Chapter 36: With An Upside

After what I've done... what I said... I just showed her that what she believed I was... is who I've always been, Being so deep in his thoughts, Cyril heard mumbling from the others as they talked within the Chambers, but for him, he couldn't move yet after what had happened. After that... what do I do... what... could I do? She sees me as a monster now, and the worst part... she... isn't wrong. Dripping a tear from his face, thoughts from all the days and nights they were together or from when he had seen her, he compiled them all together to get an idea as to the best possible way to make up for what he's done. I need to understand that I was in the wrong, and the first thing I need to do is own up for that. Wiping his tears with his arm, now that his face was somewhat cleared, he faced the others, but specifically Spyro, "Spyro..." Even after what's happened, Spyro still looked to him with a smile, "She's right... After all you've done today, including you, Ignitus, I should've thanked you all for your help. If it wasn't for you, Ignitus, I'd be dead. And if it wasn't for you, Spyro, Flair... would be dead... And I need to thank you both hugely for such help."

"What about me and Volteer?" Malefor raised a paw, "Then again, I knew you needed support, and I could've held you up on my own but, you know Volteer; always wanting to touch a guy."

"I bet the smell of my paws would beg to differ," Volteer snickered while getting Ersa to giggle.

"Okay, one, that's disgusting, and if you say that shit again, I'm blowing this earth up."

"Yeah... I'd have to second that," Spyro felt a little uncomfortable after that was said and tried to ignore it, "Look, Cyril, just... take this as a teaching moment. No matter how old you are, there's always experience and knowledge to gain. This is simply just a bump in the road: a teaching moment. So with what you've already learned from the past, in a situation such as this, what would you do?" Cyril thought about it at first, and Spyro continued to support him, "Just remember who's around you now. You didn't have Malefor during the war, or even me."

"And of course us girls would like to support as well," Ersa knew she might be able to do something, "I have a whole lab that could turn any frown upside down... though... it would do the same to every one of the scales on your face but... progress is progress."

"Well... do you know where the loneliest place on the earth could be?"

"Well, since Flair dumbed you, I'd have to say your BED! HAHAHA!" Malefor laughed out loud as he found this joke to be the greatest achievement of his life, and though the others tried not to do anything, some snickered about it, "HAHAHAHA! Dude, dude dude dude! HAHAHA!" Breaking down from laugher, Malefor fell to the ground, slapping a paw down onto it as he struggled to breathe, "Dude, dude, I can't, I just can't, HAHAHAHA!"

"Ahem!" Ignitus cleared his throat, though snickering as even he couldn't contain his smile, he hoped to at least get things back on track, "What this immature child is trying to say is, you don't need to be alone right now. The last thing you need is for her to remember you at that moment, rather then who you truly are. You need to show her that wasn't you."

"And how do I do that? You heard her didn't you? There's nothing I could do to turn things around with my voice or actions," Cyril sighed.

"You can't... but me and the girls can," Cynder knew this was where she and the others could step in and prove their friendship to her.

"That is very true," Ersa now already had thousands of scenarios as to how to help their friend, "If anything, we could get her out here, and maybe convince her to talk to you. Though of course, after that, it's all up to you. However, how would we convince her to leave her room now? With such a terrible day that she's experienced, she probably thinks the Ancestors are planning on killing her by the end of the day."

"They... aren't though... right?" Claire looked to Ignitus in fear.

"No... It's just a bad day that we all have," Ignitus assured her and the others.

"Maybe we could get her out to the beach," Cyril suggested, "She had told me that she's been wanting to go, and maybe this would be the perfect way. Though I feel like we need more of an incentive."

"How about letting her watch your dying corps?" Malefor suggested, getting wide eyes from everyone, "Yeah yeah, I know it sounds morbid, and it is, but what more then you being in pain does she like?"

"Maybe there's more I could do to really spark this day. Like, for example, let's say that us going to the beach is the middle. What could be the beginning and end of the day? The beginning helps her come out of her room, the middle helps her forget the pains of the day, and the end closes things off to help her get a great night's rest," The others were all thinking rather in-depth about it, but for Cyril, since he was focused heavily on every option, he knew what to do, "Oh! I got it! Though, before I push this as I haven't been a good friend to any of you, would you all assist me in the preparations?"

"I know how much of a pain in the ass you can be, trust me," Volteer chuckled from past conflicts, "We understand your pain, and I know you'll learn from your mistakes. If you want to make us all proud, hopefully you'll be able to turn things around and get one of those legendary smiles or giggles from her," Cyril smiled to all of them, and they all smiled back, "So, what's your plan?"

"Firstly, before I make another mistake, thank you... all of you for your support," Spyro smiled to Cyril saying, hoping he'd keep this new changed attitude, "But as for the plan, I think we should have what I would call a cold day and a hot day. Volteer, Ersa, do you two think you could make food of some kind? For the cold day, I was thinking of a frozen treat, maybe like what Malefor wanted before, but for the warm day, we'd eat something meant to be cooked in a way."

The two looked at one another as they were thinking about it, and with some thought, Ersa answered, "Sure. I mean, it shouldn't be too hard. It would take us some time to make it though."

"You really want to go with my dessert idea?" Malefor asked.

"You have good ideas, not plans," Cyril corrected, "So, we have the beginning, now all we need is the middle. Since we know the beach is the warm day, I was wondering if I could get some help from you two again, Ersa," They raised their brows to him, "For a cold day, I was hoping since you were messing with the weather to impress Volteer, you'd have an idea on how to get it to snow?"

"Snow?" Ersa giggled, "That's definitely something me and Volteer can do. Though, the snow I make turns red for some reason, but, I'm sure with Volteer's help, I could get a substance of white color from him to fix that."

"ERSA!" Everyone yelled at her aside from Volteer and Cyril.

"I'm never stepping in any kind of snow ever again," Malefor nearly threw up.

"It's a joke!" Ersa cried out, "Besides, I would never let something so important be anywhere else but inside of..."

"OKAY! Moving on!" Cyril was able to speak loud enough to keep her from saying something that would stain their minds, "Anyway, we need a way to end off the day. With the warm day, I'd have to say watching the sun set behind the waters again would be a good idea. But if we do a cold day, I would absolutely suggest we watch the night sky after the sun's set. Maybe if we're lucky, we could see something like a shooting star to really lighten the day."

"Actually, it's funny you say that," Ignitus spoke up, "There's a meteor shower that will happen later during the night. So, this could hopefully help turn the day around with a display."

"Perfect!" Cyril cried happily, "So, now that we know and have everything together, how do we know which one she'd choose?"

"I could always just ask her," Cynder suggested.

"I want it to be a surprise though."

"Me and Volteer have that covered," Ersa assured him, "Either way, the food will take some time to make, but we can have it on standby, and even if we have it, I can preserve it for a later date. I can start working on the snow now just in case she chooses that option. Everything else just kinda has to happen, and we have till the end of the day before she wants to make a choice; or, at the least, a choice on the ending."

"Yeah... I don't want to force her to have to stay on one set path, so, if she wants to mix and match, that works too. And as another safety precaution, I'll have a third option where she can just stay here if she wants to; that way, she won't feel forced to have to do something, but no matter what she chooses, hopefully it will get her to smile at the end of the day," Cyril sighed to all that he had hoped for; hoping that what he would do would benefit her in some way, and with the help he was getting, he had to acknowledge that, "You know, it's funny, Volteer. You use to be my most hated because of something you never did, yet... here you are... being my most useful in a way. Just... not in that way. I'm not using you, and I don't want you to think that."

"Hehe, calm yourself, friend," Volteer smiled to him, "It's funny you say that. I told Ersa all the hell you gave me back in the day and, let's just say... I hope you would've enjoyed walking around with your organs sideways for a couple of hours."

"Uuuuuuuuuuuh..."

"Don't worry though! I calmed her. She was afraid that you really had turned and needed my reassurance on everyone."

"Oh..." This helped him take a sigh.

"To also help, I wouldn't mind either way for what you choose, or at least, what Flair chooses. I'm excited to go to the beach again, or if we try something new and have a snow day, that works too."

"And if we did go to the beach again, this would be the first time Trish would be with Terrador, and maybe I'd have Flair next to me."

"Awwwwww..." Trish cried a little.

"What's wrong?" Terrador asked with concern.

"I don't like thinking about you being alone because I know I should be there."

"Hehe, so, you'll help comfort me on my fears of being alone again then?"

"Of course!" Trish was confident.

"She literally said she'd have sex with you, dude. What more proof do you need?" Malefor questioned.

Trish's giggle got Terrador to blush with a smile. Readying herself now, Ersa had everything planned out, "Well then, I guess we should get to work," Sat up, Volteer did the same, "Me and Volteer will work with you to get things together. I guess you should follow us for the time being, Cyril, as to get you out of Flair's sight for now until she approves of your appearances, I guess. As for the others, mainly the girls, you all should talk to Flair for the time being and try to convince her to walk out here."

"Actually... I would like to do that alone if that would be okay with you all," Cynder suggested.

"What?" The girls all questioned, but especially Spyro, and he continued to ask, "Why alone? Especially with how... unstable... she is?"

"Spyro..."

"No no no! Not like that, I just...!"

"Spyro... I get that you're still scared, but do you remember what we talked about last night: how she is right now? By me going in alone, I can prove to her that I'm not afraid... None of us are," Cynder tried her best to assure him of his fears, "Flair backed you up, which means she must have some form of respect for you, so shouldn't you show some to her as well?"

After these words, he had nothing else to say as he agreed with her, "Yeah... you're right..."

"We need her to trust us, and to see us as friends and family. So that also means, you can NOT use your darkness to check on me," A powerful shiver when through Spyro's body hearing her say this and she knew he would have this kind of reaction, "I will use my darkness if necessary, but if I can talk to her alone, one-on-one, then I feel like I could get to her. I've done nothing but take lives back in the day, but from your teachings, from your help, I believe it's time I start saving them."

Sighing to help ease his fears, he nodded to her, "Alright... I... I believe in you."

"Thank you, my love. And if everything goes well, I'll reward you, okay?"

"Okay..."


To think... I was actually starting to like him... and rather then lie to myself, I... I feel like... if Cyril had diffused that situation with Argus... if he was still able to stay his calm collected self that he's always been... I feel like I would've fallen into his arms and admitted my life to him, Facing the back wall that the windows resided over, Flair sat to the bed, face dried from tears and her back facing the door with her head hung low. Her eyes were barely able to stay open as she felt the sleepiness set in from all the tears she had shed today. Mom... why... what did I do...? Is this punishment for not being strong enough that day? Is this just showing me one again that I need to be strong on my own, and that I shouldn't rely so heavily upon others? Hehe... or is this you kicking me in the gut... because I failed you...? Even though she giggled, it was more from pain than anything, and a tear followed close by to her eye. Why the hell should I care...? I'm just back to where I was almost a week ago. So what's stopping me from just heading out there and killing everyone? Because she had to think on everyone, an imagine of a cute, incident smile from Cyril appeared. The image was followed by movement, sounds of laughing, and even feelings from his scales that her body remembered and felt even though he wasn't there. Her body tensed from these thoughts and feelings, Damn it... Cyril... why... why did you have to be like them... why did you have to be like him...? Her body wouldn't ease from the pain, but luckily for her, the loneliness that was about to set in was interrupted by a feeling to her back. A heavy shiver showed throughout her body. Looking to her left, then her right, she noticed Cynder sitting down beside her now, and the feeling of comfort was from her wing that she draped to her back. It was such a surprise to her, even with the pain she was in, she had to give wide eyes to her, "Cy... Cynder...?"

"Hehe, hey, Flair," Cynder smiled to her friend.

Now that some focus was off on the pain she felt, Flair still couldn't look her in the eyes for long and went back to facing down, growling some even, "What do you want?"

"I wanted to come by and check on you: see how you were doing."

"You want to know how I'm doing?" Flair nearly spat to hear such a stupid wonder, "I was forced into a nightmare; experiencing what life would be like if you all turned your backs on me, allowing my dad to kill me because I was a problem. Then I almost killed Cyril, forced to almost kill him again, and then almost killed by someone who called me his mate... just to stun me... so he could kill me..." It was hard for her to shed another tear as she already felt so worn down, but that didn't stop the pain, "And after all this time... the fears I had of Cyril being just another aggressive male... all was shown right to my very eyes, and I listened to all of what kind of man he really was..."

Cynder didn't know how to respond to this at first, but one thing that caught her eye was something she didn't say, "That's strange... after all of the bad that you said happened today, you never mentioned the part where Cyril punished you in a way that resulted in a neck nibble."

"I might as well add it because... that was the last time I remember Cyril actually being something other then what ever he is now," Flair sighed as she continued to talk with her, and Cynder picked up on the fact that she was talking so much because in reality, she needed someone to talk to but didn't wish to admit it, "It's times like these where I have to question: why are we forced to live on this earth? Why do dreams give us more feelings then anything real life ever could? I mean, in a dream, you can meet lost ones. You could go anywhere in the world, have any kind of power and your imagination is limitless to the possibilities. Your brain... is like a paradise... and then you wake up... to deal with life, where everything's the opposite," Cynder understood what she was getting at, and just the same as her, she looked to her own paws, "In real life, there are no heroes... no real powers, no real light at the end of the tunnel... It's all hell, pain, death, and screams... it's like who ever made us gave us brains as a way of keeping us away from the real world, because even they know how shitty it can be..." Flair gave a sigh to what she was saying, but to her, it was all true, "It's rather pathetic to know the darkness is there for you more than the light, and you look around this world and you have to question if a devil won and in reality he's just watching the world slowly burn with no care to the end."

Cynder understood these emotions clear as day, which is exactly why it was so easy for her to relate to what she's going through, "You know... I've once thought the exact same. After all, look how my life was set up. Even if I were to get a life together, those around me would hate me for the deaths I've caused, for the families I had taken. And if that wasn't a nail in my coffin, I killed Spyro's parents. I knew I couldn't have a life because, I knew, at someone point, my past would come back and haunt me. You're not alone in thinking this, Flair."

"Don't try to relate to me. We're nothing alike. We had different pasts, different parents, and different circumstances that led to where we are today."

"But are we not? You lost your parents, you were looked on as a monster, and for a while, you had no one. You reject our help because you don't believe you need it, and you believe that at some point, we'd turn against you, because you believe you don't deserve the love and care you're getting. "

"I don't BELIEVE! I know... And this day alone proved that I'm meant to die alone as I always should have," Flair had many points she could make, "I tried to warm back up to life by wishing to go to the beach with you all, but then I slit Cyril's throat and almost killed him. After the shit he said about me... moaning... I tried to see what would happen if I didn't make it into an issue, but was punished for that too. Then, even after all that, I still tried to warm up to him, hinting at loving relationship just to see what would happen; what he'd say, and as if the devil was watching, Argus came by and nearly killed me," Cynder frowned to hear why things felt so hopeless for her, and even though she had seen almost all of what's happened, hearing how destroyed Flair was, she knew this was from the life she wanted to have but couldn't, "It's rather... pathetic of me too... I wanted Argus to kill me so badly... I wanted at least someone who said they liked me to actually show that by going through with the death that I've always wanted."

"Flair, suicide is never the answer..."

"Which is why I wouldn't be the one to kill myself!" She nearly nipped at her, "I'm... WEAK! I'm not this, monster, that can easily say that death is simple! I can kill others with ease because I know they have no care for my well being, but when it comes to myself... I know... unlike the others around me, I actually have a heart. I actually care for those around me, and when I hear what others do by killing, harming, or threatening the lives of others, I feel no fear in taking the life of someone who doesn't even seem real in the first place."

Wondering what her input would be, Cynder murmured as she asked her, "Would it be easy for you to kill me if you tried?"

"What?" Flair was surprised by the question, but wasn't nearly as surprised as Cynder when she answered, "You've been more of a friend to me then the other girls I use to hang out with. The same goes for everyone here... and it's why killing one of you is so difficult. You all seem like a real family; like you'd have each others backs through hell or high water, and I haven't seen that from anyone that I've ever met in Warfang or in my family... aside from... my mother..." Knowing she was straying off the path of what she wanted to say, a quick growl got her back to where she needed to be, "Anyway... no matter how many times I think of suicide, I'm just... too much of a bitch to do it... and it scares me to feel the pain."

"You're not a bitch in stopping such an act. You're smart, and brave."

"Of course I'm brave... only those who wish to stay in this hell we call life are definitely considered brave... and stupid... But thinking about the pain... I couldn't go through with it. When Argus was close to killing me, I accepted it... It's all I've ever wanted in life, and after constantly asking Cyril over and over again to kill me, I was finally able to get that sweet release of my nightmares..." Curling her paws into fists, she clenched her teeth, "But then that stupid piece of shit stopped Argus! I was so close... It felt like hell, and with my blood sinking into my lungs, it felt like I was drowning, but I was at least dying... I was so close... all of my life problems, nightmares, and pains... they all would've finally stopped..."

"But what about the pains we'd all feel if you left our lives?" Cynder questioned.

"HA! You really think anyone here cares about me?! No. They fear me, and the only reason they see me as some good figure is because they haven't lived with me as long as Cyril has. Ignitus proved my point very early on. Being the Chronicler, he saw my past, basically living next to me, and he saw I'm hell to live with. Cyril's only stayed with me as long as he has because he's looking for a reward after the war."

"But we girls were with you for almost a full day and we rather enjoyed your company from start to finish," Cynder smiled, and while Flair tried to see past this smile to see if it was fake, her words didn't sound to be, "You truly are adventures, and I know this is weird to say but... where you see a monster... I see a mother," Flair gave wide eyes to this, "Being around you, I feel... safe... without Spyro. Of course, all the girls have their ways of fighting back, especially Ersa, but you... you help me stay calm even when Spyro's not around. And though I wasn't able to thank you yesterday, I want to now... Thank you... thank you for not attempting a kill on my lover while he was down for the count. That really helped ease me."

"Because Cyril's my prey! I've already said this!" Flair tried to hold back tears.

"There's an excuse for that, but what about how nice it feels for me to be around you?"

"After what I've done today, are you sure you should still consider me a motherly figure?"

Cynder didn't hesitate to nod, "You've stood strong through it all, though, I wish you could've had a mate figure in a way to protect you too. I feel bad though since, Cyril can't protect you from nightmares, he can't sense the darkness, and he can't heal you like Spyro or Ignitus could, but... that's never stopped him from trying his hardest, has it?" Flair growled as she knew his name was to be brought back up, "Cyril did apologize and thank everyone for what they've done, and after the talk you gave him, hehe, you definitely put him in his place. But also understand that, all the pain you felt today, he experienced it all with you."

"And I should care why?"

"Because when you cry, so does he. When you feel pain, he feels the same. Even after Cyril almost died by that darkness that took control over you, he still got up, he still fought, and even went as far as to use his powers to their max to help you. He comforted you, he focused to you only because he knows your pain. Cyril knows the others around here are stable aside from you. There's time for a thank you, but nearly no time on comforting someone."

"Why are you defending him?"

"Cyril may have attempted to kill me back in the day, but he made up for it, and apologized for it. In times of fear, you do stupid things. Like I said, you can say thank you to someone at any point in your life, but when you're suffering from depression, there's never enough time, and it should be solely focused on until it gets better. That's what Cyril was doing, and I'm glad he focused on your health above all else."

"You're wrong about him!"

"I do the exact same thing with Spyro. I lash out because I love him. I lash out when I believe others are wrong, and I lash out when others don't listen to what I have to say. Cyril lashes out because he cares about your safety, he lashed out because he believed Spyro was wrong, and he lashed out because it felt like all he was saying was being taken wrong, and that goes directly to you," Flair growled as she didn't want to accept what she was saying, but unfortunately for her, Cynder's words triggered memories within her that made her understand, "Tell me the truth when it came to today. Was there ever a point where you did something and he didn't focus your safety? This would just prove my point that, he knew he could apologise or thank the others later, but your health and safety was his priority. And I'm assuming he did this since he knows your past, and he doesn't want something to repeat itself."

It seemed after some time, Cynder had finally gotten to her as Flair's tears and constant trembling showed she was thinking on it. While at first it started to get to her, Flair tried her best to keep these memories away and prove a point of her own, "Stop acting like those around you will be there forever! You don't know what a bike is, but that's all life is! On a bike, you have training wheels; those training wheels are there to support you, they're there to correct you and help guide you. But just like real life, you'll lose those close to you, you'll lose your training wheels and have to do things on your own. You're so attached to others that you don't understand what life could do to you down the line! You're giving those beings above a way to tear you down like they do to everyone else!"

"And that should stop me from making memories with the ones close to me?" Cynder stood her ground, confident in what she had to say, "Me and Spyro aren't even mates yet, and nothing in this world will stop that from happening. I don't even care if I turn back to the Terror Of The Skies, but I know that won't happen because everyone around here has each other's back. If Cyril wasn't there to help you, I would've, Spyro would've, Ignitus would've, we all would've! Because we all love having you here! You're family to us, and no matter the bump in the road, we will support you, and continue to make as many memories with you as we can."

"And what's the point of making memories if in death, nothing matters!" Flair didn't back down from what she believed in.

"There's always the saying that, if you go to hell, you live your nightmares, and your fears. So wouldn't it be the opposite if you go to the afterlife?" Cynder had her own way of viewing things when it came to death, "If that were true, then every memory matters. Everywhere you go, everything you do, and all those you meet in life, they'll all be there, waiting for you to live another prefect life for the rest of your new existence. I love having you around, Flair, and I will always say that. When I die, I hope to make memories for times you weren't with us. Memories where you felt joy rather than being in pain. Spyro means everything to me, and that goes for the family I have as well, and I hope to see you, and everyone else up there waiting for me so we can experience the good life two times over."

With Cynder's help over such a topic she always feared of, tears had once again started to fall from Flair's eyes. She couldn't find a way to say something against this, and with every thought telling her to fight back against what she believed were lies, her mind and sole would push these thoughts away, knowing they weren't needed. It was unfortunate for her to feel like she was losing, but with this loss helped her understand more of a meaning for life, Mom... Even after all that I've been through... everything that I've done... why am I still helped...? Why does this family... care so much to help me...? Cynder could once again see that she was deep to her thoughts on what was said, which gave her more time to help with all that she's learned, "I know what it's like to be at your lowest point; when it feels like nothing could ever better you, but in times like those, life... finds a way to help pull you up, to help support you. Life... isn't something... but someone... Life to me... is Spyro... Life to you is... well... who do you think you can consider life for you?"

Flair knew where this was going, and even after Cynder tried to push and steer her in the right direction, she stayed strong, "I'm not going to say Cyril if that's what you're implying."

"I never said anything about Cyril," Cynder smirked, "I never mentioned blue, I never mentioned ice, and I never mentioned comfort. It was you yourself who had him in mind before I could even say anything," Flair growled low as she fell for what Cynder had done, not able to see past anything she was doing, "Sounds like you already know who and what life means to you: you're just afraid to admit it."

"Of course I'm afraid," Since she had now been exposed, there was no reason to lie through her teeth, "After what you saw, and what Cyril did, how could you honestly defended such a monster."

"You told Cyril of your past, and I have to ask; how terrible was Argus to you?" Flair didn't wish to answer her, "You called him a monster when he stood for you, you called him a monster when he defended you, and you called him a monster because you were at your weakest and all he wanted to do was to protect you. If Argus really was such an evil man, and to know that he hurt you, Cyril's reaction was justified. Spyro's acted the same way against Malefor, but even he knows his boundaries."

"So you're defending him?"

"They're guys. They punch each other, yell at each, and draw blood from one another. But at the end of the day, they're still brothers. Behind all of that, they cared for each other. Punching usually ends in a sit down as they laugh about it, yelling usually just ends up being about something stupid like if the earth was a moon, and as for drawing blood... well... you should see how Spyro and Malefor train, but they're still very close friends, even if Spyro doesn't wish to admit that."

"So you're saying I should just forgive him for what he did? For how he acted?"

"That's for you to decide. If Cyril did what he did, and showed his teeth to you, then I'd be plotting his death along with you, but he didn't," Cynder smiled as she tried to help joke with her, "Hehe, then again, I'm sure he'd already be dead at this point and you'd be holding his head in victory but... Flair... all he wanted to do was to protect you. Cyril growling at Spyro is nothing new, and fights happen. But unlike other families, we don't dwell, and if it's a problem, we deal with it together."

Once again, Cynder's words got Flair thinking on the situation more so now then when she had back when things first went down. Rather then keep her thoughts to herself, Flair wanted to speak out loud just to get an idea of whether or not what she was saying was right or not, "Argus is dead... and after what he did... why should I care...? He sided with my father, he tortured me, and knew that I wanted to be his mate, so he used that against me just to lure me away from my true protector to kill me..." Now as she looked back on what had happened, the look in Cyril's eyes from what she could make was almost pure white as her words nearly killed him to hear, "He thought he did right... and even when I attacked him, he never fought back against me... he believes my words, and he trusts me... so then... would he really take my words to heart and think that he really is a monster...?"

Cynder frowned to hear her say, but since Flair had looked to her, she knew she wanted her to answer, which forced a sad sigh as she already knew the answer, "Spyro loves me... and if I called him a monster, he'd believe me, because just like Cyril to you, he trusts you, and believes in your words. You might not trust me when I say it, and honestly, I believe you should very much talk with Cyril again... but... yes... I believe... I... know... after what you said... he's definitely taking it to heart."


"You know, it's a real bummer," Volteer sighed, standing close by his table in his room with Ersa to his left and Cyril sitting far back near the middle of their open room, "Seeing you standing here but not on that bed and on your back is making me want to act up."

"Behave yourself," Ersa warned him, pointing one claw at him while resting another one over a book she was looking at, "We have a guest, so for the time being, you'll keep that tail down."

"Hehe, I know I know. All I'm saying is, if he wasn't in here, we'd definitely be having some fun."

"Oh absolutely. But until we get Cyril back with Flair, I don't even think I could sleep tonight."

"Are you afraid of her?" Volteer wondered, continuing to work together along side his mate, "Of course it's months off but, I don't need you being under stress while you're pregnant. But then again, I don't want you to feel stressed in the one place you call home."

"Flair may be a threat to many, but so could anyone else. I still fear Spyro's power, Malefor's power, or even Ignitus's. But that's where the girls come in to play. As long as we can somehow just get Flair to speak with Cyril again, I know he can turn things around. Watching those two flirt and get so close to one another was rather..."

"Extraordinary," Volteer knew what word she was to use, and for Ersa, hearing him nail what she was to say just as she had said it always made the two smile, "It's crazy the things we've seen around the others as well. Hearing Carith openly admit she wants to be Malefor's mate was rather surprising, and seeing the others act in different ways to them knowing their blood works with each other's male was pretty sweet to watch."

"And it was all made possibly by everyone... especially Flair..." Giving a sigh, Ersa held onto hopes, "All we need is for her to talk to him, and I know things will go back to our kind of normal."

Even if all of this works, what if it's all for nothing? Sat back as the other two made way for what they were to do later, Cyril looked to the floor, paying no attention to the others conversations or movements. Flair sees me as nothing more than a monster now, and with my show of anger, what stops her from just ending my life at any point now? Shedding a couple of tears, he let out a small sniffle which the two heard. Turned back to face him, Ersa and Volteer looked to one another with frowns, and once looked back, she tried to comfort Cyril, "This isn't the first time you two have had difficulties, Cyril. I'm sure everything will be fine."

"It isn't... but this is the first time she's ever seen me as a monster..." His saddened voice made the two shiver as they knew he was down for what had happened, though it seemed he was more destroyed then anything, "Even after all this preparation, what would stop her from leaving? What would stop her from killing me? But then again, that's what she's always wanted so... is this a good thing...?" He stopped for only a second before bashing himself on his life, "All I wanted to do was succeed in something in my life, to finally be able to protect someone close to me... but if I know that I'll always fail; to know their death was because of me, or their pain was caused because I could've done something, then... what's the point of even living...?"


"There are plenty of reasons!" Malefor smiled wide, still sat with Carith in the Chambers and faced to Terrador, "Look, you may see being in love with someone a bad thing, but let me give you a hundred reasons, 'not really cause that'd take too long', why being in love is amazing!" Clearing his throat, he gave a couple of his reasons, "Number one. Like my female here, you have a nice squishy ass you can always grab in the time of ass grabbing needs, like so," Reaching a paw down and grabbing a paw full of Carith's back end, she jumped with a blush, but didn't deny that she didn't enjoy it, "Second, don't you ever have those times where your mouth is dry or you accidentally bit your tongue? Well, did you know it's scientifically proven that the female your with, her tongue can heal yours by wrapping itself around your own?"

Malefor looked to Carith and caught a glimpse of her tongue sliding back into her mouth, and what was left were her shiny now wet lips. Since the two were now embedded in lust, their lips were quick to lock which the others unfortunately had to hear. Trish grumbled in jealousy over their love, saying this out loud but not on purpose, "Awwwwwwwww... If only Terrador would just make me his the same way those two do to each other..." Realizing she had said it out loud, Trish widened her eyes and looked to Terrador, now seeing his pure red face from her lust, "Oh! Sorry! What I meant to say was... well... no... there's nothing I could say to cover that up."

"Well, as a distraction, I could help out," Claire spoke to break the embarrassment, and just as she had, Malefor and Carith subsided in their kiss, "Spyro..." His body shivered; however, all focus was towards the right entrance of the Chambers as his body almost pointed like an arrow, ready to make a move at any point, "Cynder's going to be fine, trust me. While I know Flair can be scary, she's not necessarily evil. I was once an assassin too, remember? But thanks to efforts of Carith and Cynder, I pushed through. And I know Cynder can help Flair just as much if not more now with all that she knows."

Spyro sighed as his body did ease from her words, so much so that he did sit back down, "The biggest problem is that, we don't know how exactly she'll react to something. Something innocent could be turned manipulative, or something like a joke could be turned to aggression. I trust Cynder, and I do in a way trust Flair... But without Cyril, there's no telling what she'll do to you, Cynder, or any of us."

"Spyro, caaaaaaalm, doooooooown," Malefor tried to divert attention to himself now, "Is Flair scary? Yes. Deadly? Yes. Not afraid to get her claws bloody? Yes," The others growled as he wasn't helping Spyro's case, and because of this, he went back to almost a pointing position towards the entrance, "BUT! My point is, you've seen progress with her just as much as I have. Like it or not, she's made it very clear countless times that her only kill she'd ever make to our family was Cyril."

"Countless, huh?" Terrador smirked, "Not surprised you can't count to three."

"Not surprised you're still a virgin," Malefor growled back.

"So are you!"

"You sure about that? Carith, get up stairs-go to our room-and wait for me."

"What?!" Carith's faced turned beat red.


Looking down to her bed as Flair focused to many thoughts and emotions, she wanted to find the one that screamed out to her; the one that would know something that she didn't. So then at this point, what do I do...? Do I tell myself to listen or feel something, or do I let it happen? But either way, it feels like something within me will go against what I have planned. So what do I trust. Flair's thoughts started to drift towards Cynder whom still sat next to her, smiling, in hopes of her getting better. Because of her support, there was an idea that she did have on what to do, "Cynder... I need your honest opinion," Cynder was ready for what ever it may be, "When you're at a point that you don't know what to do, what do you listen to in order to figure out how to leave this pit of despair?"

"Hehe, you've definitely come to the right girl," Cynder giggled, "I do many things that differ from one another, such as figuring out what my gut says, what my mind says, or what others say. But I'm assuming you're asking this because a part of you is saying one thing, but another part says another no matter if your answer to yourself is yes or no?" Flair turned to her with wide eyes to hear she nailed exactly what she was going through, which made Cynder show another giggle, "I was the same way with Spyro; the same way with being accepted as something different then a monster by the Guardians, as well as being treated so well by Carith, Claire, the others, and especially you."

"How have I ever treated you well?"

"One great example would be back on our last girls day. I downed myself thinking that I didn't deserve the life I had, but the other girls, and especially you, really helped raise my head. While it's only been almost a week since you've been here, while you may think you've never treated me well, I bet you can't find a way you've treated me wrong."

"What about the time I tried to kill Spyro, and you growled at me saying, ''You're not going anywhere'."

"Haha! Yeah, like I said, the Terror Of The Skies is kinda deadly, but I'm sure you would've put me in my place if Spyro hadn't," Cynder gave a nervous giggle, but other then that, Flair really couldn't find a reason as she's never done anything really to cause her such pain, "Ahem... but, going back. No matter what I say, you have to come to a conclusion to the best of your abilities, but I will continue to support you. Some sample questions that I used to help me are: why does Spyro love me out of everyone else? Why do others agree I should have a good life? Are they wrong to think that, and am I wrong to think I should continue this life with everyone else? Even with answers to those questions, until you hear exactly what you want to hear, you'll never truly find the answer."

Cynder's words made Flair turn as she faced her now. With this turn, Cynder's wing slid down the back of her friend's body, now turning even herself to continue eye contact. Because of all that was said, things were finally starting to connect like puzzle pieces to Flair, and she spoke with a tone of understanding, "So... Even if I say that I'm a monster, while the others speak what they believe is the truth, it'll never be the truth for me because I don't believe it... Which means... in a way... I really do have to find the truth for myself."

"And that's the hardest part. Do you believe you're a monster or no? And if you say yes, for everything you've done, were your actions justified? Or, the hardest question of all, do you believe Cyril to be the monster you think he's supposedly always been?" Flair now couldn't give a clear answer, "And... if you say yes... for everything you've told him, from your past, strengths, or even weaknesses... for him to defend you... do you believe his actions were justified?" Because of her line of reasoning on the subject, Flair was able to connect what she was feeling; pushing away that of what she didn't want to feel, now knowing these thoughts or emotions weren't needed, "I once had a nightmare... but the Guardians split me and Spyro into two rooms, so I didn't have him near me when the nightmare happened. In the heat of the moment, he was upset, afraid I was attacked, hurt, or almost killed. He lashed out at the Guardians for their mistake. But once he knew I was safe, once he knew I was alive... He felt horrible for it, and apologized to them."

"Cyril would've done the same thing... but how could he if so much was happening so fast..." Flair murmured, ducking her head low as now she wanted to turn back time and stop herself from saying what she did.

"Spyro knew the Dark Master corrupted me; making me take his place and kill everyone that I knew and didn't. Spyro knew the pain I had endured because every night I was at the Dragon Temple, though a short time... I needed someone to talk to... and he... was there... he suffered my past just as badly as I did... which is why it's been difficult for him to move on..."

"And the same was for Cyril," Her body didn't fight her words, her mind didn't fight her thoughts, and her gut didn't fight her feelings; now all that was left were her tears as she felt alone now, "I told him everything my father did... what happened after my mother had died... how Argus treated me... and because of how I told the story... Cyril knew that much more of how I suffered," Bringing up what was told, something didn't make sense to her now, "But then... why... why are you helping me...? You know I killed my mother, you know I killed other dragons and they isolated me for it, and you know I attacked my father...! So... then... why...?"

Cynder smiled as she looked down to her crying figure, once again having been here with Spyro in the past, "I asked the same thing to Spyro with my own past. He knew I killed his parents, he knew I killed my own, and he knew the monster I could truly be... but one thing that surprised me above all else was... I poisoned him, put my blade to his neck, and he was completely paralysed with nothing to do... but even after knowing all of that... he smiled... he smiled to me and said, 'You act like I don't trust you'..." Shedding a tear of her own, Cynder sighed with a smile, thinking of her times with Spyro, "If anything, I don't believe that story... To me... it sounds like your mother died because of your father but he blamed it on you," Flair shivered hard enough to almost lock her body, hearing that someone else was agreeing with her with out even having to hear the full story, "It sounds like you tried to start a new life, but the others in your family pushed them away, isolating you from any source of comfort, purposely driving you insane to make you look like the monster they said you were. And for the scar on you father... sounds like someone needed prove that you were beyond saving..." This only caused more tears to flow from Flair's eyes as she never expected anyone to have understood her aside from simply her own self, but these thoughts once again brought her back full circle to Cyril, "I know you're scared, Flair... and while I may never know your entire past... I'm just glad that I've gotten to know you... and no matter what happens... I... my family... And especially Cyril... will always be here for you."

With nothing left to say and seeing Flair now breaking down to tears, Cynder nodded slightly, giving a smile even to see these weren't tears of pain, You have to stay strong, Flair. Just please remember... you won't be alone in your attempts. Turning now to her left and heading down off the bed, while Cynder believed there wasn't anything else to say, Flair needed to say something, "Cynder...!" Stopped in the middle of the room, though not facing her, Cynder listened, smiling to hear her words after, "Thank you... Thank you... for this..."

Though she couldn't see it, a smile was very much shown to Cynder's lips, "I didn't want to say this until last second but... I wanted you to know that... Spyro heard what was talked about last night... between you and the new dark master," A shiver shot through Flair's spine as she worried this was a bad thing, but as words went on, that wasn't it at all, "I calmed Spyro and helped show him you simply wish to live with those that you love. One thing that stuck out to me was your plan to feel bad over Cyril's death before bringing us girls in one at a time to kill us secretly. I wanted to come by alone to show that wasn't true, to show that you're more of a goddess then anything else. Hehe, and if anything, I love your other plan... your long term plan with Cyril... it will definitely show him a lesson," Cynder's giggle and having brought the long term plan up made Flair giggle as well: helping her to finally smile again, "And in case you didn't notice, I, nor Spyro, used the darkness to signal the other, and he didn't use it either to check on me because... we trust you... you're family... And we welcome you with open arms and wings."

Now hearing this, remembering back to what was spoken on and trying to remember if there was a point her darkness showed, Flair's mind drew a blank. Now not able to say anything, her tears felt endless as she laid down on to the bed belly flat and forehead against the mattress. She couldn't hear or see if Cynder had walked out or not, but after what she now understood and felt, the thoughts and emotions all directed to one thing, Cyril... I'm sorry... I'm so... sorry... Because of her feeling of being alone, both sides of her wings wanted to wrap around something, or to feel something hold her close as she had gotten use to. Please... forgive me... Tears having been shed all throughout the day; the fatigue grew over her, forcing her eyes to close as Flair felt herself drifting off before falling asleep in her own tears.


"Here's something crazy for ya," As to keep the others occupied, as well as getting Spyro's nose out from the Chamber's entrance, Malefor wished to blow the minds of the others with a belief of his, "Okay, so, say you have a coin, right? Coins in books have a head on the top and a tail on the bottom, signifying heads or tails. I know this is a lot of information for your little brain Terrador, so if you need me to stop, then just tell me."

"Can you stop breathing?" Terrador growled through his teeth.

"For about fifty seconds. But if we're talking underwater and I can hold my nose, maybe a minute, but not holding, I'd say two seconds."

"Finally, a good thought; you going underwater and the only thing we see for the next minute is bubbles, but no Malefor, and then... peeeeeeeeeeace... nothing, but peace..."

"Piece of what?"

"Did you just enjoy the thought of Malefor drowning?" Spyro asked.

"P-e-a-c-e!" Terrador spelled it out for Malefor, "As for him drowning..."

"That's a low blow man. You know I have fears of shit like that," Malefor whimpered, "Trish, are you really going to be the mate of someone so maniacal?"

"I unfortunately have to agree with Malefor," Trish surprised the others, "I don't want to be controlling or a buzz-kill, but... while you may like the thought... I rather enjoy having Malefor around."

"Awwwwwww. Thank you, Trish."

"Alright... fine..." Terrador backed down, now feeling a little bad as he understood her worry, "I'm... sorry for making you think about death..."

"It's okay, my love," For Trish it flowed off her tongue while surprising the others, and as if that wasn't enough to make his cheeks red, her kiss to him after made his body lock in enjoyment, "Like I said, I know it was only a joke. And knowing your kind hearted nature, you'd dive in the water to save him. Which... is another reason on top of thousands that I know you'd make an amazing father."

"I don't know. Terrador put more thought into his muscles then his brain that's for sure," Malefor snickered.

"Okay, maybe you could leave him under water for a little bit after, just not death worthy."

"Wh...?! Trish?! I thought you were on my side!"

"Damn. She went from pro-Malefor to pro-Malefor's-death in seconds. You really know how to make enemies, don't you," Spyro chuckled.

"I can also make Hatchlings if Carith would ever go to our room upstairs and wait for me."

"You're lying!" Carith growled from his tease, yet every part of her wished to run up stairs and wait for him as he's been telling her.

"Going back to the coin thing, this is how crazy this gets, alright. Did you know, every time you flip a coin, your chances, depending on what you've landed on, will either decrease, or increase?" Malefor got confused looks from everyone, "So, for example, I flip a coin and land on heads. My chances of landing on heads decreases, but my chances of landing on tails increases. It's scientifically proven that doing something over and over again with success will sooner or later lead to failure."

"Little dark don't you think?" Spyro questioned.

"Now that you're saying it, yeah. Then again, says the one talking about throwing a rock at mach one hundred or something like that and blowing someone's head up."

"Bitch, don't you try me. The other girls were there and they'd back me up."

"Don't you mean you'd want Cynder to back you up?"

"What?"

"Or would you want to back her up and slap that ass?"

"Your trial of living his expired," Spyro growled at him, blushing as he understood now.

"Dude, now that I'm thinking about it, I wish Carith was backing it up against me so I could, gently, slap that ass."

"Tease me one more time and I'll make sure those legs won't work tomorrow," Carith growled to him as well, filled with lust for the things she wished to do with him.

"Oh please. I'm sure you'd be on your back longer then me," Malefor had no fear in saying.

"You want to bet?" Carith licked her lips.

"Until I hear the words that we're mates, I can't say anything," Malefor licked his lips back, trying to convince her to say it.

"So you're saying you wish we were?"

"Are you asking because you're hoping?"

The two were at a complete standstill, but that didn't stop the view for the others as they noticed the lust in one another's eyes. It felt as though in seconds, anything could happen between the two that could get nasty. Without even knowledge of what was going on, Cynder had finally arrived back from her talk with Flair, which snapped all eyes back to her, especially Spyro's. Seeing her head ducked low as though she were sad, maybe even injured, fears burned into Spyro's mind quickly as he stood up from the wall. Cynder stood face to face with him now, and after the talk she had had, memories of what he's done for her, seeing his body once again, and understanding why he was breathing the way he was, now it was her turn to be filled with lust. Unable to hold back any longer, she raised a paw to his chest before surprising him with a lip lock. The lust within her grew more and more as her body took over for her, allowing her to focus on the kiss. Now in complete enjoyment, her body raised up along with him, forcing the two to their feet. Pinning Spyro's back to the wall, her tongue now took over, wrestling with his own in a way. To top it all off, the paw that she rested to his chest moved up his shoulder before grabbing a hold of his paw and extending it outwards. Doing the same with his other, Cynder held his other paw to the wall, and now the only support to his chest was her own as she pushed it against his, wishing to feel every part of him that she could. The others blocked the view with their wing, both embarrassed and confused as to why this was happening in the first place. It took a couple more seconds for the lust within her to ease down as the moans she gave off, combined with his groans made her feel fire within. Slowly easing her way down to back from the kiss, her chest was first , followed by her paws as the two supported one another to the ground. Surprising her now though, Cynder felt as Spyro's tongue reached within her mouth, so she eased backed, grabbed a hold of it with her lips and pulled away slowly to savor his taste. Back down to the ground and on all fours, the two locked eyes with heavy breaths, tongues showing out from each other's mouths which only made things worse to keep the two from acting romantic. Trying his best to ignore her beauty, her warm breath to his lips, and the look of her tongue hanging out almost as if she was begging for him to attack her in a sense, Spyro was in complete harmony, "I have... no idea... what I did... but if it garnered a kiss... as amazing as that... I will absolutely take full credit for it..."

To hear Spyro speaking helped reassure the others that the kiss had been finished, which let the others drop their wings and find out as well why she had kissed him the way she did. Cynder giggled in an innocent way, kicking his heart to his chest as his lust was still very much there for her, "Me and Flair's talk brought up the past... specifically your trust in me... and what you've done," Spyro smiled to hear her say this, and even as she walked to his right to sit down with him, she continued, "It took some time to help calm her, but... I do hope and believe I helped even a little... thanks to your trust in me, and the trust you have for Flair, I was able to successfully close thing off as well as I possibly could," The others didn't notice Volteer, Ersa, and Cyril had all made their way to the entrance, but they didn't enter, "I told Flair that we knew what she supposedly planned on doing."

"You were there when the dark master threatened Flair?" Cyril's voice was low, almost dead in a way which everyone frowned for as it was like his sole had left his body, "Cynder, please, believe me, she's not evil, I..."

"Cyril... It's okay... we all believe of her as family," Cynder wanted to assure him more as, after hearing the destroyed sound of his voice, and almost a missing soul, she had to do something, "Spyro overheard how she was planning to kill you, play off your death, and kill us girls one by one. But that didn't add up at all. That plan wasn't true, but one plan that I know was had to be her long term plan with you."

Cyril couldn't even smile as he knew this to be a lie, and since he didn't say something, Malefor wanted to ask, "What was the long term plan?"

"Basically him and her becoming lovers, mates, having a family and then dying happy," Spyro kept his voice low as well, "Though it wasn't her that said it. Flair just said she had a long term plan, and this new dark master was the one who spoke about what her plan might be."

"I do have hopes that I helped her to what I believe was the best of my ability. But what's next... I'm not so sure," Cynder finished off what she had to say.

"Well, though I wasn't there, I believe you did your best, Cynder," Since Ersa knew what the plan was next, she decided to lay it out, "Since you've basically eased her in a way, Cynder, now, if it's alright with you, I think all of us girls should move in and help finally peal her away from that bed. We already have the preparations necessary for anything that she chooses to do, and specifically from Cyril's request, we also have some medicine, just not prepared versions of something else that may help her smile."

"Is it a poison that throws Cyril into a seizure?" Malefor questioned.

"It was a thought..." Cyril's voice once again made everyone frown.

"Cyril! Dude, you have got to stop this man!" The others knew even for Malefor, it pained him to hear his friend this way, "Come on, man! You know either way at some point, we will go back to our original family, you'll simp over Flair, and everything will go back to normal. It's not the end of the world! She chose to go to her room and not run away, which means that you helped her see this place as home; you helped her see us as family, so the only time you should feel down is when you know there's nothing else you can do, but that's not true. You know there's something else to do, you're doing it, and it can work!" Such as rare as the sight of the unknown, Malefor's rally in a way and help to his friend helped bring light back to Cyril's eyes, and because of a smile, a quick change was needed on how he spoke further, "Now hurry up and get back with Flair. Without her around, your free for me to pick on all damn day. Which means I can call you a simp or a bitch without any consequences... bitch."

Cyril sighed, trying to growl even to his friend, and though he was still down, his voice had cleared up some, "Just you wait... I'm gonna list all of the smack talk that you're saying and put a bounty on your dumb ass for Flair to claim. Every time you say some shit, another scale from your head."

"Flair wouldn't individually take one scale off my body each and ever time. That'll take too long."

"And you think she wouldn't enjoy every single one of your painful screams?"

Malefor gave wide eyes to this realization and chuckled rather nervously, "Hehe... Hehehe... now now, Cyril... play nice... p-please..."

"Well, I don't know about you all, aside from of course Cyril, but I'm definitely missing Flair's anger right about now," Ersa kept a smile as she spoke as to show no hard feelings, "So, Volteer: My love. Why don't you and Cyril make sure everything is prepared just as a triple-check while me and the other girls go and help get Flair out here," Volteer nodded to her, and just to help ease the pain of loneliness, he draped a wing over Cyril's back as he helped guide him back to the room, "You know..." Her voice went low for a second as she watched Volteer and Cyril walk away, and with them out of hearing range, she looked to the others and was honest, "If Flair doesn't speak to Cyril soon, I might have to do more then I've already done."

"Already done?" Carith murmured.

"He couldn't calm down after what he did. I gave him some help to ease what he's going through but... If I hadn't given him some medicine... his body would've shut down."

"How?" Cynder murmured.

"Because of what he was going through, his mind was pounding from overload of thoughts. His entire body suffered from over breathing, heartbreak, emotional discharge, a complete shutdown, and even almost a bursting heart do to the highest blood pressure I've ever seen."

"Holy hell. That dude has only know her for like five days," Malefor was blown away by how destroyed he was from such a short amount of time.

"It doesn't help that they've been through more then what we've seen. Cyril's afraid to fail, afraid that he'll never be able to successfully protect anyone in his life. Not his friends, not his brother, not his family, and not someone close to him like a lover. He failed you, Malefor, by not protecting Carith. He failed his parents by not being able to save them. And now, after having a fallout with his previous mate, he's failing another relationship."

"That wasn't his fault!" Malefor growled, "I should've been there for Carith! He didn't know what was happening with his brother at all; I should've had better control over my darkness, and that bitch that he called his mate didn't belong to anyone aside for the devil! All of his past failures weren't from him, and it's unfortunate to know these are reasons he hasn't cared to train... the only time he's shown such growth in power in so long was when Spyro pretended to kick Flair out when she was corrupted."

"Wait... what do you mean Cyril had a mate? Cyril was with a mate before?" Spyro asked and wondered the same as those who didn't know.

"I will tell you the story, Spyro," Ignitus murmured, "But, Ersa, if you'd like to, you could tell the others the tragedy while you're walking them to Flair's room. All this talk makes me wish to hurry before something truly does happen to permanently damage Cyril's health," Ersa nodded as she understood completely, and with her turned to face the end of the hallway, the girls all sat up to follow along, "I honestly never thought I'd have to speak about this ever again," With the girls all together, they walked down the hall with Ersa sighing before having to speak on the story, "I do have to warn you, Spyro... this wasn't a simple break up... it took a while before he could even come close to a recovery... and if I'm being honest... the Cyril you saw on our way back to this building after that girls day: that smiling, laughing, and cheerful side to him... that... use to be him."

"I always assumed Cyril wanted to be a hardass."

"I wish that were the case."


It's... strange... how peaceful things are right now... Nearly waking herself within her own thoughts, Flair felt the comfort from the bed as she slept: just nothing else. Why do I feel... different...? Why don't I feel... scared...? Her body felt as though it had deflated into the bed almost as though it was listening to her thoughts. I should be sacred... shouldn't I...? About the others... about Cyril... What would he do if he saw me again... what would he say... and would things stay as they use to be... or would they change? All thoughts should've been met with fear as nothing that was thought about helped eased Flair, but something told her not to worry, and because of this, the rest of her agreed. No... Cyril wouldn't do anything... After what Cynder said... after what he did, or rather, didn't do... he wouldn't do anything to me. Because of these gentle thoughts, it was easy for her to grow in excitement as things seemed as though they could turn for the better. So then... would he forgive me... and we could just go back to being... us... go back to being... together...? While it seemed easy for her to say, a pain just thinking on it stabbed to her stomach. Yeah... that's something I'm torn between as well... which means... maybe we shouldn't... or at the very least... I need... more time... After today, it's been a true test to our relationship... or should I say... my sanity? Thoughts conflicted with one another, forcing pain to wake her now as she couldn't figure out the difference between what should be done, or what needed to be. I wonder what Cynder would say to this... Opening her eyes though not that wide, Flair's body still stayed half asleep. Her head raised for a second before resting over her right arm, now helping her face towards the door. She felt completely drained of energy which was understandable to her. I don't ever even see myself leaving this room, but... I... I need... I have to see Cyril again... I need his voice... I need his comfortably cold warmth... I... I... Sighing as she knew where this was going, her thoughts connected, helping her easily say, I just want him back in my life. To her surprise, a blue figure stood in front of her line of sight. This helped her wake almost completely as hope shined within her pupils but almost more so in her voice, "Cyril...?" Her hopes were high, but as her eyes opened with color, it wasn't Cyril, and as she looked from left to right, she knew who it was now, "Carith...? Girls...?"

The row of girls all smiled to her as they stood at the front of her bed. From the left view of Flair to her right stood Trish, Claire, Carith, Cynder, and finally, Ersa. Carith giggled to hear how excited she was if it really had been Cyril, "So... you're missing him as badly as he's missing you...?"

"What do you mean?" Flair weakly asked, but not without worry.

"Well... Let's just say he almost committed suicide."

"What?!"

"His body tried to," Ersa cleared that up, "After what had happened, there was too much for his body to process which almost caused an explosion from the inside of his body. I honestly don't know what would've happened first; would his brain have shut down do to overload, or would his heart have exploded because his blood pressure was so dangerously high."

"Is he okay?!" Flair now almost stood to hear this.

"He's... stable... I gave him something to help with his pains but... he's... not well..." This made Flair sigh a relief, but she didn't lay to the bed anymore and instead sat, "Flair... I have to ask which I do already know the answer to but... Do you know all about Cyril's past?" She gave a small nod to her friend, "So then... do you know why he acted the way he did? Why he's acting the way he is right now?" While Flair was going to answer, Ersa wanted to clear the question up just to see what she'd say, "I have to honestly ask... How do you think Cyril's feeling right now after what's happened today? Don't go off of what I've said, but rather what you honestly believe."

After the talk with Cynder, after reassuring even herself on the man Cyril was, Flair answered honestly, "He's afraid of failing someone in his life... All he wanted to do was to protect me, but now... he believes he failed me... he thinks I'm going to leave him and be another one of his unfortunate failed attempts at feeling anything in life... And after I called him a monster... I all but assured his fears..." The girls all gave wide eyes to hear she hit the nail on the head so well, almost as if she truly understood everything now, but since the girls didn't say anything, she thought she was wrong, "Or, is he already thinking about moving on from me because he believes and understands that I'm not worth it."

"No, you... you got it right the first time," Ersa was still surprised to hear she was completely right about what's going on.

"He's trying... everything he possibly can to make sure you are satisfied, Flair," Claire assured her about any fears.

"How so?" Flair murmured, "After today... It feels like the devil is out for my head."

"You have three options he's made for you, though, I feel like it'd be better if you asked him yourself."

"You girls are just trying to get me to talk to Cyril, aren't you?"

"That, and... ever since you left, Malefor's been talking some mad stuff," Trish smiled a little as she wanted things to go back to normal, "Because you aren't there, he feels free to fight others, call Cyril a simp and that other B word that you hate him being called," Flair couldn't help but sigh, but a smile was very much shown to her lips as she enjoyed hearing that she meant something to the others, "Hehe, Cyril said he'd put a bounty on Malefor if he didn't chill."

"And what's the bounty?" Flair was interested.

"For everything he says, crap talking wise, you'd pluck one scale from his face. At first, Malefor laughed because that would take too long and you'd get bored, but then Cyril chuckled because, he knew, even if you were to get lazy, each scream of pain from each scale you'd pull would be like music to you."

"Hehe, he's not wrong."

The girls all shared a smile to hear her giggle, to see her smile as they could tell she missed being with the family. To round things up, Cynder wished to be the last voice needed to drive things home, "Like I said, Flair... we all miss you, and we're here to support and watch over you in case anything happens. I'll be sure Spyro stays within his dark form if needed, and you always have Malefor to protect you as well. You threatening his life should get him on your side. But, even with how powerful those two are, you know there will always be one above the rest that can truly be your protector."

It wasn't hard for her to know who it was, but because Cynder didn't say it, Flair knew she had to come to that conclusion herself, "I know... I know... It's Cyril... isn't it..."

"Hehe, your words, not mine."

"You got me there," While she was almost prepared to get out of bed and join the others, fears were still very much present as she was afraid to do anything now, "But... how do I deal with these fears...? Aside from when I... stabbed... Cyril... both times these incidents have happened has been when I walked out of this room. What if I walk out and the dark master attacks? Or, what if like... some kind of fight breaks out between the family and I'm caught in the middle? How do I deal with something happening that I can't do anything about?"

"You said that others around you acted almost like a simulation, like they weren't real. We aren't like that; we live and breathe the same as you, Flair. I know you're scared... trust me... I know what that's like... But as your friend... as a promise... from the family... we will protect you... We can handle being support, but out of all of us, you can choose who will be by your side for the rest of the day. That someone... is up to you, but just remember; who here was there for you when we all should've been? Who stayed awake through the nights to protect you, and who suffered through the pain you were going through?"

"Oh yeah! I forgot about that night," Ersa smiled to Flair as she wanted to poke some fun, "You should teach Cyril some manners. He came by a couple of nights ago with that hole in his chest. I told Volteer to come in, but Cyril walked into our room instead."

"What?" Some asked while others sighed heavily.

"Aw-haw-haw... That's disgusting, Ersa," Flair giggled, understanding exactly what she meant, and once she did, so did the others, "Don't worry, I'll be sure to deal with him for that," While it was nice to hear Ersa being her usual self, memories of that night swarmed Flair's mind as she remembered it all too well, "That was the night when I tried to kill him once again. I stabbed through his chest and touched his heart, getting a real feel against it and threatening to sharpen my blade, but he... even after all that... he stayed the night with me... he suffered through the pain that I had caused... Cyril suffered through our first night... the time I tried to kill him in the Chambers... that night... and even today..." The girls saw a tear form as she thought back to those nights, and because of these memories, Flair let go one more sigh, "Alright... fine... I will... leave this room... and go talk to him..."

"YES!" The girls all happily cheered to hear their victory.

"BUT!" Flair spoke over the others, "Don't you all dare think that means things will go smoothly! If I want someone dead, it will happen. If I choose to cut Cyril limp from limp, it will happen. And if you all think I'm lying, try me."

"I mean, I think it's Cyril job to do that. He did, try, your scales, did he not?" Ersa smirked.

"Grrrrrrrr," She blushed as it was true.


"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" Spyro yelled out while crouched down behind a rectangle shaped pillar, "I'm on your side!"

While the girls were gone, the entirety of the Chambers had been turned into a war zone. The Chambers all around were shattered, almost as if the walls and ceiling had been punched over and over again, giving off a cracked yet nearly destroyed form. Piles of rubble rested all around the space, even seeping out into the hallways. Each of the four had a rectangle shaped pillar that they stood behind. The four stood where they normally did; however, for Terrador, he was more off to the right nearest to Spyro and where Cyril would normally sit. Ignitus was where he normally was, the only difference was of course his barricade that protected him. After hearing the yell out, Malefor yelled back, "The hell you mean, 'I'm on your side'? Bitch! You're all the way over there! Ignitus is on my side."

"SIDE AS IN TEAM, YOU DIP-STICK! NOT ACTUAL GEOMETRY!"

"I think it's pronounced geography," After having said that, Malefor ducked low as a massive rock like spear flew right for his head, but since he ducked, it slammed to the wall behind him, sending dust and rubble all over the ground and wall, "What the hell is your problem!"

"You! Breathing!"

"How did things escalate so quickly?!" Ignitus cried out to see the Chambers had been turned into a literal war zone, "Guys! Why don't we call a meeting in the war room so we can discuss a surrender on all sides before someone gets..." Faced Spyro, Ignitus saw at the corner of his eye, another one of those rock spears was shot towards him, and with a quick throw up of his paw, his fire exploded outwards, blowing up the spear almost instantly, "Malefor! What the hell?!"

"We should have a democracy!" Terrador suggested as he rather enjoyed this warfare, "All in vote of chemical use on the battlefield!"

"YEAH!" Spyro, Malefor, and Terrador all agreed together while raising their fists in the air.

"Wait..." Malefor paused, as did Spyro, "Chemical Warfare?"

"I have my mad scientist Volteer working on a special little something known as mustard gas."

"Uhhhhhhhhh..." Malefor and Spyro both looked to one another, "All in favor of banning the use of chemicals on the battlefield say I!"

"I!" Malefor, Spyro, and even Ignitus agreed.

"You can all go to hell then!"

Without the knowledge of the others, the girls were back from Flair's room, and now, not only was it the five who had left, but Flair now joined the party as well, standing front and center of the group. The group of girls stood off to the right side of the Chambers, but all had the same wide eyed expressions with huge open mouths to see the Chambers was completely devastated. However, for Flair, she growled to see this complete destruction and acts the others were putting on. Malefor stepped atop his barricade with one paw and stood united with the others, "Then this shall be the war to end all wars! Ignitus! Spyro! Do you stand with me in the complete domination of his country?!" Spyro and Ignitus both stood to the top of their barricades now, assuming the same role as him, "Then say it with me!" Forming a spear in his paw, he raised it above his head, "'This is my spear, this is my element!"

"This is my spear, this is my element!" Spyro and Ignitus formed spears of their own above their heads, though for Ignitus, his was made from flames.

"For the record! Your reference sucks!" Terrador stood strong.

"OH YEAH?! AND HOW'S THIS FOR A REFERENCE!" Using his dark form now, Malefor's muscles flexed, "TERRADOR, MY SON! FROM ONE MURDER TO THE OTHER, I'LL SEE YOU IN HELL!"

"If you throw that spear, I'll make sure it loops around and goes through your throat."

The guys all stopped what they were doing dead in their tracks upon hearing Flair's deadly, blood thirsty voice of violence and war on her own. Facing to the Chambers, the four noticed the girls all standing there watching them. Some smiled at the thought of war such as Cynder and Claire, while others weren't too sure such as Trish and Carith. Ersa smiled to see the family she knew was just as wacky, fun, and crazy as she remembers them being, and was rather glad to see nothing had changed. A small peak even showed that Flair had a slight smile to even her own face, making Ersa sigh with joy. Taking a single step into the Chambers, Flair provoked fear within the four, forcing them back down to the ground. With a quick reach up and snap of his fingers, Ignitus shot out a bright flash that appeared and disappeared in an instant. With the white flash gone, everything had been repaired and turned back to normal, showing the Chambers back to it's glorious modern colors of white and concrete. Sweat was still very much present to the others, and even in Ignitus's voice as he tried to play off a normal conversation, "S-s-so... Malefor... how... h-h-how have you... be-I mean been! I have you been?"

Claire didn't like things being normal and decided to play around for the fun of it. Making her way back into the Chambers, Claire approached Ignitus with some lust, "Don't you like a little bit of warfare, my love?" With a paw to his chest as she stood in front of him, she went from looking to his face to almost down below near his hind legs, "The joy... the thrill... the ride...? And at the very end... an explosion?" Ignitus blushed but couldn't do much else as he loved watching her slither next to the left side of his body, "Though of course, the bigger it is, the bigger the explosion. So why don't you show me your, weapon, that could, take, down, a girl?"

"Heh-heh... N-now now, Claire. There's others watch... ahem... watching," Ignitus's voice cracked.

"So you're saying, after building up such a bomb, you don't wish for it to go off?"

"My life is awesome... Ahem...! Maybe... later... I still have to figure out the life I'm going to, claim, with it."

"Ooh~" Claire purred as she rubbed her side against his own before moving his head to hers and locking lips.

"Okay... After that display... you can kill me, Flair," Malefor shivered backwards, bumping right into Carith as she had moved over to him while all that was going on, "Oh! Hi, Carith."

The others had moved back to their spots as well, including Terrador as he wrapped himself behind Trish's body as she sat in the back in her normal spot. Now to Trish's side, Terrador sat down beside her, and with his wing to her back, she snuggled to him, whispering even, "You know... I have to thank you..." He looked to her with confusion, "I don't... want to push it... but to know that you see me as your female... your willingness to walk over, sit down, and comfort me under your wing without me needing to say anything is... am I pushing it by saying that...?"

"Hehe, no, gorgeous," Nuzzling her nose with his gave Trish happy giggles, "You are right about one thing which isn't surprising, and it's that... you're my female..."

Now Trish was as happy as she could be after hearing these words. With Cynder sat down next to Spyro's right, all that was left at the entrance was Ersa and Flair. Standing out in the open, Ersa noticed shivers that showed constantly to Flair, like she was afraid. Ersa wanted nothing more then to help her, so she knew she had to do it without directly acknowledging her emotions, "Flair..." She didn't look at her, "If... and I'm only saying if because I know you aren't... but if you're afraid of Cyril doing something, anything that may be what you believe as the worst movement of your life; whether it be him turning his back on you or even him yelling at you..."

"He won't!" Flair stop strong which helped Ersa smile, "These shivers aren't needed, they're just... Cyril usually is the feeling of cold that I need... not this one that I'm feeling now."

Ersa kept a smile to hear she was committed to his return, and once hearing voices closing in that she knew well, she gave her encouragement, "I believe in you."

With Ersa moved out of the way, Flair got a clear view of the end of the hall. Looking down, she noticed Volteer shutting the door, but to the left, she noticed Cyril; head, tail, and wings all hung low. Cyril... Seeing him once again nearly shoved her body forward as she took a massive step forward, but for the time being, she wanted to control herself and took that step back. No... just... just wait for him to come to you. You're in control, remember that. With the door now closed, Volteer turned to look at his downed friend, "You... still holding up alright? I mean, aside from your almost dead looking body..."

"I'm... trying..." Cyril murmured, almost back to the broken voice he was at before.

"Don't worry, things will run it's course."

Faced forward, Volteer noticed Flair at the entrance of the Chamber's and nearly gasped. While it was a surprise, he knew it should be kept as secret as possible until Cyril made his way over towards her. This now helped him gain the energy he needed to help his friend out, "The girls haven't gotten back yet which means they're still working with her, so you have time to prepare a speech or something," Walking down the hall, Cyril only focused to his friend's yellow paws to help direct himself as they walked to the Chambers, "I know things seem like they're at their lowest, but just remember: Flair is still here. When it came to me and Ersa, I never knew she was alive, but thank Ancestors she was..." Stopped at the entrance of the Chambers now, Cyril still hadn't noticed Flair standing only a couple steps away, which was a perfect opportunity for Volteer to get him to say something important, "Here, just... if you had to say one thing to get Flair back with you, or even to just talk with you, what would you say...?"

Volteer moved himself past the front of Cyril which he didn't see. The question made Cyril close his eyes a little tight to let drop tears to the floor. Running over and sitting down next to Ersa, Volteer and all the others watched with almost held breaths to see the two were now so close to being back together. Cyril was still on the question however, and his answer was all the more heartbreaking as it was perfectly simple, heart-filled, and in many ways, desperate, "I'm... sorry... Flair... I'm so... so... sorry..."

His words were enough to make himself tear up some more. For Flair, hearing his words, hearing his voice now, it was almost soul crushing to truly hear how destroyed he had become over the situation. Showing her teeth to him, it was now time to finally reintroduce herself to someone that felt like had been months since her last meet, "You damn well better be," Cyril gasped hard to hear such a familiar voice, and while he knew it would be near certain death to dare look at her after she said not to, he needed to see her again, and as his head raised and the two locked eyes, neither were safe from tears, "After the shit you said, you're going to be making it up for a lifetime."

Seeing her again made a smile desperately what to show to his face. The tears she had, the shivers she showed, and even the tone of voice, he knew she was both scared, and broken. Not having learned his lesson the last time and strictly obeying her words from before, Cyril took a step back away from her. The others gasped, whereas Flair's heart almost completely sank. He didn't know what to say, nor what to do, but what he was doing and what he believed to be right was the wrong thing to do. Since he knew he couldn't speak to her or even look to her, he damned himself even further by turning his back to her. It wasn't easy, and every step felt as though he was pushing a building aside constantly with each pull. Flair's fear completely took over now as she knew this was were the worst part of her day would happen, but that didn't stop her from trying to understand why he would've turned his back to her. Breathe... Breathe... there... there has to be a reason... there... there has to be, but... Almost like a switch being turned on in her mind, Flair knew exactly what it could be, but she still made sure to show her dominance, "Cyril... if you keep your back to me, you will only make things worse for yourself," Cyril's body was now at a standstill as it didn't know what to do now, and Flair noticed this as she could see his body shaking with every pound of his heart, "You remember yesterday, do you not? I told you to stay in my room and not to do anything, specifically not to help the others," His heart now pounded even faster, like it was understanding what she was saying before it was even said; forcing his body to turn only slightly back to his right, "That was a lie... and the same goes for what I said to you today too... If you truly do still care... even after what I've done... even after the monster I've become to you... then please... please... turn around... face me... and let me know that you're still the Cyril I've laid with in bed for those long nights..."

Now, rather then fighting against buildings, the only thing stopping Cyril's body from turning was the wind, but with the emotions and light coming back to him, the wind all but didn't exist. With him now turned completely back around to face her, the two made eye contact once again, and she gave him the chance. And because she could tell she was slipping into a vulnerable state, a more aggressive voice was needed, "But either way! You know I don't care either way... either you can tell me to leave, or you can tell me to stay... but if you tell me to leave, then you damn sure better say it to my face!"

Cyril finally felt a smile creep to his face which surprised her, but what was most surprising was the laugh she was finally able to hear once again after all this time. The laugh made all the pain disappear, and the tears that fell were almost none existent. All eyes were focused to his smile, and all sound was focused to his laugh. Now that he understood what was going through her mind, he knew exactly how to approach her, "Hehe... you just want me to say something like that to your face so you can take my life on your way out," Flair blushed to hear him say as he nailed exactly what she was thinking, "I'm not in blade range... or at least... not yet."

"Not yet?"

"It's obvious what would happen if I were to tell you to leave, but I'm drawing a blank on what would happen if I told you to stay. Then again, it should be your choice, not mine."

"Ah? So, how would you feel if I took a step more towards walking out of here?" Flair did as she said she would, taking one step to her right to move from out of his way to run, but with this step, Cyril's body shivered to his left side as if to stop her, "What's with the shiver? Scared I might run? Scared I might feel better out there then in here so I'd have no reason to return?"

"Whaaaaaaaat?" The chuckle he gave was clearly fake as he was more afraid then anything, "I'm an ice dragon, of course I'm going to shiver from my cold. And why would I be scared of you running? Everyone has to stretch their legs at some point," Him individually pointing out what she had said only made her understand more that he was trying to hide the fears of his own, "Hehe, and I'm not scared of things being better for you else where. Anywhere you are is a party, so it doesn't matter where you go or who to, because I'm sure, as long as you're there, you can make anything amazing."

The word choice he had unfortunately made her growl, trying to hide the blush that showed as what he said had rather helped quite a bit, and Flair acknowledged that, Damn this dragon... after all this day has done, he's still his same old self... and it pisses me off to know he can still get to me. Not wanting to stay in her thoughts for long do to suspicions from him or the others, the conversation was continued, "I can see even after the time that's passed, I can still feel you constantly kissing my ass."

"Me saying you're amazing isn't kissing ass. It's just facts."

"And which would you rather do? Kiss my ass, or speak facts?"

"HA!" Malefor laughed, "We all already know that answer."

"Malefor, shut up. Second, Flair..." Sighing as to ready himself, he knew it needed to be said in order to have any kind of hope of her staying, "This is... a fact... after what I said and did, how I growled to Spyro, how I turned against everyone and solely focused to you... I... I don't know... if that's wrong or not..." Flair raised a brow to this as she wanted more of an explanation, "If Malefor's feeling down, I know Carith can do a way better job then I ever could to help, and same goes for all the other females here as their help is appreciated to their love's life. And while that still wouldn't stop me from wishing to help... I was just so focused on helping you because... I knew... everyone else was safe in a way. You were the only one being attacked, the only one being injured, the only one suffering through pains of your past that I... I only felt something to you... and no one else..."

Flair growled to have to go back to this, but she knew it needed to be said at some point, and rather hiding what she knew, she spoke up about it, "It doesn't help that you show me this side of you when I know you have another. You hated Volteer for something he had no control over, you tried to kill Cynder back in the day rather then trusting Spyro, and Ancestors only knows what else you've done that I don't know about. So why should I honestly trust who you say you are? How do I know you won't continue this act that you've put on through the time I've been here?"

"I promise you... it's not an act... It's just... difficult to really, find myself through the time I've been alive. Throughout all that I've been through, the Guardians, the girls, and you... I know life hasn't been easy to any of us... But from the day you got here, hearing your voice, seeing someone so... beautiful... I hadn't really had such a nice warm feeling in so long..."

"So you admit you only like me because of my looks?"

"Of course not. But I want to be honest and admit that you are rather... no pun intended but... you're rather hot..."

"Uh-oh. That's Spyro's trigger word," Malefor chuckled.

"Your name is my new trigger word," Spyro growled.

"Who's, 'Your name'?"

"MALEFOR! Shut the hell up!" Flair was quick to nip at him for being stupid, "And as for you," Faced back to Cyril rather quickly, he ducked his head for what she was to say to him, and she struggled at first to say it, "Look...! I... I've cried enough today, and you should know how much it pisses me off to show such weak emotions! I just simple want to know... is who I'm seeing who you really are, or am I'm going to have to expect another Argus to take form within your thoughts and actions?"

"Did... I really remind you of Argus today..." Cyril murmured rather low, fearful that he wasn't seeing something that she had.

"I said AM I?!" She yelled, "I didn't say you did! But if you act the way you were against Spyro or any of the others, then you'll be very closely related to him."

"So then... what do I do to avoid becoming him?"

"Just... keep... being... you... aside from what you were when you killed him. If a death needs to happen, then I will handle it. I'm not going to agree with what you did, but... he's gone... and I just need to accept that... he wasn't someone who cared about me, so why the hell should I care about him?" With almost deadly eyes, she looked into his sole almost, "Your death I wouldn't take lightly, so if you actually want me to even care for you in death, you better not pull some stupid shit like he did," Swallowing hard for her threat, even after today's shut down from his body, his brain and body became as active as possible to remember everything that was being said to him, "But I will make you a deal right here and now."

"A... deal...?" Cyril chuckled rather nervously, "Those usually end in unwinnable situations for me, hehe..."

"You can very much win as this isn't a Sophie's Choice situation either. All you have to do is answer a single question, and if you answer right," Pointing over towards what looked like the side of Volteer, in reality, she was pointing to the open space beside the two where Cyril normally sat, "I will walk over there and sit back down with you, but if you don't, I will head straight back to my room," It was one of the most dangerous moments of his life, and even for the others, they felt sweat to whether or not he'd answer right to what ever the question may be, "I'm still pissed for a single, reason. And so, my question is, why am I still pissed Cyril? What is this one single reason after the entirety of this day?"

"Single reason?!" He cried while the others gasped.

All eyes were on him now as they could tell she put him in a life or death situation. Immediately, he got to work, thinking about anything and everything that it could possibly be. The thoughts he had were so in-depth for him that he had to sit, trying to focus so heavily on their time together. Think think think! What did I do, what did I say, or what didn't I do?! This one moment is the only time I could ever put things back to what they were! The more and more he thought about what it could be, the more and more he thought about what would happen if he failed. If I answer wrong, she'll walk straight back to her room, and watching her walk away... knowing I once again could've done good but rather disappointed... I... I couldn't... These fears made his brain work in over drive now; thinking on what could happen if he were to lose, if he were to answer correctly, and what the answer could be. But if I do answer right... she'll be there again... I can hear her voice... I can see her blush, her smile, or even... hehe... her anger. His chuckle showed past his thoughts for everyone to hear as he smiled thinking about it which confused the others. But as his sweat continued, the nervous looks he had, and the constant shiver that was made from every pound of his heart beat, Flair remembered to what Ersa had said to her.


Carith giggled to hear how excited she was if it really had been Cyril, "So... you're missing him as badly as he's missing you...?"

"What do you mean?" Flair weakly asked, but not without worry.

"Well... Let's just say he almost committed suicide."

"What?!"

"His body tried to," Ersa cleared that up, "After what had happened, there was too much for his body to process which almost caused an explosion from the inside of his body. I honestly don't know what would've happened first; would his brain have shut down do to overload, or would his heart have exploded because his blood pressure was so dangerously high."

"Is he okay?!" Flair now almost stood to hear this.

"He's... stable... I gave him something to help with his pains but... he's... not well..."


While Flair was going to answer, Ersa wanted to clear the question up just to see what she'd say, "I have to honestly ask... How do you think Cyril's feeling right now after what's happened today? Don't go off of what I've said, but rather what you honestly believe."

After the talk with Cynder, after reassuring even herself on the man Cyril was, Flair answered honestly, "He's afraid of failing someone in his life... All he wanted to do was to protect me, but now... he believes he failed me... he thinks I'm going to leave him and be another one of his unfortunate failed attempts at feeling anything in life... And after I called him a monster... I all but assured his fears..."


Her thoughts helped drive her towards what needed to be done, If he does keep feeling so stressed and worried, I really could be the cause of his death, and... I don't need him dying... not yet. Sighing as to what she were to do, her voice was rather neutral as to show that she wasn't upset about giving him help, but she wasn't happy about it either, "Cyril... just because this day has been so hard on you as well, I will give you a hint," His head raised as, even though he was deep into his thoughts, her voice was always a bright shine in dark times, "Cynder told me about your condition, as did Ersa after what had happened."

My condition? Cyril grabbed a hold of that word rather quickly, now focusing all and solely to that one singular word. What condition? His body was able to ease more now as he wasn't so focused to his fears or hopes. Only focusing to a single word helped him come to many conclusions, but with each conclusion came the thought of him answering wrong and her walking away. Damn! Even with that hint, why do I still have fears of failing when I know I should be able to succeed?! Chuckling out loud, Cyril looked to his friend Volteer, "Damn... This reminds me of that test you made me, the other Guardians, and even Malefor take. Even though we know the answers, taking the test was so stressful, we almost forgot all of it."

"Haha!" Volteer laughed, and while the others were confused, the other Guardians and Malefor weren't.

"No, NO!" Malefor yelled out, "We are not bringing that back up."

"Oh yeah!" Terrador laughed, "Your writing was so SHIT, HAHA! Volteer... even Volteer couldn't read it! HAHA! And you were like Twenty-four years old too!"

"Haha, very funny..." He growled.

"How bad was the handwriting?" Carith wondered.

"Let's see," Ignitus was able to go back through the past and recall it completely, "He spelled clouds as 'C-l-a-o-u-d-s'."

"'Claouds'?" Spyro snickered.

"English is hard! How you gonna attack me if everyone's always like, 'Sound out the word', and so I do, but then you get bitch slapped for it!" Malefor almost popped a blood vessel that showed to his forehead, "And just imagine the test Volteer gave us! The very, VERY first question asked, 'What are the industrial, and medical uses of tetraoxosulphate VI'."

"You got the question somewhat right though, so what are you bitching for?" Volteer questioned.

"He did?!" Ersa was surprised to hear, "Though simple, I'm surprised Malefor even came close to an answer."

"Well... in a way... he didn't..."

"HAHAHA!" Malefor laughed as he remembered his answer.

"Why the laugh?" Ersa was now afraid.

"Because calcium tetraoxosulphate is responsible for the permanent hardness of water, that's what it can do. But his answer was, because of women, it's responsible for the permanent hardness of his di..."

"HAHAHA!" Malefor laughed out loud once again as he found his jokes to be on point every step of the way, "Dude, dude dude dude, HAHA!" The others either growled or blushed to hear what he had put, "I don't give a DAMN that I was punished for it. Hearing you read off that list and seeing everyone's reaction was priceless! Nothing like a good hot dog joke if you know what I mean, hehehe."

"Because of women, huh?" Carith grumbled to him which got his attention, "And yet it seems your statement doesn't go for me, does it?"

"I keep telling you to head up to our room, but noooooo. You don't believe me."

"Because I know your lying!"

"I bet if we were in a private place right about now, I could prove you wrong."

"ENOUGH!" While Flair knew these were all well and good jokes, the smile she had for the family she was looking over upset her as things still hadn't all been dealt with, "Malefor, speak one more goddamn time before Cyril answers, and I'll show you what my BLADE CAN DO IN A PRIVATE PLACE!" Malefor covered his hind legs with his tail and blocked view with his wings, and though Cyril laughed to him being attacked, as Flair's head snapped back to look at him, he shut his mouth almost instantly, "What, the hell, is so funny?" He shuck his head as he didn't wish to say, which only made things worse, "Do you really think shaking your head to me is a good idea right now?"

"No ma'am it's not!" Cyril was just as quick as normal to do something, and wasn't shy or short to answer her quickly.

"I'm still waiting for my answer, Cyril. And if I don't get it within the next minute, then I'll just assume you're too stupid and walk out of this building instead."

"Flair..." Taking a step to her, Cynder was worried she really was rather upset, but seeing her back a paw to her, she backed down and trusted her.

"It's amazing how you're in your forties, and you still act like a child, Malefor," Spyro chuckled and all Malefor could do was shrug his shoulders.

While the others were talking, it did give Cyril plenty of time to figure out whether or not his newest conclusion was right or not. The more I think about it, my mind and sole tells me there is no other answer it could be... and so... Taking a deep, heavy sigh, he was ready to finally give what he believed to be the right answer to her question, "After thinking about it as in-depth as I possibly could... honestly... there's only one thing I could think of that you may be upset about, or rather, just from what you've given me."

"So it'll be my fault if you're wrong?" She didn't appreciate to hear this.

"No... this day has been my fault since the very beginning... your nightmare... the darkness attacking you... and the pain Argus caused you, including his death... it's all been my fault... which means... if I fail you here... that's my fault too..." Flair wanted nothing more then to kill him now after this as, even with how sincere he was with a tear, she thought he was being sarcastic as she believed this entire day was her fault, and he was mocking her for it, "So then..."

"Are you trying to say something?!" She couldn't hold back what she needed to say, "You think I'm going to say that to you?! You think I'm upset because you aren't admitting this day was your fault?! IS THAT REALLY YOUR ANSWER?!"

"What...? No... Flair, that's not it at all," Cyril was once again easy with her which made her tense with anger, yet another side of her told her this anger wasn't needed, "This day was my fault, and I'm sorry. To answer your question as to why you could still be upset at me..." It felt like the air around the Chambers had grown heavy as they all almost held their breaths in a way, terrified of what might be the outcome of his answer, or what the answer may even be, "You're... upset... because my body tried to kill itself, when the only one who could ever claim my life, is you?"

Now with a held breath of his own, everyone faced Flair to see how she'd react to what was said. Unfortunately, it seemed he had answered wrong. Her teeth showed as she tried to fight back tears, and to his dismay, she took steps back and away from him. The others all gasped, whereas Cyril's soul nearly left his body completely. Closing his eyes tight as to let his tears go, his mind completely froze on what he was seeing. With nothing to hold himself up, and because the medicine Ersa had given him had now since been depleted, there was nothing to support him on the pains of his loss. The only thing left he could do or think about was what he knew would've happened from not only his past, but also his present, I... failed...? Ready to complete give in and accept his death, a step after step was heard. It was rather quick, and before he could even react to it, something pushed against his chest. But as his chest was pushed against, something from behind pulled him forward against what ever had pushed him in the first place. His eyes shot open as after what had happened just now, a feeling of warmth overcoming him was one of which he knew very well. Looked slightly down, he was able to view what had happened. The feeling of a push against his chest was Flair's, and for what he could see, the thing holding him against her and supporting his back was her wings that wrapped to his back. Her forehead rested to his left shoulder, trying to hide herself from the others as she wished to cry against him without the others being able to see. His heart came back to him now, but what really helped wake him up was Flair's giggle as she congratulated him in a way, "Damn you... Cyril... and here I was ready to leave..."

His chuckle to her was very saddening, but with his wing going over her back, she knew he enjoyed her voice. As to block the view from the others, he made sure to place his forehead to her left shoulder. She knew her view was blocked from the change in lighting, but hearing his voice assure her of her safety made this moment all the more memorable, "It's okay... Flair... I've got you... no one else will hear or see your supposed weak side... only me..." To make things even smoother between the two, he wanted her to say it, "Which, do you trust me to see this weak side of yours?"

"Hehe..." She caught on quick to what he did, but no fear was found within herself as she snuggled her forehead to the side of his neck before answering honestly, "I trust you with every cell and fiber in my body..."

The two not only shared joyful tears, but smiles the same as they enjoyed one another's embrace and show of affection. Now seeing the two back together once again, everyone within the Chambers was able to finally take a huge sigh, each with a paw placed to their chests as it had been a rollercoaster of emotions to watch. With the comfort she wanted so desperately to have felt once again, now Flair was freely able to feel safe again, able to once again ease her body as there was no need to be or feel tensed. His cold helped sooth her, his words previously helped ease her, and using her own thoughts, it only helped her feel more at home. I know I made the right decision... mom... but what do I do... how will he react once I tell him how I feel... how I... can't... feel...? While being alone would make her fear, being within the comfort of his wings, even as bad of a thought as it was, it didn't cause enough fear to her. No... Cyril would understand... he... he would understand... wouldn't he...? Nuzzling her head, Cyril understood what she was trying to do and pulled his head back. As he did this, she pulled her head back as well. Being so close to one another made the other blush, but for Flair, her blush was much easier to rid for what she needed to say, "Cyril... I... need to say this..." Because her chest was against his, she knew she could use this to figure out whether or not he was upset about what she had to say or not, "After today... I know what we talked about last night... I remember all of our time together... but... I... I don't think we could ever be in a relationship together..." She felt his chest hit and his blush did disappear, but the hold he had over her didn't change, "I need more time to think about this... and it's not you, it really isn't... but because of how I act, because of my past, I don't want you to constantly suffer for my mistakes, and my on and off mood changes."

"Flair..." Even after what she had said, he still kept a smile, "Can I still comfort you? Can I still talk to you, listen to you, and protect you as I have been?"

"You won't get anything out of it though. You'll just be helping me with no reward."

"You think me knowing you're safe isn't reward enough?" He felt her heart slam to her chest now, "I don't need to kiss you to show my affection for you. I don't need us to be in love for me to want to help you. I will say it constantly, no matter the day. All I'm after is your trust; to show you I can be there for you, that I can be your light in the dark, and to show you'll never have to suffer alone ever again," The others smiled to see the shocked face Flair had with the only movement being the tears that dropped from her eyes, "Hehe, which is why, I wanted to turn this day around for you. I don't expect any kind of reward. The only thing I hope for is that I can, at the end of the day, make you smile... that I can actually succeed in helping someone rather then failing them..."

His helpful words got to her which was unfortunate as she had no blocked view from the others, so Flair had to act different even if it did fail, "I should've killed you when I had the chance... All I had to do was come here, kill someone, and leave... so how... why am I still here making memories with you and this family..." She knew there was one way to get out from the eyes of the others and decided to close things off, "Just... tell me what you're planning on doing! I don't want your comfort, I don't want your help, I just simple what to know what this plan of yours is."

"Oh, hehe, of course," Cyril's smile, chuckle, and feeling his muscles against her scales gave her a blush, "So, I had three different plans laid out for you so you could choose which ever one you wanted. Though, if you have other plans, I could see what I'd be able to do. Though, thanks to my amazing family, they have my back, and especially yours on what ever you want to do today."

"Say Cyril-say Cyril-say Cyril," Malefor smiled wide.

"Malefor... what did I say," Flair growled over to him, and the only reason she didn't kill him was because of Cyril's comfort.

He ducked his head as he remembered, and to prevent a fight, Cyril continued, "So, basically, I had planned a cold day, a warm day, or a normal day. The cold day consists of a frozen treat, then we'd have a snow day thanks to the smart minds of Volteer and Ersa, and to close it off, we'd be able to watch a meteor shower thanks to knowledge known by Ignitus," Flair blushed to hear the day he had planned out so well, and it was only one choice, "The second choice, the warm day, would consist of a warm food. Then we'd head to the beach as you said we wanted to. And to close things off, we'd all watch the sunset. I don't know... if you'd stay with me or not but... I have a towel with its own custom design on it thanks to Ignitus. And if you wanted to, my towel design could change from just a blue to a blue and red color because of your scales."

"Green on green would seem like a odd color choice, but..." Trish giggled as she looked to Terrador, "If you'd allow it, I'd like to be apart of the towel color as well."

"Oh, absolutely. Especially if we're going back to the beach," Terrador agreed with a smile.

"Hehe, green on green..."

"You're thinking of yourself being on top of me, aren't you?"

"Yeeeeeeeeeeeah... oh I'm so excited for tonight."

"I will consider it," Flair wasn't all too hesitant which made Cyril smile, "But now what is the normal day?"

"The normal day... well... if you didn't wish to go anywhere, we'd let you go back to your room and lay down," Cyril answered her, but hearing this, she showed teeth for some reason.

"Oh really?" Backing away from him, the two pulled their wings back to their side as Flair was a little aggravated to hear this, "So you're telling me, you had a normal day planned just so everyone could turn against me for ruining their fun?"

"What?"

"What if Trish wanted to go to the beach? What if Claire wanted to go to the beach? What if the others actually wanted to do something but because of my decision, everyone will turn against me because I ruined their fun?!" Cyril understood where she was coming from with what she had to say, "So basically now, at this point, I have to agree with either or, because you got everyone's hopes up on one or the other, which means there's going to be a fight on a yes or a no answer!"

"Flair... If you choose a normal day, and the others did wish to do something, then I'd lay on either your bed or on the floor in your room to keep you company. That way, the others can have their fun and I'd have my fun in a way to know you're safe."

"SHUT UP!" Her voice was both saddening and aggressive, "I already cry at your help to me! I don't need imagines of you laying with me while the others do something else, or disgusting forbid you sleeping on the floor for me!"

"Awwwwwwww!" Cynder happily cried as she remembered back to her memory with Spyro, and since she had never told any one of this story, it was completely new to all of them, "I remember when me and Spyro got that house that the Guardians built for us, and once we made it to our room for the night, I didn't believe I was of special royalty as Spyro and knew I'd be best if I just slept on the floor. So, while I laid to the floor, Spyro laid to the bed..."

"There better be a happy ending to this or else," Flair growled a little as she was afraid Spyro let her sleep on the floor.

"Hehe, don't worry, Flair. Spyro wasn't going to sleep as he believed I was just, if not, more important then he could ever be, so he opted to sleep on the floor himself while I got the bed that he said I deserved," The girls aside from Flair all gave happy smiles and aw's for his sweet help towards her, and even if Flair didn't give a voice, she still smiled slightly, "And then this is where I go back and ask: why do I deserve you, Spyro?"

"Hehe, I mean, it's the first thing I believe we'd all do when it comes to our female," Spyro said, and the others looked to see he seemed rather laid back now for some reason, "Obviously you all now know I did it for Cynder, Malefor would do the same for Carith, Cyril will of course do it for you, Flair: It's just instinct to us. You say you're scared because we'd hate you for your decision, and I just want to give you my honest opinion on this situation outside of what Cyril has to say, and that is: I don't care what you choose."

"What do you mean?"

"Flair, I fought for peace, not to tell others how to live their lives. What you do is up to you, and this peace that I've wanted to fight for is to give you that chance of freewill. The Guardians helped me with that peace, Cynder helped with that peace, and all I ask now is that you feel comfortable and free to do as you wish. Seeing a smile each and every day from everyone helps me know my pains weren't in vain."

"And how do I know you aren't lying?"

"Because he's sitting right now, Haha!" Malefor chuckled, but with his joke came fire from Flair's paw as she smacked one to the ground, forcing fire to explode from her paws.

"You are one more joke away from your death bed!" Flair warned him.

"To answer your question, Flair; as long as I have Cynder, and I know my family is safe, why should I care either way? You wish to stay here, then I'll train in the Training Room, I'll sit here all day and talk with my family, or I'll head up to my room and lay with the love of my life. It doesn't matter what we do because we don't need to fear to do it. The world is peaceful... ish... but I will continue my journey to keep it that way. I have plans no matter what you say, and I will enjoy my life with everyone here to my fullest."

"Then I choose a normal day."

"Hehe, okay then. You're free to roam and do as you please. I won't stop you, and if anyone does, well, that's what a tail blade is for, is it not?"

"Don't put me in a lose-lose situation!"

"It's only that way if you're looking for conflict," Spyro smirked, and for some reasons, Cynder blushed to see such confidence within him.

Flair growled at this point, knowing she was going to lose either way, but there was one battle she knew she couldn't lose, "Cyril!" Faced to him, he ducked his head, "Follow!"

Running up to her side even as few steps as it was, he followed her exactly as he was told. With her walking back to the row of Guardians, they all knew where she was headed. First, Flair was the one to sit down, though she made space between her and Volteer to allow Cyril to sit between the two. Volteer chuckled to see this and had to ask, "What's wrong, Flair? Don't wish to sit next to me?"

"Do you wish to die?" Flair growled to him.

"Uh... fair point..."

"Hehe, don't worry, Volteer," Sitting down between the two now, Cyril looked to Flair with a smile which made her growl, but also blush, "She'll have to go through me first."

"I will gut you like a fish," She warned him.

"Can I make a joke now?" Malefor questioned Flair.

"Look at your reflection. There's a joke for you."

"Damn," Spyro chuckled, "Flair's out for blood. But, hey, Flair, just out of curiosity. What would you like to do today? Like I said, don't be afraid on your..."

"I'm not afraid!" She made that very clear, "Can you let me take a goddamn breath! It feels like it's been an eternity since I've last been back here."

"And we are very glad to have you back," Cynder wanted to say this as she knew her smile would do some good.

"It's... good to be back..." Flair had to be honest at least to her which all smiled to.

"Oh yeah! Holy hell! I just realized it even myself," Malefor only made it more obvious how long it truly had been since she was last here, "You were only really here for maybe an hour, and that was before everything happened, and now, you're here after everything else that had happened. But, hey, that means we can now all take a breath and go back to things being whatever the hell they usually are, which kinda makes me want to pick a fight with someone, not gonna lie."

"After the war we had in the Chambers, you want to have another battle?" Ignitus questioned.

"Actually, now that you talk about it, the hell happened while we girls were gone!" Claire questioned, "We were gone for like, five minutes!"

"War can happen in the blink of an eye," Malefor grumbled in a low tone, almost as if he was mimicking someone, "It all started back on LF-Day."

"LF-Day?"

"Lost Female Day,' Malefor whimpered, "We each didn't know where our females had went, and it drove us mad. Friendships were torn apart as we blamed the other for their absence. We were taking attendance in our war room one day. Spyro asked if Ignitus was present, Ignitus answered, and Spyro gave him a check mark. But when he called my name, and I answered, STUPID BITCH MARKED ME ABSENT! That's when war broke out as everyone believed I was the one who started the war because I was absent to the war table..."

"No way a war broke out in the Chambers because of something as stupid as that," Flair couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"Awwwwww, you went to war because of me," Carith smiled.

"Hehe, I did it once before," Malefor chuckled.

"Literally," Everyone agreed with what he had to say.

"That's pretty pathetic. Did you ever think you'd be sitting back in these Chambers remembering back to the war days?" Flair had to ask.

"Heeeeeeeeeell no. Especially not with the other Guardians. Thought the Dark Master would kill at least one of them. Which is a rather huge sigh of relief to know he didn't."

"That didn't stop him from trying," Volteer unfortunately had to remember those days, "Do you know how hard it was to try and fight someone who looked like our brother back in the day before you were fully turned?"

"I feel like we've gone too far down into the rabbit hole," Malefor wished to back away from the subject which was understand to the others, "Look, let's just enjoy the fact that we're all back here, and that especially includes Flair. Which, is kinda funny. I'm more scared of what Flair can do right now then the Dark Master; then again, that's cause I have Carith. But now that I'm thinking about it, it's like Flair's a dark master herself, and Cyril is the only way to keep her calm."

"I will kill corrupted or not," Flair grumbled, "And it wasn't just Cyril who helped me. The girls helped just as much."

"So you're saying we're safe for now?"

"Not if Cyril doesn't put his wing over my back," She looked to Cyril with blood thirsty eyes, and to prevent a disaster, he was quick to drape his wing to her back, "I tell you that we're never going to be in a relationship ever again, and so your first response back to me is not bothering to protect me under your wing?"

"What?!" Cyril felt horrible that she would think that way, "I was waiting because after all that Malefor had been saying, you'd want to kick his ass or something. And with my wing being in the way, you wouldn't be able to sharpen your fins as intimidation or something like that."

"You honestly think I wouldn't sharpen my fins all I want through your wings? And I've sharpened my fins before but was careful of your wing back then as well. So why are you lying?"

He had to give a sigh along with the truth, "Sorry, I just... a lot has happened today, and I've been focusing so hard on what else I could do to better this day for you; what I could've done to prevent this day from being as bad as it was, and taking into consideration all that everyone has talked to me about... so I should... admit my fault..."

Unfortunately for her, it was understandable to her after hearing and experiencing just how destroyed he truly had been today, so to everyone's surprise, she let him off rather easy, "Cyril... it's... it's okay. Just don't let it happen again. I may not be in a relationship with you, but... I still need you."

"Do you need him for a word that starts with an 'S', ends in 'X', and has the letter 'E' in the middle?" Malefor questioned.

"Do you ask such things because you know you'll never have sex of your own, and in your own pathetic world, by others having it, it makes you feel good?" She growled.

"Uuuuuuuuuuuh... Okay, one, that sounds hella creepy."

"So does you wondering if I'm going to mate with Cyril."

"I just want to make sure my homies are being treated right, that's all."

"The first day I met Cyril, I stabbed him three times from the gut up before stabbing him in the tail. Do you honestly believe that I'm treating him right?"

"Well... I mean... you didn't kill him."

"Because he ran off and to the safety of others. If he hadn't, you surely would've woken up to a dead body."

"Which technically we almost did the next morning," Spyro chuckled from memory, "You had blood to your bodies and tail, and I honestly thought you had killed him."

"But in reality, she was just laying to my chest," Cyril purred as he remembered that day.

"You know, it kinda makes me wonder what we would've done if you weren't here, Flair," She was ready for Malefor to say something stupid like he always has, but it was different compared to his usual self, "I mean, if we're looking through time, the day you showed up, we didn't do anything. The day after, Trish showed, but we didn't do anything. Then you all had the girls day which they would've done with Trish, and while that day could've been normal, those dragons showed up and made it eventful, so more then likely, without you, nothing would've happened. And of course there was the whole poisoning thing yesterday. And without you, I feel like Cyril would've been rather lonely."

"Basically what he's trying to say is that we literally do nothing around here," Spyro summarized it.

"That sure as shit doesn't stop something from happening each and every single day," Flair had taken notice to this, "Do you all even know what your future plans are even going to be? I mean, there's a new dark master out there, he's tried to make an attempt on your lives, tried to take me and Claire back for betraying him, and even summoned the Destroyer while trying to destroy Warfang in the process, yet you all sit in these Chambers and act like there isn't a threat."

"You did once bring up and asked how we handled this stuff before. And all I can say is... there's not much we can do."

"What?"

"Even if we were to handle this new dark master, whom ever it may be, there's still a lingering threat after lingering threat. There's no telling how many dragons could have a hold over the darkness at this point, but who ever their leader is, he isn't very smart. If we run in and attack where ever they may be, what stops them from moving somewhere else or mobilizing forces to attack where we aren't? We can't rush in and do things without information first."

"And how are you going to get information while sitting here doing nothing while everyone else out there suffers?"

"Because Warfang is the safest place on earth right now, and before the earth was split apart and pulled back together by me and Cynder, the Guardians already made runs to make sure everyone was safe, us included. If I go out there unprepared, someone will die. And while I wish to train as much as I can to sooner or later be as powerful as an Ancestor, I don't want to become a monster doing so by pushing away all kinds of family contact."

"So you're being selfish?"

"I'm acting out of heart," Spyro growled, "I want to have a life just as much as anyone else. The world has been saved many times, the Dark Master is no longer a threat, and the apes are as squishy as they are stupid. If something really was a problem, the moles would tell us as they stand watch for miles. For right now, I wish to enjoy this peace that's been created before someone like you tries to start shit again."

She must be bringing this up because of her mother, Cyril had his idea, and before the two started to cut throats, he stepped in, "Alright alright, there's no need to fight. The thing is, back in the day, it always use to be sleep, wake up, fight, almost die, sleep: so it's nice for a chance to finally relax. After all, I'm sure the war has taken a good thousand or so years off of my life span so I'd like to enjoy it as well," Flair growled as she looked away from him, and since he didn't want to stay quiet, he brought up his other wing and blocked the view of the others so he could whisper to her, "Flair..." Because of the wing blocking the others view, she looked to him, "Is this... because of your mother...? Do you think right now, someone out there could be needing Spyro's help but he's not doing anything?"

"That's exactly my point," She growled, "I get he can't go across the world and what not, but at the very least he could do something."

"Then here, I'll do this," Taking his wing down, Cyril had a request as he looked to Spyro, "Hey, Spyro. In your darkened purple form, how fast are Kettu and Xvar?"

"Just the same as me, they could blink down here and appear in my room upstairs. Why do you ask?" He both answered and questioned.

"Just to assure things are safe, do you think you could have those two search miles out of Warfang and make sure others are safe and no one is needing assistance?"

"Let me make sure with those two first. If not then I could," Growing into his darkened form, two shadow dragons walked out from Spyro's body, standing in front of him and staring at him now, "What do you two say? You think you could help save some lives or do you need my help? And in case you are wondering, you can kill anything that isn't actually living and breathing."

"Since we can kill things, I see no reason as to why we shouldn't," Kettu agreed.

"It'd be fun to see blood from something though," Xvar also agreed but wished to do more.

"Are you sure you trust us out there all by ourselves, Spyro? What would stop us from making contact with the dark master to kill you? Or what's stopping us from killing your kind and slaughtering the survivors but not telling you?"

"Because you live and breathe just the same as me, don't you?" Spyro asked and the two nodded, "You also each have a heart, a brain, and lungs, do you not?" They both once again nodded, "You've told me about what happened in the past, how the Ancestors used you before throwing you away. Well... I'm not like them, and I wish to prove that each and every day. So, as a show of friendship and an alliance as to gain the trust of the dark dragons, I want you two to roam this world to its fullest as it's your earth too. Hehe, and don't worry about the blood. We could always have a fight or two in the training room."

The two were surprised to hear such trust in their kind from him, and while Spyro smiled to them, Malefor wanted to question them, "You two have lungs...? Oof...!" Hearing his sudden painful grunt, everyone faced to him looking to his gut with a show of teeth, "I thought you died you stupid bitch. Why the hell are you acting so stupid right now?" Facing up to the others, he didn't notice some of the fearful faces on some faces, "Damn. Ever since the first time where the dark master didn't force Flair to kill someone, and even now, he's been really bitchy but I have no idea why."

"He probably doesn't like the fact that we're helping a purple dragon," Kettu suggested.

"After all, it was one of them who imprisoned our kind in the first place," Xvar growled.

"What?!" Everyone aside from Ignitus was shocked to hear, and Spyro wanted to know more, "Wait, so... you're telling me that the Ancestor that imprisoned you was a purple dragon?!"

"Kettu, Xvar," The two looked to the voice to see who was speaking, that having been Ignitus, "Listen, that's a little bit of a no-no thing to talk about."

"Why? Does he fear us?" Kettu wondered.

"He tried to kill off an entire species for no reason, so why should we care what's said?" Xvar wondered as well.

"Because information on what the Ancestors did is a classified matter. They don't wish for anything in the past to resurface and the only information on them can only be known from the Chronicler. I know what they did, and I'm sorry, but don't think your kind were the good guys either. Both made mistakes, and both sides paid the price, so there shouldn't be a need for bad blood between the two sides."

"Ah, yes. No need for war, yet your kind was able to stay on this earth whereas we got sent to another realm that looks the same but completely destroyed and rotten!" Kettu grew frustrated talking on the situation, "I'm not surprised the Ancestors are trying to hide what they did, and it's a bitch move for them to know they were wrong yet they wouldn't do anything to fix it!"

"The Ancestors knew our dark power was much stronger then their light, and they feared us for it. So how about you tell our kind how you slaughtering everyone and throwing us into a black abyss was justified when we were trying to live the same lives as you were!" Xvar stood his ground on the matter with his friend, "I like how you stand there like their pet and obey their orders simply because you don't want to lose your job, which would kill you in the process."

"Kettu! Xvar!" Spyro stopped the two from continuing what they had to say.

The two unfortunately had to obey, but that didn't happen so easily. At first the two fought against it, looking to one another at first in a way that spoke conflict. The others had taken notice to Spyro's darkness slightly waving rather then going straight up and disappearing. While some tried to calm themselves by thinking everything was alright, with Spyro slowly standing now, and his voice of anger, the scales to everyone stood on end, "Don't you two dare do it."

Now at any moment, someone could die, which Volteer took notice of since having talked about their speed, If they wanted to, in a blink of an eye, someone could be attacked. But if I or any one makes a move, they'll only make themselves a target. The two showed teeth as Kettu and Xvar didn't know what to do, but all they could think about at this moment was betrayal, and Kettu called him out for it, "What's the matter, Spyro? Afraid we might do something to hurt someone? Afraid that we'll do something to start another war?"

Flair's heart raced as this was just another reason she knew she shouldn't have gotten out of bed, What if... what if this is it...?! What if... someone dying in this family right in front of my eyes is how this day will end?! It also didn't help that not only was there one threat right now, but two as Xvar took a light jab to him as well, "You can't protect everyone in this room, Spyro. Like it or not, your darkness we can attack if we wanted to. It's also good to know we can feel your heart right now, how sacred you are of us, how sacred of what we might do."

"Do anything to my family or my son, and I'll erase you both from existence," Ignitus gave them a warning as he didn't appreciate the threats

"Don't," Spyro came to their defence which caught them off guard, "Kettu, Xvar... You two think I'm agreeing with what happened, aren't you?" Finally the two looked to him, but the tension was still very much there, "I said I wanted to help, I said that you two are family to me, and I said I trusted you two. Because of you two, I haven't felt more safe with the darkness, with using it, or trying to control it. You two even protected me when I used my purple flames. Why do that if you wish to kill me?"

"Because if you die, so do we," Kettu answered, "Our darkness is apart of you, remember? That's how we can die, but as long as our hearts as to say or still in your body within the darkness, then we're safe."

"And why tell me that when you know I could find those hearts right now and destroy them?" To see shivers come from the two dark dragons was a sight to behold as they usually seemed so cocky, "I've noticed it for a while, and I knew I could kill you two if I wanted to, but I won't. I'm not defending what the Ancestors did, and after hearing what they did, I understand why you'd want revenge. But... please... I now know me being a purple dragon will make it harder for you to trust me because of what's happened. So let me take a step forward and show you that I'm not like them... I'm not, like him."

Kettu had been the first to speak, so now it was Xvar's turn, "Why did you yell out our names then like we were in the wrong?"

"Spyro did the same to me back with Sparks," Cynder giggled from memory, hoping to help the two out, "While me and Sparks were arguing, Spyro yelled my name at one point and I thought it was because he was mad at me, but it turns out he was just trying to get my attention as there were apes swarming in to attack us. He did it, to protect me. He yelled at Ignitus to protect Flair against the darkness."

"You said it yourself, Xvar. If Ignitus loses his job, he'll die. So for the time being, I'd rather you two just talk to me in my mind about it," This got the two to raise their brows to Spyro, "The light can't see what the darkness is doing. So, if we speak to one another within my mind with my darkness, then you can tell me of your struggles while my dad still lives. This will also give me a better idea as to how I can prove I'm not like that other purple dragon."

The aura of darkness around Spyro's body finally eased as it went back to waving in a easy motion upwards, as did the darkness to Kettu and Xvar. Spyro took a sigh, but not as hard as the others as they all knew they were mainly the targets. With what they had done, Kettu growled on it, but he knew something was to happen, "Since we tried to take someone's life in your family, how exactly will you punish us for being out of line?"

"Punish you? You two aren't going to be punished over your fears."

"But we were going to make an attempt to kill someone with the diverted power," Xvar was confused now as well.

"Alright, fine. Since you two think I'm so upset, I'll make up a punishment right now. Sound like a deal?" Xvar and Kettu both feared for what this punishment could be, and with Spyro standing to walk over to the two, they stood ready, "It's going to be the worst punishment you two have ever endured."

Ready with their tail blades, Spyro in their eyes lunged forward towards the two which sparked fear, but as they backed away, two things held their backs; one being a paw, and another being a wing. They both gave wide eyes to see that Spyro stood to his feet in order to hug the two. Rubbing his paw up and down their backs, he patted the two before backing away. From the shock of what had happened, neither could understand what the punishment was, and Spyro chuckled to this, "There. Your punishment was having to deal with emotions. I know you two would rather kill things and whatnot, but just for what you did, I'll make your life better, which must anger you, doesn't it? Hehe."

Kettu and Xvar looked to one another as they still didn't have words, and since Spyro didn't say anything or do anything afterwards, they simply watched as he walked back to where he normally sat and proceeded to do so. Things seemed fine between the three now, but with a quick almost punch like pain to the gut, Malefor growled as he nearly fell to his knees. The others all focused to him in fear as sweat dripped from his face. His darkness showed that a much more molten black look then his controlled colors. Carith being so close backed up some before reaching a paw to his shoulder and asking, "My love... is... everything okay...?"

"Hehe... you really are something stupid, aren't you, Spyro," Everyone's scales stood up on end aside from Spyro's as they all heard the voice that struck fear within the hearts of all who heard, and it was such an easy voice to remember which helped them easily identify the one speaking was the Dark Master, "Kettu, Xavr, I most say, you disappoint our kind," Even with Malefor looking like he was to pass out from his heavy breaths, the Dark Master kept a hold over him for the time being, "If Spyro were ever to abandon you two, you'd both be executed for helping their kind: and a purple dragon to boot? Your heads would be hung for the rest of your days."

"So is that why you don't wish to help me, because you're scared of death?" Spyro smirked to him.

"Now where's the fun in that? I help you and get what out of it? World peace? No... no, see, the fact is, you can't live without me, Spyro. No matter where you look, no matter what you do, I'll always be there. Hell, I'm in Malefor's body ever waking day, am I not?" Faced to Xvar and Kettu, he wished to start a war if at all possible, "You know, I do have a rather nice grip over Malefor's body right now. If you two kill Carith, or someone else around here, we could join forces and spark another war?" Now everyone stood to protect their females, though for Spyro, he still didn't seem worried, "Like it or not, one day, I'll make my return, and why not just help me now so we can continue this streak of bloodshed. After killing everyone here, we can kill that other dark master next."

"Why? He can't do your job as well as you have before?"

"So you actually have a brain. Heh, and here I thought it would take a blade to ever see something that didn't exist."

"You know, I'm rather enjoying this conversation. What do you say some other day, we could catch up on life down the line?"

"Oh Spyro, you are definitely still a child to this world. Kettu, Xvar, kill him so we will have nothing to stand in our way."

The two had all eyes on them as they stood in the open for all to see. They didn't speak, nor did they move for a couple seconds. Their first movements was of their heads as they looked to one another. After seeming like they just had a discussion with one another, they focused to Spyro. Spyro smiled somewhat to the two, raising a brow even as he trusted what they were to do. Just to give a little more incentive, he wished to speak the truth to the two, "The previous purple dragon may have treated your kind like a monster. I wanted to surprise you two later on it, but... I wanted to ask if you two would be apart of this family more then you already are," The two raised their brows to him, "If we were to have a snow day, or a beach day, or wherever else we may go or do, I want you two to be there as well. Which is why I wanted you two to stretch your legs now, so later tonight, tomorrow, or even further down the line, you two can have just as much fun, and just as much enjoyment in this world as we have."

"I can't believe you'd say such a thing, Spyro. To believe you're not only weak, but a liar? Hey, I wouldn't put it past you at this point," Unfortunately for the Dark Master, Kettu and Xvar made their way over to Spyro, sitting down next to him now and showing which side they'd rather be on, "Oh come on. After what he's done to you two? How he growled against you two? How he's fought against you two? Clearly he can't be trusted, and since we three have the same goals, why not just accept my offer before you piss me off? Huh?"

"Oh please. We know you'd kill us if we were to join you," Kettu stood his ground against what the Dark Master was saying.

"And you may be right about some things, but Spyro still felt horrible after what he's said and has tried his best to make up for it," Xvar defended Spyro which made him smile, "Plus, we rather enjoy having someone as strong as Spyro to fight with. Keeps things fun. And where's the fun if everything on this planet dies within a couple of months?"

The Dark Master took a sigh to see that they would go down this route, "Well... I guess it doesn't matter either way. The good news is, hehe, I don't have to worry about having some subordinates by my side while I work on destroying this planet. But all good things come to those who wait, and boy can I not wait till the Terror Of The Skies joins me in flattening this planet to a red mush. And because I'm so generous, Spyro, I'll keep you alive long enough to see me slit her throat. Watching you cry over her dead body will make a nice show, before I kill you the same."

Cynder backed some as she was truly petrified of something like that happening, but for Spyro, he stood up for her and kept his chest out, "We each have our own set of goals. Yours are of course impossible, but mine... my goals don't involve your death, but rather your change. I hope that one day, you'll see us, you'll see me, as an ally, or even an friend, and maybe, some day, we could end this war together, and merge both your kind, and mine, back together as all things should've been."

"Ally...? Friend...? Hehe... I'm going to enjoy tearing you down as I once did with your trust for Cynder. She's more of a monster then you realize. At some point, she'll be the death of you... and I can't wait to see this family slowly dissolve one, by one, like how the previous Guardians did when they tried to stop me before."

"Crazy to think your time away from others has made you delusional. But for now, I think I've had more then a good enough talk with you."

"Oh I have too... Thinking about that smile being covered in Cynder's blood is going to he fun."

"OUT!" Finally able to take back control, Malefor yelled out, exploding his darkness outwards and gaining his ground.

Now failing to his knees as he heaved facing the ground, Carith helped support him with her wings before crying his name, "Malefor!"

Trying to control his breaths as fast as he could, Malefor knew what needed to be done before anyone was killed, "Spyro... you need to show me... how to find and destroy that heart that you were talking about... If I could kill the Dark Master right now, then we don't have to worry about him ever being a threat ever again!"

"So you'd kill him and show that we purple dragons truly are evil?" Spyro was against it.

"Spyro! Listen to yourself! After what he did, the pain and the torture that he put everyone through, that he put Cynder through! Why are you daring to defend someone like him?!"

"Because conflict doesn't solve conflict, and if we were to solve it be the means of killing, then what makes us better then our enemy?" Malefor growled to hear his protection in a way over the Dark Master, "You don't have to remind me of the scars the war caused because of him. But just like you, I'd rather him be alive so I can kick his ass the rest of the time I'm alive then simply giving him the easy way. He doesn't trust me, but Kettu and Xvar do, and by showing him, by showing the other two I'm not like that other purple dragon, then maybe I could truly fix and right the wrongs of this world," His words still didn't sway Malefor's frustration, "And... it could truly benefit this world. He is purely made of dark energy and was born from it. I wasn't, Cynder wasn't, and both Kettu and Xvar were purified in a way by me. The Dark Master could easily control the dark creatures and end this war for good. We wouldn't need a wall to protect us, and we wouldn't need a fear to wake up to every morning."

"Spyro, I get what you're saying, but," Ignitus needed to say this, "You're kind hearted, their kind isn't. Don't think for a second that the Dark Master would ever consider something so... peaceful..."

"So because we didn't kill you or anyone else here, that makes us monsters?" Xvar growled at him first.

"You've already killed our kind before, and I'm sure you wouldn't hesitate to stab out our hearts as you did to many others back in the day," Kettu showed his teeth.

"I didn't do anything, and unfortunately for the sake of my life, I can't give an input," Ignitus growled back to those two.

"Look, it's fine, alright," Spyro stepped in as to stop the two, "Enough is going on today as it is. Kettu, Xvar, you two have my backing, I can promise you that, and while you two are off helping out some others if needed, I will handle my father. This will also help us test out that, 'thing' remember?" The two sighed before nodding, and with their nods, they disappeared into a cloud of smoke, "Now we don't need to worry about anything else today aside from what Flair wishes to do. Once that's been decided, we can go out, or we won't, but we will still have fun either way," Faced to Flair, she knew he would've looked to him at some point, "So, Flair, I have to ask," Since things had calmed down now, the Guardians all backed down from their females and allowed them to breathe comfortably, "Do you know what you wish to do today?"