After Spike, Spyro and Cynder got they're objective to finding Meadow in order to let Hunter come with them so they can find Ignitus and everyone else again, they had set out to find him in this place that's called, The Valley Of Avalar. It was a beautiful place for Spike to see at a moment like this, as Spike and the others flew around the place, trying to find Meadow, Spike took in every moment of what he was seeing.

Spike had been through a ton from the moment he came to this world, as Spike reflected on this moment, and what he's been through before this moment, he's realized just how much more important this world was to him and his origin then Equestria was, while he had Twilight and everyone else there for him, but they aren't here, and he doesn't know if they're okay, which he prays they are.

Spike just felt like this place helped give him a huge appreciation for the moment he has now, after going through a lot of pain, growing stronger, and knowing more about his own kind, this kind of moment hit him, seeing the moons still up in the sky even during the brightest of day, flowers and the green fields of the valley moving past him, it made him just glad this place was like this, given the state the world is in right now.

As Spike, Spyro, Sparx and Cynder flew through the air, trying to find Meadow, Spike just had some stuff on his mind he wanted to tell the ones that are closest to him.
"Guys.. there's been.. something I've been wanting to say for a while, you guys up for a little talk?" Spike asked suddenly which got they're attention.

"Of course, what's up Spike?" Spyro asked as Spike reflected on the events that's led up to this moment.

"I.. still can't believe all of this has happened in my life so suddenly.. especially with what we're in now.. to think that one moment.. I was still in Equestria, trying to fix some problems with my friends Ember and Thorax after we all got into an argument, and while we were able to settle things.. that's when the Dark Armies attacked.. and I was taken away from my home..." Spike said with a sad look as he never felt more scared in his life when that had happened.

Cynder felt really awful hearing this again, and she still felt like she was to blame for it, even if Spike is her son, what she went through to get him back is something that she can't forget, her time as the Dark Master's slave and weapon, the Terror of the Skies, is something that will never leave her, but if there's one good thing that came from that time.. it was being able to have him..

"I.. I know it's still a lot son, even if it's been years at this point for the world, it's still been.. a short time for you.. after you were injected with my blood to reawaken what you really were, and what I did to get you back.. and reveal the truth.. I still can't forgive myself for the pain I had put you all through.." Cynder said with guilt once more as this is something she can't stop thinking over.

"Cynder.. we've been over this, it wasn't your fault, it was Malefor who made you do what you did, I'm sure that if the temple was never attacked.. and we were properly raised by the Guardians, I'm sure we could've stopped Malefor from ever returning.. and now.. he has.." Spyro said with fear as they knew that some time soon, they needed to stop him for good, even at the cost of they're own lives..

"I know but.. then that means Spike would've never been born.. I don't think I could've had the same desire to have a child as I did when I was corrupted, even if I did have my son.. he never would've met his friends back in Equestria.." Cynder said sadly which made Spike look down with guilt knowing how true it was.

"Yeah.. it does.. if you never were captured.. I may never have been born.. or became the person I am now, I never would've met Twilight or the others back home, Thorax and Ember may have never even rulers of they're own kingdoms.. and Equestria wouldn't have been the same if I.. wasn't there..." Spike said as he had realized something very important.

"You okay buddy?" Sparx asked with worry while Spike had realized something important, before he was taken to this world, he still felt like he never was properly able to do something like Twilight and her friends, with the threats they've faced before Spike was taken. Spike was often just on the sidelines, not being able to do much, even with what he did do, he got very little credit for it, while he was seen as a hero in the Crystal Empire to some, Spike felt like up to that point, he didn't get a moment where he could truly shine on his own.

And that's when he remembered how much he really got to do, because of how stressful it's been for him, being in this world, finally knowing the dark truth behind his origin and where he came from, it almost made him forget what he was able to do even back in Equestria, while he couldn't face a villain like Tirek or Chrysalis, what he also did was still something he did, helping Ember and Thorax becoming rulers, being there for support whenever Twilight needed it, being raised by her and her family, it just made him see how much he was able to do, even before he came here.

"I've just.. remembered on what I did back home.. all of this talk about saving the Dragon World and stopping Malefor from destroying it, Equestria, and every world to follow.. it almost made me forget the stuff I was able to do back home. I.. was in a rough spot before I was kidnapped guys. I didn't have time to properly think about what I was doing, or what I had done up to that point was something that my other friends were able to do..." Spike explained as he went on on what his thoughts were about this deep down.

"They always got to go out on adventures and face big threats when they came, like Nightmare Moon, Discord, Chrysalis, Tirek and Sombra, and other people that have caused trouble for us.. while I mainly was just on the side, but.. with what's happened now.. I've just come to take in what those moments can be for a lot of people, and now.. with the threat of Malefor returning.. and waging war over this world.. kidnapping a dragon from Equestria, and making her like how.. you used to be Cynder.. It.. made me see that if they didn't happen.. none of this would've happened.." Spike said with guilt as he finally realized this.

"You've.. had a lot of time to reflect on things here, haven't you son?" Cynder asked with worry while Spike still thought over it.

"Y.. yeah.. it.. all helped me appreciate what I had before coming here, I always had my friends there for me when I needed it, but here, they aren't.. They haven't seen me for years since we were frozen in that crystal.. and.. I just wanted to look back.. and I see that it all was to help lead up to me.. going on my own here, while I have you guys with me, and have learned a lot, I've mainly grown as my own person here, like they had when they're moments came..." Spike confessed as they looked down the river, seeing it lead up to some cliffsides nearby.

"That's really deep Spike, I know when we met you were still getting used to things, but now, you've really matured, and become way stronger, just like us." Spyro replied while they flew closer together.

"I know.. and I just wish I realized it sooner, I felt like I wasn't able to do anything before coming here, Twilight told me that even when I didn't see it, I had helped out more people then I thought.. it's just that with all that's happened here, I almost forgot about it.." Spike admitted which they could understand.

"We all are going through a lot son.. I still find it hard to believe that we're really together again.. I know you had some thoughts on your life in Equestria, but you just need to remember one thing, even with what little you did, it always was something that led you to growing more mature, you just needed to see it.." Cynder advised while Spike smiled a bit hearing it.

"Yeah.. I.. just wasn't able to see it with how much I was going through, but now.. I do. And with what's happened with us now.. I.. just wish that it didn't happen so fast... Twilight told me that I didn't have to live up to what they were able to do to prove myself.. and what I did always meant something important to them.. even when I didn't realize it.. she told me I just needed to stand tall.. and accept what's happening here.." Spike said as they flew alongside the river to follow where it leads.

"That's really great to hear Spike.. and now that you talk about it.. this reminds me of a talk we had before.. if the temple wasn't attacked.. none of us would even be here, even if the world may be at war right now, I.. think that what happened.. was something that could be for the better.. because if that didn't happen.. I never would've grown up with Sparx, Flash and Luna.. and we wouldn't have met on that day.." Spyro said as he reflected on this too, they all did.

"Yeah.. I'm just glad I know it now.. I'm just glad that even with what happened back home, it all helped to me learning from my mistakes.. and now.. we're all at this moment.." Spike said as he took a deep breath, and looked up at the sky's, he took in the moments he has here, because very soon, they'll be going through something much worse.

"We've all been through a lot.. but now that we're here, we can take what we've learned to stop Malefor for good, we're all going through a lot, but we'll push through it together, right?" Spyro asked as they all landed down finally to take this moment in.

"Right, while it's been a lot, we need to make most of what we have now." Cynder finished as all of them turned to the waterfall nearby, and they could see there was a cave entrance just behind it.

Spike felt very glad to hear that from the both of them, they've been the closest people to him since he came to this world, while they still had Ignitus and the other guardians, a moment like this is something he'll forever appreciate.
"I'm just glad to be here with you guys, even if we have to face Malefor soon, with what we've gone through so far, I hope we can stay together for it, even if we're stuck together basically." Spike joked as he still felt the color on him even when it isn't seen right now.

"Don't worry Spike, we all definitely will, but why don't we get back to finding Meadow? I think he may be in that cave over there." Sparx suggested as they all were making they're way too it.

"Good idea, but before we do, I'm glad we had this talk, with what we're going through right now, a moment like this is something I've really needed." Spyro said gratefully as they were making they're way into the cave by now.

"I think we all needed it Spyro, I'm glad you wanted to talk about this with us son, it's really nice hearing it from someone so young, yet very mature." Cynder said with a smile while she nudged him a bit in a joking way which made him chuckle a bit.

"I'm glad I talked about this too guys, but let's get back on track now,, I think I hear something just up ahead!" Spike declared as he and everyone else started running through the cave.

The cave they were running through was pretty cramped for the most part, parts of it were lit up by mushrooms that were on the walls, illuminating the way forward, they could hear the waterfall echo through the caves as they went deeper into it, but what they were seeing didn't stop them from slowing down, and after a while of running, they soon came into an open area, and they could see another Cheetah that looked like Meadow chained to the wall, with some strange rocks restraining him.

"That's gotta be him! We need to get him out of there, come on!" Spyro said with worry as they quickly ran up to get him out of there, but before they could get up to him, the ground suddenly shook violently, and from the ground, more monsters began to emerge from it, some were more Grublins, and others were new monsters that had some axes as a weapon.

"It's a trap!" Cynder shouted as the monsters tried attacking them, but they all quickly jumped in the air and dodged them, Spike soon summoned his Fire sword once again and raised it in the air, and they all crashed down onto them which created shockwave of fire from Spike's slash.

"It doesn't matter how many there are! Let's take them down!" Spike shouted with anger as he and the others prepared themselves for another fight.

More of the Grublins charged at them once more to try and finish them for good, but Spike, Spyro and Cynder had more then enough skill in order to take them down. Cynder started things off by lunging directly at one of the monsters in front of them, she clawed at them multiple times before she threw one up in the air, and Spike followed that up by jumping upwards, summoning his Poison hammer again, and he made a loud battle cry as he slammed it down on the monster which sent it flying directly into the larger ones.

Spyro used his Fire breath to torch away most of the smaller Grublins that were still trying to attack, they didn't stand much of a chance against them even with the numbers there are, Spike soon used his Fear whip once more, and used it to wrap around one of the monsters axes before he pulled it back to disarm it, and Spyro finished off that monster by firing ice shards directly at them, and they're sharp edges pierced through them which made them fall on they're knees. Spike soon finished them off by using his Shadow powers again, and he shot a blast of power directly at them which took them all down finally.

Everyone took a couple breaths as they looked around for any other monster, but from the looks of it, they all seemed to be defeated for now.
"At least that's over with.." Sparx said with relief while Spike stretched out his arms.

"Yeah, just glad those weren't the same apes again..." Spike said with a proud look as he had enough with them when they destroyed Gaul. But as a form of irony for saying that, the ground shook once more, and to they're surprise, strange skeleton monsters emerged from the floor, and Sparx screamed with fear seeing them.

"Ah! Undead freaks!" Sparx screamed as the skeletons drew they're weapons, and made a familiar sound which made a few more emerge behind him, and that's when they realized something important about these guys.

"Hold on a minute, are these the same apes we used to fight?!" Spyro asked as they quickly rolled out of the way from a spear slash, and Spike summoned his own Ice spear to counter against them.

"I'd recognize that sound more then anything! These guys are just the apes again!" Spike shouted as he parried another attack from them, and he then twirled his spear around extremely fast before he jumped in the air and slashed at the skeletons to put them down for good.

"Looks like you were right about Malefor not needing them when he came back, not surprising honestly!" Spyro shouted as he took another deep breath and shot more streams of lightning at them to stun them.

"Given what he has now, with Deathstorm, and the new monster's he's created, I'm not surprised either! But at least these things won't be a problem after this!" Cynder shouted again before she used her fear powers to shoot another Siren blast at them which knocked them to the wall, and Spike summoned his Poison hammer again to finish them.

"I've had enough of these guys!!" Spike screamed as he and the others lunged directly at them, and Spike finished all of them in an instant by smashing his hammer on them, and he crushed all of them with his strength, this finally shattered the Ape skeletons for good, and they were finally defeated.

"Ugh, to think those guys still are trying to serve Malefor, even when he has no use for them anymore." Cynder said with disgust, she honestly was glad those apes are gone now, after all they did to her, and the world around them, it's more then deserved.

"Yeah, at least they won't cause as much trouble as they used to, once we're done with Malefor, it'll be great not to have to deal with them again." Spyro said with relief as Spike put his weapons away again.

"I hear that, but isn't there something else we should be here for guys?" Spike reminded as he turned to Meadow who was freed from the restraints finally, it must've been the monster's magic holding him down.

"Right, come on guys, let's get him out of here." Spyro insisted as they came up to check on him.

Meadow was getting up rather weakly after he was held there for some time, he looked very injured, but it wasn't enough to stop him from talking with them.
"Thank you.. friends, you saved my life..." Meadow said gratefully while Spike came up to him a bit more.

"Finally, some gratitude, your welcome." Sparx said with a proud look while Spike was inspecting him.

"Are you okay? Your Meadow right?" Spike asked as he tried finding any injuries he had, and he noticed his leg looked broken from the looks of it.

"I am Meadow yes... I can tell you've already met Chief Prowles, not all of us are in the same mind." Meadow said with some pain as he tried to move.

"Well that's putting it lightly honestly.." Cynder admitted as Prowles wasn't the kindest to them at all earlier..

"Can you move Meadow? We need to get you out of here." Spyro asked while Spike tried helping him up.

"I'm sorry.. but my leg is broken.. just go back to the village, and tell them where I am." Meadow advised which they sadly couldn't do.

"Your leader doesn't trust us, we can't exactly go back there without you with us." Spyro replied which made Meadow groan with annoyance.

"Yeah, and he'd likely blame us for assuming the worst." Cynder added with an annoyed look.

"Oh.. that fool, I understand.. he shouldn't have to put this kind situation on you, it only makes things tougher for us to stop the Dark Master and Deathstorm.." Meadow said with some frustration to hear this.

"It's okay, we'll carry you there, I'm sure we all can get you there together if we stay close, you think you can handle that?" Spike asked as Cynder and Spyro were helping him move while being careful of his leg.

"I believe I will.. we'll reach the village by following the river, it shouldn't take too long for us to get there." Meadow said with a wince of pain which made Spike lightly raise it up.

"Easy there Meadow, we got you. We know where it is, just hang on tight to us alright?" Spike asked as they started making they're way out of the cave to get Meadow home.

Spike and the group carefully carried Meadow on they're backs in order to keep him from hurting himself more, Spike was making sure that they wouldn't be ambushed by any more enemy's, those skeletons were definitely the Apes, they all could tell. Spike could see that they really weren't that loyal to him after all, even after being able to bring Malefor back, Malefor was probably able to see they were wanting to use him for they're own greed and power, and they were rightfully punished for it.

The more Spike thought about it, he just got more and more worried with how badly the world outside this valley has gotten since they were frozen 3 years ago. If Malefor really did attack Equestria and take a dragon from it not too long after they were frozen, and used her to be the next Terror of the Skies, it just made Spike dread what more damage was done outside of what they've seen.

As they continued flying down the river to reach the village again, Spike was curious on what else has happened here, and he hoped Meadow knew more about what's happened.
"Hey, uh.. Meadow? Is it okay if I ask you something?" Spike asked with a hopeful look which got his attention.

"Of course, what is it young one?" Meadow asked while Spike flew right besides him while Meadow was on Spyro's back.

"I think we'd all like to know this, what exactly happened to this world after we went missing for 3 years? We know about the Dark Master returning, waging war to destroy this world, and what he's done with Deathstorm and his armies, but.. I want to know what more, I think we all do right?" Spike asked while looking at the others who wanted to know more about it too.

Meadow looked down a bit hearing it, there was a lot that's happened since Malefor returned, and it hasn't been good for any of them.
"We've all been struggling for years since he returned, he's been bringing his destruction and army's across the entire world in order to make his rule known, he destroyed the temple you and the guardians used to live at to show his power, leaving very little of it left, and with his dark powers, he's created nearly endless monsters that would fight for him to spread his destruction. The guardians have had little time to rest, and they've struggled against them with how old they are, and what little they have against him.." Meadow said with guilt as he wished there was more they could do to help them.

"So it's true, the temple really was destroyed during the time we were gone?" Spyro asked with regret while Meadow went to explain all of it.

"Yes.. it was.. and it's been one of the worst times for all of us ever since he returned. When he started making Deathstorm fight for him too, she became even more feared and more powerful then people saw Cynder as once before, Deathstorm has made it difficult for anyone to fight back, before you all were finally found, the world is suffering, while the valley may not look as bad right now, if Malefor isn't stopped, there will be nothing left of this place, except fire, and ash.." Meadow said with some fear as Deathstorm's been a problem people are most afraid of.

"I still can't believe it's really been 3 years since we were frozen, to know all of you had to go through so much, including my home, and Deathstorm..." Spyro said with regret for what's happened, they knew by now Deathstorm had been through just as much as Cynder, if not worse things then her, even if they're here now, what happened over the years still can't be looked over..

"Yes.. I know it's still a lot for you I'm sure, Deathstorm is more feared then Cynder was, she's caused many places that were once peaceful and welcoming, to war torn and nearly destroyed.. it's been a truly awful time for all of us.." Meadow explained while everyone looked down with guilt to know it.

"Hey if that's anything to go by, it just says that we need to teach Malefor a hard lesson because of it." Sparx said with frustration while he punched his hands together.

"Malefor's done too much to this world for too long now, once we find out how to stop him, and free Deathstorm, I'll make sure nothing this awful harms this world again.." Cynder said with determination as they could see the village not too far from where they are finally.

"I know you all will, with what you've shown so far, this war may finally come to an end soon.." Meadow prayed as they landed down to finally get this done.

"Don't worry Meadow, we will, with what you've told us, we won't let him bring any more destruction.." Spike said with a serious look as they finally made it back to the village.

They all soon had finally made it back to the village after helping Meadow get back here, the villagers had soon noticed Meadow was finally back, but they saw he was injured after going missing.
"Meadow! Your back! But your wounded, are you...?" One of them couldn't finish his question before Meadow went to calm them down.

"I'm will be fine, thanks to these three dragons." Meadow assured while Sparx felt a bit jealous not getting the credit, and Cynder only smirked a bit seeing that.

Prowles had soon come up to them after finally getting the news he's back, and he could see that they really kept they're word of finding him "Meadow, please forgive me, . These dragons willingly sought to help you, when I chose not too.." Prowles said with guilt for not going to help him too, but he sees his actions now, and wants to make it up.

"Hunter, while I still have trouble sharing faith in these dragons.. but by putting you in chains, I committed an error. " Prowles said as Hunter was let go finally so he could leave with them.

"We all make mistakes." Hunter replied with a calm look while Spike crossed his arms and felt glad that they were able to do this together.

"Yes, and I will try to atone for mine if you permit me. Use the forbidden tunnel, it will lead you all directly to the Dragon City. If these two dragons are indeed are only hope, then I bid you all a safe passage, and good luck." Prowles encouraged as he handed Hunter a map that would lead them through them.

"We could use your help." Hunter asked as he saw Prowles stay silent hearing that, he could see he still had some stuff to think over after all that's happened, and could see he needed time.

"Very well, if you need time, we will let you think over it, but the invitation will stay open." Hunter said as he was making his way to Spike and the others while Meadow was being looked after by the other villagers.

"Since that's over now, I guess it's off to Warfang now isn't it?" Spike asked with worry as they were finally back on the trail now.

"Yes, we are Spike, but you must brace yourselves for what we will encounter there, Malefor is likely planning out ways to attack it, and we must be prepared for anything." Hunter warned as they followed the map to the tunnels leading out of this valley.

"After all we've been through, we're ready for anything by now. We can't let Malefor or Deathstorm harm any one else, lead the way Hunter." Spike replied as they were finally leaving the place, Spike looked back at the Valley one last time before they left, this was going to be a big change for him once they reached Warfang, despite how beautiful this place was, they need to stop Malefor and Deathstorm. After taking one more deep breath, Spike soon followed Hunter, with Cynder and Spyro next to him again, and they hoped they could reach the Dragon City soon..

Author's Note

Hey guys thanks for reading this! I know that the talk Spike had with the group at the beginning may have gone on a bit too long, but I wanted to help give them one more moment to reflect before we head into the next chapter, which will mainly be action based and will have little time for meaningful interactions like this, if you guys noticed anything off about the dialogue please let me know what I could change to make it feel more real or better.

I know I skipped over the part where they have to get Meadow to the raft to bring him back, but I feel like with three large dragons being able to carry him there, it would seem like a waste of time if I did it. I know what the hermit said in the game was important, with the Apes still being around as those skeletons they fought previously, and he still thought Cynder as the Terror of the Skies, but with Deathstorm here now, I think that a conversation like that wouldn't do much for the story, especially after they had this long talk about what's happened. So I hope you don't mind me skipping over that part.

We're going to be heading into some intense chapters now, and I hope you look forward to what they have, thank you all for reading this, and have a good day guys!