legend of Spyro AoH Ch.5

The next week was very busy for the dragon city inhabitants. Word had spread like wild fire about the news of the surviving dragons and the call to obtain a new fire guardian. Terrador was uncertain of how many dragons had truly survived the war with Malefor's forces. He had made plans to begin new construction in the temple itself to make room for any number of guests that might be arriving. Spyro, Cynder and Sparx did whatever they could to help out with the renovations. Most of it involved heavy lifting or using their different abilities to help with the construction.

Terrador was overlooking the construction and watching as the two young dragons assisted the moles when he heard a cry. He turned his head to see Hunter rise to the top of the staircase and his hawk land on his shoulder.
"Hunter. Good to see you've arrived safely." Terrador smiled and Hunter bowed. "Any news?" Spyro and Cynder, who had been working together to fly decorative tiles up to the ceiling, paused and turned their attention to the conversation.
"Indeed there has been. Much better than any of us could have hoped for." Hunter's green eyes gleamed brightly. "It seems that we have found five groups of dragons in total."
"Five groups of dragons?!" Spyro and Cynder exclaimed both dropping the tile they had clutched in their paws. Sparx, who had been overlooking their progress looked up and dove out of the way as the two tile smashed into the floor.
"Hey! Will you two pay attention to what you're doing before you get me killed!"
Terrador and Hunter glanced over at the scene for a brief moment before turning back to their business.
"It seems, Terrador, that there are two candidates that have been selected."
"Two candidates?" Volteer repeated as he marched up the stairs behind Hunter and gave a quick sweep of the construction area. "That is excellent news in deed."
"So what should we do now?" Hunter turned back to Terrador.
"We will have them come here." Terrador said proudly. There is no reason we shouldn't have our old broths-in-arms come home for such an important event."
"Very well then." Hunter bowed and marched back down the stairs.
"Listen everyone." Terrador turned to the construction crew. "We have little time left until our guests arrive. I want  all teams to finish their work on whichever room they are currently assigned to as quickly as possible. We have to make ready for the arrival ceremony."
"Yes sir!" Everyone shouted.
"I can't believe this is actually happening." Spyro whispered to Cynder. "Who would have thought that there were still other dragons alive after the war with Malefor."
"Yeah." Cynder forced a smile. "Who would have thought."

Another week passed by very quickly. Terrador finished overlooking the construction projects. Cyril was in charge of the ceremonies and Volteer took charge of the left over work.
Spyro and Cynder were out walking along the outside wall of the city and gazing out at the beautiful horizon before them. This had become routine for them after breakfast each morning. It was pretty quiet up on the wall, allowing the two dragons to enjoy each other's company in the open air.
As they strolled along Cynder spotted a cheetah sprinting over the hills.
"Hey Spyro. Is that Hunter?" Cynder squinted out over the horizon.
"I think so." Spyro nodded after checking it out. "Come on." The purple dragon dove off the wall and spread his wings. Cynder followed his lead and met Hunter a half mile out from the city walls. "Hey Hunter. Any more news on the dragons?" Spyro asked excitedly.
"Yes, We haven't much time to waste though. They will all arrive within a day's flight from here."
"One days flight?" Cynder gasped as she beat her wings to keep up with the cheetah. "That really doesn't give us much time."
"I am aware. That's why we must hurry and tell Terrador and the other guardians so we may be ready in time to welcome them."
"Then let us give you a hand." Spyro suggested extending his paw.
"Thank you, but I will handle this." Hunter waved away the gesture. He picked up his speed and sprang at the wall. His claws gained leverage in the tiny cracks between the bricks and he scrambled up the vertical surface with ease. Spyro and Cynder back-winged and watched with wide eyes.
"I never knew Hunter could do that." Cynder gasped.
"Neither did I. But we should worry more about getting ready for tomorrow." He flapped up and over the wall with a nervous Cynder following at a considerably slower pace.

"Spyro, wake up." Cynder's voice called to him. Spyro twitched in his sleep but didn't wake up. "Spyro wake up!" Still the purple dragon didn't open his eyes. Cynder sighed and took a couple steps back before unleashing a blast of cold wind at him. The chill seemed to rip through Spyro's body and he opened his bloodshot eyes and whimpered slightly. He hadn't been able to sleep the night before due to over excitement.  "That's better." Cynder sat on her haunches and grinned as Spyro shivered while he got to his feet.
"Th-th-that was c-cold C-C-Cynder." Spyro looked like he'd been hurt but Cynder shrugged only smiled. It was then she noticed Spyro's bloodshot eyes.
"Spyro, you need to get yourself cleaned up. The dragons have just arrived."
"What?" Spyro was fully awake now.
"Come on, I'll show you." Cynder hurried off and Spyro followed after her. They came to a balcony and they peered over the edge. Spyro's eyes widened nearly to the size of dinner plates and his jaw dropped. He had only expected a couple dozen dragons at the most. But there were hundreds of them. The main courtyard was filled to capacity. So much that the moles weren't able to attend to the dragons with refreshments. The dragons spilled out from the city and into the hills beyond.
Cynder noticed when Spyro didn't move. "Come on Spyro! We have to get you cleaned up and looking presentable." She wrapped her long tail around his neck, being careful with her tail blade, and pulled him along.

An old fire dragon ascended the stairs to the main tower where Terrador and the other guardians stood waiting.
"Good you're here." Cyril said when he saw Spyro and Cynder walk up beside Terrador. "I was beginning to think you two had gotten stage fright."
"No. Just a sleepy Spyro." Cynder chuckled and Spyro hung his head bashfully.
"Keep it down you three." Volteer interrupted as the dragon drew closer.
"It is good to see you again my friends." The old fire dragon wheezed as he reached the top platform. "Terrador, it's been ages." He bowed.
"Yes, it's been far too long Infernus." Terrador bobbed his head in return.
"And you as well Volteer. Cyril."
As the guardians greeted their old friend Spyro found himself staring at the old dragon rather closely. He didn't resemble Ignitus in the slightest. And he seemed much older, his first clue being that the old dragon was already winded from the stair climb. His scales were dull and scarred in many places indicating the marks of a war veteran.
It was then that the old dragon looked down and noticed the young dragon staring up at him.
"Oh, and who might this be?" He asked inquisitively.
"This young dragon is Spyro." Terrador answered looking down at the purple dragon with pride.
"Ah, yes. The purple dragon of legend." Infernus nodded. "And indeed a legend in his own time."
"It's an honor to meet you sir." Spyro piped up.
"The honor is all mine." Infernus smiled warmly. "I knew your mother and father very well." Spyro and Cynder's heart rates spiked simultaneously. Cynder threw an anxious look over in Spyro's direction.
"You knew my actual parents?" Spyro took a curious step forward. "Are they here?" He looked down at the sea of dragons far bellow the tower."
"I knew your mother and father better than any other dragon in the land." Infernus replied but then his expression grew dark. "But I am sorry to say that they are no longer with us."
"No longer with us?" Spyro raised a tilted his head sidelong.
"Perhaps this isn't the best time Spyro." Terrador pointed out.
"It's okay." Spyro assured him before turning back to the old dragon. "Please. Tell me. Where are my parents."
The tension was almost unbearable for Cynder. Her heart was ready to jump out of her chest as she continued to look nervously from Spyro to the old dragon.
"They were killed on the battle field during the early days of the war against the Dark Master." Infernus shook his head sadly. "It was when we first encountered the Dark Master's most powerful servant..."
Cynder's eyes grew wide with horror. It was then that Infernus's  eyes locked onto her. The young dragoness looked vaguely familiar to the old dragon. Cynder felt her blood run cold and she shrank back a step. The fire dragon seemed to be staring straight through her and piercing her soul.
At last she couldn't take it any more. She gave a mournful cry and took off running. Spyro realized what was going on and gave Infernus one more quick glance before taking off himself.
"Cynder!" He called after her.
When he was gone Infernus looked questioningly at Terrador. "That young female. I feel like I know her from somewhere."
"That young dragoness is none other than Cynder herself." Terrador answered prepared to defend her should the need arise. Infernus jerked as if he had been hit.
"That young dragon is Cynder? How is that possible?"
When Cynder was an egg she was taken by the Dark Master's forces and turned into the monster you saw on the battlefield all those years ago. Spyro was the one to defeat her in combat and free her from the Dark Master's spell. She has remained at his side ever since."
"But how can she still be alive? So young and after being corrupted by evil the before, why did she not return to the Dark Master?"
"I know what the stories said." Terrador waved a massive paw dismissively. "But Spyro is unlike any dragon we have encountered before. He knew the odds  but chose to follow his heart. And as a result, those two are the sole reason that we are all alive today."

Cynder leaned her head against the balcony railing as she sobbed uncontrollably.
"Cynder wait up!" She heard Spyro's voice down the hall. "Cynder where are you?" Spyro passed by the balcony and skidded to a stop. "Cynder!"
"Stay away from me Spyro!" Cynder shrank back as she tried to wipe the tears away.
"Cynder it's okay." Spyro coaxed as he came towards her.
"No it's not. You hate me Spyro. I know somewhere inside you do. How could you not after hearing about what I did? I'm almost certain the same fate was dealt to my own parents! To have been killed at the hands of their own daughter!"
"Cynder..." Spyro took another step towards her. Cynder couldn't stand to look at him any more and turned away.
"Why me Spyro?"
"What do you mean Why you?"
"I try Spyro! I really do! But every time I try and do something good or something good happens to me, my past comes back to taint my life! Maybe it would have been better if you had just let me die."
"Don't ever say that!" Spyro nearly roared and took a very bold step. Cynder's head snapped around. Spyro's eyes were filled with tears as well. "Don't you dare say that! You were said to have been a lost cause but I refused to believe that. I know about all the good you've done and no one will dare question me on that." Spyro's feeling began to form a purple aura around him.
"Spyro, I..."
"I don't care about your past Cynder! I never have! What's important is here and now! And what's more important is you! Because this world would be incomplete without you in it."
"Spyro!" Cynder sobbed and threw herself into him. "I'm so sorry for what I've done."
"Don't be." Spyro whispered and wrapped his wings around her as he stroked her neck. "I'm not mad at all. I promise."
"Please Spyro." Cynder looked up into his gleaming purple eyes. "Make me a promise."
"Anything Cynder. Just say what it is."
"Promise you won't go anywhere. I don't want to be alone anymore."
Spyro nuzzled her cheek. "I promise."