The Legend Of Spyro: Love And War Book 2

by Spyro and Cynder lover

Continuation Of Book One! With Malefor returned to normal, Spyro and Cynder in love, and everyone now back to their normal lives, another threat; Flint, the new Dark Master, will put everyone and friendships to the test, mixing lies and threats against one another. Death is around every corner, lives at risk, and sometimes, not even being dead means you're forgotten.

11. Chapter 11: The First Dark Master Fight

Chapter 11: The First Dark Master Fight

Not even the Ancestors know where this weather came from. So I'm not going crazy. But that also means, if the Ancestors didn't know, then this has to be happening because of some dark force, that being, this, new, Dark Master, A clone of Ignitus thought to himself as he laid down and rested above the tops of the Guardians Building. Even as it poured down rain on top of him, with the feeling of cold water dripping down his body, he didn't seem to care as his thoughts broke the sound of rain and the feeling of coldness for him, But if this does have to do with the Dark Master... What could this dragon be doing to change the weather so quickly? And just as important, where is he, and, who, is he? Or could it be a female? Could it even be a dragon at all? It's not like I will get my answers just laying up here. Can't see a thing from all this rain... Aside from the red glow of lava from the Volcano. I guess I just have to give this information over to my real body and see what I can do from there. Standing up to his paws, he took a couple more seconds to look out over Warfang and wonder if there was anything he could see that might be out of the ordinary. Just at the corner of his eye, he was able to catch a glimpse of what looked to be a dragon going into it's home. He was unable to make out the color, and before he could get a closer look, another bolt of lightning lit up the sky and landed very close to the front walls of Warfang. Even for him, he shook, and nearly slipped off the top of the building as he did. Regaining his balance, he somewhat smiled as he thought to himself, What do we have here? Why would someone be out right now? Looks like someone has something to hide. Maybe I can get a lead on that dragon and figure out what it is up to. Opening his wings and flying down to the area he saw the dragon, he landed just a couple of steps away from the building and tried to sneak up to the front door. It proved a little difficult as the sounds of his claws hitting the wet ground made a constant clicking sound. Before he could reach the door, he had to walk up a couple of small steps. Once he was at the top, he put the side of his head against the door and listened. He could hear the dragon walking around, but other then that, nothing. It took a couple of seconds for the dragon to say something, but when it did, Ignitus felt as though he had struck gold. It was a little hard for him to hear with the rain, and also because the voice was so muffled, but he tried his best to hear. "Almost got it. It's taken me years to make this, and now... Now I know I can face him once again, I know I can. I will show him that I can be better then her, and I can win him back! I just need to make make the storm fit in the bottle. Then... Then... I... No. Don't think about it now, you've come too far for this to fail... Hehe... Who knows, I might even be able to kill Malefor with this, but... after what he said..."

"What!" He cried out loud accidentally.

Just as he did, he tried to listen once again, but he knew he was caught and heard the sounds of steps slowly coming towards the door. Turning and jumping off the top step, he slipped and fell onto his side, hitting the ground with a wet smack. Trying to scurry to get up, he slipped a couple of times before finally opening his wings. The door swung open, but he didn't turn to see who it was and jumped to the air to take flight. He heard the voice say something, but he couldn't make it what was said. Instead of turning around or flying back, and flew right for the Guardians Building. Flying head on into the front of the building, he fazed right through the wall. He passed through a room, then fazed through another wall, and was now in a hallway. He looked behind himself and then looked in front to see he was in front of the Chambers. Running into the Chambers and to the back door, he swung it open and saw that everyone was already awake, and they all looked at him a little with wide eyes.

"Sweet Ancestors, you scared the hell out of us," Volteer joked.

"No kidding. First the thunder waking us all up, and now someone just barging in here," Cyril chuckled as his heart was beating pretty fast from everything that was happening.

"Wait, your clones can pant?" Terrador asked.

"Well, Ignitus did show me that the only thing they can't really do is bleed so, I wouldn't be surprised since he's the Chronicler," Claire gave her idea on why the clone could be doing such a thing.

Everyone looked over at Ignitus, wondering what his input would be, but instead of a joke or a fun comment, he looked a little worried for his clone. To Ignitus, something didn't seem right, and no one knew what it was until he spoke, "What happened? If this was something minor, you would've just been able to teleport back to me and give me all the information. Which must mean, you have something important that you want to tell me, rather then just give. Am I right?"

"I think I know where the Dark Master is!" His clone blurted out and got straight to the point.

"What?!" Everyone cried in unison.

"Where? We can all gather now and take down the Dark Master right now!" Terrador commanded to know as he stood up on his bed ready to act as soon as they could.

"Wait, I..."

"Yeah. Terrador's right. Ignitus, think about it, this could help us so much in the long run. We were so scared of the Dark Master attacking, and hurting, and or killing one of us. If we act now, we wouldn't have to worry about such a fear!" Volteer agreed all the way with Terrador's thinking and stood up as well, ready to jump to the fight, "We can easily take him out now along with Malefor, and maybe even Spyro's help!"

"It's not a...!"

"Why are we still wasting time?" Cyril asked as he stood up on his bed before continuing, "The longer we wait, the more of a chance we have of losing where this Dark Master is. Since Ignitus is standing around, I might as well just run up and grab the two so we can just get this over with."

"Would all of you shut up and listen!" Ignitus's clone yelled, loud enough to make the Guardians a little afraid from the sound of anger in his voice, "For one, we can't bring Spyro into this! You all know what could happen, and I don't won't to risk bringing up the Dark Master even after what has happened. Second, it didn't sound like a male, she, sounded female. I couldn't hear her voice all too well so I couldn't make out what she was saying."

"Did you get anything that can help us track her down?" Ignitus asked.

"I can't."

"Why not?"

"When ever I was listening, I messed up and she heard me yell. As I slipped and fell trying to get up here, she yelled out something. But get this, I can't read her mind. None of her thoughts and actions are recorded at all so, I don't know what element she possesses, what she wanted, or even what her true plans are. All I know is what I could gather: She is the one who caused this storm."

"What?!"

"Why do you sound so surprised, Ignitus? Don't you know everything?" Volteer asked.

"Apparently, I don't... And neither does the Ancestors... I was confused as to why this storm came out of nowhere as I would've known about it, but since I didn't, I asked the Ancestors," The clone answered for him.

"You... asked... the Ancestors?"

"Not important, but what is important is that, not even they know where this storm came from. It was scary for me to hear and I sat up on the roof wondering what could cause such a thing that not even the Ancestors would know about. As I was about to give the information to you, Ignitus, I saw a dragon going into their home. I followed down and listen to what the dragon had to say. She said something about facing, him, again."

"Him?" Ignitus questioned.

"She also said that she will show she can be better then her and win him back. After that, she talked about getting the storm to fit in the bottle, so I knew, this was her doing. But the reason I was caught in the first place was because of the last thing she said... These were her exact words, 'Who knows, I might even be able to kill Malefor with this'."

"What?!" Everyone once again cried in unison

"Let me have the information, if you would please," Ignitus said to his clone.

His clone nodded and obeyed. Walking over to his main body, the Guardians continued to talk amongst one another, wondering what they should do about this situation. As his clone approached his body, he stood beside him and put his paw on the side of his body. The body of the clone shined a bright white color as it slowly disintegrated and disappeared into his main body. As Ignitus gained all the information his clone had gather, his eyes went slightly wide as he didn't know so much had happened in the couple hours of night, This is unbelievable! His wasn't lying if course but... The Ancestors... That dragon... And we don't know who, 'him', is. We don't know who she is, and... great... even more for us to deal with... Ignitus sighed as he thought about it, and even for him, he started to sweat just thinking about everything that could happen to them in the future. Feeling his sweat touch her scales, Claire looked at him with a concerned look and asked, "Is, everything okay?"

Breaking from his thoughts, he looked over at her and saw that even she was a little afraid, and she giggled as she tried to make her self a little more calm, but it failed, "Hehe, you know, if someone like you starts sweating with fear... someone as powerful as you... that's a little scary."

"That proves my point," Volteer called out as he heard what Claire had said, "Ignitus, you can't keep living in the past. Spyro would never kill us, and even if he were to hurt us, he wouldn't do it in such a way that would make Cynder fear him. You have to trust me on this, and you have to trust him. Carith can protect Malefor if Spyro tries anything as well, and he would never attack her, because, once again, Cynder would fear Spyro, and he would never want such a thing to happen."

"I... I know... But, we are thinking about this too quickly without thinking about what could happen."

"Are you talking about how she said she would kill, Malefor?"

"If she is able to make such a thing, then who knows what it could also do to one of you, or Spyro. And we don't know who the other guy that she is talking about is. For all we know, there could be someone out there stronger than Spyro."

"But we can't just sit on this opportunity! Isn't there laws or something to your powers about when you can or can't use them. A Dark force is in our city, you should have the grounds to use your powers to protect this city! It's not fair if they can use their darkness against us, but we can't use the light against them!"

"Well... that's a... maybe. I know the Ancestors don't like when they can't see more then one place because of the darkness. So, maybe I can get permission to use my powers to protect the city, while dealing with the problem so it doesn't mess with what they already have planned... It could work now that I think about it."

"What they already have planned?"

"If I say anything about the Ancestors, I can't tell you anything about what they say, plan, or do. I can only mention them since... I keep slipping up and saying their name."

"Alright, I guess that makes sense, but all this other stuff doesn't. Spyro also has the time power, if she was to try and use what ever she has, he can use his time power to stop her. Also, you can warn him of what to be careful of before we even go in to attack. If we defeat her, one less problem, and we can figure out who, he, is, and hopefully, she can lead us to the Dark Master and we can end all this War and death nonsense once and for all!"

Hearing his friend's words, it did sound like a pretty good idea. I guess a lot more good could come from it then bad, and if anything does happen, I'm sure the Ancestors wouldn't mind if I used my power as well, Ignitus thought about it and agreed on what he had thought about. Giving it a couple of seconds to think a little more about it, he came to a decision that would hopefully be beneficial to everyone, "Unfortunately, we can't do it tonight. The winds are too strong, the lightning and rain can distort our vision as their is too much of it, and she can easily get away. I suggest we wait till tomorrow and focus on finding and dealing with her then."

"What? No... No no no, we can't do it tomorrow."

"Why... Oh..."

"Spyro promised me that tomorrow, we would search for Ersa. I can't back out of it now, not when I'm close to hopefully being able to see her again."

"Volteer, What we are dealing with, could get Malefor or any one of us killed, and it could also lead us to the Dark Master. Unless you have a better idea on what to do, we need to deal with this situation first before you go and search for her, or else we could have another war on our paws."

Volteer slightly growled as he was starting to get a little upset that Ignitus was trying to delay his reunion with his lover. But instead of yelling at him, he understood, and came up with what they should do in only a couple of seconds, "Alright, I have an idea then. Since me and Spyro are already in Warfang looking for Ersa, How about, while we search for her, we can also look to see if anyone is acting suspicious and has any kind of glass bottles with them that look out of the ordinary?"

Ignitus, along with everyone else, were very surprised he came up with a plan so quickly. Even for me, that plan is pretty well thought out. If I try to push it and tell him no, he will get suspicious... There is no helping it. He has to find out sooner or later, He thought to himself, knowing there was no way he could try and work his way around Volteer's plan. Giving him a slight smile, he agreed to the plan, "Alright, that sounds like a pretty good plan. We will act as soon as we wake up tomorrow. So for now, lets just go back to bed."

"Um, Ignitus, I don't know how well you sleep but, this storm... yeah, not gonna happen, Unfortunately," Terrador chuckled, and the other two Guardians agreed with a nod.

"I could always just mute out all sounds so you all can sleep better."

"Sleep better? Have you ever tried sleeping with absolutely no sound? Thanks but, I'm gonna pass."

"Agreed," Volteer and Cyril said in unison.

"I could just give you all really good dreams and hope it will help you sleep better?"

"What kind of dream could you possibly give me?" Terrador asked.

"Um... I... I actually don't know. Maybe a dream... inside of a dream... of you sleeping?"

"And then, boom! Lightning!" Cyril laughed.

"A dream, inside a dream..." Volteer gasped and said to himself, "Just like Inception! I want to be Cobb!"

"It's a little difficult to sleep now. We are all already standing on our beds, the sound of rain hitting the glass windows, lightning hitting every once and a while, and this new Dark Master information... I'm about as wake as one dragon can be right now," Terrador sighed as he sat down on his bed, wishing he could get a good night's rest, "I mean, since we are all awake, we could do something."

"But then we will be tired tomorrow," Cyril said, sitting down on his bed.

"And, you know, can't have that happening," Volteer said as he sat down on his bed.

"Well... There is, one thing, I could do," Ignitus spoke, and everyone looked at him, hoping his idea would help in some way, "Since this storm is out of the ordinary, I'm sure I would be able to use one of my other, nice, and helpful powers. This is actually why the Chronicler doesn't need sleep as this power is always going, but, basically, we can stay up all night, and when morning rolls around, I can use my power to make it feel as though we got a healthy night's rest. What do you all say to that?"

The Guardians all paused as they looked at one another, wondering what they were thinking just by looking at their expressions. They all nodded with smiles, and as Ignitus looked to see their reactions, he knew that was a yes. Since everyone was in agreement, Ignitus now had a question for the three as he was confused on what to do, "Well, since we are staying awake for the next twenty-four hours... What do you suggest we do?"

Once again, everyone looked at one another and sighed as they realised their really was nothing to do. Volteer tried to think of something fast as he always did, and thought it would be funny to bring up something from a couple of days ago, "Hey, Terrador, How about you give us more insight on... rock paper scissors?"

"No..." Terrador grumbled.

"Yeah, Terrador's right," Claire agreed, "But it was still funny to see Volteer throw you both under like that."

"Oh yeah," Cyril growled as he looked over at Volteer, "What was it you said, Claire? One month of training with, Spyro?"

"Hehe... Hehehe... Come on guys. When it comes down to it, Claire was upset, which means Ignitus was upset... which means that he could literally give us nightmares. I'm not messing with that," Volteer chuckled as he was a little scared to see the looks from both Cyril and Terrador as even just bring it up made them growl, "But, Hey, now that we are talking about Spyro, and since Ignitus still doesn't think Spyro trusts him, why don't we bring those four down here and we can all do something together!"

"Even still, What would we do?"

"There is nothing wrong with just standing around and talking. And maybe that's just what Spyro and Malefor need to do; Talk with one another."

"I don't know if that will work," Ignitus said, "Spyro isn't going to be moving anytime soon, and if I was to try and get him down here, I don't think he will like me."

"Let me guess..."

"Yeah... Spyro promised her that, if they have any free time, it's going to be spent... kissing her. His other words were, a little embarrassing."

"Okay... What about, Malefor?"

"Um..."

"No way they are serious doing the same thing."

"Well... Kinda. The four are awake after what happened with the lightning. The only difference is, Malefor is... Well, he is being Malefor."

"That is the scariest thing I've ever heard. How bad is it?"

"Lets just say that, the Dark Master is trying to escape, and the only way for him to be, locked, up... is with a kiss from Carith..."

"Oh... Oh no... I'm gonna... throw up."

"Yeah."

---

Standing on the left side of the bed, Malefor looked at Carith as she looked back at him. She stood on the opposite side of the bed with a paw forward, almost as if she was ready to run after him. Sitting back down on the bed, Malefor looked away from her, and as he sat down, he looked out the window and tried to pretend to cry, "Carith's no ordinary women. She's brave. But the thing that makes Carith special is she'll never give up on you. Ever."

She giggled at him, not understanding what he was trying to pull. Taking her paw back, she asked with a raised brow, "Alright, Dark Master, What are you trying to pull?"

Looking back at her, he asked, a little surprised that she didn't know what he was doing, "You don't know what that's from."

"Oh no. Is this about those books again."

"Alright, wait wait wait, give me a couple more tries."

With a sigh, she agreed, "Alright."

Looking back out the window and trying to shed a tear once again, he gave out a slight cry as he spoke, "Though I've grown old, the bell still rings for me, as it does for all who truly believe."

Looking over at her, she shook her head as she didn't know that quote either. Looking back out to the moon, he tried once again, only his voice sounded as if he really was crying, "Always."

Looking away from what he could see of the moon and focusing his attention to his lover, she giggled at him to see he was actually slightly crying. A single tear went down his left eye, and she asked him what book it was from, "Okay, I'm curious to know, What was that, 'Always', from? If it has a deep enough meaning to make you cry, I have to know."

"It's... It's fine... Ahem... Sorry, I was just. Lets just say, when every the guy says that, he dies. Everything he said up to his death had meaning and it was... Difficult..."

Seeing as his lover was so sad, she took a step forward and wanted to comfort him now. But seeing as she took that step forward, he was able to regain his composure and continue to act as he once did. He stood up straight, and with his chest puffed out, and his wings extended out from his sides, Carith watched with wide eyes as the slight moonlight that shined through the clouds was perfectly on him as he stood there. The way his body looked, and the way he spoke in somewhat of a low, teasing growl, made her feel weak and vulnerable for some reason.

"The Dark Master? Please, don't put me with that, monster," He paused, and as he continued to walk closer to her, he continued, "For now on, you will know me as: Master Malefor."

Her heart skipped a beat as he was right in front of her, and his last breath was felt on her mouth as she could feel the warm air coming from his mouth as he spoke. She was a little in shock as she had no idea what to do, and she didn't know what had come over her. To him, she seemed a little scared as it looked as though she was breathing a little heavily without opening her mouth up all the way. Her face was slight moved to the left as she wasn't looking dead at him, and her eyes were slightly closed as though she was afraid of being attacked. But what confused him was the blush that had formed on her face as he got close to her. Tucking his wings back to his side, he needed to make sure he didn't actually scare her. Slowly moving his paw forward and placing it over her paw, he whispered to her, "Hey, my love, are... are you, okay?"

She had to blink a couple of times to come back to where she was, and looking down at the bed and at her paws, she saw and felt the warmth of her lover's. Looking up at him, he had a concerned look on his face, but he still tried to give a slight smile in hopes that she was okay. Getting control over her breathing and surroundings, she put her other paw on her head and apologized, "Sorry... I... I don't know what happened. When every you were playing around, I saw you... opening your wings, and then... I couldn't move."

"Did I scare you?"

"No no no, nothing like that. I wasn't scared at all, I was just... I don't know," Carith wondered as she put her paw back down to the bed.

Malefor gasped as he had a great idea, "Wait! You know what that means?"

"What?"

"Maybe Cynder has experienced the same thing before with her lover as well. Which means, you two can talk, and I can talk with Spyro in hopes that we can be friends faster, and you two both get your time to talk with one another! It's a perfect plan."

"I mean, it doesn't sound all bad. I think the only bad idea is you pushing the fact that you want to be Spyro's friend."

"Why?"

"Dark Master. He could think that you are pushing to be his friend because you just want to kill all of us and leave already. But then again, when ever you woke up and said you were the Dark Master and working on a dark army all night, he laughed and laughed, and all you could do was stand there with a blush and grumble."

"Yeah, Well... Alright, fine, that did happen, but it just goes to show that he really does trust me."

"Which I am very grateful for. And maybe you should introduce him to the new you."

"You mean," He paused, extending his wings, puffed out chest, and his once again soft and low, teasing growl, "Master Malefor?"

She once again felt as though her body felt weak, and she couldn't understand why. Luckily, he pulled his wings back and talked in his normal voice which helped bring her back once again, "Yeah, I think I like this new name for myself. I think I'm gonna keep it. No longer will we ever have to fear the Dark Master, as I will now be know as the Master of Light, rather then dark...! Although... I'm pretty sure Spyro deserves that title more then I do. I wonder what he would think."

"We... We could always go and find out."

"Hehe, absolutely. I'm going to ruin his time with, Cynder. And since he didn't kiss her all that much yesterday, hopefully I will be able to stop them now, and later, they will break up from not feeling anymore love to one another! Hehehe..."

"Haven't I already talked to you about what would happen if they broke up?"

"Yeah... And each and everyone one would end in my death from one of them so... Gotta make sure they stay together."

"That's not hard to do. Even if you were to attempt to break them up, which, if you ever do, you know what would happen, it would only make their love for one another stronger."

"Crazy how much those two were made for one another."

"And what about us?"

"I'm not surprised. Your beautiful and I'm handsome. Easy combo for us to be together."

"And sexy..." Carith whispered as she bit her lip.

"What?"

"Nothing! Just, wondering when we are going to go and talk with the other two."

"Oh, Yeah, sorry. The longer we wait, the longer Spyro has, and I can't let that happen," Malefor said as he took his paw off of Carith's, turned his body, and jumped off the bed.

---

Gently moving his lips off of his lover's, Spyro stood above her as he pulled his head back and watched as the side her head fell down onto the bed, unable to move. Just like Spyro, she needed to catch her breath and had to take a couple of seconds to do so, which gave her enough time to think about something she could do to make this night more memorable, We've been kissing ever since we woke up, and he is keeping his promise, which, no surprise there but... How else can I make this night for us just as memorable as all the other nights. Finally getting her breathing under control, she turned one eye to look up at Spyro, and as he saw this, he smiled. She couldn't help but smile back, and turning her head to face up towards his, she kept the smile as she quickly thought, Come on, What do I say to him! If I don't think of something quick, he will say something romantic and beat me to it. Just as she had finished her thoughts, both her fears and wishes came true as he spoke, "I'm sorry I've been neglecting my time with you. From the training, The Guardians, and Malefor... I keep putting things before you and... I know you probably hate me for it, and I'm trying to keep everyone happy, I promise."

"You think I hate you because you are trying to keep everyone happy, including me, all at the same time?" Cynder giggled as she could see the guilt on his face, but to her, she didn't understand why he would feel guilty for such a thing, "Like you said, you are trying to keep everyone happy, and I understand that. Just know that no one else in this world should be more important then me."

"Hehe, I know, I know."

"If you know, and if you know me, then you should know that was a lie."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm not going to keep you from everyone else. If you want to train or, talk with the Guardians and Malefor, or even go out and just, fly around, I understand that. I know you are under a lot of stress after what the Guardians said, but remember..."

"Malefor's always got my back."

"Wow... So you do know that now."

"I do... That's why I'm not really jumping up to see what is going on. If something happened, either Ignitus would tell me, or Malefor would run to me for a warning about what's to come, or for help. It's never really happened before but, I know for a fact that is what he'd do. I've grown on the way Carith deals with him, and just like you, if we get out of line... it's very easy for you two to know how to shut us up."

"It's not hard when all we have to say is one word and you two break out into tears."

"It's a powerful word to say."

"We could even joke about leaving you two for a couple of dragons we saw and it is the saddest thing to see how sad you two get."

"I'm not scared. I could fight him."

"Oh really. I'm sure you can fight him, but could you handle me leaving."

"No..." Spyro whimpered.

"Hehe. I thought so."

"Speaking of leaving..."

"You try, and who ever this girl is, dies."

"Hehe, no, not that. What I mean is, how do you feel about Ignitus and Claire not being lover's yet."

"Absolutely pathetic."

"You've seen it too?"

"Spyro, please. I can see it all over her face, and some times, when they get close to kiss, her lips quiver with desperation. I really feel like he's missed his chance when he saved her from the darkness."

"Well, hopefully they are able to tell each other soon. I don't think Claire can handle it any longer."

"He is all powerful. She is now understanding what me and Carith feel when every we see our lover's as well."

"Oh, and what is it that you see?"

"I don't know... How about you show me once again?"

"Hehe... If you insist," Spyro growled in a low growl as he smiled.

Backing up off his lover, he stood off to the left side of his bed. As she rolled over onto her belly, she turned so her body would face where he stood. Watching him as his wings slowly opened outwards, his head ducked as he slowly crept backwards into the shadows of the back corner in their room. Since their was no moonlight to shine near this corner from where it was at, Spyro had disappeared into the darkness, but it was a little strange as it seemed as though he had completely disappeared. Spyro...? She thought, standing up and taking a single step forward, wondering what had happened. A single white light shined from the corner of where he disappeared to, and her body shivered as she took her step back, not understanding what was happening. Another white light appeared from the corner, and with the slight shiver of fear going throughout her body, and showing on her face, she asked, "Spyro... Is that... you?"

After she had said that, the two white shines of light had disappeared. A couple seconds later, the white shines had come back, only, the white shines now had purple eyes to them, and she sighed hugely as she knew who those eyes belong too. Thank you... She thanked in her thoughts as she was scared that something had actually happened, and she was thankful he did something about it. Taking one paw out, Cynder looked to see the paw was glowing with darkness as the moonlight finally showed as he stepped out from the corner. One paw after another as he walked out into the middle of the bed showed his dark side. Looking at him as he moved over at her, it seemed as though he could attack her at any moment, and her body had locked up on her, slightly going numb for some reason. Slightly stumbling just to keep herself up, Spyro stood there, now in front of her, showing off his completely flexed out and darkened body. His head slowly moved in front of hers and her breathing had sped up along with her heart. His voice was had a low, soft growl to it, and in a way, still soothing for her to hear, "You're right, I am, Powerful... So, don't make any, sudden, movements... Or else... I could... Bite."

Just as he said those last words, he had moved his head down near her neck and opened his mouth to pretend that he was going to bite her. Just as his teeth touched the scales on her neck, she froze in place, and her eyes grew slightly wide. Pulling away from the bite, her body finally couldn't stand up any longer. Her eyes grew heavy and closed, and at the same time, she fell to her side, almost as if she was in shock. Reaching out his wing and catching her before she fell on the bed, Spyro was scared for her as he thought he did something wrong, "Cynder...? Cynder, are you okay?"

Returning back to his normal form, he laid her down on the bed and was about to use his hourglass just in case. Just as reach to her side with his paw, he opened his mouth to cry out her name. Luckily, Cynder was slowly able to open her eyes and grumble slightly, almost as if she had just woken up from a dream. Spyro's face lit up, and he slightly cried as he spoke, "Cynder...! I... I thought I had actually hurt you... Thank the Ancestors."

Coming back to her senses, she asked, "What... What happened?"

"I was messing around with my dark form. And as I gently put my teeth on your neck to act as though I bit you, you just passed out," Spyro cried, trying to control himself, and as he spoke, she blushed more and more as she was now remembering everything that had happened, "I was afraid maybe I had used an ability or something without knowing and I... I... I'm just glad you are okay. And, just making sure, please Ancestors tell me I didn't actually hurt you."

Rolling back onto her stomach, he laid down in front of her as he watched with somewhat horror as she moved her paw around her neck, almost as if she was hurting from the bite. He couldn't say anything to make himself feel better as he thought he had hurt her, and it made it worse as he thought about it, I... I actually... hurt her. Taking her paw off her neck, she had looked away from Spyro, not even noticing what his reaction was to what she had done, and thought to herself, I barely remember anything... All I remember feeling is... helpless and so... vulnerable. The more she thought about it, the bigger the blush she had. Looking back over at her lover, she saw his reaction, and wondered why he looked do scared. Before she could open her mouth to ask, her eyes went wide as she gasped, He asked if he hurt me, and I ignored him while putting my paw around my neck! And I even looked away from him! She saw as he turned away from her and walked into the darkened corner of the room. He laid down on his stomach with half his body seen with the moonlight, and the other half covered by the darkness of where he laid. Putting his wings over the front of his face, she watched as he slightly trembled. Standing up and taking a step towards him, she whispered, "Spyro..."

A knock came to the door, interrupting her as she tried to help comfort Spyro. Facing towards the door, she said, "We're awake. You can open the door."

Opening up the door, Malefor was the first to walk in. As he entered, he made his way to the middle of the room. As he started to speak, Carith walked into the room as well and joined her lover's side, "I'm not surprised you all are awake. Kinda hard to sleep with all the noise. I've lived with the Guardians before and, I've grown to deal with their snoring, but this... This is ridiculous."

"Hehe, yeah. I didn't really help either. We were resting fine up until that lightning lit up the sky and came crashing down like a monster. I shook pretty badly and woke up... Spyro..." As she spoke, she paused and looked over as she remembered what had happened, and she wasn't use to not being able to talk with him.

The two other looked over to see what happened, and both were in awe as they were completely confused. Carith walked up over to the side of the bed where Cynder stood, and she asked while not taking her eyes off Spyro, "What... Happened... I... Did you two... fight?"

"I... He... He gave me a little, bite, on the neck. I didn't feel any pain at all but, everything that had happened and what I did probably made him feel as though he did hurt me. I will tell you more once I help him out."

"He bit your neck?"

"I promise I will tell you everything."

"Alright."

Backing away and walking back over to her lover's side, the two watched as Cynder worked her magic, and they both hoped she would be able to help him out. Taking each step as easily on the bed as possible to not alarm him, she needed to make it as close to his body as she could, and she was successful in doing so. Now standing next to his side, she heard the slight sniffles coming from his nose, and it didn't take her long to know what to do. Laying down next to his side, she put a paw on his wing, and he shivered. Taking her paw off his wing, she went with the easier approach as she spoke, "My back is pretty cold, my love. Do you... think you can help me out?"

Even with how sad he was, he had to obey her. Taking his wing away from his face, he put his wing up and over her body, slightly warming her up. She wasn't able to see his face as she was hoping for as he had turned his face away from everyone and to his right when he moved his wing. Not wanting him to suffer for something he thought he did, she decided to openly admit what happened, "I know what you did may have seemed bad but, it was my fault for not telling you the truth. You asked me if that bite you did hurt my neck, and then I proceeded to rub my neck and look away from you... I couldn't answer you because... The way you were teasing me, I couldn't think straight. I couldn't really remember much but... I know for a fact that, that bite did not hurt me."

"Bite?!" Malefor cried, completely destroying the moment, "Teasing? Biting?! What the hell have you two..."

Carith grabbed his mouth shut with her paw, and he slightly frowned. Cynder slightly growled at Malefor for interrupting the perfect mood she had set to help out her lover. And even though she thought she didn't succeed, it worked as Spyro gave out a slight chuckle. She has hope in her eyes as he turned his head slightly more towards her. Seeing his smile once again, she wanted to smile, but she could see the tears from his eyes. Not wanting to ruin the moment, she stayed quiet to let him calm down. He turned his head more towards her, and she watched as he looked at her neck up and down. He gave off a slight sigh as he still didn't know if she was telling the truth or not. Ducking her head down right in front of his, she whispered, "You know, none of this would've happened if I kept my chains on."

"What?!" Malefor mumbled sadly through his teeth and gums as his lover still had her paw around his mouth.

"Hehe, true, but... if you had your chain on, we wouldn't have had that moment," Spyro murmured.

"But that moment tore you apart," Cynder whispered, moving her head closer to his as she was preparing for what she knew he needed.

"I just... I... I thought I actually, hurt, you. I... I didn't know if I underestimated my strength, and I thought my teeth actually sank into your neck, and I was so scared, I didn't..."

Taking this opportunity to calm him down, she pushed her lips against his, hoping this would help him out. As the two continued their kiss, Carith took her paw off from Malefor's mouth. Trying to act as though he was trying to look at his lips, he licked them and looked confused for some reason. Looking over to his lover, she wondered what he was trying to do, and she gave a raised brow with confusion. His face lit up as he had an idea. Putting his claw at his mouth, he then pointed his claw at hers, acting like she still didn't know wheat he meant. Since he didn't know if she understood yet or not, he opened his mouth to explain. Just as he did, she took the opportunity to kiss him. While the two kissed, the other two had just pulled away. Putting a paw beside her lover's face, Cynder gave him the truth with how she felt, "Look me in the eyes, and you tell me if I am telling the truth or not. I had a wonderful time. Seeing you come out from the darkness, to your, oh so shivering voice, and then the bite... When you said those words, and gently, bit down on my neck..."

She paused and looked over to see the two were still kissing. Glad that Carith was keeping Malefor occupied, she looked back over at Spyro, and with a blush on her face, she smiled and continued, "I... I Kinda want you to do it again..."

"What?" Spyro asked, picking up his head and looking at her with wide eyes.

Picking up her head, she sighed with her blush still glowing red, and knowing she had to explain herself, it was only more embarrassing, "Like I said, everything you did I... I don't know... I just loved the way you acted, and the way you spoke, it just... I'm glad that I fell in love with you, and I wish that... I wish I didn't pass out on you and make you think that you hurt me... To be honest... I... I wish you could do it again..."

His face now lit up red with a blush, but he couldn't help but smile, and it was satisfying to her to see her lover smile once again. He too looked over to see that the two were just now pulling away from their kiss, and he saw they were looking at one another, talking and teasing each other, so he knew he had time to say what he wanted. Taking the chance he had, he looked back at his lover and said, "If you are serious... and I for sure didn't hurt you... I was... actually thinking we could've had a lot more fun with our little teasing game we had going on."

"How... What else were you... thinking about doing?"

"Well... After the bite, I was going to cover my wings around you. You would pretend you're scared so you put your wings around me, I come out of my dark form and put my wings around you and... Then we would make out. I had other romantic ideas as well but... I don't really want to do the neck biting thing anymore."

"No no no!" Cynder cried, somewhat surprising him, and even for herself, she felt a little embarrassed from her outburst, "Ahem... What I meant was... You know..."

"Was it... That enjoyable to you?"

"I mean... Hehe... I did pass out..."

"I... I just want to make sure... One last time. You truly are fine... correct?"

"Yes, my love. You never hurt me... And to be honest... Seeing how sad you were, all because you thought you had hurt me even a little bit... Kinda makes me want to make out with you."

"Well... What's stopping you?"

Taking her eyes off her lover's and looking over at Malefor, he looked at Cynder, knowing what she was going to say. Spyro chuckled as even he knew that Malefor would definitely interrupt the two if they did kiss. Spyro couldn't say it since the other two stood their in the room, but he really did want to kiss his lover, so he came up with an idea. As Cynder looked away and back at him, he took this opportunity to get the two to leave the room, "You know... We have been talking a lot more about me and Malefor's future friendship. I think if he left the room in silent, and gave us some time to ourselves... Maybe I could take another week off those fifteen days?"

Malefor's eyes went wide as he almost gasped. Covering his mouth with his paw, he didn't want to make any noise in hopes that Spyro's words would hold true. Trying to get his composure, he took his paw off and let out a very silent sigh. Nodding with a smile as he looked at the two, he turned away, nuzzled his lover with his body as he walked past her, and left the room. Looking behind herself to see Malefor shaking his hips from side to side with joy, Carith broke the silence by letting out a small giggle. Seeing Malefor so happy even made both the other two snicker as well. Turning her head back over to the two, she mouth her words to Spyro as to keep the silence, "Thank you."

Spyro smiled with a nod. With a smile on her face, she followed to catch up with her lover who sat in the middle of the hallway in wait for her. Walking out the door, she put her tail blade on the side and tried to close the door all the way, but she failed, and didn't know that she hadn't shut the door as she was too busy looking at her lover. The door was barely open, and only a small bit of light shined from the hallway. Spyro had wished it would be private for both him and his lover, but he couldn't complain as this was relaxing enough to him. Now with no one else in the room, he was free to continue his love with Cynder. Locking eyes with one another, they didn't waste anytime as they moved in for a kiss. Just as their lips had touch, a voice called out to their minds, Sorry to interrupt you four, I was just wondering if you all would come down to the chambers. We are all kinda bored, and we were wondering if you all had any ideas. Spyro growled, but just before he could say anything, a voice yelled from the hallway, and from the sounds of the growl, they knew it was Malefor's voice, "Damn it, Ignitus!"

I couldn't find a time to get you four! Every time I looked, something was happening! I said I was sorry, The voice of Ignitus said within the minds of the four. Spyro slightly chuckled as he was glad he wasn't the only one who was getting blocked from having a moment with his lover. It didn't stop Cynder as she was going to have this kiss either way. Since their lips were already so close, all she had to do was move her head a little forward to have that kiss, and she was successful in doing so. It was a surprise to him. Not only was it a little sudden, her lips to his were smooth. Their was no need to rush things, so the two were slow as they moved their lips up and down one another's lovingly. Putting her lips on his one last time, she slowly moved them off of his, and she could tell it was just as satisfying for him as it was for her as his mouth still hung open, but only slightly. She smiled and giggled at him as he blushed. Closing his mouth, he saw the smile on her face and had to say one last time. Scooting forward just a little bit so their lips almost touch once again, she had a raised brow, wondering what he was planning. With his blush still showing, and her smile still giving warmth to his heart, he asked, "You know... You've been making a lot of movements as of lately. Do you not remember what I said."

Her heart raced slightly as she knew exactly what he was implying. Trying to keep herself together unlike last time, she teased him, wondering how he would respond, "Of course, how could I forget such a threat. Go ahead and try to bite me, but I will warn you, I know how to fight, and if you try... I might just let it happen... I mean! I will try and fight you!"

Standing up on the bed in a fighting stance, Spyro did the same and backed up slightly to prepare himself once again. Before he tried anything else, he made sure that everything he did wouldn't hurt or scare her, so he thought about what he should do, Last time I went into the darkness of the room and used my dark powers. She did seem a little scared at first, so it's best I don't use that. And using my dark powers, I could underestimate my bite. So... I will just be me. Walking up more towards her, he stood right in front of her, and she swung her tail blade around and put it right to his neck. He chuckled at her and continued to tease her, "Do it. You know you can't hurt me... You know what would happen if you tried. Try and hurt me, and I will take your powers away, just as I did before."

Her body trembled with desperation as she remembered that night, along with how amazing it felt to have been kissed by him. She had to give in as her body wouldn't let her attack. With her tail now flopped onto the bed, she had no way of defending her self, and as she thought about it, it made her heart beat faster as she wanted this moment to happen again. Saying it out loud only made it seem more real to the both of them, "Now that I'm defenseless, what will you do? Will you hurt me? Will you take away my powers just for your, amusement."

His response only made her blush even more, "Making out with you to take your powers is something I'd love to do. But I know you will struggle, and..."

He paused for a couple of seconds as he moved his head down to her neck. She could feel his warm breath as his mouth neared her neck, and all she could do was shiver in anticipation, not knowing when the bite would happen. Feeling like passing out once before, she tried all she could to keep herself standing up right. She almost failed as her body started to tremble, and his voice as he finished his sentence made her body have that limp feeling once again, "And I need to show you what will happen if you dare struggle."

"I need to stop being so nice to him," A voice said, growing louder and louder till they heard the door open, and as the voice went on, the two knew it was Malefor talking to Carith, "I don't hurt him after he gave me nightmares, I don't hurt him for all the other things he has done, and yet, how does he repay me back? Oh yeah, haunts my ass, wakes us up, blocks our moments, and then disappears. But you can't do that to him and Claire because oh no, he will give you nightmares, and bitch about it all day. I hate him... What... What's wrong?"

He saw that his lover wasn't speaking or looking at him at all. Her face was red, and she looked as though she was bracing for an attack. Not knowing what she was looking at, he followed her eyes and looked to see she was watching the two. He gasped as he saw Cynder's teeth clench, and her tail blade now moved up to her side. Spyro had also moved his mouth away from her neck, and pulling his tail blade to the side, he exploded into his dark form. Malefor cried, seeing the two look at him with a blood thirsty look in their eyes. Spyro took one step, and that was all he needed to do to get him to break down and cry as he backed away towards the door, "Wait wait wait! Please! Mercy! I know for a fact you can disappear and reappear, slitting my throat in a matter of seconds but, please, hear me out!"

"You're one dumb son of a bitch to have ruined this for me!" Spyro growled, and he added a little darkness to his voice to cause everyone's scales to stand up on end.

"We were having a moment as well. Talking about, neck biting, or in me and Carith's case, nibbling, and I was trying to have a moment with her. I even used my new name for my self: Master Malefor. Just as I was about to have my moment, Ignitus interrupted it, so, i thought he interrupted you. That's why I came in here because I thought you were going to want revenge. Please, you have to understand where I'm coming from with this."

Cynder watched as he took his step back, so she eased off of him as well and put her tail blade back down on the bed. His dark scales slowly came back to his bright purple ones, and it took him a second to calm down. Understanding where he was coming from with his words, he didn't want to hurt him, so instead, he had a better idea that he thought was fair for the both of them, "You're so lucky this isn't day one Malefor I'm talking to. For your actions, even if it was Ignitus fault... I'm sorry but... I'm taking that week back from you."

"Wh..." Grabbing his chest, Malefor felt like passing out, and he even felt betrayed.

"Before you go out and destroy the world because you cry too damn much, I said I would take that week back, I didn't say I would stop thinking about being your friend. And I didn't say I would take or add any days to our fifteen day friendship thing. So, you should be happy with how nice I am being with you right now. In my mind, I'm being a little too nice, but I can always change that."

Hearing his words, his eyes went wide as Malefor realised he was getting off easy, a lot easier of a punishment then he ever thought that Spyro would give him. He hated himself for even asking, but he couldn't stop himself from bring it up, and before he could try and shut he mouth, he spoke, "Spyro, I have to ask. I know what it is like to have special moments ruined. You said that I'm lucky I'm not, 'Day one Malefor'. I'm assuming you probably would've killed me but, even now, I expected you to punish me more severely... Why didn't you?"

Seeing the somewhat desperation in his eyes, Spyro didn't want to answer as he knew it would only make him more happy. Looking away from him and at his lover, she sighed as she knew he wanted her approval. Giving him a nod, she also gave him a smile. Sighing deeply as he still didn't want to tell him, he knew that good could come from this as it would also make his lover happy and Carith. Taking all the courage he had and trying to forget his anger, he focused his attention back to Malefor and responded, "I'm hopefully only going to have to say this once. I'm... I'm trying to put the past behind me. With the way you've been acting, the way you helped the Guardians in the training room, everyone having your back... I really do trust you, and more, to be honest. I have an idea of when I feel it would be best to become your friend, as long as you keep your act together, I can guarantee that I will become your friend in the future."

"Really!"

"Damn it, Malefor."

"Oh, uh... Ahem, sorry. Please continue."

"As I was saying, I don't want to take time or add time to how long it would take for us to be friends. I only need two more weeks, and then I will know for sure. But if things turn out right, and if we can keep this peace, then maybe... Maybe I will feel better with taking off more time. But you are in luck. I know for a fact that Ersa has to be alive, no matter what anyone says. And if I'm right, and you didn't kill her... I will promise to take off a week."

Malefor bit his lip on that promise as it was something he wished he could do something about, but since he couldn't remember much about that day, all he could do was hope that she was still alive, and he hoped to the Ancestors that it was true, Please, for the love of everything, for both me and Volteer's sanity, please let Ersa be alive. He didn't want to think more about it, and he knew it would be best if everyone got their minds off of everything that had happened, so he just suggested what he knew everyone was thinking about deep down, "Well, as much as I would hate to do it, it would be fun pulling an all nighter with the Guardians."

"Well, I can't really do that..."

Don't worry. I have the power to make everyone feel as though they just had the best sleep of their lives once the sun comes up. That way, we don't have to worry about how long we stay up for. And if you four do get decide to come down here... Please don't hurt me, I do apologize. The voice of Ignitus said to the four in their thoughts, and everyone slightly sighed as they couldn't help but agree. Spyro was a little less so in agreeing as he was still a little mad, "You're lucky that I care so much for you, and your little saddened voice doesn't help. I would say you owe all of us, but since you are basically letting us stay awake for twenty-four hours... I will let it slide."

"Absolutely not," Cynder now disagreed, causing Spyro to chuckle, "How about we all embarrass, Ignitus? Talk about how he could kiss Claire, maybe even talk about how their future looks when they become mates..."

Cynder! Please, I'm sorry, I truly am! Spyro, help me out, Ignitus pleaded within their thoughts. Spyro could only chuckle as his paws were tied, "Sorry, but what Cynder says is final. I'm not going to tell her otherwise... But... On our way down, I will see what I can do. Maybe if we are left alone for a little bit, I can try and keep her silent with a kiss."

"It's not like Ignitus knows what that's like with his lover," Cynder whispered to Spyro, and the two snickered with one another.

I can hear you two, Ignitus grumbled.

"Relax, alright. We will be down there soon," Spyro said.

"Are we seriously going to go down there? Wouldn't it be best if we just stay in our rooms and did what we wanted?" Malefor asked with somewhat of a grumble.

Standing up on the bed, Spyro chuckled as he responded, "Yeah, Well, I'm not strong enough to fight what Ignitus says just yet. And if we did do that, you'd know what he'll do so, might as well just try and have some fun with this. And on the way day, we can talk some more if you're down for that."

"Well, I guess when you put it like that, why not."

Before he jumped off the bed, Spyro looked back to his lover and asked, "Is it okay if you walk with Carith?"

"Hehe, of course it is. If you want to talk with Malefor then go ahead," Cynder giggled, wondering why he had asked but, she didn't let it bother her.

Jumping off the bed and walked over, he passed Malefor's side and went out the room, awaiting for everyone else to leave. Once he left, Malefor soon followed behind, and the two then waited for their lovers. Letting out an annoyed sigh as she had to get up, Carith giggled as she knew why Cynder felt that way. Hopping off the bed, she walked over to her friend and she smiled as she asked, "Looks like you two were really loving that role play of you getting your neck bitten."

"Of course I was! And Ignitus ruined it...! And, so did Malefor but, if Ignitus would've kept his mouth shut and minded his own business, it would've happened."

"Do I have a story to tell you."

"Oh no, what happened."

"Just the fact that, Ignitus did the same thing when Malefor first tried that on me."

"Okay, I agree, I'm hooked. What happened?"

"Come on, I will tell you on the way down."

The two walked out of the room and saw the other two talking near the main doors, which had already opened as they were standing right in front. The two paused their conversation and looked over to make sure the two were ready. They both gave out sighs, and their lovers chuckled, knowing why they were upset. Knowing their wasn't much they could do, the girls nodded. The guys smiled and walked out of the house with the two following, continuing their conversation shortly after they did. The girls stayed back a bit as they were talking about things that were embarrassing to talk about, and they didn't want the guys to hear. Carith had to remember a little back as she spoke, "Let's see, this was probably, three weeks... no, two weeks into us being lover's. Me and Malefor were, you know, flirting with one another. And as he was flirting with me, he smiled, and I saw... the saliva from his mouth... I joked about it, and he did blush but, when you're flirting with one another, you kind of just, think nothing of it. He used my words against me and said that my neck looked... tasty."

"Wait! Wait wait wait... Malefor... Malefor, said this? Look, I know he isn't the Dark Master, two completely dragons, but... Malefor? I'm just... sorry..."

"Back then we didn't always have someone spying on us so, Malefor hasn't really been as romantic to me as he use to be, which is making me want to hurt Ignitus more and more but, I will use Claire as a weapon against him, and hopefully, she will be on my side."

"I'm sure we can do that. But going back, what happened?"

"Oh yeah, Sorry. So, one thing lead to another... I was on my back, and he was over me..."

"Look at you. For an Dragoness of ice, you sure have a face as red as the sun right now," Cynder teased her as she could see her face getting more and more red as she told the story.

"How dare you tease me like that," Carith grumbled with a smile as she tried to play it off, but the more she thought back to that moment, the more red she got, so she defended herself, "Look, he was breathing down my neck, I knew he was stronger then me, and... I couldn't move, okay."

"Hehehe, alright, alright."

"And, as he moved in to bite my neck I... I started to kinda, lose my vision. I don't know why, I just... My heart was pounding loud enough for me to hear, I was sweating and felt hot, and every time I tried to move my body to do something, he would only have to put his paw on my to keep me from moving... It was... Fantastic..."

"Whoa, don't faint on me now."

"Oh... Sorry, I just... I miss that."

"Well, we are almost at the Chambers so, we can talk more in there. But I really want to know what happens."

"Sorry, I keep getting side tracked. Alright. So, after all that, how special and important that moment was to me, just as his mouth had covered my neck and he went for the bite," Carith paused as she clenched her teeth in slight anger, remembering exactly what had happened back then, "Ignitus opened the door! Didn't knock, didn't just wait or anything, he opened the damn door! Ruined every single bit of that moment. I was so pissed off that I couldn't even kiss Malefor. He felt so bad, and he was mad as well but... We got through it, after Malefor got revenge on him."

"What did he do?"

"He somehow got the other Guardians to come up with a plan to get revenge. So, Volteer, with his smart, was able to shock Ignitus in a way to take away his ability. Terrador made a rock like shoe and made him walk around with all four of his paws covered, and Cyril made an ice sculpture of a heart on both of his sides. It was the most glorious moment of my life, and we forced him to walk around Warfang most of the day."

"Hahaha! Just thinking... Just thinking about Ignitus... And him in little earth made shoes... And a heart on his sides... Hahaha... Oh, oh... That... That is so worth it," Cynder laughed and laughed the more and more she thought about it, and even Carith had a giggle once and awhile as hearing her laugh, and thinking about it, she couldn't hold herself tighter either.

"Yeah, it was pretty fun. Hehe. I even had an idea to punish him further by using the elements on his horns or fins but, he looked like his reputation had been completely destroyed, and he was so sad. And since Malefor helped me through the whole, neck bitting being ruined, thing, I actually felt bad and apologized. Hehe, Malefor didn't though. It took a while for him to stop laughing."

Seeing their lovers turn the corner and go into the Chambers, they turned with them too, and Cynder asked, "Is it okay if we tell Claire this story? I want to know what she would think."

"I don't know. I know she will pick on me as well when I start blushing from everything that happened, before, he tried to bite my neck."

"You'll be fine. And since Claire is his lover, it would be cute to see her reaction to what happened to him. Maybe she will feel just as bad when ever you tell her how sad he was, then maybe they'd finally kiss."

"That's a joke if I've ever heard one."

Reaching the back door to the Chambers, Spyro grabbed the door knob, twisted it, and opened the door. As the door opened, he watched as all the Guardians looked at them. Their faces lit up as they stood back up on their beds, aside from Ignitus as he knew they weren't happy with him. As the four entered the room, Ignitus did wonder what took them so long, and even though he knew, he still wanted to pick on them about it, "What took you all so long?"

"Shut it!" Malefor and Spyro both growled at the same time towards him.

"Oh no, what did he do?" Claire asked, and seeing as the two were angry towards him, she knew it had to have been something with their lovers, "When we all agreed to bring them done here, did you give them a choice, or did you force them to come down here? And I'm guess they are mad because you interrupted those two from spending time with their lover."

Everyone was surprised that she was able to figure out exactly what happened so quickly, but to her, it seemed like simple knowledge. As the four stood in the middle of the room with their lovers by their sides, they all focused their attention on Ignitus, along with the other Guardians as now even they wondered what he really did to get the four down here. He let a sigh with a smirk and told the others the truth, "Okay... fine, I will be honest. I didn't give them a choice, and I did force them."

"You had to force them? Damn... Do you all just, not like us or something?" Terrador asked with a joking manner, but they could all hear the sadness in his voice.

"We see each other everyday. I love keeping it that a way. Since we were already awake, I just wanted to finally spend some more time with, Cynder. But then Malefor walked in, Ignitus spoke and wouldn't leave us alone... And he ruined one of the best moments of my life because of it!" Spyro growled more as he thought about it, wishing he could've known what it would've been like if he went through with his bite, "You better have brought us down here because a meteor was going to hit our house and you're just not saying!"

"Claire, is it okay if me and Carith talk to you?" Cynder asked.

"What for? I have no problem of course, and I do agree, I was just wondering," Claire asked as well, wondering what it could be as she saw the anger on her face, as well as Carith's every one and awhile.

"We are going to get Ignitus in trouble for what he did, and I don't care what you say, Ignitus, she will know either way," Carith stepped in as well.

Claire heard Ignitus slightly grumble with a slight blush, and because of that, she was now more interested in this talk then ever before. Standing up and crawling off the bed, she nodded her head over to the back of the room. With her walking to the back of the room, the other two girls followed. With the girls in the back of the room, they all laid down in front of some books as they were scattered all along the back, left, and right side of the walls. Since the girls stayed in the back, talking about what had happened, the guys all wondered what they were going to do, and since Volteer seemed to have more energy then anyone else, he was the first to ask, "Well... We could..."

"Wait!" Malefor interjected before Volteer could finish speaking, "We can't let the girls be better then us. As mush as it scares me to be so close to you, Volteer, because you're... You, we need to have our own circle of friendship."

"Oh yeah, and while we are at it, we can all get our cutie marks! Absolutely not," Terrador grumbled.

"Yeah, I'm with Terrador. Why can't we just talk on our beds?" Cyril asked.

"Because if we do that, then every time we talk, I have to look all the way over to one side of the room to speak with one of you, to look all the way over to the other side of the room, and since you are on the, other side of the room, I will have to yell to get my point across!" Malefor started to yell as he wanted to get his point across of how annoying it would be, and in the way he said and described it, they all agreed, "Also, who the hell is we? Me and Spyro don't have a bed here, ours is upstairs, where we can't go to, nor can we be left alone... apparently..."

"Are you going to enjoy your time down here or not? I thought it would be fun if we all spent time together like the old days. Even better with Spyro tagging along," Ignitus asked, and he knew it was mainly because of what happened while the two were up with their lovers, but he thought at least Malefor would have a good time just talking.

"You know what you did... You know..."

"I do, and I apologize, I swear. I'm pretty sure those two are going to talk Claire into dumping me so... Let me try to have a little fun before my life gets ruined."

Malefor snickered as he hoped that would be true, but even for him, he would feel a little bad if that were to happen. Laying down where they had stood, both Malefor and Spyro laid next to one another while facing the back window to see their lovers. Ignitus, followed by Volteer, Cyril, and lastly, Terrador, all got off their beds and walked over to lay down with everyone else. Cyril laid down next to Spyro while Volteer laid down next to Malefor. Then, Terrador laid down next to Volteer, and Ignitus laid down between Terrador and Cyril. Now with everyone in a circle, Malefor had a fantastic idea of something for them to do, "I have the most amazing idea! I was thinking of this game that I'm gonna call, DnD!"

"That's totally stealing," Volteer chuckled.

"Shut up, no it's not, because mine is different. My game is called: Dragons and Dungeons. See, I'm not stealing if I turn the words around."

"What? No way you can do that... Can he?" Cyril asked.

"Of course I can. Lets say, you own the Dragon Temple. It's yours and you own the rights to it. But if I make a copy of it, and change the name to: Temple Dragon, it's two completely different things. So yes, I can one hundred percent do that."

"Wha... I... Volteer. We need some confirmation on this."

"I've given up on him. It's like begging for Malefor to go away; Even when we want him died, he just keeps coming back," Volteer chuckled.

"Okay, one, harsh. Two, I should've killed you when I had the chance. And three, do you all want to play or not?" Malefor asked, growling slightly towards his friend as he spoke.

"How? We have nothing aside from our paws."

"I just make up the rules as we go."

"Hey, Malefor, next time you become the Dark Master, please kill me first," Terrador chuckled.

"What the hell is wrong with you guys."

"Nothing, nothing, we are just teasing. Continue."

"Uh huh. Alright well, instead of asking who would go first, I know none of you would raise a paw, bitches. I will just call out names as I go. Alright, so first... Um... Ignitus."

"Oh hell," Ignitus cursed.

"Look, it's up to you if you live or die, it just all depends on what you choose."

"I choose the use my tail blade on my self. My turn ends, who's next?"

"Ah! But because I hold the power in this game, you failed to kill yourself! Instead you killed an unsuspecting ape who was trying to sneak attack you. He dropped and item. Now, Ignitus, would you like to pick up that item, or continue on your journey?"

"I can't believe I'm going along with this... I... Pick up the item."

"The item was a small gem that give you a ten percent increase in power next battle. Congrats."

"Okay, great and all but, where do I put it? I'm not going to hold the gem."

"Every dragon will have a satchel bag that is thrown over their body to hold stuff in. And plus, I wouldn't really ask questions. When ever Spyro and Cynder were on their way to defeat me, they had like, four different pairs of armor that they were some how able to take off and put back on out of nowhere so..."

"You do realize that armor was magical, right? It would shrink really small, and like a gem, it would join in with our bodies. When ever we needed it, it was at the ready. But because of all the attacks the Dark Master put us through, we lost all the armor in the volcano as it came out on its own free will to help us," Spyro explained which gave Malefor more of the perfect idea of how he would continue his story, but it was strange to him as his face turned to confusion, "And the reason you didn't see it was because it didn't have time to fully form when the armor came out from our bodies. So when he hit us, it went flying into the lava."

"Ah, okay, that makes sense. Alright, change of story. Ignitus, forget the satchel bag, it's gonna be all magical in this story. So when ever you need to call an item, flip over your paw and tell me what item it is you are trying to summon and I shall give it to you."

"But... I have the item. Doesn't that mean I just call it out myself?" Ignitus asked, a little confused on how his game was now working.

"I need to know the item you are using, alright. It just helps everyone know."

"Okay, okay."

"Hehe, alright, now the story is going to get interesting because we are going to have more join in. As you continue your journey to slay the evil that has darkened the land, you meet another warrior that dawned the color of yellow scales."

Volteer gasped with a smile as he knew that was him, and Malefor continued, "As you approach the Dragon, he seems to have taken some damage on his back, along with his tail and wings. As you reach to ask him a question, he turns around in fear and frustration. Alright, Ignitus, what will you try to do to calm him down?"

"Uh," Focusing his attention over to Volteer, Ignitus spoke, "Hey, um... I'm not your enemy. To show that we are, friends, I give you this gem that I picked up from this dead ape."

"As Ignitus take his paw off the ground and extends his paw, a gem of blue color appears in his paw. The yellow warrior looks at it, examining it. What does he do next?"

"Oh! It's my turn?! Hehe, alright alright, I got this. Since I am battle damaged, I must assume that I'm not as strong as I could be," Having an idea of what he should say as he had thought about it for a couple of seconds, he spoke, "You must be after the monster who caused all this. Well, I will trust you for now. Keep the gem. The only thing I ask is that you help me find some gems to help heal my wounded body."

"Ignitus?"

"Hehe, alright, alright, give me a second," Ignitus said, and just as Volteer, he had to think of a couple of seconds before giving his response, "I agree to your terms, brave warrior. You seem to know how to take a beating and still keep going. Before we continue, I must know your name, so as we fight, we will know how to properly coordinate."

Both Malefor and Volteer both smiled hugely as they were getting into the game. The others smiled and chuckled as they were having fun as well, and chilling while doing nothing was pretty relaxing to everyone. The sounds of them all talking was muffled out as Spyro looked at Malefor only slightly, and seeing his smile as he spoke, it made him think more about what he should do about their friendship, What am I worried about? Him wanted to kiss his lover, his third base jokes, embarrassing and interrupt me and Cynder... If there was a dark creature out there right now... would I attack him? Would I forget everything and hate him for it...? I guess this is why I need those extra weeks. I trust him but... Maybe if there was a dark creature, I would only hurt him... Maybe he would know what was causing it... because... I don't believe it would be him. Ignitus smiled as he heard his son's thoughts, and he didn't want to keep it a secret from him, so he spoke to him through his thoughts, "That's another reason I wanted you all to come down here. Malefor's having fun, and I want to show you that we are all right about who he is. And the girls are happy to be talking to each other, I know it. So just relax and enjoy this, game, that Malefor is making us play. I hate to say it, but, I'm kinda getting into it." Chuckling from his father's words, he knew he should start enjoying the time he had.

---

"So that's why... I was so upset. I was so close, so close to being able to have that moment... but, I didn't... And like I've said before, I know it sounds wired but... That feeling of just, you feel so weak, and you know he's going to bite you, but you also know he won't hurt you is just so... Uh," Cynder grumbled with a blush, talking with the other girls about what happened before they came down here, and unlike Claire, Carith knew exactly what she meant, "I wish I could have that moment back. He tried twice, and both times were ruined. The first one was... my fault, and feel terrible for making Spyro think he hurt me."

"I can't believe you were able to feel the same way twice when ever he tried. And the fact that he tried twice really shows dedication. Why do you think he was trying so hard to tease you like that?" Claire asked as even for her, just talking about it was enough to get her to blush, but she wanted to help out and listen to what was happening, so she didn't think much of it.

"That's just how Spyro is. He knew, in a way, I would've loved for the bite to happen. But... maybe it's just, never to be."

"Don't say that," Carith interjected, and seeing the smirk on her face, she knew she walked right into her plan, "Oh you are evil."

"Learned from the Dark Master himself. So, Carith, why shouldn't I stop? Is there, some kind of story you know where Malefor tried the bite, failed, and then was later able to do so?"

"You too, Carith? Don't tell me it was Ignitus who interrupted you too," Claire asked, feeling a little bad that the two girls were going through the same thing because of him.

"Oh... Unfortunately... yes," Carith grumbled.

"I'm going to need to have a word with him. But before I do... What's the story?"

"Just, promise me, you won't pick on how red my face gets. I will try to sum up the story with out getting into the details."

"Two things. One, I promise. Two, yes details."

"What?!"

"Hehe, I like the way you think, Claire," Cynder giggled with an evil grin.

"Why do you want details?!"

"Well, I guess I can kinda imagine what it was like, but Cynder didn't give too many details. The reason I need details is so I know how badly I should punish Ignitus. My old lover never did what your lovers do. There was no real, love, to him. So, I want to know what I could, maybe, hopefully looked forward to in the future."

"With Ignitus?!" Both the girls cried in unison.

"You tell your truth, I will tell mine, how about that?"

"Carith! You have to do it now! There is no way you would pass up on a truth like this," Cynder cried, begging for her now more then ever to tell the story.

"I'm not surprised you were an assassin, Claire. You were able to figure out what was wrong with us, and you even knew how to persuade me into telling you want happened. You are a little too smart for your own good, " Carith complemented her on her skills to know what was happening and how to easily get them to spill what they didn't want to say.

"Hehe, yeah, well... Look, I can't be romantic and tell you all the truth if you don't say your story first," Claire blushed, trying to grumble as to get the blush to go away.

"I think Claire wants a neck bite," Carith teased her as she started to sing.

"Story!"

"Alright, fine, you win. I will tell the story," Carith agreed, as she knew she could no longer wait, and seeing as the two looked at her, it made it a little difficult, but she tried her hardest to not blush, "Long story made short, Malefor and me were in our room. He was drooling, I made fun of him for it, and, one thing led to another and I was on my back and he was over me. His breath was warm as he breathed on my neck... And I saw his muscles so I knew just couldn't move... Ugh, Damn it!"

"No no no, you're fine. I promised I wouldn't say anything about your blush... So, what happened after that."

"Every time I tried to pull up my paw to stop him, he, tapped on my paw or arm with his and I just, went limp. I couldn't do anything. As he moved his head down to bite down on my neck... my heart was pounding, I was sweating and... even though it sounds bad, I... I enjoyed every second leading up to the bite... but, if only the bite had happened! I would've been a lot more happy that day."

"He walks in, doesn't he?"

"Opens the door right up and destroy the build up to the moment."

"Oh, Ignitus," Claire sighed as she shook her head.

"But now, I said Malefor failed but tried later on, and you agreed. So, I'm assuming you have a story where he is, successful, with, the bite?" Cynder asked with a raised brow, and she knew her theory was correct, and Carith's face got red enough that she had to cover her face with her wings just thinking about her time when it happened, "Sweet Ancestors, was it really that amazing of an experience?"

The only indication they got was a slight grumble that emerged from her wings. Claire felt a little bad as she knew what it was like to be embarrassed this badly, especially when she first met with Ignitus. As Carith pulled her wings down, her blush still showed, and since Claire felt bad for her, she decided to go through with her end of the deal, "You don't have to tell us that story, we won't make you feel that embarrassed. For now, I guess I will tell you all the truth."

Carith's blush blinked away as her and Cynder both focused their attention on her, wondering what she was going to say. Gathering her composure, she knew it was going to be difficult to say, but even she wanted the girls to know what her opinion was, "When ever Ignitus was talking about his powers, he was able to use a power that flexed out his muscles. And, ever since then, I can't stop thinking about him. He is perfect, don't get me wrong, it's just... Now... I do want to know what's it's like for Ignitus to... love me, and... kiss me, and... Please keep this between us but... Also... give me a neck bite."

The two girls gasped and they couldn't believe what they were hearing. Claire covered her face up with her wings as she was just as embarrassed as Carith once was. But as they were talking, Claire opened up her wings in fear, and both the girls looked at her with wide eyes, wondering what was wrong. She started to shake as she asked, "Wait... Ignitus doesn't know my thoughts and words but... He still knows all of your two's words! That means..."

"Oh no..." Cynder and Carith said, looking at one another, and then back at Claire.

Jumping up, with her wings wide open, she dashed over to the guys to hopefully find out they were wrong. Running over to Ignitus in a hurry, she stopped back a couple of steps away from him to try and calm herself down before she approached him, hoping he wouldn't notice that she was in a hurry. Ducking her to nuzzle his neck as she moved her head more in to look at him, he chuckled, wondering what she was doing as he saw a slight blush and a smile, "Is everything okay?"

Since Malefor and everyone else was too busy into the game, they didn't hear the conversation. Since no one looked over at them as they spoke, she knew this is the perfect opportunity to get him to tell her the truth without the other guys catching on and wondering what she wanted to know, "I know you said that you don't know my words and thoughts. But... What about other's thoughts?"

"What do you mean?"

"Say, I say something. Then, Cynder or Carith repeats it, and they talk about what I did or what happened... Wouldn't you... You know... Know what they said... Since it's not me?"

He could see her face getting more and more red and he couldn't understand why, and she caught on to this and was wondering if he even heard their conversation at all. At this point, everyone had stopped talking and they listened, wondering what she was going to do. Giving out a slight chuckle, he explained how it worked with a little more depth, "Don't worry, I don't know anything anyone says or thinks about you either. I was afraid that, if something were to happen that was embarrassing to you, the girls would talk or think about it, and it would probably ruin our relationship because it was a secret you wanted to keep. So, anything that has to do with you, I won't know about, even if it comes from someone else's words or thoughts. I just assumed you were blushing because of Carith's story but, because I can't see or hear everything else leading up to it, it was a little confusing."

Claire's eyes open slightly wide as she was surprised how much thought he put into making sure that he wouldn't know everything about her, and the way he used his words made her smile a little as well. Since the girls had been talking about what had happened with their lovers, she decided to try and flirt a little with Ignitus, "I'm surprised how much thought you put into this... And I love the fact that you even said how you didn't want to ruin our relationship... Why don't you?"

He didn't catch on and kinda chuckled instead by the way she was acting, "Why would I? Ever since I met you I wanted to be with you. And with the whole ice situation over my mouth, I was so sad and scared to think it was you. Even when I wanted to know so badly, I didn't want to see if it was you or not because, well... I trusted you. And when I found out you did it..."

"You hated me for it."

"You know that's not true. I know you had no control over what happened, and to think that you were supposed to kill me, but you fought to protect me is, it's another reason I'm glad I chose you over all the other, easier, female dragons out there."

Since the two were in their own moment, they didn't know that they had paused the game. With their faces being so close together, the way they smiled, and the way they blushed, they knew for a fact that they would hopefully be able to finally see one of them go for it. It was really difficult for everyone not to think about it, but just as they were about to kiss, he could easily hear their slight gasps and thoughts. No way! Ignitus is actually going in for the kiss! Malefor cried in his thoughts, which they were loud enough for him to hear. Go for it, Ignitus. You got this! Volteer thought as well, and along with everyone else's thoughts, he didn't just want to back his head up and ruin it for her. Silence filled the room, and not hearing anything ruined it for her as she knew everyone was looking. Her nose had just touched his, and she was moving in for the kiss, but because she knew they were all watching, she growled as she turned her head away along with her body. Standing up and turning his body around, he called out for her, "Claire, Wait."

She couldn't look back and face him as she was so angry with the others, and even though she wanted to be romantic, she knew her anger would get in the way. He sighed slightly and started to feel the anger that Claire had felt as she walked away. Turning around with rage at the others, Malefor defended himself, "Wait! hear us out. For one, now you know how pissed we get when you do that. Second, I'm guessing you heard our thoughts because you started to blush up before we did. I thought you just said that you couldn't hear anything anyone says about Claire, and we were thinking about her, kissing you."

"Anything that has to do with her! I could hear all of your thoughts because none of you specifically directed your thoughts about her, only me! 'Ignitus is actually going in for the kiss', 'Go for it, Ignitus', 'I sure hope he does it... Oops, he probably heard me... Yep'! I sure did!" Ignitus growled at all of them as he plopped himself down on the floor back on his stomach, rubbing the very back of his nose underneath his eyes as he tried to calm himself down.

"Wait... Hehe, who's thoughts were those?"

"They were... mine," Terrador admitted as he raised a paw, "Since they were right next to me, it was easy for me to see their reaction. And when I said that, I saw his body get a little teased up and I knew he was trying to ignore me... or... you know, us."

Picking a claw up, Ignitus pointed at everyone, and they all wondered what he was doing. Since he saw their confusion, he didn't want to leave them hanging, and wanted to see just had scared they would be, "Oh, hehe, sorry. Just pointing at all of you so I know what kind of hellish nightmare I should put you all through. Malefor and Spyro are easy, I know what I can do to you other three..."

"Wait a minute!" Malefor growled as he stood up, "Don't be crying all because you didn't go for it! That's on you. We aren't stopping you from going over there right now, and you don't."

"Malefor's right," Spyro agreed, "You did ruin my time with Cynder, but that last time I tried though, I won't blame the last one on you because, well, I blame that on myself for not knowing how she would react. But, because I love and care for my father, I tried to look past it. But it seems that being in love is making you a little more aggressive then I thought it would. Maybe it would be best if you never found love at all."

"Yeah, what the... Wait, Wait wait wait. Spyro, did you just say that you, love, and care, for your... father?"

"Family love, not what your thinking."

"I don't know dude. You said it in a way that Volteer would say it. You had a lot of passion in there."

"Alright, you know what, Ignitus, me and the Guardians can all agree that instead of giving us all nightmares, just put Malefor through five nightmares to account for his, and ours. Sound fair."

"What?! Hell no, I'm not doing that. One of you is going down with me."

"What a team player."

"Alright, enough! No one is getting a nightmare," Ignitus said, getting everyone's attention as he spoke, and putting his paw back to the ground, he had collected himself and apologized, "I will admit I was wrong, and I know what it's like to be interrupted now more then ever. I apologize for me lashing out to you all. It's just... It's no secret anymore that I love her, and I have hopes that she feels the same way. It doesn't help that, I know what could've happened to you and your lover, Spyro, if you two had kissed too soon. So... I'm just scared as to when to kiss."

"Yeah but, back then, my love for Cynder was basically a life and death situation for the world. Not every relationship has to be that way. Malefor and Carith loved each other when ever they wanted to, and either way you looked at it, if they were or weren't in love, he still would've hated not being able to save her, and the Dark Master still would've come back."

"So, what should I do?"

"Well, like I said, it didn't matter if they were or weren't in love, but it was probably for the best they were in love before everything happened. When Malefor was able to see her, it was much easier for him to fight the Dark Master. And I don't know the whole story around me and Cynder, but with what happened back with Cyril and that whole, poison joke, I'm guessing it's because the Guardians still didn't trust her."

"If it wasn't for Terrador and Volteer... I would've done something that would've made you hate me for life," Cyril somewhat murmured as he felt bad about the whole situation.

"I find it funny how you think you were going to win against someone who was more powerful then you but, no hard feelings, I promise. But going back, if you know that she was going in for this kiss, she obviously loves you enough to even try. Just so you know, once you kiss her once, it's really hard to never do it again. I mean, look at what you said to me when ever you said I kissed Cynder way more the Malefor did that night."

"Um... What night?" Malefor asked, laying back down on his stomach and looking at the two with slightly widened eyes.

"I'm trying to remember back... Oh yeah, it was literally like a day ago. After we were finally going to bed, me and Ignitus were talking through our thoughts and, he said how I kissed Cynder more then you kissed your lover."

"The hell you didn't!"

"Why Malefor, and I thought you loved me more then any other dragon loved their lovers," A voice called from behind Ignitus.

Everyone looked over to see the girls were walking back over from where they had sat. Scooting back some to make room for the girls, Cynder sat in between Cyril and Spyro, while Carith sat down in between Malefor and Volteerl. Ignitus looked over with a wide smile to see that Claire was able to come back over and lay down next to him. She seemed a lot calmer now then she was before, and he made sure to whisper this time while they all talked, all while keeping an eye on them to make sure they didn't see, "I'm, sorry, about what happened. I can give them nightmares when ever you want, just tell me when."

"Hehe, don't worry, Ignitus, it's fine. The girls talked to me and, I'm not as mad as I was before. Carith and Cynder talked about all the times they have been interrupted but, they always have someone they can go to when ever a moment is ruined, and it's the same one who had their moment ruined as well," Claire whispered back at him with a heart warming smile, and nuzzling her head onto the side of his neck, she then laid her head on his shoulder and apologized, "I'm sorry I walked off without saying anything."

"What were you supposed to do? I told the other that I now know more then ever what it's like to have a moment ruined so, I'm gonna try and take it down a bit. But, even though that moment was ruined, what is stopping us from having this one?" Ignitus asked, laying the side of his head down over the top of hers.

"Knowing everyone, probably, and literally, anything."

The two shared a nice small laugh and a smile, and he looked over to see that Malefor had given him a glance and a smile back. Ignitus chuckled, knowing what that meant, and instead of thinking too much about things, he closed his eyes along with Claire. Draping a wing over her back, the two were snuggled and happy, and he thought about it too, I guess it's not a bad thing I didn't kiss her. This moment is just as special to me as every other. Malefor and Spyro had done they same as they had draped their wings over their lovers, snuggled up and laughing with one another. The four didn't know the Guardians were just watching and laughing as they spoke, mainly because it was Malefor and Spyro having a heated discussion about who was really had the victory that night.

"I kissed her like, Twenty-two times that night. As if you could beat me on that," Spyro said with pride and a puffed out chest, feeling good that he was able to fulfil his duty as a lover.

"You wanna go there? Well, I kissed my lover, Twenty-three times, that night. As if, You, could beat me on that," Malefor said with just as much pride, puffing out his chest as well.

"What are you, six? You can't just go up one more number then me because you think you're better."

"I am better, and I know I did better then you."

"Wait just a second. I have a way to know who truly won. All because you gave her a kiss, doesn't mean she liked it. It's either you give her a couple of good kisses, then bad once, or you give her only amazing kisses, and no bad one's. So, I want to know from the girls. Who did better?"

Both of the girls looked at one another with raised brows, wondering who had the better time. Carith sighed and she had to give this one to Spyro, and looking at her lover, she apologized to him, "Sorry my love, but I'm pretty sure that they had a much better time."

"Wha... But... I thought..."

"Don't get into details as I know how satisfied I was when you kissed me! It's just, for once, I'm sure they kissed more for two reasons. One being because they didn't have Ignitus randomly appear in their room, and two, they didn't have to talk about books that she's never read before. And I'm sure that Spyro didn't pet his lover's head all because she didn't read some books."

"Books are love, Books are life," Volteer said to himself, feeling bad that no one else aside from him loves books.

"Malefor, I feel a little bad for Carith to be honest. A lover needs to feel love, and you don't try as much as you could," Spyro chuckled.

"You are the biggest hypocrite I've ever seen. You didn't kiss your lover like, at all yesterday. Even when you were injured, she had to kiss you!" Malefor growled, and everyone hissed through their teeth as they knew it was true, and as much as Cynder wanted to say something, she could only slightly blush as she knew it were true.

"And I'm making up for it."

"Oh yeah, two failed neck bites and sitting away from your lover while they talk is totally making up for it."

"Neck Bites?!" The Guardians all cried.

"So that's what you meant by teasing," Volteer said.

"I know how to make up for it, okay. I was able to kiss Cynder so well that she thought I took her powers away, and when I gave them back, I used my little lightning bolt as a way to have a better kiss, and to add on to the fact that she was actually having her powers stolen and returned to her," Spyro felt pride in his accomplishment, and everyone kinda blushed while Carith felt a little sad that she wasn't getting that love for her lover.

"Oh please, Master Malefor was a total, Master, Piece!" Malefor argued back, feeling as though he was able to have a better way of loving his lover.

"Oh yeah, Carith was talking about that and, you two are pretty lucky. Me and Carith were wondering who had it better and, well, it came down to Claire's decision," Cynder said, and both the guys looked over at her, and since her name was called, she opened her eyes slightly wide as she saw the two staring right at her, along with everyone else looking over at her.

Nuzzling her head against his neck again, he knew what she wanted. Picking up his head and opening his eyes, he looked at her as well, wondering what they had agreed on. Remembering back to the conversation they had, it was pretty easy for her to say, almost as if she was happy with the decision she made, "Well, I agreed that you both succeed, but in your own ways. It's true that Malefor does one thing, and you, Spyro, do another. But as long as your lover is happy, and you are continuing to provide that source, and love, and... Ahem, neck, biting, then it doesn't really matter in the end."

"You know, she's right," Ignitus spoke as well, and everyone looked at him, "Both of you acted in similar ways even though you both did different things. It just all depends on how things play out. And, since I did ruin your last moments for the both of you, I do feel bad. And, it was funny. Seeing you both try different things, and then something happened with your lovers, and you two flipped out because you thought you did something wrong was pretty funny."

"I'm glad i was able to put on a show for you so you can see my misery," Spyro chuckled, but they could all hear in his voice that he was still feeling a little down about what had happened, "Speaking of, misery, I wanted to know if you'd be able to tell or, show us, the story of when Malefor first became the, Dark Master."

"What do you want to know about that story? I thought Carith died somehow because none of the Guardians would tell me where she was, I blamed myself, and then anger and darkness took over. Carith saw me, I saw her, she kissed me, and everything went back to normal," Malefor explained out the whole story, but the more he talked about it, the more he wondered about what happened in his past.

"Well, I want to see how you reacted, and I want to see how Carith reacted. I'm also a little confused on how you became the Dark Master even though you were never exposed to the darkness."

"I... I actually was... before I even met the Guardians."

"How?"

"Well, I was young, and since I was a purple dragon, I wanted to become strong so everyone would look up to me. I traveled a lot around the world, which my parents didn't really approve of. All they wanted was for me to be safe. One day I, stumbled upon a Mountain, which, we all know which one it is."

"Wait! That all makes sense then! Ignitus, you knew about the Mountain, didn't you. It wasn't just some normal mountain, was it?"

"Hehe, I was wondering if you'd catch on to that. Continuing what Malefor was saying, he was corrupted by the darkness from that Mountain. He didn't really know what it was, and since it seemed no one else lived in this mountain, Malefor claimed it as his own since he wanted to be an all power dragon that everyone would know," Ignitus explained a little more about how the Mountain had got it's name and where the darkness had come from.

"And ever since then, if I was mad, something would happen to me. I knew the Guardians existed but, I didn't really care for the other four," Malefor spoke, but was interrupted by a question.

"Other four? So, there really were other Guardians?" Spyro asked, interrupting him as he was now curious.

"I'm sure Ignitus already knows a way to sum up everything that happened but, yes, there were other Guardians. And back then, it wasn't really, peaceful as you may think. The other Guardians were also so serious, wanting to get a situation done and over with so they could get back to doing what ever it was. So I, waited. Then one day, when the other Guardians were picked, it took me a while to gather up the strength to face them. I needed to know what was happening to me, and I was lucky enough to find that these four were way better then those four."

"I spoke with Claire about this, and I can give you the conversation we had so you all will know really happened back then," Ignitus suggested, and seeing the four nod, he gave them all the information on what had happened.

Their eyes went slightly wide, and the first thing the four did was look over to Cyril. He was a little confused, but seeing them look over to Volteer, then back over at him, he knew what it was. He sighed, not really wanting to talk about it, but since it was out in the open, he decided it would be best to get it over with and explain, "So I'm guessing you and Claire talked about why I didn't like Volteer back then... And I'm guessing you had to tell her what happened to my brother... I've looked passed it, I really have. There isn't hate between us anymore. We've all lost someone, so, it would be selfish of me to yell at Volteer when he has lost others as well. Lets just, move past this... What else did you all talk about?"

"Well, I now know why their aren't eight Guardians anymore. And also how Malefor met you four. Which, taking on all the Guardians at once? That was your master plan on your way to talk with the Guardians," Spyro chuckled as he asked, wondering why he thought that was a good plan in the first place.

"I was nervous. Even though I had trained, they were the masters of the elements. I couldn't just walk up and say hey," Malefor explained himself, and everyone gave out a little laugh as seeing him now, it was strange to ever see him so nervous about something, "And as for the other four Guardians... This was... a little bad, even for the Dark Master."

"What happened?"

Malefor looked down as he didn't want to explain what had happened, and he knew it would only make him look more of a monster. Spyro put a paw on his shoulder, wondering if it would do him any good. Giving a slight sigh as he knew that the truth had to come out sooner or later, Ignitus didn't want his friend to have to say what had happened, so he tried his best to explain, "It was kinda hard to see this battle, since she was in the dark zone when she fought him but... before we could seal him away, we tried to convince the four to wait as Volteer and Ersa were working on a way to seal him. Oxyn, the Earth Guardian, was very stubborn, and suggested that they attacked now. We knew we weren't ready, but they all ignored us and attacked. But... One of the Guardians had a lover, Sear, the Fire Guardian, was in love with the Master of Ice. Her name was, Carla. Those two both agreed it was bad idea but... They didn't want their friends to go headfirst into battle all alone... So, they followed..."

"Long story made short, they made it to me," Malefor slightly growled, and everyone focused on him as he picked his head up with a couple of tears falling down his face as he spoke, "It took a while, but... I was able to take them down one by one, but not without sustaining sever damage. Everyone was knocked down except for, Carla. I went to kill Sear, but, with the remaining strength she had, she stood in front of him... Which only made it worse... She was able to talk me down... I started to try and calm myself down because... She reminded me of Carith... Just as I was calming down... Oxyn shot a spear like rock at my arm. I went to do the same to finish him off and she... jumped in the way... And the spear stabbed her right in the heart..."

Hearing his slight cries and sniffles as he had to relive and remember such a moment, no one really knew what to say to him to make him feel better. Even for Spyro, he didn't know that he had gone through more then what he had originally thought. Taking his paw off his shoulder, he tried to come up with some way as to talk him out of feeling so bad for himself, and so did everyone else. Before anyone was able to speak, he only made it worse for himself, and everyone else as they heard what he felt when it all happened, "The worst part... She only made it worse for him. He... choked on his own blood, and the other two slowly died with begging cries as they didn't want to... And as for Carla... Well... It was like I had failed to protect Carith all over again... Hehe... Isn't that just a son of a bitch...

Once again, it went quiet, aside from Malefor's slight sniffles. Spyro knew he had to do something soon as his knew the more Malefor was to think about it, the more it would haunt him, and he didn't want that to happen. Standing up, he was about to speak, but once again, he started to ramble off more about that battle, "What if Oxyn never did that... Would they still be alive...? What could I have done..."

"Shut it!" Spyro yelled, and his voice echoed throughout the room, somewhat scaring everyone, including Malefor himself, "You're Damn right you aren't the Dark Master! You're pathetic!"

Walking in front and standing in front of him, he growled more and more as he spoke, trying to get his point across to him, "Whose fault was it that you were attacked? Whose fault was it that she died? Whose fault was it that the Darkness ever even took over in the first place?! Stop using what's happened to get yourself downed. You know what happened, you know what should've happened. We all know that was Oxyn's fault, we know that what happened with Carith was the Chronicles fault. You can't just blame yourself if you don't see the full picture."

"I..."

"Need to quiet your wining! It was there fault and there is nothing you could've done about it. You would've been stabbed in the back by one of them, we all know it would've happened. It was either you survived, and can love her now, or they killed you, and us, The Guardians, and your lover, all grow up, not knowing what it would've been like to live with you... I know I can't say what life would've been like either way, I know it would've been tough for either side, but from where I'm standing, we got peace the right way that involved everyone, even the enemy who fought in the war, to come home. What kind of life would we have right now if you were dead?"

Malefor, along with everyone else was at a lost for words, and it was crazy for everyone else, as even he noticed it, but it seemed like Spyro was trying to help him out. I did seem to calm him down, and everyone could see it, but he wanted to know what would happen if he really did die, so he doubted himself as he thought about it, "Well, the War would've ended three years earlier..."

Only for a second, he heard what sounded like wind, then a smack, and next thing he knew, he was on his side with his head on his lover's paws. His eyes were wide, and the pain he felt was excruciating. Everyone hissed through their teeth as they were able to see the red paw print that Spyro had made on his face when he slapped him. Now, everything sad about him was gone. All he felt now was the pain from his red cheek, and anger for what he did. Putting a paw on his cheek as he picked his head up, he yelled at him, "The hell is your problem! I was just curious you ass!"

"You shouldn't be! Life is fine the way it is! Warfang is peaceful, everyone is getting along, so there should be no need to look into the past and know what would've happened!"

"Well now we can't because your smack gave me a headache!"

"Then quiet arguing with me and just accept that you're wrong!"

He growled at him, and as he took his paw off his cheek, he also looked away to his left where his lover was sitting. Everyone chuckled as they watched those two get mad at each other, and since Malefor was now off the subject, they all let out sighs. As Spyro walked back to his spot and laid back down on his stomach next to his lover, he grumbled out loud, knowing everyone could hear, "You know, Carith definitely doesn't need your love. Ignitus might not be with Claire if they were at the Dragon Temple. Those eight could've gotten into a fight which would've made things worse. And, you know, the girls would've never met, and never had the time to talk with one another..."

"Alright, alright, I get it."

"Sorry, I thought you were trying to argue that I was wrong?"

Wanting to turn around and yell at him so bad, he knew he couldn't as he was facing his lover as the two were fighting. Getting a claw, she moved the tip of it up and down his neck, teasing him and causing him to shiver. The anger he felt was slowly going away, and as her claw reached his mouth, she moved the back of her claw through the side of his lips. With her claw reaching the front of his mouth, she turned her claw back around to face forward and placed it on his mouth. He slightly whimpered as she knew what he wanted, and she gave him a choice, "This claw will stay here if you fight with him, or..." She paused as she moved her claw slightly down to the bottom of his lip, "Or the claw will go away, and I won't restrict you from kissing me at all. What will you do?"

"Well, since he never looked towards you for help when he was all bummed out, I'm sure he's going to choose anything but the kiss," Spyro chuckled just to mess with him.

Slightly growling once again as his teeth showed through the sides of his mouth, he had to give up and he knew it wasn't worth fighting him over the kiss. Pulling her claw slightly down, he gave a little smile with sad looking eyes, and she knew what he was doing. Using her wing to block the view from the other, the two were able to freely kiss without feeling embarrassed. Spyro chuckled slightly as he was glad he was able to help out, and he was glad that he was able to stop him from thinking any further with such a thing. Hearing what sounded like a wing extending, he looked over to his side to see that Cynder had extended her wing in front of her face. Smiling with a blush, he had to, and moving his face behind her wing, the two had some private time to kiss. Since the other four were doing their own thing, Ignitus thought that Spyro's idea was pretty good about bring up the Dark Master encounter, so he agreed, "You know, Spyro's right. Since it was just a normal day at that time, and even though we saw the Dark Master, nothing bad really happened so, it would be nice to relive that day."

"We got growled at," Cyril grumbled.

"What makes that different then what happens today?" Terrador chuckled.

"Much rather be growled at then attacked. I'd count it as a positive day," Volteer agreed.

"Speaking of, positive days, and, growling, did I make one of you mad or something? I was literally on the floor, dying, struggling to stay alive. And everyone was just like, 'Haha, you remember that time Cynder was crying because she thought Malefor was going to kill her'. Like... I'm dying! What the hell guys?" Cyril growled as he asked, making a funny sounding voice when he spoke about what they had said, and they gave slight chuckles as it did sound bad when he put it that was.

"Technically that was Ignitus's fault. Those two wouldn't figure out who was going to heal us."

Hearing what sounded like a grunt, everyone looked over to Malefor to see him taking his head out from behind his lover's wing, and agreeing with what the two were saying, "Yeah, no kidding. I was bleeding on the ground from how cut up my legs were, and Ignitus is just taking his time healing us because it totally didn't burn at all but, what ever I guess..."

The five watched as a blue paw came out the front of her wing, and they knew it belonged to Carith. He looked over, and the other five saw as she waved a claw back over to her. They saw him smile, and then his head disappeared back behind her wing as they continued to kiss. They all blush slightly, but Ignitus was able to get their minds off it as he defended himself, "Just be glad I healed you all, okay. I could've left you all to have to heal for yourself, but I wouldn't do that, because I care for you all."

"Uh huh. Bet you if it was Claire, you would've healed her on the spot, comforted her, and then looked for who ever hurt her... unlike with us," Cyril grumbled.

"Aw, does Cyril want someone to comfort him."

"Not the point."

"I get it, I get it. I will try to be better about not wasting time... Speaking of, Spyro, I know kissing your lover is super important, but we only have a couple more hours of night left. So it's fine either way but, do you want to keep doing what you're doing, or do you want to know more about the first time Malefor became the Dark Master?"

He, along with the others, waited for their response. They could hear the sounds of whispering, so they knew they were talking it over. It took a couple more seconds of them talking it over before they were finally able to get their answer. They watched as Cynder took her wing back down, and as she put her wing back at her side, Spyro gave his response, "I guess we can do that. Since their is only a little bit of night left, I guess we should end it off on a high note."

"Was what you two were doing not something that you'd want to end your day off of?"

"Yeah but, I promised her about what I would do tomorrow, and I'm going to fulfil that promise. And since everyone is already down here, we might as well see what happened, you all can relive the memory, and the other two can... I don't know... See how far their relationship has come up till this point?"

"Hehe, Yeah... But they are still only in love," Volteer joked with a whisper so the others couldn't hear, but he wasn't as quiet as he thought he was and everyone heard.

Hearing a slight growl, everyone looked over to see the other two seemed to have been talking as well. After the growl, they could hear them whispering too. Carith took her wing down and put it back to her side while Malefor pointed a claw at him and opened his mouth to say something. He knew what he wanted to say about lover's, but he was quick to act on what he was about to say, and he shut his mouth. Taking his paw back down, he could see that Volteer was catching on to what he wanted to say, and he couldn't let him think too much about it. So he thought of something quick to get his mind off of it, "Ah. I have the perfect idea. Since you want to make jokes, I will make a better one. You're Character for the next three fights will have a fifty percent damage reduction."

"Fifty percent! That's like telling Spyro to fight The Destroyer by himself, and without anything backing him up!"

"Well, lucky for you, you have back up. Both Ignitus and Cyril."

"Where do I come in to play?" Terrador asked as he was left out of the game the entire time.

"Well, I'm doing what most do in a game; Give you the most powerful character at the end, rather then the beginning. You're not... Well, built, so I won't call you the most powerful character to join."

"Still got bigger muscles then you skinny bones."

"Skinny bones? You obviously haven't seen my arms, or when mussels flex. And don't get upset when you aren't the most powerful character in the game. Spyro still has to join in, and I'm going to make sure I nerf him because if he is able to use his dark powers in the game... Even for me, the all powerful who controls the game, can't really do much."

"Wait. Why did you make Ignitus go first if he is more powerful then Spyro then?"

"Obviously I'm going to nerf him as well. You think it's fair to have someone with the power of everything at your disposal? And I'm just going off how I think strategies work: Ignitus is the all around normal type, Volteer has the highest Intelligence, Cyril is surprisingly a very fast dragon, and then you have the Tank of the group which would be you, Terrador."

"And where do I come on to play?" Spyro asked.

"I'm thinking about how I could make it fun... Wait! I have a perfect idea! Ladies, how would you feel if you were to all join your men in battle. And before Spyro starts crying and saying, 'I don't won't her to battle, she could get hurt', I just mean in the game battling."

"Hehe, you know, he is right," Cynder giggled while everyone else slightly laughed, "Still love when you say it though."

Sighing with a blush and a growl, Spyro wanted to yell at him for that, "You know what..."

"It was a joke! Don't fight me, Alright. The point is, I thought it would be fun to add everyone in. That way, we can have a different way of having Claire join Ignitus, and she can have a different back story with more emotion or, depth to what's happened."

"How do you get more emotion then me being forced by the darkness to assassinate you all, to cut Ignitus, just to be comforted by him and stay with you all?" Claire asked, feeling a little of that gilt when she said she had cut him, and Malefor just had to pick on her about it.

"You cut, Ignitus?! How dare you."

"Damn you, Malefor!"

"You better be careful. You are making a lot of enemies right now. Terrador, Volteer, me, and even Ignitus and Claire," Spyro chuckled.

"Alright, Alright, I will try to calm it down. I apologize to you all, I sincerely do," Malefor put a paw on his chest and over his heart as he promised, and everyone knew that they shouldn't trust him, but they tried to forgive him, "We can keep the back stories I guess. But the whole point is, would you rather fight with how we do now, or add our lovers into the mix and we don't have to actually worry about them being hurt?"

"We can definitely do that. But since we are talking about lovers, doesn't that mean we can only add two of the girls and not three, since, you know," Spyro was the one to speak, and everyone, aside from the two he was talking about looked at him with wide eyes from that a statement, and seeing Claire blush along with Ignitus as his teeth showed from the side of his mouth, he apologized, "But I think it could be a fun idea. We'll probably talk more about it later, but we got a little side tracked, and I still want to know what happened with the Dark Master situation."

Slightly growling as Spyro looked at him, Ignitus sighed, trying to forget what he said, "You're lucky I'm so forgiving. And I know you are still mad about me interrupting your time with Cynder."

"I'm sorry, Father. You know I still care about you... right?"

"Uh huh... Anyway, going back. I'm going to put us all in the dream right up to the point where Malefor had turned so we will be outside. We will be able to watch and hear everything that happened. We can also hear everyone's thoughts while this is happening, but since Malefor was in a corrupted state, I don't know what his thoughts were."

"Hehe, I can give you an idea. Once I saw Carith, all my thoughts were, 'Well, I'm gonna be single'," Malefor chuckled with a small cry as he really believed that was what was going to happen.

"Aw, you know I wouldn't do that to you," Carith assured him, and he gave a slight smile, thankful for her help.

"Alright, everyone. Get comfortable, close your eyes, and I will pull everyone into the dream," Ignitus said.

Everyone all tried to get comfortable in their own way. Most were already comfortable like Volteer, Terrador, and Cyril as they laid their head either on their paws, or in the middle of them. Spyro tucked his wing back over while his lover laid her head down over his paws. Laying his head down over the back of her neck, the two closed their eyes. Malefor did the same as the two snuggled up against one another. While he draped his wing over her back, she laid her head down on her paws, nearest to his. Laying his down on his paws, the left cheek of his head touched the right side of hers, and the two closed their eyes. Ignitus saw that everyone was laid down, and looking over to Claire, he asked in a soft whisper, making sure no one could hear aside from her, "You know, I could easily give all of them nightmares right now for what they did to us today?"

She giggled as she was tempted by the offer, but she declined, "As much as I want that to happen, I just... I would feel bad. And I really do want to know what happened between those two the first time Malefor became the Dark Master so... I'm going to pass for now. It is a little crazy for me to see how evil you really can be when they embarrass us."

"Yeah... I guess I do need to chill out a little as I know I do kinda scare them when I say something like that. I just don't want you to feel uncomfortable, that's all."

"Well, snuggle up with me, let's dream together, and I'm sure I will forget all about it."

He chuckled at her request and watched as she got comfortable as well. Laying on her side, she had enough room to stretch out her paws without touching Volteer who laid down on her other side. She rested some of her neck and head on his paws with one eye opened as she looked at him and smiled. Seeing the smile and the way she laid, he couldn't believe he was already forgetting everything that had happened so quickly. Laying his head down on her neck, the two closed their eyes and entered the dream.

---

"Damn, I feel so bad for you, Malefor," A voice spoke as the two had entered the dream, and opening their eyes, they saw the voice was coming from Spyro, "You had so much muscle back then. I know you were in your Dark Master form but, even still, that is probably the only reason Carith didn't want to leave you. You look like you would've blown up the world if she did."

"Ha ha, very funny. She really did leave me, and I did blow up the world, only for you to fix it," Malefor chuckled in a sarcastic manner as he knew he would've been picked on about that sooner or later. As the other two had stood up, Ignitus already knew what the world was going to look like as he had put it together, but Claire had never seen something like this before and looked all around the world. She saw they were outside during the day time. The Guardians from the past were up in the sky along with a dark dragon. She knew that was Malefor, and looking down from the sky, she saw the real Guardians, along with the other four, were all waiting for him to show what happened. She was amazed at how real the world looked. Moving her paws along the grass, she could actually feel it as it tickled the bottom of her paws and moved smoothly through the middle of them as well. The heat from the sun seemed real as well, and she couldn't help but ask if this really was a dream or not, "Ignitus... Are we... is this...?"

"Hehe, I forgot that I never brought you in here before. Yes, this is the dream world that I've created. Normally we would be floating in space surrounded by planets and stars. Well, we wouldn't really be floating, but it would look like we were. What do you think of this?" Ignitus asked, seeing as she smiled the more and more she looked around, and even though she had seen everything before, she couldn't believe this was all in a dream. "I mean... this is... this is incredible! How is everything so real? The color, the texture and feeling of everything from the sky down it's... Amazing..." He was glad to see she was having such an amazing time just looking around, and she smiled more as she thought about it, "So this is what life would be like with peace?" She paused as she walked a couple of steps ahead. She truned around and walked in a circle, getting a feel for everything. Even in the dream, she was able to feel a nice breeze, and since she didn't have to worry about anything, she had to try something. Stretching out onto the grass with her front down and her back in the air, she processed to roll over onto her back and move all along the grass. Ignitus chuckled to see her having so much fun just by playing in the grass. She giggled as she moved her back on the grass, and after a little bit, she stopped, and looked up at the blue sky. Walking over to her, her view from the sky was now blocked by a red face that looked down at her and smiled. Smiling back up at him, the two blushed, and both knew this would be the perfect time to try and say something. She was too embarrassed to do so, and he didn't want it to seem awkward to them, so he asked, "Would you, like to come back here when it's just us? I can give you a dream like this anytime."

Giving a slight sigh, she rolled back over onto her stomach and stood back up. He thought he had done something wrong, and he felt like he knew what it was, but he didn't know how to ask. She was a little sad that he didn't try and make a move on her, but she hated herself for not trying to put the moves on him either. She watched as he walked over to her side, and with a apologetic voice, he hoped he would at least be able to keep her happy, "I'm... sorry if I'm disappointing you. If there is something bothering you, you can tell me..." Knowing one way he could try and make her happy, he pecked her on the cheek. Taking his head back, he hoped that would help, and it seemed it did lighten up her spirits a little. She knew for a fact what she wanted, and she promised herself in her thoughts, "I promise on my life, next time we come to this dream world, or if we have another romantic moment, I will tell him." Holding on to her hope, she smiled back at him and gave him a response, "You know... maybe in a couple of days, I would love to come back here... Just you and me."

"Then... it's a date?" She nodded at him, somewhat glad that he used those words, and in a way, she understood why. Walking back over to the others, Claire kept thinking to herself the more she thought about her love for Ignitus, and she was a little scared as she thought about it, "At this point, everyone knows about my love for Ignitus. One of them had to have slipped up and said something about us... But, then again, I'm always around him, so I would've heard it... Unless the guys talked about it when we were in our own groups, and they are covering it up...? Damn it all... Why does Ignitus have to be so amazing even when he isn't trying." Standing in front of the group, she picked up her head and looked at Spyro, wondering what he thought about everything, "So, Spyro... How does it feel to be out in the open again? The grass, the sunlight, and the cool breeze... do you miss it? Or... do you wish the world would always be this peaceful?"

"Hehe, it's funny you ask that since me and Cynder were talking about it... I can't say that me and Cynder had the best time out in the open; When we first woke up, then the arrow, and another arrow and all the fights with apes but... you are right about one thing... There was one day me and Cynder just laid in the grass for a whole day without worry... It wasn't a whole whole day. After we defeated the Dark Master, me and Cynder slept a lot. Almost the entire day. But that day... Hehe, actually, Cynder, why don't you tell her," Spyro explained a little bit of what he thought, but he knew that his lover woke up that morning while he wasn't there, and he wanted to hear what she would say. Trying to sigh to get rid of the blush, she failed, but since they were in love now, it made her telling the story a lot easier. Just as she was about to tell the story she remembered a very important detail and spoke about that first, "So, Claire, I have a funny story for you. So the day before this, all I wanted was to be with Spyro, and to love him. I was so afraid he would leave me now that the Dark Master was taken care of. So, Ignitus, decided to give me a nightmare about how Spyro would call me a monster and attack me."

"What?!" Everyone cried as even Spyro now remembered that he controlled dreams, and he growled at him for it, "Oh yeah, that's right! You were the one who put Cynder through that nightmare!" Seeing how everyone shunned him, he seemed a little confused which made the others confused, "Wait wait wait... Oh... I know what your talking about. When ever you were on your way back, the only nightmares I caused was the one with the Dark Master which Spyro used that power to help you, and the one in the room that night so the Guardians would know not to separate you two. I'm not the only one who can give nightmares. After that nightmare you had, I gave Spyro that power in secret. Some nightmares I don't cause. I do give nightmares for a reason, and... I'm sorry once again for the nightmares that I have caused against your lover and Malefor, but, that nightmare was from the Ancestors." She wanted to believe him, and so did everyone else, and since he saw everyone was still a little skeptical, he made sure everyone was on his side by revealing what could've happened, "Just so you know, I love my son, and I care about all of you. One possible outcome that dream could've had... Well... Warfang would be no more, and the Dark Master would've gotten his way, just to give you an idea."

"Well... I guess that does make sense. And it would be wired if you were to give me a power to use, just to cause her nightmares, and you causing those nightmares would be pointless so... Cynder... I need to know from you on this one. I do trust him but, making sure with you," Spyro said, looking over at his lover to see that she had sighed, but she didn't let it bother her. "Even after that nightmare, you always knew how to cheer me up and fix my life. After what has happened, we fell in love. So... I do believe you didn't give me that nightmare, Ignitus. But even if you did, thinking about it now, I still wouldn't hate you. I just wanted to see how everyone would react, especially Claire."

"And react I most certainly did. Phew... I knew you had some bad sides to you but, at least you didn't add another," Claire giggled, but when Ignitus heard that, his face turned to pure terror. "Wh... What...?" He whimpered. "Oh you know I was joking." Everyone wondered if he did think she was joking, but seeing him have to sigh and him trying not to shed a tear as he was able to fight it back, they all knew that he didn't know if she was or wasn't. "Pretty sad..." Cynder whispered through her teeth, "Anyway, Claire, I guess I can tell you the story of what happened later once we all can sit down again. I know we weren't able to talk about everything we wanted to so..." Carith knew this was the perfect time to bring up something that was told to her yesterday. Wanting to play it off as if it the words slipped off her tongue, she had hoped for a good reaction from Cynder, "Yeah. I do want to see and remember this day, but we also need to talk about how Spyro taught you how to swim, I mean! Taught you how to live." She was very pleased with the reaction as Cynder's face blushed red, her face was filled with embarrassment, and the first thing she did was look over at Ignitus and yell at him, "Never mind... I really do hate you now."

"Wha... I... I didn't say all of what happened. Like how you were scared of the water and Spyro had to help... you... and... I... am so dead," He slowly realised that he was digging himself a deeper grave the more and more he spoke, and he could tell from everyone's reaction that he was only making things worse for himself. Carith gasped as she heard this and started to tease her about it, "Aw, that's so cute! You two make an adorable couple." Since his lover was being picked on, Spyro fired back to make it more helpful for her, "Rather have to help someone swim then a thirty year old cry Hatchling get over his lost lover."

"What the hell, man? I haven't said anything and you hit me with that?" Malefor growled at him.

"Either way you would've whined about who I talked about. And since we are still on the topic, and still haven't seen what we came here to see, are we able to watch what's happened now or..."

"Oh, yeah, sorry. We keep getting side tracked. Please look at the Malefor in the air as that is where I will start what has happened. And remember, you will hear everything and everyone's thoughts as if you were right one front of them," Ignitus apologised to everyone while also explaining what they had to do. Everyone looked up to the other version of Malefor who was in the air, waiting for him to finally start what happened in the past. Before he did, he had to make sure of one last thing. Looking to Claire, he asked to make sure, "Do I... really have bad sides to me? Because I..."

"Hush your handsome face. I was only a joke, I promise you," She giggled at him seeing how worried he was which only made her promise to love him all the more satisfying to look forward to. Giving a nice sigh, he was glad to hear it, and now that he was for sure nothing was wrong, he let everyone watch what happened back then.

"Malefor! Please! How many times do we have to tell you? She went somewhere to do something but we don't know where. She isn't died," Terrador desperately cried in attempts to calm his friend down before he did something he'd regret.

"How long can you lie to me before you tell me the truth!" Malefor yelled with rage and frustration, waving a paw of fire towards to his friends in anger as if he was ready to fight them, "I didn't see her when I woke up, I looked all around Warfang for her, and even now, she would've seen me! I would've seen her! I prepared, and was happy, and ready for our one mouth anniversary, and now... Just tell me the truth!"

"The truth of the matter is; she isn't died," Cyril stepped into help as he flew a little closer to Malefor, and he spotted this quick enough to turn his body and growl at him, "We have seen this dark side of you before. This isn't you, and we all know this. 'You', know this. You said that it clouds your mind from the truth, and the truth is, we are trying to help you, and to protect you from what this, darkness, could do."

"My mind isn't clouded by the darkness, it's being clouded by your lies! You all aren't understanding my point of view in this is. To add on to my suspicion, you all were scared when I walked out into the Chambers. Volteer seemed sad, and it seemed something was wrong. But when I asked, you all shivered and told me it was nothing... And nothing is all you four ever thought of her."

"You want to know the truth, Malefor!" Volteer cried out from behind him and he watched as Malefor turned his back to look at him, knowing what he could've meant by the truth, "When she walked into the Chambers and she said she wanted to go out and find something for your anniversary, I couldn't stop thinking of how nice it would be, to have a lover like that, to have someone like that, who understands what I'm feeling."

"She... She wanted to get me an anniversary gift... So she...!"

"She didn't die trying! We know where she is, and for her sake, we are keeping her away from you until you calm down."

"If you want me to calm down then show her to me!"

"We can't do that, Malefor," Ignitus spoke in a low tone, and Malefor turned back around to face his friend, growling a little more when he said that, "Do you think she wants to see this side of you? Do you think she'd love someone who growls and threatens their friends? She would think you'd do that to her, she'd be scared of you. You push us out of your lives, you threaten us, you forget all about us when it comes to your love for Carith. It's like she's the only one who matters, and you never cared for us."

"You're wrong!"

"You only wanted to use us, and to help you with the darkness that had taken you over. You're scared, and you just wanted us to be there for you, and to care for you while you never really cared for us. And if I'm so wrong, when was the last time you hanged out with us? When did you joke with us, just spend time, with us. Oh that's right, Carith always had to be there for you to enjoy anything with us."

"Ignitus... What... What side of you is this?" Claire asked as she bit her lip, wondering where this serious and demanding side of came from. "I will... tell you later..." Ignitus slightly blushed, and he knew he'd have to as he heard thoughts from even the Guardians even though they had seen this side of him before, they had just forgotten.

"No... I... I... No! You want to know why! This is why! I tried to be nice, I tried to stay calm and play it cool, and to hang out with you all while you said Carith was doing something, and she'd be back! I waited hours for that! I spoke, and talked, and tried to ignore it, in hopes that you were telling the truth! Day's almost over, and I haven't seen her, I haven't kissed her... I haven't... I haven't done anything... and it's all my fault for trusting you all!"

"Who would you rather be with? The other Guardians? You think they would've done a better job then us to help protect you?"

"Protect me?" Malefor growled more and more as he flew closer to Ignitus, almost as if he was going to attack him, and both prepared for a fight, "You didn't, protect me. I only came to you because I trusted you all! I only stayed with you because I trusted you all more then I trusted them. When my parents died from the apes, it was in Warfang, being watched over by those four. I hated them, and I thought you'd all be better... but you're not. Every times I put my trust into the one's I care about, when I have the trust from my friends! I also lose someone close to me!"

The two looked at one another nearly face to face, both feeling the tension between one another and watching as their bodies teased up. Both were ready for a fight, but neither of them knew who would throw the first punch. Ignitus knew he couldn't do it, and he couldn't bring himself to hurt his friend. But he knew one thing was for sure, if he had to hurt him to save him, he would. I'm sorry, Carith. This isn't him, and we all know that. You've seen this side of him before. We can't let him see you. If something like this happens again, and we can't calm him down the first time... then that means we won't be able to the second time, and we can't have that happen. He couldn't think about it for too long as he knew what would happen, and he knew what else his friend could think of that would make things worse, "Malefor... You know we are your friends, and if it came down to it, we would put our lives on the line to keep you safe. We are family, and that includes Carith. You have to understand that if she was really in danger, you would've seen us put up a fight."

"What are you getting at?"

"Volteer told you we knew were Carith was, so you should know that we are planning something, and I will just tell you the truth. We can't have you seeing Carith every time you go into this, dark side, of yourself. You'll always rely on that. That means, if she were died, we know we can't have her trying to calm you down. I wanted to see if we could, to see if our time together, our years you've been with this family... I wanted to see if it meant something to you... And I wonder if you'd throw away Carith the same way you did us?"

Hearing him speak so poorly of both him and his lover, he snapped. Throwing his fist around to his side and gearing up for the punch, it reached halfway before Ignitus blocked it with his paw. The loud smack echoed throughout the sky, and the Guardians all gasped to see he couldn't been calmed. Malefor's fist hissed from how hard he punched his paw, and he struggled to push his fist forward with more power, but he couldn't, and could only growl as he watched the anger on Ignitus face. He was serious, and he knew he was proven right. Grabbing onto his paw, he warned his friend in a desperate attempt to calm him down, "Don't you dare think you can fight me. All we've tried to do was calm you, and help you... But it seems we've lost a friend today... Or you can prove me wrong and snap out of it you damn idiot! If you won't bring yourself back, I will with my own two paws!"

His words were slowly getting to him as he could feel his paw getting slightly weaker, so he let go of his paw ever so gently so he wouldn't notice. It seemed it was too late to help him though. He smirked as he had pulled his paw back. Spinning around very quickly with his wings, he kicked Ignitus's back and sent him flying to the ground.

"Malefor! Stop!" The other three Guardians cried.

Just as his body reached the ground, he used his wings and pushed them as hard as he could before he could hit the ground. The power of his wings ripped at the ground from the wind, slashing at nearby trees as well. It proved successful as he was able to safely stop himself with the huge gust of wind following as he used his wings to stop himself. Malefor followed down and landed in front of him, seeming completely different from what they had seen before. The Guardians all followed behind and flew to Ignitus back. They landed behind him and stood in a row, ready to help when ever they needed to. Putting a paw up, he looked to his left, and then to his right, nodding his head back to the forest, and they understood. The three ran into the forest behind him, disappearing from both of their sights. They didn't run very far, only behind a couple of trees before they met up with a blue dragoness. Carith looked at the three and disagreed with his plan all together, "I understand what Ignitus is trying to do but... We don't have to take things as a worse case scenario. We are suppose to go for peace, and to be strong enough to keep it. I have to go out there. We know he won't hurt me, we know his mind is clouded, we have all established that, so forget what Ignitus says, we can stop this right now!"

"We just have to wait it out long enough to see what he'd do. I don't like his plan, but... I want to see if all those years of us being together has gotten him to care for us even a little," Terrador declined the idea, even though he really did want to do something, but he knew it would be best to put his trust into his friend.

"We really were nothing to you, were we?" Ignitus spoke first, breaking the silence, and he could see the sweat dripping down all around his body and he knew his friend was fighting it, so all he had to do was try his best to calm him down even more, "Who was there for you when your parents died? Who was there for you when you cried, when you trained, when you, supposedly lost your lover?" He paused once again and started to walk around him in a circle, trying to get his words to echo as he spoke, "I wouldn't be trying to help you if I didn't care about you. I wouldn't try an train you if I didn't believe in you. You can fight through this, and you always have, with us by your side. You trusted me when I walked into that room. When you thought Carith had abandoned you, even when the darkness was taking over, you know for a fact! I would never leave you."

"Good thing we aren't talking about Malefor, then," He chuckled, but his voice wasn't his own, it seemed his actions weren't either.

Ignitus stopped in front of him, shaking his head in shame as he knew he had gone too far. The darkness is manifesting into something more. I have to get Carith out here to stop him, or else... Before he could finish his thought, a paw reached up and grabbed his neck. He gagged from the sudden force on his neck, and he was gradually being lifted off the ground. Standing on two paws, Malefor's growl was his own for only a second as his paw let lose slightly from his neck, "Help... me...!"

The force around his neck once again came back strong, and his body began to shiver and shake. Standing on his back two paws to hold him up, Malefor growled as he shook his head, both trying to get control over the other. Seeing the fear in his eyes as he looked up at him, Ignitus knew he had to do something. It was almost in an instant, and even for him, he didn't know what happened as his body just moved. Grabbing his paw and twisting it, he dislocated it. Letting go of him as Malefor cried out in pain, Ignitus fell to the floor, spun around and used his back paws to kick his ankles. Another loud poop emerged from Malefor's body as he felt the kick, and he fell straight to the floor on his stomach. Grabbing his paw, jumping up over his back, he pulled his paw behind him and growled, "Give up!"

If this doesn't work... Then there is one more thing I can try, He thought to himself, but in doing so, Malefor was able to get the drop on him. Slicing his left arm that held his paw, Ignitus growled in pain and let go of his paw. Flipping him over and off his back, he stabbed his tail right into Ignitus's to keep him from moving it. The loud cries, and the blood that spilled from the two made it worse for the other four to watch, and both had moved up enough that they could almost be seen from the trees. With his claw right at his heart, the two breathed heavier and their hearts pounded to their heads, both scared for different reasons. I could easily get out right now... But if I do... I... I have to wait and see, Ignitus thought, trying to control his breath to calm him down, "If Carith was watching right now, what would she think? How do you think she would feel knowing you were a monster?!"

Seeing him bleed slight blood from his mouth, his tail blade inside his tail, and thinking about what she would say, along with everyone's words finally got to him. But it wasn't easy for him to try and take control and the darkness had a tight lock on him. Taking his tail blade out from Ignitus's, the cry from him as he felt the pain of the blade coming from out of his scales was another driving force into braking the lock the darkness had on him. Standing out in the open, Malefor's voice had come back to him as he started to yell at his friend, "Damn it... Ignitus! Just... shut up and... let me do this!"

Seeing him struggle and cry and he pushed his head all throughout the grass, Carith couldn't watch any longer, "He got what he wanted, and I know Malefor can push through this! Instead of it being harder for us to watch, we need to end this now!"

Jumping out from behind the trees, she ran into the middle, and none of the Guardians could do anything as they knew there would be no point. Ignitus rolled over to his side and watched as everything happened, and he watched as she had jumped out from behind the trees. Well it... kinda worked... Ignitus chuckled in his thoughts, wondering what would happen next. Standing in the middle and watching his he continued to drag his head in the grass, she cried out his name, "Malefor!"

His whole body froze, and even as he picked up his head, it was very slow. She was able to talk to him from the left side of the forest which was lucky as Ignitus was able to see everything since he laid down facing the two. Everyone watched as the light had already started to come back from his eyes. The purple slowly started to come back as now it seemed as though his tears were washing away the darkness. He couldn't move as he was afraid he would scare her, or do something that he shouldn't have done. Instead, she slowly approached him. Step by step, the other watched, hoping that she would be able to help him once again. As she looked him in the eyes, she could hear his evil growl even though he wasn't mad or corrupted, "Carith..."

He instantly shut his mouth as he watched her shiver, and he didn't know what to do since she was so scared of him. Her body clenched as she started to tear up too, and seeing him in so much pain, and after everything had happened, she didn't hate him for it. Instead, she blamed the darkness for what it had done to her dragon, and for what it forced him to do, Don't you ever come after my man ever again! And I'm going to make sure of it! Building up all her courage, she put a paw on his and struggled slightly, wondering what she should say. Feeling his paw shiver, she could feel him trying to pull it away, scared of what the darkness would do. Putting a little more force on his paw, he stopped, wondering what she wanted. Looking him in the eyes, she growled, and made a promise, "You are going to kiss me... And if I don't have my Malefor back when I open my eyes... I... I will... leave... and you'll never hear from me again."

Watching as his eyes grew wide, she couldn't tell if that was a good or bad thing. She sat down, taking a deep breath in and then out. Looking at his paw and clenching his fist, Malefor shook his head, knowing he would never hurt her. Looking back up at her as he put his paw to the ground, she awaited the kiss, and seeing her body, her shivers, her tears, and her slight smile, he would never forgive himself if he did something to make her hate him. He felt as though the darkness was still corrupting his mind as his eyes grew heavy and he had headache that pounded away at his head. Moving in for the kiss, he wasn't even half way before his lover threw her head forward into the kiss. Both closed their eyes in hopes that when they would opened them, everything would be normal again. The kiss felt better and better as they continued, and she started to cry more tears as she knew something was right. Purposely letting her body go limp, he pushed into the kiss and made her fall back, but a wing came from behind her and supported her head and back as she feel. The wing helped her be gently laid down on her back as the two continued to kiss, and the other four watched in awe as the darkness disintegrated into white light from his head to his tail. Pulling away from the kiss ever so gently, he pulled his head above hers, and the two opens their eyes ever so slowly. He looked to see he had his purple arms once again, but what helped him the most was the big smile and laugh that emerged from his lover. His chuckle, and seeing her smile once again made him smile. Wrapping her wings around his back, she pulled her head up to his shoulder and cried with joy, "Malefor!"

He chuckled once again and went to hug her by putting his paw around the back of her neck. Before he could, she pulled her head back and had to make sure it was really him, "All because the kiss was good and you're back to normal doesn't mean I still won't leave you... I want to hear your voice again... Get me to remember that voice."

"Hehe... well... I uh... can talk... dirty to you if you'd like?" Malefor chuckled.

Trying to hold back more tears, she once again heard that soothing and joking voice of his, and she giggled at him, "Hehe, well, it's ruined now. You had your one chance and there it went."

"Hehe... Damn... Wait... Ignitus!"

Moving his paws past and over his lover, he ran over to his friend in desperate need to know if he was okay. Even though he was able to reach him before he had stood up, he didn't know what to say or do, but seeing him slightly grunt as he stood up made it even worse for him to see and hear. All he could do was apologize and hope that he would forgive him for what happened, "Ignitus, I'm so sorry, I..."

"What do you remember?" Ignitus interrupted him.

"What do I... Well... I remember being in Warfang, then I wasn't, then I was here. And I remember somewhat of talking to you four... and then... I struggled to keep my eyes open and I asked you for help... and..."

"Struggled to keep your eyes open? But... You never closed your eyes."

"Like I said, I don't remember much, but my eyes felt heavy and, I somewhat remember what had happened but... I swear to you I had no control. I tried, I really did. When you all spoke to me, I was able to fight more and more as time went on. I remember standing over you and... I was about to kill you but... I... Ignitus I... I couldn't. I'm so sorry..."

Seeing Ignitus as he walked closer to him, he was afraid he was about to yell at him, or scold him for what he had done. He moved his head a little to the right, closed his eyes, and waiting for him to be slapped. Instead of feeling pain, he felt warmth from his back, along with his chest, and he teased up slightly as the feeling was sudden. But then what felt like the bottom of someone's jaw resting on his shoulder, and he knew exactly what was happening. Opening his eyes and looking at him, he was surprised by the hug, but was quickly filled with both sadness and joy as he hugged him back. Moving his wings over his arms and putting his head on Ignitus shoulder, he felt the satisfaction of feeling safe once again. With both pulling away from the hug, Ignitus knew he would still have to have some words with him, "You stabbed my tail you ass. You're gonna pay for that one."

"Ignitus, I..."

"Malefor, relax. No one got hurt, you were strong enough to fight it and you didn't kill me. There is no need to be afraid. I just... I want to know if I was able to save a friend today? Hehe, even though there was some help from Carith but... Are you okay and safe now?"

"I... I am... And I'm sorry for everything that I said."

"You barely remember it. Let's just go home and forget this day as though it was all a bad dream, okay?"

"But... What about the others... and Carith?"

"We can make it past this. She hasn't left you so, you must've done what she asked. She still loves you, and I'm glad she's here even now to support you."

"Yeah... But I'm sure after what's happened, I'm gonna need to support her a lot tonight from what's happened... But first... I..."

"Go stay with her. Tell the Guardians that I will heal myself with some gems. While you are with them, you can apologize. We can make it through something like this very easily... I know we can."

"Thank you, Ignitus," Malefor spoke his words in unison with his other, and with those last words, everything had stopped, and the past of what happened had ended. Even though he smiled as he spoke those words, he still felt terrible for not being strong enough to stop himself from hurting him anyway. Nuzzling her lover on the cheek, it helped him feel a little better. As she pulled away, Spyro looked at him as the two made eye contact. Seeing what had happened for himself, he did want him to feel a little better as he could see he was so downed from what he watched, "I'm pretty surprised at your strength you know. Technically, this was your third time that you had a run in with the darkness, and you were able to stop it from killing Ignitus. You were barely trained to control it, and even when you were at your most for anger, you still were able to fight it... That's very impressive." He knew he was being too nice to him and instead of waiting for the sick burn, he asked him straight out, "Alright, you got me to smile. I know that's not what you want so, where is the snappy come back?" Surprising everyone, he didn't have one as he only smiled back at him, and Malefor's eyes grew wide as he didn't understand why he would be so nice to him. One thing that Spyro desperately wanted to know, along with everyone else is, what side of Ignitus did they watch, and he asked him, "I do still have many questions. One of which is, who in the buffed up, intimidating, women grabbing dragon was that? It seemed you could've kicked Malefor's ass if you wanted to. So what all happened?" Claire was also desperate to know as she started to rub her shoulder against his in a flirting manner, "I want to know as well..." Ignitus chuckled as he could see how much everyone wanted to know, "Don't worry, I will answer all your questions when I take us out of this dream world. Before we came in here, time does stand still. But, The sun was already rising and I've already given you all the power of a full nights rest. So what do you say we wake up to a new day and discuss what we saw?" They all nodded in agreement from his words. "Alright then. Make sure your eyes are closed." Everyone did as they were told, and they all closed their eyes, ready to wake up and talk about what had happened.