Did you intend to make a connection? Is the black dragonness in the cave, crying that Ignitus found supposed to be Pleasure instead of Cynder?

That Darkmire really is intense. The reunion between SC was touching. The suspense builds to the conclusion. Everything is coming together, I can't wait to see how they're going to solve all their ills all at once.

Interesting...sh**s about to go down :DD
As always this chapter was nice and I'll be waiting for next chapter/s
-Diablo PProcento

Yeah I also missed Spyro and Cynder together and to be honest I thought Cynder was gonna be suspicious of Pleasure but I guessed wrong. Anyways good chapter worth the wait to see the two dragons together. I also hope you are doing well with COVID.

So Darkmire had been speaking through darkness the entire time... and her lick could have killed Spyro if Cynder hadn't got there in time?

Darkmire is frightening in just how powerful and skilled she is, especially as we learn more and more of her talent...

... You know, I started writing a review for this, then I noticed I had a million PM alerts in my inbox, so I decided to go through this, and lo and behold: I had already left a review here on Chapter 52, about a year and a half ago during December of 2018.

Seems my views of the story have changed, or at the very least, whatever hurdle that was holding me back in the earlier chapters has been overcome. I’m not sure if you rewrote them or anything, but regardless. After knowing about this story for some time, the most recent chapters finally convinced me to sit down and read it from start to finish. All 300k words of it, in about 24 hours. Including an 8 hour sleep.

And I am very, very glad to have done so.

The world-building of this story is fantastic, taking the foundations of the Legend of Spyro Trilogy and building from them in a wonderful and natural way. After all, some of the key areas of development make a lot of sense when you stop and think about it. If Spyro had a Dark Side, why can’t Malefor have one? And if so, then logically, that is the Dark Master. If that is Malefor’s darkness, what is the actual Malefor like? And if the Dark Side is a full personality, what is Spyro’s like? Then there is the question of wind: If Malefor learned and mastered it as part of his origin story, doesn’t that mean that Spyro can do the same thing? And why IS there only four Elemental Guardians, when there is clearly more than four elements? What type of dragon would best fit that role, to balance out the other dragons... and what dragon would replace Ignitus?

You have answered these questions, and more, in very articulate and beautiful written ways. I love Malefor’s more clinical and scholarly personality. Yet with ambitions and desires that go beyond what anyone thought possible, willing to challenge even the Gods themselves. Perfect for someone that had been trapped - willingly! - in the Convexity for hundreds if not thousands of years. Imperia is an absolutely delightful counterpoint. A dragoness deeply affected by her trauma but refusing to be crushed by it. A dragoness who has a strong lust for life, always seeking a better path, a brighter future. Always seeking to turn enemies into friends, and friends into... close friends. Yet, because of this, she is recklessly and overconfident. Willing to take actions in ways that simply aren’t necessary, simply because she was certain it was the right thing to do.

The fact that Malefor and Imperia have both acknowledged their flaws. Malefor being lost, and needing to rethink his path, and Imperia needing to learn how to actually work with others properly. Is fantastic to see, as character development is extremely important, especially for OCs like Imperia... and what is effectively an OC in the Good Malefor. The two have very strong chemistry together and balance each other very well. I look forward to seeing their development in the future.

Moving onto other characters... Volteer and Terrador come off strong, and likeable. Volteer and Imperia’s relationship is fun and entertaining too. Flare’s tail, dancing movement, and fighting style are all engaging, but as a character... she just falls flat to me. I’m glad you decided to give Ember more depth rather than just being a bitch over Spyro. Her growing relationship with Cynder, and her desire to be a fighter, is great to see. Seizo, Cyria, and the other younglings are fun, if minor additions to the story that help flesh the world out. Ignitus... honestly he’s just been, there, this story. And hasn’t felt much of a personality or character at all? That’s a minor flaw there: Ignitus just doesn’t seem to be doing that much in the story, his entry into the story seems utterly pointless, and I feel like he needs to do more to contribute. As it is, he can be written out easily.

Cyril is the Guardian that stands out the most to me. He might still love to talk and rant, and seeing Sheen’s thoughts about him. How Cyril didn’t know how to relax, and how she would be his mate if necessary, but it's not, so she isn’t... honestly, it made me sad. Cyril does so much for the world and for Warfang, is so focused on helping the dragon race, even if it’s in his own way... and no one really appreciates that. Even those who work closely with him don’t seem to hold Cyril in the deepest respect. Yet he is probably the best leader out of all of them. Choosing caution and safety yes, but willing to accept the views of others if they are correct. Willing and open to admit what his flaws are, and work on ways to deal with or work around them. Pushing himself to be a voice of opposition in order to strengthen the views of the Guardians as a whole. Incredibly good at organization, and with deep knowledge of the law...

Honestly, the only reason that Cyril isn’t Ignitus’ replacement is that he doesn’t have the public image. Otherwise, he would be the best, and I honestly hope we’ll get to see actual character development from Cyril? I really hope that Imperia learns that he voted for her to stay as a Guardian and that the other Guardians and characters come to respect Cyril more. I think he deserves it... and I think he deserves to learn how to actually relax and unwind a little. Have friends outside of the Guardians, maybe even a mate? I think he’s earned it.

Then there is Spyro and Cynder... Cynder’s character development and journey has been a large focus of the story. Her 3 years away from Spyro at the start, learning and developing on her own. Then her return to Warfangs, stronger and more sure of herself. Her willingness to defend herself, and the sorrow of having to lean into violence. Her becoming Spyro’s equal, learning how to forgive first Ember for her bullying, then Imperia for her betrayal... of learning what it takes to be a Guardian and asking about how to manage a city. She’s not ready to become a Guardian, not yet, but with her pushing through her fear to speak to the people of Warfang, and her interest in learning more about how its ran and Guardianship... she’ll become one in time. There is no doubt about that.

Spyro... honestly, he’s been part of the story throughout, but he hasn’t actually changed as a character. That’s not bad, but it doesn’t make him quite as interesting as the others. He’s still Spyro. Protective, heroic, kind and loving. He’s a bit sassier than most stories, but banter is pretty fun, and it shows how he’s matured since DoTD. I will admit, I was concerned when he said he should have put Warfang aside to be with Cynder, that he should have left with her when Warfang wouldn’t accept her. He seemed a little focused on making sure that Cynder was happy, rather than making sure he was happy as well. I don’t think Spyro would be entirely happy to leave Warfang behind if Cynder wished it. He’s too heroic of a character at his core in my opinion. I think he might need some character development in that regard: balancing his want to see Cynder happy, with what would actually make HIM happy. But other than that, Spyro has been Spyro. Not as engaging as some of the other characters here, but I am always happy to see more of our purple boy.

Which brings me to my main issue with this story: That Sparx was basically written out of the story. Sparx is Spyro's brother, and was always willing to follow him into danger until the very end. I like the fact you made him an artist... but you just upped and removed him from the story as soon as you had an opportunity to do so. Sparx is a critical character to the story, and while his stature as a dragonfly means its difficult for him to take a more, physical role in the plot. From an emotional standpoint, he should not be dismissed, and the fact that you have done so it rather... frustating to witness.

Let's see, what else is there to discuss... The addition of the Darkmire dragon, and the fact that purple dragons are balanced with black dragons is an incredibly curious choice, and very different from most stories I have seen. It makes me wonder quite a bit. Why do the purple dragons and black dragons have their dark sides? Why are they so different from other dragons? Why do purple dragons have five elements (plus Dragon Time/Convexity), and the black dragons have four, and they both share Wind? Or is Cynder right, and there is a 5th element that Cynder has? Or are the purple dragons and black dragons not as limited as that? Could Spyro learn poison, fear and shadow? And Cynder fire, lighting, ice and earth? And if not (beyond the fact that you made it possible for other dragons to actually learn how to harness more than one element, which is a very curious choice to make), why? All the questions you have been throwing at the dragon ancestors, the lacking numbers of dragon kind beyond reproductive issues, and the lack of technological development has been utterly fantastic to see, and your answers to them are going to be very curious to see, that’s for sure.

I think that’s everything I have to say so far... oh and while you might disagree. I think this story should be M-Rated. M-Rating is for highly suggestive and sexual content, without getting into outright sex. Lemons technically aren’t allowed on remember, and while your story doesn’t go so far. It doesn’t shy away from talking of the subject bluntly and having it be no secret of who is sleeping with who. As well as the potential for some characters to sleep with others later on in the story. All of that is M-Rated to me... and, well. With a character like Imperia, I don’t think the story can be anything but M-Rated.

Also if Imperia doesn’t end the story with Spyro and Cynder in her web of relationships, I’ll be disappointed.

Yes! Sorry I’m late. Worth the wait and I just can’t wait for Spyro and Cynder to meet again. Darkmire reminds me of an OC dragon I came up with in Dragons Life. Anyways can’t wait for the next chapter. Have a nice day.

Pleasure is babey, Darkmire is horrifying. 3

That Darkmire is an intimidating character that's for sure. Great job ratcheting up the tension here and really instilling a looming sense of danger with her introduction. Good stuff!

I can only say that i love it :D theres nothing i can say that is bad about this chapter :D i'll be waiting for next chapter/s

You could say Spyro received the literal kiss of death...

Nice glimpse at how the dark sides actually behave, and great writing in general!

What a character Darkmire is! The power, the hint of deep knowledge, and the dichotomy of personality. Fascinating!
Yes, you portrayed Spyro's emotions very well, he is being incredibly brave in the face of an incredibly terrifying situation. And he's keeping his trait of selfless help in the forefront.

The Lick.
*shudders*
How graphic.
I love it.

Still nothing but praise for an incredible story. Keep it up, 4dragons!

Pleasure is Babie and I love her.

I AM HOLLERING AT THAT CYMBER FRIENDSHIP! I LOVE? THESE GIRLS?