TLOS: Rebirth of a Broken Soul
Episode 1
A Stange New World
Ep 1, part 1 – An Encounter with his Heroes
I want to make it clear that all things which seem to arouse confusion or annoyance in readers will be discussed later on in the series. Other things will be revealed later as well, including the reasons behind Eden being alive, his seemingly Mary-Sue appearance/attire, the quote-unquote "everybody likes him" mentality of the main side characters and all aspects of the universe. It will not be what you assume.. and this "Alternate Spyro World" is not what it seems to be.
Also, I have decided on a new format. The "Episodes" will be divided into 4 "parts" (chapters) each until the completion of each one, and after such will be condensed into one mega-chapter. Please inform me in a review or PM if you approve or disapprove of this format.
The 23-year old young man lay there in the hospital bed, his green-dyed, shoulder-length hair splayed out upon the pillow. His now-dilated violet eyes losing their light, slowly but surely.
"Mrs. Garter, I'm afraid he doesn't have much time. His pulse is nearly gone. The surgery went well, but I'm afraid he's had an adverse reaction to his medication."
The woman wailed in misery at her son's immanent death while his father stared on with disinterest.
As he clasped the hands of the woman he no longer knew, he whispered, "Good luck with my sister…"
This caused the woman to scream in self-loathing and agony, "I never meant for him to be attacked! I just wanted him to learn a lesson!"
"Sometimes the easiest way is the hardest way…," the man he never knew grunted in uncaring annoyance.
The young man's eyes shut slowly with a defiant glare towards the person who inadvertently caused his death while the words, 'I hate you… I always have… and I always will for the rest of my existence…'
Trees.
A blue sky.
Reflecting water.
Shining yellow-green grass.
Orange flowers.
Large, brown, moss-covered trees the size of a small building.
Massive, pure-green, cotton-like bushes the size of a large refrigerator.
The chirping of birds through the treetops and crickets through the thick underbrush.
The movement of small woodland creatures through the trees.
"Ugh… is this heaven…?" the young man thought, rising to his feet. He then realized his hospital garment was no longer on his body.
He glanced at himself, finding himself garbed in a dark black leather body plate covered in eight segmented clear straps with crimson shoulder guards. His gaze shifted towards his hair, which was pitch black and resembled the style of Leon from the Final Fantasy Series. The hair he always wanted. Finishing his observation, he glanced at the crimson samurai leggings which matched his guards and oddly comfortable plate-bottomed ninja tabi which covered his legs and feet respectively.
At this time, he realized one last part of his outfit – his arm was lined with sixteen clear bracelets, each with a small indentation on the top. The last feature he noticed is the clear knob on his chest plate.
Although in shock, he began to attempt processing his situation.
Where was he?
What could he be wearing?
How did he get here?
Why isn't he dead?
What was next to him on the grass?
"Spyro…? Spyro, where are you now?" The semi-high-pitched, worried feminine voice was came from over a nearby hill.
Was this a dream?
It had to be a dream.
A small, black-scaled, slightly wide draconic head with emerald eyes a pinkish underside rose over the hill.
This was followed by semi-muscular black-scaled feminine shoulders.
This was followed by an embroiled golden bustier covering the majority of a semi-small breast and long-slim arms with a draconic, three-digited hand.
This was followed by a slender, scale-like-armor-plated chassis and mid-small hips fully covered by a feudal-samurai-style golden armor plate.
This was followed by skin-tight-black-leather-clad, partially-thin feminine legs which ended with three-toed, paw-like feet sporting white talons.
It was definitely a dream.
A gasp was heard from the young anthropomorphic dragoness, followed by a growling, "Stay back or I'll carve you up like a damn sheep at dinner, you filthy… ape-like…. thing!"
"Ugh… wait… Cynder? Why do you look... humanoid?" the young man's question was met by a snappy, "Stay down or I'll blast you into oblivion with a fully-charged Siren Scream!"
A sigh was given by the young man, followed by a defeated, "Fine. Do what you want, Dream Cynder…"
"What…?" This befuddled word was the only thing to emerge from the Cynder's mouth.
Giving another sigh, the young man spoke once more, his tone slightly depressed, "I'm likely in a coma and going to die soon. I'm a lucid dreamer, so I'm probably in control because of that. It's not the first time I've had a dream with you two in it, anyway. That being said... go ahead and kill me…"
"What….? In addition to befuddlement, Cynder's tone also carried an air of disturbed shock.
Blinking, the young man looked to the young dragoness. In human years, she couldn't be more than thirteen. He sat up slowly, his hands behind his head as he spoke again in a semi-curious tone, "Where's Spyro, anyway?"
"...Why should I tell you…?" Cynder's tone was threatening, but also carried slight curiosity and sympathy towards the young man.
Another sigh was given by the young man, "Whether this is a dream or not, I guess I should make the best of things while I'm here…," he slowly rose to his feet as he spoke again, his tone now surrendering, "I'll do whatever you say as long as you don't kill me."
"...Very well, Soldier…" Cynder's tone was devoid of kindness and cold.
"Cynder! Not again!" The light, masculine yelp was followed by a light blow to Eden's neck, knocking him unconscious.
It could have gone better, but it could have gone worse.
It could have gone worse, but it could have gone better.
This was definitely no dream.
This was definitely his new reality.
Episode 1 begin
Opening Theme 1 - Change the World, English
"Mister ape, get up."
"He's a hot one... I wonder how he performs in bed…"
"Oh, like I haven't heard that before. You say that about ever non-dragon with the least bit of attractiveness. How many males have you been with so far?"
"I lost count at around twenty."
"You can't stay with one male even if you tried, could you?"
"I can't help it if they can't handle me…"
"Please be quiet. He might be sore when he wakes up."
"Leave it to Lucifer's Ex-Head Dark Priestess to be kind to a likely rogue ape warrior…"
"Shut up, slut!"
"Both of you, stop it!"
"Fine…."
"I… fine..."
A groan was given by the young man as he rose. He glanced around the gray-paneled room and large glowing cerulean sphere in its center, finding himself in a cyan bed. He looked to Ignitus's warm, smiling portrait on the beige, gold-lined wall, which seemed to give him an air of comfort. He then moved his gaze to the dark gray plated floor, only to find himself surrounded by five dragons. Four of these dragons he recognized, albeit slightly different than he remembered.
They were humanoid – very humanoid.
The lacked wings.
They lacked tails.
They stood on two legs.
They had two arms.
They had… paw like feet and hands.
Otherwise, they were very humanoid.
First there was the red-scaled Flame, who seemed stand at around four-foot three with a mustard-colored underbelly, garbed in a what seemed to be a red-plated Krav Maga outfit, his figure athletic yet slim, his yellow horns and head frill similar to Classic Spyro's. His purple eyes seemed to convey worry and sympathy.
'He's either suffering from dwarfism or is delayed in puberty. He's definitely not the Flame I know, either.'
Next there was Ember, who stood slightly above five-foot two with a cream-colored underbelly, dressed in what seemed to be a lightweight periwinkle kimono top and orange-red combat skirt which covered her lower body down to her knees, her figure sporting slight feminine muscles which seemed fit for an gymnast, albeit with larger muscles in her joints, her horns similar to Classic Embers yet with more curve and a partially larger base and blunt tip, her bust size likely a lower C. Her sky-blue eyes seemed to convey compassion and slight suspicion.
'Ember must be rushing through puberty faster than PewDiePie on Super Mario Bros. speedrun... Geez... she's... definitely not he Ember i know..'
The third was Cynder, whose emerald gaze met him with uncertainty, unease and slight guilt.
'I wonder who Cynder is...'
The fourth was Spyro, who was fully-clad in a golden, Celtic Paladin-like armor with purple trim, save for his head which carried the golden horns and violet eyes which he knew so well, his figure quite muscular yet also quite chubby. His gaze carried empathy and oddly enough, worry.
'He seems... slightly the same...'
The fifth was a pure-black, young adult female, roughly six-foot five, barely clothed in a thin, blood-red leather bustier and mini-skirt, which, due to her underbelly being the same color, left little to the imagination. This was coupled with sleek, sheening scales, intensely wide hips, a perfect hourglass figure, slender, curved legs and arms, muscles which gracefully complimented her entire form and an E-size bust, possibly greater. In truth, she was gorgeous beyond anything any human male could imagine. Oddly enough, this was coupled with glowing red eyes and onyx-colored, goat-like horns. Unlike the others, her eyes showed curiosity and unfortunately or unfortunately – lust.
'Who the heck is this dragoness? She wasn't in any of the Spyro games. I really wish fanfics hadn't been outlawed ever since that Electronic Enlightenment Bill passed. ...Enlightenment my ass...'
"So… what are you doing wearing armor now that the war is over and we're at peace with you?" This curious yet serious question came from Spyro, who looked the young man in the eye intently, "You didn't injure Cynder, despite giving her another wartime stress attack."
Looking to Spyro, the young man let out a excited and yelping, "You're the Spyro and Cynder! My heroes!"
This caused the two to give each other a shocked glance.
"Heroes…? Both of us?" Cynder whispered, her voice filled with shock joy. She placed her face next to the young man's, whispering, "Do you really mean it?"
The young man then realized he would be treated as insane if he spoke of them as Video Game characters.
With a sigh, the young man looked away with a happy yet nervous, "Yeah… I mean, I've heard of you saving the world a few times and I really admire you for it… especially you, Cynder…"
This caused the two to look at each other in confusion.
"Me…? After what I did? After I killed the all guardians including Ignitus?" Cynder whispered, her tone slightly unbelieving.
This caused the young man to blink in disbelief, followed by a soft and kind, "You weren't in control, were you?"
"No, but I did what I did and….," Cynder began, only to have the young man gently press the underside of her muzzle shut with a same-toned, "Then there's nothing to apologize for."
This caused Spyro to look at the young man with an irritated gaze as he spoke in the same tone, "So, where are you from? I've never seen someone like you or that armor before…"
A sigh was given by the young man as the situation sunk in.
He was in an alternate Spyro universe.
He was in an alternate Spyro universe, but Cynder still wasn't in control when she killed others.
He was in an alternate Spyro universe, but Cynder and Spyro obviously loved each other.
He was in an alternate Spyro universe, but Cynder and Spyro obviously were oblivious to their feelings.
He was in an alternate Spyro universe…
Spyro.
In his eyes, he had died and gone to heaven.
"I… I died, and now I'm in my own personal heaven… A universe I could have only dreamed of. I died of a medical overdose and somehow got transported here. I wonder if I have summoning and magical powers like Tony Jones or super strength and Ki like Ginta Toramizu?" The young man's ranting response caused the current populous of the room to exchange tense glances.
At this, the black dragoness looked him in the eye with a terse, "Don't screw us over," she gave him a seductive grin, "Well, maybe you can screw me over later."
"I won't hurt you guys, I promise. I'll fight whoever I need to – for justice and peace!" the young man's tone stayed the same.
This caused Cynder to look at him with joy.
This caused him to look at her with slight unease and Spyro to do the same as the young man.
Giving a paw to the young man, Ember spoke, "So…. what is your name?"
"Eden Garter."
This caused them to exchange nervous glances again, followed by the black dragoness pulling him into a hug, her tone seductive and slightly jovial, "My name is Kiara, Eden. How about we take a trip to the garden and…," She blinked, proceeding to grin at the young man, "Oh, it looks like we should play out the old archive story of the Garden of Eden. You already have the snake ready to play a trick on the woman…"
"Let him go, Kiara. He clearly is in no mood or shape for your games," Cynder snapped in anger. At this, the temptress dragoness set Eden onto the floor with a moping, "Oh, but I just began to charm it…
A coughing, "Wow you're strong…" was given by Eden, followed by a stern, "But I don't go for girls who use sex to get what they want…"
"Hmph. Fine. I guess I'll go watch Attack on Golem…" Kiara's indignant-toned response was followed a back turn and a skirt-lift as she walked away.
Giving Eden his hand, Flame spoke up with a considerate and gentle, "Hey, bud. Sorry about that. She has… problems. Let's get you to the Guildmaster's room. She'll want to speak to you."
Rising to his feet, Eden began to mull over the situation.
Who brought him to this world?
What was he doing here?
Why was this Spyro universe to different?
How did he get here in the first place.
'All questions for later. Right now, I'm meeting the guy in charge of Spyro and company. After that, I need to think of a plan on how to get Spyro and Cynder together. Flame and Ember… I'll have to wait and see exactly how compatible they are with each other. After all, it was never stated that they actually cared for each other…' Eden's thoughts continued as they made their way to the main room.
TLOS: Rebirth of a Broken Soul
Episode 1, part 2 – Meeting the Guildmaster
The group arrived at a mammoth black-walled observatory, the blue floors and green pillars radiating a content glow, the large white in the center orb projecting a large planetary map over the ceiling's entirety, a hum evident from the astral atlas.. Whirs and buzzes radiated from the cylindrical, button-covered, blue-gem-powered control panels which dotted spaces on the floor, managed by dragons, apes, cheetahs and many other animalistic species including a young, shapely, blue, six-tailed kitsune woman.
In the middle stood a robed female, her luminescent, red-hued, crab-like face and green eyes gazing at Eden with suspicion and authority.
It was clear to the young man - this was the Guildmaster.
Approaching the odd maiden, Spyro sternly whispered, "I'd bow if I were you…" At this, Eden lowered himself, only to hear a tentative and stoic, "Spyro, I already sense your current 'feelings' toward Eden Garter, but that is no reason for you to threaten him in my name."
It was clear to the young man - this Guildmaster was no one to be trifled with.
"I'm sorry Mistress Katrina, but you are aware of...," Spyro began in a concerned and adamant tone, only to be cut off by a terse, "Enough!"
Slowly but surely, the Guildmaster know known as Katrina reached out her arm, revealing a humanoid, chitin-covered red hand sporting a black and gold wrapped finger bracer adorned with purple crystals.
Now speaking in a considerate and kind voice, Katrina whispered, "Come, Eden Garter. Allow me to read your heart and soul so I may give you my boon."
Although slightly wary of such god-like abilities, Eden slowly took the Guildmaster's hand in acceptance. She them cupped his hand in hers, gingerly moving them both to his chest. His pulse quickened at her gentle and possibly sensual touch, but he remained firm.
"Close your eyes, Eden…"
He did so.
"Honey, isn't he amazing?"
"I suppose he is. I hope he will be a fine son."
Seven years later.
"Your grades are slipping again? Clean the house."
"Honey, are you sure he doesn't need special services?"
"My child isn't going to be anything but independent. That is how we do things in my family."
"But dad, what if I fail?"
"Then you repeat your classes until your do not fail."
Five years later.
"Ignore it. Those bastards will be degenerate filth by the time they reach collage."
"But what do I do until then?"
"Ignore it."
Five months of bullying, one year-long trip to a mental institution for suicidal tendencies.
"So, are you no longer weak?"
"Honey, stop! He just got back from the hospital and now you're treating him like this!?"
"He is weak. He nearly committed suicide and now he expects me to treat him as anything but!?"
"So what about your father, dad?"
SLAP!
"You will not speak of him!"
"No! I will speak of him because I'm not going to let anyone talk down to me! Not you, not them, not anyone! I'm sick of your shit, DAD!"
SLAP!
SLAP!
"You… you struck me? Your own father? "
"What 'father'? Have you ever once tried to encourage or protect me?"
"Maybe Juvenile Detention will do you some good, or maybe a… …I... gh…!
"My son isn't not the only one who's sick of your shit."
"So… it has come to this… *cough* … and to think I called you my wife and supported you for so long…"
"M-mom!? Did you just stab dad!?"
"He stabbed himself. I just drove… the knife in. Or… the police will… hear that I tried to stop him…"
"…He… I'm calling 911!"
"What will you tell them!?"
"That he raised a knife us and you stabbed him with it in self-defense!"
"But… I… I…"
"They're going to believe it! They have to!"
A six-month trial, one self-defense based Not Guilty verdict later, followed by two months of nonstop therapy.
"So… what now?"
"His life insurance will pay for any court costs and such…"
"This has been… ugh. Will you re-marry? I've been reading things, and apparently abused women attract abusers."
"I suppose I should raise you on my own. I'll sue anyone who tries to hurt you."
"Well… the bullies have stopped teasing me now that I've learned to work the system with subtle, indirect threats to make them look paranoid."
"That's good."
Three years later.
"So… you're getting remarried?"
"Yes. He's a businessman and very polite."
"Just be careful."
Two months later.
"Bitch, let me tell you something! I have lawyers that can kick your ass into the poor house in divorce court, so do as I say!"
'This guy is even worse…'
"Oh, and one more thing – Eden, I'm getting rid of your special support."
"But I'm almost done with High School!"
"Too bad. Looks like you're working at my restaurant chain for the rest of your life."
The next day.
"Eden, don't worry. I'm going to help you through this. I've always been one of your best friends since we met, right?"
"Yeah… of course Krystal. I'm glad my dad doesn't know about your lessons."
The day after graduation.
"THE ****!? You graduated!? How the hell did you graduate!?"
"With the help of the love of my life, who I'm now going to be living with."
"You ungrateful little… Your mother is pregnant!"
"Sorry, but I have to look after myself first. She taught me that."
"Who the hell is 'she'!?"
A car horn.
"What the hell!? You're going with that tramp!?"
"It's better than this rat-hole. Good riddance and I hope you choke on your money!"
Two weeks later, a doorbell.
"I'll get it, Krys."
"Hello?"
Gunshots.
"Eden! Why did you to that!?"
"Officer to base, subject is down and was holding a knife."
"He was cutting birthday cake!"
"Mam, I'm going to have to ask you to stand down. We'll be by to check on your well-being later."
"What?"
He was taken to the hospital.
"I'm certain who did this, and I can assure you… the law won't be on his side. I will get revenge for you, Eden."
He was dead.
The Guildmaster removed her hand from Eden's chest with an expression of pure sympathy, "Eden… I'm so sorry…"
At this, the young man broke down onto her chest, sobbing uncontrollably. This was met by an embrace from the Guildmaster, which in turn caused jaws to drop.
"Guildmaster Katrina… what did you see?" Cynder's concerned question was met by Katrina's somber, "Cynder, you may have been abused by Lucifer and be wanted by all of Warfang, but your past was nothing compared to his."
A soft kiss was given to Eden's forehead by Katrina, her crab-like mouth causing a very exotic sensation.
The entire room looked to Katrina in shock. They had never seen her act so motherly.
Removing her maw from Eden's head, Katrina slowly tapped the knob on Eden's chest with the soft words, "Activate Dragon Glyph."
A beeping sound was heard.
This was followed a blast of light from Eden's chest.
This was followed by a holographic control panel and diagnostic screen materializing from of the knob.
"Greetings. I am DG-05. Please input command."
TLOS: Rebirth of a Broken Soul
Episode 1, part 3 – A Talk with Spyro
"First command, initialize Subspace Home. Second command, allow guest, ON. Third command, initialize base five dragon forms – Water, Tree, Light, Life, Angelic."
Katrina's words were followed by a blast of light and the hologram of a 20x20x50-foot, hexagonal purple grass hut surrounded by blue grass and a green sky.
A warm smile was given by Katrina, followed by a whispery, "Talk to him, Eden…"
It was obvious to Eden that the Guildmaster was attempting to de-escalate his situation with Spyro before it spiraled out of his control. However, being alone with his idol made him slightly nervous.
"Spyro…," Eden began, turning to the purple dragon, "I want to speak to you about… things. It's an important subject to me and you."
A wary glance was given to Eden by the purple hero. This was met by a stern glare from the Guildmaster and a groaning, "Fine…"
Tapping the small hovel, Katrina spoke once more, her tone genial, "Subspace Home import, Spyro. Subspace home entry."
A blast of green light was seen, followed by the disappearance of Eden and Spyro.
The two found themselves inside the hologram, an aura of contentment at peace radiating from the small house and odd 1000-foot planet on which they stood. The sound of presence-less birds flowed through the odd space and an artificial pink sun emitted a harmonious glow through the entire plane of existence. All in all, it was quite grand for its simplicity.
"Spyro… I know I may have made you jealous when I talked to Cynder like that…." Eden's words were interrupted by a confused, "Why would I be jealous?"
An eye roll was given to the purple hero by Eden, followed by a snide, "How much do you know about love?"
This caused Spyro to ponder for a moment.
This caused Spyro to become nervous.
"Well… I mean, I know my parents loved me a lot and…," Spyro began anxiously, only to be cut off by Eden's gentle, "But you love Cynder… and not just in that way."
This caused Spyro's jaw to drop.
Did he love her?
Did he love her like that?
Patting Spyro's head, Eden wrapped his arm around the purple dragon in a brotherly manner, his tone friendly and well-mannered, "You love her as… well… like a boy loves a girl. You know, like someone you want to become mates with in the future, right?"
"WHAT!?" Spyro yelped in shock, his eyes wide and his body posture showing intense unglue. Eden chuckled in response, his tone humorous, "No, no. I don't mean now. You're too young for that!" He took a considerate tone, patting Spyro's back, "Still, she loves you a lot, you know."
After a few moments, Spyro recovered from his shock. His tone became that of worry and slight joy, "Well… I guess that explains the feeling I get when I look into her eyes and why we're always so awkward around each other when we're alone…"
"Well… no time but the present to tell her, purple boy," Eden snickered, nudging Spyro's shoulder with his elbow, "Maybe you should go for a walk in the forest. You can't get more romantic than that."
A nod was given by Spyro, followed by a regretful and compassionate, "Eden…. I was wrong about you. You're not a threat. You're an amazing and wise male. You didn't deserve a horrible past."
"Well…. you know what they say…," Eden began in a somber yet rational tone, his expression matching, albeit with a saddened smile.
"The loneliest people are the kindest…"
One of Spyro's friends crossed his mind.
"The saddest people smile the brightest…"
Another of his friends crossed his mind.
"And the most damaged people are the wisest…"
More than one person crossed his mind.
"All because they do not wish to see anyone else suffer the way they do…."
Turning to Spyro with damp eyes gave a small hug to the purple hero with a benevolent and disheartened, "I guess that's why I always connected with Cynder on a spiritual level," he let out a small chuckle, "There's also a good chance I would have wanted to become her mate if she was a bit older. Why do you think I wanted you with her as soon as possible?"
"Because you would have taken her…?" Spyro asked in a dry yet comedic tone, "In truth, we're both already thirteen. I don't know how things worked where you came from, but it's not uncommon for there to be twenty or thirty-year differences in draconic mates nowadays."
Although Eden opened his mouth, Spyro continued in slight dismay, "It didn't used to be like that, but we've had no choice in the matter because our population has been…," he sighed, looking to Eden with a demoralized expression, "Well…. I guess you have an idea, since you have a few rough details about our history."
"Well… where I come from, a thirteen year old and a twenty-three year old becoming a couple is only prevalent with cultures who treat females as objects…" Eden's reply was spiteful, clearly showing personal distaste for such a thing.
Composing himself, Eden spoke in a kindly tone once more, "Well… time for you to confess your love. Forest. Now."
A soft chuckle was given by Spyro. Eden's positive attitude was clear to him, even with his horrid past.
"Eden… have you ever had love…?" Spyro's innocent and curious question was answered by a humble and demoralized, "I lost it when I came here…"
This hit Spyro like an arrow to his chest. He had no idea what the young man was forced to sacrifice in order to be brought to their world.
Rising to his feet, Eden spoke in a tone of compassion and pain, "Well… I can't fix my past mistakes. Does that sound like someone you know?" This was met by a soft and whispering, "Cynder…"
"How do I get out of…," Eden mumbled to himself, only to see the red spot on the Dragon Glyph. Without a second thought, he pressed it, ejecting them from the space.
Upon their exit, Katrina approached them with a gentle, "I trust you two had a good talk?"
An approving nod and a smirk were given by Spyro and Eden respectively.
"Okay, Spyro… do what you need to do…"
"Cynder…. I… let's go for a walk."
"Eden, what did you say to him?"
"Oh, you'll see, Ember. You'll see."
"Wait… oh, I see….."
"You're not angry?"
"No, I have someone else in mind… but he won't notice me."
"Well… I can't help with that."
"Hmmm….. Maybe you can."
'Oh, son of a ****, what have I just gotten myself into?'
TLOS: Rebirth of a Broken Soul
Episode 1, part 4 – A Fake(?) Date
"So you mean to tell me we're going to try to make this guy jealous? Do you really think that's going to work?"
"Well, what else is there to do?"
"Uhm, telling him, for one."
"He's shy, but now that you took out his potential option… well… heehee. Oh, and I have some information about why what you just did was a bit dumb…."
"Yeah?"
"Well… you see…."
"WHAT!?"
"So… how old are you, really?"
"I'm about seventeen…"
'Okay, so she's not a freaking Amazon like Kiara is….'
"Anyway, will you help me?"
"So who is it?"
"Flame…."
"So how old is he?"
"Thirteen."
"So basically, he just came of age and now you want him to tap you?"
"You're really damn blunt, aren't you? Fine, yes."
"Ugh… when do we go on our date?"
"Today at five PM. One hour left. Dinner at Flame's favorite place. I pay. That means I can eat however I want."
'Damn… she is definitely not the Ember I know.'
Eden spent slightly over thirty minutes readying himself for the faux outing. Katrina had given him instructions on how to change his attire with the Dragon Glyph, but it was far from simplistic. After fifteen minutes, he managed to place himself in white jean shorts and a blue tank top, revealing his slim yet slightly muscular form.
In truth, Ember's willful, stubborn, partially tomboyish and slightly pushy attitude took Eden aback. She was definitely not the Ember he remembered from the games. She was far more prideful and stronger in every manner.
Still, the dragoness's looks were quite appealing.
Her breast was large, but not massive enough to impede combat.
Her form was powerful, yet didn't retract from her feminine figure.
Her nails and horns were well-groomed.
In truth, he had to admit she was quite beautiful. However, he was far from ready to jump into a relationship so quickly.
"Eden, I'm coming in. You'd better be dressed or I'm going to see you in the buff!" Ember's teasing and slightly cocky tone made it obvious that she had no problems bursting in on anyone if she desired to.
At this, the door opened, revealing Ember, who now wore a low-cut neon pink sports top which barely covered her mid-chest. This was paired with a white mini-skirt which concealed no more of her lower body than her upper-theigh. In truth, a two-piece bikini would have been more appropriate on her part due to the obvious lack of a bra.
Ember's desire to show off her muscular legs and arms was painfully obvious.
Her desire to show off her small abdominal muscles was also obvious.
Her desire to show off her entire body was excruciatingly obvious.
The only words Eden was able to muster was a shocked, "Err…. you look… wow."
"Heehee! Come on, let's got make him jealous!" Ember's upbeat-toned comment was followed by her pulling Eden from the room by the arm in the style of an excited schoolgirl.
As the two ran through blue-plated walls of the guild, Eden could only think to himself, 'What the hell have I gotten myself into…?'
The two arrived at a colossal bistro comprised of black wood, violet chandeliers sporting orange candles on the ceiling. Colored bison heads, red tires, a large buck whose head was covered in a camo vest, a stuffed camel wearing blue jeans on its back and a trucker hat on its head and other esoteric decorations were strewn about the walls and corners of the room. In place of the normal tables, patrons ate on wagon-sized mock ceramic rugs, plastic cigarette cartons, rifle magazines, bricks and other oddities which hung from metal poles. It was a very psychedelic atmosphere, all in all.
A slender male griffon waiter dressed in a yellow surfer outfit and floral necktie approached them, his cyan fur and crimson feathers clearly well-groomed and lustrous. His black beak clacked nervously as his hazel eyes met them.
"Don't worry. He's harmless," Ember casually stated, patting Eden's head, "Also, can you get us a seat near the bar?"
One glance upon Ember was all it took for the waiter to nod, his tone one of submissive excitement, "Of course, Lady Ember. Anything for the head of the Blade-Fighting Club!"
"Head of the….?" Eden muttered in surprise, his eyes meeting Ember's giggling face and complacent smile.
Wrapping her arm around Eden, Ember asked a smug rhetorical question, "I guess you didn't realize I was a master swordswoman, did you?" This was met by a small head-shake from Eden.
After the revelation, the two followed the waiter to a "bar table" in the shape of a large golden Nodachi with a white hilt and red grip, its blade engraved with the word "Bushido".
It was now utterly obvious to Eden how Ember could be so confident and strong. This also explained Ember's powerful limbs and well-developed abdominal muscles.
She was a master swordswoman.
She was a powerful warrior.
She was a powerful woman.
She was an imposing woman.
"Well… where's Flame?" Eden whispered into Ember's earlobe nervously, looking around the room. This was met by a small hand-gesture toward a baseball-shaped table across the room, whose lone occupant was the distraught Flame.
Seeing the red drake look to her, Ember gave a tiny peck of her muzzle upon Eden's cheek. In turn, Flame lowered his head
A groan was given by the young man. It was clear to him this was getting them nowhere. After a huff, he softly mumbled, "Ember, this isn't going to work. He isn't seeing anyone, so why are we trying to make him feel bad about having no one?" He stood up, stanchly whispering, "You need to tell him, because nothing good will come of making him feel horrible. If you don't tell him, I will."
The response caused Ember to glance at Flame nervously. Without thinking, lustfully kissed Eden while looking at the young drake. At this, Flame buried his face in his hands, the patrons looking to them in bemusement.
'What the mother****ing hell are you thinking Ember!?' Eden thought in anger, pulling his face from the pink dragoness. His pulse was beating rapidly from the unusual feeling of her muzzle scales against his mouth, 'Dammit, Eden… remember, think with your head, not your ****…"
Without so much as a word, the young man rose from his seat, walking to the table at which Flame sat. This caused the red drake to look to him with rage, followed by the muttering of a hateful, "Did you come to tell me I won't ever score a girl, just like the others?" He turned away, his tone injured, "And here I thought I could be your friend…"
"Well… maybe you can be," Eden began in his usual wise tone, "Ember…."
Before he had a chance to speak, the pink dragoness pulled him from the table with a hasty and intensely anxious, "Really needs to be sated! Come on Eden, let's go back to my room and have some fun!"
"WHAT!?"
At this, Ember pulled the young man from the bistro by his arm, leaving a small note on the table.
"What was that for!?"
"It was for… I don't know!"
"You know, for being an independent and willful dragoness, you really have a lot of trouble talking to him."
"Because…"
"Because why?"
"Because I don't want it to end up like last time!"
"What…?"
"I… I want to go to the park…"
"Okay, we can talk there…."
It was 7:16 by the time the two reached the park, the green grass, gigantic, beige and cerulean mushroom-like trees creating multiple places to seek shade. The greyish-tan benches could be found anywhere between twenty and fifty feet between the black pathway and teal lamp-posts, providing multiple rest stops.
However, Ember had decided on speaking in a dense, secluded glade between two enormous, vine-covered bushes in a low-populated are of the park. The two sat on worn and torn cinnamon-colored stools which lay there, beaten and nearly destroyed from weathering. Near the brick wall lay an old, illegible sign, broken and battered from years of isolation.
"What is this place….?" Eden whispered, the shadows and dreary atmosphere unnerving him slightly.
With an expression of pure somberness, Ember flipped the sign, revealing the words, written on the other side.
Welcome to the Love Nest
This caused Eden's heart to sink. He was far from certain he wanted to know all that went on in this isolated area of the park.
Gathering his courage, he asked the obvious question, his tone that of empathy and compassion, "What happened here…?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Ember began, her tone that of disgruntlement and regret, "It's the old 'playhouse' my old 'friends' and I used to 'hang out' in."
Although Eden was about to ask a question, Ember continued in a fearful voice, "You're the one who Katrina opened up to immediately. You're the one who talked Spyro into confessing to Cynder… however foolish that was…. and you're the one who agreed to help with Flame immediately. You're the one who's not of this world. There's nothing about your appearance that reminds me of this place… or the results of this 'club'…"
"Now… I'm going to show you those results… because you're the only male I trust with this…."
She revealed her body to him
Small scars from on a 'certain' part of her upper chest.
Remnants of old, intense brush marks on her legs.
Stretching.
Permanent stretching.
Remains of a scar that could only be left from one thing.
She had been through so much.
She had been though things no child should been though.
She had been through sickening abuse that even he had never experienced.
After gazing at the the everlasting adornments upon the body of the young dragoness and her eventual re-clothing, Eden spoke up in a tone of loathing, "Who the hell did that…? Who the HELL was the leader…?"
"Officially, it was Kiara…," Ember whimpered in anger, she composed herself, speaking in a tone of understanding, "But… she wasn't really the leader. It was her father, Lucifer. He possessed her multiple times… among other things. The barrier keeps him out now, but… it was too late for… well… both of us. She decided to let her past molestation and trauma consume her. I decided to become stronger and NEVER let it happen to me again..."
Her anxiety heightening, Ember began to speak once more, "Ignitus was Spyro's father and his mother is a dragoness by the name of Airing, who became Malefor's corrupted slave after being kidnapped. However, as for Cynder…."
"Yeah, I know… her father is ... Malefor, right?" Eden gulped, turning to Ember nervously, "And her mother was likely not exactly willing..."
Gathering her courage, Ember whispered in Eden's ear with a secretive and stern tone, "This is classified, but Malefor is actually a lich. He possessed the body of Lucifer's artificially-created purple dragon by the name of Gaster and is now in full control of him. When corruption happens, the DNA and elements of a person is… well, changed. Malefor had control of every element. He even required an army and our secret weapon to take down. As for her mother being willing... well... she kind of was, but she kind of wasn't."
"So, how do we tell them, especially about… well…. you know, all that?" Eden's question was pet by Ember's worried and uncertain, "I don't know if we should. There are other things that are in the Classified Information section, but they're on a need-to-know basis. Not even I'm allowed even so far as level two clearance."
With a smile, Eden gave Ember his hand, his tone warm, "Well… how about we put this stuff behind us and finish our date?"
"What…? You mean…?" Ember gasped in joy, her face lighting up. Eden nodded in reply, his tone the same, "Well… it was supposed to be a date, right? How about we make it one? I mean, unless Flame turns up."
Taking his the young man's hand, Ember wrapped him in an embrace. After releasing him, the two left the clearing, heading for the fountain.
"Well… this is quite amazing."
"Ember... why did you trust me immediately? I want the real reason."
"Because you have clear eyes, Eden."
"Oh... so you can..."
"Sensei taught me how to do that..."
The two sat at the rim of the gargantuan, silver-lined, white-walled fountain, the large, finned water dragon head in the center spouting a mellow green liquid as if it were its aquatic breath.
A coin in her hand, Ember aimed for one of the fake lily pads which dotted the center. After a few seconds of preparation, she skipped the token into the flower which lay in the center of a lotus. This was met by a slap to her draconic paw from Eden and an ecstatic, "High five- er… three… to five… er… uhm…"
A bout of laughter came from Ember at Eden's awkward stuttering.
"You know, you're… hehaha… so easy to relate to, Eden…" Ember's tone was genuine and carried slight enamor.
At this, Eden sat with his legs connected, his arms folded and his head back, his tone collected and calm, "Yeah… I get that a lot."
Little by little, Eden relaxed backwards. His error realized too late, he landed in the water with a massive splash. This caused Ember to laugh once more, louder than before.
"Eden, you moron!" Ember giggled, reaching out to him immediately, "There are Frogweed in there!"
An eye roll was given as the young man rose, followed by a sardonic, "Oh, you're so- good at faking people out, Ember. Maybe next time you should laugh more to be more believable!" This was met by further laughter from the dragoness.
"Anyway… it's getting late. We should get home." Ember's content comment was followed by a small blaze erupting around Eden, drying his clothes. After another, more genuine kiss to his cheek, she continued joyously, "I had a great time with you, Eden. We really should do this again sometime, save for the gloomy chat we had earlier."
Their hands entwined, the two left for the main area of the guild.
Episode 1 End
Ending Theme 1 - "Butter-Fly" - Digimon (English Cover by Sapphire)
A/N 1: Kiara and Lucifer belong to Montecristo709, Airing belongs to Hinu Snow Wolf Hyuga
A/N 2: Yes, this series will have its fair share of ecchi moments, mostly thanks to Kiara and a few others. I'm still deciding whether or not to make an M version and/or whether to add lemons or not. (Edit: I have decided to make an M [Now Explicit] version and put it on Archive of Our Own. It is not for the faint of heart)
A/ 3: I thought it would be odd why Ember trusted him, so I came up with an explanation. She was taught to look into peoples eyes and tell their nature. This will come into play a lot more later on.A/N 4: Note - not everyone will be so accepting of Eden... especially once he leaves the safety of the (as of yet undefined) Guild. And no, he will not be OP'd... at least, until the others are. He's more of a "jack-of-all-trades" for the time being when it comes to abilities.