Disclaimer: This story is an Alternate Universe/Timeline tribute to the Legend of Spyro frachise. I do not own any characters or places that belong to said franchise. Any original characters and locations are mine.
Author's Note: This was supposed to be posted FAR earlier, but my beta kinda forgot about it. And it was supposed to be attached to the end of chapter one. But that chapter was getting long, so it was cut to its own. Hopefully the next doesn't take as long. But for now, enjoy.
Chapter 2 - Introducing...
The black dragon usually didn't enjoy rain, it made hunting much more difficult if not impossible, concealing scents and making prey stay in their burrows or lairs. But tonight, it was an ancestor-granted blessing, as it kept his three rescuees more interested in staying dry than trying to learn more about him. The two hatchlings were asleep on his back, but the third dragon was under one of his oustretched wings.
He knew nothing about the three rescued dragons, and didn't care to learn anything more. Safer for him that way. The town called him a freak, called him evil, and other, even less savory names, and that was only when they weren't busy attacking him to drive him off. If they were generous, they would give him a headstart for rescuing the children as a reward.
He wasn't worried about the town, but more in trying to get something to eat later, as his hunt had been interrupted by the apes. He ignored the hunger though, wouldn't be the first time he hadn't been able to get a kill. With a glance skyward, he checked the clouds. The rain had been reduced to merely a depressingly heavy mist, and the thunder had stopped on the walk back.
A shake of his head brought his thoughts back to the present, and he looked ahead. The obsidian-colored drake sighed, before nudging the silently shuffling dragon at his side with his hip. It had not been a particularly strong motion, but the young dragon still stumbled from the unexpected contact, and looked up at his rescuer with wide eyes. He jerked his muzzle forward, and the younger dragon's eyes focused ahead down the 'path'. While he lacked the useful night-vision his saviour possessed, even with the thick blanket of mist and darkness, and barely visible through the trees at this distance, the lights of the town gave the youngster a feeling renewed energy.
While the walking dragon was staring ahead at the lights, the shadow dragon woke up the two hatchlings with a gentle shake. They creeled their displeasure at being awoken, though they spotted the flickering lights a moment afterwards, and were far faster in understanding what it was that they meant. Scrambling down from their saviour's back, tiny claws scratching and scrabbling at his plates, both hatchlings excitedly sprinted down the slope toward town.
The shadow dragon stopped at the forest's edge, looking down into the town. A number of dragons, moles and cheetahs were still moving around the town despite the late hour being well after midnight, very nearly bordering on sun rise. Several buildings near the edge of town had been damaged by fire, but nothing else seemed to be damaged.
After a moment, the outcast turned and started back into the forest, before realizing the youth he had escorted to safety was still simply standing there and looking at him. The crimson-eyed drake glanced backward at the motionless figure. "Going?"
The young dragon ignored the question, his curiosity toward his rescuer overpowering his exhaustion. "You were going to leave? Why? Don't you live here too?"
The dark dragon bared his fangs, snarling in disgust before shaking his head. "No."
The coldness in his voice, instead of deterring interest, only seemed to encourage the youngling. "Why not? You were awesome, fighting the apes. I mean, you took out, like, two dozen ape warriors. You were all 'rawr, fear me!' And the apes were all 'oh snap, scary dragon, run for da hills,' and..."
The black dragon turned back to the town with a sigh, ignoring the story that was nothing like what he remembered, and watched as someone finally noticed the wailing hatchlings. He watched several dragons rush toward them, including two of whom the outcast had never seen before.
One was a male in old fashioned but clearly well made, and well used, plate armor. The armor made it difficult to see much about him, but from his stance it seemed as though he was powerfully muscled. His tail was tipped with a wicked-looking mace, and adorning his head were six horns, two massive primary spikes with two smaller horns in front of each.
The other was a female in nearly pristine armor of interlocking rings that seemed to glow softly in the dim light, as did the metal blade strapped to her tail. She had a slim and athletic build, but there was no waste in her movements. Her armor also concealed her, but she had eight horns, four large ones on the top of her face plate that curved backwards, and two smaller horns that framed each side of her face.
Despite all of these things, it wasn't their equipment and unfamiliar armor that set the pair of Outsiders apart from the rest, despite the wear and use obvious even to a feral like him. What really set aside the duo was that both moved with a confidence and purpose that only the commander of the town guards had. And since that warrior was right there and bowing to them, the black dragon decided that hanging around was likely not the best idea. Especially when, as he started to turn away, the female's eyes seemed to meet his.
He turned away quickly, only to be stopped the youngling, who had still been describing a fight that the outcast quite clearly didn't remember participating in. Despite being a prominent figure in it and using a rediculous number of one liners. "Wait, what is your name? Is it something cool like Bloodfury, or Apecrusher, or..."
The outcast glanced back to see that several dragons were rushing toward the tree line, the two outsiders with a considerable lead over the others. "Blind."
The shadow turned back towards the tree-line and lunged into the forest, barely getting into the concealing shadows before the two outsiders arrived, and the young dragon yelled back. "Cool! I'm Azur!"
He ran among the trees, as quickly as he could while being totally silent, as he faintly heard the two outsiders get to Azur. "How did all of you get back? Who was here?"
Blind was too far to hear Azur's reply, attempting to avoid being followed. The town guards he could easily lose, but if these two new ones got wind of him, he would have a difficult time shaking them. He would have to avoid the town while they were around.
