A quick chapter to move things along, and the next one is already 3 pages done.
My thanks for the reviews to HolyCross9, coincidencless, and SilverFury23 who is also betaing...so if something is wrong, blame him. I do
What's on the agenda today, some more of that healing stuff, and that drama stuff, and that comedy stuff, and some other stuff that I won't speak about, because it would give stuff away. Soo, if you want to see what stuff I'm talking about, you gotta read the stuff below.
Chapter 36 The stars that look down on us
For the rest of the day, sitting alone in his newest boarding room, little Xerxes watched the sun lower down behind the northern mountains from his window. A smile growing on his face with excitement, seeing the first stars begin to appear in the darkening sky, as nightfall is approaching.
However, the white dragon, who said he would come to him, is not in sight. Now believing his only chance to speak to his mom and dad may be lost, the tiny hornet like insect finally moves from his spot, heading for the door.
"Ms. Grootz, may I go outside?"
The elder mantis, who has been placed in charge of this orphaned boy only this morning, looks out her window, and quickly shakes her head no.
"It's already getting late, sweetie..." She returns, caring but firm, dashing the boy's hopes in an instant, and this also is noticed by Xerxes' new guardian.
"I don't know how your last guardian behaved, but I don't want you out there at night, Xerxes, not with the threat of invasion looming."
His tears bring the elder grublin to ask another question, one she is reluctant to pose.
"Why do you want to go outside now?"
The boy looks up from the ground, and without filter, basically how this child always speaks, he tells the truth of his feelings.
"I want to talk to my mom and dad."
The answer is baffling to her, for their deaths are the reason he is in her care.
"Excuse me…?"
"That white dragon...Diamond is his name, he said he could help me speak to my mom and dad, but he said I need to meet up with him at night time."
This answer is even more baffling to her, though she has seen nothing but the unexpected from the dragon race so far. The elder mantis looks to her own flock of children, something the last foster home did not have, and the reason he was moved to this family.
He had no brothers or sisters till today, and fostered with an elder couple, Xerxes felt left out most of the time. They did not abuse him, giving the boy all the love they could, but even they noticed his shyness was growing, and a change had to be made.
Now he has multiple siblings, and they have made Xerxes feel welcome today, even though he spent most of the time daydreaming. His two new brothers, and five older sisters, were nothing but supportive when he arrived, and respected his space while he gazed out the window. All but one that is, and of course, his new mom points a finger at him.
"Xaxu...come here please." She asks her eldest son, and with a grunt of dismay, the boy rises from his spot.
"Yes Mom."
Xerxes cringes as she asks her son to watch him, and more so as Xaxu complains.
"Come on...he shouldn't get special treatment, just tell him no. I don't want to go out looking for some stupid dragon."
"HE'S NOT STUPID!"
Everyone is stunned as this normally docile hornet releases with rage in his voice, but then Xerxes shows his true color, shying away with shame and pain in his eyes for bursting out.
"I'm sorry, Xaxu...I don't mean to be rude..." He whimpers, then looks back to the one member of this family he does not like. "...but you get to talk to your mom every night, and I don't..."
Again the boy looks away, as his emotions are no longer controllable. However, to his surprise, Xaxu places a gentle hand upon his back.
"No Xerxes...I'm sorry. I was rude to you." The larger mantis reaches down with his other arms, picking the small hornet up like a rag doll. It is something Xerxes hates, when this larger mantis hoists him around like he is nothing, but this time it is different, for Xaxu holds him tightly to his chest, securing the smaller hornet in place.
"Save us some of that honey pie for dessert..." He calls out while taking off out the door, zipping away with Xerxes in his arms. However, upon leaving his home, he lowers his tone of voice and speaks to the boy as a brother for the first time.
"But you know they won't."
A smile grows, and more so as his new big brother picks up the pace, weaving through the streets faster than he ever could. Xaxu does a barrel roll suddenly and squeal of joy is released from Xerxes' mouth, for he has found a family that will arouse his youthful side. A sharp turn to the right, while weakening his grasp on the young hornet for a second, causing Xerxes to release a louder squeal joy, tainted with fear.
"Don't do that again!"
"What? This!"
Another turn is made, and Xaxu loosens his grip further.
Xerxes moves from his secured spot on Xaxu's chest, and grasps onto the opening arms of his annoying big brother. His squeal now becomes primal, mostly fear with little joy. However, the securing grasp is returned before the small hornet can get too far from his chest, and with a deep belly laugh, Xaxu returns to a straight path.
"I got you little bro..." He says smugly, squeezing him tighter to prove his loyalty. "...I won't drop you...I promise."
The small hornet, still trying to collect his nerves, elbows the large Mantis in the ribs, producing a smile on Xaxu's face. Again he squeezes him tighter, embracing the boy as his own, and happy to have him in his family.
Even Xerxes can feel the change of heart, releasing the grasp of the arms holding him, secure with the fact he is in good hands from here on out.
Of course, being a big brother, Xaxu knows it is also a good time to prove who is boss, and upon feeling this trust given so easily, the large mantis finds the perfect spot to make things right. Another sharp turn is made, and this time Xaxu releases the boy completely. Totally stunned by this, Xerxes is unable to open his wings before slamming face first into a large sunflower.
"You're a jerk, Xaxu!" The smaller insect cries out with anger, as the large mantis hovers before him, laughing.
"Come on bro, I had to." Xaxu continues, howling so hard that he is forced to land.
Xerxes dusts himself off, then leaps at the insect four times his size, but Xaxu catches him in mid air. His smile only increases as the small hornet whips a fist at his face, moving from its path with ease.
"You got spunk kid...I'll give you that."
"And you're just a bully who don't know what a promise is."
Xaxu's smile disappears in a blink, and his grip his suddenly powerful and stronger than ever.
"Listen here and now, Xerxes..." He says, his voice so tainted with sudden emotions that the small hornet cannot tell what he is feeling. "...I may be a pain in the ass to you, but that is what big brothers do."
Xaxu lowers the boy to the ground, releasing him, then lowering himself to the boy's eye level.
"But I will never let anyone else cause you pain, and that is a promise I intend to keep...do you understand?"
The small hornet takes a breath, trying to keep his emotions in check, for he can tell now just how upsetting that last statement was to his new brother.
"Yes Xaxu, I understand...and I'm sorry."
Xaxu hoists the boy to his chest again, squeezing him tightly for comfort and support.
"I'm sorry too...little brother."
Meanwhile, in the town square, Diamond and Spyro take a moment to think about what must be done, for the approaching army continues to grow in size. It will be nearly impossible to keep them back without bloodshed, which is something the Hero of Avalar wants no part of. However, it may come to this, and the Great Elder tries to convince Spyro what is right.
"There is no other way, my boy, and you know that." Diamond pauses to look around, watching as a city on high alert still tries to function like a civilization. "These Grublins have fought hard for this, Spyro, and we must protect it...treaty or not."
"I don't want to kill anyone anymore, Diamond..." The purple dragon replies, looking down at the ground, as everyone around him in this new city, is a reminder of how many lives he has already taken. In the months that have past since the Dark Master's defeat, even with those who have hunted his bride for vengeance, Spyro has not taken a life.
"Malefor was the last."
The white dragon, understanding Spyro's pain, offers a comforting touch to his right shoulder. With this connection, shows the hero what has been saved; the world in general. But then Diamond lifts Spyro's jaw, showing him the ones that hate him in a new light, as the Grublins who spat upon the Butcher of Zandera, now see the Hero of Avalar.
There is still hatred and rage swirling their dark colors within each soul, but they are surrounded by brightness, as this purple dragon is now willing to protect them from danger, giving the Grublins a sense of hope.
"They hate what you did Spyro, not who you are."
Diamond turns the purple dragon's cheek, facing his saddened eyes towards his own.
"And I'm sorry to say, but that pain will never go away, my friend..."
As a tear falls from his son's face, Diamond wipes it off, and adds some power to his touch.
"It will fade with time, but you cannot go back and fix what was done, no matter what you do here now."
The two dragons stare at one another for a moment, understanding the bluntness of what had to be said.
However, their moment is interrupted by an approaching mantis, who is carrying the brightest aura in Truex. Though, as they get closer, Xaxu stops cold.
"Holy shit...that's Spyro!" The older brother yelps with fear in his voice, backing away from the large purple dragon.
Xerxes, on the other hand, would walk through hell for this opportunity, so he quickly dislodges himself from his big brother's arms.
The young hornet shows no fear to the one that took his mom and dad, for he will finally get to speak with them tonight. Though, as he approaches, his fear returns, for both dragons look distraught. But the feeling lasts only a second, as Diamond turns to the boy and gives a smile.
"Well hello, Mighty." He offers, his voice showing none of the troubles he felt before, as this tiny aura gives him the hope he was looking for. The white dragon then looks to the sky, his smirk only increasing, as he joking references the stars shining from above.
"Is it nighttime already? I can't tell..."
Several squeals are given, and an awkward look finally hits the white dragon. He spins his head around again, and suddenly becomes annoyed.
"Where is your brother, Spyro?" Diamond grunts with an irritated tone. "He's only here to run his mouth when you don't want to hear it."
The white dragon scans the entire center of the Town Square, and sadly, Sparx's aura is not in sight. With that sadness, he looks down to the small hornet, whose spirit he is about to crush.
"I need you to understand my words, my little friend, or this will not work..."
"What doo yoo need to zzay to him, Mazzter Diamond?"
This familiar voice startles both Spyro and the Great Elder, as they did not notice the young prince of Truex walking towards them from the palace.
"Zip...what impeccable timing you have..." The large white drake bows with respect to royalty, and tiny Zepella returns the gesture. "...I want to help this boy speak to his mother and father."
The small cicada, whom looks a lot like Xerxes, just larger dimensions, stares at the younger hornet in his bowed position. He is stunned by this statement, for he knows this Grublin is an orphan. Zip's eyes then turn to Diamond, showing his puzzlement.
"Yoooou cann dooo that?" He stammers a bit, and his aura turns to the curious shade of green.
A smile is offered by the white dragon, and he looks down to the boy before him.
"Only if you have a strong spirit..." Diamond offers his paw to Xerxes, and without hesitation, the boy leaps into his palm. "...and this young Grublin has one of the strongest I've ever seen."
"Master Diamond!"
Terrador's call interrupts the moment, and an angered Elder turns his eyes from his work, spotting the great Earth Guardian leading the others, as well as a yellow dragonfly and nearly a dozen Grublins.
"Not now, Master Guardian..." He returns his soft eyes to the hornet in his palm, his demeanor also returning with it. "...I must help this young hornet find his way."
The Earth dragon goes to speak, but Spyro raises a paw to stop him.
"Excuse me Diamond, but they need me" The purple dragon turns his eyes to this small hornet, whose life he ruined in a single moment. "...and I should get going anyway."
Diamond keeps his eyes on Xerxes, but answers his son-in-law.
"No, Spyro... I want you to stay here for a minute...if it is okay with you, Mighty."
The small hornet looks at Spyro for a second, seeing him tense up with the thought of what may be said, and the tone in which this young child will give it. However, he says nothing, just nods his head nonchalantly.
Diamond turns from the small hornet, looking towards the group that has gathered for battle. With a smug grin, feeling the agitation coming from the Earth Guardian, the Great Elder adds to his stubborn rage with a sarcastically asked question.
"I'm sure Master Terrador doesn't mind a little delay to help this young boy, now...do you great dragon?"
A sigh followed by a grumble, along with a white hot swirl of anger is given in return, forcing Diamond to smile wider. He then returns his special eyes upon the youngster in his palm, and with all his powers, aids in the healing of two souls.
"My Mighty little friend..." Zip translates, pointing straight up as Diamond instructs him to. "...can you see the brightest star in the sky?"
Xerxes gazes upward, as does his big brother who watches on, but only one finds what he is looking for.
"Yes...I do!" The small hornet remarks, pointing his finger to a bright dot flickering harder than the rest.
"Good boy." Diamond replies, but then pauses, as this hornet continues squealing another question.
"Izz thaat where hizzz parentzz arr?"
Diamond gives a little chuckle, then looks up to his star in the sea of billions.
"No my friend, that is my beloved wife, Gale. I look to this star when I am in pain, or when I miss her...or whenever I can"
The white dragon amps his power up, allowing himself to see her smiling down at him, and within his grasp, the young hornet witnesses the same.
"Wow...she is beautiful..." He says with wonderment, then pauses, looking back to Diamond with some concern. "...but she can't talk to you...can she?"
I hear her, as you hear me now...in my heart.
The voice is heard within Xerxes' soul, but again, since it is in Diamond's native tongue, it is not understood. However, the white dragon repeats what was said, so Zip can tell him what he must listen for.
"Now look to sky once more, my young friend, and with only your heart, ask your parents to shine for you."
After Zepella translates, the eager hornet gazes up again, looking for a star like the one above. However, as he turns his head left and right, the young hornet become upset, for none of these stars shared the same luster.
Diamond, on the other hand, cannot help but feel an aura from his left, and as he turns that way, the white dragon notices the issue.
A big purple thing.
"Spyro, could you move two paces to your right please."
His request gets Xerxes attention, though he doesn't understand, still he turns to Spyro as the purple dragon began to move, and that is when he saw them.
Two bright stars, hanging side by side just over the horizon, watching the city from afar. However to Xerxes, a different image is seen, as the eyes of his mother and father look down at him now.
"Mom... Dad..."
Nothing else is said, as the boy is suddenly comforted by the faces of his parents, and the power of a special dragon. Diamond feeds the child his energy, allowing Xerxes to remember every single moment he had with them, and the security that came with just their presence. It is a feeling he has not felt since the Eternal Night, when their eyes were shut, and he was left all alone, but now their eyes are open again, unfaltering as they gaze upon their child. With everyone watching now, the boy's soul is lifted high, as he can hear them speak to his heart.
We love you.
Xerxes is shaken to the core, but as fast as the feeling comes, they fade away. Diamond, understanding of his broken emotions, quickly offers this reason.
"You will only hear them, when you're in need of them...and you needed to hear that."
Zip's translation brings the tiny hornet's tear filled eyes to Diamond, and without a word spoken, Xerxes is across the white dragon's nose, hugging him the way he saw a dragonfly comforting Spyro in the streets.
"This is why I do this..." Diamond offers to Spyro, who smiles, but still feels guilt for causing this moment. A guilt that the Light dragon can see with his blind eyes, and for this spirited dragon, it is time to help soul number two.
"Tell me, my Mighty little friend...do you still fear this dragon?"
Zip makes a translation, and Xerxes turns to Spyro. With Diamond's power influencing him, he looks through his purple eyes, seeing the fear of his coming answer, but then a flourish of brighter colors emerge from the surprised drake as the boy shakes his head no.
"And do you still hate him?"
Zip's question from Diamond comes as a shock to Xerxes, as he doesn't really want to answer this in the eyes of his parents. However, as he looks at Spyro again, seeing the swirling colors darken once more, the young hornet is compelled to share the truth. Once again to Spyro's amazement, Xerxes moves his head back and forth sideways.
"But he murdered your parents! Doesn't that make you mad!?" Diamond barks suddenly, starling everyone around as the white dragon suddenly becomes a devil's advocate against Spyro.
"Diamond? What are you doing?" The purple dragon pleads, but again, upon translation, Xerxes surprises all except the one who asked the question.
"No..." The small hornet replies, looking to the pair of stars that shine even brighter now. "...they died in an accident...one that could not be avoided."
Xerxes again turns to Spyro, a sort of smile on his face to help the purple dragon's colors shine once again for him.
"He didn't mean to do what he did, so how can I blame him for murder?"
Diamond drops the act, as this is what he wanted Spyro to hear, and only by pushing the boy would he get the help that was needed.
"You see, son..." Diamond retrieves the young hornet off his nose with a gentle paw, then holds him before the purple dragon. "...even this child can see you are not the evil monster he was told to fear, and as you continue showing your colors to the citizens of Truex, many will find the same opinion as he."
Diamond then places a paw upon his son-in-law's chest, knowing his next comment will require an actual helping touch.
"But there are some who will never forgive you Spyro, and like your wife, that is something you must come to peace with."
"Whoa, dude..." Onyx remarks with pure surprise, as Cynder and Tempest fly over the carnage from this morning, lowering down to the scorched earth for a better look. "...how did you do this?
Scorch, puzzled by how it happened himself, gazes upon an acre of forest that is now just smoldering tinder.
"I don't know." He replies, leaping from Tempest's back to fully examine the destruction, unsure how he was able to clear such a large area and not kill his brother in the process.
"Blazer said I used... a Phoenix Bomb, I think...but I never heard of such a thing."
Cynder's eyes open wide, as her husband has mentioned this attack several time, mostly in anger and frustration.
"Spyro has been practicing that ability for the last three weeks, and yet he can't seem to do it." She says with a bit of humor. The black dragoness rubs a paw on Scorch's head, and with more humor and sarcasm, makes a request.
"Do you think you can help him learn this?"
Tempest laughs as does the the wingless red whelpling, after a moment of pause that is. However, Onyx's attention is elsewhere, and he shows this by walking toward a green patch.
This also gets Cynder's attention.
"Hey! Don't wander off, Onyx...I want to start heading north soon."
The black whelp doesn't listen, for curiosity has him by the throat.
"Look at this guys!" He barks, never taking his eyes from the patch of grass in a sea of soot. However, as Scorch walks up beside him first, Onyx finally moves his view to the whelpling standing on his right.
"How did this happen?" He asks, but Scorch can see only one thing, and that is the spot of blood staining the pristine clump of land.
"Jacob was laying here..." Scorch replies almost in a trance, as if he is reliving the moment again in his mind, but this time with more clarity. He looks up to where the trees once rose to the sky, remembering how it felt to be freely flying, even if it was only for a few seconds. Then a power he never imagined building up inside, ready to unleash itself without his control.
At the last moment, he saw his brother laying motionless, and not wanting to burn the only friend he had in the world, something inside spoke to the fire.
"...and I didn't want to hurt him anymore than he was."
"Are you kidding?" Tempest balks, as she has never heard of such power. She turns to Cynder, whom also looks surprised, as both never noticed this when they took Jacob from the burned area of this forest.
"How is that possible?" The wind dragoness continues, astonished by the sight, looking around and finding nothing else green inside the blast zone.
"I don't even think a Master Fire breather can do that, Scorch."
The little dragon looks up at Tempest, sadness in his eyes for he knows not how he did this himself.
"I wish I knew how..." He replies, his voice more somber than his stare, which caused him to turn the stumps on his back. "...just so I could fly again."
Both Cynder and Tempest are crushed by this boy's feelings, as their emotions are being enhanced by armor, and the children growing within them. Even Onyx is hurt by this statement, but he will not let his friend, or himself, feel this way, not if he can help it.
"Soooo...I guess I better not get you mad, or you might actually beat me in a fight."
The tiny black Shadow dragon pushes Scorch with a single paw, knocking him slightly off kilter. However, understanding the ground better than most, the smaller Fire dragon allows his paws to slide on the soft patch of grass, and never loses his balance.
He returns the same smug grin Onyx gave, for he knows what his new friend is doing, as this is what Jacob would do to make him change his thoughts. Like those times with his brother, and now father, Scorch becomes bold in his retort.
"Oh...I don't need that power to kick your butt."
Onyx's eyes pop open, but Cynder and Tempest roll theirs, as sparring round twenty-two is about to begin here on this patch of grass. However, to the soon to be mother's amazement, both Onyx and Scorch agree to do this another time.
"You're lucky we promised to behave, Scorch..." Onyx replies sarcastically, making his friend's frown leave his face for good. "...but when we get the time to play again...I'm gonna show you what-"
Both youngster are startled as an orange and black dragon falls from the sky, slamming atop Tempest. Her helmet pops from her head, as her jaw hits the ground, breaking the power of Typhoon's Barrier, leaving her vulnerable to this sudden attack.
A yell then brings their eyes upwards, and a large blue Ice dragon who makes his presence known from above. His path directly at Cynder, but with this telegraphing scream of anger, the Shadow dragon flashes into darkness, leaving Glazier and empty spot to crash.
Stone, keeping his weight on Tempest, and his paw on the back of her neck, turns to his compatriot with even more anger.
"You Idiot! You missed!"
"Quiet, Stone." The Ice dragon grumbles, his eyes locked on the black and red dragoness. "I would rather enjoy taking her apart piece by piece."
Cynder goes to attack, but Stone yanks Tempest's left horn, pulling her head back hard. He then grasp her exposed throat with his talons, sharpened by a days worth of clawing and digging through rock.
"If you make a single move, you bitch...I will rip her throat open." He warns the Shadow dragoness, a thirst for blood in his eyes, which he turns to the small children, whose fear doesn't sway him in the least. "That goes for all of you."
Glazier grins, as the Shadow dragoness concedes, stepping forward and removing her helmet. He can tell she is not going to fight back, and this only brings him more joy.
"Please...she is gravid...don't do it." Cynder pleaded.
Cynder then turns her eyes to the large Ice dragon, whom she thought had given her a second chance.
"If you want to hurt me, then hurt me...but leave Tempest alone."
The black dragoness is stunned as Glazier shows different emotions then his voice would suggest. He is smiling towards her, as Stone cannot see his face, showing he is not here for this.
"I don't care about her," He says creepily, while winking an eye at Cynder. "I only care about killing the Terror of the Skies."
Tempest, regaining her faculties after the sudden impact, begins struggling under Stone's frame. She reaches a paw up, forcing the Earth dragon's talons away from her neck.
"Get off me you coward!" She yells, forcing the talons further from her throat. "I'm gonna kick the shit out off you, Stone."
The orange dragon struggles to keep her down, truly realizing Tempest is much stronger than him, and panicking as the Wind dragoness begins lifting him up of the ground.
"Do something, damn it..." He barks, standing up to try and get the better leverage, hoping can hold a now violent Tempest down.
"I'm losing herrrr..."
Glazier, seeing Tempest's neck is no longer under the 'knife', so to speak, swings his tail to the right. He drills the exposed orange and black Earth dragon across the face with blunt force, knocking him clean off the Wind dragonesse's back. Tempest takes over from there, pouncing on an already stunned Earth breather, and lacing him across the face with a solid paw.
"You wanna jump a pregnant dragoness from behind, you worthless piece of shit!"
Several more solid punches hit their intended marks, and Stone cries out in pain. In a last ditch effort, he shoves Tempest to the side and runs like a coward, flying away as fast as dragonly possible.
"YOU BETTER RUN, YOU PUSSY!"
Tempest turns around, a look of embarrassment on her face, as both Scorch and Onyx stare at her.
"Sorry..." The wind dragoness mutters.
For a moment the boys continue making her uncomfortable as they gawk, but after a few seconds of processing what they saw, both whelplings snap out of their trances.
"WOW!" They bark in unison, running over to Tempest like they just met Spyro for the first time.
"You kicked his butt, Ms. Tempest." Scorch yells with excitement, jumping up and down by her right paw, or the one she laced into Stone's nose several times.
"I never seen anyone get beat up like that!" Onyx adds, then turns to the red wingless whelp with a grin. "Except when Jasper pummeled Scorch on the Claw ball field."
Scorch stops jumping up and down, staring at his friend with a look of childish anger, before jumping on him. Tempest does nothing to stop them, as they emulate the way she just pounded on Stone, making funny noises to emphasize the pain he felt. However, Cynder has yet to move, her eyes locked upon the large blue dragon who once had her pinned down.
"Why?" Is all she can muster, as his eyes and his smile already say so much.
Glazier looks at the kids, who play before Tempest, the way he had seen from above while following them. He then returns his eyes to Cynder, who was enjoying that moment with her nephew and his friend.
"Because you are trying to do things right, Ms. Cynder...and Stone was not." The Ice dragon opens his wings, readying himself to leave this group alone on their journey. Even though he has done a good deed, the Ice dragon knows he is still not a friend.
"Now if you don't mind, I have a dinner planed for ten tonight, and I must get to the cheetah village before Meadow sells out of truffles."
Cynder balks for a moment, wondering why he would fly thirty miles for something he could get in town.
"What about Samuel's store?
Glazier holds his take off, a rather annoyed look on his face.
"He wants three and half gold pieces for each, and Meadow wants less than two. I can't afford to pay his prices, not for the amount of truffles I need."
The Shadow dragoness smiles, then looks over at the boys, who continue wrestling around in front of her co-worker.
"Just go to Samuel, and tell him you need Cynder's personal stash...and he will give you about twenty, if that's good enough."
The Ice dragon is confused, as well as over joyed, for he needed that many, and this would save him the weeks worth of gold he has put aside. Though he cannot understand why the general store would just give him twenty truffles for nothing and feels guilty for taking charity for doing something anyone could do.
"Can I pay you back for this?"
"For what?" Tempest replies rhetorically, answering the question she overheard with a snide grin. "She picked them herself, so it cost Cindy nothing but some muddy, nasty-smelling paws."
Tempest holds her own paw up, taking a drastic whiff.
"It's almost not worth it..." She says sarcastically, then a smile fills her face, knowing the sack of more than two hundred gold coins she has at home.
"Almost."
The Ice dragon smiles as well, then looks at Cynder once more, before opening his wings again.
"I would be honored then, if you could come to dinner tonight..." He asks, and an awkward grin crosses the black dragons face.
"I'm sorry Glazier, but I will be dining with my husband in Truex tonight." She replies with a heavy heart, but also an excited one. "However, we would love to come to your home for dinner some other day, if you will have us."
No answer is given, as the simple grin and slight nod is shown from a grateful host, and maybe new the large Ice dragon takes to the sky, he is told of the connection he has made with this remarkable dragon and her family.
"Bye, Glazier! Thanks for helping my Aunt this time, buddy!" Onyx barks, his joy and pride filling the wings of this large Icy drake, helping him fly higher than he is.
"Well...that was unexpected if I may say so..." Tempest grunts, rising back to her paws and grasping the helmet that came off her head. She places it back on, feeling the power resurging within, and turns to her friend with a grin. "...you know...there should be a chin strap on this thing."
After getting home in the wee hours of the morning, a very tired Guardian knows he still must wake early today, for it is a very special day for his friend and now son. Jacob, helping his other brother to the orphanage last night, rises from his cushion as quietly as he can, trying not to disturb Jasper. However, being on edge for the better part of five years, the brown dragon opens his eyes to the sounds of rustling paws.
"What are you crazy?" Jasper asks muffled through his pillow, never lifting his head from it to speak. "We just got home like three hours ago...sleep dude, that little girl don't need you yet."
Jacob is reminded of his other duty today, one that will require little attention to detail, but plenty of his heart. However, Voltera's injuries are still threatening, and the Guardian of the orphanage will have another day or two to make adjustments.
"She is not coming today, Jasper..."
"Then get back to bed, stupid...you need your rest too."
Jacob looks out the window, feeling the rising sun upon his face, and the smells of a beautiful spring day.
"It is Scorch's seventh birthday..." He says, and Jasper's head is off the pillow. "...and I want to do something nice for him."
Jasper rises from his cushion, laboring to the blue Ice dragon, then resting his tired body beside him. He too looks out the window, also feeling the warmth of the rising sun, but seeing the beauty differently.
"I think a game of Claw ball would be a good start..."
Jacob winces at the thought, but then it occurs to him that it is not his birthday, but his brother's, and also how much Scorch loves the game. So, the brothers begin collaborating together, designing the perfect day for their best little friend and member of the family.
"I'm sure Onyx can get a few of his friends who would be willing to join the fun. Heck, even you and I can play if we got on opposite teams."
Jacob turns to his friend, his opaque eyes doing the only thing they can, showing his emotions.
"Are you nuts? We just got out of the infirmary." The blind dragon returns, placing a paw upon his sore chest. However, his eyes change in an instant, and a grin forms on his narrow muzzle.
"Do you wanna go back already?"
The brown dragon also grins, for he can hear the challenging tone in his brother's voice. With a laugh from deep inside his heart, Jasper response with his own challenge.
"You will never lay a talon on me..." Jasper waves his paw in front of Jacob's nose, getting ready to poke fun at his handicap. Jacob feels this wind, and with cat like reflexes, grasp his brother's arm, mid pass.
"You are way too slow to be talking shit, Jasper." The blind dragon smugly grins, smelling an increase in his brother's output of sweat and fear.
"Damn dude!" The Earth dragon grunts, pulling his arm back, and flexing it to regain blood flow. "I don't think I want to play against you now."
Jasper reaches out again, but Jacob does not flinch, already sensing the change in his brother's emotions. The larger Earth dragon takes the younger and stronger Ice drake in an embrace, allowing him to whisper some more thoughts of his own.
"After the game, though, I really think we need to give Scorch a special gift."
Jacob, returning his thoughts to his soon to be adopted son, grins wider. He already has something picked out, and with a gesture of his head, Jasper becomes intrigued.
"Do you know Fritz...the wolf?" He asks, moving some of his belongings to reveal a small box.
"Yeah..." Jasper returns getting an image of the old gemsmith, who has shop in Warfang's market square. "...he makes jeweled sculptures and other assorted knick knacks." The Earth dragon pauses, as many of this wolf's creations are stunning, and stick within your memory. "He has an incredible sculpture of the great Ignitis, carved from a red ancestral gem...I swear it's almost lifelike."
Jacob nods his head, as Jasper does know of Fritz and his work. Then he opens the box, and again the Earth dragon is mesmerized by a young dragoness carved in crystal.
"By the Ancestors, Jacob...It's beautiful."
The Ice dragon takes a deep breath of relief, for he could not see the work, nor could he use his paws to feel if it was correct. Not for the danger of damaging it, for the blind dragon knows how to use his touch in the gentlest of manners, but because he would have been burned.
"It's a Fire Crystal."
Jasper, admiring the shimmering colors, as the gem seems to flicker like a fire, asks another question, for he does not recognize this dragon.
"Who is that?"
Jacob takes another breath, for the real power of this gift is not the crystal itself, but the one he had it carved to resemble.
"Fritz was the one that brought Scorch to the orphanage, so he knew the boy's family."
Jasper, his paw almost in contact of the perfect gemstone, pulls it away, suddenly understanding how sacred this gift is. He looks to his brother, who he can tell desperately wants to see it, and places a wing over him.
"Is that Scorch's mother?"
Jacob, overcome with emotions, wondering if this is an appropriate gift, is answered before the question can be asked.
"You are going to be a good father."
The two dragons just stare at the shimmering crystal for a moment, feeling the power it gives off. Both brothers are compelled by her warmth to start this great day for their friend, and with a limp in each others steps, Jasper and Jacob head out into the streets of Warfang.
Down the cobblestone path that leads to the palace, then a few more paces to Spyro's door, the two brothers walk gingerly with their sore bodies. As they get to the door, even in this dawn's early light, Jasper and Jacob knock for their friend and family to come home.
"Come on, birthday boy..." Jasper grunts, as no one answers the first round of knocks. Stunned that the boy is not out the door already. "...you've been telling everyone about your big day for a week now, so lets get it..."
The door opens, but only a small piece of it, as a very angry looking blue dragonfly answers the pounding.
"What are you two doing here?"
"I'm looking for my son, Sir. Is he awake?"
Flash squints at the rising sun, his blood shot eyes begging for more sleep. However, he is also wide awake now, as his tired brain begins scrambling to stall for a good answer. Though sadly, like the sons he raised, Flash tells the truth...kinda.
"Ahhh he's with Cynder and Tempest...and I think they went truffle picking with Jac...ob... idiot!"
Flash, still half asleep, forgets who he is talking to, and before he can try backtracking.
"Scorch and Onyx went with Cynder and Tempest to the Insect city of Truex." Nina responds, exiting from the small door in her nightgown.
"WHAT!?" Jacob's anger is overwhelming, and as he goes off about killing the small whelpling with his bare paws, Jasper grins and looks over at the dragonfly couple.
"Father of the year, candidate..."
Jacob's ears pick up the sarcastic tone, turning his eyes to the Earth dragon with anger.
"You think this is funny!? He's not supposed to leave this house, Jasper, and now he's not only outside, but he's not even in Warfang!"
"There is nothing to worry about, Jacob...he's with Cynder."
"I'm not worried about his safety!" The Ice dragon tries to convince everyone he is not afraid, which doesn't work; so his reasoning becomes selfish, and that doesn't work either.
"He disobeyed me, Damn it..." Jacob barks, looking at all around him, who have showed this dragon the honor he should get as Guardian of the Orphanage. "...everyone else is respecting me, why would Scorch behave like this."
"Are you kidding? He's seven..." Flash answers sarcastically, and with experience. "...he listens to no one now."
So Cynder is on her way, slowly...Spyro is healing, slowly as well...and Jacob is going to find out what parenting is all about, pretty damn fast.
Stay tuned
I'd love to know what you thought of that stuff, and if you could stuff that box below with words, or even a simple 'Hey, that was good stuff', I sure would appreciate it.