-1Disclaimer: I still don't own Spyro the dragon, the S.W.A.T. team I sent in to get the rights still haven't returned.

Chapter 9

Culture Shock

Spyro groaned as consciousness returned to him again. He glanced around and found the room empty. He managed to get to his feet and hobbled out the door.

He gasped as he saw the village. The buildings seemed to be carved out of the rich wood of the trees and several yellow crystals were imbedded in the wood. The crystals glowed and Spyro guessed that they would supply the inhabitants with light during the night. He continued down the street, strength returning to his limbs as he did and he was soon walking normally. Spyro was so absorbed in the village's architecture that he did not notice the creature approaching him, until he ran into it. He groaned as the collision knocked him on his back.

"Sorry about that," Spyro said looking up at the person he had hit. He gasped as he saw a white baboon staring back at him. Spyro quickly rolled onto his feet and hissed at the primate.

The baboon scowled and whacked Spyro on the head with the club it was carrying. The blow hurt, but that was it.

"Don't you youngsters know how to respect your elders anymore?" the ape demanded.

"What?" Spyro asked, rubbing his aching head. "Aren't you-?"

The baboon scowled. "No, I am not one of the Dark Master's stooges."

The still scowling monkey stepped around the young dragon and continued on his way. Spyro turned and pursued him.

The young dragon once again blocked the mammal's way. "But why aren't you one of the Dark Master's minions?"

The baboon, which Spyro noticed had aged looking gray hair rather then the traditional white responded. "Because when the Dark Master came to offer my tribe the option of working for him. I, being chief, naturally refused to submit to him," the simian frowned. "Unfortunately, the rest of the tribe did not share my feelings."

The old chief glanced down at the dragon. "Now, get out of my way, I've got food to purchase."

He pushed past Spyro and continued on his way.

"Wait," Spyro called after him. "What's your name?"

"Ivorytooth," the baboon called back at him.

"What are you doing up?" Spyro whirled around to face Elora.

"I'm okay," Spyro replied.

Elora looked like she was about to argue, but Hunter appeared and interrupted before the faun could say anything.

"He looks alright to me," he said. "Besides it's not like you know that much about dragon physiology."

Elora frowned realizing that Hunter was getting back at her for ridiculing him before.

"How long was I unconscious?" Spyro asked.

"Since you last woke up?" Elora said. "About a day."

Spyro's eyes widened. "I've got to find Ignitus and Cynder!"

"I don't know," Elora said.

"I'm sure you can go soon," Hunter said.

Elora shot a glare at the cheetah. "Hunter!"

The feline just shrugged and walked off. Elora glared daggers at the cat's back.

"What's with him?" Spyro asked.

Elora shook her head. "He's just an idiot. He can't see the big picture."

Spyro nodded. "Kind of reminds me of Sparx. Anyway, I think I'm strong enough to leave."

Elora growled and stalked off, muttering something about how impossible boys were.

Spyro shook his head and took off after Hunter. He soon caught up with the cheetah and found him under a tree working on something. As Spyro approached, he noticed that it appeared to be a piece of wood with wheels on it.

"What's that?" Spyro asked.

Hunter looked up at him. "It's just something I cobbled together. I call it a 'skateboard.'"

Spyro cast a sideways glance at the piece of wood. "What's it supposed to do?"

Hunter grinned and tossed the skateboard unto the ground. He jumped onto it and the momentum sent it rolling forwards. Hunter pushed the board forwards with his foot and then turned and headed back toward Spyro. As he approached, he jumped and spun the skateboard around beneath him before landing back on it perfectly.

"Whoa," Spyro said as Hunter stopped in front of him.

"You want to try?" Hunter asked offering the skateboard to him.

"Sure," Spyro said as Hunter set it down.

Spyro hopped onto it, hoping to imitate what Hunter had done, but the board slipped out from under his feet and Spyro was sent slamming onto to the ground.

Hunter rubbed his chin. "Hmm, this is going to be hard. I haven't taught anybody with four legs to ride these yet."

Spyro rolled back to his feet. "Oh, come on."

Hunter glanced down at the purple dragon. "All right, let's see…"

They spent the rest of the day teaching Spyro to skate. Hunter was surprised to see how quickly the dragon managed to get the hang of the toy.

Hunter laughed as Spyro skated away from the obstacle course.

"That was easy," Spyro said. "Have you got anything that would be an actual challenge?"

Hunter smirked. "Well, no one (and I mean no one) has ever beaten me in a race."

Spyro smirked. "Bring it on."

He didn't notice the black dragonfly that was hovering in the trees a few feet away.

------------------------------------------------

"You grew these?" Cynder asked, inspecting one of the potted plants.

"Yep." Pyris said, a hint of pride in her voice.

Cynder glanced over at her sister and wondered if she should tell her what she knew. Cynder turned her head away. She didn't want to risk being rejected though. It seemed as though the entire village hated her for what she had done under the Dark Master's influence.

"You!" Cynder jumped and spun to face the speaker. A gray dragon had appeared and was standing in front of their cell. "You're wanted before the council."

The dragon opened the cage and Cynder exited the room. Two more dragons appeared and moved into position on either side of her, while the first took the lead and started forward.

Cynder gulped as they led her forward. She glanced around, trying to find a way to escape if she needed to. However, she doubted that she could escape the three dragons guarding her if she made a run for it.

They led her into the imposing building that the council occupied. Cynder's hopes of escape diminished as they led her through the gloomy halls and finally into what looked like a courtroom.

The four dragons from before were standing behind raised platforms at the end of the room. Cynder gasped as she saw a black dragonfly hovering above the council.

Cynder saw the dragonfly smirk evilly as she approached.

One of her guards nudged Cynder forward and unto a platform that stood below the four dragons. Cynder suddenly had a sense of just how small she was as she looked up at the four larger dragons.

"What's your name?" the orange fire dragon asked.

"Spira," Cynder lied. She looked up at the black dragonfly and saw his smirk widen.

Feron scowled. "And why are you here?"

"I…," Cynder inhaled sharply. "I set out with Ignitus to find this village."

The council exchanged glances at the mention of Ignitus' name.

"Why did you want to find this village?" Feron asked.

"Because we wanted to persuade you to come back to the realms," Cynder replied.

"Liar!" Cynder glanced up at the black dragonfly. He flew down in front of the council. "She's Cynder in disguise! She's trying to lead you back to the realms, into a trap!"