In The Legend of Spyro series, the dark dragon antagonist is Malefor. Also known as the Dark Master, Malefor is the central villain of the rebooted trilogy and serves as the destructive antithesis of Spyro.
Malefor is an ancient purple dragon whose interpretation of a prophecy drives the trilogy’s conflict. He believes purple dragons are destined to destroy the existing world so that it can be remade or purified. That ideology makes him more than a conventional enemy: he presents his apocalypse as a form of renewal.
The trilogy introduces his influence gradually. In A New Beginning, his forces threaten the Dragon Temple and the dragon eggs. The Eternal Night deals with his return and growing power, while Dawn of the Dragon brings Spyro and Cynder into direct conflict with him.
Cynder is a frequent source of confusion because she begins as a major antagonist under Malefor’s control. Gnasty Gnorc belongs to the original Spyro continuity, and the Sorceress is the main villain of Spyro: Year of the Dragon. Malefor is specific to The Legend of Spyro continuity, although later Spyro-related media use the character differently.