Chapter 2

Cynder was fairly sure her day couldn't get better.

Then it did.

She and Flame were walking down one of the many rows of carnival games and stalls. The festival was set up like a cliché carnival. With rows of stalls and tents all lined up nice and neat. When she Flame rounded a corner they found Stealth Elf and Jet-Vac laughing at something inside a booth.

"Hey, Elf!" She shouted as she and Flame approached, "What's going ooooon…" She trailed off when she looked into the tent. For one moment she was completely silent, barely aware of Flame falling onto his back laughing, as her eyes took in what was in front of her.

"Cynder…" The purple dragon growled.

Finally, what was actually happening in front of her finally fully dawned on her. Soon, she joined Flame on the floor laughing so hard it hurt.

There in front of her was Malefor, the legendary Purple Dragon who saved the world three times and the strongest Skylander in history… and he was hanging a few feet off the ground, wrapped and tied in a web of rope.

He couldn't move without tangling himself up anymore and was currently hanging upside down. For what seemed like an eternity (but was only a few minutes) the three Skylanders and the Guardian laughed at their friend and comrade.

"Just get me DOWN!" He roared… or as best he could with a muzzle that was partly restrained. Flame simply laughed harder, Jet-Vac (who had finished laughing) spiraled into another fit of laughter, Stealth Elf vailently failed to contain her laughter, and Cynder?

Seeing Malefor's frustration, she rose to her feet, still laughing, and moved to cut him down. When she had an… idea. She rested her talon on the closest, most important looking, rope, "How about we make a deal." Malefor's eyes widen and her own glowed mischievously, "If I let you down, you…" She knew what she wanted but a little dramatic pause went a far way in causing panic, "Hmm. You buy all of us whatever we want for... the rest of the day."

"No."

She smiled and backed away from the rope, "Have it your way then." He stared at her as she walked away, a triumphant beat in her walk.

The others stared at her in shock as she walked past them all, there was a beat of silence before Flame started to laugh again.

"Cynder? CYNDER!" Malefor roared.

Everyone realised she was serious when she rounded the corner of the row of tents and disappeared. "Guys?" Malefor asked weakly, "A little help?" They gave him expectant looks.

"The answer is still no." They followed Cynder's example, except for Flame.

"If I were you, I would have taken the deal."

"Shut up."

"Sooo…" Flame started, "Aside from this, how's your day been?"

"Honestly? Pretty good."

The duo received odd looks from the passer byers enjoying the festival.

"Think she'll be back?"

"When she gets bored… probably."

"Of course."

Cynder was enjoying a cup of hot chocolate when the other two caught up with her. They fell into step beside her as she made her way toward the center of the festival grounds.

"You'll think they'll catch up?" Jet-Vac asked.

"Eventually," Elf replied, turning her attention to Cynde, "Why are you so… more mischievous than usual?"

"The festival is a time to unwind and relax," Cynder said, "Besides with literally all the bad guys locked up, nothing can go wrong this time." She froze on the spot after the words came out of her mouth.

"Cynder? Skylands to Cynder!" Elf waved her hands in front of Cynder. 'What are you looking at - oh." She followed Cynder's gaze to the book stand in front of them.

"It's out." Cynder breathed.

The sign above the stand read "Hobbleton: Home to every book under the sun."

Then, directly under it, "Now selling: The third Book Of Erebor: The Mountain King"

The third book of Durin had released.

It was decided.

Bacon, eggs, and coffee were only acceptable to consume if Sam made them.

Everything else was sub-par.

And if he had to starve himself so Sam would make? Then he would gladly starve himself. It was just that good.

"So…" Sam started, "Where were you this time?"

"The ruins."

"Ah, see any ghosts." Sam jested.

"More than you would know." True, it was a harmless jest but it was a bit too close to home for him.

They ate in silence for the rest of the meal.

When it was all said and done; all the dishes cleaned and all the food eaten. Sam gave him a letter, "I dared not to open it; it reeks of bad luck and magic." He said as he put on his overcoat and hat, the sun had begun to set in the west.

"I'll keep that in mind." Durin said as he took the envelope from Sam, it wasn't the normal white but a crisp yellow.

A shiver went down his spine when his eyes landed on the seal. His muscles tensed and all his attention became focused on the symbol.

He was the light from the fire flickered over the yellow wax. He distantly aware of Sam asking if he was okay.

"I'm fine." He uttered his attention never leaving the seal.

"Are you sure? I can get you something if you like." He asked taking a step toward the dragon.

"No, no." He said.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, yes I'm quite sure."

"I-"

"No, no, that'll be all for now." His voice was quiet as he almost whispered that last part. Sam took his leave and closed the door behind him.

Durin just stared at the seal and it stared back at him.

The seel depicted a lightning bolt crossed with two swords.

Did you miss me?

No.

OK.

I'm sorry if this is shorter than normal, I just needed to get this out of the way. On another note, it might be awhile before my next update because I busted my arm and just got braces. (RIP Bush, my bracers are red, white, and blue for him.)

So, in response to some of the questions I was asked (four). I can, however, only answer…. None of them.

Well, that's not true.

I will answer (to the best of my abilities with giving away too much) the first scene with Spyro and Cynder's death is important later on in the story, What they say can provide you with a clue to what happened. No, Skylands isn't heaven and the sword is basically a magical mcguffin that I haven't fully considered it's power yet, though it plays a huge part in the plot; same with the shield.

Durin is the hermit author in the description and the seal is also a giant thing I'm using to get the plot rolling. Also, if you couldn't tell, for the first few chapters I will be using Durin's perspective for plot movement while Cynder's is for building up characters.

Fly High and far my little dragonnets.

- Dragon