Chapter Sixteen: Choices

Spyro opened his eyes and examined his surroundings. He saw no soldiers anywhere around him. All he could see were the other unconscious Skylanders. Aemus was gone, he realized, much to his chagrin and horror. But then some of the horror subsided when he realized Cynder was still there. He made his way over to her, and saw her side had a few fresh scars, though none of them were bleeding.

Spyro looked around, wondering if something more had happened, and as he took inventory of the other Skylanders, including himself and Cynder, he realized one was missing: Sonic Boom. Spyro realized with great horror that Sonic Boom had been kidnapped by Aemus. He couldn't believe it. Why had Aemus taken the Griffiness and not Cynder? While Spyro hadn't wanted either to be taken, he felt unsure of why everything had happened.

Cynder began stirring, and Spyro touched her shoulder softly as she woke. She began shivering violently, and Spyro got close to her, hoping to warm her. Cynder opened her eyes and looked to Spyro. She obviously knew something was wrong, as tears were forming in her sapphire eyes. "S-spyro, it's all m-my f-f-fault!" she cried as soon as she was fully awake. "It's b-because of m-me that she was t-t-taken!"

"Cynder, calm down. It's all right, nobody will blame you for what has happened. But just tell me, how did it happen? How did Aemus take Sonic Boom? I need to know. Please, Cyn, just tell me."

"After all of you were kn-knocked unconscious b-by the p-p-power in that c-crystal, I c-confronted Aemus," she explained. "He g-got the upper hand, of c-c-course, but Sonic Boom came to my defense. She s-stopped him, b-but she was about to be k-k-killed, and I got in the way. Just b-before I went into unconsciousness, I saw Aemus t-take her away in his c-claws. S-spyro, we have to d-do s-something, and we have t-to d-do something real s-s-soon! I'm n-not going to allow S-sonic B-boom t-to g-go through anything!"

"It's all right, Cynder," he told her. "I need to wake up the others, and then we can continue on with what our next course of action is going to be. We have to get back to the Ruins real soon now." Spyro hurried with waking up the other Skylanders. He broke Hex's chains as well, and soon after, every present Skylander was awake.

"What the heck happened?" Sunburn asked. "How the heck did Aemus knock us all out like that?"

"I'm not sure," Whirlwind replied. "But it seems like he wiped out a lot of his army, too."

"Wait a minute," Sunburn said, looking all around in deep fear, "where's Sonic Boom?" He looked to Spyro and Cynder. Spyro was draping one of his wings over Cynder. "Did any of you see what happened to her?"

Cynder opened her mouth to speak, but Spyro stopped her from doing so and told Sunburn everything Cynder had told him. When he was finished, Sunburn was still sitting there, unable to believe what had transpired while he was unconscious. "We need to do something," he told them.

"I know," said Spyro. "We're going to get to the Ruins and tell Cali, Stealth Elf, and some of the others about all that's happened. We need to know where Aemus might have gone. If he left here, then I'm sure he's gone somewhere that acts as another hideout. He wouldn't have taken Sonic Boom without doing something like that."

"I f-feel so g-guilty," Cynder said. "I f-f-feel as if it's all m-my fault. Nevermind w-what I j-just s-s-said. It is all m-my f-f-fault. I allowed S-sonic Boom to s-stand up f-for m-m-me, and as a r-result, she's b-been t-t-taken. I don't kn-know if I c-can ever f-f-forgive m-myself."

"You shouldn't," Slam Bam snapped at her. "You allowed one of our enemies to win, and for that you deserve—"

"SHUT UP!" Flashwing commanded him. "I may not be Spyro, you freaking idiot, but I know when enough is enough. Blame Cynder again, and I will stab you!"

Slam Bam wasn't sure what had just happened. He looked over to Spyro, who did nothing more than remain looking at his mate.

"Come on," he said. "Let's start getting back to the Ruins. We have a long trek ahead of us, once again. I know, we already went over that trail, but we have to do it again, either way, to get back. So follow me."

He slowly walked away, and then turned around, seeing that Cynder was still there, obviously feeling sorrow. She was blaming herself still, and that was something Spyro didn't want her to do. He didn't believe it was her fault. Everyone made mistakes, he knew, and he knew that her mistake was one that would be forgiven soon enough, as soon as they saved Sonic Boom.

"Cyn, I know how much you blame yourself, but you don't need to," he explained to her as softly as he could. "I need you to stay strong. You're that one Skylander I can't allow to fall under the weight of the pressure we've all been put under. You need to listen to me, my love. Please."

"I'm listening," she replied.

"We're going to get her back. I won't stop until I help you end Aemus, and I won't stop until we rescue Sonic Boom. Sunburn, the same goes for you. Do the both of you understand me?"

"I do," Sunburn said.

"I do," Cynder said.

"Then come on," Spyro told them. "We need to get the heck out of here, return to the Ruins, and come up with some way to rescue Sonic Boom."

He stayed close to Cynder as they left the Ice Caverns. This time, Flashwing helped to keep her warm, as Sunburn was still attempting to comprehend the fact his mate had been kidnapped.

"It's almost over," Cynder said. "Almost."

Back at the Ruins, Cali was with Stealth Elf, wondering where Spyro, Cynder, and their group of Skylanders could be. Though they knew the group had traveled to the Ice Caverns, they still didn't know how long the group would be there. Both were beginning to become worried. Cynder couldn't survive long in the Ice Caverns unless there was someone to help keep her warm. Though they knew she was most likely going to be kept warm by Spyro, they couldn't help but worry about her being down there. There was also Aemus, and that scared them even more.

"Is everything going to be all right when they return?" Cali asked Stealth Elf.

"Maybe," replied Stealth Elf. "I should have gone with them. Why did I allow them to leave without taking me? I could've helped them so much! Why did I just stay here? There's been no one to heal, fortunately, but when they return, most likely, someone will have been hurt. I just hope it isn't Cynder."

"I hope she isn't, too."

Soon enough, the two heard voices, and they looked forward through the morning's mist to see the shapes of all the Skylanders who had traveled to the Ice Caverns. Spyro was in front, along with Cynder, whom he had draped a wing over. She seemed to be shivering a small amount still. As soon as she saw them, Cali ran towards them, with Stealth Elf not very behind her. They both wanted to know all that had happened. And then they saw the fresh scars Cynder had received in her most recent battle with Aemus.

"What happened to you guys?" Cali asked with deep concern flooding her tone of voice, eyes, and expressions. "Cynder, are you all right? Do I need to patch up those wounds?"

"No," Cynder told her. Sorrow filled her voice. "They stopped bleeding before I woke up."

"Woke up?" Stealth Elf asked. "What do you mean?"

So Cynder told the story of all that had occurred down in the Ice Caverns. She stopped before the part that included Sonic Boom's kidnapping and she seemed to Cali and Stealth Elf very different. It was strange to them, and they weren't sure about the reason for it. But finally she told them.

"By the end of it, Aemus and I confronted each other, but he was too strong. I was knocked unconscious, but just before I slipped into that icy darkness, I saw him take Sonic Boom. Oh God, this is all my fault! I'm so sorry, Sunburn!"

"Cynder, you shouldn't have to apologize to me," Sunburn replied. "I know it was hard for you to do all you did. It was cold enough in there to make me shiver a little, so compared to the fact you're affected so badly by cold weather, you did an amazing job."

"I don't feel as if I did," Cynder told them. "I feel as if I failed."

Hex and Spyro turned their heads over to Slam Bam, who seemed like he was going to speak for a moment, even opening his mouth, but then closed it. Spyro sighed with relief. Cynder didn't need anyone to speak to her rudely at the moment. She'd gone through quite enough.

"Cynder, no one here blames you for what happened," Whirlwind told her. "Don't blame yourself for things that were out of your control. It's a terrible thing to do."

"What other choice do I have?" Cynder snapped. Tears filled her eyes. "I had a chance to save Sonic Boom, but I didn't step on it. I could have stopped the kidnapping, but I was unable to do so, because I allowed Aemus to knock me out! I don't deserve the role of a Skylander anymore. All I've done is fail."

"You haven't failed." Spyro spoke the words without even thinking them. "You're a winner to me, always."

"Spyro, stop," Cynder said briskly. "You're not helping, no matter how much you think you might be. None of your words are helping me. I know what I need to do. I need to find Aemus, save Sonic Boom, and kill the white demon that showed up without warning. I'll send him to Hell without blinking! He deserves whatever punishment that's coming to him!"

Spyro was in disbelief at the words he was hearing. It was obvious her pain was real. He felt as if he wanted to slap himself for even thinking that, as it was obvious her pain was real. He'd been her mate for the past three years, nearly four, and he knew how she felt. After all, he could read her mind as a result of her mental connection. Though he didn't use the ability very much, due to the fact he didn't want to snoop into his mate's mind (knowing how angry she would be), he'd taken a small peek, and when he felt her pain, he was blown away. It was even worse than he'd believed. He couldn't even fathom what he'd felt. He felt terrible that he hadn't kept up on it. He felt he had for a while, but now he realized he was behind, and he felt as if he was an inadequate mate all of a sudden.

"Cynder, please, just listen to one of us!" Camo pleaded. "We're trying to help you, but you aren't allowing us. Why is that? Why can't you accept our help?"

"Because—I don't know," she admitted. "I'm not someone that likes to take this help, because I don't want to be this whiny little freak who has to act as the darned damsel-in-distress! I've been in that role twice now, and I hate it. I want to be strong, I want to be someone that others look up to. But I'm unable to do that because of all that has happened. All that I've gone through. It's maddening."

Flashwing placed her paw on Cynder's shoulder, trying to comfort her. But she didn't know how much farther the Black Dragoness would go in all this.

"Cynder, I need you to step outside for the moment," Spyro told her. "I need to talk to you about these things."

Cynder did as her mate asked, and when Spyro believed they were out of hearing range, he spoke to her.

"I know how much you blame yourself, but you shouldn't," he said to her.

"Is this what you came out here to talk to me about?" she snapped. "I've been dealing with these words already, as you know. As soon as we returned, you told me these words. Why in the name of God do you keep speaking them to me?"

"Because I'm trying to help you," he explained. "I'm trying to help my mate. Is that so wrong? And don't even say I don't understand your pain. I…I feel bad for doing this, but when you were sleeping the night before we left, I looked into your mind, and I felt the anger and the hate there. It's larger than even I could even imagine, and I feel so sorry for all you've gone through, my love. I'm sorry I poked into your thoughts. I didn't read anything, but I saw snippets of information. I tried to forget a lot of it, just in case, but I don't even remember what it was."

Cynder stood there, looking as if she was flabbergasted at his words. Spyro wondered what she was going to say, but he thought her words would be in an angrier tone than that in which she spoke.

"Spyro, you do not have to apologize for that," she said softly. "I know you want to understand what I'm going through more, and that I haven't helped very much. Our mental connection doesn't help us in those cases, and I don't mind you looking through my thoughts. I just hoped that if you ever did, you wouldn't judge me for it."

"Judge you for it?" Spyro asked. "How could I judge you for that anger? I understand what you're feeling. I know you want everything to be over, and I want to help you. You're going to have to allow me to help you. You'll have to allow the others, as well. They are by your side, ready for action. When you give them the sign, they'll jump in to help you."

Cynder sighed. "You're right," she said. "Do you mind if I stay out here for now? I'd rather not hear of your plans for the moment. You can tell me later."

"Of course. Is there anything else I can do for you?"

"Two things. Get me Flashwing. And…I have an idea of where Sonic Boom might be, where Aemus might have taken her."

Spyro was all-ears for her theory. He wanted to know all that she might possibly know.

"I think Aemus might be hiding out in my old abandoned fortress, where you first confronted and fought me in my corrupted form. I hate thinking of that place, but it's the only place I can think of making sense. I remember how cold that place was. My memories have allowed me to see what's happened and relive them, and due to my vulnerability, I feel the cold in my body more than ever. It'd make sense, because the cold helps Aemus to recharge."

"Good God, you're right."

Spyro couldn't believe it. The answer had been there, and now, thanks to Cynder, he knew where Aemus was. All he had to do was tell the others, and then they would decide on where to go. But, looking at his mate, he decided she would not be going with him. He didn't want her to be hurt any longer.

"All right," he said. "I'll go back inside the tent. You stay out here, and I'll tell Flashwing to come out and join you."

Cynder nodded, and waited as he left. When Flashwing finally appeared, she smiled at Cynder.

"You just needed some company?" she asked.

Cynder nodded. "I needed someone else to talk to besides Spyro," she said. "I love him, but after a while, I just need to talk to someone else. Sonic Boom took that post until recently, as you can tell."

"Don't keep blaming yourself, Cyn," Flashwing told her. "This will all be over soon." Silence fell over them for a little. "So…I revealed to Drobot that I love him."

Cynder's eyes widened. "You did? Wait…that was the Skylander you mentioned to Bash when he was attempting to hit on you…Oh my God…"

"I know, it seems weird, but I just felt like I had to love him, is all. I love him with all my heart, and I've accepted it. We've also shared our first kiss, too," Flashwing explained happily. "It seems strange that, even in a time like this, we can still find some sort of happiness."

"It really is," Cynder said. "Flashwing, I need your help deciding on something."

"What's that?"

"I think I can trust you with this, but please just—" She was cut off by the sound of voices coming closer to them, as well as footsteps. She and Flashwing watched as Spyro and the other Skylanders and Cali stepped out of the tent.

Spyro walked over to them and stopped right by Cynder. Cynder stood and looked at him with anxious eyes, wondering what he was going to say.

"Cyn, I told them about your theory, and most of them have agreed that it's the only place Aemus could still be hiding out," he told her. "So that's that. We're heading out in two days."

"Two days?" exclaimed Cynder. "Two days? Are you freaking kidding me? That's…Good God, Spyro! We need to go soon! I mean it! Sonic Boom is counting on us to save her! I'm not going to just sit here and wait for two freaking days to pass! Who knows what Aemus will do to her? You should be thinking more about how I feel when it comes to this. You know, when I was kidnapped, you didn't waste any time whatsoever in saving me, even when everything seemed bleak. So why are you wasting time here?"

Cynder stared at him angrily, and stormed off. Flashwing and Whirlwind looked at Spyro for a moment, and then walked off as well, obviously wanting to help Cynder.

When the two of them caught up with Cynder by the beach, she turned to them. Anger danced in her beautiful eyes, and they both knew she meant business.

"I wish he would understand me," she exclaimed. "I don't get why he can't see that we have to leave now!"

"Cyn, he's only trying to protect you," Whirlwind protested. "He loves you, and he wants you to be protected. Aemus will kill you if you go over there."

Cynder sighed. "Maybe you're right," she said. "But I just want Spyro to see that we need to save Sonic Boom before Aemus kills her. I feel so responsible for her being taken. And don't even try to tell me otherwise! I could have stopped the kidnapping, but instead, I was knocked unconscious. And I caused everything to happen. It's all my fault. And I need to stop Aemus. I'm the only one who can stop him."

"What are you saying?" Flashwing asked.

"Whirlwind, could you go and tell Spyro that I'm all right, and that I'll be seeing him soon?" Cynder asked of her friend.

Whirlwind seemed reluctant, but gave in nonetheless. "I don't know what you're going to do, Cyn, but I support you still, and love you like a sister."

Then she walked off, and Cynder turned to Flashwing. "Could you keep a secret?"

Flashwing nodded. Cynder began telling her of the plan she'd come up with.

Meanwhile, Spyro lay in his and Cynder's treehouse. He knew Cynder was agitated, and he couldn't blame her. It had been a very bold decision, to wait until the day after tomorrow, but he believed it would be the best time, as he, Cynder, and the others would be able to rest. But Cynder obviously wasn't going to hear of it.

He heard the sounds of flapping wings, and soon Whirlwind appeared. She seemed a little unnerved, but Spyro believed that had to do with all that had happened. He felt that way, as well, and he knew Cynder did, too.

"What is it?" he asked.

"Cynder wanted me to tell you that she's all right," she explained. "She's talking with Flashwing right now. She's not crying, fortunately. It seems she's becoming stronger. But there's definitely a good amount of seriousness in her. Can you blame her? I mean, we're all on edge. Who knows what Sunburn is feeling right now? Have you decided to check on him at all?"

"I'm probably going there right now," Spyro told her. "Cynder will hopefully be back when I return. But for now, I need to talk with Sunburn. He's my best friend, and so I need to go and see if he's all right. What kind of a friend would I be if I didn't do something like that, you know?"

"All right. I'm going to my treehouse. Camo's probably waiting for me." She was about to turn around and open her wings to leave, but stopped herself. Spyro saw she was nervous. "Spyro, I have something to ask of you, and of Cynder."

"What is it?"

"Camo and I are planning to have our lifemate ceremony real soon," she said. "I know, it's crazy, especially with all we're going through, but we've been planning it since before the battle here at the Ruins, before the battle with Vathek and Kaos at Dragon's Peak. I just wanted to know if, quite possibly, you could be Camo's best man and Cynder could be my maid of honor?"

Spyro was taken off-guard. With all the serious crap that had been happening, he'd never returned his thoughts to Whirlwind and Camo's relationship. They'd even told he and Cynder about the possibility of their lifemate ceremony, but he'd never paid much attention to it since then.

"I would be honored," Spyro said. "And Cynder most likely would be as well." Then something came to mind. "But there might be some trouble with that. If either I or Cynder is injured, then it might be good to think of…replacements? I think that's the right word. But it's just a suggestion."

"I understand," Whirlwind told him. "Flashwing and Drobot were my other choices, and Camo's, too. We have to be prepared, I know. And that's what I'm going to do. We'll wait and see." She sighed. "I'm going to go. I'll see you later, Spyro." She flew off, leaving Spyro to think for a while.

Then he decided to fly to Sunburn and Sonic Boom's treehouse. While it was only Sunburn there at the moment, Spyro told himself he would rescue Sonic Boom with everyone else as soon as he could. He went to the open window and flew to the eastern area of the row of treehouses.

When he arrived, Sunburn was sitting there, obviously feeling down. His head was hung, and Spyro heard small whimpers coming from him.

"Sunburn? Do you mind if I come in?" Spyro asked when he landed on the balcony.

"Go ahead," Sunburn replied. "I'm sorry that you're seeing me here, crying."

"You don't have to be sorry, Sunburn," Spyro assured him. "You've gone through a lot. The kind of pain you're going through is something I've already gone through. I can help you if you want me to. If you remember, when Cynder was taken, I went through a lot of pain. And it was the same when I thought she was taken again."

"I know," Sunburn said. "But this pain isn't something I've wanted to go through. It's horrible. I don't know how you've felt this way and gotten through it. I know we're going to save her, but this fear is hurting me."

"It hurts everyone," Spyro said. "There are some who can't get through it, but there are some who have the strength to do so. You have the strength, and I know that you'll have the courage to get back up and save your mate."

Sunburn looked to Spyro. He was smiling now. "Thank you," he said. "I think you've proven to me that hope can come even when everything seems down."

Spyro smiled. "I have hope every day. I have Cynder after all. As long as she's with me, I can be hopeful wherever I go. When we get Sonic Boom back, that feeling will come into you as well. I'm sure of it, and I promise it."

Sunburn kept smiling. "I believe you, and I trust you," he said. "That's why you're my brother."

Spyro nodded, and turned away. "I'm going back to see if Cynder's returned to our treehouse. I'll see you tomorrow."

As Spyro flew off, Sunburn smiled and thought, We're coming, Sonic Boom. Don't you worry.

When Spyro returned to his treehouse, he found Cynder laying there on the bed. She seemed fast asleep.

Spyro got up there next to her and rubbed her back. She stirred, and then turned to look up at him with large sapphire eyes. "Is everything all right?" she asked.

"Sunburn's feeling a little down, but I gave him hope," Spyro explained. "How are you feeling? I'm sorry I made you angry. That wasn't my intention."

"I know, Spyro," she said. "I know. I'm sorry I reacted that way. I shouldn't have done that. I guess I'm on edge right now. I feel so much guilt for all I've done. I feel I could have saved Sonic Boom and ended Aemus, but because I didn't do so, the guilt hits me like Aemus's claws. His claws going through my flesh are the worst pain I've ever felt. They're lined with Ice, which makes it even worse."

"When we confront him, I'll allow you to give him the final blow. I promise you."

Cynder smiled. "Thank you." She sighed and then curled up on him. "I love you so much. I don't want this night to end. I want to remain near you for the rest of my life."

"And you will. This is almost over, my love. There's no need to worry about that."

Cynder smiled once more, and closed her eyes. Spyro soon followed. He fell asleep, and Cynder followed suit. As she closed her eyes, a single tear rolled down her cheek.

When Spyro woke the next morning, he looked for Cynder. Instead, he found next to him nothing. At first he believed she'd gone out of the treehouse and down to the Core.

Then he saw the note on her nightstand.

He took a look at it, and saw it was in her handwriting. It didn't seem rushed, but he could see stains all over, which seemed to do with water. He realized she'd been crying when she wrote it. He wondered why exactly.

The note read:

Dear Spyro,

I love you with all my heart. I am sorry I had to do this, but I had no choice. Please do not blame me. I've gone to save Sonic Boom from Aemus's clutches, and if you decide to follow me, then I must tell you that I believe it is an ill decision. Knowing how your love for me, however, you will most certainly attempt to do so, and I love your for that, though I must advise against it.

In the case of you following me, let me tell you that there is a map in my nightstand that tells where the old fortress of mine is located. When you arrive, you will find something, and I am not sure what that might be. Please forgive me for all I've done. I am only doing this because I don't want you to keep worrying about what might pass in the years to come.

I remember the extent of the pain you went through when I was gone. I looked through your thoughts and felt the pain, and that is a pain I have yet to feel. When this is over, I might be alive, or I might be dead. We don't truly know, do we? But this will end soon, I promise you. Everything might seem dark now, but I want you to remember something: "Even in the darkest of times, there is always hope. Sometimes, fear clouds our vision; sometimes our strength gives out, but sometimes, when all seems lost, a light shines through the darkness, and even the smallest amount of courage can turn the tides of war." You've shown me that, and that is something I will never forget, even when I am an inch from death. I love you, and will love you until the end of my days.

Yours truly,

Cynder

P.S. Tell Whirlwind I would be honored to be her maid of honor if I get through this.

P.P.S. Tell Sunburn that even if I don't survive this, Sonic Boom will, and she will return. This will end with Aemus's death, and possibly mine. But she will survive and return to her mate.

Tears filled Spyro's eyes as the realization came to him. He couldn't believe what she had done. Please, God, no, he thought. He quickly searched through her nightstand and found the map. He then flew off to tell the others what he'd discovered.

He would go to find her. But what he wanted most was for, when he arrived, Cynder to be alive.