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Exclaimer: To people who don't like the story, just don't read it.

Chapter 22

Reunion of Sorts

Spyro sighed as he looked at the condition they were in.

All of their wounds were cleaned, and closed up. They didn't have red gems, but there was a medicinal alternative. With the dragonflies' help, they were given Ecur leaves that they applied on their open cuts and bruises. It had the same effect as the red gems, so before they knew it, they were feeling better.

Physically, they were better; but mentally…

Spyro was shocked the most; and was still recovering. He kept replaying in his head, how he had charged in, and had struck Gaul with all his might with one strong blast of Convexity. Not that he was bragging, but no one stood a chance against his Convexity. Even Malefor, was taken down by Convexity; a joint effort between Spyro and Cynder. Maybe that was the reason why. Maybe his Convexity alone wasn't strong enough to break Gaul. But whatever the main reason was, it still surprised him that Gaul barely showed any signs of weakness, as they peered down the crater he was blown in.

Gaul…the Ape King; the not so dead Ape King.

Sparx's words rang in his ears.

Flashback

Time Frame: Chapter 13 Magic

"From what I understand, this is what's going on. We're on a mission to get to the doomsday crystal before our mystery enemy gets there. From today's events, we can sum up how many players are there on the playing field. We have us, the good team, doing what's right. Then we have…Mystery Dragon A, who we're racing against to get to the crystal. Then we also have Mystery Dragon B, who was described to look exactly like Izrayl; who was also seen leading the army of apes. That pretty much…sums it up as far as we know. For all we know Dragon B is working with Dragon A."

"And that goes vice versa too. They could have the same or completely different agendas from each other. Heck, maybe it's a free for all; us, against 'Dragon A' who's also against 'Dragon B' whom is working with the apes," Spyro added.

END OF FLASHBACK

It all seemed so simple.

If only they had anticipated that Gaul was also on the playing field. Maybe then they wouldn't have been beaten to a pulp. But then again, now that Spyro thought of it. Gaul wasn't playing alone. He was working with someone.

How could he have known about the crystal in the first place?

Flashback

Time Frame: Chapter 20 Apes

"You are not going to get anywhere near that crystal on my watch," he said.

"How do you know about that crystal?" asked Cynder. Gaul scoffed.

"I've said too much now; time for you to DIE!"

END OF FLASHBACK

He just sighed. This was all just too messed up and too tangled up for him to unravel alone. He lacked some off the pieces of the puzzles, which made him unable to solve it completely. He walked to the side and looked at his reflection. He was at the riverbank, washing his face, when he dived into his thoughts.

Exhaustion and a hint of frustration were etched across his face. He needed to get some rest. Turning his head, he stared with determined eyes at the ominous looking mountain before them. If Gaul had attacked them at the base, the chances of them fighting whoever it is that's working with Gaul, and is after the Purple Crystal, is probably waiting for them up top. He had a gut feeling that's how it would go down.

0 0 0 0 0

Sparx was sitting down the leaves of a plant, as he was lost in his thoughts. Much like his brother, both of them were busy thinking of the past recent events. Then a curious thought passed across his head as he was thinking.

How did his parents know about the dragons? How did they know so much? Like knowing who Cynder was and stuff like that?

It seemed odd. And since he was rather bored, he decided to find out. It didn't take him long though. His father, Flash, was right around the corner, doing some work.

"Hey Dad!" he called out.

"Oh Sparx? What is it son?"

Sparx scratched his head and decided to ask him.

"How come you know so much about the dragons? I'm surprised you even know Cynder!"

Flash chuckled. "I see the thought has crossed your mind now. Well, it's rather simple really. Remember back when Spyro and you left us first?"

"Yeah?"

"Well, it was then during that time, that he actually came back to us. He told us many stories about who he truly was, and all about the dragons. He also told us, that you couldn't come with him, because you were too busy arguing with Cynder."

Sparx just blinked.

"Oh…It must have been during that time…" said Sparx.

Flash just smiled. "Cynder is a good dragoness. I know about your hate on her. And I'm telling you now that you should end it. You should be happy for your brother, that he has Cynder to be with him."

"I know…I guess I'm just that stubborn…" Sparx sighed and sat on the leaf next to his father.

"Wait what!"

"Huh?" Flash turned around, surprised at the reaction of his son.

"You think that Spyro and Cynder are together?"

"Are they not?"

"No…but…it's…it's complicated," said Sparx.

Flash sighed. "Oh…I thought they really were. Just from how Spyro looks at her. So does that mean that Izrayl is with Cynder?"

"NO!" exclaimed Sparx.

Flash was taken aback by his reaction.

"I don't think you should be meddling with your brother's love life."

"I'm his brother, that's my sole job. And I'm guess I'm not the only one seeing that Spyro should really hook up with Cydner eh…?" Flash just nodded.

"In any case, can you do me a favor?"

"What is it?"

"Well…"

0 0 0 0 0

Sparx whistled to himself as he busied himself foraging. His father had asked him to forage a bit in order to stockpile some more food for them. Luckily, his destination was that far, so he was soon foraging before he knew it. The task wasn't alien to him. In truth, that's what he and his brother usually did, before the day their lives changed.

As he did his works, his mind wandered again.

FLASHBACK: Chapter 19 Crashed

"You're worried about Izrayl?" Sparx asked. "Don't worry about him. I don't think he is her type."

"You think so? Then what do you think about the 'nuzzle' then?" asked Spyro.

"The 'nuzzle'? That was nothing!" exclaimed Sparx, throwing his hands in the air.

Spyro's brow rose.

"Since when were you pro Spyro X Cynder?" asked Spyro.

"Since now; figuring that I can't really stop you from falling for her, since you already fell before I could catch you. Might as well change flags, since it's a lost cause," said Sparx. "Don't worry. I'll do the dirty work. As far as those two know, I'm neutral. They don't know I'm on your team. The first thing I'm going to do is confirm if Izrayl is in the running."

END OF FLASHBACK

Sparx was in a bit of disarray. He meant what he had said, about accepting Cynder. But somehow, it just pained him to do so. Maybe it just took time. Who knows? But he wasn't going back to eat his words. He decided to be pro Spyro X Cynder. Flash was right. He should be happy for his brother. Just because he doesn't like Cynder, doesn't mean Spyro should as well.

As he continued to labour, his silent brooding was disrupted. He heard voices; unfamiliar voices.

"Whoever these dragons are…they have lost a lot of blood…" said one voice.

"I know," replied the other. There were two of them; one female, and the other male, in that order of voices.

"What is over here anyway?" asked the female.

"The river; I think…it's uninhabited?" came another voice.

Scratch that. There were three of them; two males and one female.

And judging from the sound of the voices, they were getting nearer and nearer.

A familiar feeling crept up on Sparx's back as he peered around the bush to see who the owners of the voices were.

0 0 0 0 0

Spyro was now walking back to the place they were led to rest. He was worried about Cynder and Izrayl's condition. Izrayl was completely knocked out cold by that boulder that was struck at him. It must have struck him at a bad spot. Cynder on the other hand just downright collapsed as soon as they were shown where to get some rest. The battle had completely exhausted her. Spyro however, remained vigil and his mind was in too much disarray to even get some rest.

He walked around the corner, and saw the dragons still asleep. Seeing them, made Spyro realize just how tired he was himself. Maybe he should turn in for a while. It couldn't hurt. They were here anyway. The mountain wasn't that far off. As soon as they woke up, they'd head up that mountain.

It wasn't like something bad would happened right here and now anyway.

The chances of that happening were slim. Those things only happen in books.

As Spyro slowly welcomed stupor as he found himself lying next to Cynder, something came up.

"SPYRO!" Sparx's voice cut through his sleepiness like a hot knife. He looked around and saw the dragonfly, flying towards him with great haste. Cynder, was woken up by the loud shot, and was now also coming too.

"Wh-what is it!" she asked, trying to stand up quickly, but tipping.

Spyro ignored her and focused his irritation on Sparx. What could the dragonfly want now?

"What is it Sparx?" he asked, trying his best to diffuse his anger.

"You won't believe what I just saw!" he exclaimed wide eyed, panting. He was completely out of breath.

"Go on…" said Cynder, yawning. Spyro just raised a brow.

"I saw another purple dragon!"

The news cut through Spyro and Cynder like a sharp edged sword. They both stared at each other, traces of exhaustion completely gone. There were only two purple dragons that Spyro knew.

One was him…and the other…

The two spoke in sync, knowing full well what the other was going to say.

"Malefor…"

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