It is time. Rather than update my original Dark Multiverse story continually, I plan to finish one duology a month, and the other times will be dedicated to creating and then updating the new Dark Multiverse Story, which I am titling Dark Nights Cinders. Today is the beginning of the first part of the Prelude. And no, this will not be a separate story. My original tales included prologues in the chapters anyways, so no difference here. Each will be marked by where they stand as events. Okay? Okay. Let's go.

Dragon of Mystery Presents

A New, and Horrifying, Adventure

Starring Spyro, Cynder, The Guardians, Sparx, and the Many Heroes of DC Comics.

Dark Nights Cinders.

(Enjoy the show)

Prelude: The Kindling

(Our tale begins where you would least expect, Wayne Manor, where it appears that Spyro and Cynder are dining with Batman. Seems innocuous enough, right? You'll see.)

Spyro: My compliments to Alfred, this was amazing.

Batman: Alfred's on vacation, so I figured I'd handle dinner with guests.

Cynder: Seriously? I didn't even know you could cook Bruce.

(This is when we see a strange look emerge on Cynder's face. Not quite of disgust, but more of confusion)

Spyro: Everything alright Cynder?

Cynder: I'm fine. Just, my roast tastes slightly… metallic.

Batman: Guess it was a little underdone. My apologies.

Cynder: None necessary, Bruce. This was probably the first time you've cooked in, ever.

Batman: Thanks, I think.

(It's at this point that Spyro's communicator starts going off)

Spyro: Sorry about this Bruce.

Batman: I get it, duty calls.

Spyro: (Picking up the communicator) Yeah? (Listens for a minute) Thanks, we're on our way. (Hangs up) That was Mr. Terrific, Aquaman's calling us in for backup in the South Pacific.

Cynder: Well then, let's not keep his highness waiting. (Putting down her fork) Sorry to leave so suddenly Bruce.

Batman: No worries at all. Like I said, duty calls.

Spyro: (Opening the door) We really should do this again some time.

Batman: Definitely.

Cynder: (To Spyro) Race you there!

Spyro: You're on!

(And just like that, Spyro and Cynder fly off towards their rendezvous with Aquaman. And when they leave, Batman looks back to Cynder's meal, with a look of relief and nerves on his face)

Batman: Now to see if this works.

(Now we arrive outside the location, where Aquaman is waiting. After what seems like a few minutes, Spyro and Cynder arrive)

Aquaman: Glad to see you two could make it.

Spyro: (Bows in respect) Always ready to aid the King of Atlantis.

Aquaman: Guys, there's no need for formalities. We're teammates.

Cynder: Instinct. (Changing the subject) So what's up?

(Just then, a nearby island appears to explode as it's volcanic base erupts)

Aquaman: That.

Spyro: Not much we can do to stop a volcanic eruption.

Aquaman: That's not what we're here to stop. A few of my scouts reported there appears to be a research laboratory in a flooded lava tube.

Cynder: No company I know of has a base for miles.

Aquaman: That's what's odd about it.

Spyro: Let me guess, trapped researchers, we need to rescue them.

Aquaman: Exactly. So let's get to it.

(With that Aquaman dives into the sea while Spyro and Cynder fly over head towards the now not-so-secret facility. While Aquaman starts ripping open the sides of the facility to start getting people out of there, Spyro and Cynder hover above, preparing)

Cynder: Hope you can hold your breath. Once we get in there, it'll be a while before we can get oxygen.

Spyro: Let's do this.

Cynder: Take a deep breath, we're going in!

(With a few deep breaths taken, Spyro and Cynder dive in to finish breaking the wall off this mysterious facility. As the sea rushes in, Aquaman and the two dragons grab all the scientists they can. Aquaman handing them off to a pack of dolphins called just for the occasion, and Spyro and Cynder flying them up to the surface. And just as the lava of the volcano sinks in, Cynder uses a piece of the wall to shield the last remaining scientist as everyone manages to reach the surface)

Aquaman: (Looking at the destruction beneath the waves) Not the cleanest rescue we've performed, but far from the worst.

Spyro: True that, Arthur.

Cynder: (Putting the debris down) Here's the last one.

Aquaman: Now the only question remaining, who put this base here?

Cynder: We'll work on figuring that out, Arthur. Right now, we've got to get these people back to their families.

Aquaman: (As an Atlantean vessel rises from the waves) We'll handle that.

(With that, Aquaman, Spyro, and Cynder move all the scientists into the Atlantean vessel. Once all of them are in, Aquaman steps aboard and signals the crew to head for the mainland US. Once Aquaman is out of sight, as Spyro and Cynder are drying off, that's when Cynder notices something on that piece of debris, a logo, and a familiar one at that)

Cynder: Spyro, you're going to want to see this.

Spyro: What is it, Cyn?

Cynder: I think I know who's facility we just wrecked.

(Now Spyro sees the rubble, and that's when we see the ever familiar W logo)

Spyro: Wayne Enterprises? What was Bruce's company doing out here?

Cynder: We'd better tell the League. Soon.

And I'm going to leave it there for now. Don't worry, just like Dark Nights Metal, Dark Nights Cinders starts off with a prologue. They had The Casting and The Forge. I'll have The Kindling and The Spark, before we get into the real Dark Nights. So now comes the question, what is a Wayne Enterprises base doing out in the middle of nowhere on a volcanic island? Don't worry, all will be revealed, just not now. Tune in in two weeks. Next week, I return to the Dark Multiverse and finish the Martian Manhunter duology.