Two years later. . .

Spyro's POV:

People took to Brian a lot better than any of us thought. At first, people cowered in fear of him due to his color. Brian took residence in the dragon temple sleeping during the day, waking up in time for dinner, and then he would spend the night patrolling the area around Warfang. This soon proved to be needed as he caught a small group of grublins trying to break through the city wall on the first night. He would sound the alarm by going into a dive, the screeching sound ment either an attack or someone needing rescue. The latter more often than not. The hatchling grew to where he joined the other hatchlings in school. I remembered when Cynder and I, along with the Guardians and Brian debated over a name for him. Finally Brian suggested the name Forge, saying that his burning spirit would help craft the world, like a forge a blacksmith would use. The name stuck. As he grew he started to call Brian "Big Brother" and Cynder and I cousins.

"Spyro, Look at this." Cynder's voice snapped my thoughts back to the present. We were in Warfang's market looking for some supplies. I walked over to where Cynder was and saw a pot full of some sort of a paste. a sign right next to it read that it was a healing item.

"Excuse me." Cynder asked for the shopkeeper, a mole, to come over. "What can I do for you?" "What exactly does this do?" Cynder inquired pointing out the paste. "Ah, that there is something my brother, a healer, came up with." The mole explained. "It's a kind of field medicine for us moles and Cheetahs because, as you know, we can't use red crystals like you dragons can. What you do is you apply this paste over any open wound and heat it. that will cause it to harden forming a protective shell over the wound as well as stop bleeding. He told me that it had vitamins and minerals in it to help heal the wound as well as something to keep it from getting infected." The mole finished as Cynder and I traded impressed glances. "I bet Hunter would like some of this. How much does one bottle cost?" Cynder asked, and yeah, Hunter would like some of this. "30 gems Miss, Sorry that's pricey it's just enough to cover the cost of making it." The shopkeeper replied, that is a lot of money, but he is doing honest business. "Deal." Cynder agreed as she handed him the gems. "Just keep in mind that it can get a little messy in fur." the shopkeeper warned as he gave Cynder the bottle.

A bell rang informing everyone that school was out for the little kids, and here they come. Moles, cheetah cubs, and little dragons stampeded through the marketplace laughing and yelling. I have no idea how Brian can sleep during the day with noise like this around.

"Spyro, look." Cynder pointed to a young mole and cheetah picking on a red drago- They were picking on Forge! "Face it twirp! Your mommy's dead, You have no father, you are raised by a black monster, and you call the Terror of the skies "cousin" even when you see her use elements that are curses! You're pathetic." The cheetah insulted Forge as the mole kept getting in his way. I was about to stop it when I saw a familiar shadow. What is Brian doing up in the daytime?

Brian landed behind them and growled causing them to turn and run. Cynder and I joined them as we began walking back to the temple. Halfway there Forge asked a question: "Big Brother? Is it true?" Brian stopped for a moment and looked at him. "Let me tell you something." Brian sighed as he began to walk again. "Your mother fought for your life, giving her own in the process. That means that she loved you and would do anything to protect you. Those kids probably have parents that really don't love them like you did. As for monsters, It isn't the teeth, or claws that make one a monster, It's the stuff in here telling them what to do." Brian explained as he pointed out Forge's heart. "As for curses. Some call them Blessings, some curses. But what is the difference beside their original intended purpose? Both can be good or bad depending on how it's used." Brian finished as we reached the temple.

"Brian, Thank you." Cynder thanked him. It took me a second but I realised that he just broke threw any doubts she had about her elements and their purpose.

"That was some of the best parenting I've seen in some sixty years. I'm starting to wonder if your were honest when you told us about your human self." I turned around to see Terrador right behind us. "How long have you been following us?" Cynder asked. "The whole conversation, it was a test." Brian answered for the earth dragon who nodded his head in agreement.

"I'd like to continue but Hunter has returned with some grave news." Brian continued. "That's why I'm up in the middle of the day looking for you two." Brian explained as he turned to Forge, "I'm sorry but you can't attend this meeting, I saw Spike over at the arena." Spike was a lightning dragon and Forge's best friend. Spike was sent to the temple to train under Volteer to harness his powers that would commonly "Spike" out of control. He's come a long way.

When the four of us entered the meeting chamber, I saw Volteer and Cyrl with worried faces. When I saw Hunter I knew why: His cloak was torn as cuts and bruises covered his fur. Airel treated his wounds the best she could. "By the ancestors! What happened?" Terrador asked as shocked as much as we were.

"Apes" Hunter spoke with pain in his voice, "At least, that's what I thought they are. They stand and move like us cheetahs, they build structures and machines like moles. Their warriors wield some sort of a hand held cannon instead of swords and spears." Hunter described. "How did you come to know of them?" Terrador asked. "A member of one of my villages' hunting parties returned wounded saying that they discovered a city. When they got closer the ape like creatures fired on sight and pursued them. Only the one made it back to the village alive. I went to see what they were. The city has stone brick houses and one tower. It's inhabitants seem to be training an army. I would've left then but I saw a young dragon forced into what I assumed at the time to be a prison, so I investigated." Hunter explained. "My suspicions were correct: They are holding at least a dozen young dragons prisoner as work slaves." Hunter continued. "Hunter, Did the creatures have pale colored skin?" Brian asked, "Yes." "Hair manly on the top of their heads?" "Yes." Brian clenched his jaw in anger. "Those are not apes, They are human." Brian growled in anger.

"HUMAN!" The rest of us yelled in surprise. But before we could ask anything else Brian collapsed on the floor.

Yep, another cliffhanger. DEAL WITH IT! And please, even if your a guest reader, please review! I haven't gotten any reviews since I published this.