FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Author's notes:

Here I am!

First thing first... I changed the name from 'Spyro: Origins' to 'The Legend of Spryo: Origins'. This came to me when I learned about Spyro Skylanders. I thought that I needed to make it The Legend of Spyro, so as to place it more accurately where it belongs.

Second things second (XD)... Once again, this was my longest chapter yet. So... I had to split in two. And OH MY... even separated, they are longer than any individual chapter (both of them) (33-34 pages).

Anyway, I'm sure many of you are too curious as to the hidden city. So... I won't keep you for long waiting.

Disclaimer stuff and copyright and all that stuff about propery...........

I would like to have some drawing of my story. That is why i would like to exchange short stories for some pictures and dawrings. If you are interested, send a PM to me.

Enjoy.

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The Legend of Spyro: Origins_Chapter 25

"This is... is..." Cynder managed to gasp.

"This is impossible" Shockwave whispered to himself.

"How...?" Spyro couldn't even finish the question at the mere sight in front of him.

Gale gave a small smile at his companions at the different reactions they had.

Spyro couldn't even begin to comprehend what he was seeing. They stood on a ledge jutting out from the tunnel they had been traveling mere moments ago. In front and below of them, extended a huge valley. Unlike other valleys Spyro had seen in this mountain which were white covered with snow, he saw a green valley that was teeming with life.

Huge mountains rose vertically on all sides of the valley as sentinels, protecting it from the outside world. The high peaks of these mountains were covered in perpetual snow of course, but below, life flourished.

A small river ran though the middle of the valley, giving the much needed water for life to grow. Huge trees sprang from the valley floor and a lot of bushes covered the riverbed. Tiny forms in the distance could be seen; some kinds of animals were roaming in some sort of plain down below and were being shepherd by dragons.

But that was not what surprised him the most.

Amidst all this beautiful sight, there were structures that seemed to be able to house people. A city! But unlike Warfang, which buildings were constructed on flat ground, this city had them jutting out from mountain side. And not just normal, simple wooden building; they were made out of stone like Warfang!

Tall towers and large building could be seen from this distance and living apartments were abundant too, giving indication that many lived in here. He could even see a small plaza were a market of sorts was being held. Fountains, gardens, streets, statues, everything was there!

But at the highest part of the city stood the most important structure in the city. I was immense! Huge! It was a temple of some sort. The building itself was carved out of the mountain itself! Spyro guessed it was a temple of some sort, or a hall, or a library or anything else important.

This was a grand city indeed. It looked somewhat old since some buildings looked worn out, specially the temple looking building, but it looked like most of the city was well kept. It was smaller than Warfang, but it still held some structures that could even rival to those proud buildings in Warfang in their majestic and splendor. This city had still a lot to offer.

The group stood there, shocked by the wondrous revelation that they had just seen. But, only two questions were in Spyro's mind.

'How can these people live in here? And how long do they have been?' he thought.

"I see you liked it" Gale chuckled.

"It's... amazing!" Cynder said, trying to get past the word thought her mind and throat.

"Never been to Aerie before?" he asked with a small knowing smile.

The group shocked their heads in unison.

"That happens. Most of the people from the other valleys who come here for the first time react in similar ways to you" Gale explained.

"You mean others have come here?" Shockwave asked.

"Of course!" Gale answered with a laugh. "Some people from other valleys come here to trade or come to live here. It becomes rather crowded at times, but there are plenty of other nice valleys that one could live in without the tumultuous crowd"

The group only nodded slightly, still shocked by this new revelation to say much of anything.

"Come on, I'll take you to my place" he offered. "It is nearly lunch time and mom would surely not bother making a hot meal for three guests"

"Four!" Sparx shouted from Shockwaves satchel.

"Right. Four!" Gale answered with a smile. "Now, follow me. It's not far"

The other watched as he walked to the edge of the ledge they had been standing. Gale took his goggles and placed them over his eyes and placed himself ready to fly.

"I like this part" he murmured to them with amusement.

But before Spyro said anything, Gale just leaned over the edge. He gave a joyous whoop as he fell forward and disappeared over the edge.

Spyro, having experienced a very traumatic event a day ago from someone falling, rushed to the edge to try and save his new found friend. But as he looked over, he saw that Gale was laughing out loud in delight as he started his free fall decent.

Gale's wings were tucked tightly to his body, reducing the air resistance to a minimum. His snout was pointed downward, making a clear intention that he was diving. However, Spyro saw that he was going too fast and he and not a lot of space to maneuver before he crashed into the ground.

"GALE!!! " Spyro shouted. "PULL UP!"

But Gale did not hear him. He kept laughing in delight at the adrenaline rush of freefall. Just when Spyro could have sworn that he would not pull out of his dive, Gale extended his wings to the fullest and pulled up in a sharp angle.

Spyro gave a sigh of as he saw Gale started climbing up with the speed collected from the dive. Spyro could even hear him laughing from the distance. That was when Spyro noticed how truly large were his wings. It was a full half bigger than his in proportion to the body, thus, it allowed him to be much more maneuverable in the air. Had Spyro been in Gale's place in the dive, he would have crashed on the ground.

"Come on!" Gale shouted, inciting them. "This way!"

Spyro took a deep breath to calm his racing heart before he took flight and followed the white dragon.

The group flew over the valley, looking at the ground below still not quite believing what was in front of them. They saw some dragons flying in the distance, but they were far enough not to be able to make conversation.

Spyro looked at how some dragons below were keeping a vigil on a sheep heard. And it was quite a herd! It appeared that this valley could offer everything a dragon needed to live... or rather, many dragons by the look of it. By now, he had counted at least a dozen dragons... and that was only the initial contact.

As they started to arrive at the city, he saw that number increase. There must be dozens... no, hundreds of them walking in the streets of the city. Some of them took quick flight to get to another part of the city. As they flew overhead, Spyro saw how some of them turned up and looked at them. After a few moments later, their eyes opened wide in surprise.

Spyro felt immense relief to see that the number of dragons here were abundant.

_'The Guardians will surely love to hear of a dragon population of this many'_he thought with delight. He imagined their shocked faces when he told them the news.

Spyro looked down below at all the white dragons with a smile on his face, but their flight over the city was short.

Shortly after they had entered the city, Gale started to descend. He landed in a somewhat deserted street, but people still moved in it. Once the group landed, several nearby dragons turned to look at them. Like all the dragons before, their eyes shot open wide at the sight of Spyro and friends. Some of them even left the area completely.

This kind of actions by the inhabitants left Spyro with a sense that something was wrong... out of place. He could also not shake the feeling that he had missed something important.

Before he could muse on these things, Gale called for him to keep up.

"Come on, this way" he prompted them as he removed his goggles form his eyes and place dthem in his forehead.

The white dragon led them to a two story house. It was not too big, but it wasn't small either. I looked to be fairly simple yet elegant at the same time: some windows with curtains or some flowers to decorate, a simple wooden door to give privacy to the inhabitants and a sort of family emblem above the door way. Some figures were carved on the stone, giving it a more pleasant look. All in all, a nice home; very much like those Spyro had seen in Warfang. However, it was unmistakably a dragon home.

Gale opened the door without knocking and entered.

"Mom?! Mom, I'm home!" he shouted. He then turned at the group. "Come on! Come in!"

The groups slowly entered the dragon house, looking at their surroundings.

"Gale?" a voice, definitely female, came from another part f the house. "How wonderful you are back" Spyro saw that a white female dragon, obviously Gale's mother, came out from a doorway. "Where were you?" she asked with a motherly voice as she came into full view.

However, upon seeing the group, she stopped death in her tracks. Spyro saw how her wide opened wide in surprise at them. Once again, Spyro had an uneasy feeling that he had missed something important that must answer for all these reaction he got.

"These are my friend mom" Gale said cheerfully, explaining to her mother.

Spyro saw that Gale's mother was, like his son, of white scales. She had a faint grey underbelly with two horns at the top of her head and two more at the sides of the same color. She wore a necklace that held a sapphire, which matched her eyes... the very same eyes that bore into them.

"Mom?" Gale asked, worried at her reaction.

She blinked when Gale called her and seemed to wake up from a sort of trance.

"Gale?" she seemed surprised, almost as if she had just discovered that her son was there.

"Mom, can I invite my friends to eat?" he asked hopefully.

"Uh...?" she looked back at the guests with a look that told them she knew not what to do. One that held suspicion and a tingle of... fear?

An uncomfortable silence fell. No one said anything as Gale's mother took her time to assimilate the unexpected surprise of the arrival of Spyro and group.

A loud growl was heard, which broke the sort of spell that had formed over them. Everyone looked around in surprise to see who had growled, but they found none. The growl sounded again and Spyro noticed that it had come from his stomach. He looked back at the white female as his cheeks stretdd to redden from embarrassment.

"Sorry" he gave a murmured apology.

However, Shockwave's and Cynder's stomach decided to complain the lack of food at that moment too. They also looked embarrassed. The good thing out of it, however, was that the mood had improved considerably. Gale even threw a good short laugh.

"They haven't eaten for quite a while... or so they told me" he explained.

The mother looked at them with wide eyes once again, but this time, it was more curiosity than suspicion or fear.

"Mom? Can they stay for lunch?" gale asked once again hopefully.

"Uhm... well, yes... they can stay" she said, still somewhat unsure.

"Awesome!" Gale answered in delight. "Is food ready yet?"

"Uhm... yes, yes. It is" the mother answered. "Uhm... why don't you pass to the dining table?" she offered.

She led them to another room with a low table and some cushions in place to sit. It was undoubtedly an eating table for a family of dragons.

"Mom, is dad coming to eat?" he asked.

"Sorry dear; his duties prevent him again from coming home for lunch" his mother answered as she entered another room, presumably the kitchen.

Gale gave a sad sigh at this. Spyro guesses that Gale's father did not come home often. But his mood lifted as fast as the old one came when the other entered the dining area with a big plate of food.

"Mutton! My favorite!" Gale exclaimed happily as he saw the food.

The three travelers also looked at the food, but with a very different thing in their minds. Three separates jaws fell open as they saw and smelled the delicious cooked to perfection mutton. Their mouths were watering from the smell alone and their stomach rumbling resumed in earnest as they saw the juicy and steaming hot piece of meat. The mother placed the plate on the table and gave a faint smile as she saw the hungry expressions of the guests.

"That's all good for the big guys, but what of me?" Sparx inquired as he finally decided to exit from Shockwaves satchel. "I require more than just simple meat to sustain me"

The mother let out a huge yelp in surprise as she jumped backward when Sparx came out.

"What in the name of Aereo is that?" she exclaimed in surprise.

Gale took a small look at the dragonfly and gave a small smile.

"He is also a friend" he explained in a somewhat proud voice, "His name is...well, I do not know exactly what his name is... or what he is for that matter" he finished while he scratched his head in confusion.

"After all that close looking and invasion of my personal space by a large margin you not know what am I?" Sparx accused. "Of course, you were too much interested in my beautiful self to properly pay attention to my brother that was introducing me at the time"

"He is Sparx" Spyro introduced him. "He is a dragonfly"

"A dragonfly?" Gale and her mother asked at the same time.

"Surprise!" Sparx said in a sarcastic voice. "So, what about giving ME some food for a change?"

"Uh..." Gale's mother stammered. "what... what do you eat?" she asked.

"Butterflies and some other insects. Also some fruits" Spyro explained.

"Well, we have some fruits in the kitchen" Gale's mother explained.

"Say no more!" Sparx cut her off. "You just stay here and enjoy this lovely reunion while I go and have some of those tasty fruit I talked about. Do not worry about leaving me some piece of the meat, I am sure I will manage quite well over here" Sparx called out to them as he flew into the kitchen.

All eyes followed Sparx as he diapered around the corner. Spyro shook his head slightly.

"You have to forgive him" he apologized. "He is quite rude sometimes and sarcastic"

"Sometimes?" Cynder asked accusingly.

"Well, most of the time" Spyro corrected rapidly, "But that is just him. I apologize for his behavior, but I am sure he will not cause any trouble with such gracious hosts. He is quite fun to have around as a companion"

The mother still stared at where Sparx had disappeared, still confused at the whole situation that had dropped on her.

"So, how about if we eat?" Gale suggested.

As if to agree with his statement, three different stomachs rumbled their need for food. The three hungry dragons looked at each other, somewhat unsure if they should just jump on the food and start devouring it like they wished.

"Help yourselves!" Gale's mother encouraged them.

That was all they needed.

Hunger mad them literally jump on the plate that held the mutton in an attempt to get a piece out of it. The action was so fast an unexpected that Gale and his mother reared their heads back in surprise at the rashness of the action.

Spyro, once he held a large piece of meat in his paws, started to bite and tear the meat directly out of the bone. He did not cared how uncivilized or feral he looked, his only concern more the moment was that he wanted food... and he wanted it now.

The large chunks the three hungry dragons had picked disappeared down their gullets in record time. Instead of chewing the delicious savoring meat, they chose instead to swallow it and thus allowing them to eat faster.

After the first serving had been finished by Spyro and their initial hunger sated, he turned to look at their host. Gale seemed to be enjoying the manner in which they were eating. He had a small smile in his face as he looked at what probably was a very messy meal. As for the mother, she looked surprised and somewhat disgusted.

"Guys!" Spyro whispered loud enough to catch the attention of his companions.

They turned to look from their food and watched their host expressions.

"Sorry" Shockwave mustered an apology as he looked away as red started to appear on his cheeks in embarrassment.

"Were did you learn your manners?" Gale's mother admonished once all were looking at her.

"Sorry ma'am" Spyro apologized. "But we haven't eaten in three days and our hunger took the better of us"

"Three days?" she asked in surprise at this new information. Spyro nodded. "That's awfully a long time to spend without food"

"Yes, it is" Spyro said.

"Well then," she said in a kinder voice. "I guess I should let you eat your fill. Do not worry about the food, east as much as you can. I can prepare more if the need arise"

The three guests brightened instantly at her pronouncement and once again started to eat; only this time in a more civilized way.

It took a while before the three dragons were content, sated and with a belly somewhat round from all the food they had managed to eat.

"I think I am going to burst" Shockwave gonad as he lay on his side after the meal.

"Yeah... me too" Cynder agreed as she lay on her back.

Spyro was still sitting at the table, already finished. He then turned to look at their host.

"I guess I speak for all of us when I thank you for this delicious food" he said kindly to Gale's mother.

"Uh-huh" Shockwave agreed with a moan. "What he said"

"You are welcome and I'm glad you liked it." Gale's mother told him. "Now... if it is not too much asking, who are you... and where do you come from? I have never seen dragons with such strange coloration"

"What?" Spyro asked, really confused by the strange question.

Before he had a chance to answer, the door to the dragon home was slammed open with strong force. All present jumped in surprise at the sudden loud noise.

"Tornada!" called a strong male voice. "Where are you?"

Gale's mother relaxed visibly and Gale's expression brightened as they heard the owner of the voice.

"Dad, we here!" Gale called back.

The sound of claws clicking on the stone floor reached their ears as Gale's father made his way toward them. Out of the hallway that led to the room came out something that Spyro did not expected.

He was a dragon all right. But unlike any dragon Spyro had ever seen, this one wore armor. Plates of some kind of metal covered parts of his body. There bracelets that covered his forelegs, as well as some chest and shoulder armor. An open helmet covered up to the cheekbone, rested atop his head. The entire set of armor had intricate carvings, making it looks as if he was an important individual.

Spyro had seen on other creatures, like apes and the moles, wear some type of armor, but he had never seen armor for a dragon before. The idea intrigued him. If dragon used armor such as these during battle, it would take a lot more to bring a dragon down.

Spyro didn't know much about armor, expect his own experience in battle, but he guessed that the armor this dragon wore was more of the ceremonial type than actual battle armor but it might offer some protection when it came to it. However, it also looked heavy. If more plates were added to cover more part of the body, then it would be very difficult to move properly; let alone fly.

As for the dragon himself, it was quite a sight. He looked a lot like Gale, only bigger... and a lot more intimidating with all that armor. The only thing that Spyro could differentiate apart from physical attributes what the mood. Unlike Gale's cheerful and curious attitude, this one eyes showed none of them. Instead, it seemed a lot more serious and cold.

The newcomer regarded the group with hard eyes with a hint of mild suspicion and curiosity, taking even the smallest of detail.

"You three" he said suddenly and pointed with his claws at Spyro, Cynder and Shockwave, "come with me"

The sudden order... if that was it was, startled them.

"Excuse me?" Spyro asked after a moment after his brain tired to reason the simple words.

"You three have been asked to present yourselves before the Elders" he informed them in a voice that broke no argument. "I am to make sure you get there"

"Father?" Gale asked, starting to get nervous at the whole situation.

"You too, Gale" he told his son.

"Me? Visit the Elders? For real?!" Gale asked each question with more enthusiasm than the last as his previous concerns vanished.

"Yes" Gale's father answered. "Now come" he ordered them.

Gale gave a jump from where he was and stood next to his father. As for the other, they rose and put their paws underneath them with much groaning and complaints. But they followed the white dragons out of the house. Gale's mother only watched them go.

Immediately upon coming out of the house, the group found themselves surrounded by other six armored dragon guards. Like Gale's father, these held some similar armor. The helmet was somewhat different, covering to the tip of the snout. There were two holes were the eyes, where, allowing the dragon to see. However, these one seemed much simpler than Gale's father and did not seemed much decorated.

Whatever these dragons' attire, it appeared that these people were serious about making sure they got to these elders. Still, the manner in which they were being escorted settled Spyro off.

As Spyro had seen Gale do every time before a flight, he lowered his goggles to cover his eyes. They had to take a small flight. in order to reach the highest parts of the city that built in the slopes of the mountain. The biggest building, and the one that was at the top, was no doubt their destination.

As Spyro flew higher to the upper parts of the city, he noticed that the higher they got the older yet more important and richly decorated building and homes were seeing. Spyro guessed that the most important buildings and people lived in the higher parts of the city. He also saw some sort of aqueduct were water was flowing. Spyro guessed that some sort of water spring was in the upper parts and the water was channeled though the aqueduct to the lower parts. That way, everyone had a source of water nearby.

He also noticed that the guards that were escorting them looked at him with confused and wary expression.

"Gale" Shockwave asked for their new found friend. "Where is your father taking us? And is this escort really necessary?"

"We are going to the Council Chambers were the Elders are!" Gale replied excitedly as he looked at them through his goggles, making his eyes look bigger. "Father is the Captain of the Honor Guard and is his job to ensure the safety of the elders and of this city. For him to come and get you mean the Elders really want to see you"

'The Elders? That may be good'_Spyro thought. '_They might help us on our search for the flowers'

Upon landing upon the higher parts of the city, they still had to give a small walk toward their destination. However, he did not expect the great dragon crowd that had formed in from of the entrance of the building they were supposed to go. They were making a lot of fuss as shouts were tossed at other six dragon guards that stood vigilant at the entrance to the imposing building.

The armored guard and their charges strode forward without hesitation. As for the crowd, upon noticing the group that approached, started to part away and allowed the group clear passage.

Spyro and group looked at both sides as they passed among the suddenly silent crowd. He looked this way and that, seeing that the entire crowd had seemingly forgotten their previous quarrel they had been making and instead focused on them. Once again, Spyro had the strange feeling, now stronger than ever, that he had missed something really important as they crows started at them wide opens eyes ins surprise.

"Spyro..." Cynder interrupted his thought as she whispered as she went close to him.

"What is it Cynder?" he said as he turned to look at her.

"Is it just me, or...?" she said, somewhat unsure.

"Or are they looking at us as if we were freaks?" he asked, voicing his opinion.

"Partly. But what I meant is... look at them" she told him.

Spyro looked at the crowd that stared back at them. Apart from watching many eyes staring back at him, he saw noting out of the ordinary; only dragons.

"What am I looking for?" he asked as he turned to look back at Cynder.

"They are all white dragons" she replied in a low voice, almost if afraid that voicing loud enough to be heard other than him. "No green, red or any other color. Only white"

"What?" Shockwave, who was near enough to overhear, hissed in surprise.

Spyro looked back at the dragons that surrounded them.

Cynder was right, these were white dragon! Everyone, even their guards! Some of them were a light gray or a very light blue, but that could be considered white. There was no other color. There was none of the common green, yellow, blue and red color he knew were common colors in dragons across the realms.

Spyro suddenly understood why so many people stared at them with surprise, suspicion, amazement... even fear. They were the strangers here with their different color of scales. That was why Gale had referred to them being strange colors, because he only knew white in dragons.

'But why?'_he could not help but wonder. _'And what will that mean for us?' he added as an afterthought as he watched the stares the people gave them.

And what's more...

'I have never heard of a white dragon before' Spyro realized with a start.

"Shockwave? Have you ever seen a white dragon before while you were with your clan?" Spyro asked.

"No, never" he answered.

Spyro continued musing in his line of thought as they got past the huge crowd of dragons. The guards that were guarding the entrance door stepped aside as the group approached and pried open the door. The huge marble carved door creaked as is slowly swung open by the pull of the guards.

Without ever pausing, the escort passed the threshold and the door closed behind them.

As Spyro entered the interior of the grand building, he could not help but remember the dragon temple were he used to live with the guardians. True... they were different. This building was more decorated concerning statues and torches. Some murals were there too. Some were freshly painted murals, while other seemed to have been repainted and repaired. All in all, this one had the feel of being older, more ancient... holding a lot more memories than the one he knew.

As they walked further into the building, they passed an enormous room where a huge statue made out of stone was. The dragon statue sat on a pedestal. Spyro immediately remembered the statue that was in the swamp temple when he saw it; but unlike the swamp statue that portrayed Malefor, this once showed when Spyro guessed was a wind dragon. He was attired with full battle armor that covered a lot more that the ceremonial armor of the Honor Guard. He sat on his hind legs and was holding something that resembled a crystal in his front paws. By the way he held it; it seemed that the crystal was precious. It looked like an old and wise dragon by the look of it.

When he passed in front of the statue, he felt a slight tingling in his scales, very much like a shiver.

"Who is the one of the statue?" Spyro asked Gale once he was next to him.

"What? Don't you know?" he asked with surprise. When Spyro shook his head, he continued. "He is Aereo! The most powerful dragon to have ever existed and the fonder of this city"

Spyro doubted the part of 'the most powerful dragon' but he believed the founder part. Now he understood why they made reference to this dragon like he did with the ancestors when calling for guidance and wisdom. It must have been very important for them to remember him in such a way and for a long time.

They continued walking and the group approached a big double door after they walked in the building for some time. Once the door slowly opened by themselves, he found himself looking at an ornately carved room. Many paintings and statues, as well as caving lined the walls. The ceiling held a huge dome, and clear gall allowed natural light to enter the room. The floor was polished to perfection, and not an imperfection was found from all the dragon claws that treaded the floor.

Spyro was too amazed by the decoration that he initially missed the five white dragons seated in enormous cushions of various colors. They held themselves in tall, strong and proud postures; but Spyro could detect a hint of stubbornness and arrogance from them.

The escort, except Gale's father, did not enter the room where the Elders were waiting. There were other dragon guards that were lining the walls, standing as statues and not moving a muscle. They did not even move their gaze to watch the group as they moved toward the center of the room... unlike the Elder, who were watching them intently.

The click of their claws resounded on the silent room as the slowly moved into position. Spyro felt awfully uncomfortable with the situation. Very different from the few important meeting he had attended in Warfang. Those were simple and not overly... regal, for a lack of better word.

Finally, after what Spyro felt a long time, they arrived at the center.

"By Aereo, look at them!" one elder exclaimed with wide and disbelieving eyes.

"Elders" Gales father gave a slight bow in the direction of the Elders. "I have brought them as per your instructions"

"Nimbus" the middle Elder, and apparently the Eldest, acknowledged Gale's father with a slight nod before turning his gaze on the rest with a sigh. "First the fountain incident yesterday; now this.... So... where were they Nimbus?"

"In my house, Elder" Nimbus replied.

"In your own home? Who would have thought" the elder on the immediate left of the one in the center seemed surprised. "How did they end there?"

"I found them!" Gale said somewhat excitedly. Many pair of eyes turned to look at him with disapproving glares. Fortunately, Gale realized his mistake while he gave a small cringed. "I mean, I found them and offered them some lunch... Elders" he said as he inclined his head in respect.

"You found them?" the elder on the far left asked.

"Yes, Elders"

"Where?"

"I was out in the mountains and..." Gale started, but he was interrupted.

"The mountains?" Gale's father asked in surprise as he looked down at his son. Gale once again cringed when his father spoke "Son, I have told you many times not to go there! It's dangerous!"

"But father..."

"Why did you went there and disobeyed my orders?" Nimbus cut him short with disapproving eyes.

"I like it out there. I feel confided in this valley" Gale explained.

"Gale..." Gale's Father started before he was interrupted by a polite cough from one of the Elders. With a sigh, he addressed his son again. "We will finish this conversation later. Now, continue your story"

With a resigned sigh, Gale continued his story, although with not as much enthusiasm as before.

"I was flying outside of the valley, riding the strong winds... doing stuff when I suddenly heard a shout behind me. When I turned, I saw her" Gale pointed at Cynder. "After a brief misunderstanding, her companions caught up. They said they had been lost in the mountains for three days with no food. That's why I offered to take them home for lunch" Gale finished.

"Lost in the mountains? For three days?"What in the name of Aereo were they doing there?" the Eldest asked with surprise.

"This poses some questions that I guess needed to be answered" the middle right Elder said seriously and with a tone of hostility. "I wish to know what your intentions for you being out there"

"Calm yourself Ventus" the Eldest on the middle said.

"Cyclone, you know very well that the mountains that surround our home are very dangerous" the annoyed Ventus replied. "No one in his right mind has any business being out there, much less for a prolonged period of time"

"I'm sure there is a good explanation for it and all will be revealed in due time, my friend" Cyclone, the Eldest, said before he turned back to Spyro and group. "I am afraid that you have made quite a stir in our city, like the dragon in the fountain yesterday. With your unusual coloration, you attract attention and people start making questions. Rumors are spreading all over the city and it would be best if we dissuade these rumors before things get out of our paws and get to the bottom of this. You are not in any sort of trouble; we just curious since we have not seen dragon such as yourselves. Now... who are you?"

Spyro, Cynder and Shockwave looked at each other after the small speech given to them, unsure of what they should do now. They hesitated long enough for the same dragon to speak again.

"Well?" he asked with a tingle of a smile.

"My name is Spyro" he started, quite uncomfortable with the situation. "And we apologize for any uncomfortable situation our arrival might have caused. It was not our intention"

"Nevertheless, you have done it" the hostile Ventus said somewhat coldly.

"Fortunately, no harm was done" the dragon on the middle left dismayed any hard feeling. "Now Spyro, is it? That is a strange name if I ever heard one. And what about you, young ones?" he directed to Cynder and Shockwave.

"My name is Shockwave" he said somewhat formally.

"Well met" the kind dragon said. "And you miss?" he asked at Cynder.

"I am..." Cynder trailed off, fearing this moment.

She hated introductions. She hated them. Every time she told her name to someone, things happened. Every time she says her name was Cynder, people would balk away in fear; that if they did not recognized her first. After the initial shock, anger and hatred usually followed. Insults would be thrown her way; threats would be made and even downright aggression.

How she hated introductions.

These people would be no different. She would say her name, they would rear back in surprise and then, hiss at her. These Elders seemed like they were not the forgiving type... at least forgiving of horrible crimes one had done. And those crimes most certainly included Cynder.

'How can I cope with this?' she thought. 'How can say my name without fearing retribution from everyone?'

Back on Warfang, she had the Guardians to back her up, but even then, she had been beaten and rejected. On Shockwave's clan, Shockwave had put in a good word for her.

But now... she had neither the Guardians not Shockwave's family ties. She had to do this on her own.

Spyro sensed her struggle inside her. It took a few moments for him to understand what all was about. He took the step separating him from her and draped a wing around her in confront.

"Do not worry Cynder. I'm here" he comforted her.

Cynder gave a small smile at Spyro, glad for his support. True... people usually reacted violently when she told them her name, but Spyro who defended her against these aggressions, no matter how outnumbered or how justified the anger of the aggressors needed to be vent on her. He was always by her side.

And with him by her side, she would brave anything that came her way.

"I'm..." she took a deep breath. "I'm Cynder"

She prepared herself for the obvious lash she would receive once her words sank into the mind of the rest of the dragons. However, she did not expected what came next.

"Nice to meet you, Cynder" the kind Elder replied. "Such strange names you have"

"What?" she blurted out loud. "You mean... you... you are not angry?"

"Should we be?" the elder on the far right asked, confused.

"I mean... I'm Cynder"

"So you have told us"

"I'm the 'The Black Serpent'... 'The Terror of the Skies'!"

The Elders gave her odd looks, as if she was crazy.

"Don't you have ever heard of me?" Cynder said in a low voice, enough to carry it to the Elders.

"Everyone wants to be known by many people, Cynder" The far left Elder replied.

'I can't believe it!'_Cynder thought. _'They haven't heard of me! What kind of dragon hasn't heard from 'Malefor's Greatest General?''

She turned to look at Spyro and Shockwave. Both had a look of utter surprise in their faces. They were also amazed that they hadn't known who Cynder was. Everyone back home, and in many other places, knew of 'The Terror of the Skies', of her evil exploits and bloody reputation.

If they did not know of Cynder, then they must have been living very well hidden and isolated as to not have the war... nor news of it reach them. But with these deadly mountains surrounding them, it isn't a great surprise once you thought about it. But not knowing of Cynder meant they have been for quite some time without contact of the outside world.

With that though, Spyro began to realize that maybe they had never...

"Now... younglings, we wish to know the reason as to why you were in the mountains" the far right dragon asked before the group had time to complete the new revelation.

"Uhm... Spyro stammered as he looked back at Cynder and Shockwave.

"Go on, tell them Spyro!" Cynder said as she pushed him forward. "I have the utmost faith in you"

"What...?" Spyro stammered as he looked back with a look of desperation.

"You are the group spokesman" Shockwave quickly added with a smile as he got away from the responsibility of talking. "Besides... you are the purple dragon"

"I hate it when people do that" Spyro murmured before turning back to face the waiting Elders.

Now that the 'group decision' has been made and pushed Spyro to do the talking, he answered the Elders question.

"We are on a mission" Spyro started to explain. "Our objective is to find a flower that it is called 'The Sky Flower'. It is said that it grows in these mountains and that it have extraordinary healing properties to cure almost any disease that inflict a person"

"Ah... yes!" the far left Elder exclaimed. "We call it Aereos' Flowers. Although healing is the most widely know use, it is also used for many other things... like incense. Its smell has a calming and soothing effect on the soul when burnt"

"And it also tastes good with some lamb" the far right one added.

"I hear it makes nice tea" the middle left one pointed out.

"However..." Ventus said with his hostility still present "it does not explain why they call it 'Sky Flower', when everyone knows it is the Aereo's Flower. What is more: why go out to the mountains in search for the flowers when one can find them in the highest parts of this valley?"

"What?" Spyro said loudly enough to be considered a shout. "Do you have these flowers here?" he asked unbelieving.

"Why, of course youngling" the far left elder responded. "Aereo's Flower grow by the thousand on the highest part of this valley"

Spyro lowered his view and stared at the floor. He had come in here with his friend and suffered everything this mountain had to throw at them in the hopes of finding the fabled flower. And now, he had just learned that these people had it in abundance and considered it as part of their lives and didn't give them a second though.

Shockwave and Cynder were as shocked as he was and had similar reactions.

"You mean... you didn't know?" Cyclone said in a low voice.

Spyro turned to look at him. The Eldest seemed to have noticed how Spyro and group acted and responded to the question, because he was staring at them intently. But Spyro saw in his eyes that he was beginning to understand that there was more to Spyro and his group.

To respond to the Elder's question, Spyro shook his head slowly.

"Where do you come from?" the old dragon asked in a low voice, suspicion slowly coming to him.

"We come from the city of Warfang" Spyro answered.

"Never heard of a city with such a name in the Valleys" Ventus said suspiciously.

"That exactly what I said!" Gale almost shouted as he spoke his mind. "I have never head of this city. And I mean... 'Warfang'! What kind of name is that for a city?"

Several pair of eyes turned to look at him in disapproval.

"Sorry" Gale sad abashed.

"Still... what young Gale has said is true" the far right Elder said with his apparently extensive knowledge. "We do not know of any city or Valley with such a name"

"That is because there is none" Cyclone pointed out in a low voice.

"Are they lying?" Ventus hissed as he turned to glare at Spyro.

Everyone, except Gale and the Eldest, threw hostile glares upon Spyro and group. Spyro suddenly felt a tingle of fear if things went further down. Gale seemed like he didn't noticed or cared what had happened as he looked around the room in obvious interest. The Eldest, however, look at the group with the same intensity the other did, but with another emotion entirely.

"I don't think they are" the Eldest said in a low and cautions voice.

"What?" Ventus expressed his confusion at the Eldest statement.

However, the Eldest ignored him. He continued studying the young dragons of different colors that stood in front of him. Then, he stood up from the cushion and took the remaining steps that separated him from Spyro and group. Everyone watched as how the old dragon got closer. The rest of the Elders seemed that they wanted to protest, but it seemed that no own had the courage to comfort the Eldest after he made his mind.

When he was in range, the old dragon lowered his head and looked intently at the young dragon's eyes.

"Gale" Cyclone called for the young white dragon without even looking at him, "What was the reaction you saw on these ones when they saw Aerie for the first time?"

"Umm..." Gale mussed as he tried to remember. "Well, they were surprised" he said in a short explanation.

"How much surprised?" Cyclone pressed.

"Well, too much of you ask me" Gale answered again.

"Specify please"

"Umm... well, it's almost as if they had never seen the city before" Gale said, his tone now much more serious. "Disbelieving I would say, like if they hadn't even knew there was a city here"

Cyclone kept his eyes on Spyro, Cynder and Shockwave though the explanation Gale had been giving. Spyro saw the intensity of the scrutiny he was part of, and managed to see fear from the old dragon. Fear. But there was also curiosity, disbelief and amazement, like a new discovery that brought enormous change.

With that, the previous thought about the isolation of the city once again resurfaced inside Spyros mind. After a few moment of silence, the Eldest spoke.

"Who are you?" Cyclone finally asked in something more than a whisper.

"Cyclone, we have already asked that question. We need to..." the Elder on the far right started to speak, but was interrupted by a raised wing from the Eldest, who was still looking intently as the young dragons.

"Who are you? And where do you truly come from?" Cyclone said in a voice that more plead than a request.

This was it, Spyro knew. This was the question. Spyro understood.

"You have never got out of these mountains have you?" Spyro answered in as much of a low voice as Cyclone had asked his question.

The old dragons eyes widened in surprise and the other Elders gave some gasp of surprise. To answer Spyro's question, Cyclone shook his head slowly in denial.

What Spyro guessed about this people was true. They had never left these mountains because everyone died in the mountains. At the same time, no one from the outside had managed to find this city because the mountains always defeated them.

And what more, Spyro didn't knew that a city was hidden in these mountains, and he guessed Terrador didn't either. As a matter of fact, no one knew in the outside world that a city and a society of dragon lived here. For all they knew, nothing but death was in here.

Both societies had been separated by the mountains: his own and the white dragons, for a very long time... for many millennia even.

This was in true sense, two societies, although of the same species, meeting. And at least one of them was getting excited by the idea.

"From outside the mountains? For real?" Gale asked with his usual cheerful way and insatiable curiosity.

"Yes" Shockwave answered the curios dragon's question.

However, a short laugh escaped from Ventus that had always showed hostility toward them.

"That is the most ridiculous lie I have ever heard. From outside the mountains... HA!" he laughed. "Cyclone, with respect, we need not listen to this"

"I think they speak the truth" Cyclone wisely said without looking away from Spyro.

"How can you say that? Everybody knows that out there is only death by the mountains. How can you believe such a ridiculous lie?" Ventus wondered.

"I have several reasons" Cyclone replied as he lifted his head and looked around to everyone. "First: their colorations. We have never encountered dragons with such colors. Maybe a color disfiguration at birth, but I guess that if one of those had been born in the valleys it would have reached our ears soon, not many years later. Second: why such a lie? If they wanted to come up for an excuse for their doings, they could have come up with a better one, not one as farfetched as this. Third: everything young Spyro here said, however outrageous may have seemed, he said in with all honesty. What's more, his friend did not even correct nor flinched in any way during his explanation. This proves again that the three of them knew what was being said and approved of it. Fourth: I can see in their eyes that these young dragons have lived too much for their age. They have seen... things... and they have carried heavy burdens"

Silence fell in the room as the revelation... and the implications of such a thing may entail.

"However, I could be wrong" Cyclone continued. "I have yet to ask the question" he then lowered his head to Spyro's level again and looked at him. "Young dragon, do you and your friends truly come from beyond the mountains?"

"Yes... we do" Spyro answered.

The Elders started to murmur amongst themselves. The guards that lined the walls also started to have hurried and hushed conversations amongst themselves, talking about the strange new dragons that had arrived at Aerie.

"Guards" Cyclone said in a loud voice enough o catch everyone's attention. "I want you to tell nothing of what you have heard in this room until I say so otherwise. Is that understood?"

"Yes Elder" they replied.

"Good. Now leave us" he commanded.

The twenty or so guards looked at each other with uncertainty. They didn´t feel comfortable with leaving their Elders with strangers.

"NOW!" Cyclone said forcefully.

The guards obeyed the order and went out of the room in an orderly fashion. It was when the last one had left that Gale's father spoke.

"Come Gale, we are leaving" Nimbus called for his son.

"No, I need both of you to stay" Cyclone stopped him. "I want the Captain of the Honor Guard to at least know what is happening. As for Gale, he is already involved in this and he might explain better some more things on what happened"

Father and son looked at each other with confused looks before sitting once again.

"Well then..." the old dragon said as he walked back to the cushion from where he rose. "I wish to know everything about your mission" he indicated to Spyro and group.

"Well..." Spyro started as he thought of where to start. His first thought was about starting with Malefor and explain everything, but he decided to just stick as to why they are here. "As I said earlier, we are on a mission from the city of Warfang. There are some creatures in the city that are called humans; and they are sick. They are slowly dying because of it. We tried everything we could in order to cure them, but nothing worked"

"You mean there are other intelligent creatures other than dragons out there?" the Elder on the far left, the one that seemed to know a lot, asked surprised.

"Of course!" Spyro said in complete confidence.

"How many?"

"I do not know exactly; but I have encountered at least... 1, 2, 3, 4, 5...." he counted silently. "... around eight" he finished.

"That many?"

"I am sure there are more, but I haven't exactly explored the vast world. I mean, me and Sparx left home when..."

"Who´s Sparx?" the kind left Elder on the middle asked.

"He is my... oh dear... we forgot about him again" Spyro chuckled. At the mention of him, Cynder and Shockwave also began to chuckle. "I'm sure he will be mad at us for leaving him again" Spyro said.

"Who is Sparx? Is there another one of you?" the Elder persisted, eager to know the answer.

"Sparx is one of those other creatures I talked about" Spyro answered. "As for where he is, well, we kinda forgot about him in Gale's house when we left"

"You mean there is a strange creature with my mate?" Nimbus asked, alarmed.

"There is nothing to worry about" Spyro tried to calm him. "Sparx will do her no harm..."

"Unless she gets bored to death with all his talk" Cynder joked.

"Yeah, well, but it will not go past that" Spyro continued. "Besides, he can doo much harm to her... considering his size"

"It's true father!" Gale put in. "That creature is very small that he couldn't harm mother"

"Well, if you say so" Nimbus said somewhat unsure.

"I would very much like to meet other creatures" the curios Elder on the far left said.

"Yes, it would be interesting" his neighbor agreed.

"Sparx is not exactly the best at being... diplomatic... nor one with having good manners. AND it will get to his head" Spyro warned.

"Still, we would like to meet him"

"But first..." Cyclone interrupted. "I would like to finish hearing the story these young dragons have to tell"

"As I was saying earlier, the humans are dying. One of my friends told us of a mythical flower that lived in these mountains that were capable of healing any sickness. We were warned that these mountains were dangerous, but we still came in search for them. Five of us set out in search for them"

"Five of you? You mean, besides you three and this Sparx, is there another one? With you as well?" the far right Elder asked.

Spyro visibly flinched at that. In the amazing revelation and discovery of this hidden city he had forgotten about Incendio. Spyro lowered his eyes in grief as he remembered his friend. Spyro felt Cynder and Shockwave have similar reactions to him.

"We were" Spyro said in a low mood. "We lost a member of our team"

Spyro did not notice that the Elders looked at one another and Gale seemed to have dropped his cheerful expression.

"I'm sorry for your loss. How did he die?" Cyclone asked.

Spyro gulped down the lump in his throat as the memory flashed in his mind and continued talking.

"He fell. An accident happened and he fell down unto a narrow ravine. Before we could come up with a plan to rescue him, an avalanche struck. We had no choice but to leave the place least we got buried in the snow" Spyro explained barely able to keep his voice from breaking. But then, after his explanation he added. "I should have stopped him"

The Elders seemed wise enough not to inquire further. The wounds of the death of his friend were still too fresh to continue talking about it. A few moments of silence ensured after the explanation.

"I'm sorry" Cyclone said after what seemed a long time.

Spyro gave a slight nod.

"Who was he? What was his name?"

Spyro took a deep breath, trying to still his emotions.

"His name was Incendio and he was a fire dragon" Spyro explained.

"A fire dragon? What does that exactly mean?" Ventus asked, still showing hostility toward the group.

"It's his element" Spyro explained.

The Elders gave him confused.

"I mean, fire is the element he controls" Spyro continued.

"Control Fire? But dragons can only control wind" the far left Elder pointed out.

"Surely they are lying. No dragon can do such a thing" Ventus accused them, with a glint of triumph in his eyes.

However, Spyro did not hear him. He had stopped at what the last dragon had said.

"You can control wind?" he asked with disbelief.

"Of course my boy!" the kind Elder on the middle left said. "And I'm quite good at it I might add"

´Wind?'_Spyro barely thought in his shocked state. '_Wind dragons?'

"You mean that you cannot control the winds?" the far right Elder asked, surprised at looking the expression on Spyro.

"No" Spyro answered truthfully. This day had been turning out to be quite revealing. One surprise after another.

"Then the dragons from where you come from control fire?"

"Some of them" Spyro answered. "Others control other elements"

"Other elements? How many elements are there?" the curious Elder asked with obvious surprise.

"Four are the common elements that a dragon can control. Fire, electricity, ice and earth" Spyro explained. "There are other elements as well, but those are very rare"

"Wind control is not rare" protested the far right Elder.

"It is to us. In fact, I know of only one dragon that can control it" Spyro explained as he shot a quick glance at Cynder, the only one Spyro knew who could control wind.

"Fascinating!" the Elder that knew everything examined with a cheerful and eager to learn tone. "It is incredible such things exist and that we did not know about! So, dragons control different elements from where you come. And they are also come in different colors too, right?"

"Yes. The dragons' primary color is mostly defined by the element they control. "Spyro continued. "For ice, it encompasses all tone of blue, although it is usually more common the deeper blue. For earth it is usually green although there are some brown. Electricity is mostly yellow, but on a rare occasion is also brown or blue too"

"So Shockwave is an electric dragon?" Cyclone asked, enjoying himself too much with all the wealth of information he was learning.

"Yes, I am" Shockwave answered.

"Can we see a demonstration?"

Shockwave gave them a small smile before he closed his eyes and concentrated. Spyro first started to feel the static that began to surround the eclectic dragon. Since he could use electricity, Spyro could also feel it in his surroundings. Then after two seconds, small eclectic bolts started to course through Shockwaves body. It rose steadily higher until it was a light show.

The Elders and Gale's father eyes widened in surprise as they saw the lighting display. Gale had his eyes wide too, but contrary to everyone else, his were wide with enthusiasm and amazement... as if he was enjoying the show too much. All of them were shocked in disbelief at the display Shockwave was putting. They must have seen it as a form of great power, but Spyro knew that Shockwave was not using his whole power; just a fraction. If he had, well, then probably everyone near him would be paralyzed by the shock.

Gale, with his ever curious nature, stupidly stretched out his paw to touch Shockwave. As he placed his paw in his side, he let out a yelp in pain and surprise. Gale retreaded his paw away into a safe place and started to shake it to dissipate the numbness he felt in it.

Shockwave let out a laugh

"You should not touch me when I'm doing this Gale" he warned as he started to lower his elemental power until it was completely gone.

There were a few moment of silence as the white dragon digested what had just happened in front of them.

"That... was... awesome!" Gale said, pronouncing each word slowly; his numb paw completely forgotten.

"It is indeed" Cyclone muttered in surprise. "You still have to say the color of a fire dragon"

"Fire dragons usually go from red, orange or maybe a reddish yellow" Spyro finished.

"And what about you and the female" the far right Elder asked with the same cold manner he always showed. "Neither purple nor black had entered in your elements categories"

Spyro quickly battled if he should tell them the truth. If he did, they might feel that he should tell more about the history of the purple dragons and everything about their special powers... including Malefor and his deeds. And that will include Cynder. If they learned she had been controlled by evil, they might feel threatened and... well... he would rather not get into that.

On the other paw, if he lied and found out... there would be problems.

In the end, he opted for a half truth.

"Cynder and me are rare cases" he said simply, hoping they did not ask further questions.

Fortunately, they didn't.

Instead, they took another route completely unexpected.

"Wait a minute..." the kind Elder on the middle left said. "Didn't you say that the other member of your team who died was a fire dragon?"

Bringing back the memory of Incendio and that horrible moment when he was lost caused his mood to drop. He dropped his head low, not wanting to look into the eyes of the Elder that was asking the question.

"Yes" he said simply.

"And didn't you also say that fire dragons usually are red or orange in color?"

"Yes" Spyro once again gave the single word answer.

"Cyclone..." the Elder called for his attention in a low voice. "Remember the incident yesterday in the fountain?"

Cyclone´s eyes widen once again in surprise.

"You are right!" he exclaimed before turning to the group of young dragons. "It must be him"

"What are you saying?" Spyro asked confused.

"There was an incident at the fountain yesterday" Cyclone explained. "Since this city is built on the steep slopes of the mountains, there are some caverns and small tunnels. However, there is a hole in the mountainside where the water of an underground river comes out from and cascades down into a big fountain; almost a pool in truth. This water is channeled through aqueduct and spread the water through the city. Since the water is freezing cold, we assume in must be some from the snow that is melted in the mountains"

"So?" Spyro prompted.

"So... yesterday by mid-afternoon, a dragon came out from this underground river and fell into the fountain. We were extremely confused by the situation as to how he came to end falling from there, but that was not what baffled us the most. The color of his scales was not normal. He was an orange dragon"

Orange? He fell from an underground river? Could it be...?

Spyro's heart missed a beat after he was told this, but then, hope started to swell inside Spyro. His heart started to beat so fast that he felt it would explode. But what was important was who that dragon could be.

"Incendio?" he barely managed to say in a low voice, almost if he was afraid to believe.

"Could be" Cyclone said. "Judging from your description of fire dragons, and the story of his 'death', we could assume he might be him"

After that, Spyro, Cynder and Shockwave jumped from where they sat and started to attack the old dragon with question with such speed that he didn't have time answer any of them.

"Incendio?" "Is he here?" "Is he alive?" "Is it truly him?" "Can we see him?" "How did he end here?" "Is he hurt?" The group rambled in their wish to know about this dragon.

"Whoa! Calm down young ones" Cyclone told them. After they had somewhat calmed, he continued. "Yes, he is alive, but..."

"Is he hurt? Where is he? Can we see him?" Spyro interrupted the old dragon.

"Slow down!" Cyclone urged, getting annoyed. "Calm down and sit down to let me explain" Spyro, Cynder and Shockwave sat down immediately and looked without blinking at the old dragon to continue. "As I was saying, he is alive. He was hurt so he had been sleeping"

"How did he end here?" Shockwave could not help but ask. Cyclone shot him a glare in annoyance. "Sorry" Shockwave muttered.

"As I was saying... again... this dragon fell out of this hole by mid afternoon yesterday. There were some people near who actually saw it. They said that after he dragged himself out of the water with the last of his strength, he fell unconscious. After the initial shock, people rushed to help him. He was pretty badly bruised and had scrapes in many places. It was lucky that a healer lived just in front of the fountain, so your friend was rushed in there. He has been there ever since"

"Can we see him?" Spyro asked, desperate to see the friend he thought was dead.

Cyclone gave a long sigh. "I believe you would go out looking for him even if I refused to tell you his location, would you?" he asked.

Spyro said nothing, but in his mind, the answer to that question was 'yes'.

As if reading his mind, Cyclone spoke. "Very well. I will have someone guide you there"

"Thank you" Spyro said as he stood up. "Sorry for leaving like this, but we really wish to see him"

"I understand, young dragon. Anyway, I have a lot to ponder with the things you have said and revealed. I would like you to come back here tomorrow In order to finish our conversation" Cyclone chuckled. "Nimbus, why don't you take them to the healer's house?"

"Yes Elder" The armored dragon answered.

"And after that, return to your home. I'm sure you want to spend time with your family"

"Thank you Elder"

"But what accommodation for them?" the far right dragon pointed out. "It is nearly night"

"Hmmm..." Cyclone thought. "We will make arrangements. A Guard will meet them in the healers house to guide them to their quarters once it has been decided where they shall sleep"

****************************++++++++++1+++++++++++++************************

They didn't have to take to the air in order to the healer's house. They walked there and in a few minutes they arrived at the fountain where the fire dragon must have fallen. Spyro looked at the hole from where the water poured out. It was high above the surface of the pool and anyone who came out of it, would surely get a sore side in the place he landed in the water. The hole from where the water came was big, but it would have been a tight fit for a dragon the size of Terrador, but for a dragon his size, I was big enough.

Nimbus continued leading them until he got to a nearby house. He knocked on the door with force, but not too much, so it could be heard clearly. It took a few moments before and elderly dragoness opened the door.

"Oh! Hello Captain. What bring you here?" she asked.

"Brise, some people have come to see the patient you have in your care" Nimbus explained.

"Oh really?" the dragoness Brise asked before looking at the young dragons behind the Captain of the Honor Guard.

Like all the white dragons Spyro had meet and seen in this city, Brise react the same way when she saw them: her eyes flew open in surprise.

"They come here to see how your patient is" Nimbus explained.

"What? Oh... yes, of course. Come in" she invited them as she stepped aside.

"I'm afraid I must return to my home, Brise. I leave them here with you" Nimbus told her before addressing Spyro and group. "Remember, a Guard will meet you here to guide you to your quarters"

"Wouldn't it be awesome if you guys were to stay at home?" Gale, with his usual innocence and childish behavior said. "We could surely do lot of fun stuff"

"That is for the Elders to decide" Nimbus pointed out before turning to his son. "Come Gale, we are leaving. We must finish our conversation" he told his son with a hard voice.

Gale wings dropped at the mention of the conversation that had been interrupted in the Elders chamber, He dreaded the lecture he was most likely to receive once they arrived home. And he might possible some kind of punishment for disobeying his father in going out into the mountains.

"See ya later guys" he said discouraged as he followed his father before taking to the air.

After seeing the eccentric white dragon fly off, the group entered the healers house and she lead thm thought the hallway. She opened the curtain that separated a room and allowed them to see the occupant inside.

"INCENDIO!" The three of them shouted as they identified the orange dragon.

Incendio lay in a huge pile of comfortable looking cushions, big enough to hold two adult dragons with space to spare. His sides rose as fell in rhythmic motions with each breath he took in his lungs. He was curled lightly on himself and sleeping.

He must have been incredible lucky to survive that fall. And what's more, to end up here. Of all places he could have ended in these wretched mountains, he had to end in the only place where dragons lived. And more importantly... with a healer nearby.

It seemed impossible, but after a situation that the only outcome seemed death, the fire dragon had made it. Incendio was alive.

Spyro, Cynder and Shockwave immediately ran next to his friend, their heart bursting in for joy and almost shouting in their haste.

"Quiet down!" Brise hissed at them. "He is sleeping"

The group tried to quiet down but their excitement of seeing their friend who they thought was dead was too much. They were practically jumping on the spot. Thankfully, Incendio remained sleeping peacefully, ignorant of the noise they were making.

After the initial outburst of happiness, they calmed down enough to ask for the fire dragon's condition.

"How is he?" Cynder asked with a much quieter voice so as not to disturb the sleeping dragon.

"He is fine, considering how he got here" Brise told them.

"How hurt was he when they brought him here?" Shockwave asked.

"Badly. He had many bruises and bleeding scrapes. And let me tell you, those were large bruises. He had hypothermia as well from spending too much time in the cold water"

"How is he now? Is he well?" Spyro asked.

"It was quite a job to heal him. I had to give him one of my secret potions to make sure his body recovered his warmth. I also kept him next to a fire the entire night. Long night it was. As for his injuries, I had to use some healing crystals. His injuries were many and extensive so I was afraid I might overdose him with the crystals. Fortunately, I am a very skilled healer and I used some secret potions to hasten his healing without the overdose of the red crystals"

"Secret potions? What secret potions?" Shockwave asked, intrigued.

"I said: 'Secret' potions, young boy" she snapped.

Spyro gave a low chuckle at seemingly chastisementthe healer gave Shockwave.

"Has he awoken yet?" Spyro asked.

"Not that I have seen" Brise answered without a hint of worry. "He will get fine with rest" she told them before she left.

Spyro turned to look back at Incendio, who remained ignorant of his surroundings. When he looked at the fire dragon, an immense weight lifted from Spyro's shoulders, the guilt he felt for having failed him, for allowing him to die, was gone.

They spent sometime next to the fire dragon, hoping that he would wake up. However, night had already fallen and they had a very weary day with all the stress, exhaustion from the mountains, and the enormous revelation they had just discovered. It was no surprise that soon all of them were yawing.

So, they decided to call it a day.

"We'll come tomorrow to see how he is" Cynder told Brise as she stood next to the doorway, seeing them off.

"Of course. I will send someone for you if he awakes" Brise promised.

"Thank you" Spyros said as he stepped outside.

A guard with the same set of armor Spyro had seen in everyone, except Nimbus, stood outside, waiting for them. The guard looked nervously at the three of them as they approached. It seemed that he was still uncomfortable with dragon of different color.

"Are you here to take us to our resting quarters?" Shockwave asked.

"Yes, I am" he replied while he shifted from side to side in his nervousness. "If you please follow me"

The group took flight and flew further down city. Spyro looked at the green pastures that coved the whole valley, the river that shined with the moon, the calm and cool breeze that descended from the mountains, the snow covered peaks of the guardians that were the mountains that surrounded this valley, the starry night upon the sky.

It was amazing that such beauty existed amidst a desolate and full of death region that were the mountains.

The guard slowly started to descend, and the rest followed.

"Hey, isn't that...?" Cynder asked as they neared their objective.

"Gale's house?" Shockwave asked in surprise at this turn of event.

Spyro guessed that they would end up sleeping in the building where they met the Elders, but he appeared to be mistake.

"Are we to sleep here?" Spyro asked their guide.

"The Elders, in their infinite wisdom" he explained "decided that a more familiar environment would make you feel more comfortable. They talked with Nimbus and he agreed that you could spend the night here"

As the landed and folded their wings, they heard some arguing from inside the house.

"I already told you, they should arrive soon"

"That's what you told me an hour ago and look at what time is it!"

"Can't you just keep still for a moment?"

"It's just that I can't believe that they actually left me here again. Spyro should know better than to do that"

'Uh-Oh!' Spyro thought as he neared the door of the house. 'Sparx is getting in his rambling mode

"I'm sure that... Hey, leave that thing! It's fragile"

The sound of something crashing sounded.

"Great! Now you broke it"

"Not my fault! It was in a decayed state and it was unstable so it was only matter of time before a gust of wind toppled it. It didn't have a useful purpose anyway, so no worrys. Besides, it wasn't pretty, so good riddance"

Just then, Spyro opened the door and looked inside. Nimbus, without his armor, was looking with angry eyes at some floating yellow glowing orb that was in front of him. Spyro noticed that Tornada, Nimbus' mate, was standing at the side and looking quite exhausted. Gale, on the other part, was looking with a huge grin as he was enjoying every moment of the situation.

At the sound of the door opening, all of them looked at the entrance of the house.

"Finally you got here!" Sparx exclaimed in annoyed relief. "I was ready to break this house in order to search for you; but I began to wonder if that was actually a good idea because; why is it with you that you always leave me behind nowadays? We used to be inseparable and now you leave me every few moments. And I thought that I was good company"

"You are Sparx, it's just that things happened too fast" Spyro explained.

"I mean... I leave for a few moments to get a tasty snack and look what happens. You disappear and get yourself in trouble. What would mom and dad think? I had to make sure that my younger brother stays safe and out of trouble, otherwise they would punish me. But I guess that I'm not really needed, am I? After all, you leave me every time. I guess you do not want me anymore"

"That's not true Sparx" Spyro tried to console his bother.

"It´s alright. After all, who need the useless Sparx. You know... I thought I was helpful. I thought that I got you out of tight situation on our adventures and you appreciated all the help I gave you. But... I guess I was wrong"

"I'm sorry Sparx" Spyro apologized. "It was not my intention to leave you behind. It just happened too fast. But things turned out very well in the end" Spyro said optimistically and trying to lift the dragonfly mood. "We discovered a hidden dragon city no one knew about. We found Incendio survived and is here"

"Red guy?" Sparx asked with a surprised expression. "Lucky him I guess"

"Very lucky indeed" Shockwave agreed.

"And that's not all Sparx" Spyro said as he remembered one thing that might lift Sparx mood. "I talked to the Elders about you, and they are very interested in meeting you"

"Truly?" Sparx asked, his mood lifting considerably

"Yes. It is true" Spyro confirmed.

"Spyro..." Nimbus interrupted seriously. "I am really considering not letting him see the Elders"

"What?" Sparx yelled. "And not let these generous old dragons come to love my charm. You are such a spoilsport!"

Spyro rolled his eyes at that with a chuckle. "So, how was your day?"

"Uhm... boring" he answered. "Not much to do around this place. At least I had some decent company" he said as he turned to look at Tornada.

"He has not stopped talking in all day" Tornada said in a tried voice as she shook her head. She must have suffered horrible under Sparx annoying endless batter and complains.

"Why don't we eat dinner?" Nimbus suggested. "It had been a very long day"

"I'll get it" Tornada said with a tired sigh.

"All right!" Gale exclaimed as he jumped in. "It will be like a sleepover. This is going to be awesome!"

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After the delicious dinner, each of them retreaded to their own room. The house was big enough and with enough room for each one. All of the rooms were located in the second floor. Everyone had a room to themselves, except Nimbus and Tornada of course. Sparx decided to sleep in a flower pot downstairs so as to 'not be disturbed with the loud snores of dragons' as he put it.

Spyro lay in a comfortable mattress. However, he could reconcile sleep. Many thought went through his mind to sleep. First of all, he thought about this city.

'Just how many dragons lived here?'_Spyro thought. _'And what will they do now that they know that there is an outside world?'

Spyro chuckled as he imagined the astonished stares the he would recive when he told the Guardians bout this. Or better yet... if the saw one white dragon. Spyro chuckled once again as he imagined the tirade Volteer would get one once he knew about this.

Thinking about the guardians made Spyro wonder how they were doing. True, they had left just four days ago, but it had felt more than that.

He wondered about how they were doing in Warfang; and how were the humans faring. Had the recovered or were they still were sick? Or worse yet... all of them had died. It has been, after all, four days and three nights since they left and they were pretty beat up by then.

No... he should not think that way. Of course they were alive... they have to be.

Spyro thought of how much they could learn from them, and how much they could teach them. After all, they were insatiable in their thirst for knowledge, just like dragons. They also liked to argue a lot and they were always on the move. They never stopped. Humans were truly strange creatures.

Spyro could not help but compare the dragons with humans. They were very different... yet somehow... he felt that they were also very much alike. One could almost say that they were the same.

He continued turning in his bed for a while when the door to his room suddenly opened. With a start he lifted his head and turned to face the door, but it was nearly completely dark so he only saw a dark figure by the door.

"Spyro" a feminine voice whispered from the darkness. "Are you awake?"

"Cynder?" Spyro asked confused. "What are you doing here?"

"I couldn't sleep" she answered as she stepped into the room.

"Me neither" Spyro confessed. "I have been thinking"

She gave a slight grunt in response as she lay next to him.

Spyro watched her as she lay next to him and felt her move next to him as she got comfortable. When she finished, Spyro draped a wing over her to keep her warm during the night. Cynder sighed in happiness as she cuddled closer to Spyro. Once she was comfortable, he placed his head back down next to hers.

"Spyro, you are so tense. What is plaguing your thought?" she asked.

"I have been thinking" he told her.

"About?" she questioned.

"All this" he answered.

"You mean this city and the white dragons?"

"Yes. How can we never have heard of it? A city hidden right here, in the mountains. It's almost impossible to believe"

"I know" she answered as she nuzzled his cheek. "It amazing, isn't it?" Cynder continued. "But I got the impression that there is much more of this city?"

"How so?" Spyro asked her.

"I got the impression that this city, or at least the temple building at the top, to be very old. Older than Warfang I think. There is much more to this city"

"Hmmmm..." Spyro mused before asking. "How many dragons do you think there are in this city?"

"I don't know" Cynder answered. "But I guess there must be quite some. Maybe we should ask the Nimbus tomorrow, or if he does not know, the Elders" she offered.

"And what do you think about the white dragons?" Spyro questioned her.

Cynder snorted containing a laugh at the reaction they had gotten from all the white dragons.

"I guess they are all right, maybe just too amazed with us" she answered.

Spyro chuckled as he turned and started nuzzling her. "I guess we just are good looking"

Cynder gave a short laugh.

"For a moment I thought that Sparx had entered the room" she teased as she lifted her head to look at him.

"You're right. That sounded so much like him" Spyro agreed with a lught.

"I guess you have spent too much time with him" she purred as she gave a lick at the top of his head, between his horns.

Spyro jumped lightly in surprise at her contact and the strange feeling of her wet tongue move across his scales.

"Cynder?" he questions her.

"Hush" she silenced him. "It's been some time since we had some time alone together.

Spyro remained motionless for a few moments, wondering what she was going to do. Soon enough, he got his answer as he felt once again her warm tongue slide across his scales in his head. Slowly, her wet tongue traced the path she had previously crossed. Once she finished, it started once again at the beginning.

Spyro started to enjoy the strange sensation of Cynder playing with him. He bobbed his head with each swipe of her tongue, purring in pleasure. Spyro, started to seek her tail with his own moving it this way and that trying to find her. Once he made contact with Cynser's tail, he slowly went over it and tried to go back under. Cynder's tail responded in kind once he started as she first went down and then came back on top. Both tails seemed to have a mind of its own as they started to coil around the other, making their union stronger.

"Oh you..." Cynder teased as he started to coil his tail. "You are enjoying this too much are you?"

Spyro turned in his side to face Cynder without removing his wing over her and not separating the tails.

"I enjoy being with you" he said in a very content voice.

"Awwww... how sweet!" she said in a love stuck voice.

Cynder also moved onto her side so she could face him comfortable, making sure she did not get out of his wing embrace.

They lay very close to each other. The only thing they could see was the face of the dragon in front. But not that it matter; that sight was better and worth more than everything else they could think of. The heat from their bodies slowly rose as they shared their warmth.

Both of them looked at their eyes that shone with the faint light that entered from the window. Spyro felt enchanted by the emerald green eyes as Cynder as they twinkled form time to time. Cynder was captivated by the amethyst color eyes of Spyro; so comforting and reassuring they were.

Cynder inched closer to Spyro, as if she was ensnared by a spell, but it did not matter, since she did not want to stop. Spyro, for his part, somehow knew when Cynder moved... so he moved too. Both their breath were mingling. Each of them inhaled the other's warms exhale, the smell was beyond comparison.

Before they knew, both had locked their lips in a kiss. Rather than the fierce kiss, this one was soft... and delicate; enjoying and feeling part of the other's body, not just the act of kissing. Both of them opened their mouths and their tongues moved forward, entering in a new territory. Both of them made a dance with their counterparts as they moved in rhythm and coiled around each. They savored the taste of the others inner mouth, as they explored this new territory.

Instead of the strong and fierce kiss that lasted as long as they could hold their breath, this soft kiss lasted for minutes as they played with their tongues and squeezed their tails in a playful manner.

Neither of them said anything nor did something that could interrupt this wonderful interaction as both expressed their deepest love for the other.

Spyro, wishing to have her closer to his body, moved his arms while he kissed Cynder and gave her a soft embrace as he pulled her closer. Cynder moaned into the kiss in pleasure as he felt his soft yet strong paws surround her, yet, did nothing to stop him from pulling her closer.

Spyro stopped only when his belly touched hers. Now they could not be closer. Their belly scales moved in smooth motions against the other, producing delicious friction that both of them enjoyed immensely.

Spyro started to move his paws across Cynder body, tracing each of her curves and figures. Cynder touched the strong muscles beneath the purple scales of Spyro. She could not help but giggle as she felt them twitch at the contact.

They spent some time kissing and touching each other's body as they explored; their bodies growing aroused as the progressed. However, by unspoken agreement, they decided not to go further. Time passed without them noticing. They continued with their love sharing until both of them felt exhaustion creep into their bodies and fell prey to sleep. They spent the night in the sweet embrace with their forehead touching lightly and their tail intertwined.

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Author's notes:

Well.... There is a city full of white dragon that can only control wind. They have found the flowers that they went trough so much trouble for. AND Incendio is alive (luck bastard).

That last part was a little extra. I hope you liked it.

Any comment is appreciated.

Onward to the next chapter!