Written by 1ByteRak , illustrated and coauthored by EmmaSmudge

Chapter 1: The Adventure Begins...

Though a pressing concern did have an elder worried. It hadn’t rained in an abnormal amount of time, and as such Ignitus, Guardian of Fire, was beginning to worry the accompanying heat could result in droughts and famine if it didn’t precipitate soon.

Hearing a shuffle of feet approach, Spyro gingerly woke from his slumber, only for his eyes to be harassed by the blinding rays of the sun. Squinting, Spyro raised his left wing to shield his face as he inhaled deeply to fully awaken himself. Amused with Spyro napping during the middle of the day, Ignitus took the opportunity to jest with his pupil. “Why good morning sleeping beauty. You have a nice nap?”

Awakening from his nap shortly after Spyro did, Crash giggled at Ignitus’ joke before shaking his head back and forth for his own hypocrisy. Crash's brief laugh still made Spyro blush though, before he became really annoyed with his master. “Oh ha, ha, ha, very funny. Didn't know that only the elderly we allowed to take power naps.” Spyro, though sounding brah, still felt a sting of embarrassment and looked at the ground for a moment before his glance meet Crash's. He had stopped chuckling, and upon eye contact with Spyro, Crash returned a brief meek smile. Spyro cheered up as a result as before he caught himself and looked away. It was weird but lately eye contact between him and Crash was becoming real awkward. He didn't understand why and also wasn’t sure if Crash felt the same way at all, it appearing as if he didn't. Only time would tell, for Spyro wasn’t about to ask him.

“I’m glad you're well rested Spyro,” Ignitus continued once he has Spyro’s attention, “and yes it's usually only the old and weary who should require a mid-day day snooze. But something important has come up.”

“What is it Ignitus, something bad?”

“Hmm… potentially. Though I’m confident that if this situation is dealt with promptly my worries will be for nothing.”

“And that would be? What’s up Igg?”

Ignitus chuckled at his student’s nickname of him. “Cute.” Spyro’s lucky he’s purple, Igg thought to himself. I’ll help him all I can, for he is destined for greatness and the world will need him soon. I promised I'd take care of him. “I’m sure you’ve noticed Spyro that the weather here in Artisans has increasingly become quite arid. A lack of precipitation for this long of a duration is very uncommon, and I have a suspicion that something besides the normal climate is at fault.”

“Oh but I don’t even like when it rains. It drenches you and ruins everyone’s day. Last time it poured without quit here I took a well earned vacation… or tried to anyway.”

“You may not like the rain Spyro but our ecosystem does.”

“I know, I know. I’m not dumb; just messing with you. So what do you think’s the cause, some kind of mage or sorcerer messing with nature to get at us Dragons?”

“I… actually do not know.”

“Oh well that’s helpful.”

“No, but fortunately you will be.” Ignitus closed his eyes in focus and concentrated his will at an inactive portal within a few yards of him, Spyro, and Crash. The portal flicked on and began to hum with a low ringing sound as well as the image of the bottom of a pond appearing underneath the archway. Spyro and Crash both stared at the watery image within the archway and Crash immediately pointed at a gem which was refracting light.

“Very observant Crash” Ignitus said proudly as he now appeared to the right of Spyro. “That is a rare water gem known as an Aquamarine. Legends say that thousands of years ago there was a terrible drought located in the southern regions of the Dragon Realms which almost killed off all life in the area. But one day a mysterious woman brought an Aquamarine to a village suffering in that scorching heat and from within that magical gem water was once forth brought to the region.”

“Huh. Well having one of those aqua gems does sound real useful given the current situation. Let me guess, you want me to go retrieve one? Though if they’re so rare, how do you know where one is?”

“That… is classified. But for now let’s just say I have a hunch that an Aquamarine is located somewhere in the Mystic Marshes. And since one of your four elemental abilities is ice/water, finding our gem within a lake will not be a hassle for you.”

“What, I’m not allowed to know? Oh whatever, it’s probably another boring Guardian story anyway.” Spyro then turned to Crash and parted him a farewell. “Man I’m sorry our impromptu vacation just got cut short, but duty calls. I had a lot of fun together, and hope we can hang out soon.”

Crash didn’t particularly look happy at the news, so he closed his eyes with a sigh along with his head falling and his long prehensile ears drooping limply. And his apparent sadness bothered Spyro more than he expected it would. Man I hate seeing him this way. Reluctantly, Spyro turned to face the portal, but was interrupted by Ignitus.

“Now hold up Spyro” Ignitus warned. “There is something very, VERY important I need to tell you about Aquamarines. The magics contained within those gems are immensely powerful and quite volatile to the unprotected. DO NOT under any circumstances handle that gem yourself. If you touch it you may very well die.”

“WHAT! ……. How am I supposed to retrieve the Aquamarine if I can’t touch it?”

“A little faith Spyro. I wouldn’t send you on this mission if I knew you would die. Here.” Ignitus retrieved a light blue bag glistening like water itself tied with a black string from his waist and threw it at Spyro, who carefully caught the bag with his two front paws, standing upwards to do so.  “What you’re holding is a Mythril Bag specifically sewn to handle an Aquamarine. It will allow you to safely transport it once you find it. But even so, A legendary adapt of the element of water will be required to use the power of the Aquamarine. I’d ask Cyril as the Guardian of Water to try, but unfortunately he and Volteer got into another argument and I can’t seem to find either of them! Ugh… anyway, all of Artisans is counting on you Spyro, so please be careful, and make it back safe. Promise?”

Spyro upon hearing Ignitus’ confidence and simultaneous parental like worry for him now boasted a serious look on his face and bowed to show his respect for his teacher and father figure. “I promise Ignitus.”

“Very well then, I have faith in you. Good luck.” Spyro nodded once more, and turned towards the portal to Rolling Stones, only for Crash to step in front of him blocking his path.

“What’s wrong Crash?”

Upon hearing how dangerous and how serious Spyro’s mission was, it seemed so unfair that he had to brave this journey alone. If something bad happened to him, Crash couldn’t imagine living with that grief. Plus, all the Dragons here in Artisans were counting on this Aquamarine to restore water to their home, and since he had been staying here as a welcomed guest, just leaving while they were in crisis didn’t feel right. He was a hero after all, maybe not to the Dragons, but Crash wouldn’t just leave a place in need. With a serious look on his face, Crash pointed to himself before aiming his right arm backwards and pointing at the portal to the Mystic Marshes.

“You… want to come with me? I guess... but it will be dangerous.”

“I admire your courage Crash,” Ignitus said with honesty a few moments later, “and your willingness to help your friend and us Dragons alike.” Ignitus’ tone then shifted “But the mission Spyro is about to embark on is not one to take lightly. Plus searching for an Aquamarine will entail a lot of underwater exploration, an environment Spyro can endure due to his connection to the element of water.”

Crash held his chin with his right hand in concentration, contemplating what Ignitus just said, before remembering what his sister had given him before his visit to Spyro's homeland. His right arm and index finger shot up to correspond with his epiphany, before he buried his hand into his pocket while his tongue pointing out and his left eye closed. As Crash rummaged around in his pocket, Spyro and Ignitus looked at him curiously until he pulled out a very tiny white box with a glowing screen on its top. The little rectangular prism fit easily on Crash’s palm as he poked at it with his other hand. Crash then pointed his device at the clear grass to the left of Spyro and Ignitus. A bright flash of light and a rush of air momentarily caused Spyro to flinch, until he saw in surprise a pair of goggles, a jetpack, and a literal bazooka lying on the ground.

“Oops.” Crash fidgeted with the device in his hands once more, and another bright flash occurred and the three items disappeared. Seconds later another flash occurred, revealing scuba gear, oxygen tanks, and flippers now resting atop the grass. Crash now boasted a toothful grin to greet an astonished Ignitus and an excited Spyro.

“Oh Wow! Crash, isn’t that the… ugh… that super storage thing that Coco was talking about? God your sister really is a genius! Hey, didn't your sister also fit your motorbike, biplane, and rocket board in there as well?”

Crash nodded his head up and down to respond to Spyro's question, while Ignitus looked confused. “Super… storage… thing? Rocket board?”

“Yeah Ignitus!” Spyro said eagerly. “No, that’s not what she called it… Ugh… It’s… Crash help me out here.” Crash responded by shrugging his shoulders. “It’s the molecular… compartmentalizer… I don’t know, but apparently it can shrink the relative distance between atoms and make things really small and store them. Or at least that’s what I think Coco said? Crash’s sister tends to talk really fast and use big words when she shows off a new invention. Ignitus, do you think Crash and I could store the Aquamarine in that if we find it?”

Ignitus looked blankly at the tiny box in Crash’s hand for a moment, lost at what kind of magic was required to shrink such large objects and store them in someone’s pocket, before snapping out of it and responding to Spyro’s question. “I wouldn’t try. Who knows what could happen.” Ignitus paused for a moment before his gaze shifted to Crash. “Crash, I commend your bravery and willingness to help your friend. And though I do feel bad in letting you risk your life on behalf of the Dragon Realms, Spyro has a lot of faith and trust in you; so I will have that same confidence in you as well. Good luck to you both. I’m counting on you two.”

Crash gave Ignitus a nod of his head, before he and Spyro turned to face the portal to the Mystic Marshes in unison. Spyro instinctively looked in Crash direction, and was met by Crash’s gaze as well. Like earlier he shot a quick smile in Spyro's​ direction accompanied with a quick wink. And like earlier before, it made Spyro feel weird. It’s strange, but… I  enjoyed it? Weird?

Crash sporting a boastful look on his face leapt high into the air, spinning and performing a backflip at the same time to land on top of the portal arc, now facing Spyro and Ignitus below him. He raised his right hand to his head gave Ignitus and everyone watching a salute to signal his departure. He then from the top of the portal jumped once more, rotating his body 180 degrees to face the portal once more and flipping upside down so that his hands could grip the top of the archway and he could swing his way into a new land.

Spyro was grinning due to Crash’s bombastic display, his wacky approach to things while maintaining his silence something he greatly enjoyed about Crash’s friendship. “Yeah! Man he sure knows how to make an extreme exit! Don’t you think Ignitus?”

“That’s one way to put it…”

Spyro laughed aloud, now excited for his new mission. He prepared to run forward to commence his journey, but Ignitus’ voice stopped him one final time.

“Please do be careful Spyro. And keep Crash safe.” Ignitus final remark restored the reality of his and Crash’s mission. It was dangerous, and if anything happened to Crash… Spyro wouldn’t know what he’d do. He had almost had that happen before they even were the friends they are now, and this mission could have that happen again. Worried and confused, Spyro promised Ignitus his utmost diligence, and then followed his friend through the portal.