Chapter 7: Mystery Solved

Running through the woods after her, one thought came to his mind, and it was the worst thought and feeling he could have dreamed about, I could lose Cynder! No, not like before, I will be better, I will be faster, and I need to be! I need to show her that I don't hate her, and that a never will hate her! Jumping side to side, dodging trees as he ran, he finally saw a small glimpse of Cynder as she ran through the woods. Hoping his words would help, he cried for her, "Cynder, please! After everything that has happened, I'm not going to lose you over a simple cut to the cheek!"

"But I never wanted to hurt you! I hurt you, which means I could hurt you in the future and... I can't... I don't want you to be hurt, I just wanted for you, to happy... and I ruined it!" She cried, nearly hitting a tree as her tears made it more and more difficult for her to see, which he saw.

Spyro quickly tried to motivate himself to run faster as he thought, Come on Spyro, run, faster! Bolting as fast as he could, he was lucky enough to catch up to her, even pass her. She saw that and slowly came to a stop. Turning around, he dug his claws into the ground and turned himself towards her. Walking a couple more steps towards Cynder, the two were out of breath, breathing heavily from the run. Taking one step back from him, he begged, "Cynder wait! Please... please you have to hear me out. That's all I ask for is for you to just hear what I have to say."

No response. Instead, her tears just continued to fall down her face, desperate to run away in hopes that she would never cause him anymore pain. He tried to catch his breath, and made a deep sigh before saying, "Do you, know why I ran after you when you had left the Temple? Do you know why I couldn't let you leave? And, do you know why I was there for you when you were outside and alone?"

Shaking her head slightly, he continued, "Because I cared about you. I couldn't sit back and watch you die, and I couldn't sleep knowing that you were all alone, with no one to take care of you. And just like how we talked before, you weren't in control when you hurt me so you shouldn't feel bad about what's happened. But, even if you were to hurt me without being in control, I wouldn't care because I would still care about you."

"No...!" Cynder cried, causing him to shiver slightly, "Who am I to say I care about you when I hurt you?! You've never done anything to hurt me and yet, I keep putting you through so much. All of the pain that you've gone through was because of me! The arrow was my fault because I wasn't paying attention, and even now, I still hurt you by... by... cutting the side of your cheek... I really am still a monster, and I can't change that... no one can."

"If you were a monster, some one who doesn't care about anything or anyone, then why do you care that you hurt me?"

"Wh... What?"

"You call yourself a monster even though every day you show you aren't. You laugh, and smile, and joke, but in the end you still call yourself a monster. You trying to be happy, trying to have everything that you've never been able to have in your life doesn't make you a monster, it makes you like a dragon. You want to be happy, you want to be cared for, and that's what I want as well. You're not a monster Cynder, and if you were, why save me so many times? Why save me, when you could've left, or even killed me?"

"Be... Because... Because i couldn't let you die!"

"And if you were a monster, why would you care what happens to me?" Spyro gently said, almost in whisper, which made her scales stand up on end.

She watched as he sat, slowly opening his wings with a small smile, he continued to try and get her to stay with him, "It's okay to be scared, it's okay if accidents happen, and you don't have to hate yourself for something that's happened. I don't hate you for it, I don't think less of you for it, to be honest, I think more of you for what's happened."

"Why?! I hurt you!"

"Because it shows me that you don't want to hurt me, it shows that you really care when it comes to protecting me. When you had cut me, I thought you would've shrugged it off and acted like nothing had happened. Of course, that's not exactly how I thought it would happen, but you showed me that you really mean what you've said to me. Which makes me smile, knowing that, when we get to Warfang, I won't have to worry about you leaving me, I won't have to worry, about you being hurt by someone else, because I will be able to be right next to you, ready to help in any way."

I don't understand! Why is he so calm about this? Last time... last time I hurt him, I was controlled, and it was so hard for me to fight it. With everything he's helped me through, why do I still have these fears... Is... Is it because... I don't know if he loves me? I don't know why but, because he doesn't love me, I feel like, I could still lose him. Some one else could take him from me! And, if I run away now, it will only prove that he would have to find someone else so... should I stay...? I can't think of life without him! Cynder cried in her thoughts, taking another step back. Spyro's body shuck a little, moving his paw slightly forward with fear in his eyes. She noticed that, which made her feel as if she should stay. He's tried so hard to keep me from leaving, and even now, as I try, he looks disparate... And yet... so am I.

"Cynder," Spyro said, breaking her from her thoughts, "I... I will let you choose."

"Choose?"

"You can... you can run away, and you'll never have to see me again. You'll never have to worry about joking with me, or kissing me, or snuggling up to me every night."

The more he talked, the more it stabbed at her, as she felt like he was doing it on purpose to make her stay, and she appreciated that. Keeping his wings spread, he continued, "Or, you can come back to me. You won't be hated, you won't be treated like a monster, and you won't have to worry about your fears. I know what happened was scary, and I know you didn't want to hurt me, but I don't care that you hurt me. All I care about is you, and, if you leave, I will have nothing left to care for... nothing left to fight for... Please Cynder."

Her heart skipped a beat, remembering those words were what broke her free from the dark master's control. Is... is he... She couldn't even think straight as she started to feel light headed. Her vision started to blur, her head started to throb, making her dig her claws into the ground. She knew taking her claws from out of the ground would make her fall over, but looking up at him, she needed the energy. What do I do... Even if he doesn't love me I... Loves me? He... he heard me say I loved, and yet he's still here. He had to have put two and two together which means... maybe he does love me! And even if he didn't... he heard the word love, and still stays here to protect me... Just like he always has. Looking down at the ground, she smiled, finally making up here mind as she couldn't stand it any longer. Taking a Step back, she turned away from him, knowing if she looked at him, he would see her smile. He ducked his head, and begged under his breath, "Please don't leave..."

Even as soft as it was, she still heard his voice, and turning her head, she knew this was the opportunity. Hearing the cracking of leaves get louder and louder, he picked up his head to see nothing. But even though he didn't see her, he still felt her scales as she wrapped her wings around his back. Putting her head over his shoulder, he knew he didn't have to see her to feel her. Feeling the tears go down his back, she giggled, "Are you going to protect me or what."

He smiled wide, and draping his wings over her back as she sat down in front of him, he put his head behind her neck. Feeling the tears go down her back, she giggled, trying to make light of what had happened, "I guess your words stay true as well. Seems like me leaving really would've knocked you down a bit wouldn't it."

"Hehe, A bit? More like forever."

"Forever is a pretty long time."

"Well, when I'm not with you, it sure does feel that way."

The two chuckled and giggled at one another, glade they could feel each other's scales once again. The two pulled their heads back, and looking into one another eyes, Spyro whispered, "You know, if you would've ran away, I still would've chased after you."

"Gosh, can't you let a girl have some privacy?" Cynder giggled.

"What kind of privacy would've involved you leaving me?"

"The worst kind... Thank you for not giving up on me. But, why bother? I could've ran into the woods and you could've gone back to Warfang without having to worry about anything that has happened to me, so why did you go through all of the trouble just to save me, again."

"I can't return to Warfang without you. And if you would've ran into the woods without me, I never would've been able to sleep, because every second, I would wonder where you were, how you were feeling, and... how you would be in general. I didn't want you to be alone, not like what has happened in the past. And when I felt you run into my wings I... I can't thank you enough for being there for me."

Pecking her on the side of the cheek, he pulled away, and asked, "Do you think I hate you?"

She shuck her head with a smile, causing him to smile back. Feeling as though she can finally be able to tell him this, she tried her best, "Another reason, I was scared, was because these dark creatures were watching this couple. And, we saw what it saw. The couple got into a little fight and, she scratched him. She felt terrible and begged for forgiveness. He... he said it was okay, and that he didn't care. When she got close to him, he knocked her to the ground, and sliced her cheek with his tail blade. After that, I remember growling at Malefor, telling him to kill that Dragon any way he pleased. But, I don't remember telling him not to kill the blue dragoness. The only thing I remembered was the dark creatures looking at her, and Malefor growled, telling the dark creatures to pull back, as if he didn't want the creature to kill her. I guess, I've just been scared since that day... I'm... sorry for thinking that about you."

"You thought I wouldn't hurt you?! Especially like that?!"

"I saw a lot of the same when I was under the dark master's control. I'm... I'm sorry for... thinking you would do the same."

"You know what..."

"What?"

"No kisses for you for a whole day!"

"What?! No! I'm sorry!"

"Are you sure?"

Pecking him on the side of the cheek, she pulled away and whispered, "A hundred percent!"

He chuckled a little, but he wanted her to understand he would never do anything that would harm her, "About that couple. There are two things wrong with that situation."

"Is... one of them being... that they were a couple?"

"Okay, yeah, that's a third thing. But the thing that makes the male different from me, was that he got into a fight with his dragoness. A true man knows that you can't beat your dragoness in a fight even if you wanted to. Why? Because you're not supposed to hurt the one you love, the one you care about. That's why I can never fight you... I don't want to hurt you."

Cynder was somewhat at a lost for words, hearing something like that kinda made her even more hopeful to be in a relationship with him.

"And number two, if he were a real man, and if his lover were to hurt him, he should've known they went to far. He should've brought the situation down and talked with his lover about what had happened and how they could've better themselves. Which is lucky for me because I know I would never do anything to make my lover mad. That's why I would learn about what my lover likes and dislikes so we would never have to worry about getting into arguments. And even if we did, it would probably be fake arguments that would end in me kissing my lover on the lips as I tackled her to the ground, just for fun..."

Spyro stopped as he realised the only reason he said that was because he was looking at Cynder, which made him and her blush hard. Taking in what he had said, she tried so hard to hide the smile, but she asked, unable to hide it, as well as her somewhat desire to be that dragoness, "Sounds like you've had that planned out for quite a while. Does this mean you have someone you already have eyes on?"

"What?! No... I was just saying so that way you'd know that not everyone is a monster. But that even proves my point of why I don't want you to leave me when we get to Warfang, because of dragon's like those guys."

"Spyro, it's okay, I will stay with you for as long as you like. Your fears of me leaving actually make me smile, because it shows that I don't need my fears of you leaving."

"Thank you, Cynder. I guess that means we are still chained together, aren't we?"

"I missed that chain. That chain was the first time I was able to really nuzzle you."

"Hehe, and it was because of you that I'm even still alive," Spyro chuckled as the two nuzzled one another with joy.

Pulling away, they looked at each other again with smiles, both in their thoughts about everything that has happened. I can't believe I just told Cynder about that! Feeling her scales, seeing her smile, everything about her makes me feel so happy! And if she misses the chain, and she's also afraid of me leaving, maybe I shouldn't worry anymore... Ancestor, please... if the day comes where I tell her i love her, which will happen! Please, let her say yes... But when she tackled me down the mountain, what was she going to say...? She said she loved, and that was it. Could she have been talking about me? Spyro thought, hopeful that his thoughts were correct and that he would be able to give her that kiss. I'm so stupid for making Spyro feel that way! He so handsome and muscular, and I'm over here thinking he would hurt me... and the way he described how he would love with his lover, that... that is the kind of life I want! Especially with Spyro that... is that impossible...? Spyro, I really love you, and... if the day comes where we are finally in love... please always be who you are... Cynder broke from her thoughts, placing her paw on his cheek, causing him to chuckle, "Um, you okay?"

She blushed as she saw what she had done, even though she didn't remember doing it. He gently placed his paw over her paw that touched his chest, and he whispered to her, "Cynder, it's okay. I'm not going to hate you, and I won't think less of you. But now that I think about it, why are you touching my chest?"

Sighing with a smile, she wanted to finally be honest with him, "You're body is... quite hard to look away from. You look so much like an adult and, those muscles really show."

He chuckled, seeing the same in her, "Says the one who has such a slick, slim, and beautiful body. Always walking around with that smile on your face. I can't help but nuzzle you, and kiss you on the cheek."

Pulling his paw down as she did the same, she giggled, "Thank you, Spyro."

"I should be thanking you, you're still here, and I was able to have this conversation with you. This is all I want, just me and you."

Nuzzling their heads beside one another again, they closed their eyes and smiled. I love you, so much Spyro, Cynder thought. Hearing the sounds of grunting, as if someone was struggling, the two opened their eyes and looked over to the sound. Sparks emerge from the bushes while dragging a arrow on the ground. With a confused look, she asked with a small giggle, "Why are you dragging an arrow around the ground for?"

"I'm not... the one... you should be... asking," Sparks grunted, throwing the arrow down beside Spyro before falling to the ground in pain, "Don't... ever ask... for another favor... for a long while."

"Thank you Sparks!" Spyro thanked happily, now confusing her even more as he picked up the arrow, "You remember the blood from my cheek?"

She quickly frowned and apologized once again, "I'm sorry..."

"Cynder, it's okay, you never did it any way."

"What?"

"Yeah, look," Spyro said, pulling up the tip of the arrow next to his cut cheek, "While we were rolling down the hill, I knew something had cut me, but I knew it wasn't you. From the looks of it, while we were rolling down, you must've scraped some of the blood off with the tip of your claw. That, or you cut me so badly, blood spilled on the arrow, and some got on your claw as well. Plus, how could you have cut me, if you hugged me all the way down?"

Her eyes went wide as remembering back, her paws were around the back of his neck, not near his cheek. That mean... I never hurt Spyro! The entire time, I thought I hurt him, and I ran away from him thinking things would've been better but... I was wrong... And I could've lost Spyro because of my fears... I'm so sorry Spyro, Cynder thought, feeling terrible that she had almost made his fears come true, "Spyro... I'm so sorry. I was so blinded by my own fears that, I had forgotten what you said to me... I could've lost you, and all because of my fears..."

"Lost me? I still would've chased after you. You saw how fast I was able to run. I'm sure I would've caught you sooner or later."

"Yeah, you were pretty fast... You actually surprised me."

"You can't take any risk when you try protecting the one you care about. I was still totally out of breath though."

"Oh me too... And Sparks, I know you probably don't care, but thanks for helping us out as well."

"I don't know why I bothered. I feel like if I didn't bring it, you two would've separated. And I would've had the time of my life if that happened."

"Hehe, nice try Sparks. Spyro already convinced me to stay with him long before you got here."

"Of course he did," Sparks grumbled.

"Oh, and now that everything has calmed down, I wanted to ask you something Spyro. You said you didn't want to be in a relationship with someone. But yet, you talked about what life would be like if you were ever in a relationship. If you were never going to be in a relationship, why did it sound like your heart and soul was dead set on what you had said? I asked you about it before, but... I want to know the truth, and I know you weren't telling the truth."

"How did you know I wasn't telling the truth?"

"Well, even though... we aren't... lover's, I still try to see what makes you mad and what makes you happy, like how you would with your lover. I can tell in your voice when you aren't sure, or when you lie to me. Even with the chain on us, I didn't try to avoid you. And even with the days in the dragon temple, sometimes, I would ask a question to see if you would lie to me... especially about me being a monster. And thinking back... you never did. You always said I wasn't a monster, but a thief, because I would steal the heart of a dragon to love in the future."

"Dude, that's so corny," Sparks chuckled.

Spyro blushed a little with a smile, remembering him saying that, but he also remembered how happy she was when he said it to her. Sighing without much of choice, he told her the truth, "Alright, you got me. I am looking to be in a relationship with someone, but not someone from Warfang, I can tell you that. I just, protecting someone, someone I love and care for, it's always brought joy to me just thinking about it. And, that's why protecting you makes me so happy, because after that, we are so happy. We laugh and smile and joke, and I want that for you. And with more power, I can make sure there isn't any injuries, so we can experience all of that sooner, and we can smile for much longer."

"And what about that whole kissing thing?"

"I have thought about it... But not because I'm with you, and I was thinking about... me... And you... It's just... I was thinking of a life where; Ignitus was still alive and well and with the Guardians. Me and my lover happily loving together. And when ever I would kiss her, I would put my wings behind her back, gently lay her on her back while i stood above her, and kissed her, because I want her to know that... She will always be loved, and even when she thinks she isn't, I would kiss her again, and tell her that, if she wasn't loved, why would I be here with you if I didn't love you..."

Thinking about it again, he realised he had messed up again as he talked to much because he was looking at her. The big red blush on her face showed, but not as much as his. Taking his wings off hers, he backed up a little, and chuckled, "But, you know, that's all just a dream... I'm going to... get us some fire wood. It's getting dark soon, and I don't want us to lay down in the dark, right? I will be right back."

As he turned and walked away, she reached out her paw, begging and hoping he would've talked more about the life he would have with his lover.

"It gets dark awfully quick don't you think? We must just be sleeping to much..." Sparks said to himself, as he barely remembered doing anything today.

She didn't hear him as she was in her thoughts, wondering and hoping that this life he was talking about was because of her, Is he talking about me? I always told myself no one would love me... But where am I in that dream of his? He talked about the Guardians, himself, and his lover but... who is his lover? Who is the lover in his dream? He seemed to get scared when he talked about me and him kissing, even though he said he didn't think of me when he thought about it so what did he mean?! I was blushing, and, thinking, that I didn't get to hear or see if he was lying about this lover of his being in Warfang! I need to ask him, I need... I need to know. Walking out of the bushes with some wood tucked underneath his wing, he placed it down in the middle of the open field. Pointing his claw at the wood, he ignited a small flame on the tip of his claw. Placing the small fire on the wood, it ignited. Backing up from the fire, he laid down without her, making her frown slightly, and somewhat scaring her. Picking his wing up, he looked back at her, and asked, "I did say that I didn't want 'us' to lay down in the dark. And I won't be able to sleep until I know you're safe."

Her face lit up as she walked over to him. Laying down next to him on her belly, she snuggled up underneath his wing with a smile. With the sunlight now gone, darkness filled the skies, aside from the moon and stars that gave little light, as well as the small fire that crackled and popped from time to time. Sparks forced himself to fly with the little energy he had left. Landing down next to Spyro's other side, he laid down underneath his wing. Laying her head down on her paws in front of her, she wanted to say something, but she didn't know how. It was quiet for some time, as Spyro had to find a way to explain himself, "Cynder..."

"Where am I in your story?" Cynder whispered.

"What do you mean?"

"You talked about the Guardians, yourself, and your lover, but where was I? You said your biggest fear was losing me, and even right now, you were so determined to keep me from leaving. So... why wasn't I in your story?" Cynder whispered once again as she looked at him, not knowing what to think at this point, and it scared her, "Please Spyro, tell me the truth. I want to know where I am in your future."

He sighed slightly and apologized, "Sorry for not being honest with you."

"What do you mean?"

"I do what to be in a relationship, but... as I said, not with someone in Warfang. Cynder... please believe me when I say, you are in my dream. When I talked about it, I never left you out. And so far, this whole week has been a wake up call for me," Putting his paw over hers, she smiled slightly, and he continued, "But the best part, was knowing I would wake up next to you every morning. After we fought Malefor, you were there, when I was stabbed, you were there, when you ran... you came to me, and you were there. Which means, you are there in my future. You are so much apart of it that... I might as well call my future by your name."

The feeling of his paw on hers made her smile softly, and talking to him only made it better, "Then I'm going to ask you something, and... please be honest with me."

"I promise."

"Your life, with your lover... why would you give her such a life? The way you would talk to her, the way you would care for her... the way you would love her. Why do so much for your lover?"

"Hehe, well... when ever I think of loving someone, and protecting someone, of course I think of the good stuff, but I also have thoughts of loss in my mind. I need to talk to her in a way to calm her when she's sacred, I need a way to care for her when she's sad, and I need a way to love her when ever I'm with her. She came into my life, and the most I can do, is give her the life she deserves... But loss... I'm not going to be weak any longer... I think about it a lot, and even with Malefor gone, I need to make sure that if anything comes after that, I will be ready, so we can get it over with, and back to being what we want to be: Happy, in love, and with one another."

Tears started to fall out of her eyes, but she was smiling, so he didn't know if what he had said had helped her or not. But a small peck to the side of his cheek from her made him know he did right by her. Pulling back from the kiss, she looked at him and asked one more time, "Do you... see me being that lucky? To have someone the same as you... would I be that lucky?"

He chuckled with a smile, and asked, "Do you see me, be lucky enough to find and have someone like you?"

Snuggling her head underneath his, the two closed their eyes with smiles, both with small tears coming down their eyes. Feeling one another's scales made them feel incredible, feeling as though it were a dream. They laid there for a little bit, but hearing his breathing, and remembering everything that had happened, she wanted to thank him one more time. As she pulled her head back, the two opened their eyes, and as she wiped away her tears, she thanked, "Thank you, Spyro. And thank you again for convincing me to stay with you... I'm sorry to ever think you would do something like that, but now... now I know what life would be like if someone was with you."

"Thanks Cynder... That means a lot, especially coming from you. it was pretty scary about what's happened today, but it's good to know my training is paying off."

"Spyro! Did you say something about... scary? Especially around camp fire?!" Sparks chuckled with an evil grin as he flew up in front of his face, causing Spyro to growl a little with anger.

"Sparks, no."

"Spyro."

"Sparks."

"Come on man, you know we have to."

"I'm not doing that again."

"Don't be a such a wuss about it. So you were hurt a little, but it was all fun and games."

"Sparks, I'm going to bed."

"What is he talking about?" Cynder asked.

"Come on Spyro, tell her. She should be able to tell a simple story as well."

"Alright, alright, fine... He wants us to tell a campfire story," Spyro sighed, getting Sparks all excited, but it confused her, and he explained, "At night time, you get around a campfire and tell a scary, made up story, or it could be true, and that's the whole point is to make it feel as though it is true. The last time we did it though, Sparks, thought it would be funny to... light my tail on fire."

"What?!" Cynder cried, "What did you do?!"

"Wait! I can explain! I was talking about a dude who could light himself on fire, and that it would burn our whole house down along with the forest. I told him the guy was behind him, and he jumped back and turned around, walking right back and into the fire with his tail. Needless to say, bam, his tail lit up like an explosion. He has never played since," Sparks explained, causing Cynder to giggle a little, hearing that Spyro was afraid of a small story.

"Wow, I thought my, fearless purple dragon over here was better then that," Cynder teased.

"We played that game when I was like four," Spyro defended with a small blush, causing her to giggle again.

"You're proving my point exactly. That's why we should do this now. You two are like, what, eighteen years old? Well, you look that way. But we haven't done this in years, come on man, let's just do it this last time, one more time, please. I did carry that arrow all the way over here for you, which means you owed me one, and this is how you can make it up!" Sparks begged and pleaded, finally getting him to agree.

"Alright... fine..." Spyro grumbled.

"Yes!" Sparks cried happily, "Alright, Cynder, I will go first to give you the idea of how a scary story is supposed to go. You ready?"

Putting her head against the side of his neck, she rested her head and waited to hear the story. Clearing his throat, Sparks began his story, "Now, I know what you might be thinking, and to you, it may not seem scary, but trust me, it brings fear to even that of the Dark Master... Malefor!"

"I know where this is going..." Spyro whispered to himself.

"Two dragons, named Spyro and Cynder. Both, in the future... are in love!"

"Sparks!" Spyro growled as her eyes went wide, looking away with a big blush on her face, but he had one as well.

"Dude, what, you knew I was going to pull that."

"Why do I bother trusting you."

"Chill, Alright, it's fine. It's better then your tail getting lit on fire, am I right?"

"No... it's not. Look just, make up another story, please."

"I don't really have another story after that. I just wanted to screw with you."

"I'm going to disown you one day."

"Wow man, to far... to far."

Trying to forget about what Sparks had said, he looked over at her and asked, "I know Sparks didn't exactly give you a good explanation on a scary story, but do you still want to give it a go? I wouldn't mind hearing you tell a story. And between you and me, I didn't find his story scary in the slightest... it wasn't bad in my opinion."

What?! Did... he... he enjoyed his story?! Does that means he... he does love me?! No... no... he said he loved the story, not the idea. But, even still, I feel like he's doing that to make me feel better, since he knows how I am when it comes to Sparks joking about us loving... He did say he would find out what makes his lover happy or angry so they wouldn't fight... So... could I be that lover? Ugh, Spyro, I love you so much, and I wish I could read your mind to see if you love me... But, his words were pretty helpful, Cynder thought, completely draining her mind of fear and doubt. Looking back at him, she whispered, "Thank you, Spyro. And you know what, I will try and give it go. Just as long as you don't pick on me if it's bad or something like that, okay?"

"I promise. But I know it's going to be good either way, so you don't need to worry."

With a slight nuzzle to the side of his cheek, the two smiled. Pulling back, she looked at him, and seeing his smile gave her the courage to try something she's never tried before. With a small sigh, she prepared herself for the story, and when she had the idea in her mind, she told it, "There was a rumor that went around when I was being controlled, a rumor that scared even dark creatures. Two dragons had walked into a cave. Their friend stayed outside as he told himself that something didn't feel right. As the two went in without their friend, they started to hear what sounded like bones popping and snapping. Before they knew it, they couldn't see, but not because it was dark or because their eyes were closed... But because they didn't have their eyes anymore."

"Wh... What... happened after that...?" Sparks asked, somewhat shivering a little as he didn't know wither the story was true or not as this came from when she was controlled.

"A small screen came from the inside. The friend quickly ran in after, and lucky, he was a fire dragon. Lighting his paw on fire, he saw blood that spilled almost all over the wall and floor. Taking a Step forward, he squished something underneath his paw. As he pulled his paw up, he froze, his fire went out, and he realised, it was his other friend's eye ball. Turning towards the entrance, he ran, but before he got close to the entrance... darkness... the sounds of a loud scream... then quiet... And then a whisper next to his ear from his bloodied friend, 'Fear'... A loud cry erupted from the cave, and no one had ever went there since... not even I dared to go in there. A dark creature told Malefor of the rumor... And when he went to see what the fuss was about... he came back, curled into a ball, cowering in fear. When I walked up to him, I asked him what was wrong. He looked at me, and in a soft voice, muting out all other sound from around me, I heard him say it... fear..."

A loud crack of thunder lit the sky, only scaring the two of them even more. Sparks quickly ducked behind Spyro's wing and cried, "Alright, enough! No more story telling!"

"Who ever said it was a story?" Cynder giggled.

"Shut up!"

She looked at Spyro to see he had wide eyes, and he had to admit, she did really good, "Wow... that... that actually got me a little... okay, I'm going to be honest, that got me a whole lot more then I thought. Just thinking about it, and the word, and the sounds... I probably would've been just as scared as Malefor. But, does that mean that he really did curl up into a ball and cry? I mean... this is the same Malefor we are talking about... right?"

She giggled at him, "No, it didn't actually happen, and the story isn't true either. I had seen Malefor tear up a couple of time, but him being afraid and doing something like that? No, I've never seen him do that. Plus, if that really was true, and that did happen, I'm pretty sure even my evil self would've gotten out of there so fast."

Spyro chuckled a little as well, "I know right. I didn't know if you were telling the truth or not... you are not bad at all at this. Instead of joking with you, I'm going to congratulate you for your story, that was well done in my opinion."

"Thank you Spyro."

"But... if there ever was a threat like that, you know I would be there to protect you, and we would both make it out... you know that, right?"

Pecking him on the side of his cheek, she pulled away and said, "Of course I do. You'll always be there for me... even in the stories I tell."

"Where was I in that one?"

"Oh right, then, the legendary purple handsomeness Spyro, saved me, killed the dark master, as well as the demons that lived in that cave, and the two lived happily with one another for the rest of their lives."

"You know... that last part doesn't sound so bad," Spyro whispered, causing her heart to skip a beat, somewhat getting more and more hopeful by the day that he did love her.

A rain drop fell onto her head, causing her to shake it off. Another drop fell, then another, and soon the rain poured down onto the land below. The rain was still as cold as ever, and ducking her head underneath Spyro's, she shivered, "Ancestors, why is this rain so... cold... I guess that means we are back to that shelter aren't we?"

"Cynder, lay your head down on my paws... please. Like how you normally would if you were about to sleep," Spyro whispered gently, somewhat making her want to do so.

Laying her head down on his paws, he laid his head down over her head. Her body started to warm up, and wrapping his tail around hers, so did her tail. She didn't understand how she was feeling so warm so quickly. His chuckle made her believe it was him, and as he explained, it proved her right, "I promised I would do everything to protect you. While I was training, I found a way to release heat through my scales to warm you. When I was cuddling with you all those days, I learned how your body heat works in order to understand how hot I need to make my body. And since you've stopped shaking, I would say I'm doing a pretty good job aren't I?"

She was at a lost for words. He felt so warm, and she was so comfortable. How does he keep impressing me? And why do this for me? Spyro... Cynder thought, but she was broken from her thoughts as he spoke with a soft whisper, "I hope you aren't uncomfortable at all. If it's to hot, please tell me, I don't want you to sweat, nor do I want you to freeze."

"Spyro... why... I... I don't understand. All of this?"

"I actually have a question for you... before we fell down the hill, you looked at me, and your words felt like they were directed to me. And when you said, I love, who were you talking about? Was... your words... directed to me? I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable, and you don't have to say if you don't want to I just... I wanted to know..."

After everything he was doing for her, she didn't want to lie, and she still wanted him to feel good about everything that has happened. So, she was slightly honest with him, "I love... I remember now... Was it directed towards you... I don't know... But... I promise that, when I do remember, I will tell you what I love... And it wasn't the scenery, even though it was stunning. But the whole time, all I could focus on... was you."

His heart skip a beat as he heard his breath for just a second before coming back to reality. Nuzzling her head against his chest, and listening to his heartbeat, he adjusted his head to make her feel more comfortable. As she closed her eyes, small tears started to form as she whispered, "Spyro... I trust you, I really do but... before we get to Warfang, just this last time... promise... promise me you won't leave me... please."

He smiled as he closed his eyes, and with his soft whisper, all she heard was his words, as everything else to her seemed to go quiet, "I promise."

After he said those words, everything came back to here, and she couldn't have felt happier. Thank you for everything Spyro... I feel so much better, returning to Warfang with you I... I want my life to be with you... I want nothing more then that... I need that... Even now, as you warm me, and protect me, I'm scared to lose that... please... always be there with me... I don't want you to go... Cynder cried in her thoughts, scared and hoping the future will be with him. Feeling the sudden shiver from her, he knew what it was, and it wasn't that she was cold, but scared. His soft voice once again comforted her, "Cynder, it's okay, I'm right here. I'm never going to leave. This warmth that you feel, it will always be there. If you're scared, all you have to do is look beside you, and I will be there... I promise."

"Spyro..."

"When we get to Warfang and you get scared that I will leave you, look beside you. But, hehe, then again, you will feel my wing over you and my tail on yours before you have time to look next to you. So don't worry at all... I will be strong so you won't have to. You have nothing to fear."

She couldn't hold back her words, but she was lucky enough that the rain was loud enough to cover up the truth, "I love you... so much."

"What was that Cynder?"

"Nothing, it's just... always be you. And I know, when you find someone you love, they won't even know how good they will have it."

"Thanks Cynder... I will see you in the morning."

"Goodnight Spyro," Cynder whispered with a big smile.

"Goodnight Cynder," Spyro whispered, feeling tears form in his eyes, but the rain prevented her from knowing it was his.

As the two fell asleep, desperate to tell one another they loved each other, Sparks still stayed wide away as he thought, Gonna get my eye balls will you?! I'm gonna get my mama, my daddy, my brother, my sister, my aunt's, my uncle's, and we gonna go ham on that demon that lives in there... But now that I think about it... I couldn't even left an arrow... Why did I ever agree to let Cynder tell that story?! Now all I can think about is that Dragon whispering the word fear before disappearing... No! All through the night Sparks thought about it, but before long, he fell asleep as he started thinking about eating a butterfly.