TLOS X GW II

Chapter 2

Temple Grounds

"Alright you two let's see what you've learned so far! Ready? Begin!" announced a purple dragon

It has been a few years since the battle against Malefor and ever since the land has been enjoying a time of peace brought to it by the dragon hero Spyro. Once word of Spyro's victory spread far enough dragons finally had the courage to come out of hiding. With the dragons returning, the guardians took it upon themselves to rekindle the dragon's bond with the land, and enlisted the help of Spyro and Cynder.

Spyro had started to grow into his adult body which included him growing a few feet in height. While he was nowhere near the size of Terrador, Cyril, or Volteer, Spyro definitely has changed. His scales were tough and gained more sheen to them and also hid solid muscle that made Spyro look all the more formidable. Spyro's features grew sharper and enhanced the aura of a warrior that he seemed to have around him. Even if the war did end Spyro never relented in his training of the elements as it provided a means of discipline, exercise, and sport.

"Is that all you got?" yelled a white dragon

That particular dragon was Cynder's apprentice, Crosswind, Cross as he liked to call himself. The young dragon was Spyro's age when he took on Malefor and was prime for instruction on how to best use his element. Cynder's teachings allowed Cross to adopt a battle style that always had him on the offensive.

Cross was hatched with white scales with some red ones as accents, with a blue underbelly. In order to accommodate his offensive battle style Cross' build was light and carried little to no bulk that could weigh the dragon down during a fight. As a main feature Cross' body had feathers that were blue white and red on his wings instead of skin which allowed him to make precise turns and movements if he needed to. Atop his head rested a crest consisting of three horns pointed away from the front of his head a testament to his pride.

"Come on fight back!" Cross yelled once more

Spyro winced at the sound as Cross was always the one to let the heat of battle get to him. He was prideful and arrogant, which was an obnoxious combo that stemmed from that fact that most of the things Cross did came to him easily. Over time it got to his head that he was capable of almost everything creating the egotistical personality before Spyro. Be that as it may Cross was still pretty friendly compared to some of the dragons Spyro met around the temple. Keeping in mind his personality Cross' element would have been fire or lighting, but instead Cross was gifted with the wind element.

After another gust of winds rushed past Spyro, Cynder saw fit to throw her apprentice some advice "Cross think about your actions then act upon them. Always being on the offensive is bound to wear you out sooner or later. Conserve your energy fight smart."

Cynder the black dragoness stood by Spyro's side when the time came for him to face Malefor, and because of that she was also given the same praise as Spyro, enough to make up for her past mistakes. Like Spyro, Cynder had done some growing up over the years. The result was her body becoming more slender and serpentine like, a physique worthy of a dragoness her age. While her dark scales weren't as tough as Spyro's her scales were light and complimented her light combat style more. All in all Cynder was quite the catch for the eyes of Spyro, and even some of the other dragons around the temple.

Again Cross struck his opponent, and again Cross' opponent refused to move from his defensive position. The dragon that took on those ferocious blows was given the name Valor, who was the same age as Cross. Age, and gender was the only thing that Valor and Cross had in common aside from that the two dragons were exact polar opposites of each other. If you found Cross flirting with some dragoness you would find Valor on his own avoiding any form of company outside of Spyro, Cross, or Cynder. While Cross loved to boast and show off his elemental prowess Valor was conservative and tried to use his element, and his talents only if the situation called for it.

Now it was Spyro's turn to assist his apprentice "Valor you can't always wait for the perfect opportunity to strike back. Sometimes you need to make the opportunity yourself."

The pattern in personality Cross and Valor had didn't stop even when it came to battle styles. Valor favored the way of patience, and took blow after blow waiting for the perfect moment to retaliate. The only reason why the form of combat was viable was because of Valor's physique. At such a young age Valor had the makings of a build that could rival or even surpass Terrador's own when Valor had the time to mature. Spyro even caught some dragonesses spying on Valor as he exercised during one of their sessions. All the extra bulk allowed Valor to shrug off most devastating attacks like they were nothing, and counter with an equally devastating blow. A perfect accommodation to his battle style was his connection to the earth element which was another polar opposite Valor and Cross had.

Valor's already defensive form was complimented by his dark green scales and for his underbelly was a shade of brown. He bore no wings on his back as it was a rare occasion for an earth dragon to hatch with wings. Though there is a chance for them to attain it later into their development but it is still a rare occasion. Aside form his claws and fangs Valor's body had a mace on his tail spade instead of a blade. On his head were two brown horns pointed forward which were highlighted by his short snow white mane that made all the dragonesses swoon whenever it got wet.

Valor took blow after blow and still was able to hold his ground. After the latest blow he realized he didn't need to wait any longer, Valor had won the waiting game he tricked Cross into playing. The signs were obvious, Cross' flight patterns were beginning to slow down just like Cynder had warned, and now Valor was going to take advantage of it. Valor waited once more for Cross to come in closer, only this time instead of taking the blow Valor ducked and once Cross was above his head Valor quickly raised his head and rammed Cross upward.

Cross was sent spiraling out of control in a skyward direction but he quickly managed to correct his flight path. Staying true to his battle style Cross made another dive for Valor who readied his stance. This time Cross was ready for the attack and dodged but forgot the rear end of Valor's tail which hit him hard enough to be propelled off. After his latest attempts Cross lost his patience and went in for a third strike that connected with Valor's chest. However Cross found no strength to move and was quickly pinned down by the sheer weight of Valor's body. Cross struggled to break free, but Valor's magnitude made it even harder to escape his hold on him. Instead Cross mustered all the adrenaline in his body and forced himself to push upward to fling both Valor a few feet into the air, just enough to escape the hold Valor had over him.

Both dragons were drained but in different ways. Cross was exhausted from all the attacks he forced himself into doing, while Valor was drained from taking all the hits. With no fight left in them Cross and Valor fell to the ground at the same time both desperately trying to regain their breath.

"Its a tie." Spyro announced while flying over to his protege "Good work out there," Spyro offered his claw to Valor "there was some improvement, but you still have a long way to go."

As usual Valor gave a bow of respect before responding "I understand the advice, but I don't think I would be fast enough to rival Cross if I tried to go on the offensive."

"That may be true," Spyro had to admit Valor had a point "but like I said sometimes waiting will do you no good. In the midst of battle you can't just wait for the perfect moment, doing that all the time will end up costing you the match. There are times when the perfect opportunity will only come when you act first."

"I understand, and I'll try to improve on that next time."

"What were you thinking?" Both Valor and Spyro winced at the sound of Cynder's voice and drew their attention to Cross who was being scolded "Or were you even thinking at all?"

"I, uh, was on the offensive." Cross said weakly with a laugh

Cynder put her paw on her face "Look I told you. There's nothing wrong with being on the offensive, I do it all the time." To this Spyro nodded in agreement "But always being on the offensive without a plan is the quickest way to lose a fight."

"Aw come on we both know that's not true. I mean look at the match I had Valor on the ropes for sure." Cross laughed again with his usual grin

"Oh really? I was looking at the match were you?" Cynder stated with a scolding tone "If you remember in the latter parts of the match Valor had you on the ropes. He saw through your pattern and positioned himself for a counter attack. If you were thinking you would know that if you had come in for that last attack you would be done for. Do you understand Cross?"

"Yes mistress Cynder."

Spyro saw it fit to intervene here "Okay you two that match was very informative. Two yeas ago it was barely even a match with Cross coming out as the victor, and two years before that both of you didn't even have a battle style planned out ending in a draw. Valor, and Crosswind you two have come a long way since you first started training under me and Cynder's wings and we're both very proud of how you two have matured, but now its time to set the bar a little higher for next time."

He gave a look to Cynder who nodded in agreement "Two years from now again you two will square off this time you are allowed to utilize your elements in which ever way or form you deem fit. As always Cynder and I will be here to guide you but you two need to experiment, find a way to make your elemental style unique to only you. Now go rest up or mingle, I see that you two already have some admirer's waiting for you behind those trees."

At this Cross preened his feathers to make sure he was presentable, while Valor blushed and attempted to find a way out had it not been for Cross dragging the dragon towards the bushes.

"Where do you think you're going?" Cross intercepted the earth dragon

Valor knew how this situation always turned out so he gave up "Please can I just not go?"

Spyro laughed a little at the sight, not just because Valor a large dragon compared to Cross was pulled off with some effort, but because of the stark difference the two dragons presented once more.

"Those two are growing up." Cynder sighed looking at both of their students from a distance "Cross insufferable when he knows a dragoness but me is watching, but he's a good student always listens to what I have to say even if he doesn't look like it."

"Yeah Valor's diligent about his training always implementing my advice whenever he gets the chance. He can be a bit slow on that though but he tries as hard as he can." Spyro looked to his student who froze when a dragoness talked to him

"So I do believe I'm still ahead."

"Oh shut up will you it's a draw remember?"

"But Cross won two years ago so that puts the score at one-two-zero Cross' favor."

"Did you really have to keep track of it like that."

"Someone has to pay for dinner tonight. We are still on for tonight right?"

"Wouldn't miss it Cynder."

"Tell us Crosswind, what's it like having master Spyro teach you one on one? I mean I know he teaches all of us in class but what's it like having him as your personal mentor?" A pink one said blushing from being in close proximity to Cross

Cross put on his smug grin again "Please its Cross to you, and master Spyro isn't my master, I study under mistress Cynder. The one you should really be asking is Valor over here." Cross put a claw on a tense Valor's bulky shoulders

A lot of the dragonesses showed a brief twitch of anger before turning to address Valor "Oh So could you tell us what it's like?"

"I, uh, remembered I have something I needed to take care of." Valor said through a shaky voice and terrible poker face "See you back at our room Cross."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa really Valor? That's how you want to spend the anniversary of Malefor's defeat alone? C'mon boar cuts are on me. I know a place that gives me a discount since I study under their best customers." Cross called out to Valor as he shuffled away awkwardly

Valor froze at the sound of one word "D-Did you say boar cuts?"

'Gotcha!' Cross' eyes shone along with a sly grin

Spyro and Cynder strolled through the streets of a festive Warfang and noticed that the decorations comity has outdone themselves this year. Streamers stretched from roof to roof, balloons floated about reflecting the radiant light from below, while the alluring aroma of food wafted around. All kinds of races cast aside their numerous differences, for one of their similarities, which was the feeling of joy. It was here that Spyro saw the fruits of his hard work come into being countless times. In Spyro's eyes the world had become a better place. All his blood and tears were worth shedding, to see the world change from a chaotic crucible, to a land of peace.

Whenever someone would recognize Spyro as the dragon hero, an entire street would bow to him and Cynder as they were the ones that brought them this peace. No matter how many times they partook of the celebrations Spyro and Cynder still could not overcome their amazement for the citizens' gratitude to them.

After returning the bow Spyro and Cynder made their way towards a restaurant they had come to know as a second home aside from the dragon temple. The building had recently underwent renovations, to add a second floor but somethings hadn't changed, like the cozy feeling Spyro and Cynder got when they were inside and the sign lit in glowing crystals that spelled out: Sparks Fly.

The moment Spyro and Cynder entered a friendly voice greeted them "Welcome back you two. I was starting to wonder where you were. Back for the usual date I presume?"

"Hi Sparx, good to see you and yeah, table for two please." Spyro said after a short chuckle

"Then right this way," Sparx flew around Spyro then headed of to their table "Nice to see you Cynder, Terror of the dinner table."

"Like you're better off, Fruit Fly." Cynder shot Sparx a smug look

Spyro knew that this was nothing more than a little habit these two shared ever since the first time he and Cynder had their first date here. While Spyro would've loved to reminisce about that memory his stomach was on empty and rushed Cynder to their table while she and Sparx kept up their verbal war, with some vulgar shot already being used.

On his way to their table however, Spyro saw the bar where more casual customers stayed, and noticed two familiar dragons waiting for their order.

"Cross, Valor!" He called out to them leaving Sparx and Cynder to their own devices "Hey I never expected to see you two here. Is it just you two?"

"Yeah, Cross over here got left behind by a dragoness." Valor said with a maw filled with pork, then swallowed

Cross slapped his shoulders failing to make Valor feel pain "I did not get left behind, her father came up to the temple as we were leaving saying that she needed to spend time with her family."

"You still got left behind." Valor stated nonchalantly

"I know." Cross sighed downheartedly

Dragon students were asked to live in the temple, in order to help them focus, but when a holiday was near their parents would want to spend time with them. Spyro wondered why Cross and Valor's parents were nowhere to be found.

"Wait so where are your parents?"

"Mine are up north exploring the abandoned ice dragon temples." Cross said after a sip of his drink

"While mine," Valor looked a little down when his parents were brought up "Mine were asked to visit a neighboring dragon city to oversee the celebration there as well."

Spyro understood that their parents jobs were important, it was necessary, but on a day like today especially for students of the temple, this was when they could have family time. Living a life without parents can be painful and Spyro could somewhat relate since he was adopted by dragonflies.

He was Valor's master and Cynder was Cross' mistress, they could at least stand in for Cross, and Valor's parents while they were away. "Hey, why not after this Cynder and I'll accompany you to wherever you want to go in the city."

"I've got no plans." Cross yawned "I was just gonna go back to my room since that dragoness brushed me off."

"I actually wanted to go somewhere, but it was a thing I did alone." Valor said quietly

Spyro put his claw on Valor shoulders "Well not this time. I'll accompany you, and I'm sure Cross and Cynder would love to follow."

"I heard my name, what did you promise me to this time Spyro." Cynder came from behind Spyro and put her claws on the bar

Cynder shot a glare at Spyro who retorted "What could I do? They were alone."

"They're adolescents I'm pretty sure they can manage." Cynder snorted

"Cynder," Spyro pleaded while looking into her eyes "their parents couldn't make it to the festival. Couldn't we make it up to Cross and Valor by standing in for their parents. We are their masters after all."

Cynder blew a puff of smoke and conceded defeat "Alright fine."

"Hey at least we still had dinner together, that's all that matters right? Cross and Valor were even kind enough to wait for us in a different booth."

"I guess we do owe them after all, but where are we going?"

Since Cross had no plans to set into motion the group of four dragons decided to accompany Valor who was leading them away from all the festivities. Valor had been walking towards the outer wall of Warfang, bringing up a variety of memories to Spyro and Cynder. Cross was silent for once while Spyro and Cynder stuck close to each other.

"What are we doing here Valor?" Spyro asked once Valor came to a halt

Valor pointed at a certain point in the wall "Don't you recognize it? This was where you found me that day."

Spyro studied the wall that Valor pointed to then his eyes widened with realization. A tragedy that had struck Warfang five years ago started in this spot. Spyro took another look at his student.

"Valor, this is the entrance to the old ruins. You've been coming here every year?"

"I come here every year just to remind myself of how I need to improve myself." Valor sighed looking at the sky "I still remember it clearly."

Spyro walked to Valor's side to comfort him, however instincts that have not sounded in years reawakened. He and Valor were in danger.

"LOOK OUT!" yelled Cynder as she tackled Spyro, and Valor out of harms way

A dark claw had reached out and taken hold of Cynder as a green aura enveloped her. Spyro knew what was happening, the claw was draining Cynder of her mana reserves.

"LET HER GO!" Cross took to the skies and readied his claws

Cross was already in motion to save his mistress as he raised his claws to strike. Instead of hitting anything solid Cross flew through the claw and was too fast to turn and hit the wall nearby. The dark claw divided into four and reached out for remaining resistance. Cross was snatch up immediately as the same green aura surrounded him. Spyro was still trying to process what was happening, someone was attacking and had access to dark crystals to drain their energy for even less resistance, but who could be attacking.

Spyro was too busy trying to dodge the claw ahead of him a second one caught him off guard. Valor saw Spyro captured and rendered helpless by the same green aura and trembled.

"MASTER!" he cried, not knowing what to do

Finally the last one caught Valor while he was worrying about Spyro. Valor struggled to move as his most reliable asset was turned into a weakness. His body became heavier than he'd even felt, and his once proud strength was reduced into nothing.

With all four dragons caught the dark claw raised them skyward while swirling them around each other. Once they reached their pinnacles the dark claws brought them closer to the ruins entrance that began to encase itself in a ominous energy. The gate flew open as all four dragons were hurled in cruelly. Without so much as a scream the gates shut close.

END OF CHAPTER 2