Forgetting Who You Are

Chapter 9

As the sun danced just above the horizon, Flame stepped into the fire guardians chambers. He saw the purple dragon lying on the bed, clutching the scrolls. "So this is where you've been? Everyone's been worried about you".

Spyro stayed silent, his eyes staring for a thousand yards. Flame sighed. "You can't stay here forever. Hating yourself doesn't do any good. Have you even eaten today"?

"I'm not hungry". The purple dragon spoke without emotion.

"Well you have to eat something. How can you give a speech if your stomach keeps rumbling"?

Spyro raised his head. "What speech"?

"For the remembrance ceremony. I came to get you. Then tomorrow is a day of rest and mourning. And later tomorrow night we're celebrating your return. So get up"!

Spyro laid his head back down. "I'm not going. I don't need to feel worse than I already do".

Flame sighed as he walked to the desk. He turned one of the inkwells and a secret drawer popped open. From it he pulled a scroll sealed by wax. He brought it to Spyro, who stared at the seal. "Is this.. a dragonfly"?

"Yep. This is the absolute last message Sparx ever wrote. He delivered to us personally. And specified to give it to you and only you. If you want to read it, go ahead".

Slowly, Spyro broke the seal, and unrolled the scroll.

Dear Spyro,

I've come to terms with the fact that you've most likely died. If by some miracle you haven't, by the time you read this I will have. I know you, and I know you'll blame yourself for not coming back. I miss you, but I understand the risk you took saving the world. I was ready to hear the worst. I didn't want to, but I knew it was always possible. I write this to ask you a favor. Promise me that you won't blame yourself. Be happy. If you can't do it for me, do it for you. Do it for everyone who cares about you.

I wish you the best.

Sincerely yours, Sparx the Dragonfly.

Spyro lowered the scroll. He handed it to Flame, who looked worried. "Are you alright"?

The purple dragon nodded. "I am now. Thank you".

Flame smiled and placed the last note into the secret drawer. "No problem! Now let's get ready for the ceremony. You smell terrible".

Spyro laughed. "You're one to talk! Race you there"! He exclaimed as he bolted out the door.

"Don't think you'll win that easy"! The red drake chased him playfully.

As they ran out the door, they failed to notice the two figures watching them through the window, from the rooftops across the way. The one on the left bore a mask without features. To the right was Ash, who shook his head. "You can't do that"! He exclaimed to the one next to him.

"Oh come now. We know what would have happened if we didn't intervene. We did no harm".

"No harm?! You directly meddled with a prophecy. I don't even know why I told you about it".

Ash's friend put an arm around the thrask. "We tell because we trust. And we couldn't just let him kill himself. How can we enjoy his sadness if he isn't around to be sad"?

Ash pushed him away. "Forcing emotions through words is beyond forbidden magic. It's less acceptable than even necromancy. Think about that".

The masked stranger stood proud. "Something more shunned than necromancy? Now that is interesting. We thought the memory tampering was bad but, I guess we've outdone ourselves yet again". The thrask glared at his friend. "Oh come on, it's not like Ash can do it. Which means he has nothing to worry about".

Ash leaned into him menacingly. "Because of you, I have no way of being sure of what will happen".

"Is that so bad? Where's the fun in knowing everything? Sometimes one has to just let go. Let their mind escape. Go crazy. A little insanity never hurt anyone". He gestured to the entirety of the city. "Besides, we know where he is. Not too many places a purple dragon can hide them self. Especially one with his reputation".

Behind them came a shout. Moles had managed to get onto the roof armed with black powder rifles. "There he is! Get him"! A group of five took aim and fired.

Ash forced the bullets down with a wave of his hand. His friend spoke in a disappointed voice. "What trouble we've caused. Oh well. Guess we'll talk later. Goodbye, Ash". He shoved the thrask from the roof.

The masked individual walked toward the group of moles, who didn't seem to take notice of his presence. Ash reached an arm out as he fell. "Koma! NO! STOP"! His friend did not listen, and continued toward the five.

The moles raised the rifles again as Ash closed his eyes. The guns did not go off. What was heard instead was the gruesome snapping of bones and tearing of flesh. Ash tore through an awning on his way down, slowing his descent enough to stand up unscathed.

Ash knew what he needed to do. He had to undo what his friend had changed. By any means necessary right now.

He managed to find his way to the bath house, and forced his way inside. Ash went through the rooms until he found Spyro and Flame relaxing in the sauna.

They looked up as he forced his way through the thin door. "Ash? What are you doing here"? Asked the purple dragon confused.

The thrask reached forward and forced Spyro through the wooden bench upon which he was laying with a kick. Spyro's lungs quickly lost all air, and he began wheezing.

Flame took no time to attack. He launched a volley of flames toward Ash, who did not take kindly to his interruption. As the thrask turned to him, a familiar figure stood in the doorway.

"Tsk tsk. Why do you have to destroy everything we change. So the prophecy isn't viable, who cares? Things change, and we have to accept that". He pointed to the wheezing purple dragon. "We are going to change it this time. Understand"? Ash didn't respond, and instead stared at Koma angrily. "Very good. I knew I could train you given enough time". He drew a circle in the air and pointed to the upper left inside the circle. "Forward is this way". A blinding light emanated from the circle, and everything changed.

Ash was back to just outside the bath house, breathing heavily. Koma stood behind him, a smile concealed by his mask. "Now let's control ourself".

Ash nodded, and stepped into the bath house calmly. He found the two dragons were in a pool of hot water and not the sauna. He stood in the doorway, breathing erratically. His bandages weren't as well fitted, and his burnt tail hung free.

Spyro and Flame looked to him, surprised at who they saw. The purple dragon rose from the water and strode onto the marble floor. "Ash? What are you doing here? I haven't seen you since the thing with Cyril".

Ash continued to breath erratically, staring into Spyro's eyes. He stopped in an instant and cocked his head. "Hey, Spyro! Long time no see".

The purple dragon's jaw hung open. "Ash... are you okay? You don't seem like yourself".

The thrask shrugged. "I feel fine. Why? Was I doing something weird"?

Flame came out of the water. "Weird doesn't come close. I'm talking breathing like you ran ten miles without taking a breather".

"That does sound weird. Anyway, I came by to apologize. So are you ready to go to the ceremony"?

The two looked at each other. "Well", started Flame, "we were going to hit the sauna first. Then leave".

Ash shook his head. "Oh come one. You don't need to use a sauna. Let's go". Before they could argue, the thrask grabbed a horn on their head and dragged them out the door.

He let them walk themselves by the time he made it out of the bath house. "Okay fire dragon, lead us to the ceremony"! He exclaimed, standing at attention.

Flame huffed. "You could have at least let us dry off first. There's nothing worse then water in your scales".

"I'm sure you'll dry off eventually".

Flame rolled his eyes. "Let's just go". He lead the way through the glowing city. The water that clung to them made the cool night air even colder.

They turned a corner into a courtyard. In the center, under a cherry blossom tree, sat the rest of the group. Around the tree, were three stone statues. Ignitus, Spyro and Cynder forever captured in marble.

As they got to the tree, Cyril glared angrily at Ash, who spoke just loud enough for the ice dragon to hear him. "I'm sorry for what I did".

Cyril turned his head away to Spyro and Cynder. "Now that we're all here, we can begin". He cleared his throat. "We are gathered here today to remember Ignitus. Trusted guardian, mentor and friend to us all"...

The guardians each took turns telling their fondest memories. Spyro listened intently, piecing together what he would say through their memories. When his turn to talk did come, he stepped up nervously.

He swallowed a lump in his throat, and breathed deeply. "I have many fond memories of Ignitus. When he taught me to truly master fire. He would help me make sense of things". Images flashed through his mind, the burned dragon forced it's way to the front of his mind. "I didn't want to die. You killed me, Spyro. It was all your fault". Spyro felt a grief start to fill him. "And he did not die in vain". Looking forward, a new determination filled his eyes. "He was more than a mentor, guardian and friend to me. He was more like a father. Someone you trust no matter what, and would do anything for. I'm thankful for all he has done for everyone. He truly was a hero".

The audience smiled as Spyro went back next to Flame and Ash. Cynder spoke next, recounting her times in the temple, and how much Ignitus made it feel like a home. She told of the journey in great detail. as she stood there, filling Spyro's memory, he felt something. A twitch in the back of his head, a skip in his heart.

When Cynder was done speaking however, it drifted away. She took back her spot next to Ciezan, who congratulated her on her recounting. She laughed playfully.

Another feeling filled Spyro's heart. This one wasn't warm however. It felt.. cold. Hateful. "I'm not jealous of him.. am I"? He wondered.

Volteer shook his mind from it's concentration. "Now then, since we have all spoken, it is time for us to express our final prayers. The light of tomorrow is for rest and mourning. The later hours will consist of a celebration in accolade of Spyro and Cynder's return. So sleep well. It will most likely be quite a long night".

As everyone else dispersed, Cynder stood at the statues, admiring the time it must have taken to get it so realistic. Spyro joined her, laughing as he looked over hers. "What's so funny"? She asked joyfully.

"It looks nothing like you".

"Oh really? Why's that"?

"It"... Spyro started, but was cut off by a different voice.

"Doesn't do your beauty justice". The gryphon walked from behind the statue, eyeing over every detail.

Cynder blushed. "Ciezan, that's so sweet".

"Well it's true". He looked down the street, a tavern was bustling with activity. "Before we turn in," He looked back to Cynder. "would you want to grab a drink"?

Cynder thought it over. "I could go for something hard, sure".

Ciezan turned to Spyro next. "What about you, Spyro"?

"Oh.. um... I-I'm good. Kinda tired actually! Think I'll just head to bed. Get ready for tomorrow, you know"? He forced a smile.

Ciezan shrugged. "Suit yourself. Let's get going".

"Bye Spyro! Sleep well"! Said Cynder as she ran down the street with Ciezan.

"You too". He said quietly, looking to the ground and letting his wings drag across the ground as he walked.

When he did make it to his room, where Flame sat at the desk, writing something down the purple dragon walked to the bed, and plopped onto the soft mattress. "I know that look. What's wrong"? Questioned the red dragon.

Spyro sighed. "I think Cynder's falling in love with Ciezan".

Flame set down his quill, and walked over to the purple dragon. "I think you might be jumping to conclusions just a little. Don't you"?

"Not really. He asked if she wanted a drink and she said yes".

Flame laughed. "So? I've gone for drinks with a lot of females. It doesn't mean I love them". Spyro's mood didn't change. "Look, one drink doesn't mean she loves him. Neither does ten drinks. They're doing something everyone does. So don't get worked up over it. Okay"?

Spyro nodded. "Yeah. yeah you're right". He raised his head, a smile on his lips. "I'm sure it's nothing. Thanks Flame".

"Don't mention it. It's what I'm here for". They shared a laugh.

They stayed up talking for a bit, until their eyes just wouldn't stay open. When they did finally decide to call it a night, Flame flicked of the lights, and laid down next to Spyro. "We really need a second bed". Stated the purple dragon. "No offense".

Flame chuckled. "Yeah, I'd hate to have to sleep next to your sweaty ass all my life".

Spyro shoved him playfully. "You're lucky I'm tired. Goodnight, Flame".

"Goodnight". They closed their eyes and fell into unconsciousness.

In his dreams, Spyro saw Cynder and Ciezan, wrapped in eachothers embrace. They turned to him and smiled. "Sorry Spyro". Said Cynder. "You blew it. But don't worry.. I found an amazing replacement". She brought her mouth to Ciezan's. When they parted, a string of saliva ran between them.

Spyro awoke, not because of the dream, but instead to a noise. It was coming from outside. He walked to the door, and walked up the stairs, following the increasingly rapid noise. It sounded vaguely like grunting. As he found himself at Cynder's door. Spyro cracked it open, only to witness a horrid scene taking place before him.

Ciezan was perched atop Cynder under the red blanket, thrusting his body forward and back. Grunting all the while she moaned his name constantly. Ciezan increased his speed. She let out one final roar. "Oh.. Ciezan.. I-I'M C"...

Spyro shot up and fell out of bed, breathing heavily. He looked around frantically. The moon was still high in the night sky, and he could hear the tavern patrons just across the way. He bolted to his feet and dove out the window, hoping he wasn't too late.