The Legend of Spyro: Origins_Chapter 16
#16 of Spyro Origins
Author's notes:
Finally I let myself appear once again as I post this new chapter.
I am sorry for the delay, but my writing spark was somewhat diminished as of late. That is why I took longer to write this one. And I didn't want to make the mistakes I did in last chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own The Legend of Spyros story or characters. Everything else is mine.
If there is any resemblance, then it is purely coincidental.
And as always... enjoy!
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The Legend of Spyro: Origins_Chapter 16
Five days have passed since the end of the siege. The city was devastated and it couldn't hold a lot of refuges or citizens. That's why many refugees, especially cheetahs, had left the city and went south to start to restart their lives. North and other directions were still instilling fear in their hearts, so south was mainly where they travelled to.
Still, many remained to live in the city, but now it was not as crowded as before. With the damage inflicted in the city, there was still not a lot of space for a lot for population.
The ones who stayed were getting more and more confident and assured with the humans by their side. Still, they didn't go as far as accepting them openly. Some still kept their eyes open and their knifes sharp. Life was getting back to normal... if a normal life could be said with Spyro and the humans around.
The humans, with consent of the leaders of the city, were moving into the city with all their equipment, since they no longer had any reason to stay near the portal. Supplies and equipment were being brought day and night.
'Geez! Do these humans ever get tired? They have been moving all day!' Spyro though as he watched the humans go from one place to another at a fast pace.
He was lying down with some moles in the shadows at mid-morning after a lot of work with the repair of the city; but the humans had not stopped moving since morning. Or had they worked through the night without sleep?
_'How do they manage to do all that without a break?' _Humans were weird creatures indeed. They never slowed down!
Spyro sighted before slowly getting up. He decided that he would visit Cynder in the hospital. She still had not woken up... but Spyro didn't care if she was conscious or not, he would visit her nonetheless. He was just too worried to leave her alone form more than a few hours. He had been by her side every second he could spare from the repair movement in the city.
He walked slowly thought the city, not wanting to fly over to the hospital Cynder was in. He watched as the citizens tried to continue their daily lives. The markets were opens and merchants shouted their wares at the oncoming pedestrians. Since the provisions have slowly started getting to the city after the siege was broken, the markets have been opened. All kinds of food, equipment, medicals supplies and many more things were sent from all around the area.
The life in the city was getting back to normal. But Spyro didn't know how the life in a city is normal. He had been born with a village of dragonflies, not a proper city. And when he had been in a city, it had been under siege and under attack. And now that it was as it supposed to be, he was intrigued by all sorts of shops and services provided by different citizens.
There were a lot of people in the streets going about their business. Dragons also were doing some work, since some dragons had already lived here before the siege. The dragons' refugees from the colony that had arrived before the final siege were getting themselves places where they could live. This was a dragon city after all.
He turned his head this way and that, wishing he had ten more pair of eyes to see everything. Still, he didn't stop until he arrived at the hospital where Cynder was. But before entering, something caught his attention. An idea forming up on his mind and a smile appearing on his face, he made his way to the stall.
There were dozens different type of flowers on display, with hundreds different colors. He could smell them as he approached them... sweet and fresh. A very nice smell.
He stood there, watching the different flowers. He remembered how her adoptive dragonfly mother, Nina, used to decorate the house when Spyro lived with them. She always had some flowers in the house, giving a relaxing aroma. Many female dragonflies also used to have some small flowers on them as part of their clothing.
'Do all female like flowers?'
Possibly.
'Would Cynder like if I bring her some flowers?'
He had kept an eye on Cynder when she arrived at the temple after she was released from Malefor strings. During one of those watches, Spyro found her in the temple garden. She had been smelling the flowers that grew there. Her face reflected the peace of the moment and she was so relaxed that it seemed that nothing was wrong with the world. She seemed so content on that moment that Spyro decided to leave her unmolested.
"May I help you?" a voice interrupted his study of the flowers. Spyro turned and saw a small female mole.
"Oh! Yes. Um... I was wondering if I could get some flowers for my friend that is in the hospital" he told her.
"Absolutely!" the mole exclaimed with happiness. "Which flowers would you like?"
"Um....?" Spyro wondered as he looked back at all the different flowers. There were too many to pick!
After some thinking and recommendations from the stall owner, he decided. Some red and white flowers were surrounded by pine branches. Also some yellow like leafs that dotted here and there.
As the mole prepared the bouquet, Spyro attention was caught by a very strange flower. It was a small pitch black flower. Stranger was that it seemed that all its petals, instead of being thrown to the outside like normal flowers did, were all drawn into the center and into itself. What's more, the light seemed to be reflected by it. Spyro could not help but compare this flower to Cynder.
"Caught your eye that one?" the shop keeper asked.
"Yes! What is the name of this flower? I have never seen one such as this"
"That flower is called 'Black Guardinian'. It is a rare type of flower that opens its petals at moonlight" she informed.
"Really?" Spyro asked, getting more impressed by the flower.
"Yes! That flower is found in very specific locations in the mountains or valleys and cannot be grown like the rest of the flowers. Very rare it is!"
Spyro had heard enough.
"I want this one too!" he said excitedly. What will Cynder think when she sees them?
"Certainly!" she told him as she picked a single flower of the 'Black Guardinian' type, and placed in middle of the lot. She then wrapped the flowers up and said. "It is three golden gems"
"Huh? Gems?" Spyro asked confused. The mole apparently also was confused.
"Yes... three golden gems. You know... currency" she told Spyro, who only shook his head, not understanding. "Don't you have any money?"
"Money?" Spyro asked confused.
"How do you expect to pay for these?" the mole finally asked.
"I was hoping to repay you with some kind of work. Is it not normal here that one repays the other with some work or favor?" Spyro asked. Back when he was at the dragonfly village, that's how things were done. People used to trade stuff or do some work for the other for repayment.
The mole sighted and shook his head. "Don't you have any money?"
"What is money?"
"That is what we used to trade for things" she informed him.
"And what do you use for trade?"
"We use this small golden gem" she started to explain. And that is how Spyro learned about money and its usage as she continued her explanation.
"Isn't there a way for me to pay for it later with some kind of work or favor?" Spyro asked hopefully. He really did want to have these flowers to Cynder.
"Well..." the female mole thought. "I might have some heavy lifting and errand to do. If you promise to do these things for me, I will give you the flowers"
"Done!" Spyro said without a second thought. "I will come back in a while to repay my debt" he promised.
The mole extended his arms with the flowers. Spyro, being very careful, took them with his mouth by the end.
"Thanks!" he muttered.
Spyro made his way to the hospital with a bouquet of flowers. It was a ridiculous sight. A purple dragon in a hospital with a bunch of flowers in his mouth with a happy grin. It drew many stares from everyone as e made his way forward... but he didn't mind. In fact... he was happy.
Soon, he arrived where Cynder lay. She still was unconscious trying to recover from that huge blow that she received by the troll. Spyro flinched at the memory. He had felt and immense sense of fear and dread when Cynder was sent flying in a tangle mess by that troll.
Spyro got closer to Cynder's mattress and noticed her state. She was taking deep breaths; contrary to those she had a few days ago. It still seemed a miracle to him that she would make it. Had it not been for the humans help, she... as well as everybody else in this city, would be dead in this moment.
After a few moments of looking at her, Spyro asked from a passing mole to bring a jar with water to put the flowers in. After it had been brought, Spyro put the jar itself near her head with the utmost care as not to disturb her. He watched her for a few minutes, watching her beautiful sleek body.
He missed her. How he wished she was awake so he could speak with her. He missed her voice that was like a second conscience, her laugh that lifted his spirits so much. How he wished to see her green eyes which seemed to be perfect green gems, especially when they shone under the moonlight. He would like to lye next to her... to feel her warmth body as she takes each breath.
A sudden loud noise caught Spyro attention. He turned to look and got surprised at what he saw.
"Incendio!" he exclaimed at seeing him. The fire dragon had toppled some supplies, causing them to scatter over the floor.
"What? Oh, hey Spyro!" he greeted with a nervous chuckle.
Spyro did a quick check on how his friend was doing. He had a huge bandage on his flank, just where the spear had impaled him in the battle. His eyes seemed full of life, although his body didn't really showed it. He stood on shaky legs by the looks of it.
But he seemed that he was hiding something.
"Aren't you supposed to be resting?" Spyro inquired.
"Uh... no! I'm just... uh...taking a walk, stretching my legs!"
"Then why did you seem to be so nervous? It appears that of you are sneaking!"
"Sneaking? I am not sneaking. Why should I do that?" Incendio babbled and put a face as if injured by his comment.
Spyro looked at him intently, causing Incendio to shift weigh form one foot to the next. He seemed to be unconformable under Spyro's gaze. He could not resist it for long.
"It is just that being here for many days doing nothing is getting on my nerves" Incendio confessed with and exasperated sight. "It's driving me crazy! I had to walk around a little bit, see different things than the same four walls that surround me!"
"Won't the medics get mad at you for doing this?"
"Are you kidding me? Kelly prohibits me even to move and she frets every time I try to get up! She would kill me if she ever finds out!"
"She?"
"Yes! Doctor Kelly is a human medic. She was there when I thought that I would die. She really saved my life! She is a wonderful woman and an excellent doctor."
"Sound as if you admire her"
"Well... yeah! I do! Some people say that he spent hours trying to save me when everybody else believed I was a lost case. She never gave on me. For that... I admire her. She has also been taking care of me after that. Hey...! "He whispered as he leaned closer to have a quieter conversation "Do you know how the humans came to be here? I have been asking question, but there are only rumors"
Just when he was about to begin to explain how the humans got to be here, he was interrupted
"Where HAVE. YOU. BEEN?" a shrill voice came down the hallway.
Incendio's face turned that to fear and shock as his body tensed. Spyro looked past the red dragon to see a slender female human, wearing a white coat, storming her way down the hall. Spyro didn't know her, but he figured that this was Doctor Kelly.
"What are you thinking coming here all by yourself when you should be resting?" she asked with a hard tone. Incendio gave a guilty smile at her.
"But I wanted to..."
"No buts', young dragon. You are going to return to your bed on this instant!" she ordered him
But before Incendio could say a word, she trusted her arm forward and grabbed one of Incendio's horns on the head.
"What the...?" was the only thing he could say before Kelly started to pull. "Hey, that's my horn! OUCH! Watch out! It hurts!" he complained.
"I would do this if you hadn't stepped out of your bedroom in the first place" she scolded him.
"But I..."
"No buts'!"
She started to pull him back toward his bedroom. Incendio allowed himself to be directed, but not before shooting Spyro a glance of hopelessness that asked for help. Incendio and the human disappeared around the corner, and for a few moments, there was silence. Then, Spyro dropped to the floor laughing at the sight he had just seen.
After a few minutes of laughing, he returned his sight at the still unconscious form of Cynder. How He wished she were awake. He stepped over to her and nuzzled her.
"Get well" he whispered in a soft and caring tone.
Spyro got upright again. Now, he had a shop keeper he had to repay for some flowers he had bought.
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"But Doctor, I'm bored!" Incendio complained as he arrived back into his room.
"That does not mean that you should go walking and stomping around" she shot back. "You have not recovered yet, and that reckless action could have made things worse"
"But it didn't!"
"But it could very well have. You are my patient, and as long as you are... you WILL do as I tell you"
Her voice, yet sweet and caring, left no room for complaining or argument. Incendio sighted in defeat. "Yes Doctor"
"I know how boring it can be" she told him in a more soft voice. "I also spent countless days in bed when I was in hospital once. I just couldn't wait to rise and run again. But you must understand... you must heal"
"I know Doctor. I know" Incendio sighted.
"I can bring you some books here if you like. Or some games"
"Games?! Such as?"
"Oh... I don't know. Some deck of cards or a board game" she explained.
"Thanks. I would like to!" Incendio exclaimed. She gave a soft smile before turning her back to the dragon to exit the room.
"My name is Incendio by the way" he told Kelly before she exited the room. She turned around and faced him.
"My name is Kelly" she said.
"Kelly! Nice name. Nice to meet you Doctor Kelly" he greeted in a formal way. This caused Doctor Kelly to give some giggles.
"What?" Incendio asked with his head tilted to one side in confusion.
"Just Kelly. No need for the Doctor part"
"Oh! Well... nice too meet you... Kelly"
"Nice too meet you too... Incendio" she said back with a grin before exiting the room.
Incendio looked as she disappeared around the doorway, and once she had left, a big smile of his own appeared on his face.
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By late afternoon, Spyro had finished his errand for the flower shopkeeper. It wasn't that much difficult to do, but it consumed time. Before he even knew it, afternoon had arrived by the time he finished. Thus, he made his way to see where he could get something to eat.
He crossed the city looking for the mess hall, watching as how the city was beginning to regain its previous splendor; but it still had a long way to go. When he arrived, he smelled delicious food being prepared.
He watched around the area, but something wasn't quite right. He saw moles, cheetahs, humans and dragons; all in the mess hall. And then, he found it.
He saw different species in the mess hall, but that was normal. What disturbed him was the fact that the humans and the rest of the alliance did not mingle with one another. Cheetahs sat with cheetahs, moles sat with moles while some tables occupied both cheetahs and moles. Dragons were also in the mix; but humans sat only with humans.
Sure, they were not having each other's throats, but there were not making any attempt to get closer, no sign of friendship. There was an invisible line that separated them from one another, and neither party seemed willing to cross it. Most Alliance members still distrusted humans, mostly because they were strangers. The humans distrusted them because they were in a completely strange world.
Just then, he saw Lieutenant Parker arriving. And idea was starting to form up on his mind to bring the somewhat distant faction closer to one another; and this might be the best time to put it into action. Taking a deep breath, he went purposefully toward him.
"Parker!" Spyro shouted. The human turned around and saw the dragon going toward him.
"Spyro, what's going on?" he greeted him in return.
"I was just wondering how the humans are faring"
"They are doing fine. We still are moving our equipment here from the previous base. It will take more time to bring all. How about you?"
"I'm fine too. I have been busy repairing the city after the siege"
"Well, that was stating the obvious" Parker shrugged. "So, you are her to eat something?"
"Yes, of course. Shall we eat together" Spyro suggested with a tone of hope. If they were seeing together, eating and talking together, as if there were no trouble at all, the different species might be willing to interact with humans.
"Uh... yes. Of course. Why not?" Parker sounded somewhat dubious, but agreed.
Parker made his way to where the humans picked up their own food. This was another separation that divided their alliance. Humans ate their own food, which unnerved some moles cooks. Besides, it also didn't improve the relation.
"Hi there Bouvier" he greeted the human cook.
"Lieutenant Parker, bonjour!" he greeted with a strange accent, very much different than Parker or Colonel Flanning. What's more, he spoke a word he didn't understand. "Are you here to eat?" the human called Pierre continued, not noticing Spyro standing next to Parker.
Parker smiled "Yes. What up for today? Beef?"
"Oui! Plus with a side of vegetables. Cette superbe!" he said as he gave Parker a platter of food.
"I don't doubt its delicious Bouvier. You French sure know how to prepare a meal" Parker complimented.
"Merci beaucoup!"
"You're welcome!" Parker finished and left...
... and Spyro took his place to order his food.
"Can I have some too?" he asked a little bit enthusiastic to the cook.
Bouvier seemed to notice Spyro for the first time because he looked confused and surprised when he laid his eyes upon the purple dragon.
"Uh..." he seemed at a loss of words.
Parker had noticed the situation between cook and dragon, and had stooped to watch the scene. He watched every movement the cook and Spyro made and was ready to intervene if necessary; although he hoped not to.
"Is something wrong?" Spyro asked the still dumbfounded cook, although he knew why he was acting thus. The poor human had not expected a dragon to be in the lane and asked for food.
Bouvier looked at Parker, who was still watching intently. His looked asked for any sort of help the veteran warrior could offer, but he just remained standing there, expressionless.
"Uh..." Bouvier still didn't know what to answer.
Some people had begun to notice the situation and were also looking very carefully for the reaction. Fortunately, Philippe Bouvier was no fool... and he retook his composure and tried to act somewhat normal.
"Uhh... Oui! Cette bien. Do you want the same as Parker?"
"I do not know your food, so anything will be fine" Spyro answered, turning to look at Parker, who still stood there... looking.
"Très bien" Bouvier said out loud before murmuring to himself in a language Spyro couldn't understand. "C'est incroyable! Je donner à manger à un dragon!"
Spyro could only cock his head at what he was saying. In a matter of moments, a plate of food was placed in front of him. Carefully, Spyro took it with his teeth and went after Parker, which had started looking again for a place to sit.
They found and empty table near the corner, and they made their way toward it. Parker placed his plate of food and sat. Spyro, on the other paw, had to carefully let go of the plate that was in his moth as not to make a mess.
"What did the cook said? I couldn't understand the language he was speaking" Spyro asked Parker as he sat himself.
"Well... judging from the tone, I would guess that he just couldn't believe that a dragon was in front of him"
"You don't know what he said? But you answered him back another comment he just did!"
"I can't understand everything he says, but that particular piece was easy to figure out" Parker told him as he grabbed some kind of metallic tool.
It looked to be a knife by the looks of it, but smaller and not as 'robust' as a battle knife. He also grabbed some strange tool that had four long points. He used the knife to cut some piece of meat and used the long point tool to stab it and put in his mouth.
As Parker started chewing, Spyro noticed that many eyes were upon them. He knew that many were watching what a lone human and dragon were doing sitting together in a table. Were they going to go for each other's troths? Will the simple meal they were having become a disaster?
Not if Spyro had anything to say about it!
Spyro looked at his food, watching the strange meat and vegetables that were in his plate. The way it was prepared was strange, but the food in itself was not that strange. He grabbed some in his claw and looked at it.
'Well, here it goes' he thought before placing it in his mouth before he received an explosion of flavor in his mouth.
WOW! He had never tasted anything like this! This was delicious!
He looked back at the food with a sense of wonder and surprise. He had never tasted anything that rivaled this. Not even when moles had prepared for him food! But perhaps they hadn't been in the best of circumstances to make delicious food.
With increased strength and motivation, he began to wolf it down dog style. He had already place in his mouth the next piece of food before he had swallowed the previous one! He looked at Parker with a smile in his snout.
Parker, in turn, was watching him with wide open eyes.
"What?" Spyro asked as he licked his chops for any trace of food.
"Uh..." Parker stammered as he was caught staring. "Uh... you have... uh... you just surprised me... how you ate"
"What do you mean?"
"Uh... nothing" Parker dismissed the previous conversation."So... did you liked it?" he asked instead.
"Yes!" Spyro exclaimed. "It's delicious!"
Parker gave a small smile and continued to eat.
In less than a heartbeat, Spyro's plate was devoid of food. He had even licked it completely clean! But, as much as Spyro wished, he could eat more; his stomach was full of food. He sighted in a content manner as he looked at Parker, who hadn't even reached the halfway point.
"So..." Spyro began, trying to start a conversation, "how is your world?"
"Pardon?" Parker asked in a confused, yet a cautious tone.
"You said you were from a different world form ours. I'm curious to know how it is"
Parker remained silent for a few moments, thinking what he should tell him. He couldn't open his mouth and tell the dragon everything he wanted to know. That would be dangerous. As much as friendly and trustworthy he felt for Spyro, Parker still had to watch his tongue, lest they used that knowledge to harmful uses against humanity.
But at least he could give some insight of Earth... enough to satisfy Spyro's curiosity.
"As far as I have seen, it is very much like this one. Trees, seas, mountains and the like"
"Are there many humans in your world?"
"Oh yeah! Many!" Parker answered with a 'if you knew' smile.
"How many?" Spyro asked enthusiastically.
"Millions!" Parker answered bluntly.
'Millions?' Spyro thought with a sense of shock and amazement. That was a huge number! Spyro's head felt dizzy just trying to imagine such a number.
"It's good to know that you have so many you can rely upon when trouble comes" Spyro said truthfully and a little happy for them. Spyro knew few dragons and he only wished there were more. Speaking of dragons, me must speak with Terrador and discuss this matter.
"Do not think about it" Parker shot back with a cautious tone. "We can't rely upon others as you think"
"What do you mean?"
"Our world has many nations and..."
"Really?" Spyro asked with a tone of surprise. "How many? Are there many different species in your world that have nations?"
"Uh... no. There only exist human nations in our world"
"Oh! Well, but at least there must some tribes ore cities of other species. Isn't there?"
Parker looked at Spyro with a serious and straight face. His answer was very much the same.
"No" he barely whispered.
"You mean that there are not different species that can talk and reason?" Spyro asked with a tone of disbelief.
"No" Parker said again and Spyro gasped at the revelation. "We have always been alone on our little world"
The idea was a strange one to Spyro. He had known many different species in his life, and many were friendly. To imagine that there was only one species exited in one world was bizarre.
'Imagine the world only inhabited by dragons!' Spyro thought. But then... they come from a different world. Who know what else is different.
And just then, Spyro noticed the small weapon on Parker's hip.
"Parker... if there are only humans in your world, then why the weapons you carry?" Spyro asked, somehow dreading the answer.
Parker was caught off guard by the question. He felt that the truth was needed, and that it would be painful... for both human and dragon.
"We fight amongst ourselves. Against other nations" he said a little bit sad as Spyro's eyes widen.
Spyro felt shock! Here he was, trying to save all of the dragons from certain extinction, and later the whole world. He fought... to prevent death! And here were the humans who could have peace, but instead chose to fight amongst itself.
Spyro felt a little bit dismayed at the news... and Parker saw it.
"Since the beginnings of our history, "Parker began again "we have fought ourselves. First, it was for food to survive in a difficult time. Then we fought for territories, and the wealth the land provided. Then humans fought for power. With some, grudges began to run deep, and soon, wars were fought out of revenge and hate. There were some more 'noble' wars... if that could be said. People often fought for freedom from oppression and tyranny"
At each mention of war, Spyro flinched. And tyranny? How could the humans have tyranny?... kind of like what Malefor intended to do on this world. How could they do such a things when only dark beings ever did it? Did the humans were evil?
'NO!' somewhere deep inside himself refused to believe that. 'Then why did they help us?'
"I know that it pains you, Spyro" Parker tried to comfort him. "In fact, I am not proud of it myself, but that's how things are. If it is any help, we are trying very hard to prevent wars from erupting across our world. Also, members of many different nations are here, exploring this new and strange world; as a sign that, deep down, we are all the same... we are all humans"
Spyro felt enormously better after Parker had told him that. Still, he felt an ache deep down his gullet at the knowledge of such things. Silence followed them for a quick moment before Parker spoke again.
"Ah... enough speaking of dark matters" he stated dismissively. "Come on... tell me about your own world" Parker prompted him, eager to change topic.
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Spyro had spent some time with Parker in the mess hall talking. Just talking. Spyro had listened eagerly at what Parker said about his world. There were some things that disturbed him, but there were also things that amazed him to no end.
Spyro noticed that he kept some things about his world a secret. That bothered him a little, but not that much. Spyro also talked about his own world, or at least, what he had seen or heard. Parker listened at what Spyro had to say, but he didn't show the same eagerness as Spyro did.
But Parker had to leave, saying that he had to continue building a new radio tower in one of the watchtowers... whatever radio tower mean. It was night already, and Spyro again had to amaze again at how much energy the humans had. So, taking the dirty plates and utensils, both of them stood up and went to where the plates were being cleaned.
"Well then Spyro, good night"
"Aren't you going to sleep also?"
"No. We have to finish that tower. It is of vital importance for our communications"
"Can I help?" Spyro asked as he gave a huge yawn, showing the human many pointy teeth.
"The way your eyes are closing of exhaustion... I don't think so. We won't finish today, so, if you wish, you can help us tomorrow morning" Parker told him.
"Yes! I will be there!" Spyro promised.
"I'll see you tomorrow then" Parker said his farewell before leaving Spyro.
Spyro yawned after the human had left. Parker was right, he was tired. But before he left for his room and sleep, he decided to visit Cynder in the hospital once more.
He walked in the now darkness that covered the city. The previous streets, where once was full of noise and people walking, was now deserted. Only few walked the streets at this hour while the rest were in their own homes... preparing to pass the night.
Some lights emanated from some windows of some homes, showing that the occupant of the house were still awake or were sitting in front of a fireplace.
Spyro arrived at the hospital, which seemed never to be idle.
Spyro walked the halls in the building and passed by Incendio's room. Deciding on the moment to pay a quick visit to his friend, he peeked inside the room. He was Incendio asleep, giving small snores with every breath he took. He had a strange smile upon his face that Spyro wonder what had happened to him to give him such a smile.
Shrugging and dismissing the mystery, he went to Cynder's room. Not surprisingly, she was still sound asleep.
He got closer to her again. And with a sigh, Spyro sat next to her; not touching, but near. He was beginning to worry for her. She must have woken already! Or maybe not! After all, she was gravely injured.
'I love you' he said inside his mind.
He remembered how he had confessed his love for her... and how she had done the same. She had lain on the ground with her body full bruised and internal injuries while battle and war raged around them. She had confessed her love for him there, at the end.
But it had not been the end. The humans had arrived at the precise moment to save them all. They had healed Cynder and brought her back from the brink of death. Spyro remembered how nearly she had died.
'I almost lost you. I don't know what I would do without you' he whispered in his mind, almost fearfully that even think it would made the thought come true.
He sat there for a few minutes, watching her, when a sudden urge sparked inside him. Should he do it? A part of him yelled yes, while the other one yelled no. But thinking of how both of them nearly lost their lives on that fateful day, he made his decision. Ever slowly, he leaned for her and put his lips on her forehead, giving her a soft kiss that wished her to become well.
Cynder moved somewhat when he was doing the action, causing Spyro to lean back. He became fearful that he had done something bad, but Cynder stopped moving and laid still once more.
Spyro sighted once more and looked at the flowers that he had brought earlier. He smiled at the reaction that Cynder would certainly get when she wakes up.
His mind began to become unfocused and his thought entered the realm of dreams. It wasn't long before Spyro's head was between his forearms and his sides rose and fell with every breath he took as he went to sleep.
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The first impression she got when she opened her eyes was of pure blackness. She became scared at the fact. There was nothing except darkness.
She was scared.
With a little bit of effort, she tried to move her neck. Dizziness swarmed her head at the simple movement, which caused her to close her eyes and stop moving. After a few moments, the disorientation passed and she opened her eyes and tried to move again as tried to distinguish something.
Nothing.
'Where am I?' she thought.
She tried to remember and gain any knowledge of how she got to be here. With a little bit of patience and effort, her recent memories slowly, memories began to trickle in her mind.
Cynder opened her eyes wide as she remembered how she was sent flying by the huge troll that had hit her with the club during the battle. The battle?
'The Battle!' she shouted in her mind. The troll! Warfang! What had happened? Had they won? Had they lost? Was the city saved or had it been destroyed? Was Spyro alive? Where was he?
Was she alive for that matter? Or was this what happened when someone dies?
She looked frantically across the room, trying to see some form of light or any indication that gave her some clues to where she was. There was a complete darkness and Cynder hearth fell at the very notion that she was dead.
She was starting to panic. Pain shot through her body as she stared to move. That intense and deep pain somehow made her regain her composure.
No... if she was dead then she wouldn't feel pain... would she? And where was Ignitus if she was dead?
Then, a new, worse possibility and idea horrifying idea came to her mind.
'Was I captured?'
Her hearth fell to the floor the possibility. What would she do if it had happened so?
A sudden sound near her caused his heart to jump out of its place from the scare she received. She tried to look at the place where the sound had come from, but it was too dark to see anything. Her body was in pain as she tried unconsciously to get away.
And slowly, light started to illuminate the place. Cynder tried to look at the source, and was extremely happy when she found it. She could see the moon outside of a window, giving its light. Somehow, it felt comforting to look at it.
Just then, Cynder noticed that the window had no bars, like many prisons held. But that did not mean she wasn't captured. Or that she wasn't dead.
Now that he had light, she wanted to look at what had caused such noise.
Her eyes fell on target fairly quickly, and she gasped. Spyro was near her, lying on the floor fast asleep. His sides were slowly rising with each breath he took.
'Oh, Spyro!' she cried in his mind with an amazing disbelief at seeing him here as her heart bust with happiness.
His mere presence near her made her calm herself instantly. Cynder looked him over to see if he was all right. There was nothing wrong with him as far as she could see.
After making sure he was all right, she slowly began to look to her surroundings now that there was light. It appeared to be a normal room by the looks of it. She was lying a huge cushion for her comfort. Spyro, thought, was lying on the floor near her. There was also a rug on the floor. A door separated them from the hallway, from where noise came from.
At the noise, Cynder tried to listen. By the way people were talking, it seemed that they were still in Warfang... they had survived the battle! Cynder gave a sigh of relief. They had made it! They had actually made it when all seemed lost!
'But how?'
No matter... she would find out later. Right now, she was tired and wanted sleep.
She tried to move to get to a more comfortable position, but as she moved, something shiny caught her eye. She turned to look and gasped with a pleasant surprise when she saw it.
Atop a nightstand, was a flower bouquet in a jar. Atop all the flowers, stood a beautiful black flower with its petal open. The night dew had accumulated on it many petals that it seemed that every drop that it had was a gem because of the moons reflection.
It was just beautiful!
She smiled at the sight of the flowers and turned back to look at Spyro. She guessed that he had brought them for her. She thought of waking him, but decided against it. He seemed so peaceful as he laid there, sleeping on the floor next to her. He seemed as if there were no worries at all, or as if he had made peace within himself.
Better to let him rest.
She turned back to look at the flowers one more time as she put her head on her forearms. She closed her eyes and inhaled the sweet smell that the precious plants and flowers provided.
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"To the left. No, to your other left!"
Spyro watched as Ramirez yelled to another human. This other human was some few meters above, sitting on a part of what Spyro learned to be the radio tower. The purple dragon was working with a lot of species. The other alliance members had approached when Spyro began to work with the humans. They had dropped their dislike of them and had actually offered their help.
They had spent a lot of time building this structure and with Spyro and many others help, it was nearing completion.
"You better give me the proper directions Ramirez, else I may fall on you!" the other human threatened.
Spyro looked at the radio tower. The ugly metallic structure was atop one of the highest intact building that was still standing in the city of Warfang. Parker had told him that this structure would help them increase their range their radios worked, thus having better communication system.
But Spyro could not fathom how this structure would work. How could this better their communication? What could this tower do that some kind of letter or shout could not? Or looking for someone and telling him yourself? Ancestors, even it couldn't be used as a watch tower! Spyro had tried to figure out how humans actually thought, but it had proven to be more difficult than keeping Sparx´s mouth shut.
"Como on people! We are nearly finished!" Parker urged them on.
They had been working since dawn, and noon was rapidly approaching. Spyro wanted to see the guardians after he had finished here.
But he need not worry since Volteer came flying to their location. Volteer, with his insatiable thirst for knowledge, had spent a lot of time with the humans, asking every question that mind of his came up with. Everything that the humans brought: tools, machines, books, everything was of interest of him. He was one of the really few who was not bothered but the human's presence... in fact, he seemed to thrive with it. Everywhere the humans were doing something; the Electric Guardian was there, poking his snout.
"Spyro!" Volteer greeted the young dragon with much enthusiasm as he landed atop the building in which they were in. "How fare you this morning?"
"I am well Volteer" he greeted back
"That is good to hear. And Cynder?"
"She has not awoken yet" Spyro answered back with a heavy tone of voice
"Do not worry young dragon. She is a tough dragoness that has gone through many hardships in her short life. I'll make sure some red and green crystals get to her when the supply caravan that carries them arrives. Fear not Spyro, she will recover from her injuries soon enough"
"Thank you Volteer"
"Do not worry Spyro. The humans have done wonders to those that were injured in battle. Speaking of wonders, do you know what is this structure they are building?" the guardian asked with a voice that said 'I know what this is'.
"Well, Parker explained to me what this building will do, but not how it works"
"Ahhh. I'll make sure you understand" Volteer said with a lot of happiness and pride. This had turned into one of his moment when he explained everything of the subject at matter. "You see. The humans have this small device that they call radio. Doctor McAllister explained to me that this device captures the voice of the individual who is using it and changes it into electromagnetic waves. After that procedure has occurred, the device sends the transmission in a continuous signal by the modulation of electromagnetic waves I spoke earlier. These waves have more speed and range than that of a full grown dragon, allowing it to reach great distances in a relatively small span of time. These waves are of a frequency lower than that of visible light, thus we cannot see it with our eyes. They travel in the space we live in, until other device or radios captures them and transform them back to sound so the receptor can hear what the other individual who send the original message is sent! And all in the spans of a few seconds!" Volteer finished triumphantly.
Spyro had not understood really that much of the explanation. Al least he knew that it allowed almost instant communication at great distances.
"Did you know this could be done?" Spyro asked after a few moments of trying to assimilate what little he could understand form the quick tongue of Volteer.
"I knew of the electromagnetic waves and its properties and capabilities. What I really didn't know was that a device could be created to use these waves as a source of communication. It's astounding that these humans could have tough of such a thing! I'm so excited!"
"So what is the purpose of this tower?" Spyro asked.
"If my analysis and hypothesis are correct, this structure will allow the communication by radio to reach even greater distances! Imagine all of the capabilities and potential that such..."
And so Volteer went on, talking and talking and talking without stopping as he too help build the tower. Spyro had to brave and suffer all that time as Volteer went this way and that with all he had learned from the humans in the few days he had been in the city.
Good fortune smiled on Spyro as Sparx arrived.
"Yo Mr. Volt!" he tried to get the guardians attention from his lecture.
Volteer didn't noticed him until the dragonfly literally hovered in front of his eyes.
"Sparx!" the guardian greeted back once he had noticed him. "What has transcended that you must seek my presence in order to deliver a message... if a message is what you came to me for"
"Yeah. Well, big green guy wants to talk to you. Urgently"
"Terrador?"
"Who else if not him?" Sparx exclaimed sarcastically, as if everyone had to know who 'big green guy' was.
"Very well" he then turned to Spyro. "I apologize that I must cut this conversation short, but I'll make sure I return to you and make sure you are properly acquainted in the usage and understanding of this device"
"No hurry" Spyro said in a cordial tone, although privately he desperately wished he could avoid it. "Volteer, before you leave, I want to ask you something"
"Yes?"
"I want to know what we are going to do now that Warfang is safe"
"Hhmmm. I will discuss it with the other guardians in my meeting. But for now, we must remain here and see that the repairs in the city continue"
With that, Volteer left the working team with a few beats of his massive wings. When the guardian was out of earshot, Spyro took a full breath and released it all in one go.
"Finally!" he said, utterly relieved to be spared from the endless lecture. He thought he would become deaf if Volteer had actually continued his teachings.
"What? Can't take a few words from the teacher?" Sparx teased.
"It´s not funny Sparx!" Spyro growled.
"Oh, evil dragon teacher will control your mind with all that crap he told you" Sparx said with an evil voice, as much as a small dragonfly could make an evil and heavy voice. "He will make sure your brain is melt, making it easier to take over your body"
Before Spyro could answer that comment with his own sarcastic comment, or with a murderous glance, a commotion caught his attention. He turned to look at what was happening, and he saw how several humans and cheetahs were shouting amongst themselves.
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Parker sighted at the scene. There was still a long way for the alliance to be completely friendly with the humans. Better to stop it now before it got out of control. He made his way toward the small group, but before he arrived, the Doctor Kelly arrived at the scene.
"Calm down boys" she said in a soothing voice. "We don't need to be picking out fights" she said especially towards his own soldiers.
"They started!" he said.
"Really? What happened?" Parker asked as he arrived. His hard tone conveyed that he would not tolerate lies.
"Well, pussy cat here" his own soldier indicated to the cheetah, which caused the feline to growl, "don't like our company, and decide to take it out on us"
"Is that true?" Parker asked to the cheetah in question.
With a huff, he answered. "I don't like you humans, but I don't go around picking up fights"
"Yeah... you were just shooting sparks until something caught fire!" his own soldier shot back.
"Calm down Douglas!" Parker ordered as Spyro arrived to try and calm things down.
Mathew... his demolition and explosives expert. That guy had a temper as volatile as gasoline and as explosive as TNT. Anything would make him explode... just like the incident with the cheetah. His passions were the bombs and explosives. He always said that the way he would like to leave life was with a bomb; that he would die happy with a first row seat.
"We have enough problems as it is without you two trying to kill each other" Kelly wisely advised.
Spyro decided to enter at that moment. "She is right. We have many problems enough. This discussion is pointless"
"So why don't you two say sorry to the other, give a good hand shake like good friend and each go their own way" Kelly said, as if explaining things to little children.
The human and cheetahs looked at each other with disgust in their eyes. They didn't move for a few moments before the two of them moved their hand forward and clasped them together. Parker noticed that both of them started to squeeze the other's hand as hard as they could, trying to make the other flinch... but both of them only stared into the rivals eye.
"Ok good, that's enough" Kelly said, causing the silent confrontation to end abruptly.
Both human and cheetah gave each other a final glare before leaving the place. Kelly, Parker and Spyro watched them go before turning to one another.
"It appears that we are not still completely appreciated in here" Parker stated the obvious.
"That is why we are working together, is it not? To try to end this hostility and try to make trust each other!" Spyro put in.
"True!" Parker agreed before turning to Kelly. "Hey!" he greeted.
"Hey!" she said back before moving forward and giving Parker a kiss on the cheek.
"What are you doing here?" Parker asked her.
"Oh nothing; I just wanted to make sure you were not causing too much trouble. I have been in the hospital for too much time" she said.
"I'm not. Although I'm sure Ramirez will cause some later." Parker laughed and turned to look at Ramirez, who was talking excitedly with some other cheetahs. "He is already making fast friend with the entire city, expanding his contact network. Still, he is making other view us in a more friendly matter"
Then Parker looked at Spyro. "Oh, Doctor Kelly; this is Spyro. Spyro, meet Doctor Kelly" he introduced them.
"We have met before" Spyro said.
"Yes" Kelly agreed. "He visits her friend every day"
"Do you know how she is?"
"Last I heard... she was still asleep" she answered, making Spyro sight in sadness.
Suddenly, a little beep coming from Doctor Kelly. She moved his hand to her ear, where the small radio was located.
"Yes?" she said to the one on the other end. She waited before talking again. "Not again!" she sighted. "I'll be right there"
"What is it?" Parker asked.
"That bloody dragon, Incendio, escaped from his room again! I have to go and subdue him"
"Good luck. We will see each other around soon then" Parker said.
"Sure. We should go and eat together sometime"
"Of course. When can you be available?"
"How about tonight? For diner?"
Parker closed his eyes and snorted. "Sure. Why not?" He was sure he would enjoy his time with her.
"Meet you in the mess hall then" Kelly said before leaving them.
Parker watched as she made her way to the stairs to go down the streets, since they were atop one big building. She passed in front of some resting soldiers from all the work they had been doing in getting the tower operational.
"Doctor Kelly!" one of them greeted and Parker could only contain his laugh at what surely will happen
"Romeo" she sighted in a somewhat frustrated tone.
"What? No 'good morning' or 'how are you'?" Romeo said in a voice that sounded hurt. This caused the other soldiers to laugh under their breaths.
"It's good to see you, but I really have to go" she said and turned to leave, but Romeo grabbed her hand, preventing her from leaving.
"No goodbye kiss?"
"Sorry honey. You're not my type" she said as she pushed lightly and playfully his head. Romeo released her and Kelly left.
"See you later!" Romeo shouted after her.
"When will you understand that she is out of your reach buddy" another soldier that was sitting near him laughed.
"Shut up Jason. I AM a ladies' man!" Romeo said proudly.
"Sure" Jason said in a low voice, which caused everyone to laugh.
Romeo... the heavy weapons expert. He was a big guy with pretty big muscles and a personality with women around. He thought he was the most handsome guy on the face of the Earth and that every woman MUST look at him. Doctor Kelly, of course, did not fall for that, which caused Romeo to try even harder to win her over.
Jason... that guy could hit a fly at a thousand paces away with his sniper rifle while he is asleep! He had won several shooting tournaments with his amazing accuracy. This, of course, made him the default sharpshooter and sniper. He was the best in this expedition to be precise. He was somewhat a quiet soul that didn't talk that much. He talked only when asked a direct question, expect when he was with Romeo.
He and Romeo were always together, kinda like nail and dirt. They somehow complimented each other in their skills and abilities. Parker didn't really knew their history, but by the looks of it, it seems they have had some time together.
Parker turned back to look at the still unfinished radio tower. Just a few more twists and turns and it would be ready. After that, he had a friend to meet tonight.
Parker look at Spyro, who looked back with confusion written plainly in his face.
"Come on. We have a building to finish!" Parker said at last.
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It was early afternoon and Spyro was once again visiting Cynder in the hospital. As she had been for the last few days, she remained asleep. He was thinking of leaving when he heard a voice behind him.
"Spyro"
He turned to look at the room's entrance and he saw Galcia... the ice dragoness.
"Oh... hi Glacia" he greeted him.
"I heard what you did" the blue dragoness began taking steps toward him.
"A... about what?" he asked confused.
"Your bravery and courage in face of impossible odds during battle" she said, coming closer to him.
"I... I... just did... what I ... had to do" he stammered.
"But you went beyond that. Your foresight and cunning save us all when you decided to ask the human for help. How did you thought of such incredible idea?" she moved closer still, moving her long neck in a sinuous motion. She had a small smile in her Spyro just didn't like.
"I... just... thought of it" he said as he took a step back, away from her.
"Oohhh. Such a clever dragon. Strong. Brave. You would be a good mate for any dragoness"
"WWWwwwwhat?" Spyro choked at her word and leaving him stunned as a blow to the head.
She took a few steps toward him coming. He could the intense shinning of her blue eyes, glinting from the sun outside.
"I always wanted... Spyro... but I just never had the courage" she began. "But now that you are here..." she was on top of him! He could even feel her icy breath on his scales.
Spyro could not move. He was frozen stiff with what he knew her next request would be.
"Spyro..." the voice came voice. But then Spyro noticed that Glacia had not moved her mouth when she uttered those word... or had she spoken them?
"Spyro..." it came again, and the voice was form behind him.
Spyro snapped his head backwards with an amazing speed and he saw Cynder sitting there.
"CYNDER!" he exclaimed in overwhelming joy at seeing her. "YOU ARE AWAKE!"
Cynder, blessed her soul, gave him a small smile that made Spyro´s hearth leap. "Spryo... it good to see you"
"I was so worried about you!" he came toward her and embraced her in a light hug, careful not hurt her... although he wished he could embrace her as hard as he could and not let her go.
They stood there for who knows how long. They felt as if it was an entering... and they also felt as if just were a few moments. Too long and too short at the same time. But someone clearing his throat made them separate.
Glacia still was in the room, the soft expression that she had a few moments earlier had vanished; only to be replaced by one of annoyance.
"Cynder. It's good to see you awake" she said in a cold voice.
"Uh... Glacia. Could you give us a minute alone. Please?" Spyro said, ignoring her earlier tone. He was too happy now to actually notice it.
"I'll be waiting for you outside" she said before giving Cynder a cold glance. After that, she left.
Spyro turned back to Cynder once again. His smile was genuine, and his feeling of happiness soaring in the sky.
"Cynder..."
"Spyro... are you all right?" was the first question she asked.
"Yes, yes. I'm fine" he said dismissively. "What about you? You have been unconscious for six days!"
"Six days?" she seemed really amazed at how much time she had missed. "Spyro... what happened? I remember the battle and been hit by a troll! And then I remember waking in the middle of the night, you sleeping next to me! Spyro, what happened?"
"Well, After you lost consciousness, the humans got in time to save us help the city"
"What!? The humans!? Save the city? Why would they do such a thing?"
And so Spyro explained his journey to find the humans when he had escaped the city. He explained what has transpired while he was with them and what happened in battle. He also told them about their origins... that they come from a different world.
"A different world?" Cynder still did not believe his words that the humans were there until a humans medic opened the door to do the regular check-up on Cynder.
"Oh! Sorry!" he said when he saw them together. "I uuhhmm... I guess I should come to check on her later" and then he left.
"Ahem!" Cynder coughed. "Sooo... what else has been going on?"
"Well, that's it! The humans are moving their expedition to the city as it is being rebuilt. As for what is next... I don't know" he said, looking her over. "It good to see you awake" Spyro told her as he began remembering how nearly she had lost her. Those memories were still raw in her mind, and he could not prevent tears from coming forth and how he had felt in that moment.
"Spyro... what's wrong"
"Nothing" he said hurriedly.
"Come on. I know something is wrong" she pushed him to tell her.
"When... when you were injured by that troll and he was coming close to finish you; I was halfway across the courtyard. I ran as fast as I could to stop it, but I feared that I might not arrive in time... I fear that you would die. But I used my powers and got to you, but... you were badly injured" he held back a sob at the memory of despair he had felt at seeing Cynder on the ground; her body broken. "After you went unconscious, and... I... I really thought that I had lost you"
Spyro released his tears that he had been trying to hold back, the weight and realization of how close she had been to death made him loose control of his feeling. He sobbed. He sobbed because he didn't know what he would do if she had died.
"It's okay Spyro. I'm here" she consoled him as she nuzzled him and hugged him with her wings in a light embrace. This made him feel better immediately.
The two of them stayed like that for a few minutes, in close proximity enjoying each other's presence. Neither of them sought to finish the embrace.
"Cynder..." Spyro whispered only for her.
"Yes?" she whispered back.
"I..." he stammered.
He felt her hot breath on his scales, her snout over his shoulders and her wings over his. Her scent was sweet, as a strange delicacy. He wanted to look at her when he said this. He wanted to do it in the correct manner. Although he had already said it, this seemed much more important, and much more difficult. He stood back and watched her in the eyes.
"Cynder... " he began again as he looked at her green emerald jewels that were her eyes.
They seemed to shine in a strange yet pleasing way that made Spyro like her even more. Cynder looked back at his shiny amethyst eyes, looking the profound care he felt for her.
"I... I love you, Cynder!" Spyro finally said as he felt a huge weight lifted of his shoulders.
"I love you too" she said immediately after he finished, as if she knew what he was going to say.
The stared into each other eyes, ignorant to everything else. The only thing that existed in the universe was the two of them. Nothing else matter. They were drawn into each other.
Ever so slowly, both of them inched forward, their bodies acting on their own. Their snouts were coming closer at every passing second and neither of them was willing to stop it. They could feel each other breath upon their own faces, each of them inhaling the other breath.
And then their lips touched, and still moving slowly, as if fearing a sudden movement would break the beautiful dream, their mouth closed in their first fiery passion kiss.
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She saw how they tried to comfort one another. She had heard when they expressed their love for one another. Glacia could not help but feel jealousy as she put a paw on the wall to steady herself from the shock.
Just then he saw how both of them met their lips in a kiss.
Sparks flew from her claws as she clenched her fist in a fit of anger. She had left deep impression on the wall as she saw the scene of the two lovers.
'Damn her!'
Spyro should have been hers. She was more worthy than that of the evil Cynder. She left the hospital in her own anger, hatching and plotting to win him over.
Cynder might have won the day... but she would win Spyro over.
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Author's notes:
Yay! Here is it! Their first KISS! I really hoped I portrayed it correctly and that you liked it.
I wanted this chapter to be a respite of all the fighting and violence from the previous chapters. Also, I wanted to write, how the people at the dragon realms (especially Spyro) were getting used to the humans presence; along with some... things!
I would really like if you leave a review for this chapter. As always, contractive criticism is always appreciated. Or if you just want to comment on something or give an idea or point something out or just to say my story is good... you are welcome to do so! No flames please.