Chapter 7: Situation
The force had now been split off onto two fronts of what was still to be determined of big of a disaster was ensuing.
While the majority stayed to finish the job of the burning buildings nearing the end; fire's doused, panic averted and preventing spread, this was unknown the situation they were heading into.
A couple of streets away from the original fire the four dragons flew towards the site of the second explosion. Like the last one they had to get there quickly in case anyone got hurt or in danger; as a precaution they brought a few buckets of water with them to begin fighting the flame's immediately.
Getting closer to see the thickness of the black smoke as they lowered into the street to see another big fire was raging, again with chunks splattered across the street in front of the house, this time however it was just one house on fire on a similar size to the last.
One thing running through Spyro's mind was the one fact that had yet to be properly addressed; What was the cause of these fires?
It was a big question that would need answering soon, but first priority for the small group of dragons was to ascertain the wellbeing of creatures in the vicinity first.
Arriving at the site Spyro, Cynder and Delacon landed down next to the building while Talex remained overhead above them.
There were a few creatures around the house assisting others who looked injured, appearing to be caught in the disaster unfolding, Delacon being the highest of the guards here commanded out to everyone "Spyro, Cynder tend to the wounded and get these creatures moving, Talex get this fire under control."
Agreeing to the roles passed to them Talex taking the buckets of water they have targeting the flames on the edges looking the most likely to spread.
Delacon himself went to investigate the building itself while Spyro and Cynder rushed over to the creatures.
Cynder rushed to the side of a couple of moles, one lying on the floor as the other was trying to help him up "Are you both okay? you two need to get to safety."
"I'm fine but my mate is hurt, his leg was injured in the explosion."
The dragoness looked down to the mole's leg, spotting some bruising on one side and a burn on the lower leg.
"Can you put any pressure on that leg?"
The mole with support from his mate holding one arm and pushing his other arm on the ground tried to lift himself up onto his legs, lifting onto one perfectly fine while when he readied to weigh down on the other leg.
A bit of pressure and pain overcame the leg making him slip back down, Cynder caught him with her wing and kept him stood up on one leg.
"I can't…Ahhh"
Trying again the mole pressed up and tried to stand on his right leg, the stinging pain breaking into every part of his upper leg as he tried to put his weight onto it.
Groaning out from the intense feeling he couldn't hold it and fell back into Cynders' wing again.
"It's no good…. I can't walk on it"
"Okay, don't try it anymore, we will get you to a healer" The dragoness turned her attention towards the raging inferno within the house.
She was in shock, only minutes since the explosion and already the flames had spread far in such short time. Most of the openings in the house had fire spewing out from them.
Now was not the time to ponder for her, priority is getting all the civilians to safety first.
Taking her paw and grabbing onto the mole's side looked towards Spyro who had sent a few other moles on their way to safety, she called out to him getting his attention.
"Spyro…I'm taking these to the infirmary, he's quite hurt."
"Got it, I'll have finished moving these civilians by the time you get back, we should be taking on the fires by then."
Cynder nodding at the purple dragon proceeded to wrapped her fore arm around the mole with the other one jumping onto her back lifting herself up to the air and flew off from the street taking the mole for medical treatment.
While she was gone Spyro had finished sending the creatures in the area away to safety now turning his attention towards the flaming inferno.
With Talex having used up the water buckets they had with them weakened the flames in the upper section of the house flew off to collect some more water.
Delacon thrashing his horns into the door breaking it apart piece by piece with it having been jammed into the walls by the explosion, the purple dragon ran up joining him at the front leaning his head close to the door to listen in.
While the sound of fire permeated over the surroundings, he could just about make out little noises.
Traces of thrashing and thumping, as if there was someone trying to get out. Followed by a yell, screaming for someone to get away from a room.
That was all the convincing the purple dragon needed for him to act. He stepped away and threw his fore leg up indicating Delacon.
"Get out of the way." commanded the purple dragon facing the wooden door, Delacon removed himself to grant space for Spyro to proceed albeit curious of what he has planned.
"Be quick Spyro, if anyone is in there we need to hurry."
"Already on it." nodding his head at the knight and readied himself.
A tint of green begun to envelope around the paws of his fore legs, closing his eyes for a brief moment breathing out a concentrated sigh, he lifted himself onto his back legs standing up with his back legs bended slightly to give himself balance.
He aimed his claws towards the door, specifically to the sides. with a little shake forward four cords of green mana shot out from his claws digging into the edges of the door.
Sensing a harnessed grip into the door through his power the purple dragon pulled his forelegs back, forcing a yank into the cords tearing the door clean off the house.
The door slammed down in front of him with a fresh wave of smoke fuming out of the opening escaping to fizzle upwards into the sky.
The two dragons stepped towards the entrance ready to inspect inside the house. As they did, they could see creatures coming out in the form of foxes clothed similar to cheetahs and panthers.
A small fox ran out ahead of an adult male fox not much bigger than a mole held the arm of a female around him looking burnt and injured bad, a small trail of red dripping behind them.
"HELP US…she is hurt bad." The male bellowed out as Spyro rushed to their aid bringing the female away from the house and laying her against a tree in the middle of the street, a few burn marks around her left arm and neck looking in considerable pain.
"How long has she been bleeding?" asked the frantic purple dragon as he spotted on her lower abdomen below her dark orange upper chest clothing a long piece of wood stabbed into her.
Delacon at the sometime remained at the entrance calling into the house as he could see another adult male fox rushing to the entrance with a child in tow with him.
Pushing past the flames and making it out into the safety of the street.
"Go join…your mother now, I'll be with you as soon as I can" the male exclaimed to the child attempting to re-enter the burning house with Delacon throwing a wing out blocking his path.
"It's too dangerous sir, you need to stay back."
"NO, I'VE GOT TO GET BACK IN THERE" shouted the fox trying to force his way around the huge wing shielding him from the entrance.
"Those flames are getting worse; you need to stay back and join your family."
"NO, MY DAUGHTER IS STILL IN THERE! I'VE GOTTA GET HER OUT!"
The dragon's eyes widening in horror with the prospect of a young child still trapped in the building, in grave danger.
"WHAT? okay sir, where did you last see her?"
"Upstairs, in the kids' room on the left side, she was up there when the explosion hit the house, I heard her screaming so I know she is still alive, I'VE GOTTA GET HER!"
In perfect timing, Talex arrived with two more refilled buckets of water floating overhead.
"Sir, you tend to your family and we will get her out." Switching himself from the fox he looked up to the wind dragon.
"TALEX, there is a young fox trapped upstairs in the flames, give me one of those buckets and see if you can find her".
Talex understood the instructions passing a bucket down to the fire dragon before curving himself to the left side of the building having it be pointed to him by Delacon, alarm bells ringing in their minds knowing a young fox was in danger trapped within the confines of the fire and smoke.
Delacon still faced by the male fox trying to force his way in past him.
"FOX STAY BACK! we will get her out but you need to get to safety now."
"GET IN THERE THEN… EVERY MINUTE WASTED SHE IS IN EVEN MORE DANGER!"
Looking into the entrance before him, Delacon readied the bucket of water in one arm and throwing it into the entrance, spewing onto the vast flames, dousing some and extinguishing others.
Spyro tending to the female gripped the wood impaled into her abdomen and looked to the male beside her.
"Keep her still now, when I pull the wood out, I will need to seal the wound to stop the bleeding". Spyro turns his view to the female "It will hurt, but you need to be strong and stay very still".
The female made slow nervous nods at the dragon. She made gasps underneath her breath trying to prepare herself to some extent for what was to come but she was terrified.
Spyro with his eyes at the male nodded to each other, gripping the wood completely in a sharp motion pulled the wood out of her, the female wailed in deep pain from the swoosh.
In some cases, it would be better to leave the item with the possibility of heavy bleeding or even damage if removed but in a situation like this there wasn't much option. Throwing the bloodied wood to the side turned to her now open wound, fluid everywhere around it.
Reacting quickly used two of his claws on a paw, gripping on the opposite sides of the wound and pushed them together.
Tingles of agony beseeching the female trying her best to remain still for the dragon to continue, Spyro's training would now come into play from what he had learnt recently from the healers.
Bringing his other paw up he positioned it above the wound, watching the female and male with a caring thoughtful expression "Stay still now, here goes."
The female tensed up as the male held her arms, keeping her in a controlled grip. The purple dragon ready to proceed focused his energy as red mana begun to channel into his paw, tiny specks of flame dusting off as the claws brightened up in redness.
"Three…two…one. NOW!"
Without a hint of hesitation, pressed his claw onto the wound, the female fox screeching out in agony. The male, held on as tough as he could to keep her still, fizzing noises and specks of steam vibrating off around Spyro's paw.
The overwhelming heat hitting the wound, causing huge pain, continuing to groan and scream loudly unable to hold it together, it was like someone had set her body on fire.
Spyro focused manoeuvring the heated claws onto the wound, burning deep into it, if he wasn't careful, he could scorch the fur around the wound or even damage the body tissue further.
Despite the pain she was embroiled in, she took it with the help of the male beside her, keeping absolutely still no matter how much she wanted to curl and thrash from the torturing feels of the dragon's action.
The purple dragon kept at it, forcing the elemental heat onto the wound with his claw, trying his best to avoid accidently harming her further.
After about a minute, he could see he was done and pulled his claws away, powering down the energy of his mana returning to its natural colour. Checking over, he saw he had successful closed up the wound to prevent further bleeding for the time being, enough time to get her medical attention.
Normally in regular circumstances, it would require a material along with the heat to cauterize and seal up a wound like that while also increasing the chance of infection which was a last resort.
But the flames of a dragon offered a different solution, it was discovered that if their powers were used in moderation and at an acceptable level with the heat, the magical properties of the mana can close an impaling wound such as that even if they aren't a dragon themselves.
While infection is still possible, the chances are hugely reduced thanks to the magical flame of any fire-wielding dragon, it was a mystery but a very welcome one, the power of a dragon in small doses can heal although over exerting defies it.
Dragon's also discovered it only works on small wounds, big wounds especially on the body the size of a dragon makes it less effective but in most circumstances the power of red healing crystals makes the technique unnecessary but to other creatures is useful.
Spyro content with his work breathed out a blew a thistle of cold ice onto the wound, Ice building up and freezing in place on top of the wound.
"That should hold for now, get her to a healer immediately! and she can get the proper treatment."
"Oh, thank you purple dragon sir, we are in your debt." The male fox smiled ecstatic. Relieved he couldn't help but express his gratitude as the female breathed heavily having endured the harrowing experience with a tear of relief falling down her cheek.
"Thank you…" struggling to speak through her gasps for breath, the male was readying to lift her as the other male fox ran over with a posture of terror radiating from him.
"RILA IS STILL IN THERE, COLEEN!"
Looks of extreme fright and terror jumping onto everyone's expressions as the female became hysterical.
"WHAT? RILA IS UP THERE!"
The female tried to lift herself to run on over to the burning house, the flames spreading more extensive.
"RILA…RILA I'M COMING!" Try as she might, the pain was too much for her to endure still with Spyro interjecting to her.
"No stop, if you aren't careful you risk re-opening the wound, get her to the healers, we will get your daughter out".
The mother with tears of fear spewing down her face grabbed the purple dragon looking him in the eye.
"PLEASE…SAVE MY DAUGHTER!"
"Okay, where is she?" asked Spyro.
"She was upstairs when the building got his by some explosion, on the left side of the building I think… please rescue her!" exclaimed the male assumed to be the father.
"Get her to the healers, we will do what we can back here" commanded the purple dragon to the foxes.
"I'm staying but my brother will take my mate to the healers" said the male as the other one tried to get the female to go who was heavily resisting wanting to stay.
Spyro looked to the entrance of the house, the doused flames in some parts, but others beginning to brighten up again, ore extensive then the previous one it seemed. Wasting no time, the purple dragon leaped over to the entrance alongside Delacon.
"Spyro those flames are really extensive, all over the place, I can't see even me getting through all that." Delacon informed.
The wonder in Spyro's mind was how was the situation worse here than the previous houses, they responded to this one a lot faster.
Creaking and tiny snap could be heard over the flames, this alarmed the fire dragon.
"We need to get back from the sounds of it the building could give at any moment"
"What about the child?" the purple dragon argued back.
"Talex is circling around looking through the cracks, see if he can spot her so we know exactly where she is". Replied the fire knight.
Spyro looked up at the upper level, flames and smoke spewing out of the cracks and holes caused by the damage, right behind them, Cynder returned from transporting the injured mole, finding the situation still to be dire.
"SPYRO!"
Catching the attention, Spyro turned himself spotting the black dragoness and pointing to the foxes.
"Cynder get them to the healers, it's getting more dangerous here".
The purple dragon commanded in a tone that surprised her, questioning what was happening in her mind.
She looked to the foxes and she could easily sense the fright and terror, all of them staring at the building with the female shouting out.
"SAVE OUR DAUGHTER…PLEASE!"
Looking between the house and the foxes, she put two and two together that their other child was still in the building.
Spyro looked upwards to see Talex hovering around looking in having used his water bucket, peering into every opening he could find, turning back to look at the pleading faces of the family.
Looking back into the entrance of the burning establishment, seeing the extensive damage already inflicted and with the worrying sounds making it likely the building will collapse made his mind up with a hard posture staring it.
"No time, I'll find and get her out of there!"
Hearing those words took Delacon by surprise turning his view towards the purple dragon with no hesitation or fear leaped straight into the entrance crossing over the initial fires.
"SPYRO COME BACK, THE BUILDING IS GOING TO COME DOWN!" shouted Talex.
"NO SPYRO!" Screamed Cynder in pure fear, running towards the entrance to chase after him.
Delacon spotting her turned towards her and used his fore arm to grab her holding her back. "Cynder no! I can't let you risk yourself either."
"NO…let me go! I've got to help him…"
Cynder thrashing in his grip trying to get loose and rush into the building after the purple dragon, something Delacon would prevent knowing she would have little resistance to the scorching fires raging inside.
Inside the house, Spyro had made it into the main room, fires raging everywhere. It was a lot more intense than the previous building Spyro had gone into, it was so hot and smoke was everywhere, the conditions were more uncomfortable for him.
The familiar stinging from the petals of hot ash and sparks brushing against his scales emerging, this wouldn't stop him, he wasn't about to wait for an innocent young kit to be burned to a crisp.
Bringing his wings down to his sides to offer a bit more resistance, in conditions even for him was tough, plaguing his mind was whatever has caused this had a much severe impact this time.
Such thoughts would have to be put aside for now, cutting himself around the flames reaching the stairs, pushing himself up as quick as he could.
Time was of the essence for him and the child he was in search for, ignoring the flames and pushing past arriving at the top of the steps.
Sprouts of blazes radiating just as furiously in the upper area and the smoke was so intense Spyro was having a little trouble breathing through it, coughs booming out his maw.
Bringing his right ring in front to offer some protection from fumes. Stepping forward to the two different rooms before him.
The snapping sounds of the creaks were more easily noticed being upstairs, making him ponder how long he would have before the situation would turn grave.
His own steps on his paws causing more creaks, the flooring itself would soon start to give.
The sounds became sharp above him looking upward to see a railing of wood breaking off falling towards him.
Pushing his body forward into a roll, leaping out of the danger just in the nick of time, the wooden rail crashing into the floor snapping some of the flooring away crashing to the lower level.
Taking in a quick whiff of the small amount of air still around him looking back on the carnage before him, turning back to the rooms he shouted out to the child, recalling the name from earlier.
"RILA, ARE YOU THERE?"
Listening out for a response, hoping it would allow him to find the child faster. Rushing into the room, a bed with some wooden baskets caught fire and the bed reducing to pieces.
He jumped to one side of the room, looking in the corners.
"RILA?"
Nothing. It was a worrying predicament for the dragon, no sign of the young fox as of yet.
But at the same time, he had yet to discover a body so there was still hope, until the fox was found he would not be leaving despite the increasing threat to himself.
As strong as dragons are, even a collapsing build is a life-threatening bomb unless you were physical prowess of all dragons.
Nothing left to be gained from the room, he was quick to make his way out leaping over one flame and slipping past another, turning to the other room and hastening towards it.
"RILA…CAN YOU HEAR ME?"
Still no response, now it was starting to put a doubt in his mind. A stream of fire imploded to his right staggering him left into a wall.
Fazing his senses for a moment as he tried to regain his composure.
More pieces of the ceiling had broken off around the open area breaking more of the flooring near the stairs.
As the purple dragon regained his self, he could hear something just within his hearing. It sounded like little screams.
Focusing on the sound it was clearly coming from the other room, his suspicions beginning to fade away before he heard a voice.
"Help me…. Daddy…. mommy …. help".
The quiet voice was all the proof Spyro needed, rushing himself into the other room and called out.
"Rila, where are you?"
Looking around it was pretty similar set up to the previous room but the flames weren't as extensive this time, the bed was up in flames but the wooden baskets, were mostly intact.
He searched around the bed, at first finding no sign of the missing fox.
"Rila." Spyro called out one last time before turning to the baskets and noticed something peculiar. He could just make out what looked like some fur behind one of the before looking on to see a small head peek out from one of the basket lids.
Relieved he had finally found what he was looking for, made his way around the room to the baskets to find the young fox hidden in one of them curled up protectively of herself.
"Rila, thank god…come on now, let's get you out of here, mom and dad were worried about you."
The young fox leaned up slowly, the massive creature compared to her, the smoke causing her to cough a few times as she covered her mouth.
"I'm scared mister dragon, I want mommy and daddy."
Although the cuteness of the little fox was hard to overlook, now was not the time to ponder, the priority was getting the young kit out of danger immediately.
"Okay come on now take my paw and we will get out of here." Said Spyro offering his paw out to the young fox who had not objection in accepting and Spyro lifted her out of the basket and held her in his paw.
Out of all the places to hide the fox chose possibly one of the worst places considering who the wood baskets could easily have set alight, it was fortunate he found her before that happened.
Looking down to the young fox, gripping onto his paw and arm with great tightness, with the young fox now in his charge he could get himself out of the building and to safety.
An implosion of fire striked at the entrance of the room blowing back at the purple dragon throwing his wings in front of him to protect himself and the young kit in his grasp from the subsidence.
Cracks and fizzles sounded off along with a crash, loudly echoing into his hearing.
Moving his wings way, he got out of the guard and stood himself back up to look at the exit of the room to be completely covered in fire, there was no way he was going to be getting through that, not even him.
"No, no, no" repeated Spyro, becoming distressed with the rising danger.
'Were trapped…I've got to get us out of this now'.
Stepping forward he lowered his head facing the flames radiating before him as Rila hugged his upper chest, frightened by the fires.
A rush of ice exhumed from his maw firing into the fires.
Attempting to weaken the flames enough to get them through, hitting against the flames he intensified it further throwing as much pressure he can into the attack.
He held it on, volleys of ice thrown into the blazes, but the ice was having no effect.
These flames were just too big and strong for his ice to have any effect on it he backed off the attack, looking upon the flames, his eyes widening and fear setting in.
He couldn't use his earth element for the danger of damaging the buildings foundation further and his own fire and electricity would have no effect against this challenge.
Huge creaking boomed through the building; at this rate the house was going to topple down on him unless he got out with the young fox.
"NO!" He shouted to himself refusing to give up, unleashing another beam of cold ice into the flames, roaring aloud while he fired.
Torrents of ice being thrown into the inferno. Straightening himself even more keeping the attack going on, not willing to let up.
Even with him pushing himself, it was futile, the flames were not affected in the slightest, the hot air already begun melting the ice before even hitting its target.
Forced to accept reality, pulled back and ended the ice barrage, frustrated he couldn't beat the flames.
'Is this it? are we trapped to just wait?' The questions going through his mind, hopelessness begun to set into his mind, the flame was simply too tough for a beam of ice.
He looked down to the fox in arm hugging his chest, easily spotting the fear in her eyes.
"Please mister dragon, I want my mommy."
The fox sobbed hiding her face away from the flames, Spyro grunted in frustration trying to come up with any ideas, the chilling coldness of ice still loosely radiating within his maw.
Thinking as hard as he could, how could he work his way around the hazard, the fire too great for a simple beam.
It suddenly clicked into his mind and he stopped taking a single thought in.
'Of course, that's it…a beam won't do, but let's add more to it.'
Spyro stretched his body ready and opened his maw wide, ice mana begun to radiate around the maw, rings of mana begun to build inward towards the central point in his jaws.
A build-up of ice mana appeared and begun to grow steadily within his maw as more energy seeped in. The concentration founded itself within him, he now knew how to beat the flame.
The build up in his maw growing more, stopping when it reached a certain point, taking aim at his target.
Releasing the circle of ice mana with a tail of energy following it as it shot straight into the flame.
An explosion of ice blew out in a small radius instantly dousing the flames down and covering the room entry in ice.
"YES" shouted the purple dragon, his plan had worked, an ice bomb attack did just the trick.
Not wanting to be stuck in that situation again, wasted no time and rushed his way out of the room with the young fox in tow, exiting the room he could hear a shout.
"SPYRO!"
Shifting his head to the source he could see out of a window past all the raging infernos, Talex hovering just out the opening.
"Talex I've got the girl, I'm coming out."
"Good work Spyro, now get out quick that building isn't going to hold any longer," answered the wind male. That was all the incentive the purple dragon needed to get himself out, opening his maw and building up another ice bomb.
Concentrating the build-up and aiming it at the fires, blowing the bomb out of his maw and blasting into the flame, dousing them down and giving him space to get through to Talex.
"Okay Rila, hold on were getting out of here".
Reassuring the young fox, the purple dragon took a few steps forward but all of a sudden tear at the ceiling burst more of the woodwork down crashing in front of him. Spyro shielded himself and the young kit with his wings, resisting the blowback from the crash.
Opening his eyes to look upon the opening had disappeared, debris from the break had blocked his route.
While he was startled by this change of circumstance, he remained focused on the task at hand and turned back towards the stair way, the only exit now was to get back to the entrance.
Using one wing to protect himself and the over to cover Rila, he pushed himself towards the stairs, walking on three legs, was slightly more difficult but easily within a dragon's ability to carry it out.
Directing himself around the flames, angling his body, his tail following the path and his wings remaining in as close as he could.
Every step, the snapping of the flooring loudened, not willing to waist any time listening, he pressed to the stairs rushing down.
Keeping Rila held tight, he pushed on arriving back down into the main room. The situation had worsened, debris crumbling all over, the flames had grown and tore apart at the foundations.
Spyro trickled forward holding his wing's up to cover him from the flames as he tried to get around them.
An explosion rocked the entire house, Spyro tumbling over to his right, with his right foreleg holding Rila he couldn't keep himself balanced and fell down onto his side, a gasp of surprise escaping his maw.
Rila screamed out in the dragon's chest, terrified by the scene and sobbing.
Spyro shook his head, the echoes of the explosion still ringing in his head, he let out a groan gripping his free paw and lifting himself back up.
"It's okay Rila, were almost out, regaining himself just in time to spot the hallway towards the entrance, he stumbled his way towards his target, becoming more difficult with the amount of smoke having increased rapidly, endless coughs had bellowed out his maw and was starting to have an effect on his senses.
He was almost there before another explosion rocked the house up again, Spyro this time was prepared and huddled up himself and around Rila as more debris and wood shattered down crashing to the floor.
Spyro was in for shock as the hallway got clamped down by debris and blocked off for him to go through.
"Oh no." he muttered out quietly, the situation he was in changing drastically all of a sudden, their escape cut off surrounded by fire, burning wood and debris.
Looking above him, fear crept onto his expression, spotting noticeable cracks appearing on the ceiling above him.
Outside everyone was anxiously awaiting news or sighting of the purple since Talex lost sight of him, while confirming he had found Rila relieved the family to a small extent.
With the flames having intensified greatly volleys were spewing out of the opening, Delacon was forced a few steps back, while Cynder in complete distress over the purple dragon, desperately awaiting news.
She would still charge into the house with no hesitation had the others not stopped her.
"Come on Spyro…please" whispering to herself, waiting for any sign, watching all angles with great attention.
Pyrus had arrived moments ago, the former situation fully resolved he could press his attention over to this one.
Learning that Spyro had ventured in unsettled him looking upon the seemingly more dangerous state of this fire.
Cynder's patience couldn't hold for much longer, getting jittery of worry.
Another explosion of fire and force pelted out from the building causing a blow back forcing everyone to dig in and sturdy themselves against it.
Bricks and wood begun to spoil off the outer parts with another implosion of the building shacking.
Pyrus and Delacon recognising this as another blowout frenzied at them, it was too late.
"GET BACK, ALL OF YOU!"
Delacon and Talex rushed away to a safe distance. Cynder on the other hand became so alarmed with terror she tried to rush at the building again.
"SPYRO!" Screaming out, distressed by what she saw before her as Pyrus grabbed her with his arm and dragged her back.
"NO CYNDER…IT'S GOING TO COME DOWN."
"NO, SPYRO IS STILL IN THERE!"
It was too late, the building shock from another explosion on the upper level and begun crackling, huge chunks of the roof and upper floor tore apart and collapse down, tearing the whole house apart.
RILA!" screamed the female fox still being laid against the tree amazingly hadn't caught any fire from all happening before them.
The entire building shock itself apart breaking down and collapsing to the ground, piling up into pieces. Pyrus spun around and covered himself and Cynder as a barrage of dust shot out in all directions.
Waiting for all the sound to die down before they dared look. Cynder's thoughts running wild at the fate of the purple dragon, being trapped.
Finally, they could look, turning themselves the house reduced to a pile of rubble, of wood, brick and ash. The majority of the flames had been killed with only small trickles remaining. Cynder wasted no time and leaped towards the wreckage.
"SPYRO." She screamed out hoping she would hear a response, eyes widened and gritting her teeth, frantic in worry.
She heard no answer and produced many helpless gasps as she begun to dig into the rubble, throwing bricks and wood out
The other dragons coordinated in the search of the rubble, roughly a minute spent on shovelling through but no sign. Rila's family descending into hysterics with tears dropping from the mother, the prospect that their daughter is under all the rubble.
Cynder becoming desperate tearing through the rubble uncoordinated, the anxiety easily noticed by all around her. Pyrus although not willing to give up himself, placed a paw on her back.
"Cynder please, calm yourself."
"NO… we will find him."
Refusing to give up, she dug further and further into the rubble, trying her best to find any clue to the purple dragon.
"Please…"
Heavy breaths came faster and faster, her fear won out and she stopped, dropping her head staring at the rubble.
"Spyro…please"
Tears were beginning to build up in her eyes, she was beginning to give up hope.
Suddenly she could feel a sort of rupture and brought herself back up looking over the rubble seeing a part of it begin to rumble, catching everyone's attention.
The rumbles and growling of the debris loudened, pieces begun to move upward and push off a point on the other side.
Upwards, it went coming off the build up and dropping all around, everyone focused in.
Cynder's hope renewed as she spotted a glowing green light expose itself below the rubble as it all tumbled away.
Identifying it as an earth mana ability a sort of shield square of green radiating as the energy linked into a central point below it before spotting a paw with green radiating from the claws.
Cynder gasped in delight as she spotted it was Spyro dragging himself out of the rubble and tossed the last of the debris aside with the young fox still in tow.
The family catching sight of this, gasps of joy erupting once they spotted the young fox in his grasp.
"RILA" shouted the mother as Spyro struggled up and walked over the rubble towards the family.
Heavy breathing elapsing from his maw, dust and ash sploshed over his scales and spikes, making it off the rubble he composed himself before letting Rila down, releasing her from his grip.
The little kit spotting her family, could rush over any faster. Her father opening his arms and catching her laughing in joy.
"Oh Rila, I was so scared."
"I was too daddy."
Hugging her as tightly as possible not wanting to let go at all, he would have no choice with his mate waiting.
"Oh Rila, my baby." The female called out as her mate brought her other and the brother joined in on a family hug.
It was a great sight for the purple dragon, knowing he had saved a life and spared a family any tragedy was worth it.
"Spyro!"
Turning himself to the direction of the voice to find himself grabbed into an embrace, taking him completely by surprise.
Cynder wrapping her fore-paws around him and burying her head into his upper chest, Spyro returned the gesture, despite any stinging pain he may have, it was worth it with her touch warming him.
"I'm sorry if I scared you Cynder."
"You bet; you scared the life out of me…don't ever frighten me like that again," While it came off as a threat, Spyro knew better it was a content gesture in its own way.
Holding the embrace for a few more seconds before partly pulling away so they were face to face with a serious yet gentle look from the dragoness.
"Were you actually worried Cynder?" Shooting a curious glance at the female.
"Are you kidding, of course, you kind of left us in suspense, you still could have died!"
"After everything we have been through Cynder, you really think a building will be the end of me?" chuckled the purple dragon.
"Oh, shut up and come here."
The dragoness gave him a loving glance before she pressed her lips kissing the purple dragon, although initially surprised quickly settled into the pleasurable wave hitting him.
Little did they realise they had an audience watching them.
"Well…what have I walked in on?"
The two dragons separated instantly having forgot they weren't on their own, eyes widened in as Terrador walked up the pair.
Redness brightly radiating from their faces, embarrassed by the display, having been caught in the middle of it.
"Well you two certainly took your time, didn't you?" joked the earth guardian.
Spyro's expression instantly dropped with a point proven looking back at the dragoness "What did I say Cynder? I'm pretty sure I said that exact line on what their reaction would be."
A giggle erupting from the dragoness's maw, being part of their discussion last night.
"Well the jig is up; we may as well tell them now Cyn".
While it wasn't how they planned to reveal, Cynder couldn't help it and nodded her head in agreement. He looked towards the earth dragon with a sheepish smile at the guardians awaiting curious stare.
"Before you ask Terrador. Yes, Cynder and I are courting…but we decided to keep it a secret between us two so we wouldn't get much attention until we wanted to reveal to everyone.
They both waited for the guardians to express a response. Expecting him to voice disappointment in them at their decision. But they were surprised to see a proud smile light up on the guardian's snout.
"Well young dragons, I'm quite surprised you would want to undertake it in that direction but I do understand to a certain extend…honestly, I would have been shocked if you two didn't declare yourselves to each other." replied the earth dragon.
"Really…you think so?" asked the black dragoness.
"Of course, I was young once myself Cynder, it was pretty easy to tell you two were taken to each other," Terrador declared so casually.
Embarrassment setting in again for the pair as all the dragons around them laughed out on their predicament, Pyrus while getting his fun in stepped forward.
"Well Spyro firstly may I say congratulations to both you and Cynder for declaring to courting. It is a very serious thing; courting. I couldn't feel more prideful of you both starting your journey of growing into fine adults," The guardian praised them both. Feeling great pride as he suggested of the two dragons he has seen grown up and go through their hardships now allowed the develop towards adults.
The purple dragon bowed his head greatly appreciating the approval.
"And, secondly, well done on your performance today, in handling this dangerous situation." Pyrus jumped in offering his congratulations to the young dragon.
"Thank you, sir, you honour me, it was thanks to learning under you" replied the purple dragon respecting the captain.
"Through your training and courage, you honour yourself."
Spyro however had his expression drop as he asked a question "I'm guessing I will have to retake the exam though sir, since it had to be cancelled."
Half expected to be disappointed as it was the rules, to see the examination through, although duty calls, yet he was surprised to find a big smile on the captain's face.
"While that may be true Spyro, on the contrary you have exceeded my expectations with your performances today, your kind-heartedness, your gentle nature and your ability to act and adapt is remarkable."
Surprise had found its way onto the purple dragon's expression as he listened.
"Usually you would experience three scenarios to determine your readiness to be a guard. You faced one during the exam and you faced trials in these dangerous circumstances and triumphed with flare."
"You approached a hazardous situation and correctly tackled it head on at the first house, demonstrating your patience with the mole, taking careful risks and keeping a clear head…and here you saved an innocent creature from a very dangerous fire. Although you had put yourself at risk too you passed through."
All the praise and assessment of his performance had the purple dragon very curious on where he was going with this.
"So, what are you trying to say Captain?"
"What I'm saying Spyro is, practically in a way you have demonstrated yourself, I am more than convinced you deserve the title…Spyro, through your impressive display you are no longer a trainee and I bestow upon you the title of guard." Stated Pyrus, feeling very proud of the young purple dragon.
Spyro was speechless, he was awarded what he had been working towards, the next step in his chosen role for the city.
Cynder was ecstatic and nuzzled the side of his face.
"This is amazing Spyro, I never had any doubt." Expressed the black dragoness excited for the purple dragon.
"Congratulations young dragon, you eclipse my greatest hopes for you." Said Terrador with a sense of pride one of his students was excelling.
Talex and Delacon offered their congratulations next, Spyro getting flustered by all the attention.
"I'm overwhelmed captain…wow…thank you sir and I will do my best to make you all proud."
"You already do Spyro, it is my hope you will rise to be the best and reach where you deserve" replied the guard captain.
Allowing a few moments of the excitement to fester around the group of dragons, it was a time of immense joy for the purple dragon, achieving what he had worked towards and now would work to cement his role.
"So, what happens now, captain." Asked the purple dragon, eager to get started.
"Take the rest of the day off Spyro and celebrate, tomorrow I will brief you on your new duties and start your new position…after your work, I'm sure you wouldn't mind getting cleaned up…"
Spyro looked over his scales seeing he was still dirtied up in ash and dust, a quick bath would easily fix.
"I suppose sir, but what about these fires that have occurred? we still don't know what caused them."
"Indeed, young dragon, these fires broke out and we haven't a clue what the cause was, I'm going to spearhead an investigation and see if we can get to the bottom of this at once as we get this all cleaned up." Replied the electric dragon.
"Dismissed Spyro, go and enjoy yourself." He didn't need to hear that twice for both him and Cynder to head off going back towards the temple.
Cynder very excited for the purple dragon nudged his side "There was no doubt my new knight in shining armour."
"Yeah I know Cyn, but there's another problem we got now."
"Oh, and that is?" curiously asked by the black dragoness.
"The fact that our secret is out now, we're probably going to have to let everyone know before Terrador and the others do." Laughed the purple dragon.
He knew it was going to be a matter of time now before everyone knew about them.
"I know but let's not worry about that today, let's just enjoy the last moments while we can," Cynder replied.
"Funny enough Cyn, we did exactly what we said we wouldn't do…make a scene of it," the purple dragon mused sheepishly dropping his head.
Realisation hit her that they did just that when she kissed him in front of everyone, although she wanted to maintain the secret for a while longer, she was the one who pretty much exposed them.
"Yeah…ha-ha, I guess it was going to happen regardless, we can't help ourselves, can we?" laughed the black dragoness, contemplating her actions "Let's get you cleaned up anyway before we cross that bridge".
Well that was a rush of emotion trying to project that entire scene. Now the new title and summary are now in effect. Don't worry my original idea will still come into play just much later now with this being a story of its own. So, what do you think. I was going to play this out differently but I guess I changed my mind and took it another way.
Now the big question I'm sure your pondering is? What caused all this. Well my answer is sat tight and stay tuned you will find out.
Spyro and Cynder, I'm sure I'm going to get disappointment over ending their secret so soon but to be honest that was a good a moment as any to end it, but don't fret there will be more fun in that department of their courting.
Anyway, all my previous chapters I have updated and corrected grammar and hopefully improved grammar. Providing what I hope a much better experience, of course if any issues still point them out to me, it will all be appreciated while I'm sure I have been focusing on points made already in reviews.
So anyway, I hope you all enjoyed and I will see you next chapter, thanks for the reviews, keep them coming it makes me a very happy man.
