Well, here's book five. This story and the others will remain as dark as Aemus, and they may or might not be as bloody as it. Hope you like this one as much as I did! Also, try out the poll on my profile page, which asks you who your favorite character is. Have a nice day, and God bless! :)
Chapter One: The Lifemate Ceremony
Spyro's head shot up. He was tired, but he was ready for what was coming today. He looked over to the bed next to him. He was in the healing tent, and for the last three months, he'd been helping to care for Cynder, his mate, who had been injured badly in the battle with the White Dragon Aemus. He had been a demon from Cynder's past, and when he'd returned, Cynder's life had taken a turn for the worst almost. But it had all ended after the Battle of the Ice Caverns, where the Skylanders were knocked unconscious by a crystal containing the energy of the demonic Purple Dragon Malefor, whom Cynder had also ended.
After knocking every Skylander unconscious, Aemus had kidnapped Sonic Boom, a Griffiness who was the Captain of the Air Element, Cynder's best friend, and the mate of Spyro's best friend, the Captain of the Fire Element, Sunburn, a Phoenix-Dragon Hybrid. Cynder had gone to save Sonic Boom, who was held in a fortress once occupied by Cynder herself while corrupted by Malefor. Spyro, Sunburn, and many others had come soon after to save them both. After reuniting with one another, they were found by Aemus. The White Dragon and Cynder battled, while Spyro and the other Skylanders fought Aemus's soldiers.
By the end of the battle, Cynder, suffering from broken wings, broken ribs, bruised lungs, a broken back leg, and gashes across her chest, had given up all the Darkness inside her to Aemus, who contained it in the crystal that held Malefor's energy, which he'd meant to use to resurrect him. But Aemus, starstruck by the power of the Darkness inside Cynder, had decided to become better than Malefor himself. But in the end, after Cynder had taken out his right eye with the blade on the end of her tail and destroyed the crystal containing the energy, she engaged in an Elemental duel with her Electricity, while Aemus fought back with his Ice.
It was in that moment that every Skylander present saw Cynder's Electricity turn from the violet color it had once been, which was the same color as the violet hue her scales possessed, to the sapphire-blue color her eyes were. It had seemed the blue color was her Electricity's true color, and it was stronger than when it was violet. The power of her blue Electricity had ended Aemus, leaving nothing behind but a skeleton.
With Aemus gone, the Skylanders, Cynder included, returned to the Ruins. Spyro had been taking care of her ever since the return, with help from those who trusted her: Sonic Boom and Sunburn, Trigger Happy and Gill Grunt, Hex, Flashwing and Drobot, and last but not least, Whirlwind and Camo. Not many problems had come up during Cynder's recovery, though she'd developed a sickness a month afterward. Spyro and Flashwing had taken care of her during that time. But no other problems had developed, something that made Spyro happy. He didn't want his mate to feel any other pain.
And today, she was going to be released from the healing tent. She no longer wore the oxygen mask that had helped her to breathe after all but three of her ribs had been broken. She was asleep at the moment, but as soon as Spyro woke from his dream, she began stirring. Spyro looked to her. She opened her beautiful sapphire eyes. She smiled at her mate. "Good morning," she greeted. "What day is it?"
"It's the seventeenth of Dekatéssera," he answered. "I think you know what that means." He smiled and waited for her to answer.
"Oh my God!" she said. "It's the day of Whirlwind and Camo's lifemate ceremony!"
"That's not all it is, Cynder," came the voice of the Skylanders' trainer and healer, Cali. She entered the tent with a huge smile on her face. "Today, you're going to be released from the healing tent! So that means you'll be able to attend and be there for Whirlwind and Camo. Neither of them knew you were being released today. Not only have they been so busy with their preparations, but in the case of them asking, Spyro and I went around telling the others to lie to them so they can be surprised."
"I can't wait!" Cynder said. "When does it start?"
"In three hours," said Spyro. "That gives you enough time to wash up. You need to look your best for today." He took out a box and held up her necklace, which contained a sapphire in the middle. She hadn't worn it since the night Aemus had returned. Before that time, if she'd thought of her past, she would become unhappy. But ever since Aemus's defeat and death, she'd become more happy, and she didn't mind thinking of her past, believing that was all it was: in the past. "This'll make your eyes sparkle for today, so that when they see you, they'll be caught off-guard."
"I think the fact they'll be seeing me there will catch them off-guard well enough," Cynder told him. "But I would love to wear it anyway. By the way, since it's been a while, who are Whirlwind and Camo's maid of honor and best man, respectively?"
"Flashwing and Drobot," Spyro said. "They wanted it to be you and I, but you were recovering, and I was helping you, and then she wanted Sonic Boom and Sunburn, but they decided that it wouldn't be right for them to do those honors more than once. They wanted Flashwing and Drobot to receive that chance. If you ask me, they'll do pretty well."
"I agree," Cynder said. "So, where will I be washing off?"
"The bathing room is open for you guys," Cali said. At Cynder's mystified expression, Spyro decided to explain it to her. He'd forgotten she hadn't been there when they'd erected it.
"We made this basin behind the healing tent that allows those who were in her for a little while—or just those who really smell—to wash off. I'll be helping you just in case, because we don't know for sure how much weight you can put on your back leg," he explained.
Cynder nodded. She remembered how badly injured her right back leg had been. It had first been injured during a battle where she'd been corrupted by Kaos and forced to fight the Skylanders. Slam Bam, a blue Yeti who distrusted her very much, had performed an attack, the Ice Prison, which broke the leg. If she hadn't been corrupted and she was hit by the attack, she would have been even more seriously injured. If it had encased her, it would have made things worse, as she hadn't possessed body heat at the time due to the Darkness inside her. But now it didn't matter as much with the body heat problem, as she had reclaimed it after the Darkness was torn from her. And in that same battle with Aemus, he'd thrown her at a wall after she'd taken out his right eye, and when she landed on the ground, she'd found a bone sticking out of the leg. Though it was painful, she'd popped it back in and worked through the pain enough for the Elemental duel with Aemus, where she'd dragged it behind her.
But now, as she slowly got off the bed, she put some weight on it. She did not feel pain any longer, and it was no longer wrapped in gauze, which had been changed after returning due to the dirt and bloodstains. Cynder leaned on Spyro some, but after a few steps, she found she could walk normally without limping or help from her mate.
"She heals quickly," Cali observed. "Your recovery is the longest we've had on record for a Skylander: three months. It wouldn't have taken so long at first, but the extent of your injuries didn't help. But that doesn't matter any longer. It's all over now."
Cynder nodded. "It most certainly is," she said. She followed Spyro to the bathing room. The basin was covered overhead by the tent, and the water looked inviting. She slowly made her way toward it, and then she slipped in. Spyro joined her.
"Need any help?" he asked.
"No," she replied. "I'm just happy to be with you again." She lay her head on his chest. He rubbed one of the sides of her neck and kissed her forehead. He saw the natural marking there, which was common for some Dragons. She was one of them, and he thought they helped to make her even more beautiful. Similar markings were around her eyes, on her back, and on both her shoulders. "It's amazing, isn't? Another good thing happens right after this."
"It is amazing," Spyro agreed. "I still remember our lifemate ceremony."
"It was beautiful," Cynder said. "I loved that day so much. Ever since you entered my life, I've felt truly free. That's saying something, definitely. So you should be proud of yourself." She kissed him, and he returned the love.
When she was done bathing, Cynder got out of the basin and dried herself with a towel hanging on a rack. Spyro left her for a moment to get the sapphire-jewel necklace. When he returned, he also had her iron jewelry: the choker and the four bracers. Cynder had almost forgotten about them; she hadn't worn them in three months, after all.
She felt better than ever after putting them back on, as well as after Spyro tied the necklace around her neck. She couldn't remember the last time she'd felt this good. Before Aemus's death, she'd felt as if she was being held back by her past. But now that he was gone, it was all over, and she and her friends could return to living their lives. Now that Whirlwind and Camo would be bonded to one another, she was even happier.
"All right," Spyro said. "We should be getting over there about now. I wonder how Whirlwind will react when she sees you're back on your feet. She was definitely worried for you when your recovery had just begun. I can't wait to see her face."
"Wait, who knows I'm back on my feet?" Cynder asked.
"Sonic Boom and Sunburn know it, Flashwing and Drobot, Stealth Elf, Trigger Happy, Gill Grunt, Hex, and a few others. Whirlwind and Camo don't, however, so we can surprise them. While we didn't need to, to be honest, Hex took over your post as Captain for the Undead Element and Flashwing was my second-in-command."
"Why didn't Sunburn or Sonic Boom want the second-in-command post?"
"They said it was a post only you should have. Flashwing said that too, but decided to take the position just so that the post wouldn't be empty when you were back on your feet. I bet she'll be happy to see you again. All of them will. Now let's go. We don't have much time."
Spyro hurried out of the healing tent. Cali joined them on the way. She smiled at Cynder and said, "This'll be fun, won't it? The lifemate ceremony is today, and you'll be there, too. You've been in the main topics for discussion since you first began recovering, Cyn."
"Really?" Cynder asked. "That's a little surprising."
"It shouldn't be," Spyro said. "You saved everyone from Aemus despite how badly hurt you were. That's an admirable thing, Cynder. You should be very proud. You deserve it."
Cynder smiled even more. She saw where the lifemate ceremony was going to take place. There was a wall of canvas up around one of the spots between the walkway for Whirlwind. "It's to stop her from seeing you," Cali said. "We need the fact you're going to be there to be a surprise."
Cynder nodded. She understood what they were saying. Surprising Whirlwind in such a way made her smile even more.
The three of them walked around one of the walls and found themselves near the rows of Skylanders waiting for the ceremony to begin. Camo was standing up at the front. He didn't notice Spyro, Cynder, and Cali as they came in. As soon as Cynder was spotted by some of the Skylanders, some of them began whispering. Many of them hadn't expected to see her, as they remembered how severe her injuries had once been.
Sonic Boom and Sunburn looked over, and when they saw Cynder, Sonic Boom ran over and hugged her. "It's so good to see you out of the healing tent," Sonic Boom whispered. "You look amazing! Oh, I just can't wait for Whirlwind to see you!"
"It's good to have you back, Cyn," Sunburn said as he hugged her.
"Jesus, how long has it been since you weren't injured?" Trigger Happy asked. "Thank God you're back, though! We really missed you while you were gone."
"Trigg pretty much said all I wanted to say," Gill Grunt said with an envious expression on his face, "but I am happy to have one of my friends back with me. Some of us didn't know what we'd do without you."
Hex smiled at Cynder and waved. "Welcome back," she said.
And finally, Stealth Elf hugged Cynder. "Thank God!" she said. "I was praying for you to heal quickly, and it seems I've received my wish."
Cynder smiled, happy to hear she'd been missed. She hadn't received so many compliments and "Welcome backs" since she'd been saved from Malefor's clutches five months ago. She was happy to hear them now. She looked up front at where Camo stood, and Drobot touched his shoulder and pointed at her. When Camo saw her, his eyes widened and he waved.
Sonic Boom said, "Let me go tell Flashwing," and she ran off.
Meanwhile, Whirlwind stood near Flashwing, who was speaking to her, telling her not to worry about her last-minute jitters. Whirlwind knew it was best to listen to her friend. She sighed, unable to believe how long it had been since she was so happy. But one thing would make her day better: seeing Cynder on her feet, done with the healing tent. She'd been in there for three months, and Whirlwind really wanted to meet up with her friend again. After all, the Black Dragoness had saved her from Aemus and saved all the other Skylanders, including her yet again, from Aemus in her abandoned fortress by ending him.
Whirlwind heard footsteps, and she saw Sonic Boom appear. The Griffiness leaned toward Flashwing and whispered something in her ear. When Sonic Boom had finished, she smiled at Whirlwind and then ran off. Curious, Whirlwind asked, "What did she say?"
"Just something I think you'd love," Flashwing replied. She looked through the opening in the wall of canvas. She saw Drobot nod, and then she turned to Whirlwind. "It's time." She handed her the diadem.
Whirlwind nodded. She walked slowly out from behind the canvas. Camo stood there, waiting for her to arrive. She took a deep breath. She was ready for the best moment of her life.
As she walked down the aisle, Cynder saw her azure eyes sparkling like the waters of the ocean that lapped at the beach behind them. She wore a diadem around her head. In the middle of it was a lapis lazuli gemstone, which was the same color as her eyes.
She made it finally to the arch, where she stood sideways and looked her soon-to-be mate in the eyes. They smiled at one another. Cali came up to the arch and began the vows. Whirlwind didn't want to look at those who had attended until the vows were over. But something was telling her that she should.
"Friends, we are gathered here today to witness these two Hybrids come together in an act of love," Cali began. "Camo, do you take Whirlwind as your mate, as the love of your life?"
"I do," said Camo, tears coming to his eyes.
"Whirlwind, do you take Camo as your mate, and as the love of your life?"
"I do," Whirlwind said, tears coming to her eyes.
"Do you promise to stay by one another's side and never leave the other, no matter what happens?"
"Yes," both Camo and Whirlwind said together.
"And will you protect your mate as well as you can and prevent them from being taken or injured?"
"I will," Camo and Whirlwind said together again.
"Camo, Whirlwind, you are now bound together and have become mates. Camo, you may now kiss Whirlwind."
Camo and Whirlwind happily embraced as they kissed one another. Tears streamed down their cheeks, and Cynder felt a few tears roll down her cheeks as well. She could tell neither of them wished for that special moment to end, and neither did she.
Everyone stood and clapped for them. Whirlwind and Camo turned to look at them all. Whirlwind looked through the crowd, and then her eyes fell on Cynder. Whirlwind's eyes widened, and she ran to her friend.
"Cynder, thank God!" she exclaimed. "I never thought you would be here!" She looked around at everyone else. "Did you guys do that? Did you make sure it was a secret?"
"We did," Flashwing answered. "We wanted it to be a real special moment for you, Whirlwind."
"Thank you so much!" Whirlwind said. She hugged Cynder hard. "I was praying for you to heal quick! Oh, this is the best wedding present I could have asked for! Thank you so much!"
Camo came over and hugged Cynder as well. "I'm glad you're better," he said. "Have you fully recovered from that madness?"
Cynder nodded. "My scars are gone, my ribs have healed, and my leg's no longer broken," she said. "I'm back."
"It's great to have you back," Whirlwind told her. "Thank God, my prayers came true! I guess we should get over there to the party, then? Everybody's waiting on us, I'm sure."
"Then let's go," Cynder said. "We have no time to waste! We'll get a chance to show everyone I'm back on my feet, as well, and I can't wait to see how they react! But what matters is you guys! I'm so happy for you, Whirlwind! I wish I could have been your maid of honor, but it seems Flashwing did the best job."
"I couldn't have done it so well without you, Cyn," Flashwing told her. "You were my inspiration. I just kept thinking of one of my greatest friends, and it helped. I did the same thing when I acted as Spyro's second-in-command. I'll tell you about that later. But for right now, we have to keep our minds on the party! Oh, I'm so happy for you guys!"
"Thanks," Whirlwind and Camo said.
"It was probably the most beautiful lifemate ceremony I've seen," Cynder said. "By the end of it, I felt tears in my eyes. I'm just so happy I get to spend this time with you."
"We're happy to spend time with you," Whirlwind said. "You've been gone for a while, and so of course, many of the Skylanders have been talking about you. In a good way, fortunately. Many of them admitted that they now admire you for the bravery and courage you showed back at the fortress. I know it's been three months since that battle, and you probably want to forget it, though."
"No, Whirlwind, I'm fine," Cynder told her honestly. "Ever since that night, I've become…different. I don't mind talking about my past as much. It surprises me, but now that I come to think of it, when Aemus was gone, a weight was lifted from my chest."
"I'm not surprised," Camo said. He looked in front of him for a moment, then said, "Well, let's talk about that in a moment. We have to get to the party, if you know what I mean. No offense, Cynder."
"None taken," Cynder said, and she smiled. She understood the party was coming up, and so she understood that they had to get the final preparations in.
When they arrived, many of the Skylanders cheered as Whirlwind and Camo arrived. Many complimented them as they walked through the crowd, and the two newlyweds thanked them for their compliments. As the party officially began, Cynder found herself in a group that included Whirlwind and Camo, she and Spyro, Sunburn and Sonic Boom, Trigger Happy, Gill Grunt, Drobot and Flashwing, Hex, Stealth Elf, and Cali.
"So where are you guys going for your honeymoon?" asked Spyro. "If you can't think of a place, I can give you a few suggestions. There's the three interlocking realms of Avalar: the Summer Forest, the Autumn Plains, and the Winter Tundra. Cyn and I spent ours in the Autumn Plains."
"Or you could go to Merinda Falls," Sonic Boom suggested.
"Well, it's funny you mention that, Sonic Boom," Whirlwind said. "Because that's where Camo and I are planning to go. However, it won't be just the two of us."
"How do you mean?" asked Cynder.
"We set up a deal to allow the two of us and our closest friends to come along," Camo explained. "We know, you want Whirlwind and I to have fun alone, but we haven't been with some of you guys in a while. Especially when it comes to you, Cynder. You've been recovering for three months, and so we just want to hang out with you guys."
"That's real sweet of you guys," Spyro said. "But are you sure? We don't want to intrude on your honeymoon."
"Well, the good thing is, we set up different rooms for all of us," Whirlwind said. "Camo and I in one, you and Cynder in another, Sunburn and Sonic Boom in another, Flashwing and Drobot in another, and so on."
Spyro nodded. "Well, thank you," he said. "I'll have to get someone to watch over the Skylanders while Cynder and I are gone, and with Sunburn and Sonic Boom, and Flashwing and Drobot going, that might take a little while to do."
"I can do it, Spyro," said Cali. "I know, I'm not an official Skylander, but for the time being, since it'll only be, what? Two weeks?" Camo nodded. "Then, yeah, I'll do it. You don't have to worry about a thing."
"Thank you, Cali," Cynder said. "That means a lot to us." She looked to Spyro. "At least we can spend more time together." She kissed him. "And for once, I can sleep in a bed tonight and while there without using an oxygen tank and laying on my stomach."
"I could never understand all you went through, Cyn," Whirlwind said. "Three months is so long. But the good news is, you're back, and you seem stronger than ever! I believe you're more powerful now than you've ever been. Am I right?"
Cynder nodded. "Though I'm not certain, Spyro and I believe my sapphire-colored Electricity is stronger than my violet-colored Electricity. It seems the Darkness was holding me back for a while. It was mostly proven when Aemus and I dueled, but there are other possibilities." She sighed. "I'm just happy it's all over, and everything's back to normal."
"Trust me, we all are," Spyro told her. He turned his attention back to Whirlwind and Camo. "So when are we leaving for Merinda Falls, then?"
"I wouldn't mind doing so in two days," Camo said. "Would you guys be all right with that?"
"I wouldn't mind," Whirlwind said.
"Nor would I," Cynder said, and Spyro nodded.
The rest of them nodded, and it was settled at that time.
The party lasted all night, and during that time, the friends were separated into a few groups. Whirlwind and Camo were dancing during much of the party, while Hex, Sunburn, and Sonic Boom remained with Spyro and Cynder, and Flashwing and Drobot decided to go off and sleep about two hours into the party. When Spyro turned to Cynder, he saw she was tired, but she told him, "I can stay up for a little while longer."
"I can't believe we got this chance," Whirlwind said to Camo as they danced. "I'm so glad I could become your mate, Camo. This is a night I'll definitely never forget."
"I'll never forget it, either," Camo said. "We have Cynder to thank for this. When we're at Merinda Falls, we'll have to prove to her just how thankful we are. Maybe we can ask Spyro when her birthday is? For all we know, it's coming up soon."
"I would love to do something good for her. Let's do it. But make sure to ask him first."
Sunburn and Sonic Boom smiled as they saw this. Spyro and Cynder were speaking softly to one another. Spyro knew for sure Cynder was nearly asleep, but he wanted to keep up for the moment for her. The fact Whirlwind and Camo were dancing with one another at their own party was something very special for the both of them.
"You doing okay?" Spyro asked. "You know, if Whirlwind and Camo can have that much energy, I should think you can. After all, you've been getting more sleep than any of us."
"I know," Cynder said. "Truthfully, I didn't sleep too well, like you thought I did. It was a little hard during the first two months, especially with the fact all but three of my ribs were broken. At least tonight, I can sleep much better, because I'll be able to hug you. Earlier, all I was able to do was touch your paw. Now, everything's just fine."
Spyro nodded.
Behind them, a few of the Skylanders who did not trust Cynder were watching the two Dragons converse with one another. They included Warnado, Slam Bam, and Boomer.
"I'm surprised she's able to walk," Boomer said. "Remember how badly she was injured during the fight with that White Dragon? Her broken leg was literally dragging on the floor behind her. I still remember the bone sticking out of it when Aemus threw her across the arena."
"Hey, you want to see if it still hurts her?" Warnado asked Slam Bam. "For old times' sake."
"No," Slam Bam said. At Warnado's surprised expression, he said, "She doesn't deserve it any longer! I know this sounds crazy, but I actually might have some trust put in her. I've made fun of her for too long. She saved us from Aemus, and as you mentioned, Warnado, she was badly injured by the end of it. I remember going into the healing tent to use the basin to wash off a couple of months ago, and I saw her in there, as well as Flashwing. Flashwing was using a damp cloth to wipe Cynder's forehead. I remember that Spyro had said she had a weakness to cold, so she probably got sick from the cold she'd experienced earlier. She's gone through too much. Give her some slack."
"I don't know why you've suddenly had this change of heart," Warnado said. "I wish you could return to being the fun guy you normally were." He looked to Boomer. "You've got to understand what I'm saying here, Boomer."
"I actually agree with Slam Bam, Warnado," Boomer told him honestly. "She deserves some trust for once. We've acted like jerks to her for too long. I'm going to bed. 'Night, Slam Bam, Warnado." And he walked off.
Warnado looked up to Slam Bam and said, "Why are you so different now?"
"Things change," the blue four-armed Yeti replied. "As time changes, so do those living in that time."
Warnado sighed and walked away as well, leaving only Slam Bam. He sighed himself, and then decided it was time he did something about it.
He walked over to where Spyro and Cynder sat. Both looked up at him when he did so.
"Yes?" Cynder asked. Though she tried to hide it, Slam Bam heard annoyance in her voice, and he couldn't blame her. After all, he'd been a jerk to her for so long.
"Cynder, I…I…." He sighed; this was harder than he'd first thought. "I'm sorry for how I've acted towards you in the past. I know, you probably won't accept my apology, but I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am. I've had a change of heart after what happened at the fortress. You saved us all from unimaginable fates, and I can't help but tell you how glad I am you did that. I just wanted to tell you this, and if you don't believe me, I don't blame you, especially with all I've done to you."
Cynder swallowed, and then told him, "I believe you, Slam Bam. Thank you for telling me this. I'm sorry if I've ever done anything wrong to you, as well. I forgive you for what you've done. If you ask me, it's all in the past now. There's no need for you to worry about it any longer."
Slam Bam nodded, smiled at she and Spyro, and then walked away.
When he was out of earshot, Cynder turned to Spyro. "I'm real surprised he would do that," she said. "That's amazing. If I can inspire others to do something such as that, then it makes me really happy. After all, he was the Skylander who trusted me least."
Spyro smiled. "You deserve more trust, Cyn," he said. "Of course, I'm biased, because I've trusted you since the day I met you."
"Not since the first day you met me," Cynder said.
"I'm not talking about that you," he said. "I'm talking about the real you. The Cynder I'm talking to right now. You're the one I trust most, Cyn. Since the day I found you again and brought you here, I decided I would give my life for you." He smiled again.
Cynder didn't know what she was supposed to say. She was so surprised and humbled by his words that she didn't know what she was to do next. She'd known he had trusted her not long before their first true mission together, but to think he'd trusted her in such a way even before they'd confessed their love for one another surprised her.
She yawned, and Spyro laughed a little. "I think it's time we went to sleep," he said. "At least tonight, you can sleep closer to me. Now, let's go tell the others goodnight, and we're out of here."
He walked over to Sonic Boom and Sunburn. "We're going to bed," he told them. "Just wanted to tell you before we went off." He hugged them both, and then allowed Cynder to do so.
"'Night, Cyn," Sonic Boom said. "It's good to have you back."
"It's great to be back with you all," Cynder replied. Then she hugged Sunburn.
"See you tomorrow," he said.
Spyro and Cynder waved at them as they walked away, and then made their way to where Whirlwind and Camo were now sitting. Both seemed very tired from all the dancing they'd been doing. Whirlwind was still wearing the diadem, and her eyelids were beginning to droop. When she saw Spyro and Cynder, she smiled and waved at them.
"How's the party going?" Spyro asked. "You guys seem like you've been dancing for quite some time."
"We have," Camo said. "It's been an amazing day, and I would just like to thank you guys for all you've done. Especially you, Cynder. You gave us hope and faith, as well as friendship, and we'd like to thank you for that."
"You're welcome," Cynder said.
"So what are you guys going to do now?" Whirlwind asked.
"We're going to bed," Spyro answered. "Cynder and I are really tired, so we were thinking about just going there now. We'll be seeing you guys tomorrow." He hugged Camo and said, "Congratulations." Then he hugged Whirlwind.
Then came Cynder's turn. She hugged Camo, who told her, "It's great to have you back, Cynder. I don't know what we'd do without you. Sleep well."
And then she hugged Whirlwind, who hugged her tightly. "Thank God for you, Cynder. You're the greatest sister I could have ever asked for. Just don't tell Sonic Boom or Flashwing that." Whirlwind laughed. "Hope you sleep well. I'm so happy you're no longer hurt. Goodnight. Love you."
"Love you, too," Cynder said. "Sleep well. Goodnight."
Spyro and Cynder left them and walked down the row of treehouses. They both sighed when they reached theirs, which was the largest one of them all, given to them by Master Eon just before his departure. Spyro had not slept in it for a while, as he hadn't wished to sleep in the bed unless Cynder was in the bed next to him.
They looked up at the balcony, and Spyro looked to Cynder. "I believe you can fly again?" he asked.
"I believe so," she said, and she opened her wings and flew right up. When Spyro reached the balcony, he found Cynder lying in the bed, waiting for him.
"It feels good to sleep near you again, Cynder," Spyro told her as he slipped into the bed. She turned over and hugged him. "It's good to have you back, my love."
Cynder smiled. "It's good to be back. I love you," she said.
"I love you, too."
And the both of them fell asleep next to each other for the first time in months, knowing there would be no problems coming their way when they woke.