Chapter 14
Spyro cautiously looked through Charisma's window when he heard the door slam.
"So how was the visit?" he said casually.
Charisma turned around, happy to see Spyro free from the dungeon.
"How did you escape?" she asked curiously.
"Loose brick."
Charisma's face saddened. "Now what are we going to do?" she cried. "We're back where we started from!"
"Sparx and I get free and we're welcomed by a crying dragon," Spyro chuckled. "How typical is that?"
Charisma looked at him coldly. Then her look softened and started giggling. "I guess you're right. I should be happy."
"But you're right to cry," Sparx told her when he finally reached the window. "My wings are bruised again since Ripto squashed me. I won't be able to fly for a couple of days." He looked at his wings thoughtfully. "Since they're only bruised, I should be back to normal in two or three days."
"At least it's not a month like the first time," Spyro said. Charisma looked confused. "Before we came up here — before the message for that matter — a dragon gave me this spicy drink and I accidentally flamed Sparx's wings."
"Poor Sparx," Charisma sympathized.
"Well I survived," Sparx said in a tough voice. "Spyro's flame could kill you if he drank enough of that stuff."
"So how was the visit?" Spyro repeated.
"Well, it was okay, I guess," she said nonchalantly.
Spyro was puzzled by her calmness. "Are you sure?"
She burst into tears. "They're fading away!" she cried.
"What?!" they exclaimed incredulously.
"Because of the Darkness of Evil," she began, "they are disappearing! It's starting with the blues and violets and it goes down the rainbow!" she broke down sobbing.
"What about Spyro?" Sparx asked tentatively.
Charisma's face relaxed a bit. "He'll be fine since he's not in the dungeon. I'll also be fine since I was destined to be Devlin's wife." She started crying again. "But my people will be forever lost if they stay there any longer! They might be gone in a couple of days!"
Spyro tried to find a way to solve this. "What if Sparx sneaked in and steal the keys to release them?" he suggested hopefully.
"Then what's stopping the guards to put them in again?" she countered.
"The wedding," Sparx said in a small voice.
They looked at him, both knowing he was right. They sighed despairingly. They were quiet for a few moments. Then the sound of footsteps approaching made them nervous.
"You guys better leave," Charisma told them. They quickly fled under a nearby bush while she freshened up a bit.
"Charisma?" Devlin's voice said on the other side of the door.
"What?" she answered annoyed.
"Could you come outside for a moment?"
She sighed and went to the door. This had better be good, she thought annoyed.
She opened the door surprised to see no one there.
"Hello?" she said hesitantly. "Devlin?"
"Back here," he said.
"Where?"
"Behind you."
She whirled around and saw him grinning. "I can do what I want, you know."
"What do you want?" she asked impatiently.
"I came to tell you that we will be going to the Dark Valley tomorrow."
"What?!"
"Yes. That's where the ceremony will be."
"What if I don't want to come with you?"
"It's not a matter of want," he told her, "but since you asked, your family and other loved ones will fade away."
Man! she thought groaning. They always give me tough decisions. She thought about the condition her parents were in. But, she thought, if it's good for my parents and my people, I guess I have no choice. She turned to Devlin. "I'll go."
Devlin grinned. "Great. We'll leave at dawn."
"Dawn this, dawn that," she said. "Why does everything happen at dawn?"
"The best parts always happen at dawn!" he said as he opened the door for Charisma. "See ya tomorrow," he added cheerfully.
"Whatever," she muttered as she shut the door. She quickly went to the window, looking to see if Spyro and Sparx were there.
"Spyro? Are you there?" Charisma asked.
"Yeah?" Spyro answered as he came out of the bush they were hiding.
"I have some bad news," she said sadly. "We'll be leaving tomorrow at dawn to the Dark Valley."
"What?!" he cried.
She looked gravely at him. "It's true. I don't know how we'll get there, but we will." She looked sad. "I don't know what's going to happen to my family. Maybe you can lead them to me if you have to stay behind."
Spyro thought about this concept. If I went with Charisma, there wouldn't be anyone to free the other dragons. On the other hand, anything could happen down there. He looked at Charisma. I guess I should stay here. They could make a portal to Dark Valley, anyway. I guess they could also help me get pass the guards.
"I guess I'll stay here and free your fellow dragons," Spyro said hesitantly. By this time, Sparx had come.
"What's going on?" he asked. "Who's going where?"
Charisma told him what was happening. "Spyro wants to stay here and come to the Dark Valley later. You can decide whether or not you want to come with me, or stay with Spyro."
"I think you should go with Charisma," Spyro told Sparx. "That way, I'll know that Charisma will be all right."
"Are you sure? You might need some help if they leave guards around."
"Don't worry," Spyro assured him. "I know what I'm doing. I've done this sort of thing a million times!" It was getting darker by the minute. "I think we better get some rest. I'll watch you go in the morning." He turned to Sparx. "You better spend the night with Charisma. They might leave earlier than planned." He turned and went into the bushes.
"Well Charisma, it looks like you should start packing," Sparx said.
She looked at him. "Pack what?"
Sparx looked around the room. "I guess there's nothing here to pack."
"Do you think Spyro will make it?" Charisma asked worriedly.
"Sure! He's done this sort of thing before!" Charisma looked at him skeptically. "In school!"
She sighed. "How will he get to the Dark Valley?"
"I'm sure the dragons will help him."
"You're right. I shouldn't worry so much." She gazed through the window. "It's just that so much is at stake. We can't afford another mishap."
Sparx put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry. With Spyro on the job, nothing can go wrong." He yawned. "Now lets get some sleep."
Streaks of sunlight entered Charisma's room. Sparx opened an eye and gave a big yawn. Time to get up already?! he thought. He looked at Charisma. She was still sleeping. I guess I'd better wake her up, too. He went toward her and started poking her.
"What?" she said sleepily. She blinked her eyes. "Oh," she yawned, "it's time to get up." Instead, they both went back to sleep.
What's taking them so long, Spyro thought to himself. I'd better wake them up if they're still asleep. He looked inside. "I guess I'll have to wake them up," he said to
himself. He made sure no one was there. "UP AND AT 'EM GUYS!" he yelled. Sparx and Charisma shot up like a rocket.
"What's the big idea?" they said together.
"How else was I supposed to get you up?" he answered innocently.
"Well, I'm ready," Sparx said, still a little sleepy.
"Are you sure you'll be okay," Spyro asked Charisma concerned.
"Of course!" Charisma answered with determination. "I just hope you'll arrive before . . . you know."
"And miss the wedding cake?" he said teasingly. "Get real!" They all laughed at his remark. They froze when they heard footsteps.
"Where am I going to hide?" Sparx suddenly exclaimed.
They thought wildly. "You could hide in a bag filled with books!" Charisma suggested.
Sparx shrugged. "It's worth a shot. Hurry! Collect some books!"
"I'll use this towel as a bag," Charisma said.
They heard voices outside her door. "This is it," Spyro whispered. "Good luck!" He gazed at Charisma. "Don't forget me," he told her and gave her kiss. Then, he was off in a flash. Charisma just stood there stunned.
"Come on!" Sparx urged her, breaking her away from her daze. "Will talk about this later." He looked at her. "You're one lucky dragon," he teased and dove into the bag just as the door opened.