Spike and Spyro were finally starting to wake up after passing out on the ground like that, they felt a new power flowing through them as a result, Spike felt a dark power coming through him, one of the shadows, but it felt like it could give him strength, something that could help him and Spyro face the Dark Armies.
"Spike, Spyro, wake up!" Cynder shouted with worry while she slapped Spike's face, that finally caused him to wake up with a gasp and he finally woke up.

"Hello! Anyone home? You waking up dude?" Sparx asked looking at Spyro who was finally waking up too from passing out like that, they both groaned and were finally starting to get they're bearings.

"Ugh.. what happened?" Spike asked while rubbing his head, he did feel slightly different after awakening a dark power, he did feel stronger, but not in a way that he should be afraid of.

"You and Spyro suddenly passed out on the ground here, what happened?" Cynder asked while they finally remembered what happened, and got back up after a few minutes of processing it.

"I don't know, but something's happening, I don't know how to explain it, we both don't." Spyro said with concern while he felt his fire return finally.

"I don't know what happened, one minute we felt wide awake, and the next.. we just.. passed out like that." Spike said while he stretched his arms, but Cynder noticed something different about him after closer inspection.

"Spike, why do I feel a dark power in you has awoken? One that's similar to my own powers? Cynder asked concerned if it's a bad thing.

"I don't know, I felt the power of Shadow awaken within me during or.. little trip, I feel stronger because of it, but not one that looks too concerning." Spike assured while he formed some shadows around his hands, and Cynder looked surprised and worried seeing this.

"Spike, you need to be careful when using the Shadows, they're not as simple as your former powers, mine can put quite the strain on those who use it if they don't be careful, just make sure to manage them the best you can, okay?" Cynder asked while she put his claw down.

"Oh.. Okay mom.. I'll focus on using them when it's the right time.." Spike assured while he looked at himself again.
"So now that that's settled, can we finally go back in for sleep? This place has been hooting and howling all night, listen." Sparx said as they heard the crickets and owls around the area, but they were hearing a loud clang that was getting louder.

"What's that sound?" Spike asked with concern as they heard it get louder, but that's when Cynder recognized what it was, and had a look of fear.

"Get down!!" Cynder shouted right as a strange bomb dropped out of the sky and knocked Sparx to the wall, everyone looked up in the sky and they saw the temple was being attacked by Dreadwings, and the Dark Armies, they tried making they're way back in the temple, but the way was blocked from rubble because of the explosion.

"No no, we're trapped out here!" Spike said with fear while they could hear loud screeches above them.

"The other's are still inside sleeping, we have to find another way in! Come on!" Spyro shouted before he suddenly ran forward to another path.

"I doubt that explosion kept them asleep Spyro, but your right, we have to get back in, come on Spike!" Cynder said while they followed him behind.

"Oi we never get it easy do we?" Sparx asked shaking his head while he followed suit.

They all made they're way to the other parts of the temple that could help them get in the place, this place had multiple hidden exits and entrances that were there in case of enemy attacks, and they were just on the verge of one of them. Bombs were being dropped all around the temple which shook the place a bit, and just ahead, they could see a commander of dark apes at the top of the ledge.

"The purple Dragon! Cynder is with them too! Capture them all!" He ordered his monsters who began running to them all.
"Let's put our new powers to the test!" Spike said confidently while he focused his shadows again and formed another scythe like before.

"Cynder stay back, we got this!" Spyro assured while they began charging at the monsters with battle cry's.

"I can fight too, I'm not gonna let them harm my son!" Cynder shouted before she took a deep breath and shot a blast of Fear at one of the larger monsters. Spike flipped over one of the enemy's lunging at him and swung his scythe around and struck it in the back, Spike then blocked multiple slashes from some wolf like monsters and slammed his scythe down which made a shockwave which stunned them for a moment, Cynder joined in by this by lunging off his back and she used a move with her Wind powers and created a tornado with her powers, this swooped over the area and sucked in almost any enemy there was on the battle field, and Spyro finished them off by combining his fire with Cynder's wind powers, and they set the enemy's on fire and defeated all of them.

Spike and the others looked around the area and saw all the enemy's were down for now, so they could move on for a bit.
"You two still know your moves well, impressive considering you just got your powers back Spyro, and Spike got my powers of Shadow recently too." Cynder said impressed while they were pushing some pillars to a pedestal to reach the higher ledge.

"We may have been weak for a while there, but we still know how to fight." Spyro said confidently while they looked around the place, and felt sad seeing all the fire that surrounded.

"It's hard to believe it was all peaceful just a few minutes ago, and now we're suddenly having to fight back against the Dark Armies, again." Spike said regretfully while they hopped up to the ledge.

"The Dark Armies are cruel people Spike, they will bring despair and sadness to anyone they come across, they enjoy the pain of others, the only thing we can do is press on from what destruction they bring." Cynder said regretfully as she felt responsible for all of this still.

"I can see what you mean.. they still haven't stopped after we freed you, even when trying to rebuild the place, reports of them still came up pretty often, they won't really go away until we stop the Dark Master for good.." Spyro replied as they opened the door to the temple after placing the last pedestal in.

"Of course we never get a break, we didn't even get 1 month off until we have to fight through an army again. And I just have a feeling it's gonna get worse from here.." Sparx said while shaking his head at the thought of it.

"I don't know what's making them attack the temple, maybe it's because they wanna capture me, or the two of you.. I.. can't say for sure why they're here, but it's definitely a part of a warning of something worse to come." Cynder said as they could always feel a growing darkness coming closer.

"I think we all know it just means bad news, we can't let them cause more damage to the temple, I'm sure Ignitus and the others are up by now, but we need to get back to them, come on guys!" Spike said as they all ran ahead some more to hurry up.

They all made they're way through the temple as quickly as they could, the temple was a lot larger then they thought, they've only been through a small part of it before, but they're having to go through what looks like multiple floors to reach the others. They had to light a few torches to open some more doors that led forward, the floor around them was weak to the damage that was caused, and they luckily didn't have to face more enemy's since they fell through it which bought them time.

Spike still felt worried about all that's happening, the Dark Armies don't just suddenly attack the temple like this for nothing, they're always here for something, Cynder may be right, this could be a warning of the war that's to come to this world, and with how this world has handled recovering after the last few years from it, Spike just feels bad knowing he and Spyro have the pressure of saving this entire world. His dark powers grow stronger in him each night, and now that he's awakened his Shadow powers, he has no choice but to use it, along with most of Cynder's other ability's that she has as well.

Soon enough, they made they're way back out of one of the temple's halls, and back outside. They could only see more destruction being caused by the Dark Armies who destroyed most of the ancient structures around the place, but this actually caused some giant spider creatures to be enraged by the destruction, and they began attacking the armies to fight them off.

"Wow, guess even nature hates these guys huh?" Spike asked surprised while they quickly made they're way through the battlefield.

"Survival of the fittest Spike, that's what this is to those creatures.." Cynder said a bit disgusted as they kept on moving through.

They had to keep fighting they're way through more hordes of enemy's to keep moving forward, Spike had to smash himself down on the spider's soft sides once they flipped them over, these spiders often came out at night to hunt some prey, and that only gave more reasons to stay in the temple where it's safe, but they all didn't let these obstacles slow them down, Spike used his shadows to blast some more of them into some spiked floors below to save time, Cynder used her powers of Fear to blast multiple away to free up the space, and Spyro used his Cosmic Dash and rammed into a ton of enemy's at once. They were able to get back into another hall of the temple after defeating a Snail Rider together, Spike could feel his powers building up the more he stored them in, Cynder's powers felt so different compared to the other elements he's used, even Nightmare Moon may not stand a chance against them when they're all combined..

As the group kept making they're way back to the main part of the temple, Cynder looked at Spike with interest, and wanted to learn a bit more about him since.. she sent him away.

"So.. Spike.. what was it like for you back in Equestria before.. my men kidnapped you?" Cynder asked already regretting that last part, but Spike only sighed hearing that and had a lot to explain.

"Well, it's a lot, I was hatched by a pony named Twilight Sparkle, I'm sure you all know by now I was raised alongside her family, and often got into some crazy stuff with them." Spike explained as they heard more wolf howls in the night sky.

"Yeah, you said you've faced big threats before right? From this.. Nightmare Moon, to Discord, a Changeling named Chrysalis, and tons of other stuff like that right?" Sparx asked making sure that was right.

"Yeah, Twilight and the others had a lot of stuff happened over the years, helped a dragon named Ember become a rightful ruler of our kind back home, helped a friend named Thorax learn important stuff that helped him reform and become a king, and just a lot of stuff that while dangerous, was also fun." Spike admitted which interested them all.

"So, how much did you play a part in it then?" Spyro asked wondering if he's done something like they did here.

"I did a few things.. but for the most part, I was mainly.. on the sidelines you know? Twilight and the others often had to do things without me, Twilight often said I was too young to help, or it was too dangerous for me. While I understood her worries.. deep down, I always felt like there was a way I could help.. but after seeing all they've done together, as friends, even a family, I never got to do something that fully defined me.. even the stuff I did do like helping Ember, stopping Sombra, and helping reforming the Changelings, it all felt.. minor, and not like it helped make me stand out as my own person.." Spike said regretfully which made Cynder feel sad, she knew about the stuff with the Changelings, but hearing it all in detail was sad to hear knowing how he felt deep down.

"I.. can understand that son, even with all the.. horrible things I did in the past.. it was all because of the dark powers I was given, I don't think if I didn't have them.. I would be seen as weak, I didn't want any of that.. all I just wanted.. was a normal life, and now all of this happened. I never wanted to commit so much bloodshed, but it was because of.. him I was forced to do it.." Cynder said while shaking at the thought of her former master.

"Cynder, it's okay, we told you this before, it's not your fault. We know things would've been different if you were left alone, the Dark Armies are just ruthless monsters who do what they're told, if they didn't exist, I know you would've had a better life, even if I was never born.. you being happy is the only thing I could wish for.." Spike said softly while he hugged her again, they were making they're way through the deeper underground parts of the temple by now, and were almost back to the main path to the dojo.

"I don't even think a life without you, would've made me happy, so much would've been different, but what I question is, would it be for the better? Or for worse?" Cynder asked unsure which is the right answer.

"it mainly depends on who you ask Cynder." Sparx said while he flew above them.

"If you wanna hear from me Cynder, even after all the stuff we've gone through, where we are now is what's made it better for us. You have a son who you each care for, I care for you too Cynder, I know our lives haven't been the best, even during this dark strike that's happening, having you here is what's important." Spyro said with a smile which she felt a bit better hearing.

"He's right mom, life's always a struggle, nothing's ever easy, but when we push through it, we can really show others who we are. And with what I'm doing now, it only makes me more determined to see it to the end, right?" Spike asked turning to her who felt more confident now.

"Of course, thank you son, thank you Spyro. I'm glad I decided to stay, even if Ignitus will be upset at me trying, at least I'll have you besides me." Cynder said with some relief after this talk.

"No problem Cynder, come on guys, we're almost back to the others." Spyro said as they got back on track and headed towards the exit that led to where the balcony was.

After that last talk they had, all 4 of them had made they're way across the battlefield as the Dark Armies kept attacking, they had just made it back to where they were sleeping previously, but even with the short time they were gone, the place was already up in flames, there was so much damaged that it looks unrecognizable, and within the center, they could see Ignitus fighting off the rest of the Dark Armies while the others fought back inside the place.

"Ignitus!" Spyro shouted with worry while he headbutted another one down.

"Are you okay?!" Spike shouted while trying to get his attention, and he luckily saw them all on the cliff just ahead.

"Get down here young dragons! We need your help!" Ignitus shouted as another group surrounded him once more, Ignitus growled with anger and charged up his fire like he's done before, and with a powerful roar of rage, he unleashed a devastating blast that cleared the balcony.

"Come on, let's go!" Cynder shouted as they all took off and glided down to the path to help him out.

As soon as they landed back on the platform ahead of them, the place was bombarded with more enemy's coming from the cages, and they were surrounded once again while Ignitus got blocked off from some rubble.
"How do these guys not take damage when the explode out of these things?!" Spike asked annoyed while he grabbed a small one by the head and threw it into a larger ape which sent them off the ledge.

"They are really tough when it comes to situations like these, believe me, I know!" Cynder shouted while she used her Shadows to phase out of attacks, she then used her poison breath to weaken some one of the larger groups, and Spyro finished them off with shooting a fireball at them.

"Why did they have to destroy the spot we were just sleeping at?! It's so annoying when there's more stuff we have to rebuild!" Spyro shouted while he and Spike charged at one group with they're horns down, and they flung them off of the cliff like before.

They all got ready as another enemy horde joined in once again, and Spike felt his anger building up as more and more kept coming, he used his shadows to blast some more enemy's off the balcony, he then jumped over one of their leg swipes and slammed his fist down on the apes head, he then took out his scythe and sliced down multiple groups in an instant, Cynder shot multiple poison blasts at them, and was able to weaken them to a point where Spyro could use his Comet Dash on them, Spike ran up to Spyro and jumped off his back and went to the pillar above, he raised his weapon and made a battle cry as he flipped off the thing and slammed his weapon down which created a huge shockwave with the power of Shadow.

The fire kept burning around the place and they saw that most of them were defeated, they did see some more Dreadwings in the sky, but they were too far away to cause trouble right now, but that moment of relief had to go once they saw what looked like the leader of the attack flying up to them on the back of one of the Dreadwings.
"Prepare to die!!" The monster shouted in a muffled voice which Sparx couldn't understand.

"Either he said, prepare to die, or he's gonna bake you a pie, I prefer the ladder, but I think we all know that's not gonna happen." Sparx joked while Cynder glared at the monster.

"You get out of my home! You've caused enough pain for me and my son long enough!" Cynder screamed as she charged up her powers of Fear for a strong blast.

"You've caused too much damage here, get out!" Spike shouted as well while he twirled his weapon around and threw it directly at him, the scythe twirled around through the air and stabbed the Dreadwing in the back which made it screech with pain, Cynder and Spyro finished the job by firing a combination of fear and fire, which was strong enough to defeat them both at once.

The commander growled at them all and saw they were standing strong, and were not gonna back down.
"You all haven't seen the last off me!" He screamed before he finally had the Dreadwing fly off with the army, and they all sighed in relief at them leaving.

"At least that's over.." Cynder said gladly while Ignitus finally came back out to the others.

"Is everyone alright?" Ignitus asked while he made sure they were all here.

"We're fine Ignitus, what about you? is Cyril and the others okay too?" Spike asked hoping they were fine.

"We're alright, we got up as soon as we heard the explosions, we fought off all the forces inside the temple, even with our age slowing us down a bit, but where were you?" Ignitus asked as they looked over the damage of the place.

"We got knocked outside during the battle, we had to fight our way back here, sorry we weren't here sooner." Cynder apologized which was enough for him to believe.

"What matters is your all alright, come, we need to discuss this with the others." Ignitus said while turning around to the main entrance.

"Yeah, we need to discuss how to handle this, if there's more danger coming, we need to be prepared for it, come on." Spike said as he followed along with the others, they all had a lot to worry about going forward, this was just the first attack of many to come.. and they all fear that the darkness will only spread even more..

Author's Note

Hey guys thanks for reading this! Sorry again if this feels short compared to my other chapters, but I'm trying to balance out Spike and Spyro's training sequences in the game with the second half of levels they go through, and Cynder being with them here will give me more room to stretch things out, and help them interact, I know I haven't done much for Spyro and Cynder to bond, but I'm gonna do what I can going forward, I just hope you liked this and look forward to more!