As mentioned before, a majority of, if not all the protagonists will be introduced in this chapter, starting with a scene I've always wanted to write, answering the question many TLOS fans have no doubt asked wondering how Spyro's adoptive parents would react to their first meeting with Cynder. I've been inspired by other fanfiction authors on this site regarding that topic, but read on for yourself to see my version.
Ch3: Family Time
Setting: Dragon Realms
Far away in the distant Dragon Realms, a dragon couple and their dragonfly companion were currently in a long flight to a familiar setting. Having finally earned a respite from their duties in Warfang, Spyro and Sparx were finally able to return to their childhood home in the Silver River Swamp. Awaiting there were Sparx's parents and Spyro's adoptive parents Flash and Nina, although the dragonfly couple were unaware of their sons returning. Cynder was invited along of course, and despite her nervousness, she was more than eager to meet the parents who had raised Spyro from infancy.
"There's the edge of the river!" Sparx said, pointing ahead while keeping a hold of Spyro's horns as he flew.
"I see it too Sparx, from here we just follow the river all the way to the village," Spyro replied, having spotted the water body from their aerial advantage point.
"How long has it been since you two have been back?" Cynder asked while flying to Spyro's left.
"Well, counting the three years we lost frozen in time after we left the Dragon Temple to find the Chronicler, along with the additional year we spent away after our first trip to Elorin, I'd say now it's been, 4 and a half years, at least," Spyro answered.
"Man, can you imagine the look on mom's face when she sees us? She'll probably be like, 'you boys are so big!' followed of course by, 'where in the world have been for all these years?! You worried me and your father sick!' Or something like that," Sparx added in, causing Spyro and Cynder to chuckle.
"Yeah, I just hope they aren't too upset," Spyro said before turning somber, "or at least, are still there."
Sparx grew concerned with worry, "You don't mean…"
"I don't know Sparx, but given everything that happened after we left, I just hope they managed to protect themselves," Spyro said, hoping to ease his brother's concern as well as his own.
As they finally cleared the forest reaching the edge of the Silver River, their spirits were somewhat lifted. The swamp area fortunately seemed to have remained untouched since before all three of them were crystal frozen in time. As they started flying above the river following its path, they looked to their left to see a sight that ached their hearts. It was the site of the original Dragon Temple where Spyro was first trained, and where all of them had lived with the guardians prior to the Night of Eternal Darkness…
…but now, nothing was left except a large crater where the temple once stood after it had been teleported above the Destroyer's volcano by the Dark Master's power. Unfortunately, there was no time to mourn for their lost home, they had come here for a more important reason and kept on their current path.
The dragons continued following the Silver River downstream, following the same path Spyro's egg had taken after being rescued by Ignitus. Eventually they reached a clearing that Spyro and Sparx recognized. Following it in, the group landed in front of a lone tree in the middle of the mushroom swamp. Having never been here, at least in her real memories, Cynder was unfamiliar with this area. To Spyro and Sparx however it was more than significant, it was the same tree they had always played around in their youth. The brothers were filled with joy at seeing that it hadn't changed at all.
Sparx let go of Spyro's horn and fluttered near the tree, "I don't believe it, we're back."
"Yeah," Spyro agreed, feeling just as nostalgic. Cynder looked at them warm-hearted, despite never having precious childhood memories of her own, it adored her to see her boyfriend and his brother embrace their own.
"Would you like me to come with you as you see them again, or should I wait here?" Cynder asked them.
Spyro turned around and answered her, "of course you can come with us, meeting our folks was the main point of inviting you along after all."
"Yeah, I know," Cynder said, who despite her initial bravado, couldn't hide the nervousness she was currently feeling, "it's just, do you think they'll like me? Given everything I've done prior?"
Having resolved their old issues months ago, Sparx took his turn in consoling Cynder about her past, "you have nothing to worry about Cynd, that's all water under the bridge. Besides, the dragonflies here really don't get in touch with anybody else outside the village. So I doubt anybody would know about you from Spyro's pre-dragon days."
Spyro nodded, feeling happy and relieved that his stepbrother was actually encouraging Cynder for a change. He added in, "Sparx is right, and believe me, my parents will love meeting the real you, so let's go."
Cynder gave a friendly smile to Sparx and a loving grin toward Spyro for both of their encouragement, and followed them as they made their way toward the nearby path. Eventually they made their way to a hilltop where in the distance, some miniature nests were seen nestled among the mushrooms.
"Mom! Dad! Are you there?! Your firstborn Sparx is back!" Sparx dramatically announced, causing Spyro to take a heavy exhausted breath. Two dragonflies, one pink, one blue, poked their head out of one of the nests.
"Sparx?" The pink female dragonfly flew over to them, with the blue male one following right behind her.
"Sparx! Spyro! My boys, ohhh my boys are home!" Nina gave her dragonfly son a loving squeeze before saying something that had been accurately predicted, "you've gotten so big!"
"Too tight mom, too tight!" Sparx gasped.
While she hugged Sparx, Flash flew past his wife toward his purple adopted son, "Spyro, welcome home."
"Thanks dad," Spyro said emotionally as his adopted father hugged his muzzle. Unbeknownst to them for the moment, Cynder watched the family reunion smiling with heartfelt euphoria.
"When I woke up this morning, I never thought both my sons would be coming back, couldn't ask for a better surprise," said Flash.
"Yup! Surprise old man!" Sparx said before hugging his dad who returned it.
Nina then flew up to Spyro, "Spyro, look at you, you've grown more than I ever expected."
"Haha, yeah, well dragons are known to grow larger than most other beings. It's great to see you mom."
Nina embraced her adopted son hugging his muzzle just like her husband. Though she saw out of the corner of her eye, that her sons had not returned alone. She broke from the hug to see the black dragoness behind Spyro.
"Oh, and who are you?" Nina asked, which made Cynder shift nervously.
"Hello, I'm uh…" she stuttered.
Looking to ease her discomfort Spyro answered with a warm smile, "mom, dad, this is Cynder, a friend and companion Sparx and I have made in the outer world."
Flash noticed the similarity and said, "she looks like you... is she?..."
"A dragon? Yes, in fact she's the first dragon we met since Sparx and I left here," Spyro said, knowing it was the truth, even though their first meet wasn't a pleasant one when she was brainwashed into chasing them.
"Welcome dear, it's nice to meet you," Nina graciously said.
Cynder smiled and accepted the greeting, "thank you, your sons have been the greatest friends I've ever had."
"Or in Spyro's case, something more," Sparx cut in, making his parents gasp and the young dragons glare at him. Fluttering in between the two groups, he turned to Spyro and Cynder, "come on, why don't you cut to the chase and tell them your real relationship status?"
It took an instant for Flash and Nina to understand, and an astonished Nina asked Spyro, "Spyro, she's your?..."
Spyro sighed knowing the moment he wanted was taken by Sparx, yet finished it how he wanted it, "yes mom, Cynder...she's my girlfriend."
Nina squealed in delight as she hugged her purple son's muzzle again, with Cynder giggling at the motherly affection for the news. Flash kept more calm but smiled approvingly at his son's chosen mate, while Sparx smugly chuckled to himself. Nina broke from Spyro and turned to Cynder.
"Ever since he hatched for us, I always worried Spyro would never find someone for him in our little village," Nina put a hand on Cynder's nose, "but you are beautiful, and I couldn't be more happy for you both."
"Thank you," Cynder softly whispered as Nina hugged her like she did Spyro. Not long after that, the rest of the dragonfly village bid the returning brothers welcome, as well as Cynder. All too quickly Sparx began sharing stories of their adventures, which many were quick to pay attention to.
Soon the yellow dragonfly had his own audience as Spyro, Cynder, and his parents sat by themselves as they witnessed his storytelling.
"Should have figured he would jump at the first chance to share and tell," Spyro said.
"Typical, and he's no doubt exaggerating in some areas if not most of them," Cynder agreed, "he never stops yammering...No offense you two!"...suddenly remembering her future in-laws were with them right now.
The dragonfly parents chuckled before Flash answered, "none taken, he's always been like this. Though I hoped his time spent out in the world beyond would have taught him some temperance."
"He's always been imaginative dear," Nina assured Cynder, "but perhaps you and Spyro could share your tales from your perspective. Between both my sons, Spyro was as truthful as Sparx was enthusiastic, of which I'm both proud."
"I'm sure," Cynder said smiling, "though if you want to start at the beginning, you should ask Spyro, he's seen it all compared to the rest of us."
"Well son?" Flash asked Spyro.
Spyro nodded before saying, "alright then, after we left home, Sparx and I made our way through the swamp. That's where we first met Cynder, though only briefly, as she was being held prisoner."
"Prisoner?!...Oh dear, is that true?" Nina asked with a concerned tone. Cynder sadly nodded yes, though inside she was thankful Spyro was not giving the full details of her enslavement.
Spyro continued, "Yeah, though there wasn't anything we could do for her at the time, and the forces that held her ended up chasing us off. So we continued running, until we eventually ran into another dragon, Ignitus."
"Ignitus?" Flash questioned, his wife matching his curiosity, while Cynder smiled behind them remembering the kind former fire guardian.
"Yes, and believe me dad, you and mom would have loved to meet him. In fact if it wasn't for him, I never would have washed up on your shores," Spyro explained warm-heartedly.
Flash and Nina's eyes went wide, this dragon Ignitus was the one who had sent Spyro's egg down the river? Though they were doubtful they would ever meet him, they knew from here on they would be eternally grateful to the dragon guardian. Though Flash was curious and concerned about something…
"He was the one who sent your egg?...If that's true...Spyro, was he...your?" Spyro quickly cut him off before he finished knowing his question. Though he definitely would not have been opposed to it being true.
"No dad, he wasn't my real father, even if he did act like it. Unfortunately, the main reason for why I left here turned out to be in vain. I never was able to find my real parents, and I doubt they are even still around now."
"I share Spyro's pain, I never knew my own either," Cynder added sadly, "all I remember is hatching in the clutches of my kidnappers. So I never even got to be a child, just a slave."
Her breaking voice was more than enough for Nina to give her another hug, "I'm so sorry sweetie...nobody, especially a child deserves to be taken from their family."
Cynder kept herself from shedding tears and nodded back. She remembered being told the same by her friend Calidan on Elorin during their heart to heart in the Monk Temple.
Nina then assured her, "listen, you may not have started life with a family, but you have one now. Your part of our family now Cynder as much as Spyro is, so we're here for you when you need it."
Cynder now started shedding tears of joy, she truly had everything she had ever wanted and needed now. Spyro and Flash warmly grinned at the pseudo mother-daughter moment.
Nina returned to the previous topic on a happy note, "now, where were we? Spyro, you said you met another dragon?"
"Yes, Ignitus, and he also became my first mentor. He taught me about my true dragon nature, as well as the new fire breath I had acquired. Apparently this all started…" and Spyro launched into the tales with his adoptive parents listening to every word and Cynder enjoying the retelling of his story. She couldn't have asked for a better first meet with the family, now her own family. Hopefully it would be the first of many to come.
Setting: Elorin-Haven City outskirts
Meanwhile as one family reunion was taking place in the Realms, another was currently happening on Elorin. In his brand new hut outside the city walls built on a ledge overlooking the old pumping station, Samos meditated in the air. Normally he would have preferred his home in the former Haven Forest, but that area was still under recovery from the former metalhead infestation. While Samos regularly made visits there to ensure its recovery was still underway, he needed a permanent homestead and the pumping station was his next choice, mainly because it was closest in vicinity to the New Haven area, where his daughter had set up shop. Keira had actually reached the top of the steps behind him before greeting.
"Hi daddy, hope I'm not disturbing you?"
"Hello dear, of course not," Samos greeted back before grumbling, "though I could never say the same for Jak and Daxter."
Keira giggled a bit and said, "Hehe, come on dad, it wasn't that bad was it?"
"You were mainly in your shop during the time it was bad, plus you should also know from experience," her father responded.
"Daxter definitely, but never Jak," said Keira.
"Is that so? Anything I should be aware of?" Samos asked wryly while raising an eye.
Keira flushed with embarrassment while crossing her arms, "Daadd! Please! I didn't come here to have the Talk again! I certainly don't need it."
Samos lowered himself to the ground while chuckling, "Hehehe...Right, so what's new with my daughter in the city?"
Keira resettled herself before saying, "We're doing great! We're actually rebuilding at a faster pace then last time, my own contributions with the construction drone upgrades helped immensely. New Haven is still a few weeks from completion, but we're getting there."
"That's my girl!" Samos cheered, making Keira smile.
"My new shop has come together nicely too, with some help from my new assistant," Keira added.
Only one person came to Samos's mind, "Calidan?"
Keira nodded, "Mmhmm, I have to admit, despite his rough first impression, having another mechanic of his level around is good company. It's almost like having a brother, with whom I can both share and mentor."
"You always knew how to make newcomers feel welcome, Spyro and Cynder could attest to that." Samos remarked, making his daughter blush.
"Well enough about me, how are you and your new housemate doing in your new abode?" Keira asked. Samos knew she was referring to Onin who was rooming in the level below him. The aging soothsayer had opted to join the old sage in the new hut leaving behind the loud hustle of the rebuilding city. This also allowed the two elders to work side by side in solitude while sensing any more impending danger.
"Onin's well enough, though she seems to be more...silent than usual," Samos said in a low tone.
"What do you mean?" Keira asked with concern, knowing the soothsayer didn't say anything other than through Packer.
"Come and see for yourself," Samos led Keira down the stairs where Onin sat in the middle of her level that was attired just like her old tent. Calidan's wildcat Robin was sitting next to her, watching the visitors enter. Packer stood on a perch next to her.
"Keira, welcome to our new sanctuary," Packer greeted with a bow.
"Much obliged Packer," Keira greeted, "Nice to see all of you acclimating well out here."
"Well as I can be! Hostilities may be low out here now, but absolutely no siestas! I'm going stir crazy!" Packer complained while flailing his wings.
Samos and Keira could only roll their eyes before the sage responded, "we've actually come down to speak to Onin, regarding the 'issues' you had translated for me a few days ago?"
"Of course you have," Packer huffed before flying over to land on Onin's hat, awakening the soothsayer from her meditation before she began her hand-signing as Robin watched next to her.
"Onin says the premonitions she experienced prior to our victory over the Dark Makers have been continuing, and become more clear each time they return."
"Anything she can elaborate on?" Keira asked.
"That's what I asked," Samos interrupted, "and I was always given the same reply…"
"...nothing clear enough," Packer finished, before Onin continued speaking, "however Samos, that cycle may have just been broken."
Seeing he had their full attention, Packer continued translating, "Onin says a new event is on the horizon, with the arrival of a brand new set of entities beyond what we've experienced so far."
"Like the dragons?" Keira asked.
"More so than them, actually, they may even...predate them," Packer translated, that description was more than enough to shock Samos and Keira silent, "also, these new entities may bring something else with them both new and familiar, one of them being war."
Samos and his daughter were definitely concerned now. They knew Onin's predictions usually came true in obscure ways. So her predicting another war was nothing to take lightly.
Setting: Dragon Realms-Warfang
Despite it not being affected by the last war its iconic inhabitants had fought in, the Dragon City of Warfang had still come a long way from where it was over a year ago after the event known as the Reformation, thanks to the efforts of their heroic purple dragon. Since the time Spyro had saved the planet by pulling it back together after the Destroyer broke it apart, Warfang's dedicated mole construction crews had spent all their time rebuilding the once majestic city to its original splendor. Now, the rebuilding was complete, and the streets had never been livelier since the war began.
Moles roamed the streets ensuring their handiwork was up to standard, and merchants of all kinds, including cheetahs, attlawas and manweersmalls had come from all over the world to set up their own lives within the growing city. Of course, the Dragon City was not complete without its dragons, unfortunately it couldn't be argued there were fewer than there used to be within the city walls. The vile schemes of the traitorous Dark Master had taken a severe toll on their kind. Fortunately, a good number of families had escaped into hiding years ago before the Dark Armies attacked, only to emerge after the Reformation, which offered hope that their race would continue, even if it would be a little longer before they wouldn't be considered endangered.
Also, out of the emergence was relief that their race wasn't without leadership. The Dragon King and his daughter had returned to the fabled city after years of hiding. The king had spent those years looking after those who were spared from the Dark Master's wrath, and raising his only child after his mate sadly died as a casualty of the war. The moles had even ensured the first place that was completely rebuilt was the Warfang palace where the King and the Princess now resided. In gratitude, the dragon royals had been amongst the people during the whole reconstruction, aiding in any way they could.
With the physical construction now complete, focus could now be put toward establishing a functioning government. Something his royal highness was now discussing with the Dragon Guardian Council. It had taken months to get to this point, but many tasks remained ahead, especially after the guardians and their students had returned from the identified alien world of Elorin six months ago, bringing with them a pact made in good faith with the human race that inhabited it. It had acted as a backbone for establishing a fresh set of laws for the new age, which was critical because the Alliance Arch Isle in the Realms fell under the protection of Warfang.
The Realms' newfound pact with Elorin still remained unknown to the majority of the Warfang's population, as well as the rest of the planet, given that they were still in a state of recovery after the end of the Great War against the Dark Master. Other than the guardians and acolytes, the royal dragon family were now counted among those who were aware of the New Age revelations, which included the existence of Elorin, the true history of the ancient Dragon Father, and the unfortunate reality of Malefor's present freedom and unknown present location. Despite the significance of these revelations, the Dragon King was busy discussing with the guardians another critical matter regarding their new Union Alliance with Elorin.
"Do you truly believe this is the wisest course of action Guardian Terrador?" The Dragon King asked the lead guardian regarding his proposition. The Earth Guardian was standing in front of him, with both of his remaining colleagues Cyril and Volteer sitting right behind him as they conversed in the palace lecture hall.
"I have no doubt your highness," Terrador replied, "if we wish to continue strengthening the pact we have made with Elorin, we should consider giving the humans the choice to make a colony in our Realms, and in turn, request the opportunity to set one of our own in theirs."
The king was skeptical about this idea from the beginning. The descriptions of these humans provided by the guardians and Spyro had given him mixed feelings about communing with them. The uncomfortable resemblance to apes unsettled him, as well as their tendency to wage war among their own kind, something he knew his own race was shamefully guilty of. However, all the stories they had told had illustrated that their more noble traits had always prevailed in their planet's dark times, much like their own. Their tales of the one called Jak were certainly stories of the ages in his opinion, much as Spyro's was in the Dragon Realms.
However he still had his concerns, "and what could these humans contribute to our Realms that would be mutually beneficial? And where could they reside?"
"Their skill sets are as varied as there are races in our Realms, your highness. In addition, they have proven to be quite adaptable, able to live in the coldest of climates to the most searing desert. Some are warriors with abilities rivaling the cheetahs, some are peacekeepers who prefer the art of diplomacy over action, and others are also skilled craftsmen, able to match even the moles. They have built cities with structures that could dwarf even this palace, and defenses greater than the strongest natural shield, and that is only scratching the surface of what we have discovered," Terrador finished explaining.
"Be that as it may, there is no guarantee they would thrive on our planet, nor would we in theirs," the king argued.
"You have forgotten King Arius, ages ago our ancestors believed the same thing when the Dragon Father relocated our entire species to this planet, and yet here we are," said Terrador.
King Arius replied a little more sternly, "and need I remind you Guardian Terrador, your first duty is to OUR Realms, not alien worlds."
"Naturally," Terrador agreed, trying not to feel undermined, "but we must remember we are still in the dawn of a new age, and while many things have carried over, changes are inevitable. Even Spyro and Cynder's initial visit to Elorin was a stepping stone to where we are now, rekindling an ancient alliance after millenia of separation, and I'm sure all of us in this room don't wish for it to fade away a second time. I personally know for a fact the humans I befriended don't wish that either."
Cyril and Volteer silently agreed with Terrador, but knew that ultimately it would come to the king's final decision whether to take a step forward, as were their hierarchical laws. At least it seemed like he was contemplating them, from what they were interpreting on his face. However King Arius was not one to sway so easily, everything the Realms had been through had left him on edge in certain matters, this certainly being one of them.
"...and these humans you befriended, they lead their race?"
"Human leadership hierarchy is not like it is with the dragons my liege, they are led by no one man, there are too many for that," Terrador shook his head, before he continued explaining, "instead, they have many leaders amongst many clans. I have personally spoken to leaders among them, including your highness, a king not unlike yourself, who led his people with integrity, honor, and respect...and was also hesitant in trusting an alien race that he was unfamiliar with. His leap of faith is what forged this alliance from the start, and eventually who I was honored to call a friend...to the end of his reign."
Terrador's tone turning dismal, as well as the moods of the two guardians behind him spoke clearly to the Dragon King who asked, "from your statement I take it he's now dead?"
Terrador spoke in respect of his old friend, "yes...his name was Damas, and he honorably sacrificed himself for the sake of not only his people, but also for his only son." There for the first time was a statement from Terrador that Arius wholeheartedly sympathized with, hypothetically he would have done the same for his daughter just like Damas sacrificed himself for his son.
Terrador continued, "...though before he died, we shared our wishes that the alliance we began together would spread across our respective worlds, and while it may take past both our lifetimes your highness, attempting such a feat would make a grander tale for this age then the Great War did for the last, wouldn't you agree?"
King Arius listened to every word the guardian spoke out of respect for his old friend King Damas. The Dragon King was disappointed that he wouldn't get the chance to meet the Spargus King who had first allied with their kind, given the Guardian Council's description of him. There were clear similarities between the departed human king and himself, from their roles as fathers as well as rulers, and their hesitancy in trusting foreigners. Though now he was wondering, if this Damas could take a leap of faith in trusting his kind, who was he to do any less with the humans?
Suddenly, the sound of rushing footsteps caused them to all turn around to see Vacu, one of Terrador's earth acolytes running up to them and braking himself with a skid, "Master Terrador!...huff huff...I'm sorry to...huff...interrupt...huff…but…"
"Take a breath Vacu," Terrador consoled his pupil, and then asked, "what is it?"
Vacu took in a deep breath before saying something that ended the guardian and king meeting prematurely, "its Ignitus sir! He wishes to speak to you."
Upon hearing the name, King Arius said, "go and find out what he needs to say, we'll discuss this further later."
Hearing that the Dragon Chronicler himself was asking for Terrador specifically was enough for King Arius to put their meeting on hold. After the king dismissed them, the guardians flew their way back to the Warfang temple with Vacu in tow over the city center. Eventually they landed at the temple and made their way to the white gem chamber where they could make contact with the Chronicler. Stepping up to the cluster with his three fellow dragons behind him, Terrador set a paw on the gems activating them. After a few seconds, out of the shine Ignitus's image came through.
"Terrador…"
"Ignitus, you wished to speak to me?" Terrador said to his old friend.
"Terrador, you must have Spyro and Cynder return to the city post haste, something serious is about to occur."
His knowledge of how the Chronicler before him operated made Terrador clear of where Ignitus was speaking about, "your books have shown you the future, is there any danger to come in the Realms?"
"Fortunately no, and right now it's not clear where Spyro and Cynder roles will be, but from what I saw in their books, something new, foreign, and dangerous is coming...but it won't take place here."
Terrador read between the lines, "you mean…"
"...The return to Elorin, is now."
Setting: Deep Space
After forging their new dark alliance, Megatron formally introduced his present Decepticon subordinates to his new organic allies. To his left was his first lieutenant and military commander Starscream, the red, blue, and silver winged con with a clear coward's disposition. To his right was his chief communications officer and head technician Soundwave, the purple and black con with subwoofer shoulders and a screen for a face, and talked like a literal computer on legs.
The new Dark Maker leader then took his cue, "I am Errol, newfound leader of the mighty Dark Makers, the ancient conquerors of this galaxy."
Malefor silently scoffed at his cohort's transparent arrogance, if anything, being reborn again only made it even worse than before. Errol was oblivious to this as he introduced him as his partner in conquest, "and as he's already introduced himself, Malefor, the Dark Master, is my local partner and dragon ally against the shared enemies of our former homes."
"Well acquainted Errol," Megatron said, "but now that the formalities are done, we should get to the mutual business at hand. Your aid with us in hunting and slaying the Autobots, and our repayment of helping conquer your former planets."
"You mean his planet," Malefor cut in, "for as I've told Errol already, while I appreciate the additional backup, I require no aid in conquering a world that I have already conquered before."
Starscream's curiosity was intrigued, "really? If that's the case, Malefor, then why are you not homebound sitting on your throne right now? Or is that not how you organics do things around here?"
Malefor glared with contempt at the Decepticon lieutenant, clearly mockery was an ingrained habit of this particular metal being.
"At ease Starscream," Megatron dismissed him, "I'm sure the revered 'Dark Master' has his reasons."
If the latent insult of how the Decepticon leader spoke of his title was heard, Malefor merely dismissed it by growling, "only two…the dragon whelps Spyro and Cynder, whom have both not only mocked the true calling of their birthright, but have humiliated me in the highest regard!"
"Whelps? You mean younglings?" Starscream questioned before laughing out, "hahaha! You mean to say children got the better of you?! Hah! How pitiful."
Malefor was one insult away from pouncing on the aerial loudmouth before Errol cut in, "you would be wise to reconsider your words, Starscream. These 'dragon children' as you call them, are far more dangerous than you give them credit for. Despite their youth, they both wield power that equals an army. I know, I've seen it first hand myself."
Megatron also reminded, "let us also not forget Starscream, that Malefor by himself slayed half of one of our battalions earlier, without wasting a breath. If this Spyro and Cynder are powerful enough to be a problem for him, they are most likely a threat to us as well, if one would spend more time analyzing facts instead of listening to one's ego!"
Megatron's reprimand made Starscream cringe and Malefor grin, at least there was some sense of reason amongst this 'communion.' Plus, he found seeing Starscream cower quite entertaining.
"Yes master," he meekly replied. At the same time, Soundwave jolted, before turning away for a moment, diverting their attention.
"What is it Soundwave?" Megatron asked him.
"Lord Megatron, I've just received a message from the bridge that the Ark has been detected on our radar," Soundwave replied.
"The Ark?" Malefor asked.
"The Autobot flagship," Megatron clarified before asking his comm chief, "where is its present location?"
"Just over 3 light-years from our port side," Soundwave answered.
Errol realized something, remembering the positions of the ship from his vessel, "wait, that direction is on trajectory with Elorin!"
"Your former planet?" Megatron questioned.
"Indeed, it's where Spyro and Cynder were last seen, hosted by my old foe Jak, as well as the rest of their human allies, including that upstart Calidan," Errol seethed. Soundwave's direction also reminded Megatron of another critical fact.
"It's also in the direction where we detected our emergency Decepticon beacon," Megatron added, "well gentlemen, it's clear where our next destination will be, and where all of our goals shall be reached."
In the midst of all these events occurring between the two allied planets, something new, unbeknownst to all of them, had entered their galaxy. In a far off area of space, lightyears from the Nemesis and Dark Maker mothership, another spaceship was currently making its way through its present sector. It was similar to the Decepticon ship in size, but its design was much different. It had more of a streamlined look in the shape of an arrowhead, and the exterior of the ship was colored golden yellow instead of midnight gray.
This was the Ark, the refugee ship of the Autobots, and inside, the ship's occupants were having a discussion at the ship's bridge. It regarded some new intelligence collected by one of their spy drones their lead engineer had designed and snuck aboard the Nemesis before the Cybertron Exodus. The most critical fact they had learned was that Megatron seemed to have made some new friends in this sector, and enemies to them.
Like the Nemesis, the Ark had also detected the Decepticon emergency beacon sent into space months ago. They deduced it belonged to the Decepticons because it matched none used by the Autobots, past or present. They had paused their journey toward it when their ship's helmsman called their leader to the bridge to inform him of what he had just found out.
"You're sure the intercepted transmission was clear? And it was Megatron?" The red and blue cladded leader asked his white and red-striped helmsman.
"Definitely boss," he replied.
"Hmmm...the Decepticons on their own are more than destructive enough, but if they have really formed a truce with these unknown 'Dark natives' we'll have even more trouble to contend with, as will all the innocent beings of this new galaxy," the leader said, also adding in the fact that the emergency Decepticon signal they were on course for was coming from this identified planet of Elorin. Whether they knew it or not, the humans and their allies were about to become entangled in their own war.
"What are your orders sir?" The helmsman asked.
"Jazz, set course for this new identified planet Elorin, the human inhabitants must be warned," he ordered respectfully.
"Right away Prime," Jazz said before turning to his console to set the coordinates.
Putting a finger to his helm, Optimus Prime called to one of his comrades aboard, "Bumblebee, prepare to board a pod, I need you for a scouting mission to a new planet we are setting course for."
A beeping was heard through his helm in confirmation, "Good, and be safe my friend."
The first appearance of the Autobots, and don't worry you'll soon find out who else will be part of the team, though my DeviantArt page should answer that question. Optimus and Bumblebee were the obvious first choices to bring in, and I wanted to bring in Jazz as Optimus's original lieutenant from the first Transformers film. More references to other TF universes will be seen in coming chapters, but I'm confident I can do a much better job than Michael Bay with story development.
Also, like the last story, I've introduced another new dragon, the Dragon King Arius, whose name is a slight alteration of the biblical king from the book of Daniel.