FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Sorry, this took a little longer then I thought it would. Between work and unexpected babysitting, I was really drained from writing a lot. I did try to work on the story a little bit each day, rather adding to this chapter or thinking about ideas down the line. While thinking, I realized that this book will probably be my shortest and that many of my chapters for all of them will vary in length. Also, I may rename the over all title from 'A Retelling' to something else, since I won't just be retelling the story but expanding on it as well. So when I figure out a more appropriate title, I'll leave it as is for now. I won't keep you anymore, so as always: Enjoy!

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As the two young dragons and dragonfly exit the cave and their eyes got used to the light, the first thing they notice is a door at the far end of a room. The room they are in is surrounded by high, steep walls. On top of the walls are roots growing down from the ground above. It seemed as if the ground had fallen in to reveal the sky up above long, long ago.

Looking back at the door they noticed it was wood with a blinking, circular yellow light in the center of it. A nearly circular arch surrounded the door, only broken near the bottom where one would walk through it. At the peak of the arch was another circular light as well one on each side of where it breaks at the bottom. On both sides of the door was a statue of what looked to be a dragons head set on top of circular stone foundations; on closer inspection some strange kind of writing was carved into the stone. They eyes of the statues were blinking like the lights on the door and arch, but were blue.

Ignitus walks up to the door and waits; after a few seconds he turns around. "Cynder's soldier must have knocked the other two statues out of place...heathens" he shakes his head in disgust.

"What other two statues?" Spyro asks confused.

"On the other side of this door are two statues just like these" he indicates the two statues on each side of him. "When all four statues are positioned correctly, the door opens" he finishes with a mystique voice.

"Yeah good. I was never good at geometry. So what do you want us to do?" Sparx asks not really seeing the point.

Ignitus knew the other dragon was scared and couldn't fight, so he looks at Spyro, "Spyro, I need you to get in there and move the statues in place."

"Me? How?" Spyro wasn't sure what to do. Ignitus just said the door won't open.

"There's a small tunnel that animals use to access the caves. Find it and use it." Ignitus says. He knew there were many such tunnels near the edges of the temple's outer most entrances.

"Yeah, animals, okay. You know what? You do that, and I'll wait here with Scaredy" says Sparx pointing at the other dragon.

"Hey! I'm not scared" says the offended dragon.

"Not with how you were acting a little bit ago. I could see the air around you shaking as we walked" Sparx jokes.

Embarrassed the drake replies, "Shut up. No I wasn't." Even though he knew that Sparx was right he didn't want to admit it.

Before it went any farther and not wanting to waste time Spyro steps in to stop the two. "Alright enough. How about you help me find the cave entrance?" Spyro asks the drake.

"Sure!" He exclaims seeing a chance to be helpful.

They started looking around the walls. Even Sparx helped Spyro in places he couldn't reach.

The other dragon was on the left hand side of the room looking at anything that could be hiding a hole. He felt a breeze on his right, which was strange since they were below ground. He looks toward where it was coming from and sees a bunch of roots tied together. As he gets closer he hears running water and feels another breeze coming from the other side.

"Hey, I think I found it!" he yells to get Spyro's attention.

Spyro comes running over and sees where the dragon is pointing. He jumps up and swings his tail, smashing the fragile barrier. "Nice job. Come on Sparx!" he yells to his brother, not wanting him to be here to be a pest.

"Really? But..." sighing he follows his brother into the hole. "If I die in here, I'll kill you" his voice echos off the walls of the cave.

The young drake laughs and goes back toward where the red dragon is waiting. He saw his eyes were closed and didn't want to bother him if was sleeping. He sat down next to him and waited for Spyro and Sparx.

Inside the cave Spyro and Sparx were dealing with a bug problem. Several Shroom Spiders had made it their home and the farther they went more would pop up out of the ground. Spyro breathed a little fire at a few to scare them off and others he head charged or slashed at. He didn't want to waste all his energy with the fire in case he needed it later. Only a few would come at a time, so he didn't have to worry about being surrounded.

Light was pouring up ahead and as they entered, it was a smaller room like earlier. On the left were some ledges and on the right was a steeper one, but looked like there was a way out. He hopped the ledges on the left and glided across to the other side.

Leaving the small room they come back outside above ground and turn right where they notice a hole in the ground covered up with old vines. They look at each other.

"Eh, when in doubt, break it right? Go nuts" Sparx says to his brother.

Chuckling Spyro jumps up above and smashes his head against the vines not realizing that now nothing is beneath him to land on but darkness.

He falls through the hole and lands on his stomach, the air going out of him. It wasn't a far fall, but it really surprised him. Getting up he hears movement. Looking around he sees the form of more Shroom Spiders surrounding him.

He breathes in and then while spinning he breathers fire making them back off. He charges at one on his right. He turns around and headbutts another that came right up behind him. They run off into the dark. He quickly scratches the other two enough to make them run off.

His eyes finally get used to the lack of light and he notices the other two statues Ignitus had mentioned. "Sparx a little light please?"

"Just because I was a lantern once, doesn't mean I'll be one again." Sparx says upset.

"Please Sparx? I need to see where to move the statues" his brother asks pleadingly.

"Fine, but you owe me" Sparx relents.

"Thanks." They move around the floor trying to spot the stones like the ones outside. Spyro walks behind one of the statues and feels the ground change. Scratching some of the moss away he notices the writing similar to what he saw earlier. After scratching away more moss and dirt Spyro believes he finds the center of the circle. "Sparx float right above me here" he instructed his brother.

Spyro pushes the statue into place right below his brother. When it gets into position a column of light shoots upwards from below making the stature look gold for a moment. It's eyes start to glow like the others. They do the same thing to the other one and then they hear a loud clank. Turning toward the door they see it swing open toward them with a squeak. On the other side sits Ignitus and the other dragon who's wide eyed.

They stand up and come toward Sparx and Spyro. "Way to go guys!" exclaims the little one.

"Any trouble?" asks Ignitus.

"A little insect trouble...nothing I couldn't handle" Spyro replies modestly.

"Little insects, my tail section" Sparx comments knowing they could've eaten him in one bite.

They walk toward the other door in the back of the room which looks the same as the first except there were no statues.

Ignitus walks up to the door and starts chanting, "The past is prelude, tomorrow a dim promise. Allow us entrance, do not reject us."

"Are you making that up?" Sparx asks making sure the old man hasn't gone senile on them.

"It should open for us" Ignitus replies. Though he figured this would happen. "There is a... disturbance." He turns toward them. "It seems my fears have been realized: they've desecrated the interior as well. Guess we'll have to open it the old-fashioned way. Make your way through the connecting rooms, restoring every statue you can find." He instructs Spyro.

"Hey you know what? Let's don't and say we didn't. Why don't you do it?" says Sparx getting tired of Ignitus ordering them around.

"You want my help? Very well, hop up." He walks over to the wall where above his head is a ledge.

"Alright...the old guy's coming to life" Sparx comments surprised that actually worked.

Spyro jumps onto his back making Ignitus grunt. He then jumps onto his head making him groan from his weight and then hops up onto ledge.

Ignitus backs up and looks up at Spyro "Careful Spyro. Cynder's forces are surely on their way" he warns. He knew time was of the essence.

"Oh goody" Sparx says sarcastically. Just what they need more trouble in the form of apes.

"We will, don't worry" Spyro says and then turns around and walks off to find the statues.

"Every time I hear that, something always happens" Ignitus mutters to himself. He walks back and remembers the other dragon in the room.

He looks at Ignitus "Ummmm...I never...never did get your name..." he says shyly.

Chuckling a little and remembering that he didn't, "How rude of me I'm-" a smashing sound like glass is heard from the ledge. "Yep there's the trouble probably" he says to himself. Looking back at the young dragon he finishes, "I'm Ignitus."

"Ignitus..." the child says aloud to remember the name and smiles when he says it correctly.

Smiling, Ignitus turns around to wait for Spyro when he feels something grab his tail. Turning his head he notices the young dragon pouncing at it. To entertain him Ignitus moves it occasionally.

Back with the other two adventurers they had noticed a pink shining crystal growing out of the ground after Ignitus warned them.

"What do you think it is?" Sparx asks amazed at how big it was.

Spyro was speechless as he stared at it. The longer he stared the more his head leaned toward it. He didn't even realize he was doing it. As his head touched the crystal he heard someone faintly whispering to him.

Sparx watched his brother's strange actions. The next thing he sees makes his mouth drop open. The light of the crystal seemed to move toward Spyro in misty tendrils. It lasted only a few seconds and then when all the light was gone from the crystal it busted into tiny shards that turned into dust whenever they hit something.

"Hey Spyro, what was that about?" Sparx asks trying to understand what he just saw.

Just as confused "I don't really know" Spyro answers. Though he did remember the feelings going through at the time. "I just felt like I had to touch it. When I did I heard whispers. When the light touched me it felt like the power of a thousand suns surged through my body."

"Riiiight, okay" Sparx says concerned for his brothers mental issues. "Well you know what? You should really sleep better. Y'know, I'm gonna stop bugging you. You really need to get eight hours."

Spyro admits what he said sounds far fetched, but is was the best he had at explaining it. Chuckling and shaking his head he says "Forget I said anything. Let's go." He knew they needed to go before Cynder's army got there and the crystal delayed them long enough.

As they come around the corner they hear the laughs of apes. Not wanting them to know they are here yet, they back track a little. Spyro thinks about what to do when he remembers what Ignitus had told him. He thought about what apes had done and was growing angrier the more he thought about it.

Sparx sees the change in his brother. "Spyro you ok?" he asks full of concern.

"Yeah, I'm fine" he says still looking angry. He walks forward toward where the apes are with Sparx following him.

There are three of them; two short ones and a medium one ready to throw an exploding ball.

Spyro charges the turn smaller ones and breathes fire. He puts both their furs on fire and let them run screaming. The other one throws the now lit ball and Spyro dashes past it, charging the ape.

The ball explodes harmlessly behind him as he jumps onto the ape and bites its neck trying to rip its throat out. He was so upset that he didn't care about killing them, he wanted to get revenge for what they had done to so many innocent people. In a matter of moments he rips the throat out and left the ape gagging on its own blood.

The room filled with the smell of burnt flesh and the other apes had stopped screaming.

Looking around Spyro saw a statue. He pushed it into the middle of the stones nearby until the light appeared in its eyes.

Sparx was dumbstruck at what he saw. "Spyro...you sure you're ok?" Really concerned now for his brother.

Spyro looked at him and saw his fear. What he saw in his brother's eye made him calm down. He looked around at what he had own and wanted to get out of there. Although it didn't make him sick, he felt disturbed at what he had done.

There was another connected room through a hole and through it they could see another statue. Walking into it two Shroom Spiders pop up seeing two tasty snacks. He deals with them quickly with less fire he did with the apes to make them scurry away. After pushing the statue in place they follow a path and see a wall with an intricate design.

Stepping up to it there's a torch. Breathing fire on it he feels the ground shake. Suddenly they are turning and then stop.

"That's quite an entrance young dragon. There may still be hope for us yet." Ignitus' voice comes from behind Spyro, making him jump and turn around. He was back where he had started. He glided down next to Ignitus and saw the door was open.

While they had been waiting Ignitus entertained the young one with his tail. He was getting better at pouncing and sneaking Ignitus noted. He heard the sound of the door unlocking and looked up to see it swing open. "Come on child, it's time to get moving" he said standing up.

He had stopped playing when he saw the door open and knew Ignitus was right. Looking up when he heard a noise, he gasps when a section of the wall swung around with Spyro and Sparx on the other side.

Past the door is a path with the same steep walls and the ground broken up above to show the sky. As they walk through the door, Spyro notices two more of the pink crystals. "What are these things?" he asks Ignitus walking up to one.

Seeing the crystals for the first time, the other dragon was starring at them mesmerized.

"These are Spirit Gems...a gift from the Ancestors" Ignitus answers.

Spyro wanted to fill his curiosity. He always enjoyed learning new things. "What kind of gift?" he inquires.

"A gift that speaks across generations... a gift that empowers you with the spirit of the past, strengthening you with the wisdom of the ages."

"I feel more powerful already" Spyro comments. Just listening to Ignitus made him stronger. "I saw one earlier and when I touched it, I heard whispers..."

"And then you felt the power of a thousand suns" Sparx mocks his brother. "Like I said bro, you need to sleep better."

Ignitus chuckles, "We all experience it somewhat differently. Now, go ahead you two" he motions to the two young dragons to touch the crystals.

Spyro leans forward and touches his head to the crystal like before. As soon as he did he heard the voices and felt the same thing. Even if his brother made fun of him for what he felt, he knew Sparx wouldn't understand.

The other young dragon watched Spyro in the same manner as Sparx had done earlier. When it was over and the crystal shattered he ducked trying to avoid the shards. He saw as they hit they turned into dust, not harming him at all.

He stood back up and just as Spyro had done leaned his head against the crystal. His eyes went wide when the voices entered his head. Though they didn't sound like whispers to him. If he focused enough he could almost hear certain words, but he lost that focus when he noticed the light around him. As it touched him, he felt like he could take on anyone and anything. He didn't feel any fear at all. Sadly though, it didn't last and the light died away, along with the crystal soon afterwards.

Watching him with curious eyes, "What did you feel young one?" Ignitus asks.

"I...I heard the voices. I could almost make out certain words, but lost them" he said sadly. "When the light touched me I felt I could take on anyone...even you..." he said embarrassingly.

Ignitus smiled "Well young one, it might be some time before that happens. I may be getting old, but I can still fight when need be."

Sparx tried to cover his mouth to stop his laugh, but couldn't hold back. Spyro glares at him.

"Come on" Ignitus says ignoring Sparx. "We still have a little ways to go before we get to the temple itself."

With that the three follow Ignitus. As they walk Spyro remembered something Ignitus said. "Ignitus, who are the Ancestors you mentioned earlier?"

Remembering that these two haven't been taught anything about their own kind he answers "They are dragons that have come before and have passed away. Rather through battle, old age, or some other manner."

Spyro thought about what Ignitus said. Growing up with dragonflies he had attended a few funerals with his parents and learned that when they dragonflies die, they sent them down the river on leaves to return to nature. He was about to ask Ignitus more when they entered another room with a door up ahead with statues around it.

As they walk toward the door they pass three crumbling columns. The laugh of apes coming through the wall on the left makes Ignitus hurry his steps. "Do you hear that?" he asks the others.

"What is it?" says the young dragon. Spyro knew what it was and didn't like it.

"Exactly what I feared" replies Ignitus sitting down making them all stop. He looks at the two dragons. "Look, perhaps we should turn back." He gets up starting to turn the way they just came from.

The two purple dragons look at each other not believing what they just heard. "What?" says Spyro, "After coming so far?"

Ignitus stops but doesn't turn around, "If this door is closed, it means there are intruders behind. It's how the Temple protects itself."

"Ah, yeah, doesn't work to well, does it?" Sparx says. "Great security you got here."

Spyro ignores his brother's remark. "So what are you saying Ignitus?" he asks still not understanding all of this.

"What I'm saying is that the only way the door will open..."

"Don't say it!" Sparx interrupts, knowing where the big guy is going with this.

"...is if the intruders are kicked out of there." Spyro finishes for Ignitus now understanding what Ignitus meant earlier.

"Didn't I just say don't say it?" comments Sparx.

Spyro walks over towards the wall where they heard the sound of the apes earlier. The other dragon joins him seeing if he could help in anyway. "How am I going to smash through this?" Spyro ponders to himself.

Ignitus watches the two dragons to see what they do. In a way he was testing them to see how they thought to overcome problems facing them. He watches the other dragon turn away from the wall and head towards the crumbling columns they passed earlier.

As the young dragon looks at each column he notices the last one is about to fall over right toward...

"Spyro come here!" he yells, an idea coming into his mind.

"What's the matter?" Spyro asks confused at the urgency in the drakes voice.

"Nothing, but I think if we push this column just right it will smash into the other two and then into the wall" he explains.

Spyro then looks at the columns and notices the young dragon is right. "Alright, let's try it" he agrees.

The two dragons position themselves behind the column and standing on their hind legs, reach up and push the column over. With the sound of grinding and crunching of stones, it falls over to the next and hits it. The second one in turn hits the third and then finally hits the wall, smashing through the layer of stone. Once the dust settles and the drakes stop coughing they take in the new scenery.

All three columns are broken into pieces and the a gaping hole replaced where the wall was.

"It worked!" the two exclaim together.

Ignitus was proud of what the two had done together. To him, this enforced what he said to Spyro earlier, "There may be hope for us yet" he repeated in his head.

"Come on Sparx, let's go and finish this" Spyro yells to his brother.

With a sigh and some grumbling Sparx follows.

"Good luck!" Spyro hears behind him as he jumps through the hole. Just as he gets through it an ape that had come to investigate the noise from the wall being smashed runs at the sight of the purple dragon.

"Great... company is coming and I don't have anything prepared" Sparx jokes.

"Not helping" Spyro retorts bluntly.

Spyro cautiously walks through the cave waiting for the apes that were sure to come at any moment. As he turns a corner he notices light coming from up ahead and it helps to illuminate this part of the cave.

As he starts walking toward the light two forms darken it, casting shadows down the path. "Here they come" he says to himself, preparing for another fight. But what came next surprised him.

The two apes stepped aside while another larger ape took their place. This was the largest ape Spyro had seen so far. This ape looked like the others, but carried a shield with spikes on its surface, his right shoulder and the sides of his chest had even larger bones attached to the sash and cloth covering its upper body. It had a helmet with tusks on both sides and feathers on top of it. When it picked up its weapon a gasp escaped Spyro mouths; it was a mace, but with a Spirit Gem as the head of the weapon.

Even though he had just learned what those were, he felt as if something special had been desecrated. The anger from earlier was returning as well as the memories of the slain apes. Spyro still hated how he acted, but the feeling of satisfaction he now felt of seeing the apes dead pushed that away. He let the anger take over and charged at the apes ahead of him.

Seeing the dragon charging them, the large ape grabbed an exploding ball from the bag on his back, lit it, and threw it ahead of Spyro.

Whatever was fueling Spyro didn't even register the ball as a threat. To him, his goal was to tear these apes to pieces and the ball would help. As the ball bounced, Spyro skids to a stop, grabs the ball, and throws it back from where it came.

The apes scream seeing the deadly weapon coming at them and can only curl up into a ball before it explodes a few feet in front of them. Pieces of it bounce off their fur and after making sure they weren't hurt they turn to see a purple form come through the smoke to attack one of the smaller apes.

Both ape and dragon were rolling on the ground as one tangled mess. Spyro was biting any where that he could while the ape swung his arms trying to fend off the sharp teeth. Having enough of the struggling ape Spyro grabbed both its arms in his paws and locked them to the ground. Before the ape could do anything to throw off the dragon Spyro bits its throat and tears a hole in it.

Knowing the ape would now die choking on its own blood, Spyro gets off the ape and faces the other two. The whole struggle had lasted a few seconds which was enough time for the two remaining apes to collect their senses.

The large ape raises his weapon and brings it toward the ground. To Spyro's surprise the crystal on top didn't smash, but a pink ring formed where it touched the ground and was growing larger. As it came closer Spyro's instincts were telling him to get away, but his confusion, curiosity, and mostly the anger in him ignored these instincts.

As the ring touched his paws he felt an invisible force lift him off the ground and throw him end over end back into a wall. Getting up he tries walking, but everything is spinning he falls back down. Only when he starts feeling pain from the punches from the small ape is he able to clear his senses.

Being thrown like a piece of garbage and now the punches landing on him pisses off the already angry dragon even more. As another fist is coming toward his head, Spyro jerks his head back letting the fist punch the ground. The ape, expecting to hit scales and not rock grabs his hand in pain.

Taking the opportunity, Spyro gets back on his feet and headbutts the ape making him stagger and grab his now painful head. Bringing his hands down and ready to start pounding the drake again, he feels a weight hit his chest. Looking down he sees a purple tail gauged into the center of chest.

The ape looks at Spyro, disbelief written across his face. Spyro starts pulling his tail out of the apes chest and as the tip of his tail exits dripping with blood, the ape falls over dead.

Looking around Spyro locates the larger ape who had a lighted ball in each hand. He throws them at Spyro and starts reaching for another.

As the two balls come bouncing toward Spyro he runs to the left hoping to get out of the way before they explode. This time he wasn't so lucky. One of them seemed to know what way he was going and bounced toward him, exploding right behind him.

Spyro screamed and the force of the blast made him lose his balance and fall. He could feel the heat of the blast on his scales and could smell burnt flesh.

Seeing that one hit the insolent dragon the ape puts away another ball he was getting read and picked up his mace, wanting to finish the drake off by smashing his body into the ground. As he got closer he saw the dragon open its eyes and look at him with complete malice. Smiling the ape raised the weapon, ready to smash the whelps head into pulp.

Spyro was ready to slaughter anyone that was nearby. The pain was feeding his anger and as he opened his eyes he saw the perfect person to take it out on: the ape responsible for his current pain. He saw as the ape raised his weapon, smiling. He wanted to burn that smile right off that stupid ape's mouth...and that's exactly what he did.

Spyro roared, though for being still a child it wasn't very threatening, but then flames shot out of his mouth engulfing the ape. The ape opened his mouth to scream, but nothing came out. He drops his weapon and falls, rolling around trying to put out the fire.

Spyro keeps breathing fire onto the ape. He was breathing for longer then he thought possible. Finally, it stopped, but Spyro kept trying to breathe more fire. Realizing he couldn't he looks at the burning corpse. Thick, black smoke was rising into the air which smelled even more so of burnt flesh. The pain from the explosion soon reached his brain and hissing he turned to look at his back.

The right side of his tail and lower hind leg were burnt. Parts of the scale were blackened while others were peeled away from when he had stood up. He moved his tail and hissed again from the pain. More of the flesh peeled and cracked opened, blood slowly forming.

He saw behind him was a ledge and fighting through the pain in his leg he kept moving. Ignitus needed him and there was probably more apes ahead. The thought of more fighting fed his unknown anger and blocked out some of the pain.

This whole time Sparx had watched his brother from inside the mouth of the cave. "No, that's not Spyro" he thought. He had seen the hate in his eyes and knew something was wrong. But he didn't want to confront him yet, not when he was like this. He would wait until Spyro was calmed down. Following a ways behind his 'brother' Sparx continued to watch.

As Spyro got to the ledge he looked down. It was a small clearing with two apes sleeping against a barrel. How they didn't hear what just happened baffled Spyro, but then he saw that the barrel was filled with those annoying exploding balls. He then noticed a black line coming from the barrel toward him.

Gliding down and landing quietly as possible, he sniffs the black substance. It smelled similar to the air after one of the balls explodes. Thinking, something in his mind clicks and he breathes a little fire onto the black substance. It sizzles and starts to quickly head toward the barrel.

Spyro backs up as far as he can knowing this was going to be a big explosion.

The two sleeping apes were tired from their work. They had been moving barrels all day to blast ways into the temple. This was the last one, but wanted to take a breather and ended up falling asleep. Nothing short of an earthquake would wake them.

Another ape was coming through the mouth of the cave and saw the two lazy soldiers. "Wake up!" he yelled kicking both the two sleeping forms. He had heard explosions earlier and thought these two were messing around and had ended up making the barrel explode.

He's about to yell at the apes more when he sees from the corner of his eyes coming from his right. He notices the black powder laying on the ground and...

His eyes go wide at the sight of the incoming burning powder. He turns to jump back into the cave, but it's too late. The burning powder reaches the barrel and explodes.

Spyro feels the blast rack his body and the heat roll over him. Although this was nothing compared to what he felt earlier, to him it was gentle and warm. Opening his eyeshe takes in the destruction.

Where the barrel was is now a hole in the ground. The whole area around it for several feet and up the walls nearby were black. At first he didn't notice anything from the apes bodies, but as he looked he saw a few against the far wall; a finger or toe here, tufts of smoldering fir there. Other then that, nothing else remained.

There was one thing he noticed over in a corner near him. It was a crystal like the Spirit Gems, but this one was red. He timped over toward it and touched his snout to it.

A warmth radiated from where he touched it and soon spread though out his body. As it reached the burnt sections of his scales, a tingling and itching sensation arose.

Turning away from the crystal he looked and was stunned to see parts of his scales and skin looked completely new. As if he had never been injured in the first place. He touched the crystal again, this time with his paw and watched.

The warmth came back and spread through him again, but as it reached the damaged area of his body he saw as the wounds sealed up. Burnt scales fell off to be replaced with new ones. He watched as this happened down his tail until his whole body felt warm. All that remained to tell he was injured was the dried blood.

Taking his hand off the crystal he saw how parts of it were no longer red, but clear. Touching it, the clear parts broke off and disappeared like the Spirit Gems, but the rest of it that was still red remained.

Spyro moved his leg and tail and found that no pain could be felt. He hears a whistle behind him and turns around, startled.

"You're looking good" Sparx comments seeing the whole process of Spyro being healed.

"T-thanks" Spyro replies, still confused about the crystal.

"So what the hell's your problem bro?"Sarx suddenly gets serious. "Apes you've never met until recently suddenly make you go on a killing spree? Just the other day you threw up at the sight of accidentally killing one."

Sparx's question caught him by surprise. "I...I don't know Sparx. I just started thinking about what Ignitus told us about what they did and I just wanted..." he wasn't sure what he wanted to do fully. Yes, he wanted to get revenge for those they hurt, but yet some of the apes he killed today may not have hurt anyone. He was confused about his anger and it scared him.

"Look I don't know what's gotten into your purple head, but that wasn't you I saw there a moment ago. I thought I'd be next if I got too close."

Spyro looked down at the ground, ashamed. "I'm sorry Sparx. I really don't know what's going on with me."

Sparx sighs seeing as he won't get anything else out of his bother. "Uh-huh. Come on, let's get back to the old guy and your twin" Sparx jokes.

"Just because we're purple does not mean we're twins. We're more twins for being born the same day" Spyro comments, glad that the mood was slightly lightened.

"Ha, it's a good thing we're not identical ones. I'd hate to look like you." It felt good to joke around with Spyro, too much serious stuff was going on.

"Whatever." Spyro chuckles and walks toward where the ape had come out of.

As they walk down the cave they see light coming ahead through some vines. Slashing them with his claws, he looks through to find that they are back where they had left the two dragons. He looks down and sees Ignitus walking toward him.

After Spyro had left Ignitus listened to make out how Spyro was doing. Being a Guardian, he had trained all his senses to reach beyond what they normally can for his species.

"Ignitus... why do the apes hate us?" came a quiet voice beside him. Caught off guard it took a moment for him to answer. "Once we get inside I'll answer questions both you and Spyro have. Right now we must focus and make sure no apes are coming to attack us."

The young dragon looked down sadly, "Ok..." he had hoped to get answers to some of his questions while they waited.

Ignitus looked at the downcasted dragon. He thought of an idea, "Close your eyes child and remain quiet. Try to focus on any sounds that aren't ordinary."

Doing as he was told he closed his eyes and focused on all the noises he heard. He could hear his breathing and those of Ignitus. Going out more, he heard the sounds of the insects up above. He kept trying to hear more, "Ignitus I-"

"Shhhhh, you must remain quiet. Focus on the hole Spyro went through." Ignitus cut him off. He had just heard an explosion echoing faintly.

Trying again he stood there listening. He was growing impatient and his legs were starting to cramp making him move to ease their burden. As he got still again he thought he heard a scream of someone in pain.

He stood and looked at the wall. "Spyro..." he whispered unsure if he heard the scream or if his mind was playing tricks with him.

Ignitus on the other hand had heard it clearly. He cringed at the sound of Spyro's pain. He had heard the dual explosions right before and knew what had caused him great pain. The moment of silence afterwards was agonizing. Thinking of sending the other dragon to go see his heart skipped a beat when he heard the roar of an angry, young dragon.

The young dragon kept starring at the hole and back at Ignitus. Ignitus' face showed complete focus, but it also held sadness as well. He wanted to go and check to see if Spyro was alright, but was afraid. His heart was beating faster and his breathing quickened as he thought about going though the hole.

"He is alright" Ignitus said suddenly. He had sensed the tension in the young dragon and wanted to reassure him.

"But how do you know?" Spyro was there and they were both here. How could he possibly know that Spyro wasn't hurt.

Ignitus was about to answer when both of them heard a very loud explosion that shook dirt from the wall. Whatever Ignitus was going to say died in his throat.

They waited for what felt like an eternity, unsure of what to do. "I'm going in!" yelled the young drake tired of waiting. But as soon as he started walking toward the hole, he heard a noise from his left. Looking over both of them saw vines falling from up above. A yellow dragonfly and purple snout emerged from the hidden hole.

Relief washing over both dragons, Ignitus got up and walked over to Spyro. The other dragon came running over as well to check to see of he was alright.

Spyro jumped and glided down from the hidden tunnel. As he landed, all four of them turned to the sound of running coming through the cave Spyro had first entered.

Three small apes, two medium ones, and a large one with a crystal mace came out of the tunnel. They looked at the group of dragons in front of them.

The two purple dragons were wide eye with fear at the group in front of them, but suddenly red scales jumped in front of them.

Seeing the red dragon they had been chasing brought a smile to the large ape. "Well Ignitus, we nabbed your Guardian buddies, but you managed to escape our clutches..." Ignitus glared at him, remembering his friends, "...until now" he finished threateningly.

Ignitus remained crouching. He knew now was the time to act and have some payback for his lost friends and to protect the two young dragons behind him.

"Stand back you two, and let me show you what a dragon trained in the ancient ways can do" Ignitus said. Both of them backed away from Ignitus giving him more room to fight.

The apes started to grunt and speak in their own way. They started to slowly advance toward Ignitus.

He opened his maw and the hottest and brightest fire either of the two dragons had seen came out. It caught two of the smaller apes who weren't quick enough to dodge out of the way, setting their fur ablaze. They ran and rolled trying to put the fire out.

In the confusion Ignitus jumped toward the large ape, bent his head back toward his wings and whipped it around hitting the ape and sent him crashing toward the cave wall.

Turning around Ignitushad sensed one of the medium sized apes charging him. He swung his tail and sent him flying into the other one that was coming from the other side.

The large ape had regained some of his senses. He charged and raised his weapon...

Ignitus punched him square in the jaw and with enough force to make him fly backwards.

"Wooo, the big guy's got some moves" Sparx said surprised.

"Yeah..." was the only comment he got from both dragons.

Getting back up the large ape charged again, but Ignitus headbutts him in the stomach. As he bends over the ape tries to swing his mace at Ignitus' head and misses. He's then sent flying skyward as Ignitus uses his head and horns.

Landing next to the medium sized apes he gets back up groaning. He grunts in their language and points his shield at Ignitus who had been slowly walking toward them growling.

The two small apes from earlier had put out the fire on their fur and hearing their leader speak join in circling Ignitus.

Seeing that he is surrounded Ignitus curls his head and tail around his body.

The two young dragons gasp thinking Ignitus is in trouble. If they had been paying attention to their surroundings they would feel the air getting warmer.

Ignitus was focusing on the air around him to move and heat up. It didn't matter if he hadn't fought in what felt like ages, but using his element was like breathing. He focused until ball of fire formed around him, circling faster and getting hotter.

Knowing he had enough to meet his goal he whipped his head and tail out and roared. The ball exploded into a wall of fire that went out away from Ignitus' body.

The dragons curled over seeing the fire coming toward them, but it stopped a few feet short of them. When they felt nothing burning them they looked up to see Ignitus bent over breathing heavily. The only thing that remained of the apes were piles of ash.

Concerned Spyro ran over to him. "Are you okay Ignitus?" he asked.

"Yes, as I get older it takes longer to recover..." he said panting. Even though he could still fight and use his fire abilities, it taxed him greatly. He couldn't fight like he used too.

Seeing that Ignitus was alright Spyro thought about what he just saw. "You were incredible Ignitus. Can you show me how to do that?"

Ignitus sat down trying to finish gaining his breath back. "Patience young dragon. Soon enough you'll learn all I have to teach. Both of you will" he answered looking back at the other purple dragon.

While Spyro had gone to check on Ignitus he looked at the destruction Ignitus had done. This was his first time seeing death. "They're dead" he kept saying in his head. He started to count the pile of ashes left behind. Something felt wrong though...

"3...4...5..." he counted out loud to himself. "5..." he thought again. Why did that number not seem right. "Because there were 6" he realized.

Looking up from his thoughts he saw Ignitus was starring at him. He then saw motion above and to the left of him. It was the sixth ape and it was jumping with something in its hand.

"Look out!" he yelled running toward Ignitus and Spyro.

Spyro looked at the charging dragon, "What?" he said perplexed.

Ignitus had seen where the young dragon was looking and looked up. "How could I have not sensed him?" he thought to himself, getting ready to strike. He blamed his old age, exhaustion, and mostly himself for being so rusty.

Just as Ignitus was about to strike the ape a flash of purple goes across his vision.

The young dragon had jumped and headbutted the falling ape, not having done something like it before he falls flat on his back with a loud grunt.

The ape was sent flying toward the door and hit the wall to the left of it, the sharp stone he had been holding falling from his grasp.

At first, all Spyro could do was stare at what just happened. The sound of his friend grunting shook him out of his stupor. He looked over at him and saw that he was moving. Looking over at the ape he growled and started to advance, the thought of ending its life coming across his mind.

After he took a few steps, a red tail blocked his path. Confused Spyro watches as Ignitus walks toward the ape.

The ape looks up at the adult dragon standing in front of him. As he looks at Ignitus' eyes his heart froze.

Igntius lowered his head until he was eye level with the ape. "Leave here" he said quietly. "Don't ever come back." How he said those words made the ape shake with fear.

Afraid that any other movement would end his life, the ape slowly nodded his head. Seeing that the dragon backed off a bit, he inched toward the cave entrance. Ignitus kept his eyes on the slowly retreating ape. Even after it scurried up the cave he starred at the entrance, as if expecting him to come back.

Spyro looked at Ignitus the whole time confused until he saw the look on Ignitus' face. Even though it wasn't directed at him, it still sent a chill down his spine.

A groan from behind Spyro made him turn around and go over to the other dragon. "You ok?" he asks helping him to his feet.

"Yeah..." he hisses. "Knocked the breath out of me when I landed. Also, mental note for later, don't land on your back" he joked.

Spyro chuckles. "Yeah you need to work on your landing."

He smiles at Spyro "Thanks" then both turn to Ignitus who is now looking at both dragons.

"Come" he says calmly. "Let us go inside." He turns and limps toward the door which squeals open. The two young dragons look at each with sadness in their eyes after seeing Ignitus limp, but then follow behind him.

Through the door is a small room with another door. "If they were this close outside, they might have possibly gotten inside to the temple" Igntius says sitting down to rest.

"Oh goody" Sparx comments.

"If they are they won't be there for long" Spyro says full of himself. He starts heading toward the door on the other side of the room.

"Wonderful...now he's getting cocky" Sparx remarks to the other two dragons in the room and then turns to follow Spyro.

Ignitus gets up and follows the two brothers with the last dragon in the group bringing up the rear. As they get closer the door slides open into the wall to reveal a large circular room with one more door at the other side. At the center of it is a pool of water, the edges of the stone containing the water was slightly raised above the ground; small sparkles of light were rising from it. On the walls were four flags each adorned with a different symbol on their centers; two flags on the right and two on the left.

As Spyro walked into the room he looks around and then looks at Sparx. Both brothers seem to connect their thoughts and excitedly look at the pool of water. Hearing Ignitus walking behind him he turns to ask about everything in here.

But just as Ignitus' tail passes by Sparx floats to close and his smacked by the end of it and flown across the room. Spyro was scared that Sparx was hurt, but seeing his brother still flying he shakes his head at his brother's clumsiness.

As the other young dragon walks into the room he has the same reaction as Spyro. Looking at the four flags he is about to ask the same question Spyro was about too when he hears the door opening.

"Home sweet home..." Ignitus says happily.

Spyro walks past Ignitus to check to see if there are any more apes. Though as he passes by Igntius he wasn't expecting the giant statue of a dragon.

The room was circular, but much larger. In the very center was the statue of the dragon taking up most of the room. There was enough space for a dragon the size of Ignitus to walk by with plenty of room to spare. The statue nearly reached the ceiling which was constructed of some kind of glass with intricate designs running across it. The light from outside shown beautifully through it making it look almost golden. Along the walls were three circular, yellow lights slightly apart from each other with the middle being slightly raised. Columns broke the walls in half to make four sections, each with three lights. On both sides of the lights were flags, similar to those in the previous room; two for each section.

Along the base of the statue ran four sets of the three lights. Moss covered the top part of the base, making it look like the dragon was sitting in it. All Spyro could see was the back side of the dragon. Its tail wrapping around toward the front.

All around both rooms mushrooms and moss was growing on the floor. Up above, vines and more vegetation could be seen on ledges that ran around the walls of the larger room.

Sprro walked around the bottom of the statue expecting apes to come running form the either side. But none came and as he crested around the statue he saw another opening with a door. Walking up to it, Spyro is momentarily blinded by the light pouring through as it opens.

Once his eyes adjust Spyro sees it leads outside. There's a ramp that goes down to a circular balcony with an arch over top of the ramp right before the balcony.

As Spyro walks out onto the balcony, he is dismayed at what he sees. The island stretches out before him for several miles before reaching the sea. Across it he can see hills dotting up through the mushrooms. More to the left side he can see the mushrooms giving way to trees. Looking around he notices many areas are blackened as if a fire raged through the forest.

Looking out across the sea he could make out the forms of several other islands, but they were too far away to make out anything specific.

The way the sun was setting and lighting up the clouds in the sky and the sea far away, it all made Spyro feel like the world was sick from a terrible disease.

Hearing Ignitus walking up behind him, "What happened here?" he asked full of sadness.

Ignitus and the other purple dragon of the group sat down near Spyro, both looking at the land with sadness. "This is what Cynder has done" Ignitus answered. "Put all the islands under her iron rule."

"I wanted to see where I came from... but I didn't know it was going to be like this." Spyro replied.

"Yeah, no offense, but this place is a bit of a dump" Sparx joked.

Igntius closed his eyes, picturing how it all used to be. "This place was once our home, Spyro." After another moment he opened them and looked at both dragons with determination. "Together, we can make it our home once again... reclaim what's rightfully ours."

"What do you mean?" both young dragons asked. They looked at each other surprised and then both chuckle.

"I mean..." Ignitus began, getting the two dragons to be serious again, "is that my time for heroics is over... but with both of your help, we might be able to beat Cynder."

Spyro thought for a moment about what he heard, "I...I can't Ignitus. I just learned what I am" Spyro said downcasted.

"Yeah..." agreed the other dragon beside him. "And I don't even know how to fight" he said ashamed.

"You can Spyro, both of you can. You are purple dragons... a very special creature" Ignitus said leaning toward the two, hoping to raise their spirits and inspire them. "And I will teach you both how to fight" he said leaning back up. "You've given me hope again. Now it's time to give hope to all of them" Ignitus motioned toward the sea and distant islands.

A memory from when he was younger came to his mind. Spyro had always been helpful to everyone. Rather if it was when someone was injured or needed help around their home, he always wanted to be helpful.

One morning, his brother had asked him why he did all of these things without anything in return. If it was him, he would ask for something.

Their mother, overhearing her son came up behind them. "It's because Spyro isn't selfish Sparx" hinting at his poor behavior. "He has something very few people have these days that makes him special. A caring and loving heart that once to do what's right" she continued happily looking at Spyro.

Spyro looked at his mother blushing. "Stop mom... I'm not special..."

Nina looked at her son lovingly, "Yes, you are Spyro. Don't you ever change and lose that golden heart of yours."

Spyro was going to ask her what she meant, but Sparx was complaining and wanted to go play. Saying thanks to his mom, Spyro left with his brother.

Spyro wasn't sure why that memory came up, but thinking about it helped him make up his mind. "I don't know what help I can be Ignitus, but I'll try..." Spyro knew he was scared, but if he could help others in some way he would. With more determination in his voice he looks up at Ignitus, "I'll try."

"I want to help too" piped up the other dragon, walking over to stand beside Spyro. "Even though I'm really confused about all of this, I don't want to be useless."

Ignitus' felt proud of two young dragons standing before him. "Good, that's all I can ask. Now come with me" he said heading back up the ramp, "it's time I answered your questions."

Both young drakes looked at each happily, finally seeing a chance to have all their questions answered. The quickly followed Ignitus.

"What about me?" whined Sparx. "Don't I get a say in all this? What about what he told us earlier Spyro? All the destruction, and death..." his voice trailed seeing that no one is listening to him. "Typical. No one wants to listen to the voice of reason." Sparx sighs and follows the dragons.

They went back toward the room with the pool of water, each taking a seat around it. "Before we begin, I think we first should figure out your name young one" Ignitus stated, looking at the young purple dragon who had intrigued him this whole time.

Seeing all eyes on him, he became shy. "Li..like I said earlier. I don't know what my name is. I just woke up in some bushes..." his voice trailed off.

"Yes, I remember what we talked about earlier. But nothing has come to you on our way here?" Ignitus asked, hopeful for something.

The dragon shook his head, "No, nothing."

"Hmmmm, well certainly you can't go without a name." Ignitus mused. "Is there a name you want us to call you by?"

The young dragon thought, but nothing was coming to mind. He didn't really know any names for a dragon like himself. Apart from the other three around him, he didn't know any names at all.

"Oh, oh ,oh!" Sparx suddenly says waving his hand around. "What about Fatty? Or Scaredy Scales? Oh, how about Cow-"

"Sparx!" Spyro admonished his brother. "Apologize to him."

"It's okay Spyro. I mean, I could be called Bug Killer. Or Pest Control" he said jokingly looking at Sparx. "Or better yet, we can rename Sparx to Annoyance or Night Light" he continued to joke.

The last one made Spyro laugh making Sparx glare at his brother. Spyo could tell these two were going to get along quite well.

"Funny" Sparx commented to the dragon. "Although I've heard them already, so come up with something better" he said.

"This whole time Ignitus had remained in thought and one name kept coming to his mind, but he didn't understand why. "How about Gwyn?" he asked.

"Gwyn?" came three young voices. Everyone looked back at the nameless dragon.

"Gwyn..." he said quietly to himself. He smiled his tail waging happily. "I like it!"

"Very well" Ignitus smiled at him. "From now on, you'll be known as Gwyn."

Three draconic snouts were smiling around the pool of water, one being the happiest of them all. Though one lone dragonfly was grumbling in the corner. "I had better ones..." he said under his breath. But looking at the newly named dragon, a slight smile could be seen forming on his face.