Legend of Spyro: Stormfront

Chapter 21

First off.

There was an important mistake made in the last chapter, a big thank you to RiverStyx for pointing it out. A line by Ignitus read, "Spyro's suffering is nothing compared to mine." It should have read, "My suffering is nothing compared to what Spyro's will be."

Okay back to the interesting stuff.

Cynder turned her head towards Spyro, staring at him in utter disbelief. A thin snarl began to form across her muzzle.

Why would he not fight for his friends? Why won't he fight for his home? Spyro would just let them be conquered? The thoughts began racing around her head.

She then looked towards the Guardians to see if they felt the same getting mixed reactions from each of them.

Cyril looked as if he had visibly been slapped across the cheek, his paw holding it, as if caressing a deep wound.

Volteer was at an utter loss for words. He would open his jaws to speak before closing again and returning to state of deep thought.

The council members each looked infuriated at the very thought of giving up. Magnus looked as if he was ready to attack at the slightest provocation.

Terrador seemed to be the only one who kept any sort of straight face, his cool military demeanor and training keeping whatever emotions he had locked away behind a stoic and emotionless face.

Magnus was the first to speak.

"How dare you! How dare you even think of us surrendering to such savages!" He pointed at Spyro with one of his large claws.

Volteer soon followed finally thinking of what he should say.

"I believe yielding to these fiends would be the wrong course of action. We cannot discern what will become of us. They could subjugate us or purely execute us all."

Cyril closely followed in support of his fellow guardian.

"We would never surrender to these savages, we must defend ourselves. We did not start this war but we will finish it."

The remaining council members each shook their heads in agreement; accept for Terrador who continued to stare at Spyro as if trying to discern his intentions by merely looking at him.

Cynder looked back to Spyro hoping that he would forget this idea and do what she thought was right.

Spyro looked back up to the Guardians and Council members a look of defiance on his face.

"You fools. I see what you Guardians really are now." Spyro stated a snarl of disgust forming on his face.

"You are war mongers!" The Guardians flinched, this time even Terrador's face broke. "You would ruin what peace we have!" Spyro continued his voice growing in both volume and anger. An anger Cynder had never seen before.

"A peace that I gave you."

The Guardians and Council members sat in stunned silence at the purple dragon before them.

Cynder only looked at Spyro in horror. Spyro had never been so aggressive before, except when he had been controlled by darkness…

Did he fall to the darkness again? No, he couldn't have he looks normal, and doesn't seem evil, but what's wrong with him! Why is he doing this?

Spyro whipped around his claws grating on the stone floor, creating deep scratches in an artful imprint of a dragon that was on the floor. He began walking towards the door.

Magnus called after him his voice filled with rage and malice.

"Where do you think you are going!"

Spyro continued on without heeding any of his words and quickly opened the door and with a sweep of his tail slammed it shut the bang echoing around the chamber.

The room sat in a stunned silence.

Terrador turned towards Cynder and spoke his voice full of worry and apprehension.

"Cynder go talk to him, see if you can find out his behavior is about, and come to the Guardians residence to report when you're done."

Cynder gave a curt nod before turning towards the door and quickly cantering out. She would find out what this was about if she had to beat it out of him.

She opened the door, snorting loudly when she did not see the purple dragon anywhere in sight. She turned to one of the guards standing next to the door.

"Where did he go?" She asked letting the anger in her voice show.

The guard looked at her questioningly; however he was looking towards the sky.

"He was just there a moment ago Dragoness Cynder." He said pointing to the sky, however there was no purple dragon in sight.

The dragon was pointing towards the Academy, but there was no possible way Spyro could have reached it in the short time he was gone. He must have landed and taken a land approach she assumed, however Cynder could not think of a reason why.

Cynder turned towards the distant academy, without a word and quickly took off towards the building.

She arrived as fast as her wings could carry her ignoring any other stimulus than the betrayal she felt. She stormed through the front doors of the large main building ignoring the many students walking through its halls. A few students called out to her, but were only given a prompt snarl in response. The students quickly realized to stay out of her way and no more greetings came her way.

She turned down a corridor and spotted the purple dragon that she was looking for. He was emerging from one of the dorms before he turned his head and saw her.

Cynder approached quickly closing the gap between them before Spyro could flee.

Spyro kicked the door closed with his back paw.

Cynder didn't care what lay behind the door. She was only interested in the purple dragon in front of her.

Cynder tried to hide the anger in her voice as much as she could. "What's your problem?"

"I won't fight for those blood thirsty bastards anymore." Spyro stated almost proudly.

"You are fighting to defend your home! We need you, why won't you help us?" She asked desperately.

"This world has seen too much suffering I won't be a part of it anymore." Spyro retorted shaking his head in continued refusal.

"You are protecting people why can't you see that? This is no different than fighting Malefor." Cynder tried to reason with him.

"It is completely different than fighting Malefor." Spyro refuted. "I would be forced to kill innocent dragons."

Cynder's voice rose as she tried to reason with Spyro. "Then why are they coming to destroy us if we they are innocent?"

"Then what about your friends? What about your parents and Sparx? And what about… me?" Cynder asked her jaw quivering in fear of what he might answer.

"Those mean nothing to me now."

"What happened to you? You weren't like this!" Cynder asked even more desperately, what had happened to the dragon she loved?

"I realized the truth Cynder." Spyro stamped his paw on the ground. "That the beings who oversee this city are evil and I will do anything to stop them."

"The Guardians are our friends Spyro! You've always respected them why did that change?"

"They have caused so much pain, so much death, and now they are going to start a war all over again! I won't allow it to happen."

"The Guardians haven't started any wars Spyro! Malefor did that remember?"

"Do we know that Cynder? We have only gone on their word; I won't be deceived any longer. I won't cause suffering on their behalf!"

She lunged forward bringing her nose a mere inch away, her wings flared in sheer fury. "I never thought you were a coward!" Cynder countered angrier than ever that Spyro was continuing this folly.

Spyro's face contorted into a twisted snarl as he whispered. "You of all would know how to cause suffering." He spat back.

Cynder's claws came down in a lighting fast strike across Spyro's cheek. She turned and ran her face covered in tears that dripped to the floor.

A drop of blood spilled onto the floor. Three short but deep long gashes were across Spyro's right cheek. His red blood began to stain the white marble floor in blots of inky red.

Spyro looked towards the ground. "That went perfectly." He stated sadly to the ground. A clear drop soon landed next to the circles of red. Inside Spyro wanted to go apologize and beg for forgiveness from Cynder, but he knew he couldn't. It felt so wrong saying the things he said to her. Hopefully one day she would understand that everything that was going to happen would be for her.

Spyro then began to walk slowly to his next destination; he needed to go see Flame.

Spyro then began his search for the fire dragon. His first instinct was to check the training grounds, and Spyro was delighted to find that he had gotten it right. He didn't have much time to waste right now.

Several weapons and pieces of fallen dummies littered the ground around him. The various forms of apes, grublins and orcs could be seen with a variety of wounds from decapitation to large parts of their bodies scorched to ashes.

Flame stared off at one remaining practice ape that was holding his wooden sword in front guarding against an attack. Flame charged and dodged the downward stroke of the ape and quickly dispatched him with a burst of Flame to the dummies face.

"Hey Flame." Spyro called when the dummy disappeared along with the many weapons and destroyed dummies.

"Hi Spyro." He turned around when he heard the purple dragon. "They canceled Cyril's dragon histories class earlier today some sort of urgent meeting or something."

"I bet your ears are thanking you." Spyro chuckled as he imagined the teal blue guardian droning on about some dull subject from sentries past.

"Not really, I would have slept through it anyways." Flame laughed back. "If you give me a short rest I think I'd be good for a match or two."

"Nah, not today, I need to ask something of you."

Flame's curiosity peeked. "Sure buddy what is it?" Flame responded cheerfully. Then he noticed the deep gashes that still dripped a little blood. "Where did you get those from?" He pointed at the sharp claw marks on his cheek.

"Oh they are nothing I meant to get a red crystal for them anyways."

"I've got one right here." Flame stated and walked over to a small satchel that was laying at the edge of the ring. He dug through the brown bag for a moment before emerging with a red crystal. Using his tail he hurled it towards Spyro. Spyro caught it with a wing and brought it towards his cheek. The little red crystal glowed for a moment before dissipating into his skin taking the gashes with it.

"I always keep one just in case." Flame said as he walked back over to him from the satchel. "So what did you want?"

"Listen I can't explain much right now, okay? But I will be… going away and I don't know if I'm coming back at all." Spyro explained.

"Where are you going Spyro?" Flame asked concerned for his friend.

"No one can follow me, and if I do manage to come back it won't be for a very long time Flame. So I was wondering if you could take care of things for me, alright. Keep everyone safe, keep a close eye on Cynder for me, okay? I don't know how she will handle things."

"Handle what Spyro?"

"Like I said I can't explain but will you watch over her for me? Keep her safe?"

"Sure buddy." Flame didn't understand what this was all about, but he would do anything for a friend in need.

"Oh and one more thing I have a gift for you." Spyro continued.

"A gift? What for?" Flame asked skeptically tilting his head questioningly. It was nowhere near his birthday nor was it a holiday of some sort.

"No reason. It will only help you in the future." Spyro went on.

"What is-" But before Flame could finish Spyro placed a paw on his chest and it glowed brightly in the midday sun.

Flame felt as if his chest was on fire and he wanted to jump back away from the danger but he couldn't move his body.

The glowing quickly subsided and so did the burning pain that Flame felt.

"What the heck was that for?" Flame yelled.

"Look down."

Flame looked towards his chest to see a faintly glowing symbol, that of fire on his chest. The glowing ceased and the symbol faded into nothing.

"What did you do?" Flame asked completely lost as to what just happened.

"I made your fire element… I guess easier is what I would call it." Spyro responded somewhat happily. "Try your fire element now."

Flame raised his head towards the sky ready to unleash the largest stream of fire he could muster. He blasted a huge torrent of flames high into the sky, much larger than he had expected. He was even more surprised when he was not nearly as fatigued as he should have been after letting loose such a blast of raw heat.

"Whoa! Cool how did you do that?" Flame asked. He then looked at his chest again to see the symbol glowing once more then it faded quickly not even showing through his scales.

"That isn't important, just use it well Flame. With it you will surely be the next fire guardian, even though I think you were good enough already."

"Really? You think I could be the fire guardian?" Flame announced joyously his anxiety clearly showing as his tail wagged happily.

"Yeah, I'm sure of it." Spyro smiled back.

"Are you sure you aren't up for a match so I can't test it out?" Flame asked eager to see how he would fair against the purple dragon now.

"Sorry Flame, I'm too busy. I'll make sure we have a match before I go alright?"

"Yeah sure, make it a good one alright? I'll be coming at you with everything I have." He smiled starkly at Spyro.

"I don't doubt it Flame."

Spyro said goodbye to the delighted fire dragon. After turning down several of the white marble corridors and their high arched windows he ended up in the main chambers once more. He passed through the giant shadow made by statue of Cynder and himself.

I never liked that statue anyways… it gives me the creeps seeing myself that large. Spyro thought as he walked underneath one of the open wings of Cynder.

The thought of the black dragoness made him feel terrible inside. This wasn't how it was supposed to be. After the defeat of Malefor he was supposed to live his life in peace, never to fight again. He thought the nightmare was over, that he had finally awoken from its cold clutches.

And I've got to make the nightmare look like its coming true again.


A downtrodden black dragoness walked up the Guardians residence near the Citadel of the city. She plodded through the streets, ignoring the many dragons and moles going about their daily business.

She quietly made her way to the door of the Guardians residence and entered without knocking.

She entered into the living room where all three Guardians were waiting. They each turned to look at her with hope written on their faces; however upon seeing Cynder's downtrodden and withered face they knew something had gone horribly wrong.

Volteer was the first to break the silence that seemed to permeate the very air. He spoke his voice kind and considerate.

"Take a seat Cynder take all the time you need." He motioned to a pile of cushions out of earshot from himself and his fellow Guardians.

She buried her face into the pillow and began to quietly sob.

The Guardians turned back towards themselves and began talking in harsh whispers. Every so often Cynder could make out a word or two. Most of it obviously focused on the day's events from Spyro to the news of the coming colonial army. However she didn't care what the Guardians were talking about.

Spyro's harsh words to her ran through her head over and over again, torturing and hurting her all the more each time.

You of all would know how to cause suffering.

She repeated the words in her head over and over. The words stung like an arrow to her heart. The once proud and strong dragoness felt her heart breaking into a thousand pieces, shattering to the floor.

The Guardians continued their fervent dealings for some time, until eventually Cynder in her distraught state noticed their silence.

She shifted her head to look at the group of older dragons.

They were sitting silently deep in thought; Cynder could feel the tension in the air, like a blade placed against her throat.

Cynder raised her head from the now soaked cushion that had absorbed so many of the tears. The Guardians looked over to her upon realizing her movement.

Cyril spoke in a soothing tone as if he were speaking to his own daughter. "Begin as you wish young one."

Cynder shed one last tear as she mustered her courage and relayed all of what Spyro had said to her. By the end she was openly crying, not caring what the Guardians thought about her emotions. She then repeated the dreadful words that she had been repeating to herself.

She felt a comforting wing, its leathery membrane warm to her skin.

"You may go Cynder. There is nothing more we need of you today."

Cynder looked up towards the caring eyes of the Guardians, seeing their calm cool reflective wisdom reassured her.

Terrador let out a great sigh as he heard Volteer close and lock the main entrance after ushering the dilapidated Cynder out.

"I fear we are once again in dangerous currents once again my friends." Terrador began taking precedent of the group.

Cyril began his normally regal voice lessened and quiet. "I do not differ that these events have been…"

"Disturbing." Volteer finished for him, his usually colorful and fast speech, slow and calm.

"This coming war could have possibly been won by Spyro alone, however since he will not be partaking in this conflict, we need to think of something that will give us the upper hand." Terrador proclaimed looking at his fellow guardians and friends.

"And we need to figure what to do with Spyro in the meantime." Cyril added.

Terrador shook his head in grim acknowledgement of that fact. "His words seem to have a hostile edge to them. We cannot sit idly my brothers."

"I have formed a few hypotheses on our young purple friend." Volteer inquired his tail quivering in sudden excitement.

Volteer took in a large breath indicating one of his long speeches.

"One that something happened on their trip to bring about this behavior that neither we nor Cynder knows or understands. Secondly, and probably the worst scenario, is that Spyro's darkness could have been possibly seeping into his subconscious psych."

"Draconian please, what do you mean?" Cyril asked.

"I believe that once Spyro sealed the darkness of the Well of Souls within him he dominated and subdued it for the time being. However, after a length of time I believe it has slowly seeped into his mind affecting him, thusly, his hostility and hurtful remarks towards us."

"The reason doesn't really matter." Terrador began. "The true question is what are we, going to do about it."

Cyril nodded in agreement, however Volteer was unconvinced.

"We must be ready should he lose control once more." Cyril finished staring harshly at Volteer

Volteer's mouth burst as if he was could not hold back a flood. "But this is Spyro we are talking about? Is he not still our friend and ally? Spyro is not acting the way he should; logic indicates that we should try and help him."

Terrador answered his comrade gravely. "The words he spoke in both the council chamber and to Cynder do not stand for that notation Volteer. For all we know he could have been deceiving us when he was revived by the ancestors or he has been plotting before we even knew him. We can no longer trust him as we once have."

"What you do then? Imprison him?" Volteer questioned his tone growing frantic. "There is nothing we can build that could incarcerate him, nor any number of sentinels that would hold him."

Cyril huffed loudly. "We cannot have a repeat of the last debacle. We need to keep his powers under control if he should turn."

Terrador then cleared his throat silencing any further debate, and began in a calm and levelheaded manner. "I believe my friends there is nothing we can but pray and hope, and be ready should the time come."

Volteer and Cyril pondered his words before agreeing with their friend.

"I do however have something that might help us against the aggressors beyond our walls." Terrador stated. "Have the moles detach some of the cannons from the walls and make saddles for them."

Cyril and Volteer's eyes lit up as they realized what Terrador was saying.

"I will go and inform the Council of the next meeting then." Cyril stated regally before moving to exit the building.

Volteer stood from his position and followed Cyril out. "I will go over see the work with the moles; those cannons they made are fascinating, astonishing, brilliant…" Volteer's rant faded as he exited the building.

Terrador then looked up as if he was gazing towards the heavens. Let us hope for the Ancestors to guide our steps my friends.

Sorry this took so long, several things got in the way. Then on top of that I hit writer's block like 3 times in this chapter, and I guess I could say I don't really like how it turned out but ohh well.