Chapter 3: Dragons of the Dark

Stone Hill—Spyro and Sparx's Spire

Knock knock knock!

"Pssst! Spyro!"

Knock knock knock knock!

"Spyro! Sparx! Wake up!"

Spyro rolled off his side with a grunt, blearily making out a faun-shaped silhouette at the entrance. "Elora...? What's wrong?"

"I need to show you something!" she whispered.

"Now?"

"Now! Hurry, before he leaves!"

Sparx buzzed crookedly into the air, struggling to hold his head up. "He? Is some celebrity in town?"


"Come on, they're over there!" Elora called at a half-whisper, leading them through the central clearing. Spyro was astonished at how fast she could run. They did their best to stay quiet as they passed nesting fathers and children, all of whom were still asleep in the dark hours of the morning.

Spyro suddenly realized something. "Shoot, we forgot Cynder! Elora, what's going on? You're starting to freak me out."

"There's another dragon here, and I've never seen him before. He's talking to Nestor and Alban," Elora told them, unnerved. "He looks…"

"Oh boy, lemme guess," Sparx ventured. "Creepy? Intimidating? Anything less than friendly or nice?"

"Right! And it looks to me like they're trying to keep this meeting a secret."

"Awesome, I can't wait to eavesdrop on 'em!"

The dragonfly shuddered harshly, appearing to lose his breath. His glow paled and flickered.

Spyro stopped immediately. "Bud, what's wrong? Do you need us to slow down?"

"No, no, I'm good. It's just…agh! I'm starting to pick up on those bad vibes, Elora," Sparx wheezed.

"We're getting close, so we'll have to take it slow anyway," she said, lowering her stance. "I hope he's not gone…"

The grass tickled at Spyro's belly as he copied her. "What color are his scales?"

"I couldn't say, only that they're dark. They could be black or a really deep shade of blue or purple."

"Whoa," Spyro said, stopping. Elora did too, looking back at him curiously. "Elora, Sparx...you think that maybe..."

"What, that this dragon is yours and Cynder's pops? That'd be a one-in-a-million coincidence, dude." Sparx said.

"I agree," a fourth voice whispered.

All of them jolted out of their skin. That had been Cynder. They initially didn't see where she was until Sparx caught her hovering yards overhead. If it hadn't been for her magenta underside, she would've blended in perfectly with the dark sky. Eerily, her wings made no sound as she beat them.

"Nice stealth! You can hover, too?" Spyro cried, only for Elora to shush him when a nearby dragonling stirred and almost roused.

Cynder wore a frown as she descended to earth. "You're serious when you say there's a dark-colored dragon here?" she plainly asked Elora.

"Yes, but he's going to be gone by the time we get there if we don't hurry!" Elora insisted.

The four of them had little distance left to travel and soon crossed into an interior foyer, trying not to make too much noise with their claws and hooves as they crept along the marbled floor. Nestor could be heard speaking lowly to someone.

"Shoot! Is he gone already?" Elora muttered. They all carefully peered around the corner, well hidden by the darkness of the corridor.

There was the dragon Elora had seen. One look at him told the other three that he was something to cautiously behold, preferably from a distance. He towered over Nestor and Alban by at least two heads, standing painfully straight with his arms folded behind his back underneath a pair of large, leathery wings. His scales were dark and iridescent, reflecting various colors at different angles.

His eyes were scalding white with no sclera or pupils; that would've made it difficult to know where he was looking at any particular time. Currently though, he had his head tilted down towards Nestor as he listened.

The four of them were frozen, now overtaken with a creeping sense of dread. They couldn't make out what was being discussed but didn't dare move an inch closer.

"Spyro…who is that?" Cynder muttered.

"No idea," he said. "He's dressed like a nerd, though. See the suspenders?"

"Maybe he's a teacher?" Elora wondered.

"Plbthh!" Sparx stuck his tongue out. "Geesh...imagine this guy staring at you while you write stuff down on the blackboard. That's enough pressure to sink a ship."

It became obvious that the huge dragon wasn't there on pleasant terms. His expression subtly but gradually shifted from one of stoicism to stern disapproval. At one point Alban tried to speak up.

"That's enough," the large dragon growled, briefly raising his voice. "Didn't I tell you your turn to speak was over?"

Alban's feathery wings twitched in annoyance. Nestor held his hands out, trying to keep both parties from raising the tension any higher. Sparx tugged on Elora's ear and on Spyro's horn, motioning with his head.

A portly figure was approaching them from the end of the hall. Of course it was the modest and well-read Argus, who looked very surprised and curious to find them there. "What are you all do…" he started, only for them to shush him as quietly as they could.

Spyro beckoned him, whispering, "Argus, look…! Do you know who that is? Careful not to be seen…"

Argus adjusted his glasses and carefully glanced around the corner. He immediately drew back with a gasp, looking down at them wide-eyed and with a hand on his chest.

"Who is it, who is it?" Sparx wanted to know.

"That's…oh my ancestors," Argus uttered. He shook his head and pointed, herding them out of the corridor. He made sure they were well away and deep within the hills before he stopped them, looking over his shoulder cautiously.

"Argus, what's wrong?" Spyro pleaded. "You look scared. Who is that guy?"

"That was…is, the Headmaster of an academy for dragons, far to the north," Argus said, removing his glasses and wiping sweat from his brow. "I've never seen him in person, but I've heard many things about him. I know he never leaves his academy unless it's for a dire reason. A very dire reason."

"You mean you don't know why he's here?"

"Heavens no! I have no idea! I'm not even sure if Nestor was expecting him or if he arrived without notice."

Argus gazed to the east at the looming sunrise. "The thing is, the Headmaster is an old war veteran. There was once a conflict between the eastern dragons and us, the western dragons…that was the first war he fought in nearly over a hundred years ago."

"Zzt! If he's so great, why are you wigged out, Argus?" Sparx asked. "He was on our side, right?"

"Yes. But, well, from what I've learned from the Peace Keepers, he was a tremendous force of nature. He did wonderful things as he fought for our side. Wonderful, but absolutely terrible things. It was…to the point where his own allies took pity on the eastern dragons that had to cross his path. Very vicious and unforgiving. But he's undeniably a dragon of many amazing talents."

"Yeah, he was making my scales itch. Why do his eyes look so crazy?" Spyro wanted to know.

"I'd say it's an expression of how powerful he is. The eyes of the Magic Crafters do that when they're casting strong spells, but it's only for brief moments. The Headmaster's eyes have been like that throughout history, I've heard.

"Oh, goodness," Argus shuddered. "That should give you some understanding of his amazing strength, as well as the complete control he has over it. It's very frightening and impossible to comprehend. Elora," he looked at her somberly. "I surely wouldn't have wanted him to see you."

She initially looked a little lost, but then she perked up, gaping. Argus nodded with a weary grimace.

Sparx quickly darted his eyes between them both. "Whoa, wait up! Why not?"

To their surprise, Cynder spoke up: "It means the Headmaster fought in another war, one a little more recent…between the dragons and the southern fauns."

Spyro balked, confused. "Southern fauns? Is...that what you are, Elora?"

Elora nodded.

"But I thought Avalar was to the northeast?"

"I'm not from there, though," Elora admitted, rubbing her arm sheepishly. "I was born in the Southern Faun Kingdom, and…they, ah, hate dragons down there."

"With an alarming passion," Argus added.

Sparx said, "Hey! That's what always bugged me, E. That's why you look so different from the other fauns in Avalar!"

"…ohhhh," was all Spyro could say in shock, as Elora nodded with a shameful, awkward smile.

"Yes, I wouldn't want the Headmaster to be reminded of those times. Even if you weren't personally his enemy, Elora, just seeing your face could trigger an unpleasant response from him," Argus said. Then he suddenly flung his hands in the air, grasping at his head. "Aghhhh! I sincerely hope that nothing is the matter! With the festival close at hand we don't need any more setbacks!"

"Any more?" Elora repeated. "It isn't about Town Hall, is it?"

"No, no, and I've seen it. You've done a wonderful job on it," Argus reassured her pointedly. "It's the Dragonfly Elder. Out of nowhere, she's stopped corresponding with Nestor. Think of it! Months of contact, only for her to cease all communications without even a warning!"

"Ohhh, boy," Spyro lamented.

"And there's little we can do on our end. She and a vast majority of dragonflies live within a haven called Spectrum Falls. It's a difficult place to locate because it's constantly drifting along the skies. Oh, and wait—you can't even see or enter it unless you're admitted in by the Elder herself. By the time we locate an invisible, randomly-moving fast object, our grandchildren would have had grandchildren!"

"Why's it like that?" Sparx asked. "It fits right with dragonflies constantly being on the move, but izzit some sort of way to avoid trouble or something?"

"That's exactly why. Think of how important you and your kind are to us. You're all too amazing!" Argus laughed. "Our early years would be far more painful or even lethal without you. Now if something awful were to happen and there were less or no dragonflies, that means an entire generation of young dragons are so much more likely to perish prematurely!"

"Oh, no. This really doesn't sound good…what if she doesn't respond in time?" asked Elora.

Argus sighed. "Well, we're to continue our business over here. Cosmos has been working on pinpointing the location of Spectrum Falls, just in case we don't hear from her. Even with his diligence and magic we may not be able to find it in time. I hope the poor things are okay."

"Well, if anyone can find that place, it'll be him," Spyro said.

Sparx buzzed wistfully, staring at the sky. "I wish I could see it."

"I'm sure you will one day," Argus reassured him. "It's home to dragonflies of all ages, infant to elderly."

That made a question pop into Spyro's mind and he asked, "What happened to your dragonfly, Argus?"

The scholar gave a broad, but sad smile. "Her name was Peony. Wonderful little spirit! But she's been deceased for quite awhile."

"…oh."

"I do still think about her often. I'd say most dragons never stop thinking about their dragonfly once they've parted ways."

Argus massaged his temples with a heavy sigh, collecting himself. "…alright, alright, it's daybreak. We should go ahead and—Spyro. While I'm thinking about it, can you do me a favor and go fetch Hunter and Bianca? I need them to lend a hand in Town Square."

Spyro didn't answer since he was too busy staring off into space. Sparx buzzed obnoxiously in his face. "Heeeey, is your brain on vacation all of a sudden?!"

"Huh?" Spyro blurted, snapping out of it. "Wait, what am I doing?"

"Getting Hunter and Bianca. I'm coming along," Elora said pleasantly. "I want to see their house! Do you want to come with us too, Cynder?"

Cynder nodded her head.

And so, Argus trailed behind the four as they traveled back through the hills. The older dragon couldn't breathe easy until they'd left through the magic portal. He frowned to himself.

Oh dear, oh dear…as if we hadn't already gone through enough with the children being kidnapped earlier this year! Thankfully, Spyro and his friends took care of that, but it's almost impossible thinking something dreadful has also happened to the dragonflies. That and the Headmaster makes two bad omens…my heart can't take a third one!

Nestor spoke from behind him, "Argus…"

"Oh! Yes?" Argus turned around. "Are—"

He gasped. The Headmaster was now present with him. Nestor stood at the bigger dragon's side, wearing an uncharacteristically severe grimace. Argus was hardly aware of anything else and could only stammer as he stared up into the Headmaster's eyes.

The tall and dark war veteran had smoke drifting from his nostrils, a telltale sign of an irritated dragon. "I've been told you're one of the main organizers of this year's Dragonfly Festival," the Headmaster said frankly. "Am I supposed to trust that preparations are complete on all fronts?"

"Y-Yes, sir. Nearly there," Argus said.

"Fine. Show me where the festival is taking place. And on the way there, one of you—or no, the both of you…"

The Headmaster glared back at Nestor, narrowing his eyes, "…will explain as to why there's a southern faun roaming here as if it's her birthright."


Magic CraftersAlpine Hills

"Hey, Bianca!" Hunter called, leaning over the edge of the roof. "Can you hit me with more bricks? Not literally, by the way."

Bianca rolled her eyes. She picked several bricks up with her levitation and began sending them his way. "How about you watch your head?" she shot back lightly. "It's blocking out the sun from where I am."

Hunter caught the bricks one-by-one. He was laying them down for the chimney. "Thanks! Y'know, your aim is getting better and better. Least I don't have to fear for my life now. Oh, hey!" he laughed, ducking when she hurtled a snowball his way.

They'd built their house in a small clearing almost fully enclosed by the overhanging cliffs. It was a pleasantly quiet and beautiful spot; the pine trees there were dozens of feet tall with perpetual frost clutching their leaves. A mountain river, fast-moving and teeming with sparkling water, ran behind their home. Hunter and Bianca had gotten a lot of help from the Magic Crafters and were putting the finishing touches on their house. They were quite thankful and proud to see what all their work had come to.

Spyro's voice broke the chilly air. "Hun-teeer! Bian-caaaaa!"

"Who's there?" Hunter cracked, holding his hand up to shield his eyes from the sun. He could make out two silhouettes on the cliff top and was briefly surprised when a third came into view. "Oh! B, is that...?"

"Yep. That's Spyro's sister."

Spyro spread his wings and coasted down with the black dragon on his tail. Elora had to hop down the cliff face, ironically goat-like with how quick and agilely she descended.

Hunter dropped to ground level, dusting his fuzzy hands off. "Good morning, good morning, everyone! I heard your name's Cynder, right? I'm Hunter."

"Nice to meet you," she said as she landed. "What are you?"

"A cheetah. So if you ever want to race me, think twice about it," he said in jest.

Spyro snorted. "Yeah, you're the fastest thing on two legs around here, alright. Whoa!" He strode up to their house, amazed. "It looks awesome, guys! Last time I was here it was just foundations. Elora, look!"

Elora was running up and already had her eyes on it. But she tripped suddenly. "Whoops—!"

Spyro quickly jerked his head away. She'd come that close to impaling her face on one of his horns. Hunter narrowed his eyes.

"Whoa, Elora, that was too close," Spyro said cautiously. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. I guess I got a little too excited, huh?" she said.

"I mean, this is a big milestone. Oh, and it makes your house the only one I haven't seen yet, now that I think."

Hunter laughed. "If it makes you feel any better, we've been friends for years and she's never invited me over, either."

"That's because you'd be knocking things over with your tail and bumping your head on every doorframe," Elora said candidly, crossing her arms. "Bianca, tell me it happens."

"You're right about the knocking things over part, and we barely have furniture in there," Bianca said with a grin. "He hasn't given himself a concussion. Yet."

Spyro pawed at the ground, tilting his head to look in through the front door. "Man, I really hadn't expected you guys to be this far along. I uh, kinda hate to interrupt you."

"What? Argus need us already?" Hunter asked, tossing his tools in a bucket. "We were expecting a call from him today, but I thought it'd be later. B, don't you have a lesson with Cosmos this morning?"

"Oh—last night he told me he had to cancel," she said.

"Probably working on finding the Falls…" Sparx muttered to Spyro, who nodded.

"Okay, sweet! We're in, then. I gotta idea," Hunter said, snapping his fingers. "Let's make this easier. Wanna try that new thing he taught you, Bianca?"

She looked at him blankly.

"You know, the group-warp thing?"

"Oh, uhh…! I guess. I did pass his test on that, but this'll be the first time doing it with friends. Yeah," Bianca mused timidly, scratching her chin. "It would be faster and easier compared to all of us cramming into the balloon..."

"Go for it," Spyro encouraged, with Sparx parroting, "Go for it, go for it!"

She patted herself down, searching the pockets of her robes. "Well, where…?"

"Your wand's inside, B," Hunter told her. She hurried back inside to get it. Hunter casually took his bucket of tools and followed her in. They didn't come back out for another minute.

"What took so long?" Spyro asked lightly. "How do you lose a wand in an almost empty house?"

"Oh, it's all too easy if you're me," Bianca answered, tapping her finger to the point of her wand. "Alright, gather around everyone. Are we ready?"

Within a few seconds and in a wink of light, they vanished. Well, almost all of them. Hunter and Elora were left behind.

The faun smiled. "Well, she took over half of us. That's…what?"

Hunter's expression had gone from cheerful to serious. "I asked her to leave us behind. Elora, what's with that other dragon?"

"She just arrived yesterday. She's pretty shy, isn't she?"

"Shy, and maybe conniving. She tripped you earlier!"

"What?" Elora asked in surprise. "Are you sure?"

"I saw it. She was real slick and it happened fast, but I know what I saw," Hunter said, hitting his palm with a fist. "Right as you passed her, she snared your hoof in her tail. And her expression was seriously creepy."

"Well, I have no idea why she'd do that, but I can believe you. I've been getting the idea she doesn't like me that much."

"And she just got here! From what I heard from Bianca yesterday, sounds like Cynder doesn't like you or her. I don't know what her problem is and I wanna call her out, but she could always just put up some innocent act."

They fell silent. They both had the same suspicious thoughts.

"You think…there's ever the chance she's not being completely honest?" Elora asked quietly. "Something just doesn't feel right."

"You'd have a better gauge on that than me. This was my first time meeting her and she's already made a bad impression on me, so I'd say yeah, why not? I don't like the way she shifts her eyes," Hunter expressed. "Looks like Spyro really likes her, though."

"That's why I'm hoping she isn't lying. Does Bianca have any idea, or…?"

"I told her what I saw, so she's going to be vigilant too. She's still down ever since yesterday. Apparently Cynder reminded her of older times."

"Was it on accident?"

"No way. She totally sees Bianca as a thief when she isn't anymore."

Elora raised and lowered her shoulders, forming a sort of smile-grimace.

"Don't worry, E. We're all in this together." Hunter said, giving her a hug. "I'm gonna be frank—I don't think she's really who she claims she is. If that's the case, it's only a matter of time before she's caught or someone rats her out."

Hunter was right. But neither of them ever imagined it would be Cynder herself to do either thing.