The following weeks seemed to pass in a blur. Eating, sleeping and playing became our main priorities, along with the occasional job we were assigned to by the guardians. Things seemed to be pretty peaceful for once around the old city, and for the first time since I could remember, I finally felt that I could relax. For the time being at least. I found that you were right about one thing. People did respect us for what we had done. Maybe be even a little too much. More often than not we would find ourselves swamped by dragons constantly asking questions about what they liked to call, our 'adventures'. You weren't fond of all this publicity any more than I was, especially all the girls that came crawling to your side, which I soon made sure got the message to back off. But apart from the occasional scowl in the streets, people seemed to have forgotten about my past. Or just chose not to remember. I was surprised by the number of people that would talk to me just like any other, and I was grateful for this. I didn't especially like to be reminded that I was different, and probably always will be. Sparx however, loved all the attention and never missed an opportunity to tell someone a story about these 'adventures' of ours. Once he got going, there was no stopping him. Although most of what he told wasn't entirely the truth. As he always made sure that he was the hero of the story.
It was a sweltering summers day when the peace came to an abrupt ending. The sun had risen high in the sky. Unlike most dragons, I hated this blazing heat. The burning always seemed to feel heavy on my dark scales. But you were the complete opposite. You loved this unbearable heat more than anybody, and always complained that I moaned too much about it, although for me it felt like I was being toasted from the inside out. Like always, Sparx was with you and I often found you both lazing around by the nearby stream, sprawled out on your backs without a care in the world. This day however, wasn't like any other. This was the day everything changed.
As the relatively boring day dragged on, we bumped into volteer on our way for a nice cooling dip in the stream. He greeted us in his usual chatty way, and specifically asked me to go foraging in the Northern forest, in search of some Huckleberries he needed for a feast he was arranging. To polite to decline, I reluctantly agreed and grabbed the pouch that he held out to me.
"Thanks Cynder, your a great help." The lightning guardian nodded gratefully.
"Can't we go with her?" You asked anxiously, obviously not wanting me to be roaming the forest alone. I heard Sparx try to hush you, not wanting to be dragged into the situation.
"Sorry Spyro, I'm going to need you for another task that I had in mind..."
"Well then, I'm off!" Sparx blurted out, fleeing in the opposite direction.
"Not so fast..." Before Sparx could get any further, Volteer reached out effortlessly and grabbed him by the tip of his tail, letting him squirm desperately in between his claws.
"Hey! What's the big idea!"
"I'm going to need your help too Sparx..."
"Aww man..." Volteer let Sparx slip out of his grasp smiled as the little dragonfly hid behind your horn for support.
"But she can't go out there alone, It's to risky..." Your eyes tightening worriedly.
"I think Cynder is more than capable of looking after herself." Volteer's lips pressed into a tight line, seeing the anxious expression on your face.
"Spyro It's broad daylight, nothing will happen, I'll be fine." I nuzzled your neck reassuringly.
"Righty ho then! Don't take too long, I need those berries before noon." Volteer chirped excitedly, ruining the moment.
"Okay." I replied in a not so chirpy tone. Volteer turned, taking a fed up looking Sparx along with him. I looked at you, still debating weather or not to let me go.
"I'll be fine Spyro, honest, don't get yourself so worked up."
"You better be, and It's your fault for making me love you so much." You smiled and started to head towards where volteer and Sparx were waiting for you. I felt the tip of your tail slide along my spine, making the shivers almost radiate off my scales. I watched longingly as you disappeared round the corner, before taking the silk pouch in my jaws and running off towards the Northern forest. I felt my legs spring off the ground as I raced my way out of the city gates and into the wild world beyond. Thanks to Myra, my leg was now completely healed and felt surprisingly like new. Whatever that green tape was, it definitely lived up to it's expectations. I certainly had no doubt that the pale green dragoness really was the best healer in this city.
I picked up pace as I neared the edge of the forest, and sprang my way through the trees. The Northern forest had always been my least favorite of all the forests that surrounded the city's walls. This was simply because of the small amount of space that the forest contained. The trees were so bunched together, that I often found myself slithering through the tiny gaps like a snake, being careful not to be whipped by all the swinging vines that threatened to strangle you till your last breath in the process. But despite it's flaws, this forest was defiantly the best for foraging. The place was bursting with berries and fruits that even I didn't know the name of. I squeezed myself through a tight gap between the trees, and found myself in a surprisingly open area, filled with bushes of all kinds that held countless numbers of brightly coloured berries. I carefully stepped stepped over to the bushes, examining which ones were of what fruit. As I came to the third bush, I noticed something rustle amongst the leaves. Alarmed, I jumped back, dropping the pouch as I did so. More rustling came, this time louder than before, so I crouched down into a defensive position, ready to take on whatever was thrown at me. The rustling came to an abrupt halt, and so I peered round the side curiously.
To my surprise, a family of grey mice came scurrying out of the bush and stopped just in front of my feet. The two adult mice peered at me inquisitively, probably wondering what business I had to come and invade their home. Behind them, were three smaller mice who seemed to huddle behind their parents for protection. I smiled apologetically before watching them scurry away into the trees and out of sight. I sighed. Thinking about family always made my heart ache. Like a hole that can never be filled. Although I felt I had more than I deserved, something still felt missing from my fragile heart. Like the love of my life and a place to call home wasn't enough. In my mind, it seemed too much. Something I didn't deserve. But my heart didn't agree. It yearned for something else. Something more. A mother who would love me no matter who I became. A father that would protect me at all costs. Shut up! I cursed my mind. I had let it wonder to far. I shook my head and pulled my concentration back to the bushes. But as I picked my way from one bush to the next, I couldn't help thinking about what it would be like to have a real family by your side. I had you of course, which is more than I could ever ask for, and Sparx, and the guardians, but my heart wasn't satisfied. I cursed myself again. I have more than I deserve right now, more than I will ever deserve! My mind wondered back to my cruel tortured past. I never saw my mother or father. The first face I saw when I hatched was the twisted, horrific face of Gaul, the ape king. He was the one who raised me as a child, until I was corrupted by Malefor's dark magic and transformed into my adult form. I remembered the agony that ripped through my body as it was stretched into it's new, unnatural form. I cringed and shook myself out of that awful memory.
I noticed that the pouch was now bursting with ripe Huckleberries and grabbed it up again with my teeth. As I winded my way back through the trees, an image of your beautiful face drifted into my mind. I smiled at the thought of your perfectly defined features. Your position to a family wasn't much better than mine. Although you had much more than I ever did, the more you have, the more you have to lose. I knew that Ignitus was more of a fatherly figure to you than any other dragon. But he was gone. I could only imagine the pain that must have coursed through your heart to see him sacrifice his own life for ours. It pains me to even think about it. Growing up believing you were an oversized dragonfly couldn't have been easy either. But someone once told me, it's better to have loved and lost, than to have never loved at all.
I shook that thought off as I emerged from the forest and let my legs spring off back towards the city. I concentrated on the energetic rhythm of my padding feet as the city came into view. But before I could get any further, a loud buzz hit my ears, causing me to violently stop. I glanced towards the city in panic. The noise buzzed in my ears, sounding from all directions. What was happening? I listened carefully. trying to make out what exactly what this strange noise is. The sound grew louder. Was it some kind of siren? An alarm? I forced myself forward and sprinted towards the ringing city, the pouch hanging loosely by the string in my tense jaws. The sound grew louder as I came closer to the city walls. It was definitely an alarm of some sort. But what for? The ringing sound made my scales shudder with panic. Not wanting to waste a second of my time, I jumped into the air and flew frantically onto the city's outer wall. I froze with shock. Dragons and moles were racing around the city, their terrified screams drowned out by the alarm that echoed in my mind. What was happening? What did the alarm mean? Were we under attack? What could possibly be able to attack this city? A wave of fear washed through me as I pictured Malefor's last attack on this city only months before. I had to find you. I leaped off the wall and soared over the panicking crowds.
"SPYRO!" I wailed hopelessly to the sky. "Where are you..." I felt my whimper freeze on my lips. What if you were in danger? Or hurt? Or worse... I cringed and the thought of loosing you. At that moment, I spotted a light appear amongst the crowd. I squinted my eyes as I flew closer. The glowing yellow light was instantly recognizable.
"SPARX!" I clenched my muscles as I dived down in the swam of dragons and moles. I landed in a frantic clatter of claws just in front of the yellow insect.
"Sparx, what's happening? Where's Spyro!" I blurted in a rush of words.
"Woah, slow down, Spyro's fine." I felt my muscles ease up slightly, I knew Sparx cared about you just as much as I did. "As for what's happening...You should come and see for yourself..."
"But why are people panicking? And the alarm..."
"Shh! Just follow me, and hurry!" I noticed the urgent tone in his voice and quickly raced after him as he went speeding through the frantic crowd.
"Sparx, wait!" I called anxiously as I raced through the courtyard which held the main gates. A place that brought back so many memories. A place where we had fought once before. I glanced at the swirling ball of fire that held the gates closed, before charging after Sparx up the steps that led to the top of the front wall. A place where we had once again, fought for our lives.
"SPARX! TELL ME WHAT'S GOING ON!" I wailed, sounding more anxious by the second. I finally reached the top and raced to the edge where I saw Sparx, you, and all three guardians standing. I breathed a sigh of relief, seeing that you were safe and with me once again. Relief that soon turned to terror.
"Spyro, what on earth is..."
I peered over the edge of the wall and froze where I stood. Lined up, one by one, as far as the eye could see, where thousands, maybe even millions of creatures. Each and every one of them standing as still and sharp as ice. Poised, and ready to kill.
Sorry it's short, but I probably won't be able to update for a while, since I am going on holiday for two weeks and then I'm back at school. Please leave reviews! Any tips or advice would be really helpful! Cya =)
