I forgot to put this at the beginning of the story so I'm putting it here.
Disclaimer: I do not own Spyro, Sparx, Cynder, Flame, and Ember. And this goes for the WHOLE story so I don't have to worry aboutit anymore. I do own the bird in this chapter though. lol
Chapter 4 Winner Take All
Time passed as they headed back to the village. Spyro talked to Cynder and Ember tried to stay close to eavesdrop on them. She never succeeded as usual. Sparx stayed quiet most of the way while Flame chased any flying birds he saw through the skies.
Spyro asked Cynder around five minutes into the trip, "So, should we tell an elder that found the boat?"
She replied, "Of course we should! After all the elders have been looking for it ever since this morning."
Flame flew over to Spyro with a grin on his face. "Hey Spyro!"
Spyro looked who it was then asked, "What is it Flame?"
"Care to make a gamble or are you in the mood?"
"Hmm...what do you have in mind",Spyro curiously asked.
"Bet you 100 gems that I can catch a bird first. Winner take all"
Cynder flew next to Spyro saying, "Hey I want in too."
Flame had his grin on his face again. "Sure thing Cynder. More for me. How about you Ember?"
Ember didn't want to be involved. She wasn't really the racing type. But since that Spyro was going to be a part of it she said, "Ok Flame. I'll play."
Still smiling Flame exclaimed, "Alright! Four-hundred gems in the pot! How about you Sparx? You want in?"
Sparx laughed, "Yea, how am I suppose to catch a bird. Knowing my luck I would be attacked by the bird."
"I guess that's a no?"
Sparx had an idea then said, "Hey I can ref for you."
"Ok Sparx. You can ref for us",Flame said already eager to begin.
All dragons halted and hovered in place, suspended in the air as Sparx made his way in front of everyone.
Sparx professionally yelled out, "Alright you all know the rules. First one to bring a bird back here, dead or alive although I prefer dead. First one to bring it back here wins the 400 gems. Everyone understand the rules correct?"
Spyro gave Sparx a look that had stupidity written all up on it. Sparx gave one back but only for a quick second.
"OK! Everyone ready...set...GOOOO!!"
All four dragons took off with plenty of agility leaving Sparx behind to watch them. Ember fell a little behind but Flame, Cynder, and Spyro kept up with each other.
Sparx yelled, hopeful that they would hear him, "There is a bird at your 8 o'clock position."
Everyone turned as quickly as possible to see it flying peacefully in the air. Sparx looked at it knowing he just sealed its fate.
"Poor bird", Sparx said to himself.
Flame took off first, Spyro dead behind him. Cynder was behind Spyro by 2 feet while Ember was behind Cynder a little ways. Spyro flew beside Flame then cut in front of him laughing along the way.
Flame shouted, "I'll get you Spyro!"
Spyro laughed then shouted back, "Yea but first I'm gonna take this bird to Sparx then I'm gonna take your gems then spend them on something nice."
Cynder yelled from behind, "Ha! Those gems are mine!"
Spyro, Flame, and Cynder raced to it close to each other while Ember strayed behind. Spyro nearly had the bird when he got to it. That is until Flame rolled into him to prevent him from getting it. This was a perfect distraction for Cynder. She grabbed the bird in her jaws (which pretty much killed it right there). Flame raced toward Cynder desperate to get it from Cynder.
"I'll get that bird Cynder", he yelled.
"No you won't", she muffled back.
Flame caught up to her in seconds then tried to swipe out of her jaws. It was unsuccessful however for he slapped it away as he swiped it. The dead bird was now in freefall and Flame could see the blood had oozed out where Cynder grabbed it in her jaws. Cynder and Flame nosedived for it but Spyro got to it before they could.
Spyro flew toward Sparx trying to get to him before the bird was stolen from him. However his luck ran out when Flame caught up to him.
"I hope your ready to give me some gems soon Spyro", Flame warned.
Flame caught up to him then successfully snatched the bird away. Flame then pulled a somersaulted out of Spyro's reach. Flame had it now and flew faster than ever. It seemed he was going to win for a second as he got closer and closer to Sparx. However Flame forgot about Cynder. Cynder came in below Flame then head butted him in the chest hard enough for him to spit the bird out of his jaws. It fell two feet then Cynder grabbed it then rolled out of Flames way before he could snatch it back. Cynder barely evaded the attack. Spyro was almost beside Cynder until he noticed it was too late.
"Aww crap", Spyro and Flame simultaneously said.
"AND THE WINNER IS CYNDER! Congrats Cynder. That was impressive", Sparx yelled out so everyone would hear.
Spyro flew beside Cynder, "Yea Cynder, good job. It was a close race but you actually beat us."
Flame added after Spyro, "Man that blows. I had it too until you stole from me. You suck Cynder."
Cynder laughed and dropped the already dead bird down to the ground.
Spyro looked around then said, "Hey where is Ember?"
Flame and Cynder looked around noticing she wasn't there. Flame exclaimed, "WOW! Is that her? All the way back there!"
Cynder giggled, "Wow we left her in the dust."
Spyro smiled then sarcastically said, "How did we leave her in the dust Cynder? We are flying."
Cynder gave him a terrible look then said, "Oh ha ha. We'll see whose laughing when I get my gems from you."
Spyro's look quickly went away then Ember finally caught back up with everyone. She didn't say a word.
Flame broke her silence by asking, "What's wrong Ember?"
Ember gave him an evil look then snapped, "What's wrong with me?! Everyone left me behind! I didn't even have a chance!"
Spyro rolled his eyes, Sparx laughed, and Cynder answered, "It was a race. We are supposed to do that. It's how you win a race."
Spyro thought, "Oh here we go."
Sparx gave him a responding look as if he could hear him telepathically.
Cynder said, mainly to make Ember shut up, "Well we should go back to the village. We have been gone a while."
Flame said afterwards, "Yea and I have animal control today, you remember what happened at last years festival."
Spyro gave Flame a frantic look, "You mean when that bear attacked some younger dragons,"
Flame nodded, "Aye. It took then by surprise. No injuries though. Luckily they learned how to breathe fire a few days earlier."
Cynder interrupted, "Anyways lets talk along the way. My wings are getting a little tired."
