Hi here we have a new chapter. I hope to be able to post the new one every Sunday or so until October. Thanks to who reviewed the last chapters. I really appreciated the feedback. In this one I'm introducing two new main characters. Hope you'll enjoy it, let me know.

-Azotac

Clouds were covering the morning sky, as few slender sun rays were filtering through them, casting bright gold pillars that gave the landscape a surreal aspect.

Everything was silent and asleep in Warfang, apart for five lonely figures positioned over the western rampart, gazing the horizon.

The three guardians were in the middle, accompanied by two captains of the Warfang Army.

They all stood in complete silence, contemplating the beautiful scenery in front of them, the two soldiers also waiting for something to happen.

Then, a sound of clicking talons caught their attention, as two small figures approached from the big staircase that gave access to the rampart.

"Spyro, Cynder. What a perfect timing." Said Cyril, bowing his head to the two young dragons.

"Yea, it took us a while to walk all the city from the temple."Panted Spyro, a slight pain diffusing in his right leg.

"We are sorry for putting you under strain, Spyro, but your presence here today is of great importance."Said Terrador.

"In addition, if you don't feel confident enough in returning on your paws by the end of the meeting, one of our trusted captains here could bring you back to the temple by flight."Said Volteer, gesturing to the two guards behind him.

Spyro gazed at them briefly: one was a fire dragon, he guessed it by his slender yet muscular figure and the fiery red scales that were visible beneath his armour. Two pairs of bone-white horns jagged out of his head, slightly curving upward. His golden eyes were scrutinising the purple dragon curiously.

The other one instead was clearly an Earth dragon. He was bulkier than his fire comrade and he stood tall as Terrador. His green moss scales were in stark contrast with his two ram-like crimson horns. His brown eyes were directed to Cynder, with a blank expression.

Both soldiers were wearing a full body golden and white armour, with a small red drape coming down from the chest. It was clearly a celebratory suit, as it seemed to be too heavy to be used in combat.

Finally the fire dragon broke the silence and stepped out, bowing his head to the young dragons.

"Greetings young ones. It's an honour to meet you. My name is Ashen, and I'm the captain of the Temple Guard. While my Earth friend here is Baldur, captain of the Warfang Guard."

The two young dragons bowed their heads in response."It's a pleasure to meet you, sir."Answered Spyro.

"Dragons incoming!"Called Baldur with his deep voice.

The small group all turned their gaze toward west, as they too spotted some black figures coming towards the city.

Cynder almost held her breath for the most of waiting time, as a mix of anticipation and fear was coursing though her. She turned her gaze to Spyro, who smiled fondly at her, trying to extend his right wing over her. She helped him getting closer, brushing her flank over his, a smile never leaving his face.

They waited another few minutes when finally the group landed over one platform in the nearing of the rampart, behind Warfang's now safe walls.

The welcome committee approached them, Cynder glimpsed two young dragons hidden behind the adults' legs and wings, but they quickly faded from her view.

"Welcome to Warfang my friends, who's your leader?"Asked Terrador with a loud voice.

The group instantly became quiet, a pale yellow figure emerged from the small crowd.

He was clearly an Electricity dragon, tall as the guardians, but visibly older. He had a light grey chest, horns and wings.

"Greetings my comrades. My name is Fulmus and I'm the 'leader' of this group, Master Terrador."Spoke the electricity dragon.

"Very well, how many are you exactly?"Asked the Earth Guardian.

"We're a gran total of thirty-nine dragons, sir."Answered the yellow dragon.

"Only Thirty-nine? So nobody won the bet?"Thought Cynder.

Fulmus's gaze shifted between the welcomers, finally posing on the two young dragons near them. His eyes immediately widened.

"By the Ancestors, the purple dragon is here!"Exclaimed the Electricity dragon.

In matter of few moments all those thirty-nine pair of eyes shifted towards Spyro, gazing him intensely. Then all of them bowed their heads to the purple dragon, almost like they were praying him.

Spyro felt extremely uncomfortable by that display.

"You don't need to do this. Please keep your heads up, I'm not more important than you are."He told to the dragons in front of him.

They all raised their heads, some of them smiling at the display of humility by the great Saviour, some others a bit confused. The Guardians instead watched him with a proud gaze.

"Ahem, Volteer, Cyril? Would you like to escort our friends to the Great Hall, I'm sure they're all hungry and tired. Baldur will help you."Interrupted Terrador.

"Yes Terrador. C'mon you all, follow my lead. Baldur, you stay on the tail."Shouted Cyril, taking the air.

Fulmus stood behind with Terrador, his eyes now fixed on Cynder. He was watching her with an unreadable expression. After few moments he questioned:"Master Terrador, can I ask why is she here?"

"Who, Cynder? Why shouldn't she be here? She's been with Spyro since the beginning of the war, and helped him defeat the Dark Master. The young dragoness deserves our hospitality and protection."Stated Terrador.

"Even after all she has done to our race, you offer her to stay in our capital?"

"Don't you remember what Ignitus told to all of you while our two young dragons were missing? She was just a poor child controlled by Malefor."

"A poor child who's army slaughtered thousands of dragons."He broke.

"Ignitus…"That name broke into Spyro's mind like a thunder. He stood silent near Cynder while the discussion went on.

"I repeat, that wasn't her fault. She has proven multiple times to be a trustful dragoness."Answered Terrador.

Fulmus paused for few moments, his piercing gaze never leaving the black dragoness, who was feeling clearly intimidated. The yellow dragon's eyes finally shifted towards Spyro.

"Master Spyro, do you trust her?"He questioned. The purple dragon raised his head, gazing directly into Fulmus eyes with a determined stare.

"I trust her with my own life. She saved me multiple times and she risked her own safety to bring me back to Warfang after our battle with the Dark Master."He paused.

"She never deserved all the hate she received during these years. And I'll do everything in my power to prevent that to happen again."He concluded.

Fulmus stood silent for few moments, his eyes never leaving the purple dragon.

"Very well, I trust your words young dragon. Now if you excuse me, I'd like to join my comrades in the great hall."He said, shifting his gaze towards Terrador.

"Of course. I will accompany you. Ashen, would you like to escort our young heroes back to the temple?"

"Yes, Master Terrador!"He answered, while the two older dragons took flight.

The two young dragons gazed the red dragon near them.

"Master Spyro, would you like to be carried to the temple, or you prefer to go by paws?"Questioned Ashen.

"Please don't call me like that, Spyro is enough."Said the purple dragon.

"If it's not a problem for you to carry me back, you would do me a favour."He continued.

"As you wish, Spyro."Said the red dragon, lowering down to permit the purple dragon to climb on his back.

"Hold tight young one!"Said Ashen.

"Yessir"

Then in an instant, the fire dragon took flight with Cynder following closely. A mixture of excitement and freedom coursed trough Spyro, as he gazed at the awakening city below him.

The sun now was starting his ascension trough the sky, shedding its warmth all over Warfang.

Spyro felt the instinct of open his wings, to soar over the world like he used to do, to feel free like he used to be, but then the rationality came back into his head. If he tried to fly now, he would surely fall ruinously to the ground, due to his still weak wing. He limited himself to hold tight at the armour of the red dragon carrying him and enjoy the amazing view from above.

The flight took them just few minutes. Ashen landed softly in front of the main gate of the temple, letting Spyro hop down from his back.

"Here you are young ones, thank you for your presence today."Said the fire dragon.

"Thank you for the lift, Ashen. It's been a pleasure to meet you."Answered Spyro.

The red dragon bowed his head and turned to leave, when Cynder called him:"Ashen could you wait a minute?"

"Yes, Cynder, what do you need?"Asked the red dragon.

The black dragoness waited few moments before answering. She collected all the courage she had."I want to know if I hurt someone close to you, during the war. If yes I want you to know that I'm extremely sorry for that."She said with a subdued voice.

Ashen paused for few seconds, watching her miserably, then sighed.

"I'll be honest, I lost lots of dear friends and relatives during this insane conflict. Many of them fell under your army. I was angry at you at the beginning. I remember that every time you arrived over the battlefield, every hope just vanished, as fear and terror simply overwhelmed us."He paused, facing the stone beneath his paws.

"I wanted to see you die in the most dire and painful way, like my brethren did, but the former Fire Guardian, Ignitus, made me change my mind. He knew that you, like all of us, were just a victim of Malefor's evilness. It took me sometime but I accepted it, and now I live better. And seeing you finally living your life makes me happy." He smiled fondly at the two young dragons.

Cynder was simply astonished by those words and by the kindness of that dragon. She felt few silent tears streaming down from her eyes.

"Thank you. Thank you for your comprehension."She murmured.

The red dragon, bowed his head and then left, directing into the temple.

The two young dragons stayed in the courtyard for few more minutes, Spyro staying close to Cynder, covering her with one wing. After she managed to calm herself down, they entered the temple directing to their rooms.

"Do you need some company, Cynder?" Asked Spyro nuzzling her cheek.

"No, I'm fine, just need to rest a bit. See you later."She answered.

"Just call me if you need anything"

"I will, thank you."

Then they both entered their rooms.

Spyro walked to his balcony, sitting in the shade. He then closed his eyes, trying to recap what happened that morning: all the new dragons, the new acquaintances. But there was a name that kept echoing in his head.

"Ignitus…"He focused his mind on the first dragon he ever met, the dragon who taught him to fly, the dragon who gave his life to save him and the dragoness he loves.

"I will forever miss you…" A silent tear ran down his cheek. He left himself drag by the emotions, drifting away in his mind.

A loud knock came from the door, breaking away his train of thoughts.

"Master Spyro? Are you there?"An unfamiliar voice called.

Spyro, a little disoriented, gazed around him. Now the sun was far up in the sky.

"How long did I stay here?"He asked himself.

"Master Spyro?"The voice called again.

The purple dragon groaned, leaving for the door. When he opened it, he found a mole waiting, beside him there was Cynder.

"Spyro did you fall asleep?I was getting worried."Said Cynder.

"Yea, it seems so."He murmured, clearly not convinced of his answer.

"Sorry to bother you, Master Spyro, but the Guardians asked me to send you two to the Great Hall to have lunch. Your friend, Auros I think it was his name, is waiting outside the Temple."Said the mole.

"Oh, thank you."Said the purple dragon.

The mole bowed his head, then left for the stairs. Cynder closed to Spyro, nuzzling his cheek.

Noticing that he was still thoughtful, she asked him softly: "Hey, is everything ok? You know you can talk with me of anything, right?"

"…Yes, thank you. But it's nothing, really."He answered, licking her cheek.

"Ok, now let's go. I'm really hungry."She said, speeding to the stairs.

The two young dragons reached the temple courtyard where there were Auros and a soldier waiting for them.

"Hi Spyro, hi Cynder." Said the white dragon.

They both saluted back, then turned to the soldier. Cynder recognised him almost instantly. He was the same guard that she met with Aramis at the infirmary.

The blue dragon bowed his head at the couple.

"Greetings, young ones. My name is Cyreus, lieutenant of the Warfang Guard. Is my duty to escort you to the Great Hall."Said the soldier, gazing at the two young heroes.

"Nice to meet you, Cyreus."Said Spyro.

Without another word the group started walking trough the streets of the city.

"The great hall is not far from here, and it is, beside the Temple, the most important place in the city. It's usually used as a meeting place for all the citizens and as a dining hall, but in rare occasions it can be utilised to host great gatherings and feasts."Said Cyreus.

As the guard promised, they reached the Great Hall in few minutes of walking.

It was indeed a great building, but unlike the Temple, which developed on more floors, the structure instead expanded on a wide single floor.

The exterior style was very similar to the Temple's. All the walls were made of solid clear marble, adorned with some Warfang banners. The facade was embellished with several golden statues representing dragons in various poses, all placed over a long canopy supported by a series of tall columns.

They entered the main door, Spyro's eyes curiously exploring the interior of the building.

An array of wide windows illuminated the whole place. The wide hall was arranged with a number of wooden tables placed neatly in rows. At the end of the hall he could see a counter where there were some moles departing with trays full of platters.

"Spyro, Cynder!"A familiar voice exclaimed.

They turned around to see who called them. It was Volteer, accompanied by two young dragonesses, apparently of the same ages of the two heroes.

"I see you finally arrived for lunchtime, perfect timing! Oh, there's Auros too, amazing! "Said the Guardian with his usual smile etched on his face." With me there are Nix and Gaia. Two young dragonesses arrived this morning with the convoy. Please darlings introduce yourself."

The first one stepped in:"My name is Gaia and I'm an Earth dragoness. Nice to meet you."She said with a confident voice, her golden eyes watching directly Spyro. Cynder noticed it, and began to study her from nose to tail.

She had the clear physical structure of an Earth dragoness, she was bulkier than Cynder and her friend, but she was still keeping a feminine look. Her scales were of a deep forest green, while her chest and underbelly had a light brown hue. Two pairs of straight horns sprouted from her head, slightly curving downward, they were of the same colour as her chest. Her golden eyes bore a determined and strong gaze. Cynder felt a weird sensation coursing through her, she had a feeling that she could have 'problems' with her in the future.

The other dragoness stepped in more shyly, almost protecting herself behind the earth dragoness.

"My name is Nix, I'm an Ice dragoness."She paused briefly, then forced a strained smile. "It's an honour to meet you."She then bowed her head, clearly referring to Spyro and Cynder.

Auros was strangely drawn by the dragoness appearance. Her slender and elegant form fitted perfectly the standard Ice dragoness's physical structure. Her scales were of a translucent light-blue hue. Three pairs of silver horns sprouted from her head, curving upward and a bit inwards. A shape that almost resembled a crown. Her chest and underbelly shared the same colours as the horns. Their eyes met briefly, but parted immediately for embarrassment.

"Please"Said Cynder"There's no need of such formalities. Anyway my name is Cynder."She said smiling.

"Mine's Spyro."Said the purple dragon, also him with a grin on his face.

"I'm Auros, nice to meet you." Said the white dragon.

"Perfect, now that the presentations are done, would you like to get something to eat? I'm sure that all of you are pretty hungry." Said Volteer smiling.

The young dragons all nodded.

"Marvellous, now follow me. Let's get you youngster somewhere to accommodate."

The Electricity Guardian led them to an empty table."Here, have a seat. Now I'm sorry, but I have to leave you. Have a nice time and a good lunch young ones."Without another word, he left.

An awkward silence fell over the youngsters' table. Finally Cynder spoke.

"Sooo…Gaia, Nix, if I may ask, where do you actually come from?"She asked.

"Well, me and my family lived here in Warfang. We left the city few weeks before the assault. We flee with other families to north-west towards the mountains past Avalar. There we found another group of refugees, and that's when I met Nix."Said Gaia, gazing her friend.

"Yea that's true. My family and I lived in a small village on the slopes of the mountains, but we were attacked by the grublins, so we were forced to escape and hide in the caves at high altitude. Those monsters didn't push that far."Continued the ice dragoness.

"I see. Are your families alright?"Asked Cynder, as a bit of anguish began to rise in her chest.

"My father stood back in Warfang when we left, 'cause he is a soldier. I haven't seen him yet, but one guard told me that he's alive and well. I think my mother is looking for him right now, so I'll wait here until they arrive."Said the earth dragoness.

"My family too is mostly ok, but since we didn't live here before, we need to be relocated somewhere in the city, and my mother was severely injured to one leg during the attack at my village. Since then she's not been able to walk properly. It is a luck that there's my dad that takes care of her."Concluded Nix.

Cynder anguish completely faded away as soon as the azure dragoness finished talking.

At least she wasn't responsible for the death of another of her friends' family.

"Enough talking about us."Gaia's eyes darted towards the purple dragon, in an inquisitive way.

"Can you tell us how the heck did you defeat Malefor and recomposed the planet?"She asked.

Spyro and Cynder watched each other. Finally Spyro exhaled heavily and began to recount their journey since waking up from the time crystal.

The dragonesses, as well as Auros, remained completely astonished by the narration of the two young dragons. It seemed almost impossible that the couple survived all the perils and extremes difficulties that they faced and still came out victorious.

"So, let me understand well…You defeated Malefor, the most powerful dragon in the whole history, in a fight to death deep into the planet. Then Spyro began to float in mid-air and pulled back the world together, almost dying during the process?"Said Gaia.

Spyro and Cynder nodded in unison.

"Wow…That's, wow."Said the earth dragoness.

"I guess that Malefor wasn't the strongest dragon in the whole history after all…"Said Auros smiling at his friends.

They were interrupted by a mole waiter posing some filled platters on the table. The inebriating smell of meat filling their nostrils.

The youngster thanked the waiter, then began to eat.

After finishing their meal, they left the table and approached to the main door of the great hall.

"Well, thank you for the company, but we got to stay here and wait for our parents to return."Said Gaia.

"Thank you too. Hope to see you girls soon."Said Spyro.

Cynder gave a strange look to the purple dragon, but he didn't notice.

"What is this feeling…"She though to herself, while leaving the hall.

She followed the two males that were quietly chatting about the check-up they needed to do the following day.

"Could it be jealousy?But why? He already told that he loves me…I need to be sure…"She kept thinking.

"Cynder, it's all ok?"Asked Spyro, breaking her train of thoughts.

"Yea, yea. I'm fine, just thinking…"She answered.

They arrived at the temple before she could notice it. They crossed the main gate and then the large corridor directing towards their rooms. They noticed two male adult dragons going in their opposite direction trough the corridor. They were an Earth soldier and an Ice dragon. They both smiled at their passing, but nothing more.

The small group proceeded, arriving in the main chamber of the temple, where they found Terrador waiting for them.

"Ah, young dragons welcome back. Had a good meal?"He asked gently.

They all nodded.

"Actually I'm sorry, we Guardians should have advised you about the food service of the great hall, but you were already out yesterday night."He said.

"No problem, Terrador. The owner of the stall offered us the dinner yesterday night, so it's all ok."Stated Cynder.

"Terrador, can I ask you who were the dragons that were leaving the Temple?"Questioned Spyro.

"Actually I was coming to this subject. Those dragons are the fathers of the two new dragonesses arrived today."He said

"Now, seeing your good recovery and the arrival of those young ones, we Guardians decided, if it's ok for you, to begin the training as soon as you complete your check-up."Continued the Earth Guardian.

"You mean tomorrow, Terrador?"Asked Spyro.

"Exactly. I'm certain that the medics will be able to ensure that your wing will be fine. As well for your hind legs, Auros."Reinsured the Earth Elder.

"Well, if you say so, I trust you."Said the purple dragon.

"Nice. Now excuse me, young ones, but I need to reach Cyril and help him redirect the new arrivals, or he's going to bother me to death for not helping him."Said Terrador speeding trough the corridor. Spyro and Cynder giggled, while Auros remained a bit stunned by the confidence and the lack of formality of the Guardians. It was something that he wasn't used to see, but in reality he was enjoying it. Surely it was better than the rigid, almost military regime, that he expected to find in Warfang.

Finally the group split up in the first floor, with Auros entering his room to rest a bit.

As soon as his door closed, Cynder wrapped gently her tail around Spyro's neck. A mischievous grin etched on her face.

"Cynder!? What are you…"Spyro was interrupted by Cynder beginning to pull him to the stairs.

"Hush, you'll see."She said, continuing to drag him.

The purple dragon didn't dare to ask any other questions.

They arrived at their floor, Cynder pulled Spyro to her door, shoving him inside. She followed closely, pushing him over her bed, then jumping on him.

When she had pinned him down, she began to lick the base of his neck.

"Cy..Cynder what are you doing?"He asked, clearly embarrassed.

She kept going, moving up to his muzzle. Spyro didn't know what was happening, but of one thing he was sure. He was enjoying it. Carried away, he begun to lick her muzzle too. She cooed pleased. They kept going for sometimes before she finally dropped over him, hugging her purple dragon tightly.

"That was…intense."He said.

"I just wanted to have some fun, did you like it?"She asked.

"Of course I did, but you didn't need to be so rough."He chuckled.

"It was just to spice up things a little bit."She answered.

They both chuckled, smiling fondly at each other.

"I love you, Cynder."He said finally.

"I love you too."