The dragons hurried after the mole as best as they could; it was hazardous weaving through the lab with such large wings.
But finally, sunlight. It's like their own beach, Golden against blue. And there amongst two others, is their little artisan.
Spyro turns as he hears his name called again, clearer this time. He barely registers orange, and warmth, as he's swept up into familiar arms. Loving and safe.
He can't help but put his face into the crook of their shoulder and cry.
"Delbin!"
Hunter's first instinct was to drop down into a kneeling bow, lower his eyes and expose his neck to show trust and respect.
Elora's was to freeze in place, flicking her ears, heart hammering to run.
They did neither of these things; instead they watched as the dragons poured out of the Professor's cave, the mole himself doing a capering jig. Spyro was curled up in the embrace of a large orangey dragon, crying and overflowing with emotion. The sea glass tied flush to his left horn glinting.
They now understood what Spyro meant when he said he was small, and that adult dragons were huge. They were behemoths! The paunchy purple one could probably eat Hunter's head in one gulp.
But while predatory species, there was nothing malicious about the dragons. They were warm with magic, their eyes held a gentleness.
A large yellow one came towards them - from Spyro's descriptions, this was probably a Peacekeeper - and gave a little bow. "Thank you for keeping Spyro safe; he has a tendency to get into trouble," his eyes twinkled at that, then he stood. "I am Maximos, of the Peacekeeper lands."
"Hunter of Avalar."
"Elora of Avalar."
Maximos nods. He points out each dragon in the group. "Lindar, Tomas, Delbin, Magnus, Kelvin, Jarvis, Lyle, Lateef, Zikimo, and Claude. At least one delegate from each land."
"That's the Professor," Elora pointed to the mole, currently being hugged by Zikimo. "He's the one who got the portal working."
Maximos nodded. "When everyone is ready, we can share what we know."
He patted both Hunter and Elora on the head; he was gentle, even though his paw was bigger than their faces.
Delbin gently ran a claw across the scar on Spyro's scales. It was the only visible injury.
But he knew that there were others far, far beneath.
Delbin was not a maurader, or much of a hunter - it just wasn't his nature. But right now he could easily imagine tearing teeth and claws into this 'Moneybags'.
But he quelled the thought. It helped to know what Spyro's new friends had done for him. This was a lovely kingdom, with its own troubles. And they had risked themselves to help Spyro and Sparx.
Of course they would help the Professor rid the land of this 'Ripto' fella. Lateef had actually had a knowing glint in his eye - did he know about this creature? But that was for later, when plans were made.
He nodded to Tomas to speak.
The green dragon, paws on his hips, proclaimed, "Of course we'll help! While we have kept to our own lands for centuries, we will not ignore a cry for help. Especially if this little bugger isn't fond of dragons." He winked, and the others laughed.
The Professor was relieved. "Oh thank you, so much! I'll keep the portal on my end active, in case you need to recruit others. For now feel free to use this minor world as a base of operations." He spread his paws, indicating the beach.
Delbin rubbed Spyro's frill, receiving a rumble in response. "That sounds like a good idea, thank you. I can also drop Spyro off back home."
The little dragon was instantly alert; he jumped up, even still in Delbin's hold, starting Sparx off of the older dragon's shoulder. "What! No! I want to stay and help my friends!"
Delbin sighed, "But Spyro-"
"Oh, let him stay," Jarvin waved a carefree paw, "We know where he is, he's safe with us, and," his voice suddenly gets serious, "he'll just find a way to come back and you know it."
Delbin deflates, but nods. "You're right. Okay, Spyro."
Spyro wriggles out of his hold and bounds over to Hunter and Elora, pleased. Sparx races to catch up.
"Now then, I think we have a mighty fine group," Kelvin looks at each one in turn, including the Professor, and Elora and Hunter who are now curled up with Spyro, "and quite a bit of information. Let's make a plan."