Here's chapter 3, I wasn't planning for this one to be put up so late.but I was really focusing on other things in the future I'll try harder to stick to date, meaning don't expect the next update till next week proabably Wednesday. As for right now enjoy this new chapter of you need to correct me on anything or have questions just leave a comment I'll try to get back to you as soon as possible. (Disclaimer I don't own Spyro the dragon.)
As Spyro and Cynder fell behind him, contradiction hung back, his eyes trailing both dragons forms as they put little distance between himself, and them,before muttering slowly,"yes don't said he didn't."
They began walking through the dark forest, a quick explanation from contradiction, who the group simply began calling "contra." Talked about his powers in detail not only could he manipulate space and energy, but he could also relinquish some of his own power as he did on Cynder,not only could he use that but gravity as well.
spyro made sure to get a demonstration later, because Spyro wasn't sure how a dragon could do this, but looking at him.
Spyro was almost certain he wasn't one. Or either a very muscular mix His scales were smooth, and leathery like a Komodo dragon, his muscles rippled beneath the tough skin.
from the back of his arms, horns stuck out of his elbows, almost sticking Spyro for walking to close, so he kept his distance. Kind of like the dragon they now walked with, he was interesting, but even his active answers felt distant, like something else was preoccupying his head, his voice conveyed a deeper understanding of things.
And although he messed up in his grammar, a few times, any of the three correcting him, Spyro could honestly say he never met any being quite like him, he exuded power,but his actions were meek, he spoke softly and his voice still boomed at a bearable level.he was a walking contradiction his name fit him perfectly.
as they walked deeper into the increasingly dark forest, Sparx leading the way, hanging back slightly to hear what was being said, spyro found out that not only could contra move the sets of stars on his wings and stomach but he could brighten it as well. Almost giving off the same light Sparx did, in the cold night, it was reassuring, not that Spyro was scared of the dark. It just made things easier avoiding trees and bushes altogether, spyro suddenly felt tired as dawn began to break the horizon, they had traveled a great distance leaving the forest behind and had entered a valley of tall grass, surrounded by a large river, Cynder had smirked at being right.
So the group decided to rest in the early morning light, deciding it was better to travel in the dark, so they would wait for darkness, avoiding the heat of the day with no shade to block them. They headed for the river.cynder walking along side contra while Sparx and Spyro led the way.
"Hey contra are you any good at hunting or fishing.""Exceedingly."
"Good I'm starving and since your new, how about you get us something to eat."Contra glanced at her out the corner of his eye,"you look like a healthy female, why can't you catch your own.""Well over here the males like to do things for females, you know being nice and all that."Sounds stupid."
"But its a necessity, goes back generations, why if you didn't, I think I might have to ditch you out here."Contra, having picked up on her sarcasm easily, rolled his eyes, changing his direction to the east slightly.
"Ok bye."
"Wait I was just joking."Cynder couldn't help giggling at his behavior. Once you got past his powerfully cold exterior he wasn't so bad. He had even managed getting Sparx to laugh a few times. Safe to say everyone had warmed up to him.
Cynder wasn't sure how he would be received upon entering warfang, but at least he would have friends now. As they neared the edge of the river.the rising sun, accompanied by the roaring of the river, were comforting feelings.Sliding onto her belly, cool grass beneath her, Cynder once again looked to contra, as he trotted past her to the waters edge.
He stuck a paw into it almost experimentally, before lowering his neck. and began drinking fervently from it.
Sparx began hovering near his head "someone's thirsty."
Contra, raising his head as he finished, water dripping from his chin answered."walking all night with no food or water will do that to you."
Sparx agreed diving head first into the water, with a soft splash he began drinking as well.
Contra turned to spyro who had his head completely submerged underneath the rushing water, curiously walking over to him, he waited till he resurfaced, with a loud inhale, to speak.
"I was going to pull you out I thought you were taking your own life."
Spyro laughed,"no, nothing like that,I just wanted to see if there were any fish down there."
Contra stiffened slightly,"were there any."
Spyro shook his head, this waters to deep, I couldn't see to the bottom."
Contra smiled, "I would stand back then."
Spyro was about to ask him why as contra began focusing on the water his paw rose into the air, he matched its speed to the waters.
Waving it back and forth, almost ceremoniously. Suddenly as he halted his paw, the rushing water slowed, to an instant stop.
Contra flipped his paw upside down, so the underside was facing the sky, before raising it slowly.
The water began to gush into the air, quickly abandoning the banks that held it, and launching into the air suspended, as if the water droplets hung on strings.
Spyro felt his jaw loosen at the sight before him. The entire river was floating in front of him the huge wall of water hanging preciously.
Turning to contra Spyro was at a loss for words, while the drake only smirked at his expression. "What you said you wanted a demonstration earlier."
Spyro turned his head to the river to contra and back again, "I didn't even know things like this were possible."
Contra's smirk widened " if your done could you guys pick out your fish now."
Spyro balked inside the water he could see fish swimming around but they were nearer the cooler bottom.
Some large and small fish were now put on display, spyro looked at contra who nodded Spyro walked up to the water looking down into the now empty hole that the river had carved into the land.
He froze seeing all the way to the bottom of the damp hole.in the early morning light, before raising his head and snatching a fish that hadn't seen him approach. Flinging it down onto the ground he saw its gills struggling to find much needed water so he put it out of its misery.
"Another."
Spyro turned back around seeing multiple large fish seemingly unaware they weren't underground any longer.Still freely swimming Spyro decided to grab a few more, once a pile had been made. contra lowered his paw slowly, allowing the water to continue flowing by.
Sitting down beside Cynder who had once again started a fire. She shared a look with him. Both of them were dumb struck, as was Sparx who hovered nearby.
As contra turned towards them, Cynder noticed him, noticing their strange looks.
"What."
Cynder balked almost laughing at his cluelessness, "how is that possible, I've never met a dragon who could do anything close to what you just did."
Spyro interjected, "what element is that."
Contra padded over snatching a fish from the already big pile, running a stick through it and placing it near the fire he responded his monotone voice more chilling than before, "as I said before, I am a force of nature."Spyro wasn't satisfied, and as he shared another look between he Cynder and Sparx, he could see they weren't either.
Sparx, seeing neither of the other two wanted to invade his personal space with questions, began hovering in contras vision near his face, immideatly taking on the roll of investigator.
"Well what exactly does that mean again contra, and no I'm not talking about being like fire."
Contra pondered the question his eyes never leaving Sparx, in the same unblinking trance, before Suddenly responding.
"Sparx that is all I can say, i cannot describe, what you wouldn't comprehend."
"How do you know I couldn't comprehend it, you've known me a day."
Contra smirked,"a night actually."
Sparx shrugged his shoulders, flying close, into contra's face, "ohh so you learn a few big words then turn on me huh."Contra also shrugged, "I will explain in due time bug, now please I'm hungry.Before Sparx could further question, the now cooked fish was lifted to contras mouth, he began opening his maw before glancing at Cynder, and for some reason handed it to her.
Cynder smiled greatly at that replying."so you do have a heart."
Contra grabbed another fish gingerly placed it on his stick, and once again placed it near the fire.
"Sharing of food is customary."
Dropping the subject, Spyro rolled his eyes at that." Believe me, these two wouldn't know anything about that."Cynder's eyes widened in fake shock,"that's not true Sparx shared his germs with me just yesterday."
Spyro laughed, steadying his breathing he began sticking a fish on a stick.
Sparx began picking berries off any of the nearby bushes shouted back."Well you shared your evil with the world,so that makes us even."
Cynder took a bite of fish, chewing softly into the well cooked,stringy meat.
"Twue Bwuht yeouhr doorwghrtin abnour."
Sparx finished off a berry with a loud slurp,returning to the group with five or six berries,held preciously to his chest."What was that I can't understand you dirty carnivores with your mouth full."
Cynder finished her piece with a loud gulp, aimed at Sparx. Who shudders at the snapping bones,
"I said you breath could kill just as many, I wouldn't be to quick to point out someone else's mistakes."
"Sparx rolled his eyes finishing another berry dramatically," okay when we get back to warfang,we'll see how many drop dead,at the sight or smell of who."Cynder began picking at her teeth with the stick."with the way you boast I'm sure it won't be me."
Sparx picked up a plump berry holding it up to his mouth, "Well I'm sure people would rather hear me boast, than your excuses."Contra turned to spyro tuning out the two arguing beings,"do they always bicker like this."
Spyro chuckled lightly, "your lucky this is one of their good days." Contra nodded,taking a ginger bite of his own fish,instead of speaking with his mouth full,he swallowed lightly,"what did Sparx mean, by shared her evil with this world."
Spyro gave him a curious glance at saying "this world,"but overlooked it, as he didn't know the language well yet."Well... you should probably ask Cynder yourself."Contra didn't even glance at Spyro,as Sparx began chasing Cynder, pelting her with berries around the valley, or Cynder chasing Sparx whenever he ran out of ammo it quickly turned the other way around.
"She seems occupied at the moment."
Spyro rubbed the ground nervously, he didn't want to make Cynder sound bad, but she was busy right now, maybe he would just smooth things over."When Cynder was still in her egg, her, along with hundreds of other eggs were in danger, during the full eclipse, the guardian temple,where hatchlings were supposed to be kept safe, was attacked.
Contra still didn't move only his eyes followed Cynder and Sparx as they raced further away, their shouts dying in the distance.
"And all of the eggs were smashed except cynder's egg, and mine."
No response.
Spyro decided to lean forward,to try and catch contras eye, for a reaction of any kind."Cynder's egg was taken far away, to a place called the well of souls, which is a place where on the full eclipse convexity, this worlds strongest element, is shot into the sky like a beam."
Taking a steadying breath, as he felt the familiar anger boiling at the story, Spyro continued. "And cynder was pushed in, she was corrupted by it, through no fault of her own."
"She was being controlled by the dark master, who we destroyed, only a couple days before we met you."
That warranted a glance, in his direction.that split second stare sent shivers through spyro, he could only describe it as it felt like being an insect in the eye of a god, something about his eyes, the power they radiated.
"That isn't what I asked."
Spyro once again felt his heartbeat increase, once again caused by the dominant aura of contra, something Spyro picked up on in his night of knowing contra was that he changed periodically,sometimes he was genuine other times distant It had happened so frequently it was almost like he was set to a clock.
most moments though he was completely calm.during their walk last night Sparx had screamed,as a boar charged past. and contra hadn't flinched at either, while Spyro and Cynder had,
it was like he never felt in danger, like nothing could hurt him, but like right now he had the ability to display other emotions. Spyro guesses he just chose not to... most of the time."Well while under the influence of the dark master and convexity...Cynder killed a lot of people."
No reaction.
"But I helped save her from him,and now she's changed."
No response.
"Sigh. I knew I shouldn't have said anything.
No response.
Spyro heard the cracklings of the flame on the fish he'd forgotten about,
quickly snatching the stick away he softy layered the fish in ice, trying to cool the meat a little bit where it had burned.Slightly annoyed he turned his eyes back on contra "Well aren't you gonna say anything."
Spyro had imagined his voice sounding a little tougher than that, In his mind.
Contra opened his mouth to speak, then seemed to decide against it and was quiet taking another ginger bite of his fish.Spyro also took a bite, not at all liking how that had turned out. But what could he do it was all ready done.Swallowing he turned his eyes to where Cynder and Sparx were, it seemed Sparx had slipped cynder's grasp more than once, allowing him to have a bigger gap between them as he dove into the tall grass. Cynder following right after.
"I could tell she had a history like that, a warriors intuition is never wrong."
Spyro almost choked on his fish, coughing it down he turned his eyes back to contra, who had set the fish down, as if he didn't like the taste anymore.
"Wait, seriously."
Contra continued, not stopping his train of thought."But you know what they say,"now his eyes met Spyros his head pivoting slowly his much longer neck throwing Spyro into the shade beneath him, to look directly into Spyro eyes, once again he felt like an insect.
"Birds of a feather, flock together."
Spyro felt his throat tighten immediately, if his beat any faster he was sure he would break a rib. He didn't know why this scared him so much,but he found his voice again, although it sounded meek next to contra's booming one.
"Well to save the world from falling into chaos I had to."
Contra's eyes only seemed to narrow more his penetrating white irises, shrinking to the characteristic, reptilian slit.
"What do you mean,"the world from falling apart."
Spyro felt like he'd made a very grave mistake, but he pushed on finding his strength.
"The dark master tried to destroy the planet, a beast called the destroyer,was supposed to make a ring of fire around the planet, it succeeded, but we stoped it from destroying the planet."
Spyro breathed a sigh of relief as contra turned his eyes away from him to the sky above the sun had moved to almost the middle of the sky now, it was about noon.
"It's hot,I'm going to swim."
Spyro froze, that was all he had to say. Nothing about that story had warranted his curiosity.
But then again spyro did tell him almost everything. The basics had definitely been covered.
Spyro watched as the large male slid easily into the water his head disappearing after a moment of strong kicks.
Spyro turned back to the fire that had gone out, he hadn't even realized it, contra had really put the pressure on him.
Spyro mentally slapped himself silly, contra hadn't even tried very hard for answers, and he had cracked. He knew he should've remained quiet.
His stomach turning with anger he let it build up then spit a fireball into the dying flames, which re-ignited it instantly.
His fish had grown cold, he considers putting it back in the flames but chose against it. His appetite had long since left.
Pushing himself to his paws as Cynder and Sparx raced back he tried to put on a friendly smile, not wanting the others to know just yet what had happened.
Sparx darted behind his brother again, replaying the scene from yesterday.
Spyro didn't really have the energy for it and moved out of the way telling him to "deal with it himself."
Sparx had only yelled again as Cynder dove at him chasing him off before going to Spyros side.
"Hey."
"Hey"
Spyro felt uncomfortable he couldn't even look her in the eyes.
"Where's contra."
"Swimming."
"Oh sounds like fun we should join him."
Right now spyro didn't even want to see the strange star filled dragon, shaking his head he told Cynder she should go without him.
Cynder looked into Spyro's eyes seeing he was distressed she sat down by him, much to Spyros dismay.
"What's wrong spy."
Spyro couldn't help but chuckle at the nickname she had given him.deciding it was best to come clean he spoke to her.
"Me and contra were talking, and he asked about what Sparx meant, you know, when he said you were evil."
Cynder's lovely green eyes instantly darkened to a rough forest green.
"You told him about my past didn't you."
Spyro nodded, feeling his stomach flip, he wanted to throw up as Cynder guessed for herself, but he kept himself composed.
"I'm sorry Cynder but he wanted to know and I didn't think he would react like-"
"Wait"Cynder cut him off,"react like what."
Spyro felt his knees weaken, so he dropped to his haunches hoping Cynder hadn't seen.
"He was just silent then he said he suspected you had a past, then he said, birds of a feather flock together."
Spyro flinched as he saw a spark of anger appear in her green eyes, forest green was back to its vibrant gem colored self.
"What right does he have to say that to you."
Spyro felt his heart drop. Already knowing he couldn't stop her, he instead chose to ask her in advance.
"Are you gonna yell at him when he comes back up."
"Your damn right I am, who does he think he is. Just because he has stars in his wings doesn't mean he's gods gift he's lucky I don't kick his ass."
Spyro shook his head instantly at that. Not wanting things to escalate that far.
Cynder passed to the waters edge looking down into blue pearlescent water.
Spyro ran up beside her looking down too. He didn't see anything.
It had been about five minutes, did something happen to him down there, Spyro hoped so,not because he wanted him dead, glancing at Cynder, just for his sake.
They waited, spyro prepared himself to dive in after him as another 10 minutes slipped by.
But as he was about to lunge in, the water before him burst into the open air shaking his eyes free of water, Spyro saw contra emerge from the water, completely soaked.
He pulled himself over the rim of the edge, his back legs, pushing himself onto the dry land.
Cynder didn't wait a second before she was on him, as he stood to his full height, he glanced at her, as she neared him.
He sat down on his haunches exhaling a deep breath, he still seemed to have been holding.
"Hey, where do you get off trying to put Spyro down he saved this planet from total destruction, which in case you didn't know it, includes your sorry ass."
Cynder's verbal lashing didn't even seem to warrant his attention as he slowly began drying himself off using his starry night sky wings to fan himself.
"Hey I'm talking to you, it's not polite to not answer back."
Spyro felt himself cringe, as Cynder was given the same silent treatment he was.
Spyro held his ground this time under contras stare although on the inside he was quivering, on the outside his face was as solid as contra's.
"Contra."
Cynder's stern voice finally seemed to register in his head as he lowered his gaze down onto Cynder, who unlike Spyro looked back unafraid.
"What."
Cynder froze."What" oh so now he was going to play stupid, fine Cynder could do that all day.
"Don't act like you didn't hear what I said."
"I'm more interested in figuring out why your angry."
Oh he made a very grave mistake, after this. he would know why she was upset.
"Listen up, you pig headed idiot, spyro told me you tried to insult us."
Contra stopped fanning himself as his skin was sufficiently dry, and turned fully to Cynder the sun behind him threw Cynder into his shadow almost consuming her in it.
"I said birds of a feather flock together, where is the insult."
"After Spyro told you what I did, you said that, spyro is nothing like me, he didn't kill people just for fun, because he wasn't corrupted like me,dumbass."
"So neither of you are murderers."
Cynder choked on her next words, at the truth of his statement, she had definitely murdered a lot of people in her time as the terror of the skies.
Spyro had too.But for a different reason, he was correct, she just didn't like the blunt way he had said it.
Cynder shook her head "look we are, but who are you to just point it out like that. You should be thanking him.
"I didn't say it in a disrespectful way," contras eyes turned to spyro his paw lifted waving him over.
Spyro quickly made his way closer, standing before contra he met his eyes up close trying to hold his gaze.
"Spyro I didn't know you would be offended by my comment, I apologize.
Spyro felt his eyes widen in shock, he hadn't expected him to do that, spyro had expected to see that wrath he could feel bottled up in his aura.
"It's fine... I should actually be the one apologizing, I guess I was just being overly sensitive."
Spyro and contra locked gazes, both of them nodding in acceptance of the others apology.
Cynder having seen the apology let out a soft sigh her beak losing the disapproving scowl for a soft smile.
"There,was that so hard."
Spyro smiled," wow Cynder your turning into me, usually I break up you and Sparx."
"Oh please I do that for fun, it's funny when you think you have control of a situation though."
Spyro laughed, creating a lighter feeling in the air, turning to contra he noticed the dragon hadn't taken his attention off the two.
and though his face was solid, he could see amusement dancing in his eyes at the two's back and forth.
"Contra, how can you hold your breath for so long."
Contra's eyes blinked open in surprise.
"I can hold it much longer than that, but I didn't really have to worry about that."
He shifted his left shoulder working a kink in it almost distractedly.
"I was walking around at the bottom of the river."
Spyro and Cynder balked at that.
Cynder straightened up trying to match his height and failing.
"What's it like."
"Come down and see."
Spyro instantly wanted to go, he could only imagine what the rushing water would look like that far down.
Cynder voiced her approval too, looking around Spyro saw Sparx come hurtling toward them.
"Hey, what happened Cynder,I wasn't done tormenting you yet."
"Save it for another time were going to the bottom of the river."
"What"
Rolling his eyes, contra just said "follow me" turning back to the water he dove in Cynder followed instantly, diving after him, spyro grabbed onto Sparx, "hold onto me."
Sparx yell was cut off, as Spyro felt the cold rushing water submerge him, as he dove in,using his wings to help propel him faster.he caught up to Cynder quickly,and beyond her. he could see the tail of contra, disappearing into the darker blue waters below.
Following after him,Spyro flinched down beside Cynder, his lungs burned and the pressure around him was manageable,but uncomfortable,as he looked up seeing the top of the raging water at least a hundred feet above.
The current down here was strong, he was using all of his strength to hold onto Sparx and hold his breath and stay in the relative area they were all in.
his eyes turned to contra who was focusing his energy it seemed like the glittering stars on his body glowed brighter,so bright,Spyro shut his eyes momentarily as contra raised both paws together in a circular shape, before smashing them together.
suddenly the air around them was pushed away. Spyro felt a powerful shockwave push out, holding the water around them back, Leaving only muddy dirt beneath Spyros paws,as he inhaled hard. His lungs screamed for more. But he could only take in a little at a time.
Cynder's breathing was also ragged. But know one coughed harder than Sparx who's breathing was so ragged he coughed up water.
Only contra patiently waited for them all to regain their breathing.
Already gazing around, at all the underwater life swimming past them.as Spyro regained his breathing.
he joined contra pulling Sparx up onto the top of his head, as his breathing cleared up. Freeing his paw up, he walked over to Cynder helping her up.
She thanked him, still coughing slightly, before her mouth dropped open in awe, of the surrounding world. Above them only 8 feet, were numerous fish all swimming by, the fish seemed to realize the Anomaly, and skirted the bubble at all cost.
Beyond that were other numerous plants hugging the walls and growing like crazy with all the sunlight and water they could get.
It was amazing, spyro had never seen anything like this before, in his life.
Turning to contra, who smirked at all there shocked and awed faces, spyro smiled thanking him.
"Oh please this is easy, I've done this inside volcanoes."
Spyro could only imagine what that would be like, nothing near as beautiful,and 30 times as hot.
Sparx coughing subsided, but his soaked wings, wouldn't allow him to fly.
Spyro grabbed him and began blowing warm air into his wings, like any good brother would.
Once Sparx took to the air Spyro moved freely, he walked from one side to the other, the bubble was pretty spacious,allowing Spyro to move 5 feet in either direction.
And the ceiling could be reached only if he stretched his wings out on his back legs, it was very spacious down here.
Cynder poked the water barrier, as her paw passed through into the water around her, it began waving wildly in the strong current.
A tender laugh escaped her,at the sight,before retracting her now wet arm,and shook it off.
"Contra this is amazing, I've never seen anything like this before."
Contra shook of the mud from the bottom of his pads. "You think this is amazing follow me."
Turning around, so he faced upstream, contra began to lead them north, into the stronger currents, instead of away, spyro didn't mind either way.
He noticed wherever contra moved the bubble followed, contra went from the left wall to the right it followed, so everyone had to make sure they stayed within the confines of the bubble.
As they moved upstream more light from the sun began pouring down, probably due to them hitting an incline as the river went upwards, bringing them closer to the surface.
Spyro could see why contra had stayed under so long, various different fish swam by in schools, following the current, and were giving the 3 walking dragons,and 1 dragonfly strange looks. Spyro saw colorful fish,and plain fish.
Some fish that defied his imagination, new and unseen to him spyro didn't want to leave.
And didn't for a good hour.
Until they reached the waters end. Only less than a mile ahead the water rode up, straight to the surface.
"Contra what's at the end down there."
Cynder's voice echoed off the bubble. Her voice being heard twice to three times by all the inhabitants.
"A waterfall."
Sparx now flew up ahead to contra.
"Wait what did this waterfall look like."y'know, like we're that a lot of say, cheetah villages,near it."
Contra turned his gaze on Sparx his own voice reverberating of the bubble and causing minor ripples along the surface, it was a beautiful sight.
"What's a cheetah."
Sparx smiled clapping contra on his shoulder."that's all the answer I needed to hear buddy."
Spyro now curious walked faster his tail having slipped out of the circle catching up with the three being contra, Cynder on his left, and Sparx on his right.
spyro went up under Sparx, at the front, he turned to ask his brother a question.
"Hey Sparx why does that matter if there's a cheetah village."
"Well spyro my naive little brother it's because I would rather not be cooked alive."
"See when I was out looking for you guys,I got lost pretty bad."
Cynder shook her head in mock shame."why am I not surprised."
Sparx shushed her loudly, voice unnecessarily loud, spyro covered his ear closest to the wall, as his brothers voice reverberated sounding like bees in anger.
"Sparx shut up."
"Fine just let me continue without interrupting."
Not waiting for a reply he continued.
"So I got lost in some forest looking for you two fatties, when low and behold guess what happens."
Cynder once again piqued up from contras other side, even though he couldn't see her he could feel the sarcasm dripping off her fangs.
"You finally realized your talents were better suited elsewhere, and married prowlus, but when time came for your honey moon. You got scared realizing you wouldn't be able to compete with that big, fat cheetah di-
"SHHHHUUHHSSSH"
This time Spyros head felt like bees were in it,as he stopped walking,the constant buzzing went away after only a minute or so.
Contra seeing Spyros pain,stopped and waited for him to recover.
"Sparx I didn't know you were a homosexual."
Sparx glare was back 10 fold as he flew into contras face unafraid.
"That's because I'm not dummy, geez do you believe everything you hear."
"Well, you're always commenting on how other males look, it just clicked in my head when Cynder suggested it."
"Yeah Sparx it's okay, you don't have to worry, we won't judge you."
Turning on Cynder, Sparx flipped her the middle finger before turning back to contra."look I'm trying to build Spyro up, brotherly love, nothing more nothing less."
Contra turned to spyro who was dying of laughter, before looking back to Sparx, and shrugging his shoulders, a smirk stretching on his face.
"Oh please Spyro's an idiot look just let me finish," he said wth a pointed look at Cynder who only stuck out her tongue in response.
Spyro re joined them staying on his feet not wanting to muddy the bottom of his underbelly.
"So, A week goes by,I haven't seen you two anywhere an I've gone up and down every path and trail for 100 miles around the area I last saw you two."
He flew higher so that all could see him, even contra had to tilt his head a little to see.
"So I run out of supplies, the area I was at was completely barren, kinda like Cynder.
"Wouldn't you like to know."
Sparx rolled his eyes and continued. "So I run smack into this waterfall and start drinking from it. When suddenly hundreds of cheetahs, I kid you not."
"Started charging at me screaming about some sacred waterfall. I was just gonna talk my way out, but Spears can't really talk back."
"So I ran away and they followed me, would you believe it, for 3 days."
Cynder yawned loudly,"that's it."
Sparx snorted,before flying down into her face again."wouldn't expect someone who's used blood baths as excitement, to appreciate a good story."
Cynder chomped her teeth in his direction, and Sparx flew away,out of reach. Hovering near the top of the bubble.
"A Lady's gotta get her kicks somehow."
Cynder began walking forward, to the edge of the bubble, Spyro and contra,staying in place.
Spyro snorted in a huff really wishing Cynder didn't joke like
that.
"Girls right."
Spyro looked up at contra who didn't even appear to hear what he had said, his eyes were directly on Cynder not glaring but the air inside the bubble definitely seemed to heat up.
And his body was stiff,Well more than usual.
Spyro poked him in his side "hey you alright."
Contra slowly focused his eyes, they returned from slits, back to circular pupils.
"Yeah I'm fine."
Continuing forward Spyro sat in confusion, until the water once again,at his tail forced him ahead, jogging to catch up.
He slowed beside contra casting the larger male a concerned look but contra stayed forward.
Not even sparing him a glance.
Spyro decided he would keep straight to, they were almost out anyway.
"Hey look guys."
Spyros head turned swiftly as did cynder's while contra slow and controlled neck turned around.
Sparx was pointing back at the river before them from wall to wall it was at least 17 to 30 feet wide and looking up to anywhere from 50 to 100 feet deep depending where you were.
But aside from fish Spyro couldn't see anything special, only a few schools of fish going downstream.
"Come On Spyro don't tell me you don't see it."
Raising his brows in confusion Spyro shrugged.
"Contra come on man you have to see it."
Contra didn't move only his eyes flickered from wall to wall searching for anything out of the ordinary.
"What are you talking about."
Sparx turned his back on both of them facing the entire open channel before turning around pointing to Cynder, "it's a perfect representation of cynder's vagina."
Spyro instantly held his laughter deep down inside him, not wanting to laugh at the crude joke,but finding it funny all the same.
Contra cracked a smirk beside him, as he looked from wall to wall. Admiring the width.
Cynder's face contorted in rage only for a moment, before reverting back to a calmly controlled expression that said, "you fucked up."
Reaching down she picked up the tiniest yellow pebble on the ground holding it up, so that everyone could see "oh Sparx honey it's look like your dick fell off again."
Not able to hold it anymore Spyro died of laughter falling on his side, and holding his ribs. Contra's body shook, beside him from holding in his laughter, at Sparx priceless face.
Cynder proudly threw the pebble at him which hit him in the chest roughly.
"Think before you talk shit."
Contra couldn't help a tiny laugh that escaped his mouth, as he turned around shaking his head, at the two of them.
"Come on were almost there."
At contras command they all got back to their feet.
Sparx threw the tiny pebble at the back of cynder's head before pushing forward.
As they reached the end of the river Spyro could hear the waterfall pounding above, and see the disruption it was causing, in the water, it was huge.
Contra turned right heading for the shore as they inclined up to the surface,the bubble they were in met open air.
Allowing them to walk clean and dry out onto the surface, before he dropped it down allowing the bubble to close up. The water taking back the empty space with a loud swoosh,It had taken them roughly two hours maybe more to get from their previous spot to here.
So he wasn't surprised when he saw contra curl up on the grass near the shore. Sparx darted off in a rage near the forest nearby. Turning back to contra who had closed his eyes and was breathing deeply, made Spyro think.
Holding that bubble up must have taken a lot of energy, spyro wasn't sure if it was physical elemental or some other kind of power but, it was amazing.
Cynder came up beside him elbowing his side lightly.
"Hey I'm gonna go wash off this mud okay."
Spyro nodded wanting to clean himself up to he joined her.
"Sorry about Sparx he can be an idiot sometimes."
"Oh spyro please I can handle him no problem."
Spyro smiled rinsing his paws of the mud, he saw the clear water turning muddy underneath the surface as it sank down to the bottom.
He turned back to Cynder not able to help himself from staring as she dipped under completely and re surfaced, her black scales shimmering in the sunlight.
Spyro felt his mouth go dry as her form was completely outlined in water giving her beautiful body an alluring look.
Turning away quickly as dirty thoughts entered his head he stuck his rear half under water. Better safe than sorry.
A small smile parted his Lips at his behavior,it was quick thinking,not like the cold water was doing him any favors though.
Turning and deciding to swim further out, he set his paws to go towards the waterfall, paddling strongly the thundering roar almost deafened him.
He looked up, the waterfall had to be at least 200 feet tall. Surrounded by a mountain. The rock wall the water fell down was dark, it was worn,probably from the water eroding into it over time.
Spyro dove under completely, letting the cool waves roll over him, it felt so good he decided to stay under as long as he could,a test if nothing else, five minutes later he was gasping to the surface.
His lungs were ablaze from the severe lack of oxygen.opening his maw he allowed the necessary air to flood into his lungs.
He couldn't even hear his own breath as he inhaled. The waterfall so loud that it drowned out his own thoughts.
Swimming away toward the middle of the river, he glanced around no longer seeing Cynder.
As he gazed around everywhere and still didn't see her,he turned toward the shore.
Cynder was laying almost side by side with contra,so close their scales almost touched. Spyro felt a rage burning inside him he'd never felt before.
And he didn't know why. Cynder was free to make her own choices. Except he should be her choice, right? Spyro couldn't fight back the bile that rose in his throat seeing her laughing at something he said.
Frowning, he began padding toward the shore. Swiftly matching the speed of the surrounding fish.
He pedaled to shore, not really knowing what he would do when he got there, his head was swimming in rage, and jealousy? He wasn't sure.
All he knew was he needed to get over there. Shaking his scales of the water as he dragged his claws onto dry land, he paused, what was he doing.
Cynder was allowed to do what she wanted, he hadn't even made a move on her yet.
Yet here he was charging to stop her from what,talking,he retreated casting his own body down on the sand far away from the two.
He cringed slightly, his pulse speeding up,as he heard there conversation.
"So, how did you learn how to do that trick."
"I fell into a volcano after I lost a fight, here's the scar to prove it."
"Wow, so your not so different than us after all eh."
"Cynder, different doesn't even begin to cover it."
"Oh really,you would have to be a lot different,After all we are murders."
"Cynder, if I'm being honest you don't behave at all like a murderer, at least not the ones I knew."
"Oh and how did they act."
"Well for one they lacked, feminine charm, always looked for a fight, and always sought out ways to advance their powers."
"Wow, did you, the mighty contra, actually give me a compliment."
"What does that mean."
"Mighty? Oh I forgot your still learning it me-"
"No,the other one...compliment."
"Oh, it means you tell someone, something nice about them self."
"Oh, well if that's how you wanna take it."
Spyro heard a soft smack,and assumed she shoved his shoulder playfully, Contra had spoken in a very sarcastic manner after all.
"Come on you were just getting me to like you again."
"The bubble wasn't enough."
"Mmm,the bubble was okay,a little boring for my taste."
"You can't even do that, and that's only a river, there are much better places besides that to go."
"You'll have to show me one day."
"Agreed."
Spyro felt his heart stop cold at those words, was he already to late to get Cynder. Shaking his head in anger he set a goal for himself."
After they got to warfang he would tell her. I till then he would have to move faster, be more persistent.
Smiling at his plan he decided to get straight into it rising up he approached the duo, Cynder turning around to face him.
"Ohh Spyro,hey what's up."
Spyro noticed contra nod in his direction, any other time he would have smiled,ANY other time.but now he held his smile back.
"Cynder would you like to help me gather sticks."
"Yeah sure."
Spyro's smile returned instantly. This was how it was meant to be.
"Hey contra, wanna come."
Spyro felt his blood boil at cynder's request, but sighed in relief as contra spoke.
"Sorry Cynder I'm exhausted, I'm sure you'll find good sticks without me."
"Oh your no fun. A little bubble and your worn out."
Contras response was a sleepy nod,laying his head back down,he almost instantly fell asleep.
Cynder giggled turning to spyro and nodding in the direction she wanted to go.
Following suit Spyro and Cynder made there way through the dense forest,not entirely sure where Sparx had gone, spyro kept an eye out for him.
Once they reached a suitable part, they began picking up all the necessary amount of sticks they would need.
Night was coming, in little more than an hour,the sun would soon set behind the trees,in about an hour.
The fading light made cynder's scales shimmer,he was sure his did too,but he was more focused on Cynder.
Reaching down Spyro picked up a funny looking stick,it was soft and smelled strange.
"Hey Cynder what kinda tree you think this came off of."
"Spyro,you need to put that down."
"Why it's just a regular o'l stick."
"Spyro it's a snake."
Looking down,he pulled the rest of the stick free.He saw a glimmer of eyes on the soft scales creature,as it turned towards him,his heart dropped.
His wrist reacted on its own,flinging the snake as hard as he could.He heard a fading snake hiss as it landed more than 10 feet away.
Cynder giggled at his scared expression,"So we face down malefore,and your scared of a snake."
Spyro smiled shrugging,"malefore couldn't poison us with one bite."
Cynder smiled,etting some of her own poison coat her tongue,"you've got more than just snakes to worry about."
Spyro rolled his eyes,"as many times as you've accidentally sprayed me,I think I'm immune."
Cynder laughed, reaching for another stick, adding it to her new, neat pile."remember that time when I sprayed you during a fight,and you started yelling so bad the grumblings ran away."
Spyro smirked,remembering that day all too well."a crazed purple dragon is a scary sight."
Gathering a suitable bundle as the sky darkened even more. They decided to head back to the waterfall,when they arrived they saw Sparx floating near contra speaking while the large dragon seemed to be only half interested.
As they broke through the forest and the grass turned to sand, they drew the attention of both.
Who stopped whatever they had been talking about instantly,setting down the sticks they started a fire.
Cynder insisting Spyro flamed it.
Flat out refusing to herself, spyro shrugged,arranging the sticks in a suitable form,for wind to give it some oxygen.
Spyro blew a steady flame onto it igniting it instantly,the wood crackled as it burned, making a thick grey smoke,that Spyro had to lean back to avoid.
Everyone settled down even Sparx, not wanting to let silence be the only noise they shared, spyro turned to Sparx.
"Hey Sparx where do you go earlier."
"Well mom, if you must know,I was looking for some berries."
"Find any."
"You would think so, I mean this place is next to a waterfall, but it's picked clean."
"Strange."
Cynder poked her head up at that,"yeah, speaking of food what are we gonna eat."
Spyro smirked already knowing where this was going,"Well since it's your day to hunt Cynder,you decide."
Cynder frowned in fake sadness."but spyro you didn't catch anything on your day."
"An asteroid blew up in the atmosphere,that doesn't get me a little slack."
"You know the rules."
"Sighing Spyro nodded, rising to his paws he began to pad away, when contra rose up."
"Mind if I come with you spyro I slept enough as it is."
"Oh yeah sure."
Spyro was happy to have any company in the dark forest before him, turning around he saw the larger male stretch, hearing his back pop, spyro winced.
But contras face didn't change at all,he simply turned towards Spyro, and began walking into the forest.
Spyro followed not really knowing where would be best he turned to contra."Where do you think we should look."
Contra surveyed the landscape, "Well I would say wait back at the falls, but we have a fire going."
Spyro instantly understood, the fresh pool of water was probably a water source for a lot of animals,but a raging fire would definitely ward them off.
"Maybe we should just start walking."
"Agreed."
As Spyro and contra walked a comfortable silence fell between them, spyro didn't feel any of the earlier pressure.
Besides not talking walking with him was somewhat,relaxing,spyro didn't know many males his age,"this must be what it's like."he though silently.
As darkness fell Contra spread his wings, allowing the moving stars,in his wings,to shine, illuminating the dark forest, it wasn't to bright to announce them coming, but it was more than enough for Spyro to see comfortably ahead,spyro couldn't help but look at them. it was like the night sky was living and breathing on his wings and stomach.
Sometimes strange designs worked there way into them, he was sure it was real,but it was just hard to comprehend.
Braking the silence Spyros curiosity got the best of him."Hey contra where are you from, really."
A small sigh escaped contra, so small spyro almost didn't hear it, it sounded, weary?
"The Time is not yet right spyro."
Spyro almost cut him off as he continued.
"I am not a being you've likely ever seen before, or will likely see again once I'm gone."
"Your leaving."
"After my mission is complete,yes."
"What's your mission."
"To protect."
"Protect,What?"
Contra stopped, spyro did to,tuning to take him in fully, spyro noticed his face although serious, had a deeper look to it now,he looked almost,sad.
"Spyro I am a harbinger."
"Of what."
"We shall see."
Continuing his walk,spyro caught up quickly frowning,he was left with more questions than answers.
Spyro and contra walked for what must have been another 30 minutes twisting and weaving between trees. They headed north to start, but upon seeing animal tracks turned east.
Spyro could smell the pungent scent of deer now.they must have been extremely close.
Contra turned his light down fully as they peaked through the oncoming Bushes.
Spyro heard them before he saw them. A small herd, no more than 10 were peacefully eating in a trance like state.
They were down wind, so the deer were still not aware of there presence.
Spyro. Felt a tap on his shoulder. Contra was deadly serious as he whispers into the small space between them."Spyro, sneak around and scare them towards me."
Spyro nodded,"which one are you gonna get."
Contra shrugged back in response."how many do you want."
Spyro smirked at his arrogant statement.even though dragons were skilled hunters, they wouldn't be able to use there wings. In the dense bush.
"Well if possible how about two."
Contra nodded moving over more to the right."consider it done."
Spyro turned left watching his paw placement,avoiding sticks,and fallen leaves he made his way around the deer hoping to stay undetected.
As he worked his way into position he lost sight of contra altogether.
Knowing he was just hiding Spyro held in his breath, before exhaling sharply.
He would roar to scare them towards contra,then it was up to him.
Spyro couldn't help the thrill of joy,hunting gave him.wether in groups or alone.it was proabably genetic.he concluded to himself rising up behind the still oblivious dead, he breathed deeply, exhaling an ear splitting roar and charging forward.
The deer needed no further warning , without looking they bolted towards their death.
Spyro gave chase keeping an eye out for week ones when he heard a blood curling cry. He stopped to look at which deer had fallen when he heard another cry just as chilling. But Spyro hadn't seen any of the deer fall.
They actually raced away with full numbers it seemed.
Spyro called out, was contra crushed in the stampede, fearing the worst he ran where contra had been and didn't find anything.
"Contra are you alright."
His cry went unanswered again. Spyro began making a circle of the whole area.
In the dark he could see pretty well, but even night vision had its limits.
He checked under a bush when he felt a tap on his shoulder.
Jumping out he turned on the drake, his heart having jumped at the unexpected contact.
It was contra two deer held firmly in his mouth, one female and the other.was male, even with his mouth full Spyro could see his smirk.
Blushing slightly Spyro yelled at him."Contra don't do that, I thought you got hurt."
Setting down the deer gently he brought his head back up, surprisingly to Spyros eye level smirk never leaving.
"You really thought these creatures would be able to kill me."
Spyro nodded."I've seen how strong some of them can be."
"Well they weren't as strong as me."
"How did you catch them I didn't see any go down."
Contra rose up taking the larger deer and pointing at the smaller one then him.
Spyro got them message picking up the smaller female,contra led him back to the space he had been waiting.
Laying down the deer, he extended his claw allowing a portal to open.
Spyro balked in surprise, still not used to seeing that.
Contra turned to spyro his claw still extended.
"When you roared I made two of these that ran them directly into me."
He drew his other claw across his neck."It was easy after that."
Spyro nodded laying his deer down as well,"how far can you make these portals go."
Contra shrugged as if it was simple."anywhere I wish."
Spyro nodded."how about camp."he said a smile following his words.he really wasn't in the mood to drag this all the way back.
"Of course."
Contra extended his arm once again, the hole was large big enough for contra to walk through comfortably.
On the other side spyro saw Cynder and Sparx.surprisingly talking, he was to far away to hear exact words but it didn't look like there usual talk went. He smiled through the fur in his teeth.
Maybe they wouldn't always be at each other's throats.
Contra stepped through first, and unlike Spyro and Sparx he seemed to not mind the feeling it put on his body.
Spyro frowned before walking through as fast as he could.He shivered at the strange sensation chilling his very bones.And he swore he could feel the dead deer spasm slightly.
He felt the portal close behind him, as he stepped through onto the dry sand.
Following contra he walked side by side with him, up to the fire.when Cynder and Sparx saw them approach they rose up.
A huge smiling lighting up cynder's face."oh yes,I'm starving."
A spyro laid his deer down next to the fire.
He was unprepared for the hug Cynder gave him. He felt his heart warm at the contact,and some deep down part of him hoped contra saw.
When he looked over through the hug he saw the male not even paying attention he was stripping the meat from the deer preparing it to burn.
That deep down part of him frowned. But he banished the thought it wasn't all that bad.
Cynder released him, looking down at the deer, spyro had to admit contra had chosen the best ones, the female he held was plump not so much so, but just the right amount of meat to fill them up.
"These deer are perfect where did you find them."
Spyro waved his paw into the forest behind him."pretty far from here, we spotted deer tracks and followed them to an opening."
Spyro turned to contra,smiling."he caught them both while I scared them towards him."
Contra nodded in confirmation.turning back to face them both he frowned."Could you roast my piece while Sparx and I leave." Sparx who had been poking the deceased deer rose up flying toward contra.
"Why where do you think were going."
"I saw some berries while we were out there I thought you might like to get them."
Sparx flew towards the drake wrapping his neck in a hug."oh man thank you, my stomach has been growling for hours."
As Sparx let go he turned toward Spyro."did you see any out there spyro."
"No, I forgot honestly."
Sparx shrugged."cant even trust your family now a days."
Patting contra on the shoulder, he frowned at Spyro."maybe your just not cut out for this job anymore."
Spyro and contra rolled their eyes simultaneously.
Bringing his deer nearer the fire contra turned his back on it, opening a portal he and Sparx disappeared through the shimmering air closing shut behind them.
Cynder turned on the deer a ravenous look in her eyes."wanna eat it all before he gets back."
Spyro laughed,"why so We can get sent to the bottom of the river without a bubble."
Cynder giggled, ripping off a good sized piece and running a stick through it angling it in the sand,to roast vertically over the fire.
" I don't know it might be worth it,at least we'll die full."
Spyro shrugged,"yeah full of water and regret."
Cynder laughed, setting down beside the flames Spyro joined her bringing his own piece over the flame.
The meat crackled slowly roasting and adding its smell into the air, spyro could feel himself salivating, He hadn't eaten for a day, and this meal would hit the spot.
"Oh this is gonna taste so good." Spyro said leaning over,and grabbing another stick,running a stick through the perfectly diced meat,Cynder had laid on the wooden sticks.
"Your right about that, just the smell alone is tempting."Cynder said poking her stick a little more hogging the flame to her own piece.
Spyro pushes it e on be fair."spyro cooed at her, he hadn't intended for his paw to brush cynder's but it did, and when it did he felt a shock of electricity as her soft scales momentarily rubbed his.
"Sorry."
"Sorry."
They both began laughing at themselves,having just apologized at exactly the same time.
Cynder's smile stayed fixed to her face as she looked into Spyros golden eyes, the flames making them sparkle.
Spyro found himself locked in her green eyed gaze, he felt like he was swimming in her eyes,and drowning into them,his breath hitched slightly.
He couldn't pull away,his mind went blank,as he didn't know what to say.
Should he,he knew risking his friendship with her could go two ways, but he wasn't sure if he was ready yet his heart, was in it but his brain was injecting ration thoughts.
What if she doesn't want to.
What if you make things weird.
What if she hates you after.
A long line of thoughts voiced themselves. Forcing Spyro to break his gaze away."Hey Cynder your piece is done."
He didn't know if he imagined the sad sigh as she spoke or if he imagined it."oh,yeah,thanks for noticing."
"No problem."
Cynder took her piece off.Allowing the other two pieces to burn and catch more of the flames.
Cynder began eating beside him, tucking into the meat Spyro thought it smelled even better.
After looking for a minute Cynder smiled breaking him off a delicious appetizer.
He smacked gratefully, which made Cynder giggle lightly,at his antics.
Looking back into her eyes, he puppy dogged for more slightly pouting.
She laughed"No,Spyro yours will be done soon.
Spyro smiled as she laughed, not even being able to compare another sound close to it.
Spyro heard footsteps behind him.turning quickly,his instincts kicking in,he calmed down as the portal closed behind contra and a very happy Sparx.
"Spyro, you should have seen it as many as I could find. I won't go hungry for another week with all these."
Floating down Sparx began eating even more of his huge stash. Contra walked over to the flames checking his piece, seeing it wasn't done yet he laid down beside it curling in on himself and staring at the flames,silently, yawning to himself.
Cynder offered him a piece of her deer, his usually bored eyes lightened almost instantly.
He scooted closer to Cynder who ripped off a piece and handed it to him.
He shook his head.
"Throw it up in the air."
Cynder smirked before doing it, the piece went high,but luckily In a straight line.
As it came down contra snapped it into his mouth,a perfect catch.he chewed gratefully.
"You always eat like that."
Contra shrugged,"only when I'm starving."
Cynder smiled"I would hate to see you hungrier than that then."
"Oh, I'm much worse than that.
Cynder smirked ripping off another piece."show me."
Before she could retract her paw his teeth clamped shut on the meat almost biting her finger.cynder pulled it back laughing.
"Down boy."
"Do that again you might not have an arm."As contra spoke he rolled onto his back stretching his wings in the sand.
"I guess we got lucky, spyro wanted to eat your share."
Spyro balked."What,no that was you."
Cynder laughed again,having expected that reaction.
"Wait you two were thinking about eating the food I caught."
Spyro nodded."just a stupid thought."
Spyro couldn't tell if he cared or not his upside down snout still lacked any sort of interest."oh,I don't know you two were that hungry."
Cynder took another bite,shaking her head as she swallowed."after a few more pieces I should be fine."
"Me too" spyro agreed reaching at his stick. Seeing it was sufficiently cooked he tucked into the warm succulent meat.
It was heaven.his rumbling stomach shutting up as his taste buds,seemed to let it know what was coming.
He closed his eyes in bliss.
Sparx beside him threw up a berry and caught it between his teeth. Before swallowing. Turning toward contra he smirked.
"Your not the only one with good aim."
Contra rolled back over wiping the sand from his back."that was only 4 inches up Sparx, that's easy."
Sparx smirk widened into a grin.
"Oh is that a challenge I'm hearing."
"More like defeat,you can't beat me at my own game."
"When your piece is cooked your on."
"Fine then, your mistake."
Spyro smiled at the two, it did sound like fun, turning to Sparx he decided for a little warm up.
"Hey Sparx bet you cant beat me first."
Sparx smirk widened,"oh you want some to huh."
Grabbing a berry he flew up to Spyros height.
"Fine let's go,little bro."
Spyro broke off a piece of meat about as big as his claw tip. Sparx was all ready waiting, turning to Cynder he asked,"can you count us off."
Smiling,she walked over.
"Okay boys, 3...2...1"
Spyro flung his piece high, as did Sparx, as Sparx berry peaked, Spyros heavier piece went a little higher.
As they descended spyro realized his piece had leaned left, leaning over he snapped his jaws closed.
Empty air met his bite,then he felt a fat slab land on his face bouncing off into the sand.
"Sparx began laughing. Followed by Cynder at the ridiculous flipping sound.sparx boasted having caught his piece.
"Ha, I might not be able to kill malefore, but I whipped you're ass at this."
"Wait, wait, hold on best to three wins."
Sparx nodded,"all right get ready to lose again."
Spyro smirked, he wouldn't lose again.
Cynder clapped her paws in approval."Alright...3...2...1."
Flinging both pieces the same height this time spyro kept his eyes open and on the piece as it descended.
He waited till it was closer than last time.having thrown it straight up this time. Then snapped his teeth.
He felt the succulent meat land in his mouth, he chewed victoriously.
Looking over to Sparx who was patting his stomach,content with his second win."come on spyro 2-1 you're gonna lose this last one."
"Not if you miss I won't."
"Yeah, like that's gonna happen."
Spyro smiled,"pride before the fall."
Sparx smirked "that's what I'm hoping on,"FALL right into my mouth."
Spyro heard a soft snort,and looked left.contra had a wing covering his face.but he knew it was him that laughed at Sparx words.
Cynder laughed nudging him behind his wing."pervert."
Spyro couldn't help laughing too,all the while Sparx scowled.
"Yeah keep laughing "sparky" I'm coming for you next."
Cynder began counting down for the last time."3...2...1."
This time both brothers wanted to out do the other. Flinging there pieces as high as they would go spyro instantly moved right as there pieces collided in mid air sending them both in opposite directions.
Spyro jogged quickly beneath it,diving as it went past his mouth he snapped his teeth shut landing on the soft sand. He rolled over showing the crispy piece off,Cynder cheered at the impressive catch.
Even contra,looked interested now.nodding in approval.
Everyone now looked to Sparx who had the berry between his teeth as well. Except."Wait Sparx you cheated."
Spyro focused his gaze on the sand covered berry"If you had caught it there wouldn't be sand all over it"
Sparx frowned,"fine but we're still tied."
"Actually,your disqualified."
Spyro turned in shock to contra who was eyeballing Sparx,with his usual half infested frown.
"What how can i be disqualified."
"If Spyro hadn't paid attention,you would have gone again,and had a chance to win."
"Ahh What,that's a stupid rule."
"I thought it was common sense."
Sparx rolled his eyes clapping Spyro on the shoulder,"good luck bro.your gonna need it."
"Wait,Spyro interrupted,what do we get if we win this time,it is the final round."
Cynder nodded twisting to face him."thats a good idea."But what do you want."
'Spyro thought hard about this,what could he get.
Sparx seeing the perfect time to play his cards spoke up."how about Cynder,kisses the winner."
"WHAT."
the air around the fire seemed to grow even hotter.as Spyro and Cynder shouted, contra pulled his deer from the fire, completely unbothered by Sparx request,and began sniffing his slice lightly.
"You heard me,and not some baby kiss on the cheek either."
"Do I get a say in this."
"Sparx waved Cynder off."no it's my game now."
"What's wrong,have bad breath or something."Sparx Jibed at her.
Cynder snorted,"of course not dummy,I'm not totally against it. I just wanted to know why you thought of that."
Sparx overlooked the question addressing everyone."You hear that she's not apposed to it."
"What do you say spyro." Sparx turned towards him as well as Cynder."spyro felt his cheeks heating up slightly.his stomach in knots as he was put on the spot."Well I..i..ii.. guess that... c..could be okay."
"Good,contra"
"What does that word mean."
Sparx dead panned."bro,it means putting your lips on someone else's."
Contra nodded."ohh kind of like" he spoke the word in his native language,it rolled off his tongue easy and proud.
"Yeah whatever that means,what do you say."
Contra nodded."I'm winning either way.so if you want to change the prize,decide now."
His voice sounded a lot more confident than Spyro felt.Then again.Spyro had never heard a voice like his.
Cynder blushed slightly at contras words."you never know,spyro might have a chance."
Contra's eyes traced cynder's jaw as he spoke,almost visualizing his victory"doubtful."
Spyro felt his shy feelings blow away instantly,replaced by a ravenous determination.he would not loose.
Picking up the rest of his food he marched over to contra and sat beside him,tearing off a piece of venison,he felt ready."let's do this then."
Cynder sat down, her blush never leaving her face.as she looked between the two males.
Sparx flew up ready to take her place as counter instantly, a sly smile on his face.
"Alright guys,ready."
"Ready."
"ready."
Good then,on go,3...2...1...GO
Both of them flung there pieces up into the air, as they rose spyro felt contra easily step to the right, as Spyros piece bumped his. Causing Spyro to go left two audible snaps were heard simultaneously.two pieces,showing from both members teeth.
Sparx laughed maniacally as they both chewed the tender meat and swallowed,tearing off more.
"Wow,2 more to go."
As Sparx counted down again spyro took a steadying breath.visualizing his prize.
"GO."
Both drakes flung there pieces even higher than before spyro had to squint to see in the darkness as it fell down to earth having gone straight up.
He felt a sharp movement beside him and a thump but didn't look as sparx and Cynder gasped, he couldn't miss this. He focused as it neared him,closer,closer,Wait,now Spyro snapped his teeth up perfectly catching his piece.
He swallowed it as he looked right to see contra on his back,deer sticking from his teeth.as he rolled over,and stood up.
Sparx takes both hands to his antenna, almost in disbelief.
"Spyro you should have seen that catch.it went way off course, I thought you had this.Then Not only did he roll in the air,but he caught it with his eyes closed."
Spyro found his lungs betraying him,as he gasped as well.
Contra only stood to his paws, walking back over to spyro and tearing off another piece like nothing happened.
Same uninterested expression on his face,spyro felt himself shake slightly.At his perfectly calm demeanor.
Sparx coughed loudly into his knuckles,"Your gonna lose." Being said in between coughing fits.
Spyro frowned knowing who that was aimed at, ripping off his last piece he breathed in deeply.this was the final round.
He contemplated using dragon time.but he wouldn't cheat,this had to be fair.
"3...2...1...GO"
Spyro and contra flung their pieces as high as they could/Spyro guessed it was a silent challenge between the two.
Spyro instantly dove left as his piece came down off course, he felt a similar reaction from contra on his other side as he seemed to vanish to the right." Spyro focused on his piece as it fell the stress of the situation clouding his brain. He dove for it opening his jaws wide as he saw it fall he clamped his teeth shut as he landed on the ground.
Then he felt something smack his face.
He cursed silently.he should have used dragon time.
Rising up in defeat he saw contra making his way back over.Meat stuck firmly between his teeth.as his eyes met Spyro's, and saw he didn't have the piece he smirked.
"I tried to tell you spyro."
He said finishing his meat,with a solid chomp.
Spyro conceded."good game you won." Spyro scarcely heard his own voice,his throat was so tight he couldn't even hardly breath.
He had lost and now he had to watch Cynder kiss someone else,besides him.
His heart plummeted into his stomach.he met cynder's eyes,and saw what almost looked like, disappointment.
He cringed slightly as her eyes brightened when contra walked up to her. His magnificent wings folding and unfolding shaking sand from them.
Sparx hovered near his brother."wow man this is gonna suck for you."
Sparx whisper didn't even get acknowledged as Spyro watched.
Cynder looked almost nervous,her blush having returned full force, painting her beautiful face a beat red, her tail swished over the sand nervously.As contra bent his neck to be at her eye level.
He whispered something spyro couldn't hear,but she giggled at it.
Spyro's heart broke into a thousand pieces,that should be him.
Contra's white scales seemed to glow in the light his underbelly and wings,almost looked like they were glowing brighter than normal a small smirk was still painted on contras face as he waited till Cynder was ready.
His powerful muscles were completely at ease,like he'd done this a million times. His tail sitting perfectly still.
Cynder's green eyes met his white ones,as there heads came closer lips pointed toward one another, he saw them both close their eyes as they got even closer,only a breath seemed to separate them,as Spyro screamed on the inside,he could feel his anger boiling to the surface. Almost blowing his lid off,when something came wizzing by, sticking out of the ground directly in front of spyro was a spear.
Both Cynder and contra stopped,looking towards him slowly only a breath away from each other. Breaking their eye contact.
Suddenly a shout rose up from the woods.Multiple wizzing spears began impacting, directly into the sand all around them, as cheetah warriors began spilling out of the woods in the darkness Spyro was sure they wouldn't see his purple scales, and by the looks on their faces wouldn't care.
"Everyone run." Spyros yell was drowned out by the surging cheetah force momentarily.
As he turned and ran he realized they were surrounded by water. The cheetah were advancing upon them in a semi circle.
Not allowing any room for escape.
Spyro nudged contra,"how quick can you get us to the bottom of that river."
Contra looked at Spyro,his eyes still just as neutral."follow me."
Spyro yelled getting Cynder and Sparx attention as he pointed at contra,"bubble now."
Cynder and Sparx charged after him. Spyro bringing up the rear as contra forced the water open,all around him.
Before charging into the empty sand beneath.cynder and Sparx followed as Spyro leaped hearing multiple whizzes.of the Spears getting closer and closer.
Charging into the bubble behind them he followed Sparx glowing light into the darkness,as they descended into the river Spyro heard splashes in the water above as the cheetahs dove in after them.
So Sparx had been right after all, spyro realized that this time the water wasn't anything like it was before,darkness started back at them from the bubble of air they were in but he charged ahead dismissing it.
They descended deeper and deeper, until the splashed of water could no longer be heard above them.
Panting slightly he sighed in relief, he knew it was probably petty, but if it hadn't been for those cheetahs he might have lost it.
Done something he would have regretted.All his life.he silently thanked them as the rest of the group recovered.
Sparx flew up to contra who was still easily breathing. Spyro knew he was still tired from doing this yesterday, but he looked well enough now.
"Hey see I told you my story was true,but you didn't believe me sparky."
"You speak as if I am the only one who didn't believe."
Sparx crosses his arms over his chest."Well for one reason or another you seem to hold a lot of sway in this little group, you could have backed me up."
Contra raised a non existent brow aiming an actual look of disbelief at Sparx."I've only known you a day,and a night."
Sparx uncrossed his arms aiming a hard glare at him."that should be enough."
Contra rolled his eyes,walking past spark,and looking at Cynder and Spyro,who were still slightly out of breath.
"Are you two okay."
Spyro inhaled deeply looking up at the much taller drake."yeah they almost hit me with a spear though."
Cynder walked closer to them huddling them all together.with Sparx in the middle.
"They should really work on their aim."
Contra shook his head."no actually most of those would have hit and killed us,I put up a few portals to catch the closest ones.
Spyro nodded as many of those cheetahs as there had been they couldn't have all missed."we should leave this area." All eyes turned to spyro as he spoke."its not smart to sit here,with them up there.
Contra nodded,approving his choice.sparx floated up to spyro."and where exactly do we go,in case you haven't noticed going back that way will put us way out of the way."
Cynder interjected."then we only go as far down as we need to,So they won't see us."
Everyone nodded before turning to contra spyro spoke."Are you gonna be okay to take us that far."
Contra nodded,"though I'm tired that adrenaline rush,will give me more than enough energy."
Spyro frowned,how could someone be so calm,even in danger. Yet here he was admitting he had been given an adrenaline boost.spyro surely hadn't seen it.
But not wanting to waste any more time they began walking,hugging the right wall so they wouldn't be lost walking down the river taking the lead,contra spread his wings as he walked giving off so much light Spyro could see a few feet into the water around him,though there wasn't much to see.
At his side Sparx talked to him while contra just seemed to listen focusing more on the task than the distraction on his shoulder.
Spyro and Cynder trailed behind him maybe a foot,spyro felt himself sighing in relief once again.
Knowing Cynder was by his side,spyro knew that he would have to act,if he didn't want something like tonight happening again.
He resolved in his mind that he would without a doubt tell Cynder his feelings.
Not now the timing wasn't right,but soon.
They continued walking for an hour before deciding they had gone far enough, contra had taken flight, everyone staying within the bubble as he ascended.
When they reached the top everyone flew out as they reached dry grass.
Happily laying under the stars,until contra said they should still put as much distance between them and the cheetahs as possible. It was true they had traveled about 15 miles away, but cheetahs were fast and good hunters.
And especially after Sparx had said they followed him for days, know one wanted to take the chance, but not wanting to be spotted flying they chose to run. And run try did all night weaving in between trees and bushes swiftly dodging them, with practiced ease.
Surprisingly contra had taken the lead again,spyro thought he would be exhausted,but he seemed to be fine.never breaking or stopping once as they all kept in stride.
In the early morning as the sun broke the cover of the sky,they settled down in a cave planning to resume putting as much distance between the village and them after they had rested.
After lighting another fire Sparx had taken to a small hole in the rocks above the entrance and now slept. Contra not wanting to sleep on the cold floor had gone outside into the sunlight and now napped against a tree.
Spyro had let sleep take him as soon as he made sure Cynder was comfortable.once he knew nothing would bother her he rested.
No dreams of the chronicler,no dreams of anything really.
