Chapter 29: Journey and Confrontation

Cinder yawned as he woke up, looking around the wooded area as the sun rose up into the sky. He was in awe of seeing the two moons his uncle told him about, but was the cause of the Dark Master's revival after he was able to leave his prison within Convexity. He shook the thought off and changed course as he got up to explore the area. After meeting his foster grandparents from his uncle he, Lloyd, and Nya slept peacefully near the tree of his grandparents home, with nothing interrupting their sleep throughout the night. The other two dragons meanwhile were still sleeping, Lloyd has his tongue out with a little drool leaking out the corner of his mouth.

The dragonet padded his way over to the river and stared down at it. Checking at his body for any dirt as the resident dragonflies woke up. Cinder breathed in the smells, even though it's a swamp it wasn't too terrible with the morning dew masking it. He then watched as a group of young dragonflies played tag while the parents were talking and doing their daily morning tasks. He smiled as they played, reminding him of his younger years as a young hatchling. Then he sees his uncle and grandparents coming out of their home. His uncle yawned and smiled when seeing the dragonet up and about.

"Hey kiddo! How did you sleep?"

"Fine, a little rough, but fine."

"That's good." Sparx says but sees the other two dragons sleeping.

"Well, I can see they're still sleeping?"

"Yeah, probably exhausted from yesterday."

"Oh?" Nina inquired and the dragonet sighs and explains the events yesterday. Flash looked troubled and Cinder could tell.

"Grandpa? Do you know what these beings are?"

Flash nodded

"Hmm… yes, I do. What you saw were Gryphons, a mix between a bird and cat. I don't know much about their culture or ideals. But if you want to know more about them, you should head to Warfang and talk to the Guardians. They'll probably know more about them." Flash said and Cinder nodded.

"Ok, but my friends don't know how to use their wings like me. How would they get there?"

"Hehe, don't fret, there is a way for you and the others to get there. Ever since the war, the Manweersmalls, along with the other races have been furthering the development of tech. Most importantly transportation with a rail network connecting almost every location in the Realms." Flash explain

"I see." Cinder said as Lloyd and Nya began to wake up.

"Ohh…"

"Well, guess who decided to wake up?"

"Cin, please don't tease us. We're still trying to get used to this place." Lloyd grumbled

"Well, you two aren't used to this. Especially if you don't know the land." Cinder noted to the two and saw his grandfather's confused face. The dragonet then explained the whole story that brought them here. His grandparents were astonished but were understandable as they heard the things about the dragonet's father. After the conversation they all dispersed to do their own tasks, with Cinder leading his two teammates to the south end of the village to an open clearing. Turning to the two Cinder instructed Lloyd and Nya how to combat with their transformed bodies. Showing them a few moves to start like head strikes, tail strikes, claw strikes, and midair attacks. While they did that he tried out his elemental breaths to see if there's a difference, finding out that his reserves weren't unlimited like back in Ninjago but here he was limited on elemental magic. So meaning he and the others had to be careful or else used up their elemental magic quickly completely and using their physical skills.

The dragonet wanted to go to this Warfang but he wanted the two ninja to be decent in fighting with their new bodies so they wouldn't get captured. So a few days here wouldn't hurt anyone, especially getting to hear more stories of his dad from his grandparents. But once at Warfang they'll find out what's going on. As his two teammates trained Cinder wondered if his brother and the other three ninja were ok.

After a few days, with Lloyd and Nya learning their new bodies, the quartet bid farewell to the other dragonflies and Flash and Nina as they began their trek to Warfang. While walking through the swampy woods Sparx remembered the old Dragon Temple that he and Cinder's dad went to before meeting Ignitus. So they headed there, walking through the foliage and trees as well stunning Frogweeds, Blub Spiders, and Growths. These attacks allowed the water dragon and energy dragon to practice on actual enemies. Cinder watched them as they homed their bodies as they attacked the local life of the swamp. After a few hours of walking and attacking enemies the quartet reached a stone path which they followed, which then ended up to a tall stone wall with a gate. Two dragon statues stood on either side with gemstones embedded in them and the gate, which has a beautiful mosaic in the gate. Cinder looked at his uncle.

"Ok uncle? Do you know how to get in?"

"Nope, even if I do, I don't know where it goes." The dragonfly said

"Maybe I can help?"

The quartet stopped as the gate opened up showing another dragon standing on the other side with a soft smile. An adult Fire dragon by his size and color of his scales which were a dark red and yellow underbelly and eyes, with yellow-burnt orange horns curving out in downwards. His wings are the same as his wings but around the horn on the wing was a patch of black. The dragon looked at them with curiosity.

"Hello young dragons, it's very strange for you to be here this far from Warfang." He asked and Sparx flew up to him and the dragon's eyes widened.

"Ah! Sparx! It's a surprise to see you! The other Guardians were curious about where you were?"

"Heh, it's a long story. But the short version was thrown to another world and found by my nephew."

"Nephew?" The Fire dragon said and Sparx pointed to Cinder who stepped up to his foster uncle. The dragon was flabbergasted.

"By the Ancestors… a Purple Dragon." The Fire Dragon was in astonishment. "It has been a long time since a Purple Dragon hatched in the Realms. Everyone thought they vanished because of the Dark Master."

"Uh… thanks? It's an honor to be here. But who are you?" Cinder replied and the Fire dragon shook the awe off and reposed himself

"My apologies young dragon. My name is Ashevwrd, the more Fire Guardian." Ashevwrd said and stared at Cinder. "You look so much like Spyro, but I can see more traits from Cynder."

"Yeah, I heard. My name is Cinder, and those are my friends Lloyd and Nya." Cinder said as he introduced him and his friends to the Guardian. Sparx spoke up.

"Yep! My brother had a kid with the "Terror of the Skies". So since we found you we need some help with something."

"Oh? And what would that be?" Ashevwrd asked and Cinder told him what happened yesterday and the dark red dragon's smile turned grim.

"Oh, this isn't good. They have taken more dragons as captives, and now their King is going to want a Purple Dragon for his plans." Ashevwrd said worriedly

"What do you mean? Who is this "King"?" Lloyd questioned and Ashevwrd signed

"First I'll start with the creatures you see. They're Storm Gryphons, a race of bird/cat hybrids that have control over weather. Their King, Quillsilver , is the most powerful of his kind. As for what they can do, they can control storms, tornadoes, blizzards, and other aspects of the weather. There was peace in the Realms after the war, but it was short as a few years later the Storm Gryphons came and attacked everyone but particularly us dragons as we are equal to them in the skies and magic. But the King is a clever and sly being as he strategizes on capturing us when we least expected it. We made precautions to make sure that we won't lose any more dragons to them." Ashevwrd said and sighs but a small smile formed onto his face.

"But it seems like the Ancestors have given us hope. A Purple Dragon is something the King wasn't expecting. But he'll have his army be on high alert and capture you if spotted. But with your age you probably have no experience with your elemental breaths—" Ashevwrd was cut off

"Actually, my nephew has been trained with his powers. But these two would need training and going airborne." Sparx pointed at Lloyd and Nya. Ashevwrd raised an eye ridge, and Cinder said he'll explain it to him and the other Guardians. Ashevwrd nodded and after an hour of learning to fly Lloyd and Nya were moving through the air, both with excitement as they flew around. Cinder and Ashevwrd both joined the other two in the air, and with Sparx hanging onto his nephew's horns the group of 5 left the Temple and headed towards the Valley of Avalar, to the city of Warfang.

—

"Uggggggh…"

Cole groaned as he began to slowly regain consciousness. When his eyes fully open he could see he was in a cell, which was covered in an odd stone he doesn't know. He recalls fighting Clouse, then the vortex, grabbing his brother going into it, and he and the others following then blackness. Now he was in a cell in an unknown place all alone. Suddenly he felt something twitched on his tailbone. He quickly realized he felt different with three extra appendages connected to him from his shoulders, head, and tailbone. Seeing his scaly self the Earth Ninja covered his mouth (muzzle) to not shout in surprise. He then looked at himself and knew what he was, seeing his brother as this all the time. He sighed

"What in Ninjago is going on? I'm by myself, as a dragon, and in a place I don't recognize. Just great… I hope the others are ok?"

Cole then heard more groans coming from across and next to him. He went up to the bars and looked out. Seeing cells lining both sides of the walls, with strange crystals glowing from the ceiling with etchings embedded in the floor of mysterious symbols he doesn't recognize. As he looked around he found where the groans came from and saw three other dragons, each in a color he recognized: red, blue, and silver. He wasn't alone as he knew who they were, even as dragons: Kai, Jay, and Zane. They were together, but his brother, Lloyd, Nya, and Sparx weren't. Then he watched as the other three dragons began to wake up.

"Wha….?"

"Where… are we…?"

"This is… unusual."

"Guys? Are you ok?" Cole said and they looked at him in surprise

"Woah!"

"Cole? Is that you?"

"How are you a dragon?"

Cole shushed them and they stopped shouting. The black dragon sighs

"I don't know and I'm not the only one that got turned." Cole stated and the three ninja looked at themselves and were all astonished. Kai looked at Cole

"What in Ninjago is going on?"

"Like I said, I don't know."

"So we are here, then where's Nya?" Jay inquired which Kai looked around worried

"Where is she? And Lloyd too?"

"Cinder and Sparx aren't here as well. Do we know where they're at?" Cole questioned and Zane shook his head

"With myself somehow turned into a dragon, I don't have any way to know what happened after we went through that portal."

"Well great! We're stuck behind bars, as dragons, and in a world that we have zero clue of knowing!' Jay exclaimed as then they heard footsteps coming in their direction. They stopped talking as the footsteps came towards them. Then a door creeped open on its hinges as the footsteps became louder. Coming into Cole's eyesight was a group of strange creatures, all 5 a hybrid of a four-legged cat but with the head and wings of a bird, with their forelegs being bird-like. 4 of them wore armor that looks similar to knight armor but for their kind. But the fifth one was different, as they wore a robe filled with jewelry etched into the clothing, with bracelets wrapped around their front forelegs. They wore a necklace with a talisman of a storm with a gem within glowing. But what was more striking was the crown they wore, gold with blue gems embedded with a white diamond in the middle over their forehead. They strode in with an air of authority and pride. They were of royalty as a King as he came up to the four ninja dragons and smiled.

"Ah, I see that our guests have awakened ."

The four ninja stayed quiet and the king shook his head

"Hmm… quiet I see? Well it doesn't matter, my soldiers are out searching for the other three dragons. Especially that Purple Dragon, it's been a long time since the dragon of legend has been borned. Last ones I remember were the Dark Master and the wretched hero Spyro." The King saids

The four dragons looked worryingly at each other. Kai spoke up

"My apologies, but who are you?"

The King looked at them with indignation and growled

"You worms don't know who I am!?"

The quartet of dragons moved back in fear. This King's voice spoke of power and pride, but as well with temperature, as the room suddenly became cold and ice started forming along the walls and floor. Zane quickly spoke up

"We're sorry for our naivety, your Majesty. We had lost most of our memories from some sort of attack. I'm sorry if we disrespect your honor Sir."

The king looked at the silver dragon and nodded his head, but it was in a grimace

"Hmph, I see. Well if you must know I am King Quillsilver, King of the Storm Gryphons. A proud and grand race that lives in the storms, controlling its currents as we command the weather itself." King Quillsilver announced then his smile turned into a frown

"But then you wretched dragons came and started a war. Which caused my kingdom to be run by apes and their allies as they try to enslave us to their army. We did our best to stay out of it and fought them and thought we could hold them off, that was until Cynder came in. She was a monster to be wrecking' with as her strength was unmatched by any of my men, and even my father barely managed to fight her. But then she was defeated, not by any experienced warrior or my father, but by a young dragon: a Purple Dragon. Another one was borned, to stop and end the Dark Master's rule. Which he did with the help of the former Terror of the Skies by his side, as well as a dragonfly. The two dragons fought the Dark Master and ended his rule, but the two disappeared after saving the Realms from collapse. They were hailed as heroes to the dragons and their allies." He explained and then his frown turned into a sneer.

"But you and the others forgot about us as we struggled to get back onto our feet. Trying to rebuild our home and kingdom as it lay in ruins by the enemy. My father pleaded for aid from the dragons to send aid to protect the kingdom. But they declined, stating that Dark Master was more important than sending help. My father died after a huge platoon of apes swarmed and attacked. My father fought hard and gracefully and took them down but was stabbed and bled to death." The Gryphon King paused as his power sunk heavily into the cell room. The four ninja squeaked in surprise as they crumbled to the floor.

"Now my goal is to end all dragons as revenge to my people and father. With the usage of your magic, I'll build a powerful weapon to destroy them!" King Quillsilver declared as he withdrew his power back. Allowing the room to return to a normal temperature and the pressure disappeared, left the four transformed ninja to stand up to their paws. The King looked at them with a smirk

"Hope you enjoy your stay here. You'll be here forever! Until my plan is complete!" King Quillsilver exclaimed as he and his guards left the cells. Once the door was fully shut and waiting a cou9lr of minutes Kai spoke

"O-ok… this isn't good."

"You think!? We almost got murdered by a maniac king, and now said king is going to destroy all the dragons!" Jay snapped angrily and Kai put his paws up.

"Woah, woah, woah. Don't get angry at me."

"Guys! We need to focus, I know this is bad. But we can get out of this situation." Cole said and Jay growled at him.

"How!? We're trapped here and in bodies that we don't know how to use."

"But we have done it hundreds of times. Remember the villains we fought." Cole remarks

"Like who?" Questioned Zane

"Like Master Chen, The Overlord TWICE, Morro…" Jay replied nodding his head with a frown

"Pythor, Garmadon, Time Twins…" Kai added nodding

"Exactly! We fought them and they tried to take us down. But they didn't, and you know why we keep winning and live another day? It's because of Destiny, but in this world Ancestors. As that king mentioned, this is the world that my brother came from. So he probably is getting help, but if he isn't then hopefully we can think of a plan to get out of here." Cole said and Jay slumped and watbled with a nervous grin

"If you said so, but at least that king isn't interrogating us by our sudden lack of knowledge of him. Great idea of saying we lost our memories Zane. At least he won't be interested in us."

"You're welcome, but it wasn't me that came up with it." The Nindroid said

"Huh?" Jay was flabbergasted "You didn't?"

"No, it seems a friend and ally is helping us out from within." Zane said and pointed to his forehead. Cole understood as he knew who it was: Ignitus. As the four talked about what to do in this world, said dragon watched from his viewing pool and smiled.

"Don't worry you 4. You'll get out of there soon, you just need to be patient."

—

"Wow! This valley looks beautiful!" Nya exclaims

After leaving the swamps the group of four dragons and dragonfly flew up above in the clouds. With Ashevwrd leading in front, the elder fire dragon told them about the current history of the world after the war. With all the races regrouping to help rebuild Warfanf, to fix the dam in the valley, and the Cheetah clan near the base of the dam. After a few hours of flying over a massive sea they could see a valley down below, with a rising flowing down one side. Cinder quickened his flapping to be alongside the Fire Guardian.

"Is that the Valley of Avalar you were talking about?"

Ashevwrd nodded his head

"Yes young dragon, it is. We'll take a break by the Cheetah's village, then head into Warfang by foot through the tunnel near the village."

Cinder nodded and slowed down to fly next to Lloyd and Nya. The two slowly began to tire as their wingbeats began to slow. Cinder looks at them with a small smile.

"You two holding up alright?"

Lloyd nodded silently and Nya looked tired but was holding herself in from the exhaustion.

"I'm doing ok, but sheesh. I don't know how you can do this all the time."

Cinder warbled amusingly

"Well, I'm used to it as it's natural for dragons to fly for long periods of time. You two aren't as you aren't dragons naturally, so you'll be tiring off more than usual."

"Kiddo, she does have a point. They don't have the same stamina like you or big red. They need to take longer breaks to get their energy back. But I don't know how you can continue doing things with little effort." Sparx notes and Cinder snorted

"Of course you don't. You're not a dragon, so you don't know what we can do with our stamina."

Sparx scoffs as the group descends towards the ground. Cinder and Ashevwrd landed perfectly while Lloyd and Nya skidded on the ground and hit a tree. Cinder cringed at that as his friends got up dizzily as they looked around wobbly. It took a few minutes for the two to regain their footing. Ashevwrd then motioned the group to follow him as he walked towards a path not far from them. They then got on the path, which was a bit worn and rugged as it snaked towards the east. Trees covered the sunlight as creatures made noises within the brush and foliage. After walking through the wooded area for a bit, Lloyd and Nya felt like it was ages as they tried to keep moving. Then they heard more noises as they then saw a group of tents and buildings full of commotion. Cinder looked at the elder fire dragon with confusion at seeing this, but his uncle spoke up.

"Oh this place again. I hope Prowlus isn't still an old geezer."

Ashevwrd chuckled

"Don't fret Sparx. Chief Prowlus is a lot more relaxed in his opinion of things."

"If you said so."

"Who is Chief Prowlus?" Nya questioned and the fire dragon turned his head.

"He's the chief of a tribe of cheetahs. He has a hatred of us dragons during the war because of Malefor and Cynder, but has softened during the years after it.

"Huh." Lloyd said as they walked towards the village. As they neared the occupants in the village saw them and moved back and stared at the three dragonets. Lloyd and Nya looked in awe at seeing the anthropologic cheetahs while Cinder felt a little self-conscious as they whispered "purple dragon" and other words when seeing him. They soon stopped in front of the biggest building in the village, it had a second floor to it with massive windows at the top. Logs were inter-linked on all 4 corners, sorta making it looked like a log cabin. There were 2 guards standing in front of the door, watching as the group came up to the building. Ashevwrd spo,e

"Hello Cedar, hello Peddles. Is Chief Prowlus busy at the moment?"

"Let me check Guardian Ashevwrd." Said Pebbles as he walked in. Cedar looked at the elder dragon.

"Any news? We had heard more dragons had been taken nearby Dante's Freezer."

Ashevwrd signed

"That's unfortunate to hear. But I was lucky as three young dragons appeared in the swamps not far from the temple. As well as a familiar person your chief might recognize."

"Oh really Ashevwrd? Who would that be?" Cinder looked over to see an older cheetah. He wore clothing that signifying them as a chief. Sorta similar to the Serpentine trines generals with a tail as a sign but different. Ashevwrd turned to the chief.

"Hello to you as well Chief Prowlus. I hope I'm not bothering you, as you probably been busy with the wellcare of your tribe."

The cheetah snorted with amusement

"Thank you for that Ashevwrd. My tribe has been doing fine during these times with those Weather Gryphons. But I heard you said you brought someone I know?"

Ashevwrd nodded and motioned his head to Sparx. The dragonfly flew off his nephew's head and fluttered next to the elder fire dragon. Prowlus eyebrows raised in surprise.

"Well, the brother to the hero of the realms is back. I heard you vanished a year ago and nobody could find you."

Sparx rubbed his neck.

"Long story, but I'm back. As well as bringing someone as well."

"Oh?" Prowlus inquired as Cinder stood forward. His eyes widened.

"A purple dragon… it's been years since I saw one. What's so unique about him?"

Sparx grinned and pointed at the jewelry on the dragonet. The chief knew immediately when seeing.

"The former Terror of the Skies jewelry. That means that you're her child."

Cinder nodded and explained that he and his friends are heading to Warfang for knowledge of the Gryphons. To figure out why they're attacking them. Prowlus searched his chin.

"Well, I don't know what their motives are. But indeed you need to get to the city, it's the safest for dragonkind right now. I can't help much but I can send Hunter to come along with you as a guide through the tunnel."

Cinder nodded in thanks to the chief as they left the building's porch and towards where Ashevwrd said the city was at. A few minutes later the group was waiting for their guide and Lloyd turned to Ashevwrd.

"Ashevwrd, I was wondering. If the other dragons recognize Cinder's presence as a purple dragon. Would they jump him with excitement knowing there's hope for this battle?"

Ashevwrd hummed

"I pondered on that myself. As I know, Cinder has been fully trained of his abilities as a purple dragon. But with you two, you're stumbling along with no idea how to use yourself. Making you two stay in the city while Cinder goes out fighting."

Cinder was horrified by this, his teammates not helping him in fighting didn't feel right. But with them still getting used to their new bodies, they could get caught and be taken. But he knew that the 2 can't be taught by the dragons of this world as their powers are so different from here that he's the only one that can guide. Nya be easier if there are any water dragons, but Lloyd? His element is so out there that no dragon has it and the purple dragonet is the only one. Cinder quenched his fear down and focused on his breathing as he began to meditate on the situation. Nya noticed this.

"Well, I think Cinder doesn't like that idea."

The elder and energy dragon looked to the purple dragonet, standing still and breathing softly as he calmed down. Ashevwrd sighed in relief.

"Well, he seems to grasp on calming his mind. That would be beneficial to keep himself from freaking out."

The group then went silent as they waited, Cinder meditating. Then 10 minutes later Nya saw another cheetah coming over. He was wearing hunting equipment, a red cloak hung from his neck with a hood attached to it, and on his back was a bow and quiver of arrows. He was a young adult with his fur very rugged and his eyes showed that he has a ton of experience in his life. The cheetah walked closer to them and stopped.

"Hello Ashevwrd, it's been awhile since I last saw you. How has it been with your duties?"

Ashevwrd rolled his eyes at the cheetah but smiled

"Not much Hunter. But with Cyril talking almighty with his ancestral heritage and Volteer's speed-talking on knowledge, it hasn't been too bad. Terrador has been the fairest of the three, so not too bad."

"I see." The cheetah said and saw the three dragonets, and then Sparx.

"Well, I haven't seen you in ages, Sparx. How have you been?"

Sparx grinned

"Oh same old, same old. Got thrown into another world by some goons, then joined along with my nephew in that world. Then somehow got brought back here."

"I see, and nephew? I thought Spyro was missing after the war ended?" Hunter scratched his head in confusion. Sparx grinned and pointed to Cinder, who then was coming out of his meditation. The cheetah looked at the dragonet and smiled.

"I can see the looks of his father in him, but looking more like his mom."

Cinder looked over to the cheetah. "You know my parents?"

"Indeed young one. I'll like to tell you a few stories about your father, but I believe we should move on. We don't want those Gryphons to come in and attack us in the open."

Cinder nodded and looked to Ashevwrd and the elder dragon motion Hunter to lead. The cheetah did so, walking towards the dockside of the valley. The others followed him towards where the path was going. After walking for 5 minutes they came upon an opening in the side of the valley, with a river flowing alongside the path as it went into the opening. Hunter turned to the group. Informing them that this way goes to Warfang, as going over wouldn't be a good idea. They then walked in, following where there were signs directing to the city. It was dark here but with Sparx's glowing body acting as a light they walked through the tunnels without any trouble. Cinder then saw a light ahead of them after walking through the tunnel system. Then they reached the light and came out from the valley to a site Cinder couldn't believe.

Down below was a massive city, nestled up against the base of a mountain. Its walls surrounding it stood tall and broad with multiple towers spaced apart on the top of them. Streams of water flow in and out by several small openings. There was a massive building in the rear of the city that was taller than the towers and farmland spread around the city's exterior. Cinder could see other dragons flying above the city, some wearing armor, and others just civilians as they did their daily tasks as if there's a war going on. He was amazed by all of this, he never thought he'd get to be in his birth land. He then looked to Ashevwrd, who looked at the purple dragon grinning.

"Welcome to Warfang, young dragon."

—

A/N:

Hello everyone, sorry for not posting anything for the book here. Was having procrastination and laziness as this is posted on Wattpad a few weeks ago. But during that time I was working on the next chapter for it. Which I'll post once this is up. Also I'll be adding in characters I was given permission, which I'll give credits to at the end of ea h chapter during the Realms arc.

Ashevwrd is owned by Darkraireaper on Furaffinity