1- Canidate
#1 of The Legend of Rift: Scorching Ignition
Collaboration with SilverFury23. Taking place days after Crushed Dreams. The journey to become guardian is anything but easy. Rift must learn the hard way. With his cousin Silvus by his side, he must overcome all challenges to become the new Fire Guardian.
Hello everyone!
In collaboration with SilverFury23, I bring you this! This story takes place immediately after Crushed Dreams, and bridges the universes of A Newcomer, The Legend of Rift, and The Forgotten Legend.
Disclaimer: SilverFury23, The Constitutionalist, and I only own our own characters and stories. Spyro and it's respective characters are owned by Activision. If you don't like the story, don't read it.
"We need to do this now old friends. When Ignitus sacrificed himself, it left a large gap in the council, especially when he was one of the two with the final say. "We need the young one now, or we have to find another. It's time for a new Fire Guardian." A large green dragon looked to his yellow and blue companions. He sighed at he walked to the Pool of Visions, watching as the image of an orange dragon appeared within. The adult drake frowned, the image in the water rippling away.
His blue companion, Cyril, interjected; "You remember what he said before Terrador, he is no longer interested. And that was before he sustained his injury in the fight to save Spyro. Why would he join us now?"
The third dragon, Volteer smiled. "I believe that Terrador is referring to fulfilling the young one's need for a purpose in life. If you recall, his father, village, and mate have all perished and he has nothing left. Our wise friend here has a point."
Terrador nodded and summoned Cyril's new Messenger, a young teal drake by the name of Aeris. "Please, go and bring Riften Myclonis to us. We would like to converse with him."
The messenger bowed and ran off, leaving the Earth Guardian to sigh and lower his head. "May the Ancestors guide us in making the right choice."
Rift looked at his companions and gave them a slight smile. Mera, Ferossa, Cynder, and the recently-turned Spyro watched as the young drake packed several items in a satchel, gifts to remember them by. With Spyro returned to Cynder, his job was done. All that was left was to go home, live his life by himself.
"Rift, you don't need to go back. I know you miss Kara, but she's gone..."
The orange dragon sighed and looked to Mera. "I don't have any reason to stay here guys. At this point, all I have is my cave."
KLANG!
A loud commotion caught the attention of all the dragons in the room, rushing out to investigate. A young drake sat dazed, a pile of pots and pans surrounding him. Cynder smirked and helped him up. "Aeris, why are you making a mess?"
The face of the teal hatchling reddened. "S-s-sorry Ms. Cynder! Um, the Guardians requested an audience with Mr. Rift immediately."
The dragons all turned to look at the confused orange dragon. He shook himself, and without saying a word, motioned the hatchling to escort him.
The two walked in silence for about 10 minutes. The temple standing significantly larger than any other structure in the city of Warfang. Inside, Rift blinked as they passed the Pool of Visions, where he had expected to see the three Guardians. Eventually, they arrived at a door, red flags hanging from each side, torches below them. Aeris barely knocked on the door before it opened, the three Guardians sitting inside. Terrador smiled as he saw the young Rift.
"Come in, we have much to discuss."
Warm, warm enough to tempt even the most insomnia-prone drake into snuggling in for a cozy nap. Rift couldn't help but let out a tiny growl of awe at the room that previously housed the Fire Guardian. The heated stone floor complimented the stunning red curtains, as well as a rug in the middle in the shape of a flame. The bed looked amazingly comfortable, black wood frame, soft mattress, and red blankets.
"Perfect for a Fire Guardian, don't you think?" Terrador's question startling the entranced fire drake.
Rift nodded slowly before looking at the Guardians intensely. "Seeing as you brought me here, I can only assume that you don't remember the last time you asked for me."
The green drake closed his eyes and bowed his head. "We have had our eyes on you for a very long time Riften. Your father was friends with Ignitus, and always spoke highly of you. Even during his memorial, we asked your cousin to bring you, as you show promise that no fire dragon has shown. We know the loss of your mate was hard on you, but it seems like a waste for such potential to be ignored on the past. Please, reconsider your decision, make this your purpose."
The fire drake tensed at the mention of his deceased Kara. Small arcs of flame slowly flowed around him. The Guardian had struck a nerve.
"Hard on me, HARD ON ME? The only reason I didn't blow myself into nothingness was because Cynder and Mera were in the impact zone. Hard on me wasn't even close to describe how Kara's death has been."
The Guardians hung their heads, guilt filling their hearts. It had been bad enough that the young drake had lost his father and village many years ago, but having only recently lost his mate to the bruteish apes.
"-But!"
The three looked at the dragon in front of them.
"Kara would want me to do this. It was a longtime goal of mine. So... as long as I can go see her grave each day, I'll accept."
Smiles formed on the faces of the Guardians. Volteer couldn't contain himself. "This is wonderful, marvelous, ama-"
WHACK!
Cyril removed his tail from the back of Volteer's head. "We are pleased that you will seek Guardianship with us. Now, to formally become a Guardian, you must get a majority approval from the fourteen Guardians, and a ruling from the Guardian of Light. Seek him out first, or his messenger, Silvus, your cousin. He can be found at Shimmering Shores. Head out immediately. Welcome, Fire Guardian Candidate Rift."