Even Gods Make Mistakes

Both Spyro and Cynder were, inevitably, at the end of their strength. Fighting for over four days, with only minimal time for rest, would take its toll on even the strongest of dragons. And now, as Malafore advanced towards the two heroes, stalking over the large purple crystal, all hope seemed lost. What none of the combatants realised however; was the spirits of purple dragons, who had lived in the millennia past, were watching and stirring. Each and every one had watched over Avalar, witnessing its gradual destruction at the hand of The Dark Master. They all decreed; no more. No more would the many species of their planet, sentient or not, be forced into tyranny. No more would The Dark Master pollute the world with evil. Rising as one, the spirits dragged Malafore into the crystal upon which he stood, imprisoning him inside its depths, the now hapless dragon screaming, loud as the destroyer itself.

“NOOOOOOO!!!” Once he was finally gone, Spyro and Cynder landed on the crystal, haggard shards of light, illuminating the interior of the planet, caused by the many cracks in its surface.

“Spyro, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” She could hardly look her companion in the eye. Cynder now knew how it felt to betray someone. It wasn’t the mere act which was important, it was the reaction from the dragon who finds out, an inevitable ending, as the young dragoness had discovered. It was like having a dagger stabbed through the heart, then twisted.  For this reason, Cynder could not describe the happiness she felt upon hearing Spyro’s reaction.

“Don’t be, it’s over now.” Even as he said it, he knew it wasn’t true. Rocks started to fall around them, tumbling in all directions as the cavity around them continued to expand. Gravity meant little at this stage, no match for the power of the destroyer. Spyro knew that soon, if nothing was done to prevent it, his planet would slowly decay from its orbit around the sun, falling to its doom.

“So this is it?” Before Cynder could say anything more, a shadow appeared behind Spyro. It was in image of Ignitus. He had his eyes closed, as though concentrating, but Cynder could not think what it was that her companion was hearing. Whatever the elder dragon was saying, it was meant only for Spyro. Suddenly, his eyes snapped open, revealing a new sort of determination. It was that of a martyr.

“I know what I need to do, get out of here, Cynder.” The sudden realisation of what Spyro was planning to do brought a lump to Cynder’s throat. Tears started to streak down around her maw.

“Spyro no, you don’t have to do anything, let’s just go.” She moved closer to Spyro, she didn’t want to lose him. He was the only dragon in the world who understood who she was. He could see past her history, making Cynder feel like she mattered. It was a gift which no dragon had ever given her.

“Where, Cynder? There will be nothing left. The world is breaking apart. But I think I can stop it… I think I’m meant to.” She finally understood how she felt. Why she didn’t want to leave him.

“Then I’m with you.” As Spyro started to rise, enveloping himself in energy, Cynder found the words to express how she felt. “I love you.” The world seemed to shine a brilliant white, broken only by spots of purple. The magic emanating from Spyro was enormous, more than enough to bring the now broken pieces of planet together again. Eventually, molten rock began reforming, encircling the two dragons. Spyro toppled back onto the crystals surface, unconscious. Cynder knelt, and then laid down next to him, draping a bladed wing across his body. The temperature started rising, it would not be long now. Closing her eyes, Cynder tried to remember the few moments of happiness her memories possessed. All of them contained Spyro.

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The Spirits continued to watch, and, just as with Malafore, they came to an agreement. They would use their strength to save the young dragons facing death. Where they would end up, none of them knew, but it would not be here. The spirits could only hope it was a world of peace, for these dragons had seen enough blood flow to last a thousand millennia. There was a flash of magic… and then they were gone.

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Books lined the walls, surrounding an enormous hour glass. The passing of blue liquid inside was almost complete. The Chronicler levitated a book in front himself, reading its contents for the last time.

“Be welcome, friend. I have long been expecting you.” He gestured to the final page of the book, revealing the planet, still recovering, slowly but surely. “A new age is beginning. With each new age, a worthy dragon is chosen to chronicle the many triumphs and failures of that age. This has been my duty for many millennia.” He then turned to face his lone guest. “And now, Ignitus, I pass this honour, to you.” The fire dragon walked with his head held high, trying not to reveal the worry on his face. Still, he needed to ask.

“And… what of Spyro? Is he…”

“Hmmm, that is the question, isn’t it?” He closed the current book, before returning it to the wall. In its place floated another. “You see, each time a dragon dies, a new page is written in this book.” He looked Ignitus in the eye, making sure he understood. “I’ve done my best, but, I can’t seem to find any trace of Spyro.” He then disappeared, partially blinding the fire dragon for an instant. Ignitus was confused for a moment. That was, until, he looked down at himself, to find his scales a light blue, now adorned in the Chronicles gear.

“Well young dragon, where might you be?”

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“Tia, did you feel that?” The blue alicorn rose from her table, approaching the windows lining the walls of the royal kitchens of Canterlot Castle. She had a dark blue mane and tail, which sparkled of a million stars. Her flank was adorned with a crescent moon against a dark blotch.

“I did.” Celestia, a white alicorn with pink, blue and aqua mane and tail replied. Her cutie mark, as they were known amongst ponies, was a star, albeit from a close perspective. “I’m not sure what it means, but I would fear not, it came from Ponyville. It was probably just one of Twilight’s spells gone wrong.” Luna shook her head fiercely.

“No, what if it is a threat. We could be caught unawares.” Luna had always been worried about her sister’s trust in the other nations. Especially following the Changeling invasion, that caught everypony by surprise. “We should at least send an expeditionary force, find out for sure.” Celestia sighed, realising her sister could not be convinced.

“Very well.” She then called over a messenger. “We shall send Captain Ericson to Ponyville along with a platoon to investigate a possible magical disturbance.” Once her will was done, Celestia turned back to her sister.  “Happy?”

“Yes” The princesses then resumed their lunch in peace.

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Pain… It was all that existed. Where was she? Who was she? Suddenly, memories flooded back. Cynder, that was her name, was it? Of course it was; how could she forget her own name? She remembered fighting in the burnt lands, confronting Malafore, the world breaking apart… Spyro. SPYRO! Where was he? Why wasn’t she dead?

Ok, calm down and think, Cynder. You are not dead, which probably means neither is Spyro. She pondered the situation for a while longer, before she dared to open her eyes. The light was soft, thankfully. She was in the middle of a forest of some kind, though the young dragoness did not recognise the plants which grew thick around her. Upon standing up, she found herself to be shaky on her legs. Damn, she would need to find prey; else she might well starve to death. Closing her eyes once more, Cynder stretched out her mind, searching for Spyro. She soon found him, a tingling sensation, in a westerly direction. All dragons had an innate sense of direction, thanks to the presence of an enlarged lobe of the brain which could detect a planets magnetic field. Suddenly, Spyro’s aura flared. It could mean only one thing. Spyro was defending himself from attack. No. Cynder started sprinting towards her companion, the canopy preventing her from taking flight.

“I’m coming, Spyro” She whispered to herself. “I’m not going to lose you again.”