One Day

by DragonMaster000

Can you imagine a life where you only have a single day? Where no matter what you do, see, or feel, you know that when you close your eyes at night it will all be gone? This is the story of Spyro, the purple dragon who saved the world, and as a consequence he is doomed to this very life.

5. 5 - Moving On

...

-~.~-*-~.~-

Was this house supposed to feel so empty?

I was sitting in the kitchen, looking around in a state of confusion. This house was so big and grand, but I seemed to be the only one in it. I guessed that that wasn't normally the case, because there were painted pictures of an adult version of Cynder around the place, many of them with an adult me—well, current me, I supposed—beside her. There were also pictures of what looked like a smaller red version of her. Our daughter. Ruby, according to my journal. Clearly this was their home too.

But where were they?

Something didn't feel right. When I'd woken up this morning I had felt drained. Emotionally drained. I didn't understand the feeling, but it left me very uneasy.

I didn't like this silence.

I couldn't take just sitting there any longer, so I got up and started pacing around the house to search for signs of Cynder or Ruby anywhere. Maybe this was some prank? Who knew? Maybe they did it to me every morning. Whatever it was, I couldn't find much sign of them anywhere. Upstairs I poked my head into what must have been Ruby's bedroom. Her bed was unmade, and some of her belongings were scattered about, almost like she had packed and left in a hurry.

I really didn't like this silence.

A knock came from the front door that made me jump, but it was a welcome change from the quiet and I hurried down to the foyer. When I opened it I found an adult fire dragon standing on the step. He looked to be about my age, and he wore a medallion on his chest with a symbol for fire on it that I recognized from the swamp temple where Ignitus had trained me.

"Hello?" I said curiously.

The fire dragon smiled at me. It was a friendly sort of smile, but for some reason I thought it looked a tiny bit strained.

"Hey, Spyro," he greeted me warmly. "How are you doing this morning?"

"Uh...fine. I'm sorry, but...who are you?"

"Novus," the dragon answered with a small chuckle. "Fire Guardian, and your former classmate. We've known each other for roughly eighty two years now."

My eyes widened briefly, but then I relaxed. I obviously had no way of knowing if this dragon was telling the truth or not, but he wasn't giving me any signs of being untrustworthy.

Did he say eighty two years? That...Wow.

I took a step backward so that I was no longer blocking the doorway.

"Um...Would you like to come in?" I asked him.

He smiled at me again. "Thanks. I would."

Novus stepped past me into the house, and I closed the door behind him. Without really knowing what else to do I started leading him back toward the kitchen and dining room. Maybe it would be polite to offer him something to eat? I was just opening my mouth to do so when he spoke up, cutting me off.

"So, feeling alright today?" he asked me, sitting down on the floor near the table and facing me. "Have you had your medicine already?"

I was somewhat surprised by the question, but I nodded anyway. "Yeah."

"Good. Good. Umm..."

He trailed off, looking around, and I could only frown at him in confusion. He seemed very preoccupied, and for some reason it seemed like he was having a hard time looking at me for more than a few seconds. Was this normal behaviour for him?

"Oh, wait, have you not eaten yet?" he asked me, apparently noticing the lack of any dirty dishes or other cookware. "Sorry, I figured you would have by now. Here, I'll get something for you."

He started to move toward one of the cupboards on the wall, finding the plates like he already knew where they were and moving toward a door that seemed to serve as a storeroom for dried meat, but I stopped him before he could go any further.

"Hey, hold on," I said, holding a paw out. "Sorry, I don't mean to sound rude or anything, but...is there something you needed? This all seems a little odd. Are...are you looking for Cynder? She doesn't seem to be here right now, but maybe..."

I trailed off when I noticed him flinch at Cynder's name. My unease from earlier returned in force. So I was right: He was here about Cynder, and apparently whatever it was it wasn't something good. She wasn't in any trouble, was she?

Novus let out a heavy sigh, lowering himself into a seated position again and looking away from me. I could see the tension in his body, like he was faced with doing something he found distasteful. This did not reassure me.

"Look, Spyro, there's something I need to tell you," he said slowly. "There...isn't really an easy way to put it, so I guess I'll just come out with it..."

He looked briefly up toward me, and his features became pinched when he saw my confused, anxious expression. His gaze lowered again, and he let out another deep sigh before forcing himself to meet my gaze squarely.

"Cynder's...gone."

I just stared at him for a long moment. My mind couldn't process that word. Gone? What did he mean, gone? Gone how? Gone where? I didn't understand what he was telling me. Part of me didn't want to, either. His words, coupled with his tense, regretful demeanour...

"What do you mean?" I asked hesitantly.

He let out a muffled groan and pulled a forepaw over his face, seeming very reluctant. At length he forced out a sigh.

"She's dead."

My whole body froze, and my heart felt like it had completely stopped beating. I could only stare at him in numb shock as that word—that horrible, horrible word—echoed inside my mind.

Dead?

My breathing began to pick up, my chest feeling constricted as my heart woke up and started racing. No. No, no no. That wasn't right. That couldn't be true! Cynder couldn't be dead! She just couldn't! She was supposed to be here, with me! That's what the pictures all said. The necklace and rose on her end table beside my bed! The faint smell of her on the covers! She had to be alive! She had to be!

I needed her to be!

"You're lying," I said quietly. My whole body was so tense I felt like I might snap in half.

He looked up at me with mournful eyes, and this only made me feel more defensive.

"I'm really sorry, Spyro. I know this is the last thing you wanted to hear, but—"

"No!" I cut him off sharply. "Just stop. I don't believe you!"

Novus groaned with obvious frustration, rising to his paws and taking a step closer to me.

"Buddy, I know how hard it is to hear this, and I get that you don't want to believe it's true, but there isn't any way around this. I really, really am sorry, but this isn't something that will go away when you wake up tomorrow morning. She's dead, and—"

His words were cut short when my balled forepaw struck the side of his face, knocking his head to the side and forcing a sharp grunt out of him. I growled threateningly, glaring at him with my fangs bared, my whole body shaking.

"Stop saying that!" I snarled.

Novus reached up with his forepaw and rubbed his cheek gingerly. I couldn't tell whether it was anger or sadness that coloured his expression. It might have been both, but I didn't care. My own emotions were storming inside of me, threatening to overpower me completely. There was anger, confusion, and most of all fear. Fear that he was telling the truth. Fear that Cynder was really...

No! No! She couldn't be! She had to be okay! Please, please Ancestors, let her be okay! Please!

"Feisty today, huh?" Novus muttered. "Damn it, why did this have to be my day? Alright..."

He took a long, deep breath, straightening up and turning toward me again. My eyes narrowed into a glare, but I faltered soon after that. I finally registered what his expression was showing.

Grief.

"I know how you feel right now, Spyro," he said to me, trying to keep his voice calm. "I know it's nothing compared to your pain, but you're also not the only one hurt by this. Cynder is...was a very close friend of mine too. Ancestors know I didn't want to believe it either. When we heard she was missing...I wanted to think something had just come up that delayed her, but then we found her, and..."

He broke off, turning his head away with his jaw clenched. I felt my anger melting away more as I watched him struggling to stay composed. As the anger faded, that crushing fear returned. It felt like a hole was opening up in my chest, and it hurt more and more with each second that passed like this.

Gone. She couldn't...she couldn't really be gone, could she?

"Come on," he sighed. The friendly light was gone from his eyes, replaced by resignation. "I'll take you to her."

He turned back toward the front door, and I noticed the droopiness in his wings and tail as he started walking away. Wow...he really was hurting, wasn't he? So, that really did mean that...

Novus paused and looked back at me when he noticed I wasn't following. I couldn't bring myself to move, though, something like terror keeping me rooted to the spot. This was becoming too real. I still didn't want to believe it was possible, because if it was true then that would mean that I was alone, and I didn't think I could manage if that was the case. I needed her here with me, not...

I saw that Novus was still waiting for me, and I swallowed the lump of fear in my throat. I had to do this. I had to know for sure.

As we walked toward the front door I looked around the empty house again. That was when a new thought struck me, and I looked up at Novus quickly.

"Where's Ruby?"

"She's staying at a friend's house. Mornings are a bit easier for her that way."

Neither of us said anything more after that. I just couldn't find any words. The walk through Warfang's streets was a horribly quiet one, and with each step we took I felt my gut knotting more and more tightly. I imagined this was what a prisoner being escorted to the gallows must feel like. I was almost sick with fear—physically sick—and I couldn't bring myself to think about what was at the end of this walk.

It might have been my imagination, but it seemed like several of the people we passed in the streets turned pitying looks toward me.

Eventually Novus turned up the steps of a large stone building, and we entered through a pair of broad oak doors. Inside was a wide hall with many rows of seating, different sections designed to accommodate different creatures. At the front of the hall was a large casket, and I froze solid at the sight of it.

This...this was a nightmare. That's what it was. It had to be. This wasn't real! Cynder wasn't...she wasn't...

Novus had paused at the front of the hall, and now he was looking back at me and watching me with a blank mask covering whatever emotions he was feeling at that moment. My limbs were shaking as I slowly walked up to join him, the trek seeming to last for an eternity. The casket was set on a raised platform at the front of the room, and climbing each step was an agonizing struggle. At length I was standing beside Novus, though.

He let out a quiet sigh, and after that he reached up and pushed the lid of the casket aside, letting light shine into the interior. My breath caught in my chest, my whole body going numb.

It was her.

Cynder was lying on her side within the casket, her eyes closed and a slack, almost peaceful look on her face. She appeared to be asleep at first, and I hung on desperately to that last tiny shred of denial. Maybe this was still some horrible, elaborate joke, and in a moment she would jump up and yell "Surprise!", and then I would scream at her for scaring me this badly, and then...then she...

She wasn't moving.

She was just...lying there...

It was at that moment that I started to notice the small scrapes that marred her scales, and the barely noticeable spots along her limbs where the alignment wasn't quite right. I lifted a shaking forepaw and slowly lowered it into the casket, drawing agonizingly closer to her form. Finally I laid my paw gently on her cheek, hoping beyond hope to see her eyelids flutter, to feel her move, anything...

She remained stiff. Her scales were cold.

I choked, my throat clogging instantly from a painful lump. My lip began trembling, my eyes stung fiercely, and then I was sobbing uncontrollably and tears were pouring down my cheeks before I even knew what was happening. My wings were hugged against my sides, and I curled in on myself like a wounded animal as a pain that I couldn't begin to describe tore my heart to pieces. All of the strength left my body. I was left as nothing more than a shivering, weeping mess.

Dead. Cynder was dead. She was actually gone.

Another ragged sob burst from me, and I had to turn my head away. It was too painful to see her lying there, unmoving, never to open her eyes again—oh, Ancestors, I would never get to see those beautiful green eyes again!—I just couldn't bear it! This couldn't be happening! Novus took that as his cue to move closer to me, pulling a wing around my shoulders, and I couldn't help myself after that. I collapsed against him, pouring my pain out.

Why? Why did she have to be gone?! It was so unfair! It felt like just yesterday that the two of us were together, fighting Malefor, saving the world side by side! I was supposed to have my whole life to look forward to with her! But now, instead of that, Novus was here telling me that at least eighty years had gone by, and Cynder was...All the time I was supposed to have with her...it was all gone.

And I couldn't remember a single damned moment of it.

"W...what h-happened?" I forced out between sobs.

"An accident," Novus sighed, rubbing my back with a paw at the same time. "A week ago she left for Avalar to help re-negotiate a resource treaty with the cheetah tribe. It was supposed to go smoothly. She was only supposed to be gone a day, but on the night she was supposed to fly back a storm blew in."

I cringed, hundreds of possibilities and horrible scenarios running through my mind at those words, but also just as many questions. Cynder was a skilled wind user. How could a storm of all things kill her?

"When another day passed without her reporting in, we knew something was wrong," Novus continued solemnly. "There was no way she would ever leave you waiting that long for her. She hated being away from your side. She would have at least sent word home by that point if she couldn't come back herself. So, Flora—the Earth Guardian—and I led a search party along her expected flight path, and you insisted on coming along. We found her halfway to Avalar..."

He trailed off for a moment, his face turning grim. I felt him shiver, as if he was reliving the moment of that terrible, horrible discovery. I tried not to imagine the scene, but I couldn't stop myself and a fresh flow of tears spilled out of my eyes.

"From the charring that was on her tail blade, we think she was struck by lightning while trying to dive for the trees. She crashed...For what it's worth, all the signs say that she died instantly. She didn't suffer."

It wasn't worth much. Sure, it was a small comfort to hear that she didn't die slowly, broken on the ground and alone, but compared to the pain of losing her it was next to nothing. She was gone. Gone! Forever! But...she just...she just couldn't be gone! I just couldn't wrap my head around the fact that she wasn't going to be here with me anymore. That was one of the last things I could remember her saying to me, for the Ancestors' sakes! 'I'm with you,' even as the world was ending around us! But now...

Ancestors, what was I supposed to do without her?

I voiced that question to Novus. He gave another sigh.

"For right now, don't worry about that. The funeral is this afternoon, so just focus on that for the time being. As for your care...we have suggestions, but the final decision will come down to you and Ruby. We'll discuss it more afterward."

My head twitched up slightly at the mention of my daughter's name. "Can...can I see her now?"

Novus patted my back again and nodded. "Of course. Come on."

He removed his wing and stepped back, holding my shoulders for a second and looking sympathetically into my eyes—maybe making sure I was okay to stand on my own. After that he closed the lid of the casket again, and I stared at it blankly for a long moment as Cynder was hidden from my view. The image of her lying motionlessly in that...that box was burned into my mind, and I was powerless to stop seeing it. I didn't want to leave her here, but I needed to see Ruby now. She was probably hurting just as badly as I was. I couldn't leave her to be alone.

The walk back through the streets was even more depressing than the first one. I spent the entire time trying to dry my tears, but it was a nearly impossible task. I kept trying anyway. Ruby would need me to be strong. I had to be strong for her, even if I felt like completely breaking down inside. The pitying looks continued as well, and they were even worse than before.

After a few minutes more Novus stopped at an unfamiliar house. I looked at him questioningly, and he nodded toward the door. I hesitated for what must have been at least a few minutes, fighting to scavenge up enough courage to move but always faltering. Finally I stepped over to the door and knocked. A moment later a dragoness answered it, and understanding flashed in her eyes as soon as she saw me. She stepped back into the house, the door swinging shut behind her, and a minute later she opened it again. This time she wasn't alone.

A jolt of mixed shock and grief struck my heart at the sight of the teenaged, red-scaled dragoness that looked just like Cynder had in my last memory, except for her soft purple eyes that mirrored my own and the crest on top of her head.

She didn't say anything. I could see that her eyes were red, probably like mine were, with dried streaks down her face. Her eyes almost immediately became wet again at the sight of me, and she leaned forward into my chest without a word. I instinctively pulled my wings around her, covering her in a protective shell, and I leaned my head down to press my snout against her forehead. I couldn't think of anything to say to her, and it seemed like she still couldn't find any words in this situation either. For the next minute both of us simply took solace in the presence of the other, and I could feel her shaking under my wings, and it took all of my strength and will not to do the same. In the back of my mind I considered the fact that I didn't actually know a thing about the dragoness I was holding, but what did that matter? This was my child, and my protective instincts were flaring up in force.

At length Ruby pulled back slightly, bringing a forepaw up to wipe at her eyes. I noticed the new wet streaks on her face and gently leaned my head down to lick her cheeks dry. She squirmed and give a quiet snort, the tone sounding somewhere between annoyed and a faint ghost of amusement.

"Dad..." she protested feebly.

I offered a faint smile. "Sorry...You holding up okay?"

She was quiet for a short moment, looking up into my eyes, but eventually she gave a small nod.

"Yeah, I'm...yeah..."

My heart twisted in my chest, sympathy filling me at the dull tone of her voice. I brought my head down again to nuzzle her, and Ruby let out a quiet sigh and leaned into it, the hold on me she had with her forelegs tightening slightly. She was still shaking, and I tried everything I could think of to comfort her, rubbing her back gently with a forepaw and muttering any kind of reassurance I could come up with. For the longest time I couldn't tell if it was working, but she didn't resist and I didn't stop trying. Finally she was still, and for another minute after that neither of us moved an inch.

"Do you want to get out of here for a while?" I asked her. "Go and find some place to just...take our minds off things?"

Ruby was silent for another moment, and I could see the look of contemplation on her face. At length she nodded, and I nodded back.

"Are you hungry? How about we start with some food, and then...well, we'll figure that out, I guess."

Ruby looked up at me and sniffed, wiping at her eyes with a folded wing. She tried for a smile, the corner of her mouth twitching up slightly.

"Yeah, okay."

I put as comforting a smile as I could on my own face, even though the expression felt like a lie with the anguish that was inside of me, and with that I pulled my wings back reluctantly and rose to my paws. Ruby was slow to let go of me, but eventually she managed it and stood close to my side. My wing fell over her back and shoulders automatically, a constant signal of my presence. In that fashion we headed off down the street after Novus assured me that he would check on us later, me lending Ruby all the strength I could muster, and Ruby acting as our guide.

We did the best we could to pass the next couple of hours without confronting the heart-rending absence of Cynder among us. Eventually, though, the time we were both dreading arrived and there was no escaping it any longer. Novus tracked us down and in heavy silence the three of us made our way to the hall where the ceremony would be held. Each step closer became more and more of a struggle, and inside it felt like someone was crushing my stomach and chest in a vice. I could hardly breathe, and it took everything I had in me to keep a steady face. I would not break down in front of my daughter. I couldn't.

The hall was packed full of people, and this caught me by surprise. To say it was awkward when we walked in would be a massive understatement. Everything went silent almost instantly, and every single being in the room turned toward me and Ruby. I almost ended up shielding her with my wing as if their stares were dangerous to her, and I felt her press tighter against my side.

Oh, Ancestors, this was going to be torture.

There were alarmingly few familiar faces within the hall, which caused a new swell of fear within my chest. Cyril and Volteer were the only ones I recognized, standing on the platform at the front and both watching me. They looked so much older than I remembered, and Terrador was conspicuously not with them. There was also a group of cheetahs that I assumed must be from Avalar, and even some atlawa and manweersmalls from Tall Plains and Boyzitbig, but no Hunter, or Prowlus or Meadow, or Kane, or Mole-Yair or Exhumor.

And then there were the dragonflies. A cluster of them hovered above the front row of seats, all watching me with sorrowful expressions. They had a feeling of familiarity about them, many of them bearing features that I could recognize from my parents or Sparx, but Sparx and my parents weren't there, just like my other friends.

Grief stabbed right through my heart as that cruel realization hit home, and I almost lost my balance. It wasn't just Cynder. Almost everyone that I knew...they...

I couldn't do this. I couldn't take it! Why this? Why!?

I felt a tug on my leg, and I jumped from the unexpected sensation. I looked down quickly, and my breath caught painfully when I saw Ruby gazing back up at me with that worried, helpless look in her eyes.

No. No, I couldn't do this now. I couldn't lose control. Ruby needed her father right now. I needed to stay strong.

Ancestors, please, help me.

I had to look away from the casket as we finally found our seats at the front of the hall. Novus helped me with introductions to the dragons and various other creatures around me. Besides Cyril and Volteer there were also the other new Guardians, all up on the platform ready to give the ceremony. There were also various friends of Cynder's and mine that had come to give their support, and Novus confirmed my earlier suspicions that the dragonflies that clustered around us were family from the swamp, Sparx's descendants. The rest of the hall was packed to capacity with citizens who had all come to pay their respects to Cynder.

It was actually a very welcome surprise to see so many people there, and for just a fleeting moment my heart warmed with gratitude for this gesture. She had done it. The fears that Cynder had confessed to me during the final days of my memories about being shunned and rejected for the rest of her life had been utterly put to rest. Her redemption was plain as day to see in the crowd that had come to honour her in her passing, and I was so, so proud...

I just wished she was here to see it with me.

I heard a small sniffle beside me, and when I looked down I saw Ruby with her head bowed, fresh tears on her cheeks. My wing encircled her more tightly, holding her close to my side. It was a struggle to keep my own eyes from tearing up.

I heard the sound of someone clearing their throat at the front of the hall, and I looked to see Cyril standing at a podium overlooking the rows of seats, his expression taught and grim. Well...I supposed it was that time. Was I going to be able to get through this?

"Attention, everyone," the former Guardian said in a wizened voice. "As all of you are already aware, we're gathered here to commemorate a...a difficult loss. The loss of a dragoness that was taken from us long, long before her time."

There were several nods of agreement from the audience. I bowed my head with my eyes closed, focusing as hard as I could on my breathing to keep it steady. As long as I just kept taking slow, deep breaths, then maybe I wouldn't cry in front of my daughter...

"It is well known that Cynder's life was...complicated," Cyril continued after a brief pause. "The stories of horror and tragedy that followed her early years do not need repeating, but thankfully that is a chapter of her story that is long since past. Let's not dwell on it, but instead turn our focus to the chapters to follow that she wrote herself. The Cynder we knew was the archetype of strength and selflessness. Rather than surrender to guilt after her release from servitude to darkness, she dedicated herself to making right the wrongs of her captors. I have never in my life seen anyone so devoted to the betterment of the Dragon Realms and its allies, and to the lives of the people she interacted with daily, nor anyone so committed to caring for her family and expressing the love she had for it. I could go on for hours listing examples of the noble acts she performed in service to those around her, but instead I will simply say this."

He paused again, looking briefly toward the casket beside him. The top was propped open again, though I couldn't see inside of it from my angle. Cyril took a long, steadying breath, and when he looked forward again his face was one of resolve.

"I am proud to have known her," he declared firmly. "I am proud to have had the privilege of being her teacher, and more than that of calling her my friend, and I am proud to have watched her grow into a dragoness that we can all look to as a role model in the future. And to all of you who have come to join us here tonight, I say thank you. Thank you for coming to show your respect for Cynder and for the life that she chose to lead, rather than the actions that were forced onto her. I know that your attendance here tonight would mean the world to her, as I'm sure it does for her family that join us. Thank you."

He stepped back from the podium, and a rumble of agreement and soft applause from the crowd followed his words. I could only stare at Cyril in amazement. To hear someone so proud and so sure of their superior lineage speak about someone else in such reverent terms...I really, really wished that Cynder could have heard it.

The sense of pride from before worked its way back into my chest. That was my mate he was talking about.

I looked down at Ruby and saw a faint smile on her face, gratitude showing on her expression as she watched Cyril return to his seat on the platform. A similar smile formed on my lips, and I squeezed her shoulders with my wing.

The rest of the evening passed in a similar manner. Volteer and each of the new Guardians added their own eulogies to the ceremony, each of them with a common message: Cynder was kind, compassionate, resilient, and strong. She was a hard working contributor to peace and prosperity in the Realms, and an unwavering friend. The picture that was being painted of her in my head was everything I remembered about her from decades ago minus the doubt and guilt, all amplified to a whole other level.

Ancestors, what I would give for a chance to see it.

Flora's speech was the last one, and it was also the hardest for me as a listener. She had broken down halfway through, tears leaking from her eyes, and it had been an obvious struggle for her to get through the rest of her words without succumbing to a fit of sobbing. When she retreated to her spot on the platform to the comforting wings and hushed words of her colleagues, a cold pit formed in my chest as I realized what was coming next.

"Thank you, Flora," Cyril spoke up. "I would now like to invite Spyro, mate of the departed, to come up and say a few words if he so desires."

All eyes turned toward me, and a respectful hush fell over the hall. I shrank in on myself slightly, feeling like my heart was lodged in my throat. I was still fighting back the breakdown that Flora's speech had almost brought out of me, and now they wanted me to speak myself? I couldn't trust my voice at all right now, not with the painful lump I could feel in my throat.

No, no, I had to do this. Cynder deserved to be sent off with the proper respects. This was my last chance. I needed to do this for her.

I gave Ruby another squeeze with my wing, lowering my head to press my brow against hers and taking a moment to draw strength for myself from her presence. I felt her shudder when my wing was retracted, pain showing in her eyes, and if not for the insistent nod she gave me to proceed I would have lost my nerve right then. Instead I nodded back and slowly made my way up the steps toward Cyril. When I reached him he placed his paw on my shoulder, squeezed it, and offered me a smile that conveyed all of his sympathy and support. I nodded in thanks, and after that I was on my own.

I froze almost immediately, seeing the hundreds of pairs of eyes watching me from the stands, belonging to all sorts of creatures. There were no words coming to my mind. I had no idea what I could possibly say to these people, and as the silence dragged on the feeling of panic in my chest only got worse and worse. I needed Cynder at my side at that moment. I needed to hear her say that she was with me, so that I could know that I wasn't facing this on my own. How was I supposed to do this without her? How was I supposed to do anything without her?

My head turned to the left, and my eyes lowered until they met Cynder's still form, at rest in the padded casket and subtly accented by roses, an image of peace and cold beauty. I shuddered, a sob catching in my throat, and I blinked rapidly to hold the tears back. The pain was indescribable, but seeing her hardened my resolve. Again, I told myself that I would do this for her.

I turned back to the crowd, clearing my throat shakily to try and remove the lump.

"I..."

My voice broke immediately, and I cursed to myself as I cleared my throat again. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. It rattled as it came out, so I took another one. Settle, Spyro. Settle. Do this for her. Stay strong for her, and for Ruby. Don't let her see you weak. She needed her father to be strong now. Do this for her too.

"I...don't really know what to say," I confessed. "There's...There's been so many kind words said about Cynder already, and...I suppose I just want to thank you all for them, and everybody for coming. It...It really does mean a lot to me—and to Ruby, I'm sure. I...I'm sure Cynder would be grateful for it too."

There were a few nods among the audience. I took another slow breath.

"The words that everyone has said so far, and the stories that have been shared...I'm not going to lie when I say that I...I feel a little bit cheated. I wish that I had more stories like them that I could share myself, but..."

I trailed off, unable to come up with any words to continue with, and I shut my eyes again against the renewed stinging. The sympathetic looks that I was receiving made it all the harder to keep composed. I was surrounded by people that all seemed to care about me. Family. Friends. It would be so, so easy to break down now among them.

I couldn't. Not yet.

"I'm grateful for those stories, though," I said, as steadily as I could manage. "When I defeated Cynder...I guess that's a long time ago now...When I defeated her in Convexity, and saw for the first time what she really was...I knew there was something special about her. It didn't take me long after that to see what it was, and now, hearing what's been said about her, and seeing all of you...From the beginning she was turned into a weapon, and it would have been so easy for her to let that define her, but just look at how many people she brought together here."

Many of the audience members turned to look around at the gathering, and I could hear several of them agreeing. Most of the Guardians were smiling now. Volteer and Cyril were both nodding their heads approvingly. I looked at Ruby, and I saw the glistening of tears in her eyes, but also the way she now sat tall with pride.

"She was an amazing dragoness," I said, my voice once again starting to shake. "I may not have any memories of our time together, but that's something I do know, and I know that I loved her, and that I'll miss her. Even without the memories, I am grateful for the time I had with her, and I'm also grateful for the part of her that will live on in our daughter. Seeing how she's handled herself so far today...I'm certain that Cynder would be very proud."

Ruby looked at me in surprise, but then a small hint of a smile appeared at the corner of her mouth. I saw my dragonfly relatives gather around her, all showing their support and agreement, and I myself smiled.

I lingered there for a second longer, but I was out of words to say. There was only one left on my heart, and it wasn't one for the audience. I turned to my left and stepped away from the podium, approaching the casket slowly. For a long moment all I could do was stare down at the still form of Cynder. My closest ally during the war. My dearest friend. My mate, and from what everyone said she was very happy being that. I hoped so. I hoped I had been able to give her joy during her life, even if I couldn't remember any of it now.

I felt a trickle of tears starting to fall from the corner of my eye, and I couldn't hold them in this time but I stood firm in spite of them. Slowly I raised my paw, pressed it against my lips and then gently laid it on Cynder's cheek, holding it there for a long moment.

"Goodbye," I whispered.

I took my leave from the stage after that, returning to my seat. My dragonfly family rushed to praise me for my speech and console me, and I accepted it all with a small smile but my attention was mostly on Ruby. I laid my wing across her back as I sat down beside her and pulled her close to my side. She rested her head against my shoulder, burying her face in my scales, and after that I could feel her shuddering. I finally let my own pain out then, though I did it silently.

The rest of the ceremony was likewise quiet. There was a brief period in which the Guardians invited anyone else up who would like to pay their final respects to Cynder, and a line formed in front of her casket, mostly of friends she must have made during life but also some strangers too. Among them were the leading representatives of the cheetah and atlawa tribes and the manweersmall people. After that the casket was closed and a pair of shadow dragons stepped forward from the audience.

I watched in confusion, but also a faint feeling of wonder, as they breathed a silent, steady plume of shadow fire over the casket. It didn't burn, but rather it and the body inside seemed to phase into the shadow itself until there was nothing left but a twisting black cloud. The cloud dispersed with a whisper like the wind, disappearing through the windows and the open doorway at the back of the hall. I could have sworn I felt a wisp of it brush against me and Ruby as it passed.

Ruby must have seen my confusion about this ritual, because she spoke up in a soft murmur.

"It's a dragon custom," she told me. "Her body was returned to its element. Now she's a part of the world forever."

I blinked at her in surprise before turning my gaze back to the now empty space on the platform. It was...a beautiful sentiment, actually, and one that I found oddly comforting. Like she wasn't actually gone, in a way.

The crowd gradually dispersed after that, many of them stopping to offer their final condolences to me and Ruby. At length the hall was empty except for me, Ruby, and the Guardians. I just sat there, feeling utterly drained and exhausted. I was only broken out of my minor stupor when Novus tapped me on the shoulder. He was accompanied by Flora, Cyril and Volteer.

"Sorry to do this now," Novus said to me, "but we do still need to talk about what we do going forward."

I looked at him blankly. "Going forward?"

"Your care," Volteer elaborated. "Cynder was your primary caretaker. With her gone, someone else will be required to fill that duty and ensure that you are provided for."

"I was thinking, if you're alright with it, that we could have someone assigned from the infirmary as a live-in caregiver," Novus suggested.

I glanced between them, feeling unsure about this whole situation, especially now. I opened my mouth to say something, but Ruby beat me to it.

"I can do it," she said.

Myself and the four other dragons all looked down at her in surprise.

"Ruby..." I said slowly. "Are...Are you sure?"

"It's a big responsibility to be taking on yourself," Cyril said. "Especially since you just lost your mother. Do you really need that extra pressure?"

Ruby nodded her head firmly. "I can do it. It's what Mom would have wanted."

The other four dragons all exchanged looks with each other, and I could tell from their expressions that they were hesitant about this decision. I was too, if I was honest. I didn't want to put the burden of my care on my daughter, especially when she was still grieving. Something else I could tell from looking at her expression, though, was that she was firm on this choice. That look in her eyes was a painfully familiar one. No one was going to sway her.

The Guardians and former Guardians seemed to realize the same thing. I heard a couple of them give relenting sighs.

"Alright then," Novus said. "If you're sure, then we'll support your decision. Just know that if you need help with anything—and I mean anything at all—the Citadel doors are always open to both of you. Come to us at any time."

"Thank you," I said with a grateful bow of my head. "That really means a lot."

"Anything for friends," Novus stated with a firm tone.

I nodded again, managing a weak smile. At that moment Flora stepped forward and caught me by surprise when she pulled me into a tight hug with her wings. I was stunned for a brief moment, but after that I let out a long sigh and returned the embrace.

"I'm so, so sorry," she said quietly.

All I could do was nod. Flora gave me one final squeeze with her wings before pulling away, looking like she was holding back a fresh round of tears. She turned to Ruby next, wrapping my daughter in a similar hug. After the two dragonesses parted Cyril and Volteer gave their final condolences and left. Ruby and I were left alone with Novus and Flora in the empty hall, unmoving as we both processed the day's events. It was a few minutes later that Novus finally spoke up again.

"Come on," he said gently, beckoning with an open wing. "Let's get you guys home."

Ruby and I nodded silently. Ruby stepped up to my side, leaning against me as I lowered my wing over her, and Novus and Flora took up their own supporting positions by our sides. In that fashion we set off into the street, father and daughter together, a reduced family of two...

---

This isn't how things were supposed to be. I don't have my memories, but I still know that much. Everyone lost so much during the war. Ignitus...Losing him was the hardest day of my life before today. When Cynder and I beat Malefor, his loss was supposed to be the last one. That was supposed to be the end of it. Peace for everyone. No more pain. No more loss.

So why am I still losing the people I love now?

-~.~-*-~.~-

My shout of panic broke the morning quiet as I jumped upright in the dim light, gasping for breath and wide eyes darting around in search of danger. There wasn't any, though. A dream...It was just a dream. A nightmare. The world wasn't splitting apart anymore. I wasn't fighting to pull all the pieces back together, feeling my life force bleeding away from the effort. Everything was quiet. It was over.

I sat there frozen for a long moment, my panic slowly fading, but in its place came confusion. Where was I? This was a bedroom, but it wasn't one I remembered seeing before. Was it mine? If it was then something felt incredibly...off about it. This silence was so complete, like there was no one else around to break it...

That was when I realized what was wrong. I was alone, but last I remembered Cynder was right there with me while we fought against the end of the world...but this wasn't the world's core. I still didn't know how I'd gotten here—or why I was suddenly in the body of an adult dragon, for that matter—but I did know that wherever I was Cynder should have been with me.

But she wasn't.

I looked around quickly, a feeling of panic creeping up on me again. I wasn't sure why, but I was certain that Cynder's absence wasn't right. My present situation only reinforced that. This bed was big enough for two, and it seemed impossible that I would be sharing it with anybody else. The black rose sitting on the end table on the other side of the bed practically screamed her name, and the portrait behind it—

I paused, performing a double take and staring at the picture sitting on the small wooden table. I leaned closer, eyes locked on the image of Cynder depicted on it. She was full grown, smiling, and just...beautiful. But she wasn't alone. I was beside her—at least, I assumed it was me. I barely recognized myself! Though, the face in the picture did match the adult body I saw when I looked down again, plus the purple scales. Those were a bit of a giveaway. And then, sitting between us...

I was frozen once again, staring at the young dragoness that sat smiling just like Cynder. Was she...my daughter? I had a child?

I straightened up, feeling dazed. My eyes eventually turned toward my own end table, and the book and glass on top of it. I studied the strange liquid in the glass for a moment before obeying the note beside it and drinking it all. After that I opened the book and read the first few lines. They pretty much confirmed what the portrait and the bedroom told me. Amnesia made sense and it at least helped explain how I'd ended up in this place, and Cynder being my mate was clear from the family portrait. The journal did give me the name of my daughter at least: Ruby.

I stopped reading there, and the feeling of confusion I felt before returned as I looked around. If Cynder was my mate, why wasn't she here? Why was her side of the bed so cold?

I finally rose from the bed and walked to the hall, feeling a little lost—well, a lot lost, actually. I eventually picked up the sound of activity from the back of the main level and followed it, entering what appeared to be the kitchen.

Ruby was inside, moving quickly back and forth and rooting through cupboards and drawers. I paused at the sight of her, a small feeling of shock striking me. One: this was my daughter, in the flesh, right in front of me. I had no idea how to react to that! Two: she was older than she had looked in that portrait. Maybe...early or mid teens, if I had to pick a number. She looked the same age Cynder and I had been during our later adventures, actually.

She had a bag hanging from her neck, and I watched with a feeling of bewilderment as she placed a wrapped bundle of dried meat inside. After that she disappeared through a doorway, only to reappear with a pawful of spirit gem shards that she also placed in the bag. She paused by the table to pick up a fabric pouch that clinked metallically when she lifted it, likely coins of some sort. It seemed like she was packing for something, but what could that be?

"Ruby?"

She didn't answer me. She just continued working with a dull, hard look on her face. Something was clearly bothering her, but I couldn't for the life of me tell what it was.

"You going on a trip?" I tried again, my eyes returning to the bag.

Once again, no reply. She did glance at me this time, but she said nothing. I was starting to wonder if she was angry at me for something, but I obviously had no clue what it could be. I tried one more time.

"Where's your mother?"

She ground to an immediate halt, her claws digging into the stone floor as her whole body tensed. I could see her jaw clenching, her eye flashing with a mix of emotions that I couldn't even begin to describe. She sighed, turning her gaze upward for a moment, and she let out a humourless laugh that I did not like the sound of.

"And there it is," she muttered, bitterness plain in her voice.

I recoiled a step, shocked and alarmed by this reaction. It seemed like a pretty safe bet at this point that her cold attitude was my fault, but unless she elaborated I was completely helpless. What could I have done to upset her like this? What did it have to do with Cynder? Maybe I didn't actually want to know the answer...

I couldn't keep silent. I had to know.

"Ruby?"

"She's dead, Dad. Okay? That's where she is!"

I jerked back another step, my whole body turning weak. My mouth fell open, and I felt my eyes go wide as horror filled me.

Dead? No, that couldn't be true. Cynder couldn't be...It was impossible! Please tell me it was impossible! Ancestors, I couldn't breathe...

"She's been dead for over a month," Ruby continued, her voice hard. "A month, and I should have been healing by now. This should be enough time for me to at least start to put the pain behind me and start moving on, but I can't. You know why?"

She was glaring at me, but I couldn't form words at that moment. I couldn't even think. This was too much for me to grasp. Cynder, dead? That didn't make any sense!

"Because of you, Dad," she said, and through my shock I barely registered the faint hitch in her voice. I just noticed then that she was holding back tears behind her anger. "Because every morning you come down here and rip the wound open all over again. 'Where is your mother?' 'Where did Cynder go?' 'When is she coming back?' And on the days that you actually read all the way through what you wrote in your journal so that you actually know she's dead, you act so depressed and withdrawn it's like you're not even there! I can't deal with it anymore! I just can't keep doing this! I will never heal this way, Dad!"

I fumbled for an answer, but no words came out. A crushing mix of sorrow and guilt was practically smothering me, more powerful than even my shock. This couldn't be happening. Why couldn't this just be a bad dream?

I couldn't escape this, though, and I knew it. Ruby's words struck me deeply, too, driving my shame home. I wasn't the only one that had lost a loved one. Ruby had lost her mother, and instead of helping her through her grief I was only making it worse. The swell of guilt that this realization brought was almost sickening.

"Ruby...I-I..."

She held up a forepaw, silencing me, and for almost a minute after that not a single word was spoken. Ruby had her eyes closed tightly, her breathing shaky. I could see that she was struggling so much to keep her composure, and all things considered she was actually doing a remarkable job. That strength, and determination...it was so much like Cynder's. Oh, Ancestors, this was too much.

"I'm sorry," Ruby suddenly whispered, snapping my attention back to her. "I know you don't mean to. You're just confused, and I know it hurts. I'm sorry for yelling. I just..."

She lifted her eyes to meet mine, and my heart broke all over again when I saw the torment inside them. I wanted to move over to her and hold her in my wings and tell her it was going to be okay, but something about her gaze held me in place. They would have been empty words anyway, and I could see that she was perfectly aware of that.

"I can't do this anymore," she gasped. Ancestors, it killed me inside to watch her struggling like this! "I just can't. I thought I could be strong enough, but...I just don't know how. I don't know how Mom managed to pull through situations like this, and I..."

She turned away again, closing her eyes. I saw a wet trail forming from the corner of her eye, and I couldn't bear it. My chest felt like the weight of the world itself was crushing it. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't move. My daughter needed me, but I was helpless.

"I have to go."

That snapped me out of my stupor like a punch to the face.

"What?"

She cringed, but she didn't open her eyes.

"I need some time," she forced out. "Some space so I can start putting this behind me, and that's something that I can't get here. Not the way things are going now. So...I'm leaving."

My heart felt like it had just become lodged in my throat, and I almost collapsed as my legs lost all their strength. Leaving? But...No! She couldn't! I couldn't lose my mate and my daughter at the same time!

"I'm so sorry, Dad," she croaked. More tears fell from her eyes. "I know this isn't what you want, but I have to do this."

"Ruby, please. Just...don't go! I...I can try harder! I—"

"No, Dad, I can't stay," Ruby cut me off, rising to her paws and backing away shakily. "It isn't forever, but for right now, I...I'm truly sorry that I couldn't keep my promise to take care of you. Go to the Guardians. They can help you better than I could."

"Ruby!"

"Goodbye, Dad. I love you."

"Wait!"

She didn't. She took off running at the same time that I jumped up to stop her, charging for the front door faster than I could ever hope to catch.

"Ruby!"

I heard the door slam, and horrible silence fell over the entire house. I stood frozen there like a statue for longer than I could keep track of. It was like a gaping hole had just opened up where my heart was supposed to be, sucking all warmth out of me.

Cynder was dead, and my daughter had left me.

I sank back down onto my haunches, and after that my breathing hitched painfully. Tears stung my eyes, and I covered my face with a shaking forepaw as the truth of my situation began to dawn on me. The only sound in the house was my muffled crying.

I was alone.

---

Where am I...?

I don't know this place. Have I ever been here before? I...I don't think so. This forest doesn't look familiar to me. How did I even get here, anyway?

Okay, so I'm just walking around aimlessly right now. That's probably not the best plan, so...I need to stop. I need to figure out where I am, because I really have no clue.

Right, so...What now? How do I figure out where I am when I have absolutely no idea how I even ended up here in the first place? What can I remember...?

I remember the battle at the centre of the earth.

I remember blacking out from trying to fix the planet, and then being here.

Was...was that it? That's it! Why can't I remember anything else?

Where is Cynder? She was with me during the battle. If I got out of the core...somehow, then she must have too, right? I mean...right? Please, oh please Ancestors, say she did. Please say nothing has happened to her...

No! No, I have to stop thinking like that. I'm starting to panic here, and that's not going to help anything. Just breathe, Spyro. Breathe, and then you can start trying to find her. Don't freak out, even if you are completely alone with no memories and don't know where you are...

What is this forest, anyway? None of this looks familiar to me.

Ow! My stomach! Holy Ancestors, I'm hungry! Why? How long has it been since I ate something?!

I need to find some food. That's what I should do first, and while looking for that maybe I'll spot some sign of Cynder somewhere. So, for right now, are there any scents, or tracks, or...?

Wait, a deer! There's one right there! It's...so small. Why does it look so...Why am I so big?! I was not an adult dragon the last time I looked!

What is HAPPENING?!

I can't take this! I am so confused! Why can't I remember anything? Where am I? And where is Cynder?! She should be here, shouldn't she? Why am I alone?!

...Hey, wait. Is that...the top of Warfang's wall? It...It looks like it is! I can see Warfang's wall from here! It's not that far away!

...How did I get to Warfang? I was just in the core of the world...wasn't I?

You know what? Forget it. I can just ask somebody how I got here once I get back to the city. The Guardians will be able to tell me what's going on.

Flying will be the fastest way back.

I should have enough room to take off through these trees—why am I in a forest, anyway? I don't know this place. Whatever. I just need to...Wow, my wings feel weak. And I am hungry! When was the last time I ate?

I really need food...Hey, those are tracks. Deer tracks. And they're fresh! There must have been one here recently! Thank the Ancestors! Okay, they lead deeper into the woods. They look pretty thick. I'd better hurry and follow that trail before I lose it...

Why is it getting so dark? Are those storm clouds? Oh, damn, they are. I don't know where those came from, but I do know I can't stay out in the open during a storm. I need to find shelter. Is there a cave somewhere in these woods?

...Woods? Where am I?

Later, Spyro. Worry about that later. The rain is starting. Find shelter. Shelter...Why don't I just make some? I have earth powers for a reason...which aren't working. Really? Right now?! Damn it! WHY?!

I'm so cold. This rain is freezing! Why am I out in the middle of the woods in a rain storm anyway? I have to find somewhere dry or I'm actually going to freeze! Come on, please. There has to be something!

Wait a second. Where's Cynder!? She's not caught out in this storm too, is she? What even happened to her after the battle?!

Oh, wait. That's a cave there! Some good news, at least. It looks empty, and dry enough. We can wait out the rain in there, but where is Cynder? I can't just stop looking for her!

But I'm so, so cold, and tired, and hungry...I won't last long out here like this. How did I even end up in this situation, anyway? Where am I? I can't remember...

Why am I alone? Cynder, where are you? I really, really could use your help right now.

I hope something didn't happen to her. What if...what if she didn't make it out of the core of the world?

I have to find her. Maybe this wa—Agh! Stupid tree root! Why are my legs so weak?

I have to stop and rest. I feel so exhausted, I could just collapse! Oh, a cave. Well, maybe I can lie down here for a few minutes, and then maybe this rain will pass...

...

Huh? Did I just hear something?

Wait...What is this place? Why am I sleeping in a cave? This isn't the core where I blacked out.

Wow. It's pretty cold out here. Misty, too. Almost feels like it's been raining. But...What is this forest? How did I get here?

Maybe...Maybe Cynder carried me here? But...where is she? It doesn't smell like she was here, and there are no tracks...

Why can't I remember anything?

What was that sound? It sounded like...someone calling my name? Wait! Cynder!?

No, hold on. That isn't her voice. It is female, but not her...But who would be looking for me in the woods?

Seriously, why am I in the woods?

And why am I so HUNGRY?!

That voice is getting closer. Almost like they're right outside...There! I see somebody! It's an earth dragoness, and I think she spotted me. She's coming this way, and...calling for someone else? Saying she found me? Who is she? Why was she looking for me? She looks so distressed, but also relieved.

She's talking to me now. Flora? Nice name, but I definitely don't know it, and...She's talking so fast. I can't keep up. Why do I feel so tired, and kind of dizzy now too, come to think of it?

Oh, there's another dragon now. Yellow. Volteer? I'm not sure. He's kind of blurry, though. Is it normal for a dragon to be blurry?

Far...Fara...something? I can't hear his name. They're talking so quiet...

Ancestors, I'm so exhausted. I just can't stay awake anymore. Maybe if I just close my eyes for a second...

---

I guess I might as well write something in here, since it looks like I haven't for a while. Can't remember why, obviously, and I don't really have anything to put in here right now so this might be a little pointless, but...

Well, one thing I do know: This wasn't what I was expecting for my life after defeating Malefor. I remember having so many plans, things I wanted to learn and see. Exploring the realms. Settling down for a peaceful life without any more fighting. Everything besides sitting in a plain room with nothing to do and no one to be with.

But, who knows. Maybe I was out doing those things earlier and I just don't remember them. Maybe I'll be doing them again soon. As it is now, though...I just have no idea...

-~.~-*-~.~-

I didn't know how long I had been in this place, but right now what I did know was that this silence was really starting to get to me.

I was lying down on a decently soft white bed that was basically a thick fabric mattress on the ground, surrounded by whitewashed stone walls and a couple of pieces of wooden furniture. It felt very plain, and too clean. I didn't know what this place was, but I was pretty sure it wasn't where I was supposed to live.

Not that I had any idea where I was supposed to live...

The only thing I could remember was lying in this room. My memory didn't seem to go back very far, but in that time at least there had been no one else that had come in here and nothing had happened either. It was just quiet. I had heard a couple of faint, indistinct noises through the door a few minutes ago that gave me the impression that I was in some sort of larger building, but beyond that I was clueless.

I had a very, very strong urge to just get up and leave. The only thing keeping me in that room was the small collection of items on the end table beside me. There was a black crystal rose, a portrait, and a small mushroom cap, the one from my home in the swamp.

The rose was pretty but I didn't really know its significance beyond that, except that the colours made me think of Cynder. The portrait was more confusing that anything. On it I saw an adult version of me—which looked about the same as my body when I looked down—an adult Cynder, and a small red Cynder sitting in between us with a couple of minor differences and features that looked like they came from me. The conclusion was obvious: This was supposed to be my family. My child. But that conclusion only created so many questions in my head, I felt dizzy and confused. What was my daughter's name? Where were they? When had I had a kid?

The only thing that I could attach real meaning to was the mushroom cap. It was the only thing here that was familiar, and the only comfort I had that prevented me from feeling completely lost and panicked. If it was here, I felt like I was supposed to be here too.

But where was here? The uncertainty of all of this was really starting to eat at me...

I couldn't stand it anymore. I looked around as if checking for anyone watching me, but felt ridiculous for it right afterward because I was obviously alone. After that I got up from the bed and moved to the door, raising my paw up to open it.

To my surprise, the door handle rotated just before I could grab it. I stepped back quickly as the door swung open, and I immediately found myself face to face with a red-scaled dragoness who was only just starting to show signs of age from what I could see. Her scales were starting to lose a bit of their lustre in some places, but aside from that she still looked fit and healthy. Standing with her was a larger blue dragon who held himself with an air of authority.

"Oh," the dragoness said, blinking in surprise when she saw me standing there. "Spyro. Up and about, I see? Is everything alright?"

"Um..." I fumbled in reply, looking from her to the room and back again in confusion. "I'm not sure. Where am I? And who are you?"

The dragoness's expression took on a look of concern and remorse, which caused me to tilt my head in confusion. She glanced toward the blue dragon quickly.

"Oh, dear. It looks like I was gone for a bit too long. I'm sorry, Spyro. I was held up with another patient, and then I ran into Glacius in the halls. I didn't mean to leave you on your own for this long."

I couldn't find an answer to give her. I just continued staring in blank puzzlement.

"To answer your questions, you're in the central infirmary in Warfang and I'm your primary physician and caregiver. My name is Scarlett."

"Oh," I said hesitantly. "Uh, okay...Nice to meet you?"

She chuckled quietly and gave me a kind smile. "You too. Actually, we first met when you were still just barely more than a child, so there's no need to feel anxious. I'm a friend, and I've been working on your care for many years."

This also came as a surprise to me, but something about the gentle tone of her voice helped soothe me a bit. Though I still had many questions, I felt some of the tension leaving my body.

I turned my eyes toward the other dragon, whom Scarlett had called Glacius. He also gave me a kind smile.

"As she said, I'm Glacius. I'm Cyril's successor as Ice Guardian, and I've also been your friend for many years. I actually came here to visit you and check on how you were doing."

"Really?"

He nodded, still smiling.

"Well...Thanks. I appreciate that..."

I spent a moment looking back and forth between the two of them. I was very confused by all of this new information, but one question in particular rose to the forefront of my mind.

"You mentioned my 'care'," I said to Scarlett. "What care is that, exactly? Am I sick or something? I feel fine..."

"Oh no, you're in perfectly good health," Scarlett answered quickly, raising a paw in a reassuring gesture. "However, I'm sorry to say that you are suffering from anterograde amnesia and unfortunately that's led you to this position."

"Amnesia?" I repeated.

"I'm afraid so. You are on medicine that helps with the symptoms of your condition, and actually not long ago you had a full day of continuous memory thanks to it, but a few months ago there was an...accident."

Accident? Now I was feeling worried instead of just confused. I had been looking around the room again as Scarlett spoke, but I quickly met her eyes again as concern grew inside of me. She and Glacius were watching me with guarded expressions.

"What happened?" I asked.

"Due to a...personal problem, you ended up missing several doses of your medicine without us knowing," Scarlett explained, and I could see clear guilt in her bearing. "One day when I went to your house to check on you, you weren't there."

"You were missing for a couple of days after that," Glacius continued. "We got reports from people saying they saw you around the city, but we were never able to catch up with you. When our search parties found you, you were lost in the woods outside of Warfang with hardly any functioning memory at all, half starved. We think you must have left the city to try and hunt for food, but with your memory the way it was you couldn't focus long enough to track anything."

"You've been here since then while we try to restore your condition," Scarlett took over. "We've only just gotten you back up to a half hour, actually."

"Whoa," I muttered slowly. I felt dazed from this rush of information, but also a bit alarmed. I went missing? Lost in the woods? "That...That sounds like quite a bit of excitement. I'm sorry if I worried anyone."

"Oh no, Spyro," Scarlett protested. "No, you don't need to be sorry. None of this is your fault. We're the ones who are sorry. It was our failure that led to you being in this situation, but I promise I will be doing everything in my power to make sure you're back home with the proper care you need as soon as possible."

I held her gaze for a moment longer, still feeling a bit conflicted and confused, but eventually I get a small smile.

"Thanks."

Scarlett and Glacius also smiled, looking relieved.

"Well, on to present matters," she declared. "On the subject of your care, it's nearing time for your next dose of medicine, which I have right here."

She lifted one of her wings, which I just noticed now was carrying a glass pitcher suspended from her wing claw with a curved handle. It was filled with a liquid that had a deep red colour. I looked at it curiously as she stepped past me and set the pitcher down on top of a desk.

"That's for my memory?" I asked.

"It is indeed," she nodded. "Unfortunately the process of restoring your memory capacity has been slower than we had hoped it would be, but on the bright side it's still going much, much faster than the first time around. We should have you at a proper functioning level before too much longer."

I frowned, not sure how I felt about essentially being called non-functional, but then again given the circumstances I couldn't really disagree.

"How much longer?"

"It's hard to say. If we keep up the progress we've been making recently, we might be able to reach an hour of memory in the next month or two. I would feel comfortable sending you home with a qualified caregiver at that point."

I cocked my head again, frowning. "Caregiver?"

Glacius nodded, stepping further into the room and sitting where I could more easily see him. "You'll need someone to watch over you to make sure you don't miss taking your medicine again, and to help you with day to day things."

That did make sense, especially given the story they had just told me, but something still wasn't adding up. My eyes turned toward the small table beside the bed again, where they fell on the picture of my family.

"What about Cynder?"

There was no immediate answer. When I turned back around I saw Scarlett and Glacius exchanging a guarded look.

"We're sorry, but she can't," Glacius told me. "She...isn't here right now."

It was easy to see that there was more that I wasn't being told. I looked back at the picture, picking it up with a forepaw as worry grew in my gut.

"Well...What about her? Who is she?"

I held the portrait up and pointed with a claw at the younger dragoness. Scarlett smiled softly.

"That's Ruby, your daughter."

"My daughter?" I repeated. That did match my assumption, but it was still a bit of a shock to hear it confirmed.

"Yes. She's a very strong young dragoness, just like her mother."

A faint hint of a smile grew at the corner of my mouth at that. Ruby. I wondered what she was like? My worry hadn't faded, though. Instead, it was only growing stronger as my confusion continued to worsen.

"Where is she?" I asked. "Can I see her?"

Scarlett's and Glacius's expressions tightened again.

"I'm afraid she's not here right now either," Glacius said apologetically.

"Not here?" I repeated. "Then where? Where did they go?"

"Please, Spyro, stay calm," Scarlett spoke up, stepping forward and raising her paws in a reassuring manner. "I promise that everything is alright. They can't be here right now, but we'll try and arrange for them to come visit soon, okay?"

I hesitated. I still felt like I wasn't getting the whole picture and something about Scalrett's and Glacius's body langue didn't quite sit right with me but I couldn't put my claw on exactly what. They did seem like they genuinely wanted to reassure me, though...

"Okay," I relented after a long pause. "I guess that's alright. I just...I really want to see them."

"We know," Glacius said with a gentle smile and a nod. "We promise that you'll see them soon. But for right now, why don't we keep you company?"

"Well...yeah, that would be nice," I nodded. I looked toward Scarlett with a small frown. "Didn't you say you had other patients, though? If you don't have time to stay, I understand."

"It's not a problem," she answered with a smile. "You're my main patient, and I've made sure to set aside enough time to spend with you. I actually had amnesia myself in the past, so I know this is very confusing for you and I wanted to make sure I could be here to help."

This was a piece of news I wasn't expecting, and my eyes widened slightly. "Really? You had amnesia too?"

"I did. Would you like to hear about it?"

"I..." I hesitated. Her demeanour was calm and I was curious, but I didn't want to bring up a potentially sensitive topic for her. "Well, yeah, I would, but only if you're okay with it."

"Of course," Scarlett smiled warmly, and that smile helped settle my worries. I felt a smile of my own growing on my lips.

"Okay. So, what happened?"

"Why don't you make yourself comfortable and I'll tell you all about it."

I nodded, turning back to my bed and laying down on top of it. At the same time Scarlett and Glacius pulled a pair of cushions forward from a corner of the room and proceeded to settle down on top of them as well, Glacius folding one foreleg over the other to listen at quite attention while Scarlett got comfortable to share her story. I waited in silent anticipation, engrossed in this feeling of intrigue and the warm sense of comradery that was filling the room.

"You see, it all happened when the war with the apes was only just starting to heat up..."

---

Today I was wondering what normal dragons would call a happy life. Not sure why I was thinking it, really. It's just a thought that kind of popped into my head. Would that life be much different from the one I have right now, I wonder?

I mean, I guess I could say that I'm content at least. I have a nice home—actually, really nice. More like a mansion—I have all of my needs provided for, and I have my health, mostly. I guess the only real complaint I have besides my missing memories is that I'm lonely. Claire is good company, but I do wish my family was here too.

Maybe I just have to be patient. Cynder might be gone, but Ruby is still out there somewhere, and I have faith that she won't stay gone forever. Claire says I just have to stay hopeful. I'll get the chance to know my daughter one day or other. When that happens, maybe I'll be able to call my life a happy one too...

-~.~-*-~.~-

A stiff breeze rustled the leaves of the trees around me, and the pages of the book I was reading fluttered. I quickly pressed my forepaws down on the sides before I could lose my place. I had started the book in the morning and had almost reached the end. Since I would lose all of my progress when I went to sleep that night I really didn't want to lose time trying to find where I was again.

The breeze calmed a moment later, and I relaxed with it. The back yard garden was a pleasant place to lie down for some leisure time, but it did come with its own challenges. Still, I was enjoying the quiet. It was a very welcome change of pace from the fighting in my memories.

I looked up when I heard small shuffling footsteps nearby, and just then a female mole stepped into view around one of the flower beds.

"Is there anything I can get for you, Master Spyro?" she asked politely. "I was wondering if you would like some refreshments, since you've been out here for a while?"

I smiled and shook my head. "I'm okay. Thanks, Claire."

The mole bowed her head in acknowledgement. "Alright. Just to let you know, I'll be starting preparations for supper soon. I'll come call you when it's ready if you aren't inside by then."

"Oh, okay. Do you want any help?"

Claire smiled. "If you would like then I certainly wouldn't mind it, but it's not necessary."

I nodded. "Alright. I might be in to lend you a paw in a few minutes, then."

Claire responded with another kind smile and bow of her head before disappearing down the small pathway she had approached from.

I spent a moment looking in the direction she'd gone before turning back to my book. Claire had caught me by surprise when I'd first seen her that morning. Without any memories I hadn't really known what to expect in this unfamiliar house, but a mole certainly wasn't it. I'd recovered quickly enough, though, and she'd introduced herself as the caretaker for both the house and myself. I still felt a tiny bit unsure about the whole thing—I wasn't totally comfortable with the idea of someone serving me—but it did make sense. It seemed pretty unlikely that I could function on my own in my condition, right? Plus, it was nice having her around. She was friendly and good natured, and I figured that without someone to talk to I might go out of my mind from boredom.

I turned my attention back to my book, deciding to finish a couple more pages before going inside to help Claire. However, it seemed like hardly any time had passed when she appeared again. I looked up curiously when she called.

"Is it supper time already?"

She chuckled and shook her head. "Not quite yet. Actually you have a visitor, Master Spyro. Doctor Scarlett is here to see you."

I cocked my head to the side in confusion. "Doctor Scarlett?"

Claire nodded. "She's waiting for you in the foyer."

With that she turned around and headed inside once more. I lay there for a moment longer, wondering who this 'Doctor Scarlett' could be and why she wanted to see me, but I realized I wasn't going to find out unless I complied. I marked my place in the book and rose, entering the house through the dining room door and placing the book on a small corner table before continuing into the front hall.

I found who I assumed to be Scarlett waiting for me patiently. She smiled warmly when she saw me approaching.

"Hello, Spyro," she greeted me, her voice carrying an air of familiarity about it. She knew me, even if I didn't know her.

"Hello," I answered, my voice slightly uncertain. "Doctor Scarlett, right?"

She nodded. "That's right. I'm in charge of your amnesia treatment."

I straightened up slightly at this news. "Oh, really? Well, okay. Uh...What can I do for you?"

"First, I have more of your medicine ready to go," she told me, reaching into a satchel that hung against her shoulder and withdrawing a sealed container filled with the same liquid I recognized from that morning. "Have you been keeping up on your doses?"

"Uh, I think so," I nodded slowly. "Claire made sure I had it this morning, anyway."

Scarlett smiled. "Good. I'm glad to hear that. In that case our regular checkup is all that we have left to cover today."

"Checkup?"

She nodded. "It's just a regular check we do every few days to make sure your condition is stable. It's mainly just some questions. Shouldn't take very long, and then I can be out of your scales."

"Oh," I said. It did sound simple enough. "Well, alright then. Are we doing it here?"

"Just in the living room should be fine."

I nodded. "Okay. After you."

I gestured with my wing toward the adjacent room, and Scarlett entered with a grateful smile and bob of her head. I followed her inside and moved to take a seat on one of the lounge cushions after she had found a spot of her own. Just as I was sitting, though, her head jerked upward.

"Oh! I almost forgot. I ran into a courier just outside who had a delivery for you. Why don't I give that to you before we start with the checkup? It's from your daughter."

I faltered, looking at Scarlett in surprise. She reached into her bag again and pulled out a letter that was tied shut with a strand of red ribbon. I could only stare at it for a moment, my mind racing. I had read the fact that I had a daughter in my journal that morning, but beyond that and the portraits I'd seen I didn't really know anything about her. Maybe this was a chance to get some of the answers I had been craving.

I took the letter and delicately sliced through the ribbon with my claw. Scarlett was watching me in silence, and I was aware that Claire was also hovering in the kitchen doorway behind me, no doubt having overheard our conversation. I pushed them from my thoughts, though, focusing only on the letter as I carefully unfolded it and began reading.

'Dad,

I'm writing this letter to check in with you, since it's been a little while since the last time I wrote. First, I just want you to know that I'm doing fine. I recently found a dragon village on the edge of the Silver Grove—not the Ancient Grove where you went; this is the untainted part outside of it—and I've been staying here since then. It's a nice change of pace to slow down and stay in one place for a while after spending so long travelling around.

I know it's already been two months since the last time I was home to visit you, and I'm sorry for that. I'm also sorry to say that I think it might be some time before I'm back to visit again, because I think I'm going to be staying here for a while. It's such a beautiful place, and so calm, not busy like Warfang is all the time, and while I do miss city life it's nice to try something new.

Plus, I met someone. His name is Cliff. He's an earth dragon who's really nice and has been showing me around the village, and we've really hit it off. I know that it's a bit soon to judge, but there's just this...connection with him. I want to give it some time and see if it leads anywhere. Ever since I left home I've been thinking a lot about the bond you and Mom had. I want that with someone too, and I think it's worth giving this a chance.

And before you worry—because I know you will—no, I'm not rushing this. Nothing's for sure, and I'm just letting things to their own pace. I'm sure you know the feeling when you just 'click' with someone anyway.

I'm sorry again that I'm not there to tell you these things in person. I hope you're doing well at home, and I hope that Claire's taking good care of you and that you're happy. I don't know how long I'm going to end up staying here, but I promise that I will come home and visit you again when I have the chance. Who knows? If things go well I might even bring Cliff to meet you too. I think you would really like him. Either way, I'll be looking forward to the next time I see you.

I love you, Dad, and I miss you.

Ruby'

I stared at the letter in silence for a long moment, processing everything I had read. There was a lot to take in, but what stood out the most was that my daughter seemed happy. A smile started to form on my face at that thought. I'd definitely picked up a tone of excitement in her writing, of possibility. She was out exploring the world, meeting new people and making new friends. It sounded like a wonderful adventure.

But who was this 'Cliff'?

I felt somewhat silly for it, but I couldn't get that question out of my head. This was my daughter here. Who was this dragon? What was he like? Was he respectful? If he was trying to start a relationship with my daughter, was he treating her right? Was he even good enough for her? I didn't know anything about this guy! He could be a total creep for all I knew!

No, no, calm down. I was being ridiculous here. I took a slow breath, trying to shake those thoughts from my head. Trusting Ruby was my only option. Besides, if she took after her mother at all then she could look after herself. She did say that she was taking things slowly, anyway.

Ancestors, I wished I could be there...

I read over the last couple of lines again, and a small smile returned as warmth spread in my chest. It was a comfort to know that my daughter was safe and enjoying herself, especially after spending all day not knowing where she was or what she was doing. True, this comfort was slightly marred by the ache in my heart caused by her absence—I was lonely here, after all, especially with my mate gone as well. Ancestors, that had been a blow to read, but Claire had done a good job picking my spirits up. At any rate, I took pride in the fact that Ruby was out living her life on her own terms.

Her letter said she would come back, anyway. I would get my chance to meet her. For now, that would just have to be enough.

"Oh, that's sweet," Claire spoke up from beside me, and I jumped slightly. She was standing by my side and looking down at the letter that was still in my paw. "It's thoughtful of her to keep checking in with you so often. Would you like me to place this with the others, Master Spyro?"

I looked at her curiously for a second before nodding. "Others? I mean, uh, yeah, sure."

She smiled and took the letter from me, folding it carefully and stepping over to a cabinet against the side wall of the living room. Once there she slipped the letter neatly into one of the shelves, which I just noticed now was packed full of similar folded sheets of parchment. A piece of red ribbon hung from the front of the shelf, just like the one that had been securing the newest letter. I couldn't even guess how many notes there were in there!

The warm feeling in my chest grew stronger. Ruby had written all of those for me? Maybe I should read some of them over later that night.

I felt a tap on my shoulder, causing me to jump again. It was Scarlett. Oh, right! The checkup. I had completely forgotten.

"Why don't we get these questions out of the way?" she asked, smiling. "As much as I would like to stick around and visit more, I unfortunately have other patients at the infirmary that I need to return to tonight."

"Oh!" I exclaimed, my cheeks flushing slightly from embarrassment. "I'm sorry. Of course. I didn't mean to keep you."

She held up a paw reassuringly. "It's fine, Spyro. I don't mind. Now, shall we?"

I nodded.

"Great. Then let's begin."

She pulled a pad of parchment out of her bag and some ink, dipping a claw into it and preparing to write. I tried to focus on her questions, but it was a difficult task. My eyes drifted to the shelf full of letters again, and a faint sense of longing grew in my heart. Receiving Ruby's note had been a joyful surprise, but now I just wanted to see her that much more. I wanted to know my daughter. I wanted to see her and speak to her, rather than trying to imagine her from a brief note. The sad part was that I knew I wouldn't be able to before I lost my memories from the day, but...maybe soon.

Once again, the faint smile grew on my lips. Ruby, wherever you were, I hoped you were safe and enjoying yourself as you explored. I would be thinking of you until I got the chance to see you again.

That was a promise that I knew even my amnesia couldn't make me break.

---

This is such a weird feeling for me. I had gotten so used to fighting in the war, I almost forgot what peace felt like. Yet, here I am.

Ancestors, where did all the years go? It's impossible to describe how weird it is to wake up and see yourself in a mirror only to see an old dragon instead of the teenager you expect. So much has happened, I spent all day just trying to catch up.

And the kids. Dear Ancestors, the kids. I wasn't prepared at all for that revelation, but at the same time I was so, so thrilled to meet them. I can't wait to meet them again tomorrow.

-~.~-*-~.~-

The village was such a calm, tranquil setting. I couldn't help but feel a sense of peace filter through my entire being when I looked around at the simple wooden buildings that were surrounded by gently swaying trees. Moles were strolling casually between the houses and other structures, all moving at a leisurely pace. I didn't know what this place was, but I was definitely enjoying the laid back atmosphere of it. It was such a stark contrast to the war. In a way it kind of reminded me of my home in the swamp.

"Hey, Spyro. What's the holdup?"

I turned my head at the call and smiled when I saw Cynder standing farther down the dirt roadway, looking back at me with a wry smirk.

"Come on!" she urged me, beckoning with her wing. "There's still so much of this place that I want to show you!"

I cocked my head to the side in confusion, though I was still smiling. "What do you mean? Where are we?"

Cynder just laughed, as though I had told a joke. I only felt more confused because of this, but I couldn't find it in myself to be irritated. Cynder seemed to...bright. This place must have had an effect on her, because I couldn't remember ever seeing her this cheerful and carefree.

"Oh, ha ha, funny," she chuckled. "I know you've been out of it for a while in that infirmary bed, but try and keep up with me here. I did promise you that I was going to show you around the village when you were allowed to leave, didn't I? Well, we have a limited time to do it before you need to go back. Now come on! I promise, you'll love this place. I could probably spend forever here if I'm honest."

I looked at her in surprise, but then my smile returned. "Well, alright then. Lead on."

She grinned at me and turned about, heading farther down the street and disappearing around a bend ahead. I padded after her, trying to push the nagging feeling out of my mind. We should be in Warfang, shouldn't we? With the war seemingly over, that was where it made the most sense for us to be going. People would doubtlessly be wondering about us...

Ah, forget it. We were young, and we were finally free of all the conflict that had plagued us. The rest of the world could wait. For now, I just wanted to savour this mo—

I was jolted awake by something poking my snout, and I opened my eyes with a startled snort. It took a second for my vision to clear from the fogginess of sleep, but when it did I found myself looking into a pair of big brown eyes staring back at me. They belonged to a small ashy grey hatchling that was sitting in front of my face, his forepaws resting on top of my muzzle. He looked maybe a couple of years old at most, if I had to guess.

"Grandpa, why are you sleeping?" he asked me, tilting his head inquisitively. "It's the middle of the day."

He said it so completely matter-of-factly that I almost doubted the reason myself for a second. I didn't think I'd meant to fall asleep, had I? I couldn't remember planning on it, anyway...

Wait. Grandpa?

I didn't get a chance to answer the child's question, or to ask one of my own, because just then a female voice interrupted us.

"Coal, what are you doing?" a red-scaled adult dragoness said in a lightly scolding tone as she approached the two of us. She was instantly familiar to me, but for some reason it was taking a moment for her name to come to me. "You know I said it's not nice to disturb your grandfather when he's resting."

"But he was snoring, Mommy," the hatchling named Coal replied, as if it was such an obvious explanation. "Sleeping is for night time."

"That doesn't matter. You still shouldn't bother someone when they're trying to rest. Now, why don't you go play with your brother? Where is he?"

Coal just shrugged his tiny wings. "I dunno."

The dragoness grunted quietly before turning her head toward one of the doorways that led out to the hall.

"Cliff! You there?"

"What is it, hun?" a male voice responded quickly, and a second later a grey-green earth dragon appeared in the archway.

"Do you know where Ignitus is?"

I froze. Ignitus? They couldn't possibly mean...No, I got the distinct impression that they didn't. It was someone else, but I was having a hard time fitting the pieces together...

"He should be playing out back," Cliff answered.

"Okay. Can you take Coal out with him? Someone seems like they have a bit of energy to use up before they get into trouble."

She smirked down at the little hatchling as she said this, and Coal stuck his tongue out playfully at his mother. Cliff chuckled quietly as he stepped forward, scooped his son up with his forepaws and swung him up onto his back.

"Come on, you little monster. Let's go see if your brother wants to play a game. Come on!"

Cliff then disappeared back through the door at a measured jog, bouncing with each step and causing Coal to squeal delightedly. The dragoness whose name still escaped me watched them go with a fond smile and a shake of her head before turning her eyes back on me.

"Sorry about that, Dad," she said sheepishly, and at the word 'Dad' it all finally clicked in my head. Ruby! My daughter, from my journal! And Coal and Ignitus, my two grandsons! How could I forget that so easily?

Amnesia. Duh.

"I didn't know you were trying to sleep in here. I would have watched him more closely."

"Oh, no, that's alright," I hurried to reassure her. "It's no problem. I must have just dozed off by accident."

She just smiled, looking relieved. "Well, as long as you're sure. How are you doing? Medicine still working? I can get you a little bit more if you need it."

"No, I think it's fine. A little slow to recall things when I woke up, but I'm okay now."

"Nothing you need at all?"

I let out a quiet chuckle as I raised myself to a seated position—which took a bit more effort than I would expect it to, I noticed.

"No, I'm fine. Really. Thanks, Ruby, but you don't need to trouble yourself for me."

"So you always say," Ruby smirked. "But you know, it's not uncommon for elders' children to help look after them. You're allowed to do the same."

"Elder?" I snorted humorously. "I'm not that old."

I rose from the padded seat I was resting on and moved toward the doorway that would take me into the kitchen, but as I took a step I winced and staggered as I felt several joints pop in addition to a strange, dull ache deep in my chest were I would normally feel my elements come from. I paused, looking down at myself in confusion.

"Ancestors. Am I really that old?"

Ruby chuckled, moving up beside me and gently bracing me with her shoulder while I regained my balance.

"Not that old," she said reassuringly. "It's just your old war wounds that act up from time to time. Usually you're fine."

I held her gaze for an uncertain moment before I felt my smile return. "Well, I suppose that's good to hear. As long as I can keep up with those kids of yours, that's good enough for me."

She smiled broadly at me in return. "Well then you have nothing to worry about. Should we go and join them outside? They'd be happy to have you play a game with them."

"That sounds like a good idea. Just give me a second."

I stepped away from Ruby's side, feeling more stable now. After that I spread my wings and stretched my back out, trying to work the stiffness out of it and my limbs. There were a couple more pops that made me wince again, but after that I felt much more limber and energized.

"Okay," I said. "After you."

Ruby nodded and did as I indicated, exiting the living room through the back doorway. I followed behind her, and as we passed through the kitchen I could already hear excited laughter coming from outside. I grinned to myself, wondering what my two grandsons were up to.

Grandsons. That still felt so surreal.

We spotted them not long after entering the garden, and I couldn't help the grin that split my muzzle or the chuckle that rolled from my throat. Coal was gripping at the trunk of a tree, trying to scramble up to the branches above him where his older red-scaled brother was already perched. Cliff was stalking around the tree as if he was a predator chasing prey, and both boys were giggling as they tried to escape. Ignitus was calling encouragements to his younger brother, urging him to hurry as Cliff edged closer.

"Come on, Coal! Faster! He's going to get you!"

Ruby was shaking her head and laughing again. I watched with similar amusement for a moment longer before leaning my head closer to her.

"Think he needs a little help?" I asked.

To my surprise, she shook her head. "No, I think he'll figure it out. Any minute now..."

I frowned at her in confusion before turning my attention back to the scene in front of us. Clearly she knew something I didn't—well, actually, there were certainly a lot of things that she knew that I didn't. Coal made another jump at the trunk of the tree, his small claws scraping against the smooth bark as he slid helplessly back down and landed on the ground on his rump. Cliff was almost upon him, and Coal's eyes widened when he looked behind him to see his father right there, but then I saw those eyes narrow in determination.

I jerked back in surprise as a small pillar of earth rose up under the tiny dragon, pushing him slightly unsteadily up the trunk of the tree. As soon as he had reached a more shallowly inclined part of the trunk the pillar stopped and he jumped off, scrambling the rest of the way up to the branches without much more trouble. The earth pillar sank slowly back to the ground below, and Ignitus gave an encouraging cheer as his brother joined him.

"Ha ha!" Coal said cheekily. "Can't catch us now, Dad!"

"Oh yeah!" Cliff smirked. "Look out, because here I come!"

He reared up with his forepaws against the tree trunk and stuck his head in amongst the tree branches without any trouble. Coal and Ignitus squealed in surprise and began dashing across the tree limbs to escape his wrath, giggling the whole time. I watched them for a second longer in stunned silence before turning to look at Ruby.

"He can use his element already? Is that normal?"

She shook her head, a look of unmistakeable pride in her eyes. "No, it's not. Both him and Ignitus are far ahead of other hatchlings their age when it comes to their powers."

"Really?"

Ruby nodded and turned her head to face me with a large smile.

"Is that really a surprise? They're the grandsons of Spyro and Cynder, after all."

My mouth opened and closed as I tried to come up with a response, caught off guard by this statement, but slowly I felt my own feeling of pride building in my chest. A large smile much like Ruby's covered my face after that, and I turned to look back at the boys still evading their father.

Me and Cynder. I knew she would be so proud of them...

"Maybe you should go help them out now," Ruby suggested quietly.

I glanced at her in mild confusion, but when she nodded her head toward the tree I quickly understood. A small smirk crossed my muzzle as I padded toward the three other males, watching Coal and Ignitus carefully as they jumped from branch to branch, but their footing was secure. Even Coal looked like his balance was fine, despite the trouble he'd had gripping the trunk before. It seemed like there was no getting them down from there.

That is, of course, until they spotted me and immediately launched themselves out of the tree top straight toward me.

"Grandpa!" Ignitus cried, giggling away. "Catch us!"

I let out a yelp of surprise as the two young dragons landed on my back, their combined weight staggering me briefly. I recovered soon enough after that, though, and I suppressed another laugh.

"Run!" Coal shouted as Cliff dropped back to all fours and began advancing on me, a mischievous look in his eyes.

I jumped into action immediately.

"Don't worry, boys!" I exclaimed with exaggerated enthusiasm—I mean, why not play it up, right? "The purple dragon will protect you! Hang on tight!"

I launched myself away from Cliff and bounded along one of the walkways through the expansive backyard garden, not quite as quickly as I could remember being able to do before the war's conclusion but respectable enough. Cliff took up pursuit without delay, grinning.

"Get back here with my snack!" he called.

"Keep running, Grandpa!" Ignitus urged me. "He's getting closer!"

I did just that, looping through the gardens with Cliff right on my tail. I wound through the different cobbled pathways, at one point almost colliding with an elderly mole that was tending to a row of flowers. She let out an alarmed cry when she saw me barrelling toward her. I yelped as well before jumping over her, continuing on down the pathway.

"Sorry, Claire!" I called.

I didn't hear her reply. I was gone around another bend before I could, Cliff still pursuing me and my charges. After rounding another corner and entering a narrow row of hedges he briefly disappeared from sight. An idea sparked in my brain, and I grinned.

"Hang on!" I ordered.

I felt my grandsons' small claws tighten on the scales of my back, and after that I jumped as high into the air as I could. Not quite high enough, so I had to flap my wings awkwardly in the tight space to clear the hedges, but once I had I angled over the top of the row on my left and dropped down behind them, hunkering low to the ground.

"He won't find us in here," I whispered.

Ignitus and Coal both grinned back at me, but they quickly covered their mouths with their forepaws and tried to muffle their giggling when the sound of heavy pawsteps reached us from the pathway. They slowed down quickly, though. I held my breath.

There was silence for several moments, but then suddenly the earth underneath me raised up and the row of hedges parted. The hatchlings and I all cried out in surprise as we tumbled out into the pathway, the hedges returning to their normal positions behind us. An instant later my shoulders were pinned to the ground by two powerful paws.

"Got ya!" Cliff exclaimed triumphantly, smirking like a hatchling himself. "You aren't taking my meal away from me again!"

"Keep running, boys!" I shouted, having trouble keeping my laughter in check. "Go on without me!"

They complied without delay, giggling loudly as they turned tail and dashed along the pathway. Unfortunately, just as they reached the far end of the row of hedges Ruby suddenly appeared in their path and I faltered when I saw the conniving grin on her muzzle.

So much for a great escape.

Ignitus and Coal squealed again when Ruby scooped them both up in her forepaws in one smooth motion. She laughed victoriously.

"Gotcha! You're mine now!"

"No!" Coal cried between fits of giggling as Ruby descended on them, curling her tail and body around them to trap them as she began licking their sensitive underbellies and tickling them with her snout.

"Nice catch, hun!" Cliff praised her as he released me and trotted over to his mate and children. "You boys aren't going anywhere now!"

There were renewed shrieks and laughing protests as he joined the tangle of tiny thrashing limbs, tickling and wrestling with his sons along with Ruby. I rolled back to an upright position but didn't move to intervene, watching from a distance as a broad smile stretched across my face once more. The surreal feeling returned in force, but also the sense of incredible pride and happiness.

My mind drifted back to the fragments of the dream I'd had not long before, recalling Cynder's presence in it. I sighed wistfully, wishing that she could be here by my side to see this too. After all the doubts I knew she'd still carried at the end of the war...this would have absolutely blown her away. I just knew it.

I settled into a more comfortable position with my forelegs crossed and my tail curled around my side, watching the family of four playing together fondly. Our family.

We did good, Cynder. Wherever you were now, I hoped you knew that. We did good.

My smile widened, and the feeling that filled me could only be described as peace. This was my legacy. When my time eventually came, this is what I would be leaving in the world: this picture of happiness and familial love. I knew it was something I could be proud of, even if my memories of how I had arrived at this point were absent. Maybe it didn't matter. Maybe the past wasn't as important, compared to what would be carried forward into the future. I let out a quiet sigh as this thought filled me.

It really was a beautiful sight.

---

(A/N): I'm sorry if there are more mistakes than usual in this chapter. There were a LOT of additions and changes I made while editing it today. At the time of first writing this chapter I was going through some personal issues and wasn't able to put the usual emotion or detail into my writing as I usually try to, especially given the subject matter, but hopefully I was able to pull it more up to par now.

I do not apologize for the content of this chapter. ^^; People were saying that previous chapters were hitting them in the feels. Well, in this one I went right for the heart. XD Honestly, with the last thing Cynder said in the last chapter, you should have seen this coming. But hey, at least it wasn't ALL sad, right? I think the chapter ended on a relatively hopeful note, at least. I'm eager to hear what other people think.

Also, there's a little bit of a reference in this chapter. Can anyone spot it? ^^

We're right at the end now. The only thing we have left in this story is the epilogue. Thank you so much to everyone who's been reading so far, and I hope you'll all join me for the conclusion next week. :D

Until next time...