In Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage!, the main antagonist is Ripto.
Ripto is a small, powerful sorcerer who invades Avalar after being accidentally transported there during an experiment by the Professor, Elora, and Hunter. Seeing that Avalar has no dragons, Ripto decides to conquer it, bringing his powerful minions Crush and Gulp with him.
Spyro is summoned to Avalar to stop Ripto's campaign. The adventure takes Spyro through Summer Forest, Autumn Plains, and Winter Tundra, where he collects talismans and orbs while defeating Ripto's forces. Crush and Gulp serve as major bosses, but Ripto remains the central villain and final opponent.
A common mix-up is confusing Ripto with Gnasty Gnorc, the villain of the first Spyro game, or the Sorceress, who is the principal antagonist of Spyro: Year of the Dragon. Malefor belongs primarily to The Legend of Spyro continuity.