CHAPTER 2- THE SETUP

"Hey Spyro! its been a while." Amber said over the crystal

"Yeah, I just had a question for you."

"You know you can ask me anything. shoot."

"Well, I wanted to know if you were doing anything this weekend."

"Not that I know of, why?"

"Well, there is this cruise that a bunch of my class is going on, and I wanted to know if you wanted to-"

"Of course! That would be amazing!" Amber almost shouted

"Ok ok, glad you like that idea too..." Spyro laughed

"When is it?"

"This weekend, I'll let you know more when I find out."

"Ok...oh...this is going to be so much fun!! I love you Spyro!"

"Yeah, I love you too Amber." Spyro said hanging up.

I love you...something that had seemed to lose its meaning to him, ever since what happened with Amber. Whenever she talked to him, she had the odd habit of ending all of their encounters with 'I love you.' Something he found strangely painful every time those series of words escaped her lips. He knew what she meant, love as a friend...or at least, that what he hoped. She used it so liberally, that it was sometimes hard to discern the sincerity of the three words that tore at his heart. Sure, he always answered with an 'I love you too,' but not even he was sure how he meant it. His feelings for her lasted for a very long time, but he found that eventually, the painful memories faded, and he found it possible to at least be friends with her. But still, every now and then...he felt that familiar burning in his chest return in force, making him unable to even look her in those beautiful gold eyes he would always find himself lost in when he would dream of her.

"Well...what is the verdict?" Flame said shooting an annoyed look at the fact that someone who had hurt his best friend and that he personally hated, was going to be on the same island as he was.

"She can go." Spyro said smiling at Flames reaction.

"Remember what I said. If she acts the way she used to...Overboard." he motioned getting on his bed and turning on the T.V.

"I get it." Spyro said also laying on his bed, with his hands behind his head.

He lay there, daydreaming about the possibilities of the cruise, and of how he would arguably the prettiest date of all of his classmates.

Then he felt his stomach rumble loudly, drawing his and Flames attention.

"Wow. Lets get some lunch before your stomach eats itself." Flame said jumping off his bed and Spyro following suit.

They flew to the fields where the sheep herd was looking numerous as always.

"Alright, see a good one?" Spyro asked

"Um...I'm not seeing anything that stands out...bingo! Dibs on the herd leader!" he said swooping down on the unsuspecting sheep, releasing a column of orange fire, torching it just the way he liked it.

Spyro did the same with his purple fire and carried his over to where Flame sat, chomping merrily.

"Slow down dude, you dont want to choke."

"Mot me...I'm a pro...but...I'm suffosed to eat...with...ah...Embers parents tonight, and her mom is not the best cook."

"Haha, yeah I know...anyway, I gotta get ready for the trip, see ya."

Spyro flew to the temple and went to Ignitus' chambers. Usually, the other dragons his age fear Ignitus, and wouldnt dream of going into his private quarters unless they had to, much less unannounced.

He knocked and heard Ignitus' booming voice tell him to enter.

"Ahhh Spyro, what can I do for you my boy? Have you found a date for the cruise?"

"Yes sir, thats what I came here to tell you, her name is Amber."

"Amber...a fine name, Spyro, she isnt by chance the same girl as-"

Spyro knew where he was going and wasnt really in the mood to hear the same thing Flame said over again.

"Yes, but things are different now, we are both past that." Spyro snapped slightly annoyed.

"Very well Spyro, the ship leaves from dragon shores at 5 am tomorrow. Dont be late."

Spyro nodded and took his leave. Ignitus was only concerned for his wellbeing, maybe his reaction was a little too harsh. After all, he was the one who raised him like his own, and gave him food and shelter when he was still young.

He shook his head trying to clear out those melancholy thoughts when he bumped head first into Cynder, knocking her and himself over.

"Oh, hey Spyro!" she said happily even though he had just knocked her to the ground along with the books she was carrying.

"Sorry about that Cynder, my head was somewhere else..." He said picking up her books and glancing at the cover of one.

"Wow, advanced draconic offense theory? I've never even heard of that."

"Its a special book Ignitus gave me, he says I'm gifted or something, so he makes me do more work, and makes me sit at the front of the class, away from everyone else. As if it wasnt hard enough for me to make friends already, now I'm some kind of prodigy."

Spyro smiled and looked at her, making her expression just a little lighter.

"Ignitus doesnt know how it is to be a young dragon like you and I are, he grew up being home schooled or something."

Cynder considered this, and her expression went from saddened to pouty

"I guess...but ignorance is no excuse."

Spyro laughed and handed Cynder her final book

"So what are you doing today?" he asked

"Just going to drop these off in my room and freshen up some. What are you doing?"

"I'm done with class for today, want to get a bite to eat later?"

"Yeah I am pretty hungry, I'll met you back here in a half hour."

"Ok, bye Cynder."

She motioned goodbye and they parted ways. as Spyro walked he couldnt help but recount the familiar feeling he got when he was with Cynder. It wasnt the fiery feeling in his heart like Amber had, but it was something...something about Cynder made him generally happy, something he hadn't felt in quite a while.

Spyro stepped outside and looked around at the blue skies, green grass, and hatchlings playing in the meadow while their parents watched.

He flew back to his cave and called Amber.

"Spyro! Hey buddy! What did you find out?"

"The ship leaves Dragon shores at 5 am tomorrow."

"Really? Wow thats early...when are we coming back?"

"We'll be there for three days...so I think Tuesday."

"Yay! This is going to be so much fun! I'll be coming into Avalar later tonight, is that ok?"

"Yeah thats fine with me."

"Ok, bye Spyro, I love you!"

"I love you too Amber."

There it was again, that burning feeling...