Spyro (classic version)

Chapter Five: The Dragon Temple

The next day, Spyro, Sparx and Ignitus managed to find the dragon temple, but Ignitus's descriptions of a magnificent building proved to be false, as a scene of destruction met their eyes.

The temple entrance had become overgrown with weeds and ivy, and broken stone and brick lay in piles around it.

"Cynder's forces have been here,"  said Ignitus, "They are most likely still hunting for me. Watch your step, they could still be here."

They slowly proceeded forwards, watching for enemies.

"Once inside," said Ignitus, "We'll need to restore power to the Gate of Innocence, only then can we guarantee  our safety."

"What's the Gate of Innocence?" asked Spyro.

"I'll explain inside, come on..." said Ignitus. They kept moving, and soon came to the main gate. Ignitus muttered something under his breath, like a poem, or spell. Nothing happened.

"The door should have opened for us," said Ignitus, "The fact that it hasn't proves my fears. They've desecrated the interior as well."

"What does that mean?" asked Spyro.

"It means we'll have to go in the back way. Follow me," said Ignitus.

He led them around the side of the temple, and through a small tunnel.

"If I remember correctly," said Ignitus, "This should lead into the heart of the temple."

"Yeah, where all the monsters probably are," said Sparx. They continued onward, and soon the tunnel opened into a chamber, beyond which was a towering hall, at the centre of which was a green pool.

The moment they walked in, they were ambushed by a squadron of apes, who charged at them.

"Stand back, Spyro," said Ignitus, "And let me show you what a trained dragon can do."

As the apes came closer, Ignitus slowly began to rise. As he did, an orange glow formed around him. With an almighty bang, flames burst from the glowing orb and spread across the room, destroying ever ape in the process.

Ignitus landed and looked at the charred apes.

"What was that?" asked Spyro.

"That was an ancient power known as the Fury, Spyro," explained Ignitus, "And soon, you'll be able to master it as well."

He took Spyro into another room, which contained a gigantic statue of a dragon. They crossed that room and walked out onto a balcony. Spyro looked out over the railings.

The view was of total devastation. Old buildings and forts were lying and crumbling across the landscape. From what Spyro could see, they had once been as grand as the dragon temple.

"What happened to those places?" asked Spyro.

"This is what Cynder has done," replied Ignitus, "Without anyone left to guard them, the ancient dragon fortresses have been devastated and placed under her iron rule. There is nothing there but dust and old memories now."

"What can we do about it?" asked Spyro.

"Nothing, yet," said Ignitus, "You are far too unprepared to fight Cynder herself yet, but you might just be ready to make a start against her."

"What do you mean?" asked Spyro.

"I mean that we can rescue the other guardians, and hopefully gain some knowledge and power to use against her. I can locate them, and you can retrieve them," said Ignitus.

"But I don't know half the things you do, how will I stand a chance against Cynder's army?" asked Spyro.

"In a few minutes, you will know everything I know about fighting," said Ignitus. At his words, the great statue began to sink into the ground.

"Will you teach me?" asked Spyro excitedly.

"Yes," said Ignitus, "But first there are a few things you should know about our kind."

"Like what?" asked Spyro.

"For starters, every dragon is in touch with one of five elements, being Fire, Electric, Earth, Ice and Wind. The guardians are masters of these elements. As you might have guessed, I am the guardian of Fire. But there is one exception, Spyro, and that is what makes you so special. The purple dragon is fabled to have the ability to master each and every one of the elements. I can teach you everything there is to know about fire, but the other elements you must learn through the other guardians, which is another reason why we need to rescue them," said Ignitus.

"Ok, I think I understand," said Spyro.

"Very good," said Ignitus, "On with the training."

Ignitus taught Spyro many amazing but complex abilities. After a few tries of each, Spyro felt he could master them, and soon he felt as powerful as Ignitus.

"There is one more thing you must master if you are to face Cynder, and that is the Fury power," said Ignitus.

"But how do I use that?" asked Spyro.

"When you are at your most powerful, you can summon all of your elemental energy into one almighty blast. You need to close your eyes and focus, concentrate on releasing the fire-storm within you," said Ignitus. Spyro screwed up his eyes and, as Ignitus had told him, willed the fire to ignite around him.

"Yes, that's it!" said Ignitus, as an orange glow began to form around the little dragon. As it had done with Ignitus, the glow burst into an explosion of white flame which spread around the room.

"Yes! Yes, very good!" Ignitus was exclaiming.

"Great, you've taught him how to explode uncontrollably at his leisure," said Sparx, but even he couldn't help but look impressed.

They went back into the other room, where Ignitus stood near the green pool. He looked into its depths, apparently lost in thought. That was until Sparx jumped in his face.

"What's this about then?" he asked.

"Fine, If you must know," said Ignitus irritably, "Some dragons are born with a gift to see visions across the world, and I am one such dragon. I have seen that Volteer, the guardian of electricity, is being held captive in the tundra. That will be your next destination."

"But how will we get there?" asked Spyro. Ignitus smiled.

"Why are you smiling like that, it's creeping me out..." said Sparx.