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Chapter 12: Summer Forest Journeys continues.
"Have you seen me?"
That was the sentence that adorned the posters that was being stamped all over the walls of the Home Worlds by a drove of dragons, which had the faces of the Four Brave Dragons themselves on them.
The reason why they were being stamped, was because, after word got out that the Four Brave Dragons has vanished on their way to Dragon Shores, the whole dragon race that was in Dragon Shores ended up launching a campaign on who could find the Quartet. And see where they all have gone to, instead of going to Dragon Shores.
After all, Dragon Shores was an irresistible attraction that could attract any dragon that learns about that place, or is interested in going there. And they all knew that the Quartet would be among those that would feel excited about going to that place. So why they are not there, is a mystery.
And what else was a growing mystery? Where in the name of the ancestors have they disappeared to, was among the questions that every dragon in the five Home Worlds was asking each other. And each time they did, they all got a similar answer.
"Only the Ancestors know." Or, "I don't know." as their response.
Which is not the answer that they hoped for. Especially, if they were the Quartet's parents. All of whom, were among the more determined of dragons that searched high and low for the Quartet. Alongside the Guardians of course.
Unfortunately, despite their efforts, they currently had little to no signs of finding the Quartet. It was like to them, they were hiding in a secret place in the Artisans or some other place that none of them knows about, waiting to surprise them.
Oh how they hoped to the Ancestors that it was the case.
Among the family that looked for the Quartet, Pyra was with them alongside Ignitus. Whom was with Nestor, Terrador, Volteer, and Delbin in the Artisans Home World, as it still rained on them. Having searched Spyro's castle minutes ago, they were now all over Stone Hill, looking two and fro for the Quartet. With little to no success. And that left them feeling even more concerned than last time, and a bit saddened, while Pyra was also a bit saddened, and disappointed that the Quartet disappeared.
Right at the time that she was about to meet them for the first time.
Suddenly, a somber Argus ended up walking to the group. "Argus. Did you have any luck?" Nestor asked hopefully.
"None. I'm sorry Nestor, but I couldn't find them." He responded. "And I even had some of Devlin's cake, and my Chocolate being used to lure them out of their hiding spots in the Peace Keepers Home World. They usually can't resist the smell of my great chocolate that I made after Gnasty's demise. But it seems that they're not there."
"Oh, by the Ancestors." Nestor and Delbin somberly said. As they all looked at the wet grass below their feet. As Pyra also somberly looked at the grass too.
Which lasted for minutes until Ignitus continued the conversation. "But we shall not give up. We're going to make sure that we're able to find them, if not here and in the Peace Keepers world, then maybe in the Magic Crafters, or the other Home Worlds. We shall make sure of it." Ignitus said.
"And hopefully, this search for them won't take too long. And that they will be okay and unharmed by the time we find them." Terrador said.
"Which is why we shall split up, separate, divide into directions! So that the search for the four young dragons will get easier." Volteer said.
"That's an excellent idea Volteer." Cosmos said, walking in on the conversation from out of nowhere. "We shall go to the different Home Worlds and see if they're there."
"Then it's settled. Nestor, you and Delbin will follow Cosmos to the Magic Crafters World to continue their search, while Terrador, Pyra, and Titan, will search the rest of the Peace Keepers Home World and the Realms inside, before going to the Beast Makers. Just in case they're over there for unknown reasons. While Volteer, and I, will go to the Dream Weavers world, then what's left of Gnasty's fortress, to see if they're over there." Ignitus said.
"And if they're not at those Worlds?" Nestor asked nervously.
"Then we go back to Dragon Shores to see if they're over there. If not, then I feel that they're no longer in the Dragon Worlds." Ignitus responded.
"Y-you mean, there are other worlds that is beyond ours?" Pyra asked surprised.
"Why of course, Pyra, there are. And I'm afraid that I have a similar feeling as well Ignitus." Cosmos said. "During my lounging on the beach, I had briefly sensed a disturbance in the magical forces that made these portals. And that was around the time that we expected the Four Brave Dragons to enter Dragon Shores, when they were reported missing later on. I have a feeling that one of our Portals must've been on a fritz, or have suffered some tempering from some outside force."
"If the latter is the case, then that narrows our search down. Once our search in the Dragon Worlds is done, and if we still can't find them, then be sure to use your skills to find which World that they've been taken to by that outside force. And I hope to the Ancestors, that they aren't an evil force." Ignitus responded.
"I hope so too. I already lost her parents once. And I'd rather die than lose her too! I did promise them that she'd be alive and happy after all. Especially happy, like she is with her friends." Cosmos said. Remembering the time, when they ended up making friends with her.
Once their conversation was done, the group did as Ignitus said, and split apart into groups that would join the other searching parties that roamed the other Worlds to help in their search for the Quartet.
Once it was just Volteer, Ignitus, Terrador, and Pyra together in the group, Pyra couldn't help but ask about the Quartet. "What were they like, during their time with you and your friends?"
Ignitus ended up smiling down at her after taking in the question with slight surprise. "They were quite a rambunctious bunch, especially since they were excited in taking out Gnasty Gnorc, but they had good hearts. And they became more mature than last time after our time raising and teaching them." Ignitus explained.
"Especially Spyro. He was egotistical, and he liked to boast about himself. And he seemed to enjoy the thrill of fighting against the Gnorcs, especially if it's Gnasty. But we were able to raise him well, alongside Nestor, to where he isn't as arrogant as he was last time. Despite having boasted a few times. But he happened to be talented, and he's the Purple Dragon of legend, so it was with merit." Ignitus explained.
"As for Cynder, she is more mellow compared to Spyro, but she happened to have suffered a bad childhood due to her black scales compared to the other Magic Crafter's more colorful ones. And she's like you and Spyro, for she has lost her parents too."
"Y-you mean, she had been treated badly due to her black scales? And s-she and S-Spyro lost their parents to Gnasty too?" Pyra asked surprised.
"Actually, they already lost their parents way before Gnasty's attack. But they were able to move on, even before Gnasty attacked us." Ignitus responded. "As for Flame, he was like Spyro in a couple ways, but he happened to be pretty clumsy and a little more easier to scare. But he would always come through for his friends." Ignitus said.
"D-does he have any parents?" Pyra asked.
"Yes. Delbin is his father. But his mother is no longer with us." Ignitus said smiling. Before getting somber at the last part.
"And Ember?" Pyra asked.
"She was spoiled due to her upbringing by her parents, Lateef the high King of the Dream Weavers, and Lume the Magician, and Queen. But she was also a sweet dragoness who would protect her friends too. Even if she seemed quite attached to one of them in a romantic sense."
"Who was she close to?" Pyra then asked.
"Initially, to Spyro. But sometime before Gnasty's defeat, she ended up becoming close to Flame later on. It's nice to see that she has found someone to love, regardless of having been possibly denied her love for the Purple dragon." Ignitus said, smiling in relief. "And someday, you shall hopefully find love too. When you're ready."
Pyra ended up feeling both elated, and a little disappointed. She did have a sort of admiration towards Flame and Spyro. (Mostly Flame.) So to hear that they have lovers did end up disappointing her. But she didn't feel too saddened, since she feels that she'll find love herself when she's ready. Whether she'll hook up with Flame or not, regardless of him having a lover already, remains to be seen.
Either way, she did hope to meet them once their search ends.
"There. Just like that, you're getting the paddling down pat!" Elora said encouragingly.
"I have to say, these are surprisingly good swimming lessons." Flame said.
Back in Avalar, in the Summer Forest Home World, the Quartet, with a recently joined Elora was in the water, preparing to face their nervousness, and dive. They tried to look for another entrance inside beforehand, but Elora assured them that the only entrance, is through the underwater doorway.
So, they accepted Elora's swimming lessons, despite their nervousness. (Which their dragonflies ended up teasing them about back in Idol Springs. Much to their chagrin.)
Now they were in the water, floating on the surface together with Elora also preparing to go in the water with them once they're ready. Even though Moneybags offered to teach them to swim himself. But they all felt that he'd charge them for Gems if he does, so Elora was the safer alternative.
During their floating though, Elora got a good look at them in more detail, now that they were close.
Their scales were eye catching, especially Spyro's. With his being a pretty shade of purple, that glistened in the sunlight as the water covered them, along with his friend's, including Cynder's. But she also noticed that they had some scars on them, like the aforementioned nail wound scars on their underbelly, their legs and arms, and there was also some slightly black charred marks on them, like they got burned from some fires. (Though she couldn't tell with Cynder due to her black scales. Also, Ember had none herself, cause she polishes her scales.)
Their horns also seemed to have been used before, as Spyro, Cynder, and Flame's horns looking tarnished and worn. (While Ember's looked the least worn, and most good as new.) It was like they all got into some pretty big fights against this Gnasty Gnorc and his forces. They did seem to have healed over though, especially on Ember due to her polishing her scales, so she again had to focus to see them.
Which had her cringing at the sight of the marks, as she remembered having been told about this Metalhead being among the Gnorc minions, that gave the Quartet some nasty shocks that created those charred marks back in the Beast Makers. She also remembered being told about the Gnorc gunners that shot them with their nails back in Twilight Harbor.
And as they got out of the water to stop their paddling practice for now, they flapped their wings to dry themselves, and Elora felt the full blast of their wind on her fur. Their muscles looked slim, but quite powerful too, which had her half expecting to see them take flight, despite their claims of being unable to fly.
She had to admit, she felt a bit turned on at the sight of them. Especially towards Spyro and Cynder.
"Hey Elora? Why are you staring?" Spyro asked.
"Oh! Sorry guys. I just… I just thought that according to the Professor's books, the dragons were… you know."
"Bigger?" Spyro asked. While Elora bit her lip in nervousness, hoping that Spyro and the others wouldn't take it out of context. "Well don't worry, they aren't wrong. You see, there are full-grown, and elder dragons that are bigger than we are."
"So if you're looking for any big, scary monstrous ones to get scared of, then they're there, back in our world." Flame said.
"Really? I'm sorry if I-"
"It's okay, we get that a lot from the other dragons about our size for our age. But there isn't as much downsides to our short statures." Cynder said, interrupting Elora.
"Especially since it makes it easier to not get Crystallized by that Gnorc bully." Ember said.
"Well that's nice." Elora said smiling at them. While also blushing at the dragon's water covered bodies, wondering how old they are. She feels that she'll ask once they're inside the Castle. "Now, going underwater is like swimming on top of the water." She said as they all were now getting in the water.
With Elora putting her bow on her back. Which looked like it was made of Dark Walnut wood. "Except you just need to take a big breath then duck your heads under the water's surface."
"S-so all that we need to do, is to just dive down headfirst?" Flame asked.
"Yep. Then use your paws to paddle underwater." Elora said, putting her effort into talking and staying above the water at the same time. After all, she can swim to enter and exit the Castle, but that's where her swimming skill ended. Hooves aren't made for swimming after all.
At seeing their expressions still feeling uncertain, she ended up having an idea. "Why don't I dive too at the same time. We'll do this on three. Trust me, it's not that bad." She said.
Though they trusted her as an ally that just joined them, the word "Trust me" seemed to be a tall order from a faun girl that the dragons met hours ago. Especially since she built the portal that took them from their world on their way to Dragon Shores just so they'll risk their life to fight an evil sorcerer.
But since she was joining them on their adventure through her realms, they decided to obey that request, as they nodded. Causing her to smile at them before counting.
Then on three, they all took a big inhaling breath, before diving down underwater. The Quartet couldn't stop a shiver going through them at the feeling the cold water all over their scales, wings and horns. And it took some experimental paddles to help them know that their legs are responsive. After they were getting used to the feeling after some minutes, they swam some laps in the Summer Lake, ducking in and out of the schools of fish that swam by.
Swimming underwater wasn't as bad as they thought; it was cold, but it wasn't freezing cold due to the Summer sun's rays. They also were happy to learn that they aren't sluggish or slow, as their paddling was like their trotting speed when they paddle their claws through the water, and when they lower their horns, and paddled their feet and claws like a dolphin, they went through the water at a fast rate.
As they did their laps, they looked at each other, and they had to admit. They looked divine underwater, with their wings and their tails looking weightless underwater. Almost like somebody turned off the gravity of the worlds, causing them to float. And their scales just seemed to reflect the Summer sun's rays even while underwater. It was all so far, a great experience of being underwater.
During their laps through the water though, Spyro ended up feeling a tug on his tail, causing him to take a deep breath, before turning out of reflex with the intent of breathing fire at his attacker.
Only to see Elora, also underwater, who was trying not to giggle as Spyro merely let out a stream of bubbles at her direction. Then she pointed at the doorway of the Castle, before clumsily kicking toward it. All while his three friends was also trying not to laugh as they chuckled hard underwater. They just thought the sight was cute and funny.
Suddenly, they realized what just happened as it came to them that they were able to breathe underwater. And a little comfortably like on dry land. All this time of being afraid of the water during their journey to beating Gnasty, and yet everybody either forgot, or didn't care to tell them that they can breathe underwater?
"Some dragons can breathe underwater by the way. Sorry if we're late to tell you guys this." Their dragonflies buzzed to them through the bubbles that they conjured, noticing their dragon friend's confusion. "We also thought that the water-breathing dragons had the ability."
All of the dragons failed to see the logic in that; since all of them were primarily fire breathers before they were able to breathe multiple breaths too.
But they put that mystery aside for now, as they turned their attention back to their swim coach. Who was struggling to propel herself through the water with her hooves. Deciding to lend their help to her, they paddled through the water until they got under her. Where they had her put her arms around them before swimming through the entryway before zooming upwards at the end of the path, where they got to dry land inside the castle entrance.
Elora gasped her air back before climbing out of the water to the bottom of the stairway. "Thanks guys. I admit, I'm not a great swimmer." She said with a blush. Remembering having gotten close to both Spyro and Cynder.
"It's alright. We weren't either." Cynder said. "And I don't know if we are, at least right now. But we'll be soon." She said smiling.
After some recovery of her breath, Elora and the Quartet got up the stairs to the open door, where a button was on the wall in the center of the hall. "We should've removed that button when we knew Ripto was going to take this Castle. Thank goodness that we're here to save it." Elora said, walking up to the button. Before pressing it to cause the door to the room to open. (While the door to the entrance pool closed behind them.)
The dragons had to cover their eyes for a brief moment when light ended up entering their vision. When they uncovered their eyes, they ended up looking at the room that they were entering with a smiling Elora by their side as they looked on in awe.
The room was brightened by the sun through the clear colorless stained glass dome on the top. With white stone walls that had tanned bricks making a pattern on them. There was also a pair of portals on the wall, one of which led to Sunny Beach, and another that led to Hurricos, while to the right of Sunny Beach, there was a stairway that led to a pair of large doors, one of which was open. And in the middle of the room that had grass on the floor, there was a large tree, with gold egg shaped ornaments on it that had glowing blue spots on them.
They had to admit, the room looked pretty. And come to think, they were going to save the Castle that has that room, from Ripto.
"Thank you once again for letting me join." Elora said, getting her bow out. "Now, I have hope that with me by your sides, this Castle would be freed again."
"Trust us. We'll save this place, even by ourselves. But we appreciate you joining us either way." Spyro said, smiling at Elora.
Whom smiled back at him, happy to be a part of their group as they all save Avalar.
The Quartet and Elora, was now at one of the portals that was in the room that was past the left door that was up the stairway that they opened up. Where Elora was currently checking the portal out.
"Well it looks like the High-powered Portal is still intact. All it needs now is the orbs to reactivate." Elora said relieved.
"How many?" Spyro asked.
"Three or more. If you guys have enough, then it'll be active again, and we get to go to Ocean Speedway." Elora said.
"Ocean Speedway?" They all asked.
"It's an obstacle course Realm, and a racetrack. Where we folks of Avalar would fly through the air, and finish some objectives on the board before time runs out for Treasure." Elora responded. "And did you know that this is one of Hunter's favorite Speedways? Although these sports aren't my thing."
"Wait. You mean, we fly through the air and finish objectives before time runs out, for treasure?!" Cynder asked.
"Yep. That's the gist of these Realms."
At the thought of what Elora described to them, they ended up figuring out that it's like the Flight Realms that they went through. Which had them both feeling excited, and slightly dreading what they were about to do. Which is doing the same stuff like back in the flight Realms that was hard during their journey to Gnasty Gnorc.
But, they knew that they might have to do it, should they find themselves in a situation where they are forced to pay moneybags for something beneficial to happen.
So they presented the Orbs that they knew they collected more than enough of beforehand. Much to Elora's joy and excitement as the Portal got activated.
Just as they heard the word 'Speedway', they'd feel that they could be like the Flight Realms back in their Worlds, and when they entered the Portal with Elora, they learned that the folks of Avalar was as familiar with the Flight Realm obstacle courses as their Dragon Worlds were. They all felt the familiar feeling of the wind on their wings; and they were enjoying it as they felt that if they were to desire anything, it'd be the Flight Realm Courses that they'd call their home nowadays.
If you were to tell the Quartet quickly after their journey to Gnasty Gnorc, that they have more Speedways to go through for Gems, they'd be quite annoyed and horrified that they aren't all done with the 'hard as steel' difficulty of the Courses, and they'd be hoping to the Ancestors that they won't have to go through those new Courses.
If you'd tell them that after they mastered the Flight Courses back in the Dragon Realms in their Post-Gnasty's war days though, then they'd be ready to take on the new Speedways with excitement in their motions.
Which is what they did for Ocean Speedway, as they took on the Obstacle Course while Elora watches with the fish audience. Compared to their times in the Flight Realms, they weren't very good at them as they failed, whether they hit the water, or when time ran out for them. Which usually makes them retry the challenge again. Much to their chagrin.
Here though, they only failed once. And that would be mainly because of the boats on the water that forces them to glide closely to the water to torch them like back in Wild Flight for Spyro. Other than that failure though, the Speedway was a piece of Cake. And that's because when they did the Flight Realm Challenge in their Post-Gnasty days; they started to write a little line in their heads during their trial and error.
The 'line' being, a path to take that would lead them through the course's design, to the next set of challenges in the course as fast as possible, like creating a shortcut, as a way to save time. That way, they'd be fast enough to take down the next set, then the next one, until they finish the Course with plenty of time saved on their clock. Leading to their record breaking times.
It was no different here. Except in using their experience from the Flight Realms, they ended up noticing the way the Speedway was designed with a certain path in mind, to make it pretty easy to get to the challenges fast. It was like that in the Dragon Flight Realms, but here, it felt more obvious to them on which way to go to get to the next set with time still on the clock. And that was what they took advantage of to complete their first Speedway on their second try.
Also, they used to end up going solo on the challenges back in the Dragon Realms, it was no different here, but this was the first time on their journeys together, that they all entered the same Speedway. (Not counting their Flight Realm challenge in their Post-Gnasty's war days.) At least to do some flying together like back in Gnasty's loot, before and after they do the Course Challenges.
Which is what they did, as they did some flying together sorta like winged puppies running around and playing with each other as they enjoyed the flight together. Especially the romantic partners, as Spyro and Cynder did some barrel rolls through the sky, while Ember and Flame did some loop-de-loops, among other fun flight maneuvers.
Not only that, but they also did some dancing through the sky, whether they flew around each other, did some diving and flying through the air with their paws connected, all while there was smiles etched on their faces. It was mesmerizing for them.
All while Elora, and the fish audience watched in awe from the stands as they witnessed such a scene. She was surprised at how fluently they seemed to fly together. She did see that they seemed to be close when she met them again in Summer Forest, but she didn't think that they'd be quite close to each other. Yet as Spyro and Cynder, and Flame and Ember was proving to her, they seemed to have been together as a couple for some time. And that was something that she admits, she feels a little envious of.
But she also thought that the four dragons being a pairing was adorable looking, especially as she knew of them being together throughout their life before and during their first journey, before they hooked up.
After the Four Brave Dragons got done with the Course, and while they were in the middle of flying with each other, they saw an audience of fishes applauding their victory on the Speedway. Among them was Elora, who was also applauding them regardless of her awe, and a mermaid-esque fish lady who was smiling at them proudly. Even though she wasn't applauding them herself.
"I suppose that the four of you are really good." She said, fanning her face.
"Well, that's what I hear sometimes." Spyro said, as Elora approached.
"Oh, hey Queen Finny. What's up?" Elora said.
"Oh, nothing much darling." The fish lady known as Finny said. "Just running this place well, keeping it in shape for the races. Speaking of which, I offer a challenge to one of you dragons."
"A challenge? And it's probably a race?" Spyro asked curiously.
"You bet your sweet little head." She said a bit flirtatiously towards Spyro as she put her face close to his own. Much to both Elora's and Cynder's jealous chagrin. "You shall race our current Champion of Ocean Speedway, where you shall earn a reward from us as a trophy for winning."
"Really? That can't be too hard." He said boasting. All while Elora was starting to cringe at whom Spyro was about to face off against, considering 'who' the Champion is. "And who's he?"
Loud flapping of wings ended up sounding that answered Spyro's question. Causing the crowd to cheer as the figure ended up getting closer. At first, the Quartet thought that it was a catlike dragon that was getting closer, looking limber yet strong, and having strong looking dragon wings…
…Only for it to be Hunter that was flying towards them before he landed on the platform, wearing a pair of mechanical wings on his back. "Hi Finny. I've heard that someone is attempting to beat me on my favorite course." He said before looking right at the Quartet.
"Oh, it's you guys. I wonder why you're- Elora?! I didn't expect you here!" He said surprised, noticing that Elora is with them. And having a bow on her back.
"Well, I decided to join them on their journey to beating Ripto, nothing more. But enough talk. What's the reward to this race?" She responded.
"Well, um… it's another Orb." He said lamely. "But I can assure you that Miss Finny is keeping it safe. And they'll get that Orb once they win." He responded.
Before Elora could protest towards the use of the Orb as a reward for winning, Spyro ended up stopping her. "We accept your challenge! We'll win that Orb from you, Hunter!" He then said.
"Then it's settled! Whoever finishes first, wins an Orb! Now let's begin the ring race!" Queen Finny announced as Spyro and Hunter was now at the starting line while the Quartet and a concerned Elora was looking on.
All while the crowd cheered and waited in anticipation of the impending race that both Spyro and Hunter was about to go through, as a bunch of rings ended up appearing all over the course.
"ALRIGHT! Are you both ready?!" Queen Finny asked, getting a nod of ready from both racers.
"On your marks!
Get set!
GO!" Queen Finny then announced.
Almost immediately, Spyro and Hunter ends up setting off into the sky together as they were now racing through the path that the rings were making. And Spyro quickly felt a bit outmatched.
And why not? The racetrack of Ocean Speedway was pretty hard. It was full of dagger-sharp turns, and wicked twists that took a couple laps to complete. And Hunter was quite good at the Course like he knew it like the back of his hand. Summer Forest was his home, as well as Elora's second home, which gave him a home-field advantage. While Spyro on the other hand, wasn't as familiar with the Course as Hunter was, so it took effort for Spyro to just keep up behind him. And as much as he hates it, he knew that he has to tail Hunter to keep up with him through the track.
"YOU CAN DO IT SPYRO!" Cynder cheered loudly.
"KICK THAT PUSSYCAT'S BUTT!" Ember also cheered loudly, supporting Spyro too.
"YOU CAN DO IT BRO!" Flame also cheered.
All while Elora ended up feeling both proud and a little nervous at the fact that Cynder and Ember both supports Spyro, almost like the latter used to love him before hooking up with Flame. (Which she did. But she doesn't really feel as fond of talking about her crush on Spyro as she used to.)
All the while, Spyro and Hunter was in the middle of competitive banter. Almost to the point of arguing.
"So, why's a dragon like you here? Aren't you gonna get home yet?" Hunter asked, as they flew over the stands, upwards to the sky.
"Well, considering 'who' started this whole mess, I'm afraid that it's gonna be awhile before I can leave! After all, we gotta fix 'that guy's' mistake first!" Spyro said, having been told by Elora about why Ripto was in Avalar, back in Summer Forest.
"You know, I don't need your help! I can save my home turf from my mistake you know! It should be me with the Talismans!" He responded. As he and Spyro made a sharp turn to fly right through a cave.
"The Professor and Elora begs to differ though!" He said, flying out of the cave behind Hunter, while being forced to avert his eyes so he won't get blinded by the sun.
"I don't care what she and the Professor thinks, I'm certain that you must've used some sort of magic to win her to your side! Although it took me at least a month to make her my friend!" Hunter said, turning to fly over a wide crevasse.
"Oh, so what you're saying is, the pussy cat is jealous cause I took your girlfriend?" Spyro teasingly asked.
Hunter ended up sputtering as he kept himself from falling by keeping his robot wings flapping. "W-WHAT!? NO! SHE'S LIKE A SISTER TO ME! NOT A GIRLFRIEND!" He loudly said. Taking another sharp turn, this time into a road tunnel. Which had him fumbling in going through as he bumped the walls due to the teasing question. "And I told you, I'm a Cheetah!"
"If you say so!" Spyro teased again, running against the tunnel's floor to keep up. While luckily, he was gaining on Hunter due to an unexpected supercharge. "But in all seriousness, how much do you know about us dragons?" He asked as they exited the tunnel.
"Just what the Professor's books told me! There are like, 'wizard dragons' among you, is there not? Also, I read that they're rude and proud!" Hunter said, briefly flying through another crevasse, before flying upwards out of it, forcing Spyro to avert his eyes again to prevent getting blinded by the sun.
"Well, that ain't the case with my bro, Cynder and Ember, and my people, I can assure you of that! Also, yes there are. But I'm not a wizard dragon, I'm just too cool for those." Spyro said annoyed. Even though considering himself, especially during his journey towards Gnasty, as well as a few snooty rich dragons from the Magic Crafters, and Dream Weavers, he feels that Hunter has a point. (And he probably would have more of a point about himself if he didn't mature after Gnasty's defeat.)
"Whatever!" Hunter said, flying around some rock spires, and over the track, before flying upwards over the upper grassy parts of Ocean Speedway.
"And even if I was a 'wizard dragon', what makes you think that I would take your girlfriend, even though I have Cynder?" Spyro teasingly asked, flying around a top most part of a castle spire, before following Hunter downward toward what he feels is the last set of rings.
"I TOLD YOU, SHE'S NOT MY GIRLFRIEND! JUST A SISTERLY FIGURE, THAT'S ALL!" Hunter yelled out, feeling that he's at the final set of rings on the track, so he might win and embarrass Spyro for that remark as he heard the cheering getting loud courtesy of the crowd. With Spyro's dragon friends among them also cheering for Spyro.
Unfortunately for Hunter, Spyro also felt that they're near the end too. So once he and Hunter saw that they were headed straight toward the final ring to finish the race, Spyro stopped holding back, and pumped his wings to accelerate through the air, to rush ahead of his rival to finish the race before Hunter could do anything about it.
*Ding Ding*
Spyro was the first to land on the winning podium alongside a defeated Hunter behind him as he saw that the crowd was cheering, like they were cheering for Spyro, or cheered for him regardless of his loss. Although he feels that it's the former.
"We have a winner everyone! And it is Spyro!" Queen Finny said, as Spyro saw his friends and Elora returning to his side, all of whom were smiling at the victor as Finny waddled closer to Spyro.
"As a gift from us for your Victory, we present to you, an Orb!" She said, handing the Quartet and Elora the Orb. "Sorry that you didn't gain a trophy; I was given this by a Fairy with explicit instructions to guard this and reward this only to those who earn it. I hope to give you a trophy once you come back and win."
"Ah, don't worry miss. It's the Orb that we'll take." Spyro said, accepting the Orb as Hunter sulked behind the dragons, who celebrated together with their flying for fun.
It seemed to him, that he's gonna have his work cut out for him in winning against the Four Brave Dragons.
All while Elora ended up looking on at the Quartet, feeling proud of their win in Ocean Speedway, regardless of the fact that it's her best friend that they won against.
After the Ocean Speedway was done, and after they all got back to Summer Forest, it was in the aftermath of the Speedway's victory flying that they did, that it was now dusk, as the sun was going down as the battle wrapped up with the Riptocs running back to Ripto's lair. Although the dragon Quartet was ready to keep going, Elora recommended that they rest for the next day before they can all move forward to Sunny Beach and Hurricos. Just to make sure they're all well rested.
The Quartet ended up reluctantly agreeing.
They were now in the room where the tree was, in the room of the Summer Forest Castle that Elora led them to, feeling that they could sleep anywhere, as Elora was also prepared to sleep near the tree, feeling that the Quartet would wake her up once their resting was done, and once it was morning.
"Thank you guys still, for helping us." Elora said, still feeling a little guilty about having taken them from their home and delaying their vacation. Especially since knowing about how many Orbs and Talismans were all over the place.
"Like we said, it's fine. I admit, we were itching for an adventure anyway." Spyro said, with his friends nodding in agreement. While their dragonflies were settling on the branches of the tree, where they were resting now.
"Especially since we're saving your home from him. Just like how I saved mine from Gnasty's attack there." Ember said, reminding Elora that she's a Dream Weaver dragon.
The Quartet proceeded to lay on the grass near the tree. "Whew. These feel comfy." Flame said, referring to the soft grass on his scales, with his friends in agreement.
"If any of you need anything, don't hesitate to wake me up for questions. I hope you all have a good rest." She said, preparing to join them near the tree herself later on. "Just one question. How old are you guys?" She asked.
"Fourteen. All of us were born in the same month by the way. Even we were surprised when we found that out ourselves by the way." Cynder responded.
"Really?" Elora asked surprised.
"Yeah. Got a problem with that?" Spyro asked.
"N-no. Not at all." She responded. If anything, she felt more impressed that Spyro and his friend's resume. Having done all of that adventuring, and they're at least a few years younger than her. She was sure that there could be no other better dragon that they could get from the Realms.
After saying their goodnights, Elora proceeded towards the stairway where the button was, preparing to make sure that there won't be any attacks by Ripto while they all sleep.
At the end of her little search, she started to get a little tired herself, so she was prepared to join the Quartet when she saw Hunter on the way there, who already had the mechanical wings off. And he was teasing her for asking about the age of the dragons while making kissy faces. Probably as a way to vent his frustrations of losing to Spyro.
Resulting in him getting his foot flattened by Elora's hoof. "Stop it!"
" Ouch! Sheesh, sorry Elora. It was just a joke." He said, nursing his toes. "Besides, you have a thing for him, almost like you want to be his girlfriend, don't you?"
"What?! No! I was just trying to be nice to them. He's not my boyfriend."
"Whatever, lover-girl." Hunter said, jogging off for more exorcise. "Just make sure they don't eat you, if you know what I mean."
Elora scoffed at that last part as she prepared to rest by the tree herself. Herself and Spyro, together? It's ridiculous. Spyro has Cynder, and she could tear her to shreds if she tried to fornicate with him. So she was just being a good host for them, right?
Although, thinking about it more, they both looked pretty cute in her eyes.
And done.
Sorry that this seemed to be a little bit rushed. I just wanted to get another chapter out soon before July ends.
And I also apologize for the lack of any action for Elora in this chapter. I promise that the next chapter to this is going to be released next, where she will show her stuff to the Quartet. And she's gonna be pretty good at fighting herself too.
Also, another shout-out to CalvinFujii for the idea to have the quartet playing around in the skies in Ocean Speedway. And I can assure you readers that there'll be more of that in the other Speedways too.
Finally one more thing.
I hope that you enjoyed the chapter,
please give constructive criticism, just don't be rude,
do not forget to read and review,
hope you all stay safe,
hope you all had a good 4th of July,
and once again, I do not own spyro the dragon. It is created by insomniac games, and is owned by Activision and toys for bob. Please support the official releases.
Theodore the poet signing out.