Hello my friends. As I said before, I am done doing full length stories of Spyro, but I am not done writing about he, his beloved, and their beautiful daughter. This will not be a 300,000 word 50 chapter story, like the Age of Healing, which this continues from, but I will bring the fun, sadness, drama, and suspense that has brought your eyes to my stories. And if you haven't read the Age of Healing, you don't need to in order to follow along. Though it couldn't hurt.
Time heals all wounds... An old dog cannot learn new tricks...The best way to a man's heart is through his stomach...A stitch in time saves nine...All these clichés, except the last one, which still makes no sense to me, will be explored.
Enjoy.
Chapter 1: A walk through the streets
It was an oddly warm and sunny morning in Warfang, as the forty first day of winter brought signs of spring half way through the season. The snow that had strangled the great city for the last week now drips from the buildings. The water fills the cobblestone streets with a hundred small streams that flow along the ribbed surface of the road, and into the drains placed along their side.
Thousands of citizens also flood the town square, as many were unable, or unwilling, to venture out this last week. And as supplies began running low for most, today became the perfect day to replenish.
Cynder is one of the many who take in the glorious rays of the sun, making her way through the crush of Warfang's citizens towards the market place.
"Morning Mrs. Cynder."
Like Spyro, nearly everyone who she walks by showers the black dragoness with greetings and smiles. And also like her husband, she takes the time to acknowledge them with a return greeting and her own pearly white grin.
"I swear to the Ancestors Cindy..." her best friend, Tempest, replies, walking beside the Heroin of Avalar gingerly, as a dozen Manweresmall children pay homage to the savior of their world. "...it was easier to get around the city when no one liked you."
The black dragoness' grin widens, looking back at the blue and silver-white chested wind breather, who never seems to go anywhere without her friend now.
"For you maybe." Cynder replies with a strong sarcastic tone, showing Tempest a lone raised brow, recalling how she would have to detour around certain dragons that wanted her dead...including the one beside her.
"It took over an hour to get to the market some days..."
Both dragonesses are suddenly rushed by a pack of little wolves, wanting nothing more than to meet one of their heroes, and friend.
"Well this trip is already been twenty minutes, and we still have a few blocks to go yet. You may beat that record now."
Tempest doesn't really argue about the delay, and smiles seeing the joy the wolf children bring to Cynder. But it is also her own joy that brings this grin, as some of these children surround her to. She misses her Joey, who is with Garnet and Spyro, who himself has Gale. And as the half dozen pups surround two childless mothers, Tempest finds the same joy Cynder does.
"Hi Fang...Diego...Slate..." Cynder continues spitting out a few more names, then looks up towards the market. "...where's your mother?"
"I can hear you Cynder. Are my kids over there with you!?" a familiar voice comes over the crowd around the black dragoness, and Cynder's smile increases as another friend comes into view.
"Yes they are, Silvia..." she scoops the first of her litter off the ground, holding the only female this mother of six has. "...and I must say they are looking more and more beautiful everyday."
Silvia, proud beyond words, still looks at her boys with anger.
"Beautiful, but not behaved, since I told them not to run away from mommy in the market...didn't I?" the slightly annoyed mother looks up at her only daughter, as she peeks over Cynder's paw. "And don't think because your godmother is keeping you out of my sight that I'm not mad at you too, Silver!"
The small pup backs up in Cynder's paw too fast and falls off the other side, but the black dragoness' other paw is already there to catch her. Cynder smiles at the tiny platinum-colored wolf cupped in her palms, before placing her back on the ground before her mother.
She quickly crawls beside momma, fear still making her heart race, resting her head against mom's flank for comfort. Silvia accepts her with an open arm, knowing how terrified she must be after being yelled at, then a fear of falling six feet down to a hard cobblestone street. Her tail begins wagging, as all of her children come closer, wanting the same love their sister recieves. However, after a few seconds, Silvia's tail halts, as two children are missing from this exchange of pleasantries.
"Where's Joey and Gale?" she asks with wonder, as these mothers have never left their children behind in the year since Silvia has come to befriend the former Terror of the Sky.
"Spyro and Garnet took them to the park, so we can secretly shop for their birthday."
Silvia's eyes open wide, remembering how close that day is.
"That's right, they hatched a few minutes apart right...on the forty fourth?" the young mother grins, watching Cynder and Tempest smile, knowing her answer is correct. The pride they show, understanding their children are worthy of remembering, is increased as Silvia also knows their age.
"I can't believe they are amost five now." she says, but then it hits her, and Silvia's eyes pop back up to the larger pair.
"Wait! You left Gale and Joey alone with Spyro and Garnet...again? You girls are just asking for trouble now."
Cynder smirks at Silvia's sarcastic tone, recalling the last time she left her child with her other child for the day, and the mischief father and daughter caused in the Forbidden Forest. The purple dragon may be the greatest dad on Avalar, but he is not the best father, acting as childish as his little girl when he plays with her.
"I told him only one piece of chocolate today, for both of them." Tempest chuckles at Cynder's tone, knowing Spyro loves the sweet treat the grublins produce as much as the truffles his wife helps dig up. And also because the purple dragon becomes so much more hopped up on life after consuming the sugary delights.
"I also told him not to use any elements while playing with Gale."
"Especially around midnight and through the campgrounds." Tempest cuts in laughing, recalling the trouble Spyro got into playing with Gale, as the thunder that accompanied a lightning fast ride woke everyone up.
Cynder's cheeks turn bright red, knowing Silvia and her pups were some of the campers her husband scared out of their slumber. But to her surprise, the mother of six terrified children recalls the moment a bit differently.
"Ohhh...I remember how embarrassed both of them were after that too..." Silvia uses a paw to pull the lone tear from her daughter's eye, still shaky from almost falling. The grinning mother then recalls how Spyro felt, trying to keep up with the tears that flowed from Gale's eyes.
"Your baby was so upset at what she did, but I honesty think she was wreck because Spyro couldn't stop crying himself..." Silvia smiles at Cynder and Tempest, understanding how a child's emotions can be influenced so easily, especially seeing their parents in turmoil. "...it was so cute how they kept trying to calm each other down."
The three mothers continue a family oriented conversation for a few more minutes, bringing the tally of this journey to thirty. But soon all three ladies realize this gorgeous day won't last forever, and continue with their quests.
A few more rendezvous aside and both dragonesses find themselves in the market, where no one really cares about conversation, just compensation. However, Cynder is an exception. Not because she is a hero, but because the black dragon is loaded, and is not shy about spending her earnings.
"Mrs. Cynder...I have a new perfume you may be interested in..." a young cheetah holds up a tiny ornate bottle, but it is his smile that draws her closer. A smile she knows all about, having helped her boss, Jacob, out at the orphanage from time to time.
"...my dad has been working on a perfect blend of chocolate, truffle oil, and lilac."
"Really?" the black dragoness returns with interest, reaching for the bottle to give a good sniff.
"Now I know why Spyro goes nuts for chocolate and truffles."
Cynder blushes, not only because of the blue comment her friend made, but feeling an influence of strong emotions as the aromas enter her nostrils. The black dragoness know her husband will go crazy over this scent, and she waves the small vile of pleasant scented oil under Tempest's nose, changing her thoughts as well.
"Damn...I might take a bite out of you if you wear that, Cindy."
With that even bluer comment, Cynder takes a small satchel from her side, then asks for a price.
"Eight gold pieces..."
"NOOO Dang nab it!" a gruff voice barks out from behind, startling the young cheetah to look for his father.
"By da annncestors, boy, how da hell my gonna make a profit, and put food an da table if ya start at da lowest number?"
A black haired Manweresmall walks up beside the now nervous cat.
"I'm sorry dad...but you said eight was the price. What did I do wrong?"
This tiny creature looks up at Cynder and shakes his head.
"Never hire ya kids, Cynder. Thay make it hard ta be angry when da foul up." he remarks sarcastically, then gives a lesson in haggling to his adopted son. "Ya gotta start high, Lawrence, den let dem talk ya down a few pieces...it makes da cust'mer feel like day did somthin'. Here, boy, I'll shows ya."
"Dat'll be ten gold, Cydner."
The black dragoness grins, looks at the young cheetah standing twice as tall as his father, and helps out in a lesson to be learned.
"I'll give you seven, Doug."
The manweresmall looks to his new son, who he adopted less than six months ago, but already has all the love he can get. He gestures his tiny paw towards Cynder, allowing his employee to finish this negotiation.
"How bout Eight gold..." the young cheetah begins, then looks down at his adoptive father, showing a grin that he may just understand the job. "...and five silvers."
"Dat a boy." The proud new poppa whispers with a smile, his heart pounding as Cynder offers a slightly higher price then agreed upon before.
"I'll give you eight gold and three silvers, Lawrence, no more."
Tempest shakes her head as her friend opens a second satchel, removing three silver pieces, adding them to the pile of gold in her paw. Cynder then places all eight gold coins in the Manweresmall's hand, but gives the three silvers to Lawrence.
"You get these for doing a good job, sweetie."
"Ay! "It don't work dat way Cynder." he barks, then quiets down feeling a cold stare from the black dragoness. "But I can make an exception, from time ta time."
"Thank you, Douglas. You're a good buisness Manweresmall..." Cynder looks back at the young cheetah, who admires the silver in his paw for a second, then returns to his job, grasping another bottle of his father's shop to offer a passerby.
"...and a better father."
The black haired Manweresmall takes pride in Cynder's words, but as he looks toward his adopted son, who draws another customer to the shop, his pride only increases.
"You can be too sweet, Cindy. It's kinda annoying sometimes." Tempest offers with a grin, as even she can be disgusted with how well the black dragoness interacts. And with how everyone treated Cynder upon her return from the war, it is astonishing this dragoness is still so friendly to them.
However, there are still exceptions, as some have found the truth unbelievable, or unbearable. But this has not been a real problem, since Cynder is always among her growing number of friends. No one address the former Terror of the Sky in the negative, not without being scolded by those around her.
Cynder is also aware of the ones to avoid, though she will not take detours to do this. The black dragoness knows she has the right to live her life, and will defend herself if it becomes necessary; something else that deters a physical confrontation. But there are still looks of disgust, even after five long years, as Cynder also understands the right for anyone to hate her. However, most see a striving mother and loyal wife now, and so the stares are not as strong or long.
The lone exception, Cubis, a very old and very wise Ice dragon, whom thankfully has not been a issue for some time. After a fierce argument in the town square, where dozens came to Cynder's aid, the large drake decided he was alone in his principles, and took to the mountains to live his final years in solitude. Having lost his entire family in a tragic accident, fleeing from the Terror of the Sky's path, Cubis has wanted Cynder dead. And since he concluded this as an impossible task, the cold dragon felt it best to just stay away from her.
But today, the very large blue ice breather is visible, as his head and half his neck stands above the crowd.
"Oh crap..." Tempest notices Cubis before her friend, and takes the black drgoness by the arm. She pulls Cynder towards a small kiosk of trinkets and jewels, then points towards her nemesis. "...but now is not the time to be sweet."
Cynder tries to pull her arm away, but Tempest shows off the strength she built up over years of working in a mine with her husband. She keeps her friend's paws firmly in place, making sure Cynder doesn't try to make peace with this large dragon, and begin a fight in the market again.
"I will knock you out myself if you try to confront him, Cindy..." the wind dragon gives a serious gaze as Cynder looks back at her. "...I mean it."
Seeing the adamant eyes of her best friend, the Shadow dragon concedes, and backs up into the store. But hiding may become impossible, as Cubis turns towards the shop they backed into.
"Shit..." Tempest practically does what she says, as the large dragon enters the small kiosk. She looks to her left in fear only to see the last few wisps of shadow, where Cynder has hid herself from view. The wind dragoness then quickly turns her eyes to the glass case in front of her, covering the nervousness by browsing at the goods this shop offers.
"What are you interested in...rrraaaakkk?" a squealing voice asks the patron before him, and a startled Tempest looks up at a very large, ugly looking dog like creature; a parrot perched upon his shoulder.
"I'm just looking right now, thank you." She answers him, only to scalded by a now angered bird.
"I'm the one talking...rrraakkk. Address me, you stupid dragon...rrrrrraakk."
"Excuse me?!"
The large dog quickly squares his shoulders up and pushes his chest out in a show of strength.
"If you're not gonna buy anything...rrrrrraaakkk. Get out of my shop!" he ends this sentence with a strong whistle, and walks his large canine over to the blue dragon who seems more interested in purchasing something.
"I have a real customer...rrraaaakk."
Dumbfounded at his tact towards a customer, but truly wanting an excuse to leave, Tempest takes his offer. However, as she steps outside and notices Cynder is not there, the wind dragoness decides to return.
"That is my daughter's gold bangle, you worthless pirate!" the wind dragoness is startled as Cubis yells, believing the large patriarch of a lost family has found his nemesis. But she is stunned at the sight of this arrogant bird being held in one of large ice dragon's paws, his canine avatar now lying flat on its back.
"Give it back now..." he growls, adding a fraction of his anger to the grip on his paw. "...or I will crush you like an egg."
The parrot, his voice strained trying to speak with no air, surprisingly remains defiant.
"I told you...rraaakk" he grunts with a grin, then seven armed pirates walk in from the back, their weapons trained on Cubis. "...you can have that bangle for one hundred... and fifty gold pieces."
Again this arrogant bird ends his statement with a whistle, as Cubis is forced to place him down upon the case, where his daughter's bracelet sparkles under several glowing crystals. His heart stopping faster than this conflict, breaking hard as a different price is given then posted.
"But it says one hundred..." Cubis looks at the security force this lone parrot brings to the bargaining table, knowing his old frame can not handle this many attackers. "...I can't raise that much gold...please...there must be something you can do? I beg you."
A smug grin crosses this crooked parrot's beak, taking pride as he breaks the large creature.
"You put your nasty paws on me...rrraakkk. So the price is not negotiable...rrr...rrr..rrrraaakkk ."
Cubis can hear the laughter in this pirate's squawk, but there is nothing he can do about it. Sadly, he is over-matched, has nothing to his name for barter, and only thirteen gold pieces in an old satchel around his neck. With tears in his eyes, he looks down at the gold bracelet he bought his daughter for her sixteenth birthday, when this poor old dragon had a better life. He steps away from the counter, bumping into the large wind dragoness who took immediate interest.
"Excuse me, sir." Tempest remarks, drawing more shame from the Ice dragon who just wants to disappear.
"I'm sorry, ma'am." he replies, trying to back out of this nightmare as fast as he can. However, like she did with Cynder before, Tempest takes his arm in a strong grasp, holding him put.
"I would like to purchase that bracelet..." she bites her tongue, staring at this tiny parrot with pure hatred, wanting to curse him out. But she smartly does not use any of the names running through her mind. "...sir? One hundred gold, right?"
The smug grin remains on his yellow beak, and the pirate shakes his red and green wings to prep himself for another round of intense haggling.
"I'm sure you heard me say one fifty gold to this dragon...rrraaakkkkk." his smug tone is infuriating, and more so his insults. "I guess you're not just stupid, but deaf too."
He makes no sound after his statement, showing his convictions are solid, angering Tempest further. But understanding the price can only go up if she fights back, the blue dragoness remains smart in her tactics. She reaches to her side, removing a large satchel of coins, then looks at the still stunned Cubis.
"How much do you have, friend?"
It takes a while for her request to register, but the large dragon finally understand the helping hand he is getting. Thought shame fills his voice with a humbling answer.
"Thirteen."
Tempest sighs, knowing the eighty she has will not cover this higher price. In fact, they do not even have enough to cover the original price. She glances to the corner where Cynder's eyes quietly reappear, and subtly shakes her head no., then opens the pouch she has, placing it on the glass counter top before the greedy pirate.
"That's eighty gold pieces. With his, that makes ninety three." she says with a strong, though calm tone in her words, bringing a wider grin to the parrot's face. "Why kick us out and wait, only to sell it for less later."
The parrot raises an eyebrow, for he knows he will never get face value. And with a wave of his wing, the security forces drops their defensive posture.
"Rrrrraaaakkk..." he grunts, looking Tempest up and down with his own talents of reading people. "...I like you...aarrrk... I will give you that bracelet for one ten."
Tempest rolls her eyes, knowing she has nothing left on her, but can easily get it from Cynder. However, she does not want this moment to be any harder for the old dragon.
"Seriously, I have nothing else on me right now," she nearly begs, though keeps her composure. Tempest bats her eye lids softly in a flirting way, lowering her paw down to the colorful bird, and gently stroking his cheek. " But, if you give me a few minutes, I can get another twenty."
The parrot grins wider.
"Aaarrrrraakk..." a long pause is given, as he watches them squirm. "...make it another thirty...rraakkkk...cause your paws smell like shit..."
"You son of bitch!" Tempest barks, unable to hold her temper any longer.
The security force is on the wind dragoness in a heart beat, as the wind dragon slams her paw down upon the glass case, trying to squash this arrogant bird. Sadly she only impacts the top window of the display case, shattering it into a thousand pieces that rain down on the gold bracelet. The large dogs grab Tempest, dragging her out of the shop kicking, screaming, and dishing out a few blows in the process. However, before she is removed, the wind dragon fires a hurricane blast from her mouth, ripping this worthless parrot off the broken display case and into the back wall.
"You're and asshole you worthless bird brained son of a..."
One of the large dogs, finally gets a grasp on the struggling dragoness' muzzle, helping the other six to quiet this threat to their buisness. Cubis, ashamed of what has happened, and the fight he has placed this sweet dragoness, smartly grasps Tempest's coin pouch and follows her out into the street.
"RRRRRAAAAKKKK...fucking bitch!" the pirate squawks, looking at the damage to his shop, and rubbing the pain from his backside. He watches from the safety of his shop as the fight continues in the street.
"I knew it was a bad idea to deal with these stupid creatures of Warfang...rrraakkk."
"You need to watch what you say, pirate." Cynder completely emerges from the shadows, scaring the life from this tiny bird, as he finds himself alone with the powerful black dragoness.
"Cynder! Rrrrrraaakk...I...I..."
Cynder snatches the multi-colored parrot in her left paw, then takes the gold bracelet from the broken display case in her right.
"You had a chance to make a good profit on this, and bring actual joy to a broken soul..." Cynder begins fading into shadow again, her paw holding the large ring of gold before the terrified pirate, until it disappears with her.
"...so now you will make nothing."
Looking down into the broken case, the angry parrot realizes his bounty has been taken. He eyeballs a cloud of darkness exiting his shop, disappearing into the confusion of the fight outside. The pirate's rage boils over to thoughts of revenge, as his small army of canines soon return with scars of a lost battle.
"I promise you Cynder...rraaakkkk...your eyes will not see the light of another day."
So, this is what we learned so far...in 5 years Cynder has made a lot of friends, but still has a few dislikes on Facebook, including a new one... Spyro loves chocolate, but who doesn't... and the city of Warfang is thriving for most of her citizens...except one, who only wants a bracelet lost long ago.
Next we get to learn about Spyro and Gale... how this father and daughter interact... and the joys of parenthood, ha ha. Stay tuned.