Chapter 42: A Terror Of Negotiations
"Of course you have to be the most... annoying... son of a BITCH! At the worst... TIMES...!" Still out on the struggle, fighting to get a hold over his own body, Malefor spat on what the Dark Dragons were once again, "This is EXACTLY, why I don't trust your kind...! Yesterday, you told Spyro and I about the past... and... with the shit you always pull... how the hell do you expect us to believe you?!" It was no use on the power struggle to attempt the help of the darkness, feeling like it would only make things worse if grabbed a hold of, "You call me a failure for not erasing your kind...?! Days not over... and neither is my life!"
"But if you don't shut your ass up, I'll be changing that," Kettu growled, growing upset in near seconds to see Malefor hadn't changed, "If Spyro hadn't promised me your tooth, I wouldn't be helping right about now. Stop acting like the actions of one makes us all the same. We thought the same with Spyro, but he changed our way of thinking, so the least you could do is show us a little respect for once in your life."
"Goddamn...! And you all wonder why I act like a child... Adults always talk about respect this and respect that all cause their older...! Bitch... I'm off my meds, why you making things worse...?!" The five looked to him in confusion over his random muttering, and he apologized for it, "Sorry... just... trying to keep myself entertained here...! Which... you know what, Dark Master... you know what you are...?! Ugh...! You're ah... You're a baby back bitch, you know that?! UGH!"
"Stop antagonizing him, idiot!" Terrador knew this was only making things worse.
"Oh yeah... because I TOTALLY, pissed him off before all of this happened. Hey man, my bad. My mother fuc-UGH!"
"Malefor!" With not much to do aside from a wing to his side and a paw to his, Carith wished she could do more, "Just hang in there a little longer! I'm sure once Spyro's done, he'll come over and help!" Malefor didn't say anything to this: topping off the fears many shared in a shiver to see the struggling was somewhat subsiding, "Ma... Malefor... my love...?" He didn't respond to her, "Malefor..."
"Heh-heh..." The chuckle was well known to all: not being a welcoming one but a virtuous one that showed in an evil grin, "I can't believe you love someone so annoying, Carith..." She could feel the Dark Master forcing the grip around her paw, wanting to crush it with all his might, but he didn't have full control yet, "All this waiting... day in and day out, and I'm finally getting the chance to show my head. It's fun, is it not? After all, look back to the days you all use to endure... oh, sorry, I was specifying the others: not you, Carith. Since your ass was stuck in a coma, Hah-hah-UGH!"
"I don't know your name, Dark Master, but you need to stop showing your ass to everyone," Kettu finally had some choice words for his own kind, "I don't appreciate you tarnishing our kind and showing us as something evil. I get you may still be upset because of what's happened in the past, and you haven't had someone like Spyro to treat you in a way to help you understand we aren't in danger, but this constant need to just be background noise has to stop."
"Background noise?" The Dark Master chuckled, "Clearly, kid, you don't understand what I can do. I know you were gone for the whole, world exploding, dragon killing, and family tearing, but that doesn't even come close to the information you have on me, which is absolute squat," The battle continued back and forth, neither side getting the grip they needed to push themselves ahead of the other from this point, so for now, all he could do was wait, "I can't believe how 'you two', have tarnished our kind. Making us out to be hatchlings that need care and treatment to become someone's friend. To ignore what's happened all because you have a place to live. You don't care about anyone here anymore than I do. You're Spyro's dogs. And once he's done with you, you'll be tossed."
"It's a shame the only thing you're good at, is the one thing you fail to do: scaring others. Spyro's done nothing but supported us since day one. Even after the whole parents issue, he was quick to apologize, he let us roam free: entrusted us to go out and save lives."
"Because he was too lazy to do it himself."
"Because he wanted to test us to see if we could be trusted," Kettu corrected him, "It was also a perfect way for us to figure out how we could connect with our dark powers," Still, little progress was being made; none at all from what was being seen, and he knew he needed to pick up his pace, "Just like anyone else, you're afraid of death: afraid of the black abyss that can take a hold of us for the rest of our lives. But we've let go of those fears and have taken up this new life. If it weren't for Malefor, we'd be as happy as could be."
"Remember how happy our kind was back in the day? How we trusted the purple dragon and paid the ultimate price for it? Either I'm going down fighting, or I'm going down dying. I will not allow myself to become something that I kill for a daily basis. And you have no idea how annoying it is that Flint is tarnishing what it means to be the dark master! If there's one dragon I want died, it's him! But Spyro's too pro-life to understand what death means."
"Don't be surprised if there's dead bodies once he's done with those seven," Having said this, there was a rather large explosion, but nothing he faced: trying to stay focus on the job, "Listen... from your kind to the same... this isn't it... If you can give me a reason right now why he can't be trusted that doesn't have to do with what someone else did, then I'll back up and let you take control of Malefor's body. Hell, I'll even help. That's how much faith I have in Spyro."
"Hehe... well then, help me take control right now," No reason was given at first, so Kettu just raised a brow, and the Dark Master showed teeth for this, "Wow, you're stupid. What hasn't he done?! He stopped the purge of their kind, he brought the world back together: killed my creations in the process. He... he..."
"Sounds to me like all that he's been doing is repairing," Now there was something to latch on to, "I know you find this hard to believe, but Spyro talked with us last night: discussing with us our hopes and fears for the future. You can't tell me that there wasn't a single time you wished to just... fly as fast and as high as you could. To listen to the ocean waves, or have the rain hit your back as you think on life. Have you ever tried living rather than thinking you were back in our broken dimension?"
"Clearly nothing sparked my interest. Why do you think I tried to blow up this planet?"
"Because I think something happened to you that you still hold on a grudge on to this day," Either perfect timing or the correct answer caused Malefor's body to shiver, but from what, was unknown, "Something about you is off. You can't let go of something, and it feels like the reason you wish to kill is to hear screams to get your mind from thinking... to clean your claws of something you've regretted for a long time..."
"Shut up!" The Dark Master suddenly grew heavily in defense, helping get Malefor some control back over his body, "You know NOTHING about me!"
"I know that you're wrong!" Trying to make that push to end it off, Kettu tried his hardest, "You may reject it, but some how, you still have friends that are looking out for you even if you don't want them to! I don't know what's going through your mind, or even if you're actually a living being, but if your heart is working, then so is your brain! If you let Malefor go right now, nothing will happen! No one will hate you, no one will attack you, and even if that's truly what you want, then you know Spyro will still provide either way!" The Dark Master tried his best to think of something at this point to keep the fight going, but he knew it was a losing battle, "Spyro said he'd heal our planet, open the bridge to our world and theirs, and reunite our kind the way it should be. You'll be there for it one way or another! Because that's who Spyro is!"
With nothing left to say, or a reason to keep this fight going any longer, the Dark Master decided to count another loss, "No... what's going to be funny is when I see Spyro reject you two one day. It's just going to be a real shame that in death, you can't see your failures. So for now, I'll take the advice. However next time, I'm sure I'll have enough power to take over. And then you'll understand what it's like to be on the losing side once again."
The slightest chance at victory, Malefor took it, grabbing a hold of his body completely and shutting down the Dark Master's control nearly instantly. Taking a huge gasp and a paw to his chest, now that he was back to normal, Malefor was able to speak to his smiling friends, "I liked it better when the Dark Master wasn't talking so damn much..." Kettu turned to help and check on the others, though he was stopped to his surprise, "Kettu, wait..." He turned back to face him, not expecting much for whatever it was he had to say, "Sorry... and... thank you... I just... like your fears for the purple dragons, I too was lost in darkness for fifteen years... so I'm a little on edge when trusting you all as quickly as Spyro has."
It was unfortunate for Kettu as he could understand, "To make your life easier, stop worrying about the wrong enemy. He's the only one that's a real threat."
"No kidding..."
Taking controlled breaths both in and out, Cynder could tell as time went on what she was fighting against. It wasn't a poison threatening to kill her, but rather to take over. Much of it being felt within the darkness itself, inflating the anger that it held inside. The other four noticed this the same, and it didn't take long for the darkness to show past her scales. Knowing they wouldn't be much help until someone else arrived, they tried their best, especially Flair, "Cynder, remember what we talked about. Don't be afraid if your vision goes black. Either you're waking up next to Spyro or next to me. And don't think for a second that anything will change when you come to."
"Super glad Malefor didn't hear that," Volteer knew what she meant, yet that didn't stop it from sounding the way it did.
"Is now really the time to think sexual?!"
"I knew what you meant, I'm just saying Malefor would've made a comment about it!"
"And yet here you are: like two peas in a pod."
"Cynder, if something does go wrong, I already have a plan to... subdue you..." Ersa hoped it wouldn't come to this, but a backup plan was needed to help ease some fears, "I know you're struggling for control over your body, but I've already planned for such a thing ever since I got here. It was mainly for use against Spyro, though I have other ways that are much less painful. I can shut off your nervous system and paralyze you from the neck down. This would ensure no harm came to others, and you wouldn't be afraid of blacking out."
"With how pissed off Spyro already is though, could we risk doing something like that?" Volteer feared the risks, and so did Ersa, "It wouldn't hurt her, but him seeing her weak and paralyzed may make 'him' black out, thinking it was because of Amara and not us. He probably wouldn't listen to reason, and because Cynder is turned, there's no telling if she'd tell him the truth on her current state."
"It won't come to that!" Flair didn't want any harm to be brought to her friend, "Ersa, you know most about Cynder from what Volteer's told you, right?" She nodded, "Then you should understand the kind of person she is. Cynder knows what she has now: what she's always wanted and feared to never see," Making sure her stance was heard on the situation, Flair looked down on her struggling female companion, "She's found love, friends, and family; something I'm guessing she's not use to, not like this. Cynder... you always want to fight for others, just like Spyro. Use that strength, use that love: use everything you have to fight back! But you better not think for a SECOND that you'll be alone in ANYMORE of your struggles!"
They couldn't tell if their words had done anything at all, and while Cyril could've said something to help, the fear of who she use to be still scarred his mind. Having sat back just encase he was needed, Xvar watched and listened to all the support she had from only half of the group: even less than that. The words from those around her; understanding where she was now and what had happened before all this, Cynder shed a tear. Letting go of these weakening emotions, her voice was heard through her teeth; the rage showed out from veins, and the struggle to fight against the mess of darkness that riled up deep within, "This is such... bullshit!" The five gave widened eyes to hear her anger, "They looked at me, like a target... Like a loose end that could be easily CLIPPED if I got in their way!" Slapping a paw down to the floor, the five backed from her, seeing something more happening than just the moving of her lips, "Spyro wants someone strong... he wants someone who can look after him in the time of need... He doesn't need an army... he doesn't need Amara... all he's ever needed, WAS ME...! So let me make sure he understands just how much more valuable I am then some... SECOND RATE BITCH LIKE, AMARA!" Xvar noticed the transformation that was to take place, acting quickly on it but being stopped faster than he would've thought possible from her, "DON'T TOUCH ME!"
Now he couldn't tell who was the one speaking, "Cynder, this isn't..."
"This 'IS' who I am!" Cynder's eyes showed pure white to Xvar, "Spyro's afraid of what the world could bring; the challenges he'd have to face in the near future, and the only reason he's struggling right now is because I forced him into this situation for not being as strong as I should!" Falling down to her side but not letting that stop her from taking the stand back up, the drive and power she felt now was unlike anything she could remember, "I need to show Spyro that I'm worthy... that I'm more worthy than anyone else out there to be considered his! And for that to happen... I... need... this power."
Letting the power consume her body and mind, the main focus of protection above all else was her soul, and memories. I haven't felt like this since... since my time as her... and if Spyro's going out of his way to conquer his demons... then so should I! Sounds of cracking, similar to a shell, was heard within Cynder's body. The sound was directed to her bones; shifting and morphing into something more. Xvar was afraid of what this would hold for the others to see; the possibilities of them become potential targets, or worse. Noticing that his friend had subdued the Dark Master on his end, now was his chance to let Cynder loose on her ideas. Whipping across the front of her and to the front of the other four, he blocked them with his wings. Edging back some to hint at the need to back up, it was understood. The cracking was already worse enough for the others to hear, yet this was stacked on top of her growls, painful strains, and shakes. She kept strong; pushing herself to the limits, allowing the darkness to be affected to its highest point. The cap for her was the darkness around her heart; Spyro's darkness, to which she knew of what would happen if that was to be touched. Make him proud... be who you use to be... and put the fear of 'EVERYTHING' in their hearts! At the point of no return, her body began its transformation. Nothing was unturned or left untouched. Her horns, body, wings, tail, and claws all stretched, smoothed out, or even sharpened. The more her form showed, the more fear grew for all, including those who weren't previously paying attention. As her limbs stretched, this new form wasn't as new as it would've been thought. Nearly identical to her Terror Form, Cynder's jaw line and face nearly lined up to a match. This brought fears and painful memories to all who saw her grow to an adult. Malefor was quick to run up and help stop her transformation, but with the sudden appearance of Xvar to stop him, he nipped, "What are you doing?!"
"Don't fight me on this," Xvar showed teeth, not caring either way if this ended in a fight or not between the two.
"Malefor, you just spoke on your trust for us," Kettu walked up next to him, "Show a little understanding, and some brain power. If she was in real danger, her darkness would've activated Spyro's, and since he hasn't reacted, neither should you."
"But...!"
"She wants this to happen," Xvar explained, "She's tired of feeling weak... This boost from the darkness is exactly what she needs."
Malefor snarled; not really from anger, just a sense of unease to what this could bring. Slapping her paw down to the ground, even for the two Dark Dragons, they responded in a jump, prepared for the worse themselves. Since her eyes stayed closed, they couldn't see what her reactions or emotions were to this new transformation. Wanting to know if she was okay or not, Flair stood halfway, easing herself to her friend. In paw reaching distance, she did so, only at the wrong time. Cynder's eyes shot open, showing pure white to add on to her Terror Form: once previously governing the entire planet. Flair backed out of fear, watching Cynder stand now in all of her glory to her new form. Inspecting the new form for even herself, the focus directed to her tail blade. Adding on to the fear filled faces that already showed to most, her power display made everyone jump. With a quick, instant, heavy smack to the ground with her blade, not only did she leave a hefty hole in the ground that stretched out a good number of feet, but the way her blade moved scraped the wall; leaving cracks within it too that had markings of their own as they split out. Past the evil, past the backstory of what this form could hold, Flair gave a smile to see her friend at the same height as her, and looking just as badass too, "Damn, girl... there you go," Cynder responded by looking to her, immediately giving red flags to Cyril to which he quickly protected her with the block of his wings, and she knew why, "Cyril! She's not going to hurt us! So stand down!"
He didn't know which to do, so, picking his poison, he did as he was told; standing by and on high alert because of his wing being backed now. Cynder didn't say anything to the others, only taking in the power, the feeling, and the readjustments to what she had become. Noticing her paws below, and the looks of the others, it was clear to her who she was viewed as. Tension showed heavily between both groups, though there was more of a divisive look on who she was now. Each had their own views, ranging from fear, joy, previous scars, uneasiness, and for some, even hopelessness. Her focus wasn't to them, but to Spyro. The power she felt helped her push on without fear, heading straight in to the potential battlefield.
The battle between Spyro and the other seven was a complete massacre for the other side, clearly showing him victorious. To the left laid the bodies of two, and same for the right. Their armor was bashed in; blood ran from their heads and arms with their spears being either snapped, melted, or disintegrated to black ash. The battle had taken a turn for the other two. The destruction caused during the battle let show clearly both rooms outside from the Chambers. The walls had been torn down to connect both the rooms. The book shelf to the room on the left was knocked to its side and held the body of one of the soldiers. The last remaining soldier tried standing good and strong, shaking in a pool of his own blood, trying to protect Amara who backed to the room in safety over the chaos. Taking a step, the dragon tried to attack, but sadly, not only was the swing a complete miss to where he was aiming, but it also showed that he knew there was no power in this attack. Letting the dragon hit his head to his chest, Spyro looked down on the dragon who knelt before him: not in a show of defeat, just pure exhaust. No sympathy was given to the dragon. Rounding his paw to the side, Spyro slapped him over and out of the way. The shadow dragon's body hit down with a thud. Making short work of the six, his approach scared and surprised Amara at the same time. The battle showed to her soldiers. Spyro, however, dawned no wounds. Never once was an attack connected against him, and for those that did, it either did nothing or proved to be a plan for him to use as a decoy for another attack. After having seen the power within him, and the near sexual advancement she saw from his perfectly built bulk, voice, and adult size, she yearned for him, "Spyro! Come now! It doesn't have to be like this! I mean just, look at you! You were made to dominate! You were made out of the perfect features to mate with the same: to create the perfect child! Your strength, your stamina, your... everything! Just imagine what a women like me, and a man like you, could make! You're practically sanctimonious from this show alone!"
"So those are the last words you want on your obituary?" Spyro was still beyond pissed, thanks to the darkness feeding off the anger he felt.
"You won't kill me. That's not like you, and I know that from the moment we started watching you," Amara called his bluff, "You're kind hearted. You saw past the faults in my soldier, Silas, end even allowed him to keep his notebook because of his written messages to his mate. I haven't attacked you, only threatened yet never acted upon. So while I know you, you don't know me."
"There's not much to know about dirt. I don't care when I walk on it, so what makes you think I'll care when I step on your head?"
"Kill me, and my father will get word. I have soldiers plastered around Warfang just in case you were to try something. They act, kill your people, and many more will follow."
"In all my life, I've taken on a god. A monster. And now, a psychopath. I'm sure your little grunts are near stepping stones."
"It's a shame you don't understand just what you are, Spyro. You're special. By far the greatest and most exquisite dragon to ever be born. Why waste your gift here when you could do so much more in the world?" Trying to hide the fact that a dragon was readying his attack, unknowingly to him, she kept the conversation going, "We can make a deal, Spyro, I'm sure of it. How about this one... I will guarantee the army, the city: whatever commendation you may need. My only request is that you find someone, anyone better than Cynder. Which shouldn't be too hard, I mean, I'm sure, even someone like me who you consider dirt would be better than her."
Standing to his feet now, the shadow dragon: hidden from sight at the end corner of the Chambers entrance, grabbed what remained of his spear. Ready to throw it, he geared up, and was successful in his throw. The sound, movements; the shifting in the wind and ground caught Spyro's attention. Going to act, he couldn't as something already handled it for him. In a couple blinks, the spear disappeared from the air, having been shot down by something, and for the dragon, he noticed someone shot something at him, piercing the armor and immobilizing him. Even for Spyro, wide eyes were given to the quick thinking and act. Wanting to know who did it, Cynder stood to his side. It was a sudden surprise to which he jumped to, seeing her in a clone of her Terror Form, "Cynder?!" It was such a shock for him that even his thoughts on what was said disappeared, helping him regain control over himself, "Is that... is that... you...?"
"I expected better from you," Cynder snarled to him, surprising him even more to hear her anger directed to him, "Get your head out of your purple ass and focus. Such a simple mistake should be below you, or maybe I underestimated your weakness," Spyro blinked a couple of times, completely blown away to not only see her say something like this, but to experience it now compared to back then, "What's the matter? Scared that Amara's little dart turned me? Afraid I might kill you now that you see what I can be?"
"What?! No no no no, I wasn't thinking..."
He wasn't able to respond as she had acted against him. Using her tail to sweep him off his feet, her paw placed to his chest, allowing easy access to knock him on his ass. There really wasn't much comfort to be had in what she had done. The sweep he felt completely to his back and tail bone. The only saving grace was Cynder's wing to the back of his head, but even that wasn't out of a show of a gentle nature, it was just so her blade could connect to his neck a little quicker. Stood above him now with him to his back, the group in the Chambers all ran to the entrance, afraid that the transformation was a failure and Amara really had succeeded. Now putting the fear of her turned side within him, the Terror either spoke, or Cynder, and no one could tell who it was, "I'm not screwing around with you! You should be lucky I didn't bash your skull into the ground, but I'm sure from the pain you felt on your back, that should be an easy indication that I'm not playing."
"Hehe, are you sure?" Spyro saw this all as a game, "Then what was with the paws I felt that helped me down onto my back? Seems to me you acted with you shadow powers before attacking me, like you were setting up a plan to make a move but protect me in the end away. You've always know of my darkened purple form. I wouldn't have felt a thing, so you wouldn't have been able to hurt me."
"You think you're so clever, don't you? Those claws were supposed to cut you, not support you!" Taking her wing from behind his neck, her blade raised the same, making a hook like s-shape to show her blade was ready to pierce, "I know you too well. You'll break under the pressure and leave me for dead as soon as you get the chance to secretly be with Amara! But a better plan would be for you to not have the choice between either of us. A good old, if I can't have you, no one can."
"I already said you were the love of my life. My one and only. I would never betray you and you know that."
"See, here's the problem when it comes to the whole, you not making a slip up and destroying my trust. The more you succeed, the higher your chance at failing. I'd rather end this off on a high note than a low one, and with Amara's appearance, it's clear you understand the two sides on what you can have, considering there's nothing you can't! And I won't allow you to lie your way past me."
"Cynder," Now hearing it even for himself, she sounded serious, so much in fact that his darkness faded to show himself in his light colors, "I know you're scared about competition, and you're scared just as much as me for the day I'll make that mistake. But for what we have: what we've built from all our memories, journeys, and adventures, do you honestly believe I'd choose anyone over you simply because of looks? And if you say yes, well then, I've already chosen the most beautiful dragoness to ever exists... especially with this... new form you've got going on."
She watched him lick his lips, "And that's exactly what I mean! You see me now and enjoy this better than who I use to be, which means there's someone better out there who could look like this and be the perfect fit for you! Your form I enjoyed too, but only because it made you look like an adult, and made me feel like one too. I don't care who you are, but that matters to you on who I am?!"
"I've never forced you to be any different than who you are now. I have influenced you to make the right decisions on things you didn't understand because of your past, and you've done the exact same thing for me. I'm not perfect, but with you, you help my understand my flaws, you help me better myself, and you do all this because you love me. Not because I'll mate with you, or because I'm the purple dragon, or because I'm special... You are who I love because we work together in ways that feel connected. We understand each other's fears, hopes, desires..."
"And you could do the same, feel the same, and understand the same with anyone else in this world through enough time!"
"No... I couldn't..." Spyro stayed firm on what he believed, "I couldn't do the same things with others that I do with you because they wouldn't understand our history and why we do what we do. I wouldn't feel the same to know those scales, that taste, and someone else's moans weren't yours. I would understand that where I'm at is not where I need to be... unless it's beside you..." Cynder's teeth showed, and to keep the show of strength and power within, no tears were shed by her, only Spyro, "You took your chains off because you didn't fear the Dark Master anymore. You told me in the middle of the night that I was a huge part in that. You are the reason I was even able to get to that point in my life... As long as I have you... I'll always have something to fight for."
Tears weren't shown to his words: still only teeth. Even after what seemed like his best foot forward, Cynder didn't fall for it, and from how it sounded, it was like she didn't care, "You think you're so noble."
"No mission too difficult!" Malefor cried, holding a paw to his chest and getting everyone caught off guard, "No sacrifice too great!" He sniffled, "Rest in peace... my boy, Turner."
"You done?" Cynder hissed, and after this little interruption, her darkness fluttered, "Who am I kidding. You don't care about Amara, you don't care about me: you only care about what's right. And now seeing me as a threat, you'd take me off your... noble bucket list: to end the corrupted villains in this world when the time called for it, wouldn't you?"
"What? Cynder..."
"You only saved me from my other self because you 'KNEW' you had the option!" This was something she came up with on her own, "You're not afraid of me not because you love me, but because you LEASHED ME! Any action I make, you know you can act faster on it and stop me like a dog. That's why you aren't scared if I paralyze you: you don't need to move to use your darkness. There's no fear in me trying to kill you because you'd just heal from it. So... there's nothing you can show me that'd change my mind."
"I still feel pain... Cynder..." He knew it wasn't his darkness that kept him from fearing her, just her being who she was kept him calm, "You could stab my heart, I'd feel that. Cut off my limbs, bash my head in, or a stab to the brain: all hurts like a son of a bitch. Hell, you remember back when I was going all out in the training room after the Guardians talked about dying? And I had that nightmare? It's true... no pain I feel could truly burn deep... unless it was from the death of someone I love... I couldn't hold back if you, or anyone close to me, close to my heart, was hurt."
She scuffed, "Ah, yes, the classic bring down. Let me guess, you gonna bring up the fact that we kissed? Or that you saved me from drowning?"
"That's what memories are for, are they not? To look back on and smile: to use them as a way to trust someone else. Hehe, I mean, after all..."
In near milliseconds, faster than even a blink of an eye, Cynder acted in a speed that even surprised Spyro. Her paw slapped to his chest, right over his heart. For her blade, she still kept it to the S-shape she had for a while, building up the momentum to strike. The attack was like a strike from a snake; instant, direct on its target, and sure not to miss. The attack was a success, nailing perfectly where she wanted it to: right next to Spyro's cheek. It was close. So close to a point of only a scale or so in length from his face. The added fear to many came from the crash the blade made. Connected down into the ground below, similar to what happened in the Chamber walls previously, it cracked around her blade's entry point. Some rubble kicked up too, making it even worse for the others who watched. Many believed the attack was a success against Spyro. After many took huge gasps in; widening their eyes to see the attack, time felt returned to normal. Since the blade was so close to his cheek, Spyro needed only to move it over in the slightest movement to feel the blade. It wasn't the flat part of the blade either. The curved, sharpened, and deadly rims of the blade focused right to his cheek. Surely a reaction would've been given, or so Cynder thought. But from her paw being placed so heavily on his chest to feel a skip in beat; surely a breath, nothing changed. Now even for her, wide eyes were given to see this, and it was the perfect follow up to many of these times before, "Didn't flinch then, and I sure won't now. Hehe," Spyro's innocent smile sold it for her, "Do you remember what you said to me... when you left the Dragon Temple...? You told me you were in search of your destiny... and that mine was here. Tell me... did you ever find where you believe you belong? What you believe your life holds?"
Failed in her abilities to get to him, success was given to Spyro once again. Fighting back against the tears that burned in her eyes to show, rather showing this kind of weakness, her body threw herself to him. Going a little crazy in her love, the two wings from her side planted down beside her to support her body. Both paws were focused to Spyro's cheeks on his face. Locking lips with him, her lips not only danced like a wild fire around his, but so did her tongue; going in and out of his mouth at all possible, and even if she couldn't make it, her tongue still licked his lips as much as she could. He enjoyed it the same, understanding and feeling the massive amount of lust that had been building up between the two. It was obvious why her lust was so high. Adding on to the love she already felt for Spyro, he helped her, grabbing her sides with his wings to allow her descent onto his body. Her body willingly gave. The wings she had placed out closed back to her sides, and once laid to his stomach and chest, her blade backed too. Usually returning back behind himself, the use of her blade was needed. Being so highly enjoyable for this moment, a show of power was needed. The blade hovered near Spyro, showing to a gentle S-shape, but not an attacking one. This was a warning to which he saw. Because of the already huge excitement from both, to push it beyond, the use of his flames and lightning were required. Everyone backed their heads, trying not to listen to the constant smacks, moans, and groans that the two gave off. For Amara, however, she showed teeth, knowing that's where she belonged, "You don't deserve him you... bitch."
"It's times like these, I really wish I'd listen to what Volteer told me," Malefor whimpered.
"What did I tell you?" Volteer was confused how this had anything to do with what he taught him.
"Don't know. I didn't listen."
"Hey... Terrador..." Trish showed a blush, keeping behind their wings like everyone else.
"If we make it out of this, it's a yes," Terrador already knew what she was fishing for.
"Yes!"
"Grrrrrr," The growl seemed angry, and from the moans dying down, hopefully the same for the sexual desires, Cynder backed her head, mouth still filled with saliva: same for Spyro, "Now, you listen to me! I choose who your mate will be, you understand! Amara, while an annoying pissy bitch, she's right about one thing. You're one of a kind. And I know, you'd take me on a ride so otherworldly, my moans would be known worldwide."
"You talking about yourself...?" Spyro was in a daze for such lust the two had, chuckling in joy, "I'm so... so... so, glad... I got to you first..."
"So then it should be obvious that so far, I'm your only mate choice?"
"That's for damn sure," Being she laid so close, Spyro's paws directed to Cynder's backend, to which he proceeded in grabbing her left and right cheeks in a paw full to which she jumped for, "I suggest you calm yourself though before I act up. Or..." The power of lust from his voice sent chills for both, "You lookin' to do it right here and now~?"
"You grabbing my ass is directing me... to a... powerful... yes~. I'm assuming you'll bring the, 'hard', part, where I'll bring the, 'heat'~."
"Ooooooooh~!" The two couldn't be happier.
"You don't deserve him!" Amara broke the two from a perfect moment, frustrating them both, but especially Cynder, thanks to the darkness, "I'm leagues above you!"
In the midst of the rant from Amara, Cynder decided it'd be best to hold off on their sexual endeavors until a later time. Backing off from his body, rather having Spyro get up himself, she reached a paw down, showing him support in a way. This show of good faith and love compared to being alone during his battles excited him for some reason, and he gladly accepted her paw. Stood back to his fours, the two stood tall and proud together, truly showing where they stood in comparison to how things use to be. Amara didn't waver in their little show, "Wow, you talk dirty to him; you think you're powerful, funny, an intellectual with an IQ over one: congrats on being under the bracket of what's considered pitiful! You should never even be allowed to be considered any better than an underling!"
For the time being, Cynder tried to ignore the constant attacks, "Spyro... let me deal with her. You just go sit down and rest. You deserve it."
"Hehe, I know you'd probably poison me with these enhanced powers of yours, but if anyone needs rest, it's you," Spyro; trying to be the nice guy that he was, simply wanted to look after her, though through the darkness, teeth were shown in a growl from Cynder, "I know you're still scared about me leaving you... don't be... especially not after all the fun little stories we're gonna have planned tonight," She blushed in hope, and in surprise to see he knew she still feared for certain issues, "I want you to rest because this is the first time you've ever engaged in another form. I don't want something to happen to you."
"I'm fine," It was easy for her to say, "The needle all but dissolved when I transformed. And really, I don't feel any different aside from this itch to kill. Your darkness around my heart soothes somehow. Like my darkness goes to attack it, but once it touches it, it backs off and clams itself... I know I should trust you... especially after all the times you've had to be with someone else, but..."
"Hey, if it makes you feel any better, if this really is how you'll look as an adult in the future... I feel like 'I'd' be the one questioning why you haven't left me... I mean..." He had to stop to inspect her body again, sweating, blushing, and even licking his lips to see her in such beauty, "So... perfectly thin... so... ready to be dominated..."
"Who? Me, or you?"
"Hehe... either way for me... Just thinking about us having a little play fight, but your teeth sink into my neck, paralyzing me, your prey, before taking what's yours," Never before had the group seen so much lust and love from the two, and in one way, they were happy to see such connection, but in another, they were also disgusted at how in-depth their love was going, "How about this. You let me talk to her, and what ever you want, I'll do. I'll even try to behave on my back so you can have complete control. Deal?"
This wasn't an offer she'd pass up, yet it still didn't stop her from growling, "Fine! But the moment I see another assault against you, or anyone else, I don't mind having blood stain these claws again."
"I understand," He nodded to her, and giving Spyro some space, she backed some, "Alright..." Straight faced forward, the conference on the treaty continued, "Amara..." To get more of a friendly close up, he approached her, standing nearly right at the tip of her claws, "I'm going to ask this one more time. Is there any other way we could possibly..."
"NO!" Her decision was firm, to which Spyro gave a heavy, annoyed sigh, "Spyro... I will take back what I said at least! If you want to have a secondary mate, than fine! But I want to be your first!" Spyro didn't really want to know why, but that didn't stop her from explaining more than what she needed to, "Studies show from the last purple dragon, he made a perfect mate. Size, girth, care, and love. It was said that his mate had a near exotic, one-of-a-kind experience that felt like a heavenly trip up and down. When it comes to you, you've never had sex before, which means everything you have is begging for love. Your first time will by far be your best, and with so much build up, being sixteen and in a time of peace now, I know your hormones are going to run wild."
"Lucky me..." Cynder licked her lips.
"Lucky me..." Just another reason for him to sigh, "Amara... I've got enough on my mind right now to be focused on what I'll supposedly need. I'll settle down when I feel like it, but going around and having sex won't solve my problems, or the world's. I may not be the best when it comes to making peace, but others would rather be treated like human beings than some kind of... customer."
"But I can help you with most of that!" This was the perfect opportunity for her, "We've found ways to use the darkness to our advantage in some ways: specifically controlling and nearly destroying it," Spyro tried not to show fear to this, and even though he didn't, Xvar and Kettu sure did, "We know of your Dark Master problem. He's still alive inside Malefor, isn't he?" No comment was given, "We can help you take control of him! Or at the very least, neutralize him down enough for you to kill him. Our studies showed that with the darkness we've used and put inside other dragons, from the weakened darkness, if any other darkness comes into contact with it, it will destroy it. This also works since the darkness usually attaches itself to the owners heart. No need to fear death when there's no power!"
The Dark Master wasn't too pleased about being thought of as a slave. Taking opportunities in his own paws, a tight grip was given to Malefor's heart, making him let out a small growl. Staggering to the ground, just not causing too much attention to himself, the Dark Master spoke to him, "You should be lucky I haven't kill you already. So I expect the same gratitude if this comes back to bite me in the ass." The force on his heart was felt to his lungs, giving no way for him to speak back, not even in his thoughts.
"Dark Master... enough..." Kettu stepped in to help, "Spyro's not like that, and you know it. He's about freedom, not enslavement."
"That still doesn't fix my problem," Spyro's voice was heard to all, including the Dark Master himself, aiding Kettu in what was previously said, "Taking control over him means I'd need to do the same to every single other Dark Dragon to exist, meaning I'd enslave them against their will. Killing him wouldn't help either. The point of learning history is so you don't repeat it, and with me being a purple dragon, that could happen. He's a part of my family, so unfortunately, his death is off limits."
"Spyro! Come on! What could he possibly have that you don't already posses?!" Amara was surprised to hear his protection against a monster, "He killed your parents. Slaughtered millions and ripped the world in two. He doesn't care for us, you, or anyone else that lives or breathes. I mean, what, do you think all because he has a heart that makes him human? That something like that could actually possess the capability to love something? Please. I bet if he was born from parents, he probably would've killed them too."
"GO TO HELL!"
The Dark Master took full control, kicking Malefor from the driver seat completely with no say in what was happening at all. Everyone knew of the take over: all backing off and away from him to see the rage and anger he had in his eyes. Cynder was defensive, though noticing she wasn't focused on, she didn't see herself as a target. Spyro gave a glance but didn't look directly to him, wondering what this meant for the Dark Master going forward. He could see the struggles that Malefor was putting on; noticing the kneeling figure of the body that only angered the Dark Master more, "You want to make bets! I bet your SKANK ASS screams the exact same way your slut mother did when her throat was slit!"
"YOU KILLED MY MOTHER?!" Amara suddenly showed a voice too, like what he had said triggered something within her, "GUARDS! KILL!"
Having the time to regain themselves after such a long talk from nearly all, the Guards stood up tall and proud. Many were missing weapons, but from the mussels they had, blocked by the armor, they knew how to fight at the very least. The Dark Master was put in a bad position, still kneeling down from the control he had, knowing the power that had been building up wasn't enough yet. Damn it, Malefor! If you don't give me control, we'll both die! Stop being a bitch!" Malefor saw otherwise, "We're not going to die, dipstick! And you're not getting control of my body! You'll kill them!" The Dark Master didn't see this as a bad thing, "What does it matter to you?! I'll live with their deaths, not you!"
"Alright... enough," Spyro took his eyes off Amara to focus on the battle, "I don't think it needs to be said twice by me, but if you six try and fight him, you'll be fighting me too. And for an extra ass kicking, I'd let me female love have some blood spilled too. And if you're still not convinced, I'll let the Dark Master loose. So think twice about your decisions."
The Guards, even with the energy they had gained back, noticed the failure they'd be met with, remembering their beat down from Spyro alone. The intimidation from Cynder didn't help, and knowing the Dark Master would kill them helped each make the decision to stand down and listen to him. Amara showed teeth to this, "INSUBORDINATION!" Her paw slapped to the ground, "I will have you all fired! Jailed! Executed if need be! You fight for me, and I expect the highest level of dedication and drive when protecting and serving your queen!"
"I'm sorry... executed?" Spyro's pissed off voice now directed to her, "You will not harm them. As far as I can see, you're the only villain here who needs to be taught a lesson," Amara didn't want to go against her mate, though this didn't stop tears and shivers that were nearly uncontrollable, "Hey, you six," The Guards stood up straight, "If she does anything to bring you down from where you're at, you come straight here and let me know. Understood?"
The Guards looked to one another in confusion, dumbstruck to hear support from who they saw as an enemy. They saw this as a show of good faith, nodding to him and standing down to show who's side they were on. Now all that was left to clean up was the frustrated Dark Master, and Spyro made his move, "Dark Master... I don't know what got you so heated, but you need to calm down."
"Don't tell me what to do!" He stood strong, unable to stay composed, clam, and manipulative over the fears he had, "What happened to freewill, Spyro?! What happened to no control, Spyro?!"
"There's a difference between what's right and what's wrong. Obviously if you or someone else goes around tormenting our kind or the Dark Dragons, you will be treated differently, just like the differences you treated that other person with. We can talk about what's happened later. For now... take a breath... You don't have enough power to completely take over Malefor yet, which means I still have time, and so do you."
"NO!" His voice was loud and in charge, helping aid Spyro to another sigh, only this one wasn't from aggravation, and he showed a smile, "Now that you know I've been stockpiling my dark powers to take over, I won't allow you to take that! You'll make a deal with her: you'll find some way to take this freedom away from me! I'm so close! Just a little slip up, a little screw over and this body is mine! Then, I'll continue my life long dream to kill you and everyone you love!"
"You'd kill me and who I know because you don't know them. But from what Amara said, what does that mean for your parents?"
"DON'T YOU DARE GO THERE!"
"Dark Master, listen... When you gained control of Malefor's body yesterday; when you had that freedom where you knew you could do anything, go anywhere you wanted to, you enjoyed that, didn't you?" Spyro didn't wish to upset him any further, using this opportunity to calm him at the highest point of anger, "I'm sorry for whatever's happened to you... But I will promise to do everything in my power to help you heal... to help the world heal... If... you did lose your... parents, in some way... just remember I did too... remember that Cynder was forced to kill hers... so we understand your pain."
"You know NOTHING about me!"
"You're right... in fact, I don't even know your real name. What would be the chances I could get that now? To properly speak to you with the care and respect you should have like anyone else."
He was silent, hesitant on what he wanted to do, which was a surprising sign and a show of a big step forward for Spyro. The Dark Master saw no need to continue fighting and backed off, "I will squish Malefor's heart if I even detect your darkness close to mine! I don't trust you, and when you betray Kettu, Xvar, and our whole kind, I will be right there to laugh when we all parish."
"And I'll be right there, laughing in your face when you're wrong," Spyro smiled to the challenge.
Done with the conversation all together, the Dark Master backing from control helped Malefor fling forward to take back over: kicking the evil to the back of his mind and soul. From the sudden jump back to where he was, a deep inhale was felt to him. Holding a paw to his chest to help put pressure on the pain, the idea of how close his control was scared him beyond belief. The shivers and sweats were sure to show, same for his voice. Spyro stepped in to help ease the scares before he thought too hard on it, "Malefor, take a breather. You're going to be fine."
"But you heard him!" Malefor's voice wasn't tamed, "He could take control any second down the line! I know you don't want him dead, but he's not like Kettu or Xvar! You're only digging yourself a deeper hole on this. You want to help the Dark Dragons, and that's fine, but unless he's dead, there's always going to be that constant fear of a back stab!" Already being well known to him at this point, Spyro didn't have much to say, "It's you who is trying to help their kind, not me. So I can handle the blood on my paws while you focus on the others."
"Malefor... I, and neither will you, kill him."
"Don't be childish on this! The longer you wait, the higher the chance he'll kill someone: he'll kill Carith! And I won't allow you to tell me how to do things when you're not me and have no idea what you're talking about!" Rubbing his forehead to hear the aggression, it was just another problem on Spyro's mind, "He's right. Just make the deal with Amara, I or someone else around here will take him out, and we can be done with this bullshit! I can move on with my life like everyone else and finally confess my true love for Carith."
"You done...?" Spyro raised a brow to which Malefor growled to, "While it may be a long shot, the Dark Master hasn't killed anyone in over a month. He tried to with Cynder, Sparks, Volteer, and even me. All those kills ended in a failure, so as of right now, you could say he's changed. He has nothing to gain from killing Carith. That's not what he's after. I'm his contender. He kills me, he destroys the world. He kills any of you and dies knowing he failed."
"Someone's dead! How does that count as a failure for him?!"
"You're also missing the obvious fact that me, Kettu, and Xvar, easily have planned for this. Kettu and Xvar have their darkness going non-stop, and look out for a shift in your darkness very closely, and they'd tell me if something were to happen," Malefor's mouth opened wide to hear this, "If you say they can't be trusted to do so, I will be dead serious on their gains of taking your lungs and teeth," Spyro heavily defended his two friends, and they smiled for this, whereas Malefor growled, "I know you're frustrated and I know you're scared. But you've never done anything in your life time to do anything to help the Dark Master, and for good reason. My hope is... he'll understand respect. I could kill him, he could kill me. An eye for an eye. As long as I don't peruse him and attempt his life, he shouldn't me."
"You're putting your trust into a monster?"
"I wouldn't try if it wasn't impossible. And even if it were, you remember how I feel on the impossible. I like those odds," Malefor gave up for now, showing his displeasure of what was going on through teeth and squinted eyes, "Now... hopefully with no more interruption," Spyro was able to get focus back on the topic at hand, "Amara... these problems are my own. I won't kill the Dark Master, I won't allow you to deal with what's to come, and I won't be your mate. All I'm asking for is assistance: not even front line work. Your soldiers were once put in the frontlines to simply die. To change that history, I want to be that someone; to stand at the front to rally and to truly push together a lasting peace. Why are you trying to lock that away simply because of your own sexual desires?"
"Because you're working for all, are you not?" Amara went back to trying a seducing move: elbows up to show her beauty and white leather scarf, "Men like you should be all for having sex with such beauty, and I'm sure there'd be nothing wrong with an... open marriage. You can keep Cynder, you get me, my army, resources, aid, and much more, simply by being my mate. What don't you understand about this once in a life time opportunity? You'd really choose Cynder over a female that possess the beauty given to them by an Ancestor herself?"
"I don't... care... about sex," Rubbing two fingers to the middle of his nose bone between his two eyes, Spyro was fed up with the constant sexual advancement.
"And that's the problem. Women like us love rebels. So, either you agree, and all things go off without a problem, or you don't, and I'll spend every waking minute to have you."
"Or, I have a better idea," Snatching the scarf off of Amara's neck, her wide eyes showed from the speed, and something else that he couldn't pinpoint, "I will use this scarf as an example, since your Guards have already been beaten to the ground hard enough."
"Hehe... U-u-use the sc-sc-scarf in what... what way?" Fear suddenly took over in her voice even if her body tried to stay still.
"You ever hear the saying, don't play with fire, or you'll get burned? As I see it right now, you're a threat. Holding Warfang as a bargaining chip, attacking my lover, trying to hold down my family as pawns... There's nothing I should have to prove to you. I had hoped that you'd see another side to yourself, and look past your, hormonal needs, for the sake of the planet. But if you ever DARE, try and cross me..." Showing fire to his paw, the flame directed straight to the scarf, burning the fur that it held in a smokey smell, "I will..."
"STOP!" Amara's sudden cry filled yell scared everyone, Guards included.
"AMARA!" Hearing a voice yell from down the hall, more joined in on the party.
To the left joined two dark dragons, one female, and one male. The female took charge, readying her blade to dash forward, head first into battle with no Intel, "Axel! Get the troops together and watch my back!"
"No! Celina, wait!" Axel called out to her deadly companion.
Celina was rather fast for someone of no real power. She hopped like a rabbit from side to side, building up speed before kicking herself off the wall. Flinging herself forward, eyes were directed by Spyro, but he didn't do anything. Knowing their time had come to assist, Kettu and Xvar stood up. Though, they didn't react nearly as fast as Cynder had. With her new form of slick and ease, she was easily able to block and protect Spyro from the threat. Not wanting to actually harm her, the use of her wings were needed. Celina, out of instinct, blocked, still midair and knowing she couldn't dodge. Using the power of wind, Cynder's wing flicked to her, knocking Celina down to the ground. She was quick to recover, pushing her wings down and twirling to the air before landing back on all fours. Still ready for battle, her wings extended, her paws and legs stretched out in a ready show, and her teeth made use in a growl. The others were surprised by the fighting power this other female had, whereas Kettu and Xvar were surprised by the speed in which Cynder had to protect Spyro.
"Whoa whoa whoa, alright, let's just, calm down. No one's here to harm the other," Axel hoped in, taking control over the situation.
"NO!" Celina was ready, heart pounding in a combined show of her sweats to know what she was up against, "This bitch is mine..."
"EVERYONE-STOOOOP!" Once again, the voice of Amara, sounding so deeply scared and afraid, tried her best to calm things down, "Spyro, please... please-please-please... we... we can talk! We can talk about something else! Another kind of deal! Anything! Just please... please don't burn that scarf..." In a show of change, and to add on to the surprise change in emotion she had, Amara begged in a low hung head, "I'm sorry... I'm... we... we won't try anything else... My men will back from Warfang-you have my word... Just please... don't..."
Her eyes shot open wide, watching her scarf fall down to the floor: split from fire and smoldering in smoke. While the other two pieces were still intact, the damage was done. It was beyond repair, and even if there was something that could be done, the fur in the middle was burned to black, losing its color and light. Spyro did this on purpose, wanting to see her reaction to what he had done. React she most definitely did. Crawling on her knees and to her scarf, Amara cried in a very, very low, defeated tone, "No... no... no..." Dripping tears to the ground and scooping the two pieces to her paws, all signs of agony were real, "No..."
Spyro now felt a pain to his heart to see what he had done. It didn't stop for him to see her act like this. Even past the flames, she held the scarf close to her chest, crying to the floor over its loss. Many didn't understand why she was acting in such a way over an item, but for many, they pieced together that it could've had sentimental value to her. Wanting an answer to why her actions were how they are now, Spyro continued his show of anger, even if many heard the sadness, "It's just a scarf. What the hell you so upset about?"
"I told Amara you were evil!" Celina seemed upset over the loss the same, "You're just like anything else that lives: a self centered monster!"
"Celina..." Axel wanted to take charge on this, "Spyro..." Taking some steps to him, Cynder was ready, "That... was a gift from her mother... one of the last times she ever remembered seeing her, even at a young age," Those who didn't understand were quick to, all feeling the pain of sadness that didn't come close to how Amara was feeling, "Many of what her mother gave her when she was a child were destroyed by her father. We don't know why he suddenly grew... aggressive... but Amara's held onto that scarf in secrecy for many, many years. It's brought her good luck over the years wearing it... and she thought... it would do the same here if she brought it."
"Just give him her whole life story why don't you," She knew what he would do with it, "Now he has fuel to use against us, against her! Any pain that she feels now is on you."
Sighing to hear how bad things were, Spyro wanted to make things right for his wrong. Kneeling down in support of Amara, he wished to sympathise with her, "Is that... true... Did your mother really make this scarf out of her own love and care...?"
Amara gave a weak nod, "She... She made this for me... before I was born... She was so excited about my up and coming that she just... couldn't sit still... hehe... So..." Gripping the remains of her mother's work, the feeling of fire on the scarf was felt to her heart, "She spent months... going to store after store, even wanting to go outside of our city just to make this scarf... and when she gave it to me... she showed tears to my smile..."
Clenching her eyes shut to let the tears flow, after what had happened, it shouldn't have been a surprise to her, I don't... understand... I know I was pushy... I know I was upsetting him, but... I thought he was different... I thought... Opening her eyes to look to her scarf in support, she noticed the back of Spyro's purple paw. The vision she had made her question what she was seeing. From the tears that showed white and blocked her vision, it looked like the scarf had been fixed. Not believing what she was seeing, the use of her arm to rub her eyes helped clear them a decent bit. Now seeing clear enough to know what she was seeing was real, her eyes shot open. The scarf had been repaired completely. Both ends connected together once again, and from no show of fire or ash, the white fur came together in a soft and comforting beauty, "Wh..."
Not believing it for a second, she acted. Placing it to the side of her cheek and feeling its soft, comforting nature she was use to, she moved it to the other side of her cheek, rubbing it there to. Backing the scarf to see its repair once again, Amara brought it back, holding it tightly to her chest, crying tears of joy now to see this, smiling over the connection she felt with her mother once again. Axel, Celina, and the Guards were surprised, not understand what had happened. Being who he was in information, Axel wanted to know more, "How did you... do that?"
"Simple quick fix with my time power," Spyro didn't want to show how it worked in case something was used against him for it, "Now. Before I have to kick someone else's ass around here, can I hope and believe you when you say you're not a threat?"
"Who? Me? Helllll no. I've read reports on what you've done. I'd fight for Amara to the death, but since I know you're not a threat, I feel no need. Though, the only one I 'am' scared of, is your red friend, Flair," Axel pointed her out, and just the show of teeth alone made him jump, "We uh... got reports back to what she did to one of the dragons that were attempting a hostage situation. The whole, grabbing his horn through his chest and heart was just... ehhhhh..."
"Flair?" Celina questioned, looking over to the group at the front of the Chambers and noticing the red female.
"Someone scared?" Flair scuffed.
"Honestly... I'm quiet intrigued," Celina showed no fear in walking up to Flair directly, and while Cynder was going to act, Flair stopped her.
"Cynder, wait."
Stood directly in front of Flair and inspecting her, Flair did the same back to Celina. Her body closely resembled Cynder's in a way. Her colors were not completely black for someone of a shadow dragon, mainly a charcoal with some grey. Her secondary colors were a dark green: a color that more closely resembled that of a poison dragon. This secondary color showed to her wing flaps, eye color, and fins that evenly spaced themselves down from the top of her head, to her back, and disappearing the closer to her tail. Her blade showed like Cynder's as well, but much smaller in size and not having the curve to the tip nearest to the bottom. Seeing her body now, the slick like nature of a mature looking female showed deadly force. No extra features that would give her away, no real way of detection if her wings tucked: the same for her chest. Flair wanted to comment to see if that's how she'd use her own body, "Tell me. The secondary colors are a dead giveaway. How do you act in battle?"
"I may look out in the open now, but my fins tuck down too. So, if needed to sneak, I close my wings, duck my fins, and hold my blade under my stomach. I can easily slither, jump, and cut. I've killed around twenty or so targets by now, and there's no job I've been on that I know I can't complete. I've lost count, mainly because those that I kill don't deserve a number. That means I'm giving them recognition, and they don't deserve that."
"Ooh. I like that."
"So, tell me, what do you think about life?"
"Hate it: despise it. Think I'm lying, I'll kill anyone in this room right now. I don't give shit."
"Oh, I believe so. So why bother living then?"
"Oh please, there's no real reason. I'm simply here because these guys always get into trouble, and I love the thought of killing someone else."
"You could get paid to kill, you know. You could live a life of luxury being a killer."
"Sounds like fine. You hiring?"
"Of course. After hearing how you killed that dragon, I could reconsider doing my missions co-op instead of solo. We'd just need to use my shadow more often to hide your bright colors."
"Finally, something I can actually look forward to when waking up."
"Daaaaaaamn, Cyril! She forgot about your ass!" Malefor laughed.
"Oh yeah... I completely forgot about him," Like brushing off her shoulders, Flair saw Cyril's frown to how she disrespected him.
"Please don't tell me you made an... emotional attachment, to him," Celina sighed, "Alright, look. I can have him killed either tonight or tomorrow when I'm done with a later job. You can live at my place until you get enough money to live on your own. You could live with me to bring in double the amount of income for easy living, but it's best not to make emotional connections with anyone. I know you'd understand."
"Unfortunately... he's stuck to me like glue. Trust me, I've already tried getting rid of him. Blade to the chest, stomach, and even heart, but he kept coming back."
"You're good looking, what do you expect. Just stand up for yourself to tell his perverted ass to screw off. Like I said, I could always kill him."
"I would normally think on it, but..." Flair blushed, not wanting to defend Cyril, though from their time together, she didn't want to come off as ungrateful, "He's been... quite kind to me... giving me power when ever and however, so he knows his place when it comes to our relationship. If something does happen between me and him, I have hopes this offer would stay open?"
"Skill is needed wherever, and from how you fight, I'll keep the job offer opened for you," Celina was disappointed to hear the offer was declined, "You know you should back out now while you still can. More often than not, many die alone than together. Building the family you have here will individually crash and burn simply because gods like a show. If you continue to live here, this will only work as... character development, I guess you should say, for each and every individual."
"I'm very aware of how the world works. Why bother living when you get punished for it. If you hate everything and everyone, you die with no regrets, aren't scared of pain, and have no need to feel burdened by the pain or passing of those you know. Living is like hell. The sooner you give up, the better the life you'll have, and I know that from experience."
"It's insane that, out of all these years, I've never met someone who'd I'd consider a sister. Let me guess, you know there's no point to living if everyone dies in the end anyway?"
"Absolutely. I'm simply along for the ride. Life's a bitch, and I'm its sister. That's the only reason Cyril isn't dead. If he were to fight back, I'd end him."
"More like, finish him!" Malefor still laughed, knowing either of those two would surely kill him, "Along for the ride? More like, the ride Cyril will give you! Cyril's a bitch, and you're his mate. And of course you'd end him if he attacked you... end his reign of being a virgin that is!"
"What about that dragon over there? He seems rather annoying," Celina found instant disgust in Malefor.
"You talking about yourself, miss loner?"
"Excuse me?" She growled over to him.
"You excusing the attitude, because it's not needed."
"Neither are you in this world. You enjoy wasting the clean air that you're infecting?"
"Awwww. Are you upset that your smell is close to shit, just like your attitude?"
"You're one to talk," Making her way over to him now in a threatening manner, she made sure to keep him on his toes, "I'm surprised you don't stink of dragon blood."
"Haha! I'm still a virgin, so I'm not yet there."
"WH...! NOT THAT BLOOD! YOU PIG!"
"You call me a pig? You look like you got slapped by your parents from day one to adult. Put some meat on your bones. No one cares to see your ribcage."
"I knew your brain didn't work, but your eyes too? It's called muscles, not meat; as if men like you would know since you're more focused on working your, 'meat', than actual muscle."
"Awwww. The little one thinks I need my paw to get off. It's called a lover... a mate? Don't have one? Heh, not surprised. With an attitude as bad as yours, many wonder why women last longer than men. Well, when a man is stuck with a women like you, they tend to want to die sooner."
"Malefor, Celina, back off," Spyro took a step in now from the constant bickering between the two.
"This is why I'd love to have a hatchling of my own. You little ones think you're so cute," Malefor continued.
"Of course you don't have a hatchling of your own. You'd probably kill it like you did millions of others," Celina continued the same.
"Which is why I'll feel no fear in having the Dark Master skin your sassy ass."
"You need someone else to do your dirty job? Pathetic."
"Oh, I could do it. Just don't want to attract your 'whiny bitch disorder'. Could contract the shitter version of the flu from your type three retarded ass."
"Someone didn't get enough love from their parents. Hehe, but then again, how could you? They're dead. Good riddance, right?"
"Just thinking the same when it came to your life."
Snapping his fingers to get the two to break it up, the shock wave from Spyro's power in the snap sent many back. Holding their ground, Axel, the Guardians, their lovers, and Amara, all dug their claws deep into the ground, forcing widened eyes from the gust of wind that threatened to knock them all over. Malefor and Celina didn't move, stuck in time as they faced each other with cold, killing intending eyes. Cynder was the same with Kettu and Xvar: hanging out in the event of something actually happening. The snap got the two to stop, and Spyro wished it wouldn't have been this hard, "I have the biggest headache forming in the back of my head that's just edging on forward, and I'd like if we could just figure our shit out and go to bed. So, Dark Master, if you could please stop antagonizing and giving Malefor insults, that'd be great," Spyro had felt a shift in the darkness from within Malefor since she approached him and knew that needed to be put to a stop, "Celina, please just..."
"Don't tell me what to do!"
"Don't... question... me..." The pissed off mood burned back for Spyro, wanting to be done with this situation all together.
"What are you going to do?" Celina found another target to front on, changing direction and looking to Spyro, "You gonna kill me?" Spyro didn't respond, and she continued her advancements to him, "We know a lot about you, Spyro. I'm not harming anyone, I'm not really, threatening, anyone, so you should have no reason to attack me. I'm like a fly that'll constantly buzz in your ear. You can try to knock me down, but I'll get right back up."
"I don't care what you are or who... I'm simply trying to look out for the future of me, my family, and millions more."
"And what's your plan to do that?"
"Bring together our kind and the Dark Dragons. With the military power you all possess, and the kindness of the Dark Dragons, we could build a future to end all wars."
"What a... childish dream," Cynder didn't bother stopping Celina from passing, hoping for a fight to come from this altercation, "We've been at war for more than a hundred thousand years. And you've heard the stories of what the purple dragon did, right? Even if you looked into both sides, one where the purple dragon was heroic, and the other where he was evil, either way, both sides showed they couldn't work together. So what makes you think you'll be any better than who the previous purple dragon was before?"
"I... I... I don't... know..."
"HA! You're joking! You can't honestly be serious about bringing everyone together when you don't even have a plan."
"There's no such thing when it comes to being united. You can't plan anything, and that of what you do plan for doesn't really help. I could make a plan to bring everyone together, but that'd fall apart. As of right now, I want to gain as much information as I can from both sides and find the spot in the middle we can all agree on. Enough war has been seen from both sides... if no one acts, then our future generations will forever be torn... Differences make us who we are, and we shouldn't have to fight about being human."
"I've seen men like you break before," Seeing and hearing his sympathy was nothing new to her, "After about a blade or two into the lungs, maybe even eye, they'd give up everything for the chance to fight for their lives. You know nothing about what true war is. The blood, the sacrifice; you're still just a kid who doesn't understand how the world works."
"Don't come at me with this stupid points!" Spyro put up his own defense, "I've seen enough in one lifetime to know exactly what happens around the world because I've had to save it twice now! I put my life second above all else when it came to anyone and everyone! A good example would be my friend, Volteer. I knew of our wounds but I chose him over me..." She showed a defense for his voice, however he changed, like he didn't want to be angry, "I... also chose him over my life because... I feel like... out of everyone else on this planet... I'm the least deserving person to live on it."
"What?" Celina was just as confused as any to hear him say.
She, like Amara and Axel, looked for a lie in his voice. But from his actions, murmur, and down looks, he was serious, and they all knew that, "One of the biggest problems when it comes to me, wanting to heal the world is... I look like a villain because of what happened in the past. That's why I take every step to prove that not everyone is evil. Though... it feels like I've done nothing but fail... Another dark master is out there, a group of dragons are pissed for me defending my family, I can't see anyway of our cities being united without me having sex with someone else, and I still need to learn all that I can to one day meet with the Dark Dragons and find a way for peace between them too."
"You didn't go for being mates with, Amara?" Axel sounded rather happy to hear this.
"Sounds to me like you should give up while you're ahead," Celina had an easier solution, "So much to do, so little time. After all, if you know things are uncertain, all this work could be for nothing, and you're simply wasting your life on stuff that doesn't matter... My advice: stop trying. You'll only hit rock bottom more than going up."
Spyro simply sat there, thinking about it a little more on how he'd approach things and in what way. Celina felt victorious in her acts, and while she looked happy about it, many others showed frowns. His family was in full support of his decision, but with no way of knowing where they'd go or what they'd do, there wasn't any real way to show support. Kettu and Xvar looked at each other, knowing they'd be his best bet for help. However, they also knew it wasn't them that was the problem: it was the Dark Master. Cynder kept her head up high, wiping her shoulder off in a way, not seeing a problem, "No road is too smooth, and no building is perfectly build: like how no human is truly perfect," Eyes were all to her now, "We know peace isn't going to be easy, but neither is waking up to a p-t-s-d filled memories, psychological pains, and scars for what's happened in the past. What does make it easier to handle is a little bit of help from those around you. I mean, just think, without Spyro, I would've killed each and every one of you by now. Without Spyro, the world would've been completely destroyed. Without Spyro, many would be left alone, turned on, or forgotten. And to think these are all because of the actions of one man. Now imagine what he could do with an army."
"I'm surprised you're optimistic, Cynder," Celina was ready to take shots elsewhere.
"Celina, don't," Spyro wasn't about to have Cynder be talk down on once again all because of her uncontrollable past.
"After the showings of who you could really be, I didn't think you'd show such love and care. Let me guess, if the next generation doesn't play out how 'you' see it, you'll kill everyone like how you did in the Dragon Temple?"
"I was stolen in that raid, not apart of it."
"Oh, but you were apart of the Dark Master's plans to burn the world to the ground while he was away. So is this what the Dark Dragons will be used for? A way to purge our kind if things don't go as planned, or will it be the other way around if the Dark Dragons show signs of being evil?"
"Shut... up..."
"What was that?" She turned to see it came from Spyro, "Do we have a problem here?"
"Ever since you all have gotten her, it's just been a bash after bash against what we all have done to save the world and how we didn't do it your way or how you would've liked it," The feeling of rage came back to him, acting out with no other way to, aside from the showing of his strength, "Sorry we bleed, sorry we cry, and I'm sorry we show any emotion that makes us weak. We're all supposed to be powerful, like the Ancestors who we all look up to even though they were failures the same. No progress has been made since this meeting has started, no real show in change of emotions or response, so I'm just going to have to ask you all to please leave my home."
"Why?" To make things worse, she aggravated him further, "You want to save the world, don't you? If you don't make a deal here and now for us to help you, someone else could die, and that death will be on you, mister mighty man."
"It's a real shame how much more connected with the dark I am compared to the light... Kettu and Xvar have been two out of very few outside my family to show how good things could be when we work together... I know nothing may come from this today, tomorrow, or even years down the line, but..." Spyro sighed, somehow calming himself once again, and they could all see he really didn't want to fight, "We're not enemies... so that's good... It's a step up from what the past was a least... right...? Little by little... we'll get there... and it... really makes me smile and wonder where we'll all be in a peaceful future."
"You picturing me in a coffin?" Showing her teeth, Celina growled.
"Hehe, no," Spyro gave a wide smile, chuckling even to which she blushed to for some reason, "Honestly, I'm thinking about my bed. This day has already been such a drain, and I know it won't stop there with Cynder's new form... Hehe... legs are sure to not work tomorrow."
"Oh, you know it," Cynder licked her lips to show some support and keep him smiling.
The turn around in Spyro's attitude was sudden, yet needed. Thanks in part to the help of his darkness, the uncertainty and doubt he had left him. He could tell his darkness wasn't acting on its own, and from how it shifted, maneuvered, and managed the negative side, Spyro gave a nice sigh, Thank you... Kettu... Xvar... Just another reason on top of so many why you two show me the hope when I don't see it... The true future that could be obtained through hard work, with a massive part of that work being dedicated to teamwork. Kettu and Xvar smiled to him. He couldn't look back to smile, still having to deal with the real problem at hand. Knowing full well he had the backing of all those behind him, it was time to look forward on what really mattered. The change he now felt helped him make a better decision to the one he was going to make before, "Hey... Axel... would it be too much to ask if we all settled down and I ask about the past of you, Amara, and Celina?" The much calmer voice surprised mainly Celina and Axel, not having seen what he was like compared to Amara's seen, "I... want to sympathise as much as I can with you all. Maybe the reason we're all so divided right now is simply because we don't know each other. Hopefully by opening up, we could find another way to reach an agreement."
"Axel, don't listen to him," Celina didn't want for his mind to be changed; walking up to his right side to look Spyro dead in the eyes, "He's not looking for sympathy, he's looking for fuel. You give him information on our past, and he'll use that to destroy you: to manipulate you. That's how all men are. Don't fall victim to such an easy ploy."
"I hope this doesn't bring up any bad memories but... are you saying that because someone in your life manipulated you?" The genuine concern and wish to understand was heard to all.
"No, she's just..." Axel went to speak: not making far in his sentence before being interrupted by Celina.
"Axel! I'm serious! If you want Amara to be happy, then understand the risk. I read the dossier on the way here. So much is still unknown about this dragon, like his hopes, fears, inhibitions; the kind of man he becomes under pressure. There's still so much to learn from him, so why ask for us to spill the information when we want the same thing too?"
"Oh... I could gladly give that stuff out since it's pretty obvious," Spyro gave a wide, happy smile and chuckle, once again confusing the group to his true emotions, or even intentions, "My hopes are the same as I wish for all to have; peace in the world, no more wars, no more fighting, no more blood needing to be shed from the young and old. My fears... vary rather widely..." Celina didn't expect him to give out too much information on such topic, however, to her surprise, he did, "I fear... failure... I fear the dark because it reminds me of the world being turned to hell during the first show of the Destroyer. I fear the Dark Master, those who try to harm my family; being too weak to succeed in saving someone's life... All that would fall on me... and to think of someone crying out in pain, looking to me dead in the eyes for hope of being saved... but I fail is just... I..."
"Breathe," Cynder walked to his left, having the visual of such terror in her mind, and on how he described it, many could see the same, "That won't happen... You've trained your ass off to keep that from happening. In times of desperation, you stood strong where we should've too. But now with my own dark form, I feel ready and willing to lend a hand. Now you have me, Malefor, Kettu, and Xvar as some badass backups. And of course, you can't forget Flair. You know she'd be all for the killings. And the Guardians though, I know you wouldn't want them to be involved since they've been through enough," Her head turned still to face the others, "That doesn't mean you all should slack off!" The Guardians all stood up straight, "All of us are going to have one big training session to get you all back into gear! And if one of you is late, I will use my fear to haunt your dreams," They all understood, being quick to nod in agreement, "As for the kind of man my lover is," Celina and Cynder locked eyes, "He knew he would've died bringing the world back together, but he did it anyway. He knew he would've died saving Volteer, saving me, saving the world a second time! But he still put his life on the line despite it all!"
"Which means he wants something," Celina now knew the man he was, "He's not agreeing to be Amara's mate not because he doesn't love her, but because he knows he could have more than just one. Why bother telling anyone the truth when he could easily manipulate the feelings and vision you all have of him? He says he loves you, Cynder, and that's an easy and likely cover story. You trust him, you believe in him, so not only does he get the opportunity to mate with anyone in the world thanks to his powers, but he could do the same to you, doing so right under your nose."
"You act like I wouldn't know, considering if he were to leave, I could tell where he was with my darkness."
"Oh, but that's the best part. He's trying to be noble, when in reality, he's thinking only of himself. Spyro doesn't want to mate with someone else because he knows it'd hurt you, so what better way for him to get the best of both worlds than by waiting for you to fall asleep, sneak out, bang someone else, and then slide back into bed? He has the power to do anything, which makes you wonder why he chose you over anyone else. It's not because you're hot: you're unstable, and he fears that."
"I don't, care, about sex..." Spyro took a deep sigh, having to have this be brought up once again.
"Bullshit. You're trying to act noble in front of her to get some of her ass sooner rather than later."
"First off, if you know the power I have, why would I fear her rather than just mating with her and being on my way? It took us weeks to even admit we loved each other, and all that time was spent in fear for the other leaving another. I love the life I have, the family I'm with, and the lover that always shows to my side when ever I need her. The power I use is to protect, and the only thing I will ever ask from anyone as a reward for me saving them is..."
"Sex. It's obvious."
"It's for them to keep on living the good life," He corrected her, "I save people's lives because even when they think it's not worth living, they should know someone's always there watching over them, even when they can't see that. I don't care to be with anyone else because I already found who I know my connection would be through time and space. Cynder's always been there for me... even when I thought Ignitus had died... she was there... When she could've turned against me and killed me over the Dark Master's control... she broke free... because she loved me..."
"You know we're gonna change these memories of yours up, right?" Cynder was beyond ready for tonight, "Instead of breaking free, I took control. You saved the world, we easily make it out with Malefor's body, and heal before anymore of this war continued," She was sure to face Ignitus, remembering what the past was like, "Would we have died then, IGNITUS!" He ducked his head, "Malefor would've came back, the second attack would've never had happened, and me and Spyro could've admitted our love sooner... CORRECT?! OR WOULD THAT HAVE BEEN A FAILED TIMELINE, TOO?!"
"It would've been the best outcome! You're... eh... you're absolutely right!" Ignitus gave a fearful smile, going along and knowing against would've been suicide.
"Hey... Spyro..." Axel stepped forward, "I didn't really have an easy life either..."
"Axel!"
"Celina, don't... I... I want to talk about this," He stood against her, going back and focusing Spyro to which Celina growled for, "Even as easy as a life you would assume in such a thriving city, my child to teen years were very... dull..."
"What happened?" Spyro was curious and thoughtful.
"Before we continue, can everyone back off!" Celina still let her presence be known, "In case something gets out that you all would suddenly act upon, having some space rather than everything being so crowded would make our escape a lot easier in the off chance you attack us," This confused the group by what she meant, "I don't like feeling cluttered. So back the hell off, give us some space to breathe, and then you can found a way to manipulate our past and emotions."
"I'm not..." A simple sigh was given from Spyro, knowing this was a losing battle against her.
Since it was such a simply request, they all agreed on it. Backing from the Chamber entrance, the Guardians and their females headed to the near back of it before sitting down in their usual row. Malefor and Carith did the same, sitting down to the left wall with Malefor making sure to sit to her left, basically in front of her to cover in case an attack was made against her. Spyro and Cynder made their way back to the right wall, and to connect back with Spyro, Kettu and Xvar walked straight at him. Once their dark bodies touched his, they became like ash and smoke, sucking back in and reuniting with him. After all that had happened, for Spyro, he wasn't in any kind of form, only showing his real light colors. For Cynder, she still stayed in her Terror Form, not trusting what the others were up to. Spyro, similar to Malefor, made sure to sit to Cynder's right, standing in the way of any projectile or attack that would come their way. Settling down now, and seeing her still to the use of her darkness, he wanted to ease her, "My love... It's okay now... You don't have to keep pushing yourself on this form."
"But what if something happens?" Cynder had many reasons why she didn't want to back down, "I don't want to lose this form because I know what it means for you. I can be your ally once again, I can show you so much more in terms of pleasure and excitement for me being an adult down the line, and there's so much more I could do in terms of helping you train against someone who's so powerful, so you wouldn't need to leave to train in that... city."
"Hehe... you sure know how to make me feel good even when I'm not looking at you," Spyro was glad to hear some of her fears, understanding the form now himself, "I love you, Cynder... And to be honest, while your dark form is cool... I want who you are, back. Like, how me now, and my darkened purple form, are two different dragons basically. You've already given me hope, and I'm excited to see where our relationship goes from here. But don't worry about losing your form..." Draping a wing to her side and holding a paw to hers, he smiled, "I will help you gradually get better over time. You shouldn't have to go through what I did when attempting control. I will help you... With the use of my darkness as a crutch, the more and more better you get using it on your own, the less help I'll give till you master it. That way... you won't fear turning... you won't fear me getting hurt... and hopefully one day... I can make all of those fears go away, as I've always wanted to..."
Cynder couldn't help herself. After what's happened then and now from the time she's acquired this old yet new form, tears wanted to show. It burned her eyes in desperation for Spyro, and since she wanted to keep this form as an aggressor, not a weakness, her lips were quick to lock to his. Just as their first time, the lust, moans, and pleasure were known to not only them, but the others the same. Cynder's tongue wrestled with Spyro's, begging for control and dominance both inside and out of his mouth. Even if she couldn't succeed from the hyperactive lip movements, her tongue still licked the sides of his mouth, or even just the outsides. Spyro was enjoying it all too much even for himself, though he knew why she was just as active as last time. For some reason to him, the more Cynder lost her darkness, the more he enjoyed it, like he felt some kind of positive emotion for saving her life to what it felt like. The kiss knocked her back to her easier, much smoother colors. Same for size to all things, including her height. Now back to normal, the two backed from the kiss with a heavy show on saliva. Cynder smiled to Spyro, and he smiled back, "There's my little shadow. I... missed you..."
"I hope I didn't harm you..." Cynder showed her innocence, "I tried to be strong... I wanted to be strong... I knew you wanted to be with Amara because of what she has to offer but... that's something I should've always been able to offer. The Terror of The Skies once governed this planet under her rule, and while I didn't mess with the City Of Prosperity, I knew I was like an army... I should've been that army for you, and if I would've trained with you, me and you could've been unstoppable... then you wouldn't have had to worry about any of this at all."
"Cynder..." He wiped a tear for her, "You never had a family, never had friends, never had... anyone, to talk to, to relate to, to... understand there's more to life than losing... Every step of the way throughout this month, you've met someone new who you trusted and cared for... Carith was quick to show she cared, then came along Claire for your first girls day, then Ersa, Flair, and even Trish. All I've ever wanted was to change that frown that stained your lips because of your past into a smile... and to see who you are now compared to back then... You deserve every bit of love and care from all those around you... and you don't take that for granted... nor do you abusive it... That's another reason I know that... your the one for me... it's another reason... why I love you."
Only having been out of her new form for seconds, the tears that had been held back for the time being all felt like showing all at one. Cynder loved the feeling, and to see that it was true: no matter who she was or what her form looked like, either bad or good, he'd still love her. This realisation forced her head down to his shoulder, resting it sideways to allow her eyes to connect with the scales on his neck, wanting to really feel the smoothness he had to offer. The enjoyment she had was all too much, and it made her growl to have to smile to him once again, "Just you wait... I don't care what you say, tonight, you'll be on your back and that won't change! I remember what you said, so don't think I didn't... I hope saving me before wasn't too much of a pain in the ass, since tonight, you'll be doing it again."
"And what if I fail?" He wondered.
"Let's get those failures out the way, why don't we?" Her giggle made him feel warm inside, and she backed to get a good view of his figure, "I was talking about your... inevitable failure... and I was right... Tonight, you loss in bed. Every failure will be in your attempts to keep me on my back, whereas all your success will be to saving others and the world. I can't wait to see you begging for mercy at the bottom of my claw... What could you possible offer me to keep me from enslaving you?"
"No... Cynder, please... I'll give you anything, anything you desire!" Spyro got into character, shaking out of mainly excitement, and it helped show his other side.
"Anything?" She purred.
"I find it funny how, in all your stories, where the hell are the Guardians in all this?" Malefor chuckled in his questioning, "I mean, if Spyro does lose to you, doesn't that mean the Guardians would've, I don't know... died?"
"What do they have to do with my story?" Cynder showed teeth, "Oh, would you look at that, suddenly, all the females-OH!" Her sudden jump and cry scared all, though now with the thoughts of a different story, she looked to all the girls, "Carith, Claire, Trish, Ersa, and Flair. You all work for me now," The girls were listening to the story, "So, Spyro... from what I've heard, the Guardians have gone into hiding. Girls... wait for me awhile, could ya'? Once I extract the information from Spyro, he will tell me where the Guardians hide. Then, I shall send you all to deal with them."
"I'll never talk!" Spyro rather enjoyed the game, already getting Cynder riled up the same in the show of her blade to his neck.
"So you say. But what if I guarantee their safety?" He was listening, "Tell me the location, and I'll let them live. Draw it out, frustrate me, and I may not be so lenient. Do we have a deal?" His lips quivered on what to do now, and for the time he thought, she readied her troops, "Flair, take Cyril. He's the weakest and will be easy clean up. Ersa, use your smarts. Paralyze the dragon to your hearts content."
"Shame you won't feel anything down below when I paralyze you," Ersa liked where this was going, aside from Volteer who dropped sweat, "Still fun for me though."
"I'm not that weak..." Cyril wanted to clear his shame.
"Cyril, shut up," Flair took command, "The weaker you are, the more I feel inclined to be with you: to know you have no power over me. So just accept it."
"That's... actually a good point..."
"Trish, you'll take Terrador. His hearts big..."
"But his pole is even bigger," Trish nuzzled Terrador, stopping everyone dead with backed heads.
"Ahem..." Cynder wished to move on, "As for you, Claire, you'll be taking on Ignitus. Your skill set is unique, however, from what we've observed, he cares little for anything love related."
"You don't say," Claire growled to which Ignitus frowned.
"Where does Malefor fit into this?" Carith wondered.
"We could either choose for him to die later, or the Guardians will reveal your slumbering body in time," Cynder explained that part.
"Think I'd rather him dead though," Spyro already knew what he wanted.
"Awwww. I love you, too," Malefor acted like he cared.
"First Ignitus, and now me? Pick a lane, dude."
"Oh please, I'd still pick Ignitus over you. A charming man he is."
"Can we please move on," Ignitus felt extremely uncomfortable.
"So, you won't have sex with me because you have your eyes on a guy?" Carith crossed her arms.
"As a wise man once said, 'Words can't describe a man's desires, however, in the time of a distraction, use your body to convey emotions to what you truly mean and feel'," Malefor acted like he knew what he was talking about.
"Uh... yeah, pretty sure no one said that... definitely not a wise man, that's for sure," Volteer knew this was all made up.
"Wait... So, Spyro, you want Malefor dead but choose not to kill him?" Celina asked in confusion.
"It's... a love-hate relationship," Spyro explained.
"So you do love me?!" Malefor asked.
"Get your creepy away from me! Besides, thought you said Ignitus was cute."
"I wish to burn this day like ash from my memories," Ignitus whimpered.
"You all don't make any sense to me!" Celina hated seeing all the joy and laughter that was going around even in the most uncomfortable or inappropriate of circumstances, "You threaten our queen, attack our soldiers, have a dealing with the Dark Master and The Terror of The Skies, but you all sit here and act like none of that happened?! Like none of what's really going on even exists?!" No one could get out a word before she continued, "I attacked you, Cynder, I threatened you, Malefor, and I trashed you, Spyro! So why the hell are you all just moving past this like nothing happened?! Why did you answer me so clearly and calmly like I never did anything?!"
"Because that's just not... who we are... who I am. Of course, not to say anything, but Flair would technically be the only one to really stand up to anyone. And what's said has already been dealt with," Spyro explained more in-depth on he and his family operated, "Technically, as of right now, were starting off on a clean slate, which is why I wanted to talk to you three about your pasts: to start off understanding each other rather than not. Look at what happened when ideas clashed and both sides fought for what they believed right without knowing the backstory of others. Your soldiers attacked, I attacked, I burned Amara's scarf without knowing the significance, and look at what could've happened had I further provoked fear and hatred."
"A war could've started right here and now," Axel enjoyed the views Spyro had.
"Had it not been me, and Amara would've been attacked; would've lost the only thing she loved and held dear, surely a response would've been granted. Now that I'm learning who you all are and how you three do things, I can better assess how to deal with a situation and assure peace. The main start to war is ideals, misunderstandings, hidden agendas, or fear to act sooner than the other to gain an' upper hand in the war. But most importantly... lies."
"Someone could twist what we know or who we know to pin something against the other," Having very similar ways of looking at things, Axel was able to help give Spyro a breath, "You want to learn more on us, and for us to learn more on you so we could get a better understanding of where we meet as human beings. Like, for an example, as of right now, if I heard you had killed someone, I wouldn't believe it. But if I didn't know you, and you in reality didn't kill someone, I'd assume the death was from you, and go to war with you for it."
Spyro smiled to see Axel hit the nail on the hammer to how he thought about it, "I don't know what's happened to you all, but I wish to. The war has put us all on high-alert with no one to look to, no one to trust, and no real answer from right or wrong since the lines so blurry. The past doesn't help anyone in showing who they should be, rather who they should improve not to be. Taking in and understanding right from wrong, you can better yourself slowly but surely. Even for myself, I wish I had never turned against Malefor the way I did. He was stressed, torn... a broken man from who he once was and I... made it worse..."
"How so?"
"Threatened to kill him in his sleep," Celina showed teeth to hear the man he was, and where many saw sympathy from him, she saw aggression, "Carith told me she stayed up nights after nights the first couple of days he got back. After living in darkness for so long, you would think you'd get use to it. But in Malefor's case... you only become... more afraid of it... Even just him closing his eyes scared the hell out of him... and I... made that worse."
His words changed the minds of many who once still saw him as a villain. Flair showed some sympathy by sighing, understanding that she was wrong about who he was, Everyone around here really just wants a family... Someone to love them, someone to care for them... and that's really all anyone could ask for. Axel changed his mind on how he thought he was too. For Celina, she didn't much care, seeing only a monster in sheep's clothing to hide what he truly was. Malefor himself tried to move past all this, knowing where this kind of feeling and look back could lead to, "Hey hey hey, now! Come on, that's behind us. You said it yourself about improving. You listened to my fears, my hopes, and my dreams, and from there on out, I've never been better. I even woke you up in the middle of the night, and even after you still believed I was the cause of the Destroyer resurrecting again... you helped me... hugged me... and listened to my fears..."
"And what do you fear?" Celina was sure to take notes.
"Believe it or not... dying alone and being forgotten about by everyone... including my family... and then drifting off like nothing I did mattered... After all, everyone always saw me as a villain... Why feel sympathy for a guy that caused years of pain and torment...? Why feel sympathy when you don't even know who he was, only what you were told?"
"If it... makes you feel any better... I'm kind of... the same way," After hearing such back stories and what looked and felt like true emotions, Axel felt no fear in giving up his information, "Spyro... do you still wish to know of my past, or... would you..."
"Hey..." Spyro stopped him, assuring him with a smile, "If you're scared, feel uncomfortable, or don't trust me yet. It's fine. First impression are everything, and I don't wish to ruin it."
Celina could see it in his eyes that Axel was fully prepared to spill everything. Still trying to get him not to, a firm grip to the arm was given; teeth showing in a tough growl, "Don't..."
The use of his shadow helped his arm pass from her paw, shrugging her off in a way as to do what he pleased. Her paw clenched for this. Knowing she had already done all she could, she simply sat, arms crossed and ready for the inevitable. Axel in the other hand was full and ready to talk, "My past wasn't a smooth ride either. My parents fought a lot when I was young. My father left me when I was twelve, and my mother did the same when I was sixteen. For her though, I... didn't see it coming... I went to bed, woke up the next day, and she was just... gone... I kept coming back to that house for months in hopes one of my parents would return... as a matter of fact, I still do to this day, but... no dice..." Many already felt horrible to hear of such a start, "I was... expecting it though... My mother always said I shouldn't rely on others, especially not her... Once I was old enough, she'd let me be who I wanted to, and didn't want to hold me back from that. So... I joined the military. Served for about five years, met up with a squad near year one of seven others, and we became close friends... one mother later... brothers after a mission. However... the worlds a bitch... and thinks it has one hell of a sense of humor."
"Axel... you don't need to continue," Amara surprisingly came to his defense.
"No, it's..." Axel showed one hell of a shiver, enough so to make anyone, including Celina, frown, "It's amazing how much you can lose in a single night..." Looking more towards the floor, it only made things worse as he envisioned the night he had, "Our job was simple. Go in, retrieve supplies stolen by a group of rebels, and get out. Intel said no signs of life were around to our looting zone. We swooped in, went to grab the supplies, and were met with hostile force. These rebels weren't in to talk and immediately attacked, attracting the attention of apes and dark creatures for miles. One by one, we were picked off. Not only was this the first day I had seen real war... but it was also the first day I saw a heart... a heart I ripped from a dragon's chest to save one life..." Nearly melting to the floor, everyone felt the weight of his problems shouldering all, "Life's a bitch though... Even after killing another two or three, I made it out with one of my squadmates. I ran as quick as I could, begging, screaming, and crying for him to stay awake long enough to find a red gem patch. Intel didn't tell us that all the red gems had been pulled... They knew we were coming... they knew all along... So... with my back to a tree, I laid there... crying against the body of my only family... against my own brother... I lost them all..." Clenching his claws in a show of tears, this unfortunate turn of events made Spyro stand in case of support, "And now I understand why my mom left me how she did...! She didn't want for me to cry... she didn't want to look me in the eyes and give me hope of her staying when she knew she couldn't!"
Complete silence was given out to show respect and disbelief to hear something so tragic. Amara, out a show of love and care, gave her wing to his back, helping him understand he wasn't alone. Her wing helped calm him; not to the extent he was before: far from it. Though the feeling helped him get back to a more stable voice, "After that... I worked my way up... I grew stale to all I knew and talked to, until the day I met, Amara. I was twenty-one after I delisted from the Military to join something higher up. Amara gave me a job... I told her of my struggles and of my past and she... took me under her wing. For six years I worked for her, and through those six years, I've never forgotten what's happened... who I was... what I did... hell, even now, I'm only half a man..."
"You sure about that?" Spyro walked up to him, wanting to stand face to face to truly help him, "You can't blame yourself for something you couldn't control. You were given bad information, you were put in a bad spot, and you still managed, despite all that was happening, to save a brother's life. Their deaths weren't on you. It was to who ever betrayed you. And... hey..." He sat down with Axel, "It takes a lot of guts to continue the way you did. Many would've ended it there, but you kept going, because you know your life matters."
"Then what the hell were their lives for?!" Axel clenched his eyes to drop tears.
"To save a man's life to whom they know would do great things," His eyes directed straight into Spyro's, "I would save someone's life any day over mine, and that especially, means my family. In that situation, I'm sure you worked together, to protect each other, and not a single one of you even had the thought of bailing on the other. Even after your wounds, even after what you saw and did, you stayed strong when it mattered. You can't expect to hold the weight of a planet all on your own. So I hope you understand that you aren't alone," Paw to his shoulder, giving a firm yet gentle grip, Spyro's presence and words were known to him, "Half a man would've given up. But that's not you. You know that giving up would've made their deaths in vain... but look at you now. Side by side with the queen, looking sharp like a real man should, and in the presence of the legendary purple dragon himself, only showing that your life meant something to not only them... but to so many others that you didn't even known would be there for you in the future," It was hard to stay strong for what was being said and processed; all the help he didn't expect to get from someone he barely knew, "Half a man? No... what I see is potential. Potential that could reach the stars and truly make a difference in this world. If I can see that in you... I know your mother did too... and the same goes for your brothers."
Letting it all out, and for the emotions he had going for the help he needed, Axel acted out of impulse. Rather standing there and letting help be handed to him, he wished to give back his thanks. To everyone's surprise, Spyro including, a nice, firm, near bear hug was given. It was sudden but much needed for him. Spyro understood completely, using his paw to rub his back before giving him a nice pat or two. Same went for Axel, though for him, it was just a quick double pat. Wiping his tears and to get himself back to where he wanted to be, a thank you was in order once having backed from the much needed hug, "Hehe... you known... when we were reading about who you were and what you were like... I... like many others, believed it to be a facade. We all never thought that someone like you actually existed, and to see and hear you now, you seem almost... too pure... But how?"
"I guess I just grew up with the right family," He didn't know it either, "I've had many to back me up. I started with Flash and Nina, my dragonfly parents, and Sparks, my dragonfly brother. Hehe, now look at the family I have," Axel saw the smiles from all who looked his way, showing their own support the best way they could, "And I wouldn't say I'm... pure... after all, I did kinda kick the shit out of your dragon friends here."
"But you didn't kill them... And from the looks of it, their injuries are very minor... I just wish... I wish there could been more men like you... that's all..."
"That's what I'm fighting for... Though, I'm not perfect. So hopefully my failures could be covered up by someone's successes and vise versa," Seeing now just how horrible his past was, Spyro feared for what that meant for the others, "Amara... Celina... are your pasts... just as bad...?"
"Already dumping him off and moving on to someone else?" Celina scuffed to see this.
"Celina, I'm fine... In fact... I... I feel like after a night's rest, I'll feel even better than I have previously," Axel defended Spyro's actions, "It would probably benefit you as well to..."
"He doesn't need my life story so piss off!" Her teeth showed, same for her voice, "Have you all forgotten why we're here?! What we came here to do?!"
"Celina, don't," The change and show of teeth in Axel's voice made everyone ready for an attack.
"No!" She nipped back, "It doesn't matter what you say or do, the out come of life will always be the same. Do you really think you could handle another heart attack in your life, Axel? To fall for another pain in the ass that's lying to you in front of your face?! Remember how nice the Intel guys were? How nice your mother was?! And look how that turned out to bite you in the ass!"
"Oh, look, little miss hypocrite said Spyro would manipulate the past for his own gains, yet here she is now," Malefor was still a little pissed for having to deal with her.
"Shut it!"
"No! Malefor's right!" Showing where he stood, Axel felt no fear in making his voice heard, "I told Amara you weren't right for this job, and I was right! It must've been nice to have all the friends and family there to support you after having to deal with abusive parents your whole life! You pushed them all away because you were selfish, and didn't see what you had at the time! You isolated yourself yet blamed it on other people for your own mistakes!"
"I had no one! My parents hated me, my supposed friends talked behind my back about how scared they were of me, and even my own therapist that I went to didn't give a SHIT who I was! He only cared about my body and money like I was some whore! Which is why I killed him too, why I kill because I can, why I do most of the shit in this shitty ass world! Nothing is certain unless it's control, unless you tell it to do something like a goddamn dog!"
"Flair was the same way," A calming approach was taken by Spyro, "She didn't trust anyone for that matter. Her friends left her when she needed them the most, her boyfriend used her, betrayed her, and tried to manipulate her love for him to kill her. Her mother unfortunately lost her life, and her father blamed it all on her for the loss," The three showed shivers to hear how bad things were for her, and to have it brought back up, Flair sighed, "She lives in constant fear for what her father would do. He even went as far as clawing out his own eye, purposefully letting it scar, and using it as a way to show she was a monster."
"And you sit by while he continues to roam the streets, causing her this fear when you could've helped her a long time ago!" Celina saw this wrong.
"Wait wait wait wait," Axel tried his best to stop things, "Flair... Flair Flair Flair... why do I know that name..."
"We were just speaking to her! What the hell do you mean?!"
"No... no, I... Flair..." Thinking hard about why that named sounded so familiar, it clicked in his mind, "Wait a minute! Flair, by any chance... would your father's name be... Fabian?"
Eyes wide were shown from what he had said, and where this could've been good news, she stood defensive, "AND?! What if it is?! You planning on using him against me?!"
"What?! No, of course not..."
"Bullshit! I can see it in your eyes all the way back here!" Flair didn't sit still, feeling bothered to know of his findings, standing now to approach him, "Let me guess, you two struck a deal! You're here to keep me at bay, is that it?!" Cyril stopped her near the front entrance, trying to calm her with his wings and feeling of cold, "So that's what this research was?! You were trying to find our weaknesses, our deepest fears to use them against us! So why the hell wait until now to try and trip me!"
"Fabian... Wait, no, Flair," Having now understood the same, Celina came to Axel's defense, "This isn't about manipulation as we never even had on file who Fabian was, just that he was a father to a female named, Flair."
"And how did you get that information! TELL ME!"
"How long ago did you lose your mother? Was it about... a, year or so, maybe less?" Axel saying this made Flair immediately freeze, knowing that was exactly around the time she was lost, "And she wouldn't happen to be a blue female, would she?" Tying another knot that perfectly described her mother, she felt like she knew where this was going and showed tears, "About around that time, a team did find bodies during usual check ups around our borders, but also closely to Warfang thanks to my orders. The team we sent said they found a body with a um... sliced opened egg still inside the mother... We picked her up, quickly transported her back to our hospitals, and after a week or so, she woke."
"And what was her name?! Please... Please tell me her name!" Flair begged in a cry, full hope showing that her mother was truly alive.
"I'm... sorry... but I can't remember," Her dreams were crushed to hear, "I have to deal with so many around the city that I can't remember all civilians. I remember a couple asking around about someone named Flair, one being a red female, and another being blue. I can't confirm the name, but I can make a promise that, on our return to the city, I will look around for your mother. By any chance, would you happen to remember her name?"
"Ceva!" She was quick to cry her mother's name, "Her name was, Ceva! My mother's name was, Ceva!"
"Hehe, well, I don't want to give too much hope in case this isn't your mother, but... that name does ring a bell," Falling nearly into Cyril's shoulder, her colors shined, similar to how they once had before in such a rare event, "We don't know why her body was left. Really, with the equipment our EMT's and paramedics had on sight, it was easy for the team to get her heart rate stable: to keep her alive long enough to get all the help she needed in our hospitals. It also helped that her blood type was A-positive, so we had plenty of blood to give from the other four types."
"Wait... my... my mother's blood type... was..."
"FLAIR!" Ersa happily cried out, grabbing the attention of all, "Don't you remember! When I asked for your blood type, you thought it would come back to bite you, but look at this now! Your blood type, from what was gather, was A-positive, the exact same as this other female, meaning you inherited your mother's blood type!" Flair showed a wide smile, raised heart rate from love and excitement: feeling at the top of the world for this news, "That only increases the chance that this someone could truly be your mother! That you have the chance to see her again!"
Flair was in complete tears to hear this news, fully hoping and believing that she truly was to see her mother once again. Touching moment as it was, Spyro had to ask about something, "What do you mean a sliced egg? She was pregnant?"
"Unfortunately... It took some time for our men to... unseen something like that... Including the one who had to grab the egg out from her stomach and see the... no... no, let's just... not think about it..."
Rather unfortunate news to hear, the good was still very much there for many. Focusing on the good that could come from this rather than the bad, Flair turned to Cyril. Eyes and face covered to tears, smile showing cross her face, and the joy within her voice shined to all, "Cyril... my mother... she... she could be..."
To show his support, he nodded, "I believe she's alive as well, Flair. You and your mother are very similar, you know that? Strong, and determined. And from the love she had for you, I'm sure she held on: knowing who she'd be leaving behind."
Going full force with her hug, both wings and arms wrapped to his back, giving up support on her body and trusting he'd hold her. He did exactly that, using his wings to hold her underbelly while still able to arch his arms to her back to join the hug. Flair had never felt happier than what she felt right here and now, thinking deeply with such joy and hope to the future, Mom... If you're really alive, then... I... everything could finally come full circle! I could have you back, introduce you to such a loving and caring family! To show you who Cyril is, and finally get your honest opinion if he's the one for me! But... I... I know he is... I know... it's all because of him, and you, that I'm where I need to be... after all this time... I can finally say... that I'm home... and I couldn't be any happier. To see such light and joy within Flair compared to her usual self was such a sight to see, giving smiles to all in support and hope that this information was true. Spyro was sure to comment on it, "Look at you, Axel. By your orders, your plan probably just saved the life of someone who could fix Flair's past even more so than anyone I know. Sounds to me... you've proven your worth, and I'm sure your brothers saw the same."
"Thank you... Spyro..." A slight blush showed to Axel's cheeks.
"And... Celina... about what's happened to you..."
"No... we're done here. You've already learned too much from Axel's blabbing mouth, and I'm not about to let this take a turn for the worst," Going back to what felt like a plot, Celina and others saw Axel's teeth.
"Axel... don't... just let this happen," Amara was acting strange as well.
"Amara?!" Not believing what he was hearing from the two, he felt off, "This isn't right for you two to go off and do as you please knowing it's wrong! I've been trying to fight for the right side, and to think I'm going to be in the wrong, I can't handle that!" Celina showed teeth, opening her mouth to say something but Axel wasn't about to have it, "NO! You go through with this, and I'm gone. You need to understand you can't go rogue on a mission that I put you on! This isn't an assassination where you can just do as you please; take others alive for more money, or dead. You try and attack, and your days of working higher up are over!"
"Nothing will happen to you, Celina."
"WHA... Amara! This isn't like you! I know you want Spyro to be yours, but manipulating the mind of the only good person on this planet is not it! I've stood by you on many decisions, and this is not one of them! You go through with this, and I'm done trying to help you when all you'll do is just turn your back on me!"
"I'm doing what's right! What has to be done for the good of our future generation!"
"And you think your plan is the only way, is that it?! That there's no flaw in become a soulless monster for what you want?!"
"Celina! Just do it!"
"NO!"
Swinging over his paw to close her mouth, it was too late. By the time his paw had closed over her lips, the weapon had already been used. Just as the same with the Guard, the needle that shifted to Celina's lips was a simple quick, hidden, and sudden attack: invisible to those not dead on in attention. Whistling through the air, the needle hit its target, digging deep and straight into the scales of Spyro. Being so use to sharp pains, he didn't think much of it, only touching the side of his neck to feel a weird pain. Nothing happened at first, yet Axel made his voice heard, "This didn't need to happen!"
"You let yourself become weak," Yanking her snout from his paw, Celina didn't much care, "You sympathized with him and became a victim," Spyro suddenly let out the most painful cry they've ever heard him make in his life, falling to the floor in flexed out muscles and heavy breaths, "It's time you understood there's no room in life for how you think, how you feel, and how you act. The strong survive while the weak die. Seeing you standing here rather than your brothers makes me question that statement, though I'm sure you'll understand in due time."
"You're a monster!"
"Spyro!" Cynder cried, running up to his side and having many others stand in support.
"This is bullshit!" Attempting to run away to do something about it, Amara stopped him.
"Axel, wait! I know you're upset, but please listen..."
"NO!" He was done with her, showing a face of rage, "I trusted you! I knew coming here was a bad idea, and you gave me your word that you wouldn't do anything hasty until I gave the call! After this, we're done! I'll demote myself if need be, but as long as it's not next to you, I couldn't care less!"
"Axel, I... I didn't want for you, for us, to experience life at such a bad angle any longer!" Amara gave her cries: gave her reasons why, "Spyro isn't one to kill, and we know that for a fact! But if we were to control him, force him to kill my father, the higher ups, and the rebels, peace is all but assured! He'll only grow stronger, and with a memory wipe, he'll forget he was even here in the first place, that Cynder even existed or the Guardians!" Cynder's eyes shot cold, having talked about this exact fear with Spyro before this had all happened, "I don't want you to go through what you did ever again. I want you to be happy, I want you to be safe..."
"I'll feel that way living in Warfang, far away from you," His words had an impact on her, drawing tears to her eyes to hear him say, "Good luck dealing with your father on your own, because obviously you think you know how everything should work in this world, so you must have a plan for him too! But it won't involve Spyro... When I get him back to his self, I won't be going back to the city with you. You're on your own."
"Axel, please-wait!"
He ignored her, running off to go and do something hidden in an agenda to the others. Amara felt pain for what she had done, and unfortunately, what was done at this point couldn't be changed. She sat alone, weakened in strength and emotions to hear and see what Axel had said and done. Celina scuffed to all that was going on, in no surprise that a tear down was to happen between the two, "Told you he'd flip out. Thinks he has friends and at the one chance he gets to leave you, he takes it. This is exactly why I have no care in this world for anyone or anything that lives and breathes."
"What did you do to him?!" Cynder showed teeth to Celina, ready to attack, and same went for Flair, being so close to the action.
"Nothing you can do anything about."
"Cynder..." Spyro's voice was weak, scratchy, and in no way his own.
"Spyro!"
He couldn't give helpful words to her dismay, "Get... back... get... away from me before-UGH! AAAAAAH!"
Falling down to the ground, Spyro's darkness showed, much differently than normal. Strange was the fact that it showed similar to his pitch black form, yet not his highest level of quality. Cynder tried her best to help ease the darkness inside of him and was met with no luck. Any attempts would be met with a brick wall, like it was keeping any outside force from messing up the inside. Spyro's body suddenly went limp. His breathing eased, his heart rate dropped, and his body seized. Malefor ran up to his side, same for Ignitus, knowing they would be his best chance for survival. Malefor was first, readying a paw to his side to pulse his darkness through, Spyro, "You can't let some needle kill you, Spyro, now wake up!"
"If your power doesn't work, I'm next," Ignitus's voice was shivered, fear filled, and hovering a paw to his son's side, the shakes showed in rumbles, "Spyro... son! Please, don't die on us!"
Reaching a paw down to help out, Malefor's arm was grabbed by a darkened paw straight out from Spyro's side, "What the...!"
Another paw grabbed Ignitus's, and with a firm shove, the two were thrown back and away from Spyro's laying body. Ignitus slid to his back whereas Malefor's head slammed to the wall right beside Carith. The two; Carith and Claire, cried the names of their lovers, "Malefor!""Ignitus!"
Having an idea of whom had thrown them, after rubbing the back of his head for a bit, Malefor's lips smacked open wide. However, he wasn't greeted by Kettu and Xvar, rather black like liquid versions of Spyro himself. The two pulled themselves from his body, standing up strong from both sides of him. Up close and personal with what was going on, Flair acted, "Cyril, get behind the others!" Flair ran around the front of Spyro, not being focused on and easily being able to block Cynder: backing her away with the help of her wing, "Cynder, I think that form of yours would be in real handy right about now."
In the midst of the chaos, Cyril did exactly as he was told, rushing to the back and over with his other brothers. Cynder at the time tried her best to call on her darkness to regain control of her Terror Form. She was met with force from her darkness, feeling that it didn't like being messed with, aggravating and scaring her at the same time. Out of options and ideas, she didn't know what to do, "I... I-I-I can't! I... When ever I try, I can feel the darkness wanting blood, not control. And even with Spyro's own darkness, me going off of normal control rather than a pissed one, I can't grab the emotions to trigger it! And if Spyro loses the darkness in me then... wait! That's it!" Knowing that her darkness could contact him to show her pain, it was worth a shot, "Maybe if Spyro knows I'm scared, he'll break free!"
Using her one and only true trump-card, the darkness she had close to her heart activated. The feeling of his heartbeat came to her. His was soft, comfortable, and distress nearly absent. After having activated her help beacon in a way, Spyro started to stand, eyes closed and in no real show of emotion. He didn't say anything: topping off the mystery of what was going through his head by going ever so slowly to stand. To his fours he stood, and a smile showed from Cynder in hopes he was alright. His eyes opened to show pure white. Usually just being a sign of his first form, it proved to be so much more. Rather looking to his smiling lover, the direction he faced was to Amara. As if this wasn't enough to warrant fears, obedience came from his lips, "What shall you have me do, my queen?"
The family all showed shivers; stood up scales and shaky paws. Hearing him address her in such a way, in such ease and dedication to what was now his job, made all fear. That was aside for Amara and Celina, already knowing this was to happen from their little weapon. Cynder showed tears to this, afraid that her lover was truly gone, "No... no..." Even if her heartbeat didn't matter, surely her cries would've, "Spyro! Snap out of it! She's not your mate, she's not your lover, nor is she your queen! Remember what she did to you, what she said to us all!"
"I want you to kill the black female over there," Amara hid her name just in case, "Once you're done, we can leave."
Spyro turned to face Cynder directly now, showing he was only on a mission, nothing more. Emotions showed all around from everyone to see this. Others were still stuck on what happened minutes ago. Amara still suffered from what Axel had done, and it was clear from head to toe she was upset. Malefor still hadn't fully come down from his bout against the Dark Master, Flair hadn't cleaned the tears from her eyes after learning of her mother, and Cynder wasn't a hundred percent either, making things worse now to see Spyro was turned against them. Flair stood strong on the approaching monster that had become of him. After hearing that Cynder's voice wasn't heard, she knew neither would hers, but that didn't stop her from trying, "Spyro! Listen! Please... please don't do this! My life was finally turning around again! My mother could be alive, me and Cyril have been having the time of our lives, and this family means too much to me now to have to end up losing it!"
"Move, or be moved," Spyro backed them to a wall, the same wall he and Cynder normally rested as lovers, cornering them with no real decision on what was to be done.
"DAMNIT, SPYRO, LISTEN!" Tears dropped from her eyes.
He hadn't. The use of one of these liquid clones moved her for him. Appearing to her right side, Flair had no time to react. She was grabbed by both arms before being tossed off to the right side over to where the other Guardians were standing. Her body didn't take any damage, landing to her feet and slowing her decent back with her paws. Cyril helped as well, running up behind her in time to use a wing to slow her. Digging her claws to the ground in rage, the fins all up and down Flair's body sharpened, "I NEVER TOOK YOU FOR A DOG! SOME... GODDAMN, BITCH! To be so easily latched on like a leash, acting out of someone else's orders! Kill her, and for another thousand years, you'll repeat the dragon history you've fought so hard to change! That's not what you want... you know exactly what you want and the family to back you up on it! You have all anyone could ever ask for! No way you'd give up now!"
"Flair, I'ma help you out," Sitting there in lie and wait, Celina crossed her arms, not caring a single bit for what was next, "Save your breath. The needle used that time had a particular type of sedative. It numbs the body to paralysis before taking complete control over the user. As I like to call it: 'King Cobra'. After seeing just how powerful Spyro was, we prepared a, special gift, just for him. This special weapon could take down a hundred elephants, hell, even kill some of our strongest men. He's a lost cause. So I hope I'll see you soon at my place?"
"TO KILL YOUR ASS, YOU BITCH!" Flair cared little to none about Celina now, "I don't give a rat SHIT who you mess with! You can kick Malefor, The Guardians, hell, even Cyril for bitch sake. But attacking Cynder, someone as innocent as a new born hatchling, WHO'S ONLY EVER WANTED FRIENDS AND FAMILY TO LOVE HER! If I make it out of this alive, I'll be sure to pay you a visit! And I hope we'll see each other in HELL so I can pop your goddamn eyes out with my own two claws!"
"Heh... I told you not to make friends. This is on you. Just sit back and enjoy the show."
