Hello my dear readers. it's me again, Viperwatcher! This time, coming at you with a brand NEW fic. It's not a sequel to AHV, nor is it TBD 3. It's a brand new fic, and it's coming at you hot and sizzling. This time, I decided to lay off the usual formula of "Human goes into the Dragon Realms" and decided to try my hand at something else. This fic stems from the plot question of 'What if?' I hope you guys like it! And as a side note, if the prologue doesn't make any sense, it's supposed to be. The plot for this story was very shaky. It actually took me about, I think, five(5) rewrites to come up with a workable plot. Yes, that's true.

There may be some plot holes that I may have overlooked, I apologize in advance. I tried my best in making all the canon characters stay in character, but I had to improvise at certain points, since I really couldn't imagine how would they react. This story is rated M for mature scenes that may appear in the story. Lastly, Spyro fanfic fans who are reading this, please take note. I am not a pro at writing so don't expect me to be great because I'm not. Got that?

So with all that said and done, I present the prologue of my story,

Chains of Destiny

"Our paths are chosen for us, but it's up to us to follow it."

Disclaimer: I own nothing except my characters. Other canon characters are owned by their respective companies.

Exclaimer: To people who don't like the story, just don't read it.

Chapter 1

Prologue

The air was silent as it flowed through the majestic mountains that surrounded the once was known Well of Souls. The stillness was only disturbed as a falcon flew through the air, silently flapping its wings.

"Even in the darkest of times, there is always hope."

The falcon flapped its wings and flew through the clouds, soon flying to the direction of a nearby mountain.

"But sometimes fear clouds our vision. Sometimes our strength gives out. And yet sometimes, when all seems lost, a light shines through the darkness, and we are reminded that even the smallest amount of courage can turn the tides of war."

0 0 0 0 0

Spyro and Cynder found themselves panting. They had just fought off a large golem and were saved, because of the efforts the cheetah standing before them did. Beside the cheetah, was an all too familiar looking golden colored dragonfly; Spyro recognized him as Sparx, his step brother.

"Hey, Spyro, man, you're alive!" said Sparx, flying towards his brother.

"Sparx! It's good to see you too! You okay?" replied Spyro, examining his brother.

"Huh, you know, little stiff, voice keeps changing, but I'm good." Spyro was about to say something back, but Cynder cut him off.

"Hey, this reunion is really touching and everything, but shouldn't we be going? Unless, you WANT to wait for that thing to climb back up; I'd hate to think what it might do to Sparx."

Sparx looked at her with an uncomfortable glare. She was still scary. Spyro on the other hand was intrigued by the cheetah that had saved them.

"Who is he?" he asked curiously.

"I don't know. All he said was..." Sparx then tried to mimic the cheetah's voice. "'Shhh, you're making too much noise.'" He chuckled, finding his impersonation funny.

"I like him already," replied Cynder looking at the two of them. The trio then approached the cheetah that turned to face them with a look of concern.

"Spyro, Cynder, how do you feel? Anything broken?" he asked his deep voice completely different from Sparx's impersonation.

"Shaken a little, but not too badly... thanks to you," answered Spyro. The cheetah released a sigh of relief.

"I am relieved. I had feared it might be too late. My name is Hunter." Spyro looked at him with awe.

"Hunter... you've been tracking me." He smiled.

"For far too long, friend."

0 0 0 0 0

Fire crackled as it illuminated the campsite that was made at Twilight Falls. It was just moments earlier when Spyro, Cynder, Sparx and Hunter had escaped from the Catacombs. Hunter was at the side, his falcon perched on his arm.

"Go; tell Ignitus I have found them." Outstretching his arm, the falcon flew away and headed off to Warfang. At the side, Spyro and Cynder were busy trying to get the chain that was link to them. Cynder was agitated and even tried to bite the magical link.

"Ah, it's no use…" she said feeling frustrated.

"Well, maybe if we try twisting it..." suggested Spyro.

"Twist what? It's magic!" she replied angrily at him for suggesting such a stupid comment.

Feeling their endeavour was a waste, they decide to rest near the fire Hunter had made. Sparx followed behind them, chuckling to himself as he witnessed the two bicker.

"Hehe... I can watch this all day."

0 0 0 0 0

"Tell me, why have you returned here?" asked the hermit to the two of them.

"What do you mean? I've never been here before," asked Spyro. The hermit turned to face him.

"Not you! The female!" he replied, a bit annoyed.

Cynder rolled her eyes. "You must be mistaken,"

"Indeed, your appearance has changed, but not your eyes. Your eyes give everything away. You are the black dragon, Cynder, the terror of the skies... the Dark Master's puppet," said the hermit, almost accusingly. Cynder felt a bit hurt.

"I was... but... but I'm not anymore. I... I'm not proud of the things I've done," she replied, finding it a bit hard to defend herself.

"Oh, is it THAT simple... to turn your back on Malefor?" asked the hermit sceptically.

"You don't have to listen to him, Cynder," said Spyro, trying to comfort her.

0 0 0 0 0

Spyro looked above and saw it was night. It was only hours earlier when they had fought for Warfang, and won. Defeating the golem gave the people of Warfang a good sense of morale. And it was quite evident. Moles all over the city were rejoicing by the fact that the city have been saved.

"Momentum has swung to our side, Ignitus. Perhaps this victory will mark a turning point in this war," said Terrador, talking to Ignitus.

"I'd like to believe that," replied the Fire Guardian.

Terrador was about to say something again, when all of a sudden, purple smoke emerged from the ground, surprising all of them. It was a purple aura that seemed to materialize in front of them.

"Citizens of Warfang... congratulations; you shall be the first to witness the resurrection of the Destroyer... and the end of the world," came a voice from the aura.

0 0 0 0 0

Spyro panted slightly. The combined heat emanating from the Destroyer and the efforts they were doing was making him slightly tired. Of course, they had destroyed eleven Dark Crystals by now, and the thing was still standing.

"We can't stop it from out here...," he pondered loudly. "...But maybe..." Sparx turned to face him and realized what he was thinking.

"Whoa, wait! Wait, wait wait! You are not thinking about going IN there, are you?" he asked panicky

"Come on Sparx, we're going to need you to lead the way," said Spyro, hoping that his brother wouldn't chicken out on this one. Sparx sighed.

"Oh, come on. You know I got your back. I just like complaining. Let's go!"

0 0 0 0 0

Spyro's eyes widened. Spyro and Cynder were both on the other side of the Belt of Fire now, and Spyro turned his head and looked for any traces of Ignitus. He couldn't believe what had happened. But…now, precious seconds ticked by and reality soon sank into him. He felt his mind falter apart as the realization of Ignitus…dying…sank in.

"Ignitus... Noooooo...!" he shouted to the heavens, his voiced filled with distraught.

"Spyro, stop! It's too late! You can't do anything for him now!" said Cynder, trying to comfort him at best.

"No…he isn't gone..." he said, filled with anguish.

"Spyro... let it go," said Cynder, trying to comfort him.

0 0 0 0 0

Spyro panted and breathed heavily. He replayed Ignitus words in his head.

"Spyro, when a dragon dies, he does not truly leave this world. His spirit lives on, binding itself with nature, offering hope for the future..."

Then an idea sprung onto his mind. Taking Ignitus' words into heart, he opened his eyes, knowing full well what to do now.

"I know what I need to do. Just get out of here, Cynder," he said, wanting to ensure Cynder's safety.

"Spyro, no... You don't have to do anything. Let's just go," said Cynder, accepting that it was the end of the world.

"Where, Cynder? There'll be nothing left! The world is breaking apart. But I think I can stop it. I think I'm meant to," he said, feeling his heart beat frantically.

Cynder stared at him, realizing that whatever she did, he wasn't going to budge with his decision.

"Then I'm with you..." she said, standing beside him.

Spyro looked at her hopefully, before closing his eyes and concentrating. He felt his body hover above the ground, as he began concentrating all of his strength. He was reminded of how Ignitus sacrificed his life to save them. Now…it was his turn. It was for the greater good.

As his body glow white, he heard Cynder say:

"I love you…"

0 0 0 0 0

All Spyro could see was darkness…nothing but darkness…he didn't know whether he had survived, neither did he care. All the things that mattered to him now, were that everyone was safe, and the world was saved. That's all that mattered, and that's all there ever was. But…there was the lingering thought of the things that happened. The time wasted that could have been used for more valuable efforts; the lives that were lost…of those dearly to him…and dearly to others. All of that could have been prevented, if only the right actions…decisions…and choices were made.

"Our paths are chosen for us and that it is our destiny to follow them."

The quotation from the Chronicler rang in his head as he laid in the vast emptiness of darkness.

It is true that sometimes, the path IS chosen for us, and we are left to follow them down to the very end, as if it were our destiny; like the chains of destiny bound us and we are left with no choice or say in the matter.

But sometimes, there are some, who free themselves from the chains of destiny, and follow a different path, affecting others completely.

Those were the last words Spyro heard, before he felt himself come back to reality.

Please take some time to R&R.

And favorite it, along with the author!