Chapter 3

The sun beamed in through the window directly into Spyro's eyes as he woke up, remembering the night before. In front of him lay Cynder, fast asleep and facing him now. "She's even cuter when she's asleep," thought Spyro. Just outside Spyro could hear Hunter talking to Terrador, momentarily being interrupted by Sparx.

"Whatever the case, Hunter, both need to reawaken their breaths as soon as possible. Warfang is in the utmost danger." Sparx interrupted. "Hate to interrupt, but forcing them to use their abilities isn't as easy as-." Sparx was cut off by Cyril. "We're well aware of that. But with the predicament we currently find ourselves in, we need every edge we can acquire. Even so. We can not rush things lest we desire catastrophe to befall us."

Cynder finally awoke and smiled at him, "Morning." Spyro smiled in turn. "Good morning, Cynder." The black scaled dragon leaned forward and kissed Spyro on his forehead before getting up and stretching, then heading down the stairs. "I'll see you down there." Spyro stretched and mouthed a half-hearted, "M'kay." Getting up, Spyro was greeted by Hunter, who had just made it to the top floor. "Come on, Spyro. The guardians have an assignment for us."

Spyro jumped off the bed and followed him downstairs, where all but Volteer was waiting. Terrador cleared his throat before speaking. "Now that you've had a good night's rest, we can discuss our next plan of action. Walk with me." As they strode forward, Cynder walked up next to Spyro with the biggest smile on her face. Spyro smiled in return, drawing the attention of Sparx, who smirked. "Well, you two seem more friendly than usual. Did I miss something while we were sleeping last night?" Spyro stopped smiling for a moment and opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by Cyril. "Always prying into personal matters, aren't you. For the ancestors' sake, just leave them be." Sparx sighed. "Fine. I'll leave these two love birds be."

After a couple minutes, they came back to the now finished archway, which had a fully working ornate gate set in it. Behind it was a large amount of scaffolding and cranes with moles and cheetahs walking around lifting and placing stone and cement. As they approached, the gate opened with a dust-covered Volteer laughing hysterically at the situation he had just been in. Spyro snorted. "What the heck happened?"

Volteer struggled to stop himself for a full minute. "Oh, sorry. We just had a small mishap with the powder the moles were adding water to." Cyril sighed. "Here. Let me help with that." Using his ice breath, Cyril froze the powder covering Volteer which the lightning guardian promptly shattered leaving shards of ice strewn across the street. After shaking the last of the ice free, Volteer opened the gate further letting them inside. After walking through they turned left to see a large tent that housed a map of the world on a table in the center with several pins to show different locations.

Upon walking into the tent, they were greeted by the sight of Mason and Prowlus who were discussing matters. Prowlus looked up. "Terrador. We were just about to begin." Terrador nodded and stood next to him. "Thank you for coming, Prowlus. Now then, Cyril. Go ahead and fill Spyro and Cynder in."

Cyril stood next to Hunter directly opposite of Terrador with Spyro and Cynder standing on the end of the table to Terrador's right with Sparx hovering next to Spyro. "I'm sure Hunter told you both about the golems already. But they are only one threat we've had the displeasure of quarrelling with. Shortly after Malefor was defeated, we started getting reports of portals opening all across the world. We've been trying to figure out what exactly is going on but to no avail."

Terrador chimed in, "Hunter. You said you came into contact with whatever was coming out of the portals?" Hunter nodded and reached into a pouch under his cloak, pulling out what looked to be a tooth. It was a slightly yellowed canine about the size of a shark tooth with cerations on either side. "When I was scouting out the forests one of those portals opened up and a bipedal creature walked out and attacked me. Luckily I was able to fight it off. Even luckier is that I was able to knock a tooth out so we may have a chance to identify whatever they are."

Hunter slid the tooth to Volteer who was standing opposite Spyro and Cynder. "Let me see." Volteer sniffed and looked at the tooth for a few moments before looking back at the others and shaking his head. "I'm afraid the situation may have worsened." Cyril spoke up. "And why is that? Come on. Don't keep us in suspense." "Do either of you recall a race known as the Riptoc?"

Terrador's eyes went wide. As did Cyril's at the mention of the name. Spyro cocked his brow. "Ignitus never mentioned them. What are they?" Terrador spoke first. "That's because we thought they were a myth much like the Chronicler. The Ancestors spoke of them in their records, but with how obscure those records are, it's next to impossible to tell just how much of it is based in reality and how much is based in myth." Volteer spoke up. "Anyway. The Riptoc were said to be an ancient race of bipedal lizards that were fluent in dark magic. If the legends are to be believed, their leader, Ripto, has power that could rival even Malefor."

Spyro and Cynder looked at each other with concern, then back to Volteer with Spyro asking him, "What can be done?" Hunter pointed on the map to the dragon temple back in the swamp. "We'll have to head back here before we can face the Riptoc. If you two can relearn your abilities using the hall of trials in the temple, then it would give us a fighting chance." Terrador grunted in agreement. "We'll have to move quickly, though. The longer we wait, the closer the Riptoc gets to conquering this world." Cyril nodded in agreement. "Yes. I agree with Terrador. Though in case of the Riptoc being closeby, it would be safer if you and Cynder left on your own."

Sparx spoke up at the mention of the idea. "Ok, but what if the temples overrun again? They can't exactly fight an entire army on their own right now." Prowlus nodded in agreement with the dragonfly. "It pains me to say it, but I'm in full agreement with your glowing companion, Terrador. Hunter. You will accompany them to the temple." Hunter nodded and hit his chest twice. "We leave within the hour then. Meet me back by the gate we came through when you're ready."

With that, Hunter ran toward the gate, leaving everyone else alone in the tent. Terrador turned to Spyro and Cynder. "You'd better get going. The rest of us will continue to rebuild in your absence." Both Spyro and Cynder nodded and walked out of the tent with Sparx close behind. "Hey, maybe when we get to the swamp, mom and dad will make use some of that frogweed stew. Gotta tell you, Cynder. You'd love it. Isn't that right, Spyro?" The purple dragon chuckled and smiled. "Ya. Sparx is right. Frogweed stew is pretty good. Plus, I'm sure our parents would enjoy meeting you finally."

Sparx laughed, "Ya. I'm sure they'd love to hear about all those times she almost killed us." Spyro shook his head and chuckled, Cynder following suit. "Well I'm sure no matter the case your parents will be lovely people." After a minute they came to the same gate they'd arrived at with Hunter and another Cheetah with grey hair filling a travel bag. "Got everything ready, Hunter?" "Yes. Let's go." With that they walked through the gate back through the tunnel. Ahead of them was the longest journey any of them would ever face but one thing was certain: whatever the journey would entail, they would never face it alone.

This was chapter 3 of The Legend of Spyro: Coronation. I hope you liked it so far, and will see you next time. Take care and have a great day.