Legend of Spyro: A Retelling Book 1: Two Purple Dragons? Chapter 4
Ignitus was exhausted. After all the walking and the fight with the apes his old bones wanted to rest. He hadn't done that much activity in many moons, the last time being when he was still fighting in the war. "But noooo, you had to answer their questions didn't you?" he berated himself. But he felt he owed the two young dragons that much.
What he didn't expect though was how many questions those two could come up with. Just as soon as he finished with one they had another one ready for him. He did tell Gwyn the same thing he told Spyro before he came running into the cave earlier that day.
They hadn't realized how late it was until Spyro's head started to droop and a large yawn escaped his maw. Gwyn on the other hand was still bright eyed and was about to ask another question, but was cut off by Ignitus.
"I believe it's time for bed young dragons" he said, getting two upset groans from the two dragons.
"I'm fine Ignitus" said Spyro tiredly. "I'm not that tired" another yawn gaving him away.
"Yeah, and I still want to learn more" Gwyn added. Apart from the running and headbutting an ape, he hadn't done nearly as much as Spyro. He felt bad that he hadn't helped as much, but his curiosity was just as great as Spyro's.
Ignitus chuckled at the two dragons. Their thirst for knowledge seemed almost unquenchable. "Patience you two. There are more days to come and I will answer them. But for now we all must rest. Starting in the morning we will begin your training."
Both dragons' tails started to wag with enthusiasm. They knew Ignitus would train them, but for it to be so soon... they couldn't wait for what was in store.
With another yawn Spyro went to where Sparx had gone to sleep earlier. He hadn't really cared about the information Ignitus was giving and instead went and found a nice spot in the moss against the wall to sleep on.
Curling up near his brother Spyro had a hard time to get comfy. He had never slept on stone before. At home he had a nice bed mad of moss, straw, and a blanket over top of it. When the two brothers had spent the night outside after they had left home they had slept on the grass.
But here there was none of that unless he went and piled up the moss himself; he was too exhausted to do anything. Once he got himself as comfortable as possible he was out within seconds.
Gwyn on the other hand was restless. He tried to sleep on the floor like Spyro, but would then toss and turn trying to find a different spot. His mind was just as active. He was thinking about everything Ignitus had told them. Another problem for him was that he was getting hungry. He hadn't eaten all day and his stomach was making that apparent now.
Trying to ignore his empty stomach he went closer to the wall and started to cut away some of the mushrooms and dig up some of the moss. Eventually when he felt he had a good pile, Gwyn spread it out and laid down on top of the soft material. It felt good and started to warm up from the heat of his body.
Eventually with his stomach sensing it wasn't getting any food and his mind starting slow down, Gwyn went to sleep.
Ignitus had watched the two and was also about to go and fall asleep similar to Spyro, but something just wouldn't stop bothering him.
Looking over at Gwyn, he knew what it was. Gwyn was a mystery to him. If the prophecy he had learned until it was drilled into his head was true, then there should only be one purple dragon. If Spyro's story was true then it was his egg that Ignitus had rescued.
But why then was he here and from where did Gwyn come from he pondered.
That was the other thing that pushed into his thoughts. That name, why was he thinking of that name?
Hoping to gain some answers, he looked into the pool of water. The images he saw, rather from the water or his own mind were not the ones he was hoping for.
He got an answer to one of his questions; in the form of a painful memory.
Flashback
War between the dragons and the Dark Master's Dark Army had broken out years ago. His entire army was made entirely of apes who he had corrupted, lied, and bribed too.
The Dark Master having learned of the ancient prophecy long ago and knew that the purple dragon of legend would be born in a few short years to come aimed to bring the dragons to their knees and hopefully end the prophecy before it began.
Ignitus and the other three Guardians had gone too help stop the Dark Army by leading the Dragon Army into battle. Thousands of dragons had joined and were needed, but yet no matter how many were sent into battle, the apes were too numerous. Always outnumbering the dragons.
The Earth Guardian Terrador remained behind to train fresh recruits and was in charge of the reserves. The ice Guardian Cyril, the Electric Guardian Volteer, and Ignitus would lead the troops to help protect islands and other settlements that were under attack from the Dark Army.
Eventually the attacks were so wide spread that they would send others in their place to help lead the dragons. During this time Ignitus was protecting an island that was a major food and ore producer for their army. They needed to hold it if they were going to last longer against the Dark Army.
They had repelled several attacks already, but scouts had reported a much larger force approaching. Ignitus had sent a messenger to Terrador for reinforcements, but it would be some time before they would arrive.
Ignitus was looking at a map of the island. Even though the enemy would have to come by boat and Dreadwings, the giant bat like creatures the apes rode, the island was large. If they focused on the beach they would be spread to thin, so instead he had them reinforce several of the main settlements further inland.
The last report he had received estimated that the enemy would be on the beaches later this day. Terrador's reinforcement would also be here, but Ignitus wasn't sure if they would be here before the battle began. Hopefully they could hold off the apes long enough until they arrived.
As Ignitus was looking over the map and checking to see if there was anything else he could do he heard the sound of wings flapping and the sound of young dragon claws running toward the building they were using as headquarters.
In came a panting earth dragon. He was light green with a brown underbelly, almost like mud. His wings started off the same shade as his scales, but the farther away they got they darkened; the membranes were a lighter shade of brown. He had two horns on top of his head that curved back around like ram horns. The fins running down his back and tail stuck up like little mountains and were the same color as his underbelly. Like most earth dragons his tail was in the shape of a brown morningstar.
"Sir, the lookouts report that enemy boats and Dreadwings will be here in roughly three hours" said the dragon catching his breath.
"Thank you, go get a drink and get ready" Ignitus said proudly.
"Yes sir" Gwyn said bowing his head and heading off to grab a drink. Even though he was young, he was still old enough to serve the army in a smaller roll. Many young dragons joined to help fight against the Dark Army. Most didn't fight on the front lines, but there were still other tasks and jobs that an army needed filled.
Growing up it had only been Gwyn and his mother. His father was a fire dragon and had been a guard for the village he had grown up in and had died in a bandit attack. At the time Gwyn was too young to remember him. Part of the reason he had joined the army was to feel closer to the father he never knew.
After he quenched his thirst Gwyn went back to the building Ignitus was in and waited by the wall in case he had to run another message.
As Gwyn came back Ignitus glanced at him. He smiled and briefly his thoughts shifted.
After Gwyn graduated from his training he had been transferred over to be under Ignitus' command. Since they needed many messengers, Ignitus had several to relay messages throughout their positions. But there was something about Gwyn that had made an impression on Ignitus that made him his favorite messenger.
Gwyn had been under his command for quite some time. He had experience after being with Ignitus' forces on several islands; some that they had lost and others that they still hold. To be a messenger, one had to be fast and have a good memory. Gwyn was the fastest earth dragon from his graduating class and could remember every single word for his messages, no matter how elaborate his instructors had made them up to confuse the young dragon during his training.
One learns though that training and actually being in the middle of battle are much different and that shorter messages can save valuable time. Gwyn always shorten his messages, but still got the full point across.
But it wasn't Gwyn's great performance during battles, it was what he did in between, when the forces could relax a little bit. Rather it was putting up defenses, helping the injured, or any menial task Gwyn would be the first to volunteer. If nothing was needed of him he would find Ignitus and join him.
When he did and Ignitus wasn't busy, both would talk for hours. Sometimes they talked about the coming battles or previous ones. Other times it was mindless chit chat to pass the time. During these times Ignitus enjoyed the young dragon's company. He had grown so comfortable that Ignitus would ask Gwyn what he thought of different battle plans.
It was both a way for Ignitus to get an opinion and to test the young drake to see how well he could lead one day. The first time Ignitus had asked him Gwyn was dumbstruck.
"Wha...why ask me Ignitus? There are more experienced dragons for this" Gwyn said timidly. When it was just them they both stopped using the formal way to speak and would just use their names.
"Because you are here right now and at times it's good to get an opinion of a younger mind" Ignitus replied.
Gwyn stood up from where he had been sitting and walked over to the map Ignitus was looking at saying, "Just because it's young doesn't mean it's smart. As long as we have you those apes won't stand a chance."
Ignitus smiled at Gwyn's joke and compliment. "Well what if this old mind of mine starts going senile?" he asked jokingly.
"I'll just have to give you mine then. You could probably use it better then me" Gwyn replied matter-of-factually.
Ignitus chuckled, "Until that time comes, show me what you can do with it and tell me what you think of my plan."
After that night Ignitus would randomly ask Gwyn questions to get his opinion when they were alone. They didn't always spend time around headquarters. Ignitus would walk among the troops to see how morale was and Gwyn liked to accompany him. He seemed to have an effect on everyone. When ever he came by people would tell jokes, laugh, and be joyful.
Getting back to work Ignitus and his forces waited for the enemy to come. He sent Gwyn on a few more runs, but time was getting short and everyone was in position.
Time seemed to stretch until suddenly reports were coming in that the enemy was attacking nearly all across the line. Ignitus kept up with every little detail and had to send Gwyn to check on several positions as the battle raged on.
For the first several hours they seemed to be holding their own. The dragons hadn't fallen back, but the enemy still kept coming.
As Gwyn returned from another run from the center of their line Ignitus sent him to check on the east side of it. This was their weaker section, since they knew most of the enemy forces would come from the west. But Ignitus didn't put it past them to figure out their weakness.
Thankfully the villages they had set their perimeter up around had a sheer mountain to cover their flank. The winds above were to treacherous and unpredictable for any flying creature.
As Gwyn got closer to the east section he heard the normal sounds of battle. But the closer he got he had a feeling that something was wrong. As he was flying he saw the mass number of enemy soldiers pushing back the dragons.
If nothing was done to help strengthen this side, they would break through and flank the dragons. Just as he was turning to head back and warn Ignitus his fears came true. The apes broke open a section in the defenses and smashed through the dragons.
Even though dozens of elemental attacks came crashing into the enemy force, there were just so many that they overran the openng. Hundreds of apes rushed through the gap before several earth dragons used their abilities to close it with a rock wall.
Gwyn watched in horror as the apes came rushing toward him heading toward headquarters. He started to flap his wings as fast he could to gain altitude, but just as he started to rise several lucky archers were able to pierce his left wing and side.
Whoever had shot the arrow that hit his wing was either extremely lucky or Gwyn was lacking in it; it had pierced one of the joints. Gwyn tried to keep flying, but without the full use of his wing he went in the direction he didn't want to go.
He landed ungracefully and held his wing out. Coming to a stop he looked at it and saw that the arrow had gone through all the way to the feathers. Biting it he broke it in half and then pulled out the other end so that it would heal. Gwyn then looked at his side, the arrow hadn't gone in deep thanks to his naturally tough scales and it came out with ease.
As he dropped the second arrow the bushes nearby rustled and out jumped several apes ready to kill the weakened dragon. Instantly going into a defensive stance Gwyn readied himself for battle.
Back at headquarters Ignitus was unaware of the danger coming toward them. He was busy between sending out more messages and receiving others when a thought crossed his mind. Looking around he realized Gwyn hadn't returned for some time.
"Has anyone seen Gwyn?" he yelled with unease. All the answers he received made his unease grow. Suddenly shouts and roars could be heard coming from across the camp.
"WE'RE UNDER ATTACK!!!" shouted a soldier nearby.
Everyone in the building including Ignitus ran out to see dozens of apes attacking and smashing anyone and everything in site.
With a roar Ignitus charged forward to help several soldiers who were outnumbered. A large ape was just about to sever the head of one of the soldiers, but as Ignitus was running he focused his elemental powers to form a fireball in his mouth. He spat the fiery projectile and it flew straight toward the ape's chest.
The ape was just about to swing his sword down when he felt something hit his chest that made him take a step back. Looking down he saw a large smouldering hole where his armor and fur had been. Looking up the ape saw a red dragon running toward him. His mind and body catching up to his injury the sword falls from the apes hands harmlessly before the rest of the body follows.
"You alright?" Ignitus inquires toward the soldier.
"F-fine. Thank you sir" replies the soldier shakily. He stands up and joins Ignitus in repelling the surprise attack.
Gwyn was running as fast as he could... if you could call what he was doing running. He could put a little weight on his right hind leg and would use it to push himself forward a little and then drag it behind while trying to keep from falling over.
When the apes came to finish him off, he realized he was outnumbered and started to run, hoping to separate some of them and attack when he could. The first few times he was successful, but the apes soon caught on.
He had received a few cuts and bruises from those few fights, but nothing extremely serious. His wing was still too destroyed from the arrow earlier to be of use else he would've flown long ago. Cursing his luck he kept running.
Looking back to check to see if any apes were following, Gwyn curses his luck again as he trips over a root rolling head over tail.
An ape who had been following Gwyn took this opportunity to attack. Jumping from the trees, he lunged to strike the dragon in the side.
Rather through miscalculation or Gwyn gaining some luck, the ape missed and pierced Gwyn's right hind leg; the tip poking through the other side.
Screaming in agony, Gwyn could barely focus and could only squirm trying to throw off the ape. The ape slid the sword from the dragons leg, making Gwyn scream again.
Hearing the screams, the rest of the apes that had been waiting for Gwyn up ahead came rushing through the brush.
As Gwyn moaned in agony he opened his eyes to see the last of the apes chasing him start to surround him. He knew that they would kill him if he didn't act soon.
Thinking of his options he knew one ability that could save him. Ignoring as much of the pain in his lower body, he started to draw in the energy around him. A green glow started to form on his chest.
The apes seeing this hesitated, but then continued their advanced on the helpless dragon. Just as they stepped a few feet from him, Gwyn released the energy he had built up.
A green ring went out from him across the ground. It grew several feet past the apes who seemed to not care and raised their swords.
Just as they took a step closer, sharpened earth spikes, almost like stalagmites erupted from the ground piercing all the apes inside the green circle.
Gwyn had used a dragon's most powerful ability: a Fury Attack. All dragons who learn to control their abilities learn it at some point. But he was always warned to use it in the most dire of circumstances because once a dragon his age uses it, they become very fatigued and, when in a condition such as Gwyn is, can possibly pass out afterwards.
As the spikes retreated back into the ground, Gwyn turned his head slowly. Seeing that there were no apes left alive, he released the breath he was holding. All he wanted to do was lay there and wait for his body to heal itself.
Just as he was relaxing he forced himself in full awareness. "I can't rest now" he scolded himself aloud. "I have to get to Ignitus."
Gritting his teeth and hissing from the pain in his leg, he stood up. He knew his leg was no good, but still he tested it. As soon as he put a tiny weight on it, blood came pouring forth from the wound and a small scream escaped between his teeth.
The thought of Ignitus and the others back at headquarters kept him from giving up. At first limping on three legs, he soon fought against the agony he put on his injured leg through sheer force of will until he was hobbling along.
Gwyn had been 'running' like this for quite some time and could start hearing the sounds of battle coming up ahead. He had been feeling himself getting weaker from the amount of blood flowing from his wound, but upon hearing the sound of fighting he put a little more speed in his hurry to find Ignitus.
Bursting from among the trees, Gwyn looked around the village and surrounding area.
Bodies of apes were everywhere, blood flowing down anywhere there was slope and starting to form pools of the red substance. Dotted among them were the bodies of the defending dragons.
Sadness gripped Gwyn's heart as he looked at each dragon, growing more and more painful. He hadn't known all of them, but there were those among them that he remembered talking with or helping out.
The pain he felt had blocked out all sounds of battle until a roar from the town made him realize he had to keep going. He couldn't linger here any longer.
Bodies were strewn through the streets as well. For every dead dragon he saw he blamed himself. "So many dead because of me" he blamed himself. The sound of fighting was getting stronger and as Gwyn turned a corner his heart nearly leaped from his chest.
Ignitus was surrounded by ten apes all brandishing deadly weapons. Ignitus was biting at them and turning every direction to keep them from getting too close.
Gwyn was still drained from the Fury Attack and his injured leg to use any of his abilities, but started to hobble toward the dragon who had come to mean so much to him.
He had gone only a few feet when the apes had had enough of the red dragon and half of them jumped at him. Gwyn could barely keep up with all that was going on.The apes and Ignitus became mass of struggling scales and fur.
After helping the downed soldier earlier, Ignitus tried to rally his troops from the surprise attack. He grabbed as many soldiers as he could along with any messengers that had come flying in to mount an organized defensive group.
At first they were successful and killed dozens of the apes, but none of them we expecting the amount of apes that had come from no where.
From the way they came, Ignitus could tell they came from the East and the unease he had felt for Gwyn had grown painfully larger. As hard as it was, he had to put his worry for the green dragon aside and focus on defending their position.
As the battle drew on the soldiers were picked off or got separated from the group. Eventually Ignitus and a half dozen dragons remained. They too had all gotten separated until Ignitus was alone.
He was walking trying to find any other soldiers or enemies that were still alive when ten apes jumped from the roofs surrounding him.
When they jumped onto him he threw his body around trying to shake the apes off. Pain was shooting through him as the apes stabbed him with their weapons. He had many wounds from throughout the day, but so far nothing life threatening, but if it kept up he could still bleed to death.
Roaring he bit and clawed at any ape he could get a hold of. Every time he made contact the pain would lessen, making him fight harder until all of it was gone.
Finally he was able to rise and breathed fire at the few remaining apes who hadn't jumped onto him. They turned to screaming batches of fire until their bodies couldn't take it anymore and died.
"Igntius!" came a cheerful yell from behind him, making the dragon turn.
"Gwyn?!" he yelled back in disbelief seeing the green dragon. He couldn't move from the joy washing through his body making all the pain he felt from the battle moments ago disappear.
As Gwyn limped toward him Ignitus saw the trail of blood running down the young dragon's leg. "Are you alright?" he asks with concern.
"I'm fine Ignitus" Gwyn replied panting. Everything was catching up to him and he just wanted to sleep for the next week. Looking up he saw he was still a ways from Ignitus, but what he saw behind the red dragon nearly froze his heart.
A large ape that had been kicked by Ignitus had slammed into a building dazed. He had just recovered and saw the red dragon's back was turned. Quietly he sneaked up behind him and raised his sword.
Gwyn had seen the ape, "Noooo!" he screamed and started to run forgetting all about the injury in his leg as if it never existed. Just the sword was swinging down he jumped at the ape knocking him down.
Ignitus was overjoyed at seeing the green dragon that he never sensed the ape sneaking up on him. When he saw the expression change on Gwyn's face and his yell he started to turn his head. Just as he did he saw Gwyn leap by and tackle the ape that was about to plunge his blade into Ignitus' side.
Jumping back he looked to see Gwyn motionless and the ape starting to get back up. Ignitus' temper flared and leaped at the ape slashing his claws across his struggling body. Eventually the ape stopped struggling and lied still, Ignitus still tearing away chunks of fur and skin.
Slowly he realized the ape was dead and stopped clawing at the corpse. He had torn through all the way to the rib cage. Getting off the corpse Ignitus looked at it for a few moments and turned away.
Looking over at Gwyn, Ignitus saw he still wasn't moving. As he came around to the front his heart nearly broke in two.
The ape's sword was lodged into his chest, blood pouring down the metal and onto the stones below.
Ignitus was gripped with grief and believed Gwyn was gone. He wanted to attack, roar, do something to get rid of the pain he felt surging through his body.
"Ignitus..." came a soft whisper.
Ignitus looked down to see Gwyn's half opened eyes looking at him. "Gwyn..." his voice catching as he replied back.
"I'm sorry Ignitus... if only-"
"Stop Gwyn. Save your strength." Ignitus cut off the young dragon. He knew how he was feeling and what he was about to say. "You did everything you could" he consoled.
Gwyn started to cough and as he did blood splattered the ground in front of his mouth. When he stopped he looked up at the red dragon once again. "Ignitus..." he started to say.
"Hush Gwyn. You need..." Ignitus was starting to fall apart. He wanted to tell the young dragon that everything will be alright, that he'll be fine, but they both knew that it would be a lie.
"Ignitus...tell my mom...I love her..." Gwyn's voice grew quieter and weaker with each word. As his head lowered toward the ground he could see how upset Ignitus was. As he lay there he thought of the fond memories with Ignitus and how much the old dragon had come to mean to him. His eyes closing he whispered, "Thank you Ignitus...for everything..."
With one final breath Gwyn's body went completely still. Ignitus was afraid to put his paw on him, but he had to check. Slowly his paw touched Gwyn's chest. He felt no heart beat or the rise and fall of someone breathing. For a few moments he looked at the green dragon and saw a smile on the dragons snout.
Ignitus retracted his paw, shaking uncontrollably. He took a step back and sat on his haunches. Tears started to fall down his snout and mix with the blood on the ground.
He couldn't hold them back anymore and let them fall. Sobbing he tried to wipe them away, but more kept coming. Pointing his head toward the sky, Ignitus roared.
It wasn't a roar that put fear in a dragon's enemy, it was one of grief and pain.
Five dragons appeared slowly from among the buildings hearing their leader. They had just finished off the last of the apes that had separated them when they heard Ignitus. Each of them saw what caused the dragon's pain and each bowed their heads, both for the green dragon and those they had lost so far today.
Back to Present
A tear fell through the air and dropped into the pool of water, sending tiny ripples across the calm surface.
Terrador had found Ignitus shortly after that, still roaring. With even greater pain, Ignitus walked away from Gwyn's body to finish the battle, thanks to Terrador. They later won the battle and Ignitus layed to rest Gwyn's body. Sadly though they lost the island along with many more as the war raged on.
When they left the island Ignitus sought out Gwyn's mother. He had sent her a letter to let her know he was coming. His grief and tears were nothing compared to that of a mother losing her son. When she had calmed down a little Ignitus told her that if it wasn't for her son, he wouldn't be here today and that he owed his life to her son.
Ignitus stayed there for a while, telling Gwyn's mother about the times they spent together and how well her son acted during battles. She shared some of her own memories, but would burst into tears after every few minutes. Ignitus tried to console her as much as he could and eventually it seemed she had run out of tears. Before he left he told her that if there was anything she needed to let him know.
During the war, Ignitus would think of Gwyn often. He missed his chats and his presence, pain filling his heart. As time passed the pain turned to sadness. But with the continuation of the war, the Year of the Dragon, and then having to hide Ignitus hadn't thought of his friend in a long time.
Sitting there Ignitus thought again of the times he spent with Gwyn. After all that time after his death he had realized why his death had hit him so hard.
Ignitus never had hatchlings of his own. Being a Guardian had taken up much of his time to try and find a mate to fall in love with. He was content with each of the dragons he trained as his children.
The other three Guardians at times had tried to court a few dragoness, but none of them went very far. Eventually the war broke out making any such notions impossible.
Even though Ignitus never had a son he had come to see Gwyn as if he was his own, even if he didn't realize it at the time. He would never know if Gwyn saw him as a surrogate father or not. Thinking about all of it made another tear fall into the pool of water.
Looking up Ignitus looked at the purple dragon he had named after his old friend.
Both dragons had jumped to save him, even though the more recent one wasn't as dangerous it was probably what sparked the memory to surface. As Ignitus looked at the sleeping form he understood the other reason behind giving him that name.
Ignitus felt it was a way to honor the memory of Gwyn and hoped his friends spirit approved.
Ignitus looked back at his reflection in the pool. He was emptying his mind of his thoughts to try and focus on finding the other Guardians before he got some sleep. As he did a blurry green form seemed to appear behind him.
Looking closer Ignitus saw it nodding what looked to be it's head. Instantly turning around he thought it was Sparx and that the lighting in the room had turned the color of his yellow glow to green.
Seeing nothing Ignitus looked back at the pool and noticed the green form was gone.
Settling back down he once again tried to focus on his task...this time with a smile and happiness filling his heart.