the rest.

The hermit laid there panting and trying to catch his breath while gripping his wound. Only to slowly look up and get water splashed all over him, in nearly blinded him from the real danger. As the dragon descended down with a pumped up fist that he directed right at the raft itself. The old cat rubbed his eyes with a free paw to clear his vision, before he then saw it coming way too late. As he saw the red garbed blur, his eyes widened in that split second before it all exploded around him.

The dragons slammed through the raft, causing the wood to shatter into chunks and splinters. While water erupted like a forming water spout that helped pull the raft apart. Swifter and Leo watched the massive explosion of water raise high into the air, causing water to rain down like a storm. Before they shielded themselves with their capes against the pieces of wood that pelted them. Water rushed up like waves at the sides, yanking pieces of the ground into it's river.

Quickly the mercenaries used their capes to then shield themselves from the raining water. Slowly the spout of water began to die down and sink back into the river it raised from. With a big splash and giant waves that plashed against the river sides, the water began to calm down. Allowing the two cats to recover and look around to the very wet chaos their comrade made of the situation. Leo could not help but chuckle, for he had hoped for this kind of karma to come to the trash talking hermit.

"Well now…! I'm glad we brought Asher with! He spotted the raft from the skies, didn't he?"Leo asked as he started wringing out his gray wet cape.

"Yep! Told me to not worry if he manages to get to his little boat. He would be ready for him."Swifter explained as he holstered his two swords and watched the disturbed water.

"Well now…! Well played on his part, I suppose. Now we just need to search the river for that old geezer's body."Leo sighed and crossed his arms as he too looked to the rushing river waters.

"No we won't…!"Swifter patted his comrade's shoulders as he pointed to the right where his ears flickered from the faint sound of groans.

There they spotted the old hermit on his belly, his leg completely broken to the side. He gripped at the grass and tried to crawl away, hoping to retrieve his staff that laid a solid five feet away. One arm gave away to numbness due to the wound in his shoulder, and all he had for movement was his left arm. He groaned and struggled to breath as he desperately crawled for his life. He could hear his two other pursuers chuckling wickedly and slowly approaching him from behind.

This put a small pep in his step as he groveled and struggled to get to his staff. He came so close to snatching it up, he even allowed his wound to open up more when he made the lunge for it. But instead, all he got for his effort was the searing pain of a spear like blade ramming into his left paw. He yelled out loud with pain and lifted his paw up to see what looked like the metallic looking tip of a tail going clean through it. He gritted his teeth and growled to endure the pain.

"What's wrong? Trying to go for this?"Came the voice of the dragon as he appeared right next to the hermit with a light sneer while kicking away the staff.

"You should have taken the offer when you could, you dusty old scab!"Leo yelled to alleviate the stress they were put through by the fleeing hermit.

"Hey…! Look at us when we're talking to you!"Upon approach, Swifter was the one to force the hermit onto his back where he then raised his paws in defeat.

"Well done my cold blooded, dogs! You finally caught me. So how did you like the chase? The fighting? The chaos?"The hermit chuckled while the dragon knelt down and grabbed him by the chest of his cloak.

"Not as much as we're going to enjoy the money we make off your sorry carcass…!"Asher quietly growled to the defeated hermit, only to make him laugh even more.

"Oh yes… I forgot… It's all about money with you mercs! You'll go with any belief so long as you're paid for it, right,"The hermit laughed and coughed as he felt the dragon tighten up his grip,"You truly are dogs…! Dogs that do whatever their masters say as long as they get their treats in the end! It's never about conviction or beliefs any more."

The dragon tilted his head, and then looked at his comrades with an mused look. The both of the mercenaries could see his expression through the black mask he wore. Against better judgment, they decided to let the hermit in on a little secret since he was going to die after all.

"Dogs are we? Us maybe, but our boy Asher here? He's a bit more than that…!"Leo chuckled as Asher released the old cat and sighed.

"Yeah, go ahead and show him. Let the geezer know what he was really dealing with…!"Swifter encouraged as Asher reached for his mask.

He gripped it tight, and released a breath before pulling it off his face like a band aid. He lifted his head up to let it breath after being in a sweaty mask for quite some time. His sharp pointy snout finally manage to take in air without too much of a struggle, as he rubbed at his green eyes. His cheeks held some masculinity, but the curved white spikes that grew out from them and curved slightly forward to the corners of his jaw covered it up. But the hermit was more than surprised by what he saw.

This was a dragon, a large, bulky black dragon, a creature he never thought he'd see again. Not after the hermit himself had once met another black dragon that accompanied the legendary purple dragon. Even the scent this dragon bared was very similar to hers, this could not be some sort of coincidence.

"This… This can't be…! There wasn't meant to be any other black dragons left! That puppet to Malefor was the only one,"The hermit suddenly exploded with disbelief and shook himself around with outrage,"How can another dark beast like Cynder still exist?!"

"Excuse me,"Suddenly that name brought out a sudden stroke of interest in the dragon as he grabbed the hermits neck,"How do you know that name?"

The hermit struggled at first, but then paused the moment he began to recognize the scent more clearly. He slowly realized the look of Asher, the black scales, the way his white spikes were set up. The purple chest and belly, he was just like her, the dragoness he still begrudged to this day. He could not help but chuckle at this discovery, even when it was before an inevitable death. To see a dragon just like her, just like Cynder who carried the very same scent she did, this was all too good.

"You're just like her… Just like…Cynder…! Malefor's favorite pet…!"The hermit slowly began to speak of his long lost sister's past, the one Asher vowed to one day find.

"You've seen my sister? Where? Explain yourself hermit!"Asher demanded information from the hermit.

"You know what the funniest part of this is…? You're no better than her… Ironic really,"The old hermit slowly looked to his staff while the gem within the tip of it began to glow,"Both of you turned out to be vile scum that ruin our good world…! Only difference… You do it for money… While she did it to please a dark dragon she had hoped to be a mistress to…!"

Slowly Asher began to stand back up and glare down at the old one for his mockery. The very sister he heard from tales that Felious spoke of, as well as what travelers from Warfang spoke of. Now this old one was daring to bring up his sister's past, when he knew deep within that everything she did, she did for him.

"Hehehe…! A brother who's no better than his sister that hangs on to Spyro the legend to cushion shame from her wrong doings,"The hermit taunted and laughed while Leo pulled out his bow to ready an execution,"How does it feel to know that you're just as cold blooded and irredeemable as your cursed sister?!"

"Ok, you've said more than enough you crazy old cat. Say your prayers…!"Leo aimed the arrow right for the old one's head, but he never got the chance to use it.

For the moment the hermit dared to burst with more laughter from the irony. He was then silenced forever, as the Asher made a quick and fiery spit shoot from his mouth. Unlike what happened at the raft, this time it hit the target, piercing right between the hermit's eyes. It burned a clean hole through his head before his head jolted back, and slowly crashed back into the grass. He went motionless, and limp, before he slowly died right there on the grass that flowed with the wind.

The mercenaries fell silent for a moment, Leo even shouldered his bow. A respectful moment of silence was given, but Asher had anything but respect for the hermit's words. Once the minute was up, he then grabbed the cat's body, and put the lifeless hermit over his shoulder.

"How does it feel? Feels better than being the old fool that couldn't keep his mouth shut,"Asher finally remarked and turned away from his comrades to start walking,"Let's drop his corpse off at the steps of the client, collect our money and head back to the guild!"

"Whatever you say, Asher…! Mission accomplished after all."Swifter agreed and ran after Asher, while Leo seemed more concerned for the dragon.

He held his tongue any way and slowly followed his comrades without any words. Knowing that Asher was now a bit irritated by the insults thrown at the sister he longed to finally see. Him and Swifter understood that more than the others, and so did Felious, so they needed to be sensitive.

After a long walk back to the Avalar town, the mercenary friends brought in their bounty. They left the hermit's body literally on the doorstep of the client's door step after getting paid four hundred gold. This turned into an impressive profit for the Alpha Mercs this day. The money they collected was taken to a large building just across the home of Prowlus the leader. When the building was not used as a tavern for travelers and workers, it was the home guild for the Alpha's.

And they were just now beginning a celebration for the profits of this day. They began at sunset, and they started with jolly to even romantic songs all around the bar. Every merc had a quart sized mug of ale to enjoy, the night called for some uncontrolled drinking for their celebration. However, Asher proved to be the only one that didn't drink, he never like the taste of ales. And such drinks had a lot of alcohol in them, and alcohol would not mix well with a dragon who can breath fire.

So he just sat at his signature giant table in the corner, more than big enough for a grown dragon, looking out the window to the rising moon in the east. He sighed, the words of the hermit stuck with him, for he had obsessively read about Cynder as a young dragon. She was in fact a servant to Malefor, but Spyro defended her, proclaiming she was being forced into servitude. And from what his mind could recall from a long long time, her screams of pain, and her sweet words further proved it. She was a victim of corruption, she did not deserve such scorn.

He wondered if that was the very reason her and Spyro have not been seen for so long. Or perhaps there was something more significant was happening, and they needed to be alone. Then again, why wouldn't they just go to Warfang to sort everything out after Malefor was destroyed? These were questions he still did not have answers to, and only one place may have those answers. But Felious forbid him from ever going to Warfang, for that's where the guardians lived, but why that was a problem never got explained.

So he could only sit there and accept some mutton from the waitress. He gripped his mutton, and waved her off, leaving her to handle the more rowdy mercenaries. He took a bite out of his mutton, the taste was pretty good, piping hot and fall off the bone, he considered it his reward for today. He then had his moment interrupted by the arrival of Felious, as he slapped his mug down on the table. He sat across the table and offered Asher a bit of hot tea while making conversation.

"Four hundred gold in one day…! That's gotta be a record, Asher…! You should be proud,"The dragon slowly finished his hunk of mutton and sat back to listen,"Leo let me in on what the hermit spoke of… Do not let your sister's past make you think so differently of her in the here and now…!"

"That's not what bothers me…! Screw what that old cat spoke of,"Asher sat his mutton down and decided to shed some light on what really bothered him,"What bothers me is that she became that monster for me…! Everything she did as Malefor's puppet was because of me! And they speak of her as if she wanted to be part of Malefor's darkness!"

"Your sister redeemed herself. Together, her and the legendary Spyro ended Malefor for good,"Felious enforced his respect and knowledge of the two famed dragons,"You have nothing to fear…! I'm sure wherever they are, she's a gem of a dragoness, and having quite the life with Spyro."

"As much as I want that to be true… Seeing is believing for me, Felious,"Asher slowly took up his tea and downed it in one go before sitting back again,"Besides… She deserves at least an apology for having to get put through that just for me."

"I see… You may be a dragon, and you may be one of us, but… You're still pretty warm blooded,"Felious chugged his ale and stood up to leave Asher's table,"Not sure if it's a good thing or not… But as long as it keeps you kicking. Do what you gotta do…!"

"Can do, sir…!"Asher gave a slight salute to his boss as Felious chuckled and walked away to join the others in song.

He nodded, and then looked back to the window while putting his black mask back on. Just in case he was being watched by unwanted eyes, Felious's words brought some comfort. But it did not stop his thoughts that obsessed about the well being of his lost twin sister. He let out a heated huff of steam and watched the moon glimmer with it's pale light that illuminated the night. Bringing forth fire flies and nocturnal creatures that chirped and croaked, a peaceful night seemed possible.

"I'll find you… I promise…"Asher reminded himself of the promise he made when he first learned of Cynder.

8 Years Ago

"Felious! Can I speak with you about something?"A young Asher, all petite and small still entered the guild bruised and bleeding from the lip, the spikes on his head and at the corner of his mouth just now started to grow in.

Felious sat up after enjoying some lunch to see the young dragon walking in on four legs, he still had trouble walking on two. But he was no less interested to see the dragon returning from training, and wanting to meet with him first before relaxing his body. As it bonus, it appeared that the dragon was starting to no longer register pitiful injuries that weren't worth noticing, pain endurance was important in this line of work.

"Hey! Looky here, boys! Our beastly little scamp got his second bloody lip without weeping! Get this boy a mutton,"Felious announced and got his fellow mercs cheering for the young dragon before letting Asher hop up on a seat next to him,"What do you need, kid? A rag for that lip? maybe something for the bruises? Or just a mutton for your hard work?"

After he said that, one of the waitresses came over with a hot steaming mutton just for the young dragon, he was almost up to Felious's chest in size. So the dragon needed to be well fed, last thing Felious needed was for Asher to start eating targets or even them. Asher took up his weapon, and waved it at him for a small show of gratitude, but that's not what he was here about. What Asher was here for, was something he overheard from two guards of Prowlus himself. Something regarding the very name he retained since his time within his egg.

"I heard some guards talking about... Cynder the dragon... I've heard that name before,"Asher admitted and bit off a chunk of his mutton while Felious froze in place from that name,"I remember her name being said, and... I swore I heard that she was my sister... It's hard to remember the things I heard as an egg."

"Is that so...? Honestly, that wouldn't surprise me. You're both black dragons, and you have that dragoness's witty and sharp stare,"Felious kept his eyes forward and placed his sandwich down to sigh and properly worry for this moment,"You wanna know about her? Well... There's not too much to tell. She became a servant to Malefor, and almost set the fiend free. But a purple dragon known as Spyro freed her, and...together they destroyed Malefor, and...saved the world."

"Wow... You really don't read much on subjects do you...? Ever read a book?"Asher couldn't help but snicker at Felious's cut, clean and simple explanation that would only please three year olds.

"Not unless those books make me some sort of money... Why do you think I never volunteered to read you bed time stories?"Felious chuckled and slapped Asher's back to share the laugh together.

As humorous as the moment was, Asher wanted to be serious again, this felt all too important. So he stopped laughing and released a deep breath, before he then punched the leader in the arm and looked at him more solemnly. The minute Felious saw that look, he knew there was no dodging this curiosity and this moment that the dragon would want to know his true life, especially if it was truly possible that he was a lost sibling to Cynder herself.

"Now I'm serious... I want to know who I am... And I want to know who she is, and if she's really my actual family... I want to learn...everything...!"Asher spoke in a low and solemn tone, as Felious let out a huffy sigh.

He kept his head low, and closed his eyes to think about how he could either avoid this or help the young dragon. He quickly engulfed the last of his sandwich and stood up, knowing that Asher would not be fooled out of forgetting this personal endeavor. So he slammed his paws down on the table, and collected his thoughts before putting up his brown hood and standing at the dragon's side.

"You wanna know so bad? Get your mutton and come with me... We're heading to the library."Felious decided as the dragon hopped off his chair with the mutton in his grip.

"Really? We're actually going on a trip to get some book smarts?"Asher joked, but was more excited than anything to actually have a personal desire fulfilled.

"You can, but I don't want any of that dumb book smart wisdom crap! That's going to be all you,"Felious made himself clear as they began to walk together to the door to leave,"After you're done at the library though, don't be bothering me about this again. Don't let these interests become obsessions."

"Whatever you say, Felious... Whatever you say..."Asher replied before they left the guild, and went on their trip to the place that Asher learned of his true self, and his true life.

"Hey, Felious! How would you like a gift to go with your ale, eh? Maybe a staff,"Asher snapped out of his memories and watched as Swifter suddenly approached Felious with the hermit's staff, and the crystal that was still in it,"We nabbed this off the old codger! He won't be needing it any more thanks to our boy!"

The crew cheered for Asher, and the dragon merely brushed them off to look outside a bit more. Felious accepted the gift he was given, only to grab for the gem that laid in the staff's top, and tossing it aside. Allowing him to look into the gem, and snicker with curiosity on it's worth, and perhaps even it's supposed magical properties.

"Indeed he has... I owe the gift of this old fools crystal to you, Asher!"Felious announced while the dragon merely gave him a thumbs up, and that was more than enough to get the party started again.

With that, he was ready to just kick his feet up on the table and slowly go to sleep. That was more than likely going to be the place for all the other mercenaries, especially after some heavy drinking. So he pulled his hood over his face and tried to slowly go to sleep. But just as he was about to start falling asleep, a knocking came to the door of the guild, no one ever knocked. Only strangers and unwanted visitors of Warfang tended to knock on their doors.

The music stopped and every Alpha froze in place with their eyes darting to the door. Asher lowered his head, but kept his eyes on the door as they got off the chairs and tables. They were slow to sit down and hide their drunken behavior with stern looks, Felious gave a shush. As he then walked calmly to the door, just in time for a second round of knocking to sound off. His stare became sharp as his paw reached for the door handle, and slowly pulled the door open.

Once he peered out into the outside world that glowed from the pale moon light. He was less than interested by who was standing on the steps of their guild, a well known ally of the guardians. The Avalarian that knew his stuff with a bow, and aided Spyro and Cynder himself. His brown garment with gold lacing gave him away, as well as the badge that held his cape together. The badge that symbolized not only what he did, but what his very name was, Hunter.

"Good evening, Felious. What might you be celebrating this night?"Hunter asked as he entered the guild regardless of the lack of space Felious gave him.

"Just a finished mission. Nothing you need to concern yourself with, Hunter,"Felious was quick to try and shut down any small talk Hunter would try to rope him into,"What do you want? You got nothing on us…! You got no reason to be here…!"

"Actually I do… I have a little something for one of your mercenaries,"Hunter explained, for he was in fact on a mission to deliver something important to an certain Alpha,"And that mercenary happens to be one of your best… He has a gift to receive from the three guardians themselves."

Gonna end it there at the start of a conflict, a sort of cliff hanger perhaps. So I hope you're enjoying this, and I hope my Spyro knowledge isn't too rusty, memory tends to be bad at times. But I am going to do my best to bring you some good reads, and take you all on quite an adventure. So till next time, stay awesome every one.