Tale 1: Guardians' Debate

The day after Cynder's defeat, while both Spyro and Cynder were asleep

Ignitus, Guardian of Fire, was standing in the room where the Pool of Visions sat, waiting for the other Guardians to arrive. He sincerely hoped that their discussion went well; not just for him, but for Aureole too.

"Cynder, I promise you," he whispered to himself, "you will be welcome here."

Just then, the doors opened, and Volteer, Cyril, Terrador and Cordelia entered. Aureole refused to leave her daughter's side and was waiting beside Cynder's bed.

"Hello, my fellow friends. I assume you know why you are here," Ignitus said.

"Yes, as to discuss about my wife's daughter Cynder," Terrador acknowledged

"Well, to get straight to the point, I think Cynder may have to leave the Temple," Cyril stated bluntly.

"Surely, you don't mean that!" Ignitus exclaimed. "You know Cynder was being controlled by the Dark Master!"

"You acknowledged it yourself!" Volteer added.

"I know," Cyril admitted, "but spell or not, there's still a chance that it may have left an effect on her mind, given she was controlled for so long. She might still feel an attraction to darkness."

"I don't think my wife's daughter would have that interest, even when she was controlled!" Terrador exclaimed.

"But we do need to watch out for her in case there is trouble..." Ignitus noted. "Some people might not be so happy to know she's here."

"That is another thing that concerns me," Cyril stated. "A lot of people will be afraid of her; they will likely insist we incarcerate her or banish her. If we refuse, their faith in us will be shaken, and given our recent victory, can we really afford something like that?"

"Afraid not," Volteer rambled. "We can't have them doubting, questioning, backbiting, turning on us..."

"We also have to consider how Aureole feels," Terrador ventured. "She won't want to let Cynder go."

"But Cynder is a constant reminder of Sirorrialth's deception," Cyril pointed out. "I mean, that was the reason you planned to put her up for adoption after she hatched, correct?"

"Yes, but I doubt she still wishes to do that now," Terrador affirmed. "Not after everything Cynder went through..."

"Then we need to make sure that Cynder is kept hidden. I feel it's best we make sure no one outside knows of her in the temple until they're ready," Ignitus suggested.

"You sure it's wise?" Volteer asked.

"I failed Cynder on the night of the raid," Ignitus reminded them. "I won't fail her now."

"And nor will I!" Terrador agreed.

"Well," Cordelia spoke up at last, "I feel you've made good points for both sides. But it seems there are more reasons for Cynder staying here than leaving."

"Agreed," Ignitus nodded.

"I still think it's a big risk having her here," Cyril persisted. "If you really insist on keeping Cynder here, it better have some kind of payoff."

"I am certain it will," Ignitus assured. But as the other Guardians left to check on Spyro and Cynder, Ignitus wondered privately to himself whether Cyril might have a point regarding Cynder's affiliation with the Dark Armies, and whether or not she might be drawn back to them...

Tale 2: Behind The Scenes Drama

Shortly after Cynder's defeat, an Artisan named Stevanie, who specialised in film-making, came to the Temple to take interviews regarding the latest events.

"Okay, and we're rolling," the director, Jorge, announced, "and action!" He snapped his fingers.

"So, Guardian Ignitus, how exactly did you manage to defeat Cynder and her forces?" Stevanie asked.

"Oh, well, it has been a tough and challenging time for us as we have brought the forces down and we haven't gone far without the help of Spyro the Dragon."

"So I assume this Spyro is the new Purple Dragon that was born on the Year of the Dragon before last, the same night as the Apes' attack on this Temple?" Stevanie asked.

"Yes," Ignitus acknowledged. "And thank goodness I got him to safety. If only we'd rescued anymore of the others..."

Stevanie pressed on. "Where is Spyro right now? We'd like to have an interview with him."

Ignitus scowled. "My... Spyro is still recovering from his fight with Cynder. He's in no fit condition to give an interview."

"I see, so what become of the Dark Generals that serves this Ape King? I heard they gone their own ways after the fall of Cynder. You think they're still out there?"

Terrador came forward. "Of course they are. Though they have undoubtedly been dealt a heavy blow with the loss of Cynder, they still pose a significant threat to us all. So we must encourage everyone to be on the alert."

"And I assume Cynder herself is now in custody awaiting trial for her crimes."

"Yes. Wait, no, no!" Ignitus cried indignantly. "She is..." He stopped, remembering what the Guardians had agreed.

"She is what?" Stevanie pressed.

"None of your business!" Terrador growled.

Stevanie frowned, her eyes narrowed. "You're hiding something!"

"She isn't a criminal. Not anymore, as it's hard to explain!" Ignitus fumbled. "See, she was controlled by the dark magic of Malefor."

"How can you be certain? You sure she isn't putting on an act?"

"That's something I've been reckoning," Cyril muttered.

"Cyril!" Terrador snapped.

"Ah, so one of the Guardians agrees with us!" Stevanie grinned. "Perhaps we could get to see what Cynder is up to, when you're not looking!"

Ignitus growled. "Out of the question!" he snarled.

Stevanie shrugged. "Too late," she remarked. "One of my colleagues is seeking her out now."

"WHAT?!"

Cynder was sitting alone at the dinner table. She was shrouded in a dark blue cloak with a hood, her wings tucked inside. She generally avoided the company of other Dragons in the Temple, and this cloak allowed her to keep her head down. Unfortunately, this cloak wasn't enough to ward off Steavnie's colleague, Orison, from approaching her.

"Hello!" Orison called, making Cynder start.

"Uh, hi?" Cynder asked. "Anything I can help you with?"

"I assume you're Cynder?"

Cynder turned her head away. "Who wants to know?"

"I am Orison, and I fancy an interview with the former Terror of the Skies."

Cynder winced.

"Please don't call me that."

Orison ignored this. "Tell me, how does it feel, being held captive by your enemies?"

"I... I'm not captive; I'm living here of my own will."

"Interesting... I assume you have info of the other Dark Generals around the world."

"I don't want to talk about them..."

Orison was intrigued. "Why? Is it possible you're trying to protect their identities? Are you still in league with them?"

"I'm not!"

"You're smaller than most Dragons remember. Is this smaller form a disguise? A means of tricking the Guardians into trusting you?"

"No!" Cynder moaned, clenching her paws tightly. "I'm like this because Spyro stripped away the dark magic within me."

"And yet, you're still black?"

"Yes, so what?" Cynder demanded.

"Black's not a welcoming colour, if you ask me. You might have fooled the Guardians, but you can't fool us. I think this is all a ruse, and when our guard's down, you're going to lead the Dark Armies to our doorstep and-"

He got no further.

Spyro, Elora and Sparx were striding through the Temple.

"This place is magnificent," Spyro mused, stumbling a little as he went. "No wonder they were so desperate to get it back."

"Eh, I think I kinda preferred that little hideout," Sparx shrugged. "Just liked how more... advanced it was."

"I wouldn't be so quick to call this place archaic, Sparx," Elora advised. "You never know what-"

"HELP! HELP! GET HER OFF! SHE'S A KILLER!"

"Oh no!" Spyro said, as he has a feeling what is happening.

"Sounds like trouble!" Elora said, as the trio goes to see Cynder.

They reached the dining table, to find Cynder pinning Orison to the floor, her fangs bared. Orison had slashes and bruises all over his body.

"FOR THE LAST TIME," Cynder snarled, "I. AM. NOT. EVIL! DO YOU UNDERSTAND?!"

"Cynder, no!" Spyro cried. He and Elora darted forward, grabbed Cynder and pulled her away from Orison.

"It's not worth it!" Spyro begged.

"Whoa, this is bad news..." Sparx whimpered.

Orison got up. He was looking at Cynder with utmost terror in his eyes. He began to back towards the door, while Cynder strained to get at him. Just then, the Guardians came in.

"What's going on here?!" Terrador demanded.

"That creep kept asking me if I'm evil, which I'm not anymore!" Cynder shouted.

"Cynder calm down!" Spyro said, but Cynder turned away and rush to her room.

"Cynder," Spyro moaned.

"You were pestering Cynder, weren't you?" Ignitus accused Orison.

"I was just asking her questions!"

Before Ignitus could say anything else, Aureole pushed him aside.

"We don't want to hear your excuses," she affirmed quietly. "You movie people are no longer welcome here."

Next moment, Orison and Stevanie were thrown out of the Temple, along with all their equipment.

"And stay out!" Terrador shouted and slammed the door shut.

As the Earth Guardian returned to the others, Ignitus sighed.

"This will be tougher than we thought..." he lamented.

"I assume the public can't know that Cynder is here," Spyro said.

"Oh, they'll know now," Cyril muttered. "Those two will tell everyone. I told you keeping her here was a bad idea."

"I agree!" Sparx ventured.

"That's enough lip from you two!" Ignitus snapped.

"Cynder is staying, whatever the public say," Cordelia agreed.

"Fine!" Cyril huffed, turning away. "But will she want to stay?"

"Well, wouldn't hurt to ask her," Ignitus suggested.

Spyro didn't need much more provocation; he instantly made his way to Cynder's room.

"Cynder?" he called, knocking.

"Leave me alone Spyro..." Cynder's voice answered.

"You need to open the door! I'm trying to help you," Spyro pleaded.

"Why help a former enemy?"

"Because I know you weren't yourself. And you know that too, don't you?"

There was a moment's silence.

"Of course, I know. But I'm scared. What if my possession has left me with a fascination with darkness? You saw how I attacked Orison there!"

"You're just in a lot of stress. I can relate to that."

"...You can?"

"Yeah. I lost control when facing Deina and Red back in the Dino Mines. I... went into a Fury Surge... and accidentally struck my surrogate mother, Shabae..."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear..." Cynder consoled.

"No, it's my fault mostly. Since I'm new to being a powerful purple dragon, I have some trouble trying to control the elements," Spyro noted. "So, I get that you were distressed. Maybe when you come out, we could talk?"

"Well... we can still chat... here between the door," Cynder suggested. "But not right now... I'm... not up for much talking, just yet. Please respect that, Spyro."

"Okay..." Spyro replied. He got up and began to walk away "Whenever you need to talk, Cynder, I'll be there, okay?"

"Thanks, Spyro..."

Spyro smiled, but it quickly faded as he left Cynder to herself. He hoped this wouldn't be permanent. Cynder deserved some proper company after she'd been through.

He wasn't sure why he felt so determined to help Cynder, but right now, he didn't care. He hadn't forgotten that desperate cry for help, and Spyro always answered a call for help.