Disclaimer: I don't own Spyro the Dragon, or its assorted characters. I own every other character though.

Chapter 10

The Crushing Darkness

Cynder glanced over at the four dragons. Feron looked furious, while the other three, although nervous, didn't appear to believe the dragonfly.

"Do you have any proof?" the fire dragon asked.

The dark dragonfly scowled. "Come on, she looks exactly like Cynder, what more proof do you need?"

Feron growled and addressed Cynder. "Are you the traitor that drove us from our homeland?"

Cynder hesitated. "Yes, but I'm-."

"Seize her!" Feron shouted.

Cynder shouted as one of the dragons leapt forward and bite the back of her neck. The gray dragon lifted her off the ground and Cynder was left hanging limply in his jaws.

"Wait!" Cynder shouted. She considered trying to break the dragon's grip, but then decided it was too risky. "I'm not the Dark Master's puppet anymore. Spyro, the purple dragon, rescued me from his curse. "

"She's lying," Edord said. "The purple dragon remains lost."

"That's not true!" Cynder growled, before she was hauled out of the room.

The fire dragon, Vulcanos, sighed. "What are you going to do to her?" he asked Feron.

"She'll get what she deserves," Feron growled.

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Cynder was hauled back to her cell between the jaws of her captor. She couldn't believe this was happening. She was tossed roughly back into the cell and the door slammed behind her.

Pyris helped push her back to her feet. "What happened?"

Cynder sighed. "I told the truth and it cost me."

Pyris sighed. "Feron holds too much power in the counsel, if he wants you gone, he'll…"

Cynder frowned when Pyris didn't finish. The black dragoness shivered. What had happened to these dragons? Cynder shook her head, she had driven them into exile and now she couldn't convince them to come back to their rightful home.

Cynder looked down at the floor. "You know, my name isn't really Spira."

Her sister nodded. "I'd guessed as much."

Cynder shifted her glance to the wall. "Then you know?"

"I know," Pyris replied. "You're my sister. You're Cynder."

Cynder glanced back and met her sister's eyes. "I'm not under the Dark Master's control anymore. You have to believe me."

Pyris watched her sister's desperate expression. "I believe you, but none of the others, Feron especially, won't."

Cynder gulped. "What are they going to do?"

An evil chuckle attracted the two dragoness' attention to the window, where the black dragonfly was hovering. "They'll kill you obviously. They'll burn you to death."

Cynder growled and launched a stream of fire at the dragonfly, but the small insect easily dodged it. "What do you want?" Cynder growled.

Edord smirked. "It's not what I want. No, it's my master. He's offering both of you a way out of this cell, all you have to do is promise to serve him."

"Dream on!" Cynder growled.

The dark dragonfly shrugged. "Suit yourself, but I'd consider this, especially since you're about to be roasted alive."

Cynder launched another fire ball and once again the dragonfly dodged it and darted out the bars. His cackling faded into the distance.

"I hate that insect," Pyris growled.

"You've seen him before?" Cynder asked.

Pyris's voice dripped with anger. "Yes, he tried to tempt me to join the Dark Master in exchange for getting me out of this cell. Apparently, the Dark Master thought that since I was your sister I could be of use to him."

Cynder stared at the floor. Pyris frowned, figuring that she had probably offended her.

Cynder looked up. "We need to get out of here."

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Spyro rounded the last turn. It was just a straight run to the finish line now. Hunter was only a few feet ahead. Spyro pulled his wings back and leaned forward. He was gaining on the cat.

Hunter glanced back and noticed the advancing dragon. The cheetah gasped and tried to increase his speed in everyway he knew how to.

The two racers were now side-by-side. Spyro was pulling ahead bit-by-bit. Hunter growled and pushed his way in front of him. Spyro growled and tried to pass the cat, but he just moved in front of him before he could. Spyro moved to the other side, but was blocked off again.

Spyro growled and darted around to the right. This time Hunter was too slow and they were neck and neck again. The two flew over the finish line.

"A tie," Hunter sighed as he skidded to a stop.

"Yep." Spyro said.

"You're a fast learner," Hunter said. "But then you've got a great teacher."

"Thanks," Spyro said. "I think."

"Up for another round?" Hunter asked.

Spyro shook his head. "No, I should really try and find my friends."

Hunter nodded. "All right, I can lead you into Dark Pines. Everybody says I'm crazy to go into that place, but I'm still here, aren't I?"

"Lead the way," Spyro prompted.

The cheetah nodded and started off. Spyro followed him. After a stop to get his bow and arrows, Hunter led him out of the village and into the woods. Soon, the sun was blocked out by the trees and the ground became hard and uncomfortable underfoot.

Hunter stopped and looked around. He turned around and faced Spyro. "You know, there's a dragon village in here?"

Spyro nodded. "That's what we were trying to find."

"Well, it won't be what you expect," Hunter said, looking away nervously. "The dragons are all scared witless of the Dark Master and Cynder."

"They won't have to worry about Cynder anymore," Spyro said.

"Good luck convincing them," Hunter said. "They won't even associate with anyone in Avalar."

"Can you take me to them?" Spyro asked.

Hunter frowned. Then, he turned and started forward again.

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Sparx shivered as he wondered the dark forest. He hated being lost without Spyro around, he hated to admit it, but Spyro had often been the one to bail him out of trouble, normally saving him from frogweeds.

The glow that surrounded him and the moon's light was the only thing that illuminated the dark forest. He stopped as he heard the bushes behind him rustle.

Sparx turned and faced the bushes that the sound had come from. "Hello? Anyone there? Besides flesh eating carnivores?"

A deep growling noise and a pair of large glowing yellow eyes appeared.

"I guess that's a no."