Deadly meeting

Spyro woke with his head thumping. He moaned at the sunset light burning his sleepy eyes and stretched a wing over the suns rays. He looked about and seen a bucket of water and some bread that had gone stale. Trying to stand up was a mission in itself, nearly every ounce of power just to reach standing position.

" uuuh. My head." He moaned and staggered to the door.

" Going somewhere." Came a voice from his cupboard . The purple dragon whipped round to see Cynder getting up of a pillow and eyeing him.

" Cynder. You're here."

" Well I had to make sure you were alright didn't I. What with Sparx being as unreliable as he is who nose what could have happened to you." She gave a mild chuckle and walked past him to the door. " But since your up and about now I can go get ready." She said smiling at him before leaving. Spyro was a little bewildered at her words and flung himself out his room to catch her.

" WAIT! Get ready for what." Spyro shouted down the spiral stair cases. He heard a half hearted laugh followed by Cynder's voice.

" The ball silly. You were out for a whole day and it starts in two hours."

" Aw damn." Spyro scolded to himself. He'd been out a whole day and the ball was tonight, and to top that off he had a splitting head ache.

" See you there then." Cynder said and carried on to her room. Spyro trundled back into his room and flung his head in the water splashing it everywhere but successfully throwing of the sleep.

" Seems like someone had a ruff night then." Said Sparx coming in. Spyro snorted at him and closed his eyes.

" By the ancestors my head is killing me-"

" Ah about that." Sparx said cheerfully and handing him some small yellow tablets. " These will take away the pain instantly." Spyro took the tablets looking curious and flung them down his throat and sure enough the effects kicked in not a minute later.

" Man that's fast." the purple dragon complimented the dragonfly.

" Well my work here is done. I'm off." Sparx said and as quick as he came he left. Spyro sat there thinking it over. This ball that was on you had to pick a partner. But he thought that this ball is different due to the person going alone then picking a dragoness at the party. He felt a burst of relief but it was short lived. He would have to ask Cynder to dance with him in front of everybody. And everybody would most certainly be looking at him and Cynder because of the ball being a victory party in honour of them both. Then a flash of pink entered his head and Ember formed standing next to Cynder.

" This is going to be a hard one." He said in a defeated tone. He had fought the most powerful dragon in history and one, survived a golem and the destroyer all while being hindered by a magical bond with him and Cynder yet he didn't have the courage or words to ask the black dragoness. He chuckled at his own cowardness and stared at the ground. He let his mind run over Cynder and then the conclusion of how much he loved her.

" I can do it." He pushed himself. He got up and made for the grand hall to see what was happening. On the way down he could see dragons looking at there best with shiny horns walking back and forth. There were several Cheetahs and a lion or two walking about. The atmosphere was party and nothing about it said slow and steady. Spyro got to the grand hall and was stopped by tow guards.

" I'm sorry master Spyro but no one is aloud to enter until the halls completion and the ceremony begins." There was a heavy ring of feat from the guard as he spoke to the purple dragon. He dared not go against the dragons will but had to this time. Spyro frowned and both guards backed away with there eyes widening.

" Suppose its for the best then." Snorted Spyro and the guards sighed in relief. " Well I'll be on my way then." He bowed to the guards as they did to him and set off. He didn't get to far away when a thrilled voice came from behind him.

" Spyro!" The voice called. He rounded on the voice and seen Ember standing in front of him with her head held high. She had shined every scale and horn on her body and covered herself in rose smelling scents and her talons had been sharpened. " So do you like it." She said and twirled slowly. Spyro blushed a little not knowing what to say.

" I think Flame wanted to talk to you by the way." Said Spyro sheepishly. Embers head dropped a little.

" Oh that's not a problem right now. My main concern is you right now. I didn't see you at all yesterday and it crossed my mind you might not take me to the ball." The pink dragoness closed on him smiling. Spyro however was prepared. The ball was one of the ones where you pick your dance in the hall itself.

" Well you see Ember. We don't take partners to this ball." Ember's heart sunk as did her expression but Spyro being the person he is couldn't hurt her. " But we pick them at the ball itself so there's no need for the nonsense before." He smiled at her and walked away leaving her standing. Ember thought it over for a minute before remembering Flame wanted to see her and walking away.

" Right it looks alright now. Just as it was before." Said flame while gasping. He had cleaned the house back to its smudge free original state and was still looking for the smallest crack or miss put. Winfil stood at the door getting ready to go.

" So do you have any idea who your going to choose at the ball then." Said Winfil. Flame spun round to look at him but was beginning to turn red.

" Well I was thinking of Ember if im honest." He said shyly. Winfil let out a snigger.

" Y'know that she is head over heals for Spyro and its going to take allot more than him falling or Cynder to knock her off." Flames hung his head in defeat.

" Yeah I know. Just annoying really. Im not angry at Spyro, I mean he does like Cynder and not ember." Flame re-called his memory from last night when the purple dragon was letting everything flow of his mouth. Flame was still partially contiuos of what was happening so he remembered this.

" Well we can only hope that Spyro gets to Cynder before Ember gets to him." Said the red dragon, his voice letting Winfil know he really did want the pink dragoness.

" Might a well get back and freshen up before the ball then." the green dragon snorted and left. Flame himself tried to make himself look better but all he could do is wash himself till the point the he was shining and take a few mint leaves for his breath. He turned to the mirror looking at himself

" Why would she go for me. Im just a normal dragon." He sighed.

Cynder stood examining herself in the long mirror at the far corner of her room. She had put her dark purple and black drape over her back and had put the eye lash blackener on. She reached for the cloth sitting on the bed and started to furiously polish her horns.

" C'mon." She gritted as she moved from one horn to the other, a small white trail being left on the cloth as she pushed harder.

" Looks like you could use some help young Cydner." Came a voice from her door. The black dragoness whipped her head round to see Cyril standing in the door way. He was warring a brown drape over his back and he dawned silver shoulder armour which matched his shiny horns.

" Cyril, its good to see you." Cynder said sceptically. Cyril reading the slight confusion on her face of him being here smiled a little.

" I'm here to take you down to the ball early." he said. Cynder's eyes widened. She had planned on dancing with a dragon, most likely Spyro but not Cyril.

" Y-you want to take me to the ball…to … dance." She said quite embarrassed. Cyril let out a laugh that shook the room.

" No young dragon I am far to old for someone of your age. No I'm here to take you and Spyro down to the hall before everyone else because after all. It is to celebrate your victory." Cyril smiled and led the way to the hall. On the way Cynder seen every dragon wearing a formal clothing and armour. Cyril opened the doors to the hall and Cydner gasped at the transformation. The tables had been pushed to one side and white satin draped over them. All the candles had been bunched together into one massive orb in the middle of the hall. There was a large space in the middle and to the far end of the hall stood a statue of Spyro and Cynder standing over the dark master as he fell.

" Its beautiful." The black dragoness said goggling at the decorations but it was over quick when she spotted him. The purple scales that were reflecting in the gleaming silver armour. Spyro sat watching Cynder approach and had to shake his head as he took in how beautiful she looked.

" Been a while." Cynder giggled as she sat next to him."

" To long." Replied Spyro nudging her and grinning.

" So what's going to happen." Volteer said sitting in front of them. " You both shall be here greeting everybody as they come and take there seats. Terrador shall give his speech and so will Cyril. After that you both will say a few words and then the dance festivities will begin.

" Ok." They both said smiling.

" Right then lets go." Flame said to Winfil and they both entered with the large crowd and Flame sitting next to his grandfather while Winfil with his father. They all took several minutes to be seated and then a further two to become silence. Terrador rose and took position on the pedestal in front of the crowd.

" Thank you for coming here this evening." Terrador bellowed. " We dedicate this evening to two of the most bravest dragons I have ever known. Both of them single handily defeating the dark one and restoring peace to the world even-" Terrador stopped abruptly. Looking out the window the earth dragon could see a blue object moving at speed across the sky. It sped for moments before coming to a complete stop. All the dragons in the hall followed his gaze and found what he was looking at.

" What in the name of our ancestors-" He started but was interrupted by Cyril.

" It hasn't stopped. Look!" Terrador squinted his eyes and it was true. It hadn't stopped but it had only changed course and was heading straight towards them. Some movement came from the crowd as some backed away from the window and others neared to get a better view.

" DUCK." Shouted Cynder and everyone ducked as the blue sphere whizzed in through the window and stopped still in the middle of the hall. Every guardian taking a defensive stance while some others started to look with wide eyes. The blue orb was radiating blue energy and was giving of what seamed like heavy blue smoke due to it falling. Cyril now groaning curious leaned closer. He gasped suddenly and jumped back as a large dragoness's head reared in the orb. From what they could see it was an electric dragoness with completely white horns and underbelly and yellow scales.

" you will pay for your sins against his majesty." She hissed and looked into the eyes of every dragon in turn. " You will be banished into the fires of mt Malefor for eternity." The dragoness stopped when she saw Cynder. A grin breaking across it and she chuckled. Suddenly Cynder felt her body convulse and she stumbled to the floor holding herself up with her front paws while the dragoness in the orb began to laugh.

" THAT'S ENOUGH!" Shouted Spyro and unleashed a wave of convexity on the orb which vanished as the wave died. The purple dragon whipped round to Cynder who was getting back to her feet.

" Cynder. Cynder are you alright." Spyro Said fear in his eyes.

" Yeah I'm fine. Just felt dizzy." Said Cynder. All eyes were on her and some were looking frightened not for her but by her. " Can we go." She said turning away from the crowd and looking only at Spyro. Reading her expression Spyro new she had to be out of here.

" We will be leaving now Terrador." He said firmly and the green dragon nodded once. Spyro led her out the back door of the hall and away from the prying eyes. As soon as he was out he rounded on her, his expression unreadable.

" get out of my friend or I will find you. And I will kill you." He said coolly. Cynder's hurt face turned to a sneer with a grin.

" Your quick for such a young dragon I'll give you that." Came the same voice from the blue orb. Spyro growled at the possessed Cynder and she chuckled. " Fine. You got me. But know this purple dragon. He who fell so easily is not gone." And with that Cynder's head was flung back and blue smoke ran out of her mouth and out the window. Cynder's body then fell to the ground lump and still.

" Cynder" Said Spyro nudging her snout with his own. When she didn't stir he panicked and put his head against her chest and was relieved when he heard the strong beat of her heart.

" Lets get you to bed then." He said smiling and lifting her onto his shoulders. She was surprisingly light for her size. Spyro walked for five minutes when movement come from his shoulders.

" Mmm." The black dragoness moaned. " Spyro." She started but Spyro had put his tale on her mouth to stop her.

" Rest. You need it." Cynder felt a rush of warmth from the words and obeyed them. Spyro walked for a while longer before entering her bedroom and slowly putting her down a gently as he could. He stood there for a while smiling at the peaceful Cynder while she slept.

" Sleep well." He cooed softly and left.

Cynder stood in a dark forest with no light. She could hear screams coming from behind her and shot of to see what was happening. She didn't go far before seeing a haze of orange light and the screams started to get louder but the number started to decrease. She pushed harder wanting to help but was stopped in her tracks with what she saw. She locked upon her friend Hunters Cheetah village which was ablaze in high rising fire which were licking the surrounding trees. She could see several dead cheetahs lying on the burning ground as she looked. Men, woman and even. She paused looking at the small body's just inside the tents being blacked by the fire. Just then another scream came from her right and she whipped round to a horrific sight. An adult black dragoness was holding a Cheetah who was furiously trying to escape and the dragoness laughed. Cynder now full of rage charged at the dragon but was stopped with a movement of the black dragoness's wing which sent a gust of wind to Cynder sending her flying back and hitting a tree. She watched through half open eyes as the dragoness laughed darkly and used one talon to push the Cheetahs head. The cheetah screamed in agony and it was silenced with a snapping sound. The black dragoness laughed again and threw the lifeless cheetah into the flames which seamed to intensify as it was given fuel.

" That takes care of that then." The dragoness said. Her voice sent chills down Cynder's spine because she recognised it. The dragoness turned and came towards her. The fire reflecting of her red underbelly, shiny white horn and silver ankle bracelets as well as her neck one.

" And that's how you dispose of a threat." The dragoness said with happiness.

" No this isn't real." Cynder yelped and jumped back from the dragoness.

" that's funny because I should know. Because I know everything you know. I feel everything you feel."

" No that's not-"

" I see everything you see and I hear everything you hear." The dragoness hissed. Cynder shook her head violently with tears coming down her face.

" You didn't think I really died did you. I'm sorry but I have to say it is weird after all talking to…Myself." The dragoness said coming to a stop in front of Cynder. Who fell back looking at herself.

" How your me and I'm hear." Said Cynder through tears. The adult Cynder bent down to her eye level.

" You cant kill what's a part of you my dear. And since I am such a large part of you then I think it sounds about right to say I will never die." The adult Cynder scoffed. " Its funny but. Not that long ago I felt something. Like a doorway outside."

" What do you mean." Cynder asked.

" I mean that I think iv found a way out." She said grinning and leaned towards her. " Like this." She hissed and threw a paw at the black dragoness only she didn't feel anything. Sh opened her eyes to see her adult forms arm going straight into her body.

" What." She screamed. And she tried to move but only three of her limbs moved. Cynder snapped her head down to her left arm which was shaking the leading index claw as the adult Cynder laughed.

" Guess that means you're the way out hmmm. I wonder how I'll fit through you." The large dragoness contemplated.

" No you will never get out." Cynder screamed and unleashed a powerful beam of convexity hitting the Adult Cynder in the face. Her arm ripping out of her and Cynder leapt up and ran as fast as she could.

" You cant run from yourself." Came the large dragoness's voice from behind. " Because I'm always with you." The adult Cynder screamed jumping in front of her.

" Gaah." Cynder screamed jolting up bone straight panting heavily. The floor was wet with sweat and she was shaking.

" Its not true." she said, her voice shaking. She heard the voice in her head repeat and she tried to comfort herself in the thought it was just a dream. But the dragoness could only think of one place where she would like to be right now. She rose and jumped out the window letting the cool night air swoop over her and landed on a balcony not far from hers. She entered the purple curtain draped door and gazed at the purple dragon laying there. She sighed and crouched down and nuzzled him.

" Huh Cynder." Spyro said gaining conscious. Seeing the tears in her eyes he lept up putting an arm around her. " Cynder what is it." He said firmly. She sniffed and looked at him.

" Just a bad dream." She said. Spyro relaxed a little and cuddled her.

" Its over whatever it was. Your hear now and iv got you." He said. He let out a sigh

" Spyro." Cynder sniffed looking up from his embrace.

" Can I…can I sleep here tonight." She said turning a little red. Spyro chuckled and pulled her close.

" You can do whatever you desire." He said nuzzling her. They both lay back down, Spyro having cynder inside his arms and Cynder feeling safe. She let her tail start to coil around Spyro's and cooed happily. Spyro shivered a little at how cold she was and moved closer to her draping a wing over her body.

" Your safe." He whispered softly in her ear and she smiled. Cynder drifted off into a deep sleep as did Spyro.