Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

/+\

~ Awakening ~

\+/

~.*.~

One agonizing moment, she felt nothing but white, hot, blistering pain. From head to tail, limb from limb, she felt his fiery wrath with no hope of escape. Amid the pain, she felt herself fall, landing ungracefully on a harsh surface.

How did this happen? Why did it happen? She couldn’t comprehend, there was simply no way someone that small and pathetic could best her in combat!

Impossible, inconceivable...Yet, here she fell; beaten, drained, made a fool of. The Terror of the Skies, a name she revelled in, a name that once held power and fear by those weaklings, now reduced to a miserable, crumbled pile of flesh and bones. The thought made her choke, she couldn’t stand it!

She opened her eyes. Everything was unfocused, but there was no mistake. The purple dragon, the legendary purple dragon, stood over her.

Spyro.

She expected his face to be filled with disgusting satisfaction. However, she was slightly intrigued to see her opponent was anything but. He appeared...concerned. It was as if his victory had the opposite effect. Not that it mattered, she already won.

She had fulfilled her duty. With the last crystal, she had unlocked the gate that kept her master locked away for centuries. Unfortunately she would not be able to bask in their presence. She did not earn that right, being beaten by a whelp of all things.

Her vision began to fade, her mind slowed to a crawl. Was this what death felt like? The agonizing expressions of hundreds of faces flashed by, all horror-stricken and filled with despair. Most felt immense fear and pain before their worthless lives vanished by her claws. She felt neither which suited her just fine.

Her last thoughts, as Spyro eyed the shining force that was her master’s prison, was imagining him torn to shreds by their sheer power. She let loose her last breath before everything faded into the void.

...

As if in mockery, the white burning pain had returned! The sudden burst made her want to scream. If only she could! She couldn’t feel anything besides the blistering heat. Was she actually in a void and this is what the ancestors condemned her to?

What’s going on?

Where am I?

Master, please help me!

Why did they do this? After obeying every command, she thought she avoided punishment! Where did she go wrong?

Someone, anyone, help!

~.*.~

She snapped her eyes open and saw the color green, lots of green! All around her immediate vision were the greens of empty fields illuminated by the twin moons. Her body stiffened, her breath halted, the painful memory still clung to her like she suffered a lifetime! She felt immensely exposed, any second the pain would return and-

...Nothing.

She exhaled slowly, blinking twice to make sure she wasn’t hallucinating. Slowly she relaxed herself, lying peacefully upon the soft, grassy surface of wherever she had ended up. The sounds of crickets and other insect life flowed through her ears. It felt oddly comforting and soothing, like a mesmerizing melody. She could even hear the soft flow of a river right behind her.

Was she really here? Did she...was she not just fighting in the realm of Convexity? She turned her head slightly to get more of her bearings. Trees and shrubbery lay scattered in the distance. Steep hills stood erected as far the eyes could see. No...she wasn’t, she was back in the real world. Did she succeed, is her master freed?

Another thing she realized was that she felt...different? Lighter somehow, and not just physically. It was as if a heavy cloud had dissipated within her mind, as weird as that sounded to her. She raised her claws, looking at her sleek black scales and the silver bracelets on each wrist. Was she imagining it or did her forelegs appear smaller?

She heard something dip in the water. She twisted herself and let out a silent gasp. There was someone on its banks. A dragon! Wait, it’s...purple? Purple!? Her eyes widened as the memory of her showdown replayed in her mind. She instantly became alert, the battle was not finished! She hastily picked herself from the ground, only to find her legs were considerably weaker than she expected. She stumbled and fell back onto the earth with a loud thud and a grunt. That unfortunately got the dragon’s attention, their deep purple eyes instantly snapped upon her crippled form.

She silently cursed and held her breath. With nowhere to go, she closed her eyes thinking he was about to finish her with that same unbearable attack.

...

Nothing?

She peeked to see he had walked over and sat on his haunches. He appeared to be out of breath, his face and stature conveyed as such. His eyes were constrained and heavy, his brow was furrowed with concern, and his maw was left agape. He remained like that too after the fact he saw her peek, making her feel uneasy.

He had golden horns that curved outward from the back of his head. Equally golden frills that ran along his head and down the spine. And wings that were wrapped around his sides that were a deep golden brown. Despite his exhaustion, she had to admit he appeared elegant, like someone of royalty. His golden chest plates that stretched down his belly complimented the presentation.

Finally, he spoke softly, but with obvious strain. “Are you alright?”

Her mind snapped from her musings. What the hell am I doing? He was asking me if I was alright!? Her mind reeled further, she was told he was the enemy ever since she hatched. He should be killing her right now! Was this a trick? What on ancestors was he doing? Oh, how foolish of me to appear so vulnerable!

Without saying anything, she pulled herself up once more, extending her magenta wings and lowering herself into a combat pose. Her tail twitched behind her, the sharp appendage gleamed brightly on the moonlit field. Her legs quivered, both from anxiety and fatigue. She didn’t know why she felt scared, how unbecoming of her. Perhaps it was due to the fact she was in a die or fight situation.

He got the message, despite the fact. He gasped and clumsily scooted away, his eyes instantly going to her tail. “Wait, hold on!” He shook his head and held out a claw. “We don’t have to fight!”

She leered at him. How can he say that so sincerely? This must be a joke. Truth be told, she didn’t think she could fight right now anyways. She didn’t even feel an ounce of mana to make use of her elementals. She was powerless, but maybe intimidating him would give her an opening for escape.

“Where am I?” she growled as menacing as her dry throat would allow in this weird fatigued state.

The fool sighed in relief. “I’m not sure,” he said distantly, his eyes scanning the surrounding area. “I thought we would be back at your fortress, but...”

Indeed...that is odd, she thought to herself.

“Are you sure you’re alright?” he asked again with that same concerning gaze. “After that last attack, you were out for some time.”

She spat at the ground, how humiliating. Only weaklings showed mercy. “Why didn’t you finish it?” she demanded.

He opened his maw, but closed it as he turned his head away with a somber expression. “...I couldn’t.” He glanced back. “When I saw the real you, I just knew you were just like me.”

She raised a brow, thoroughly confused. “What are you talking about?” she blurted without meaning to. Foolish Cynder, you’re speaking to your enemy!

At this, he gave her a quizzable gaze. “Like you are right now.”

Her confusion grew. She glanced briefly over herself once more. She still had the impression she had somehow shrunk in size. In fact, it didn’t even occur to her that she was on the same eye level as her enemy when just minutes prior she towered over him. What is going on?

“You must be thirsty,” he said, motioning his head to the calm waters.

Honestly she was, but every instinct told her not to do as he says. However, he had shown no signs that he was tricking her into a false sense of security. If anything, he was the one putting his guard down. What was he planning?

She dared not to let hers down, she hesitantly stepped away from him before taking up on his words. Her legs still shook, but would be damned to show him her current state. Finally she reached the bank and lowered herself to get a mouthful of water. Instant relief washed over her throat from the cool liquid.

She heard him approach. She whipped around as best as she could, her tail thrashed to the forefront with a loud crack as it struck the ground. “Stay back!”

He backed off, sitting back on his haunches and taking a claw over his foreleg. “I’m not going to hurt you.”

“I’m warning you,” she huffed.

He sighed and lowered his head. “Look, I’m sorry that I did,” he started. “If I knew you still had some good in you, I wouldn’t of...” he trailed off looking away.

She bared her fangs. She was growing more irritated not knowing what he was talking about. “Some good in me?” she repeated with a slight hiss. “Only a fool would let me live after winning a battle.”

His frown grew. “I don’t think you had control over your actions.”

She narrowed her eyes, she had plenty of control over her body. What in ancestors was this moron suggesting? She was about to retort when a thought crossed her mind. A chilling thought at that, one she never considered until he mentioned it.

Her mind was surprisingly clear, clearer than it ever had been. She lowered her head in ponderance. Did that mean anything? She had been aware of everything she decided to do, right? Her brows furrowed as she went over her thoughts. Freeing her master, helping the dark army, conquering and quelling the realm of all dragons.

That was her mission, it always had been as far as she could remember. So then, why did it feel like right now she had not made these choices in earnest? The more she thought, the more it felt like her body had a mind of its own and she was merely along for the ride.

What the hell am I thinking? Of course I made those decisions. I’m in complete control over my body, thank you very much. Why am I even entertaining this idiot?

“I can tell you regret what you’ve done,” he continued, oblivious to her self reflection.

She scoffed, the naivety of his statement was nauseating to the extreme. What an incredibly sheltered deduction.

“The guardians should be here soon,” he said hastily after catching her fierce gaze. “I already sent Sparx to get them once we figured out where we landed.”

The guardians? So it was true, they really were reunited. Well, she wasn’t about to stay here then when she knew they would be wanting her dead the moment they caught sight of her. She prepared herself to take flight, before she stumbled and fell with another grunt.

No, come on body, I need to go!

“Hey, take it easy,” he said on approach. “You’re still hurt!”

She growled loudly at him, baring her fangs once more which got him to stop thankfully. This was bad, she quickly thought of a way out of this predicament. Perhaps Spyro was so much of a naive fool that he would listen to her plea. It disgusted her, but she had little choice if what he said was true.

“Hide me and go,” she commanded, hoping she didn’t have to say anything more.

He shook his head with a resolving glint in his eyes. “I know you did terrible things to them. They haven’t seen the real you though. Once they do they’ll understand you were under the Dark Master’s spell.”

She quickly parsed his message and formed an idea. Her appearance had changed and he had just suggested a very convenient cover up. Yes...it all made sense. That’s what he meant by her not controlling her actions. She stared directly into his eyes, masking her joy with a deadpan expression.

“Are you sure?”

He nodded, a small smile forming on his features.

~.*.~

It felt like a long time had passed with nothing happening. Spyro had retreated back to the river banks while she laid and watched the leaves sway from the light wind that washed over the hills. She spotted the occasional nocturnal life zooming across from time to time, but it was an otherwise boring spectacle.

She thought about her master and where they were right now. She and Spyro had escaped from the realm of Convexity, a feat she didn’t understand. Did her master follow along? Were they out and about in the real world? She assumed the worst seeing as her enemy was not shouting death and gloom over the fact.

...She did succeed in freeing them, right? Were they stuck in the realm? Impossible, her master would, for sure, have the power to break out of such a place. Maybe Spyro wasn’t aware? Yes, that had to be it.

Occasionally she would glance at him and wonder what his true plan is in leaving her alive. If she were him, she would’ve definitely just outright killed and be done with it. He, however, did nothing to make sure she didn’t get away. Not that she could get very far in her condition. Oh, how she wished she could get away and find out the whereabouts of her master!

Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard heavy wing flaps. She raised her head to see three figures approaching from the south following a golden speck. Spyro had noticed too and was shakily trying to get their attention by waving to them on his hindlegs, how disgraceful.

“Oh man, Spyro, glad you’re still in one piece!” the golden speck shouted causing her to cringe. “Look man, I don’t know about you, but leaving you with the evil-psycho-she-dragon was probably not the best plan.”

She mentally scoffed, already she wanted nothing more but to swat the mosquito out of the air. She stayed her tongue though when, one by one, the guardians landed. All of them, of course, were staring intently at her with clear suspicion and disgust, except for the electric one who instead was giving her a curious gaze. This didn’t surprise her, but she had to sell Spyro’s idea. She pretended to give them a frightened look, feinting a small quiver.

The electric guardian took her bait well, she thought. His pointed face was filled with sympathy almost instantly, not unlike the other two. Darn.

“Sparx, why did you not inform us of the one dragon that has caused chaos throughout the realm?” the earth guardian asked in a seething, baritone voice.

She huddled into herself, rolling her eyes mentally at his obvious attempt of rousing her. Same with the ice guardian that answered next.

“Yes, I would prefer to have been prepared to dispose of this wretched creature.”

“Hey, I was panicking, alright?” the annoying mosquito countered.

“Hold on,” Spyro interjected, slowly making his way to stand between them and her. “This isn’t the same dragon as before.”

The electric guardian nodded. “Yes, yes, her physical form has altered to that of a young female. A most perplexing, confounded phenomena to be-”

“Where’s Ignitus?” the earth guardian demanded, ignoring the electric guardian’s musings.

Honestly, she hadn’t a clue. Most likely he was still atop her fortress, drained of his elemental abilities. “I-I don’t know,” she stuttered intentionally.

“He’s probably still at Cynder’s fortress,” Spyro echoed her thoughts. “He should be safe for now, I drove off most of the dark army before I confronted her.”

The earth guardian’s piercing green gaze never left Cynder. She wondered what he could be thinking. Ways to eliminate her? That’s what she would be doing in his position. He let out a heavy sigh. “Volteer, since the area is more or less built for your kind, could you please go ahead and fetch our friend?”

Volteer opened his maw, but quickly closed it after thinking for a moment. He nodded, and reaching into a satchel around his neck Cynder just noticed, pulled out a pair of red and green spirit gems and gave them to the ice guardian who was ready for it. He then, with a nod to everyone, including her, lept into the cool night and flew off slightly east going north.

The ice guardian approached Spyro and handed him the gems. He shook his head, motioning to Cynder. “No, heal her first.”

The look on the ice guardian’s face, Cynder tried hard not to snicker.

“Spyro, understand what you’re suggesting,” the earth guardian said. “She may look different, but she’s still the same dragon that has spread her mark throughout the realm. She’s the entire reason our people are on the verge of total annihilation.”

“I concur,” the ice guardian piqued. “An abomination such as her should not be allowed to live. She deserves no sympathy.”

For all the nasty comments currently directed to her, she was surprised to feel...slightly hurt? Odd, she definitely heard fouler stuff coming from wannabe heroes that thought they could stop her. Why then was this pompous moron’s words stabbing her heart, if only faintly?

“That wasn’t her fault!” Spyro almost stuttered, but remained undeterred. “She was being controlled by the Dark Master!”

The two guardians still weren’t convinced.

“I’m gonna side with the big guys, if you don’t mind,” chimed in the insignificant nant. “Besides, she’s giving me that evil look right now and, brr.”

“Please, we have to help her!” He glanced back at her, again with that idiotic pity. “Give her a chance.”

She began to wonder if this stunt would work. The guardians were, unfortunately for her, much wiser than the naive child of the legendary purple dragon. If they could just fly away and leave her be, as unlikely the scenario is, that would be fantastic.

Would beat being dead and or being a prisoner. Which is, of course, exactly what one of the guardians suggested next.

“We’ll take her back to the temple, but that’s it,” he said with a tone of finality, causing the ice guardian to silently gape at him. “We’ll keep her locked in one of the chambers where we will have her monitored.”

“I object to this!” the ice guardian angrily growled, the pupils in his cyan eyes slitted. “Pardon me, but we should snuff out this problem while we have the chance!”

“And by doing so we’ll be no different than her,” the other said swiftly.

She was thrilled to see the ice guardian stutter at his comrade. Dragon honor, she had seen plenty of that in her tour around the realm. How lucky she was that one of the guardians had the bleeding heart of a warrior.

How foolish and convenient.

“Hey-hey-hey, I refuse to sleep in the same place with that psychopath!” the mosquito squeaked with an angry pointed finger.

Spyro shook his head, giving her an apologetic smile before returning his gaze. “Thank you, Terrador.”

“Hey- hello!? I said I’m not sleeping-”

“Fear not, young Sparx,” Terrador said with forced calmness. “I’ll personally make sure Cynder will not leave any of our sights.” He lowered his gaze to Spyro and nodded. “Now, heal up, we have much to discuss when we return.”

Spyro nodded back, taking the gems in each claw. Cynder watched as the glow from the red gem faded away as he absorbed its essence with a deep sigh of relief. It was quite the mystery, she had to admit. Not many were able to harness these gems as dragons could. The dark army even had trouble making use of such objects, but their potential was ever present. If it weren’t for those gems, she’d probably be dead a long time ago.

However, something far more interesting happened than regaining vitality through these artifacts. The green one, the gem that harnessed the very fabric of mana itself, refused to leave its confinement. Spyro was bewildered by the fact, as were the others.

“What?” was all Spyro uttered.

Immediately Cynder hypothesized what exactly that could mean. Usually it meant the user was bursting with mana already, which she didn’t believe for a second for Spyro’s case. Was it that power he used?

“What’s wrong?” Terrador asked.

“I’m not sure,” he said. His face scrunched as if he was trying to harness the gem in his grip. “It’s like I can’t even feel it.”

Terrador stared at the green gem with furrowed brows. “How strange, but no matter, we can worry about that later. You can fly, right?”

Spyro nodded, looking between the gem, Cynder, and Terrador. The earth guardian wisely shook his head at the silent question.

“I’ll carry Cynder,” he continued. “Cyril, stick close to me.”

Cyril didn’t much like the idea, if his scowl wasn’t enough to convey. Still, he nodded, glaring daggers at Cynder the entire time. What a joyous coot he’s going to be.

With no more words, Terrador walked over and, without being gentle about it, gripped around Cynder’s neck and waist. She let out a grunt of discomfort. He probably heard her, but chose to ignore it. Then they were up in the air, dangling uncomfortably from the way he had her.

How disgraceful, though she supposed this was the better alternative than death. She smirked through the slight pain. I can still redeem myself to my master, she thought wondrously. All she needed was to bide her time and strike when the moment came. Once she regains both her strength and mana, she’ll just summon convexity and kill all the guardians in one fell swoop.

The only smart one was Cyril, she’ll deal with him when she could. Otherwise this just may be the easiest espionage mission she had ever found herself in.

~.*.~

The sun had just about risen over the horizon. She didn’t think the flight would take this long. She felt immensely tired, still experiencing fatigue from earlier. She couldn’t sleep if she wanted to, not with the way the earth guardian was handling her. Oh well, it was far more important to figure out where their base of operations were located anyways.

It was hard to see, her head being locked in place due to Terrador’s tight grip. She could see golden mushrooms in the corner of her eyes, large ones at that. So they were in the swamp region, that much was apparent. She felt her captive begin to descend. They were heading toward a super structure. The old decrypted dragon temple?

...

When Terrador dropped her on the platform, she felt incredibly stupid. She was sure she checked this place countless times. Especially since she was aware this was one of the few places in the entire realm that possessed a Pool of Vision. She had scouts here! Whatever happened to them? No matter, they were most likely incompetent, as they usually were.

She looked over the platform. A grand vista, one she already was spoiled with back on the mountain. It hovered over a large expanse where she could easily see the silver rivers that stretched all the way to the great sea. The scenery was a lot more vibrant. Instead of dull grey rocks and putrid green pools of toxic sludge she had grown accustomed to, there was a distinct palette of gold and purple that encompassed the entire region.

Spyro landed next to her, giving Terrador a frown. “Was that really necessary?”

The annoying insect flew by him giving her the stink eye. “Spyro, my guy, she’s evil.” Cynder wanted to blow him away. Instead she lowered her head with the best frown she could muster.

“And I’ll keep saying that wasn’t her,” Spyro defended with a glare.

“Be as it may, we can’t trust her,” Terrador said. The clubbed end of his tail pounded on the stone floor with a thud. “I’ll honor what I offered, but that’s all I’m willing to give at this time.”

Cyril landed by the entrance, giving the gate a shove before he turned to Terrador with a nod. “I believe I have the perfect place to put this sorry excuse of a dragon.”

Cynder heard Spyro growl softly. He didn’t retaliate back though with words. Instead he lowered his head and glanced at his talons in silent disappointment.

“Yes, I may just know where,” Terrador answered back. He leered at Cynder. “Follow along, don’t do anything sudden, and I promise you’ll be unharmed.”

Cynder nodded which prompted the earth guardian to begin moving forward. She followed along, hearing that annoying insect talk to Spyro about how much of a nuisance she was going to be and how he couldn’t believe they were doing this. She looked at him, as did Spyro, with a slight glare, but he didn’t seem to mind the negative attention.

They passed by a large chamber that could easily fit thirty dragons. It was decorated with tapestries showcasing different elements. She wondered if this was a place where important decisions were made when dragons were more prevalent. They then entered a smaller room with, surprise surprise, one of the Pool of Visions. The blue liquid glowed faintly casting the small chamber in a ghastly color.

She had no clue how they worked, neither did the dark army who also possessed one. She recalled numerous times where they demanded her to show them how. After endearing many days of punishment, they finally gave up on understanding. The memory caused her to frown at the relic.

Soon enough they were traveling down grand, twisting passages that might’ve looked impressive in its prime. The vegetation had overgrown around the walls, making the hallways feel desolate and detached. It reminded her of old ruins, especially the structures on the tundra region of Dante’s Freezer. Of course this temple didn’t feel as if the walls were watching her.

Eventually, after many forks, they reached a room that was larger than the first chamber. There was no ceiling, but the area didn’t need it. The walls towered in a wide circle that stretched to the skies. Platforms were scattered about the walls showcasing the many floors that must’ve been constructed. Each one adorned a symbol and an orange light.

The only dragon to show they were impressed was Spyro, who’s eyes excitedly looked around the place. Did he not explore his own base? The two guardians made no comment about their surroundings. They silently went to an entryway that curved downwards.

She entered, noting how much darker the passage was. The desolate ones from before at least sported some kind of natural lighting with the orange lights and the tiny openings in the ceiling. There was no comfort here, the walls were seemingly more cracked and rotted as if nature tried to take it but starved.

“Wow, this is, uh... quite different from the other maze of hallways,” Sparx remarked as he inspected a vine that had withered long ago.

No one answered back in their silent trek. There were no forks this time. The passage grew smaller, but the descent was constant. She wondered how far down they would have to go after a long minute. It was starting to become harder to see as well, the only obvious light source coming from Sparx. She still couldn’t harness any of her mana, otherwise seeing in the dark would’ve been child’s play.

Finally the passage opened up into an open chamber where there was one orange orb in the center of the ceiling. It hardly illuminated the room, but even still she could see the gates around her. Gates meant for keeping someone in, she wagered by the metallic glint the bars gave. Terrador went to one, and pulling at a switch on the ground with a heavy grunt, opened the gate. He turned to her and motioned her in with a tilt of his head.

She complied, making sure she stared forward and not looking at the contraption that he had pulled. When she passed the threshold, he closed the gate with a loud rattle and pulled at the switch once more.

“Now that’s dealt with, can we please get to more important matters?” Cyril asked with a bit of frost blowing through his nostrils.

“Of course.” Terrador turned to Spyro who had given Cynder another sympathetic smile. “Now then, what happened?”

A loaded question, one she was curious to learn about as well. Not with her defeat, obviously, but anything after.

“Should we really be talking about anything in front of Queen Psychopath?” Sparx asked, motioning to her.

“It’s fine,” Terrador answered.

Spyro fidgeted before letting out a sigh. “Cynder opened this weird place. Ignitus called it the portal to Convexity.” The two guardians exchanged worried glances at the mention. “I followed her and she placed the crystal that had Ignitus’ power in some well. We fought, but nothing came out of it.”

“Yeah, it was like a constant light show the entire time,” Sparx interjected. “Except ten times scarier and probably means trouble, but a light show nonetheless.”

“Are you sure nothing escaped?” Terrador asked, his brow furrowed into a slight glare.

“Positive,” Spyro nodded. “And then when I-” He looked at Cynder with a frown. “-stopped Cynder, she changed to what she is now and I carried her out through an opening.”

He flew through the opening? Impossible, not unless he could also summon convexity too. Was the power he had related somehow?

“I see.” Terrador looked at Cynder curiously before turning his attention to the ice guardian. “It seems we may have lucked out. The Dark Master must still be trapped in the realm of Convexity.”

No! She did everything she was ordered to do! All the years she spent painstakingly acquiring the powers from all the guardians. Could her master not break out of the realm after being released from their prison? How was it she failed? Oh, stupid, don’t show your emotions like that, Cynder! Thankfully no one had noticed her flustered demeanor.

“Wonderful, then it seems we can finally rest easy for a moment, hmm?” Cyril smirked at Cynder. “Not only is she an absolute failure of a dragon, but one that couldn’t even finish what she started.”

It took everything within her not to growl back. Even more to feint being hurt by his words.

“Cyril, stay here,” Terrador commanded, eliciting an immediate growl from the ice dragon. “Spyro needs to recover and I need to relay his words to the others when they get back.”

Cyril nodded in agreement, much to his and Cynder’s displeasure.

“I can stay,” Spyro said. “Don’t worry, I can handle it.”

“Oh no, come on, you heard what the big guy said.” Sparx flew in front of Spyro’s face and jabbed a finger at his nose. “You’re going to go back up and stay far far away from the evil-she-dragon.”

“No, Spyro. Until we’re certain you’re able, you need to rest.” At that, Terrador walked off to the exit with Sparx flying along. “Do not make this an issue.” Spyro shook his head and gave her a fleeting glance before he hurried off to Terrador.

Their clawsteps disappeared leaving only silence in her wake and her own breath. Cyril stood like a statue near the center, never taking his icy gaze away from her. She silently cursed, she would take this time to examine her cell, but she needed to act as if she was a helpless child if she hoped to gain any of their trust.

No, this is a good time to finally rest up. She didn’t expect her captors to give her anything to restore her mana anytime soon. Soundlessly, she curled up into a corner and, with one last look at the ice guardian, lowered her head and closed her eyes.

Instantly, she was swept into the vast waves of her darkest dreams.

Chapter Text

/+\

~ Lost ~

\+/

~.*.~

She stood triumphantly atop a large, steep craig where she could overlook the work her subjects were performing. Apes, left and right, all wearing similar metallic white armor, were dutifully examining the small pockets of holes where some runaway dragons thought they could find refuge. Unfortunately for them, the dark army had found them when one of their whelplings had, unknowingly, been followed.

Idiots, did these band of vagabonds think they could escape her in such an easily spotted place? Well, what’s done is done. Already she and the apes had eliminated the lot. The stench of blood filled the air as bodies laid strewn about on the battlefield. She relished in witnessing and causing such chaos, it filled her with a certain kind of glee that swelled her pride. Now her troops were focused on finding any stragglers. She did love to kill the ones who were the most cowardly. They didn’t deserve the honor of a quick death. She made sure they suffered before ending their pitiful life.

At least, that’s what her master told her. She never questioned it, she was always more than eager to follow his advice. The amount of satisfaction she had when she heard them beg excited her more than simply killing the ones that fought back.

Suddenly, someone shrieked. She snapped her head immediately to one of the cave openings. After a couple minutes of continued shrieks and cries, one of the commandos had dragged out a young fire dragon. The red scaled male wiggled violently at the ape’s grip, but it was apparent from where she stood that he was outmatched in strength. He could do nothing but struggle.

The commando approached her, throwing the kid at the base of the craig with a heavy grunt. She scanned him; all of his limbs, maw and wings included, were tied in sturdy ropes that were imbedded with purple gems. He stopped struggling as soon as his orange eyes fixed upon hers. She could sense the fear in his heart, it only grew the more she examined the child.

A smirk grew on her features, his fear nearly tripled. She wondered if this was the child that had led them to his home, but it hardly mattered. She slowly scaled down her perch, like a predator who had found easy prey. She extended one of her long claws to the child’s neck, raising his head up.

Tears began to form around his eyes. She hesitated, his pitiful face reminded her of-

Proceed.

...

What-

She disregarded the thought, whatever it was. This weakling would be shown his error.

“My, what a surprise,” she said slowly, feeling excitement flow through her. “It’s rare I get to see a dragon so young.” Indeed, this would be a first as well! But...looking at his horror-stricken face, she began to think-

Ask him.

Who-

A question formed in her mind, she felt compelled to ask. “Your parents, did they try to defend you? Or...did they leave you to your fate?” Suddenly she felt angry, but that was normal. Her master said it was natural to feel anger towards those who fled. The fire dragon was motionless to her question though, tears began to slide along his cheeks as he began to weep. Ugh, this was no fun, his fear was way too strong to toy with.

Ask him.

Once again, a question clearly formed in her mind. “Did you think you could get away?”

The child shook his head slowly, struggling to move against her claw that threatened to pierce his scales. She immediately thought he was lying. It was always the same with these pathetic dragons. Every coward she had the pleasure of confronting always gave the same fake answer! She growled irritably.

Slit his throat.

...Excuse me?

The urge to rip his throat flashed, but why? This was a pathetic dragon, but he was merely a child. She didn’t really have a-

Slit his throat.

...

She felt compelled, but...what’s happening? She felt a wrongness to wanting to kill him, despite killing the others. She blinked, shaking her head slightly. Was she dreaming? She felt-

Slit his throat.

I...no this isn’t right.

She glanced around her surroundings, thinking someone behind her was speaking to her. All she got were the eyes of a dozen, amused apes. Then it hit her, she was dreaming. She had to be, she was reliving a memory! A memory which she was sure didn’t play out like this! Ugh...why did her head feel so-

Slit his throat.

This is not how it happened. I was...I simply killed this child of my own choice.

Some of the apes were more apprehensive. Her claw had now pierced the boy’s neck, sending a trickle of blood down in a steady, small stream. The child visibly gasped and struggled, but she didn’t hear it. She didn’t even recall feeling the warmness of the fluid.

Her eyes wavered, watching the blood trail down her claw and around her digit. She felt weird. She didn’t understand-

Slit his throat.

...Nothing happened. She felt nothing suddenly, it was as if time had stopped for her. The child continued to make silent noises, his weeps slowed but his tears still fell swiftly.

I don’t remember this at all. Why can’t I move? I didn’t hesitate, I just killed him. What is this nonsense? Why can’t I feel anything anymore? This has to be a dream. I need to wake up.

This isn’t real.

A sickening rip broke through the eternal silence.

She jabbed her claw right into his neck and pulled him harshly toward her where she tore through the scales up just below his chin. Blood splattered on the patchy dirt and the dragon began to writhe about, his screams muffled by the rope.

“What a disappointment,” she said with a harsh glare much unlike her own. “Even the whelplings are cowards now. You all sicken me.”

How is...that’s not right. I didn’t say that! This is wrong! This is all wrong! I can’t move!

Wake up! This isn’t real!

She watched the pathetic creature for a little while longer, licking at her bloodied claw. She knew she struck a vital area, it was only a matter of time before he either drowned in his own blood or passed out from the lack of. Either way, this child was as good as dead. The anger had slightly subsided, turning now into warm ecstasy. Each time the dragon looked at her with pleading, tearful eyes, it filled her with immense pleasure.

Wake up! This isn’t real!

WAKE UP!

~.*.~

Cynder’s eyes snapped open, she let out a raspy gasp that filled her lungs with stale air. She coughed, clutching at her throat and feeling around her collar. She felt sick... She placed another claw upon her maw as bile spilt on her tongue. She snapped her eyes back shut to recall that vivid memory.

What...what was that? Did that really happen? But... Ancestors, what is happening to me?

This new feeling she was experiencing, what is this? Regret, guilt, shame, why was she experiencing this? The death of all those dragons was her master’s will! She did nothing wrong!

But then, what was that voice? Was that her master’s? She didn’t remember hearing anything during that encounter, nor the hesitant reactions she had made. That was her master, right? So then...so then... It was okay, right? She did her duty, right?

She gulped down the bile and did some heavy breathing to calm herself. She felt a deep loathing. She shouldn’t be thinking about those memories like that. Why should she when it was meant to be anyways? She was simply having a nightmare, nothing more.

Just a nightmare...

She opened her eyes slowly, turning her head to the center of the dimly lit chamber. Cyril stood ever still. His body was tense. Most likely from the episode I just had. He relaxed slightly at her attention, but he offered no words of comfort. He didn’t offer a glare either, he was just staring.

Typical. Once she regains her strength he will definitely be the first one to die. Speaking of which, she still didn’t feel any mana within her, not even a fraction. That was peculiar, wouldn’t her body naturally provide just a little bit? She supposed it didn’t matter, she wouldn’t have been able to do anything anyways. Not until a few days, at least, if her captors refused to give her anything.

She wondered how long she slept, there was no way to tell in her cell. With a mental sigh, she curled up once more. She didn’t really want to sleep and revisit another distorted memory. The thought of hearing that voice again disturbed her, even if it came from her master. The words were hollow, cold, and...filled with hatred.

Especially at the command to kill the boy.

She folded her wings onto herself at the conflicting thought. That was her master she was thinking of. He...he was just making her stronger, that’s all. She closed her eyes, that child’s face appearing once more, his orange eyes now dull and lifeless.

Stop it! Stop it! Get out of my head! Why am I getting worked up over a stupid whelping!? Every dragon should perish, that’s the correct thing to do!

...

Master? Please tell me. Killing that child was part of our grand plan?

...

But nobody heeded her plea.

~.*.~

Heavy clacks of talons sounded. She snapped her head to where Cyril still stood. He was peering down the exit at the approaching noise. She felt a little groggy, but her instincts immediately blotted out that inconvenience.

“...really shouldn’t be going down here, you need to rest.” She recognized the baritone voice of Terrador.

“I wish to know,” came, she believed Ignitus? He sounded especially frail.

Cyril’s head rose stiffly at hearing the voice. He stood as straight as he could, twisting around so he faced the exit.

“She’s different physically, but don’t be swayed by her appearance alone. We don’t know if Spyro’s wisdom holds true,” the baritone voice continued.

The two of them entered, the red scales of the fire guardian shimmered almost majestically from the orange glow of the only light source. His equally fiery eyes squinted at Cynder before widening in surprise. No doubt about her newfound form.

“Goodness, she’s...” he trailed.

Cyril cleared his throat that got his attention. “Hello, old friend, I presume you’re doing well?”

Ignitus nodded. “Yes.” He looked over his comrade with a curious glint. “Volteer brought plenty of stones for us to return safely. The dark army’s forces have all but vanished from Concurrent Skies it would seem.”

Cyril hummed, looking between Cynder and his friends with a neutral face.

Terrador approached him. “I’ll take it from here, Cyril.”

Cyril bowed. “Of course, I was wondering when you were going to switch with me. It’s awfully dreadful down here.” He gave one last glance at Cynder with a snort and went for the exit. Just before reaching, he stopped and turned his head to Ignitus. “I assume you know what you’re doing?” he asked with a deep frown.

Ignitus nodded, which was good enough for Cyril as he turned away and ascended up the lonely, dark path. He then placed his attention back on Cynder with a look of...curiosity? Longing? She couldn’t tell from the shadows of the orange glow.

“You understand if I wish to not leave you alone?” Terrador asked, sitting down and giving him a hard stare.

Ignitus nodded. “Yes, of course,” he replied, his voice getting even more frail.

Cynder wondered what this was about. There was something off putting about this particular guardian. She remembered his obedience from when she dragged him all the way to her lair. He was the only guardian to not retaliate back once they were captured. They had fought over the active volcano of Boyzitbig, but after that little scrap he was more than willing to be captured.

“Cynder,” he said with a low voice. “How are you feeling?”

Her thoughts tried to piece together why he was being approachable. It reminded her of Spyro from earlier with his foolish naivety. She wondered if Ignitus posed the same weakness. Only one way to find out.

“I’m fine,” she replied. “I’m just...not sure of what’s happening.” Not exactly a lie, but at the same time she knew she still had to play her part of being a frightened girl.

He nodded in apparent understanding. “You recall what we talked about back at your fortress?”

She hesitated, she did recall. The idiot was telling her how he felt terrible for seeing her the way she was. Of course she didn’t care, she didn’t even know him! All she saw was a means to power that crystal to free her master. Apparently he wanted to spill his emotions onto her right then and there. She thought it was him yapping about past regrets, like some of the other weaklings did when they faced her wrath.

Incredibly stupid. The worst part is she didn’t understand it or why he was even bringing it up again. To her it was only ramblings of a senile.

Ignitus rumbled something in his throat. “You may not understand, young one,” he echoed her frustration. “In time you will. Just be patient, we’ll go day by day with your recovery.”

She examined more of his features. He looked dead set in what he was saying with his eyes furrowed the way it was. She couldn’t believe her luck, a guardian with a sickening amount of honor, a guardian who she knows will bend to her game, and a guardian who was just as naive as that purple idiot? Ancestors, how did they ever govern dragons back then?

This is why they all deserved to be punished!

“The others don’t seem to be interested in helping me,” she said, looking away. “I don’t blame them, after all I did to them.”

Ignitus laid himself down, folding his fiery wings and placing his claws on top of one another. “And I don’t blame them for acting on their actions,” he said. “You did terrible, twisted deeds to not just them, but to all of us.” He tapped at the grime on the stone ground, another rumble came from his throat as he looked upon his own talons.

She grew slightly irritated at his words. She didn’t do anything wrong. She just did what she was told.

Do what she was told...

The mental image of the dead fire whelpling briefly flashed in her mind again, but she dismissed it as soon as it had appeared. “So why are you forgiving?” she asked, getting straight to her irritation. “Why pity when you should be ordering an execution?”

What the hell am I doing? He’s confiding to you that you’re not bad! Shut up, Cynder.

“Because I agree with Young Spyro,” he answered. “You were not yourself for a very long time.”

That was a load of dung and he knows it. She was about to talk back when she reminded herself once more to shut up! Why did she feel the need to correct him?

“May I ask you something?” Ignitus queried.

Cynder nodded.

“What does your name mean to you?”

That was an odd question. She didn’t know how to answer, not right away anyways. She thought of when she was first called that. It brought her back to some memories that made her internally flinch. Ever since she was a whelpling herself, she was always the subject of being bullied, harassed, and punished for anything and everything.

It did not cause her joy, she was miserable back then. She wanted to rebel at one point, but there was no way to lash out. Doing so would only promise her a swift punishment into the Well of Souls. She shivered just thinking about it. But regardless, the name ‘Cynder’ did not cross her mind back then. She was simply ‘the whelpling’ to everyone for a very long time.

Until their leader made her see the light, that is. Her mind was a little fuzzy on the details, but that’s when she first remembered being called by her name. She was taller and slender at that point. She was proud to be next to their leader, despite the chains that bound her to his throne.

But, hold on, did that mean anything? That was the question and she didn’t know! What did her name mean if she didn’t even have the name as a whelpling? Was it for honor? Pride even?

Finally, she shook her head in response. “I don’t know.”

“I see.” Ignitus turned his head to the earth guardian who had been listening intently to the conversation. “Do you not see, Terrador?”

See what, she wondered.

“Be as it may, I’m not going to heed your advice,” he said. “I’m sorry, friend. I’ll need more time to consider.”

Ignitus nodded, a slight sigh escaped his lips. “At least you and Volteer are willing.” He turned back. “As for you, have some patience, Young Cynder. This cell is only temporary, you have my word.”

An empty promise, she surmised. She also felt she needed to say he was an idiot for even suggesting that she would be free. “So what does your name mean to you?” she echoed his question, if only mockingly.

He smiled. “My name is who I am,” he answered softly.

...Really? That was it? She audibly scoffed, she couldn’t hide her distaste from the lackluster response. His smile only grew at her reaction. “Is that all?”

“As I said,” he started, “in time, you’ll understand.” He lowered his head down to his claws, stifling a slight yawn.

“Ignitus,” Terrador said with another hard stare. “I must insist that you reconsider where you wish to rest.”

“I have you to protect me, Terrador. If anything should happen, I trust you are more than capable of keeping me from harm’s way.”

Terrador shook his head with a heavy sigh. “Very well, friend.”

Cynder raised a brow at Ignitus, but he didn’t react to her confusion. Why would he want to sleep here in this dank chamber? His persistence intrigued her. At the same time, she was more irritated not comprehending his motives. Maybe he wanted to monitor her to see if she had changed her ways? That’s what she thought Cyril and Terrador were doing.

Well, whatever it was, it annoyed her. She turned and went to the furthest corner away from him as she could and curled herself facing away. She didn’t bother to look back to see whatever reaction she got. She was aware she was acting like a brat. This would’ve been a good opportunity to showcase exactly that, but not if it meant subjecting herself to appease his weird motives.

She closed her eyes with a snort. She ignored the two guardians, or tried to anyway. There weren’t any other sounds made besides the three of them, after all. She soon thereafter felt herself drift off. She didn’t welcome it, although her body disagreed. The last, fleeting memory was once again that terrified boy before she entered a dreamless slumber.

~.*.~

It had been at least a week.

Each day was a repeat of the last ever since Cynder found herself in this prison. She woke up to the watchful eye of either Cyril or Terrador who didn’t speak a word to her, was fed pitiful scraps that barely filled her, and got frustrated at the lack of strength she had. She didn’t understand why she couldn’t feel any of her powers, she should be sensing at least something by now.

It didn’t help that she also wasn’t sleeping very well. That stupid face of that whelpling kept popping in her vision. The moments where she could sleep were either dreamless or filled with memories of her being a pathetic whelpling herself. She hated those times, Ignitus’ question had opened a wound she didn’t realize she carried.

All the pain she went through. All the bullying from those apes. Even the leader had given her death glares at her abysmal performance.

Regardless, she still wouldn’t have done anything. This wasn’t the correct time to act anyways. She instead took these later moments to finally explore around her cell, but only when it was Terrador who was watching. She didn’t trust Cyril to keep quiet about her own investigations. She had discovered that the metal bars around her were similar to the weapons and constructs the dark army used. She wondered if those feeble rats at Munitions Forge had once done something with the dragon temple.

She didn’t think so, the metals they made didn’t have a shimmer like these bars did. She theorized that perhaps her cell was the reason she didn’t feel any mana. She had touched one just out of curiosity. She didn’t feel anything happen. Terrador didn’t stop her either, which didn’t tell her much, admittedly.

Today though, something different happened. She heard multiple clacks signifying there had to be a group coming down. Terrador was still on watch, he snapped to attention at the entrance where she saw Ignitus come, then Cyril, Volteer next, and finally Spyro with his annoying mosquito companion.

Terrador didn’t say a word as he watched his friends line up in front of her cell. Spyro had sat next to Ignitus who was in the middle of the group. Cyril on his left and Volteer on his right. Sparx had flown away next to Terrador who remained where he stood.

Cynder wondered what this was about. Volteer was giving her an intrigued examination with his eyes that traced her features. Cyril gave a neutral expression, but she could tell he was refraining from leering with his nostrils flaring. Ignitus also gave a neutral gaze, though his was less hostile and more filled with curiosity. Spyro sat silently, giving her that pitiful look that made her want to roll her eyes.

The fire guardian took a deep breath. “It has been decided what we should do with you, Young Cynder,” Ignitus said calmly. “There has been much debate over the course of these past days concerning this.”

Cyril cleared his throat, his frills lowering. “Your crimes are heinous and wicked. You’ve murdered many and effectively changed society to what it is today. No longer is dragonkind what it used to be and it will forever be tarnished for the next several generations. We can never forgive you for all the blood you spilt in your reign of terror.”

Cynder shivered, a feeling of genuine shame washing over her. No, she shouldn’t be feeling that. She did what was asked. It was her master’s will!

Volteer nodded at Cyril after he finished. “However, we can see you are not the same dragon who has committed these atrocities against dragonkind. It is then determined by I, and my colleagues, that you shall be granted selective freedom under supervision of our blessings.”

He said it so fast that Cynder almost didn’t catch what he just revealed.

So Ignitus kept his word it would seem.

The edges of Ignitus’ maw curved into a small smile. “And so it has been settled. Young Cynder, I, and the other guardians, give you leave under the condition you will stay by one of us at all times.”

She nodded slowly. She was excited to see sunlight again, but she felt she didn’t deserve it.

...What the hell am I thinking? Snap out of it!

“Yeah, uh, can I still say this is incredibly stupid?” came Sparx. “Look, I get it, she’s tiny, but she’s also evil! I mean just look at her!” He pointed to her. “Black scales, horns jutting out everywhere, a blade on her tail? Come on, I’m not the only one seeing this, right?”

Terrador shook his head at the dragonfly with a stern look. “Sparx, be still my friend.”

Spyro twisted his body to him as well. “She could’ve escaped by now,” he said, which caused her to raise a brow. “She chose to stay, what does that tell you?”

“I assure you she wouldn’t have been able to,” Terrador answered. “These cages are more than what they seem.”

So she was right, these bars were definitely doing something.

Sparx looked at Terrador with a dumbfounded look. “Then why are y’all agreeing to setting her free where she can do her freaky-evil-magic-stuff?”

“Because she has not attempted to use her powers,” he said, which made Cynder raise her brow again.

Then...what’s happening to my mana reserves if it’s not being drained? She thought of Spyro’s predicament back in the open field where the mana crystal refused to leave. Was she experiencing the same thing?

Ignitus cleared his throat. “I appreciate your concern, Young Sparx, but I assure you this was a decision that has taken account of all scenarios.”

“Though if I may,” Cyril said coldly, “I stand by my personal stance that she should be kept under lock and key where there is no possible way for her to escape.”

“Yes, yes, Cyril, you’ve already voiced your displeasure to me, personally, multiple times.” Ignitus turned to him with a heavy stare that caused him to shut his maw, but not his glare. “I take full responsibility for all her actions here on out.”

Cyril stood motionless for a few moments before he bowed and turned. He walked away from the group, ascending back to the surface without a second glance.

Volteer shook his head. “Don’t worry, Ignitus. He’ll come along eventually.”

Ignitus hummed before he turned to Terrador. Silently, the earth guardian nodded and walked over to his friends. Spyro and the others silently backed away as he stood right by the switch. He gave Cynder a hard gaze before he grabbed a hold and pulled at it with a heavy grunt.

The bars lifted, and the very first thought she had was to stay in her cell. She mentally shook her head, casting away that pathetic thought, and walked slowly and hesitantly out of the cell. She felt weird at that moment. A piece of her wanted to make a run for it, but another was cautious and...scared? What could she possibly be afraid of?

Spyro kept his distance from her. He was smiling, she mentally rolled her eyes. “I hope we can start from the beginning,” he said.

Cynder thought how to respond. If the bars were indeed doing something with her mana reserves, then she’ll still need to wait and see before she decides to do anything. She needed to get back out there, go back to Gaul. He needed to know about the Dark Master, tell her about the guardians, about Spyro.

She still wasn’t sure if her master was even freed.

She had to pretend to want to be his friend, if only for a little while. “Even after I tried to kill you?” she asked.

He nodded. Sparx in the background made a face. “I think you can be a better dragon.”

She saw Volteer nod as well as Ignitus. Terrador lowered his head and closed his eyes.

So naive, it’s disgusting.

But, deep down, she may actually believe his words. Somehow, a part of her actually agreed to his statement.

How? She was already a good dragon. She followed her orders to the letter! She did nothing wrong! Nothing!

“Aha, see, what did I say?” Sparx suddenly screeched with an accusatory pointed finger.

She realized she had scowled, oh foolish!

“Settle down, Young Sparx,” Ignitus said. “She’s only confused, as she should be.”

She stared at him in bewilderment. Did Ignitus know something? He only offered a sympathetic smile, his eyes conveying warmness. “Let us get some fresh air,” he suggested.

“Oh yes, I daresay I am awfully parched after that last meeting!” Volteer piqued excitedly. “I would be lying if I declared I wasn’t worried about the immediate ramifications of Cynder’s release. But I do say, things ended without a hitch!”

He walked to the exit, going over the kinds of beverages he should partake in. When his voice began to fade, Terrador gave a nod to them all, including her, and made his way to the exit as well.

When the voice and sounds of claws were completely faded, Ignitus gave Cynder and Spyro a warm smile before his gaze fell with a sigh. He composed himself, giving them both heavy stares. “From this day forth, you two will be training under the instructions of the guardians.”

Wait, what? She was going to be trained? Trained for what? She was already battle hardened! She looked at Spyro who didn’t appear surprised at the news.

“Seriously?” Sparx said with a fist on his waist. “You’re really going to go through with that?”

Ignitus ignored him. “Cynder, are you willing to share your knowledge of the battlefield with Young Spyro?”

Oh.

She examined Spyro who looked away with a bashful grin. He had bested her in combat, yes, but he only won due to that strange power of his. If it had been a one on one scenario with no elementals, she would’ve easily won with a claw tied behind her wing. She understood why she was being asked, but she had half a mind to decline. He was still the enemy, not a friend.

Reluctantly, she complied with a nod. Saying ‘no’ would not be ideal for her ultimate goal.

Ignitus, ignoring Sparx ranting about how this was not a good idea, nodded back with another smile. “So it is decided.” He motioned the three of them towards the exit. “While I would like to start as soon as today, I can understand if you wish to rest completely before then.”

She nodded again, having nothing else to add. He seemed content as he turned and went to the exit. Spyro and Sparx followed along with her taking the rear. Up they went towards the light at the end of the oppressive tunnel.

And thus...a new chapter begins.

Chapter Text

/+\

~ Enlightenment ~

\+/

~.*.~

Spyro cried out when Cynder sent him rolling and skidding along the stone cold ring in a grand, circular room decorated with banners that, she assumed, represented different elements. She had whacked him with her tail with ease by simply twisting her body when he attempted to tackle her head on for what felt like the hundredth time. She had mentally groaned at his lack of combat discipline. Surely anyone would be smart enough to attempt different approach options?

He got up with a grunt, panting and rubbing one of his forelegs before he positioned himself again for another attack. Cynder bent her knees in preparation. Her wings were wide, her tail poised to strike, her bright emerald eyes leered at the deep purple of Spyro’s fatigued ones. He was clearly struggling, but that was to be expected. The both of them had been at one another for hours. Or rather, it was he who had been attempting to land a single blow on her.

What a pathetic little whelpling.

A few days had passed and she wasted no time adjusting to her new surroundings after being freed from that cell. True to Ignitus’ words, she was allowed to wander the temple as long as one of the guardians accompanied her. Although he should’ve just said it was he who was going to do that, the others have not taken the mantle of babysitting her yet. Not that she minded, Ignitus seemed oblivious to her own motives. She had toured much of the temple in just these last few days. She wanted to know everything about it so she could relay her knowledge back to the dark army once she had the chance to either escape or somehow contact them.

Escape...

It’s a thought that should’ve been in the forefront of her mind beyond gathering knowledge. However, she felt like she was supposed to stay here. The image of that dead child haunted her whenever she contemplated, like an itch that wouldn’t disappear. Not only that, but she discovered a horrible revelation soon after being released.

Her powers had disappeared, all of it!

She was never offered a mana crystal still, but there was no mistake. She had been well fed and given plenty of nutrients, yet she felt nothing in her mana reserves. It was unthinkable, to think she had suffered the same ailment as her enemy. Indeed, the purple dragon of legend was without any sort of power as well. She figured whatever he did to make her small was the reason for this travesty. She had wanted to speak to him at once, but she couldn’t risk revealing this secret. That was a weakness she didn’t need to reveal to her enemies.

Nor to anyone in the dark army...

But that’s why Ignitus had insisted on these mock battles, after all: To help Spyro recover a little bit of his power. He was currently sitting by the gate that led outside monitoring the two. “I believe that is enough for now,” he softly declared with a slight nod.

Cynder relaxed and stood straight. Spyro flopped to the ground with a sigh of relief. “Ancestors, how can you keep defending like that for so long?” he asked.

She didn’t answer. Instead she turned to Ignitus with an annoyed gaze. “This is a waste of time, he’s not learning anything,” she boldly stated without a care. Not even when Spyro glanced away with a frown at her remark. “Must we really do this every day?”

Ignitus raised an amused brow at her. “As long as I deem it necessary.” He turned his head to Spyro with a sympathetic grin. “How do you feel, Young Spyro?”

He eyed him back before looking away once more. “Still nothing,” he said with another sigh. “I’m trying, Ignitus, I really am.”

“I’m aware,” he tapped a talon on the ground in ponderance. “Your abilities will come back to you in due time.”

Spyro nodded, Cynder wasn’t so sure but she had to assume if anyone could figure it out it would have to be Spyro. “I hope so,” he finally said after a moment of silence.

“You’re free to go,” he said with a motion of his head. “As always, don’t stray too far from the temple.”

Spyro nodded, gave one last look to Cynder with a slight smile before he walked over to Ignitus. He stepped aside to let him through, but not before he gave him a red gem that he graciously took. Then Spyro was through the gate and to the skies. She huffed, the thought of true freedom crossed her mind. She could be flying away right now from this place, back to where she belongs. It would be an easy task to out maneuver the guardians through the dense mushrooms.

And just like clockwork, the thought of that kid crossed her mind and what it meant. She must’ve told herself at least a thousand or so times that she did nothing wrong. She shouldn’t feel ashamed or whatever for doing what she had been doing!

“And how about you, Young Cynder?” Ignitus asked, a small smile spreading on his maw.

As if he needed to ask. He knows what the answer is, why does he keep asking that same question over and over? She looked away with a pout.

“Something troubling you?” He walked briskly over to her, his clawsteps reverbing around the empty chamber as he stepped into the empty ring.

“It’s nothing,” she finally said. She felt her tail twitch in agitation, betraying her words.

“If it’s about the other day with Cyril, I understand.”

Her claws scraped into the ground. She didn’t know why, but thinking about that ice guardian lately had given her conflicting emotions. She felt angry at him for his icy remarks, but also felt incredibly guilty as she recalled moments where she knew she had bested him in the worst way possible.

"That's not it…"

He stared at her for a moment, giving her a bit of a chill. “Young Cynder, if you could please attack me?”

She practically sputtered at the request. What in Ancestors!? She was so taken back that she couldn’t help but retort back with a very surprised “What?”

He then straightened himself, outstretched to a battle stance where he appeared to tower over her. His orange eyes slitted as they glared directly at her. Not in hatred, but in preparation for her to do as he commanded. “Indulge me, if you will,” he said in a bit of a growl. His wings were next to be at attention as they stretched out to cover his sides.

She didn’t move, still flabbergasted at what she was being told to do. Her mind reeled through scenarios on the why and none of them made any sense.

Was this a trick?

Was this a test?

Was this a hallucination?

Was this a dream?

. . . P-a-t-h-e-t-i-c . . .

She gasped to herself and shook her head at that final thought. Her entire body began to tremble. No... Not a thought, a voice!

She shook her head in horror as she clambered back from Ignitus, no longer seeing him. Instead she was somewhere dark, the rumbling of an active volcano sounded miles away. The smell of sulfur and death trickled in her snout.

She blinked, the image didn’t go away. She glanced around...and there was just...nothing. No life, no sky, no...anything. Just a whole lot of dry rocks, ashes, and that intoxicating scent.

“What’s...happening...?”

Even her voice didn’t sound anything like her. It was as if her voice was placed inside a deep abyss riddled with fire. Then scratched and haphazardly reconstructed to lamely sound like her.

But she had no time to process the weirdness of it. Not when she caught sight of a dark figure. It appeared quite suddenly in the place where Ignitus stood. Same pose and everything...except it wasn’t Ignitus. No, she saw something far more sinister and it made her scales crawl.

A purple dragon, with razor-like horns and scales jutting out most of their figure. It was looking directly at her. The red eyes slitted, staring angrily with such detest and disgust that it made Cyril’s icy gaze look friendly.

“Y - O - U !”

She recoiled, her very being feeling like it was struck with a shockwave of even more fear. The booming voice came out of nowhere, the figure didn’t even so much as open their rigid maw. It was just as distorted and broken up like hers was moments ago.

“H-O-W D-A-R-E Y-O-U !”

Then with an unearthly snarl, the figure lunged for her with such intense speed, all she could do was flinch and brace herself. “Master, NO, PLEASE!”

...

Nothing...?

She peeked and saw she was right back in the training hall, although Ignitus was now simply sitting on his haunches, watching her carefully with a stoic expression.

...She blinked...and she was still there. She relaxed a bit, but not before growling out and snarling at the fire guardian. “What was that cheap trick, huh?”

Ignitus hummed and tapped at the stone floor with a talon as he glanced away and appeared to be pondering. This of course didn’t satisfy her at all which she slowly stepped forward with another snarl.

“Answer me!”

“Calm yourself, if you please,” he said softly, still glancing away. “Do you know where we stand, Young Cynder?”

She stopped in place and looked around the training hall. The decorative banners and elemental symbols adoring the perimeter were still just as dull and lifeless as before. She huffed, not understanding this obvious trick question since he more than likely will say something else besides ‘training hall.’ She looked back at him, not even honoring an answer.

“This is the very place where the Dark Master made their stance to the realms. Upon this very spot.” He gave her a serious gaze then, studying her. “It is also the very spot in which we casted them to the realm of Convexity.”

Cynder stood still, her eyes widening at this newfound knowledge. Her master was trapped here? Wait...her master...the ring!? She looked below Ignitus, assuming very suddenly that her master was going to spring up from the depths of wherever she was just at.

She couldn’t help but back away once more. Fear struck her heart which confused her even further.

“It is as I gathered,” Ignitus continued on, not at all perplexed by her sudden reactions. “The connection is still there, but you have regained your independence.”

The whelping popped back in her mind, as did a slew of other faces she had killed. The voices...her sudden desires to fulfill...the satisfaction of following his clear instructions.

“No.” she said softly, her voice sounding more like a scared little whelpling herself than the confident person that she knew she was. She shook her head, continuing to back away from Ignitus who was still gazing intensely at her. She stomped on the stone, inhaling a deep breath as she attempted to calm herself. Remember Cynder, that’s the tale Spyro is going for.

How very foolish of her to show fear or uncertainty about this!

...But still, Ignitus deliberately did something to trigger...whatever that was. Perhaps there was truth there?

Nonono, of course not, that’s...that’s just-

“I can see you are uncertain,” he said with a softer voice, relaxing his gaze. “I do not know what you experienced, but I did fear if you did actually fight Young Spyro something like that would happen.”

She just stared back at him, emotionless and deadpan.

He only smiled, getting up from his haunches and walking over to the exit. “Come, Volteer should be back with the fish he promised.”

~.*.~

Her thoughts were in shambles, all throughout dinner she couldn’t stop replaying over and over what she had seen in that chamber. As per usual, she had to eat with the company of Ignitus. Although this time Terrador had joined them where they were clearly having a rather heavy discussion. All in whispers, much to her annoyance.

They were clearly talking about her too if their constant gazes weren’t a clue, no doubt Ignitus relaying what he witnessed. She was curious, but not curious enough to care what his viewpoint may be.

Besides that, also as per usual, Spyro was next to her happily devouring the fish. Every time she had been given any kind of meal it seemed like he was there to try to talk. She never did, only responding to his stupid attempts with feigned interest doing ‘mhm’s’ and ‘uhuh’s.’

Tonight he didn’t bother, possibly finally catching the hint. However, she felt...disconnected? She couldn’t quite understand why of all times she kind of wanted the idiot to say something, anything really. She didn’t want to keep replaying that frightening moment over and over. But no, nothing!

What a time to be a gentleman!

...Gentleman? Why in Ancestor’s...

She must’ve done something odd right then and there because Spyro immediately looked at her with a mouthful of fish with a puzzling expression. She shook her head and mentally snarled to herself for doing...whatever she just did. Was she spacing out now too!?

What’s wrong with me suddenly?

“Everything okay?” Spyro asked, still with a mouthful of fish, ugh.

“I’m fine,” she lied, looking back at the empty spot in front of her.

Spyro, unfortunately, didn’t seem to believe that and pressed further. “It’s about what happened to Cyril, right?”

Again with this idiotic tangent. She was starting to believe Ignitus and Spyro were one and the same with the amount of empathy they appear to give to her. Still, that was another vivid topic she had not-so-pleasant thoughts about. Not her current trouble though and she snarled at Spyro for it, much to his surprise.

“Oh, sorry, forgot, you don’t wanna talk during meals.” He quickly gazed back at his almost completed dish with a slight frown.

The two guardians didn’t appear to catch the momentary conflict, still in deep discussion with barely touched fish of their own. She eyed them for a moment before twisting her head to Spryo, instantly getting his attention back. She looked behind them to see a balcony overlooking the mushroom forest in the dusk-filled sky.

Either he was smarter than he looked or guessed right, because he seemed to understand what she wanted and silently strutted over to it and beyond a corner. She followed suit, making sure the guardian’s were still very much concentrating on eachother. Still, she made sure she was still clearly visible, sitting on her haunches at the center of the balcony.

Spyro stared expectantly, but she could see he was eager to talk by his own, excited stance. She glared at him for a moment, giving him a look over before she sighed and shook her head.

How should she word this? Oh, y’know, just feeling weird and seeing things and being afraid of the only person who cared about me, no big deal!

Spyro began to frown again, opting to look out over the mushroom forest with a sudden distant expression. Did she do something again?

Well...she finally had an opening.

“See anything, Spyro?” she asked dryly, not expecting any meaningful response.

“No,” he began, shaking his head. “but I’ve got a bad feeling.” He turned back to her with deep concern.

That...was not what she expected. In fact, she felt a strange connection to that statement and couldn’t help but nod with a, “Me too.”

Then they both just gazed out at the forest below, the faint sounds of night life surfacing as the sun kept getting lower and lower. The sky had quickly become a hue of purple, the stars popping out in shimmers. If the pit in her stomach wasn’t making her feel nauseous, she may have actually enjoyed the view.

What now...

“Do you think the Dark Master has a way to escape?” He asked suddenly, still staring off. “I don’t feel like I’ve stopped whatever was going on.”

She hummed, she certainly would hope her master would come, but...these...weird feelings and that...incident...

“I know you were harnessing the powers from the guardians and putting it in those crystals like a battery, but,” he turned to her. “I saw you put that in some kind of well after opening the portal so, I’m just confused.”

Now that he mentioned it, that was true. All she did was summon her mana reserves to open the portal to Convexity. She merely assumed her master would’ve followed them out using the same kind of technique. That’s why she was certain something had happened between her losing consciousness and waking up in that field in this crippled state.

Either he was lying, which she very much doubted, or he had just confessed that he did nothing to stop the ceremony. This troubled her, the thought of her master being stuck in that realm after escaping their prison seemed off putting. Why did her master not come to this realm and start what was promised? Was her master suffering the same mysterious ailment like her and Spyro?

“I...” NO, what are you doing, Cynder? Don’t you dare entertain this thought. But really, she couldn’t hold it back, something was very off. “I completed the ceremony necessary to bring my master back...”

Her eyes trailed to the stone ground, deciphering quickly what to say so she would not say too much. Too bad she really couldn’t and had also just admitted what she had done by the very little she said. She gazed back at Spyro who was eager to hear more.

Well, no use hiding it now then, she supposed.

“After you...defeated me,” she growled at her words. “I assumed you had stopped it. However if you’re implying you did nothing with that well, then all I can say is you’re a fool.”

He opened his maw to speak but closed as his eyes trailed at the stone too. After a few moments he took in a breath and nodded in understanding. “Just before we left through the portal, I thought I heard something call out to me from there.”

Curious... Not that he needed to know.

“All I did was pull you away, that platform looked like it was about to explode before we got out of there.” He tapped his claw at the ground in ponderance, brow furrowed in deep thought.

It appeared he had come to the same conclusion as her. She didn’t need him to clarify any further than that. “You think the rest are aware of it?”

“Maybe, Terrador has been asking Volteer if he has any scrolls about different realms. I thought it was odd, but maybe the Dark Master is-”

“Stuck?” she finished for him, her tail twitched at Spyro for stating the painfully obvious. “Yes, that would appear so.”

“But why?”

She was wondering more about what he heard, but yes, why indeed?

The connection is still there, but you have regained your independence. Ignitus’ words earlier echoed around as she found even more meaning. It can’t be a huge coincidence, right? Her not having any mana reserves, these newfound feelings she never considered, the guilt, the sudden visions, Spyro hearing something.

Was she the answer? Oh . . .

Suddenly she didn’t feel like talking. She gave Spyro a very uncharacteristic fearful look. No longer was she attempting to be strong, she was EXTREMELY shaken to the core.

“Cynder?”

She was...this entire time. She was...oh what a complete and utter fool she felt!

“Cynder, what’s wrong?”

Badum-badum-badum-badum

She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. Calming herself, very slowly. She exhaled out, feeling her own racing heart slow down. Then she opened her eyes back, her fearful gaze returning back to their usual stoic self. Perhaps she should be thanking Spyro, unaware of what he had exactly done.

“Sorry, just thinking about my master breaking free made me tense a little,” she half lied. “Spyro, I think we’re in danger.”

He nodded with apparent understanding. “Yeah, there’s gotta be some reason why the Dark Master is waiting.” He got up and walked back over the opening. It was at that point Cynder had realized Terrador had gone off and it was just Ignitus. Not staring at them, but rather finishing off his meal. “I’m going to talk to Ignitus once you go to your room.”

Cynder nodded, eyeing Ignitus who had apparently allowed this private conversation to happen. “They most likely already know.”

“Well I don’t, and I think it’s important.” He was also eyeing Ignitus with a curious brow raised.

And if on cue, the red guardian looked up after a final bite and nodded to the two with the softest of eyes and a grin. He knew things, she believed now. Just how much he was aware of her own predicament was another story.