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

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

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Legacy of Legends 3

Chapter 31

Return

The sun was shining high up in the sky as the clouds lazily rolled by. It was another typical day at the dragon temple. Dragons roamed around, heading to their respective areas whilst some went to the dining hall to get decent meals in their stomachs. One such dragon was the earth dragon named Crombe. He let out a sleepy yawn as he walked through the double doors and grabbed himself some food to eat. Yesterday’s activities left him exhausted completely. Running around, looking for Terrador was a trying endeavor. It was something he definitely wasn’t looking forward to doing again, anytime soon.
But for the most part, he was glad things ended quite nicely. They managed to find, and after a thorough beating that left Crombe at awe, apprehend the despicable of an excuse of a dragon named Volcane. The fire dragon was now in a prison, mandated by moles, or something like that. Terrador wasn’t too keen on sharing the details. Not that he wanted to know either. It seemed…brutal.
What mattered to Crombe was that, it was finally over. But along with this, he felt a sense of clarity wash over him. The resulting action made things clear to him, and made him see that maybe this was what he was supposed to do. This was the right place for him; the right position for him to take. It kept him up all night thinking on what to say to Terrador. To refuse or to accept; but now, it was somewhat clear to him. An answer formed in his head as he sat silently, eating breakfast by himself.

“Good morning!”

The voice snapped Crombe out of his musings. He turned his head to see himself be joined by none other than Zaze.
“What are you doing up so early?” he asked.
The purple dragon shrugged. “I woke up early. How about you? You okay?”
“Same old, same old, Zaze.”
“I heard about what happened. Glad to see you guys found that dragon,” Zaze said, taking a bite out of his meal.
“It was tough, I can tell you that much.” Crombe sighed, and looked at Zaze. “They were hidden very well up the mountain.”
Zaze nodded. “Well, at least that’s over with, right? Anyways, I wanted to check in on you.”
“On what?”
“Your decision.”
Crombe chuckled lightly. “I could ask you the same thing.”
“I think I’ve made mine. Though, I’d have to still ask Volteer about it. You?”
“I think I’ve made mine as well,” Crombe replied. “I’ll try and talk to Terrador about it.”
“You’re taking it then?”

Crombe looked at Zaze seriously for a brief moment.

“And if I didn’t?”
“Terrador would be hard pressed to find someone better.”
Crombe smiled and stood up. “I better cut him some slack then. I’ll see you around, Zaze.”
“Catch you later, Crombe.” Zaze smiled.

Zaze sat alone at the table for a few moments before another dragon came up to him.

“Was that Crombe?” It was Spyro.
Zaze nodded. “Yeah.”
“He seems chipper than normal.”
“You could say that.”
“You know,” Spyro said looking at his fellow purple dragon. “I’m still a bit surprised that you two are getting along so well now. Back then, Crombe didn’t seem like he wanted to do anything with you.”
Zaze shook his head and smiled wryly. “Can you blame him? Even more so after realizing who I am?”
Spyro nodded. “Good point. I’m just glad you two aren’t at each other’s throats.”
Zaze smirked. He himself was glad that Crombe didn’t harbor any hard feelings for him, given what he had done. He was glad that the dragon had actually forgiven him for all the bad things he did. Even the one that involved him killing his one and only living relative. And even then, that was painful for Zaze to bear in his own right.
“So what are you planning to do today?” Spyro asked.
“Just thinking and still worried.”
“About Trax?”
Zaze nodded. “It’s been days and we still haven’t heard from him. I fear for the worst.”
“Tell me Zaze,” Spyro’s eyes narrowed. “Do you think he’s dead?”
Zaze sighed and thought hard. “I want to say no. But given what I know of Trax, my optimism is beginning to drain.” Zaze had to be honest. A young and not to mention inexperienced dragon like Trax could easily have met his untimely demise by a creature that lurked the woods outside of Warfang. If anything, it would explain why they had a hard time looking for him. But a part of him was desperately trying to brush away the negativity. It was too early to give up. They still could try and look for him.
“You have a good point. I kind of feel bad that we never found him,” Spyro said, hanging his head and looking down his food.
“Don’t feel too bad, Spyro. If anything it was my fault,” Zaze admitted.
The dragon shook his head. “It was a misunderstanding. He was just too caught up in the emotions to think rationally.”
“But all we can do now is truly just, hope for the best.”
Zaze nodded. “You know one thing; would you be surprised if he just popped in one time?”
“What do you mean?”
Zaze chuckled. “Trax just popping out of nowhere; completely fine and unscathed, now that is a sight to see.”
Spyro laughed lightly. “Now that would definitely be interesting.”

0 0 0 0 0

“Relax Terrador,” Volteer said, eyeing his friend who was pacing across the room. “Why are you so worked up this morning?”
“I’ve just been thinking of what happened yesterday,” he answered honestly. He turned to face the Electric Guardian who was resting on his cushions.
“Yes. That was fantastic work of putting that dragon away; very admirable.”
“No dragon like that should ever be with us. But I’ve been thinking of Crombe. What do you think his decision would be?”
“Ah, in regards to being an apprentice?” Volteer thought carefully. “He seems capable. If anything out of all the dragons we have here, he seems to be the perfect candidate. No one so far has struck my attention, but that’s just my opinion.” The electric dragon sighed. “Even I have problems in regards to that.”
“With Zaze?”
“Not only Zaze, but Trax as well.”
Terrador nodded. “Right, the missing dragon; it worries me that there is still no news of him.”
“I still feel horrible about all of this.”
“Do not fret, Volteer. I am sure he still around.”
“But I worry that this may affect Zaze’s decision on being my apprentice.”
Terrador’s brow rose. “Do you think he’ll decline and give it to Trax?”
Volteer nodded. “I know and understand how Zaze thinks. He’ll do what he seems to think is the right. Yet, if anything, by all rights he should be the next Guardian.”
“While I do agree that Zaze is qualified to be the next Guardian,” he then chuckled to himself and then said, “If anything he’s MORE than qualified, being a master of four elements already.” He turned to Volteer and said, “It’s still his choice, Volteer. It is an honor to be picked but every dragon still has the right to refuse.”
“I know that. And that unsettles me.”
“You really want him to succeed you, don’t you?”
Volteer nodded. “Of course I do. I knew it the moment I saw his power. Even before I knew who he really was.”

That was when a knock on the door took both of their attentions.

“Yes, who is it?” Volteer called out.
“It’s me, Crombe.”
Volteer smiled, knowing full well what was about to happen. He went over to the door and greeted Crombe. He then discreetly excused himself, giving the Earth Guardian and Crombe privacy.

He walked down the halls, still thinking of what Zaze’s decision in all of this was. True, if Zaze did decline, then he would have to choose Trax. Trax looked promising, but he still had to gauge the dragon’s abilities, but even then, he wasn’t sure if he was the one he was looking for. Volteer absentmindedly bumped into another dragon, and immediately apologized for it.
“Volteer?”
He looked up to find Cyril standing in front of him. “Oh, sorry, Cyril, I was just—“
“Lost in thoughts? I could tell. What is bothering you, Volteer?”
“The guardianship; I’m still thinking heavily on Zaze and Trax.”
Cyril nodded. “That is a very delicate matter; even with the latter missing.”
Volteer nodded. “How about you? Thinking of getting an apprentice yourself?”
The ice dragon blinked. “I never really thought about that. Then again, no one really has struck my interest either.” Cyril hummed to himself. “I don’t think I need an apprentice anytime soon. I’m more than capable in dealing with my Guardian duties.”
“Always the proud one, aren’t you?” Volteer replied cheekily.
“Oh please; you know me well enough by now.”

0 0 0 0 0

Spyro and Cynder stood out at the balcony, staring out at the skyline.
“What’s wrong, Spyro?” Cynder asked, noting the dragon’s concerned expression.
“I’m just thinking about Trax again. It’s been a few days now. I’m starting to fear for the worst.”
Cynder sighed. “Yeah, it’s honestly been too long. Did you ask Zaze for his opinion?”
“I did. He told me the same thing I was dreading to hear.”
“And that is?”
“He could be dead.”
Cynder looked at Spyro seriously. “Well, that is just a theory.”
“True,” Spyro replied. “He then joked to me that it would be hilarious if he just suddenly appeared out of nowhere, completely fine and unscathed.”
Cynder chuckled. “That would be funny. It’ll be like that one time when Zaze predicted Hunter appearing at the dining hall.”
“Oh I remember that,” Spyro said, laughing at the memory.
“Remember what?”

The two turned around to find Zaze walking up to them.

“The bet we made,” Cynder replied.
It took a moment for Zaze to remember but he immediately grinned when he did. “Oh I remember that.”
“Do you think you can predict something like that happening again?” Spyro said jokingly.
“I don’t know, Spyro. I think my prediction days are over.”
“Oh, you could at least try right,” Cynder added.
“Where would you have Trax appear, if you could summon him right now?” Spyro asked.
“Well, I’d have him appear at the door over there and then he’d just go about and look normal over all. It would be nice to see the guy completely unscathed after disappearing for so long.” Zaze chuckled. “I mean, what are the chances, right?”
Spyro grinned. “The chances are astronomical! It’ll take some kind of divine intervention for it to happen!”

Divine intervention indeed; and with the power vested upon the author, he summoned forth the character, that enabled the plot to move on. Given the cue, the doors flung open and the three dragons stared at the newcomer.
“Did…did that actually just happen?” Cynder stared, completely surprised at the sudden turn of events.
Standing right before them was none other than Trax, completely fine and unscathed.
“It did…” Spyro said, equally surprised. He stared at Zaze who had his mouth slightly agape. “Are you sure you don’t have fortune telling skills?”
“I…don’t know myself.” Zaze shook his head and snapped out of his daze. He then walked over to the electric dragon. “Trax?”
“Oh, Zaze,” Trax replied calmly. “Hey there.”
“Are you okay?” Zaze asked, looking the dragon over. He looked fine. No visible bruises, no cuts, no wounds, no nothing; he was completely and utterly unscathed.
“I’m fine,” he replied. “Just a bit hungry.”
“Where have you been for the past few days?” Zaze asked, getting straight to the point.

Trax blinked, and then looked at him seriously. Zaze noted he looked visibly agitated by the question. “I don’t want to talk about that right now.”
“Uh…sure, I guess,” Zaze replied.
Trax walked off, heading to the direction of the dining hall. Zaze was then flanked by Spyro and Cynder.
“Something seems off,” Cynder said.
“Definitely,” Spyro replied.

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Author's Notes:

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