Tremor collapsed on Candice's back. He felt the rapid rise and fall of her body as she panted beneath him.
"How are you feeling?" He asked and closed his eyes to fall into the feeling of her breathing.
"That...Was...Amazing..." The dragoness wheezed.
"Really?" Tremor sighed.
"Uh huh." Candice nodded with a smile. "It was really... unexpected, but...I'm glad... I got to experience something... that enjoyable with you."
"I meant what I said before." Tremor said as he rolled onto his side and pulling her up against his chest. "I'd do anything to make you happy. No more being a jerk towards you."
"Hmmm..." Candice purred softly as she thought about his words. "I don't mind you being a pain in the ass every once in a while. Just don't be a jerk."
"Promised." Tremor nuzzled the back of her neck. Candice leaned back and their lips met again. The two young dragons cuddled close to each other, leaning on each other for support. They lay their heads down, side by side and Candice turned to give the earth guardian a kiss on his cheek.
"I love you."
Tremor growled in satisfaction. "I love you too, beautiful." Tremor waited until the dragoness's eyelids lowered and she was cooing contently in her sleep. He nestled down and closed his eyes to dream. His body ached and burned, but it had all been worth it for his new love.
They hadn't been asleep for very long when an ear piercing roar cut through the air. Their heads shot straight up and their eyes grew wide.
Candice looked at Tremor with a worried expression on her face. "What was that?"
"Well done Cynder." Exile nodded approvingly. The black dragoness sat down, slightly winded in her cell. She had spent countless hours training in the darkness of the dungeon. She had revealed to Exile that she could use the darkness to slip out of her cell and move around freely, making it easier for her to demonstrate actively practice the techniques he was teaching her. "Why don't we take a break. I'm not as young as I used to be and I feel my body has reached its limits."
"Okay." Cynder nodded reluctantly. She vanished into the shadows and back into her cell. She lay down and rested her head on her paws.
"You've progressed quickly." Exile smiled. "More so than I thought you would."
"Thanks." Cynder smiled back. "Most of the things you been teaching me I was exposed to when I was working for the Dark Master."
"Indeed." The wolf nodded. "I imagined that was why you requested extra training in dispersing dark magic." Cynder nodded. "Just remember Cynder, that what I've taught you is to used for good. If you wish to protect Spyro from the Dark Master's powers, you'll need to have a clear mind and a pure heart."
"I understand."
"Those techniques do not make you immune to the Dark Master's power, but they do provide you a great deal of protection as long as you stay focused on your goal."
"I can't thank you enough Exile." Cynder sighed, tears starting to form in her eyes. They weren't tears of sadness but of a slight relief. As tired as she was she felt lighter, and filled with a new energy. The powers Exile had taught her coursed through her body. All at once she didn't feel the chill from the dungeon. The air seemed to get warmer around them.
"Just remember your promise my dear. That would be thanks enough."
Cynder shook her head. "No in the slightest. I promise, that when the time is right, I'll free you from this hell hole."
"You don't have to trouble yourself with such a task." Exile waved a hand dismissively. "I will do just fine on my own."
"But..." The black dragoness was interrupted by the locks on the main door falling to the ground. The door was flung open and a hulking wolf lumbered into the dungeon. He paused and waited for the pack leader Snarl to arrive. He carried a large crystal in his hand the had an eerie unnatural purple glow to it. Cynder recognized the stone and gave Exile a frightened look. "I know that crystal." She whispered. "The Ape King Gaul had one. He used it to turn me against the dragons when I was just a hatchling."
"Stay strong Cynder." The wolf whispered calmly. "Just remember what I taught you.
Cynder nodded and took in a deep breath, calming her nerves. Snarl appeared in the doorway. He and the other wolf walked over to Cynder's cell. The black dragoness hissed and spread her wings wide. The wolves paid her no attention.
"Do it." Snarl growled and jerked his head at the dragoness. The other wolf stepped forward with the dark Crystal in hand. Violet lightning bolts began to crackle around the crystal and Cynder stepped back. The bolts leaped out at her and the dragoness screamed. The dark magic was trying to swallow her mind and take it under control. The dragoness shook herself, desperate to rid her body of the darkness that threatened to consume her yet again.
"Fight it!" Exile growled to himself. Cynder's screams hurt his ears and watching her suffer was even tougher to bear. "Stay focused." He whispered, going into a trance-like state. "Remember what I taught you."
"No!" Cynder cried in her mind as the darkness closed in. "I won't turn evil! I'll never turn against Spyro ever again!" Her scream turned to a furious roar! Her eyes began to glow purple. Not from the Dark Master's power but Convexity. The violet aura burst from her body and the light blinded the wolves. The wolves turned away and shielded their eyes. Cynder's roar grew deeper as she began to grow. The walls of her cell were closing in on her. Her increasing size couldn't be contained anymore. The aura faded away and Cynder fell silent. The wolfs turned back to her cell to see only darkness.
Suddenly a pair of red eyes shone through the darkness and a terrifying growl shook the cavern. The wolf holding the crystal stepped back as the growl grew louder. There was deafening roar and Cynder smashed through the bars of her cell. The massive dragoness barreled through the wolf, crushing him and the crystal beneath her talons. She turned an evil glare on Snarl and bared her long teeth. The Alpha took a nervous step back. Cynder stalked towards him, black flames licking at the edges of her jaws.
"Stay smart." Exile meditated. "Don't do anything rash just yet. You will need intelligence to properly assess the situation."
Cynder growled at Snarl, considering the old canine's words in her mind. After a long tense moment she lowered her head submissively. Snarl finally relaxed and took a step towards the dragoness. When Cynder didn't move he reached out to place a hand on her head. The black dragoness hissed and the wolf withdrew his hand quickly.
"What would my master have me do?" Cynder growled.
Snarl smiled devilishly. "That's better. I would..."
"You are not my master!" Cynder bellowed and the catacombs shook violently, causing dust and stones to fall from the ceiling. "My loyalty is for the Dark Master and him alone."
Snarl felt his blood run cold as the adult version of his captive towered over his head. Not even the Dark Master had struck such a terrifying note in his soul.
"Now I will ask you one more time." Cynder brought her head down until she was nose to nose with Snarl. "What would my master have me do?"
The wolf swallowed hard. "Th-the purple dragon..." He stammered. "The purple dragon is required to continue with the Dark Master's plan. We must hunt him down and bring him to the burning mountain."
"Very well." Cynder hissed and shoved past the wolf almost having to crawl on her belly to the main door. With a piercing cry the dragoness blew the doors off, smashing several of the sentries in the process. She emerged into the slightly larger chamber and was fixing to head up the stairs when she heard the Alpha's voice.
"Where do you think you are going?"
Cynder turned her head and fixed her menacing eyes on the wolf. "My master has demanded the purple dragon. I'm going to go get him."
"The master has requested that I join you."
"I don't need the help of a wolf like you." Cynder huffed and turned away.
"He has ordered it!" Snarl growled. Cynder turned her head again. The wolf seemed determined to not let her out of his sight. She didn't want to leave with the wolf along with her, but she needed to keep up appearances.
"I won't disobey my master's orders." The black dragoness hissed irritatedly. "But if you get in my way or impede my progress in any way, I will not be held responsible for what happens to you. Understood?"
Snarl didn't answer. He bit his lower lip and followed the dragoness up the stairs.