A/N: Updating right on time again! Finally, this is it; a couple will get together this chapter. But… who? Read to find out Please Read and Review!

The Inner Flame

Chapter 9

Spyro's Point of View

Spyro stood tall as he heard the words he wanted to hear all of those years he stood in deep wonder of where his unfound love would take him. It wasn't a deep shock to him, it just blew him away that he is hearing this now. So many years have passed between both him and Flame, and him and Cynder. The past few weeks, Spyro began developing some feelings for Cynder. After all, she has fought beside him all this time, and never left his side. He loved her deep black, smooth, and shiny scales as they hit the moonlight, making them glare into a more deep purple color.

He loved how Flame always adored him. Flame was a great dragon indeed. He was very outgoing, just like Spyro. He was strong and courageous, just like Spyro. Above all, he was the most caring and loving dragon he could ever ask for. His feelings for Flame ran deep, much deeper than those with Cynder.

This was the moment Spyro had been waiting for. So much time, wasted. But all that time could be overwritten. Spyro pondered this deeply for a moment before responding.

Spyro stuttered and choked, almost wishing neither of them told him about their love. It was a rather awkward situation for all three of them. However, if Spyro truly and deeply wanted to be with Flame, then he had to say something now.

He looked back up to see a small tear forming in Flame's eye and began running down the sides of his beautiful flame red cheeks. Spyro snagged it with a claw before it fell to the ground as he prepared, once again, to tell Flame his true feelings.

"It's okay. Don't cry, Flame. There's no need. I love you with every bit of my soul. All this time, I thought you knew. I thought you would disown me and never speak to me again. I was a fool for thinking that way. I love you, truly and deeply," said Spyro, with nervousness in his voice, and nothing more than intense desire and the glare of the bright moon shining in his deep amethyst eyes.

Flame looked amazed. He had no idea this could ever happen. He was so sure Spyro would fall for Cynder. He was still in the awe-struck stage of hearing those mystical words, so he did not notice Spyro was leaning towards him, and continued not to notice until Spyro layed his head over Flame's shoulder as the two shared a long embrace.

Flame immediately jolted awake. He had never felt the touch of a dragon such as Spyro. Finally, all of his fears, all of his tension, all of his passion, and all of his strength could be released to its' full potential. The moment the two wanted all this time has finally become a reality.

Spyro opened his eyes to see Cynder glaring at him, her eyes heavy with depression and tears. Spyro pulled away from Flame as he looked into Cynder's deep green eyes that resembled that of a large crystal pool of lime, now laced with crystal tears as she continued to bawl.

Spyro could do nothing. Nothing to ease her pain, nothing to make her feel any better. The only thing he could do was try talking to her. Before he got the chance, Cynder hopped to attention and bursted out of the room.

Spyro and Flame only watched as she ran out of the room, tears streaming from her bright, beautiful green eyes. Spyro let out a deep sigh.

"I have to fix this. I have to make things right with her," said Spyro as he stared into Flame's beautiful eyes.

"Go there. Talk to her," said Flame, as he kissed Spyro on the cheek lovingly.

Spyro nodded, somewhat stricken with love, but somehow managed to daze out of the room and into the center of the Cheetah Village, where he found Cynder lying, in tears, next to the flagpole, facing away from him at the deep full moon.

Before Spyro could say anything, Cynder spoke.

"I know you're there, Spyro. Why, how, could you hurt me like this? You knew I loved you from the start. We both did," said Cynder darkly, before she went back to pouting.

"Cynder, you just don't understand. I have to go with the greatest love I could ever get. You don't understand how much this decision hurt me, too. You don't understand how much Flame means to me," said Spyro deeply.

"Yeah, I guess I don't. I knew Flame loved you. I saw the ways you two look at each other, yet neither of you had the guts to say anything until now. I thought it was just a phase. I thought you would come back to me, and love me!" cried Cynder.

Spyro was feeling a real mixture of emotions at the moment. He felt true love for both Cynder and Flame, yet greater love for Flame. He needed to comfort Cynder, yet he was getting the feeling that part of the reason Cynder was this upset was because Spyro fell in love with another dragon, and not another dragoness.

"Cynder, do you understand at all? This hurt me, too. I can't just ignore these strong feelings I have always had towards Flame," said Spyro quietly. Apparently it was loud enough that Cynder heard it.

"No, Spyro. I don't understand. I don't get why you could hurt me like this. I don't get how you could fall in love with another dragon. You are male; you were made to be in love with dragonesses, including me. I just don't get it," said Cynder, her tone staying somewhat uneven as she put much emphasis on his love with Flame and how different it was, and how it shouldn't have happened.

Spyro shuddered as he thought of how this decision would play out for him. He thought of his future with Flame. He saw two very happy dragons, one purple and one red, as they fought the constant evil that threatened the Dragon Realms. He saw himself and Flame really making an emotional connection that would last a lifetime, and a love that would last past that. He then thought of what his future would be like if he had chosen Cynder.

He saw a large difference, one that disturbed him slightly.

He read his thoughts from the projected future. The only thing Spyro could detect was nervousness and anxiety. The source? It was based on the fact that he was not able to truly express his love. His love would always be somewhat limited with Cynder, as they could not make a total emotional bond. He needed to be with Flame, to express himself to his full potential, and to be care-free about his future love life.

Cynder was snapping her claws in Spyro's face.

"Spyro? Spyro!" shouted Cynder, as she interrupted his daydream.

Just… I'm going to bed. We'll… talk of this… another time," said Cynder, sounding very annoyed, frightened, and depressed. Spyro could sense a drop of intense hurt remaining in her crystal green eyes as she ran back to the room, leaving Spyro out in the cold center of the Cheetah Village, as he thought about things, and waited to see his love again.

A/N: Once again, thanks to everyone for making this my overall best story ever! Most hits, most reviews, best everything for me! Please Read and Review. Also, this story is nowhere near being done. It still has a solid 30,000 words left.