Sorry I didn't realize that I left you guys with a cliffhanger about Ray. Well the cliffhanger will be solved this chapter. Enjoy. One chapter after this, which isn't…finished…yet…but I will have it done…soon…sometime. Please R&R.

Chapter 9: Repairing the Heart

"Over here," Moonicus said, "This is where I found him."

The Aquamarine Brigade entered what was the battlefield that Ray created and fell in. Pika ran to his corpse and collapsed onto his body sobbing.

"Ray," she cried, "Ray, why couldn't we have had more time together?"

"Pika," Moonicus started, "I was working on him and I revived him for a short time. If you let me I can work on him some more and I could possibly save him."

She nodded and slowly got up letting Moonicus work on Ray. Sunflare joined in to speed up the process. Spyro took the young dragon off to the side to bond with it and to keep it from distracting or messing up Ray's repairs.

"You know we need to come up with a name for you," Spyro said to the young dragon.

The young shadow dragon was clawing at the ground making a small hole with his claws while Spyro was saying this.

"How about…Veil?" Spyro asked his adopted son.

The dragon looked up at him, obviously not paying attention.

"Do you like that name?" Spyro asked, "Veil…sound good?"

The dragon nodded in approval.

"Good," Spyro said, "My name is Spyro. I'm your father now. Can you say daddy?"

Veil made some growling noises and Spyro realized he it would take a few days for him to speak due to his age.

Moonicus and Sunflare were nearing the end of what they could do when they took a slight break to rest their tired claws and to evaluate what else could be done.

"That's all we can do Moonicus," Sunflare said, "I can't believe he's gone."

"No," Pika sobbed, "No, no, no!"

She voice grew to a roar. Sunflare and Moonicus moved away from Ray and Spyro and Veil looked over at what was happening. Pika screamed as she channeled her sorrow and anger into her element of electricity. The electricity flew from her body and struck Ray's form. The lightning ran over his body and leapt from plate to plate.

Pika ceased the flow and the electricity died a few minutes later. Pika turned around, unable to look at the one she loved any longer.

"Pika," a soft voice said, "Pika."

Pika turned around and she saw that Ray was alive.

"Ray? Your…your alive?" Pika asked tears streaming down her face.

Ray nodded, "Don't know how, but yeah."

"Well I did shock you quite a bit," Pika said, "It might have recharged you."

"Well my power levels would confirm that," Ray stated, "You meant what you said back there didn't you?"

"Of course," Pika replied with tears still running down her face, "Oh Ray I thought I lost you."

She threw herself onto him as she said this, embracing him like he would disappear any second. Ray returned the embrace.

"Thank you," Ray whispered to her, "I love you."

"I love you too," Pika replied.

Night fell and they made camp where they found Ray since Ray was still in no condition to travel. Pika lay against Ray a short distance away from the fire that Sunflare made. Veil was already asleep against Spyro's side, who curled up around the dragon to keep him warm.

Moonicus broke the silence by saying, "Hey Sunflare, you remember when Aquamarine predicted that those two would end up together? Well it seems that she was right."

"Yes," Sunflare said slowly, "Yes she was."

There was a long pause before Sunflare started talking again.

"I miss her so much," Sunflare said, "She was always there and now she's gone. She was so amazing. I couldn't have asked for a better mate. I'm only sorry that it was because of me that she died."

"Hey don't say that Sunflare," Moonicus sharply said, "She loved you and would never leave your side. You meant so much to her as she does to you. There was nothing you could do to have saved her from that night."

Sunflare simply nodded as tears fell from his face and hit the ground, "I hope you never have to experience such a pain Spyro. I pray that you and Ember live out your days happily. If there is anything that we can do for you and her just tell us. You are more than a client, you have fought with us; you are a member of the Aquamarine Brigade. Always remember that."

"Thank you," Spyro replied, "If there is anything I can do to help you guys out don't hesitate to find me. As far as I know I will be in Warfang for a majority of my life."

"So Ray," Pika said, "I have heard a long time ago that you were the one who saved me from the execution two years ago."

Ray chuckled, "Who did you hear that from?"

"Moonicus," Pika answered, "And he usually doesn't lie."

"I know that," Ray stated, "And yes I was the one who suggested saving you."

"I have to thank you then," Pika, "Without you I wouldn't be here right now."

"It's a good think that I listened to my conscious instead of my computer at that time isn't it?" Ray asked jokingly.

"Yes it is," Pika as she gave him a kiss, "How are you feeling?"

"Better than before," Ray responded, "My side is still hurting a bit."

"What?" Pika asked.

"Rosa got through some of my armor on my side," Ray informed.

Pika turned over so she could see the injuries that Ray had taken. His side was bloody and ripped. She though could she a strong presence of blue.

"Are these your real scales?" she asked curiously.

"Yeah," Ray replied.

"I like the color," Pika said, "Maybe someday we can get this armor off of you."

"I would love that, but I would die if you did," Ray replied.

"What?" Pika asked.

"The computers and armor keep me alive as well as assist me in combat. They are as much a part of me as the scales, muscles, and bones in me," Ray replied.

"I'm sorry," Pika said.

"It's ok," Ray answered, "You only meant good."

Two nights later back at Warfang the Black Claws reported their failure to Twilight. Twilight of course wasn't too happy, but he saw an opportunity.

"You killed Ray you say?" Twilight asked.

"Yes," Rosa replied with a smile.

"Good that will make easier to get rid of the rest of the Aquamarines," Twilight said aloud, "We shall set up an ambush for them when they return. They would never expect such a thing."

A day later the Aquamarines made their way into Warfang heading for the temple to inform Ignitus of the shadow dragon. They arrived and found Ignitus with the other Guardians by the Pool of Visions.

"We don't support the idea of bring a shadow dragon into the city, but if anyone would do a good job raising it, it would be you," Ignitus said as they entered the room.

"I guess you know about my decision then," Spyro said.

Ignitus simply nodded, "Well Aquamarines you have done your job so I guess it is time to pay you."

"You can pay us when ever," Sunflare said, "We would just ask for enough to get us a room for the night."

"Nonsense," Spyro said, "You can stay at my place."

"Really Spyro you don't need to," Sunflare replied.

"Nay, don't worry about it," Spyro replied, "It will be a relaxing break for you guys. Ember would love to have guests."

"Um…Spyro," Ignitus said, "I need to talk to you alone in the training hall."

Spyro followed Ignitus into the training hall and asked, "What's wrong Ignitus?"

"You see when you were gone, the Shadow appeared again and Ember was…killed," Ignitus shared.

"W-what?" Spyro asked unsure of what he had just heard.

"Ember was killed by the Shadow Spyro," Ignitus repeated, "I'm so sorry."

Spyro fell to his knees and began to weep. Ignitus draped a wing over Spyro lending support to the dragon.

The purple dragon continued sobbing until he heard, "Daddy?"

Spyro turned and saw Veil looking at him with concern. The young dragon had begun learning how to talk yesterday. He was surprised to see him and actually didn't want his son to see him like this.

"Veil," Spyro said.

He was going to ask 'why' but then he realized that Veil had no idea who Ember even was.

Spyro moved away from Ignitus and said while still sobbing, "Come here Veil."

Veil ran up to him and wrapped his wings around the young dragon. Veil wrapped his small wings around Spyro chest. Spyro seemed to be comforted by the young dragon a bit. After a moment of letting out his emotions he stood back up and left the temple with Aquamarines close behind.

A short time later they arrived at Spyro's home. He was hoping to see Ember and that what he was told was all just a terrible nightmare, but when he opened the door the house was empty and Spyro felt the pain and sorrow return.

Spyro led the group into the living room and sat down. The others sat and waited in silence for Spyro to share what was going on.

Ray broke the silence, "What's going on Spyro?"

"I have been informed that Ember was killed by the Shadow," Spyro shared as a tear ran down his face.

"Spyro…" Sunflare said, "I'm sorry this had to happen to you."

"It's not fair that the ones with good hearts lose their mates," Moonicus stated.

Veil came up and sat down in front of Spyro and leaned against his chest, falling asleep seconds later.

"At least I have this little guy," Spyro said.

Hope you liked it. Please R&R. Also check out Purple Dragon 614's story called Forbidden Elements I: Malefor's Return. He's a new writer and I think his work is pretty good and that he has great potential in the near future.