Power of the Wol -- I won't go into my crossbreeding rant now, heh, thanks for the review!
UyoniRaze X -- Really? You liked chapter three the best, and here I wasn't too sure of it myself. And yeah, that tense thing. I'm practically useless at wording a lot of things so I 'correct' them during my proofreading and I'm guessing I change some things around while others stay the same resulting in numerous tenses. I'll work on that, thanks for the feedback!
SSJoel -- Perhaps AHT Hunter would live in Peace Keepers, I can actually see that, but I'm trying to mix both of his personalities together here, slightly, and his original GTG personality is more dominant hence why he lives in the Artisans. Thank you for your review.
Feelthemystical -- Aw, thank you! eats cookie and thanks for the review.
A/N: Wahahaha! Got a new computer! Now I can update more since this one don't crash on me every other day.On a different note I'd like to say thank you for those of you who review this and those who favourited it too and now that I have more free time I can read other's fics too. Being on holiday is fun!
Notes
The present
The past
And now, onwards!
Spyro: Parents of a Hero
Chapter 4: Legends of weather
Lindar seated himself on his throne as he watched the snow through the window across the chamber. The Artisan leader gathered together all the loose parchments on his desk and placed them neatly in a drawer to clear space. After leaving Spyro alone with his thoughts in the main chamber hall of the castle he thought he could pull out some background information about the weather.
Brushing aside all the cutlery and other such things off the desk the dragon walked around into the middle of the room and heaved up a small slab of stone to reveal a large map. Gently lifting the tattered map from it's home Lindar spread it out across his desk and straightened it out blowing the thin layer of dust from it.
The light blue dragon hummed softly as he looked over the old yellowed map with a keen eye. Glancing over his shoulder and towards the door then returning his attention back to the map he unsheathed a single brutal claw and scratched a path from the Artisan Homeland all the way across to the Dream Weaver Homeland making sure to pass through each other dragon homeland in the process. Retracting his claw he lifted the map into the air and tugged along the tear.
He growled with frustration when the map refused to be split into two and slammed it back down onto his desk in a sudden flair of anger. He ground his teeth as he heard his chamber door swing open and the unmistakeable patter of Spyro's feet reached up behind him.
"Spyro," he sighed. "Now is not the time."
Spyro tilted his head to look around the taller dragon. "Time? Time for what exactly? I only came in here when I heard you growling."
Lindar gripped the map roughly in a death grip. "Please, Spyro, just leave."
The purple dragon tilted his head further while examining the elder then looked down at the tattered map and huffed. "I don't think I'm going anywhere right now. What is that?" he nodded at the map.
Lindar tightened his grip on the parchment and growled gutturally. "It is nothing."
"And you expect me to believe that do you?" Spyro asked squinting up at the taller dragon. "What is it?"
"Nothing!" Lindar stomped his heavy clawed foot on the stone floor causing Spyro to jump back in surprise.
Spyro shook his head after he recovered from the sudden flare of anger. It must be important if it gets even Lindar up in arms he thought. Shooting one last look at the map on the desk he nodded and turned to potter out of the chamber.
The Artisan Elder watched the young dragon slowly leave before turning back to the source of his anger. Drawing another claw he dragged it diagonally across the weathered paper cutting through to the desk. After repeating the action several more times he crumpled the pieces in his palm and dropped them.
Watching the balls of parchment fall his eyes grew wide as they unravelled themselves of their own accord to come to rest all across the cold stone floor. Clenching his hands into fists he howled as he stomped on the scraps of map twisting the heel of his foot on each individual piece to ensure more carnage to the paper.
Retreating back to lean on the desk he panted and growled deep in his throat as the pieces once again unfurled themselves slowly to come to rest in perfect condition.
"Damnit!" he clenched his fists on the desk and lowered his head. "If I don't get dispose of this map then, then someone may find the Legends." Bending down he gathered together all the scraps of parchment and replaced them back in their home; under the trapdoor in the chamber.
"I cannot believe what you are asking of me!" Kers hollered at his mother.
The elder dragon pointed a sharpened claw down at her son. "You heard me!"
Kers shook his head with defiance, "never! I shall never do it!"
The elder of the Peace Keepers Homeland ground her teeth together as she pulled back from her son and returned to her throne. "You have disrespected us, my son" she said dangerously, "and I cannot simply allow you to return to that wench of yours."
Kers' head shot up at the insult to his mate and his eyes blazed with sudden rage, however, his mother snapped her fingers and two burly Peace Keepers trudged forward and held him back sternly. His mother turned, blue cape flying with the motion, and seated herself on her throne held together stiffly with rock.
She smiled sweetly down at him. "I am not asking much, dear. Just that you dispose of that Dream Weaver" she pulled back with a disgusted look, "and that lizard you call an heir."
"Mother!" He struggled against those holding him, "you have crossed the line! Spyro is my son!" Squinting his eyes he looked deeply at his mother. "Your own grandchild!"
His mother simply tossed aside the statement with a wave of her hand. "Details…." Suddenly gripping her throne with enough force to crack the stone she peered down at the red dragon once more. "I want him dead!" she spat.
"No! Mother how can you?" Kers exclaimed wide eyed. "He's your own blood!"
"Must you keep bringing that up? This is for your own good, my son."
"Have you no morals, mother!" Kers pleaded, "no sense of right and wrong? Or am I to assume that your blatant disregard towards my son is down to your cold, uncaring personality!"
The Peace Keeper Elder inhaled a throaty growl and tossed her head to one side with a sneer painted across her face. "More disrespect. And not just to your own race… but to your own mother!" She threw out her arm and pointed her staff down at the smaller dragon. "And to think of all the things I've provided for you during your childhood. Shielded you from the horrors of the world. Kept you away from the scum we call our Brethren of different Homelands. And this is how you repay me!" she hissed, "by running off with a Dream Weaver and conceiving a lizard!"
Kers glared death up the length of the staff only mere centimetres from his snout to his mother. With unwavering eyes, his mother watched him back, waiting for a response to her claims.
Eyes drifting shut Kers hung his head in defeat and swiftly yanked his arms from the soldiers holding him. "Fine" he mumbled, "just… fine then."
Satisfied his mother pulled her staff back and smiled down at her son. "I'm doing this for your own good, you'll see."
Elora gazed all around herself as the lighthouse dragon led her and Bianca through into the main living area of the lighthouse. Small and circular with curved furniture to fit against the curved wall and a few torches scattered around it was a cosy little establishment. She exhaled with amazement at the scene through the large window ahead of her.
Bianca panted and leaned heavily against the stairwell railing after the long climb from the ground level. "There has got to be an easier way to get up here" she wiped a thin sheen of sweat from her brow.
She watched as the dragon sighed and trudged across the small area to fall down on a heath rug on the floor and curl up in a protective manner. "It's only small, but it's home" Denki said quietly, "and you are welcome to make yourselves at home."
The statement fell on deaf ears as both the girls seemed preoccupied with their own matters. Looking towards each girl waiting for a response Denki frowned heavily and dropped his head on his paws to rest.
The sorceress lifted her head to take a deep breath and stand upright again. "Oh, wow" she breathed as she took in the same sight Elora had been watching since they'd arrived. "The ocean…" she came up alongside her friend.
From the peninsular the lighthouse was situated on all that could be seen was the vast ocean covering the entire horizon with sparkling water. The gentle breeze of the late afternoon brushed against the sea to create small playful waves lapping up others as they travelled their course before dying out. Thin tanned clouds drifted aimlessly across the blanket of orange sky as the sun set. The reflection of the oranges and reds hit the ocean crafting intricate patterns against the waves earning a relaxed atmosphere around Dragon Shores.
"I bet it isn't like this when the amusement park is open, is it?" Elora asked of Denki without turning around.
The dragon gazed across at the two girls then shook his head slightly. "No, it is not."
Turning around slowly Elora stared at the dragon intently. "So" she began, "how long have you lived here?" Bianca rolled her eyes at her friends attempt at small-talk and earned herself an elbow to the gut.
"All my life." Denki replied curtly.
Elora nodded. "I see." she floundered for something else to say. Small-talk was not a thing she could say she was the most talented in. "I bet it's nice to live here though."
"Perhaps."
"But I bet you see some really interesting people!" Elora smiled.
"Not as such."
"Oh," she stumbled for words again and glanced back at Bianca. The rabbit only grinned and shrugged.
"Well, it's got to be nice to be able to get to the park without any trouble." She tried to start a conversation with their host again.
"No. I am not permitted to enter."
Stomping a hoof on the floor she jutted out her hips and leaned forward with a frown. "Gimmie a break here! I'm working my butt off; trying to get a conversation running."
Denki gradually drew his eyes up to meet the fawn's. "You wouldn't be interested in anything I have to say."
Elora's frown deepened and she fell limp. "How can you say that?"
"Yes" Bianca broke in, "you certainly look like an interesting dragon."
The blue dragon looked up, but sharply dropped his eyes to the floor. "I have not much experience with… conversation."
"Well, you're certainly very well spoken" Bianca remarked.
Elora stood to her full height and smiled down at the dragon and clicked her fingers. "I know! If you don't like talking" she pointedly looked at Denki "then I will."
Bianca nodded, "she will. Believe me."
Seating herself on the carpet opposite the depressed dragon Elora smiled. Bianca moved around to sit down beside Denki but not without stumbling over a chord and knocking a torch to the floor where it promptly smashed.
"Oops" she grinned sheepishly.
Denki shook his head. "Never mind."
Elora clapped to get the attention centred back on her. "I'll tell you about the time I met this amazing dragon." The sorceress rolled her eyes again having heard said story many times before. "His name was Spyro."
"Spyro?" Denki asked suddenly more confident in voice.
"Huh? Oh, um, yes" Elora answered slightly bewildered.
"Something the matter?" Bianca asked.
Drawing his eyes away from Elora Denki muttered something under his breath before looking back up. "No, it is of no importance. Please continue."
"Ooookay. Right, well. It all started when this Ripto fella fell into this world, Avalar, because of another friend of mine's stupidity. He took an instant liking to these lands and declared that he would rule over us. I'm not all that clear on where he came from in the first place but he had two of the most dimwitted peons I've ever seen called Gulp and Crush. Well, some things led to another and the Professor decided the only way to rid Avalar of Ripto was to get a dragon to help us.
So we went to Glimmer and the Professor used the portal to catch Spyro as he was travelling to this very park. Spyro was only a small dragon, like yourself, "she looked towards Denki to find the dragon sound asleep.
Bianca cackled at the look on her friend's face. "He fell asleep the moment you answered his question."
"Then why didn't you tell me!"
"It was funny!" Bianca grinned. " Besides, you get angry when we interrupt your preaching."
"I do not preach!" Elora fumed.
The sorceress waved her hands and motioned to the sleeping form. "Don't wake him."
"Oh, god, fine." Elora stood back up and looked around the circular room.
"Where do we sleep?" Bianca asked.
Elora shrugged and seated herself on a plush sofa. "Don't know about you, but I'm sleeping here" she smiled at her friends expression.
"Fine, then I'll sleep… here." The sorceress leaned back in a tall rocking chair and folded her arms behind her head to get comfortable.
A few long moments passed by as the dark fell down around them and night set in. After a short while the cold atmosphere of the coast began to affect both girls and they began shivering.
"Oh that's it!" Elora whispered harshly and reached for one of the many torches scattered around. "How on earth are you supposed to light these?" she demanded.
"I think Denki will do it himself, what with fire breath an' all" Bianca chuckled from her position in the chair despite her own shivers.
"Oh shut up and help me."
Bianca nodded and pulled herself from the chair and straightened out her robes. "Ahem. Lightus Fire!" She whispered and the torch Elora held burst to life with a healthy flame.
All the other torches burst to life a second later, then the fire under the mantelpiece hissed to life violently. Denki shot to his feet as a spark jumped from the flames.
"W-what's going on!" He asked bewildered as other things in the room began to ignite without warning.
"A little mishap with magic" Elora answered for her friend as both Denki and Bianca watched the room catch fire with horror.
Sticking to the shadows around the halls of the castle of Artisans Spyro prowled the halls silently. He watched as Lindar moved from his chamber at a steady pace; almost as if he expected to be jumped any moment. Spyro smirked at the thought; it was, after all, partly true. He waited until the elder passed under the archway at the opposite end of the hall before leaving the shadows and cracked the chamber door open and slipped in.
"So, where is that map that was getting Lindar in a huff." He glanced all around the room looking for anything out of the ordinary. "Pst, Sparx" he hissed. The little dragonfly hovered out from under Spyro's wing to face the dragon. "Check the room would ya? We're looking for a map, a ripped map."
Searching the room blindly both the dragon and dragonfly began to get agitated by the lack of results.
"Bzzzzt! Bzzzzz!" Sparx flitted above the patterned rug across the centre of the floor. Spyro turned to look at his long time friend then tossed his head back groaning in annoyance.
"Of course!" he declared. "It's always either behind a bookcase or under the floor." He hopped down from the desk and knocked the rug aside. "Ah-ha! See! A trap door." Sparx buzzed around his head as he grabbed the handle with his teeth and heaved it open.
As the he pulled the door back the shreds of the map came into view from the small indent in the stone floor. Moving around to get a better look Spyro peered down at the miniscule writing scrawled across each shred.
"'The Elemental Dragon of winter. She brings the true end to summer. She brings the bitter winds and crisp snow. She brings the Winter Stone.'" He read from one piece or parchment.
"'The Elemental Dragon of Spring. He brings new life. He brings hope for the near future. He brings a new beginning. He brings the Spring Stone'" A voice recited from behind him.
Spyro started at the sudden voice and whipped around to come face to knee with Lindar. The Artisan Elder peered down at the younger dragon and shook his head.
Spyro looked back and forth between the map and Lindar a few more times before he fully turned to the elder and glared. "Just what is this about? Is this the reason for the snow outside?"
Lindar slumped forward and rubbed his face. "I had hoped to keep this from you for just a little while longer" he groaned and slipped around to sit behind his desk. "But now I shall tell you of the Legends or Weather and Seasons."
AN: Yes, Sparx doesn't talk. He's like his original self here because they were the better games! Anyway, hope this chapter was longer… and better maybe…?
Ah well, please leave a review on your way out. They really kick me into gear, heh.
Next chapter: Lindar tells all about the Legends of Weather and Seasons whilst Elora questions Denki about his heritage. And the villains make their first appearance. And in the past Kers takes his family matters into his own hands.