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Chapter 4

The Messenger

Cynder stared with surprise at her…apparent…saviour.

He was a blue scaled dragon, and had a creamy yellow colored underbelly. His two yellow horns curved back, at the same fashion as hers. At his side, a brown knapsack, with the top of a scroll sticking out was hanging lethargically.

"Are you okay?" he asked, helping her up. She blinked, still having trouble believing it. In all honesty, she was still trying to recover from the shock of nearly dying; and the fact that here was another dragon, the same age as her. Wasn't all the eggs destroyed during the raid at Silver Temple by the apes?

"I-I'm okay…thanks to you," she said, smiling at him. He smiled back.

"Are you…Spyro?" Cynder raised a brow, and shook her head.

"No, I'm Cynder. That's Spyro," she said turning her head to see Spyro walking towards him.

"I'm Spyro. Who are you?" he asked wariness in his tone.

"Izrayl…or I think it is…" he answered unsurely.

"You think? What do you mean?" Izrayl was about to answer when Spyro stopped him.

"Introductions later; we have to get Cynder some red gems now." Cynder cringed. The mention of her injury triggered her to remember it was there. It was still bleeding, and she had to put her paw on it to try and stop it from loosing more blood.

"O-okay, where can we get these…red gems?" Izrayl asked puzzled.

"You don't have to. I have some alternatives here," a voice behind them spoke.

"Meadow?" Spyro inquired. "What do you mean?"

"I have asked Kane," he glanced towards the younger cheetah who was limping as he gathered some…leaves at a nearby bush. Spyro how didn't know how that would help, but any help was welcomed at this point.

"To gather some Ecur leaves; it's not as potent as your red gems, but it'll help." Meadow stood up straight, using a sword as temporary cane.

"What the hell was that thing anyway?" asked Izrayl, standing beside Spyro, who was examining the ape he had just killed.

"That was an ape; one of Gual's and the Dark Master's minions."

"I knew it, I was right," commented Meadow.

"Where did it come from? I thought the apes were long gone?" asked Cynder, as she laid down the floor.

"Well…you're not going to believe this," said Meadow.

"Try us," said Spyro and Cynder in unison.

0 0 0 0 0

A few minutes later, Meadow began to tell them of how the ape attacked them. Where it had come from and what exactly it did. During this time, Kane administered first aid to Cynder's wound, stopping its bleeding, and stopping her from bleeding out. Everyone had listened intently, as Meadow retold their stories. It was then after that, that the conversation had taken a lighter note.

"What do you think this means Spyro?" asked Meadow.

"I do not know. I know for certain that I finished Gaul off, and Malefor. So whoever is behind this sudden appearance of an ape, must be someone else." Cynder sighed.

"I guess we never get a break huh?" Spyro smirked.

"You think? In any case, we have to get this news to the Guardians back at Warfang. I'm sure they'll know what course of action to take."

"Another adventure I guess," replied Cynder. Spyro nodded.
"I still can't believe it though. You two are alive!" exclaimed Kane giddily.

"I have to agree. Everyone had thought you had died back at the Volcano. Thank you for saving us friends; again." added Meadow. He chuckled realizing they had saved him again. Spyro smiled.

"You should have more faith in us. We're not going to go down that easily."

"But those things aside," said Cynder. Then she turned her head to look at Izrayl, who sat beside Spyro silently. He was listening in on the conversation quietly, and once he realized that everyone was staring at him, he blushed.

"W-what? Is there something on my face?" Everyone's eyes pierced through him like daggers. Even the cheetahs had a curious glint on their eyes.

"Who are you dragon?" asked Meadow.

"M-My name's…Izrayl, or…I think it is," he answered unsurely.

"What do you mean? You don't know your name?" asked Kane sceptically, thinking it was a joke.

"I…I do," he answered. "I just woke up this morning, a headache in my head. All I saw that I had with me was this bag." He removed his knapsack, and showed it to them.

"I can see where you got your name…" said Spyro, seeing the word 'Izrayl' etched on the bag.

"What's with the scroll? Where did you come from?" As Spyro gently took out the scroll, the peculiar seal on it was flashed across Meadow's eyes. His brows rose.

"Spyro? Can I take a look at that?" he asked. Spyro shrugged, and handed it to him. The cheetah eagerly examined it, noting the seal it had.

"Where did you come from?" asked Kane, looking at the dragon curiously. "I thought the only dragons that were left were Spyro, Cynder, and the Guardians."

"I thought that too," replied Cynder, not taking her eyes off Izrayl. "But I guess we thought wrong then."

"I-I'm sorry. I can't answer that question." Spyro's brow rose.

"Why? You can't tell us or you don't know?" Izrayl sighed.

"I don't know. I don't even know who I am." Spyro looked at him sceptically.

"But if that's the case, how did you know our names?"

"It just came to me. When I saw your scale colors, the name flashed across my head. A memory, you could say, came back. I have no memories."

"I think I know who you are."

Everyone turned to Meadow, who stood up, with the help of the cane. He held the scroll in his paws, a look of confirmation in his eyes.

"Izrayl," he addressed him. "You must be the messenger."

"Wait? You mean he's the one Hunter told us about? Whenever we go out?" asked Kane, curiously.

"Well, I see no other possible answer," said Meadow, handing the scroll back.

"See that seal?" Spyro glanced at the scroll.

Sure enough, there it was. The seal he had seen earlier. Looking at it thoroughly now, he recognized that the distinct markings had formed…a shape of a dragon.

"That's the mark of the dragons," said Meadow. "Official seal equals official letter. I think this letter was meant to be sent to the Guardians."

"Let's open it. I want to see what it says," said Izrayl. Cynder scowled.

"No, don't open it."

"Why not?" Cynder sighed.

"It's rude to open letters that aren't meant for you. And besides, we're heading to Warfang anyway," said Spyro. Izrayl frowned but nonetheless placed it back inside his knapsack.

"Where is this Warfang anyway? Is it a town or something?" he asked, puzzled.

"We have a lot to talk about as we fly there." Izrayl just smiled sheepishly.

"We'll be heading off now, be careful. And again, thank you for saving us," said Meadow.

"It's nothing Meadow. You're welcome," replied Cynder.

"Come on Kane," said Meadow. And with that, the two Cheetahs waved off as they headed down the beaten path, heading back to their Village.

"I can't believe I am about to fly off to a place I don't even know, with two strangers," said Izrayl.

"We're not strangers Izzy—I can call you that right? Izrayl's a bit of a mouthful." asked Cynder. Izrayl smiled.

"I like it."

"Okay—we're not strangers Izzy. I'm Cynder, and he's Spyro, we're your friends. Without you, I would be dead by now," said Cynder.

"She's right. And besides, we're not going to hurt you," said Spyro. "Do I look like a scary dragon to you?" Izzy chuckled.

"No." Spyro smirked.

"See? Well enough chit chat, let's go."

0 0 0 0 0

The sun was high up above as he walked proudly along the walls of the Temple. Moles were casually walking around; their armor giving the familiar clink-clink when one comes in contact with a surface. He rounded the corner, looking for the Guardians. To his surprise, a bright golden light flew up to him, blinding him momentarily.

"Hunter!" It was Sparx the dragonfly. The cheetah smiled.

"Hello Sparx, by any chance have you seen the Guardians?" Sparx raised a brow.

"Why do you ask?" The cheetah's expression turned to seriousness.

"I came to inquire if by any chance they knew what that—"

"Is it about the purple light from last night?" Hunter blinked.

"Y-yes; I assume you saw it?" Sparx nodded.

"Yeah I did. Terrador saw it too. Got him all riled up. I don't understand why everyone's making a big fuss about it though," answered Sparx.

"Well I for one want to know what it is. Do you know where they are?" asked Hunter.

"They're at their room. I can take you there." Hunter smiled.

"Lead the way."

Hunter then followed Sparx, as he soon flew off a few feet in front of him to lead.

"So Hunter…is there by any chance…did anyone see them yet?" asked Sparx all of a sudden.

"Spyro and Cynder?" Sparx nodded solemnly. Hunter sighed as he shook his head.

"No. I've already told Chief Prowlus to be on the lookout for them." Sparx just sighed sadly.

"Do not worry Sparx. Your brother is in good hands. Cynder will take care of him," said Hunter, trying to ease his concern.

"How does that suppose to make me feel better?" Hunter just stared.

"For all we know, she could have killed him! She's an evil she-dragon!" Hunter cocked his head.

"If she did, how do you think we're still alive now?" Sparx just bit his lip. Hunter did have a point.

"Regardless, am I the only one who doesn't trust her?" Hunter chuckled.

"Frankly, yes." Sparx just scowled.

"I think this is one of the reasons why you two don't get along with each other," said Hunter. Sparx stared at him.

"You think?" Hunter just shrugged.

A few minutes later, the two of them arrived at the Guardians Room and from the voices of murmuring coming from inside, it was quite clear that they were discussing something. Hunter politely knocked on the door, getting a break in the voices. The door slid open, revealing Cyril standing before him.

"Oh Hunter! I didn't expect you to be here! What do we owe you for your visit?" Hunter scratched his chin.

"I came to inquire about the Purple Light from last night," Cyril's expression hardened.

"I see. Come in then." Cyril stepped aside, allowing him to walk in.

"Nice to see you Hunter," said Terrador.

"Likewise," he replied.

"Please, take a seat," said Volteer, showing a pile of red cushions.

"Where were we?" asked Terrador, as Hunter sat down at the red cushions. That was where Ignitus used to sit. But now that he had past, it was a relatively free sit.

"Cause for concern?" reminded Cyril, as he too sat down on a set of blue cushions.

"Ah yes," replied Terrador. "I assume you've seen the Purple Light from yesterday?" Hunter nodded.

"It came from the Volcano right?" he asked. Terrador nodded.

"Neither I or Cyril saw it, but from how Terrador described it, this could mean something bad," said Volteer.

"Why is that?" asked Sparx, sitting at Hunter's shoulder.

"You see Sparx, from what I have read," Volteer then took out a scroll. It was a very old looking scroll, the paper was brown and it reeked of the smell of oldness. Volteer placed it gently in front and faced him.

"This is a scroll dating back to the time of the Ancients. That purple light we saw was described here," he said pointing to it.

"What does it say then?" asked Hunter curiously.

He gently grabbed the scroll and opened it. He suppressed the urge to cough from the smell as he inhaled its aroma. He examined it with his eye. Most of the writing was illegible, since the ink was fading. And for the parts that were legible it was barely visible. If one were to scan it, they'd barely see anything.

"It speaks there, that the purple light we saw is a source of power that can be absorbed from a rare crystal. Immense power; so powerful, it was forbidden to be sought. Its capabilities weren't given much description, but it is said there that that power can rule over dragons." Hunter placed the old scroll down, a look of concern on his face.

"But whoever had done it last night, didn't succeed. It would seem that the said crystal scattered off into three pieces, from what I believe. One piece was absorbed by him, and the other two, well…"

"They scattered off the distance; into two different directions…" said Sparx, now realizing what he had seen.

"Exactly, we must seek this crystal immediately. We do not want this to fall into the wrong paws," said Cyril.

"We have to hurry though," said Hunter.

"Why do you say so?" asked Volteer.

"Whoever this dragon is that failed last night, he'd absolutely want to get those two remaining," said Hunter.

"I see," said Terrador scratching his chin. "So Hunter, any news yet from the other dragons?"

"No. I know for certain that Chase would have reached them by nightfall last night. Chase is already back, resting at his perch, early this morning. Surely they should have sent someone by now."

"We can only hope for the best," said Cyril.

Author Notes: For those of you wondering, remember, Cynder wasn't their when Ignitus told Spyro about Shattered Vale, leading her to think that she, Spyro and the Guardians were the only dragons left.

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