Chapter 2: The Heroes of Evil

Spyro exited a burning village. He was assigned to destroy it and all who were there and that he did. He knew his master would be pleased and he saw an opportunity to advance in the ranks of the Dark Armies. Soon he would become the right hand dragon of Malefor the Great.

Spyro was larger than he was since he had grown rapidly as all dragons do. He stood six tall at the shoulders. He raised his neck to its full length to enjoy the scene of the burning village. From his feet to his head he was about eight feet in height. He was muscular for his age. His horns hade grown as well to large lengths and were extremely sharp. His scales were a dark purple color seemingly giving him an aura of darkness surrounding his form.

He thought about Cynder as well. She was working towards the same prize. It had been ten years since he joined the Dark Master and all that time he had most of Malefor's favor. He wished that she would develop the feelings that his master promised. He didn't want to compete with her, but to be with her, doing the same missions, striking down their enemies on the same battlefield.

He continued on his way back to his master to report the good news.

The four Guardians and Hunter where in the temple, watching this display of events through the Pool of Visions. Ignitus turned away from the pool with sorrow written all over his face.

"What has he done Ignitus?" asked Terrador.

"He has destroyed another village," Ignitus answered, "Spyro the Fallen is following Malefor's command to the letter."

"I was afraid of this," a voice said. The four Guardians and Hunter looked at the source of the words. An ancient gray dragon entered the room. All five of them stared in amazement.

"The Chronicler," Ignitus whispered.

"Yes," the gray dragon replied, "I come with sad tidings but ones of hope as well. Cynder and Spyro the Dark Ones are fully controlled and loyal to the Dark Master as you may have known, but there is one way to loosen that hold."

"And how is that?" asked Volteer.

"If he sees any of you it could trigger old memories that may shake this evil from him," the Chronicler said, "Malefor will probably send him here to kill you soon. That may be the only time that you can save him."

Hunter looked towards the ancient keeper of time and asked, "You will not be joining us in the battle?"

"No," he replied, "I'm too old for that now, but some of the creatures that want freedom will be here to assist." Hunter nodded his head. "I must depart now. My absence in the Temple of Time is never supposed to occur. Fair well my friends and may the ancestors watch over you."

The dragon turned and left the temple leaving the Guardians and Hunter to think about what will happen in the near future.

"I will gather and train these new warriors that will be helping us," Hunter said as he left.

"Thank you we will definitely need all of them to survive Malefor's evil," Ignitus replied.

Spyro had returned to his master's fortress to deliver the news of his enemies defeat. He looked at the volcano before him and smiled. The fires that shot into the sky made the world hide in terror, hoping that the fires would not reach their homes. The fire wasn't the full extent of the evil. The black clouds of ash blocked the sun out not allowing any light to reach the land near the volcano.

The gates were opened as the orc guards saw that Spyro was approaching. The guards bowed to him and closed the gate as soon as he passed through the threshold. He made his way to the cave that served as the entrance to Malefor's personal dwelling.

He took about a half dozen steps before he heard someone say, "Well is it not the great purple dragon who has returned from his mission?"

"Cynder," Spyro said with both relief and distaste.

"It took you long enough to destroy that village," Cynder said with a smile, "He will not be happy with your lack of time efficiency."

"You should be talking," Spyro replied, "I'm the one who freed him if I remember correctly after you failed."

Cynder's smile faded and she growled, "I can't wait until the day you fail and I pick up where you left off."

"That will never happen," Spyro replied, "Especially since I have been given more power then you can imagine."

"We'll see," Cynder said as she walked away.

Spyro turned and headed towards his master's chamber.

Cynder continued on her way towards her chamber and couldn't help but notice that she had felt something when ever she was near Spyro.

"What is it about him that causes this?" Cynder asked aloud, "Why am I feeling like this for that pathetic whelp?"

Spyro entered a large chamber that was filled with the light from the heart of the volcano. He had didn't see his master and asked, "Master?"

A sudden blast of lava and fire shot out of the pool of lava below the cliff at the far edge of the chamber. The Dark Master landed on the cliff edge and shook off any magma that remained on his scales.

"My master," Spyro said as he bowed.

"I assume that you were successful then?" Malefor said.

"Of course my master," Spyro replied, "Have I ever failed you master?"

"No, you have not and I am glad for that," Malefor smiled, "That is why I'm promoting you to be my head general."

Spyro smiled and thought, "Ha, wait until Cynder hears about this."

"It is only fitting that a purple dragon should be the right hand of the first purple dragon, is it not?" the Dark Master asked.

"It is my master," Spyro replied.

"And soon your training will be complete," the Dark Master continued.

"What else will I be learning my master?" asked Spyro.

"How to completely control Convexity," he answered, "I know that you fear to use it."

Spyro looked at his master with shock. "No I have a weakness," he thought.

"It is all right," Malefor replied, "Convexity is a complex power. It has…interesting effects." There was a long pause, "You fear the past. Memories come to you when you use it, does it not?" Spyro nodded. "It will pass in time. After I finish with you, you will be nearly as powerful as me."

Spyro continued to look at the floor.

"What else is the matter my friend?" Malefor asked.

"Cynder," Spyro replied.

"Not falling for you yet?" Malefor asked, "She will soon. She is just as unique dragon as you are. She is very determined and focuses on her task, but she will feel for you soon."

"Thank you," Spyro said, "May I ask what my next mission is?"

"Come back tomorrow after you rise from your slumber and we shall finish your training," the Dark Master answered, "For you are the greatest of my warriors along with several others. You are one of the dark conquerors of this land."

"May I ask who the other is my master?" asked Spyro.

"Cynder is," he replied simple.

Ignitus stood out on the balcony of the temple looking out towards the volcano far off in the distance. Hunter joined him on the balcony and sighed as he looked at the clouds that were heading towards them.

"It will begin soon," Hunter said, "They will be coming within the next week."

"You know this?" asked Ignitus.

"I have seen their tactics before. Malefor wants to destroy us as quickly as possible," Hunter replied, "Spyro will be leading them and possibly Cynder or another general. Either way we are in trouble."

"We shall find out soon," Ignitus said, "We Guardians have prepared the temple in case we fail to hold it. The Dark Master will never have the pleasure of controlling this sacred place."

"It seems that the doom of our time is approaching," Hunter replied.

"Indeed," Ignitus agreed.