Chapter 34: Unfortunate Squabbles

"Excellent work Spyro, again!" Ignitus complimented him as he took another swipe at a Training Dummy. Then he used his Ice breath to freeze it, and smashed it into pieces. "Very good, I bet the other Ice Dragons could learn a few things from you." He turned to see that the other Ice Dragons weren't really comfortable with Spyro's presence, the only one who wasn't bothered was Shard.

"I'm not so sure, Ignitus." Spyro whispered to him.

"Remind me again why Cyril can't instruct us?" Janne asked the Fire Guardian.

"As far as I'm concerned, a learning experience is best done with an open mind and non-biased opinion. I fear Cyril's polarizing opinions on...certain matters, will only make things worse. It doesn't help that Glacia is away and helping dig up artifacts from our old Temple, she would knock some sense into him. Until then, I'm teaching you: I've had experience with the Ice Element before." Ignitus explained and dismissed Spyro to have him sit with the others, but upon doing so, all the Ice Dragons moved away from him...except for Shard.

"Don't take this personally, Spyro." Shard referred to the others keeping their distance.

"I don't intend to...but I still wish the people of Warfang could open their eyes to the truth: Malefor is not a monster." Spyro replied as Shard sighed.

"Spyro, things take time, Malefor was the Dark Master for 15 years, things like that don't just vanish. But he can still help others to an extent where he can have some sort of life again." He pointed out as Ignitus called up another Ice Dragon to practice.

"Maybe, but the citizens could at least try to make an effort or something." Spyro remarked.

"Can't argue there." Shard mumbled, all the while, Janne watched them from a distance, she was in shock at how Shard could sit by Spyro so calmly.

"He's the son of Malefor, he can't be trusted." She glared at Spyro.

"You know what this reminds me of, Shard? It reminds me of when Cynder hated me. It's kinda come full circle, only this time: everyone but Cynder hate me." Spyro commented to Shard, who realized this.

"Yeah...it is pretty similar, I never thought of it like that." He responded as they sat idle for the remainder of the class, awaiting their release.

As the day winded down, Spyro and Shard left the Dragon Temple and descended down the stairs, making their way through the city. "So, I'm hungry, what about you?" Shard asked him as he nodded and they decided to find a place to eat.

"What about Quake's Grill?" Spyro suggested as Shard nodded and figured it'd be fine. As they entered the restaurant, they caught the attention of many Moles and Dragons, Spyro felt a slight tug and saw a young Hatchling looking at him.

"Um, Mr. Purple Dragon? I just wanted to say you're the coolest Dragon ever!" The Hatchling hugged his hind leg.

"Well I...Thank you." Spyro replied, a little flustered while Shard smirked at the situation.

"Oh dear! Come here now!" They looked to see an older Dragoness, frightened by Spyro's presence and for her son's safety.

"Hey kid, you might want to go to your mother, she seems worried." Shard got the Hatchling's attention, he soon was able to get the Hatchling to go back to his mother, and lead Spyro further into the restaurant.

"I didn't think anyone still viewed me as a hero." Spyro commented.

"That's the beauty of innocence, Spyro. He's too young to process what everyone else knows about you, all he knows is that you saved everyone." Shard explained as they found a table to sit at, the waiter nervously walked up to the table and greeted them, it was a Mole, just to specify.

"Hello sirs...what'll we be having today?" The Mole kept an eye on Spyro while Shard looked at his menu.

"Hmm, I'll have the grilled lamb with some water please." He requested while Spyro looked down at the menu, there were many options to pick from.

"I'll take the cooked chicken with water please." He said in a sincere tone.

"Very well, um, I'll get your drinks then, sirs." The Mole scurried away while the two Dragons started to talk.

"So, Spyro, what's on your mind?" Shard asked as the Purple Dragon thought to himself.

"Well...I've been thinking about something I saw in my battle with the Dark Master in the core of the planet...when I grabbed the Time Crystal, I got all these visions of other worlds...alternate timelines...I'm being serious about this, so don't call me crazy, Shard." Spyro explained as Shard's head perked up in interest.

"Go on..." He gestured as Spyro nodded and continued.

"What if...what if we aren't the only universe out there? That Time Crystal was a bridge between those locations, I saw...more versions of myself and Cynder, differing in appearance, but still versions of us, I just think it's something to consider."

"The Ancestors did always theorize the existence of a Multiverse...I think I'd rather eat my food right now than think of that." Shard replied as the Mole brought their drinks hastily and rushed away, leaving the two alone again.

"It feels kinda weird to be alienated from the rest of society, doesn't it?" Shard asked Spyro, who shrugged.

"Meh, you should spend a day in Malefor's shoes." His response made them both chuckle as they shared some casual banter before their food was brought out. "Thank goodness, I'm starving." Spyro licked his lips and grabbed his chicken, he started to gnaw off pieces of flesh while Shard did the same with his lamb. After they had finished their meal, they paid for the meal and Spyro gave the waiter a tip. Once they stepped outside, more eyes were drawn to them.

"Spyro...I think it'll probably be a good idea if you go back to the Dragon Temple before someone tries something..." Shard whispered to the Purple Drake.

"That's probably a good idea..." He agreed as the two returned to the Dragon Temple to see Janne at the top of the stairs.

"Janne? What're you doing here?" Shard asked her as she walked up to him.

"I need to talk to Shard, alone." She glared at Spyro, indicating that he leave them be.

"Alright..." Spyro entered the Temple doors while Janne and Shard stayed where they were.

"Janne, what's this about?" Shard inquired.

"It's about him." She referred to Spyro as Shard face-palmed.

"Of course it is." He sighed while Janne growled.

"How can you still think of him as an ally? He shares the blood of the Dark Master, they can't be trusted." She snapped.

"Oh, I see, so you think because he's related to Malefor, he's evil? Get this through your thick skull, Janne! He's my friend, not a monster. Everyone thinks that bloodlines determine your identity, they don't! Yes, I have my doubts about Malefor, but Spyro trusts him, and that's good enough for me. I thought you knew better than this, Janne, but it proves a point I've always wondered about you: you're just a mindless sheep. You may love me...but you're not Rose." Shard scolded her and walked into the Dragon Temple, leaving Janne dumbstruck and unable to process what had just happened.

Spyro entered the Temple Doors, not wanting to stick around for what Janne might have to say to Shard, he made his way through the large corridors and glanced at the paintings embedded on the walls, he figured he'd head back to his quarters and rest, but he was intercepted by Terrain.

"How's it going, freak?" He asked smugly while Spyro kept walking.

"Not today, Terrain." Spyro replied, but the Earth Dragon grabbed him by the shoulder and slammed him up against the wall.

"You don't ignore me, Spyro!" He snarled, but Spyro remained calm.

"Terrain, fighting me isn't going to change anything for you, and besides...I'm not fighting you." He told the Earth Dragon, who growled and threw him into the ground.

"You don't have a choice!" Terrain snapped as other students were seeing what the commotion was about.

"What's going on?"

"I think Terrain and Spyro are fighting."

"Really, what tipped you off genuis?" The Students muttered as Spyro slowly stood up, only to be punched in the gut by Terrain and given a clean uppercut to the face. As Spyro stumbled back, he remained still and looked at Terrain.

"Fight back..." Terrain growled as he punched the Purple Dragon in the jaw, He didn't even try to resist the blow with his Earth Element as he was smacked into the ground again.

"No..." Spyro muttered as he got back up, surprising Terrain.

"What did you say?" He growled as Spyro staggered.

"I said: No." The Purple Dragon's response caused Terrain to snarl and slam his fist into Spyro's chest, sending him flying across the corridor, as he tried to get up, he held his rib-cage in pain. He struggled to stand and used the wall for support, holding his side in agony as he got up, only to be slashed in the face by Terrain and punched through the doors of the Temple. Terrain watched with satisfaction as Spyro tumbled down the stairs onto the pavement, he felt a sharp pang coming from his left wing, his face bled prominently as a larger crowd gathered.

"Fight Back! You're the Dragon of Destiny! Fight me!" Terrain roared as he descended the staircase.

"I won't fight you, Terrain, you might've changed as a person from learning the truth about me...but deep down, you're still my friend." Spyro grunted and collapsed from trying to stand again.

"It's your choice." Terrain raised his fist to punch Spyro, but his wing was being pulled back. "What!?" He turned to see a little Dragon, the same one that had hugged Spyro at the restaurant.

"Leave Mr. Purple Dragon alone!" He muffled while pulling back his wing further, allowing Spyro to stand properly.

"I'm not going to fight you, Terrain. Whatever anger you have: take it out any way you can." His comment cause Terrain to turn back to face him, he snarled and punched Spyro in the face, knocking him down.

"No!" The Little Dragon exclaimed as he was swatted aside by Terrain.

"Stay out of this, kid, watch with the crowd." He walked towards Spyro, who crawled across the ground. "Spyro, you betrayed my trust when you revealed your true bloodline, I can't forgive you for that..." Terrain raised both his arms, and slammed them onto Spyro's back, breaking his spine, this time, Spyro was unable to hold back a scream of agony as he groaned in pain, his vision became blurry.

"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS!?" The crowd turned to see Ignitus and Cynder.

"Ignitus, I-"

"Spyro!" Cynder rushed past them and up to the Purple Dragon, as she saw the extent of his injuries, she started crying. "Leave..." She muttered to the crowd. "LEAVE!" She shrieked as her body began to glow dark with black mist, and her eyes became a soulless white, the crowd eagerly left once this happened while Ignitus looked down on Terrain.

"Terrain, you have carried out something far worse than I could've possibly imagined from blind rage: Go to your quarters, Now!" Ignitus snapped and sent the Earth Dragon on his way, then he turned his attention to Cynder. "Cynder, listen to me, you have to calm yourself." He walked up to Cynder slowly.

"No, I can save him!"

"I too feel his life ebbing away, Cynder, but I can also help. I can save him, Cynder, but you need to contain the darkness." Ignitus had Cynder face him. "Calm yourself." He said again, and Cynder eventually returned to normal. Once that had occurred, He grabbed Spyro and placed him on his back, rushing into the Dragon Temple with Cynder close behind. Fortunately, it didn't take long for them to find the med bay. "Voltea! I need a medical table, stat!" His announcement startled the Dragoness.

"What happened, Ignitus?" She asked.

"Spyro's been injured, bad. We need a table now!" His urgency was made clear to Voltea as she pulled out a table and lead Ignitus into a side-room, they placed Spyro on the table and Voltea inspected his body.

"He's got multiple bruises and scratches, as well as a broken rib and spine." She evaluated the damage done to him.

"Can you help him?" Cynder asked.

"Absolutely, if given the proper care, his wounds will heal in no time. His Spine will need a few months to repair itself, but we can...you know what? I'll explain later, we need to stabilize him, get me those insulated gloves, Ignitus." Voltea directed the Fire Guardian to the rubber gloves and gave them to her. "Okay, here we go..." She rubbed her paws together and put them on his chest. "Clear!" She jolted Spyro's body. "Clear!" She pushed down again. "Clear!" As she did it the final time, she leaned into his chest.

"His heartbeat is stabilized, we're not losing him today." Her statement allowed Cynder to sigh in relief.

"I'll tell Malefor and the others, they'll want to see him, Voltea." Ignitus pointed out.

"Maybe not Cyril." She reminded him of the Dragon's polarized viewpoint.

"Yeah...probably not a good idea." Cynder agreed as Ignitus left the two of them. Cynder looked at the broken and battered Spyro.

"I know what you're thinking, Cynder: he'll be fine." Voltea reassured her.

"What makes you so sure?" She asked.

"Well, for starters, he's a tough nut to crack, we've both seen his resilience to these types of things. He's been stabbed twice, scarred, beaten, and now: he's broken some bones. Spyro has been through a lot...like Volteer." Her comment made Cynder curious.

"What do you mean?" She inquired Voltea, who turned to face Cynder.

"Way back when, Volteer served alongside Ignitus and Terrador in the First Ape War, it's how they met, and I was a medical officer. We met on several occasions, usually by some injury he'd sustained. Sometimes he'd come to me with a mere sprain, other times, he'd been stabbed. But no matter what: He could still crack a smile and a joke...I guess that's how I fell in love with him, there was never anything that could keep him down." Voltea explained and sat on her hind legs.

"How exactly did you fall in love?" Cynder asked as the Lightning Dragoness giggled.

"Well, if I do remember, it had happened like this..."

Many Years Ago...

Voltea scrounged through her supplies, their resources had been thoroughly drained by the Apes constant bombardment of their trench.

"I can't find anything useful." She grumbled as she heard a shuffle and turned to see Volteer limping into the tent. "Volteer! Are you okay?" She ran up to him, who grunted in pain.

"I'm fine, just had a tussle with a kamikaze Ape, didn't go too well, if I were to present my opinion on the matter." He explained as Voltea helped him on the bed.

"Why am I not surprised that you took a risk like that?" She wondered aloud as Volteer looked at her.

"Well, it would've jeopardized our base, and I was the only one who took notice." He shrugged as the Dragoness rolled her eyes and wrapped a few bandages around the massive gash running down his chest.

"One of these days, you're going to be hurt and I won't be able to patch you up." Voltea remarked while Volteer smirked.

"The fact that hasn't happened yet is a testament to your skills." His response made Voltea blush as she grabbed some disinfectant cream and rubbed it on some smaller cuts, she then wrapped another bandage around his head diagonally to cover his black eye.

"Volteer, you can't mean that." She considered.

"But I do, you're quite resourceful and skilled, not to mention beautiful." Volteer's comment made Voltea blush harder. "Voltea, I know our only interactions are on the Battlefield or the Med-bay, but I do feel a connection between us, and since tomorrow we're going to make the push on the Ape camp, I don't know if I'll survive, so I might as well do this now...and now I'm rambling, you know what? I'm just going to do it!" Volteer said in depth as Voltea looked at him, confused. But the confusion washed away when Volteer kissed her on the lips, but she didn't resist, instead she returned the kiss and grabbed his face with her paws, when they pulled back, Volteer was very surprised.

"Wow, that played out very differently in my head." He blurted as Voltea giggled.

"Then consider yourself lucky I'm not a complete stranger, now, let's patch you up fully so you can help out with that assault tomorrow." She returned to her work, in the end, Volteer was forced to stay in the med-bay for the night, but he didn't have a problem with it...considering how Voltea stayed with him for the night, not on the same bed, she slept separately, but they still stayed with each other for the night.

"Woah, that's pretty different." Cynder was surprised as Voltea smiled.

"Yes, well, our love was something that was forged out of war, not something you'd see everyday. Now, I'm going to get some equipment, you're welcome to stay and look after Spyro, but don't touch anything." She told Cynder and left the Dragoness to herself to watch after her lover.