Chapter 13: Spyro's Apprehension

Cynder's eyes continuously wondered in different directions looking from the circle of dragons around her to another chamber and to the floor in front of her paws. She couldn't focus, her senses were going crazy and her thoughts running so fast trying to force herself to assess what had befell her and the others today.

Joining her in the chamber was Terrador, apprentice Krytus, councillor Seyrus, captain Pyrus, Flame, Delacon, Valera and Oculus. They formed a perfect circle all sat on their hinds discussing between each other the gravity of the situation they find themselves in.

Cynders lingering thoughts drowned out the uttering from their maws like they were a distance away. Her gaze shifting between them and into the chamber Spyro laid on his cushion continuing to receive crystal treatment from the moles.

The couple of hours that passed since arriving at the infirmary felt as if they breezed by for the dragoness, spending most of it by Spyro's side. Watching over him and feeling protective of the purple dragon. Being ambushed by grublins in the city they should be safe in left her in a state of high alert, every small noise taken notice of, the flashing of movement through her sight.

She watched it all, unable to keep calm with a shaky feeling in the back of her mind. It felt like more was to come and this is only the prelude, considering the remnant are no doubt responsible for the recent chaos, but how and why were questions left raging through her thoughts.

"Cynder?" She faintly heard her name called to her but paid it no heed, continuing with her stretch of thoughts. Why were the remnant still attacking? The dark master is gone. So why would they attack? She tapped her paw and a stutter over her chest. A hint of irritation writhed along with these questions.

"Cynder!"

The black dragoness snapping out of her trance at the sound of the booming voice of Terrador. Observing round she saw everyone had their eyes fixed on her waiting for her to respond. Looking back and forth between them all with a hint of timidity having all the focus on her.

"Are you feeling well young dragon?" questioned the earth guardian.

She threw shaky nods to loosen herself from the splitting emotions and focus to the group "Yes I'm fine Terrador, I'm sorry I've missed some of what we have discussed,".

Terrador let curiosity take over for a moment, eyeing the dragoness raising an eyelid. However, seeing the emotional state she was in before coming back to the group, he dropped it for now.

"Very well, as we were saying. It is a concern with how long these remnants have been infiltrating the city and we are none the wiser", began Terrador, continuing on from where they had left off.

"The inhabitants are already in a panic about these mana explosions… now we have grublins sneaking in and attacking. If this is only a spell of worse to come, I am worried for us all," councillor Seyrus followed, shaking his head at the floor.

"I know… it couldn't have picked a worse time to occur with the other guardians elsewhere at the settlements," Terrador sighed, his green eyes anxious. A look Cynder wouldn't often place on the strong earth-dragon.

Pyrus stepped a paw down, cutting in "So far the guard haven't been able to find any trace of the orc that escaped those present here or able to establish if there are more. It's like it has upped and vanished".

"Or hiding itself in the darkest corner in the city. Until we search every single speck of this city, we cannot be certain. The only difficulty here is finding someone who doesn't want to be found," Seyrus concluded, exhaling an enormous breath right after speaking, "We have no clues to go on from the aftermath?"

The question caught Flame's attention, looking in front of him thoughts started raging through his head. A pick in the back of his mind, speaking to him as if he had forgotten something. He tightened his lips, moving his view to the floor, thinking through the hunch he was getting.

"What about the crystal we found?" Flame suggested, remembering what had been picking at him.

"What crystal would you be…." Terrador begun but found himself interrupted as the group heard a door opening to the pleasant sight of Spyro walking out with a mole walking beside him.

"Spyro!" burst Cynder a wave of relief showering through her to see the purple dragon back on his feet turning towards him as he stepped towards the group "Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine," Spyro nodded reassuring the dragoness tapping her with his wing projecting a deep smile to her faced the rest of the group "Sorry if I made you all worry,".

"It is a relief to see you well, young dragon. How are you feeling?" asked Terrador, a relieved smile presented at the purple dragon's recovery.

"Much better Terrador," Spyro answered beaming towards the guardian and everyone. But quickly turning weary when he looked to his leg on the right. Making a mumble under his breath as he gave the leg a slow shake, "Feel stiff in my leg but otherwise fine".

The mole stood beside him produced a gruff stare "You may have healed up but your body experienced a substantial level of stress from all your injuries. Your nerves will still be reeling from the ordeal, I'd recommend you spend the rest of the day getting a rest and you should be fine in the morning".

"Are you sure it's not a random ache?" questioned the purple dragon, not too keen on the thought of having to be slumped to bed after everything that has happened today.

"Oh yes, I've seen these reactions so many times in moles, dragons, cheetahs, foxes. You name it, let the body recuperate and you will feel good as new," answered the mole sticking to his hypothesis.

"Okay, thank you for everything. I'm in your debt," Spyro heaped praise to the healer bowing to him.

"You're welcome purple dragon, stay safe and stay healthy, all of you," The mole said pointing to each of the young dragons surprising them all.

Spyro's eyes moving back and forth as the mole walked back into the chamber, stunned by how commanding the healer was gesturing at the group. Cynder found herself more amused by the exhibition, hiding a grin under her tongue.

"Well, young dragon; do you feel ready to discuss what happened today regarding the explosions and the grublins?" asked Terrador.

The purple dragon funnelled himself into the group, taking the time to bring forth the memory built up from his experience earlier today. He closed his eyes with a reluctant sigh blowing out his mouth "Yes Terrador… I just… I've had a bit of time to think myself and I've been asking myself questions."

"Oh? Well in that case Spyro, please share with us," Terrador offered to the purple dragon, curiosity swelling within the group of what he would have to elaborate to them. Spyro dropped his head, curling his lips. He spent a couple of seconds collecting himself on what he had been plaguing his thoughts. He looked back up, squaring his focus on the guardian.

"All this time, I had thought what was left of the grublins were stragglers surviving like most did after the war. The dark times were over and everyone could look forward to a life of peace," Spyro described his thoughts almost like he was picturing a scene of what was to be imagined "But… if the grublins have entered the city and are responsible for these explosions… Terrador. Did we end the dark-wars?"

The question imposed caught most of the group in wonder. Silence filled the circle, adding questions to what they already deduced. The younger dragons of Flame, Krytus and especially Cynder of all the dragons present was curious towards the answer to such a question.

Terrador remained silent, shadowing his strict composure with a steady stare directed at the purple dragon. Only his breathing rippled from his body in any form of response to Spyro. He found it was difficult for him to answer such a question. This is where he would have relied upon Ignitus to ease the purple dragons' concerns.

"Honestly young dragon. It's difficult to say now that we are at this moment," Terrador swallowed, unsure on how he would respond for once in a long time. Even he was unsure of what the events of today could mean "It is a concern Spyro. Since they were first encountered again in the Tranquil forest, I as many others believed we reduced them to a mere holdout. Struggling and lost in their survival without their former master to guide them. But now. I am left to wonder."

Spyro felt unsure how to react to the guardian's words. Not the answer he was hoping for, instead filling him with more doubt and questions.

Could it have been possible defeating the dark master did nothing to shake the dark army from its conviction of destroying all life? Are the remnant forces more formidable than we believe? Is this the first step in an attack? The questions running through Spyro's mind, clinching to any explanation he could muster himself.

"After what has happened today. The news of what happened and especially you and young Sparx, there has been more…" Continued Terrador only to get cut off by the purple dragon echoing a gasp at the mention of the dragonfly's name.

"Sparx! where is he?"

"He's okay Spyro, the healers told us he likely had a concussion from the blast," Cynder reassured, prompting to calm the purple dragon before any unsettlement could form "He's still unconscious but otherwise fine, rest is what the healer recommends for him."

"I need to see him," explained Spyro, feeling antsy over the explanation presented unable to keep still.

"Young Sparx is in no danger Spy…" Terrador began but cut short as Spyro spoke over him.

"Show me! I need to see him with my own eyes!"

The demanding tone in his voice caught the guardian off-guard, same as everyone else. Spyro noticed Terrador's surprised reaction, feeling a shred of guilt his expression dropped "I'm sorry… I… I just want to see my brother."

"It's perfectly fine, young dragon. Go see him. We are in no rush," consoled Terrador, gesturing the purple dragon towards the next chamber beside the one he just came from, bearing an understanding of his feelings after the ordeal he experienced earlier.

Spyro bowed, thanking the guardian before making his way to the chamber, followed closely by Cynder. Entering the room, he noticed a mole cleaning towels in a bowl next a small pedestal. Spyro spotted the glowing dragonfly laid down on a pillow.

"Sparx!" He shouted anxiously, leaping over to the pillow to look upon the sleeping form of his foster brother. The purple dragon felt disheartened by the sight of the usual chattering dragonfly now out cold, a bandage wrapped around his lower torso drew the purple dragon's attention.

"What happened to him?" Spyro called to the mole pointing a claw at the dressing demanding an explanation. The mole noted the shaky bearing being thrown at him by the purple dragon.

"He is fine, we found a cut and a couple of bruises plus a bit of bleeding but he's patched up now," the healer gulped.

the pressure of the purple dragon's stare unsettling as it shifted back towards the dragonfly "Are you sure?"

The mole was quick to nod his head, "Yes he will recover, however it may be awhile before he will wake up. The power from the explosion on a body of his size could have been more dangerous".

Cynder having witnessed everything gestured an apology to the healer, briefly explaining the situation regarding Spyro's concern to the mole which eased its worry. The mole after being enlightened of the situation decided to best give the dragons some space and left the chamber.

Staring at the dressing on his foster brother, Spyro felt helpless, wishing there was something he could do to help the dragonfly awaken. His eyelids narrowly dropped and gritting his teeth as he whispered "Sparx… I'm sorry".

The dragoness noticed his words. She stood beside him and tapped a paw against his shoulder "It's not your fault Spyro."

"It is my fault" Spyro whimpered, struggling to keep his composure together "When the crystal lit up ready to explode… I hesitated…"

Those last words that escaped his maw echoing in deep sadness. Cynder felt unsure how to react to him "What do you mean?"

"I hesitated at the crystal," Spyro closed his eyes hanging his head in shame of himself "When it glowed, I just looked at it and didn't react at all. And because of that, I couldn't protect Sparx."

The words cut into Cynder deep. Her heart trembling at how Spyro put himself down as if he was the one to fault for what happened to the dragonfly. But she knew better, Spyro was only looking for someone to put the blame on and yet he aimed it right at himself and she would not tolerate that. Her eyes narrowed a tad, and she tensed her paw pressed on his shoulder.

"Spyro you can't think like that, if it wasn't for you. He'd be dead!"

Those words from the dragoness chopped into Spyro. Shocking him with a mumbled gasp, turning his head to look at her, noticing the serious look in her eyes to snap him into giving his undivided attention to her. She settled her stare, and a smile crept on her face.

"You're too hard on yourself, you can't expect to know and assume everything that will happen. Did you know what would happen? No" She began, her tone somewhat forceful "No one else knows what is happening with those crystals and it was the first time you saw what happened. You threw yourself in front of Sparx, shielding him from the blast. Just think, if you hadn't done that, what would have happened?"

Spyro gasped at the question, his eyes rendered blank for a moment. He looked at the sleeping dragonfly and then back to Cynder "Even if that's true, it doesn't change the fact; I could have been quicker."

Cynder sighed heavily, "It's not your fault. You didn't know what would happen. No one ever knows what will happen, and we can only do our best to respond".

The purple dragon didn't shake from his qualms. Casting his half-closed eyes squarely on the dragonfly. His doubts swiped continuously at anything positive he could grasp at. His self-esteem cracking down causally at the conclusion he failed his brother, he failed himself and everyone at not stopping the grublins.

"Spyro you couldn't have done any more for him. You shouldn't be so critical of yourself," justified Cynder, producing her best to reassure the purple dragon. This felt a natural situation for her. Spyro was always like this with himself; doubting and believing he could have done better. It felt a regular second nature, this situation with her secret courting.

"I just feel like I could be better and no one would be hurt."

"I know, Spyro. It's beyond our control, but we make the best out of the situation and we get through it," Cynder reassured. Her reasoning cut through any doubt or argument Spyro could attempt to muster. He struggled but gave her a nod, although he still had doubts within himself.

Gazing back over to the dragonfly dropped the mood but to one of understanding in the purple dragon's mind. There was no more he could have done and he could do nothing now but to let the dragonfly rest.

Yet he felt a sting in the back of his mind pushing him. This was not a situation to be proud of but to move on and bury it down, yet it didn't feel right. Why couldn't it be where one can face self-reflection and put it down to one's actions? The question raged through his mind.

'No, this was down to me today. If I was faster, I could have prevented Sparx getting hurt… and I would have been strong enough to take on the grublins if not for my mistakes. It's not enough,' the thoughts barrelled on through, questioning himself on his ability.

Just the sight of Sparx now threw a twist through his stomach. A look of annoyance took shape, and he directed himself away, feeling full of shame. He puffed a breath of air out his snout "Shall we rejoin the others now then?"

"Are you sure you don't want to stay with him?" asked Cynder.

"I'm sure. There's nothing else I can do for him now. Let him rest and come back first thing in morning and I'm sure there will be an update then," Spyro answered. His voice seemed forced.

The tone in his voice and his expression dropping to one that seemed like annoyance caught the dragoness by surprise. A quiet gasp escaped her mouth, questioning why the purple dragon had shifted from calm to disgruntled so quickly she wasn't going to just leave it.

"Spyro? Are you okay?"

The purple dragon eyes narrowed, and he looked down at his paws. He snuffed a quiet growl below his breath, doing little to hold back the building aggravation stemming from his thoughts. Why was this happening? The grublins should not be a threat with the dark master defeated; So how can they still be causing here?

"This shouldn't be happening Cynder," Spyro seethed very irritated "These grublins shouldn't be here anymore when Malefor was defeated they should be gone too but here they are still causing hurt wherever they go… They shouldn't be here anymore".

Despite the tone the purple dragon projected at her, Cynder understood how he felt at the situation "I know… those creatures still follow his ideal after him. It doesn't feel right".

"Nothing about this is right!"

Spyro snapped at the dragoness loudly echoed through the chamber, catching her by surprise. She let out a quiet gasp but said nothing. The gaze from the purple dragon left her feeling like her body wanted to shudder.

"Those monsters shouldn't even exist anymore. All they do is hurt people and feel no pity or give mercy to them. And even with him gone they still carry out his will of causing misery wherever they go… and I didn't stop them… I didn't figure out they blew the crystals… All of this is my fault," Spyro lamented, for a moment experiencing a tread of guilt and responsibility for what has occurred.

"Spyro… none of this is your fault. Why are you feeling like this?" worried Cynder. Slowly unsettling from how Spyro was expressing himself.

"I have spent these two years living in the lie we were at peace, that I fulfilled the prophecy of the purple dragon when all this time I should have been at the Tranquil forest keeping them down. If I had; Sparx and anyone else in here because of those explosions wouldn't be hurt like they are now."

His feelings getting the better of him, whipped his tail up and back down banging on the floor. His lips opening a tad allowing his crunched sharp teeth to bear as he exhaled a loud breath followed by a frustrated growl.

His heart pounded as the adrenaline rushed through his veins from the heightened emotion. Cynder felt a lump in her throat witnessing this building rage from the purple dragon and swallowed it back down.

"It isn't your responsibility to do everything. None of us would have known the remnant were stronger than we believed. These things happen and w…" Cynder tried to explain, seeking a way to calm the purple dragon.

"That is no excuse Cynder!" Spyro snapped, silencing the black dragoness "We have spent our time in an illusion while people have been getting hurt and now Sparx… Instead of wasting my time in this, I should have been over there FINISHING THEM!"

His muscles tensed heavily and his heart felt it skipped a bit as a rush of power went to his dropped head. He emitted an angered growl as an aura of mana blew off his scales for a moment after those last words.

Cynder took a step back with a quiet gasp hurled out of her maw, those words of anger and hurt but that impulse of power that had fumed off his for a brief second scared the dragoness. The colour seemed familiar, something she hadn't seen before. A purple shade with a trail of darkness whispering with it. The sight of such aura scared the dragoness, especially such tone that Spyro was displaying.

"YOUNG DRAGON! Control yourself at once!" the commanding voice shocked Spyro out of his trance to look upon Terrador with a demanding glare locked straight at him. The purple dragon straightened himself, taken by surprise from the guardian's entrance.

"What is the meaning of this Spyro? that is no way to speak to a dragoness, especially Cynder of all dragonesses where you're concerned," Terrador reprimanded the young dragon, giving him an eye of disappointment.

Spyro recollecting himself with a moment to think, realised what had just happened. His expression turned to shame as he turned his sights to the dragoness and can see the hurt in her eyes. His wings lowered, and he wheezed in indignity with his eyes looking down at her paws "I… I'm sorry Cynder… I don't know what came to me."

The dragoness lifted herself back up and provided a weak smile to him, "It's okay Spyro, I don't…"

He cut her off as the purple dragon shook his head furiously, "No, that was out of order. Whatever frustration I was feeling… I shouldn't be taking it out on you. I'm sorry."

"Oh, Spyro. Don't put yourself down like that. You had a moment, we all do. It's okay," Cynder breathed, letting positivity beam from her expression to ease him. But it didn't make him feel any better and looked away, ashamed of himself. Cynder wasn't having it and stepped over and pulled him into an embrace, wrapping her wings around him and her placing her cheek against the side of his face.

Spyro was at first surprised by the gesture his eyes opened wide until he heard a whisper "Spyro… It's okay."

The warmth and affection from her touch soothed through the purple dragon's body, relaxing his muscles and letting his heart settle into a steady beat. He returned the gesture holding Cynder tight wrapping his wings around her stealing a moment for them.

Terrador's exterior settled with a content smile seeing the young couple made up again. Once they separated, they turned to the guardian "If I may Spyro, what provoked such emotion?"

Spyros expression dropped again feeling a tad of shame at his behaviour shaking his head "I let my feelings get the better of me. I could have done better for Sparx…."

"And are you certain of that?" questioned Terrador, testing him "Did you know what would happen? Would you have definitely prevented injury to either of you with that little extra push in a situation of seconds?"

Spyro opened his maw, ready to speak, but hesitated. The questions thrown at him halted any words that would form. He took a moment and realised what the guardian was getting at.

"No… I can never be certain" Spyro was quick to retaliate "But I know I could have done better if I didn't hesitate."

Terrador closed his eyes and rumbled a huff under his breath. He stepped forward, lowering his head down to the purple dragon, "Spyro you shouldn't criticise yourself like this. You're not some perfect being who will never hesitate or display a flicker of fear and block out everything to focus. No one can manage such a feat; there will always be their feelings, these moments of analysing a situation. But only those with courage and conviction will act upon whatever they face. And you are one such dragon."

Spyro looked up at the guardian taking in all the words but he didn't answer and allowed the guardian to continue "It was an explosion, but one no once could have expected. No one has witnessed one explode except for yourself and the others yet to awaken. You know what your issue is, Spyro?"

The two young dragons surprised by the question gave him their undivided attention. Spyro expected a stern lecture by the strict guardian, "You shoulder all the responsibility on yourself. Too self-critical of your own actions to not allow others to assess themselves, believing it is all your fault. You may be the purple dragon but that doesn't mean you are perfect; you are a dragon like all of us with the same difficulties to grow and experience. Don't be too critical, Spyro. Just take it and build yourself to be better".

Spyro shifted his gaze away curling his lips, puzzling himself on that statement. He couldn't deny the guardians point on him being critical of himself. He could admit that much of it all atleast. Tugging at his resistance wanting to debate but he couldn't find any words to go against what Terrador said. One thing he and Cynder were always grateful to have from the guardians was their wisdom and advice.

He conceded, bowing his head, "Okay… I'll try Terrador."

"Very Good; that's all any of us can do, young dragon," the guardian concluded.

"I guess I'm just used to helping people instead this time I was the one who needed help," acknowledged Spyro, turning in on accepting he has limitations himself.

"Like when I was saving your butt from a couple of orcs earlier. For once it was me having to come to the rescue," teased Cynder, a cheeky grin growing into her maw, lightening the mood.

"You know a mana explosion struck me right?" Spyro defended, making a half glare at the dragoness.

Cynder flickered her tail playfully and mocked at him, "All I'm hearing is excuses purple boy,"

Spyro rolled his eyes with a chuckle bouncing out of him, "Okay then Cynder. I'll remember that when you get caught by a crystal blowing up".

Giggling slid through Cynders throat and slouched with her shoulders raised as she exhaled her laughter. Spyro felt amused at the dragonesses display, a welcome sensation to feel the positivity and warmth she provided. Another reason he came to court and love her among the millions he had.

The display from the young dragons amused the guardian. Showing a grin for the efforts, Terrador for a moment strolled down memory lane, and he thought, 'hmmm, when I was young. Going around experiencing and developing into the emotions and learning to approach life. The last thing these two needs is another war; they should be able to focus on growing nearing adults in a crucial stage in their lives'.

Terrador never appreciated on how in their young age instead of growing and being typical fledglings have had to spend it fighting, feeling scared and worrying about their survival at such a young age with the world on their shoulders. He felt a partial responsibility they should have done more in themselves in such roles although times were desperate and he knew now there was no way the young dragons would stay out of this one.

Regaining himself from his moment he turned back to the young dragons "Well… shall we join everyone now and continue discussions?"

Spyro turned to look back on the sleeping form of Sparx. He still held a worry over his adopted brother but ultimately there was nothing more he could do for the dragonfly at present "Yes let's go."

He walked over to the dragonfly's cushion and gently whispered, "You get a well-deserved rest, Sparx. I'll come see you later…brother."

Taking his paw back Spyro didn't look at the dragonfly again and followed Terrador and Cynder out of the chamber to rejoin the collection of dragons awaiting their return. Spyro and Cynder sat together to observe all the faces who have joined for the first time since arriving at the infirmary on flames back.

"Sorry to keep you all waiting," Spyro apologised to the group.

"Don't be Spyro, we all understand what you have been through," Seyrus consoled the purple dragon.

"Have there been any developments?" questioned the purple dragon looking between everyone in search of an answer hoping to catch up.

"Not yet, the guard has been searching the city but could not locate the orc who escaped. But that is the least of my concerns from what the others have told us you may shed some light on the mana explosions," Pyrus answered.

Spyro nodded, looking between all the faces now fixing their eyes on him. Taking a moment to compose himself and draw a breath, he began his story, explaining the event to lead. Him and Sparx investigating the crystal for it to blink colours, then light up in red and explode. Oculus helping him and finding Sparx. To the point of heading the infirmary to find the mysterious crystal in the mana gem and pull it out only to get set upon by the grublins and orcs.

Everyone's attention was absolute listening to every detail the purple dragon described with the occasional inclusion of Cynder and Flame to add to any gaps Spyro may have missed to arrive at the end "And then Flame brought me here, and that's it."

"One thing I'm wondering about, what is this crystal you found?" asked Delacon, the end of his tail flickering from his curiosity.

"Oh, I placed it over here," replied Flame turning away from the group and leaped over to a table grasping the gem in his paw and bringing it to the centre of the group laying it down for everyone to see.

They noticed the red colouring with tiny blobs of black coursing through and blunt edges in the crystal's edges. Its rigid core leaving an unpleasant appearance to behold. Valera was first to break silence, "What kind of crystal is that?"

"I'm not sure… In all my time I have never seen a crystal like this but… It beholds a sinister sensation just by looking at it," Terrador pondered, curiosity overwhelming his thoughts. He turned his eyes onto Flame, "Where did you say you found it?"

"We found it in the crystal, it looked like it was slowly burrowing its way into the gem," answered Flame.

"Hmmm… gem research is more Volteers field of study," Terrador pointed out "I'll have him inspect it when he returns from Aquarius village but for now; we will keep it in the temple vault. We don't want this to go near another crystal… just in case".

"Agreed; for all we know these could be what are triggering such explosions," Pyrus speculated. Hearing the crystal embedded when it they found was more than enough suspicion of the unknown gem.

Seyrus took his attention away from the mysterious artifact to focus on the more pressing issue "Where do we stand now regarding the grublins?"

"We are still searching the city but I'm about to send out a second round to ensure we check everywhere" the guard captain answered.

"Good; I want every section of the city checked for that orc. I don't want any remnant to attack our people… I need to convene with the council regarding these issues and how we will move forward," Seyrus breathed, explaining the next move.

"I shall accompany you, councillor. I would like to discuss matters with the rest of the council regarding today's events also, if you will permit," asked Terrador.

"Old friend. You are always welcome," the councillor beamed enthusiastically, which the guardian bowed to.

"Very well Pyrus; you and the guard continue with the second search and inform me straight away of any developments. Krytus, Flame? You two join them. Oculus you return to Tegrol and inform him to continue his investigation. Frost go with him if you would otherwise continue as you please."

Terrador barked out his commands to all dragons' present, and one by one took their leave to start with their given tasks from the guardian. But Spyro felt an air of confusion on why he out of the names.

"Terrador? What about me and Cynder?"

"You young dragon are going to your room and getting some well-deserved rest," Terrador answered instructing in a stern tone to the purple dragon. His wings dropped and his maw opened ready to argue but Terrador cut in again, "Doctor's orders, you need to let your body fully recover, no arguments. As for you Cynder, you can get some respite as well if you'd like otherwise assist with the search or go about any business you may wish to conduct. I will leave it at that."

Spyro whined, a growl riveting under lips in annoyance, "But Terrador I feel fine. Surely I will be more useful helping with the search."

"Oh, and I'm sure you would be Spyro but as the doctor explained you need to let your body rest in order to fully recover from the lingering effects. So off to bed with you. Don't worry any developments and I will personally inform you later once you've rested," Terrador insisted, showing he won't back down and promptly left with Seyrus not giving Spyro any chance to protest further.

The purple dragon looked down at his paws and huffed at the floor. This didn't feel right, even though the doctor expressed that recommendation it felt unjust for him to spend the late afternoon in bed. Cynder on the other paw found herself amused by his cute display of defiance, failing miserably.

"Come on Spyro, I'll walk you to your room" offered the dragoness gesturing the purple dragon to go.

Ultimately accepting defeat, the purple dragon accepted her proposal, and they walked themselves out.

It was a silent walk over to the temple, Spyro continued to feel discomfort in his back leg where he was stabbed with the blade. It brought him to realise they may have had a point to some extent, no matter how much he didn't like it.

He and Cynder didn't say much to each other as they entered the temple and walked through the hallways passing by many dragons and moles along the way mostly unaware of the events that transpired today. Spyro wondered how long before the entire city would know of the attack.

Arriving at his room, Spyro pressed the crystal embedded into the wall next to the door, opening it up. He turned to Cynder and gestured an enormous smile "Thanks for walking me Cyn, wish I could help more though."

"Don't worry, Spyro, let the others handle it. What's important is you get some rest, okay?" Cynder replied sweetly.

Spyro forced a nod and looked away to the floor leading into his room. The cushion double three times his size waiting for him to collapse upon didn't look so bad an idea now. He looked back to the dragoness with a hint of guilt, "Look Cynder. I'm sorry again for how I spoke to you earlier at the infirmary. It was selfish and uncalled for of me."

The dragoness saw the pain in him and her smile disappeared too. Spyro couldn't hide his shame on how he spoke to her believing he deserved whatever disapproval she would send him. He turned away, putting himself at whatever peace he could "I'll see you in the morning Cynder, I'm sorry".

He stepped into the entrance, not daring to lay his eyes on the dragoness. He let out a sigh of disappointment in himself.

"Spyro?"

Hearing his name, Spyro hesitated to move further and turned back around only to be meet with Cynder touching her muzzle against his. It was a slow nuzzle and their lips intertwined. The moment brimmed up with instant affection and Spyro's mind melted away, closing his eyes to experience the moment.

Their lips separated for a split second to join again. Losing themselves in the tender moment of their love for each other tasting so soft. Something they could never get enough of. Separating their maws at last, Spyro opened his eyes to look upon a loving smile from the dragoness.

"Did you think I would let you go to bed without giving me that first?" Cynder said suggestively.

Spyro produced an enormous grin as if he was up in the clouds and got suggestive himself "I would never say no to you."

Cynder leaned up against the side of his face and whispered, "Now you get yourself to bed, mister."

With the seductive tone in pushed into his head he found it impossible to go against her now "Well in that case, Yes ma'am." He took his wing and made a salute.

Cynder giggled at his remark and gestured him goodbye and would check on him later, and Spyro issued the same typical goodbye before going their separate ways, maintaining a loving look to each other until they were out of sight. Spyro turned away feeling much better after that helping, he pressed the inside crystal and the door shut itself behind him.

Turning to his cushion, he could only admire it as he walked over and collapsed onto it. He let out a huge moan of comfort immediately feeling his body and muscles relax in the comfort and stretching his body. His limbs and wings pushed as far as they could.

He brought them back in and made himself comfortable, pushing himself onto his back and relaxing his muscles to look upon the ceiling. It wasn't long before the relaxation taken hold of his mind and push tiredness to him. Seeing no more reason he closed his eyes allowing sleep to take hold to end what has been a hectic day.

Whew finally I'm done, it's the same old story I'm working on this and I'm running into hurdles but oh well it's life gotta get on with it.

I'm glad to see I got quite a few responses which I greatly appreciate for your continued support and I hope to see it continue as this story develops and hopefully pick up the pace now.

Now onto responses:

TARDIS1039: Glad you are enjoying this project and I hope you will be here for the long haul there is a lot of content and idea to produce into this arc I intend to make.

Az0tAc: Glad you enjoyed the combat, that was something I very prided to get right as it was something, I struggled with in the past but that fills me with great confidence thanks.

RioloverBardenBellaforlife: Glad your enjoying the chapter as you love all Spyro content since being introduced. Yes, there is more to come on all front and this time no break mistake for this chapter ha-ha. Glad you're enjoying the combat.

Void Reader: Indeed, Spyro must always bring his A game and will he bring it and what's will develop. Stay tuned to find out and thank you for your continued reading.

IllusionMaster17: That's one thing I wanted to work on, the other characters give them some screen time and give them some development even though Spyro and Cynder are the main focus. Glad your enjoying the battles too.

DragonLover2468: I wondered where you went but I had no doubt you were still reading, Happy to see your continued support it means a lot and I hope your continuing to enjoy this journey.

Thanks guys, and I will see you all next chapter.