Disclaimer: I own nothing except my characters. Other canon characters are owned by their respective companies.

Exclaimer: To people who don't like the story, just don't read it.

Special Thanks to Alec the Dark Angel for being my beta for this story.

Special Thanks to Strigon175 for being my beta for this story.

Chapter 25

Another Mission

The Acquaintance Gala had come to an end as the night passed and morning came. The once lively Temple now fell back into slumber as the residents took their long needed rest from partying. There were no classes the next day, thus no one was awake at the early hours of the morning. Even the Guardians were still fast asleep. At one specific room, two dragons laid resting on the bed. The Ice Guardian was snoring peacefully, resting his head on the cushions. Right next to him was the resident Temple Healer, her head lying on his chest, a contented smile on her face.

Slowly, the dragoness's eyes opened, welcoming the morning rays of the sun that shown through the window. She gently shifted as to not wake the sleeping dragon next to her. She smiled, seeing his sleeping face. It was just like before. That handsome face she fell in love with. No words could describe how much she loved the ice guardian, even with all the problems his actions have caused. But said problems were now a thing of the past; nothing more than a scar to remember every now and then, and serve as a lesson for both of them. She carefully placed her head right next to his, and gave him a tender lick to the cheek. Cyril let out a throaty groan, shifting slightly to move closer to her, savoring the warmth they shared.

For a given few moments, she laid there, just watching him sleep. Again, she gave him another loving lick on the cheek. This time though, Cyril stirred.

He groaned. "Good morning," he replied, not opening his eyes.

"Good morning to you too," Alyssa replied, nuzzling him.

Cyril opened his eyes to look at her. "Had a good sleep?"

She felt contented to place herself under his chin. "I have actually; especially with how you tired me out last night."

Cyril smiled. "Well, you did ask for it."

"And I took all of it."

"Yes, you did."

He sighed, making Alyssa raise a brow. "What is it?"

"I'm just sad that we have to get up now."

"Get up? For what?"

"Unlike you, I still have things to check on, even if it's Courtship Week."

"Like what, exactly?" Alyssa replied, wrapping her paws around him.

"Well," Cyril looked at her. "Terrador, for example."

"Terrador?"

"I didn't see him last night. I'm a bit worried about him."

"Oh you, Cyril, he's the Earth Guardian, he can take care of himself. Who knows, he might have a date."

Cyril then remembered that particular dragoness that was looking for Terrador yesterday. Was it a coincidence? Regardless, he didn't put much thought into it.

"I guess you have a point. But there is one thing we have to worry about."

"And that is?"

"The couples; they're not exactly…informed. They might think they did something bad."

"The mating, right?"

"Yep."

0

"Okay…okay…calm down…calm down."

Latis paced back and forth, the sounds of her claws hitting the stone floor echoed inside the empty bathroom. After her 'surprise' this morning, she decided to go to the bathroom and clear her head. The ramifications of what she had done the night before raised red flags in her head. She had mated with Zaze…did she? Was it a dream? Apparently it wasn't. If it was, what was Zaze doing in her room then? It didn't make any sense to her, and the more she thought about it, the more confused she got. For a brief moment, she thought of asking Zaze upfront. However, she couldn't bring herself to ask him. She was scared to know the consequences she had gotten herself into. She found comfort in her ignorance. But at the same time, it scared her.

"Latis?"

She jumped, nearly spitting out an icicle at the source of the voice by near instinct. The dragoness that had entered quickly ducked to avoid the icicle that didn't come.

"Whoa! What was that for?"

"I'm sorry, Ember. I'm just…"

"Nervous? I can see that," the fire dragoness said, approaching her.

Somehow, seeing Ember made Latis feel comfortable; she was a trusted friend of her. Maybe she could help her dilemma.

"What's wrong, Latis?"

"Ember…" she looked at her. "I…I…"

That was when the main issue as to why she was all worked up about all this finally came out.

"I think I'm gravid."

Ember raised a brow. "What?"

"I think…I have eggs."

"What are you talking about?"

"Me and…Zaze…and…last night…"

She broke down crying.

0

It took Ember a few moments to calm Latis down and have her explain herself. When she got the full story out, she herself was confused.

"So, let me get this straight, you think you're carrying…Zaze's eggs?"

She nodded, wiping the tear in her eyes. "I'm not a healer Latis, but um, are you sure about this?"

She didn't answer, but instead just looked at the ground. "Did you ask him if you two mated last night?"

She shook her head. "No…I…kind of panicked. Even I myself can't remember. I must have been pretty hammered last night than I thought."

"Then you should, Latis. I think you got way over ahead of yourself on this one. You should always confirm before assuming." Latis nodded, taking in Ember's advice. "And besides, I don't think you can get pregnant that easily. You should know that; you're the healer's apprentice."

Latis sighed. Maybe she was just over reacting.

"I don't understand though, why you're all worked up about this. Zaze isn't the type of dragon that would do that sort of thing."

"You think so too, huh?"

"I know so. The sooner you ask him, the sooner we can get over this problem of yours."

0

"Dude, are you okay?"

He groaned. "No, Sparx. I am not. I have a throbbing headache."

"Well, I did warn you last night not to drink much."

"You should have stopped me, Flame," replied the dragon massaging his head with a Temple.

"Trust me, Zaze, I tried," Flame answered.

"If it still hurts, try asking Alyssa for some medication for it," Sparx suggested. "It might help."

"I think I'll go do that; before that though, has any of you seen, Latis?"

The dragonfly shook his head, as well as the fire dragon. "Why?"

"It's…nothing."

Sparx looked at Flame, and together, the two just shrugged. "We'll tell her if we see her."

"Thanks." Zaze then turned and walked out of the Dining Hall, heading to the Infirmary to get some painkillers.

"What do you think happened?" Flame asked.

"Beats me."

"By the way, where's Spyro?"

Sparx glanced at him. "He's with Cynder. I think the two are still sleeping."

Flame nodded. He then turned his head, and smiled. "Well look who's here."

"Manuel?" Sparx asked.

"Hey guys…" he replied, with a yawn.

"Are you okay? Do you have a hangover too?" said the dragonfly, flying over to him.
"Oh, do I ever…" he replied, before slumping down the table in front of them.

"I saw you getting dragged last night by, Celsius. You were pretty hammered."

"Was that your first time drinking?" Sparx asked.

"First…and last; I can't deal with this hangover," he replied.

Flame patted him on the back. "Well, we all have to learn one time or the other."

"It's a good thing I don't drink," Sparx said.

"Trust me, Sparx. The headache is just…oh…" He let out a groan as he massaged his temple.

"You should get something to drink, like water," Flame suggested.

0

Spyro let out a sigh as he walked down the halls of the Temple.

"What is it?" Cynder asked.

"I'm just…tired, honestly," he replied.

"I am too, Spyro. But this must be important."

"Yeah, I guess."

The two dragons were walking down the halls of the Temple, headed to the Guardians' Room. Earlier, Celsius had come by their room and told them that the Earth Guardian was looking for them. She said it was something urgent, and they must come quickly. And so they did. Spyro gently knocked on the door, and heard Terrador's voice beckon them in.

"You were looking for us?" he asked, as he entered. Terrador looking outside the window, the sun's rays illuminating his green scales.

"Yes," Terrador replied, turning to face them.

"What is it, Terrador?" Cynder asked, sitting beside Spyro who sat the yellow cushions at the side.

"First things first, what do you notice?" he asked.

"What do you mean?"

"Have you noticed that someone has been absent lately?"

Cynder raised a brow. "Absent?"

"Correct. Is there someone that comes to mind when I say you haven't seen them for a while?"

The question hung in the air as the two thought of their answer. Then, it hit them.

"Flare," Cynder replied.

"Volteer," Spyro answered.

"That is correct. The Fire and the Electric Guardian have been absent as of late. And not many dragons seemed to have noticed that."

"I guess. I haven't seen them in a while. What happened?"

"What happened, is what I am about to tell you," Terrador replied.

The two dragons sat up straight and listened attentively. This WAS important.

"A few days ago, a letter came to us from the Cheetahs."

0 = 0 = 0

"Volteer?" Terrador called out.

The Earth Guardian entered the Guardians' Room to find the Electric and Fire Guardian resting for the time being. School starting had taken a toll on them and a well needed break was necessary; and besides the fact that the two wanted to spend some time with each other. However, Terrador's tone made them all perk up.

"What is it Terrador?" Volteer asked.

"I think you should look at this," the dragon said, handing him a scroll. "Chase delivered it earlier. What do you make of it?"

Flare looked at the scroll as Volteer opened it. "What is it?"

"Hmm…" Volteer began to read it and immediately noticed the sense of urgency in the words.

"It seems we are needed," he said.

"Yes. Personally, I would volunteer to go," said Terrador looking at the two of them.

"But you have classes, Terrador. And you handle the most important of them all, Flight Training," replied Flare.

"Cyril can't go either. He handles Elemental Training and has a full load," said Volteer.

"Well it's settled then. I'll go," said Flare.

"Alone?" Terrador asked.

"I can handle myself," Flare said, puffing out her chest with pride.

"I'll go with you," said Volteer. "It's too dangerous."

"It's fine with me. As long as you two don't get side tracked," said Terrador flatly, looking at the two of them. Immediately Flare blushed at what Terrador was insinuating. Volteer on the other hand looked aghast. "Are you saying we're like animals looking to get into a rut as soon as we get privacy?"

Terrador shook his head. "No. I didn't say that. Don't take it personally."

"I was only joking, of course, don't worry Terrador we won't get side tracked," said Volteer.

"I hope so."

0 = 0 = 0

"So it was settled that Volteer and Flare would look into the matter that the Cheetahs presented."

"What was it?" Cynder asked.

"Apparently, there was a monster that had been sighted appearing near the mountains of Avalar. It had been attacking the cheetahs that ever came into the vicinity. It was proving to be a problem since that area was where they usually hunt; even more so, when one cheetah nearly died from it attacking."

"I see," said Spyro. "Isn't that area not far from our campsite?"

"Yes. You were under full protection by the cheetahs when you were there. You must have seen Cyril talking to one of them there in hushed whispers, right?"

0 = 0 = 0

That was no doubt the Cheetah Village. Speaking of which, were eagerly waiting for them down the clearing. As they landed, Cyril and Alyssa immediately walked up to Chief Prowlus, whilst the other cheetahs directed the other dragons to assemble at the side for the time being.

"Chief Prowlus."

"Cyril."

"You two are really going to do this?" he asked.

"Yes. We find it necessary, plus it benefits all of them so that the two will be easily accepted," Alyssa replied.
"Well, I understand. But do be wary. We will be guarding the perimeter and will raise the alarm the moment we caught sight…of it."

"Any news on the other two?" Cyril asked concernedly.

"No, not yet; give them time."

"Understood."

And with that, Chief Prowlus nodded, and then turned around.

0 = 0 = 0

"Now that you mention it, yes; he was talking to him. I didn't really take note of it at the time," Cynder answered.

"Now you know. So the Guardians looked into it, and haven't come back. We're assuming the worst."

"You want the two of us to look for them then, is that it?" Spyro asked seriously.

Terrador nodded. "I'm sorry if I have to call you two to do this. But we have no one else left. I can't exactly go, and same as Cyril. We have to watch over the Temple."

"We understand, Terrador. Don't worry, we'll find them," Cynder replied.

Please take some time to R&R.

And favorite it, along with the author!

The OC "Pyrus" belongs to Alec the Dark Angel.

The OCs "Manuel" and "Alyssa" belong to SpyroonEarth.