Warning from Master

"Charditus. I…I can see Warfang; it's slightly to our east," Volterra commented.

"Thank you, Volterra," Charditus replied, turning his head towards her. The excitement they had shared before arriving had disappeared, as the weight of their task ahead became more apparent and ever so looming.

It was approximately twelve hours before the events of the cheetah village, when the four dragons banked sharply to their right. Lurking in the gloom of the darkness, many bright torches signified the large encampment in which the citizens of Warfang resided in.

The silhouette of Warfang's famous gates still stood, despite the fact that the wall and everything it once represented and protected had crumbled down around it. And due to this, the gate had been renamed to Traitor's Gate; a reminder to the darkness and disaster created by the purple dragons.

The dragons honed in on the rowdy encampment below. Moles and dragons crowded the crooked streets, most filled with either misery or short tempers. But despite the gloomy atmosphere, they still functioned like a city.

However, hunger and thirst were still major issues, with many of the citizens becoming malnourished and dehydrated due to limited supplies handed out to them by Umbrafor's orders. This led to many fights and arguments between the people, and crime ran rampant.

Despite the dreadful conditions, work had began on rebuilding the city. Wooden bridges had been put in place to help traverse the deadly ravine that divided the city, and the reconstruction of buildings had already began on areas tested and proven to be stable enough to hold such weight. But for the most part, the residents stayed outside the city walls in makeshift tents. These were crafted out of anything they could scavenge: wood, fabric, stone. Practically anything they could get their paws and talons on was either remade into something usable or utilised in making second-rate homes for the moles. Many of the adult dragons didn't even get that little luxury, having been forced to sleep outside, often in the open, relentless rain and wind.

However, Umbrafor and the Sentinels had a surprisingly lavish structure, a stone building made from the finest chiseled concretion. It was easily large enough to house several large dragons inside, but Umbrafor had strictly forbid anyone else from sleeping there. A large piece of woven fabric was made for the roof, with the convexity symbol imprinted into the centre in all its purple glory. A single-entry point marked by red curtains was what allowed creatures to enter.

Emerald Squad landed a short distance away from the entrance, where a queue of moles and dragons swarmed the doorway and spilled into the street. Two dragon guards acted as filters, allowing only a certain number of the disgruntled crowd to enter at a time, all desiring to use Umbrafor's ability to help find lost loved ones or possessions and other hopeless tasks. There was a constant string of complaints that arose along with the usual chatter.

The team weaved through the crowd of legs and small furry bodies, constantly receiving dirty looks until they realised who they were...

The got stuck behind a particularly tight army of anxious moles, unable to traverse around them.

"Move aside! Let my dragons pass…and make yourselves scarce. I need to rest..." an annoyed voice commanded from within the headquarters.

"He sounds mad. Glad I'm not you, Charditus," Blizarus said in almost a sneer.

Many of the crowd grumbled nonchalantly; they would have to wait till later to receive an audience with Umbrafor. So, in a slow stampede, they left, moving around the quartet like a river around rocks.

"Well, look at who we have here. The 'greatest' squad have returned, and empty handed it seems," an earth dragon, who was mossy green and built like a troll, sneered from his quarters on their left. It was a member of Sapphire Squad. Earthena glared back at him while Volterra remained hidden behind Charditus.

"Shut it, asshole." Blizarus snapped his head around to face him.

"And, of course, steam head had to open his mouth. Man, you would really make a good fire dragon. Over-confident and angry. Isn't that right, Charbaby?"

While his comments weren't exactly creative or accurate, it was the grating tone he always said it in that got on their nerves.

Charditus simply rolled his eyes and walked towards Umbrafor's room. "Ignore him, Blizarus. He isn't worth it. He'll get what's coming…"

"I knew Umbrafor couldn't trust the likes of you with the capture of the legendary purple dragon," the earth dragon rambled on, acting like taunting was his favourite pastime.

"Oi! Boldor! Get your fat ass over here and stop pestering them," a new feminine voice deeper from within the Sapphire Chamber yelled. Boldor turned his head to the voice, but at that moment a cloud of cold mist struck him in the face. It caused a shiver to streak down his back and an sequence of comical sneezes. This generated laughs that bellowed forth from both Blizarus and Earthena each time Boldor pulled a face before he sneezed. Behind him, almost hidden around the doorway a beautiful, sleek, crystal-blue female ice dragoness stared at him rather amused.

"Now let's go; Umbrafor has instructed us to go and continue our mission. This should be the last trip we need to shift into place then all we need is Spyro…" Saphira instructed, wandering by him. Boldor didn't even refuse or argue, he simply sneezed and followed. They were quickly followed by two more dragons. Twins, a fire and ice, brother and sister duo. They also sniggered at Boldor as they went by.

Charditus gave Saphira an appreciative nod, which she returned. She was the only one outside of his group that he got along with. However, something was gnawing at his mind.

"Mission? Not once have they mentioned a mission. Unusual, considering Master Umbrafor always makes sure we are all aware of each other's missions…"

"Everything alright, Char?" Earthena asked. She looked at him with a puzzled expression at his sudden muteness. "Not frozen with fear now, are we?"

"Yes, sorry. Just thinking. You lot go take a well deserved rest. I'll see to it that we are set free," Charditus instructed.

"Alright then." She smiled back. "Good luck!" Earthena turned and headed towards their section.

Blizarus dashed off as well without saying anything.

Both vanished from sight, leaving Volterra and Charditus face to face.

"So, err…" Volterra murmured embarrassed, realising it was just her and him alone. "Good luck," was also she managed to speak, glowing a nice shade of red before turning her head away.

"Thank you." Charditus smiled back.

Both knew that if things went accordingly, they would be able to pursue their relationship and no one could question it.

Volterra then turned and headed for their quarters, giving Charditus one final affectionate glance before disappearing.

He then turned and entered the darkness that was Umbrafor's office. Umbrafor himself was hard to spot - if it weren't for some light reflecting off his perfect, midnight scales he would have remained hidden like a beast in the shadows. His magnificent ivory horn curled upwards like a scythe.

Even though his appearance made him look threatening, his deep clear tone said otherwise. It was like listening to the pompous voice of Cyril, but without the poshness or arrogance. "I can finally relax now. Although my unique gift is very useful, using it for extended periods of time still give me headaches. But that…will soon be over..."

A blue aura surrounded them both, putting the young red dragon on edge.

"What is this, Master?" Charditus asked; he craned his neck upwards the look into Umbrafor's ocean-azure eyes.

"Soundproofing - nothing gets in or out. I need to talk to you, Charditus," Umbrafor said without hesitation, his thin whip like tail brushing gently on the dirt behind. Though his voice was calm, there was also a level of darkness, like he had something to say that Charditus knew he wasn't going to like. "Charditus, I am going to be honest. Back when we last spoke through the vision, your tone of voice concerned me," Umbrafor said grimly.

"Concerned you? How, Master?" Charditus asked.

"I sensed…something in you. But we will get to that in a moment."

"Before we do, Master, there is something I need to ask before you give us the mission," Charditus cut in.

"Very well, be quick about it then." Umbrafor snapped back.

"I would like to request pardoning, for me and my team. For us to be able to go off on our own path from now. We know you have done a lot for us, and for that we will forever be grateful. However, we feel that our lives do not belong here anymore," Charditus answered.

A low growling emanated from Umbrafor's mouth like a wolf. "Is that all?" he said, elevating his voice.

"Yes sir." He tried sounding disciplined, like his tone would increase the impact of his words upon the black dragon.

"Perhaps I spoke too soon, perhaps now is the time for the topic. Charditus, allow me tell you a tale." The much larger dragon started circling Charditus, while the smaller male stayed put. "Fifteen years ago, your parents made the right decision in donating your egg to the Sentinel programme. I foresaw a bright future with you playing a major role inside. I knew from there that it was fate speaking to me, instructing me to choose your egg amongst the others that you know. It turns out I was right; you and the other Sentinels yield many incredible gifts. For one you are all immune to the syphoning effects of black crystals, and each have a hidden ability, unique to only you. It's these small things that divides you and the rest of the sentinels from others of your age, and what makes you the strongest. But I wouldn't have gone through all this effort without a purpose. You and the rest of the sentinels are part of something bigger than even being the most powerful of dragons. A plan I have inspired, devised under the righteous watch of Fate herself," Umbrafor explained, his words swirling in the head of Charditus.

"What is this plan, Master?" Charditus asked.

Umbrafor grunted to himself. "I cannot tell you. All I will say is that we are in the final stages of it. But now to the grim subject at hand. Charditus, you and your squad are strong, but at the same time undependable, and I cannot have that for the future I have will bring."

"Are you planning something bad then?"

"That depends on how you view things. I know what I am doing is for the ultimate good, but someone left alone in the dark might see otherwise. But it isn't always their fault...we all make mistakes we regret, that brandish us as evil. But It's how we redeem ourselves that allows us to find our true purpose. My purpose, is to carry out the word of Fate, for I am Fate's director. The world is covered in a hateful plague; we are that hateful plague, and I will be the one to cleanse it.

"I'm puzzled at what you are talking about. What do you mean by Fate's director?"

"As Fate's director, such concepts of good and bad become meaningless. Instead you only do what you deem is necessary for the planet. What Fate deems necessary for the planet. Such an honour is rare, and because of that, you are respected by your decision; whether you are loved or hated for it becomes irrelevant. You disregard all other's opinions, and your own, for the way of Fate..." He slowly spread his wings and raised his claws to the roof, expressing how large the picture really was.

To Charditus, to disregard all emotion and self-beliefs for someone or something that doesn't exist...it was madness. Why would anyone choose that path?

"If that is what it means to be a Fate Director, then I would rather not be one. Fate doesn't exist. We are all are capable to decide our own destinies, and live with the consequences," Charditus spoke out against his master.

Umbrafor suddenly lunged out his black talon and grabbed the dragon in his grip, squeezing the air out of the dragon. "You were never chosen! That right belongs to me and me alone!" he screamed.

After a few seconds it dawned on Umbrafor what he was doing. Under much restraint he loosened his crushing grip, now only holding the dragon in his grasp. "...No...I am beyond that…"

"But if that's your status...so be it. I should've have expected this. Fifteen years I have wasted on you and your team, trying to rid you of impurities - love and mercy - preparing you for the new world to come...but in the aspect, there is no one to blame but myself. I simply didn't try hard enough. But my chance to help you is over, and to have you here now will only burden me. So, I will grant your wish. But only if you complete one more mission…"

As well as feeling a little threatened by the obsidian dragon, he was also feeling an entire mixture of different emotions: anger, confusion, suspicion…and hope? In all honesty, after what just happened, he didn't expect there to be a slight chance that he and his squad would be able to leave. But it looked like he could be wrong. Charditus tried staring into his blank eyes, seeing if he really spoke the truth. But it was hard to see the truth in a dragon who had spent his whole life manipulating and lying.

Charditus knew Umbrafor as the closest thing to a father; yet he never acted like one. He pushed all twelve dragons, trying to break them so they became emotionless. He did respect him for training them in the ways of the dragon. But at the same time there was always a level of distrust behind his motives. Umbrafor always saw himself as the Ancestor's gift to the world, a creature meant to make a change. But the way he went about it was always controversial and hypocritical.

"Thank you, Master."

"Silence. I am not your master anymore. You are but a asset now, completing one final task for me. When the deal is done, I will not have any use for you. And when my righteous plan is complete and you are no longer by my side…you and your team will not be pardoned from judgement. If you mention one thing about this talk to anyone, I will descend upon you without mercy…"

Charditus wisely didn't reply, not wishing to risk enraging his former master anymore.

Umbrafor let the poor dragon go, letting him fall down onto the dirt ground below.

"Now your mission. Shortly before our telepathy talk, I received a vision. Not of Spyro... but of the black dragoness, Cynder. Under normal circumstances I would not hesitate on killing her for her traitorous acts. But...I need her alive. From what you have told me, she may be the only one who can convince Spyro to end his rampage and submit to us. We need to find her," Umbrafor explained, much calmer and composed.

"But Umbrafor, isn't she dead?"

"No, my visions would never misguide me. I have envisioned a place so hot that nothing can grow …But looking closer…I also see an ice layer so strong no heat can melt it," Umbrafor replied in an almost riddle-like tone.

"Where can somewhere like that be considering that fire always beats ice? I have not heard of a place like this," Charditus admitted.

"I don't think this is as trivial as one might believe. Have you heard of golems?" Umbrafor asked.

Charditus nodded his head slightly, the thought of the furious blue golem stuck in the back of his mind.

"Well, at least I won't have to explain that. But just like grublins, there are different variants. And legends speak of a golem so cold and wild like a blizzard, not even Malefor himself could control it. Now, I would've asked one of my other teams, but one is currently out and the other is ready to undertake another mission, leaving only you with the capabilities of completing such a task."

Again another thought struck Charditus. About why he wasn't briefed about Sapphire squad's mission. At first he considered the fact that he and his team were no longer Sentinels, but then again they weren't officially discharged. To him it was just peculiar; something was very off about this whole situation, alarm bells going off at every turn.

"This golem resides somewhere in the Burnt Lands, and I believe it has taken Cynder hostage, most likely frozen in a deep state of sleep. It is up to you and your team to search and rescue her from there. From there I will contact you with more details about Spyro."

"Yes sir," Charditus said rather quickly. As suspicious as he was, he had to play along, this was his only chance for freedom. Plus, if Umbrafor discovered that him and his team were there already and even encountered the frost golem, there would be more than a few stern words…

"Good, because right now I have little patience for your failures. This is more than just bringing a criminal to justice - this is about reshaping the world. Treat this as the most important mission of your life. Complete it, and you will earn your freedom, just like you wanted. Until then, you may sleep here one final time. And then you are forbidden." He turned, his nightly tail and wings swishing the dusty air as he headed deeper into his quarters. The still barrier surrounding them dropped, allowing the red dragon to escape the suffocating darkness.

The swirling dust lodged in his throat, forcing the dragon into a coughing fit for a few achy seconds. He then dusted the flaky dirt off himself, shaking loose the brown particles that burrowed deep into his filthy scales. However, the black, tiger-striped bruises adorning his ribs from when Umbrafor crushed his pitiful body in his clutches remained. It stung painfully to say the least, but no lasting damage. He shrugged the pain off and padded back out of the office and towards the doorway of his squad's quarters.

Volterra paced anxiously in fretting circles, something she didn't do often, while Earthena and Blizarus loitered around, talking amongst themselves. She wasn't expecting him to take this long. Charditus turned the corner, and almost automatically Volterra bounded to his side, alarmed by his dark wounds.

"What happened to you?" Volterra squeaked, louder than she anticipated.

"Nothing to worry about…though your concern is relieving, thank you," he said, offering a faint smile at her.

"Give us the news already. Are we free?" Blizarus bluntly said getting to the point.

"Yes, are we free Charditus? I mean, what even happened. We couldn't hear a thing," Earthena added, walking over to him.

"Yes...but only if we complete one final mission."

"Let me guess? Go and catch the purple dragon?" Blizarus asked sardonically, he bobbed his head as he said it, adding to the sarcasm. Secretly though, he held onto the hope of another go after Charditus promised he would be the one to catch him.

"Eventually, yes. However, this is a two-stage mission. Spyro will come later."

"Two stages? Then what in Malefor's name is the first stage," Earthena asked. She scratched her head, unable to process what could go between departing from this place and capturing Spyro.

"We need to find Cynder." Charditus said.

Volterra's mouth dropped open.

"The Terror of the Skies and the legendary purple dragon? Now things have gotten interesting. I don't know about you guys, but I don't mind sticking around a little longer," Blizarus commented, even though no one was now focused on him.

Earthena ran up to Charditus. "Are you sure that's correct? Because you do know what this means? It means finding a dragon who is dead. Besides, why are we wasting our time when we were so close to capturing him before?"

"Umbrafor is convinced she is still alive. And to be fair, his visions are never wrong. Besides, that is always how it will end, close to capturing him. Spyro is far beyond our individual skills and the only way we could capture him by ourselves is through luck, which I'm not willing to bet upon. So I can see why Umbrafor would need her help in capturing Spyro."

"But surely no one can live out in the wild for a month without being spotted. I mean, sure, Spyro has lived, but he cropped up regularly," Earthena still said in disbelief.

"That is why you might not like the next bit… She is in the the Burnt Lands. More specifically the Frost Golem's Lair. And yes… I did say the frost golem." Charditus added emphasis on the final part. Reminding them all of that colossal nightmare. "I didn't tell Umbrafor of that part though..."

Volterra's jaw just opened slightly more. Even Earthena looked at Charditus a bit insane.

Blizarus, however, liked the prospect all the more. "What are you worried about? All we gotta do is travel to not so distant lands, kill the big creature, rescue the princess, and then capture bad guy. It's staple in fairytales, is it not? We're the good guys so we can't lose."

"Although not as simple as Blizarus explained. As soon as we complete this then we are free." Charditus reinforced.

"See, even our leader, Mister there-is-always-a-hitch over here agrees with me," Blizarus hummed happily. He was going to enjoy the next few day...

"Alright, but I get bragging rights," Earthena said.

"Ha, Charditus already said I can have the rights, so if you want them you're gonna have to fight for them," Blizarus said, hyped by the challenge.

"There is always a hitch. Maybe even an entire horde of them this time..." Charditus sighed to himself. "We should rest then. We are being moved out in the morning and we'll need all of our strength."

The four of them paced through the doorway of their quarters.

Earthena stretched out her talons and slid down towards the ground until her belly hit it with a slump.

Blizarus took a gigantic yawn and promptly sprawled all over the floor.

"Night guys…and gal," Volterra said in between small yawns, wandering to her usual corner, curling up to sleep with her tail to the wall. She was always cautious when it came to sleeping.

"Good night to all of you. Remember, tomorrow marks the start of our final mission," Charditus said, coiling up.

Silence descended upon them, apart from the gigantic snores of Blizarus, dreaming happy dreams of freedom. Earthena though was shifting around like a young cub missing the touch of its mother; it didn't help the fact she slept right next to Blizarus and his snores.

Volterra though was quiet and undisturbed, happy in her little bubble of serenity; in a land not filled with danger and depression. This was all perfect, giving the last dragon, Charditus, a chance to sneak away.

When everyone else was asleep he opened his eyes like shutters. Silent like a hunting predator, he rose-up and darted his eyes around the room. No one was stirring from sleep. He crept forward for the door and almost floated across it from how softly his paws touched the ground.

He turned the corner at the doorway and across the main reception room. Then finally out of the large tent.

Back in the tent though someone had been watching. She waited until Charditus had left before making her move. Earthena stretched out and looked around, she had always remained very alert when sleeping ever since Ruby squad nearly burnt the place down one time with one of their pranks. Blizarus snored on while Volterra huddled like a cat in her corner. Her first reactions were going to be to awake Blizarus, however she decided he wasn't the best for the task she had in mind. She then tiptoed over to Volterra and gave her a little nudge. She mumbled something incomprehensible. Before snuggling back down.

"Hey, Volterra I need you awake," Earthena whispered.

"Err…" she mumbled back.

"Volterra…" Earthena persisted.

Volterra's eyes fluttered open, as she found herself staring directly into Earthena's bright green eyes. She let out a muffled cry.

"Shh, you'll wake Blizarus." Earthena warned, forgetting to keep her voice down as well.

"Don't do that…" Volterra whined, she lifted herself up, "you know I startle easily,"

"I'm sorry. But I needed you awake. Now be quiet before we wake Blizarus," Earthena countered.

Blizarus snored on regardless though, louder than an ogre without a single care in the world.

"…Never mind…nothing is waking him up now," Earthena decided.

"Earthena…what is so important you had to scare me like that…"

"Charditus is gone."

Volterra took a glimpse, and sure enough, the red dragon she found the most comfort in - was gone.

"He's probably gone to think, you know what he's like…" Normally Volterra wouldn't speak so rudely, but she was tired and had been startled awake.

"Could you just go talk to him please, Volterra? He didn't look like he was thinking, more like he was worried about something. And you know how tight-lipped he can be about those things till it's too late. Plus, he's more likely to confine into you than me," Earthena kindly explained, aware of Volterra's annoyed look.

"Fine…" Volterra gave in. "I'm guessing he's going to be on top the gate?"

Earthena shrugged. "Most likely, it's where he always goes."

"Alright…" Volterra said. She straightened out her legs and began walking slowly towards the main exit of the tent. As much as she wanted to sleep, it did mean some more time alone with Charditus.

"Thank you," Earthena added. She also wandered back to her spot, just slightly further away from Blizarus than before.

Volterra stopped before the doorway of the tent. The normal sight of purple lightning ignited the skies once again. The cold air swamped over her and shocked her awake with its icy touch, causing her to shiver and take a step back.

"Why would anyone want to be outside now?" Volterra curiously thought off hand.

Regardless, she stepped out into the open and stared up at the Warfang gate, the last reminder of the grand city that was Warfang. Though everything else around had crumbled, the gate had remained strong and intact. A single bonfire acting as a beacon lit up the clouded skies.

She took to the cold skies, and shortly afterwards she spotted Charditus gazing upon the city that was lit up by countless torches, like dragonflies over a swamp. He laid next to the cannon last used in the siege of Warfang: gleaming, unbroken, and standing proud like a guardian watching over its inhabitants. It was left there as a symbol of Warfang's strength and unwavering spirit, that they stood alone against the greatest threat to the realm.

Volterra at this point had calmed down from her earlier shock. She touched down on the edge so she wouldn't startle him. The soft clippings of her claws landing on the hardened stone alerted the crimson dragon of her presence as he nonchalantly turned his head at her.

"Hey…" she meekly spoke, aware that at times he prefered to be alone but hoped this wasn't one of those times..

"How did you know I was gone?" Charditus asked, curiously evaluating her.

"I…Earthena saw you go, and asked me to talk to you," Volterra explained.

"Did she now…she was always a light sleeper. Why not come over here? I wouldn't you out here feeling the cold," Charditus spoke kind-heartedly.

"Thank you…" Volterra smiled and approached, knowing what his soft words mean, it felt odd to her being this close to Charditus, yet also invigorating. She usually distanced herself so she didn't make either of them uncomfortable, but this time she felt entirely calm and even confident in Charditus's company. Maybe it was because no one was watching, or maybe because they both knew there was more to this than just a close friendship. Volterra strode to him, relaxing her muscles and placing her thin frame against his muscles like before.

Charditus began generating heat from within like a dynamo, expelling it to his skin keeping him and her warm.

Neither spoke a word for a small while.

"It's unusual to think that where we are now is the same place Spyro once stood during the siege of Warfang…It's also hard to think of him as a bad person after all he has done for the realm. What do you think of him, would you still consider him innocent?"

Volterra seemed to ponder this question for a short while. "Honestly, I'm not sure… Volterra replied, she turned her head towards his. "What about you? Do you think he is innocent?"

"I don't think he is entirely innocent…But at the same time he isn't a bad person. Even first meeting him I knew he is a genuine dragon looking for a way to right his wrongs, and that he doesn't deserve this... But then again, he is a hard one to judge" Charditus said unsurely.

"Isn't he responsible for various attacks on people?"

At first, Charditus thought this comment was a bit odd, but then it dawned on that only he knew the truth of the rumours. "…Those were lies," he stated.

"What?"

"All those rumours about Spyro being a monster were lies spread by Umbrafor. He told me that back when I received his telepathic message.

"Why would he lie though? That just doesn't seem right, even by him." Volterra became more and more inquiring, yet also not liking what he was saying.

"Because he said he needed to, so he can isolate Spyro and make sure no one helps him."

"Oh…and this is what has you worried? Because you think he is a good dragon and doesn't deserve to be caught?"

Charditus sighed. "I guess it does a little, but there is something else that doesn't feel right about what we're about to do,"

"If you are worried about having to eventually face Spyro, then I understand. I too am afraid. But we have each other's backs, don't we?" Volterra said soothingly.

"No, it's not that. I am aware we will most likely need to fight him if Umbrafor's plan fails, but that is not what I am afraid of."

"Then what is it?"

Charditus looked around, like Umbrafor was lurking in the shadows, just waiting for him to say the wrong words...

"It's the effect we will create from completing the mission," Charditus whispered.

"What do you mean?" She could feel him tense up, as if he was expecting something to happen.

"I'm…I'm not meant to be saying this but at the same time it is too important to ignore…If I tell you I would be putting us in trouble," Charditus warned.

"From the sounds of it you're already in trouble. But we are friends and friends help each other no matter what. Us especially."

"Thank you. He claims himself to have the right to change fate because he apparently has righted his wrongs. And because of this Umbrafor has devised a plan, not the plan of just capturing Spyro, but a plan he claims to change the world to its rightful place and cleanse it of the evil that dwells within. Allow me to put it simply. I think he is planning something bad, and I think Ruby and Sapphire squad are in on it.

"What is his plan though?" Volterra asked, feeling lost in Charditus's revelation.

"Honestly, I don't know. But whatever it is, it must be big for him not to tell anyone and require the need of Spyro. I feel that by completing this mission, we are making a fatal mistake. I fear an impending mass genocide."

"Mass genocide?! Charditus, you do realise what you are suggesting, right!?" Volterra squeaked, raising her head and staring directly at Charditus.

"I know what I am saying sounds mad…and I wish I could say otherwise. But it's the only conclusion I can think of. Why else would he be going through so much effort and saying such things."

Volterra stopped upon hearing how heavy his voice was. "If what you were saying was to happen…what would we do then if we weren't to complete our mission? Run off?"

"No… we can't run off; he would only find us and most likely kill us. And I don't want you to end up like Spyro because of my stupidity. I might just be over-thinking it. But I just can't help but think otherwise…the tone he spoke in…it was…unnatural," Charditus said doubtfully.

"Then what do we do…" Volterra asked hopelessly, getting full grasp of the situation.

Charditus's voice softened. "I'm not entirely sure. Sapphire and Ruby squad will never disobey him, so we can't ask them for information…and if I try to defy him it will only hurt you guys…which is not an option. Yet I don't want anyone else in Warfang getting injured or worse because of my own mistakes. For now we'll just do as he says…"

"But what if you are right, Charditus?"

"...Then I guess we'll have to stand up against him…"

"Then I'll be there to stand with you…"

"Thank you...hopefully It won't come to that...I care for you all: I care about you Volterra, and I would hate myself if you got hurt."

Volterra cooed lovingly upon hearing her name said in such a manner despite the problem posed to them. She let her head rest upon his neck.

Even if he didn't admit it, this action made Charditus blush just a little. This little gesture brought much resolve to the dragon even if neither of them realised it. Silence fell upon them like a blanket as the light wind whistled past them.

"I hate to ruin the moment but could we go back in now?" Volterra asked, raising her head once more from his warm neck.

"Sorry, of course," Charditus said. He was about to get up when Volterra reached her head out and nuzzled his cheek with hers.

"Don't ever change from the dragon you are, Charditus..."

Charditus grinned appreciatively.

"I won't."

Both dragons then detached and ascended to the sky like a pair of doves, back to their quarters. When they entered they huddled down nearish to each other, both with smiles plastered on their faces.

Well that marks the end of another chapter, and yet again its longer than the last which is awesome in my opinion. But what is this big plan of Umbrafor? And could it be linked to what Sapphire squad was doing. All I will say is that it is Big. And round two with big bad frosty, who surely will be holding a grudge against them.

Adios my friends.