Author's notes:
Story wise around a month has passed.
There are a few flashbacks in this chapter.
It would be a short chapter otherwise.
This chapter has some suggestive talk and but other than that it is mostly clean.
No matter how close it gets I will keep this lemon free.
Chapter 15: Committing
Flame was taken by surprise as a yellow orb flew in front of him he rubbed sleep from his eyes and noticed it was Sparx.
"Have you seen Spyro?" Sparx asked.
"Not since this morning." Flame answered with a yawn. "He said he was taking Cynder somewhere, he didn't tell me where."
Sparx frowned.
"I pick now to come and visit him and he runs off." Sparx muttered.
"Maybe you should *yawn* Let him know ahead of time." Flame suggested.
"Yeah." Sparx replied.
"Besides its late now." Flame stated. "He is probably in his room cuddled next to Cynder sleeping."
"I just checked he isn't." Sparx retorted.
Flame yawned again.
"Well then I can't help you, now if you'd excuse me I'm tired." Flame stated as he walked past Sparx.
Sparx crossed his arms.
"Hmph well then." Sparx muttered to himself.
Sparx continued to buzz around the temple but he found himself alone as all the guardians were in bed.
"Figures." Sparx muttered. "I should have come earlier."
Tixir and Volteer slowly walked down the hall.
"The dragons have integrated into Warfang without trouble." Tixir stated.
"Your people adapt quickly and seem happy here." Volteer chimed. "Still let me know if there is anything I can do."
"I will." Tixir replied. "thank you Volteer."
"Have you thought on the council's proposition?" Volteer asked.
"The seat you are offering me on the council, it is a huge burden give me some time to think on it." Tixir answered.
Volteer nodded and turned to leaven when Sparx raced in front of him.
"Do you know where Spyro went?" Sparx asked.
"Yes the rather excitable duo head out to twilight falls where I believe they are going to conduct a ceremony that is commonly used to signify two dragons as mates." Volteer answered.
"Huh?" Sparx asked in confusion.
"Spyro and Cynder have chosen a comfortable place away from civilization to spend a night to themselves." Volteer answered. "They are most likely going to mate."
"Ah so going to visit them is out of the question." Sparx stated.
"Most dragons enjoy their privacy when mating and can get pretty temperamental when it is disrupted." Volteer stated. "Don't worry they will be back by tomorrow."
Sparx nodded and flew off while Volteer turned and headed for his room.
The light of the moons reflected off the falls as Spyro and Cynder walked along the river bank.
"You picked a nice night for our little date." Spyro chimed.
Cynder looked at him.
"I've always loved twilight falls at night." Cynder replied. "It's too bad we did not get to spend some time admiring it the first time we came here."
"Yeah that was the only time we were here together." Spyro remarked.
"We were too busy saving the world." Cynder stated with a chuckle.
The two entered a secluded clearing and took in the peaceful atmosphere. Trees surrounded them obscuring visibility to the sky but the left a large hole in the center revealing a lake that went through and separated the trees on the opposing side of the small clearing. Spyro sat at the edge of the lake Cynder walked over and sat beside him allowing Spyro to drape his wing over her.
"last month was quite hectic between your lair and the outcasts moving in there has been a lot going on." Spyro stated.
"Looking back on it, it was an interesting experience." Cynder remarked.
Spyro and Cynder approached the large dark fortress the tops of its turrets obscured by dark clouds where lightening danced to and fro. As they approached the large front door they noticed that there was a camp with dragons in front.
"Looks like the soldiers from Thunder Peak are determined to secure the place." Spyro stated.
"Yeah." Cynder said hesitantly.
They approached the senior officer of the camp who like most of the other dragons there was an electricity dragon. He gave them a respectful bow as they approached.
"Ambassador Jolter said you would be arriving." The officer greeted.
"They said that the security system was giving you trouble." Cynder replied.
"Yeah, as soon as we entered Spider like creatures and some huge elemental soldiers started attacking us." The officer stated. "We managed to get out without losses but we can't set foot in there until it's clear."
"Why do you want this place so bad?" Spyro asked.
"Partially because if we don't someone hostile might." The officer answered. "But mostly because we are very conservative of historical objects and this fortress is one regardless of what it used to be used for."
Spyro turned to Cynder and the officer head back to his tent.
"So shall we get going?" Spyro asked.
Cynder sighed and gave Spyro and hesitant look.
"There's a problem with that Spyro." Cynder answered.
"What do you mean?" Spyro asked.
"The security systems are commanded from an orb in my personal chambers I cannot just walk in and tell it to not attack them." Cynder answered. "Also last time I configured it was just before we met at the top of the fortress, I configured it so that it would prioritize you as a target."
Spyro looked at her in confusion but quickly stopped when he realized what she was saying.
"So if we go on there the security system will tear me apart." Spyro stated.
"No amount of begging from me would be able to stop it." Cynder replied. "I don't want to go in there alone I may have accepted that I was once the Terror of the Skies but I would rather not have to walk through the memories of those atrocities alone."
Spyro cursed under his breath.
"There must be a way." Spyro stated.
Cynder looked around thinking about away to get inside. She noticed a metallic object near the door of the fortress it was circular like her collar and held a dark purple crystal in the center.
"There is one way." Cynder replied. "I don't want to do it though I will never forgive myself for it."
"What?" Spyro asked.
Cynder walked over and retrieved the object and showed it to Spyro. Spyro saw that it was a collar.
"This is a collar that I designed placed on prisoners to weaken them so they could not resist me when I brought them in, it drains elemental energy and when first placed on electrocutes the subject until the collar is securely locked in place to prevent them from breaking out." Cynder explained. "The prisoner can still move but doing anything that requires an excessive amount of energy such as flight, fleeing or combat will drain their energy at a rapid pace."
"I am guessing that those wearing the collar are no longer targeted by security." Spyro stated.
Cynder nodded.
"Very well." Spyro said as he moved to grab the collar.
"NO!" Cynder shouted and pulled it away. "There has to be another way!"
Tears dripped from Cynder eyes. Many of the soldiers turned to see what was going on.
"These collars destroyed the minds of many who I used them on, they cause excruciating pain and I will not let the same happen to you." Cynder cried.
Spyro put a paw on Cynder's cheek.
"I will be fine Cynder, I am strong and you are here with me." Spyro soothed. "I am doing this for you, as I would do anything."
Spyro slowly removed the collar from Cynders paw and held in his front left paw to examine it closer. It looked like it was terribly uncomfortable and would most likely irritate his scales. Spyro sighed He remove his golden armor collar and carefully placed the collar on then he closed it. For a moment nothing happened then dark purple electricity coursed from the collar and danced around Spyros body causing him to yelp in pain and fall to the ground. His body began to convulse violently and he began screaming in pain. Cynder closed her eyes and let her tears flow.
"Please stop hurting him." She thought. "Please stop."
As if it heard her the collar stopped electrocuting Spyro and the dark gem on the front began to glow slightly. Spyro got up and looked at Cynder.
"Cynder." He whispered.
She opened her eyes and stared into his.
"Are you alright?" Cynder asked.
"I feel terrible but oddly strong, this collar is not the least bit uncomfortable." Spyro stated.
Cynder looked more closely at the collar.
"That was the collar I designed specifically for you when I was corrupted." Cynder stated. "I planned to capture you as a trophy to show off that even a purple dragon could not stand against me."
"That would have broken the morale of anyone who opposed you." Spyro replied.
Cynder nodded as they walked through the front door and into the fortress. Cynder looked around and realized just how well preserved the place was there was no sign of damage or corrosion anywhere to the black, white and purple coloured interior.
"My chambers were on the top floor of the tallest tower where I could look over the rest of the place." Cynder said. "We should hurry I want that collar to be off of you a quick as possible."
"Yes mistress." Spyro said with a grin.
Cynder turned to face him and tell him off for calling her that but then noticed his grin Cynder groaned and turned away.
"Admit it Cynder." Spyro chimed. "You are thinking off all the things you can do to me now that I am completely at you mercy."
Cynder blushed but continued walking with Spyro following closely.
"No I am not." She lied but in truth she was.
"I certainly am." Spyro chuckled.
"Spyro!" Cynder cried in embarrassment. "Here is not the place for that."
"You're right let's wait until we are in your room." Spyro prodded with a grin.
"SPYRO!" Cynder shrieked.
"I'm sorry Cynder." Spyro said as he was caught off guard by her shriek.
"Just stop embarrassing me like that." Cynder replied.
"Ok." Spyro said.
The walk became long and awkwardly quiet Cynder was beginning to feel uncomfortable. Cynder slowed down until she was right beside Spyro she then nuzzled against him.
"I am glad you are here, these halls are bringing back unpleasant memories." Cynder stated. "Memories that I could not face alone."
Cynder remember countless dragons locked in collars that were forced to walk through these many halls towards the prison where their already dwindling hope would disappear many had died there by her paws.
"I can tell you are troubled by all that happened here." Spyro said.
"I just wish I knew if they all were aware I was not in my right mind." Cynder replied.
"I bet they would forgive you if they knew." Spyro soothed.
They slowly passed the dungeons and stopped near the doors where the hallway also split into three other passages.
"That door is the entrance to the dungeons." Cynder stated.
"You want to go in there don't you?" Spyro asked.
"I must." Cynder replied. "Otherwise the souls of the dragons that died in there will be forgotten forever."
Spyro nodded and followed her in as she opened the door into the dungeon. In many of the cells there were dragon skeletons laying there some were falling apart other were almost perfectly preserved.
"Such a horrid fate." Cynder stated gloomily.
Spyro nuzzled her and they slowly walked down the dungeon halls past many cells each one showed no signs of life. They came to the end of the path where it split into two more paths with more rows of cells. They turned left and continued to walk until the noticed one cell that was different. In the cell was a living dragon about their age the floor showed signs of blood along with tiny bones most likely that of rodents. The dragon in question had bluish white scales with a light blue underbelly wing membranes and silver horns and claws and was chewing on an oversized rat. The dragon carefully tore the meat off the rat that he held between his paws it gave a vicious shriek before it died. Cynder gasped and the dragon turned and looked at them.
"I thought you were gone." The dragons stated.
Cynder did not answer she just looked at him with guilt filled eyes.
"I have to say Cynder this place is more hospitable when your apes left." The dragon stated as it motioned to the rodent and the bones on the ground. "Those rodents you placed in here to terrorized the weak are easy to trap and don't taste as bad as the food that was served to us."
A moment passed before he spoke again.
"Or maybe my taste buds have dulled oh well." The dragon said with a laugh.
Cynder stared into his blue eyes.
"How could you keep such a positive outlook when you were trapped in here?" Cynder asked.
"The only way I could hold onto my sanity was to keep busy so I thought about stuff, ate and carved." The dragon answered.
Cynder then noticed that the walls in his cell were covered in beautiful carvings of many different things from dragons to cheetahs or just some random designs. The dragon turned his attention to Spyro who was staring in awe at the carvings the dragon noticed the collar.
"Caught yourself a purple dragon did we." The dragon poked.
"He's my mate and this was the only way to get him in here without security harming him." Cynder retorted.
"Ah yes your aggressive security system." The dragon said.
"Is that why you are here Cynder?" The dragon asked.
"I am reconfiguring security so that Thunder peak soldier can secure this place." Cynder stated as she went over to the cells padlock on placed her paw on it.
The padlock broke as she put shadow energy in it.
"Follow us so I can remove that collar when we reconfigure security." Cynder stated.
The dragon nodded and they proceeded out of the dungeon towards the tower.
"What is your name?" Spyro asked.
"Glacier." The dragon answered.
"How did you end up here?" Spyro inquired.
"I was captured by Cynder when I was a hatchling after she murdered my parents, there is nothing else notable about my life other than that while I was in this cell I used my tailblade to draw on the wall." Glacier explained.
"I am sincerely sorry for the hell you had to go through." Cynder said.
"Don't be I learned to carve and create wonderful things while trapped here." Glacier chimed. "I think I will continue my art when I am free."
Cynder smiled.
"If that is your dream then pursue it." Spyro chimed.
Glacier nodded with a gleeful smile.
"I shall." Glacier responded.
They finally reached the elevator to the tallest tower and stepped onto it.
"Ascend." Cynder commanded and the elevator obeyed.
The elevator slowly ascended the tower leaving the three to rest. Both Spyro and Glacier collapsed exhausted from the collars.
"There is no security in my room so I will remove the collars once we enter." Cynder stated.
The elevator stopped at a large door with an intricate carving Of Corrupt Cynder.
"You made me create this Cynder, and to tell you the truth I was happy carving it." Glacier stated.
"That still cannot erase the fact that you and many others were prisoners here." Cynder stated as she opened the door to the room.
The room was the same colour scheme as the rest of the fortress but it was elaborately decorated with pictures that were intricately carved and many other unique artefacts such as armor or jewels most likely taken from places that Cynder had conquered in her reign of terror. At the far end of the room was a large red cushion where Cynder had once slept while on the wall behind it was a masterfully carved portrait of Corrupt Cynder in front of the cushion hovering above the ground was a dark purple orb.
"I made you carve every one of these didn't I?" Cynder asked.
Glacier nodded.
"I was less of a prisoner to you and more of a personal assistant." Glacier answered. "Look closer at the craved portraits around the room."
Cynder noticed that they were all of her standing, sitting or lying on her cushion in poses that made her look dignified as if she was royalty.
"Was I really that vain?" Cynder asked.
"Yes but you never treated me harshly and I was always rewarded when I finished a portrait." Glacier answered.
"Moles do something similar." Spyro blurted out. "They call it painting though and they use many different tools."
"I am aware of those but I don't remember if I had seen any." Glacier stated.
While they talked Cynder carefully removed the collars that they both were wearing. Both dragons rubbed their necks.
"Feels better to have that off." Spyro said.
"It feels weird to me I have been stuck here for so long that I never felt the collar." Glacier stated.
"Now what about the security Cy… Cynder?" Spyro noticed that Cynder had drifted off and was sitting in the middle of the room.
Spyro approached and put a paw on Cynder's shoulder causing her to jump. She turned and noticed Spyro's concerned look.
"Cynder are you ok?" Spyro asked.
Cynder nodded.
"This place just brings back bad memories." Cynder answered. "I'm glad you're here."
"We will do something relaxing once we are done here." Spyro soothed.
"Thank you." Cynder replied.
"Now shall we finish up here?" Spyro asked.
Cynder nodded and walked up to the purple orb. Cynder placed her paws on it and closed her eyes.
"This may take a moment." Cynder stated.
The Orb began to Pulse rapidly before illuminating and coating the already well lit room in purple light. Her eyes opened and she looked to Spyro.
"It's done." She said.
Cynder stirred.
"No matter what happened there it could have been much worse." Spyro stated.
"Yes it could have." Cynder replied. "At least there was someone we saved."
"Yeah." Spyro said with a smile. "What about his offer, you think on that yet."
"To create a portrait of us?" Cynder asked.
Spyro nodded.
"Well it will give us something to decorate our new home." Cynder stated.
"We will find more items to decorate with don't worry." Spyro replied.
"We don't need lots of decoration I just don't want the place looking barren." Cynder retorted.
"I understand." Spyro said.
Spyro sighed.
"Is there a problem?" Cynder asked.
"The Hatred towards you" Spyro replied. "It's been more than eight years and still people can't let it go that you were the terror of the skies."
"You are talking about that group of eastern Sandstone Earth dragons?" Cynder asked.
"The ones that jumped you while you were taking a break from traveling to Warfang." Spyro stated. "Yes."
Cynder walked casually down the dirt path towards Warfang. It was a beautiful day and she had all the time in the world. The world around her was much in the same cheerful attitude that Cynder was in the bird whistled merry tunes while bees and pollinated and collected nectar from flowers.
"Such peace." Cynder whispered in a happy tone. "It is a beautiful thing."
Cynder stopped by a lake and looked out over the water, it was calm and smooth no waves rippled the water. Cynder looked into the water at her own reflection Cynder gently touched the water and created some slight ripples. Cynder sighed and lay down next to the water she looked around the lake and noticed that she was all alone, she wanted for Spyro to be there with her but he was already in Warfang. Cynder heard the sound of multiple footsteps on grass behind her. She turned to see who it was when she was suddenly tackled to the ground.
"If it isn't the Terror of the skies." The beige dragon standing overtop of Cynder growled. "Wonder when we would find you so we could get you back for driving us into the desert."
Three other dragons surround the two.
"My friends and I want payback." He hissed.
Cynder could I have said a million things to prove her innocence that would have been true but she knew they would not listen She instead planned an escape. She quickly placed her two back paws which were left unsecured on his stomach then she pushed him over her and into the lake. She was quick to get up and leap away putting some distance between her and the other dragons. She turned to run but an earth spike appeared in front of her and he turned to face the dragon that did it.
"Face me you vile wretch!" The dragon snarled.
Cynder instead let of a siren scream which sent a red sound wave at the dragon while the other two nearby were covered their heads due to the sheer sound causing a headache. The dragon that was hit by the sound wave curled up into a ball and began to whimper.
"Ryla…no please spare her." He whimpered. "Please Cynder don't kill her…no."
Cynder stopped and an old dark memory appeared. A young dragon couple in a burning village, a dark dragoness killing the female while the male begged her not to. Cynder approached the dragon and waited patiently for him to collect himself. The dragon got up and glared at Cynder.
"I'm sorry for what I did to Ryla." Cynder said.
"Sorry wont bring her back you bitch." The dragon growled.
"Your right…it wont but would your mate want you to waste your life on revenge?" Cynder asked. "I redeemed myself in the eyes of the guardians and the purple dragon chose me as a mate, how would the people of Warfang look upon my murder, how would your mate react?"
"My mate gave herself up so that I could live yet I was so fueled by anger that felt your death would bring me peace." The dragon answered. "I'm sorry."
"You have nothing to apologize for, as I have caused you much grief." Cynder replied.
The other two dragons got up and looked at Cynder with hostile look.
"You may have found his soft spot but we are not finished." One of them snarled.
"Oh yes you are!" Yelled a demanding voice.
Cynder turned to see four armored dragons approaching.
"Lady Cynder we were doing our patrols when we heard a fear screech, was it you?" The lead guard asked.
"Yes it was me." Cynder confirmed.
The guard nodded and took the two dragons into custody while the other accompanied Cynder to Warfang.
"So the four guards arrested the dragons for attempted murder and the one you got through two was not charged?" Spyro asked.
"Yes." Cynder answered. "He managed to make peace with his deceased mate and he wished us well in our future as mates."
Spyro smiled.
"it's nice to see a conflict that was solved with words instead of violence." Spyro chimed.
Cynder nodded. Both of them sat there looking at the night sky. Cynder glanced over at Spyro who was looking at her with a grin.
"what are you smiling about?" Cynder asked.
Spyro pounced on top of Cynder.
"You said today is the beginning of your mating cycle." Spyro said.
Cynder smiled seductively.
Spyro began to lick and nip at Cynder's neck causing Cynder to moan. Spyro stopped and Cynder took this time to turn the tables and flipped Spyro onto his back.
Cynder and Spyro passionately kissed as their tails entwined. Once they needed to breath they released the kiss. Spyro once again flipped Cynder on to her back and stood above her.
"Well you are at my mercy now." Spyro stated with a sly grin.
"Seems I am." Cynder replied with a similar grin. "Don't be gentle with me Spyro."
Spyro gave a growl as instincts took over. Cynder could not care less about her surroundings she was with her love who pledged himself to her as she did to him. They would never leave each other but at the back of her mind a though came to pass. What if one of them disappeared form the other ones life. The death of one would destroy the other. That's why this child was so important to Cynder. It would be what keeps one of them in this world should the other one die. But even then Cynder knew that life would never be the same for that one left alone. Cynder could not imagine what it would be like to lose Spyro because she would not allow herself to think about it. Her train of worried thoughts was brought to an end when Spyro began the mating and the passion and ecstasy took over reducing Cynder mind to a fog. She would never leave Spyro's side and he would never leave hers. When the mating ended Spyro collapsed on top of Cynder out of breath.
"Like *pant* before that was *pant* indescribable." Spyro stated.
"You certainly *pant* know how to *pant* treat a dragoness." Cynder replied.
They lay there for an hour resting. Cynder hoped that there would soon be an egg or multiple developing inside her, she wanted to be a mother and live a peaceful life but first she had to confirm something.
"Spyro?" Cynder asked.
"Yes my love?" Spyro replied.
"Will you promise to never leave my side?" Cynder asked. "I don't want to lose you it would destroy me even with the children I may bare."
Spyro smiled warmly.
"I will never leave your side and when the time comes we will depart this world together." Spyro answered.
Cynder closed her eyes and sighed.
"That's all I can ask." Cynder stated as she cuddled closer to Spyro as the rearranged to be sleeping beside each other.
They drifted off into a peaceful sleep in each other's embrace. They had made a promise to each other and they would keep it till the end of time if possible.
The end.
Author's note:
Thank you to HolyCross9 who suggested the name Sandstone earth dragons for the dragons from the eastern desert.